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UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson rejects claims people don't understand new 'stay alert' slogan UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson rejects claims people don't understand new 'stay alert' slogan
(32 minutes later)
Official death toll rises by 210; PM publishes 50-page ‘blueprint’ and addresses Commons; Keir Starmer says Johnson’s strategy has caused ‘considerable confusion’Official death toll rises by 210; PM publishes 50-page ‘blueprint’ and addresses Commons; Keir Starmer says Johnson’s strategy has caused ‘considerable confusion’
Sir Richard Branson has agreed to sell shares worth around $500 million (£405 million) in his Virgin Galactic space business to raise funds for his struggling airline and leisure businesses, PA reports.
The businessman, who has previously suggested he would be willing to remortgage his private Caribbean island home on Necker Island to raise funds, said the cash would be reinvested into firms including Virgin Atlantic.
Announcing the plans via the New York Stock Exchange, Virgin Group said it would sell 25 million shares via Credit Suisse, with the process expected to cost the business $167,000.
The shares, sold via Sir Richard’s British Virgin Islands-based shell company Vieco 10, account for around a fifth of the billionaire’s stake in the space tourism business.
The easing of some lockdown rules is a particularly tricky matter for the golfers of Llanymynech, on the border of England and Wales.
Boris Johnson’s exit plan means golfers in England have begun to dig out their gear in readiness for tee-off time on Wednesday, but clubs in Wales are expected to remain closed.
The problem for Llanymynech, a hilly course located between Welshpool and Shrewsbury, is that some of it lies in England and some in Wales.
Fifteen holes are wholly in Wales and two in England. On the fourth hole, the golfer hits his or her first shot in Wales and putts out on a green in England.
The course has been closed since the start of lockdown but members are beginning to wonder if there is any way they can argue that it ought to reopen.
The club secretary, Sian Whiteoak, said: “We’re trying to work it out. We have some holes in England and some holes in Wales, so we don’t know what we can do.”
The photographer Jill Mead has been documenting the quirky, unusual and downright strange occurrences in her local neighbourhoods and other parts of the capital.
Dan Sabbagh and Severin Carrell report on how the coronavirus biosecurity centre will monitor local outbreaks.
Schools and businesses in a local area could be forced to close if the new coronavirus biosecurity centre identifies a new disease outbreak, according to the government’s action plan for overcoming the pandemic.
The Whitehall centre is to have an “independent analytical function” to assess the rate of infection community by community – and recommend urgent lockdown measures if deemed necessary.
“It will identify specific actions to address local spikes in infections” according to the 60 page document and advise ministers “to close schools or workplaces where infection rates have spiked” to tackle unexpected outbreaks.
The Joint Biosecurity Centre will also have responsibility for measuring a five-tier coronavirus alert system announced by Boris Johnson last night for England, and will be based in the Cabinet Office, responsible for cross-government coordination.
But there was little other fresh detail about the centre in the plan, such as who would staff or run it. Its initial announcement on Sunday had already been criticised by the Scottish government for not briefing it in advance.
Far from the moment of clarity and reassurance many were hoping for, Boris Johnson’s Sunday evening address to the nation seemed to raise more questions than it answered. What day were people supposed to return to work? How many individuals were allowed to meet outdoors?Far from the moment of clarity and reassurance many were hoping for, Boris Johnson’s Sunday evening address to the nation seemed to raise more questions than it answered. What day were people supposed to return to work? How many individuals were allowed to meet outdoors?
Metro’s front page on Monday invoked the prime minister’s passion for classics with the headline “It’s all Greek to us Boris”, and the Mirror described lockdown Britain as “chaos”. From a public communications perspective, it was not – it is fair to say – a success.Metro’s front page on Monday invoked the prime minister’s passion for classics with the headline “It’s all Greek to us Boris”, and the Mirror described lockdown Britain as “chaos”. From a public communications perspective, it was not – it is fair to say – a success.
Chris Whitehouse, the managing director of the Whitehouse Consultancy communications agency, said:Chris Whitehouse, the managing director of the Whitehouse Consultancy communications agency, said:
Ahead of the prime minister’s speech on Sunday evening – an embargoed copy of which was shared with the media – government sources briefed political journalists with details of some additional measures that were included in the 50-page guidance to be published 24 hours later.Ahead of the prime minister’s speech on Sunday evening – an embargoed copy of which was shared with the media – government sources briefed political journalists with details of some additional measures that were included in the 50-page guidance to be published 24 hours later.
Whitehouse added:Whitehouse added:
Equality campaigners, including the former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott, have warned that the change in lockdown measures will hit black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people harder because they are less likely to be able to work from home and more likely to to be forced to use public transport to travel to their place of work.Equality campaigners, including the former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott, have warned that the change in lockdown measures will hit black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people harder because they are less likely to be able to work from home and more likely to to be forced to use public transport to travel to their place of work.
Abbott said: “Low-paid workers across the board are going to be hit by this recklessly premature move to exit the lockdown. This will also disproportionately affect black and Asian workers. No one should be forced to risk death at work. Workers need to know they will be supported if they refuse to do so.”Abbott said: “Low-paid workers across the board are going to be hit by this recklessly premature move to exit the lockdown. This will also disproportionately affect black and Asian workers. No one should be forced to risk death at work. Workers need to know they will be supported if they refuse to do so.”
BAME people have already been disproportionately affected by Covid-19. Figures published last week showed that black people in the UK are more than four times more likely to die from coronavirus than white people. After taking into account age, measures of self-reported health and disability and other socio-demographic characteristics, black people were still almost twice as likely as white people to die a Covid-19-related death. Bangladeshi and Pakistani men and women were more than 1.5 times likely to die than their white counterparts, when other factors were accounted for.BAME people have already been disproportionately affected by Covid-19. Figures published last week showed that black people in the UK are more than four times more likely to die from coronavirus than white people. After taking into account age, measures of self-reported health and disability and other socio-demographic characteristics, black people were still almost twice as likely as white people to die a Covid-19-related death. Bangladeshi and Pakistani men and women were more than 1.5 times likely to die than their white counterparts, when other factors were accounted for.
Recent research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies found that a third of all working-age black Africans are employed in key worker roles – 50% more than the white British population.Recent research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies found that a third of all working-age black Africans are employed in key worker roles – 50% more than the white British population.
Sabby Dhalu, the Stand up to Racism co-convenor, said: “With the previous lockdown Britain already had one of the worst capita death rates in the world. The government’s easing of the lockdown is creeping herd immunity and will inevitably lead to more deaths and infections, with BAME communities disproportionately hit once again.”Sabby Dhalu, the Stand up to Racism co-convenor, said: “With the previous lockdown Britain already had one of the worst capita death rates in the world. The government’s easing of the lockdown is creeping herd immunity and will inevitably lead to more deaths and infections, with BAME communities disproportionately hit once again.”
The UK government has given permission for the Premier League and other professional sports to return behind closed doors from 1 June, providing its five tests on controlling the coronavirus are met, Paul MacInnes reports.The UK government has given permission for the Premier League and other professional sports to return behind closed doors from 1 June, providing its five tests on controlling the coronavirus are met, Paul MacInnes reports.
Around 3% of ambulance service staff with no Covid-19 symptoms have tested positive for the virus during a pilot scheme, PA reports.Around 3% of ambulance service staff with no Covid-19 symptoms have tested positive for the virus during a pilot scheme, PA reports.
Figures released by West Midlands ambulance service (WMAS) said 16 of 543 asymptomatic members of its frontline staff had tested positive during a two-day trial.Figures released by West Midlands ambulance service (WMAS) said 16 of 543 asymptomatic members of its frontline staff had tested positive during a two-day trial.
A spokesman said:A spokesman said:
Moves to reopen garden centres this week in England have been welcomed by the horticulture industry, PA reports.Moves to reopen garden centres this week in England have been welcomed by the horticulture industry, PA reports.
Garden centres in England are being allowed to open their doors follows months of closure. Many businesses have faced ruin as the market for seasonal plants shut down at a time when people normally flock to outlets to restock their gardens.Garden centres in England are being allowed to open their doors follows months of closure. Many businesses have faced ruin as the market for seasonal plants shut down at a time when people normally flock to outlets to restock their gardens.
Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) chairman James Barnes described the reopening of garden centres in England as “a positive economic move” and called for Scotland to follow suit.Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) chairman James Barnes described the reopening of garden centres in England as “a positive economic move” and called for Scotland to follow suit.
Barnes said:Barnes said:
The Church of England said it was examining what steps were needed for churches to safely reopen following the publication of government’s coronavirus recovery strategy, which said places of worship could be closed until July 4 at the earliest.The Church of England said it was examining what steps were needed for churches to safely reopen following the publication of government’s coronavirus recovery strategy, which said places of worship could be closed until July 4 at the earliest.
In a statement, the Bishop of London Dame Sarah Mullally said:In a statement, the Bishop of London Dame Sarah Mullally said:
The government’s plan to ease certain aspects of lockdown in England is “too fast, too confusing and too risky,” according to British Medical Association (BMA).The government’s plan to ease certain aspects of lockdown in England is “too fast, too confusing and too risky,” according to British Medical Association (BMA).
The trade union has warned the government’s measures risks a second spike of this virus.The trade union has warned the government’s measures risks a second spike of this virus.
Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA council chair, said:Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA council chair, said:
Peter Aldous, a Conservative, says constituents worry that reopening primary schools could be a significant threat, both in the classroom and at the school gate. Will the PM address these concerns?Peter Aldous, a Conservative, says constituents worry that reopening primary schools could be a significant threat, both in the classroom and at the school gate. Will the PM address these concerns?
Johnson says 1 June is a possible date for schools, on the advice of the scientists. But that is only provisional, he says. And he says special guidance for schools will be published.Johnson says 1 June is a possible date for schools, on the advice of the scientists. But that is only provisional, he says. And he says special guidance for schools will be published.
And that’s it. The statement is over.And that’s it. The statement is over.
Johnson says he thinks the public understand exactly what “Stay alert” means.Johnson says he thinks the public understand exactly what “Stay alert” means.
Maria Eagle, the Labour MP, says the government originally said it would give the councils to cover all the money they spent on coronavirus. But now it is only saying it will pay them for tasks the government wants them to carry out. Will councils get everything they need?Maria Eagle, the Labour MP, says the government originally said it would give the councils to cover all the money they spent on coronavirus. But now it is only saying it will pay them for tasks the government wants them to carry out. Will councils get everything they need?
Johnson says he will consider this point, and take it up with the communities secretary.Johnson says he will consider this point, and take it up with the communities secretary.
Sir Edward Leigh, a Conservative, says the country faces the biggest recession for centuries. Will the PM put in place effective accounting to ensure public money is not being wasted?Sir Edward Leigh, a Conservative, says the country faces the biggest recession for centuries. Will the PM put in place effective accounting to ensure public money is not being wasted?
Johnson says he will. But he says the biggest risk at the moment would be the virus returning.Johnson says he will. But he says the biggest risk at the moment would be the virus returning.
Daisy Cooper, the Lib Dem MP, says the government has produced figures on items of PPE supplied, but not items of PPE needed. Will the government release these figures?Daisy Cooper, the Lib Dem MP, says the government has produced figures on items of PPE supplied, but not items of PPE needed. Will the government release these figures?
Johnson says he will consider this point. There have been no national stock-outs, he says.Johnson says he will consider this point. There have been no national stock-outs, he says.
Johnson says the more relaxed rules on exercise do not mean that people should be travelling to second homes, or to the countryside for holidays.Johnson says the more relaxed rules on exercise do not mean that people should be travelling to second homes, or to the countryside for holidays.