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UK coronavirus live: teachers and children will be safe at school, says Michael Gove UK coronavirus live: teachers and children will be safe at school, says Michael Gove
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‘Test, trace and isolate’ strategy needed for schools to reopen, says shadow cabinet office minister; Crown court jury trials to start on Monday; Boris Johnson acknowledges frustration over lockdown rules‘Test, trace and isolate’ strategy needed for schools to reopen, says shadow cabinet office minister; Crown court jury trials to start on Monday; Boris Johnson acknowledges frustration over lockdown rules
While the vast majority of people appear to have heeded the pleas to stay away from beauty spots this weekend, it seems a few were tempted to breach the lockdown.Police in Telford, Shropshire, broke up a group of about 70 people who had gathered in a park for a rave – complete with their own DJ set – on Saturday night.
In Wales, a family from Birmingham were fined and sent home after they were caught by police climbing Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons on Sunday morning.Officers from the Brecon Roads Policing Unit said the saw the family walking down the mountain on a closed footpath in the national park, presumably after making the 100-mile cross-border journey from the Midlands.A force spokesman said: “Wales is still closed. Our national parks are still closed.”
Michael Gove has told local authorities refusing to reopen their schools on 1 June to “look to their responsibilities”, saying: “If you really care about children, you’ll want them in schools.” Appearing on the BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show, the Cabinet Office minister said: “We are confident that children and teachers will be safe.”Michael Gove has told local authorities refusing to reopen their schools on 1 June to “look to their responsibilities”, saying: “If you really care about children, you’ll want them in schools.” Appearing on the BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show, the Cabinet Office minister said: “We are confident that children and teachers will be safe.”
Gove also said the government had now recruited 17,000 contact tracers for its coronavirus test, track and trace programme – bringing it close to its target. Health secretary Matt Hancock said on 23 April that the government wanted to recruit 18,000 contact tracers by mid-May. But speaking on Friday, northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis said only 1,500 had been recruited.Gove also said the government had now recruited 17,000 contact tracers for its coronavirus test, track and trace programme – bringing it close to its target. Health secretary Matt Hancock said on 23 April that the government wanted to recruit 18,000 contact tracers by mid-May. But speaking on Friday, northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis said only 1,500 had been recruited.
The latest Opinium poll for the Observer shows that approval for the government over its handling of the pandemic has plummeted by nine points in the last week. Whereas net approval of its performance – the figure reached when the percentage who disapprove is subtracted from percentage who approve – stood at +42% on 26 March, it has now fallen to -3%.The latest Opinium poll for the Observer shows that approval for the government over its handling of the pandemic has plummeted by nine points in the last week. Whereas net approval of its performance – the figure reached when the percentage who disapprove is subtracted from percentage who approve – stood at +42% on 26 March, it has now fallen to -3%.
Overall data from the few countries that have reopened schools has been “very reassuring” but governments need to consider what checks are needed to avoid a spread of Covid-19, the chief scientist at the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said. Dr Soumya Swaminathan said she believes that “society has to restart” but that there will be a new normal.Overall data from the few countries that have reopened schools has been “very reassuring” but governments need to consider what checks are needed to avoid a spread of Covid-19, the chief scientist at the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said. Dr Soumya Swaminathan said she believes that “society has to restart” but that there will be a new normal.
Boris Johnson has acknowledged “frustration” over the new lockdown rules, which have been criticised for being complicated and unclear, and admitted that there may never be a vaccine for coronavirus. Writing in the Mail on Sunday, the prime minister announced a £93m investment to open the new Vaccine Manufacturing And Innovation Centre, 12 months ahead of schedule. He said:Boris Johnson has acknowledged “frustration” over the new lockdown rules, which have been criticised for being complicated and unclear, and admitted that there may never be a vaccine for coronavirus. Writing in the Mail on Sunday, the prime minister announced a £93m investment to open the new Vaccine Manufacturing And Innovation Centre, 12 months ahead of schedule. He said:
There remains a very long way to go, and I must be frank that a vaccine might not come to fruition. But we are leading the global effort.There remains a very long way to go, and I must be frank that a vaccine might not come to fruition. But we are leading the global effort.
Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw has described as “deeply concerning” media reports on Sunday morning that the Scottish government has yet to recruit a single Covid-19 contact tracer, despite the fact that almost 8500 people have applied online for the 2000 roles as call handlers, data analysts and health protection nurses.Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw has described as “deeply concerning” media reports on Sunday morning that the Scottish government has yet to recruit a single Covid-19 contact tracer, despite the fact that almost 8500 people have applied online for the 2000 roles as call handlers, data analysts and health protection nurses.
Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday Politics Scotland, Carlaw said that the key to giving people the confidence to return to workplaces was the ability to properly test and identify outbreaks, and that until then “we are not going to be able to give people the reassurance they need”.Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday Politics Scotland, Carlaw said that the key to giving people the confidence to return to workplaces was the ability to properly test and identify outbreaks, and that until then “we are not going to be able to give people the reassurance they need”.
This week Nicola Sturgeon is expected to set out plans for further relaxing of lockdown restrictions, with outdoor activities such as golf, tennis and angling expected to be included. But it is also anticipated that she will continue to exercise more caution around mixing of different households, which of course has implications for a return to workplaces as well as social life.This week Nicola Sturgeon is expected to set out plans for further relaxing of lockdown restrictions, with outdoor activities such as golf, tennis and angling expected to be included. But it is also anticipated that she will continue to exercise more caution around mixing of different households, which of course has implications for a return to workplaces as well as social life.
Dr Soumya Swaminathan, chief scientist at the World Health Organisation (WHO), spoke to the BBC’s Andrew Marr show earlier. The PA news agency has her comments.Dr Soumya Swaminathan, chief scientist at the World Health Organisation (WHO), spoke to the BBC’s Andrew Marr show earlier. The PA news agency has her comments.
Asked about the reopening of schools, and evidence from countries that have done so, Dr Swaminathan said:Asked about the reopening of schools, and evidence from countries that have done so, Dr Swaminathan said:
Dr Swaminathan said evidence from countries where schools have remained open suggests this has not led to large outbreaks of Covid-19.Dr Swaminathan said evidence from countries where schools have remained open suggests this has not led to large outbreaks of Covid-19.
Four crown court jury trials are scheduled to start on Monday using socially distanced courtrooms in Bristol, Manchester, Cardiff and at the Old Bailey in London.Four crown court jury trials are scheduled to start on Monday using socially distanced courtrooms in Bristol, Manchester, Cardiff and at the Old Bailey in London.
New jury trials were suspended on March 23rd due to the coronavirus crisis. A judiciary-led working group, under Mr Justice Edis, has been devising methods since then to ensure a safe resumption of criminal justice once lockdown is eased.New jury trials were suspended on March 23rd due to the coronavirus crisis. A judiciary-led working group, under Mr Justice Edis, has been devising methods since then to ensure a safe resumption of criminal justice once lockdown is eased.
Juries will be spread out using seats normally occupied by barristers. The proceedings will be live-streamed to an adjacent courtroom where journalists will have space allocated to allow them to sit two metres apart.Juries will be spread out using seats normally occupied by barristers. The proceedings will be live-streamed to an adjacent courtroom where journalists will have space allocated to allow them to sit two metres apart.
Normally around 1,000 jury trials are heard every month in England and Wales. The next three crown courts expected to restart fresh jury trials are Reading, Warwick and Winchester.Normally around 1,000 jury trials are heard every month in England and Wales. The next three crown courts expected to restart fresh jury trials are Reading, Warwick and Winchester.
Most of the initial cases are expected to be relatively short, lasting less than two weeks. Public Health England and Public Health Wales have been involved in the jury trials working group. The recommendations are detailed in a public information leaflet.Most of the initial cases are expected to be relatively short, lasting less than two weeks. Public Health England and Public Health Wales have been involved in the jury trials working group. The recommendations are detailed in a public information leaflet.
Jurors are instructed to: “Bring your own refreshments as cafes and canteens will not be open in our court buildings. Please provide your own drinking vessel, but do not bring metal cutlery.”Jurors are instructed to: “Bring your own refreshments as cafes and canteens will not be open in our court buildings. Please provide your own drinking vessel, but do not bring metal cutlery.”
Two trials, which had been suspended in March, resumed with social distancing at the Old Bailey last week with the same jurors.Two trials, which had been suspended in March, resumed with social distancing at the Old Bailey last week with the same jurors.
The chief executive of Heathrow Airport John Holland-Kaye has warned the government that quarantine measures should not extend beyond “a relatively short amount of time” to save the economy.The chief executive of Heathrow Airport John Holland-Kaye has warned the government that quarantine measures should not extend beyond “a relatively short amount of time” to save the economy.
The government announced plans last Sunday for a two-week quarantine for travellers arriving in the UK from abroad, though the exact details haven’t yet been announced.The government announced plans last Sunday for a two-week quarantine for travellers arriving in the UK from abroad, though the exact details haven’t yet been announced.
Holland-Kaye told Sky News’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme that Heathrow’s passenger numbers had dropped by 97% – from an average of 250,000 passengers a day to between 5,000 and 6,000. He said most of these passengers were either repatriating to the UK or going home to other countries.Holland-Kaye told Sky News’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme that Heathrow’s passenger numbers had dropped by 97% – from an average of 250,000 passengers a day to between 5,000 and 6,000. He said most of these passengers were either repatriating to the UK or going home to other countries.
Speaking to the same programme, Carolyn Fairbairn, director general of the CBI, said she’d heard from businesses in aerospace and manufacturing who were very worried about the government’s quarantine plans. “We would like to see an international standard,” she said. “At the moment you’ve got different countries doing different things and that is very bad for global trade.”Speaking to the same programme, Carolyn Fairbairn, director general of the CBI, said she’d heard from businesses in aerospace and manufacturing who were very worried about the government’s quarantine plans. “We would like to see an international standard,” she said. “At the moment you’ve got different countries doing different things and that is very bad for global trade.”
The Scottish government is seeking the power to take over the running of private care homes, after the tenth death was confirmed yesterday at Home Farm on Skye, which is being stripped of its licence to operate after serious shortcomings in its management was found by the Care Inspectorate.The Scottish government is seeking the power to take over the running of private care homes, after the tenth death was confirmed yesterday at Home Farm on Skye, which is being stripped of its licence to operate after serious shortcomings in its management was found by the Care Inspectorate.
On Wednesday, Holyrood is expected to pass emergency powers that will allow care homes to be taken into public sector control in the event of similar failings.On Wednesday, Holyrood is expected to pass emergency powers that will allow care homes to be taken into public sector control in the event of similar failings.
NHS Highland has stepped in to help run the facility in Portree, Skye, where 30 residents and 29 staff have tested positive for coronavirus.NHS Highland has stepped in to help run the facility in Portree, Skye, where 30 residents and 29 staff have tested positive for coronavirus.
Last week, the Sunday Times revealed that some workers had been moved hundreds of miles to help plug staff shortages at the home, which has had long-running recruitment problems amid concerns about low pay.Last week, the Sunday Times revealed that some workers had been moved hundreds of miles to help plug staff shortages at the home, which has had long-running recruitment problems amid concerns about low pay.
Gove also defended the government’s plans to begin reopening primary schools in England from next month. He told Sky News:Gove also defended the government’s plans to begin reopening primary schools in England from next month. He told Sky News:
Gove told the BBC’s Andrew Marr show that the government were confident that teachers and students would be safe if they returned to school.Gove told the BBC’s Andrew Marr show that the government were confident that teachers and students would be safe if they returned to school.
He said that pupils may have to sit at separate desks, that class sizes should be capped at 15 and arrival times should be staggered.He said that pupils may have to sit at separate desks, that class sizes should be capped at 15 and arrival times should be staggered.
Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove has told Sky News’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme that the government has now recruited 17,000 contact tracers for its coronavirus test, track and trace programme – bringing it close to its target.Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove has told Sky News’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme that the government has now recruited 17,000 contact tracers for its coronavirus test, track and trace programme – bringing it close to its target.
The health secretary, Matt Hancock, said on 23 April that the government wanted to recruit 18,000 contact tracers by mid-May. But speaking on Friday, northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis said only 1,500 had been recruited. The prime minister’s spokesperson said later that day that Lewis did not have the most up-to-date figures.The health secretary, Matt Hancock, said on 23 April that the government wanted to recruit 18,000 contact tracers by mid-May. But speaking on Friday, northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis said only 1,500 had been recruited. The prime minister’s spokesperson said later that day that Lewis did not have the most up-to-date figures.
“It is now the case that more than 17,000 people have been recruited for contact tracing, so we are on course to meet that target,” said Gove on Sunday morning.“It is now the case that more than 17,000 people have been recruited for contact tracing, so we are on course to meet that target,” said Gove on Sunday morning.
“I have to praise the work of the health secretary Matt Hancock. In the past people have seen Matt and the government set ambitious targets and said on testing ‘that won’t be met’ - Matt met that target,” Gove said of the 100,000-a-day testing target.“I have to praise the work of the health secretary Matt Hancock. In the past people have seen Matt and the government set ambitious targets and said on testing ‘that won’t be met’ - Matt met that target,” Gove said of the 100,000-a-day testing target.
He said the test, track and trace programme – seen as key to further lifting of lockdown restrictions – would be up and running by the end of May.He said the test, track and trace programme – seen as key to further lifting of lockdown restrictions – would be up and running by the end of May.
A story in today’s Mail on Sunday reports that the Labour leader Keir Starmer owns land “worth up to £10m”. The piece of land in question is a field behind his parents house in Surrey, which he bought in 1996. It currently doesn’t have planning permission, but – if it did – it could be worth a lot of money, the paper reports. Starmer has no plans to sell the land.A story in today’s Mail on Sunday reports that the Labour leader Keir Starmer owns land “worth up to £10m”. The piece of land in question is a field behind his parents house in Surrey, which he bought in 1996. It currently doesn’t have planning permission, but – if it did – it could be worth a lot of money, the paper reports. Starmer has no plans to sell the land.
Starmer’s response to the story has been getting as much attention as the story itself. A spokesperson for the Labour leader told the paper:Starmer’s response to the story has been getting as much attention as the story itself. A spokesperson for the Labour leader told the paper:
Speaking to the BBC’s Andrew Marr show, Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner has said that if the test, track and trace strategy were in place before reopening schools, that would reassure parents and teachers – a point also made by Rachel Reeves earlier this morning. She repeated calls for the government to publish the scientific advice that informed their decision to send some pupils back to school as early as 1 June. Labour wants as many pupils as possible to go back to school as quickly as possible, she said.Speaking to the BBC’s Andrew Marr show, Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner has said that if the test, track and trace strategy were in place before reopening schools, that would reassure parents and teachers – a point also made by Rachel Reeves earlier this morning. She repeated calls for the government to publish the scientific advice that informed their decision to send some pupils back to school as early as 1 June. Labour wants as many pupils as possible to go back to school as quickly as possible, she said.
The Sun on Sunday reports today that Boris Johnson told a virtual meeting of backbench Tory MPs that he wanted the country back to “close to normality again before the end of July”.The Sun on Sunday reports today that Boris Johnson told a virtual meeting of backbench Tory MPs that he wanted the country back to “close to normality again before the end of July”.
The paper’s political editor, David Wooding, writes that the prime minister told a video call with 100 of his MPs that full Commons sittings would resume on 2 June.The paper’s political editor, David Wooding, writes that the prime minister told a video call with 100 of his MPs that full Commons sittings would resume on 2 June.
He quotes an MP as saying:He quotes an MP as saying:
Shadow Cabinet Office minister Rachel Reeves has been speaking to Sky News’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme. She said the reopening of schools was a “difficult balancing act” as social distancing, particularly for young children, is “really, really tough” along with the wearing of face masks.Shadow Cabinet Office minister Rachel Reeves has been speaking to Sky News’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme. She said the reopening of schools was a “difficult balancing act” as social distancing, particularly for young children, is “really, really tough” along with the wearing of face masks.
She said teachers and parents would be less anxious about the return to school if there was a test, trace and isolate strategy in place.She said teachers and parents would be less anxious about the return to school if there was a test, trace and isolate strategy in place.
Her comments come following an announcement by education secretary Gavin Williamson at yesterday’s Downing Street press conference that schoolchildren and their families would be tested for coronavirus if they develop symptoms.Her comments come following an announcement by education secretary Gavin Williamson at yesterday’s Downing Street press conference that schoolchildren and their families would be tested for coronavirus if they develop symptoms.
Teaching unions have pushed back against government proposals for some pupils to return to school as soon as 1 June. The British Medical Association, the UK’s largest doctors’ union – also said in a letter to the National Education Union on Friday that the number of coronavirus infections remained too high to allow them to run safely.Teaching unions have pushed back against government proposals for some pupils to return to school as soon as 1 June. The British Medical Association, the UK’s largest doctors’ union – also said in a letter to the National Education Union on Friday that the number of coronavirus infections remained too high to allow them to run safely.
Damian Hinds, former Conservative education secretary, told BBC Breakfast this morning that it was “totally understandable” that people had concerns about their children returning to school and that he would expect teaching unions to be thinking about their members, adding this is “absolutely right”.Damian Hinds, former Conservative education secretary, told BBC Breakfast this morning that it was “totally understandable” that people had concerns about their children returning to school and that he would expect teaching unions to be thinking about their members, adding this is “absolutely right”.
He added that he thinks “the time is right now” for pupils to begin to return, saying “there is a lot scientific advice and analysis gone into this”.He added that he thinks “the time is right now” for pupils to begin to return, saying “there is a lot scientific advice and analysis gone into this”.
Here are today’s front pages, tweeted by the BBC’s Neil Henderson.Here are today’s front pages, tweeted by the BBC’s Neil Henderson.
More from the Observer – The latest Opinium poll for the paper shows that approval for the government over its handling of the pandemic has plummeted by nine points in the last week.More from the Observer – The latest Opinium poll for the paper shows that approval for the government over its handling of the pandemic has plummeted by nine points in the last week.
Andy Burnham has written in the Observer that no one thought to tell the leaders of the biggest towns and cities outside London in advance of the prime minister’s decision to encourage people to go back to work last Monday.Andy Burnham has written in the Observer that no one thought to tell the leaders of the biggest towns and cities outside London in advance of the prime minister’s decision to encourage people to go back to work last Monday.
You can read the full piece here and the Observer’s news story here.You can read the full piece here and the Observer’s news story here.
I’ll be bringing you the highlights from this morning’s political shows,I’ll be bringing you the highlights from this morning’s political shows,
Sophy Ridge on Sunday (today hosted by Niall Paterson) is on Sky News at 8.30am. Guests will include the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, and Rachel Reeves, his Labour opposite number.Sophy Ridge on Sunday (today hosted by Niall Paterson) is on Sky News at 8.30am. Guests will include the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, and Rachel Reeves, his Labour opposite number.
Liam Fox, former international trade secretary will make an appearance, as will Heathrow Airport chief executive John Holland-Kaye and CBI director general Carolyn Fairbairn.Liam Fox, former international trade secretary will make an appearance, as will Heathrow Airport chief executive John Holland-Kaye and CBI director general Carolyn Fairbairn.
Gove will also be on the Andrew Marr show on BBC 1, which starts at 9am. Other guests include Labour’s deputy leader, Angela Rayner, WHO Chief Scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan and Office for Budget Responsibility chair Robert Chote.Gove will also be on the Andrew Marr show on BBC 1, which starts at 9am. Other guests include Labour’s deputy leader, Angela Rayner, WHO Chief Scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan and Office for Budget Responsibility chair Robert Chote.
Good morning and welcome to the Guardian’s UK coronavirus live blog.Good morning and welcome to the Guardian’s UK coronavirus live blog.
Boris Johnson has acknowledged “frustration” over the new lockdown rules, which have been criticised for being complicated and unclear, and acknowledged that there may never be a vaccine for coronavirus. Writing in the Mail on Sunday, the prime minister said:Boris Johnson has acknowledged “frustration” over the new lockdown rules, which have been criticised for being complicated and unclear, and acknowledged that there may never be a vaccine for coronavirus. Writing in the Mail on Sunday, the prime minister said:
He thanked the public for being patient, saying: “I want to reassure you that there is a route out of this.”He thanked the public for being patient, saying: “I want to reassure you that there is a route out of this.”
Johnson added the government would throw everything they could at finding a vaccine, and announced a £93m investment to open the new Vaccine Manufacturing And Innovation Centre, 12 months ahead of schedule. (You can read more about that here.)Johnson added the government would throw everything they could at finding a vaccine, and announced a £93m investment to open the new Vaccine Manufacturing And Innovation Centre, 12 months ahead of schedule. (You can read more about that here.)
I’m Frances Perraudin and I’ll be bringing you the latest developments in the pandemic in the UK today. You contact me with tips and comments on twitter @fperraudin and on frances.perraudin@theguardian.com.I’m Frances Perraudin and I’ll be bringing you the latest developments in the pandemic in the UK today. You contact me with tips and comments on twitter @fperraudin and on frances.perraudin@theguardian.com.