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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2020/may/21/uk-coronavirus-live-news-update-covid-test-and-trace-second-wave
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| UK coronavirus live: No 10 has no plans to review NHS surcharge as row over fee deepens | UK coronavirus live: No 10 has no plans to review NHS surcharge as row over fee deepens |
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| Tory MPs call for end to ‘immoral’ surcharge; official UK death toll rises to 35,704; Scotland to reopen schools in August | Tory MPs call for end to ‘immoral’ surcharge; official UK death toll rises to 35,704; Scotland to reopen schools in August |
| A ban on a mosque opening for Friday prayers due to the Covid-19 pandemic is a breach of worshippers’ human rights, the high court has heard. | |
| Tabassum Hussain, the chairman of the executive committee of the Jamiyat Tabligh-ul-Islam Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Bradford, is seeking an urgent injunction against the Department of Health and Social Care. | |
| The injunction would allow his place of worship to open for communal prayers on Friday, before the end of Ramadan this weekend. | |
| Under the latest emergency rules to deal with the pandemic, places of worship must remain closed, although a faith leader can attend the venue to broadcast prayers and acts of worship via the internet. | |
| Hussain argues that the closures are unlawful and breach his rights to religious freedom and worship. | |
| In another easing of the lockdown in England, the Department for Education has said that students who had to abandon their belongings in university accommodation can now go and get them. In new guidance issued today, the DfE told universities to contact the students affected: | |
| There’s a slight sting in the tail: students who can’t go – because they are isolating or perhaps living overseas – may find their belongings put into storage for a price. | |
| “If there are costs to you in carrying out this service, we understand students may be required to cover these costs but we would not expect you to make a profit from such a service,” the DfE told universities. | |
| A Liberal Democrat peer has admitted making an “error of judgment” after furloughing himself while continuing to claim a three-figure daily allowance for his work in parliament. | |
| Christopher Fox decided to furlough himself as the owner and sole employee of Vulpes Advisory, a communications and consultancy company, but continued to collect his daily £162 allowance for carrying out his work virtually as a peer in the House of Lords. | |
| Lord Fox has now confirmed he will repay the money he received during his time on furlough. | |
| The 62-year-old said: “I recognise my error in judgment and I apologise. | |
| “I have already begun to repay the money I received as part of the furlough scheme and intend to repay the full amount as soon as possible.” | |
| Fox, who is reported to own two homes worth more than £2m, is the first parliamentarian to have used the government’s wage subsidy scheme to pay himself, according to the Telegraph. | |
| The millionaire former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham reversed her decision to furlough staff at her fashion label after facing a backlash. | |
| Meanwhile, the comic and actor Steve Coogan, estimated to be worth £10m, has furloughed his gardener and housekeeper at his £4m country home, according to the Sun. | |
| Nicola Sturgeon has revealed her four-point plan for easing the Covid-19 lockdown in Scotland, but she warned stricter measures may be put in place if progress in tackling the virus falters. | Nicola Sturgeon has revealed her four-point plan for easing the Covid-19 lockdown in Scotland, but she warned stricter measures may be put in place if progress in tackling the virus falters. |
| People living in Scotland will be allowed to meet people from one other household, sunbathe and take part in some non-contact sports from the end of next week. | People living in Scotland will be allowed to meet people from one other household, sunbathe and take part in some non-contact sports from the end of next week. |
| All schools will reopen on 11 August, but to ensure social distancing in class children will return to a “blended model of part-time in-school and part-time at-home learning”. | All schools will reopen on 11 August, but to ensure social distancing in class children will return to a “blended model of part-time in-school and part-time at-home learning”. |
| But the First Minister said: “I cannot stand here and rule out to the people of Scotland that at some point over the next few months we might have to go back the way, because this virus is unpredictable. | But the First Minister said: “I cannot stand here and rule out to the people of Scotland that at some point over the next few months we might have to go back the way, because this virus is unpredictable. |
| “For all our progress, the virus has not gone away. It continues to pose a significant threat to health. And if we move too quickly or without proper care, it could run out of control again very quickly.” | “For all our progress, the virus has not gone away. It continues to pose a significant threat to health. And if we move too quickly or without proper care, it could run out of control again very quickly.” |
| Sturgeon told Holyrood the first phase could begin on 28 May, but “not every phase one measure will necessarily be introduced immediately”. | Sturgeon told Holyrood the first phase could begin on 28 May, but “not every phase one measure will necessarily be introduced immediately”. |
| The initial changes, outlined in a Scottish Government document, include the gradual reopening of drive-through food outlets as well as garden centres and plant nurseries. | The initial changes, outlined in a Scottish Government document, include the gradual reopening of drive-through food outlets as well as garden centres and plant nurseries. |
| The second phase could see Scots allowed to meet larger groups of family and friends outside, and also meet people from another household indoors with physical distancing and hygiene measures in place. | The second phase could see Scots allowed to meet larger groups of family and friends outside, and also meet people from another household indoors with physical distancing and hygiene measures in place. |
| At that point pubs and restaurants can also open outdoor spaces such as beer gardens, again with physical distancing and increased hygiene routines. | At that point pubs and restaurants can also open outdoor spaces such as beer gardens, again with physical distancing and increased hygiene routines. |
| By phase three, things will “begin to feel closer to normal”. That will see pubs and restaurants open indoor spaces and “personal retail services” including hairdressers begin to trade again - but all with appropriate distancing and hygiene measures in place. | By phase three, things will “begin to feel closer to normal”. That will see pubs and restaurants open indoor spaces and “personal retail services” including hairdressers begin to trade again - but all with appropriate distancing and hygiene measures in place. |
| Phase four will be reached when “the virus remains suppressed to very low levels and is no longer considered a significant threat to public health” - but the document warns the public will have to remain “safety conscious”. | Phase four will be reached when “the virus remains suppressed to very low levels and is no longer considered a significant threat to public health” - but the document warns the public will have to remain “safety conscious”. |
| This final phase will see mass gatherings resume, schools and childcare provision “operating with any necessary precautions”, and while working from home and flexible working will still be encouraged “all types of workplaces would be open in line with public health advice”. | This final phase will see mass gatherings resume, schools and childcare provision “operating with any necessary precautions”, and while working from home and flexible working will still be encouraged “all types of workplaces would be open in line with public health advice”. |
| The latest figures reveal that 36,042 people had died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Wednesday, up by 338 from 35,704 the day before. | The latest figures reveal that 36,042 people had died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Wednesday, up by 338 from 35,704 the day before. |
| In the 24-hour period up to 9am on Thursday, 128,340 tests were carried out or dispatched, with a total of 67,681 people tested with 2,615 positive results. | In the 24-hour period up to 9am on Thursday, 128,340 tests were carried out or dispatched, with a total of 67,681 people tested with 2,615 positive results. |
| Overall a total of 3,090,566 tests have been carried out, and 250,908 cases have been confirmed positive. | Overall a total of 3,090,566 tests have been carried out, and 250,908 cases have been confirmed positive. |
| The Downing Street lobby briefing is over. Here are the main points. | The Downing Street lobby briefing is over. Here are the main points. |
| The prime minister’s spokesman effectively confirmed that the contact-tracing app will not be ready when the government launches its national test and trace scheme for 1 June. The spokesman said the app would be ready in the “coming weeks”. He went on: | The prime minister’s spokesman effectively confirmed that the contact-tracing app will not be ready when the government launches its national test and trace scheme for 1 June. The spokesman said the app would be ready in the “coming weeks”. He went on: |
| Asked why the app, which is being piloted on the Isle of Wight, would not be ready for national rollout by the end of May, as originally planned, the spokesman said: | Asked why the app, which is being piloted on the Isle of Wight, would not be ready for national rollout by the end of May, as originally planned, the spokesman said: |
| The spokesman said there were no plans to review the NHS surcharge for migrants and that the planned increase, from £400 to £624, would go ahead in October. | The spokesman said there were no plans to review the NHS surcharge for migrants and that the planned increase, from £400 to £624, would go ahead in October. |
| The spokesman said the government would publish its scientific advice tomorrow on the safety of schools opening. The latest estimate of R, the reproduction number, will be published too. | The spokesman said the government would publish its scientific advice tomorrow on the safety of schools opening. The latest estimate of R, the reproduction number, will be published too. |
| Matt Hancock, the health and social care secretary, is due to give details at the daily press conference this afternoon about the rollout of coronavirus antibody tests, which follows negotiations between the government and the pharmaceutical firm Roche, the spokesman said. NHS and care workers will be prioritised for the free tests, the spokesman said. | Matt Hancock, the health and social care secretary, is due to give details at the daily press conference this afternoon about the rollout of coronavirus antibody tests, which follows negotiations between the government and the pharmaceutical firm Roche, the spokesman said. NHS and care workers will be prioritised for the free tests, the spokesman said. |
| The spokesman said Boris Johnson would consider travel advice before deciding whether or not to attend an in-person G7 summit that Donald Trump is reportedly planning. | The spokesman said Boris Johnson would consider travel advice before deciding whether or not to attend an in-person G7 summit that Donald Trump is reportedly planning. |
| The number of people who have died after testing positive for coronavirus in Northern Ireland has risen to 501, after seven more deaths were reported by the Department of Health. | The number of people who have died after testing positive for coronavirus in Northern Ireland has risen to 501, after seven more deaths were reported by the Department of Health. |
| Public Health Wales said a further nine people had died there after testing positive for coronavirus, taking the total number of deaths in Wales to 1,247. Another 166 people had tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 12,846. | Public Health Wales said a further nine people had died there after testing positive for coronavirus, taking the total number of deaths in Wales to 1,247. Another 166 people had tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 12,846. |
| Hello, I am currently updating the UK blog. Please send any tips and stories to nazia.parveen@theguardian.com or follow me on Twitter to message me https://twitter.com/NParveenG. | Hello, I am currently updating the UK blog. Please send any tips and stories to nazia.parveen@theguardian.com or follow me on Twitter to message me https://twitter.com/NParveenG. |
| In the Scottish parliament Nicola Sturgeon has now finished taking questions on the Scottish government’s routemap for easing the lockdown (pdf). She said that 100,000 people had already tried to download it, with the result that the Scottish government’s website had been having problems. She urged people to be patient. They would be able to download it later if they could not now, she said. | In the Scottish parliament Nicola Sturgeon has now finished taking questions on the Scottish government’s routemap for easing the lockdown (pdf). She said that 100,000 people had already tried to download it, with the result that the Scottish government’s website had been having problems. She urged people to be patient. They would be able to download it later if they could not now, she said. |
| A frontbench peer has apologised for furloughing himself while also claiming a Lords £162 daily attendance allowance. | A frontbench peer has apologised for furloughing himself while also claiming a Lords £162 daily attendance allowance. |
| Christopher Fox was forced to issue the apology after it was revealed that he had furloughed himself despite claiming the daily House of Lords allowance during lockdown. | Christopher Fox was forced to issue the apology after it was revealed that he had furloughed himself despite claiming the daily House of Lords allowance during lockdown. |
| Fox said: “I recognise my error in judgment and I apologise. I have already begun to repay the money I received as part of the furlough scheme and intend to repay the full amount.” | Fox said: “I recognise my error in judgment and I apologise. I have already begun to repay the money I received as part of the furlough scheme and intend to repay the full amount.” |
| The Conservative backbenchers Henry Smith has outraged opposition parliamentarians by saying that the objection to MPs returning to the House of Commons after next week’s recess (when the current, largely-virtual proceedings will end) has come from the “lazy left” and from “workshy” Labour and nationalist politicians. | The Conservative backbenchers Henry Smith has outraged opposition parliamentarians by saying that the objection to MPs returning to the House of Commons after next week’s recess (when the current, largely-virtual proceedings will end) has come from the “lazy left” and from “workshy” Labour and nationalist politicians. |
| Labour’s Jess Phillips was one of the MPs who condemned Smith on Twitter. | Labour’s Jess Phillips was one of the MPs who condemned Smith on Twitter. |
| And a Labour party spokesperson said: | And a Labour party spokesperson said: |
| Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, told the London assembly this morning that he is considering banning passengers from buses and tube trains in the capital if they are not wearing a face covering. He said that he was hoping to persuade the UK government, which is currently just advising people to wear face coverings on public transport, to toughen its stance. He told the assembly: | Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, told the London assembly this morning that he is considering banning passengers from buses and tube trains in the capital if they are not wearing a face covering. He said that he was hoping to persuade the UK government, which is currently just advising people to wear face coverings on public transport, to toughen its stance. He told the assembly: |
| He said that he was hoping to persuade the government “to do the right thing”. But, if that did not happen, he said next week he would consider using the powers he has as mayor to make the wearing of face coverings compulsory on Transport for London tubes and buses. | He said that he was hoping to persuade the government “to do the right thing”. But, if that did not happen, he said next week he would consider using the powers he has as mayor to make the wearing of face coverings compulsory on Transport for London tubes and buses. |