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UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson ditches 2m social distancing rule for '1m-plus' in England UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson ditches 2m social distancing rule for '1m-plus' in England
(32 minutes later)
English pubs, restaurants and hairdressers to open from 4 July; gyms to stay closed. English schools to fully reopen in SeptemberEnglish pubs, restaurants and hairdressers to open from 4 July; gyms to stay closed. English schools to fully reopen in September
Labour’s Andrew Gwynne says, even with a one-metre rule, some schools, particularly in Victorian buildings, will struggle. Some of the largest museums and galleries have issued a joint statement welcoming the announcement that they will be able to begin to welcome back visitors.
Tate, Science Museum Group, Natural History Museum, National Gallery, British Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum directors said:
This is from the culture secretary –
A further 46 people who tested positive for Covid-19 have died in English hospitals, NHS England has said. It brings the total number of confirmed reported deaths in that setting to 28,384.
The patients were aged between 51 and 97. Two of them, aged 84 and 87, had no known underlying health conditions.
The Boris Johnson Commons statement has now finished.
The full text of his opening remarks is here.
More reaction and analysis coming soon.
The UK government has just announced that, after today, it is giving up its daily coronavirus press conference. But it says the data usually published in the daily slides will continue to be published daily every week day.
It will still hold press conferences for “significant announcements”, it says.
Johnson is taking today’s press conference, which will be the last one.
Teaching unions have warned that the prime minister’s announcement of a relaxation of the 2-metre physical distancing rule to 1 metre is not a magic bullet and will not ensure that all children return to schools in England in September.
Responding to Boris Johnson’s statement to MPs that schools would reopen “with full attendance”, Geoff Barton, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said it was pure fantasy. “It may be possible to accommodate more pupils in classrooms with a 1m separation, but not all pupils. There just isn’t enough space in many classrooms to do this.”
Barton also questioned education secretary Gavin Williamson’s announcement last week that the protective social bubbles of 15 children currently being used in schools to limit transmission of the virus could be doubled to 30 to facilitate a full return to schools.
“The idea of a social bubble is to have a consistent group which doesn’t mix with other pupils, whether it is 15 or 30. It is difficult to see how this could be achieved with pupils moving between different subject groups, and in playgrounds, corridors, sports fields, and transport to and from school.”
Barton went on: “We need a proper strategy to bring children back into schools and colleges based in reality and on public health guidance.”
ASCL’s scepticism was echoed by Dr Mary Bousted, the joint general secretary of the National Education Union. “The NEU is of course in favour of all children being back in school, but even with a one-metre rule that will need more teachers and more spaces.If social distancing of 1m remains in place, that will still be difficult for schools.”
New government figures on school attendance in England show numbers creeping up slowly, with 9.1% of pupils in school on 11 June, up from 6.9% a week earlier. Just over a quarter (26%) of children in year six were in attendance, up from 19% on 4 June, with 20% attendance in year 1 up from 13%, and 22% in reception up from 15%.
Robert Goodwill, a Conservative, asks for an assurance that the pleasure cruiser sector will have to comply with guidelines that will be uniformly enforced across the country.
Johnson agrees with the need for this.
Labour’s Andrew Gwynne says, even with a 1-metre rule, some schools, particularly in Victorian buildings, will struggle.
Johnson says between now and 1 September the government will work with the sector to get a clear understanding of the risks.Johnson says between now and 1 September the government will work with the sector to get a clear understanding of the risks.
He says he hopes by then the incidence will be done so much they can go forward in a more “normalised” way.He says he hopes by then the incidence will be done so much they can go forward in a more “normalised” way.
Richard Burgon, the Labour MP, accuses Johnson of gambling with people’s lives. He says Johnson has just made this announcement to appease Tory MPs.Richard Burgon, the Labour MP, accuses Johnson of gambling with people’s lives. He says Johnson has just made this announcement to appease Tory MPs.
Johnson disagrees. And he points out that the Labour front bench disagrees with Burgon too. Johnson disagrees. And he points out that the Labour frontbench disagrees with Burgon too.
Bill Wiggin, a Conservative, says he got Covid on the same day as the PM. Yesterday he was given a free test. Does the PM agree that it would help testing more people to see if they have had it? Bill Wiggin, a Conservative, says he got Covid-19 on the same day as the PM. Yesterday he was given a free test. Does the PM agree that it would help testing more people to see if they have had it?
Johnson agrees. He says it looks as if just 6 or 7% of the population has had the virus. Testing is the answer, he says. He says this country is testing roughly twice as many people per head as any other European country.Johnson agrees. He says it looks as if just 6 or 7% of the population has had the virus. Testing is the answer, he says. He says this country is testing roughly twice as many people per head as any other European country.
The Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, has warned that changes to the two metre rule do not apply in Wales. He said: The Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, has warned that changes to the 2-metre rule do not apply in Wales. He said:
Labour’s Justin Madders asks what the PM says to allow those firms who have spent great sums on introducing the two-metre rule. And will it be changed in the Commons chamber? Labour’s Justin Madders asks what the PM says to allow those firms who have spent great sums on introducing the 2-metre rule. And will it be changed in the Commons chamber?
Johnson says that will be a matter for the Commons. As for business, guidance is being published, he says.Johnson says that will be a matter for the Commons. As for business, guidance is being published, he says.
Johnson says 87,000 people have been contacted by test and trace and have agreed to self-isolate. That is fantastic, he says. He says the common sense of the British people will get us through this.Johnson says 87,000 people have been contacted by test and trace and have agreed to self-isolate. That is fantastic, he says. He says the common sense of the British people will get us through this.
Huw Merriman, a Conservative, asks what will happen if demand exceeds supply on transport. If necessarily, will the government look again at the one-metre rule.
Johnson just restates the need for people to wear face coverings.
Steve Baker, a Conservative, asks if the PM will have a meeting with a specialist in “expert failure” to discuss what can be done better.
Johnson says the guidance from scientists has been extremely valuable. But decisions have been taken by government. He takes full responsibility, he says.
Labour’s Catherine West asks what the PM is doing to stop black and minority ethnic communities getting Covid.
Johnson says he wants enhanced testing, and more immediate testing, for these groups.
And there are lessons to be learnt for the future. That is why he has set up a commission.
Johnson urges people to have a staycation in the UK.
Labour’s Lucy Powell says restaurants and pubs in Manchester will welcome the announcement. But what will happen to firms like gyms that have to remain closed.
Johnson says the government has set up taskforces to try to enable sectors like that to open as soon as possible.
Labour’s Lloyd Russell-Moyle says small businesses in Brighton welcome the scheme. But they are worried about taking staff off furlough, and not being able to furlough them again if the firm is not viable.
Johnson urges firms to open up again, provided they do it in a sensible way.
Chris Grayling, the Conservative former cabinet minister, asks about people working in the creative industries. Will the government do more to ease the pressure on this sector.
Johnson says he is doing a huge amount to support this sector.
Alistair Carmichael, the Lib Dem MP, asks Johnson “to end the much-ridiculed quarantine period” for people coming to the UK.
Johnson says he thinks it is sensible for the UK to have measures in place to protect it from infection from abroad.
Johnson claims the test and trace system is working better and better, and will be essential to the country’s success.
Holly Mumby-Croft, a Conservative, says Scunthorpe hospital needs an upgrade more than ever.
Johnson says he is investing record sums. He claims he is going to build 40 new hospitals (a claim widely debunked as misleading). He says it is time to double down on the building programme.