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| UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson to warn public to 'act responsibly' when pubs reopen in England on Saturday | UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson to warn public to 'act responsibly' when pubs reopen in England on Saturday |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Prime minister will give televised press conference as government struggles to balance protecting jobs and preventing second wave | Prime minister will give televised press conference as government struggles to balance protecting jobs and preventing second wave |
| Worrying report about the failure of the NHS test and trace system: new figures have revealed that it has failed to reach a quarter of contacts. | |
| A total of 27,125 people who tested positive for Covid-19 in England had their case transferred to the NHS test and trace contact tracing system during the first four weeks of its operation, according to figures from the Department of Health & Social Care. | |
| However, only 20,039 people (74%) were reached and asked to provide details of recent contacts, while 6,245 people (23%) were not reached. A further 841 people (3%) could not be reached because their communication details had not been provided. | |
| Despite this, a total of 132,525 people who had been identified as recent close contacts of people who had tested positive for Covid-19 were reached through the tracing system and asked to self-isolate. This was 86% out of a total of 153,442 identified contacts. | |
| The figures cover the period May 28 to June 24. | |
| Interesting article in the Telegraph featuring Norman Tebbit’s proclamation that Boris Johnson is not a good ‘executive’ and would probably not have run a department in one of Margaret Thatcher’s governments in the 1980s. | |
| Lord Tebbit - who knew Johnson when he was a non-executive director of the Spectator magazine and Johnson was its editor - said that if Johnson had risen to prominence in the 1980s he would probably not have been promoted further than party chairman. | |
| The peer also told The Telegraph’s Chopper’s Politics podcast that the PM also risks becoming “a spokesman for Dominic Cummings” after the ousting of Cabinet secretary Sir Mark Sedwill. | |
| Lord Tebbit held three Cabinet posts in Margaret Thatcher’s government - party chairman, Trade and Industry Secretary, and Employment secretary from 1981 to 1987. | |
| Shapps added that air passengers who are already in quarantine following their return to England from countries that will be exempt from quarantine measures will no longer need to self-isolate from July 10. | Shapps added that air passengers who are already in quarantine following their return to England from countries that will be exempt from quarantine measures will no longer need to self-isolate from July 10. |
| The transport secretary told BBC Breakfast that passengers who are currently isolating for 14 days will be able to break the restrictions legally from next Friday. | |
| He said while “nothing could happen” before July 10, “from that point onward you will be legal not to quarantine yourself”. | |
| “It’s very important to stress the quarantine does exist until July 10,” Shapps said. | |
| The list of countries that will be exempt from quarantine measures includes overseas territories such as the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar, he added. | |
| While quarantine measures will be lifted, passengers arriving in the UK will still need to fill out a “locator form”, Shapps said. “That asks where you’ve been and where you’re coming back to,” he said. “It is a criminal offence not to complete that form accurately and there are quite substantial fines.” | |
| Speaking now on the Today programme, Shapps says now is the right time to lift the quarantine because our levels of the virus are so low. | Speaking now on the Today programme, Shapps says now is the right time to lift the quarantine because our levels of the virus are so low. |
| Answering the question of why we ever quarantined countries now on the green list, like Germany and France, he said: “The headline figures you might read on the international websites aren’t the be all and end all, it’s how those numbers are reported. It’s been a complicated process to cme up with a list of countries we are comfortable with. | Answering the question of why we ever quarantined countries now on the green list, like Germany and France, he said: “The headline figures you might read on the international websites aren’t the be all and end all, it’s how those numbers are reported. It’s been a complicated process to cme up with a list of countries we are comfortable with. |
| “Where is the right balance between putting lives first and respecting livelihoods? It’s not an easy balance. We have done it using the best scientific evidence we can find and we’ve come up with that list today. I’m not going to pretend it’s been an easy process,” he added. | “Where is the right balance between putting lives first and respecting livelihoods? It’s not an easy balance. We have done it using the best scientific evidence we can find and we’ve come up with that list today. I’m not going to pretend it’s been an easy process,” he added. |
| The US will be on the red list, Shapps said. “A lot of people are saying we should have banned flights from the outset but the US did exactly that and they have very high numbers of infection, which is why they’re on the list today.” | The US will be on the red list, Shapps said. “A lot of people are saying we should have banned flights from the outset but the US did exactly that and they have very high numbers of infection, which is why they’re on the list today.” |
| He denies claims that he didn’t give the devolved regions a chance to consult on the list. | He denies claims that he didn’t give the devolved regions a chance to consult on the list. |
| Asked whether travelling to a rental property is essential travel - like Stanley Johnson, the prime minister’s father, has done - Shapps said: “People have to make their own decision. It’s advice, not a legal definition. It’s up to an individual to decide - but what’s not their decision, is quarantining when they return.” | Asked whether travelling to a rental property is essential travel - like Stanley Johnson, the prime minister’s father, has done - Shapps said: “People have to make their own decision. It’s advice, not a legal definition. It’s up to an individual to decide - but what’s not their decision, is quarantining when they return.” |
| Greece, he adds, isn’t on the green list because they won’t make their own decision on travel until 15th July - so Johnson will have to quarantine on his return. | Greece, he adds, isn’t on the green list because they won’t make their own decision on travel until 15th July - so Johnson will have to quarantine on his return. |
| Contact tracers: “We don’t live in a police state. The numbers are never going be 100% but we are gradually winning this battle because the British people have dedicated themselves to it.” | Contact tracers: “We don’t live in a police state. The numbers are never going be 100% but we are gradually winning this battle because the British people have dedicated themselves to it.” |
| Grant Shapps has confirmed the countries people will be able to travel to England from without facing quarantine restrictions will be split into two groups. | Grant Shapps has confirmed the countries people will be able to travel to England from without facing quarantine restrictions will be split into two groups. |
| The transport secretary told BBC Breakfast that the list of about “50-plus” countries will be divided into either a green or amber category. | The transport secretary told BBC Breakfast that the list of about “50-plus” countries will be divided into either a green or amber category. |
| He said: | He said: |
| The Telegraph is reporting that the former health secretary Jeremy Hunt has said mass coronavirus testing could reduce the likelihood of local lockdowns. | The Telegraph is reporting that the former health secretary Jeremy Hunt has said mass coronavirus testing could reduce the likelihood of local lockdowns. |
| Hunt writes in the Daily Telegraph that it took “far too long” for central and local governments to implement targeted testing amid a spike in Covid-19 cases in Leicester. | Hunt writes in the Daily Telegraph that it took “far too long” for central and local governments to implement targeted testing amid a spike in Covid-19 cases in Leicester. |
| The East Midlands city was placed under harsher restrictions by Hunt’s successor Matt Hancock this week, with non-essential shops ordered to close and people urged not to travel in or out of the area. | The East Midlands city was placed under harsher restrictions by Hunt’s successor Matt Hancock this week, with non-essential shops ordered to close and people urged not to travel in or out of the area. |
| “Why did we not just immediately test the whole city population? And why are we not doing this now in Bradford and Barnsley?” Hunt asks. “The quicker we identify asymptomatic carriers, the less likely whole cities will have to be locked down.” | “Why did we not just immediately test the whole city population? And why are we not doing this now in Bradford and Barnsley?” Hunt asks. “The quicker we identify asymptomatic carriers, the less likely whole cities will have to be locked down.” |
| Earlier this week, Bradford has said it is “working hard” to prevent another lockdown and Barnsley has stressed new restrictions are not needed, as figures revealed they have the highest Covid-19 rates in England after Leicester. | Earlier this week, Bradford has said it is “working hard” to prevent another lockdown and Barnsley has stressed new restrictions are not needed, as figures revealed they have the highest Covid-19 rates in England after Leicester. |
| The latest data showed Bradford has 69.4 cases per 100,000 population, the second highest in England behind Leicester with 140.2. And Barnsley is third in the table with 54.7 cases per 100,000. | The latest data showed Bradford has 69.4 cases per 100,000 population, the second highest in England behind Leicester with 140.2. And Barnsley is third in the table with 54.7 cases per 100,000. |
| Hunt, now chairman of the health and social care committee, said the test and trace system “will fail” unless a way of reaching infected people is found. | Hunt, now chairman of the health and social care committee, said the test and trace system “will fail” unless a way of reaching infected people is found. |
| He wrote: | He wrote: |
| A concerning piece of research from Scottish Widows has found that workers in sectors including retail, travel and hospitality could face a lifetime of “playing catch-up” with their retirement savings. | A concerning piece of research from Scottish Widows has found that workers in sectors including retail, travel and hospitality could face a lifetime of “playing catch-up” with their retirement savings. |
| The insurer has said many workers who are now taking a hit to their finances were already finding it difficult to save adequately for retirement before the coronavirus pandemic struck. | The insurer has said many workers who are now taking a hit to their finances were already finding it difficult to save adequately for retirement before the coronavirus pandemic struck. |
| They could now struggle with ever being able to afford to retire.Some are in sectors where businesses are feeling severe economic impacts from Covid-19, including the prospect of widespread job losses. | They could now struggle with ever being able to afford to retire.Some are in sectors where businesses are feeling severe economic impacts from Covid-19, including the prospect of widespread job losses. |
| Scottish Widows’ annual retirement report, looking at more than 5,000 adults across the UK, found that: | Scottish Widows’ annual retirement report, looking at more than 5,000 adults across the UK, found that: |
| • More than a quarter (27%) of people working in travel and the arts have not yet started saving into a pension.• Two-thirds (67%) of retail workers are worried that if they ever did retire, they would quickly run out of money.• Nearly two-thirds (62%) of construction workers feel they are not preparing adequately for retirement.• Less than a fifth (18%) of restaurant workers are optimistic about their retirement. | • More than a quarter (27%) of people working in travel and the arts have not yet started saving into a pension.• Two-thirds (67%) of retail workers are worried that if they ever did retire, they would quickly run out of money.• Nearly two-thirds (62%) of construction workers feel they are not preparing adequately for retirement.• Less than a fifth (18%) of restaurant workers are optimistic about their retirement. |
| It is highly likely these workers are also facing new financial pressures that will make saving for the long term even more difficult, Scottish Widows said. | It is highly likely these workers are also facing new financial pressures that will make saving for the long term even more difficult, Scottish Widows said. |
| It said one reason workers have historically been pessimistic about retirement, even before Covid-19, is when employers only contribute the legal minimum amounts into their pension. | It said one reason workers have historically been pessimistic about retirement, even before Covid-19, is when employers only contribute the legal minimum amounts into their pension. |
| If you want a few tears in your morning cup of tea, BBC Wales is carrying an emotional video of coronavirus survivor Davide Compagnone thanking the NHS doctors who brought him back from the brink of death. | If you want a few tears in your morning cup of tea, BBC Wales is carrying an emotional video of coronavirus survivor Davide Compagnone thanking the NHS doctors who brought him back from the brink of death. |
| Holidays will be a nail-biting experience this year, though, with Miles Brignall reporting that travellers booking last-minute getaways face the prospect of severely curtailed travel insurance cover – and in some cases no Covid-19 cover at all – this summer. | Holidays will be a nail-biting experience this year, though, with Miles Brignall reporting that travellers booking last-minute getaways face the prospect of severely curtailed travel insurance cover – and in some cases no Covid-19 cover at all – this summer. |
| A relatively low number of insurers are willing to cover coronavirus-related medical claims, with the clear caveat that they will not pay any future cancellation or curtailment claims that result from a second wave of infections. | A relatively low number of insurers are willing to cover coronavirus-related medical claims, with the clear caveat that they will not pay any future cancellation or curtailment claims that result from a second wave of infections. |
| Nationwide building society is warning its bank account customers who rely on its travel cover that it will not entertain any coronavirus-related claims – medical or otherwise – for any trips booked after 18 March. | Nationwide building society is warning its bank account customers who rely on its travel cover that it will not entertain any coronavirus-related claims – medical or otherwise – for any trips booked after 18 March. |
| A host of other big-name travel insurers, including Direct Line, Axa and Lloyds and Barclays banks, have told customers making new holiday bookings that they will pay medical bills if a customer catches the virus this summer but virtually no other coronavirus-related claims. | A host of other big-name travel insurers, including Direct Line, Axa and Lloyds and Barclays banks, have told customers making new holiday bookings that they will pay medical bills if a customer catches the virus this summer but virtually no other coronavirus-related claims. |
| It means travellers booking last-minute trips face considerable financial risk if they cannot travel because of a Leicester-style second lockdown or if the area in which they are staying is closed down again. | It means travellers booking last-minute trips face considerable financial risk if they cannot travel because of a Leicester-style second lockdown or if the area in which they are staying is closed down again. |
| A holidaymaker who catches the virus while away could face huge problems. The airlines will be taking passengers’ temperatures and denying boarding to those with a fever. | A holidaymaker who catches the virus while away could face huge problems. The airlines will be taking passengers’ temperatures and denying boarding to those with a fever. |
| Back with Sky and there is heartening news about employment, with “vital green shoots” beginning to show as the number of UK job adverts increase | Back with Sky and there is heartening news about employment, with “vital green shoots” beginning to show as the number of UK job adverts increase |
| There were 990,000 job adverts in the last week of June – 27,000 more than in the first week of the month, 27,000 more than in the first week of the month, the Recruitment & Employment Confederation said. | There were 990,000 job adverts in the last week of June – 27,000 more than in the first week of the month, 27,000 more than in the first week of the month, the Recruitment & Employment Confederation said. |
| There was a noticeable increase in vacancies in pubs and restaurants as the sector prepares to reopen in England this weekend, according to the organisation that represents more than 3,300 recruitment businesses. | There was a noticeable increase in vacancies in pubs and restaurants as the sector prepares to reopen in England this weekend, according to the organisation that represents more than 3,300 recruitment businesses. |
| The BBC is reporting that people arriving in England from countries including France, Spain, Germany and Italy will no longer need to quarantine from 10 July. | The BBC is reporting that people arriving in England from countries including France, Spain, Germany and Italy will no longer need to quarantine from 10 July. |
| A full list of exempt countries posing “a reduced risk” from coronavirus will be published today. | A full list of exempt countries posing “a reduced risk” from coronavirus will be published today. |
| The new exemptions mean people arriving from selected destinations will be able to enter England without needing to self-isolate, unless they have been in or transited through non-exempt countries in the preceding 14 days. | The new exemptions mean people arriving from selected destinations will be able to enter England without needing to self-isolate, unless they have been in or transited through non-exempt countries in the preceding 14 days. |
| About 60 countries are expected to be included, according to BBC Newsnight’s political editor, Nick Watt. | About 60 countries are expected to be included, according to BBC Newsnight’s political editor, Nick Watt. |
| However, the announcement did not guarantee reciprocal arrangements with foreign countries – meaning travellers from the UK may have to self-isolate on arrival there. | However, the announcement did not guarantee reciprocal arrangements with foreign countries – meaning travellers from the UK may have to self-isolate on arrival there. |
| As most of the UK prepares to lift the lockdown over the coming weeks, Sky carries an exclusive poll showing eight out of 10 Britons would back a second lockdown if Covid-19 cases spike. | As most of the UK prepares to lift the lockdown over the coming weeks, Sky carries an exclusive poll showing eight out of 10 Britons would back a second lockdown if Covid-19 cases spike. |
| Almost eight in 10 (78%) said they would self-isolate for 14 days if asked by an NHS test and trace official, while 69% said they would follow an instruction to self-isolate from a smartphone app. | Almost eight in 10 (78%) said they would self-isolate for 14 days if asked by an NHS test and trace official, while 69% said they would follow an instruction to self-isolate from a smartphone app. |
| This is fortunate, given that England’s deputy chief medical officer told a news conference at the Downing Street press briefing yesterday that a second wave of UK infections was “quite a possibility”. Dr Jenny Harries also said she doesn’t rule out further waves or a second peak in Covid-19 cases, and stressed action to prevent localised flare-ups would be taken. | This is fortunate, given that England’s deputy chief medical officer told a news conference at the Downing Street press briefing yesterday that a second wave of UK infections was “quite a possibility”. Dr Jenny Harries also said she doesn’t rule out further waves or a second peak in Covid-19 cases, and stressed action to prevent localised flare-ups would be taken. |
| Sky is reporting that care home staff and residents will get regular Covid-19 tests from next week. Staff will be tested weekly, while residents will receive a test every 28 days, the Department of Health and Social Care said. | Sky is reporting that care home staff and residents will get regular Covid-19 tests from next week. Staff will be tested weekly, while residents will receive a test every 28 days, the Department of Health and Social Care said. |
| It has also promised intensive testing in any care home facing a coronavirus outbreak or an increased risk of a flare-up. | It has also promised intensive testing in any care home facing a coronavirus outbreak or an increased risk of a flare-up. |
| The programme will be rolled out from Monday to all care homes for people aged over 65, and those with dementia, which have registered to receive re-testing over the next four weeks. | The programme will be rolled out from Monday to all care homes for people aged over 65, and those with dementia, which have registered to receive re-testing over the next four weeks. |
| It will then be expanded to the entire care home sector from August. | It will then be expanded to the entire care home sector from August. |
| Today’s coronavirus update will come in the form of prime minister Boris Johnson using a televised address to warn people in England to behave responsibly when pubs reopen this weekend, adding that the country is not “out of the woods yet” on containing the coronavirus. People must abide by social distancing rules at pubs, restaurants and hairdressers or risk those businesses being shut down again in renewed localised lockdowns, he will say. Figures from Public Health England showed yesterday that acute respiratory outbreaks more than doubled in workplaces last week. | Today’s coronavirus update will come in the form of prime minister Boris Johnson using a televised address to warn people in England to behave responsibly when pubs reopen this weekend, adding that the country is not “out of the woods yet” on containing the coronavirus. People must abide by social distancing rules at pubs, restaurants and hairdressers or risk those businesses being shut down again in renewed localised lockdowns, he will say. Figures from Public Health England showed yesterday that acute respiratory outbreaks more than doubled in workplaces last week. |
| English tourists will be able to visit Spain, Italy, France and Germany from next Friday, 10 July, without having to quarantine for 14 days on their return. Travel restrictions on up to 60 other countries and territories are also set to be lifted. The devolved nations will set out their plans at a later date. | English tourists will be able to visit Spain, Italy, France and Germany from next Friday, 10 July, without having to quarantine for 14 days on their return. Travel restrictions on up to 60 other countries and territories are also set to be lifted. The devolved nations will set out their plans at a later date. |
| The English curriculum may need to be changed to “re-teach” subjects to children starting secondary school this year to make up for lessons missed during lockdown as the government outlined its plan to reopen schools in September with few restrictions. Prof Robin Shattock, of Imperial College London, says he is “cautiously optimistic” that his groundbreaking research using genetic coding will produce a vaccine that will work as well as any of the other 120 being pioneered around the world. | The English curriculum may need to be changed to “re-teach” subjects to children starting secondary school this year to make up for lessons missed during lockdown as the government outlined its plan to reopen schools in September with few restrictions. Prof Robin Shattock, of Imperial College London, says he is “cautiously optimistic” that his groundbreaking research using genetic coding will produce a vaccine that will work as well as any of the other 120 being pioneered around the world. |
| Organisers of the BBC Proms have announced plans for a slimmed-down version of the concerts, which will go ahead this summer but almost certainly without a live audience. Live and audience-free proms begin on 28 August and will feature each of the BBC orchestras. Sakari Oramo will conduct the opening live concert while the Finnish conductor Dalia Stasevska will be on last night duties. Viewers and listeners will be encouraged to wave flags and sing along in their homes. | Organisers of the BBC Proms have announced plans for a slimmed-down version of the concerts, which will go ahead this summer but almost certainly without a live audience. Live and audience-free proms begin on 28 August and will feature each of the BBC orchestras. Sakari Oramo will conduct the opening live concert while the Finnish conductor Dalia Stasevska will be on last night duties. Viewers and listeners will be encouraged to wave flags and sing along in their homes. |
| If you want to get in touch with me with thoughts, news or comments, please email amelia.hill@theguardian.com | If you want to get in touch with me with thoughts, news or comments, please email amelia.hill@theguardian.com |
| Good morning. This is Amelia Hill bringing you the news before the weekend hits. | Good morning. This is Amelia Hill bringing you the news before the weekend hits. |