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Coronavirus live news: parts of northern England face ban on indoor meetings between households Coronavirus live news: parts of northern England face ban on indoor meetings between households
(32 minutes later)
Spain reports 1,229 new infections, France rules out full lockdown despite rise in cases; Japan sees record high for new cases for second day in a rowSpain reports 1,229 new infections, France rules out full lockdown despite rise in cases; Japan sees record high for new cases for second day in a row
A press release from the Department of Health has - finally - clarified some details of the new lockdown. And finally... just minutes before the new restrictions come into force, the Department of Health has finally posted some more details of the rules on its website.
It means people in the affected areas will not be permitted to mix with other households (apart from those in their support bubbles) in private homes or gardens.
Some exemptions will be put in place, including for the vulnerable.
The government will sign new regulations to make these changes legally enforceable.
The regulations will give local authorities and police forces the powers to enforce these restrictions and more details on these will be set out when the regulations are published.
Households may go to hospitality, for instance bars and pubs, but new guidance will make clear that two households should not go to hospitality together.
And on the lockdown in Leicester and other areas:
While social gathering restrictions remain in place in Leicester City, the area will benefit from the lifting of restrictions that took place on 4 July in England, and all local restrictions currently in place in the neighbouring borough of Oadby and Wigston will end.
It means from Monday 3 August restaurants, cafes, bars and hairdressers in Leicester City can get back to business but leisure centres, gyms and pools will remain closed. In addition, cinemas and museums will open and religious ceremonies will be able to take place.
And on Saturday 1 August, Luton will be brought in line with the rest of the country after significant progress has been made in controlling the virus.
The government’s new lockdown announcement has come the day before the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha - the Department of Health has issued this statement:
A press release from the Department of Health has – finally – clarified some details of the new lockdown.
In a nutshell:In a nutshell:
There will be no meeting other households at home or in gardens, apart from those in your support bubble.There will be no meeting other households at home or in gardens, apart from those in your support bubble.
People can go to pubs, restaurants but not with another household. People can go to pubs and restaurants, but not with other households.
Police will have powers to enforce these new rules.Police will have powers to enforce these new rules.
The statement specifies:The statement specifies:
Labour leader Keir Starmer has responded to the government’s surprise new lockdown measures, saying that “announcing measures affecting potentially millions of people late at night on Twitter is a new low for the government’s communications during this crisis”.Labour leader Keir Starmer has responded to the government’s surprise new lockdown measures, saying that “announcing measures affecting potentially millions of people late at night on Twitter is a new low for the government’s communications during this crisis”.
While acknowledging “no one would argue with putting in place local action to reduce the transmission of coronavirus” he criticised the government’s lack of communication, and argued a press conference should have been organised for the announcement.While acknowledging “no one would argue with putting in place local action to reduce the transmission of coronavirus” he criticised the government’s lack of communication, and argued a press conference should have been organised for the announcement.
A couple of further updates from Wigan MP Lisa Nandy.A couple of further updates from Wigan MP Lisa Nandy.
She said she was told from a minister that people can still travel to work, and that people can go on holiday outside their local area, but not with another household.She said she was told from a minister that people can still travel to work, and that people can go on holiday outside their local area, but not with another household.
This matches what Leicester MP Jonathan Ashworth has tweeted about holidays:This matches what Leicester MP Jonathan Ashworth has tweeted about holidays:
In 13 of the 19 local authority areas affected by the new lockdown, the rate of Covid-19 in the seven days to 27 July has gone up, with 1,536 cases recorded across all the areas in the space of a week.In 13 of the 19 local authority areas affected by the new lockdown, the rate of Covid-19 in the seven days to 27 July has gone up, with 1,536 cases recorded across all the areas in the space of a week.
Blackburn with Darwen tops the list as the rate has risen from 83.3 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to 20 July to 89.3 in the seven days to 27 July. A total of 133 new cases have been recorded.Blackburn with Darwen tops the list as the rate has risen from 83.3 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to 20 July to 89.3 in the seven days to 27 July. A total of 133 new cases have been recorded.
Leicester is the second worst affected area; the seven-day rate has fallen from 67.8 to 60.2, but 214 new cases were recorded.Leicester is the second worst affected area; the seven-day rate has fallen from 67.8 to 60.2, but 214 new cases were recorded.
Oldham in Greater Manchester has seen its seven-day rate increase from 23.3 to 54.3, with 128 new cases, while in Pendle, Lancashire the rate went from 27.4 to 42.7, with 39 new cases.Oldham in Greater Manchester has seen its seven-day rate increase from 23.3 to 54.3, with 128 new cases, while in Pendle, Lancashire the rate went from 27.4 to 42.7, with 39 new cases.
In Trafford, Greater Manchester, the seven-day rate is up from 15.2 to 41.0, with 97 new cases and in Calderdale, West Yorkshire - which includes the town of Halifax, the rate is up from 20.9 to 33.8, with 71 new cases.In Trafford, Greater Manchester, the seven-day rate is up from 15.2 to 41.0, with 97 new cases and in Calderdale, West Yorkshire - which includes the town of Halifax, the rate is up from 20.9 to 33.8, with 71 new cases.
The new restrictions apply to the whole of Greater Manchester, which includes the 10 local authority areas of Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan.The new restrictions apply to the whole of Greater Manchester, which includes the 10 local authority areas of Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan.
Parts of East Lancashire are affected including Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle (which includes the towns of Colne and Nelson), Rossendale.Parts of East Lancashire are affected including Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle (which includes the towns of Colne and Nelson), Rossendale.
Parts of West Yorkshire including Bradford, Calderdale (which includes the town of Halifax) and Kirklees (which includes the town of Huddersfield) are also impacted.Parts of West Yorkshire including Bradford, Calderdale (which includes the town of Halifax) and Kirklees (which includes the town of Huddersfield) are also impacted.
The same restrictions will also apply to Leicester, which saw the first so-called “local lockdown” imposed on 29 June.The same restrictions will also apply to Leicester, which saw the first so-called “local lockdown” imposed on 29 June.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has clarified some details about the new restrictions coming into effect in parts of northern England in... just over an hour now.Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has clarified some details about the new restrictions coming into effect in parts of northern England in... just over an hour now.
Residents cannot visit people from other households in their homes or gardens, and can go to pubs and restaurants but only with people from within their household or bubble.Residents cannot visit people from other households in their homes or gardens, and can go to pubs and restaurants but only with people from within their household or bubble.
Further lockdown easing planned for the start of August is on hold, he said.Further lockdown easing planned for the start of August is on hold, he said.
Labour has launched a high-profile campaign over mass job losses caused by coronavirus in the UK, saying the gradual removal of the employment furlough scheme is a “historic mistake” that will significantly affect many sectors.Labour has launched a high-profile campaign over mass job losses caused by coronavirus in the UK, saying the gradual removal of the employment furlough scheme is a “historic mistake” that will significantly affect many sectors.
Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, will officially launch what the party is calling the “Jobs, Jobs, Jobs” campaign on Friday, with a visit to a company in Peterborough.Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, will officially launch what the party is calling the “Jobs, Jobs, Jobs” campaign on Friday, with a visit to a company in Peterborough.
From the start of August, on Saturday, companies who have used the government jobs protection scheme for staff will have to start paying national insurance and pension contributions for the hours they are on furlough, as part of a winding down of the scheme towards October.From the start of August, on Saturday, companies who have used the government jobs protection scheme for staff will have to start paying national insurance and pension contributions for the hours they are on furlough, as part of a winding down of the scheme towards October.
Labour is arguing that the furlough scheme should be changed so it continues to support the worst-hit industries. Anneliese Dodds, the shadow chancellor, said the government’s approach amounted to “a python-like squeeze on jobs”.Labour is arguing that the furlough scheme should be changed so it continues to support the worst-hit industries. Anneliese Dodds, the shadow chancellor, said the government’s approach amounted to “a python-like squeeze on jobs”.
Labour MP for Leicester East, Claudia Webbe, has said that Eid celebrations can take place at places of worship as long as social distancing is observed but not in private homes.Labour MP for Leicester East, Claudia Webbe, has said that Eid celebrations can take place at places of worship as long as social distancing is observed but not in private homes.
She tweeted: “No Eid with others in private homes or gardens except ‘single household bubbles’ but places of worship allowed as long as strict social distancing in place in accordance with the regulations.”She tweeted: “No Eid with others in private homes or gardens except ‘single household bubbles’ but places of worship allowed as long as strict social distancing in place in accordance with the regulations.”
Under two hours before the new lockdown restrictions are due to kick in, people are still waitng for clarity from the government on the exact details of the restrictions.Under two hours before the new lockdown restrictions are due to kick in, people are still waitng for clarity from the government on the exact details of the restrictions.
MP for Wigan and shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy tweeted the rules will apply for gardens as well as homes, and that bubbles with single-person households are still allowed.MP for Wigan and shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy tweeted the rules will apply for gardens as well as homes, and that bubbles with single-person households are still allowed.
The government’s announcement tonight means the lockdown in Leicester is eased slightly, with businesses now allowed to reopen according to Liz Kendall, MP for Leicester West, but people are not allowed to meet up with other households indoors.The government’s announcement tonight means the lockdown in Leicester is eased slightly, with businesses now allowed to reopen according to Liz Kendall, MP for Leicester West, but people are not allowed to meet up with other households indoors.
She tweeted:She tweeted:
She added that the government’s handling of the lockdown has been “utterly shambolic” and “lessons must be learnt”.She added that the government’s handling of the lockdown has been “utterly shambolic” and “lessons must be learnt”.
William Wragg, Conservative MP for Hazel Grove, in Stockport, Greater Manchester, criticised the government’s move, saying it is “not the right approach” to treat all of Greater Manchester the same.William Wragg, Conservative MP for Hazel Grove, in Stockport, Greater Manchester, criticised the government’s move, saying it is “not the right approach” to treat all of Greater Manchester the same.