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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2020/sep/30/uk-coronavirus-live-news-updates-boris-johnson-warned-rule-of-law-at-risk-if-mps-dont-get-more-of-a-say-over-covid-rules
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| UK coronavirus live: 'We will not hesitate to take further measures' if pandemic worsens, Johnson warns | UK coronavirus live: 'We will not hesitate to take further measures' if pandemic worsens, Johnson warns |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| PM promises more frequent press conferences on Covid situation; MPs vote by 330 to 24 to renew Coronavirus Act | PM promises more frequent press conferences on Covid situation; MPs vote by 330 to 24 to renew Coronavirus Act |
| Boris Johnson has declared that he would not hesitate to order further restrictions to tackle coronavirus if necessary. He made the comment at a sobering news conference where his two most senior scientific advisers stressed that the Covid figures were heading “in the wrong direction”. (See 6.17pm.) | Boris Johnson has declared that he would not hesitate to order further restrictions to tackle coronavirus if necessary. He made the comment at a sobering news conference where his two most senior scientific advisers stressed that the Covid figures were heading “in the wrong direction”. (See 6.17pm.) |
| The UK government has caved in to demands that MPs be given a vote in parliament on any new UK-wide or England-wide coronavirus restrictions, after up to 100 Conservatives threatened a rebellion. | The UK government has caved in to demands that MPs be given a vote in parliament on any new UK-wide or England-wide coronavirus restrictions, after up to 100 Conservatives threatened a rebellion. |
| The Merseyside economy may collapse and leave a legacy of poverty “for generations to come” without urgent financial support tied to new coronavirus restrictions, according to the region’s political leaders. | The Merseyside economy may collapse and leave a legacy of poverty “for generations to come” without urgent financial support tied to new coronavirus restrictions, according to the region’s political leaders. |
| Keir Starmer has accused the government of abandoning people with “viable” jobs by refusing proper support during continued lockdown restrictions, as the response to coronavirus again dominated prime minister’s questions. | Keir Starmer has accused the government of abandoning people with “viable” jobs by refusing proper support during continued lockdown restrictions, as the response to coronavirus again dominated prime minister’s questions. |
| Deloitte, the consultancy giant hired by the government to help run the NHS test-and-trace programme, is involved in selling separate contact tracing services directly to local health officials in the UK. | Deloitte, the consultancy giant hired by the government to help run the NHS test-and-trace programme, is involved in selling separate contact tracing services directly to local health officials in the UK. |
| That’s all from me for today. But our coverage continues on our global coronavirus live blog. It’s here. | That’s all from me for today. But our coverage continues on our global coronavirus live blog. It’s here. |
| The government has this evening ruled out giving refunds to people holding railcards they have been unable to use – or granting a time extension – despite ongoing travel restrictions in place as a result of coronavirus. | The government has this evening ruled out giving refunds to people holding railcards they have been unable to use – or granting a time extension – despite ongoing travel restrictions in place as a result of coronavirus. |
| There are an estimated 5.1m railcards in circulation in the UK, typically triggering discounts of about a third on ticket prices, and valid for a year. | There are an estimated 5.1m railcards in circulation in the UK, typically triggering discounts of about a third on ticket prices, and valid for a year. |
| But restrictions brought in to contain the coronavirus mean that train services have been cut and only essential journeys made by key workers, so it is unlikely many cards have been used. There are seven cards, including senior railcards for the 60-plus age group and a 16 – 25 card for younger travellers. | But restrictions brought in to contain the coronavirus mean that train services have been cut and only essential journeys made by key workers, so it is unlikely many cards have been used. There are seven cards, including senior railcards for the 60-plus age group and a 16 – 25 card for younger travellers. |
| A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group, which administers the scheme, said: | A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group, which administers the scheme, said: |
| The news will be a disappointment not only to railcard holders but also to the passenger group Transport Focus which had been calling for either an extension or a discount on renewal. | The news will be a disappointment not only to railcard holders but also to the passenger group Transport Focus which had been calling for either an extension or a discount on renewal. |
| Anthony Smith, chief executive of Transport Focus, said: | Anthony Smith, chief executive of Transport Focus, said: |
| The Rail Delivery Group has created an FAQ page here. | The Rail Delivery Group has created an FAQ page here. |
| Here are the main points from No 10 press conference. | Here are the main points from No 10 press conference. |
| Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser, said the figures were “definitely heading in the wrong direction” in the fight against coronavirus. His phrase summed up the main message of a press conference intended to reinforce the need for the restrictions already in place and counter any public complacency. Prof Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser, presented eight slides showing the extent to which the virus is spreading. He said there was a “significant rise” in test positivity in the north-east and north-west of England, and Yorkshire and Humber. “This increase is accelerating quite rapidly in some of those areas,” he said. And he said hospitalisation was rising, particularly in hotspots, though the figures remain “in a much lower level than at the beginning of April”. Whitty summed up: | Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser, said the figures were “definitely heading in the wrong direction” in the fight against coronavirus. His phrase summed up the main message of a press conference intended to reinforce the need for the restrictions already in place and counter any public complacency. Prof Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser, presented eight slides showing the extent to which the virus is spreading. He said there was a “significant rise” in test positivity in the north-east and north-west of England, and Yorkshire and Humber. “This increase is accelerating quite rapidly in some of those areas,” he said. And he said hospitalisation was rising, particularly in hotspots, though the figures remain “in a much lower level than at the beginning of April”. Whitty summed up: |
| And Vallance said: “Things are definitely heading in the wrong direction.” | And Vallance said: “Things are definitely heading in the wrong direction.” |
| Whitty said the NHS could soon be under pressure if case numbers were not contained. | |
| Boris Johnson said he would not hesitate to order further measures if necessary. But he stressed that he hoped he would not have to. He said: | |
| Johnson and Whitty both said it was possible that the next wave of the epidemic might be more localised. Johnson said: | Johnson and Whitty both said it was possible that the next wave of the epidemic might be more localised. Johnson said: |
| And Whitty said: | And Whitty said: |
| But later Johnson said he did not want people to get the wrong idea from this. Towards the end of the press conference he said: | But later Johnson said he did not want people to get the wrong idea from this. Towards the end of the press conference he said: |
| Johnson said he would be providing regular press conferences to update people on the fight against coronavirus. | Johnson said he would be providing regular press conferences to update people on the fight against coronavirus. |
| While the press conference was taking place, MPs voted by 330 to 24 - a majority of 306 - to renew the powers in the Coronavirus Act. | While the press conference was taking place, MPs voted by 330 to 24 - a majority of 306 - to renew the powers in the Coronavirus Act. |
| That’s it. The briefing is now over. | That’s it. The briefing is now over. |
| I’ll post a summary soon. | I’ll post a summary soon. |
| Johnson says he is worried people might be getting the wrong message. He says he wants to stress that coronavirus is a problem everywhere. | Johnson says he is worried people might be getting the wrong message. He says he wants to stress that coronavirus is a problem everywhere. |
| Q: A recent survey showed that only 20% of people are self-isolating when asked to. Why is that? And are you saying the government’s plan is to come down hard on the north of England to spare London and the south? | Q: A recent survey showed that only 20% of people are self-isolating when asked to. Why is that? And are you saying the government’s plan is to come down hard on the north of England to spare London and the south? |
| Johnson says the government just wants to bring the R number down by stamping on where cases are highest. If people are in any doubt, they should check the rules on the website. | Johnson says the government just wants to bring the R number down by stamping on where cases are highest. If people are in any doubt, they should check the rules on the website. |
| Vallance says it would be wrong to say this is just a problem in some areas. It is worse in some areas. But it is a problem everywhere. | Vallance says it would be wrong to say this is just a problem in some areas. It is worse in some areas. But it is a problem everywhere. |
| Self-isolation is vital, he says. If people circulate, they will give the virus to others. | Self-isolation is vital, he says. If people circulate, they will give the virus to others. |
| Vallance says more recent figures might suggest better compliance. The survey a few weeks ago referred to intent to self-isolate, he says. | Vallance says more recent figures might suggest better compliance. The survey a few weeks ago referred to intent to self-isolate, he says. |
| (But there are also studies, like this one, showing a very low proportion of people actually self-isolating when asked to.) | (But there are also studies, like this one, showing a very low proportion of people actually self-isolating when asked to.) |
| Q: Do you accept many people are not wearing masks? | Q: Do you accept many people are not wearing masks? |
| Johnson says people should wear masks. Fines will be imposed on people who don’t. | Johnson says people should wear masks. Fines will be imposed on people who don’t. |
| Vallance says case numbers are going up. Adherence to the rules is crucial, he says. | Vallance says case numbers are going up. Adherence to the rules is crucial, he says. |
| Q: There were 71 deaths just before the full lockdown. There are 71 deaths now. What is the difference? | Q: There were 71 deaths just before the full lockdown. There are 71 deaths now. What is the difference? |
| Johnson says it is possible that there is a difference in the way the disease is expressing itself in the country. There are local peaks. It may be “more localised” this time. | Johnson says it is possible that there is a difference in the way the disease is expressing itself in the country. There are local peaks. It may be “more localised” this time. |
| Whitty says Italy and Spain had significant epidemics that were highly concentrated. | Whitty says Italy and Spain had significant epidemics that were highly concentrated. |
| He says it is possible that this might be happening here. He says it may be “more localised” this time. | He says it is possible that this might be happening here. He says it may be “more localised” this time. |
| As for the comparison with March, he says the doubling time at the moment is slower than in March, when it was three to four days. | As for the comparison with March, he says the doubling time at the moment is slower than in March, when it was three to four days. |
| Initially they underestimated how quickly the virus was doubling then. | Initially they underestimated how quickly the virus was doubling then. |
| But the small number of deaths now does not mean that we could get to larger numbers of death quite quickly. | But the small number of deaths now does not mean that we could get to larger numbers of death quite quickly. |
| Vallance says things are heading in the wrong direction. There is no room for complacency. | Vallance says things are heading in the wrong direction. There is no room for complacency. |
| We need to reduce contacts in certain environments, in particular indoor spaces that are poorly ventilated. | We need to reduce contacts in certain environments, in particular indoor spaces that are poorly ventilated. |
| Q: What are the chances of more restrictions everywhere? | Q: What are the chances of more restrictions everywhere? |
| Johnson says we know we can drive down the virus, because we did it before. | Johnson says we know we can drive down the virus, because we did it before. |
| He says a package of measures is in place, a combination of national rules and local ones. And there is tougher enforcement. | He says a package of measures is in place, a combination of national rules and local ones. And there is tougher enforcement. |
| He says he hopes that, if people follow the guidance as before, then we can get the spread down. | He says he hopes that, if people follow the guidance as before, then we can get the spread down. |
| He wants to do that while keeping the economy open and young people in education, he says. | He wants to do that while keeping the economy open and young people in education, he says. |
| Success will be judged in the days and weeks ahead, he says. | Success will be judged in the days and weeks ahead, he says. |
| Q: Your presentation last week was controversial. Do you still think cases are doubling every week? | Q: Your presentation last week was controversial. Do you still think cases are doubling every week? |
| Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser, said he was trying to get across three messages in his presentation last week. | Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser, said he was trying to get across three messages in his presentation last week. |
| He says he wanted to make the point that more cases could lead to more deaths, that case numbers were growing already, and that cases could double very quickly. | He says he wanted to make the point that more cases could lead to more deaths, that case numbers were growing already, and that cases could double very quickly. |
| He says cases are going up, and the number of deaths is rising. | He says cases are going up, and the number of deaths is rising. |
| But he says it is much more likely that in April and March there were over 100,000 cases per day. So you cannot make a like for like comparison between the published figures then and the published figures now (which are higher). | But he says it is much more likely that in April and March there were over 100,000 cases per day. So you cannot make a like for like comparison between the published figures then and the published figures now (which are higher). |
| Q: How are enforcement agencies going to stop people travelling from lockdown areas to non-lockdown areas? | Q: How are enforcement agencies going to stop people travelling from lockdown areas to non-lockdown areas? |
| Johnson says people should look at the rules on the website. | Johnson says people should look at the rules on the website. |
| But he does not want to go back to a national lockdown where people are told to stay at home, he says. | But he does not want to go back to a national lockdown where people are told to stay at home, he says. |
| Johnson is taking questions from members of the public. | Johnson is taking questions from members of the public. |
| Q: What support is in place for young people? | Q: What support is in place for young people? |
| Johnson says there is a package of support. He thanks students for how they are behaving. He says the Kickstart programme will help young people into work. | Johnson says there is a package of support. He thanks students for how they are behaving. He says the Kickstart programme will help young people into work. |
| And he wants to help young people retrain, as he set out yesterday, he says. | And he wants to help young people retrain, as he set out yesterday, he says. |
| Whitty says his NHS colleagues wanted him to stress that the NHS is open for patients. | Whitty says his NHS colleagues wanted him to stress that the NHS is open for patients. |
| Johnson underlines that point. | Johnson underlines that point. |
| Whitty is now showing an animation illustrating how coronavirus spread in the spring, how it went down over the summer, and how it is coming back. | Whitty is now showing an animation illustrating how coronavirus spread in the spring, how it went down over the summer, and how it is coming back. |
| And Whitty says this slide shows hospital admission rates by region. | And Whitty says this slide shows hospital admission rates by region. |
| The final slide shows admissions to intensive care. In some areas they are rising sharply, he says. | The final slide shows admissions to intensive care. In some areas they are rising sharply, he says. |
| But he says there is no danger of the NHS being overwhelmed. | But he says there is no danger of the NHS being overwhelmed. |
| Whitty says this slide shows hospital admission rates. | Whitty says this slide shows hospital admission rates. |
| Whitty says this slide shows positivity rates for under-21s. | Whitty says this slide shows positivity rates for under-21s. |
| Amongst the very young, rates are not rising. But amongst older people in this group, they are. | Amongst the very young, rates are not rising. But amongst older people in this group, they are. |
| Whitty says some people think there are just more cases because more people are testing positive. | Whitty says some people think there are just more cases because more people are testing positive. |
| But this slide shows that is not the case, he says. It shows the positivity rate - the proportion of people testing positive. They are going up, he says. | But this slide shows that is not the case, he says. It shows the positivity rate - the proportion of people testing positive. They are going up, he says. |