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| UK coronavirus live: Starmer urges rethink of 10pm pub-closing; Poland and Turkey off travel corridor list | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Labour leader urges PM to listen to Andy Burnham; Middlesbrough mayor refuses to accept restrictions | Labour leader urges PM to listen to Andy Burnham; Middlesbrough mayor refuses to accept restrictions |
| Turkey and Poland have been taken off the travel corridor list, Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, has announced. That means people arriving in the UK from those countries after 4am on Saturday will have to quarantine. | |
| The same applies to Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba - three Dutch islands in the Caribbean. | |
| Shapps has also said the maximum fine for people who refuse to self-isolate will be increased to £10,000 form tomorrow. This will apply to repeat offenders. | |
| Scotland has recorded three new coronavirus deaths and 668 new cases. The details are here. | Scotland has recorded three new coronavirus deaths and 668 new cases. The details are here. |
| The 668 people who tested positive represented 10.8% of people being tested. | The 668 people who tested positive represented 10.8% of people being tested. |
| A week ago today the positivity rate was 7.9%, and there were 465 new cases. | A week ago today the positivity rate was 7.9%, and there were 465 new cases. |
| The UK government has updated its coronavirus dashboard. Here are the key figures. | The UK government has updated its coronavirus dashboard. Here are the key figures. |
| The UK has recorded 6,914 new cases. That is slightly down on the totals for yesterday and the day before (7,108 and 7,143 respectively), but in line with the trend over the last week, which has seen numbers rising sharply. | The UK has recorded 6,914 new cases. That is slightly down on the totals for yesterday and the day before (7,108 and 7,143 respectively), but in line with the trend over the last week, which has seen numbers rising sharply. |
| The UK has recorded 59 more deaths. That is down on the total for yesterday (71) but still up on the figure from a week ago (28). The new deaths take the headline total number of deaths to 42,202. But this figure is an underestimate because it only counts people who have died within 28 days of testing positive for coronavirus. Overall more than 57,600 people have died from confirmed or suspected coronavirus in the UK. | |
| Sir Keir Starmer has urged the government to reconsider its 10pm compulsory closing time for pubs in England. He said: | Sir Keir Starmer has urged the government to reconsider its 10pm compulsory closing time for pubs in England. He said: |
| In an interview on Monday Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, said he thought the 10pm closing time was doing “more harm than good” because it resulted in large crowds of people leaving pubs at the same time. | In an interview on Monday Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, said he thought the 10pm closing time was doing “more harm than good” because it resulted in large crowds of people leaving pubs at the same time. |
| Northern Ireland has recorded two more coronavirus deaths, and 259 more cases, according to the dashboard update from the Department of Health in the region. | Northern Ireland has recorded two more coronavirus deaths, and 259 more cases, according to the dashboard update from the Department of Health in the region. |
| This chart from the dashboard shows how the seven-day rolling average for new case numbers in Northern Ireland has been rising sharply. | This chart from the dashboard shows how the seven-day rolling average for new case numbers in Northern Ireland has been rising sharply. |
| This chart helps to explain this tweet from Ewan Birney from the thread mentioned a moment ago. (See 3.53pm.) | This chart helps to explain this tweet from Ewan Birney from the thread mentioned a moment ago. (See 3.53pm.) |
| Ewan Birney, the director of the European Bioinformatics Institute, has a good Twitter thread about the Imperial College REACT report out today. (See 10.04am.) It starts here. | |
| And here is one of his takeaways. | And here is one of his takeaways. |
| Public Health Wales has recorded six further deaths and 398 further cases. The details are here. | Public Health Wales has recorded six further deaths and 398 further cases. The details are here. |
| This chart shows how the deaths in Wales have started to creep up recently - although they remain just a fraction of what they were during the first wave. | This chart shows how the deaths in Wales have started to creep up recently - although they remain just a fraction of what they were during the first wave. |
| A group of north Wales Tory MPs and Senedd members have uged the Labour-led Welsh government to think again about its local lockdown restrictions in north Wales. | A group of north Wales Tory MPs and Senedd members have uged the Labour-led Welsh government to think again about its local lockdown restrictions in north Wales. |
| From 6pm restrictions will come into force across Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham including a ban on leaving or entering the areas without a “reasonable excuse” such as work or education. | From 6pm restrictions will come into force across Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham including a ban on leaving or entering the areas without a “reasonable excuse” such as work or education. |
| The politicians have “strongly urged” the Welsh government to reconsider “disproportionate” travel restrictions. | The politicians have “strongly urged” the Welsh government to reconsider “disproportionate” travel restrictions. |
| They said: “We accept that Covid-19 infection rates have generally risen across north Wales — although they remain significantly lower than those within local lockdown areas elsewhere.” | They said: “We accept that Covid-19 infection rates have generally risen across north Wales — although they remain significantly lower than those within local lockdown areas elsewhere.” |
| But they added: | But they added: |
| Tourism businesses in north Wales have expressed concerns that the ban could lead to job losses or closures. | Tourism businesses in north Wales have expressed concerns that the ban could lead to job losses or closures. |
| However, the filming of the show I’m a Celebrity at Gwrych Castle in Abergele will be allowed to go ahead despite the Conwy lockdown. Taking part and filming is judged to count as work. | However, the filming of the show I’m a Celebrity at Gwrych Castle in Abergele will be allowed to go ahead despite the Conwy lockdown. Taking part and filming is judged to count as work. |
| Shane Moore, the independent leader of Hartlepool council, has also criticised the new restrictions being imposed on his town. | Shane Moore, the independent leader of Hartlepool council, has also criticised the new restrictions being imposed on his town. |
| In an interview with Sky News, Moore said he was told last night that the government would not announce measures today without the approval of his council. But he said this morning Matt Hancock went ahead and announced the measures anyway. | In an interview with Sky News, Moore said he was told last night that the government would not announce measures today without the approval of his council. But he said this morning Matt Hancock went ahead and announced the measures anyway. |
| Moore said that the council wanted a ban on household visiting. But it did not want new restrictions to cover pubs. What was being proposed was “draconian”, he said. | Moore said that the council wanted a ban on household visiting. But it did not want new restrictions to cover pubs. What was being proposed was “draconian”, he said. |
| Asked if he agreed with the criticisms levelled by the Middlesbrough mayor, Andy Preston (see 2.38pm), Moore said: | Asked if he agreed with the criticisms levelled by the Middlesbrough mayor, Andy Preston (see 2.38pm), Moore said: |
| Moore represented the Brexit party on the council for a few months around the end of 2019 but in February reverted to sitting as a Hartlepool independent. | Moore represented the Brexit party on the council for a few months around the end of 2019 but in February reverted to sitting as a Hartlepool independent. |
| Covid testing for passengers arriving in the UK could begin within weeks, according to Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye. The airport has been told by Boris Johnson that the government is aiming to begin trials by mid-October, with the potential for a New York-London route opening by the end of November. | Covid testing for passengers arriving in the UK could begin within weeks, according to Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye. The airport has been told by Boris Johnson that the government is aiming to begin trials by mid-October, with the potential for a New York-London route opening by the end of November. |
| My colleague Antonia Wilson has the story here. | My colleague Antonia Wilson has the story here. |
| Andy Preston, the independent elected mayor of Middlesbrough, has said that he does not accept the new restrictions imposed on his town. | Andy Preston, the independent elected mayor of Middlesbrough, has said that he does not accept the new restrictions imposed on his town. |
| In a video statement he said: | In a video statement he said: |
| But it was not clear from his statement how much impact his declaration that he does not accept the measures will have. The government has relied on local authorities to publicise and help to enforce local lockdown rules. But the legal aspects of the restrictions are imposed by central government; local government does not get a veto. | But it was not clear from his statement how much impact his declaration that he does not accept the measures will have. The government has relied on local authorities to publicise and help to enforce local lockdown rules. But the legal aspects of the restrictions are imposed by central government; local government does not get a veto. |
| NHS England has recorded 44 more coronavirus hospital deaths. It says that those who died were aged between 60 and 99 years old and all had known underlying health conditions. The details are here. | NHS England has recorded 44 more coronavirus hospital deaths. It says that those who died were aged between 60 and 99 years old and all had known underlying health conditions. The details are here. |
| A week ago the equivalent daily figure was 30. Two weeks ago the equivalent daily figure was 14. | A week ago the equivalent daily figure was 30. Two weeks ago the equivalent daily figure was 14. |
| Edinburgh city council has just announced that the city’s hugely popular Christmas festivals will not go ahead this year, because further coronavirus restrictions mean “it is now clear that the best place to experience Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay will be from home”. The world-famous Hogmanay street party had already been cancelled in July. | Edinburgh city council has just announced that the city’s hugely popular Christmas festivals will not go ahead this year, because further coronavirus restrictions mean “it is now clear that the best place to experience Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay will be from home”. The world-famous Hogmanay street party had already been cancelled in July. |
| Stating that public health was its number one priority, the council’s leader, Adam McVey, said: “Following the latest restrictions and through the development of plans, it became apparent that activities for Christmas were not going to be possible.” The festival normally attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the city and makes millions of pounds for events organisers and local businesses. | Stating that public health was its number one priority, the council’s leader, Adam McVey, said: “Following the latest restrictions and through the development of plans, it became apparent that activities for Christmas were not going to be possible.” The festival normally attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the city and makes millions of pounds for events organisers and local businesses. |
| McVey added: “Whilst we understand the absence of popular events will bring some disappointment, we want to be clear that Edinburgh’s Christmas isn’t cancelled and our businesses right across the city will be offering their usual festive cheer for us to take advantage of. We look forward to announcing details of an innovative digital 2020 programme soon to help in these celebrations.” | McVey added: “Whilst we understand the absence of popular events will bring some disappointment, we want to be clear that Edinburgh’s Christmas isn’t cancelled and our businesses right across the city will be offering their usual festive cheer for us to take advantage of. We look forward to announcing details of an innovative digital 2020 programme soon to help in these celebrations.” |
| The latest Guardian Politics Weekly podcast is out. Jessica Elgot and Sonia Sodha discuss the latest from Westminster and Fiona Harvey updates us on Cop26 Summit preparations. Plus, Polly MacKenzie and Naomi Smith review the Liberal Democrats’ conference. | The latest Guardian Politics Weekly podcast is out. Jessica Elgot and Sonia Sodha discuss the latest from Westminster and Fiona Harvey updates us on Cop26 Summit preparations. Plus, Polly MacKenzie and Naomi Smith review the Liberal Democrats’ conference. |
| Here are the main lines from the Downing Street lobby briefing. | Here are the main lines from the Downing Street lobby briefing. |
| The new restrictions announced by Matt Hancock for Merseyside, Warrington, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough will come into force on Saturday morning at one minute past midnight, the prime minister’s spokesman said. | The new restrictions announced by Matt Hancock for Merseyside, Warrington, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough will come into force on Saturday morning at one minute past midnight, the prime minister’s spokesman said. |
| The spokesman said robots were being used more in laboratories to speed up test result times. Commenting on today’s performance figures from NHS test and trace (see 12.59pm), the spokesman said: | The spokesman said robots were being used more in laboratories to speed up test result times. Commenting on today’s performance figures from NHS test and trace (see 12.59pm), the spokesman said: |
| The spokesman refused to comment on a report in today’s i saying the local lockdown regulations may be simplified, with all areas being subject to one of just three sets of rules. Under this proposal, there would be three tiers, with the worst affected areas being under the tightest rules etc. This would address the problem caused by the fact that the current rules vary from place to place. Asked about the report, the spokesman just said: | The spokesman refused to comment on a report in today’s i saying the local lockdown regulations may be simplified, with all areas being subject to one of just three sets of rules. Under this proposal, there would be three tiers, with the worst affected areas being under the tightest rules etc. This would address the problem caused by the fact that the current rules vary from place to place. Asked about the report, the spokesman just said: |
| The spokesman said that the PM thought everyone - including his father and Jeremy Corbyn (see 9.56am) - should follow the rules. But the spokesman declined to back calls for Corbyn to be fined. Enforcing the rules was a matter for the police, the spokesman said. | The spokesman said that the PM thought everyone - including his father and Jeremy Corbyn (see 9.56am) - should follow the rules. But the spokesman declined to back calls for Corbyn to be fined. Enforcing the rules was a matter for the police, the spokesman said. |