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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2020/oct/09/uk-coronavirus-live-covid-starmer-boris-johnson
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| UK coronavirus live: government to pay two-thirds of wages at businesses forced to lock down | UK coronavirus live: government to pay two-thirds of wages at businesses forced to lock down |
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| Rishi Sunak announces new economic support measures; London mayor says ‘highly likely’ capital will face extra measures soon; Sturgeon concedes new Scotland cafe rules have caused confusion | Rishi Sunak announces new economic support measures; London mayor says ‘highly likely’ capital will face extra measures soon; Sturgeon concedes new Scotland cafe rules have caused confusion |
| Our Scotland correspondent Libby Brooks reports on the ground in Glasgow where regulars are bracing themselves for a 16-day shutdown of pubs across central Scotland. | |
| The first minister of Wales has responded after US president Donald Trump retweeted criticism of plans for rolling lockdowns in the country this winter. | |
| Fox News presenter Laura Ingraham tweeted “Your future under Biden: ‘Rolling lockdowns’ will become norm in Wales” along with a link to a BBC News article on 7 October. | |
| In the article, Wales’s chief medical officer Dr Frank Atherton was quoted as saying that rolling lockdowns could take place in the country over the winter to control the spread of Covid-19. | |
| First minister Mark Drakeford was asked to comment on Trump’s retweet during the Welsh government’s coronavirus press conference on Friday. | |
| Atherton previously told BBC Radio Wales that the country could be “going in and out” of lockdown restrictions over the next few months. | |
| Currently, more than 2.3 million people in Wales are subjected to local lockdown rules. | |
| Under the regulations, they must not enter, leave or remain away from an affected area without a reasonable excuse such as work or education. | |
| Indoor meetings with people from different households are banned, with extended households suspended. People must also work from home where possible. | |
| Trick or treating will not be allowed in Lancashire this Halloween, it has been announced. | Trick or treating will not be allowed in Lancashire this Halloween, it has been announced. |
| The Lancashire Resilience Forum said there would be restrictions to prevent large-scale events marking occasions including the Prophet Muhammed’s birthdate, Halloween, Bonfire Night, Remembrance Sunday, Diwali, Hanukkah and the switching-on of Christmas lights. | The Lancashire Resilience Forum said there would be restrictions to prevent large-scale events marking occasions including the Prophet Muhammed’s birthdate, Halloween, Bonfire Night, Remembrance Sunday, Diwali, Hanukkah and the switching-on of Christmas lights. |
| Trick or treating will not be permitted as it would increase risk of household transmissions, a spokesman said. | Trick or treating will not be permitted as it would increase risk of household transmissions, a spokesman said. |
| Angie Ridgwell, chairwoman of the forum, said: | Angie Ridgwell, chairwoman of the forum, said: |
| A threatened Tory revolt means the opposition actually has some leverage. It should use it to demand proper sick pay, writes journalist Chaminda Jayanetti. | A threatened Tory revolt means the opposition actually has some leverage. It should use it to demand proper sick pay, writes journalist Chaminda Jayanetti. |
| Business leaders have praised new government support for companies, saying it should “cushion the blow” for those most affected by new coronavirus restrictions, but unions say more needed to be done to save jobs. | Business leaders have praised new government support for companies, saying it should “cushion the blow” for those most affected by new coronavirus restrictions, but unions say more needed to be done to save jobs. |
| Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the government will pay two-thirds of the wages of staff in pubs, restaurants and other businesses if they are forced to close under new coronavirus restrictions. | Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the government will pay two-thirds of the wages of staff in pubs, restaurants and other businesses if they are forced to close under new coronavirus restrictions. |
| Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, director general of the Confederation of British Industry, said: | Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, director general of the Confederation of British Industry, said: |
| The TUC general secretary, Frances O’Grady, said: | The TUC general secretary, Frances O’Grady, said: |
| Meddling with Brexit, mulling a new leader – the Tories will do literally anything except reflect on their Covid response, writes Guardian columnist Marina Hyde. | Meddling with Brexit, mulling a new leader – the Tories will do literally anything except reflect on their Covid response, writes Guardian columnist Marina Hyde. |
| The government will pay two-thirds of the wages of staff in pubs, restaurants and other businesses if they are forced to close under new coronavirus restrictions, the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced. | The government will pay two-thirds of the wages of staff in pubs, restaurants and other businesses if they are forced to close under new coronavirus restrictions, the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced. |
| Sunak said the expansion of the jobs support scheme would provide “a safety net” for people and businesses across the UK in advance of potential closures over the winter. | Sunak said the expansion of the jobs support scheme would provide “a safety net” for people and businesses across the UK in advance of potential closures over the winter. |
| Ministers are expected to outline a three-tier local lockdown system on Monday, which could see hospitality venues in coronavirus hotspots being temporarily closed to combat the spread of the virus. | Ministers are expected to outline a three-tier local lockdown system on Monday, which could see hospitality venues in coronavirus hotspots being temporarily closed to combat the spread of the virus. |
| Firms whose premises are legally required to close because of restrictions will receive grants to pay the wages of staff who cannot work, with the government paying two-thirds of each employee’s salary (67%) up to a maximum of £2,100 a month. | Firms whose premises are legally required to close because of restrictions will receive grants to pay the wages of staff who cannot work, with the government paying two-thirds of each employee’s salary (67%) up to a maximum of £2,100 a month. |
| Employers will not be required to contribute towards wages, but will be asked to cover national insurance and pension contributions. | Employers will not be required to contribute towards wages, but will be asked to cover national insurance and pension contributions. |
| Businesses will be able to claim the grant when they are subject to restrictions and employees are off work for at least seven consecutive days. | Businesses will be able to claim the grant when they are subject to restrictions and employees are off work for at least seven consecutive days. |
| The scheme will launch on 1 November and run for six months, with a review in January. | The scheme will launch on 1 November and run for six months, with a review in January. |
| Businesses which are already legally closed, such as nightclubs, will also be eligible. | Businesses which are already legally closed, such as nightclubs, will also be eligible. |
| Sunak said: | Sunak said: |
| The government is also increasing cash grants available to businesses in England shut in local lockdowns to support with fixed costs. These grants will be linked to rateable values, with up to £3,000 per month payable every two weeks. | The government is also increasing cash grants available to businesses in England shut in local lockdowns to support with fixed costs. These grants will be linked to rateable values, with up to £3,000 per month payable every two weeks. |
| Women are being disproportionately affected by a rise in mental health problems caused by increasing workloads as people do their jobs from home amid the pandemic. | Women are being disproportionately affected by a rise in mental health problems caused by increasing workloads as people do their jobs from home amid the pandemic. |
| The length of the working day has increased steadily, resulting in a 49% rise in mental distress reported by employees when compared with 2017-19. | The length of the working day has increased steadily, resulting in a 49% rise in mental distress reported by employees when compared with 2017-19. |
| Women are bearing the brunt of problems as they juggle work and childcare, according to a report by the 4 Day Week campaign and thinktanks Compass and Autonomy. | Women are bearing the brunt of problems as they juggle work and childcare, according to a report by the 4 Day Week campaign and thinktanks Compass and Autonomy. |
| The report, Burnout Britain, comes a day before World Mental Health Day and shows that women are 43% more likely to have increased their hours beyond a standard working week than men, and for those with children, this was even more clearly associated with mental health problems: 86% of women who are carrying out a standard working week alongside childcare, which is more than or equivalent to the UK average, experienced problems in April this year. | The report, Burnout Britain, comes a day before World Mental Health Day and shows that women are 43% more likely to have increased their hours beyond a standard working week than men, and for those with children, this was even more clearly associated with mental health problems: 86% of women who are carrying out a standard working week alongside childcare, which is more than or equivalent to the UK average, experienced problems in April this year. |
| The University of Bristol has told hundreds of students to self-isolate after 40 people tested positive for Covid-19 in the same halls of residence. | The University of Bristol has told hundreds of students to self-isolate after 40 people tested positive for Covid-19 in the same halls of residence. |
| All 300 students in the Courtrooms accommodation in the city centre have been told to remain in their flats and only socialise with those in their living circle, due to the cluster of coronavirus cases. | All 300 students in the Courtrooms accommodation in the city centre have been told to remain in their flats and only socialise with those in their living circle, due to the cluster of coronavirus cases. |
| The latest figures from Bristol University show that 254 students and three staff members have tested positive for Covid-19. | The latest figures from Bristol University show that 254 students and three staff members have tested positive for Covid-19. |
| There have been a further 766 cases of Covid-19 in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 29,028. | There have been a further 766 cases of Covid-19 in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 29,028. |
| Public Health Wales said two further deaths had been reported, with the total number of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic rising to 1,646. | Public Health Wales said two further deaths had been reported, with the total number of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic rising to 1,646. |
| Scientists advising the Government said the current R value - the number of people an infected person will pass coronavirus on to - for the UK is between 1.2 and 1.5. | Scientists advising the Government said the current R value - the number of people an infected person will pass coronavirus on to - for the UK is between 1.2 and 1.5. |
| This is down slightly on last week when it was between 1.3 and 1.6. The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) estimates the number of new infections is growing by between 4% and 9% every day. | This is down slightly on last week when it was between 1.3 and 1.6. The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) estimates the number of new infections is growing by between 4% and 9% every day. |
| Sage said it was “almost certain that the epidemic continues to grow exponentially across the country, and is confident that the transmission is not slowing. | Sage said it was “almost certain that the epidemic continues to grow exponentially across the country, and is confident that the transmission is not slowing. |
| “While the R-value remains above 1.0, infections will continue to grow at an exponential rate. | “While the R-value remains above 1.0, infections will continue to grow at an exponential rate. |
| “This is currently the case for every region of England and all have positive growth rates, reflecting increases in the number of new infections across the country.” | “This is currently the case for every region of England and all have positive growth rates, reflecting increases in the number of new infections across the country.” |
| The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the it “highly likely” London would face new stricter Covid restrictions soon. | The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the it “highly likely” London would face new stricter Covid restrictions soon. |
| Khan said “we are at a very serious tipping point. The virus is accelerating in every part of London.” | Khan said “we are at a very serious tipping point. The virus is accelerating in every part of London.” |
| He said that a tightening of rules in London was “inevitable” alongside the expected announcement of a new tiered system that is due from No 10 next week. | He said that a tightening of rules in London was “inevitable” alongside the expected announcement of a new tiered system that is due from No 10 next week. |
| Pressed on the cafe/restaurant confusion at her daily briefing, and with six hours to go until the shutdown across the central belt, Nicola Sturgeon said that if an establishment is unsure whether it can remain open “then my advice is to close”. | Pressed on the cafe/restaurant confusion at her daily briefing, and with six hours to go until the shutdown across the central belt, Nicola Sturgeon said that if an establishment is unsure whether it can remain open “then my advice is to close”. |
| “If you are a business asking yourself ‘am I a restaurant?’ then perhaps you should be on the side of closing for two weeks,” she said, adding: “The price you pay for trying to introduce a bit of flexibility is that people then say there is no clarity.” | “If you are a business asking yourself ‘am I a restaurant?’ then perhaps you should be on the side of closing for two weeks,” she said, adding: “The price you pay for trying to introduce a bit of flexibility is that people then say there is no clarity.” |
| She added that “if a premises is in doubt, then they should close until they can speak to an environmental health officer.” | She added that “if a premises is in doubt, then they should close until they can speak to an environmental health officer.” |
| Coronavirus cases are doubling about twice as fast in the north-west, Yorkshire and the West Midlands as for the whole of England, according to the largest Covid-19 study of its kind. | Coronavirus cases are doubling about twice as fast in the north-west, Yorkshire and the West Midlands as for the whole of England, according to the largest Covid-19 study of its kind. |
| Experts behind the React study said the rate of growth of the epidemic across England had slowed in the last month, but the country was now at a “critical point in the second wave”. | Experts behind the React study said the rate of growth of the epidemic across England had slowed in the last month, but the country was now at a “critical point in the second wave”. |
| They warned that current measures such as the rule of six and restrictions in the north of England will not be enough to bring the epidemic under control. | They warned that current measures such as the rule of six and restrictions in the north of England will not be enough to bring the epidemic under control. |
| “Further fixed-duration measures should be considered to reduce the infection rate and limit the numbers of hospital admissions and deaths from Covid-19,” they said. | “Further fixed-duration measures should be considered to reduce the infection rate and limit the numbers of hospital admissions and deaths from Covid-19,” they said. |
| The report looked at Covid-19 swabs from 174,949 volunteers tested across England between September 18 and Monday this week. | The report looked at Covid-19 swabs from 174,949 volunteers tested across England between September 18 and Monday this week. |
| It found cases were doubling every 29 days in England, much slower than the 13 days estimated for the period mid-August to early September, resulting in a national reproductive rate (the R number) of 1.16. | It found cases were doubling every 29 days in England, much slower than the 13 days estimated for the period mid-August to early September, resulting in a national reproductive rate (the R number) of 1.16. |
| At a regional level, the team estimated cases were doubling much quicker – every 17 days in the north-west, 13 days in Yorkshire and the Humber, and 14 days in the West Midlands. | At a regional level, the team estimated cases were doubling much quicker – every 17 days in the north-west, 13 days in Yorkshire and the Humber, and 14 days in the West Midlands. |
| There are no signs that the Welsh government is preparing to impose further restrictions on pubs and other hospitality businesses. | There are no signs that the Welsh government is preparing to impose further restrictions on pubs and other hospitality businesses. |
| The first minister, Mark Drakeford, said his government did not have the evidence that rising cases of coronavirus were connected to the hospitality business. | The first minister, Mark Drakeford, said his government did not have the evidence that rising cases of coronavirus were connected to the hospitality business. |
| Speaking at a press conference in Cardiff, he said: “The approach we are taking in Wales is to match the actions we take to the source of the problem. We will take action in relation to hospitality where the evidence tells us that is the cause of the problem.” | Speaking at a press conference in Cardiff, he said: “The approach we are taking in Wales is to match the actions we take to the source of the problem. We will take action in relation to hospitality where the evidence tells us that is the cause of the problem.” |
| He said if the evidence did show a link between rising cases and pubs he would impose the same sort of restrictions coming into force in Scotland and being trailed for England. | He said if the evidence did show a link between rising cases and pubs he would impose the same sort of restrictions coming into force in Scotland and being trailed for England. |
| Drakeford said he had been working with Welsh government lawyers to take action that would stop people from hotspots in England travelling to Wales. | Drakeford said he had been working with Welsh government lawyers to take action that would stop people from hotspots in England travelling to Wales. |
| But he said he was prepared to wait until Monday to see if the prime minister imposed travel restrictions for English hotspots. | But he said he was prepared to wait until Monday to see if the prime minister imposed travel restrictions for English hotspots. |
| No significant new measures have been introduced by the Welsh government – only a tweak to allow children in local lockdown areas to travel across county borders to play sport. | No significant new measures have been introduced by the Welsh government – only a tweak to allow children in local lockdown areas to travel across county borders to play sport. |
| Hello everyone, I am taking the blog over from my colleague while she takes a lunch break. Please do get in touch with me if you want to share any comments or news tips. | Hello everyone, I am taking the blog over from my colleague while she takes a lunch break. Please do get in touch with me if you want to share any comments or news tips. |
| Twitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalistEmail: sarah.marsh@theguardian.com | Twitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalistEmail: sarah.marsh@theguardian.com |
| Sophie, Countess of Wessex, is self-isolating at home after coming into contact with someone who later tested positive for coronavirus, Buckingham Palace has said. | Sophie, Countess of Wessex, is self-isolating at home after coming into contact with someone who later tested positive for coronavirus, Buckingham Palace has said. |
| A palace spokeswoman said: “Earlier this week the Countess of Wessex came into contact with someone who has subsequently tested positive for Covid-19. | A palace spokeswoman said: “Earlier this week the Countess of Wessex came into contact with someone who has subsequently tested positive for Covid-19. |
| “Her Royal Highness is not experiencing any symptoms, but is following all relevant government guidelines and is self-isolating at home.” | “Her Royal Highness is not experiencing any symptoms, but is following all relevant government guidelines and is self-isolating at home.” |