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UK coronavirus live: Starmer attacks 'serial incompetence' of Tory handling of Covid crisis UK coronavirus live: tightening of restrictions in London 'inevitable', says Sadiq Khan
(32 minutes later)
Latest updates: Labour leader urges ministers to consult with local leaders over increased restrictions and stop ‘Whitehall knows best’ approach London mayor says ‘highly likely’ capital will face extra measures soon; Sturgeon concedes new Scotland cafe rules have caused confusion
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 says that if an establishment is unsure whether it can remain open “then my advice is to close”. 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.
“If you are a business asking yourself ‘am I a restaurant?’ then perhaps you should be on the side of closing for 2 weeks,” she says, adding: “The price you pay for trying to introduce a bit of flexibility is that people then say there is no clarity”. 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.
She adds that “if a premises is in doubt, then they should close until they can speak to an environmental health officer.” The latest figures from Bristol University show that 254 students and three staff members have tested positive for Covid-19.
Last-minute changes to tough new lockdown restrictions in Scotland to exempt some cafes have created a “lack of clarity”, Scotland’s First Minister has conceded. 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.
Pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes outside central Scotland will only be allowed to operate indoors between 6 am and 6 pm from Friday and not serve alcohol, though drinks can be served until 10 pm in outdoor areas. 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.
But pubs and licensed restaurants in five health board areas - Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Arran, Lothian, and Forth Valley - will be forced to close for all but takeaway service for 16 days from 6 pm on Friday. 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.
Nicola Sturgeon revealed on Thursday that cafes can be exempt from the central belt shut down during the day if they do not sell alcohol, triggering confusion about how a cafe is defined. 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.
Speaking at the Scottish Government’s coronavirus briefing on Friday, she acknowledged frustration on that point but said the new measures attempt to strike a balance between saving lives and protecting the economy. 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.
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. “While the R-value remains above 1.0, infections will continue to grow at an exponential rate.
Experts behind the React study said the rate of growth of the epidemic across England has slowed in the last month, but the country was now at a “critical point in the second wave”. “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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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”. “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 are 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 are 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.
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.
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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.”
The Welsh government will amend local lockdown restrictions to allow children to take part in organised sporting activities outside of their county boundaries.The Welsh government will amend local lockdown restrictions to allow children to take part in organised sporting activities outside of their county boundaries.
In Wales, people must not enter or leave areas under local lockdown without a reasonable excuse such as work or education.In Wales, people must not enter or leave areas under local lockdown without a reasonable excuse such as work or education.
The first minister, Mark Drakeford, told a press conference in Cardiff that Covid-19 was “waking up for winter”.The first minister, Mark Drakeford, told a press conference in Cardiff that Covid-19 was “waking up for winter”.
Police Scotland has announced that additional patrols will assist local authorities in ensuring pubs and restaurants across central Scotland close at 6pm this evening as the temporary shutdown comes into force.Police Scotland has announced that additional patrols will assist local authorities in ensuring pubs and restaurants across central Scotland close at 6pm this evening as the temporary shutdown comes into force.
Chief constable Iain Livingstone said: “Officers will be highly visible in communities over the weekend to engage with the public, explain the new advice, guidance and restrictions and encourage people to do the right thing.”Chief constable Iain Livingstone said: “Officers will be highly visible in communities over the weekend to engage with the public, explain the new advice, guidance and restrictions and encourage people to do the right thing.”
Police Scotland officers have had more than 75,000 Covid-related interactions with members of the public since March, with about 4,000 or just over 5% resulting in formal enforcement action.Police Scotland officers have had more than 75,000 Covid-related interactions with members of the public since March, with about 4,000 or just over 5% resulting in formal enforcement action.
Livingstone said he remained concerned about informal house gatherings:Livingstone said he remained concerned about informal house gatherings:
Nearly nine out of 10 Covid-19 tests taken under the system used by care homes in England were returned after the government’s 48-hour target in September, official figures reveal.Nearly nine out of 10 Covid-19 tests taken under the system used by care homes in England were returned after the government’s 48-hour target in September, official figures reveal.
The performance of the NHS test-and-trace system has sparked warnings from care managers that continued delays will increase the risk of infection among their vulnerable residents.The performance of the NHS test-and-trace system has sparked warnings from care managers that continued delays will increase the risk of infection among their vulnerable residents.
At the end of the first month in which tests were routinely provided to care home staff and residents, 87% of those carried out at satellite testing centres, predominantly used by care homes, were returned after more than two days. Over half took more than three days to come back.At the end of the first month in which tests were routinely provided to care home staff and residents, 87% of those carried out at satellite testing centres, predominantly used by care homes, were returned after more than two days. Over half took more than three days to come back.
Care workers are now being tested weekly and residents monthly, but managers are concerned that delays of over a week in some cases in receiving results mean asymptomatic staff could be spreading infection.Care workers are now being tested weekly and residents monthly, but managers are concerned that delays of over a week in some cases in receiving results mean asymptomatic staff could be spreading infection.
Downing Street said it “won’t hesitate to act” to tackle rising coronavirus cases amid reports that new restrictions will be imposed next week.Downing Street said it “won’t hesitate to act” to tackle rising coronavirus cases amid reports that new restrictions will be imposed next week.
A No 10 spokesman said:A No 10 spokesman said:
The spokesman did not confirm when the government would announce a new three-tier local lockdown system, which is reportedly to be outlined on Monday.The spokesman did not confirm when the government would announce a new three-tier local lockdown system, which is reportedly to be outlined on Monday.
At her daily press briefing, Nicola Sturgeon addressed head-on the confusion over the past 24 hours regarding the kinds of hospitality businesses that are affected by the temporary shutdown, starting at 6pm this evening.At her daily press briefing, Nicola Sturgeon addressed head-on the confusion over the past 24 hours regarding the kinds of hospitality businesses that are affected by the temporary shutdown, starting at 6pm this evening.
Sturgeon said she “readily accepts there has been a lack of clarity” but says this was due to the speed with which the new rules needed to be imposed and the desire to maintain places where people who live alone can meet a friend for a coffee and a chat.Sturgeon said she “readily accepts there has been a lack of clarity” but says this was due to the speed with which the new rules needed to be imposed and the desire to maintain places where people who live alone can meet a friend for a coffee and a chat.
The newly published regulations define a cafe as “an establishment whose primary business activity ... is the sale of non-alcoholic drinks, snacks and light meals”.The newly published regulations define a cafe as “an establishment whose primary business activity ... is the sale of non-alcoholic drinks, snacks and light meals”.
Sturgeon says this doesn’t allow a restaurant to turn itself into a cafe in order to avoid the shutdown, but that the cafe exemption – which means that all cafes can stay open in the central belt until 6pm – had to be drawn “really tightly”.Sturgeon says this doesn’t allow a restaurant to turn itself into a cafe in order to avoid the shutdown, but that the cafe exemption – which means that all cafes can stay open in the central belt until 6pm – had to be drawn “really tightly”.
Sturgeon also confirmed 1,246 positive tests for coronavirus, counting for 16.2% of those newly tested, in the last 24 hours in Scotland.Sturgeon also confirmed 1,246 positive tests for coronavirus, counting for 16.2% of those newly tested, in the last 24 hours in Scotland.
There has been an increase of 20 people in hospital, to 397, and a further six deaths.There has been an increase of 20 people in hospital, to 397, and a further six deaths.
There were an average of 17,200 new cases per day of Covid-19 in private households in England between 25 September and 1 October, according to the latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).There were an average of 17,200 new cases per day of Covid-19 in private households in England between 25 September and 1 October, according to the latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
This is up from an estimated 8,400 new cases per day for the period from 18 to 24 September.This is up from an estimated 8,400 new cases per day for the period from 18 to 24 September.
The ONS said there had been a “marked increase” in the rate of new infections over the last six weeks.The ONS said there had been a “marked increase” in the rate of new infections over the last six weeks.
The figures do not include people staying in hospitals, care homes or other institutional settings.The figures do not include people staying in hospitals, care homes or other institutional settings.
A UK government jobs quiz aimed at identifying potential new areas of work provides a string of unhelpful career suggestions including lock-keeping and boxing as well as currently precarious posts including airline pilot and cinema projectionist, users have complained.A UK government jobs quiz aimed at identifying potential new areas of work provides a string of unhelpful career suggestions including lock-keeping and boxing as well as currently precarious posts including airline pilot and cinema projectionist, users have complained.
Rishi Sunak’s warning that the coronavirus pandemic would force employees to adapt to find work has prompted much interest in the beta version of the career assessment tool. But some of the results it has produced, based on answers to 50 questions, have prompted mirth and despair among users.Rishi Sunak’s warning that the coronavirus pandemic would force employees to adapt to find work has prompted much interest in the beta version of the career assessment tool. But some of the results it has produced, based on answers to 50 questions, have prompted mirth and despair among users.
Suggested posts in troubled industries caused the most alarm. Lara Platman, a photographer, was unimpressed to be told she might suit the role of an airline pilot or lock-keeper.Suggested posts in troubled industries caused the most alarm. Lara Platman, a photographer, was unimpressed to be told she might suit the role of an airline pilot or lock-keeper.
Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister, Michelle O’Neill, is self-isolating after a close family member tested positive for Covid-19.Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister, Michelle O’Neill, is self-isolating after a close family member tested positive for Covid-19.
The Sinn Féin vice-president, who is being tested herself, will need to restrict her movements for two weeks and work remotely.The Sinn Féin vice-president, who is being tested herself, will need to restrict her movements for two weeks and work remotely.
The development would only have potential self-isolating consequences for O’Neill’s Stormont colleagues if she tests positive for the virus.The development would only have potential self-isolating consequences for O’Neill’s Stormont colleagues if she tests positive for the virus.
A Sinn Féin spokesman said: “Joint head of government Michelle O’Neill has confirmed that she is being tested for coronavirus and is self-isolating after contact with a family member who has tested positive for Covid-19.A Sinn Féin spokesman said: “Joint head of government Michelle O’Neill has confirmed that she is being tested for coronavirus and is self-isolating after contact with a family member who has tested positive for Covid-19.
“Michelle will continue to follow the public health advice and carry out her duties in government remotely.”“Michelle will continue to follow the public health advice and carry out her duties in government remotely.”
High street fashion chain Edinburgh Woollen Mill (EWM), which owns Peacocks and Jaeger, is close to collapse, with 24,000 jobs in the balance, according to documents filed with the High Court.High street fashion chain Edinburgh Woollen Mill (EWM), which owns Peacocks and Jaeger, is close to collapse, with 24,000 jobs in the balance, according to documents filed with the High Court.
The company has lodged a notice of intention to appoint administrators to look for potential buyers to shore up the struggling business.The company has lodged a notice of intention to appoint administrators to look for potential buyers to shore up the struggling business.
Bosses wrote to staff on Friday morning, warning them that the national and local lockdowns had hit sales very heavily.Bosses wrote to staff on Friday morning, warning them that the national and local lockdowns had hit sales very heavily.
The company added that it has been hit hard by allegations, which it denies, that the retailer and several rivals failed to pay some Bangladeshi suppliers during lockdown in an attempt to cut costs for clothes they were unlikely to sell.The company added that it has been hit hard by allegations, which it denies, that the retailer and several rivals failed to pay some Bangladeshi suppliers during lockdown in an attempt to cut costs for clothes they were unlikely to sell.
The move by EWM, owned by businessman Philip Day, will see insolvency specialists at FRP spend 10 days carrying out an urgent review ahead of further action.The move by EWM, owned by businessman Philip Day, will see insolvency specialists at FRP spend 10 days carrying out an urgent review ahead of further action.
All stores will continue trading and further details will be announced in due course, the company added, but significant changes are expected.All stores will continue trading and further details will be announced in due course, the company added, but significant changes are expected.
Steve Simpson, chief executive of the EWM group said:Steve Simpson, chief executive of the EWM group said:
As tensions rise between northern mayors and the government over local lockdown measures in place in major cities across the north of England, fears that coronavirus could exacerbate the north-south divide are growing.As tensions rise between northern mayors and the government over local lockdown measures in place in major cities across the north of England, fears that coronavirus could exacerbate the north-south divide are growing.
For some families, the distinction between the local lockdowns in the north and the more relaxed measures in the south is particularly acute.For some families, the distinction between the local lockdowns in the north and the more relaxed measures in the south is particularly acute.
Helen Mason, 32, lives in the north-east under local lockdown restrictions, while her parents live in south Devon, which has no additional measures.Helen Mason, 32, lives in the north-east under local lockdown restrictions, while her parents live in south Devon, which has no additional measures.
Mason said while she understood the need for local restrictions, discrepancies between different areas were difficult to swallow. She has two young children and said being unable to see friends and family had left her feeling isolated. She said:Mason said while she understood the need for local restrictions, discrepancies between different areas were difficult to swallow. She has two young children and said being unable to see friends and family had left her feeling isolated. She said: