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| UK Covid live: second vaccine doses for over-50s and vulnerable accelerated to combat Indian variant, PM says | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Prime minister holds briefing as hospital bosses warn spread of Indian variant could lead to a new surge in infections | |
| The PM said the plan remains for businesses including restaurants to reopen on Monday and he will not delay the roadmap out of lockdown. | |
| Johnson has announced the government will accelerate second doses to the over 50s and people clinically vulnerable, eight weeks after their first dose. | |
| Johnson said the Indian variant is “more transmissible” than the previous one “but we don’t by how much”. | |
| Johnson has been told it is only marginally transmissible at the moment and no evidence suggests that the vaccines will be less effective against it. | |
| Boris Johnson’s press conference is about to get underway. | |
| Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to hold a Downing Street press conference in around ten minutes alongside Professor Chris Whitty which we will be liveblogging. | |
| Following the meeting between Boris Johnson and Taoiseach Micheal Martin at Chequers, an Irish government statement said: “The Taoiseach and Prime Minister had constructive engagement across a number of issues, including the Covid-19 response, support for peace and stability in Northern Ireland, and the broader British-Irish relationship. | Following the meeting between Boris Johnson and Taoiseach Micheal Martin at Chequers, an Irish government statement said: “The Taoiseach and Prime Minister had constructive engagement across a number of issues, including the Covid-19 response, support for peace and stability in Northern Ireland, and the broader British-Irish relationship. |
| “Discussions focused on ways the two Governments can continue to work together to support all the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and promote peace and prosperity on both a North/South and East/West basis. | “Discussions focused on ways the two Governments can continue to work together to support all the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and promote peace and prosperity on both a North/South and East/West basis. |
| “The two leaders, in particular, discussed the long journey of the Ballymurphy families for justice to vindicate the innocence of their loved ones. | “The two leaders, in particular, discussed the long journey of the Ballymurphy families for justice to vindicate the innocence of their loved ones. |
| “They also discussed British-Irish relations, and both are ambitious for the development of the next phase of the bilateral relationship framed around a number of areas of common interest. | “They also discussed British-Irish relations, and both are ambitious for the development of the next phase of the bilateral relationship framed around a number of areas of common interest. |
| “The Taoiseach and Prime Minister had a good exchange on the response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the value of working together. They agreed to remain in close touch over the coming weeks.” | “The Taoiseach and Prime Minister had a good exchange on the response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the value of working together. They agreed to remain in close touch over the coming weeks.” |
| Sturgeon has told MSPs that “pressing pause” would ensure that coronavirus measures would not have to be reimposed at a later date. | Sturgeon has told MSPs that “pressing pause” would ensure that coronavirus measures would not have to be reimposed at a later date. |
| Announcing that both Moray and Glasgow will remain in Level 3 even as the rest of the country moves to Level 2 on Monday, the first minister said: | Announcing that both Moray and Glasgow will remain in Level 3 even as the rest of the country moves to Level 2 on Monday, the first minister said: |
| People are being advised not to travel in or out of the affected council areas, while the first minister added she was optimistic that increased testing and vaccination would help to curb the increased spread of the virus. | People are being advised not to travel in or out of the affected council areas, while the first minister added she was optimistic that increased testing and vaccination would help to curb the increased spread of the virus. |
| Following on from Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement just now, we have more from our Scotland correspondent Libby Brooks. | Following on from Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement just now, we have more from our Scotland correspondent Libby Brooks. |
| The situation in Glasgow, which is concentrated in Sturgeon’s southside constituency, is causing particular concern with evidence suggesting that the outbreak is being driven by the so-called Indian variant. | The situation in Glasgow, which is concentrated in Sturgeon’s southside constituency, is causing particular concern with evidence suggesting that the outbreak is being driven by the so-called Indian variant. |
| Sturgeon said that she expected accelerated vaccination to be part of the response in Glasgow but that health officials were anticipating further JCVI advice on whether there is any evidence about variations in the effectiveness of the vaccine in relation to the Indian variant. | Sturgeon said that she expected accelerated vaccination to be part of the response in Glasgow but that health officials were anticipating further JCVI advice on whether there is any evidence about variations in the effectiveness of the vaccine in relation to the Indian variant. |
| NHS Greater Glasgow Clyde and Glasgow City Council is also writing to all households in the G41 and G42 areas, asking people to get tested regardless of whether they have symptoms. | NHS Greater Glasgow Clyde and Glasgow City Council is also writing to all households in the G41 and G42 areas, asking people to get tested regardless of whether they have symptoms. |
| Glasgow took over as Scotland’s worst Covid hotspot according to latest official figures released earlier on Friday with 80.4 cases per 100,000 compared with 68.9 in Moray. | Glasgow took over as Scotland’s worst Covid hotspot according to latest official figures released earlier on Friday with 80.4 cases per 100,000 compared with 68.9 in Moray. |
| Sturgeon said that the situation in Moray was improving but that it was “prudent” for Moray to remain at level 3 for another week. | Sturgeon said that the situation in Moray was improving but that it was “prudent” for Moray to remain at level 3 for another week. |
| The government said a further 17 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of today, bringing the UK total to 127,668. | The government said a further 17 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of today, bringing the UK total to 127,668. |
| Separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies show there have been 152,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. | Separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies show there have been 152,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. |
| The government also said that, as of 9am on Friday, there had been a further 2,193 lab-confirmed cases in the UK. It brings the total to 4,446,824. | The government also said that, as of 9am on Friday, there had been a further 2,193 lab-confirmed cases in the UK. It brings the total to 4,446,824. |
| Glasgow and Moray will remain in level 3 as the rest of Scotland moves to level 2, Nicola Sturgeon has announced. Initially, both areas will remain at level 3 for a week, with a further decision made at the end of next week. | Glasgow and Moray will remain in level 3 as the rest of Scotland moves to level 2, Nicola Sturgeon has announced. Initially, both areas will remain at level 3 for a week, with a further decision made at the end of next week. |
| The situation in Glasgow, the first minister said, is causing even more concern than Moray, with initial research suggesting the outbreak could be being driven by the Indian variant of the virus. | The situation in Glasgow, the first minister said, is causing even more concern than Moray, with initial research suggesting the outbreak could be being driven by the Indian variant of the virus. |
| A Conservative council leader strongly hinted that the UK government will give permission imminently for the “surge vaccination” of all adults in areas hit by outbreaks of the Covid-19 variant first identified in India. | A Conservative council leader strongly hinted that the UK government will give permission imminently for the “surge vaccination” of all adults in areas hit by outbreaks of the Covid-19 variant first identified in India. |
| Boris Johnson is to hold a Downing Street press conference on India variant concerns at 5.30pm with chief medical officer Chris Whitty. Earlier today the PM’s spokesman did not deny surge vaccines are being planned to target variant hotspots. | Boris Johnson is to hold a Downing Street press conference on India variant concerns at 5.30pm with chief medical officer Chris Whitty. Earlier today the PM’s spokesman did not deny surge vaccines are being planned to target variant hotspots. |
| Hospital bosses warned that the spread of the Indian variant could lead to a new surge in infections which puts hospitals still recovering from the huge impact of the pandemic under serious strain again. | Hospital bosses warned that the spread of the Indian variant could lead to a new surge in infections which puts hospitals still recovering from the huge impact of the pandemic under serious strain again. |
| Portugal is to reopen to British visitors with negative PCR test results on Monday, despite the government extending a nationwide state of emergency until the end of the month as the country continues to recover from a third wave of the coronavirus pandemic. | Portugal is to reopen to British visitors with negative PCR test results on Monday, despite the government extending a nationwide state of emergency until the end of the month as the country continues to recover from a third wave of the coronavirus pandemic. |
| Wales could allow small food festivals and small live music and arts events to reopen next week if the Indian coronavirus variant poses no need to pause relaxing restrictions, first minister Mark Drakeford said. | Wales could allow small food festivals and small live music and arts events to reopen next week if the Indian coronavirus variant poses no need to pause relaxing restrictions, first minister Mark Drakeford said. |
| Downing Street appeared to reject calls for an increase in financial support for anyone self-isolating from its current paltry amount, insisting that the “vast majority” do self-isolate when they are told to despite a recent study finding that almost half of those displaying symptoms did not bother to stay at home, often because they could not afford to lose income from not working. | Downing Street appeared to reject calls for an increase in financial support for anyone self-isolating from its current paltry amount, insisting that the “vast majority” do self-isolate when they are told to despite a recent study finding that almost half of those displaying symptoms did not bother to stay at home, often because they could not afford to lose income from not working. |
| GP patients must now be offered face-to-face appointments if they so wish, new NHS England guidance states. The Patients Association welcomed the new requirements, saying most patients prefer to see their doctor in person, but stressed how difficult people have been finding accessing GP services. | GP patients must now be offered face-to-face appointments if they so wish, new NHS England guidance states. The Patients Association welcomed the new requirements, saying most patients prefer to see their doctor in person, but stressed how difficult people have been finding accessing GP services. |
| The UK government will use Covid-19 vaccinations and testing to try to ensure vital UN climate talks this year go ahead in person, rather than as an online event. | The UK government will use Covid-19 vaccinations and testing to try to ensure vital UN climate talks this year go ahead in person, rather than as an online event. |
| Most companies have no plans to require evidence of vaccination from their workers, customers or suppliers, research suggests. | Most companies have no plans to require evidence of vaccination from their workers, customers or suppliers, research suggests. |
| The care regulator has “retreated to the sidelines” throughout the pandemic, leaving older people in care at risk and families afraid of speaking out for fear of losing the placement, a charity has said. | The care regulator has “retreated to the sidelines” throughout the pandemic, leaving older people in care at risk and families afraid of speaking out for fear of losing the placement, a charity has said. |
| PA Media reports: | PA Media reports: |
| There is some good news and bad news about the variant first identified in India, based on the limited data available, writes Julian Tang, a clinical virologist and honorary associate professor in the respiratory sciences department at the University of Leicester. | There is some good news and bad news about the variant first identified in India, based on the limited data available, writes Julian Tang, a clinical virologist and honorary associate professor in the respiratory sciences department at the University of Leicester. |
| The UK government will use Covid-19 vaccinations and testing to try to ensure vital UN climate talks this year go ahead in person, rather than as an online event. | The UK government will use Covid-19 vaccinations and testing to try to ensure vital UN climate talks this year go ahead in person, rather than as an online event. |
| Alok Sharma, a former UK business secretary and now president-designate of Cop26, the climate summit to be held in Glasgow this November, said: | Alok Sharma, a former UK business secretary and now president-designate of Cop26, the climate summit to be held in Glasgow this November, said: |
| Sharma is working with health experts, the Scottish government and other officials on the best way to ensure the two-week conference, which 30,000 people were originally expected to attend, can go ahead. | Sharma is working with health experts, the Scottish government and other officials on the best way to ensure the two-week conference, which 30,000 people were originally expected to attend, can go ahead. |
| This would include using vaccines and testing for Covid-19, Sharma said in a speech at the Whitelee windfarm near Glasgow on Friday morning. However, he said he could not yet go into detail on what would be involved. | This would include using vaccines and testing for Covid-19, Sharma said in a speech at the Whitelee windfarm near Glasgow on Friday morning. However, he said he could not yet go into detail on what would be involved. |
| After “listening carefully to feedback from students” and despite concerns over coronavirus, the University of Lincoln has reversed a decision to postpone in-person graduation ceremonies. Students had criticised the postponement. | After “listening carefully to feedback from students” and despite concerns over coronavirus, the University of Lincoln has reversed a decision to postpone in-person graduation ceremonies. Students had criticised the postponement. |
| Chris Spendlove, university registrar, told the BBC: | Chris Spendlove, university registrar, told the BBC: |
| The university originally said events planned for Lincoln Cathedral in September would be held virtually, with physical ceremonies delayed until next April. But now a number of ceremonies will take place this autumn. | The university originally said events planned for Lincoln Cathedral in September would be held virtually, with physical ceremonies delayed until next April. But now a number of ceremonies will take place this autumn. |
| Hospital bosses have warned that the spread of the Indian variant could lead to a new surge in infections which puts hospitals still recovering from the huge impact of the pandemic under serious strain again. | Hospital bosses have warned that the spread of the Indian variant could lead to a new surge in infections which puts hospitals still recovering from the huge impact of the pandemic under serious strain again. |
| NHS Providers, which represents health service trusts, has also asked the government and its medical and scientific advisers to guide them on how big a threat the variant known as B.1.617.2 poses to the NHS and when it might result in an influx of patients. | NHS Providers, which represents health service trusts, has also asked the government and its medical and scientific advisers to guide them on how big a threat the variant known as B.1.617.2 poses to the NHS and when it might result in an influx of patients. |
| Chris Hopson, the chief executive of NHS Providers, said: | Chris Hopson, the chief executive of NHS Providers, said: |
| Hopson outlined several reasons why the Indian variant may end up becoming a major challenge for already hard-pressed hospitals. | Hopson outlined several reasons why the Indian variant may end up becoming a major challenge for already hard-pressed hospitals. |
| Wales could allow small food festivals and small live music and arts events to reopen next week if the Indian coronavirus variant poses no need to pause relaxing restrictions, Mark Drakeford has said. | Wales could allow small food festivals and small live music and arts events to reopen next week if the Indian coronavirus variant poses no need to pause relaxing restrictions, Mark Drakeford has said. |
| PA Media reports: | PA Media reports: |