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Coronavirus live news: new rules for travel in England; New Zealand to phase out elimination strategy Coronavirus live news: new rules for travel in England; New Zealand to phase out elimination strategy
(32 minutes later)
England’s traffic light system for international travel replaced by one red list; Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand will ‘transition’ towards new policyEngland’s traffic light system for international travel replaced by one red list; Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand will ‘transition’ towards new policy
Vaccinations have made people more confident to sit in enclosed spaces without masks, the UK transport secretary, Grant Shapps has said, prompting scientists to warn that such messages risked complacency, and that mask use was vital in limiting the spread of Covid. More detail on the overhaul of England’s Covid-19 rules governing international travel, which came into force at 4am on Monday, replacing the traffic-light system, from my colleague, Nazia Parveen.
Some scientists said it was important that the messaging on masks was not undermined. Dr Deepti Gurdasani, an epidemiologist at Queen Mary, University of London, said it was clearly established that people who were vaccinated could get infected and transmit Covid, and should wear masks in crowded places. A single red list of countries remains, with the previous green and amber countries now classified as the “rest of the world” or “non-red list”. There have also been changes to the testing requirements when returning from a non-red-list country, if fully vaccinated.
Trish Greenhalgh, a GP and professor of primary care health at the University of Oxford, said while Covid vaccines had been a “game-changer” for the pandemic, vaccinated people should still wear masks at indoor events. There is no longer be a requirement for fully vaccinated travellers to take a test in the three days before their return from a non-red-list country.
Also, from the end of October, they will no longer be required to take a PCR test on day two of their arrival in England or Scotland – instead they will need to take a lateral flow test. If the lateral flow test is positive, they will need to isolate and take a confirmatory PCR test at no additional cost.
For those who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated, there are currently no changes to the testing or quarantine requirements. This means if they arrive in the UK from any non-red-list country, they will still need to take a pre-departure test, a PCR test on day two and day eight, and quarantine at home for 10 days. If they are arriving in England, they still have the option to use the test-to-release scheme on day five.
Requirements for arrivals in the UK from red-list countries remain the same: a pre-departure test and the pre-booking of a mandatory 11-night quarantine hotel package, which will include two PCR tests, taken on day two and day eight, whatever your vaccination status.
All travellers, regardless of their vaccination status and the country they are travelling from, will also still need to complete a passenger locator form any time in the 48 hours before they arrive in the UK.
More changes to travel rules are expected to be announced on Thursday.
Vaccinations have made people more confident to sit in enclosed spaces without masks, the UK transport secretary, Grant Shapps, has said, prompting scientists to warn that such messages risk complacency, and that mask use is vital in limiting the spread of Covid.
Some scientists said it was important that the messaging on masks was not undermined. Dr Deepti Gurdasani, an epidemiologist at Queen Mary University of London, said it was clearly established that people who were vaccinated could get infected and transmit Covid, and should wear masks in crowded places.
Trish Greenhalgh, a GP and professor of primary care health at the University of Oxford, said that while Covid vaccines had been a “game-changer” for the pandemic, vaccinated people should still wear masks at indoor events.
She urged people to take a “belt and braces” approach, adding:She urged people to take a “belt and braces” approach, adding:
Here’s a summary of the Covid news from this morning Here’s a summary of the Covid news from this morning:
Over half of the midwives currently working in the UK are considering leaving their jobs according to a new survey of its members by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). Midwives say they are being driven out of the NHS by understaffing linked in part to Covid stresses on the system. More than half of the midwives currently working in the UK are considering leaving their jobs, according to a new survey of its members by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). Midwives say they are being driven out of the NHS by understaffing linked in part to Covid stresses on the system.
Parents in the UK think their child’s behaviour is worse now than before the pandemic, a survey suggests.Parents in the UK think their child’s behaviour is worse now than before the pandemic, a survey suggests.
From today, all British arrivals to India will have to spend 10 days in quarantine even if they are double-jabbed. They will also have to take a test within 72 hours of travelling to India, along with another test on arrival and a third one eight days later. From today, all British arrivals to India will have to spend 10 days in quarantine, even if they are double-jabbed. They will also have to take a test within 72 hours of travelling to India, along with another test on arrival and a third one eight days later.
Israel is going a step further than most other countries in its mandatory vaccination campaign – citizens will now need a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine if they want the “green pass” that will allow entry to restaurants, gyms and many other venues. Israel is going a step further than most other countries in its mandatory vaccination campaign: citizens will now need a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine if they want the “green pass” that will allow entry to restaurants, gyms and many other venues.
All 12- to 15-year-olds in Wales will be offered a Covid vaccine by the end of the October half-term, the Welsh health minister has said.All 12- to 15-year-olds in Wales will be offered a Covid vaccine by the end of the October half-term, the Welsh health minister has said.
The UK chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced more funding for job creation to boost the economy after from Covid furlough payments ending. The UK chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced more funding for job creation to boost the economy following the end of Covid furlough payments.
European nations are diverging over plans for Covid booster shots, Reuters reports, with some moving ahead and giving the extra jabs even even before the region’s drug watchdog rules on whether they are safe and effective. European nations are diverging over plans for Covid booster shots, Reuters reports, with some moving ahead and giving the extra jabs even before the region’s drug watchdog rules on whether they are safe and effective.
Teachers in New York are supposed to be fully vaccinated against Covid as of today, one of the first such mandates for educators in the US.Teachers in New York are supposed to be fully vaccinated against Covid as of today, one of the first such mandates for educators in the US.
Good morning from London. I’m Lucy Campbell, I’ll be bringing you all the latest global developments on the coronavirus pandemic for the next eight hours. Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome. Good morning from London. I’m Lucy Campbell and I’ll be bringing you all the latest global developments on the coronavirus pandemic for the next eight hours. Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome.
Email: lucy.campbell@theguardian.comTwitter: @lucy_campbell_Email: lucy.campbell@theguardian.comTwitter: @lucy_campbell_
Over half of the midwives currently working in the UK are considering leaving their jobs according to a new survey of its members by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). Midwives say they are being driven out of the NHS by understaffing linked in part to Covid stresses on the system. Many are worried that a lack of staff and support means they can’t deliver safe care to women. More than half of the midwives currently working in the UK are considering leaving their jobs, according to a new survey by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). Midwives say they are being driven out of the NHS by understaffing linked in part to Covid stresses on the system. Many are worried that a lack of staff and support means they can’t deliver safe care to women.
The College is warning of a ‘midwife exodus’ as it publishes the results of its annual member experiences of work survey. Over half of midwives surveyed said they were considering leaving their job as a midwife with 57% saying they would leave the NHS in the next year. The RCM is warning of a “midwife exodus” as it publishes the results of its annual member experiences of work survey. More than half of midwives surveyed said they were considering leaving their job as a midwife, with 57% saying they would leave the NHS in the next year.
The RCM described as ‘alarming’ the finding that the highest level of dissatisfaction among those surveyed came from midwives who had only worked for five years or less in the NHS. The RCM described as “alarming” the finding that the highest level of dissatisfaction among those surveyed came from midwives who had only worked for five years or less in the NHS.
They warned that burnout among midwives and all maternity staff is higher than ever, particularly after COVID-19 which saw an increase in sickness absence adding to a pre-existing shortage of 2,000 midwives in England alone. They warned that burnout among midwives and all maternity staff was higher than ever, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic, which has seen an increase in sickness absence adding to a pre-existing shortage of 2,000 midwives in England alone.
The RCM’s General Secretary and Chief Executive, Gill Walton, said; The RCM’s general secretary and chief executive, Gill Walton, said;
“What these numbers suggest is a midwife exodus, which will leave already-struggling services on their knees. Quite rightly, there is a strong focus on improving maternity safety, but there is a risk that the Government is ignoring the essential ingredient to that: having the right staff, in the right place.” “What these numbers suggest is a midwife exodus, which will leave already struggling services on their knees. Quite rightly, there is a strong focus on improving maternity safety, but there is a risk that the government is ignoring the essential ingredient to that: having the right staff, in the right place.”
A report published by NHS Digital in July revealed the number of NHS midwives working in England in May had fallen by almost 300 in just two months. This is the fastest fall for these two months for any of the years listed in the NHS report, which goes back to 20 years say the RCM. A report published by NHS Digital in July revealed the number of NHS midwives working in England in May had fallen by almost 300 in just two months. That was the fastest fall for those two months for any of the years listed in the NHS report, which goes back 20 years, says the RCM.
Parents in the UK think their child’s behaviour is worse now than before the pandemic, a survey suggests.Parents in the UK think their child’s behaviour is worse now than before the pandemic, a survey suggests.
Parents were more likely to say their child was gaming excessively and refusing to do homework compared with before Covid-19, according to a report by the children’s mental health charity Place2Be.Parents were more likely to say their child was gaming excessively and refusing to do homework compared with before Covid-19, according to a report by the children’s mental health charity Place2Be.
About half of the 900 parents surveyed said they felt isolated during the pandemic and a similar number felt overwhelmed or anxious about parenting.About half of the 900 parents surveyed said they felt isolated during the pandemic and a similar number felt overwhelmed or anxious about parenting.
Overall, 18% of parents said they think their child’s behaviour is worse now than before the pandemic.Overall, 18% of parents said they think their child’s behaviour is worse now than before the pandemic.
The most common concerning behaviours cited by parents included children spending too much time gaming (20%), feeling anxious (18%), having meltdowns (17%) and having trouble sleeping (17%).The most common concerning behaviours cited by parents included children spending too much time gaming (20%), feeling anxious (18%), having meltdowns (17%) and having trouble sleeping (17%).
Catherine Roche, the chief executive of Place2Be, said: “We all want the best for our children, but being a parent can be really tough, and this has been exacerbated over the past year and a half by the pandemic.Catherine Roche, the chief executive of Place2Be, said: “We all want the best for our children, but being a parent can be really tough, and this has been exacerbated over the past year and a half by the pandemic.
“Through our frontline work in schools, we’ve spoken with countless parents and carers who have seen changes in their children’s behaviour and are worried about the impact on them.”“Through our frontline work in schools, we’ve spoken with countless parents and carers who have seen changes in their children’s behaviour and are worried about the impact on them.”
The findings come as the charity is launching Parenting Smart, an online resource with practical advice for parents and carers of primary age children.The findings come as the charity is launching Parenting Smart, an online resource with practical advice for parents and carers of primary age children.
As the UK changes the rules on travel in and out of the country, some other nations are still wary of British visitors. From today, all British arrivals to India will have to spend 10 days in quarantine even if they are double-jabbed. They will also have to take a test within 72 hours of travelling to India, along with another test on arrival and a third one eight days later.As the UK changes the rules on travel in and out of the country, some other nations are still wary of British visitors. From today, all British arrivals to India will have to spend 10 days in quarantine even if they are double-jabbed. They will also have to take a test within 72 hours of travelling to India, along with another test on arrival and a third one eight days later.
The ministry of health and family welfare said it had been introduced “considering the trajectory of Covid-19 cases” in the UK and the “presence of all four variants of concern”.The ministry of health and family welfare said it had been introduced “considering the trajectory of Covid-19 cases” in the UK and the “presence of all four variants of concern”.
Israel is going a step further than most other countries in its mandatory vaccination campaign – citizens will now need a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine if they want the “green pass” that will allow entry to restaurants, gyms and many other venues.Israel is going a step further than most other countries in its mandatory vaccination campaign – citizens will now need a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine if they want the “green pass” that will allow entry to restaurants, gyms and many other venues.
Reuters reports that from tomorrow, store owners or event organisers will have to scan a customer’s digital barcode before allowing entry. There will be some exemptions, such as museums and libraries.Reuters reports that from tomorrow, store owners or event organisers will have to scan a customer’s digital barcode before allowing entry. There will be some exemptions, such as museums and libraries.
The new green pass is being issued to those who received three shots or recently recovered from Covid-19, replacing a previous system that required just two shots. It raises the bar for what the government considers full immunisation.The new green pass is being issued to those who received three shots or recently recovered from Covid-19, replacing a previous system that required just two shots. It raises the bar for what the government considers full immunisation.
Israel was an early adopter of Pfizer/BioNtech booster shots – administering them to members of risk groups in July and by the end of August to anyone above the age of 12. Its campaign is being watched closely by other countries.Israel was an early adopter of Pfizer/BioNtech booster shots – administering them to members of risk groups in July and by the end of August to anyone above the age of 12. Its campaign is being watched closely by other countries.
About 37% of Israel’s 9.4 million population has received a booster shot. The number of Covid-19 patients hospitalised in serious condition has been dropping in recent days, as has the number of confirmed daily cases, which fell to below 4,000 after topping 10,000 last month.About 37% of Israel’s 9.4 million population has received a booster shot. The number of Covid-19 patients hospitalised in serious condition has been dropping in recent days, as has the number of confirmed daily cases, which fell to below 4,000 after topping 10,000 last month.
All 12- to 15-year-olds in Wales will be offered a Covid vaccine by the end of the October half-term, the Welsh health minister has said.All 12- to 15-year-olds in Wales will be offered a Covid vaccine by the end of the October half-term, the Welsh health minister has said.
The BBC reports that the rollout is due to gather pace this week with all health boards providing jabs, mostly at mass vaccination centres and others in schools.The BBC reports that the rollout is due to gather pace this week with all health boards providing jabs, mostly at mass vaccination centres and others in schools.
Some of the most vulnerable children have already received the vaccine.Some of the most vulnerable children have already received the vaccine.
The UK chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has not ruled out unemployment rising now the furlough scheme has ended. But he told Sky News this morning that the government is “throwing the kitchen sink” at helping people find new roles and learn new skills.
When it was put to him that there might be “significant rises” in unemployment now the scheme has come to a close, he said: “I said right at the beginning of this crisis it wasn’t going to be possible for me, or quite frankly any chancellor, to save every single person’s job.
“But what I do know is that the interventions we put in place have made an enormous difference.”
The chancellor added: “I think the plan is working. Now of course some people have sadly lost their jobs and will lose their job.
“But that’s why I want them to be reassured that we are throwing literally the kitchen sink at helping them get a new job, new skills, new opportunities and we know that’s been working over the past 12 to 18 months and that’s why we’re doing more of it today.”
European nations are diverging over plans for Covid booster shots, Reuters reports, with some moving ahead and giving the extra jabs even even before the region’s drug watchdog rules on whether they are safe and effective.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is due to give its opinion on boosters later today – but Italy, France, Germany and Ireland are among those countries that have already started to administer booster shots.
The push towards boosters will further stir the ongoing debate over whether rich countries should give extra jabs while poorer nations still struggle to access supplies.
The World Health Organization has called on countries to delay boosters until more people around the world have been inoculated.
One problem is the disparity in vaccination rates, with eastern Europe falling behind its neighbours.
The EU’s infectious diseases centre warned last week that the region’s coverage of vaccines was still too low and there was a risk of a significant surge in cases, hospitalisations and deaths over the next six weeks.
Only 61% of the total EU population have been fully vaccinated, and only three countries – Malta, Portugal, Iceland – have vaccinated more than 75% of their total population, it said.
That compares with less than a quarter of the population in Bulgaria.
If the EMA gives its backing for the Pfizer booster, the 27-member bloc will join the US, Britain and Israel, which have already received the green light to administer them.
Those have relied on data from Israel where boosters are being offered to the whole population showing that more than 1.1 million people aged 60 and older received a booster dose of Pfizer, resulting in a decline in overall infections as well as severe illness from Covid-19 in that group.
Many vaccine experts say the data so far only suggest a need for boosters in older adults and people with compromised immune systems.
A decision by the EMA is expected today, although the regulator is unlikely to provide detailed guidance on who should receive a booster shot.
Teachers in New York are supposed to be fully vaccinated against Covid as of today, one of the first such mandates for educators in the US.
The city mayor, Bill de Blasio, has warned that unvaccinated employees will be placed on unpaid leave and not allowed to work, with plans for substitutes to cover them where needed.
De Blasio said 90% of Department of Education employees had received at least one vaccine dose, including 93% of teachers.
The vaccination mandate has been the subject of an ongoing legal battle It was supposed to go into effect last week but was delayed when a federal appeals court granted a temporary injunction. An appeals panel reversed that decision three days later.
Teachers and other school employees who had sued over the school vaccine mandate asked the US supreme court on Thursday for an emergency injunction blocking its implementation. The request was denied on Friday.
A similar mandate is set to go into effect in Los Angeles on 15 October, the Associated Press agency reports.
Mark Cannizzaro, president of the Council of Schools Supervisors and Administrators, said that despite a surge in vaccinations last week, some principals can’t find enough staff to replace unvaccinated workers.
“While we’re thankful that the percentage of vaccinated staff has increased systemwide since the deadline was extended, there are still too many school leaders that have been unable to find qualified substitutes for Monday,” Cannizzaro said.
Cody Miller, a 15-year-old sophomore at a high school in Manhattan, said teachers should all be vaccinated. “I think they should,” said the teen, who got vaccinated himself as soon as the Pfizer shot was approved for people 12 and up. “It’s so many kids, it’s a big environment, you know?”
But Mally Diroche, a Bronx parent, had mixed feelings. “I kind of feel like that’s a decision they should be able to make on their own,” said the mother of three boys between three and 12. Diroche, 29, said she feels that masks and other precautions can check the virus’ spread within schools.
Some educators have reservations about the mandate but are complying.
Maurice Jones, 46, a support staff member at a Manhattan middle school, said he got vaccinated months ago but he sympathises with co-workers who have not gotten the shots. “If they’ve got to get tested more they’ve got to get tested more,” Jones said. “I don’t think they should lose their job.”
In the UK, the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, will today announce details of £500m in funding for the jobs market, part of efforts to help the economy recover from the pandemic.
The funding comes after the end of the furlough scheme that supported the wages of 11.6 million people who couldn’t work during lockdown.
Sunak will be outlining the plans at the Conservative party conference in Manchester.
Good morning I’m Harriet Grant and I’ll be bringing you the Covid news from around the world this morning.
The outbreak in Australia’s most populous state, New South Wales, has continued to ease.
It recorded 623 cases on Monday, which is less than half the num,ber being racked up every day a month ago. The state is on course to come out of 15 weeks of lockdown in the coming week when it becomes 70% double-vaccinated.
However, the outbreak leaves a terrible legacy. One of my colleages, Rafqa Touma, has been speaking to one Sydney family torn apart by the virus.
You can read her excellent report here:
India’s coronavirus death toll edged closer to 500,000 after another 180 deaths were recorded on Monday.
The toll is now 448,997, with more than 33 million cases.
However, the number of cases and deaths are far lower than the peaks of May and June.
New Zealand is going to phase out its controversial policy of trying to eliminate the virus, prime minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday.
The country has become the poster child for successful suppression of Covid-19 but even it has struggled to contain the Delta variant. Despite low numbers of cases by most international standards – the outbreak totals 1,314 – its largest city Auckland has been in lockdown for seven weeks.
Ardern said the arrival of vaccines meant it could transition towards a new policy in three stages.
“Vaccines will mean that in the future we can do things differently … but even then, our strategy remains: that while cases will continue, we want to control the virus, stamp out cases, and prevent hospitalisations, but with vaccines we have more options on how we do that,” Ardern said.
Full story here:
A major change in the rules for international travel in and out of England came into force at 4am BST on Monday morning when the traffic-light system was replaced with a single red list of countries subject to the toughest restrictions.
The previous green and amber countries have become the “rest of the world” or “non-red list”. There are also changes to the testing requirements when returning from a non-red-list country, if fully vaccinated.
From 4am, there was no longer a requirement for fully vaccinated travellers to take a test in the three days before their return from a non-red-list country.
The new rules announced apply to England. The devolved administrations of Scotalnd, Wales and Northern Ireland are in charge of their own travel rules, but they have typically been mirroring Westminster’s approach.
The full story is here:
Morning/afternoon/good evening wherever you are. Thanks for joining me for live updates on the coronavirus pandelic.
The main developments in the past few hours are:
New rules for international travel in and out of England have come into force on Monday morning. The much-criticised traffic light system has been be replaced with a single red list of countries and tresting requirements for travel will be overhauled.
New Zealand’s strategy of aiming to eliminate Covid-19 will be phased out. The policy has been controversial but prime minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday that vaccines meant the country could transition away from it.
Australia’s Delta outbreak appears to have levelled off, with more than half the country in extended lockdowns and vaccination rates starting to approach national targets, ministers said on Monday.
India death toll from Covid edged closer to 500,000 after another 180 deaths were recorded on Monday. The toll is now 448,997, with more than 33 million cases.
Doctors in the UK have urged all secondary school pupils to get vaccinated following the death last week of 15-year-old Jorja Halliday.
Scientists in the UK have warned that the country may still have worse to come during the pandemic, as winter approaches. They fear that more people will begin socialising inside as the weather gets colder, which increases the chance of transmitting the virus, as workers also return to offices.