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| Covid: Doctors call for Covid Plan B to start in England | Covid: Doctors call for Covid Plan B to start in England |
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| Sajid Javid said people should take up their offer of a jab, or risk more restrictions | Sajid Javid said people should take up their offer of a jab, or risk more restrictions |
| An "unacceptable" level of Covid cases means ministers should trigger their Plan B for the pandemic in England, doctors say. | An "unacceptable" level of Covid cases means ministers should trigger their Plan B for the pandemic in England, doctors say. |
| The British Medical Association (BMA) accused the government of being "wilfully negligent" for not reimposing rules such as mandatory face masks. | The British Medical Association (BMA) accused the government of being "wilfully negligent" for not reimposing rules such as mandatory face masks. |
| Daily UK infections have been above 40,000 for eight days in a row. | Daily UK infections have been above 40,000 for eight days in a row. |
| No 10 said ministers are "monitoring the usual metrics" on coronavirus and "won't hesitate to act if need be". | No 10 said ministers are "monitoring the usual metrics" on coronavirus and "won't hesitate to act if need be". |
| Boris Johnson's official spokesman said that, while the government listened to a variety of voices, including doctors, "we don't always agree". | Boris Johnson's official spokesman said that, while the government listened to a variety of voices, including doctors, "we don't always agree". |
| He said reports that a harsher so-called Plan C for England was in the works were "not accurate". "Neither ministers nor officials are working on those proposals," he added. | He said reports that a harsher so-called Plan C for England was in the works were "not accurate". "Neither ministers nor officials are working on those proposals," he added. |
| Health Minister Edward Argar earlier said the NHS was not under "unsustainable pressure" which would justify further restrictions. | Health Minister Edward Argar earlier said the NHS was not under "unsustainable pressure" which would justify further restrictions. |
| He told BBC Breakfast there were about 95,000 beds in NHS hospitals, with 7,000 occupied by Covid patients and 6,000 currently empty. | He told BBC Breakfast there were about 95,000 beds in NHS hospitals, with 7,000 occupied by Covid patients and 6,000 currently empty. |
| Under the government's plan for tackling Covid in England over the winter, the strategy currently in operation is Plan A. | Under the government's plan for tackling Covid in England over the winter, the strategy currently in operation is Plan A. |
| It involves offering booster jabs to about 30 million people and offering a single vaccine dose to healthy 12 to 15-year-olds, as well as encouraging ventilation for indoor gatherings, hand-washing and face masks in crowded places. | It involves offering booster jabs to about 30 million people and offering a single vaccine dose to healthy 12 to 15-year-olds, as well as encouraging ventilation for indoor gatherings, hand-washing and face masks in crowded places. |
| Dr Chaand Nagpaul, the BMA's chairman, said doctors can "categorically" say that the "time is now" for starting Plan B. | Dr Chaand Nagpaul, the BMA's chairman, said doctors can "categorically" say that the "time is now" for starting Plan B. |
| He stressed that case numbers were comparable to March, when England was in lockdown, and were "unheard of in similar European nations". | He stressed that case numbers were comparable to March, when England was in lockdown, and were "unheard of in similar European nations". |
| "It is therefore incredibly concerning that [Mr Javid] is not willing to take immediate action to save lives and to protect the NHS," he said. | "It is therefore incredibly concerning that [Mr Javid] is not willing to take immediate action to save lives and to protect the NHS," he said. |
| But Health Secretary Sajid Javid said on Wednesday that "at this point" the government would not introduce its Plan B measures. | But Health Secretary Sajid Javid said on Wednesday that "at this point" the government would not introduce its Plan B measures. |
| These include compulsory face coverings in certain places and Covid passports for entry to nightclubs and large events, as well as recommending working from home. | These include compulsory face coverings in certain places and Covid passports for entry to nightclubs and large events, as well as recommending working from home. |
| What is Plan B for Covid this winter? | What is Plan B for Covid this winter? |
| Why are UK Covid cases so high? | Why are UK Covid cases so high? |
| When will I get a booster jab? | When will I get a booster jab? |
| Mr Argar said Tory MPs should make their own minds up as to whether to wear a face covering while in the crowded Commons, after Mr Javid urged people in England to cover their faces in crowded places. | Mr Argar said Tory MPs should make their own minds up as to whether to wear a face covering while in the crowded Commons, after Mr Javid urged people in England to cover their faces in crowded places. |
| Behavioural expert, Prof Robert West, who advises the government, told BBC Radio 4's World at One programme politicians should lead the public when it comes to mask wearing. | Behavioural expert, Prof Robert West, who advises the government, told BBC Radio 4's World at One programme politicians should lead the public when it comes to mask wearing. |
| He said it gave those who are undecided "a kind of excuse if you like to say, 'If they're not doing it why should I do it?'" | He said it gave those who are undecided "a kind of excuse if you like to say, 'If they're not doing it why should I do it?'" |
| Mr Javid also warned insufficient vaccine uptake would make restrictions in England more likely. | Mr Javid also warned insufficient vaccine uptake would make restrictions in England more likely. |
| Over the last seven days, the number of Covid patients admitted to hospital has risen by 11% and the number of deaths has increased by 21%, compared with the previous week, although the number remains far below the peak in January. | Over the last seven days, the number of Covid patients admitted to hospital has risen by 11% and the number of deaths has increased by 21%, compared with the previous week, although the number remains far below the peak in January. |
| Plan B would bring England effectively in line with restrictions still in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. | Plan B would bring England effectively in line with restrictions still in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. |
| In Scotland, face coverings are still compulsory on public transport and in places such as shops; people are asked to continue working from home where possible; and people attending nightlife venues and large events must prove their vaccination status. | In Scotland, face coverings are still compulsory on public transport and in places such as shops; people are asked to continue working from home where possible; and people attending nightlife venues and large events must prove their vaccination status. |
| Similar rules apply in Wales' current winter planning scenario, dubbed Covid Stable. | Similar rules apply in Wales' current winter planning scenario, dubbed Covid Stable. |
| Kuenssberg: Caution urged but nerves over next stage | Kuenssberg: Caution urged but nerves over next stage |
| Nine-hour A&E waits 'like nothing seen before' | Nine-hour A&E waits 'like nothing seen before' |
| More Covid restrictions in Wales unlikely | More Covid restrictions in Wales unlikely |
| As well as an existing requirement for face masks indoors and a focus on working from home, Northern Ireland has plans to introduce Covid passports and mandatory social distancing if hospital pressures become unsustainable. | As well as an existing requirement for face masks indoors and a focus on working from home, Northern Ireland has plans to introduce Covid passports and mandatory social distancing if hospital pressures become unsustainable. |
| The UK reported another 49,139 cases on Wednesday, and a further 179 deaths within 28 days of a positive test. | The UK reported another 49,139 cases on Wednesday, and a further 179 deaths within 28 days of a positive test. |
| Around 14% of people in the UK aged 12 and over remain unvaccinated. | Around 14% of people in the UK aged 12 and over remain unvaccinated. |
| How have you been affected by the issues relating to coronavirus? Have you experienced problems getting a booster jab? | How have you been affected by the issues relating to coronavirus? Have you experienced problems getting a booster jab? |
| Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
| WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803 | WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803 |
| Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay | Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay |
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| THE AWARD FOR MENDING THE PLANET: What is the Earthshot Prize? | THE AWARD FOR MENDING THE PLANET: What is the Earthshot Prize? |