More school closures could happen if infections among school aged children rise, the chief medical officer hinted last night. Professor Chris Whitty said the Government’s policy on schools may be ‘looked at again’ if the coronavirus crisis deepens. His comments come as at least three schools closed due to Covid-19 outbreaks this week, while dozens more … Read more
After spending three months in strict lockdown, millions of Britons in their teens or twenties have spent the summer embracing a return to relative normality. They have flocked to pubs and restaurants to make the most of Eat Out to Help Out, jetted off on holiday with friends or snuck into illegal raves. But, with … Read more
Belgium was able to curtail a second wave of coronavirus by limiting the number of people who can socialise together and imposing a nationwide curfew, data shows, as the UK looks to follow in its footsteps. At a Downing Street press conference today, Professor Chris Whitty used Belgium as a shining example of a country that … Read more
The controversial quarantine policy has been marred by inconsistencies and Whitehall infighting since it began. The policy may have wrecked thousands of family holidays, and driven the aviation industry to the brink, but remarkably, no one single Government minister or department is fully accountable for it. The Department for Transport, the Foreign Office, The Department … Read more
The UK could get back to normal by Christmas if the rapid coronavirus testing being trialled by the Government is successful, Matt Hancock said today. The Health Secretary, who has announced a £500million investment in a mass on-the-spot saliva testing regime, said it was the ‘best shot’ at ending social distancing. Although treatments for the … Read more
The coronavirus testing system is facing strain due to growing demand for swabs – prompting the Government to start rationing testing slots. Britons who show Covid symptoms can apply for drive-through tests, but some have revealed they are directed to centres more than 100 miles away. The Government says parts of the country that have … Read more
Boris Johnson today warned there is going to be ‘more of this wretched Covid still to come’ as he convened his Cabinet and told ministers ‘bit by bit’ the UK is ‘getting back on its feet’. The Prime Minister told his top team that ‘we know there will be more outbreaks’ but he is ‘absolutely … Read more
Boris heads back to the (very spacious) office: PM hosts Cabinet in roomy new Foreign Office venue amid fears his chief scientist Chris Whitty could QUIT over concern No.10’s ‘return to work’ push is putting people in danger Ministers said to be holding back on back to work drive over fears he could quit If … Read more
Health Secretary Matt Hancock is today chairing a meeting to discuss how to move forward with local lockdowns around the UK. The Joint Biosecurity Centre, a new government body set up to handle the coronavirus crisis, is today holding a ‘gold meeting’ to discuss lockdowns. In it the Health Secretary and his chief medical officer, … Read more
Nottingham woman, 75, is the earliest known Covid-19 patient to catch the disease in the UK after testing positive on February 21 – a week before officials accepted the virus was spreading in Britain The woman is thought to be the first to catch Covid-19 in the community UK’s first cases were confirmed on January … Read more
Covid vaccine may not be ready for another year, warns Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty as he says he’d be ‘surprised’ if we had one by Christmas Whitty said Saturday there’s ‘reasonable chance’ of vaccine before next Winter He warned that going into winter this year, Covid-19 could cause ‘real problems’ Whitty advised the country … Read more
NO plans to shut England’s pubs: Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick insists bars will stay open despite Chris Whitty warning they may have to close so schools can restart in September Robert Jenrick this morning said the Government has no plans to shut pubs He added that schools would definitely return to full capacity in September … Read more
At a gloomy Downing Street press conference yesterday, Boris Johnson was unable to deliver to usual good news of a slight relaxation of lockdown rules, moving the country a step back to normality. After seeing spikes in infection rates across the country, and having to reimpose some measures on Greater Manchester and parts of Lancashire … Read more