Coronavirus news: Pubs and gyms set to close as Johnson prepares to announce new local lockdown measures amid growing northern revolt
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Your support makes all the difference.Boris Johnson is set to announce the closure of pubs and gyms when he unveils a new three-tier system for local coronavirus restrictions in England on Monday.
The new system, which has sparked anger from leaders and councils in the north of England, is also expected to lead to millions being banned from mixing indoors and outdoors.
However it remains unclear which parts of England will be placed under the most severe restrictions. Liverpool City Region confirmed that the government had decided on the closures of pubs, gyms, betting shops and casinos in the area but called for more funding to support those affected.
Robert Jenrick, the housing secretary, had earlier rejected calls for more financial support for areas hit by local restrictions, arguing that "the national debt is rising" and the government "can't do everything" to protect all jobs.
US: Trump ‘no longer at risk of spreading coronavirus’
Donald Trump's doctor at the White House has said the president is no longer at risk of transmitting coronavirus after being treated for Covid-19 earlier this month.
In a memo released on Saturday night, White House physician Sean Conley said tests of samples taken from the president showed “by currently recognised standards, he is no longer considered a transmission risk”.
However, Mr Conley did not explicitly say whether Mr Trump had tested negative for the virus.
Our reporter, Liam James, has the full story below:
Trump no longer at risk of spreading coronavirus, White House doctor claims
Memo did not reveal whether president tested negative
‘Massive holes’ in government’s job support scheme, Labour says
Fewer than one in 15 jobs in shut-down businesses stand to benefit from the expansion of the government's job support scheme, Labour has said.
Ed Miliband, the shadow business secretary, warned that workers in sectors like weddings, cinemas and events and conferences, which were not “legally closed” but had been forced to "shut in all but name", would not enjoy protections from the programme.
Mr Miliband added that close to one million jobs would be put at risk, with the government’s plans putting whole sections of the economy on the “scrapheap”.
“The government has been forced into a climbdown about the principle of supporting shut-down, so-called 'unviable' businesses and jobs,” he said.
“But there are massive holes in the new safety net.
“Businesses including weddings, theatres, cinemas, events, and many suppliers will still be left out on a technicality.
“They are not legally closed but they've been forced to shut in all but name.”
A Treasury spokesperson said the government did not recognise the figures quoted and argued businesses which were open would be able to access other elements of the job support scheme aimed at helping with “lower levels of demand”.
Manchester MPs have written to Boris Johnson to warn against closing all pubs and restaurants as coronavirus transmission is predominantly occurring in households and student accomodation, according to Manchester Evening News’ Jennifer Williams.
Earlier today, housing secretary Robert Jenrick insisted “nobody was punishing the North” when he was asked by Times Radio whether London would also see stricter measures next week.
Impromptu cricket game on London street draws crowd after 10pm pub curfew
Pub and restaurant-goers staged an impromptu cricket match on a London high street after venues were forced to close at 10pm last night.
Video of the game, which played out on Rye Lane in Peckham, has been widely shared on Twitter, with the incident being described as a “joyful moment”.
Our reporter, Tom Batchelor, has the full story below:
Video shows impromptu cricket game on London street after 10pm curfew
Filmmaker describes atmosphere as ‘very sweet and exuberant’
Premium: How Spain battled a previous pandemic with children as ‘human vaccines’
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Spain has drawn attention to a groundbreaking 19th century voyage to combat smallpox in the country’s colonies, according to Laura Mannering.
You can find the full story below:
How Spain battled a previous pandemic with orphans
A groundbreaking 19th century voyage to combat smallpox in Spain’s colonies has been brought back into public consciousness because of the coronavirus pandemic, reports Laura Mannering in Madrid
India’s confirmed Covid-19 cases pass seven million
India's total of confirmed coronavirus cases has passed seven million as health experts warn mask and distancing fatigue is taking place in the country.
The Health Ministry reported another 74,383 infections in the past 24 hours, with India expected to become the pandemic's worst-hit country in coming weeks, surpassing the US.
A further 918 deaths were also reported, taking India’s total fatalities to 108,334.
"We have been able to keep the curve rise slow, but I do agree that we have not been able to get it to move aggressively down,” Dr Randeep Guleria, a government health expert, said.
“That's related to our population density, diversity of our country and socioeconomic challenges in our country.”
However, some experts have warned that India's death toll may not be reliable because of poor reporting and inadequate health infrastructure and testing.
In response to a viral video of an impromptu cricket match in south London last night, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has said a rethink on the 10pm pubs curfew is “urgently needed”.
Johnson to hold telephone call with Cabinet in rare move ahead of new restrictions
Boris Johnson is holding a telephone call with Cabinet ministers this afternoon as he prepares to bring in a new three-tier system for local coronavirus restrictions.
The prime minister’s decision to brief Cabinet members on a Sunday is a rare move and comes as Northern leaders have expressed anger at the economic impact of further rules in their areas.
Mayors and council leaders in the North have warned local economies could be “shattered” as a result of sweeping new restrictions set to be unveiled in the Commons on Monday.
Mr Johnson is set to announce measures which are likely to include pubs and restaurants being forced to shut across the north of England and millions of people being banned from mixing indoors and outdoors.
Ireland planning to introduce coronavirus testing at airports, minister says
Ireland is planning to introduce coronavirus testing at airports as part of a possible alternative to quarantine for some arriving passengers, the country’s health minister has said.
Under an EU system to be signed off next week, travellers from regions with extremely low levels of the virus will be placed in a “green” category and allowed to travel without restriction.
Other regions would be listed as “amber” or “red” with governments to impose restrictions.
Stephen Donnelly, Ireland’s health minister, said the default position would be to require travellers from “red” and “amber” regions to restrict their movements.
However, plans are being worked on by the government for testing that could allow some passengers to avoid quarantine.
Testing at airports “will happen because it is required as part of the protocol,” Mr Donnelly said in an interview with RTE radio, but he declined to specify a time-frame.
One option being considered would be to allow passengers from some destinations to avoid a quarantine if they produce negative tests taken three days before travelling.
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