Coronavirus news: Fresh nationwide restrictions cannot be ruled out, says Hancock, as report warns of 85,000 UK winter deaths
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Your support makes all the difference.Nationwide restrictions cannot be ruled out should England see a spike in coronavirus cases this winter, the health secretary has warned. Matt Hancock also hinted that restrictions may not be eased over Christmas to avoid an “uptick” in the number of Covid-19 cases.
Speaking on Saturday, Mr Hancock said countries in others parts of the world were already experiencing a second wave, adding it was “a very serious threat”. He continued: “Cases go up again, and we have to use very extensive local lockdowns or take further national action. We don’t rule that out, but we don’t want to see it.”
It came after a leaked scientific paper prepared for the government suggested that as many as 85,000 people could die in the UK in a second wave of coronavirus this winter. The report, by the prime minister’s Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (Sage), seen by BBC2’s Newsnight, said that some lockdown restrictions may have to be reintroduced and kept in place until March 2021.
Meanwhile the government was criticised by school leaders after issuing new coronavirus guidance for schools on Friday evening - just days before the start of the autumn term. Labour also described the timing of the announcement as “insulting” to teachers and staff.
Gavin Williamson said the measures – which include a four-tier system for schools in local lockdown areas – were a “last resort” and insisted that it was safe for all pupils to return to the classrooms.
Follow the updates as they happened below:
QAnon at Berlin Covid protest
Thousands of people turned out to a rally in Berlin opposing the German government's coronavirus measures the day after a ban on the protest was overturned in court.
Police said they more than 3,000 officers would be on duty in the capital on Saturday as an estimated 18,000-strong group of virus sceptics gathered by the Brandenburg Gate.
Some protesters wore T-shirts and waved flags and banners marked with the emblem of the QAnon conspiracy theory, while others carried the flag of the German empire before the end of the First World War.
Anti-mask demonstration in Paris
Demonstrators also gathered in Paris to protest against a new law making face masks mandatory outdoors across the city.
Face coverings were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in some high-congestion areas around tourist sites.
They were made mandatory outdoors citywide on Friday as health officials warned that coronavirus infections were "rising exponentially".
France reported 5,453 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Saturday, down from 7,379 on Friday. A further six deaths were reported.
The number of people in hospital with the disease fell by five to 4,530 while those in intensive care rose to 400 from 387.
One protester was pictured holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression".
Photo via AFP
Ireland enters 'more difficult phase'
The head of Ireland's Health Service Executive said the nation had reached a "more difficult phase" of Covid-19 as the country marks six months since the first case was detected.
A total of 1,777 people have died with Covid-19 in Ireland, many of them elderly people living in nursing homes.
HSE chief executive Paul Reid tweeted it has been a "a long six months" and added: "Much learning, hurt, sorrow, grieving and frustration.
"But there's also been inspirational responses from the public and healthcare workers. A more difficult phase now but the same virus."
Police warn anti-lockdown protestors in Trafalgar Square
The Metropolitan Police has issued an open letter warning demonstrators in central London they may be breaking the law.
Hundreds of people have descended on Trafalgar Square to protest against government lockdown restrictions.
The letter advises them that anyone attending a gathering of more than 30 people may be at risk of committing a criminal offence under the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2020.
It was handed to the demonstrators as they marched down Whitehall.
"Police officers are with a group of protesters at Whitehall," the Met wrote on Twitter.
"We have already provided the group with a letter explaining they are at risk of committing a criminal offence. We are now asking the group to disperse."
India to reopen underground train networks despite spike in cases
India will reopen underground train networks and allow sports and religious events in a limited manner from next month as part of the government's efforts to revive the economy, even as coronavirus infections soar.
India reported 76,472 new coronavirus cases on today, slightly lower than the numbers seen in the last couple of days, but extending a run that has made the country's outbreak currently the world's worst.
The underground train network, a lifeline for millions in the capital city of New Delhi, will be reopened in a phases from 7 September, the federal home ministry said.
Social, academic, sports and religious events will be permissible with a maximum of a 100 people from 21 September, it said. Schools, colleges will remain closed until end-September.
In all of the containment zones across the country - areas where the spread of infections is most severe - strict lockdown restrictions will remain in place, the government said.
India has reported a total of 3.46 million coronavirus cases, behind the United States and Brazil in terms of total caseload. But it has reported higher single-day case rises than both those countries for almost two weeks.
Police urged demonstrators to disperse under social distancing laws today after several thousand anti-lockdown, anti-mask and anti-vaccine protestors gathered in London's Trafalgar Square, writes Colin Drury.
The Unite For Freedom rally saw a vast mask-free crowd carrying signs and placards including "World Hoax Organisation" and "Masks are muzzles."
Many demanded an end to government health measures and the right to catch coronavirus — should it even exist — without state interference.
Indoor weddings banned in Istanbul
Authorities in Turkey's largest city has announced curbs on weddings and other ceremonies as the number of daily coronavirus cases and deaths hit their highest level nationwide for more than two months.
From Monday indoor weddings, engagement parties and circumcision ceremonies will be banned, Istanbul's governor's office said. Children and people aged over 60 will be barred from outdoor ceremonies which still go ahead, it said.
The restrictions were published a few hours before Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said 1,549 new cases of coronavirus had been diagnosed in Turkey, the highest daily number since mid-June. Thirty-nine people died, the most since mid-May, he said.
"The number of patients in serious condition continues to increase," Koca said in a Tweet. "We cannot be relaxed about following the measures" to curb the outbreak, he said.
Reuters
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