Coronavirus news: Pubs reportedly face closure in new regional England lockdown
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Ministers are reportedly considering closing pubs and restaurants in regions of England, as part of moves to simplify lockdown rules with a three-tier system. The Independent previously reported on leaked documents revealing the plans in the works.
The reports by the Financial Times and BBC follow Nicola Sturgeon’s ban on pubs and restaurants in much of Scotland selling alcohol indoors for more than two weeks.
Scotland’s first minister insisted that the new measures were not a return to lockdown but she acknowledged the restrictions would “feel like a backward step” for many people.
The potential for drastic action to contain a second wave comes as Sir Simon Stevens, the head of NHS England, warned of a “disturbing” rise in hospital admissions of Covid-19 patients.
He told a virtual conference of NHS leaders: “Speaking frankly there are disturbing signs that infection rates from coronavirus are, again, rising. They are clearly headed in the wrong direction, not just nationally, but particularly in some regions and local areas across the country.
“At the start of September, we had under 500 coronavirus inpatients in hospitals across England. That is now nearly 3000. And we know that hospital admissions lag community infection by several weeks.”
Commons speaker urges MPs to wear face coverings on parliamentary estate
Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has urged MPs to wear face coverings while walking around parliament and voting.
Following advice from Public Health England, the House of Commons Commission has asked all parliamentary passholders to wear face coverings when they are moving between buildings or queuing for food and drink in cafes.
“Just as we have all had to wear them in supermarkets and on public transport, it makes sense that we all wear face coverings to protect each other on the estate,” Sir Lindsay said.
Staff and MPs are not expected to wear face coverings in meetings or when working in their offices.
MPs are also not expected to wear face coverings in the Chamber - although they have been advised to wear them in the lobbies during a division.
Italy to make masks compulsory outdoors
Italy is set to make the wearing of face masks in outdoor spaces mandatory in an attempt to restrict the spread of coronavirus.
The new rule is scheduled to be introduced on Wednesday, the day after Roberto Speranza, the country’s health minister, said the government was considering the measure.
"We have to make an extra effort, because [masks] must be used in any situation where there is a chance of people meeting who do not live together,” Mr Speranza said.
Our reporter, Rory Sullivan, has the full story below:
ICYMI: Labour warns areas under local restrictions have seen increases in infection rates
Earlier today, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called on Boris Johnson to “level with” communities affected by local coronavirus restrictions after his party’s analysis found many areas in England under measures had seen increases in the spread of Covid-19.
Labour’s analysis showed 19 out of 20 areas in England that had been under restrictions for two months had seen an increase in infection rates.
“The prime minister can’t explain why an area goes into restrictions. He can’t explain what the different restrictions are, and he can’t explain how restrictions end,” Sir Keir said.
“This is getting ridiculous.”
The areas analysed by the party can be found below:
Scotland records more than 1,000 new cases in 24 hours for first time
Scotland has recorded more than 1,000 new coronavirus cases in 24 hours for the first time, according to official figures.
Data from Health Protection Scotland released by the Scottish government showed 1,054 new cases had been recorded overnight, while one death from Covid-19 was also recorded in the same period.
The new cases represented 13.0 per cent of newly-tested individuals, down from 13.2 per cent on Tuesday.
It comes as Nicola Sturgeon is set to announce tighter restrictions for the country later today.
Nicola Sturgeon is expected to announce a “significant crackdown” on drinking alcohol in hospitality this afternoon, according to the BBC’s Nick Eardley.
Government rejects group of scientists’ call to end lockdown measures
Downing Street has rejected the call of a group of scientists pushing for an end to coronavirus lockdown measures.
The controversial Great Barrington Declaration, which has been signed by more than 7,000 scientists and medics, calls for a new strategy of allowing younger people to go about their lives as normal while offering “focused protection” to those most at risk from Covid-19.
Our political editor, Andrew Woodcock, has more on this breaking story below:
Government rejects scientists' calls to end lockdown measures
Great Barrington Declaration has won backing of more than 7,000 scientists and medics worldwide
No 10 downplays impact of Roche supply chain problems
Downing Street has played down the impact of the pharmaceutical giant Roche’s supply chain issues amid fears it could harm the UK’s coronavirus testing system.
“Roche alerted DHSC yesterday to an issue with their supply chain and they are working to resolve this urgently,” the PM’s spokesperson said.
“It is expected to have little to no impact on Covid testing and Roche are already prioritising the dispatch of tests to ensure uninterrupted supplies.”
They added: “Measures are also being put in place to ensure that other NHS supplies can continue and Roche have extended their working hours and recruited extra staff so they can return to normal as quickly as possible.”
Sturgeon announces ‘tough but necessary’ new restrictions for Scotland
Scotland’s first minister has said the country’s new coronavirus restrictions are not a return to lockdown but measures will feel like a “backward step” for the country.
“Let me be clear. We are not going back into lockdown today,” Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs in Holyrood.
“We are not closing schools, colleges or universities.
“We are not halting the remobilisation of the NHS for non-Covid care. And we are not asking people to stay at home."
She continued: “So while the measures I announce today will feel like a backward step, they are in the interests of protecting our progress overall.
“It is by taking the tough but necessary action now, that we hope to avoid even tougher action in future.”
Ms Sturgeon added that the country was in a better position than at the beginning of the pandemic but it was important not to lose the progress made so far.
She said cases were not rising as quickly as in March, with the current number of cases at just 13 per cent of the highest point of the pandemic.
Pubs and restaurants in Scotland barred from selling alcohol for more than two weeks
Pubs, restaurants and cafes in most of Scotland are being barred from selling alcohol indoors for more than two weeks to curb the spread of coronavirus, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
Ms Sturgeon said indoor hospitality venues would only be allowed to operate between 6am and 6pm daily, selling food and non-alcoholic drinks only.
Outdoors bars, restaurants and cafes will be allowed to remain open up until 10pm and will be allowed to sell alcohol up to that time.
The restrictions, which will come into force at 6pm on Friday, are intended to end after 25 October.
However, in five health board areas - Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Arran, Lothian and Forth Valley - all licensed premises will be closed for both indoor and outdoor operations.
Cafes without a licence to sell alcohol will be allowed to open until 6pm to counter social isolation, Ms Sturgeon said.
Our political editor, Andrew Woodcock, has more details on this breaking story below:
Nicola Sturgeon orders two-week pub ban across large parts of Scotland
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