[ad_1]
Boris Johnson is set to announce up to a week of freedom from COVID-19 restrictions on Christmas, but the strict rules will remain in effect in England after the national lockdown ends on December 2.
The goal, subject to agreement by the governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, is to relax the rules across the UK, reportedly from December 22-28, so that multiple families can come together in a “bubble”.
It is also likely that under the “four nations” plan, families will be able to attend Christmas church services and that pubs and restaurants may be open for a limited period during the holiday period.
The first Minister, still isolated in downing street, will chair a rare Cabinet meeting on Sunday afternoon, and then on Monday make a Commons statement to MPs and publish his “COVID Winter Plan.”
Boris Johnson will make a statement to MPs on Monday
Heralding the Prime Minister’s Commons statement, Number 10 said: “It will also set out how people will be able to see their loved ones at Christmas, even though ministers have made it clear that this will not be a normal holiday period.”
Prior to the cabinet meeting, Prime Ministers Arlene Foster, Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford met with Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove, “on a UK-wide approach to celebrating Christmas despite COVID-19“.
Ms Foster, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, revealed that during the meeting she highlighted the need for additional flexibility to assist those traveling in any direction between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
In his statement to MPs, the prime minister will confirm that England’s national blockade will end on December 2, but the country will revert to a three-tier system of regional restrictions, which was in effect from October 14 to October 5. November.
But Downing Street has also confirmed that while some local measures will be similar to those in place previously, levels will be strengthened in some areas to safeguard the gains made during the national shutdown.
Cardiff was busy with shoppers on Saturday after restrictions in Wales were relaxed
Ministers will announce on Thursday which areas of England will be at each tier, but the government has signaled that more areas will be at higher tiers to keep the virus under control and avoid another national shutdown.
“Everyone’s efforts during the current national restrictions have helped bring the virus back under control, slowed its spread and eased pressures on the NHS,” said a spokesperson for Number 10.
“But it is clear to the prime minister and his scientific advisers that the virus is still around and, without regional restrictions, it could quickly spiral out of control again before vaccines and mass testing have taken effect.
“That would jeopardize the progress the country has made and once again risk intolerable pressure on the NHS.”
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Coronavirus: Can the Prime Minister Save Christmas?
The plans emerged when the government announced 341 more deaths from coronavirus, bringing the UK total to 54,626.
Saturday’s figure was lower than the previous day, when 511 deaths were recorded, as well as the total of 462 deaths last Saturday.
The Office for National Statistics has said that the number of coronavirus infections in England appears to have “level” in recent weeks.
According to Number 10, Johnson will tell MPs that the pre-Christmas restrictions will not last longer than absolutely necessary and will take into account the need to protect livelihoods and support the economy.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
The data and what it shows for lockdown 2.0
It promises that the tiers will be reviewed on a regular basis and that there will be a Commons vote on the three tier system before it goes into effect.
But rebellious Conservative MPs have reported that they are preparing to oppose the prime minister’s plans for restrictions to replace the national lockdown without comprehensive evidence that they will save more lives than they cost.
The COVID recovery group (CRG), led by former whips chief Mark Harper and former Brexit minister Steve Baker, threatens to withhold support for the prime minister’s measures when the four-week lockdown in England expires on 2 December.
The couple have written to Mr Johnson with their demands, in a letter that is claimed to have been signed by 70 Conservative MPs, although the people have not been identified.
In the letter, MPs complain: “Even the tiered system of restrictions profoundly infringes on people’s lives with huge health and economic costs.
“We cannot support this approach further unless the government demonstrates that the restrictions proposed for after December 2 will have an impact on slowing down the transmission of COVID and save more lives than they cost.”
They asked the government to publish a “full cost-benefit analysis” of the proposed restrictions, as they warn that “the prescribed blockade cure runs the very real risk of being worse than the disease.”
They also raise specific concerns about outdoor sports, the 10 p.m. curfew for pubs and restaurants, the closure of non-essential retail stores, and home visits.
“We cannot live under such damaging lockdowns and seemingly arbitrary restrictions, and expect our constituents to be thankful that they are let out to enjoy the holiday season, only to have strict restrictions placed on them later causing health problems. and destroy their livelihoods, “the deputies wrote.
In his Commons statement, Johnson will claim that recent positive vaccine developments and massive testing provide real confidence that economic and social constraints to control coronavirus it can be gradually reduced in the run-up to spring.
The prime minister will confirm that as long as the vaccines are approved by regulators, the first injections can be made next month before being rolled out more widely in the new year.
And despite the flaws in the government’s much-criticized test-and-trace system, the prime minister will also claim that progress in mass testing is expected to help provide a way to suppress the virus and relax restrictions.
The government’s scientific advisers, SAGE, are likely to publish more articles on Monday, exposing the scientific advice that previous levels weren’t strong enoughand that a stricter regional approach is required.
Downing Street added: “The COVID Winter Plan will also set out how scientific advancements in vaccination, treatment and testing will help life gradually return to normal.
“Next month, the vaccination program will begin, provided that the vaccines are approved by regulators, and increases in mass testing will allow us to identify and isolate people who do not have symptoms.
“It is the hope and belief of the prime minister that progress in mass testing can, if everyone continues to come together, provide a way to suppress the virus and relax restrictions until a vaccine is available.”
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Families prepare for an unusual Christmas
On Wednesday, Chancellor Rishi Sunak will announce in his Spending Review a £ 3bn one-year package to help the NHS address the impact of COVID-19.
According to the Treasury, £ 1 billion will go to address delays and allow patients who have experienced delays this year to be seen and treated for non-urgent procedures.
Sunak will also announce £ 325 million next year for NHS diagnostics, which could replace more than two-thirds of older screening equipment and help diagnose patients with cancer and other serious diseases.
And around £ 500 million will fund a Winter Mental Health Plan, which will help support mental health referrals that were delayed due to pandemic pressures and supportive measures to invest in NHS workers.
