Covid News Live: MPs Will Vote On Boris Johnson Tier Plan

Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer has told the Commons that there are “real risks that [Boris Johnson’s] plan is unable to control the virus this winter. “

In a debate on the new tier system, Sir Keir said: “The questions before this House today are these. How can we save as many lives and livelihoods as possible until we reach the light at the end of that tunnel?

“And are the measures that the prime minister announces today going to control the virus and provide adequate support to the communities most affected by these restrictions?”

He said the Labor Party supported the two national closures and recognized the need to continue the restrictions.

However, he added: “I am far from being convinced of what the prime minister said today. In particular, the economic package is not enough to support the most affected communities and they have been suffering for many months.

“I am also afraid that without the proper health measures in place, in particular a working tracking and isolation system, there are real risks that this plan will be unable to control the virus this winter.”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has asked whether the government will ensure that people can undergo an NHS coronavirus test so they can visit the elderly or vulnerable over Christmas.

“Will you make sure that anyone who wants to get tested for the virus before visiting relatives over Christmas can get tested on the NHS?” Sir Ed said.

Boris Johnson responded, “Well, we are rolling out lateral flow tests across the country and it’s open for people to have a lateral flow test.

“In general, the testing system is available, at this time, for people who have symptoms.

“But I urge people who are concerned about the need to be in the company of the elderly or vulnerable to seek a rapid response test.”

The same rigorous approval standards are being applied to coronavirus vaccine candidates as they are to other drugs, Germany’s science minister said, adding that any approved vaccine will be voluntary.

Anja Karliczek said the key to gaining widespread public support for immunization is ensuring the same standards are applied across the board.

Authorities will educate the public about the possible side effects that could occur after vaccination, including headaches, localized pain and fever. Clea skopeliti:

“Wet bars” that do not serve food will receive a one-time coronavirus emergency payment of £ 1,000 in December, Boris Johnson told the House of Commons.

The announcement came as Johnson was fighting to win over dozens of Tory MPs who had threatened to vote against his new three-tier regional system of coronavirus restrictions for England.

Our political editor, Andrew Woodcock, has the story:

The pre-vote level debate has started as Boris Johnson tries to persuade his colleagues to vote against the new coronavirus tiering system in England.

The prime minister said Tuesday that “we cannot afford to relax” until a vaccine has regulatory approval.

Opening the debate, Mr. Johnson told MPs: “We have to be realistic and we have to accept that this vaccine is not here yet, there is no vaccine here yet.

“And while all the signs are promising, and almost all the scientists I’ve talked to agree that the breakthrough is sure to come, we still don’t have one that has gotten regulatory approval.

“And we cannot be completely sure when the moment will come. And until then, we can’t afford to relax, especially during the cold winter months. “

Johnson said that while the recent national shutdown, which ends tomorrow, means that “the virus has been contained, it has not been eradicated.”

“We cannot act too fast,” he said, warning MPs not to vote to allow “normal life” to resume as quickly as possible.

The number of students in schools in England who have to isolate themselves at home due to possible contact with the coronavirus has decreased, official figures show.

Between 8 and 10 percent of students in state schools, up to 798,000 children, did not attend school for Covid-related reasons on Thursday, November 26 of last week, the data shows.

This means that more than a fifth (22%) of high school students did not attend classes on November 26, the same as the week before, according to statistics from the Department of Education (DfE).

A third of schools reported having one or more self-isolating students who were told to do so due to possible contact with a Covid-19 case within the school, compared to 36% the previous week.

This represents 68% of high schools, up from 73% the week before, and more than a quarter (26%) of elementary schools, up from 29% on November 19.

In elementary schools, student attendance has increased slightly from 87% to 88% last week.

Professor Ramani Moonesinghe, National Clinical Director of Intensive Care, has been asked to investigate reports that patients with learning disabilities were more likely to receive “Do Not Resuscitate” (DNR) orders imposed when receiving treatment for coronavirus. .

At the committee meeting, which was held in conjunction with the Science and Technology Committee, families who had complained that they were not being consulted about DNRs were informed.

Health committee chair Jeremy Hunt instructed Professor Moonesinghe to investigate the problem and report back in the next three weeks, before Friday, December 18, to find out “what the NHS has already done to address those problems.”

“I think it is absolutely essential that we go to Christmas knowing that this problem is behind us,” Hunt said.

While “getting back to normal” is far from the agenda, England’s new tier system will allow pubs and restaurants to reopen in some areas. Starting on December 2, in the level 1 and level 2 areas, the places to drink and eat will be open, although there are rules to follow. However, all hospitality will remain in locked level 3 areas, except for delivery and takeout.

So what can you expect from the hospitality industry after the nationwide changes go into effect on Wednesday?

Our deputy lifestyle editor, Sophie gallagher, it has all the details:

The European Commission is likely to give final authorization for the launch of coronavirus vaccines days after the European drug regulator approves them, a spokesman for the EU body said.

Under EU regulations, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommends authorization of a drug or vaccine and the EU Commission authorizes them on the basis of scientific advice.

The government has not shown that the billions of pounds spent on PPE were made in a way that was “fair and transparent” or represented “good value for money,” the head of the UK public spending regulator warned.

Gareth Davies, the head of the National Audit Office, said ministers would be vulnerable to questions about their decisions “indefinitely” if they did not provide evidence to support how they awarded contracts.

Our political editor, Andrew Woodcock, has the full story below: