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Boris Johnson confirms that the end of the blockade may be delayed beyond mid-February
Boris Johnson has said that the end of the third coronavirus lockdown in England may be delayed beyond mid-February as MPs prepare for a vote on the strict new restrictions.
The prime minister updated the Commons on the new measures, which include closing schools for most pupils and returning to the stay-at-home order, before a vote tonight. The new measures are expected to pass easily as they are backed by Labor.
While Johnson has hinted that the restrictions could be eased starting in late February, the legislation allows them to remain in effect until the end of March.
It comes as the number of daily coronavirus cases in the UK topped 60,000 for the first time, and another 830 people died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 from Tuesday.
During Johnson’s address to the nation last night, England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said that people should take the stay-at-home rules seriously, warning that the country faces a “really serious emergency.”
But in a sign of progress, the prime minister said more than 1.3 million people have been vaccinated against the virus across the UK so far, including 23 percent of all those over 80 in England.
Organizer of New Years Eve party for more than 100 people faces a fine of £ 10,000
A woman who held a New Year’s Eve party for more than 100 people faces a £ 10,000 fine, the Metropolitan Police said.
Patrol officers discovered the event, on Exhibition Road, Kensington, in central London, when they saw a large group outside trying to get in at around 11.30pm
The force said the organizer refused to cooperate with officers, who returned on Monday to notify him that she had been referred to the maximum sentence under coronavirus regulations.
Acting Inspector Ganesh Rasaratnam of the Met’s West Center Basic Command Unit said: “We are in the middle of a pandemic and restrictions have been put in place to keep our families, friends and communities safe.
“The organizer and those in attendance deliberately violated the restrictions and decided that the rules did not apply to them.”
Samuel OsborneJanuary 6, 2021 2:25 PM
Police will ask people why they are out on a ‘strict’ lockdown app
People in London are increasingly likely to face fines for breaking coronavirus restrictions, Scotland Yard said, warning of “tighter” enforcement during the new shutdown. Adam Forrest reports.
Samuel OsborneJanuary 6, 2021 2:04 PM
Click-and-collect ban would further affect small shops, ministers warned
Banning click-and-collect services for nonessential products will hit retailers even harder, retail bosses say. The government is considering a temporary ban on such services as part of a series of new restrictions.
Duncan Graham, Managing Director of Retail Excellence, a representative body, said the retail industry fully recognized the need for more restrictions, but said: “We believe that this measure, however well-intentioned it may be to restrict the movement of people, will have a disproportionately negative effect on retailers. “
Jane daltonJanuary 6, 2021 1:52 PM
Prime Minister dismisses call for early voting to lift restrictions
Boris Johnson has rejected a call from anti-lockdown Conservative MPs for a vote at the end of the month on lifting the restrictions.
Conservative supporters are unhappy with legislation that gives the government the power to maintain controls until March 31, he writes Andrew Woodcock:
Jane daltonJanuary 6, 2021 1:40 PM
‘Loving and precious’ nurse dies of virus
A nurse who dedicated her life to helping others died after being diagnosed with coronavirus, a hospital trust said. Bridget Palmer, a staff nurse at Clitheroe Community Hospital in Lancashire, died on Dec. 29, said a spokesperson for the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT).
Ms Palmer, a mother of two, began her nursing career in Zimbabwe 40 years ago before joining the NHS and the foundation in 2012. She worked at the Royal Blackburn Hospital before moving to Ribblesdale Ward at Clitheroe Community Hospital as a nurse from plant.
Trust Chief Executive Officer Kevin McGee announced the news “with deep sadness,” adding: “During Bridget’s eight years at ELHT, she became a much appreciated and respected member of the ELHT family; her loss will be deeply felt by all her colleagues and friends at ELHT. Bridget spent her life helping and caring for others in their time of need. “
Jane daltonJanuary 6, 2021 1:24 PM
World health chiefs warn against UK strategy to delay second coup
The World Health Organization (WHO) has teamed up with Pfizer and BioNTech to warn against delaying a second dose of their Covid vaccine.
A health chief said that the second dose should only be delayed in “exceptional circumstances”, but added: “I think we have to be a bit open to these kinds of decisions that countries have to make according to their own epidemiological situations.” Tom batchelor reports:
Jane daltonJanuary 6, 2021 1:03 PM
European Health Officials Recommend Use of Moderna Vaccine
European health officials have recommended the use of the Modern Covid-19 vaccine.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended granting a conditional marketing authorization for jab for adults.
British regulators, the Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency, are still conducting a review of the vaccine.
Emer Cooke, CEO of EMA said: “This vaccine provides us with another tool to overcome the current emergency.
“It is a testament to the efforts and commitment of all involved that we have this second positive vaccine recommendation just under a year since the WHO declared the pandemic.
“As for all medicines, we will closely monitor the data on the safety and efficacy of the vaccine to ensure the continued protection of the EU public.
“Our work will always be guided by scientific evidence and our commitment to safeguarding the health of EU citizens.”
Modern Covid Vaccine Approved by the EU
The European Union drug agency approved Moderna’s coronavirus candidate vaccine, giving the bloc a second vaccine to use in its battle against the pandemic.
Samuel OsborneJanuary 6, 2021 12:38 PM
SNP asks PM to close borders to ‘all less essential travel’
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford has called on Boris Johnson to close the borders to “all less essential travel.”
Blackford told MPs: “On the road, is the prime minister prepared to learn from the past mistakes of his government?
“Will you consider closing the UK border to all non-essential travel to prevent the spread of new strains of the virus?”
Boris Johnson replied: “As I said a moment ago, we will make sure to protect our borders from the readmission of the virus and he has seen what we already did in the case of the South African strain.”
“And we will present more measures to stop the virus’ readmission.”
Samuel OsborneJanuary 6, 2021 12:29 PM
This is the time when Johnson confirmed that the end of England’s third lockdown could be delayed beyond mid-February:
Boris Johnson confirms that the end of the blockade may be delayed beyond mid-February
Samuel OsborneJanuary 6, 2021 12:19 PM
Work will support new restrictions, says Keir Starmer
Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer said his party will support the new restrictions and urged people to abide by them.
He told deputies: “The situation we are facing is clearly very serious, perhaps the darkest moment of the pandemic.
“The virus is out of control, more than a million people in England now have Covid, the number of hospital admissions is increasing, tragically so is the number of people dying.
“And it’s only the first days of January and the NHS is under great pressure. In those circumstances, more stringent restrictions are necessary.
“We will support them, we will vote for them and we will urge everyone to abide by the new rules: stay home, protect the NHS, save lives.”
Samuel OsborneJanuary 6, 2021 12:04 PM
