Further lockdowns possible during 'miserable winter', scientists warn

Hundreds queue outside a pop-up vaccination clinic at Tottenham Hotspur's stadium in North London - PA
Hundreds queue outside a pop-up vaccination clinic at Tottenham Hotspur's stadium in North London - PA

A new lockdown may be introduced this winter amid a potential rise in Covid-19 cases at the end of the year, Public Health England (PHE) has warned.

Dr Susan Hopkins, the strategic response director for Covid-19 at PHE, warned that hospitals could become overwhelmed.

It comes as experts from Sage predict a "pretty miserable" "fourth wave" winter with infections from other respiratory viruses including bronchiolitis and pneumonia expected to increase among children and the elderly.

Dr Hopkins told BBC's Andrew Marr: "We may have to do further lockdowns this winter, I can't predict the future, it really depends on whether the hospitals start to become overwhelmed at some point.

"But I think we will have alternative ways to manage this, through vaccination, through anti-virals, through drugs, through testing that we didn't have last winter."

Professor Calum Semple, member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), which advises the Government, told Times Radio: "I suspect we'll have a pretty miserable winter because the other respiratory viruses are going to come back and bite us quite hard.

"We are going to see a rise in a disease called bronchiolitis, and a rise in community acquired pneumonia in children and in the frail elderly, to the other respiratory viruses for which we don't have vaccines."


04:33 PM

Roundup of today's news:

Here is your afternoon roundup of today's news:

  • The UK could open up "sooner rather than later" thanks to the huge numbers of people being vaccinated - and the country is not experiencing a third wave of infections, a vaccinologist has said.

  • Covid restrictions are more likely to end if 70 per cent of adults are vaccinated by 19 July, Dr Susan Hopkins of Public Health England has said.

  • Andy Burnham is demanding that Nicola Sturgeon agrees to pay compensation to Manchester businesses and residents hit by her "hypocritical" travel ban between Scotland and parts of the north of England.

  • In Wales, Mark Drakeford has said a balance of restrictions and vaccinations would be required "for the foreseeable future" to tackle cases in the country.

  • Over half the new Covid-19 cases being reported in the Lisbon region are of the more infectious Delta coronavirus variant, preliminary data showed on Sunday.

  • There have been no coronavirus-related deaths in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland in the last 24 hours and six in England, government figures show.

  • China announced it had administered its one-billionth shot in the world's biggest coronavirus inoculation drive as Brazil's death toll from the pandemic passed 500,000.


04:26 PM

People camping on Bournemouth beach face being woken and handed £1,000 fine

Council staff are patrolling Bournemouth beach 24 hours a day to ensure anyone breaching an overnight camping ban faces an "uncomfortable night's sleep".

Revellers are being warned they could face prosecution and a £1,000 fine if they choose to camp on the popular Dorset beach.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council has employed an additional 75 staff to help managed the authority's 15 miles of beach which saw massive demand during the summer of 2020 with congested roads and irresponsible parking.

A council spokesman said: "As part of our seasonal response plan, we're putting in place a 24-hour beach patrol to deal with those camping on the beach.

"Our beaches are not a place for overnight camping and people who choose to camp on them will risk prosecution and a £1,000 fine."


04:11 PM

Police close off access to Avebury to prevent summer solstice gathering

Police have closed off an area near to Avebury stone circle in a bid to stop people congregating to mark the summer solstice.

English Heritage has taken the decision to close Stonehenge in Amesbury, Wiltshire, for the annual celebration of the longest day of the year prompting fears that people will gather at Avebury.

Wiltshire Police has posted on social media that it has closed off access to part of the Ridgeway following the arrival of a large number of vehicles.


04:04 PM

Wales: Covid rules needed 'for the foreseeable future' - says Mark Drakeford

A balance of restrictions and vaccinations would be required "for the foreseeable future" to tackle coronavirus in Wales, the first minister has said.

More than 80 per cent of Wales' population - not just adults - will need to be vaccinated or been infected with Covid-19 to prevent the spread of the Delta variant, Welsh government scientists have said.

About 70 per cent of the population has had at least one dose of the Covid vaccine.

An estimated eight in 10 adults in Wales have antibodies, according to official analysis at the start of June.

First Minister Mark Drakeford told BBC Wales the country must not rely "wholly and exclusively on vaccination as the only thing we can do to prevent coronavirus from overwhelming the health service again.


03:58 PM

Taiwan welcomes US vaccine aid, bolstering its Covid fight

Taiwan welcomed 2.5 million Covid-19 vaccine doses from the United States more than doubling the island's arsenal of shots as it deals with a cluster of domestic infections.

Washington had initially promised to donate 750,000 doses but increased that number as President Joe Biden's administration advances its pledge to send 80 million US-made doses around the world.

Workers transport Moderna vaccines shipped from the US to Taiwan Air Cargo Terminal in Taoyuan - Reuters
Workers transport Moderna vaccines shipped from the US to Taiwan Air Cargo Terminal in Taoyuan - Reuters

A China Airlines Boeing 777 freighter carrying the vaccines landed at Taoyuan airport outside of Taipei late afternoon, greeted on the tarmac by Health Minister Chen Shih-chung and the top US diplomat in Taiwan, Brent Christensen.

Speaking from her office in comments broadcast after the arrival of the Moderna Inc shots, President Tsai Ing-wen expressed her "sincere gratitude".

"A friend in need is a friend indeed," she added, switching into English.


03:47 PM

Disadvantaged pupils fearful over exam grades

Many pupils from low-income families in the UK are concerned they will receive unfair grades this summer, a survey suggests.

More than half of them think they will be unable to appeal, after teacher assessments replaced cancelled exams.

The charity wants governments across the UK to allow all pupils in the final year of sixth form to repeat a year, if their schools approve.

"We cannot afford to get this wrong again," said Alan Milburn, chairman of the Social Mobility Foundation (SMF), who ran the survey.

"Levelling up cannot happen without a level playing field," said Mr Milburn.


03:36 PM

Scottish government defends Manchester travel ban

The Scottish government has defended their decision to ban non-essential travel from Scotland to Salford and Manchester from Monday.

It follows accusations of "hypocrisy" by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, following the "out of the blue" decision - announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to parliament on Thursday.

A spokesman for the Scottish government said the decision had only been taken "after extremely careful consideration, and in the same way we have previously done in relation to a number of other areas in England".

Non-essential travel is already banned from Scotland to Bolton and Blackburn with Darwen, while there has been an easing of travel restrictions with Bedford and the Republic of Ireland.

"Nobody wants travel restrictions in place for any longer than is absolutely necessary," the spokesperson said.

"But rates of Covid in these cities are particularly high at the moment and these restrictions are intended to minimise the risk of either exacerbating the situation there or indeed allowing more virus to come back here to Scotland."


03:23 PM

UK records six Covid deaths

A further six coronavirus-related deaths have been recorded in the UK, according to the Government's daily figures.

These deaths all happened in England, as data released earlier by the devolved nations showed there had been no deaths in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland in the last 24 hours.

It takes the total number of deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test across the UK to 127,976.

There were also 9,284 new infections recorded in the UK.

This is down slightly after the figures had stayed above 10,000 for three days in a row.

Reports of daily deaths are often lower at weekends and at the start of the week because less counting takes place while statisticians are off.


03:12 PM

Delta variant behind Covid-19 resurgence in Lisbon area

Over half the new Covid-19 cases being reported in the Lisbon region are of the more infectious Delta coronavirus variant, preliminary data showed on Sunday.

Portuguese authorities are now scrambling to curb a worrying spike in infections.

Ricardo Jorge, the national health institute, said the Delta variant, first identified in India, represented over 60 per cent of cases in the Lisbon area though still less than 15 per cent in the northern half of Portugal.

The Alpha (Kent) variant, which was previously dominant in Britain, is more prevalent across Portugal's north, representing 80 per cent of infections there and only 30 per cent in and around Lisbon, according to the institute.

Portugal posted over 1,000 new Covid-19 cases for the fourth straight day on Saturday and the number of people testing newly positive every 24 hours is back to late February levels, when the country was still under lockdown.


03:00 PM

Green light for Download festival is '100 per cent proof' events can be safe, says organiser

The decision to give the green light to Download festival is "100 per cent proof" large scale events can be safe during the pandemic, its organiser said.

The festival is taking place this weekend as part of a Government live events pilot, meaning fans do not have to wear masks or socially distance.

Festivalgoers react during the Enter Shikari performance on the main stage at the pilot for Download - Getty Images Europe
Festivalgoers react during the Enter Shikari performance on the main stage at the pilot for Download - Getty Images Europe

Melvin Benn, Download's director, said: "It's extraordinary really. It's really fantastic. I am very heartwarmed by it all. The level of compliance around the testing and requirements we have is absolutely extraordinary."

Asked about the idea it remains impossible for large-scale music events to be Covid-secure, he said: "It is evidence that this is not true. It is 100 per cent evidence that it is not true. This is a very clear demonstration that you can do it."


02:42 PM

Cummings' revelations 'beyond the Thick of It'

Actor Peter Capaldi, known for playing the famously abrasive Malcolm Tucker in satirical comedy The Thick of It, shared what he thought the character would think about revelations from former No 10 aide Dominic Cummings.

Boris Johnson's former chief adviser has made a series of explosive claims about mistakes made by the government during the Covid pandemic.

Speaking on the Andrew Marr programme, Capaldi says the behaviour of the top people in government was "beyond a joke" and says Tucker would be "too good" to exist in the current political world.


02:29 PM

No Covid-related deaths in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland recorded on Sunday

There have been no coronavirus-related deaths in either Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland over the past 24 hours.

Data for England is expected in the next 30 minutes.

Northern Ireland has recorded 125 new cases, Wales has recorded 176 new cases and the Scottish Government confirmed 1,205 cases in the past 24 hours.

  • The total number of deaths linked to Covid-19 in Northern Ireland since the start of the pandemic is 2,155. More than 1.9m have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

  • In Wales, the Covid death toll remains at 5,572. More than 3.7m have been given at least one jab.

  • In Scotland, the number of people who have died within 28 days of a positive test - stands at 7,692. More than 6.1m have received at least one dose of vaccine.


02:06 PM

India fears third wave as restrictions are eased

The Indian government has urged states to take great care in easing coronavirus restrictions imposed during the country's deadly second wave of the pandemic.

Covid-19 infections and deaths are falling in India, which saw record-breaking numbers in May. On Sunday, India reported another 58,419 cases, the lowest single-day rise since March.

The decline in cases means restrictions are being eased.

But there's concern that people are flouting Covid-19 protocols such as social distancing and wearing masks. Several states have seen streets packed with crowds and traffic.

The head of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences has warned that a third wave is inevitable within weeks if lessons are not learnt.


01:28 PM

South Korea to loosen social distancing rules on July 1

South Korea will relax social distancing rules and allow private gatherings of up to six people in the greater Seoul area from the current four starting July 1, the government said on Sunday.

The announcement comes as South Korea has inoculated 29.2% of its population as of Saturday, putting it on track to meet a target of 70 per cent by September.

Daily new infections have held stubbornly in a range of 400 to 700 for the past few weeks, but have stayed below 600 for more than a week so far.

Under the revised rules, restaurants, night-life venues and cafes will be allowed to open for business until 12 a.m., versus 10 p.m. currently.

"The new social distancing system is an effort to find a balance between quarantine and daily life recovery amid the prolonged Covid-19 pandemic," Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol said in a televised briefing.


01:25 PM

Small Covid-19 outbreaks continue to plague Australia

Australia's state of Queensland recorded one locally acquired coronavirus infection on Sunday, the latest streak of small outbreaks that have been plaguing the country in recent months.

The Queensland case comes as a cluster of the highly infectious Delta variant has grown by two cases to nine in New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, prompting health officials to expand mask wearing rules.

"We know this strain, which is becoming the dominant strain, is extremely contagious and some people are spreading it more than others, and what we want to avoid at this stage is a super spreading event," New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

Australia has been highly successful in managing the spread of the coronavirus through swift border closures, social distancing rules and a high community compliance with them, reporting just over 30,300 cases and 910 Covid-19 deaths.


01:01 PM

Day of action planned over restrictions on international travel

The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) is to take part in an industry-wide day of action on Wednesday, calling on the UK Government to allow international travel to return safely and in a risk-managed way.

Abta said this can be done by expanding the green list "in line with the evidence and making restrictions more proportionate".

A review of the current travel guidance - as set out by the Global Travel Taskforce - is expected by 28 June, including any updates to the quarantine-free 'green list'.

Pilots are expected to join travel industry colleagues on Wednesday's day of action at Heathrow, Bristol, Edinburgh and Manchester airports.


12:40 PM

Russia records 17,000 new Covid cases

Russia has reported 17,611 new coronavirus cases today, including 8,305 in Moscow, taking the official national tally since the pandemic began to 5,316,826.

The government coronavirus task force said 450 people had died of coronavirus-linked causes in the past 24 hours, pushing the national death toll to 129,361.

The federal statistics agency has kept a separate count and says Russia recorded around 270,000 deaths related to Covid-19 from April 2020 to April 2021.


12:27 PM

Long queues form at stadiums in major push to get vaccinated before July 19

Across London huge queues formed outside pop-up vaccination clinics at stadiums in a bid to get vaccinated before Freedom Day on July 19

These included sites at London Stadium, Tottenham Hotspur FC and Selhurst Park.

Charlton Athletic opened its Valley stadium in south-east London as a walk-in centre focused on giving over-40s their second doses.

Anyone aged 18 or over can book a jab in England and it is hoped all adults will have had their first jab by July 19.

Hundreds wait outside London Stadium - Reuters
Hundreds wait outside London Stadium - Reuters
Queues at Tottenham Hotspur's stadium in north London - Yui Monk/PA
Queues at Tottenham Hotspur's stadium in north London - Yui Monk/PA

12:06 PM

Hard for London to meet target of all over 30s- vaccinated by July, warns PHE

PHE's regional director for London has said it will be hard for the capital to meet health officials' aspirations of getting all over-30s vaccinated by the July 19 "Freedom Day".

Professor Kevin Fenton told LBC: "We certainly are working to get all of our over-40s double vaccinated by the end of July 19 and to get a first dose in as many 30-year-olds as possible."

But he continued: "London's population is younger than the rest of the country, we have a much larger group of 30-year-olds that are now taking up the vaccine."

Prof Fenton said most over-30s in London would not get their second dose until late July or the beginning of August to allow for the eight-week gap between the first and second dose.


11:49 AM

London could be in the 'foothills' of another wave, PHE warns

Public Health England's regional director for London has warned we could be in the "foothills" of another wave of Covid-19 cases, and people must continue to practise preventative measures.

Prof Kevin Fenton told LBC that it was unlikely the capital would have all over-30s double vaccinated by July 19 when all restrictions are due to relax.

"We're in the foothills of what could possibly be a third wave, we should be doing the hands, face, space, ventilate, prevention," Prof Fenton said.

He continued: "Get the first dose in as soon as possible because even with the first source, there is some protection that you will receive.

"And we (will) continue to practise those preventive measures - vaccinating now won't stop the rises we are seeing in the community this week, but they will begin to build the resilience for the city as we get to July 19."


11:42 AM

Republic of Ireland 'on course for EU Covid certificate scheme'

The Republic of Ireland is on target to introduce the EU Digital Covid Certificate from 19 July.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed the date to national broadcaster RTÉ, saying that "things are getting better" for the aviation industry.

It follows new research from the European Centre for Disease Control which found a low risk of in-flight transmission for the virus among those eligible for the certificate scheme.

The aim of the certificate is to enable anyone vaccinated against Covid-19, or who has tested negative or recently recovered from the virus, to travel within the EU bloc.

Thomas Byrne, the Republic's minister of state for European affairs,said last month he is "keeping an interest" in possibly making Irish passport holders who live in Northern Ireland eligible for the certificate.

The certificate will come into effect in a number of EU countries from 1 July, with each member state able to determine how to use it - with some countries voicing concerns they might be discriminatory.


11:33 AM

Pilots union calls UK travel rules 'ludicrously cautious'

The British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) is calling on Government to “get its act together” and open up routes to the US and Europe.

Balpa said the UK aviation industry has been the hardest hit in Europe, blaming the Downing Street's "ludicrously cautious restrictions on international travel".

An analysis of European air traffic data for June revealed the number of flights into and out of the UK has fallen by three-quarters compared to 2019, with Gatwick and Manchester airports the worst affected in Europe.

According to the International Air Transport Association, 860,000 jobs in UK aviation travel and tourism have been lost or are on furlough - and are at risk of being lost, said Balpa.

General secretary Brian Strutton said the Government had offered "no published evidence" for blocking destinations and was "tormenting the public with their mixed messages".

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said the Government had "tried to strike the right balance between the natural need, in some cases, for international travel - but also the imperative of making sure that we do everything we can at home to contain and prevent inadvertent spread of new variants of concern".


11:27 AM

London entering 'summer sprint' to vaccinate citizens before July 19

The regional director for London at Public Health England (PHE) has said the capital is entering a "summer sprint" to get as many people vaccinated as possible by July 19.

The rate of uptake in London has been slower than elsewhere, but Professor Kevin Fenton said it had been making "incredible progress" over the past few weeks.

"We're just about entering into a final summer sprint, where we're working with local authorities to get the rates up among everybody over age 18, but especially those aged over 40," he said.

"That's our number one focus in the city now."


11:24 AM

Let's get all over-40s double jabbed by Freedom Day, PHE scientist urges

A senior director at Public Health England (PHE) has said she hopes the delay to the end of lockdown will allow time for everyone over the age of 40 to get double vaccinated.

Dr Susan Hopkins, strategic director for Covid-19 at PHE, said getting as many people as possible jabbed by July 19 should mean the latest wave in Covid-19 cases caused by the Delta variant will not be as deadly as previous waves.

Last week, the Government was forced to delay so-called Freedom Day, when all restrictions will be lifted, by four weeks due to a worrying rise in positive tests.

Speaking to the BBC's The Andrew Marr Show, Dr Hopkins said: "The extra time to vaccinate more people, get two doses of vaccination in as many people as possible, will hopefully mean that what we're seeing with this wave won't look the same as the previous waves that we've seen in this country."

She continued: "What I would like to see is that everyone over the age of 40 has had the opportunity to get double vaccinated."


11:02 AM

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium welcomes hundreds of over-18s for vaccine

A pop-up vaccination clinic at Tottenham Hotspur football stadium in North London has begun to welcome hundreds of over 18-year-olds for their first jab.


10:50 AM

'Great hope' restrictions can end early on July 5, says vaccine expert

The UK could open up "sooner rather than later" thanks to the huge numbers of people being vaccinated - and the country is not experiencing a third wave of infections, a vaccinologist has said.

Brendan Wren, professor of vaccinology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said that having more than 81 per cent of the adult population with a first coronavirus jab, and 59 per cent with both doses is "very encouraging".

Asked whether the success of the vaccine programme means the country does not need to wait until 19 July to fully open up, he said: "We'd still need to be vigilant - but vigilance and vaccination are the two words.

"So, I think if the numbers continue to be promising then I think there's great hope we could open up on 5 July."


10:34 AM

First foreign Olympic team member tests positive

A member of Uganda's Olympic team has tested positive for Covid-19 after arriving in Japan, the first infection in an overseas squad.

The athlete, who has not been named, tested positive during a screening at the airport near Tokyo on Saturday.

They went into quarantine at a government facility while their eight teams' members travelled on to their host city in Osaka.

All the Ugandan athletes and coaches were reported to have received two vaccination shots and tested negative before their departure.

They are only the second national squad to arrive for next month's Games after an Australian softball team.


10:30 AM

China passes one billion vaccination milestone

China on Sunday announced it had administered its one-billionth shot in the world's biggest coronavirus inoculation drive as Brazil's death toll from the pandemic passed 500,000.

The global death toll from Covid-19 is now more than 3.8 million and many nations are still battling outbreaks, but vaccine drives in some countries are allowing activities that were unthinkable a few months ago.

University students in Wuhan queue to receive the China National Biotec Group (CNBG) vaccine - AFP
University students in Wuhan queue to receive the China National Biotec Group (CNBG) vaccine - AFP

China's vaccine milestone comes after the number of shots administered globally passed 2.5 billion on Friday, according to an AFP count from official sources.

But the Asian giant's vaccination efforts initially got off to a slow start after a successful fight against the virus left little sense of urgency to get jabbed.

A lack of transparency and previous vaccine scandals have also led to resistance among many residents.


10:22 AM

PHE chief implies lack of travel restrictions from India contributed to surge in Delta variant

Dr Susan Hopkins has implied the lack of restrictions on people entering the UK from India in April contributed to the rise in cases of the Delta variant.

She was asked on the BBC's The Andrew Marr Show if rules on people travelling played a part in the rise in cases of the variant.

Dr Hopkins replied: "The amber routes, what we have learned from those, is that if you have large numbers of people travelling from countries that have especially massively rising cases, then there will be a component of those that will pass on and transmit to the communities.

"I think we recognise now if you've got an epidemic in another country, that will increase cases in this country."


10:18 AM

Non-regular pub goers 'might never return' after lockdown easing

Occasional pub-goers may never return after lockdown restrictions are eased, posing a risk to the survival of the country's pub culture, according to research.

Dr Sianne Gordon-Wilson, at the University of Portsmouth, found that the majority of people who visited pubs less frequently prior to the pandemic have since found alternative ways of socialising.

However the study, published in the International Journal of Hospitality Management, did find that regulars were likely to return as there was no substitute for the "home from home" atmosphere of their local pub.

She said: "Pubs are a central and important part of UK culture with a long history. They are also an integral part of some people's social and work life, and that's difficult to replicate at home.

"Nine in 10 British adults visit pubs, with many seeing pubs as an extension of their home. They want to enjoy the pub environment with company.


10:14 AM

North West is coming through third wave, says Andy Burnham

The North West is "coming through" the latest wave of the coronavirus pandemic, mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has said.

Enhanced support was given by the Government to Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside as much of the region saw a rise in cases of the Delta variant, first identified in India.

Speaking on BBC's The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, Mr Burnham said current case rates in Bolton, one of the first areas to see a rise in the Delta variant, provided encouragement.

I certainly see a huge amount of work going on in our communities to contain the Delta variant. Look at Bolton - you can see real encouragement there. Where the work went in, the case numbers have been turned around and they've got now quite a significant decrease. I'm very sure that we'll see the same in the rest of Greater Manchester. So, I think we are coming through this. I think we now need to be careful and proportionate in terms of the way we manage things going forward."


10:03 AM

'Don't hesitate to get your jab' urges Matt Hancock

Matt Hancock has urged the public to not hesitate in booking their Covid-19 vaccine as the Government races to give one dose to all adults in England by the end of July.

On Saturday, thousands of young adults got their first jab, after stadiums and football grounds in London were transformed into mass vaccination centres.

People queue outside an NHS Vaccination Clinic at West Ham's London Stadium in Stratford, east London.  - Dominic Lipinski/PA
People queue outside an NHS Vaccination Clinic at West Ham's London Stadium in Stratford, east London. - Dominic Lipinski/PA

There were also pop up clinics at universities, in places such as in York and Canterbury.

The push continues across the weekend, with young people being prioritised after Public Health England said there had been a 79 per cent rise in one week in cases of the Delta variant, driven by younger age groups.

"It's incredible to see the enthusiasm young people are showing for vaccination across the country, and it is a testament to the fantastic work of the team in keeping as many people safe from Covid-19 as possible,” said Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

"If you've yet to book your appointment, I urge you not to hesitate in getting your jab and securing this protection for yourself and your loved ones."


09:35 AM

Scottish Government accused of 'hypocrisy' over Manchester travel ban

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has accused the Scottish Government of "hypocrisy" over a travel ban to the North West.

Nicola Sturgeon announced on Friday all non-essential travel to Manchester and Salford would be banned from Monday, but the Labour mayor said he or his administration were not contacted before the announcement.

The First Minister pinpointed the areas as Covid-19 hotspots, despite figures in the cities matching case rates in parts of Scotland.

"Anyone travelling elsewhere in the Greater Manchester or Lancashire area, I'd ask to think carefully about whether your journey is really necessary, because we do see cases rising across that region," she said on Friday in a coronavirus briefing.

Speaking on The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, Mr Burnham said: "I was really disappointed on Friday that the First Minister of Scotland just announced out of the blue, as far as we were concerned, a travel ban saying that people couldn't travel from Scotland to Manchester and Salford and people couldn't go the other way.

That is exactly what the SNP always accuse the Westminster Government of doing, riding roughshod over people. I just think it's double standards, it's hypocrisy.


09:19 AM

Lockdown roadmap 'broadly right', says Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham has said he still believes the government's roadmap is "broadly right" after so-called Freedom Day was postponed in favour of another four weeks of restrictions - until 19 July.

Mr Burnham tells Nick Robinson he did not want to see the government taking unnecessary risks, at a time when the Delta variant is surging in many parts of England, but stresses further decisions on the roadmap must be "irreversible".

He said he would like to see more progress of the vaccination programme in areas in the North of England that are struggling to contain the variant - but had yet to see any additional support from the government, despite asking.

He told the BBC local communities had done "a huge amount of work" to battle the surge and he was encouraged by the "significant decrease" in case numbers in Bolton.


09:09 AM

Andy Burnham says 'completely hypocritical' for Government demanding mandatory vaccinations for social care workers

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said it was "completely hypocritical" of the Government to call for mandatory vaccinations for those working in social care.

He said: "My patience snapped really this week with regard to how this Government and other governments have treated this workforce.

"This is Britain's forgotten workforce, who devote their lives to looking after other people's relatives on poverty pay, so how can it be right that we single them out to be compelled to have the vaccine, because obviously that's recognising they're important in terms of the job that they do, but then we never single them out for decent pay or PPE."

He said social care staff needed, as a minimum, a real living wage.


09:07 AM

'Evidence still developing' on ending isolation for fully vaccinated, says Buckland

The Justice Secretary has said the evidence is 'still developing' on whether those who have been fully vaccinated from coronavirus must still self-isolate.

Robert Buckland told BBC's Andrew Marr that experts like Dr Susan Hopkins are "absolutely right to remind us the evidence is still developing" and that the Government is "constantly keeping these things under review".

He said: "Of course there is frustration, all of us want a holiday in the sun if possible," but that the Government must be alert to the threat of variants.

Asked why ministers didn't stop the Delta variant spreading from India, he said it did not officially become a variant of concern until May 7, two weeks after they took action.


08:54 AM

Holiday at home this summer, warns PHE chief

Dr Susan Hopkins from Public Health England has said Britons should be "predominantly deciding to holiday at home this summer" as the NHS races to vaccinate the population.

Downing Street are in talks with countries such as Israel about how countries with high rates of vaccination can open up to foreign travel, she added.

Appearing on BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Dr Hopkins said: "We should be predominantly deciding to holiday at home this summer while we get our population vaccinated."

Pressed on the question of whether allowing travel from India caused the UK's third wave of infections, Hopkins answered: "We recognise now if you’ve got an epidemic in another country that will increase cases in this country."

The UK is learning to live with the virus as it lives with respiratory viruses every winter which mean booster vaccinations for the vulnerable and drug treatments for those who get infected, she added.

Dr Hopkins warned that we "may have to do further lockdowns this winter", depending on hospital admissions, but there will also be alternatives.


08:46 AM

Vaccine rollout is 'having an impact' on third wave, says PHE chief

Dr Susan Hopkins from Public Health England has said there are "rises and falls" in cases across the country - with numbers slowing down in Bolton and stabilising in Blackburn with Darwen, but rising in London.

She said we are seeing the impact of vaccination however, and that "hopefully" the current wave "will not look the same as previous waves".

Pushed on how many adults needed to be vaccinated by 19 July, to allow restrictions to be lifted, Dr Hopkins suggested a figure of 70 per cent could realistically be reached - adding that she is particularly keen to see all adults over 30 in England double-vaccinated by so-called "Terminus Day".

She said that "two doses really protects against hospital admissions" and that if admissions and discharges continue as they are currently, the NHS will be able to cope.


08:37 AM

'Significant trade-offs' as Delta variant surges, warns Buckland

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland has said there "have to be a significant trade-offs" between allowing international travel and containing the rise of the Delta variant in England.

The cabinet minister tells Sky's Trevor Phillips it was clear travel as normal "was never going to the case" this summer, in the face of the variant surge.

Mr Buckland said it was "a hugely difficult situation" but the traffic light system - which categorises foreign countries as green, amber and red, with attendant restrictions - was being reviewed regularly "to allow maximum flexibility".

He said Downing Street was "not standing still" on international travel but would be "guided by the evidence we have".


08:26 AM

Justice secretary denies Hancock kept PM in the dark over Covid vaccines success

Robert Buckland has denied reports that Matt Hancock failed to tell Boris Johnson about a major Public Health England (PHE) study showing the effectiveness of vaccines against the Indian or delta variant during a key meeting to decide whether to extend Covid restrictions,

The Sunday Telegraph revealed that the Health Secretary had known about the PHE data three days before the "quad" of four senior ministers, led by the Prime Minister, met last Sunday to decide whether to postpone the planned June 21 reopening until July 19.

However, multiple sources familiar with the meeting said it was not raised by Mr Hancock or discussed at all during the course of the talks.

Mr Buckland has now said: "The data was provided to the prime minister and other members of that cabinet committee in the most up to date way."

There is "no question of the PM not being sighted on important data", he added.


08:19 AM

'I don't think Matt Hancock is useless at all,' says justice secretary

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland has said he doesn't think the health secretary is "useless at all" when probed about Whatsapp messages published by the PM's former adviser Dominic Cummings.

In the messages leaked by Cummings, Boris Johnson appeared to call Matt Hancock "totally f******* hopeless".

Mr Buckland told Sky News: "I don’t think he’s useless at all" and that he has seen Matt Hancock "step up to the plate throughout this crisis".

Buckland says the health secretary has faced a "huge challenge" but to "bandy around words like that does nobody any service at all".

He is "a most useful and dynamic health secretary who enjoys our full support".


08:14 AM

'Now's the time' to get vaccinated, NHS chief tells young adults

NHS chief Sir Simon Stevens has urged those over 18 in England to have their first jab.

"Now's the time," Sir Simon said. "It's the single easiest way to protect yourself, keep friends and family safe, and hopefully give us all our summer freedoms back.”

Covid vaccinations are now open to all adults across England, with more than 700,000 appointments being booked on Friday alone – when the programme opened up to 18-20 year olds.

NHS England said the figures did not include appointments made through local GP-led vaccination services, or people receiving vaccinations at walk-in centres.

Sir Simon said “well over three million people in their twenties have now had their first jab”.

He added: "This pandemic has been a challenge for everyone but the various restrictions have hit young people particularly hard. We're now in the race to the finish line."


08:10 AM

Over four million parking tickets issued despite car use plummeting during pandemic

Private parking firms issued 4.4 million parking tickets in 12 months despite car use plummeting during the coronavirus pandemic, according to new research.

Companies handed British drivers an average of 12,000 tickets every day during the 2020/21 financial year, analysis of Government data by the RAC Foundation indicated.

This was despite coronavirus restrictions, which saw the number of car journeys fall to as low as 22 per cent of normal levels.

The total of 4.4 million tickets issued was down from 8.4 million during the previous 12 months.

Parking companies obtain records from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to chase car owners for alleged infringements in private car parks such as at shopping centres, leisure facilities and motorway service areas.


07:55 AM

Philippines signs deal for 40 million Pfizer doses

The Philippine government has signed a supply agreement for 40 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc and BioNTec , the head of the government;s vaccine procurement said on Sunday.

Deliveries of the vaccine, among several brands of jabs allowed for emergency use in the Southeast Asian country, will begin "after eight weeks starting August", Carlito Galvez said in a statement.

The deal comes as a delay in vaccine deliveries had earlier this month forced some cities in the capital region to close vaccination sites, complicating Manila's efforts to ramp up its immunisation drive in a country with one of the biggest numbers of infections and deaths.

With the latest deal, the Philippines has now secured the delivery of 113 million doses from five vaccine manufacturers namely, Sinovac with 26 million doses, Sputnik V with 10 million doses, 20 million doses from Moderna, 17 million doses from Astrazeneca, and now 40 million doses from Pfizer.


07:45 AM

India reports lowest daily rise in cases in nearly three months

India reported 58,419 new Covid-19 infections over the past 24 hours on Sunday, the lowest daily number in nearly three months, data from the health ministry showed.

The total number of cases in India have risen to 29.9 million with deaths rising by 1,576 overnight.

It comes after new data that suggested officials are undercounting the country's virus death toll by up to five times during the spring.

Jeev Milkha offer prayers in front of the funeral pyre of his 91-year-old father Milkha Singh who died from Covid-19 - AP
Jeev Milkha offer prayers in front of the funeral pyre of his 91-year-old father Milkha Singh who died from Covid-19 - AP

Officially, India has reported 374,000 fatalities from the virus but successive modelling studies by epidemiologists had already predicted the toll is much higher.

Approximately 1.2 million Indians had already died by May 15, according Dr Bhramar Mukherjee, a Professor of Public Health and Epidemiology at the University of Michigan, who has been tracking India’s pandemic.


07:34 AM

Over 700,000 vaccines booked as jab now offered to over 18s

More than 700,000 Covid-19 jabs were booked on the day the NHS vaccination programme was opened up to people aged 18 to 20.

People in England made 721,469 appointments through the national booking service on Friday, more than 30,000 an hour or more than eight every second.

NHS England said this does not include appointments made through local GP-led vaccination services, or people getting jabbed at walk-in centres.

Everyone aged 18 and over is being urged to arrange a jab if they have not yet had one, as the health service enters the final push to protect the country against the virus.

Public Health England said there has been a 79 per cent rise in one week in cases of the Delta variant, first identified in India, with the increase being driven by younger age groups.


06:35 AM

Masked French voters to bring their own pens

Marine Le Pen's far right party is riding high on her tough-on-security, stop-immigration message as French voters start choosing regional leaders today in an election that's seen as a dress rehearsal for next year's presidential vote.

President Emmanuel Macron's young centrist party is expected to fare poorly, lacking a strong local political base and suffering from frustration at his government's handling of the pandemic.

Turnout in today's first round could hit a record low. Those who do show up to vote must stay masked and socially distanced and carry their own pens to sign voting registries.

The elections for leadership councils of France's 13 regions, from Brittany to Burgundy to the French Riviera, are primarily about local issues like transportation, schools and infrastructure. But leading politicians are using them as a platform to test ideas and win followers ahead of the April presidential election. Ms Le Pen and Mr Macron are expected to dominate that race.


05:34 AM

Western Australia to have 'lightest restrictions in the world'

Western Australia "will continue to lead the way in having some of the lightest [coronavirus] restrictions in the world", the state's Premier has just announced.

Mark McGowan took to social media to share the "big news" for the state's businesses and residents - from Wednesday WA will move to Phase 5 of eased restrictions, and remove all Covid-related capacity limits.

It comes amid concern over the rise in local infections on the country's east coast.

The changes mean all venues will be allowed to return to 100pc of their capacity, and "all major events will be able to occur with no limit on size or crowds".


05:15 AM

Brazil records half a million Covid deaths

Brazil has crossed the grim threshold of 500,000 coronavirus deaths, trailing only the United States in the number of lives lost.

Experts say government figures underestimate the real toll from the health crisis.

More than 60pc of Brazil's fatalities have come since the start of 2021.

Brazil now appears to be grappling with a third wave in its outbreak, with infections and deaths spiking.

Anti-government protesters took to the streets in cities across Brazil on Saturday as the nation's confirmed death toll soared past half a million - a tragedy many critics blame on President Jair Bolsonaro - Cristina Szucinski/Anadolu Agency
Anti-government protesters took to the streets in cities across Brazil on Saturday as the nation's confirmed death toll soared past half a million - a tragedy many critics blame on President Jair Bolsonaro - Cristina Szucinski/Anadolu Agency

According to the latest weekly report from the Fiocruz medical research foundation, the country is in a "critical" situation with a high number of deaths and the possibility of things worsening in coming weeks.

Experts are concerned about the slow rollout of the country's vaccination campaign, the spread of more aggressive virus variants and President Jair Bolsonaro's hostility toward preventative measures like masks and lockdowns.


05:00 AM

Local Covid cases kick off again Down Under

The Australian state of Queensland recorded one locally acquired coronavirus infection on Sunday, the latest streak of small outbreaks that have been plaguing the country in recent months.

The Queensland case comes as a cluster of the highly infectious Indian variant grew to nine in New South Wales, prompting health officials to expand mask rules.

Australia has been highly successful in managing the spread of coronavirus through swift border closures, social distancing and a high community compliance - reporting just over 30,300 cases and 910 deaths.

But the country has struggled with the vaccination rollout, and states have been plagued in recent months by small outbreaks, kept from spreading out of control through speedy contact tracing, isolation of thousands of people at a time, or snap hard lockdowns.


04:30 AM

India's infection numbers drop to 58,419

India reported 58,419 new Covid infections over the past 24 hours, the lowest daily number in nearly three months, data from the health ministry shows.

The total number of cases in India has risen to 29.9 million, with 386,713 deaths.

More than 1,570 people died overnight.


04:02 AM

Delhi's shopping centres buzzing again

Shoppers flocked to Sarojini Nagar market on Saturday after authorities eased a lockdown in New Delhi - PRAKASH SINGH/AFP

A few weeks ago, New Delhi's crematoriums were operating around the clock dealing with coronavirus victims. Now the Indian capital's shopping malls and markets are buzzing again.

But doctors are worried that India is letting its guard down again, just like early this year before a devastating surge that led to a near-collapse of the healthcare system.

Clutching a bag of clothes as she shopped with her new husband at Delhi's busy Select City Walk mall, Surili Gupta said she was "fed up being cooped up inside".

People visit Select City Mall after authorities eased a lockdown imposed as a preventive measure against coronavirus in New Delhi - PRAKASH SINGH/AFP
People visit Select City Mall after authorities eased a lockdown imposed as a preventive measure against coronavirus in New Delhi - PRAKASH SINGH/AFP

"I needed this break, for how long you can remain locked up?" the 26-year-old sales executive told AFP as she waited for a table at the mall's packed food hall.

"The coronavirus is not going any time soon, so one has to learn to live with it. I am sure with the vaccinations and all, we will be fine."

Mall staff performed perfunctory temperature checks and reminded people to sanitise their hands.


03:22 AM

Cuba encouraged by its vaccine trials

Cuba's Soberana 2 vaccine candidate has shown 62pc efficacy with two of its three doses, state-run biopharmaceutical corporation BioCubaFarma said on Saturday, based on preliminary data.

Cuba, whose biotech sector has exported vaccines for decades, has five vaccine candidates in clinical trials, of which two - Soberana 2 and Abdala - are in late-phase trials.

"In a few weeks we should have the results for the efficacy with three doses which we expect will be superior," said Vicente Vérez​, director of the state-run Finlay Vaccine Institute, which developed Soberana 2.

Cuba is facing its worst outbreak since the start of the pandemic in the wake of the arrival of more contagious variants, setting new records of daily cases.

The Communist-run country has opted not to import foreign vaccines, relying instead on its own.

Several countries from Argentina and Jamaica to Mexico and Venezuela have expressed an interest in buying Cuba's vaccines. Iran started producing Soberana 2 earlier this year as part of late-phase clinical trials.


03:12 AM

US to deliver 2.5 million vaccines to Taiwan today

Taiwan reacted with an outpouring of thanks to the United States for shipping 2.5 million Covid-19 vaccine doses, more than doubling its arsenal as it deals with a rise in domestic infections.

Washington, competing with Beijing to deepen geopolitical clout through "vaccine diplomacy", initially had promised to donate 750,000 doses but increased that number as President Joe Biden's administration advances its pledge to send 80 million US-made shots around the world.

"What a sight! What a gesture!" Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu tweeted in thanks late on Saturday, linking to pictures of the vaccines being loaded onto a China Airlines Boeing 777 freighter at Memphis airport.

"The Taiwan-US relationship is rock solid, and we'll keep cooperating closely in combating Covid-19. Forces for good will prevail!"

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen tweeted she was touched by the US move (below).

The United States, like most countries, has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but is its most important international backer, to China's anger.

The 2.5 million Moderna doses, due to arrive at Taiwan's main international airport on Sunday afternoon, will more than double the number of vaccines that have already arrived on the island, including 1.24 million AstraZeneca shots donated by Japan earlier this month.

China, which claims democratically governed Taiwan as an integral part of its territory, has offered Chinese-made vaccines, but the government in Taipei has repeatedly expressed concerns about their safety and efficacy.


03:02 AM

Olympic team member tests positive in Japan

A member of Uganda's Olympic team has tested positive for coronavirus on arrival in Japan, just over a month before the pandemic-postponed Games.

The first group to arrive from Uganda - a nine-strong party, including boxers, coaches and officials - landed at Tokyo's Narita airport on Saturday.

Members of Uganda's Olympic team pose for a photo on their arrival at their host town Izumisano, Osaka, in western Japan on Sunday - Suo Takekuma/Kyodo News
Members of Uganda's Olympic team pose for a photo on their arrival at their host town Izumisano, Osaka, in western Japan on Sunday - Suo Takekuma/Kyodo News

One of the delegation tested positive during screening at the airport, a government official told reporters. The person tested twice but their condition remained unknown, reported local media.

"I heard the person has been isolated based on regulations," Hidemasa Nakamura, the Tokyo 2020 Games delivery officer, said.

Public broadcaster NHK said the group had all been vaccinated and tested negative in Uganda before Japan.


02:53 AM

Travel companies ramp up pressure to ease restrictions

Britain's airlines and holiday companies are planning a "day of action" on Wednesday to ramp up pressure on the Government to ease travel restrictions, with just weeks to go before the start of the peak summer season.

Travel companies, whose finances have been stretched to breaking point during the pandemic, are desperate to avoid another summer lost to Covid. But with Britain's strict quarantine requirements still in place, that now looks likely.

As the clock ticks down to July, Europe's biggest airline Ryanair and Manchester Airports Group on Thursday launched legal action to try to get the government to ease the rules before the industry's most profitable season starts.

On Wednesday pilots, cabin crew and travel agents will gather in Westminster, central London, and at airports across Britain to try to drum up support.

Britain's aviation industry has been harder hit by the pandemic than its European peers, according to data published by pilots trade union BALPA on Sunday.


02:50 AM

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