Thursday evening UK news briefing: Macron joins push for new quarantine rules

Danny Boyle
·6 min read
Your evening briefing from The Telegraph
Your evening briefing from The Telegraph

We are promised more clarity on holidays. Boris Johnson, in video below at an Army barracks today, said there is a "real opportunity" to ease travel restrictions for fully vaccinated Britons - in the clearest signal yet that quarantine will be waived for those who have had two doses of a Covid vaccine. But we await the details.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps was expected to announce plans for extra freedoms for the double-jabbed this evening. Follow live updates.

Ministers were under intense pressure to add more destinations - including Malta, Madeira and the Balearic Islands - to the quarantine-free green list. These are the other countries that could open up.

But Angela Merkel's call for EU-wide quarantine rules has been backed by France's Emmanuel Macron. The pair will now lobby other EU leaders in an effort to halt the spread of the delta variant.

And Eliot Wilson asks: Who is the German chancellor kidding with her Brexit-phobic policy?

Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak today insisted he will ditch his mask at the earliest opportunity when it ceases to be a legal requirement.

Asked if he would stop wearing a face covering if it becomes only advisory, the Chancellor told a summit: "Yes, as soon as possible."

As Mr Sunak stressed his "strong expectation" that Covid restrictions will be lifted in England on July 19, read the other advice that could remain in place.

Return of European roaming charges in U-turn

The cost of using mobile data on the continent is rising. EE is the latest operator to announce roaming charges for UK customers using their smartphones in Europe. It will charge new customers or those upgrading after July 7 £2 a day when they use their phones in 47 European countries. The U-turn by the BT-owned firm follows the announcement of similar charges by O2. As Julia Bradshaw reports, UK mobile operators had said they did not plan to reintroduce roaming charges after the Brexit deal struck between Britain and the EU.

How to beat Germany - and who England should pick

History may suggest Germany go into Tuesday's last-16 match at Wembley as favourites against England, but the form of Joachim Löw's team at Euro 2020 certainly suggests otherwise. Manager Gareth Southgate should take note of the German side's sizeable vulnerabilities and look to exploit them with these players. Meanwhile, a report submitted to Uefa found that England fans had been heard singing the banned song "10 German bombers". And in an exclusive interview, ex-Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann tells Chris Bascombe England's fixation with past traumas and successes might be their undoing.

At a glance: Coronavirus evening briefing

Also in the news: Today's other headlines

Royal mix-up | For those who spend more time with the real Queen than in the Queen Vic, Coronation Street and EastEnders can be tricky to differentiate. The Prince of Wales risked a diplomatic incident today as he confused the two soaps during an investiture ceremony. Victoria Ward reports what he said. It came as it emerged Prince Charles gave the Duke and Duchess of Sussex a "substantial sum" when they stepped back from official roles - contradicting Prince Harry's claim over money.

Around the world: The 'bonkers' world of John McAfee

John McAfee, who has died in a Barcelona prison aged 75, was a cybersecurity pioneer. He subsequently became known for his eccentric behaviour, which culminated in his fleeing Belize in 2013 disguised as a street hawker when wanted in connection with a murder. From Russian roulette to poisoned dogs, US Editor Nick Allen has the inside story on his "bonkers" life. And read McAfee's Telegraph obituary.

Thursday interview: Hayley Mills - 'When we're young, we're capable of being very cruel'

Sixty years on from The Parent Trap, its star Hayley Mills looks back on the pitfalls of finding fame as a child. Read the interview.

Hayley Mills in The Parent Trap - Disney
Hayley Mills in The Parent Trap - Disney

Comment and analysis

Editor's choice

  1. Beyond Britney Spears | The other troubled female stars who also deserve an apology

  2. Countryfile's Julia Bradbury | 'Skinny-shaming is a thing - and I was a target of it'

  3. Heartbreak | 'We were enjoying a wonderful holiday. Next minute, my husband was dead'

Business and money briefing

Emergency 'over' | Britain is recovering faster than expected from the latest lockdown, with GDP surging and the number of workers on furlough down. The Bank of England today kept interest rates on hold at 0.1pc and pressed on with the rest of its latest £150bn QE programme.

Sport briefing

Cricket | New Zealand v India might have had a thrilling conclusion, but there is lots of work to be done to improve the test game's uncertain future. Tim Wigmore explains eight ways to put it on a surer footing.

Three things for tonight

And finally... for this evening's downtime

Mental health | Panic attacks, anxiety, fear of going out... children are facing a crisis thanks to Covid. So what can parents do? Read how to spot if your child is suffering from "locked-in trauma".

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