Coronavirus UK news update – Lockdown rules WON'T end on June 21 unless cases and deaths plunge, Boris warns
BRITAIN'S coronavirus lockdown will NOT end on June 21 unless cases and deaths continue to fall, Boris Johnson warned today.
After yesterday outlining plans for schools to reopen and pubs and restaurants to welcome back guests over the coming months, the Prime Minister today warned that absolutely nothing was "guaranteed".
Speaking at a south London school this morning, the PM said he remains "very optimistic" all lockdown measures will be lifted by summer but insisted that "obviously, nothing can be guaranteed".
The news comes amid a huge surge in foreign holiday bookings after Boris Johnson announced his lockdown roadmap yesterday.
Airlines and travel firms are experiencing a surge in demand despite an international travel ban in place until at least May 17.
Hours after the Prime Minister's announcement yesterday, easyJet said bookings by UK customers for the summer season were more than four times higher compared with the same period during the previous week.
The most popular destinations for this summer are beach resorts including Malaga, Alicante and Palma in Spain, Faro in Portugal and the Greek island of Crete.
Follow our coronavirus live blog below for the very latest news and updates on the pandemic…
- Sarah Grealish
BEER WE GO!
BRITS desperate to sip on a pint are rushing to book tables at pubs and restaurants for when they reopen in April.
The hospitality industry has been given the go-ahead to welcome back customers outdoors from April 12 under plans to unlock England from the current coronavirus shutdown.
They will then be given the green light to offer indoor seating from May 17, providing specific Covid conditions are met.
Some establishments have already started accepting bookings for the provisional dates and punters are snapping them up.
- Sarah Grealish
ISLE OUTBREAK
A remote Scottish island that is said to be the inspiration for the Wicker Man horror movie has been hit by a covid-19 outbreak.
TV adventurer Ben Fogle recently spent a few days on Tanera Mor and has sent a message of support to people on the island, owned by a multi-millionaire.
The island in Wester Ross is the largest of the Summer Isles and was bought in 2017 by English hedge fund tycoon Ian Wace – who is married to model Saffron Aldridge – for £1,695,000.
Mr Wace, who has a reported net worth of £630m, is overseeing a four-year programme of improvements on Tanera Mor which could see it become an idyllic retreat capable of hosting up to 60 paying guests.
NHS Highland has confirmed that a cluster of the workers on the island have tested positive for coronavirus.
- Debbie White
CHURCH BELLS TO RING OUT FOR LEGEND CAPTAIN SIR TOM MOORE
Church bells will ring out across the UK on Saturday for the first time after months of silence – in honour of Britain's Covid hero Captain Sir Tom Moore.
Hundreds of bellringers will be joining others in remembering the 100-year-old Army veteran who raised more than £30million for NHS charities.
They will ring a single bell 100 times on Saturday to mark his funeral. The exact time of the funeral has not been released so as to reduce the risk of well-wishers gathering so it is suggested that bells will be tolled at noon.
The only ringing that has been allowed during lock-down has been either a single bell or bells rung by the same family group in churches that have been opened.
The majority of churches, however, have remained closed to public worship because of difficulties in maintaining social distancing in historic bell-towers.
- Debbie White
BURGLAR FLEES PRISON OVER 'FAMILY COVID FEARS' – COURT
A convicted burglar absconded from an open prison because he was worried about his family during the coronavirus pandemic, a court heard.
Tom Scott, 23, was serving an eight-year sentence for multiple house raids at HMP Hollesley Bay near Woodbridge, Suffolk, when he went on the run in January.
Scott walked out of the front gate and took a day trip to see his family before handing himself in at the prison two days later, Snaresbrook Crown Court was told.
Oliver Kelham, defending, said: "He made what at the time he called a stupid mistake. He went to see his family and wanted to make sure they were not suffering during this pandemic."
After Scott admitted escaping from lawful custody, Judge Oscar Del Fabbro told him: "The starting point is a three-month sentence that you will serve consecutive to the sentence which you will be serving. There will also be a £128 statutory surcharge."
- Debbie White
PIERS MORGAN SLAMS ANTHEA TURNER FOR LOCKDOWN BREACH
Piers Morgan today slammed Anthea Turner for breaching lockdown after her "outrageous, scornful attack" on overweight people.
The Good Morning Britain host, 55, slammed the presenter following The Sun's story that she breached Covid rules by hosting a secret pamper party for at least five pals at her apartment.
He fumed: "Well, how does that sit, Anthea Turner, with your outrageous, scornful attack on overweight people for not doing their bit to protect the NHS? You know what, [the party] wasn't work and it didn't protect the NHS, did it?"
The gathering came after Anthea, 60, shared a cartoon online that appeared to blame the obese for the health crisis.
Speaking about the incident on today's GMB, Piers added: "What we could see less of is people like Anthea Turner, who decided for reasons that completely baffle me… suddenly pops up last week attacking overweight people and actually attacked with a caricature of somebody actually in a mobility scooter."
- Debbie White
HOSPITAL PORTER'S DEATH… CONTINUED
Hospital porter Krzysztof Gogolewski, who wore full PPE in his frontline role, received an email inviting him to get vaccinated the same week he tested positive for Covid.
Krzysztof's daughter Marta Saganowska said: "My dad was positive first, then my mum got Covid as well, then my grandma who is 80. My grandma didn't have any symptoms.
"My dad then started to feel ill like he had flu and every day he got worse. He had a temperature of 40 degrees and his breathing became very bad.
"At first he had an oxygen mask, then he was put on a ventilator. He stayed in Poole Hospital for one week before he was moved to Salisbury before he died.
"He was one of the best. He loved his work and put his whole heart into it. He helped to fight Covid-19 and now the same disease took him away from us."
Tributes have been paid to hospital porter Krzysztof Gogolewski, pictured with his wife MargaretCredit: Bournemouth News - Debbie White
HOSPITAL PORTER TRAGICALLY DIES BEFORE JAB
Tributes have been paid to a hospital porter who tragically died from coronavirus days before he could get the vaccine.
Krzysztof Gogolewski, who had worked in the maternity unit at Poole Hospital in Dorset for 12 years, contracted the bug last month.
The grandfather of four was rushed to the same hospital where he worked but his condition continued to deteriorate.
Krzysztof was transferred to Salisbury Hospital in Wiltshire for the final days of his life and he died aged 63 on February 16.
He leaves behind his wife of 36 years, Margaret, who also works in the hospital sewing uniforms.
- Debbie White
TRAVELLER'S INCORRECT QUARANTINE ADVICE… CONTINUED
Blackpool man Simon Kenway accused Emirates of failing to tell him that transiting through Dubai on the way to the UK would require him to pay for hotel quarantine.
The 34-year-old told the PA news agency: "If they clearly stated I would be refused entry after transiting through Dubai, I would have paid another airline to take me home on a different route.
"It would have been a lot cheaper, less stressful and I would now be at home in quarantine."
Mr Kenway said he went into shock after arriving at his hotel room and has been told he cannot even leave the room for fresh air or to smoke. He has been forced to take 11 days off from his job working for a company that fixes hot tubs across the UK.
An Emirates spokesperson said the airline was working with all appropriate authorities in regards to quarantine rules, and that "we are currently conducting an internal investigation into his case."
- Debbie White
TRAVELLER FORCED TO SPEND £1,750 ON QUARANTINE AFTER 'INCORRECT ADVICE'
A traveller returning from Thailand has been forced to spend £1,750 on hotel quarantine after being given the wrong advice from his airline.
Simon Kenway, from Blackpool, flew into Heathrow on Sunday evening after spending two weeks, plus a quarantine period, in Thailand.
Thailand is not on the "red list" of banned countries, so all returning passengers should quarantine at home.
However, when Mr Kenway arrived in the UK he was pulled from the "green list" queue and told he had to pay for quarantine in a hotel, because he had taken a connecting flight in Dubai – contrary to what he said Emirates had told him.
Passengers who do not arrange a quarantine package prior to arrival in England face a penalty of up to £4,000, on top of the quarantine costs, meaning the airline's advice could have left Mr Kenway with a bill of thousands of pounds.
- Debbie White
PM ADAMANT LOCKDOWN FREEDOM PLAN 'BALANCED'
Boris Johnson is adamant his road map to ease the third lockdown strikes the right balance in reducing restrictions while observing risks.
At a school in south London the Prime Minister told reporters: "Some people will say that we're going to be going too fast, some people will say we're going too slow.
"I think the balance is right – I think it is a cautious but irreversible approach, which is exactly what people want to see.
"Getting kids back into school – massively important for the country – we need time to assess what that does to the disease, to the prevalence of Covid.
"So we think it's a sensible approach, a prudent approach, but also as I think people can see it goes on irreversibly and we open up on June 21 in a way that I don't think people would have really thought possible had it not been for the rollout of the vaccinations."
Boris Johnson talks to journos at Sedgehill School in Lewisham, south east LondonCredit: PA:Press Association - Debbie White
GREEDY COUNCIL TO FLEECE BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER VISITORS
A row has flared between hard-pressed teashops and a council over plans to charge tourists to visit one Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds.
Businesses relying on holidaymakers say they are already suffering because of the Covid lockdown and the last thing they need is to drive away cash-rich people.
But Cotswold District Council is pressing ahead with its plan to charge tourists an extra 50p for the privilege of visiting one of Britain's prettiest villages from March 8 – to rake in an extra £25,000 annually.
Gift shop owner Carol Teece said: "All you're trying to do is frighten the tourists away. I get very agitated about it all. It makes my blood boil.
"I think it's wrong and they're going to go elsewhere."
- Debbie White
HERO KIDS TAKE PART IN COVID JAB TRIAL
A group of children as young as 12 have become the first to have the coronavirus vaccine as part of a UK trial.
The very first youngsters received the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine last week as part of the national research to test its immune response.
It will be given to a total of 260 children in the coming weeks, with the hope the inoculation will produce a strong immune response to the virus.
Bertie Wood, 12, from Wallingford, Oxon, said: "I just thought that it would be nice to do my bit for science."
The four study sites for the kids' trial are the University of Oxford; St George's University Hospital, London; University Hospital Southampton and Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.
- Debbie White
HERO'S SEND OFF FOR CAPTAIN SIR TOM MOORE
Captain Sir Tom Moore’s funeral will take place this Saturday close to his family's home in Bedfordshire.
The NHS champ will be given military honours at the service, which is being attended by eight of his family.
In a statement confirming the service, they called upon the public to stay at home to pay their respects.
It read: “Over the past year our father spoke openly about his death and his funeral, and had wondered out-loud if perhaps the interest in him over the last 12 months would mean we would need to have more Victoria Sponge cakes available for the extra guests.
“Sadly, like so many other families affected by the pandemic, we have no choice but to hold a small family funeral, which will take place this Saturday. Whilst we understand so many people wish to pay their respects to our father, we ask that the public and the press continue to support the NHS by staying at home."
He'll be missed – Captain Sir Tom Moore raised a mammoth amount for the NHS - Debbie White
POLE DANCING CHAMP DIES AFTER COVID LOCKDOWN STOPS HER COMPETING – INQUEST
A pole dancing champion killed herself after the Covid lockdown stopped her from competing, an inquest has heard.
Jessica Norris, 27, was found unresponsive at a friend’s house in Bolton, Greater Manchester, on June 15, last year, Bolton Coroners’ Court was told.
Her mum, Alanna Norris, said: "Jess led a life of structure, and struggled when lockdown meant that she could not teach or take part in pole dancing competitions."
Miss Norris – described as "strong, athletic and a great instructor" – had been working as a fitness instructor up until the time of her death.
At the conclusion of the inquest, area coroner for Manchester West, Alan Walsh, confirmed Miss Norris’ cause of death as hanging.
- Debbie White
CORONAVIRUS LATEST UK DEATH TOLL – ONS
A total 138,468 people died in the UK by February 12 where Covid-19 was mentioned on their death certificates, the ONS said today.
The daily death toll for the second wave peaked on January 19, when 1,447 fatalities occurred.
During the first wave of the virus the death tally peaked at the slightly higher number of 1,457 on April 8, 2020.
- Debbie White
POLICE WARN PARENTS ABOUT FINES AFTER KIDS CAUGHT PLAYING FOOTIE
Parents have been warned they will be fined if their kids break lockdown rules after about 20 youths were caught playing football at a shuttered Derbyshire leisure centre.
The Etwall, Hatton and Hilton Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team (SNT) said they were "horrified" to find the group had forcibly made their way onto the locked pitches at the Etwall Leisure Centre on Monday.Th
The SNT warned on Facebook: "If a child breaches the rules then as their guardian, YOU will be held responsible for paying the fine.
"This may seem harsh but we need to ensure these rules are being followed so that one day in the not too distant future, we can lift the restrictions and start getting back to a state of normality.
"A gathering of 20 is simply not acceptable and quite frankly irresponsible in the times we are all living through. Officers were also disgusted by the onslaught of rubbish that was just discarded about the place."
The fleeing kids abandoned their footie kit at the leisure centre – and left rubbish on the pitches - Debbie White
MOTORCYCLIST WHEELY STUPID FOR 117MPH 'COVID FREEDOM CELEBRATION'
A motor biker nabbed doing 117mph on his Ducati said he was celebrating his escape from Covid lockdown – and he escaped a driving ban.
Neil Haines told Swindon court that the sense of freedom 'got the better of him'.
Double glazing contractor Haines, 44, was stopped by cops for doing more than 40mph over the speed limit on the A303 near Chilmark, Wilts.
In a letter read to magistrates, he apologised and said he had spent two months in lockdown being "mum, dad, trying to be teacher".
After Haines, of Gillingham in Dorset, pleaded guilty to speeding he wasn't banned, but magistrates imposed six penalty points, fined him £672 and ordered he pay £177 in costs and surcharge.
- John Hall
WHAT HAPPENS FROM MARCH 8-29?
- All school pupils go back to their classrooms on March 8 in England, with face masks mandatory at secondary schools
- You can meet one other person socially in the park for a socially distanced picnic
- Care home residents will be able to see one visitor – and hold hands
- From March 29, outdoor sports including football, golf and tennis are permitted; 'Rule of Six' gatherings are allowed outdoors, including in private gardens; the 'stay at home' rule transforms to 'stay local'
DEMAND FOR HOME KIDNEY DIALYSIS AFTER 662 KILLED BY COVID
Health chiefs are facing a demand to put thousands of kidney patients on home dialysis after coronavirus killed more than 600 patients on hospital treatment.
More than 20,000 patients have to dialysis three times a week, putting them at huge personal risk of getting the virus from hospitals.
Figures until November show one in thirty patients dialysing in hospital died from the virus. A total of 662 patients caught covid-19 and died.
Dozens more are thought to have lost their lives during the second and third waves of the pandemic.
This has led to a new report by the National Kidney Federation (NKF) that calls for at least 20 per cent of kidney dialysis patients to have dialysis at home by 2024.
COVID STATUS CERTIFICATES ON THE WAY?
The Government has launched a review to probe the use of "Covid status" certificates.
These could be used by people to prove they have had a jab or a negative coronavirus test, allowing them to enter venues, or encouraging firms to reduce restrictions.
But Boris Johnson acknowledged there are "clearly some quite complex issues, some ethical issues" including discrimination surrounding them.
International travel rules will also be reviewed, with May 17 targeted as the earliest possible date for a foreign holiday.
DYNASTY STARS REUNITE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR LONG COVID RESEARCH
Ex-Dynasty star Emma Samms, 60, has praised fellow stars for supporting her bid to raise money for research into Long Covid.
The actress – who played Fallon Carrington in the '80s show – suffered from coronavirus in March 2020, but is still exhausted from the disease.
Cast members are signing up for a Dynasty Reunion to help raise funds.
- John Hall
VEGGIE RESTAURANT STAFF ‘COVID HEROES’ FOR 3,000 FREE MEALS
Staff at a vegetarian restaurant have been hailed as ‘Covid Heroes’ after serving up more than 3,000 free meals to help lockdown-stricken locals.
The Gherkin in Levenshulme, Greater Manchester, decided to chip in and aid the community, especially those hit financially by the coronavirus pandemic.
Owner Jamie Whittaker, 40, and his 14-strong team have worked tirelessly to provide 3,360 cooked vegetarian meals, 1,120 homemade desserts and 72 Christmas food parcels to struggling locals.
Jamie, from Levenshulme, praised his 'amazing' staff, adding: "When delivering the meals, it was heart-wrenching to see so many people struggling but they were very thankful. It’s nice to be a part of something positive.
“I’ve always been involved in community work so I couldn't just sit back and do nothing during this challenging time."
- Debbie White
GORDON RAMSAY 'FED UP' WITH FURLOUGH CRITICISM
Hot-headed chef Gordon Ramsay has hit out at critics who accused him of milking the furlough system.
He told BBC Radio Five: "At year end we are something like £58.5million in turnover down but my rents don't go down.
"It's more than emotion, it's my life. There was criticism last week about me meeting the Chancellor – like 'Hey what's Ramsay complaining about? He's a multi-millionaire.'
"My business is privately-owned and there's one shareholder and that's me. So putting in millions of pounds to keep this thing afloat is my personal decision.
"I get so fed up when everyone thinks it's easy for me because 'you've been successful, you've made money and you're not hurting'."
The chef told of the financial impact of Covid on his eateriesCredit: PA:Press Association - John Hall
CAMBRIDGE UNI COVID PUNISHMENT CONTINUED
A spokesperson for Wolfson College said of the punishment doled out to Covid rule-breakers at Cambridge Uni: “We follow a disciplinary policy developed and agreed by the collegiate University for all Colleges to follow – and you can find this on our website.
“Fortunately, it's not something we commonly have to resort to. We've only had one instance where a student was requested to provide community support and this was to be carried out with a charity of their choice.”
A spokesperson for St Catharine’s said: “Our approach was developed at the start of the academic year in collaboration with student representatives to encourage safe and respectful behaviour during the pandemic."
A St John’s spokeswoman confirmed: "At the end of the Michaelmas Term, a small number of students had their room licences suspended during the Christmas holiday as a result of serious breaches of the Covid-19 regulations."
She added: “No student suffered hardship as a result of this decision and their individual study, travel, and home accommodation arrangements were all carefully considered as part of this measure.”
- John Hall
CAMBRIDGE UNI MAKES COVID FLOUTERS 'PEN FIVE-PAGE ESSAYS AS PUNISHMENT'
Cambridge University allegedly forced anti-lockdown students to pen grovelling five-page essays on the “perils” of flouting Covid rules.
Barmy bosses at the posh uni also asked repeat rule-breakers to do “community service”, and banned undergrads at one college from their own rooms as punishment.
Students found repeatedly flouting breaking lockdown rules – like not wearing a mask, failing to socially-distance and hosting booze-ups with other households – were subjected to the bizarre list of punishments.
Those housed in Trinity Hall College, Corpus Christi College and Peterhouse College were told to write a “five-page handwritten essay reflecting seriously on ‘The Perils of Breaking Covid-19 Regulations’.”
One anonymous first year student fumed: “It’s anachronistic and regressive as a punishment and ours was based on the flawed assumption that students don’t already understand the risks of breaking regulations.”
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