UK Covid Latest: Coronavirus cases RISE 161% but Boris remains set on freedom day and latest on Covid passports
COVID cases have rocketed by 161% today latest data shows, however it's good news as deaths remain low.
The Government also expects to receive the results of the taskforce reviews into the use of so-called vaccine passports and the future of social distancing to be made available this week, the Sunday Express reported.
Cabinet minister Robert Jenrick said the data was "looking good" for Covid rules to be rolled back after 'Freedom Day'.
He told Sky News' Trevor Phillips On Sunday: "Like many people, I want to get away from these restrictions as quickly as I possibly can and we don't want them to stay in place for a day longer than is necessary.
Read our Coronavirus blog below for the latest news and updates...
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OUT OF CREDIT
Hundreds of thousands of self-employed workers who claim Universal Credit will have their payments cut from next month.
The government is reintroducing the Universal Credit minimum income floor in August – which will end a benefits boost for workers.
It was temporarily removed in March 2020 as part of the emergency coronavirus budget.
The suspension was to help self-employed Universal Credit claimants who would have lost income due to self-isolation or restrictions on trading in the pandemic.
While it is suspended, those earning less than the minimum wage have been receiving extra benefits.
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COVID NEWS ROUNDUP
- Compulsory mask wearing will be ditched when Covid restrictions are finally relaxed on Freedom Day
- Face masks will be a "personal choice" after July 19, a minister has confirmed
- Boris Johnson is set to scrap the QR code sign-in requirement for pubs and restaurants to curb the number of Brits being forced to isolate through the NHS app
- Double-jabbed Brits returning from amber-list countries 'won't have to quarantine after July 19'
- School bubbles are set to be dropped after a senior government vaccines adviser said they risk paralysing society and bringing in a lockdown by the back door
FESTIVALS, NIGHTCLUBS, GIGS AND HOUSE PARTIES SET TO RETURN JULY 19
Covid lockdown restrictions will be rolled back on 'Freedom Day' by Boris Johnson as the vaccination programme continues to roll on.
Nightclubs and gig venues will reopen on July 19 – and there'll be no need for Covid tests or proof of jabs.
Social distancing will be scrapped, meaning drinkers will once again be able to get served at a bar.
Meanwhile house parties and large music festivals will once again be allowed, just in time for summer, the Sunday Times reported.
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VACCINATIONS IN THE UK SO FAR
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UK COVID CASES RISE BY 161% IN A FORTNIGHT
UK Covid cases have risen by 161 per cent in a fortnight while the death toll remains low with 15 more reported fatalities.
Thanks to Britain's vaccine rollout, surging cases have not resulted in high death tolls – with Boris Johnson set to announce 'Freedom Day' plans tomorrow.
Today, 24,248 more Brits tested positive for Covid as the Delta variant continues to spread – while 15 deaths were reported.
The latest figures bring the total death toll in Britain to a grim 128,222.
And the number of people who have tested positive for the virus since the pandemic began has now risen to 4,903,434.
On June 20, the daily Covid case figure reached 9,284.
But within just two weeks, that has risen to 24,248 – which is a staggering 161 per cent rise.
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FACE MASKS WILL BE A "PERSONAL CHOICE"
Cabinet minister Robert Jenrick said the data was "looking good" for Covid rules to be rolled back after 'Freedom Day'.
He told Sky News' Trevor Phillips On Sunday: "Like many people, I want to get away from these restrictions as quickly as I possibly can and we don't want them to stay in place for a day longer than is necessary.
"I think we are going to now move into a period where there won't be legal restrictions, the state won't be telling you what to do, but you will want to exercise a degree of personal responsibility and judgment – different people will come to different conclusions on things like masks, for example.
"The Prime Minister will set out more detail on the national policy on some of those restrictions in the coming days.
"But there will be things we all definitely need to do – it will be essential that every adult gets fully vaccinated."
Pressed on whether he would "get rid" of his mask after July 19 if permitted to do so, Mr Jenrick said: "I will. I don't particularly want to wear a mask. I don't think a lot of people enjoy doing it."
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WATCH: ROBERT JENRICK CONFIRMS FACE MASKS WILL BE A 'PERSONAL CHOICE' AFTER JULY 19
Robert Jenrick confirms face masks will be a ‘personal choice’ after July 19
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SIX FREEDOMS SET TO RETURN ON JULY 19 (Continued…)
NO NEED TO ISOLATE
Among the Freedom Day plans expected to be signed off by the Cabinet include those who have received both doses of a Covid jab not being required to self-isolate when they come into contact with someone who tests positive for the virus.
Tests will still be available for those who wish to have one.
Currently, anyone alerted by Test and Trace that they have been near someone who has tested positive must — by law — isolate at home.
But after a successful pilot scheme running since April, ministers are set to replace that rule for the fully vaccinated with 20-minute lateral flow tests taken each day for the same amount of time.
If you are negative, you would be free to leave the house that day — in a major boost for workplaces.
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CASES ON THE RISE
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SIX FREEDOMS SET TO RETURN ON JULY 19 (Continued…)
CHECK OUT
The PM is set to scrap the QR code sign-in requirement for pubs and restaurants to curb the number of Brits being forced to isolate through the NHS app.
Hospitality bosses have called for changes to the Test and Trace app amid complaints it is leading to staff shortages and could end up putting punters off visiting pubs and restaurants.
Rob Pitcher, chief executive of Revolution Bars Group, which runs 66 bars across the UK, said the app was "casting the net quite wide" in terms of who it pings as a close contact of a positive case.
And Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said the app was "becoming a huge issue for our pubs".
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SIX FREEDOMS SET TO RETURN ON JULY 19 (Continued…)
FLY AWAY
Double-jabbed Brits returning from amber list countries reportedly won't have to quarantine after July 19.
Downing Street sources said the decision wasn't confirmed yet as some details needed to be confirmed – including in relation to unvaccinated kids, the Mail on Sunday reported.
The sources also reportedly said that fully-vaccinated travellers would still have to take one Covid test before they left and another two when they got back.
Right now Brits who go overseas to amber list countries have to stay inside for 10 days on their return.
They also need to take a pre-arrival Covid test, as well as tests on day two and day eight of quarantine.
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SIX FREEDOMS SET TO RETURN ON JULY 19 (Continued…)
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Social distancing will no longer be required as part of unlocking on July 19, reports have suggested.
According to The Sunday Times, mask wearing will become voluntary in all settings and the one metre-plus rule in hospitality venues will end, meaning a return to drinking at the bar without the requirement for table service.
Mass events, including festivals, will also be allowed under the proposals for the final stage of the road map out of lockdown, the paper reported.
The Government also expects to receive the results of the taskforce reviews into the use of so-called vaccine passports and the future of social distancing to be made available this week, the Sunday Express reported.
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SIX FREEDOMS SET TO RETURN ON JULY 19 (Continued…)
BUBBLES BURST
The school bubble system will be scrapped and replaced by daily testing, the Mail on Sunday reported.
Mr Johnson is set to announce that kids will no longer have to miss school if a student in their bubble has Covid.
Those deemed close contacts will have to take lateral flow tests instead.
The new rules will be in force when kids go back to class in autumn.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has previously said he wanted the bubble system dropped "as quickly as possible".
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MORE THAN HALF OF BRITS ARE FULLY PROTECTED FROM COVID AFTER HAVING BOTH VACCINATIONS
The continued success of the UK's world-leading jabs rollout comes as remaining lockdown restrictions are set to lift on 'Freedom Day' later this month.
There were 137,389 first dose Covid vaccinations given out yesterday, with 196,209 second doses administered.
Those figures mean more than half of all Brits have now had two vaccinations.
There have been 33,614,952 second doses of the vaccine given out in total across the UK – more than half of the population.
Meanwhile 45,274,497 Brits have received their first dose.
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SIX FREEDOMS SET TO RETURN ON JULY 19
Brits are set to enjoy six new freedoms from July 19 after enduring months of Covid restrictions.
Boris Johnson is expected to announce that social distancing, compulsory face masks and quarantine for vaccinated travellers will all be scrapped on 'Freedom Day'.
NO MASKS
Forced mask wearing will be ditched when Covid restrictions are finally relaxed.
Boris Johnson plans to tear up laws which force people to cover their faces on buses and trains, and in shops and other indoor venues.
The Prime Minister wants to make it a personal choice rather than a legal requirement enforced with fines of up to £6,400.
A source said: “It’s all part of a shift from legal enforcement to common sense.
“There will be some official guidance that in certain settings, like a crowded train, it might make sense to wear a mask.
“But it will no longer be compulsory. People will be able to decide for themselves whether or not to cover their face.”
- Harvey Lindsay
CONTINUED: DELTA VARIANT
Responding to the latest figures on the Delta variant, Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said: “Cases across the UK continue to rise and it is incredibly important that we do not forget to be careful.
“The best thing we can do to protect ourselves and the people we love is to get the vaccine if eligible, get tested twice a week and practise ‘hands, face, space, fresh air’ at all times.
“Although cases are rising, we are not seeing a proportional rise in the number of people who are being admitted to hospital. The data suggest this is testament to the success of the vaccination programme so far and clearly demonstrates the importance of getting both doses of the vaccine.”
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DELTA VARIANT
A total of 161,981 confirmed and probable cases of the Covid-19 Delta variant have now been identified in the UK, according to the latest figures from Public Health England – up by 50,824, or 46%, on the previous week.
Of the 161,981 cases, 148,538 have been in England, 10,185 in Scotland, 1,749 in Wales and 1,509 in Northern Ireland.
The Delta variant continues to account for approximately 95% of confirmed cases of coronavirus across the UK.
- Harvey Lindsay
CAN YOU GET THE VIRUS IF YOU’VE HAD THE JAB?
No vaccine is 100 per cent effective and the Covid jabs are no different.
It takes up to two weeks for the vaccines to kick in, so during that period of time you are still vulnerable to infection.
If you test positive for Covid after your vaccine it’s likely that you had contracted it before you were given your jab.
You cannot catch the virus from the vaccine, so it’s likely you were already carrying the bug on inoculation.
- Harvey Lindsay
BORIS JOHNSON URGED TO REFORM COVID SELF-ISOLATION RULES
Boris Johnson is under pressure to overhaul Covid self-isolation rules before they "cripple" the economy, it's reported.
Business leaders have called for reforms to the system, including the NHS Covid-19 App part of the NHS Test and Trace system which pings Brits who've come into contact with anyone carrying the virus.
Contacts of Covid cases must self-isolate for 10 days, with fears up to a million Brits A DAY may have to quarantine if infections continue to rise.
Bosses have said the self-isolation rule is causing chaos with firms left short-staffed.
Hospitals, bars and restaurants are among the workplaces faced with absent workers forced to quarantine at home.
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PUPILS COULD BE FORCED TO WEAR MASKS AGAIN AS UNIONS CALL FOR RETURN
Pupils could be forced to wear face masks in class AGAIN after calls from the UK’s largest education union for face coverings to be reimplemented from September.
Abandoning face coverings in education centres should “absolutely” be reconsidered when kids return for the new school year if Covid infections remain high, the National Education Union said.
Unions want the government to implement a number of measures in exchange for their support – such as face masks, better ventilation, and twice-weekly tests by public health officials to limit the spread in schools of the Delta variant.
Dr Mary Bousted, the joint general secretary of the NEU, also wants ministers to scrap the “madness” of the bubble system that sends whole classes into isolation if one student tests positive, the Telegraph reports.
The bubble system is proving a big headache for teachers and parents who are relentlessly left scrambling on short notice.
- Harvey Lindsay
WHEN DOES THE FURLOUGH SCHEME END AND WHAT ARE THE CHANGES?
The furlough scheme is set to end in September and this date hasn't been extended despite delays to restrictions easing.
The coronavirus job support scheme will continue to run for another two months, as it supports people's wages during the pandemic.
Originally the scheme was only supposed to run until March this year but plans to extend it until September were outlined in the Budget a few months ago.
The furlough scheme pays workers 80% of wages for hours not worked, up to £2,500 a month, supporting millions of workers during the pandemic.
However, support has already started to wind down, even though "freedom day" has been postponed to July 19.
Companies are now expected to start chipping in for the cost of paying furloughed workers.
- Harvey Lindsay
BORIS WILL NOT ORDER BRITS BACK TO OFFICE
Boris Johnson is set to axe the government's work from home Covid guidance from July 19's 'Freedom Day', it's reported.
But the Prime Minister would allow companies and staff to decide when they should return to the workplace, sources told the Daily Mail.
Remaining lockdown restrictions are set to go once Step 4 of the government's roadmap kicks in on July 19.
Firms are not expected to rush employees back once the 'work from home if you can guidance' is binned.
And it will be up to businesses whether they ask employees to return to the office or continue working from home.
Unlike last summer, where the government urged staff back to the office after the first lockdown, ministers are expected to leave the decision up to employers.
- Harvey Lindsay
CAN YOU GET THE VIRUS IF YOU’VE HAD THE JAB?
No vaccine is 100 per cent effective and the Covid jabs are no different.
It takes up to two weeks for the vaccines to kick in, so during that period of time you are still vulnerable to infection.
If you test positive for Covid after your vaccine it’s likely that you had contracted it before you were given your jab.
You cannot catch the virus from the vaccine, so it’s likely you were already carrying the bug on inoculation.
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