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Wales to ban travellers from UK hotspots from Friday, as daily cases hit new record

The Welsh Government is preparing to prevent people who live in areas of the UK with high levels of coronavirus from travelling to Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced.   - Matthew Horwood/Getty Images
The Welsh Government is preparing to prevent people who live in areas of the UK with high levels of coronavirus from travelling to Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced. - Matthew Horwood/Getty Images
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter ..
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter ..

06:01 PM

What's happened today?

That’s it from us this evening at Telegraph HQ. Here’s a summary of today’s main news:

  • The UK recorded its highest ever daily total of new coronavirus cases, 19,724, compared to 17,234 on Tuesday. It brings the total number of cases in the UK to 654,644, the Government confirmed.
  • The Government also said a further 137 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Wednesday. This brings the UK total to 43,155.
  • Wales will ban entry to people from areas of the UK with high levels of coronavirus by Friday if Boris Johnson fails to impose UK-wide travel restrictions, First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced.
  • A two-week circuit-breaker in December could save thousands of lives in the short-term and allow the UK breathing space to control the Covid-19 epidemic, Government advisers have said.
  • Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, said the region will resist going into a Tier 3 lockdown and could launch a legal challenge against ministers if the restrictions are imposed.
  • Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, challenged the Prime Minister during PMQs on his previous commitment to being "guided by the science" and asks why he rejected the advice to adopt a circuit breaker. 
  • The majority of the public back the introduction of a circuit-breaker lockdown over the October half-term, according to a new poll.
  • Terrorists are hunting for fresh targets because there are fewer crowds amid the coronavirus pandemic, the new boss of MI5 has warned.
  • At least 180 people in Scotland who tested positive for Covid-19 in the last month have reported a recent trip to Blackpool, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
  • The French government has declared a public health state of emergency, giving officials greater powers to impose new measures to contain the spread of Covid-19.
  • Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa has also declared a new nationwide state of emergency as infections surge in a country once applauded for its response to coronavirus. Under newly introduced restrictions, the wearing of masks outdoors will be mandatory and gatherings of more than five people banned. 
  • Italy has registered 7,332 new coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours, the health ministry said today, the country's highest ever daily tally and steeply up from 5,901 on Tuesday.
  • The Spanish region of Catalonia has ordered the closure of bars and restaurants for 15 days from Thursday and limited the opening of shops and parks to try to curb a surge of diagnosed coronavirus cases, the regional acting chief Pere Aragones said.

05:51 PM

Andy Burnham says meeting with PM expected tomorrow

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has said he is expecting a meeting with Boris Johnson's team on Thursday to discuss the latest coronavirus restrictions.

Mr Burnham tweeted: "Just to keep people updated. We've just concluded a briefing with the deputy chief medical officer.

"We are expecting a further meeting with the PM's team in the morning. Until then, I won't be making any further comment."

Read more: Andy Burnham resists Manchester's possible Tier 3 entry


05:43 PM

France faces possible 'night curfew'

More details on our post from 18:27:

The French government has declared a public health state of emergency, giving officials greater powers to impose new measures to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Announcing the decision in a statement, the government said the epidemic was a public health disaster which endangered the health of the population and justified the adoption of strict measures.

The government's statement did not say what action it would take, but the adoption of the state of emergency gives the authorities statutory power to impose tough measures.

French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to detail the measures being planned when he gives an interview on national television at around 7:00 pm UK time.

French media reported that a nightly curfew between 9:00 pm and 6:00 am was one of the measures Mr Macron would unveil. 


05:37 PM

Anger in Kenya as schoolchildren are 'sprayed with disinfectant'

Kenyans are reacting with anger to a video showing students being sprayed with disinfectant that they say could be harmful, Shola Lawal reports.

The issue highlights the dilemma facing schools in Kenya – and around the world – as they try to resume education in a way that does not risk the continued transmission of Covid-19.

As schools reopened Monday in Kenya, female students wearing face masks in one school appeared to be showered with disinfectant pumped from a pesticide sprayer, to the ire of parents online.

Reacting to the outrage at the daily Covid-19 briefing on Tuesday, Dr Rashid Aman, the administrative secretary at the Kenyan health ministry warned schools against spraying methods.

“Those chemicals should not be used on humans…only on surfaces,” he said.

Read the full story here.


05:27 PM

France declares Covid-19 state of emergency

The French government has declared a public health state of emergency.

Announcing the decision in a statement, the government said that the Covid-19 epidemic was a public health disaster which endangered the health of the population and justified the adoption of strict measures.

It comes as the number of people hospitalised in France for Covid-19 rose above 9,100 for the first time since June 25.


05:23 PM

Welsh travel ban is 'not against England', First Minister says

Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford  - Daniel Leal-Olivas/Pool

First Minister Mark Drakeford said banning people in areas of the UK with high levels of coronavirus from entering Wales was not an action against people from England.

"I pleaded with the Prime Minister to protect low incidence areas in England by acting in the way that we have and I'm still baffled by his unwillingness to take that simple, common sense course of action," Mr Drakeford told Radio 4's PM.

"So this is not at all about trying to create a border. I was very keen indeed to avoid that.

"It is about public health, it is about protecting areas and communities who feel very nervous, very under threat, very anxious that people will come from outside and spread the virus in parts of Wales where we don't have big hospitals and we don't have big infrastructures.

"These are rural parts of our country and people are very, very fearful of what might happen to them."


05:11 PM

Moscow drafts in students to replace elderly teachers

This just in by Maria Georgieva in Moscow:

Moscow is drafting university students into schools to replace elderly teachers more at risk from coronavirus. 

Sergei Sobyanin, the mayor of Moscow, announced the measure on his blog Wednesday, saying that older teachers and those with chronic illnesses would transfer to work from home. 

The students, some of whom come from teacher training institutes, will take classes temporarily during the pandemic, Mr Sobyanin said. They will be assisted by the more senior teachers working remotely. 

Moscow’s high-schools will remain closed after an autumn holiday, the mayor said, but primary schools will return from the start of next week. 

Russia set a new record for daily infections on Wednesday, confirming 14,231 new Covid-19 cases.


04:56 PM

Welsh travel ban likely to apply to Tier 2 and 3 regions

First Minister Mark Drakeford said the Welsh Government was "likely to say" that people living in Tier 2 and Tier 3 areas of England should not come into Wales.

He told Radio 4's PM that there would be an exception for people travelling for work purposes, with the travel ban to prevent people from going to "holiday parts" of Wales such as the far west and far south west of the country.

When asked about enforcement, Mr Drakeford said: "Well I'd much rather people just acted in the way that we are asking them to and indeed that would be consistent with the advice they are already getting in England, which is that people shouldn't travel or stay overnight outside those areas.

"But we will put that into the law, so that if people do come across into Wales, they won't just be ignoring advice they will actually be in breach of the regulations."

04:48 PM

Peers condemn Government over Test and Trace 'failure'

Peers have condemned the Government and accused it of failing to introduce an effective test and trace system to help stem the spread of the coronavirus.

The House of Lords narrowly backed a so-called regret motion tabled by Labour by 256 votes to 250, majority six.

The motion called on the administration to give local authorities the resources they need to operate their own system, as well as providing support to local businesses and communities in dealing with the pandemic.

However, ministers argued without the existing testing regime the Covid-19 pandemic "would be worse than it is".

Labour frontbencher Baroness Thornton argued the Government's centralised test and trace system was not working, pointing out its own scientific advisers found it was only having a "marginal impact".

She was joined in her criticism by Labour former cabinet minister Lord Hain, who argued there was "absolutely no sign" of a mass testing programme which "would be one way to endure the virus while minimising the damage to the economy and the risk to life".

This week, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said local councils were "bound to be better" at testing and tracing contacts, watch below:


04:33 PM

G20 agrees debt freeze extension for pandemic hit countries

The G20 countries agreed to extend a freeze on debt payments by six months for poorer countries hit hard by coronavirus. 

World Bank President David Malpass described what was happening as "catastrophic" for lower and middle-income countries, adding that he was pleased to see the debt relief extension granted. 

For their part, financial leaders across the G20 underscored the urgent need to bring the spread of the coronavirus pandemic under control, and vowed to "do whatever it takes" to support the global economy and financial stability.

In a lengthy communique, G20 finance ministers and central bank governors also said they would continue to address the disproportionate impact the crisis has said on women, young people and other vulnerable segments of society across the world.

They also expressed disappointment about the absence of private sector creditors in the moratorium on debt payments.

Read more: 


04:18 PM

Italian scientists suggest Christmas lockdown

Italian Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte, said on Tuesday he was determined to avoid a new general lockdown just as the economy was recovering from the last one.

However, some of the country's most prominent scientists say closing down the country again may be the only way to stop infections continuing to spiral.

"I think a lockdown at Christmas is realistic, it would allow us to adjust the system, lower virus transmission and increase contact tracing," Andrea Crisanti, microbiology professor at Padua University, told state broadcaster RAI.

Patrizio Pezzotti, an epidemiologist at Italy's Superior Health Institute, said in an interview with daily La Stampa that he expected 100 Covid-related deaths per day within a couple of weeks.

Italian authorities have been trying to raise testing capacity amid complaints of long queues at centres, and Wednesday saw a new record for tests conducted over a 24 hour period, at 152,196. 

In pictures, airport testing underway in Italy
Passengers wait to take a coronavirus test at Fiumicino Airport in Rome - emanuele Valeri/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock 
A paramedic takes a sample for a rapid antigen test for COVID-19 in Fiumicino Airport Rome, - emanuele Valeri/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock 
A paramedic swabs a passenger for a rapid antigen test for COVID-19 in Fiumicino Airport Rome - emanuele Valeri/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock 

04:02 PM

Majority of Britons support circuit breaker lockdown

The majority of the public back the introduction of a circuit-breaker lockdown over the October half-term, according to a new poll.

YouGov asked more than 3,390 adults in Great Britain whether they would support or oppose two weeks of tough restrictions later this month.

Some 68 per cent of respondents said they would support the measure, compared to 20 per cent who said they would oppose them, while 12 per cent said they did not know.


03:59 PM

Welsh First Minister: Wastewater shows 'genomic copies' of Covid-19 spread by visitors

First Minister Mark Drakeford said residents in Wales were "anxious and fearful" that people from places with high Covid-19 transmission were able to travel into their areas.

"The evidence is that up to 80 per cent of new infections are spread by super-spreaders so it doesn't take many people to come in from an outside area who are a super-spreader to have a very large effect," Mr Drakeford told the Senedd.

"Using the novel techniques developed by specialists at Bangor University, we're now monitoring the wastewater from points along the coast of North Wales and North West England and we're seeing significant loads of genomic copies of Covid-19.

"It demonstrates that visitors from beyond Wales bring the virus with them. That's what people are anxious to avoid, that's why we took action here in Wales."


03:50 PM

Reaction: Wales to prevent travellers from UK hotspots

Adam Price, Plaid Cymru, leader has welcomed the Welsh Government's plan to prevent people from areas of the UK with high levels of coronavirus from entering Wales.

Mr Price said the announcement was "long overdue" and was necessary to protect people in Wales.

"We now need a clear timetable for exactly when the draft legislation will be ready to publish, the proposed timescales and plans for implementation and how this is to be communicated across the UK," Mr Price said.

"With half term arriving for much of England next week, timing is now critical."

But Paul Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, called on the Welsh Government to publish supporting evidence to justify a ban.

"It is incumbent on the First Minister to explain just why he has chosen to act in this way, and what supporting evidence he and his ministers have seen to justify a ban and then publish it so it can be properly scrutinised," Mr Davies said.

"If he cannot or will not, then he must review and rescind this ban immediately."


03:41 PM

Number Covid-19 patients in English hospitals top 4,100

Separate figures show there were 4,146 Covid-19 patients in hospital in England as of Wednesday, up from 2,944 a week ago, while 468 Covid-19 hospital patients were in ventilation beds, up from 376 a week ago.

A total of 647 patients with confirmed Covid-19 were admitted to hospitals in England on Monday, compared with 472 a week earlier.


03:39 PM

UK records nearly 20,000 new Covid cases

The Government said that, as of 9am on Wednesday, there had been a further 19,724 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK. It brings the total number of cases in the UK to 654,644.

The Government also said a further 137 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Wednesday. This brings the UK total to 43,155.

Separate figures published by the UK's statistics agencies show there have now been 58,500 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.


03:34 PM

Worldwide summary

While we've been tied up bringing you all the latest UK coronavirus news, here's everything that's been going on around the world today.

  • Italy has registered 7,332 new coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours, the health ministry said today, the country's highest ever daily tally and steeply up from 5,901 on Tuesday. Previously, the highest daily tally of new cases had been reported on March 21 with 6,557 cases.
  • Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa declared a new nationwide state of emergency as infections surge in a country once applauded for its response to coronavirus. Under newly introduced restrictions, the wearing of masks outdoors will be mandatory and gatherings of more than five people banned. 
  • The director general of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said an additional 10,000 children a month could die this year from malnutrition as a result of the impact the pandemic. 

  • Russia has granted regulatory approval to a second Covid-19 vaccine, a delighted President Vladimir Putin announced at a government meeting today. Mr Putin congratulated scientists for approving the new jab, which was developed by Siberia's Vector Institute and completed early-stage human trials last month.

  • Czech hospitals are converting general wards into Covid-19 units and cancelling non-urgent procedures to cope with a surge in patients, as the number of hospitalised reaches six times the peak seen during the first wave of the virus.

  • Poland is ramping up training for nurses and could consider setting up military field hospitals for coronavirus patients, as daily reported cases hit a new record of 6,526 on Wednesday, officials said.


03:12 PM

Blackpool hits back at Sturgeon's warning

People outside Coral Island in Blackpool. - Peter Byrne/PA 

Blackpool has defended its Covid-19 safety after a warning to stay away from the town by Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Council leaders and business representatives have pointed out the Lancashire seaside town, which welcomes more than a million Scottish visitors a year, has lower coronavirus rates than many areas north of the border.

They say there do not appear to be similar problems with visitors from elsewhere in the UK.

Jane Cole, vice-president of the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and managing director of Blackpool Transport, said: "The rate of Covid-19 in Blackpool currently stands at 218 per 100,000, which is one the lowest in the north-west of England and is also lower than parts of Scotland.
 "We get 17 million visitors a year to Blackpool and have not seen outbreaks in the rest of the UK from visitors to Blackpool, nor are we experiencing outbreaks within our tourism businesses.

"Blackpool has stringent Covid secure measures in place."

Ms Cole said people with coronavirus symptoms are advised to stay away from Blackpool.

"As mentioned by the First Minister, evidence suggests that many of these current cases are linked to coach parties and coach travel," she said.

"We are asking everyone not to travel when they are symptomatic."


02:59 PM

Expert briefing: How would a circuit breaker lockdown work?

The Northern leaders press conference has now come to an end. 

During that time, scientists from the University of Warwick and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine gave a press conference on their modelling for the potential impact of a circuit breaker lockdown.

Here are the key points from that briefing:

  • The team warned that Christmas was going to be a very difficult period even if the Government does not decide to impose a circuit-breaker lockdown over the period.

Prof Graham Medley said: "Christmas is going to be very difficult anyway… So it's not going to be an easy Christmas and in some ways we kind of missed the boat a little and they are certainly something to think about in terms of the future."

  • They said they cannot give a precise estimate on the number of lives that might be saved using a circuit breaker lockdown.

Prof Matt Keeling, of the University of Warwick, said: "I think it's almost giving us the time to react differently by resetting the number of cases to a lower level rather than just in terms of saving lives."

  • A circuit-breaker lockdown would help the UK control the "national narrative" around the pandemic, Prof Graham Medley, a member of Sage, said. 

"They are a chance to build a national narrative about the way we handle the epidemic. Are we going to bump from epidemic to epidemic from enforced lockdown to enforced lockdown? 

“Or are we going to say what we did was went into short periods of strict lockdown in order to keep the prevalence low and that's how we got through it..."

  • A circuit-breaker lockdown can be key to preventing the NHS becoming overwhelmed, the scientists said.

Prof Graham Medley said: "I think that would be the point of it, the point of it is to stop hospitals getting to a level where they cannot cope with other conditions."

  • A circuit breaker will not reduce the R rate of transmission by itself.

Prof Matt Keeling of the University of Warwick said: "This only gives us a chance to rewind, it doesn't reduce what R is going forward - we do need to think about getting control measures in place as well as thinking about circuit breakings."


02:50 PM

Mark Drakeford: Travel ban is 'not about borders, but fairness'

 First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford - Matthew Horwood/Getty Images

First Minister Mark Drakeford told the Welsh Parliament that Prime Minister Boris Johnson has not replied to his requests for travel restrictions to be imposed in areas of England with high levels of coronavirus.

"I have therefore asked for the necessary work to be brought forward, which would allow for devolved powers to be used to prevent people from travelling into Wales from high-prevalence areas of the United Kingdom," he said.

He said it was "important" to emphasise that it was not an issue regarding the border between Wales and England but a "matter of fairness".

"We've already heard from the First Minister of Scotland and she's eager to support what we're trying to do here. Now is the time for the Prime Minister to do the same thing," Mr Drakeford told the Senedd.

"If he isn't willing to do so then the timetable is for us to use the powers in Wales by the end of the week."


02:39 PM

Welsh Government planning to prevent travellers from UK hotspots

The Welsh Government's plans will bring people elsewhere in the UK in line with measures currently in place in the 17 areas of Wales under local lockdown restrictions.

Under those rules, people must not enter or leave an affected area without a reasonable excuse such as work or education.

Earlier today, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she backed Mr Drakeford's calls for the UK Government to introduce travel restrictions on people in areas with high levels of coronavirus.


02:32 PM

Wales to prevent people entering from hotspot areas

The Welsh Government is preparing to prevent people who live in areas of the UK with high levels of coronavirus from travelling to Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced.

Mr Drakeford said the action was being taken after Prime Minister Boris Johnson did not reply to two letters requesting he introduce the measure across the UK.

Under regulations being prepared, people living in areas with high levels of coronavirus in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland will not be able to travel to Wales.

The new restrictions are planned to come into force at 6pm on Friday.


02:15 PM

NHS England reports 68 more deaths

A further 68 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in hospital in England, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths reported in hospitals to 30,662, NHS England said on Wednesday.

Patients were aged between 48 and 98 years old. All but four patients, aged between 65 and 93, had known underlying health conditions.

The deaths were between October 2 and October 13.

Eight other deaths were reported with no positive Covid-19 test result.


02:06 PM

Burnham: Manchester would consider legal action over Tier 3

Andy Burnham says they would consider legal action if the Government tried to force a Tier 3 lockdown on Greater Manchester without promising an 80 per cent furlough scheme.


02:02 PM

Liverpool hospitals 'concerned' about being overwhelmed

Liverpool's hospitals are concerned of being overwhelmed with Covid-19 patients, Mr Rotheram says.

"The hospitals are concerned that they could be overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of people who are presenting with Covid symptoms and of course the strain that that puts on ICU and on other functions within the hospital," he says. 


02:00 PM

Rotheram: 'We want to be out by Christmas'

Steve Rotheram says they want Liverpool to be out of Tier 3 restrictions by Christmas.

"We'd like to get back to some sort of normality so that people can go out and hopefully look forward to Christmas.

"I think a the moment, a lot of businesses are only looking forward to the dread of not being open at Christmas.

"I think a national circuit breaker would have done fantastically to have tackled some of those underlying issues, but I do understand that not everybody in the country is in the same position," he says. 


01:54 PM

Andy Burnham: '80pc furlough scheme or no Tier 3'

Andy Burnham says they "won't accept" Tier 3 restrictions in the current terms. He says:

"We wouldn't accept Tier 3 on the current terms, the terms that they forced onto Steve Rotheram and the Liverpool City Region.

"I've been quite clear, it's an 80 per cent furlough across all of the industries closed, but also those industries suffering an indirect loss of trade, it's a self-employment scheme at 80 per cent for everybody, freelancers and others... 

"That is what we are talking about and until anything like that is on the table we will not be able to accept Tier 3, because they are asking us to commit an act of self harm in leveling down our economy."


01:44 PM

Steve Rotheram: Party scenes last night were 'shameful'

Mr Rotheram says he was "disappointed to see the shameful scenes from a minority of people in concert square last night".

"Actions like that don't help anyone," he says, and could make the restrictions last even longer.

"The pubs are closed now and hopefully we won't see a return of anything like that," he says.


01:42 PM

Steve Rotheram: 'Tier 3 was done to us, not with us'

Steve Rotheram says they were not given a choice about going into Tier 3, "we were going into Tier 3 no matter what", he says.

He adds he does not want to "dwell" on discussions went on between Liverpool and national Government, but adds that Tier 3 was "done to us, not with us". 


01:38 PM

Steve Rotheram: Government is trying to 'divide us'

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region, says Manchester and Liverpool have to be "strong and work together".

"This should be a time where we set aside party political maneuverings and focus all of our energy in beating this harmful, and often still deadly virus," he says. 

He adds he gets a "sense" that the Government is trying to "divide" communities, rather than getting them to "unite".

"Andy and I are absolutely clear, we are not going to allow ourselves to be divided, we're not going to allow our regions to be divided and we will do our  damnedest to ensure the North is not divided... and we're not going to stand by while the Government plays politics with us," he says.


01:33 PM

Burnham: Local leaders haven't discussed proposals with ministers

Mr Burnham says they have still not have a "substantial" conversation with the Government about the possibility of a Tier 3 lockdown. 

He adds it is "fundamentally wrong" that local areas are unable to gain full control of Test and Trace in their areas unless they enter Tier 3.

"We feel, all of us, the pressure has been applied to us, we've not been given the chance to discuss our proposals yet with ministers and it's not acceptable that we are about to be placed into Tier 3, because of all of the damage that that would cause," he says.


01:30 PM

Manchester mayor advocates for national circuit breaker

Mr Burnham advocates for a national circuit breaker. He says:

"A majority of leaders in Greater Manchester feel it would be a preferable option... at some point, if the cases continue to rise, it would be preferable to go for a national circuit break approach, rather than this regional approach, which we have real doubts about whether it will work.

"That is supported by majority of leaders in Greater Manchester."


01:27 PM

Manchester economy 'already on the brink'

The Manchester mayor says the Greater Manchester economy "is already on the brink" and to pressure them into a Tier 3 lockdown without financial support "would push us over the edge".

"That's why we are opposed to Tier 3 in it's current form," he says.


01:25 PM

Burnham: 'Government is passing the bill to local areas'

Mr Burnham says they also question if a full Tier 3 lockdown would "even be successful" because each area is also linked to what their neighbouring areas are doing. 

"It feels very much to me, in putting this pressure on council leaders, in making them make these decisions, the Government is very much passing the bill to local areas and I don't find that acceptable," he says.

He goes on to say the Government has switched to a "penny pinching approach" to the pandemic, where the cost will "fall very much on people in the real world, whose businesses are already close to the brink".


01:23 PM

Burnham: Tier 3 will do 'significant health harm'

Mr Burnham questions if the Government has done an impact assessment on what a Tier 3 lockdown could mean for people, both economically and mentally.

"I want to see that impact assessment if it has been done," he says.

"In our mind, the health harm that would be done by an under funded Tier 3 option, of the kind that we're being pressurised into accepting, would do significant health harm to the people, families and communities of Greater Manchester."

He adds that what is being proposed is "fundamentally flawed".


01:20 PM

Andy Burnham sets out the potential harm from Tier 3 lockdown

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, begins the press conference saying he will discuss why they "cannot accept" the possibility of a Tier 3 lockdown. 

Mr Burnham quotes Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer, who on Monday said he was not "confident" the "base case" of a Tier 3 would be enough to bring down cases and local leaders may need to do more.

Showing a slide depicting the number of people employed across different sectors in Greater Manchester, he says he wants to explain how Tier 3 will impact people.

"Beyond this of course there are many more businesses which would be affected," he adds.


01:15 PM

Rishi Sunak defends lockdown plans

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak leaving Downing Street this morning - Aaron Chown/PA Wire

Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, has told the Commons a tiered approach to the lockdown "prevents rushing to another lockdown".

Rishi Sunak said: "This is not about choosing one side or the other. It is not about taking decisions because they are popular. It is not about health vs wealth or any other simplistic lens we choose to view this moment through.

"The Prime Minister was absolutely right when he set out our desire for a balanced approach, taking the difficult decisions to save lives and keep the R-rate down while doing everything in our power to protect the jobs and livelihoods of the British people.

"And the evidence shows a regional, tiered approach is right because it prevents rushing to another lockdown.

"The entire country would suffer rather than targeting that support, preventing a lockdown in parts of the country where the virus rates are low."


01:02 PM

Northern leaders give press briefing

We will shortly be hearing from the  Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, and Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, who are holding a joint press conference on coronavirus restrictions.

Watch live via the feed above and follow all the latest here.


12:56 PM

Hospitalisations in Wales now highest since June

There are more than 700 Covid-related patients in Welsh hospitals, 49 per cent more than last week and the highest number since late June, the chief executive of NHS Wales has said.

Andrew Goodall said there are 326 confirmed cases of coronavirus in hospitals in Wales, an increase of 70 per cent than two weeks ago.

About 15 per cent of acute and community hospital beds in Wales are vacant but some hospitals in parts of the country with high levels of coronavirus already have limited capacity, he said.

There are currently 25 people with coronavirus in critical care, where the normal capacity of 152 beds is full.

"I anticipate that this winter will be more challenging than any I have known in my professional career," Dr Goodall said.

"We have commissioned plans for an extra 5,000 beds. This is 10 times the number of our usual winter plans."


12:45 PM

Catalonia closes bars and restaurants for two weeks

The Spanish region of Catalonia has ordered the closure of bars and restaurants for 15 days from Thursday and limited the opening of shops and parks to try to curb a surge of diagnosed coronavirus cases, the regional acting chief Pere Aragones said.

Restaurants will be allowed to offer take-away services and delivery, he said.

With close to 900,000 registered cases and more than 33,000 deaths, Spain has become the pandemic's hotspot in Western Europe.

The capital Madrid and nearby suburbs were put on partial lockdown last week.


12:40 PM

Terrorists look for new targets as Covid deters crowds

A few commuters cross London Bridge on Wednesday morning, as the new boss of MI5 warned terrorists are hunting for fresh targets because there are fewer crowds amid the coronavirus pandemic. - Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire 

Terrorists are hunting for fresh targets because there are fewer crowds amid the coronavirus pandemic, the new boss of MI5 has warned.

Director general Ken McCallum said the security service has been "rapidly adapting" how it works to keep the country safe during the outbreak as well as helping research efforts in combatting the virus and trying to protect work on the vaccine from potential interference.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday for the first time since taking on the top role in April, he said: "I stepped into this role at the height of the Covid lockdown, and for MI5 just like everyone else, 2020 has been dominated by the pandemic.
 "We've sought where we can to help on Covid itself - advising on the safe construction of Nightingale hospitals; repurposing research originally done on toxic chemicals to help understand how Covid in droplets might disperse in certain environments; offering our skills in data analytics and modelling; simply allowing medically-qualified MI5 officers to step away from their duties here and directly support our NHS."

He added the service has been "rapidly adapting" how it keeps the UK safe. "The big shifts in everyone's lives - reduced travel, more online, and the rest - mean shifts in how our adversaries are operating.

"Fewer crowds mean terrorists look at different targets; online living means more opportunities for cyber hackers; and so on," he said.

Mr McCallum, who is in his forties, became the youngest ever director general when he took over from Sir Andrew Parker, who retired after leading the organisation since 2013.


12:24 PM

Nottingham to remain in 'high' tier, says Jenrick

Nottingham will not go into Tier 3 restrictions this week, despite having the highest coronavirus infection rate in the country, a minister has said.

Asked whether some areas with high infection rates, such as Manchester and Newcastle, should be in the highest alert level, Robert Jenrick said the current position had been agreed with the local leadership.

The Communities Secretary told BBC Breakfast: "I hope they don't have to go into Tier 3. There is no plan for them to do so.”

As of October 12, the number of cases is equivalent to 741 per 100,000.

But it is only in the “high” category. Read the full story, by Jamie Johnson, here.

A woman wearing a face mask in Nottingham city centre -  Mike Egerton/PA Wire
As of October 12, the number of cases in Nottingham is equivalent to 741 per 100,000.   - Mike Egerton/PA Wire
Nottingham will not go into Tier 3 restrictions this week, despite having the highest coronavirus infection rate in the country, a minister has said.   - Mike Egerton/PA Wire
People wearing face masks in Nottingham city centre, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out a new three-tier system of alert levels for England following rising coronavirus cases and hospital admissions. - Mike Egerton/PA Wire
Nottingham Trent University in Nottingham, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out a new three-tier system of alert levels  - Mike Egerton/PA Wire

12:13 PM

WATCH: Boris Johnson says he 'rules out nothing'

Boris Johnson has said he "ruled out nothing" when asked about a report in The Telegraph that the Government is 80 per cent likely to go for a circuit breaker. Watch the video below:


12:06 PM

Five stories to read this lunchtime

  1. Northern Ireland: plunged into new wave of coronavirus restrictions
  2. Allison Pearson: Yes, Boris, this is the tipping point – for our trust in you
  3. Crisis: Order chips with your beer and save a British institution
  4. Half-term travel: What the three-tier system means for your holiday
  5. Lockdown: Welsh Government 'actively preparing' for circuit breaker 

11:54 AM

180 Scotland Covid cases linked to Blackpool

At least 180 people in Scotland who tested positive for Covid-19 in the last month have reported a recent trip to Blackpool, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

The First Minister said that a separate incident management team had been set up to deal with those who have travelled between the town and Scotland.

She said: "I need to advise you that trips to Blackpool are now associated with a large and growing number of Covid cases in Scotland."

She added: "Blackpool is being mentioned in Test and Protect conversations far more than any other location outside of Scotland."

According to the First Minister, 342 people who were contacted by Test and Protect in the last week after having contracted coronavirus reported travel outside of Scotland, 252 to somewhere else in the UK and 94 had been to Blackpool.

Ms Sturgeon advised those who were looking to travel to the town not to do so, especially to watch this weekend's Old Firm match in a pub.


11:39 AM

Time circuit breaker with Christmas holidays, advisers say

Prof Medley added that any circuit-breaker should ideally be timed with school holidays to minimise disruption to education.

"So, half-term or potentially over Christmas," he said."You could even potentially add a week to the Christmas school holidays and potentially get some kind of three-week break, but the whole point is to reduce the prevalence before you actually have to do it.

"The reason that the lockdown (in March) worked, is because it separated households."And that's essentially what we've got to do is to make sure that the transmission doesn't go from household to household, and two weeks is the minimum time."

Prof Medley said thousands of deaths could be prevented up to January with a circuit-breaker but it was accurate to say that did not necessarily translate into lives saved in the long term.

The modelling paper written by Prof Medley and colleagues sets out that deaths could possibly reduce for the rest of the year from about 19,900 to 12,100. Hospital admissions could be reduced from 132,400 to 66,500.

A limited lockdown, with schools and shops open but hospitality venues closed, could potentially cut deaths to about 15,600, they said.

Prof Medley said lives would undoubtedly be saved through the NHS not becoming overloaded and by the health service being able to continue with other routine care, such as cancer treatments.

He agreed that several short circuit-breaks until a vaccine or better treatments arrived could also save lives in the long run.

"If you know there's a vaccine coming and treatments are going to get better, which they probably are, then yes it will save lives," he said.


11:33 AM

Two-week lockdown could save 'thousands', advisers say

A two-week circuit-breaker in December could save thousands of lives in the short-term and allow the UK breathing space to control the Covid-19 epidemic, Government advisers have said.

Graham Medley, professor of infectious disease modelling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said it may be too late to implement a two-week circuit-breaker over the October school half-term but December could be an option.

He and Matt Keeling, who advises the Government and is a professor of maths at the University of Warwick,  said that a short, sharp lockdown would enable Test and Trace to improve as well as ensuring NHS hospitals do not become overwhelmed with coronavirus patients.

Prof Medley said there was "mixed evidence" that the current three-tier system would work, including a "danger" that places in Tier 3 may not be able to step back down to Tier 2 if measures were not strong enough.

"The alternative way of doing it is to say well, we're going to have to go into severe measures at some point, so why don't we do it before we absolutely have to?," he said.

"Why don't we do it for two weeks or three weeks, before we absolutely have to, and then that means that we avoid an emergency break?"So we do a precautionary break to avoid an emergency break.

"There are two advantages of that - one is for sure which is that it reduces the load on the NHS.

"And the other one potentially is... a known break, a known lockdown, is better than an unknown lockdown.

"My understanding is that in terms of mental health - and for businesses - it's much better if you know it's going be for two weeks, and you know when it's going to start."

11:20 AM

PMQs: Johnson doesn't rule out circuit breaker

Mr Johnson responds the he "rules out nothing in combating the virus", but adds they will control the virus with a "local and regional approach" first.

"This is the opportunity to keep things going," Mr Johnson says.


11:16 AM

PMQs: Does the PM support a circuit breaker?

Sir Keir says: "I have supported the Government and all the measures so far... but I think this measure is wrong and I think a circuit breaker is in the national interest".

He adds: "We are at a tipping point... time is running out".

Quoting The Telegraph, Sir Keir asks if the PM would back a circuit breaker measure, which Government sources said he supports one by "80 per cent".


11:13 AM

PMQs: Johnson urges Sir Keir to take 'commonsensical approach'

Mr Johnson urges the Labour leader to take the "commonsensical approach" and support the Government's plans for a three-tiered lockdown system. 

Sir Keir says there is no scientific evidence to back the Prime Minister's approach to getting the R rate below 1. 

The PM hits back that he is "misrepresenting the position". 


11:09 AM

PMQs: Boris Johnson stresses regional variation in coronavirus cases

Sir Keir Starmer shoots back that the regional approach doesn't "go far enough". 

He reminds him that the R-rate has gone up, as have hospital admissions and the number of deaths - the highest since June 10. 

"That is the cost of rejecting Sage advice," he says. 

Boris Johnson says the difference between this stage and March is that "the disease is appearing much more strongly in same places than others". 

He notes the difference between Liverpool and Cornwall or North Norfolk, throwing in a few of his favourite word "alas" for good measure.

The "logical thing to do" is to grapple the virus where it is surging, he adds. 

But Sir Keir urges him to "keep up". 

Read more:  Politics latest news: Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer to clash as circuit breaker battle looms


11:09 AM

PMQs: Boris Johnson defends decision not to adopt circuit breaker in September

Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has kicked open PMQs by telling the Prime Minister that decisions about virtual participation are a matter for the Government not him - but said he would be "more than happy to decide". 

It is thought that ministers are keen to avoid a return to remote voting - despite vulnerable MPs being told to work from home again - because it is harder for whips to keep on top of what backbenchers are doing. 

Then he turns over to Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer. 

The Labour leader challenges the Prime Minister on his previous commitment to being "guided by the science" and asks why he rejected the advice to adopt a circuit breaker. 

Mr Johnson says he will do "whatever it takes" to fight the virus, but notes that on page one of the Sage advice it says all measures have "associated costs" and that ministers have to consider those. 

The regional approach can "bring down the R and we can bring down the virus", he says.


11:08 AM

Councils asked to identify 'designated facilities' for discharged Covid patients

Local authorities have been asked to urgently identify "designated facilities" to manage any rapid discharge of hospital patients into care homes during a second wave of coronavirus.

A letter to the directors of adult services from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) says patients with positive Covid-19 tests must be discharged into an "appropriate designated setting".

These must be inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to ensure they meet the regulator's infection control standards.

It says anyone discharged into a care home must have a test result which is communicated in advance to the residence.

Councils will be required to provide alternative accommodation for the resident to isolate in if a care home does not have appropriate facilities.

They have been asked to identify accommodation that could meet current and future winter demand and notify the CQC of these premises, "ideally" by Friday or as soon as possible.

According to the letter, the CQC is ready to approve 500 settings by the end of November, and will prioritise areas with the highest level of restrictions.

The DHSC letter said it is hoped that every local authority will have access to at least one CQC designated site by the end of October.


11:02 AM

Worldwide summary

Here's a roundup of the latest coronavirus news from around the world today:

  • Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, wants measures toughened up to fight a surge in coronavirus infections, including requiring masks in more places and limiting numbers of people gathering for private events, according to a draft policy paper seen by AFP. The proposals, to be discussed with premiers from Germany's 16 states later today, would see the restrictions kick in once an area records 35 new infections per 100,000 people over seven days.
  • In Switzerland, the number of new coronavirus infections rose by 2,823 within a day, double the increase reported five days ago, data from the country's public health agency shows. 
  • Belgium's intensive care units will hit capacity by mid-November if new coronavirus cases continue to soar at the same pace, the country's health authorities warned Wednesday. The latest  figures published today by the national institute of public health show that Belgium has seen 7,360 new coronavirus cases over the last 24 hours.
  • Austria has recorded 1,346 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours. Daily cases have been rising since late June and have recently exceeded the March 26 record of 1,050, according to an online dashboard by Austria's main public health body, the Agency for Health and Food Safety.
  • Malaysian health authorities reported 660 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday as the capital imposed tighter restrictions on movement for two weeks.

10:48 AM

Used Covid-19 test kits handed out in Birmingham

Used coronavirus swabs have reportedly been handed out in Birmingham, BBC West Midlands reporter, Kathryn Stanczyszyn, has said.

Around 25 used kits were "mistakenly handed out" in Selly Oak yesterday as part of a Birmingham City Council service, the Council confirmed to the BBC reporter.

"Students say they were shocked & desperately worried after opening boxes and sealed bags before realising the mistake," Ms Stanczyszyn wrote on Twitter.

We will bring you more as we get it.


10:37 AM

Crew members from 'Little Mix The Search' test positive

Little Mix with Chris Ramsey, who has been announced as the host of Little Mix The Search  - BBC

Saturday's live episode of Little Mix The Search has been postponed after members of the crew tested positive for Covid-19.

Six bands were due to compete for a place on the pop group's 2021 tour, following weeks of pre-recorded audition episodes.

The band - Perrie Edwards, Jade Thirlwall, Jesy Nelson and Leigh-Anne Pinnock - were not among those who tested positive.

A statement from the BBC said: "We can confirm that a small number of people on the Little Mix The Search production have tested positive for coronavirus and they are now self-isolating following the latest Government guidelines.

"Due to the format of the show we have made the decision to postpone Saturday's programme.

"There are rigorous protocols in place to manage Covid-19 as the safety of all those involved in the production is paramount.

"We hope to be back on air on Saturday October 24."


10:25 AM

Trump's brush with Covid-19 'amplifies misunderstanding' of disease, says Fauci

Anthony Fauci, MD, Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health  - Alex Edelman/Poo

Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has said President Trump's brush with coronavirus has "amplified people's misunderstanding" of the disease.

In an interview with STAT, a US medical news site, Dr Fauci said: “We’re all glad that the president of the United States did not suffer any significant consequences of it.

"But … because he is such a visible figure, it amplifies some of that misunderstanding that people have that it’s a benign disease and nobody has anything to worry about.”

He added there have been "mixed signals" about the seriousness of the disease.

“It’s just a lot of understandable mixed signals, that it’s either serious or it’s not serious. It’s deadly or it’s not deadly. To me, that’s been the bane of trying to get a message across to people,” he said.

“It’s a problem that goes well beyond the president’s illness.”


10:10 AM

Greater Manchester leaders reject possibility of Tier 3

In a joint statement, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and the leaders of the local authorities in the region insisted they should not be placed in Tier 3.

They said the evidence "does not currently support" moving the area into Tier3. 

"The rate of Covid infection in Greater Manchester is much lower, at 357.6 cases per 100,000, compared to Liverpool City Region which is in Tier 3 at 488.0 cases per 100,000," they said.

"Plus our hospital admission rate is much lower than in LCR as deputy CMO Jonathan Van-Tam highlighted in his press conference this week."

They added the financial package for Tier 3 areas is "nowhere near sufficient to prevent severe hardship, widespread job losses and business failure".


09:49 AM

Arlene Foster announces new restrictions in Northern Ireland

Pubs and restaurants in Northern Ireland will close for four weeks, with the exception of takeaways and deliveries, while schools will shut for two weeks over the half-term Halloween break in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus, First Minister Arlene Foster said.

 


09:36 AM

Vaccine expected early next year

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said it was "reasonable" to work on a timeline of having a Covid-19 vaccine by the early stages of next year.

He told MPs on the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee: "There is not just one vaccine, there are multiple vaccines being trialled around the world and they will have setbacks at different stages.

"I think the overall trajectory is the same and most scientists agree that it is a reasonable enough scenario to think we will have one towards the beginning of next year, and clearly there are challenges around rollout."

Oliver Dowden - Tayfun Salci/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

He said the situation would improve by next spring, even without a vaccine or improvements in quick-result mass testing.

Mr Dowden said: "It is the case anyway with the disease we will get to the point in the spring where we come out of a difficult period, which is people being indoors and the 'flu season."


08:47 AM

'Inevitable' that Lancashire will move into Tier 3

Lancashire County Council leader Geoff Driver told BBC Breakfast: "With the high rates of infection in most parts of the county area it's inevitable we're going to move into Tier 3.

"It's really a question of when and how, and we're working with Government trying to put together a package of measures that will mitigate the inevitable impact on that particular sector of the economy."

The Conservative councillor said he did not feel the county was being "railroaded" into the measures.

He added: "It's an inescapable fact and the very, very firm advice that we're getting from our directors of public health is that closing the pubs and bars will not, in itself, get on top of the virus, so we will need to take other measures in addition to that and in order to do that effectively we need more resources.

"That's the push that we're making with Government at the moment."


08:33 AM

Circuit breaker would 'buy time'

Professor Matt Keeling, one of the scientists behind a non-peer-reviewed paper claiming a circuit-breaker lockdown could save lives, said the "stricter the restrictions, the greater the impact".

A circuit-breaker would "buy us more time" in the struggle to reduce the rising number of infections," he said.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "What we've got at the moment is a situation where most areas of the country are facing an exponential rise in cases, and what a circuit-breaker or precautionary break would do is drive down R for that short two-week period.

"It would effectively bide us more time to put other controls in place.

"One of the ways of thinking about this is it kind of takes us back in time to when cases where lower, and therefore gives us opportunities to do other things, it reduces the number of cases as well as leading to a similar decline in hospitalisations and also deaths over a short period."

Asked about the numbers of lives that could be saved as a result of a circuit-breaker, he said: "We looked at a range of different scenarios, from a relatively low growth rate going forward where we might sort of reduce deaths by a third between now and new year, to some extreme scenarios, which I think are the ones that have been quoted in the papers, which really were if we don't do anything between now and the new year."

Put to him that a circuit-breaker "simply postpones" deaths, Prof Keeling said he "completely" agreed with that but added: "We stress that this is only a short-term measure - it buys us time to put other measures in place, but at the moment we do need that time."


08:06 AM

Mayor of Liverpool says party images "shame" the city

Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson is not happy about the scenes in his city last night. People were partying in the street showing little regard for social distancing, in a last hurrah before strict 'Tier three' restrictions were brought in.

He has taken to Twitter to voice his displeasure.


08:03 AM

Wales has supressed virus better than other parts of the UK

First Minister Mark Drakeford said coronavirus had been more "effectively suppressed" in Wales than in some other parts of the UK.

"But we want to act now in order to prevent the worst from happening, to give us a better chance of getting through the rest of the autumn and the winter, and if a circuit-breaker is the right way to do it then that is what we will do," he told Sky News."We're very actively talking about and preparing for that should it be necessary."Mr Drakeford said "detailed work" was ongoing to allow Wales to take the same decision as Northern Ireland if figures continued to go "in the wrong direction" this week."I'm not announcing it today but I do want people to know we are planning very seriously, so if we do need to do it we'll be in a position to do it and in a position to do it quickly," he said.

07:58 AM

Wales preparing for 'circuit breaker' lockdown

The Welsh Government is "very actively talking about and preparing for" a circuit-breaker lockdown in Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford has said.

Mr Drakeford told Sky News that "detailed planning" was under way to establish what measures would be put in place during a circuit-breaker, how long it would last for, how schools would be treated and how to come out of it.

He said comments by Therese Coffey about a circuit-breaker not being the right move "fly in the face of the advice of Sage".

"I don't think it is sensible for the UK Government to dismiss that idea, they ought to sit down with everybody, look at it seriously and then make a proper decision," Mr Drakeford said.


07:53 AM

Hospitals stopping routine operations to deal with virus patients

Liverpool's intensive care units are more than 90% full, with the city soon expected to reach levels of bed occupancy seen during the first wave of Covid-19, a city council leader has said.

Liverpool City Region is the only part of England under the toughest Tier 3 restrictions, with the closure of pubs and bars and bans on socialising.

Paul Brant, cabinet member for adult health and social care at Liverpool City Council, said intensive care capacity in the city was over 90% full, with Covid-19 patients making up an increasing proportion of patients.

"It has become clear that the intensity of the demand on hospital services here in Liverpool is crowding out anything other than dealing with Covid," he said.

On Tuesday, other hospitals in the UK announced they were having to stop routine operations to deal with Covid-19 patients.

Medical workers, wearing protective masks and protective suits - REUTERS/Stephane Mahe

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust said it was temporarily pausing non-critical planned surgery at Derriford Hospital, although day case procedures are still going ahead.

Victoria Eaton, Leeds director of public health, said hospitals in the city were "very close" to having to strip back non-Covid services, and areas may struggle for staff to fill Nightingale hospitals put on standby.

In Northern Ireland, Belfast Health Trust has cancelled all elective procedures this week to cope with a rise of Covid-19 cases being admitted to hospitals.

On Monday, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Steve Warburton told staff in a memo that it had reached a "critical point".

He said the trust was scaling back planned procedures, adding it was "taking a phased approach to reducing our elective programme, while exploring options with other providers to maintain some of this work in alternative locations".


07:22 AM

"Sage is the place for scientists not business people"

Work and Pensions Secretary Thérèse Coffey said she did not think a circuit-breaker lockdown was the right move. Asked on LBC radio whether there was appetite in the Conservative Party for a two to three-week lockdown, she said: "No, I don't.

"The reason being, Parliament has only just voted last night for this national approach of the three tiers with much stronger local measures where they are needed.

"And we need to take communities with us right across the country in having some of the national measures, but frankly the Labour Party was saying 19 out of 20 areas in these lockdowns haven't made any difference, now they want to see a national lockdown.

Work and Pensions Secretary Thérèse Coffey - Aaron Chown/PA

"I don't think it is the right approach. Right now we need to allow this chance for the localised interventions to really have an effect so that together we can be focused on saving lives and livelihoods."

When asked if business leaders should be added to Sage - the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies - Ms Coffey said: "The Prime Minister is advised by a number of different people - ministers and also officials - in order to make sure he takes that balanced approach.

"And as this approach is about having social isolation that still allows people to go to school, hospital, work that means we keep the focus as well on economic freedoms, so it is that balance of lives versus livelihoods.

"Sage is the place for scientists not business people."


07:11 AM

Thérèse Coffey disappointed by Liverpool parties last night

Thérèse Coffey, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions says she is disappointed by images and videos of people hosting street parties in Liverpool last night.

"I’m very saddened by it," she told Kay Burley on Sky News.

"It’s the city where I grew up, it’s a great city, and I’m saddened by the closure today of those pubs and bars where you can’t get a meal or don’t have a meal with what you’re going to drink.

"It is a big change for people but frankly I think it is irresponsible, I think it’s really disappointing and it’s gatherings like that which don’t help in any way to bring down the escalation of the virus."


06:39 AM

Lockdown set for Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is set for a period of intensified coronavirus restrictions after executive ministers agreed to closures of schools, pubs and restaurants.

It is understood that pubs and restaurants will close for four weeks, with the exception of takeaways, while schools will close for two, one of which will cover the half-term Halloween break.

The moves do not amount to a full scale lockdown similar to that imposed during the first wave of the virus, but the measures nevertheless mark a significant ramping up of the administration's response to spiralling infection rates.

It is understood retail outlets will remain open, as will churches and gyms for individual training.

The restrictions were agreed after a stop-start meeting of the Stormont executive that extended past midnight and into this morning.

Arlene Foster - Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye / PA

A formal announcement is expected to be made during a special sitting of the Assembly in Belfast later on this morning.

It is expected that most sporting activities will be limited to elite athletes for the four weeks.

The current restrictions on household mixing are expected to remain as they are.

That would means no mixing of households in private dwellings, with exceptions including those joined in social bubbles, and gatherings in the gardens of private dwellings limited to six people from no more than two households.

It is anticipated that closures of hospitality outlets will come into force on Friday October 16. The other measures would be rolled out from Monday October 19.


06:25 AM

Scenes in Liverpool

As Liverpool headed into Tier three restrictions last night, these were the scenes in the city centre.

Doctors in the city are reported to be "disgusted, angry and disappointed".

 Tier three means: 

  • Pubs and bars must close, and can only remain open where they operate as if they were a restaurant - which means serving substantial meals, like a main lunchtime or evening meal. They may only serve alcohol as part of such a meal.
  • Wedding receptions are not allowed
  • People must not meet with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor or outdoor setting, whether at home or in a public space. The Rule of Six applies in open public spaces like parks and beaches.
  • People should try to avoid travelling outside the ‘Very High’ area they are in, or entering a ‘Very High’ area, other than for things like work, education, accessing youth services, to meet caring responsibilities or if they are in transit.
  • People should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK if they are resident in a ‘Very High’ area, or avoid staying overnight in a ‘Very High’ area if they are resident elsewhere.

06:04 AM

Morning roundup

A "circuit-breaker" lockdown could save thousands of lives by the end of the year, scientists advising the Government have calculated, as pressure mounts on Boris Johnson to impose stricter restrictions.

As the three-tier Covid alert level system comes into force across England, the Prime Minister is facing calls to go further by introducing a fortnight of nationwide curbs to bring the coronavirus resurgence under control.

Downing Street is understood to be keeping the idea on the table, after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said a two to three-week national lockdown over the October half term was needed to prevent a "sleepwalk into a long and bleak winter".

A paper by members of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) reportedly calculates that more than 7,000 lives could be saved if schools are closed and people are ordered to stay at home from October 24 for two weeks.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street  - Jonathan Brady/PA 

In other developments:

- The UK recorded the highest daily death figure in four months, with a further 143 people dying within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Tuesday.

- Mr Johnson suffered a major Tory backbench rebellion over the 10pm hospitality curfew, amid a growing backlash against Government coronavirus restrictions.

- Tory MP Chris Green, who represents Bolton West, resigned as a ministerial aide over local restrictions, saying the "attempted cure is worse than the disease".

- London mayor Sadiq Khan said that it is inevitable the capital will pass a "trigger point" to enter the higher Tier 2 coronavirus restrictions in the "next few days".


05:54 AM

Romania introduces more restrictions to curb infections

Romania's centrist minority government introduced new progressive restrictions to stem a rise in new coronavirus infections and will extend a state of alert until mid-November, authorities said late on Tuesday.

Romania has been reporting daily infection rates of over 3,000 for the past few days, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 160,461 since the pandemic reached the country in late February.

The government will ban all indoor and outdoor private events such as weddings and baptisms from Oct. 15, and will make wearing protective masks in all public spaces mandatory in towns where the two-week average rate of infections exceeds 3 cases per 1,000 people.

A woman shouts holding a religious icon during a protest against the use of face masks and the protection measures against Covid-19 infections in Bucharest - AP

05:47 AM

Czech Republic reports more than 8,000 daily cases for second time

he Czech Republic recorded 8,325 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, its second-highest daily tally since the pandemic started, Health Ministry data showed on Wednesday.

The country of 10.7 million has seen a five-fold rise in cases since the start of September. Since March, it has reported 129,747 cases, of which 59,901 have recovered.

Deaths have climbed to 1,106, from 696 on Oct. 1. 

Read more:  Second wave - How the rest of Europe is dealing with an alarming rise in cases

People stand in front of a closed pub in Prague, Czech Republic, after the government decided to close restaurants, bars and clubs in new restrictions - MARTIN DIVISEK/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

05:24 AM

Bulgaria hits daily record for new cases

Bulgaria reported 785 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, setting a daily record for a fourth time in a week as infections keep rising, official data showed.

The Balkan country now has 25,774 confirmed cases, including 923 deaths. A total of 1,307 people are hospitalised and 63 are in intensive care, data from the coronavirus information platform showed.


05:18 AM

China tests 4.2m people after outbreak in port city

China says it has carried out more than 4.2 million tests in the northern port city of Qingdao, with no new cases of coronavirus found among the almost 2 million sets of results received.

The city has reported a total of 12 cases, six with symptoms and six without, since the new outbreak was first spotted over the weekend at a hospital.

China on Wednesday reported 27 new cases, including 13 new cases of local transmission and 14 cases brought from outside the country.

China has reported a total of 4,634 deaths among 85,611 confirmed cases.

A health worker taking a swab from a resident as part of a mass testing program following a new outbreak in Qingdao - AFP

05:07 AM

Mozambique's health minister tests positive

Mozambique's health minister, Armindo Tiago, has tested positive for Covid-19, he said in a statement on Tuesday, adding that he was well, however, showing no symptoms, and in isolation at home.

"I am infected, but not sick," Tiago said. "No one in this world can say that they are immune to the new coronavirus."

The southeast African nation has reported 10,258 infections, with 73 deaths. 


04:18 AM

Outbreak at nursing hospital in Busan

More than 50 patients and workers at a nursing hospital in the South Korean port city of Busan have been diagnosed with Covid-19 and one patient has already died, the Yonhap news agency reported.

The outbreak has highlighted the enormous challenge of keeping the virus under control even in a nation with globally-lauded pandemic prevention measures in place.

The mass infections were discovered after an assistant nurse in her 50s was confirmed to be positive on Tuesday, prompting the authorities to conduct the coronavirus tests for all 262 patients and staff. The hospital has now been put into isolation.

On Tuesday, South Korea introduced a new law requiring anyone using public transport or visiting a medical centre or care facility to wear a face mask or risk a fine. 

Visitors wearing face masks look at a screen displaying precautions against the coronavirus in Seoul, South Korea - AP

04:07 AM

How the rest of Europe is dealing with an alarming rise in cases

Governments across the continent are bringing in new, tougher measures to try to contain the second wave of infections.

More than 700,000 new cases were reported in Europe last week, an increase of 34 per cent compared to the week before, the World Health Organisation said on Tuesday.

Deaths were up 16 per cent in the region last week compared to the previous week.

Italy on Tuesday adopted an array of new measures to combat an alarming increase in the number of coronavirus cases, with around 5,000 being reported each day.

Read the full story


03:49 AM

Australia delays easing restrictions after spike in cases

Several coronavirus clusters have emerged in Australia's two most populous states, officials said on Wednesday, prompting the biggest to delay easing some restrictions.

The NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was concerned the state was on the cusp of another major community transmission, after 11 new cases were locally acquired and a cluster appeared in the southwest Sydney suburb of Lakemba.

She said the easing of some social restrictions involving restaurants and weddings would now be put on hold.

"We were going to further ease restrictions in relation to hospitality venues," Ms Berejiklian said. "I'm still hopeful we can ... As long as more people come along and get tested."

Victoria state logged five deaths and seven new coronavirus cases overnight. A second and third regional flare up is threatening a hoped for easing of harsh lockdown restrictions in place since mid-July.

Three cases in the town of Shepparton, north east of Melbourne, were seeded by a truck driver travelling up from the city two weeks earlier who had not fully disclosed his travel to contract tracers until well after the event.

A social distancing sign is displayed outside Hotel Hollywood in Sydney - Bloomberg

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Oxfam says international response to famine 'dangerously inadequate'

The international community's response to global food insecurity is "dangerously inadequate", the NGO Oxfam said in a new report on Tuesday, published just days after the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the UN's World Food Programme.

"The threat of 'Covid famines' and widespread extreme hunger is setting off every alarm bell within the international community, but so far sluggish funding is hampering humanitarian agencies' efforts to deliver urgent assistance to people in need," Oxfam wrote."The international community's response to global food insecurity has been dangerously inadequate," said the report titled "Later Will Be Too Late".

The NGO complained that funding for 55 million people facing extreme hunger in seven worst-affected countries - Afghanistan, Somalia, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, South Sudan and Yemen - was "abysmally low".

Read more: Food shortages in Afghanistan as coronavirus worsens country's humanitarian crisis

A young woman sits in front of her shelter in Lukurunyang, South Sudan. Flooding has affected well over a million people across East Africa, another calamity threatening food security on top of a historic locust outbreak and the coronavirus pandemic -  Medecins Sans Frontieres

01:06 AM

World Bank approves $12b vaccine fund for developing countries

The World Bank said on Tuesday that it approved $12 billion for developing countries to finance the purchase and distribution of Covid-19 vaccines, tests and treatment.

The financing "aims to support vaccination of up to a billion people", the bank said in a statement.

The money is part of an overall World Bank Group  package of up to $160 billion through June 2021 designed to help developing countries battle the novel coronavirus pandemic.

"This financing package helps signal to the research and pharmaceutical industry that citizens in developing countries also need access to safe and effective Covid-19 vaccines," the statement read."It will also provide financing and technical support so that developing countries can prepare for deploying vaccines at scale, in coordination with international partners."

Read more: Covid-19 to blow $28 trillion hole in world economy


11:39 PM

Revellers take to the streets as last orders are called in Liverpool

 Scores of young people crowded into Liverpool city centre on Tuesday night ahead of strict tier-three restrictions which come into force on Wednesday.

Social media posts showed revellers failing to social distance as they danced in the streets and crowded outside pubs, which must shut unless they can operate as restaurants.

Health officials warned that the number of Covid-19 patients in the city’s hospitals could surpass the levels of the first peak within 10 days. 

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Read more: Postcard from Liverpool - ‘We’re facing a long, dark winter of cancellations ahead’


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