10:29
That is from the BBC’s Nick Eardley.
As Eardley says, alert ranges are usually not the identical as tiers. The federal government outlined 5 potential alert ranges in Might, when it printed its Covid restoration technique. Alert stage 5 is the best and it implies that, in addition to the virus being basically circulation and transmission being excessive or rising exponentially (the situations that apply at stage 4), “there’s a materials threat of healthcare companies being overwhelmed”.
In the course of the first lockdown the UK was judged to be at stage 4.
10:09
In her assertion to the Scottish parliament Nicola Sturgeon stated the newest figures present 15% of coronavirus checks carried out in Scotland have been optimistic. Yesterday the determine was 15.2%. These numbers are an indication of how severe the issue is in Scotland. Sturgeon has stated earlier than the World Well being Organisation regards getting take a look at positivity beneath 5% (which occurred at instances in Scotland in early December) as proof that an outbreak is below management. This chart, from the Scottish authorities’s dashboard, exhibits the development.
09:55
Johnson to make TV deal with this night as No 10 says additional steps now must deal with Covid
Boris Johnson appears to have gotten the message. (See 2.39pm.) Downing Avenue has simply introduced that he’s recalling parliament for Wednesday, and that he’s making an TV deal with to the nation at 8pm tonight.
A No 10 spokesman stated:
The unfold of the brand new variant of Covid-19 has led to quickly escalating case numbers throughout the nation.
The prime minister is obvious that additional steps should now be taken to arrest this rise and to guard the NHS and save lives.
He’ll set these out this night.
09:42
Sadiq Khan, the Labour mayor of London, has advised Sky Information that he agrees with Jeremy Hunt, the Conservative former well being secretary, concerning the want for the federal government to impose a brand new lockdown in England now. (See 12.37pm.) Hunt was “spot on”, Khan stated.
09:34
Turning again to England, the Society of Native Authority Chief Executives & Senior Managers (Solace) has referred to as for all colleges to shut to permit academics to be vaccinated as a precedence. Because the Native Authorities Chronicle studies, Ade Adetosoye, Solace spokesperson for youngsters and households, stated:
The welfare of our kids is paramount and one of many core capabilities of the state is to guard them from hurt. Within the present context the one solution to obtain that is to shut all colleges and transfer to on-line studying for a time frame throughout which academics must be fast-tracked for vaccination.
Whereas such an strategy shouldn’t be with out consequence or threat, the one solution to scale back inequality in schooling long-term is to restrict this ‘stop-start’ strategy to highschool closures and openings.
Up to date
09:27
Sturgeon says all over-50s and different susceptible folks in Scotland ought to get first dose of vaccine by early Might
Sturgeon says greater than 100,000 folks in Scotland have had their first dose of vaccine. She says the AstraZeneca jab is being rolled out from at the moment. And by the tip of January the federal government may have entry to 900,000 doses, she says (together with the 1000,000 already delivered).
She says, following the brand new vaccine coverage (ie holding again second doses), by “early Might” everybody over 50, and everybody with underlying well being situations making them a precedence, may have acquired their first dose of vaccine.
She stresses that these timetables are “closely depending on provide”.
Up to date
09:21
Sturgeon says colleges and nurseries would be the first locations the federal government desires to reopen.
She says the federal government will think about whether or not academics and childcare workers may be prioritised for vaccines.
09:20
Colleges in Scotland to shut for many pupils till 1 February, Sturgeon says
Sturgeon says colleges will likely be closed for almost all of pupils till 1 February.
There will likely be exemptions for the youngsters of key employees and susceptible kids, she says.
She says that is essentially the most tough resolution the federal government has needed to take.
09:17
Sturgeon is now giving the small print of the brand new measures.
Delay “nearly at all times makes issues worse” in coping with Covid, she says.
She says the choices on colleges will apply to all elements of Scotland.
However the measures she is asserting now apply to elements of Scotland in stage 4 – ie mainland Scotland.
These measures will strengthen stage 4. They are going to be in place for the entire of January, however may last more.
First, the recommendation to remain at dwelling will develop into obligatory. Individuals will solely be allowed to depart dwelling if they’ve an affordable excuse. And they need to do business from home if they will.
She says this will likely be a authorized requirement.
The financial system secretary will converse to companies about these guidelines later at the moment, Sturgeon says.
She says new steering will likely be issued to individuals who have needed to protect. They need to keep at dwelling, and they’re going to all get a letter telling them this, she says.
She says from tomorrow solely a most of two folks, from two households, will have the ability to meet open air. Youngsters aged 11 and below is not going to be included, she says.
Non-essential journey into and out of Scotland is not going to be allowed, she says.
And she or he says from Friday locations of worship must shut.
As much as 20 folks will likely be allowed to attend a funeral, however wakes is not going to be allowed in January.
She says office canteens must implement the 2-metre rule once more; the 1-metre exemption will now not be allowed.
Up to date
09:10
Sturgeon says there have been 1,905 new circumstances in Scotland. And 15% of checks are optimistic.
She says no new deaths are reported at the moment, however that’s as a result of registration places of work have been closed yesterday.
She says there have been 289 deaths since she final up to date parliament earlier than Christmas.
Up to date