Boris Johnson under pressure to impose pre and post-Christmas lockdowns
There are fears that, on current infection trends, the whole country will be at Tier 3 by Christmas, and unable to meet extended family members. One senior health official said…
‘Substantial majority’ of public backs tough lockdowns, says Chris Whitty
The chief medical officer insisted a “substantial majority” of the public backed firm measures, including lockdowns, to respond to threats to public health. His comments – which came as the…
Test and Trace records worst week yet as experts warn failure will mean tougher lockdowns
The latest data shows 89,874 new people tested positive for Covid-19 in England in the week to October 7 – a 64 per cent rise in positive cases on the…
MPs demand answers from Dido Harding over secretive body driving local lockdowns
In a letter addressed to Baroness Harding, the chair of the science and technology committee, Greg Clark, demanded details of “the structure of scientific advice” within the JBC as well…
Transparency row over body driving UK’s Covid lockdowns
Earlier this year, the Government was forced to publish the full membership of the Sage scientific committee and regular details of its advice to ministers after a row over transparency.…
‘It’s worse than prison’: Living with university lockdowns
Athena Lamnisos: ‘It does not sit well with me’ Athena Lamnisos, from west London, has followed the chaotic university lockdowns with a mounting sense of dread. Her 20-year-old daughter, Ellie,…
‘Traffic light’ system to govern local coronavirus lockdowns in England
The traffic light plans for the three-tier system are understood to be backed by Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary and Robert Jenrick, the Local Government secretary, among others. It is…
Huge expansion of coronavirus testing to bring end to regional lockdowns
Under the new plans, the ONS will be able to give estimates of infection rates at local authority level, meaning cities such as London or Manchester need never be fully…
Local lockdowns could stigmatise towns and bring economic decline, advisers warn
Edward Argar, the minister for health, said the measures would be reviewed again next week. “It is essential we all remain vigilant, and I urge everyone in these areas to…
Children in care suffering bedroom lockdowns as official restrictions on liberty triple
Children in care are being locked in their bedrooms and stripped of their phones, as official figures reveal that the use of Deprivation of Liberty orders have tripled in two…