Matt Hancock refuses to set out how UK government will ease coronavirus lockdown

Nicola Sturgeon’s plan to get out of lockdown The Scottish First Minister today set out some of the restrictions which could soon be lifted or modified north of the border. They include:  Businesses: Certain businesses could be allowed to reopen but only if they can guarantee that social distancing will be adhered to.  Schools: Ms … Read more

Coronavirus UK: Matt Hancock praises Muslims over lockdown

‘Ramadan Mubarak and thank you’: Matt Hancock praises British Muslims for their ‘sacrifice’ in missing out on communal prayers and Iftar meals because of coronavirus shutdown during holy month which starts today The Islamic holy month of fasting and prayer begins today amid the lockdown It usually sees families and communities congregate in large numbers … Read more

Coronavirus UK: Essential workers and families can be tested

All essential workers and their families will be able to get coronavirus tests from this Friday to see if they are infected with the virus. Health Secretary Matt Hancock today announced that swab testing will be expanded from just health workers into wider society. The same key workers whose children have been allowed to remain … Read more

Coronavirus UK: Nicola Sturgeon may ease lockdown in Scotland

Nicola Sturgeon today signalled she is willing to ease coronavirus restrictions in Scotland independently of the UK government as Northern Ireland also suggested it could follow suit. The Scottish First Minister today published a blueprint setting out how the current state of lockdown could be lifted north of the border as she said there needed … Read more

UK’s testing farce: Drive-thru centres are only swabbing ‘four people a day’

UK’s testing farce: Drive-thru centres are only swabbing ‘four people a day’ as ministers bring in the Army and Amazon to ramp up capacity – but are still only a FIFTH of the way to meeting 100,000 a day target with just six days to go By Stephen Matthews Health Editor For Mailonline Published: 12:22 … Read more

Coronavirus: Nicola Sturgeon publishes post-lockdown plan

Nicola Sturgeon gazumps Downing Street again as Scottish government publishes its own plan for easing coronavirus lockdown restrictions Scottish First Minister publishing paper today setting out end-of-lockdown plan Ms Sturgeon said it will contain ‘principles that will guide us’ in months ahead Comes as Downing Street is under growing pressure to publish its own blueprint  … Read more

Tory MPs’ fury at coronavirus lockdown limbo

Furious Tory MPs have warned the government it must spell out in detail how it intends to ease the UK’s coronavirus lockdown to give businesses hope of survival.  Senior backbenchers on the 1922 Committee of Conservative MPs met yesterday to discuss the government’s response to the current crisis.  They are believed to have said it … Read more

Coronavirus UK: Social distancing beyond Christmas?

Disruptive social distancing measures will have to remain in place for the rest of this year, the country’s Chief Medical Officer has warned. Professor Chris Whitty said the measures cannot be lifted until either a vaccine for Covid-19 or ‘highly effective’ drugs to treat the virus become available.  He told the daily Downing Street press … Read more

Coronavirus UK: Matt Hancock insists lockdown must stay

Matt Hancock tonight insisted the coronavirus lockdown must stay until there is no risk of a second peak – as scientists warned the outbreak might not be fading. The Health Secretary vowed not to compromise the national effort against the disease as Professor Jonathan Van-Tam told the daily Downing Street briefing that while hospital occupancy rates … Read more

Editor of medical journal accuses Number 10 of ‘deliberately rewriting history’ amid coronavirus

Claim – On the third Friday in January Coronavirus was already spreading around the world but the government ‘brushed aside’ the threat in an hour-long COBR meeting and said the risk to the UK public was ‘low’. Response – At a very basic level, this is wrong. The meeting was on the fourth Friday in … Read more