Covid news UK latest – Boris Johnson confirms coronavirus rules to END on July 19 including face masks & home working

BORIS Johnson made a major covid rules announcement this evening, outlining the ways in which the UK can get its freedom back.

The Prime Minister said that from July 19, covid face mask rules will be scrapped, with the UK switching to a voluntary system as we learn to live with covid as a simple fact of life.

However local councils and public transport providers may still insist upon masks being worn with the threat of fines for anybody who doesn't.

Pubs can return to normal with social distancing measures and enforced table service ditched, although individual pubs may well choose to keep their capacity smaller and stick with apps and table service for orders.

And the Government's order to work from home where you can will also be axed – but again, many offices are predicted to opt for flexible working in the future after proving popular and successful during lockdown.

The July 19 rule changes which come as covid infection rates soar in the UK but, crucially, hospitalisations remain low thanks to our brilliant vaccines rollout which has broken the link between infections and deaths

Read our live blog below for the latest lockdown updates…

• Joseph Gamp27 minutes ago

  GRAPHIC: UK COVID-19 CASES AND DEATHS PER DAY

  

• Joseph Gamp58 minutes ago

  JOHNSON ASKS PEOPLE TO BEHAVE RESPONSIBLY AHEAD OF EURO 2020 FINALS

  Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged football fans and businesses to act "in a responsible way" as large crowds are expected to gather in England for the closing matches of Euro 2020.

  More than 60,000 fans will be allowed into Wembley for the two semi-finals and the final next Sunday and Mr Johnson was asked at a Downing Street press conference whether he was concerned it could cause a spike in transmission of coronavirus.

  Mr Johnson said: "I think my advice to everybody would obviously be to support England enthusiastically but in a responsible way.

  "The events at Wembley clearly have particular conditions attached to them with particular testing requirements that we will insist on."

  The remaining knockout matches are set to take place at London's Wembley Stadium ahead of the July 19 easing of lockdown restrictions in England.

• Joseph GampToday, 20:58

  JOB WOES

  Up to 350,000 young people could be at risk of losing their jobs as the furlough scheme is wound down, according to the latest research.

  The 18 to 24-year-old age group were more likely to be furloughed during the pandemic than older adults, but that could leave them more vulnerable as support is withdrawn.

  The Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) warned that young people today could “bear the scars of the recession for years to come” without sufficient support.

  Research showed that in the first three months of this year, around 400,000 extra young adults weren’t working any hours.

  This figure reflects people becoming furloughed, unemployed or otherwise inactive.

  But just 50,000 more young Brits were unemployed at the beginning of this year compared to the end of 2019.

• Joseph GampToday, 20:40

  BORIS JOHNSON WARNS ‘CONTINGENCY MEASURES’ MAY BE NEEDED IN WINTER IF COVID CASES SPIRAL

  Boris Johnson warns ‘contingency measures’ may be needed in winter if Covid cases spiral

• Joseph GampToday, 20:33

  ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER ANNOUNCES PLANS TO MARK 'FREEDOM DAY'

  Andrew Lloyd Webber has announced plans to stage a special "freedom day" performance of his West End show Cinderella.

  The new production, which is being staged at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, opened last month with an audience capacity of 50% after the impresario rejected the Prime Minister's offer for the show to be included in the live events pilot scheme.

  All proceeds from an additional performance on July 19 – the day the Government hopes to end lockdown restrictions – will be donated to St John Ambulance and the NHS.

  Meanwhile, a gala show the following day will raise money for those whose work made the show's opening possible.

  Lord Lloyd-Webber said in a statement posted on Twitter: "Thrilled that at last theatres can re-open! In celebration, we are adding a Freedom Day performance on July 19th and have a Gala show on July 20th. All the proceeds from the extra show will be donated to the St John's Ambulance and the NHS, and the 50% extra seats we are finally allowed on July 20th will be donated to those whose work over the pandemic has made Cinderella's opening possible."

• Joseph GampToday, 20:20

  SCIENTISTS WARN ONGOING MEASURES NEEDED TO CONTROL RESURGENCE IN COVID CASES

  The Government has laid out plans to scrap mandatory mask-wearing and lift social distancing requirements despite scientists warning that ongoing measures will be needed to control a resurgence in infections.

  Documents released by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) on Monday state that as current measures are lifted, transmission will "almost certainly increase", with modelling suggesting it is highly likely infections will peak at some point after Steps 3 and 4.

  One paper from the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, the Scientific Pandemic Insights Group on Behaviours (Spi-B) and Environmental Modelling Group (EMG), and dated April 22, says a package of "baseline" measures should be considered, as individual measures are likely to have limited impact.

  The document also says: "There is significant risk in allowing prevalence to rise, even if hospitalisations and deaths are kept low by vaccination.

  "If it were necessary to reduce prevalence to low levels again (e.g. VoC become more pathogenic for others previously less affected), then restrictive measures would be required for much longer."

• Joseph GampToday, 20:01

  WHAT IS THE LAMBDA VARIANT?

  A new coronavirus variant that experts say is “deadlier” than the Delta strain has already ripped through 30 countries.

  Public Health England (PHE) states there are currently eight known cases of the C.37 variant, as of June 21.

  The variant is currently classed as “under investigation” and experts could then classify it as “of concern” once they have done a risk assessment.

  This will depend on how transmissible the variant is and how many cases have been detected.

• Joseph GampToday, 19:50

  AMBER LIST UPDATE: VACCINATED BRITS TO FIND OUT THIS WEEK WHEN THEY CAN SKIP QUARANTINE FOR SPAIN & GREECE HOLIDAYS

  NEW rules which will allow fully vaccinated Brits to return from amber list destinations without having to quarantine are to be announced this week, the prime minister has confirmed.

  Holiday destinations including Spain, Greece and Portugal are currently on the UK's amber list, meaning Brits have to quarantine for 10 days when returning to the country.

  While it was hoped that the new rules could be introduced by July 19, the UK's "Freedom Day," government sources have warned this is too early for the amber list restriction changes, calling it "ambitious," the Mail Online reported.

  Instead, the new rules could be introduced from July 26, but won't be enforced until next month – half-way through the school summer holidays.

  According to The Times, it will more likely be introduced from August 2, with the government expected to sign off the rule change this week.

  Read more here.

• Joseph GampToday, 19:31

  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.

• Joseph GampToday, 19:18

  COVID VACCINES WORKING AS CASES RISE BUT DEATHS STAY LOW – AS BRITS URGED TO GET JABBED AS LINK NOT ‘COMPLETELY BROKEN’

  CORONAVIRUS vaccines are working even though cases are on the up, Sir Patrick Vallance said tonight.

  The government's chief scientific adviser urged Brits to get their jab as the vaccine helps to "break the link" between cases, deaths and hospitalisations, but highlighted that it doesn't completely stop the virus.

  Today it was reported that UK daily Covid cases have more than doubled in just two weeks as 27,334 infections were recorded.

  Despite the surging numbers, just nine coronavirus deaths were reported in the last 24 hours.

  Today's daily death figure brings the grim toll in Britain to 128,231.

• Joseph GampToday, 18:45

  SLIDE: THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID IN THE UK

  

• Joseph GampToday, 18:35

  MILLION OF VACCINES ROLLED OUT TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM COVID, SAYS BORIS AS HE HAILS RETURN TO NORMAL LIFE

  Millions of vaccines have been rolled out across the UK to protect people from Covid and the Prime Minister announced this evening that everyone under 40 could now get their second jab eight weeks after their first.

  The PM said the aim is that "everyone over 18 should be double jabbed by the middle of September".

  He said this is on top of the autumn programme of booster jabs for the most vulnerable.

  Mr Johnson said this evening: "We will move away from legal restrictions and allow people to make their own informed decisions about how to manage the virus."

• Joseph GampToday, 18:20

  DATA SLIDE: NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN UK HOSPITALS WITH COVID

  

• Joseph GampToday, 18:18

  ROUND UP: THE KEY POINTS FROM BORIS' RESTRICTIONS ANNOUNCEMENT

  • Boris Johnson FINALLY lifts lockdown from July 19 but urges public to be cautious and ‘think of others’
  • Festivals and full stadiums to return after July 19 as Boris Johnson lifts Covid restrictions on mass events
  • Covid restrictions ‘not needed in winter as Britain “well prepared” to leave lockdown with booster jab plan’
  • UK daily Covid cases more than double in just two weeks – but only nine deaths are recorded ahead of July 19 unlock

  GRAPHIC: UK COVID-19 CASES AND DEATHS PER DAY

  

  • Joseph GampToday, 18:01

    UNION CALLS FOR FACE COVERINGS TO REMAIN MANDATORY ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT

    Face coverings should remain compulsory on public transport after the end of the Government’s road map out of lockdown, a trade union has claimed.

    Unite, represents tens of thousands of public transport workers, claimed it would be “gross negligence” to end the requirement on July 19.

    Boris Johnson is expected to announce on Monday that face coverings will no longer be required in many situations from the so-called freedom day.

    Unite national officer for passenger transport Bobby Morton said: “To end the requirement to wear masks on public transport would be an act of gross negligence by the Government.

    “Rates of infection are continuing to increase and not only does mask wearing reduce transmissions, it helps provide reassurance to drivers and to passengers who are nervous about using public transport.

    “The idea of personal responsibility and hoping that people will wear masks is absolutely ridiculous.”

  • Joseph GampToday, 17:39

    DOWNING STREET PRESS CONFERENCE FINISHES

    The press conference has now finished.

    The Prime Minister unveiled the plan to relax all Covid restrictions after Step 4 of his roadmap to freedom.

    This is still on course to take place as planned on July 19.

  • Joseph GampToday, 17:38

    TESTING WILL REPLACE ISOLATION AMONG SCHOOLS, SUGGESTS PM

    The Prime Minister says the damage to children's education is "a really good point" and the Government is doing what it can to minimise that. 

    He says parents want a "different approach" to outbreaks in schools, adding: "The way forward is by testing rather than sending the bubbles home."

  • Joseph GampToday, 17:37

    PM DODGES MEDIA REQUEST FOR NUMBER OF EXCESS DEATHS EXPECTED AFTER RESTRICTIONS ARE LIFTED

    The prime minister avoids a question on giving a figure on how many excess deaths will arise form the lifting of all Covid-19 restrictions.

    The OPM advises Brits to support the football team responsibly.

  • Joseph GampToday, 17:35

    LIMIT ON NAMED VISITORS FOR CARE HOME RESIDENTS TO BE LIFTED AT STEP 4 – PM

    The limit on how many named visitors a care home resident can receive will be lifted at the final stage of the road map out of lockdown, but some protective measures will remain, the Government has said.

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson told a Downing Street press conference that the limit on named visitors will be lifted when Step 4 is reached, on what has been widely dubbed freedom day.

    Number 10 said infection control measures will remain in place to protect residents.

    Step 4 is due to begin on July 19 if the Government's "four tests" for easing restrictions have been met.

    Currently, residents in England are able to receive visits from up to five named relatives and friends, with a maximum of two visitors at any one time or day.

  • Joseph GampToday, 17:35

    NURSES WORRIED THAT SCRAPPING OF COVID RULES WILL PUT 'IMMENSE PRESSURE' ON NHS

    Nurses whose work was celebrated at a St Paul's service marking the 73rd anniversary of the NHS have said they are worried that the final lifting of coronavirus restrictions will put "immense pressure" on the health service.

    Luki Obro, 40, a dementia nurse at Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust, has said she was "honoured" to have been invited to the ceremony, but like many others was worried about the rules being scrapped.

    The Prime Minister, who also attended the celebration along with the Duke of Cambridge and hundreds of NHS frontline staff, is expected to confirm on Monday evening that all coronavirus rules in England will be lifted on July 19.

    Ms Obro, 40, originally from Sierra Leone, said: "I think it is going to put immense pressure on the NHS definitely, and I think the virus is going to spread and knowing that winter is coming…

    "I will continue wearing a mask and most of my colleagues also will do the same."

  • Joseph GampToday, 17:34

    PM WARNS PUBLIC NOT TO GET 'DEMOB HAPPY'

    The Prime Minister says "with great respect", you can't say he is being "both incautious and banning irreversibility". 

    He says they are moving from a system of "very elaborate rules" to one of personal responsibility "mindful that this pandemic is far from over". 

    He adds: "I am asking people to think in this way – this is not the moment to get demob happy.

    "This is very far from dealing with the end of this virus". 

  • Joseph GampToday, 17:33

    PEOPLE WANT TO KEEP FACE MASKS ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND IN SHOPS, POLL SUGGESTS

    The majority of people want face masks to remain compulsory on public transport and in shops beyond this month, a poll has suggested.

    Seven in every 10 people (71%) agreed that face masks should continue to be mandatory on public transport for a further period of time once restrictions are lifted, according to the YouGuv survey of 2,749 British adults.

    Roughly one in five (21%) said masks should not be compulsory.

    The survey also found that 66% of those polled said face masks should continue to be mandatory in shops and some enclosed public places – while 27% disagreed.

    It came as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced at a press conference that all legal coronavirus restrictions including mask-wearing, social distancing and nightclub closures will end at Step 4 of the Government's plan to ease England's lockdown, which is expected to be on July 19.

  • Joseph GampToday, 17:32

    AIM IS FOR EVERYONE OVER 18 SHOULD BE DOUBLE-JABBED BY MID SEPTEMBER SAYS PM

    The aim is that "everyone over 18 should be double jabbed by the middle of September", according to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

    He said this is in addition to the autumn programme of booster jabs for the most vulnerable.

    He told a Downing Street press conference: "We will move away from legal restrictions and allow people to make their own informed decisions about how to manage the virus."

  • Joseph GampToday, 17:31

    PM OUTLINES A NUMBER OF RESTRICTIONS TO BE EASED ON JULY 19

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined a number of restrictions are to be eased.

    He told a Downing Street press conference: "We will remove all legal limits on the numbers meeting indoors and outdoors.

    "We will allow all businesses to reopen including nightclubs. We will lift the limit on named visitors to care homes and the numbers of people attending concerts, theatre and sports events.

    "We will end the one metre-plus rule on social distancing and the legal obligation to wear a face covering although guidance will suggest where you might choose to do so especially when cases are rising and where you come into contact with people you don't normally meet in enclosed places such as obviously crowded public transport.

    "It will no longer be necessary for Government to instruct people to work from home so employers will be able to start planning a safe return to the workplace."

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