Government study could see close Covid contacts reduce isolation with daily testing May 2, 2021 A government-backed study will look at the effectiveness of testing daily those who are close contacts of people who test positive for Covid-19, in the hope the current 10 day isolation rule can be reduced. The study, which will begin on 9 May, aims to gather evidence on safe alternatives to self-isolation for people who [...]
Isolation rules axed for care home residents in England taking low-risk trips May 1, 2021 Care home residents will be able to leave their home for low-risk trips without having to isolate for 14 days afterwards. The rules will be relaxed in England from Tuesday, and will mean those in care homes can go for walks or garden visits without self-isolation. Coronavirus cases have fallen dramatically in the UK in [...]
Boris Johnson’s mobile number available online for the past 15 years April 30, 2021 The Prime Minister’s mobile number has been online for a decade and a half, meaning thousands of people could have access to Boris Johnson’s phone number. Johnson’s contact details were listed on a 2006 press release from his time as MP for Henley. Gossip newsletter Popbitch gave its readers clues on how to fine the [...]
India hit by vaccine shortage a day before it widened its jabs drive April 30, 2021 India has been hit by a Covid-19 vaccines shortage a day before it had planned to widen its nationwide inoculation programme, authorities said today. It comes as the world’s second-most populous country saw another daily record in new cases, reporting 386,452 infections in the last 24 hours. However, medical experts and journalists have warned that [...]
Leaked report advises Johnson to scrap social distancing at large events April 30, 2021 Prime minister Boris Johnson will be advised to scrap social distancing at larger events from 21 June, as results from a pilot scheme revealed no surge in Covid-19 cases among attendees. Johnson will be told next week to shelve the restrictions after the interim report into reopening trials found that crowds can return safely and without [...]
Tories extend poll lead despite Boris Johnson’s scandal-plagued week April 29, 2021 The Conservatives have extended their poll lead over Labour to 11 points, despite facing a week-long barrage of negative headlines over a series of scandals blighting Boris Johnson. A new YouGov poll, taken yesterday and on Tuesday, had the Conservatives unchanged on 44 per cent while Labour slipped back a point to 33 per cent. [...]
Sir Simon Stevens to quit as NHS England chief executive April 29, 2021 NHS England chief Sir Simon Stevens will step down from at the end of July after seven years in the role. The NHS put out a statement today about Stevens’ departure, while Downing Street said shortly after that he will be given a peerage. Number 10 said: “The Queen has been pleased to confer a [...]
UK set to formally recognise the EU’s ambassador in bid to cool tensions April 29, 2021 The UK is set to grant full diplomatic status to the EU’s ambassador to the UK in a move that could cool tensions and put to bed a long-running dispute. João Vale de Almeida, a near lifetime Eurocrat, took up the ambassadorial post last year, but had not been formally recognised by Boris Johnson’s government. [...]
Lockdown roadmap cannot be rushed, despite vaccine success, minister says April 29, 2021 Despite the success of the vaccine rollout, the roadmap through lifting lockdown restrictions cannot be accelerated safely, the UK’s vaccines minister has warned this morning. Minister Nadhim Zahawi said that while one in four adults had two doses, “we have to be careful”. The successful vaccine rollout does not ensure full protection, Zahawi warned, adding that “if the [...]
UK gets 60m units of Covid booster vaccine from Pfizer April 28, 2021 The UK has secured an extra 60m doses of the Pfizer vaccine to be used for the country’s booster programme that will aim to protect against new variants. The Department of Health said in a statement that the government will also buy booster doses of other vaccines as well to administer the booster programme. About [...]