Covid news LIVE – Boris scraps plans for an ‘amber watchlist’ as 17 new countries could be added to green list
BORIS Johnson has rejected calls for a new "Amber Watchlist" travel tier and called for holiday advice to be made "as simple as possible" for Brits heading abroad.
His plea came just hours after bumbling junior minister suggested the travel traffic lights scheme could become a rainbow "spectrum" of warning levels instead.
A holiday boost has also been given to many as travel experts said 17 more countries could be added to the green lists this week.
Restrictions on visits to destinations including Germany and Canada may be eased thanks to their low Covid case rates.
The news will comes as a huge boost to hopeful holidaymakers and the millions of Brits who have family living abroad.
Travel consultancy firm the PC Agency analysed the data from nations around the world to see where is on course to be opened up.
Read our coronavirus live blog below for that latest news and updates...
WORKING TWO DAYS A WEEK IN THE OFFICE TO BE THE ‘NEW NORMAL’
Working just two days a week from the office is set the become the new normal for millions of employees.
While the Government has lifted its guidance for Brits to work from home, it’s been said that most bosses will not force their workers to return to the office every day.
Research shows two in five businesses will allow all or some staff members to work from home in the future.
MATT HANCOCK ‘GROVELLING’ TO MPS ON WHATSAPP AS HE FIGHTS FOR CAREER & PLANS NEW LIFE WITH LOVER AFTER AFFAIR SCANDAL
The former Health Secretary, 42, has been lying low since he left his wife to pursue a relationship with his former aide, Gina Coladangelo.
He quit his job in Government after The Sun published photographs of the pair together in his ministerial office.
But has stayed on as an MP, and is now trying to test the water with old colleagues, The Telegraph reports.
One MP said: “It was the first time he had popped up on the WhatsApp group since he resigned.
“He was thanking people for their support after he quit, and everyone was very nice to him, saying well done on the vaccine programme.”
MPs also suggested he had debated attending the annual Spectator magazine summer party, but was advised it was still “too soon” after the affair.
VACCINE PASSPORTS COULD BE INTRODUCED FOR PUBS TO COMBAT NEW COVID VARIANTS, MINISTER SAYS
VACCINE passports could be introduced in pubs if Britain finds itself battling new Covid variants, a minister said today.
Skills minister Gillian Keegan said No 10 would have to "take action" if dangerous new strains are imported through international travel. She also confirmed that Boris Johnson is looking at widening the use of compulsory beyond nightclubs to other large, indoor events.
But at the same time she said ministers are encouraging companies to "ramp up" the return of millions of workers to offices this summer. Ms Keegan said the use of vaccine passports in pubs isn't under "consideration at the moment" but warned that could change.
But she added: "Of course we take this virus as we find it, we are trying always to get ahead of it. The vaccine programmes been massively successful but we do always have to look at what's happening.
"If we have a Beta variant, or any other variants which we're trying to minimise the risk of through our cautious approach to travel, then of course we'll have to take action."
'AMBER WATCHLIST' SCRAPPED AS MINISTERS PREPARE TO REVIEW SUMMER TRAVEL RULES
Plans for an "amber watchlist" have been abandoned as ministers prepare to review the traffic light system which will decide the travel rules for most of August.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged to keep travel rules as simple as possible on Monday and ministers are due to carry out a review meeting on Thursday.
The Government had been considering the new category for nations at risk of being moved into the red group which requires hotel quarantine for 10 days at a cost of £1,750 for an adult.
But following a backlash by Tory MPs, ministerial concerns and complaints from the travel industry, Government sources confirmed there would be "no amber watchlist".
The confirmation came after Mr Johnson said "a balanced approach" was necessary, adding: "What I want to see is something that is as simple and as user-friendly for people as possible."
MINISTER RAISES HOPES FRANCE COULD MOVE OFF GOVT'S AMBER PLUS COVID TRAVEL LIST
Minister raises hopes France could move off govt's Amber Plus covid travel listUK COULD BE 'OVER THE EDGE' OF THIRD COVID WAVE SAYS HEALTH EXPERT
The nation could be "over the edge" of the third wave of Covid-19, a health commentator has said.
Jamie Jenkins, former head of health statistics at the Office for National Statistics, told LBC: "(Cases) in England and Wales have been coming down since July 19, the cases have been falling for a couple of weeks there, then you get that time-lag effect when cases start coming down you get, around five or six days later, you start seeing hospital admissions come down, and then you start seeing deaths come down.
"I think looking at the data, we normally see deaths peaking around 14 days after cases come down, I think we might start being over the hill now when it comes to deaths."
Mr Jenkins added: "We probably are over the edge of the wave at the moment but let's have a bit of caution as we go into the autumn period."
He said that hospital admissions were around 80% lower than what they would have been in the past and deaths were 90% lower, adding: "The vaccine effect has kicked in as well - if you look at the same number of cases to what we had in the winter, it would have been 800 deaths rather than 65-70."
GRAPH: UK COVID-19 CASES AND DEATHS PER DAY
GOVERNMENT HAS 'EXPLORED ALL OPTIONS' FOR REPORTED CHANGES TO AMBER 'WATCH' LIST
The Government has "explored all options", a minister has said when asked about reported changes to plans for an amber watchlist as part of the international travel traffic light system.
Following a backlash by Tory MPs, ministerial concerns and complaints from the travel industry, Government sources confirmed yesterday that there would be "no amber watchlist".
Asked on Times Radio why the Government has changed its mind on the amber watchlist, Gillian Keegan, minister for apprenticeships and skills, said: "There has been a lot of speculation as well on this, but effectively we are trying to tread this very careful balance between opening up travel and giving people the opportunity to travel and see their loved ones or go on holiday but also to keep the country safe from new variants, and we are trying to sort of navigate that.
"And we have explored all options, looked at all options, but the most important thing is that the system is actually simple enough for people to understand, and you know there was a lot of discussion about these kind of different categories potentially being more complex and more difficult for people to navigate, so you know effectively we are trying to get that balance right, but it's important in any aspect of any system that we want people to follow that it is simple enough for people to understand."
PM SAYS UK ECONOMY ‘ABOUT THE MOST OPEN IN EUROPE’ AS A RESULT OF VACCINE ROLLOUT
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK economy and society “is just about the most open in Europe” as a result of the vaccine rollout but caution was still needed around travel.
He told reporters at Airbus in Stevenage: “On travel, we have had to balance it because of the anxiety that I think a lot of people have – I have – about importing new variants, bringing back the disease.
“We also have to recognise that people want, badly, to go on their summer holidays, we need to get the travel industry moving again, we need to get our city centres open again and so we want an approach that is as simple as we can possibly make it.”
FOOD DELIVERY AND TAXI-HAILING FIRMS TO OFFER COVID JAB-LINKED INCENTIVES
Food delivery and taxi-hailing companies are to offer discounted rides and meals for customers who get a Covid-19 jab to help boost vaccine uptake, the Government has announced.
Uber, Bolt and Deliveroo are among the brands who will be offering incentives to encourage younger people to get vaccinated.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said taxi app firm Uber will be sending reminders to all users in August encouraging them to get jabbed.
The company will offer discounted Uber rides and meals on its Uber Eats platform for young adults who receive a vaccine.
Uber has previously offered free trips to vaccination centres for NHS staff.
10,000 JABBED IN A DAY AS WALK-IN VACCINE CENTRES PROVE POPULAR
More than 10,000 people got vaccinated at temporary walk-in centres across Ireland on Saturday.
Dozens of centres have been operating across the country over the bank holiday weekend as the vaccination programme continues at a significant pace.
Long queues have been observed at many across the weekend, with many young people among those waiting in line for a first jab.
Two thirds of the 10,000 jabbed at the walk-in centres on Saturday were 19 or younger.
Twenty of the centres will be open through Sunday and Monday.
VACCINE PASSPORT DECISIONS LEFT TO CLUBS AS EFL PREPARES TO RESUME
EFL clubs will be left to make their own decision on whether to use Covid certification when the new season begins next weekend in the absence of the Government mandating so-called ‘vaccine passports’.
The UK Government is yet to decide whether to make passports compulsory for some large-scale events such as football matches, having already announced they will be required for nightclub entry in England from the end of September.
Reports have suggested they could be required for events with crowds of 20,000 or more from the end of next month, and it is understood the EFL is in continued dialogue with the Government over the issue of certification.
Three clubs contacted by the PA news agency have indicated they do not intend to require certification when the season starts, but will adhere to all legal requirements.
The 2021-22 EFL season kicks off on Friday, when Bournemouth host West Brom in the Championship.
WHAT ARE THE CORONAVIRUS MASK RESTRICTIONS OUTSIDE OF LONDON?
There are differing rules for different types of transport in many areas of the UK.
For example, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has ruled that masks are required on the city’s Metrolink tram service to protect passengers and staff.
Meanwhile, Uber has also said its ‘No Mask, No Ride’ policy remains in place.
And passengers travelling with British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair will need to wear face coverings, as well as those travelling to France by Eurostar train.
UK SPARE VACCINES ARE BEING USED AFTER BEING SHIPPED LAST WEEK, SAYS DOMINIC RAAB
The Foreign Secretary said the UK’s spare donated vaccine doses were starting to be used after being shipped out last week.
Dominic Raab tweeted: “Pleased to see the first of nine million Covid-19 vaccines the UK sent overseas this week going in arms in Jamaica.
“Jabs are also on their way to clinics in Kenya, Guyana, Belize, Laos and elsewhere, thanks to the quick work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Crown Agents.”
RISHI SUNAK TELLS BORIS TO EASE TRAVEL RULES
Rishi Sunak has told Boris Johnson to ease the UK’s draconian travel rules to save summer holidays for millions of Brits, according to reports.
The chancellor has warned the Prime Minister that the coronavirus rules are damaging the economy and tourism.
He wrote that Britain’s “draconian” measures are “out of step with our international competitors”, reports The Times.
A source told the paper: “Rishi has called time on the travel restrictions.”
IMPLICATION THAT ‘INFECTIONS DON’T MATTER’ COULD PUT YOUNG OFF COVID VACCINE
An implication that “infections don’t matter” could have put young people off getting a Covid-19 jab, a leading psychologist has said.
Stephen Reicher, professor of psychology at University of St Andrews, said more must be done to make younger adults aware that vaccination is a matter of personal and social responsibility.
Prof Reicher sits on the advisory group Scientific Pandemic Insights Group on Behaviours (Spi-B) which advises the Government.
He called for clear and consistent messaging to signal that the pandemic is not over. His comments come after a raft of new inducements for younger adults to take up the offer of a vaccine were introduced.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said around 67% of people aged 18 to 29 in England have received a first dose, and it is hoping to boost those figures with offers of vouchers and discounts for popular takeaways and taxi for those who get a jab.
UK SPARE VACCINES ARE BEING USED AFTER BEING SHIPPED LAST WEEK, SAYS DOMINIC RAAB
The Foreign Secretary said the UK’s spare donated vaccine doses were starting to be used after being shipped out last week.
Dominic Raab tweeted: “Pleased to see the first of nine million Covid-19 vaccines the UK sent overseas this week going in arms in Jamaica.
“Jabs are also on their way to clinics in Kenya, Guyana, Belize, Laos and elsewhere, thanks to the quick work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Crown Agents.”
IRELAND ADMINISTERS 2.1 MILLION VACCINES IN SIX WEEKS
Ireland has administered more than two million Covid-19 jabs in six weeks, health officials have said.
In excess of 1.5 million of those 2.1 million jabs were given out in July.
The latest update on the country’s rollout comes after 18,000 people attended temporary walk-in centres over the weekend.
Twenty six of the centres remained open on bank holiday Monday with people able to turn up to get a vaccine without having booked an appointment.
The vast majority of those attending the centre have been young people.
HEATHROW AIRPORT CHIEFS DEMAND GOVERNMENT SIMPLIFY TRAVEL RULES
Chiefs at London’s Heathrow Airport today demanded the Government simplify travel rules – and called for restrictions for travellers from France to be eased.
Heathrow’s Chief Executive John Holland-Kaye told Sky: “We just need to keep it simple.”
Mr Holland-Kaye also said the green list of countries should be expanded.
NO COVID TRACES FOUND ON SURFACES OR IN THE AIR AT MAJOR TRAIN STATIONS INCLUDING LONDON EUSTON
NO traces of Covid have been found on surfaces or in the air at major train stations.
Network Rail carried out analysis at four busy stations in January and June: London Euston, Birmingham New Street, Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Piccadilly.
RISHI SUNAK VOWS FURLOUGH WILL END IN SEPTEMBER & NO PLANS TO EXTEND IT
RISHI Sunak vowed he has no plans to extend furlough cash for businesses beyond September, thanks to Britain’s soaring economic bounce back.
The Chancellor promised there was no need at all to pay Brits’ wages beyond the 18 months the wage-paying scheme has already been in place, despite warnings of thousands of job losses could be at risk.
Mr Sunak said in a LinkedIn event when asked about the end of furlough: “Furlough, we put in place a year ago, our plan for jobns. EVerything I see, shows me that the plan is working.
“Furlough we know has helped save millions of jobs, people have described it as a lifeline, a Godsend. The jobs numbers are heading in the right direction. Unemployment is expected to be much lower.
“There are no plans to extend furlough, it’s run for a year and a half. We made the decision back in March to extend it, quite comprehensively and generously, through to the Autumn. Most people thought, gosh that was a bit long.”
HYBRID WORKING (CONTINUED…)
Before the pandemic hit, it was as standard for one in three firms that staff work from the office.
Now, a survey shows that 7% of businesses will ask staff to come in for one day per week, rising to 12% for two days a week.
With this, a further 11% of firms will require staff to work from the office on three days each week, and 6% will ask employees to return for four days.
Only a fifth of businesses plan to let their staff choose whether to come in at all.
There does not appear to be any rise in businesses cutting costs by making all of their staff work remotely.
WORKING TWO DAYS A WEEK IN THE OFFICE TO BE THE ‘NEW NORMAL’
Working just two days a week from the office is set the become the new normal for millions of employees.
While the Government has lifted its guidance for Brits to work from home, it’s been said that most bosses will not force their workers to return to the office every day.
Research shows two in five businesses will allow all or some staff members to work from home in the future.
PM SAYS UK ECONOMY ‘ABOUT THE MOST OPEN IN EUROPE’ AS A RESULT OF VACCINE ROLLOUT
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK economy and society “is just about the most open in Europe” as a result of the vaccine rollout but caution was still needed around travel.
He told reporters at Airbus in Stevenage: “On travel, we have had to balance it because of the anxiety that I think a lot of people have – I have – about importing new variants, bringing back the disease.
“We also have to recognise that people want, badly, to go on their summer holidays, we need to get the travel industry moving again, we need to get our city centres open again and so we want an approach that is as simple as we can possibly make it.”
BORIS JOHNSON SCRAPS PLANS FOR AN ‘AMBER WATCHLIST’ TO MAKE GOING ON HOLIDAY ‘AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE’
His plea came just hours after bumbling junior minister suggested the travel traffic lights scheme could become a rainbow “spectrum” of warning levels instead.
Officials had been pushing for a new layer to be added to the red, amber and green system to give holiday makers warning that their destination could soon go red – but critics said it would be too complicated.
However today Mr Johnson publicly called for the system to be a simple and “user friendly” as possible, with insiders saying the original three tier traffic light system is preferable.
It also means that the ‘Amber plus” sub category will also likely go, with France returning to the usual amber category.
Boris said: “I obviously understand that people care very much about the holidays.
“People want to go abroad, I understand how much people plan, prepare for the summer holidays, but we’ve also got to remember that it’s still a dangerous virus.
“We must stop importing variants from abroad and we have to have a balanced approach and what I want to see is something that is as simple and as user friendly for people as possible.”