The coronavirus pandemic has seen the Government take unprecedented steps to keep the country afloat during numerous lockdowns. Now, Boris Johnson’s newly appointed Chief of Staff Steve Barclay has declared the Government should “restore a smaller state” and take “a step back from people’s lives”. Mr Barclay declared: “It’s time to return to a more...
Hong Kong authorities said supplies of vegetables and chilled poultry to the global financial hub may be temporarily disrupted after some mainland goods vehicle drivers preliminarily tested positive for Covid-19. Hong Kong imports 90% of its food, with the mainland its most important source, especially for fresh food. Consumers have already seen a shortage of...
It is “impossible” for the public inquiry into the government’s response to the Covid pandemic to begin on time after Boris Johnson delayed preparations for it, experts are warning. The prime minister is accused of appearing to shunt the investigation – which he pledged would begin in “spring 2022” – to the bottom of his “to do list”, after dragging his...
Covid cases have fallen in almost all London boroughs indicating that Omicron is in retreat in the capital, official figures have revealed. Confirmed cases were down in 26 out of 32 boroughs in the week to January 5, according to the latest Government data. Just four local authorities saw infection rates increase by any significant margin. All boroughs recorded fewer...
Boris Johnson has already been forced to introduce social restrictions to combat the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus and rocketing infection numbers in January could ultimately see him forced to tighten them still further. The prime minister has already brought back mandatory mask-wearing on public transport and in shops, cinemas, theatres and places of worship, asked citizens to work from home where possible...
The number of people who died with confirmed or suspected coronavirus in Scotland fell in the week to Sunday, according to the latest figures. National Records of Scotland (NRS) statistics show that in the week to December 19, 68 deaths were registered that mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate, down 17 on the previous week. As of Sunday,...
Covid-19 booster jabs will be available to millions more people in England this week as cases of the Omicron variant continue to rise. The national booking system will open to everyone aged 30 to 39 from Monday so they can make appointments to get a booster three months on from their second Covid-19 jab. The move comes amid concerns...
Top scientists advising Boris Johnson’s government are set to unveil new guidance on extending the rollout of Covid booster shots to younger adults on Monday, a health minister has said. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has been asked to consider boosters for under-40s, as well as reducing the gap between second doses and boosters....
Face masks should be worn in communal areas in England’s schools and colleges as part of efforts to slow the spread of the omicron Covid variant, the government has said. Pupils in year 7 and above, plus staff and visitors, are being “strongly advised” to wear a face covering under the “temporary and precautionary” measure, which will take...
Angela Merkel’s husband has accused unvaccinated Germans of “laziness”, amid calls for the introduction of mandatory coronavirus jabs to combat a dramatic rise in infections. Germany’s Covid-19 resurgence has in part been blamed on its vaccination rate of 68%, which is relatively low compared with western European nations such as France, Italy and Spain. “It...