Matt Hancock says UK border rules WILL get tougher

Boris Johnson today warned that Britain cannot shut its borders completely to prevent mutant coronavirus strains getting in as he denied ignoring SAGE advice. The PM insisted closing off the country altogether was ‘not practical’ as he clashed bitterly with Keir Starmer in the Commons this afternoon.  The Labour leader demanded to know why ministers … Read more

Matt Hancock says UK border rules WILL get tougher

Matt Hancock today insisted UK border rules will get tougher to protect against mutant coronavirus strains – but refused to give a date when ‘quarantine hotels’ will be up and running. The Health Secretary defended the current ‘stringent’ measures – but made clear that even harsher arrangements are in the pipeline.   ‘We are also … Read more

SAGE expert says UK could soon be ‘back to normal’ due to vaccine

Britain could be back to something close to pre-coronavirus life as soon as the summer thanks to the UK’s vaccine juggernaut, a top scientist said today. Professor Mike Tildesley, an infectious disease expert and member of the Sage advisory panel, said the jab could introduce huge changes within months if the rollout continues apace. And … Read more

Boris Johnson says lockdown is working and vaccines ARE effective against Covid variants

Boris Johnson today insisted lockdown is working and vaccines are effective against coronavirus variants – but warned it is too early to take our ‘foot off the throat of the beast’. The PM struck a positive tone as he visited a vaccination site in Yorkshire, saying there was evidence of a ‘flattening and maybe even … Read more

SAGE expert says UK could soon be ‘back to normal’ due to vaccine

Britain could be back to something close to pre-coronavirus life as soon as the summer thanks to the UK’s vaccine juggernaut, a top scientist said today. Professor Mike Tildesley, an infectious disease expert and member of the Sage advisory panel, said the jab could introduce huge changes within months if the rollout continues apace. And … Read more

Ministers should urge people to wear facemasks in outdoor areas, SAGE experts say 

Ministers should urge people to wear facemasks OUTSIDE in parks and other crowded public areas, SAGE experts say Ministers being urged to encourage wearing of face coverings in outdoor areas Sage papers say rules should be tightened to slow the spread of the Kent variant Ability of face covering to block transmission difficult to quantify, … Read more

Ministers should urge people to wear facemasks in outdoor areas, SAGE experts say 

Ministers should urge people to wear facemasks OUTSIDE in parks and other crowded public areas, SAGE experts say Ministers being urged to encourage wearing of face coverings in outdoor areas Sage papers say rules should be tightened to slow the spread of the Kent variant Ability of face covering to block transmission difficult to quantify, … Read more

Coronavirus vaccine would have to be 85 percent effective to stop a surge in deaths

Social distancing may remain in place until the end of the year – while coronavirus vaccines would have to be 85 per cent effective to prevent a surge in deaths if restrictions were totally relaxed, scientists warned today. Modelling passed to Downing Street warns that the UK could see a large spike in deaths if … Read more

Covid UK: SAGE wants it to be compulsory to wear face masks outdoors

SAGE urges No10 to make face masks compulsory outdoors in crowded areas to help stop the spread of super-infectious Kent variant Recommendation on January said advice on masks should be ‘strengthened’  SAGE called for people to consider wearing them outside in crowded areas  In face of new variant mask wearing even more ‘important mitigation strategy’  … Read more

Covid UK: SAGE wants it to be compulsory to wear face masks outdoors

SAGE urges No10 to make face masks compulsory outdoors in crowded areas to help stop the spread of super-infectious Kent variant Recommendation on January said advice on masks should be ‘strengthened’  SAGE called for people to consider wearing them outside in crowded areas  In face of new variant mask wearing even more ‘important mitigation strategy’  … Read more