“In the past week, the number of positive cases in Preston has increased significantly and it is extremely important that we act now to prevent the situation from getting any worse.
“The evidence is clear, we all need to take extra precautions to protect our loved ones. Coronavirus affects all of communities and we all need to do our part to prevent the spread from continuing rise.
“I also want to be clear that this is affecting people from both south Asian and white ethnic backgrounds, particularly those living in poor socio-economic conditions in our city. We need to avoid mixing between households and to maintain two metre social distancing particularly in pubs and clubs.”
“The number of cases in Preston have increased rapidly in recent days leading to Government categorising the city as an area of intervention. It is also alarming to see that the under-30s are contracting it at a significant rate.
“It is clear that coronavirus is still here and we all need to work together to keep ourselves, our friends, families and communities safe from this virus.
“While some wards have recorded a higher level of cases, this remains a city-wide issue and it’s essential that we all do our part to fight the virus.
“We’re urging everyone to be diligent and follow the restrictions, in order to protect all of our residents, communities and businesses.”
“The governments of all four nations have agreed to these changes based on a shared understanding of the data.
“This is another important step in our efforts to prevent the spread of the virus, and adhering to the quarantine is a vital aspect of this.
“Imposing quarantine requirements on those arriving from another country is not a decision made lightly – but suppressing the virus and protecting public health remains our priority.”
“I want to acknowledge that the hospitality sector have been working very hard with us, they have been in partnership with us right throughout this issue and this is not a reflection on the hospitality sector, rather it’s a reflection on the fact that the R rate has risen, there is a rise in community transmission and we always said there is a need to work together to try and push that down.
“We have decided to make face masks mandatory in enclosed spaces where you can’t social distance, from Monday.
“Retail workers will not have to wear masks, it’s those people coming in to the shops that we are asking to wear masks.
“It’s about trying to give confidence to people who feel vulnerable and maybe have been shielding and we are asking the public to work with us and listen to what we are asking them to do.”
More deaths related to coronavirus have been reported in the UK.
The Government figures confirmed that eight more people had died across all settings after testing positive for Covid-19, taking the UK death toll to 46,574. Cases also rose by 1,062 to a total of 310,825.
Meanwhile, Boris Johnson has spoken of “a moral duty” to get all children back in class amid indications he would force pubs, restaurants and shops to close ahead of schools in the event of severe coronavirus flare-ups.
His comments came as the Government’s former chief scientific adviser Sir David King warned that there could be a second national lockdown if the test and trace system wasn’t improved.
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Of the 68 latest cases, 82% are under 45 years old.
Some 41 are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case, while two cases have been identified as community transmission.
Nineteen of the cases are in Kildare, 17 in Dublin, 15 in Offaly, 12 in Laois and five in Donegal.
Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said: “We continue to see cases linked to the outbreaks in counties where additional public health measures have been introduced. This was expected and we will continue to monitor closely.”
There are 68 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, according to the National Public Health Emergency Team, bringing the total number of Irish infections to 26,712.
No further deaths with coronavirus have been notified, leaving the national total at 1,772.
The Government said 46,574 people had died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK, as of 5pm on Saturday, up by eight from the day before.
Separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies show there have now been 56,600 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
The Government also said that in the 24-hour period up to 9am on Sunday, there had been a further 1,062 lab-confirmed cases. Overall, a total of 310,825 cases have been confirmed.
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From ‘Stay Home’ to ‘Stay Alert’, the rules we’re told to follow to fight coronavirus are constantly changing.
As new face mask rules are introduced on Saturday, studies show people are less and less certain about what the Government is telling us to do.
According to research carried out by University College London (UCL), under half (45%) of people in England feel they have a ‘broad understanding’ of the current lockdown rules, compared to 90% across the UK during the strict lockdown period.
We’ve created a quiz about the latest regulations – it might help you understand the gaps in your knowledge, or remind you of a rule you hadn’t realised has changed.
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Boris Johnson has spoken of “a moral duty” to get all children back in class amid indications he would force pubs, restaurants and shops to close ahead of schools in the event of severe coronavirus flare-ups.
The Prime Minister is understood to favour only closing schools as the last resort after scientific advisers warned more restrictions may be needed to reopen classrooms in England next month.
Children’s commissioner for England Anne Longfield had said the reopening of schools “should be prioritised”, insisting they must be first to reopen and last to close during any reintroduction of restrictions.
Full story here.
The Department of Health has also reported that there have been 1,062 more confirmed cases.
The total number of confirmed positive tests since the outbreak began is 310,825.
The Government has confirmed eight more people have died across all settings after testing positive for coronavirus, taking the official UK death toll to 46,574.
An outdoor seaside-themed beer garden which has been making a splash in Jesmond now has an extra eye-catching addition in the form of lifeguards to keep a close eye on that all-important customer safety.
The quirky touch has been added at The Beach Box in Jesmond on the back of the success the new venture has had with its outdoor attractions of deckchairs, sands and palm trees – coupled with its holiday vibe – drawing the crowds.
But it is determined to keep those crowds in check if they stray a little too far over from social distancing guidelines.
Full story here.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the US has reached 5 million and is the highest in the world.
Scotland has recorded 48 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, as the number of positive tests nears 19,000.
It comes after 60 new cases were confirmed on Saturday, however there was no change in the number of people in intensive care (three) or in hospital (261).
As of Sunday there were 28,340 people tested for Covid-19 in the last week with 322 of those positive.
Overall a total of 394,455 people in Scotland have been tested with 18,998 positive, including 2,491 who have died.
Geordies are being encouraged to support their local pubs with the help of an online tool which can track down favourite boozers.
The Useyourlocal initiative is run by local businessman Stuart Mills who hopes that it will prove a boost to pubs taking part in the current Eat Out to Help Out scheme.
And Newcastle MP Chi Onwurah agrees, seeing it as a means for people to support what she calls a fantastic local asset.
Full story here.
Proposals on how to restrict non-essential travel from countries outside the UK and European Union are being prepared for the Irish Government, the Health Minister has said.
Stephen Donnelly said he is concerned about high rates of coronavirus in some places, and said options will be finalised “as soon as possible”.
The Health Minister said that the number of travel-related cases in Ireland remains small but added that the risk is increasing.
Here is the regional breakdown of today’s reported deaths in England hospitals:
East of England 2
London 1
Midlands 4
North East & Yorkshire 3
North West 0
South East 0
South West 0
England hospital patients who died were aged between 45 and 89 years old. All had known underlying health conditions.Their families have been informed.
NHS England has reported that 10 more people have died in hospital after testing positive for Covid-19.
This is double the number last Sunday when five were reported.
Public Health Wales has not reported any further deaths for people who have tested positive for coronavirus, keeping the death toll at 1,579.
There have been no further deaths reported in Scotland for people who have tested positive for Covid-19, meaning the death toll remains at 2,491.
New safety measures are in place in readiness for the reopening of Newcastle’s upmarket bowling alley on Monday – but the game isn’t back on just yet.
While Lane7 is ready to get back in business from lockdown, 10-pin bowling fans can’t yet get back in action – to the frustration of the team – because of current Government rules.
Instead, the US-style bowling alley is hoping to tempt in customers with its other attractions – games including pool and beer pong – and also to claw back some lost revenue by taking part in this month’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme.
Full story here.
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The scale of the jobs crisis hitting the UK in the wake of the pandemic has been laid bare in new figures.
Almost 1,800 firms have announced they’re making 20 people or more redundant, potentially fuelling generational levels of unemployment.
According to data obtained by the BBC via Freedom of Information requests, 1,778 companies informed the Insolvency Service of their intention to cut more than 139,000 jobs in England, Scotland and Wales.
Royal Mail, Centrica and The Restaurant Group – which owns Frankie and Benny’s – were among those announcing four-digit job losses.
Full story here.
A meat processing plant in Co Kildare is to remain closed for two weeks.
O’Brien’s Fine Foods at Timahoe halted production last week after dozens of workers tested positive for coronavirus.
It was announced on Friday night that Kildare, along with counties Laois and Offaly, will face further lockdown restrictions for the next fortnight following a spate of cases.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has said he believes meat plants affected by the outbreak should not reopen on Monday.
A former chief scientific adviser has warned that the UK could be heading for a second full lockdown by the end of the month.
Sir David King said: “We need a proper test and trace system by September. Otherwise full school opening will put us right back.”
Sir David says we are “nowhere near” the safe reopening of schools, the Mirror reports.
He is urging Boris Johnson to “get it right” in August – or face a second wave of coronavirus infections.
Full story here.
Boris Johnson has spoken of “a moral duty” to get all children back in class amid indications he would force pubs, restaurants and shops to close ahead of schools in the event of severe coronavirus flare-ups.
The Prime Minister said schools are the “national priority” and it is understood he only wants them closed as the last resort, after scientific advisers warned more restrictions may be needed to reopen classrooms in England next month.
Children’s commissioner for England Anne Longfield welcomed the pledge after previously criticising the Government for treating pupils as “an afterthought” and calling for schools to be the first to open and last to close.
Schools minister Nick Gibb said this week the Government cannot “decree” that classroom education is prioritised, instead saying decisions will be made by local health chiefs.