Coronavirus news: Northern leaders attack new lockdown plans for lack of clarity amid pub closure fears

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Leaders in northern England have attacked the government for its much-leaked plan to impose new lockdown restrictions in the region because of a lack of detail.

Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, said Boris Johnson had “lost the dressing room” through his poor communication. Earlier he tweeted he had learned of the plans in the press rather than an official briefing by ministers.

Pubs, restaurants and hairdressers could be ordered to shut again in some parts of the country, according to reports. There could also be a ban on overnight stays away from home in some areas, according to the BBC. It comes as hospitals face being overwhelmed as coronavirus infections continue to soar in places such as Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle.

Dire warnings came thick and fast on Thursday. Matt Hancock said the situation was “perilous", with hospital admissions doubling every fortnight - including among people aged 60 and over. Deaths were also rising, he said.

At the same time, people waiting for routine surgery may see their operations pushed back still further if intensive care units fill up with Covid-19 patients, the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine said as they urged the public to stick with social distancing rules.

Also, worrying news from the Test and Trace service, which failed to reach more than 30 per cent of close contacts of people who tested positive for the coronavirus in England in its latest round of figures - the worst yet.

In the US, there was much wrangling over whether and if another presidential debate would take place between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, and whether it would be virtual or in-person.

Mr Trump plans to return to the campaign trail on Friday - but virtually, through the medium of conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh’s programme.

Key Points

• WHO sees record one-day increase in coronavirus cases, led by Europe
• Inquiry into government’s handling of crisis
• Test and Trace reaches lowest ever proportion of close contacts
• Pubs and restaurants could close in northern England
• ‘Significant proportion of exposure’ to coronavirus comes from hospitality sector, says Downing St

[8 October 2020 13:15 · Kate Ng]

US vaccine maker will not enforce Covid-19 vaccine patents during pandemic

Nurse Kathe Olmstead prepares a shot that is part of a possible COVID-19 vaccine, developed by the National Institutes of Health and Moderna Inc (AP)

Moderna, an American biotechnology company, has said it would not enforce patents related to its experimental Covid-19 vaccine while the pandemic is ongoing.

This would allow other drugmakers to develop shots using the company’s technology. Moderna is one of the furthest along in the US race for a coronavirus vaccine.

The company has received over US$1 billion in government funding to develop and produce its candidate, and another US$1.5 billion to supply it to Americans.

[8 October 2020 13:30 · Kate Ng]

Wales hits back after Trump criticises country’s coronavirus response

The US president on Thursday took to social media to share a post criticising Wales’ coronavirus response, despite having about a hundred other things to concern himself with, like the elections…

But we digress. Political leaders and campaigners have hit back at Mr Trump’s second-hand criticism with no less than sharp-tongued wit and humour.

Colin Drury has the report:

[8 October 2020 13:45 · Kate Ng]

Keir Starmer says Labour will not side with Tory rebels to vote down 10pm pub curfew

Labour’s leader has indicated that the party will not side with Tory rebels to defeat the government over its 10pm coronavirus pub curfew, reports our Policy Correspondent Jon Stone.

Sir Keir Starmer said on Thursday morning that his party would not vote down the restrictions, ahead of a parliamentary vote on the issue next week.

[8 October 2020 14:00 · Kate Ng]

‘Significant proportion of exposure’ to coronavirus comes from hospitality sector, says PM’s spokesperson

Boris Johnson’s spokesperson has said that early data shows a significant proportion of exposure to coronavirus comes from the hospitality sector.

Downing Street said it is considering a range of options to reduce the rising spread of Covid-19 and is keeping data under review. The latest data shows the “importance of following the rules”, he added.

He also rejected suggestions that the initial lockdown had been lifted too early in northern England, and said decisions had been made based on expert advice, pointing out that countries across Europe were also experiencing a second wave of the virus.

“When we lifted the lockdown measures, ministers took scientific and medical advice,” said the spokesperson.

[8 October 2020 14:15 · Kate Ng]

Next US presidential debate will be ‘virtual’ amid fears Trump still infectious

The commission on debates has said that the second televised presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump will be “virtual”, reports Gino Spocchia.

The decision to scrap the in-person debate was “in order to protect the health and safety of all involved with the second presidential debate scheduled for October 15," said the commission in a statement.

Mr Trump responded to the announcement on Fox news, calling the decision “not acceptable”.

[8 October 2020 14:37 · Kate Ng]

Head teachers describe reopening schools mid-pandemic

My colleague Zoe Tidman spoke to head teachers in schools across the country about what it was like to reopen school in the middle of a public health crisis.

“Teachers are with a class all day,” said one head teacher. “That is a bit relentless.”

[8 October 2020 15:00 · Kate Ng]

Over 1,000 students test positive for coronavirus at Newcastle University

Newcastle University has confirmed that more than 1,000 students have tested positive for Covid-19 over the past week.

12 members, out of 6,500 employees, also tested positive for the virus.

A spokesperson said: “This data represents students and staff within Newcastle city with the overwhelming majority of cases from social and residential settings.

“We expected to see cases rise in light of the increase in cases both locally and nationally and all HE institutions have to manage this on an ongoing basis.

“We feel confident that we have appropriate measures in place to protect us all while we are on campus and to reduce the potential for transmission in our community.

“We are reminding our students and staff that we can help keep each other safe by following the guidelines and to remember the hands, face and space message.”

[8 October 2020 15:15 · Kate Ng]

European Parliament President Sassoli self-isolating

European Parliament President David Sassoli has said he will be self-isolating after he came into contact with a member of his staff who tested positive for coronavirus.

[8 October 2020 15:30 · Kate Ng]

New Zealand has stamped out coronavirus, again

New Zealand has once again reached the lowest national Covid-19 alert level after coronavirus restrictions were lifted in the capital on Wednesday.

Prime minister Jacinda Ardern reimposed restrictions on Auckland after an outbreak led to 179 new cases of coronavirus. The country had previously downgraded its art level to one on 8 June.

My colleague Rory Sullivan has the story:

[8 October 2020 15:45 · Kate Ng]

National Trust to cut nearly 1,300 jobs due to pandemic

The National Trust is set to cut almost 1,300 jobs, it has been announced.

Overall, 514 compulsory and 782 voluntary redundancies will be made as the organisation deals with a massive loss of income due the the coronavirus pandemic, reports Harry Cockburn.

Hilary McGrady, director general of the National Trust, said: “This is a very painful time for so many organisations, businesses and communities. The trust is only as strong as it is because of its people - our staff, volunteers and supporters.”