Boris Johnson and his most senior ministers are meeting to finalise plans for reopening pubs, restaurants, hotels and restaurants next week on 4 July.
The prime minister is expected to announce the next steps for easing the UK coronavirus lockdown on Tuesday, including a likely loosening of the two-metre rule.
It comes after the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported the biggest daily rise in global coronavirus cases on Sunday – with the total rising by 183,020 to 8.7 million cases.
Charities urge caution as shielding rules relaxed and voice concerns about return to work
Matt Hancock has announced easements from 6 July for the 2.2 million people currently shielding in England, with the measure coming to an end in August.
Food packages will stop at the end of July, while statutory sick pay will also stop for the shielded unless they need to self-isolate due to falling ill or coming into contact with a Covid-19 patient. Those who need to work and cannot do so from home will also be able to return to work, so long as their workplace is "Covid-secure".
Nick Moberly, chief executive of the MS Society, said people "are desperate to get back to normal life" but added: "We are gravely concerned that certain key support measures - such as food packages and Statutory Sick Pay - will be taken away prematurely.
"Without this help, and with many people still terrified of infection, for some the idea of normal life returning will feel more like a threat than an opportunity. Additionally, those who now may have no choice but to return to work must be given the right information so that - together with their employer - they can ensure their working environment is safe."
Alison Cook, director of external affairs at Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation, said: "Most people will have a choice about what they are going to do, but for people who aren't able to work from home that may not be the case.
"It is vital that before anyone in the extremely clinically vulnerable group goes back to work that employers can clearly demonstrate how they are going to be able to keep people safe, whether that's through socially distancing or providing protective equipment."
Lynda Thomas, chief executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "For those facing a return to work, the government needs to make sure there are no gaps in the support available. No-one should be forced to choose between protecting their health and making ends meet.
"The government must ensure employers are meeting their legal obligations to support people to return to work safely and those who are unable to work safely should be able to continue to access support from the government's job retention scheme, whether they have been furloughed before or not."
Matt Hancock has announced easements from 6 July for the 2.2 million people currently shielding in England, with the measure coming to an end in August.
Food packages will stop at the end of July, while statutory sick pay will also stop for the shielded unless they need to self-isolate due to falling ill or coming into contact with a Covid-19 patient. Those who need to work and cannot do so from home will also be able to return to work, so long as their workplace is "Covid-secure".
Nick Moberly, chief executive of the MS Society, said people "are desperate to get back to normal life" but added: "We are gravely concerned that certain key support measures - such as food packages and Statutory Sick Pay - will be taken away prematurely.
"Without this help, and with many people still terrified of infection, for some the idea of normal life returning will feel more like a threat than an opportunity. Additionally, those who now may have no choice but to return to work must be given the right information so that - together with their employer - they can ensure their working environment is safe."
Alison Cook, director of external affairs at Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation, said: "Most people will have a choice about what they are going to do, but for people who aren't able to work from home that may not be the case.
"It is vital that before anyone in the extremely clinically vulnerable group goes back to work that employers can clearly demonstrate how they are going to be able to keep people safe, whether that's through socially distancing or providing protective equipment."
Lynda Thomas, chief executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "For those facing a return to work, the government needs to make sure there are no gaps in the support available. No-one should be forced to choose between protecting their health and making ends meet.
"The government must ensure employers are meeting their legal obligations to support people to return to work safely and those who are unable to work safely should be able to continue to access support from the government's job retention scheme, whether they have been furloughed before or not."
Drinkers ‘barricade themselves in pub’ during illegal lockdown lock-in
Drinkers at an illegal lockdown-defying lock-in have barricaded themselves in a pub after police officers arrived to break up the session, according to police.
Merseyside Police officers were pelted with beer and other items as revellers took up their fortified position at the Britannia Hotel pub in Liverpool, the force said.
There were reportedly more than 100 people gathered at the Vauxhall pub at around midnight on Sunday, playing loud music and disturbing residents nearby, although only “a number of people” were said to take part in the blockade.
Seven men and one woman, aged between 21 and 33, were arrested for violent disorder and drugs offences. No officers were injured. The premises surrendered its licence on Monday.
Drinkers at an illegal lockdown-defying lock-in have barricaded themselves in a pub after police officers arrived to break up the session, according to police.
Merseyside Police officers were pelted with beer and other items as revellers took up their fortified position at the Britannia Hotel pub in Liverpool, the force said.
There were reportedly more than 100 people gathered at the Vauxhall pub at around midnight on Sunday, playing loud music and disturbing residents nearby, although only “a number of people” were said to take part in the blockade.
Seven men and one woman, aged between 21 and 33, were arrested for violent disorder and drugs offences. No officers were injured. The premises surrendered its licence on Monday.
Canada will not rush to reopen borders for fear of sparking second wave
Prime minister Justin Trudeau has warned airlines that Canada will not move quickly to reopen its borders for fears of a second wave of coronavirus, amid increasing pressure from the aviation industry to do so.
"I understand there are a lot of tourism firms and airlines who would like us to be able to once again to welcome tourists," Mr Trudeau said at a daily briefing.
"But these people all need to understand that if we take steps too quickly, if we are not sure of what we're doing at each stage, we risk hitting a second wave ... and having to close our economy again."
Canada and the US last week extended a ban on non-essential travel until late July, having introduced restrictions in March.
"I understand how difficult this is and how frustrating this is for some people but ... we are going to be very, very careful about when and how we start reopening international borders," Mr Trudeau said.
Prime minister Justin Trudeau has warned airlines that Canada will not move quickly to reopen its borders for fears of a second wave of coronavirus, amid increasing pressure from the aviation industry to do so.
"I understand there are a lot of tourism firms and airlines who would like us to be able to once again to welcome tourists," Mr Trudeau said at a daily briefing.
"But these people all need to understand that if we take steps too quickly, if we are not sure of what we're doing at each stage, we risk hitting a second wave ... and having to close our economy again."
Canada and the US last week extended a ban on non-essential travel until late July, having introduced restrictions in March.
"I understand how difficult this is and how frustrating this is for some people but ... we are going to be very, very careful about when and how we start reopening international borders," Mr Trudeau said.
Atlantic City moves to gradually reopen casinos
Atlantic City's casinos will be able to reopen on 2 July at 25 per cent capacity, New Jersey governor Phil Murphy has said.
Atlantic City's casinos will be able to reopen on 2 July at 25 per cent capacity, New Jersey governor Phil Murphy has said.
In a Twitter post on Monday, the Democratic governor also said indoor dining can resume on that date, with restaurants also operating at 25 per cent capacity.
The city's nine casinos have been waiting for a reopening date for weeks, even as casinos in other states reopened.
"We're delighted to get the reopening date," said Joe Lupo, president of the Hard Rock casino.
"We thank the governor that we'll be able to be open for the July 4 weekend to meet the demand on the world-famous Atlantic City Boardwalk."
The governor said additional safety and health guidelines will be released in the coming days for casinos and restaurants.
Wales could impose local lockdown on island after factor outbreak
Wales could implement its first local lockdown following a coronavirus outbreak at a chicken processing plant, the first minister has said.
Wales could implement its first local lockdown following a coronavirus outbreak at a chicken processing plant, the first minister has said.
Mark Drakeford said strict measures would only be reimposed for the island of Anglesey if there was a public health case for doing so, as officials wait to see if the outbreak has spread into the wider community.
Some 175 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed at the 2 Sisters factory in Llangefni, Anglesey, where production was stopped on Thursday after the outbreak was declared and staff were told to self-isolate for two weeks.
On Monday, Mr Drakeford said Government ministers and the island's local authority were reviewing the situation, while Wales' test, trace, protect system would "keep on top" of whether there has been a general spread of the virus.
Advice would be taken from public health officials on whether specific lockdown measures were needed for the area during meetings later on Monday, he said.
Liberia extends state of emergency as cases rise 'exponentially'
President George Weah extended the measure by 30 days, citing an exponential increase in the number of cases despite compulsory mask-wearing and stay-at-home orders, Reuters reports.
The decision runs counter to moves by other governments in West Africa that have sought to ease restrictions, despite rising case numbers, to allow the resumption of day-to-day economic activities that millions of citizens depend on to survive.
Liberia has so far confirmed 626 cases of Covid-19 and 34 deaths since registering its first case in mid-March. A state of emergency was declared on 8 April that included the quarantining of 15 counties and a requirement to stay indoors after 3pm.
But despite restrictions on movement, social distancing and wearing of masks, the number of people infected has "exponentially increased", Mr Weah said.
Liberia is one of the world's poorest countries, and most people live without reliable access to electricity and clean water. The 2013-16 Ebola outbreak killed more than 4,800 people there, including more than 150 healthcare workers.
President George Weah extended the measure by 30 days, citing an exponential increase in the number of cases despite compulsory mask-wearing and stay-at-home orders, Reuters reports.
The decision runs counter to moves by other governments in West Africa that have sought to ease restrictions, despite rising case numbers, to allow the resumption of day-to-day economic activities that millions of citizens depend on to survive.
Liberia has so far confirmed 626 cases of Covid-19 and 34 deaths since registering its first case in mid-March. A state of emergency was declared on 8 April that included the quarantining of 15 counties and a requirement to stay indoors after 3pm.
But despite restrictions on movement, social distancing and wearing of masks, the number of people infected has "exponentially increased", Mr Weah said.
Liberia is one of the world's poorest countries, and most people live without reliable access to electricity and clean water. The 2013-16 Ebola outbreak killed more than 4,800 people there, including more than 150 healthcare workers.
As many as 23 US states, mostly in the South and West, are registering a rise in new reported cases compared to the previous week, according to data from Johns Hopkins University, reports Oliver O'Connell from New York.
Most of the states reporting surging numbers of cases have not previously seen a peak and fall — this is not a resurgence of cases, but a continued increase.
Florida became the seventh state to hit 100,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 on Monday according to the state department of health. The daily number of cases reached a record 4,049 on Saturday, but that fell back on Sunday and Monday.
Governor Ron DeSantis has not made masks mandatory, but several cities have. Mr DeSantis said that local enforcement would be more effective than statewide penalties. Florida now has 100,217 confirmed cases, and more than 3,150 officially recorded deaths.
California, which reported some of the first cases in the US back in February, this weekend saw its highest number of hospitalisations — 3,574 on Saturday — and the most new cases in a single day — 4,515.
Read more below:
Read more below:
US death toll passes 120,000
The death toll from Covid-19 has reached over 120,000 in the United States, according to a Reuters tally on Monday, as new cases spike in several states.
More Americans have now died from the disease than were killed fighting in World War One.
About 800 Americans have died on average each day so far in June, down from a peak of 2,000 a day in April, according to the tally of state and county data on Covid-19 deaths.
Total US coronavirus cases are over 2.2 million, the highest in the world, followed by Brazil with more than 1 million cases, and infections are rapidly rising in India.
The death toll from Covid-19 has reached over 120,000 in the United States, according to a Reuters tally on Monday, as new cases spike in several states.
More Americans have now died from the disease than were killed fighting in World War One.
About 800 Americans have died on average each day so far in June, down from a peak of 2,000 a day in April, according to the tally of state and county data on Covid-19 deaths.
Total US coronavirus cases are over 2.2 million, the highest in the world, followed by Brazil with more than 1 million cases, and infections are rapidly rising in India.
The Trump administration has still not used $14bn (£11.2bn) in funding for coronavirus contact test and tracing, according to senior Democrats, reports James Crump.
In April, as part of a coronavirus relief bill, Congress passed legislation that awarded $25bn (£20bn) in funding for Covid-19 tracing and surveillance, split between the administration and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), according to NBC.
In a letter to Health and Human Services secretary Alex Azar, on Sunday, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer and senator Patty Murray, claimed that president Donald Trump had still not used more than half of the funds.
The senators claimed that the Trump administration has “failed to disburse” $8bn (£6.42bn), the CDC has not used $4bn (£3.2bn), and an extra $2bn (£1.6bn) has not been allocated by the administration for free testing for uninsured US citizens.
“While it has been months since these funds were first appropriated, the Administration has failed to disburse significant amounts of this funding,” the Democratic senators wrote on Sunday.
Read more below:
In April, as part of a coronavirus relief bill, Congress passed legislation that awarded $25bn (£20bn) in funding for Covid-19 tracing and surveillance, split between the administration and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), according to NBC.
In a letter to Health and Human Services secretary Alex Azar, on Sunday, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer and senator Patty Murray, claimed that president Donald Trump had still not used more than half of the funds.
The senators claimed that the Trump administration has “failed to disburse” $8bn (£6.42bn), the CDC has not used $4bn (£3.2bn), and an extra $2bn (£1.6bn) has not been allocated by the administration for free testing for uninsured US citizens.
“While it has been months since these funds were first appropriated, the Administration has failed to disburse significant amounts of this funding,” the Democratic senators wrote on Sunday.
Read more below:
White House scales back practice of taking temperatures of visitors
The White House has cut back on temperature checks for visitors but said anyone in close proximity with president Donald Trump and vice president Mike Pence would still be checked for Covid-19.
White House spokesman Judd Deere said the decision was prompted by the city of Washington entering the second phase of its reopening, which allows for more activity.
"In conjunction with Washington, D.C. entering Phase Two today, the White House is scaling back complex-wide temperature checks," Mr Deere said on Monday.
For the last three months visitors to the White House had undergone a temperature check before entering the grounds.
"In addition to social distancing, hand sanitiser, regular deep cleaning of all work spaces, and voluntary facial coverings, every staff member and guest in close proximity to the president and vice president is still being temperature checked, asked symptom histories, and tested for Covid-19," Mr Deere said.
The White House has cut back on temperature checks for visitors but said anyone in close proximity with president Donald Trump and vice president Mike Pence would still be checked for Covid-19.
White House spokesman Judd Deere said the decision was prompted by the city of Washington entering the second phase of its reopening, which allows for more activity.
"In conjunction with Washington, D.C. entering Phase Two today, the White House is scaling back complex-wide temperature checks," Mr Deere said on Monday.
For the last three months visitors to the White House had undergone a temperature check before entering the grounds.
"In addition to social distancing, hand sanitiser, regular deep cleaning of all work spaces, and voluntary facial coverings, every staff member and guest in close proximity to the president and vice president is still being temperature checked, asked symptom histories, and tested for Covid-19," Mr Deere said.
Political editor Andrew Woodcock has all the details on the government’s decision to “pause” shielding measures from August. Read his story below:
That concludes today's press conference. We'll have a follow-up story to follow shortly.
Addressing recent reports that the R rate has risen in Germany, Dr Jenny Harries says that the UK still needs to follow social distancing rules moving forward. Just because life feels a bit normal that doesn’t mean we can jump back to how we were, she says. We need to learn to move forward with these restrictions in place.
“Germany shows that anything is possible,” Dr Harries adds. She says the UK is ready to identify where and when hotspots emerge in the future, and will be prepared to ensure they do not spiral into significant outbreaks.
Lastly, she says that as the number of cases go down, the R rate becomes a less reliable mechanism for assessing the spread of Covid-19.
When asked about the recent recommendations from Sage not to reduce distancing measures from 2m to 1m, Matt Hancock says that the government has “been guided by the science”, but adds that “science has competing voices and we try to listen to all the advice”.
When asked if the government has the power to enforce shielding on a localised basis, Matt Hancock says that “we will have the ability to do that” and would consider it for a localised shutdown.
Will children who are shielding be able to go back to school in September?
Dr Jenny Harries says there are a large number of children who are not going to school now who could return. She again points to the new guidance which has been published by The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. Pointing to the example of a child with mild asthma, she says the risk to them in returning to school is very low.
Dr Jenny Harries says there are a large number of children who are not going to school now who could return. She again points to the new guidance which has been published by The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. Pointing to the example of a child with mild asthma, she says the risk to them in returning to school is very low.
Matt Hancock said the government would set out where travel corridors might be established before the 29 June deadline for reviewing the quarantine arrangements.
The health secretary said: "A lot of work is being done on travel corridors, I've been working on it over the weekend.
The health secretary said: "A lot of work is being done on travel corridors, I've been working on it over the weekend.
"And we have a formal review date of the quarantine policy at the end of this month on June 29, and we'll make sure that in good time for that we publish what we plan to do next in terms of where we think - based on the epidemiological advice - we're able to formalise travel corridors.
"I know that people are really looking forward to getting this information, but we've got to make sure that we get it right and that work is going on right now."
When asked about the rising number of global cases and how this could affect the UK, Matt Hancock points to the quarantine process that the government has put in place to reduce the risk of people bringing the virus into the country from overseas and spreading it among the population.
Dr Jenny Harries says “we anticipate there’ll be more cases” in the months to come.
Dr Jenny Harries says “we anticipate there’ll be more cases” in the months to come.
When asked how will the government accommodate the concerns of those who will be ending shielding in August, Dr Jenny Harries says the infection rate has fallen and that there seems to be a seasonal effect on the virus. She says businesses are being told to take steps to maximise safety.
Matt Hancock confirms that those shielding people who are receiving food boxes will continue to get them until the end of July. And he says seven supermarket companies have said they will provide priority access to these people for online deliveries. Support from NHS responders will also continue.
