Boris Johnson unveiled a new “Covid Alert System” on Sunday as he tweaked some coronavirus lockdown restrictions and dropped the government’s “stay at home” messaging in favour of the controversial “stay alert” slogan – sparking accusations of mixed messaging and immediate rejections from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
It came after the World Health Organisation and the government’s own scientific advisers publicly urged the prime minister to be “extremely cautious” in his announcement, with one Sage member warning the new slogan could “undermine the good work of the last few weeks” of lockdown amid mounting criticism of government communications.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police Federation chair warned that a mandatory 14-day quarantine for all UK arrivals – strongly hinted at by the transport secretary – would be “nigh-on impossible to police”.
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PM to announce five-stage coronavirus 'alert' system
Speaking from Downing Street at 7pm on Sunday, the prime minister is expected to say that the threat of a second deadly peak of the virus will allow only a cautious lifting of some restrictions, Peter Stubley reports.
A new colour-coded alert scheme, ranging from green to red, will be used to highlight any increased risk from the virus and encourage the public to stick to the rules.
Mr Johnson will also unveil a change of slogan, from “stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives” to “stay alert, control the virus and save lives”.
In his second major address to the nation during the pandemic, the prime minister will outline the “roadmap” to gradually relax some of the most stringent restrictions on British public life of the post-war era.
However, he will also indicate that some measures will have to be toughened – for example, by increasing fines for those flouting the rules.
Speaking from Downing Street at 7pm on Sunday, the prime minister is expected to say that the threat of a second deadly peak of the virus will allow only a cautious lifting of some restrictions, Peter Stubley reports.
A new colour-coded alert scheme, ranging from green to red, will be used to highlight any increased risk from the virus and encourage the public to stick to the rules.
Mr Johnson will also unveil a change of slogan, from “stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives” to “stay alert, control the virus and save lives”.
In his second major address to the nation during the pandemic, the prime minister will outline the “roadmap” to gradually relax some of the most stringent restrictions on British public life of the post-war era.
However, he will also indicate that some measures will have to be toughened – for example, by increasing fines for those flouting the rules.
The initial changes are likely to include:
- Allowing the public to exercise more than once a day
- Reopening gardening centres from 11 May
- A 14-day quarantine period for all people entering the UK from June – meaning that many Britons may decide not travel abroad for a summer holiday this year.
- Advice on the use of face masks in public
Policing mandatory arrivals quarantine would be 'nigh-on impossible', police chief warns
The PM is expected to announce that travellers arriving from abroad will be required to self-isolate in a private dwelling for 14 days - except passengers from the Republic of Ireland, key workers (including lorry drivers), pilots and ship and train crew.
While the government has declined to comment on how the quarantine scheme will work, The Independent understands that travellers will need to fill in a declaration that specifies an address in the UK and agree to stay there for two weeks without venturing outside, Simon Calder reports.
It is believed that police will make random checks to ensure the individual is where they said they would be, with heavy fines imposed for non-compliance – possibly up to £1,000.
But the Metropolitan Police Federation chairman, Ken Marsh, said: “We’re not going to be able to do it. That’s the end of it.”
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Mr Marsh said: “If we’re talking tens of thousands of people coming into the UK, who are then expected to self-isolate for a fortnight, that is nigh-on impossible to police.”
The PM is expected to announce that travellers arriving from abroad will be required to self-isolate in a private dwelling for 14 days - except passengers from the Republic of Ireland, key workers (including lorry drivers), pilots and ship and train crew.
While the government has declined to comment on how the quarantine scheme will work, The Independent understands that travellers will need to fill in a declaration that specifies an address in the UK and agree to stay there for two weeks without venturing outside, Simon Calder reports.
It is believed that police will make random checks to ensure the individual is where they said they would be, with heavy fines imposed for non-compliance – possibly up to £1,000.
But the Metropolitan Police Federation chairman, Ken Marsh, said: “We’re not going to be able to do it. That’s the end of it.”
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Mr Marsh said: “If we’re talking tens of thousands of people coming into the UK, who are then expected to self-isolate for a fortnight, that is nigh-on impossible to police.”
Coronavirus has infected more than 4 million people and killed over 279,000, according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.
'Staying at home will still be very important part of messaging', minister says
Communities minister Robert Jenrick insisted staying at home would remain a key part of the government's messaging amid expectations that Boris Johnson will later alter the official line from “stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives” to “stay alert, control the virus and save lives”.
The "stay alert" messaging would be in line with a new colour-coded "alert" system for easing lockdown the prime minister is reportedly preparing to unveil later today.
Communities minister Robert Jenrick insisted staying at home would remain a key part of the government's messaging amid expectations that Boris Johnson will later alter the official line from “stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives” to “stay alert, control the virus and save lives”.
The "stay alert" messaging would be in line with a new colour-coded "alert" system for easing lockdown the prime minister is reportedly preparing to unveil later today.
UK airlifts 50,000 coronavirus test samples to US as government falls short of target
Around 50,000 coronavirus test samples had to be sent from the UK to the US after "operational issues" in the lab network led to delays in the system.
The news came as the number of daily coronavirus tests fell below Matt Hancock's 100,000 target for a seventh day in a row.
Following a report in the Sunday Telegraph, the Department of Health said sending swabs abroad is one of the contingencies to deal with so-called teething problems in a rapidly-expanded testing system.
It is understood the test results will be validated back in the UK and communicated to patients "as quickly as possible". The department said work has been undertaken to resolve the issues and capacity is quickly being restored.
Read the full report by Aine Fox and Joe Gammie here:
Around 50,000 coronavirus test samples had to be sent from the UK to the US after "operational issues" in the lab network led to delays in the system.
The news came as the number of daily coronavirus tests fell below Matt Hancock's 100,000 target for a seventh day in a row.
Following a report in the Sunday Telegraph, the Department of Health said sending swabs abroad is one of the contingencies to deal with so-called teething problems in a rapidly-expanded testing system.
It is understood the test results will be validated back in the UK and communicated to patients "as quickly as possible". The department said work has been undertaken to resolve the issues and capacity is quickly being restored.
Read the full report by Aine Fox and Joe Gammie here:
Thousands could be forced to leave UK within weeks under current Home Office guidelines because visas expire before end of May
The Home Office said on 24 March that anyone whose leave had expired or was due to expire between 24 January and 31 May, and who could not leave the UK because of Covid-19, would have their visas extended to the end of May. There has since been no update on this guidance, May Bulman reports.
Immigration lawyers accused the department of leaving people in a “stressful and precarious” situation by maintaining that the visa extensions would only last until the end of this month, and called on ministers to urgently extend the date to September.
Visa holders who did not qualify for the extension but whose visas are due to expire soon after 31 May are also worried because lockdown has meant they are unable to apply to extend their leave due to the closure of English language test centres and the inability to make applications that need to be submitted from outside the UK.
The Home Office said on 24 March that anyone whose leave had expired or was due to expire between 24 January and 31 May, and who could not leave the UK because of Covid-19, would have their visas extended to the end of May. There has since been no update on this guidance, May Bulman reports.
Immigration lawyers accused the department of leaving people in a “stressful and precarious” situation by maintaining that the visa extensions would only last until the end of this month, and called on ministers to urgently extend the date to September.
Visa holders who did not qualify for the extension but whose visas are due to expire soon after 31 May are also worried because lockdown has meant they are unable to apply to extend their leave due to the closure of English language test centres and the inability to make applications that need to be submitted from outside the UK.
'50,000 using contact-tracing app on Isle of Wight,' minister says
Robert Jenrick told Sky's Sophy Ridge that about 40 per cent of people on the Isle of Wight were using the NHS app in a pilot.
"About 50,000 people have already downloaded the app in just one week," he said.
There are 138,265 people living on the island, according to the 2011 census.
Robert Jenrick told Sky's Sophy Ridge that about 40 per cent of people on the Isle of Wight were using the NHS app in a pilot.
"About 50,000 people have already downloaded the app in just one week," he said.
There are 138,265 people living on the island, according to the 2011 census.
WHO spokesperson urges Boris Johnson to proceed with caution to avoid 'traumatising' return to lockdown
"Countries that are planning to ease the restrictions that have been in place should really follow some guidance," said Tarik Jasarevic, hours before Boris Johnson is expected to ease some restrictions.
"That's basically to make sure that transmission chains can be controlled, that the public health system is ready to quickly test, isolate and trace contacts of infected people - also to be able to cope with a possible surge in new infections."
Speaking to Sky's Sophy Ridge, he added: "We also have to make sure that care homes for elderly people are also being protected because we know that this is a very vulnerable population in these establishments.
Adding that workplaces must taken sufficient safety measures, he also said "we obviously need to have a population [which is] properly informed and following the instructions" - amid criticism over the government's floating of certain policies to individual journalists before later denying them.
So eventually [as] these restrictions they are lifted, [this] will obviously help economies, help society and help peple reconnect with each other, but we really have to be careful because we know that this virus will stay with us for some time."
Asked if the PM should proceed with caution, he said: "This is the advice we gave really to every country is to be very very cautious when taking these decisions to ease down restrictions because what we really don't want to see is that there is a second wave and we have to go back to the lockdown - that would be traumatising, I think, for everyone.
"So it's important this is done in a staged, in a gradual way, so we can really see what is the effect of people getting back close to one another."
"Countries that are planning to ease the restrictions that have been in place should really follow some guidance," said Tarik Jasarevic, hours before Boris Johnson is expected to ease some restrictions.
"That's basically to make sure that transmission chains can be controlled, that the public health system is ready to quickly test, isolate and trace contacts of infected people - also to be able to cope with a possible surge in new infections."
Speaking to Sky's Sophy Ridge, he added: "We also have to make sure that care homes for elderly people are also being protected because we know that this is a very vulnerable population in these establishments.
Adding that workplaces must taken sufficient safety measures, he also said "we obviously need to have a population [which is] properly informed and following the instructions" - amid criticism over the government's floating of certain policies to individual journalists before later denying them.
So eventually [as] these restrictions they are lifted, [this] will obviously help economies, help society and help peple reconnect with each other, but we really have to be careful because we know that this virus will stay with us for some time."
Asked if the PM should proceed with caution, he said: "This is the advice we gave really to every country is to be very very cautious when taking these decisions to ease down restrictions because what we really don't want to see is that there is a second wave and we have to go back to the lockdown - that would be traumatising, I think, for everyone.
"So it's important this is done in a staged, in a gradual way, so we can really see what is the effect of people getting back close to one another."
WHO spokesperson rejects accusations of agency acting as 'puppet' of China
Asked if the WHO has been a "puppet" of China during the outbreak, spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said: "We treat [member states] in the same way no matter whether they are big, small, rich or poor.
"China has been facing a new virus, obviously at the beginning of a new outbreak of a new disease, you will be testing people who present with symptoms, so it would be difficult to expect that there is an accurate number.
"We should really look across the board because countries have completely different testing policies right now, and some countries have been so much overwhelmed by the number of patients that reporting was very difficult."
He praised China for sharing the genetic sequence of the virus quickly, helping other countries to develop tests, and for introducing "very strong public health measures that helped them get the numbers down".
Asked if the world can we trust China's figures, he again said: "I think we have to look across the board, so what figures are truly accurate if some countries do not test populations, how can we have really accurate numbers?
He added: "I think no data is perfect."
Asked if the WHO has been a "puppet" of China during the outbreak, spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said: "We treat [member states] in the same way no matter whether they are big, small, rich or poor.
"China has been facing a new virus, obviously at the beginning of a new outbreak of a new disease, you will be testing people who present with symptoms, so it would be difficult to expect that there is an accurate number.
"We should really look across the board because countries have completely different testing policies right now, and some countries have been so much overwhelmed by the number of patients that reporting was very difficult."
He praised China for sharing the genetic sequence of the virus quickly, helping other countries to develop tests, and for introducing "very strong public health measures that helped them get the numbers down".
Asked if the world can we trust China's figures, he again said: "I think we have to look across the board, so what figures are truly accurate if some countries do not test populations, how can we have really accurate numbers?
He added: "I think no data is perfect."
Sturgeon rejects rumoured new 'stay alert' messaging for Scotland
Relationship between Wales and Westminster one of 'fits and starts', first minister says
"When there is engagement it is good, and it is helpful, and I wish there could be more of it," Mark Drakeford told Sky News.
He said he did not wish to see "fundamentally different" lockdown restrictions in England and Wales as it would be confusing and make the "basic message hard to convey".
When asked about potential different approaches to re-opening schools, Mr Drakeford said: "That would be a significant difference but it's not an unprecedented one, our school holidays are different in Wales to England now.
"As we build back the school population in Wales, we will do it in discussion with the teaching unions, in discussion with local authorities and, very importantly, in discussion with parents as well and we will make the decisions that are right for Wales.
"They may be, in a fine-tuned way, different from what's happening across our border but the direction of travel - the wish to begin to be able to use schools for more children and to return more children to school - I think that will be a shared ambition."
"When there is engagement it is good, and it is helpful, and I wish there could be more of it," Mark Drakeford told Sky News.
He said he did not wish to see "fundamentally different" lockdown restrictions in England and Wales as it would be confusing and make the "basic message hard to convey".
When asked about potential different approaches to re-opening schools, Mr Drakeford said: "That would be a significant difference but it's not an unprecedented one, our school holidays are different in Wales to England now.
"As we build back the school population in Wales, we will do it in discussion with the teaching unions, in discussion with local authorities and, very importantly, in discussion with parents as well and we will make the decisions that are right for Wales.
"They may be, in a fine-tuned way, different from what's happening across our border but the direction of travel - the wish to begin to be able to use schools for more children and to return more children to school - I think that will be a shared ambition."
Tory minister says country at ‘four out of five’ on new coronavirus tier warning system
Robert Jenrick claimed ministers will be able to reopen certain aspects of the economy as the level is reduced.
Speaking on Sky News’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday, Mr Jenrick said: “It will be very transparent, people will be able to see at what point we are in controlling the virus. At the moment we believe the country is at four on a scale of five, with five being the most concerning.”
He added: “Our aspiration is to bring that down as swiftly as we can to three. At each of those milestones we’ll be in a position to open up and restart more aspects of the economy and our lives. We’re going to be rigorously monitoring our performance against that.
“That will be done on a national scale, but the evidence behind that will also be able to inform what we do at a local level. And if we see that their are outbreaks in particular localities, neighbourhoods, schools, towns, then we may be able to take particular measures in those places."
Read the full report from Ashley Cowburn here:
Robert Jenrick claimed ministers will be able to reopen certain aspects of the economy as the level is reduced.
Speaking on Sky News’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday, Mr Jenrick said: “It will be very transparent, people will be able to see at what point we are in controlling the virus. At the moment we believe the country is at four on a scale of five, with five being the most concerning.”
He added: “Our aspiration is to bring that down as swiftly as we can to three. At each of those milestones we’ll be in a position to open up and restart more aspects of the economy and our lives. We’re going to be rigorously monitoring our performance against that.
“That will be done on a national scale, but the evidence behind that will also be able to inform what we do at a local level. And if we see that their are outbreaks in particular localities, neighbourhoods, schools, towns, then we may be able to take particular measures in those places."
Read the full report from Ashley Cowburn here:
Labour takes aim at rumoured new 'stay alert' slogan
The shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said the government's new slogan risks ambiguity, adding: "We need absolute clarity from Boris Johnson. There's no room for nuance in this.
"This virus exploits ambivalence, it thrives on ambiguity and I think the problem with the slogan that has been briefed to the newspapers is people will be looking slightly puzzled, questioning 'What does it mean to stay alert? What are the government saying with that?'
"So I hope that Boris Johnson will offer us that crystal-clear clarity tonight that is desperately needed."
He added that he feared the government was being too slow in introducing its testing and tracing programme, and said that testing could be "targeted" towards communities at a greater risk.
"I think you can target your testing and tracing at certain sections of your community," he said. "Deprived areas, black and ethnic minority areas, but also certain cohorts of your workforce.
"We should be testing every healthcare worker, for example, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic. We should be testing everybody in a care home."
The shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said the government's new slogan risks ambiguity, adding: "We need absolute clarity from Boris Johnson. There's no room for nuance in this.
"This virus exploits ambivalence, it thrives on ambiguity and I think the problem with the slogan that has been briefed to the newspapers is people will be looking slightly puzzled, questioning 'What does it mean to stay alert? What are the government saying with that?'
"So I hope that Boris Johnson will offer us that crystal-clear clarity tonight that is desperately needed."
He added that he feared the government was being too slow in introducing its testing and tracing programme, and said that testing could be "targeted" towards communities at a greater risk.
"I think you can target your testing and tracing at certain sections of your community," he said. "Deprived areas, black and ethnic minority areas, but also certain cohorts of your workforce.
"We should be testing every healthcare worker, for example, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic. We should be testing everybody in a care home."
Boris Johnson must be 'incredibly cautious' about easing restrictions, warns chief scientific adviser
Professor Peter Horby, chairman of the UK Government's New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag) has added to the growing chorus of experts urging caution ahead of Boris Johnson's announcement on easing lockdown restrictions later today - including one from the World Health Organisation.
Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, he said: "We have to be clear that this is not like a storm where we batten down the hatches and then it passes by and we walk out into the sunshine and it's gone.
"It's still out there. Most of us have not had this virus. So if we get this wrong it will very quickly increase across the population and we will be back in a situation of crisis.
"So we have to be incredibly cautious about relaxing the measures."
Professor Peter Horby, chairman of the UK Government's New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag) has added to the growing chorus of experts urging caution ahead of Boris Johnson's announcement on easing lockdown restrictions later today - including one from the World Health Organisation.
Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, he said: "We have to be clear that this is not like a storm where we batten down the hatches and then it passes by and we walk out into the sunshine and it's gone.
"It's still out there. Most of us have not had this virus. So if we get this wrong it will very quickly increase across the population and we will be back in a situation of crisis.
"So we have to be incredibly cautious about relaxing the measures."
Contact-tracing app's reliance on self-reporting 'a worry', expert says
Dr Michael Veale, lecturer in digital rights and regulation at University College London, said the UK is effectively the only country to use self-reporting, rather than verified tests.
Dr Veale, who is part of a team working on a rival app, told Sky's Sophy Ridge: "That appears to stem from, not a lack of number of tests potentially, but really something that hasn't been focused on enough - the tests aren't fast enough in the UK compared to other countries.
"And so the UK seems to claim it's stuck using self-reporting because it can't get a test turned around within a few hours.
"And this is really a worry. In other countries we're working with, they are very clear that self-reporting will not be allowed on their app because it can be misused or used to prank or used to target people deliberately and put them into quarantine without them knowing."
He said his team is developing a system for Germany, Switzerland, Austria and many other European countries.
Dr Veale, who is part of a team working on a rival app, told Sky's Sophy Ridge: "That appears to stem from, not a lack of number of tests potentially, but really something that hasn't been focused on enough - the tests aren't fast enough in the UK compared to other countries.
"And so the UK seems to claim it's stuck using self-reporting because it can't get a test turned around within a few hours.
"And this is really a worry. In other countries we're working with, they are very clear that self-reporting will not be allowed on their app because it can be misused or used to prank or used to target people deliberately and put them into quarantine without them knowing."
He said his team is developing a system for Germany, Switzerland, Austria and many other European countries.
Boris Johnson urged to launch independent public inquiry into disproportionate impact of coronavirus on ethnic minorities
In a letter to the prime minister, a coalition of 70 prominent figures from Bame backgrounds say that Covid-19 has highlighted race and health inequality issues in Britain, and claim a current government review lacks transparency, Ashley Cowburn reports.
Signatories of the letter, published on Sunday, include the Labour peer Baroness Doreen Lawrence, broadcaster Konnie Huq, author Malorie Blackman, singer Jermain Jackman, comedian Phil Wang, actor Matt Henry and film director Saloum N’Jie.
Faith leaders including Harun Khan, the secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain, and the very reverend Rogers Govender, the dean of Manchester Cathedral, have also signed the letter to Mr Johnson.
It comes after the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published data earlier this week showing that black men and women in England and Wales are almost twice as likely to die from the virus, compared with white people.
Signatories of the letter, published on Sunday, include the Labour peer Baroness Doreen Lawrence, broadcaster Konnie Huq, author Malorie Blackman, singer Jermain Jackman, comedian Phil Wang, actor Matt Henry and film director Saloum N’Jie.
Faith leaders including Harun Khan, the secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain, and the very reverend Rogers Govender, the dean of Manchester Cathedral, have also signed the letter to Mr Johnson.
It comes after the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published data earlier this week showing that black men and women in England and Wales are almost twice as likely to die from the virus, compared with white people.
ICYMI: Transport system will be reduced to just 10% capacity when full services resume due to social distancing, Grant Shapps warns
Here's the main story from yesterday's Downing Street briefing, during which the transport secretary outlined an emergency plan to get Britons cycling and walking in response to the challenges posed by social distancing to our public transport networks.
£2bn of a £5bn fund announced earlier this year will be used to “put cycling and walking at the heart of our transport policy”, with a national cycling plan to be published in early June, Ashley Cowburn reports.
Of this money, £250m will be used for “swift, emergency” measures to make cycling and walking safer, with pop-up bike lanes, wider pavements and cycle and bus-only streets created in England.
Here's the main story from yesterday's Downing Street briefing, during which the transport secretary outlined an emergency plan to get Britons cycling and walking in response to the challenges posed by social distancing to our public transport networks.
£2bn of a £5bn fund announced earlier this year will be used to “put cycling and walking at the heart of our transport policy”, with a national cycling plan to be published in early June, Ashley Cowburn reports.
Of this money, £250m will be used for “swift, emergency” measures to make cycling and walking safer, with pop-up bike lanes, wider pavements and cycle and bus-only streets created in England.
'Irresponsible' to ease restrictions, epidemiology expert warns
Helen Ward, Professor of Public Health at Imperial College London, has warned it would be "irresponsible" to ease lockdown until government can "honestly answer" questions about the true spread of the virus and measures taken to reduce it.
Helen Ward, Professor of Public Health at Imperial College London, has warned it would be "irresponsible" to ease lockdown until government can "honestly answer" questions about the true spread of the virus and measures taken to reduce it.
Government's potential 'stay alert' messaging ridiculed online
Amid expectations that the government will drop its “stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives” in favour of “stay alert, control the virus and save lives”, criticism is mounting of the slogan's ambiguity.
SNP leader of the Commons Ian Blackford described it as "nonsense".
Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh and comedian Michael Spicer are among others mocking the slogan.
Amid expectations that the government will drop its “stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives” in favour of “stay alert, control the virus and save lives”, criticism is mounting of the slogan's ambiguity.
SNP leader of the Commons Ian Blackford described it as "nonsense".
Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh and comedian Michael Spicer are among others mocking the slogan.
