Hospital patients and staff will soon be able to find out if they have coronavirus within just one hour under a rapid testing programme being developed by the government.
The tests, which detect the virus from a non-invasive nostril swap, could be vital for restarting NHS services, allowing patients and staff to be quickly assessed before surgery or other health care procedures.
The development came as almost 40 countries reported record daily increases in Covid-19 cases over the past week, with the pandemic gathering pace in every global region amid fears of a second wave of infections.
More than 15.86 million people have been reported to be infected worldwide.
Britain could be facing a collapse in its health and leisure infrastructure, the industry has warned.
Please see below for how today’s events unfolded.
Hello and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.
Indoor gyms and pools reopen in England as government encourages fitness
Indoor gyms and pools are reopening in England this weekend, with the government encouraging people to improve their fitness ahead of a potential second wave of coronavirus later this year.
Leisure centres have been allowed to reopen for the first time in four months, with strict hygiene and social-distancing measures.
However, at least a third of public facilities are expected to remain shut due to financial viability issues after receiving no income since March.
Our lifestyle writer, Sarah Young, has more information below on the new rules in gyms:
Indoor gyms and pools are reopening in England this weekend, with the government encouraging people to improve their fitness ahead of a potential second wave of coronavirus later this year.
Leisure centres have been allowed to reopen for the first time in four months, with strict hygiene and social-distancing measures.
However, at least a third of public facilities are expected to remain shut due to financial viability issues after receiving no income since March.
Our lifestyle writer, Sarah Young, has more information below on the new rules in gyms:
Obesity significantly increases risks from Covid-19, Public Health England says
People who are overweight or obese are at a significantly higher risk of hospitalisation or death from coronavirus, according to a government review.
In a review of existing studies, Public Health England (PHE) found people with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9 were at a higher risk of poor outcomes and hospitalisation from Covid-19.
People with a BMI of between 30 and 35 had a 40 per cent higher risk of dying with Covid-19, while those with a BMI above 40 had nearly double the risk in comparison with those who are a healthy weight, the research found.
Our reporters, Andy Gregory and Ashley Cowburn, have the full story below:
People who are overweight or obese are at a significantly higher risk of hospitalisation or death from coronavirus, according to a government review.
In a review of existing studies, Public Health England (PHE) found people with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9 were at a higher risk of poor outcomes and hospitalisation from Covid-19.
People with a BMI of between 30 and 35 had a 40 per cent higher risk of dying with Covid-19, while those with a BMI above 40 had nearly double the risk in comparison with those who are a healthy weight, the research found.
Our reporters, Andy Gregory and Ashley Cowburn, have the full story below:
Clear risks from being overweight and contracting coronavirus, PHE expert says
A senior Public Health England (PHE) expert has warned there are now clear risks in being overweight and contracting coronavirus, which could explain the disproportionate impact Covid-19 has had on different communities.
“You're more likely to be admitted to hospital, more likely to need treatment on an intensive care unit, we also know that it does increase your risk of death and it contributes to the various disparities we've seen,” Professor John Newton, the director of health improvement at PHE, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
“As people get older, there is more obesity and the outcome is worse from Covid as you get older.
“People who live in poorer communities, obesity is significantly associated with that and obesity will explain some but not all of the effects of deprivation on the outcome of Covid.
“And also between different ethnic groups - obesity is substantially different between ethnic groups in this country and that may explain some but again not all of the difference between outcomes in ethnic groups.”
A senior Public Health England (PHE) expert has warned there are now clear risks in being overweight and contracting coronavirus, which could explain the disproportionate impact Covid-19 has had on different communities.
“You're more likely to be admitted to hospital, more likely to need treatment on an intensive care unit, we also know that it does increase your risk of death and it contributes to the various disparities we've seen,” Professor John Newton, the director of health improvement at PHE, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
“As people get older, there is more obesity and the outcome is worse from Covid as you get older.
“People who live in poorer communities, obesity is significantly associated with that and obesity will explain some but not all of the effects of deprivation on the outcome of Covid.
“And also between different ethnic groups - obesity is substantially different between ethnic groups in this country and that may explain some but again not all of the difference between outcomes in ethnic groups.”
Public information campaign on obesity may not be enough, expert warns
A public information campaign is not likely to be enough to tackle the UK’s weight problem, following research indicating obesity is linked to higher Covid-19 risks, a health expert has warned.
David Buck, a senior fellow in public health and inequalities at the King's Fund, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “These sort of things around information et cetera are welcome but they may not be enough, particularly for those who are in more deprived areas, have difficult circumstances, have takeaways around them where it is so easy to walk past.”
When asked what should be done instead to tackle the problem, Mr Buck said: “One [option] is... planning regulations, giving local authorities stronger powers, clearer powers in order to help shape the environments around us, to help make them frankly less tempting to us so we are less likely to buy those foods and have those physical activities which are bad for our health and our obesity.”
He added: “Secondly, tax and price - one of the great things and welcome things the government has done is the sugar tax levy.
“And that's led to a huge change in the reformulation in drinks and the industry has been very receptive, made a big welcome change and that's taken about 30 per cent of calories out of the soft drinks market.”
A public information campaign is not likely to be enough to tackle the UK’s weight problem, following research indicating obesity is linked to higher Covid-19 risks, a health expert has warned.
David Buck, a senior fellow in public health and inequalities at the King's Fund, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “These sort of things around information et cetera are welcome but they may not be enough, particularly for those who are in more deprived areas, have difficult circumstances, have takeaways around them where it is so easy to walk past.”
When asked what should be done instead to tackle the problem, Mr Buck said: “One [option] is... planning regulations, giving local authorities stronger powers, clearer powers in order to help shape the environments around us, to help make them frankly less tempting to us so we are less likely to buy those foods and have those physical activities which are bad for our health and our obesity.”
He added: “Secondly, tax and price - one of the great things and welcome things the government has done is the sugar tax levy.
“And that's led to a huge change in the reformulation in drinks and the industry has been very receptive, made a big welcome change and that's taken about 30 per cent of calories out of the soft drinks market.”
South Korea and South Africa see cases jump as US states tighten restrictions
South Korea has reported more than 100 new coronavirus cases for the first time in four months, while South Africa has also seen a surge in infections.
The new cases in South Korea included 36 workers returning from Iraq and 32 crew members of a Russian freighter, the government said.
Officials had previously warned to expect a spike in cases from abroad and appealed to the public not to be alarmed.
South Africa, Africa's hardest-hit country, has reported more than 13,104 new confirmed cases, raising its total to 408,052, with 6,093 deaths in total.
Meanwhile in the US, Mississippi has tightened controls on bars to protect so-called “young, drunk, careless folks”, according to governor Tate Reeves.
Bars were already limited to operating at 50 per cent capacity but they will now also have to ensure all patrons are seated and stop sales at 11pm.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell of New Orleans has also ordered bars to close and banned restaurants from selling alcoholic drinks to take away amid an increase in cases of more than 2,000 in the surrounding state of Louisiana.
South Korea has reported more than 100 new coronavirus cases for the first time in four months, while South Africa has also seen a surge in infections.
The new cases in South Korea included 36 workers returning from Iraq and 32 crew members of a Russian freighter, the government said.
Officials had previously warned to expect a spike in cases from abroad and appealed to the public not to be alarmed.
South Africa, Africa's hardest-hit country, has reported more than 13,104 new confirmed cases, raising its total to 408,052, with 6,093 deaths in total.
Meanwhile in the US, Mississippi has tightened controls on bars to protect so-called “young, drunk, careless folks”, according to governor Tate Reeves.
Bars were already limited to operating at 50 per cent capacity but they will now also have to ensure all patrons are seated and stop sales at 11pm.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell of New Orleans has also ordered bars to close and banned restaurants from selling alcoholic drinks to take away amid an increase in cases of more than 2,000 in the surrounding state of Louisiana.
Government considering telling public to wear gloves, health minister says
The government is considering the possibility of telling people to wear gloves to prevent the spread of coronavirus, a health minister has said.
Lord Bethell was asked during a debate on coronavirus legislation in the House of Lords what the government’s position on the use of gloves was.
He replied: “To date, gloves are not in the guidance but they remain an area that we are looking at.”
Our reporter, Andy Gregory, has the full story below:
The government is considering the possibility of telling people to wear gloves to prevent the spread of coronavirus, a health minister has said.
Lord Bethell was asked during a debate on coronavirus legislation in the House of Lords what the government’s position on the use of gloves was.
He replied: “To date, gloves are not in the guidance but they remain an area that we are looking at.”
Our reporter, Andy Gregory, has the full story below:
More than one vaccine may be needed for coronavirus, professor says
Professor Robin Shattock, who is working on a coronavirus vaccine at Imperial College London, has said it is important to have a number of vaccines available for Covid-19.
"I think we need a series of vaccines so, while we talk about this often as a race, it is a race where we need as many groups to get past the finishing post as possible because when we think of things on a global scale, developing enough vaccines for seven billion people is going to be too big a thing for any single group to do,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
Professor Shattock also agreed with a growing amount of scientific opinion which has argued humanity will have to live with Covid-19 for potentially decades to come.
“I think that's true - it is highly likely we may need vaccinations to be boosted possibly even on an annual basis like we do for influenza,” he said.
“That's one of the benefits our particular approach has, that it is a low dose and can be used as frequently as it is required.”
Professor Robin Shattock, who is working on a coronavirus vaccine at Imperial College London, has said it is important to have a number of vaccines available for Covid-19.
"I think we need a series of vaccines so, while we talk about this often as a race, it is a race where we need as many groups to get past the finishing post as possible because when we think of things on a global scale, developing enough vaccines for seven billion people is going to be too big a thing for any single group to do,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
Professor Shattock also agreed with a growing amount of scientific opinion which has argued humanity will have to live with Covid-19 for potentially decades to come.
“I think that's true - it is highly likely we may need vaccinations to be boosted possibly even on an annual basis like we do for influenza,” he said.
“That's one of the benefits our particular approach has, that it is a low dose and can be used as frequently as it is required.”
Cases rising in every global region amid fears of second wave, analysis shows
Almost 40 countries have reported record daily increases in coronavirus cases over the past week, about double the number that did so in the previous week, according to a Reuters tally.
Data has shown a pick-up in the pandemic in every region of the world amid fears of a second wave of infections.
“We will not be going back to the 'old normal'. The pandemic has already changed the way we live our lives,” Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) director-general, said this week.
“We're asking everyone to treat the decisions about where they go, what they do and who they meet with as life-and-death decisions - because they are.”
Reuters reported that the rate of cases had been increasing not only in countries like the United States, Brazil and India, which have dominated headlines with large outbreaks, but in Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Bolivia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Bulgaria, Belgium, Uzbekistan and Israel, among others.
The data, which was compiled from official reports, showed a steady rise in the number of countries reporting record daily increases in cases over the past month - with at least seven countries recording such increases three weeks ago, at least 20 countries last week and 37 countries this week.
Almost 40 countries have reported record daily increases in coronavirus cases over the past week, about double the number that did so in the previous week, according to a Reuters tally.
Data has shown a pick-up in the pandemic in every region of the world amid fears of a second wave of infections.
“We will not be going back to the 'old normal'. The pandemic has already changed the way we live our lives,” Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) director-general, said this week.
“We're asking everyone to treat the decisions about where they go, what they do and who they meet with as life-and-death decisions - because they are.”
Reuters reported that the rate of cases had been increasing not only in countries like the United States, Brazil and India, which have dominated headlines with large outbreaks, but in Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Bolivia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Bulgaria, Belgium, Uzbekistan and Israel, among others.
The data, which was compiled from official reports, showed a steady rise in the number of countries reporting record daily increases in cases over the past month - with at least seven countries recording such increases three weeks ago, at least 20 countries last week and 37 countries this week.
Only 20 per cent of pools will reopen on Saturday, industry expert says
The chief executive of Swim England has estimated only 20 per cent of pools will be opening on Saturday - the first day such facilities have been allowed to open since lockdown in March.
Jane Nickerson said there were serious concerns for the industry as the UK was facing the possibility of losing 40 per cent of its pool stock by the end of this decade, even before the coronavirus pandemic hit.
“They haven't had any money over the last three months at all,” Ms Nickerson told the BBC.
“They probably won't be doing swimming lessons to start with and they will be doing lane swimming with less people, which means they can't afford to open.
“Without some government support, I think a lot of pools will fail to open this year or if ever.”
She added: “We know that swimming saves the NHS and social care system £357m a year.
“We know every single pool returns around £7.2m in community benefits - in social cohesion, crime prevention, education attainment and health benefits - so a little bit of support now from the government will have its payback within months.
“It is not like it's asking for money that just gets thrown away - by tackling the health and obesity crisis in the pool, it actually saves a lot of money.”
The chief executive of Swim England has estimated only 20 per cent of pools will be opening on Saturday - the first day such facilities have been allowed to open since lockdown in March.
Jane Nickerson said there were serious concerns for the industry as the UK was facing the possibility of losing 40 per cent of its pool stock by the end of this decade, even before the coronavirus pandemic hit.
“They haven't had any money over the last three months at all,” Ms Nickerson told the BBC.
“They probably won't be doing swimming lessons to start with and they will be doing lane swimming with less people, which means they can't afford to open.
“Without some government support, I think a lot of pools will fail to open this year or if ever.”
She added: “We know that swimming saves the NHS and social care system £357m a year.
“We know every single pool returns around £7.2m in community benefits - in social cohesion, crime prevention, education attainment and health benefits - so a little bit of support now from the government will have its payback within months.
“It is not like it's asking for money that just gets thrown away - by tackling the health and obesity crisis in the pool, it actually saves a lot of money.”
Lockdown has been ‘disaster’ for millions of schoolchildren, chair of Education Committee says
The impact of lockdown on the lives of millions of schoolchildren has been a “disaster” which must not be repeated, the chairman of the Commons Education Select Committee has said.
MP Robert Halfon, who has been shielding due to a form of cerebral palsy and respiratory issues, said something had gone “badly wrong” with school closures and the response of the authorities.
“We have allowed 2.3 million children not to have any - or virtually no - homework, according to academic studies,” Mr Halfon said.
“Something like 40 per cent of children have very little contact with teachers."
He added: “If there is a second wave, there needs to be a clear set of instructions - what does the DfE [Department for Education] expect, what is Ofsted going to do, what is the timetable for them, how are we going to make sure we get the Oak Academy - which is a brilliant initiative from the government, to be fair to them - into every home from day one?
“Because we have allowed millions of children not to learn for six months, which is a huge amount of time in a young person's life.”
The Conservative MP also said he was concerned that the UK’s mental health “epidemic” had been exacerbated by the lockdown.
“I think we're going to need to do masses as a country on mental health, have a radical rethink. And do masses on nature and the environment and trying to link the environment to people's mental health," he said.
The impact of lockdown on the lives of millions of schoolchildren has been a “disaster” which must not be repeated, the chairman of the Commons Education Select Committee has said.
MP Robert Halfon, who has been shielding due to a form of cerebral palsy and respiratory issues, said something had gone “badly wrong” with school closures and the response of the authorities.
“We have allowed 2.3 million children not to have any - or virtually no - homework, according to academic studies,” Mr Halfon said.
“Something like 40 per cent of children have very little contact with teachers."
He added: “If there is a second wave, there needs to be a clear set of instructions - what does the DfE [Department for Education] expect, what is Ofsted going to do, what is the timetable for them, how are we going to make sure we get the Oak Academy - which is a brilliant initiative from the government, to be fair to them - into every home from day one?
“Because we have allowed millions of children not to learn for six months, which is a huge amount of time in a young person's life.”
The Conservative MP also said he was concerned that the UK’s mental health “epidemic” had been exacerbated by the lockdown.
“I think we're going to need to do masses as a country on mental health, have a radical rethink. And do masses on nature and the environment and trying to link the environment to people's mental health," he said.
Exclusive: Hospital patients and staff set to receive rapid one-hour coronavirus tests in plans to restart NHS
Hospital patients and staff will soon be able to find out if they have Covid-19 within just one hour under a rapid nationwide testing programme being developed by the government.
Up to 20,000 small, handheld testing devices which can process a sample on-site and detect the virus from a non-invasive nostril swap have been ordered by the government,
The tests are thought to be vital for restarting NHS services, allowing patients and staff to be quickly assessed prior to surgery or other health care procedures.
Our reporter, Samuel Lovett, has more on this story below:
Hospital patients and staff will soon be able to find out if they have Covid-19 within just one hour under a rapid nationwide testing programme being developed by the government.
Up to 20,000 small, handheld testing devices which can process a sample on-site and detect the virus from a non-invasive nostril swap have been ordered by the government,
The tests are thought to be vital for restarting NHS services, allowing patients and staff to be quickly assessed prior to surgery or other health care procedures.
Our reporter, Samuel Lovett, has more on this story below:
Ireland records lowest number of hospitalised Covid-19 patients since April peak
Ireland has recorded its lowest number of Covid-19 patients in hospital since the peak of its epidemic, the head of the Health Service Executive has said.
Paul Reid said there were 10 confirmed positive cases in hospital on Saturday, with five patients with Covid-19 receiving treatment in intensive care.
The figures showed a 96 per cent drop from a peak of 140 people in intensive care in April.
“Our thoughts with everyone for a full recovery,” Mr Reid tweeted.
On Friday, health authorities were notified of another 20 confirmed Covid-19 cases but no new deaths.
Ireland has recorded its lowest number of Covid-19 patients in hospital since the peak of its epidemic, the head of the Health Service Executive has said.
Paul Reid said there were 10 confirmed positive cases in hospital on Saturday, with five patients with Covid-19 receiving treatment in intensive care.
The figures showed a 96 per cent drop from a peak of 140 people in intensive care in April.
“Our thoughts with everyone for a full recovery,” Mr Reid tweeted.
On Friday, health authorities were notified of another 20 confirmed Covid-19 cases but no new deaths.
Ukraine reports highest number of daily cases since June record
Ukraine has reported 1,106 new cases of Covid-19 within the last 24 hour period, the country’s highest daily toll since a record was set on 26 June, a health minister has said.
The sharp increase in new infections came after a gradual lifting of restrictions which began in late-May.
Maksym Stepanov, Ukraine’s health minister, said 205 people had been admitted to hospitals in the last 24 hours.
“It means their lives are under threat and we have to understand that this disease is very serious,” he told an online briefing.
Mr Stepanov has appealed to people to stick to rules aimed at curbing the spread of the virus.
Ukraine’s total number of cases now stands at 63,929, with 1,590 deaths.
Ukraine has reported 1,106 new cases of Covid-19 within the last 24 hour period, the country’s highest daily toll since a record was set on 26 June, a health minister has said.
The sharp increase in new infections came after a gradual lifting of restrictions which began in late-May.
Maksym Stepanov, Ukraine’s health minister, said 205 people had been admitted to hospitals in the last 24 hours.
“It means their lives are under threat and we have to understand that this disease is very serious,” he told an online briefing.
Mr Stepanov has appealed to people to stick to rules aimed at curbing the spread of the virus.
Ukraine’s total number of cases now stands at 63,929, with 1,590 deaths.
Asia-Pacific leaders could meet in November despite pandemic, Malaysia says
Malaysia has said a November summit of leaders from Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) nations could still go ahead in its capital, despite the coronavirus pandemic.
New Zealand, which is hosting next year's APEC summit, has already said it will use virtual platforms to conduct the meeting due to travel restrictions and uncertainty caused by Covid-19.
On Saturday, Mohamed Azmin Ali, Malaysia’s trade minister, said the government had not cancelled the meeting of 21 leaders which is due to be held in November, even though meetings of other officials will be held virtually.
“The cabinet has also agreed not to rule out a format that would involve physical meeting arrangements for the APEC economic leaders' meetings,” he told an online news conference following talks with fellow trade ministers from the bloc.
Malaysia was one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to impose strict lockdown measures to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Malaysia has said a November summit of leaders from Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) nations could still go ahead in its capital, despite the coronavirus pandemic.
New Zealand, which is hosting next year's APEC summit, has already said it will use virtual platforms to conduct the meeting due to travel restrictions and uncertainty caused by Covid-19.
On Saturday, Mohamed Azmin Ali, Malaysia’s trade minister, said the government had not cancelled the meeting of 21 leaders which is due to be held in November, even though meetings of other officials will be held virtually.
“The cabinet has also agreed not to rule out a format that would involve physical meeting arrangements for the APEC economic leaders' meetings,” he told an online news conference following talks with fellow trade ministers from the bloc.
Malaysia was one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to impose strict lockdown measures to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Gym-goer says it is ‘brilliant to be back’
Peter Topping is one of the gym-goers who queued outside their local facility this morning, keen to get back to fitness.
“We were queuing outside for just a few minutes, and the staff briefed people while we were waiting,” Mr Topping told the PA news agency.
“It was brilliant to be back, but hard work after four months off.”
He said the Wentworth gym in Hexham had managed social distancing well, with a separate entrance and exit and other social distancing measures in place.
Peter Topping is one of the gym-goers who queued outside their local facility this morning, keen to get back to fitness.
“We were queuing outside for just a few minutes, and the staff briefed people while we were waiting,” Mr Topping told the PA news agency.
“It was brilliant to be back, but hard work after four months off.”
He said the Wentworth gym in Hexham had managed social distancing well, with a separate entrance and exit and other social distancing measures in place.
Opinion: ‘I have no problem fining people who don't bother to wear a mask without good reason’
Our columnist, James Moore, has called for fines to be used against those who refuse to wear masks in shops, arguing the order is “no more of an imposition” than being told to wear a seatbelt.
James writes:
“The mass wearing of masks could play an important role in containing the spread of a virus which is still with us and has shown a disturbing tendency to roar back even in places where they’ve done a far better job of handling the pandemic than Johnson’s tin pot administration.
“When you don a mask, you’re protecting others as much as yourself. They’re a very visible symbol of safety and that matters.”
You can find his full piece below:
Our columnist, James Moore, has called for fines to be used against those who refuse to wear masks in shops, arguing the order is “no more of an imposition” than being told to wear a seatbelt.
James writes:
“The mass wearing of masks could play an important role in containing the spread of a virus which is still with us and has shown a disturbing tendency to roar back even in places where they’ve done a far better job of handling the pandemic than Johnson’s tin pot administration.
“When you don a mask, you’re protecting others as much as yourself. They’re a very visible symbol of safety and that matters.”
You can find his full piece below:
France’s infection rate creeps up as officials warn country is going backwards in fight
France's coronavirus infection rate has continued a worrying upward creep, with health authorities warning the reproduction (R) rate is now up to 1.3 - clearly above the recommended 1.0 or lower level.
Daily cases have also increased, up to 1,130 on Friday.
In their daily statement, health authorities warned that the country was going backwards in its battle against Covid-19 and infection indicators now resembled those seen in May.
“We have thus erased much of the progress that we'd achieved in the first weeks of lockdown-easing,” health authorities said.
They appealed for a return to “collective discipline”, asking for people to work from home and get tested if they have any suspicions of infection.
France's coronavirus infection rate has continued a worrying upward creep, with health authorities warning the reproduction (R) rate is now up to 1.3 - clearly above the recommended 1.0 or lower level.
Daily cases have also increased, up to 1,130 on Friday.
In their daily statement, health authorities warned that the country was going backwards in its battle against Covid-19 and infection indicators now resembled those seen in May.
“We have thus erased much of the progress that we'd achieved in the first weeks of lockdown-easing,” health authorities said.
They appealed for a return to “collective discipline”, asking for people to work from home and get tested if they have any suspicions of infection.
ICYMI Boris Johnson edged a little closer to an apology for the government’s coronavirus response yesterday, when he admitted ministers could have handled the outbreak differently.
The prime minister told the BBC that the global pandemic was poorly understood in its early stages.
When asked whether lockdown had come too late, Mr Johnson said: “When you listen to the scientists, the questions that you’ve just asked are actually very open questions as far as they are concerned.”
Our Whitehall editor, Kate Devlin, has the full story below:
The prime minister told the BBC that the global pandemic was poorly understood in its early stages.
When asked whether lockdown had come too late, Mr Johnson said: “When you listen to the scientists, the questions that you’ve just asked are actually very open questions as far as they are concerned.”
Our Whitehall editor, Kate Devlin, has the full story below:
Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister encourages shoppers to wear face coverings
Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister has said that wearing face masks is the new “shopping look” in a bid to encourage the public to wear coverings in stores.
Michelle O'Neill, the Sinn Fein leader in Northern Ireland, posted a picture of herself on Twitter wearing a red mask while shopping on Friday.
It came after Stormont's health minister said he was “unconvinced” that enough people would wear face coverings in shops without being forced.
The Northern Ireland Executive has agreed to make the measure mandatory by 20 August if 70-80 per cent of shoppers do not comply voluntarily.
A public information campaign to encourage the use of face coverings will be launched.
Health minister Robin Swann said: “I remain unconvinced that the necessary level of compliance will be achieved without some element of enforcement.
“That said, I would be delighted to be proved wrong on that front.
“The onus is on everyone on all of the sides of the debate to work together to achieve our shared objective.”
Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister has said that wearing face masks is the new “shopping look” in a bid to encourage the public to wear coverings in stores.
Michelle O'Neill, the Sinn Fein leader in Northern Ireland, posted a picture of herself on Twitter wearing a red mask while shopping on Friday.
It came after Stormont's health minister said he was “unconvinced” that enough people would wear face coverings in shops without being forced.
The Northern Ireland Executive has agreed to make the measure mandatory by 20 August if 70-80 per cent of shoppers do not comply voluntarily.
A public information campaign to encourage the use of face coverings will be launched.
Health minister Robin Swann said: “I remain unconvinced that the necessary level of compliance will be achieved without some element of enforcement.
“That said, I would be delighted to be proved wrong on that front.
“The onus is on everyone on all of the sides of the debate to work together to achieve our shared objective.”
