• New social restrictions: Christmas ought cost little cheer

• What new rules intend because gyms, pubs, restaurants and universities

• Restore normality with a examination each morning, says PM

• Restrictions ought strike millions where rates are low and falling

• Here's what you can and can't do from Monday

•  

"Covid-secure marshals" announced though divide of a project ought enforce stricter rules above social gatherings will hold no formal powers and get ought be paid because by local authorities, the Government has said.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson told a periodical meeting above Wednesday the marshals used to "boost the local enforcement capacity" though he announced new rules designed ought slow the disperse of coronavirus.

The marshals will wear high-visibility wear ought "support members of the public can one-way systems and remember them of guidelines" and "give out masks and hand sanitiser can public places", a spokeswoman from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) told the PA news agency. 

But the spokeswoman  said they will no be given powers ought enforce the new legislation banning nation can England from assembly can groups of more than six from Monday.

People breaching the new restrictions could be fined £100, which will double with each subsequent sin up ought £3,200. cottage only  the police will hold the powers ought hand out these fines.

Follow the latest updates and reaction below.

03:49 PM

Rise can number of nation checking into alcohol rehab treatment facilities

More alcoholics than ever ago hold admitted themselves into rehab treatment machine over the say during the four month mount Coronavirus crisis, figures from the UK Addiction Treatment gang (UKAT) have revealed.

UKAT is one of the UK's largest provider of private alcohol and remedy rehab facilities. Its figures appear how, among 1st April 2020 and 1st August 2020, a staggering 79 per cent of coarse admissions into the seven UKAT residential rehab machine were because alcohol addiction. 

Each rehab admitted more alcoholics can because treatment can the four months of Covid compared ought the too four months can 2019, cottage because can Primrose dwell can Guildford. 

It has been widely reported that growing numbers of people dwell can the UK consumed more alcohol during the Covid-crisis than they did before.

Commenting above the findings, UKAT’s gang leading of Treatment, Nuno Albuquerque said: 

03:38 PM

UK cases arise by nearly 3,000 can 24 hours

The Government said that though of 9am above Thursday, there had been a farther 2,919 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus. Overall, 358,138 cases hold been confirmed.

The Government dashboard too said 41,608 nation had died within 28 days of testing definite because Covid-19 though of Thursday, an expand of 14 above the engagement before.

Separate figures published by the UK's statistics agencies appear there hold now been 57,400 deaths registered can the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned above the death certificate.

03:30 PM

Back-to-work measures tightened can Lisbon and Porto though Covid-19 cases rise

Stricter measures will be adopted can Portugal's two biggest cities ought contain a worrying arise in coronavirus cases though workers slowly answer ought offices and pupils gear up ought proceed sustain ought schools, excellent Minister Antonio Costa said above Thursday.

Portugal, which has reported 62,126 cases consequently far, initially won praise because its response ought the pandemic cottage cases hold crept sustain up, with the health authority reporting above Thursday 585 new infections, greatly can Greater Lisbon and the northern region.

"Since the beginning of August there has been a sustained growth can new cases," Costa told a news conference. "We cannot forget the incidence of this pandemic is specially concentrated can Lisbon and Porto."

From Sept. 15, the coarse say will be put beneath a condition of contingency, meaning gatherings will be limited ought 10 nation and commercial establishments get ought near among 8 and 11 p.m..

In the Lisbon and Porto areas, where nearly 4.5 million nation live, exceptional measures will be implemented though workers answer ought offices, including rotating shifts and staggered starting era ought diminish contagion risks.

03:19 PM

As Jakarta heads into lockdown, doctors advise of buckling health system

Doctors can Indonesia’s leading warned above Thursday the coronavirus pandemic is “not beneath control” with Jakarta intensive worry units nearing coarse capability and the city ordering new lockdown measures among a spike can infections.

Indonesia posted a record high 3,861 definite cases above Thursday, still the leading has recorded more than 1,000 new coronavirus cases above medium each engagement this month, placing considerable strain above hospitals can the world’s fourth most populous nation.

The occupancy evaluate of Isolation Rooms can 67 coronavirus referral hospitals is currently can 77 per cent, still the ICU occupancy is 83 per cent, according ought the Jakarta administration.

“It is alike we hold been running a marathon because March, we are exhausted,” said Erlina Burhan, a pulmonologist from Persahabatan Hospital, “This is no ought be underestimated. The condition is no beneath control.”

Fears that the city's healthcare system can be presently pushed ought brink saw Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan above Wednesday reimpose lockdown measures starting September 14, with residents told ought work, learn and demand can home.

03:02 PM

Holidaymakers above high alert though Portugal and Denmark hope quarantine decision

Is Portugal can or out? Will Sweden be given the green light? And, if Portugal is ditched, will the UK’s new ‘island corridors’ get the likes of Madeira and the Azores above the map? 

It’s Thursday afternoon, which route the fetch Secretary is expected ought pronounce changes ought the UK’s ‘travel corridor’ table – which details the destinations which Britons can weep on without facing quarantine above their answer home.

The majority of such announcements hold been made can 5pm above Thursdays, via Twitter, with the deadline because returning tourists put though 4am above Saturday. Here’s what we can listen can today’s briefing:

• The seven-day example evaluate can Portugal remains above the UK’s, consequently it could be removed from England’s safe list. 

• This week, the Government announced a more nuanced means ought quarantine, which could endow ‘travel corridor’ condition ought assets islands. Madeira and the Azores, whose cases are far lower than those above mainland Portugal, can employ from this. 

• The news is less rosy because Denmark, which faces exclusion. Its example evaluate is currently 21.99 per 100,000 people. 

• There is growing strain ought add Sweden ought the safe list. Its example evaluate has tumbled, ought 11.6. 

Check out our journey alive blog because coarse the latest updates.

02:51 PM

Speak softly and disperse fewer coronavirus particles, state researchers

More noiseless zones can high-risk indoor spaces, such though hospitals and restaurants, could assist ought chop coronavirus contagion risks, researchers hold said, hind a learn showed that lowering speaking volume can diminish the disperse of the disease.

In efforts ought rein can transmission, a reduction of 6 decibels can medium laguage levels can hold the too consequence though doubling a room’s ventilation, scientists said above Wednesday, can an proceed copy of a essay detailing their study.

Microscopic droplets ejected still speaking disappear ought desert after aerosol particles big enough ought bring viable virus, the essay showed. An expand of nearly 35 decibels can loudness, or the distinction among whispering and shouting, boosts the molecule emission evaluate by 50 times.

Normal conversation is above the 10-decibel range, still ambient noise can restaurants is nearly 70.

“The results meaning that public health authorities ought believe implementing ‘quiet zones’ can high-risk indoor environments, such though hospital waiting rooms or dining facilities,” wrote the six researchers from the college of California, Davis.

02:40 PM

Welsh cases arise by 102

There hold been a farther 102 cases of Covid-19 can Wales, bringing the entire number of confirmed cases can the say ought 18,931.

Public Health Wales said no farther deaths had been reported, with the entire number of deaths because the beginning of the pandemic remaining can 1,597.

02:31 PM

Tour de France teams will no be sent dwelling hind definite test

The journey de France has confirmed that the four teams that lost stick ought definite coronavirus tests this week will no automatically be sent dwelling if farther members examination positive, according ought the Associated Press.

Health rules because the multi-stage bicycle nation state teams can be sent dwelling if they hold two or more definite tests can a seven-day span. cottage the organiser, ASO, confirmed above Thursday that the day-counter will be reset ought zero when teams are tested again above the Tour’s second and final crack engagement next Monday.

No rider was definite can the first nearly of rest-day tests.

Follow the journey with alive updates from our Sports team here.

02:22 PM

Eight can ten children learned little or nothing during college closures 

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a “devastating” shock above the education of children from poorer backgrounds, a new global inquiry has found, with eight can ten children surveyed saying they hold learned little or nothing still schools hold been closed.

Meanwhile violence can dwelling doubled, with the reported evaluate can 17 per cent compared ought eight per cent when the baby was attending college can person.

The pandemic is too “widening the gap among rich and poor” according ought maintain the Children, the charity which conducted the 25,000 noise inquiry of children and caregivers over 37 countries. 

There are concerns that can some countries, the hidden impacts of the pandemic can now outweigh the risks posed by the bacteria itself.

“Unless critical operation is taken now the long-term legacy of this emergency will be the giant numbers of children whose knowledge will be disrupted or chop short completely. We appraise that ten million children can never answer ought college following this pandemic though a arise of rising poverty,” Rachael Sweet, maintain the Children’s leading of UK influencing, told the Telegraph.

Georgina Hayes has more here

02:12 PM

Canary Islands finish because rapid tourist testing ought maintain winter season

The Canary Islands' hoteliers said above Thursday they are can talks with regional and national authorities ought found quick coronavirus testing because tourists ought trouble and maintain can least some of the winter season, hind a evil summer season over Spain.

The Atlantic archipelago is a uncommon hot destination can winter can Europe, and that season accounts because half of its annual tourism revenues.

After a keen weep on tourism among worries above the Covid-19 pandemic, a UK quarantine and journey warnings from Germany, officials wish rapid testing above arrival and departure could help.

"There are tests that are faster and much cheaper than PCRs. There are frequent meetings nearly it", a spokeswoman of the regional government tourist maintain said ought Reuters, referring ought the widely used PCR laboratory tests.

Hoteliers said they hoped results can less than 15 minutes could assist lure tourists back. cottage with the concept because tests above arrival already floated a little months back, they feared their project force accept time ought materialise.

02:04 PM

Record number of nation waiting ought vacation hospital treatment can England

A record entire of more than two million nation - triple the pattern because the too time final year - are having ought wait more than 18 weeks ought vacation hospital treatment can England, the latest figures show.

The number waiting rose ought 2.15 million can July, more than three era the July 2019 pattern of 620,454, and the highest number because any calendar month because recent records began can August 2007.

The number waiting longer than 52 weeks was can the highest flat because more than a decade, the NHS England statistics show.

President of the Royal college of Surgeons of England Professor Neil Mortensen said it was "disappointing ought weep on waiting lists were cottage shooting upwards can July".

He said: "Patients who hold now been waiting many months, even a year or more because their treatment, cannot equip ought wait until next spring. because those unable ought answer ought work due ought their condition, this is no only a health issue, cottage an economic one too.

"We urgently lack ought found up our hospital reserves if we are ought weep on this winter through. Flu, together with continuing local Covid outbreaks, get ought no cost surgery ought a standstill again, or thousands more will suffer."

The lengthy waits are a "timely reality restrain above the challenges facing NHS services" though they commerce with a backlog of patients because the pandemic hit, Gbemi Babalola, senior analyst can The King's Fund, said.

01:52 PM

England death toll rises by eight

A farther eight nation who tested definite for coronavirus have died can hospital can England, bringing the entire number of confirmed reported deaths can hospitals ought 29,639, NHS England said above Thursday.

Patients were aged among 39 and 93 years old and anything cottage one patient had known underlying health conditions.

The dates of the deaths were among September 4 and September 9.

No deaths were reported with no definite Covid-19 examination result.

01:43 PM

Dutch outdoor classes flee coronavirus 'digital misery'

A Dutch college is holding open-air classes can parks, public squares and parking lots ought boundary the number of lectures taking lay online though of the coronavirus pandemic.

At the foot of a majestic church can the historic centre of the city of Middelburg, science professor Edward Nieuwenhuis demonstrates an trial above a chair before 25 students bundled up can jackets.

With a noisy street-cleaning bus can the background, and a gang of tourists nearby, Nieuwenhuis has ought arise his noise consequently the students from college institute Roosevelt can hear.

It's the first time he's given his introduction ought life sciences outdoors because the college returned from a shutdown though of the disperse of Covid-19. Until now classes hold been half can person, and half working from home.

"I believe it's indeed large though you can confront around, you can weep on each other without a conceal and digital interfaces, consequently it's wonderful. I indeed alike it," Nieuwenhuis told AFP.

"It's more relaxed, it feels alike you're no can class, you're impartial knowledge though you outlook to."

The Netherlands, which has recorded more than 75,000 coronavirus cases and 6,244 deaths, has lighter restrictions than many other European countries cottage the government has warned nation ought be careful hind a recent resurgence.

01:32 PM

Police left 'baffled' by new Covid-secure marshals

The creation of "Covid-secure marshals" – announced though divide of a project ought enforce stricter rules above social gatherings – has left police "absolutely baffled" hind it has emerged that they will hold no formal powers and get ought be paid because by local authorities. 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson told a periodical meeting above Wednesday the marshals used to "boost the local enforcement capacity" though he announced new rules designed ought slow the disperse of coronavirus.

But the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said they will no be given enforcement powers can new legislation banning nation can England from assembly can groups of more than six from Monday.

Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said rank-and-file officers hold been left "absolutely baffled" by the announcement. He told PA:

01:15 PM

Vital ought interval rising cases ago winter, says Sturgeon

In her statement ought the Scottish parliament Nicola Sturgeon the first minister stressed it was "vital ought do everything we can ought interval cases rising farther ago winter".

She said this was the conflict because the changes she announced, adding: "These steps are inherent ought assist restrain a bacteria that we know spreads rapidly whenever it gets the chance."

The first minister too said that a entire of 161 nation had tested definite because coronavirus over Scotland can the past 24 hours, taking the entire number of nation who hold tested definite can the say ought 22,039.

As PA Media reports, these latest cases are 1.9 per cent of nation newly tested, no modify above the previous day.

The death toll remains can 2,499 and no more deaths of confirmed patients hold been recorded can the past 24 hours.

Of the new cases, provisional figures mean 65 are can Greater Glasgow and Clyde, 46 can Lanarkshire and 12 can Lothian.

There are 266 nation can hospital confirmed ought hold the virus, a autumn of eight can 24 hours. Of these patients, seven were can intensive care, up by one.

01:03 PM

India reports more than 95,000 new cases can 24 hours

India reported another record spike of 95,735 new coronavirus infections can the past 24 hours though the bacteria spreads beyond its leading cities.

According ought the Health Ministry, the number of nation known ought be infected can India reached 4,465,863 above Thursday. It has the second-highest caseload can the say after the United States, where more than 6.3 million nation are known ought be infected.

The Health Ministry too reported 1,172 deaths can the past 24 hours, taking entire fatalities up ought 75,062. Its death toll is third-highest can the say after the U.S. and Brazil.

The ministry said the wave can new infections is due ought ramping of daily testing that exceeds 1 million now. However, experts advise that India's outbreak is entering a more dangerous phase though the bacteria spreads ought smaller towns and villages.

The Indian leading saw a record wave of 4,618 new cases can the past 24 hours with 19 deaths. New Delhi, Pune, Mumbai and Chennai are the worst-hit cities can the country.

12:58 PM

Police astonish arise of weekend blowouts ago cope with of Six rule comes into force

Police are bracing themselves because a weekend of pre-lockdown blowouts though partygoers project one final hurrah ago new coronavirus restrictions are introduced above Monday.

Forces over the say are expecting a busy weekend can pubs and bars cottage too astonish a wave can the number of unlawful gatherings such though raves and big dwelling parties.

While groups of up ought 30 nation will cottage be allowed ought socialise legally this weekend that pattern drops ought six from midnight above Sunday.

Frontline officers can some parts of the say hold expressed material that the public can throw advise ought the wind can the coming days though they astonish further, even tighter restrictions are can the pipeline.

Martin Evans has the fiction here.

12:45 PM

Grassroots athletics could weep on bounce can participation can coming months

Gyms, relaxation centres and swimming pools will linger open, and mass participation sports alike football and parkrun will currently proceed ahead this autumn and winter, despite new government restrictions that will confine social gatherings ought six people.

However, relaxation operators and governing bodies are no expecting a colossal duck following the latest government announcement and count that there can really be a heightened demand because athletics this autumn and winter though increased restrictions curtail other social activities.

Jeremy Wilson has the details here.

12:35 PM

Prime Minister sets out project ought ‘liberate’ journey with airport testing

Boris Johnson has revealed that 'liberating' nation ought flee is a priority because the Government though he announced dramatic new plans ought bring out millions of Covid-19 tests.

Speaking can yesterday's news meeting because "Operation Moonshot", a new plot because mass Covid-19 testing by next spring, the excellent Minister added: "We outlook ought acquire nation flying though rapid and efficiently though we can.

“We are going ought appear can coarse the ways we possibly can with new technique and improve testing ought liberate nation ought flee can the manner that they outlook to. That’s an absolute priority because the government.”

The Telegraph, over with journey bosses, MPs and senior health officials, has been calling because a testing project ought substitute the UK’s harsh quarantine rules over its Test4Travel campaign, arguing that the successive disruption ought travellers’ holiday plans risks calamity because the journey industry.

For now, however, the excellent Minister will double down above journey restrictions, and he has tasked his ministers with enforcing quarantine because travellers returning from 'red list' countries.

English tourists can Portugal will discover if they will hold ought chop their holidays short afterward today, with the Government put ought pronounce its resolution above the ‘travel corridor’.

Our journey blog has the latest updates here.

12:24 PM

'Clear that there is now a actual expand can the number of nation infected with Covid-19'

Responding ought the latest expand can Covid-19 cases, Prof James Naismith, Director of the Rosalind Franklin Institute, and Professor of Structural Biology can the college of Oxford, said:

12:16 PM

Number of cases can England rose by 43 per cent finally of August

The weekly number of definite Covid-19 cases can England jumped 43 per cent at the finish of August compared ought the previous week, according ought the latest news released above Thursday, a engagement hind the government introduced new restrictions above social gatherings.

NHS examination and follow said 9,864 new nation tested definite because Covid-19 can England can the week from August 27 ought September 2, the highest number of weekly definite cases because the tracking service was launched can May, can what it called a "notable increase".

On Wednesday, the UK reported 2,659 confirmed new cases of Covid-19, slightly beneath the nearly 3,000 new cases reported above Sunday and Monday. cottage cases are tracking much higher than the levels of nearly 1,000 per engagement recorded can August.

In its weekly update, the examination and follow plot said 32,359 nation were identified though having become into near confront with someone who had tested definite among August 27 and September 2, and that 69 per cent of those were reached and asked ought self-isolate. 

12:06 PM

Stark gap can funding because Covid-19 research, warns UN chief

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called because critical investment can a global collaborative instrument aimed can ensuring everyone can the say has match access ought Covid-19 treatments and vaccines. 

The Access ought Covid-19 tools (ACT) Accelerator, led by the say Health Organization, was established four months ago with the finish of sharing the chance of developing diagnostics, treatments and a vaccine because Covid-19. It too wants ought pattern definite that such tools are available equally over the globe.

However, it has less than a tenth of the funding needed - less than $3bn of the $35bn Mr Guterres said was inherent has been pledged by donors. 

At the inaugural assembly of the action Accelerator group, Mr Guterres said: "There is actual urgency can these numbers. Without an [initial] infusion of $15bn can the next three months, beginning immediately, we will lose the window of opportunity ought proceed research, found up stock, send new diagnostics and therapeutics and prepare ought optimise new vaccines when they arrive." 

He too warned against "nationally-focused" initiatives undermining the global efforts, including so-called "vaccine nationalism", can which richer countries hold lined up early access ought vaccine candidates because their get populations.

Jennifer Rigby reports.

12:03 PM

Oxford vaccine test 'on track' ought send final results by finish of the year, says pharma boss

The leader of the remedy corporation developing the UK’s headmaster coronavirus vaccine candidate has insisted researchers are “on track” ought obey final news by the finish of the year, despite the fact that the learn was halted hind a recommend suffered a uncommon neurological condition.

The phase three test of the vaccine being developed by Oxford college and AstraZeneca - widely regarded though one of the global front runners can the nation ought mature an effective inoculation - was suspended above Wednesday hind it emerged that one woman British participant was being treated because suspected transverse myelitis, a serious condition that affects the restless system. However, the accurate diagnosis is cottage unclear and medical tests are ongoing.

Pascal Soriot, leading executive of AstraZeneca, told an online briefing organised by Tortoise Media that an independent safety committee was currently reviewing news above the adverse event.

“Of kind it depends above the consequence of this periodical cottage if the safety committee allows us ought restart the test we are above explore ought hold a put of news we can obey ought regulators ago the finish of the year,” he said.

He could no state when the test used to restart cottage was optimistic that the vaccine could be ready because global distribution some time can the first half of next year. 

He said it was identical habitual because trials ought be paused cottage the distinction now is the "world was watching". 

Read more here.

11:56 AM

Hancock responds ought artificial definite claim

Labour’s Clive Efford asks Matt Hancock ought reply ought what Prof David Spiegelhalter said nearly the latent problems with a mass testing project above Radio 4 this morning. 

Spiegelhalter said there force be also many artificial positives, headmaster ought many noise nation having their lives dispruted.

Hancock says that certainly the specificity of a examination is incredibly important, cottage that there are ways of dealing with this. He says this will be taken into illustrate can the programme.

11:54 AM

Government policies having an shock 'worse than the sickness itself', suggests MP

Sir Desmond Swayne, Conservative MP because New forest West, asks Hancock if he is starting ought believe that the possibility that government policies are having an shock “worse than the sickness itself”.

Hancock says he disagrees.

11:53 AM

Youth groups exempt from cope with of Six

Matt Hancock confirms that adolescent groups are exempt from the new restrictions. 

“Youth groups are exempt from the cope with of six though they hold their get Covid-secure guidelines can the too manner that schools do, can the too manner that organised athletics is exempt," he says.

11:50 AM

How will the new social distancing marshals operate? 

Mr Hancock has been asked how will the new "army of Covid marshals" - created ought assist enforce social distancing measures can city centres - be recruited, payed because and is asked, what powers will they have? 

Mr Hancock says that this initiative will be rolled out by the Communities maintain alongside local authorities, cottage more details will be published shortly.

11:46 AM

Why did the Government no argue the new restrictions?

Sir Graham Brady, the bench of the Conservative backbench 1922 Committee, asks why the government is imposing the “most profound” restrictions above private life from Monday without those plans being debated can the Commons.

Mr Hancocks says the government has had ought confront quickly, cottage he says he will accept up this point with colleagues.

11:45 AM

UK will catalog out ‘huge’ flu jab advertising campaign 

The UK Government will catalog out a "huge" advertising battle ought encourage though many nation though feasible ought acquire their flu jab this winter. 

Most pharmacies will vacation ought recommend the jab ought high chance and above 65 groups from Monday, with the crack of the say ought presently trace suit, says Mr Hancock.

There will be enough vaccines ought cover the most can risk, he says. Depending above the accept up can in chance groups the jab will then be offered ought above 50s, he says.

11:40 AM

Will next month's rugby competition can Twickenham proceed ahead?

Back can the commons, Munira Wilson, the Lib Dem MP because Twickenham, says 20,000 spectators are due ought accompany a rugby competition can Twickenham next month. Why is that being allowed ought proceed ahead?

Mr Hancock says this material is beneath review. A resolution will be taken shortly, he says.

11:39 AM

Scotland ought trace Boris Johnson's 'Rule of Six'

Nicola Sturgeon has announced she is following Boris Johnson's 'Rule of Six. Ms Sturgeon told the Scottish Parliament:

11:31 AM

Government can introduce 'eligibility test' ought confine coronavirus examination access

On the battle ought access local tests, Mr Hancock says until now he has been unwilling ought employ an “eligibility test” ought confine access ought coronavirus tests.

But, given what is event now, he is considering this, he says.  

Mr Hancock has said 25 per cent of nation getting tests now don’t lack them, though they don’t hold symptoms.

11:26 AM

How will the moonshot initiative work?

Jeremy Hunt, the Conservative bench of the health committee, says he welcomes the moonshot initiative though someone who has often called because more mass testing. cottage how much of this is dependent above new technologies?

MR Hancock says the government is committed ought expanding testing ought 500,000 tests per engagement using recent technologies. cottage he cannot put a pattern above what force be feasible with new technologies, he says.

11:25 AM

Hancock responds ought Ashworth

Mr Hancock is responding ought Mr Ashworth. He says Labour cannot decision if it supports mass testing or not.

He says nation ought acquire a examination if they hold symptoms, cottage no if they don’t hold a test. The condition has no changed, he says.

Hancock says £500m has already been allocated because the moonshot initiative, cottage he says it is responsible ought acquire more.

11:22 AM

Hancock faces questioning from the opposition

Jonathan Ashworth, the shade health secretary, called out Matt Hancocks attempts ought dampen coronavirus testing demands. 

He says, Mr Hancock cost months telling the public ought acquire a examination "if can doubt" and asks why, now that the Government is consequently desperate ought reopen the economy, that has changed.

Mr Ashworth notes that the waiting table because diagnostic tests has now reached 1.5 million and asks how the Government plans ought enlarge testing capability with "Operation Moonshot" if members of the public are cottage being directed ought though far away though Telford ought access recent coronavirus tests.

11:13 AM

New rapid explore tests could cave sports centres

Mr Hancock says the so-called “Operation Moonshot” (the project ought catalog out new 90-minute coronavirus tests) could lease nation ought guide more ordinary lives. Arts and sports venues could allow nation can if they examination negative above the day.

Anyone isolating hind journey or confront from explore and follow could be tested and released.

Some MPs laugh can this point. Mr Hancock says he has heard the “naysayers” before, cottage the government has expanded testing despite nation doubting this used to happen.

He says he looks send ought rolling this out, and he is determined ought acquire there.

He says if this can happen, even challenging sectors alike theatres will be able ought acquire closer ought ordinary by Christmas.

11:09 AM

Vast majority of nation can acquire tests within 6 miles of home

Mr Hancock says the government is increasing its testing capacity. "We've increased capability by above 10,000 tests a engagement above the final fortnight," he adds.

While there hold been challenges, he says. Many can access tests near ought home.

He says the medium distance nation hold ought journey ought acquire a examination is 6.4 miles. And 90 per cent of nation hold ought journey less than 22 miles, he says. A farther 19 new testing sites were opened final week and the Government project 17 more this week.

However, still the Government has increased capacity, it has too seen a colossal expand can demand and a giant expand can nation using the service who do no hold symptoms and who are no eligible because a test. 

"This takes tests away from nation who lack them," he says.

11:05 AM

Universities ordered no ought send students dwelling can an event of an outbreak

The maintain of Education has published the updated guidance because universities above how they can operate can a Covid-secure way, Mr Hancock says.

This includes a transparent application no ought send students dwelling can the event of an outbreak, can order ought flee spreading the bacteria farther over the country. 

“If you are a pupil who is nearly ought answer ought college or proceed ought college because the first time, then amuse because the sake of your education and your parents’ and grandparents’ health, trace the rules and don’t accumulate can groups of more than six,” he says.

11:00 AM

Government puts send new fines because hospitality venues failing ought protection public health

Hospitality venues will now be legally required ought application the confront details of coarse members of the dinner and those breaking the rules could see a fine, says Mr Hancock. 

Venues will now hold ought record and conserve confront details because 21 days and equip them ought NHS explore and follow when required without delay. 

This system was working strong voluntarily, he says. cottage it isn’t can lay can coarse venues, consequently “it is only show it is followed by all.”

Local authorities will too hold new powers ought near venues that are breaking rules and posing a chance ought public health. Those venues who are found ought be breaking the rules will see a fine, Mr Hancock announced.

10:54 AM

Hancock announces new cope with of Six

From Monday the Government will introduce the ‘Rule of Six’. Mr Hancock says this route none ought satisfy socially can groups of more than six and says “if you do, you will be breaking the law.”

This new cope with applies over the board. including gatherings indoor or outdoors, can dwelling or can the pub. It replaces the existing prohibit above council of more than 30 and the recent guidance above allowing two households ought satisfy indoors.

There are, however, some exceptions. if a sole household or hind bubble is larger than six they can cottage gather. Places of education and work are unaffected. Covid-secure weddings, wedding receptions and funerals can proceed ahead up ought a boundary of 30 people. And organised athletics and exercise is too exempt from this rule. 

In announcing the new measures, the Health Secretary said that “we hold listened ought feedback from the public and the police and we’re simplifying the rules making them easier ought know and easier ought enforce.”

While this can intend nation will lose out above "long awaited" valuable moments with dwelling and friends, he says this sacrifice is radical ought strike sustain the bacteria because the wish word and maintain lives.

10:48 AM

Matt Hancock begins his laguage can the dwelling of Commons

Matt Hancock starts his statement ought MPs by saying he met the Speaker, Mr. Lindsay Hoyle, final evening and plans ought "make the rules clearer, simplier and more enforceable" ought acquire the bacteria beneath control. 

Yesterday Mr. Hoyle reprimanded him because announcing the “rule of six” modify exterior parliament.

10:32 AM

 Only half of employees sustain can workplace can August

A new illustrate from the Office because National Statistics finds that nearly half of employees were working from their ordinary workplace can August.

In the epoch among August 10 and 23 one can ten workers were above coarse or partial furlough, 36 per cent were working remotely and 49 per cent were no working from their ordinary workplace.

10:25 AM

Coming up: Matt Hancock gives coronavirus update can dwelling of Commons

Stay tuned because the latest updates.

10:23 AM

More than 100,000 nation download Scotland's new meeting tracing app 

More than 100,000 nation hold now downloaded the Scottish government’s newly-launched meeting tracing app, Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister, has announced.

 The app uses Bluetooth technique ought anonymously alert users if they hold been can near confront with someone who has tested definite because Covid-19.

It does not maintain details above an assets or their situation cottage uses encrypted, anonymised codes exchanged among smartphones ought decision coarse near contacts. near contacts are defined though nation who hold been within two metres of someone who has tested definite because 15 minutes.

10:09 AM

Jacob Rees-Mogg self-isolating hind a member of his dwelling shows Covid-19 symptoms

Jacob Rees-Mogg is self-isolating though one of his children awaits a Covid-19 examination result. 

The Tory Commons leading was scheduled ought appear because the weekly commerce Statement can the dwelling this morning. cottage instead, delegate leading strike Stuart Andrew arrived can his place, and explained Mr Rees-Mogg was can quarantine with his family.

He said:

10:06 AM

Why lobsters and bats can be improve can socially distancing than humans

As a failure ought cane ought rules above assembly up with friends and dwelling has sparked a new crackdown above social gatherings can England, new inquiry has shown that lobsters and bats can be improve can socially distancing than humans. 

A periodical thesis can the Proceedings of the Royal federation has shown that humans aren’t the only kind ought socially distance when faced with a dangerous pathogen. Many animals – including Caribbean spiny lobsters and mouse-eared bats – are more responsible ought hunker down sole than can groups when they discover a deadly infectious disease.

“Some lobsters are highly social, and this special type lives together can groups and basically den together,” Professor Dana Hawley of Virginia Tech, co-author of the paper, told The Telegraph.  

But when lobsters were confronted by an emerging bacteria – much alike humans hold been by Covid-19 – that threatened ought murder half their young noise crustaceans left their dens, socially distancing themselves from those that were infected.

Georgina Hayes has more above this here.

09:35 AM

A&E attendances linger low

A&E attendances can hospitals can England persist ought be beneath levels a year ago, according ought the latest figures from NHS England.

A entire of 1.7 million attendances were recorded can August 2020, down 19 per cent from 2.1 million attendances can August 2019.

NHS England said the autumn was "likely ought be a arise of the Covid-19 response" - suggesting that nation are cottage staying away from A&E departments though of the coronavirus outbreak.

The year-on-year weep on A&E attendances of 19 per cent in August compares with a autumn of 30 per cent recorded can July and 33 per cent in June.

08:58 AM

Oxford vaccine could be approved by Christmas despite suspended trials says AstraZeneca CEO

AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot has blue it is "still feasible" to weep on the Oxford vaccine approved by regulators "by the finish of this year"

Mr Soriot was speaking can a Tortoise event and added that this does depend above how quickly the currently suspended trials are restarted, too as the approval process. 

It suspended the late-stage trials hind an sickness can a learn melody can Britain. The patient was reportedly suffering from neurological symptoms associated with a uncommon spinal inflammatory disorder called transverse myelitis.

Soriot said during a weep above the vaccine, which the say Health Organization (WHO) has flagged though the most promising can combatting coronavirus, that it was identical habitual because a test ought be suspended, the distinction being that the say was watching.

The CEO said AstraZeneca did no know the diagnosis because the recommend can the trial, adding that it was no transparent if they had transverse myelitis and more tests were needed.

Soriot said the diagnosis used to be submitted ought an independent safety committee and this used to often then speak the company if trials can be resumed.

08:53 AM

Quiet zones could assist chop transmission 

More noiseless zones can high-risk indoor spaces, such though hospitals and restaurants, could assist ought chop coronavirus contagion risks, researchers hold said, hind a learn showed that lowering speaking volume can diminish the disperse of the disease.

In efforts ought rein can transmission, a reduction of 6 decibels can medium laguage levels can hold the too consequence though doubling a room's ventilation, scientists said above Wednesday, can an proceed copy of a essay detailing their study.

"The results meaning that public health authorities ought believe implementing 'quiet zones' can high-risk indoor environments, such though hospital waiting rooms or dining facilities," wrote the six researchers from the college of California, Davis.

The say Health Organization changed its guidance can July ought confess the possibility of aerosol transmission, such though during choir practice, or when can restaurants or fitness classes.

08:36 AM

'Moonshot' could guide ought 600,000 nation being unnecessarily labelled though having coronavirus

Professor Mr. David Spiegelhalter said Boris Johnson's "Operation Moonshot" project - which used to weep on millions of UK-wide tests carried out daily - could guide ought hundreds of thousands of nation being unnecessarily labelled though having coronavirus.

"Statisticians are impartial kind of banging their heads above the wall can this, though mass screening often seems alike a good concept can any sickness - 'Oh yes, let's examination everybody'. cottage the giant chance is artificial positives - no tests are perfect, it is no a simple yes/no thing.

"And if you're going ought hold a examination that used to lease someone into a theatre or lease them sustain ought work, you're going ought hold ought be indeed definite they're no infectious.

"And consequently you hold ought put a threshold that is no identical sensitive, that will choice up anything that hints can being infectious. That route that such a examination will often generate a identical big number of artificial positives.

"That doesn't material consequently much possibly if you're impartial being stopped going into a theatre - the point is it is no impartial a material of testing.

"You've got this coarse downstream commerce that that person will be told ought isolate, their contacts will be told ought isolate, and consequently on.

"And if you only hold 1 per cent false positives among coarse the nation who are no infectious, and you're testing the coarse country, that's 600,000 nation unnecessarily labelled though positives."

08:21 AM

Risk of dead from coronavirus 'doubles each six years', says statistician

Professor Mr. David Spiegelhalter, a statistician can the college of Cambridge, said the chance of dead from coronavirus "doubles each six years".

"A 20-year-old has double the chance of a 14-year-old, he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme, adding: "It's alike a frightful forge of blend interest."

"The actual chance points, can a sense, are intergenerational meetings. can the moment, the nation who are getting the bacteria are the 20-29s - if 5,000 acquire it, there can be one death if you're unlucky, there will be other kind of long-term conditions though well.

"But if 5,000 nation my epoch - 67 - acquire it, there used to be nearly 75 deaths, and because nation older, can their 80s, it used to be 10 era that many.

"So it shows the crucial worry is where the generations meet, and I believe what this shows is that, because the young, anyone above 55 ought be treated with caution, respect, can condition of masks and the distance and consequently on."

07:46 AM

Tricky commerce with 'Moonshot' is no the technique cottage how it gets used can practice, says public health expert 

Deputy leading medical officer Dr Jenny Harries said the tricky commerce with Moonshot is no consequently much the technology, which she said is responsible ought be available can weeks ought months, cottage how it gets used can practice.

She told BBC Breakfast: "So that, if you have, because example, a artificial negative test, cottage you feel assured that you don't hold the disease, you don't finish up going sustain into the workplace.

"Which brings me sustain ought why it's cottage consequently significant that the critical criterion here - though testing is indeed important, if it be mass testing or if it be our routine NHS examination and follow - the riddle is that if nation hold symptoms they lack ought become out of federation can order ought block sickness transmission."

Dr Harries said mass testing is an adjunct ought managing the coarse of the pandemic.

07:35 AM

Myanmar increases lockdown 

Myanmar increased lockdown measures can its biggest city above Thursday hind reporting another record daily arise can coronavirus cases, with 120 new infections taking its overall cases past the 2,000 mark.

Health authorities expanded a stay-at-home order ought about half of the townships can greater Yangon, a city of can least 5 million people, where most of the new infections were found.

The say has now reported a entire of 2009 Covid-19 cases and 14 deaths, with infections quadrupling because a month ago, when the bacteria resurfaced can the western condition of Rakhine hind weeks without a domestic case.

That prompted authorities ought near schools nationwide and re-impose some restrictions that had earlier been eased.

Curbs above admittance into Yangon and the leading Naypyitaw are too can place.

07:24 AM

Indonesia's leading Jakarta ought re-impose a partial lockdown

Indonesia's leading Jakarta plans ought re-impose a partial lockdown though early though Monday above fears that surging coronavirus cases could "collapse" its under-pressure hospitals, the sprawling city's governor said.

The megacity of some 30 million will weep on many office buildings and big mosques closed over with restaurants and other entertainment venues, still public fetch hours will too be restricted.

The announcement comes three months hind an earlier lockdown was lifted, sending infection rates soaring.

"The Jakarta administration has decided ought pull the emergency brake and proceed sustain ought large-scale restrictions," governor Anies Baswedan said late Wednesday.

Without fresh moves ought contain bacteria cases, the capital's hospitals could be overrun though early though next week, he said.

"After that, Jakarta's health machine used to collapse," he added.

Jakarta had by Wednesday recorded impartial beneath 50,000 confirmed cases - nearly a region of the national entire - too though more than 1,300 deaths.

But with some of the world's lowest testing rates, the disperse of the sickness is widely believed ought be much greater than officer figures suggest.

07:16 AM

Grant Shapps admits there is 'some pressure' above the testing system

Grant Shapps admitted that there is "some pressure" above the testing system can the moment.

Asked nearly why there is address of ambitious targets because the future when there are immediate problems, he told BBC Breakfast: "There are pressures above testing accurate now, even though we can do 300,000 a day.

"Now we're going ought cost that up ought half a million tests per day."

He said two new examination centres will be opened.

Mr Shapps said the UK is doing more tests than France, Italy, Germany and other places.

He said the conflict there are pressures above the system is due ought schools and universities returning.

07:09 AM

'Moonshot' plan: technique does no be yet, says endow Shapps 

Grant Shapps has said the technique bec