The membership of the secretive committee which has been advising the Government on its handling of coronavirus was finally made public today. The names of those who sit on the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) had not previously been published on security and independence grounds. But this morning the Government bowed to mounting pressure and … Read more
Essential workers and family members will be eligible for coronavirus tests from tomorrow as part of a step change in the Government’s COVID-19 battle plan. Health Secretary Matt Hancock today announced that swab testing for people with symptoms of the disease will be expanded from just health workers into wider society as part of plans to … Read more
Nicola Sturgeon’s plan to get out of lockdown The Scottish First Minister today set out some of the restrictions which could soon be lifted or modified north of the border. They include: Businesses: Certain businesses could be allowed to reopen but only if they can guarantee that social distancing will be adhered to. Schools: Ms … Read more
Nicola Sturgeon will today pile pressure on the UK government to set out a plan for easing the coronavirus lockdown as the Scottish First Minister publishes her own strategy for getting back to normal. The Scottish government will publish a paper later today containing guidelines which Ms Sturgeon hopes will help chart a way forward … Read more
Britons will soon be told to wear masks at work, in shops and on public transport in a new move to stop the spread of coronavirus, it was claimed today. The Government’s top scientific experts met on Tuesday to discuss the issue of masks and are expected to issue new guidance as soon as this … Read more
A new study is being launched by the Government to track the spread of coronavirus in the population and get a full picture of the number of infections. As many as 300,000 people are expected to take part within the first year and receive kits to self-administer a test. It is hoped the research will help … Read more
Disruptive social distancing measures will have to remain in place for the rest of this year, the country’s Chief Medical Officer has warned. Professor Chris Whitty said the measures cannot be lifted until either a vaccine for Covid-19 or ‘highly effective’ drugs to treat the virus become available. He told the daily Downing Street press … Read more
Keir Starmer tore into Dominic Raab over coronavirus testing and PPE blunders today as he made his debut as Labour leader at the first ‘virtual’ PMQs. Standing in for Boris Johnson in the Commons, the Foreign Secretary defended the painful progress towards the target of 100,000 tests a day by the end of the month. … Read more
Care Minister Helen Whately was savaged during a series of brutal interviews this morning as she struggled to provide answers to key questions on the supply of PPE, deaths of frontline workers and testing errors. Ms Whately suffered four car crash grillings after she was sent out to bat for the government by Downing Street. … Read more
Matt Hancock today appeared to admit that some frontline workers who have needed a coronavirus test have struggled to get one as he said the government is piloting a number of schemes to ‘make it easier’ for people to get checked. The UK currently has the capacity to carry out almost 40,000 tests a day … Read more