BORIS JOHNSON WILL appear at a press conference to speak to the UK as the Covid-19 situation worsens.
Yesterday, the UK recorded the highest number of daily coronavirus cases since the outbreak began.
The prime minister will be joined at a Downing Street press conference at around 5pm by chief medical officer for England professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance in what will be the 100th coronavirus briefing since the pandemic hit the UK.
Three weeks on from his last appearance, the number of cases has risen and millions of people are facing tough restrictions to try to suppress the virus.
As of 9am yesterday, there had been a further 7,143 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK – the highest daily figure recorded since the outbreak began, although far more tests are being carried out than in the spring.
A further 71 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Tuesday, bringing the UK total to 42,072 – although separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies show Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate in nearly 57,900 cases.
Confirming the press conference yesterday, the Boris Johnson’s official spokesman said: “The purpose of that is to provide an update on the latest statistics. It is not because there is some specific set of new announcements to make.”
Meanwhile, new regulations in Northumberland, Newcastle, Gateshead, North and South Tyneside, Sunderland and County Durham came into force at midnight and will see fines imposed if people mix with others from outside their household or bubble in indoor settings, including pubs and restaurants.
Apologies, I misspoke today.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) September 29, 2020
In the North East, new rules mean you cannot meet people from different households in social settings indoors, including in pubs, restaurants and your home. You should also avoid socialising with other households outside. (1/2)
There are calls for “effective” public health messaging after Johnson had to apologise over confusion about the lockdown measures in north-east England.
Johnson stumbled over his explanation of the ban on households mixing, saying that he “misspoke”.
With the rules not published until late last night, ministers were quizzed about whether they would apply in settings such as beer gardens.
In response to questions, Johnson said: “In the North East and other areas where extra-tight measures have been brought in, you should follow the guidance of local authorities but it is six in a home, six in hospitality but, as I understand it, not six outside.”
But he later tweeted: “Apologies, I misspoke today. In the North East, new rules mean you cannot meet people from different households in social settings indoors, including in pubs, restaurants and your home. You should also avoid socialising with other households outside.”
The regulations state that people who operate premises should ensure groups gathering outdoors do not exceed six unless an exception applies, suggesting groups can still socialise outside provided they adhere to the rule of six.
Rebels
With MPs set to vote on the renewal of the Coronavirus Act’s powers in the Commons today, more than 50 Tories have backed an amendment calling for parliament to be given a greater say over the use of measures to curb people’s freedoms.
Today’s vote will see MPs decide whether to renew the provisions of the emergency legislation in the Coronavirus Act.
Tory MPs expect ministers to offer concessions to in order to avoid a damaging defeat if Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle calls the rebel amendment for a vote.
Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the influential Tory 1922 Committee and the rebels’ ringleader, said there was “likely to be an accommodation reached” because “they knew we have the numbers”.
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