Covid-19 Daily Bulletin

23 Nov

23 November 2020

A series of daily updates for CHO members regarding relevant updates pertaining to Coronavirus from home and abroad.

Key Announcements:

  • The Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccine is 70 percent effective. Although less effective that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine is cheaper and easier to store. The Government has pre-ordered 100m doses.
  • The Prime Minister will give a statement to the Commons at 3:30pm today to outline plans for the updated Tier system in England. Under the new Tiers all non-essential shops, hairdressers and gyms will be allowed to reopen. Hospitality will only be open for takeaways in Tier 3, but will be open in Tier 1 and 2, although indoor mixing with other households may be banned.
  • Rapid mass testing – delivered with support from the military – will be used in all tier 3 areas of England.
  • It will be announced on Thursday what areas of England are in what Tier.
  • A vote in Parliament on the measures is expected early next week, but the Conservative Covid Recovery Group (CRG) are demanding evidence that shows the measures will “save more lives than they cost” before they vote for them. However, if Labour vote for the measures then it is very likely they will pass.
  • The Prime Minister is also expected to give a televised TV address to the nation this evening.

Devolved

  • The Northern Ireland Executive are poised to sign off on a £300m support package for business.
  • Temporary “pods” will be installed at Welsh care homes to facilitate family visits over Christmas.

International

  • The global coronavirus infections total is currently 58,563,451, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker.
  • Germany ‘s health minister Jens Spahn, said the country could begin vaccinations this year: “There is reason to be optimistic that there will be approval for a vaccine in Europe this year.”

Stakeholders

  • Labour is calling on the Government to set out a clear blueprint for business so they know what restrictions they will face after the 2nd December. They are calling for the Business Secretary to come to the Commons by Wednesday at the latest, with one week to go until lockdown ends, to give businesses clarity about how and whether they will be able to operate.

Unconfirmed reports

  • The four nations are reportedly in the process of signing off proposals which would allow three households to meet together from 23rd -27th December. Travel guidance is still be worked on, with an announcement expected tomorrow.