Covid-19 Daily Bulletin

1 December 2020

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

Key Announcements:

• According to Government data, the number of new confirmed cases of Coronavirus yesterday was 12,330. This was a new record for the UK. Sadly, 205 people lost their lives due to virus.
• MPs will today vote on the new tiers system, which is due to replace lockdown rules from Wednesday and put 99 percent of the country into tiers 2 and 3. The media reports that Boris Johnson will face a difficult day, with Labour set to break with the Government for the first time and abstain on the grounds that support for the hospitality sector should go further.
• Local authorities in tier 3 will be invited to apply for funds to run mass testing programmes of people with no symptoms, in hopes of driving down the virus and moving to tier 2. Public health directors will be able to put forward proposals for testing in those parts of their communities most at risk from the virus, if they so choose, which could be particularly the case for neighbourhoods or workplaces where infection rates are high.
• New Covid guidance around festive traditions has been published , covering Santa’s Grottos, carol singing and nativity plays. The Press Association reports that activities can go ahead so long as they are within the regulations – with limited numbers allowed and social distancing required.

Regional/Devolved

• In Wales, pubs and restaurants will be prohibited from serving alcohol from Friday. First Minister Mark Drakeford announced the new rule to tackle a rise in coronavirus cases. Venues will also be unable to open to customers beyond 6pm but will still be able to offer a takeaway service after.
• Passengers flying from Newcastle Airport will now have the option to pay to book a rapid Covid test, which will give a result before their flight leaves. The option is being made available because many destinations now require passengers to provide a negative test result. The testing facility is based in one of the car parks, with the samples analysed at a nearby laboratory.
• Scottish First Minister Nichola Sturgeon will today address Scottish Parliament to review the number of cases of coronavirus in each region of the country and assign a relevant level. It is reportedly unlikely that any changes will be announced.

International

• In Ireland , all retail outlets, hairdressers, museums and libraries will be permitted to reopen today in an easing of Covid-19 restrictions after six weeks of national lockdown.
• The Netherlands has today made face masks mandatory in indoor public spaces, with those refusing to wear one facing a fine of €95.
• In the US , Covid vaccinations could be administered before Christmas according to Health Secretary Alex Azar. The follows the Thanksgiving weekend, which saw the highest number of people traveling through US airports since mid-March.

Stakeholders

• Ofsted Chief Inspector Amanda Spielman is today expected to make a statement warning that the “invisibility of vulnerable children as a result of the pandemic should be a matter of national concern”. Ofsted is due to publish its annual report, in which it will supposedly highlight that in normal times, about 20 percent of referrals to local authorities regarding neglect or abuse come from schools and early years settings have been spotted by staff.
• Director of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has warned that spending time with friends and family at Christmas is “not worth putting them or yourself at risk”, and urged people to consider whether travelling during the festive period is necessary.

Unconfirmed reports

• Politico reports that the Prime Minister will today announce a one-off payment for the hardest hit pubs during today’s Commons debate.
• The Times reports that the Government has drawn up a secret dossier detailing the impact of coronavirus on the economy, with a dozen sectors rated “red” and facing significant job cuts and revenue losses. Those sectors with a red rating include aerospace, the automotive industry, retail, hospitality and tourism, arts and heritage, maritime, including ferries and cruises, and sport.