Covid-19 Daily Bulletin

30 Sep

30 September 2020

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

Key Announcements:

  • The Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to deliver a press conference this evening, warning the public that further restrictions will be implemented unless the spread of the virus is brought under control.
  • Politico reports that Johnson will not announce any immediate nationwide restrictions or a London lockdown, but will provide a ‘stock take’ on the current situation with rising cases.
  • According to the Sun , weekly Downing Street corona press conferences will be brought back in an effort to provide more clarity on Government communications.
  • An open letter, signed by 100 businesses, has been written to the Prime Minister, demanding that the 10pm curfew on pubs, bars and restaurants be reviewed every three weeks.
  • The Coronavirus Act is set to be debated today, raising the question of whether Speaker Lindsey Hoyle will select the Brady Amendment. Politico reports that Hoyle is “not inclined”.

Regional /Devolved

  • The Times reports that Merseyside is on the brink of joining the North-East under tougher restrictions, and that the final decision on whether to ban households mixing indoors will be made today.
  • Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson t old the Telegraph it would be “only a matter of days” before a circuit-breaker lockdown is introduced in the city.
  • BBC Wales reports that the Welsh Senedd elections, due to take place next May, could be delayed if the coronavirus situation “was extremely serious “.
  • In Birmingham, Sandwell, Solihull and Wolverhampton most hospitality venues remain under restrictions, with nightclubs and hostess bars remaining prohibited from opening.
  • In West Yorkshire , restrictions apply in Bradford, Calderdale and Leeds. People remain prohibited from socialising with those outside of their household.
  • In Bolton, people are not allowed to see people outside of their household socially . Certain venues (cinemas, beauty salons and playgrounds) are under a curfew, only operating from 10am-5pm , whilst others (casinos, bowling alleys and indoor play areas) are prohibited from meeting at all.
  • In Greater Manchester , people are not permitted to meet others from outside of their household socially whether inside or outside. Hospitality venues must take reasonable steps to ensure that customers limit social contact and ensure that people do not socialise outside of their households inside and outside premises.
  • In Leicester City , people are permitted to meet those outside their household, provided they are in a support or childcare bubble.
  • In the North East , people are permitted to meet people socially outside of their household, provided they are in a support or childcare bubble.
  • In the North West , Blackpool Council has been added to the list of affected local areas under lockdown.
  • For further information on the restrictions in Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland , please follow each link.

International

  • Belgium sadly recorded 14 new deaths due to the virus yesterday, bringing the country’s total death toll to over 10,000.
  • Ukraine recorded a record 4,027 new cases yesterday. The country’s national security council said a total of 208,959 cases were registered in Ukraine as of today.
  • In New York , mayor Bill de Blasio has said that fines on people who refuse to wear a face covering will be imposed. Those caught not wearing a mask will initially be offered a free mask and will be fined if they refuse.

Stakeholders

  • Angela Rayner, Deputy Labour Party Leader , responded to the Prime Minister’s failure yesterday to clarify the rules around households in the North East mixing outside. “For the Prime Minister to not understand his own rules is grossly incompetent,” she said. ” These new restrictions are due to come into force across huge parts of the country tonight. The government needs to get a grip.”
  • In reference to Johnson’s speech yesterday, Unite the Union has said that the plans to expand vocational training ” will not reverse the impact of skyrocketing levels of unemployment on the horizon amid the current crisis “.
  • On the speech, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said the steps to ” prevent loss of apprenticeships and support adults returning to study are welcome,” but noted that major reinvestment was needed.