Coronavirus news live: UK urged to restrict India travel over variant fears

The UK has been urged to introduce a travel ban on arrivals from India due to rising considerations in regards to the new Covid-19 variant first found within the nation.

On Monday, Boris Johnson cancelled his deliberate journey to India following the announcement of a week-long lockdown in New Dehli because the nation’s hospitals had “reached their restrict”.

In a joint assertion, the 2 governments mentioned: “In the sunshine of the present coronavirus scenario, Prime Minister Boris Johnson will be unable to travel to India subsequent week.

“Instead, Prime Ministers Modi and Johnson will converse later this month to agree and launch their formidable plans for the long run partnership between the UK and India. They will stay in common contact past this, and look ahead to assembly in individual later this yr.”

The variant of Covid-19 that first emerged in India and was detected within the UK final week is predicted to be named as a “variant of concern”, in accordance to scientists.

Danny Altmann, professor of immunology at Imperial College London, informed Good Morning Britain on Monday that escalating the Indian variant of the virus to a “variant of concern” would lead to India being positioned on the federal government’s “purple checklist” of resort quarantine nations.

India reported 273,810 new infections on Monday, its highest each day rise for the reason that begin of the pandemic. Deaths rose a document 1,619 to 178,769.

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Opinion: ‘Why I’ll proceed to put on a masks lengthy after the pandemic ends’

Will you proceed to put on a face masks in public areas after the specter of Covid-19 is gone? Our columnist Rupert Hawksley says he’ll…

“We know that carrying masks reduces chilly and flu instances (not to point out Covid-19, which is probably going to be round for a while but), so it could take a specific sort of stubbornness – lets name it selfishness? – to not take part.

“Wearing a masks in public – to shield your self and others – is a very regular a part of life in lots of Asian nations. This just isn’t some nice leap into the unknown; it’s a fractional turning of the dial with important penalties.”

You can discover his full piece under:

Conrad Duncan19 April 2021 13:56

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Some folks aged 35 to 39 to be provided Covid vaccine in Northern Ireland

Some folks aged 35 to 39 will now have the opportunity to entry of a Covid-19 vaccine in Northern Ireland, the nation’s Department of Health has introduced.

The division mentioned there can be “restricted availability” for the age cohort forward of the vaccination programme being absolutely opened to them on the finish of April.

People can e book from 2pm on Monday, with appointments primarily obtainable on the mass vaccine centre on the SSE Arena in Belfast.

“I’ve at all times been clear that we’d transfer by the vaccine programme as rapidly as vaccine deliveries and capability permits, as advisable by JCVI,” well being minister Robin Swann mentioned.

He added: “Opening up to 35-39-year-olds sooner than anticipated is a testomony to the onerous work and dedication of all employees who’re delivering the vaccination programme in Northern Ireland.

“I encourage those that are eligible to seize this chance and take up the provide of vaccination. Getting the vaccine not solely protects you but in addition these shut to you.

“I’d additionally strongly encourage anybody aged 40 years or over who hasn’t booked themselves a vaccination appointment but to achieve this as quickly as doable.”

Conrad Duncan19 April 2021 13:39

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PM’s spokesperson refuses to be drawn on travel ‘purple checklist’ hypothesis

Boris Johnson’s official spokesperson has refused to be drawn on whether or not India might be added to the UK’s travel “purple checklist” this week after the prime minister cancelled his journey to the nation.

“The choice [on the red list] is not triggered in any respect by the prime minister’s journey; the choice takes under consideration quite a lot of components which the JBC [Joint Biosecurity Centre] predominantly lead on after which feed into authorities, and that is thought-about within the regular manner,” they mentioned.

“I perceive the curiosity within the purple checklist however I do not assume it is proper for me to speculate on when the JBC and others are going to be feeding in that info.”

Conrad Duncan19 April 2021 13:19

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PM might not marketing campaign in Scotland due to Covid restrictions

Boris Johnson’s aides have refused to affirm whether or not the prime minister will marketing campaign in Scotland forward of the Holyrood elections subsequent month.

Downing Street advisers mentioned the pandemic made marketing campaign visits extra “difficult” for the Scottish Tories.

“The key factor right here is that due to Covid, the pandemic is making these visits more difficult than they’d be in any other case,” the PM’s press secretary Allegra Stratton mentioned.

“But relaxation assured we’ll replace you within the typical manner as and when a marketing campaign journey goes to be made by the prime minister.”

Conrad Duncan19 April 2021 13:10

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No 10 might claw again Covid help cash from European Super League golf equipment

Downing Street has mentioned it doesn’t rule out clawing again Covid help cash from soccer golf equipment participating within the proposed breakaway European Super League.

Our political editor, Andrew Woodcock, has extra particulars on this breaking story under:

Conrad Duncan19 April 2021 12:52

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India is predicted to be added to the UK’s “purple checklist” for travel, which means necessary resort quarantine is required for these arriving from the nation, in accordance to Times Radio’s Tom Newton Dunn.

He says a choice on the problem might come as early as at this time…

Conrad Duncan19 April 2021 12:40

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Our reporter, Samuel Osborne, has extra particulars under on every little thing we all know thus far in regards to the Covid-19 variant first found in India:

Conrad Duncan19 April 2021 12:27

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Austria will solely use Russia’s Covid jab as soon as permitted by EU regulator

Austria will solely use Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine as soon as the European Medicines Agency has permitted it, the nation’s chancellor has mentioned.

Sebastian Kurz mentioned final month that an order with Russia to purchase 1,000,000 doses of the vaccine would possible be positioned quickly, however no deal has been introduced but.

He not too long ago prevented saying whether or not his nation would await EMA approval for the jab, which has been used within the EU solely by Hungary thus far.

“We hope it’s going to rapidly be permitted by EMA as each further vaccine dose helps us save lives,” Mr Kurz mentioned in an announcement, including that his conservatives and their coalition associate, the Greens, had agreed to make the order.

A spokesperson for the chancellor confirmed that this meant it could solely be used after EMA’s approval.

Conrad Duncan19 April 2021 12:20

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Scottish consumers urged to ‘play their half’ in slowing unfold of virus

As the Scottish authorities is predicted to announce the reopening of the retail sector on 26 April, consumers have been urged to “play their half” in lowering the unfold of Covid-19, Press Association reported.

Tracy Gilbert, Usdaw deputy divisional officer for Scotland, mentioned the reopening of retail “affords a lifeline” for non-essential companies which have been closed for 115 consecutive days.

She mentioned: “That is sweet news by way of serving to to safeguard jobs, however the virus continues to be on the market.

“We count on employers to conduct full threat assessments, comply with the agreed steering and be certain that clients are absolutely knowledgeable of the mandatory security measures.

“Shoppers want to play their half in serving to to restrict the unfold of the virus and keep away from additional lockdowns by following the principles and respecting employees.

“Regrettably, all through this appalling pandemic, incidents of abuse in direction of shopworkers doubled and Covid-19 security measures have now grow to be important flashpoints.

“Abuse ought to by no means be a part of the job and shopworkers – who performed a significant function in getting meals and medication into our properties in the course of the pandemic – deserve our thanks and respect.”

Ella Glover19 April 2021 12:00

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Portugal enters third part of easing lockdown

Most Portuguese areas will at this time enter the third part of easing coronavirus restrictions.

This is the third of 4 phases of easing lockdown restrictions within the nation.

As a part of the third part of easing lockdown, faculties, universities, cinemas, purchasing centres and indoor areas of eating places will open.

Portugal has administered about 2.5 million doses of the Covid vaccine with 650,000 receiving a second shot.

However, stricter guidelines will stay in place in municipalities the place transmission charges stay excessive.

The remaining part will start in two weeks if the well being scenario improves, the federal government mentioned on Monday. This will embrace the resumption of public outside occasions.

Ella Glover19 April 2021 11:25

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