Tag: Lockdown

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-Top News COVID-19 UK News

July 19 is End of Lockdown: Javid

The new Health Secretary Sajid Javid, who took office after the resignation of Matt Hancock, told the House of Commons that ministers “see no reason to go beyond” that “target date, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk

Health secretary Sajid Javid has announced that the final easing of lockdown measures in England is still set for 19 July.

The easing of lockdown measures in the UK was pushed back by four weeks from June 21 amid concerns over the spread of the Delta variant.

The new health secretary, who took office after the resignation of Matt Hancock, told the House of Commons that ministers “see no reason to go beyond” that “target date”, according to a BBC report.

Javid said that while cases were rising, the number of deaths “remains mercifully low”.

In a statement, he said no date for lifting restrictions would come with “zero risk” and that “we have to learn to live with” Covid-19.

“We also know that people and businesses need certainty, so we want every step to be irreversible,” BBC quoted Javid as saying.

“The restrictions on our freedoms, they must come to an end.”

Javid also added that the government was aiming for “around two thirds of all adults in this country” to have had two doses of a coronavirus vaccine by 19 July.

Earlier, Prime Minister Boris Johnson also said the UK is “very likely” to ease Covid measures and people will be able to go back to life “as it was before Covid” on July 19.

“Although there are some encouraging signs and the number of deaths and hospitalisations remains low — though both are going up a bit — we are seeing an increase in cases,” Johnson was quoted as saying by the BBC.

“So we think it’s sensible to stick to our plan to have a cautious but irreversible approach, use the next three weeks or so really to complete as much as we can of the vaccine rollout.

“And then with every day that goes by, it’s clearer to me and all our scientific advisers that we’re very likely to be in a position on July 19 to say that we can go back to life as it was before Covid as far as possible,” he noted.

Britain has reported another 18,270 coronavirus cases in the latest 24-hour period, the highest since early February, and 23 coronavirus-related deaths, according to official figures released on Saturday.

The government’s decision on lifting measures is based on the progress of the UK’s vaccine rollout.

According to latest figures, across the UK, 44 million people — or 84.1 per cent of adults — have had their first jab and more than 32 million people — 61.6 per cent of the adult population — have had their second dose, the BBC said.

“I want to see the restrictions lifted and life going back to normal as quickly as possible. That is my absolute priority. I want to see those restrictions lifted as soon as we can,” Sajid Javid was quoted as saying.

After his statement at the Commons, Javid was asked what he would do to help parents who were having to stay home repeatedly because their children were being told to isolate.

Javid said a pilot was under way to ascertain whether “tests can be used in lieu of isolation,” the BBC reported.

Labour’s shadow health secretary, Jonathan Ashworth, suggested the government should not be so confident about the date, warning that cases were on the up.

“We’ve seen around 84,000 cases in the last week, an increase of around 61%. Today we’ve seen the highest case rate since January,” he said.

“So what is he going to do to push infections down? Vaccinations will do it eventually but not in the next four weeks,” he was quoted as saying by the BBC.

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-Top News COVID-19 UK News

Covid jabs to become mandatory for care home staff

Organisations have warned that making vaccinations compulsory could cause serious difficulties in the care home sector, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk

The UK government is expected to make Covid-19 vaccination compulsory for staff in care homes for older people in England, media reported.

Care staff are expected to be given 16 weeks to have the jab – or face being redeployed away from frontline care, or lose their jobs, according to a BBC report.

The government move, first reported in the Guardian, is expected to be announced in the next few days. The move follows a consultation by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Consultations will begin on the same rule for other health and care staff, the BBC quoted the report.

Meanwhile, care organisations have warned that compulsory vaccinations could cause significant difficulties in a sector that already struggles to recruit enough people.

The government, however, is believed to have considerable concerns about low take-up of the vaccine in some areas, including London.

“These moves would save lives and there is precedent with the Hepatitis B vaccine guidance for doctors,” a Whitehall source told the BBC.

Workers who can prove they are medically exempt from getting the vaccine will not be affected by the new measure, it was reported.

Visiting restrictions eased

Care home residents will be able to spend more time with family and friends, including overnight stays as part of an easing of visiting restrictions.

Currently, residents can only leave the care home for a visit if outdoors or for high-priority reasons, such as a dental or GP appointment, but will now be able to leave the home for more social reasons without having to isolate.

From 21 June, people admitted to a care home from the community will no longer have to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival, so residents will have a less disruptive introduction to their new home.

To ensure this happens safely, residents will undergo an enhanced testing regime – a PCR test before admission, a PCR test on the day of admission and a further PCR test 7 days later.

On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a four-week delay to the lifting of all the remaining Covid restrictions in England beyond June 21, citing the risk of highly transmissible Delta variant.

The confirmed delay means the lifting of restrictions will not take place until July 19, as the new move will allow more time for people to be vaccinated given the dangers of the Delta variant, Xinhua news agency quoted Johnson as saying at a press conference on Monday evening.

“I think it is sensible to wait just a little longer,” Johnson said.

“As things stand, and on the evidence that I can see right now, I’m confident that we will not need more than four weeks.”

He said that his government was “so concerned” by the Delta variant that is “now spreading faster than the third wave predicted in the February roadmap”.

The government will step up its efforts to vaccinate the people in the country, he said.

The over-40s who have had their first jab will only have to wait eight weeks instead of 12 weeks for their second jab, and 23 and 24-year-olds will start to be offered a vaccine from Tuesday, the Prime Minister said.

More than 41.6 million people have received their first dose of a Covid vaccine and more than 29.9 million have received their second dose across Britain, according to the latest official figures.

Meanwhile, weddings can go ahead with more than 30 people from June 21, as long as people stick with social distancing, the Prime Minister confirmed.

The UK GDP is estimated to have grown by 2.3 per cent in April, the fastest monthly growth since July 2020 as the Covid-19 lockdown eased, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

In April, the service sector grew by 3.4 per cent month-on-month, whereas output in the production and construction sector fell by 1.3 per cent and 2.0 per cent respectively, the ONS said on Friday.

Meanwhile, April’s GDP remained 3.7 per cent below the pre-pandemic level seen in February 2020, the ONS said.

“Services have been the main contributor to GDP’s recovery in recent months, following large falls in January because of coronavirus restrictions,” said the ONS.

Meanwhile, analysts have voiced their optimism for the British economy in the coming months due to further easing of restrictions and vaccine roll-outs.

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-Top News Kerala

Kerala changes lockdown strategy

Vijayan said that the day saw 7,719 new cases being registered from 68,573 samples tested in the past 24 hours, while the total active cases were 1,13,817….reports Asian Lite News

With the Covid test positivity rate (TPR) falling to 11 per cent and antipathy towards disruptions to normal life growing in Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said from Thursday onwards, there would be a change in strategy on the lockdown norms.

“In the coming days, we will be coming out with the new strategy to be adopted on how Covid should be tackled and it could be centred around the actual places where there are higher number of cases,” he said, noting that experts have warned of a third wave and “hence we all have to work together to ensure that we are not pushed into a third lockdown”.

“No one need to be worried of a third wave as the government is fully geared to tackle it and we are working on how best we can do it, especially as there are talks of the children getting impacted,” added Vijayan.

Earlier in the day, Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan wrote to Vijayan, noting that things are getting out of hand on the economic front due to the lockdown that has been in place for more than a month and hence, steps should be ensured to see that economic activity should be resumed at the earliest.

Pinarayi Vijayan
ALSO READ: Kerala administered 1 cr vaccine doses

Vijayan said that the day saw 7,719 new cases being registered from 68,573 samples tested in the past 24 hours, while the total active cases were 1,13,817.

“The day saw 16,743 people turn negative, taking the total cured in the state to 26,10,368. There were 161 Covid deaths taking the death tally to 11,342,” he said.

On the vaccination front, Vijayan said so far 1.12 crores vaccines have been received in the state, which includes 98.53 lakhs from the Centre and four lakhs procured by the state.

“By now in the above age 45 category, 68.15 lakh have got their first jab, while 14.27 lakh got both. In the above 18 to 44 years, 10.95 lakh got their first and 9,059 lakh their second dose. Vaccination drive will be stepped up and this will include taking vaccines closer to the Adivasi population as it has been found out that 119 such colonies do not have a vaccination centre in a 10 square km radius,” he said.

Vijayan also said that fines being collected from people for breaking Covid protocols are being credited only in the government treasury account and not to the account of the Kerala Police.

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-Top News COVID-19 UK News

UK’s June 21 lockdown lifting to be delayed

People walk at Potters Fields Park in front of the Tower Bridge in London, Britain, June 1, 2021. (Xinhua/Han Yan/IANS)

The development comes as government is facing increasing pressure to delay the final step of lockdown easing in England on June 21 due to concerns over the spread of the Delta variant, which has become the “dominant” strain in the UK, reports Asian Lite News

The government is considering to delay the full lifting of remaining lockdown restrictions by up to four weeks, it was reported.

According to a BBC report, the final stage of lifting lockdown, originally planned to take place no earlier than 21 June, would see all legal limits on social contact removed.

The Times and Sun newspapers first reported that ministers were considering the delay.

The much-anticipated move from the government comes amid growing concern over rapidly increasing cases and the higher transmissibility of the Delta variant.

Downing Street sources emphasised that no final decision has been made yet, according to BBC.

lockdown

Data is still being examined ahead of a final announcement scheduled for Monday, but a Whitehall source said a number of options were being considered and the four-week delay was currently the main one.

The last part of ending lockdown in England would see nightclubs reopen, and an end to restrictions on performances, weddings and other life events.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has faced mounting pressure to push back the 21 June date in recent days.

Meanwhile, UK reported another 8,125 COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,550,944, according to official figures released Friday.

The country also recorded another 17 coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain to 127,884. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test.

PM Boris Johnson has his temperature tested before meeting members of staff and patients during a visit to Colchester Hospital. (Pic Simon Dawson No 10)

More than 41 million people have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and over 29 million have received their second dose across Britain, according to the latest official figures.

The latest reproduction number (R number) of COVID-19 for England is between 1.2 and 1.4, according to figures updated Friday by the British Department of Health and Social Care.

The R value is the average number of secondary infections produced by a single infected person. An R value between 1.2 and 1.4 means that, on average, every 10 people infected will infect between 12 and 14 other people. (ANI/Xinhua)

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-Top News COVID-19 UK News

Govt looking at options to end lockdown on June 21

The British government is facing increasing pressure to delay the final step of unlocking restrictions in England due to concerns over the spread of the Delta variant first detected in India…reports Asian Lite News.

The UK government is looking at options to strategically end the nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of Covid-19 on June 21.

Britain on Sunday reported another 5,341 Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours as the government continues to consider whether or not to go ahead with the final step of easing restrictions on June 21.

The total number of coronavirus cases in the country now stands at 4,516,892, according to reports.

The country also recorded another 4 coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain to 127,840. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test.

The British government is facing increasing pressure to delay the final step of unlocking restrictions in England due to concerns over the spread of the Delta variant first detected in India.

“No decision” has been made on whether to ease all coronavirus restrictions on June 21, a Downing Street spokeswoman said Saturday.

“As the prime minister has set out, we can see nothing in the data at the moment to suggest that we need to deviate from the roadmap,” she said, adding that the government would continue to review the latest data.

Public Health England (PHE) said on Thursday that the variant of coronavirus first identified in India, known as Delta, is now the “dominant” strain in Britain.

The number of cases of the Delta variant has risen by more than 5,000 since last week to 12,431, according to the data from PHE released on Thursday.

From May 17, pubs, bars and restaurants in England were permitted to open indoors, while indoor entertainment resumed, including cinemas, museums and children’s play areas.

People were also allowed to travel abroad to a number of “green-list” countries without having to quarantine upon return as the ban on foreign travel has also been lifted.

The British government’s roadmap is expected to see all legal limits on social contact to be removed on June 21. It is understood that a final decision on the planned easing of lockdown will not be made until June 14.

Experts have warned that coronavirus may continue to evolve for years to come, and eventually it is likely current vaccines will fail to protect against transmission, infection, or even against disease caused by newer variants.

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Russia, the US as well as the European Union have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines.

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COVID-19 India News Maharashtra

Lockdown extended in Maharashtra till June 15

The state government also released a set of guidelines in the wake of lockdown extension…reports Asian Lite News

The Maharashtra government on Sunday decided to extend the ongoing lockdown in the state by 15 days till June 15.

“Lockdown is being extended for 15 days, shall be in place till June 15 now. Depending on the case tally of districts, certain relaxations and restrictions will be enforced,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said.

The state government also released a set of guidelines in the wake of lockdown extension.

“All essential shops that are currently allowed to operate between 7-11 am may be allowed to operate between 7 am to 2 pm,” stated the order.

Thackeray also informed that so far as many as 3,000 cases of black fungus (mucormycosis) have been reported in the state.

Maharashtra reported 18,600 new cases of COVID-19, 402 deaths, and 22,532 discharges in the last 24 hours. The active cases in the state are 2,71,801.

The total number of cases in the state so far is 57,31,815 while the death toll is at 94,844. The total number of recovered cases is 53,62,370 in the state.

Health worker collect swab sample testing for Covid-19 at CP in new Delhi on Monday March 22, 2021.(Photo:Wasim Sarvar/IANS)

Meanwhile, India logged less than 2 lakh Covid-19 cases third day in a row, with 1,52,734 new infections reported in the last 24 hours, when 3,128 more succumbed to the pandemic, the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry said on Monday.

This is the lowest new infection reported since April 9, when India recorded 1,45,384 cases while on April 10, India witnessed 1,52,879 fresh cases.

Most Metro cities are still fighting huge waves, though Mumbai and Delhi have arrested the surge. Delhi on Sunday reported 946 cases, Mumbai 1,066, Bengaluru was the worst affected with 4,734 cases, followed by Chennai 2,689 and Kolkata 1,830 cases.

While lockdown measures are set to ease in the national capital, West Bengal has extended strict measures for 15 more days, as Tamil Nadu is micro-managing at every level to break the chain.

For the first time in 47 days Delhi on Saturday reported less than 100 cases. Andhra Pradesh on Sunday breached the 15-lakh mark in recoveries.

On May 28, the country recorded 1,86,364 cases, next day it was 1,73,790 and on May 30 it was 1,65,553.

Fatalities have also remained below 4,000 for four consecutive days.

India’s overall tally of Covid-19 cases now stands at 2,80,47,534 with 20,26,092 active cases and 3,29,100 deaths so far.

According to the Health Ministry, a total of 2,38,022 people have been discharged in the last 24 hours, taking the total discharge to 2,56,92,342 from Covid till date.

The Health Ministry said that a total of 21,31,54,129 people have been vaccinated so far in the country, including 10,18,076 who were administered vaccines in the last 24 hours. (ANI/IANS)

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Kerala

Kerala extends lockdown till June 9

Vijayan said the day saw 23,513 people turn positive after 1,41,759 samples was send for testing in the past 24 hours…reports Asian Lite News.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday announced the easing of lockdown norms, even as the lockdown was extended to June 9.

“The Covid spread is coming down and on Saturday the test positivity rate (TPR) stood at 16.59 per cent, while the average for the past three days it was 20 per cent. When we imposed the lockdown earlier this month, our objective was to bring down the active cases to less than 2.50 lakhs and that we achieved yesterday. We will have to continue with caution as things have to be further brought under control and hence we decided to extend the lockdown till June 9,” said Vijayan.

He however said that more easing of lockdown norms will be there which include banks working for the entire day on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, while jewellery, textiles and book shops can open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

“If we have to declare a complete unlock, then the TPR has to further come down and the three day moving average has to be less than 15 per cent. Moreover the occupancy of ICU beds government has to come down below 60 per cent, while on Saturday it’s above 70 per cent. If we declare unlock before that, it will be troublesome, so let us all wait for things to get below the acceptable levels,” added Vijayan.

Vijayan said the day saw 23,513 people turn positive after 1,41,759 samples was send for testing in the past 24 hours.

“At present there are 2,33,034 active cases. There were 28,100 people who turned negative taking the total cured in the state to 22,52,505. There were 198 Covid deaths taking the death toll to 8,455 and there were 8,35,866 people under observation at various places which includes 39,466 people at hospitals.

“The increase in death is because of the increase of the spread of Covid. The classification of Covid deaths is based on ICMR guidelines,” said Vijayan.

With regards to vaccinations, Vijayan said that stocks are arriving and very soon we will be able to increase the number of people who will be given their dose, every day.

“Vaccines companies have expressed their interests to set up manufacturing units at our Life Sciences Park complex. This was conveyed by them at a webinar. It has also been decided to reduce the gap between the first dose and second dose for all those who are proceeding abroad for work or as students. A certificate will be given mentioning the passport number to the concerned person,” added Vijayan.

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COVID-19 India News West Bengal

Lockdown extended in Bengal till June 15

The government will review the situation again on June 15….reports Asian Lite News

Besides announcing a grant of 1,000 crore for relief operations in areas affected by Cyclone Yaas, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday announced that the restrictions imposed in the state in the wake of the pandemic will continue for another 15 days.

The government will review the situation again on June 15.

Congratulating the people for cooperating with the state government that has led to the slow-down of the Covid infection rate, Banerjee said, “Though the infection rate has reduced, the state government has decided to continue on with the restrictions for another 15 days. We are thankful that the people have cooperated with us and we have started getting good results but I urge the people to bear the hardship for a little longer. We will review the situation on June 15 and then decide the next course of action”.

However, the chief minister announced some relaxations for jute and construction workers. “There have been several requests from Punjab and so we have decided to increase the workforce in jute industry from 30 per cent to 40 per cent but they will have to adhere to all the Covid norms. The construction workers can also go to work provided they have proper vaccination. It is the responsibility of the employers to vaccinate their employees from private places. If they are vaccinated then they can join the work,” the chief minister said. “The rest of the conditions, as declared before, will prevail,” she added.

Mamata Banerjee

Speaking on the occasion of a review meeting with the officials related to relief and rescue work, CM Banerjee said that the government has sanctioned a fund of Rs 1,000 crore for the relief measures but she cautioned that the money should go to the right beneficiaries. Detailing out the mechanism which is in line with ‘Duare Sarkar, the chief minister said, “From June 3 to June 18 there will be relief camps in the affected blocks and Gram Panchayats,where the people will come and register themselves giving the details of their damage along with their personal and bank details. Like ‘Duare Sarkar’ it will be ‘Duare Relief’.

“The government will inspect all the applications for the next 15 days – from June 16 to June 30 — and make a list of the beneficiaries. Once the list of beneficiaries is prepared, the state finance department will start disbursing funds according to the damage and the estimation prepared at the block and panchayat level. The entire disbursement process will be complete by July 8. The money will be transferred directly to the account of the beneficiaries. There will be nobody in between. The transaction will be directly done to the beneficiary by the government,” she added.

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-Top News UK News

Cummings launches all-out attack on Johnson, Hancock

Ex-chief Downing Street adviser Dominic Cummings claimed that thousands of people died needlessly as a result of government mistakes in the handling of the pandemic crisis, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk

Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s former top aide Dominic Cummings on Wednesday launched an all-out attack on the government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

During a marathon seven-hour evidence session, Cummings claimed that thousands of people died needlessly as a result of government mistakes in the handling of the pandemic crisis.

Cummings said Boris Johnson was “unfit for the job”, claiming he had ignored scientific advice and wrongly delayed lockdowns, the BBC reported.

His most savage criticism was against Matt Hancock, in which he claimed the health secretary should have been fired for “15 to 20” different things. He said he had repeatedly called on Johnson to sack Hancock, calling him “completely incapable of doing the job”.

He also accused Hancock of lying, something denied by the health secretary.

Meanwhile, the Committee chairman Greg Clark told Cummings to provide written evidence to back up his claims about the health secretary, who will be quizzed by the MPs in two weeks’ time.

According to BBC, the former Downing Street insider painted a picture of policy failure, a government that had no useful plan for handling a pandemic.

“The truth is that senior ministers, senior officials, senior advisers like me fell disastrously short of the standards that the public has a right to expect of its government in a crisis like this,” he told MPs.

“I would like to say to all the families of those who died unnecessarily how sorry I am for the mistakes that were made and for my own mistakes at that,” he added.

Cummings, who was forced to resign from the top job at the end of last year after an internal power struggle, said those on the front line of the pandemic were like “lions” being “led by donkeys”.

Meanwhile, Johnson hit back at some of the allegations at Prime Minister’s Questions, insisting that the government’s priority had always been to “save lives”, it was reported.

Hancock on Sunday said he was “increasingly confident” that England is “on track” for the government’s roadmap to exit the coronavirus lockdown.

His remarks came after a study by Public Health England (PHE) showed promising results for the two main vaccines being used to fight the pandemic in Britain.

“I’m increasingly confident we’re on track for the roadmap because this data shows the vaccine after two doses works just as effectively, and we all know that the vaccine is our way out of this,” Hancock told Sky News on Sunday.

According to the PHE study, which took place between April 5 and May 16, the Pfizer vaccine was 88 per cent effective against symptomatic disease from the India-related variant two weeks after the second dose, compared with 93 per cent effectiveness against the variant identified in Kent.

Meanwhile, the AstraZeneca jab was 60 per cent effective, compared with 66 per cent against the Kent variant over the same period.

However, they were only 33 per cent effective three weeks after the first dose, the PHE report said.

The PHE said it expects to see even higher levels of effectiveness against hospital admissions and deaths.

Hancock described the outcome as “groundbreaking,” adding that “getting the second jab is vital”.

From May 17 as part of the government’s lockdown easing plan, pubs, bars and restaurants in England were permitted to open indoors, while indoor entertainment resumed, including cinemas, museums and children’s play areas.

The government’s roadmap is expected to see all legal limits on social contact to be removed on June 21.

ALSO READ: Hancock confident about reopening plans

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COVID-19 India News

Relief as Delhi sees drop in Covid positivity rate

This is the second consecutive day Delhi’s daily positivity rate remained below 5 percent. The WHO recommends that areas below 5 percent for a two-week period for an infection cab be considered under control…reports Asian Lite News.

Delhi reported around 2,200 fresh Covid cases and a daily positivity rate of 3.5 percent in the last 24 hours, giving relief to the people in the national capital who have been fighting the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The daily positivity rate, crucial to assess the spread of coronavirus in the area, was on Friday reported below the 5 percent mark (4.74%) and continued to slow down to 3.5 percent, the lowest since March 31 when it was 2.71 percent.

Addressing a digital press conference on Saturday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, “Covid cases have come down to around 2,200 and the daily positivity rate to 3.5 percent in Delhi, but we need to keep following strict guidelines of Covid management. We have to do everything to protect the lives of people and to break the chain of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

This is the second consecutive day Delhi’s daily positivity rate remained below 5 percent. The WHO recommends that areas below 5 percent for a two-week period for an infection cab be considered under control.

Within 5 weeks of the lockdown, Delhi has seen Covid-19 daily cases steadily come down from a high of over 28,000 (April 22) to 2,200 on Saturday.

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