| | | | Health leaders are calling for an urgent review to determine whether the UK is properly prepared for the "real risk" of a second wave of coronavirus infection. The presidents of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons, Nursing, Physicians and GPs signed an open letter urging the government to examine "areas of weakness where action is needed urgently to prevent further loss of life". Their warning came after Boris Johnson announced wholesale changes to England's lockdown from 4 July. Here's everything you need to know. For many, the most welcome news is that two households will be able to gather indoors and stay overnight. Read more on who you're allowed to meet. The moves go hand in hand with a cut in the 2m social distancing rule to "one metre plus". Businesses told they can open in 10 days' time are now waiting for detailed guidance on the measures they must put in place - for example, around requiring customers to provide contact details. | |
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| Not all sectors of England's economy received good news. Gyms, swimming pools and beauty salons are among those who can't reopen their doors yet - hear from some of those left disappointed. Rent day has also arrived for struggling retailers, adding even greater pressure. Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is due to announce dates for further lockdown easing on Tuesday. See the latest situation in Wales and in Northern Ireland too. Both the chief scientific adviser and chief medical officer for England were clear the reopening plans were not "risk-free", and Boris Johnson stressed they were "reversible". Whatever happens next we won't be told about it in a daily press conference, though - they're being scrapped. | |
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| America's top infectious disease expert says the US is seeing a "disturbing surge" in infections in many southern and western states. Dr Anthony Fauci, backed by a panel of health officials, said the next few days would be crucial to stem the new outbreaks. Some state governors have said they may be forced to announce new lockdown measures. In Germany, a second area has been locked down after a spike in cases, with more than half a million people affected. One area is home to a meatpacking plant where more than 1,500 workers have tested positive. It follows the quarantining of a tower block several days ago. Elsewhere this morning, see inside an intensive care unit in one of the worst-hit Indian cities, Mumbai. And find out why the pandemic is driving women across Europe to seek back-street abortions. As usual our live page has all the latest developments . | |
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| |  | | | Support for the Black Lives Matter movement has swelled across the UK since the killing of George Floyd, but the focus has left many parents struggling to know how best to explain racism to their children. "Why does it need to say that?" was the question Denis Adide's five-year-old daughter asked when she spotted a Black Lives Matter banner. "This is the reality for a black child, this is the reality for me as a black father," Denis says. But he adds: "I know there are children engaging with black history for the first time in their lives." | |
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"Cheers Boris" and "Get the beers in" are the headlines in the Daily Express and Metro, which are among the papers celebrating the easing of lockdown in England. Others choose to highlight the health risks the government is taking. The Guardian quotes one senior epidemiologist who says the new "one-metre plus" approach runs the risk of "allowing the epidemic to start to regain a foothold". The Times reveals Boris Johnson opted for a comprehensive reopening despite concerns that if it goes wrong it will be harder to discern which changes were responsible. As the Financial Times puts it, the government is "walking a tightrope". The Sun, meanwhile, says it's "farcical" to prioritise hairdressers, cinemas and bingo halls over schools, nail bars and swimming pools. Elsewhere, there's widespread criticism of tennis world number one Novak Djokovic after several players tested positive following a tournament he organised. He has apologised, but the Daily Mail's Mike Dickson says Djokovic has "trashed his brand". | |
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| The Coronavirus Newscast team chews over the latest developments. And in More or Less, economist Tim Harford looks at the numbers behind the pandemic - this week, which countries should be quarantined? | |
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