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The UK has been urged to introduce a travel ban on arrivals from India due to growing concerns about the new Covid-19 variant first discovered in the country.
On Monday, Boris Johnson cancelled his planned trip to India following the announcement of a week-long lockdown in New Dehli as the country’s hospitals had “reached their limit”.
In a joint statement, the two governments said: “In the light of the current coronavirus situation, Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not be able to travel to India next week.
“Instead, Prime Ministers Modi and Johnson will speak later this month to agree and launch their ambitious plans for the future partnership between the UK and India. They will remain in regular contact beyond this, and look forward to meeting in person later this year.”
The variant of Covid-19 that first emerged in India and was detected in the UK last week is expected to be named as a “variant of concern”, according to scientists.
Danny Altmann, professor of immunology at Imperial College London, told Good Morning Britain on Monday that escalating the Indian variant of the virus to a “variant of concern” would lead to India being placed on the government’s “red list” of hotel quarantine countries.
India reported 273,810 new infections on Monday, its highest daily rise since the start of the pandemic. Deaths rose a record 1,619 to 178,769.
PM hails ‘fantastic’ news as 10 million people receive second vaccine dose
Boris Johnson has said it is “fantastic” that more than 10 million people in the UK have received two doses of a coronavirus vaccine.
“This is another remarkable milestone in our vaccination programme, which has already saved thousands of lives,” the prime minister said.
“I want to thank the brilliant staff and volunteers involved in the rollout, and urge all those who are called to keep coming forward.”
Our political editor, Andrew Woodcock, has more details on this breaking story below:
Conrad Duncan19 April 2021 15:02
More than 10 million people in the UK have now received their second dose of a coronavirus vaccine, according to government figures.
Conrad Duncan19 April 2021 14:48
A travel ban for arrivals to the UK coming from India is “imminent”, according to The Times’ political editor Steven Swinford.
Conrad Duncan19 April 2021 14:41
‘Very tough’ measures are still needed to fight Covid-19, PM says
Boris Johnson has said “very tough” measures are still necessary to fight Covid-19 following ongoing surge testing to trace cases of the so-called South African variant of the virus.
When asked during a visit to Wednesbury, West Midlands, if he could go back on his word that the easing of restrictions would be irreversible, the prime minister said: “Our programme, our road map is deliberately cautious with the intention of being irreversible.
“At the moment we don’t have conclusive evidence that it [the South Africa variant] does escape the vaccines in a very dangerous way but we have to be cautious, so wherever it appears… we have to do the surge testing, the door-to-door testing, and make sure that we clamp down on it as much as we can.”
He added: “We have also got to maintain a very tough regime, a very tough international travel regime for the time being so that we don’t reimport the disease into this country as we’re stamping it out in the UK.
“People worked incredibly hard with the lockdowns over the last few months. The vaccination programme is really helping. But we have to be cautious.”
Conrad Duncan19 April 2021 14:26
Price of Covid PCR tests for travel could be slashed to under £50
The price of Covid-19 PCR tests for travel could be slashed to under £50 if they are made exempt from VAT, according to a report.
The Telegraph has reported that the Treasury is considering the exemption for private tests, with senior sources telling the paper that the move is “under review”.
Our reporter, Helen Coffey, has the full story below:
Conrad Duncan19 April 2021 14:16
Opinion: ‘Why I will continue to wear a mask long after the pandemic ends’
Will you continue to wear a face mask in public spaces after the threat of Covid-19 is gone? Our columnist Rupert Hawksley says he will…
“We know that wearing masks reduces cold and flu cases (not to mention Covid-19, which is likely to be around for some time yet), so it would take a particular kind of stubbornness – shall we call it selfishness? – to not join in.
“Wearing a mask in public – to protect yourself and others – is a totally normal part of life in many Asian countries. This is not some great leap into the unknown; it is a fractional turning of the dial with significant consequences.”
You can find his full piece below:
Conrad Duncan19 April 2021 13:56
Some people aged 35 to 39 to be offered Covid vaccine in Northern Ireland
Some people aged 35 to 39 will now be able to access of a Covid-19 vaccine in Northern Ireland, the country’s Department of Health has announced.
The department said there would be “limited availability” for the age cohort ahead of the vaccination programme being fully opened to them at the end of April.
People can book from 2pm on Monday, with appointments mainly available at the mass vaccine centre at the SSE Arena in Belfast.
“I have always been clear that we would move through the vaccine programme as quickly as vaccine deliveries and capacity allows, as recommended by JCVI,” health minister Robin Swann said.
He added: “Opening up to 35-39-year-olds earlier than expected is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all staff who are delivering the vaccination programme in Northern Ireland.
“I encourage those who are eligible to seize this opportunity and take up the offer of vaccination. Getting the vaccine not only protects you but also those close to you.
“I would also strongly encourage anyone aged 40 years or over who hasn’t booked themselves a vaccination appointment yet to do so as soon as possible.”
Conrad Duncan19 April 2021 13:39
PM’s spokesperson refuses to be drawn on travel ‘red list’ speculation
Boris Johnson’s official spokesperson has refused to be drawn on whether India could be added to the UK’s travel “red list” this week after the prime minister cancelled his trip to the country.
“The decision [on the red list] isn’t triggered at all by the prime minister’s trip; the decision takes into account a number of factors which the JBC [Joint Biosecurity Centre] predominantly lead on and then feed into government, and that’s considered in the normal way,” they said.
“I understand the interest in the red list but I don’t think it’s right for me to speculate on when the JBC and others are going to be feeding in that information.”
Conrad Duncan19 April 2021 13:19
PM may not campaign in Scotland due to Covid restrictions
Boris Johnson’s aides have refused to confirm whether the prime minister will campaign in Scotland ahead of the Holyrood elections next month.
Downing Street advisers said the pandemic made campaign visits more “challenging” for the Scottish Tories.
“The key thing here is that because of Covid, the pandemic is making these visits more challenging than they would be otherwise,” the PM’s press secretary Allegra Stratton said.
“But rest assured we will update you in the usual way as and when a campaign trip is going to be made by the prime minister.”
Conrad Duncan19 April 2021 13:10
No 10 could claw back Covid support money from European Super League clubs
Downing Street has said it does not rule out clawing back Covid support money from football clubs taking part in the proposed breakaway European Super League.
Our political editor, Andrew Woodcock, has more details on this breaking story below:
Conrad Duncan19 April 2021 12:52
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