Coronavirus news – live: PM to set out ‘traffic light’ system for travel as vaccine passport trials to begin

Police have hit out at politicians for “offloading predictable problems” onto law enforcement after an officer was hospitalised with a facial injury while responding to mass brawls at an Edinburgh park.

As warm weather coupled with the end of stay-at-home orders in Scotland drew thousands of people to the Meadows on Saturday, footage showed groups of young men fighting in various brawls.

Police Scotland said on Sunday that three people had so far been charged in connection with anti-social behaviour and a serious assault, and said officers were searching for others involved in various incidents.

My colleague Andy Gregory reports:

Police are working to identify around 100 people who were present at an unlicensed music event in Stanford-le-Hope on Saturday night.

Officers responded to reports of a large gathering on land off Buckingham Hill Road at around 10.50pm yesterday. The group dispersed as officers arrived.

Music equipment was seized from the scene.

Chief inspector Richard Melton said: “We will continue to respond to reports of clear and blatant breaches of the regulations like this unlicensed music event.

“Even though the people who attended left the scene when they saw our officers arrive, we are now working to identify those who were there in order to issue them with fines for breaching the Covid-19 regulations.

“Over the Easter bank holiday weekend officers and staff will be carrying out additional patrols across the county to keep you safe and respond to your calls for help.

“If everyone keeps playing their part, we can stay focused on catching criminals. it’s what we’re here for and we know it’s what you want us to do.”

The government said a further 10 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Sunday, bringing the UK total to 126,836.

Separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies show there have been 150,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

The government also said that, as of 9am on Sunday, there had been a further 2,297 lab-confirmed cases in the UK.

It brings the total to 4,359,388.

Numbers for cases and deaths over Easter will be affected by incomplete data plus a longer than usual lag in reporting.

Pope Francis has condemned the continuation of armed conflicts during the coronavirus pandemic as “scandalous” in his traditional Easter Sunday address.

The pope called for a “spirit of global responsibility” and encouraged nations to overcome “delays in the distribution of vaccines” and ensure the vaccines reach the poorest nations.

“Everyone, especially the most vulnerable among us, requires assistance and has the right to have access to necessary care,” he said.

Taking an angry tone, the pope also decried that there had been no shortage of war and conflict during the world’s worst health crisis in a century.

“The pandemic is still spreading, while the social and economic crisis remains severe, especially for the poor. Nevertheless — and this is scandalous — armed conflicts have not ended, and military arsenals are being strengthened,” Pope Francis said. “That is today’s scandal.”

New research shows that all types of sexual activity among young people aged 18 and 32 declined during lockdown - but intercourse with a partner saw the greatest fall.

Little attention has been given to sex during the pandemic; it may not seem it, but this is troubling, writes Ian Hamilton. Read his op-ed below:

A total of 31,024,182 Covid-19 vaccinations took place in England between December 8 and April 3, according to NHS England data, including first and second doses, which is a rise of 232,415 on the previous day.

NHS England said 26,719,422 were the first dose of a vaccine, a rise of 74, 512 on the previous day, while 4,304,760 were a second dose, an increase of 157,903.

Data shows a total of 3,774,420 jabs were given to people in London between December 8 and April 3, including 3,240,432 first doses and 533,988 second doses.

This compares with 5,197,961 first doses and 735,454 second doses given to people in the Midlands, a total of 5,933,415.

The breakdown for the other regions is:

• East of England: 3,206,773 first doses and 476,627 second doses, making 3,683,400 in total
• North East and Yorkshire: 4,194,155 first and 775,359 second doses (4,969,514)
• North West: 3,409,239 first and 574,444 second doses (3,983,683)
• South East: 4,365,782 first and 715,272 second doses (5,081,054)
• South West: 2,969,195 first and 476,158 second doses (3,445,353)

PA

Christians across the UK are attending Easter services today, donning masks and standing a distance apart to ensure they are Covid-safe.

Church services are allowed to proceed without limits on the number of attendees during England’s lockdown, as long as social distancing can be observed with either two-metre spaces between worshippers or one metre where masks are worn.

Meanwhile, others are enjoying the sunshine and meeting in small groups outdoors, before the UK heads for a cold snap.

Deputy first minister John Swinney has urged Scots to continue following coronavirus restrictions as rules ease over the Easter weekend.

The stay at home order was lifted on Friday and replaced with guidance to “stay local”, which urges people to remain within their local authority area.

On a visit to a garden centre in Perthshire, Mr Swinney said it is important to remember the virus is still circulating.

He added: “It’s absolutely wonderful to be out and about again. After the long winter months of being cooped up inside, I know everyone will be keen to get back to our more normal lives.

“We are seeing real progress in our fight against this dreadful pandemic. The hard sacrifices of the country - coupled with the fantastic effort of the vaccine programme getting jabs into arms of millions of Scots - is really paying dividends.

“While it’s great news that garden centres and hairdressers are allowed to reopen, everyone needs to bear in mind that it doesn’t mean the virus has gone away.”

He added: “The virus is down but it’s not yet out, and the last thing we need is to see it making a comeback and undoing all the progress from the massive effort and sacrifices we have all had to make.

“But being here today demonstrates that we are making very welcome steps back towards the normal life we all so dearly wish for.

“My message is simple - enjoy the latest relaxing of the rules but remember to look out for each other, too. Together we will beat this virus.”

Large crowds of people partying and breaking Covid rules in recent days have prompted police to cordon off landmarks in Cardiff Bay and step up patrols.

Welsh police were also given special powers via a dispersal order to exclude people from the area outside the Senedd and stop gatherings from taking place there.

Saturday morning saw huge amounts of rubbish left by “large groups of people intent on breaking Covid-19 restrictions” on Friday night, which were condemned by Cardiff council.

Superintendent Marc Attwell, of South Wales Police, said people needed to take “personal responsibility” to ensure a third wave of infections does not occur.

The council urged people to remember that “the pandemic is not over”.

“Breaking these rules significantly increases the chances of Covid-19 cases rising in the city,” said a spokesperson.

Security fencing has been placed around the Senedd and a memorial to merchant seamen, following reports that people had urinated on the memorial.

Sports minister Nigel Huddleston has said the government trials for the return of mass events were intended as a “learning experience” to understand how to “manage and mitigate” the risks of coronavirus transmission.

“It is not just about certification. The earlier pilots almost certainly won’t involve any elements of certification but it will involving testing, making sure that people are tested before and after the events,” he said in a pooled clip for broadcasters.

“What we will be looking at is the mitigation measures. So ventilation, one-way systems, hygiene measures, all of those kind of things to help inform long-term decision-making.”

PA