Coronavirus news – live: Hancock rules out ditching support bubbles and tells shops to ban non-mask wearers
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Matt Hancock has dismissed press reports he was considering getting rid of support bubbles and backed supermarkets to ban shoppers who do not wear a face covering.
It comes as ministers are said to be discussing tighter lockdown rules to stop people meeting outdoors and to make mask-wearing in shops a legal requirement.
The current lockdown restrictions in England could be brought closer to those applied during the first national shutdown in March, according to reports.
The proposals for tougher measures include removing the exception that allows two people from different households to exercise together outdoors, while mask-wearing could be enforced more widely, including in offices and queues.
During Monday’s visit to a vaccine centre at Ashton Gate stadium in Bristol, Boris Johnson told reporters that about two million people had so far been vaccinated with around 2.4 million jabs across the UK.
His comments came as seven mass vaccination sites, capable of delivering thousands of Covid-19 jabs each week, opened across England.
England’s chief medical officer has warned the coming weeks are going “to be the worst weeks” of the coronavirus pandemic for the NHS.
Professor Chris Whitty said that while 18,000 people were in hospital with Covid-19 during the April peak last year, on Sunday there were more than 30,000 beds occupied by patients with the disease.
He said the pandemic was now “everybody’s problem” as he urged people to "double down" and stop any "unnecessary contacts".
UK Covid-19 vaccinations: Latest figures
UK reports 529 deaths and 46,169 cases
A further 529 Covid deaths and 46,169 cases have been recorded in the UK, according to the latest government data.
It brings the total to 81,960 deaths within 28 days of a positive test and 3,118,518 cases.
The figures are down on those reported in recent days but that is likely to be because of delays due to the weekend.
Deaths over the last seven days are up by 50 per cent on the previous week, while admissions are up 34 per cent. Positive tests are up by 5.5 per cent, which may indicate the number of daily new cases is starting to level off during the lockdown.
Over third of low-income families see household spending increase during pandemic, report says
Over a third of low-income families with children have seen their spending increase during the pandemic, according to a new report urging Rishi Sunak not to scrap the £20 per week increase in universal credit.
Read the full report here:
Over third of low-income families see spending rise through pandemic, report says
Rishi Sunak urged not to scrap increase in universal credit payments
Support bubbles won’t be removed during lockdown, Hancock says
Health secretary Matt Hancock has ruled out removing the support bubbles relied on by many thousands of Britons during lockdown.
Read the full report by The Independent’s Political Editor Andrew Woodcock:
Support bubbles won’t be removed during lockdown, Matt Hancock promises
Health secretary Matt Hancock has ruled out removing the support bubbles relied on by many thousands of Britons during lockdown.
Ban non-mask wearers, health secretary says
Supermarkets should ban shoppers who refuse to wear face masks, Matt Hancock says, as the Covid crisis continues to worsen.
Read the full report:
Ban non-mask wearers, health secretary tells supermarkets
Supermarkets should ban shoppers who refuse to wear face masks, Matt Hancock says, as the Covid crisis continues to worsen.
Hancock rules out ditching support bubbles
Mr Hancock has ruled out removing the childcare and support bubbles, he says they are “very important”
Hancock clarifies rules about exercise
After a question about if you are able to walk with another person and get a takeaway coffee Mr Hancock said: “It is ok to go for a walk with one other person around a park but you should stay two metres apart from that other person and likewise it is ok to go for a long walk and ended up 7 miles away from home that is ok, but you should stay local, you should not go from one side of the country to another.”
He said that exercising is good for mental health and encouraged people to take part but not to “socialise”.
Matt Hancock praises Morrisons mask stance
After a question from the media about tightening lockdown restrictions, Mr Hancock praised supermarket Morrisons who today said they will not let people in its stores without a mask, unless they have a medical exemption.
Mr Hancock added: “That’s the right approach and I want to see all parts of society playing their part in this.”
NHS medical director urges public to ‘comply’
Stephen Powis has been speaking about the various vaccination sites opening in the UK and urged people to “comply” with the current NHS guidance.
Hancock outlines vaccine delivery plan
Mr Hancock is now outlining the vaccine delivery plan and said that two-fifths of over 80s have had a first dose of a vaccine and a quarter of care home residents.
He again has implored people to “stay at home to protect the NHS” and “save lives”
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