Coronavirus news – live: Government announces £10,000 fine for avoiding self isolation as anti-lockdown protesters clash with police

Dozens of Metropolitan Police officers, including some on horseback, moved in for a second attempt to break up a gathering in London’s Trafalgar Square organised by opponents of coronavirus lockdown measures, PA reports.

Traffic was brought to a halt as protesters erected a blockade in a bid to prevent officers from making arrests.

One protester hit a London taxi after the driver beeped in frustration. The protester then appeared to spit through the window at the driver.

Lockdown needed to curb second wave as UK facing ‘perfect storm’

One of the architects of lockdown has warned new coronavirus restrictions will be needed "sooner rather than later" to prevent the disease surging again.

Professor Neil Ferguson, from Imperial College London, said the UK was facing a "perfect storm" after controls eased over the summer.

Read more from Whitehall editor Kate Devlin:

Mayor of Liverpool criticises curfew delay

The mayor of Liverpool has lambasted the decision for new coronavirus restrictions not to come into force in the city until Tuesday – despite cases already surging there, Colin Drury reports.

New rules announced on Friday will ban different households from mixing and prevent pubs, restaurants and other leisure venues from opening beyond 10pm.

But Councillor Anderson expressed astonishment that despite infection rates now soaring to 106.4 cases per 100,000 people there, the government said new measures would not be implemented for more than half a week.

Latest England hospital deaths

A further 16 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in hospital in England, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals to 29,735.

NHS England said the patients were aged between 69 and 97 and all had known underlying health conditions. 

The dates of the deaths were between 19 August and 18 September, with the majority on or after 17 September. Five other deaths were reported with no positive Covid-19 test result.

Anti-lockdown protesters told ‘leave now or face being arrested’

Police have told people protesting coronavirus lockdown restrictions in central London to leave the area immediately or risk being arrested.  

The Metropolitan Police said protesters have refused to leave Trafalgar Square, “putting themselves and others at risk”, and some have been “hostile” and “violent” towards officers.  

“Those who remain may get arrested,” the force said in a statement. “It is important to remember that we are still in the middle of a global pandemic, and the changes have been introduced to help control the spread of the virus, keep everybody safe and save lives.  

“We encourage those in attendance to leave the area immediately.”  

Hundreds of people descended on Trafalgar Square for the “Resist And Act For Freedom” rally this afternoon, before sections got into scuffles with police officers. 

Conspiracy theoriests clash with police

Conspiracy theoriests clash with police

Hundreds of conspiracy theorists have gathered in central London to protest against coronavirus restrictions in the UK as infections worsen.

Scuffles broke out as police moved in on demonstrators in Trafalgar Square, who formed human blockades in an attempt to prevent arrests and forced officers to move back.

Elsewhere, demonstrators advanced on police while shouting “choose your side”.

Home affair correspondent Lizzie Dearden reports:

Sturgeon pushes PM for urgent Cobra meeting

Nicola Sturgeon has called for an urgent Cobra meeting within the next 48 hours.

The Scottish first minister called for the four UK nations to “seek as much co-ordination and alignment as possible” amid a surge in coronavirus cases.

Ms Sturgeon urged “everyone across Scotland to be extra careful” and “minimise interactions with other households”.

Boris Johnson holding urgent talks on new lockdown

The prime minister is holding talks this weekend on whether to increase coronavirus restrictions in England, a source close to No 10 has indicated, as the Labour Party and Scotland’s first minister repeatedly urge him to call an emergency Cobra meeting, Clea Skopeliti reports.

While the source said that Boris Johnson had meetings about the coronavirus crisis every day, it follows an announcement by Mr Johnson on Friday that the UK is now “seeing a second wave coming in” and that national lockdown measures may be necessary.

New figures show coronavirus infections may be doubling in the UK every seven days.

Third attempt to disperse Trafalgar Square protesters

Police have moved in for a third time to try to shut down a rally of anti-lockdown protesters who are demonstrating in Trafalgar Square, PA reports.

Shortly after 4pm, Metropolitan Police officers wearing riot gear closed in on the campaigners from both sides of The National Gallery.

The protesters then formed a huge blockade of hundreds of people, before some began throwing bottles at the officers.

One protester could be seen with a bloodied head which occurred during the scuffle.

Others sat down to block their path.

UK cases up by 4,422

A further 4,422 cases of the coronavirus have been recorded in the UK, according to the the Department for Health’s latest daily update.

The increase in infections brings the total national tally to 390,358.