Boris Johnson faces Tory rebellion over national lockdown

Global Health Security Team
·67-min read
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12:19 AM

Today's top stories

Follow the latest updates in Monday's live blog.

12:17 AM

PM faces rebellion over restrictions

Boris Johnson faces a rebellion from his backbenches over the new national lockdown restrictions for England amid warnings that the measures would be "disastrous" for the economy. 

This comes after Cabinet Minister Michael Gove admitted the four-week-long national lockdown could be extended beyond December 2.

The Commons will debate the Government's proposals to control the spread of coronavirus this week, with a vote expected on Wednesday, but some Conservative MPs have suggested they could vote against them.

Tory former minister Sir Desmond Swayne said it would take a "huge amount of persuasion for me to vote for this disastrous course of action".

Conservative former party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said the announcement of another lockdown was a "body blow" to the British people.  

A Government source said there was "enormous frustration" from backbenchers and ministers about the Government's handling of the crisis, with the leak of lockdown restrictions suggesting "incompetence" within Number 10.

08:01 PM

Former minister pledges to vote against new measures

Tory former Cabinet minister Esther McVey has said she will vote against the new lockdown measures.

In a post on Instagram, she said: "I will be voting against the new national lockdown on Wednesday when it comes before the House of Commons.

"The 'lockdown cure' is causing more harm than Covid.

"The world cannot be put on hold, and the Government must stop pressing the pause and stop button for the whole nation on a whim, with all the disastrous effects this brings to our lives, livelihoods, health and relationships."

07:47 PM

Lockdowns are "immensely damaging" says 1922 Committee chair

Senior Conservative MP Sir Graham Brady has said the "repetitive cycle" of lockdowns is "immensely damaging to people's livelihoods, is deeply depressing and is causing a huge toll in terms of people's mental health and family relationships".

The chairman of the 1922 Committee told BBC Radio 4's The Westminster Hour he is likely to vote against the new restrictions set to come into force in England on Thursday, as he warned of a "mission creep" of more restrictions.

He said he was concerned about the intrusion into people's rights: "The freedom of association, the right to a family life.

"We even have the Government telling people who they are allowed to sleep with or not depending on whether they are deemed to be in an established relationship or not.

"If these kinds of measures were being taken in any totalitarian country around the world we would be denouncing it as a form of evil and here the removal of people's fundamental liberties is going almost without comment and I think it is very important that we focus on those basic human rights and find ways, of course, to deal with the serious threat of Covid 19 but do it working with people rather than doing things to people."

07:28 PM

US reports 229,932 deaths from coronavirus

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 9,105,230 cases of coronavirus, an increase of 80,932 cases from its previous count, and said that the number of deaths had risen by 823 to 229,932.

06:54 PM

Relocation, relocation, relocation

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has confirmed that people can continue to move house despite the new coronavirus lockdown coming into effect in England.

Writing on Twitter, he said: "Housing market update ahead of Thursday's measures: Renters & homeowners will be able to move; Removal firms and estate agents can operate; Construction sites can and should continue; Tradespeople will be able to enter homes.

"But all must follow the Covid safety guidance."

06:38 PM

France confirmed cases rise by 46,290

The number of new confirmed coronavirus cases rose by 46,290 in France in the past 24 hours, official data showed tonight, reaching over 1.4 million cases in total and compared to an increase of 35,641 the previous day.

France said 231 more people had died from Covid-19 in the period, bringing the total to 37,019.

05:33 PM

Roundup of today's news

  • Cabinet minister Michael Gove admitted on Sky News today that lockdown could be extended beyond December 2 if coronavirus infection rates do not significantly fall. 
  • Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said his party would vote in favour of the latest coronavirus restrictions in Parliament ahead of measures coming into force this Thursday. 
  • Michael Gove denied briefing reporters on details of the new coronavirus restrictions before the Government intended to announce them - nor does he know who the source might be.
  • Sage member Sir Jeremy Farrar has suggested lockdown restrictions could need to be extended, saying that while December 2 was a useful target, "I just don't think we can become fixed on it".
  • England's Catholic Church has strongly criticised the Government for banning communal worship within the new lockdown measures, saying such gatherings have been a great help to the nation's wellbeing throughout the pandemic. 
  • Boris Johnson faces a rebellion from his backbenches over the new national lockdown restrictions for England amid warnings that the measures would be "disastrous" for the economy.  
  • A coronavirus test is likely to have been given to every person over 50 who needs one by Easter, the head of the UK Vaccine taskforce has claimed.

05:28 PM

Parents pleased that rules on outside meetings are clarified

The Government has cleared up its rules on how many people can meet outdoors after growing confusion from worried parents.

With a national lockdown looming, parents, unable to go to baby classes during the Covid-19 restrictions, feared that government rules might have made looking after themselves and their children even harder this winter.

Conservative MP Alicia Kearns also came on board with the plight of parents, saying she remembered the "loneliness" of being a new mother. 

She called on the Government to make children under the age of one exempt from restrictions on how many people can meet up outdoors. 

05:20 PM

UK vaccine chief says Covid test likely to be given to every person over 50 who needs one by Easter

A coronavirus test is likely to have been given to every person over 50 who needs one by Easter, the head of the UK Vaccine taskforce has claimed.

The private comments by Kate Bingham emerged after Boris Johnson urged the public to stay “optimistic” about scientific breakthroughs as the country returns to lockdown.

Speaking to a US-hosted investors’ forum, she said a dress rehearsal for rolling out a vaccine was scheduled to have completed on Saturday. 

“It’s been quick and it’s been efficient,” said Ms Bingham. “This has definitely exceeded my expectations of what was possible.”

However, she also reportedly showed official documents suggesting that up to 40 per cent of adults will not take the vaccine, and that 15 per cent of doses are likely to be wasted due to errors in storage, shipping and handling.

Henry Bodkin has the full story here

05:12 PM

Europe's Covid-19 cases double in five weeks as total infections surpass 10 million

Europe's new Covid-19 cases have doubled in five weeks, propelling the region on Sunday across the bleak milestone of 10 million total infections according to Reuters. 

Just last month, both Latin America and Asia reported over 10 million total cases in their regions. The United States alone has over 9 million cases with a rapidly accelerating outbreak.

While Europe almost took nine months to record its first five million Covid-19 cases, the next five million cases were reported in slightly over a month. 

With 10 per cent of the world's population, Europe accounts for about 22 per cent of the global caseload of 46.3 million infections. With over 269,000 deaths, the contient accounts for some 23 per cent of the global Covid-19 death toll of nearly 1.2 million lives lost.

05:05 PM

29,907 new Covid-19 infections registered in Italy

 Italy today registered 29,907 new infections, just under Saturday's 31,758, although the number of covid-tests performed was also 32,429 fewer than yesterday, reports Andrea Vogt . 

There were 208 deaths, compared to 297 registered on Saturday.  

The Lombardy and Campania regions continue to register the most cases, and there is particular concern for the explosion of infections in the city of Milan, where the number of positives in the week of 3-9 October was 787, compared to 8,047 in the week of 24-30 October.  

Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte is expected to announce a new emergency decree to parliament Monday that will further tighten restrictions on the country, perhaps allowing for regional lockdowns based on the Rt (contagiousness index) or taking steps to protect the nation's elderly. 

04:57 PM

Sunak urged to extend loan schemes to see off cash crunch

Pressure is mounting on the Treasury to offer businesses extended loan support to stop a December cash crunch after top state aid lawyers revealed Brussels has already cleared the path for more help.

Officials have blamed EU state aid rules for preventing the loan guarantee and startup schemes from continuing after November 30, but experts said there is now no block to another extension.

Business leaders urged Rishi Sunak to continue or replace the current support to prevent firms facing a cash crunch in December, with another national lockdown coming into force across England on Thursday.

Read the full story here by Tom Rees

04:51 PM

Rise in cases of health anxiety triggered by coronavirus, study finds

Coronavirus has triggered a rise in health anxiety, a new study has found, after lockdown and global uncertainty has significantly impacted mental health. 

Coronavirus has triggered a rise in health anxiety, a new study has found, after lockdown and global uncertainty has significantly impacted mental health.   - Ian Hodgson /Bloomberg

The increase was even more prevalent among the most vulnerable groups.

The research, by the University of Bath and published in the journal American Psychologist, is the first to examine people's coping styles in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Lizzie Roberts has the full story here

04:43 PM

23,254 people test positive in the UK, with 162 further deaths

In England, there were 23,254 new positive tests for Covid-19 and a further 162 people have died within 28 days of a positive test.

The daily dashboard also shows there are 1,442 more patients in hospital.

04:35 PM

Schools must close during coronavirus lockdown, unions demand

Schools must close, teaching unions have demanded as they claim staff and students are at risk because infection rates have risen 50 times since September. 

Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union Kevin Courtney has called for school closures  - Dominic Lipinski /PA

The National Education Union (NEU) is lobbying MPs for schools to be included in the lockdown after their analysis of the latest data from the Office of National Statistics showed that Covid-19 rates among secondary school pupils are among the highest in the country.

Sir Jeremy Farrar, who sits on the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), also warned that secondary school transmission is “high” and said if it continues to rise the decision to keep schools open “may have to be revisited in the next four weeks in order to get R below one”.

He said that it is “harder” to keep schools open because Boris Johnson ignored advice for a circuit break lockdown last month. 

Hayley Dixon has the full story here

04:30 PM

France faces lockdown resistance as small shops pay the price

The French government promised today to protect the nation's beloved independent shops that fear losing their business to international giants, such as Amazon, as it sought to quell opposition to a new coronavirus lockdown.

In common with other European nations suffering from an upsurge in the novel coronavirus, France has entered a second strict lockdown, which includes closing non-essential stores for at least 15 days.

Some small businesses, including many booksellers in France, are experimenting with new ways to stay open. - Kiran Ridley /Getty Images Europe 

The latest French restrictions have met sporadic resistance.

Mayors in about 50 cities and towns brought in local edicts allowing shops to remain open, with even Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo saying she would to do the same for book stores.

04:25 PM

Sainsbury's set to sail into Christmas as non-essential retailers close

Thursday was meant to be a major outing for Sainsbury’s boss Simon Roberts when he updates the City on its half-year performance, five months into his role as chief executive.

When he took over in June, he inherited a business whose supply chains had been stretched to the limit just two months prior, and the priority was to steer it through the pandemic.

Sainsbury’s and its peers have been among the winners of the pandemic, raking in billions from the return of the big weekly shop and the boom in home delivery since March. - Matt Dunham /AP

Alas, the second lockdown will force him to stay focused on the short-term once again rather than plotting different ways forward for the supermarket in the highly competitive grocery arena.

“Don’t expect to be surprised,” says a City analyst. “He will be massively incentivised to be overly cautious despite having a good first half.” 

Laura Onita has the full story here

04:15 PM

Geneva closes bars, restaurants and non-essential shops over Covid-19

Geneva announced today it would go beyond Swiss national measures and close all bars, restaurants and non-essential shops in a bid to curb rising infection rates. 

Geneva's cantonal government warned that the region was seeing a "severe aggravation of the situation", declaring a fresh state of emergency.

From Monday evening onwards, all restaurants, bars and other leisure establishments like cinemas, museums, libraries and pools, would be closed, as would all non-essential shops, the government said. 

A County of Geneva staff member shows the geographical spread of clusters during an update briefing in the contact tracing unit, - Reuters/Denis Balibouse

The region's 500,000 inhabitants will thus find themselves in a comparable lockdown situation as they did in the spring, with the exception that schools will remain open.

04:06 PM

Comment: The alarmist Covid modelling that panicked the PM into lockdown doesn't pass the smell test

We aren't even allowed to see the working behind the scenario that 4,000 people could die a day, writes Ross Clark

How can a government flip so quickly? Just as in March, when Professor Neil Ferguson’s study predicting up to 250,000 deaths from Covid-19 unless the government imposed severe restrictions on day to day life, the answer seems to be a frightening graph – or in this case a series of graphs presented by the chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance.  

Read Ross Clark's full article here

03:58 PM

72 per cent of English adults support the new plans to return to lockdown,

A snap poll by YouGov suggested 72 percent of people in England back the plan to return to lockdown, with just one in four (23 per cent) opposing it.

However, it compares to 93 per cent who supported the first lockdown in March, with the drop in support highest among young people.

The poll of 2,258 English adults was carried out between October 31 and November 1, and after Mr Johnson announced a new four-week-long national lockdown. 

03:52 PM

Pandemic-hit Mexico marks sombre Day of the Dead

 Mexico death is usually a cause for celebration during the Day of the Dead festival, but this year parades are canceled and cemeteries closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

From November 1-2, people across the country normally deck their homes, streets and relatives' graves with flowers, candles and colorful skulls.

People buy flowers before visiting the tombs of their relatives in Asuncion - Norberto Duarte/AFP

The traditional festival, which in 2003 was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, centers around the belief that the living and the dead can commune during the brief period. 

With its bright colors and cartoonish skeleton costumes, the Day of the Dead has become an internationally recognized symbol of Mexican culture.

But this year the authorities have urged people to stay at home to avoid spreading the coronavirus, which has killed more than 90,000 people in Mexico - one of the world's highest tolls.

03:40 PM

Brazil health minister with Covid-19 released from hospital

Brazilian Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello was discharged from the hospital on Sunday after checking in two days earlier suffering from dehydration and with an earlier diagnosis of Covid-19, the ministry said in a statement.

Brazilian Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello  - Adriana Machado/REUTERS 

Pazuello tested positive for coronavirus on October 21.  

Roughly half of right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro's 23-member cabinet has contracted Covid-19 with the president and his wife coming down with the disease in July. 

Bolsonaro has sought to downplay the severity of the disease and opposed strict lockdowns favored by many state governors and local politicians. 

03:34 PM

Comment: Three reasons the new lockdown is a deadly mistake

I supported shutting down the country last spring, but we are in a very different situation now, writes Matt Ridley. 

  • Covid is not a very dangerous disease for most people. The death rate is probably around 0.2 per cent of those infected, and most who die are elderly and suffering from other medical conditions. 
  • Lockdowns are lethal. They cause more deaths from cancer, heart disease and suicide as well as job losses, bankruptcies, social disintegration and mental illness.
  • There is overwhelming support in the scientific community for national lockdown, say scientists, but the scientific community and the civil service are on secure public-sector salaries and think in top-down ways. 

Read Matt Ridley's full piece here

03:26 PM

1,148 new Covid-19 cases in Scotland

Scotland has recorded 1,148 more coronavirus cases and six reported deaths. 

That is a four per cent increase in cases from yesterday (1,101) but 12 per cent down on last Sunday (1,303).

There are 1,193 Covid patients in hospital - the same as the figure for the previous day, but 17 per cent up on the total published last Sunday (1,016).

03:17 PM

Children under school age exempt from some Covid-19 rules, says Health Minister

Health Minister Nadine Dorries has said children under school age who are with their parents will not count towards the limit on two people meeting outside. 

Children and adults who are dependent on round-the-clock care, such as those with severe disabilities, will also be included, she added. 

03:06 PM

Two arrested at illegal Covid-19 rave as partygoers attack police

Police were still trying to break up an illegal rave in Yate, near Bristol, more than 14 hours after being called to the site.

Avon and Somerset Police were informed of the event at a warehouse in Millbrook Road around 10.30pm on Saturday. 

Officers arrived within 12 minutes of the call and found several hundred people and a number of vehicles. A dispersal notice was issued requiring them to leave.

Units from the dedicated team dealing with unlicensed music events were deployed and roads were closed, but large numbers continued to arrive on foot. Police asked for help from neighbouring forces to try to close down the event, and two people have so far been arrested.

Chief Inspector Mark Runacres said: "This has been an incredible challenging operation with a large number of people in a confined space and several officers being assaulted. 

"We're sorry for the disruption caused by the selfish actions of the organisers of this event and those attending. This unlicensed event was organised in secret, despite people being fully aware of the ongoing risk to public health due to Covid-19."

03:01 PM

Pubs and restaurants to close again - what England's new lockdown rules mean for you

Pubs, bars, and restaurants will close across England under the new lockdown measures, announced by Boris Johnson on Saturday, October 31st. The strict new restrictions will come into effect on Thursday, November 5th and will last until December 2nd. 

The new restrictions will force all pubs and restaurants to close; however, takeaways and deliveries are still permitted.

The recent changes in England follow Scotland, where strict measures have already been imposed on the hospitality sector. On Friday, October 9th, pubs and restaurants across the central belt were ordered to shut for two weeks, though they too can continue to serve takeaway. 

In the remainder of the country, licensed premises can open for indoor service between 6 am and 6 pm but will be barred from selling alcoholic drinks. Outdoor Scottish venues can continue to sell alcohol until 10 pm. 

Read our full explainer here by Tome Morrisey Swan 

02:52 PM

England Golf fighting against lockdown to force Boris Johnson into U-Turn

England Golf is ready to fight the Government’s order to shut courses on Thursday, with the governing body labeling the fresh guidance as “confusing” and “contradictory” to the Prime Minister’s address on Saturday night.

England Golf is attempting to force a rapid Boris Johnson u-turn - PA /Kenny Smith 

Sources indicate that senior figures at England Golf were stunned to learn that clubs are being instructed to close on Nov 5 for at least four weeks, along with driving ranges, par-three set-ups and all other facilities. 

After the successful behind-closed-doors tactics that saw golf become one of the first sports to resume in May following a near two-month hiatus, Jeremy Tomlinson, the England Golf chief executive, has elected to go far more public in the attempt to force a rapid Johnson u-turn.  

James Corrigan has the full story here

02:49 PM

Madrid funeral workers strike during pandemic

Madrid municipal funeral home workers staged a 24-hour strike Sunday to demand more staff to face an expected rise in coronavirus deaths during the second wave of the pandemic.

Dozens of striking funeral home workers protested at the entrance to Carabanchel cemetery in southern Madrid on All Saints Day, when Spanish families traditionally visit the graves of loved ones.

A woman places flowers on a tombstone in a cemetery on All Saints Day during the second wave of coronavirus - Pablo Blazquez Dominguez /Getty Images Europe 

They blared horns and called for Madrid mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida to resign as a steady stream of people, many carrying flowers, made their way into the cemetery which limited its capacity for the holiday.

02:39 PM

Despite closed border and pandemic, desperate Venezuelans return to Colombia

Dodging army border patrols, fording rivers and braving low Andean temperatures, thousands of Venezuelan migrants are making arduous journeys into Colombia in search of a better life, despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

Colombia, which closed its border t in March to protect against the spread of the coronavirus, has long been the top destination for migrants fleeing economic and social collapse in neighboring Venezuela.

Venezuelan migrants wearing face masks walk on Colombian roads in Bucaramanga - Reuters

At the beginning of the pandemic, Venezuelan migrants flocked homeward, unable to find work when Colombia entered a strict lockdown. Colombian officials estimate more than 100,000 migrants returned home.

But, with little prospect of an improvement in Venezuela's economic situation, the majority of those are eventually expected to try to return to Colombia, many with relatives or friends, said the head of Colombia's migration agency, Juan Francisco Espinosa.

Hundreds are already crossing illegally each day on foot along the porous 2,219 kilometer (1,380-mile) border, avoiding patrols by the army, police and migration officials.

02:29 PM

Telegraph View: The Government is wrong to put England into lockdown

Lockdown is not the right answer and it will merely delay, rather than actually prevent, mortality. 

Here we go again. England is being locked down for a second time, as if we hadn’t learnt anything or made any progress since this dreadful virus burst on to the scene at the start of the year. It is a depressing and debilitating development, one that will plunge Britain even deeper into a double-dip recession, a mental health crisis and a social, personal and cultural abyss.

Read our full reaction here

02:21 PM

Iran's daily Covid-19 death toll hits record high as cases surge

Iran hit another single-day record for coronavirus deaths as the country grapples with a sharp spike in cases.

The Health Ministry reported Sunday that 434 people had died in 24 hours from the virus, bringing Iran's death toll in the pandemic to more than 35,000.

The ministry said it recorded 7,719 new confirmed infections since Saturday. Iran has reported more than 620,000 confirmed virus cases in all.

Most deaths have occurred in the capital, Tehran, which is also the most populated city in Iran. The head of the virology department at Masih Daneshvari Hospital in Tehran, Alireza Naji, warned that Iran could reach 900 confirmed coronavirus deaths per day if more restrictions on movement and gatherings are not imposed.

Tehran's City Council has proposed a two-week lockdown of the city. For the past three weeks, Iran has banned weddings and funeral gatherings, and closed universities and schools, as well as libraries, mosques, cinemas, museums and beauty salons to try and curb the spread of the virus in Tehran.

02:17 PM

'The stress of this pandemic is making my hair fall out' - Bryony Gordon

As Bryony Gordon's stress-related alopecia makes an unwelcome comeback, she takes comfort in the community of women who know just how she feels. 

The last time I had alopecia patches was after I went to rehab. There are any number of stressful situations that have occurred this year which could have caused them. And the day after I found the patches, I read that over a third of people who have had Covid reported hair loss afterwards. I don’t know if I have had coronavirus, but I do know that the weird situations surrounding this pandemic would probably be enough to make my alopecia come back.

Read Bryony Gordon's full piece here

02:11 PM

Northern voters worth less to PM than those in the South, mayors claim

The Prime Minister has shown he thinks voters in the North are worth less than those in the South, regional mayors have said.

 Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram said: "This morning millions of people woke up knowing the Prime Minister of this country believes the North is worth less than the South."

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said people in the region had "just completed three months of morale-sapping restrictions and now they are waking up to the prospect of a month of even tougher restrictions".

He added: "I honestly don't believe that that is understood in Westminster, that already people have been ground down by the restrictions they have been living under and they need to understand that before we go any further forward."

01:54 PM

Clashes in Spain between protesters and police as anger over coronavirus measures grow

Protesters in Spanish cities clashed with security forces for a second night running as exasperation and anger over coronavirus restrictions grew. 

Anger spilled onto the streets with looting and vandalism breaking out in some cities on the fringe of protests.

Protesters try to block the Gran Via street in Madrid, central Spain, - Javier Lopez Hernandez/Shutterstock 

The country has imposed a nationwide nighttime curfew and almost all of Spain's regions have imposed regional border closures to prevent long-distance travel.

The biggest disturbances were in Madrid where scores of demonstrators chanting "freedom!" torched rubbish bins and set up makeshift barricades on the city's main thoroughfare, the Gran Via. 

01:45 PM

Archbishop of York demands Government reopens refugee resettlement schemes closed by Covid-19

A letter by senior faith leaders calls for two refugee resettlement programmes, which have been paused because of the pandemic, to reopen. 

Migrants crossing the Channel - Sameer Al-Doumy/AFP

The Archbishop of York has intervened in the migrant crisis in the Channel by demanding that the Government uphold Britain’s “proud tradition of offering sanctuary” by reopening refugee resettlement schemes.

The Most Revd Stephen Cottrell, the second most senior Anglican in the country, made the call in a letter to The Telegraph, signed by a string of senior faith leaders.

In it, the signatories call for the two refugee resettlement programmes launched by David Cameron in 2015, at the height of the migrant crisis, to be resumed.

Read the full story here by Tim Wyatt

01:37 PM

Spanish families mark Day of the Dead separately amid Covid-19 fears

Spanish families who normally honour their dead relatives by visiting cemeteries on the Day of the Dead are spacing out their visits this year as a second wave of coronavirus sweeps the country.

 Relatives of Eugenia Villogas, 77, who died from Covid-19, carry flowers for her burial as soldiers stands guard in the main entrance of the "Martires 19 de Julio" cemetery in Comas  - Rodrigo Abd /AP

Authorities have advised families to spend only 30 minutes at graveyards and not to go in large groups to mark the event, which is linked to the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day at the start of November.

"Our family is coming separately, two or three days apart. We are the last to visit," said Francisco Gonzalez, 81, who visited the Almudena cemetery in Madrid with his wife.

01:31 PM

Crowds gather for funeral of Serbian bishop despite Covid-19 restrictions

Huge crowds on Sunday attended the funeral for the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro in violation of coronavirus-fighting restrictions.

Thousands gathered outside the main temple in the capital, Podgorica, for the liturgy and the burial of Bishop Amfilohije inside the church crypt. Authorities said the bishop died Friday after contracting the virus weeks ago.

A nun kisses the Bishop Amfilohije's body during the liturgy and funeral in the main temple in the capital Podgorica, - Risto Bozovic /AP

The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Irinej, led the prayers inside the packed church joined by dozens of officials and the clergy. Many of those inside the church did not wear protective face masks or keep social distance from each other.

01:19 PM

Holidays and leisure travel banned from Thursday

Across England, all holidays and leisure travel will be prohibited from Thursday, the Government has confirmed.

Under the new lockdown restrictions, all non-essential movement must cease at 00:01 on November 5 – including both domestic and outbound tourism.

Holidays in the UK and abroad will be prohibited - Delphine Poggianti /Delpixart

The Government guidance reads:  "Overnight stays and holidays away from primary residences will not be allowed – including holidays in the UK and abroad.

"This includes staying in a second home, if you own one, or staying with anyone you do not live with or are in a support bubble with."

Hazel Plush has the full story here

01:11 PM

Comment: 'No hysteria, no virtue-signalling' – a postcard from Vienna

In Austria, Alexander Fiske-Harrison found a completely different atmosphere to the UK. 

However, I had never even seen the city until my fiancée, Klarina, brought me there last year. It was from her family that I heard, as we suffered the impossibilities of lockdown of rural village Spain, that Austria took a different approach to the coronavirus. Not the famed “Swedish experiment”, on which the jury is still out, but one in which they instituted the earliest, but shortest, lockdown in Europe. What was more, unlike Spain, they encouraged outdoor exercise rather than banned it.   

Read Alexander Fiske-Harrison's full piece here

01:06 PM

Schools should close within lockdown, says Manchester Mayor

The Mayor of Greater Manchester has said that schools should be closed for a period of two weeks during lockdown.

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Andy Burnham told reporters a period of closure in late November in schools is needed otherwise the region could be put back under Tier 3 after lockdown.

Tier 3 is “flawed” and “unfair”, Mr Burnham said and proposed that people should be allowed to plan to mix with one other household for Christmas.  

Cases in schools in Greater Manchester are higher than other parts of the country. 

12:53 PM

Lockdown a 'bitter pill to swallow' for low-Covid areas

Local leaders in low-Covid areas have said the new national lockdown is a "bitter pill to swallow".

In south-west and eastern regions of England, coronavirus is spreading at half the rate of the national average, and some local leaders feel blanket restrictions mean they are unfairly "paying the price" for rising cases elsewhere.

A cabinet councillor for Cornwall, which has the lowest coronavirus case rate in the country after the Isle of Wight, said the Government should have enforced a shorter circuit-breaker lockdown earlier to limit damage to local economies.

Cornwall Council's Tim Dwelly said: "For Cornwall, whose economy has been hit harder than most, this is a bitter pill to swallow. "The economic impact of a four-week lockdown will be greater than it needed to have been for a shorter circuit-breaker of a fortnight.

Plymouth City Council leader Tudor Evans agreed the Government's "failure" to enforce a circuit-breaker lockdown over the half-term holiday meant some businesses will be "devastated" by a longer lockdown now.

12:45 PM

Lockdown risks safety of Norfolk seal pups, charity warns

The new national lockdown could put newborn seal pups at risk, a charity has warned.

An increasing number of pregnant grey seals have begun gathering on Horsey Beach in Norfolk as pupping season begins.

A newborn grey seal pup suckles from its mother on the beach at Horsey in Norfolk, as the pupping season begins at one the UK's most important sites for the mammals - Joe Giddens /PA

Although the beaches have been officially closed to protect the young seals, wardens patrol the area to make sure members of the public keep their distance.

But this is now at risk because of the latest lockdown restrictions in England, said David Vyse, vice-chair of Friends of Horsey Seals.

"We have got 300 wardens that look after the beaches, and with this lockdown we might not be able to warden and the seals will just be annihilated by people walking on the beach."

12:37 PM

Schools staying open could lead to longer lockdown, scientist warns

Keeping schools open during the November lockdown in England could mean infection rates stay higher for longer than when nationwide restrictions were first introduced in March, a leading scientist has warned.

Former chief scientific adviser Sir Mark Walport said the new restrictions were not as "severe" as the first time round, and that there was a "possibility" the restrictions may need to stay in place for more than four weeks.

In an interview with Sky's Sophy Ridge On Sunday, he warned: "It's unlikely this time to come down quite as fast as it did during the first lockdown because we have got schools open." 

12:30 PM

Italy has 48 hours to approve new Covid-19 restrictions, says Health Minister

 Italy's health minister said on Sunday that new data on the coronavirus was "terrifying" and the country had two days to approve further restrictions to curb its spread.

On Saturday, Italy recorded almost 32,000 new coronavirus cases, its highest daily record since the start of the crisis, and just under 300 deaths. The total number of people who have died due to Covid-19 in Italy stands at 38,618.

"We have 48 hours to try to approve a further tightening (of the rules), there are too many people around," Health Minister Roberto Speranza was quoted as saying by daily Corriere della Sera.

A new lockdown, although not as extended as the one imposed in March, appeared to be the only option to curb numbers, he said, but there were still doubts over how to manage schools and improve conditions on public transport.

"The epidemiological curve is still very high. What worries me the most is the absolute data, which shows a terrifying curve," Speranza said.

12:25 PM

Scotland's Deputy First Minister 'cannot rule out new lockdown' despite 'stronger position'

Scotland cannot rule out having to follow England into a second national lockdown, despite coronavirus being at lower levels north of the border, Deputy First Minister John Swinney has said.

Mr Swinney insisted that, while Scottish ministers have "high confidence" in the country's new five-tiered system of restrictions, which comes into force at 6am on Monday, it would be "foolish" to rule out having another nationwide lockdown.

While he stressed earlier action taken in Scotland meant the country was "in general in a stronger situation than prevails in England", he was clear tougher action could not be ruled out.

Mr Swinney said that the current evidence showed in Scotland "we are seeing the rate of increase being reduced, we are seeing some early signs that the virus may be flattening out".

12:17 PM

Lunchtime round-up of latest coronavirus news

Here is your afternoon's briefing of the latest coronavirus news:

  • Cabinet minister Michael Gove admitted on Sky News today that lockdown could be extended beyond December 2 if coronavirus infection rates do not significantly fall. 
  • Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said his party would vote in favour of the latest coronavirus restrictions in Parliament ahead of measures coming into force this Thursday. 
  • Michael Gove denied briefing reporters on details of the new coronavirus restrictions before the Government intended to announce them - nor does he know who the source might be.
  • Sage member Sir Jeremy Farrar has suggested lockdown restrictions could need to be extended, saying that while December 2 was a useful target, "I just don't think we can become fixed on it".
  • England's Catholic Church has strongly criticised the Government for banning communal worship within the new lockdown measures, saying such gatherings have been a great help to the nation's wellbeing throughout the pandemic.

12:02 PM

Could schools close again if Covid-19 cases continue to rise?

For now, the Government insists it has no plans to close schools.

Downing Street announced a new national lockdown across the UK to come into place on 5 November after a  rapid rise in coronavirus cases. The new measures will see the closure of non-essential shops, pubs, restaurants and more.

'Enhanced cleaning' regimes have been introduced in which surfaces students touch regularly, such as desks, door handles, books and playground apparatus are cleaned with bleach and detergents - Joe Giddens /PA

Unlike the previous lockdown, nurseries, schools, colleges and universities will remain open, although the Prime Minister is now facing a fresh battle with unions as a result.

Schools reopened in September and the Department for Education published 25,000 words of guidance explaining how schoolchildren and staff should be kept safe.

Steve Bird has the full explainer here

11:59 AM

Cycling-Tour Down Under's 2021 race cancelled due to Covid-19 concerns

The Tour Down Under in Australia that was scheduled to take place in January has been cancelled as the Covid-19 pandemic has made logistics difficult, organisers said today. 

Traditionally the first World Tour race of the season, the race was to take place in Adelaide from January 14 -24 but the country's quarantine measures proved to be a major hurdle in bringing teams to Australia.

Richie Porte of Australia and Team Trek-Segafredo celebrate during the 22nd Santos Tour Down Under 2020, - Velo

"With over 400 people that make up the international teams, that proved to be the most difficult to overcome," Events South Australia's executive director Hitaf Rasheed said in a statement.

11:53 AM

Theatres group seeks 'urgent clarification' on whether rehearsals can continue

The Theatres Trust has called for "urgent clarification" on whether rehearsals for Christmas productions including pantomimes can go ahead.

A number of productions, including Les Misérables in the West End and a panto at the London Palladium, are due to return to the stage with socially distanced audiences over the festive period.

Pantomime dames and events industry workers march from London's West End to Parliament Square, asking Government support to mitigate the effects of lockdown - Anadolu

However, these have been thrown into doubt following the announcement of a one-month lockdown in England from Thursday.

Jon Morgan, director of the advisory public body the Theatres Trust"While we understand the absolute necessity of protecting lives at this critical time, Theatres Trust is disappointed that theatres will have to close for a further month during the November lockdown.

"We are seeking urgent clarification whether theatre rehearsals, alongside television and film production, can continue as without this Christmas shows will not go ahead."

11:47 AM

Vaccine could be marked safe soon, Sage scientist suggests

A coronavirus vaccine could be cleared as safe for use soon, a scientist advising the Government has suggested.

Sir Jeremy Farrar, chairman of the Wellcome Trust and a member of the Government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said a breakthrough would "enhance trust and sense of confidence in where the pandemic is going".

Speaking in a personal capacity, Sir Jeremy told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: "We will know before the end of the year from the early vaccines that are now in late-stage clinical trials," adding: "I believe that more than one of those vaccines will prove to be effective and safe.

He explained: "They may not be perfect, we've become used to perfect vaccines, but generally these first wave of vaccines are not perfect but they're safe and they are effective and they will change the nature of the pandemic." 

11:41 AM

Britain starts accelerated review for AstraZeneca's potential Covid-19 vaccine

AstraZeneca Plc said today Britain's health regulator had started an accelerated review of its potential coronavirus vaccine.

"We confirm the MHRA's (Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency) rolling review of our potential Covid-19 vaccine," an AstraZeneca spokesman said. 

AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine is being developed along with the University of Oxford

Read more here on the race for a Covid-19 vaccine. 

11:33 AM

We face 'greatest test of our mental health' this winter and must learn from first wave mistakes, experts warn

We face the "greatest test of our mental health" this winter and the Government must learn from mistakes made during the first wave, scientists and charities have warned as a second national lockdown looms.

An urgent winter support package funded by the Government, including face-to-face and online appointments with specialists, is needed to ensure vulnerable people with "disabling levels of fear and panic" who feel "distressed, lonely and isolated" aren't abandoned, experts have said.

Paul Farmer, chief executive of the mental health charity Mind, said: "Millions of people are struggling with their mental health as a result of the pandemic.

People with existing mental health problems, people at risk and now the general public are facing the greatest test of our mental health this year.  Just last week, Mind saw the largest increase in calls to our Infoline. " 

Phoebe Southworth has the full story here

11:27 AM

Watch: Mind calls for winter mental health support package for upcoming lockdown

11:22 AM

New coronavirus restrictions halt the European holiday home boom

New lockdown restrictions will bring the summer surge of British buyers purchasing European holiday homes to an abrupt halt.

Uncertainty over flights meant that French property within driving distance of Britain, such as in Brittany, has surged this summer - DaLiu

France is now in a second national lockdown and restrictions are tightening fast in Italy and Spain. The looming Brexit deadline on December 31 brings further uncertainty for buyers.

Mark Harvey, of Knight Frank estate agents, said that in France “all plans for half term and any viewings over the next few weeks have been cancelled”.

Even before Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that England would enter a second national lockdown on November 5, British buyers had cancelled 80 per cent of half-term viewings across Knight Frank's European offices.

Melissa Lawford has the full story here

11:17 AM

Theatres Trust demand clarity over new lockdown rules

The director of the Theatres Trust has that he is "disappointed" that theatres will now have to close under the newly announced national lockdown and has demanded more clarity on what these restrictions now entail for the industry. 

Jon Morgan said:   "While we understand the absolute necessity of protecting lives at this critical time, Theatres Trust is disappointed that theatres will have to close for a further month during the November lockdown.

"Many theatres were only just managing to reopen, or were preparing to reopen with Christmas shows, and this news will come as a further blow to an already struggling sector.

"We are seeking urgent clarification whether theatre rehearsals, alongside television and film production, can continue, as without this Christmas shows will not go ahead." 

Theatre performers, creatives and technicians gather in Parliament Square to take part in the Survival in the Square' creative demonstration to highlight the plight of live events industry shut down due the Covid-19 pandemic - Barcroft Media

11:10 AM

Catholic Church in England criticises Government over new lockdown

England's Catholic Church has strongly criticised the Government for banning communal worship within the new lockdown measures, saying such gatherings have been a great help to the nation's wellbeing throughout the pandemic.

Most religious services are banned under the winter lockdown restrictions announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday and expected to last throughout November.

The president and vice-president of the Catholic Church's Bishops' Conference, Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Archbishop Malcolm McMahon, demanded the Government explain its reasons for the ban on communal worship, saying churches had acted responsibly in enacting Covid-safe practices.

It is... a source of deep anguish now that the Government is requiring, once again, the cessation of public communal worship," the bishops said in a statement.Whilst we understand the many difficult decisions facing the Government, we have not yet seen any evidence whatsoever that would make the banning of communal worship, with all its human costs, a productive part of combating the virus.We ask the Government to produce this evidence that justifies the cessation of acts of public worship.

Read more here on what the new lockdown rules mean for church services and public worship

11:03 AM

Tory MP demands children under the age of one be exempt from Covid-19 restrictions

Conservative MP Alicia Kearns is calling on the Government to make children under the age of one exempt from restrictions on how many people can meet up outdoors. 

She wrote on Twitter: "As we prepare to go into a second lockdown, it's important that we support new mums. I remember the loneliness.

"That's why I'm calling for under 1s to be exempted from the 2 person outdoor meeting rule, so that two new mums can meet together in lockdown."

10:58 AM

Over 2.5 million Slovaks take part on first day of nationwide Covid-19 testing

Nearly half of Slovakia's entire population took Covid-19 swabs on Saturday, the first day of two-day nationwide testing the government hopes will help reverse a fast rise in infections without a hard lockdown.

Slovakia began a programme to screen its entire population for coronavirus but medical professionals have warned it could lead to an increase in cases. - AFP

The scheme, a first in a country of comparable size, is being watched by other nations looking for ways to slow the virus spread and avoid overwhelming their health systems.

Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad said on Sunday 2.58 million Slovaks took the test on Saturday, and 25,850 or 1% tested positive and must go into quarantine.

Slovaks wait in line at a coronavirus testing site during nationwide testing in Bratislava  - Shutterstock

10:52 AM

Russia's new coronavirus cases hit record high of 18,665

Russia's daily tally of  coronavirus cases hit a record high of 18,665 on Sunday, including 5,261 in Moscow, taking the national tally to 1,636,781.

Authorities also reported 245 deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the official death toll to 28,235.

10:47 AM

International travel, except for work, is banned from Thursday

Michael Gove said people must not travel abroad unless it is required for work or other "critical reasons".

He told Andrew Marr: "Sadly, we're saying that when it comes to international travel - of course if international travel is required for work or for other critical reasons, there are legitimate exemptions - but from Wednesday night, Thursday morning, our message is that people should stay home."

On schools, Mr Gove suggested the Government wanted to keep pupils in classrooms even if it meant extending the lockdown.

"I don't believe it would be that case, but I do believe that we want to keep schools open and I believe that the measures that we are putting in place will enable us to do so."

10:40 AM

Watch: National Education Union calls for schools to close during lockdown.

10:35 AM

Michael Gove denies leaking details of national lockdown before PM announcement

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said he did not leak details of the new coronavirus lockdown restrictions before the Government intended to announce them - nor did he know who he source might be. 

The Times reported on Saturday that Boris Johnson would hold a press conference on Monday after discussing alarming new data with Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove and Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

Mr Johnson has launched an inquiry the find the source of the leak, but Mr Gove insisted it was not him.

10:31 AM

Keir Starmer lambasts Government over decision not to implement 'circuit breaker' over half-term

Sir Keir said the Government could have had a 12-day shutdown of schools during half term, adding "that is the price of the Government's incompetence".

He said schools "must stay open but we've got manage the risk".

On BBC One's The Andrew Marr Show, the Labour leader said: "What I said to the Prime Minister in September was, 'what you should do is elevate, if you like, children and staff and teachers to the status of NHS staff' and that means having mass-targeted testing at schools on a weekly basis.

"I'm so frustrated at the incompetence of the Government. If what they announced yesterday had been announced when I said it should have been - two or three weeks ago - we could have had the lockdown and schools shut because of the natural break of half term and people will be waking up this morning and thinking 'how on earth did it get to this?'

10:27 AM

Self-employed workers could be given additional financial support,

Self-employed workers could be given additional financial support after the furlough scheme was extended for the duration of the new national lockdown, Michael Gove has hinted.

The Cabinet Office Minister told BBC One's The Andrew Marr Show: "The announcement about furlough that was made yesterday was about the extension of a scheme, that would have expired last night, throughout the rest of this month.

"And the Chancellor and his team are looking at every aspect of economic support and more will be said in the days ahead about how we provide it."

10:26 AM

South Korea expands mask requirements as Covid-19 cases grow

South Korea has said it will expand its mandatory mask policy to spas, wedding halls and other places as part of new social distancing rules aimed at preparing for a prolonged Covid-19 outbreak.

While South Korea has managed to contain the Covid-19 spread better than many western nations, which are struggling with a resurgent virus, daily new cases in the country have risen above 100 in recent days.

The Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) reported 124 new cases as of midnight Saturday, marking a fifth consecutive day of infections topping 100 due to small clusters emerging in places such as spas, schools and churches.

Mask-wearing Buddhist monks and nuns during an ordination ceremony at Jogye Temple in Seoul, South Korea,  - Shutterstock

10:21 AM

Israel starts human trials on Covid-19 vaccine as schools slowly reopen

Israel began human trials on Sunday for its Covid-19 vaccine candidate which, if successful, could be ready for the general public by the end of next summer.

Eighty volunteers will initially take part in the trial that will be expanded to 960 people in December. Should those trials succeed a third stage with 30,000 volunteers is scheduled for April/May.

"We are in the final stretch," said Shmuel Shapira, Director General of the Israel Institute for Biological Research.

Pupils wear protective face masks to protect against Covid-19, as Israel loosens virus lockdown restrictions and schools are reopened - AP

The institute, which is overseen by the Defense Ministry, began animal trials for its "BriLife" vaccine in March and announced a week ago it had received regulatory approval to take it to the next stage.

10:17 AM

December 2 will be 'review date', not end date, if Test, Trace and Isolate is not fixed, says Keir Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer has said Labour "will support the Government's message" but called on them to fix the issues around NHS Test and Trace.

The Labour leader told BBC One's The Andrew Marr Show: "The Government has to keep its side of the bargain here because if they don't use this time to fix Test, Trace and Isolate, then I think December 2 will be a review date not an end date.

"Because for months and months and months they've promised a world-beating test, trace and isolate system which is vital... it's been busted for months.

"Use the time to fix it because otherwise we're going to be back in this cycle for months and months and months."

10:10 AM

Labour will support national lockdown, Keir Starmer confirms

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said his party would vote in favour of the latest coronavirus restrictions but warned of the "cost to that delay" in locking down.

He told BBC One's The Andrew Marr Show: "Well these measures are necessary, everybody has seen the figures, the infection rates, the admission rates and tragically the death rates, and that's why three weeks ago we called for a circuit-break.

"Now at that stage the Government rejected it out of hand, ridiculed it, now only to do precisely the same thing - but there's a cost to that delay."

"The lockdown now will be longer, it'll be harder, we've just missed half term and there's a very human cost to this."

10:07 AM

Tier 3 restrictions could be applied nationally after Dec 2, warns Sage member

Sage Member Sir Jeremy Farrar has warned that the world 'is not going back to normal' after December 2 and that Tier 3 restrictions could be imposed across the whole of the country. 

Asked what ongoing measures might be necessary when the new lockdown restrictions are eased, Sir Jeremy told BBC's Andrew Marr: "I think we need to watch what happens with the data at the end of November, beginning of December, before we decide whether to lift these restrictions on December 2, or whether it will be better continuing them."

He added: "What mustn't happen is whenever that date comes - December 2 or a little bit later - that suddenly the world goes back to normal. It's not going to go back to normal immediately.

"I think it will be at least what is already called Tier 3, or Tier 3-plus across the country."

09:57 AM

SAGE member suggests lockdown could be extended beyond Dec 2

Sage member Sir Jeremy Farrar suggested restrictions could be extended beyond the Government's December 2 projected end date. 

He told BBC's Andrew Marr of the date target: "I think it's useful, I just don't think we can become fixed on it. We don't know what the situation is going to be like in the last week of November and the first week of December, we all hope that four weeks is going to be enough."

If infections, hospital admissions and deaths have not dropped sufficiently, he added: "It would be much better to extend this lockdown for another couple of weeks prior to the Christmas period - and then loosen the restrictions a little bit over Christmas so that people can meet up with their families.

"Much better to do that than remove these restrictions and then have to impose even more draconian restrictions over Christmas or soon into the New Year."

09:55 AM

Labour will support national lockdown, Keir Starmer confirms

The leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer, has said he will back the Government by voting for the national lockdown on Wednesday. 

Appearing on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show this morning,  Sir Keir said the lockdown should continue until the R number falls below 1 and that he would be willing to work with the government “in the national interest”.

Questioned on proposals by the National  National Education Union to close schools  during lockdown, Sir Keir was adamant that schools should remain open. 

Teachers should be treated like NHS staff, and offered testing every week, he said. 

09:43 AM

PM should move Cabinet to 'war footing' to speed up Covid-19 decision-making, warns former minister

Tory former minister Tobias Ellwood said Boris Johnson should move his Cabinet to a "war footing" to speed up decision-making, as he believed Number 10 was "overwhelmed".

Mr Ellwood told Times Radio: "Our Cabinet structure has not changed. It's still the same peacetime tried-and-tested system, but it's very risk averse. We should have moved onto a war footing with slicker decision-making and splitting policy creation versus operational delivery.

"I'm afraid this was treated as if it was a terrorist attack or a flooding, where there was a Cobra, a National Security Council meeting, and then we made some plans and then we've tried to keep it going.

"This is very different. It should be comparable to where we were in the Second World War, where you have an ongoing crisis, where the messaging is going to change quite regularly. So you need to keep the nation, the will of the nation, together by keeping them informed.

"We haven't really ever moved to that structure, which is far more efficient in its decision making, separating the daily business of Government. The consequence of that is that the bandwidth in Number 10 is just overwhelmed."

09:39 AM

Second lockdown 'body blow' for businesses, warns CBI

Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, director-general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) described a second lockdown for business as a "real body blow".

She told Sky News's Sophy Ridge On Sunday: "It's an incredibly difficult time for business - this is a real body blow. So many firms have worked very hard to become Covid-safe, they have been resilient through the first phase, so this is undoubtedly very tough."

She added: "We need to do everything we can to minimise the damage of this second lockdown... We need to keep as much of the economy open as we possibly can and actually because more businesses are Covid-safe now manufacturing, construction should be able to stay open."

09:37 AM

Transport for London secures £1.8 bn bailout

Transport for London (TfL) has secured a bailout from the Government worth around £1.8 billion.

The capital's transport body said the agreement will enable it to continue operating services until the end of March 2021.

The exact amount of money involved is subject to passenger revenue in the coming months.

TfL said: "Discussions on longer-term sustainable funding continue." 

Amendments to the Congestion Charge introduced in June as part of a previous bailout - a 30% increase in the fee and longer operating hours - will remain in place due to the new deal.

09:29 AM

Michael Gove defends national lockdown after regional measures failed to control rising infection rates

Michael Gove defended the Government's decision to introduce another national lockdown after its regional approach failed to control the spread of coronavirus. 

He told Sky that in early October it was "entirely possible" that the Government may have been able, using a regional approach, to "balance the need to combat the virus with keeping as much of the economy open as possible".

But he said the original projections about the spread of coronavirus had underestimated it.

"At the time that our scientific and medical advisers were talking about the future spread of the virus, there were a number of people, entirely in good faith, who questioned that and well actually the situation has been worse than any of us expected, and that is why action is now required."

09:25 AM

New national restrictions could last longer than first lockdown, says former chief scientific advisor

Former chief scientific adviser Sir Mark Walport described the latest lockdown in England as "definitely" better late than never, but said it was "obviously a possibility" that these restrictions could last longer than the first lockdown.

He told Sky's Sophy Ridge: "The lockdown is not as severe as it was first time round, so the only way to know is to see how quickly the new cases start dropping.

"As we know, there's a lag between the case developing, hospitalisation and the horrible consequences of severe illness or death."

"It's unlikely this time to come down quite as fast as it did during the first lockdown because we have got schools open."

09:21 AM

Government accused of 'contempt' for the North after furlough extensions

The Government has been accused of showing "contempt" for leaders in the North of England after announcing a national lockdown and extension of the furlough scheme.

Politicians in the North West had called for 80 per cent furlough payments for employees of businesses forced to close when areas were put into Tier 3 restrictions, but instead workers were offered 67 per cent of pay through the Government's Job Support Scheme.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson told BBC Breakfast: 

"It's interesting as well, isn't it, that of course yesterday evening they announced that the furlough scheme would return at 80 pre cent, something that Andy Burnham, Steve Rotheram, leaders of the North, myself included, have been calling for. That's the point about contempt... that they dismissed the North's call for the furlough scheme to be introduced in Tier 3 but now have all of a sudden found the 80 per cent furlough scheme for a Tier 4 or national lockdown. 

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, who battled with the Government on funding when the area was placed into Tier 3, reacted to news of the furlough scheme extension on Twitter on Saturday.

09:14 AM

Cabinet Minister says it would be 'foolish' to predict infection rate over the coming weeks

Speaking on Sky News this morning, Mr Gove said it would be "foolish" to predict what would happen with the pandemic over the next four weeks.

He said: "With a virus this malignant, and with its capacity to move so quickly, it would be foolish to predict with absolute certainty what will happen in four weeks' time, when over the course of the last two weeks its rate, its infectiousness and its malignancy have grown.

"And so therefore of course we will review what requires to be done but we have a clear plan over the next four-week (period) to support the economy and to protect the NHS.

09:09 AM

Liverpool Mayor says Government has treated advisors with 'contempt'

The Mayor of Liverpool has said the Government has treated scientific advisors with "contempt" after resisting their demands to implement a 'circuit breaker' seven weeks ago. 

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said he received the news of a national lockdown with "a mixture of emotions".

He said: "One, of clear confusion as to why the Prime Minister and this Government never responded to Sage on September 21 and acted then.

"So, relief that it's finally been done but real contempt has been shown by this Government for the people who advised for it (another lockdown), Sage, and also leaders like me and others that were calling for it six, seven weeks ago."

"It's clear to me that the Government made the choice to put people's health and the health concerns of the nation second and listen to Tory right-wing MPs and people arguing about the economy."

08:40 AM

Covid-19 vaccine: When will a coronavirus jab be ready in the UK?

Since coronavirus emerged in January almost 200 vaccine candidates have been put into development, with at least 15 in human trials. 

Vaccines being developed by Oxford University and in Germany are the most likely candidates to be ready this year, experts have said, but there are also candidates being tested in the US, Russia and China. There are also some signs that China is pulling ahead in the race. 

A German vaccine backed by Pfizer could be ready to distribute before Christmas, the company's chief executive said.

However, a major new study  by Imperial College of 365,000 has found that immunity to coronavirus may only last a matter of a months, which could hinder the rollout of a successful vaccine. 

The latest data in the Oxford trials shows that the vaccine produces a "strong" immune response among the elderly.  

Read our full Covid-19 vaccine explainer here 

08:34 AM

Boris Johnson let himself be bounced into national lockdown far too soon, say Tory dissenters

Conservative MPs have accused Boris Johnson of allowing himself to be "bounced" into a national lockdown before giving regional restrictions "time to work".

Sir Robert Syms, a former Tory whip, suggested that the Government had not yet properly "audited progress" as a result of the tiering system introduced just 20 days ago. 

Desmond Swayne, another Conservative MP, described the move as "disastrous" and accused ministers of behaving like "headless chickens". 

However, a series of senior ministers and MPs who have publicly and privately rejected calls for a second national lockdown have become persuaded by data showing that the NHS is on course to be overwhelmed on December 4, amid a resurgence of Covid-19 across the country.  

 Read the full piece here by our Sunday Political Editor Edward Malnick

07:57 AM

Charlie Hebdo trial suspended after primary suspect tests positive

The primary suspect in a trial over the 2015 Charlie Hebdo massacre has tested positive for coronavirus and the court has been suspended until Wednesday, lawyers said.

Ali Riza Polat is accused of having helped the killers of 12 people in the 2015 attack on satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, a female police officer a day later and four hostages at a Jewish supermarket.

He is facing the most serious charge of the suspected accomplices on trial - complicity in terrorist crimes - and could face life in jail if convicted.

The 35-year-old vomited and was seen by a doctor, prompting the judge to suspend the court until next week.

The 10 accused accomplices must now be tested and "the resumption of the trial will depend on the results of these tests and the development of the health of the people concerned", presiding judge Regis de Jorna said in an email to lawyers on Saturday.

He urged everyone in court to observe social distancing, and insisted all participants must wear a mask.

The suspension of the hearing will delay the conclusion of the trial, which opened on September 2.

Defence lawyers were scheduled to plead on November 6, 9, 10 and 11 with the verdict expected on November 13.

07:36 AM

Businesses fear a nightmare before Christmas

British retailers, bars and restaurants were furious on Saturday evening at being ordered to close in the run up to the crucial Christmas trading period.

Many companies fear the tightening of measures will further dampen Britons’ spending confidence and could put them off going into shops even if non-essential retailers reopen before Christmas.

In April and May, when many high-street chains were forced to close, non-essential retailers lost £1.6 billion a week.

While the return of the furlough scheme will be welcome support, losses will be much greater the second time around as companies enter the crucial festive shopping period, when they make the bulk of their profits.

Read the full story here.

06:24 AM

Church criticises communal worship ban

England's Catholic Church has strongly criticised the Government for banning communal worship in the country's new lockdown, saying such gatherings have been a great help to the nation's wellbeing throughout the pandemic.

Most religious services are banned under the new restrictions and places of worship will be closed, unless used for funerals, to broadcast acts of worship, individual prayer, formal childcare, or essential services such as blood donation or food banks.

The president and vice-president of the Catholic Church's Bishops' Conference - Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Archbishop Malcolm McMahon - demanded the Government explain its reasons for the ban on communal worship, saying churches had acted responsibly in enacting Covid-safe practices.

"It is ... a source of deep anguish now that the Government is requiring, once again, the cessation of public communal worship," the bishops said in a statement."Whilst we understand the many difficult decisions facing the Government, we have not yet seen any evidence whatsoever that would make the banning of communal worship, with all its human costs, a productive part of combatting the virus."

Read more: What will be impacted by the second national lockdown?

Staff and volunteers pack and prepare food parcels at the South London warehouse and distribution centre at St Margaret's Church - Getty

05:20 AM

China reports 61 more asymptomatic cases in Xinjiang region

Chinese health authorities said Sunday they have found 61 more asymptomatic cases in an outbreak in the remote Xinjiang region, including the first outside the initially affected county.

To date, they have identified 54 people with symptoms and another 219 people who tested positive but haven't shown any symptoms of the disease. T

he latest asymptomatic cases include 15 in Akto country, which is near Shufu county, where all the previous cases were found.

The outbreak, outside the city of Kashgar, appears to be linked to a garment factory in Shufu that employs 252 people and has been sealed off.

04:36 AM

No locally transmitted infections in Australia for first time in 5 months

Australia has recorded no new locally transmitted coronavirus infection for the first time in five months.

In Melbourne, the capital of Victoria state, which had the highest number of cases in the country, residents were enjoying the first weekend of cafes, restaurants and pubs reopening to walk-in customers.

The city only has one mystery case without a known source. There are 61 active cases left across the state, down from 70 on Saturday.

State Deputy Premier James Merlino hailed Sunday's zero figures as "another great day for Victoria," but urged caution ahead of Australia's most-prestigious horse race on Tuesday, the Melbourne Cup, known as the "race that stops a nation." 

Customers sit at socially distanced tables outside a restaurant in the Fitzroy suburb of Melbourne - Bloomberg

04:13 AM

Restaurateur who imported heated igloos faces loss

A restaurateur who invested £160,000 into making his establishment Covid-proof ahead of the winter is expecting to lose thousands of pounds as new restrictions force hospitality closures.  

When restaurants were told that they could only offer outdoor seating to those from different households while a maximum of six could dine inside, Luke Davis, boss of Rockwater in Hove, took it as an opportunity to innovate.

He set about importing 30 igloos to the UK from Germany, so 'bubbles' could dine safely outside, warm and enclosed and away from other families.

However, with new nationwide restrictions coming into force, the pods, which cost £160,000 could be no more than a beachside feature, left empty and crucially, not providing any income for a business already hit by the lockdown since March.

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Read more: Businesses fear a nightmare before Christmas as they face further losses

The futuristic looking Rockwater Igloo Village with 30 pods on Hove seafront -  Brighton Pictures

02:21 AM

Obama accuses Trump of not taking pandemic seriously

Calling Joe Biden his "brother," Barack Obama on Saturday accused Donald Trump of failing to take the coronavirus pandemic and the presidency seriously as Democrats leaned on America's first Black president to energise Black voters in battleground Michigan on the final weekend of the campaign.

Mr Obama, the 44th president, and Mr Biden, his vice president who wants to be the 46th, held drive-in rallies in Flint and Detroit.

"Three days until the most important election of our lifetime - and that includes mine, which was pretty important," said Mr Obama, urging Democrats to get to the polls.

The former president hammered on Mr Trump's continued focus on the size of his campaign crowds.

"Did no one come to his birthday party when he was a kid? Was he traumatised?" Mr Obama said in a mocking tone. "The country's going through a pandemic. That's not what you're supposed to be worrying about."

Read more: Divided states of America poised for historic election

Former US President Barack Obama arrives to a mobilisation event at Belle Isle Casino in Detroit - AFP

01:30 AM

Police called to illegal rave near Bristol

Police have moved to break up an illegal rave in Yate, near Bristol, where they say members of a 500-strong crowd have been violent towards attending officers.

Avon and Somerset Police said in a statement they were called to reports of an illegal rave in a warehouse around 10.30pm on Saturday.

Police including Covid-19 restriction enforcement officers attended, and when members of the crowd began acting violently towards them, rave legislation was enacted to order the crowd to disperse or face possible arrest.

There were no immediate details of any arrests.

11:58 PM

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