Coronavirus live: UK travel rules relaxed as arrivals can now use cheaper lateral flow tests | World news | The Guardian
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9.21am BST09:21
India reported 15,906 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, according to government data on Sunday.The nationwide tally of infections has reached 34.17 million since the start of the pandemic, according to the health ministry.The country reported 561 deaths overnight, taking the overall tally to 454,269 fatalities, Reuters reports.
9.08am BST09:08
Parents in England are now able to book Covid vaccinations online for children aged between 12 and 15.
Just over 2.5 million letters will arrive with parents and guardians from Monday inviting them to book a jab online through the National Booking Service.
There are almost 100 sites offering jabs to this age group with hundreds more expected to join them in the coming weeks.
Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and deputy lead for the NHS vaccine programme, said she would urge families to “book in to give children and their loved ones crucial protection ahead of winter”.
The NHS said parents and guardians are asked to attend vaccination sites with their children if they want them to be vaccinated outside school hours and consent will be sought on the day.
Dr Kanani said: “Millions of parents will be receiving letters from tomorrow inviting their children to get a Covid vaccine through the National Booking Service - this provides an additional way for 12 to 15-year-olds to get their vaccine following the rollout in schools that has seen more than a half million vaccinated already.”
9.01am BST09:01
Coronavirus cases in eastern Europe will soon surpass 20 million, according to a Reuters tally on Sunday, as the region grapples with its worst outbreak since the pandemic started and inoculation efforts lag.
Countries in the region have the lowest vaccination rates in Europe, with less than half of the population having received a single dose, the agency reports.
Hungary tops the region’s vaccination rates with 62% of its population having had at least one shot, whereas Ukraine has given just 19% of its residents a single dose, according to Reuter’s Our World in Data.
New infections in the region have steadily risen and now average over 83,700 new cases per day, the highest level since November last year, Reuters data through Friday showed. Although it has just 4% of the world’s population, eastern Europe accounts for roughly 20% of all new cases reported globally.
According to a Reuters analysis, three of the top five countries reporting the most deaths in the world are in eastern Europe - Russia, Ukraine and Romania.
8.40am BST08:40
The Observer is reporting today new evidence has emerged that the government is paving the way to implement “plan B” measures in England to combat the spread of Covid-19, amid warnings from health chiefs that a “vortex of pressures” is encircling the NHS.
It reports
“In the clearest sign to date that Whitehall is actively considering additional measures, the Observer has learnt that the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) contacted local authorities on Friday to canvass their level of support for the “immediate rollout of the winter plan – plan B”.
“The disclosure comes as senior doctors warn that operations are already being cancelled due to NHS staffing shortages and scientists warn of “a triple whammy” of respiratory illnesses this winter, with Covid, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes cold-like symptoms but can be serious for children and older adults.
You can read the full report here:
8.38am BST08:38
Also in the UK, the prime minister and senior health chiefs are calling on the nation to get vaccinated against Covid-19 amid mounting concern over rising infection levels ahead of Christmas.
Boris Johnson said vaccines will get the country through the winter and out of the pandemic, while NHS England’s national medical director Professor Stephen Powis said getting a booster will “protect the freedom and Christmas that we have all earned”.
The repeated calls for people to get jabbed comes as Johnson resists pleas from health leaders for tighter restrictions despite the rising number of cases.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said this week that new cases could reach 100,000 a day, but Downing Street insisted there was still spare capacity in the NHS and that Plan B would only be activated if it came under “significant pressure”.
Plan B includes working-from-home guidance and the mandatory use of face masks.
Johnson, who has said there are no plans for another lockdown, said:
Vaccines are our way through this winter.
We’ve made phenomenal progress but our job isn’t finished yet, and we know that vaccine protection can drop after six months.
To keep yourself, your loved ones, and everyone around you safe, please get your booster when you get the call.
We can and will beat this virus but only if we listen to the science and look out for each other.
This is a call to everyone, whether you’re eligible for a booster, haven’t got round to your second dose yet, or your child is eligible for a dose - vaccines are safe, they save lives, and they are our way out of this pandemic.”
8.29am BST08:29
Hi. Caroline Davies here in London. In the UK, as from 4am today, the coronavirus rules have been relaxed for travellers returning to England who are fully vaccinated in what has been hailed by the government as a “huge boost” for the travel industry.
Just in time for half-term, fully vaccinated people arriving in England from a non-red list country can use a lateral flow test rather than the more expensive PCR version on or before day two.
Lateral flow tests for international travel must be purchased from a private provider as NHS test and trace lateral flow tests cannot be used for international travel.
Bookings for lateral flow tests opened on Friday and can be purchased through the private providers listed on GOV.UK.
As of Saturday afternoon, there were 25 providers on the government website and prices ranged from £19 to £39.
You can get in touch on caroline.davies@guardian.co.uk.
Updated at 8.36am BST