UK may ease Christmas rules on signs of coronavirus cases flattening, says minister
Britain could ease its stringent COVID-19 lockdown to allow families to gather for Christmas because there are signs that coronavirus cases are starting to flatten as a result of current lockdowns, Health Secretary Matt
Hancock said on Friday.
For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.
The United Kingdom has the worst official COVID-19 death toll in Europe and Prime Minister Boris Johnson has imposed some of the most stringent curbs in peacetime history in an attempt to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus.
For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app
Hancock said that he was working with the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for a UK-wide approach to rules for Christmas.
Read more: Coronavirus: UK reports 501 COVID-19 deaths, 22,915 new cases
England has been under lockdown for two weeks, which Hancock said was helping to flatten case numbers -- an important sign that things are starting to move in the right direction ahead of a decision on Christmas.
“There are encouraging signs that the number of cases is starting to flatten, and that the lockdown that we brought in, earlier this month, is working,” Hancock told Sky News.
England's lockdown is due to end on December 2, although ministers have not ruled out that it could be extended.
Asked about his own Christmas plans, Hancock said that he was currently planning a small Christmas within the existing rules, but he said he hoped there would be some relaxation, even if some restrictions had to remain.
“It of course won’t be like a normal Christmas, there will have to be rules in place,” he said.
“But we hope that they’ll allow for a bit more of that normal Christmas that people really look forward to.”
-
Saudi Arabia will be ‘one of the first’ to procure coronavirus vaccine: KSRelief head
Saudi Arabia has supported global efforts to develop a coronavirus vaccine and will be “one of the first” to procure a future vaccine, said Abdullah ... Coronavirus -
Coronavirus: India’s total COVID-19 deaths surpass 9 million
India’s total number of coronavirus cases since the pandemic began has crossed 9 million.Nevertheless the country’s new daily cases have seen a steady ... Coronavirus -
Coronavirus: Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 vaccine data is ‘solid,’ says US’ Dr. Fauci
The US’ top infectious disease official said Thursday that two coronavirus vaccines being tested were “solid,” and that the speed at which they were ... Coronavirus -
Coronavirus: Mexico becomes fourth country to record 100,000 COVID-19 deaths
Mexico said Thursday its coronavirus death toll had risen above 100,000, becoming the world’s fourth country to pass the grim milestone.“Today in ... Coronavirus -
Coronavirus: US COVID-19 hospitalizations rise by nearly 50 percent in 2 weeks
The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the US has jumped nearly 50 percent in the last 14 days, straining the nation’s healthcare system ... Coronavirus -
Delhi quadruples fines for not wearing masks as coronavirus cases soar
Officials in India’s capital on Thursday quadrupled the fines dished out for people not wearing face masks as coronavirus cases soar in the megacity, ... Coronavirus -
Coronavirus: Italy reports 36,176 new COVID-19 cases, 653 deaths
Italy has registered 36,176 new coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours, the health ministry said on Thursday, up from 34,283 the day before.The ... Coronavirus -
Coronavirus: Jordan races to expand hospitals to cope with COVID-19 surge
Jordan is racing to increase hospital bed capacity as its healthcare system struggles to cope with a surge in new coronavirus cases.Officials say the ... Coronavirus -
Coronavirus: UK reports 501 COVID-19 deaths, 22,915 new cases
Britain recorded a further 501 deaths within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test on Thursday, a decrease from 529 a day earlier, government figures ... Coronavirus -
Coronavirus: Brazil reports 35,918 new coronavirus cases, 606 deaths
Brazil recorded 35,918 additional confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours and 606 deaths from COVID-19, the Health Ministry said ... Coronavirus