Covid index - October 2020 - December 2020
1 Nov 2020: Self-isolation: apply to Cyprus & Lithuania (SI2020/1190)
English lockdown comes into force from Thursday (Nov 5 until Dec 2).
Pubs, restaurants, gyms, non-essential shops and places of worship will close, but schools, colleges and universities can stay open.
Furlough (running out today) extended to cover new lockdown period
Furlough extension backlash after Welsh firebreak snub
Mortgage holidays extended for up to six months
English lockdown may last beyond 2 Dec, says Gove
Rest of UK keep to their own rules - Wales has 2 week firebreak, Scotland has 5 tiers, don't known about NI
Australia records zero Covid-19 cases for first time in five months
Austria and Portugal announce restrictions
2 Nov 2020: Boris Johnson is due to address MPs about his plan for a new four-week lockdown across England from Thursday
In his statement at about 15:30 GMT he will say without action, deaths could be twice as high over winter than they were in spring
On Saturday the PM announced pubs, restaurants, gyms, non-essential shops and places of worship would be affected
Several senior Tory MPs oppose the move but Labour says it will back a new lockdown
Scotland's five-level system of Covid restrictions has come into force
Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford says the 17-day "firebreak" lockdown will end as planned on 9 November
3 Nov 2020: Liverpool is to take part in the first trial of city-wide coronavirus testing in England
If the pilot is successful, the government says it could be rolled out to "millions" by Christmas
Nicola Sturgeon has asked for clarity on whether the furlough scheme will be extended in Scotland beyond 2 December
Michael Gove has apologised for wrongly suggesting that playing golf or tennis would be exempt from the new lockdown
Sports coaches have criticised the decision to suspend all children's grassroots sport during England's new lockdown
Universities and colleges in England face "significant funding shortfalls and heightened uncertainty", a report warns
UK deaths 10% higher than normal as virus deaths rise
US election day - Biden wears a mask, Trump doesn't.
4 Nov 2020: There are 11,000 "severely sick" Covid patients in English hospitals - NHS England chief Sir Simon Stevens
MPs to vote later on England's second national lockdown, which is due to start on Thursday
Some shops extend opening hours for second day after long queues on Tuesday evening
Updated guidance expected on visiting rules for care homes
Scotland's first minister tells Covid committee she has 'grounds for cautious optimism' but situation remains 'very fragile'
Medical leaders in Northern Ireland 'extremely concerned' as cases rise
Problems with testing care home staff for Covid-19 continue to cause anxiety in Wales
The UK recorded a further 397 coronavirus deaths and 20,018 confirmed cases on Tuesday
5 Nov 2020: Lockdown 2 ("circuit-breaker"). Pubs, restaurants, gyms, non-essential shops and places of worship close, but schools, colleges and universities can stay open. (SI2020/1200)
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is to make a statement in the Commons shortly on economic support for businesses and individuals6 Nov 2020: Self-isolation: apply to Denmark (SI2020/1227) (Mink crisis)
Mayor Joe Anderson said the two-week testing pilot could save lives and stop hospitals being overwhelmed
About 2,000 military personnel are helping deliver the tests in the city
Denmark has been taken off the UK's travel corridor list, with those arriving from the country now having to self-isolate for 14 days
It comes as Danish authorities say a lockdown will be introduced in some areas over a coronavirus mutation found in mink that can spread to humans
Students at the University of Manchester have torn down "prison-like" fencing erected around their campus
A further 378 deaths were reported in the UK on Thursday and 24,141 more have tested positive for coronavirus
7 Nov 2020: Self-isolation: apply to Germany and Sweden (SI2020/1227)
UK bans Denmark visitors over mink Covid-19 fears
Nursing union fears winter nursing shortage
France passes 60,000 cases in a single day
UK home test kit refused after credit check
The furlough scheme is being extended until 31 March 2021
8 Nov 2020: Scaled-back Remembrance Sunday events
Non-urgent care suspended in Greater Manchester
Marcus Rashford welcomes school holiday support climbdown
Mass testing in Liverpool (some experts say, a waste of resources)
9 Nov 2020: First 'milestone' vaccine offers 90% protection
First Covid vaccine offers 90% protection, Pfizer analysis shows
Firms to apply for emergency approval to use vaccine by end of month
Wales' 17-day 'firebreak' lockdown has ended and new rules have come into force
England still in lockdown
New virus tests being trialled in Liverpool could be a "major breakthrough" says the government
In the US, President-elect Joe Biden is to make tackling the pandemic his top priority following his win over Donald Trump
Meanwhile some disabled people in the UK are struggling to obtain medication and breathing equipment, research suggests
In the UK, 20,572 new cases were announced on Sunday and 156 further deaths
The global number of confirmed cases passes 50 million, while 1.25 million people have died
10 Nov 2020: UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock says he is optimistic life will return to normal by spring after promising vaccine results
Welsh Government cancels GCSE, AS and A-level exams next summer 2021, with grades to be based on classroom assessments
Record redundancies recorded in the UK in the three months to September
The second wave has pushed UK death rates over the five-year average, the Office for National Statistics says
Student mass virus testing 'to begin on 30 November' to get them home for Xmas
In Brazil, a clinical trial for a Chinese Covid-19 vaccine is suspended after a "severe adverse" incident
Globally there are now nearly 51 million confirmed cases and more than 1.2 million deaths, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University
11 Nov 2020: The UK "will not use anything" until experts make judgement on vaccine safety, top advisers pledge
Science 'just at the beginning of our journey' on vaccines, says England's deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam
The EU confirms it will buy 300 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine once it is "proven to be safe and effective"
University students in England will be asked to return home for Christmas in the week after the lockdown ends
As many students as possible will be offered rapid result Covid tests, and teaching should move online by 9 December
Details of how university students in Scotland should be able to return home for Christmas will be announced later
The US is seeing a record number of Covid patients in hospital - nearly 62,000 - as a surge shows no signs of slowing
12 Nov 2020: The UK's economy bounced back from recession with record growth of 15.5% in July to September - but is still 8.2% smaller than before Covid
Figures reveal huge growth in NHS waiting lists since Covid struck - with nearly 140,000 waiting over a year for routine procedures
Spain's coronavirus death toll has surged to more than 40,000, with infections passing 1.4m
Germany's health minister has he expects coronavirus restrictions there to continue through the winter
The US has confirmed its highest 24-hour infection total to date – a world record of more than 144,000 cases
New restrictions being introduced in New York - described as the city's "last chance" to stop a second Covid wave
13 Nov 2020: People celebrating Diwali this weekend urged to stick to lockdown rules and only meet others online
It follows a jump in the UK daily recorded case rate of 10,500 on Thursday - to 33,470
Several European countries warn it's too early to say if people will be able to travel at Christmas
Caffe Nero seeks help as Covid 'decimates' sales
PHE report finds people with learning difficulties at six-fold risk of dying from Covid-19
Cambridge University Covid figures: 2-8 November 70; 9-11 November 159
14 Nov 2020: Self-isolation: apply to Greece (except some islands) & Cyprus Sovereign Bases; exempt Bahrain, Cambodia, Chile, Iceland, Laos, Qatar, UAE & Turks and Caicos Islands (SI2020/1277)
Leicester's lockdown Diwali 'is like our Christmas gone'
5,000 more people have died from heart problems in England since pandemic start, the British Heart Foundation has warned.
People visiting relatives and friends in care homes will be able to access regular coronavirus testing, says the government
Coronavirus: Oregon and New Mexico impose restrictions such as closing shops
On Friday, California became the second state to hit one million Covid cases, after Texas.
On average, more than 900 people a day are dying with the disease in the US.
Daily cases have topped 100,000 for the last 11 days and more than 67,000 people are currently in hospital.
The US has seen over 10.7 million cases and 244,000 deaths thus far, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Trump claims (falsely) US contributed to Pfizer vaccine
Italy extends 'red zones' as infections soar
15 Nov 2020: Covid vaccine impact will kick in over summer and life sback to normal next winter, one of its creators has said
Stop 'anti-vax' fake news, demands Labour
Yorkshire cemetery struggling to keep up with burials
France in lockdown
16 Nov 2020: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is self-isolating after coming into contact with an MP who later tested positive for coronavirus
He says he feels "great" and thinks vaccines could be distributed to those most in need "perhaps before Christmas"
Dentists warn of an oral health crisis after 19,000 dental treatments were missed in the UK
Meanwhile, a major trial of a vaccine to protect against Covid has launched in the UK - the third such trial in the country
The states of Michigan and Washington bring in strict measures as cases in the US top 11 million
South Australian authorities say they are facing a "dangerous situation" after reporting 18 coronavirus cases in first outbreak since April
There have been more than 54 million coronavirus cases and 1.3 million deaths across the world, according to Johns Hopkins University data
17 Nov 2020: England's regional Covid tier system may need to be "strengthened" , says Dr Susan Hopkins, a senior health official
A government minister, Robert Jenrick, adds that the system is being "reviewed" - to see what worked and what didn't
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon set to announce later whether the strictest Covid restrictions will be imposed in the west of the country
The number of weekly deaths in England and Wales mentioning Covid-19 on the death certificate reaches highest level since May
US President-elect Joe Biden has warned Donald Trump's refusal to hand over power to him in the usual way could cost lives amid the pandemic
A number of US states have imposed new restrictions as cases in the US top 11 million
EasyJet has reported its first annual loss in its 25-year history as the pandemic continues to bite deeply into the airline industry
The Times reported that Cummings had been told to leave Downing Street by Johnson
18 Nov 2020: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will conduct Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) with MPs via video link later, as he continues to self-isolate
Dido Harding (head of Test and Trace) having to self-isolate
Prof Stephen Powis, medical director for NHS England, self-isolating
National Audit Office has accused the government of a lack of transparency over its awarding of £18bn of Covid-related contracts
Lifting of England's lockdown must be handled better this time round to avoid a surge in Covid cases that could overwhelm the NHS, doctors say
Residents of level 3 or 4 local authorities in Scotland will be breaking the law from Friday if they make non-essential trips outside their area
The start of November saw Britain's highest levels of loneliness since the pandemic began, according to Office for National Statistics figures
Top US medical bodies urge President Donald Trump to share Covid data with President-elect Joe Biden
The state of South Australia will enter a snap six-day lockdown to curb the spread of a Covid outbreak found days ago, with 36 cases detected
Tokyo sees record number of new cases with nearly 500 in one day, the biggest daily increase since the pandemic began
A Covid-19 vaccine developed in China has shown success in mid-stage trials, researchers say
19 Nov 2020: The team in Oxford developing a coronavirus vaccine says trials have shown a promising immune response in elderly people
Oxford's Prof Pollard said there was "no competition" with other vaccines - multiple vaccines were needed to be successful
Three vaccines - Pfizer-BioNTech, Sputnik and Moderna - have already reported good preliminary data
A scientist advising the UK government warns households socialising at Christmas poses "substantial risks"
The US records more than 250,000 deaths from Covid-19 and nearly 11.5 million cases, as infections soar across the country
More than 200 Facebook workers accuse the firm of forcing staff back to the office despite the risks of contracting coronavirus
NHS Wales's boss warns it will take "a number of years" for waiting times to recover to pre-coronavirus levels
20 Nov 2020: People aged 50-64 in England are being offered free flu jabs from 1 December as part of an expanded winter vaccine scheme
Just half of close contacts given to England's NHS Test and Trace are being reached in some areas, a BBC investigation has found
Millions of public sector workers in England face a pay freeze after a huge rise in spending to fight the pandemic
More than two million people in Scotland are preparing to move to the country's toughest level of coronavirus restrictions
Northern Ireland is set to face a two-week period of tougher lockdown measures from next Friday
A "tough" six months lies ahead for Europe, the World Health Organization has warned
Mexico has recorded more than 100,000 Covid deaths - the fourth country to pass the sombre milestone
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has told Americans to avoid travel for the Thanksgiving holiday amid soaring Covid-19 cases
21 Nov 2020: Self-isolation: exempt Bonaire, Sint Eustatius & Saba, Israel, Jerusalem, Namibia, Northern Mariana Islands, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Uruguay and US Virgin Islands (SI2020/1323)
Donald Trump Jr tests positive for coronavirus
Jab for people who cannot be vaccinated trialled
Concerns poorer nations could be left behind with the vaccone roll-out
Covid antibodies 'last at least six months'
Hong Kong-Singapore travel corridor postponed
22 Nov 2020: FDA allows emergency use of antibody drug Regeneron (given to Trump)
Strengthened tier system for England after lockdown (Dec 2 - at the moment!)
£3bn for NHS but Sunak warns of 'economic shock' to come
Hundreds queue as mass testing begins in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales
23 Nov 2020: A coronavirus vaccine developed by the University of Oxford stops 70% of people from developing symptoms, a large-scale trial shows
Other vaccines showed 95% protection but the Oxford jab is cheaper and easier to store and distribute
Boris Johnson praised scientists and volunteers for the trial's "fantastic" results
The UK prime minister will explain the detail of England's return to the "three tier system" when lockdown ends on 2 December at 15:30 GMT
Parts of the system will be tougher, but gyms and shops will reopen and a closing time curfew for pubs and restaurants will be eased
UK-wide coronavirus rules on gatherings and travel over Christmas are still yet to be confirmed
Meanwhile, Germany's chancellor Angela Merkel has raised concerns about the world's poorest securing access to Covid-19 vaccines
There have been more than 58.6m virus cases and 1.3m Covid-19 deaths across the globe, according to data from Johns Hopkins University
24 Nov 2020: The UK nations are "very close" to agreeing co-ordinated restrictions over Christmas, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says
Each nation is in a "slightly different phase of locking and unlocking”, he said, but an announcement would be made this week
People should plan journeys carefully, prepare for restrictions on passenger numbers, and consider not travelling at all, he added
It comes after Boris Johnson set out a toughened sets of regional tiers for when England's lockdown ends on 2 December
Also on travel, people arriving in England will be soon able to reduce their quarantine period if they pay for a Covid test
The rules will come into force from 15 December and the tests from private firms will cost between £65 and £120
Globally, the world's most vulnerable must not be "trampled in the stampede" for vaccines, the World Health Organization warns
And Spain's King Felipe VI has begun ten days of quarantine after coming into contact with a person who tested positive
25 Nov 2020: UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak is shortly to announce his plans for economic recovery and protecting jobs over the coming year
People across the UK are being urged to think carefully before they take advantage of the relaxation of restrictions over Christmas
Government adviser Prof Andrew Hayward says family gatherings are a "recipe for regret" for people
The devolved administrations have agreed UK-wide rules to allow families to meet over five days next month
Three households will be allowed to be in each other's homes between 23-27 December
The changes will begin a day earlier and last a day longer in Northern Ireland to allow for travel
The plans have been criticised by pub owners as meet-ups in hospitality venues are banned
Meanwhile, millions of Americans are travelling home to celebrate Thanksgiving despite warnings from health officials
Nearly 60 million cases have been confirmed globally with around 1.4 million deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University
26 Nov 2020: Health Secretary Matt Hancock setting out the tier arrangements for England in the Commons
The new restrictions will come into force when the national lockdown ends next week
Many places are in the second-highest level - tier two - including Liverpool city region (which was tier 3)
Cambridge City is tier 2 (which was tier 1) - so no mixing of households indoors
Several areas, including Manchester City Council, will be in the highest level - tier three
Elsewhere, in a Thanksgiving speech, US President-elect Joe Biden says "we're at war with a virus, not with one another"
South Korea reports its highest number of new infections since March, with 583 new cases on Thursday
The pandemic could wipe out 25 years of increasing gender equality, new global data suggests
There have been more than 60 million coronavirus cases and 1.4 million deaths across the globe, according to Johns Hopkins University
27 Nov 2020: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has defended the government's tier allocation in England, arguing the system requires "simplicity and clarity".
A revolt is brewing among the UK government's own MPs over areas of England being put into the higher tiers of Covid restrictions
Some 55 million people will face the strictest two tiers of rules when lockdown ends on 2 December
The government says it will publish an impact assessment before MPs get a chance to vote on the new rules on Tuesday
If 40 Tory backbenchers rebel, the PM may need Labour's help in winning the vote
Labour is expected to decide next week whether to back the plans, after consulting Covid experts
Fans in Italy have defied lockdown rules by gathering at Napoli stadium for a second day, to mark the death of football legend Diego Maradona
There have been more than 60 million coronavirus cases and 1.4 million deaths across the globe, according to Johns Hopkins University
28 Nov 2020: Self-isolation: apply to Estonia & Latvia; exempt Aruba, Bhutan, Kiribati, Mongolia, Micronesia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga & Vanuatu (SI2020/1360)
More than 2.5 million vulnerable people in England will be offered free Vitamin D supplements this winter.
Hospitals could be overwhelmed without new tiers, says Gove
Mass testing a 'distraction' from vaccine rollout - health leaders
R number for UK below 1 for first time since August
Covid Christmas: 'Avoid board games and sleepovers'
29 Nov 2020: Boris Johnson writes to MPs to quell anger over new tiers
Covid tier system has a "sunset" expiry date of 3 February
Covid in Scotland: Sturgeon defends handling of pandemic
Don't 'take brakes off' Covid measures, says leading scientist
30 Nov 2020: Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says she will not have an "indoor Christmas dinner" with her parents this year to avoid risk
Boris Johnson hopes to avoid a Conservative rebellion over the three tier system of restrictions in England by publishing an impact assessment
A study has found that coronavirus cases in England fell by almost a third in a fortnight after the latest lockdown restrictions began
Shops in England could stay open longer in the run-up to Christmas in a plan to boost high streets
US virus expert Anthony Fauci has warned of a "surge upon a surge" in cases after millions of people travelled home for Thanksgiving
Globally more than 62.7 million people have been infected and 1.46 million have died with Covid, according to Johns Hopkins University
Covid index - October 2020 - December 2020
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© Jo Edkins 2024