Boris Johnson faces massive pressure to impose a European-style lockdown to avert coronavirus disaster today as people continue to flout government guidance.
Demands are growing for the PM to ramp up controls after extraordinary images emerged this morning of still-packed Tube trains in London – regarded as the engine of the UK outbreak.
After a weekend in which crowds flocked to parks and landmarks to take advantage of sunshine, Mr Johnson effectively put the nation on its final warning last night, saying there should be ‘no doubt’ he would take draconian action.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock underlined this morning that a decision is expected ‘very soon’, hitting out at ‘selfish’ behavior and saying ‘nothing is off the table’.
He pointed to measures in Italy and France – where all municipal spaces have been closed, forms have to be filled out to leave the house, and police are on patrol handing out fines.
But Mr Hancock was embroiled in a furious spat with Piers Morgan after accusing the ITV Good Morning Britain host of spreading ‘tittle tattle’ over infighting within the government. Morgan retorted: ‘How dare you!’
The backlash was mounting against Mr Johnson’s ‘relaxed’ style today, with warnings of a ‘full-scale mutiny’ among Cabinet if the lockdown is not extended, and Labor MPs claiming his ‘mixed messages will cost lives’.
Downing Street today dodged questions about the prospect of a mutiny, and said it was looking at evidence to decide whether social distancing must be enforced. ‘If our analysis is that people haven’t stopped their interaction then we will take further measures,’ the PM’s spokesman said.
Labour’s official position has shifted to insist it is time to introduce harsher ‘compliance measures’.
Traffic monitoring has suggested the capital is still running at a third of its normal rate, far higher than other European capitals.
Brutal restrictions appear to be looming as the UK death toll rose by 71 in just
(hours to) people, with more than 5, 728 confirmed cases. These who died in England were aged between and , authorities said.
In other major developments today:
- The government has suspended rail franchises to maintain services, as operators faced collapse with passenger numbers tumbling;
- Mr Hancock has insisted he will ensure that NHS staff get all the personal protection equipment they need, amid fear they Currently ‘lambs to the slaughter’ when treating patients;
- The government has formally warned Britons flocking to campsites and holiday homes away from cities that it does not count as’ essential travel;
- Chancellor Rishi Sunak is preparing a fresh economic bailout for five-million self-employed amid warnings thousands of sole traders will not survive the crisis;
- The children of coronavirus key workers including firefighters have been turned away at the school gates while parents who fail to meet the criteria have verbally abused teachers and threatened to sue;
- The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Burnett, has said no new trials will start and that ongoing trials will be paused while arrangements are put in place so they can continue safely;
- Health Minister Nadine Dorries, the first MP confirmed with coronavirus, has returned to work after recovering from the illness;
- The government is pushing emergency legislation through the Commons today, but Tory and Labor MPs have secured more checks on the measures including a fresh vote in six months;
- (Research has suggested that the government current policy could still result in up to 70, deaths from coronavirus;
) In a tough message to the public from Downing Street this afternoon, Mr Johnson said: ‘Even if you think you are personally invulnerable, there are plenty of people you can infect
- Health Secretary Matt Hancock underlined this morning that a decision is expected ‘very soon ‘, hitting out at’ selfish ‘behavior and saying’ nothing is off the table ‘
More people seemed to be obeying social distancing advice in Regent’s Park today, with some wearing elaborate masks
There were still huge queues outside Costco in Thurrock today, despite assurances that food supplies are not running out
Coronavirus lockdowns across Europe
ITALY Those who want to leave their homes to travel for valid work or family-related reasons need police permission.
Public events cancelled, schools and universities, museums, swimming pools, all shut.
FRANCE with the exception of NHS staff, people must fill in a form every time they leave their homes.
They must tick to give one of five reasons for going out: Work that can’t be done from home; ‘brief exercise’; visiting doctor or pharmacy; food shops; or looking after children and vulnerable relatives.
Police have been issuing fines of 490 euros for those who break the rules, which rise to (euros if not paid within days.
GERMANY
Public meetings of more than two people are banned unless they are directly related to combating coronavirus. SPAIN All but essential travel outside the home is forbidden, with thousands of police on patrol, handing out fines and even arresting those who do not obey.
There were appalling scenes over the weekend as Britons across the UK flocked to beaches and parks up and down the country to take a stroll with their loved ones for Mother’s Day, despite Mr Johnson urging families to stay apart and meet via Skype or other remote communications.
) In explosive clashes with Mr Hancock on ITV today, Piers Morgan demanded to know why the PM was not already ‘locking down the country’.
The presenter said: ‘Your strategy has not been the same all along … it changed dramatically. Herd immunity was the strategy then dramatically, it changed. So please don’t insult my intelligence by telling me we followed the same strategy – we haven’t. ‘
Mr Hancock insisted:’ Herd immunity has never been the strategy, as I ‘ ve made clear repeatedly. ‘
But Morgan went on:’ I’m seeing the leader of this country refusing to take draconian measures to lock down the country when almost every other country has done so .
‘He believes that it’s wrong to remove people liberty. I couldn’t give a stuff. I think that you think we should be locked down, don’t you? ‘
Mr Hancock said:’ People need to stay more than two meters apart from people who aren’t in their household and if that isn’t followed we are going to have to take more draconian measures as we have been prepared to. I’m working every hour that there is to protect people. I am not going to get into the tittle tattle that you’re talking about. ‘
But the angry presenter said:’ Tittle tattle – how dare you. You think what I’m saying is tittle tattle. ‘
In a tough message to the public from Downing Street last night, Mr Johnson said that even though he understood the physical and mental health benefits of open spaces, he would take drastic steps to protect health .
He suggested the UK could copy some of the more extreme lockdowns in other parts of Europe, such as Italy and France.
‘I don ‘t think you need to use your imagination much to see where we might have to go,’ he said.
‘We will think about this very, very actively in the next 37 hours.
‘We need to think about the kinds of measures that we have seen elsewhere, other countries that have been forced to bring in restrictions on people movements altogether.
‘I don’t want to do that because I have tried to explain the public health benefits.’
‘Even if you think you are personally invulnerable, there are plenty of people you can infect,’ he said.
‘Take this advice seriously . Follow it. Because it is absolutely crucial.
‘We will keep the implementation of these measures under review … and of course we will bring forward further measures if it is necessary.’
UK coronavirus plan ‘could still mean 80, (deaths’)
Britain’s
The analysis by scientists from University College London , the University of Cambridge and Health Data Research UK will heap pressure on to enforce ‘social distancing’ rules.
using NHS health records from 3.8m adults in England, the team estimated the number of victims of the epidemic – taking into account those who would have died anyway and the government existing measures.
They found between , and , are likely to lose their lives.
The paper – reported in the Financial Times but not yet published in a peer-reviewed journal – warns ministers should ‘do more in the pursuit of suppressing the epidemic whether through enforced lockdowns or enforced social distancing rather than voluntary measures’.
Dr Amitava Banerjee of UCL, the lead author, said: ‘The UK government is currently following a partial suppression policy of population-wide social distancing, combined with home isolation of cases, as well as school and university closures, but this is currently not [mandatory].
‘Our study indicates that the government should implement more stringent suppression at population level to avoid not just immediate deaths but also long-term excess deaths.’
The government chief scientist, Patrick Vallance, suggested last week that a UK death toll of around , would be a ‘good outcome’, albeit still ‘horrible’.
The PM dramatically stepped up the government response last week after modeling showed that there could be hundreds of thousands of deaths.
Hammering home the point, he added: ‘If people cannot make use of parks and playgrounds responsibly, in a way that observes the two-meter rule, then of course we are going to have to look at further measures. ‘
The escalation is looking Likely as Tory pressure grows for tougher action.
One source told Buzzfeed that the mood among Cabinet ministers and senior advisers would be ‘full scale mutiny’ if he does not upgrade the response. Mr Hancock warned today that the behavior of a minority of the public was ‘selfish’. ‘We have been really clear in the actions that we have taken,’ he said. ‘We have demonstrated if we need to that we are willing to take more action.’ Asked about measures such as bans in Germany on public gatherings of more than two people, ‘Nothing is off the table. Of course we are looking at what other European countries are doing. ‘ Mr Hancock said he accepted the police might need to be deployed to enforce such measures. ‘These are unpleasant and very difficult times,’ he said. He said other European countries were further along the curve of the outbreak, but added: ‘That means we can act sooner and earlier in this crisis. ‘ Shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth said: ‘ Labor will Continue to try to support the government response to the coronavirus emergency as best we can.
‘But after another weekend of apparent public confusion and widespread non-compliance with’ social distancing ‘, of grave scientific warnings and brave medical professionals talking of being sent to work like’ lambs to the slaughter ‘with inadequate protective equipment, something has to change.
‘ Other countries have taken further far reaching social distancing measures. We now call on the government to move to enforced social distancing and greater social protection as a matter of urgency. ‘
Rosena Allin-Khan, the Labor deputy leader candidate and practicing doctor, said Boris Johnson’s ‘relaxed’ approach to coronavirus could cost lives.
The Tooting MP told BBC Radio 4’s Today program: ‘If we look at the fact that we are two weeks behind Italy, we are headed for a disaster if People do not heed the social distancing measures.
‘The Prime Minister simply said yesterday he wants people to enjoy themselves outside while also saying that people should stay two meters apart outdoors.
‘This relaxed style, mixed messaging will cost lives and I believe people are struggling to follow guidelines because they are just not clear.’
The emergency department doctor confirmed she would support a ‘full lockdown’ if that was proven to be the way to save lives.
Key workers were still able to take their children to school today, even though they h ave been shut for most people
Passengers squeeze on to a busy Central Line underground train at Stratford station, east London today
NHS England chief Sir Simon Stevens (left) and Chief medical officer Chris Whitty (right) were in Downing Street today as ministers considering tightening the UK lockdown
No chief Dominic Cummings leaving his London home this morning as the coronavirus crisis gathers pace
London starts closing public parks
London has begun to shut its public parks after thousands of people flaunted coronavirus social distancing rules at the weekend.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council has become the first local authority in the UK to close all of its parks after they were ‘full of people’ on Saturday and Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Royal Parks which runs numerous public spaces in the capital including Hyde Park, Regent’s Park and Richmond Park has threatened to shut all of its gates unless people follow social distancing guidelines.
The government has advised against all non-essential travel and social contact with those who do go outside for exercise told to stay at least two meters away from other people.
Ministers have put in place the guidance in a desperate bid to slow the spread of the deadly disease.
But there are growing fears some people are failing to take the outbreak seriously enough as they continue to meet up in groups and stand too close to each other.
The start of the parks shutdown came as the government updated domestic travel advice to tell people not to visit second homes, holiday homes, campsites or caravan parks.
Ministers said people should not visit those places either for self-isolation or for a holiday because doing so would place unnecessary strain on rural communities.
In Dorset many strolled across the sands while others thought nothing of going for a dip in the sea this afternoon.
London has begun to shut its public parks after thousands of people flaunted coronavirus social distancing rules at the weekend.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council has become the first local authority in the UK to close all of its parks after they were ‘full of people’ on Saturday and Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Royal Parks which runs numerous public spaces in the capital including Hyde Park, Regent’s Park and Richmond Park has threatened to shut all of its gates unless people follow social distancing guidelines.
The government has advised against all non-essential travel and social contact with those who do go outside for exercise told to stay at least two meters away from other people.
Ministers have put in place the guidance in a desperate bid to slow the spread of the deadly disease.
But there are growing fears some people are failing to take the outbreak seriously enough as they continue to meet up in groups and stand too close to each other.
The start of the parks shutdown came as the government updated domestic travel advice to tell people not to visit second homes, holiday homes, campsites or caravan parks.
Ministers said people should not visit those places either for self-isolation or for a holiday because doing so would place unnecessary strain on rural communities.
The children of coronavirus key workers including firefighters have been turned away at the school gates while parents who fail to meet the criteria have verbally abused teachers and threatened to sue, it was revealed today.
Headteachers have been ‘overwhelmed’ by applications and education experts believe the parents of two million pupils – a quarter of the total UK school population – have asked for emergency places.
Schools ordered to close for up to six months on Friday have reopened to care for children whose parents’ work is’ critical ‘to the fight against coronavirus, which has killed 490 in the UK so far.
But genuine key workers have already been turned away, with firefighter Mark Atkinson tweeting the Government this morning: ‘I’m a key worker and my child was refused entry to school today. Does the school have the right to refuse? ‘
However, where school staff have asked for proof from parents who fail to meet the criteria there have also been ugly scenes at the school gates this morning, MailOnline can reveal.
One man, whose wife is a school teacher, wrote on social media today: ‘My wife and her colleagues have been verbally abused by parents of non key workers demanding their children are in school’ .
Teachers have revealed that nail bar workers, mobile hairdressers as well as McDonald’s and KFC workers have asked for spaces for their children claiming their work is crucial to keeping the country running.
Others wanted their offspring at school because they ‘can’t cope with their kids at home for five days a week’ because they need ‘peace and quiet’.
Nicola Sturgeon Scotland warned that life ‘shouldn’t feel normal right now’ as she blasted people who were endangering lives by flouting anti – coronavirus
The First Minister said that social distancing measures were ‘not optional’ as Scots joined other Brits in widespread civil disobedience amid demands that people stay at home as much as possible.
It came as Scotland’s picturesque islands became a no-go zone for tourists, as ferry companies were instructed not to carry non-essential travellers amid reports city dwellers were seeking to flee built-up areas.
Many people continued to visit the Highlands at the weekend, often in large groups.
In a televised press conference Ms Sturgeon said: ‘Let me be clear, the advice should not be considered optional, it should be seen instead as a set of rules to be followed.
‘To protect Scotland we should all do the right thing. Life shouldn’t feel normal right now. ‘
Pen y Pass near Llanberis in Gwynedd on Sunday morning as visitors ignore requests to stay away on Snowdonia today
- Oh I do like to be beside the seaside! Visitors continued to flock to seaside resorts today including this one in West Bay, Dorset
People packed Bournemouth esplanade yesterday. Paddle boarders and swimmers braved the cold temperatures despite fears over the global coronavirus outbreak
The UK’s coronavirus death toll skyrocketed by 71 yesterday, while seven patients in Wales who tested positive for the disease have died.
The total deaths in England rose by yesterday, as a 45 – year-old is thought to be the youngest victim in Britain since the outbreak began.
All new victims in England had underlying health conditions, which is understood to include those suffering from cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases, hypertension, diabetes, as well as cancer patients.
The eldest victim was a 94 – year-old.
Eight of the new deaths in England were at Northwick Park Hospital, in North West London, which declared a ‘critical incident’ on Friday.
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