Turning local, British PM Johnson to unveil new coronavirus rules

[webfact]

Turning local, British PM Johnson to unveil new coronavirus rules

By Elizabeth Piper

 

A woman wears a face mask as she walks past a mural of a nurse following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Manchester, Britain, October 11, 2020. REUTERS/Phil Noble

 

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce new measures to tackle a growing coronavirus crisis on Monday, moving to work more closely with local leaders from England's worst affected areas.

 

Northern England has been particularly hard hit by a new surge in coronavirus cases that has forced local lockdowns as students returned to schools and universities across Britain.

 

The mayor of Liverpool, Steve Rotherham, said on Sunday that the government wanted to put his city and surrounding area in the category subject to the toughest restrictions, adding that the measures that would apply there had not yet been agreed.

 

Sky News reported this could mean shutting bars, gyms, casinos and bookmakers. Rotherham said any announcement would need to include funds for businesses that were shut.

 

With Johnson reluctant to repeat a national lockdown that would further hurt a struggling economy, the government is trying to contain both a surge in cases and growing anger in hard hit areas.

 

England's deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam described Britain as being at a "tipping point", saying the spread would soon translate into more deaths and that the country should act now.

 

Robert Jenrick, Britain's housing minister, declined to detail the new measures but said they would focus on local areas.

 

"In addition to the basic simple rules that apply to the whole country, we are designing a framework for those places for where the virus is very strong," Jenrick told Sky News.

 

After weeks in which tests were often unavailable across much of the country, Jenrick said local leaders would be more involved in contact tracing. There would also be more guidance on travel.

 

The government is expected to introduce a tier system to try to simplify the rules and the messaging, which opposition parties and some in the governing Conservative Party say has been too confusing and might have contributed to rising cases.

 

But with many in northern England having already lived with tightened restrictions for weeks, the government might have to do more to quell growing anger over any new measures.

 

Local leaders have complained for months that they were being left out of decision-making by what some called an overly centralised strategy. Some said there was still disagreement on the best way forward.

 

"We've certainly not agreed with them. I think there is probably a large gulf at the moment between us and the government," Richard Leese, the leader of Manchester City Council, told Times Radio.

 

The opposition Labour party also urged the government to offer more financial support if businesses were told to close, and said it would work on an alternative package to one announced by finance minister Rishi Sunak on Friday.

 

"What we really want ... is the government to come forward with a package of financial support that enables people to comply with the health restrictions," Lisa Nandy, Labour's foreign policy chief, told the BBC's Andrew Marr show.

 

(Reporting by Elizabeth Piper; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky and Peter Graff)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-10-12

 

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[nobodysfriend]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Britain as being at a "tipping point"

Close to the ' tipping point ' with Boris in charge ... good luck , Britain , you will need it ...

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Boris Johnson is expected to announce new measures to tackle a growing coronavirus crisis on Monday

His incompetence is proven in many domains already , but , this time , it is lives depending on his decisions .

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Local leaders have complained for months that they were being left out of decision-making by what some called an overly centralised strategy. Some said there was still disagreement on the best way forward.

In Britain , and this is historically proven , politicians always had great difficulties to find consensus . 

Now they need to find one , and that soon .

[Kaopad999]

UK should  have followed the same rules as Thailand & many other south east Asian countries from the very beginning. 
 

[edwinchester]

Sincerely hope Johnson is held accountable for the corruption and ineptitude he and his co conspirators have inflicted on the UK during this covid crisis.

[loong]

Whatever Boris does it will be wrong in some people's eyes.

All he can do is take advice from the experts in their field and make decisions accordingly.

But to be fair, there are no real experts in this current situation. This situation is unprecedented in modern times. So any decisions will involve a fair amount of guesswork.

Maybe Boris should lock everyone up as many cannot be trusted to self isolate or take sensible precautions. But I guess that wouldn't go down well.

 

What is it with Thaivisa's obsession with covid in the UK? There seems to be something every day almost!

Infections in the UK on a per capita basis are way down the list with a relatively high testing rate. As you know, the more testing, the more cases you will find.

[edwinchester]

54 minutes ago, loong said:

Whatever Boris does it will be wrong in some people's eyes.

All he can do is take advice from the experts in their field and make decisions accordingly.

But to be fair, there are no real experts in this current situation. This situation is unprecedented in modern times. So any decisions will involve a fair amount of guesswork.

Maybe Boris should lock everyone up as many cannot be trusted to self isolate or take sensible precautions. But I guess that wouldn't go down well.

 

What is it with Thaivisa's obsession with covid in the UK? There seems to be something every day almost!

Infections in the UK on a per capita basis are way down the list with a relatively high testing rate. As you know, the more testing, the more cases you will find.

The initial lockdown was delayed far too long and probably resulted in a doubling of the UK death toll. The failure of supply of personal protective equipment to NHS staff was a disgrace. The absolute failure to protect the vulnerable elderly in care homes amounts to nothing short of manslaughter. The awarding of huge contracts to Govt allies with next to no oversight and zero competition is more suited to a corrupt banana republic.

 

[PETERTHEEATER]

4 hours ago, Kaopad999 said:

UK should  have followed the same rules as Thailand & many other south east Asian countries from the very beginning. 
 

Judging from the number of changes in policy day-to-day I think Boris HAS been following Thai rules! ????

[Surelynot]

2 hours ago, edwinchester said:

Sincerely hope Johnson is held accountable for the corruption and ineptitude he and his co conspirators have inflicted on the UK during this covid crisis.

Sadly, not a snowball's chance in hell.......greased albino piglet

Edited October 12, 2020 by Surelynot

[Surelynot]

9 minutes ago, edwinchester said:

The initial lockdown was delayed far too long and probably resulted in a doubling of the UK death toll. The failure of supply of personal protective equipment to NHS staff was a disgrace. The absolute failure to protect the vulnerable elderly in care homes amounts to nothing short of manslaughter. The awarding of huge contracts to Govt allies with next to no oversight and zero competition is more suited to a corrupt banana republic.

 

Absolutely on the money

[Surelynot]

I do think the Northern Mayors could be dropping themselves right in the do-do.

 

The government is now very keen to hand over this crock of **** and they can then stand back and blame the mayors.

[dunroaming]

1 hour ago, loong said:

Whatever Boris does it will be wrong in some people's eyes.

All he can do is take advice from the experts in their field and make decisions accordingly.

But to be fair, there are no real experts in this current situation. This situation is unprecedented in modern times. So any decisions will involve a fair amount of guesswork.

Maybe Boris should lock everyone up as many cannot be trusted to self isolate or take sensible precautions. But I guess that wouldn't go down well.

 

What is it with Thaivisa's obsession with covid in the UK? There seems to be something every day almost!

Infections in the UK on a per capita basis are way down the list with a relatively high testing rate. As you know, the more testing, the more cases you will find.

Cases of Covid-19 are doubling and the death rate is rising again.  The problem is that not only did Boris and his team react much too slowly and inefficiently in the first place but they continue to screw up at every turn.  His communication has been pathetic, secrets and lies behind closed doors as usual.  The lock downs and restrictions should be run by local government in the areas that are worst effected.  Johnson promised that there would be more consultation with them but once again that consultation isn't happening.

 

And this is not just party political, many Tory backbenchers and ex cabinet members are rebelling as well.

[transam]

1 hour ago, loong said:

Whatever Boris does it will be wrong in some people's eyes.

All he can do is take advice from the experts in their field and make decisions accordingly.

But to be fair, there are no real experts in this current situation. This situation is unprecedented in modern times. So any decisions will involve a fair amount of guesswork.

Maybe Boris should lock everyone up as many cannot be trusted to self isolate or take sensible precautions. But I guess that wouldn't go down well.

 

What is it with Thaivisa's obsession with covid in the UK? There seems to be something every day almost!

Infections in the UK on a per capita basis are way down the list with a relatively high testing rate. As you know, the more testing, the more cases you will find.

Plus it is strange folk here lambaste Boris yet they don't say a word about those who are flouting previous advice, the main reason it's taken off again...Very strange..

[sammieuk1]

He needs to slap the rules on the side of a bus and everyone will remember it ????

[Surelynot]

Just now, sammieuk1 said:

He needs to slap the rules on the side of a bus and everyone will remember it ????

...and then deny it.

[transam]

3 minutes ago, dunroaming said:

Cases of Covid-19 are doubling and the death rate is rising again.  The problem is that not only did Boris and his team react much too slowly and inefficiently in the first place but they continue to screw up at every turn.  His communication has been pathetic, secrets and lies behind closed doors as usual.  The lock downs and restrictions should be run by local government in the areas that are worst effected.  Johnson promised that there would be more consultation with them but once again that consultation isn't happening.

 

And this is not just party political, many Tory backbenchers and ex cabinet members are rebelling as well.

So you don't blame the folk on the streets flouting advice, all down to Boris....????

[dunroaming]

5 minutes ago, transam said:

So you don't blame the folk on the streets flouting advice, all down to Boris....????

Actually mainly down to Cummings who pulls the strings but Boris is the one who had supposed to be in charge.

 

Of course the people need to take some responsibility for their actions but what is the point of a leader that doesn't lead and would sooner hide in a toilet than face his critics. 

[Surelynot]

4 minutes ago, dunroaming said:

Actually mainly down to Cummings who pulls the strings but Boris is the one who had supposed to be in charge.

 

Of course the people need to take some responsibility for their actions but what is the point of a leader that doesn't lead and would sooner hide in a toilet than face his critics. 

To be fair it was a fridge...

[dunroaming]

4 minutes ago, Surelynot said:

To be fair it was a fridge...

Yes it was!

[vogie]

Is it a coincidence that all the posters on here that are engaged in Boris bashing just happen to be remainers. 

[Surelynot]

22 minutes ago, vogie said:

Is it a coincidence that all the posters on here that are engaged in Boris bashing just happen to be remainers. 

I wouldn't have thought so.....they go hand in hand.

[nickmondo]

1 hour ago, edwinchester said:

The initial lockdown was delayed far too long and probably resulted in a doubling of the UK death toll. The failure of supply of personal protective equipment to NHS staff was a disgrace. The absolute failure to protect the vulnerable elderly in care homes amounts to nothing short of manslaughter. The awarding of huge contracts to Govt allies with next to no oversight and zero competition is more suited to a corrupt banana republic.

 

i absolutely agree.

Boris should be locked up!  or at the very least, told to step down.

[dunroaming]

23 minutes ago, vogie said:

Is it a coincidence that all the posters on here that are engaged in Boris bashing just happen to be remainers. 

Not still banging that old drum are you Vogie? Time to move on, we all have.  Boris screw-ups now have nothing to do with Brexit.

[damascase]

30 minutes ago, vogie said:

Is it a coincidence that all the posters on here that are engaged in Boris bashing just happen to be remainers. 

Is it a coincidence that those who follow and praise BJ blindly, whatever he says or does, are Brexiteers?

[vogie]

1 minute ago, dunroaming said:

Not still banging that old drum are you Vogie? Time to move on, we all have.  Boris screw-ups now have nothing to do with Brexit.

Time to move on, we all have. ????????????

 

Boris probably knows as much as you and myself, he is listening to his experts, do you think he is making decisions of such magnitude all by himself, I personally don't think so. 

 

 

[dunroaming]

1 minute ago, damascase said:

Is it a coincidence that those who follow and praise BJ blindly, whatever he says or does, are Brexiteers?

Always been that way!  A bit like the blindly loyal Trump supporters in the USA.

[vogie]

1 minute ago, damascase said:

Is it a coincidence that those who follow and praise BJ blindly, whatever he says or does, are Brexiteers?

I take it you are referring to people who believe in democracy, but hey don't let me stop all this bashing.????

[from the home of CC]

2 hours ago, loong said:

Whatever Boris does it will be wrong in some people's eyes.

All he can do is take advice from the experts in their field and make decisions accordingly.

But to be fair, there are no real experts in this current situation. This situation is unprecedented in modern times. So any decisions will involve a fair amount of guesswork.

Maybe Boris should lock everyone up as many cannot be trusted to self isolate or take sensible precautions. But I guess that wouldn't go down well.

 

What is it with Thaivisa's obsession with covid in the UK? There seems to be something every day almost!

Infections in the UK on a per capita basis are way down the list with a relatively high testing rate. As you know, the more testing, the more cases you will find.

I would assume that the 'obsession' with the reports is related to the nationalities employed by the website..

[Surelynot]

2 minutes ago, vogie said:

Time to move on, we all have. ????????????

 

Boris probably knows as much as you and myself, he is listening to his experts, do you think he is making decisions of such magnitude all by himself, I personally don't think so. 

 

 

I think you are correct....."Boris probably knows as much as you and myself"

[vogie]

Just now, Surelynot said:

I think you are correct....."Boris probably knows as much as you and myself"

I wasn't including you in my assessment.????

[dunroaming]

1 minute ago, vogie said:

Time to move on, we all have. ????????????

 

Boris probably knows as much as you and myself, he is listening to his experts, do you think he is making decisions of such magnitude all by himself, I personally don't think so. 

 

 

You are right.  Cummings makes the decisions and Johnson follows his lead.  But the clue is in the job title.  Prime Minister means he has has the final say on all policies.  Of course they should go before parliament first but not in Boris's world.