Social gatherings of more than six people are to be banned in England from Monday, as COVID-19 infections rise among young people.
Key points:
- PM leads news conference from Downing Street and says ‘we must act’ to stop spike
- Social gatherings of more than six people to be banned in England from Monday
- Plans to reopen stadiums will be reviewed in light of spike
- Boris Johnson wants 500,000 tests a day by October
- A further 2,659 cases on Wednesday, with eight deaths
- Oxford vaccine trial put on hold as volunteer suffers suspected serious adverse reaction
- Health secretary blames people with no symptoms getting tests on system strain
- Are you having problems getting tested? Get in touch with Sky News via WhatsApp – 07583 000853, email – news@sky.com or ‘Your Report’ on Sky News apps
18:39
That’s it for today
If you want to read more, click here for our story on the PM’s announcement and here if you want to find out how the rules change in England from Monday.
Thanks for reading, and goodnight!18:01
Cases are rising among younger groups – these charts show where
17:56
ANALYSIS: It’s going to be a long winter ahead
By Beth Rigby, political editor
The prime minister is a glass-half-full person, the nation’s cheerleader-in-chief; but even he struggled to inject optimism in his biggest reversal of lockdown easing to date.
Announcing that he was going to ban gatherings above six people, he told the public it “broke his heart” that he’d have to stop families and friends seeing each other again. And he couldn’t even promise that these sacrifices would be short-lived. When I asked him if he thought we could gather together in groups for Christmas he told me simply: “It’s too early to say.”
Rewind to 17 July when the prime minister announced an easing of restrictions. He told the public that it was his “sincere and strong hope that we will be able to review outstanding restrictions and allow a more significant return to normality from November at the earliest – possibly in time for Christmas.”
Now, we are going in the other way. Restrictions are being reviewed, but with a view of tightening the rules rather than easing them. Social gatherings are being limited while the re-opening of sports stadia and conference centres due in the autumn is now in doubt.
After weeks of more relaxed rules, the number of COVID cases is now rising, with a particularly “step uptick” among younger adults, and our social lives are the first freedoms to be sacrificed once more as the prime minister strives to constrain the virus, keep schools and offices open while avoiding a national lockdown.
And is not just a blip. As Sir Patrick Vallace, the chief scientific adviser, said in the press conference on Wednesday, the number of cases will inevitably rise when we move into the winter and the virus becomes more virulent. Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, said these restrictions would be in place for a “block of time” with Whitehall sources admitting that block is likely to be three months or more.
The prime minister, trying to sugarcoat the bitter pill, flagged again his hope that a testing “moonshot” – regular mass testing to allow for a return to normal life – might mean parties, big family gatherings, sporting events, theatre visits might be back on. But it’s a long shot to say the least: Sir Patrick quite clear that they don’t yet know if these daily saliva tests work.
“They have not been validated.” The PM’s moonshot certainly a long shot. What is closer to home is the grim reality that the country is far from defeating Coronavirus and it’s going to be long winter ahead. 17:44
New restrictions explained
New rules banning social gatherings of more than six people will come into force in England on Monday as the government seeks to curb the rise in coronavirus cases.
The change in the law is being introduced after the number of daily positive COVID-19 cases in the UK rose to almost 3,000.
But what are the new rules, what happens if you break them and how do they differ around the UK?
17:22
Graduation party outbreak
Twelve people have tested positive for coronavirus after a graduation party at a pub in Nottinghamshire.
The Royal Oak in Watnall said the customers had tested positive for COVID-19 following the party which took place in the pub’s annex on Saturday 29 August.
Read more here.17:21
Labour supports the measures
17:11
ANALYSIS: New restrictions – and an exit plan that looks a way off
By Kate McCann, political correspondent
The idea of a team of COVID-secure marshals patrolling towns and cities around England to ensure people keep their distance would have been unimaginable just a few months ago.
But today Boris Johnson announced this and a host of other new rules designed to crack down on an increase in COVID-19 cases just as the country prepares to hunker down for winter.
Mr Johnson and his scientific advisers know this is the most dangerous moment for the country as people return to work and school, spend more time indoors and grow tired of having to stay apart from friends and family.
They also know they need to act quickly and decisively to try and change the course of the spread before it is too late.
Cutting the number of people who can meet to just six, indoors and out, making it compulsory to hand over contact details when you visit a bar or restaurant and toughening up measures at the border are all part of this plan.
But the prime minister also gave a hint of his exit strategy to free the country of the measures he so desperately wishes he didn’t have to impose.
Mass public testing on a huge scale could, Mr Johnson said, allow people without the virus to live their lives as normal. A pilot will start in Salford next month, testing people at indoor and outdoor events to allow those without the virus to attend as normal and weed out those who are infectious.
However, the technology, distribution network and means to deliver such an ambitious plan is a long way off.
The prime minister clearly wishes he didn’t have to introduce new tougher measures, he knows people will be less receptive to staying apart the second time around.
“Of course I don’t feel comfortable [introducing this],” he told viewers, “It breaks my heart to have to insist on these restrictions upon individuals, upon families.”
“But those inside Number 10 fear if these new measures are ignored a much broader lockdown could be on the way to protect the most vulnerable this winter.”17:07
Maximum fine for breaking the new ‘rule of six’ will be £3,20017:06
‘Dose of realism from glass-half-full PM’
That’s it for the Number 10 coronavirus briefing, as Mr Johnson, Sir Patrick and Prof Whitty exit after around an hour.
Our political editor Beth Rigby gives her thoughts on how it went.
“Wasn’t it interesting that this PM who’s a glass-half-full guy was pretty much giving us a dose of realism.
“He was trying to be upbeat but the reality was pretty stark – backed up by Prof Chris Whitty.”17:02
Do quickfire tests actually work?
Sir Patrick, asked about how reliable the quick tests the PM wants to roll out are, says of some “we don’t yet know that they work” and they are currently being validated.
Prof Whitty also adds they are “building on very established principles” of testing that does work so he think it’s “likely we will have tests of this sort at some point in the not too distant future”.
He calls on minister not to “pin ourselves to a date and say ‘by this time, this will be achieved’ because that’s not the way science moves”.
He adds: “We have to be absolutely sure that these tests work and that they work at scale.”16:59
Is Christmas cancelled?
16:54
Restrictions are damaging but ‘alternative is worse’
Prof Whitty, asked if fatigue is setting in, says Britons have been “absolutely magnificent” and endured “great hardships – economic and social”.
He admits the coronavirus restrictions have been socially and economically damaging but cautions “we have to do them because the alternative is worse” – such as the NHS being overwhelmed.
There isn’t any evidence people “cannot endure” restrictions, he adds, they just want to know why they must follow them.16:46
PM says announcing these new restrictions ‘breaks my heart’
Boris Johnson says it “breaks my heart” to put restrictions on families meeting – particularly elderly relatives.
But he says young people are “more than capable of transmitting it to a much more-vulnerable generation” and he wants to protect the health system and save lives.
“That’s why we’re instituting this very tough enforcement… but I want to stress.. the reason we’re doing this is precisely because we want to prevent a wider lockdown, a wider damage to the economy.”
Sir Patrick says the R rate – the average number of people someone with COVID-19 passes it on to – needs to come back below one.16:46
‘Too early to say’ if it will be a more normal Christmas
Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby asks about the PM’s claim on 17 July that he hoped there would be a “significant return to normality” in the autumn – so without mass testing, will people have to accept Christmas won’t be like normal?
Mr Johnson says it’s “just too early to say”.
The PM said earlier in the briefing he was “hopeful” that “we could be able to get some aspects of our lives back to normal by Christmas”.
That would be done by daily rapid testing which gives you a “passport” or “freedom to mingle” with anyone else who is not infectious in a way that is currently impossible, he explains.
“We cannot be 100% sure that we can deliver that.”
Prof Whitty is also asked if he’s worried about testing capacity being strained before the winter has even started.
He says the UK is in a “much better place” to understand what is going on and to provide tests. But “clearly, at any point, there are more things we could do if we had more testing”.
It’s “critical” that people who do need to be tested get tested and also that people who don’t have a clinical need do not get tested.
Tom Rayner@RaynerSkyNews·Sep 9, 2020Replying to @RaynerSkyNewsPM says initial pilot of rapid pre-testing of audiences attending indoor & outdoor venues to start in Salford next month, with aim of “widespread” use by spring. Adds that “challenging sectors” like theatres could have access before xmas “if everything comes together”
Tom Rayner@RaynerSkyNewsPM says “I’m still hopeful that we could be able to get some aspects of our lives back to normal by Christmas”
But the chief medical officer very clearly pushing back on that idea, emphasising the next 6 months are going to be “difficult”4:41 PM · Sep 9, 2020
16:39
WATCH: PM sets out ‘rule of six’
16:36
How long will these changes last?
Moving on to questions from the media, Mr Johnson says “the whole objective of what we’re doing is to allow” reopening of schools and universities to “continue”.
So it’s about “intensifying” the message that people should not be gathering in groups of more than six.
It is about trying to “prevent a wholesale national lockdown”, he adds.
Prof Whitty says in winter, respiratory viruses “have an advantage” and it’s “going to be difficult”.
The restrictions may not last many months but it’s unlikely to only last two or three weeks, he adds.
It’s not a “very short-term thing”.
16:34
Could schools have to close again?
Prof Chris Whitty says infection rates are currently low in schools, but “if there were to be a change in that” the “current policies would have to be looked at again”.16:29
Oxford vaccine delay after volunteer experiences side effects
Chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance says: “That is not an unusual thing in a phase three programme – it’s exactly why these trials happen.
“A pause is obviously not good… but it’s sensible to look at it very seriously and see what’s going on.”
He says this shows Oxford vaccine process is ahead of others.16:27
Pilot of quick tests to begin – ‘500,000 a day by October’ – ambition is for ‘millions’ per day
Boris Johnson says he wants to roll out new, faster tests which are simple, quick swabs and turn around result in as low as 20 minutes.
He has plans for them to be on a “far bigger scale than any country has achieved” to help the country return to normal, for example to test people at theatres and sports venues – with those who test negative being allowed in “exactly as in the world before COVID”.
The approach will be piloted in Salford from next month in outdoor and indoor venues, the PM says, with a hope to go nationwide after that.
The PM said the government is “working hard” to increase testing capacity to 500,000 a day by the end of October.
“Up to now, we have used testing primarily to identify people who are positive – so we can isolate them from the community and protect high risk groups.
“And that will continue to be our priority. We are working hard to increase our testing capacity to 500,000 tests a day by the end of October.
“But in future, in the near future, we want to start using testing to identify people who are negative – who don’t have coronavirus and who are not infectious – so we can allow them to behave in a more normal way, in the knowledge they cannot infect anyone else with the virus.
“And we think, we hope, we believe that new types of test which are simple, quick and scalable will become available.
“They use swabs or saliva and can turn round results in 90 or even 20 minutes.”
“Crucially, it should be possible to deploy these tests on a far bigger scale than any country has yet achieved – literally millions of tests processed every single day.”
16:22
PM’s personal plea to students
Boris Johnson says he doesn’t want to close schools again – it would be a “very, very last resort” and “thankfully we’re not seeing that much transmission in schools”.
89% of pupils are back in the classroom, he adds.
Opening universities is also “critical” and the health risks to students are “low”, he says, but admits many students are in the age bracket where cases are rising.
He sends them a direct message: “Please for the sake of your education, parents’ and grandparents’ health, wash your hands, cover your face, make space and don’t socially gather in groups more than six now and when term starts.”16:18
PM announces government will review plans to let people back into stadiums and conference centres16:17
PM wants to simplify ‘complicated’ rules
Prime Minister Boris Johnson takes centre stage now, urging people to remember the “hands, face, space” slogan underpinning the government’s new public awareness campaign.
He says testing capacity will grow – so people should only to book a test if they have coronavirus symptoms.
If you don’t and you haven’t been asked to book a test, please don’t, he implores.
Mr Johnson admits the rules have changed over time so now they are “complicated and confusing” so they will be simplified and made easier for people to understand and the police to enforce.
“It’s safer to meet outdoors and you should keep your distance from anyone you live with.”
He confirms that from Monday, the law will be changed to ban people from meeting up to socialise in groups of more than six – coming down from 30.
Those who break the rules can be dispersed, fined and arrested.
And hospitality businesses will be forced to collect the contact details of patrons – with those who refuse to or are not COVID-secure facing fines.
COVID-secure “marshals” will also be employed, the PM explains.
Some premises will also have their opening hours restricted, he adds.16:13
Government ‘needs to act’
Prof Whitty then presents a graphic showing coronavirus cases improving into the beginning of August. But now the numbers are “beginning to creep up again”.
“This is across the country,” he says, so that is why the government “needs to act”.16:11
What happens if ministers do nothing?
Prof Whitty says there is a “need for action” – the graph below shows the UK and three other countries in Europe with the timelines moved so the UK’s graph is brought four weeks forward.
“We’re following a pattern extremely similar to what France followed” where the rate “continued to go up”.
16:09
How much are cases rising among different ages in young people?
Prof Whitty says the group of people 17-21 “those have gone up really quite steeply since the middle of August”.
16:08
‘Rapid upticks’ in cases among 10-19-year-olds
Next Prof Whitty presents the number of cases among different age groups.
16:07
Virus cases going up ‘much more rapidly’
Prof Chris Whitty is the first to speak, presenting a graph on the number of COVID-19 cases.
16:06
Downing Street coronavirus briefing begins
Mr Johnson, Sir Patrick and Prof Whitty enter that famous wood-paneled room and stand at their lecterns, ready to deliver their statements and take questions.
15:59
Eight more deaths and thousands of new infections
A further 2,659 people have tested positive for coronavirus, according to new government figures.
And sadly another eight people have died – taking the total to 41,594 across the UK.15:56
The familiar trio will be on your screen shortly
Boris Johnson will be flanked at this afternoon’s news conference by two familiar faces.
Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser, and Prof Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, are both being brought out, in a sign of how significant this briefing may be. 15:27
Boris Johnson to speak at 4pm
A reminder that the Prime Minister is holding a news conference from Downing Street at 4pm.
He will outline the change in the law reducing the legal limit on social gatherings from 30 people to six which was announced late last night.
During PMQs Mr Johnson insisted that the new rules – which will come into force in England on Monday – would “keep our economy going, keep our schools open, and keep this virus under control”.
Watch the conference live on Sky News and follow all of the latest here.15:12
Furious Speaker demands Matt Hancock apologises
The Commons Speaker has threatened to run Matt Hancock “ragged” over his failure to inform MPs first about major changes to coronavirus restrictions.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle said he accepted decisions are taken in a fast-moving way but blasted the Health Secretary for not telling the Commons about new rules banning social gatherings of more than six people.
The Covid-19 policy change was officially released via the media on Tuesday evening.
15:02
Portugal reports highest number of cases since 20 April
Portugal has reported 646 new coronavirus cases, the highest daily toll since 20 April, with transmission primarily occurring in family households, health secretary of state Jamila Madeira told a news conference.
New cases fell to around 100 a day at the beginning of August but have crept back up since then, worrying the tourism industry as it waits to hear whether it will taken back out of the UK’s air bridge list.
Stricter measures to curb the coronavirus outbreak will be introduced across Portugal from mid-September as students return to schools and many workers go back to the office, although details have yet to be announced.14:48
India records another 89,700 coronavirus cases
India has added another 89,706 coronavirus cases to the second-highest tally in the world.
The government has said schools will reopen later this month for senior students after being closed for more than five months.
The Taj Mahal will reopen on 21 September with restrictions to prevent overcrowding.
India now has more than 4.37 million confirmed infections.
The Health Ministry also reported 1,115 deaths, taking fatalities to 73,890.
More than 1 million people have tested positive for coronavirus in India in less than two weeks.
14:41
Coronavirus spread continues in Wales
Figures published by Public Health Wales show Caerphilly has had 33 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours.
Rhondda Cynon Taf saw an increase of 20 cases, while Newport had 18 new cases, 13 in Cardiff and 12 in Merthyr Tydfil.
Dr Giri Shankar, of Public Health Wales, said: “We are concerned at the significant rise in positive coronavirus cases in the Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf areas over the past few days, and our investigations indicate that a lack of social distancing by people of all age groups in a range of different locations has resulted in the spread of the virus to other parts of the population.
“It appears that as lockdown restrictions have eased, people have taken advantage of the greater possibilities for activities, but they seem to have forgotten the importance of social distancing – resulting in possible transmission in the wider community.”
14:31
Do new restrictions mean sport pilot events are on hold?
Sport pilot events in England scheduled for the rest of September look set to be halted as coronavirus restrictions are tightened nationwide.
Officials from Doncaster racecourse announced that following today’s trial with crowds at the St Leger Festival, the remainder of the meeting will take place behind closed doors.
The St Leger was one of a number of events confirmed as pilot events for spectators back on 26 August, in the lead-up to a planned wider return of sports spectators on a socially-distanced basis from 1 October.
Today’s racing was the first to allow in spectators since March.Other scheduled pilot events are a Women’s Super League football match between West Ham and Arsenal on Saturday, football’s non-league finals day on 27 September, race meetings at Warwick and Newmarket on 21 and 24 September respectively, a basketball exhibition match in Newcastle on 18 September and a speedway event in Ipswich on 26 September.
14:17
Wide-scale social restrictions reimposed in Indonesian capital
Jakarta will reinstate wide-scale social restrictions as coronavirus cases and deaths increase and hospitals fill up, the city’s governor Anies Baswedan has said.
The restrictions will be reintroduced again “as soon as possible”, Mr Baswedan told a virtual press briefing, adding that beds in intensive care units will be full as soon as 15 September even if 20% more beds are added.
The social restrictions will be introduced in stages, and starting on 14 September non-essential work must be done from home.
13:55
UAE sees biggest rise in COVID cases in more than three months
The United Arab Emirates has recorded 883 new coronavirus cases, the country’s biggest daily jump since late May.
The figures bring the total number of recorded infections to 75,981 and 393 confirmed deaths.
It comes as students return to schools and tourists return to the skyscraper-studded city of Dubai, while testing has been ramped up with 85,917 virus tests conducted in the past day.
13:37
UEFA moves Champions League draw from Athens
The draws for this season’s Champions League and Europa League group stages have been moved from Athens because they would break local COVID-19 rules about large indoor gatherings, UEFA says.
The Champions League draw will instead take place without guests at its own headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, on 1 October, and the Europa League draw there the next day.
“All parties agreed that the top priority must remain public health and that it currently would not be possible to organise an event of such size with guests in Athens, as it would violate public health restrictions and constraints regarding indoor events,” UEFA said in a statement.
The Champions League group stage will start later than usual on 20 October.
The 2020/21 club competition group stage draws and 2019/20 awards will now take place in Nyon, Switzerland.
1 October – @ChampionsLeague group stage draw and 2019/20 awards.
2 October – @EuropaLeague group stage draw and 2019/20 player of the season award.
13:27
‘Government lurching from crisis to crisis’
13:11
‘It’s not going the right way,’ says Dutch health minister as COVID cases rise
The number of new coronavirus cases registered in the Netherlands surged to 1,140 in the past 24 hours, the country’s health minister has said, the highest daily total since April.
Hugo de Jonge announced the figures recorded by the National Institute for Health (RIVM) during a live video stream, saying: “It’s not going the right way.”
A day earlier the country recorded 964 cases, with cases rising quickly among young adults.
The RIVM said the increase was not tied to the reopening of primary schools across the country during the last three weeks.
13:04
‘Thousands of extremists joined virus crackdown protest’
German security officials say thousands of extremists took part in a demonstration against the country’s coronavirus restrictions last month that ended in attempts by some protesters to storm parliament.
They said a preliminary review of images from 29 August indicated at least 2,500 to 3,000 right-wing extremists and Reich Citizens took part in the protests.
The Reich Citizens movement disputes the legitimacy of the post-World War II German constitution.
Some German politicians have said Berlin police appeared to have been ill prepared for the demonstration.
12:51
Will students fuel second COVID wave?
12:45
Speaker slams govt for not announcing new COVID rules in Commons
Speaker Lindsay Hoyle has criticised the government for not announcing the new coronavirus rules in the commons, saying the “total disregard for this chamber is not acceptable”.
He has threatened to run Matt Hancock “ragged” over his failure to inform MPs first about major changes to coronavirus restrictions.
He said he accepted decisions are taken in a fast-moving way but blasted the health secretary for not telling the Commons about new rules banning social gatherings of more than six people.
Mr Hancock made a Commons statement earlier yesterday to update MPs about COVID-19 – but the policy change was officially released via the media last night.
Sir Lindsay said he had written to Mr Hancock and criticised his “total disregard” for the Commons.
He added: “I expect the Secretary of State to apologise to members and make sure that this chamber knows first of when he was fully aware of what was going to be said later.
“And let me say, if this minister wants to run this chamber ragged I can assure you now I’m sure a UQ (urgent question) every day might just begin to run him ragged.”
12:41
Oxford vaccine trial pause a ‘routine occurrence’
Sky’s Africa correspondent John Sparks says participants due for a second dose have been rescheduled to later in the week/early next week.
The Oxford coronavirus vaccine trial is facing a “challenge”, the health secretary has admitted, after it was put on hold due to a suspected serious adverse reaction in one of its volunteers.
A spokesperson for AstraZeneca – the drugmaker working with Oxford University – explained it was a “routine action” and that it is speeding up the investigation to minimise any potential impact on the trial’s timeline.
“We are committed to the safety of our participants and the highest standards of conduct in our trials,” they added.
John Sparks@sparkomatI’ve spoken to the South African organisers of the AstraZeneca/Oxford University COVID19 vaccine trial – participants due for 2nd dose have been rescheduled to later in the week/early next week. The pause in trial, a ‘routine occurrence’ they say….12:31 PM · Sep 9, 2020
12:33
Young people behind rise in COVID cases
12:28
Have you encountered problems with the testing system? We want to hear your stories
Get in touch with Sky News:
:: WhatsApp – 07583 000853
:: Email – news@sky.com
:: ‘Your Report’ on Sky News apps
Rowland Manthorpe@rowlsmanthorpeHave you encountered problems with the testing system? Let me know – we want to hear your stories12:01 PM · Sep 9, 2020
Rowland Manthorpe@rowlsmanthorpeThe messages on the government testing website are a fascinating example of personalisation online
Who gets which message? Is it decided purely on locality or are there other factors in play?
12:17
Test and Trace far from ‘world-beating system’ PM promised
“I just want it fixed,” says Sir Keir Starmer. “We’ll all muck in.” he tells the prime minister.
“People are trying to do the right thing”, he continues, and says the government side of the bargain was to deliver an effective Test and Trace programme.
“But there is a glaring hole,” says the Labour leader.
When did the PM know there was a problem? – he asks.
He says the existing programme is “far from the world-beating system he promised”.
Boris Johnson says he’s working “flat out” and “making the tough decisions”.
He then pivots to attacking Sir Keir, saying he dithered about backing children going back to school and is silent on the Internal Market Bill due to be published later today “because he doesn’t want to offend the huge number of his backbenchers”.
“All he does is sit on the sidelines and carp.”
12:14
PM tries to frame Sir Keir’s criticism of Test and Trace system as attack on NHS
Beth Rigby@BethRigbyPM asking Starmer to take back what he said in interview with us (and others) yesterday – that the test & trace system is on the ‘verge of collapse’ > Trying to frame Starmer’s criticism of the system as an attack on NHS. Starmer tells him he is ‘ignoring the problem’ #PMQS12:11 PM · Sep 9, 2020
12:11
PM says he ‘expects everybody in this country to obey the law’
Beth Rigby@BethRigbyAs PM paves way for changes to Covid rules, he’s asked in chamber how the public can be expected to follow the rule of law when his own govt doesn’t. PM says he “expects everybody in this country to obey the law” #PMQs12:07 PM · Sep 9, 2020
