2pm update?

[rosecreakybex]

Have I imagined that we were getting clarification on everything at 2pm today?

It remains the case that some people are more clinically vulnerable to COVID-19 than others. These include those aged over 70, those with specific chronic pre-existing conditions and pregnant women. These clinically vulnerable people should continue to take particular care to minimise contact with others outside their households, but do not need to be shielded.

Those in the clinically extremely vulnerable group are strongly advised to stay at home at all times and avoid any face-to-face contact; this is called ‘shielding’. It means not leaving the house or attending gatherings at all, with very limited exceptions. Annex B sets out more detail on the guidance applicable to different vulnerable groups at this time.

The Government knows people are taking shielding advice seriously and is acutely aware of the huge commitment and resolve it requires to keep away from family and friends. Unfortunately, the current level of transmission of the virus is such that the Government needs to continue to ask that the guidance is followed. In recognition of the challenge faced by those shielding, the Government is:

● Providing essential food to those unable to leave their home. Over one million food boxes have now been delivered in England by wholesalers to those shielding who asked for help with food, with hundreds of thousands more to follow in the coming weeks. The Government has also arranged priority access to supermarket deliveries for those who have said they need it.
● Facilitating volunteer support. Up to 200,000 calls a day have been made to the shielded in England to confirm their support needs, and councils are helping to support them in other ways - including, in some cases, organising regular calls from volunteers to those isolated. Those who are shielding can also directly request the support of NHS Volunteer Responders.

The Government is also aware that when – in time – other members of society return to aspects of their normal daily lives, the challenge for those being asked to shield may deepen. The Government will continue to review the support needs of those shielding and the Government will continue to provide support to individuals for as long as they need its direct help.

Nothing new in there, but there is a definition which clearly separates out two groups: the vulnerable and the shielded.

redtoothbrush
"But there is a large societal benefit from vulnerable children, or the children of critical workers, attending school: local authorities and schools should therefore urge more children who would benefit from attending in person to do so."

This is already happening and has been since day one. No change at all here. Problem is unless soc care are going to remove children from parents for not sending them in it's impossible to get them in if the parents want them at home.

The Government is examining more stringent enforcement measures for non-compliance, as it has seen in many other countries. The Government will impose higher fines to reflect the increased risk to others of breaking the rules as people are returning to work and school. The Government will seek to make clearer to the public what is and is not allowed.

Translation. We haven't currently got a fucking clue nor a plan on how we actually impliment and enforce the new guidance. So please just be good and hope for the best.

This is poor.

reading this suggests that dc in schools could be sent in on different days or split classes
the language is vague & confusing & ambiguous
Phased return for nurseries how is this going to work?
I have read through the bit on schools & appendix A
re the wonderfully daft sentences I read was the suggestion that side by side is better than facing each other (presumably when sitting/working or talking to each other) because of droplets !

As the level of infection in the UK reduces, and the Government prepares for social contact to increase, it will be important to manage the risk of transmissions being reintroduced from abroad.

Therefore, in order to keep overall levels of infection down and in line with many other countries, the Government will introduce a series of measures and restrictions at the UK border. This will contribute to keeping the overall number of transmissions in the UK as low as possible. First, alongside increased information about the UK’s social distancing regime at the border, the Government will require all international arrivals to supply their contact and accommodation information. They will also be strongly advised to download and use the NHS contact tracing app.

Second, the Government will require all international arrivals not on a short list of exemptions to self-isolate in their accommodation for fourteen days on arrival into the UK. Where international travellers are unable to demonstrate where they would self-isolate, they will be required to do so in accommodation arranged by the Government. The Government is working closely with the devolved administrations to coordinate implementation across the UK.

^Small exemptions to these measures will be in place to provide for continued security of supply into the UK and so as not to impede work supporting national security or critical infrastructure and to meet the UK’s international obligations. All journeys within the Common Travel Area will also be exempt from these measures.

These international travel measures will not come into force on 13 May but will be introduced as soon as possible. Further details, and guidance, will be set out shortly, and the measures and list of exemptions will be kept under regular review.^

1. Not being implimented yet, cos they don't know how they are going to do it, and don't have it set up yet.
2. ALL arrivals will have to detail contact address and will be encouraged to download (the currently none existant) app.
3. There will be some exceptions to quaratine.
4. Quaratine will be in government sectioned accomodation unless someone can provide proof they can self isolate adequately.

I think understanding and not understanding is a case of big picture thinkers and detail people. The big picture thinkers can understand whereas those of us (me included) who are detail people find all of this very difficult

All of the above happens NOW except the ones that they haven't worked out how to do yet. That includes the one about increasing the number of children in school BEFORE official phrased reopenings.

I was wondering about driving lessons as well?

Anyone else still unsure on which loved ones you're allowed to see outdoors, socially distanced?

Initially said you can meet up with say, both your parents at the same time, just socially distancing, this was anecdotally changed to just one person a time, but could meet a different person later that day. The 50 page document seems to say this is limited to one other household only, so my household would have to appoint one other household, and we'd still have to see them 1 on 1 only? What would be the point if you're from the same two households?

Is that it then, no more daily briefing?

The content and timing of the second stage of adjustments will depend on the most up-to-date assessment of the risk posed by the virus. The five tests set out in the first chapter must justify changes, and they must be warranted by the current alert level.

They will be enabled by the programmes set out in the next chapter and, in particular, by continuing to bolster test and trace capabilities, protect care homes and support the clinically extremely vulnerable. It is possible that the dates set out below will be delayed if these conditions are not met. Changes will be announced at least 48 hours before coming into effect.

To aid planning, the Government's current aim is that the second step will be made no earlier than Monday 1 June, subject to these conditions being satisfied. Until that time the restrictions currently in place around the activities below will continue.

48 hours notice and MAY NOT be as of the 1st June if we have not reached the point where this is possible. This is merely a target date.

● A phased return for early years settings and schools. Schools should prepare to begin to open for more children from 1 June. The Government expects children to be able to return to early years settings, and for Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 to be back in school in smaller sizes, from this point. This aims to ensure that the youngest children, and those preparing for the transition to secondary school, have maximum time with their teachers. Secondary schools and further education colleges should also prepare to begin some face to face contact with Year 10 and 12 pupils who have key exams next year, in support of their continued remote, home learning. The Government’s ambition is for all primary school children to return to school before the summer for a month if feasible, though this will be kept under review. The Department of Education will engage closely with schools and early years providers to develop further detail and guidance on how schools should facilitate this.

Looks like they want smaller classes for Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 to begin with if feasible.

ALL primary pupils to return for a month before they close for summer. Now the last summer half term is what 6 weeks? So if they want a phased return and they want the kids to be back for a month, thats a quick return - OR - they are looking to over run into some of the summer holidays... but not explicitly saying this at this stage.

Opening non-essential retail when and where it is safe to do so, and subject to those retailers being able to follow the new COVID-19 Secure guidelines. The intention is for this to happen in phases from 1 June; the Government will issue further guidance shortly on the approach that will be taken to phasing, including which businesses will be covered in each phase and the timeframes involved. All other sectors that are currently closed, including hospitality and personal care, are not able to re-open at this point because the risk of transmission in these environments is higher. The opening of such sectors is likely to take place in phases during step three, as set out below.

No garden centres for the time being.

● Permitting cultural and sporting events to take place behind closed-doors for broadcast, while avoiding the risk of large-scale social contact.^

Football on the TV to entertain people

● Re-opening more local public transport in urban areas, subject to strict measures to limit as far as possible the risk of infection in these normally crowded spaces.

Note not RURAL areas.

@mynameislouise I thought that... so my best friend's daughter is my dd's best friend... so I can meet my friend in the. Ironing and my dd can meet hers in the afternoon... so why can't the 4 of us meet?

Since 23 March the Government has asked people to only leave the house for very limited purposes and this has been extraordinarily disruptive to people's lives.

In particular this has affected the isolated and vulnerable, and those who live alone. As restrictions continue, the Government is considering a range of options to reduce the most harmful social effects to make the measures more sustainable.

For example, the Government has asked SAGE to examine whether, when and how it can safely change the regulations to allow people to expand their household group to include one other household in the same exclusive group.

The intention of this change would be to allow those who are isolated some more social contact, and to reduce the most harmful effects of the current social restrictions, while continuing to limit the risk of chains of transmission. It would also support some families to return to work by, for example, allowing two households to share childcare.

This could be based on the New Zealand model of household "bubbles" where a single "bubble" is the people you live with. As in New Zealand, the rationale behind keeping household groups small is to limit the number of social contacts people have and, in particular, to limit the risk of interhousehold transmissions.

^In addition, the Government is also examining how to enable people to gather in slightly larger groups to better facilitate small weddings.
Over the coming weeks, the Government will engage on the nature and timing of the measures in this step, in order to consider the widest possible array of views on how best to balance the health, economic and social effects.^

So this bit is still a work in progress.

They haven't ruled out social bubbles and are considering ways to help the most isolated.

I note the one about sharing childcare here particularly. I am guessing they are suggesting parents pal up with other parents or that grandparents are allowed to share childcare in some way.

Thats the conclusion of the phase they aim to start on June 1st (but if I'm honest, I think I have doubts over that date and would suggest it may slip in some parts of the country...)

Thing is YOU need to make a risk assessment on what you do as well. I have a meeting on Wed in an empty building with one other person so will be able to social distance. I wont wear a mask but will wear gloves.

A 50 page document wont give you all the answers to every single scenario. It cannot do so and of course some people will read it the wrong way and some will just do what they like.

It is clear that family parties which include other households, birthday parties, etc with multi generational members of the family will NOT be allowed. If little ones are included in this it makes it even worse.

Saying well I could meet one person from outside and household and then 'bump' into someone else by accident is certainly not going to be in a 50 page document. As Boris says quite rightly - for those who waiting for a vaccine - it might not come. We need to find a way to live with it.

If you want lockdown to continue crack on and dont leave your home but surely you recognise it is not feasible long term.

Are there no Daily Briefings anymore?

STEP 3.

The next step will also take place when the assessment of risk warrants further adjustments to the remaining measures. The Government's current planning assumption is that this step will be no earlier than 4 July, subject to the five tests justifying some or all of the measures below, and further detailed scientific advice, provided closer to the time, on how far we can go

The ambition at this step is to open at least some of the remaining businesses and premises that have been required to close, including personal care (such as hairdressers and beauty salons) hospitality (such as food service providers, pubs and accommodation), public places (such as places of worship) and leisure facilities (like cinemas). They should also meet the COVID-19 Secure guidelines. Some venues which are, by design, crowded and where it may prove difficult to enact distancing may still not be able to re-open safely at this point, or may be able to open safely only in part. Nevertheless the Government will wish to open as many businesses and public places as the data and information at the time allows.^

In order to facilitate the fastest possible re-opening of these types of higher-risk businesses and public places, the Government will carefully phase and pilot re-openings to test their ability to adopt the new COVID-19 Secure guidelines. The Government will also monitor carefully the effects of reopening other similar establishments elsewhere in the world, as this happens. The Government will establish a series of taskforces to work closely with stakeholders in these sectors to develop ways in which they can make these businesses and public places COVID-19 Secure.

So not all pubs, leisure, facilities etc will be able to reopen in Stage 3 provisionally due to start on 4th July.

In the absence of further information there is either an unmentioned Stage 4 or the remainder of these businesses will not be allowed to reopen until all restrictions are lifted. Its not clear and if I were a small compact pub without a beer garden I'd be worried.

That is the information that schools need. No notice of this has been given to schools, they found out at the same time as everyone else. They have also not been given any further guidance other than the non guidance in this document.

But what about all these people who claimed that their sister's dogs, hairdresser's cousin was a head teacher and told her for certain that the schools wouldn't be back before September? Do you mean they were talking shit? Surely not!

Please can someone clarify the message I have read on the 'daily fail' that more key workers children encouraged to go to school. What does this mean. Mine go in as I'm a key worker but only on days I need does that mean they should/could go more?

I think there is Boris update at 7pm again but I expect they will start phasing it out and just publishing numbers through the media.

Johnson in HoC now.
You must stay at home if you have coronavirus symptoms.
If you're out and in close proximity to people from other households you should wear face masks to protect each other, especially if you've got coronavirus symptoms.

I think this is a very important new part.

5. Accurate disease monitoring and reactive measures
The success of any strategy based on releasing the current social restrictions while maintaining the epidemic at a manageable level will depend on the Government’s ability to monitor the pandemic accurately, as well as quickly detect and tackle a high proportion of outbreaks. This will be especially challenging during the winter months given that COVID-19 shares many symptoms with common colds and the flu.

As the Government lifts restrictions over the coming months, the public must be confident action will be taken quickly to deal with any new local spikes in infections, and that nationally we have a clear picture of how the level of infections is changing. To achieve this, the Government is establishing a new biosecurity monitoring system, led by a new Joint Biosecurity Centre now being established.

Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC)
The Government's new approach to biosecurity will bring together the UK’s world-leading epidemiological expertise and fuse it with the best analytical capability from across Government in an integrated approach.

The Centre will have an independent analytical function that will provide real time analysis and assessment of infection outbreaks at a community level, to enable rapid intervention before outbreaks grow. It will work closely with local partners and businesses to:

• collect a wide range of data to build a picture of COVID-19 infection rates across the country – from testing, environmental and workplace data to local infrastructure testing (e.g. swab tests);

• analyse that data to form a clear picture of changes in infection rates across the country, providing intelligence on both the overall national picture and, critically, potential community level spikes in infection rates; and

• advise the Chief Medical Officers of a change in the COVID-19 Alert level who will then advise Ministers.

The Centre will also have a response function that will advise on the overall prevalence of COVID-19 to help inform decisions to ease restrictions in a safe way. It will identify specific actions to address local spikes in infections, in partnership with local agencies – for example, advising Ministers, businesses and local partners to close schools or workplaces where infection rates have spiked, to reduce risk of further infection locally.

^Local actions triggered by JBC analysis and assessment will be guided by a clear set of protocols based on the best scientific understanding of COVID-19, and what effective local actions look like.
The JBC will be responsible for setting the new COVID-19 Alert level to communicate the current level of risk clearly to the public. The alert levels are:^

Level 1 COVID-19 is not known to be present in the UK
Level 2 COVID-19 is present in the UK, but the number of cases and transmission is low
Level 3 A COVID-19 epidemic is in general circulation
Level 4 A COVID-19 epidemic is in general circulation; transmission is high or rising exponentially
Level 5 As level 4 and there is a material risk of healthcare services being overwhelmed

The Government will engage with the devolved administrations to explore how the centre can operate most effectively across the UK, as it is established. Over time the Government will consider whether the JBC should form part of an extended infrastructure to address biosecurity threats to the UK, and whether the COVID-19 alert level system should be expanded to other potential infectious diseases

An independent 'weather service' for reporting the local R rate and advising local authorities of the risk.

Now, this sounds like it will have to be established BEFORE 1st June. If it isn't then the next phase can't start.

It appears to be a restructuring taking away the current responsibility from Public Health England to a new organisation. So I'm not entirely sure why they need to do this, other than for PR and to throw more money at the issue. (which is long overdue).

And whilst its much needed, it is only as effective if the government acts on the advice its given. (Not a given - it doesn't have statutory power to do anything meaningful. Just advise).

Please can someone clarify the message I have read on the 'daily fail' that more key workers children encouraged to go to school. What does this mean. Mine go in as I'm a key worker but only on days I need does that mean they should/could go more?

Sure, don't read they Daily Mail.
I don't think there was anything about Key Workers doing more days or anything.

Did I interpret right that we cant see another household until july at the earliest and then only one household of you are the only household they see too?

Boris Johnson has apparently just grouped childminders and nurseries together - reopening 1st June at the earliest.

I think this is where the problems really lie, especially in view of the fudge that was made to make it look like 100,000 tests a day where being done (reality being that tests that had been set to people at home, but NOT carried out nor had result were being included to save the blushes of Matt Hancock).

The Government has appointed Baroness Harding to lead the COVID-19 Test and Trace Taskforce. This programme will ensure that, when someone develops COVID-19-like symptoms, they can rapidly have a test to find out if they have the virus – and people who they’ve had recent close contact with can be alerted and provided with advice. This will:

● identify who is infected more precisely, to reduce the number of people who are selfisolating with symptoms but who are not actually infected, and to ensure those who are infected continue to take stringent self-isolation measures; and
● ensure those who have been in recent close contact with an infected person receive rapid advice and, if necessary, self-isolate, quickly breaking the transmission chain.

This cycle of testing and tracing will need to operate quickly for maximum effect, because relative to other diseases (for example SARS) a proportion of COVID-19 sufferers almost certainly become infectious to others before symptoms are displayed; and almost all sufferers are maximally infectious to others as soon as their symptoms begin even if these are initially mild.

For such a system to work, several systems need to be built and successfully integrated. These include:
● widespread swab testing with rapid turn-around time, digitally-enabled to order the test and securely receive the result certification; ● local authority public health services to bring a valuable local dimension to testing, contact tracing and support to people who need to self-isolate;
● automated, app-based contact-tracing through the new NHS COVID-19 app to (anonymously) alert users when they have been in close contact with someone identified as having been infected; and ● online and phone-based contact tracing, staffed by health professionals and call handlers and working closely with local government, both to get additional information from people reporting symptoms about their recent contacts and places they have visited, and to give appropriate advice to those contacts, working alongside the app and the testing system.

Anyone with symptoms should isolate immediately, alongside their households, and apply for a test. If a negative test is returned, then isolation is no longer required. Once identified, those contacts considered to be at risk will be asked to isolate, either at the point of a positive test or after 48 hours - whichever is sooner.

This all has to be in place BEFORE 1st June (I presume its actually earlier than this to facilitate the 48 hours notice of Stage 2).

Is this realistic?

Thats a question I am not sure about. We have 3 weeks. The press should be asking six zillion questions about this aspect of the plan.