Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

UK is 'cautiously' easing lockdown based on 'overall view' of scientists, says Alok Sharma

THE British government is following scientific advice in cautiously easing the coronavirus lockdown, Alok Sharma said on Monday (1), after criticism from some prominent epidemiologists.

"Of course scientific advice does differ, but I think the key point is what is the overall view from SAGE?" the business secretary told BBC TV.


"The overall view from SAGE -- the scientific advisory group on emergencies which advises the government -- their overall view is that we must do this cautiously and that is precisely what we are doing," Sharma said, adding that if people obeyed the rules there was a good likelihood that R0 would not go above 1.

"These are very cautious steps that we are taking," he stressed, while adding it was a "very sensitive moment".

English schools reopened today for the first time since they were shut 10 weeks ago because of the coronavirus pandemic, but many parents planned to keep children at home amid fears ministers were moving too fast.

The easing of strict measures will mean classes will restart for some younger children, up to six people can meet outside in England, outdoor markets can reopen, elite competitive sport can resume without spectators and more than two million of the most vulnerable will now be allowed to spend time outdoors.

On Sunday, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab defended the government's loosening of the lockdown, saying it was the "right step to be taking" at this time.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has come under fire from some scientists for easing a lockdown put in place 10 weeks ago, with several saying it was a premature and risky move in the absence of a fully functioning system to track new outbreaks.

Britain has one of the world's highest death rates from COVID-19 and the government says it is easing the stringent lockdown cautiously to balance the need to restart the economy while also trying to prevent another increase in the number of infections.

"We are confident that this is the right step to be taking at this moment in time," Raab told Sky News. "We are taking those steps very carefully, based on the science but also based on our ability now to monitor the virus."

From Monday, up to six people will be able to meet outside in England, some school classes will restart, elite competitive sport can resume without spectators and more than two million people who have been "shielding" will be allowed to spend time outdoors.

England's deputy chief medical officer, Jenny Harries, emphasised the need for people to remain on their guard.

"This is a really, really critical time. So where we are seeing (that) government is easing measures, the public really, really need to stick to those measures," she told a news conference.

TEST AND TRACE

At the heart of the strategy to ease the lockdown is a system to test and trace those people who have come into contact with confirmed cases of Covid-19.

On Sunday, the government said it had met its 200,000 capacity testing target, including the means for 40,000 antibody tests a day, which Health Secretary Matt Hancock described as "an important milestone".

Ministers also say the tracing system is already working, though some scientists warned that it is too early to say whether it is fit for purpose and fear that it might not be able to cope if the lockdown easing increases the transmission rate.

Britain has recorded more than 38,000 deaths from confirmed Covid-19 cases. The Office of National Statistics and other sources of data put the figure of fatalities from suspected and confirmed cases at 48,000.

Peter Openshaw, a member of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group and who sits on the government's scientific advisory group, said he shared other scientists' "deep concern".

"I think unlocking too fast carries a great risk that all the good work that has been put in by everyone to try to reduce transmission may be lost," he told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted that he was "deeply concerned we are now rushing too fast to lift lockdown measures".

"I urge Londoners to act with caution -- lives depend on it," he added.

More For You

Weight Loss Drug

Health officials expect the rollout to benefit around 220,000 adults over the next 3 years

iStock

NHS GPs to prescribe Mounjaro in nationwide obesity treatment plan

Key points

  • NHS GPs in England can now prescribe Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for weight loss
  • The programme aims to support 220,000 people over three years
  • Eligible patients must have a BMI over 40 and at least four obesity-related health issues
  • GP leaders raise concerns over increased workload
  • Pharmacists urge a broader weight management approach

NHS expands obesity treatment with Mounjaro

The NHS in England is set to begin prescribing Mounjaro, a weight loss injection, through GP surgeries starting Monday. The move marks the first time family doctors will be authorised to directly prescribe the anti-obesity drug tirzepatide as part of a wider national health initiative.

Health officials expect the rollout to benefit around 220,000 adults over the next three years. The drug will be made available to those with a body mass index (BMI) above 40 who also suffer from at least four other obesity-related conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnoea.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK heatwave deaths

Around 85% of the projected deaths are likely to involve people over the age of 65

iStock

Scientists warn current UK heatwave may cause nearly 600 early deaths

Almost 600 premature deaths are expected to occur during the ongoing heatwave affecting England and Wales, according to a new rapid analysis by leading scientists. The majority of fatalities are projected among older adults, with London and the West Midlands likely to be the worst-affected areas.

Climate change driving deadly temperatures

Researchers say the extreme temperatures, which have reached 32°C in parts of south-east England, would have been nearly impossible without the influence of human-caused climate change. Pollution from burning fossil fuels has raised the likelihood of such heatwaves by around 100 times, experts say.

Keep ReadingShow less
From silence to spotlight: How Ella D’Verma turned her truth into power

In a world still catching up with the truths of trans identity

Instagram / elladverma

From silence to spotlight: How Ella D’Verma turned her truth into power

AS Pride Month sweeps across the world in a blaze of colour, protest and celebration, one Indian voice continues to rise with unwavering authenticity. Ella D’Verma is reshaping narratives as a transgender model, fearless LGBTQ+ advocate and digital content creator with a powerful global following.

In a world still catching up with the truths of trans identity, her visibility has become vital – the embodiment of pride in action. In this exclusive conversation with Eastern Eye, she speaks about her journey, the importance of visibility, self-expression, navigating the fashion industry as a trans model, representation, and her vision for the future.

Keep ReadingShow less
Amycretin

'The Lancet' and presentations at the American Diabetes Association’s 2025

iStock

New weight-loss pill Amycretin shows greater impact than jabs, study finds

A new weight-loss drug, amycretin, has delivered the most significant results yet for appetite-suppressing GLP-1 medications, according to two newly published studies in The Lancet and presentations at the American Diabetes Association’s 2025 Scientific Sessions in Chicago.

Record weight loss from Amycretin injections

Researchers found that participants receiving high-dose weekly injections of amycretin lost 24.3 per cent of their body weight over 36 weeks. This outcome surpasses the results seen in longer trials involving other GLP-1 drugs such as tirzepatide (sold as Mounjaro), which previously led the field with an average weight loss of 20 per cent over 72 weeks.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asian representation Parkinson’s awareness

Organisations like Parkinson’s UK are so vital.

Instagram/ itsmitamistry

Joining the movement: Championing Asian representation and Parkinson’s awareness through sport

Mita Mistry

I recently joined the incredible team at the Asian Sports Foundation. It is an honour to work alongside passionate individuals such as Shazia Ali, Harleen Kaur and Angus Martin. Since it was founded by Jug Johal, the Asian Sports Foundation has worked to transform inactivity into active living, promoting better wellbeing and greater representation of Asian communities in sport and physical activity.

This is a cause close to my heart. The undeniable power of sport and movement to improve both physical and mental health cannot be overstated. It is a message I have consistently championed, alongside a commitment to equity and inclusion, which is why I am so excited to contribute to a charity that truly embodies this ethos.

Keep ReadingShow less