UK coronavirus live: local lockdown imposed in Aberdeen after 54 cases confirmed in city | The Guardian

Closures in Aberdeen to be backed by governmental regulation; government says it can’t order English schools to stay open during local lockdownsKeeping England’s schools open ‘must take priority’ in second waveEngland’s contact tracers ‘making handful of calls’ a monthLockdown has ‘pernicious impact’ on LGBT community’s mental healthLack of special border measures before lockdown ‘serious mistake’Global coronavirus updates – live 1.48pm BST Referring to the ONS analysis of the shielding population, the shadow disabilities minister Vicky Foxcroft has said:Sadly, these statistics confirm what Labour has been warning for some time, issuing back to work notices for the clinical vulnerable with no support has left many facing an impossible choice between their health and their livelihood.The government must publish the scientific advice it has received confirming it is safe for disabled and clinically vulnerable people to stop shielding. They must urgently confirm how those who cannot return to their workplace will be supported, how many people this affects and what steps they are taking to communicate this to the shielding community. 1.34pm BST The Scottish Tourism Alliance and UK Hospitality groups have responded to the first minister’s announcement on new restrictions in Aberdeen. A spokeswoman has said:Today’s announcement that restrictions will be imposed in Aberdeen from 5pm today for at least the next seven days will come as a devastating blow to the many hospitality businesses who have invested significant amounts of money in reopening and providing a safe experience to their staff and the public. Aberdeen serves as an example of how quickly the virus can reignite and illustrates the immediate impact that this has on a local economy and public health.It is absolutely critical that all businesses and customers follow the government guidelines and safety protocols stringently and that we safeguard as best as we can to prevent this situation happening elsewhere in the country. Continue reading…

Closures in Aberdeen to be backed by governmental regulation; government says it can’t order English schools to stay open during local lockdowns

• Keeping England’s schools open ‘must take priority’ in second wave
• England’s contact tracers ‘making handful of calls’ a month
• Lockdown has ‘pernicious impact’ on LGBT community’s mental health
• Lack of special border measures before lockdown ‘serious mistake’
• Global coronavirus updates – live

1.48pm BST

Referring to the ONS analysis of the shielding population, the shadow disabilities minister Vicky Foxcroft has said:

Sadly, these statistics confirm what Labour has been warning for some time, issuing back to work notices for the clinical vulnerable with no support has left many facing an impossible choice between their health and their livelihood.

The government must publish the scientific advice it has received confirming it is safe for disabled and clinically vulnerable people to stop shielding. They must urgently confirm how those who cannot return to their workplace will be supported, how many people this affects and what steps they are taking to communicate this to the shielding community.

1.34pm BST

The Scottish Tourism Alliance and UK Hospitality groups have responded to the first minister’s announcement on new restrictions in Aberdeen. A spokeswoman has said:

Today’s announcement that restrictions will be imposed in Aberdeen from 5pm today for at least the next seven days will come as a devastating blow to the many hospitality businesses who have invested significant amounts of money in reopening and providing a safe experience to their staff and the public. Aberdeen serves as an example of how quickly the virus can reignite and illustrates the immediate impact that this has on a local economy and public health.

It is absolutely critical that all businesses and customers follow the government guidelines and safety protocols stringently and that we safeguard as best as we can to prevent this situation happening elsewhere in the country.

Continue reading…