Coronavirus news latest – Over 150 mass vaccination centres could CLOSE next month threatening to derail UK’s jab blitz

UK CAR OUTPUT FALLS 14% IN FEB AMID COVID HIT

 British car production fell to its lowest February level since 2010 after an annual 14% drop as lockdown measures, global supply chain problems and new customs processes hit the industry, a trade body said on Friday.

Dealerships in England will not reopen to the public until at least April 12 as part of efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 whilst a shortage of semi-conductors and Brexit deal rule changes have also impacted some businesses.

A total of 105,008 cars were produced in Britain last month, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

« These figures are yet more evidence of how badly coronavirus has hit UK car production, » said SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes.

CALLING TIME

Landlords have already called time on Boris Johnson’s suggestion that Covid “vaccination passports” could be required to enter pubs.

Publicans, MPs and drinkers all rallied against the Prime Minister’s idea that customers should prove their health credentials at boozers.

Along with the proof of having a vaccination, other suggestions to offer Brits a freedom pass include past infection or a recent negative test recorded on the ‘passport’ smartphone app.

Those who have had Covid will be able to show proof of their immunity from the bug on the NHS app even if they have not been jabbed.

But landlords insisted: “The only ID we need is proof of age.” And trade bodies said making entry conditional on jabs was “simply unworkable” and would cause conflict between staff and customers.

EU LOSE

Ursula von der Leyen cut a lonely figure last night after her barmy jabs blockade was snubbed EU leaders who instead made a peace offering to Britain.

After a meeting of European leaders ran late into the evening they resoundingly rejected her cack-handed attempts to restrict shipments of jabs to the UK to spike our soaring rates.

Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel said she wanted a “win-win” situation with Britain, adding she wanted to act “sensibly politically.”

While the Dutch PM Mark Rutte said: We are friends us and the UK and we need each other.”

And he warned production Pfizer’s factory in Belgium would be badly hit by tit-for-tat conflict with Britain.

TWO ARRESTED OVER DEADLY CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK AT CARE HOME IN DEVON

Police have arrested two members of staff at a South Devon care home in connection with a Covid-19 outbreak that is believed to have caused multiple deaths.

Nine deaths have been reported at Holmesley Care Home in Sidford since February 25, which are all believed to be coronavirus-related.

A 57-year-old woman from Sidmouth and a 30-year-old man from Exeter have been arrested on suspicion of wilful neglect under the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015, according to Devon & Cornwall Police.

Both are said to be members of staff at the care home. No other arrests are currently planned by police in relation to the ongoing enquiry, the force said.

The investigation is being led by the force in partnership with a multi-agency safeguarding response.

EC CHIEF WARNS AZ MUST HONOUR CONTRACT BEFORE EXPORTING JABS ELSEWHERE

The European Commission president has warned AstraZeneca that it must « honour » its vaccine contract with the bloc before exporting doses elsewhere in the world.

Ursula von der Leyen urged « transparency » from other countries, but did not confirm if the EU would bring in tougher export restrictions on coronavirus jabs, amid a row over supplies with the British-Swedish pharmaceutical giant.

Addressing a Brussels press conference following a meeting of the European Council on Thursday, Ms von der Leyen said she had « no knowledge » of the UK exporting jabs, while 77 million doses had been exported by the EU so far.

Ms von der Leyen told reporters: « Companies have to honour their contract to the European Union before they export to other regions in the world. This is of course the case with AstraZeneca. I think it is clear that the company (AstraZeneca) has to catch up and honour the contract it has with the EU member states before it can engage again in exporting vaccines. »

3 SUPERYACHTS WORTH A COMBINED £150MILLION ARRIVE IN DORSET HARBOUR TO SEE OUT THE PANDEMIC

Three posh superyachts worth a combined £150million have cruised into Dorset harbour to see out the Covid pandemic.

It’s believed the trio of luxury vessels are moored here because of a lack of spaces in upmarket hotspots like Monaco, Nice and Majorca.

Brand new £30m vessel ‘Totally Nuts’ and the £20m luxury Sunseeker ‘Out of the Blue’ have joined mega yacht ‘Elandess’ in Poole, Dorset.

‘Elandess’, worth £92m and a staggering 240ft in length, made its grand entrance in the south coast harbour last month.

Unsurprisingly, they’ve all been turning heads since arriving at the south coast harbour to wait out the pandemic.

BRAZIL SEES RECORD 100,158 NEW VIRUS CASES, 2,777 DEATHS SAYS HEALTH MINISTRY

Brazil on Thursday registered a record 100,158 new cases of coronavirus and 2,777 fresh COVID-19 deaths, the Health Ministry said. 

EU WANTS WIN-WIN SOLUTION IN VACCINE EXPORT ROW WITH BRITAIN, MERKEL SAYS

 The European Union aims to achieve a win-win solution in the row with Britain over coronavirus vaccine exports, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said late on Thursday after a video conference of EU leaders.

« We are on the one hand inclined to respect global supply chains and want to fight protectionism but of course we also want to protect our own people because we know this is the way out of the crisis, » Merkel told journalists.

« In relation to Britain, we want a win-win situation, we want to act sensibly politically, » she said, adding that it was a complicated issue.

WHAT ARE THE COVID RULES YOU CAN BE FINED FOR FROM MONDAY?

Brits who leave the UK or are at an ’embarkation point’ such as an airport with the intention of travelling without a reasonable excuse could be penalised £5,000.

Those reasonable excuses include travelling for work, studying, elite sports, legal obligations, volunteering, medical reasons and attending the wedding of a close family member. Another fine put into law is £800 for attending a large gathering such as a party.

And repeat offenders can expect subsequent fines up to £6,400. Firms can expect fines of £1,000 for breaking rules and up to £10,000 for repeat offences.

Other laws such as failing to comply with regulations or obstructing the police could land you with a £200 fine with repeat rule breakers being penalised up to £6,400.

DEMAND FOR PIGS IN BLANKETS SURGE AS SHOPPERS PLAN TO CELEBRATE XMAS FOUR MONTHS LATE

Demand for pigs in blankets has surged as shoppers plan to celebrate Christmas four months late when Covid restrictions are eased.

Iceland has seen a 718% hike in online search for the Christmas essential since the start of the year, compared to the same period in 2020.

It comes as Easter Sunday falls on April 4 this year – six days after a planned relaxation of rules to allow six people or two households to meet outdoors.

This has opened the door for barbecues, small garden gatherings – and even Christmas celebrations.

PEACEFUL PROTEST

Peaceful protests will be allowed from Monday under updated Covid rules in the wake of the Sarah Everard vigil.

Demonstrations have been given an exemption from the rule-of-six limit on outdoor gatherings in the first step to lift lockdown on March 29.

The new public health rules – included in legal papers laid before Parliament this week – come into force next Monday when the stay-at-home order officially ends in England.

It comes as Boris Johnson won a vote tonight to rubber stamp a six month extension of the Covid laws until September.

The plans to extend the Coronavirus Act sailed through the Commons comfortably – by 484 to 76, and a majority of 408.

ANTI-COVID JAB RANT BY EX-CORRIE ACTOR

Ex-Coronation Street star Sean Ward has sparked anger after telling fans not to have the Covid vaccine in a rambling foul-mouthed video.

Sean, 32, made his nonsensical argument about the jab in a highly-charged Instagram Stories post.

He told his followers that they would become « super-spreaders » if they have the vaccine and demanded people « stop » having it.

His dangerous comments come as new data published today by Public Health England shows the vaccination programme has so far prevented 6,100 deaths in those aged 70 and over.

Health secretary Matt Hancock said: « Vaccines save lives. This work shows vaccines have already saved over 6,000 lives among the most vulnerable in our society. »

THE WAY OUT – PM WINS CRUCIAL COVID VOTE

Boris Johnson tonight won a vote to extend harsh Covid laws until September – but his lockdown roadmap remains on track.

MPs voted overwhelmingly – 484 to 76 – to extend the emergency powers for another six moths, despite deaths falling across England.

The wide-ranging act gives ministers the power to shut pubs, detain individuals spreading the virus, but also cut red tape in the NHS and allow for sick and furlough pay too.

MPs also nodded through the PM’s roadmap without a formal vote – with sights firmly set on June 21 as independence day in England and Wales.

It includes £5,000 fines for anyone travelling to go on holiday and makes it illegal to meet more than six other people outside from Monday.

‘BAFFLING’ STAY ALERT MESSAGE DITCHED

Last year’s much-mocked « stay alert” slogan will not return when we stop being told to « stay at home » next week, The Sun can reveal.

Instead ministers have signed off a new “let’s take this next step safely” slogan on adverts encouraging people to stay outside instead and get as much fresh air as possible.

When lockdown began to be eased last May, the very effective slogan « Stay home, protect the NHS, save lives » was replaced by the confusing « Stay alert, control the virus, save lives ».

But people complained it was meaningless and even dangerously muddled.

Advertising industry insiders who have seen the plans told The Sun: « The focus is on fresh air. Stay alert has gone and instead it’s all about stay outside. »

JOHNSON ACKNOWLEDGES ‘MORAL COMPLEXITIES’ AROUND COVID CERTIFICATES

Boris Johnson has today tried to calm fears over the possible introduction of coronavirus health certificates.

His move comes after publicans slammed plans which could see landlords demanding to see drinkers’ papers before letting them enjoy a pint.

The PM acknowledged the « moral complexities » around a domestic vaccine passport scheme, and he suggested that it might only be possible to introduce one after all adults had been offered a jab at the end of July.

But landlords rejected their use after his earlier suggestion it could be up to them to decide whether to screen customers’ certificates on entry, ahead of fresh details emerging of a possible incentive for pubs to adopt the measure.

Mr Johnson defended his credentials as a « freedom lover » as Tory MPs criticised the Government’s « oppressive » and « draconian » coronavirus legislation.

PM WINS VOTE TO EXTEND EMERGENCY COVID LAWS UNTIL SEPTEMBER

Boris Johnson tonight won a vote to extend harsh Covid laws until September – but his lockdown roadmap remains on track.

MPs voted overwhelmingly – 484 to 76 – to extend the emergency powers for another six months, despite deaths falling across England. 

The wide-ranging act gives ministers the power to shut pubs, detain individuals spreading the virus, but also cut red tape in the NHS and allow for sick and furlough pay too.

Some Tories think that they are « out of step » with the lockdown easing, with all of life back to normal by the end of June – and are calling for the rules to be suspended after that.

35 Conservative and 21 Labour MPs voted against renewing it tonight – and even more abstained and didn’t vote at all.

WHAT TIME IS THE CLAP FOR OUR CARERS TONIGHT?

The nation will come together to applaud Covid heroes tonight at 8pm.

Many people take part in Clap for our Carers which is intended to thank the estimated 1.3 million Britons who work for the NHS and other key workers as they battle against coronavirus on the frontline.

Landmarks across the country, including the Wembley Arch, the Royal Albert Hall and Lincoln Cathedral, were lit blue during the weekly tribute in 2020.

Public figures who have joined in the clapping include David and Victoria Beckham and Boris Johnson, who has sung the praises of the NHS after beating coronavirus with their help.

‘EXIT WAVE’ COULD CAUSE 1,000 DAILY DEATHS, SAGE WARNS

Brits could be hit with another wave of Covid infections in the summer as lockdown comes to end, data suggests.

Modelling from Warwick University which feeds into Sage shows that the Kent variant could continue to spread once restrictions are fully lifted in June causing an « exit wave » of cases and up to 1,000 deaths a day.

Modelling from Warwick feeds into Sage data which suggests that there could be an additional 1,000 daily Covid deaths each day in the UK if lockdown restrictions are lifted.

This estimate referred specifically to restrictions being lifted, but the rule of six being in place as well as a 10 curfew.

More on the story here.

FRANCE PUTS REGION AROUND LYON UNDER TIGHTER COVID RESTRICTIONS

Three additional French regions including the Rhone department around the city of Lyon will be put under tightened COVID-19 restrictions for four weeks from Friday, the government announced on Thursday.

The move follows similar measures imposed a week earlier on the Paris region and a large part of northern France, where most non-essential stores have been ordered to close and people are limited in how far they can travel from their homes.

« The COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating almost everywhere in France, » Health Minister Olivier Veran said, adding that pressure on the hospital system will continue to increase in coming days.

The new restrictions take effect from Friday at midnight.

UK DAILY COVID DEATHS PLUNGE 34% IN A WEEK WITH 63 DEATHS IN THE PAST 24 HOURS

UK Covid deaths today grew by 63 – down 34 per cent on the rise recorded this time last week.

Another 6,397 cases were recorded in the past 24 hours meaning 4,319,128 have now tested positive for the bug since the start of the pandemic.

This time last week, there were 95 fatalities – more than a third higher than today’s rise. with 6,303 cases recorded in 24 hours.

The number of new cases is also smaller than it was last Thursday (6,303) but are higher than they were yesterday.

In fact, the number of new infections in the UK has grown for the fifth day in a row.

U.S GIVES PALESTINIANS $15MILLION FOR COVID-19 RESPONSE SAYS STATEMENT

The Biden administration is giving the Palestinians $15 million to aid in their COVID-19 response in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the U.S. State Department said in a statement on Thursday.

The funds from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) would help support efforts by the Catholic Relief Services in healthcare facilities as well as address food insecurity, the statement said.

UK RECORDS 63 DEATHS FROM COVID-19, 6,397 NEW CASES

The United Kingdom recorded a further 63 deaths of people who had tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 28 days, and 6,397 new cases, official data showed.

The 63 daily deaths were down from the 98 recorded the day before, continuing the downward trend in fatalities. Case numbers were up from the 5,605 recorded the day before.

Public Health England also said that 28.99 million people have received the first dose of a vaccine.

THOUSANDS OF DEATHS AVOIDED

MORE THAN 6,000 Covid deaths among the over-70s have been averted due to the vaccination programme so far, a new study shows.

Analysis from Public Health England (PHE), said there was evidence « that the Covid-19 vaccination programme is already having a significant impact on severe Covid-19 disease in England beyond the effect of the national lockdown. »

Experts said the « true value » of the vaccines would become apparent in the future as lives continue to be saved during any further waves of coronavirus in the UK.

With vaccines also thought to have an effect on transmission of the virus, the estimated figure of 6,100 could prove to be an underestimate.

The study said around 5,900 deaths had been averted among those aged 80 and over and 200 in those aged 70 to 79.

BOOZE BOSSES SPEAK OUT AGAINST VACCINE PASSPORTS

GREENE King, Marston’s and Mitchells & Butlers are among the pubs who won’t be imposing Covid vaccine passport rules on punters.

Britain’s boozers have spoken out against plans that would require customers to show a negative coronavirus test or proof they’ve had a vaccine before ordering a drink.

In a u-turn on Tuesday, Boris Johnson said it « may be up to the landlord » to decide on a policy but Tory MPs slammed the idea.

Government sources told The Sun the rules were being considered in a review being led by Michael Gove and due to report back next month.

Read the full story here.

OVER-80s DOUBLE JAB BOOST

A QUARTER of over-80s are likely to have had both doses of Covid-19 vaccine, NHS England figures show.

More than 25 per cent of people in this age group had received both jabs as of March 21, meaning they are fully vaccinated against coronavirus.

Some 3.5 per cent of people aged 75 to 79 are estimated to have had both doses, along with 1.5 per cent of people aged 70 to 74.

Lambeth in London was the local authority reporting the lowest proportion of older adult care home staff given a first dose of Covid vaccine in England, NHS England figures show.