Coronavirus: Boris Johnson to carry emergency Cobra assembly

The prime minister will chair an emergency Cobra assembly later to resolve whether or not to herald measures to delay the unfold of coronavirus within the UK.

The assembly is anticipated to think about whether or not “social distancing” measures ought to be phased in.

These might embrace banning of massive occasions, closing faculties and inspiring dwelling working.

It comes after a person in his 60s grew to become the UK’s third loss of life linked to the Covid-19 virus.

Ministers may also meet with sports activities our bodies and UK supermarkets to debate their response to the outbreak.

On Sunday, the variety of confirmed instances within the UK rose to 278, from 209 on Saturday – the largest rise thus far.

The UK is at present within the first part – “containment” – of the government’s four-part plan to deal with the unfold of coronavirus.

The Cobra assembly is anticipated to think about whether or not the UK ought to formally transfer into the “delay” part.

The federal government has beforehand mentioned “social distancing” measures to gradual the unfold of the virus might embrace a ban on sporting occasions and different massive gatherings, and inspiring individuals to make money working from home slightly than use crowded trains and buses.

Such a step would require settlement from chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, who’re attributable to be on the assembly.

However Tradition, Media and Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden instructed BBC Breakfast that he and the prime minister watched the England versus Wales Six Nations match at Twickenham on Saturday, and the present medical recommendation was that there was no cause to keep away from or cancel sports activities occasions.

He mentioned: “We’re guided by the details and we’re guided by the proof. In the intervening time the recommendation is evident from the chief medical officer: there is not a must cancel such occasions.”

Sports activities governing our bodies will meet ministers to debate the opportunity of staging occasions behind closed doorways in future, nevertheless.

Surroundings Secretary George Eustice may also talk about contingency plans with grocery store chief executives, together with proposals on help weak teams who could need to self-isolate.

Flights cancelled

The most recent individual to die – a person in his 60s with important underlying well being issues – had not too long ago returned from Italy, Public Well being England mentioned on Sunday.

The person was being handled on the specialist infectious ailments unit in North Manchester Normal Hospital after testing constructive for coronavirus.

Prof Whitty mentioned well being officers have been tracing individuals who could have been in touch with the person whereas he was carrying the virus.

‘The subsequent stage of the coronavirus combat’

It appears sure we’ll transfer to the subsequent stage of the combat in opposition to coronavirus, most likely this week.

That can contain going from attempting to comprise the unfold of the virus to accepting there’s going to be neighborhood transmission and taking a look at methods to gradual its unfold.

There are many drastic choices on the desk from closing faculties to banning public gatherings.

However well being officers are unlikely to advocate these instantly. As a substitute, it will likely be a extra gradual, phased strategy.

That would contain individuals being requested to think about methods we will all cut back our social contact. It may very well be working from dwelling, staggering our commute or reducing again on socialising.

The federal government’s clear message will likely be that all of us have a task to play in tackling this – as people, as employers and as communities.

The International Workplace has warned Britons to avoid massive components of northern Italy beneath a coronavirus quarantine, except their journey is crucial.

These travelling from locked-down areas have additionally been suggested to self-isolate in the event that they returned to the UK within the final 14 days – even when they’ve proven no signs.

Italy now has the very best variety of confirmed instances exterior China at 7,375, and its death toll rose from 133 on Sunday to 366.

British nationals are nonetheless in a position to depart Italy with out restriction, however some airways have cancelled flights from affected areas.

Amid considerations that pretend information in regards to the…