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Boris Johnson said he was sorry that most of England would exit lockdown into tiers 2 or 3 with the toughest restrictions. Johnson said the measures ‘strike a balance’ between limiting the spread of the virus and protecting freedoms. ‘If we ease off now, we risk losing control of this virus,’ Johnson added.Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser, urged people to ‘have sense’...

Fears easing restrictions over festive period will lead to rise in cases and overwhelm NHSCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageGovernment scientists have warned the relaxation of coronavirus restrictions over Christmas could lead to a third wave of the pandemic, with increased transmission and unnecessary deaths.Families across the UK will be able to gather in three-household groups of any size over Christmas, the...

Families across the UK will be able to gather in three-household groups of any size over Christmas, Michael Gove announced, after the heads of the devolved governments agreed on a relaxation of Covid restrictions over the festive period.The long-planned idea of 'Christmas bubbles' – which Gove insisted demonstrated a 'cautious approach' – was thrashed out in a meeting involving the four UK nations. It...

New rules will mean you can’t change your bubble but there is no maximum size for the three permitted householdsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe government has announced that up to three households will be able to mix indoors and stay with each other overnight from 23 to 27 December under loosened coronavirus restrictions across the UK. But how exactly will these...

Four UK governments agree relaxed rules, and scientists expect rise in cases to followCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageFamilies across the UK will be able to gather in three-household groups of any size over Christmas, the government has announced, bringing warnings from scientists that the plan will almost inevitably see a rise in the number of coronavirus cases.The long-planned idea of “Christmas...

Oxford/AstraZeneca findings have certain advantages over those from other versionsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageWithin weeks, the prospects of an end to the pandemic have changed utterly, with three vaccines against Covid-19 reporting good results in final clinical trials and at least one likely to be used before Christmas. But there are still huge challenges ahead.The results from the Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccine,...

PM must decide whether to listen to Tory MPs or his scientific advisers on relaxing restrictionsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageWhen Boris Johnson ordered the phased reopening of England’s shops and schools in July after a gruelling three-month lockdown, he gave the public permission to hope for a “more significant return to normality” in time for Christmas.Four months on, and as so...

Dido Harding and Stephen Powis alerted after coming into contact with someone with the virusCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe head of the government’s test-and-trace service and a senior NHS boss have become the latest senior figures in the pandemic response to announce they are self-isolating over potential coronavirus infection.Dido Harding, who heads the NHS test-and-trace service, posted an image from the...

Large queues on first day of pilot scheme in Liverpool, but five health experts raise concernsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe UK’s first mass Covid testing trial in Liverpool risks being “an expensive mess that does more harm than good”, health experts said as it got under way on Friday.Six new testing centres opened their doors to Liverpudlians at noon on Friday...

No 10 has admitted an ‘error’ in the way data was presented to make case for second lockdownCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe UK Statistics Authority has rebuked the government over its lack of transparency around projected Covid-19 deaths and hospital admissions, saying it could cast doubt over official figures.A range of estimates were used to make the case for a second...

Exclusive: mass-testing experts say tests should not be widely used in hospitals or care homesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageA rapid coronavirus test at the heart of Boris Johnson’s mass-testing strategy missed more than 50% of positive cases in an Operation Moonshot pilot in Greater Manchester, the Guardian can reveal.The 20-minute tests, on which the government has spent £323m for use with...

Tory MP defends strategy as rebels warn they will not vote to extend latest restrictionsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe UK should be braced for at least a third wave of the coronavirus pandemic and further lockdowns, a minister has said as Tory sceptics warned they would not vote to extend England’s four-week shutdown.Penny Mordaunt, the paymaster general, told MPs on Tuesday...

Details around the restrictions are proving complex enough to puzzle even ministersCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe government has published the full regulations for England’s second national lockdown, which is to begin on Thursday and will last for four weeks. A number of details had already emerged, and some are sufficiently complex to have puzzled even ministers. Continue reading...

PM promised public could get results in ‘10 to 15 minutes’ but tests are designed for lab staffCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe “rapid turnaround” coronavirus tests the prime minister announced on Saturday are not approved for the public to interpret themselves without an expert’s help and so will not provide results in the promised 15 minutes, the Guardian has learned.Boris Johnson’s...

Dr Margaret Harris said ‘high price’ of lockdowns must buy time to improve test and traceCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageLockdowns affecting entire populations is a price countries pay for failing to ensure people with coronavirus and their contacts self-isolate, according to an expert from the World Health Organization.The WHO does not recommend that countries enter lockdowns. It has consistently said that...

Michael Gove has said the new coronavirus lockdown in England could be extended beyond four weeks if the number of infections does not fall far enough. Gove told Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday show that measures would be reviewed on 2 December and could last longer if the virus has not been containedEngland Covid lockdown could be extended beyond 2 December, says GoveCovid: Johnson’s...

Boris Johnson bows to pressure from experts who warned worst-case scenario could soon be surpassed Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBoris Johnson has bowed to pressure from his scientific advisers for new national lockdown restrictions, which are expected to be announced early next week, the Guardian has been told.Sir Patrick Vallance and Prof Chris Whitty, who head the Scientific Advisory Group for...

Those subject to level 3 controls from Monday will be advised stay within council areaCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageMillions of residents across central Scotland face a continued ban on indoor socialising and drinking in pubs and restaurants alongside significantly tighter travel restrictions from Monday, as the Scottish government’s five-level system of Covid controls comes into force.Councils in four health board areas...