Britain announces more coronavirus deaths

Health chiefs today announced 115 more coronavirus deaths across the UK, as beaches and parks were swamped with thousands of Brits taking advantage of the scorching weather on the first day of lockdown being eased.

Department of Health bosses have yet to release the official Covid-19 tally, which is often higher. The preliminary toll is calculated by adding up all of the individual updates provided by each of the home nations.  

NHS England recorded 108 more patients had died in hospitals. Wales posted five new deaths across all settings, while Scotland and Northern Ireland registered one each – taking the official number of victims to 38,604. 

The UK yesterday announced 113 more Covid-19 deaths, the lowest since lockdown began on March 23 – when 74 deaths were registered.

But officials warn that death numbers released on Sundays and Mondays are usually significantly smaller due to a delay in processing fatalities over the weekend.

In other developments to Britain’s coronavirus crisis today: 

  • Some of the 2million pupils returning to primary school were turned away because headteachers ‘weren’t ready’ for them;
  • Britons were allowed to meet their friends for socially distant fun and games for the first time since March 23, with the easing of lockdown rules; 
  • Number 10 admitted the coronavirus alert level has still not been lowered, despite lockdown rules being eased in England;
  • IKEA shoppers at one store formed a giant three hour queue as the DIY furniture giant reopened 19 furniture sites across England;
  • NHS Covid-19 contact tracers said the system is ‘obviously not ready’ and admitted they have nothing to do all day – despite being paid up to £27-an-hour;
  • The Government’s plan to allow more than 2million vulnerable people outside lacks any scientific rationale and amounts to a PR stunt, an expert warned.

It comes as up to two million pupils were due to return to primary school today. But it was revealed this morning that some were turned away because headteachers ‘weren’t ready’ for them. 

Up to 1,500 primary schools in England are estimated to be defying the Government’s controversial plan to get all reception, year 1 and year 6 children back in the classroom from June 1.

Teachers have admitted they were ‘anxious’ to work and unions demanded the date be pushed back to June 15 at the earliest, amid fears the virus is still spreading at high levels.

Parents have revealed many schools will remain closed for at least another week or more, while some have not yet set a date at all.

At least two dozen councils have refused to reopen their schools or left it up to headteachers, who are trying to find ways to ensure social distancing and have enough teachers to teach ‘bubbles’ of up to ten children. 

MailOnline revealed there was confusion at several schools across London, with some parents arriving with their children only to be informed they couldn’t come in and had to go home again.  

In other developments, ministers are desperately trying to quell a backlash over easing lockdown today despite the coronavirus alert level not having been reduced.

With beaches and parks again swamped as people take advantage of scorching weather, Business Secretary Alok Sharma was forced to deny there is a ‘dash’ to get the country back up and running.

He insisted the new contact tracing system means measures can be tightened again in specific areas if there is a flare up.  

But Downing Street was forced to admit the alert level has still not been reduced from level four to three, even though the guidance suggested easing of lockdown is not possible until it was reduced.

Tories and top scientists have voiced alarm about the consequences of the tweaks in England – which include six people from different households being able to meet up in public places or gardens.

There are concerns it will be impossible to put the ‘genie back in the bottle’ if cases increase, with one MP telling MailOnline the government had gone from ‘baby steps to giant steps’ with nothing in between. 

The Government has frantically urged Britons to act ‘sensibly’ as they enjoy a host of new freedoms, following crowded scenes across the country yesterday before the overhaul officially came into force.   

People fill up the beach at Westbay in Dorset today as they take advantage of relaxation of the lockdown rules

People fill up the beach at Westbay in Dorset today as they take advantage of relaxation of the lockdown rules

Children  in Year 1 have their own desks in the modern Harris Academy Primary School in south London. Many headteachers with older schools say they don't have the space

Children  in Year 1 have their own desks in the modern Harris Academy Primary School in south London. Many headteachers with older schools say they don’t have the space

Essex: People queuing today at the Ikea store in Lakeside, Thurrock, which has reopened as part of a wider easing of lockdown restrictions in England

Essex: People queuing today at the Ikea store in Lakeside, Thurrock, which has reopened as part of a wider easing of lockdown restrictions in England

It came as Ikea stores across Britain today were seeing giant queues form outside, with customers forming three-hour queues as lockdown restrictions were eased.

The car park at Ikea in Wembley, north London, which was until recently a coronavirus test centre, was full of cars this morning as the store opened for business for the first time since the lockdown was imposed.

Aerial photos show hundreds of customers queuing around the block in the stifling heat to get into the shops in Nottingham, Reading and Essex, as the Government urged the country to act ‘sensibly’ amid restrictions being eased.

Massive lines of people could also be seen snaking around the car parks at the Swedish furniture giant’s branches in Wednesbury, West Midlands.

Some eager shoppers had been queuing from as early as 5.30am – over four hours before the store was due to open at 10am today.

Huge traffic jams were also reported in and around the areas as people flocked to their local branch following Boris Johnson’s further easing of lockdown restrictions. 

Bring your own CHAIRS for BBQs, NO paddling pools and sex with someone from another house is BANNED: Government issues detailed instructions on new lockdown rules to try to clear up mass confusion 

Who can be in my group of six?

What is still banned? 

  • Visiting friends and family inside their homes
  • Staying stay overnight away from your own home, except for in a limited set of circumstances, such as for work purposes
  • Exercising in an indoor sports court, gym or leisure centre, or swimming in a public pool
  • Using an outdoor gym or playground
  • Gathering outdoors in a group of more than six (excluding members of your own household)

Anyone you like, although the usual rules about isolation if you have symptoms apply. Social distancing from people not within your own household remains the key. 

So you can share a picnic rug in the park with anyone you live with, but anyone else still has to stay two metres (six feet six inches) away.

And the other key point is that this gathering has to be outdoors. You can have the gathering inside someones’ garden, yard or roof terrace, in the street, in the park, in an empty car park. But you cannot have it in inside a house or flat or any other building.

The other point to note is that the rules on six only apply to more than one family group. They also point out: ‘There is no limit to the size of a gathering in an outdoor space if you are all members of the same household.’ 

Can we go inside at all?

You can pass through a house or flat in order to access the garden or terrace, if there is no other way to access them.

And in good news for people with small children or those wanting to enjoy a few beers with friends, you are allowed in to use the toilet.

The guidance notes:  ‘Avoid touching surfaces and if you use the toilet wash your hands thoroughly, wipe down surfaces, use separate or paper towels and wash or dispose of them safely after use.

‘If you no longer want to remain outdoors, you should go home.

‘Don’t go into garages, sheds or cabins – these are all indoor areas and where the risk of transmission is higher.’

Can we have a barbecue and how will it work?  

eople should not pass food or drinks to those not within their family groups and you should bring your own plates and utensils

eople should not pass food or drinks to those not within their family groups and you should bring your own plates and utensils

Barbecues and other al fresco eating like picnics are allowed, but with strict measures in place to avoid contamination.

You should bring your own garden chairs if possible, and if you cannot thoroughly clean the ones you sit on. 

The advice is to ‘stay alert’. People should not pass food or drinks to those not within their family groups and you should bring your own plates and utensils. And you should wash your hands frequently.

And in bad news for the hosts, it adds: ‘If you are in someone else’s garden, you must not go inside to help the host carry the food out or to help with the washing up.’

What else can we do? Can we get the paddling pool out for the kids? 

Paddling pools should not be shared by people who are not within the same family group. And the bad news extends to the mega rich who have swimming pools, the rules are the same for them. 

I don’t have a garden, can we all meet up somewhere else?  

he rules allow separate family groups to travel to another location, as long as there is no overnight stay involved - so camping and weekends away are still banned

he rules allow separate family groups to travel to another location, as long as there is no overnight stay involved – so camping and weekends away are still banned

Yes, the rules allow separate family groups to travel to another location, as long as there is no overnight stay involved – so camping and weekends away are still banned.

The guidance states: ‘You can travel to outdoor open space irrespective of distance, as long as you can return the same night and do not put others at risk because of services you may need in the time you are away.’

This includes ‘National Parks or beaches’ although it warns that some remain clised – like Durdle Door in Dorset which was swamped with people at the weekend.

It also recommends you avoid public transport where possible, suggesting cycling or walking where possible. 

So no overnight trips allowed? 

Not for leisure, no. Holidays and visits to a second home are not allowed. The only exception is work travel.

The guidance states: ‘Premises such as hotels and bed and breakfasts will remain closed, except where providing accommodation for specific reasons set out in law, such as for critical workers where required for a reason relating to their work.

‘Hotels are also available to host those self-isolating after arriving in the UK (where no other accommodation is available).’

But I don’t live with my partner, and I haven’t seen them in months… 

Bad luck. The rules clearly state that conjugal visits are not allowed. In one of the more controversial moves, Boris Johnson’s Government has brought in a sex ban.

The guidance states: ‘Close contact with people from other households means a much higher risk of transmission, and according to the scientific advice, we cannot safely allow people to see people they don’t live with indoors without the risk that the virus will spread. 

‘We recognise how difficult this is for people – particularly those who live alone and we are keeping this under constant review.’

The rules created a lot of amusement – or horror – on social media, with legal blogger and writer the Secret Barrister pointing out (above)  the guidance only applied to sex indoors.

But there is some confusion over how well the rule can be enforced.

Downing Street helpfully confirmed today that police will not be allowed to enter the homes of people they suspect are breaching the rule, with the Prime Minister’s spokesman saying: ‘The police will do as they have since the beginning of the health regulations being in place, by exercising their common sense and engaging with the public and only issuing fixed penalty notices when they believe it’s a last resort. 

‘The police do not have the power to enter people’s homes under the regulations … they cannot enter your home unless they expect serious criminal activity is taking place there’.

Can I take my mind off this with sports? 

Solo sports like tennis and golf are allowed in groups of up to six, with social distancing maintained and no sharing of equipment

Solo sports like tennis and golf are allowed in groups of up to six, with social distancing maintained and no sharing of equipment

The rules could also be seen to apply to other spots like kayaking or paddle-boarding where people keep their distance

The rules could also be seen to apply to other spots like kayaking or paddle-boarding where people keep their distance

Yes, sports are permitted under the same gathering rules.

Solo sports like tennis and golf are allowed in groups of up to six, with social distancing maintained and no sharing of equipment.

This includes doubles tennis ‘as long as you remain two metres apart as far as possible’.

And training for team sports like football, rugby and hockey are also allowed.

The guidance notes: ‘People who play team sports can meet to train together and do things like conditioning or fitness sessions but they must be in separate groups of no more than six and must be two metres apart at all times. 

‘While groups could practice ball skills like passing and kicking, equipment sharing should be kept to a minimum and strong hand hygiene practices should be in place before and after.  

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk