Green list travel UPDATE: Covid cases rise but UK ‘on top of situation’ health chief says despite ‘Delta Plus’ variant
- Rule of six to STAY in place for another month
- Work from home to continue until July 19
- Everything you can and can’t do after June 21 delay
THE NEW "Delta Plus" Covid variant "more transmissible" than the original has been detected in the UK with 41 cases being monitored.
Delta Plus has been found in nine other countries - USA, India, Portugal, Switzerland, Japan, Poland, Nepal, Russia and China.
PHE is not calling it "Delta Plus", and said the World Health Organisation is considering it simply part of Delta, but is monitoring the cases.
Brits will find out crucial updates to the green and amber travel lists tomorrow - and quarantine-free holidays to Spain, Greece and Italy could be back on by August.
Covid cases in the UK today jumped by 16,135 - the highest number of new infections in almost five months.
The total number of cases since the pandemic began now stands at 4,667,870.
Read our coronavirus live blog below for the latest news and updates...
FLIGHT OPERATORS TUI, VIRGIN ATLANTIC AND IAG JOIN MOUNTING LEGAL ACTION AGAINST GOVERNMENT TRAVEL RULES
Tui has announced it has joined Virgin Atlantic and British Airways' parent company IAG in supporting legal action against the Government's coronavirus travel restrictions.
The UK's largest tour operator said the three firms have become interested parties in a challenge that was first launched by Ryanair and Manchester Airports Group last week.
The legal bid is an attempt to get the Government to be more transparent in relation to how it determines which countries are on the green, amber and red lists under the traffic light system for international travel.
There are currently no major viable tourist destinations on the quarantine-free green list.
RISHI SUNAK SAYS HE HAS 'HOPE AND EXPECTATION' THAT JULY 19 WILL FINALLY SEE COVID RESTRICTIONS END IN ENGLAND
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said it is his "hope and expectation" that July 19 will be the end of coronavirus restrictions in England.
Rishi was responding to a question in the Commons from Conservative Greg Smith (Buckingham) about businesses being "desperate" to return staff from furlough.
Mr Smith said: "Will (Mr Sunak) agree with me that the way to get the economy moving and to get those employees back to work is for restrictions to absolutely be lifted by July 19?"
Responding, Mr Sunak said: "(Mr Smith) is absolutely right, and my hope and expectation is we do lift those restrictions on July 19 because by that point we will have done what we set out to do, which is to get extra jabs in more people's arms to provide us with that extra level of protection we were seeking."
Mr Sunak added: "The only sustainable way to protect those jobs is to get the economy reopened so those people can return to work and provide for their families."
COVID PATIENTS IN HOSPITAL AT HIGHEST LEVEL
Patients in hospital with Covid across the UK has risen to its highest level since April.
The nes comes after a large rise in covid infection rates across the country, with new dailyt cases reaching a four month high.
A total of 1,378 patients were in hospital on June 20, according to the latest Government figures.
The figure is up 21 per cent from the previous week, and is the highest since April 29.
It is also up 58 per cent from the 870 patients recorded on May 27, which was the lowest number since the second wave of the virus.
MATT HANCOCK: GOVERNMENT 'WORKING ON PLANS' FOR QUARANTINE-FREE TRAVEL
The health secretary today said the Government is "working on" plans for quarantine-free travel for fully vaccinated Britons - but international travel remains a "difficult" area, Matt Hancock has said.
Matt Hancock confirmed that ministers are looking at how to scrap the requirement for people to isolate for 10 days on return from an amber list country.
Mr Hancock said he is "in favour of moving forward in this area" and replacing quarantine with daily testing.
"This hasn't been clinically advised yet - we're working on it," he told Sky News.
He added: "We're working on plans to essentially allow the vaccine to bring back some of the freedoms that have had to be restricted to keep people safe. After all, that's the whole purpose of the vaccination programme, that's why it's so important that every adult goes out and gets the jab."
WATCH: DENISE WELCH FURIOUS ABOUT COVID RULES
Loose Women's Denise Welch shouts at Gloria Hunniford as furious star rages about Covid rulesSCOTS TO WEAR FACE MASKS AND WORK FROM HOME AFTER AUGUST
The First Minister braced people for a handful of enduring restrictions even when all legal measures are torn up on August 9.
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon she confirmed she was following Boris Johnson and delaying the next stage of lockdown easing until July 19.
Ms Sturgeon told MSPs: "As indicated last week we intend to maintain the current restrictions applicable in each part of Scotland for the next three weeks."
She went on to unveil her revised roadmap to bin all "major remaining restrictions" on August 9.
MAJOR HOLIDAY BOOST
Double jabbed mums and dads will be able to take their unvaccinated kids on holiday this summer, The Sun can reveal.
Plans to allow adults with two doses to travel in August to amber list countries are to be announced within days, with unjabbed family members exempt in a boost to late summer holidays.
But ministers are under growing pressure to bring forward the plans to July 19 to save the school holidays on the continent.
Earlier today Matt Hancock revealed that ministers were indeed looking at plans for whether double-vaccinated Brits might be able to avoid quarantine in future when they travel abroad.
The Sun understands the new rules will mean under 16s will be able to go with their parents on holiday - but only if both parents have had two jabs.
WATCH: SCOTS TO WEAR FACE MASKS AND WORK FROM HOME AFTER AUGUST
Nicola Sturgeon says face masks and work from home to continue after AUGUST as she delays lockdown liftingGRAPHIC: THE FIVE AREAS WHERE COVID CASES ARE RISING FASTEST
MAPPED: COVID CASES IN THE NORTH OF ENGLAND
CORONAVIRUS VACCINE BOSS NADHIM ZAHAWI SET TO GIVE 5PM PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY ON JAB ROLLOUT
Vaccine Minister Nadhim Zahawi will lead a Covid press conference at 5pm today in effort to boost last remaining Brits to get jabbed.
The Government is rallying un-vaccinated adults to book their slots to give Boris Johnson the best chance of ending lockdown on July 19.
The PM and Health Secretary Matt Hancock have both confirmed they are looking at letting double-jabbed Brits skip quarantine.
It would come as a huge boost for holidaymakers longing for a post-pandemic getaway.
Culture minister John Whittingdale today raised hopes, telling Sky News: "People like to get away to the sun and there are a number of countries on the green list, and hopefully it will be possible to increase that number".
‘POSITIVE’ TALKS OVER REACHING DEAL TO SAVE EURO 2020 FINAL AT WEMBLEY
A deal to ensure the final stages of Euro 2020 are held at Wembley is on the brink of being struck between the UK Government and Uefa.
A UK Government source said there had been “positive” talks with European football’s ruling body to address the issues around coronavirus restrictions.
Uefa is thought to be pushing for 2,500 VIPs to attend the final on July 11 without being subjected to the quarantine requirements that apply to other international travellers.
A UK source said “final details are being worked through” but ministers have indicated that some restrictions would remain in place.
Reports had suggested the final could be moved to Budapest if a deal cannot be reached and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi has also said that Rome could provide an alternative venue.
But in a statement, Uefa said: “Uefa, the English FA and the English authorities are working closely together successfully to stage the semi-finals and final of Euro 2020 in Wembley and there are no plans to change the venue for those games.”
UK COVID DEATHS RISE TO 27 AND CASES SURGE TO OVER 11,600 IN HIGHEST JUMP IN FOUR MONTHS
Today's figure of 11,625 is the highest they have been since February 19 when 12,027 new cases were reported.
Daily deaths rose by 27 - bringing the total number of Covid victims to 128,008.
The grim number is the biggest leap since May 5 when 27 fatalities were reported.
NEW ‘DELTA PLUS’ COVID VARIANT
A new "Delta Plus" Covid-19 variant that is "more transmissible" than the original has been reported in India.
Sixteen cases of the variant that is a mutation of the Delta variant, have been recorded in the state of Maharashtra, health officials said.
The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday described Delta Plus as "currently a variant of concern," in a statement.
The new mutation was detected earlier this month but was not considered concerning reports .
BORIS TO ANNOUNCE ON MONDAY IF LOCKDOWN CAN END
Boris Johnson’s decision about whether to unlock early on July 5 will be announced on Monday, Downing Street confirmed this afternoon.
The PM is today evaluating crucial data ahead of giving his verdict next week.
He is likely to crush hopes of bringing forward Freedom Day and stick with his “terminus date” of July 19.
When Mr Johnson announced his four-week delay to the roadmap last week he wrote in a two-week break point to allow wriggle room from an early release.
No10 said today a decision on whether to pull this trigger will be made on Monday.
IT COULD BE JUST WEEKS UNTIL DOUBLE-JABBED BRITS CAN TAKE THIER KIDS ABROAD
Double-jabbed mums and dad could take unvaccinated kids abroad in just weeks in a huge boost for summer holidays.
Plans to allow adults with two doses to travel in August to amber list countries are due to be announced within days.
However, ministers are under growing pressure to bring forward the plans to next month to save school holidays on the continent.
Some MPs are even said to be pressing Boris Johnson to sanction a "big bang" reopening with travel curbs eased at the same time as restrictions are lifted at home - on July 19.
ON THE BRINK
Hundreds of patients flood Barnsley hospital accident and emergency room causing a rare 'black alert'.
The NHS facility in South Yorkshire is struggling to keep up with the demand for beds, just days after top doctors warned of mounting pressure due to record numbers of admissions.
Internal emails seen by show the institute was forced to declare OPEL 4 status - operational pressures escalation level - on Tuesday amid the shortage, with over 300 patients turning up to the emergency department each day.
It seems the delay in people missing out on medical treatment in lockdown is finally catching up on the healthcare system, as it is A&E sickness causing the congestion, The Independent reports.
COVID PATIENTS IN HOSPITAL AT HIGHEST LEVEL
Patients in hospital with Covid across the UK has risen to its highest level since April.
The nes comes after a large rise in covid infection rates across the country, with new dailyt cases reaching a four month high.
A total of 1,378 patients were in hospital on June 20, according to the latest Government figures.
The figure is up 21 per cent from the previous week, and is the highest since April 29.
It is also up 58 per cent from the 870 patients recorded on May 27, which was the lowest number since the second wave of the virus.
BRITAIN ‘ON TRACK’ FOR FREEDOM DAY
Six in 10 adults have now had both doses of Covid vaccine - as Britain races towards Freedom Day.
NHS heroes have delivered more than 31.5million second doses of Covid vaccine, just five million short of the goal before re-opening on July 19.
Top government health advisor Dr Susan Hopkins has previously said seven in 10 Brits need to be fully protected before restrictions are fully lifted.
New data from the Office for National Statistics yesterday showed nearly nine in 10 (86.6 per cent) of adults in England now have antibodies, either from vaccines or Covid infection.
WATCH: SCOTS TO WEAR FACE MASKS AND WORK FROM HOME AFTER AUGUST
Nicola Sturgeon says face masks and work from home to continue after AUGUST as she delays lockdown liftingMAJOR HOLIDAY BOOST
Double jabbed mums and dads will be able to take their unvaccinated kids on holiday this summer, The Sun can reveal.
Plans to allow adults with two doses to travel in August to amber list countries are to be announced within days, with unjabbed family members exempt in a boost to late summer holidays.
But ministers are under growing pressure to bring forward the plans to July 19 to save the school holidays on the continent.
Earlier today Matt Hancock revealed that ministers were indeed looking at plans for whether double-vaccinated Brits might be able to avoid quarantine in future when they travel abroad.
The Sun understands the new rules will mean under 16s will be able to go with their parents on holiday - but only if both parents have had two jabs.
AMBER ALERT
Matt Hancock has confirmed the Government is "absolutely working on" plans to end mandatory self-isolation for double-jabbed jet-setters.
Instead, those who have had both shots would be able to take daily tests at home to allow them to go about their business.
The health secretary's announcement will provide hope to millions of sun-starved families aching for a getaway later this summer.
It would open up all of Europe for tourism as well as further afield destinations such as Canada, Mexico, and the US.
Read more here
UK COVID DEATHS RISE TO 27 AND CASES SURGE TO OVER 11,600 IN HIGHEST JUMP IN FOUR MONTHS
Today's figure of 11,625 is the highest they have been since February 19 when 12,027 new cases were reported.
Daily deaths rose by 27 - bringing the total number of Covid victims to 128,008.
The grim number is the biggest leap since May 5 when 27 fatalities were reported.
BORIS JOHNSON TO ANNOUNCE ON MONDAY IF LOCKDOWN CAN LIFT EARLY
Boris Johnson's decision about whether to unlock early on July 5 will be announced on Monday, Downing Street confirmed this afternoon.
The PM is today poring over crucial data ahead of giving his crunch verdict next week.
He is likely to crush hopes of bringing forward Freedom Day and stick with his "terminus date" of July 19.
When Mr Johnson announced his four-week delay to the roadmap last week he wrote in a two-week break point to allow wriggle room from an early release.
No10 said today a decision on whether to pull this trigger will be made on Monday.
SCOTS TO WEAR FACE MASKS AND WORK FROM HOME AFTER AUGUST
The First Minister braced people for a handful of enduring restrictions even when all legal measures are torn up on August 9.
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon she confirmed she was following Boris Johnson and delaying the next stage of lockdown easing until July 19.
Ms Sturgeon told MSPs: "As indicated last week we intend to maintain the current restrictions applicable in each part of Scotland for the next three weeks."
She went on to unveil her revised roadmap to bin all "major remaining restrictions" on August 9.