Boris Johnson has officially extended the government furlough scheme after announcing that England will endure a second national lockdown.
The Prime Minister’s announcement came tonight after it was confirmed that the UK has passed one million Covid-19 cases.
The furlough scheme will continue to cover 80% of employees’ wages, with Rishi Sunak tweeting: “Following the PM’s announcement on further restrictions across the country we have decided to extended the furlough scheme for a further month.”
Following the PM’s announcement on further restrictions across the country we have decided to extended the furlough scheme for a further month covering 80% of employees’ wages. pic.twitter.com/qqlpu6wcI6
Johnson says “Christmas will be very different this year” with non-essential shops and hospitality being forced to close once again.
But unlike the first national lockdown, schools and colleges will stay open.
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This will last for one month and will come into effect just after midnight on Thursday, ending on December 2.
The news comes following reports that the coronavirus death toll in the UK is on course for being “much higher” than during the first wave.
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Restrictions on travel have also been confirmed and will last until December 2.
The Prime Minister was joined by England’s chief medical officer Chris Whitty and the government’s chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance at tonight’s press briefing, which ran extremely late.
This followed long weekend cabinet talks.
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Boris Johnsoon
So what are the new lockdown rules?
There will be no mixing of households anywhere in the country, except for in cases where childcare and other forms of support are necessary.
Schools and colleges will remain open as normal.
Pubs, bars and restaurants will be forced to close for the duration of the lockdown.
Non-essential shops will also close.
Supermarkets will remain open with strict COVID-secure regulations.
All outbound international travel is banned, except for work.
Gyms will close, but outdoor exercise will be allowed and “encouraged”.
Travel bans will be in place for non-essential journeys.
However those who cannot work from home will be allowed to travel to their place of work.
More than a million people have tested positive for the coronavirus in the UK since the outbreak began, according to government data.
Another 21,915 confirmed coronavirus cases on Saturday, bringing the exact total since the pandemic began to 1,011,660 – and 326 people were reported to have died within 28 days of a positive test.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
News
Award-winning Manchester restaurant Another Hand announces closure with ‘immediate effect’
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most popular intimate restaurants has sadly announced that it’ll be closing its doors with ‘immediate effect’.
Another Hand – which can be found tucked away up on Deansgate Mews – opened back in 2022 to acclaim from critics and customers, as well as scooping up several awards along the way like Best Newcomer at the 2022 Manchester Food and Drink Awards, and places in the Michelin Guide and the Good Food Guide along the way.
Not only that, but the 24-seater intimate casual dining restaurant was also named as one of the best restaurants in Manchester merely three weeks ago by respected publication, Time Out.
Launched by the team behind 3 Hands Deli – which operated from a site two units down – Another Hand was known and loved for focusing on sharing plates made with produce from local ethical growers.
And it seemed to be going from strength to strength, but sadly, the restaurant took to social media yesterday to announce its decision to close ‘with immediate effect’.
Another Hand said in its statement on Instagram: “With heavy hearts we are sad to announce that after five years Another Hand will be closing its doors with immediate effect.
“Unfortunately, as most of us know, the current economic climate for the hospitality sector is facing steep challenges, sadly a familiar story. And after five years of operating within this increasingly challenging environment, we feel it’s time for us to step away.
“This isn’t a decision we’ve taken lightly, but it feels like the right time to bring this chapter to an end.
“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built here. From the people who have worked alongside us, to the producers and suppliers who have supported us; and most importantly, everyone who has come through the door and eaten with us…. thank you.
How will the Government’s new digital ID alternative for alcohol sales work?
Emily Sergeant
All licensed venues across England and Wales now have the choice to introduce digital proof of age for alcohol sales alongside physical.
Instead of having to hand over physical ID that contains personal information, such as names and home addresses, customers now have the choice to simply provide confirmation that they are 18 or over on their phone – helping to better protect privacy and personal safety in the process.
This means that, no matter whether you’re buying a drink at your favourite pub, heading to a festival, or enjoying a night out at a concert, you won’t need to worry if you’ve left your ID at home.
According to the Government, this new change will benefit businesses greatly too, as certified digital services are able to check that an ID is genuine and belongs to the person presenting it much easier than the alternative can, which therefore helps to reduce the risk of any fake or borrowed IDs going undetected.
Well, according to the Government, it could be as simple as a customer showing a QR code for staff to scan, or tapping their phone against a compatible reader, where staff will then receive a clear confirmation on their device that the customer has passed the age check.
This change follows a 2024 Government consultation where it was reported that 72% of respondents supported the use of digital identities for age verification when buying alcohol.
Digital Government Minister Stephanie Peacock reiterated that ‘it will remain an individual or business’ choice whether to use or adopt [digital ID]’ and that physical ID will ‘still remain a valid way’ for customers to prove their age.
“This groundbreaking change in the law will mean you do not need to carry a physical ID, nor hand over sensitive personal information such as your name or address just to prove your age, allowing everyone to feel safer on a night out,” she concluded.
The Manc -
31st October 2020 
