Isolation period for people with coronavirus symptoms to be extended
Pockets of new cases have surfaced in recent weeks across the UK, prompting ministers to prolong the quarantine period for those experiencing symptoms in a bid to bring numbers back down.
The self-isolation period for anyone suffering from coronavirus symptoms is expected to be increased from seven to 10 days.
Pockets of new cases have surfaced in recent weeks across the UK, prompting ministers to prolong the quarantine period in a bid to bring numbers back down.
Current rules state that anyone suffering a persistent cough, loss of taste/smell and/or fever should be tested and self-isolate for seven days.
This is expected to be extended to 10 days for people in England.
According to the BBC, it is “unclear” whether Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will follow suit.
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Several regions have been forced to bring in extra measures since lockdown lifted, including Blackburn, Oldham, Wrexham and Staffordshire.
Oldham and Blackburn have warned residents to stay home as much as possible and avoid close contact with others.
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The army have been drafted in to set up extra testing centres in Wrexham.
Outbreaks in Staffordshire has been linked to a pub in Stone – which resulted from around 200 people packing into a beer garden.
England’s Chief Medical Officer, Prof Chris Whitty, is expected to confirm details of the extended isolation period later on today (30 July).
Outbreaks in Europe have also raised discussions of an incoming second wave – although the World Health Organisation have said there is no evidence that COVID-19 will follow a similar pattern to seasonal flus.
Margaret Harris, a WHO spokesperson, suggested that coronavirus could be ‘one big wave’ – which will continue to go ‘up and down’.
“The best thing is to flatten it and turn it into just something lapping at your feet,” she stated.
An increase in cases in Spain has seen the UK Government add the nation to its red list – meaning any arrivals in Britain will now have to quarantine for 14 days.
However, there are ongoing discussions to reduce this quarantine period, which may see a standard 10-day isolation introduced for those showing symptoms and people entering the UK from at-risk countries.
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Met Office gives verdict on how Storm Boelo aftermath will affect Greater Manchester this week
Emily Sergeant
Storm Boelo is finally on his way out, and now the Met Office has given its verdict on what we can expect from the rest of the week.
In the aftermath of two successive storms, Storm Austen followed by Storm Boelo – the latter of which affected Greater Manchester – the UK is now able to begin recovering from the effects of the adverse weather.
But the Met Office has warned that, although there is no named storm, strong winds and heavy rain will continue to affect parts of the UK early this week, before high pressure brings calmer conditions.
Yellow national severe weather warnings are in place for parts of Scotland and western areas of the UK today (Tuesday 27 October), including areas of the North West, as gales and spells of rain bring the potential for ongoing disruption around the region, particularly on exposed coasts and higher ground.
“The continued winds could hamper recovery efforts in some places,” forecasters also unfortunately confirmed.
⚠️ Strong winds and heavy rain continue across parts of the UK early this week with a yellow weather warning in place, before high pressure brings calmer conditions for many from Wednesday ⛅
Read our news release to find out more 👇
https://t.co/EQU4vvaA3B https://t.co/hpvTd8v7EZ
As rest of the week pans out though, conditions will begin to settle down and showers are expected to become ‘less frequent’, while winds also ease for most, although gales could continue for a time in the far north.
Thursday is expected be ‘largely dry’ with lighter winds and variable cloud, with a touch of mist and fog likely across parts of England and Wales during the morning.
From Friday and into the weekend, light rain will team up to potentially affect northwestern areas of England, but for the most part, temperatures are expected to remain close to, or slightly above, average for the time of year.
“From Wednesday, high pressure will start to build which will ease the winds and bring a quieter and largely drier end to the week for many, although some rain is still possible in the North and West,” explained Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster, Steven Keates.
“However, with wind warnings in place, those in warnings areas, particularly in northern Scotland and western high ground, continue to be exposed to strong winds and heavy rain before the more settled weather arrives.”
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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Popular pumpkin patch attraction describes ‘catastrophic’ impact of Storm Boelo
Daisy Jackson
Bates Farm, one of the most popular pumpkin patch attractions in the North West, has shared its heartbreak after Storm Boelo forced its closure on the busiest day of the season.
The Warrington-based family farm said the financial impact has been ‘honestly catastrophic’, after they had to cancel all tickets for Sunday.
Sisters Ali and Fiona Wilshaw, who run the farm, said it was simply not safe to allow members of the public onto the farm in the storm, with ‘crazy’ gusts of wind.
They later shared a video that showed their marquee was badly damaged and many footpaths turned to deep mud.
The sisters said they were ‘heartbroken’ to have to close at such a busy time, but stressed to followers that ‘your safety and our integrity will always come first’.
On Saturday, as Storm Austen and Storm Boelo chased each other across the UK, several people shared videos of themselves getting battered by the weather at Bates Farm.
And it’s pretty clear from that why Ali and Fi decided to cancel all tickets and close for the day on Sunday.
They wrote: “We have put in so much love, energy and investment putting on this event at this scale. The cost to cancel and refund everyone today on our busiest day of the season is honestly catastrophic, but business aside, your safety and our integrity will always come first.
“To think last night we were running round Tesco trying to stock up on milk and now we are in the depths of recovering the site to go again tomorrow. All emails and enquiries are being responded to as quickly as possible and we are doing our best to open up more available slots next week.
“We are being tested like never before, but pulling together in true force. Huge shout out to the whole team and Farmer Fi the absolute queen in any crisis.
“Thank you all for your patience and especially thank you to those who have sent such kind words and support, we are so grateful to have customers like you.
“We will be back tomorrow to enjoy the remaining of this tough season, we are putting in so many provisions with wood chip paths, undercover seating and an indoor barn to make your visit as enjoyable as possible. Ali & Fi.”
Anyone who had tickets to visit Bates Farm on Sunday will be refunded, and can book in for another date.
Bates Farm has safely reopened its autumnal experience and pumpkin patch today.
The Manc -
30th July 2020 
