Brief. Me - November 21, 2024 7:58 pm
In today’s briefing update, we look at the differing take on the new tier 4 restrictions announced.
In our special feature, we’re looking deeper into the government’s U-turn, the new variant and the public’s reaction.
Also featured: The latest Covid-19 figures, Sports, business and entertainment news.
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The recurring message in Sunday’s papers is that “Christmas is cancelled”.
“Will this nightmare ever end?” asks the Mail on Sunday.
Scotland on Sunday similarly describes the tightening of measures as the “nightmare before Christmas”.
The Sun on Sunday points out that Boris Johnson is “the first British leader to ban Christmas since Oliver Cromwell in 1644”.
The Daily Star accuses the government of a “lack of clear thinking and consistency”. It fears Mr Johnson “no longer has the confidence of the voters”, who are likely to ignore the new rules.
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Christmas cancelled for millions
The Sunday Telegraph, like most papers, leads with the new Christmas restrictions. The paper says families’ plans have been thrown into “chaos”. England’s chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty advised those under the new tier 4 to unpack their bags. From midnight, London and the large parts of the south-east will be in tier 4 and not mix with anyone outside of their household.
For the rest of the UK, the relaxed Christmas indoor mixing rules have been cut from five days to just Christmas day. The announcement came just three days after the PM said he won’t cancel Christmas, the paper adds. The tough new restrictions come after scientists said a new coronavirus variant was spreading more rapidly. – Daily Telegraph
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Bozo stuffs Christmas
The Daily Star Sunday’s front splash slams the prime minister’s tier 4 announcement as “brutal” and features a picture of Boris Johnson’s head superimposed on the body of a turkey. The Paper says the government’s U-turn has put millions into “lockdown 3”. – Daily Star
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CHRISTMAS IS CANCELLED BY SURGING MUTANT VIRUS
“When the virus changes its method of attack, we must change our method of defence,” Mr Johnson said at Saturday’s Downing Street briefing, the Sunday Times reports. It is believed the new variant accounts for the majority of the new infections in London, the paper adds. Meanwhile, ministers have alerted the WHO to the outbreak and expect other countries to prevent UK residents from crossing their borders. – Times
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WILL THIS NIGHTMARE EVER END?
The Mail on Sunday asks: “Will this nightmare ever end?” Despite his efforts to blame the U-turn on the new variant, Mr Johnson is facing fury from Tory MPs, one of whom said “heads must roll” if scientists had not provided enough warning to ministers, the paper adds. – Daily Mail
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UK Weather Forecast
Sunday 20th December 2020
Sunrise 08:07
Today
Today will have sunny intervals and banks of cloud together with a few well-scattered showers. There will be a moderate to fresh south-westerly breeze. A little less mild than the last couple of days.
Tonight
This evening, any showers will ease, leaving clearer skies for a time. However, cloud and outbreaks of rain will spread from the south later tonight. Turning breezy and very wet before dawn.
Tweet of the Day
Jacinda Ardern is making the vaccine available to all New Zealanders.
Oh, and giving the surplus to their Pacific Island neighbours, for free.
Oh, and also giving them $65m to support them in getting access to it. https://t.co/V9RQdq3kH4
Treat of the week
https://wtxnews.com/2020/12/17/health-and-wellness-trends-2020-home-gyms/
Renaissance
“Time was passing like a hand waving from a train I wanted to be on.
I hope you never have to think about anything as much as I think about you.”
A bit of Nostalgia from our entertainment people
In Review
2020 Christmas covid rules – A complete breakdown
What are the papers saying?
As you can imagine the Sunday papers have had some very creative headlines this weekend. All centred on the theme that ‘Christmas is Cancelled for Londoners’.
The Mirror and The Independent provide a breakdown of all the rules in Tier 4.
Whilst the News Shopper provides an in-depth overview of how much you could be fined if you break the lockdown.
The Metro and Time Out magazine provides a rundown of things to do this Christmas and the BBC provides an overview of the reaction to the Tier 4 announcement by Boris Johnson.
This weekend we have also included some extra articles which you may find useful about the new strain of Covid and how the virus has mutated. In this weekend’s complete guide to 2020 Christmas Covid-19 rules.
Tier 4 Rules explained – What you Can and Can’t do
All Tier 4 rules in full – including Christmas, exercise, shops and seeing pals – Mirror
Tier 4: How much could you be fined for breaking Christmas rules? – News Shopper
Tier 4 and Christmas travel rules explained – The Independent
Can you travel out of Tier 4 in England right now? – TimeOut
Can I play football in Tier 4? Rules for grassroots and amateur football – Express
How you can salvage Christmas 2020 and make it better?
How to deal with the disappointment of cancelling your Christmas plans at the last minute – Metro
Covid: Christmas Tier-4 heartbreak for Londoners – BBC News
The New COVID strain & how it is mutating
What is the new Covid strain – and will vaccines work against it? – The Guardian
COVID-19: Is the new coronavirus mutation worse than first thought? – Sky News
New coronavirus strain ‘moves fast’ and is becoming the dominant variant – Telegraph
U.K. Orders London Lockdown as New Coronavirus Strain Damages Country – BARRONS
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BUSINESS NEWS
‘A giant bonfire of taxpayers’ money’: fraud and the UK pandemic loan scheme – FT
Christmas post delays blamed on ‘high demand’ – BBC Business
‘Kick in the teeth’- UK business groups raise concern over new COVID restrictions – Reuters
TransferWise to hire banks for blockbuster float – Sky News
SPORTS NEWS
Liverpool on top after emphatic demolition of Crystal Palace. The best picks form this weekends articles.
BBC Sport – worthy champions are worthy leaders
The Independent – Era defining display from rampant reds
Arsenal in tatters as they lose another game, this time against Everton. Arteta’s team seems demoralized and full of average players. The Gooners do not look like they are going to bounce back.
BBC Sport Alan Shearer would ‘not be so sure’ about Arsenal staying in Premier League
Callum Smith v Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez: Mexican dominates to score an emphatic victory – Read on
Jose Mourinho: Tottenham boss bemoans double standards over managers’ touchline behaviour – Read on
Why Manchester United players are talking about a title challenge this season – Read on
Global coronavirus updates
GLOBAL COVID-19 TODAY
CORONAVIRUS CASES: 76,690,612
DEATHS: 1,693,259
RECOVERED: 53,817,406
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You may like to get up to speed on the latest Travel developments …….
https://wtxnews.com/2020/12/20/uk-flight-ban-over-covid-19-new-variant/
