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tv   BBC News  BBC News  November 23, 2020 8:05pm-9:01pm GMT

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hello, this is bbc news.
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good evening. the prime minister has said the government hopes, with a favourable wind, to be able to vaccinate "the vast majority of the people who need protection by easter". but he warned "we're not out of the woods yet". on christmas, borisjohnson again promised a relaxation of restrictions, saying it was "the season to be jolly but also the season to be jolly careful, especially elderly relatives." the lockdown in england ends next wednesday, to be replaced by three regional tiers of restrictions. we have to wait until thursday to find out which area goes into which tier. but the prime minister told the commons today that in all areas in england, six people will be able to meet outdoors again, and all shops, gyms, leisure centres and hairdressers will be able to reopen. in tiers one and two, pubs and restaurants will have to shut by 11pm. but in tier 3, all hospitality will remain closed except for delivery and takeaway. our political editor,
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laura kuenssberg, has more. what will we wake up to next wednesday? in england, at least, how we have to live with the virus will change again. after four weeks of closed doors, tight limits on our lives will loosen once more. butjust as the prime minister is still stuck inside, some restrictions will stay... prime minister borisjohnson... ..as he explained to the commons from inside number 10. the national restrictions in england will end on the 2nd of december and they will not be renewed. without sensible precautions, we would risk the virus escalating into a winter or new year surge. the incidence of the disease is, alas, still widespread in many areas. so we are not going to replace national measures with a free for all. uniform instructions that closed pubs and so many firms will disappear, replaced
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by a stricter tier system. where the disease is at its most dangerous, the rules will be drawn tighter. but the map of who and where is not yet final. this will be still a hard winter. christmas cannot be normal and there is a long road to spring, but we have turned a corner and the escape route is in sight. labour's consistently back the government's big decisions on coronavirus, but will they this time around? too early to say. the prime minister proposes a return to the three—tier system. that is risky. because the previous three—tier system did not work. tier1 areas drifted to tier 2. almost all tier 2 areas ended up in tier 3. and those in tier 3 couldn't see a way out and we ended up in national lockdown. the tier system hasn't always been easy to explain. i think we're just going to have to stop for a minute so we can have it checked.
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borisjohnson was struggling to make it heard when his it misfired this afternoon. it is not our end, prime minister, it could well be yours. i wonder if mr hancock would like to take over with the answer. and this is far from sudden freedom, the disease still very much here. it is not yet clear how much of england will be under closed controls. wales has recently lifted another lockdown. northern ireland is about to tighten its rules. and scotland is underfive different categories. so no surprise, while all four nations are trying to work out a common plan for christmas, it is not straightforward. i am afraid the virus will not take christmas off, so we are trying as hard as we can to reach a sensible balance. so it is possible, likely, in fact, that some households may be able to form slightly larger bubbles with each other for a short period over christmas. yet the virus, the pandemic, has already taken so much. change, if not a certain end, is now in sight.
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well, in the last hour, the prime minister has added some further detail to those tiers, including a plan for mass testing in areas in the highest tier. we will simultaneously be using the new and exciting possibilities of community testing, as they have done in liverpool. and there will be a clear incentive for everyone in areas where the virus‘s prevalence is high to get a test, get one of these rapid turnaround lateral flow tests, do your best for the community, get a test to help to squeeze the disease and reduce the restrictions that your town or city or area, community has endured. and that way, through tough clearing and mass community testing, we hope to let people see a little
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more of their family and friends over christmas. now, i know that many of us want and need christmas with our families. we feel, after this year, we deserve it, but this is not the moment to let the virus rip for the sake of christmas parties. tis the season to be jolly, but it is also the season to be jolly careful, especially with elderly relatives. and working with the devolved administrations, we will set out shortly how we want to get the balance right for christmas, and we will be setting that out later this week. christmas this year will be different. and we want to remain prudent through christmas and beyond into the new year, but we will use the three tools that i have described to squeeze the virus in the weeks and months ahead. tiering, testing and the roll—out of vaccines.
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employing all three techniques together so as to drive down r and drive down the infection rate. let's speak now to our political correspondent iain watson. that is going to be the impact on people up and down the country, ian, but politically, how is he going to get this through? i think he will get this through? i think he will get it through next week when the commons will be discussing some of these measures, the reintroduction of the regional measures in england, the three tiers next week. but i think be a substantial revolt in the conservative ranks. around 70 conservative ranks. around 70 conservative mps are waiting to find out exactly which areas of the country will be in which tears. we're not getting that information until thursday. if it looks like the vast majority of the country in the less restrictive areas, tiers two and three, for example, they could
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be many members of borisjohnson‘s own party speaking out against him. nevertheless, on opposition votes, the votes of the labour party, these restrictions, what the government wa nts to restrictions, what the government wants to see happen between now and next spring, will go through. but labour are pressing the prime minister to do more intensive economic support and more in terms of consultation with people in local areas. 0nce of consultation with people in local areas. once the measures go through, of course, we could then find out that some areas have restrictions that some areas have restrictions that although are far less than the national lockdown, that that we experience at the moment, but there are tighter restrictions than those areas had just before england went into lockdown three weeks ago. that in itself is proving controversial, not just in itself is proving controversial, notjust inside the conservative party, but more widely. we will speak to the labour shadow health secretary in a few moments time. in terms of the approach, though, but the detail, that was announced today. do mps realise or think that
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this is a more scientific approach this is a more scientific approach this time? i'm thinking about the five criteria that will be associated with the tier lockdown, the tier implementation and the fact they will be reviewed every fortnight. will that sway, perhaps, some of the government mps?m fortnight. will that sway, perhaps, some of the government mps? it may sway one or two of them, i think. i do not think it will sway vast numbers, because i think, again, there is the system on one hand on what we expect the system to be like in reality. for example, they will bea in reality. for example, they will be a review every 14 days, but equally, noises from government is that it equally, noises from government is thatitis equally, noises from government is that it is very unlikely that areas will change tiers within the first 14 days. there could be at least another month of restrictions in some areas. we know that t3 again is tougher than it was previously. nonetheless, more areas are likely to going to tier 3 and that is why
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some of boris johnson's to going to tier 3 and that is why some of borisjohnson‘s own mps are sceptical. people have been pressing for the criteria. how do areas go into these restrictions, but more importantly, how do they come back out again? that will be set out more clearly. not just out again? that will be set out more clearly. notjust pressure on the nhs, but how prevalent the virus is in age groups, over 60s, those likely to have more illnesses, and whether it is going up or down. so there are going to be clear criteria by which people can judge there are going to be clear criteria by which people canjudge it there are going to be clear criteria by which people can judge it and certainly, if certain areas say they are making progress, they can be taken that we might ask to be taken out of a tier. we were told clearly by downing street today that there is no right of appeal if you think your area is is no right of appeal if you think yourarea is in is no right of appeal if you think your area is in the wrong tier and i think for that reason there will be critics. but as i say, i think overall, this kind of furniture, blueprint for how the country will operate until next spring, will go ahead on the back of opposition votes. the prime minister was keen
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to tell us in his own way, that there is light at the end of the tunnel, that we can hear the cavalry coming. he said it will not be a ideal christmas. very briefly, on christmas, last night when i was on we we re christmas, last night when i was on we were hearing from the cabinet meeting may be three households over five days. what about... what i said on that? nickel sturgeon is not on board yet, she? —— nicola sturgeon. they are trying to make it the same approach across the uk. the scottish government meet tomorrow and all of the devolved illustrations are having meetings. the decision didn't come quite quickly enough for the prime minister. there may well still be differences and margins on how many households can mix and precisely how many days the restrictions will be lifted for. will be four days? will be five days? will it be a shorter period? none of that detail has been
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released and it will all have to be approved by individual devolved administrations. the approach is to get a uk—wide approach. they will be some easing of restrictions at christmas, but it does not look as though, as the prime minister said, it will be the entirely the season to be jolly, it it will be the entirely the season to bejolly, it will it will be the entirely the season to be jolly, it will be the season, as he says, to bejolly to be jolly, it will be the season, as he says, to be jolly careful. thank you. so as we've been hearing, some hospitality venues where the infection rates are lowest will be allowed to open from the 2nd of december. in areas that are in tiers one and two, pubs and restaurants will have to shut by iipm. but in tier 3, all hospitality will have to remain closed except for delivery and takeaway. let's speak to emma mcclarkin — chief executive of the british beer and pub association. this is not, obviously, newsy wanted to hear, but if it is for the common good, do you accept it is needed? we still need to see the evidence upon which they have based the necessity
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to have continued restrictions on hospitality. what we know it's public health england have said that we are only i% of transmission, yet we are only i% of transmission, yet we seem to be singled out as a sector for the full brunt of these measures, which unfairly, disproportionately target our pubs as well. tiers one and two, you are ina as well. tiers one and two, you are in a different area there, which will allow many of your members to not go back to normal, but certainly be able to flourish. what about those in tier 3? what sort of support will you be looking for in addition to what is already available? this is devastating news for the entire sector, which ever tear you are for the entire sector, which ever tearyou are in, for the entire sector, which ever tear you are in, there are restrictions to how you can trade. the restrictions even in tier 2 will mean that 90% of our pubs are unviable and unable to make a profit at all. they will be trading at a loss. that is 100% in tier 3. the future of those pubs and great british growers is at risk here and we desperately want to see some changes to those restrictions and
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absolutely, we need to see greater financial support if we are to see the great british pub survive through this period. what are you looking for? rishi sunak asset made twea ks to looking for? rishi sunak asset made tweaks to the original fellow scheme and the other finances available. what more should he do? we need to have a enhanced financial package of gra nts have a enhanced financial package of grants for our pubs. this is not any ordinary month. this is the month of december, we make 30% of our profit in this month alone and we are unable to take any share of that trade and that will put businesses at risk of closing and closing for good. we need urgent support to help us good. we need urgent support to help us with cash flow, that cash burn and then moving forward, we will need great support to the hospitality sector up and running again. each time this announcement is made, there is a cooling effect on public confidence and this is the moment we need the public support to see us moment we need the public support to see us through. when we are more or
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less through this and i get back to some sort of normality, is hospitality industry going to be radically different from what we are used to? i am afraid we are in danger of losing 12,000 pubs by this time next year and over 290,000 jobs. make no mistake, your local pub may not be there the end of all this so please do support your pub if they are able to be open at some point throughout this winter. but please also make sure the government is getting the message that we need to support our hospitality to save the great british pub. all right, thank you very much forjoining us on bbc news. the latest government figures show there were 15,1150 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. the average number of new cases reported per day in the last week is now 19,545. just over 1,665 people have been
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admitted to hospital on average each day over the week to last thursday. 206 deaths were reported, that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. the figure is usually lower after the weekend. it means on average in the past week, 4111 deaths were announced every day. it takes the total number of deaths so far across the uk to 55,230. let's get more reaction to the changes to the tier system in england. we can now speak to labour's shadow health ministerjustin madders. thank you forjoining us. where you reassured by the extra detail that the prime minister went into today in the commons and indeed in that press conference? and will labour support the government on this? well, i think we have had some more
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detail, but i do not think we have had sufficient yet to be persuaded this is not going to lead to us going into a national lockdown further on. clearly the original tier system was not sufficient, so it is right that there has been an acknowledgement and it has been twea ked. acknowledgement and it has been tweaked. we need to see more scientific evidence behind it and is what you have just said, actually, those businesses particularly affected by going into the highest tea rs, affected by going into the highest tears, it is essential they get financial support to get them through the next few months. we now do have five criteria associated with each tier. that is significantly more, isn't it, then before? it is looking at —— looking in detail at the number of cases, nhs capacity, the number of people 100,000, the increase or decrease locally. it is more scientific,
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isn't it? those are essentially the criteria that were being used previously. what we do not know is where is the line going to be drawn for each tier and how much weight will be given to each of those criteria? will be given to each of those criteria ? until thursday, will be given to each of those criteria? until thursday, we will not know exactly how that will work. really, businesses need to know where the line is drawn as soon as possible because they have got uncertainty before it. do you accept that government cannot strike the spoke deals with different regions and cities, as they have done before? well, it is very clear that they got themselves into a bit of a pickle last time because they were not treating each area consistently andi not treating each area consistently and i think that what is really important moving forward is actually that the dialogue continues with local areas, except that the government will make calls on this. it is important they do that in collaboration with local areas and give them the resources,
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particularly those in tier 3 to actually drive down the incidence of the virus. that means test entries has got to improve and we need to see more detail last —— nhs test entries has got to improve. where he standard christmas? we need to be cautious about —— standard christmas? we need to be cautious about -- where do you stand on christmas? we cannot be under any illusion that the virus will still be prevalent and january is usually the... would labour cancel christmas with family members? well, clearly there will be some relaxation for christmas, but we have to be very clear that the balance has to be right to avoid a spike in cases. that could lead to another national lockdown and nobody wants to see that. let's see what the scientists recommend is the safest balance to deal with all the competing interests of people to have time
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with family and friends at christmas. but let's not do it in a way that creates problems further down the line. thank you very much for joining down the line. thank you very much forjoining us. thank you very much forjoining us. earlier today, scientists developing a vaccine at oxford university revealed there had been another breakthrough in the fight against coronavirus. data released today showed it is highly effective in preventing covid—19 symptoms. a trial involving 20,000 people showed that the jab was on average 70% effective, but researchers say that could rise to 90% by tweaking the dose. the vaccine is cheap and easy to store and transport. the government has pre—ordered 100 million doses. our medical editor fergus walsh has the details. 0xford has created a vaccine not just for britain, but for the world. for the first time since this wretched virus took hold, we can see a route out of the pandemic. to get this result, that is very
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good news for everyone. we are just delighted here in oxford, after months and months and months of incredibly hard work from a huge team. it is another dose of much—needed hope. it is the third goal in the back of the net now. it really does make it highly likely that in the months that follow, we are going to have, in covid, a vaccine—preventable disease. the scientists involved say it brings us closer to a return to normal life. i can definitely see a future beyond the pandemic. i think that we will be able to roll out vaccines in the first half of next year and have a big impact here in the uk. but for humanity, we have to be able to distribute all around the world. that is going to take a bit longer. in less than a year, scientists he had created a brand—new vaccine and run large—scale trials. now, at last, they know it works.
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there were more than 20,000 volunteers on the trial in the uk and brazil. 0verall, two doses of the vaccine were around 70% effective in preventing covid—19. but among volunteers who got a half dose followed by a full one, effectiveness rose to 90%. importantly, there were no cases of serious covid disease among those who got the vaccine. i have got over here... the uk has pre—ordered enough doses to immunise 50 million people in the uk. the elderly in care homes would be first in line. then the over—80s and front line health workers. along with pfizer and moderna, it means there are now three covid vaccines that could be approved next month. like the pfizer and moderna vaccines, the key to the oxford jab is the spike protein which sits on the surface of coronavirus. scientists have taken the gene
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for this protein and put it into a virus that causes the common cold in chimpanzees. the virus has been modified and disabled so it cannot cause disease in humans. once in the body, the vaccine instructs cells to make the coronavirus spike protein. this prompts the immune system to create y—shaped antibodies. in the event of future exposure, these should latch onto coronavirus and prevent infection. and it stimulates t cells, another part of the immune system. these should destroy cells that have become infected. this is a really important day for scientist here in oxford and for the fight against coronavirus. the data is still being analysed, but their vaccine appears to prevent serious illness with covid and most infections. now, that could have a major impact on the pandemic here in the uk and worldwide.
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although the vaccine was created in record time, 0xford says no short cuts have been taken with safety and side—effects have been mostly mild. edward was one of the very first volunteers. it is pretty amazing how fast everything is, but really how careful and considered everything has been done. everything is there. we can trust it. so it is really exciting to see the results. astrazeneca, 0xford's commercial partner, has pledged never to make a profit from the vaccine in poorer countries. and theirjab is far cheaper, easier to store and transport around the world than others. the supply chain we have put in place for the next year will give us the capacity of up to 3 billion doses, which will include notjust the developed world, but many regions of the developing world as well. and because this vaccine is just refrigerated, it makes it much easier to distribute and administer. but do not underestimate the hurdles ahead. immunising the uk, let alone the world, will be a huge undertaking.
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drive—through centres like this one in greater manchester, currently providing flu jabs, are likely to be used for covid vaccines. and even if a million adults in week or immunise, it will be months before these vials help clear a path through the pandemic. now it's time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. hello. temperatures for many actually rising tonight instead of falling. a much more than eight on the way than we saw last night. so plenty of cloud and rain, though, across parts of north west scotland and northern ireland. that rain fairly persistent the further west you are. some outbreaks of rain to the west of wales, north—west england, but a clearer night tonight across the far north of scotland, this is where temperatures will drop back into single figures. but as i said, for most, temperatures rising, particularly in eastern areas of england. start with single figures. by the end of the night, around ten to 12 degrees. so into tuesday we go, still raining — south—west scotland,
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northern ireland at times through the day. it will be heavy. 0ccasional rain, west wales, north—west england, again, but for much of england and wales it will be dry. further south and east, increasing amounts of sunshine returning through the afternoon. maybe up to around 1a degrees here. but cooler conditions towards the far north of scotland. a sign of what is to come. a weather front eventually pushes its way southwards and eastwards as we go through tuesday night and into wednesday. so after a mild spell, with some rain, drier by the end of the week, but a return of overnight frost and fog. hello this is bbc news. of overnight frost and fog. the headlines... of overnight frost and fog. the prime minister says a new three—tiered system will come into effect in england on december the second, to replace the current lockdown. parts of the system will be
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tougher, but gyms and shops will reopen and a closing time curfew for pubs and restaurants will be eased. still no firm plans for christmas — rules on gatherings, household mixing and travel restrictions over the festive period are yet to be confirmed. spectators will also be allowed into sporting events — with a maximum attendance of four thousand permitted in the lowest—risk areas. the news comes as 0xford university announces that its covid vaccine works. overall the vaccine is 70% effective and — in some dosages — 90%. at the moment, if you've come into close contact with someone who's tested positive for coronavirus, you have to isolate for 1h days. but that could soon all change under plans to introduce daily rapid testing. any close contact would be tested every day for a week and only have to isolate if they tested positive. if trials are successful it could be rolled out across england in the new year. there are also plans to introduce mass testing across all tier 3 areas
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in england following trials in liverpool as our health editor hugh pym reports. mass testing in liverpool. a trial run for a policy which will now be rolled out much more widely in england, offered to all residents, administered partly by military staff, it has picked up some people who didn't have symptoms. the city's leaders say along with local restrictions it has helped get on top of the virus. it is not a panacea on its own but together with the other measures, the social distancing measures and the other things in place, it can help reduce the spread of the virus. the infection rate has been cut by two thirds but there has been a big variation in take—up of testing, with a lower response in more deprived areas. the rapid testing kits used in some areas like liverpool are now being sent out to many other communities. they will also be used
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in the new plan to transform the way self—isolation is administered. if you've been in contact with someone who has the virus, you currently need to self—isolate for 1h days. under the pilot scheme you'd be tested every day for seven days. you should get the results within 30 minutes, and if negative, you can go about your normal daily routine. if positive, you will have to self—isolate. rapid virus testing is to be used at care homes. today, caroline had a temperature test as a precaution. but she could only see her mother—in—law wendy through the window. there is no plan for testing in all care homes in england by early next year to allow proper visits. 0ne owner welcomed the idea but said it would be hard to administer. —— there is now a plan for testing in all care homes in england by early next year to allow proper visits. 0ne owner welcomed the idea but said it would be hard to administer. it can't come soon enough, really, because it has been heartbreaking for people who haven't been able
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to see loved ones since march. we want it to happen quickly in the right way and safe. we have got to do it. it's just the speed that worries me and the expectations government has given. we will cooperate but i don't want it to be all the blame on care homes if it doesn't quite work properly. but some academics argue that the rapid testing technology is not as accurate as the established system so would be unreliable if used as a model for mass testing in every community. i haven't seen evidence that that would do more good than harm. that's my great worry. and i think we should do a lot more research before rolling this out on a huge scale at huge expense. government advisers say these kits with rapid results are accurate and could play a major role in suppressing the virus. but it's a highly ambitious plan and a step into the unknown. hugh pym, bbc news. we've had to get used to watching sport in cavernous, empty stadiums on our televisions. but at last , the news that sports fans have been waiting for: up to 4,000 spectators will be allowed back into some events, after the current lockdown in england ends as our
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sports editor dan roan reports. commentator: he scores! jamie vardy has got his second! eight months have passed since this, the last premier league match fans were present at, but today finally came the news sport had been desperately hoping for — crowds will be allowed back into the grounds and venues in lower—risk areas from next week. under the new system, 4,000 people can attend outdoor events in tier1 areas, or 50% of capacity, depending which is smaller. in tier 2 the number will be capped at 2,000, but spectators will continue to be banned in the highest risk tier 3 areas. this could be a lifeline, particularly for those clubs in league 1 and league 2 and national league, for which 4,000 fans is a significant amount. of course, we don't yet know which geographical area the clubs will fall in, and it probably won't make a great deal of difference to the big clubs. for months now, sports have insisted the return of fans can be achieved safely,
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and indoor events such as last week's atp finals tennis in london will now be able to have up to 1,000 spectators if they are in lower—risk areas. with fans not allowed inside grounds and venues like this since march, today's news will come as a major boost to sports that depend on gate receipts, and a first step back, perhaps, towards the return of the passion and the atmosphere that clubs up and down the country have missed so much. there was further good news today for a grassroots sport with organised outdoor activities able to resume from next week in all tiers. former international robbie savage who coaches a junior football team and campaigned for a return of children's sport told me just how much the decision meant. well, you can see i have a big smile on my face. it means so much to the youngsters all around the country, it was imperative that it was brought back for the physical and mental well—being. the pressures on children in modern day society is massive anyway, so they need a release, and that release coming now is going to be welcomed.
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there was welcome news for cash—strapped indoor sports too with facilities like pools able to reopen next week in all tiers and former olympic gold medalist rebecca adlington, who now spends time coaching the next generation of swimmers, believes the move is essential. for many, many people swimming is the only form of exercise that they can do, especially for the kind of elderly or rehab, or any sort of injury. so i'd be really concerned that the obesity rate in more inactive adults will rise as well, so we really need to tackle these issues so we don't overwhelm the nhs from that side of things as well.
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there are still frustrations. while gyms can also reopen, group activities such as exercise classes will be restricted in tier 3. today is an important milestone, but for sport lots of hard work still lies ahead. dan roan, bbc news. 0ur sport correspondent, laura scottjoins us now. how welcome will the reintroduction of spectators be for clubs, ? especially those in the lower leagues? is it enough for them to stay afloat? it will benefit more closely mostly because they have attendances close to those allowed to attend, the 2000 4000, that mark. and rules widely welcome by figures from football, rugby union and horse racing, but it is the bigger premier league clubs that have to make this work them and they need many more fa ns work them and they need many more fans back in to make it economically viable, in fact it will cost them money to open up the stadium and have stewards on food and drink stands in place forfans have stewards on food and drink stands in place for fans than have stewards on food and drink stands in place forfans than it would be to have the action behind
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closed doors and for some who already have the sole, it won't actually mean extra cash coming in if they can only have the season—ticket holders at the stage in the premier league has said tonight they welcome the news but their priority for them is getting a road map to scale up quickly to more substantial numbers and for fans, too, many are incredibly excited by this news, they haven't been to see the clubs of chosen sport since march but two key questions remain for the fans, the first is which two will they find themselves in —— which will they find themselves in? can your chosen club have any fans at all? and it is down two will be selected because these are mainly beneficial for smaller clubs. it is what —— it was not so long ago some clu bs a re what —— it was not so long ago some clubs are bracing themselves for a whole winter without any fans so
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this is a definite progress. at least the premier league fairly deep pocket and can live off the fat for a while but right down to grass root, what will this mean for children's five aside park football, maybe outside schools? what will they be allowed to do going forward? it was announced today that grassroots and outdoor sports will be permitted in all areas. just in tier 3, there will be some restrictions faced on the eye contact sport but for the majority of people, they can get back to grassroots sports outdoors and as dan also mentioned, gyms and pools can open an oil areas which is a significant victory for campaigners from the leisure sector because they said it was really important to keep people active throughout the winter in all areas. there are still some restrictions. as dan mentioned, exercise classes being 81 and k actively representing a lot of
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leisure facilities being keen to lobby the government to get back to changed and get people to get to exercise classes and they could not do that in tier 3. taking tennis as an example, just to illustrate the different heroes, outdoor tennis is allowed. —— in the different tiers. you could play single tennis with someone from another household in tier 2 but only indoor tennis with members of your own household in tier 3. some ought still awaiting guidance on what is possible and some leisure facilities not reopening the fall down, it will be interesting to see if they can be up and now with the restrictions they have to put in place like social distancing but it is a welcome relief for many that they will be able to get back to the type of activities they have not been able to do for many weeks at least those that thank you. with me now is paralympian champion baroness tanni grey—thompson who's the chair of uk active
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which campaigns to get us all more active more often. it's a really positive step. it shows a great shift in the thinking. and it shows in the first lockdown that people's activity rates drop 70% advance will all the new people resort on their bikes. we had quite a kind spring but having it come into winter, it's important we have this facility is open to have people giving the choice of well to be active. there are still some challenges around some of the guidance and where we are going but overall it is a very positive result. did you understand the science behind the original shutting down? when you're looking at all for single tennis. —— when you're looking at golf or single tennis, you can say two metres apart easily
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but 12 metres apart in tennis. it's been very difficult. been working with lots of different organisations to cover a lot of different aspects like track and trace. everywhere you go, private or public, you have to show a pass or sign to get in so you know everyone who has been a new building and it has been really frustrating. furlough has helped to a point in terms of parts of the sector but also your looking at more tailored support in terms of supporting industry going forward because it's so important that people are one of the challenges coming out of lockdown was that third a leisure provision didn't open and statutory provision. whether it is public or private, or
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whatever part of the sector you're looking at, the government needs to keep looking at things like business rates, what can be done on the high street. the sector really needs that help, whether it is rehab, rehab, exercise or the elderly, we really have to step up the amount of activity people do. like mike is not just all these like me are looking forward to them reopening but for the kids. -- it is notjust. i wonder what damage long—term is being done to them because sport is one of the subjects thatjust dropped off when the schools shot and only certain people are being taught. it's been really difficult. we know when they were due back in september, many children missed at least 23 weeks of school and the associated physical activity and after—school of that came with that. but how do you measure as each school has to go into different procedures... to measure but that is a big chunk of time for young people
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to miss and when you —— we knew before the pandemic that if you have a class of 30 children today, the five fitters today, 30 years ago, would be the least five fitters. we have a generation of young people that are really struggling, an obesity crisis with the whole nation. this is why we actually have to completely rethink physical activity and diet, and actually the sector can really help the government in terms of the obesity plans of the things they are trying to do. what we would like to see is across government review. 0ur cross government review. —— a cross government review. and to look at where physical activity can help notjust the next generation of young people but all society. thank you. well since the first national lockdown was announced back in march, the city of leicester has been living continuously under some form of coronavirus restrictions — longer than any other uk city. and yet, infection rates
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there have risen significantly in the past few weeks. now there are fears the region may be placed in the strictest tier 3 on thursday. 0ur midlands correspondent sian lloyd looks at why leicester has been hit so hard and how it's affected people there. now in its third lockdown, will leicester face the most severe restrictions again? people living here and across the wider county have been warned that with cases rising sharply it's looking likely. back injune when the rest of the country was getting used to life out of lockdown, leicester went back in and julie clapham's business had to close. she's checking up on the city—centre premises she's run for 35 years, excited to learn today that she will be able to reopen. but says uncertainty has taken its toll.
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the mental anguish of being a shopkeeper of a small family business in this town has been unbelievable this year. i talk to people on this street every day that don't know how they are going to pay their rent. remember this is leicester's third lockdown. it might be a second national lockdown, but have we ever come out of lockdown in leicester? local public health officials are concerned that transmission rates are still being pushed up due to household mixing. they have implored people to stick to the rules. but there is an acknowledgement too of so—called lockdown fatigue. it doesn't seem like anybody's listening and it just seems to get worse. and that's society for you. perhaps people are not taking it as seriously as they should do, maybe. but that's understandable because they have spent so much time in lockdown and they need to enjoy their life and do things they normally do. when i had covid ifelt completely, totally wiped out. normally i've got a lot of energy.
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20—year—old chloe has just got over covid. she's trying to establish her career in the hospitality sector. having been made redundant once she had hoped to start a newjob in a hotel. it has been a waiting game for a very long time now, to be honest. and obviously it is nerve—racking because you don't know what's going to happen and i hope that we are not in the highest tier. local health services are under strain. there are more patients being treated in hospitals in the region now than during the first wave of the crisis. people living in the city famous for unearthing king richard iii fear a winter of discontent lies ahead. sian lloyd, bbc news, leicester. more now on the development of the coronavirus vaccines. the prime minister has told a downing street news conference that things should feel very different by easter. trials have shown that the oxford vaccine is 70 per cent effective — similar to the flu jab —
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with this figure rising to 90 per cent if the dosages are adjusted. researchers also said that no one who received the jab became severely ill with the disease. we can now speak to professor sir gordon duff — former chair of the uk's medicines and healthcare products regulatory agency. everyone has been praising this news today. it seems like we get good news on a vaccine every today. it seems like we get good news on a vaccine every monday. in terms of the regulatory process, how quickly can this be made operational and do you have to talk to other regulatory bodies internationally to get agreement everywhere? first of all, i agree. get agreement everywhere? first of all, iagree. it get agreement everywhere? first of all, i agree. it is fabulous news. it's really very important, it's a horrible virus and it's a horrible
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and tragic illness, so the vaccines are and tragic illness, so the vaccines a re really and tragic illness, so the vaccines are really the only main hope of turning back that tide. question, how does the regulation work? normally, a company would develop a vaccine or any other medical product over many yea rs vaccine or any other medical product over many years and there are many stages. you have to go through the quality of the product, its toxicology and then it's preclinical testing, its biology, and then the clinical testing, the clinical trials, phases one, two, three and four, and normally, as i said, that can take many, many years and then the whole dossier of data goes to the whole dossier of data goes to the m the whole dossier of data goes to themhra, the whole dossier of data goes to them h ra, our the whole dossier of data goes to the m h r a, our national uk regulator where it is appraised very thoroughly by mhr a professional
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assay soars and then we have another layer which is a statutory independent commission called the commission on human medicines that comprises expert in science, in clinical medicine, in other areas such as statistics, ethics, and also lay people, and they go over everything again and make a decision whether the product has a positive ratio of benefit to risk, in other words, neither —— make the benefits for outweigh the risk of the product. that then goes through the mhr aid to the licensing authority who are the health ministers. normally that would take a very long time, i've taken quite a long time telling you about it, and on this...
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i was going to say, it sounded like a period of several years, what you did describe it very concisely, thank you. i wasn't criticising for that. i deliberately wanted to outline how long it takes and how many stages there are, but given the pandemic and given the need to get medicines and vaccines out as quickly as possible to save lives and get the country back on it feet, there has been a rolling process so, in other words, the very beginning, when the first quality experiments and data were available, that would have been assessed and then when the toxicology was done, it would have been assessed, so in effect, when the last pieces of the clinical trial data, the human clinical trial data coming in, it's not a question
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now of having to assess the whole thing across the board. it can just bea thing across the board. it can just be a question of a highly professional, highly careful, very experienced and thorough people checking the data from the clinical trial and deciding whether the benefits far outweigh the risk and making that recommendation. for those people who are sceptical, saying, look, i listen to that but i do not trust this process because it is too quick, how can i trust that is too quick, how can i trust that is safe and how can i trust that is something that is good for me and my family? it is an understandable question. all i can say is... i should emphasise that i'm not any longer involved in that process, i left the company several years ago but i can tell you that the mhr a is among the most trusted, most
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respected regulatory agencies across the globe, it is full of people who are the globe, it is full of people who a re really the globe, it is full of people who are really expert, really thorough, very rigorous and no stone will be left unturned. the safety of the product, the safety of patient or healthy people in terms of a vaccine receiving the product is primary, it is the main aim, and it's hard to exaggerate how much care and attention goes in to the appraisal. every line, every table is gone through several times by expert people and it's only when it is quite clear that the efficacy, the benefits of the product far outweigh any risks which may only be
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theoretical, that the recommendation for a licensing is given and in the uk, we have a particularly strong reputation of high level and effective medicines with the regulation. very briefly, it could bea regulation. very briefly, it could be a matter of weeks. it could be. it depends. if everything is straightforward, if there are no problems detected, there are no questions that need to go back to the developers, then... which would ta ke the developers, then... which would take time to both ask the question and receive the answers, then it could a matter of a small number of weeks. given that everything else has already been done. all right, i'm to cut you short. thank you very much for taking us through it so clearly what we are running out of
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time. let's hope it isjust a matter of weeks. we need to catch up with some whether. now it's time for a look at the weather with matt taylor hello. it may have been a fine but rather chilly end to the day in some eastern parts, but actually through the night it's going to turn milder rather than get colder. and over the next 24—36 hours, milder conditions will dominate. rain at times, particularly in the west, but later in the wek as things turn drier, more extensive frost and fog will return. at the moment, though, well, we've got some south to south—westerly winds all to the south of this weather front, which is buckling, a little wave developing towards the south west, and that means rather than the weather front shifting its way southwards and eastwards, the rainjust runs along it northwards and eastwards. and so, it's the same areas affected by the rain throughout the night, parts of northern ireland, south west scotland especially. something a little bit clearer tonight in the far north of scotland, where temperatures will drop back into single figures. but as the breeze picks up across england and wales, plenty of cloud, the odd splash of drizzle in the west. it'll actually turn milder through the night, with most in double figures to start tuesday morning.
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and here's a big chart for tuesday, very with little change to how we are at the moment. that weather front still there waving across the north west of the uk, so northern ireland, south and west scotland, still more rain to come. 0ccasional rain to the west of wales, maybe north west england, too. far north of scotland will be that little bit brighter than today and a little bit cooler, but elsewhere, with the winds coming in from a southerly direction and a breezier day for england and wales, it will be a warmer day. temperatures could hit around 13—14 degrees, especially if we see more in the way of sunshine develop towards east anglia and the south east later. but as we finish tuesday and go into tuesday night, that weather front will start to push its way southwards and eastwards. another wave, another buckle develops downwind of us, and that will delay its departure from the south and east. so milder air will hold on here for a bit longer, but notice our temporary blast of northerly winds will bring colder air in place, and then that will just sit for the rest of the week. wednesday's almost transition day, really. that weather front‘s still with us across the south and east of england. rain and drizzle at times, maybe the odd heavier burst. from the north and west midlands, wales northwards, a lot more sunshine around than how we started the week.
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there will be a bit of a northerly breeze bringing that colder air in places. temperatures down to single figures and one or two showers. and then with colder air pushing to all through the night and into thursday morning, a more widespread frost around. and frosty nights you'll have to get used to as we see the week out. most places will be dry by day, but could become quite murky. and where the fog lingers, temperatures only around 3—4 degrees, but as you can see, most will be sitting in single figure temperatures. through the pandemic.
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this is bbc news. joe biden is waiting no longer, he is building his team and the message is, steady as she goes. in the cabinets, familiarfaces from as she goes. in the cabinets, familiar faces from the 0bama administration. in joe biden's familiar faces from the 0bama administration. injoe biden's white house, it is back to the future. anthony blinking is mr biden's pick for secretary of state. he is known in washington as mr biden's alter ego. a federal agency controls all access and yet is still refusing to recognise the election result. we speak to one of the former administrators. also in the programme. . . administrators. also in the programme... the covert vaccine —— the covid vaccine is

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