6:50 am, May 16, 2021
Warnings against Monday’s easing of restrictions
A growing number of experts have issued warnings over the major easing of restrictions tomorrow which ministers are pushing ahead with despite concerns over the Indian variant.
Boris Johnson was also facing criticism for delaying imposing heightened travel restrictions from India as experts fear the variant may be more than 50 per cent more transmissible than the Kent strain.
Scientists urged for a delay as medics described the easing as a ‘real worry’ while many await vaccination. Sage’s Professor Susan Michie said the government should suspend the unlocking, the Sunday Times reported.
Thousands set to fly overseas as ban on holidays lifted
Thousands of holidaymakers are preparing to head overseas when the ban on foreign leisure travel is lifted in England and Wales tomorrow.
Travel firms have reported a surge in demand for trips to Portugal, after the government put the country on its green list for travel.
That means returning travellers will not need to self-isolate on their return, and are only required to take one post-arrival test. EasyJet has added 105,000 extra seats to its flights serving green-tier destinations.
Wales to allow pints inside for first time in five months
People in Wales will be allowed to drink a pint inside a pub for the first time in more than five months when indoor hospitality reopens tomorrow.
Entertainment venues like cinemas and all tourist accommodation can also reopen, along with indoor service in hospitality businesses as the country moves to alert level two.
Buying an alcoholic drink inside a pub, bar or restaurant has not been allowed in since December 4, with all hospitality businesses forced to close except for offering takeaways when Wales went into lockdown on December 20.
Santander says services are restored after glitch
Santander said its services have returned to normal after a technical glitch lasting much of yesterday saw customers unable to make payments.
The bank apologised for the inconvenience the problem caused.
Customers had reported being unable to use the app or their online banking while some had their cards refused while trying to pay for things.
Largest cruise ship built for UK arrives in Southampton
The largest cruise ship built for the UK market arrives in Southampton today ahead of its naming ceremony.
P&O Cruises’ Iona has 17 passenger decks, creating capacity for 5,200 holidaymakers before social distancing is taken into account.
She will be used by the operator for its summer season of domestic sailings. She is 345 metres long (1,132ft), weighs 185,000 tonnes and runs on liquified natural gas.
Only eligible people can get vaccine in Bolton
Younger people cannot turn up and expect to get a Covid-19 vaccine in Bolton, despite reports suggesting ‘anyone’ could queue for a jab.
Bolton Council has been pushing for those aged 18 and over to be vaccinated, and a councillor deleted a tweet on Saturday in which he claimed ‘anyone’ with a Bolton postcode and registered with a Bolton GP could visit a vaccine bus and get jabbed.
NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group said anyone registered with a GP in Bolton can visit the vaccination bus – but pointed out that they must be either over 38, a carer, shielding, or have a long-term health condition.
Saturday headlines you may have missed
- Car garage fined £80,000 over horrific oil drum explosion that killed engineer
- Cazoo trumpets 25,000 sales of used cars in under 18 months since launch
Crash victim had posted videos on social media of him in Tesla on autopilot
The driver of a Tesla involved in a fatal crash that California highway authorities said may have been operating on autopilot, posted social media videos of himself in the vehicle without his hands on the wheel or feet on the pedals.
The crash on May 5 in Fontana, 50 miles east of Los Angeles, in the US, is under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In the Fontana crash, Steven Michael Hendrickson, 35, was killed when his Tesla Model 3 hit an overturned lorry. He was a member of the Southern California chapter of a Tesla club and had posted numerous photos and videos on social media of his white Model 3.
Nato missile defence exercise begins off Scotland
Three Royal Navy warships have joined a Nato military exercise which will be the world’s largest test of naval air defences.
The three-week-long Formidable Shield 2021 exercise began yesterday, taking place off Scotland’s Outer Hebrides and Norway’s Arctic coast.
It will see live missile launches as the warships test their ability to deal with incoming threats from the air, including ballistic missiles. HMS Dragon, HMS Lancaster and HMS Argyll are involved.
Elephant sculptures bring environmental message to Buckingham Palace
A herd of life-sized elephant sculptures have gone on display in front of Buckingham Palace to promote the coexistence of humans and animals.
The 100 Asian elephants, which on Saturday were pictured crossing the Mall in London, were created by communities in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu who live in close proximity to the large land mammals.
Actress Joanna Lumley, Bollywood star Amy Jackson and presenter Donna Air posed for pictures to promote the installation.
Amanda Wakeley fashion label hires administrators
Designer Amanda Wakeley’s eponymous fashion label has fallen into administration after failing to secure a rescue sale.
The label, which was a favourite of Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, said its trading performance ‘suffered due to the current pandemic conditions’, which had a particular impact on its flagship Mayfair store and concessions.
The retail brand said it has hired administrators from insolvency experts Smith & Williamson.
Royal Mail set to reveal bumper profits
Royal Mail is expected to reveal a doubling of profits to more than £700m next week, as one of the big winners from the Covid-19 crisis.
It saw a fall in business when the pandemic first hit, but with the need for PPE and a shift to online shopping – alongside a renaissance in letter writing – its fortunes quickly changed.
On Thursday, bosses will unveil full-year results, including a previously announced resumption of a dividend to investors.
Ford could build more electric vehicles on VW platform
Ford could build multiple electric vehicles using Volkswagen Group’s ‘MEB’ platform, its European president has hinted.
The two companies already have an engineering partnership that gives Ford access to the platform for an EV that’s expected in 2023, with spy shots last month hinting at that model being an SUV.
Speaking during the Financial Times Future of the Car summit, Stuart Rowley, Ford of Europe president, hinted that the partnership might not be limited to just one EV. He said: ‘Our alliance isn’t meant to be capped or defined, and we’re going to look for opportunities to work together for mutual benefit where it makes sense for both companies.’
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Forecast of more rain could lead to one of wettest Mays on record
More rain showers are forecast for the week ahead, setting the scene for what could be one of the wettest Mays on record.
By Friday there had been 91 per cent of the expected rainfall for the entire month, with 63.5mm having fallen already.
The wettest May on record was in 1967, when 131.7mm of rain fell across the UK. Met Office forecaster Steven Keates said even if the record is not broken, it will be a ‘notably wet month’.
Heavy downpours and sunny spells
Today, Scotland and N Ireland will see sunshine and some showers, says the BBC. England and Wales will see slow-moving showers through much of the day, these will often be heavy and thundery.
Showers will ease for most areas this evening, but one or two will linger for parts of Scotland and England. It will be cloudy for Britain, but N Ireland can expect clear spells for much of the night.
A cloudy start for most tomorrow with some further spots of rain in Scotland and parts of England. Sunny spells are likely for some in the afternoon, and scattered showers will develop again later on.
