This is bbc news these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. If you get positive covid, you aint leaving you need to book a covid test before you leave or they wont let you leave. Lorry drivers are told they can travel again, if they test negative for coronavirus thats after france lifted a ban imposed over covid fears. But this morning, tempers flare as drivers, many of whom spent a third night in their vehicles, clash with police in dover. More parts of england could be moved up to the toughest level of coronavirus restrictions tier 4 possibly as early as boxing day. We want to hear your thoughts on the latest lockdown plans and the possibility of more restrictions. Do you support them . What effect will they have on you . Do get in touch with me on twitter annita mcveigh
and use bbcyourquestions, and ill try to read out some of your comments. President trump refuses to sign a 900 billion Coronavirus Relief package agreed by the us congress, describing it as a disgrace. In australia, authorities in sydney so in australia, authorities in sydney so restrictions will be eased for three days over christmas, even though the number of infections in the city continues to grow. And coming up this hour after a year of many sacrifices, we meet the care home relatives singing for residents and staff. Hello and welcome if youre watching in the uk or around the world. Rail, air and sea services between britain and france have restarted, after the french government agreed to ease its ban on people entering the country from the uk. Almost 3,000 lorry drivers stranded at dover, will be offered rapid lateral flow tests, after many spent a third night in their vehicles. Under the new travel agreement between the uk and france, french citizens british nationals living in france and hauliers will be among those who can now travel, if theyve tested negative for covid i9. In other developments, more areas of england could be moved into tier 4 restrictions from boxing day, to slow the spread of coronavirus, with an announcement expected later today. And the former Prime Minister, tony blair, has called for the uks current vaccination plan to be radically accelerated. Along with the former director of immunisations at the department of health,
David Salisbury, hes called for single doses of the Pfizer Vaccine to be given to a greater number of people. In the united states, President Trump has condemned a coronavirus stimulus plan as a disgrace, and urged congress to amend it. And coronavirus has now reached all seven continents, as dozens of cases are reported at an Antarctic Research station. Well have more on all these stories this hour. But first, this report on the situation in dover from our correspondent, jon donnison. After days of gridlock, finally, some movement. France reopened its border overnight and the port of dover says services are resuming today. But anyone travelling to france from the uk will have to show proof of a negative coronavirus test in the previous 72 hours, and shifting thousands of lorries wont happen quickly. Obviously, there is a physical issue of providing the test, getting the results. A negative test allows you to leave. But all of that requires operationalising and that cant happen in an instant. So this will take 2 3 days for things to be cleared. At manston airport, where more than 2,000 lorries are parked up, the military will be brought in to assist mobile nhs test and trace services. Drivers should be able to get test results within half an hour. But the food and drink federation, worried about supply chains, says it could take more than a week to shift the backlog. For many european drivers, getting home for christmas still seems unlikely. We are tired, we are disappointed and we are afraid we will miss our christmas with families. We dont know what to do. I have called everywhere to ask if they can help us, and no answer. Nobody knows. We have to wait. Last night in dover, frustrations boiled over, with some
drivers blocking the roads. No food, no nothing. And what happens its delivered for tomorrow and, after tomorrow, one week more . We are here 48 hours, nearly. Its normal, no . We want to go home. And some are warning it wont end here. This is of a different order of magnitude, and in the context of brexit and what is coming from the ist of january, this is the start of a very serious supply Chain Disruption of the like that we probably have never experienced. And while eurostar and eurotunnel train services, as well as flights to france, should also resume today, travel bans imposed on the uk by as many as 50 other countries in response to the surge in coronavirus cases here have not yet been lifted. Jon donnison, bbc news. Simonjones has simon jones has been simonjones has been in manston near dover were more than 2000 lorries are parked up. The warning from the government is this will take several days to clear. As well as testing taking place here at the manston site, we are told they will be several other testing sites too. We understand people will be going along the lines of lorries on the m20 and offering tests that way. A number of options available. We have seen this morning nhs test and trace. We understand they have gone on to cite. They will be supported by the military. The idea of testing as many people as possible. They will get lateral flow tests. These are where you get a result within 30 minutes. You take the test, then you get a text message telling you, hopefully, you have got a negative result. If that is the case, and in theory the lorry drivers will be allowed to leave this side, head to the port of dover oi this side, head to the port of dover or eurotunnel, show that negative
test result and then hopefully for them get home in time for christmas. And what happens if somebody test positive . What we understand is if they get a positive test, they will then be offered a second test, a pcr test. These are the more reliable tests. But the results take a day or two to come back because the samples have to go to a laboratory. The government says it is likely over those two days the lorry driver will be asked to self isolate within their cab. That is not going to be a particularly pleasant experience. If that second test, test comes back positive, they will be asked to go toa positive, they will be asked to go to a nearby hotel where it will be a coronavirus safe environment. So it is not clear ultimately how many people that is going to apply to. The theory is with lorry drivers, they tend to sit in their cabs, there is not a great deal of mixing. That was the argument put forward by the British Government to the french, which is why france has
accepted having these lateral flow tests as the first negative test result, but even though the lack wrote lateral flow tests are not as reliable as the samples that go to the labs. As we saw in johns report, clearly, understandably, there is a lot of frustration . report, clearly, understandably, there is a lot of frustration . A lot of frustration. This morning we have been hearing lorry drivers sounding their hornss. I think probably what we have heard from people above all is the lack of information. The waiting, the not knowing what is going to happen. Interestingly this morning, a lot of people have been turning up on spec, people from romania and bulgaria in vans, hoping they might be able to get a test. They have been saying to me, what do we do, where do we need to go . They have been told they have to join the back of the queue on the m20, or potentially if they are a lorry, be allowed onto the site. This morning there have been scuffles in dover, where lorry drivers, like we saw last night, just so frustrated, they
have been gathering near the entrance to the port, they simply wa nt to entrance to the port, they simply want to be allowed to go home. But if theyre simply parked illegally in dover or in lay by is on the verges, they will not be the number one priority for getting a test. Some of the people here have been asking where they can get a private test, so that potentially could be an option. But people desperate to try to get the negative try to get that text message that they could show at the port of dover or eurotunnel that will finally give them passive to cross from the uk to france. Simonjones. More areas of england could be moved into tier 4 the countrys highest level of coronavirus restrictions as soon as boxing day, which is before the next formal review date on 30th december. Ministers and Health Experts met yesterday, amid growing concern about the spread of the new variant of covid i9. 0ur Political Correspondent, helen catt, reports. We are already heading for a much restricted christmas. Wales went into lockdown on sunday, so, too, did london and large parts
of the south and east of england. On monday, one of the governments most senior advisers suggested tighter restrictions were inevitable elsewhere, too. It is likely that this will grow in numbers of the variant across the country and i think its likely, therefore, that measures need to be increased in some places in due course, not reduced. It is understood that some tier 2 areas close to those in the newly created tier 4 are being considered for a move up tojoin them in the highest level of restrictions. That would mainly, but not exclusively, affect more parts of southern england. Some other tier 2 areas may be in line for a shift up one level to tier 3. It comes after a meeting of Public Health officials, ministers and scientists yesterday, and in the face of rising case numbers and hospital admissions. Several sources have suggested any changes could take effect in england from boxing day. Thats when a National Lockdown comes into force in Northern Ireland, and the whole of mainland scotland moves to its strictest level of rules, too. Any changes to the tiers in england
will need to be approved by senior ministers. Helen catt, bbc news, westminster. Lets talk to the leader of crawley borough council, currently under tier 2 restrictions but bordering tier 2 restrictions but bordering tier 4 areas. Thank you forjoining us. Do you think that your area might, or needs to, go into a higher tier . Well, it might do. Certainly the numbers in our part of the world would suggest that if it is not going on now, it will be at some point in the near future. Going on now, it will be at some point in the nearfuture. As going on now, it will be at some point in the near future. As to whether we ought to, these decisions have to be taken on the basis of medical evidence by the experts. It is not for the politicians to cut in and say what their personal opinion is. Isnt the issue about getting ahead of this virus . That has been a co nsta nt ahead of this virus . That has been a constant criticism from many people
throughout this pandemic, of the government, saying they have not acted quickly enough in certain circumstances. So in order to get ahead of it, dont you need to go into a higher tier pre emptively, almost . Well, i think, yeah, more or less the government has been behind the curve. We heard people calling for tougher controls for christmas a month ago. The who informed the government of this particular strain backin government of this particular strain back in september. To suggest this was not something that anyone could have predicted, it is not believable. We are now having endless updates suggesting this is a government which is totally lost control of its own approach for dealing with this virus. If that means we have to go into lockdown sooner, if that is justified by the science, that is what we have to do. I think people are getting tired of people things been decided that the last possible minute following a vast amount of pressure from
different groups of mps, rather than based on the people you know what they are doing. At the time we had they are doing. At the time we had the Scientific Data it may already be too late. The virus may have spread, the new variant may have spread. So that is why i am putting to you, and i want to move on to questions on the economy in a moment, that is why im putting to you that perhaps you need to take pre emptive action, the government needs to take pre emptive action . Epidemiology works by developing models. It is not about waiting for the latest data. You can extrapolate what the probable causes. That may change. The reality is there was evidence this was going to happen months ago and the government yet again failed to act. I mentioned the economy. In your area that is hugely affected by the impact that the virus has had on gatwick airport. So where do you stand on a balancing of health and wealth . The reality is for crawley there has been no coming back since last march. The lockdown continues to affect the community,
we are among the hardest hit economies in the country so far. We are waiting for somebody in the government to make us to give some support to get through this. We have had lots of nice words but no action whatsoever. We go into another lockdown now it will affect more businesses. But the reality is for most businesses they are already on their hands and knees. Even without a face a lot of them will not make it through. We simply have not make it through. We simply have not had the support we have needed since last march. Councillor peter lamb, labour leader of crawley council, thank you for your time. The netherlands has lifted its ban on travel from the uk. All passengers will need to show a negative test, carried out within 72 hours of arrival and those who do make the trip will still be asked to quarantine for ten days. Meanwhile, the philippines, japan and south korea have become the latest countries to restrict british people from entering because of a new variant of coronavirus. Donald trump has blocked a 900 billion Coronavirus Relief package, which was agreed by the us congress this week, after months of wrangling. In a video released on twitter, mr trump denounced the bill as a disgrace and demanded changes to the payments americans are due to receive, to help them through the pandemic. 0ur north america correspondent, peter bowes, reports. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. They thought it was a done deal. After months of wrangling, democrats and republicans in Congress Finally agreed to a 900 billion package of measures to help americans through the pandemic. All it needed was the signature of donald trump, but not so fast. The president doesnt like the bill, he says a Lump Sum Payments that most americans would receive isnt enough. Im asking congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low 600 to 2,000, or 4,000 for a couple. Im also asking congress to immediately get rid
of the wasteful and unnecessary items from this legislation, and to send me a suitable bill or else the next administration will have to deliver a covid relief package, and maybe that administration will be me, and we will get it done. If he refuses to sign the bill, the Us Government will shut down next week and the emergency economic aid will be put on hold. Even the president s most loyal supporters say it is a bad move. Senator Lindsey Graham tweeted democrats say they wanted americans to receive bigger Lump Sum Payments all along. It is far from clear whether a Christmas Eve session in the house of representatives will resolve the matter. President trump, who has less than a Month Remaining in office, wasnt involved in negotiations over the bill. His last minute objections have stunned washington and leave the country in limbo. With Many Americans preparing for a bleak holiday period, broke and unable to see their families because of the coronavirus, it simply means more uncertainty. Peter bowes, bbc news los angeles. President trump has pardoned two men convicted of lying to Robert Muellers inquiry into russian meddling in the 2016 us election. George papadopoulos, a former Trump Campaign aide, and alex van der zwaan, a lawyer, both served brief jail terms. Theyre among a group of 15 people whove been granted clemency by the outgoing leader. Tony blair is urging the British Government to consider giving as many people as possible and initial dose of the Coronavirus Vaccine, rather than preserving stock so there is enough for a second jab. Both the five biontech and Oxford University astrazeneca vaccine need two doses to be fully effective. The former Prime Minister said his idea would speed up the Vaccination Programme. It is a thought echoed by the former director of immunisation, professor David Salisbury. Hejoins me now. Very good to have you with us me now. Very good to have you with us today on bbc news. Tell us about how you would like to see the Vaccination Programme accelerated . |j think Vaccination Programme accelerated . think we have to save as many lives as we possibly can, as fast as we can. Using the vaccines that are available to us. And the evidence that has that a second dose of the Pfizer Vaccine actually confers very little benefit, is not there. Very much benefit. We should be giving as many first doses to as many people in risk groups as we can. And only after we have done that do we come back with second doses on a delayed basis. Why do you say the evidence is not fair that the second dose really improves the benefits for someone getting this vaccination . Well, it does appear from the publication from the pfizer group that the first dose of vaccine conferred 9i group that the first dose of vaccine conferred 91 protection. The second dose only took it obviously to a bit higher. 95 . So the benefit was only 496. Higher. 95 . So the benefit was only 4 . If you havei Million People getting two doses, you protect 950,000 of them. If you have 2 Million People getting one dose, you
protect 1. 8 million. That is pretty clear. You alluded to that first dose, one dose of the Pfizer Biontech vaccine, giving 91 protection. But a pfizer representative speaking to the New York Times has said that its around 5296 york times has said that its around 52 protection from that first dose. That is quite a discrepancy. Where does that figure of 91 come from . If you look in the new england journal of medicine paper, it shows that the protection from the time of the first taos to have the time of the first taos to have the time of the second dose, is 51 . Thats where the first taos. However, that includes a period when you are not protected at all from the vaccine. If you look at the period from interfaces in the paper from ten days after the first dose to a week after the second, which is the real protection from the first taos, that is 91 . Ok, so that protection bills
then. Not huge protection, is 91 . Ok, so that protection bills then. Not hl better ection, is 91 . Ok, so that protection bills then. Not hl better than n, is 91 . Ok, so that protection bills then. Not hl better than nothing, 52 , 51 , is better than nothing, clearly. Immediately after that first jab might. But clearly. Immediately after that firstjab might. But then the protection grows, you are saying, in the days after that injection . Well, if you take the period from the time of the first taos, to the time of the second one, when you are not getting any protection for the first week or ten days from the first one, you get 51 . But if you take the time period from when you start getting protection from the first taos, until you start getting protection from the second, it is 91 . That is in the paper. Why do you think the people behind the Pfizer Biontech jab mike didnt insist this was how it was rolled out . Presumably they discuss this. It depends how they conducted a
clinical trial. The Clinical Trials is very formalised so that you give one dose on day zero, you give the second dose three weeks later, day 21. And you stick to that regime. That is where you get your efficacy data from. However, operationally, and given the circumstances that we are facing with a rapidly expanding number of cases, spreading through the country, we have to do what we can to save as many lives as we possibly can, as quickly as we can, therefore giving second doses only gives a second marginal benefit compared to the benefit you get from giving more people first doses. We have done this before. Not comparing like for like clearly, but in terms of percentages, 91 efficacy, how does that compare to vaccines for other diseases, other conditions . 0h, 91 is a fantastic figure. I mean, if thats what we have got, thatis mean, if thats what we have got, that is fantastic. We dont know if there are going to be any issues with the roll out of the Vaccination Programme. But if there were issues that were being identified, do you think the government would consider this change of tack . I am sure that every approach is going to be considered very carefully by the government, given the circumstances that were facing right now. And i do believe this is a way to save more lives, more quickly. And im sure it will be given very full consideration by the government. Professor David Salisbury, really interesting to talk to you. Thank you for your time. My pleasure. Rapid covid 19 tests are being rolled out across england. 17 additional areas will be offered lateral tests. The test provide
results in half an hour but there are concerns about their accuracy. The government say they help identify cases quickly and prevent further transmission. Authorities in sydney have announced that restrictions will be slightly eased for three days over christmas, as the cluster of infections in the city continues to grow. Sydney has seen 97 infections since the outbreak was detected in its northern beaches region last week. Australia is currently seeing almost no new cases outside sydney. That has prompted every State Government outside New South Wales to enact entry bans on travellers from the states capital. Lets get more on this and speak to professor Raina Macintyre, epidemiologist and head of the Biosecurity Research programme at the Kirby Institute at the university of New South Wales. Professor, you are very welcome. Thank you forjoining us. First of all, and that easing, that three day easing of restrictions over christmas in sydney, do you think thatis christmas in sydney, do you think that is a crazy idea . No, dont. They did it eight they did a targeted lockdown in the area where the outbreak was most intensely concentrated. They did extensive testing. So today, for example, over 40,000 tests were done. And the results are, they come pretty quickly, usually within 24 hours of the tests. And we had 30 cases on sunday, 15 cases on monday, eight cases on tuesday and eight cases again on wednesday. So the numbers are not going up. If they were going up are not going up. If they were going up or not coming down, it would be more of a concern. The greater concern is the timing of christmas and new year. If there are some infected people in the community that have not been identified on Christmas Day, Christmas Day could bea Christmas Day, Christmas Day could be a bit ofa Christmas Day, Christmas Day could be a bit of a super spreading event because people get together and in large groups, Church Services etc. And those people who get infected on Christmas Day, although
the incubation period is 14 days, 90 of people incubate in five to six days. So six days is new years eve. So the people who get infection on Christmas Day might be at the peak of their infectiousness on new years eve because infectiousness is highest. I am years eve because infectiousness is highest. Iam more years eve because infectiousness is highest. I am more concerned about january and what happens after new year. In order to try to get to the bottom of this, are the authorities steer clear yet, are scientists clear yet, and how this outbreak in the northern beaches region actually started . The northern beaches region actually started . Its likely to have been a breach in the Hotel Quarantine or from an international traveller, because the strain thats affected, that has been identified in this cluster, is from the us. It could be a return traveller or aircrew, or
someone who has come through that international border. So keeping those entry bands from anyone wanting to leave sydney, that is absolutely crucial to stop this getting further out of control. Im not suggesting it is out of control, but clearly the numbers you are telling us about are coming down, so it sounds like the authorities have stepped in really quickly and use their experience from earlier this year. But its very hard to get ahead of this virus, isnt it . Yeah. I think the response has been fantastic. They have really thrown everything at it. The targeted lockdown work. The problem is the pandemic today is much worse outside of our borders than it was even a few months ago. So the risk of someone coming in with infection and there being a breach, that is much higher today than it was several months ago. That is the problem. 0k, professor, thank you very much. Its a pleasure. Gatherings of more than four people will be banned in south korea after an explosive coronavirus infections. Ski resorts and major Tourist Spots nationwide will all shot on Christmas Eve. It is the most serious step the government has taken so far to social distancing after months of complacency. The measures will be in place until the 3rd of january. Three Police Officers have been shot dead after responding to reports of domestic violence. A fourth officer was wounded in the incident in france. They were trying to rescue a woman trapped on the roof of a house. The French InteriorMinistry Says the suspected gunman has been found dead. Scotlands first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said she made a stupid mistake after being pictured breaking coronavirus rules by taking off herface breaking coronavirus rules by taking off her Face Covering while at a funeral wake. A photograph published
by the scottish sun shows ms sturgeon chatting to three women while standing at a social distance, but not wearing a mask. Face coverings are mandatory in Scottish Hospitality venues, except when seated. Lets ta ke seated. Lets take you back to the situation in dover, where thousands of lorry drivers remain stuck in some pretty grim conditions as they wait to be tested so they can leave the uk. Members of the Sikh Community have rallied together to make short trucker is currently stock because of that Border Closure dont go hungry. I can talk now to ravi singh, who runs a charity. He travelled to the m20 last night with a group of volunteers, escorted by the police come and work later into the police come and work later into the night providing more than 800 hot meals and snacks to those drivers. Ravi, good to have you with us. It sounds like you were doing a fantasticjob. Us. It sounds like you were doing a fantastic job. Why us. It sounds like you were doing a fantasticjob. Why did you decide to step in with this assistance . Hi. Basically, we work around the globe
in disaster areas. But when something happens in the uk like floods etc, we get stuck in. And knowing what media is reporting at the time, the trucks, jams, political situation, but not the individual story of a truck driver stuck in his cab. So i went on a couple of days ago to check what was going on, i was horrified. Especially yesterday, when we worked with the police. The police approached us in the morning asking us approached us in the morning asking us to provide 800 hot meals last minute. They were for the drivers. We said yes because the Sikh Community around the uk is very supportive. So in kent, the sikh temple, we approach them, saying, can you get these ready . We within two and a half hours they cooked 800 meals. It was surreal driving down on the m20 between the parked lorries on a horrible, rainy evening. It was like something out ofa evening. It was like something out of a horror movie. Silence, wet,
cold, people stuck in their cabs. Basically we are doing it because if iam basically we are doing it because if i am stuck somewhere like that, i would want them to lift me. We work around the world in refugee camps. 0ne around the world in refugee camps. One thing that lived people around the world is a warm meal. That was the world is a warm meal. That was the aim, to see if we could reach out, provide a hot meal, lift the spirits of these guys who are stuck in theircabs on spirits of these guys who are stuck in their cabs on the m20 with no services, no shops, no access to anything. I can imagine. I can imagine the absolute joy with which these hot meals are greeted. Its quite an operation put together in a short space of time. You are focusing on the m20, not the drivers at manston airport. But the drivers elsewhere. What were they telling you about their ability to access any other food . We were working with the coast guard, police and highways agency,
some amazing teamwork. Sometimes we get annoyed with the Emergency Room Services when they respond to us on social media, but they were doing amazing work under difficult circumstances, so we are working on the m25 because that was where our need was according to kent police, so were to work anywhere stop the drivers we spoke to a couple of days ago, they were a bit down, a bit despondent, they wanted to get home for christmas, and yesterday, when you look at someone, it was a horrible evening, raining, and looking through the camp, they are on their own, they dont need to say anything. Honestly, when you arrive there, in real time, anything. Honestly, when you arrive there, in realtime, looking anything. Honestly, when you arrive there, in real time, looking at that person a few feet away, who just wa nts to person a few feet away, who just wants to get home, words are not needed. Just a look tells you that, thank you very much for coming to help us. And it means a lot. So you can see they appreciate it. But their faces really do tell a very sad story. It is a horrible situation. People need to see the human side. Ravi, good to talk to
you, well done for the huge efforts of your Community Helping those drivers stuck on the m25 stop ravi singh, there. Lets take you to the house of commons science and Technology Committee now. They are giving an update on the new variant of the coronavirus. They are speaking to members of nervtag. They saw an unusual cluster previously not recognised variant of the virus. Professor barclay can talk more about this. It was unusual that it had many mutations, notjust one or two, but there were 23 genetic mutations leading to quite a few changes in the proteins, and some of them in the receptor binding
rather virus binds to the cell to infect it, which could affect the behaviour of the virus, at nervtag we had heard about this on the 11th of december, so Public Health england heard about it on the eighth and put in a routinely scheduled paper to a nervtag meeting on 11th december about this variant they had discovered, and their concerns about it. At that stage on december 11, we said this was of concern, and we endorsed the measures phe were doing to find more information but at that stage there was considerable uncertainty, and with observation there was an increase in cases in south east england, london, an increase in this variant, but whether they were causally related was unclear. 0ne whether they were causally related was unclear. One week later, we look at the emerging evidence, on 18th december, that was when we really looked at temperatures strands of evidence, one, the epidemiology,
which was clearly showing that, despite the National Lockdown, cases had been increasing in kent and london and the east of england and that increase was associated both in time and place with a rapid increase of this virus variant, it was overtaking all the others, and it happened in a way which suggested it started in kent, probably from one person then expanded. It had other variants that were due to importations from overseas, so multiple importations, say, from spain in the summer, so you see different hotspots and lighting up, so the fact that it was this point source, and even during lockdown it was increasing rapidly and increasing more rapidly than other viruses, suggested that it might have some biological advantage over the other viruses. The second strand of evidence is the biology which
professor barclay can talk about, these changes that suggest it is biologically plausible that it does have a fitness advantage over other viruses, and some preliminary data that the viral loads were higher in patients with this virus compared to others. That data still is a bit uncertain because there are biases and now people are sampled, but it suggests there may be higher virus loads which might explain why it is transmitting more quickly. The third strand of evidence was the analytic approach, which professor ferguson will talk about. At the first meeting, we saw one chapter looking at the g name change rate and the other at the correlations between the of cases and the rate of increase of this virus the genome. Both suggested this particular variant was spreading
faster than other viruses in the same time and place. It would imply this virus had a advantage. Since that review on the 18th, we had looked at three types of analysis, we look at it again on monday, and we look at it again on monday, and we had another group doing independent analysis which they confirmed the same result pretty much, and yesterday another of the committees, five different independent groups are looking at this reaching the same conclusion, that it this reaching the same conclusion, thatitis this reaching the same conclusion, that it is highly likely that this virus has some advantage and is spreading faster. The precise estimate of how big that difference is, you know, moves about depending how you do the analysis, and is not exactly important. What is important is that all groups see a consistent pattern, and that the increase is probably substantial. And saying
what we dont know yet, if there is any difference in the severity of disease, the age distribution of cases, or most importantly, whether there is any immune escape, whether this virus is able to escape immunity introduced by the prior infection treatments of convalescent plasma, or vaccines, that is a crucial piece of work that is ongoing at the moment. We dont have any information on that. Thank you very much indeed. We will go into some detail on each of the points that you make. 0n some detail on each of the points that you make. On a foundational point, you said you thought that this new variant might have been found in one person. Just to start off with, how can a new variant begin its mutation, exchange, in one person, how does that happen . With
viruses, you have a poorfidelity copying system so they make random errors and it is an evolutionary process , errors and it is an evolutionary process, so the errors are generated randomly but then selected by evolution, so you get some mutations which are neutral in making change, so they can continue or not continue and it doesnt make any difference to the virus. If you get introductions of viruses like that they can growjust by chance, but you can also get selection within a person, so if a person is not generating a very good immune response, then they are not getting rid of the virus, but they are sort of selecting out the fitter viruses, so the virus is better able to evade the immune system and it will grow and outcompete the other viruses, and outcompete the other viruses, and that tends to happen in patients
who have long term infections, so we often see this in other viruses, in patients who have chronic infections, so the virus is quite a long chance to evolve, over time, and it can be generated by treatments, so with, hiv for example and antibiotics, if you give sub optimal treatment you can select out a resistant strain, so you could easily get a new variant are rising because of resistance to a treatment like convalescent plasma, or antibodies. You could get them under pressure from vaccines but at the moment there is not enough vaccination to do that. So to the point you could rule that out, it occurred before the vaccines. I guess they were being trialled. Are you confident it couldnt have been in response to a vaccine trial . The
first identified sample was 21st september, so before there had been any role that, and i think others can talk more about this but the range of mutation is probably not consistent with being vaccine related emergence. Consistent with being vaccine related emergence. Just to go into one important aspect of this, which is the extent to which this variant is the extent to which this variant is more transmissible than the standard form of covid, perhaps professor barclay may care to speak. The nervtag paper you refer to friday 18th december said there was moderate confidence of a substantial increase in transmissibility. We have just heard you had two further
meeting since then, is it still your assessment that there is moderate confidence, or has that changed . Professor barclay . On monday when we had a joint meeting, there was general agreement that we now had high confidence that there was an increase in the transmissibility of this virus. That has increased from moderate to high. 0bviously, these labels are well known to you, but, just four members of the public, members of parliament, high confidence, can you put a percentage confidence, can you put a percentage confidence on that, can you give us some way of getting a feel for it . dont think i can put a percentage on it. That conclusion was reached by consensus opinion with the joint
meeting of nervtag and spy m, everyone at the meeting was in agreement at that point, of the evidence of increased transmissibility. It is not a very strict cut off, but there is a framework where, between 50 75 is moderate and 75 and above is high confidence, and above 90 is highly, almost certain, which was the meeting of just yesterday almost certain, which was the meeting ofjust yesterday concluded that it was up to almost certain. As data has accumulated since the 18th, it has gone from moderate to high to almost certain. Almost certain is
the current description. Professor ferguson, if you are at the meeting, thatis ferguson, if you are at the meeting, that is the latest level of confidence, is it . Spym is a subgroup of sage, which will determine the level of confidence in the evidence found in everything, but undoubtedly the evidence is strengthened whilst it is still associated. I can talk on the rest on more detail. Thank you. I think, professor, you touched on this in your initial answer, but how do you know that it is more transmissible from the fact that it is transmitted more, or is it knowing something about the structure of this variant, and without putting words in your mouth, in yourfirst and without putting words in your mouth, in your first answer you said it was a combination of both, is that right . What we are seeing is
that right . What we are seeing is that this virus is spreading faster than other viruses that are occurring in the same time frame and the same place. Which would imply it has some kind of biological advantage to make it spread faster. Where we are confident is that it is spreading faster than other virus variants. At the moment, the underlying mechanism is not fully clear. It could be because the virus replicates faster, and so you get higher viral loads which makes you more infectious. There is some preliminary data suggesting that may be the case, that there may be higher viral loads in patients infected with virus, but we have to caveat that, because in patients, people may be sampled in a different way, because there is more awareness, or there is increased testing, which could lead to a bias,
which means you detect patients with higher viral loadsjust which means you detect patients with higher viral loads just because of the timing rather than the biology, so it could be that it replicates faster. It could be that, actually, there is a shorter time between infection and being exposed and being infectious. When that time frame shortens and you get quicker transmission, or it could be that the duration of infectiousness is longer, so there are a number of potential explanations which, we dont know which they are, but it all leads to the same picture which isa all leads to the same picture which is a faster spread of this virus. Thank you. In terms of this faster spread and its transmissibility, you have said that viruses change, they change all the time. Could it bea they change all the time. Could it be a possibility that the increased rate of transmission is not intrinsic to this variant, but it is
because, for example, adherence to lockdown measures may have been less strict than in the spring, so thats causing a more rapid transmission. Is that possible . That is why at the very first meeting on 11th december we said this was a concern, but we didnt have enough data to establish the difference between the two scenarios, which is what we really wa nted scenarios, which is what we really wanted to do. Is this virus different or is itjust around more because people are not complying with control measures . And, during that week, there was more data, more analysis, specifically to look at that question, is it the virus or is it behaviours and professor ferguson will talk more about that, and as analysis has come in we have increased confidence that it is the virus that seems to be behaving differently. Studio that was professor peter horbury, the chair of nervtag, the Group Advising the government on this new variant of coronavirus, with other members of nervtag, talking about this variant, saying that they now have high confidence that they now have high confidence that this variant can transmit much more quickly than the original version of coronavirus. They had moderate confidence, they said, that that was happening now they have high confidence, and you heard a little bit of the as aware the professor said they believe this is because of the change in the virus, rather than changes in behaviour of the public. Some developments for you to bring you in relation to this variant of coronavirus and travel. We are hearing that bulgaria Effective Immediately is align flights from the uk to help bulgarians wishing to return home is allowing. Travellers will be
tested for coronavirus and must observe ten days quarantine. Litter mania, latvia and estonia are running a joint Repatriation Service for their citizens to leave britain on december 28, and chinas southern ms will suspend direct flights to and from london from the 24th of december to january the 7th. Chinas southern airlines. Hgppy happy christmas and a huge hug. Happy christmas. And a huge, huge hug. Hello, mum. Hiya. And hi, just to wish you a very happy christmas, mum. These are just some of the families who wont be together this christmas. I miss you loads, all right . And i really, really would like to see you this christmas, but, unfortunately, due to the covid rules, i am not able to. Christmas is a time to say thank you, and for those at this care home, their thanks are more heartfelt than most. As the pandemic began, staff at court house in somerset moved in to keep covid out. 84 days away from their families to keep the people who lived here safe. For chris, that meant being separated from his wife and four year old daughter. Happy good morning, daddy, i miss you so much. For tina, it meant sleeping in the stockroom. We have no washing facilities, weve just got a ladies down the corridor, which is our bathroom and our toilet. So we have a little wash in the sink. Come with me, come with me, keep yo1ur eyes closed. Injuly, staff were reunited with theirfamilies. And, since then, while residents have been able to see
their families, with a vaccination on the horizon, they say they will wait for a hug until they think its safe. Youre going to be filming yourself on one device. Instead, they are showing their love and paying thanks through the magic of music. So if we get that nice brightness. Have yourself a merry Little Christmas. Breakfast introduced them to expert choirmaster daniel mchyer. And together with care home co owner chris, theyve formed this secret choir. Here we are as in olden days, happy golden days of yore. Staff and residents families singing side by side. Shes 4ft11, but shes a pocket rocket, you know. She a strong lady and i really admire her, shes done marvellous. How hard has it been keeping this choir a surprise from her . Oh, my god. Yesterday, i was with her all day. And i was getting messages from you guys and shes so nosy, my mum. And she knows everything. And if my phone goes off, she is onto it. So i was hiding all day. My phone was in my pocket, it was on silent. Residents have just been watching the staff Christmas Panto and they have no idea that we are in here. Weve put up these screens and we are so excited to show them the Court House Christmas choir. And with covid secu re remote controlled cameras inside the care home, we are about to see the reaction to their very first performance. Have yourself a merry Little Christmas let your heart be light
very happy christmas to my mother lal, who we love very much, from all the family in dubai and somerset. All the residents, i love you very much and i wish you a merry christmas. Have yourself a merry Little Christmas make the yuletide gay from now on our troubles will be miles away. Merry christmas, nana. Love you. Keeping very healthy and well. Thanks to the staff and the very friendly approach of all of them. So many thanks to them and happy christmas to everyone. Thanks very much for all the help and all the work that youve done. Happy christmas, mum. Merry christmas, pat. Through the years we all will be together if the fates allow hang a shining star upon the highest bough and have yourself a merry Little Christmas now. That was lovely. I thought it was wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. It really touched hearts, doing this. It brought tears to our eyes. And that applies easily to me because my son would say to me, 0h, turn the waterworks off, mother. This really made me cry and made me realise, actually, just how different this year is. It really hit home to me. Yeah, you know, just not having. As much as weve done everything we can, its not the same not having ourfamilies in and just having that christmas atmosphere. Yes, touched. Hes in switzerland and he has been all this year. Hes come over for two weeks this entire year, with my youngest, andy, on holiday. And then he went back and i havent seen him since. I love you loads and i hope we can see each other soon. All right, so hi from me and andy in switzerland. Bye. Im just going to replay that moment, because it meant so much to me and it willjust keep in my mind that one day i will see him again. And have yourself a merry Little Christmas now. We hope they have a lovely christmas. They certainly deserve it. You are watching bbc news. And it. You are watching bbc news. And it is time now for a look at the weather. Heres carol. Hello again, the weather across england and wales is going to be pretty wet. We have some heavy rain and it will continue through the course of the day. This area of low pressure has come in from the south west, and it is bringing all this rain wrapping in bands around it. As you can see from the squeeze on the isobars it will be windy across the coast of wales, South West England and the english channel, gusting up to 55 mph. From this rain we could see 20 40
millimetres plus a little bit more, falling on already saturated ground giving the risk of localised flooding. For Northern Ireland and scotland, dry with some showers, some of them wintry on the hills, with some snow on the hills of Northern England as well. 0vernight, that low pressure pulls away taking the rain with it. We have a northerly flow, so itll be a cold night and we will see some snow showers, mostly in the hills in scotland. With temperatures this now, we are looking at frost and ice on untreated surfaces. On thursday, Christmas Eve, High Pressure builds in, but more will be exposed to the northerly wind, so it will feel colder across the board, and it will be pretty windy down the east coast. Here, a plethora of showers, some of those wintry again mostly in the hills, and the odd shower coming in along the west coast as well. Inland, lots of dry weather, and still, showers in the highlands likely to be wintry,
mostly on higher ground. Temperatures between 3 7, much colder in southern england than it has been. Moving from Christmas Eve into Christmas Day, High Pressure still ensconced across our shores, a cold start on christmas morning, also some frost around, and a lot of dry weather to start with, with sunshine for england and wales but for scotland and Northern Ireland and then later, western parts, we will see cloud building ahead of a weather front coming our way, which will introduce some rain. The wind from the west will change to a westerly, so not feeling quite as cold here. For boxing day into sunday, the weather remains unsettled, and on boxing day, wet and very windy. This is bbc news. The latest headlines in the uk and around the world. If you get positive for covid, you aint leaving. Lorry drivers at the uk bought in dover are told they can travel again if they test negative for coronavirus, after france lifted a ban imposed over covid fears. Tempers flare as drivers, many of whom spend a third night in their vehicles, clash with police. More parts of england could be moved up to the top this level of coronavirus restrictions, tier 4, in little as three days. President trump refuses to sign a Coronavirus Relief package agreed by us
congress, describing it as a disgrace. In australia, authorities in sydney say restrictions will be eased for three days over christmas, even though the number of infections in the city continues to grow. Coming up, aftera coming up, after a year of many sacrifices, we meet the care home relatives singing for residents and staff. Hello and welcome if you are watching in the uk or around the world. Rail, airand sea watching in the uk or around the world. Rail, air and sea services between britain and france have restarted after the french government agreed to ease its ban on people entering the country from the
uk. Almost 3000 lorry drivers are stranded at dover, being offered rapid lateral flow tests, after many spent a third night in their vehicles. Under the new travel agreement, french citizens, british nationals living in france and hauliers will be among those who can now travel if they have tested negative for covid 19. More areas of england could be moved into tier 4 restrictions from boxing day to slow the spread of the virus. We expect an announcement later today. Former Prime Minister tony blair has called for the uks current vaccination plan to be radically accelerated, along with the former director of immunisations at the department of health, who has called for single doses of the Pfizer Vaccine to be given to a greater number of people. In the us, President Trump condemning a coronavirus stimulus package, calling it a disgrace, and urging congress to amend it. Coronavirus has now reached all seven continents. Dozens of cases have been reported at an Antarctic Research station. We will bring you more these stories. First, this report on the situation in dover. After days of gridlock, finally, some movement. France reopened its border overnight and the port of dover says services are resuming today. But anyone travelling to france from the uk will have to show proof of a negative coronavirus test in the previous 72 hours, and shifting thousands of lorries wont happen quickly. Obviously, there is a physical issue of providing the test, getting the results. A negative test allows you to leave. But all of that requires operationalising and that cant happen in an instant. So this will take 2 3 days for things to be cleared. At manston airport, where more than 2,000 lorries are parked up, the military will be brought in to assist mobile nhs
test and trace services. Drivers should be able to get test results within half an hour. But the food and drink federation, worried about supply chains, says it could take more than a week to shift the backlog. For many european drivers, getting home for christmas still seems unlikely. We are tired, we are disappointed and we are afraid we will miss our christmas with families. We dont know what to do. I have called everywhere to ask if they can help us, and no answer. Nobody knows. We have to wait. Last night in dover, frustrations boiled over, with some drivers blocking the roads. No food, no nothing. And what happens its delivered for tomorrow and, after tomorrow, one week more . We are here 48 hours, nearly. Its normal, no . We want to go home. And some are warning it wont end here. This is of a different order of magnitude, and in the context
of brexit and what is coming from the 1st of january, this is the start of a very serious supply Chain Disruption of the like that we probably have never experienced. And while eurostar and eurotunnel train services, as well as flights to france, should also resume today, travel bans imposed on the uk by as many as 50 other countries in response to the surge in coronavirus cases here have not yet been lifted. Jon donnison, bbc news. Heightened emotions in dover right now and a lot of anger. We have just had this update from kent police, who say they have received reports of disturbances involving people in both dover and at the Laurie Holden facility at manston. These are people hoping to cross the channel,
and we understand one man has been arrested for obstructing a highway in dover. He is in custody right now. That is coming from kent police in the past few minutes. Lets bring you the view of the former British Ambassador to france as National Security adviser. We have now seen rail, airand sea security adviser. We have now seen rail, air and sea services between the uk and france resume. Would you say this is a successful and quick piece of diplomacy . Yes, even it is an unprecedented situation, to find ourselves with the border between the uk and france closed, i think governments have scrambled pretty fast to get a solution together, but this is only the beginning of getting a solution sorted out. Its going to take a number of days to unwind the problems in manston and the backlog. Then they are going to have to have a system to test drivers, thousands a day, day in, day out, to keep freight moving, and i dont think people have even begun
to think about that. What do you think was the motivation from the french for the band . Think was the motivation from the french for the band . think was the motivation from the french for the band . I dont think this is about brexit and trout up the this was a Public Health issue, andi the this was a Public Health issue, and i remember from the this was a Public Health issue, and i rememberfrom being an ambassador in france that the issue was precaution in anything to do with Public Health is very deeply rooted. French ministers went to jaila rooted. French ministers went to jail a couple of decades ago for failing to do that. I am sure this was a reaction to the very dramatic announcement we had in the uk on saturday of a rapidly spreading variant of the virus, and its taken a few days to work out a solution which allows freight to move. Are you considerate logistics of testing so many drivers . I am. I am glad the cupboard have an Emergency Service up cupboard have an Emergency Service up and running to clear the backlog but what they now need to do is have a system in place so that every day, with thousands of trucks that roll
through dover, to have a system which can test drivers quickly, otherwise backlogs will build up again. Whatever additional restrictions there will be as a result of brexit. The military are being drafted in. Can you see any other measures that could be useful . The military can only be a short term crisis mechanism to help clear the backlog. Then it has to switch to either the nhs or private providers to keep this enormous freight traffic moving. We must also get our heads around the fact that any travel to europe for the foreseeable future is going to require a negative covid test for all of us. Thats also going to put all of us. Thats also going to put a great strain on the testing system, i would think. A great strain on the testing system, iwould think. More a great strain on the testing system, i would think. More than 50 countries including germany are still blocking travellers from the uk the you mentioned long term solutions. Do you think a Health Passport could be inevitable .
think so. Until we have a vaccine, i think so. Until we have a vaccine, i think its going to be a question of tests. When we have a vaccine, i think we will all need to show evidence when we are crossing a border to european and other countries that we have been vaccinated, so i think a Health Vaccine will become as important as a passport to enable international travel. We have to ask you about brexit. Those long lines we are now seeing of lorries, is that something we will have to get used to after january the 1st . I think it matters whether there is a deal or not. In the case of no deal, i think the chaos will go on, and we will find that disruption in trafficjams become the normal. Even if there is a deal, there will be additional paperwork to be checked, additional customs forms and so on, each lorry will take longer to get through the border, so i dont think we will go back to the situation as normal as it was a couple of months ago, when
things were flowing freely. We will have to get used to Slower Movement of this enormous two and four of trucks for the longer term. Thank you forjoining us. More areas of england could be moved into tier 4, the countrys highest level of coronavirus restriction, as soon as boxing day, before the next formal review date of the 30th. Ministers and Health Experts met yesterday amid growing concern about the spread of a new variant of covid. We are already heading for a much restricted christmas. Wales went into lockdown on sunday, so, too, did london and large parts of the south and east of england. On monday, one of the governments most senior advisers suggested tighter restrictions were inevitable elsewhere, too. It is likely that this will grow in numbers of the variant across the country and i think its likely, therefore, that measures need to be increased in some places in due course, not reduced. It is understood that some tier 2 areas close to those in the newly created tier 4 are being considered for a move up tojoin them in the highest level of restrictions. That would mainly, but not exclusively, affect more parts of southern england. Some other tier 2 areas may be in line for a shift up one level to tier 3. It comes after a meeting of Public Health officials, ministers and scientists yesterday, and in the face of rising case numbers and hospital admissions. Several sources have suggested any changes could take effect in england from boxing day. Thats when a National Lockdown comes into force in Northern Ireland, and the whole of mainland scotland moves to its strictest level of rules, too. Any changes to the tiers in england will need to be approved by senior ministers. Helen catt, bbc news, westminster. Iain watson says we could see a two pronged approach regarding the tier
restrictions. Ministers will be discussing what came out of the meeting last night with scientists, Health Officials and ministers, so i think we will see a two pronged approach. One is an extension of the tier 4 areas in england. As you suggest, the official review date of the tiers should have been december the 30th, but it looks as though the fears about the spread of the virus, the new variant, is such that measures will be taken in some areas more quickly than that perhaps on boxing day the top then there is this other question they are addressing, whether the tier system is robust enough, so we could potentially see some areas leaping from tier 2 to tier 4 some areas leaping from tier 2 to tier4 in some areas leaping from tier 2 to tier 4 in the nearfuture, but some areas leaping from tier 2 to tier 4 in the near future, but there is equally some discussion about whether tier 4 and the restrictions currently in place there, almost lockdown, whether those restrictions are Strong Enough to get ahead of the virus and get on top of it, and when asked about the prospects of a
further must lockdown this morning, robertjenrick said this. Further must lockdown this morning, Robert Jenrick said this. Will look at the number of cases in all parts of the country and in particular what the variant is doing. We know its a very concentrated in london and the but it is also now prevalent toa and the but it is also now prevalent to a lesser extent in other parts of the country as well, so a judgment needs to be made as to whether the tiered system is Strong Enough or whether at some point we need to ta ke whether at some point we need to take further action. Robert jenrick will be in this covid meeting, operational meeting with other senior ministers and the Prime Minister this morning to discuss this, and its my understanding at the moment that they are reluctant to move to a National Lockdown in england, but there is likely to be some discussion of what further measures you can take in terms of restrictions. This is purely speculative but, if they are running out of options and they want to keep schools open, we could be looking at
perhaps a delayed return or more Online Learning in higher and further education, for example, so i think those discussions will take place. In the short term, i think we will see an extension of existing restrictions, but one piece of good news, if you live outside a tier 4 area, robertjenrick pretty clear that the government would not be introducing new restrictions on or before Christmas Day. If you are going to have a christmas bubble, you can have yourfinal going to have a christmas bubble, you can have your final Christmas Day but you might face quite a hangover on boxing day, when some further nonessential leisure and hospitality might end up being closed sooner than you might otherwise have thought. Rapid covid 19 tests for people without symptoms are being rolled out across more of england. 17 additional areas will be offered lateral flow tests in a bid to stem
rising infection rates. The tests provide results in around half an hour, but there are concerns about their accuracy. The government says they help identify cases quickly and prevent further transmissions. Donald trump has blocked a 900 billion dollar Coronavirus Relief package, which was agreed by the us congress this week after months of wrangling. In a video released on twitter, mr trump denounced the bill as a disgrace and demanded changes to the payments americans are due to receive, to help them through the pandemic. 0ur north america correspondent peter bowes reports. After months of wrangling, democrats and republicans in Congress Finally agreed a 900 billion package of measures to help americans through the pandemic. All it needed was the signature of donald trump. But not so fast. The president doesnt like the bill for top he says a lump sum payment that most americans would receive isnt enough. I am asking
chris to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low 600 to 2000 or 4000 for a couple. I am also asking congress to immediately get rid of the wasteful and unnecessary items from this legislation. And to send me a suitable bill or else the next administration will have to deliver administration will have to deliver a covid relief package and maybe that administration will be me. And we will get it done. If he refuses to sign the bill, the Us Government will shut down next week and the emergency economic aid will be put on hold. Even the president s most loyal supporters say its a bad move for senator Lindsey Graham tweeted, the covid 19 package, while imperfect, will savejobs the covid 19 package, while imperfect, will save jobs and the covid 19 package, while imperfect, will savejobs and lives. The sooner the bill becomes law, the better. It will allow millions of businesses to avoid bankruptcy, deliver vaccines even faster, help those unemployed and provide money forfamilies who those unemployed and provide money for families who are struggling. Democrats say they wanted americans to receive bigger Lump Sum Payments all along. At last the president has agreed to 2000, tweeted the House Speaker nancy pelosi. Democrats are ready to bring this to the fore this week by unanimous consent. It stood. But its far from clear whether a Christmas Eve session in the house of representatives will resolve the matter. President trump, who has less tha n matter. President trump, who has less than a Month Remaining in office, wasnt involved in negotiations over the bill, and his last minute objections have stunned washington and leave the country in limbo. With Many Americans preparing for a big holiday period, broke and unable to see their families because of the coronavirus, it simply means more uncertainty. President trump has pardoned two men convicted of lying to Robert Muellers inquiry into russian meddling in the 2016 us election. George papadopoulos, a former Trump Campaign aide, and alex van der zwaan, a lawyer, both served brief jail terms. Theyre among a group of 15 people whove been granted clemency by the outgoing leader. The headlines. Lorry drivers held up at the uk border in dover are told they can travel again if they test negative for coronavirus. Thats after france lifted a ban imposed over covid fears. More parts of england could be moved up to the countrys toughest level of coronavirus restrictions, tier 4. In as little as three days. President trump refuses to sign a 900 billion coronavirus is package agreed by congress. He has described it as a disgrace. A new variant of covid 19 is circulating in the uk, concentrated particularly in london and the south east. Whilst it is not thought to be more dangerous to anyone who contracts it, it is believed to be more substantially more transmissible. So should the rest of the country now be braced
for extra restrictions . And is it now inevitable that the new variant will become dominant across the country . We can speak now to Public Health expert professor sian griffiths, who co chaired the 2003 sars inquiry for the hong kong government. Do you believe this variant fundamentally changes how we see the pandemic . It is the speed of transmission that is the worrying aspect of this variant. As we have seen, cases have doubled in london and the south east in the last week, and the south east in the last week, and we also heard Patrick Vallance talk about it being seated across the whole uk. I think that its the fa ct the whole uk. I think that its the fact it passes on so quickly and so easily that is the major risk, because that puts at risk groups in the population so, although it isnt more severe, more elderly people might be affected and catch the disease. That is the real issue at sta ke. Disease. That is the real issue at stake. I think that, i
disease. That is the real issue at stake. Ithink that, i mean, i live in 0xfordshire, and rates in my local authority have gone up 115 in the last week. 0bviously, thats really worrying. It has implications for us for the future. Tests are being carried out extensively, but what is the current scientific thinking about whether this variant will respond to the vaccine . There is no reason for it not to respond to the vaccine. We heard that from biontech and a variety of. Problem with sound. U nfortu nately, problem with sound. Unfortunately, that has frozen, but we hope to return for some questions about this variant and vaccines. Plenty more things to ask. Hopefully the professor can rejoin us in a moment. Tony blair is urging the
british couple to consider giving as many as possible and initial dose of a Coronavirus Vaccine rather than preserving stocks. Both the Pfizer Biontech and Oxford University astrazeneca vaccines require two doses to be fully effective. The former uk Prime Minister says his idea would speed up minister says his idea would speed up the Vaccination Programme. Its a thought echoed by the former director of immunisations for the department of health, professor David Salisbury. I think we have to save as many lives as possible as fast as we can using the vaccines that are available to us. The evidence that the second dose of the Pfizer Vaccine actually confers very much benefit is not there. So i think we should be giving as many first doses to as many people in risk groups as we can, and only after we have done that do we come back with second doses on a delayed basis. Lets rejoin professor sharon
griffiths. What are your thoughts on what we have heard from tony blair and professor salisbury, to get a single shot to as many people as possible in order to slow the spread . That needs to be discussed by thejoint spread . That needs to be discussed by the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation. We should put it against the fact that we might have the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine very we might have the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine very soon, we might have the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine very soon, which will be a game changer, because it will be more doses. Sound cuts out. Bland more doses. Sound cuts out. Bland i think this is something that needs to be discussed by the Scientific Community with recommendations to government. At face value, it sounds a reasonable solution, if we should face Vaccine Supplies running out, but we are not in that position at the moment and hopefully we wont be for the David Salisbury is very experienced and knows a lot about vaccine distribution, so i think we
need to keep that as a backstop idea and hope very much that the astrazeneca 0xford vaccine comes available soon. Returning to the variant, globally, we have also seen a new mutation emerging in south africa. Is this what is going to happen now, that we will see different emerging in Different Countries . This isjust the course of any virus. Viruses mutate and you get variance. We have had a lot of variance through the course of the pandemic, theyjust variance through the course of the pandemic, they just havent variance through the course of the pandemic, theyjust havent altered very much. Its only when they start to alter something, so, for example, he variant we now have in the uk alters the transmission rate, so thatis alters the transmission rate, so that is serious, because more people are getting infected. I dont know the difference between the uk variant and the south african variant, but we are very lucky that not only do we have the cog which is
the covid genetics grouping here, the covid genetics grouping here, the coalition for the uk, but we have co nta ct the coalition for the uk, but we have contact with the who and the European Centre for control of diseases. A lot of people working on this at the moment, and sharing scientific information globally. This is one of those things that happens with viruses, and we know from experience with the flu virus, which changes all the time, when it comes to producing a vaccine you aim to produce a vaccine against the most prevalent strain, to try and reduce the rate of disease, so i think we are going. Sound cuts out. The Scientific Community and faxing community will respond appropriately. We are able in this country to look at genetic sequencing of the strains in the current variance sequencing of the strains in the current variance that we have so
much information that we can understand its implications. Thank you forjoining us today. We apologise for some of the technical problems. Gatherings of more than four people. Gatherings of more than four people will be banned in south Koreas Capital region after what Authorities Say has been an explosive surge in coronavirus infections. Ski resorts and major Tourist Spots nationwide will all shut on Christmas Eve. Its the most serious step the government has taken so far to reinstate social distancing. The measures will be in place until the 3rd of january. Three Police Officers have been shot dead after responding to a report of domestic violence. A fourth officer was wounded. They were trying to rescue a woman, who was trapped on the roof of a house in the village of saint just in central france. The French InteriorMinistry Says the suspected gunman has also been found dead. A court in hong kong has granted bail to the government critic jimmy lai, but the prosecution has taken the unusual step of immediately appealing the decision. It is unclear if the 73 year old will remain in custody. Mr lai was granted bail underthe conditions that he would not use any social media or make any public statements relating to china or hong kong. Mr lai runs hong kongs popular apple daily newspaper. He was arrested under the chinas new National Security law in august. Youre watching bbc news. Now its time for a look at the weather. The weather today in england and wales will be pretty wet. We already have some heavy rain and its going to continue as we go through the day. An area of low pressure coming from the south west, and its bringing all this rain, wrapping bands around it. Its going to be another windy day across coast of wales, South West England and the english channel, gusting to 55 mph. We could see 20 to 40 millimetres,
possibly a bit more, falling on already saturated ground, so the risk of localised flooding. A dry day for Northern Ireland and scotland, with some showers was up some of them will be wintry in the hills of scotland, and some sleet and snow in Northern England. Tonight, low pressure pulls away, taking the rain. It will be a cold night, and some snow showers, most of which will be in the hills in scotland. With temperatures this low, we are looking at frost and ice on untreated surfaces. Thursday, Christmas Eve, High Pressure builds in, but more of us will be exposed to that northerly wind, so its going to feel colder across the board, and it will be pretty windy down the east coast. There will be a platter of showers, some of them wintry, we will see the odd shower on the west coast as well. Inland, a lot of dry weather, and still showers in the highlands likely to
be wintry, mostly on higher ground. Temperatures, three to six, so much colder in southern england and it has been. For Christmas Day, High Pressure still ensconced across our shores. A cold start on christmas morning, with some frost around. A lot of dry weather to start with. A bit of sunshine for england and wales. For scotland and Northern Ireland, and later western parts, we will see cloud building ahead of a weather front coming our way, will see cloud building ahead of a weatherfront coming our way, which is also going to introduce some rain. They went in the west will change to more of a westerly, so it wont feel quite as cold. For boxing day into sunday, unsettled. 0n boxing day, wet and very windy. Hello this is bbc news. They headlines. You get positive covid, you aint leaving. Lorry drivers held up in dover, told they can travel again if they test negative for coronavirus. Tempers flare as drivers, many of whom spent their third night in their vehicles, clashed with police. More parts of the uk could be moved to tier 4 in as little as three days time. President trump refuses to sign a 900 billion Coronavirus Relief package. He described it as a disgrace. Authorities in sydney said restrictions will be eased. We days over Christmas Even though the number of infections in the city
continue to grow. After a year of many sacrifices, we meet the care home relatives singing for residents and the staff. Lets bring you some sports now. The arsenal manager mikel arteta says that they will be in big trouble unless they can turn things around. They were beaten 4 1 by Manchester City in the quarterfinals of the league cup last night and thats now 8 domestic games without a win. Arteta gave keeper Alex Runarsson his first game outside the Europa League and he was to blame for the goal that saw city retake the lead in the second half. He should have done a lot better with riyad mahrezs freekick. Arteta has been at arsenaljust over a year since leaving city where he was pep guardiolas assistant. He has backed arteta to come good saying that arsenal would be making a big mistake if they sacked him. Better news for another london club though, brentford boss thomas frank says his players have created a new chapter in the clubs history. The championship side beat newcastle 1 0 in the league cup last night to reach their first major semi final. Josh dasilva scored the winner. The bees havent had it easy, thats the Fourth Premier League team theyve knocked out of this years competition. The other two quarter finals are this evening, everton host Manchester United and before that tottenham travel to championship side stoke. Ian holloway has resigned as grimsby town manager. He leaves them 20th in league 2 after defeat to bradford last night but in a statement he says the main reason for his departure is the innappropriate behaviour of the prospective new owners at the club. The former qpr and Crystal Palace boss had been at blundell park forjust under a year and he says its time for a fresh start across the board. Lionel messi has broken the record for the most goals at a single club, overtaking peles old mark during barcelonas 3 0 win over valladolid, he scored his 644th goal for the club in what his 17th season. Pele scored 643 in 19 seasons at santos. Englands cricketers will be allowed to fly to sri lanka for next months test series, despite the countrys ban on flights from britain. The entire party will be tested for covid 19 before and after their flight on a chartered plane, due to arrive in sri lanka on the 3rd of january. Theyll then spend 10 days in a bio secure bubble before the first of two matches starts in galle on the 14th. The world darts championship continues at Alexandra Palace this afternoon without two former champions. Rob cross, the winner two years ago, was knocked out in the second
round by dirk van durvenbode and there was also a surprise defeat for two time champion adrian lewis, who lost 3 1 to danny baggish. The american won six of the first seven legs, landing a 170 check out in the third set on his way to victory. Hell now face this years premier League Winner glen durrant. Thats all the sport for now but theres more on the bbc sport website, including the news that rotherhams match at middlesbrough in the championship on boxing day has been postponed, after more covid 19 cases in the rotherham squad. Lets bring you more on the situation in dover. There were some scuffles between the drivers and police earlier. Frustration is
beginning to boil over. 0ur correspondent, simonjones, beginning to boil over. 0ur correspondent, simon jones, is there. He spent the morning when many lorries are being held. We are just on the outskirts of an airport and there is a big Police Presence here. A large number of people have decided to leave the site where more than 2000 lorries have been packed up. They say facilities arent good enough, theyre up. They say facilities arent good enough, they re not up. They say facilities arent good enough, theyre not getting enough food, then arent enough toilets. Above all, they want to find out when they can go home. Coronavirus testing is due to start on the manson airport site shortly. But it has not started yet. They have been told that the tests have been held up told that the tests have been held up in the traffic. There is a lot of travel disruption around this area. Dover is around half an hour from here. There were also angry scenes in dover. The police have been trying to tell the probe test is to go back to the site. They are determined to stay here. The big
question they want answered is when they can go home. The government is warning this testing regime is going to ta ke warning this testing regime is going to take some time. They will be testing here at manson airport, possibly on the side of the m 20. But they will have to have a negative test if they are allowed to leave the uk and had to france. They will get those test results within 30 minutes. They will get a text message if they are positive or negative and they will be able to carry on travelling. The people here wa nt to carry on travelling. The people here want to know how much longer the situation will go on for. Nearly 90 of situation will go on for. Nearly 9096 of hospital beds in england are full as hospitals try to cope with the demands of coronavirus and the normal winter pressures. A lack of beds, staff sickness and other factors mean that hospitals are at a dangerous point. That is coming from
doctors. They could stop non coronavirus work. Now talking to his doctor. How are you all coping . We are certainly busy at the moment but we are coping. Im very grateful to everyone involved in patient care. I work in a Hospital Trust that has three hospitals. We currently got about 100 patients with coronavirus across three hospitals. That is a similar number to what we saw in the peak around easter time. We have also got normal emergency winter pressures that we would see. Intensive care is busy. All our colleagues are very tired and working under pressure. But we are working effectively with primary care. We need to make sure that only patients who need to come in a
coming in. We are also working that we are taking care of patients after and before christmas. People are working hard. Im gratefulfor the effort that everyone is putting in. Weve been working under sustained pressure for around ten months. 0verall with your three hospitals where are you at in terms of capacity . We are focusing on not only patients with coronavirus but also those who do not have coronavirus. The emergency patients are still receiving timely care. Patients who need Cancer Treatment are still receiving that in the same as for diagnostics and plant services. All are running at the moment. But man are you allowing visitors . Yes. We have been allowing visitors . Yes. We have been allowing visitors throughout this. We are trying to maintain a balance between a compassionate visiting policy and safe ca re. If
a compassionate visiting policy and safe care. If people are in hospital over christmas, we want them to receive visitors. Presumably, you have a lot of staff are self isolating. We would normally run with sickness of about 4 at this time of year. It is currently around 8 . We have got safe staffing. We are not in a position where we have to reduce our Staffing Levels or services. We have got safe staffing across all of our sites. You are not cancelling any elective surgeries . Know we are not cancelling those. What about the well being of your staff . What are you doing to help them . I think that is incredibly important. We all know that coronavirus has massively impacted on our working and personal lives. I am so grateful to colleagues across
the Public Service for what they have done. Weve put in several measures over this year and strengthened them over this Christmas Period to make sure that the welfare and well being of our collea g u es the welfare and well being of our colleagues at the centre of our decision making. Its not just colleagues at the centre of our decision making. Its notjust about the safe care of our patients, but our colleagues as well. Scotlands first minister Nicola Sturgeon says she made a stupid mistake, after she was pictured breaking coronavirus rules by taking off her Face Covering while at a funeral wake. A photograph, published by the scottish sun, shows ms sturgeon chatting to three women while standing at a social distance, but not wearing a mask. Face coverings are mandatory in Scottish Hospitality venues except when seated. Id like she was furious with
herself. We also understand she was leaving the venue and removed her mask but had been called back inside and forgotten to put her mask back on. The picture published in the sun late last night, shows Nicola Sturgeon standing at a table, socially distanced with the people she is talking to but she is standing up and not wearing a Face Covering. It is mandatory in hospitality settings to wear a facemask if you are standing up. She did breach her own government rules. We have had reaction from the scottish conservative party. They said the first minister has made a blunder. They said she should have known better and they have accused her of undermining the Public Health message. And not for setting a proper public example. They also
said that there cant be one rule for Nicola Sturgeon and another for eve ryo ne for Nicola Sturgeon and another for everyone else. Theres been a mixed public reaction. Some people have said that this was such a small breach, a mistake, that it shouldnt be an issue. 0thers breach, a mistake, that it shouldnt be an issue. Others say that yes, it is significant, it is an issue. The first minister will appear at first ministers questions later on this afternoon. That could be somewhat uncomfortable. The first minister herself has apologised. She said, i was wrong. She said she took her mask off briefly. She said she is kicking herself and she has said she is sorry. And Nicola Sturgeon will be appearing at holyrood for first ministers questions at around 1220 well bring you that live here on the bbc news channel. The final Festive Season rush
to the shops for food and drink is likely to look quite different this year. Some of the major supermarkets have re introduced item rationing and there are concerns that supplies of some Fresh Produce may be limited between christmas and new year. Sarah corker is at bury market in lancashire for us this morning. Might make this as a cue for the butchers. They have been here trying to get the last minute turkey. There will be a record breaking £12 million on groceries in december alone, so it is predicted. Turkey sales are up by 36 . When it comes to christmas puddings, we are expected to spend £11 million on those. Mince pies sales are actually down 8 this year. Perhaps because there are few at social gatherings. The bakers here there is a big queue. You can grab a chat with joanne, who has been up since 4am
this morning. Very busy for you today. How important is it that you get that many in today after a difficult year . We didnt sleep last night making sure we had enough of everything for our customers. It is the busiest day of the year and it is our life this week. We absolutely love it. Lets get it all sold, its brilliant what to expect the big sellers to be today . Other than bottom muffins, and pies. You might have a good christmas. The market has been open all year, but trade has been open all year, but trade has fluctuated. We can speak to donna now who has fluctuated. We can speak to donna now who runs has fluctuated. We can speak to donna now who runs the market. It has been a really tough year, stop and start for businesses. How have traders coped . It has been a very tough yearfor
traders coped . It has been a very tough year for Council Staff and market stuff. The Business Interruption has been really difficult. The council have subsided support with rent free periods. But it has been very difficult for the traders. One positive to come out of this is that more of us are working from home so we are spending more money locally. Absolutely. Shopping local is vital for us here. We money locally. Absolutely. Shopping local is vitalfor us here. We have ato local is vitalfor us here. We have a to shop local. It is more sustainable and it helps Small Businesses. Some positive news to come out of a difficult year. There are some gaps on the market this morning. I spoke to fruit and veg traders earlier who have said it is difficult due to the disruption at dover. They are finding it hard to get green vegetables, lettuce, and
soft fruits. The headlines on bbc news. Lorry drivers held up at the uk border in dover are told they can travel again, if they test negative for coronavirus. Thats after france lifted a ban imposed over covid fears. More parts of england could be moved up to the countrys toughest level of coronavirus restrictions tier 4 in as little as three days time President Trump refuses to sign a nine hundred billion dollar Coronavirus Relief package agreed by the us congress, describing it as a disgrace. Italy looks set to be the place with the highest rates in europe. Italy was the First Western country to be ha rd was the First Western country to be hard hit by the virus. Clearing the pistes for no one to use. It is in this province, which was worst hit in italy by the pandemic. Now there is a financial shock. Translation at christmas, we make up translation at christmas, we make up half of our season. I imagine some businesses here wont survive. What we live through in march was very frightening, hearing the sound of ambulances. We must take care not to relive it. But the mountains can be enjoyed safely and this is not a fair decision. This is a devastating blow for places that make up much of the
italian economy. White might this christmas on the pistes is a sacrifice the government feel it has to make. Desperate measures to stop a repeat of march when deaths in belmont where more than five times in previous years. Christmas wont ease the pain of a city who became a symbol of the despair in italy. 0ne of the local centre made her mark was one of the first to die. His body was in his home for two days before authorities could retrieve it. Translation he deserved more of a dignified death than he had. There will be more than an empty place at the table this christmas. He was the
life and soul of the party. I am angry with the authorities who did not close down berger mont quickly enough. The scenes in march of these hospitals without beds and oxygen woke the west up to what they would face. Numbers are lower now and there have been some herd immunity. But psychologists say the mental scars run deep. Translation patients have told me of nightmares they had about the situation. It has been granted to a halt as a city. I needed psychological help, too, and i think we will see more patients for years to come. In a year of hospital heroes, the building itself has become a christmas scene here. There
are dreams of a medical miracle to come. But like we have all had to make sacrifices this year to keep ourselves safe. Staff in a care home in somerset locked themselves inside for three months to keep others safe. In happy christmas wejust wa nt to safe. In happy christmas wejust want to wish you were very happy christmas, mum these are some of the families who wont be together this christmas. I miss you loads and i would love to see this christmas but unfortunately we are not able to. Christmas is a time to say thank you. For those at this care home, their thanks is more heartfelt than
most. As this pandemic began, these Staff Members moved in to keep coronavirus out. 84 days away from theirfamilies to coronavirus out. 84 days away from their families to keep the people who live there safe. For chris, that meant being separated from his wife and four old daughter. Happy good morning daddy, i miss you so much. 14, it meant staying in the stock room. We have no washing facilities. We have a wash in the sink in the bathroom down the corridor. In july, staff were reunited with their families. And since then, while residents have been able to see theirfamilies, with residents have been able to see their families, with a vaccination on the horizon, they say they will wait for ahad until they think it is safe. Wait for a hug until they
think it is safe. That that nice brightness and, have yourself a merry Little Christmas. We introduced them to a care reintroduce them to choir master and with the camp manager, they came up with the camp manager, they came up with this. Staff and residents families singing side by side. She is five foot 11, but she is a pocket rocket. She is a strong lady and i really admire her, she has done marvellously. Cowhide has it been to keep this a from her . Yesterday, i was with her all day. I was getting m essa g es was with her all day. I was getting messages from you guys and my mum is
so nosy. She knows everything if my phone goes off, she is onto it. So i was hiding. All date my phone was in my pocket, it was silent. Residents have just been watching the staff Christmas Panto, and they have no idea that we are in here. We project the screens and were so excited to them. With covert secure cameras inside, we are about to see their reaction to the performance. Have yourself a merry Little Christmas
hgppy happy christmas to all the residents. Happy christmas, i love you very much. Have yourself a merry Little Christmas yellow merry christmas, man. Happy christmas, mum
have yourself a merry Little Christmas applause wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. It has really touched our hearts. Brought tears to our eyes. My son would say to me, turn at the waterworks of. This made me cry. It made me realise, actually, just how different this year is. Just not
having. As much as we have done everything we can, its not the same not having our families everything we can, its not the same not having ourfamilies in, and not having that christmas atmosphere. Touched. Hes come of a full two weeks this entire year with my youngest on holiday and then he went back and i have not seen him since. I love you loads. Hi from me and andy in switzerland. And going to replay that moment and to keep in mind that one day i will see him. Just before the weather, theres time for these christmas creatures. Rangers at an australian zoo have dressed up the newest additions in their best festive finery. All the baby animals who are seeing their first christmas, got presents with some in matching outfits. Now its time for a look at the weather. The weather today is going to be pretty wet. It will continue as we go through the course of the day. There is an area of low pressure coming in from the south west. It is bringing this rain wrapped in bands around it. It will also be quite windy across wales, South West England and the english channel. From this rain, we can see 20 or 40
millimetres, possibly more. There is a risk of localised flooding. Fort Northern Ireland and scotland, a dry day for you. Youll see some sleet and snow in the hills of Northern England as well. This evening and overnight, low pressure pulls away taking the main with it. It will be a northerly flow. It will be a cold night. We will see some showers, most of which are in the hills in scotland. We will also be seeing frost and ice. That leads us into thursday, which is Christmas Eve. High pressure builds in. More of us will be exposed to that northerly wind. That will feel colder across the board. It will be quite windy down the east coast. There will be a plethora of showers, some of those wintry. We will also seek showers on the west coast as well. Inland, lots
of dry weather. Temperatures will be around three, four, six and seven. As we move from Christmas Eve into Christmas Day, High Pressure continues. Itll be a cold start to the day on christmas morning. There will be some frost around. A lot of dry weather to start with. Sunshine for england and wales. For scotland, Northern Ireland and four western parts later, we will see cloud build. Event will also introduce some rain. Here, it wont feel quite as cold. From boxing day into sunday, the weather will be a bit u nsettled sunday, the weather will be a bit unsettled and wet and windy. This is bbc news. These are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. If you get positive covid, you aint leaving. Lorry drivers held up at the uk border in dover are told they can travel again, if they test negative for coronavirus. Thats after france lifted a ban imposed over covid fears. But tempers flare as drivers many of whom spent a third night in their vehicles clash with police. More parts of england could be moved up to the countrys toughest level of coronavirus restrictions tier 4 in as little as three days time. President trump refuses to sign a nine hundred billion dollar Coronavirus Relief package agreed by the us congress, describing it as a disgrace. Breaking her own rules scotlands first minister Nicola Sturgeon says she made a stupid mistake, after she was pictured
taking off her Face Covering while at a funeral wake. And coming up this hour. After a year of many sacrifices, we meet the care home relatives singing for residents and staff. Hello and welcome if youre watching in the uk or around the world. Rail, air and sea services between britain and france have restarted, after the french government agreed to ease its ban on people entering the country from the uk. Almost 3,000 lorry drivers stranded at dover, will be offered rapid lateral flow tests, after many spent a third
night in their vehicles. Under the new travel agreement between the uk and france, french citizens, british nationals living in france and hauliers will be among those who can now travel, if theyve tested negative for covid 19. In other developments more areas of england could be moved into tier 4 restrictions from boxing day, to slow the spread of coronavirus, with an announcement expected later today. And the former Prime Minister tony blair has called for the uks current vaccination plan to be radically accelerated. Along with the former director of immunisations at the department of health David Salisbury, hes called for single doses of the Pfizer Vaccine to be given to a greater number of people. In the united states, President Trump has condemend a coronavirus stimulus plan as a disgrace and urged congress to amend it. And coronavirus has now reached all seven continents, as dozens of cases are reported at
an Antarctic Research station. Well have more on all these stories this hour, but first this report on the situation in dover from our correspondent, jon donnison. After days of gridlock, finally, some movement. France reopened its border overnight and the port of dover says services are resuming today. But anyone travelling to france from the uk will have to show proof of a negative coronavirus test in the previous 72 hours, and shifting thousands of lorries wont happen quickly. Obviously, there is a physical issue of providing the test, getting the results. A negative test allows you to leave. But all of that requires operationalising and that cant happen in an instant. So this will take 2 3 days for things to be cleared. At manston airport, where more than 2,000 lorries are parked up, the military will be brought in to assist mobile nhs test and trace services. Drivers should be able to get test results within half an hour. But the food and drink federation, worried about supply chains, says it could take more than a week to shift the backlog. For many european drivers, getting home for christmas still seems unlikely. We are tired, we are disappointed and we are afraid we will miss our christmas with families. We dont know what to do. I have called everywhere to ask if they can help us, and no answer. Nobody knows. We have to wait. Last night in dover, frustrations boiled over, with some drivers blocking the roads. No food, no nothing. And what happens its delivered for tomorrow and, after tomorrow, one week more . We are here 48 hours, nearly. Its normal, no . We want to go home. And some are warning it wont end here. This is of a different order of magnitude, and in the context of brexit and what is coming from the 1st of january,
this is the start of a very serious supply Chain Disruption of the like that we probably have never experienced. And while eurostar and eurotunnel train services, as well as flights to france, should also resume today, travel bans imposed on the uk by as many as 50 other countries in response to the surge in coronavirus cases here have not yet been lifted. Jon donnison, bbc news. Simonjones has spent the morning at nearby manston airfield where many of the lorries are being held. We arejust on we are just on the outskirts of manston airport and there is a big Police Presence, because a large number of hauliers decided to leave the site, where more than 2000 lorries have been parked up. They say the facilities arent good
enough, there arent enough toilets, they are not getting enough food and, above all, they are determined to find out when they can go home. Coronavirus testing is due to start on the manston airport site shortly, but the hauliers i have been speaking to say it hasnt started yet, they have been told to test kits are held up in the traffic. There is a lot of travel disruption in and around this area, dover is half an hour from in and around this area, dover is half an hourfrom here, and there we re half an hourfrom here, and there were angry scenes in dover. Police have been trying to tell the protesters to go back to the site but they are determined to stay here. They are blocking part of the road. The big question they want a nswered road. The big question they want answered is when exactly they will be able to go home. The government is warning this testing regime is going to take time. They will be testing it manston airport, possibly on the side of the m20 and at other sites. Hauliers here will need a negative test to be allowed to leave the uk and head over towards france. They will get those test results in
about 30 minutes. They will get a text message. If they have that they should be allowed to leave and head back towards the eu, but people here wa nt to back towards the eu, but people here want to know how much longer this situation is going to go on for. Lord ricketts is the former British Ambassador to france and National Security adviser he says the two governments worked quickly to reach this agreement. Given that its an unprecedented situation, to have the border with france closed, i think the two governments have scrambled pretty fast to get a solution together, but this is only the beginning of sorting everything out. Its going to ta ke sorting everything out. Its going to take a number of days to unwind the problems in manston and the backlog, and then they are going to have to have a system to test drivers, thousands a day, day in, day out, to keep freight moving, and i dont think people have even begun to think about that yet. What do you think was the motivation from the french for the band . Think was the motivation from the french for the band . think was the motivation from the french for the band . I really dont think its about brexit and tried up the pressure. This was a Public Health issue, and i rememberfrom being abutted in france that the issue in anything to do with Public Health is deeply public rooted. French ministers went to jail a couple of decades ago for failing to do that. I am sure this was a reaction to the dramatic announcement we had in the uk on saturday of a rapidly spreading variant of the virus, and its taken a few days to work out a solution which allows for it to move in these new circumstances. Are you concerned about the logistics of testing so many lorry drivers . I am. I am glad the government have an Emergency Service up and running to clear the backlog but, as i say, they now need a system in place so that every day, with the thousands of trucks that roll through dover, to have a system which can test drivers quickly stop otherwise backlogs will build up again, whatever additional
restrictions there will be as a result of brexit. The military are being drafted in. Can you see any other measures that could be useful . The military can only be a short term crisis mechanism to help clear the backlog. Then it has to switch to either the nhs or private providers to keep this enormous freight traffic moving. We must also all get our heads around the fact that any travel to europe for the foreseeable future is going to require a negative covid test for all of us passengers, and thats also going to put a great strain on the testing system. More than 50 countries including germany are still blocking travellers from the uk. You mentioned long term solutions. Do you think a Health Passport could be inevitable . think so for travel. Until we have a relaxing, i think its going to be a question of tests. When we have a
vaccine, i think we will all need to show the evidence when we cross a border to European Countries and other countries that we have been vaccinated. I think a Health Vaccine will become as important as a passport to enable international travel. We have to ask you about brexit. Those long lines we are seeing of lorries, is that something we are going to have to get used to afterjanuary the 1st . I think it matters whether there is a deal or not. In the case of no deal, i think the chaos will go on, and we will find that disruption in trafficjams become the new normal. Even if there isa become the new normal. Even if there is a deal, and i hope there will be, there will be additional paperwork to be checked, additional customs forms and so on. Each lorry will ta ke forms and so on. Each lorry will take longer to get through the border. I dont think we will go back to the situation as normal as it was a couple of months ago, when things were flowing freely. We will have to get used to Slower Movement of this enormous too and fro of trucks for the longer term. News
from dublin, and an irish minister has tested positive for kos with 19, so certain restrictions are being put in place on the rest of the cabinet the we are hearing this from rte. Cabinet the we are hearing this from rte. An irish minister has tested positive. They knock on effect is many members of the cabinet, the rest of the cabinet are happy to restrict their movements. More on that when we get it. More areas of england could be moved into tier 4 the countrys highest level of coronavirus restrictions as soon as boxing day, which is before the next formal review date on 30th december. Ministers and Health Experts met yesterday, amid growing concern about the spread of the new variant of covid 19. 0ur Political Correspondent, helen catt, reports. We are already heading for a much restricted christmas. Wales went into lockdown on sunday, so, too, did london and large parts of the south and east of england. On monday, one of the governments most senior advisers suggested tighter restrictions were inevitable elsewhere, too. It is likely that this will grow in numbers of the variant across the country and i think its likely, therefore, that measures need to be increased in some places in due course, not reduced. It is understood that some tier 2 areas close to those in the newly created tier 4 are being considered for a move up tojoin them in the highest level of restrictions. That would mainly, but not exclusively, affect more parts of southern england. Some other tier 2 areas may be in line for a shift up one level to tier 3. It comes after a meeting of Public Health officials, ministers and scientists yesterday, and in the face of rising case numbers and hospital admissions. Several sources have suggested any changes could take effect in england from boxing day. Thats when a National Lockdown comes into force in Northern Ireland, and the whole of mainland scotland moves to its strictest level of rules, too. Any changes to the tiers in england will need to be approved by senior ministers. Helen catt, bbc news, westminster. 0ur Political Correspondent jessica parkerjoins us now. When are we expecting this announcement on the tiers . Its not exactly clear when we will get an announcement. What we know is that key officials and ministers have been meeting this morning for whats known as their covid early meeting, where they are looking at the situation. We heard earlierfrom communities secretary Robert Jenrick, who sits on that committee. What he said, in terms of any immediate plans, he didnt expect to see any changes brought in for other areas before Christmas Day. For tier 4, the tightest level of restrictions in england, for Christmas Day, people can only spend it with their household or support bubble. In other areas of england, tiers one to three, they can still have some limited household mixing on Christmas Day. He suggested that wasnt going to change, but there clearly is quite a lot of concern
about this new strain of the virus. You can see that the virus is rising ina you can see that the virus is rising in a worrying way in many parts of the country, and the new variant, which has been a significant game changer, is prevalent outside just london and the south east. We need to be very careful, and there are actions we can all take in our everyday lives. Something Robert Jenrick talked about earlier was how the tiered system was designed, he said, before the impact of this new variant was known. This variant is believed to be more infectious than the old one. Its prevalence mostly concentrated in london and the south east part of the east of england but, as helen explained, there is now speculation as to whether there could be areas bordering those parts of england that could be moved further up the tiered system. We are not exactly sure when we are set to get an announcement, but one of the Big Questions will be, if areas are
moved up a tier, how long will that go on for, and we heard earlier this week the health secretary, matt hancock, suggesting new measures could last until the vaccine was widely rolled out. In terms of when that would be, wide distribution among people who are elderly and more vulnerable isnt necessarily expected until around early springtime, so its clear that, whatever measures are in place, they could be with us for quite some time. Donald trump has blocked a nine hundred billion dollar Coronavirus Relief package, which was agreed by the us congress this week after months of wrangling. In a video released on twitter, mr trump denounced the bill as a disgrace and demanded changes to the payments americans are due to receive, to help them through the pandemic. 0ur north america correspondent peter bowes reports. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. They thought it was a done deal. After months of wrangling, democrats and republicans in Congress Finally agreed to a 900 billion package of measures to help americans
through the pandemic. All it needed was the signature of donald trump, but not so fast. The president doesnt like the bill, he says a lump sum payment that most americans would receive isnt enough. Im asking congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low 600 to 2,000, or 4,000 for a couple. Im also asking congress to immediately get rid of the wasteful and unnecessary items from this legislation, and to send me a suitable bill or else the next administration will have to deliver a covid relief package, and maybe that administration will be me, and we will get it done. If he refuses to sign the bill, the Us Government will shut down next week and the emergency economic aid will be put on hold. Even the president s most loyal supporters say it is a bad move. Senator Lindsey Graham tweeted
democrats say they wanted americans to receive bigger Lump Sum Payments all along. Nancy pelosi tweeted. It is far from clear whether a Christmas Eve session in the house of representatives will resolve the matter. President trump, who has less than a Month Remaining in office, wasnt involved in negotiations over the bill. His last minute objections have stunned washington and leave the country in limbo. With Many Americans preparing for a bleak holiday period, broke and unable to see their families because of the coronavirus, it simply means more uncertainty. Peter bowes, bbc news los angeles. President trump has pardoned two men convicted of lying to Robert Muellers inquiry into russian meddling in the 2016 us election. George papadopoulos a former Trump Campaign aide and alex van der zwaan a lawyer both served brief jail terms. Theyre among a group of 15 people whove been granted clemency by the outgoing leader. The headlines on bbc news. Lorry drivers held up at the uk border in dover are told they can travel again, if they test negative for coronavirus thats after france lifted a ban imposed over covid fears. More parts of england could be moved up to the countrys toughest level of coronavirus restrictions tier 4 in as little as three days time. President trump refuses to sign a nine hundred billion dollar Coronavirus Relief package agreed by the us congress, describing it as a disgrace. Tony blair is urging the British Government to consider giving as many people as possible an initial dose of a Coronavirus Vaccine, rather than preserving stocks so theres enough for second jabs. Both the Pfizer Biontech and Oxford University astrazeneca vaccines require two doses to be fully effective. But the former uk Prime Minister said his idea would speed up the Vaccination Programme. Its a thought echoed by the former director of immunisation for the department of health, professor David Salisbury. We have to save as many lives as possible using the Vaccines Available to us. The evidence that a second dose of the Pfizer Vaccine actually confers very much benefit is not there. Sol actually confers very much benefit is not there. So i think that we should be giving as many first doses to as many people in risk groups as we can, and only after we have done
that do we come back with second doses on a delayed basis. Gatherings of more than four people will be banned in south Koreas Capital region after what Authorities Say has been an explosive surge in coronavirus infections. Ski resorts and major Tourist Spots nationwide will all shut on Christmas Eve. Its the most serious step the government has taken so far to reinstate social distancing. The measures will be in place until the 3rd of january. In holyrood, Nicola Sturgeon is taking the floor in the chamber for first ministers questions. The total number of cases is now 115,566. There are currently 1025 people in hospital, 20 fewer than yesterday, and 56 people in intensive care, four fewer than
yesterday the i regret to report that, in the past 24 hours, a further 47 deaths were registered patients who first tested positive in the previous 28 days. The total number of people who have died under that measurement is 4373. National records of scotland has published its weekly update, cases where covid isa its weekly update, cases where covid is a suspected contributory cause of death, even if not confirmed through a death. By last sunday, the total number of registered deaths linked to covid under that wider definition was 6298. 203 of those deaths were registered last week, 23 fewer than the previous week. I want to convey my deepest condolences to everyone who has been bereaved. Before i go any further, i want to take this opportunity to say how sorry i am for my breach of rules, that i asked all of us to follow every day. I took my facemask off while briefly attending a funeral last week, and i
am sure everyone will have seen in the media this morning a picture of me without it i want to make clear that, regardless of the circumstances, i was in the wrong. There are no excuses. These rules apply to me as much as everyone else, and the rules really matter. I am kicking myself very hard, possibly harder than my worst critic ever could, but more importantly i will be making sure i dont drop my guard again. I have three other points i want to update on quickly. The first is the situation in relation to cross channel trade. France had lifted its ban on unaccompanied freight vehicles is welcome, but important challenges remain in clearing the backlog. Its important that the transport of perishable goods including seafood is prioritised, and the scottish cup and is ready to help in any way we can, including testing drivers. Public Health Scotland has just published its weekly statistical report, including an update on vaccinations. It shows that by
sunday more than 56,000 people had received their first dose of the vaccine. Thats a significant achievement in the short time it has been available. The third point is that we will shortly publish the latest estimate of the r number. We expect it will show the r number is around one in scotland, but that is around one in scotland, but that is a concern, given that it is thought that the new variant of covid could raise the r number by 0. 4. These final two points demonstrate where we are at present. Progress on vaccination gives grounds for hope but the overall state of the pandemic is a cause for concern for our immediate priority has to be to get through the next few weeks and months as safely as possible. That will be even more difficult than we expected, given that the new variant of covid seems to transmit more easily than other strains. That is why u nfortu nately we easily than other strains. That is why unfortunately we are imposing such tough restrictions from boxing day onwards, and why the safest way for indoor Christmas Day celebrations this year is within your own household and in your own
home. Please dont meet other people indoors if you can possibly avoid it. It is why all of us, however ha rd it. It is why all of us, however hard it is, need to continue to stick to the current rules and guidelines, and that includes facts, so with an enormous dose of humility, let me remind you and, most importantly, myself, of facts. Use Face Coverings, avoid crowded places, clean your hands and surfaces regularly, keep two metres distant from people in other households get tested if you have symptoms. These work against the new strain of virus and they are how Vaccination Programme proceeds we can continue to protect ourselves and our loved ones and our nhs. I wish you and everyone in the chamber and everyone watching a healthy and peaceful christmas, and i think we all hope of a and better 2021. The first minister will now take questions but i would encourage all members who wish to ask the question
to press their request to speak buttons. From midnight on saturday or scotlands nonessential businesses will be closed by a minimum of three weeks. Most understand why, but the news is still devastating. Today we spoke to ryan hutchings, who runs a small sofa shop in linwood. He told us, 90 of my customers from outside renfrewshire for the i had only two customers in the last three weeks. My customers in the last three weeks. My business is bleeding money and im close to broke and have little left to survive because of lockdown. The next lockdown will cripple me if i dont get helpful tips i have two children, one that lives with me full time. I have £754 in the bank with my rent due injanuary the 1st and other bills ryan cant survive until some unknown date injanuary without receiving grant support, so what can the first minister tell him . I want ryan and everybody else, and there are many more in ryans
position, to know how sorry i am for the situation we find ourselves in. Ifi the situation we find ourselves in. If i thought there was another way to do this i would grasp it in a heartbeat. Nobody wants to be in this position, that is true in scotland and the rest of the uk and much of the rest of the world. Businesses are required to close by law in tier4 businesses are required to close by law in tier 4 areas, and they are able to apply for strategic framework business phone support. Business is are eligible for a grant of up to £3000. The ground level is dependent on rateable value. A grant of £2100, again depending on rateable value, is available for businesses that can remain open but are required to modify their operations by law. These grants are provided to eligible businesses for every four weeks of restrictions. But i want to repeat what i said earlier in the week. The final secretary is reviewing what Additional Support we can make available to businesses, because we know this extra period of disruption and closure will be very difficult
to bear, even with the funding that is currently in place, and we will continue to do everything we can within the confines of the resources that are available to us to help as faras we that are available to us to help as far as we possibly can. that are available to us to help as far as we possibly can. I think the first ministerfor far as we possibly can. I think the first minister for that answer im not sure its going to be enough for ryan or the edinburgh shop owner who writes, saying, i have already run the payroll for this month due to the payroll for this month due to the christmas holidays, and he is asking what he is supposed to do now that all the borders hairdresser saying the new shutdown will be the final nail in the coffin for her salon for the she says, i have adhered to all the measures we were advised to do before we reopened after last lockdown but financially i will struggle to keep afloat this time. Or the i will struggle to keep afloat this time. 0rthe chain i will struggle to keep afloat this time. Or the chain of womens clothes shops whose boss is desperate to protect their 131 jobs but is terrified that she wont make it. They add thousands like them have done everything that has been asked of them. They have no reserves left. How long will it take for the
scheme is the scottish cup has announced to open . How long before money hits the Bank Accounts of those businesses teetering on the edge . Firstly, as i have said, i do understand this, and it breaks everybodys heart to hear the kind of experiences that we have just heard recounted to us in the chamber. It doesnt help anybody in that position for me to say, but it is nevertheless important that i see it, that, in doing the really difficult things we are doing right now to suppress this virus, we are providing a more sustainable recovery for the economy in the medium to long term. If we allow this virus to get out of control, experience tells us the damage to the economy is longer lasting, and it is much deeper than it would otherwise be. That doesnt take away the short term pain, and i am acutely aware of that. The support that i spoke about in my original
answer, those funds are already open for application. They are administered through local authorities. We work with local authorities. We work with local authorities to get that money to businesses as quickly as possible. There are other funding streams that we have announced, some have been in place for a while, been announced more recently, but it is exactly because i know that businesses who may have been able to cope on the funding we have made available thus far will find that much more difficult, the longer the disruption of this pandemic goes on, that the finance secretary is urgently looking at what more we are able to do to help businesses in that very difficult situation. I have been candid all along that, with the best will in the world, we will never be able to compensate every individual or business for every loss this pandemic has foisted on them, but we will do our level best to provide as much support as possible, and the government, ministers, civil servants, all of us will be working
throughout the christmas break to make sure we are doing everything that requires to be done on every aspect of the handling of this pandemic. Throughout this crisis, even when this government has promised to help, they have been far too slow at getting to put the door too slow at getting to put the door to protect jobs. Too slow at getting to put the door to protectjobs. For months, the government set on around £1 billion of funding designed to help those struggling figures released last week found that, into schemes, the Small Business grant scheme and the rate of hospitality and leisure scheme, over 106,000 applications we re scheme, over 106,000 applications were received. As of december the 8th, only 91,000 had been processed. Those schemes closed five months ago. 15,000 businesses are still waiting, five months on, and fewer than 500 applications were processed in the period between september and december. Given that record, what confidence can businesses have the schemes announced in this december will actually pay out injanuary . I think its right and fairfor us to be challenged and get this money out as quickly as possible. We are seeking to do that and will continue to speed up that process as much as possible. Many of these Grant Funding schemes are administered through local authorities. We are working with them to do that. It is an enormous burden on them to do that. We recognise the hard work that. We recognise the hard work that they are doing, as well. I dont accept that we sit on money. We have allocated all the money at our disposal. What we have to do in the Scottish Government is make sure we are building in contingencies because every penny of consequential funding is welcome but we dont know what that is meant to cover or how long that is meant to last. We have to look ahead and make sure we are budgeting to get us through the remainder of the financial year. It is important that we get every penny that we can out to businesses and
that we can out to businesses and thatis that we can out to businesses and that is what we are determined to do for businesses across the country who are living, just as individuals are, with the horrendous implications of the virus. Most Small Businesses understand the need for these new restrictions. What they dont understand is why they are so often treated as an afterthought by this government. As the federation of Small Businesses said, moving to tear fort so quickly isa hammer said, moving to tear fort so quickly is a hammer blow to many of his members. We are about to enter what should be the busiest time of year. More businesses. Instead, they are facing christmas not knowing if they can survive until new year. A multi Million Pound set of schemes was announced in early december. This was for travel agents, taxi drivers and many other workers. But these people have not been told when these people have not been told when these schemes open, when they can apply, when they can expect many to hit their Bank Accounts. Can i ask,
when will these firms get the support that they need . And what about the help announced on monday by those affected by the next lockdown . How long into the new year will be be before applications open, never mind the months before they are processed . Thousands of Small Business owners are calling on the first minister to deliver on her promises and to free up the millions of pounds that has already been passed to the Scottish Government. When will she . Many of these funding streams are open for applications and businesses and they have been applying. Many businesses have got many. We are announcing new streams of funding as often as we can. 0ften, of funding as often as we can. Often, we need to put guidance in place to allow local authorities to judge eligibility. We will continue to work to speed up much as possible. I understand why businesses and individuals who are living in really extreme circumstances right now, possibly think that they are, that these
circumstances, that they are an afterthought. I want to show people that that is not the case. I will ask the finance secretary to update members in writing of the stages of the funding streams and what the timescales are forgetting money to people. We have announced quickly at the level four on saturday, if we hadnt decided to impose that quickly, we would face a situation where businesses may end up being closed for longer because of the virus running out of control. We see similar restrictions in place across much of the rest of the uk and, indeed, much of the rest of europe. These are horrendous the difficult circumstances. We have got to try and suppress the virus. We take this very seriously and the government to work to do this as quickly and effectively as humanly possible. Thank you. Back injuly of this
year, the scottish human rights commission, questioned whether what had happened in our care homes was a violation of the human rights of residence of care homes. The right to be free from inhuman and degrading treatment, the rights to non discrimination, and even a violation of the right to life itself. They said that a public enquiry was needed and that it should be independent. It should determine responsibility, be subject to public scrutiny, and it should be prompt. The government agreed. Why, six months later, our canyon residents and their families are still waiting . We work every day with those on the front line and in our care homes to keep residents in cat homes as safe as possible. This continues to be, as it is for
businesses, an incredibly difficult time. We have given a clear and unambiguous commitment to an independent enquiry. First minister giving or receiving questions. Her Opening Statement said she was sorry for her breach of rules that she asks people to follow every day. This was in reference to her briefly taking off her facemask while attending a funeral last week. She apologised and said, regardless of the circumstances, i was in the wrong. This was a big story in the papers today. She addressed it at the first point in first ministers questions and she has not yet again been addressed on the matter. Authorities in sydney have announced that restrictions will be slightly eased for three days over christmas, as the cluster of infections in the city continues to grow. Sydney has seen 97 infections since the outbreak was detected in its northern beaches region last week. Australia is currently seeing almost no
new cases outside sydney. That has prompted every State Government outside New South Wales to enact entry bans on travellers from the states capital. Well, professor Raina Macintyre is an epidemiologist and head of the Biosecurity Research program at the Kirby Institute at the university of New South Wales. She explains what this easing of restrictions could mean for coronavirus cases. Any targeted lockdown in the area where the virus was intensely concentrated. They did extensive testing. Today, over 40,000 tests we re testing. Today, over 40,000 tests were done. The results come pretty quickly, usually within 204 was of the task. We had 30 cases on sunday, 15 cases on monday, eight cases on tuesday and eight on wednesday. The numbers are not going up. If they we re numbers are not going up. If they were going up, or not coming down, it would be more of a concern. The greater concern is the timing of
christmas and new year. If there are some infected people in the community that have not been identified on Christmas Day, Christmas Day could be a super spreading event. People get together in largergroups, spreading event. People get together in larger groups, Church Services, etc. Those people who get infected on Christmas Day, although the incubation period is 14 days, 90 of people incubate within five or six days. Six days is new years eve. People who get infected on Christmas Eve, might be at the peak of their infectiousness on new years eve. Lets update you to what is happening in dover. Temperatures have really flared there. Anger is boiling over. Were now hearing that the port of dover entrance has now been closed. A line of Police Officers is blocking it right now and they have said they will not start allowing vehicles through until these protesters moved from
the roundabout the entrance. The protesters are several the roundabout the entrance. The protesters a re several dozen drivers. They are standing outside their vans, their tracks. 0ur correspondence there say they are shouting a lot but it is largely peaceful. They have told our correspondence that they will not move, as they do not want to go to the back of the queue. As you can see from these live pictures, they cant move anyway. The road they are blocked in both directions. Very clearly, we can see here that the central dover is completely gridlocked. Protesters are saying they cant move, they wont go to they cant move, they wont go to the back of the queue, they cant move the back of the queue, they cant m ove a nyway the back of the queue, they cant move anyway because of this current gridlock. Tempers really frayed in the port of dover, here. We understand that the entrance has been closed. Israel is heading for its fourth election in two years after the governing coalition failed to pass a budget by a midnight deadline. Aruna iyengar has this report. Angry exchanges in israels knesset, as the speaker dissolves parliament. This was required by law after the deadline to pass the 2020 state budget expired. A bill to allow more time was voted down, against expectations. It means israelis return to the polls in march, just a year after the last election. This was the line up last time. A coalition between Prime Minister benjamin netanyahu, leader of the right wing likud, and his political rival, benny gantz, of the centrist blue and white party. Under the deal, benny gantz assumed the new role of alternative Prime Minister. He was supposed to trade places with mr netanyahu next november. Now that wont happen. Translation we dont want elections, and we were therefore willing to vote today in the knesset, against elections, but if elections are forced on us, we will win. It will be a tricky campaign for mr netanyahu. A commando turned Prime Minister. Seen here, receiving a Coronavirus Vaccine on live tv. He is israels longest serving Prime Minister, but he is the first who has had to clear his name in a corruption trial. Benny gantz has accused mr netanyahu of taking israel to elections, to avoid going into court. Israelis are not impressed. There is anger over government handling of the pandemic, with weekly Anti Government protests. Likud has dipped in recent polls, but so has support for the centre left blue and white. However, there is a new challenge from the right. Former likud mp gideon saar has formed his own right wing party, and it stands to peel away votes from mr netanyahus political base. Israeli envoys have arrived in morocco to meet the king and have signed agreements marking the establishment of diplomatic
relations between the two countries. The warming ties between the arab country and israel are seen as a parting Foreign Policy push by the us president donald trump. The president s son in law Jared Kushner accompanied the israeli delegation. They took the first direct flight by a commercial plane from tel aviv to rabat. The headlines on bbc news. Lorry drivers held up at the uk border in dover are told they can travel again, if they test negative for coronavirus. Thats after france lifted a ban imposed over covid fears. More parts of england could be moved up to the countrys toughest level of coronavirus restrictions tier 4 in as little as three days time President Trump refuses to sign a 900 billion dollar Coronavirus Relief package agreed by the us congress, describing it as a disgrace. Weve all had to make sacrifices this year to keep our loved ones safe, including staff at a care home in somerset who locked themselves inside for more than three months to protect their residents. Now the families of those who live there want to thank them in time for christmas. Fiona lamdin reports. Through the years we all will be together. Happy christmas and a huge, huge hug. Hello, mum. Just to wish you a very happy christmas. These are just some of the families who want to be together this christmas. I miss you loads and i would really like to see you this christmas, but unfortunately, due to the coronavirus rules, i am not able to. Christmas is a time to say thank you. And for those at this care home, their thanks is more heartfelt than most. As the pandemic began, staff here moved in, to keep coronavirus out. 84 days away from their families to keep the people
who live here safe. For chris, that meant being separated from his wife and four year old daughter. Happy good morning, daddy. I miss you so much. For tina, it meant sleeping in the stockroom. Weve got no washing facilities, weve just got a ladies down the corridor, which is our bathroom and our toilet. So we have a little wash in the sink. Come with me, come with me. Keep your eyes closed. In july, staff were reunited with their families. And since then, while residents have been able to see their families, with a vaccination on the horizon, they say theyll wait for a hug until they feel it is safe. Youre going to be filming yourself on one device. Instead, they are showing that love and pain thanks through the magic of
music. If we get that nice brightness. Have yourself a merry Little Christmas. Breakfast introduced them to expert choirmaster, daniel, and together with care home owner, chris, they formed this secret choir. Staff and residents families, singing side by side. She is four foot 11, but shes a pocket rocket. Shes a strong lady and i really admire her. She has done marvellous. How hard has it been keeping this choir a surprise from her . Oh my god yesterday, i was with her all day. I was getting messages from you guys, and she is so nosy, my mum, and she knows everything. If my phone goes off, she is on to it. Iwas hiding. All day, my phone was in my pocket, it was silent. Residents have just been watching the staff christmas pa nto. They have no idea that we are in here. Weve put up these screens and we are so excited to show them the courthouse christmas choir. With coronavirus secure christmas cameras inside the care home, we are about to see the reaction to their very first performance. Have yourself a merry Little Christmas. Very happy christmas to my mother, who we love very much from all the family. I love you very much and they wish you a merry christmas. Have yourself a merry
Little Christmas. Merry christmas, nanna. Love you. You have been very healthy and well, thanks to the staff. They are very friendly and approachable. Many thanks to them and happy christmas to everyone. Thanks very much for the help and their work. Happy christmas, mum merry christmas, pat
have yourself a merry Little Christmas. I thought it was wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. It brought tears to our eyes. My son would say to me, oh, turn the waterworks off, mother. This really made me cry. This made me realise that, actually, just how different this year is. Just not having. As much as we have done everything we can, its not the same not having our families in and
having that christmas atmosphere. Yes, touched. He is in switzerland. He has been all this year. He has come over for two weeks this entire year, with my youngest, andy, on holiday. And then he went back and i havent seen him since. I love you loads and hopefully we can see each other soon. Hi from me and andy in switzerland. Im just going to replay at that moment because it meant so much to me and i will keep in my mind that one day i will see him again. Have yourself a merry Little Christmas now. 2020 has been a year many of us
would like to forget but the stories of everyday heroes whove gone above and beyond have helped put a smile on our faces. Jayne mccubbin has been speaking to just a few of the incredible people youve nominated hero of the year. This year, more than any year, we have needed a hero. And there have been plenty. Some familiar, some unknown. But look around you. There are heroes walking amongst us and you have nominated some of yours. Hayley nominated ben. We think ben is an absolute hero, and its a privilege to nominate ben for this. He ran his second marathon on the 2nd of december for camille. Right now, ben is running 31 marathons in 31 days for children with brain tumours. All these beautiful children that i have to see every day, and i run with their names on my vest. And when it gets tough when im running, and it always does when youre running 26 miles, especially when youre running 26 miles the day after running 26 miles, and the day after and the day after, you know, i always look down and look at the name on the vest and there is my inspiration. Oh, thank you so much, ben. I mean, what youre doing is just incredible. Don gardner. He is a total hero. Simon reeves nominated don who runs a food bank in cornwall. He fed those in need right through the pandemic, even when he lost his own wifejen. He never stopped working. I have a feeling hell be working all over christmas if people let him. He gives and gives and gives, and absolutely rightly, people love him for that. Oh, thank you. Its what i love doing, i love to serve the community. Yeah, ok, i lost my wife,
which ive struggled with at times. But after being married for 53 years, youve got to go forward and she would want me to. Thats good to hear. Im doing a little clap. Lets all do a little round of applause for don. Come on, britain, give him a clap emma asks us all to applaud kate and her donor. Hello surprise her sister rushed back to work as a gp practice manager after a kidney transplant so she could fight the pandemic. Im just so proud of everything that youve gone through. Youre an inspiration. 0h, totally shocked. I wish youd told me to do my hair there hasnt been a day that has gone by over these last six months where i havent thought about my donor, and my donors family. Kate decided to go back into work
regardless of her own recovery in order to be instrumental in getting the Covid Vaccination rolled out. So inadvertently, this gift has helped 975 people get vaccinated last week. Heroes really are amongst us, like victoria, nominated by simon. 0h, id just like to say, stay up late are absolutely fantastic, you are absolutely fantastic, victoria. Well, just want to say thank you. Stay up late is a charity which helps people with a disability do just that. Stay up late and have fun. And in 2020, victorias work was needed more than ever. Its just incredibly important to have, especially in this uncertain time, to at least have the ability to stay connected with friends, gain new friends. Like, it has been a crazy year,
but i think its so nice when simon says a big thank you. I do it to change peoples lives, make them more happy because that makes me happy at the end of the day. Paul has been nominated by robin. Paul gibbon, my local postman. He knocked on my door in march, and said, during lockdown, if you want any help, get your medication orshopping, oranything, support me, he would do it. He was as good as his word. He and his wife kim were there when he needed them. Seven weeks ago, i was very poorly in the morning. I phoned him and he came round and within ten minutes he got me an ambulance, and i was rushed to Great Western hospital. As far as im concerned, he saved my life. I presume between the three of you, you have put all this together without me knowing. We hatched a plan. Hatched a plan . Right, 0k, well
thank you. Thank you so much honestly. For me, itsjust what i think i should be doing. And so many of you told us of heroes in your own family. William among them. I cant believe hes got to where he is now, kind of. The autism and the learning difficulties, that in itself is amazing. But obviously with the pandemic on top of that in the mix, theres been extra challenges. Through the pandemic, william conquered his anxieties to travel to and from hospital where he volunteered and trained. In difficult times, hes just landed his very first job. Is this william . This is will. Were super proud, arent we . Youre a good lad, arent you . Yes, lam. What a year its been. No one will miss 2020, but in 2021,
plenty will look back with gratitude and love to all those people who made a difference. Youre watching bbc news. The bbc news at one is coming up. Now its time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas. For the rest of today, there is a north, south split. England and wales are still very mild and pretty whacked as well. More pressure bringing further outbreaks of rain. It could be localised flooding across parts of england and wales. Whence are really picking up. Between the english channel, they could be some gales for a time. Further north, clearing skies and a cold northerly wind blowing in some scattered showers. They could be some snow over the hills, iciness first thing as well. Further south, some frost to start off your Christmas Eve. Christmas eve, High Pressure sets out the rest of the uk. Quite a lot of dry weather around. Winds will be coming from a northerly direction. It will be much chillier on Christmas Eve than it has been recently. A lot of dry, sunny weather to be enjoined. Scattered showers along the east coast. A lot of dried weather elsewhere. Temperatures typically three to 8 degrees. It will feel chilly, particularly where you are exposed to that northerly wind. Having through thursday night into friday, heading to Christmas Day, High Pressure is the dominating weather feature. A cold start to your christmas morning. Sub zero
across the board. Cold and frosty first thing. A brisk, northerly wind blowing around. Could be the odd wintry flurry. Scotland and Northern Ireland could have some showers later in the day. The south should remain dry. Temperatures on the chilly side, round about four or 7 degrees for most of us. Moving day and much more unsettled story. 0utbreaks and much more unsettled story. Outbreaks of rain moving in from the north and west. Snow over the high grounds of scotland. Dry weather in the south and east. 10 degrees or so. Pretty wet and windy across the board for boxing day. It remains u nsettled board for boxing day. It remains unsettled through sunday and into monday. Goodbye for now. Disruption in dover borders have reopened, but thousands of drivers are still waiting for covid tests, with two days to christmas. Hauliers arent allowed to travel to france without a negative result it could take several days to clear the backlog. There have been scuffles between police and some lorry drivers who say theyre getting little information. Police from three days told us that testing will be starting soon but they dont know why. When. They dont know when, and that is the point of why the people are protesting because we just want to make a test and go straight home. Well have the latest live from dover. Also this lunchtime. More areas of england could be moved into tier 4 as early as boxing day