Advertisement

Coronavirus latest news: Boris Johnson claims nation will 'defeat' coronavirus by Spring 2021

Watch: Prime Minister certain 'better days' ahead after lockdown 2.0 announcement

Coronavirus Article Bar with counter ..
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter ..

Boris Johnson has said technological advances will "defeat this virus by the spring" as he tries to ward off a growing Tory rebellion over the second national lockdown for England.

The Prime Minister promised MPs a fresh vote on the next stage of measures to combat coronavirus when "we intend to return" to a regional tiered system on December 2.

And he announced greater support for the self-employed after extending the furlough scheme for employees as pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops are ordered to close.

But a growing number of senior MPs on the Conservative backbenches have said they will oppose the new lockdown during a vote on Wednesday.

Mr Johnson hailed advances in medicine including "virtually instant" Covid-19 tests and said there is a "real prospect" of a vaccine in the first quarter of next year.

"I believe that these technical developments, taken together, will enable us to defeat this virus by the spring as humanity has defeated every other infectious disease," he said.

Follow the latest updates below.

High streets, such as Camden Town in London, were deserted during lockdown earlier this year - PA

High streets, such as Camden Town in London, were deserted during lockdown earlier this year - PA
High streets, such as Camden Town in London, were deserted during lockdown earlier this year - PA

Prince William opens the NHS Nightingale Hospital in Birmingham on April 16, when he is thought to have had coronavirus - PA

Prince William opens the NHS Nightingale Hospital in Birmingham on April 16, when he is thought to have had coronavirus - PA
Prince William opens the NHS Nightingale Hospital in Birmingham on April 16, when he is thought to have had coronavirus - PA

Dale Hollinshead, of Hazel and Haydn

Dale Hollinshead, of Hazel and Haydn 
Dale Hollinshead, of Hazel and Haydn

“I am a little anxious of spending hours and hours rescheduling appointments to the date we are supposed to be able to reopen in case we aren’t. “After the first lockdown it took me a week and a half of phone calls to reorganise all the appointments.”

Michael O’Leary, chief executive of Ryanair said the airline will not be offering refunds - Paul Faith /AFP

Michael O’Leary, chief executive of Ryanair said the airline will not be offering refunds - Paul Faith /AFP
Michael O’Leary, chief executive of Ryanair said the airline will not be offering refunds - Paul Faith /AFP

Shoppers stock up at a B&Q in London earlier today - Jamie Lorriman

Shoppers stock up at a B&Q in London earlier today - Jamie Lorriman 
Shoppers stock up at a B&Q in London earlier today - Jamie Lorriman

Angela Merkel coughing during a press conference after an EU summit in Brussels - Reuters

Angela Merkel coughing during a press conference after an EU summit in Brussels  - Reuters
Angela Merkel coughing during a press conference after an EU summit in Brussels - Reuters

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Johnson told MPs: "I do think there is the prospect of a much brighter future ahead if we can make a success of these national measures, open up again in December, give people the chance of some shopping, some economic activity in the weeks leading up to Christmas and then beyond."

When the likes of Farage emerge, the reaction to them is never one of conciliation or dialogue, but scorn – yesterday’s fruitcakes and racists are today’s Covidiots. That they number in the millions seems of little importance.

A new report published by Sport England and the Youth Sport Trust painted a worrying picture - Thomas Barwick /Digital Vision

A new report published by Sport England and the Youth Sport Trust painted a worrying picture - Thomas Barwick /Digital Vision
A new report published by Sport England and the Youth Sport Trust painted a worrying picture - Thomas Barwick /Digital Vision

The Telegraph has launched a Keep Kids Active campaign as 'unacceptable' lockdown ban looms - Nick David

The Telegraph has launched a Keep Kids Active campaign as 'unacceptable' lockdown ban looms - Nick David 
The Telegraph has launched a Keep Kids Active campaign as 'unacceptable' lockdown ban looms - Nick David

"The Government has confirmed that the 10 non-elite clubs that remain in the competition will be able to play their matches under elite protocols. Matches will take place between November 6 and 9. All ties will be played behind closed doors, in line with Covid-19 guidelines."

Salons and hairdressers have experienced a surge in bookings before the second lockdown comes into force on Thursday - Paul Ellis/AFP

Salons and hairdressers have experienced a surge in bookings before the second lockdown comes into force on Thursday - Paul Ellis/AFP
Salons and hairdressers have experienced a surge in bookings before the second lockdown comes into force on Thursday - Paul Ellis/AFP

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says it need not be a lonely Christmas despite the pandemic - Kay Nietfeld /DPA

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says it need not be a lonely Christmas despite the pandemic - Kay Nietfeld /DPA 
German Chancellor Angela Merkel says it need not be a lonely Christmas despite the pandemic - Kay Nietfeld /DPA

Shoppers at a Costco store in Birmingham, ahead of a national lockdown for England from Thursday. - Jacob King /PA

Shoppers at a Costco store in Birmingham, ahead of a national lockdown for England from Thursday. - Jacob King /PA
Shoppers at a Costco store in Birmingham, ahead of a national lockdown for England from Thursday. - Jacob King /PA

Public Health England said that the "most likely" place children will get infected with Covid-19 is in their homes - Jacob King/PA

 Public Health England said that the "most likely" place children will get infected with Covid-19 is in their homes - Jacob King/PA
Public Health England said that the "most likely" place children will get infected with Covid-19 is in their homes - Jacob King/PA

The Cavern Club closed when Tier 3 came to Liverpool; every venue in England will follow suit on Thursday - Bloomberg

The Cavern Club closed when Tier 3 came to Liverpool; every venue in England will follow suit on Thursday - Bloomberg
The Cavern Club closed when Tier 3 came to Liverpool; every venue in England will follow suit on Thursday - Bloomberg

Former Tory cabinet minister David Davis urges the Government to consider whether vitamin D could be used as a tool to reduce Covid-19 infections

Former Tory cabinet minister David Davis urges the Government to consider whether vitamin D could be used as a tool to reduce Covid-19 infections
Former Tory cabinet minister David Davis urges the Government to consider whether vitamin D could be used as a tool to reduce Covid-19 infections

Tory MP Sir Charles Walker attacks Boris Johnson for criminalising people for visiting parents

Tory MP Sir Charles Walker attacks Boris Johnson for criminalising people for visiting parents
Tory MP Sir Charles Walker attacks Boris Johnson for criminalising people for visiting parents

Richard Bainbridge of Benedicts, Norwich: 'We thought we had our cash cow of December, but we’ve lost that' - Simon Finlay /Archant Norfolk

Richard Bainbridge of Benedicts, Norwich: 'We thought we had our cash cow of December, but we’ve lost that' - Simon Finlay /Archant Norfolk 
Richard Bainbridge of Benedicts, Norwich: 'We thought we had our cash cow of December, but we’ve lost that' - Simon Finlay /Archant Norfolk

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that close family members should be able to meet with one another around New Year's Eve - AFP

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that close family members should be able to meet with one another around New Year's Eve - AFP
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that close family members should be able to meet with one another around New Year's Eve - AFP

The Revd Michael Smith, York Minster's Canon Pastor, lights a candle during the Minster's Season of Remembrance, which continues today with a special 'Day to Remember' those who have died during 2020. - Danny Lawson /PA

The Revd Michael Smith, York Minster's Canon Pastor, lights a candle during the Minster's Season of Remembrance, which continues today with a special 'Day to Remember' those who have died during 2020. - Danny Lawson /PA 
The Revd Michael Smith, York Minster's Canon Pastor, lights a candle during the Minster's Season of Remembrance, which continues today with a special 'Day to Remember' those who have died during 2020. - Danny Lawson /PA

Campaigners and business owners unite in condemnation of the rules they call 'nonsensical' - Joe Giddens /PA

Campaigners and business owners unite in condemnation of the rules they call 'nonsensical' - Joe Giddens /PA
Campaigners and business owners unite in condemnation of the rules they call 'nonsensical' - Joe Giddens /PA

Slovakia's Prime Minister Igor Matovic said over 3.6 million Slovaks had been tested for Covid-19 - Shutterstock

Slovakia's Prime Minister Igor Matovic said over 3.6 million Slovaks had been tested for Covid-19 - Shutterstock
Slovakia's Prime Minister Igor Matovic said over 3.6 million Slovaks had been tested for Covid-19 - Shutterstock

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh return to Windsor Castle for England's second national lockdown - Steve Parsons /PA

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh return to Windsor Castle for England's second national lockdown - Steve Parsons /PA
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh return to Windsor Castle for England's second national lockdown - Steve Parsons /PA

Some shoppers have been stocking up on toilet roll after Boris Johnson announced a second lockdown - Paul Cousans

Some shoppers have been stocking up on toilet roll after Boris Johnson announced a second lockdown - Paul Cousans
Some shoppers have been stocking up on toilet roll after Boris Johnson announced a second lockdown - Paul Cousans

Clubs meet on Thursday to discuss their controversial £14.95 pay-per-view service - Frank Augstein /PA

Clubs meet on Thursday to discuss their controversial £14.95 pay-per-view service - Frank Augstein /PA
Clubs meet on Thursday to discuss their controversial £14.95 pay-per-view service - Frank Augstein /PA

A spokesman for the Prime Minister said: "We are certainly not cancelling Remembrance Sunday events" - Paul Grover

A spokesman for the Prime Minister said: "We are certainly not cancelling Remembrance Sunday events" - Paul Grover
A spokesman for the Prime Minister said: "We are certainly not cancelling Remembrance Sunday events" - Paul Grover

An Indian worker arranges vermicelli for the upcoming Hindu festival Karva Chauth in Tarore villag - Shutterstock

An Indian worker arranges vermicelli for the upcoming Hindu festival Karva Chauth in Tarore villag - Shutterstock 
An Indian worker arranges vermicelli for the upcoming Hindu festival Karva Chauth in Tarore villag - Shutterstock

Dr Susan Hopkins, medical adviser to NHS Test and Trace, suggested that the system was struggling to reach contacts of positive cases due to people not answering their phones. - Getty Images Europe

Dr Susan Hopkins, medical adviser to NHS Test and Trace, suggested that the system was struggling to reach contacts of positive cases due to people not answering their phones. - Getty Images Europe 
Dr Susan Hopkins, medical adviser to NHS Test and Trace, suggested that the system was struggling to reach contacts of positive cases due to people not answering their phones. - Getty Images Europe

England Golf is attempting to force a rapid Boris Johnson u-turn - Kenny Smith/PA

England Golf is attempting to force a rapid Boris Johnson u-turn - Kenny Smith/PA
England Golf is attempting to force a rapid Boris Johnson u-turn - Kenny Smith/PA

"On September 21, the Government's own scientists - Sage - recommended an 'urgent' two-to-three-week circuit breaker in order to prevent the virus getting out of control. On that day there were 11 deaths from Covid-19. And... just over 4,000 Covid infections. The Prime Minister failed to heed that warning. 40 days later - when he finally decided to announce a longer four-week national lockdown - those figures had increased to 326 deaths a day and 22,000 Covid cases. Make no mistake, the Chancellor's name is all over this. His decision to block a circuit breaker - to dismiss it as a 'blunt instrument'."

Faith leaders are disappointed with the restrictions on communal worship - Leon Neal /Getty Images Europe

Faith leaders are disappointed with the restrictions on communal worship - Leon Neal /Getty Images Europe
Faith leaders are disappointed with the restrictions on communal worship - Leon Neal /Getty Images Europe

Nicola Sturgeon said there are 1,225 people in hospital confirmed to have the virus, up by 32 in 24 hours. Of these patients, 93 are in intensive care, a rise of 12. - Getty Images Europe

Nicola Sturgeon said there are 1,225 people in hospital confirmed to have the virus, up by 32 in 24 hours. Of these patients, 93 are in intensive care, a rise of 12. - Getty Images Europe 
Nicola Sturgeon said there are 1,225 people in hospital confirmed to have the virus, up by 32 in 24 hours. Of these patients, 93 are in intensive care, a rise of 12. - Getty Images Europe

Welsh police pull over cars at a checkpoint during firebrake vehicle patrols close to the border between Camarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, Wale - Ben Birchall /PA

Welsh police pull over cars at a checkpoint during firebrake vehicle patrols close to the border between Camarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, Wale - Ben Birchall /PA
Welsh police pull over cars at a checkpoint during firebrake vehicle patrols close to the border between Camarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, Wale - Ben Birchall /PA

Cinemas across Britain will once again close their doors from Thursday, thanks to lockdown rules - Shutterstock

Cinemas across Britain will once again close their doors from Thursday, thanks to lockdown rules - Shutterstock
Cinemas across Britain will once again close their doors from Thursday, thanks to lockdown rules - Shutterstock

Medical staff carry out Covid-19 tests at a drive through test site next to Watford General hospital in Hertfordshire, - Ben Cawthra/London News Pictures Ltd

Medical staff carry out Covid-19 tests at a drive through test site next to Watford General hospital in Hertfordshire, - Ben Cawthra/London News Pictures Ltd 
Medical staff carry out Covid-19 tests at a drive through test site next to Watford General hospital in Hertfordshire, - Ben Cawthra/London News Pictures Ltd

Government’s reasoning for lockdown has been made clear: modelling assessed by Sage suggests the infection rate is rising at a pace that could soon overwhelm the NHS.What we’re not privy to is the evidence. Despite hospital capacity being one of the biggest drivers for both lockdowns, this data is still not made publicly available. Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance don’t hesitate to show us frightening graphs, modelling worse-case scenarios. But if critical care beds are nearly full in certain regions of England, why not show the public this data, as they do in France?

France's government has rejected demands for small shops to be allowed to stay open in the run-up to Christmas - Kiran Ridley /Getty Images Europe

France's government has rejected demands for small shops to be allowed to stay open in the run-up to Christmas - Kiran Ridley /Getty Images Europe 
France's government has rejected demands for small shops to be allowed to stay open in the run-up to Christmas - Kiran Ridley /Getty Images Europe

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby claims him and fellow religious leaders were not consulted by the Government before announcing lockdown - Thomas Mukoya/Reuters

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby claims him and fellow religious leaders were not consulted by the Government before announcing lockdown  - Thomas Mukoya/Reuters
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby claims him and fellow religious leaders were not consulted by the Government before announcing lockdown - Thomas Mukoya/Reuters
Coronavirus France Spotlight Chart - Cases default
Coronavirus France Spotlight Chart - Cases default

Shoppers push trollies heaving with supplies outside COSTCO in Watford, Hertfordshire ahead of a second national lockdown. - Ben Cawthra /London News Pictures Ltd

Shoppers push trollies heaving with supplies outside COSTCO in Watford, Hertfordshire ahead of a second national lockdown.  - Ben Cawthra /London News Pictures Ltd
Shoppers push trollies heaving with supplies outside COSTCO in Watford, Hertfordshire ahead of a second national lockdown. - Ben Cawthra /London News Pictures Ltd

Members of the public queue to enter COSTCO in Watford, Hertfordshire ahead of a second national lockdown. - Ben Cawthra/London News Pictures Ltd

Members of the public queue to enter COSTCO in Watford, Hertfordshire ahead of a second national lockdown. - Ben Cawthra/London News Pictures Ltd 
Members of the public queue to enter COSTCO in Watford, Hertfordshire ahead of a second national lockdown. - Ben Cawthra/London News Pictures Ltd

Shoppers queue in the rain outside a LIdl supermarket in Locksbottom, Bromley, London - Grant Falvey/London News Pictures Ltd

Shoppers queue in the rain outside a LIdl supermarket in Locksbottom, Bromley, London - Grant Falvey/London News Pictures Ltd 
Shoppers queue in the rain outside a LIdl supermarket in Locksbottom, Bromley, London - Grant Falvey/London News Pictures Ltd

Dr Huckle, from the University of Surrey, said: "Covid is an exercise in practising uncertainty - we don't know what will happen, we can focus on one day at a time and 'this too shall pass'."

Are Covid-19 cases rising or falling in your area? All local authorities with lookup. Updates automatically
Are Covid-19 cases rising or falling in your area? All local authorities with lookup. Updates automatically

Hotels in the capital, such as Claridges in Mayfair, will suffer following the latest guidelines on lockdown - Andrew Holt

Hotels in the capital, such as Claridges in Mayfair, will suffer following the latest guidelines on lockdown - Andrew Holt 
Hotels in the capital, such as Claridges in Mayfair, will suffer following the latest guidelines on lockdown - Andrew Holt

London mayor Sadiq Khan has criticised the delay to introducing national lockdown saying it will cause: "More lives lost, more jobs at risk, and more livelihoods ruined." - DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP

London mayor Sadiq Khan has criticised the delay to introducing national lockdown saying it will cause: "More lives lost, more jobs at risk, and more livelihoods ruined." - DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP
London mayor Sadiq Khan has criticised the delay to introducing national lockdown saying it will cause: "More lives lost, more jobs at risk, and more livelihoods ruined." - DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP

A couple drink from takeaway glasses outside a pub in the Grassmarket following last orders at 6pm on October 9, 2020 in Edinburgh - Jeff J Mitchell/Getty

A couple drink from takeaway glasses outside a pub in the Grassmarket following last orders at 6pm on October 9, 2020 in Edinburgh - Jeff J Mitchell/Getty 
A couple drink from takeaway glasses outside a pub in the Grassmarket following last orders at 6pm on October 9, 2020 in Edinburgh - Jeff J Mitchell/Getty

Epidemiologist Neil Ferguson - REUTERS

Epidemiologist Neil Ferguson - REUTERS 
Epidemiologist Neil Ferguson - REUTERS

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden speaks during a drive-in campaign rally at Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Park on November 01, 2020 in Philadelphia - Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden speaks during a drive-in campaign rally at Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Park on November 01, 2020 in Philadelphia - Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden speaks during a drive-in campaign rally at Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Park on November 01, 2020 in Philadelphia - Drew Angerer/Getty Images

President Donald Trump makes a campaign stop at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport on November 1 - Joe Raedle/Getty

President Donald Trump makes a campaign stop at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport on November 1 - Joe Raedle/Getty
President Donald Trump makes a campaign stop at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport on November 1 - Joe Raedle/Getty

Mounted Police check Parisians attestations, the declaration needed to leave home, on the Champs Elysees on the second day of national lockdown confinement on October 31 - Kiran Ridley/Getty Images

Mounted Police check Parisians attestations, the declaration needed to leave home, on the Champs Elysees on the second day of national lockdown confinement on October 31 -  Kiran Ridley/Getty Images
Mounted Police check Parisians attestations, the declaration needed to leave home, on the Champs Elysees on the second day of national lockdown confinement on October 31 - Kiran Ridley/Getty Images

First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford - Matthew Horwood/Getty

First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford  - Matthew Horwood/Getty 
First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford - Matthew Horwood/Getty

Asked what difference it would have made if the Government had taken the advice of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), Prof Hayward, speaking in a personal capacity, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Well, we can't turn back the clock.
"But, I think if we had chosen a two-week circuit-break at that time we would definitely have saved thousands of lives.
"And, we would clearly have inflicted substantially less damage on our economy than the proposed four-week lockdown will do."

The figure of the skeleton - Eduardo Verdugo/AP

The figure of the skeleton - Eduardo Verdugo/AP
The figure of the skeleton - Eduardo Verdugo/AP

Rosario Martinez lights candles on a Day of the Dead altar for her husband - Eduardo Verdugo/AP

Rosario Martinez lights candles on a Day of the Dead altar for her husband - Eduardo Verdugo/AP
Rosario Martinez lights candles on a Day of the Dead altar for her husband - Eduardo Verdugo/AP

The health authorities announced the new restrictions on Sunday after five consecutive days of triple-digit fresh cases of Covid-19.

Visitors wear masks at Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul - Ahn Young-joon/AP

Visitors wear masks at Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul - Ahn Young-joon/AP
Visitors wear masks at Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul - Ahn Young-joon/AP

The rules will be introduced from November 7, backed up by fines of up to £70 from November 13 for anyone who refuses to comply. Venues face stiffer penalties of up to £2,000 if they do not enforce the rules.

The Korea Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has attributed the ongoing disease clusters to public places like spas, schools and churches. Currently masks are only necessary for venues considered to be “high risk”, like nightclubs, karaoke bars and internet cafes.

Out and about again - REUTERS/Sandra Sanders

Out and about again - REUTERS/Sandra Sanders
Out and about again - REUTERS/Sandra Sanders

View of the archaeological site of Machu Picchu, in Cusco, Peru, during its reopening ceremony - ERNESTO BENAVIDES/AFP

View of the archaeological site of Machu Picchu, in Cusco, Peru, during its reopening ceremony - ERNESTO BENAVIDES/AFP
View of the archaeological site of Machu Picchu, in Cusco, Peru, during its reopening ceremony - ERNESTO BENAVIDES/AFP

People prepare to attend the official act of reopening Machu Picchu - Paolo Aguilar/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

People prepare to attend the official act of reopening Machu Picchu - Paolo Aguilar/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
People prepare to attend the official act of reopening Machu Picchu - Paolo Aguilar/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Llamas at the archaeological site - ERNESTO BENAVIDES/AFP

Llamas at the archaeological site - ERNESTO BENAVIDES/AFP
Llamas at the archaeological site - ERNESTO BENAVIDES/AFP

Machu Picchu reopened on Sunday - ERNESTO BENAVIDES/AFP

Machu Picchu reopened on Sunday - ERNESTO BENAVIDES/AFP
Machu Picchu reopened on Sunday - ERNESTO BENAVIDES/AFP

Prince William - Jack Hill

Prince William - Jack Hill
Prince William - Jack Hill