Boris Johnson today urged his own father to follow the UK’s coronavirus rules after he was pictured in a shop not wearing a face mask.
Stanley Johnson, 79, said he was “extremely sorry” and admitted he may not be “100 per cent up to speed” on the rules after a photographer snapped him not covering his face and nose in a London newsagent.
The PM’s spokesman said Stanley Johnson “recognises his error and fully understands” why people should wear a mask indoors.
The spokesman added: “The PM is certainly clear that the rules apply to everyone and everyone should follow them.”
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also came under fire for breaking the rule of six by attending a dinner party with his wife and seven others.
He apologised but still faced calls from shadow health minister Dr Rosena Allin-Khan to pay the £200 fine for breaking coronavirus restrictions.
The row came on the day Britain’s postcode lockdown was extended and amid mounting fears the second wave would put up to four million people out of a job by next year.
The country also recorded 6,914 new coronavirus cases with 59 additional deaths in the previous 24 hours.
Health secretary Matt Hancock said local lockdown would be extended to include further areas in the north of England including Liverpool, Warrington, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough.
Residents in those areas will be banned from meeting other households in venues such as pubs and restaurants.
Mr Hancock advised against “all social mixing between households”, adding that people should not attend sporting events and to only visit care homes in “exceptional circumstances”.
In Liverpool, the UK’s fifth-largest city, the infection rate is 258 people per 100,000.
Mr Hancock said: “Together we need to act.”
Up to 4 million could be out of a job
The tightened measures threaten to put more pressure on an already sagging economy.
The Office for Budget Responsibility, which provides analysis of the economy independent of government, is forecasting unemployment to rise to 13.2 per cent - equivalent to four million people - by next year.
The UK’s benefits system is planning around that scenario and will have boosted staff by up to 25,000 by next year as it deals with a surge in people applying for the dole.
Speaking on Sky News, environment secretary George Eustice said another national lockdown would be devastating and must be avoided at all costs to protect the economy.
He said: “It’s for precisely that reason we are trying to avoid a full lockdown, trying to enable restaurants and pubs to continue to trade, albeit on a restricted basis.
“This is a very, very difficult balance we’re trying to strike.”
London may be next in line for tougher measures after a key public health official warned the British capital was at a “tipping point”.
“Londoners still hold the key to reducing infection rates and lessening the impact of any second wave by making a continued conscious effort to consider our movements and behaviour,” Public Health England regional director Kevin Fenton said.
Mr Johnson said yesterday the UK was at a "critical moment" and he would "not hesitate" to impose further restrictions if needed.
On the continent, Madrid will go into lockdown in coming days with non-essential travel to the Spanish capital banned.
Madrid has 735 cases per 100,000 people, one of the highest of any region in Europe and double the national rate in the country, which has recorded 769,188 cases and 31,791 deaths.
The city and surrounding municipalities will see borders closed to outsiders for non-essential visits, with only travel for work, school, doctors' visits or shopping allowed.
Bars and restaurants will shut at 11pm each night.
In France, daily coronavirus cases increased by more than 10,000 yesterday while the number of people hospitalised with the disease rose to a 10-week high of 6,590.
The total number of confirmed cases stands at 563,535 while deaths were up by 63 at 31,956.
In a rare piece of good news, researchers involved in a mass testing programme at Imperial College London said they had seen signs that the growth of infection was slowing.
The survey, which involved 80,000 volunteers tested in England between September 18 and 26, found around 1 in 200 people were infected.
Professor Paul Elliott, director of the programme, said: "The growth of new cases may have slowed, suggesting efforts to control the infection are working.
"The prevalence of infection is the highest that we have recorded to date. This reinforces the need for protective measures to limit the spread of the disease."
Bank of England economist Andy Haldane was one public figure who urged people to look on the brighter side, despite GDP plunging in the second quarter of the year.
He said pessimistic “Chicken Licken” views were holding the UK’s economic recovery back, comparing negative forecasters to the children's storybook character who feared the sky would fall.
"Now is not the time for the economics of Chicken Licken," he said.
"My concern at present is that good news on the economy is being crowded out by fears about the future.
"Collective anxiety is as contagious, and could be as damaging to our well-being, as this terrible disease."
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
Navdeep Suri, India's Ambassador to the UAE
There has been a longstanding need from the Indian community to have a religious premises where they can practise their beliefs. Currently there is a very, very small temple in Bur Dubai and the community has outgrown this. So this will be a major temple and open to all denominations and a place should reflect India’s diversity.
It fits so well into the UAE’s own commitment to tolerance and pluralism and coming in the year of tolerance gives it that extra dimension.
What we will see on April 20 is the foundation ceremony and we expect a pretty broad cross section of the Indian community to be present, both from the UAE and abroad. The Hindu group that is building the temple will have their holiest leader attending – and we expect very senior representation from the leadership of the UAE.
When the designs were taken to the leadership, there were two clear options. There was a New Jersey model with a rectangular structure with the temple recessed inside so it was not too visible from the outside and another was the Neasden temple in London with the spires in its classical shape. And they said: look we said we wanted a temple so it should look like a temple. So this should be a classical style temple in all its glory.
It is beautifully located - 30 minutes outside of Abu Dhabi and barely 45 minutes to Dubai so it serves the needs of both communities.
This is going to be the big temple where I expect people to come from across the country at major festivals and occasions.
It is hugely important – it will take a couple of years to complete given the scale. It is going to be remarkable and will contribute something not just to the landscape in terms of visual architecture but also to the ethos. Here will be a real representation of UAE’s pluralism.
Monster Hunter: World
Capcom
PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Yuki Means Happiness
Alison Jean Lester
John Murray
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
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%3Cp%3EAl%20Khayma%0D%3Cbr%3EBait%20Maryam%0D%3Cbr%3EBrasserie%20Boulud%0D%3Cbr%3EFi'lia%0D%3Cbr%3Efolly%0D%3Cbr%3EGoldfish%0D%3Cbr%3EIbn%20AlBahr%0D%3Cbr%3EIndya%20by%20Vineet%0D%3Cbr%3EKinoya%0D%3Cbr%3ENinive%0D%3Cbr%3EOrfali%20Bros%0D%3Cbr%3EReif%20Japanese%20Kushiyaki%0D%3Cbr%3EShabestan%0D%3Cbr%3ETeible%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm
Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh130,000
On sale: now
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Summer special
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
