England’s new lockdown could be extended if the latest measures fail to halt the spread of coronavirus.
The message came less than a day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a new four-week lockdown.
From Thursday, most shops will close and people will be barred from meeting relatives and friends indoors until December 2.
On Sunday, one of Mr Johnson's top ministers said the lockdown could be extended.
“It will get reviewed on December 2, but we’re always driven by what the data shows,” Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove told Sky News.
“We will always take the decision in the national interest based on the evidence, the best information that we have.”
When pressed on whether the restrictions could be extended if the lockdown effects were not positive, Mr Gove said: “Yes.”
Mr Johnson announced the emergency measures, which allow schools, universities and courts to stay open, on Saturday after scientists said England’s health system faced being overwhelmed.
“Our hope was that, by strong local action, we could get the infection rates down,” he said.
“As we’ve seen, we have to be humble in the face of the nature and in this country the virus is spreading even faster than the worst-case scenarios.
“Now is the time to take action because there is no alternative.”
Infection rates across much of England are increasing and more people are being admitted to hospital.
Total virus cases in the UK since the outbreak began have now passed one million and the country has suffered more than 46,000 fatalities, the highest death toll in Europe.
“If we were to have a situation where we found our NHS overwhelmed, it will also have inevitable effects on our economy, on people’s overall confidence and their ability to go about their daily lives,” Mr Gove said on Sunday.
“This is a protective step that we need to take that nobody relishes. We feel that there is no alternative.”
Mr Johnson has repeatedly been urged to impose a second lockdown in recent weeks due to the infection rate doubling but has resisted the move, largely because of concerns over the economy.
The government has reversed its financial support policy, extending its furlough programme, which had been due to end on Saturday, until the end of the new lockdown.
Details of the plan were leaked after a meeting of four senior ministers.
That breach is now under investigation, Mr Gove said.
Dr Graham's three goals
Short term
Establish logistics and systems needed to globally deploy vaccines
Intermediate term
Build biomedical workforces in low- and middle-income nations
Long term
A prototype pathogen approach for pandemic preparedness
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
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1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.
2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash.
3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible.
4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key.
5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor
