AIRLINES are desperately rushing to add extra flights to meet demand for Brits wanting to get away on holiday.
Travel agents have reported their best day of sales since Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed the roadmap to freedom.
Brits appear to be keenest to fly to Portugal from May 17, when the restrictions are eased and can visit the green list of countries.
The surge in interest has prompted easyJet to put on an additional 80,000 seats – plus it’s restarting a route from Newcastle to Faro in south Portugal.
Read our coronavirus live blog below for the latest updates…
- Jon Rogers
MOST PARENTS MORE OPEN TO DISCUSSING DEATH WITH KIDS AFTER PANDEMIC – POLL
More than half of parents in the UK are more comfortable talking to their child about death and dying following the coronavirus pandemic, new research shows.
A survey conducted by the Ruth Strauss Foundation found that 55% of people say they are either "a lot" (17%) or "a bit" (38%) more open to discussing death with their children due to Covid-19.
However, 42% said the pandemic has had no impact on their openness in discussing the matter.
Brighton came top of the cities (67%) where Covid-19 has made people most open and willing to talk about death and dying generally, compared with the national average of 55%.
The survey asked the question to 1,002 parents of schoolchildren aged between five and 18 across the nation.
It also discovered that 26% of parents are "very comfortable" talking to their child about death, while just over two in five say they are "quite comfortable".
- Jon Rogers
BRITISH PUBLIC SUPPORTS SHARING COVID-19 VACCINES AROUND THE WORLD – POLL
A new poll has shown public support for sharing doses of Covid-19 vaccines with other countries as a way to prevent new variants from emerging.
Some have expressed concern that if a new vaccine-resistant variant were to develop overseas, it could derail the vaccine rollout programme in the UK.
Humanitarian group One Campaign said its poll reflected awareness of the reality that while some countries, including the UK, are making progress against the pandemic, the rest of the world "has some way to go".
It comes as the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned of "vaccine deserts" where a dozen countries – many of them in Africa – have no doses at all.
Of the 2,273 who took part in the poll, which was jointly commissioned with charities Save the Children and Wellcome Trust – and anti-poverty movement Global Citizen, 67% agreed that it was important for the UK to share vaccines with other countries to prevent new strains emerging.
Around 64% said the vaccination rollout could be jeopardised if a new, vaccine-resistant variant develops elsewhere, while 58% agreed that it is "not fair" that richer countries have reserved more vaccines than they need.
- Jon Rogers
MILLIONS TO BE SPENT ON PANDEMIC-RELATED MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT IN SCHOOLS
Millions of pounds are to be spent on boosting mental health support in schools to help pupils recover from the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, it has been announced.
The Government has pledged more than £17 million to go towards upgrading mental health support in education as part of Mental Health Awareness Week.
Funding will be used to to train thousands of senior mental health leads in schools across England and to provide training for education staff to deal with children experiencing pressures brought on by the pandemic.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: "I know how difficult the pandemic has been for many children and young people's mental health and wellbeing, and the next few months will be crucial in supporting their recovery.
"Getting back into the classroom was a vital step in this process but success in school and college goes beyond an excellent education – as parents we want our children to feel settled, calm and happy while they learn.
"That's why we're providing new funding to make experts available for support, advice and early intervention or specialist help, so every young person knows who and where to turn to as we build back better after the pandemic."
- Jon Rogers
BRAZIL RECORDS FURTHER 39,000 COVID CASES
Brazil recorded 38,911 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the past 24 hours and 1,024 fatalities from Covid-19, the Health Ministry said on Sunday.
That raised the total number of confirmed cases in Latin America's largest country to 15,184,790, and the official death toll to 422,340.
- Jon Rogers
ENGLAND TO EASE COVID RESTRICTIONS ON MAY 17
England will press ahead with plans to ease COVID-19 restrictions further on May 17, including allowing people to meet indoors, thanks to favourable data on infections and vaccines, the government said on Sunday.
The country is in the process of gradually lifting its latest lockdown over a period of months, in line with a four-step plan unveiled in February.
Under Step 3 of the plan, as outlined when it was first announced, people will be allowed to meet up indoors for the first time in months, in groups of up to six people or two full households together.
Pubs, cafes and restaurants will be able to host customers indoors, also for the first time in months and subject to certain rules. Other indoor entertainment, hospitality and sports venues will also be able to resume activity.
Johnson's Downing Street office said the latest data on COVID vaccinations, on infections, hospitalisations and deaths, and on the risk posed by new variants had been taken into account in deciding to move forward with Step 3.
- Jon Rogers
SPANIARDS CELEBRATE END OF COVID CURFEW
Spaniards took to the streets to party last night after the country lifted its Covid curfew.
The vast majority of the country's 17 regions eased restrictions at midnight on Saturday as infections continued to fall and the EU's vaccination rollout gathered pace.
In capital Madrid, people danced and sang in the streets without masks in scenes resembling New Year's Eve celebrations.
Local cops were forced to usher the party goers to move from the city's central Puerta del Sol square.
In Barcelona, people headed to the beach at the stroke of midnight to celebrate the end of the six-month shutdown.
Crowds poured onto the streets of Barcelona after the curfew was lifted - Jon Rogers
NUMBER OF INTENSIVE CARE COVID PATIENTS FALLS BELOW 5K IN FRANCE
The number of Covid-19 patients in French intensive care units fell below 5,000 for the first time since March 29 on Sunday in a sign that the third wave of the coronavirus is easing, health ministry data showed.
The number was down for a sixth day in a row at 4,971, against 5,005 the previous day, the ministry said.
The ministry also said a total of 106,392 people had died in from Covid-19 as of Sunday, up 115.
The number of new confirmed infections rose by 9,128 against 9,888 a week earlier, taking the total to 5.78 million.
The country began its third national lockdown at the end of March to tackle a surge in cases, but under pressure from business and a COVID-weary public, President Emmanuel Macron has begun easing restrictions.
- Jon Rogers
US ADMINISTERS 259.7M VACCINE DOSES
The United States has administered 259,716,989 doses of Covid-19 vaccines in the country as of Sunday morning, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said.
A total of 257,347,205 vaccine doses had been administered by May 8, the CDC said.
The agency said 152,116,936 people had received at least one dose while 114,258,244 people were fully vaccinated as of Sunday.
The CDC tally includes two-dose vaccines from Moderna Inc and Pfizer Inc/BioNTech SE as well as Johnson & Johnson's one-shot vaccine as of 6 a.m. ET on Sunday.
A total of 7,813,633 vaccine doses have been administered in long-term care facilities, the agency said.
- Jon Rogers
INDIA BRINGS IN EX-ARMY MEDICS TO BATTLE COVID
India will recruit hundreds of former army medics to support its overwhelmed healthcare system, the defence ministry said on Sunday, as the country grapples with record Covid-19 infections and deaths amid calls for a complete nationwide lockdown.
Some 400 medical officers are expected to serve on contract for a maximum of 11 months, the ministry said in a press release, adding that other defence doctors had also been contacted for online consultations.
Covid-19 cases and deaths have been hitting records every two or three days.
Deaths rose by more than 4,000 for a second consecutive day on Sunday.
- Jon Rogers
HUGGING COULD BE BACK ON MAY 17
The Government wants to see "intimate contact" between family and friends "restored", as it is expected to set out further easing of restrictions in England this week.
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said the Prime Minister will confirm on Monday the relaxation of rules for the next stage of the road map out of lockdown, which is due to take effect from May 17.
It will see most social contact rules outdoors lifted, although gatherings of more than 30 will remain illegal.
Indoors, the rule of six or two households will apply, with indoor hospitality, entertainment venues such as cinemas and soft play areas, the rest of the accommodation sector, and indoor adult group sports and exercise classes expected to reopen.
Speaking on BBC's Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, Mr Gove said: "All being well, the Prime Minister will confirm tomorrow that there will be a relaxation, we've already indicated a proportionate relaxation on international travel, very limited at this stage because we have to be safe.
"In the same way, as we move into stage three of our road map it will be the case that we will see people capable of meeting indoors.
"And without prejudice to a broader review of social distancing, it is also the case that friendly contact, intimate contact, between friends and family is something we want to see restored."
- Jon Rogers
VACCINE PROGRAMME HAILED AS 'HUGE SUCCESS'
Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said: "The UK's vaccination programme has been a huge success and reaching this milestone is a fantastic achievement.
"The phenomenal rollout of the Covid-19 vaccines is a testament to all involved from the scientists who developed them to the incredible NHS staff and volunteers delivering them.
"Everybody involved should rightly be proud of their contribution and I urge all those invited to step up and book in your jab, and play a part in our journey out of the pandemic and back to normality."
- Jon Rogers
COULD BRITS SWITCH TO FERRY TRAVEL FOR SUMMER HOLS?
All eyes have been on what is happening with air travel when it comes to Brits having two weeks in the sun but the ferry companies are also bidding to attract new customers.
“We want to remind people that there are attractive alternatives to air travel this summer,” said Christophe Mathieu Brittany Ferries CEO. “Taking the ferry means there’s no need to mingle in a busy terminal building, or arrivals hall, alongside passengers from multiple destinations. Drive on-board in your own car, then head straight to a cabin which is fed by fresh sea air. Step outside on deck, visit a bar, restaurant or shop, and do so while social distancing in safety and comfort. This is the modern ferry experience and it’s why we urge everyone to consider a sail-and-stay holiday in 2021.”
It could be the answer for Brits wanting to avoid standing in predicted queues at airports when they return to these shores.
- Jon Rogers
EU HAS NOT ORDERED MORE AZ VACCINES PAST JUNE
The European Union has not made any new orders for AstraZeneca vaccines beyond June when their contract ends, European Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton said on Sunday, after the EU signed a deal with Pfizer-BioNTech.
Breton also said he expected the costs of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines to be higher than the earlier versions.
The Commission last month launched legal action against AstraZeneca for not respecting its contract for the supply of Covid-19 vaccines and for not having a "reliable" plan to ensure timely deliveries. "We did not renew the order after June. Well see what happens," Breton told France Inter radio. He did not rule out a potential renewal at a later stage.
Concerns have risen on potential side-effects of the Anglo-Swedish Covid-19 vaccine.
Europe's medicines regulator said on Friday it is reviewing reports of a rare nerve-degenerating disorder in people who received the shots, a move that comes after it found the vaccine may have caused very rare blood clotting cases.
- Debbie White
TRAFFIC LIGHT TRAVEL SYSTEM A 'DISASTER'
Transport secretary Grant Shapps announced the Government’s traffic-light system on Friday, with Portugal and Israel among those on the green list – meaning Brits will not need to quarantine on their return.
But travel bosses were left furious after Greece, Spain and France were put into the amber category – forcing holidaymakers to self-isolate for ten days on arrival in the UK.
A senior Tory branded the traffic-light system a “disaster”, adding: “The vaccine programme will have covered everybody, but instead the decisions have been handed over to the scientists.”
Tory MP Daniel Kawczynski also told the Mail on Sunday the Government’s approach was “illogical”, adding: “How can you categorise Greece as a whole if it comprises hundreds of islands?
“Some of these islands have a very low R rate, and authorities have put into place measures to protect tourists.”
- Debbie White
SURGE IN FLIGHTS AFTER GREEN TRAVEL LIST PUBLISHED
Extra flights are being organised to cope with the deluge of Brits wanting to go on holidays.
But travel bosses have criticised the government for being "overly cautious" with its quarantine-free green travel list, reports the Sunday Telegraph.
The paper says that travel agents, on Saturday, enjoyed their best day of sales since Boris Johnson revealed the roadmap to freedom.
Brits appear to be keenest to fly to Portugal from May 17.
The surge in interest has prompted easyJet to put on an additional 80,000 seats – plus it's restarting a route from Newcastle to Faro in south Portugal.
- Debbie White
SPAIN REFUSES COVID JABS TO BRIT EXPATS
British expats living in Spain are being turned away from the country's Covid jab rollout, reports the Sunday Telegraph.
Local officials are flouting government orders – and putting lives at risk.
John McKenzie, 42, has diabetes and a heart condition but his local health centre in Tenerife has spurned him four times.
During one of those distressing visits he was told outright: "Go away, we don't vaccinate foreigners."
- Debbie White
SPAIN ENDS COVID STATE OF EMERGENCY
Spain has lifted a state of emergency in place since October to fight the pandemic, allowing Spaniards to travel between regions for the first time in months.
"It's like New Year's," said 28-year-old Oriol Corbella in Barcelona, where the lifting of the curfew was met with shouts, applause and music.
Except for a few days over Christmas when the restrictions were lifted, people have not been able to travel to other regions, go on holiday, or see family.
But what really angered Spaniards was the fact that foreign tourists were able to pour into the country on holiday while they were banned from travelling to the beach or visiting loved ones.
Regions can still restrict opening hours and impose capacity limits in bars and restaurants.
- Debbie White
9,000 NASAL COVID SWABS 'REUSED AT AIRPORT'
Up to 9,000 passengers may have been exposed to the coronavirus in Indonesia after being tested with RESUSED nasal swabs at an airport.
It's alleged that workers at the Kimia Farma pharmaceutical firm washed testing kits, then sent them to be used again in Medan, North Sumatra, reported the Telegraph.
Cops have nabbed five employees.
- Debbie White
OVER 100,000 SKIN CANCER PATIENTS UNTREATED DURING PANDEMIC
More than 100,000 people have not been referred to hospital with possible skin cancer since the Covid pandemic struck over a year ago, says the Sunday Times.
The paper explains: "An analysis of NHS data shows the number urgently referred for suspected skin cancer, which means they must be seen within two weeks, fell by 20 per cent between March 2020 and February this year, compared with the same period in 2019-20.
"This equates to 101,000 fewer people."
- Debbie White
NO COVID DEATHS IN SCOTLAND IN PAST 24 HOURS
Scotland has recorded 200 new cases of coronavirus but no deaths in the past 24 hours.
The death toll under this daily measure – of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days – remains at 7,661.
However, the Scottish Government noted that registry offices are generally closed at weekends. A total of 227,672 have tested positive for the virus.
So far, 2,897,975 people have received the first dose of a Covid jab and 1,468,296 have received their second dose.
- Debbie White
BENIDORM MAYOR SLAMS GREEN LIST
The mayor of Benidorm has slammed UK’s new green list of quarantine free travel destinations as "incomprehensible" after Spain was left off.
Toni Perez’s outburst comes after the holiday hotspot remains on the amber list of countries which require returning visitors to self-isolate for 10 days.
The mayor is now demanding a personal meeting with Britain’s Ambassador to Spain to explain the “reality” of the popular British holiday destination.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps finally announced that Brits can get their foreign getaways booked in, but the list of green list areas is very short.
Portugal, Israel and Iceland are on the list, but as well as Spain, the other traditional holiday hotspots of France and Greece, have been left off.
- Debbie White
THIRD OF ADULTS IN ENGLAND HAVE HAD BOTH COVID JABS
A third of adults in England have now had both doses of the Covid vaccine, NHS England says.
A total of 44,449,424 Covid-19 jabs took place in England between December 8 and May 8, according to NHS England data, including first and second doses, which is a rise of 541,513 on the previous day.
NHS England said 29,578,216 were the first dose, a rise of 137,003 on the previous day, while 14,871,208 were a second dose, an increase of 404,510.
Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and medical director for primary care at NHS England, said: "Yet another incredible NHS milestone has been reached as one in three adults in England have now had both doses of the Covid vaccine – meaning that they have maximum protection from the virus.
"Reaching this milestone is no accident – it is down to months of hard work and everyone in the NHS who has played a role in this is helping to protect millions of people from serious illness and saving lives."
- Debbie White
TRAFFIC LIGHT TRAVEL DECISION BASED ON HEALTH BOSSES' ADVICE
Decisions on travel had been “led by the Department of Health” and Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove, who were “determined” to “do exactly what the scientists say”, insiders told the Mail on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Home Secretary Priti Patel and Chancellor Rishi Sunak were said to be among those arguing for a less strict approach to foreign holidays.
Sources told the newspaper the Greek islands had not made it onto the green list as health officials had not independently assessed Covid data from those locations
- Debbie White
TRAFFIC LIGHT TRAVEL SYSTEM A 'DISASTER'
Transport secretary Grant Shapps announced the Government’s traffic-light system on Friday, with Portugal and Israel among those on the green list – meaning Brits will not need to quarantine on their return.
But travel bosses were left furious after Greece, Spain and France were put into the amber category – forcing holidaymakers to self-isolate for ten days on arrival in the UK.
A senior Tory branded the traffic-light system a “disaster”, adding: “The vaccine programme will have covered everybody, but instead the decisions have been handed over to the scientists.”
Tory MP Daniel Kawczynski also told the Mail on Sunday the Government’s approach was “illogical”, adding: “How can you categorise Greece as a whole if it comprises hundreds of islands?
“Some of these islands have a very low R rate, and authorities have put into place measures to protect tourists.”
- Debbie White
HALF-TERM HOLS RUINED FOR THOUSANDS OF BRITS
Thousands of Brits have had their half-term holiday plans ruined as the Government faces mounting anger over its traffic-light system for international travel.
It came as easyJet boss Lohan Lundgren urged ministers to put tourist hotspots Greece and Spain on the green list from May 17.
Mr Lundgren said the decision to leave holiday favourites off the green list was “overly cautious” and “not justified by the evidence”.
He urged ministers to move Greece and Spain onto the list in three weeks as the risk of contracting Covid was “very low”.
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