Britain's Secretary of State for Education Nadhim Zahawi on Sunday defended the reduction in the isolation period for people who get test positive for the coronavirus.

When questioned about the decision, he said "It would certainly, you know, help mitigate some of the pressures on schools, on critical workforce and others. But I would absolutely be, you know, driven by the advice from the experts, the scientists on whether we should move to five days from seven days (COVID-19 isolation period). Otherwise, what you don't want is obviously create the wrong outcome by higher levels of infection."

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-becomes-first-country-in-europe-to-pass-150000-covid-deaths-443294/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

It comes after in a tragic milestone for one of the worst affected countries in Europe, more than 150,000 people have died after catching coronavirus in the United Kingdom.

"I would obviously always defer to the scientific advice on this. It would certainly help mitigate some of the pressures on schools, on critical workforce and others," Zahawi told Sky News after being asked whether he backed a move to five days.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-coronavirus-deaths-top-150000-british-government-asks-nhs-to-get-vaccinated-by-february-3-443244">Also read |&nbsp;UK: Coronavirus deaths top 150,000, British government asks NHS to get vaccinated by February 3</a>

The number of daily reported cases in the UK surged to a record figure of more than 200,000 last week, but has subsided slightly in recent days with 146,390 cases reported in the last 24 hours.

The country has introduced new rules including compulsory wearing of face masks by school children during lessons, while Prime Minister Boris Johnson resisted cracking down on social gatherings in England over the festive period.

The massive number of people testing positive or in self-isolation has hit staff numbers in all sectors including the state-funded health service.

Rising staff absences at UK hospitals have already prompted the military to provide backup to beleaguered doctors and nurses.

Hospitalisations and deaths are nevertheless far lower than in the first wave of the pandemic when people were unvaccinated.

The government is urging the public to get boosters, which have already been administered to around 61 percent of the population aged over 12. It is also seeking to persuade the unvaccinated to receive jabs. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Britain's Secretary of State for Education Nadhim Zahawi on Sunday defended the reduction in the isolation period for people who get test positive for the coronavirus.

Britain's Secretary of State for Education Nadhim Zahawi on Sunday defended the reduction in the isolation period for people who get test positive for the coronavirus. When questioned about the decision, he said "It would certainly, you know, help mitigate some of the pressures on schools, on critical workforce and others. But I would absolutely be, you know, driven by the advice from the experts, the scientists on whether we should move to five days from seven days (COVID-19 isolation period). Otherwise, what you don't want is obviously create the wrong outcome by higher levels of infection." It comes after in a tragic milestone for one of the worst affected countries in Europe, more than 150,000 people have died after catching coronavirus in the United Kingdom. "I would obviously always defer to the scientific advice on this. It would certainly help mitigate some of the pressures on schools, on critical workforce and others," Zahawi told Sky News after being asked whether he backed a move to five days. Also read | UK: Coronavirus deaths top 150,000, British government asks NHS to get vaccinated by February 3 The number of daily reported cases in the UK surged to a record figure of more than 200,000 last week, but has subsided slightly in recent days with 146,390 cases reported in the last 24 hours. The country has introduced new rules including compulsory wearing of face masks by school children during lessons, while Prime Minister Boris Johnson resisted cracking down on social gatherings in England over the festive period. The massive number of people testing positive or in self-isolation has hit staff numbers in all sectors including the state-funded health service. Rising staff absences at UK hospitals have already prompted the military to provide backup to beleaguered doctors and nurses. Hospitalisations and deaths are nevertheless far lower than in the first wave of the pandemic when people were unvaccinated. The government is urging the public to get boosters, which have already been administered to around 61 percent of the population aged over 12. It is also seeking to persuade the unvaccinated to receive jabs. (With inputs from agencies)

UK's education minister Nadhim Zahawi says reduced COVID isolation will ease workforce pressures

British Prime Minister&nbsp;Boris&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;on Monday defended his belated decision to impose a second coronavirus lockdown as critics claimed he could have saved "thousands" of lives by acting sooner.

After persisting for weeks with local and regional restrictions,&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;announced at the weekend that a new nationwide lockdown would come into force from Thursday and end on December 2, bringing England into line with other parts of the UK and Europe.

Scientific models show that, without immediate action, the number of deaths over the winter months could double those in the first wave earlier this year, and hospitals would soon be overwhelmed,&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;told the House of Commons.

"I am truly sorry for the anguish these measures will impose, particularly for businesses that had just got back on their feet," he said.

"But it's now clear that we must do more together."

Opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer accused the prime minister of a "catastrophic failure of leadership", but&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;vowed "no apologies" for resisting an earlier national lockdown, given the impact on lives, mental health and livelihoods.

"I believe it was right to try every possible option to get this virus under control at a local level," he said.

The ramped-up response came as Britain surpassed one million cases, while its number of coronavirus-related deaths is nearing 47,000, the worst toll in Europe.

Last orders

The government is extending a UK-wide furlough scheme to support staff wages in shut-down businesses that was due to expire on October 31.

Lisa Wright, who runs the King's Arms pub in the Yorkshire village of Askrigg, welcomed the furlough move and said another national lockdown was "inevitable".

"But it's still very sad," she told AFP.

"You know, we're here to offer a service. We're here to give people some relaxation time, and that's got to stop again. And that's quite hard to take as a business."

From Thursday, non-essential retailers in England will close, including hospitality venues such as pubs and restaurants, except for takeaways.&nbsp;

Restive members of&nbsp;Johnson's Conservative party, warning of more damage to the reeling economy, threatened to defy the prime minister in a parliamentary vote on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Tory backbencher Charles Walker said he would be voting against a "drift further into an authoritarian, coercive state", but the restrictions will still pass with support from opposition parties.

'Catalogue of mistakes'&nbsp;

Labour's Starmer pointed out that government scientists had, in late September, urged a two-week "circuit-break" during October's half-term school holidays.

Johnson&nbsp;rejected that proposal at the time, and just a fortnight ago he said calls for another national lockdown were the "height of absurdity".

"I can't forgive the catalogue of mistakes that have cost lives and livelihoods," Starmer told a virtual annual meeting of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

"The central lesson of the first wave was ignored: that if you are to control this virus you have to act early and decisively, and that if you don't, the cost to people's health and the health of the economy is much, much worse."

CBI director-general Carolyn Fairbairn said the measures will be "truly devastating for businesses".

But professor Andrew Hayward, one of the scientists advising the government on its coronavirus planning, said the September proposal would have caused much less harm.

"I think if we had chosen a two-week circuit-break at that time, we would definitely have saved thousands of lives," he told BBC radio.

"And we would clearly have inflicted substantially less damage on our economy than the proposed four-week lockdown will do."

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday defended his belated decision to impose a second coronavirus lockdown as critics claimed he could have saved "thousands" of lives by acting sooner.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday defended his belated decision to impose a second coronavirus lockdown as critics claimed he could have saved "thousands" of lives by acting sooner. After persisting for weeks with local and regional restrictions, Johnson announced at the weekend that a new nationwide lockdown would come into force from Thursday and end on December 2, bringing England into line with other parts of the UK and Europe. Scientific models show that, without immediate action, the number of deaths over the winter months could double those in the first wave earlier this year, and hospitals would soon be overwhelmed, Johnson told the House of Commons. "I am truly sorry for the anguish these measures will impose, particularly for businesses that had just got back on their feet," he said. "But it's now clear that we must do more together." Opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer accused the prime minister of a "catastrophic failure of leadership", but Johnson vowed "no apologies" for resisting an earlier national lockdown, given the impact on lives, mental health and livelihoods. "I believe it was right to try every possible option to get this virus under control at a local level," he said. The ramped-up response came as Britain surpassed one million cases, while its number of coronavirus-related deaths is nearing 47,000, the worst toll in Europe. Last orders The government is extending a UK-wide furlough scheme to support staff wages in shut-down businesses that was due to expire on October 31. Lisa Wright, who runs the King's Arms pub in the Yorkshire village of Askrigg, welcomed the furlough move and said another national lockdown was "inevitable". "But it's still very sad," she told AFP. "You know, we're here to offer a service. We're here to give people some relaxation time, and that's got to stop again. And that's quite hard to take as a business." From Thursday, non-essential retailers in England will close, including hospitality venues such as pubs and restaurants, except for takeaways. Restive members of Johnson's Conservative party, warning of more damage to the reeling economy, threatened to defy the prime minister in a parliamentary vote on Wednesday. Tory backbencher Charles Walker said he would be voting against a "drift further into an authoritarian, coercive state", but the restrictions will still pass with support from opposition parties. 'Catalogue of mistakes' Labour's Starmer pointed out that government scientists had, in late September, urged a two-week "circuit-break" during October's half-term school holidays. Johnson rejected that proposal at the time, and just a fortnight ago he said calls for another national lockdown were the "height of absurdity". "I can't forgive the catalogue of mistakes that have cost lives and livelihoods," Starmer told a virtual annual meeting of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). "The central lesson of the first wave was ignored: that if you are to control this virus you have to act early and decisively, and that if you don't, the cost to people's health and the health of the economy is much, much worse." CBI director-general Carolyn Fairbairn said the measures will be "truly devastating for businesses". But professor Andrew Hayward, one of the scientists advising the government on its coronavirus planning, said the September proposal would have caused much less harm. "I think if we had chosen a two-week circuit-break at that time, we would definitely have saved thousands of lives," he told BBC radio. "And we would clearly have inflicted substantially less damage on our economy than the proposed four-week lockdown will do."

UK's Johnson under fire as new lockdown looms for England

Action Fraud, the UK centre for reporting cybercrime and fraud, said on Thursday that between August 2019 and August 2020, losses reported by victims amounted to $86,242,444.

Millions of pounds have been lost to ‘romance fraud’ when people confined to spells of isolation during the coronavirus pandemic turn to online dating and end up handing over money after fraudsters gain their trust and ask for help in non-existing emergencies.

From June to August, the centre received more than 600 reports per month for romance fraud, indicating the victims may have met, and begun talking to, romance fraudsters during the lockdown caused by the pandemic.

Diana Fawcett, chief executive of charity Victim Support, said: "Lockdown restrictions meant people could not meet in person for a number of months, which led to many seeking to form new connections online.

Romance fraud, or dating fraud, occurs when people think they have met the perfect partner online. They gain trust over a number of weeks or months and have the victims believe that they are in a loving, caring relationship. Fraudsters may be based anywhere across the globe.

The centre launched a multi-agency campaign throughout October to raise awareness of romance fraud and provide clear and unambiguous protection advice to the public, following a 26 per cent&nbsp;rise in reports in the past year.

Action Fraud, the UK centre for reporting cybercrime and fraud, said on Thursday that between August 2019 and August 2020, losses reported by victims amounted to $86,242,444.

Action Fraud, the UK centre for reporting cybercrime and fraud, said on Thursday that between August 2019 and August 2020, losses reported by victims amounted to $86,242,444. Millions of pounds have been lost to ‘romance fraud’ when people confined to spells of isolation during the coronavirus pandemic turn to online dating and end up handing over money after fraudsters gain their trust and ask for help in non-existing emergencies. From June to August, the centre received more than 600 reports per month for romance fraud, indicating the victims may have met, and begun talking to, romance fraudsters during the lockdown caused by the pandemic. Diana Fawcett, chief executive of charity Victim Support, said: "Lockdown restrictions meant people could not meet in person for a number of months, which led to many seeking to form new connections online. Romance fraud, or dating fraud, occurs when people think they have met the perfect partner online. They gain trust over a number of weeks or months and have the victims believe that they are in a loving, caring relationship. Fraudsters may be based anywhere across the globe. The centre launched a multi-agency campaign throughout October to raise awareness of romance fraud and provide clear and unambiguous protection advice to the public, following a 26 per cent rise in reports in the past year.

Romance fraud on the rise in UK amid coronavirus pandemic

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will hold a news conference on COVID-19 on Wednesday as he grapples with a swiftly spreading second wave of the novel coronavirus outbreak and growing anger in his own party over restrictions imposed on citizens.

Britain, which has the worst official death toll in Europe, reported 7,143 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, the highest single figure to date, and 71 deaths, the worst daily toll since July.

Johnson, who has had to apologise after muddling local lockdown rules, is facing growing anger within his own Conservative Party over the most severe restrictions in peacetime history that are destroying swathes of the economy.

"The price we will not pay is that we will not surrender parliamentary democracy and the rule of law in order to fight this virus - these things are too important," said Steve Baker, one prominent rebel lawmaker in the party.

"We need prior approval of measures, major measures on a national scale and indeed a regional scale which take away people's liberties," Baker told the BBC ahead of a debate in the House of Commons on Johnson's COVID-19 measures.

Large swathes of the United Kingdom and tens of millions of citizens are subject to local restrictions brought in to try to slow the second wave of COVID-19 infections. The country has reported more than 42,072 deaths from the virus - the world's fifth highest number of fatalities.

As Johnson grapples with both COVID-19 and dissent in party ranks, the economic damage was laid bare: the United Kingdom's economy shrank by a record 19.8% in the second quarter of 2020 - more than any other major advanced economy.[nL8N2GR198]

The United Kingdom is borrowing more than at any time since World War Two while unemployment is rising and some businesses have complained that Johnson's restrictions are killing their livelihoods.

Johnson, who fell gravely ill himself earlier this year with COVID-19, says the virus must be brought under control otherwise the death and economic damage it will inflict will be much more serious.

But a series of missteps by the government, a lack of enforcement and growing fatigue with the regulations have prompted growing unease - and even some confusion - over the COVID-19 restrictions.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will hold a news conference on COVID-19 on Wednesday as he grapples with a swiftly spreading second wave of the novel coronavirus outbreak and growing anger in his own party over restrictions imposed on citizens.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will hold a news conference on COVID-19 on Wednesday as he grapples with a swiftly spreading second wave of the novel coronavirus outbreak and growing anger in his own party over restrictions imposed on citizens. Britain, which has the worst official death toll in Europe, reported 7,143 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, the highest single figure to date, and 71 deaths, the worst daily toll since July. Johnson, who has had to apologise after muddling local lockdown rules, is facing growing anger within his own Conservative Party over the most severe restrictions in peacetime history that are destroying swathes of the economy. "The price we will not pay is that we will not surrender parliamentary democracy and the rule of law in order to fight this virus - these things are too important," said Steve Baker, one prominent rebel lawmaker in the party. "We need prior approval of measures, major measures on a national scale and indeed a regional scale which take away people's liberties," Baker told the BBC ahead of a debate in the House of Commons on Johnson's COVID-19 measures. Large swathes of the United Kingdom and tens of millions of citizens are subject to local restrictions brought in to try to slow the second wave of COVID-19 infections. The country has reported more than 42,072 deaths from the virus - the world's fifth highest number of fatalities. As Johnson grapples with both COVID-19 and dissent in party ranks, the economic damage was laid bare: the United Kingdom's economy shrank by a record 19.8% in the second quarter of 2020 - more than any other major advanced economy.[nL8N2GR198] The United Kingdom is borrowing more than at any time since World War Two while unemployment is rising and some businesses have complained that Johnson's restrictions are killing their livelihoods. Johnson, who fell gravely ill himself earlier this year with COVID-19, says the virus must be brought under control otherwise the death and economic damage it will inflict will be much more serious. But a series of missteps by the government, a lack of enforcement and growing fatigue with the regulations have prompted growing unease - and even some confusion - over the COVID-19 restrictions.

UK PM Johnson to speak on COVID-19 as anger mounts towards curbs

Marking the latest bid to curb the recent increase in cases of Coronavirus around the country, U.K. will issue fine of £10,000 (9,51,297 INR) for those who break the rules of self-isolation.

UK introduce fines of £10,000 for self isolation breaches, £1,000 for 1st time offence

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UK's education minister Nadhim Zahawi says reduced COVID isolation will ease workforce pressures

UK's Johnson under fire as new lockdown looms for England

Romance fraud on the rise in UK amid coronavirus pandemic

UK PM Johnson to speak on COVID-19 as anger mounts towards curbs

UK introduce fines of £10,000 for self isolation breaches, £1,000 for 1st time offence