UK coronavirus live: M&S sandwich supplier closes factory over outbreak among staff

Greencore staff to self-isolate for 14 days; Wigan joins two Lancashire areas also easing restrictions; Croatia, Austria and Trinidad and Tobago off safe list from 4am SaturdayShapps rejects idea of partial quarantine for countriesLockdown fears for Birmingham amid sharp rise in casesRetail sales rise above pre-Covid levelsCovid-19 drives UK national debt to £2tnCoronavirus global updates – live 2.55pm BST The mayor of the West Midlands believes “some people have not been strict enough” with coronavirus measures, after Birmingham was added to a watch list as an “area of enhanced support”.There have been reports that the UK’s second city could be placed into a local lockdown amid rising numbers of cases in the area.People across the region have made an enormous sacrifice since the start of lockdown to keep the virus at bay, but the virus is now returning and recent efforts to counter that have been insufficient.It is evident that some people have not been strict enough when it comes to keeping up the basics of social distancing, hand washing and wearing a face covering, nor following the guidelines on avoiding mass gatherings.Birmingham is in an extremely challenging COVID situation, and as expected the city has been added to the Government’s watchlist this afternoon. From handwashing and social distancing to wearing face coverings and avoiding mass gatherings, every individual must play their part. pic.twitter.com/bWLUX9UVC3 2.49pm BST Our kids have lost a significant chunk of their childhood, and yet nobody in government will take responsibility for ministerial failures, writes Guardian columnist Zoe Williams. I usually have a strong stomach and a sunny, cross-that-bridge attitude when it comes to rumours, but I have just read one that chilled me to the bone: there is a reason Gavin Williamson will not resign, and it is not because he, or anybody else, thinks he is doing a good job under difficult circumstances. The education secretary needs to stay in post until September so that, when all the promises are broken and English schools don’t, in fact, fully reopen, there can be someone other than the prime minister who can take the blame. Related: I know the real reason Gavin Williamson won’t quit – and it’s chilling | Zoe Williams Continue reading…
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