SCHOOLS won't have to enforce face masks or carry out regular testing on pupils, it was revealed today. Speaking to Good Morning Britain this morning, education minister Nick Gibb said twice-weekly testing will not be compulsory for pupils to go to school in England but remains “highly recommended”. With pupils returning to schools in March 8, Gibb confirmed a "no test, no school" policy is not in place but said he hopes the majority of students will volunteer to test themselves at home twice a week before coming in to school. "No, they’re not compulsory but we highly recommend it, it’s everybody doing everything we can to identify asymptomatic cases of Covid , helping to reduce the transmission," he said. "The first three tests will be taken in the school that will show the students how to do it most effectively and it’s the students themselves that will do it at home with supervision by their parents," he added. Meanwhile, normal summer exams have been ditched and … [Read more...] about Coronavirus news UK update – A Levels and GCSEs SCRAPPED for 2021 as schools told testing & masks won’t be compulsory
Light at the end of the tunnel quotes
High street favourites that won’t re-open in April as Covid closes iconic chains forever
While there's light at the end of the tunnel for many British businesses after months of lockdown, there's some familiar favourites that will never return to the High Street. Many businesses have been told they could reopen on April 12 if the government reaches its Covid vaccination target, as part of Boris Johnson's plan to get the country out of restrictions. Hairdressers, salons, clothing outlets and many small, local businesses such as florists will be able to trade again after more than three months of closures. But for many towns and communities, the high street will never be the same again as one by one big chains that have been part of Britain's culture have fallen under the pressure of the pandemic. Some struggling brands will return to the high street but others will now operate online-only. Paperchase is closing 27 stores while Jaeger, John Lewis, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Bonmarché, Hays Travel and Prezzo will reduce their store counts. Sir Philip Green's … [Read more...] about High street favourites that won’t re-open in April as Covid closes iconic chains forever
Ellie Goulding was plagued by doubt and anxiety but now she’s pregnant and planning her showstopping comeback
IN a little over a decade, Ellie Goulding has shifted 15million albums and 102million singles and has enjoyed global success. But as she revealed her first pregnancy this week , in a carefully choreographed announcement alongside an interview with fashion bible Vogue, the 34-year-old singer and socialite made it clear her ambition is far bigger. This wasn’t just baby news, but a statement of intent. Just hours after the announcement, she made her first appearance with a burgeoning bump when she took centre stage at a high-end fashion launch for Hugo Boss as it unveiled a new collaboration with heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua. And the real revelation was the transformation of Ellie — now the darling of the fashion world, close friend of the royals and eager to branch out to become a top businesswoman alongside her already impressive showbiz credentials and an estimated £30million fortune. As one insider put it: “She’s done all she can as a pop star — her … [Read more...] about Ellie Goulding was plagued by doubt and anxiety but now she’s pregnant and planning her showstopping comeback