More surge testing will be rolled out in Ealing after additional cases of the coronavirus variant first identified in South Africa were detected. It is an extension of testing which was started in the west London borough earlier this month following the discovery of previous cases. Cases have been identified in Acton, Greenford, Southall and West Ealing and are not believed to be linked to international travel. Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world People living in Ealing are strongly encouraged to take a COVID-19 test when offered. Advertisement Anyone with symptoms should book a free test online or by phone to get tested at a testing site or have a testing kit sent home. On Wednesday the government announced that surge testing would begin in the HP10 postcode in Buckinghamshire and SW8 and SW9 postcodes in Lambeth in London. More from Covid-19 Kenneth Branagh transforms into Boris Johnson in uncanny first-look … [Read more...] about COVID-19: More surge testing in Ealing as additional South Africa variant cases detected
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‘Normal’ summer hope for Brits as lockdown to end on June 21 after 4 key steps
Boris Johnson has raised hopes of a ‘normal’ summer by announcing plans to lift all Covid restrictions in England by June 21. The Prime Minister set out a four-step easing of restrictions starting with the return of all children to school and social mixing outdoors ( see below ). He predicted that the success of the vaccine roll-out meant: “Today the end really is in sight”. Mr Johnson told MPs: “A wretched year will give way to a Spring and a Summer that will be incomparably better”. He later added that the “crocus of hope is poking through the frost”. But in a dramatic shift in tone, he stressed that his approach must now be “cautious” to avoid a fourth national lockdown. And he admitted that he could not guarantee that the measures would be “irreversible” - although he wanted them to be. What is your view? Have your say in the comments section Tory MPs have urged him to lift measures by April 26 now that more than 17.7m people have received their first Covid … [Read more...] about ‘Normal’ summer hope for Brits as lockdown to end on June 21 after 4 key steps
COVID-19: No exams and teacher-assessed grades ‘as good a compromise as we can come to’, says Boris Johnson
Allowing teachers to award grades to pupils this summer is "as good a compromise as we can come to" following the cancellation of formal exams, Boris Johnson has said. The prime minister described this year's system for awarding A-level and GCSE grades in England - as well as some vocational and technical qualifications - as "durable" and the "right way forward". Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world With the government aiming to avoid a repeat of last year's grades scandal - which saw a moderating algorithm ditched after widespread complaints it unfairly downgraded pupils' grades - teachers have been told to base students' grades on a range of evidence. This includes mock exams, coursework, essays and in-class tests. Advertisement Schools will also have the option of using assessment questions provided by exam boards to help decide what grades to award, although the assessments are not expected to take place under exam … [Read more...] about COVID-19: No exams and teacher-assessed grades ‘as good a compromise as we can come to’, says Boris Johnson