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Legal requirement to self-isolate after positive Covid test ends Thursday, Boris Johnson confirms
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The legal requirement to self-isolate after a positive Covid test in England will end on Thursday, Boris Johnson has confirmed today.
Addressing the Commons this afternoon, the Prime Minister announced that vaccinated contacts of positive cases will no longer be asked to test for seven days and there will no longer be a legal requirement for close contacts who are not vaccinated to self-isolate.
However, those who test positive for the virus will still be encouraged to follow the guidance to stay at home.
Johnson also confirmed that free Covid testing will end on April 1st.
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And one month on (March 24th), the government will remove the COVID provisions attached to statutory sick pay.
The Prime Minister said the plan will see the country moving from ‘government restrictions to personal responsibility’, saying ministers and scientific experts will continue to ‘track the virus in granular detail’, including through the Office for National Statistics survey.
He acknowledged that the cost of the pandemic has been huge but ‘we do not have to pay the price any longer’.
He said: “With the population protected by vaccines and the capabilities to respond rapidly to a resurgence or new variants, it’s time we got our confidence back.
“We don’t need laws to compel people to be considerate to others” and can instead rely on their “sense of responsibility.”
This is all part of the government’s ‘living with Covid plan’, which will eventually see the axing of all restrictions.
Speaking ahead of his announcement on Saturday, Johnson said: “Today will mark a moment of pride after one of the most difficult periods in our country’s history as we begin to learn to live with Covid.
“It would not be possible without the efforts of so many – the NHS who delivered the life-saving vaccine rollout at phenomenal speed, our world-leading scientists and experts, and the general public for their commitment to protecting themselves and their loved ones.
“The pandemic is not over but thanks to the incredible vaccine rollout we are now one step closer towards a return to normality and finally giving people back their freedoms while continuing to protect ourselves and others.”
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Toys R Us is returning to UK high streets this month
It’s called Toys R Us, Toys R Us, Toys R Us!
Toys R Us has announced it will be returning to the UK high street on a date this month.
It’s official, the iconic toy super store will be making a comeback in a matter of weeks.
The retailer — a total paradise for children — is set to open nine high street stores across the UK in partnership with WHSmith.
Some five years after closing 100 of its UK stores, shoppers will be able to physically see and test out toys in its stores, rather than going off reviews and zooming-in on some pictures online.
From Saturday June 10th, customers will be able to browse aisles and aisles of the most popular brands of toys from Barbie, to Hot Wheels, Star Wars, Lego, Fisher Price and so much more.
You can take your children or even go for a gander for nostalgic reasons — hey, who’s judging?
Parents will be pleading with children to put toys back on shelves as they do their best to get them to leave the store. Don’t say you haven’t been warned!
The shops will be divided into different sections including age, interest, and category, as stores will be decked out with interactive experiences, activities, and demonstration tables.
And of course, Geoffrey the Giraffe will feature as the store mascot, just like old times.
The nine shops will open at the following locations throughout the summer:
- Canterbury (St George Street)
- Chelmsford (High Street)
- Cheltenham (High Street)
- Cwmbran (The Mall)
- Oxford (Cornmarket Street)
- Poole (Towngate Shopping Centre)
- Reading (Broad Street)
- Solihull (Mell Square)
- York (Monks Cross retail park)
Commenting on the exciting return in partnership with WHSmith, Sean Toal, managing director for WHSmith High Street, said: “At WHSmith, we’re always exploring new opportunities to launch exciting new product ranges to our customers on the high street, and our partnership with Toys R Us certainly does this.
“The brand has long been known for its exceptional range of toys and games and complements our existing offer well.
“Across each of the nine locations, we have a great team of colleagues who look forward to welcoming many new and existing customers over the coming weeks and showcasing the new store layout and, not forgetting, Geoffrey the Giraffe.”
The first Toys R Us store in partnership with WHSmith will open on Saturday, June 10th in Monks Cross Retail Park, York, with a special grand opening event.
The remaining eight stores will gradually open their doors throughout the rest of the summer — yes, that soon! While the majority of the stores are down south, hopefully some more Northern sites will eventually open – including here in Manchester.
You can find out more on the website HERE.
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Morrisons cafes serving half-price fish and chips just £3.49 for one day only
Get your Friday chippy tea deal!
Morrisons supermarket cafe will be serving half-price fish and chips at just £3.49 for tomorrow only.
The supermarket will be halving the price of a plate of fish and chips in all its cafes in celebration of National Fish and Chips Day on Friday, June 2nd.
For one day only, hungry customers can catch the bargain chippy tea staple, priced at just £3.49 — not bad eh?
The children’s mini fish, chips and peas dish will also be reduced. You can net this one for just £2.74.
To claim the National Fish and Chips Day offer, diners will simply have to present their More Card at the café checkout.
A mum has issued a desperate plea to find her missing 14-year-old daughter.
A distraught mother has issued a plea to find her daughter who went missing six days ago.
Katelan Coates was last seen on Friday May 26th. She was last seen leaving Burnley bus station after travelling from Todmorden, West Yorkshire.
Her family say she may have travelled to Manchester or Stockport. It is believed the teenager could have used public transport to travel around the North West.
In an appeal on Wednesday morning, May 31st, Katelan’s mum Tina wrote: “Please, please help find Katelan. Missing since Friday, that’s five nights sleeping god knows where?
“She might go in a McDonald’s, hang out on a park or city centre? We’re considering Burnley, Blackburn, Preston, Manchester and Blackpool, Stockport.
“She uses buses and trains to get around, she is only 14 years old. Please ring 999 log 1971 26/5.”
Lancashire and West Yorkshire police have also appealed to the public in a bid to help track the teenager down and bring her safely home. Katelan was seen arriving at Burnley bus station at 6.53pm last Friday.
She is described as a white female, around 5ft 5ins in height, with long brown hair. She was last seen wearing an orange vest top, black leggings and a black coat.
In a further appeal later yesterday, mum Tina wrote: “This post is just for Katelan Coates. You know how much you’re loved.
“You know we will do anything/everything to help you. If that means we move or change school to give you a fresh start we will.
“If you can at least let us know you’re okay. Our door is always open, no questions or judgement. Love you always, mum and dad.”
Officers are ‘increasingly concerned’ for Katelan’s welfare and are urging anyone with information on her whereabouts to get in touch ‘without delay’.
Members of the public can contact police with information via the LiveChat function on the West Yorkshire Police Website, or by calling 101 quoting West Yorkshire Police reference 1971, of May 26th.
The hunt for the UK’s messiest car is on with a £200 prize for the winner
Toys R Us is returning to UK high streets this month
Morrisons cafes serving half-price fish and chips just £3.49 for one day only
Mum issues desperate plea to find missing 14-year-old girl
Person tragically killed on railway tracks in Greater Manchester late at night
