By BBC News
Staff
The Daily Mail leads for a second day on its
campaign for Covid-19 testing at airports so that passengers with a negative result don’t have to quarantine.
It says Boris Johnson is facing a revolt from Tory backbenchers – including former ministers – over his refusal to budge on the issue.
According to the paper, MPs have reported a groundswell of anxiety in the party’s ranks over the massive damage that the 14-day quarantine is inflicting on the economy. “The great air revolt takes off” is the headline.
The Spectator website considers what it calls the confusion over the different approaches taken by the four nations of the UK on quarantine for holidaymakers returning from Greece and Portugal.
It says the UK’s response to coronavirus has been disappointing enough already, but it’s starting to get even harder to navigate.
The article points out that cases are declining in some countries and remaining flat in others.
It says the shift has raised hopes that deaths can be kept low without lockdowns.
Those considered in need of treatment will be given an appointment to go to casualty, while the remainder will be directed to the best place for them.
It says the aim is to reduce overcrowding at A&E – but medics fear the changes could create deadly obstacles for those in need of urgent care.
It highlighted the findings of a report that as many as three quarters of pharmacies are under threat because of cuts in their NHS funding – and it’s urging ministers to step in.
The paper warns that losing independent chemists would be a disaster for the ill and the elderly in our communities – as well as yet another body blow to already struggling high streets.
The Department of Health and Social Care tells the paper it will consider the report.
Finally, pupils have returned to school but are unable to go on trips to the battlefields of Belgium and France to learn first hand about war.
The organiser of the tours tells the paper: “It’s not going to be the same of course – we can’t visit a large war cemetery and the kids can’t buy Belgian chocolate from Ypres – but we can give them this fantastic open air history lesson”.