Newspaper headlines: France ‘quarantine risk’ and Flack mother’s ‘fury’
As the UK imposes quarantine rules on more countries, the Times says British tourists heading to France are being warned it may be next on the list. The paper quotes one travel consultant saying the country is “bubbling” with cases, adding that it has five days to reduce infections or face quarantine restrictions.
The Daily Telegraph also says ministers are monitoring rising cases in France, but the paper’s lead story focuses on a decision by England’s exam watchdog Ofqual allowing greater opportunity to appeal against grades awarded under this year’s statistical model. The paper also features a large picture of the prime minister, wearing a tie, lifting dumbbells in the gym.
Boris Johnson appears on the front of the Daily Express as well, pumping iron in business attire, next to a headline saying the economy is showing “signs of strength”. The paper says he issued a “rallying cry” for the nation to “get back to work” as the Bank of England says the impact of Covid-19 was less severe than feared.
But the Financial Times reports that the bank also warned unemployment will remain high until at least the end of next year, adding that Chancellor Rishi Sunak is coming under pressure to extend the jobs furlough scheme. The paper’s lead story says Microsoft has shifted its focus to buying the whole of Chinese social media company TikTok, instead of just its US operation.
Leading doctors tell the Guardian that shutting down normal NHS operations in a second wave of coronavirus infections would inflict “pain, misery and risk of death on tens of thousands of patients”. “The NHS must never again be a Covid-only service,” one says.
“Flack mum’s fury at cop” is Metro’s headline, reporting from the inquest of Love Island TV presenter Caroline Flack, who killed herself after she was investigated for an alleged assault on her boyfriend. Her mother, Christine, told a detective who insisted on charging her daughter that she should be “disgusted” with herself.
The Daily Mirror’s front page follows up its investigation earlier this year into the lockdown travels of Dominic Cummings, the prime minister’s chief adviser. The paper says that two witnesses who say they saw him make a second trip to Durham – which he denies – have complained to the police watchdog, because they do not believe their report was properly investigated.
Home Secretary Priti Patel has backed using the Navy to send migrant boats back to France, after 250 people were caught crossing the Channel in one day, the Daily Mail reports. The paper says the rising numbers are a “personal blow” to Ms Patel, who pledged last October she would reduce crossings almost to zero by this stage.
And the Daily Star reports that dwarf actors – who frequently star in festive productions of Snow White – have expressed relief that some of the largest panto producers are cancelling performances this year. They tell the paper that they feared they would be at a greater risk of catching the virus.
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