Covid: Nightclubs in Wales to shut and Scotland’s restrictions take effecton December 17, 2021 at 7:49 am

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Five things you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic this Friday morning.

Here are five things you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic this Friday morning. We’ll have another update for you this evening.

1. Nightclubs to shut as Wales imposes restrictions

Nightclubs will close in Wales after Boxing Day – staying shut over new year – while businesses will be required to enforce restrictions, such as social distancing in shops and workplaces, from 27 December. First Minister Mark Drakeford is calling on people to avoid meeting “wider circles of friends” in a bid to hinder the spread of the Omicron variant, which helped drive the number of coronavirus cases to a record 88,376 on Thursday.

Generic image showing shoppers in Cardiff

Image source, PA Media

Short presentational grey line

2. Scotland’s new rules come into force

Restrictions requiring shops and hospitality outlets to reduce crowding and queueing, erect screens and barriers, and enforce the wearing of face masks have taken effect in Scotland. Holyrood ministers have offered £100m of support to firms, and are calling on the UK government to provide additional funds.

Alana Forrest
Short presentational grey line

3. ‘Covid stopped my life-saving operation’

The number of coronavirus patients – many of them unvaccinated – in hospital is having a knock-on effect on other patients. As Lara Wahab explains, she has type 1 diabetes and needs a life-saving kidney and pancreas transplant. But despite matching organs being found, she says her hospital couldn’t do the operation because no intensive care beds were available.

This video can not be played

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

Short presentational grey line

4. Concerns over using student teachers as substitute cover

Officials looked into the possibility of using student teachers as substitute cover in Northern Ireland’s schools but Education Minister Michelle McIlveen says universities raised significant concerns. She says she concluded it would not be “reasonable or fair to use student teachers to address the current short-term pressure”.

Stock picture of teacher in front of class

Image source, Getty Images

Short presentational grey line

5. ‘I’m worried about Covid – can I get a refund?’

Having second thoughts about attending a gig, football match or panto? Ticket resale websites are finding supply far outweighing demand, as people heed warnings about the spread of the Omicron variant, and in many cases customers are not entitled to a refund. Newsbeat hears from a consumer rights specialist at Which? about what can be done.

A photo of OG Courts

Image source, OG Courts

And don’t forget…

You can find more information, advice and guides on our coronavirus page.

Wondering if children will be going to school in January? We run through what ministers in the UK’s nations have said about testing, masks and ventilation in class.

Government statistics show 146,973 people have now died, with 146 deaths reported in the latest 24-hour period. In total, 11,097,51 people have tested positive, up 88,376 in the latest 24-hour period. Latest figures show 7,579 people in hospital. In total, 51,360,976 people have received their first vaccination
line
YQA logo

Image source, BBC

What questions do you have about coronavirus?

In some cases, your question will be published, displaying your name, age and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy.

Use this form to ask your question:

If you are reading this page and can’t see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or send them via email to YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any question you send in.

Around the BBC iPlayer banner
Around the BBC iPlayer footer
- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

New York approves composting of human bodieson January 1, 2023 at 4:48 pm

It is the latest place to approve the process - considered to be greener than a burial or cremation.Image source, Getty ImagesBy James FitzGeraldBBC...

Manchester United 3-0 Nottingham Forest: Erik Ten Hag wants more goalson December 27, 2022 at 11:19 pm

Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag believes his team are capable of increasing the number of goals they score in games, having seen them...

‘We made the same mistakes as last week’ – Root despairs after second heavy defeaton December 20, 2021 at 12:59 pm

A frustrated Joe Root says England made the "same mistakes" in their defeat by Australia in the second Ashes Test.

The Harder They Fall: ‘Raising hell’ in Netflix’s all-black Westernon October 25, 2021 at 11:45 pm

London-born Jeymes Samuel directs Regina King and Idris Elba in The Harder They Fall.

Covid: No 10 Christmas party and vaccine protection against Omicronon December 8, 2021 at 7:29 am

Five things you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic this Wednesday morning.Five things you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic this Wednesday...