Lockdown

And other stories from the stranger side of life

Your digest of the best columns, analysis and commentary from the British and international press

Psychologists have had a unique opportunity to study the effects of social isolation

And other stories from the stranger side of life

Your digest of the best columns, analysis and commentary from the British and international press

Hopes of avoiding fourth UK lockdown grow as PHE boss welcomes ‘very good signs’ that jabs may halt outbreaks

But experts fear drop in immunity may pave way for major influenza epidemic next winter

Papers released by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) have provided some insight into why the prime minister is moving so cautiously in his effort to return the country to normal life

Boris Johnson has set out a four-stage approach to reopening the country in which the last social restrictions could be lifted by 21 June. But while many health experts welcomed the cautious approach, Tory MP Steve Baker said the schedule is “a hammer blow” to business

And other stories from the stranger side of life

‘Rule of six’ to replace advice to stay at home from 29 March

Complex modelling and the world’s longest lockdown have paved way for return to near-normal life

Study finds variant discovered prior to Christmas may be 70% more deadly

End to lockdown could undo party focused on opposing further Covid restrictions

Preliminary figures suggest vaccine campaign is cutting infections by around two-thirds

Plans are based on vaccine success and range from ‘optimistic’ to ‘pessimistic’

World leader in the vaccination race begins staged exit from the country’s third shutdown

Government to deploy security guards to enforce mandatory 11-night hotel stays

Outdoor socialising could be allowed within weeks if vaccine campaign triggers big drop in Covid cases

New data shows jab may cut transmission by 67% - raising hopes of end to lockdowns

Researchers find level of infections are stable or rising slightly

Rebels threaten to challenge prime minister unless he sets date for lockdown exit

Government mobilising to boost compliance as data shows Britons not observing restrictions

And other stories from the stranger side of life

Covid patients occupying 30,000 beds as government scrambles to stem rate of infections

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Stricter coronavirus rules looking inevitable as virus continues to spread across UK