The return of children to school and more workers going back to offices could fuel a surge in Covid cases this autumn and lead to a new lockdown if the NHS struggles to cope with increased hospitalisations.
More positively, some Middle Eastern destinations are loosening their Covid restrictions on visitors fuelling hopes for the winter-sun market.
Here are the major headlines that the UK woke up to on Tuesday (7 September).
PM to unveil overhaul of social care sector in England
Boris Johnson is due to set out proposals on how to fund social care in England on Tuesday (7 September). He is expected to unveil plans to raise national insurance by around 1.25% to pay for social care and the NHS. The move is likely to meet opposition from some Conservative backbenchers and Labour who claim it is the wrong way to raise the money. (BBC News)
Extended half-term holiday and new rules on masks
The government could impose a new lockdown and create a longer half-term break for schools in October if there is a major surge in the number of Covid cases. The move could be made if the NHS is overwhelmed by new Covid patients in the next few weeks. (The i)
Winter-sun holiday hope as UAE and Israel ease travel rules
Israel and Abu Dhabi have revealed plans to ease restrictions on arriving travellers, as the Middle East prepares for the winter-sun holiday season. Israel will allow foreign tour groups to visit from 19 September, while Abu Dhabi is removing its quarantine requirement for double-jabbed visitors. (The Telegraph)
Rush hour returns as Britain goes back to work
The reopening of the UK is “gathering pace” as commuter traffic returned to pre-Covid levels in several major cities on Monday (6 September). An increase in the use of public transport has also been attributed to more workers returning to their offices and the new school term in England and Wales. (The Times)
Temperatures to soar to 30C as Indian summer heatwave bakes Brits
Temperatures are forecast to rise to 30C in some parts of the UK on Tuesday (7 September) as the country enjoys a “baking” start to September. Wiltshire saw the highest temperature of 28.9C on Monday (6 September) at the start of an expected three-day heatwave this week. (The Mirror)
UK records more than seven million coronavirus cases during pandemic
The country has now recorded more than seven million Covid cases since the start of the pandemic in early 2020. The milestone was reached on Monday (6 September) when government data showed there were another 41,192 new infections within 24 hours and 45 coronavirus-related deaths. (Sky News)
