COVID-19: Vaccine could be rolled out as soon as December across England

After the news earlier this week that a 90% effective COVID vaccine was ready, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has today told MP's that it could be ready to roll out from December. He did warn however that there are still no guarantees this will be approved and there are still questions over the potential effect the vaccine would have on the transmission of the virus.

Other things that have emerged today regarding the Coronavirus pandemic include the rollout of mass testing across another 60 areas of England. Some of these areas include Bristol, Newcastle, Sunderland, Manchester, Luton and several boroughs of London. In addition to this, the possibility of mass testing for students was discussed in a bid to get as many students home safely for Christmas as possible. A week of testing is proposed between November 30 and December 6.

In Wales exams have been cancelled for students due to take their GCSE's, AS and A-levels next year. The Education Minister for Wales has said that this is because they can not be sure of where the country will be next year in regards to the pandemic. So, a level playing field remains uncertain. Instead of exams, classroom assessments will take place in the second half of the Spring term and will be conducted under teachers supervision.