Image source, Getty Images

In England and Scotland, people over 40 are being invited to get their second Covid jab.

The gap between doses has been reduced from 12 weeks to eight because of the Delta variant.

Anyone aged 18 or over can now book their first jab in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

You can also rearrange an appointment yourself online, external, or by calling 119.

And there are also walk-in clinics running, where people can have their second dose without an appointment.

Local health providers and social media groups often have details.

You can find out more here.

We're still waiting for the government announcement on travel corridors, and while we do, we can tell you what UK tourism minister Nigel Huddleston has been saying on BBC Radio Sussex.

“We all want to get travelling again - but there is no such thing as risk-free travel and we need to take a cautious approach," he said.

Asked whether the government was being too cautious around the green list or quarantining passengers who’d had two jabs, Huddleston said "we need an evidence-based approach".

But he added: "The ambition, the goal, the hope is to open up travel as soon as it’s safe to do so."

An update on the destinations that UK travellers can go to without having to quarantine on their return is expected shortly.

While we wait, here's what you need to know about the rules on international travel.

Destinations are classed as green, amber or red - with different rules about quarantine and Covid tests.

The rules are broadly the same for England, external, Scotland, external, Wales, external and Northern Ireland., external

You do not have to quarantine after visiting green list countries, although you must still take two Covid tests. There are only a few countries on the green list, including Israel, Singapore and Iceland.

Countries on the red list are considered the highest risk, and travel to and from the UK is strictly limited. If you have been in one in the past 10 days you must quarantine in a government-approved hotel.

But some of the most popular tourist destinations still remain on the amber list - the government currently advises that people should not holiday in these countries. Any tourist returning from an amber list country has to self-isolate for 10 days on their return to the UK but this can be done at home.

Read more about the UK’s travel rules here.

Image source, SUCHET CHATURVEDI

A Bristol student whose friend and her unborn baby died with Covid in hospital in India is raising money to help relief efforts in the country.

Suchet Chaturvedi, who grew up in Delhi, says he “realised I had to do something” and set up BristO2l.

Working with three other university volunteers in Bristol and one in India, they raised £2,700 and sent four oxygen concentrators to the country.

He hopes the team can raise £16,000 to pay for 20 oxygen canisters.

Suchet says he is “humbled” by the support, adding: “It is a tough time for the people back home.”

“We all saw those gruesome pictures coming out of India, so I think that made a lot of difference and people did whatever they could.”

Read the full article here

Image source, Getty Images

Travellers still need to be "extremely cautious" about booking trips abroad this summer, even if more destinations are added to the quarantine-free green list, consumer rights group Which? is warning.

Rory Boland, Which? travel editor, says: "Countries can be downgraded quickly and with little warning, as we saw with Portugal, while several European countries have introduced quarantine requirements for UK residents.

"Most providers will not pay refunds if a country is moved from green to amber, and 'free' amendments are often anything but, with many companies requiring significant notice of any changes and bookings for new dates usually costing hundreds of pounds. Travel insurance is also unlikely to pay out in these circumstances."

He advises people only to book if they are able to quarantine for 14 days and can be flexible about destination and dates. People should also book with a provider that guarantees refunds in the event of a change in restrictions, he adds.

We're expecting an announcement on changes to England's travel rules later today but in the mean time you can read about the current restrictions here.

Environment Secretary George Eustice says he intends to stop wearing a face mask indoors once it is no longer a legal requirement to do.

Speaking on Sky News earlier, Eustice acknowledged that some people may still choose to wear a covering or it might be advised in some situations, but said "once I'm told it's safe not to, I want to get back to normal".

The MP reaffirmed it's hoped all legal restrictions in England can end on 19 July.

Asked if he would wear his mask indoors if all the rules are lifted on this date, Eustice said "I wouldn't, no...

"I have to be honest. I think a lot of people will want to shed those masks. But while it's contributing to controlling the pandemic I'll wear my mask like everybody else and obviously do my bit."

Image source, Reuters

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has also said he expects to stop wearing a mask "as soon as possible" after it is no longer legally required.

He's told the Times newspaper the situation is "looking good" for an end to lockdown restrictions by 19 July.

​Meanwhile, when asked whether Boris Johnson hoped to "bin" his own face masks, his spokesman was less definitive, only saying: "That would depend. The prime minister, should there be any requirement for it in future, would be happy to comply with them."

Vikas Pandey
BBC News, Delhi

Image source, Getty Images

India is beginning to reopen after a second wave of Covid infections devastated the country in April and May. But now experts warn a third wave could strike in the next few months.

Courts have questioned state governments, external over their preparedness, some experts have warned that a third wave could hit within 12-16 weeks, external, and others are worried new variants, including the much-talked about Delta plus, external, could weaken existing vaccines.

Delta plus is related to the Delta, an existing variant of concern first identified in India last year that was responsible for the deadly second wave.

But how realistic are these fears? Subsequent waves are expected, but their severity and spread depend on a number of factors.

Read more from Vikas

Another 207,647 people in the UK have received the first dose of a vaccine, bringing the total to 43,656,327.

And another 167,988 people have received a second dose, meaning some 31,908,103 – or 60.6% of adults in the UK - have received both doses.

A further 21 people have died in the UK within 28 days of a positive Covid test, official figures show.

There were also another 16,703 cases reported.

There were 19 deaths and 11,007 cases reported last Thursday.

Kerry Allen
BBC Monitoring, Chinese Media Analyst

Image source, Reuters

One of the stories dominating Taiwanese media today is whether it is right to impose fines, after two 16-year-olds received AstraZeneca vaccinations.

There are two vaccines available in Taiwan - AstraZeneca and Moderna.

Recipients for both must be 18 or over.

The two recipients are nursing students, and they were vaccinated on 20 June in the city of Kaohsiung.

They were working as care home interns and, as local governments have asked care homes to submit lists of residents and staff so they can be prioritised for vaccination, their names were included.

According to the Taiwan News website, external, the city’s department of health is now “considering punitive action against the institution that listed the students”.

It has also stressed that staff at vaccination centres should be more vigilant in checking the ages of vaccine recipients.

The two students are reported as being in good health, after having a slight fever.

However, the incident has ignited much discussion on social media platforms.

There are some concerns about the perceived negligence of vaccine checks, given their age.

Many are also commenting on how the two have been fortunate not to experience side effects, given the slightly higher risk that young recipients of AstraZeneca could experience rare blood clots.

And some on social media are questioning the “privilege” of the nursing students, given vaccines are in short supply at the moment on the hard-hit island - and many other countries are not inoculating minors.

But other commenters on platforms, like YouTube, say “at least they are [working] on the front-line”.

With an announcement on the latest changes to the UK travel green list due in the next few hours, it is worth remembering that there are different rules in place across the EU.

Travelling within the EU is generally much easier than travelling to and from the UK despite the high vaccination rates in Britain, says our correspondent Nick Beake.

Watch Nick's video to find out what else you need to know.

Image source, PA Media

A pub landlord says pictures of football fans hugging and shouting while watching Wales' Euro 2020 games are upsetting.

Newport pub manager Enzo Nigro said his pub is having weekly council spot-checks but "there's nobody spot-checking all these other places".

The Welsh government has urged people not to sing or shout in order to stop Covid spreading.

Wales' Covid rules mean hugs are restricted to extended households only and you should not hug anyone who is not a part of yours, unlike in England and Scotland.

Read more.

How do UK case rates compare to other European countries?published at 15:22 British Summer Time 24 June 2021

15:22 BST 24 June 2021

In the spring the UK had one of the lowest infection rates in Europe – so it was perhaps understandable that ministers did not want Brits going abroad where they would be a greater chance of infection.

The opposite is true now. The rise of the Delta variant means the UK has the highest rate. So in theory a Brit in France, Germany, Spain or Italy is less likely to get infected than they are here.

While this may strengthen the arguments for easing travel restrictions for people returning to the UK, it gives European countries more reason to restrict access for Brits.

A number of countries have already started requiring those arriving from the UK to isolate.

And on Wednesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel suggested all EU countries should make British travellers quarantine on arrival to slow the spread of the Delta variant.

Image source, Getty Images

The Tokyo Summer Olympics will be held between 23 July and 8 August, despite a surge of Covid cases in Japan.

Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto says she is "100%" certain the games will go ahead.

Many emergency restrictions, in place in the Japanese capital since late April, have now been lifted.

However, entry to Japan by foreigners from 159 countries, external - including the UK - is currently banned, and no international fans can travel to the games.

Up to 10,000 Japanese fans will be permitted to attend, providing crowds do not exceed 50% of a venue's capacity.

We've tried to answer all your key questions about the Olympics in this article.

Image source, James Lewis

Wales football fans have been turned away from Amsterdam ahead of Saturday's Euro 2020 tie against Denmark.

The Netherlands currently bars non-essential visitors from the UK.

But some Wales supporters said they had been treated unfairly after travelling to Amsterdam from Azerbaijan, where they had been watching Wales' opening two games.

Jamie Shipp, 30, from Pontypridd, said: "Surely our Covid risk should be based on having spent the previous 15 days in Baku, not because we are British nationals."

Danish fans can enter the Netherlands if they stay in the country for less than 12 hours as part of an exemption to the entry rules for EU and Schengen area residents. But the exception does not apply to Wales fans following Brexit.

Read more.

Image source, Getty Images

Coronavirus case rates are continuing to rise in all regions of England, according to the latest weekly surveillance report by Public Health England.

North-west England has the highest rate, with 238.9 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to 20 June, up week-on-week from 200.3.

It is the highest rate for the region since the end of January.

Eastern England has the lowest rate at 46.9, but that is up from 37.4.

Rates are rising among all age groups, although the highest rates are among 20 to 29-year-olds.

The second highest rate is among 10 to 19-year-olds and this age group have also seen the biggest week-on-week increase.

You can check how many cases there are in your area here.

Image source, Carol Adair

Carol Adair has travelled to Edinburgh from her home in France for her mother's 86th birthday today.

After taking a flight from Geneva to Amsterdam, then Amsterdam to Edinburgh, Carol arrived in Scotland yesterday.

She tells the BBC: "I'm delighted to be here and to see my mother, despite not being able to give her a hug - the last time was in July 2020!"

Carol believes international co-operation on rules and regulations for international travel "could - and should - be better".

She says: "In France the number of cases today is 2,320, compared with 16,135 in the UK, according to government statistics.

"Yet I - fully vaccinated - must spend 10 of my precious 12 days in the UK in isolation.

"In France I think we are learning to live with the virus, life must go on and we must be vaccinated and careful.

"People have understood that, to go to the theatre and concerts, it's necessary to vaccinate to have freedom."

Carol says if France is moved to the green list this afternoon, "after a huge and long-overdue hug - I'll be taking her out to dinner - giving much needed business to the hospitality sector - along with a short trip to the Highlands next week!".

Sarah Dickins
BBC Wales Economics Correspondent

Image source, Gett

What is best for Wales should be the focus of recovering from the pandemic, not political differences, a business group has said.says.

Ian Price, director of employers group CBI Wales, says the Welsh and UK governments need to "pull together".

He says the pandemic has shown how quickly Wales can react and he wants fast action in future to seize opportunities for jobs and living standards.

The UK government says Wales has been given relevant funding.

Officials in Cardiff Bay say the UK government needs to respect devolution.

Read more.

The Bank of England has shrugged off concerns over a pick-up in inflation as the UK economy recovers from the pandemic.

Consumer price inflation hit a two-year high of 2.1% in the year to May, exceeding the Bank's 2% target.

The Bank's Monetary Policy Committee says it expects inflation to go above 3% "for a temporary period".

It voted 9-0 to keep interest rates steady at the historic low of 0.1%.

Rates have been unchanged since March last year, when they were reduced to help contain the economic shock of Covid-19.

The Bank also says it expects the economy to recover faster than it had previously predicted.

Faisal Islam
BBC Economics Editor

After a sharp rise in deaths during the pandemic, and a sharp fall in births reported this morning, for the first time in decades the UK saw a natural decline in the population.

After provisional statistics from all four home nations have been published, there were 689,698 deaths across the UK in 2020, and following new figures for England and Wales this morning, a total of 684,639 births. So the natural population of the UK declined by 5,059.

In terms of 2020 figures, Northern Ireland, England and Wales saw small rises in the natural population, and Scotland more deaths than births. This finding however, is the result of a significant fall in fertility across the UK since 2012, coupled with more than 100,000 more deaths during the pandemic.

In England and Wales, the Office for National Statistics reported the fertility rate heading for a record low. In 2020 provisional figures put it at 1.58, whereas it was closer to 2 as recently as 2012, the level where births replace parents.

Fertility rates in England and Wales are now far closer to Germany and even Japan, considered to be aging societies, than say the US.