Metro

Metro writes that the founder of Pret has accused Boris Johnson of putting “millions” of jobs in danger with his coronavirus crackdown as the number of cases hit a five-month high.

Metro’s front page also focuses on today’s announcement, which it calls ‘the rule of six months’. It came as a further 4,926 coronavirus cases were reported in the UK – the highest daily figure since May. 

Metro reports that a Conservative MP has been caught taking a 60-mile train journey without wearing a mask – less than two weeks after telling his constituents they “must” wear face coverings on public transport. 

The Metro says the government’s chief medical officer Chris Whitty is expected to warn that “Britain is heading in the wrong direction” in its battle with coronavirus.

The Metro newspaper focuses simply on the figures showing the new surge in cases in the UK. It reports the number of people testing positive in England has risen by 75% in one week. The paper adds that figures also show the number of people getting test results within 24 hours halved and is now at its lowest level since June.

The lead story for the Metro is on the death of a 12-day-old baby following a dog attack in Doncaster. The paper pictures the mother and newborn baby Elon, as well as a photo of the Chow Chow crossbreed dog.

Pictures of two testing centres in Cambridge and Twickenham appearing to be empty are on the front of the Metro. The paper reports that computer glitches meant some people were unable to book appointments online leaving the testing centres “deserted”. The paper says some people have had to exploit “technical loopholes” and entering postcodes hundreds of miles away to book slots at their nearest centres.

The Metro compares the testing situation with the “world-beating” system that Boris Johnson promised, saying it has instead been branded a “shambles”. It says people living in England’s top 10 virus hotspots have found it “impossible” to book a test – with no slots available online for home test kits or appointments.

On the front page of Metro is an article of 19-year-old university student Stuart Hawk, who has been issued a £10,000 fine for breaking coronavirus rules after about 50 people turned up to a party at his home on Friday. He and his housemates said they “only” invited about 25 friends – five below the legal limit – but neighbours contacted police when dozens of partygoers arrived at the shared home, the paper adds.

The Metro says that Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing a revolt by his own party, after Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced her own version of the “rule of six” – but excluded under 12s.