What the papers say – September 10
The Government’s desperate push for better coronavirus testing and the pandemic’s likely impact on Christmas dominate the nation’s papers on Thursday.
The Guardian splashes with leaked Government documents it says show Boris Johnson is desperate for a mass testing programme as the only way to avoid a second national lockdown before a vaccine is found.
Guardian front page, Thursday 10 September 2020: Revealed: PM’s £100bn gamble to avoid second national lockdown pic.twitter.com/TsxDtvgpOo
— The Guardian (@guardian) September 9, 2020
Metro has a similar story, calling the Prime Minister’s bold testing plans a “£100 billion covid test moonshot”.
Thursday's front page:THE £100BNCOVID TEST MOONSHOT#tomorrowspaperstoday#BBCPapers#skypaperspic.twitter.com/jKnpj8DirZ
— Metro Newspaper UK (@MetroUKNews) September 9, 2020
The Independent says Christmas is under threat.
Thursday’s INDEPENDENT: Christmas under threat from covid restrictions #tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/logHbv3QaU
— Helen Miller (@MsHelicat) September 9, 2020
But the Daily Express says “Christmas can still be saved” through daily tests.
Thursday’s EXPRESS: Christmas can still be saved by daily tests #tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/q8zbci41qe
— Helen Miller (@MsHelicat) September 9, 2020
Christmas fears are echoed in the Daily Mail, The Times and The Daily Telegraph.
Thursday's @DailyMailUK#MailFrontPagespic.twitter.com/WuF195g6LA
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) September 9, 2020
The Times 10/9/20 Boris Johnson in Downing Street yesterday. He said it broke his heart to impose new restrictions on individuals and families. Photo : StefanRousseau/PA#tomorrowspaperstoday#thetimes #buyapaper @thetimespic.twitter.com/iEwqNFP8Jp
— The Times Pictures (@TimesPictures) September 9, 2020
Tomorrow’s Telegraph front page: “Christmas to bring little cheer”#TomorrowsPapersToday
Read more: https://t.co/3NMbsAc7gspic.twitter.com/I9a0lBjA4a
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) September 9, 2020
And the Daily Mirror treads a similar path, with a threat from the Prime Minister for people to stick to new rules of else Christmas “is off”.
Tomorrow's front page: Stick to new rules or Xmas is off https://t.co/5PL8R1FpOM#TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/xPMI6qV3M8
— Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) September 9, 2020
The i avoids the Christmas topic but says the new crackdown on the size of group gathering is set to last for six months.
Thursday's front page: Crackdown on groups to last for six months#tmorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/4QnkNVycNy
— i newspaper (@theipaper) September 9, 2020
And the Daily Star calls Health Minister Matt Hancock a clown, due to what it says is a coronavirus testing “fiasco”.
Tomorrow's front page: Matt Hancock blasted for blaming public for taking too many Covid-19 tests #TomorrowsPapersTodayhttps://t.co/1VzFa4rYBbpic.twitter.com/bG8oGR8HXI
— Daily Star (@dailystar) September 9, 2020
The only non-Covid lead comes from the Financial Times, where Mr Johnson stands accused of reaching a new Brexit “nadir” over his plans to backtrack on the withdrawal agreement.
Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Thursday 10 September https://t.co/uYdXDgmVMXpic.twitter.com/urIeVEqfcu
— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) September 9, 2020