birminghammail--2020-03-14--One of first Brits to be diagnosed with coronavirus issues urgent warning

A woman believed to be one of the first coronavirus patients in the country has sounded a warning .
COVID-19 has so far claimed the lives of 11 Brits - the latest of which came in Scotland on Friday , March 13 .
As the coronavirus crisis deepens , a ban on `` mass gatherings '' is set to be implemented by the government .
Ahead of that , one of the nation 's first patients , who works as a pharmacist , has spoken out over her ordeal .
Lisa Dowrick tested positive and her partner tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Her diagnosis saw their family-run pharmacy in Torquay close , after five positive Covid-19 cases were recorded within the same NHS building .
Eleven days later , Ms Dowrick and her partner have now fully recovered and she said her symptoms were no worse than a mild flu , reports Devon Live .
And after three deep cleans her pharmacy reopened yesterday ( March 13 ) .
But she issued stern advice to Brits as cases in the UK rise .
Ms Dowrick said : `` The most important thing is the personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you cough or sneeze do it into the crook of your elbow .
`` The difficulty with sneezing into tissues when you 're out and about is that you then need hand-gel because potentially the virus could be on your hands .
`` People must take heed of this advice . ''
Yesterday 's rise in confirmed cases in the UK from 590 to 798 is the largest day-on-day increase since the outbreak began .
It is a jump of 208 , which is 35 % up on the equivalent figure for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day-on-day increase has been higher than 200 .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Colleen Smith, James Rodger)

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A woman believed to be one of the first coronavirus patients in the country has sounded a warning.
COVID-19 has so far claimed the lives of 11 Brits - the latest of which came in Scotland on Friday, March 13.
As the coronavirus crisis deepens, a ban on "mass gatherings" is set to be implemented by the government.
Ahead of that, one of the nation's first patients, who works as a pharmacist, has spoken out over her ordeal.
Lisa Dowrick tested positive and her partner tested positive for the virus on Wednesday March 4.
Her diagnosis saw their family-run pharmacy in Torquay close, after five positive Covid-19 cases were recorded within the same NHS building.
(Image: AP)
Eleven days later, Ms Dowrick and her partner have now fully recovered and she said her symptoms were no worse than a mild flu, reports Devon Live.
And after three deep cleans her pharmacy reopened yesterday (March 13).
But she issued stern advice to Brits as cases in the UK rise.
(Image: PA)
Ms Dowrick said: "The most important thing is the personal hygiene - regular hand-washing and cleaning. If you cough or sneeze do it into the crook of your elbow.
"The difficulty with sneezing into tissues when you're out and about is that you then need hand-gel because potentially the virus could be on your hands.
"People must take heed of this advice."
Yesterday's rise in confirmed cases in the UK from 590 to 798 is the largest day-on-day increase since the outbreak began.
It is a jump of 208, which is 35% up on the equivalent figure for Thursday.
It is the first time the day-on-day increase has been higher than 200.


birminghammail--2020-03-14--Coronation Street Geoff's twisted abuse of Yasmeen exposed by Alya

The harrowing coercive control storyline currently playing out on Coronation Street will see Alya go to the police .
Corrie viewers have watched on in horror as twisted Geoff Metcalfe psychologically abuses Yasmeen .
But during an explosive week next week , Corrie viewers will see Geoff rumbled by Yasmeen 's granddaughter Alya .
The pair have been at odds ever since they started working together at Speed Dahl on the street .
And now the cobbles will be rocked as Geoff and Yasmeen 's storyline comes to a powerful crescendo , reports The Liverpool Echo .
Here 's how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoilers !
Whilst Geoff fills Yasmeen ’ s hwad with tales of what their life would be like abroad , Yasmeen makes it clear she doesn ’ t want to leave Alya but he insists she can come and stay .
A valuer calls at Speed Daal and reveals that Geoff has hired him as he and Yasmeen are selling their share of the business .
Alya ’ s deeply shocked and calls at No.6 and demands to know what ’ s going on .
When Yasmeen reveals that they ’ re moving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tells Yasmeen that it ’ s clear Geoff is abusing her and trying to separate her from the people who care about her .
Determined to rescue her gran from the clutches of Geoff , Alya grabs some of Yasmeen ’ s clothes and starts stuffing them into a bag .
Fixing Yasmeen with a cold stare , Geoff demands to know where she ’ s planning to go .
Calling him a control freak , Alya asserts that anywhere away from him would be good .
Alya begs Yasmeen to leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Later , with Toyah by her side , Alya reports Geoff to the police , convinced he must have a history of abuse .
Geoff ’ s cheery as he enthuses about Cyprus , asserting that without Alya in their lives causing trouble , the future looks rosy .
Yasmeen nods sadly .
Meanwhile through an online search Alya discovers that Geoff and a past girlfriend were charged with causing an affray .
Watching Geoff leave , Alya heads to No.6 , forcing Yasmeen to read the news about Geoff ’ s past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with him When Yasmeen nervously asks Geoff about the fight he had with someone called Jocelyn Barrie , admitting Alya showed her the article , a raging Geoff sweeps Yasmeen ’ s plate of curry off the table sending it crashing to the floor .
Telling a terrified Yasmeen not to wait up , Geoff slams out of the house .
Whilst Yasmeen scrubs curry off the carpet in tears , Geoff heads to a restaurant in town .
After a sleepless night , Yasmeen still can ’ t get hold of Geoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported Geoff to the police , Yasmeen ’ s furious and tells Alya not to make her choose between them .
Finally back home Geoff makes himself out to be the victim , telling Yasmeen he does everything for her and she throws it back in his face .
Yasmeen suggests they delay their move to Cyprus but Geoff is seething .
In Speed Daal , Geoff tells Alya they ’ ll still be moving to Cyprus , albeit not immediately .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Lottie Gibbons, James Rodger)

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The harrowing coercive control storyline currently playing out on Coronation Street will see Alya go to the police.
Corrie viewers have watched on in horror as twisted Geoff Metcalfe psychologically abuses Yasmeen.
But during an explosive week next week, Corrie viewers will see Geoff rumbled by Yasmeen's granddaughter Alya.
The pair have been at odds ever since they started working together at Speed Dahl on the street.
And now the cobbles will be rocked as Geoff and Yasmeen's storyline comes to a powerful crescendo, reports The Liverpool Echo.
Here's how Geoff gets exposed next week. Contains spoilers!
Monday March 16
Whilst Geoff fills Yasmeen’s hwad with tales of what their life would be like abroad, Yasmeen makes it clear she doesn’t want to leave Alya but he insists she can come and stay.
A valuer calls at Speed Daal and reveals that Geoff has hired him as he and Yasmeen are selling their share of the business.
Alya’s deeply shocked and calls at No.6 and demands to know what’s going on.
When Yasmeen reveals that they’re moving to Cyprus, Alya’s horrified and tells Yasmeen that it’s clear Geoff is abusing her and trying to separate her from the people who care about her.
(Image: ITV)
Determined to rescue her gran from the clutches of Geoff, Alya grabs some of Yasmeen’s clothes and starts stuffing them into a bag.
Fixing Yasmeen with a cold stare, Geoff demands to know where she’s planning to go. Calling him a control freak, Alya asserts that anywhere away from him would be good.
Alya begs Yasmeen to leave Geoff and come home with her.
Later, with Toyah by her side, Alya reports Geoff to the police, convinced he must have a history of abuse.
Wednesday March 18
Geoff’s cheery as he enthuses about Cyprus, asserting that without Alya in their lives causing trouble, the future looks rosy. Yasmeen nods sadly.
Meanwhile through an online search Alya discovers that Geoff and a past girlfriend were charged with causing an affray.
Watching Geoff leave, Alya heads to No.6, forcing Yasmeen to read the news about Geoff’s past and imploring her not to move away with him
Hearing Geoff returning, Yasmeen urges Alya to go.
(Image: ITV)
When Yasmeen nervously asks Geoff about the fight he had with someone called Jocelyn Barrie, admitting Alya showed her the article, a raging Geoff sweeps Yasmeen’s plate of curry off the table sending it crashing to the floor.
Telling a terrified Yasmeen not to wait up, Geoff slams out of the house. Whilst Yasmeen scrubs curry off the carpet in tears, Geoff heads to a restaurant in town.
Friday March 20
After a sleepless night, Yasmeen still can’t get hold of Geoff.
Alya reveals that she’s reported Geoff to the police, Yasmeen’s furious and tells Alya not to make her choose between them.
Finally back home Geoff makes himself out to be the victim, telling Yasmeen he does everything for her and she throws it back in his face.
Yasmeen suggests they delay their move to Cyprus but Geoff is seething. In Speed Daal, Geoff tells Alya they’ll still be moving to Cyprus, albeit not immediately.


birminghammail--2020-03-14--McDonald's issues coronavirus warning to customers as COVID-19 crisis deepens

McDonald 's has issued an update to customers as the ongoing coronavirus crisis deepens .
The fast food giant operates more restaurants in Birmingham than any other UK city - outside London .
McDonald 's runs numerous restaurants across the city - from the city centre to the suburbs .
And Maccy 's , a hugely popular go-to fast food chain for Brummies , has spoken out as the COVID-19 crisis intensifies .
The number of UK cases skyrocketed on Friday , March 13 , with 798 confirmed cases and 11 deaths in the country at the time of writing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Birmingham , as well as fresh cases in Dudley , Walsall , Wolverhampton and Worcestershire .
In an email to customers , McDonald 's wrote : “ Given the unprecedented situation regarding COVID-19 , I wanted to update you on the steps we are taking to keep our restaurants clean and safe for you and our people .
“ We are continuing to follow official guidance from the government and health authorities .
“ The wellbeing of our customers , employees and suppliers is of the greatest importance to us and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedures reflect the best available information from those authorities.
” In order to keep their restaurants high standards in local restaurants , McDonald ’ s have also reportedly “ strengthened ” their cleaning procedures to minimise the spread of COVID-19 .
• Sanitising tables , high chairs , self-order screens , tablets and table service locators more frequently throughout the day ; • Cleaning contact points such as door handles , card readers , taps and hand rails even more regularly with disinfectants ; • Reminding all employees of the importance of thorough @ @ @ @

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McDonald's has issued an update to customers as the ongoing coronavirus crisis deepens.
The fast food giant operates more restaurants in Birmingham than any other UK city - outside London.
McDonald's runs numerous restaurants across the city - from the city centre to the suburbs.
And Maccy's, a hugely popular go-to fast food chain for Brummies, has spoken out as the COVID-19 crisis intensifies.
The number of UK cases skyrocketed on Friday, March 13, with 798 confirmed cases and 11 deaths in the country at the time of writing.
Among these are three new cases in Birmingham, as well as fresh cases in Dudley, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Worcestershire.
In an email to customers, McDonald's wrote: “Given the unprecedented situation regarding COVID-19 , I wanted to update you on the steps we are taking to keep our restaurants clean and safe for you and our people.
“We are continuing to follow official guidance from the government and health authorities.
“The wellbeing of our customers, employees and suppliers is of the greatest importance to us and we will continue to ensure our policies and procedures reflect the best available information from those authorities.”
In order to keep their restaurants high standards in local restaurants, McDonald’s have also reportedly “strengthened” their cleaning procedures to minimise the spread of COVID-19.
These include:
• Sanitising tables, high chairs, self-order screens, tablets and table service locators more frequently throughout the day;
(Image: SWNS)
• Cleaning contact points such as door handles, card readers, taps and hand rails even more regularly with disinfectants;
• Reminding all employees of the importance of thorough and frequent hand-washing.


birminghammail--2020-03-14--Revealed: What Wolves are doing to tackle coronavirus spread threat

Parts of Molineux will remain closed as measures to control and repel against coronavirus continue to be put in place across the UK .
That ’ s the message from Wolves chairman Jeff Shi as the COVID-19 outbreak continues to take hold of professional football and the wider community .
After returning home from their controversial trip to Greece – where they met Olympiacos in the Europa League round of 16 – the midlands club discovered they will now be without a Premier League fixture until April 4 .
It comes as the sport ’ s governing bodies decided to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of next month , with growing concerns that there could be further impact .
As thing stand , Wolves are set to return to action against Aston Villa on Saturday , April 4 , as the campaign heads into its business end – and a possible summer finale .
In a wider sense , the club ’ s chairman has called for unity .
In a message posted on the club ’ s website , Mr Shi said : “ We have a responsibility to protect not only our players , but also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is why we have taken the further step of asking all of our staff to work from home over the forthcoming days and weeks .
From my knowledge and understanding of the virus , social distancing is crucial to the fight against it , so this is a necessary course of action and a sacrifice we all have to make .
“ We have also taken the decision to temporarily close important parts of Molineux , such as the megastore , ticket office and Wolves Foundation to ensure that our staff are able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make their contribution to limiting the spread of the virus .
All of our staff will of course continue to be paid for the duration of the club ’ s closure and this period of uncertainty .
”

Parts of Molineux will remain closed as measures to control and repel against coronavirus continue to be put in place across the UK.
That’s the message from Wolves chairman Jeff Shi as the COVID-19 outbreak continues to take hold of professional football and the wider community.
After returning home from their controversial trip to Greece – where they met Olympiacos in the Europa League round of 16 – the midlands club discovered they will now be without a Premier League fixture until April 4.
It comes as the sport’s governing bodies decided to suspend the 2019/2020 season until the start of next month, with growing concerns that there could be further impact.
As thing stand, Wolves are set to return to action against Aston Villa on Saturday, April 4, as the campaign heads into its business end – and a possible summer finale.
In a wider sense, the club’s chairman has called for unity.
In a message posted on the club’s website, Mr Shi said: “We have a responsibility to protect not only our players, but also every employee at the
club, which is why we have taken the further step of asking all of our staff to work from home over the forthcoming days and weeks. From my knowledge and understanding of the virus, social distancing is crucial to the fight against it, so this is a necessary course of action and a sacrifice we all have to make.
“We have also taken the decision to temporarily close important parts of Molineux, such as the megastore, ticket office and Wolves Foundation to ensure that our staff are able to stay at home where possible and make their contribution to limiting the spread of the virus. All of our staff will of course continue to be paid for the duration of the club’s closure and this period of uncertainty.”


birminghammail--2020-03-14--Aldi restricts shoppers to four items on all products as people panic buy over coronavirus fears

Aldi are restricting shoppers to four units on ALL products in a bid to stop people stockpiling produce .
Supermarkets across the Midlands have been left with empty shelves after shoppers descended on stores in a bid to stock up on non-perishable goods .
Toilet roll , pasta , hand wash , sanitiser gels , nappies and even water bottles are in short supply across the region .
Aldi said it will be limiting customer purchases to four units on all products `` to ensure all of our customers have an opportunity to purchase them '' .
The store was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as thousands of vulnerable people were unable to find essential goods .
A spokesperson for Aldi said on Twitter : `` All our stores remain open and continue to serve our valued customers .
We have good product availability and our incredible colleagues are working tirelessly to restock and replenish shelves as quickly as they can .
`` As we have seen an unprecedented demand across our range , we will be limiting customer purchases to four units on all products to ensure all of our customers have an opportunity to purchase them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patience during this time . ''
In unprecedented scenes repeated across the city in almost every major supermarket from Sainsbury 's to Asda , car parks were full , trollies taken , extra security laid on , goods limited and in some cases , tempers frayed .
Precious supplies were roundly depleted as early as 10am with some people spending the day visiting multiple stores without joy .
One man wrote on Facebook : “ 6.30am and ASDA Queslett i s rammed !
No trollies out the front !
And has already ran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s nappies , no wet wipes , long life milk , beans , pasta , even sugar is about to run out .
“ But thank god the alcohol aisle is fully topped up !
If you ’ re thinking of going early then don ’ t bother.
” One shopper who ventured to Asda Barnes Hill , pleaded to the public to hold back and think of others .
The customer said : “ By 10:30 our local Asda barnes hill had no loo roll , no cleaning products , no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... '' Just take what you need people , it ’ s a marathon not a sprint .
“ Worried for the old and vulnerable who struggle to get out and when they do there ’ s nothing there.
” One man said his wife had returned back from a trip to Tesco in Yardley at the Swan , crying .
He vented : “ What has this country become !
We used to be known for the way we banded together when times were hard !
“ My wife has just come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tears , people calling other people names fighting pushing and shoving , people were arguing with staff as limitations had been put on certain products , shelves empty because people have been selfish .
“ Old people worrying as they were unable to get the essentials .
It ’ s disgusting how people are behaving.
” At Costco , near Star City , there were limited stocks of water and toilet paper was limited to one unit per customer .
One customer said : “ When I arrived , the top of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underneath , that was nearly full .
`` It took me about 30 minutes to manoeuvre the car park and by the time I was parked up , it was 11.30am .
“ They weren ’ t queueing to get in because they have a wide door system but when you get in there , it ’ s really busy .
The only aisle which is quiet is the booze aisle .
“ They have taken everything from the tinned goods and dried goods like pasta and rice .
“ I have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve never seen it like that .
People are buying in volume , they are buying three times the amount .
“ A lady had about 20 packs of pasta in her trolley .
“ Bottle water is down to one pack .
There ’ s no toilet rolls and kitchen towels .
There ’ s pallets of bottle water .
“ They are queuing to almost the back of the store to get to the tills .
`` It ’ s a long way and I have never seen anything like it @ @

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Aldi are restricting shoppers to four units on ALL products in a bid to stop people stockpiling produce.
Supermarkets across the Midlands have been left with empty shelves after shoppers descended on stores in a bid to stock up on non-perishable goods.
Toilet roll, pasta, hand wash, sanitiser gels, nappies and even water bottles are in short supply across the region.
Aldi said it will be limiting customer purchases to four units on all products "to ensure all of our customers have an opportunity to purchase them".
The store was praised on social media for the step as thousands of vulnerable people were unable to find essential goods.
A spokesperson for Aldi said on Twitter: "All our stores remain open and continue to serve our valued customers. We have good product availability and our incredible colleagues are working tirelessly to restock and replenish shelves as quickly as they can.
"As we have seen an unprecedented demand across our range, we will be limiting customer purchases to four units on all products to ensure all of our customers have an opportunity to purchase them. We thank you all for your patience during this time."
In unprecedented scenes repeated across the city in almost every major supermarket from Sainsbury's to Asda, car parks were full, trollies taken, extra security laid on, goods limited and in some cases, tempers frayed.
Precious supplies were roundly depleted as early as 10am with some people spending the day visiting multiple stores without joy.
One man wrote on Facebook: “6.30am and ASDA Queslett i s rammed! No trollies out the front! And has already ran out toilet rolls, almost all baby’s nappies, no wet wipes, long life milk, beans, pasta, even sugar is about to run out.
“But thank god the alcohol aisle is fully topped up! If you’re thinking of going early then don’t bother.”
One shopper who ventured to Asda Barnes Hill, pleaded to the public to hold back and think of others.
The customer said: “By 10:30 our local Asda barnes hill had no loo roll, no cleaning products, no pasta, no tinned tomatoes or passata ...
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
"Just take what you need people, it’s a marathon not a sprint.
“Worried for the old and vulnerable who struggle to get out and when they do there’s nothing there.”
One man said his wife had returned back from a trip to Tesco in Yardley at the Swan, crying.
He vented: “What has this country become! We used to be known for the way we banded together when times were hard!
“My wife has just come back from Tesco Yardley in floods of tears, people calling other people names fighting pushing and shoving, people were arguing with staff as limitations had been put on certain products, shelves empty because people have been selfish.
“Old people worrying as they were unable to get the essentials. It’s disgusting how people are behaving.”
At Costco, near Star City, there were limited stocks of water and toilet paper was limited to one unit per customer.
One customer said: “When I arrived, the top of the car park was full and I parked underneath, that was nearly full.
"It took me about 30 minutes to manoeuvre the car park and by the time I was parked up, it was 11.30am.
“They weren’t queueing to get in because they have a wide door system but when you get in there, it’s really busy. The only aisle which is quiet is the booze aisle.
(Image: Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)
“They have taken everything from the tinned goods and dried goods like pasta and rice.
“I have been in there at Christmas and I’ve never seen it like that. People are buying in volume, they are buying three times the amount.
“A lady had about 20 packs of pasta in her trolley.
“Bottle water is down to one pack. There’s no toilet rolls and kitchen towels. There’s pallets of bottle water.
“They are queuing to almost the back of the store to get to the tills.
"It’s a long way and I have never seen anything like it.”


birminghammail--2020-03-14--'Sacrifice' - Jeff Shi's coronavirus message to Wolves fans in full

Wolves chairman Jeff Shi has posted a heartfelt to the club ’ s supporters after the Premier League season was suspended due to coronavirus .
There will be no elite football matches held in England until April 3 , at the earliest , as the COVID-19 outbreak continues to take hold of the sporting schedule .
Wolves were , of course , in Europa League action on Thursday night .
Allowing that round of 16 first leg tie against Olimpiacos to go ahead is a decision that has since drawn widespread criticism , but the club ’ s owner has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great concern .
In a statement posted on the club website , Mr Shi said : “ I write this note at a time of great adversity , not just for football , or for the country my family and I are honoured to now call our home , but for the population of the entire world that we share .
“ I ’ ve been in close contact with friends , family and colleagues in China since the coronavirus pandemic began in Wuhan , which has afforded me an acute awareness of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a deep desire to take all measures possible to protect our players , staff , supporters and the community that we live in .
“ Firstly , I would like to heap praise on our coaches , players and staff who travelled to Athens this week to take part in a fixture that none of us felt was appropriate to play .
They showed great professionalism and dedication to take to the field in a stadium devoid of atmosphere , in a continent gripped with anxiety , and still deliver a performance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we took all appropriate measures to ensure that the staff and players who travelled were protected where possible from the threat of contracting coronavirus , and we will continue to keep improving these measures all the time to help them remain safe and healthy.
” Mr Shi added : “ At Wolves we have a responsibility to protect not only our players , but also every employee at the club , which is why we have taken the further step of asking all of our staff to work from home over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knowledge and understanding of the virus , social distancing is crucial to the fight against it , so this is a necessary course of action and a sacrifice we all have to make .
“ We have also taken the decision to temporarily close important parts of Molineux , such as the megastore , ticket office and Wolves Foundation to ensure that our staff are able to stay at home where possible and make their contribution to limiting the spread of the virus .
All of our staff will of course continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ club ’ s closure and this period of uncertainty .
“ I appeal to our supporters to follow our lead , and to stay as safe as possible during what will no doubt be a very testing time .
Please don ’ t underestimate the threat of this virus , to you or those around you , and employ best practice to limit the spread , including good hygiene and proper social distancing , which are both key .
“ Our ownership group Fosun are also very keen to do all they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact with us , and the City of Wolverhampton Council , to express their support for Wolves and the people of this city .
“ Finally , I would like to make a promise to all Wolves supporters ; throughout the challenges of the forthcoming weeks and months , everyone at Wolves will continue to work as hard as we possibly can to keep progressing , keep innovating , and return even stronger and hungrier to achieve success .
We will not rest .
“ Until then , please stay safe and don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after yourselves and look after each other .
We will get through this .
”

Wolves chairman Jeff Shi has posted a heartfelt to the club’s supporters after the Premier League season was suspended due to coronavirus.
There will be no elite football matches held in England until April 3, at the earliest, as the COVID-19 outbreak continues to take hold of the sporting schedule.
Wolves were, of course, in Europa League action on Thursday night.
Allowing that round of 16 first leg tie against Olimpiacos to go ahead is a decision that has since drawn widespread criticism, but the club’s owner has called for unity at a time of great concern.
In a statement posted on the club website, Mr Shi said: “I write this note at a time of great adversity, not just for football, or for the country my family and I are honoured to now call our home, but for the population of the entire world that we share.
“I’ve been in close contact with friends, family and colleagues in China since the coronavirus pandemic began in Wuhan, which has afforded me an acute awareness of the virus’ threat and impact, and a deep desire to take all measures possible to protect our players, staff, supporters and the community that we live in.
“Firstly, I would like to heap praise on our coaches, players and staff who travelled to Athens this week to take part in a fixture that none of us felt was appropriate to play. They showed great professionalism and dedication to take to the field in a stadium devoid of atmosphere, in a continent gripped with anxiety, and still deliver a performance and positive result.
“Of course, we took all appropriate measures to ensure that the staff and players who travelled were protected where possible from the threat of contracting coronavirus, and we will continue to keep improving these measures all the time to help them remain safe and healthy.”
Mr Shi added: “At Wolves we have a responsibility to protect not only our players, but also every employee at the club, which is why we have taken the further step of asking all of our staff to work from home over the forthcoming days and weeks. From my knowledge and understanding of the virus, social distancing is crucial to the fight against it, so this is a necessary course of action and a sacrifice we all have to make.
“We have also taken the decision to temporarily close important parts of Molineux, such as the megastore, ticket office and Wolves Foundation to ensure that our staff are able to stay at home where possible and make their contribution to limiting the spread of the virus. All of our staff will of course continue to be paid for the duration of the club’s closure and this period of uncertainty.
“I appeal to our supporters to follow our lead, and to stay as safe as possible during what will no doubt be a very testing time. Please don’t underestimate the threat of this virus, to you or those around you, and employ best practice to limit the spread, including good hygiene and proper social distancing, which are both key.
“Our ownership group Fosun are also very keen to do all they can to help, and have been in contact with us, and the City of Wolverhampton Council, to express their support for Wolves and the people of this city.
“Finally, I would like to make a promise to all Wolves supporters; throughout the challenges of the forthcoming weeks and months, everyone at Wolves will continue to work as hard as we possibly can to keep progressing, keep innovating, and return even stronger and hungrier to achieve success. We will not rest.
“Until then, please stay safe and don’t take any risks. Look after yourselves and look after each other. We will get through this.”


birminghammail--2020-03-14--Toilet rolls, pasta and antibacterial supplies are hard to find in Birmingham as shops stripped

Panic-buying shoppers stripped supermarket shelves bare of toilet paper , wipes , pasta , water and other essential items across Birmingham .
In unprecedented scenes repeated across the city , car parks were full , trollies taken , extra security laid on , goods limited and in some cases , tempers frayed .
Some customers who turned up before the supermarkets open hoping to stock up were met by long queues .
Precious supplies were roundly depleted as early as 10am with some people spending the day visiting multiple stores without joy .
As the day wore on , Aldi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ units per product .
One man wrote on Facebook : “ 6.30am and ASDA Queslett i s rammed !
No trollies out the front !
And has already ran out toilet rolls , almost all baby ’ s nappies , no wet wipes , long life milk , beans , pasta , even sugar is about to run out .
“ But thank god the alcohol aisle is fully topped up !
If you ’ re thinking of going early then don ’ t bother.
” One shopper who ventured to Asda Barnes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold back and think of others .
The customer said : “ By 10:30 our local Asda barnes hill had no loo roll , no cleaning products , no pasta , no tinned tomatoes or passata ... '' Just take what you need people , it ’ s a marathon not a sprint .
“ Worried for the old and vulnerable who struggle to get out and when they do there ’ s nothing there.
” One man said his wife had returned back from a trip to Tesco in Yardley at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ What has this country become !
We used to be known for the way we banded together when times were hard !
“ My wife has just come back from Tesco Yardley in floods of tears , people calling other people names fighting pushing and shoving , people were arguing with staff as limitations had been put on certain products , shelves empty because people have been selfish .
“ Old people worrying as they were unable to get the essentials .
It ’ s disgusting how people are behaving.
” At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were limited stocks of water and toilet paper was limited to one unit per customer .
One customer said : “ When I arrived , the top of the car park was full and I parked underneath , that was nearly full .
`` It took me about 30 minutes to manoeuvre the car park and by the time I was parked up , it was 11.30am .
“ They weren ’ t queueing to get in because they have a wide door system but when you get in there , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is quiet is the booze aisle .
“ They have taken everything from the tinned goods and dried goods like pasta and rice .
“ I have been in there at Christmas and I ’ ve never seen it like that .
People are buying in volume , they are buying three times the amount .
“ A lady had about 20 packs of pasta in her trolley .
“ Bottle water is down to one pack .
There ’ s no toilet rolls and kitchen towels .
There ’ s pallets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ queuing to almost the back of the store to get to the tills .
`` It ’ s a long way and I have never seen anything like it .
”

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Panic-buying shoppers stripped supermarket shelves bare of toilet paper, wipes, pasta, water and other essential items across Birmingham.
In unprecedented scenes repeated across the city, car parks were full, trollies taken, extra security laid on, goods limited and in some cases, tempers frayed.
Some customers who turned up before the supermarkets open hoping to stock up were met by long queues.
Precious supplies were roundly depleted as early as 10am with some people spending the day visiting multiple stores without joy.
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
As the day wore on, Aldi announced they were limiting customers to four units per product.
One man wrote on Facebook: “6.30am and ASDA Queslett i s rammed! No trollies out the front! And has already ran out toilet rolls, almost all baby’s nappies, no wet wipes, long life milk, beans, pasta, even sugar is about to run out.
“But thank god the alcohol aisle is fully topped up! If you’re thinking of going early then don’t bother.”
One shopper who ventured to Asda Barnes Hill, pleaded to the public to hold back and think of others.
The customer said: “By 10:30 our local Asda barnes hill had no loo roll, no cleaning products, no pasta, no tinned tomatoes or passata ...
"Just take what you need people, it’s a marathon not a sprint.
“Worried for the old and vulnerable who struggle to get out and when they do there’s nothing there.”
One man said his wife had returned back from a trip to Tesco in Yardley at the Swan, crying.
He vented: “What has this country become! We used to be known for the way we banded together when times were hard!
“My wife has just come back from Tesco Yardley in floods of tears, people calling other people names fighting pushing and shoving, people were arguing with staff as limitations had been put on certain products, shelves empty because people have been selfish.
“Old people worrying as they were unable to get the essentials. It’s disgusting how people are behaving.”
At Costco, near Star City, there were limited stocks of water and toilet paper was limited to one unit per customer.
One customer said: “When I arrived, the top of the car park was full and I parked underneath, that was nearly full.
"It took me about 30 minutes to manoeuvre the car park and by the time I was parked up, it was 11.30am.
“They weren’t queueing to get in because they have a wide door system but when you get in there, it’s really busy. The only aisle which is quiet is the booze aisle.
(Image: Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)
“They have taken everything from the tinned goods and dried goods like pasta and rice.
“I have been in there at Christmas and I’ve never seen it like that. People are buying in volume, they are buying three times the amount.
“A lady had about 20 packs of pasta in her trolley.
“Bottle water is down to one pack. There’s no toilet rolls and kitchen towels. There’s pallets of bottle water.
“They are queuing to almost the back of the store to get to the tills.
"It’s a long way and I have never seen anything like it.”


birminghammail--2020-03-14--'Unjust' - The controversial West Brom and Leeds United coronavirus suggestion

Brighton chief executive Paul Barber has pitched a radical idea which would see Leeds United and West Brom promoted to the Premier League .
Top level football has been suspended until at least April 3rd as the government looks to slow the spread of the illness and Barber says is entirely possible the season will not be completed due to the public health emergency .
One of the options suggested is to freeze the tables where they now stand , with Liverpool crowned Premier League champions .
But Barber says a possible option after doing that is to expand the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams suffer the financial consequences of being relegated , while accepting Leeds and West Bromwich Albion into the division as the current Championship top two .
That would be followed by four being relegated the following season and only two going up again to bring the division back to 20 teams .
You wo n't find too many Albion fans disagreeing with such a decision , as unlikely as it may be .
Leeds and Albion have been at the pinnacle of the division all season , but there is of course the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the season plays out .
Barber said on BBC 's Football Focus : “ If we were to freeze the league it would be incredibly unjust not to award Liverpool the title .
I think everyone in the game appreciates what a fantastic season they ’ ve had and what a wonderful team they are .
“ So that for me would be very unjust – but equally it would be very unjust for teams to be relegated when there were still eight , nine or 10 games to play in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those teams would be very difficult .
“ Equally it would be unjust if Leeds and West Brom were not promoted because we know how hard it is to get out of the Championship .
We know how hard it is to get even to this stage of the season in the top two .
It would be very cruel.
” He added : “ ( An expanded Premier League ) is a possible option , to leave the 20 teams in the Premier League as it is , would help us and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Championship would give us a larger league next season and perhaps four relegation places next season then two up again the next season to get us back to 20… It has some merit .
“ Clearly there would be details and a number of issues to work out , including qualification for European places – but we are in unprecedented times .
We may have to have unprecedented solutions.
” Barber says it would be cruel on the likes of Forest , who are fifth in the Championship , to see their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Forest and Preston North End currently occupy the play-off places while Bristol City , Millwall , Cardiff City , Blackburn Rovers , Swansea , Derby and Queens Park Rangers are still within six points of the top six with nine games to play .
But Barber said : “ If I was in that position I would really feel for them .
But we are all in a situation where , with seven , eight or nine games to go , we could all end up in a better place than we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complete the season , we have to look at quite radical solutions to get over the short-term ‘ hump ’ as it is .
“ We could find ourselves delaying the season but then we would impact another season if we were to delay for too long , so there ’ s a whole range of different issues .
“ Players ’ contracts come into it too because most of those expire in one form or another on June 30 , or that would be the natural break for most contracts .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further what would be the implications ?
Would we have the same squads ?
Different squads ?
Would players be able to move between teams at that time ?
“ There are so many implications of delaying the season beyond a certain point .
It may get to a point where we have to be pragmatic , we have to be sensible – we have to ask everyone for understanding and co-operation .
“ The most important thing in all of this is that we put health first .
Not just players and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the club and also realise we are relying on emergency services to attend stadiums behind closed doors when they could be needed elsewhere in the community .
”

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Pete Smith, Steve Wollaston)

Brighton chief executive Paul Barber has pitched a radical idea which would see Leeds United and West Brom promoted to the Premier League.
Top level football has been suspended until at least April 3rd as the government looks to slow the spread of the illness and Barber says is entirely possible the season will not be completed due to the public health emergency.
One of the options suggested is to freeze the tables where they now stand, with Liverpool crowned Premier League champions.
But Barber says a possible option after doing that is to expand the top flight for 2020/21 so that no teams suffer the financial consequences of being relegated, while accepting Leeds and West Bromwich Albion into the division as the current Championship top two.
That would be followed by four being relegated the following season and only two going up again to bring the division back to 20 teams.
You won't find too many Albion fans disagreeing with such a decision, as unlikely as it may be.
Leeds and Albion have been at the pinnacle of the division all season, but there is of course the chance that both sides could be caught if the season plays out.
Barber said on BBC's Football Focus: “If we were to freeze the league it would be incredibly unjust not to award Liverpool the title. I think everyone in the game appreciates what a fantastic season they’ve had and what a wonderful team they are.
“So that for me would be very unjust – but equally it would be very unjust for teams to be relegated when there were still eight, nine or 10 games to play in the Premier League. The financial consequences for those teams would be very difficult.
“Equally it would be unjust if Leeds and West Brom were not promoted because we know how hard it is to get out of the Championship. We know how hard it is to get even to this stage of the season in the top two. It would be very cruel.”
He added: “(An expanded Premier League) is a possible option, to leave the 20 teams in the Premier League as it is, would help us and help others and the top two of the Championship would give us a larger league next season and perhaps four relegation places next season then two up again the next season to get us back to 20… It has some merit.
“Clearly there would be details and a number of issues to work out, including qualification for European places – but we are in unprecedented times. We may have to have unprecedented solutions.”
Barber says it would be cruel on the likes of Forest, who are fifth in the Championship, to see their promotion dream dashed.
Fulham, Brentford, Forest and Preston North End currently occupy the play-off places while Bristol City, Millwall, Cardiff City, Blackburn Rovers, Swansea, Derby and Queens Park Rangers are still within six points of the top six with nine games to play.
But Barber said: “If I was in that position I would really feel for them. But we are all in a situation where, with seven, eight or nine games to go, we could all end up in a better place than we are. If we can’t complete the season, we have to look at quite radical solutions to get over the short-term ‘hump’ as it is.
“We could find ourselves delaying the season but then we would impact another season if we were to delay for too long, so there’s a whole range of different issues.
“Players’ contracts come into it too because most of those expire in one form or another on June 30, or that would be the natural break for most contracts. If we extend the season into July or further what would be the implications? Would we have the same squads? Different squads? Would players be able to move between teams at that time?
“There are so many implications of delaying the season beyond a certain point. It may get to a point where we have to be pragmatic, we have to be sensible – we have to ask everyone for understanding and co-operation.
“The most important thing in all of this is that we put health first. Not just players and coaches and spectators but also the staff at the club and also realise we are relying on emergency services to attend stadiums behind closed doors when they could be needed elsewhere in the community.”


birminghammail--2020-03-14--'A ghost town' - The eerie site of Aston Villa's pubs taking £20k match-day hits due to coronavirus

It 's match day in B6 and the pubs are eerily empty .
Aston Villa were scheduled to take on Champions League-chasing Chelsea this afternoon but for the coronavirus threat .
The Premier League is amidst a three-week break yet , given 21 deaths have now been reported in the UK , the current season looks set to be voided .
It could mean there will be no match action for another five months , leaving local businesses and synonymous pubs around the ghost town-like Villa Park in a state of financial crisis .
Our Villa club writer , Ashley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ landlords , landladys and owners of popular match-day watering holes to see how the coronavirus outbreak is affecting tills , staff , mood and morale .
It 's just gone 1pm and there 's six people in the bar as opposed to 700 to 800 .
The bar 's usually four deep at this point on a Saturday with the 14 bar staff struggling to pour pints quick enough .
Landlady Jenny Gormley has been overseeing the Social for eight months now and , despite taking a hefty £20,000 hit today , says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
`` Yes , we 'll take a big hit today but the bottom line is to make sure everybody 's safe .
There 's usually about 800 people in here probably coughing and splattering on each other , it 'd be a massive risk .
`` I 've got grandkids .
The owner of the place has got elderly parents .
Football does n't matter , we 've got to do everything we can to prevent it spreading .
`` Everybody 's losing money , so what ?
What 's money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not that bothered and I 'm glad of it . ''
The Social has two bars , an outside courtyard and a gigantic function room open to all on match days .
As well as the 14 bar staff , there 's five glass collectors and washers , door staff , car park staff charging £6-per-car and cellar staff .
The six punters in today were all glued to the news of Jet2 cancelling and grounding flights , with Social landlady Jenny 's brother currently stranded in Benidorm .
As for the Social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to undergo a major refurb in the coming months , including building a 32-bed hotel on-site as well as sprucing up the function room , bar areas and introducing a children 's play area .
Owner Paul McMahon had just returned from a nightmare trip to Costco upon opening at around 1pm on Saturday .
Paul , though , owner of the Aston Tavern , has a number of baby showers to open up for while accommodating for guests staying in his 17-room hotel upstairs .
`` Staffing 's the main problem , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 35 working on match days and a lot of them have kids to look out for but , most of all , they love coming to work and enjoy the banter with the Villa fans and punters .
`` They 're losing their income , though .
It 's a part-time income for them and they rely on that money which is a bit sad for them really .
`` The morale across the board has affected us . ''
The Tavern owner is worried by a mass recession as a result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health crisis will ease .
The popular , Victorian-style venue was relaunched four years ago and , on Villa Park match days , can cater for 2,000 supporters .
The boozer gets through around 17 22-gallon Carling barrels - at £4.30 a pint - on a Saturday afternoon with owner Paul now counting the cost of losing an eye-watering five-figure sum as a result of Villa 's latest match with Chelsea being postponed .
The closest pub to Villa Park is the Witton Arms which welcomes home and away supporters , the latter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owner Liam Thomas told BirminghamLive he was at a loss as to why the Cheltenham Festival was allowed to continue , yet the Premier League was abruptly cancelled amidst the COVID-19 outbreak .
The Witton Arms is just a two-minute walk away from Villa Park while also being a stone 's throw from Witton railway station .
It would have welcomed around 350 Chelsea supporters today , with another 1,000 or so Villa fans popping in and out pre and post-match .
This time , there were just nine people in the bar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopes on a big St Patrick 's Day shindig on Sunday between 6pm and 9pm .
On Villa being cancelled for the foreseeable future , Liam told us : `` We usually have 15 staff on and I 've had to tell them there 's no work for a bit .
`` On top of that we have about 10 doormen .
It 's just a domino affect and it was a joke how Cheltenham was on .
`` At the races there would have been 30,000 flying over from Ireland for that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attending because they 'll have horses and what not .
Yet the league cancels the Villa ?
It 's crazy but what can you do ?
`` We 'll get by because we have to .
It 's hard to say how much it 'll affect us , to be honest . ''

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It had just gone 1pm and just six people were sat in the bar at The New Aston Social - as opposed to 700 to 800.
The bar's usually four deep at this point on a usual Aston Villa match day with 14 frantic bar staff struggling to pour pints quick enough.
However, with the coronavirus pandemic putting a stop to match action for the foreseeable future, we've spoken to the pubs to see how the stop in play is affecting business.
Landlady Jenny Gormley has been overseeing the Social for the past eight months and, when Villa play in B6, the tills at the Aston Hall Road establishment can take up to 20 grand at a time.
However, despite taking such a hefty hit, Jenny firmly believes "people's lives are more important".
"Listen, I'm glad they've put a stop to Villa playing," Jenny told BirminghamLive .
"Yes, we'll take a big hit but the bottom line is to make sure everybody's safe.
"There's usually about 800 people in here probably coughing and splattering on each other, it'd be a massive risk.
"I've got grandkids. The owner of the place has got elderly parents. Football doesn't matter, we've got to do everything we can to prevent it spreading.
"Everybody's losing money, so what? What's money compared to your health? I'm not that bothered and I'm glad of it."
The Social has two bars, an outside courtyard and a gigantic function room open to all on match days. As well as 14 bar staff, there's five glass collectors and washers, door staff, car park staff charging £6-per-car and cellar staff.
As for the Social, it's due to undergo a major refurb in the coming months, including building a 32-bed hotel on-site as well as sprucing up the function room, bar areas and introducing a children's play area.


birminghammail--2020-03-14--The options open to Aston Villa, Wolves, Liverpool and the rest of the COVID-19-hit Premier League

There are at least four options up for discussion as the powers that be negotiate what happens when football resumes after the coronavirus – whenever that may be .
The Premier League and EFL yesterday confirmed that all fixtures are suspended until at least April 3 , but with the pandemic yet to reach its peak , it remains uncertain when it will be safe to hold games in front of crowds again in the UK and Europe .
There are concerns that a delay – or rescheduled games – might go past the June 30 administrative cut off for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about what happens with expiring contracts and the summer transfer window .
So other plans have been mentioned too and discussed on BBC ’ s Football Focus , on Radio 5 Live , TalkSPORT and in the national and regional newspapers today – day one of the suspension .
Wolves are currently sixth in the Premier League , five points off the top four - but with a strong shout of Champions League qualification .
Meanwhile Aston Villa are second bottom but if they were to win their game in hand they would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neither would want the season freezing , one of four options put forward .
This is what the experts think should happen .
Tim Cahill : “ The thing about delaying it and just focusing on the league and forgetting all cup competitions , forgetting about international games for next season and maybe making sure you can finish the season , whether it ’ s Liverpool winning the title or clubs getting promoted or relegated… it seems the most logical situation .
“ On top of that , forget cup and international matches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ league.
” Dion Dublin : “ You have to finish the season , you have to.
” Brighton chief executive Paul Barber : “ Our intention must be to complete the fixtures but we have to put people ’ s health first and at the moment it is really hard to imagine putting on a football game in the Premier League in three weeks ’ time .
It ’ s really hard to imagine that given the scenario we ’ re in.
” Jermaine Jenas : “ We have to think smaller right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s cup competitions and finish the league when we can , even if it means moving the Euros to 2021.
” This has been mooted in Italy .
Italian football president Gabriele Gravina : “ We hope that the season can be concluded as planned , because if we do resume on April 3 , there are certain windows to make up for these postponed games .
“ I took it upon myself to launch the idea of play-offs and play-outs , helping to respect the values of sporting competition .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the play-off for the Scudetto and the last four in the play-outs to decide relegation .
The FIGC will then indicate to UEFA who will participate in the European competitions next season.
” Brighton ’ s Barber : “ If we are going to go down the play-off route , I hope that starts from 16th and not 15th !
” Chris Waddle : “ Finish the season as it is and deal with it .
( If teams have games in hand… ) tough !
” Dion Dublin : “ There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mental.
” Paul Barber : “ If we were to freeze the league it would be incredibly unjust not to award Liverpool the title .
I think everyone in the game appreciates what a fantastic season they ’ ve had and what a wonderful team they are .
“ So that for me would be very unjust – but equally it would be very unjust for teams to be relegated when there were still eight , nine or 10 games to play in the Premier League .
The financial consequences for those teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would be unjust if Leeds and West Brom were not promoted because we know how hard it is to get out of the Championship .
We know how hard it is to get even to this stage of the season in the top two .
It would be very cruel.
” Barber went on to suggest that an expanded Premier League – with no relegation and limited promotion – is a possible option in this scenario .
West Ham vice-chairwoman Karren Brady : “ As games in both the Premier League and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only fair and reasonable thing to do is declare the whole season null and void .
Who knows who would have gone down or come up if the games have not actually been played in full ?
“ A huge blow to Liverpool who might be robbed of their first title in 30 years.
” Jon Walters : “ Cancel the Premier League and EFL .
Award Liverpool the PL title - realistically no one is catching them .
No relegations .
Still three promotions and if too it ’ s tight to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play-off matches in the next couple of months .
“ Most owners and people linked financially with clubs will be calling for season to continue as it will always come down to money .
“ But unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures and there needs to be leadership in the Premier League and EFL who will make a decision !
“ Unfortunately most decisions will come down to money .
Take anyone ’ s opinion who is linked at all with a club with a pinch of salt .
I have no links @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s still ramifications even if you do that .
What do you do with the teams in the Champions League positions ?
Because Leicester City are quite healthily in third , they ’ d be extremely worried if you went to the teams that finished in the top four last season.
” Paul Barber : “ We don ’ t want to go down this route .
Every league starts with an expectation of completing all 38 fixtures as it is in the Premier League and we really want to do that @ @

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There are at least four options up for discussion as the powers that be negotiate what happens when football resumes after the coronavirus – whenever that may be.
The Premier League and EFL yesterday confirmed that all fixtures are suspended until at least April 3, but with the pandemic yet to reach its peak, it remains uncertain when it will be safe to hold games in front of crowds again in the UK and Europe.
There are concerns that a delay – or rescheduled games – might go past the June 30 administrative cut off for this season, which would pose questions about what happens with expiring contracts and the summer transfer window.
So other plans have been mentioned too and discussed on BBC’s Football Focus, on Radio 5 Live, TalkSPORT and in the national and regional newspapers today – day one of the suspension.
Wolves are currently sixth in the Premier League, five points off the top four - but with a strong shout of Champions League qualification.
Meanwhile Aston Villa are second bottom but if they were to win their game in hand they would move out of the relegation zone.
Neither would want the season freezing, one of four options put forward.
This is what the experts think should happen.
Plan 1) Delay the season
Tim Cahill: “The thing about delaying it and just focusing on the league and forgetting all cup competitions, forgetting about international games for next season and maybe making sure you can finish the season, whether it’s Liverpool winning the title or clubs getting promoted or relegated… it seems the most logical situation.
“On top of that, forget cup and international matches for now and just concentrate on the league.”
Dion Dublin: “You have to finish the season, you have to.”
Brighton chief executive Paul Barber: “Our intention must be to complete the fixtures but we have to put people’s health first and at the moment it is really hard to imagine putting on a football game in the Premier League in three weeks’ time. It’s really hard to imagine that given the scenario we’re in.”
Jermaine Jenas: “We have to think smaller right now. Get rid of this season’s cup competitions and finish the league when we can, even if it means moving the Euros to 2021.”
Plan 2) Stage play-offs
This has been mooted in Italy.
Italian football president Gabriele Gravina: “We hope that the season can be concluded as planned, because if we do resume on April 3, there are certain windows to make up for these postponed games.
“I took it upon myself to launch the idea of play-offs and play-outs, helping to respect the values of sporting competition.
“It would involve the four top teams in the play-off for the Scudetto and the last four in the play-outs to decide relegation. The FIGC will then indicate to UEFA who will participate in the European competitions next season.”
Brighton’s Barber: “If we are going to go down the play-off route, I hope that starts from 16th and not 15th!”
Plan 3) Current positions stand
Chris Waddle: “Finish the season as it is and deal with it. (If teams have games in hand…) tough!”
Dion Dublin: “There would be uproar. Players would go mental.”
Paul Barber: “If we were to freeze the league it would be incredibly unjust not to award Liverpool the title. I think everyone in the game appreciates what a fantastic season they’ve had and what a wonderful team they are.
“So that for me would be very unjust – but equally it would be very unjust for teams to be relegated when there were still eight, nine or 10 games to play in the Premier League. The financial consequences for those teams would be very difficult.
“Equally it would be unjust if Leeds and West Brom were not promoted because we know how hard it is to get out of the Championship. We know how hard it is to get even to this stage of the season in the top two. It would be very cruel.”
Barber went on to suggest that an expanded Premier League – with no relegation and limited promotion – is a possible option in this scenario.
(Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)
Plan 4) Declare season null and void
West Ham vice-chairwoman Karren Brady: “As games in both the Premier League and in the EFL are affected, the only fair and reasonable thing to do is declare the whole season null and void. Who knows who would have gone down or come up if the games have not actually been played in full?
“A huge blow to Liverpool who might be robbed of their first title in 30 years.”
Jon Walters: “Cancel the Premier League and EFL. Award Liverpool the PL title - realistically no one is catching them. No relegations. Still three promotions and if too it’s tight to decide who, have behind closed doors play-off matches in the next couple of months.
“Most owners and people linked financially with clubs will be calling for season to continue as it will always come down to money.
“But unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures and there needs to be leadership in the Premier League and EFL who will make a decision!
“Unfortunately most decisions will come down to money. Take anyone’s opinion who is linked at all with a club with a pinch of salt. I have no links whatsoever.”
Phil Thompson: “There’s still ramifications even if you do that. What do you do with the teams in the Champions League positions? Because Leicester City are quite healthily in third, they’d be extremely worried if you went to the teams that finished in the top four last season.”
Paul Barber: “We don’t want to go down this route. Every league starts with an expectation of completing all 38 fixtures as it is in the Premier League and we really want to do that.”


birminghammail--2020-03-14--County Lines kingpin Bodrul Islam who flooded Class A drugs into Hereford via Birmingham jailed

A county lines mastermind who flooded heroin and crack cocaine into a Midlands town via Birmingham has been jailed .
Bodrul Islam ran the ‘ Dee Line ’ which dealt around £200,000 worth of Class A drugs a year into Hereford .
He recruited his pals to bring drugs into Hereford where street level dealers would do the dirty work on Islam ’ s behalf .
West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit − working alongside West Mercia Police − found Islam made frequent train trips to Birmingham ’ s Grand Central station where he restocked drug couriers and pocketed cash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to London clutching bags from designer clothes outlets having spent his ill-gotten gains on shopping trips while in Birmingham .
Police raided Islam ’ s home in Earlham Grove , Newham , in February 2018 and found him with the main drugs hotline plus thousands of pounds in cash .
We found advertising text messages sent from the line to nearly 70 drug users in Hereford .
It ’ s estimated the Dee Line pumped up to 2kg of heroin and crack cocaine into Hereford and made yearly sales of around £200,000 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeffrey Akyaa , 28 and 20-year-old Dylan Creffield-Foster all acted as couriers moving drugs from the Birmingham handover point into Hereford .
Hereford men Joshua Juson , 28 , Harry Oakley-Davies , 21 , Scott Lewis , 40 and 39-year-old Anthony Fish acted as street dealers for Islam .
Gemma Peach , 33 , Simon Matthews , 48 and 40-year-old Peter Neil allowed their Hereford homes to be used as drugs ‘ safe houses ’ from where the dealers co-ordinated their activity .
All 13 were charged with conspiring to supply Class A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but Islam and Fadeyibi denied involvement .
However , Islam entered a guilty plea midway through a trial which started last month at Worcester Crown Court and Fadeyibi was found guilty by a jury .
Parkins and Akyaa were both handed four-year terms while Creffield-Foster was jailed for three years on top of a three year sentence he ’ s already serving for a firearms offence in London .
Joseph-Wright was imprisoned for three-and-a-half years , Lewis for three years and Fadeyibi − who ’ s only recently been released from prison for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months .
Joseph-Wright , Lewis and Fadeyibi Neil and Oakley-Davies were both given suspended jail sentences for their roles , while Juson , Fish , Peach , and Matthews will all be sentenced later this month .
West Midlands Police Detective Inspector Julie Woods , said : “ Islam only visited Hereford on a few occasions and went to great lengths to distance himself from the city and the drug dealing .
“ However , he needed to re-stock his dealers with drugs… and we found he did that during trips to meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had gained a significant foothold in the Hereford drugs market but his operation couldn ’ t have worked had it not been for the street dealers and local residents who allowed his couriers to use their homes as drugs bases .
“ Islam has rightly been handed a long jail term for orchestrating the scheme but we will also go after others who facilitate such county lines dealing .
”

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A county lines mastermind who flooded heroin and crack cocaine into a Midlands town via Birmingham has been jailed.
Bodrul Islam ran the ‘Dee Line’ which dealt around £200,000 worth of Class A drugs a year into Hereford.
He recruited his pals to bring drugs into Hereford where street level dealers would do the dirty work on Islam’s behalf.
West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit − working alongside West Mercia Police − found Islam made frequent train trips to Birmingham’s Grand Central station where he restocked drug couriers and pocketed cash profits.
CCTV showed the 31-year-old returning to London clutching bags from designer clothes outlets having spent his ill-gotten gains on shopping trips while in Birmingham.
Police raided Islam’s home in Earlham Grove, Newham, in February 2018 and found him with the main drugs hotline plus thousands of pounds in cash.
We found advertising text messages sent from the line to nearly 70 drug users in Hereford.
(Image: WMP)
It’s estimated the Dee Line pumped up to 2kg of heroin and crack cocaine into Hereford and made yearly sales of around £200,000.
London men Ramone Parkins, 22, Jeffrey Akyaa, 28 and 20-year-old Dylan Creffield-Foster all acted as couriers moving drugs from the Birmingham handover point into Hereford.
Fellow Londoners Michael Fadeyibi, 22 and 21-year-old Raylan Joseph-Wright coordinated activity in Hereford.
Hereford men Joshua Juson, 28, Harry Oakley-Davies, 21, Scott Lewis, 40 and 39-year-old Anthony Fish acted as street dealers for Islam.
(Image: WMP)
Gemma Peach, 33, Simon Matthews, 48 and 40-year-old Peter Neil allowed their Hereford homes to be used as drugs ‘safe houses’ from where the dealers co-ordinated their activity.
All 13 were charged with conspiring to supply Class A drugs; most admitted their roles with but Islam and Fadeyibi denied involvement.
However, Islam entered a guilty plea midway through a trial which started last month at Worcester Crown Court and Fadeyibi was found guilty by a jury.
Islam was jailed for 11 years yesterday (Friday 13 March).
(Image: WMP)
Parkins and Akyaa were both handed four-year terms while Creffield-Foster was jailed for three years on top of a three year sentence he’s already serving for a firearms offence in London.
Joseph-Wright was imprisoned for three-and-a-half years, Lewis for three years and Fadeyibi − who’s only recently been released from prison for a similar drugs crime − for 12 months.
Joseph-Wright, Lewis and Fadeyibi Neil and Oakley-Davies were both given suspended jail sentences for their roles, while Juson, Fish, Peach, and Matthews will all be sentenced later this month.
West Midlands Police Detective Inspector Julie Woods, said: “Islam only visited Hereford on a few occasions and went to great lengths to distance himself from the city and the drug dealing.
“However, he needed to re-stock his dealers with drugs… and we found he did that during trips to meet his couriers in Birmingham.
“Islam had gained a significant foothold in the Hereford drugs market but his operation couldn’t have worked had it not been for the street dealers and local residents who allowed his couriers to use their homes as drugs bases.
“Islam has rightly been handed a long jail term for orchestrating the scheme but we will also go after others who facilitate such county lines dealing.”


birminghammail--2020-03-14--Donald Trump confirms he has tested for coronavirus - and defended shaking hands

President Trump says he has taken a coronavirus test , and has also defended shaking hands with people .
It comes as Trump said a ban on flights to the US from the UK and Ireland will be announced amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The White House is expected to announce that the US will broaden its European travel ban , adding the United Kingdom and Ireland to its list .
At a press conference Mr Trump was asked about reports that the US travel ban from Europe would be extended to the UK and Ireland on Monday .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it very seriously , yeah , because they 've had a little bit of activity unfortunately , so we 're going to be looking at that .
`` We actually already have looked at it and that is going to be announced . ''
Mr Trump also confirmed that he had been tested for coronavirus .
Under the restrictions , American citizens , green card holders and others are still allowed to return home to the US - but will be funnelled to 13 airports and be subjected to health screenings and quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , President Trump announced a month-long restriction on travel from most of Europe , set to begin at midnight on Friday night .
He said on Thursday that he was considering other major restrictions , such as limiting travel to domestic hot spots like California and Washington state , without spelling out how he would manage such an extraordinary effort .
The State Department issued a global advisory cautioning US citizens to `` reconsider travel abroad '' .

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President Trump says he has taken a coronavirus test, and has also defended shaking hands with people.
It comes as Trump said a ban on flights to the US from the UK and Ireland will be announced amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The White House is expected to announce that the US will broaden its European travel ban, adding the United Kingdom and Ireland to its list.
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At a press conference Mr Trump was asked about reports that the US travel ban from Europe would be extended to the UK and Ireland on Monday.
He said: "We're looking at it very seriously, yeah, because they've had a little bit of activity unfortunately, so we're going to be looking at that.
"We actually already have looked at it and that is going to be announced."
Mr Trump also confirmed that he had been tested for coronavirus.
Under the restrictions, American citizens, green card holders and others are still allowed to return home to the US - but will be funnelled to 13 airports and be subjected to health screenings and quarantine orders, according to reports.
On Wednesday, President Trump announced a month-long restriction on travel from most of Europe, set to begin at midnight on Friday night.
He said on Thursday that he was considering other major restrictions, such as limiting travel to domestic hot spots like California and Washington state, without spelling out how he would manage such an extraordinary effort.
The State Department issued a global advisory cautioning US citizens to "reconsider travel abroad".


birminghammail--2020-03-14--The four options for West Brom, Leeds United and the rest of the coronavirus-hit Championship

There are at least four options up for discussion as the powers that be negotiate what happens when football resumes after the coronavirus – whenever that may be .
The Premier League and EFL yesterday confirmed that all fixtures are suspended until at least April 3 , but with the pandemic yet to reach its peak , it remains uncertain when it will be safe to hold games in front of crowds again in the UK and Europe .
There are concerns that a delay – or rescheduled games – might go past the June 30 administrative cut off for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about what happens with expiring contracts and the summer transfer window .
So other plans have been mentioned too and discussed on BBC ’ s Football Focus , on Radio 5 Live , TalkSPORT and in the national and regional newspapers today – day one of the suspension .
West Brom currently sit second in the league , six points clear of the play-offs and just one behind Leeds .
This is what the experts think should happen .
Tim Cahill : “ The thing about delaying it and just focusing on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forgetting about international games for next season and maybe making sure you can finish the season , whether it ’ s Liverpool winning the title or clubs getting promoted or relegated… it seems the most logical situation .
“ On top of that , forget cup and international matches for now and just concentrate on the league.
” Dion Dublin : “ You have to finish the season , you have to.
” Brighton chief executive Paul Barber : “ Our intention must be to complete the fixtures but we have to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the moment it is really hard to imagine putting on a football game in the Premier League in three weeks ’ time .
It ’ s really hard to imagine that given the scenario we ’ re in.
” Jermaine Jenas : “ We have to think smaller right now .
Get rid of this season ’ s cup competitions and finish the league when we can , even if it means moving the Euros to 2021.
” This has been mooted in Italy .
Italian football president Gabriele Gravina : “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as planned , because if we do resume on April 3 , there are certain windows to make up for these postponed games .
“ I took it upon myself to launch the idea of play-offs and play-outs , helping to respect the values of sporting competition .
“ It would involve the four top teams in the play-off for the Scudetto and the last four in the play-outs to decide relegation .
The FIGC will then indicate to UEFA who will participate in the European competitions next season.
” Brighton ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go down the play-off route , I hope that starts from 16th and not 15th !
” Chris Waddle : “ Finish the season as it is and deal with it .
( If teams have games in hand… ) tough !
” Dion Dublin : “ There would be uproar .
Players would go mental.
” Paul Barber : “ If we were to freeze the league it would be incredibly unjust not to award Liverpool the title .
I think everyone in the game appreciates what a fantastic season they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team they are .
“ So that for me would be very unjust – but equally it would be very unjust for teams to be relegated when there were still eight , nine or 10 games to play in the Premier League .
The financial consequences for those teams would be very difficult .
“ Equally it would be unjust if Leeds and West Brom were not promoted because we know how hard it is to get out of the Championship .
We know how hard it is to get even to this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two .
It would be very cruel.
” Barber went on to suggest that an expanded Premier League – with no relegation and limited promotion – is a possible option in this scenario .
West Ham vice-chairwoman Karren Brady : “ As games in both the Premier League and in the EFL are affected , the only fair and reasonable thing to do is declare the whole season null and void .
Who knows who would have gone down or come up if the games have not actually been played in full ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ might be robbed of their first title in 30 years.
” Jon Walters : “ Cancel the Premier League and EFL .
Award Liverpool the PL title - realistically no one is catching them .
No relegations .
Still three promotions and if too it ’ s tight to decide who , have behind closed doors play-off matches in the next couple of months .
“ Most owners and people linked financially with clubs will be calling for season to continue as it will always come down to money .
“ But unprecedented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to be leadership in the Premier League and EFL who will make a decision !
“ Unfortunately most decisions will come down to money .
Take anyone ’ s opinion who is linked at all with a club with a pinch of salt .
I have no links whatsoever.
” Phil Thompson : “ There ’ s still ramifications even if you do that .
What do you do with the teams in the Champions League positions ?
Because Leicester City are quite healthily in third , they ’ d be extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that finished in the top four last season.
” Paul Barber : “ We don ’ t want to go down this route .
Every league starts with an expectation of completing all 38 fixtures as it is in the Premier League and we really want to do that .
”

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There are at least four options up for discussion as the powers that be negotiate what happens when football resumes after the coronavirus – whenever that may be.
The Premier League and EFL yesterday confirmed that all fixtures are suspended until at least April 3, but with the pandemic yet to reach its peak, it remains uncertain when it will be safe to hold games in front of crowds again in the UK and Europe.
There are concerns that a delay – or rescheduled games – might go past the June 30 administrative cut off for this season, which would pose questions about what happens with expiring contracts and the summer transfer window.
So other plans have been mentioned too and discussed on BBC’s Football Focus, on Radio 5 Live, TalkSPORT and in the national and regional newspapers today – day one of the suspension.
West Brom currently sit second in the league, six points clear of the play-offs and just one behind Leeds.
This is what the experts think should happen.
Plan 1) Delay the season
Tim Cahill: “The thing about delaying it and just focusing on the league and forgetting all cup competitions, forgetting about international games for next season and maybe making sure you can finish the season, whether it’s Liverpool winning the title or clubs getting promoted or relegated… it seems the most logical situation.
“On top of that, forget cup and international matches for now and just concentrate on the league.”
Dion Dublin: “You have to finish the season, you have to.”
Brighton chief executive Paul Barber: “Our intention must be to complete the fixtures but we have to put people’s health first and at the moment it is really hard to imagine putting on a football game in the Premier League in three weeks’ time. It’s really hard to imagine that given the scenario we’re in.”
Jermaine Jenas: “We have to think smaller right now. Get rid of this season’s cup competitions and finish the league when we can, even if it means moving the Euros to 2021.”
Plan 2) Stage play-offs
This has been mooted in Italy.
Italian football president Gabriele Gravina: “We hope that the season can be concluded as planned, because if we do resume on April 3, there are certain windows to make up for these postponed games.
“I took it upon myself to launch the idea of play-offs and play-outs, helping to respect the values of sporting competition.
“It would involve the four top teams in the play-off for the Scudetto and the last four in the play-outs to decide relegation. The FIGC will then indicate to UEFA who will participate in the European competitions next season.”
Brighton’s Barber: “If we are going to go down the play-off route, I hope that starts from 16th and not 15th!”
Plan 3) Current positions stand
Chris Waddle: “Finish the season as it is and deal with it. (If teams have games in hand…) tough!”
Dion Dublin: “There would be uproar. Players would go mental.”
Paul Barber: “If we were to freeze the league it would be incredibly unjust not to award Liverpool the title. I think everyone in the game appreciates what a fantastic season they’ve had and what a wonderful team they are.
“So that for me would be very unjust – but equally it would be very unjust for teams to be relegated when there were still eight, nine or 10 games to play in the Premier League. The financial consequences for those teams would be very difficult.
“Equally it would be unjust if Leeds and West Brom were not promoted because we know how hard it is to get out of the Championship. We know how hard it is to get even to this stage of the season in the top two. It would be very cruel.”
Barber went on to suggest that an expanded Premier League – with no relegation and limited promotion – is a possible option in this scenario.
Plan 4) Declare season null and void
West Ham vice-chairwoman Karren Brady: “As games in both the Premier League and in the EFL are affected, the only fair and reasonable thing to do is declare the whole season null and void. Who knows who would have gone down or come up if the games have not actually been played in full?
“A huge blow to Liverpool who might be robbed of their first title in 30 years.”
Jon Walters: “Cancel the Premier League and EFL. Award Liverpool the PL title - realistically no one is catching them. No relegations. Still three promotions and if too it’s tight to decide who, have behind closed doors play-off matches in the next couple of months.
“Most owners and people linked financially with clubs will be calling for season to continue as it will always come down to money.
“But unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures and there needs to be leadership in the Premier League and EFL who will make a decision!
“Unfortunately most decisions will come down to money. Take anyone’s opinion who is linked at all with a club with a pinch of salt. I have no links whatsoever.”
poll loading What should happen with the rest of the 2019/2020 Championship season? 2000+ VOTES SO FAR Delay for now and play to completion Stage play-offs Freeze the table - current standings apply Void the season - everyone stays where they are
Phil Thompson: “There’s still ramifications even if you do that. What do you do with the teams in the Champions League positions? Because Leicester City are quite healthily in third, they’d be extremely worried if you went to the teams that finished in the top four last season.”
Paul Barber: “We don’t want to go down this route. Every league starts with an expectation of completing all 38 fixtures as it is in the Premier League and we really want to do that.”


birminghammail--2020-03-14--The Danny Drinkwater view that will raise a few Aston Villa eyebrows

Aston Villa 's hopes that Danny Drinkwater would be one of the players that save them from relegation , appear to have been hopeful at best .
With the club fining the midfielder two weeks wages for a training ground incident at Bodymoor Heath , the future looks cloudy at best .
It has n't gone well for Drinkwater so far , and his form has n't been good enough for a player of his calibre .
That 's certainly the view of former Villa striker Darren Bent , who believes that the midfielder was also thrown in at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ It ’ s crazy , it ’ s going to be difficult for Drinkwater , and I don ’ t think he ’ s done himself any favours .
“ Whether we see much more of him , I ’ m not quite sure , but he ’ s still good enough to play in the Premier League .
“ When they brought Drinkwater in it was a case of him not having played enough football consistently for the past couple of years , so by the time they got him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to speed .
“ I mean , the first game against Manchester City was crazy .
It was criminal putting him straight back in there .
He just can ’ t seem to get his legs back .
“ He just needs to be afforded some time to get back to his best.
” Villa boss Dean Smith confirmed the situation in an interview with the club ’ s official site .
He said : “ There has been an incident .
“ But it is an internal incident and like all internal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have dealt with it .
“ That is the end of it and I wo n't be divulging anything that happens internally as I would n't do with any incident.
” There were reports that Villa could end his spell with the club , after already having his time at Burnley cut short earlier this season .
However , the Mirror have reported that Smith has slapped a monetary fine on the 30-year-old , although further punishment could still be in the offing .
The former Leicester City star has fallen out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his time as a regular in Smith 's starting XI .
Drinkwater was due to miss Saturday ’ s game with his parent club , before the Premier League postponed all fixtures in the top flight until April 4 .
The decision comes with coronavirus cases in the UK well in excess of 600 , with numbers increasing on a daily basis .
Chelsea had been forced to cancel a training session earlier this week and on Thursday night , it was confirmed Callum Hudson-Odoi had contracted the disease .

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Aston Villa 's hopes that Danny Drinkwater would be one of the players that save them from relegation, appear to have been hopeful at best.
With the club fining the midfielder two weeks wages for a training ground incident at Bodymoor Heath, the future looks cloudy at best.
It hasn't gone well for Drinkwater so far, and his form hasn't been good enough for a player of his calibre.
That's certainly the view of former Villa striker Darren Bent, who believes that the midfielder was also thrown in at the deep end.
He told Football Insider: “It’s crazy, it’s going to be difficult for Drinkwater, and I don’t think he’s done himself any favours.
“Whether we see much more of him, I’m not quite sure, but he’s still good enough to play in the Premier League.
“When they brought Drinkwater in it was a case of him not having played enough football consistently for the past couple of years, so by the time they got him he just couldn’t get up to speed.
“I mean, the first game against Manchester City was crazy. It was criminal putting him straight back in there. He just can’t seem to get his legs back.
“He just needs to be afforded some time to get back to his best.”
Villa boss Dean Smith confirmed the situation in an interview with the club’s official site.
(Image: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
He said: “There has been an incident.
“But it is an internal incident and like all internal incidents I will deal with it and have dealt with it.
“That is the end of it and I won't be divulging anything that happens internally as I wouldn't do with any incident.”
There were reports that Villa could end his spell with the club, after already having his time at Burnley cut short earlier this season.
However, the Mirror have reported that Smith has slapped a monetary fine on the 30-year-old, although further punishment could still be in the offing.
The former Leicester City star has fallen out of favour at Villa Park, after starting his time as a regular in Smith's starting XI.
Drinkwater was due to miss Saturday’s game with his parent club, before the Premier League postponed all fixtures in the top flight until April 4.
The decision comes with coronavirus cases in the UK well in excess of 600, with numbers increasing on a daily basis.
Chelsea had been forced to cancel a training session earlier this week and on Thursday night, it was confirmed Callum Hudson-Odoi had contracted the disease.


birminghammail--2020-03-14--US extends coronavirus travel ban to UK and Ireland

The US will extend Europe travel restrictions to the UK and Ireland , it is understood .
Government sources in the US have indicated the decision in the last few moments .
The US had banned travel into most of Europe in a bid to ramp up their efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus .
By Saturday , more than 145,000 infections and over 5,400 deaths had been confirmed worldwide .
Europe has become the epicentre of the pandemic , with countries imposing a cascade of restrictions in efforts to prevent their health systems collapsing under the load @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shops not selling essential goods are among the facilities being closed in many places .
Denmark has closed its borders and halted passenger traffic to and from the country until April 13 .
Travellers will be turned away at the border if they are unable to show they have `` a legitimate reason '' to enter .
Poland is closing its borders and denying all foreigners entry unless they live in Poland or have personal ties there .
Non-citizens allowed in will be quarantined for 14 days .
The Czech Republic and Slovakia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ land borders with Norway and Poland will be closed to most foreigners from Sunday .
Spain 's cabinet met on Saturday to declare a two-week state of emergency and announce more measures to control the outbreak which has spiked sharply in recent days to more than 5,700 infections , with almost 3,000 in the capital Madrid .
Spain had recorded 120 Covid-19 deaths .
Spain 's measures fall far short of those ordered by Italy , the worst-hit European country , which has more than 17,600 confirmed cases - the largest outbreak after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government in Rome has ordered an unprecedented lockdown , ordering businesses to close and restricting people 's movement .
Mayors of many cities , including Rome and Milan , have even closed public playgrounds and parks .
Under a government decree issued earlier in the week , people had been allowed in parks as long as they kept at least a metre between each other .
Premier Giuseppe Conte said production - particularly of food and health supplies - must not stop , and union and industrial leaders have reached an agreement on @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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The US will extend Europe travel restrictions to the UK and Ireland, it is understood.
Government sources in the US have indicated the decision in the last few moments.
The US had banned travel into most of Europe in a bid to ramp up their efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
By Saturday, more than 145,000 infections and over 5,400 deaths had been confirmed worldwide.
Europe has become the epicentre of the pandemic, with countries imposing a cascade of restrictions in efforts to prevent their health systems collapsing under the load of cases.
Schools, bars and shops not selling essential goods are among the facilities being closed in many places.
(Image: PA)
Denmark has closed its borders and halted passenger traffic to and from the country until April 13. Travellers will be turned away at the border if they are unable to show they have "a legitimate reason" to enter.
Poland is closing its borders and denying all foreigners entry unless they live in Poland or have personal ties there. Non-citizens allowed in will be quarantined for 14 days. The Czech Republic and Slovakia took similar action.
Russia said its land borders with Norway and Poland will be closed to most foreigners from Sunday.
Spain's cabinet met on Saturday to declare a two-week state of emergency and announce more measures to control the outbreak which has spiked sharply in recent days to more than 5,700 infections, with almost 3,000 in the capital Madrid. Spain had recorded 120 Covid-19 deaths.
Spain's measures fall far short of those ordered by Italy, the worst-hit European country, which has more than 17,600 confirmed cases - the largest outbreak after China - with 1,266 deaths.
The government in Rome has ordered an unprecedented lockdown, ordering businesses to close and restricting people's movement.
Mayors of many cities, including Rome and Milan, have even closed public playgrounds and parks. Under a government decree issued earlier in the week, people had been allowed in parks as long as they kept at least a metre between each other.
Premier Giuseppe Conte said production - particularly of food and health supplies - must not stop, and union and industrial leaders have reached an agreement on special measures to keep factories running.