birminghammail--2020-03-19--Cashpoint robbery gang are sentenced for £200k crimewave

Five men have been sentenced for their part in a series of violent robberies and destructive cash machine raids using stolen vehicles .
Shaun Bates , 26 , Michael Bowen , 31 , Karl Hastings , 46 , and Oliver Higgins , 33 were all jailed while Shawn Bancroft , 27 , escaped imprisonment .
The sentences come after four men were jailed for a combined 61 years in February while two more offenders wait to learn their punishments .
The gang targeted banks , supermarkets , convenience stores and even a college , tying straps around cash machines to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stolen and used , some as getaway vehicles and some as battering rams .
A trail of destruction worth £200,000 was left in the crime spree which commenced from March last year .
Collectively the gang , including those previously sentenced and the two yet to be sentenced , were responsible for 14 offences in three months which also included the plundering of £40,000 worth of cigarettes .
They tried to launder the stolen money through bookmakers .
An 11-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court concluded last month and today ( Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were sentenced by Judge Heidi Kubic QC .
Hastings , of Barnett Road , Kingstanding , received seven years and six months .
Bowen , of no fixed address , was jailed for five years .
Bates , of Sylvan Grove , Shirley , was handed three years and six months .
Higgins , of Packhorse Lane , Hollywood , was imprisoned for 16 months .
On Thursday , February 13 , the following sentences were passed : Larry Barnett , 33 , of Greenhough Road , Lichfield , was jailed for 21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Wheatfield Close , Smith ’ s Wood , was given 19 years .
Lee Barnett , 32 , of Wheldrake Avenue , Shard End , was given 12 years .
Michael Dunleavy , 37 , from Needlers End Lane , Balsall Common was given nine years .
Steven Ives , aged 40 , from Chingford Road , Kingstanding and Carl Heard , 38 , from Brays Road , Sheldon , will be sentenced at a later date .
Arguably the most dramatic incident was a ram raid to Nationwide in Shirley in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21 , which involved Bates and Bowen as well as Larry Barnett , Lambie and Ives .
A Transit van and an Audi estate were used to block the road .
Prosecutor Mark Heywood QC said : “ It freed those in the other Transit van to be able to build up speed reversing across the carriageway and across the pavement to impact six times into the frontages of the building society .
“ Those were very substantial impacts , at one point almost the entire length of the vehicle has reversed into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were ‘ quite unmoved ’ by the fact a number of people were watching them .
Despite causing £50,000 worth of damage they were unable to remove the machine and sped away .
But police officers spotted the escaping convoy and gave chase .
At one point one of the passengers got out of the van and hurled bricks at the windscreen of the patrol car .
Then a little later , one of the Transits was driven into the front of the police vehicle setting off the airbags .
The two officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On June 4 , Hastings , alongside the two Barnetts and Lambie , wore masks and balaclavas to rob a convenience shop .
They manhandled a worker who was closing up and threw him back into the store , detaining him for several minutes while they tried to raid the cash machine .
But something spooked them and they fled swiping thousands of pounds of cash from underneath the counter .
Overnight between June 12 and 13 , four of the gang burgled an ASDA in Kings Heath , another in Great Barr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This time it was Bowen alongside the two Barnetts and Lambie as they used hammers and bats to smash their way in and target thousands of pounds worth of cigarettes .
Hastings was found guilty of robbery .
Judge Kubic stated he had been ‘ out of trouble for seven years ’ before the latest incident but stated the sentence of seven and a half years had been aggravated by his previous offending , which involves 34 convictions for 68 offences dating back to when he was a juvenile .
Bowen admitted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disorder ( Nationwide escape ) , two counts of handling a stolen vehicle and three counts of burglary ( supermarkets ) .
He has 19 previous convictions for 31 offences .
Handing down five years in prison , Judge Kubic said the Nationwide incident involved a ‘ significant degree of sophisticated planning ’ adding that the supermarket raids were each ‘ very serious matters ’ Bowen was also disqualified from driving for five and a half years .
Bates was found guilty of violent disorder ( Nationwide escape ) and handling a stolen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money laundering , attempted theft ( Nationwide ) and one count of handling a stolen vehicle .
Stefan Kolodynski , defending , stated he was not a ‘ primary mover ’ within the group and got involved after going through a number of personal issues .
He said : “ He sought solace and peer acceptance and shunned his family.
” Bates has a ‘ limited ’ history of previous offending .
Sentencing him to three years and six months Judge Kubic said : “ I accept you fell in with a bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of offending .
I accept your expressions of remorse as to the position you found yourself in.
” Bates was disqualified from driving for four years nine months .
Higgins admitted burglary in relation to a cannabis factory and handling stolen goods ( cigarettes ) .
He has 13 previous convictions for 25 offences .
Gurdeep Garcha QC , defending , stated that Higgins was the last offender to be brought into the case but the first to plead guilty to his offences .
He said : `` Notwithstanding his criminal history in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had made tremendous strides in improving his stock .
In many ways he became a credit to himself and his young family .
“ He has let everybody down but nevertheless they see enough in him that he still has a bright future .
He recognises that maintaining links with former associates and having links on the edge of criminality will only leave him in this situation .
He has had a very painful lesson from his short involvement in this criminality.
” Judge Kubic stated the raid on the cannabis factory where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with Higgins ’ previous convictions was ‘ not a trifling matter ’ .
She sentenced him to 16 months but given he has already served nine on remand he was told he would be released imminently .
Bancroft was found guilty of two counts of money laundering .
He also has ‘ limited ’ previous convictions .
Zaheer Afzal , defending , described his role as ‘ peripheral ’ compared to the other offenders .
He said the father-of-four ’ s priority was to live a ‘ law-abiding ’ life with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a testimonial from a football coach who described Bancroft as a ‘ dedicated , hard-working and honest young man ' who had become a ‘ role model ’ to other players and helped him through his own personal problems .
Judge Kubic stated Bancroft was still ‘ in denial ’ over his offences given his not guilty pleas and said : “ You have spent lunch time in custody .
You know where you will return to if you continue to hang around with others who lead you into trouble.
” His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rehabilitation activity and 80 hours of unpaid work .

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Five men have been sentenced for their part in a series of violent robberies, burglaries and destructive cash machine raids using stolen vehicles.
Shaun Bates, 26, Michael Bowen, 31, Karl Hastings, 46, and Oliver Higgins, 33 were all jailed while Shawn Bancroft, 27, escaped imprisonment.
The sentences come after four men were jailed for a combined 61 years in February while two more offenders wait to learn their punishments.
The gang targeted banks, supermarkets, convenience stores and even a college, tying straps around cash machines to rip them out.
Thirteen vehicles were stolen and used, some as getaway vehicles and some as battering rams. A trail of destruction worth £200,000 was left in the crime spree which commenced from March last year.
Collectively the gang, including those previously sentenced and the two yet to be sentenced, were responsible for 14 offences in three months which also included the plundering of £40,000 worth of cigarettes. They tried to launder the stolen money through bookmakers.
An 11-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court concluded last month and today (Thursday, March 19) five of the culprits were sentenced by Judge Heidi Kubic QC.
Hastings , of Barnett Road, Kingstanding, received seven years and six months.
Bowen , of no fixed address, was jailed for five years.
Bates , of Sylvan Grove, Shirley, was handed three years and six months.
Higgins , of Packhorse Lane, Hollywood, was imprisoned for 16 months.
Bancroft , of Faircroft Road, Castle Bromwich, received a 12 month community order.
On Thursday, February 13, the following sentences were passed:
Larry Barnett , 33, of Greenhough Road, Lichfield, was jailed for 21 years.
Jamie Lambie , 43, of Wheatfield Close, Smith’s Wood, was given 19 years.
Lee Barnett , 32, of Wheldrake Avenue, Shard End, was given 12 years.
Michael Dunleavy , 37, from Needlers End Lane, Balsall Common was given nine years.
Steven Ives , aged 40, from Chingford Road, Kingstanding and Carl Heard , 38, from Brays Road, Sheldon, will be sentenced at a later date.
Arguably the most dramatic incident was a ram raid to Nationwide in Shirley in the early hours of Thursday, May 21, which involved Bates and Bowen as well as Larry Barnett, Lambie and Ives.
A Transit van and an Audi estate were used to block the road. Prosecutor Mark Heywood QC said: “It freed those in the other Transit van to be able to build up speed reversing across the carriageway and across the pavement to impact six times into the frontages of the building society.
“Those were very substantial impacts, at one point almost the entire length of the vehicle has reversed into the property.”
He declared the raiders were ‘quite unmoved’ by the fact a number of people were watching them. Despite causing £50,000 worth of damage they were unable to remove the machine and sped away.
But police officers spotted the escaping convoy and gave chase. At one point one of the passengers got out of the van and hurled bricks at the windscreen of the patrol car. Then a little later, one of the Transits was driven into the front of the police vehicle setting off the airbags. The two officers inside miraculously escaped with minor injuries.
(Image: WMP)
On June 4, Hastings, alongside the two Barnetts and Lambie, wore masks and balaclavas to rob a convenience shop. They manhandled a worker who was closing up and threw him back into the store, detaining him for several minutes while they tried to raid the cash machine. But something spooked them and they fled swiping thousands of pounds of cash from underneath the counter.
Overnight between June 12 and 13, four of the gang burgled an ASDA in Kings Heath, another in Great Barr, and a Sainsburys in Shirley. This time it was Bowen alongside the two Barnetts and Lambie as they used hammers and bats to smash their way in and target thousands of pounds worth of cigarettes.
Hastings was found guilty of robbery. Judge Kubic stated he had been ‘out of trouble for seven years’ before the latest incident but stated the sentence of seven and a half years had been aggravated by his previous offending, which involves 34 convictions for 68 offences dating back to when he was a juvenile.
(Image: WMP)
Bowen admitted to attempted theft (Nationwide), violent disorder (Nationwide escape), two counts of handling a stolen vehicle and three counts of burglary (supermarkets). He has 19 previous convictions for 31 offences. Handing down five years in prison, Judge Kubic said the Nationwide incident involved a ‘significant degree of sophisticated planning’ adding that the supermarket raids were each ‘very serious matters’
Bowen was also disqualified from driving for five and a half years.
(Image: WMP)
Bates was found guilty of violent disorder (Nationwide escape) and handling a stolen vehicle. He admitted three counts of money laundering, attempted theft (Nationwide) and one count of handling a stolen vehicle.
Stefan Kolodynski, defending, stated he was not a ‘primary mover’ within the group and got involved after going through a number of personal issues. He said: “He sought solace and peer acceptance and shunned his family.”
Bates has a ‘limited’ history of previous offending. Sentencing him to three years and six months Judge Kubic said: “I accept you fell in with a bad crowd and were involved in this spate of offending. I accept your expressions of remorse as to the position you found yourself in.”
Bates was disqualified from driving for four years nine months.
(Image: WMP)
Higgins admitted burglary in relation to a cannabis factory and handling stolen goods (cigarettes). He has 13 previous convictions for 25 offences. Gurdeep Garcha QC, defending, stated that Higgins was the last offender to be brought into the case but the first to plead guilty to his offences. He said: "Notwithstanding his criminal history in the last five or six years he had made tremendous strides in improving his stock. In many ways he became a credit to himself and his young family.
“He has let everybody down but nevertheless they see enough in him that he still has a bright future. He recognises that maintaining links with former associates and having links on the edge of criminality will only leave him in this situation. He has had a very painful lesson from his short involvement in this criminality.”
Judge Kubic stated the raid on the cannabis factory where £15,000 worth of drugs were taken, along with Higgins’ previous convictions was ‘not a trifling matter’. She sentenced him to 16 months but given he has already served nine on remand he was told he would be released imminently.
(Image: WMP)
Bancroft was found guilty of two counts of money laundering. He also has ‘limited’ previous convictions. Zaheer Afzal, defending, described his role as ‘peripheral’ compared to the other offenders. He said the father-of-four’s priority was to live a ‘law-abiding’ life with his family.
Mr Afzal also made reference to a testimonial from a football coach who described Bancroft as a ‘dedicated, hard-working and honest young man' who had become a ‘role model’ to other players and helped him through his own personal problems.
Judge Kubic stated Bancroft was still ‘in denial’ over his offences given his not guilty pleas and said: “You have spent lunch time in custody. You know where you will return to if you continue to hang around with others who lead you into trouble.”
His 12-month community order included 20 days of rehabilitation activity and 80 hours of unpaid work.


birminghammail--2020-03-19--Troy Deeney makes demand that will affect Aston Villa

Troy Deeney says the Premier League season must be finished to give a ‘ fair ’ final league table .
English football fixtures have been postponed until the end of April after the Premier League , EFL and FA agreed today to extend the suspension for a further four weeks amid the coronavirus crisis .
It means Aston Villa 's fight against relegation will remain on hold even longer with Dean Smith ’ s side currently 19th with a game in hand on their relegation rivals including Deeney ’ s Watford .
There have been calls to scrap the 2019/20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rise across the UK .
But Deeney wants all remaining matches to be played before starting a new season .
`` I think we 've got to finish it , ” the Birmingham City fan told BBC Sport .
“ I do n't know when or how but I think we 've got to finish it .
Literally , just to get an outcome .
A fair outcome .
`` If you null and void it , Liverpool are wounded are n't they ?
Everyone wants to see them win it now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I do n't think setting dates is the fairest thing to do , I think we 've just got to play it by safety .
`` If you 're an Arsenal fan , you want to go and see Arsenal play so if you 're just hearing that they 've played behind closed doors and won 3-0 it 's not the same emotion .
It 's not the same feel . ''
Villa 's fixtures against Chelsea and Newcastle United were already postponed before today 's announcement and now the clashes with Wolves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palace have been called off too .

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Troy Deeney says the 2019/2020 season must be finished to give a ‘fair’ final league table - even though it would jeopardise Watford's Premier League status.
English football fixtures have been postponed until the end of April after the Premier League, EFL and FA agreed today to extend the suspension for a further four weeks amid the coronavirus crisis.
It means Aston Villa's fight against relegation will remain on hold even longer with Dean Smith’s side currently 19th with a game in hand on their relegation rivals including Deeney’s Watford.
The Hornets are currently above the relegation zone and there have been calls to scrap the 2019/20 campaign altogether as cases of Covid-19 continue to rise across the UK.
But Deeney wants all remaining matches to be played before starting a new season.
"I think we've got to finish it,” the Birmingham City fan told BBC Sport. “I don't know when or how but I think we've got to finish it. Literally, just to get an outcome. A fair outcome.
"If you null and void it, Liverpool are wounded aren't they? Everyone wants to see them win it now, they've been great.
"I don't think setting dates is the fairest thing to do, I think we've just got to play it by safety.
"If you're an Arsenal fan, you want to go and see Arsenal play so if you're just hearing that they've played behind closed doors and won 3-0 it's not the same emotion. It's not the same feel."
Villa's fixtures against Chelsea and Newcastle United were already postponed before today's announcement and now the clashes with Wolves, Liverpool, Manchester City and Crystal Palace have been called off too.


birminghammail--2020-03-19--Coronavirus latest: updates and news from UK and around the globe

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the UK could `` turn the tide '' of the coronavirus outbreak in the next 12 week if people take the precautionary steps the Government has outlined .
During his latest London news conference the PM said UK experts expect to start trials for the first vaccine within a month .
He also said the first British patient had been put in a randomised trial for a treatment for coronavirus .
Here are the key questions from the UK and further afield Are there going to be lockdowns to halt the spread ?
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` ridiculous '' rumours of tanks heading to London .
Downing Street said there was `` zero prospect '' of a ban on travelling in and out of the capital .
Irish Health Minister Simon Harris also said he hoped he would never be required to use emergency lockdown powers .
The Queen has left Buckingham Palace for her home in Windsor as part of a social distancing move .
Do young people really have nothing to worry about ?
England 's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty has warned the young not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointing to cases globally of youngsters ending up in intensive care .
It is all over in China ?
Not by a long way .
No new cases of transmission between people in the country have been reported for the first time since the virus emerged there .
But experts are warning that the virus has not gone away in China and new cases have been reported from travellers returning home to the country .
Italy has become the country with the most coronavirus-related deaths , surpassing China .
The death toll in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak has pivoted towards Europe and the United States .
Italy , with a population of 60 million , has recorded at least 3,405 deaths , or roughly 150 more than in China — a country with a population that is over 20 times larger .
Italy reached the bleak milestone the same day that Wuhan , the Chinese city where the coronavirus first emerged three months ago , recorded no new infections , a sign that the communist country ’ s draconian lockdowns were a powerful method to stop the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doom and gloom on the jobs front ?
Not entirely .
The Co-op is creating 5,000 store-based posts to provide temporary employment for hospitality workers who have lost their jobs because of the coronavirus crisis .
Is there any reason for panic buyers to continue their `` selfish '' behaviour ?
No , but there never was .
Environment Secretary George Eustice told MPs on Thursday that any shortages were temporary and were in fact being caused by the panic buyers .
He said `` the challenge that we 've had is getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been purchasing more '' .
When will restrictions end in the UK ?
Chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty warned there will be a `` lag '' before the public 's efforts to stem the spread of Covid-19 will result in a slowing of case numbers .
`` At the moment London from the coronavirus is under pressure but indirectly , but that 's going to go up , '' he said .
`` The first thing that will get under the greatest pressure will be intensive care and respiratory care system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real pressure on the NHS that 's going to be happen .
`` And to be clear : even if everybody does all the things we hope and really , really would ask that they will do , the numbers will continue to go up over the next two weeks because there 's a lag until things start to improve . ''

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the UK could "turn the tide" of the coronavirus outbreak in the next 12 week if people take the precautionary steps the Government has outlined.
During his latest London news conference the PM said UK experts expect to start trials for the first vaccine within a month. He also said the first British patient had been put in a randomised trial for a treatment for coronavirus.
Here are the key questions from the UK and further afield
Are there going to be lockdowns to halt the spread?
No plans at this stage, despite the "ridiculous" rumours of tanks heading to London. Downing Street said there was "zero prospect" of a ban on travelling in and out of the capital.
Irish Health Minister Simon Harris also said he hoped he would never be required to use emergency lockdown powers.
The Queen has left Buckingham Palace for her home in Windsor as part of a social distancing move.
Do young people really have nothing to worry about?
England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty has warned the young not to be complacent about social distancing, pointing to cases globally of youngsters ending up in intensive care.
It is all over in China?
Not by a long way. No new cases of transmission between people in the country have been reported for the first time since the virus emerged there. But experts are warning that the virus has not gone away in China and new cases have been reported from travellers returning home to the country.
Italy has become the country with the most coronavirus-related deaths, surpassing China.
The death toll in Italy was a stark illustration of how the outbreak has pivoted towards Europe and the United States.
(Image: Getty Images)
Italy, with a population of 60 million, has recorded at least 3,405 deaths, or roughly 150 more than in China — a country with a population that is over 20 times larger.
Italy reached the bleak milestone the same day that Wuhan, the Chinese city where the coronavirus first emerged three months ago, recorded no new infections, a sign that the communist country’s draconian lockdowns were a powerful method to stop the spread of the virus.
Is it all doom and gloom on the jobs front?
Not entirely. The Co-op is creating 5,000 store-based posts to provide temporary employment for hospitality workers who have lost their jobs because of the coronavirus crisis.
(Image: Getty Images)
Is there any reason for panic buyers to continue their "selfish" behaviour?
No, but there never was. Environment Secretary George Eustice told MPs on Thursday that any shortages were temporary and were in fact being caused by the panic buyers. He said "the challenge that we've had is getting food to shelves in time when people have been purchasing more".
When will restrictions end in the UK?
Chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty warned there will be a "lag" before the public's efforts to stem the spread of Covid-19 will result in a slowing of case numbers.
"At the moment London from the coronavirus is under pressure but indirectly, but that's going to go up," he said.
"The first thing that will get under the greatest pressure will be intensive care and respiratory care system, that's the first point of real pressure on the NHS that's going to be happen.
"And to be clear: even if everybody does all the things we hope and really, really would ask that they will do, the numbers will continue to go up over the next two weeks because there's a lag until things start to improve."


birminghammail--2020-03-19--Boris Johnson calls for 'collective, resolute action'

The Prime Minster has called for 'collective , resolute action ' on tackling coronavirus and asked for businesses to support their staff as much as they possibly could .
In his daily news conference at 5pm on March 19 , he said there was great scientific progress being made which he hoped would make a 'huge difference to how we are able to manage the disease going forward . '
He added : `` I 'm very confident we 'll get this thing done and beat coronavirus but it depends on collective , resolute action . ''
Follow our live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He added : `` The more disciplined we are being in that , the greater the chances there are that the scientific community will be able to come up with results .
`` Testing is crucial to success in beating this coronavirus and we are making fantastic progress with people making much faster and more efficient tests .
The potential of this in helping us is enormous . ''
The PM asked for businesses to `` stand by employees , stand by workers , as we will stand by you '' .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see people following advice given , it 's vital they follow this and there 's huge evidence they are but some evidence suggests it 's patchy where people are n't quite following it in way they need to do . ''
Mr Johnson said due to this , there may be a 'need to go further . '
He also added that UK scientists were `` rapidly becoming so much better at understanding '' the disease and how to tackle it and revealed that today , the first coronavirus patient has been put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treat the disease .
`` The enemy is invisible and the answer is to remove the cloak of invisibility to know which of us is carrying it , '' he said , adding that we could 'turn the tide ' on the coronavirus pandemic within the UK within 12 weeks .
His message comes as a total of 137 coronavirus deaths have been recorded in the UK , including eight deaths in the West Midlands overnight .

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The Prime Minster has called for 'collective, resolute action' on tackling coronavirus and asked for businesses to support their staff as much as they possibly could.
In his daily news conference at 5pm on March 19, he said there was great scientific progress being made which he hoped would make a 'huge difference to how we are able to manage the disease going forward.'
He added: "I'm very confident we'll get this thing done and beat coronavirus but it depends on collective, resolute action."
Follow our live updates on coronavirus in the Midlands here
He added: "The more disciplined we are being in that, the greater the chances there are that the scientific community will be able to come up with results.
"Testing is crucial to success in beating this coronavirus and we are making fantastic progress with people making much faster and more efficient tests. The potential of this in helping us is enormous."
The PM asked for businesses to "stand by employees, stand by workers, as we will stand by you".
He said: "We do want to see people following advice given, it's vital they follow this and there's huge evidence they are but some evidence suggests it's patchy where people aren't quite following it in way they need to do."
Mr Johnson said due to this, there may be a 'need to go further.'
He also added that UK scientists were "rapidly becoming so much better at understanding" the disease and how to tackle it and revealed that today, the first coronavirus patient has been put into randomised trial on drugs that may treat the disease.
"The enemy is invisible and the answer is to remove the cloak of invisibility to know which of us is carrying it," he said, adding that we could 'turn the tide' on the coronavirus pandemic within the UK within 12 weeks.
His message comes as a total of 137 coronavirus deaths have been recorded in the UK, including eight deaths in the West Midlands overnight.


birminghammail--2020-03-19--West Midland Safari Park closes amid coronavirus fears

The hugely popular West Midland Safari Park is to close its doors to the public amid growing coronavirus fears .
A spokesman for the well-known attraction said that the decision to temporarily close 'had not been easy ' but was a 'necessary ' step in the battle with Covid-19 .
The U-turn comes just days after the Spring Road-based park announced it would remain open on Tuesday , March 17 .
The spokesman said : `` Due to the fast-developing Coronavirus situation across the UK , West Midland Safari Park will temporarily close from today until further notice .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but we feel it is both necessary and sensible for the safety and wellbeing of our guests , employees and animals .
`` We ’ d like to thank our guests for their support in what is a challenging time and we look forward to welcoming everyone back soon .
`` We would ask that people continue to check our website and social media channels for updates .
To help further , we also have a variety of frequently asked questions which can be found here - wmsp.co.uk/coronavirus `` They added : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have pre-booked tickets - starting with those that have bookings during the rest of March .
`` Due to the high call volumes expected , the Park will not be accepting incoming telephone calls at the present time .
`` Guests who have further questions can contact our Guest Relations Team at : support @ wmspsupport.zendesk.com ''

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The hugely popular West Midland Safari Park is to close its doors to the public amid growing coronavirus fears.
A spokesman for the well-known attraction said that the decision to temporarily close 'had not been easy' but was a 'necessary' step in the battle with Covid-19.
The U-turn comes just days after the Spring Road-based park announced it would remain open on Tuesday, March 17.
The spokesman said: "Due to the fast-developing Coronavirus situation across the UK, West Midland Safari Park will temporarily close from today until further notice.
"This decision has not been easy, but we feel it is both necessary and sensible for the safety and wellbeing of our guests, employees and animals.
"We’d like to thank our guests for their support in what is a challenging time and we look forward to welcoming everyone back soon.
"We would ask that people continue to check our website and social media channels for updates. To help further, we also have a variety of frequently asked questions which can be found here - wmsp.co.uk/coronavirus "
They added: "We have started to contact guests who have pre-booked tickets - starting with those that have bookings during the rest of March.
"Due to the high call volumes expected, the Park will not be accepting incoming telephone calls at the present time.
"Guests who have further questions can contact our Guest Relations Team at: support@wmspsupport.zendesk.com"


birminghammail--2020-03-19--Our loopy Prem plan revealing when Villa could next kick a ball

The Premier League big-wigs have suspended match action indefinitely , with officials set to talk again in six weeks ' time .
The coronavirus pandemic is strangling the nation into submission , with deaths today rising to almost 137 in the UK .
The outbreak means football is on the back-burner for a long old while yet , with clubs lower down the divisions amidst a financial crisis .
Following today 's announcement , it was clear The FA want the current 2019/20 season to reach its 38-game conclusion .
Aston Villa have 10 matches to go , seven of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The game that is going ahead as it stands , although unlikely , is Villa 's trip to Everton on Saturday , May 2 .
The Premier League 's players are currently in lockdown with Bodymoor Heath closed for the remainder of this week and probably next .
As for The FA , they 're hopeful of matches resuming in the summer meaning attending matches in B6 in your T-shirts and shorts remains a possibility , for now .
The Premier League will want it all concluded in June and July , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ escalating virus , that appears way too optimistic .
With schools set to shut by tomorrow , you just ca n't envisage Villa Park filling up for a Premier League match any time soon .
This season will be pushed back as far as possible and that could mean a four-month lay-off , with the season restarting in , say , August .
Villa 's first-team stars of your Jack Grealishs and John McGinns will need a mini pre-season to prepare for what will essentially be a 10-game survival shoot-out to stay in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're probably looking at a more realistic prospect of September , October , November and possibly December to finish all competitions .
There 's no reason not to expect the Premier League to miss the entirety of what would have been the 2020/21 season , instead rolling out a more drawn-out 2021/22 campaign running from January or February right through to the following April , say .
Fixtures ahead of the rescheduled Euros would n't be crammed in then , either , while it 'll give time for newly-set transfer windows to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though , and football how we and Aston Villa know it is not going to be the same for quite a while .
The normality of an August-May season could resume in 2022/23 , such has been the seriousness of health risks linked to coronavirus .
In a nutshell : Aston Villa 's current season starts again in August , with players given June and July as a mini pre-season .
Teams competing in the Premier League , EFL , FA Cup and Champions League have until the end of 2020 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starts again in March , with players having January to rest up , with February and March consisting of the next active transfer window .
This season will run for 12 months before normality resumes again from August 2022 .

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The Premier League big-wigs have suspended match action indefinitely, with officials set to talk again in six weeks' time.
The coronavirus pandemic is strangling the nation into submission, with deaths today rising to almost 137 in the UK.
The outbreak means football is on the back-burner for a long old while yet, with clubs lower down the divisions amidst a financial crisis.
Following today's announcement, it was clear The FA want the current 2019/20 season to reach its 38-game conclusion.
Aston Villa have 10 matches to go, seven of which have no dates due to postponements. The game that is going ahead as it stands, although unlikely, is Villa's trip to Everton on Saturday, May 2.
The Premier League's players are currently in lockdown with Bodymoor Heath closed for the remainder of this week and probably next.
As for The FA, they're hopeful of matches resuming in the summer meaning attending matches in B6 in your T-shirts and shorts remains a possibility, for now. The Premier League will want it all concluded in June and July, however, given the threat of the escalating virus, that appears way too optimistic.
With schools set to shut by tomorrow, you just can't envisage Villa Park filling up for a Premier League match any time soon.
This season will be pushed back as far as possible and that could mean a four-month lay-off, with the season restarting in, say, August.
Villa's first-team stars of your Jack Grealishs and John McGinns will need a mini pre-season to prepare for what will essentially be a 10-game survival shoot-out to stay in the division. That said, you're probably looking at a more realistic prospect of September, October, November and possibly December to finish all competitions.
There's no reason not to expect the Premier League to miss the entirety of what would have been the 2020/21 season, instead rolling out a more drawn-out 2021/22 campaign running from January or February right through to the following April, say.
Fixtures ahead of the rescheduled Euros wouldn't be crammed in then, either, while it'll give time for newly-set transfer windows to be assembled.
One thing is for sure, though, and football how we and Aston Villa know it is not going to be the same for quite a while. The normality of an August-May season could resume in 2022/23, such has been the seriousness of health risks linked to coronavirus.
In a nutshell: Aston Villa's current season starts again in August, with players given June and July as a mini pre-season. Teams competing in the Premier League, EFL, FA Cup and Champions League have until the end of 2020 to finish.
A new, drawn-out season starts again in March, with players having January to rest up, with February and March consisting of the next active transfer window.
This season will run for 12 months before normality resumes again from August 2022.


birminghammail--2020-03-19--Plans to buy thousands of coronavirus tests - Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson plans to buy thousands of coronavirus tests to tell people if they have the disease .
The test , thought to be as 'simple as a pregnancy test ' , could potentially help to save thousands of lives .
During his daily news conference on March 19 , the Prime Minister said : `` It is early days but if it works we will buy hundreds and thousands as soon as practicable . ''
Follow our live updates on coronavirus in the Midlands here He also implored that it was vital for people to follow government advice on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home where possible and avoiding large gatherings .
Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said that the tests would first be available for health care workers then other workers then members of society as a way for them to be confident they could be safe to return to work .
He said that although he had confidence in the tests , he was not yet confident that they were the right ones yet and that they still needed to be tested .
`` It will be a while before we have it ( the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will be more useful the further on in the epidemic we are as it is will help society to normalise little by little .
It will make a very big difference in the long run . ''

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Boris Johnson plans to buy thousands of coronavirus tests to tell people if they have the disease.
The test, thought to be as 'simple as a pregnancy test', could potentially help to save thousands of lives.
During his daily news conference on March 19, the Prime Minister said: "It is early days but if it works we will buy hundreds and thousands as soon as practicable."
Follow our live updates on coronavirus in the Midlands here
He also implored that it was vital for people to follow government advice on social distancing and that meant working from home where possible and avoiding large gatherings.
Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said that the tests would first be available for health care workers then other workers then members of society as a way for them to be confident they could be safe to return to work.
He said that although he had confidence in the tests, he was not yet confident that they were the right ones yet and that they still needed to be tested.
"It will be a while before we have it (the test) in large enough numbers and it will be more useful the further on in the epidemic we are as it is will help society to normalise little by little. It will make a very big difference in the long run."


birminghammail--2020-03-19--First UK patient to trial anti-coronavirus drug

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the first British patient had been put in a randomised trial for a treatment for coronavirus .
He said : `` UK experts , scientists , expect to start trials for the first vaccine within a month .
And above all we 're getting better at testing .
`` To give you an idea of what is coming down the track , we 're in negotiations today to buy a so-called antibody test , as simple as a pregnancy test which can tell whether you have had the disease and it 's early days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim , then we will buy literally hundreds of thousands of these kits as soon as practicable .
`` Because obviously it has the potential to be a total gamechanger . ''
Mr Johnson added : `` By the same token we 're massively increasing the testing to see whether you have it now and ramping up daily testing from 5,000 a day , to 10,000 to 25,000 and then up at 250,000 . ''
He said that the government is also in talks to buy antibody tests , which can see whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buy `` hundreds of thousands '' of the tests , which he calls a `` game changer '' because then people could go back to work if they 've had the bug .
His remarks came soon after US President Donald Trump said trials had indicated a drug called Hydroxychloroquine had been approved by the US Food and Drug administration and would be available for prescription immediately .
Mr Johnson had also said the UK can 'turn the tide ' on the coronavirus pandemic within the UK within 12 weeks .
He also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made on 'where the virus is ' which will make a `` huge difference to how we are able to manage the disease going forward .
`` We can turn the tide in 12 weeks and we can send it packing if the public takes the steps outlined .
`` And that 's vital because that 's how we 're going to reduce the peak .
`` If we do this together we will save many , many thousands of lives . ''

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the first British patient had been put in a randomised trial for a treatment for coronavirus.
He said: "UK experts, scientists, expect to start trials for the first vaccine within a month. And above all we're getting better at testing.
"To give you an idea of what is coming down the track, we're in negotiations today to buy a so-called antibody test, as simple as a pregnancy test which can tell whether you have had the disease and it's early days, but if it works as its proponents claim, then we will buy literally hundreds of thousands of these kits as soon as practicable.
"Because obviously it has the potential to be a total gamechanger."
Mr Johnson added: "By the same token we're massively increasing the testing to see whether you have it now and ramping up daily testing from 5,000 a day, to 10,000 to 25,000 and then up at 250,000."
He said that the government is also in talks to buy antibody tests, which can see whether someone has the virus.
Government would buy "hundreds of thousands" of the tests, which he calls a "game changer" because then people could go back to work if they've had the bug.
His remarks came soon after US President Donald Trump said trials had indicated a drug called Hydroxychloroquine had been approved by the US Food and Drug administration and would be available for prescription immediately.
Mr Johnson had also said the UK can 'turn the tide' on the coronavirus pandemic within the UK within 12 weeks.
He also said there was great scientific progress being made on 'where the virus is' which will make a "huge difference to how we are able to manage the disease going forward.
"We can turn the tide in 12 weeks and we can send it packing if the public takes the steps outlined.
"And that's vital because that's how we're going to reduce the peak.
"If we do this together we will save many, many thousands of lives."


birminghammail--2020-03-19--Boris Johnson says 'we can turn tide' on coronavirus in 12 weeks

Boris Johnson has said we can 'turn the tide ' on the coronavirus pandemic within the UK within 12 weeks .
Addressing the public in his daily news conference at 5pm on March 19 , he commended people 's efforts to follow government advice on social distancing .
He also said there was great scientific progress being made on 'where the virus is ' which will make a 'huge difference to how we are able to manage the disease going forward . '
Follow our live updates on coronavirus in the Midlands here He said : `` We can turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can send it packing if the public takes the steps outlined .
`` And that 's vital because that 's how we 're going to reduce the peak .
`` If we do this together we will save many , many thousands of lives . ''
He added that 'scientific progress has really started to come into play . '
His message comes as a total of 137 coronavirus deaths have been recorded in the UK , including eight deaths in the West Midlands overnight .
The Prime Minister also said the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ randomised trial for a treatment for coronavirus .
He said : `` UK experts , scientists , expect to start trials for the first vaccine within a month .
And above all we 're getting better at testing .
`` To give you an idea of what is coming down the track , we 're in negotiations today to buy a so-called antibody test , as simple as a pregnancy test which can tell whether you have had the disease and it 's early days , but if it works as its proponents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of thousands of these kits as soon as practicable .
`` Because obviously it has the potential to be a total gamechanger . ''
Mr Johnson added : `` By the same token we 're massively increasing the testing to see whether you have it now and ramping up daily testing from 5,000 a day , to 10,000 to 25,000 and then up at 250,000 . ''

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Boris Johnson has said we can 'turn the tide' on the coronavirus pandemic within the UK within 12 weeks.
Addressing the public in his daily news conference at 5pm on March 19, he commended people's efforts to follow government advice on social distancing.
He also said there was great scientific progress being made on 'where the virus is' which will make a 'huge difference to how we are able to manage the disease going forward.'
Follow our live updates on coronavirus in the Midlands here
He said: "We can turn the tide in 12 weeks and we can send it packing if the public takes the steps outlined.
"And that's vital because that's how we're going to reduce the peak.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
"If we do this together we will save many, many thousands of lives."
He added that 'scientific progress has really started to come into play.'
His message comes as a total of 137 coronavirus deaths have been recorded in the UK, including eight deaths in the West Midlands overnight.
The Prime Minister also said the first British patient had been put in a randomised trial for a treatment for coronavirus.
He said: "UK experts, scientists, expect to start trials for the first vaccine within a month. And above all we're getting better at testing.
"To give you an idea of what is coming down the track, we're in negotiations today to buy a so-called antibody test, as simple as a pregnancy test which can tell whether you have had the disease and it's early days, but if it works as its proponents claim, then we will buy literally hundreds of thousands of these kits as soon as practicable.
"Because obviously it has the potential to be a total gamechanger."
Mr Johnson added: "By the same token we're massively increasing the testing to see whether you have it now and ramping up daily testing from 5,000 a day, to 10,000 to 25,000 and then up at 250,000."


birminghammail--2020-03-19--IKEA is closing ALL of its stores due to coronavirus

Ikea has announced it is to close all of its UK and Ireland stores tomorrow as part of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
The chain says that all its home furnishings shops will shut from 6pm tomorrow ( March 20 ) although it has reassured customers they will still be able to order items online .
Peter Jelkeby , country retail manager and chief sustainability Officer , UK and Ireland , said the move was being made to ensure the health and safety of customers and staff .
Follow our live updates on coronavirus in the Midlands here A tweet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extraordinary times and our absolute priority is to ensure the health and safety of our customers and co-workers .
`` As a precautionary measure against the ongoing risk of COVID-19 , we will temporarily close all UK & Ireland stores to customers on 20th March , 6pm . ''
It continued : `` You will continue to be able to browse and purchase our range online or through the app , and have our products delivered directly to you .
You will also be able to request a contact-free delivery if you prefer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our business and we ’ re committed to supporting them in the best possible way during this complex and evolving situation .
We look forward to welcoming you back to our stores soon and thank you for your understanding . ''
Mr Jelkeby added that the company 's decision had been guided by directions from the Government , its global company direction and 'strong set of IKEA principles and values ' .
The company , which has already closed its Birmingham IKEA Collection store in Dale End , ended by warning that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal due to high demand .

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Ikea has announced it is to close all of its UK and Ireland stores tomorrow as part of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The chain says that all its home furnishings shops will shut from 6pm tomorrow (March 20) although it has reassured customers they will still be able to order items online.
Peter Jelkeby, country retail manager and chief sustainability Officer, UK and Ireland, said the move was being made to ensure the health and safety of customers and staff.
Follow our live updates on coronavirus in the Midlands here
A tweet from IKEA read: "These are extraordinary times and our absolute priority is to ensure the health and safety of our customers and co-workers.
"As a precautionary measure against the ongoing risk of COVID-19, we will temporarily close all UK & Ireland stores to customers on 20th March, 6pm."
It continued: "You will continue to be able to browse and purchase our range online or through the app, and have our products delivered directly to you. You will also be able to request a contact-free delivery if you prefer.
"Co-workers are at the heart of our business and we’re committed to supporting them in the best possible way during this complex and evolving situation. We look forward to welcoming you back to our stores soon and thank you for your understanding."
Mr Jelkeby added that the company's decision had been guided by directions from the Government, its global company direction and 'strong set of IKEA principles and values'.
The company, which has already closed its Birmingham IKEA Collection store in Dale End, ended by warning that it was experiencing longer delivery times than normal due to high demand.


birminghammail--2020-03-19--Aston Villa learn key Pepe Reina transfer update - reports

Pepe Reina is set to be welcomed back into the AC Milan fold when his loan spell at Aston Villa comes to an end , according to reports .
The former Liverpool goalkeeper joined Villa on loan in January after number one Tom Heaton was ruled out for the rest of the season with knee ligament damage suffered in the win at Burnley on New Year ’ s Day .
A stop-gap signing for Villa until Heaton is back fit later this year , 37-year-old Reina has played in all six Premier League matches since his arrival , conceding 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regarding his future , or potential lack of it , at Milan as he enters the final year of his contract .
The Serie A club already have three senior goalkeepers at the club , Gianluigi Donnarumma , Antonio Donnarumma and Asmir Begovic , while Reina and Alessandro Plizzari are out on loan .
But Milan News reports that Reina will become part of the squad at his parent club next season to allow Bournemouth loanee Begovic to return to the south coast .
There is also uncertainty over the future of first-choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reportedly ready to leave unless he is given a contract extension amid interest from Juventus .
Reina recently hit out at English football 's response to the coronavirus before Villa 's training was called off earlier this week .
`` The health of all is much more important than any sport , '' he said .
`` The priorities in life must be made clear and this of soccer is just a game and an entertainment for the people .
The health of the people must prevail before any other interest . ''

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Pepe Reina is set to be welcomed back into the AC Milan fold when his loan spell at Aston Villa comes to an end, according to reports.
The former Liverpool goalkeeper joined Villa on loan in January after number one Tom Heaton was ruled out for the rest of the season with knee ligament damage suffered in the win at Burnley on New Year’s Day.
A stop-gap signing for Villa until Heaton is back fit later this year, 37-year-old Reina has played in all six Premier League matches since his arrival, conceding 13 goals.
There have been contrasting reports regarding his future, or potential lack of it, at Milan as he enters the final year of his contract.
The Serie A club already have three senior goalkeepers at the club, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Antonio Donnarumma and Asmir Begovic, while Reina and Alessandro Plizzari are out on loan.
But Milan News reports that Reina will become part of the squad at his parent club next season to allow Bournemouth loanee Begovic to return to the south coast.
There is also uncertainty over the future of first-choice stopper Donnarumma, with the Italy international reportedly ready to leave unless he is given a contract extension amid interest from Juventus.
Reina recently hit out at English football's response to the coronavirus before Villa's training was called off earlier this week.
"The health of all is much more important than any sport," he said. "The priorities in life must be made clear and this of soccer is just a game and an entertainment for the people. The health of the people must prevail before any other interest."


birminghammail--2020-03-19--The huge financial hit caused by Wolves' fixture suspension

Molineux was due to stage its biggest football match in many a year this evening .
Wolverhampton Wanderers versus Olympiakos under the city lights for a place in the Europa League quarter-finals .
It ’ s the stuff of dreams for those who witnessed the club ’ s demise under the Bhatti Brothers , and those who sat through Chorley and Crawley away .
But Wolves ’ biggest European date in decades has been put on ice indefinitely as the country fights the coronavirus pandemic .
Wolves , bankrolled by the might of Chinese conglomerate Fosun , will survive - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local businesses .
Pubs in particular are set to feel the strain after prime minister Boris Johnson advised Brits to avoid them for the foreseeable future .
Another European night would have been a major money-spinner for popular watering holes in and around the city centre , some of whom rely on Wolves to turn a profit .
Up to 1,000 Wolves supporters can cram into the Hogs Head to sink a few before a match at Molineux , but you ’ ll be able to hear a pin drop in there this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar story for other pubs in the locality , including The Leaping Wolf , which is just across the road from Molineux , The Great Western , George Wallis and plenty more .
“ We get to capacity quite often on a match day but then you get a fluctuation of people throughout the day so it ’ s hard to give you an exact figure , ” Martin Mansell , deputy manager at the Hogs Head , tells Birmingham Live .
“ But you ’ re looking at around 1,000 and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s nice .
We ’ ve got a garden and it ’ s absolutely choc-a-bloc .
It ’ s crazy.
” It doesn ’ t take an expert to work out that pubs like the Hogs Head will take a huge financial hit from the cancellation of Wolves fixtures .
“ It ’ s tough to put a figure on , ” adds Martin .
“ You make a little less money from the Thursday games because people are rushing to get out of work .
“ The Sunday one ( against Bournemouth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the course of the week you ’ re looking at missing your forecast by about £15,000.
” In addition to their European night cash boost , local pubs are also counting the cost of losing day-time regulars .
Businesses are asking workers to operate remotely and the government ’ s advice for those over 70 , who are perceived to be most vulnerable to the virus , is to stay at home - and that is exactly what they are doing .
Martin explains : “ We rely on a lot of trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the offices have been closed down so we ’ re not taking the trade from those .
“ Over the last couple of days there ’ s probably been a drop off of around 75 per cent trade-wise .
“ Some of the older guys who are getting on , obviously we ’ re not seeing those at the minute .
It 's a strange time.
” Wolverhampton ’ s mood largely depends on the performance of its football team , which has been faultless for nigh-on three years now .
The suspension @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social release pubs can offer will have a detrimental effect on that .
But this isn ’ t forever .
The one thing we ’ ve all taken for granted will return - we just don ’ t know when .

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Molineux was due to stage its biggest football match in many a year on Thuresday evening.
Wolverhampton Wanderers versus Olympiakos under the city lights for a place in the Europa League quarter-finals.
It’s the stuff of dreams for those who witnessed the club’s demise under the Bhatti Brothers, and those who sat through Chorley and Crawley away.
But Wolves’ biggest European date in decades has been put on ice indefinitely as the country fights the coronavirus pandemic.
Wolves, bankrolled by the might of Chinese conglomerate Fosun, will survive - but the future is less certain for local businesses.
Pubs in particular are set to feel the strain after prime minister Boris Johnson advised Brits to avoid them for the foreseeable future.
Another European night would have been a major money-spinner for popular watering holes in and around the city centre, some of whom rely on Wolves to turn a profit.
Up to 1,000 Wolves supporters can cram into the Hogs Head to sink a few before a match at Molineux, but you’ll be able to hear a pin drop in there this evening.
And it’s a similar story for other pubs in the locality, including The Leaping Wolf, which is just across the road from Molineux, The Great Western, George Wallis and plenty more.
(Image: Birmingham Live)
“We get to capacity quite often on a match day but then you get a fluctuation of people throughout the day so it’s hard to give you an exact figure,” Martin Mansell, deputy manager at the Hogs Head, tells Birmingham Live.
“But you’re looking at around 1,000 and it can be more when the weather’s nice. We’ve got a garden and it’s absolutely choc-a-bloc. It’s crazy.”
It doesn’t take an expert to work out that pubs like the Hogs Head will take a huge financial hit from the cancellation of Wolves fixtures.
“It’s tough to put a figure on,” adds Martin. “You make a little less money from the Thursday games because people are rushing to get out of work.
“The Sunday one (against Bournemouth) would have been bigger but over the course of the week you’re looking at missing your forecast by about £15,000.”
In addition to their European night cash boost, local pubs are also counting the cost of losing day-time regulars.
Businesses are asking workers to operate remotely and the government’s advice for those over 70, who are perceived to be most vulnerable to the virus, is to stay at home - and that is exactly what they are doing.
Martin explains: “We rely on a lot of trade at lunchtime and obviously a lot of the offices have been closed down so we’re not taking the trade from those.
“Over the last couple of days there’s probably been a drop off of around 75 per cent trade-wise.
“Some of the older guys who are getting on, obviously we’re not seeing those at the minute. It's a strange time.”
Wolverhampton’s mood largely depends on the performance of its football team, which has been faultless for nigh-on three years now.
The suspension of matches and pressure to avoid the social release pubs can offer will have a detrimental effect on that.
But this isn’t forever. The one thing we’ve all taken for granted will return - we just don’t know when.


birminghammail--2020-03-20--'Breaking Bad' escort smuggled £1m crystal meth into UK disguised as DOLLS

A woman who helped to smuggle up to £1 million of crystal meth into the UK disguised as dolls and coffee beans has been jailed for six years and four months .
Paola Patricia Morrish , 42 , was arrested after Border Force officers intercepted a package from Mexico containing 432 toy figures `` stuffed '' with crystal meth at Stansted Airport in January 2019 .
It was replaced with a dummy package and delivered to an address in Chippenham , Wiltshire , just over a week later , with Morrish then collecting it and bringing it to her home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and arrested Mrs Morrish at the house , with the former escort claiming she had simply been a `` courier '' and did not know what was inside but believed it to be cocaine .
Swindon Crown Court heard she admitted receiving a total of four such packages , one containing 21 bags of what appeared to be coffee beans but was also crystal meth .
The street value of the dolls and coffee beans , weighing a total of 13.2kg , is estimated to be up to £997,880 , prosecutors said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of a class A drug , contrary to the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 , over a three-month period .
Her husband , David Morrish , 49 , later pleaded guilty to a charge of assisting an offender by disposing of a bag he found at their home .
Judge Jason Taylor told Mrs Morrish : `` You were the glue that bound the countries together .
`` You had contact with several people - in Brazil , Mexico , Columbia as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those contacts whether they had ever thought about 'setting up something serious in Europe ' .
`` I find you were an integral part in this chain of supply .
You aspired and dreamt of 'large scale imports and doing great things ' .
`` If this operation has n't been caught in its infancy , that 's the direction it was headed .
You were a , if not the , major driving force . ''
The judge described Mrs Morrish as `` quick-witted , canny and manipulative '' , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she had expected from her offending .
`` Foolish , naive and hapless criminals can still be highly culpable , '' Judge Taylor added .
Mr Morrish , a self-employed gardener and removal man , was handed a suspended sentence for disposing of a bag he believed could be connected to his wife 's criminal activity .
He received a nine-month sentence , suspended for 18 months , and was ordered to carry out unpaid work .
Prosecuting , Tessa Hingston said the parcel was intercepted at Stansted Airport on January 25 last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the address on it a week later .
Officers from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit ( SW ROCU ) arrested Mrs Morrish at her home .
`` She told officers she had contacts from a time when she worked as an escort and some were involved in the importation of drugs , '' the prosecutor said .
Mrs Morrish 's phone showed contact with `` various people from various different countries '' including Columbia , Brazil , Mexico and in London .
She referred to cocaine as `` cake '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` presents '' and arranged for delivery drivers , as well as people to receive them .
`` Mrs Morrish does not come across as naive or stupid or brain washed - all of these terms being words she used in her interviews , '' Ms Hingston said .
`` She was a woman who showed herself to be an effective and dynamic organiser . ''
Representing Mrs Morrish , Michael Hall said his client had become `` embarked on trying to get into the nefarious world of drug smuggling '' but had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was misguided in the extreme and certainly had illusions of grandeur at the prospect of any success , '' Mr Hall said .
`` She does accept full responsibility for her decisions .
She expresses huge amounts of genuine regret . ''
Peter Binder , representing Mr Morrish , said his client had experienced `` chaos '' at home after his wife became addicted to opiod medication following operations .

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A woman who helped to smuggle up to £1 million of crystal meth into the UK disguised as dolls and coffee beans has been jailed for six years and four months.
Paola Patricia Morrish, 42, was arrested after Border Force officers intercepted a package from Mexico containing 432 toy figures "stuffed" with crystal meth at Stansted Airport in January 2019.
It was replaced with a dummy package and delivered to an address in Chippenham, Wiltshire, just over a week later, with Morrish then collecting it and bringing it to her home in Malmesbury.
Officers followed the package and arrested Mrs Morrish at the house, with the former escort claiming she had simply been a "courier" and did not know what was inside but believed it to be cocaine.
Swindon Crown Court heard she admitted receiving a total of four such packages, one containing 21 bags of what appeared to be coffee beans but was also crystal meth.
The street value of the dolls and coffee beans, weighing a total of 13.2kg, is estimated to be up to £997,880, prosecutors said.
Mrs Morrish admitted being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of a class A drug, contrary to the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, over a three-month period.
Her husband, David Morrish, 49, later pleaded guilty to a charge of assisting an offender by disposing of a bag he found at their home.
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Judge Jason Taylor told Mrs Morrish: "You were the glue that bound the countries together.
"You had contact with several people - in Brazil, Mexico, Columbia as well as others.
"You even asked two of those contacts whether they had ever thought about 'setting up something serious in Europe'.
"I find you were an integral part in this chain of supply. You aspired and dreamt of 'large scale imports and doing great things'.
"If this operation hasn't been caught in its infancy, that's the direction it was headed. You were a, if not the, major driving force."
The judge described Mrs Morrish as "quick-witted, canny and manipulative", but acknowledged she had not made the money she had expected from her offending.
"Foolish, naive and hapless criminals can still be highly culpable," Judge Taylor added.
Mr Morrish, a self-employed gardener and removal man, was handed a suspended sentence for disposing of a bag he believed could be connected to his wife's criminal activity.
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He received a nine-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to carry out unpaid work.
Prosecuting, Tessa Hingston said the parcel was intercepted at Stansted Airport on January 25 last year, with a dummy package delivered to the address on it a week later.
Officers from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SW ROCU) arrested Mrs Morrish at her home.
"She told officers she had contacts from a time when she worked as an escort and some were involved in the importation of drugs," the prosecutor said.
Mrs Morrish's phone showed contact with "various people from various different countries" including Columbia, Brazil, Mexico and in London.
She referred to cocaine as "cake" and packages as "gifts" or "presents" and arranged for delivery drivers, as well as people to receive them.
"Mrs Morrish does not come across as naive or stupid or brain washed - all of these terms being words she used in her interviews," Ms Hingston said.
"She was a woman who showed herself to be an effective and dynamic organiser."
Representing Mrs Morrish, Michael Hall said his client had become "embarked on trying to get into the nefarious world of drug smuggling" but had not been very successful.
"She was misguided in the extreme and certainly had illusions of grandeur at the prospect of any success," Mr Hall said.
"She does accept full responsibility for her decisions. She expresses huge amounts of genuine regret."
Peter Binder, representing Mr Morrish, said his client had experienced "chaos" at home after his wife became addicted to opiod medication following operations.


birminghammail--2020-03-20--Elderly left empty-handed at city store as younger shoppers clear shelves

Elderly shoppers were forced to leave without essentials as shoppers of all ages flooded into an Iceland branch and stripped shelves bare - despite special hours marked out for the vulnerable .
Pat O ’ Reilly felt reassured when the Kingstanding Road branch in Kingstanding announced a designated time slot between 9-11am for pensioners and at-risk groups .
But instead , the 73-year-old claims the shop was packed with ‘ every Tom , Dick and Harry ’ filling their trolleys and emptying shelves when she visited at 9.30am on Wednesday , March 18 .
The grandma-of-six was forced to leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mix of shoppers swiped the essential items in the early session for the elderly .
She claims when she quizzed security and a till worker on the special hours , they remarked that they 'couldn ’ t stop ' other age groups shopping during those times .
A store manager at the Kingstanding Iceland said it was doing its very best in difficult times , without putting its staff members at risk .
Elsewhere , in Harborne , the designated times were respected , allowing pensioners to get what they needed before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't respect - or were n't aware - of the time slot were turned away by staff members at the High Street branch .
Mrs O ’ Reilly said : “ Iceland had put it all on the media that they were going to open for old people , from 9-11 .
So I thought : ‘ That 's good I needed a few bits.
’ “ The place was full , everybody filling their trolleys .
There were no toilet rolls , I wanted cat food there was none .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be for the elderly and she just shrugged .
I asked the security man how come everybody ’ s in here , he said 'we could n't stop them . '
“ Why advertise it so we do n't feel pressured and going into crowds and when they get there it ’ s packed full of every Tom Dick and Harry ?
“ If they had n't let everybody in , there would have been enough for us oldies .
There were a few elderly people upset , saying 'we ’ re not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my husband in a home , I do n't want to catch something .
`` A lot of the shelves were empty , a couple of the freezers were empty .
The elderly did n't get a look in .
There was a few of my age in there , but having to queue in long queues , its putting them at risk , but I thought that was the whole idea to open for us oldies so we were less at risk.
” A spokeswoman for Iceland confirmed that every Wednesday from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoppers and at-risk groups only .
The store manager added : “ We ’ re doing the very best we can in very difficult circumstances .
It ’ s a very , very busy store in Kingstanding and we ’ re doing the best we can , without putting ourselves at risk .
I don ’ t wish to comment further on that .
”

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Elderly shoppers were forced to leave without essentials as shoppers of all ages flooded into an Iceland branch and stripped shelves bare - despite special hours marked out for the vulnerable.
Pat O’Reilly felt reassured when the Kingstanding Road branch in Kingstanding announced a designated time slot between 9-11am for pensioners and at-risk groups.
But instead, the 73-year-old claims the shop was packed with ‘every Tom, Dick and Harry’ filling their trolleys and emptying shelves when she visited at 9.30am on Wednesday, March 18.
The grandma-of-six was forced to leave without toilet roll or cat food as a mix of shoppers swiped the essential items in the early session for the elderly.
She claims when she quizzed security and a till worker on the special hours, they remarked that they 'couldn’t stop' other age groups shopping during those times.
A store manager at the Kingstanding Iceland said it was doing its very best in difficult times, without putting its staff members at risk.
Elsewhere, in Harborne, the designated times were respected, allowing pensioners to get what they needed before the coronavirus chaos ensued. People who didn't respect - or weren't aware - of the time slot were turned away by staff members at the High Street branch.
(Image: Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)
Mrs O’Reilly said: “Iceland had put it all on the media that they were going to open for old people, from 9-11. So I thought: ‘That's good I needed a few bits.’
“The place was full, everybody filling their trolleys. There were no toilet rolls, I wanted cat food there was none. I said: ‘This is supposed to be for the elderly and she just shrugged. I asked the security man how come everybody’s in here, he said 'we couldn't stop them.'
“Why advertise it so we don't feel pressured and going into crowds and when they get there it’s packed full of every Tom Dick and Harry?
“If they hadn't let everybody in, there would have been enough for us oldies. There were a few elderly people upset, saying 'we’re not supposed to be mixing'. With my husband in a home, I don't want to catch something.
"A lot of the shelves were empty, a couple of the freezers were empty. The elderly didn't get a look in. There was a few of my age in there, but having to queue in long queues, its putting them at risk, but I thought that was the whole idea to open for us oldies so we were less at risk.”
A spokeswoman for Iceland confirmed that every Wednesday from 9-11am should be designated for the elderly shoppers and at-risk groups only.
The store manager added: “We’re doing the very best we can in very difficult circumstances. It’s a very, very busy store in Kingstanding and we’re doing the best we can, without putting ourselves at risk. I don’t wish to comment further on that.”


birminghammail--2020-03-20--Coronavirus test kit for NHS staff gives results in just 50 minutes

A portable coronavirus test kit that takes just 50 minutes from sample to result could be available for use on NHS staff within weeks , a scientist has said .
The kit , which works from a throat swab sample , is a molecular test to establish if a person currently has Covid-19 .
It could be used in a hospital anteroom , processing 16 samples at a time and displaying the result on a smartphone .
Dr Justin O'Grady , research group leader at the Quadram Institute in Norwich , said the test kit aims to help self-isolating medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as possible and ensure those at work are not spreading the virus .
`` Most testing , results are taking 24 to 48 hours because they 're tested centrally , '' said Dr O'Grady , who is an associate at the University of East Anglia .
`` It depends on the hospital set-up , it depends how far you have to send the sample , hospitals are doing screening in batches .
`` They 're all ramping up so turnaround times are coming down but they 've all got more samples to test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state the testing time ... but it 'll take at least a day to get results whereas we can get a test result in 50 minutes . ''
Dr O'Grady started developing the kit earlier this month with microbiologist Jonathan Edgeworth at Guy 's and St Thomas 's NHS Foundation Trust in London .
It is hoped that a pilot study will begin to test staff at St Thomas ' Hospital by the middle of next week , Dr O'Grady said , with the hospital then to `` rapidly make a decision whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have to move super quick , so we would hope to be implementing this in some way in hospitals in two weeks or so , '' he said .
`` We have to be careful of health and safety and we have to be sure we have a test that performs to a certain standard but these are extraordinary times so we would try to do that and get that process validated as quickly as we could . ''
He said a semi-skilled healthcare professional would run the tests , and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` You could run it in an anteroom , where blood gases are tested in hospital , where there 's machinery just off the ICU , '' said Dr O'Grady .
`` You can run 16 samples at a time on this little machine and it 's a portable device , it 's inexpensive , you get the readout on a mobile phone . ''
He said it could provide additional capacity for NHS staff testing and could help at pinch points such as emergency rooms .
`` If you want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might have 30 staff on an ICU , '' he said .
`` We could test all those staff in the morning , within two hours , and tell the staff whether they 're well or potentially sick , whether they need to go home , or if staff send in a swab we can tell them whether they can likely come back to work if they 're self-isolating because maybe a child in the family has had a cough or something like that .
`` We 're just trying to keep staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home if they 're a risk to patients .
`` What we 're hoping to do is make sure that nobody who has maybe mild or very mild disease who 's able to transmit the disease is actively treating patients as that is dangerous and can spread the disease within the hospital to vulnerable patients .
`` Then we want to make sure we can get doctors back to work as quickly as we can .
`` And then we also want to make sure that hospitals that are further away from central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rapid screen for staff but potentially even for patients if the test 's performance is good enough for diagnostic purposes . ''
The work is currently being funded by various existing grants within departments , with no official funding at present .

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A portable coronavirus test kit that takes just 50 minutes from sample to result could be available for use on NHS staff within weeks, a scientist has said.
The kit, which works from a throat swab sample, is a molecular test to establish if a person currently has Covid-19.
It could be used in a hospital anteroom, processing 16 samples at a time and displaying the result on a smartphone.
Dr Justin O'Grady, research group leader at the Quadram Institute in Norwich, said the test kit aims to help self-isolating medical staff to return to work as quickly as possible and ensure those at work are not spreading the virus.
"Most testing, results are taking 24 to 48 hours because they're tested centrally," said Dr O'Grady, who is an associate at the University of East Anglia.
"It depends on the hospital set-up, it depends how far you have to send the sample, hospitals are doing screening in batches.
"They're all ramping up so turnaround times are coming down but they've all got more samples to test.
"It's difficult to broadly state the testing time ... but it'll take at least a day to get results whereas we can get a test result in 50 minutes."
Dr O'Grady started developing the kit earlier this month with microbiologist Jonathan Edgeworth at Guy's and St Thomas's NHS Foundation Trust in London.
It is hoped that a pilot study will begin to test staff at St Thomas' Hospital by the middle of next week, Dr O'Grady said, with the hospital then to "rapidly make a decision whether that's working well".
(Image: Getty Images)
"We have to move super quick, so we would hope to be implementing this in some way in hospitals in two weeks or so," he said.
"We have to be careful of health and safety and we have to be sure we have a test that performs to a certain standard but these are extraordinary times so we would try to do that and get that process validated as quickly as we could."
He said a semi-skilled healthcare professional would run the tests, and they could be carried out near to patients.
"You could run it in an anteroom, where blood gases are tested in hospital, where there's machinery just off the ICU," said Dr O'Grady.
"You can run 16 samples at a time on this little machine and it's a portable device, it's inexpensive, you get the readout on a mobile phone."
He said it could provide additional capacity for NHS staff testing and could help at pinch points such as emergency rooms.
"If you want to screen staff, for example, you might have 30 staff on an ICU," he said. "We could test all those staff in the morning, within two hours, and tell the staff whether they're well or potentially sick, whether they need to go home, or if staff send in a swab we can tell them whether they can likely come back to work if they're self-isolating because maybe a child in the family has had a cough or something like that.
"We're just trying to keep staff at work or get them to go home if they're a risk to patients.
"What we're hoping to do is make sure that nobody who has maybe mild or very mild disease who's able to transmit the disease is actively treating patients as that is dangerous and can spread the disease within the hospital to vulnerable patients.
"Then we want to make sure we can get doctors back to work as quickly as we can.
"And then we also want to make sure that hospitals that are further away from central testing are given the opportunity to have a rapid screen for staff but potentially even for patients if the test's performance is good enough for diagnostic purposes."
The work is currently being funded by various existing grants within departments, with no official funding at present.


birminghammail--2020-03-20--Get your newspaper delivered - and save 40%

To help make sure you can continue to stay up-to-date with all your local news during the coronavirus outbreak , we ’ ve got a special offer to help you get your newspaper delivered straight to the door - and save 40 % off the cost .
We ’ ve arranged for all our staff to work from home so that we can continue to keep producing our newspapers - and keeping you informed and entertained - during these unprecedented and challenging times .
And to reward you for your loyalty and provide assistance at a time of great economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special offer in place to reduce the cost of buying our titles , and help you get hold of them more easily .
You can arrange delivery of the Birmingham Mail - and qualify for your discount - by calling 0333 202 8000 , or going to https : //www.newspapersubs.co.uk/BIM You ’ ll then be able to subscribe to your favourite newspaper - and arrange to either have it delivered or pick it up from your local retailer using pre-paid vouchers .
Use the code SPR20 to unlock your 40 % discount .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , enter promotion code SPR20 when prompted .
Phone lines are open Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm .
Standard call charges apply .
Once your direct debit subscription has been set up , you will be sent your individually-dated , pre-paid vouchers within 10 days by post .
Simply hand the relevant voucher to the retailer as full payment for your paper .
This entitles you to 40 % off for the first 13 weeks .
After this minimum term , your subscription will automatically roll forward , with you receiving a 20 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks of vouchers are sent at one time .
Payment will be taken monthly by direct debit .
This offer is only redeemable by direct debit .
Prices include a 40 % discount for the first 13 weeks .
After this period you will be given a 20 % discount unless you decide to cancel .
Offer ends June 27th .
Offer open to new customers only .

To help make sure you can continue to stay up-to-date with all your local news during the coronavirus outbreak, we’ve got a special offer to help you get your newspaper delivered straight to the door - and save 40% off the cost.
We’ve arranged for all our staff to work from home so that we can continue to keep producing our newspapers - and keeping you informed and entertained - during these unprecedented and challenging times.
And to reward you for your loyalty and provide assistance at a time of great economic challenges, we’ve put a special offer in place to reduce the cost of buying our titles, and help you get hold of them more easily.
You can arrange delivery of the Birmingham Mail - and qualify for your discount - by calling 0333 202 8000, or going to https://www.newspapersubs.co.uk/BIM
You’ll then be able to subscribe to your favourite newspaper - and arrange to either have it delivered or pick it up from your local retailer using pre-paid vouchers. Use the code SPR20 to unlock your 40% discount.
Here’s the small print
To get your 40% discount quote, enter promotion code SPR20 when prompted. Phone lines are open Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm. Standard call charges apply.
Once your direct debit subscription has been set up, you will be sent your individually-dated, pre-paid vouchers within 10 days by post. Simply hand the relevant voucher to the retailer as full payment for your paper. This entitles you to 40% off for the first 13 weeks. After this minimum term, your subscription will automatically roll forward, with you receiving a 20% discount thereafter. Please note that 13 weeks of vouchers are sent at one time. Payment will be taken monthly by direct debit.
Terms and conditions:
This offer is only redeemable by direct debit. Prices include a 40% discount for the first 13 weeks. After this period you will be given a 20% discount unless you decide to cancel. Offer ends June 27th. Offer open to new customers only.


birminghammail--2020-03-20--Kylie Jenner's alarming coronavirus warning to every 'millennial'

Kylie Jenner warned her substantial social media following `` millennials are not immune '' to the coronavirus in a fresh call to self-isolate .
The cosmetics entrepreneur , who has 166 million followers on Instagram , has been posting regular updates throughout her nine days in quarantine , urging fans to stay indoors .
Amid concerns younger Americans were ignoring the magnitude of the crisis gripping the country , the US surgeon general appealed for the 22-year-old to continue leveraging her audience to spread methods of combating the Covid-19 outbreak .
Jenner responded by emphasising the danger of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing , '' she said in a video shared on her Instagram Story .
`` I listened to the surgeon general this morning and even though I 've already been doing my daily reminders , he definitely encouraged me to come on here and talk to you guys so you can see me and hear me . ''
Jenner pleaded for her followers to stay indoors , saying , `` practice social distancing , self quarantine . ''
She said many people with coronavirus do not show symptoms and warned of the danger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` If you live with your parents , you do n't want to go home and get your parents sick .
You might have it and not even know and be infecting other people , '' Jenner said .
`` It 's serious , and the only way that we 're going to slow this down is if we do this because there is not a cure right now .
`` Nobody is immune to this .
Millennials are not immune to this .
New evidence actually shows that a large percentage in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Jenner is one of the most followed people on the planet and usually uses her immense influence to promote her cosmetics brand , which according to Forbes magazine made her one of the world 's youngest billionaires .
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic she has issued repeated pleas for people to stay indoors to prevent the virus spreading .
She is not the only celebrity isolating .
Katy Perry , who is expecting her first child with British actor Orlando Bloom , shared a picture from home and said she has lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Josh Gad tweeted a video of himself crying , telling fans it is OK to show emotions during the pandemic .
`` We 're gon na get through it , '' he said .
`` And it 's hard and I 'm emotional because I hate seeing our kids deprived of their normal lifestyles and not being able to understand why all of this is happening so quickly , but I 'm also emotional because of all the incredible things that so many of you out there are doing on a daily basis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a series of emotional pictures and wrote : `` Stages of a quarantine meltdown . ''
However , not all celebrity attempts to lift the collective mood have been well-received .
Israeli actress Gal Gadot shared a star-studded cover of John Lennon 's Imagine but has since been widely mocked , with critics saying the video was `` peak cringe content '' .

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Kylie Jenner warned her substantial social media following "millennials are not immune" to the coronavirus in a fresh call to self-isolate.
The cosmetics entrepreneur, who has 166 million followers on Instagram, has been posting regular updates throughout her nine days in quarantine, urging fans to stay indoors.
Amid concerns younger Americans were ignoring the magnitude of the crisis gripping the country, the US surgeon general appealed for the 22-year-old to continue leveraging her audience to spread methods of combating the Covid-19 outbreak.
Jenner responded by emphasising the danger of the virus.
"The coronavirus is a real thing," she said in a video shared on her Instagram Story.
"I listened to the surgeon general this morning and even though I've already been doing my daily reminders, he definitely encouraged me to come on here and talk to you guys so you can see me and hear me."
Jenner pleaded for her followers to stay indoors, saying, "practice social distancing, self quarantine."
She said many people with coronavirus do not show symptoms and warned of the danger of young people infecting old people.
"If you live with your parents, you don't want to go home and get your parents sick. You might have it and not even know and be infecting other people," Jenner said.
(Image: (Image: Getty Images))
"It's serious, and the only way that we're going to slow this down is if we do this because there is not a cure right now.
"Nobody is immune to this. Millennials are not immune to this. New evidence actually shows that a large percentage in the hospital right now are young adults."
Jenner is one of the most followed people on the planet and usually uses her immense influence to promote her cosmetics brand, which according to Forbes magazine made her one of the world's youngest billionaires.
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic she has issued repeated pleas for people to stay indoors to prevent the virus spreading.
She is not the only celebrity isolating. Katy Perry, who is expecting her first child with British actor Orlando Bloom, shared a picture from home and said she has lost track of the days.
Frozen star Josh Gad tweeted a video of himself crying, telling fans it is OK to show emotions during the pandemic.
"We're gonna get through it," he said. "And it's hard and I'm emotional because I hate seeing our kids deprived of their normal lifestyles and not being able to understand why all of this is happening so quickly, but I'm also emotional because of all the incredible things that so many of you out there are doing on a daily basis."
British singer Sam Smith shared a series of emotional pictures and wrote: "Stages of a quarantine meltdown."
However, not all celebrity attempts to lift the collective mood have been well-received.
Israeli actress Gal Gadot shared a star-studded cover of John Lennon's Imagine but has since been widely mocked, with critics saying the video was "peak cringe content".


birminghammail--2020-03-20--Asda to pay all workers in full if they need to self-isolate

Asda will give full pay to any of its workers if they need to isolate due to coronavirus .
The company has revealed a package of measures it is implementing to help support its staff and other workers whose jobs have been impacted by the crisis .
Chief executive Roger Burnley praised the `` incredible efforts '' of retail and distribution workers and announced they will receive full pay if they need to isolate .
Where workers have been identified as being part of a vulnerable group and need to self-isolate , they will receive full pay for the full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I could not be any more grateful for the efforts each and every one of my colleagues is going to right now to support and serve the people of the UK and the last thing I want any of them worrying about is being paid if they need to self-isolate as a result of coronavirus . ''
Asda said it had also started working with a number of national companies to offer temporary jobs to people , in view of the `` significant demands '' being placed on supermarkets .
The supermarket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invite friends and family whose work has been impacted by coronavirus to get in touch with their local Asda store about job opportunities .
Asda also announced it will be paying its small suppliers immediately to help them keep their business operating and is to provide a rent-free quarter to around 250 small business tenants in its stores who are struggling to operate during these unprecedented times .
Mr Burnley added : `` Never in my 30 years in retail have I ever felt so keenly the role played by supermarkets in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are working to support the nation is incredible and I want to support them and those closest to them who are experiencing the other end of this crisis and need work .
`` Where we can provide opportunities for employment , even short term , to help people through this period , we want to play our part , and where we are able to reduce the strain on our smaller suppliers and tenants , we will do so . ''

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Asda will give full pay to any of its workers if they need to isolate due to coronavirus.
The company has revealed a package of measures it is implementing to help support its staff and other workers whose jobs have been impacted by the crisis.
Chief executive Roger Burnley praised the "incredible efforts" of retail and distribution workers and announced they will receive full pay if they need to isolate.
Where workers have been identified as being part of a vulnerable group and need to self-isolate, they will receive full pay for the full 12 weeks.
Mr Burnley said: "I could not be any more grateful for the efforts each and every one of my colleagues is going to right now to support and serve the people of the UK and the last thing I want any of them worrying about is being paid if they need to self-isolate as a result of coronavirus."
Asda said it had also started working with a number of national companies to offer temporary jobs to people, in view of the "significant demands" being placed on supermarkets.
The supermarket's employees are also being urged to invite friends and family whose work has been impacted by coronavirus to get in touch with their local Asda store about job opportunities.
Asda also announced it will be paying its small suppliers immediately to help them keep their business operating and is to provide a rent-free quarter to around 250 small business tenants in its stores who are struggling to operate during these unprecedented times.
Mr Burnley added: "Never in my 30 years in retail have I ever felt so keenly the role played by supermarkets in our communities.
"The way our colleagues are working to support the nation is incredible and I want to support them and those closest to them who are experiencing the other end of this crisis and need work.
"Where we can provide opportunities for employment, even short term, to help people through this period, we want to play our part, and where we are able to reduce the strain on our smaller suppliers and tenants, we will do so."