news--2020-06-12--Prince Charles and Camilla to meet President Macron in first face-to-face engagement since coronavir

Prince Charles and Camilla to meet President Macron in first face-to-face engagement since coronavirus pandemic

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will carry out the Royal Family 's first face-to-face engagement since the start of the coronavirus pandemic when they meet the president of France next week .
Prince Charles and the duchess will welcome Emmanuel Macron to Clarence House on Thursday , on behalf of the UK government , to celebrate the 80th anniversary of General de Gaulle 's `` Appel '' to the French people .
It will be the first time that any member of the Royal Family has carried out an engagement or audience in person since lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prince Charles and Camilla will formally receive Mr Macron at their home in London , with a Guard of Honour by Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards accompanied by the Band of the Coldstream Guards .
The event will mark 80 years since Charles de Gaulle , as leader of the Free French Forces , called on the French people to resist the German occupation of France during the Second World War .
He made the broadcast from London on 18 June 1940. : : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had fled France the day before and was given permission to record the speech in the UK by Winston Churchill .
It is often seen as the origin of the French resistance to Nazi forces , and one of the most important speeches in French history .
It will be the first engagement in person that Prince Charles and Camilla have carried out since the start of the pandemic .
They have been at Birkhall , their home in Scotland since the lockdown started , carrying out regular video calls and phone calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patronages and releasing video messages of support for community groups and key workers .
The prince caught the virus in mid-March and last week told Sky News that he knows he was `` lucky '' and `` got away with it quite lightly '' , but it has made him even more determined to `` push and shout and prod '' to make sure nature is at the centre of the post-COVID recovery .

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will carry out the Royal Family's first face-to-face engagement since the start of the coronavirus pandemic when they meet the president of France next week.
Prince Charles and the duchess will welcome Emmanuel Macron to Clarence House on Thursday, on behalf of the UK government, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of General de Gaulle's "Appel" to the French people.
It will be the first time that any member of the Royal Family has carried out an engagement or audience in person since lockdown restrictions were introduced because of COVID-19.
Image: Charles and Camilla marked their 15th wedding anniversary during lockdown. Pic: Clarence House.
Prince Charles and Camilla will formally receive Mr Macron at their home in London, with a Guard of Honour by Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards accompanied by the Band of the Coldstream Guards.
The event will mark 80 years since Charles de Gaulle, as leader of the Free French Forces, called on the French people to resist the German occupation of France during the Second World War. He made the broadcast from London on 18 June 1940.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
He had fled France the day before and was given permission to record the speech in the UK by Winston Churchill. It is often seen as the origin of the French resistance to Nazi forces, and one of the most important speeches in French history.
It will be the first engagement in person that Prince Charles and Camilla have carried out since the start of the pandemic.
They have been at Birkhall, their home in Scotland since the lockdown started, carrying out regular video calls and phone calls to keep in touch with their charity patronages and releasing video messages of support for community groups and key workers.
Advertisement
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 22:44 In Full: Prince Charles on life after the pandemic
The prince caught the virus in mid-March and last week told Sky News that he knows he was "lucky" and "got away with it quite lightly", but it has made him even more determined to "push and shout and prod" to make sure nature is at the centre of the post-COVID recovery.


news--2020-03-17--Coronavirus: 'Unprecedented' plans to support businesses and families revealed

Government-backed loans worth £330bn and a three-month mortgage holiday have been announced by the chancellor as part of `` unprecedented '' measures to help businesses and families .
There will also be £20bn of extra spending on grants , and business rates holidays for companies .
Rishi Sunak unveiled the package of support at a Downing Street news conference as he said the UK faced an `` economic emergency '' in the face of the coronavirus pandemic .
`` We have never , in peacetime , faced an economic fight like this one , '' the chancellor added .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I know that people 's anxiety about the disease itself is matched only by their anxiety about their livelihoods . ''
Describing the coronavirus crisis as `` not a time for ideology and orthodoxy '' but `` a time to be bold , a time for courage '' , the chancellor told businesses and households : `` This government will give you all the tools you need to get through this . ''
• A package of £330bn of loan guarantees to businesses , with more to be made available if needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased to £5m , up from £1.2m announced at last week 's budget .
No interest will be due for the first six months • A 12-month business rates holiday for all shops , pubs , theatres , music venues , restaurants and any other hospitality or leisure business • A cash grant of up to £25,000 for those businesses with a rateable value of less than £51,000 • A three-month mortgage holiday for those in difficulty because of coronavirus • Cash grants of £10,000 to 700,000 of the smallest businesses • Local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost of these measures , with at least £3.5bn going to devolved administrations in Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland • A potential support package for airlines and airports in the face of worldwide travel bans : : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker .
The chancellor also reassured businesses that the government 's action in advising people to avoid pubs , clubs , theatres and restaurants was sufficient for them to make insurance claims .
He promised further measures to `` support people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days , vowing to work with trade unions and business groups to `` urgently develop new forms of employment support to help protect people 's jobs and their incomes through this period '' .
Speaking before Mr Sunak , Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his government `` must act like any wartime government and do whatever it takes to support our economy '' .
The UK may have to `` go further and faster in the coming days '' to try and prevent the spread of COVID-19 , he added .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced on Monday , which he described as `` unprecedented since World War Two '' .
Mr Johnson added : `` This enemy can be deadly , but it is also beatable - and we know how to beat it and we know that if as a country we follow the scientific advice that is now being given we know that we will beat it .
`` And however tough the months ahead we have the resolve and the resources to win the fight . ''
Housing , Communities and Local Government Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planning rules to allow all pubs , restaurants and cafes the ability to offer takeaway and delivery services if they wish .
Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell claimed Mr Sunak 's new measures `` still do not go far enough '' .
`` People are being laid off today and losing their incomes , '' he said .
`` We are disappointed that this package does not address their concerns .
`` The further announcements laid out by the chancellor lack the certainty required amidst growing public anxiety , and still do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ renters and those who are losing their jobs , or in fully supporting businesses at the scale necessary .
Small and large business groups welcomed Mr Sunak 's action .
But the Resolution Foundation think tank called for `` much bolder steps to support family incomes '' and said further measures `` can not come quickly enough '' .
Boss of easyJet , Johan Lundgren , said the chancellor 's suggestion of a support package was `` very welcome '' in the face of the `` significant pressure '' airlines are facing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take eight weeks of unpaid leave , also welcomed the action as the aviation sector faces `` the biggest crisis in its history '' .
As of 9am on Tuesday , there were 1,950 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK - up 407 in the past 24 hours and a rise of 26 % .
A further 14 people have died after being diagnosed with coronavirus in England , bringing the UK 's total to 71 .
The government 's chief scientific adviser , Sir Patrick Vallance , said the actual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus was in the `` ballpark '' of around 55,000 .
He told MPs the aim was for fewer than 20,000 people to die from the disease , despite that being a `` horrible '' number of deaths .
There are an estimated 8,000 deaths from seasonal flu each year .
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab earlier advised Britons to avoid all non-essential foreign travel for 30 days as coronavirus continues to spread globally .
The NHS has postponed all non-urgent operations from 15 April at the latest , in a bid to free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the COVID-19 epidemic .
It is also block-buying beds in private hospitals .
Earlier , the prime minister chaired a cabinet meeting to discuss the government 's fightback against coronavirus .
Mr Johnson told his top ministers the UK is `` engaged in a war against the disease which we have to win '' .
The prime minister has established new government structures in the face of the COVID-19 crisis .
Four new committees to be chaired by top cabinet ministers - focusing on health , public sector preparedness , the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now feed into a new daily coronavirus meeting chaired by Mr Johnson .
The prime minister will also continue to chair regular meetings of the government 's emergency COBRA committee to take strategic decisions and review progress , Downing Street said .
• The Chinese city of Wuhan - the original epicentre of the COVID-19 outbreak - has reported just one new case of the virus for the second day in a row , as China reported only 13 new cases on Wednesday • Canada and the US are considering a mutual ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to a Canadian government official • Tunisia has announced a nationwide curfew , with citizens in lockdown from 6pm to 6am • At least 17 elderly people from a Madrid nursing home have died in the last five days , the Spanish city 's regional authorities have said • The youngest UK victim has been named as 45-year-old Craig Ruston , a father-of-two with motor neurone disease ( MND ) • Nevada 's governor has ordered the closure of the casinos in Las Vegas for a month , along with other @ @ @ @ @

Government-backed loans worth £330bn and a three-month mortgage holiday have been announced by the chancellor as part of "unprecedented" measures to help businesses and families.
There will also be £20bn of extra spending on grants, and business rates holidays for companies.
Rishi Sunak unveiled the package of support at a Downing Street news conference as he said the UK faced an "economic emergency" in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:47 Sunak sets out huge economic measures
"We have never, in peacetime, faced an economic fight like this one," the chancellor added.
"I know that people are deeply worried. I know that people's anxiety about the disease itself is matched only by their anxiety about their livelihoods."
Describing the coronavirus crisis as "not a time for ideology and orthodoxy" but "a time to be bold, a time for courage", the chancellor told businesses and households: "This government will give you all the tools you need to get through this."
Mr Sunak announced:
A package of £330bn of loan guarantees to businesses, with more to be made available if needed
Interest-free business interruption loans will be increased to £5m, up from £1.2m announced at last week's budget. No interest will be due for the first six months
A 12-month business rates holiday for all shops, pubs, theatres, music venues, restaurants and any other hospitality or leisure business
A cash grant of up to £25,000 for those businesses with a rateable value of less than £51,000
A three-month mortgage holiday for those in difficulty because of coronavirus
Cash grants of £10,000 to 700,000 of the smallest businesses
Local authorities will be fully compensated for the cost of these measures, with at least £3.5bn going to devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
A potential support package for airlines and airports in the face of worldwide travel bans
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker.
The chancellor also reassured businesses that the government's action in advising people to avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and restaurants was sufficient for them to make insurance claims.
Advertisement
He promised further measures to "support people's financial security" in the coming days, vowing to work with trade unions and business groups to "urgently develop new forms of employment support to help protect people's jobs and their incomes through this period".
Speaking before Mr Sunak, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his government "must act like any wartime government and do whatever it takes to support our economy".
The UK may have to "go further and faster in the coming days" to try and prevent the spread of COVID-19, he added.
This is despite the already stringent measures Mr Johnson announced on Monday, which he described as "unprecedented since World War Two".
Mr Johnson added: "This enemy can be deadly, but it is also beatable - and we know how to beat it and we know that if as a country we follow the scientific advice that is now being given we know that we will beat it.
"And however tough the months ahead we have the resolve and the resources to win the fight."
Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick later announced he was relaxing planning rules to allow all pubs, restaurants and cafes the ability to offer takeaway and delivery services if they wish.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:44 PM: We must stop NHS from getting overwhelmed
Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell claimed Mr Sunak's new measures "still do not go far enough".
"People are being laid off today and losing their incomes," he said. "We are disappointed that this package does not address their concerns.
"The further announcements laid out by the chancellor lack the certainty required amidst growing public anxiety, and still do not go far enough in protecting workers, renters and those who are losing their jobs, or in fully supporting businesses at the scale necessary.
Small and large business groups welcomed Mr Sunak's action. But the Resolution Foundation think tank called for "much bolder steps to support family incomes" and said further measures "cannot come quickly enough".
Boss of easyJet, Johan Lundgren, said the chancellor's suggestion of a support package was "very welcome" in the face of the "significant pressure" airlines are facing.
Virgin Atlantic, which has asked staff to take eight weeks of unpaid leave, also welcomed the action as the aviation sector faces "the biggest crisis in its history".
As of 9am on Tuesday, there were 1,950 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK - up 407 in the past 24 hours and a rise of 26%.
A further 14 people have died after being diagnosed with coronavirus in England, bringing the UK's total to 71.
The government's chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, said the actual number of people in the UK with coronavirus was in the "ballpark" of around 55,000.
He told MPs the aim was for fewer than 20,000 people to die from the disease, despite that being a "horrible" number of deaths.
There are an estimated 8,000 deaths from seasonal flu each year.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:54 FCO advises against global travel for 30 days
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab earlier advised Britons to avoid all non-essential foreign travel for 30 days as coronavirus continues to spread globally.
The NHS has postponed all non-urgent operations from 15 April at the latest, in a bid to free up beds in anticipation of the peak of the COVID-19 epidemic.
It is also block-buying beds in private hospitals.
Earlier, the prime minister chaired a cabinet meeting to discuss the government's fightback against coronavirus.
Mr Johnson told his top ministers the UK is "engaged in a war against the disease which we have to win".
The prime minister has established new government structures in the face of the COVID-19 crisis.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:23 London landmarks deserted amid outbreak
Four new committees to be chaired by top cabinet ministers - focusing on health, public sector preparedness, the economy, and the international response - will now feed into a new daily coronavirus meeting chaired by Mr Johnson.
The prime minister will also continue to chair regular meetings of the government's emergency COBRA committee to take strategic decisions and review progress, Downing Street said.
In other developments:


news--2020-03-17--Coronavirus: Google website delayed after Donald Trump claim prompts panic

Google has confirmed that a website it was due to launch to inform people about the coronavirus outbreak will be delayed until later this week , following the disappointing launch of another site by one of its subsidiaries .
The delay follows the US president 's claims that 1,700 of the company 's engineers were working to stymie the spread of COVID-19 , which has infected more than 4,600 people in the US .
Donald Trump himself tested negative for the coronavirus after coming into contact with an infected Brazilian official .
His announcement regarding Google 's engineering efforts was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life sciences subsidiary Verily , the Washington Post reported , leading to an embarrassing website launch which Google has now seemingly distanced itself from .
The president 's comments in a press conference , seemingly referencing Verily 's tool to help people locate coronavirus testing facilities , did not mention that their tool was nowhere near close to launching and that its scope was much smaller than the national coverage he suggested .
When a pilot version of the Verily site was launched following the press conference , it only contained the locations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Francisco .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker But even for those sites it had issues - it told people with symptoms of COVID-19 that they were ineligible for screening .
It also required those taking part to sign in to their Google accounts and authorise the company to use their data , despite Verily 's promises not to link their data with their Google account .
And then , within hours of launching , the website said it had reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appointments for testing .
This underscored `` how tech companies have been forced to improvise to stay in Trump 's good graces '' , according to The Washington Post .
And the confusion prompted by the president 's statement was added to when Google confirmed the launch of its own website , apparently distinct from Verily 's , had been delayed until later this week .
The company 's chief executive Sundar Pichai said it was working with the US government to develop `` a website dedicated to COVID-19 education , prevention , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pichai 's statement followed the president claiming that `` the head of Google '' had called him to apologise for the delays .
A spokeswoman for Verily told The Washington Post that the company 's work `` goes beyond establishing a screening and risk assessment tool '' adding that `` three sample collection sites '' had been opened in the Bay Area too .
Eventually this information would be available nationwide , she claimed , although did not offer a timeline .
Americans have now been told to avoid gatherings of 10 or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are now just 15 days to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Mr Trump also said that that young people needed to play their part as they could end up spreading the virus unknowingly .
Other measures include asking people to stop eating in bars and restaurants - and for parents to teach children at home rather than send them to school .

Google has confirmed that a website it was due to launch to inform people about the coronavirus outbreak will be delayed until later this week, following the disappointing launch of another site by one of its subsidiaries.
The delay follows the US president's claims that 1,700 of the company's engineers were working to stymie the spread of COVID-19, which has infected more than 4,600 people in the US.
Donald Trump himself tested negative for the coronavirus after coming into contact with an infected Brazilian official.
His announcement regarding Google's engineering efforts was a shock to executives at Alphabet's life sciences subsidiary Verily, the Washington Post reported, leading to an embarrassing website launch which Google has now seemingly distanced itself from.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:33 Trump urges public not to 'buy so much'
The president's comments in a press conference, seemingly referencing Verily's tool to help people locate coronavirus testing facilities, did not mention that their tool was nowhere near close to launching and that its scope was much smaller than the national coverage he suggested.
When a pilot version of the Verily site was launched following the press conference, it only contained the locations of testing facilities in two counties near San Francisco.
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
But even for those sites it had issues - it told people with symptoms of COVID-19 that they were ineligible for screening.
It also required those taking part to sign in to their Google accounts and authorise the company to use their data, despite Verily's promises not to link their data with their Google account.
Advertisement
And then, within hours of launching, the website said it had reached capacity and could not schedule any more appointments for testing.
This underscored "how tech companies have been forced to improvise to stay in Trump's good graces", according to The Washington Post.
And the confusion prompted by the president's statement was added to when Google confirmed the launch of its own website, apparently distinct from Verily's, had been delayed until later this week.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:57 Coronavirus: What you need to know
The company's chief executive Sundar Pichai said it was working with the US government to develop "a website dedicated to COVID-19 education, prevention, and local resources nationwide".
Mr Pichai's statement followed the president claiming that "the head of Google" had called him to apologise for the delays.
Image: Drive-thru sample collecting clinics have opened in the Bay Area
A spokeswoman for Verily told The Washington Post that the company's work "goes beyond establishing a screening and risk assessment tool" adding that "three sample collection sites" had been opened in the Bay Area too.
Eventually this information would be available nationwide, she claimed, although did not offer a timeline.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:02 How best to work from home
Americans have now been told to avoid gatherings of 10 or more people, as the president warned there are now just 15 days to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Mr Trump also said that that young people needed to play their part as they could end up spreading the virus unknowingly.
Other measures include asking people to stop eating in bars and restaurants - and for parents to teach children at home rather than send them to school.


news--2020-03-17--Coronavirus: Big Brother housemates in Germany to be told about virus live on air

A group of reality TV show contestants will finally be told about the coronavirus later in a special edition of the programme .
Most of the housemates on Germany 's edition of Big Brother have been cut off from the outside world since 6 February , when news of the outbreak was emerging from Wuhan in China .
Four further contestants were introduced to the house near Cologne a month later on 6 March , three days before Germany 's first death from the virus .
They were told not to reveal the news to those already there , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start .
Initially , broadcaster Sat .
1 said it was not planning to tell them , but , following uproar on social media , it has announced they will be told in a special live episode on Tuesday evening .
The 14 men and women will be given the chance to ask questions about what 's happening in the country , as well as receive video messages from their relatives .
The situation carries echoes of the US Big Brother show in 2001 , when producers interrupted to tell the final three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the fact that one housemate had a relative missing in the aftermath of the attacks .
The German housemates are already split up into two residences .
One is a lavish modernist `` glasshouse '' , where contestants are enjoying a hot tub and luxury food ; the other , the `` blockhouse '' , offers only the bare necessities .
Other Big Brother shows where contestants are in the dark about the spread of coronavirus are also taking place in Canada and Brazil .
The Canadian housemates were filmed discussing why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reaction when the second contestant was evicted on Saturday .
When the first member left , just five days in , the crowd was audible from within the house .

A group of reality TV show contestants will finally be told about the coronavirus later in a special edition of the programme.
Most of the housemates on Germany's edition of Big Brother have been cut off from the outside world since 6 February, when news of the outbreak was emerging from Wuhan in China.
Four further contestants were introduced to the house near Cologne a month later on 6 March, three days before Germany's first death from the virus.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:13 What is herd immunity?
They were told not to reveal the news to those already there, a normal instruction for those joining after the start.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:09 'This is serious. Think about social distancing'
Initially, broadcaster Sat. 1 said it was not planning to tell them, but, following uproar on social media, it has announced they will be told in a special live episode on Tuesday evening.
The 14 men and women will be given the chance to ask questions about what's happening in the country, as well as receive video messages from their relatives.
The situation carries echoes of the US Big Brother show in 2001, when producers interrupted to tell the final three contestants about 9/11, a move prompted by the fact that one housemate had a relative missing in the aftermath of the attacks.
The German housemates are already split up into two residences.
One is a lavish modernist "glasshouse", where contestants are enjoying a hot tub and luxury food; the other, the "blockhouse", offers only the bare necessities.
Advertisement
Other Big Brother shows where contestants are in the dark about the spread of coronavirus are also taking place in Canada and Brazil.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:56 'It's your worst nightmare'
The Canadian housemates were filmed discussing why they couldn't hear the audience's reaction when the second contestant was evicted on Saturday.
When the first member left, just five days in, the crowd was audible from within the house.


news--2020-03-17--Coronavirus: This week's Brexit talks cancelled - but no extension to deadline for trade deal

This week 's Brexit negotiations have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic , although there will be no delay to the end of year deadline for the UK and EU to agree a trade deal .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson 's Europe adviser , David Frost , and the EU 's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier had been due to hold talks on Wednesday .
A face-to-face meeting had already been ruled out due to the spread of COVID-19 , and now the UK government has said the two sides `` will not formally be covening '' .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the negotiations and will consider alternative means of resuming negotiations , such as video conferencing , a spokesperson added .
The UK is currently in the Brexit transition period , where it maintains the status quo of EU membership despite having formally left the bloc on 31 January this year .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker .
That period ends on 31 December and , despite the disruption caused by coronavirus , the UK government again ruled out any extension @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than nine months for both sides to agree a future trade relationship , with just one round of talks completed so far .
The UK still expects to share a draft free trade agreement , among other draft legal texts , `` in the near future '' as planned , the spokesperson said .
They added : `` In light of the latest guidance on coronavirus , we will not formally be convening negotiating work strands tomorrow in the way we did in the previous round .
`` Both sides remain fully committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regular contact with the European Commission to consider alternative ways to continue discussions , including looking at the possibility of video conferencing or conference calls , and exploring flexibility in the structure for the coming weeks .
`` The transition period ends on 31 December 2020 .
This is enshrined in UK law . ''
Following the first round of negotiations at the beginning of this month , both the UK and EU admitted there were `` significant '' and `` very , very difficult '' differences between them .

This week's Brexit negotiations have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, although there will be no delay to the end of year deadline for the UK and EU to agree a trade deal.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Europe adviser, David Frost, and the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier had been due to hold talks on Wednesday.
A face-to-face meeting had already been ruled out due to the spread of COVID-19, and now the UK government has said the two sides "will not formally be covening".
The two sides "remain fully committed" to the negotiations and will consider alternative means of resuming negotiations, such as video conferencing, a spokesperson added.
The UK is currently in the Brexit transition period, where it maintains the status quo of EU membership despite having formally left the bloc on 31 January this year.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker.
That period ends on 31 December and, despite the disruption caused by coronavirus, the UK government again ruled out any extension.
It means there are little more than nine months for both sides to agree a future trade relationship, with just one round of talks completed so far.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:23 London landmarks deserted amid outbreak
The UK still expects to share a draft free trade agreement, among other draft legal texts, "in the near future" as planned, the spokesperson said.
Advertisement
They added: "In light of the latest guidance on coronavirus, we will not formally be convening negotiating work strands tomorrow in the way we did in the previous round.
"Both sides remain fully committed to the negotiations and we remain in regular contact with the European Commission to consider alternative ways to continue discussions, including looking at the possibility of video conferencing or conference calls, and exploring flexibility in the structure for the coming weeks.
"The transition period ends on 31 December 2020. This is enshrined in UK law."
Following the first round of negotiations at the beginning of this month, both the UK and EU admitted there were "significant" and "very, very difficult" differences between them.


news--2020-03-17--Coronavirus: Government should move to wartime levels of spending, says Office for Budget Responsibi

Coronavirus: Government should move to wartime levels of spending, says Office for Budget Responsibility

The government should move onto a wartime footing which may involve it spending double what it spent during the financial crisis in an effort to fight the COVID-19 economic slump , the head of the Office for Budget Responsibility has warned .
Britain should treat the response to the coronavirus as a `` wartime situation '' with all the fiscal implications associated , Robert Chote said .
Testifying to the Treasury Select Committee , he said : `` It is no abdication of budget responsibility to be spending what you need to spend to deal with this .
In some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We ran during the Second World War a budget deficit in excess of 20 % of GDP five years in a row . ''
A budget deficit of 27 % of gross domestic product - the peak of UK borrowing during the war - would be equivalent to more than half a trillion pounds of borrowing , £595bn .
It would be more than double the 10 % of GDP the deficit peaked at when the government was bailing out the banks during the crisis .
The comments came as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of measures to support the economy in the coming months .
Economists believe the £12bn package in last week 's budget was much too small to counteract what looks increasingly like a deep recession - deeper , perhaps , than during the financial crisis .
Mr Chote said that £12bn should be considered a `` downpayment '' towards the eventual sums necessary to stimulate the economy .
His OBR colleague Sir Charles Bean said that the government should act as an `` insurer of last resort '' for the economy as a whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of God '' .
Talking about pubs , restaurants and other employers facing the loss of trade without insurance support for it , he said : `` We seem to forget insurers have limited pockets .
We are talking about such a deep and widespread problem here all you are doing is passing the problem onto an insurer .
`` This to me is exactly the case where the state should be stepping in .
The question of how you do that is much harder .
`` You need the state to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against what is effectively an act of God .
The state surely has to have a role . ''
It came as the Financial Conduct Authority softened the rules on credit card debt to try to protect those facing big bills from their card companies .
The FCA said : `` In the current climate , we want firms to show greater flexibility to customers in persistent credit card debt .
`` Under our rules , firms are required to take a series of escalating steps to help customers who are making low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After 36 months of someone being in persistent debt the provider must offer options to help repay the debt more quickly .
If customers do not respond within a period set by the firm the card must be suspended .
`` Given the challenges facing many customers at present we think they should be given more time , until 1 October 2020 , to respond to firms ' communications .
`` This means that firms would not be obliged by our rules to suspend the cards of non-responders before then .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received communications from their provider and those that are yet to receive them . ''
The chancellor is expected to unveil further measures this evening .

The government should move onto a wartime footing which may involve it spending double what it spent during the financial crisis in an effort to fight the COVID-19 economic slump, the head of the Office for Budget Responsibility has warned.
Britain should treat the response to the coronavirus as a "wartime situation" with all the fiscal implications associated, Robert Chote said.
Testifying to the Treasury Select Committee, he said: "It is no abdication of budget responsibility to be spending what you need to spend to deal with this. In some ways it's like a wartime situation.
"We ran during the Second World War a budget deficit in excess of 20% of GDP five years in a row."
A budget deficit of 27% of gross domestic product - the peak of UK borrowing during the war - would be equivalent to more than half a trillion pounds of borrowing, £595bn. It would be more than double the 10% of GDP the deficit peaked at when the government was bailing out the banks during the crisis.
The comments came as the chancellor prepared to unveil a new package of measures to support the economy in the coming months. Economists believe the £12bn package in last week's budget was much too small to counteract what looks increasingly like a deep recession - deeper, perhaps, than during the financial crisis.
Mr Chote said that £12bn should be considered a "downpayment" towards the eventual sums necessary to stimulate the economy. His OBR colleague Sir Charles Bean said that the government should act as an "insurer of last resort" for the economy as a whole, since coronavirus is an "act of God".
Talking about pubs, restaurants and other employers facing the loss of trade without insurance support for it, he said: "We seem to forget insurers have limited pockets. We are talking about such a deep and widespread problem here all you are doing is passing the problem onto an insurer.
"This to me is exactly the case where the state should be stepping in. The question of how you do that is much harder.
Advertisement
"You need the state to be there as the insurer of last resort against what is effectively an act of God. The state surely has to have a role."
It came as the Financial Conduct Authority softened the rules on credit card debt to try to protect those facing big bills from their card companies. The FCA said: "In the current climate, we want firms to show greater flexibility to customers in persistent credit card debt.
"Under our rules, firms are required to take a series of escalating steps to help customers who are making low repayments over a long period.
"After 36 months of someone being in persistent debt the provider must offer options to help repay the debt more quickly. If customers do not respond within a period set by the firm the card must be suspended.
"Given the challenges facing many customers at present we think they should be given more time, until 1 October 2020, to respond to firms' communications.
Image: More than 1,500 people in the UK have caught COVID-19. File pic
"This means that firms would not be obliged by our rules to suspend the cards of non-responders before then.
"This applies both to those who have already received communications from their provider and those that are yet to receive them."
The chancellor is expected to unveil further measures this evening.


news--2020-02-21--Coronavirus quarantine sparks China download boom in games and apps

China 's coronavirus outbreak has fuelled record downloads of apps and games by millions of quarantined households , fresh data reveals .
Figures released by the analytics platform App Annie showed there had been more than 222 million downloads in China from Apple 's online store in the week beginning 2 February .
Amid the spiralling crisis , average weekly downloads of apps in the first two weeks of February leapt by 40 % compared to the average for the whole of 2019 , according to the data provided to the Financial Times .
App Annie told the paper : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the weeks following the lunar new year holidays as millions of workers and students ( used ) mobile apps to ... resume daily activities remotely . ''
With schools closed in many Chinese cities in a bid to curb the infection , downloads of education apps in February soared to twice the average rate for all of 2019 .
The spike in downloads has bolstered the shares of games and apps manufacturers .
Shawn Yang , managing director at the investment bank Blue Lotus Capital Advisors , told the Financial Times : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ epidemic could grow so fast , and that created an opportunity for these gaming companies . ''
However , many other other businesses face a financial hit from the epidemic .
The outbreak threatens to cost airlines nearly $ 29bn ( £22.5bn ) this year due to a slump in world travel .
The International Air Transport Association predicted that demand will fall by 4.7 % - the first drop since the financial crisis more than a decade ago .
The forecast comes after two major airline groups , Qantas and Air France-KLM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant financial hit as a result of the epidemic .
There have been a total of 76,243 suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 , the acute respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus , according to the Johns Hopkins University which is mapping the outbreak .
The centre has so far recorded 2,247 deaths from the illness , with the vast majority of them in mainland China .
Travel restrictions inside China and fear of the illness have devastated demand for domestic flights in the fast-growing China market .
Many countries are warning against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from China , especially from the Wuhan area - the epicentre of the outbreak .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker International airlines including British Airways , Germany 's Lufthansa and the three largest US airlines have suspended flights to China , in some cases until late April or May .
People around the world are also voluntarily scaled back travel , while some governments and health experts are encouraging people to stay at home not only in China but also South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IATA director general said Alexandre de Juniac said : `` These are challenging times for the global air transport industry .
Stopping the spread of the virus is the top priority .
`` This will be a very tough year for airlines . ''
Meanwhile , car sales in China plummeted by 92 % in the first 16 days of February , according to China Passenger Car Association ( CPCA ) .

China's coronavirus outbreak has fuelled record downloads of apps and games by millions of quarantined households, fresh data reveals.
Figures released by the analytics platform App Annie showed there had been more than 222 million downloads in China from Apple's online store in the week beginning 2 February.
Amid the spiralling crisis, average weekly downloads of apps in the first two weeks of February leapt by 40% compared to the average for the whole of 2019, according to the data provided to the Financial Times.
Image: With schools closed in China, there has been a spike in downloads of education apps
App Annie told the paper: "Downloads continued to grow well into the weeks following the lunar new year holidays as millions of workers and students (used) mobile apps to... resume daily activities remotely."
With schools closed in many Chinese cities in a bid to curb the infection, downloads of education apps in February soared to twice the average rate for all of 2019.
The spike in downloads has bolstered the shares of games and apps manufacturers.
Shawn Yang, managing director at the investment bank Blue Lotus Capital Advisors, told the Financial Times: "No one expected that this kind of epidemic could grow so fast , and that created an opportunity for these gaming companies."
However, many other other businesses face a financial hit from the epidemic.
The outbreak threatens to cost airlines nearly $29bn (£22.5bn) this year due to a slump in world travel.
Advertisement
The International Air Transport Association predicted that demand will fall by 4.7% - the first drop since the financial crisis more than a decade ago.
The forecast comes after two major airline groups, Qantas and Air France-KLM, said they expected to take a significant financial hit as a result of the epidemic.
There have been a total of 76,243 suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19, the acute respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus, according to the Johns Hopkins University which is mapping the outbreak.
The centre has so far recorded 2,247 deaths from the illness, with the vast majority of them in mainland China.
Travel restrictions inside China and fear of the illness have devastated demand for domestic flights in the fast-growing China market.
Many countries are warning against travel to China, or barring travellers from China, especially from the Wuhan area - the epicentre of the outbreak.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
International airlines including British Airways, Germany's Lufthansa and the three largest US airlines have suspended flights to China, in some cases until late April or May.
People around the world are also voluntarily scaled back travel, while some governments and health experts are encouraging people to stay at home not only in China but also South Korea and Japan to avoid infection.
IATA director general said Alexandre de Juniac said: "These are challenging times for the global air transport industry. Stopping the spread of the virus is the top priority.
"This will be a very tough year for airlines."
Meanwhile, car sales in China plummeted by 92% in the first 16 days of February, according to China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).


news--2020-02-21--Coronavirus: Ukrainian protesters hurl stones at evacuees from China

Fears over the spread of the coronavirus have triggered violence in Ukraine , where protesters hurled stones at buses carrying evacuees from China .
Demonstrators in the village of Novi Sanzhary in the central Poltava region clashed with police and burned tyres , as the convoy lead 70 evacuees to a quarantine centre in the area .
Stones shattered the windows of one of the buses but it appeared nobody inside was injured .
However nine officers and one civilian needed hospital treatment as a result of the wider clashes , regional police said in a statement .
Hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ armoured personnel carrier had been dispatched to keep order as the villagers waited for evacuees to arrive .
Since the early morning , several hundred residents had cut off the road to the quarantine centre which will host the evacuees .
The protesters fear they could become infected .
Demonstrators , some of whom reportedly appeared drunk , put up road blocks , burned tires and clashed with riot police who moved to clear access .
One protester tried to ram police lines with his car .
Buses carrying evacuees were finally able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after hours of clashes .
The masked evacuees , exhausted by the long journey , were peeking through bus windows as they drove slowly under a heavy police escort .
• There have been a total of 76,243 suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 , according to the Johns Hopkins University • China 's vice technology minister has said a coronavirus vaccine will be submitted for clinical trials in late April at the earliest • An evacuation flight for around 70 Britons who have been stuck on the Diamond Princess is expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who personally visited the site to try to calm the crowd , said he was shocked by the aggression .
Mr Akakov said in televised remarks : `` What we saw was shameful .
`` It was one of the biggest disappointments in my life . ''
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy weighed in , saying the protests showed `` not the best side of our character '' .
He tried to reassure people that the quarantined evacuees would n't pose any danger to local residents .
Mr Zelenskiy said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from China are healthy and will live in a closed medical centre run by the country 's National Guard .
He said : `` In the next two weeks it will probably be the most guarded facility in the country . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Zoryana Skaletska , Ukraine 's health minister , said she would join the evacuees in quarantine for two weeks to help assuage villagers ' concerns .
She urged residents to show sympathy and support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine facility is in full conformity with international standards .
The minister said : `` I was shocked by the panic , rejection , negative feelings and aggression .
`` It was even a greater shock for the people who were evacuated from China . ''
But local officials vowed to continue opposing the evacuation , saying that the quarantine centre 's sewage system is linked to the one in the village and ends up in a nearby wastewater facility .
The municipal legislators said in a statement : `` We ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local residents at risk , and demand that top officials take urgent moves to prevent people from China from being put here . ''
A plane carrying 45 Ukrainians and 27 foreign nationals took off from Wuhan , the epicentre of the outbreak , in the early hours of Thursday .
Those evacuated included people from Belarus , Kazakhstan , Argentina , Ecuador , Costa Rica , the Dominican Republic , Panama and other countries .
China 's vice technology minister Xu Nanping has said a coronavirus vaccine will be submitted for clinical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There have been a total of 76,243 suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , according to the Johns Hopkins University which is mapping the outbreak .
The centre has so far recorded 2,247 deaths from the illness , with the vast majority of them in mainland China .
Two people died after contracting the illness on the Diamond Princess cruise ship off the coast of Japan .
There has also been one death in each of Japan , the Philippines , South Korea , Taiwan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around 70 Britons who have been stuck on the Diamond Princess is expected to leave on Friday .
Four Britons on board the cruise ship who have tested positive for COVID-19 will not be on the flight .

Fears over the spread of the coronavirus have triggered violence in Ukraine, where protesters hurled stones at buses carrying evacuees from China.
Demonstrators in the village of Novi Sanzhary in the central Poltava region clashed with police and burned tyres, as the convoy lead 70 evacuees to a quarantine centre in the area.
Stones shattered the windows of one of the buses but it appeared nobody inside was injured.
However nine officers and one civilian needed hospital treatment as a result of the wider clashes, regional police said in a statement.
Hundreds of helmeted officers, police vans and an armoured personnel carrier had been dispatched to keep order as the villagers waited for evacuees to arrive.
Image: The protesters started fires and erected a barricade in the road
Image: Police officers and firefighters work to the clear the way after demonstrators blocked a road
Since the early morning, several hundred residents had cut off the road to the quarantine centre which will host the evacuees.
The protesters fear they could become infected.
Demonstrators, some of whom reportedly appeared drunk, put up road blocks, burned tires and clashed with riot police who moved to clear access.
One protester tried to ram police lines with his car.
Advertisement
Ukrainian police said 24 protesters were detained.
Buses carrying evacuees were finally able to reach the designated place of quarantine after hours of clashes.
Image: Police officers are seen detaining a man during the violence
Image: Ukrainian police officers clashed with protesters in the village of Novi Sanzhary
The masked evacuees, exhausted by the long journey, were peeking through bus windows as they drove slowly under a heavy police escort.
The latest coronavirus developments:
There have been a total of 76,243 suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to the Johns Hopkins University
China's vice technology minister has said a coronavirus vaccine will be submitted for clinical trials in late April at the earliest
An evacuation flight for around 70 Britons who have been stuck on the Diamond Princess is expected to leave on Friday
Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, who personally visited the site to try to calm the crowd, said he was shocked by the aggression.
Mr Akakov said in televised remarks: "What we saw was shameful.
"It was one of the biggest disappointments in my life."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy weighed in, saying the protests showed "not the best side of our character".
He tried to reassure people that the quarantined evacuees wouldn't pose any danger to local residents.
Mr Zelenskiy said in a statement published on Facebook that the people evacuated from China are healthy and will live in a closed medical centre run by the country's National Guard.
He said: "In the next two weeks it will probably be the most guarded facility in the country."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Zoryana Skaletska, Ukraine's health minister, said she would join the evacuees in quarantine for two weeks to help assuage villagers' concerns.
She urged residents to show sympathy and support for the evacuees and emphasised that the quarantine facility is in full conformity with international standards.
The minister said: "I was shocked by the panic, rejection, negative feelings and aggression.
"It was even a greater shock for the people who were evacuated from China."
But local officials vowed to continue opposing the evacuation, saying that the quarantine centre's sewage system is linked to the one in the village and ends up in a nearby wastewater facility.
The municipal legislators said in a statement: "We can't allow putting the health and life of local residents at risk, and demand that top officials take urgent moves to prevent people from China from being put here."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:52 Briton who had COVID-19 calls quarantine 'a joke'
A plane carrying 45 Ukrainians and 27 foreign nationals took off from Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, in the early hours of Thursday.
Those evacuated included people from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Argentina, Ecuador, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Panama and other countries.
China's vice technology minister Xu Nanping has said a coronavirus vaccine will be submitted for clinical trials in late April at the earliest.
There have been a total of 76,243 suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, according to the Johns Hopkins University which is mapping the outbreak.
The centre has so far recorded 2,247 deaths from the illness, with the vast majority of them in mainland China.
Two people died after contracting the illness on the Diamond Princess cruise ship off the coast of Japan.
There has also been one death in each of Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan and France.
An evacuation flight for around 70 Britons who have been stuck on the Diamond Princess is expected to leave on Friday.
Four Britons on board the cruise ship who have tested positive for COVID-19 will not be on the flight.


news--2020-02-21--Coronavirus: South Korea new COVID-19 front as 100 fresh cases confirmed

South Korea has become the newest front for the coronavirus outbreak outside China as 100 new cases were confirmed on Friday .
A health emergency was declared in the southeastern city of Daegu , the country 's fourth largest , where the new cases of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus , were diagnosed .
The government was forced to focus on steps to contain the domestic spread of coronavirus , not just its entry from abroad , as the number of total cases in the country reached 204 .
A woman in her 50s became South Korea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after she was transferred from Daegu to the southeastern city of Busan .
• Mainland China reported a further fall in new daily virus cases on Friday to 889 , bringing the total number of suspected and confirmed cases to 75,467 • In China , 118 more people died on Friday , raising the total to 2,236 • 14 people have died outside the mainland : Four in Iran , two in Hong Kong , two in South Korea , two from the Diamond Princess cruise liner , one each in France , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two people died in Iran from COVID-19 on Friday after two died on Thursday , with 13 more cases confirmed bringing the total to 18 • Six people in Italy 's Lombardy region have contracted the virus since Wednesday , the first in the country • Footage showed dancers from the Shanghai Ballet Company training in face masks following a two week self-quarantine • Around 35 British passengers on the Diamond Princess ship quarantined in Yokohama , Japan , are due to be flown home on Friday evening • A total of 634 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four Britons • Protesters in Ukraine attacked buses carrying evacuees from China to a hospital after a fake email wrongly claimed some had already contracted the virus .
in South Korea , most of the cases have been linked to a controversial church in Daegu which has been branded as a cult as it sees founder Lee Man-hee as an angel of Jesus sent to testify about the fulfilled prophecies of the book of Revelation .
The Shincheonji church , which has about 200,000 followers , said it has closed all 74 venues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watch its worship services on YouTube .
Health officials are disinfecting its church in Daegu , which has about 8,000 followers and the city 's streets were empty on Friday .
A 61-year-old woman , who attends the Daegu branch , was confirmed as having COVID-19 on 18 February and is believed to be a `` superspreader '' of the virus within the church .
Doctors diagnosed her after she was taken to hospital due to a car crash and developed a fever three days later .
She had not travelled abroad recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact with other infected patients , officials said .
Known as `` Patient 31 '' , she attended church services in Daegu and had been to a funeral attended by several members of the church , creating a `` superspreading event '' , health authorities said .
President Moon Jae-in ordered immediate action to track down followers who had recently visited the Daegu church and a hospital in the southeastern city of Cheongdo , where many cases have been reported in the past three days .
Three military personnel were also confirmed as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Daegu .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A sailor on Jeju Island and an army office in North Chungcheong province tested positive , while an air force officer based in Daegu who had travelled to military headquarters in central South Korea also did , prompting the quarantine of 80 soldiers there .
Authorities will also close 3,500 senior welfare centres across Seoul , the capital , as the elderly are most at risk of contracting COVID-19 .
The World Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in cases in South Korea does not signal an increased risk of a global pandemic as the cases were mostly linked to known , existing clusters of infections .
China 's ruling politburo warned on Friday the turning point of the outbreak in China has not yet come as it said the situation in Hubei province , where it originated , remained severe and complex .
State television , quoting a meeting chaired by President Xi Jinping , said that while the impact from coronavirus on China 's economy is obvious , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-term upward trend .
It said fiscal policy will be more proactive and effective while prudent monetary policy will be more flexible , with the government ready to fend off systemic financial risks .

South Korea has become the newest front for the coronavirus outbreak outside China as 100 new cases were confirmed on Friday.
A health emergency was declared in the southeastern city of Daegu, the country's fourth largest, where the new cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, were diagnosed.
The government was forced to focus on steps to contain the domestic spread of coronavirus, not just its entry from abroad, as the number of total cases in the country reached 204.
A woman in her 50s became South Korea's second death from COVID-19 on Friday after she was transferred from Daegu to the southeastern city of Busan.
Image: Disinfectant is sprayed in front of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Daegu
In other coronavirus developments:
Mainland China reported a further fall in new daily virus cases on Friday to 889, bringing the total number of suspected and confirmed cases to 75,467
In China, 118 more people died on Friday, raising the total to 2,236
14 people have died outside the mainland: Four in Iran, two in Hong Kong, two in South Korea, two from the Diamond Princess cruise liner, one each in France, Japan, the Philippines and Taiwan
Two people died in Iran from COVID-19 on Friday after two died on Thursday, with 13 more cases confirmed bringing the total to 18
Six people in Italy's Lombardy region have contracted the virus since Wednesday, the first in the country
Footage showed dancers from the Shanghai Ballet Company training in face masks following a two week self-quarantine
Around 35 British passengers on the Diamond Princess ship quarantined in Yokohama, Japan, are due to be flown home on Friday evening
ship quarantined in Yokohama, Japan, are due to be flown home on Friday evening A total of 634 cruise passengers have contracted COVID-19, including four Britons
Protesters in Ukraine attacked buses carrying evacuees from China to a hospital after a fake email wrongly claimed some had already contracted the virus.
in South Korea, most of the cases have been linked to a controversial church in Daegu which has been branded as a cult as it sees founder Lee Man-hee as an angel of Jesus sent to testify about the fulfilled prophecies of the book of Revelation.
The Shincheonji church, which has about 200,000 followers, said it has closed all 74 venues around South Korea and told followers to watch its worship services on YouTube.
Health officials are disinfecting its church in Daegu, which has about 8,000 followers and the city's streets were empty on Friday.
A 61-year-old woman, who attends the Daegu branch, was confirmed as having COVID-19 on 18 February and is believed to be a "superspreader" of the virus within the church.
Advertisement
Doctors diagnosed her after she was taken to hospital due to a car crash and developed a fever three days later.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:39 Ballet dancers train in masks amid coronavirus outbreak
She had not travelled abroad recently and is not aware of coming into contact with other infected patients, officials said.
Known as "Patient 31", she attended church services in Daegu and had been to a funeral attended by several members of the church, creating a "superspreading event", health authorities said.
Image: Daegu's central shopping street was empty as a health emergency was declared
President Moon Jae-in ordered immediate action to track down followers who had recently visited the Daegu church and a hospital in the southeastern city of Cheongdo, where many cases have been reported in the past three days.
Three military personnel were also confirmed as having COVID-19 on Friday after recently being in Daegu.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
A sailor on Jeju Island and an army office in North Chungcheong province tested positive, while an air force officer based in Daegu who had travelled to military headquarters in central South Korea also did, prompting the quarantine of 80 soldiers there.
Authorities will also close 3,500 senior welfare centres across Seoul, the capital, as the elderly are most at risk of contracting COVID-19.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said the increase in cases in South Korea does not signal an increased risk of a global pandemic as the cases were mostly linked to known, existing clusters of infections.
Image: South Korean marines placed a barricade at the entrance of a navy base in Jeju Island after a marine contracted COVID-19
Image: A woman waits for customers in a shop in Beijing
China's ruling politburo warned on Friday the turning point of the outbreak in China has not yet come as it said the situation in Hubei province, where it originated, remained severe and complex.
State television, quoting a meeting chaired by President Xi Jinping, said that while the impact from coronavirus on China's economy is obvious, it was confident it will not stop the long-term upward trend.
It said fiscal policy will be more proactive and effective while prudent monetary policy will be more flexible, with the government ready to fend off systemic financial risks.


news--2020-02-21--Coronavirus: UK factory output up despite outbreak hampering supply chains

UK factories have seen production grow at its fastest pace for 10 months despite China 's coronavirus outbreak hampering supply chains , a business survey shows .
The unexpected manufacturing upturn helped maintain overall business output and offset a slight slowdown in Britain 's vast services sector .
The `` flash '' early readings of the IHS Markit/CIPS UK Purchasing Managers ' Index ( PMI ) gave a reading of 53.3 for February , the same figure as in January .
Any reading above 50 reflects a growth in output .
It meant the UK 's performance surpassed that of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The PMI also suggested the world 's fifth-largest economy looked on track to expand by around 0.2 % in the first quarter .
The survey said manufacturing drove growth as the sector benefited from reduced political uncertainty , which has led to increased investment .
Tim Moore , associate director at IHS Markit , said : `` UK private sector growth held its ground in February as a stronger contribution from manufacturing output helped to keep overall business activity on a stronger path than any time since September 2018 .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufacturing and services PMIs provides a clear indication that the UK economy is no longer flat on its back , with our GDP forecast pointing to 0.2 % growth through the first quarter of the year . ''
This month 's flash manufacturing output index leapt to a reading of 52.8 , up from 50.1 last month .
However , it said manufacturing firms also noted a `` headwind '' on the back of extended shutdowns in China due to the coronavirus epidemic , with incoming stocks falling at the fastest pace in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the sector had seen the largest month-on-month slide in supply chain performance since it began collecting data in 1992 and is worse than during the UK fuel protests in September 2000 .
Duncan Brock , group director at CIPS , said : `` Manufacturing was the sector to experience faster growth as output rose to its highest for almost a year and new orders increased at a pace not seen since March 2019 .
However , the services sector took a small backward step .
`` Supply chains were hampered by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese New Year holidays and limited production in some key factories resulted in commodity and goods shortages . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The services sector , which covers the bulk of British economic output , saw growth slow during February , with a reading of 53.3 for the month , down from 53.9 in January .
Rhys Herbert , senior economist at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking , said : `` The flash suggests that investment held back by last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through to provide an economic boost .
`` Yet optimism will be somewhat tempered as we wait to see what impact the elephants in the room - namely coronavirus and Storms Ciara and Dennis - have on UK economic performance in February . ''

UK factories have seen production grow at its fastest pace for 10 months despite China's coronavirus outbreak hampering supply chains, a business survey shows.
The unexpected manufacturing upturn helped maintain overall business output and offset a slight slowdown in Britain's vast services sector.
The "flash" early readings of the IHS Markit/CIPS UK Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) gave a reading of 53.3 for February, the same figure as in January.
Image: Supply chain performance is worse than during the UK fuel protests two decades ago
Any reading above 50 reflects a growth in output.
It meant the UK's performance surpassed that of the eurozone for the second month running.
The PMI also suggested the world's fifth-largest economy looked on track to expand by around 0.2% in the first quarter.
The survey said manufacturing drove growth as the sector benefited from reduced political uncertainty, which has led to increased investment.
Tim Moore, associate director at IHS Markit, said: "UK private sector growth held its ground in February as a stronger contribution from manufacturing output helped to keep overall business activity on a stronger path than any time since September 2018.
"The recent return to growth signalled by the manufacturing and services PMIs provides a clear indication that the UK economy is no longer flat on its back, with our GDP forecast pointing to 0.2% growth through the first quarter of the year."
Advertisement
This month's flash manufacturing output index leapt to a reading of 52.8, up from 50.1 last month.
However, it said manufacturing firms also noted a "headwind" on the back of extended shutdowns in China due to the coronavirus epidemic, with incoming stocks falling at the fastest pace in more than seven years.
The survey said the sector had seen the largest month-on-month slide in supply chain performance since it began collecting data in 1992 and is worse than during the UK fuel protests in September 2000.
Duncan Brock, group director at CIPS, said: "Manufacturing was the sector to experience faster growth as output rose to its highest for almost a year and new orders increased at a pace not seen since March 2019. However, the services sector took a small backward step.
"Supply chains were hampered by the unfolding impact of the coronavirus, extended Chinese New Year holidays and limited production in some key factories resulted in commodity and goods shortages."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The services sector, which covers the bulk of British economic output, saw growth slow during February, with a reading of 53.3 for the month, down from 53.9 in January.
Rhys Herbert, senior economist at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: "The flash suggests that investment held back by last year's uncertainty is beginning to trickle through to provide an economic boost.
"Yet optimism will be somewhat tempered as we wait to see what impact the elephants in the room - namely coronavirus and Storms Ciara and Dennis - have on UK economic performance in February."


news--2020-02-21--Coronavirus: Brits from virus-hit cruise ship arrive at quarantine hospital in Wirral

Dozens of Britons who spent two weeks isolated on a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship in Japan have arrived at the UK hospital where they will be quarantined .
Evacuees from the Diamond Princess got to Arrowe Park Hospital - where they will spend another two weeks - just before 6pm after landing back in the country on Saturday morning .
One passenger among the 30 Britons and two Irish citizens made a heart sign with her hands while another gave an `` okay '' signal through a coach window .
They will undergo medical checks in an accommodation block separate from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Three coaches carried passengers wearing masks and medical professionals in white hazmat suits .
There was also a fourth bus without passengers , two ambulances and several police motorbikes .
Arrowe Park 's chief executive , Janelle Holmes , said the new arrivals would be `` safe , well-managed and comfortable '' .
The evacuees took off from Haneda airport in Tokyo late on Friday and landed at Boscombe Down Ministry of Defence base near Salisbury , Wiltshire .
They all tested negative for COVID-19 before they flew .
The flight also had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Foreign Office said .
It comes as Italy reported its second death from coronavirus , amid fears the viral outbreak could have an impact on the worldwide economy .
Among the Britons who spent two weeks in isolation on the Diamond Princess were Alan and Vanessa Sandford .
They were kept in their room after hundreds of cases of COVID-19 were confirmed on board .
Some 634 passengers and crew caught the SARS-like illness on the ship - comprising more than half the confirmed cases outside China .
Mr Sandford said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nervous '' about those who have jetted back to the UK , but said he and his wife could not wait to be home .
He told Sky News : `` I think I might struggle a bit with this second lot of 14 days .
`` You ca n't get on with your life , everything 's on hold , and I 've got this certificate that says I 'm negative for the virus and nobody on the aircraft is going to be anything other than negative , so it just seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well that people are nervous about having people back in the country . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Two Britons , David and Sally Abel , from Northamptonshire , are being treated in a Japanese hospital after being diagnosed with the virus .
It emerged today that Mr Abel has pneumonia .
In a Facebook post , Mr Abel said the couple were `` in the best place '' and added : `` See you all before we know it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to test negative three times before being discharged .
• Mainland China had 397 new confirmed cases on Friday , down from 889 on Thursday - the lowest number since the National Health Commission started compiling nationwide data a month ago .
It has now reported 75,569 cases and 2,239 deaths • 17 people have now died outside the mainland : six in Iran , two in Hong Kong , two in Italy , two in South Korea , two from the Diamond Princess cruise liner , one each in France , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Korea on Saturday reported an eight-fold jump in viral infections in four days to 433 • A total of 5,885 people in the UK have been tested , of which 5,876 were confirmed negative and 9 positive • Protesters in Ukraine attacked buses carrying evacuees from China to a hospital after a fake email wrongly claimed some had already contracted the virus • The impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the global economy will be among the topics for discussions among G20 financial leaders during their talks in Riyadh this weekend • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of those people who get coronavirus , around 80 % have milder symptoms , around 20 % become serious or critical , and 2 % die Meanwhile , passengers aboard another cruise ship in Cambodia have been cleared to travel home .
Britons on the Westerdam , who all tested negative for the virus , are said to be receiving health advice and help with booking flights .

Dozens of Britons who spent two weeks isolated on a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship in Japan have arrived at the UK hospital where they will be quarantined.
Evacuees from the Diamond Princess got to Arrowe Park Hospital - where they will spend another two weeks - just before 6pm after landing back in the country on Saturday morning.
One passenger among the 30 Britons and two Irish citizens made a heart sign with her hands while another gave an "okay" signal through a coach window.
Image: The coaches carrying cruise ship passengers arrive at Arrowe Park Hospital
They will undergo medical checks in an accommodation block separate from the main hospital building in Wirral.
Three coaches carried passengers wearing masks and medical professionals in white hazmat suits.
There was also a fourth bus without passengers, two ambulances and several police motorbikes.
Arrowe Park's chief executive, Janelle Holmes, said the new arrivals would be "safe, well-managed and comfortable".
Image: Thirty-two people were said to be on board the repatriation flight
The evacuees took off from Haneda airport in Tokyo late on Friday and landed at Boscombe Down Ministry of Defence base near Salisbury, Wiltshire.
They all tested negative for COVID-19 before they flew.
Advertisement
The flight also had British government and medical staff on board, the Foreign Office said.
It comes as Italy reported its second death from coronavirus, amid fears the viral outbreak could have an impact on the worldwide economy.
Image: The passengers are escorted by police to Arrowe Park Hospital
Among the Britons who spent two weeks in isolation on the Diamond Princess were Alan and Vanessa Sandford.
They were kept in their room after hundreds of cases of COVID-19 were confirmed on board.
Some 634 passengers and crew caught the SARS-like illness on the ship - comprising more than half the confirmed cases outside China.
Image: Some of the repatriated passengers made heart gestures from the bus as they arrived at Arrowe Park Hospital
Mr Sandford said he understood why people might be "nervous" about those who have jetted back to the UK, but said he and his wife could not wait to be home.
He told Sky News: "I think I might struggle a bit with this second lot of 14 days.
"You can't get on with your life, everything's on hold, and I've got this certificate that says I'm negative for the virus and nobody on the aircraft is going to be anything other than negative, so it just seems excessive.
"But I understand as well that people are nervous about having people back in the country."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Two Britons, David and Sally Abel, from Northamptonshire, are being treated in a Japanese hospital after being diagnosed with the virus. It emerged today that Mr Abel has pneumonia.
In a Facebook post, Mr Abel said the couple were "in the best place" and added: "See you all before we know it."
He said they would both need to test negative three times before being discharged.
In other coronavirus developments:
Mainland China had 397 new confirmed cases on Friday, down from 889 on Thursday - the lowest number since the National Health Commission started compiling nationwide data a month ago. It has now reported 75,569 cases and 2,239 deaths
17 people have now died outside the mainland: six in Iran, two in Hong Kong, two in Italy, two in South Korea, two from the Diamond Princess cruise liner, one each in France, Japan, the Philippines and Taiwan
South Korea on Saturday reported an eight-fold jump in viral infections in four days to 433
A total of 5,885 people in the UK have been tested, of which 5,876 were confirmed negative and 9 positive
Protesters in Ukraine attacked buses carrying evacuees from China to a hospital after a fake email wrongly claimed some had already contracted the virus
attacked buses carrying evacuees from China to a hospital after a fake email wrongly claimed some had already contracted the virus The impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the global economy will be among the topics for discussions among G20 financial leaders during their talks in Riyadh this weekend
World Health Organisation analysis has found that, of those people who get coronavirus, around 80% have milder symptoms, around 20% become serious or critical, and 2% die
Meanwhile, passengers aboard another cruise ship in Cambodia have been cleared to travel home.
Britons on the Westerdam, who all tested negative for the virus, are said to be receiving health advice and help with booking flights.


news--2020-02-21--Coronavirus: Sir Richard Branson downplays threat to new cruise line Virgin Voyages

Business magnate Sir Richard Branson has said he does not expect his new luxury cruise line to be hit by any fallout from the coronavirus crisis .
The billionaire entrepreneur downplayed the impact of the outbreak of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , on the industry as Virgin Voyages launched in Dover with the unveiling of the Scarlet Lady - the first of a planned four-strong fleet .
The promotional event came as a coronavirus-hit cruise ship , the Diamond Princess , remained quarantined in Yokohama , Japan , with more than 630 infected passengers aboard , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple who had been aboard the ship died after being taken ashore .
But Sir Richard pointed out Scarlet Lady would be based in the US and the Caribbean , meaning he did not expect it to be affected by the outbreak .
The 69-year-old said : `` Obviously what happened in Japan was horrendously unfortunate .
`` ( But ) I think the longer-term impact will be negligible .
`` I think the fact that we 're going out of America means that I do n't think we 'll suffer .
People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever booked right now . ''
He worked with Tom McAlpin , chief executive of Virgin Voyages and an industry veteran who previously ran the Disney Cruise Line , to develop his latest venture .
Referring to the coronavirus outbreak , Mr McAlpin told Sky News ' Ian King Live programme : `` The safety and health and security of our guests is paramount to us . ''
Echoing Sir Richard 's comments , he said : `` We are operating in America .
It is not an issue .
`` We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing all the things to protect ourselves .
`` This industry is very resilient .
It 's not affecting it in North America .
`` This is not something that 's going to hurt us in the long term . ''
He also highlighted the steps taken to limit the environmental impact of the cruise business , including using Climeon , a technology that generates electricity from the heat of the ship 's engine and so reduced the demand for energy .
Virgin Voyages says the ship features `` dazzling contemporary design '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the same way Virgin Atlantic did for aviation '' .
It will target younger tourists with spas , a running track , sundeck yoga , a tattoo studio and vinyl records store .
Built in Italy , Scarlet Lady will host 2,770 passengers and 1,160 crew .
She will sail to Liverpool and then to New York and Miami before her inaugural passenger voyage around the Caribbean in April .
Demand for cruising holidays has leapt over the past decade , with some 32 million passengers expected to set sail in 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since 2009 .
The US is the biggest market for passengers , with the Caribbean and Mediterranean the most popular destinations for the leading cruise lines , including Carnival , Royal Caribbean and Norwegian .

Business magnate Sir Richard Branson has said he does not expect his new luxury cruise line to be hit by any fallout from the coronavirus crisis.
The billionaire entrepreneur downplayed the impact of the outbreak of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, on the industry as Virgin Voyages launched in Dover with the unveiling of the Scarlet Lady - the first of a planned four-strong fleet.
The promotional event came as a coronavirus-hit cruise ship, the Diamond Princess, remained quarantined in Yokohama, Japan, with more than 630 infected passengers aboard, including four Britons.
Image: The luxury vessel, seen here in Dover, is the first of a planned four-strong fleet
An elderly Japanese couple who had been aboard the ship died after being taken ashore.
But Sir Richard pointed out Scarlet Lady would be based in the US and the Caribbean, meaning he did not expect it to be affected by the outbreak.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:43 Virgin Voyages boss: 'We have got our guard up'
The 69-year-old said: "Obviously what happened in Japan was horrendously unfortunate.
"(But) I think the longer-term impact will be negligible.
"I think the fact that we're going out of America means that I don't think we'll suffer. People are booking as much as they've ever booked right now."
He worked with Tom McAlpin, chief executive of Virgin Voyages and an industry veteran who previously ran the Disney Cruise Line, to develop his latest venture.
Advertisement
Referring to the coronavirus outbreak, Mr McAlpin told Sky News' Ian King Live programme: "The safety and health and security of our guests is paramount to us."
Image: Measures to cut the ship's eco-footprint include a ban on single-use plastics
Echoing Sir Richard's comments, he said: "We are operating in America. It is not an issue.
"We have got our guard up. We are doing all the things to protect ourselves.
"This industry is very resilient. It's not affecting it in North America.
"This is not something that's going to hurt us in the long term."
Image: Virgin Voyages says the ship features 'dazzling contemporary design'
He also highlighted the steps taken to limit the environmental impact of the cruise business, including using Climeon, a technology that generates electricity from the heat of the ship's engine and so reduced the demand for energy.
Other measures include carbon offsetting and banning single-use plastics.
Virgin Voyages says the ship features "dazzling contemporary design" and will "reinvigorate the cruise industry in the same way Virgin Atlantic did for aviation".
It will target younger tourists with spas, a running track, sundeck yoga, a tattoo studio and vinyl records store.
Image: Built in Italy, Scarlet Lady will host 2,770 passengers and 1,160 crew
Children are not allowed.
Built in Italy, Scarlet Lady will host 2,770 passengers and 1,160 crew.
She will sail to Liverpool and then to New York and Miami before her inaugural passenger voyage around the Caribbean in April.
Demand for cruising holidays has leapt over the past decade, with some 32 million passengers expected to set sail in 2020, a figure that has almost doubled since 2009.
The US is the biggest market for passengers, with the Caribbean and Mediterranean the most popular destinations for the leading cruise lines, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian.


news--2020-04-23--Coronavirus: The companies trying to get back to work despite the lockdown

DIY chain B & Q has reopened about half of its UK stores - joining a number of companies trying to get back to work despite the lockdown .
B & Q had closed all its stores in March as restrictions designed to combat the spread of COVID-19 came into force , but after a trial period over the weekend has gradually resumed trading with 155 in operation by Wednesday .
Photos showed customers lining up outside the stores , but the retailer said social distancing measures were in place , with a strict limit on the number of customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & Q said : `` As an essential retailer , we 're committed to providing the best possible service to support customers ' home improvement needs at this difficult time , while keeping customers and colleagues safe .
`` Having watched other essential retailers support social distancing in their stores , we are now following their best practice and are re-opening some stores with strict social distancing measures in place . ''
B & Q said its measures were similar to those taken by supermarkets - which have remained open through the lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' designation still have their doors closed though many continue with online operations .
Fashion brand Next - which had stopped web sales following pressure from its warehouse workers - resumed a limited service last week .
Meanwhile car maker Jaguar Land Rover said on Thursday that it would gradually resume some production at its plants in Solihull and Wolverhampton from 18 May .
With vehicle sales beginning to recover in China and showrooms reopening there and in other parts of the world , it said it was adopting `` robust '' measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work '' .
JLR , which is Britain 's biggest car maker , is also starting to return to production at plants in Austria and Slovakia .
It has not set a date for the reopening of two other big UK plants at Halewood and Castle Bromwich .
Rival car maker Aston Martin said it would resume operations at its St Athan site in South Wales from 5 May .
It will take `` learning in terms of health and safety '' into account before reopening its main car plant at Gaydon in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive Andy Palmer is waiving 35 % of his salary at the company - best known for making cars driven by secret agent James Bond in 007 films .
Elsewhere in the industry , 50 workers are returning to work this week at Nissan 's site in Sunderland - Britain 's biggest car plant - as it pilots new safety measures .
In the construction sector , house builder Taylor Wimpey plans to resume operations on most of its sites in England and Wales from 4 May .
It said it was using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in compliance with strict social distancing requirements '' .
Chief executive Pete Redfern said : `` We are now confident that we have clear plans and processes in place so we can safely start back on site in a phased way . ''
House building rival Vistry - previously known as Bovis Homes - is restarting works at a number of sites from the start of next week .

DIY chain B&Q has reopened about half of its UK stores - joining a number of companies trying to get back to work despite the lockdown.
B&Q had closed all its stores in March as restrictions designed to combat the spread of COVID-19 came into force, but after a trial period over the weekend has gradually resumed trading with 155 in operation by Wednesday.
Photos showed customers lining up outside the stores, but the retailer said social distancing measures were in place, with a strict limit on the number of customers inside at any one time.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:20 How house building giant is getting back to work
B&Q said: "As an essential retailer, we're committed to providing the best possible service to support customers' home improvement needs at this difficult time, while keeping customers and colleagues safe.
"Having watched other essential retailers support social distancing in their stores, we are now following their best practice and are re-opening some stores with strict social distancing measures in place."
B&Q said its measures were similar to those taken by supermarkets - which have remained open through the lockdown.
Other retailers without an "essential" designation still have their doors closed though many continue with online operations.
Fashion brand Next - which had stopped web sales following pressure from its warehouse workers - resumed a limited service last week.
Image: JLR is gradually resuming work at Solihull
Meanwhile car maker Jaguar Land Rover said on Thursday that it would gradually resume some production at its plants in Solihull and Wolverhampton from 18 May.
Advertisement
With vehicle sales beginning to recover in China and showrooms reopening there and in other parts of the world, it said it was adopting "robust" measures to "support a safe return to work".
JLR, which is Britain's biggest car maker, is also starting to return to production at plants in Austria and Slovakia.
It has not set a date for the reopening of two other big UK plants at Halewood and Castle Bromwich.
Image: Aston Martin is to reopen its south Wales plant
Rival car maker Aston Martin said it would resume operations at its St Athan site in South Wales from 5 May.
It will take "learning in terms of health and safety" into account before reopening its main car plant at Gaydon in Warwickshire at a later date.
Chief executive Andy Palmer is waiving 35% of his salary at the company - best known for making cars driven by secret agent James Bond in 007 films.
Elsewhere in the industry, 50 workers are returning to work this week at Nissan's site in Sunderland - Britain's biggest car plant - as it pilots new safety measures.
In the construction sector, house builder Taylor Wimpey plans to resume operations on most of its sites in England and Wales from 4 May.
It said it was using "detailed new site operating protocols developed in compliance with strict social distancing requirements".
Chief executive Pete Redfern said: "We are now confident that we have clear plans and processes in place so we can safely start back on site in a phased way."
House building rival Vistry - previously known as Bovis Homes - is restarting works at a number of sites from the start of next week.


news--2020-04-23--Coronavirus: Why Oxford university is so confident in an early vaccine win

The Oxford scientists are extraordinarily confident that their vaccine against the coronavirus will work .
The government 's chief medical officer insists a jab is still 12 to 18 months off and some form of social distancing will be needed until it 's in widespread use .
But the team at the Jenner Institute , part of University of Oxford , believe they 'll have a million doses and proof that it 's safe and effective by September - just five months away .
Their confidence is built on past success .
The same vaccine technology has been used on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MERS , as well as Ebola .
ChAdOx1 , pronounced `` Chaddox-one '' , is a version of a common cold virus that has been modified not only so that it does n't cause symptoms , but also so it carries some genetic material of the coronavirus .
It infects human cells , turning them into factories producing one of the viral proteins , which in turn trigger an immune response and should protect people against future infection .
Using tried and tested technology allows scientists to speed up the clinical trials .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is robust and broadly safe , so the researchers can begin trials on healthy volunteers far sooner .
The Phase One clinical trial is now under way .
Around 500 volunteers will be given either the vaccine for coronavirus or a licensed meningitis jab .
That way they can tell whether the experimental vaccine is more likely to cause side effects such as a sore arm , fever , or a headache .
They should also be able to see at an early stage whether people given the new vaccine are less likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have been given the meningitis jab .
Its effectiveness will then need to be confirmed in further phases of trials , involving as many as 5,000 people .
The biggest challenge in the trials will actually be the success of the lockdown , which significantly reduces the amount of virus being transmitted between people .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker So , to properly test the vaccine 's effectiveness , the scientists are planning to give it to healthcare workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at greater risk .
They might even have to go abroad to a country where the epidemic is still raging to get the results they need as soon as possible .
Manufacturing will also be a challenge .
Britain does n't have vaccine plants able to produce the billions of doses the world needs .
Even to get to the one million doses planned for September , the Oxford team has had to collaborate with three manufacturers in the UK and four abroad .
The government has said it will accelerate the building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Centre in Harwell , but it still wo n't be ready until next year .
It 's a little late .

The Oxford scientists are extraordinarily confident that their vaccine against the coronavirus will work.
The government's chief medical officer insists a jab is still 12 to 18 months off and some form of social distancing will be needed until it's in widespread use.
But the team at the Jenner Institute, part of University of Oxford, believe they'll have a million doses and proof that it's safe and effective by September - just five months away.
Image: The team says the past success of the technology is why it'll beat the government's timeline
Their confidence is built on past success. The same vaccine technology has been used on other diseases, including the related coronavirus MERS, as well as Ebola.
ChAdOx1, pronounced "Chaddox-one", is a version of a common cold virus that has been modified not only so that it doesn't cause symptoms, but also so it carries some genetic material of the coronavirus.
It infects human cells, turning them into factories producing one of the viral proteins, which in turn trigger an immune response and should protect people against future infection.
Using tried and tested technology allows scientists to speed up the clinical trials. The medical regulators are satisfied that ChAdOx1 is robust and broadly safe, so the researchers can begin trials on healthy volunteers far sooner.
The Phase One clinical trial is now under way.
Around 500 volunteers will be given either the vaccine for coronavirus or a licensed meningitis jab. That way they can tell whether the experimental vaccine is more likely to cause side effects such as a sore arm, fever, or a headache.
Advertisement
They should also be able to see at an early stage whether people given the new vaccine are less likely to get COVID-19 than the control group who have been given the meningitis jab.
Its effectiveness will then need to be confirmed in further phases of trials, involving as many as 5,000 people.
The biggest challenge in the trials will actually be the success of the lockdown, which significantly reduces the amount of virus being transmitted between people.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
So, to properly test the vaccine's effectiveness, the scientists are planning to give it to healthcare workers on the front line, who are at greater risk. They might even have to go abroad to a country where the epidemic is still raging to get the results they need as soon as possible.
Manufacturing will also be a challenge. Britain doesn't have vaccine plants able to produce the billions of doses the world needs.
Even to get to the one million doses planned for September, the Oxford team has had to collaborate with three manufacturers in the UK and four abroad.
The government has said it will accelerate the building of the new Vaccine Manufacturing and Innovation Centre in Harwell, but it still won't be ready until next year. It's a little late.