news--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: Next kicks off sale - but only of warehouses

The fashion retail giant Next has kicked off the sale of its headquarters and three warehouses - days after mothballing its vast online operations amid pressure from its workforce .
Sky News has learnt that the company has appointed Savills , the property agent , to find a buyer for its head office in Leicester .
Next said that another agent , Acre , would oversee the warehouse disposals .
The sale-and-leasebacks are expected to generate tens of millions of pounds for Next , helping to fortify its balance sheet as it faces the prospect of short-term revenues falling to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a time of growing uncertainty for parts of the commercial property sector .
Lord Wolfson , the company 's chief executive , said alongside its full-year results last month that online sales were expected to fare better during the pandemic than those at its stores , although it has since closed both routes to market .
Next originally proposed to keep its distribution centres open , before announcing that it would temporarily shut them after feedback from staff .
The retailer added that it had modelled several `` stress scenarios '' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ £1bn fall in sales - equivalent to a quarter of its annual revenues .
Rival chains have been wrestling with the question of whether to follow Next 's example in closing its logistics operations for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis .
Sky News revealed this week that the British Retail Consortium was proposing a blueprint to ensure that warehouse staff were adequately protected in line with the government 's social distancing guidelines .
Trade unions have accused retailers including ASOS , Matalan and Marks & Spencer of putting employees ' health at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closely together .

The fashion retail giant Next has kicked off the sale of its headquarters and three warehouses - days after mothballing its vast online operations amid pressure from its workforce.
Sky News has learnt that the company has appointed Savills, the property agent, to find a buyer for its head office in Leicester.
Next said that another agent, Acre, would oversee the warehouse disposals.
The sale-and-leasebacks are expected to generate tens of millions of pounds for Next, helping to fortify its balance sheet as it faces the prospect of short-term revenues falling to zero.
However, the processes come at a time of growing uncertainty for parts of the commercial property sector.
Lord Wolfson, the company's chief executive, said alongside its full-year results last month that online sales were expected to fare better during the pandemic than those at its stores, although it has since closed both routes to market.
Next originally proposed to keep its distribution centres open, before announcing that it would temporarily shut them after feedback from staff.
The retailer added that it had modelled several "stress scenarios", the most extreme of which was a £1bn fall in sales - equivalent to a quarter of its annual revenues.
Rival chains have been wrestling with the question of whether to follow Next's example in closing its logistics operations for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis.
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Sky News revealed this week that the British Retail Consortium was proposing a blueprint to ensure that warehouse staff were adequately protected in line with the government's social distancing guidelines.
Trade unions have accused retailers including ASOS, Matalan and Marks & Spencer of putting employees' health at risk by forcing them to work too closely together.


news--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: Health experts debunk claims about milk and COVID-19

Health experts have debunked claims that drinking cow 's milk could help ward off coronavirus .
It comes after a Facebook post titled `` Fight COVID-19 with a Glass of Milk '' by The Bullvine - an American website which describes itself as `` an independent , online community for professionals in the dairy breeding industry '' - was shared more than 1,500 times .
It claimed that milk protected from the virus because it contains `` lactoferrin , which is a protein that helps to fight off viruses , '' as well as `` Vitamin C and Zinc , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strengthening your immunity . ''
The post has now been given a `` false information '' tag by Facebook due to a lack of scientific evidence to support the claims .
Health experts in the US say it is misleading to say drinking milk will help prevent or fight off coronavirus - the highly contagious infection which attacks the respiratory system .
`` There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 ( COVID-19 ) .
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( CDC ) said .
To protect against infection , the CDC recommends washing hands often , avoiding close contact with people who are ill , wearing a face mask when feeling ill , cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and social distancing .
The British Nutrition Foundation states that `` no food or supplement , can protect you from getting the coronavirus '' .
It adds : `` Nevertheless , having a healthy diet is important in supporting our immune function and many nutrients influence the body 's ability to fight infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play vital roles in the body 's immune system , milk does not contain a significant amount of either .
`` Cow 's milk is not a good source of vitamin C or zinc based on [ the Food and Drug Administration 's ] definition of what can be called a 'good ' source '' , the National Dairy Council ( NDC ) confirmed to Reuters .
The NDC listed other nutrients present in cow 's milk - including Vitamin A , D and protein - that can help maintain healthy immune function @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while there is some evidence vitamin C and zinc supplements may help with the common cold , it is not clear whether they would have any effect on coronavirus symptoms .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Meanwhile , the effects of lactoferrin - a protein found in cow 's milk and human milk - on the immune system are not widely known .
The NDC said tests with lactoferrin have been limited and with mixed results .
Dr Mark Pochapin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Langone Medical Center , said he did not think there was `` really any significant health benefit to lactoferrin . ''
He advised that people `` just be meticulous '' about washing their hands , avoid touching their face , and keep social distancing .

Health experts have debunked claims that drinking cow's milk could help ward off coronavirus.
It comes after a Facebook post titled "Fight COVID-19 with a Glass of Milk" by The Bullvine - an American website which describes itself as "an independent, online community for professionals in the dairy breeding industry" - was shared more than 1,500 times.
It claimed that milk protected from the virus because it contains "lactoferrin, which is a protein that helps to fight off viruses," as well as "Vitamin C and Zinc, which both play very important roles in strengthening your immunity."
The post has now been given a "false information" tag by Facebook due to a lack of scientific evidence to support the claims.
Health experts in the US say it is misleading to say drinking milk will help prevent or fight off coronavirus - the highly contagious infection which attacks the respiratory system.
Image: The Facebook post by The Bullvine has been given a false information tag. Pic: Facebook
"There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said.
To protect against infection, the CDC recommends washing hands often, avoiding close contact with people who are ill, wearing a face mask when feeling ill, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and social distancing.
The British Nutrition Foundation states that "no food or supplement, can protect you from getting the coronavirus".
It adds: "Nevertheless, having a healthy diet is important in supporting our immune function and many nutrients influence the body's ability to fight infection."
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:28 New app can tell who has COVID-19
While vitamin C and zinc play vital roles in the body's immune system, milk does not contain a significant amount of either.
"Cow's milk is not a good source of vitamin C or zinc based on [the Food and Drug Administration's] definition of what can be called a 'good' source", the National Dairy Council (NDC) confirmed to Reuters.
The NDC listed other nutrients present in cow's milk - including Vitamin A, D and protein - that can help maintain healthy immune function.
The British Nutritional Foundation said that while there is some evidence vitamin C and zinc supplements may help with the common cold, it is not clear whether they would have any effect on coronavirus symptoms.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Meanwhile, the effects of lactoferrin - a protein found in cow's milk and human milk - on the immune system are not widely known.
The NDC said tests with lactoferrin have been limited and with mixed results.
Dr Mark Pochapin, a gastroenterologist at New York University's Langone Medical Center, said he did not think there was "really any significant health benefit to lactoferrin."
He advised that people "just be meticulous" about washing their hands, avoid touching their face, and keep social distancing.


news--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: Donald Trump's U-turn over strategy to tackle the virus

Coronavirus : Donald Trump 's U-turn over strategy to tackle the virus Coronavirus : Donald Trump 's U-turn over strategy to tackle the virus Donald Trump initially played down the virus saying 'it will go away' In January and February he dismissed the threat of COVID-19 , insisting that it would just `` miraculously disappear '' come the warmer months that we are now entering .
The US president 's comments about the virus being `` totally under control '' have not aged well , given that America now has more cases than any other country .
At the beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reluctant acceptance of the spread , but insisted it was being hyped up by his rivals .
`` Be calm , '' he said , `` it will go away . ''
But by the middle of that same month , Mr Trump had declared a national emergency , insisting he had taken the threat seriously from the start .
His `` aspiration '' to reopen America for business by 12 April with `` packed churches '' on Easter Sunday was short lived as experts told him - it is the virus that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Dr Deborah Birx and Dr Anthony Fauci - who lead Mr Trump 's coronavirus task force - recently presented him with terrifying data that appears to have hit home .
That modelling - in its most stark terms - says America 's best-case scenario is 100,000 deaths .
The worst case , with zero mitigation , would mean 2.2 million deaths .
It is that staggering and frightening number that has clearly influenced Mr Trump .
Before this data , his focus was clearly the tanking economy .
He still frequently laments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and booming growth - that ticket to a second term is now in tatters .
But the president has made a recalculation - mass deaths are the worst possible stain on his re-election bid .
He is also fixated on ratings and polling .
New polls suggest that people are in favour of maintaining strict social distancing guidelines .
Just days ago he was banking on the theory that Americans `` want to get back to work '' .
Now he seems to have accepted the prevailing reality - that most Americans simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America should brace itself for tough days ahead , claiming the next two weeks are going to be `` very , very painful '' .
Dr Fauci and Dr Birx have successfully struck an incredibly delicate balance - presenting America with facts that do not always chime with the president 's desires and instincts , while showing just the right amount of deference to appease his ego and keep him on side .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker After a tortuous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now clear - social distancing is working , but it can not stop .
Hundreds of thousands of lives depend on it .
But Trump is capricious , and there are voices around him urging him to prioritise the economy .
But for now at least , it is the true experts who have his ear .

The US now has more cases of the virus than any other country in the world, with more than 190,000 and over 4,000 deaths.
Donald Trump initially played down the virus saying 'it will go away'
Donald Trump's coronavirus journey has been a twisting path.
In January and February he dismissed the threat of COVID-19, insisting that it would just "miraculously disappear" come the warmer months that we are now entering.
The US president's comments about the virus being "totally under control" have not aged well, given that America now has more cases than any other country.
Image: Projections claim America's best case scenario is 100,000 deaths
At the beginning of March he entered a phase of reluctant acceptance of the spread, but insisted it was being hyped up by his rivals.
"Be calm," he said, "it will go away."
But by the middle of that same month, Mr Trump had declared a national emergency, insisting he had taken the threat seriously from the start.
His "aspiration" to reopen America for business by 12 April with "packed churches" on Easter Sunday was short lived as experts told him - it is the virus that makes the timeline.
Those same experts, Dr Deborah Birx and Dr Anthony Fauci - who lead Mr Trump's coronavirus task force - recently presented him with terrifying data that appears to have hit home.
That modelling - in its most stark terms - says America's best-case scenario is 100,000 deaths.
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The worst case, with zero mitigation, would mean 2.2 million deaths.
It is that staggering and frightening number that has clearly influenced Mr Trump.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:10 Trump warns of 'very painful two weeks'
Before this data, his focus was clearly the tanking economy.
He still frequently laments the rosy pre-virus days of low unemployment and booming growth - that ticket to a second term is now in tatters.
But the president has made a recalculation - mass deaths are the worst possible stain on his re-election bid.
He is also fixated on ratings and polling.
New polls suggest that people are in favour of maintaining strict social distancing guidelines.
Just days ago he was banking on the theory that Americans "want to get back to work".
Now he seems to have accepted the prevailing reality - that most Americans simply want to survive.
He now says America should brace itself for tough days ahead, claiming the next two weeks are going to be "very, very painful".
Dr Fauci and Dr Birx have successfully struck an incredibly delicate balance - presenting America with facts that do not always chime with the president's desires and instincts, while showing just the right amount of deference to appease his ego and keep him on side.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
After a tortuous beginning, the White House message is now clear - social distancing is working, but it cannot stop.
Hundreds of thousands of lives depend on it.
But Trump is capricious, and there are voices around him urging him to prioritise the economy.
But for now at least, it is the true experts who have his ear.
Long may that continue.


news--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: Police ordered not to check every car after 'overreach' claims

Police have been told not to carry out blanket checks on cars or penalise people for travelling a `` reasonable distance '' for exercise , after complaints some forces had overreached their powers in attempting to curb the spread of coronavirus .
The new guidance released by the National Police Chiefs ' Council ( NPCC ) and the College of Policing on Tuesday night comes after inconsistencies between government guidance and emergency legislation was blamed for the apparently isolated use of heavy-handed tactics by officers .
Derbyshire Police faced criticism after using drones to film walkers in the Peak District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at `` checkpoints '' last week and officers in Warrington were condemned for indicating people had been summoned to court for alleged offences including `` driving due to boredom '' .
The new guidance states road checks on every vehicle are `` disproportionate '' .
`` Use your judgement and common sense ; for example , people will want to exercise locally and may need to travel to do so , we do n't want the public sanctioned for travelling a reasonable distance to exercise , '' it said .
`` Road checks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We should reserve enforcement only for individuals who have not responded to engage , explain , and encourage , where public health is at risk . ''
The guidance instructs officers to be `` consistent '' when using new powers brought in after the government introduced social distancing measures last week .
People are only permitted to leave their homes to go shopping for basic necessities and medicines , to exercise , or to go to work if their job can not be done from home .
Officers can fine or even arrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last Thursday .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker But comments from some government ministers have sometimes gone beyond the scope of the law , leading to potential confusion .
Derbyshire Police said on Tuesday they had not used the new powers once , while Lancashire 's force issued 123 fines for breaches of the rules over the weekend .
After being updated since it was originally sent to forces last week , the guidance said policing should be `` by consent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encourage voluntary compliance '' .
It says : `` There is no power to 'stop and account ' .
The police will apply the law in a system that is flexible , discretionary and pragmatic .
`` This will enable officers to make sensible decisions and employ their judgement .
Enforcement should be a last resort . ''
A spokesperson for the NPCC told Sky News that forces across the country were now clear on what was expected of them after initial problems .
`` This is a hugely complex situation and expecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the strategy straight away is a big ask , '' the spokesperson said .
`` While there may have been a bit of overreach by one or two forces , I think things were blown out of proportion .
`` A vast majority of officers have been doing excellent work in the ongoing effort to keep the public safe , and equally , the vast majority of the public have been complying .
`` So much of this comes down to common sense , as the guidance says . ''

Police have been told not to carry out blanket checks on cars or penalise people for travelling a "reasonable distance" for exercise, after complaints some forces had overreached their powers in attempting to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The new guidance released by the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) and the College of Policing on Tuesday night comes after inconsistencies between government guidance and emergency legislation was blamed for the apparently isolated use of heavy-handed tactics by officers.
Derbyshire Police faced criticism after using drones to film walkers in the Peak District, while North Yorkshire Police stopped motorists at "checkpoints" last week and officers in Warrington were condemned for indicating people had been summoned to court for alleged offences including "driving due to boredom".
Image: Officer from North Yorkshire Police reinforces the importance of social distancing
The new guidance states road checks on every vehicle are "disproportionate".
"Use your judgement and common sense; for example, people will want to exercise locally and may need to travel to do so, we don't want the public sanctioned for travelling a reasonable distance to exercise," it said.
Image: Police officers from North Yorkshire Police stop motorists in cars to check that their travel is 'essential'
"Road checks on every vehicle is equally disproportionate. We should reserve enforcement only for individuals who have not responded to engage, explain, and encourage, where public health is at risk."
The guidance instructs officers to be "consistent" when using new powers brought in after the government introduced social distancing measures last week.
People are only permitted to leave their homes to go shopping for basic necessities and medicines, to exercise, or to go to work if their job cannot be done from home.
Officers can fine or even arrest those breaching the rules under legislation enacted last Thursday.
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
But comments from some government ministers have sometimes gone beyond the scope of the law, leading to potential confusion.
Derbyshire Police said on Tuesday they had not used the new powers once, while Lancashire's force issued 123 fines for breaches of the rules over the weekend.
After being updated since it was originally sent to forces last week, the guidance said policing should be "by consent" with the initial response to "encourage voluntary compliance".
It says: "There is no power to 'stop and account'. The police will apply the law in a system that is flexible, discretionary and pragmatic.
"This will enable officers to make sensible decisions and employ their judgement. Enforcement should be a last resort."
A spokesperson for the NPCC told Sky News that forces across the country were now clear on what was expected of them after initial problems.
"This is a hugely complex situation and expecting every single officer to understand every part of the strategy straight away is a big ask," the spokesperson said.
"While there may have been a bit of overreach by one or two forces, I think things were blown out of proportion.
"A vast majority of officers have been doing excellent work in the ongoing effort to keep the public safe, and equally, the vast majority of the public have been complying.
"So much of this comes down to common sense, as the guidance says."


news--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: 'Concerning' rise in car journeys as people urged to stay at home

A `` concerning '' rise in car journeys has sparked fresh warnings for people to stay at home during the coronavirus lockdown .
Dr Yvonne Doyle , medical director of Public Health England , revealed motor vehicle usage in Britain has jumped to around a third of usual levels .
Despite a gradual drop off to 27 % on Sunday , the number leaped by 10 % to 37 % the following day .
Bus and underground journeys in London also rose , but National Rail train usage dipped slightly compared to the latest figures .
Speaking at the daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that while `` most people '' are following the rules to stay at home `` everyone needs to do that '' because `` we need to save lives and protect the NHS '' during the COVID-19 outbreak .
She also revealed a `` slightly concerning '' rise of new UK cases on Wednesday by 390 to 3,009 .
`` It 's still too early to say whether the plateau of hospital admissions has ended but we 've now seen three days of increases in a row , '' she explained .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best way to do that is to stay at home , to avoid catching the disease yourself and obviously avoid giving it to anyone else . ''
She added that although most of the people being admitted to hospital for coronavirus are in London , the Midlands is becoming `` a concern as well '' , warning : `` The threat is everywhere ... there is no reason to be complacent . ''
Globally , the UK has started pushing up towards the deaths trajectory experienced in Italy .
The latest figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus - bringing the total number of deaths to 2,352. Business Secretary Alok Sharma warned a `` dangerous '' second peak of cases could develop if social distancing measures imposed by the government are lifted too soon .
`` People will understand across the country why we have put these restrictions in place and the prime minister was very clear they were for an initial three-week period and we would review them , '' he said .
`` But what 's also really important is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there is a possibility that that massive effort people have made across the country is wasted and we could potentially see a dangerous second peak .
`` We absolutely want to avoid that . ''
He also slammed banks over reports they were refusing to lend money to companies in difficulty because of the global pandemic .
Anxious business-owners have complained they are n't getting money through the government 's Business Interruption Loan Scheme .
`` It would be completely unacceptable if any banks were unfairly refusing funds to good businesses in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' Just as the taxpayer stepped in to help the banks back in 2008 , we will work with the banks to do everything they can to repay that favour and support the businesses and people of the UK in their time of need . ''
He admitted it is a `` brand new scheme , and , as with all new schemes , it will not be perfect from the outset '' .

A "concerning" rise in car journeys has sparked fresh warnings for people to stay at home during the coronavirus lockdown.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, medical director of Public Health England, revealed motor vehicle usage in Britain has jumped to around a third of usual levels.
Despite a gradual drop off to 27% on Sunday, the number leaped by 10% to 37% the following day.
Image: The roads were much quieter at the weekend
Bus and underground journeys in London also rose, but National Rail train usage dipped slightly compared to the latest figures.
Speaking at the daily Downing Street briefing, Dr Doyle said that while "most people" are following the rules to stay at home "everyone needs to do that" because "we need to save lives and protect the NHS" during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:03 Explainer: How to self-isolate
She also revealed a "slightly concerning" rise of new UK cases on Wednesday by 390 to 3,009.
"It's still too early to say whether the plateau of hospital admissions has ended but we've now seen three days of increases in a row," she explained.
Image: So far 2,352 people with coronavirus have died in the UK
"We need to protect the NHS, and the best way to do that is to stay at home, to avoid catching the disease yourself and obviously avoid giving it to anyone else."
She added that although most of the people being admitted to hospital for coronavirus are in London, the Midlands is becoming "a concern as well", warning: "The threat is everywhere... there is no reason to be complacent."
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Globally, the UK has started pushing up towards the deaths trajectory experienced in Italy.
The latest figures announced on Wednesday said another 563 people died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus - bringing the total number of deaths to 2,352.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma warned a "dangerous" second peak of cases could develop if social distancing measures imposed by the government are lifted too soon.
"People will understand across the country why we have put these restrictions in place and the prime minister was very clear they were for an initial three-week period and we would review them," he said.
"But what's also really important is that if we stop these too quickly, there is a possibility that that massive effort people have made across the country is wasted and we could potentially see a dangerous second peak.
"We absolutely want to avoid that."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:08 'Banks will repay favour to taxpayers'
He also slammed banks over reports they were refusing to lend money to companies in difficulty because of the global pandemic.
Anxious business-owners have complained they aren't getting money through the government's Business Interruption Loan Scheme.
"It would be completely unacceptable if any banks were unfairly refusing funds to good businesses in financial difficulty," Mr Sharma said.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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"Just as the taxpayer stepped in to help the banks back in 2008, we will work with the banks to do everything they can to repay that favour and support the businesses and people of the UK in their time of need."
He admitted it is a "brand new scheme, and, as with all new schemes, it will not be perfect from the outset".


news--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: 563 more COVID-19 deaths in UK as Boris Johnson admits more testing is needed

Another 563 people have died in the UK after contracting coronavirus - bringing the total number of deaths to 2,352 - as Boris Johnson admitted the UK needs to `` massively ramp up '' testing for the virus .
The prime minister , who is self-isolating in Downing Street after being diagnosed with COVID-19 , said testing was `` how we would unlock the coronavirus puzzle '' and `` defeat it in the end '' .
NHS staff have expressed frustration that they are being forced to self-isolate just as they are most needed , because tests are not available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disease .
The number of deaths announced on Wednesday , which happened in the 24 hours before 5pm on Tuesday , was the UK 's biggest day-on-day increase so far during the coronavirus outbreak .
The number of deaths in each country is : • Northern Ireland : two more deaths - a total of 30 In a video posted on Twitter on Wednesday evening , Mr Johnson said it was a `` sad , sad day '' and the UK needs to `` massively ramp up '' testing for coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the disease are able to be tested positive and to take the necessary steps to isolate at home in the way that I am doing and many many others are doing , '' he said .
The latest coronavirus patients in England to die were aged between 13 and 99 years old , with 20 of the victims having no known underlying health condition , including the 13-year-old .
The deaths announced on Wednesday included leading NHS doctor Alfa Saadu , the former medical director at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus two weeks ago .
• Defence Secretary Ben Wallace became the fourth cabinet minister to self-isolate due to COVID-19 • The World Health Organisation said the number of confirmed cases around the globe will exceed one million in the coming days • The Wimbledon tennis championship has been cancelled this summer for the first time since the Second World War • Thirteen-year-old Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab from Brixton , south London , died alone without his family around him after contracting coronavirus , relatives said • The key United Nations `` Cop26 '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take place in Glasgow in November , have been postponed until 2021 • A string of summer festivals in Edinburgh , including the International Festival and Festival Fringe , have been cancelled for the first time in more than 70 years The Department of Health said 29,474 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 9am on Tuesday , 4,324 more than the 24 hours before .
Professor Yvonne Doyle , director of health protection for Public Health England , said the rise in infections was `` slightly concerning '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still too early to say whether the plateau of hospital admissions has ended but we 've now seen three days of increases in a row and again . ''
On testing , Prof Doyle said that 10,000 tests are now being carried out every day and the aim is to get to 25,000 tests by mid-April .
She added that the intention was to `` get from thousands to hundreds of thousands '' of tests for frontline workers in the coming weeks .
Labour 's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth called for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing is lagging behind other countries .
He said : `` Germany are testing half a million people a week , yet we still have n't hit the 10,000 a day the prime minister promised .
`` NHS staff are rightly asking if we 've left it too late to buy the kits and chemicals we need , or whether our lab capacity is too overstretched after years of tight budgets . ''
The government has blamed a global lack of reagents needed to carry out tests , although the British chemical industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are about half a million frontline NHS staff .
Until now , the focus has been on testing patients in hospital to check if they have coronavirus , as NHS trusts were told they should use up to 15 % of any spare testing capacity for NHS staff .
But Health Secretary Matt Hancock has now scrapped that cap , telling NHS hospital labs to use all spare capacity to test their frontline workers .
A letter from NHS England tells trusts to `` max out '' lab capacity to test staff , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 'industrialise ' staff swabbing processes '' .
The Army will help move samples and swabs around the country `` as quickly as possible '' , the letter said .
On hospital admissions , Prof Doyle said London `` is where coronavirus is most advanced '' , adding : `` But the chart shows that the threat is everywhere , we need to protect the NHS everywhere and the Midlands now is obviously a concern as well . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other countries , Ms Doyle added : `` As things stand it has not been as severe here as in France and we 're just tucked in under the USA and obviously Italy [ is ] on a different trajectory .
But there 's no reason to be complacent . ''
England 's deputy chief medical officer , Dr Jenny Harries , said on Monday she was anticipating the number of deaths to `` get worse over the next week , possibly two '' before they decline due to people adhering to the @ @ @ @ @ @

Another 563 people have died in the UK after contracting coronavirus - bringing the total number of deaths to 2,352 - as Boris Johnson admitted the UK needs to "massively ramp up" testing for the virus.
The prime minister, who is self-isolating in Downing Street after being diagnosed with COVID-19, said testing was "how we would unlock the coronavirus puzzle" and "defeat it in the end".
NHS staff have expressed frustration that they are being forced to self-isolate just as they are most needed, because tests are not available to show whether they are clear of the disease.
The number of deaths announced on Wednesday, which happened in the 24 hours before 5pm on Tuesday, was the UK's biggest day-on-day increase so far during the coronavirus outbreak.
The number of deaths in each country is:
England: 486 more deaths - a total of 2,137
Scotland: 16 more deaths - a total of 76
Wales: 29 more deaths - a total of 98
Northern Ireland: two more deaths - a total of 30
In a video posted on Twitter on Wednesday evening, Mr Johnson said it was a "sad, sad day" and the UK needs to "massively ramp up" testing for coronavirus.
"It's crucial people who do have the disease are able to be tested positive and to take the necessary steps to isolate at home in the way that I am doing and many many others are doing," he said.
The latest coronavirus patients in England to die were aged between 13 and 99 years old, with 20 of the victims having no known underlying health condition, including the 13-year-old.
The deaths announced on Wednesday included leading NHS doctor Alfa Saadu, the former medical director at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, Essex, who died after contracting coronavirus two weeks ago.
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Image: Dr Alfa Saadu has died after contracting coronavirus
In other developments:
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace became the fourth cabinet minister to self-isolate due to COVID-19
The World Health Organisation said the number of confirmed cases around the globe will exceed one million in the coming days
The Wimbledon tennis championship has been cancelled this summer for the first time since the Second World War
Thirteen-year-old Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab from Brixton, south London, died alone without his family around him after contracting coronavirus, relatives said
from Brixton, south London, died alone without his family around him after contracting coronavirus, relatives said The key United Nations "Cop26" climate talks , which were due to take place in Glasgow in November, have been postponed until 2021
, which were due to take place in Glasgow in November, have been postponed until 2021 A string of summer festivals in Edinburgh, including the International Festival and Festival Fringe, have been cancelled for the first time in more than 70 years
The Department of Health said 29,474 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 9am on Tuesday, 4,324 more than the 24 hours before.
Professor Yvonne Doyle, director of health protection for Public Health England, said the rise in infections was "slightly concerning".
She added: "It's still too early to say whether the plateau of hospital admissions has ended but we've now seen three days of increases in a row and again."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:28 Paramedic says PPE is 'substandard'
On testing, Prof Doyle said that 10,000 tests are now being carried out every day and the aim is to get to 25,000 tests by mid-April.
She added that the intention was to "get from thousands to hundreds of thousands" of tests for frontline workers in the coming weeks.
Labour's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth called for an explanation on why the UK's COVID-19 testing is lagging behind other countries.
He said: "Germany are testing half a million people a week, yet we still haven't hit the 10,000 a day the prime minister promised.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:09 Doctor sacrifices seeing kids for shifts
"NHS staff are rightly asking if we've left it too late to buy the kits and chemicals we need, or whether our lab capacity is too overstretched after years of tight budgets."
The government has blamed a global lack of reagents needed to carry out tests, although the British chemical industry said there were no shortages.
There are about half a million frontline NHS staff.
Until now, the focus has been on testing patients in hospital to check if they have coronavirus, as NHS trusts were told they should use up to 15% of any spare testing capacity for NHS staff.
But Health Secretary Matt Hancock has now scrapped that cap, telling NHS hospital labs to use all spare capacity to test their frontline workers.
A letter from NHS England tells trusts to "max out" lab capacity to test staff, adding this "means immediate action please to 'industrialise' staff swabbing processes".
The Army will help move samples and swabs around the country "as quickly as possible", the letter said.
On hospital admissions, Prof Doyle said London "is where coronavirus is most advanced", adding: "But the chart shows that the threat is everywhere, we need to protect the NHS everywhere and the Midlands now is obviously a concern as well."
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Comparing the UK to other countries, Ms Doyle added: "As things stand it has not been as severe here as in France and we're just tucked in under the USA and obviously Italy [is] on a different trajectory. But there's no reason to be complacent."
England's deputy chief medical officer, Dr Jenny Harries, said on Monday she was anticipating the number of deaths to "get worse over the next week, possibly two" before they decline due to people adhering to the lockdown and social distancing measures.


news--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: Prince Charles praises NHS in first appearance since COVID-19 diagnosis

Prince Charles has delivered a message of hope to the nation during the coronavirus crisis , praising the `` remarkable NHS '' as its staff `` battle heroically to save lives '' .
The Duke of Cornwall was making his first appearance since coming out of self-isolation after his own diagnosis with COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
He spoke in a recorded video message in support of the charity Age UK which he represents as patron .
Prince Charles told the nation it was a `` strange , frustrating and often distressing experience '' when people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his video message , posted on royal websites and social media , Charles continued : `` As a nation , we are faced by a profoundly challenging situation , which we are only too aware threatens the livelihoods , businesses and welfare of millions of our fellow citizens .
`` None of us can say when this will end , but end it will .
Until it does , let us all try and live with hope and , with faith in ourselves and each other , look forward to better times to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by staff at Birkhall , the prince 's home in Scotland , on Tuesday .
Charles continued : `` And at a time when doctors , nurses and all the vital ancillary staff that form the backbone of our remarkable NHS are increasingly under such enormous strain , and risk , as they battle heroically to save lives in intensive care centres and to contain , as much as possible , the spread of this virus , our thoughts and prayers are very much with those marvellous people whose extraordinary skills and utter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care of their patients make us so very proud . ''
Clarence House announced the 71-year-old prince , who developed mild symptoms of COVID-19 over the weekend of 21 and 22 March , had completed his period of isolation at Birkhall in Aberdeenshire on Monday .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Charles said in his recorded message on Wednesday : `` Having recently gone through the process of contracting this coronavirus - luckily with relatively mild symptoms - I now find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illness , but still in no less a state of social distance and general isolation . ''
He added : `` As we are all learning , this is a strange , frustrating and often distressing experience when the presence of family and friends is no longer possible and the normal structures of life are suddenly removed .
`` At such an unprecedented and anxious time in all our lives , my wife and I are thinking particularly of all those who have lost their loved ones in such very difficult and abnormal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endure sickness , isolation and loneliness . ''
The message was recorded on Tuesday morning by staff at Birkhall , the prince 's home in Scotland .
The Duchess of Cornwall , 72 , tested negative for the virus and remains in self-isolation until the end of the week , observing the advice to separate for 14 days .

Prince Charles has delivered a message of hope to the nation during the coronavirus crisis, praising the "remarkable NHS" as its staff "battle heroically to save lives".
The Duke of Cornwall was making his first appearance since coming out of self-isolation after his own diagnosis with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
He spoke in a recorded video message in support of the charity Age UK which he represents as patron.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:57 Coronavirus: What you need to know
Prince Charles told the nation it was a "strange, frustrating and often distressing experience" when people were separated from loved ones.
In his video message, posted on royal websites and social media, Charles continued: "As a nation, we are faced by a profoundly challenging situation, which we are only too aware threatens the livelihoods, businesses and welfare of millions of our fellow citizens.
"None of us can say when this will end, but end it will. Until it does, let us all try and live with hope and, with faith in ourselves and each other, look forward to better times to come."
The footage was recorded by staff at Birkhall, the prince's home in Scotland, on Tuesday.
Charles continued: "And at a time when doctors, nurses and all the vital ancillary staff that form the backbone of our remarkable NHS are increasingly under such enormous strain, and risk, as they battle heroically to save lives in intensive care centres and to contain, as much as possible, the spread of this virus, our thoughts and prayers are very much with those marvellous people whose extraordinary skills and utter, selfless devotion to duty and the care of their patients make us so very proud."
Clarence House announced the 71-year-old prince, who developed mild symptoms of COVID-19 over the weekend of 21 and 22 March, had completed his period of isolation at Birkhall in Aberdeenshire on Monday.
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Charles said in his recorded message on Wednesday: "Having recently gone through the process of contracting this coronavirus - luckily with relatively mild symptoms - I now find myself on the other side of the illness, but still in no less a state of social distance and general isolation."
He added: "As we are all learning, this is a strange, frustrating and often distressing experience when the presence of family and friends is no longer possible and the normal structures of life are suddenly removed.
"At such an unprecedented and anxious time in all our lives, my wife and I are thinking particularly of all those who have lost their loved ones in such very difficult and abnormal circumstances, and of those having to endure sickness, isolation and loneliness."
The message was recorded on Tuesday morning by staff at Birkhall, the prince's home in Scotland.
The Duchess of Cornwall, 72, tested negative for the virus and remains in self-isolation until the end of the week, observing the advice to separate for 14 days.


news--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: Amazon investigated after firing worker who went on strike over COVID-19

New York City is investigating online retail giant Amazon after it fired a warehouse worker on the same day he participated in a strike protesting against the company 's coronavirus response .
Chris Smalls , who worked at an Amazon facility in New York , was fired after striking over the company 's health and safety policies after a colleague tested positive for COVID-19 .
New York 's mayor , Bill de Blasio , has called on the city 's human rights commissioner to investigate the case .
Mr Smalls alleges that Amazon fired him in retaliation for his part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's policies to protect workers from being exposed to the virus .
Amazon has denied Mr Smalls 's allegations , and instead the company accused him of breaching guidelines on social distancing after he came into close contact with the infected colleague .
It comes as Donald Trump said coronavirus deaths in the US are expected to peak in two weeks - as his top scientific adviser warned the outbreak could kill up to 200,000 Americans .
There are now more than 37,000 confirmed cases in New York state - the worst affected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and confirmed coronavirus cases in America number above 136,000 on a national basis .
Amazon claimed Mr Smalls was asked to stay at home on paid sick leave for 14 days .
`` Despite that instruction to stay home with pay , he came on site today , 30 March , further putting the teams at risk , '' the company claimed in a statement .
`` This is unacceptable and we have terminated his employment as a result of these multiple safety issues , '' the statement added .
However , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , described Amazon 's decision to fire Mr Smalls as `` disgraceful '' in a tweet .
Ms James also called on the US National Labour Relations Board to investigate the case .
Mayor Bill de Blasio said : `` The allegation is because he spoke up for the safety of his fellow workers , he was fired .
`` I have ordered the city 's Commission on Human Rights to investigate Amazon immediately to determine if that 's true . ''
Mr de Blasio added in a news conference on Tuesday : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a violation of our city human rights law , and we would act on it immediately . ''

New York City is investigating online retail giant Amazon after it fired a warehouse worker on the same day he participated in a strike protesting against the company's coronavirus response.
Chris Smalls, who worked at an Amazon facility in New York, was fired after striking over the company's health and safety policies after a colleague tested positive for COVID-19.
New York's mayor, Bill de Blasio, has called on the city's human rights commissioner to investigate the case.
Mr Smalls alleges that Amazon fired him in retaliation for his part in organising the demonstration about the company's policies to protect workers from being exposed to the virus.
Amazon has denied Mr Smalls's allegations, and instead the company accused him of breaching guidelines on social distancing after he came into close contact with the infected colleague.
It comes as Donald Trump said coronavirus deaths in the US are expected to peak in two weeks - as his top scientific adviser warned the outbreak could kill up to 200,000 Americans.
There are now more than 37,000 confirmed cases in New York state - the worst affected state in the country - as suspected and confirmed coronavirus cases in America number above 136,000 on a national basis.
Amazon claimed Mr Smalls was asked to stay at home on paid sick leave for 14 days.
"Despite that instruction to stay home with pay, he came on site today, 30 March, further putting the teams at risk," the company claimed in a statement.
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"This is unacceptable and we have terminated his employment as a result of these multiple safety issues," the statement added.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:10 Trump warns of 'very painful' two weeks
However, the New York attorney general, Letitia James, described Amazon's decision to fire Mr Smalls as "disgraceful" in a tweet. Ms James also called on the US National Labour Relations Board to investigate the case.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said: "The allegation is because he spoke up for the safety of his fellow workers, he was fired.
"I have ordered the city's Commission on Human Rights to investigate Amazon immediately to determine if that's true."
Mr de Blasio added in a news conference on Tuesday: "If so, that would be a violation of our city human rights law, and we would act on it immediately."


news--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: FBI investigating after pornography used to 'Zoombomb' video conferences

The FBI has issued a warning about so-called `` Zoombombing '' following incidents in which video conferences were hijacked by trolls playing pornographic videos and shouting profanities .
Use of the Zoom app in particular has surged during the coronavirus lockdown , which comes as more than 37,000 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in New York state - the worst affected state in the country .
Suspected and confirmed coronavirus cases in America now number above 136,000 on a national basis .
Donald Trump said coronavirus deaths in the US are expected to peak in two weeks - as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could kill up to 200,000 Americans .
As citizens following social distancing guidelines are increasingly using remote-working tools to speak to colleagues , New York 's attorney general Letitia James is to investigate the Zoom app over its privacy and security practices .
It comes amid a growing number of incidents in which trolls have used Zoom 's screen-sharing feature to hijack meetings which did n't have appropriate security standards to prevent unknown users from joining the call .
Among the incidents shared with Sky News was an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from sharing her experiences by trolls playing graphic pornography .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Ms James sent a letter to the company on Monday articulating her concerns about Zoom being slow to address software flaws which `` could enable malicious third parties to , among other things , gain surreptitious access to consumer webcams '' .
In its warning to the public , the FBI described two incidents in which school classes which were being taught remotely were interrupted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the teacher 's home address - while another showed an individual with swastika tattoos .
The FBI has issued the following guidance to prevent Zoom meetings from being hijacked : • Do not make meetings or classrooms public .
In Zoom , there are two options to make a meeting private : require a meeting password or use the waiting room feature and control the admittance of guests • Do not share a link to a teleconference or classroom on an unrestricted publicly available social media post .
Provide the link directly to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Zoom , change screensharing to `` Host Only '' • Ensure users are using the updated version of remote access/meeting applications .
In January 2020 , Zoom updated their software .
In their security update , the teleconference software provider added passwords by default for meetings and disabled the ability to randomly scan for meetings to join .
In the UK , non-classified cabinet meetings have been taking place remotely using the Zoom software .
This has prompted concerns as the Ministry of Defence ( MoD ) has ordered all workers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while `` security implications '' were investigated .
An email sent to staff also told them to be `` cautious about cyber resilience '' in `` these exceptional times '' .
A source said after the revelation : `` It is astounding that thousands of MoD staff have been banned from using Zoom only to find a sensitive government meeting like that of the prime minister 's cabinet is being conducted over it . ''
A government spokesperson said : `` The MoD uses Zoom to conduct cross-government meetings for official level business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this .
`` In the current unprecedented circumstances the need for effective channels of communication is vital .
`` National Cyber Security Centre guidance shows there is no security reason for Zoom not to be used for meetings of this kind . ''
Zoom said it takes users ' security `` extremely seriously '' and that 2,000 institutions - from leading telecoms providers to government agencies and universities - have done exhaustive security reviews of the service .
A spokesperson added : `` Zoom are in close communication with the UK Ministry of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are focused on providing the documentation they need . ''

The FBI has issued a warning about so-called "Zoombombing" following incidents in which video conferences were hijacked by trolls playing pornographic videos and shouting profanities.
Use of the Zoom app in particular has surged during the coronavirus lockdown, which comes as more than 37,000 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in New York state - the worst affected state in the country.
Suspected and confirmed coronavirus cases in America now number above 136,000 on a national basis.
Donald Trump said coronavirus deaths in the US are expected to peak in two weeks - as his top scientific adviser warned the outbreak could kill up to 200,000 Americans.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:10 Trump warns of 'very paintful' two weeks
As citizens following social distancing guidelines are increasingly using remote-working tools to speak to colleagues, New York's attorney general Letitia James is to investigate the Zoom app over its privacy and security practices.
It comes amid a growing number of incidents in which trolls have used Zoom's screen-sharing feature to hijack meetings which didn't have appropriate security standards to prevent unknown users from joining the call.
Among the incidents shared with Sky News was an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in which an elderly woman in recovery was interrupted from sharing her experiences by trolls playing graphic pornography.
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
Ms James sent a letter to the company on Monday articulating her concerns about Zoom being slow to address software flaws which "could enable malicious third parties to, among other things, gain surreptitious access to consumer webcams".
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In its warning to the public, the FBI described two incidents in which school classes which were being taught remotely were interrupted by trolls - one shouting profanities and revealing the teacher's home address - while another showed an individual with swastika tattoos.
The FBI has issued the following guidance to prevent Zoom meetings from being hijacked:
Do not make meetings or classrooms public. In Zoom, there are two options to make a meeting private: require a meeting password or use the waiting room feature and control the admittance of guests
Do not share a link to a teleconference or classroom on an unrestricted publicly available social media post. Provide the link directly to specific people
Manage screensharing options. In Zoom, change screensharing to "Host Only"
Ensure users are using the updated version of remote access/meeting applications. In January 2020, Zoom updated their software. In their security update, the teleconference software provider added passwords by default for meetings and disabled the ability to randomly scan for meetings to join.
In the UK, non-classified cabinet meetings have been taking place remotely using the Zoom software.
This has prompted concerns as the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has ordered all workers in the department to immediately stop using Zoom while "security implications" were investigated.
An email sent to staff also told them to be "cautious about cyber resilience" in "these exceptional times".
A source said after the revelation: "It is astounding that thousands of MoD staff have been banned from using Zoom only to find a sensitive government meeting like that of the prime minister's cabinet is being conducted over it."
A government spokesperson said: "The MoD uses Zoom to conduct cross-government meetings for official level business. There are no plans to review this.
"In the current unprecedented circumstances the need for effective channels of communication is vital.
"National Cyber Security Centre guidance shows there is no security reason for Zoom not to be used for meetings of this kind."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:54 Penguin explores aquarium, meets whales
Zoom said it takes users' security "extremely seriously" and that 2,000 institutions - from leading telecoms providers to government agencies and universities - have done exhaustive security reviews of the service.
A spokesperson added: "Zoom are in close communication with the UK Ministry of Defence and National Cyber Security Centre and are focused on providing the documentation they need."


news--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: Temporary mortuary being built in London to meet expected surge in deaths

A temporary mortuary is being built in preparation for an expected surge in the number of deaths among people with coronavirus .
Construction has started at the site on Manor Flats , an area of grassland in the borough of Newham , east London , near the southernmost tip of Epping Forest .
It is expected to be finished later this week , the Evening Standard said .
The number of deaths among people with coronavirus passed 2,000 on Wednesday , the Department of Health said , after 563 more fatalities were reported .
The building is modular so its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessary capacity is met , a spokesman with the Strategic Co-ordination Group ( SCG ) , which steers response to a major incident in London , said .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz said : `` We know that the number of deaths will rise .
`` That is why as part of the government 's response , additional mortuary space is being found and one of those is Manor Flats in the Manor Park area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ act as a holding point before a respectful and dignified cremation or burial can take place to send a loved one on their final journey , '' said Ms Fiaz , adding that `` sadly relatives will not be able to visit the site '' .
`` Funeral directors and faith leaders will be encouraging people to help reduce the risk of spreading the infection by restricting the number of mourners who attend burials , '' she said .
`` They 've also strongly advised that mourners should not take part in any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close contact with the body of the person who has died . ''
Ms Fiaz assured residents that the land would be fully reinstated once the `` desperate situation '' had passed .
The site , owned by the City of London Corporation , is less than four miles from the 4,000-bed Nightingale field hospital at the ExCeL conference centre in Docklands .
Emergency measures enacted to deal with the coronavirus pandemic give ministers the power to demand that the corporation provide site access for this purpose .

A temporary mortuary is being built in preparation for an expected surge in the number of deaths among people with coronavirus.
Construction has started at the site on Manor Flats, an area of grassland in the borough of Newham, east London, near the southernmost tip of Epping Forest.
It is expected to be finished later this week, the Evening Standard said.
Image: The temporary mortuary is in Manor Flats
The number of deaths among people with coronavirus passed 2,000 on Wednesday, the Department of Health said, after 563 more fatalities were reported.
The building is modular so its size can be adjusted to ensure the necessary capacity is met, a spokesman with the Strategic Co-ordination Group (SCG) , which steers response to a major incident in London, said.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz said: "We know that the number of deaths will rise.
"That is why as part of the government's response, additional mortuary space is being found and one of those is Manor Flats in the Manor Park area of Newham.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:00 How to practise social distancing
"The facility will act as a holding point before a respectful and dignified cremation or burial can take place to send a loved one on their final journey," said Ms Fiaz, adding that "sadly relatives will not be able to visit the site".
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"Funeral directors and faith leaders will be encouraging people to help reduce the risk of spreading the infection by restricting the number of mourners who attend burials," she said.
"They've also strongly advised that mourners should not take part in any rituals or practices that bring them into close contact with the body of the person who has died."
Ms Fiaz assured residents that the land would be fully reinstated once the "desperate situation" had passed.
The site, owned by the City of London Corporation, is less than four miles from the 4,000-bed Nightingale field hospital at the ExCeL conference centre in Docklands.
Emergency measures enacted to deal with the coronavirus pandemic give ministers the power to demand that the corporation provide site access for this purpose.


news--2020-04-01--Coronavirus 'is cornered and will burn out' due to UK distancing measures, ex-WHO official says

The UK 's social distancing measures are working and mean coronavirus now `` has nowhere to go and will burn out '' , a former World Health Organization director has said .
While estimates previously indicated each person infected with COVID-19 would infect 2.6 other people , research conducted by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine revealed that number has fallen to 0.62 .
Keeping that figure below one is seen as crucial in the effort to slowly eradicate coronavirus , and Professor Karol Sikora suggested the new study showed the nationwide lockdown was on the way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus is cornered , '' he said .
`` It has nowhere to go and will burn out .
Good news . ''
Experts suggest the virus 's peak in the country will occur between 6 April and 30 April , ahead of a likely second wave when social distancing measures are relaxed .
Professor Sikora , who is chief medical officer at Rutherford Health , professor of medicine at the University of Buckingham and former director of the WHO Cancer Programme , said evidence from China and South Korea told Sky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' of high death-rates would be over by the end of the month .
`` The real question is 'how do you relax social distancing at that point ? '
, and there 's no science behind that , it 's just a judgement call and it 's a difficult judgement call , '' he told Sky News .
`` Testing , for those who have been infected and therefore to know what percentage of the population in the UK are infected with the virus is sort of critical now , because that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and help business to get started again . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He pointed out that studies of restricted samples of people infected with coronavirus , including those on cruise ships , indicated that around half of those who contract the illness have no symptoms .
`` That 's telling us something , '' he said .
`` Somehow , if we could test the population and find out who exactly has gone through the process of coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population .
`` If it 's 40 % or 50 % - and the epedemiologists argue about that already - it may be possible to liberate social distancing [ in the ] first [ or ] second week in May .
`` We 'd all be delighted if that is the case .
At the same time , if it 's not the case and , say , only 10 % of the population have been infected , we may have to wait until September , and that would create huge social problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

The UK's social distancing measures are working and mean coronavirus now "has nowhere to go and will burn out", a former World Health Organization director has said.
While estimates previously indicated each person infected with COVID-19 would infect 2.6 other people, research conducted by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine revealed that number has fallen to 0.62.
Keeping that figure below one is seen as crucial in the effort to slowly eradicate coronavirus, and Professor Karol Sikora suggested the new study showed the nationwide lockdown was on the way to halting its spread.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:02 Lockdown: The dos and don'ts
"This means the virus is cornered," he said.
"It has nowhere to go and will burn out. Good news."
Experts suggest the virus's peak in the country will occur between 6 April and 30 April, ahead of a likely second wave when social distancing measures are relaxed.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:13 What is herd immunity?
Professor Sikora, who is chief medical officer at Rutherford Health, professor of medicine at the University of Buckingham and former director of the WHO Cancer Programme, said evidence from China and South Korea told Sky News he believed the "main wave" of high death-rates would be over by the end of the month.
"The real question is 'how do you relax social distancing at that point?', and there's no science behind that, it's just a judgement call and it's a difficult judgement call," he told Sky News.
"Testing, for those who have been infected and therefore to know what percentage of the population in the UK are infected with the virus is sort of critical now, because that would guide the relaxation of social distancing and help business to get started again."
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He pointed out that studies of restricted samples of people infected with coronavirus, including those on cruise ships, indicated that around half of those who contract the illness have no symptoms.
"That's telling us something," he said.
"Somehow, if we could test the population and find out who exactly has gone through the process of coronavirus, then you can release them into the population.
"If it's 40% or 50% - and the epedemiologists argue about that already - it may be possible to liberate social distancing [in the] first [or] second week in May.
"We'd all be delighted if that is the case. At the same time, if it's not the case and, say, only 10% of the population have been infected, we may have to wait until September, and that would create huge social problems for this country and other countries."


news--2020-04-07--Coronavirus: 'I'm confident prime minister will pull through,' says foreign secretary

The foreign secretary says he is `` confident '' the prime minister will `` pull through '' after he was put into intensive care on Monday .
Dominic Raab , who is now formally deputising for Boris Johnson , was speaking at the daily Downing Street coronavirus briefing on Tuesday .
He reiterated that the prime minister `` remains in good spirits '' and was breathing without assistance , although he has received oxygen support .
The foreign secretary spoke of Mr Johnson as a `` friend '' as he noted the `` groundswell of support '' that had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night .
He added : `` As will be the case for many people up and down the country who know someone at work who has fallen ill with coronavirus , it is a shock to all of us .
`` He is not just the prime minister .
For all of us in cabinet , he is not just our boss .
`` He is also a colleague and he is also our friend .
So all our thoughts and prayers are with the prime minister at this time , with Carrie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` And I 'm confident he will pull through because if there is one thing that I know about this prime minister [ it ] is he is a fighter and he will be back leading us through this crisis in short order . ''
Mr Raab said he and fellow cabinet ministers `` will not blink or flinch '' in the battle against COVID-19 , despite Mr Johnson 's absence .
The foreign secretary said cabinet ministers had `` very clear directions , very clear instructions '' from the prime minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unity and total resolve on implementing them so that when he 's back , I hope in very short order , we will have made the progress that he would expect and that the country would expect , '' he added .
Mr Raab dodged questions about whether he had full decision-making authority while Mr Johnson is indisposed .
He instead stressed there are `` collective cabinet responsibilities '' for decision-making .
Appearing alongside Mr Raab at the news conference , Sir Patrick Vallance - the government 's chief scientific adviser - said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right direction '' in terms of the number of new coronavirus cases .
`` It 's possible that we 're beginning to see the beginning of change in terms of the curve flattening a little bit , '' he said .
`` We wo n't know that for sure for a week or so .
`` There has n't been the accelerated take-off and again it 's possible that we 're beginning to see the start of a change where we might see numbers flattening off .
`` It does begin to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right direction in terms of numbers and it 's important that we carry on with the measures that we have got in place in order to make sure that this does go in the right direction . ''
But Mr Raab said the government would not yet be reviewing the lockdown measures in the UK - aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus - as he urged Britons to stay at home over the Easter weekend .
`` The worst thing now would be to take our foot off the pedal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losing the gains that have been made , '' he said .
England 's chief medical officer , Professor Chris Whitty , admitted there was `` a lot to learn '' from the coronavirus response in Germany , where the rate of growth in the number of COVID-19 deaths appears to be much slower .
`` We all know that Germany got ahead in terms of its ability to do testing for the virus and there 's a lot to learn from that and we 've been trying to learn the lessons from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Germany is estimated to be conducting more than 50,000 coronavirus tests a day .
On Monday , 14,006 coronavirus tests were carried out in the UK .
Mr Raab said the government 's target of reaching 100,000 tests per day by the end of this month `` still stands '' .
The UK appears to be following a similar death rate trajectory to Italy , but Sir Patrick said this does not mean the two countries will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We are probably three or four weeks behind Italy in terms of the outbreak , '' he said .
`` It does n't mean we end up with the same numbers . ''
Mr Johnson was initially admitted to hospital on Sunday night but his condition worsened on Monday afternoon - more than a week after he tested positive for coronavirus .
The prime minister 's official spokesman revealed earlier on Tuesday that Mr Johnson was `` stable '' overnight , had not required a ventilator and had not been diagnosed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a message to Mr Johnson 's family and the prime minister 's pregnant fiancee Ms Symonds , saying they were in her thoughts and that she wished Mr Johnson a full and speedy recovery .
Mr Raab chaired the daily morning meeting of the government 's coronavirus `` war cabinet '' for the second day in a row earlier on Tuesday .

The foreign secretary says he is "confident" the prime minister will "pull through" after he was put into intensive care on Monday.
Dominic Raab, who is now formally deputising for Boris Johnson, was speaking at the daily Downing Street coronavirus briefing on Tuesday.
He reiterated that the prime minister "remains in good spirits" and was breathing without assistance, although he has received oxygen support.
Image: Boris Johnson is being treated in intensive care at St Thomas' Hospital in London
The foreign secretary spoke of Mr Johnson as a "friend" as he noted the "groundswell of support" that had been offered to the prime minister since Monday night.
He added: "As will be the case for many people up and down the country who know someone at work who has fallen ill with coronavirus, it is a shock to all of us.
"He is not just the prime minister. For all of us in cabinet, he is not just our boss.
"He is also a colleague and he is also our friend. So all our thoughts and prayers are with the prime minister at this time, with Carrie [Symonds] and his whole family.
"And I'm confident he will pull through because if there is one thing that I know about this prime minister [it] is he is a fighter and he will be back leading us through this crisis in short order."
Mr Raab said he and fellow cabinet ministers "will not blink or flinch" in the battle against COVID-19, despite Mr Johnson's absence.
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The foreign secretary said cabinet ministers had "very clear directions, very clear instructions" from the prime minister.
"We're focused with total unity and total resolve on implementing them so that when he's back, I hope in very short order, we will have made the progress that he would expect and that the country would expect," he added.
Mr Raab dodged questions about whether he had full decision-making authority while Mr Johnson is indisposed.
He instead stressed there are "collective cabinet responsibilities" for decision-making.
Image: England's chief medical officer admitted there was 'a lot to learn' from Germany
Appearing alongside Mr Raab at the news conference, Sir Patrick Vallance - the government's chief scientific adviser - said the UK "might be moving in the right direction" in terms of the number of new coronavirus cases.
"It's possible that we're beginning to see the beginning of change in terms of the curve flattening a little bit," he said.
"We won't know that for sure for a week or so.
"There hasn't been the accelerated take-off and again it's possible that we're beginning to see the start of a change where we might see numbers flattening off.
"It does begin to suggest that things might be moving in the right direction in terms of numbers and it's important that we carry on with the measures that we have got in place in order to make sure that this does go in the right direction."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:28 David Cameron's message to Boris Johnson
But Mr Raab said the government would not yet be reviewing the lockdown measures in the UK - aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus - as he urged Britons to stay at home over the Easter weekend.
"The worst thing now would be to take our foot off the pedal, to ease up on that and risk losing the gains that have been made," he said.
England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, admitted there was "a lot to learn" from the coronavirus response in Germany, where the rate of growth in the number of COVID-19 deaths appears to be much slower.
"We all know that Germany got ahead in terms of its ability to do testing for the virus and there's a lot to learn from that and we've been trying to learn the lessons from that," he said.
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Germany is estimated to be conducting more than 50,000 coronavirus tests a day. On Monday, 14,006 coronavirus tests were carried out in the UK.
Mr Raab said the government's target of reaching 100,000 tests per day by the end of this month "still stands".
The UK appears to be following a similar death rate trajectory to Italy, but Sir Patrick said this does not mean the two countries will end up with the same end result.
"We are probably three or four weeks behind Italy in terms of the outbreak," he said. "It doesn't mean we end up with the same numbers."
Mr Johnson was initially admitted to hospital on Sunday night but his condition worsened on Monday afternoon - more than a week after he tested positive for coronavirus.
The prime minister's official spokesman revealed earlier on Tuesday that Mr Johnson was "stable" overnight, had not required a ventilator and had not been diagnosed with pneumonia.
The Queen has sent a message to Mr Johnson's family and the prime minister's pregnant fiancee Ms Symonds, saying they were in her thoughts and that she wished Mr Johnson a full and speedy recovery.
Mr Raab chaired the daily morning meeting of the government's coronavirus "war cabinet" for the second day in a row earlier on Tuesday.


news--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: Cost of government response climbs to £123bn

The government 's response to the coronavirus crisis will cost taxpayers £123.2bn , according to an updated estimate from the Office for Budget Responsibility .
That is up from a previous estimate of £103.7bn - with more than half of the increase due to the rising cost of the government 's scheme to pay wages for temporarily laid off workers .
The latest figure takes the overall level of spending close to the annual budget of NHS England - though some of the coronavirus spending is itself accounted for by health service costs .
It means , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on course to climb to more than £298bn for the current 2020/21 fiscal year - up from £273bn when previously estimated a month ago .
In March , before the lockdown , it had estimated borrowing of £55bn .
The sharp rise in borrowing is accounted for by lower tax revenues - as the locked down economy shrinks sharply - as well as higher spending .
The latest expected total would leave debt at 95.8 % of GDP .
The OBR 's figures starkly illustrate the increasing burden of the crisis on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England budget for 2019/20 was just under £121bn and for the current fiscal year - prior to the lockdown being announced - was set at £127bn .
Much of the extra cost laid out in the latest OBR report is the result of the government 's decision to extend the furlough scheme , designed to save stricken companies from having to sack workers by paying most of their wages .
Rishi Sunak announced earlier this week that the scheme , initially set up to run until the end of June , would continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to £2,500 for a further month .
After that , the scheme will run for a three months to the end of October , but with employers expected to begin footing some of the bill .
The extension means that the OBR - the government 's fiscal watchdog - now estimates the net cost of the scheme at £50bn , up from £39bn .
But that figure only takes into account the cost of furloughing until the end of July - as the watchdog said there was `` insufficient detail '' for it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost after that .
The OBR report also for the first time estimates the cost of a series of government-backed loan schemes to support businesses .
It pencils in a figure of £5bn as the sum of lending that the Treasury may have to write off in 2020/21 as a result of the initiatives .
The overall taxpayer bill also includes £15bn on extra public services spending - taking in more money for health services , local authorities , vulnerable individuals , subsidising railways , and money for devolved administrations .
On the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the OBR stuck to its scenario that GDP could shrink by 35 % in the current second quarter before partly bouncing back in the following three months .

The government's response to the coronavirus crisis will cost taxpayers £123.2bn, according to an updated estimate from the Office for Budget Responsibility.
That is up from a previous estimate of £103.7bn - with more than half of the increase due to the rising cost of the government's scheme to pay wages for temporarily laid off workers.
The latest figure takes the overall level of spending close to the annual budget of NHS England - though some of the coronavirus spending is itself accounted for by health service costs.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:23 Chancellor warns of a 'significant recession'
It means, according to the OBR, that government borrowing is now on course to climb to more than £298bn for the current 2020/21 fiscal year - up from £273bn when previously estimated a month ago.
In March, before the lockdown, it had estimated borrowing of £55bn.
The sharp rise in borrowing is accounted for by lower tax revenues - as the locked down economy shrinks sharply - as well as higher spending.
The latest expected total would leave debt at 95.8% of GDP.
The OBR's figures starkly illustrate the increasing burden of the crisis on the Treasury.
By comparison, the NHS England budget for 2019/20 was just under £121bn and for the current fiscal year - prior to the lockdown being announced - was set at £127bn.
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Much of the extra cost laid out in the latest OBR report is the result of the government's decision to extend the furlough scheme, designed to save stricken companies from having to sack workers by paying most of their wages.
Rishi Sunak announced earlier this week that the scheme, initially set up to run until the end of June, would continue to pay 80% of salaries up to £2,500 for a further month.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:23 Vauxhall boss: reopening car showrooms is key
After that, the scheme will run for a three months to the end of October, but with employers expected to begin footing some of the bill.
The extension means that the OBR - the government's fiscal watchdog - now estimates the net cost of the scheme at £50bn, up from £39bn.
But that figure only takes into account the cost of furloughing until the end of July - as the watchdog said there was "insufficient detail" for it to say how much the scheme would cost after that.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:04 'Going back to work puts my family at risk'
The OBR report also for the first time estimates the cost of a series of government-backed loan schemes to support businesses.
It pencils in a figure of £5bn as the sum of lending that the Treasury may have to write off in 2020/21 as a result of the initiatives.
The overall taxpayer bill also includes £15bn on extra public services spending - taking in more money for health services, local authorities, vulnerable individuals, subsidising railways, and money for devolved administrations.
On the impact of the coronavirus on economic growth, the OBR stuck to its scenario that GDP could shrink by 35% in the current second quarter before partly bouncing back in the following three months.