news--2020-06-18--Coronavirus: China fears new COVID-19 ripple will lead to second wave

Beijing is n't in full lockdown , at least not yet .
But the new outbreak here has residents - and the Chinese Communist Party - worried .
Today the authorities confirmed another 21 locally transmitted cases of COVID-19 in the capital , bringing the total in the latest cluster to 158 .
And they are not confined just to Beijing - cases have been recorded in provinces across China .
The first question is how this happened .
Life in China had been getting back to normal , with people going back to work and restaurants reopening .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strictest COVID-19 measures in place .
Foreigners are still banned from entering the country , with some very limited exceptions .
Entry to apartment blocks and shops requires scanning a QR code on your phone , to harvest your location history .
Masks and temperature checks are ubiquitous .
And yet here we are .
Its exact origins remain a mystery , despite China 's claims that this is a European strain of the virus .
China has sequenced the genome but - shock , horror - has not made it public , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world to know .
In the meantime , the full might of the Chinese state has been brought to bear .
More than 350,000 tests were carried out in four days .
Contacts have been traced extensively .
Several residential compounds have been sealed off .
And all schools have been shut , bars ordered to close and flights in and out of the capital curbed .
`` Wartime measures '' as one local official put it .
The clear worry , for China but also for the rest of the world watching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a second wave .
But other countries have dealt with these ripples with much lighter intervention .
Since the start of May , South Korea - one of the success stories in managing COVID-19 - has seen three clusters , of 273 people , 147 people , and 139 people in different locations .
They have reintroduced social distancing measures but have not responded with China 's iron fist .
And so far , at least , there has been no second wave .
China is not prepared to take even the smallest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two possible reasons for that .
First , the authorities always prioritise Beijing 's security above all , whatever disruption it brings to people 's lives .
Second , the number of cases might be far higher than published - Beijing might really be worried that this is the second wave .
The answer is probably a combination of the two .
China is rightly anxious to protect its citizens and would rather overreact .
But this is n't just about Chinese citizens , it 's about the Chinese Communist Party itself .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The party has trumpeted its success in fighting COVID-19 , especially compared to the mess some Western countries have made of it .
And it has presented Chinese President Xi Jinping as central to that success .
As a result , that success must continue - whatever it takes .

Beijing isn't in full lockdown, at least not yet.
But the new outbreak here has residents - and the Chinese Communist Party - worried.
Today the authorities confirmed another 21 locally transmitted cases of COVID-19 in the capital, bringing the total in the latest cluster to 158. And they are not confined just to Beijing - cases have been recorded in provinces across China.
The first question is how this happened. Life in China had been getting back to normal, with people going back to work and restaurants reopening.
But the country still had some of the strictest COVID-19 measures in place. Foreigners are still banned from entering the country, with some very limited exceptions.
Entry to apartment blocks and shops requires scanning a QR code on your phone, to harvest your location history. Masks and temperature checks are ubiquitous.
And yet here we are. Its exact origins remain a mystery, despite China's claims that this is a European strain of the virus. China has sequenced the genome but - shock, horror - has not made it public, so it is impossible for the outside world to know.
In the meantime, the full might of the Chinese state has been brought to bear. More than 350,000 tests were carried out in four days.
Contacts have been traced extensively. Several residential compounds have been sealed off. And all schools have been shut, bars ordered to close and flights in and out of the capital curbed. "Wartime measures" as one local official put it.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:36 Beijing moves to limit new COVID outbreak
The clear worry, for China but also for the rest of the world watching, is that this coronavirus ripple becomes a second wave.
But other countries have dealt with these ripples with much lighter intervention.
Since the start of May, South Korea - one of the success stories in managing COVID-19 - has seen three clusters, of 273 people, 147 people, and 139 people in different locations. They have reintroduced social distancing measures but have not responded with China's iron fist. And so far, at least, there has been no second wave.
China is not prepared to take even the smallest of chances, though. There are two possible reasons for that.
First, the authorities always prioritise Beijing's security above all, whatever disruption it brings to people's lives.
Image: Authorities in China are fighting against another COVID outbreak
Second, the number of cases might be far higher than published - Beijing might really be worried that this is the second wave.
The answer is probably a combination of the two. China is rightly anxious to protect its citizens and would rather overreact.
But this isn't just about Chinese citizens, it's about the Chinese Communist Party itself.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The party has trumpeted its success in fighting COVID-19, especially compared to the mess some Western countries have made of it. And it has presented Chinese President Xi Jinping as central to that success.
As a result, that success must continue - whatever it takes.


news--2020-06-18--Coronavirus: Hundreds test positive for COVID-19 in German slaughterhouse

Hundreds of workers have tested positive for COVID-19 at a slaughterhouse in northern Germany , prompting to the closure of local schools and an urgent investigation .
Toennies , one of Germany 's biggest meat processors , said it had stopped slaughtering on Wednesday and was shutting the abattoir in stages .
More than 1,000 workers were tested and a total of 657 people tested positive for coronavirus , DW News reported .
And around 7,000 people in the district of Gutersloh , where the abattoir is located , have been put into quarantine due to possible exposure of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would close schools and kindergartens from Thursday as a precautionary measure .
Germany has been relatively successful in containing COVID-19 and announced in May it was tightening rules on abattoirs .
Labour minister Hubertus Heil said it decided to ban the subcontracting of meat-packing work through employment agencies after a series of coronavirus outbreaks among slaughterhouse workers .
Toennies said in a statement that the plant 's reopening would depend on what the authorities decide .
A spokesman for the plant , Andre Vielstadte , said at a press conference : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that the business had worked `` intensively '' to `` keep the virus out of the company '' .
The company said the positive tests followed an extensive testing programme across its 19 sites in Germany .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Tests at other plants did not uncover any signs of the virus and production elsewhere is continuing , it said .
Germany has registered 4,814 new coronavirus cases in the past 14 days , while 8,927 COVID-19-related deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abattoirs have been halted as a result of the coronavirus , with US slaughterhouses and meat-packing plants disrupted after a series of positive tests .
On Wednesday , it was reported that staff at a chicken factory in Wales were self-isolating following an outbreak of COVID-19 .

Hundreds of workers have tested positive for COVID-19 at a slaughterhouse in northern Germany, prompting to the closure of local schools and an urgent investigation.
Toennies, one of Germany's biggest meat processors, said it had stopped slaughtering on Wednesday and was shutting the abattoir in stages.
More than 1,000 workers were tested and a total of 657 people tested positive for coronavirus, DW News reported.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:46 How Germany is adjusting to life post lockdown
And around 7,000 people in the district of Gutersloh, where the abattoir is located, have been put into quarantine due to possible exposure of the virus.
The local government authority said it would close schools and kindergartens from Thursday as a precautionary measure.
Germany has been relatively successful in containing COVID-19 and announced in May it was tightening rules on abattoirs.
Labour minister Hubertus Heil said it decided to ban the subcontracting of meat-packing work through employment agencies after a series of coronavirus outbreaks among slaughterhouse workers.
Toennies said in a statement that the plant's reopening would depend on what the authorities decide.
A spokesman for the plant, Andre Vielstadte, said at a press conference: "We can only apologise".
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He added that the business had worked "intensively" to "keep the virus out of the company".
The company said the positive tests followed an extensive testing programme across its 19 sites in Germany.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Tests at other plants did not uncover any signs of the virus and production elsewhere is continuing, it said.
Germany has registered 4,814 new coronavirus cases in the past 14 days, while 8,927 COVID-19-related deaths have been recorded overall.
Globally, abattoirs have been halted as a result of the coronavirus, with US slaughterhouses and meat-packing plants disrupted after a series of positive tests.
On Wednesday, it was reported that staff at a chicken factory in Wales were self-isolating following an outbreak of COVID-19.


news--2020-06-18--Coronavirus: At least a quarter of people who test positive missed by contact tracers

At least a quarter of people who test positive for COVID-19 in the UK are being missed by contact tracers following up who they could have transmitted the virus on to .
Of the 5,949 people who tested positive for coronavirus between 4 and 10 June , 73 % provided details of who they had been in close contact with , according to the latest NHS figures .
But of the 44,895 people who were identified as close contacts of these people - and potentially at risk of having caught COVID-19 - more than 40,900 ( 90 % ) were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures mean that at least a quarter of people who test positive for the virus are being missed because there is a disparity between the numbers of people testing positive and the numbers being referred to the contact tracers .
Yesterday , Health Secretary Matt Hancock explained the disparity was `` largely because they are in-patients in hospital and therefore testing and tracing in the normal sense does n't apply '' .
But the previous week Professor John Newton said there was `` quite a lot of double counting in the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harding has confirmed there are `` errors in the data '' .
According to the data , the proportion of people who are missed by the contact tracing teams has remained largely unchanged from the week before .
In total , since 28 May when the track and trace system was rolled out , more than 14,000 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 have had their cases transferred to the tracing teams .
Of these , 72 % have been reached and asked to provide the details of their recent close contacts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were able to contact and ask to self-isolate .
Matt Hancock had promised that a contact tracing app developed by the health service 's innovation arm NHSX would be delivered by mid-May , allowing this manual process to be automated .
But development of the NHS app , which was being trialled on the Isle of Wight , has been fraught with delays and concerns about whether it works properly .
Yesterday , Lord Bethell told a committee of MPs it may not be ready until the winter .
But , he told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was n't `` the priority at the moment '' .
Lord Bethell confirmed the government still planned to introduce a contact-tracing app , describing it as `` a really important option for the future '' .
The app has been the subject of a trial on the Isle of Wight , where the Department of Health says it has been downloaded by 54,000 people .
Lord Bethell said the trial had been a success , but admitted that one of its principal lessons had been that greater emphasis needed to be placed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reminder that you ca n't take a totally technical answer to the problem , '' he said .

At least a quarter of people who test positive for COVID-19 in the UK are being missed by contact tracers following up who they could have transmitted the virus on to.
Of the 5,949 people who tested positive for coronavirus between 4 and 10 June, 73% provided details of who they had been in close contact with, according to the latest NHS figures.
But of the 44,895 people who were identified as close contacts of these people - and potentially at risk of having caught COVID-19 - more than 40,900 (90%) were reached and asked to self-isolate.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 12:08 Government defends track and trace amid concerns
The figures mean that at least a quarter of people who test positive for the virus are being missed because there is a disparity between the numbers of people testing positive and the numbers being referred to the contact tracers.
Yesterday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock explained the disparity was "largely because they are in-patients in hospital and therefore testing and tracing in the normal sense doesn't apply".
But the previous week Professor John Newton said there was "quite a lot of double counting in the number of cases reported", and Baroness Dido Harding has confirmed there are "errors in the data".
According to the data, the proportion of people who are missed by the contact tracing teams has remained largely unchanged from the week before.
In total, since 28 May when the track and trace system was rolled out, more than 14,000 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 have had their cases transferred to the tracing teams.
Of these, 72% have been reached and asked to provide the details of their recent close contacts, 90% of whom the tracers were able to contact and ask to self-isolate.
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Matt Hancock had promised that a contact tracing app developed by the health service's innovation arm NHSX would be delivered by mid-May, allowing this manual process to be automated.
But development of the NHS app, which was being trialled on the Isle of Wight, has been fraught with delays and concerns about whether it works properly.
Yesterday, Lord Bethell told a committee of MPs it may not be ready until the winter.
But, he told a committee of MPs, the app wasn't "the priority at the moment".
Lord Bethell confirmed the government still planned to introduce a contact-tracing app, describing it as "a really important option for the future".
The app has been the subject of a trial on the Isle of Wight, where the Department of Health says it has been downloaded by 54,000 people.
Lord Bethell said the trial had been a success, but admitted that one of its principal lessons had been that greater emphasis needed to be placed on manual contact tracing.
"It was a reminder that you can't take a totally technical answer to the problem," he said.


news--2020-06-18--Hillary Clinton says coronavirus 'sums up Donald Trump's failures' - as she tells him to 'just go aw

Hillary Clinton says coronavirus 'sums up Donald Trump's failures' - as she tells him to 'just go away'

Hillary Clinton has said the coronavirus pandemic `` really sums up the deep failures '' of Donald Trump 's presidency .
Speaking to Sky News presenter Kay Burley , the former Democratic presidential candidate said she believes Mr Trump has become `` bored '' with the COVID-19 crisis as he knows it is hurting his chances of re-election in November .
Mrs Clinton , who lost to Mr Trump in the 2016 US presidential election , said : `` Obviously I tried to warn about him when I was running against him and yet once it was over I hoped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would rise to the job , that he would not be as bad as I feared .
`` Sadly , he 's been even worse and the COVID-19 crisis really sums up the deep failures of his presidency . ''
She criticised what she called his `` refusal to lead , to take any responsibility ... to heed the warnings that were coming for quite some time before the cases exploded , to listen to the scientists , to reassure people , to lead by example '' .
Mrs Clinton claimed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientists `` for weeks '' .
The United States has the highest number of coronavirus cases and deaths in the world , with the death toll now exceeding 117,000 .
Asked what advice she would have for Mr Trump now , Mrs Clinton laughed and said : `` Just go away quietly , thank you very much .
`` Just go back to golfing or whatever you wan na do and do n't continue to mess with our country , thank you . ''
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spreaker Turning her thoughts to the upcoming election , where Mr Trump is set to battle Democrat Joe Biden for the presidency , Mrs Clinton said she was confident Mr Biden could win .
`` There is no doubt in my mind that if the election were this Tuesday , he would win , '' she said .
But she feared there could be Russian meddling in the election - as there had been in the 2016 race .
`` Russian interference , manipulation of social media , disinformation , that is all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to have to be addressed by the Biden campaign and I hope by the press to make sure people are n't fooled again , '' she said .
The 72-year-old also had some words of advice for Mr Biden in choosing his running mate , who he has already pledged will be a woman - something Mrs Clinton is `` thrilled '' about .
She said : `` Number one , this person has to be ready to be president because we do n't know what 's going to happen in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now .
`` Number two , you 've got to wan na work with this person day in and day out .
`` And then of course , number three , this person has to help you win or at least do no harm . ''
Mrs Clinton is no stranger to tough choices herself .
She says she still stands by her decision to stay with her husband - former US president Bill Clinton - after his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky .
Kay Burley asked : `` How did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have thrown things at him until there was nothing left in the house to throw . ''
`` Well , I 'm not saying I did n't , am I ? ''
Mrs Clinton replied .
`` It was incredibly hard and it took a lot of digging deep about what I really wanted and what I could live with going forward and at the end of it we had some counselling , we obviously spent an enormous amount of time ... talking it through .
`` I made the decision that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am quick to say I do n't in any way suggest or judge any woman who makes a different decision . ''
You can watch the four-part series Hillary on Sky Documentaries and Now TV - that 's available right now .

Hillary Clinton has said the coronavirus pandemic "really sums up the deep failures" of Donald Trump's presidency.
Speaking to Sky News presenter Kay Burley, the former Democratic presidential candidate said she believes Mr Trump has become "bored" with the COVID-19 crisis as he knows it is hurting his chances of re-election in November.
Mrs Clinton, who lost to Mr Trump in the 2016 US presidential election, said: "Obviously I tried to warn about him when I was running against him and yet once it was over I hoped, along with many Americans, that he would rise to the job, that he would not be as bad as I feared.
"Sadly, he's been even worse and the COVID-19 crisis really sums up the deep failures of his presidency."
Image: Hillary Clinton at a screening of the four-part series Hillary
She criticised what she called his "refusal to lead, to take any responsibility... to heed the warnings that were coming for quite some time before the cases exploded, to listen to the scientists, to reassure people, to lead by example".
Mrs Clinton claimed the US president has not talked with leading scientists "for weeks".
The United States has the highest number of coronavirus cases and deaths in the world, with the death toll now exceeding 117,000.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:34 Trump is 'bored' with coronavirus crisis
Asked what advice she would have for Mr Trump now, Mrs Clinton laughed and said: "Just go away quietly, thank you very much.
"Just go back to golfing or whatever you wanna do and don't continue to mess with our country, thank you."
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:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
Turning her thoughts to the upcoming election, where Mr Trump is set to battle Democrat Joe Biden for the presidency, Mrs Clinton said she was confident Mr Biden could win.
"There is no doubt in my mind that if the election were this Tuesday, he would win," she said.
But she feared there could be Russian meddling in the election - as there had been in the 2016 race.
"Russian interference, manipulation of social media, disinformation, that is all happening one more time and that is going to have to be addressed by the Biden campaign and I hope by the press to make sure people aren't fooled again," she said.
Image: Joe Biden is running for president
The 72-year-old also had some words of advice for Mr Biden in choosing his running mate, who he has already pledged will be a woman - something Mrs Clinton is "thrilled" about.
She said: "Number one, this person has to be ready to be president because we don't know what's going to happen in this crazy world we're living in right now.
"Number two, you've got to wanna work with this person day in and day out.
"And then of course, number three, this person has to help you win or at least do no harm."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:49 Forgiving husband for Lewinsky affair was 'really hard'
Mrs Clinton is no stranger to tough choices herself.
She says she still stands by her decision to stay with her husband - former US president Bill Clinton - after his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
Kay Burley asked: "How did you forgive your husband? I would have thrown things at him until there was nothing left in the house to throw."
"Well, I'm not saying I didn't, am I?" Mrs Clinton replied.
"It was incredibly hard and it took a lot of digging deep about what I really wanted and what I could live with going forward and at the end of it we had some counselling, we obviously spent an enormous amount of time... talking it through.
"I made the decision that I thought was right for me and I am quick to say I don't in any way suggest or judge any woman who makes a different decision."
You can watch the four-part series Hillary on Sky Documentaries and Now TV - that's available right now.


news--2020-05-18--Man faces jail after admitting setting fire to phone mast

A man has been warned he is facing jail after admitting setting a telephone mast on fire in Merseyside .
A number of attacks on phone masts across the country are believed to be linked to false claims that the 5G network is spreading coronavirus .
Emergency services were called to Coopers Lane , Kirkby , on 5 April following reports the Vodafone-owned telephone mast was on fire .
Nobody was injured , but the structure was damaged .
Michael Whitty , 47 , pleaded guilty to arson at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday via videolink from HMP Altcourse .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kirkby , asked for a pre-sentence report to be prepared to provide further details of his client 's reasons for committing the offence .
He said : `` There is more of an explanation behind this that he would like to give . ''
The court heard material from the defendant 's mobile phone was being assessed by the prosecution .
Judge Andrew Menary QC adjourned the case until 8 June and warned Whitty : `` You must recognise that it is inevitable there will be a custodial sentence in this case .
@

A man has been warned he is facing jail after admitting setting a telephone mast on fire in Merseyside.
A number of attacks on phone masts across the country are believed to be linked to false claims that the 5G network is spreading coronavirus.
Emergency services were called to Coopers Lane, Kirkby, on 5 April following reports the Vodafone-owned telephone mast was on fire.
Nobody was injured, but the structure was damaged.
Michael Whitty, 47, pleaded guilty to arson at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday via videolink from HMP Altcourse.
Andrew Alty, defending Whitty, of Kirkby, asked for a pre-sentence report to be prepared to provide further details of his client's reasons for committing the offence.
He said: "There is more of an explanation behind this that he would like to give."
The court heard material from the defendant's mobile phone was being assessed by the prosecution.
Judge Andrew Menary QC adjourned the case until 8 June and warned Whitty: "You must recognise that it is inevitable there will be a custodial sentence in this case."


news--2020-05-18--MPs to vote on bill which repeals EU freedom of movement

MPs are due to vote on the government 's plan to repeal EU freedom of movement , as the UK moves towards a new points-based system .
The government says the new points-based system will treat EU and non-EU citizens equally and aims to attract people who can contribute to the UK 's economy .
Home Secretary Priti Patel described the new system as `` firmer , fairer and simpler '' .
She said the new law gives the UK `` full control of our immigration system for the first time in decades and the power to determine who comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` It will attract the people we need to drive our economy forward and lay the foundation for a high wage , high skill , high productivity economy . ''
The legislation , the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination ( EU Withdrawal ) Bill , will be debated in the Commons today before making its way through the parliamentary process .
It was previously introduced in the Commons in December 2018 but stalled weeks later as then-prime minister Theresa May 's minority administration lacked the numbers to win key Brexit-linked votes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an 80-seat majority but faces pressure to support those dubbed `` key workers '' during the coronavirus pandemic .
Among the government 's list of critical workers are people in the food production and processing industry , including delivery drivers and those working in waste disposal .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The new system will award points for specific requirements such as being able to speak English to a certain level , having a job offer from an approved employer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Other points could be awarded for certain qualifications and if there is a shortage in a particular occupation .
You can read how it will work here .
In March , a visa allowing doctors , nurses and health professionals from overseas to work in the NHS was introduced .
Meanwhile , a YouGov poll for the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants ( JCWI ) suggested that 54 % of Britons would support easing immigration restrictions for workers who were defined as essential during the coronavirus crisis .
Satbir Singh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called for further changes .
He said : `` The fight against COVID-19 has shown us all just how much our survival and wellbeing depends on our key workers .
`` So many of them have come from other countries and help keep this one running .
`` Bus drivers and lorry drivers , care workers and shop workers , nurses and cleaners - they are not 'unskilled ' or unwelcome , they are the backbone of our country and they deserve the security of knowing that this place can be their home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said : `` It is rank hypocrisy towards our NHS and care workers - over 180,000 in England and Wales alone - to stand and clap for them on a Thursday night , and then tell them that they are not welcome in the UK on a Monday .
`` The Home Secretary has been invisible throughout this crisis - and now her first major intervention is a bill that will make workers in the NHS and the care sector feel unwelcome in this country , as well as labelling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers , refuse collectors , and many more as 'low skilled ' - the very same workers who have been keeping this country running throughout the crisis . ''

MPs are due to vote on the government's plan to repeal EU freedom of movement, as the UK moves towards a new points-based system.
The government says the new points-based system will treat EU and non-EU citizens equally and aims to attract people who can contribute to the UK's economy.
Home Secretary Priti Patel described the new system as "firmer, fairer and simpler".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:46 Is the points-based immigration system fair?
She said the new law gives the UK "full control of our immigration system for the first time in decades and the power to determine who comes to this country."
She added: "It will attract the people we need to drive our economy forward and lay the foundation for a high wage, high skill, high productivity economy."
The legislation, the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill, will be debated in the Commons today before making its way through the parliamentary process.
It was previously introduced in the Commons in December 2018 but stalled weeks later as then-prime minister Theresa May's minority administration lacked the numbers to win key Brexit-linked votes.
Boris Johnson has brought it back with an 80-seat majority but faces pressure to support those dubbed "key workers" during the coronavirus pandemic.
Among the government's list of critical workers are people in the food production and processing industry, including delivery drivers and those working in waste disposal.
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The new system will award points for specific requirements such as being able to speak English to a certain level, having a job offer from an approved employer and meeting a salary threshold of £25,600.
Other points could be awarded for certain qualifications and if there is a shortage in a particular occupation.
You can read how it will work here.
In March, a visa allowing doctors, nurses and health professionals from overseas to work in the NHS was introduced.
Meanwhile, a YouGov poll for the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) suggested that 54% of Britons would support easing immigration restrictions for workers who were defined as essential during the coronavirus crisis.
Satbir Singh, chief executive of the JCWI, called for further changes.
He said: "The fight against COVID-19 has shown us all just how much our survival and wellbeing depends on our key workers.
"So many of them have come from other countries and help keep this one running.
"Bus drivers and lorry drivers, care workers and shop workers, nurses and cleaners - they are not 'unskilled' or unwelcome, they are the backbone of our country and they deserve the security of knowing that this place can be their home too."
Labour's shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said: "It is rank hypocrisy towards our NHS and care workers - over 180,000 in England and Wales alone - to stand and clap for them on a Thursday night, and then tell them that they are not welcome in the UK on a Monday.
"The Home Secretary has been invisible throughout this crisis - and now her first major intervention is a bill that will make workers in the NHS and the care sector feel unwelcome in this country, as well as labelling retail workers, carers, local government workers, refuse collectors, and many more as 'low skilled' - the very same workers who have been keeping this country running throughout the crisis."


news--2020-05-15--Royal Mail shares rise as under-fire 'Flying Postman' takes off

The chief executive 's departure has not removed the need for modernisation of the business It 's the sight no chief executive wants to see when they step down - a rise in the share price .
Such was the fate of Rico Back , who is stepping down with immediate effect after just 23 months at the helm of Royal Mail , whose shares promptly rose by more than 8 % at one point on Friday .
Cushioning the blow for him will be a £480,000 pay-off , in lieu of his notice period , to be doled out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine months .
Along with other share awards and benefits , his total farewell package is likely to come to about £1m .
The pay-off is in keeping with the emoluments that made Mr Back such a controversial appointment in the first place .
Royal Mail shareholders and trades unions alike were outraged when , in May 2018 , the company confirmed a Sky News report that he would be receiving a £6m `` golden hello '' on becoming chief executive .
That payment sparked a massive shareholder revolt and earned Orna Ni-Chionna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's remuneration committee , a duffing-up at the hands of the cross-party Business , Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee five months later .
She stepped down from the board the following year .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker By then , it had also emerged that Mr Back , a German national , was spending some of the working week at his home in Switzerland , the commute from which earned him the nickname `` The Flying Postman '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ again more recently when the Daily Mail revealed that both he and Achim Dunnwald , Royal Mail 's chief strategy and transformation officer , had been doing their jobs from outside the UK during the COVID-19 lockdown period .
It was a bad look for the company at a time when Britain 's postmen and women were putting their lives on the line every day by continuing to deliver letters and parcels to households .
Postal workers complained the protective equipment with which they were being issued was inadequate .
At least three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crisis , there have been a number of walkouts at sorting offices in protest at a lack of hand sanitiser and a failure to implement social-distancing rules .
The Communication Workers Union , never a fan of Mr Back and whose members voted for strike action in March , demanded his resignation .
It was backed by MPs from across the political divide .
Robert Halfon , the Conservative MP for Harlow , said : `` At a time when thousands of postal workers are heroically risking their own health and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities , it seems astonishing that the head of Royal Mail is hiding away in a Swiss penthouse .
`` This is truly a case of lions being led by a donkey . ''
Making matters worse was the fact that , unlike many other companies forced to cut or cancel their dividends in response to the crisis , Royal Mail 's executives appeared not to be sharing the pain with shareholders .
Unlike other household names , such as WHSmith , ITV , BT Group and Sainsbury 's , all of which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the axe to their dividend , there were no pay cuts announced for Royal Mail executives .
The company belatedly announced on Friday that it was shelving bonuses for executives during the current financial year .
With the flak coming from all directions , then , it was not a surprise to see Mr Back fall on his sword .
The company will now be run by Keith Williams , former chief executive of British Airways , who moves from non-executive chairman to executive chairman during the search for Mr Back 's successor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointedly noted that Mr Williams `` is experienced in business transformation and industrial relations '' .
That is just as well , for this appears to be an unmanageable business , blighted by industrial relations akin to the chaos that engulfed British industry in the 1970s .
Mr Back 's defenders argue he was given a hospital pass by Moya Greene , his predecessor , who reached a deal with the union on pay , pensions and working hours in return for it signing up to efficiency targets .
Entrusted with delivering those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was Sue Whalley , the former chief executive of Post and Parcels UK , touted to the union by the outgoing Ms Greene as a manager they could trust .
Unfortunately , within months of Mr Back taking the job , Ms Whalley - who had been a contender for the top job herself - was shown the door .
Yet Mr Back 's departure has not removed the need for modernisation .
His vision was for Royal Mail to become a `` parcels-led , international delivery company '' capable of competing with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the latter of which is owned by Deutsche Post , the German equivalent of Royal Mail .
That vision entailed the introduction of automated parcel sorting , opposed by the CWU , with the upshot that , before COVID-19 struck , Royal Mail was facing its first national strike in a decade .
The latest trading update highlighted that need for reform .
The deterioration in letter volumes has accelerated and , while parcel volumes were up , it could only partly offset the lost revenues from letters .
Mr Williams got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ £25m worth of cash bonuses to frontline postal staff in recognition of their recent efforts .
But getting the union to sign up to the kind of modernisation essential to Royal Mail 's future is a big ask .
The share price reaction suggests some investors think Mr Williams can do it .
Past experience , though , suggests they are being overly optimistic .

Cushioning the landing of the controversy-prone Rico Back will be a total farewell package likely to come to about £1m.
The chief executive's departure has not removed the need for modernisation of the business
It's the sight no chief executive wants to see when they step down - a rise in the share price.
Such was the fate of Rico Back, who is stepping down with immediate effect after just 23 months at the helm of Royal Mail, whose shares promptly rose by more than 8% at one point on Friday.
Cushioning the blow for him will be a £480,000 pay-off, in lieu of his notice period, to be doled out in equal monthly payments over the next nine months.
Image: With the flak coming from all directions it was not a surprise to see Rico Back fall on his sword
Along with other share awards and benefits, his total farewell package is likely to come to about £1m.
The pay-off is in keeping with the emoluments that made Mr Back such a controversial appointment in the first place.
Royal Mail shareholders and trades unions alike were outraged when, in May 2018, the company confirmed a Sky News report that he would be receiving a £6m "golden hello" on becoming chief executive.
That payment sparked a massive shareholder revolt and earned Orna Ni-Chionna, the then head of Royal Mail's remuneration committee, a duffing-up at the hands of the cross-party Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee five months later.
She stepped down from the board the following year.
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By then, it had also emerged that Mr Back, a German national, was spending some of the working week at his home in Switzerland, the commute from which earned him the nickname "The Flying Postman".
Mr Back's location became an issue again more recently when the Daily Mail revealed that both he and Achim Dunnwald, Royal Mail's chief strategy and transformation officer, had been doing their jobs from outside the UK during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
It was a bad look for the company at a time when Britain's postmen and women were putting their lives on the line every day by continuing to deliver letters and parcels to households.
Postal workers complained the protective equipment with which they were being issued was inadequate.
At least three have died from coronavirus and, during the crisis, there have been a number of walkouts at sorting offices in protest at a lack of hand sanitiser and a failure to implement social-distancing rules.
Image: Criticising Mr Back, Tory MP Robert Halfon said it was 'a case of lions being led by a donkey'
The Communication Workers Union, never a fan of Mr Back and whose members voted for strike action in March, demanded his resignation.
It was backed by MPs from across the political divide.
Robert Halfon, the Conservative MP for Harlow, said: "At a time when thousands of postal workers are heroically risking their own health and the health of their families to serve their communities, it seems astonishing that the head of Royal Mail is hiding away in a Swiss penthouse.
"This is truly a case of lions being led by a donkey."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:03 Chancellor warns of a 'significant recession'
Making matters worse was the fact that, unlike many other companies forced to cut or cancel their dividends in response to the crisis, Royal Mail's executives appeared not to be sharing the pain with shareholders.
Unlike other household names, such as WHSmith, ITV, BT Group and Sainsbury's, all of which cut executive pay and bonuses after taking the axe to their dividend, there were no pay cuts announced for Royal Mail executives.
The company belatedly announced on Friday that it was shelving bonuses for executives during the current financial year.
With the flak coming from all directions, then, it was not a surprise to see Mr Back fall on his sword.
The company will now be run by Keith Williams, former chief executive of British Airways, who moves from non-executive chairman to executive chairman during the search for Mr Back's successor.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:19 'There will be spot checks' on workplace safety
Royal Mail's stock exchange announcement pointedly noted that Mr Williams "is experienced in business transformation and industrial relations".
That is just as well, for this appears to be an unmanageable business, blighted by industrial relations akin to the chaos that engulfed British industry in the 1970s.
Mr Back's defenders argue he was given a hospital pass by Moya Greene, his predecessor, who reached a deal with the union on pay, pensions and working hours in return for it signing up to efficiency targets.
Entrusted with delivering those improvements and with keeping the union onside was Sue Whalley, the former chief executive of Post and Parcels UK, touted to the union by the outgoing Ms Greene as a manager they could trust.
Unfortunately, within months of Mr Back taking the job, Ms Whalley - who had been a contender for the top job herself - was shown the door.
Yet Mr Back's departure has not removed the need for modernisation.
His vision was for Royal Mail to become a "parcels-led, international delivery company" capable of competing with businesses like FedEx, TNT and DHL, the latter of which is owned by Deutsche Post, the German equivalent of Royal Mail.
That vision entailed the introduction of automated parcel sorting, opposed by the CWU, with the upshot that, before COVID-19 struck, Royal Mail was facing its first national strike in a decade.
The latest trading update highlighted that need for reform.
The deterioration in letter volumes has accelerated and, while parcel volumes were up, it could only partly offset the lost revenues from letters.
Mr Williams got off to a good start by announcing £25m worth of cash bonuses to frontline postal staff in recognition of their recent efforts.
But getting the union to sign up to the kind of modernisation essential to Royal Mail's future is a big ask.
The share price reaction suggests some investors think Mr Williams can do it.
Past experience, though, suggests they are being overly optimistic.


news--2020-05-18--Coronavirus: Japan enters recession as crisis takes toll on trade

Official figures show Japan - the world 's third-largest economy - has entered recession after the coronavirus crisis hit demand for exports .
The country , despite being home to the world 's oldest population and its densely populated cities , has lost fewer than 1,000 people to COVID-19 to date amid 16,000 reported infections .
But its export-led economic model , built on manufacturing , has suffered worse than most because of its dependence on China , which was first to see an outbreak in January , followed by the United States and Europe .
After reporting a 1.9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GDP ) between October and December last year as a sales tax hike and the US-China trade war hit demand , a fall of 0.9 % was reported for the first three months of 2020 .
Japan 's Cabinet Office outlined a decline of almost 22 % in exports on an annualised basis between January and March .
Household consumption was down by 3.1 % while private residential investments slipped nearly 17 % .
It marked Japan 's first recession for four-and-a-half years and economists said that they expected the country 's worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not placed in lockdown itself until April .
The state of emergency was eased last week though virus hotspots , including Tokyo , remain under tight controls .
The government has introduced a 108 trillion yen ( £827bn ) rescue package including aid to small businesses and cash handouts - with more expected to follow .
Economists said this money should help limit the damage in the second quarter of the year but cautioned a substantial drop in economic activity was still expected .
Yuichi Kodama , chief economist at the Meiji Yasuda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's near certainty the economy suffered an even deeper decline in the current quarter .
The country follows Germany in confirming a recession after its latest economic data , on Friday , confirmed that originally reported zero growth for the final quarter of 2019 had been downgraded .
It , like Japan , has an economy dependent on manufacturing and exports .

Official figures show Japan - the world's third-largest economy - has entered recession after the coronavirus crisis hit demand for exports.
The country, despite being home to the world's oldest population and its densely populated cities, has lost fewer than 1,000 people to COVID-19 to date amid 16,000 reported infections.
But its export-led economic model, built on manufacturing, has suffered worse than most because of its dependence on China, which was first to see an outbreak in January, followed by the United States and Europe.
After reporting a 1.9% contraction in gross domestic product (GDP) between October and December last year as a sales tax hike and the US-China trade war hit demand, a fall of 0.9% was reported for the first three months of 2020.
Two consecutive quarters of falling output defines a technical recession.
Japan's Cabinet Office outlined a decline of almost 22% in exports on an annualised basis between January and March.
Household consumption was down by 3.1% while private residential investments slipped nearly 17%.
Image: Toyota, Japan's largest carmaker, has said the coronavirus crisis has dealt it 'a bigger shock than the 2008 financial crisis'
It marked Japan's first recession for four-and-a-half years and economists said that they expected the country's worst post-war slump ahead given that Japan was not placed in lockdown itself until April.
The state of emergency was eased last week though virus hotspots, including Tokyo, remain under tight controls.
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The government has introduced a 108 trillion yen (£827bn) rescue package including aid to small businesses and cash handouts - with more expected to follow.
Economists said this money should help limit the damage in the second quarter of the year but cautioned a substantial drop in economic activity was still expected.
Yuichi Kodama, chief economist at the Meiji Yasuda Research Institute, said: "It's near certainty the economy suffered an even deeper decline in the current quarter.
"Japan has entered a full-blown recession."
The country follows Germany in confirming a recession after its latest economic data, on Friday, confirmed that originally reported zero growth for the final quarter of 2019 had been downgraded.
It, like Japan, has an economy dependent on manufacturing and exports.


news--2020-05-18--Coronavirus: Scotland could ease lockdown days after 28 May review

Scotland could begin easing its coronavirus lockdown measures from the end of May .
People might be allowed to meet up with someone from another household , visit garden centres and participate in some sports , Nicola Sturgeon has announced .
The first minister said changes to the lockdown restrictions could be made `` within days '' of the next review date on 28 May if the country continues to make progress against COVID-19 .
She also announced an expansion in testing to anyone over the age of five with coronavirus symptoms .
The Scottish government will publish a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of lockdown on Thursday .
Speaking at Scotland 's latest coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh , Ms Sturgeon said : '' Within a few days of [ 28 May ] , we will aim to allow , for example , more outdoor activity such as being able to sit in the park , meet up outdoors with someone from another household as long as you stay socially distant , some limited outdoor sporting activities like golf and fishing , the opening of garden centres and recycling facilities , and the resumption of some outdoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more information on when schools might open , and what the reproduction rate of the virus is .
`` Within two weeks , my hope is that we will be taking some concrete steps on the journey back to normality , '' Ms Sturgeon said .
`` As I 've said before , it wo n't be normality as we knew it because the virus will not have gone away but it will be a journey to a better balance - I hope - than the one we have today . ''
: @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker There is currently no change to Scotland 's lockdown advice , the first minister said .
Scotland 's coronavirus response has often differed to the government in London 's response , with Ms Sturgeon taking a stricter approach on some measures .
While England 's advice for citizens was changed from `` stay at home '' to `` stay alert '' in recent days , the Scottish government is sticking with the former message .
In Scotland , 2,105 people have died after testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,103 yesterday .
Death registrations tend to be lower over the weekend , but this is still significantly lower than the number of deaths in England , which announced 170 deaths on Sunday .
A total of 14,594 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Scotland , while there are 1,427 patients in hospital with confirmed or suspected cases .
Of these , 63 are in intensive care .

Scotland could begin easing its coronavirus lockdown measures from the end of May.
People might be allowed to meet up with someone from another household, visit garden centres and participate in some sports, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
The first minister said changes to the lockdown restrictions could be made "within days" of the next review date on 28 May if the country continues to make progress against COVID-19.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:01 'Don't be distracted' by England COVID measures
She also announced an expansion in testing to anyone over the age of five with coronavirus symptoms.
The Scottish government will publish a "route map" for the way out of lockdown on Thursday.
Speaking at Scotland's latest coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh, Ms Sturgeon said:
"Within a few days of [28 May], we will aim to allow, for example, more outdoor activity such as being able to sit in the park, meet up outdoors with someone from another household as long as you stay socially distant, some limited outdoor sporting activities like golf and fishing, the opening of garden centres and recycling facilities, and the resumption of some outdoor work."
There will also be more information on when schools might open, and what the reproduction rate of the virus is.
"Within two weeks, my hope is that we will be taking some concrete steps on the journey back to normality," Ms Sturgeon said.
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"As I've said before, it won't be normality as we knew it because the virus will not have gone away but it will be a journey to a better balance - I hope - than the one we have today."
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There is currently no change to Scotland's lockdown advice, the first minister said.
Scotland's coronavirus response has often differed to the government in London's response, with Ms Sturgeon taking a stricter approach on some measures.
While England's advice for citizens was changed from "stay at home" to "stay alert" in recent days, the Scottish government is sticking with the former message.
In Scotland, 2,105 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus, up two from 2,103 yesterday.
Death registrations tend to be lower over the weekend, but this is still significantly lower than the number of deaths in England, which announced 170 deaths on Sunday.
A total of 14,594 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Scotland, while there are 1,427 patients in hospital with confirmed or suspected cases.
Of these, 63 are in intensive care.


news--2020-05-18--Coronavirus: 21,000 'track and tracers' hired to help ease lockdown

More than 21,000 people have been recruited for the `` track and trace '' coronavirus programme to help ease England out of lockdown .
A third of them come from healthcare backgrounds and Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he is `` perfectly prepared to hire more '' if needed .
The workers will be used to track down people who have come into contact with infected individuals , as was done at the start of the pandemic before COVID-19 cases increased sharply and deaths reached more than 34,000 .
But questions remain over when they will officially be put to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refusing to say if the scheme will be up and running before some children are told to return to school on 1 June .
Mr Hancock announced the government had well-surpassed the original 18,000 target for the track and trace project in the Commons on Monday .
`` They will help trace the contacts of anyone who has had a positive test and advise them on whether they need to isolate , '' he explained .
`` They have rigorous training with detailed procedures designed by our experts at Public Health England .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ their country in its hour of need and I want to thank them in advance for the live-saving work that they 're about to do . ''
Mr Hancock also used his appearance before MPs to announce that anybody aged five and over who has coronavirus symptoms is now eligible for a test to see if they have the disease .
A total of 100,678 tests were carried out on Sunday and the aim is to hit 200,000 by the end of May .
The government 's thinking is that a country-wide lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing someone with coronavirus symptoms , telling them to self-isolate if necessary and locating anyone else they may have infected can be sped up .
It is expecting to roll out an app where people self-report symptoms currently being trialled on the Isle of Wight within `` weeks '' , Mr Raab confirmed later at the daily Downing Street briefing .
But some want the track and trace programme to begin as soon as possible , now that those who can not do their job from home are being told to go back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told to prepare to re-open from the start of next month .
Mr Raab refused to commit to a date , instead telling Sky News the government has been `` pretty cautious '' with its lockdown loosening plan and `` making very sure we are taking the right steps at the right moment '' .
He also resisted to calls from Labour to publish the scientific advice behind Prime Minister Boris Johnson 's decision to press ahead with strict social distancing measures being changed in the months ahead .
The devolved administrations have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifting restrictions than Downing Street , resulting in some differences in the guidance and rules for each nation since last week .
Scotland 's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said that her advice remains `` stay home '' , with the lockdown measures there not to be eased until 28 May at the earliest .

More than 21,000 people have been recruited for the "track and trace" coronavirus programme to help ease England out of lockdown.
A third of them come from healthcare backgrounds and Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he is "perfectly prepared to hire more" if needed.
The workers will be used to track down people who have come into contact with infected individuals, as was done at the start of the pandemic before COVID-19 cases increased sharply and deaths reached more than 34,000.
Image: Around a third of those recruited are already health professionals
But questions remain over when they will officially be put to work, with Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab refusing to say if the scheme will be up and running before some children are told to return to school on 1 June.
Mr Hancock announced the government had well-surpassed the original 18,000 target for the track and trace project in the Commons on Monday.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:34 We may live with virus 'for several years'
"They will help trace the contacts of anyone who has had a positive test and advise them on whether they need to isolate," he explained.
"They have rigorous training with detailed procedures designed by our experts at Public Health England.
"They have stepped up to serve their country in its hour of need and I want to thank them in advance for the live-saving work that they're about to do."
Mr Hancock also used his appearance before MPs to announce that anybody aged five and over who has coronavirus symptoms is now eligible for a test to see if they have the disease.
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A total of 100,678 tests were carried out on Sunday and the aim is to hit 200,000 by the end of May.
The government's thinking is that a country-wide lockdown could be loosened if the process of testing someone with coronavirus symptoms, telling them to self-isolate if necessary and locating anyone else they may have infected can be sped up.
It is expecting to roll out an app where people self-report symptoms currently being trialled on the Isle of Wight within "weeks", Mr Raab confirmed later at the daily Downing Street briefing.
Image: An app monitoring symptoms is being trialled on the Isle of Wight
But some want the track and trace programme to begin as soon as possible, now that those who cannot do their job from home are being told to go back into work.
Schools have also been told to prepare to re-open from the start of next month.
Mr Raab refused to commit to a date, instead telling Sky News the government has been "pretty cautious" with its lockdown loosening plan and "making very sure we are taking the right steps at the right moment".
Image: Some pupils in schools across England could return from 1 June
He also resisted to calls from Labour to publish the scientific advice behind Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision to press ahead with strict social distancing measures being changed in the months ahead.
The devolved administrations have been more cautious in their approach to lifting restrictions than Downing Street, resulting in some differences in the guidance and rules for each nation since last week.
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said that her advice remains "stay home", with the lockdown measures there not to be eased until 28 May at the earliest.


news--2020-05-18--Coronavirus: Loss of taste and smell added to official symptoms list

Loss of taste and smell are being added to the official list of symptoms for COVID-19 .
Medically known as anosmia , this will now be included in the government 's definition of what patients may experience when suffering with coronavirus .
The advice now says people should isolate if they have a new continuous cough , or fever , or anosmia .
The symptoms of loss of smell and taste have been reported in many patients for several weeks .
Some countries , including the US , have already added the symptom to help clinicians spot potential patients .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Since March , government advisers on new viruses at the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group ( NERVTAG ) , have been monitoring anosmia and other potential symptoms .
They recently concluded anosmia should be added to the list .
Deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam explained the change , saying it was important to `` introduce it at the right time when we think it 's going to make a difference moving forwards to how we pick up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been advising the government on COVID-19 , said adding the symptoms means 2 % more cases could be picked up .
Research suggests anywhere between 13 % to more than half of COVID-19 patients experience anosmia .
But Professor Van-Tam refused to be drawn on the numbers , describing the data as `` quite variable '' .
There have been reports that loss of smell and taste is more frequent in women , but Professor Van-Tam said : `` We are n't in a position where we can be clear on that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus patients is long , with some patients experiencing fatigue , abdominal pain or diarrhoea .
Earlier this month , a new study identified five skin conditions dermatologists have associated with coronavirus .
According to the study , 19 % of cases involved chilblain-like symptoms , described as `` acral areas of erythema-edema with some vesicles or pustules '' .
But authors of the study , published in the British Journal of Dermatology , warned that in some cases it was hard to tell if skin conditions were directly caused by coronavirus or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged the public not to try to self-diagnose COVID-19 based on skin symptoms , because rashes and lesions are common and hard to differentiate without medical expertise .
Professor Van-Tam said when considering which symptoms would improve pick-up of cases , `` we are looking for things that are not so common and non-specific that they would cause more confusion than clarity '' .
The government has been criticised by some experts for not adding anosmia to the list of official symptoms sooner .
Research shared earlier this month from Berlin 's Charite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their most infectious during the first week of symptoms as they shed the virus at higher levels .
Scotland has said it is expanding testing to cover the newly official symptom , and will now offer tests to anyone with symptoms over the age of five .

Loss of taste and smell are being added to the official list of symptoms for COVID-19.
Medically known as anosmia, this will now be included in the government's definition of what patients may experience when suffering with coronavirus.
The advice now says people should isolate if they have a new continuous cough, or fever, or anosmia.
The symptoms of loss of smell and taste have been reported in many patients for several weeks.
Some countries, including the US, have already added the symptom to help clinicians spot potential patients.
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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Since March, government advisers on new viruses at the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG), have been monitoring anosmia and other potential symptoms.
They recently concluded anosmia should be added to the list.
Deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam explained the change, saying it was important to "introduce it at the right time when we think it's going to make a difference moving forwards to how we pick up cases".
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Professor Van-Tam, who has been advising the government on COVID-19, said adding the symptoms means 2% more cases could be picked up.
Research suggests anywhere between 13% to more than half of COVID-19 patients experience anosmia.
Image: Jonathan Van-Tam has said it is still not known if the symptoms of anosmia are more common in women
But Professor Van-Tam refused to be drawn on the numbers, describing the data as "quite variable".
There have been reports that loss of smell and taste is more frequent in women, but Professor Van-Tam said: "We aren't in a position where we can be clear on that."
The list of symptoms for coronavirus patients is long, with some patients experiencing fatigue, abdominal pain or diarrhoea.
Earlier this month, a new study identified five skin conditions dermatologists have associated with coronavirus.
According to the study, 19% of cases involved chilblain-like symptoms, described as "acral areas of erythema-edema with some vesicles or pustules".
But authors of the study, published in the British Journal of Dermatology, warned that in some cases it was hard to tell if skin conditions were directly caused by coronavirus or if they indicated complications.
They also urged the public not to try to self-diagnose COVID-19 based on skin symptoms, because rashes and lesions are common and hard to differentiate without medical expertise.
Professor Van-Tam said when considering which symptoms would improve pick-up of cases, "we are looking for things that are not so common and non-specific that they would cause more confusion than clarity".
The government has been criticised by some experts for not adding anosmia to the list of official symptoms sooner.
Research shared earlier this month from Berlin's Charite Universitatsmedizin found COVID-19 patients may be at their most infectious during the first week of symptoms as they shed the virus at higher levels.
Scotland has said it is expanding testing to cover the newly official symptom, and will now offer tests to anyone with symptoms over the age of five.


news--2020-05-18--Coronavirus: Spain aims to welcome back foreign visitors by late June

Spain is aiming to kick-start its travel economy by welcoming back foreign visitors by late June , its transport minister has said .
Tourism accounts for more than 12 % of Spain 's economic output , however the sector has been ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic .
Last week , the country imposed a two-week quarantine on all overseas travellers , saying it was needed to avoid a second wave of COVID-19 .
But the move was meant to be temporary , and transport minister Jose Luis Abalos has now signalled his hope to welcome foreigners back to the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late June , we 'll start the tourism activity , I hope , '' he told broadcaster TVE .
`` We must make Spain an attractive country from the health point of view . ''
However , Mr Abalos said the quarantine would only be phased out in parallel with movement being allowed within Spain , whose regions are easing restrictions in different phases .
`` As soon as we Spaniards can travel to other provinces , foreigners will be able to come to Spain '' , he said .
Even though life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islands is almost back to normal for locals , for example , there are no tourists in sight .
`` It is consistent with the phase-out plan , '' said Mr Abalos .
`` We ca n't allow foreigners to travel while the Spanish population is confined . ''
Spain has been one of the nations worst hit by coronavirus , with more than 231,000 cases and 27,600 deaths .
However , on Sunday it reported 87 new deaths - the lowest daily number since 16 March .
The country is slowly easing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in place since mid-March .
The restrictions meant people could not even go out for exercise , but now most small shops have reopened , along with some churches .
Spain 's target for allowing foreign visitors is similar to other badly-hit European countries , with Italy targeting 3 June as the date for when travel in and out will be permitted , however doubts remain over when British tourists will be able to make such trips .
And anyone looking to book a holiday to France should also wait until talks about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concluded , a top minister has told Sky News , with Downing Street saying the measure will be reviewed every three weeks .
Boris Johnson announced international travellers flying into the UK would be required to quarantine themselves for two weeks when he addressed the nation last Sunday .
However , Downing Street later added : `` No quarantine measures would apply to travellers coming from France at this stage . ''
Spain will be hoping a resumption in tourism will help its ailing economy , which the Bank of Spain has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % this year .
Unemployment in Spain rose sharply in March and April , pushing the number of people depending on unemployment benefits to a record 5.2 million .
According to data from early May , as many as seven million people - including furloughed workers and people on medical leave - are now depending on the state , accounting for almost 30 % of the working population .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Germany 's foreign minster has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but stressed relaxation rules need to be introduced in a responsible way , as the country aims to relax its travel warning in place until mid-June with softer guidance .
Heiko Maas said : `` 15 June is not the starting date for taking holidays .
`` 15 June is the date when we need to make a decision on whether we will lift the global travel warning , and we 're working on replacing this travel warning with travel guidelines . ''

Spain is aiming to kick-start its travel economy by welcoming back foreign visitors by late June, its transport minister has said.
Tourism accounts for more than 12% of Spain's economic output, however the sector has been ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic.
Last week, the country imposed a two-week quarantine on all overseas travellers, saying it was needed to avoid a second wave of COVID-19.
Image: Lockdown measures are being eased at different rates in different provinces
But the move was meant to be temporary, and transport minister Jose Luis Abalos has now signalled his hope to welcome foreigners back to the country for the summer holidays.
"From late June, we'll start the tourism activity, I hope," he told broadcaster TVE.
"We must make Spain an attractive country from the health point of view."
However, Mr Abalos said the quarantine would only be phased out in parallel with movement being allowed within Spain, whose regions are easing restrictions in different phases.
"As soon as we Spaniards can travel to other provinces, foreigners will be able to come to Spain", he said.
Even though life on the less populated Balearic and Canary Islands is almost back to normal for locals, for example, there are no tourists in sight.
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"It is consistent with the phase-out plan," said Mr Abalos.
"We can't allow foreigners to travel while the Spanish population is confined."
Image: Most small shops have reopened and people can go out for exercise again
Spain has been one of the nations worst hit by coronavirus, with more than 231,000 cases and 27,600 deaths.
However, on Sunday it reported 87 new deaths - the lowest daily number since 16 March.
The country is slowly easing its strict lockdown, which has been in place since mid-March.
The restrictions meant people could not even go out for exercise, but now most small shops have reopened, along with some churches.
Spain's target for allowing foreign visitors is similar to other badly-hit European countries, with Italy targeting 3 June as the date for when travel in and out will be permitted, however doubts remain over when British tourists will be able to make such trips.
And anyone looking to book a holiday to France should also wait until talks about a prospective quarantine across the Channel have concluded, a top minister has told Sky News, with Downing Street saying the measure will be reviewed every three weeks.
Boris Johnson announced international travellers flying into the UK would be required to quarantine themselves for two weeks when he addressed the nation last Sunday.
However, Downing Street later added: "No quarantine measures would apply to travellers coming from France at this stage."
Image: Social distancing measures are being enforced, including in churches
Spain will be hoping a resumption in tourism will help its ailing economy, which the Bank of Spain has said could shrink by as much as 12.4% this year.
Unemployment in Spain rose sharply in March and April, pushing the number of people depending on unemployment benefits to a record 5.2 million.
According to data from early May, as many as seven million people - including furloughed workers and people on medical leave - are now depending on the state, accounting for almost 30% of the working population.
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Germany's foreign minster has said he wants summer holidays to be possible, but stressed relaxation rules need to be introduced in a responsible way, as the country aims to relax its travel warning in place until mid-June with softer guidance.
Heiko Maas said: "15 June is not the starting date for taking holidays.
"15 June is the date when we need to make a decision on whether we will lift the global travel warning, and we're working on replacing this travel warning with travel guidelines."


news--2020-05-18--Coronavirus: Ireland begins first phase of easing lockdown restrictions

Ireland has taken its first steps out of lockdown with people allowed to meet in groups of four from today .
Phase one of the country 's roadmap out of the coronavirus lockdown got under way on Monday , with those whose jobs are outdoors including construction workers and gardeners allowed to go back to work .
People are now allowed to meet others from outside their household , but only in groups of four .
They must meet outside and social distancing measures must still be observed .
Some retail outlets are reopening , and outdoor sports like golf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with people also permitted to tend to their allotments .
Garden centres , motor and bike repair shops , opticians , hardware shops and farmers ' markets are among the businesses reopening , but libraries and other non-essential shops will remain closed until phase two starts on 8 June .
As the first major restrictions lift , people have been urged to wear face coverings on public transport or in enclosed indoor areas such as small shops where social distancing is not possible .
Irish Health Minister Simon Harris warned the country is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its COVID-19 journey and that it is still `` in the danger zone '' .
He urged people to be cautious and not put Ireland in a `` bad place '' , adding : `` We have all come too far and sacrificed too much to screw it up . ''
Sky News 's Ireland correspondent Stephen Murphy said : `` An unusual sight greeted me as I drove to work this morning in Dublin - men in high-vis jackets stopping my car to let a JCB enter a dusty construction site .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for nearly two months .
`` In Dublin 's Herbert Park , a man dressed in tennis gear and clutching a Head racket made his way eagerly to the council tennis courts .
`` Elsewhere in the park , a few small groups took advantage of the new groups of four rule , embarking on a drizzly morning stroll clutching takeaway coffees - most abiding by the two-metre rule painted on the tarmac paths .
`` These may not seem like big things , but they are the first tentative steps on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Yesterday , Ireland 's death toll rose by 10 to 1,543 , and the increase in new cases - 64 - was the lowest daily figure since mid-March , with 24,112 confirmed nationwide .
There were 54 COVID-19 patients in intensive care on Sunday , down by 67 % from the peak in mid-April when around 160 people were in ICU .
The first phase also includes the reopening of schools and college buildings for teachers so they can prepare for a phased return of primary and secondary pupils as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Childcare facilities are also now available for healthcare workers .
Test and tracing measures have been put in place to help with easing restrictions , with Ireland now able to test 100,000 people a week .

Ireland has taken its first steps out of lockdown with people allowed to meet in groups of four from today.
Phase one of the country's roadmap out of the coronavirus lockdown got under way on Monday, with those whose jobs are outdoors including construction workers and gardeners allowed to go back to work.
People are now allowed to meet others from outside their household, but only in groups of four. They must meet outside and social distancing measures must still be observed.
Image: Outdoor sports such as golf and tennis are allowed again
Some retail outlets are reopening, and outdoor sports like golf and tennis can be played again, with people also permitted to tend to their allotments.
Garden centres, motor and bike repair shops, opticians, hardware shops and farmers' markets are among the businesses reopening, but libraries and other non-essential shops will remain closed until phase two starts on 8 June.
As the first major restrictions lift, people have been urged to wear face coverings on public transport or in enclosed indoor areas such as small shops where social distancing is not possible.
Irish Health Minister Simon Harris warned the country is at a "crucial moment" in its COVID-19 journey and that it is still "in the danger zone".
He urged people to be cautious and not put Ireland in a "bad place", adding: "We have all come too far and sacrificed too much to screw it up."
Sky News's Ireland correspondent Stephen Murphy said: "An unusual sight greeted me as I drove to work this morning in Dublin - men in high-vis jackets stopping my car to let a JCB enter a dusty construction site. I hadn't seen builders at work for nearly two months.
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"In Dublin's Herbert Park, a man dressed in tennis gear and clutching a Head racket made his way eagerly to the council tennis courts.
"Elsewhere in the park, a few small groups took advantage of the new groups of four rule, embarking on a drizzly morning stroll clutching takeaway coffees - most abiding by the two-metre rule painted on the tarmac paths.
"These may not seem like big things, but they are the first tentative steps on the restoration of normalisation for Irish society."
Yesterday, Ireland's death toll rose by 10 to 1,543, and the increase in new cases - 64 - was the lowest daily figure since mid-March, with 24,112 confirmed nationwide.
There were 54 COVID-19 patients in intensive care on Sunday, down by 67% from the peak in mid-April when around 160 people were in ICU.
The first phase also includes the reopening of schools and college buildings for teachers so they can prepare for a phased return of primary and secondary pupils as part of the fifth stage from 10 August.
Childcare facilities are also now available for healthcare workers.
Test and tracing measures have been put in place to help with easing restrictions, with Ireland now able to test 100,000 people a week.


news--2020-05-06--Kenya: Severe flooding kills nearly 200 people and displaces 100,000 more

Severe flooding across parts of Kenya has killed nearly 200 people and left tens of thousands of people homeless , according to the country 's government .
A total of 194 people have died after the country 's first rainy season of the year intensified three weeks ago , while more than 100,000 people have been displaced from their homes .
Villagers living near two dams under increasing strain from high water levels were also forced to evacuate , while others living near the River Nzoia in Budalangi had to leave their submerged houses via boats and motorbikes .
Eugene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relations between regional leadership and the national government , said the floods were wreaking havoc in western Kenya , where 30 people were killed on Tuesday .
This is expected to continue , according to Kenya 's meteorological department , which said further rainfall could be expected in the worst-hit areas over coming weeks .
It comes after the last rainy season in the latter half of 2019 saw unusually high levels of rainfall following years of droughts , and caused flooding and mudslides that killed more than 120 people .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health concerns from aid groups , as Kenya 's population is already working to control the spread of coronavirus and to recover from devastating locust infestations .
According to data from Johns Hopkins University , Kenya has recorded 582 cases of COVID-19 since the start of the outbreak , and 26 related deaths .
The invasions of locusts , meanwhile , described as the worst in 70 years , have decimated crops across eastern Africa since they were first spotted in December .
It prompted neighbouring Somalia to declare a national emergency over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United Nations ' Food and Agricultural Organisation ( FAO ) that livelihoods and food supplies would be under threat .

Severe flooding across parts of Kenya has killed nearly 200 people and left tens of thousands of people homeless, according to the country's government.
A total of 194 people have died after the country's first rainy season of the year intensified three weeks ago, while more than 100,000 people have been displaced from their homes.
Villagers living near two dams under increasing strain from high water levels were also forced to evacuate, while others living near the River Nzoia in Budalangi had to leave their submerged houses via boats and motorbikes.
Eugene Wamalwa, the minister in charge of relations between regional leadership and the national government, said the floods were wreaking havoc in western Kenya, where 30 people were killed on Tuesday.
Image: Nearly 200 people have now died as a result of severe flooding
This is expected to continue, according to Kenya's meteorological department, which said further rainfall could be expected in the worst-hit areas over coming weeks.
It comes after the last rainy season in the latter half of 2019 saw unusually high levels of rainfall following years of droughts, and caused flooding and mudslides that killed more than 120 people.
But the most recent bout of flooding has increased health concerns from aid groups, as Kenya's population is already working to control the spread of coronavirus and to recover from devastating locust infestations.
Image: Buildings were partially submerged in water after the River Nzoia burst its banks
According to data from Johns Hopkins University, Kenya has recorded 582 cases of COVID-19 since the start of the outbreak, and 26 related deaths.
The invasions of locusts, meanwhile, described as the worst in 70 years, have decimated crops across eastern Africa since they were first spotted in December.
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It prompted neighbouring Somalia to declare a national emergency over the crisis, and further concerns from the United Nations' Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) that livelihoods and food supplies would be under threat.


news--2020-05-18--More than 120 'Zoombombing' child abuse cases investigated by UK authorities

More than 120 cases of Zoom video calls being hijacked by strangers displaying images of child abuse are being investigated in the UK , the National Crime Agency ( NCA ) has said .
The practice , known as `` Zoombombing '' , has increased during the coronavirus lockdown as more people turn to the video conferencing platform to speak with family , friends and colleagues .
But a security flaw allows anyone to access a meeting if they have the ID number or a link to it .
After the details of some meetings were shared on social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both the platform and officials , strangers were able to disrupt the video calls with offensive language and imagery .
The incidents have been described as `` appalling '' and Zoom has been accused of failing to protect its users .
An NCA spokesman said : `` The NCA is leading and co-ordinating the UK 's response to Zoom video conferences being interrupted by indecent images of children , with police forces conducting their own investigations into more than 120 cases . ''
They added : `` Our role includes understanding whether the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared are the same .
This will enable the NCA to identify links between offences and co-ordinate investigations .
`` If any of these images are brand new , the NCA 's specialist victim identification team will help forces identify and protect the children involved .
The NCA is also liaising with US authorities to deconflict inquiries . ''
The NCA has advised that users do not share links to meetings or passwords on social media , verify all those taking part before allowing them to join a call , and hosts should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ join before them .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Andy Burrows , head of child safety online policy at the NSPCC , said : `` The appalling scale of Zoombombing involving child sexual abuse imagery lays bare the platform 's failure to protect the safety of its users .
`` Recently referring to serious incidents such as this as 'normal speed bumps ' highlights how Zoom 's bosses have woefully underestimated the scale of the problem . ''
Zoom has announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ app , including new password controls and a default feature for virtual waiting rooms which would prevent uninvited users joining calls .
There will also be increased encryption and a centralised security menu .
Zoom 's head of UK and Ireland , Phil Perry , said the company was working with the NCA and called the incidents `` truly devastating and appalling '' .
`` Zoom strongly condemns such behaviour and appreciates the NCA 's efforts to raise awareness around how best to prevent these kinds of attacks as well as their important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice , '' he said .
He also urged users to report any incidents either to Zoom or directly to police .

More than 120 cases of Zoom video calls being hijacked by strangers displaying images of child abuse are being investigated in the UK, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has said.
The practice, known as "Zoombombing", has increased during the coronavirus lockdown as more people turn to the video conferencing platform to speak with family, friends and colleagues.
But a security flaw allows anyone to access a meeting if they have the ID number or a link to it.
Image: Strangers have been interrupting calls with offensive imagery
After the details of some meetings were shared on social media, despite the practice being discouraged by both the platform and officials, strangers were able to disrupt the video calls with offensive language and imagery.
The incidents have been described as "appalling" and Zoom has been accused of failing to protect its users.
An NCA spokesman said: "The NCA is leading and co-ordinating the UK's response to Zoom video conferences being interrupted by indecent images of children, with police forces conducting their own investigations into more than 120 cases."
They added: "Our role includes understanding whether the IP addresses used and the horrific images shared are the same. This will enable the NCA to identify links between offences and co-ordinate investigations.
"If any of these images are brand new, the NCA's specialist victim identification team will help forces identify and protect the children involved. The NCA is also liaising with US authorities to deconflict inquiries."
The NCA has advised that users do not share links to meetings or passwords on social media, verify all those taking part before allowing them to join a call, and hosts should turn off the ability for participants to join before them.
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Andy Burrows, head of child safety online policy at the NSPCC, said: "The appalling scale of Zoombombing involving child sexual abuse imagery lays bare the platform's failure to protect the safety of its users.
"Recently referring to serious incidents such as this as 'normal speed bumps' highlights how Zoom's bosses have woefully underestimated the scale of the problem."
Image: The video conferencing app has exploded in popularity as a result of the coronavirus
Zoom has announced a number of security updates to its app, including new password controls and a default feature for virtual waiting rooms which would prevent uninvited users joining calls.
There will also be increased encryption and a centralised security menu.
Zoom's head of UK and Ireland, Phil Perry, said the company was working with the NCA and called the incidents "truly devastating and appalling".
"Zoom strongly condemns such behaviour and appreciates the NCA's efforts to raise awareness around how best to prevent these kinds of attacks as well as their important work to help bring these offenders to justice," he said.
He also urged users to report any incidents either to Zoom or directly to police.


news--2020-05-18--Coronavirus: Isle of Wight downloads of COVID-19 trial app exceed expectations

The number of people on the Isle of Wight who have downloaded the trial phone app that tracks COVID-19 has exceeded all expectations , the island 's MP has told Sky News .
Conservative MP Bob Seely says that figures from last Friday show that 65 % of people who could download the app have done so .
He said : `` We are well ahead of what we hoped .
When the figure goes above 20 % you begin to get good evidence , over 50 % and you start suppressing the virus and over 60 % and you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The app uses a phone 's bluetooth technology to register contact when people come within 6ft of one another for at least 15 minutes .
If a user develops symptoms of COVID-19 , they inform the NHS and an alert is sent to other users they have come in contact with .
The government says the app is `` completely confidential '' and the identity of those a person come in contact with is not be revealed .
Users remain anonymous up to the point where they volunteer their own details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over some personal details such as a partial postcode , age and gender , but others wo n't receive this information .
Mr Seely said that out of a population of 140,000 , 90,000 could download it , depending on their type of smartphone '' When I 'm out and about the vast majority of people tell me they have downloaded it . ''
Addressing concerns about data protection , he said : `` I 've never downloaded an app that wants to know less information .
It asks only for the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , nothing more . ''
He added : `` The outcome of the app could be that grandparents can see their grandchildren again , the pubs can reopen , we can get our businesses up and running again . ''
The government wants the app to be rolled out across England by mid-May following the Isle of Wight trial .

The number of people on the Isle of Wight who have downloaded the trial phone app that tracks COVID-19 has exceeded all expectations, the island's MP has told Sky News.
Conservative MP Bob Seely says that figures from last Friday show that 65% of people who could download the app have done so.
He said: "We are well ahead of what we hoped. When the figure goes above 20% you begin to get good evidence, over 50% and you start suppressing the virus and over 60% and you get the benefits of the app working."
Image: Conservative MP for the Isle of Wight Bob Seely
The app uses a phone's bluetooth technology to register contact when people come within 6ft of one another for at least 15 minutes.
If a user develops symptoms of COVID-19, they inform the NHS and an alert is sent to other users they have come in contact with.
The government says the app is "completely confidential" and the identity of those a person come in contact with is not be revealed.
Users remain anonymous up to the point where they volunteer their own details.
They will be asked to hand over some personal details such as a partial postcode, age and gender, but others won't receive this information.
Mr Seely said that out of a population of 140,000, 90,000 could download it, depending on their type of smartphone
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"When I'm out and about the vast majority of people tell me they have downloaded it."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:50 How does contact tracing app work?
Addressing concerns about data protection, he said: "I've never downloaded an app that wants to know less information. It asks only for the first half of your postcode, basic details, nothing more."
He added: "The outcome of the app could be that grandparents can see their grandchildren again, the pubs can reopen, we can get our businesses up and running again."
The government wants the app to be rolled out across England by mid-May following the Isle of Wight trial.