news--2020-05-05--Coronavirus: Rival states targeted UK and US COVID-19 labs with 'malicious cyber campaigns'

The UK and US have warned that state-backed cyber attackers are trying to steal data from universities , pharmaceuticals and research institutes involved in the coronavirus response .
Organisations trying to develop a COVID-19 vaccine are among those being targeted .
A joint advisory published on Tuesday did not name any specific country involved in the `` malicious cyber campaigns '' , but culprits are understood to include hacking groups from China , Russia and Iran , as well as others .
Dominic Raab , the foreign secretary , called the attacks `` particularly venal '' given that they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 crisis .
`` There are various objectives and motivations that lie behind these attacks , from fraud on the one hand to espionage , '' he said at the daily Downing Street briefing .
`` We expect this kind of predatory criminal behaviour to continue and evolve over the coming weeks and months ahead , and we are taking a range of measures to tackle the threat . ''
Mr Raab added : `` We 're absolutely determined to defeat coronavirus , and also to defeat those trying to exploit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' A joint advisory published on Tuesday did not name any specific country involved in the `` malicious cyber campaigns '' , but culprits are understood to include China , Russia and Iran , as well as others .
The UK 's National Cyber Security Centre ( NCSC ) , a branch of GCHQ , and its US counterpart , the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency ( CISA ) , urged workers in healthcare and medical research to change easy-to-guess passwords .
They also advised staff in these sectors to use two-factor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agencies called `` password spraying '' campaigns , which hit a target with multiple common passwords in the hope that one will work .
There is not thought to have been a successful attack on an institute in the UK , but Sky News understands attacks have had success elsewhere .
The significant rise in cyber attacks on research institutes and universities is thought to be in line with a shift in priorities of national governments in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Suddenly , access to information held by a rival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The US-UK warning said the `` advanced persistent threat '' ( APT ) groups carrying out the cyber attacks - typically state-backed hackers - were targeting medical research and healthcare organisations as well as local government `` to collect bulk personal information , intellectual property and intelligence that aligns with national priorities '' .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The NCSC has made protecting the UK health sector its top priority in the wake of the coronavirus crisis , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations .
`` By prioritising any requests for support from health organisations and remaining in close contact with industries involved in the coronavirus response , we can inform them of any malicious activity and take the necessary steps to help them defend against it , '' he said .
`` But we ca n't do this alone , and we recommend healthcare policy makers and researchers take our actionable steps to defend themselves from password spraying campaigns . ''
Security officials have identified targeting of national and international healthcare bodies , pharmaceutical companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the likely aim of gathering information related to the coronavirus outbreak , the joint US-UK statement said .
The warning followed a joint advisory from the NCSC and CISA last month about cyber criminals exploiting the coronavirus outbreak for their own personal gain .
They warned that the frequency of coronavirus-related cyber attacks will increase over the coming weeks and months .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Last month , the NCSC created the Suspicious Email Reporting Service after seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In its first week , the service received more than 25,000 reports - resulting in 395 phishing sites being taken down .

The UK and US have warned that state-backed cyber attackers are trying to steal data from universities, pharmaceuticals and research institutes involved in the coronavirus response.
Organisations trying to develop a COVID-19 vaccine are among those being targeted.
A joint advisory published on Tuesday did not name any specific country involved in the "malicious cyber campaigns", but culprits are understood to include hacking groups from China, Russia and Iran, as well as others.
Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, called the attacks "particularly venal" given that they were targeting international and national organisations responding to the COVID-19 crisis.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:27 Foreign secretary warns sophisticated networks of hackers targeting UK's COVID-19 response
"There are various objectives and motivations that lie behind these attacks, from fraud on the one hand to espionage," he said at the daily Downing Street briefing.
"We expect this kind of predatory criminal behaviour to continue and evolve over the coming weeks and months ahead, and we are taking a range of measures to tackle the threat."
Mr Raab added: "We're absolutely determined to defeat coronavirus, and also to defeat those trying to exploit the situation for their own nefarious ends."
A joint advisory published on Tuesday did not name any specific country involved in the "malicious cyber campaigns", but culprits are understood to include China, Russia and Iran, as well as others.
The UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a branch of GCHQ, and its US counterpart, the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), urged workers in healthcare and medical research to change easy-to-guess passwords.
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They also advised staff in these sectors to use two-factor authentication to help fend off what the agencies called "password spraying" campaigns, which hit a target with multiple common passwords in the hope that one will work.
Image: Staff have been advised to strengthen their passwords
There is not thought to have been a successful attack on an institute in the UK, but Sky News understands attacks have had success elsewhere.
The significant rise in cyber attacks on research institutes and universities is thought to be in line with a shift in priorities of national governments in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Suddenly, access to information held by a rival nation's laboratories is of top importance.
The US-UK warning said the "advanced persistent threat" (APT) groups carrying out the cyber attacks - typically state-backed hackers - were targeting medical research and healthcare organisations as well as local government "to collect bulk personal information, intellectual property and intelligence that aligns with national priorities".
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The NCSC has made protecting the UK health sector its top priority in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, according to Paul Chichester, the director of operations.
"By prioritising any requests for support from health organisations and remaining in close contact with industries involved in the coronavirus response, we can inform them of any malicious activity and take the necessary steps to help them defend against it," he said.
"But we can't do this alone, and we recommend healthcare policy makers and researchers take our actionable steps to defend themselves from password spraying campaigns."
Security officials have identified targeting of national and international healthcare bodies, pharmaceutical companies, research organisations, and local government with the likely aim of gathering information related to the coronavirus outbreak, the joint US-UK statement said.
The warning followed a joint advisory from the NCSC and CISA last month about cyber criminals exploiting the coronavirus outbreak for their own personal gain.
They warned that the frequency of coronavirus-related cyber attacks will increase over the coming weeks and months.
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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Last month, the NCSC created the Suspicious Email Reporting Service after seeing an increase in coronavirus-related email scams.
In its first week, the service received more than 25,000 reports - resulting in 395 phishing sites being taken down.


news--2020-05-05--Plastic found in 80% of nests of seabird species on uninhabited Scottish island

Plastic has been found in 80 % of nests of a species of seabird on an uninhabited Scottish island .
Researchers conducted a survey of more than 1,500 nests on Lady Isle in the Firth of Clyde and discovered almost four in 10 contained plastic , with the amount varying between species .
Shags were the worst-affected species , with 80 % of their nests containing some form of plastic debris , according to the team led by the University of Glasgow .
Just over half ( 53.5 % ) of great black-backed gulls ' nests contained plastic , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a third ( 35.6 % ) .
It is thought the birds ' different nest-building behaviours are behind the difference .
Shags may have more plastic because they reuse their nests every year , so it is more likely to build up .
The research suggests plastic was washed to the island where it was collected by birds and incorporated into nests , rather than by birds collecting it in built-up areas .
Plastic can weaken nests , impacting on eggs and chicks , and there is a risk of birds getting tangled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a seabird ecologist and senior lecturer at the University of Glasgow , said : `` They end up in seabird nests , not because seabirds actively pick them up in built-up areas and carry them to their nest , but because they are brought there passively by marine currents . ''
In the survey , carried out in May 2018 , researchers examined 1,597 nests on the island off the Ayrshire coast and found that 625 contained some plastic .
The team found nests on the north of the island , which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mainland , were more likely to contain plastic , suggesting it comes from the mainland .
The charity Ocean Conservatory recently warned the coronavirus pandemic may be increasing the amount of plastic polluting the oceans .

Plastic has been found in 80% of nests of a species of seabird on an uninhabited Scottish island.
Researchers conducted a survey of more than 1,500 nests on Lady Isle in the Firth of Clyde and discovered almost four in 10 contained plastic, with the amount varying between species.
Shags were the worst-affected species, with 80% of their nests containing some form of plastic debris, according to the team led by the University of Glasgow.
Image: Lady Isle is a small, uninhabited island which is home to many different species of seabird
Just over half (53.5%) of great black-backed gulls' nests contained plastic, while for herring gulls it was more than a third (35.6%).
It is thought the birds' different nest-building behaviours are behind the difference.
Shags may have more plastic because they reuse their nests every year, so it is more likely to build up.
The research suggests plastic was washed to the island where it was collected by birds and incorporated into nests, rather than by birds collecting it in built-up areas.
Plastic can weaken nests, impacting on eggs and chicks, and there is a risk of birds getting tangled in it.
Dr Ruedi Nager, a seabird ecologist and senior lecturer at the University of Glasgow, said: "They end up in seabird nests, not because seabirds actively pick them up in built-up areas and carry them to their nest, but because they are brought there passively by marine currents."
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In the survey, carried out in May 2018, researchers examined 1,597 nests on the island off the Ayrshire coast and found that 625 contained some plastic.
The team found nests on the north of the island, which are closer to the outgoing tide from the mainland, were more likely to contain plastic, suggesting it comes from the mainland.
The charity Ocean Conservatory recently warned the coronavirus pandemic may be increasing the amount of plastic polluting the oceans.


news--2020-05-11--Coronavirus vaccine may never be found, Boris Johnson says

A vaccine for coronavirus may never be found , Boris Johnson has said .
The prime minister has unveiled a 50-page plan to relax lockdown rules , in which he said people who could not work from home should be encouraged to return to their places of employment .
While critics have pointed to the increased danger of COVID-19 being transmitted by this and other moves to ease restrictions , Mr Johnson insisted `` a 'zero risk ' approach will not work '' .
And he argued in a foreword to the document that the government needed to plan for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not find a means of inoculating people against the illness .
`` It is clear that the only feasible long-term solution lies with a vaccine or drug-based treatment , '' he says .
`` But while we hope for a breakthrough , hope is not a plan .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' A mass vaccine or treatment may be more than a year away .
Indeed , in a worst-case scenario , we may never find a vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a situation where we are in this , together , for the long haul , even while doing all we can to avoid that outcome . ''
Experts have suggested any vaccine is unlikely to be available in less than a year to 18 months , despite scientists around the world working to find one that works .
Those include researchers at University of Oxford and pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca who have begun producing millions of doses of a coronavirus vaccine ready to be deployed by September despite trials not being complete .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is effective .
Donald Trump suggested over the weekend that the virus would `` go away without a vaccine '' , although he provided no evidence for a statement that was widely dismissed by experts .

A vaccine for coronavirus may never be found, Boris Johnson has said.
The prime minister has unveiled a 50-page plan to relax lockdown rules, in which he said people who could not work from home should be encouraged to return to their places of employment.
While critics have pointed to the increased danger of COVID-19 being transmitted by this and other moves to ease restrictions, Mr Johnson insisted "a 'zero risk' approach will not work".
And he argued in a foreword to the document that the government needed to plan for a "worst-case scenario" where scientists do not find a means of inoculating people against the illness.
"It is clear that the only feasible long-term solution lies with a vaccine or drug-based treatment," he says.
"But while we hope for a breakthrough, hope is not a plan.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"A mass vaccine or treatment may be more than a year away. Indeed, in a worst-case scenario, we may never find a vaccine.
"So our plan must countenance a situation where we are in this, together, for the long haul, even while doing all we can to avoid that outcome."
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Experts have suggested any vaccine is unlikely to be available in less than a year to 18 months, despite scientists around the world working to find one that works.
Those include researchers at University of Oxford and pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca who have begun producing millions of doses of a coronavirus vaccine ready to be deployed by September despite trials not being complete. They say they will know by July if it is effective.
Donald Trump suggested over the weekend that the virus would "go away without a vaccine", although he provided no evidence for a statement that was widely dismissed by experts.


news--2020-05-11--Coronavirus: 210 new COVID-19 deaths takes UK total past 32,000

The number of people who have died after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK has increased by 210 , according to the Department of Health .
The latest figures show that a total of 32,065 people have died in hospitals , care homes and the wider community after testing positive for COVID-19 in the UK as of 5pm on Sunday .
As of 9am on Monday , a total of 223,060 people have tested positive for the virus in the UK - an increase of 3,877 from the day before .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Spreaker Separate authorities in devolved nations also publish their own daily figures .
Often these include previously uncounted deaths that took place several days or even weeks ago .
This is because of the time it takes for deaths to be confirmed as involving COVID-19 , for post-mortem examinations to be processed and for data from the tests to be validated .
NHS England announced on Monday that there have been 209 new deaths , bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 23,359 .
Public Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have died after testing positive for coronavirus , an increase of five on Sunday 's figures .
In Wales , a further 124 people have tested positive for coronavirus , bringing the total number of positive cases to 11,468 .
A total of 1,862 patients have died in Scotland after testing positive for coronavirus , up by five from 1,857 on Sunday .
There are 1,453 people in hospital with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 , down 31 from 1,484 the previous day .
This number includes 80 people in intensive care - a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in Northern Ireland .
The deaths all occurred within the past 24 hours and bring the total number to 438 .

The number of people who have died after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK has increased by 210, according to the Department of Health.
The latest figures show that a total of 32,065 people have died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for COVID-19 in the UK as of 5pm on Sunday.
As of 9am on Monday, a total of 223,060 people have tested positive for the virus in the UK - an increase of 3,877 from the day before.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Separate authorities in devolved nations also publish their own daily figures.
Often these include previously uncounted deaths that took place several days or even weeks ago. This is because of the time it takes for deaths to be confirmed as involving COVID-19, for post-mortem examinations to be processed and for data from the tests to be validated.
NHS England announced on Monday that there have been 209 new deaths, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 23,359.
Public Health Wales said a total of 1,116 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus, an increase of five on Sunday's figures.
In Wales, a further 124 people have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of positive cases to 11,468.
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A total of 1,862 patients have died in Scotland after testing positive for coronavirus, up by five from 1,857 on Sunday.
There are 1,453 people in hospital with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, down 31 from 1,484 the previous day.
This number includes 80 people in intensive care - a fall of two.
A further three people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in Northern Ireland.
The deaths all occurred within the past 24 hours and bring the total number to 438.


news--2020-05-11--Coronavirus: How different countries in Europe are easing lockdown measures

Across Europe , different countries are lifting their sanctions at a variety of speeds .
Some , notably the ones who have been worst hit by COVID-19 , are treading cautiously on the path back to normality .
Others are trying to go quicker , often because they were not so badly affected to begin with .
So let 's take a quick tour round the continent and compare their plans .
And we can start in the country that everyone seems to be looking towards - and that 's ...
The rules do vary between states .
For example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania while other states are expected to allow restaurants to open in the coming days , or perhaps even weeks .
But across Germany , children are going back to school , in a staggered return depending on which age group they are in .
Most shops are now open , but both federal and state governments say they will reimpose restrictions if there are signs of a second wave .
Public transport has come back to life , but it 's mandatory to wear a mask .
Bookshops , florists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and primary schools are starting to take back a limited number of pupils .
People will no longer need to carry around the paper document , known as an attestation , to show why they have left home , but they will still have to remain within 100km of their home .
But travellers from France will be allowed to enter the UK without facing quarantine .
In terms of per-capita impact , Belgium is perhaps the worst-hit country in the world .
But many businesses have now reopened , along with shops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with all restaurants , but you can buy food and drink to take away .
Masks are recommended on public transport and shoppers are told they can not stay in a store for more than 30 minutes .
Greater provision has been made for cyclists .
Schools will start to reopen on 18 May .
Tough restrictions remain in place for Madrid and Barcelona , which were hit the hardest .
In other areas , gatherings of up to 10 people are now being authorised .
People can only move around within their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - outdoor areas at bars and restaurants can open , with limits on capacity .
Schools across the whole country will remain closed until September .
Schools are also closed until September , but factories and many offices have already been open again for a week .
Shops are due to reopen in a week 's time , along with museums , churches and cultural sites .
Bars and restaurants are due to open their doors again on 1 June , along with hairdressers .
Masks are mandatory on public transport to try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One of the most prominent of the countries to claim that it shut down early , avoided a huge number of cases , and can now ease its lockdown rapidly .
Hairdressers and tennis courts , among other amenities , have been open since the start of the month .
There are no restrictions on travel or on gatherings of up to 10 people , as long as social distancing is observed .
Masks must be worn on public transport and in shops .
Schools have started a gradual return .
Denmark has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next week .
Greece has reopened all its shops while Norwegian schools are now running classes for all age groups .

Across Europe, different countries are lifting their sanctions at a variety of speeds.
Some, notably the ones who have been worst hit by COVID-19, are treading cautiously on the path back to normality.
Others are trying to go quicker, often because they were not so badly affected to begin with.
So let's take a quick tour round the continent and compare their plans.
And we can start in the country that everyone seems to be looking towards - and that's...
Germany
The rules do vary between states. For example, you can already visit a restaurant in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania while other states are expected to allow restaurants to open in the coming days, or perhaps even weeks.
Image: People at a cafe in Luneburg, Germany, on the first day restaurants and cafes were allowed to reopen in Lower Saxony since March
But across Germany, children are going back to school, in a staggered return depending on which age group they are in.
Most shops are now open, but both federal and state governments say they will reimpose restrictions if there are signs of a second wave.
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France
Public transport has come back to life, but it's mandatory to wear a mask.
Bookshops, florists, clothes shops and hairdressers are open and primary schools are starting to take back a limited number of pupils.
Image: Customers venture out for cakes in Paris
People will no longer need to carry around the paper document, known as an attestation, to show why they have left home, but they will still have to remain within 100km of their home.
But travellers from France will be allowed to enter the UK without facing quarantine.
Belgium
In terms of per-capita impact, Belgium is perhaps the worst-hit country in the world.
But many businesses have now reopened, along with shops.
Bars are still shut, along with all restaurants, but you can buy food and drink to take away.
Image: Shoppers maintain a safe distance in Namur, Belgium
Masks are recommended on public transport and shoppers are told they cannot stay in a store for more than 30 minutes.
Greater provision has been made for cyclists. Schools will start to reopen on 18 May.
Spain
Tough restrictions remain in place for Madrid and Barcelona, which were hit the hardest.
In other areas, gatherings of up to 10 people are now being authorised.
Image: Some bar terraces have opened again in Spain
People can only move around within their province, but - in these areas - outdoor areas at bars and restaurants can open, with limits on capacity.
Schools across the whole country will remain closed until September.
Italy
Schools are also closed until September, but factories and many offices have already been open again for a week.
Shops are due to reopen in a week's time, along with museums, churches and cultural sites.
Image: Couples stroll through a park in Milan after lockdown restrictions were eased
Bars and restaurants are due to open their doors again on 1 June, along with hairdressers.
Masks are mandatory on public transport to try to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Austria
One of the most prominent of the countries to claim that it shut down early, avoided a huge number of cases, and can now ease its lockdown rapidly.
Hairdressers and tennis courts, among other amenities, have been open since the start of the month.
Image: Austrians are now allowed out for non-essential trips and certain shops, shopping centres, hairdressers can reopen
There are no restrictions on travel or on gatherings of up to 10 people, as long as social distancing is observed.
Masks must be worn on public transport and in shops. Schools have started a gradual return.
And the rest...
The Netherlands has welcomed primary school children back.
Denmark has reopened shopping centres and will restart schools next week.
Greece has reopened all its shops while Norwegian schools are now running classes for all age groups.


news--2020-05-11--Coronavirus: Boris Johnson's statement marked a shift in messaging rather than actual policy

We 've been a long time in lockdown .
We went into it together as a country and for the past few weeks the instructions have been very black and white : `` Stay home , protect the NHS , save lives . ''
But the next few weeks are going to be rather grey .
The prime minister knows there is not one simple route out of lockdown ; different groups of people , workers , regions , nations might take different paths .
The prime minister does at least have a clear guiding principle against which to sketch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Keep the reproduction rate of the disease below 1 , and the rate of transmission is diminishing .
This will be the benchmark by which all the decisions will be made .
He was clear on Sunday evening that any significant easing of the lockdown must wait , the R rate is still running at 0.5-0.9 and there is still an `` awful epidemic '' of COVID-19 in care homes .
The number of daily cases is also too high to ease the lockdown in any meaningful way .
One senior government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cases is running at about 16,000 a day , well above the 4,000 new cases a day the government would want to see before it could lift the lockdown without risking a spike in the epidemic .
Based on the current estimates , the cases should be coming down to the 4,000 mark in around three weeks , which is why the prime minister has set June as the possible starting date of phase two of easing the lockdown .
There are so many shades of grey in the government 's plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a virus that they do not truly understand and public behaviour which they can not fully predict .
Boris Johnson 's statement marked a shift in messaging rather than actual policy .
This is a government that having ordered us into lockdown is now beginning to give us all a little bit more space to read between the lines about how we might choose to live with COVID-19 .
The actual changes were pretty modest .
From Wednesday , people will be able to go out as much as they want .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to the beach , sit in the park and sunbathe with one other person - two metres apart - or play golf , tennis or go for a swim in the sea .
And he has also asked those who are unable to work from home - those in construction or manufacturing - to actively try to go back to work .
In the round , these tweaks give far more scope for people to start working again and socialising again - albeit in limited ways .
Tennis teachers can start up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Friends can meet in the park and children can perhaps have a ( socially distanced ) kick about with a friend .
Different people will take different decisions based on their own appetite for risk , but as we move along this curve , different things will be asked of different groups of people too .
In June , non-essential shop workers could be back at work , while hairdressers , gym instructors and bar staff will have to wait .
Some children will be back to school , starting with primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year six , while others will not .
There will be divisions across the nations and divisions across different age groups .
There will perhaps be different lockdown measures put in place across towns or regions as the government tries to manage outbreaks .
All of it is conditional on the R rate and on the level of new cases .
And there are so many practical questions about lifting this lockdown .
The first ministers of Scotland and Wales raised an obvious one this weekend .
Nicola Sturgeon does n't want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message and will certainly not be sending Scottish kids back to school from 1 June .
Senior ministers are exasperated at what they see as Ms Sturgeon 's attempt to raise her profile to that of the prime minister 's and re-cast Mr Johnson as the ruler of England rather than the entire Union .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Ms Sturgeon for her part says she 's acting in the interests of the Scottish people and will not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As for the wider public , there is perhaps a sense of anxiety and nervousness that different bits of the country are at odds with each other .
It creates a sense of confusion and lack of clear direction and purpose .
There are also obvious concerns from the trade unions and the Labour party about the `` back to work '' messaging when proper safety guidelines have n't been agreed .
Trade unions were brought into discussions only a week ago and are yet to agree new guidelines with the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work with 12 hours ' notice and no official guidance is , in the words of shadow business secretary Ed Miliband , `` irresponsible and wrong '' .
And as for our personal relationships , the new guidelines suggest that we can meet one person outside our household in the park or go for a walk as long as you socially distance .
But that will of course raise obvious questions - can you meet two people , can you sit in each other 's gardens , can you sit in your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're two metres apart ?
And what about the over-70s ?
The PM offered no details about their roadmap out of lockdown .
These are all the shades of grey .
Going into lockdown was a very hard decision to make , but once it was done , the rules were clear .
The route out is anything but , which is perhaps why Mr Johnson 's statement raised as many questions as it answered .
As we move out of lockdown , we 'll probably be guided as much by our own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nanny state .
All of us will have to find a new normal and it is going to take some time to get there .

Going into lockdown was a very hard decision to make, but once it was done, the rules were clear. The route out is anything but.
We've been a long time in lockdown. We went into it together as a country and for the past few weeks the instructions have been very black and white: "Stay home, protect the NHS, save lives."
But the next few weeks are going to be rather grey. The prime minister knows there is not one simple route out of lockdown; different groups of people, workers, regions, nations might take different paths.
The prime minister does at least have a clear guiding principle against which to sketch out this roadmap - the R rate.
Keep the reproduction rate of the disease below 1, and the rate of transmission is diminishing. This will be the benchmark by which all the decisions will be made.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 14:07 Prime minister's lockdown statement in full
He was clear on Sunday evening that any significant easing of the lockdown must wait, the R rate is still running at 0.5-0.9 and there is still an "awful epidemic" of COVID-19 in care homes.
The number of daily cases is also too high to ease the lockdown in any meaningful way.
One senior government figure told me that the number of new cases is running at about 16,000 a day, well above the 4,000 new cases a day the government would want to see before it could lift the lockdown without risking a spike in the epidemic.
Based on the current estimates, the cases should be coming down to the 4,000 mark in around three weeks, which is why the prime minister has set June as the possible starting date of phase two of easing the lockdown.
There are so many shades of grey in the government's plan because decisions ministers will take are conditional on a virus that they do not truly understand and public behaviour which they cannot fully predict.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:46 What do the new lockdown rules mean?
Boris Johnson's statement marked a shift in messaging rather than actual policy.
This is a government that having ordered us into lockdown is now beginning to give us all a little bit more space to read between the lines about how we might choose to live with COVID-19.
The actual changes were pretty modest.
From Wednesday, people will be able to go out as much as they want. They will be able to exercise, go to the beach, sit in the park and sunbathe with one other person - two metres apart - or play golf, tennis or go for a swim in the sea.
And he has also asked those who are unable to work from home - those in construction or manufacturing - to actively try to go back to work.
In the round, these tweaks give far more scope for people to start working again and socialising again - albeit in limited ways.
Tennis teachers can start up lessons again and golf clubs can reopen. Friends can meet in the park and children can perhaps have a (socially distanced) kick about with a friend.
Different people will take different decisions based on their own appetite for risk, but as we move along this curve, different things will be asked of different groups of people too.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:39 Nations divided over lockdown easing
In June, non-essential shop workers could be back at work, while hairdressers, gym instructors and bar staff will have to wait. Some children will be back to school, starting with primary children in reception, year one and year six, while others will not.
There will be divisions across the nations and divisions across different age groups. There will perhaps be different lockdown measures put in place across towns or regions as the government tries to manage outbreaks.
All of it is conditional on the R rate and on the level of new cases.
And there are so many practical questions about lifting this lockdown. The first ministers of Scotland and Wales raised an obvious one this weekend.
Nicola Sturgeon doesn't want to change the "stay at home" message and will certainly not be sending Scottish kids back to school from 1 June.
Senior ministers are exasperated at what they see as Ms Sturgeon's attempt to raise her profile to that of the prime minister's and re-cast Mr Johnson as the ruler of England rather than the entire Union.
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Ms Sturgeon for her part says she's acting in the interests of the Scottish people and will not be driven by a timetable set in Westminster.
As for the wider public, there is perhaps a sense of anxiety and nervousness that different bits of the country are at odds with each other. It creates a sense of confusion and lack of clear direction and purpose.
There are also obvious concerns from the trade unions and the Labour party about the "back to work" messaging when proper safety guidelines haven't been agreed.
Trade unions were brought into discussions only a week ago and are yet to agree new guidelines with the government.
Blue collar workers being bounced back to work with 12 hours' notice and no official guidance is, in the words of shadow business secretary Ed Miliband, "irresponsible and wrong".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 5:31 Questions raised over lockdown plan
And as for our personal relationships, the new guidelines suggest that we can meet one person outside our household in the park or go for a walk as long as you socially distance.
But that will of course raise obvious questions - can you meet two people, can you sit in each other's gardens, can you sit in your own house with a friend if you're two metres apart?
And what about the over-70s? The PM offered no details about their roadmap out of lockdown.
These are all the shades of grey. Going into lockdown was a very hard decision to make, but once it was done, the rules were clear.
The route out is anything but, which is perhaps why Mr Johnson's statement raised as many questions as it answered.
As we move out of lockdown, we'll probably be guided as much by our own appetite for risk as we are by a nanny state.
All of us will have to find a new normal and it is going to take some time to get there.


news--2020-05-09--Coronavirus: Three children die from rare syndrome possibly linked to COVID-19

Three children have died from a rare inflammatory syndrome that could be linked to coronavirus .
On Friday , New York Governor Andrew Cuomo had confirmed that a five-year-old 's death had been linked to coronavirus and a syndrome that shares symptoms with toxic shock and Kawasaki disease .
In a briefing on Saturday , the mayor said the illness had now taken the lives of at least two other young people across the state .
Mr Cuomo said he was increasingly worried that the syndrome posed a new emerging risk to children , who had previously been thought to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
Health officials are reviewing 73 cases where children exposed to COVID-19 also exhibited symptoms of the syndrome , which include inflammation of the blood vessels that can trigger heart problems .
Mr Cuomo said the children tested positive for COVID-19 or the antibodies against it , `` but those were not the symptoms they showed when they came into the hospital system '' .
The governor called it a `` truly disturbing '' development after it was widely believed that young people were at less risk from coronavirus .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is the fact anymore .
It 's very possible that this has been going on for several weeks and it has n't been diagnosed as related to COVID . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Cuomo said New York 's health department had teamed up with the New York Genome Center and the Rockefeller University to look at whether there is a genetic basis for the syndrome which has also been reported in Britain , Italy and Spain .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ toxic shock and Kawasaki disease , which is associated with fever , skin rashes , swelling of the glands , and in severe cases , inflammation of arteries of the heart .
Scientists are still trying to determine whether the syndrome has a definite link to coronavirus because not all children with it have tested positive for the virus .
New York has proved to be the epicentre of the pandemic in the US , accounting for more than a third of the 77,313 American deaths from COVID-19 .
Mr Cuomo said 226 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , up from 216 on Thursday but less than half the levels recorded two weeks ago .

Three children have died from a rare inflammatory syndrome that could be linked to coronavirus.
On Friday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo had confirmed that a five-year-old's death had been linked to coronavirus and a syndrome that shares symptoms with toxic shock and Kawasaki disease.
In a briefing on Saturday, the mayor said the illness had now taken the lives of at least two other young people across the state.
Image: Andrew Cuomo said he was increasingly worried that the syndrome posed a new emerging risk to children
Mr Cuomo said he was increasingly worried that the syndrome posed a new emerging risk to children, who had previously been thought to be largely immune to severe illness from COVID-19.
Health officials are reviewing 73 cases where children exposed to COVID-19 also exhibited symptoms of the syndrome, which include inflammation of the blood vessels that can trigger heart problems.
Mr Cuomo said the children tested positive for COVID-19 or the antibodies against it, "but those were not the symptoms they showed when they came into the hospital system".
The governor called it a "truly disturbing" development after it was widely believed that young people were at less risk from coronavirus.
He said: "We are not so sure that is the fact anymore. It's very possible that this has been going on for several weeks and it hasn't been diagnosed as related to COVID."
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Mr Cuomo said New York's health department had teamed up with the New York Genome Center and the Rockefeller University to look at whether there is a genetic basis for the syndrome which has also been reported in Britain, Italy and Spain.
The syndrome has the same symptoms as toxic shock and Kawasaki disease, which is associated with fever, skin rashes, swelling of the glands, and in severe cases, inflammation of arteries of the heart.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:19 New child disease linked to COVID-19
Scientists are still trying to determine whether the syndrome has a definite link to coronavirus because not all children with it have tested positive for the virus.
New York has proved to be the epicentre of the pandemic in the US, accounting for more than a third of the 77,313 American deaths from COVID-19.
Mr Cuomo said 226 New Yorkers died from COVID-19 on Friday, up from 216 on Thursday but less than half the levels recorded two weeks ago.


news--2020-05-11--Coronavirus: Shanghai Disneyland reopens - but with strict restrictions in place

Shanghai Disneyland has reopened its gates after months of shutdown , offering a potential model for mass entertainment venues to open for business during the pandemic .
It is the first of the Disney resorts to reopen , and tickets sold out within minutes of going on sale on Friday .
Visitors have streamed into the park , with many wearing Mickey Mouse ears and children dressed as Disney characters .
Attendance is capped at a third of its normal 80,000 person capacity , customer entry is staggered according to time slots , and social distancing , mask wearing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be limited to one group of visitors per car and pavements have been painted to show visitors where to stand to keep a safe distance .
The president of the resort , Joe Schott , told reporters : `` We hope that today 's reopening serves as a beacon of light across the globe , providing hope and inspiration to everyone . ''
The Shanghai park was closed on 25 January , followed by the Tokyo resort in February and then the French and US parks in March .
The reopening will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its recent earnings report that resort and cinema closures had cost $ 1.4bn ( £1.13bn ) in profit .
The Chinese government said last week that cinemas , museums and other venues will gradually reopen , a sign of confidence that the outbreak can be safely controlled .
But concerns about a resurgence of cases linger .
Wuhan , the original centre of the coronavirus outbreak , reported its first new cluster of infections since its strict lockdown was lifted a month ago .
Five people were reported as new cases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
: : Listen to Coronavirus : In This Together on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or Spreaker All five had previously been reported as asymptomatic - those who test positive for COVID-19 and are able to infect others but do not show symptoms themselves .
China does not include asymptomatic cases in its total official count until patients display symptoms .
South Korea also confirmed new cases , reporting 35 new infections on Sunday .
Many are from a cluster linked to nightclubs and bars in Itaewon , in Seoul .
Officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who went to the area but are still looking for 3,000 more .

Shanghai Disneyland has reopened its gates after months of shutdown, offering a potential model for mass entertainment venues to open for business during the pandemic.
It is the first of the Disney resorts to reopen, and tickets sold out within minutes of going on sale on Friday.
Visitors have streamed into the park, with many wearing Mickey Mouse ears and children dressed as Disney characters.
Image: Visitors wearing face masks line up to enter the park
Attendance is capped at a third of its normal 80,000 person capacity, customer entry is staggered according to time slots, and social distancing, mask wearing and temperature checks are being enforced.
Rides will be limited to one group of visitors per car and pavements have been painted to show visitors where to stand to keep a safe distance.
The president of the resort, Joe Schott, told reporters: "We hope that today's reopening serves as a beacon of light across the globe, providing hope and inspiration to everyone."
The Shanghai park was closed on 25 January, followed by the Tokyo resort in February and then the French and US parks in March.
The reopening will be welcome to Disney, which said in its recent earnings report that resort and cinema closures had cost $1.4bn (£1.13bn) in profit.
The Chinese government said last week that cinemas, museums and other venues will gradually reopen, a sign of confidence that the outbreak can be safely controlled.
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Image: Pavements have been marked out to help visitors keep a safe distance
Image: Social distancing, mask wearing and temperature checks are being enforced
But concerns about a resurgence of cases linger.
Wuhan, the original centre of the coronavirus outbreak, reported its first new cluster of infections since its strict lockdown was lifted a month ago.
Five people were reported as new cases, all living in the same residential compound.
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All five had previously been reported as asymptomatic - those who test positive for COVID-19 and are able to infect others but do not show symptoms themselves.
China does not include asymptomatic cases in its total official count until patients display symptoms.
South Korea also confirmed new cases, reporting 35 new infections on Sunday.
Many are from a cluster linked to nightclubs and bars in Itaewon, in Seoul.
Officials have traced and tested more than 2,450 people who went to the area but are still looking for 3,000 more.


news--2020-05-11--Coronavirus: Care homes faced funding cut if they didn't take in COVID-19 patients

Several councils threatened to withhold funding to help care homes deal with the coronavirus outbreak if they did n't agree to take in COVID-19 patients , Sky News can reveal .
It comes as dozens of care homes fear a government policy allowing the transfer of coronavirus-positive or untested patients is a `` major factor '' in why COVID-19 deaths are so high .
The policy was changed in the middle of April but some care homes believe the damage had already been done by then .
Sky News has obtained letters from several councils saying they would withhold so-called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the outbreak , unless the homes agreed to new terms including taking in confirmed COVID-19 patients .
None of the care homes , who said they feared the policy caused the virus to spread in their premises , wanted to be identified for fear of repercussions .
But one told us : `` My anguish and sadness is purely arisen from the thoughtless and neglectful conduct of the local authorities demanding that providers admit into their homes COVID-19 positive and untested residents .
`` This has undoubtedly caused a huge spike in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoidable . ''
With the help of Care North East and the Registered Nursing Homes Association , Sky News contacted a large cross-section of care homes in Britain .
More than 90 responded .
• Did you feel pressure from hospitals to take patients before 15 April ?
70 % told us they did .
• Did hospitals discharge patients to your care home with COVID-19 symptoms before 15 April ?
41 % said yes .
• Do you think COVID-19 positive patients discharged from hospital caused the virus to spread in your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The original government advice given to care homes said `` negative tests are not required prior to transfers/admissions into the care home '' .
This was replaced with new advice on 15 April which read : `` We can now confirm we will move to institute a policy of testing all residents prior to admission to care homes .
`` This will begin with all those being discharged from hospital . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Keith Gray represents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of England .
He said of the original policy : `` I believe it was one of the major factors that caused the outbreaks in the care homes .
`` We could never prove this but we believe it was one of the major factors .
`` Other factors were maybe the staff , maybe people from outside that came into care homes . ''
The Department of Health and Social Care said in a statement : `` It 's simply untrue that government policy has allowed the spread of COVID-19 in care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the care sector since February to ensure they 've had the best advice , based on the latest scientific evidence .
`` We have built the largest diagnostic testing industry in British history from scratch and all care home staff and residents can now be tested , whether they have symptoms or not , with tens of thousands already tested .
`` We have already delivered 68 million items of PPE to social care and a further 50 million items to local resilience forums to protect staff . ''

Several councils threatened to withhold funding to help care homes deal with the coronavirus outbreak if they didn't agree to take in COVID-19 patients, Sky News can reveal.
It comes as dozens of care homes fear a government policy allowing the transfer of coronavirus-positive or untested patients is a "major factor" in why COVID-19 deaths are so high.
The policy was changed in the middle of April but some care homes believe the damage had already been done by then.
Sky News has obtained letters from several councils saying they would withhold so-called uplift payments, extra money to deal with the outbreak, unless the homes agreed to new terms including taking in confirmed COVID-19 patients.
None of the care homes, who said they feared the policy caused the virus to spread in their premises, wanted to be identified for fear of repercussions.
But one told us: "My anguish and sadness is purely arisen from the thoughtless and neglectful conduct of the local authorities demanding that providers admit into their homes COVID-19 positive and untested residents.
"This has undoubtedly caused a huge spike in infections and resulted in deaths that were avoidable."
With the help of Care North East and the Registered Nursing Homes Association, Sky News contacted a large cross-section of care homes in Britain. More than 90 responded.
We asked:
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Did you feel pressure from hospitals to take patients before 15 April? 70% told us they did.
Did hospitals discharge patients to your care home with COVID-19 symptoms before 15 April? 41% said yes.
Do you think COVID-19 positive patients discharged from hospital caused the virus to spread in your care home? 38% said yes.
The original government advice given to care homes said "negative tests are not required prior to transfers/admissions into the care home".
This was replaced with new advice on 15 April which read: "We can now confirm we will move to institute a policy of testing all residents prior to admission to care homes.
"This will begin with all those being discharged from hospital."
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Keith Gray represents 250 care homes in the north east of England.
He said of the original policy: "I believe it was one of the major factors that caused the outbreaks in the care homes.
"We could never prove this but we believe it was one of the major factors.
"Other factors were maybe the staff, maybe people from outside that came into care homes."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:50 'We must continue to control the virus' - PM
The Department of Health and Social Care said in a statement: "It's simply untrue that government policy has allowed the spread of COVID-19 in care homes. We've been working with the care sector since February to ensure they've had the best advice, based on the latest scientific evidence.
"We have built the largest diagnostic testing industry in British history from scratch and all care home staff and residents can now be tested, whether they have symptoms or not, with tens of thousands already tested.
"We have already delivered 68 million items of PPE to social care and a further 50 million items to local resilience forums to protect staff."


news--2020-05-11--Coronavirus: Boris Johnson admits new lockdown message is 'more complicated' after criticism

Boris Johnson has admitted the new `` stay alert '' coronavirus message is `` more complicated '' , after his plan to ease lockdown was criticised for being confusing .
The prime minister was criticised by a member of the public selected to quiz him at the Downing Street COVID-19 briefing and by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer .
Pooja from Solihull told Mr Johnson via video his announcement on Sunday was `` so vague '' on which people should start going to work again .
`` Yesterday you left the nation with more questions than answers , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you were very specific about what needed to shut down and when .
`` Why have you been so vague with who can start back at work and which businesses can reopen this week ?
When will the British public receive further clarity on this ? ''
The prime minister admitted the original `` stay at home '' guidance `` could n't be starker '' and meant `` everyone got the clarity '' of the emergency rules rolled out seven weeks ago to combat the virus that has killed more than 32,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defended the change of message , saying `` when you come to take small steps back to normality , as we are now , clearly the message becomes finer , more complicated '' .
He explained the new coronavirus rules are that anyone who can not work from home - such as builders or manufacturers - should go into work if it safe for them to get there and do so .
`` Things are pretty much as they have been and they will be '' until the R number - the average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - is pushed further down , the prime minister added .
Mr Johnson also said it is `` by no means guaranteed '' a vaccine will be found to help quickly eradicate the virus .
He said : `` If you ask me am I absolutely certain that we wo n't be living with this for a long time , I ca n't say that . ''
Earlier , Labour 's Sir Keir said in his own address to the nation that `` if we 're to complete the journey safely a road @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So many of us have questions that need answering , '' he said , asking how employees can be sure it is safe to go to work or get there or what they should do while their children can not go to school .
`` For as long as this crisis persists I 'll keep demanding answers to these questions because that 's how we get better decisions and better outcomes , '' he vowed .
And Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she only discovered the `` stay home '' message was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed it is still in place in Scotland and warned : `` There will of course be risks whenever we start to ease the lockdown .
But my judgement right now is that the risk is still too great ... '' If we ease up too soon , the virus could run out of control again . ''

Boris Johnson has admitted the new "stay alert" coronavirus message is "more complicated", after his plan to ease lockdown was criticised for being confusing.
The prime minister was criticised by a member of the public selected to quiz him at the Downing Street COVID-19 briefing and by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
Pooja from Solihull told Mr Johnson via video his announcement on Sunday was "so vague" on which people should start going to work again.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:48 What lockdown changes has the government introduced?
"Yesterday you left the nation with more questions than answers," she said.
"When lockdown initially started you were very specific about what needed to shut down and when.
"Why have you been so vague with who can start back at work and which businesses can reopen this week? When will the British public receive further clarity on this?"
The prime minister admitted the original "stay at home" guidance "couldn't be starker" and meant "everyone got the clarity" of the emergency rules rolled out seven weeks ago to combat the virus that has killed more than 32,000 people in the UK.
But Mr Johnson defended the change of message, saying "when you come to take small steps back to normality, as we are now, clearly the message becomes finer, more complicated".
He explained the new coronavirus rules are that anyone who cannot work from home - such as builders or manufacturers - should go into work if it safe for them to get there and do so.
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"Things are pretty much as they have been and they will be" until the R number - the average amount of people someone with COVID-19 infects - is pushed further down, the prime minister added.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:13 PM likens local COVID response to 'whack-a-mole'
Mr Johnson also said it is "by no means guaranteed" a vaccine will be found to help quickly eradicate the virus.
He said: "If you ask me am I absolutely certain that we won't be living with this for a long time, I can't say that."
Earlier, Labour's Sir Keir said in his own address to the nation that "if we're to complete the journey safely a road map needs clear directions".
"So many of us have questions that need answering," he said, asking how employees can be sure it is safe to go to work or get there or what they should do while their children cannot go to school.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:21 Starmer: 'We can't go back to business as usual'
"For as long as this crisis persists I'll keep demanding answers to these questions because that's how we get better decisions and better outcomes," he vowed.
And Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she only discovered the "stay home" message was being changed in the newspapers.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:38 'Risk is still too great' to ease lockdown
She confirmed it is still in place in Scotland and warned: "There will of course be risks whenever we start to ease the lockdown. But my judgement right now is that the risk is still too great...
"I won't risk unnecessary deaths by acting rashly or prematurely.
"If we ease up too soon, the virus could run out of control again."


news--2020-05-10--Coronavirus: Elon Musk sues county and threatens to move Tesla HQ out of California in lockdown row

Tesla boss Elon Musk has threatened to pull the firm 's headquarters and only US car factory out of California after local officials stopped the company from reopening the electric vehicle plant .
`` Frankly , this is the final straw , '' Musk tweeted .
`` Tesla will now move its HQ and future programs to Texas/Nevada immediately . ''
Tesla also filed a lawsuit against Alameda County , accusing the county health department of overstepping federal and state coronavirus restrictions when it blocked the carmaker from restarting production at its factory in Fremont .
A spokeswoman for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local coronavirus lockdown order - which came into force on 23 March and has been extended until the end of May - only permits essential businesses to reopen .
California Governor Gavin Newsom allowed the Bay Area counties to continue restrictions while easing them in other parts of the state .
The court action comes after Alameda County Public Health Department said on Friday that it had told Tesla that it did not meet conditions required for a business to reopen .
`` The Bay Area started with a higher disease burden than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may mean tighter restrictions than the rest of the state for some time , '' it said .
`` Restoring all daily activities too soon risks a rapid spike in cases and would jeopardise the relative stability we 've seen in our health and hospital systems . ''
It was a blow to its billionaire boss , who had told employees limited production would restart at the plant , and comes as competing carmakers start to reopen factories in the US .
Toyota will restart production on Monday with General Motors , Ford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suit gradually from 18 May .
Tesla is the only carmaker with a factory in California .
Mr Musk has been complaining about coronavirus lockdown measures for weeks on social media .
Earlier this month , he described the COVID-19 restrictions as `` forcibly imprisoning people in their homes '' and `` fascist '' .
He said he did not know when Tesla could resume production in California and called the state 's stay-at-home order a `` serious risk '' to the business .
Public health experts say the orders have reduced the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 1.3 million confirmed cases and more than 78,000 deaths have been recorded in the US since the start of the outbreak .

Tesla boss Elon Musk has threatened to pull the firm's headquarters and only US car factory out of California after local officials stopped the company from reopening the electric vehicle plant.
"Frankly, this is the final straw," Musk tweeted. "Tesla will now move its HQ and future programs to Texas/Nevada immediately."
Tesla also filed a lawsuit against Alameda County, accusing the county health department of overstepping federal and state coronavirus restrictions when it blocked the carmaker from restarting production at its factory in Fremont.
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A spokeswoman for the county's public health department said the local coronavirus lockdown order - which came into force on 23 March and has been extended until the end of May - only permits essential businesses to reopen.
California Governor Gavin Newsom allowed the Bay Area counties to continue restrictions while easing them in other parts of the state.
The court action comes after Alameda County Public Health Department said on Friday that it had told Tesla that it did not meet conditions required for a business to reopen.
"The Bay Area started with a higher disease burden than the rest of the state, which may mean tighter restrictions than the rest of the state for some time," it said.
"Restoring all daily activities too soon risks a rapid spike in cases and would jeopardise the relative stability we've seen in our health and hospital systems."
Image: Tesla boss Elon Musk has threatened to move the firm's headquarters from Fremont, California
It was a blow to its billionaire boss, who had told employees limited production would restart at the plant, and comes as competing carmakers start to reopen factories in the US.
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Toyota will restart production on Monday with General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler all planning to follow suit gradually from 18 May. Tesla is the only carmaker with a factory in California.
Mr Musk has been complaining about coronavirus lockdown measures for weeks on social media.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:01 Listen to Elon Musk's new single
Earlier this month, he described the COVID-19 restrictions as "forcibly imprisoning people in their homes" and "fascist".
He said he did not know when Tesla could resume production in California and called the state's stay-at-home order a "serious risk" to the business.
Public health experts say the orders have reduced the number of coronavirus cases nationwide.
More than 1.3 million confirmed cases and more than 78,000 deaths have been recorded in the US since the start of the outbreak.


news--2020-05-11--Coronavirus: Male security guards, chefs and taxi drivers among those most likely to die with COVID-

Coronavirus: Male security guards, chefs and taxi drivers among those most likely to die with COVID-19, says ONS

Male security guards , chefs and taxi drivers are among those most likely to die from COVID-19 , according to new figures .
Plant processing workers , construction workers and bus and coach drivers are also among those with the highest coronavirus death rates , according to data released by the Office for National Statistics .
Healthcare workers like doctors and nurses did not have a higher mortality rate compared with others of the same age and sex .
But researchers did find people working in social care , including care workers and home carers , had `` significantly '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a whole .
For male social care workers in England and Wales , the rate of COVID-19 related deaths is estimated to be 23.4 deaths per 100,000 , while for female social care workers the figure is 9.6 .
The ONS said the highest rate of deaths was among male security guards ( 45.7 deaths per 100,000 ) .
It was 36.4 deaths per 100,000 among male taxi drivers and chauffeurs , 35.9 deaths per 100,000 among male chefs , and 26.4 deaths per 100,000 among male bus and coach drivers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ working age ( 20-64 years old ) , the rate is 9.9 deaths per 100,000 , with 5.2 deaths per 100,000 females .
The figures calculated by the ONS are based on coronavirus deaths in England and Wales registered up to 20 April .
Healthcare roles dominate the list of occupations most exposed to the virus .
Among them are dental nurses , paramedics , nurses and doctors .
Lower ranking prison officers , opticians , vets and residential wardens also make the list for raised exposure .
Figures showed three in four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One in five people in these jobs are aged 55 or over .
One in five are also from BAME ( Black , Asian and Minority Ethnic ) backgrounds .
Six out of 16 of these occupations have a median pay lower than £13.21 , the median hourly pay across the UK .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The ONS said its analysis `` does not prove conclusively that the observed rates of death involving COVID-19 are necessarily caused by differences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been adjusted for age , but not for other factors such as ethnic group and place of residence .
The findings could change as more deaths are registered , the ONS added .
ONS figures will lead to more questions over PPE Analysis by Laura Bundock , news correspondent The ONS data confirms what many had long-suspected ; some jobs have higher death rates from COVID-19 than others .
Men in the lowest paid jobs had the highest death rate , those with professional occupations had the lowest .
Security guards have one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drivers , bus and coach drivers all significantly higher too .
Both men and women working in social care also had significantly higher rates of death .
This will no doubt raise many questions about whether a lack of PPE was a contribution .

Male security guards, chefs and taxi drivers are among those most likely to die from COVID-19, according to new figures.
Plant processing workers, construction workers and bus and coach drivers are also among those with the highest coronavirus death rates, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics.
Healthcare workers like doctors and nurses did not have a higher mortality rate compared with others of the same age and sex. But researchers did find people working in social care, including care workers and home carers, had "significantly" higher death rates than the working population as a whole.
For male social care workers in England and Wales, the rate of COVID-19 related deaths is estimated to be 23.4 deaths per 100,000, while for female social care workers the figure is 9.6.
The ONS said the highest rate of deaths was among male security guards (45.7 deaths per 100,000).
It was 36.4 deaths per 100,000 among male taxi drivers and chauffeurs, 35.9 deaths per 100,000 among male chefs, and 26.4 deaths per 100,000 among male bus and coach drivers.
By contrast, for all males of working age (20-64 years old), the rate is 9.9 deaths per 100,000, with 5.2 deaths per 100,000 females.
The figures calculated by the ONS are based on coronavirus deaths in England and Wales registered up to 20 April.
Healthcare roles dominate the list of occupations most exposed to the virus.
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Among them are dental nurses, paramedics, nurses and doctors.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:25 March: Aerial footage shows lack of social distancing in London
Lower ranking prison officers, opticians, vets and residential wardens also make the list for raised exposure.
Figures showed three in four people in such roles are women.
One in five people in these jobs are aged 55 or over. One in five are also from BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) backgrounds.
Six out of 16 of these occupations have a median pay lower than £13.21, the median hourly pay across the UK.
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The ONS said its analysis "does not prove conclusively that the observed rates of death involving COVID-19 are necessarily caused by differences in occupational exposure".
Figures had been adjusted for age, but not for other factors such as ethnic group and place of residence.
The findings could change as more deaths are registered, the ONS added.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:02 BAME people more likely to die from COVID-19
ONS figures will lead to more questions over PPE
Analysis by Laura Bundock, news correspondent
The ONS data confirms what many had long-suspected; some jobs have higher death rates from COVID-19 than others.
Men in the lowest paid jobs had the highest death rate, those with professional occupations had the lowest.
Security guards have one of the highest rates, with taxi drivers, bus and coach drivers all significantly higher too.
Both men and women working in social care also had significantly higher rates of death.
This will no doubt raise many questions about whether a lack of PPE was a contribution.


news--2020-05-11--Coronavirus: The oil-dependent economies pushing through emergency economic measures

The oil and gas sector has been hammered by a collapse in prices as COVID-19 has crossed the globe The oil price war instigated by Saudi Arabia in March , in response to Russia 's refusal to implement the production cuts the Saudis were seeking , looks more damaging by the day .
The fall-out is landing in all directions , including on British pension funds and others who own shares in oil majors such as Royal Dutch Shell , but is also hurting the two protagonists themselves .
The extent of that damage has been spelled out during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both countries .
In Saudi Arabia , the government announced that it was raising the rate of VAT from 5 % to 15 % as it seeks to rebuild its finances , which have been hit by the collapse in crude prices .
Riyadh 's oil revenues during the first three months of the year were down 24 % on the same period in 2019 .
The Saudi government also announced on Monday that it was suspending , from 1 June , the monthly allowance of 1,000 riyals ( £216 ) paid to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million employees to help meet higher living costs .
Other austerity measures introduced include cuts to capital expenditure at some government-owned companies .
The amount of money earmarked for the government 's ambitious project to modernise its economy , Vision 2030 , has also been trimmed .
In all , the measures are expected to bring in around $ 26.6bn per year .
Mohammed Al-Jadaan , Saudi Arabia 's finance minister , said : `` The COVID-19 challenges have led to a decline in government revenues and pressure on public finances to levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without harming the Kingdom 's macroeconomics and public finances in the medium and long term .
`` The measures taken today , though painful , are necessary and will facilitate financial and economic stability . ''
The move comes after the Central Bank of Russia said on Friday that it was contemplating another big cut in interest rates .
The bank last month reduced its main policy rate from 6 % to 5.5 % , a level not seen since February 2014 , but its governor , Elvira Nabiullina , said she could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4.5 % next month .
Russia 's economy is expected to contract by 8 % this year , reflecting not only the extent to which it depends on oil production but also the damage inflicted by COVID-19 , which has already claimed the lives of more than 2,000 Russians .
The country currently has the second-fastest rate of new inflections in the world after the United States .
In a separate but related development on Monday Russia 's president , Vladimir Putin , made a televised address to the nation in which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy .
These included tax reliefs to support specific companies and new welfare payments targeted at struggling families .
Mr Putin , who was announcing an easing of lockdown measures , said the Bank of Russia and the government would be working together to come up with measures to support lending to individuals and businesses once Russia had emerged from the lockdown .
He added : `` [ It is recommended ] that the Bank of Russia and the government jointly approve an action plan for the rapid introduction of online technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibility for the remote provision of services by lending and other financial organisations , including those related to the conclusion of loans and mortgages . ''
Russia has been burning rapidly through the $ 570bn `` rainy day '' fund that it accumulated when oil prices were higher .
An estimated 40-45 % of Moscow 's revenue comes from oil and , when oil is trading at $ 45 a barrel , the budget balances .
Anything significantly below that spells trouble .
Anton Siluanov , the finance minister , said last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to be around 4 % of Russian GDP - compared with the surplus of 0.8 % that was expected this year and the 1.8 % surplus the government enjoyed last year .
The Saudis and the Russians are not the only economies to have pushed through extraordinary measures in recent days .
Shinzo Abe , the Japanese prime minister , announced that his government could introduce a second emergency budget as the world 's third largest economy seeks to stave off the impact of what is expected to be a severe recession @ @ @ @ @ @ @ package last month , dominated by cash handouts to households and loans to small businesses , only for MPs in Mr Abe 's ruling coalition to demand further spending .
The new measures are expected to include subsidies to companies whose sales have fallen , support for businesses struggling with rental payments and money for students that have lost their part-time jobs .
Meanwhile , Nigeria - like Saudi Arabia and Russia , another major economy whose fortunes depend heavily on the oil price - is bracing itself for a flood of money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bank of Nigeria has raised eyebrows in recent days by continuing to allow investors to take their funds out of the country despite a shortage of dollars .
Yet the move ought not to have come as a surprise .
Nigeria needs to maintain the confidence and support of international investors and any curbs on the ability to take money out of the country would have hit that .
The situation in which it finds itself , as with Russia and Saudi Arabia , highlights the need for all three countries to diversify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil .

Sky's Ian King examines the extraordinary steps being taken by nations dependent on their oil wealth as COVID-19 hits hard.
The oil and gas sector has been hammered by a collapse in prices as COVID-19 has crossed the globe
The oil price war instigated by Saudi Arabia in March, in response to Russia's refusal to implement the production cuts the Saudis were seeking, looks more damaging by the day.
The fall-out is landing in all directions, including on British pension funds and others who own shares in oil majors such as Royal Dutch Shell, but is also hurting the two protagonists themselves.
The extent of that damage has been spelled out during the last few days in policy responses in both countries.
Image: Saudi Arabia's public subsidies are being cut
In Saudi Arabia, the government announced that it was raising the rate of VAT from 5% to 15% as it seeks to rebuild its finances, which have been hit by the collapse in crude prices.
Riyadh's oil revenues during the first three months of the year were down 24% on the same period in 2019.
The Saudi government also announced on Monday that it was suspending, from 1 June, the monthly allowance of 1,000 riyals (£216) paid to all of the state's estimated 1.5 million employees to help meet higher living costs.
Other austerity measures introduced include cuts to capital expenditure at some government-owned companies. The amount of money earmarked for the government's ambitious project to modernise its economy, Vision 2030, has also been trimmed.
In all, the measures are expected to bring in around $26.6bn per year.
Mohammed Al-Jadaan, Saudi Arabia's finance minister, said: "The COVID-19 challenges have led to a decline in government revenues and pressure on public finances to levels that are difficult to deal with later without harming the Kingdom's macroeconomics and public finances in the medium and long term.
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"The measures taken today, though painful, are necessary and will facilitate financial and economic stability."
The move comes after the Central Bank of Russia said on Friday that it was contemplating another big cut in interest rates.
The bank last month reduced its main policy rate from 6% to 5.5%, a level not seen since February 2014, but its governor, Elvira Nabiullina, said she could not rule out taking that down to 4.5% next month.
Russia's economy is expected to contract by 8% this year, reflecting not only the extent to which it depends on oil production but also the damage inflicted by COVID-19, which has already claimed the lives of more than 2,000 Russians. The country currently has the second-fastest rate of new inflections in the world after the United States.
Image: Vladimir Putin is under pressure to provide financial support to ordinary Russians
In a separate but related development on Monday Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, made a televised address to the nation in which he unveiled a number of measures to support the economy.
These included tax reliefs to support specific companies and new welfare payments targeted at struggling families.
Mr Putin, who was announcing an easing of lockdown measures, said the Bank of Russia and the government would be working together to come up with measures to support lending to individuals and businesses once Russia had emerged from the lockdown.
He added: "[It is recommended] that the Bank of Russia and the government jointly approve an action plan for the rapid introduction of online technology in the financial sector, providing the possibility for the remote provision of services by lending and other financial organisations, including those related to the conclusion of loans and mortgages."
Russia has been burning rapidly through the $570bn "rainy day" fund that it accumulated when oil prices were higher. An estimated 40-45% of Moscow's revenue comes from oil and, when oil is trading at $45 a barrel, the budget balances. Anything significantly below that spells trouble.
Anton Siluanov, the finance minister, said last week that this year's budget deficit was likely to be around 4% of Russian GDP - compared with the surplus of 0.8% that was expected this year and the 1.8% surplus the government enjoyed last year.
The Saudis and the Russians are not the only economies to have pushed through extraordinary measures in recent days.
Shinzo Abe, the Japanese prime minister, announced that his government could introduce a second emergency budget as the world's third largest economy seeks to stave off the impact of what is expected to be a severe recession.
Image: Japan is providing unprecedented support for businesses
The government announced an £890bn stimulus package last month, dominated by cash handouts to households and loans to small businesses, only for MPs in Mr Abe's ruling coalition to demand further spending.
The new measures are expected to include subsidies to companies whose sales have fallen, support for businesses struggling with rental payments and money for students that have lost their part-time jobs.
Meanwhile, Nigeria - like Saudi Arabia and Russia, another major economy whose fortunes depend heavily on the oil price - is bracing itself for a flood of money to leave the country. The Central Bank of Nigeria has raised eyebrows in recent days by continuing to allow investors to take their funds out of the country despite a shortage of dollars.
Yet the move ought not to have come as a surprise. Nigeria needs to maintain the confidence and support of international investors and any curbs on the ability to take money out of the country would have hit that.
The situation in which it finds itself, as with Russia and Saudi Arabia, highlights the need for all three countries to diversify their economies and reduce their dependence on oil.


news--2020-05-11--Coronavirus: Face masks at work? New business virus guidance is clear

Employees will not be advised to wear masks or face coverings when at work under government guidelines on how businesses can become `` COVID-secure '' .
The guidelines , which provide information on how companies should manage the risk of coronavirus in eight broad workplace categories , are intended to help get businesses `` up and running '' .
The advice on face masks and coverings contrasts with government advice that commuters should wear such protection if they have to use public transport .
That message , contained in the `` road map '' for England underlined by Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wearing of face coverings in confined space such as shops , where people may mix with individuals from beyond their household .
It suggests that people should wear a face covering on their way to work , but not once they get there .
The guidelines say face coverings can be `` marginally beneficial as a precautionary measure '' by protecting others if the wearer is an asymptomatic carrier , and advise employers to support workers if they wish to wear them .
But they do not recommend they be worn even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ describing them as less effective than other means of control .
`` Face coverings are not a replacement for the other ways of managing risk , including time spent in contact , using fixed teams and partnering for close-up work , and increasing hand and surface washing . ''
Draft guidance circulated last week contained no information on PPE , leaving employers and workers in the dark ahead of today 's publication The guidelines are intended to give clarity and confidence to businesses and employees following a call for all those who can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first stage of economic recovery .
Around 250 employers , business groups and unions have been consulted - many of whom raised concerns when drafts were circulated last week .
The finalised documents were released following criticism from unions and opposition leaders that they were not published to accompany Mr Johnson 's television address on Sunday .
Unions have expressed concern that workplaces may not be safe for a rapid return to work , and business leaders are worried about where liabilities lie for the safety of returning staff .
The guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outdoor workplaces , manufacturing , food production and retailers and focuses on five main points : • Staff should work from home if they can , but those that can not work from home should go to work , if their workplace is open • Workplaces should carry out a risk assessment , in consultation with staff and unions , to set guidelines • Two-metre social distancing should be maintained where possible , including by staggering start times , using one-way walk-throughs and changing seating layouts • Where distance can not be maintained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using barriers in shared spaces , having employees face away from each other and using fixed teams to minimised contacts • Extra cleaning processes for `` high-contact '' objects like handles & keyboards , and employers should provide hand washing and sanitisers at entry or exit points .
The documents may provide the basis for further discussion with unions and employers .
Agreement is crucial to giving workers the confidence to return .
The measures were welcomed by business groups .
Dame Carolyn Fairbairn , CBI director-general , said : `` Safety is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unless people feel safe , employees wo n't return , customers will stay away and the restart will falter , harming livelihoods and public services .
`` This guidance will help .
It gives firms a clearer picture of how to reopen safely and gradually . ''
Adam Marshall , her counterpart at the British Chambers of Commerce , said : `` This is a significant step forward in terms of the information available for businesses , who will now need to digest the detail .
`` The guidance signals big changes for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and some firms will now need time to plan and speak to their employees so that they can return to work safely .
`` Alongside this guidance , businesses urgently need clarity on the future of government support schemes , which must be adapted to help those firms who need to remain closed for an extended period or face reduced capacity or demand . ''
TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said the guidelines were a step in the right direction .
But she cautioned : `` Working people will only feel confident if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safer working a reality in every workplace .
`` Getting this right is in the national interest .
If rogue employers cut corners it puts us all at risk of another spike in infections . ''

Employees will not be advised to wear masks or face coverings when at work under government guidelines on how businesses can become "COVID-secure".
The guidelines, which provide information on how companies should manage the risk of coronavirus in eight broad workplace categories, are intended to help get businesses "up and running".
The advice on face masks and coverings contrasts with government advice that commuters should wear such protection if they have to use public transport.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 8:11 Khan wants face masks on the Tube
That message, contained in the "road map" for England underlined by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in parliament, also advises the wearing of face coverings in confined space such as shops, where people may mix with individuals from beyond their household.
It suggests that people should wear a face covering on their way to work, but not once they get there.
The guidelines say face coverings can be "marginally beneficial as a precautionary measure" by protecting others if the wearer is an asymptomatic carrier, and advise employers to support workers if they wish to wear them.
Image: McDonald's is among chains due to re-open some sites for deliveries only
But they do not recommend they be worn even where employees are in close proximity, describing them as less effective than other means of control.
"Face coverings are not a replacement for the other ways of managing risk, including time spent in contact, using fixed teams and partnering for close-up work, and increasing hand and surface washing."
Draft guidance circulated last week contained no information on PPE, leaving employers and workers in the dark ahead of today's publication
Advertisement
The guidelines are intended to give clarity and confidence to businesses and employees following a call for all those who can work to return in order to help the first stage of economic recovery.
Around 250 employers, business groups and unions have been consulted - many of whom raised concerns when drafts were circulated last week.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:29 'Nothing positive' in PM's lockdown easing plan
The finalised documents were released following criticism from unions and opposition leaders that they were not published to accompany Mr Johnson's television address on Sunday.
Unions have expressed concern that workplaces may not be safe for a rapid return to work, and business leaders are worried about where liabilities lie for the safety of returning staff.
The guidance is tailored to different settings such as outdoor workplaces, manufacturing, food production and retailers and focuses on five main points:
Staff should work from home if they can, but those that cannot work from home should go to work, if their workplace is open
Workplaces should carry out a risk assessment, in consultation with staff and unions, to set guidelines
Two-metre social distancing should be maintained where possible, including by staggering start times, using one-way walk-throughs and changing seating layouts
Where distance cannot be maintained the risk of transmission should be managed using barriers in shared spaces, having employees face away from each other and using fixed teams to minimised contacts
Extra cleaning processes for "high-contact" objects like handles & keyboards, and employers should provide hand washing and sanitisers at entry or exit points.
The documents may provide the basis for further discussion with unions and employers. Agreement is crucial to giving workers the confidence to return.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:03 'Some of the detail causes real concern'
The measures were welcomed by business groups.
Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI director-general, said: "Safety is at the heart of business thinking. Unless people feel safe, employees won't return, customers will stay away and the restart will falter, harming livelihoods and public services.
"This guidance will help. It gives firms a clearer picture of how to reopen safely and gradually."
Adam Marshall, her counterpart at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "This is a significant step forward in terms of the information available for businesses, who will now need to digest the detail.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:29 'Nothing positive' in PM's lockdown easing plan
"The guidance signals big changes for the way that many businesses operate, and some firms will now need time to plan and speak to their employees so that they can return to work safely.
"Alongside this guidance, businesses urgently need clarity on the future of government support schemes, which must be adapted to help those firms who need to remain closed for an extended period or face reduced capacity or demand."
TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said the guidelines were a step in the right direction.
But she cautioned: "Working people will only feel confident if government and employers act now to make safer working a reality in every workplace.
"Getting this right is in the national interest. If rogue employers cut corners it puts us all at risk of another spike in infections."