news--2020-03-24--Coronavirus: Police on rail patrol to urge people to only make essential journeys

Five hundred British Transport Police officers are being deployed to rail stations to `` remind '' people that only essential journeys should be made .
Sean O'Callaghan , assistant chief constable at BTP , said : `` We are supporting rail operators and those key workers making their journeys home tonight by deploying 500 officers across the rail network nationally .
`` They will be patrolling stations , supporting railway staff and reminding the public of the urgent need to follow the government advice - only those making essential journeys for work should be using the Tube and rail network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strongly urge the rest of the public to do the right thing and help us save lives by staying at home and slowing the spread of the virus . ''
Earlier on Tuesday , Health Secretary Matt Hancock called for London 's Underground service to run `` in full '' during the coronavirus pandemic .
During his daily coronavirus update , Mr Hancock said running a full service would allow people to stick to social distancing measures and help NHS staff get to work .
: : Listen to the Daily Podcast on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Spreaker '' The best answer is that Transport for London should have the Tube running in full so people travelling on the Tube are spaced out and can be further apart , obeying the two-metre rule wherever possible , '' he said .
The health secretary added : `` There is no good reason in the information that I have seen that the current levels of Tube provision should be as low as they are .
We should have more Tube trains running . ''
His comments came after commuter trains were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pictures showing little space between commuters .
Last week , Boris Johnson urged the public to stop all non-essential journeys and keep a distance of two metres from each other to help slow the spread of the virus .
A partial shutdown of the London Underground began last week , with the Waterloo and City line completely shut , Night Tube services suspended and many stations closed .
Transport for London ( TfL ) further reduced the frequency of services from Monday , saying it would allow critical workers to `` get where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Overground , TfL Rail , the DLR and London trams are also running a reduced service .
Some commuters have said that reductions in train carriages and timetables have caused overcrowding .
Nurse Paul Trevatt tweeted pictures of a busy platform at Finsbury Park station , saying he was `` angry at the selfishness of other people '' .
Others reported that trains were more empty than usual .
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan 's office said the health secretary 's claims are `` simply not true '' and that the government must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A spokeswoman said : `` The mayor has told ministers countless times over recent days that TfL simply can not safely run a full service because of the levels of staff sickness and self-isolation .
`` Nearly a third of staff are already absent - there are n't enough drivers and control staff to do it .
`` The government must act urgently to get more people staying at home rather than going to work unnecessarily - that means taking the difficult decisions they are refusing to take to ban non-essential construction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freelancers , the self-employed and those on zero-hours contracts to stay at home . ''
According to the Department for Transport , demand for rail travel across the UK has fallen by up to 69 % on some routes .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker In a televised address to the nation last night , the prime minister urged people to stay at home unless they had good reason .
Boris Johnson said people should only go out for essential supplies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs , to help vulnerable people or to get to work if `` absolutely necessary '' .
Failure to follow the new rules , which will be in place for at least three weeks , could see police officers dispersing gatherings and imposing fines .
Those flouting the rules could be fined anything from £30 upwards .

Five hundred British Transport Police officers are being deployed to rail stations to "remind" people that only essential journeys should be made.
Sean O'Callaghan, assistant chief constable at BTP, said: "We are supporting rail operators and those key workers making their journeys home tonight by deploying 500 officers across the rail network nationally.
"They will be patrolling stations, supporting railway staff and reminding the public of the urgent need to follow the government advice - only those making essential journeys for work should be using the Tube and rail network."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:46 Hancock issues call for 250,000 NHS volunteers
He added: "We strongly urge the rest of the public to do the right thing and help us save lives by staying at home and slowing the spread of the virus."
Earlier on Tuesday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock called for London's Underground service to run "in full" during the coronavirus pandemic.
During his daily coronavirus update, Mr Hancock said running a full service would allow people to stick to social distancing measures and help NHS staff get to work.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"The best answer is that Transport for London should have the Tube running in full so people travelling on the Tube are spaced out and can be further apart, obeying the two-metre rule wherever possible," he said.
The health secretary added: "There is no good reason in the information that I have seen that the current levels of Tube provision should be as low as they are. We should have more Tube trains running."
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His comments came after commuter trains were still packed on Monday morning, with pictures showing little space between commuters.
Image: The District Line on Monday
Image: The Victoria Line on Monday
Last week, Boris Johnson urged the public to stop all non-essential journeys and keep a distance of two metres from each other to help slow the spread of the virus.
A partial shutdown of the London Underground began last week, with the Waterloo and City line completely shut, Night Tube services suspended and many stations closed.
Transport for London (TfL) further reduced the frequency of services from Monday, saying it would allow critical workers to "get where they need to".
The London Overground, TfL Rail, the DLR and London trams are also running a reduced service.
Some commuters have said that reductions in train carriages and timetables have caused overcrowding.
Nurse Paul Trevatt tweeted pictures of a busy platform at Finsbury Park station, saying he was "angry at the selfishness of other people".
Twitter Twitter , 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 Twitter 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 Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
Others reported that trains were more empty than usual.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan's office said the health secretary's claims are "simply not true" and that the government must do more to stop people working unnecessarily.
A spokeswoman said: "The mayor has told ministers countless times over recent days that TfL simply cannot safely run a full service because of the levels of staff sickness and self-isolation.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:09 London virtually deserted at rush hour
"Nearly a third of staff are already absent - there aren't enough drivers and control staff to do it.
"The government must act urgently to get more people staying at home rather than going to work unnecessarily - that means taking the difficult decisions they are refusing to take to ban non-essential construction work and provide proper financial support to freelancers, the self-employed and those on zero-hours contracts to stay at home."
According to the Department for Transport, demand for rail travel across the UK has fallen by up to 69% on some routes.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
In a televised address to the nation last night, the prime minister urged people to stay at home unless they had good reason.
Boris Johnson said people should only go out for essential supplies, exercise once a day, medical needs, to help vulnerable people or to get to work if "absolutely necessary".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:56 Social distancing puts UK to the test
Failure to follow the new rules, which will be in place for at least three weeks, could see police officers dispersing gatherings and imposing fines.
Those flouting the rules could be fined anything from £30 upwards.


news--2020-03-23--Coronavirus: The best boxsets to get you through the lockdown

If there was ever an excuse to stay at home on the sofa , this is it .
As coronavirus spreads , social distancing and self-isolation have left millions of us with more time than we might usually spend dedicating to box-sets , films and podcasts .
While many TV shows and films have halted production and postponed releases due to the impact of COVID-19 , the disease caused by coronavirus , there 's still plenty to choose from to keep you going through the weeks ( and months ) ahead .
Did you miss out on Game Of Thrones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now is the time .
Embrace it .
Want to revisit all of Star Wars ?
Back-to-back Bond ?
Or even Fast & Furious 1 to 249 ?
You can now do it , guilt-free .
( Okay , maybe not the last one ) .
Here 's our Sky News Backstage podcast guide on the box-sets and series old , new and upcoming that will keep you entertained indoors .
Now in its third series , this dystopian theme-park drama about the dawn of artificial intelligence and the birth of a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most downloaded show on Sky right now .
Starring Thandie Newton , Evan Rachel Wood , Jeffrey Wright and Ed Harris , Breaking Bad 's Aaron Paul and Vincent Cassel ( Black Swan ) join the cast for the new season .
Okay , so there was a lot of hoo-ha about the ending last year .
But whether you were happy with its swansong or not , Game Of Thrones remains one of the most popular series of all time .
And every episode of series 1-8 is available to watch on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're a die-hard fan , now 's the time to do it all again from the beginning .
If you 've never seen , you 're in for a dragon and bloody battle-filled treat - either that , or you 're really going to wonder what the fuss was all about .
One of the biggest shows of recent years , the upcoming third season of this dark comic thriller is one of the most anticipated programmes of 2020 .
Starring British actress Jodie Comer as everyone 's favourite multiple-accented , super-stylish assassin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the obsessed MI6 agent on the cat-and-mouse trail to track her down , season three starts on BBC America on 26 April and should be on BBC One and BBC iPlayer by June .
When it landed on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV back in February 2018 , Save Me quickly became a break-out hit .
The dark drama , starring Lennie James and Suranne Jones , told the story of a man desperately searching for his estranged missing daughter .
No spoilers here , but it 's back for a second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to how the search panned out .
The first episode of this drama started on BBC One on Sunday , so you 've got plenty of time to get up to speed if you missed it .
Line Of Duty 's Martin Compston and Peaky Blinders ' Sophie Rundle star as a very wealthy couple with an amazing Sleeping-With-The-Enemy-style beach house , who are desperate for a baby .
Mirren Mack ( Sex Education ) is the troubled teen who offers to be their surrogate .
But at what cost ?
The first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promises to be a very moreish appointment-to-view thriller .
A new Sky original series , Gangs Of London tells the story of the power struggles of the capital 's international organised gangs and the sudden power vacuum created when the head of the city 's most powerful crime family is assassinated .
If you 're not a fan of violence , it 's not one for you , but there 's also a lot more to it than blood and gore .
Some critics are describing it as the new Peaky Blinders - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actor Joe Cole - but this is a show that looks set to be a big hit in its own right .
There 's no official release date yet , but we 're expecting it some time in April .
If you 're a fan of reality TV dating shows then you 're probably already watching Love Is Blind , on Netflix .
If not , then where have you been ?
The idea behind this one is that those in search of love aim to find it and get engaged , all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a show about singles who want to be loved for who they are , rather than what they look like , apparently - or singles who want to get famous quick , if you take the cynical approach .
Ridiculous , yes .
Highly addictive , also yes .
You have been warned .
Before Breaking Bad 's Saul Goodman became Saul Goodman , he was Jimmy McGill .
This prequel spin-off about the hapless conman lawyer is the master of the slow burn , and a brilliant show in its own right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fifth series - in which we 're starting to see more of a Breaking Bad crossover - has started now on Netflix .
If you have the time , you can also revisit all five series of Breaking Bad , plus El Camino - the film sequel released last year .
Jason Bateman , Laura Linney and Julia Garner star in this dark crime drama about an accountant/ money launderer forced to flee with his family from the city to the middle of nowhere when things start to go very wrong with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first two seasons and get ready for the third , due out on Netflix on 27 March .
Set six months after the events of season two , lives are thrown into chaos once again .
Billed as a true murder-for-hire story from the underworld of big cat breeding , this is the latest Netflix documentary series to set social media alight .
The story focuses on Joe Exotic , the gun-toting operator of an Oklahoma big cat park , and his feud with animal rights activist Carole Baskin , the self-described Mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the documentary about the infamous Fyre Festival , it takes you down the rather mind-boggling rabbit hole of big cat ownership in the US .
If anything is going to take your mind off coronavirus , it 's this .
The Star Wars spin-off that brought us a thousand Baby Yoda memes , The Mandalorian aired on Disney+ in the US last year .
Now , fans can watch in the UK , as the new streaming service launches here on 24 March .
It will start with two episodes on launch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday 27 March .
Set in New York City in 1977 , Hunters stars Al Pacino and tells the story of a group of Nazi hunters who discover hundreds of high-ranking Nazi officials are living among us , conspiring to create a Fourth Reich in the US .
The feel of the show is Tarantino-esque comic-book violence and baddies , which has raised some questions given the sensitivity of the subject matter .
The first series launched at the end of February , so you can judge for yourself on Amazon Prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Culkin , Sarah Snook and Jeremy Strong , Succession follows the Roy dynasty 's disintegration when their patriarch refuses to name his successor .
The first series aired in 2018 but it was the second series last year that brought the show hit status .
An oh-my-God finale has left fans eagerly awaiting the third season , due out later in 2020 on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV .
Catch up on the previous series on Amazon Prime Video .
If you need comedy in your life , spend some time with North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can find Knowing Me Knowing You With Alan Partridge and I 'm Alan Partridge ; on Sky , Mid Morning Matters , Scissored Isle and Alpha Papa ; on BBC iPlayer and Sky , you get Alan 's most recent foray into TV , This Time With Alan Partridge .
Back of the net , indeed .
A Hollywood fixer to the rich and famous , Ray Donovan ( Liev Schreiber ) is the man who can get you out of any sticky situation , just not strictly legally .
But of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems to make disappear .
It 's a Sky Atlantic show with an all-star cast , with Jon Voight brilliant as incorrigible , ex-con father Mickey , and British actor Eddie Marsan on fine form as brother Terry , a former boxer who has Parkinson 's disease .
You can watch all seven seasons on Sky now .
Feel-good TV is what we need right now , and it does n't get any better than Queer Eye .
The critically acclaimed reality TV show has become a huge hit since it rebooted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hosts and winning fans across the world .
A makeover show with heart , it follows a group of five gay men who aim to change the lives of others through personal and home makeovers , cookery classes and confidence-boosting sessions , and is all about encouraging its participants , usually men , to love themselves for who they are .
Be prepared to get emotional , with four seasons on Netflix .
An offbeat comedy about the afterlife , The Good Place - starring Ted Danson , Kristen Bell and British star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fan-base since it first aired in 2016 .
From the very first series , the show featured twists and complete shifts in space and time .
The last episode aired in November 2019 , but you can catch up on all four seasons on Netflix .
It 's hard to imagine there 's anyone left who has n't seen Fleabag , the comedy from Phoebe Waller-Bridge which has picked up pretty much every award going in the last year .
If you 're already a fan , watch again on BBC iPlayer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : hair is everything .
On the one hand , you probably do n't want to watch a programme about a nuclear disaster at the minute .
On the other , last year 's dramatisation of the 1986 tragedy is one of the greatest TV series made in recent years .
If you want to watch , you can find it on NOW TV .
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker You can also take a listen to our special bonus episode @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guide to the best ways to spend your screen-time .
And if you 're looking for a new podcast , feel free to subscribe if you like what you hear .
We 'd also love to hear about what you 're watching and your recommendations - get in touch at backstage @ sky.uk

If there was ever an excuse to stay at home on the sofa, this is it.
As coronavirus spreads, social distancing and self-isolation have left millions of us with more time than we might usually spend dedicating to box-sets, films and podcasts.
While many TV shows and films have halted production and postponed releases due to the impact of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, there's still plenty to choose from to keep you going through the weeks (and months) ahead.
Did you miss out on Game Of Thrones? Breaking Bad? The Sopranos? Now is the time. Embrace it. Want to revisit all of Star Wars? Back-to-back Bond? Or even Fast & Furious 1 to 249? You can now do it, guilt-free. (Okay, maybe not the last one).
Here's our Sky News Backstage podcast guide on the box-sets and series old, new and upcoming that will keep you entertained indoors.
Image: Thandie Newton stars in dystopian sci-fi Westworld. Pic: Sky Atlantic/HBO
Westworld
Now in its third series, this dystopian theme-park drama about the dawn of artificial intelligence and the birth of a new form of life on Earth is the most downloaded show on Sky right now.
Starring Thandie Newton, Evan Rachel Wood, Jeffrey Wright and Ed Harris, Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul and Vincent Cassel (Black Swan) join the cast for the new season.
Image: If you've never watched Game Of Thrones, now is the time... Pic: Sky Atlantic/ HBO
Game of Thrones
Advertisement
Okay, so there was a lot of hoo-ha about the ending last year. But whether you were happy with its swansong or not, Game Of Thrones remains one of the most popular series of all time. And every episode of series 1-8 is available to watch on Sky and NOW TV.
If you're a die-hard fan, now's the time to do it all again from the beginning. If you've never seen, you're in for a dragon and bloody battle-filled treat - either that, or you're really going to wonder what the fuss was all about.
Image: Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh star in Killing Eve. Pic: BBC
Killing Eve
One of the biggest shows of recent years, the upcoming third season of this dark comic thriller is one of the most anticipated programmes of 2020.
Starring British actress Jodie Comer as everyone's favourite multiple-accented, super-stylish assassin Villanelle and Sandra Oh as Eve Polastri, the obsessed MI6 agent on the cat-and-mouse trail to track her down, season three starts on BBC America on 26 April and should be on BBC One and BBC iPlayer by June.
Image: Save Me Too stars Lennie James and Suranne Jones. Pic: Sky Atlantic
Save Me Too
When it landed on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV back in February 2018, Save Me quickly became a break-out hit. The dark drama, starring Lennie James and Suranne Jones, told the story of a man desperately searching for his estranged missing daughter.
No spoilers here, but it's back for a second series - which gives some clue as to how the search panned out.
Image: Five-part thriller The Nest airs on Sunday evenings. Pic: BBC
The Nest
The first episode of this drama started on BBC One on Sunday, so you've got plenty of time to get up to speed if you missed it.
Line Of Duty's Martin Compston and Peaky Blinders' Sophie Rundle star as a very wealthy couple with an amazing Sleeping-With-The-Enemy-style beach house, who are desperate for a baby. Mirren Mack (Sex Education) is the troubled teen who offers to be their surrogate. But at what cost? The first episode has set the scene for what promises to be a very moreish appointment-to-view thriller.
Image: Sope Dirisu and Joe Cole star in Gangs Of London. Pic: Sky UK
Gangs Of London
A new Sky original series, Gangs Of London tells the story of the power struggles of the capital's international organised gangs and the sudden power vacuum created when the head of the city's most powerful crime family is assassinated.
If you're not a fan of violence, it's not one for you, but there's also a lot more to it than blood and gore. Some critics are describing it as the new Peaky Blinders - not least because it stars John Shelby actor Joe Cole - but this is a show that looks set to be a big hit in its own right. There's no official release date yet, but we're expecting it some time in April.
Image: Love Is Blind is reality dating TV with a twist. Pic: Netflix
Love Is Blind
If you're a fan of reality TV dating shows then you're probably already watching Love Is Blind, on Netflix. If not, then where have you been? The idea behind this one is that those in search of love aim to find it and get engaged, all before meeting in person.
It's a show about singles who want to be loved for who they are, rather than what they look like, apparently - or singles who want to get famous quick, if you take the cynical approach. Ridiculous, yes. Highly addictive, also yes. You have been warned.
Image: Better Call Saul series five is on now. Pic: Netflix
Better Call Saul (plus Breaking Bad/ El Camino)
Before Breaking Bad's Saul Goodman became Saul Goodman, he was Jimmy McGill. This prequel spin-off about the hapless conman lawyer is the master of the slow burn, and a brilliant show in its own right, with or without Heisenberg. The fifth series - in which we're starting to see more of a Breaking Bad crossover - has started now on Netflix.
If you have the time, you can also revisit all five series of Breaking Bad, plus El Camino - the film sequel released last year.
Image: Jason Bateman and Julia Garner in Ozark. Pic: Netflix
Ozark
Jason Bateman, Laura Linney and Julia Garner star in this dark crime drama about an accountant/ money launderer forced to flee with his family from the city to the middle of nowhere when things start to go very wrong with a drug cartel.
Catch up on the first two seasons and get ready for the third, due out on Netflix on 27 March. Set six months after the events of season two, lives are thrown into chaos once again.
Image: Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness is the latest docu-series everyone is talking about. Pic: Netflix
Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem And Madness
Billed as a true murder-for-hire story from the underworld of big cat breeding, this is the latest Netflix documentary series to set social media alight. The story focuses on Joe Exotic, the gun-toting operator of an Oklahoma big cat park, and his feud with animal rights activist Carole Baskin, the self-described Mother Teresa of cats.
From the creators of the documentary about the infamous Fyre Festival, it takes you down the rather mind-boggling rabbit hole of big cat ownership in the US. If anything is going to take your mind off coronavirus, it's this.
Image: The first episodes of The Mandalorian will air for the Disney+ launch. Pic: Disney+
The Mandalorian
The Star Wars spin-off that brought us a thousand Baby Yoda memes, The Mandalorian aired on Disney+ in the US last year. Now, fans can watch in the UK, as the new streaming service launches here on 24 March. It will start with two episodes on launch day, with episode three being released on Friday 27 March.
Image: Hunters sees Al Pacino make the move from film to TV. Pic: Amazon Prime Video
Hunters
Set in New York City in 1977, Hunters stars Al Pacino and tells the story of a group of Nazi hunters who discover hundreds of high-ranking Nazi officials are living among us, conspiring to create a Fourth Reich in the US.
The feel of the show is Tarantino-esque comic-book violence and baddies, which has raised some questions given the sensitivity of the subject matter. The first series launched at the end of February, so you can judge for yourself on Amazon Prime Video.
Image: The critically acclaimed Succession returns for a third series later this year. Pic: Sky Atlantic/HBO
Succession
Starring Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin, Sarah Snook and Jeremy Strong, Succession follows the Roy dynasty's disintegration when their patriarch refuses to name his successor. The first series aired in 2018 but it was the second series last year that brought the show hit status.
An oh-my-God finale has left fans eagerly awaiting the third season, due out later in 2020 on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV. Catch up on the previous series on Amazon Prime Video.
Image: Steve Coogan as Alan Partridge in Mid Morning Matters. Pic: © Baby Cow Productions
Alan Partridge
If you need comedy in your life, spend some time with North Norfolk's finest. On Netflix, you can find Knowing Me Knowing You With Alan Partridge and I'm Alan Partridge; on Sky, Mid Morning Matters, Scissored Isle and Alpha Papa; on BBC iPlayer and Sky, you get Alan's most recent foray into TV, This Time With Alan Partridge. Back of the net, indeed.
Image: Liev Schreiber and Jon Voight as Ray and Mickey Donovan in Ray Donovan. Pic: © 2017 Showtime
Ray Donovan
A Hollywood fixer to the rich and famous, Ray Donovan (Liev Schreiber) is the man who can get you out of any sticky situation, just not strictly legally. But of course, he also has his own problems to make disappear.
It's a Sky Atlantic show with an all-star cast, with Jon Voight brilliant as incorrigible, ex-con father Mickey, and British actor Eddie Marsan on fine form as brother Terry, a former boxer who has Parkinson's disease. You can watch all seven seasons on Sky now.
Image: Catch up on some feel-good TV with Queer Eye. Pic: Netflix
Queer Eye
Feel-good TV is what we need right now, and it doesn't get any better than Queer Eye. The critically acclaimed reality TV show has become a huge hit since it rebooted in 2018, making global stars of its hosts and winning fans across the world.
A makeover show with heart, it follows a group of five gay men who aim to change the lives of others through personal and home makeovers, cookery classes and confidence-boosting sessions, and is all about encouraging its participants, usually men, to love themselves for who they are. Be prepared to get emotional, with four seasons on Netflix.
Image: D'Arcy Carden and Jameela Jamil as Janet and Tahani in The Good Place. Pic: Netflix
The Good Place
An offbeat comedy about the afterlife, The Good Place - starring Ted Danson, Kristen Bell and British star Jameela Jamil - has established a firm fan-base since it first aired in 2016.
From the very first series, the show featured twists and complete shifts in space and time. The last episode aired in November 2019, but you can catch up on all four seasons on Netflix.
Image: Phoebe Waller-Bridge wrote and starred in Fleabag. Pic: BBC
Fleabag
It's hard to imagine there's anyone left who hasn't seen Fleabag, the comedy from Phoebe Waller-Bridge which has picked up pretty much every award going in the last year.
If you're already a fan, watch again on BBC iPlayer. If not, enjoy. And remember: hair is everything.
Image: Chernobyl aired in 2019. Pic: Sky Atlantic/NOW TV
Chernobyl
On the one hand, you probably don't want to watch a programme about a nuclear disaster at the minute. On the other, last year's dramatisation of the 1986 tragedy is one of the greatest TV series made in recent years.
If you want to watch, you can find it on NOW TV.
Want more?
:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
You can also take a listen to our special bonus episode of Backstage, which features our in-depth guide to the best ways to spend your screen-time.
And if you're looking for a new podcast, feel free to subscribe if you like what you hear.
We'd also love to hear about what you're watching and your recommendations - get in touch at backstage@sky.uk


news--2020-03-24--Coronavirus: New York trials experimental treatment with recovered patients' blood

New York health officials are planning to collect plasma from people who have recovered after contracting coronavirus and inject the antibody-rich fluid into patients battling COVID-19 .
The US state 's governor Andrew Cuomo announced two experimental medical interventions - the blood plasma transfusions , and another involving antibody testing in order to send survivors back to work .
The convalescent plasma treatment dates back as far as the 1918 flu outbreak but some experts believe it could be the best hope for fighting COVID-19 until more sophisticated therapies are developed .
Mr Cuomo told reporters : `` There have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is injected with the antibodies , that then stimulates and promotes their immune system against that disease .
`` It 's only a trial .
It 's a trial for people who are in a serious condition , but the New York State Department of Health has been working on this with some of New York 's best health care agencies , and we think it shows promise , and we 're going to be starting that this week . ''
The intervention comes as the number of confirmed cases in New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with more than 14,700 cases in New York City and more than 210 deaths state-wide .
The US as a whole has had more than 52,000 confirmed cases and 677 deaths .
Speaking about the second experimental intervention , Mr Cuomo said : `` There 's also work on a serological drug where you test the antibodies of a person and see if they had the virus already .
`` We all believe thousands and thousands of people have had the virus and self-resolved - if you knew that , you would know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and who you could send back to work . ''
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker It comes as President Donald Trump said a clinical trial for the possible treatment of the coronavirus would soon start in New York , and reiterated his belief that a combination of anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine and the antibiotic azithromycin could see off the disease .
He told a news conference : `` Clinical trials in New York will begin on existing drugs that may prove effective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10,000 units going and it will be distributed tomorrow . ''
The comments come despite a man in Arizona dying after ingesting chloroquine phosphate - an aquarium cleaning product similar to the drugs Mr Trump has named as potential coronavirus treatments .
Chloroquine phosphate has the same active ingredient as the malaria drugs President Trump has touted as possibly being effective against COVID-19 .
Meanwhile , the US leader suggested financial and social distancing remedies to deal with the pandemic may be more harmful than the virus outbreak itself and vowed to reassess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let the cure be worse than the problem itself , '' he said .
`` America will again and soon be open for business .
`` We are not going to let it turn into a long-lasting financial problem . ''
He added in a tweet : `` WE CAN NOT LET THE CURE BE WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF .
AT THE END OF THE 15 DAY PERIOD , WE WILL MAKE A DECISION AS TO WHICH WAY WE WANT TO GO ! ''
Other key developments in the US : • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50,000 additional hospital beds to accommodate a surge in cases predicted by computer modelling • Washington state joined California and New York in ordering non-essential businesses to close and ordered seven million people to stay at home • President Trump signed an executive order making it illegal to excessively stockpile personal protective equipment needed by doctors and nurses • Team USA called for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to be postponed over the global pandemic

New York health officials are planning to collect plasma from people who have recovered after contracting coronavirus and inject the antibody-rich fluid into patients battling COVID-19.
The US state's governor Andrew Cuomo announced two experimental medical interventions - the blood plasma transfusions, and another involving antibody testing in order to send survivors back to work.
The convalescent plasma treatment dates back as far as the 1918 flu outbreak but some experts believe it could be the best hope for fighting COVID-19 until more sophisticated therapies are developed.
Image: Andrew Cuomo announced two experimental medical interventions
Mr Cuomo told reporters: "There have been tests that show when a person is injected with the antibodies, that then stimulates and promotes their immune system against that disease.
"It's only a trial. It's a trial for people who are in a serious condition, but the New York State Department of Health has been working on this with some of New York's best health care agencies, and we think it shows promise, and we're going to be starting that this week."
The intervention comes as the number of confirmed cases in New York State surged to more than 25,000, with more than 14,700 cases in New York City and more than 210 deaths state-wide.
The US as a whole has had more than 52,000 confirmed cases and 677 deaths.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:50 New York Couple wed on street
Speaking about the second experimental intervention, Mr Cuomo said: "There's also work on a serological drug where you test the antibodies of a person and see if they had the virus already.
"We all believe thousands and thousands of people have had the virus and self-resolved - if you knew that, you would know who is now immune to the virus and who you could send back to work."
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It comes as President Donald Trump said a clinical trial for the possible treatment of the coronavirus would soon start in New York, and reiterated his belief that a combination of anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine and the antibiotic azithromycin could see off the disease.
He told a news conference: "Clinical trials in New York will begin on existing drugs that may prove effective against the virus.
"We have 10,000 units going and it will be distributed tomorrow."
Image: Mr Trump vowed to reassess government restrictions
The comments come despite a man in Arizona dying after ingesting chloroquine phosphate - an aquarium cleaning product similar to the drugs Mr Trump has named as potential coronavirus treatments.
Chloroquine phosphate has the same active ingredient as the malaria drugs President Trump has touted as possibly being effective against COVID-19.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:57 'This week, it's going to get bad' - US health chief
Meanwhile, the US leader suggested financial and social distancing remedies to deal with the pandemic may be more harmful than the virus outbreak itself and vowed to reassess government restrictions.
"We cannot let the cure be worse than the problem itself," he said. "America will again and soon be open for business.
"We are not going to let it turn into a long-lasting financial problem."
He added in a tweet: "WE CANNOT LET THE CURE BE WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF. AT THE END OF THE 15 DAY PERIOD, WE WILL MAKE A DECISION AS TO WHICH WAY WE WANT TO GO!"
Other key developments in the US:


news--2020-03-24--Sports Direct hikes prices on sports equipment, documents suggest

Sports Direct has hiked prices by more than 50 % on some sports equipment , according to reports .
The retailer , controlled by Mike Ashley , has reportedly sent an internal document to staff - seen by the PA News agency - setting out a range of lines where it said the increases should apply .
It comes after the chain u-turned and said it will not open its stores `` until given the go ahead by the government '' after Boris Johnson 's toughened measures to fight the coronavirus pandemic .
Sports Direct operates a system of having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` reduced '' stickers , meaning that it can be unclear at what price a product was ever sold .
The pricing documents uncovered by PA News show that an Everlast 4kg kettle bell has gone up from £9.99 to £14.99 - although the sticker will still say the `` original '' ticket price was £19.99 .
The cost of a 12kg kettle bell by Everlast , which is owned by Sports Direct 's parent company Frasers Group , is now £39.99 , up from £29.99 .
Other items include Slazenger , Lonsdale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owned by Frasers .
The retailer was already in the spotlight for its response to the prime minister 's announcement of a lockdown in the UK including the closure all shops selling non-essential goods ,  clothing and electronic stores among them .
He also made it clear that only key workers should be travelling to work and people should only be going to shops in order to buy food or collect medicines and prescriptions .
But in a letter to staff of Mike Ashley 's Frasers Group , which includes Sports Direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wootton appeared to suggest the company 's outlets are essential in the fight against COVID-19 and that staff were therefore key workers .
`` We stock a huge range of sports equipment designed for exercising at home ... indeed home fitness is the number one trending topic on social media after coronavirus itself , '' he wrote .
`` Against the backdrop of the closure of gyms the demand for these types of products has increased exponentially as the population looks to maintain a healthy lifestyle .
`` Consequently , we are uniquely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as fit and healthy as possible during this crisis and thus our Sports Direct and Evans Cycles stores will remain open where possible to allow us to do this ( in accordance with the Government 's current social distancing guidance ) .
`` There is no one else that has the range of product and range of stores to make this reasonably accessible for the whole population . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He has since clarified his comments , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the public unless given the green light to do so by the government .
Earlier on Tuesday , Sky 's Inzamam Rashid - in Kingston , southwest London - said he saw the manager of a store there arriving for work this morning .
He said : `` I asked him if he 's really a key worker , and he just shrugged his shoulders .
`` I questioned whether this was something he has to do , and he just replied 'we have to do it ' . ''
Pets at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care business , is among non-grocery and pharmacy chains staying open , in line with guidance that it is an essential service .
In a Tweet , it said `` feeding the nation 's pets is vital to us '' .
As high streets shut down , chief executive of the British Retail Consortium Helen Dickinson said : `` Retailers understand the need for government to act quickly and decisively to protect public health and combat coronavirus .
`` The safety of customers and staff is paramount , which is why retailers have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance on social distancing and other hygiene matters .
Indeed , many retailers had gone further and already closed shops temporarily . ''
Sports Direct rival , JD Sports , said it had closed its stores in the UK , Europe and US .
Its boss , Peter Cowgill , said on Tuesday : `` Along with everyone else , the group is experiencing major disruption to our business operations as we seek to protect our colleagues and customers from the effects of COVID-19 .
`` Their safety remains our number one priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action in line with government advice in our various territories . ''
Commenting on the Sports Direct row , chief markets analyst at markets.com , Neil Wilson , said : `` Quite what another pair of discount trainers and jogging bottoms will do ( to ) make you healthier is hard to fathom .
`` Mike Ashley is never one to toe the line .
Yesterday , Frasers cancelled the buyback after saying on Friday it would not .
`` Management admitted that the prior announcement 'substantially underplayed the effect of the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ u-turn came this morning with a 'clarification ' from the CFO ( chief financial officer ) saying that no shops would be open without a green light from the government . ''

Sports Direct has hiked prices by more than 50% on some sports equipment, according to reports.
The retailer, controlled by Mike Ashley, has reportedly sent an internal document to staff - seen by the PA News agency - setting out a range of lines where it said the increases should apply.
It comes after the chain u-turned and said it will not open its stores "until given the go ahead by the government" after Boris Johnson's toughened measures to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
Sports Direct operates a system of having "ticket" prices, followed by "reduced" stickers, meaning that it can be unclear at what price a product was ever sold.
The pricing documents uncovered by PA News show that an Everlast 4kg kettle bell has gone up from £9.99 to £14.99 - although the sticker will still say the "original" ticket price was £19.99.
The cost of a 12kg kettle bell by Everlast, which is owned by Sports Direct's parent company Frasers Group, is now £39.99, up from £29.99.
Other items include Slazenger, Lonsdale and several other well-known brands which are owned by Frasers.
The retailer was already in the spotlight for its response to the prime minister's announcement of a lockdown in the UK including the closure all shops selling non-essential goods, clothing and electronic stores among them.
He also made it clear that only key workers should be travelling to work and people should only be going to shops in order to buy food or collect medicines and prescriptions.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:42 How is the lockdown affecting the high street?
But in a letter to staff of Mike Ashley's Frasers Group, which includes Sports Direct and Evans Cycles, finance chief Chris Wootton appeared to suggest the company's outlets are essential in the fight against COVID-19 and that staff were therefore key workers.
"We stock a huge range of sports equipment designed for exercising at home... indeed home fitness is the number one trending topic on social media after coronavirus itself," he wrote.
"Against the backdrop of the closure of gyms the demand for these types of products has increased exponentially as the population looks to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
"Consequently, we are uniquely well placed to help keep the UK as fit and healthy as possible during this crisis and thus our Sports Direct and Evans Cycles stores will remain open where possible to allow us to do this (in accordance with the Government's current social distancing guidance).
"There is no one else that has the range of product and range of stores to make this reasonably accessible for the whole population."
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He has since clarified his comments, saying that its stores would not open to the public unless given the green light to do so by the government.
Earlier on Tuesday, Sky's Inzamam Rashid - in Kingston, southwest London - said he saw the manager of a store there arriving for work this morning.
He said: "I asked him if he's really a key worker, and he just shrugged his shoulders.
"I questioned whether this was something he has to do, and he just replied 'we have to do it'."
Pets at Home, the UK's leading pet care business, is among non-grocery and pharmacy chains staying open, in line with guidance that it is an essential service.
In a Tweet, it said "feeding the nation's pets is vital to us".
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As high streets shut down, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium Helen Dickinson said: "Retailers understand the need for government to act quickly and decisively to protect public health and combat coronavirus.
"The safety of customers and staff is paramount, which is why retailers have responded swiftly and positively to evolving government guidance on social distancing and other hygiene matters. Indeed, many retailers had gone further and already closed shops temporarily."
Sports Direct rival, JD Sports, said it had closed its stores in the UK, Europe and US.
Its boss, Peter Cowgill, said on Tuesday: "Along with everyone else, the group is experiencing major disruption to our business operations as we seek to protect our colleagues and customers from the effects of COVID-19.
"Their safety remains our number one priority and we continue to take all appropriate action in line with government advice in our various territories."
Commenting on the Sports Direct row, chief markets analyst at markets.com, Neil Wilson, said: "Quite what another pair of discount trainers and jogging bottoms will do (to) make you healthier is hard to fathom.
"Mike Ashley is never one to toe the line. Yesterday, Frasers cancelled the buyback after saying on Friday it would not.
"Management admitted that the prior announcement 'substantially underplayed the effect of the COVID-19 virus on retail'.
"Another u-turn came this morning with a 'clarification' from the CFO (chief financial officer) saying that no shops would be open without a green light from the government."


news--2020-03-24--Coronavirus: Why the UK had to enforce a lockdown - and what would have happened without it

Boris Johnson has effectively put the whole of the UK under lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
The prime minister said the stricter measures were vital to prevent too many people becoming ill from COVID-19 and overwhelming the NHS .
So why did the government decide to act now ?
Part of the reason can be found by comparing the UK outbreak to the ones in Italy and Spain .
The above chart shows the coronavirus deaths in each country from the day each one reported its first death .
It uses a logarithmic scale , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same as between 10 and 100 .
This allows us to see how fast the number of deaths is increasing , instead of just the total number .
Looking at the data like this shows that the growth rate of the disease in the UK and Italy is similar .
This is true even though the UK has fewer total deaths than Spain or Italy - as the chart below illustrates .
Given the similarities between the outbreaks in the UK and Italy , it is not surprising that the UK government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Italian government .
In Italy , the government imposed a lockdown on day 17 , while in the UK it happened on day 18 .
The number of deaths has continued to increase in Italy despite the lockdown , but the rate has begun to slow in some places .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker .
The UK government therefore had little choice but to also impose a lockdown if they wanted to keep the growth rate of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak in the UK would almost certainly have become worse than that in Italy .
The first chart also explains why the Spanish government imposed a lockdown earlier than the other two countries , as the number of deaths rose more quickly there than elsewhere .
Another possible reason the UK government decided to act now is the fact that people were n't following the social distancing guidelines as rigorously as needed .
Tuesday has seen the biggest rise in UK coronavirus deaths , despite social distancing guidelines being introduced a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they therefore had little choice but to enforce stricter measures , which are critical to slow the spread of the disease .
The above chart shows how quickly the disease spreads if each person infected with the coronavirus infects between two and three other people , as is currently thought to happen .
But imposing a lockdown could help reduce that number to less than one , which would mean that , given time , the spread of the disease could be stopped .
The total eradication of the disease would take a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not mean measures can not have immediate effects .
Even if they only slow the spread of the disease they can still improve our ability to provide medical help to those that need it .
This is how an epidemic of a virus similar to COVID-19 can look like in a single county in the UK without any social distancing measure .
If we start adopting moderate social distance measures and keep them for four weeks… …the outbreak would slow down and the peak delayed until the summer , reducing it by 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures for eight weeks instead ... ... the peak could be reduced by half - avoiding an acute pressure on the NHS and tailing off before autumn .
And if we made the social distancing measures more strict ... ... it would suppress the epidemic even more until… … the measures are lifted and the peak will be pushed to the autumn and winter , coinciding with the flu season .
Let ’ s put all the model together to draw some conclusions .
Social distance can have a positive effect when trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of peak cases .
A longer period is more beneficial .
This could alleviate pressure on the health services , but will have an impact on other sectors like the economy .
But these measures can not be indefinite , and there is a risk of delaying the epidemic to winter when the NHS is under more strain .
Reducing the number of people who have the disease at any one time will reduce the amount of doctors , nurses and intensive care beds needed to care for those who get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once the NHS becomes overrun with patients , people who might otherwise have been able to survive run the risk of dying from the disease .
Lockdowns are therefore a vital way of making sure the spread of the disease is stopped and that people who do get the disease have the best possible chance of survival .
This is an SEIR model developed by Jessica Bridgen , a PhD student at Lancaster University .
The model shows an epidemic of an infectious disease with the current best estimated characteristics of COVID-19 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a population size of approximately 1.1 million , and starting with 100 people infected .
The model assumes a R0 of 2.2 , an average latent period of five days ( similar to the incubation period ) and an average infectious period of five days .
Why not plot the y-axis ?
The model illustrates how social distancing as an intervention could affect the number of cases during an epidemic , but it is not a predictive tool .
To avoid misunderstanding , we have decided not to show the total number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but instead how social distancing can shift the dynamics of an epidemic .

Boris Johnson has effectively put the whole of the UK under lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The prime minister said the stricter measures were vital to prevent too many people becoming ill from COVID-19 and overwhelming the NHS.
So why did the government decide to act now? Part of the reason can be found by comparing the UK outbreak to the ones in Italy and Spain.
The above chart shows the coronavirus deaths in each country from the day each one reported its first death.
It uses a logarithmic scale, so the distance between one and 10 is the same as between 10 and 100.
This allows us to see how fast the number of deaths is increasing, instead of just the total number.
Looking at the data like this shows that the growth rate of the disease in the UK and Italy is similar.
This is true even though the UK has fewer total deaths than Spain or Italy - as the chart below illustrates.
Given the similarities between the outbreaks in the UK and Italy, it is not surprising that the UK government decided to act at a similar time to the Italian government.
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In Italy, the government imposed a lockdown on day 17, while in the UK it happened on day 18.
The number of deaths has continued to increase in Italy despite the lockdown, but the rate has begun to slow in some places.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker.
The UK government therefore had little choice but to also impose a lockdown if they wanted to keep the growth rate of the disease at a manageable level.
Otherwise the outbreak in the UK would almost certainly have become worse than that in Italy.
The first chart also explains why the Spanish government imposed a lockdown earlier than the other two countries, as the number of deaths rose more quickly there than elsewhere.
Another possible reason the UK government decided to act now is the fact that people weren't following the social distancing guidelines as rigorously as needed.
Tuesday has seen the biggest rise in UK coronavirus deaths, despite social distancing guidelines being introduced a week ago.
The government may have felt they therefore had little choice but to enforce stricter measures, which are critical to slow the spread of the disease.
The above chart shows how quickly the disease spreads if each person infected with the coronavirus infects between two and three other people, as is currently thought to happen.
But imposing a lockdown could help reduce that number to less than one, which would mean that, given time, the spread of the disease could be stopped.
The total eradication of the disease would take a very long time, but that does not mean measures cannot have immediate effects.
Even if they only slow the spread of the disease they can still improve our ability to provide medical help to those that need it.
This is how an epidemic of a virus similar to COVID-19 can look like in a single county in the UK without any social distancing measure. If we start adopting moderate social distance measures and keep them for four weeks… …the outbreak would slow down and the peak delayed until the summer, reducing it by 25%. But if we keep the measures for eight weeks instead... ...the peak could be reduced by half - avoiding an acute pressure on the NHS and tailing off before autumn. And if we made the social distancing measures more strict... ...it would suppress the epidemic even more until… … the measures are lifted and the peak will be pushed to the autumn and winter, coinciding with the flu season. Let’s put all the model together to draw some conclusions. Social distance can have a positive effect when trying to slow down an epidemic and reduce the number of peak cases. A longer period is more beneficial. This could alleviate pressure on the health services, but will have an impact on other sectors like the economy. But these measures cannot be indefinite, and there is a risk of delaying the epidemic to winter when the NHS is under more strain.
Reducing the number of people who have the disease at any one time will reduce the amount of doctors, nurses and intensive care beds needed to care for those who get seriously ill.
This is crucial as once the NHS becomes overrun with patients, people who might otherwise have been able to survive run the risk of dying from the disease.
Lockdowns are therefore a vital way of making sure the spread of the disease is stopped and that people who do get the disease have the best possible chance of survival.
Methodology of the social distancing model:
This is an SEIR model developed by Jessica Bridgen, a PhD student at Lancaster University. The model shows an epidemic of an infectious disease with the current best estimated characteristics of COVID-19 in a single county of the UK, with a population size of approximately 1.1 million, and starting with 100 people infected. The model assumes a R0 of 2.2, an average latent period of five days (similar to the incubation period) and an average infectious period of five days.
Why not plot the y-axis? The model illustrates how social distancing as an intervention could affect the number of cases during an epidemic, but it is not a predictive tool. To avoid misunderstanding, we have decided not to show the total number of cases predicted by the model, but instead how social distancing can shift the dynamics of an epidemic.


news--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: France reveals plans to ease COVID-19 lockdown measures

France 's prime minister has revealed plans to ease lockdown measures in the country , with children returning to school and many shops allowed to reopen .
Edouard Philippe has said the restrictions , which have been in place from mid-March , will be relaxed from 11 May .
The Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 football seasons will not resume until September , and cafe and restaurants will not be reopened before the beginning of June .
Mr Philippe promised enough masks will be available for all people in the country from 11 May .
The French government is calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks and will help small firms obtain them if needed .
Five million will be made available each week to the most vulnerable people .
The French government aims to carry out at least 700,000 virological tests a week by 11 May .
Authorities are to identify and test all those , symptomatic or not , who have had close contact with a person who tests positive .
All of those who have contact will be asked to isolate themselves , as uncertainties remain about how it long takes for symptoms to emerge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who test positive will be forced to confine themselves for 14 days , either at home or in a place made available to that person such as a requisitioned hotel .
Kindergartens and primary schools will reopen nationwide from 11 May but on a voluntary basis .
Secondary schools will gradually reopen from 18 May and all pupils will be required to wear masks .
Kindergarten children will not be allowed to wear masks over safety fears in case they misuse them , and the government will make masks available for secondary school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them themselves .
Class sizes will be kept to 15 students per class and distance learning will remain free for those students who stay home .
The French people will continue to be encouraged to work from home where possible .
Companies will be asked to stagger work hours by introducing shifts where working from home is not possible .
Masks will be required where social distancing is not possible .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Shops will be allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those in shopping centres .
Restaurants and cafes will have to remain closed .
Urban transport will be made as accessible as possible with 70 % of the Paris network expected to be running on 11 May .
The wearing of masks will be compulsory on all transport , metros and buses .
The government wants inter-regional travel to be limited to professional or family reasons .
People will be able to move freely outside without having to fill out a form justifying their activities from 11 May , except trips of more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required under lockdown to leave the house for food , shopping and exercise .
Gatherings of more than 10 people indoors or outdoors will remain banned , while over-65s have been urged to remain cautious when going out .
Beaches will remain closed to the public at least until 1 June .
Libraries and small museums will be able to reopen from 11 May but large museums will not .
Places of worship may remain open , but the government is asking them to not organise services before 2 June .
The French @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even those behind closed doors , could take place before September .
The country 's sports ministry later said that this did not include the Tour De France , but there could be restrictions in terms of the number of spectators .
The country 's Ligue 1 is the first of Europe 's top five football leagues to call an end to their domestic campaign .
It follows a similar move by the Eredivisie in the Netherlands last week .
The government will reassess at the end of May whether conditions are suitable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will decide whether cafes and restaurants can be reopened and if summer holidays can go ahead .
It will also seek the extension of a state of health emergency until 23 July .

France's prime minister has revealed plans to ease lockdown measures in the country, with children returning to school and many shops allowed to reopen.
Edouard Philippe has said the restrictions, which have been in place from mid-March, will be relaxed from 11 May.
The Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 football seasons will not resume until September, and cafe and restaurants will not be reopened before the beginning of June.
Masks
Mr Philippe promised enough masks will be available for all people in the country from 11 May.
The French government is calling on every company to provide workers with masks and will help small firms obtain them if needed.
Five million will be made available each week to the most vulnerable people.
Image: French prime minister Edouard Philippe announced the plans on Tuesday
Tests
The French government aims to carry out at least 700,000 virological tests a week by 11 May.
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Authorities are to identify and test all those, symptomatic or not, who have had close contact with a person who tests positive.
All of those who have contact will be asked to isolate themselves, as uncertainties remain about how it long takes for symptoms to emerge once someone has caught coronavirus.
Those who test positive will be forced to confine themselves for 14 days, either at home or in a place made available to that person such as a requisitioned hotel.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:51 Day-to-day isolation in France
Schools
Kindergartens and primary schools will reopen nationwide from 11 May but on a voluntary basis.
Secondary schools will gradually reopen from 18 May and all pupils will be required to wear masks.
Kindergarten children will not be allowed to wear masks over safety fears in case they misuse them, and the government will make masks available for secondary school students who are not able to get them themselves.
Class sizes will be kept to 15 students per class and distance learning will remain free for those students who stay home.
Work
The French people will continue to be encouraged to work from home where possible.
Companies will be asked to stagger work hours by introducing shifts where working from home is not possible.
Masks will be required where social distancing is not possible.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Shops
Shops will be allowed to reopen from May with the exception of those in shopping centres.
Restaurants and cafes will have to remain closed.
Public transport
Urban transport will be made as accessible as possible with 70% of the Paris network expected to be running on 11 May.
The wearing of masks will be compulsory on all transport, metros and buses.
The government wants inter-regional travel to be limited to professional or family reasons.
Image: The wearing of masks on public transport will be compulsory once lockdown measures are relaxed
Other public spaces
People will be able to move freely outside without having to fill out a form justifying their activities from 11 May, except trips of more than 62 miles.
Such certificates were required under lockdown to leave the house for food, shopping and exercise.
Gatherings of more than 10 people indoors or outdoors will remain banned, while over-65s have been urged to remain cautious when going out.
Beaches will remain closed to the public at least until 1 June.
Libraries and small museums will be able to reopen from 11 May but large museums will not.
Places of worship may remain open, but the government is asking them to not organise services before 2 June.
Image: France's top flight football season has been cancelled
Sports
The French prime minister announced no sporting events, even those behind closed doors, could take place before September.
The country's sports ministry later said that this did not include the Tour De France, but there could be restrictions in terms of the number of spectators.
The country's Ligue 1 is the first of Europe's top five football leagues to call an end to their domestic campaign.
It follows a similar move by the Eredivisie in the Netherlands last week.
Summer holidays
The government will reassess at the end of May whether conditions are suitable for a further easing of restrictions and will decide whether cafes and restaurants can be reopened and if summer holidays can go ahead.
It will also seek the extension of a state of health emergency until 23 July.


news--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: Care home patients 'a top priority' as COVID-19 deaths rise

Protecting care home patients from coronavirus was a `` top priority from the start '' the health secretary has insisted , after Sky News was told elderly patients have been discharged from hospital before they are well enough to return .
In some cases , they have not been tested before they return , which is potentially exposing thousands of vulnerable residents to coronavirus .
But , after official figures showed care homes now account for a third of the UK 's coronavirus deaths , Health Secretary Matt Hancock denied the government had not properly protected elderly residents .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start we knew there was a very significant challenge with care homes , not least because of the frailty of the residents .
`` The enormous work that 's gone on within government , Public Health England , local authorities and the CQC to monitor this from the start , it has been more difficult to get data flowing - and I 'm glad we can now get that on a daily basis instead of a weekly basis as before .
`` And making sure that care homes have the support they need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in fact I can remember in one of the very early discussions about coronavirus in January . ''
Jacqui Varley , who suffered with dementia , is one of the thousands of care home residents who has died with COVID-19 .
Her daughter Karen Standard told Sky News : `` She thought she was in there to help the nurses with the other residents .
She really enjoyed it .
`` They used to sing and dance and play games .
It really was a lively place and she took to it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ died in the nursing home after contracting COVID-19 .
Her family could not get there in time to say goodbye .
Jacqui 's death and thousands of others reveal how devastating COVID-19 has been in care homes , where some of the most vulnerable in society live .
The latest numbers show that deaths in care homes have doubled in the week from 17 to 24 April due to the disease .
The old and frail were among the more susceptible to the disease and death rates among this age group were expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government re-issued guidance to the social care sector , explaining that the NHS will seek to discharge more patients into care homes in an attempt to relieve pressure on the NHS and reminded care homes of the need to be prepared .
At the same time , the NHS asked care homes to set aside as many beds as possible so that elderly patients could be moved from wards into care homes .
Some care home owners told Sky News that hospitals had discharged residents before they were well enough .
Ali @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home in Wales , said at the height of the crisis one of his residents was discharged after being on the same ward as suspected COVID-19 cases .
`` We were told that the lady was well , she was fine .
`` She was mobile .
She basically fits all of our criteria to return home .
When she returned home , she was clearly not well , clearly immobile .
`` We did n't know anything about whether this lady had any issues whatsoever or any symptoms or whether she had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be readmitted [ to hospital ] because the ward was then closed for COVID-19 because they had cases on the ward . ''
The patient 's notes reveal that a discharging decision had been taken away from nurses and given to a discharge coordinator , who is not medically trained .
The notes read : `` There is a drive to clear the hospital and beds . ''
Mr Ali believes this practice put his home at risk of being infected with coronavirus .
A spokesman for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` We are unable to discuss individual cases due to patient confidentiality .
`` We work closely with care home providers to ensure the highest standards of safe care for our patients .
`` There is guidance available regarding discharge of residents back to care homes during the current pandemic , which we follow .
`` Our staff always endeavour to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients , family and care homes regarding discharge , as we know how important this is , especially at this worrying time .
`` If any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about a discharged patient then we would urge them to contact us directly . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Vic Rayner , executive director of the National Care Forum , said : `` The numbers revealed today make it more important than ever that we build a 'ring of steel ' around care homes .
`` They need the right PPE equipment , medical monitoring devices , rapid and comprehensive testing , proper funding and intensive research to safeguard the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus is not going away - this data shows that the 'whatever it takes ' mantra must be applied urgently to protect the most vulnerable in social care , as we have to the NHS .
`` We need action and we need it now . ''
Social care providers say if they had better protective clothing and tests , deaths could have been prevented .
Social care has been in a crisis long before coronavirus emerged .
The government has so far failed to publish the long-awaited green paper on social care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic could add new urgency .

Protecting care home patients from coronavirus was a "top priority from the start" the health secretary has insisted, after Sky News was told elderly patients have been discharged from hospital before they are well enough to return.
In some cases, they have not been tested before they return, which is potentially exposing thousands of vulnerable residents to coronavirus.
But, after official figures showed care homes now account for a third of the UK's coronavirus deaths, Health Secretary Matt Hancock denied the government had not properly protected elderly residents.
He told Sky News: "From the start we knew there was a very significant challenge with care homes, not least because of the frailty of the residents.
"The enormous work that's gone on within government, Public Health England, local authorities and the CQC to monitor this from the start, it has been more difficult to get data flowing - and I'm glad we can now get that on a daily basis instead of a weekly basis as before.
"And making sure that care homes have the support they need has been absolutely front of mind, in fact I can remember in one of the very early discussions about coronavirus in January."
Image: Jacqui Varley died on 16 April after contracting coronavirus
Jacqui Varley, who suffered with dementia, is one of the thousands of care home residents who has died with COVID-19.
Her daughter Karen Standard told Sky News: "She thought she was in there to help the nurses with the other residents. She really enjoyed it.
"They used to sing and dance and play games. It really was a lively place and she took to it."
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But on 16 April, Jacqui died in the nursing home after contracting COVID-19.
Her family could not get there in time to say goodbye.
Jacqui's death and thousands of others reveal how devastating COVID-19 has been in care homes, where some of the most vulnerable in society live.
The latest numbers show that deaths in care homes have doubled in the week from 17 to 24 April due to the disease.
The old and frail were among the more susceptible to the disease and death rates among this age group were expected to be higher.
Image: Jacqui Varley's family could not get to her care home in time to say goodbye
In March, the government re-issued guidance to the social care sector, explaining that the NHS will seek to discharge more patients into care homes in an attempt to relieve pressure on the NHS and reminded care homes of the need to be prepared.
At the same time, the NHS asked care homes to set aside as many beds as possible so that elderly patients could be moved from wards into care homes.
Some care home owners told Sky News that hospitals had discharged residents before they were well enough.
Ali Al Mufti, who owns a residential home in Wales, said at the height of the crisis one of his residents was discharged after being on the same ward as suspected COVID-19 cases.
"We were told that the lady was well, she was fine.
"She was mobile. She basically fits all of our criteria to return home. When she returned home, she was clearly not well, clearly immobile.
"We didn't know anything about whether this lady had any issues whatsoever or any symptoms or whether she had the virus.
"She couldn't be readmitted [to hospital] because the ward was then closed for COVID-19 because they had cases on the ward."
The patient's notes reveal that a discharging decision had been taken away from nurses and given to a discharge coordinator, who is not medically trained.
The notes read: "There is a drive to clear the hospital and beds."
Mr Ali believes this practice put his home at risk of being infected with coronavirus.
A spokesman for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, which discharged the elderly patient, said: "We are unable to discuss individual cases due to patient confidentiality.
"We work closely with care home providers to ensure the highest standards of safe care for our patients.
"There is guidance available regarding discharge of residents back to care homes during the current pandemic, which we follow.
"Our staff always endeavour to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, family and care homes regarding discharge, as we know how important this is, especially at this worrying time.
"If any of our care home partners have concerns about a discharged patient then we would urge them to contact us directly."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Vic Rayner, executive director of the National Care Forum, said: "The numbers revealed today make it more important than ever that we build a 'ring of steel' around care homes.
"They need the right PPE equipment, medical monitoring devices, rapid and comprehensive testing, proper funding and intensive research to safeguard the people they care for.
"This virus is not going away - this data shows that the 'whatever it takes' mantra must be applied urgently to protect the most vulnerable in social care, as we have to the NHS.
"We need action and we need it now."
Social care providers say if they had better protective clothing and tests, deaths could have been prevented.
Social care has been in a crisis long before coronavirus emerged. The government has so far failed to publish the long-awaited green paper on social care and its future - but lessons from the pandemic could add new urgency.


news--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: Heathrow boss urges health chiefs to publish screening data

Heathrow Airport 's boss is intensifying attempts to secure the publication of data on coronavirus screening methods as he seeks to fast-track efforts aimed at restoring confidence in international air travel .
Sky News has seen a letter from John Holland-Kaye , Heathrow 's chief executive , to Duncan Selbie , who runs Public Health England , in which he asks the agency to disclose evidence in support of its view that temperature checks are ineffective .
It comes just a few days after Mr Holland-Kaye wrote to Matt Hancock , the health secretary , to seek a common international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Senior figures in the aviation industry have been dismayed at the discrepancies in testing procedures - and the absence of them altogether in countries such as the UK .
Health authorities have sought to dismiss the value of temperature screening because the symptoms of COVID-19 can take more than a week after infection to manifest themselves , while some carriers of the illness are asymptomatic .
`` You will be aware that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health tests in place in other international airports , but that people from other parts of the world are allowed to enter the UK without visible measures in place , '' Mr Holland-Kaye told Mr Selbie .
`` These differences undermine confidence in flying , and in the UK in particular .
`` Last week I wrote to the health secretary calling for a Common International Standard for health screening at airports to build confidence in international travel .
`` I understand that PHE has concluded that temperature checks are ineffective , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this evidence base is published both to reassure the public that current airport processes are scientifically appropriate but also to help establish what measures are appropriate in creating a Common International Standard for health screening in the future . ''
Mr Holland-Kaye added that he wanted the evidence base to be placed `` in the public domain soon , to underpin the confidence in UK aviation as travel restrictions are eased around the world '' .
The slump in air traffic has prompted airport operators around the world to scramble to raise new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protracted recovery .
Last week , Stewart Wingate , who runs Gatwick Airport , forecast that passenger numbers could take several years to recover to pre-coronavirus levels .

Heathrow Airport's boss is intensifying attempts to secure the publication of data on coronavirus screening methods as he seeks to fast-track efforts aimed at restoring confidence in international air travel.
Sky News has seen a letter from John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow's chief executive, to Duncan Selbie, who runs Public Health England, in which he asks the agency to disclose evidence in support of its view that temperature checks are ineffective.
It comes just a few days after Mr Holland-Kaye wrote to Matt Hancock, the health secretary, to seek a common international standard for health screening at airports around the world.
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Senior figures in the aviation industry have been dismayed at the discrepancies in testing procedures - and the absence of them altogether in countries such as the UK.
Health authorities have sought to dismiss the value of temperature screening because the symptoms of COVID-19 can take more than a week after infection to manifest themselves, while some carriers of the illness are asymptomatic.
"You will be aware that there is significant concern that there are visible health tests in place in other international airports, but that people from other parts of the world are allowed to enter the UK without visible measures in place," Mr Holland-Kaye told Mr Selbie.
"These differences undermine confidence in flying, and in the UK in particular.
"Last week I wrote to the health secretary calling for a Common International Standard for health screening at airports to build confidence in international travel.
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"I understand that PHE has concluded that temperature checks are ineffective, and we think it would be useful if this evidence base is published both to reassure the public that current airport processes are scientifically appropriate but also to help establish what measures are appropriate in creating a Common International Standard for health screening in the future."
Mr Holland-Kaye added that he wanted the evidence base to be placed "in the public domain soon, to underpin the confidence in UK aviation as travel restrictions are eased around the world".
The slump in air traffic has prompted airport operators around the world to scramble to raise new financing as they brace themselves for a protracted recovery.
Last week, Stewart Wingate, who runs Gatwick Airport, forecast that passenger numbers could take several years to recover to pre-coronavirus levels.


news--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: US COVID-19 cases exceed one million after doubling in 18 days

The number of people confirmed as being diagnosed with COVID-19 in the United States has exceeded one million after cases doubled in 18 days .
At least 1,002,498 coronavirus infections have now been confirmed in the US , about a third of the global total , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
Spain has the second highest number of cases with at least 232,000 .
More than 56,400 Americans have died with COVID-19 - an average of about 2,000 a day this month .
The number of deaths is thought to be higher as state public health officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has limited testing capacity .
About 30 % of the entire country 's cases have occurred in New York state , followed by New Jersey , Massachusetts , California and Pennsylvania .
More than 74,000 Americans are now predicted to die by 4 August - a stark increase from a 22 April forecast of more than 67,600 , according to the University of Washington 's predictive model which is often cited by White House officials .
With the world 's third-largest population , the US has around five times as many cases as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italy and France .
However , it has about 30 infections per 10,000 people compared to Spain 's 48 , and the US figure is also lower than Belgium , Switzerland and Italy .
China , where COVID-19 originated in December last year , has nearly 84,000 confirmed cases and 4,637 recorded deaths from the disease , although that number is expected to be higher .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The US has the highest number of coronavirus deaths in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total number of Americans killed in the 1950-53 Korean War , which was 36,516 .
However , the number falls far short of the deaths from Spanish flu , which began in 1918 and killed 675,000 Americans , according to US authorities .

The number of people confirmed as being diagnosed with COVID-19 in the United States has exceeded one million after cases doubled in 18 days.
At least 1,002,498 coronavirus infections have now been confirmed in the US, about a third of the global total, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
Spain has the second highest number of cases with at least 232,000.
More than 56,400 Americans have died with COVID-19 - an average of about 2,000 a day this month.
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The number of deaths is thought to be higher as state public health officials warned shortages of trained workers and materials has limited testing capacity.
About 30% of the entire country's cases have occurred in New York state, followed by New Jersey, Massachusetts, California and Pennsylvania.
More than 74,000 Americans are now predicted to die by 4 August - a stark increase from a 22 April forecast of more than 67,600, according to the University of Washington's predictive model which is often cited by White House officials.
With the world's third-largest population, the US has around five times as many cases as the next hardest-hit countries of Spain, Italy and France.
However, it has about 30 infections per 10,000 people compared to Spain's 48, and the US figure is also lower than Belgium, Switzerland and Italy.
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China, where COVID-19 originated in December last year, has nearly 84,000 confirmed cases and 4,637 recorded deaths from the disease, although that number is expected to be higher.
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The US has the highest number of coronavirus deaths in the world and it now exceeds the total number of Americans killed in the 1950-53 Korean War, which was 36,516.
However, the number falls far short of the deaths from Spanish flu, which began in 1918 and killed 675,000 Americans, according to US authorities.


news--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: Over-65s and non-home workers now able to get COVID-19 tests

Over-65s and those who need to leave their homes for work will now be able to get tested for coronavirus , as the government expands the number of people who are eligible .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced the move as he strives to meet the government 's target of reaching 100,000 COVID-19 tests per day by Friday .
From Wednesday , all those aged over 65 and those who have to leave their homes in order to do their jobs , who have coronavirus symptoms , will be able to get a COVID-19 test .
Those in the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also now be eligible for tests , if they show symptoms .
`` From construction workers to emergency plumbers , from research scientists to those in manufacturing , the expansion of access to testing will protect the most vulnerable and help keep people safe , '' Mr Hancock said at Downing Street 's daily coronavirus briefing .
Mr Hancock also announced the expansion of coronavirus testing to all those working on the frontline in the NHS and social care , as well as NHS hospital patients and care home residents , whether or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aside from some pilot schemes , only those with COVID-19 symptoms in these groups were being tested .
The health secretary said he was `` determined to do everything I can to protect the most vulnerable '' .
A government source said an additional 15 million Britons could now be eligible for coronavirus tests under the expanded programme , bringing the total who might now be eligible to 25 million .
Professor John Newton , the coordinator of the national testing programme , described how `` intensive studies '' of infection in care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not really a good marker ... both among residents and staff , for the presence of the virus '' .
`` There were significant numbers who were asymptomatic who had the virus and so we have massively increased the amount of testing available , '' he said .
Prof Newton added 25,000 residents in care homes had so far been tested .
The health secretary said the government was `` on track '' to meet its target of 100,000 tests per day by the end of this month , despite less than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being conducted on Monday .
Mr Hancock said there was now capacity for 73,400 COVID-19 tests per day .
Outlining how the government hopes to fulfil this capacity , the health secretary said a further 48 drive-in testing centres would be in place this week , adding to the 41 centres currently in place .
The number of home testing kits - which can be booked via the gov.uk website - will also be expanded from 5,000 per day to 25,000 per day by the end of the week .
And there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mobile testing centres by the end of the week , up from the 17 currently travelling around the country .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Hancock also announced , in an effort to `` bring as much transparency as possible '' to the UK death figures , that from Wednesday the government will be publishing not only the number of deaths in hospitals each day , but the number of deaths in care homes and in the community too .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with coronavirus , an increase of 586 since Monday 's figures .
Earlier , the Care Quality Commission revealed there were 4,343 coronavirus-related deaths reported by care home providers in England in the fortnight to 24 April .
Labour 's shadow minister for social care , Liz Kendall , welcomed the government 's action on testing and intent to publish more comprehensive death figures .
She said : `` What 's measured is what counts , and for families and care workers struggling to cope with this awful virus , every death counts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` More needs to be done to ensure all care staff get the personal protective equipment they need and to ensure social care is properly funded to deal with the extra costs of the pandemic .
`` The government must also introduce a strategy for intermediate care , to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by people who are discharged from hospital and help struggling care homes . ''

Over-65s and those who need to leave their homes for work will now be able to get tested for coronavirus, as the government expands the number of people who are eligible.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced the move as he strives to meet the government's target of reaching 100,000 COVID-19 tests per day by Friday.
From Wednesday, all those aged over 65 and those who have to leave their homes in order to do their jobs, who have coronavirus symptoms, will be able to get a COVID-19 test.
Those in the same households of over-65s and non-home workers will also now be eligible for tests, if they show symptoms.
Image: Construction workers will now be among those eligible for coronavirus tests
"From construction workers to emergency plumbers, from research scientists to those in manufacturing, the expansion of access to testing will protect the most vulnerable and help keep people safe," Mr Hancock said at Downing Street's daily coronavirus briefing.
Mr Hancock also announced the expansion of coronavirus testing to all those working on the frontline in the NHS and social care, as well as NHS hospital patients and care home residents, whether or not they have symptoms.
Previously, aside from some pilot schemes, only those with COVID-19 symptoms in these groups were being tested.
The health secretary said he was "determined to do everything I can to protect the most vulnerable".
A government source said an additional 15 million Britons could now be eligible for coronavirus tests under the expanded programme, bringing the total who might now be eligible to 25 million.
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Professor John Newton, the coordinator of the national testing programme, described how "intensive studies" of infection in care homes showed "the presence of symptoms was not really a good marker... both among residents and staff, for the presence of the virus".
"There were significant numbers who were asymptomatic who had the virus and so we have massively increased the amount of testing available," he said.
Prof Newton added 25,000 residents in care homes had so far been tested.
The health secretary said the government was "on track" to meet its target of 100,000 tests per day by the end of this month, despite less than half that figure - 43,453 tests - being conducted on Monday.
Mr Hancock said there was now capacity for 73,400 COVID-19 tests per day.
Outlining how the government hopes to fulfil this capacity, the health secretary said a further 48 drive-in testing centres would be in place this week, adding to the 41 centres currently in place.
The number of home testing kits - which can be booked via the gov.uk website - will also be expanded from 5,000 per day to 25,000 per day by the end of the week.
And there are plans for the army to run 70 mobile testing centres by the end of the week, up from the 17 currently travelling around the country.
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Mr Hancock also announced, in an effort to "bring as much transparency as possible" to the UK death figures, that from Wednesday the government will be publishing not only the number of deaths in hospitals each day, but the number of deaths in care homes and in the community too.
He said 21,678 have died in hospital with coronavirus, an increase of 586 since Monday's figures.
Earlier, the Care Quality Commission revealed there were 4,343 coronavirus-related deaths reported by care home providers in England in the fortnight to 24 April.
Labour's shadow minister for social care, Liz Kendall, welcomed the government's action on testing and intent to publish more comprehensive death figures.
She said: "What's measured is what counts, and for families and care workers struggling to cope with this awful virus, every death counts."
But Ms Kendall added: "More needs to be done to ensure all care staff get the personal protective equipment they need and to ensure social care is properly funded to deal with the extra costs of the pandemic.
"The government must also introduce a strategy for intermediate care, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by people who are discharged from hospital and help struggling care homes."