news--2020-03-30--Coronavirus: Questions over testing as minister claims UK is 'right at the top of the league table'

A government minister has defended the UK 's coronavirus testing regime following growing calls for the country to hugely expand its programme .
Health minister Helen Whately told Sky News the country is `` right at the top of the league table '' for COVID-19 testing - despite admitting countries such as South Korea and Germany have conducted a much greater number of tests .
Former prime minister Tony Blair and ex-health secretary Jeremy Hunt have both called on the government to undertake mass testing for COVID-19 as the UK battles the disease .
They both cited countries such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to coronavirus has been praised due to their high level of testing .
Germany is estimated to now be conducting as many as 500,000 tests per week to determine whether people have coronavirus .
The World Health Organisation has previously called on national governments to `` test , test , test '' as the `` backbone '' of the global response to the coronavirus pandemic .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock claimed on Sunday the UK had reached 10,000 tests a day , which he added was ahead of schedule as the government works @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Health England said the latest figure for the daily number of COVID-19 tests conducted is 9,114 , a figure which was accurate as of 9am on Saturday .
Ms Whately told Sky News the government is `` increasing the volume of tests '' with an aim to reach the 25,000 a day target - for people with symptoms of coronavirus - within the next three weeks .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Over the weekend , frontline NHS staff began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` over the next few days and weeks '' this will be expanded to social care staff , the health minister said .
She explained this would particularly take place in areas suffering staff shortages , adding : `` If someone actually tests negative , or their family member tests negative and it 's a household isolation situation , then that member of staff can go back to work .
`` And that will really help make sure we 've got the staff we need to help for people . ''
Asked whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach to testing wrong , Ms Whately replied : `` There are a couple of countries - South Korea and Germany namely - who have managed to test greater volumes .
`` But , actually , we 're right at the top of the league table of the volume of testing that we 've been doing .
`` We have tested tens of thousands of people and we 're going to be ramping this up .
`` All the way through our response to coronavirus , we have been following the best possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on that approach to testing or , for instance , on the so-called lockdown measures . ''
Labour 's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth called on the government to detail why testing in the UK had not yet reached greater levels .
He said : `` Experts continue to call for the UK to significantly ramp up testing .
`` When Germany is testing around 500,000 people a week , many are asking why we are still not even hitting the 10,000 a day promised on 11 March .
`` We called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a blunt tool without a national strategy to test and contact trace .
`` At today 's Downing Street press conference we call on ministers to outline why testing is still not being scaled up at sufficient levels and what bottlenecks domestically and globally are hindering this . ''
The government has separately ordered millions of antibody tests , subject to them being approved , which will determine whether someone has already had coronavirus and is therefore unlikely to be reinfected .
Public Health England has previously suggested such antibody tests could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high street chains such as Boots .

A government minister has defended the UK's coronavirus testing regime following growing calls for the country to hugely expand its programme.
Health minister Helen Whately told Sky News the country is "right at the top of the league table" for COVID-19 testing - despite admitting countries such as South Korea and Germany have conducted a much greater number of tests.
Former prime minister Tony Blair and ex-health secretary Jeremy Hunt have both called on the government to undertake mass testing for COVID-19 as the UK battles the disease.
They both cited countries such as South Korea and Germany, whose response to coronavirus has been praised due to their high level of testing.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 11:52 Blair: 'Near universal virus tests' needed
Germany is estimated to now be conducting as many as 500,000 tests per week to determine whether people have coronavirus.
The World Health Organisation has previously called on national governments to "test, test, test" as the "backbone" of the global response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock claimed on Sunday the UK had reached 10,000 tests a day, which he added was ahead of schedule as the government works towards conducting 25,000 tests a day.
Public Health England said the latest figure for the daily number of COVID-19 tests conducted is 9,114, a figure which was accurate as of 9am on Saturday.
Ms Whately told Sky News the government is "increasing the volume of tests" with an aim to reach the 25,000 a day target - for people with symptoms of coronavirus - within the next three weeks.
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Over the weekend, frontline NHS staff began to be tested for coronavirus, while "over the next few days and weeks" this will be expanded to social care staff, the health minister said.
She explained this would particularly take place in areas suffering staff shortages, adding: "If someone actually tests negative, or their family member tests negative and it's a household isolation situation, then that member of staff can go back to work.
"And that will really help make sure we've got the staff we need to help for people."
Asked whether the UK had so far got its approach to testing wrong, Ms Whately replied: "There are a couple of countries - South Korea and Germany namely - who have managed to test greater volumes.
"But, actually, we're right at the top of the league table of the volume of testing that we've been doing.
"We have tested tens of thousands of people and we're going to be ramping this up.
"All the way through our response to coronavirus, we have been following the best possible scientific advice.
"Whether that's on that approach to testing or, for instance, on the so-called lockdown measures."
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Labour's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth called on the government to detail why testing in the UK had not yet reached greater levels.
He said: "Experts continue to call for the UK to significantly ramp up testing.
"When Germany is testing around 500,000 people a week, many are asking why we are still not even hitting the 10,000 a day promised on 11 March.
"We called for enforced social distancing, but it is a blunt tool without a national strategy to test and contact trace.
"At today's Downing Street press conference we call on ministers to outline why testing is still not being scaled up at sufficient levels and what bottlenecks domestically and globally are hindering this."
The government has separately ordered millions of antibody tests, subject to them being approved, which will determine whether someone has already had coronavirus and is therefore unlikely to be reinfected.
Public Health England has previously suggested such antibody tests could be available to order on Amazon or at high street chains such as Boots.


news--2020-03-30--Coronavirus: Police raid closed Liverpool comedy club after live-stream mix-up

A comedy club in Liverpool , closed due to the coronavirus pandemic , was raided by police over the weekend after a recorded show it streamed on Facebook was mistaken for a live event .
The Hot Water Comedy Club has told Sky News that `` around 20 officers '' turned up to the venue on Saturday night after someone thought the show - from 7 March and featuring a packed audience - was happening that evening .
Large gatherings have been banned due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the government has warned people to stay at home in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadly virus .
The club has therefore been showing archive gigs on its Facebook page .
Paul Blair , one of the owners , said the event - hosted by comedian Paul Smith - was `` clearly '' advertised on social media as having already taken place , and revealed that his brother and co-owner had alerted him to what happened .
He said : `` I was really surprised .
The first we heard about it was when we got a call from the convenience store next door , saying a full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ club .
`` I looked at our CCTV and saw about 20 police officers outside '' , he continued .
He added : `` Some of them looked really confused , and one of them took out his phone and watched the live stream . ''
But he praised the police , saying : `` Fair play for them doing that though , they were just doing their job and trying to keep people safe '' .
`` I think it was a waste of their time , but I do n't think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think it was just a misunderstanding . ''
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Merseyside Police have admitted it was a `` false alarm made in good faith by a member of the public '' .
A spokesperson said : `` Our officers responded to a report that a comedy club was open and live streaming a show with a large number of customers inside .
`` To verify this , they attended the club and found it closed .
Checks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure no-one was inside .
`` Police officers are key workers with a critical role in protecting the public during the coronavirus situation , and whilst they do practice social distancing wherever possible , their role in responding to calls for service from the public , means it is not always possible . ''

A comedy club in Liverpool, closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, was raided by police over the weekend after a recorded show it streamed on Facebook was mistaken for a live event.
The Hot Water Comedy Club has told Sky News that "around 20 officers" turned up to the venue on Saturday night after someone thought the show - from 7 March and featuring a packed audience - was happening that evening.
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Image: A member of the public thought the show was live: Pic: Hot Water Comedy Club
Large gatherings have been banned due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the government has warned people to stay at home in an effort to reduce the spread of the deadly virus.
The club has therefore been showing archive gigs on its Facebook page.
Image: Paul Smith performed on the 7 March show. Pic: Hot Water Comedy Club
Paul Blair, one of the owners, said the event - hosted by comedian Paul Smith - was "clearly" advertised on social media as having already taken place, and revealed that his brother and co-owner had alerted him to what happened.
He said: "I was really surprised. The first we heard about it was when we got a call from the convenience store next door, saying a full police squad had turned up at the club.
"I looked at our CCTV and saw about 20 police officers outside", he continued.
He added: "Some of them looked really confused, and one of them took out his phone and watched the live stream."
But he praised the police, saying: "Fair play for them doing that though, they were just doing their job and trying to keep people safe".
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"I think it was a waste of their time, but I don't think whoever called them did it deliberately, I think it was just a misunderstanding."
:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Merseyside Police have admitted it was a "false alarm made in good faith by a member of the public".
A spokesperson said: "Our officers responded to a report that a comedy club was open and live streaming a show with a large number of customers inside.
Image: John Bishop has previously performed at the club. Pic: Hot Water Comedy Club
Image: Russell Kane is among the big names who have previously performed at the club. Pic: Hot Water Comedy Club
"To verify this, they attended the club and found it closed. Checks were made around the building to make sure no-one was inside.
"Police officers are key workers with a critical role in protecting the public during the coronavirus situation, and whilst they do practice social distancing wherever possible, their role in responding to calls for service from the public, means it is not always possible."


news--2020-03-30--Coronavirus: Another 180 people die after testing positive in UK - pushing total to 1,415

The number of people who have died in the UK after contracting the coronavirus has hit 1,415 , following 180 more deaths .
The latest increase is down from yesterday 's rise of 207 .
The Department of Health and Social Care said 1,408 had now died - but that does not include six more deaths announced earlier in Scotland , and one in Northern Ireland .
It comes as the boss of the NHS in England said 9,000 people were being treated in hospital after contracting the virus - a rise of 2,800 since Friday .
More than 22,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have the virus - although the true figure is believed to be many times higher .
As of Monday , 134,946 tests have been carried out : 112,805 were negative and 22,141 positive , according to the Department of Health and Social Care .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker In Scotland , there were 1,563 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of 9am on Monday , up 179 from Sunday .
However , the country 's chief medical officer , Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is estimated at more than 100,000 .
Scotland 's first minister , Nicola Sturgeon , said the SEC Centre in Glasgow is going to be turned into a hospital , and cancer screening programmes paused to help the NHS deal with the crisis .
Confirmed cases in Wales have risen to 1,451 , after 210 new infections were recorded on Monday .
Dr Giri Shankar , incident director for the COVID-19 outbreak response at Public Health Wales , said `` the true number of cases is likely to be higher '' .
Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK had reached 10,000 tests a day - ahead of schedule as the government works towards 25,000 daily tests .
Meanwhile , health minister Helen Whately has defended the UK 's testing , following growing calls to hugely expand the programme .
: : Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker She told Sky News the UK was `` right at the top of the league table '' for testing - despite admitting countries such as South Korea and Germany have conducted many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( WHO ) has previously called on national governments to `` test , test , test '' as the `` backbone '' of the global response to the pandemic .
WHO figures show the increase in new infections worldwide is now around 70,000 per day - up from about 50,000 just days ago .
More than 32,000 people have died worldwide .

The number of people who have died in the UK after contracting the coronavirus has hit 1,415, following 180 more deaths.
The latest increase is down from yesterday's rise of 207.
The Department of Health and Social Care said 1,408 had now died - but that does not include six more deaths announced earlier in Scotland, and one in Northern Ireland.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 10:03 Chief Nurse: 'We are ramping up testing'
UK deaths
:: England - 159 more deaths, 1,284 in total
:: Scotland - 6 more deaths, 47 in total
:: Wales - 14 more deaths, 62 in total
:: Northern Ireland - 1 more death, 22 in total.
It comes as the boss of the NHS in England said 9,000 people were being treated in hospital after contracting the virus - a rise of 2,800 since Friday.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:06 Police seek hospital hand sanitiser thief
More than 22,000 people in the UK are now confirmed to have the virus - although the true figure is believed to be many times higher.
As of Monday, 134,946 tests have been carried out: 112,805 were negative and 22,141 positive, according to the Department of Health and Social Care.
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In Scotland, there were 1,563 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of 9am on Monday, up 179 from Sunday.
However, the country's chief medical officer, Dr Catherine Calderwood, said the actual number is estimated at more than 100,000.
Scotland's first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said the SEC Centre in Glasgow is going to be turned into a hospital, and cancer screening programmes paused to help the NHS deal with the crisis.
Confirmed cases in Wales have risen to 1,451, after 210 new infections were recorded on Monday.
Dr Giri Shankar, incident director for the COVID-19 outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said "the true number of cases is likely to be higher".
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Sunday the UK had reached 10,000 tests a day - ahead of schedule as the government works towards 25,000 daily tests.
Meanwhile, health minister Helen Whately has defended the UK's testing, following growing calls to hugely expand the programme.
:: Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
She told Sky News the UK was "right at the top of the league table" for testing - despite admitting countries such as South Korea and Germany have conducted many more tests.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has previously called on national governments to "test, test, test" as the "backbone" of the global response to the pandemic.
WHO figures show the increase in new infections worldwide is now around 70,000 per day - up from about 50,000 just days ago. More than 32,000 people have died worldwide.


news--2020-03-30--Coronavirus: Retailers fight to keep warehouses open

Retailers are fighting a rearguard action to keep their logistics operations functioning after Next pulled the plug on its distribution centres , citing employees ' concerns about the risk of contracting coronavirus .
Sky News has learnt that the British Retail Consortium ( BRC ) is writing to ministers on Monday to set out a series of practices to ensure social distancing that will be implemented by its members which are continuing to operate warehouses during the crisis .
Sources said that leading retailers had discussed the issue late last week after Next 's decision to temporarily close its online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hammered by the government 's order to close all non-essential stores are pinning their hopes on generating sufficient revenue from digital sales to keep them alive .
Next , Britain 's biggest clothing retailer by volume , had planned to keep its website functioning , but performed an abrupt U-turn last week , saying it had `` listened carefully '' to staff who `` increasingly feel they should be at home in the current climate '' .
The BRC is keen for Alok Sharma , the business secretary , to understand the importance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the government begins to look to the other end of the COVID-19 pandemic , according to one retail executive .
The trade body is proposing a series of measures , including staggering workers ' breaks , to ensure that social distancing guidelines are being followed .
A joint letter to the government signed by retailers ' chief executives is understood to have been discussed but not taken forward on the issue .
Trade unions have directed vocal criticism at companies including Asos and Amazon over warehouse working conditions as the coronavirus crisis @ @ @

Retailers are fighting a rearguard action to keep their logistics operations functioning after Next pulled the plug on its distribution centres, citing employees' concerns about the risk of contracting coronavirus.
Sky News has learnt that the British Retail Consortium (BRC) is writing to ministers on Monday to set out a series of practices to ensure social distancing that will be implemented by its members which are continuing to operate warehouses during the crisis.
Sources said that leading retailers had discussed the issue late last week after Next's decision to temporarily close its online operations.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:49 PM's adviser isolates with virus symptoms
Numerous retailers which have been hammered by the government's order to close all non-essential stores are pinning their hopes on generating sufficient revenue from digital sales to keep them alive.
Next, Britain's biggest clothing retailer by volume, had planned to keep its website functioning, but performed an abrupt U-turn last week, saying it had "listened carefully" to staff who "increasingly feel they should be at home in the current climate".
The BRC is keen for Alok Sharma, the business secretary, to understand the importance of keeping distribution centres open, particularly as the government begins to look to the other end of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to one retail executive.
The trade body is proposing a series of measures, including staggering workers' breaks, to ensure that social distancing guidelines are being followed.
A joint letter to the government signed by retailers' chief executives is understood to have been discussed but not taken forward on the issue.
Trade unions have directed vocal criticism at companies including Asos and Amazon over warehouse working conditions as the coronavirus crisis has escalated.
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The BRC declined to comment.


news--2020-03-30--Coronavirus: Indian PM Narendra Modi apologises for tougher lockdown measures

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked the nation 's poorest communities for forgiveness after ordering further restrictions to combat the spread of coronavirus among its 1.3 billion people .
New measures were brought in after days of chaos on the borders of capital territory Delhi , where thousands of economic migrants converged as they tried to get back to their rural eastern villages to see out the lockdown .
Workers have been desperate to get out of Delhi as the restrictions have left them unable to pay rent , and the prime minister acknowledged that poorer people will suffer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
In a nationwide radio address , Mr Modi said he understood why they would be questioning a government decision that stood to put them `` into so much trouble '' , but said the lockdown would help `` give India victory over corona '' .
The daily wage earners and contract workers trying to get back to their native villages over the weekend walked for hundreds of miles from the more prosperous western states .
Almost 100,000 people - from a sector making up almost 80 % of India 's workforce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other border points in Delhi , where they were stopped from proceeding any further .
There was no social distancing , nor were many wearing protection from potential COVID-19 infection - defeating the purpose of a lockdown designed to keep the world 's second biggest population indoors .
The chaotic scenes forced the government to arrange thousands of buses to take them home , from where the administration will have the tough task of tracking them down and quarantining them for two weeks .
India 's numbers have alarmed the federal government - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far and 29 reported deaths , but like other countries there are likely many more cases that have not been tested .
Mr Modi 's administration has now directed all state governments to seal their borders and not allow any movement of people outside their homes .
All state governments are also going to set up relief shelters , where migrant workers will be provided a place to stay and given free food during the lockdown .
The prime minister said in his radio address that he was sorry for the inconvenience caused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were no other options left to save the country and its people .
Mr Modi has faced criticism for being slow to respond to the virus , and rights activist Harsh Mander told Sky News the government 's `` lack of public compassion for the migrant workforce is a failure '' .
He said the government had `` failed to anticipate '' the threat of the virus and described its response as `` haphazard , poorly planned '' - with `` mixed messages '' that had caused a `` breakdown of trust among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a breakdown of trust , '' he added .
`` It seems the prime minister was only speaking to the middle class who are assured of a salary , have a roof over their head and running water in their homes .
The poorest have been thrown under the bus . ''
Driving around in Delhi , there is a much larger police presence , with more barricades and more stringent checking .
At one of the checkpoints , Assistant Sub Inspector Gill told Sky News : `` We have been given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` All migrants have to be sent to the shelter homes , no one is allowed to be on the road . ''
At another checkpoint , police seized the scooter of a couple who were unable to provide a genuine reason for being on the road , with only those involved in essential services are allowed to be out .
Police and paramilitary forces have been conducting flag marches since the enhanced restrictions were introduced , although the government says there are no plans to extend the lockdown at the moment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was due to last for 21 days .
Cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba said he was `` surprised '' by reports that the lockdown could last longer .
Meanwhile , more than 500 relief camps have been set up in Delhi and the state government is now handing out free food for almost 400,000 people in its shelters .
At the Sarai Kale Khan bus terminal , more than 400 families - a mixture of homeless people , daily wage workers and migrants unable to go back to their villages - are being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being criticised for how they are enforcing the lockdown .
In the town of Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh , government workers have been filmed spraying disinfectant over a group of migrants sitting on the ground .
The administration has been criticised for this dehumanising display .

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked the nation's poorest communities for forgiveness after ordering further restrictions to combat the spread of coronavirus among its 1.3 billion people.
New measures were brought in after days of chaos on the borders of capital territory Delhi, where thousands of economic migrants converged as they tried to get back to their rural eastern villages to see out the lockdown.
Workers have been desperate to get out of Delhi as the restrictions have left them unable to pay rent, and the prime minister acknowledged that poorer people will suffer most from the damage done by the pandemic.
Image: Delhi's roads are unrecognisably quiet
In a nationwide radio address, Mr Modi said he understood why they would be questioning a government decision that stood to put them "into so much trouble", but said the lockdown would help "give India victory over corona".
The daily wage earners and contract workers trying to get back to their native villages over the weekend walked for hundreds of miles from the more prosperous western states.
Almost 100,000 people - from a sector making up almost 80% of India's workforce - had gathered at bus terminals and other border points in Delhi, where they were stopped from proceeding any further.
There was no social distancing, nor were many wearing protection from potential COVID-19 infection - defeating the purpose of a lockdown designed to keep the world's second biggest population indoors.
The chaotic scenes forced the government to arrange thousands of buses to take them home, from where the administration will have the tough task of tracking them down and quarantining them for two weeks.
Image: Security personnel are wearing masks but many poorer people have not been able to get hold of protective equipment
India's numbers have alarmed the federal government - there are 1,192 positive coronavirus cases so far and 29 reported deaths, but like other countries there are likely many more cases that have not been tested.
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Mr Modi's administration has now directed all state governments to seal their borders and not allow any movement of people outside their homes.
All state governments are also going to set up relief shelters, where migrant workers will be provided a place to stay and given free food during the lockdown.
The prime minister said in his radio address that he was sorry for the inconvenience caused by the lockdown, but that there were no other options left to save the country and its people.
Image: India's 1.3 billion people are being urged to stay at home
Mr Modi has faced criticism for being slow to respond to the virus, and rights activist Harsh Mander told Sky News the government's "lack of public compassion for the migrant workforce is a failure".
He said the government had "failed to anticipate" the threat of the virus and described its response as "haphazard, poorly planned" - with "mixed messages" that had caused a "breakdown of trust among this work force".
"There is a breakdown of trust," he added.
"It seems the prime minister was only speaking to the middle class who are assured of a salary, have a roof over their head and running water in their homes. The poorest have been thrown under the bus."
Image: Police are asking drivers why they need to be out on the roads
Driving around in Delhi, there is a much larger police presence, with more barricades and more stringent checking.
At one of the checkpoints, Assistant Sub Inspector Gill told Sky News: "We have been given strict instructions to enhance our checking.
"All migrants have to be sent to the shelter homes, no one is allowed to be on the road."
At another checkpoint, police seized the scooter of a couple who were unable to provide a genuine reason for being on the road, with only those involved in essential services are allowed to be out.
Police and paramilitary forces have been conducting flag marches since the enhanced restrictions were introduced, although the government says there are no plans to extend the lockdown at the moment.
It was brought in on 25 March and was due to last for 21 days.
Image: Assistant Sub Inspector Gill at a police checkpoint
Cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba said he was "surprised" by reports that the lockdown could last longer.
Meanwhile, more than 500 relief camps have been set up in Delhi and the state government is now handing out free food for almost 400,000 people in its shelters.
At the Sarai Kale Khan bus terminal, more than 400 families - a mixture of homeless people, daily wage workers and migrants unable to go back to their villages - are being cared for.
But elsewhere, officials are being criticised for how they are enforcing the lockdown.
In the town of Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, government workers have been filmed spraying disinfectant over a group of migrants sitting on the ground.
The administration has been criticised for this dehumanising display.


news--2020-03-30--Coronavirus: UK to spend £75m on charter flights to bring stranded Britons home

The UK is committing £75m to help Britons stranded abroad by chartering rescue flights when there are no other routes available .
Speaking at the daily Downing Street briefing on the coronavirus , Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the new plan will assist tens of thousands of travellers .
Up to a million Britons are thought to be stranded as airlines and borders across the world shut down in a bid to stem the COVID-19 outbreak .
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office ( FCO ) and Department for Trade have signed a memorandum of understanding with a group of airlines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Titan Airways - to help travellers get back where they have tickets and where there are still commercial routes available .
British Airways has also made a commitment .
Travellers will be allowed to use different carriers or fly on different days .
Where there is no commercial option , the FCO is going to use the travel management company CTM to organise charter flights to bring Britons home .
When availability comes up for a flight , embassies and missions around the world will alert any British national in their country wanting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priority would be given to the most vulnerable - including the elderly or those with pressing medical needs - and also to countries where there are large numbers of British tourists trying to return to the UK .
Mr Raab said an `` unprecedented '' number of British travellers were trying to come back - which he estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands .
He said around 150,000 British nationals had already been helped back from Spain , while 8,500 were brought back from Morocco and 5,000 from Cyprus .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in getting people home from abroad on this scale in recent memory , '' he added .
Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry criticised the government 's efforts , saying : `` We were promised a new strategy on repatriations today , but for the hundreds of thousands of Brits stranded abroad and their families back home it was just more of the same .
`` More reliance on commercial flights , which , for too many British travellers based in too many locations , are simply not an option at present .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ none of the commitment or urgency other countries like Germany have put into this . ''
: : Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker It comes as a further 180 people have died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus , taking the total to 1,415 .
The number , which was down from the previous day 's 207 , counts those who died in the 24 hours up to 5pm on Sunday .
There has been almost a 50 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of people being treated for coronavirus in England 's hospitals , according to new figures .
Sir Simon Stevens , chief executive of NHS England , said on Friday more than 6,200 patients were in hospital with COVID-19 .
But on Monday , he said this figure had jumped to more than 9,000 .
The government 's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said the number of hospital admissions is going up constantly and he expected them to worsen over the next two weeks .
He said the NHS was seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and described this daily rise as `` stable '' .
He told reporters : `` I do expect that number to continue .
I expect people coming every day to be about that , it may go up a little bit .
`` And in two or three weeks you would expect that to stabilise and to start to go down a bit . ''
Sir Patrick said the social distancing measures introduced this month were `` making a difference '' and transmission of coronavirus in the community was thought be decreasing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus flattens , the number of people needing hospital admission should fall , he said .
He said the hospital intake rates show `` we 're not on a fast acceleration '' .
He added the UK is `` tracking roughly along the same path as France , I 've said before , we 're behind Italy in terms of the curve '' .
Sir Patrick said the use of the London Underground has fallen dramatically and rail and road transport is also down a lot .
Meanwhile , health minister Helen Whately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regime following growing calls for the country to hugely expand its programme .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock claimed on Sunday the UK has reached 10,000 tests a day , which he added was ahead of schedule as the government works towards conducting 25,000 tests a day .
In its latest daily testing figures , Public Health England ( PHE ) said 8,278 tests were carried out on 4,908 people as of 9am on Sunday .
That figure is down from 9,114 tests at 9am on Saturday .
PHE also said almost 11,000 tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier , the head of the Royal College of Physicians , Professor Andrew Goddard , said around one in four NHS doctors was off work sick or in isolation .

The UK is committing £75m to help Britons stranded abroad by chartering rescue flights when there are no other routes available.
Speaking at the daily Downing Street briefing on the coronavirus, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the new plan will assist tens of thousands of travellers.
Up to a million Britons are thought to be stranded as airlines and borders across the world shut down in a bid to stem the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Department for Trade have signed a memorandum of understanding with a group of airlines - Virgin, EasyJet, Jet2 and Titan Airways - to help travellers get back where they have tickets and where there are still commercial routes available. British Airways has also made a commitment.
Travellers will be allowed to use different carriers or fly on different days.
Where there is no commercial option, the FCO is going to use the travel management company CTM to organise charter flights to bring Britons home.
When availability comes up for a flight, embassies and missions around the world will alert any British national in their country wanting to come home.
Mr Raab said priority would be given to the most vulnerable - including the elderly or those with pressing medical needs - and also to countries where there are large numbers of British tourists trying to return to the UK.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:37 20,000 ex-NHS staff return to fight COVID-19
Mr Raab said an "unprecedented" number of British travellers were trying to come back - which he estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands.
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He said around 150,000 British nationals had already been helped back from Spain, while 8,500 were brought back from Morocco and 5,000 from Cyprus.
"We've not faced challenges like this in getting people home from abroad on this scale in recent memory," he added.
Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry criticised the government's efforts, saying: "We were promised a new strategy on repatriations today, but for the hundreds of thousands of Brits stranded abroad and their families back home it was just more of the same.
"More reliance on commercial flights, which, for too many British travellers based in too many locations, are simply not an option at present. More vague promises about charter flights, but none of the commitment or urgency other countries like Germany have put into this."
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It comes as a further 180 people have died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus, taking the total to 1,415.
The number, which was down from the previous day's 207, counts those who died in the 24 hours up to 5pm on Sunday.
There has been almost a 50% rise in just a few days in the number of people being treated for coronavirus in England's hospitals, according to new figures.
Sir Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, said on Friday more than 6,200 patients were in hospital with COVID-19. But on Monday, he said this figure had jumped to more than 9,000.
Image: New UK coronavirus cases
The government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said the number of hospital admissions is going up constantly and he expected them to worsen over the next two weeks.
He said the NHS was seeing around an extra 1,000 patients a day and described this daily rise as "stable".
He told reporters: "I do expect that number to continue. I expect people coming every day to be about that, it may go up a little bit.
"And in two or three weeks you would expect that to stabilise and to start to go down a bit."
Sir Patrick said the social distancing measures introduced this month were "making a difference" and transmission of coronavirus in the community was thought be decreasing.
And as the number of cases of coronavirus flattens, the number of people needing hospital admission should fall, he said.
He said the hospital intake rates show "we're not on a fast acceleration".
He added the UK is "tracking roughly along the same path as France, I've said before, we're behind Italy in terms of the curve".
Sir Patrick said the use of the London Underground has fallen dramatically and rail and road transport is also down a lot.
Image: Transport use
Meanwhile, health minister Helen Whately has defended the UK's coronavirus testing regime following growing calls for the country to hugely expand its programme.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock claimed on Sunday the UK has reached 10,000 tests a day, which he added was ahead of schedule as the government works towards conducting 25,000 tests a day.
In its latest daily testing figures, Public Health England (PHE) said 8,278 tests were carried out on 4,908 people as of 9am on Sunday. That figure is down from 9,114 tests at 9am on Saturday.
PHE also said almost 11,000 tests a day can now be carried out.
Earlier, the head of the Royal College of Physicians, Professor Andrew Goddard, said around one in four NHS doctors was off work sick or in isolation.


news--2020-03-30--Coronavirus: People staying at home 'making a difference' to COVID-19 fight

People staying at home to stop coronavirus spreading faster across the UK are `` making a difference '' , a top government official has said .
Sir Patrick Vallance , the UK 's chief scientific adviser , tried to encourage the public to carry on social distancing as the country enters week two of lockdown .
He said the measures were vital to significantly cut the number of people passing on COVID-19 , on the same day the UK death toll rose to 1,415 .
It is seven days since Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a historic address to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home to save lives and protect the NHS .
Since then , most businesses have been urged to close and let employees work from home and police have been given powers to issue £60 fines for `` non-urgent '' travel .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker In a message that might boost the morale of a country subject to measures unseen in living memory , Sir Patrick said that people staying in their homes were helping the national effort .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are making a difference , '' he announced at the daily Downing Street coronavirus briefing .
`` They are decreasing the contact which is so important to spread the disease and we 're doing a good job at cutting that down . ''
While the number of hospital patients with COVID-19 has risen since mid-March , Sir Patrick said the lockdown `` will be reducing the number of cases of transmission in the community and decreasing the number of cases overall '' .
He pointed to a graph showing the number of coronavirus-related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures had `` gone up pretty much the same amount each day for the last few days '' .
`` That shows that it 's going up not in an increasing amount but in a constant amount which may suggest that we 're already beginning to see some effect through , '' he explained .

People staying at home to stop coronavirus spreading faster across the UK are "making a difference", a top government official has said.
Sir Patrick Vallance, the UK's chief scientific adviser, tried to encourage the public to carry on social distancing as the country enters week two of lockdown.
Image: Sir Patrick said the restrictions appear to already be helping
He said the measures were vital to significantly cut the number of people passing on COVID-19, on the same day the UK death toll rose to 1,415.
It is seven days since Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a historic address to the nation and told the public to stay home to save lives and protect the NHS.
Since then, most businesses have been urged to close and let employees work from home and police have been given powers to issue £60 fines for "non-urgent" travel.
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In a message that might boost the morale of a country subject to measures unseen in living memory, Sir Patrick said that people staying in their homes were helping the national effort.
Image: Residents in Saltburn, North Yorkshire, have been doing a doorstep sing-along
"The measures are in place, they are making a difference," he announced at the daily Downing Street coronavirus briefing.
"They are decreasing the contact which is so important to spread the disease and we're doing a good job at cutting that down."
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While the number of hospital patients with COVID-19 has risen since mid-March, Sir Patrick said the lockdown "will be reducing the number of cases of transmission in the community and decreasing the number of cases overall".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:00 'Over 9,000 in hospital beds with coronavirus'
He pointed to a graph showing the number of coronavirus-related hospital admissions in England, saying the figures had "gone up pretty much the same amount each day for the last few days".
"That shows that it's going up not in an increasing amount but in a constant amount which may suggest that we're already beginning to see some effect through," he explained.


news--2020-03-30--Coronavirus: Early signs outbreak 'slowing' in UK, says Imperial College professor

The coronavirus outbreak in the UK appears to be `` slowing '' , a leading scientist and government adviser has said .
Professor Neil Ferguson , of Imperial College London , said there were `` early signs '' social distancing measures had started reducing the spread of COVID-19 .
`` In the UK we can see some early signs of slowing in some indicators - less so deaths because deaths are lagged by a long time from when measures come in force , '' he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme .
`` But if we look at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does appear to be slowing down a bit now .
`` It has not yet plateaued , so still the numbers can be increasing each day but the rate of that increase has slowed . ''
Professor Ferguson said the rate of infections varied in different parts of the country .
`` It is quite clear across the country , the epidemic is in different stages in different parts of the country , '' he said .
`` In central London it could be as many as 3 % to 5 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more in individual hot spots .
In the country as a whole in the UK , maybe 2 % or 3 % . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He added that he hoped antibody tests would be available in `` days rather than weeks '' .
It came after the officials announced on Sunday that 1,228 patients in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus had died .
A total of 19,522 people have been found to have the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The coronavirus outbreak in the UK appears to be "slowing", a leading scientist and government adviser has said.
Professor Neil Ferguson, of Imperial College London, said there were "early signs" social distancing measures had started reducing the spread of COVID-19.
"In the UK we can see some early signs of slowing in some indicators - less so deaths because deaths are lagged by a long time from when measures come in force," he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.
"But if we look at the numbers of new hospital admissions, that does appear to be slowing down a bit now.
"It has not yet plateaued, so still the numbers can be increasing each day but the rate of that increase has slowed."
Professor Ferguson said the rate of infections varied in different parts of the country.
"It is quite clear across the country, the epidemic is in different stages in different parts of the country," he said.
"In central London it could be as many as 3% to 5% of the population has been infected - maybe more in individual hot spots. In the country as a whole in the UK, maybe 2% or 3%."
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He added that he hoped antibody tests would be available in "days rather than weeks".
It came after the officials announced on Sunday that 1,228 patients in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus had died.
A total of 19,522 people have been found to have the disease out of 127,737 tested across the country.


news--2020-04-06--Coronavirus: Councils told to only shut parks in 'extreme cases'

Councils have been told to only close parks in `` extreme cases '' , following reports of people flocking to green spaces to enjoy the weekend 's warm weather despite the coronavirus lockdown .
One local authority in London closed a park after reporting thousands of visitors heading there to enjoy the sun , despite social distancing guidelines telling people to remain two metres ( 6.5ft ) apart outside at all times .
It is one of a number of rules brought in to try and halt the spread of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sunbathing , having BBQs or enjoying picnics and warned the government could ban outdoor exercise if the advice to stay home continued to be ignored .
But he later backtracked somewhat , saying there were no `` imminent '' changes to the COVID-19 rules in the offing .
Under the lockdown imposed on 23 March , Britons can only leave the house for four reasons : • To buy essential supplies such as food and medicine • To do one form of exercise a day close to home • To travel to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • And for any medical need , including to donate blood or provide help to a vulnerable person As the lockdown approaches its second week , the issue of what to do with parks and green spaces continues to provoke a fierce debate .
Many have expressed fury at those going to Britain 's parks and beaches - and called on the government and police to take more stringent measures .
But others have pointed out that many Britons do not have gardens and might live in crowded conditions , making parks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a mental health boost .
Housing and communities secretary Robert Jenrick told Sky News he has spoken to councils and urged them to only close parks in `` extreme cases '' .
`` I do n't want to see parks and open spaces closed , '' he told Sky 's All Out Politics .
`` I think it 's extremely important that people who are staying at home , who do n't have the benefit of a garden , who do n't live in the countryside , can get out for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with members of their own household to get some fresh air and some exercise .
`` Some councils over the weekend have closed parks or come close to doing so , because they felt it was becoming very difficult , if not impossible , to maintain the social distancing rules because of the number of people who were there .
`` I 've spoken to some of those councils and urged them to use their powers judiciously , to be very careful to only do so in extreme cases .
`` The message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have flouted the rules , who have been having picnics or congregating in groups , please respect the rules .
`` Do n't spoil this for the rest of us . ''
The Local Government Association said councils will be forced to shut parks as a last resort if people keep breaching social distancing rules .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker .
While the LGA acknowledged the outdoor spaces are a `` lifeline '' for many , but councils will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' should measures be flouted .
Lambeth Council closed Brockwell Park in southeast London after revealing that 3,000 people , many of them sunbathing or in large groups , had visited on Saturday .
It reopened on Monday and councillor Sonia Winifred said she hoped the temporary closure ensured that the message was `` crystal clear '' to people about following social distancing guidelines .
One officer in Hove on the south coast had clearly had enough - and decided to disrupt a couple of people having a barbecue on a pebble beach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using it to extinguish the flames .
But the consensus in government is that members of the public are by and large following the guidelines .
Meanwhile , a petition expressing opposition to closing parks and instead calling for golf courses to open the public for exercise has gained more than 1,000 signatures .
Green Party MP Caroline Lucas , a supporter of the petition , said it was `` common sense to create as much open space as possible to allow socially-distanced exercise '' .
Labour MP Harriet Harman said opening up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was an `` excellent suggestion '' .
Some schools said they had already done so , but advised people to use the space for exercise only and within the Government guidance .

Councils have been told to only close parks in "extreme cases", following reports of people flocking to green spaces to enjoy the weekend's warm weather despite the coronavirus lockdown.
One local authority in London closed a park after reporting thousands of visitors heading there to enjoy the sun, despite social distancing guidelines telling people to remain two metres (6.5ft) apart outside at all times.
It is one of a number of rules brought in to try and halt the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:55 Warm weather pushes social distancing to the limit
Health Secretary Matt Hancock criticised people who were sunbathing, having BBQs or enjoying picnics and warned the government could ban outdoor exercise if the advice to stay home continued to be ignored.
But he later backtracked somewhat, saying there were no "imminent" changes to the COVID-19 rules in the offing.
Under the lockdown imposed on 23 March, Britons can only leave the house for four reasons:
To buy essential supplies such as food and medicine
To do one form of exercise a day close to home
To travel to work if they cannot work from home
And for any medical need, including to donate blood or provide help to a vulnerable person
As the lockdown approaches its second week, the issue of what to do with parks and green spaces continues to provoke a fierce debate.
Many have expressed fury at those going to Britain's parks and beaches - and called on the government and police to take more stringent measures.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:23 'The more people follow the rules, the faster we'll be through it'
But others have pointed out that many Britons do not have gardens and might live in crowded conditions, making parks and green spaces a lifeline for daily exercise and a mental health boost.
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Housing and communities secretary Robert Jenrick told Sky News he has spoken to councils and urged them to only close parks in "extreme cases".
"I don't want to see parks and open spaces closed," he told Sky's All Out Politics.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:21 Police pour water on barbecue amid lockdown
"I think it's extremely important that people who are staying at home, who don't have the benefit of a garden, who don't live in the countryside, can get out for their daily exercise, their run or jog with members of their own household to get some fresh air and some exercise.
"Some councils over the weekend have closed parks or come close to doing so, because they felt it was becoming very difficult, if not impossible, to maintain the social distancing rules because of the number of people who were there.
"I've spoken to some of those councils and urged them to use their powers judiciously, to be very careful to only do so in extreme cases.
"The message is also to that minority of people who have flouted the rules, who have been having picnics or congregating in groups, please respect the rules.
"Don't spoil this for the rest of us."
The Local Government Association said councils will be forced to shut parks as a last resort if people keep breaching social distancing rules.
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While the LGA acknowledged the outdoor spaces are a "lifeline" for many, but councils will be "reluctantly forced to close them" should measures be flouted.
Lambeth Council closed Brockwell Park in southeast London after revealing that 3,000 people, many of them sunbathing or in large groups, had visited on Saturday.
It reopened on Monday and councillor Sonia Winifred said she hoped the temporary closure ensured that the message was "crystal clear" to people about following social distancing guidelines.
In Primrose Hill, northwest London, police moved people on.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:45 'Sunbathing is against the rules'
One officer in Hove on the south coast had clearly had enough - and decided to disrupt a couple of people having a barbecue on a pebble beach by filling a helmet with water and using it to extinguish the flames.
But the consensus in government is that members of the public are by and large following the guidelines.
Meanwhile, a petition expressing opposition to closing parks and instead calling for golf courses to open the public for exercise has gained more than 1,000 signatures.
Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, a supporter of the petition, said it was "common sense to create as much open space as possible to allow socially-distanced exercise".
Labour MP Harriet Harman said opening up green spaces such as school playing fields was an "excellent suggestion".
Some schools said they had already done so, but advised people to use the space for exercise only and within the Government guidance.


news--2020-04-06--Coronavirus: Stranger coughing in blind woman's face is being treated as hate crime

Police are investigating an alleged hate crime after a stranger coughed in a blind woman 's face while she was out for a walk .
The woman , in her 50s , was walking on Saturday evening with her guide dog on Halifax Road in the town of Melksham on the River Avon , Wiltshire Police has said .
Her dog alerted her to someone close by , and when she shouted out for them to keep back - in order to maintain social distancing rules during the coronavirus lockdown - the person approached her and coughed in her face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The woman said she could feel the person 's breath against her cheek , police said .
Sergeant David Hambly , who is investigating the incident , said the person 's behaviour was `` completely unacceptable '' , adding : `` We are treating this as an incident of hate crime '' .
`` Due to the current climate , the victim felt especially anxious and shocked by this person 's actions and immediately went home and washed her face and hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has shown complete disregard for this woman 's health and vulnerabilities , and I know members of the local community will be both saddened and disappointed to hear of this person 's actions .
He appealed for any witnesses to come forward , adding : `` Unfortunately , we do not have a description of the suspect , but we would urge anyone who may have seen this interaction to get in touch - do you live in Halifax Road ?
`` Do you have CCTV fitted to your property , or were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dash cam fitted to your vehicle ?
`` If so , you may have captured footage of the suspect so please do call us . ''

Police are investigating an alleged hate crime after a stranger coughed in a blind woman's face while she was out for a walk.
The woman, in her 50s, was walking on Saturday evening with her guide dog on Halifax Road in the town of Melksham on the River Avon, Wiltshire Police has said.
Her dog alerted her to someone close by, and when she shouted out for them to keep back - in order to maintain social distancing rules during the coronavirus lockdown - the person approached her and coughed in her face.
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The woman said she could feel the person's breath against her cheek, police said.
Sergeant David Hambly, who is investigating the incident, said the person's behaviour was "completely unacceptable", adding: "We are treating this as an incident of hate crime".
"Due to the current climate, the victim felt especially anxious and shocked by this person's actions and immediately went home and washed her face and hands.
"The suspect in this case has shown complete disregard for this woman's health and vulnerabilities, and I know members of the local community will be both saddened and disappointed to hear of this person's actions.
He appealed for any witnesses to come forward, adding: "Unfortunately, we do not have a description of the suspect, but we would urge anyone who may have seen this interaction to get in touch - do you live in Halifax Road?
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"Do you have CCTV fitted to your property, or were you driving in the area with a dash cam fitted to your vehicle?
"If so, you may have captured footage of the suspect so please do call us."


news--2020-04-06--Coronavirus: Dalek patrols streets ordering humans to 'self-isolate'

A Dalek has been spotted patrolling the streets of a small village and ordering `` all humans to self-isolate '' .
In a video captured by amused residents , the Doctor Who villain passes through the deserted street while ordering people to comply with `` the order of the Daleks '' .
It is the latest creative response to the `` stay at home '' order , after a Derbyshire policewoman created a rap video asking the public to : `` Take our advice and you may not get sick .
Stay at home whenever you can .
Do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fam . ''
The rap was criticised for being inaccurate , but a police spokesperson said the officer had taken some `` artistic licence '' and was simply a `` light-hearted attempt to deliver the advice '' .
People across the UK have been urged by the government to stay at home and only leave the house for essential needs to help stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic .
Some thought the Dalek 's appearance was some light relief , with one Twitter user writing : `` Wildlife is finally returning to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
But others found the clip , taken in Robin Hood 's Bay near Whitby in Yorkshire , terrifying .
One social media user wrote : `` Am I the only one to feel a genuine shiver of fear watching this ?
As a child I would most certainly have been hiding behind the sofa .
`` And if a Cyberman came marching down the road , that would be it , I 'd be running for my life ! ''
Another person added : `` I 'm not going to argue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Tayside Police in Scotland used the viral video to remind its Twitter followers to stay inside during the coronavirus pandemic - and appeared to have some impressive Doctor Who knowledge .
`` Our colleagues in Skaro Division have deployed their Direct Action Local Enforcement Kops to ensure everyone is following guidelines about isolation and social distancing , '' the force wrote .
`` We recommend everyone uses their Totally Awesome Rightly Distanced Isolation Systems to comply . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Terry Nation , first appearing in the popular television series in 1963 .
Their usual catchphrase is `` Exterminate ! ''
- but , for now , they 're asking people to `` self-isolate '' .

A Dalek has been spotted patrolling the streets of a small village and ordering "all humans to self-isolate".
In a video captured by amused residents, the Doctor Who villain passes through the deserted street while ordering people to comply with "the order of the Daleks".
It is the latest creative response to the "stay at home" order, after a Derbyshire policewoman created a rap video asking the public to: "Take our advice and you may not get sick. Stay at home whenever you can. Don't go out on the streets with your fam."
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The rap was criticised for being inaccurate, but a police spokesperson said the officer had taken some "artistic licence" and was simply a "light-hearted attempt to deliver the advice".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:38 Lockdown lyrics: PC raps on megaphone
People across the UK have been urged by the government to stay at home and only leave the house for essential needs to help stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Some thought the Dalek's appearance was some light relief, with one Twitter user writing: "Wildlife is finally returning to Britain's streets. Nature is healing."
"SELF-ISOLATE!! SELF-ISOLATE!!! SELF-ISOLATE!!!!" another wrote.
But others found the clip, taken in Robin Hood's Bay near Whitby in Yorkshire, terrifying.
One social media user wrote: "Am I the only one to feel a genuine shiver of fear watching this? As a child I would most certainly have been hiding behind the sofa.
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"And if a Cyberman came marching down the road, that would be it, I'd be running for my life!"
Another person added: "I'm not going to argue with a Dalek."
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Tayside Police in Scotland used the viral video to remind its Twitter followers to stay inside during the coronavirus pandemic - and appeared to have some impressive Doctor Who knowledge.
"Our colleagues in Skaro Division have deployed their Direct Action Local Enforcement Kops to ensure everyone is following guidelines about isolation and social distancing," the force wrote.
"We recommend everyone uses their Totally Awesome Rightly Distanced Isolation Systems to comply."
The Daleks were created by sci-fi writer Terry Nation, first appearing in the popular television series in 1963.
Their usual catchphrase is "Exterminate!" - but, for now, they're asking people to "self-isolate".


news--2020-04-06--Coronavirus: Debenhams moves to protect itself from creditors

Debenhams has filed a notice of intent to appoint administrators as it moves to shield itself from creditors amid the coronavirus crisis .
Sky News reported on Friday how the company 's owners remained confident in its future , despite the shutdown of its 142 stores because of social distancing restrictions , though the chain was exposed on a number of fronts including rent bills .
The chief problem was the threat of suppliers of stock - inventory worth hundreds of millions of pounds that is currently not needed - chasing the company to pay its bills on time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ This move will protect Debenhams from the threat of legal action that could have the effect of pushing the business into liquidation while its 142 UK stores remain closed in line with the government 's current advice regarding the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` The group is making preparations to resume trading its stores once government restrictions are lifted . ''
The vast majority of its 22,000 staff were already furloughed , with 80 % of employees ' wages covered for at least three months by the government 's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ renewed strain .
That is because by placing the chain in administration its owners , which include the American hedge funds Silver Point Capital and GoldenTree Asset Management , would plan to buy Debenhams back again debt free through a so-called pre-pack deal that could potentially include plans to shed further loss-making operations .
There were 28 stores previously earmarked for closure following the post-Brexit slowdown in trade that savaged the high street before the COVID-19 outbreak .
Debenhams confirmed on Monday it continued to trade online across the UK , Ireland and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gift cards and returns were also being accepted and processed normally .
The looming administration represents another chapter in a chequered recent history for Debenhams .
The move comes almost exactly a year since the chain 's holding company entered insolvency proceedings following a bitter public battle with the Sports Direct tycoon Mike Ashley , whose Frasers Group had become its biggest shareholder .
It is unclear whether Mr Ashley , who is in the process of trying to sell Newcastle United FC , has any appetite to try to acquire Debenhams again @

Debenhams has filed a notice of intent to appoint administrators as it moves to shield itself from creditors amid the coronavirus crisis.
Sky News reported on Friday how the company's owners remained confident in its future, despite the shutdown of its 142 stores because of social distancing restrictions, though the chain was exposed on a number of fronts including rent bills.
The chief problem was the threat of suppliers of stock - inventory worth hundreds of millions of pounds that is currently not needed - chasing the company to pay its bills on time.
The retailer said on Monday: "This move will protect Debenhams from the threat of legal action that could have the effect of pushing the business into liquidation while its 142 UK stores remain closed in line with the government's current advice regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The group is making preparations to resume trading its stores once government restrictions are lifted."
The vast majority of its 22,000 staff were already furloughed, with 80% of employees' wages covered for at least three months by the government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
The future for those jobs is under renewed strain.
Image: Debenhams had already closed a number of under-performing stores this year following a rescue deal with landlords
That is because by placing the chain in administration its owners, which include the American hedge funds Silver Point Capital and GoldenTree Asset Management, would plan to buy Debenhams back again debt free through a so-called pre-pack deal that could potentially include plans to shed further loss-making operations.
There were 28 stores previously earmarked for closure following the post-Brexit slowdown in trade that savaged the high street before the COVID-19 outbreak.
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Debenhams confirmed on Monday it continued to trade online across the UK, Ireland and Denmark.
It said customer orders, gift cards and returns were also being accepted and processed normally.
The looming administration represents another chapter in a chequered recent history for Debenhams.
The move comes almost exactly a year since the chain's holding company entered insolvency proceedings following a bitter public battle with the Sports Direct tycoon Mike Ashley, whose Frasers Group had become its biggest shareholder.
It is unclear whether Mr Ashley, who is in the process of trying to sell Newcastle United FC, has any appetite to try to acquire Debenhams again.


news--2020-04-06--Coronavirus: Steeper fall in new car sales than during financial crash

What is , usually , the best month for new car sales has delivered the industry 's worst March performance for more than 20 years .
Figures from the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders ( SMMT ) showed just shy of 255,000 vehicles were sold - usually the best month for business because of the plate change to reflect the new year .
The data showed 203,370 fewer cars were sold compared with March 2019 - a fall of over 44 % .
It came as would-be buyers were forced to stay at home as the COVID-19 lockdown conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for travel , with showrooms forced to close .
Car factories have also been forced to close down while the social distancing measures remain in place .
The figures pile more pressure on an industry that has suffered a collapse in demand since 2016 - a result of Brexit uncertainty and a crackdown on diesel amid global pressure on manufacturers to turn to all-electric cars .
The figures showed the numbers of petrol and diesel cars joining the road were down -49.9 % and 61.9 % respectively on the same month last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicles rose almost three-fold in the month to 11,694 units while plug-in hybrids were up 38 % .
The SMMT , which had forecast in January a 2.5 % decline in new car sales this year , said March was the weakest since the bi-annual plate change was introduced in 1999 .
It downgraded its 2020 outlook on Monday to 1.73 million cars - a fall of 23 % on its earlier guidance .
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said : `` With the country locked down in crisis mode for a large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come as no surprise .
`` Despite this being the lowest March since we moved to the bi-annual plate change system , it could have been worse had the significant advanced orders placed for the new 20 plate not been delivered in the early part of the month .
`` We should not , however , draw long term conclusions from these figures other than this being a stark realisation of what happens when economies grind to a halt .
`` How long the market remains stalled is uncertain , but it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` In the meantime , we will continue to work with government to do all we can to ensure the thousands of people employed in this sector are ready for work and Britain gets back on the move . ''

What is, usually, the best month for new car sales has delivered the industry's worst March performance for more than 20 years.
Figures from the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed just shy of 255,000 vehicles were sold - usually the best month for business because of the plate change to reflect the new year.
The data showed 203,370 fewer cars were sold compared with March 2019 - a fall of over 44%.
It came as would-be buyers were forced to stay at home as the COVID-19 lockdown conditions began, hammering consumer confidence and demand for travel, with showrooms forced to close.
Car factories have also been forced to close down while the social distancing measures remain in place.
The figures pile more pressure on an industry that has suffered a collapse in demand since 2016 - a result of Brexit uncertainty and a crackdown on diesel amid global pressure on manufacturers to turn to all-electric cars.
The figures showed the numbers of petrol and diesel cars joining the road were down -49.9% and 61.9% respectively on the same month last year.
However, sales of battery electric vehicles rose almost three-fold in the month to 11,694 units while plug-in hybrids were up 38%.
The SMMT, which had forecast in January a 2.5% decline in new car sales this year, said March was the weakest since the bi-annual plate change was introduced in 1999.
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Image: Sales of battery electric vehicles proved to be a small bright spark during March
It downgraded its 2020 outlook on Monday to 1.73 million cars - a fall of 23% on its earlier guidance.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: "With the country locked down in crisis mode for a large part of March, this decline will come as no surprise.
"Despite this being the lowest March since we moved to the bi-annual plate change system, it could have been worse had the significant advanced orders placed for the new 20 plate not been delivered in the early part of the month.
"We should not, however, draw long term conclusions from these figures other than this being a stark realisation of what happens when economies grind to a halt.
"How long the market remains stalled is uncertain, but it will reopen and the products will be there.
"In the meantime, we will continue to work with government to do all we can to ensure the thousands of people employed in this sector are ready for work and Britain gets back on the move."


news--2020-03-20--Coronavirus: Biggest rise in deaths in a day as UK total hits 177

The number of people who have died in the UK after contracting coronavirus has risen to 177 after England saw 39 more deaths - the biggest rise in a day .
It comes after a third person - a 71-year-old with underlying health conditions - died in Wales after contracting COVID-19 , according to authorities there on Friday morning .
Northern Ireland also confirmed testing there had resulted in nine new positive cases , bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Northern Ireland to 86 .
As of 9am on Friday , 3,983 had tested positive for COVID-19 across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has said the UK `` can turn the tide '' against coronavirus in the next 12 weeks - but subsequently admitted the government `` do n't know how long '' the crisis will last for .
Speaking at a Downing Street news conference on Thursday , Mr Johnson revealed the government is in talks to buy `` hundreds of thousands '' of tests to reveal if people are immune .
He also said the first British patient had been put in a randomised trial for a treatment for COVID-19 .
Mr Johnson thanked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in complying with government advice on stopping the spread of the disease .
He said : `` We 're asking students to put their education on hold , we 're asking people not to socialise in the normal way and already we can see the impact this is having on the UK economy and on business , on great , great companies .
`` So it 's vital that we in government stand behind them when what we are asking everyone to do is so crucial for saving literally thousands of lives by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Health Secretary Matt Hancock urged Britons to follow the government 's coronavirus advice - saying life will return to normal more quickly if everyone does so .
He told Sky News that embracing social distancing measures will help the UK avoid `` difficult situations '' like those seen in Italy , where hospitals are overwhelmed with gravely ill patients with COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
And with schools closing on Friday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of `` key workers '' deemed `` essential '' to the COVID-19 response and whose children will continue to be cared for at school amid the pandemic .
But the NASUWT teachers ' union 's acting general secretary Chris Keates said schools had been plunged into `` chaos and confusion as they try to answer such basic questions as who are the key workers , how do we identify their children , what evidence is it reasonable to request from parents and what happens if other children turn up for school '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether they should be in work or out or what they will be expected to do if they are in work . ''

The number of people who have died in the UK after contracting coronavirus has risen to 177 after England saw 39 more deaths - the biggest rise in a day.
It comes after a third person - a 71-year-old with underlying health conditions - died in Wales after contracting COVID-19, according to authorities there on Friday morning.
Northern Ireland also confirmed testing there had resulted in nine new positive cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Northern Ireland to 86.
As of 9am on Friday, 3,983 had tested positive for COVID-19 across the country.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the UK "can turn the tide" against coronavirus in the next 12 weeks - but subsequently admitted the government "don't know how long" the crisis will last for.
Speaking at a Downing Street news conference on Thursday, Mr Johnson revealed the government is in talks to buy "hundreds of thousands" of tests to reveal if people are immune.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:38 Chief nurse: 'Your NHS needs you'
He also said the first British patient had been put in a randomised trial for a treatment for COVID-19.
Mr Johnson thanked Britons for their "huge efforts" in complying with government advice on stopping the spread of the disease.
He said: "We're asking students to put their education on hold, we're asking people not to socialise in the normal way and already we can see the impact this is having on the UK economy and on business, on great, great companies.
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"So it's vital that we in government stand behind them when what we are asking everyone to do is so crucial for saving literally thousands of lives by fighting this virus."
:: Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Health Secretary Matt Hancock urged Britons to follow the government's coronavirus advice - saying life will return to normal more quickly if everyone does so.
He told Sky News that embracing social distancing measures will help the UK avoid "difficult situations" like those seen in Italy, where hospitals are overwhelmed with gravely ill patients with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
And with schools closing on Friday, the Department for Education published a list of "key workers" deemed "essential" to the COVID-19 response and whose children will continue to be cared for at school amid the pandemic.
But the NASUWT teachers' union's acting general secretary Chris Keates said schools had been plunged into "chaos and confusion as they try to answer such basic questions as who are the key workers, how do we identify their children, what evidence is it reasonable to request from parents and what happens if other children turn up for school".
He added: "Teachers are unclear whether they should be in work or out or what they will be expected to do if they are in work."


news--2020-03-20--Coronavirus: Follow government advice and COVID-19 pandemic will be over quicker, Britons told

The health secretary has urged Britons to follow the government 's coronavirus advice - saying life will return to normal more quickly if everyone does so .
Matt Hancock said that embracing social distancing measures will help the UK avoid `` difficult situations '' like those seen in Italy , where hospitals are overwhelmed with gravely ill patients with COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
`` The more people follow the public health advice , the quicker we will be through this and the quicker we will be back to normal , '' he told Sky News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people follow the advice , we 'll get through this quicker and we wo n't have to enforce these draconian enforcements that we 've seen in other places in Europe . ''
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Britons on Monday to avoid pubs , clubs , restaurants and theatres , in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19 .
But there have been reports of people not heeding the government 's advice .
Downing Street has moved to dampen down speculation that a full-scale lockdown of London could be enforced to combat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been speculation that Number 10 was considering such a step , but the PM 's official spokesman said there was `` zero prospect '' of any restrictions being placed on travelling in and out of London .
Around 1.4 million people classed as vulnerable will be contacted by the NHS from Monday and told to self-isolate , Mr Hancock also revealed .
: : Listen to All Out Politics on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' People in those categories should be shielded and should take themselves away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
`` We appreciate that is a really big ask and really difficult , but again it 's for people 's own protection , to protect others and protect the NHS . ''
The health secretary said the government would set out what conditions this will apply to .
Mr Hancock continued : `` Many of these people have pre-existing health conditions and so will be very worried right now , and I understand that , and they 'll need very specific sets of action - for instance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your chemo if you have cancer whilst also social-distancing ?
`` If you have cancer it 's particularly important to stay away from other people , but you also of course have got to keep going with your chemotherapy . ''
Mr Hancock added : `` These are some of the most difficult and challenging cases so we 'll be getting in contact with them , but if people think that they are on this list and do n't receive a communication from the NHS , then they also need to get in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way , the money was announced for it yesterday .
A combination of money to the NHS and money to councils because they 've got a very big part to play in keeping people safe . ''
The health secretary also said the government is looking `` very , very closely '' at why there is a coronavirus hotspot in the West Midlands , with 28 deaths recorded there .
`` It 's something that we 're looking at very , very closely to find out why , frankly , '' he told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of a disease like this does tend to be in areas of hotspot and then broadening out from them .
`` What we 've got to do ... is to respond as well as possible . ''
: : Listen to All Out Politics on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker As of 1pm on Thursday , there were 3,269 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK .
The number of people who have died after contracting coronavirus in the UK currently stands at 144 .
Speaking at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the PM revealed the government is in talks to buy `` hundreds of thousands '' of tests to reveal if people are immune .
`` We are in negotiations today to buy a so-called antibody test , as simple as a pregnancy test , that could tell whether you have had the disease , '' Mr Johnson said .
`` It 's early days , but if it works as its proponents claim , then we will buy literally hundreds of thousands of these kits as soon as practicable because obviously it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gamechanger .
`` Because once you know that you have had it , you know that you are likely to be less vulnerable , you 're less likely to pass it on , and you can go back to work . ''

The health secretary has urged Britons to follow the government's coronavirus advice - saying life will return to normal more quickly if everyone does so.
Matt Hancock said that embracing social distancing measures will help the UK avoid "difficult situations" like those seen in Italy, where hospitals are overwhelmed with gravely ill patients with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
"The more people follow the public health advice, the quicker we will be through this and the quicker we will be back to normal," he told Sky News.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 5:19 Inside Italy's coronavirus crisis wards
Mr Hancock added: "If people follow the advice, we'll get through this quicker and we won't have to enforce these draconian enforcements that we've seen in other places in Europe."
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Britons on Monday to avoid pubs, clubs, restaurants and theatres, in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:47 UK can 'turn tide on virus within 12 weeks'
But there have been reports of people not heeding the government's advice.
Downing Street has moved to dampen down speculation that a full-scale lockdown of London could be enforced to combat the virus in the capital.
There had been speculation that Number 10 was considering such a step, but the PM's official spokesman said there was "zero prospect" of any restrictions being placed on travelling in and out of London.
Around 1.4 million people classed as vulnerable will be contacted by the NHS from Monday and told to self-isolate, Mr Hancock also revealed.
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:: Listen to All Out Politics on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"People in those categories should be shielded and should take themselves away from all social contact from Monday onwards," he said.
"We appreciate that is a really big ask and really difficult, but again it's for people's own protection, to protect others and protect the NHS."
The health secretary said the government would set out what conditions this will apply to.
Mr Hancock continued: "Many of these people have pre-existing health conditions and so will be very worried right now, and I understand that, and they'll need very specific sets of action - for instance, how do you go about still getting your chemo if you have cancer whilst also social-distancing?
"If you have cancer it's particularly important to stay away from other people, but you also of course have got to keep going with your chemotherapy."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:47 Could London be locked down?
Mr Hancock added: "These are some of the most difficult and challenging cases so we'll be getting in contact with them, but if people think that they are on this list and don't receive a communication from the NHS, then they also need to get in contact.
"So that is under way, the money was announced for it yesterday. A combination of money to the NHS and money to councils because they've got a very big part to play in keeping people safe."
The health secretary also said the government is looking "very, very closely" at why there is a coronavirus hotspot in the West Midlands, with 28 deaths recorded there.
"It's something that we're looking at very, very closely to find out why, frankly," he told Sky News.
"I mean, the spread of a disease like this does tend to be in areas of hotspot and then broadening out from them.
"What we've got to do ... is to respond as well as possible."
:: Listen to All Out Politics on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
As of 1pm on Thursday, there were 3,269 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK.
The number of people who have died after contracting coronavirus in the UK currently stands at 144.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:02 'Please come back' retired NHS staff urged
Speaking at a Downing Street news conference on Thursday, the PM revealed the government is in talks to buy "hundreds of thousands" of tests to reveal if people are immune.
"We are in negotiations today to buy a so-called antibody test, as simple as a pregnancy test, that could tell whether you have had the disease," Mr Johnson said.
"It's early days, but if it works as its proponents claim, then we will buy literally hundreds of thousands of these kits as soon as practicable because obviously it has the potential to be a total gamechanger.
"Because once you know that you have had it, you know that you are likely to be less vulnerable, you're less likely to pass it on, and you can go back to work."