news--2020-06-04--Coronavirus: Govt facing legal action unless it admits to acting 'unlawfully' over care homes

The daughter of an 88-year-old man who died in a care home is demanding the health secretary retract his claim that `` a protective ring '' was thrown around care homes or she will take him to court .
Dr Cathy Gardner , whose father Michael Gibson died on 3 April , wants an acknowledgement the treatment of care homes up to and during the pandemic was unlawful .
In particular she wants an admission that guidelines allowing coronavirus patients to be discharged from hospitals into care homes untested was unlawful .
Lawyers representing Dr Gardner have sent a pre-action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days to respond .
They say if there is not an adequate response they will begin proceedings for judicial review at the High Court .
Dr Gardner said : `` The loss of my father was always going to be really difficult but these circumstances have made it even more heartbreaking .
`` To think a lady being brought back into the care home with the virus might have contributed to his death is so shocking . ''
Dr Gardner is now crowdfunding to support her case .
: : Listen to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Sky News has obtained a copy of the letter sent by lawyers representing Dr Gardner .
In it lawyers write : `` Our client believes that the policies and measures adopted by the health secretary , NHS England and Public Health England have manifestly failed to protect the health , wellbeing and right to life of those residing and working in care homes .
`` Their failings have led to large numbers of unnecessary deaths and serious illnesses .
In addition , the failings of government have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , misleading and - in some cases - plainly false statements suggesting that everything necessary has been done to protect care homes during the pandemic . ''
Dr Gardner said : `` They must answer for the policies they put out and most importantly for what they failed to do at a time when they knew that people were at risk ; they knew that some people were more vulnerable than others ; they took a positive step to discharge people from hospital into a place packed full of vulnerable people and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unbelievable . ''
`` I 'm being driven to do this by a real sense of anger about what happened with my father .
He was in a care home .
It should have been a place of safety . ''
Dr Gardner 's lawyer Paul Conrathe of Sinclairslaw said : `` We want the three parties , the secretary of state , NHS England and Public Health England , to come back and say we accept we have acted unlawfully and accept they 've exposed the most vulnerable and disabled to disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has done for many , and issue a public statement to that affect and accept a court order ruling they 've acted unlawfully . ''
The Department for Health told us they had received Dr Gardner 's letter regarding legal action but could not comment further .
We spoke to an independent barrister James Robottom who told us the claim was potentially significant and a `` headache '' for the government .
He said : `` They 'll have to deal with it because they 'll have to put a letter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breaches in the letter of response then the matter will proceed to court .
`` I 've got absolutely no doubt that permission will be granted by the High Court to proceed to judicial review .
`` It 's a serious claim and it 's a claim that the defendants , the secretary of state , NHS Commission Board and NHS England are going to have to take seriously . ''
Analysis : There are questions marks over the level of infection control provided in care homes A call from NHS England 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beds to cope with the pandemic raised suspicions that thousands of patients were discharged prematurely to care homes , potentially taking COVID-19 with them .
Simon Stevens made his request to trusts on 17 March and new data published by NHS England has revealed that in the following month more than 25,000 people were discharged from England 's hospitals to the care sector .
Within this period , figures from the Office for National Statistics show almost 3,000 care home residents died with COVID-19 .
The actual number of people discharged into care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year - a reduction of around a third .
The figures from NHS England also clearly show that , from 28 March to 16 April , the average number of people discharged to care homes fell by 40 % .
This does not suggest a concerted policy to free-up beds by releasing people into social care .
However , what this data does not tell us is whether any patients were discharged whilst still having a diagnosis of coronavirus .
Indeed , we do not know if those sent home had been tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was only on 15 April that the government expanded testing to include care home staff and residents .
By then , there were already outbreaks in around 4,500 ( a third ) of England 's 17,000 care homes .
In the following five weeks , a further 9,226 people in care in England died with COVID-19 .
The government has said it put a protective arm around the social care sector .
But there are questions to answer about the level of infection control provided and how that exposed this already vulnerable public @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The daughter of an 88-year-old man who died in a care home is demanding the health secretary retract his claim that "a protective ring" was thrown around care homes or she will take him to court.
Dr Cathy Gardner, whose father Michael Gibson died on 3 April, wants an acknowledgement the treatment of care homes up to and during the pandemic was unlawful.
In particular she wants an admission that guidelines allowing coronavirus patients to be discharged from hospitals into care homes untested was unlawful.
Lawyers representing Dr Gardner have sent a pre-action letter to Matt Hancock giving him 14 days to respond.
They say if there is not an adequate response they will begin proceedings for judicial review at the High Court.
Dr Gardner said: "The loss of my father was always going to be really difficult but these circumstances have made it even more heartbreaking.
"To think a lady being brought back into the care home with the virus might have contributed to his death is so shocking."
Dr Gardner is now crowdfunding to support her case.
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Sky News has obtained a copy of the letter sent by lawyers representing Dr Gardner.
In it lawyers write: "Our client believes that the policies and measures adopted by the health secretary, NHS England and Public Health England have manifestly failed to protect the health, wellbeing and right to life of those residing and working in care homes.
"Their failings have led to large numbers of unnecessary deaths and serious illnesses. In addition, the failings of government have been aggravated by the making of wholly disingenuous, misleading and - in some cases - plainly false statements suggesting that everything necessary has been done to protect care homes during the pandemic."
Dr Gardner said: "They must answer for the policies they put out and most importantly for what they failed to do at a time when they knew that people were at risk; they knew that some people were more vulnerable than others; they took a positive step to discharge people from hospital into a place packed full of vulnerable people and that decision is so shocking it's almost unbelievable."
"I'm being driven to do this by a real sense of anger about what happened with my father. He was in a care home. It should have been a place of safety."
Dr Gardner's lawyer Paul Conrathe of Sinclairslaw said: "We want the three parties, the secretary of state, NHS England and Public Health England, to come back and say we accept we have acted unlawfully and accept they've exposed the most vulnerable and disabled to disease and illness that could end their lives and has done for many, and issue a public statement to that affect and accept a court order ruling they've acted unlawfully."
Image: Matt Hancock has 14 days to respond to Dr Gardner's letter
The Department for Health told us they had received Dr Gardner's letter regarding legal action but could not comment further.
We spoke to an independent barrister James Robottom who told us the claim was potentially significant and a "headache" for the government.
He said: "They'll have to deal with it because they'll have to put a letter of response in and unless they concede the breaches in the letter of response then the matter will proceed to court.
"I've got absolutely no doubt that permission will be granted by the High Court to proceed to judicial review.
"It's a serious claim and it's a claim that the defendants, the secretary of state, NHS Commission Board and NHS England are going to have to take seriously."
Analysis: There are questions marks over the level of infection control provided in care homes
By Isla Glaister, data journalist
A call from NHS England's chief executive to free up 15,000 hospital beds to cope with the pandemic raised suspicions that thousands of patients were discharged prematurely to care homes, potentially taking COVID-19 with them.
Simon Stevens made his request to trusts on 17 March and new data published by NHS England has revealed that in the following month more than 25,000 people were discharged from England's hospitals to the care sector.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:39 'We did decide to focus on the NHS'
Within this period, figures from the Office for National Statistics show almost 3,000 care home residents died with COVID-19.
The actual number of people discharged into care is down on the same period last year - a reduction of around a third.
The figures from NHS England also clearly show that, from 28 March to 16 April, the average number of people discharged to care homes fell by 40%.
This does not suggest a concerted policy to free-up beds by releasing people into social care.
However, what this data does not tell us is whether any patients were discharged whilst still having a diagnosis of coronavirus.
Indeed, we do not know if those sent home had been tested for the virus at all.
It was only on 15 April that the government expanded testing to include care home staff and residents.
By then, there were already outbreaks in around 4,500 (a third) of England's 17,000 care homes.
In the following five weeks, a further 9,226 people in care in England died with COVID-19.
The government has said it put a protective arm around the social care sector.
But there are questions to answer about the level of infection control provided and how that exposed this already vulnerable public health environment even more to COVID-19.


news--2020-06-04--George Floyd death: Hundreds join family at memorial to remember black man 'killed by pandemic of ra

George Floyd death: Hundreds join family at memorial to remember black man 'killed by pandemic of racism'

George Floyd 's family was joined by hundreds of mourners at a memorial service for the man whose death in Minneapolis sparked an outpouring of anger about racial injustice and protests around the world .
`` Everyone wants justice , we want justice for George , he 's going to get it , '' Philonise Floyd , one of his brothers , told those gathered at the city 's North Central University .
`` It 's crazy man , all these people came to see my brother , it 's amazing he touched so many hearts . ''
Mr Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest source of fury over police brutality against black people in the US , pushing race to the top of the political agenda five months before November 's presidential election .
Derek Chauvin was fired by the Minneapolis police force and charged with second-degree murder after being filmed in a widely-circulated video kneeling on the 46-year-old 's neck for nearly nine minutes as Floyd gasped for air and repeatedly said : `` Please , I ca n't breathe . ''
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curfews in large numbers and taken to the streets of cities across the country for nine nights in sometimes violent protests , prompting Donald Trump to threaten to send in the military .
Ben Crump , a lawyer for Mr Floyd 's family , revealed at the memorial service that Mr Floyd had recovered from coronavirus after testing positive in April .
`` It was that other pandemic that we 're far too familiar with in America , that pandemic of racism and discrimination that killed George Floyd , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ united effort inside the courtroom and outside the courtroom to get justice for George Floyd . ''
Leading civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton also spoke at the memorial in Minnesota , where he urged people to distinguish between those calling for protests to remain peaceful and those seeking to silence voices calling for justice .
`` There have been protests all over the world , '' he said .
`` None of us condones looting or violence .
But the thing I want us to be real cognisant of is there 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and those calling for quiet .
`` Some of you do n't want peace , you just want quiet . ''
Prosecutors on Wednesday announced new charges against all four former Minneapolis police officers implicated in the killing .
The three officers charged with aiding and abetting the murder made their first appearances in court on Thursday , when bail was set at $ 1m .
In New York City , which has been hit by looting during the protests , thousands of people attended a separate memorial event in a Brooklyn park @ @ @ @

George Floyd's family was joined by hundreds of mourners at a memorial service for the man whose death in Minneapolis sparked an outpouring of anger about racial injustice and protests around the world.
"Everyone wants justice, we want justice for George, he's going to get it," Philonise Floyd, one of his brothers, told those gathered at the city's North Central University.
"It's crazy man, all these people came to see my brother, it's amazing he touched so many hearts."
Image: Philonise Floyd speaks during the service for his brother
Mr Floyd's death in May has become the latest source of fury over police brutality against black people in the US, pushing race to the top of the political agenda five months before November's presidential election.
Derek Chauvin was fired by the Minneapolis police force and charged with second-degree murder after being filmed in a widely-circulated video kneeling on the 46-year-old's neck for nearly nine minutes as Floyd gasped for air and repeatedly said: "Please, I can't breathe."
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Demonstrators have defied curfews in large numbers and taken to the streets of cities across the country for nine nights in sometimes violent protests, prompting Donald Trump to threaten to send in the military.
Ben Crump, a lawyer for Mr Floyd's family, revealed at the memorial service that Mr Floyd had recovered from coronavirus after testing positive in April.
Image: Mourners at the memorial service in Minneapolis
Image: People also gathered outside
"It was that other pandemic that we're far too familiar with in America, that pandemic of racism and discrimination that killed George Floyd," he said.
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"It's going to take a united effort inside the courtroom and outside the courtroom to get justice for George Floyd."
Leading civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton also spoke at the memorial in Minnesota, where he urged people to distinguish between those calling for protests to remain peaceful and those seeking to silence voices calling for justice.
"There have been protests all over the world," he said.
Image: Reverend Al Sharpton led a moment of silence during the memorial
"None of us condones looting or violence. But the thing I want us to be real cognisant of is there's a difference between those calling for peace and those calling for quiet.
"Some of you don't want peace, you just want quiet."
Prosecutors on Wednesday announced new charges against all four former Minneapolis police officers implicated in the killing.
The three officers charged with aiding and abetting the murder made their first appearances in court on Thursday, when bail was set at $1m.
In New York City, which has been hit by looting during the protests, thousands of people attended a separate memorial event in a Brooklyn park for Mr Floyd.


news--2020-06-04--George Floyd death: Policeman hugs crying black girl who asked 'are you gonna shoot us?' during prot

George Floyd death: Policeman hugs crying black girl who asked 'are you gonna shoot us?' during protests

A white policeman hugged a five-year-old black girl during a George Floyd protest after she started crying and asked `` are you gon na shoot us ? ''
Simone Bartee was out protesting with her parents in Houston , Texas , on Saturday when she burst into tears .
A passing officer noticed the schoolgirl was upset and put his arm around her when she asked him : `` Are you gon na shoot us ? ''
In a bid to reassure her , he gave her a hug and said : `` We 're here to protect you okay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you at all .
`` You can protest , you can party , you can do whatever you want . ''
The emotional moment was captured on video by her parents Sion and Simeon , who were seen wiping away her tears afterwards .
The family-of-three were marching over the death of George Floyd , 46 , an unarmed black man who died in Minneapolis after white police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee against his neck for more than eight minutes .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He died shortly after screaming : `` I ca n't breathe '' .
Mr Chauvin faces charges of second-degree murder , while three of his colleagues who were present stand accused of aiding and abetting .
Mr Floyd 's death has sparked protests across the US and the world , with thousands breaking coronavirus restrictions to show their solidarity .

A white policeman hugged a five-year-old black girl during a George Floyd protest after she started crying and asked "are you gonna shoot us?"
Simone Bartee was out protesting with her parents in Houston, Texas, on Saturday when she burst into tears.
A passing officer noticed the schoolgirl was upset and put his arm around her when she asked him: "Are you gonna shoot us?"
In a bid to reassure her, he gave her a hug and said: "We're here to protect you okay? We're not here to hurt you at all.
"You can protest, you can party, you can do whatever you want."
Image: The officer hugged Simone when he noticed she was crying
The emotional moment was captured on video by her parents Sion and Simeon, who were seen wiping away her tears afterwards.
The family-of-three were marching over the death of George Floyd, 46, an unarmed black man who died in Minneapolis after white police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee against his neck for more than eight minutes.
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He died shortly after screaming: "I can't breathe".
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Mr Chauvin faces charges of second-degree murder, while three of his colleagues who were present stand accused of aiding and abetting.
Mr Floyd's death has sparked protests across the US and the world, with thousands breaking coronavirus restrictions to show their solidarity.


news--2020-05-04--Why O2 and Virgin Media could be making a connection

Why O2 and Virgin Media could be making a connection Why O2 and Virgin Media could be making a connection They are two of Britain 's biggest consumer-facing businesses - and could soon be under common ownership .
Telefonica , the Spanish owner of O2 in the UK , has confirmed that it is in talks to merge the business with the cable and broadband giant Virgin Media .
A combination of the two would create a business with annual sales of more than £11bn and tens of millions of UK customers .
O2 , which sponsors the England rugby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name , boasts more than 34 million connections to its network .
Apart from the core O2 brand , it also partners with mobile virtual network operators Sky Mobile - which has common ownership with Sky News - giffgaff and Lyca Mobile , as well as owning half of Tesco Mobile .
Virgin Media , which is owned by the US giant Liberty Global , has some 5.3 million broadband customers - many of whom also buy mobile and pay-television services from the company .
The pair have insisted that the deal is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phase , with no guarantee , at this point , of its precise terms or its probability of success '' .
Should a takeover be consummated , though , it will represent a further consolidation in the UK 's broadband , pay-television , mobile and fixed-line market .
The business emerging from the deal would also be a more potent competitor for BT , the UK 's biggest broadband and fixed line telecoms provider and owner of the mobile network EE , as well as other major players such as Vodafone and Sky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News of the talks comes five years after Telefonica agreed to sell O2 in the UK for £10.25bn to its mobile rival , Three UK , but that deal was scuppered the following year by EU competition regulators .
It later sought to float O2 's UK business on the stock market only to see that move hampered by stock market uncertainty ahead of Brexit .
The expectation in the industry is that the combined business would be structured as a 50/50 joint venture with Liberty Global paying a cash sum to Telefonica @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O2 and Virgin Media .
A deal is seen as having a better chance of passing completion hurdles because it is not a straightforward merger between two big mobile operators , as was the case with the proposed combination between O2 and Three UK , but - as with BT 's takeover of EE in 2015 - would be a tie-up between a big mobile operator and a big fixed-line and broadband provider .
The proposed combination would have plenty of advantages to the owners of both businesses .
Telefonica , which bought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been looking to offload some or all of O2 for a while in order to reduce its €37.7bn ( £32.6bn ) worth of borrowings .
A tie-up would also give O2 UK its own broadband arm which , in the past , has been seen as a weakness .
Partnering with Virgin Mobile , which has billions of pounds worth of tax losses dating back to its past ownership of loss-making cable companies NTL and Telewest , would also offer O2 the opportunity to cut its tax bill significantly - freeing up more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 5G services .
Meanwhile Liberty Global , which also owns a 10 % stake in the broadcaster ITV , is armed with cash following the €18.4bn ( £15.9bn ) sale of its European cable operations to Vodafone .
There would be several attractions for it in combining Virgin Media with O2 .
One would be the substantial savings for it in owning its own mobile network rather than , at present , paying £200m to other network operators - currently EE and shortly to be Vodafone - for capacity on which to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the merger of back office operations at the two companies would also be substantial .
And O2 would also make Virgin Media a more attractive consumer proposition than at present at a time when Openreach , a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT , is investing billions of pounds in the rollout of full fibre broadband - a rollout which , when complete , will chip away at Virgin Media 's competitive advantage .
Analysts at UBS , the investment bank and broker , said a combination of O2 UK and Virgin Media would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
They added : `` With the exception of BT , no UK player has yet managed to put together a 'future-proof ' asset base combining wide-reaching networks and market shares both in fixed [ line ] and mobile . ''
A merger , apart from the fact that the talks are only at an early stage , is not yet a done deal .
Three UK , having been barred from buying O2 , might seek a partnership of its own with Virgin Media .
Or , alternatively , it might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as it seeks to shore up its own position in fixed-line and broadband .
The latter 's shares rose amid speculation it may now become a target .
The bigger question , however , is how Vodafone will respond .
It has just signed a deal under which Virgin Mobile would be able to use its network for five years from 2021 , while it would be able to sell broadband services in the UK accessing Virgin Media 's cable network .
A tie-up between the latter and O2 would leave Vodafone , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Virgin Media , with a more powerful converged competitor .
So it is perfectly possible that Vodafone could seek to gatecrash this deal .
The City 's legions of M & A bankers and lawyers will also be watching closely to see how the Competition and Markets Authority responds .
Before COVID-19 struck , the CMA - under its new chairman Lord Tyrie , the former Conservative MP Andrew Tyrie - was adopting a more robust approach to intervening in mergers and takeovers .
It might well be expected to on this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has highlighted the importance to millions of British households of having good mobile and broadband connectivity and of the value of comprehensive home entertainment packages .
And yet , as the country emerges from lockdown , the UK government will be anxious for British businesses to be in as strong a shape as possible .
That might especially be the case when it comes to the important infrastructure providers critical in boosting the UK 's woeful productivity record .
In the meantime , having completed its own fixed and mobile merger a while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its market position is comparatively secure .
It has a five-year headstart on its putative competitor .

If consummated, a deal would mean further consolidation for the TV, broadband, mobile and fixed line telephone markets.
Why O2 and Virgin Media could be making a connection
They are two of Britain's biggest consumer-facing businesses - and could soon be under common ownership.
Telefonica, the Spanish owner of O2 in the UK, has confirmed that it is in talks to merge the business with the cable and broadband giant Virgin Media.
A combination of the two would create a business with annual sales of more than £11bn and tens of millions of UK customers.
O2, which sponsors the England rugby team and the music venues of that name, boasts more than 34 million connections to its network.
Apart from the core O2 brand, it also partners with mobile virtual network operators Sky Mobile - which has common ownership with Sky News - giffgaff and Lyca Mobile, as well as owning half of Tesco Mobile.
Virgin Media, which is owned by the US giant Liberty Global, has some 5.3 million broadband customers - many of whom also buy mobile and pay-television services from the company.
The pair have insisted that the deal is only at present in the "negotiation phase, with no guarantee, at this point, of its precise terms or its probability of success".
Image: Virgin Media has 5.3 million broadband customers
Should a takeover be consummated, though, it will represent a further consolidation in the UK's broadband, pay-television, mobile and fixed-line market.
The business emerging from the deal would also be a more potent competitor for BT, the UK's biggest broadband and fixed line telecoms provider and owner of the mobile network EE, as well as other major players such as Vodafone and Sky, the owner of Sky News.
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News of the talks comes five years after Telefonica agreed to sell O2 in the UK for £10.25bn to its mobile rival, Three UK, but that deal was scuppered the following year by EU competition regulators.
It later sought to float O2's UK business on the stock market only to see that move hampered by stock market uncertainty ahead of Brexit.
The expectation in the industry is that the combined business would be structured as a 50/50 joint venture with Liberty Global paying a cash sum to Telefonica to reflect the difference in values between O2 and Virgin Media.
A deal is seen as having a better chance of passing completion hurdles because it is not a straightforward merger between two big mobile operators, as was the case with the proposed combination between O2 and Three UK, but - as with BT's takeover of EE in 2015 - would be a tie-up between a big mobile operator and a big fixed-line and broadband provider.
The proposed combination would have plenty of advantages to the owners of both businesses.
Telefonica, which bought O2 for £17.7bn in 2006, has been looking to offload some or all of O2 for a while in order to reduce its €37.7bn (£32.6bn) worth of borrowings.
A tie-up would also give O2 UK its own broadband arm which, in the past, has been seen as a weakness.
Partnering with Virgin Mobile, which has billions of pounds worth of tax losses dating back to its past ownership of loss-making cable companies NTL and Telewest, would also offer O2 the opportunity to cut its tax bill significantly - freeing up more money to invest in the costly roll-out of 5G services.
Meanwhile Liberty Global, which also owns a 10% stake in the broadcaster ITV, is armed with cash following the €18.4bn (£15.9bn) sale of its European cable operations to Vodafone.
There would be several attractions for it in combining Virgin Media with O2.
One would be the substantial savings for it in owning its own mobile network rather than, at present, paying £200m to other network operators - currently EE and shortly to be Vodafone - for capacity on which to run Virgin Mobile.
Image: O2 boasts more than 34 million connections to its network
Cost savings with the merger of back office operations at the two companies would also be substantial.
And O2 would also make Virgin Media a more attractive consumer proposition than at present at a time when Openreach, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT, is investing billions of pounds in the rollout of full fibre broadband - a rollout which, when complete, will chip away at Virgin Media's competitive advantage.
Analysts at UBS, the investment bank and broker, said a combination of O2 UK and Virgin Media would be "underpinned by a solid operational fit".
They added: "With the exception of BT, no UK player has yet managed to put together a 'future-proof' asset base combining wide-reaching networks and market shares both in fixed [line] and mobile."
A merger, apart from the fact that the talks are only at an early stage, is not yet a done deal.
Three UK, having been barred from buying O2, might seek a partnership of its own with Virgin Media.
Or, alternatively, it might be jolted into bidding for TalkTalk Telecom as it seeks to shore up its own position in fixed-line and broadband.
The latter's shares rose amid speculation it may now become a target.
The bigger question, however, is how Vodafone will respond.
It has just signed a deal under which Virgin Mobile would be able to use its network for five years from 2021, while it would be able to sell broadband services in the UK accessing Virgin Media's cable network.
A tie-up between the latter and O2 would leave Vodafone, long seen as a potential merger partner for Virgin Media, with a more powerful converged competitor.
So it is perfectly possible that Vodafone could seek to gatecrash this deal.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:09 The process of getting back to work
The City's legions of M&A bankers and lawyers will also be watching closely to see how the Competition and Markets Authority responds.
Before COVID-19 struck, the CMA - under its new chairman Lord Tyrie, the former Conservative MP Andrew Tyrie - was adopting a more robust approach to intervening in mergers and takeovers.
It might well be expected to on this occasion and especially now the coronavirus crisis has highlighted the importance to millions of British households of having good mobile and broadband connectivity and of the value of comprehensive home entertainment packages.
And yet, as the country emerges from lockdown, the UK government will be anxious for British businesses to be in as strong a shape as possible.
That might especially be the case when it comes to the important infrastructure providers critical in boosting the UK's woeful productivity record.
In the meantime, having completed its own fixed and mobile merger a while ago, BT can look on knowing its market position is comparatively secure.
It has a five-year headstart on its putative competitor.


news--2020-05-01--Coronavirus: Why spending so much time with our children could have unexpected benefits

For some families being able to spend more quality time together could be an unexpected upside of lockdown .
Psychologist and founder of GoodPlayGuide.com Amanda Gummer , who has worked with children and families for over 20 years , explains why .
Never before , in modern history , have so many parents spent so much time in one place with their children .
Whilst this is not always a good thing , for some families , the coronavirus lockdown has provided a unique opportunity to reconnect , create memories and evaluate priorities .
New babies and young children whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or have been furloughed , will benefit enormously from having both parents available during so many months of their formative years .
Both parents being at home will also have reduced the isolation felt by many new mothers and made it easier for fathers to be an equal carer - boosting fathers ' confidence in their own parenting and allowing them to really get to know their children 's day-to-day routines .
This is normally incredibly hard for fathers to achieve , as in regular times they often have to return to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of paternity leave .
: : Listen to Coronavirus : In This Together on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or Spreaker The long-term impact this will have is yet to be seen , and may not be positive for all families .
But benefits will range from parents being more supportive of each other , children feeling more secure with both parents and the family unit being strengthened .
At the other end of the age range , there are young adults who have either returned from university or who , like my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September .
For many , lockdown will have forced a readjustment of these young people 's relationship with their parents and an analysis of their role within the family .
Parents have been able to help young people learn valuable life skills as they take on responsibilities around the house , whilst their parents continue to work .
I know many of my friends with newly returned students feel like they are getting bonus family time with their now adult offspring .
The lockdown will also have increased family connections within the wider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more adept at screen-based communication and so are now keeping more in touch with their often distant families than they did before .
Some are providing virtual childcare , reading their young grandchildren stories over the internet or playing games whilst parents work from home .
For these families , there 's no reason to think that this communication will suddenly end when lockdown is eased - the increased ease of communication will hopefully lead to less social isolation of the elderly and closer intergenerational bonds .
The simple pleasures in life are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has become a precious time of the day that everyone looks forward to , something many families may never have enjoyed before .
Families are rediscovering board games , doing puzzles together and making fun TikTok videos .
These are all things that would not have happened in the usual hustle and bustle of pre-lockdown life .
The family that plays together stays together , as the saying goes , and finding fun ways to pass the time has created memories that will be treasured in years to come .
Recognition of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during challenging times is the motivation behind the Play At Home Fest that is running over the late May Bank Holiday weekend .
The confidence , trust and attachment that results from families playing together is hopefully one of the positive legacies of this period of lockdown .

For some families being able to spend more quality time together could be an unexpected upside of lockdown.
Psychologist and founder of GoodPlayGuide.com Amanda Gummer, who has worked with children and families for over 20 years, explains why.
Image: Dr Amanda Gummer says spending more time with our children could have benefits
Never before, in modern history, have so many parents spent so much time in one place with their children.
Whilst this is not always a good thing, for some families, the coronavirus lockdown has provided a unique opportunity to reconnect, create memories and evaluate priorities.
New babies and young children whose parents are now working from home, or have been furloughed, will benefit enormously from having both parents available during so many months of their formative years.
Image: New dads will have benefited from having more time to spend with their newborns
Both parents being at home will also have reduced the isolation felt by many new mothers and made it easier for fathers to be an equal carer - boosting fathers' confidence in their own parenting and allowing them to really get to know their children's day-to-day routines.
This is normally incredibly hard for fathers to achieve, as in regular times they often have to return to work Monday to Friday after just two weeks of paternity leave.
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 Coronavirus: In This Together on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Spreaker
The long-term impact this will have is yet to be seen, and may not be positive for all families.
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But benefits will range from parents being more supportive of each other, children feeling more secure with both parents and the family unit being strengthened.
At the other end of the age range, there are young adults who have either returned from university or who, like my eldest, are hoping to go in September.
Image: A daily walk has become a regular part of life under lockdown
For many, lockdown will have forced a readjustment of these young people's relationship with their parents and an analysis of their role within the family.
Parents have been able to help young people learn valuable life skills as they take on responsibilities around the house, whilst their parents continue to work.
I know many of my friends with newly returned students feel like they are getting bonus family time with their now adult offspring.
The lockdown will also have increased family connections within the wider family too.
Many grandparents have become more adept at screen-based communication and so are now keeping more in touch with their often distant families than they did before.
Image: Grandparents are using screen-based communication to keep in touch with their often distant families
Some are providing virtual childcare, reading their young grandchildren stories over the internet or playing games whilst parents work from home.
For these families, there's no reason to think that this communication will suddenly end when lockdown is eased - the increased ease of communication will hopefully lead to less social isolation of the elderly and closer intergenerational bonds.
The simple pleasures in life are being rediscovered too - a family walk has become a precious time of the day that everyone looks forward to, something many families may never have enjoyed before.
Families are rediscovering board games, doing puzzles together and making fun TikTok videos.
These are all things that would not have happened in the usual hustle and bustle of pre-lockdown life.
The family that plays together stays together, as the saying goes, and finding fun ways to pass the time has created memories that will be treasured in years to come.
Recognition of the benefit of families playing together, especially during challenging times is the motivation behind the Play At Home Fest that is running over the late May Bank Holiday weekend.
The confidence, trust and attachment that results from families playing together is hopefully one of the positive legacies of this period of lockdown.


news--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: Bristol City Council ignites sale of energy supplier

A local authority which has spent tens of millions of pounds of council taxpayers ' money trying to build a nationwide energy supplier is admitting defeat by putting it up for sale .
Sky News has learnt that Bristol City Council has appointed advisers to begin a process of finding a buyer for lossmaking Bristol Energy 's customer book .
Sources said on Monday that any sale would recoup only `` a proportion '' of the estimated £35m that has been ploughed into the business by the council since Bristol Energy launched in 2011 .
EY , the accountancy firm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sale process .
The company had just over 100,000 customers earlier this year , but boasted that it had taken `` a significant step on its journey to becoming a wholly green energy supplier , launching three new 100 % green electricity and lower carbon gas tariffs , with a focus on sourcing energy from local wind and solar farms '' .
One source said prospective buyers of the customer book had begun being contacted by EY to gauge their appetite for a deal .
The emergence of the sale plan will raise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ string of local authorities around the UK to compete with energy industry behemoths such as Centrica , the owner of British Gas , and Scottish Power .
In Nottingham , the future of council-owned Robin Hood Energy is also under review in the wake of a £24m annual loss disclosed in March .
The decision to seek a buyer for Bristol Energy 's customer book comes amid expectations of a wave of customer defaults across the energy sector as the finances of consumers and businesses feel the strain of the coronavirus pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and competition exacerbated by regulator Ofgem 's introduction of a price cap have already forced dozens of smaller operators out of business .
The customer books of collapsed suppliers have invariably been reallocated to big six players such as EDF Energy and Ovo Energy , which was catapulted into the ranks of the industry 's biggest players through the £500m takeover of SSE 's retail business .
Energy UK , the industry association , recently asked the government to agree to an emergency loan scheme that would help customers requiring payment holidays .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Energy and Industrial Strategy said it had reached agreement with the industry to temporarily stop disconnecting customers using pre-payment meters .
`` This is a worrying time for people across the country and we would expect energy companies to take the current circumstances into account as they carry out their business , '' a government spokesman said .
In a statement issued to Sky News , a Bristol City Council spokesperson said : `` Ernst and Young has been commissioned to provide professional advice to the council by undertaking a full and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and future business viability .
`` A key objective is to mitigate the extent of any additional funding requirement from the Council beyond the existing agreed funding envelope . ''
Marvin Rees , the Bristol mayor , recently criticised the decision to establish Bristol Energy as `` not sensible '' .

A local authority which has spent tens of millions of pounds of council taxpayers' money trying to build a nationwide energy supplier is admitting defeat by putting it up for sale.
Sky News has learnt that Bristol City Council has appointed advisers to begin a process of finding a buyer for lossmaking Bristol Energy's customer book.
Sources said on Monday that any sale would recoup only "a proportion" of the estimated £35m that has been ploughed into the business by the council since Bristol Energy launched in 2011.
Image: Smaller energy operators are suffering weak margins as wholesale costs plunge
EY, the accountancy firm, has been appointed to handle the sale process.
The company had just over 100,000 customers earlier this year, but boasted that it had taken "a significant step on its journey to becoming a wholly green energy supplier, launching three new 100% green electricity and lower carbon gas tariffs, with a focus on sourcing energy from local wind and solar farms".
One source said prospective buyers of the customer book had begun being contacted by EY to gauge their appetite for a deal.
The emergence of the sale plan will raise renewed questions about the decisions of a string of local authorities around the UK to compete with energy industry behemoths such as Centrica, the owner of British Gas, and Scottish Power.
In Nottingham, the future of council-owned Robin Hood Energy is also under review in the wake of a £24m annual loss disclosed in March.
The decision to seek a buyer for Bristol Energy's customer book comes amid expectations of a wave of customer defaults across the energy sector as the finances of consumers and businesses feel the strain of the coronavirus pandemic.
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A squeeze on energy suppliers' margins and competition exacerbated by regulator Ofgem's introduction of a price cap have already forced dozens of smaller operators out of business.
The customer books of collapsed suppliers have invariably been reallocated to big six players such as EDF Energy and Ovo Energy, which was catapulted into the ranks of the industry's biggest players through the £500m takeover of SSE's retail business.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:09 The process of getting back to work
Energy UK, the industry association, recently asked the government to agree to an emergency loan scheme that would help customers requiring payment holidays.
Last month, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said it had reached agreement with the industry to temporarily stop disconnecting customers using pre-payment meters.
"This is a worrying time for people across the country and we would expect energy companies to take the current circumstances into account as they carry out their business," a government spokesman said.
In a statement issued to Sky News, a Bristol City Council spokesperson said: "Ernst and Young has been commissioned to provide professional advice to the council by undertaking a full and thorough assessment of Bristol Energy's structure and future business viability.
"A key objective is to mitigate the extent of any additional funding requirement from the Council beyond the existing agreed funding envelope."
Marvin Rees, the Bristol mayor, recently criticised the decision to establish Bristol Energy as "not sensible".


news--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: Food-to-go supplier Adelie seeks rescue bid from rival

One of the UK 's biggest suppliers of food to coffee shops and supermarkets is in talks with rivals about a rescue takeover .
Sky News has learnt that Adelie Foods , which employs more than 2,000 people , has approached Bakkavor and Greencore , the listed food giants , about a deal .
It also held talks with Samworths , the other major privately owned operator in the sector , prior to the COVID-19 outbreak .
Sources said on Monday that talks were ongoing and that a sale could be secured within days .
Adelie has been owned by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , since 2016 , after it lost key contracts with Asda and J Sainsbury .
The business is a supplier to coffee shop chains including Caffè Nero and supermarkets such as Aldi .
Britain 's food-to-go market has been hit hard by the coronavirus lockdown , with coffee shops forced to close for the last six weeks , depriving suppliers of a big chunk of their trade .
A large chunk of Adelie 's employee base has been furloughed under the government 's Job Retention Scheme .
The race to find a buyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the accountancy firm .
Adelie could not be reached for comment on Monday , while Bakkavor and Greencore declined to comment .
A Samworths spokeswoman said it was not in any ongoing talks about a deal .

One of the UK's biggest suppliers of food to coffee shops and supermarkets is in talks with rivals about a rescue takeover.
Sky News has learnt that Adelie Foods, which employs more than 2,000 people, has approached Bakkavor and Greencore, the listed food giants, about a deal.
It also held talks with Samworths, the other major privately owned operator in the sector, prior to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Sources said on Monday that talks were ongoing and that a sale could be secured within days.
Adelie has been owned by Intermediate Capital Group, its former lender, since 2016, after it lost key contracts with Asda and J Sainsbury.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:09 The process of getting back to work
The business is a supplier to coffee shop chains including Caffè Nero and supermarkets such as Aldi.
Britain's food-to-go market has been hit hard by the coronavirus lockdown, with coffee shops forced to close for the last six weeks, depriving suppliers of a big chunk of their trade.
A large chunk of Adelie's employee base has been furloughed under the government's Job Retention Scheme.
The race to find a buyer for Adelie is being handled by Deloitte, the accountancy firm.
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Adelie could not be reached for comment on Monday, while Bakkavor and Greencore declined to comment.
A Samworths spokeswoman said it was not in any ongoing talks about a deal.


news--2020-05-04--Coronavirus could flare up again or burn out like a firework - professor

The coronavirus outbreak could be similar to a smouldering fire whose embers could `` flare up '' again - or it may have burnt out like a firework , according to one expert .
The comments were made on a YouTube live-stream from a group of scientists trying to provide independent analysis of the COVID-19 crisis .
Professor Karl Friston , a renowned neuroscientist , was explaining how a second wave of infections might happen when lockdown restrictions are eased .
He explained : `` One can frame the immediate issue as how would a fireman respond to a fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could consider : you think you 've put the fire out and the firemen go home - and yet there are little embers that will flare up again if they leave prematurely .
This would be the flare-up analogy . ''
But the University College London expert said another strong possibility was that `` we 've witnessed a firework or an explosion and all that can be burned has been burned '' .
He said : `` It crucially depends on the divide between are we dealing with a fire that 's been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep on returning and quashing the embers to prevent a second flare up .
`` Or , have we actually witnessed what has happened and now we have entered this window of opportunity where the explosion has happened and there 's going to now be a replenishing of combustible material as we lose immunity . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Prof Friston said it was not yet known if immunity to the virus could be lost but that it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to be immune after the current `` first wave '' .
He said a random antibody test of around 5,000 people would give scientists `` a very good handle '' on the question .
Prof Friston is one of 12 experts from different scientific fields on the so-called `` rival SAGE '' , a reference to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies .
SAGE is the group advising the government on its coronavirus response and is co-chaired by Sir Patrick Vallance and Prof Chris Whitty , familiar faces from the daily Downing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been accused of not being open and transparent in how it operates .
The names of its members were released on Monday after weeks of pressure from critics , but the details of their discussions have been withheld .
The `` rival '' group was set up by Sir David King , the government 's chief science adviser from 2000 to 2007 .
It will look at matters such as how successful testing and tracing can be achieved , what social distancing measures will be needed in future , and whether shielding @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The coronavirus outbreak could be similar to a smouldering fire whose embers could "flare up" again - or it may have burnt out like a firework, according to one expert.
The comments were made on a YouTube live-stream from a group of scientists trying to provide independent analysis of the COVID-19 crisis.
Professor Karl Friston, a renowned neuroscientist, was explaining how a second wave of infections might happen when lockdown restrictions are eased.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:23 Health sec outlines how new app will work
He explained: "One can frame the immediate issue as how would a fireman respond to a fire.
"There are two scenarios one could consider: you think you've put the fire out and the firemen go home - and yet there are little embers that will flare up again if they leave prematurely. This would be the flare-up analogy."
But the University College London expert said another strong possibility was that "we've witnessed a firework or an explosion and all that can be burned has been burned".
He said: "It crucially depends on the divide between are we dealing with a fire that's been partially put out and we have to keep on returning and quashing the embers to prevent a second flare up.
"Or, have we actually witnessed what has happened and now we have entered this window of opportunity where the explosion has happened and there's going to now be a replenishing of combustible material as we lose immunity."
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
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Prof Friston said it was not yet known if immunity to the virus could be lost but that it was vital to know how many people are likely to be immune after the current "first wave".
He said a random antibody test of around 5,000 people would give scientists "a very good handle" on the question.
Prof Friston is one of 12 experts from different scientific fields on the so-called "rival SAGE", a reference to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies.
SAGE is the group advising the government on its coronavirus response and is co-chaired by Sir Patrick Vallance and Prof Chris Whitty, familiar faces from the daily Downing Street briefings.
However, the group has been accused of not being open and transparent in how it operates.
Image: Professor Friston is one of 12 people on the 'rival SAGE' group
The names of its members were released on Monday after weeks of pressure from critics, but the details of their discussions have been withheld.
The "rival" group was set up by Sir David King, the government's chief science adviser from 2000 to 2007.
It will look at matters such as how successful testing and tracing can be achieved, what social distancing measures will be needed in future, and whether shielding of vulnerable groups has been sufficient.


news--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: European virus hotspots see record lows in numbers of new cases

Some countries are preparing to ease coronavirus restrictions after record lows in the numbers of new cases .
France , Italy and Spain have registered the lowest daily death tolls for weeks : France reported 135 deaths ; Spain 's 164 was the lowest figure since mid-March ; and Italy 's 174 was the lowest in two months .
In Italy , which had some of the world 's most severe restrictions , one of the first steps towards normal life comes today , with the reopening of parks and public gardens .
More businesses have been allowed to resume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to move around their towns and cities .
Italy has been in lockdown since 10 March and , with 28,884 deaths , it is still the worst-hit in Europe , although the UK is rapidly approaching that point .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker More than 210,000 people have tested positive for the virus .
In Spain , social distancing rules remain in place but many people have been able to venture outside for the first time since lockdown began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become compulsory on public transport from today .
Spain has lost 25,264 people to the virus .
France , with 24,864 deaths , will gradually lift lockdown measures from 11 May and is preparing to bring in compulsory quarantine for travellers who arrive from outside Britain or Europe 's Schengen open-border area .
The two-week requirement will apply to all arrivals , whether they are French or foreign , as part of a bill which extends the country 's state of emergency until 24 July .
French government spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at risk '' would soon be issued , without giving details .
In New Zealand , there were zero new cases recorded in a 24-hour period for the first time in weeks , with the number of confirmed cases remaining at 1,137 .
Twenty people have died .
The country began its lockdown on 16 March with the ambitious goal of eliminating the virus and , while several social restrictions remain in place with most people still working and studying from home , some economic activity has resumed .
Consideration is being given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would allow movement of people between New Zealand and Australia , which has had about 6,800 infections and 95 deaths .
• Eurostar says all its passengers must wear face masks from today at both its trains and its stations .
Passengers without a mask could be refused travel • Belgium is starting the first phase of ending the lockdown there • In Afghanistan 's capital Kabul , a third of 500 people randomly tested were shown to have the virus • India 's lockdown has been extended to 17 May but some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains banned and schools , hotels , restaurants , bars , shopping malls , cinemas and places of worship are closed • Russia has almost 135,000 confirmed cases , with a death toll of 1,280 , as concern grows that hospitals in Moscow could be overwhelmed • Japan , with around 15,000 infections and more than 500 deaths , is expected to extend its state of emergency this week , although some restrictions on economic activity could be relaxed and parks reopened • The number of confirmed cases worldwide has passed 3.5 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q & A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock .
You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News .
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary @ sky.uk

Some countries are preparing to ease coronavirus restrictions after record lows in the numbers of new cases.
France, Italy and Spain have registered the lowest daily death tolls for weeks: France reported 135 deaths; Spain's 164 was the lowest figure since mid-March; and Italy's 174 was the lowest in two months.
In Italy, which had some of the world's most severe restrictions, one of the first steps towards normal life comes today, with the reopening of parks and public gardens.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:46 How Germany is adjusting to life post-lockdown
More businesses have been allowed to resume trading and people are allowed more freedom to move around their towns and cities.
Italy has been in lockdown since 10 March and, with 28,884 deaths, it is still the worst-hit in Europe, although the UK is rapidly approaching that point.
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 Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
More than 210,000 people have tested positive for the virus.
In Spain, social distancing rules remain in place but many people have been able to venture outside for the first time since lockdown began there on 14 March.
Masks will become compulsory on public transport from today.
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Spain has lost 25,264 people to the virus.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:57 India's armed forces thank the country's healthcare workers
France, with 24,864 deaths, will gradually lift lockdown measures from 11 May and is preparing to bring in compulsory quarantine for travellers who arrive from outside Britain or Europe's Schengen open-border area.
The two-week requirement will apply to all arrivals, whether they are French or foreign, as part of a bill which extends the country's state of emergency until 24 July.
French government spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye said on Sunday that a list of "countries at risk" would soon be issued, without giving details.
Image: The Christ the Redeemer statue is illuminated 'wearing a face mask' in Brazil
In New Zealand, there were zero new cases recorded in a 24-hour period for the first time in weeks, with the number of confirmed cases remaining at 1,137. Twenty people have died.
The country began its lockdown on 16 March with the ambitious goal of eliminating the virus and, while several social restrictions remain in place with most people still working and studying from home, some economic activity has resumed.
Consideration is being given to a trans-Tasman "bubble" which would allow movement of people between New Zealand and Australia, which has had about 6,800 infections and 95 deaths.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:47 Brazilian mayor wants Greta Thunberg's help
Around the world:
Eurostar says all its passengers must wear face masks from today at both its trains and its stations. Passengers without a mask could be refused travel
Belgium is starting the first phase of ending the lockdown there
In Afghanistan's capital Kabul, a third of 500 people randomly tested were shown to have the virus
India's lockdown has been extended to 17 May but some relaxations apply from today. Most travel remains banned and schools, hotels, restaurants, bars, shopping malls, cinemas and places of worship are closed
Russia has almost 135,000 confirmed cases, with a death toll of 1,280, as concern grows that hospitals in Moscow could be overwhelmed
Japan, with around 15,000 infections and more than 500 deaths, is expected to extend its state of emergency this week, although some restrictions on economic activity could be relaxed and parks reopened
The number of confirmed cases worldwide has passed 3.5 million, with almost 250,000 deaths
This week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q&A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock. You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News.
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary@sky.uk


news--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: New Zealand had no new cases on Monday. What has it done right?

New Zealand reported no new cases of COVID-19 on Monday - indicating that the country 's bold strategy for trying to eliminate the coronavirus is working .
The country has recorded almost 1,500 cases and 20 deaths since COVID-19 arrived .
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been widely praised for her empathetic leadership style , with the public encouraged to `` be kind '' and `` stay calm '' as strict quarantine and lockdown measures were put in place .
Here , we take a look at how the Pacific island nation managed to slow the spread of coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
The government 's approach to the outbreak was reportedly influenced by a scientific paper from Imperial College London .
The paper found stringent measures of `` epidemic suppression '' were needed to tackle the virus - including social distancing , isolating cases at home , and quarantining family members .
In mid-March , Ms Ardern said everyone coming into New Zealand would have to self-isolate for two weeks .
It was among the earliest and toughest self-isolation measures in the world , and came when just six cases were reported nationwide .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of almost five million people , went on to close its borders from Thursday 19 March .
A complete lockdown was imposed six days later .
The `` level four '' restrictions meant only grocery shops , pharmacies , hospitals and petrol stations remained open .
Vehicle travel was restricted , and social interaction was limited to within households .
New Zealand also enforced an extensive testing and contact tracing operation .
How did the public respond to the measures ?
New Zealanders are said to have taken the lockdown seriously from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highways seen across the country .
Sue Webster , an Airbnb owner in New Zealand , told National Geographic : `` I think it 's easier for us Kiwis to fall in line because we trust our leaders . ''
When was it clear the measures were working ?
In late April , Ms Ardern said the virus was `` currently '' eliminated as community transmission of COVID-19 had been stopped .
However , she later warned that `` elimination does n't mean zero cases '' .
New Zealand reported it had no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
How has New Zealand 's prime minister handled the crisis ?
Ms Ardern has been praised for her decisiveness - telling New Zealanders `` we go hard , we go early '' in the days before the lockdown .
Helen Clark , New Zealand 's prime minister from 1999 to 2008 , told The Atlantic that Ms Ardern `` does n't preach at them , she 's standing with them '' in relation to how she communicates with the public .
She said : `` They may even think , well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government ) did that , but I know she 's got our back .
`` There 's a high level of trust and confidence in her because of her empathy . ''
Ms Clark described Ms Ardern as a `` communicator '' , adding : `` This is the kind of crisis which will make or break leaders .
`` And this will make Jacinda . ''
Ms Ardern went on Facebook Live shortly after the lockdown saying she wanted to `` check in with everyone '' .
The government 's message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with some reading : `` Be kind , stay calm . ''
Ms Ardern 's intention was clear as she said at one of her daily briefings : `` We have the opportunity to do something no other country has achieved : elimination of the virus . ''
She also achieved an almost record-breaking approval rating while the country was in lockdown , the New Zealand Herald reports .
A poll showed that the prime minister 's Labour Party had reached 55 % approval .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spotify , Spreaker What is life like in New Zealand now ?
The lockdown rules were eased a little last week to help reopen the economy , but many restrictions remain in place .
Many businesses - including most retail stores and sit-down restaurants - remain closed , most children are learning from home , and people are required to maintain social distancing .
Consideration is also being given to a trans-Tasman `` bubble '' which would allow movement of people between New Zealand and Australia .
Australia has had about 6,800 infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decision would be made next Monday on whether to ease the rules further .
She said : `` We can not afford to squander the good work to date when our end goal is so close and within reach . ''
New Zealand can not afford to be complacent despite recording no new cases of COVID-19 .
Countries such as Singapore are said to have struggled with a second wave of infections despite appearing to have the virus under control .
There is also the threat of the virus arriving from overseas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be in place for some time .

New Zealand reported no new cases of COVID-19 on Monday - indicating that the country's bold strategy for trying to eliminate the coronavirus is working.
The country has recorded almost 1,500 cases and 20 deaths since COVID-19 arrived.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been widely praised for her empathetic leadership style, with the public encouraged to "be kind" and "stay calm" as strict quarantine and lockdown measures were put in place.
Here, we take a look at how the Pacific island nation managed to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Image: Auckland's motorways lay empty on the final day of New Zealand's 'level four' lockdown
What has been New Zealand's strategy?
The government's approach to the outbreak was reportedly influenced by a scientific paper from Imperial College London.
The paper found stringent measures of "epidemic suppression" were needed to tackle the virus - including social distancing, isolating cases at home, and quarantining family members.
In mid-March, Ms Ardern said everyone coming into New Zealand would have to self-isolate for two weeks.
It was among the earliest and toughest self-isolation measures in the world, and came when just six cases were reported nationwide.
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Image: New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been praised for her empathetic leadership style
New Zealand, which has a population of almost five million people, went on to close its borders from Thursday 19 March.
A complete lockdown was imposed six days later.
The "level four" restrictions meant only grocery shops, pharmacies, hospitals and petrol stations remained open.
Vehicle travel was restricted, and social interaction was limited to within households.
New Zealand also enforced an extensive testing and contact tracing operation.
Image: The public in Wellington largely adhered to lockdown rules
How did the public respond to the measures?
New Zealanders are said to have taken the lockdown seriously from the first day, with empty streets and highways seen across the country.
Sue Webster, an Airbnb owner in New Zealand, told National Geographic: "I think it's easier for us Kiwis to fall in line because we trust our leaders."
When was it clear the measures were working?
In late April, Ms Ardern said the virus was "currently" eliminated as community transmission of COVID-19 had been stopped.
However, she later warned that "elimination doesn't mean zero cases".
New Zealand reported it had no new cases of the virus on Monday.
Image: Shoppers queue up outside a food store in keeping with social distancing rules
How has New Zealand's prime minister handled the crisis?
Ms Ardern has been praised for her decisiveness - telling New Zealanders "we go hard, we go early" in the days before the lockdown.
Helen Clark, New Zealand's prime minister from 1999 to 2008, told The Atlantic that Ms Ardern "doesn't preach at them, she's standing with them" in relation to how she communicates with the public.
She said: "They may even think, well, I don't quite understand why (the government) did that, but I know she's got our back.
"There's a high level of trust and confidence in her because of her empathy."
Ms Clark described Ms Ardern as a "communicator", adding: "This is the kind of crisis which will make or break leaders.
"And this will make Jacinda."
Image: Nightlife has ground to a halt in New Zealand
Ms Ardern went on Facebook Live shortly after the lockdown saying she wanted to "check in with everyone".
The government's message has also spread to road signs, with some reading: "Be kind, stay calm."
Ms Ardern's intention was clear as she said at one of her daily briefings: "We have the opportunity to do something no other country has achieved: elimination of the virus."
She also achieved an almost record-breaking approval rating while the country was in lockdown, the New Zealand Herald reports.
A poll showed that the prime minister's Labour Party had reached 55% approval.
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What is life like in New Zealand now?
The lockdown rules were eased a little last week to help reopen the economy, but many restrictions remain in place.
Many businesses - including most retail stores and sit-down restaurants - remain closed, most children are learning from home, and people are required to maintain social distancing.
Consideration is also being given to a trans-Tasman "bubble" which would allow movement of people between New Zealand and Australia.
Australia has had about 6,800 infections and 95 deaths.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:41 Huge queues for McDonald's in NZ
Ms Ardern said a decision would be made next Monday on whether to ease the rules further.
She said: "We cannot afford to squander the good work to date when our end goal is so close and within reach."
New Zealand cannot afford to be complacent despite recording no new cases of COVID-19.
Countries such as Singapore are said to have struggled with a second wave of infections despite appearing to have the virus under control.
There is also the threat of the virus arriving from overseas, meaning restrictions on arrivals are likely to be in place for some time.


news--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: Documents reveal how workplaces might change when lockdown is eased

Staggering shift times , reducing face-to-face interaction and keeping lifts half-empty are some of the workplace measures the government is considering as it looks to ease the lockdown .
Seven government documents , drawn up by cabinet office minister Michael Gove and business secretary Alok Sharma , have revealed what guidance will be given as people are allowed to gradually return to work .
Boris Johnson is expected to announce the relaxation of some of the coronavirus lockdown measures this week .
According to the draft documents , businesses with more than five employees must provide a risk assessment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to reopen .
Shielded `` extremely vulnerable '' people - such as those with various cancers or severe respiratory conditions - will still have to work from home , and non-shielded `` vulnerable '' people should still work from home wherever possible .
Those who are able to work from home should continue to do so .
The guidance states : `` It will not always be possible to keep a distance of 2m .
In these circumstances both employers and employees must do everything they reasonably can to reduce risk .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers will not be forced into an unsafe workplace , '' it adds .
Below is the guidance for a number of sectors .
• Provide equipment for staff to work effectively and safely from home where possible • Face employees away from each other or side-to-side where possible , so they are not face-to-face : : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker • Provide staff with packaged meals instead of using canteens • Provide handwashing facilities or hand sanitisers at entrances and exits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so staff work further apart and reduce face-to-face interaction • Reduce maximum occupancy for lifts and regulate use of corridors , lifts and staircases • Provide hand sanitiser for the operation of lifts and encourage the use of stairs • Monitor the wellbeing of colleagues working from home and offer support • Get staff to change into uniforms on site , provide storage for clothes and bags , and wash uniforms on site rather than at home • Have separate entry and exit points to the building , and introduce one-way flow routes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points • Use floor tape or paint to mark out two-metre distances • Reduce job and location rotation - this could involve assigning employees to specific floors • Provide protective screening for staff in receptions or similar areas • Use screens to create physical barriers between people where possible • Provide alternatives to touch-based security devices such as keypads • Where possible , office staff should continue to work from home , although those in roles critical for business or who can not work from home due to personal circumstances can go in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of people to be on site • Avoid transmission during meetings , for example by not sharing pens and other objects • Only absolutely necessary participants should attend meetings • Hold meetings in well-ventilated rooms , where possible • Use outside areas for breaks • Limit use of high-touch items and shared office equipment • All food and drink outlets should serve takeaways only , and seated restaurants and cafe areas must be closed • Use signage to make clear these areas are closed • Minimise the number of people in kitchens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other workers , including during breaks • Space workstations two metres apart as much as possible • Consider cleanable panels to separate workstations in bigger kitchens • Minimise contact at `` handover '' points with other staff , including delivery drivers • Use a `` grab and go '' service or room service for hotel guests • Avoid crowded reception areas - stagger check-in and check-out times or place two-metre markers on the floor • Carry out essential services and contractor visits at night where possible • Reduce the number of guests who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly in dormitories • Interact with guests via phone , emails and guest apps • Encourage customers to order online or via phone to avoid queues • Serve customers in walk-in takeaways with tills two metres away from the kitchen , ideally behind a screen and separated from the kitchen by a partition or wall • Limit access to premises for people waiting for takeaways .
Ask customers to wait in their cars • No work should be carried out in a household where a person is isolating or has been asked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visit to discuss how to minimise risk • Travel to the site using your own transport where possible , or limit the number of people per vehicle if this can not be avoided • Match workers to households local to them to minimise transportation • Workers should bring their own food and take breaks outside • Limit time spent in close proximity to no more than 15 minutes • Identify busy areas across the household where people travel to , from or through , for example , stairs and corridors • Ask that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Allocate the same worker to the same household each time there is a visit • Limit the number of workers in a confined space • Limit the number of people in company vehicles • Clean equipment , tools and vehicles after each use and at the end of each shift • Remove waste at the end of a shift • Provide hand sanitiser for employees to use while boarding vehicles or handling deliveries • Define the number of customers that can reasonably follow two-metre social distancing within the store , taking into account @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of customers at any one time • Suspend customer services which can not comply with social distancing • Update plans for store traffic and queue management , and use outside areas for queuing such as car parks • Shopping centres should regulate the number of customers • Inform customers who are accompanied by children that they are responsible for supervising them at all times • Continue to keep customer restaurants and/or cafes closed until further notice , unless offering hot or cold food to be consumed off the premises • Only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work or supervision should physically attend • In an emergency ( for example , an accident , fire , break-in or trespass ) , people do not have to stay two metres apart if it would be unsafe • Provide signage to inform the public what work is taking place and to remind them to maintain social distancing • Provide any necessary training for people who act as hosts for visitors • Reduce the number of employees at base depots or distribution centres • Avoid interacting with the driver when loading goods onto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exchange of documentation • Make sure the same people are paired together if they must be in close proximity • Have drivers stay in their vehicles if possible • Prepare for goods to be dropped off to a previously agreed area to avoid transmission , eg .
click and collect • Keep hand sanitiser or wipes within vehicles

Staggering shift times, reducing face-to-face interaction and keeping lifts half-empty are some of the workplace measures the government is considering as it looks to ease the lockdown.
Seven government documents, drawn up by cabinet office minister Michael Gove and business secretary Alok Sharma, have revealed what guidance will be given as people are allowed to gradually return to work.
Boris Johnson is expected to announce the relaxation of some of the coronavirus lockdown measures this week.
According to the draft documents, businesses with more than five employees must provide a risk assessment of working conditions if they are to be able to reopen.
Shielded "extremely vulnerable" people - such as those with various cancers or severe respiratory conditions - will still have to work from home, and non-shielded "vulnerable" people should still work from home wherever possible.
Those who are able to work from home should continue to do so.
The guidance states: "It will not always be possible to keep a distance of 2m. In these circumstances both employers and employees must do everything they reasonably can to reduce risk."
"The government is clear that workers will not be forced into an unsafe workplace," it adds.
Below is the guidance for a number of sectors.
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General guidance for all workplaces
Provide equipment for staff to work effectively and safely from home where possible
Face employees away from each other or side-to-side where possible, so they are not face-to-face
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Stagger shifts and break times
Provide staff with packaged meals instead of using canteens
Provide handwashing facilities or hand sanitisers at entrances and exits
Change seating, tables and layouts so staff work further apart and reduce face-to-face interaction
Reduce maximum occupancy for lifts and regulate use of corridors, lifts and staircases
Provide hand sanitiser for the operation of lifts and encourage the use of stairs
Monitor the wellbeing of colleagues working from home and offer support
Get staff to change into uniforms on site, provide storage for clothes and bags, and wash uniforms on site rather than at home
Have separate entry and exit points to the building, and introduce one-way flow routes
Reduce congestion by having more entry points
Use floor tape or paint to mark out two-metre distances
Discourage non-essential trips within buildings and sites
Reduce job and location rotation - this could involve assigning employees to specific floors
Provide more parking or bike racks
Provide protective screening for staff in receptions or similar areas
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:41 Businesses fear lockdown lift
Use screens to create physical barriers between people where possible
Provide alternatives to touch-based security devices such as keypads
Offices
Where possible, office staff should continue to work from home, although those in roles critical for business or who cannot work from home due to personal circumstances can go in
Businesses should plan for the minimum number of people to be on site
Avoid use of hot desks
Use remote working tools to avoid in-person meetings
Avoid transmission during meetings, for example by not sharing pens and other objects
Only absolutely necessary participants should attend meetings
Provide hand sanitation in meeting rooms
Hold meetings in well-ventilated rooms, where possible
Use outside areas for breaks
Image: Only essential shops are currently allowed to stay open
Limit use of high-touch items and shared office equipment
Hotels and restaurants
All food and drink outlets should serve takeaways only, and seated restaurants and cafe areas must be closed
Bar areas must be closed
Use signage to make clear these areas are closed
Minimise the number of people in kitchens and reduce interaction between kitchen workers and other workers, including during breaks
Space workstations two metres apart as much as possible
Consider cleanable panels to separate workstations in bigger kitchens
Minimise access to walk-in pantries, fridges and freezers
Minimise contact at "handover" points with other staff, including delivery drivers
Use a "grab and go" service or room service for hotel guests
Provide hand sanitiser for visitors
Avoid crowded reception areas - stagger check-in and check-out times or place two-metre markers on the floor
Carry out essential services and contractor visits at night where possible
Reduce the number of guests who can stay in a single room, particularly in dormitories
Interact with guests via phone, emails and guest apps
Encourage customers to order online or via phone to avoid queues
Serve customers in walk-in takeaways with tills two metres away from the kitchen, ideally behind a screen and separated from the kitchen by a partition or wall
Use contactless payments
Mark out two-metre distances for customers queuing
Enhance cleaning and providing signage on good hygiene practices
Limit access to premises for people waiting for takeaways. Ask customers to wait in their cars
Workers in other people's homes
No work should be carried out in a household where a person is isolating or has been asked to shield
Avoid face-to-face contact with vulnerable people in households
Contact households ahead of the visit to discuss how to minimise risk
Wash hands on arrival and maintain social distancing
Travel to the site using your own transport where possible, or limit the number of people per vehicle if this cannot be avoided
Match workers to households local to them to minimise transportation
Workers should bring their own food and take breaks outside
Limit time spent in close proximity to no more than 15 minutes
Identify busy areas across the household where people travel to, from or through, for example, stairs and corridors
Ask that households leave all internal doors open
Allocate the same worker to the same household each time there is a visit
Limit the number of workers in a confined space
Avoid direct contact where possible
Use electronic payment methods
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 5:27 Back-to-work guidance 'really weak' - TUC
Factories and warehouses
Limit the number of people in company vehicles
Regularly clean work areas, equipment, tools, vehicles and reusable delivery boxes
Clean equipment, tools and vehicles after each use and at the end of each shift
Regularly clean objects and services
Service and adjust ventilation systems
Remove waste at the end of a shift
Provide hand sanitiser for employees to use while boarding vehicles or handling deliveries
Minimise use of portable toilets
Keep a record of visitors
Shops and branches
Define the number of customers that can reasonably follow two-metre social distancing within the store, taking into account total floorspace and busy areas
Limit the number of customers at any one time
Image: Shops in cities and towns across the UK have been closed since lockdown measures were introduced
Suspend customer services which cannot comply with social distancing
Encourage customers to shop alone
Update plans for store traffic and queue management, and use outside areas for queuing such as car parks
Shopping centres should regulate the number of customers
Inform customers who are accompanied by children that they are responsible for supervising them at all times
Continue to keep customer restaurants and/or cafes closed until further notice, unless offering hot or cold food to be consumed off the premises
Provide guidance to people on arrival
Restock/replenish outside of store operating hours
Working outdoors
Only workers deemed necessary to carry out physical work or supervision should physically attend
In an emergency (for example, an accident, fire, break-in or trespass), people do not have to stay two metres apart if it would be unsafe
Provide signage to inform the public what work is taking place and to remind them to maintain social distancing
Provide any necessary training for people who act as hosts for visitors
Working in a vehicle
Make sure vehicles are well-ventilated
Reduce the number of employees at base depots or distribution centres
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:59 How lockdown fatigue is setting in


news--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: 'Anger and resentment' if only some people are let out of lockdown early

Allowing some people to leave lockdown early could undermine collective solidarity and lead to a build-up of anger and resentment , a behavioural psychologist has warned .
Susan Michie , director of the Centre for Behaviour Change at University College London , said selective easing of the measures could alienate people who are forced to remain at home .
Professor Michie was speaking at the first meeting live-streamed on YouTube of an independent panel set up to rival the government 's secretive Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies ( SAGE ) .
She said : `` In the lockdown , similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole population , by and large .
`` But what we 're going to be seeing is different measures for different sections of the population .
`` If it 's not handled well , it risks potential division between groups , risks perceived inequality and injustice and unfairness , which can lead to resentment and anger and people getting alienated from the collective and what 's being asked of them . ''
Prof Michie said older and vulnerable people may be asked to stay at home for longer while others are allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people will have to resume a household lockdown if they are found to have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 .
They will need financial security , she said .
The `` Independent SAGE '' was convened by former government chief scientist Professor Sir David King .
He has warned that public trust in science is being undermined by the secrecy shrouding the government committee .
The names of members were released on Monday after weeks of pressure from critics , but the details of their discussions have been withheld .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In their first meeting , they questioned whether the government 's policy was to suppress the virus or manage its spread .
They also highlighted the paucity of evidence on immunity , yet that 's critical in predicting the likelihood of a second wave of the disease .
But the committee failed to offer the government any new advice .
Sir David told Sky News : `` This was a two-and-a-half to three-hour meeting and it is only just completed .
We have n't been able to go through in detail all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understood by anybody who watched it was what science in progress looks like , the peer review system where people are challenging each other .
`` The important thing here is to demonstrate in an open way how these scientific discussions take place . ''
David Davis MP , who has criticised the lack of transparency in the government committee , said the independent group 's deliberations had been a success .
`` Science is about contesting ideas arbitrated by facts and that was exactly what was happening today , '' he said @

Allowing some people to leave lockdown early could undermine collective solidarity and lead to a build-up of anger and resentment, a behavioural psychologist has warned.
Susan Michie, director of the Centre for Behaviour Change at University College London, said selective easing of the measures could alienate people who are forced to remain at home.
Professor Michie was speaking at the first meeting live-streamed on YouTube of an independent panel set up to rival the government's secretive Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE).
Image: The UK has been in lockdown since 23 March
She said: "In the lockdown, similar measures were being carried out across the whole population, by and large.
"But what we're going to be seeing is different measures for different sections of the population.
"If it's not handled well, it risks potential division between groups, risks perceived inequality and injustice and unfairness, which can lead to resentment and anger and people getting alienated from the collective and what's being asked of them."
Prof Michie said older and vulnerable people may be asked to stay at home for longer while others are allowed to return to work and socialise.
And people will have to resume a household lockdown if they are found to have been in contact with someone with COVID-19.
They will need financial security, she said.
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Image: Older and vulnerable people may be asked to stay at home for longer while others are allowed to return to work and socialise
The "Independent SAGE" was convened by former government chief scientist Professor Sir David King.
He has warned that public trust in science is being undermined by the secrecy shrouding the government committee.
The names of members were released on Monday after weeks of pressure from critics, but the details of their discussions have been withheld.
The independent group consisted of 12 experts. In their first meeting, they questioned whether the government's policy was to suppress the virus or manage its spread.
They also highlighted the paucity of evidence on immunity, yet that's critical in predicting the likelihood of a second wave of the disease.
But the committee failed to offer the government any new advice.
Sir David told Sky News: "This was a two-and-a-half to three-hour meeting and it is only just completed. We haven't been able to go through in detail all the discussions.
"But what would be understood by anybody who watched it was what science in progress looks like, the peer review system where people are challenging each other.
"The important thing here is to demonstrate in an open way how these scientific discussions take place."
David Davis MP, who has criticised the lack of transparency in the government committee, said the independent group's deliberations had been a success.
"Science is about contesting ideas arbitrated by facts and that was exactly what was happening today," he said.