news--2020-05-16--Coronavirus: National park visitors surge despite plea to stay away from beauty spots

For the first time in eight weeks , people in England have been able to enjoy a little extra freedom after lockdown measures were eased - but they were told to stay away from some beauty spots .
The Peak District National Park was among a number of attractions urging the public not to visit on Saturday because overcrowding was making social distancing harder .
Officials said the Langsett area at the north-eastern edge of the park was `` extremely busy '' on Saturday morning .
On Twitter , park bosses said : `` This area is reported to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and social distancing difficult .
`` Please do n't travel to the area or park outside of designated bays . ''
The Yorkshire Dales , meanwhile , introduced a traffic light system to inform visitors how busy its car parks were .
By Saturday afternoon , Malham car park , near the popular attraction Malham Cove , was marked red to indicate it was full , while other locations were marked amber to show they were filling up fast .
Since Wednesday , people have no longer been limited to one opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that had been in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus .
They can also drive to beaches and national parks in England , alone or with members of the same household , and can meet up with one other person from a different household , as long as it is in a park or outdoor space and both individuals are at least two metres apart from each other .
On Friday night , a group of eight people were handed COVID-19 fixed penalty notices in the Dales after police found them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in Swaledale .
North Yorkshire Police said the group had travelled from West Yorkshire and were from six different households .
Anyone hitting the road is benefiting from the lowest fuel prices since 2016 , with an average of 107.5p per litre for petrol and 114.8p per litre for diesel .
This , along with good weather and the easing of the lockdown , was expected to see around 15 million drivers head onto the roads over the weekend .
The number was based on a survey by the RAC , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers to be higher .
He said : `` In normal times , the weather warming up in time for the weekend would spell traffic jams on routes leading to tourist hotspots .
`` These figures suggest that 's less likely this weekend , with the vast majority of drivers we surveyed not jumping at the chance to drive very much further afield .
`` Most are choosing to stay very local indeed or even not getting in the car in the first place , which bodes well for control of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have warned that the rate of virus infection is creeping up and if that rate - known as the R value - gets any higher , lockdown measures may have to be toughened again .
This and fear of being overwhelmed by crowds have prompted some popular regions to issue warnings .
People have been told to remember the importance of social distancing and to continue to avoid large gatherings .
On Thursday , Cleveland Police and North Yorkshire Police issued statements alongside the North York Moors National Park Authority warning that most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Assistant Chief Constable Mike Walker , of Cleveland Police , said : `` Please think carefully about where you are going and how you will be able to keep your distance from others . ''
South Downs National Park asked people to tackle pollution by keeping visits to the park car-free and Sussex Police issued a warning on Saturday as officers carried out spot checks on vehicles on the A23 towards Brighton .
It said on Twitter : `` If you decide to travel be prepared to change your mind if your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or visit another time . ''
After the prime minister 's announcement on the changes to lockdown restrictions in England , the Lake District National Park Authority 's chief executive , Richard Leafe , told visitors `` not to rush back '' , to avoid putting pressure on the community and mountain rescue teams .
Mike France , senior executive officer of Mountain Rescue England and Wales , added : `` Just because the government says you can go out , it does n't mean you should .
`` No matter how much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in their gardens or local to home during lockdown , most of them may not be as hill fit as they were three months ago . ''
In a North Somerset Council news release entitled `` Wish you were n't here '' , deputy leader Cllr Mike Bell said on Wednesday : `` North Somerset is not open for visitors .
We do n't want people to travel into North Somerset from outside the area for day trips and instead want to encourage them to use outdoor spaces nearer to where they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for tourists - pubs , restaurants , hotels and B & Bs are all still closed .
Our focus is on protecting the community here in North Somerset who have worked so hard to do the right thing in staying at home . ''
He added : `` This wo n't be forever though , and when the time is right we 'll be ready and waiting to give visitors a very warm welcome . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` As soon as can reopen we will and we will want people to come back to Weston-super-Mare and North Somerset . ''
But for the time being he said he would be urging the prime minister to encourage people to restrict their journeys to their local area and `` help to defeat the virus as soon as possible '' .
He said he did have some sympathy for those in inner city areas desperate to get out to the countryside , `` but what we have got to do is manage that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ca n't have is have 100 visitors arriving on one day '' .
`` I would encourage people in areas - urban or rural - to stay as local as possible , '' he added .
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency also warned that most beaches will not have lifeguards .
Visit Cornwall has encouraged people not to travel more than an hour from their local area , and Visit Weston-super-Mare has changed its slogan to `` do n't visit Weston-super-Mare '' .
Brighton and Hove City Council member Carmen Appich said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , please stay away for the time being . ''
Lockdown rules in Wales and Scotland have not changed and the RAC said that England 's drivers should `` regard the borders to these countries as effectively closed for leisure trips or potentially face a fine '' .

For the first time in eight weeks, people in England have been able to enjoy a little extra freedom after lockdown measures were eased - but they were told to stay away from some beauty spots.
The Peak District National Park was among a number of attractions urging the public not to visit on Saturday because overcrowding was making social distancing harder.
Officials said the Langsett area at the north-eastern edge of the park was "extremely busy" on Saturday morning.
On Twitter, park bosses said: "This area is reported to be extremely busy with car parks currently full and social distancing difficult.
"Please don't travel to the area or park outside of designated bays."
The Yorkshire Dales, meanwhile, introduced a traffic light system to inform visitors how busy its car parks were.
By Saturday afternoon, Malham car park, near the popular attraction Malham Cove, was marked red to indicate it was full, while other locations were marked amber to show they were filling up fast.
Image: Police patrol Brighton seafront as thousands travel to the country's beauty spots
Since Wednesday, people have no longer been limited to one opportunity to exercise outdoors each day, a rule that had been in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
They can also drive to beaches and national parks in England, alone or with members of the same household, and can meet up with one other person from a different household, as long as it is in a park or outdoor space and both individuals are at least two metres apart from each other.
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Image: Police carry out stop checks on motorists in the Brighton area
On Friday night, a group of eight people were handed COVID-19 fixed penalty notices in the Dales after police found them camping by a fire near Surrender Bridge, in Swaledale.
North Yorkshire Police said the group had travelled from West Yorkshire and were from six different households.
Anyone hitting the road is benefiting from the lowest fuel prices since 2016, with an average of 107.5p per litre for petrol and 114.8p per litre for diesel.
This, along with good weather and the easing of the lockdown, was expected to see around 15 million drivers head onto the roads over the weekend.
The number was based on a survey by the RAC, but spokesman Rod Dennis said he was expecting numbers to be higher.
He said: "In normal times, the weather warming up in time for the weekend would spell traffic jams on routes leading to tourist hotspots.
Image: Police monitor a gathering of people at Highbury Park in Birmingham,
"These figures suggest that's less likely this weekend, with the vast majority of drivers we surveyed not jumping at the chance to drive very much further afield.
"Most are choosing to stay very local indeed or even not getting in the car in the first place, which bodes well for control of the coronavirus."
The government's scientific advisers have warned that the rate of virus infection is creeping up and if that rate - known as the R value - gets any higher, lockdown measures may have to be toughened again.
This and fear of being overwhelmed by crowds have prompted some popular regions to issue warnings.
People have been told to remember the importance of social distancing and to continue to avoid large gatherings.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:34 Coronavirus: R levels creeping up
On Thursday, Cleveland Police and North Yorkshire Police issued statements alongside the North York Moors National Park Authority warning that most facilities there will be closed this weekend.
Assistant Chief Constable Mike Walker, of Cleveland Police, said: "Please think carefully about where you are going and how you will be able to keep your distance from others."
South Downs National Park asked people to tackle pollution by keeping visits to the park car-free and Sussex Police issued a warning on Saturday as officers carried out spot checks on vehicles on the A23 towards Brighton.
It said on Twitter: "If you decide to travel be prepared to change your mind if your destination is busy. Go somewhere quieter or visit another time."
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After the prime minister's announcement on the changes to lockdown restrictions in England, the Lake District National Park Authority's chief executive, Richard Leafe, told visitors "not to rush back", to avoid putting pressure on the community and mountain rescue teams.
Mike France, senior executive officer of Mountain Rescue England and Wales, added: "Just because the government says you can go out, it doesn't mean you should.
"No matter how much exercise people have been taking at home, in their gardens or local to home during lockdown, most of them may not be as hill fit as they were three months ago."
Image: Police officers talk to a group of people who are protesting against social distancing in Newsham Park, Liverpool
In a North Somerset Council news release entitled "Wish you weren't here", deputy leader Cllr Mike Bell said on Wednesday: "North Somerset is not open for visitors. We don't want people to travel into North Somerset from outside the area for day trips and instead want to encourage them to use outdoor spaces nearer to where they live.
"We're not open for tourists - pubs, restaurants, hotels and B&Bs are all still closed. Our focus is on protecting the community here in North Somerset who have worked so hard to do the right thing in staying at home."
He added: "This won't be forever though, and when the time is right we'll be ready and waiting to give visitors a very warm welcome."
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He told Sky News on Saturday: "As soon as can reopen we will and we will want people to come back to Weston-super-Mare and North Somerset."
But for the time being he said he would be urging the prime minister to encourage people to restrict their journeys to their local area and "help to defeat the virus as soon as possible".
Image: Police speak to users of a park in Birkenhead, Merseyside
He said he did have some sympathy for those in inner city areas desperate to get out to the countryside, "but what we have got to do is manage that in an appropriate way and what we can't have is have 100 visitors arriving on one day".
"I would encourage people in areas - urban or rural - to stay as local as possible," he added.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency also warned that most beaches will not have lifeguards.
Image: People playing football despite social distancing measures still being in operation in Southwark Park, south London
Visit Cornwall has encouraged people not to travel more than an hour from their local area, and Visit Weston-super-Mare has changed its slogan to "don't visit Weston-super-Mare".
Brighton and Hove City Council member Carmen Appich said: "If you love Brighton & Hove, please stay away for the time being."
Lockdown rules in Wales and Scotland have not changed and the RAC said that England's drivers should "regard the borders to these countries as effectively closed for leisure trips or potentially face a fine".


news--2020-05-17--Coronavirus: Public support for Boris Johnson's handling of COVID-19 pandemic plummets - poll

Support for the government 's handling of coronavirus has dropped sharply since the prime minister 's address to the nation last weekend .
For the first time , more people think the government 's approach to the epidemic is going badly than is going well , according to a YouGov poll seen by Sky News .
The data shows that at the end of last week 49 % thought the government was doing badly , and 47 % that it was doing well .
This comes after weeks of the public endorsing Mr Johnson 's lockdown strategy .
Support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he gave the announcement to the nation to stay at home on 23 March , with 72 % of those polled saying the government was doing well , 21 % badly .
The figures stayed high through March , April and the start of May .
The switch will trigger alarm bells because the government needs the consent of the public more than in normal times .
The data reveals there is now a big age divide .
In all the age groups under 50 , more think the government is doing badly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 , more think the government is doing well .
There are also big regional divides .
People in London and Scotland - two areas that have seen a large number of COVID-19 cases - now think the government is doing badly .
The rest of Britain has more people saying the government has been doing well .
Also , more than one in five people who voted for the Conservative Party in December - 22 % - say Mr Johnson 's government is handling this badly .
Asked if they support or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % say they back them , while 49 % say they are opposed .
Asked how they would change them , 54 % think the changes go too far in loosening the lockdown , 8 % want restrictions eased further and 29 % say the balance is about right , while 9 % are unsure .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The public also appear to dislike being told that they should follow their `` common sense '' , something Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Only 23 % want the public to be provided with basic guidance , compared with 73 % who say more detailed guidance is needed from the government on what they can or can not do during the outbreak .
It comes as the prime minister admitted his government 's plans for easing the lockdown are causing `` frustration '' .
Mr Johnson acknowledged the situation has become more `` complex '' , but said he would trust what he called `` the good sense of the British people '' .

Support for the government's handling of coronavirus has dropped sharply since the prime minister's address to the nation last weekend.
For the first time, more people think the government's approach to the epidemic is going badly than is going well, according to a YouGov poll seen by Sky News.
The data shows that at the end of last week 49% thought the government was doing badly, and 47% that it was doing well.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:08 Majority think handling of crisis is poor
This comes after weeks of the public endorsing Mr Johnson's lockdown strategy.
Support for his handling peaked in the days after he gave the announcement to the nation to stay at home on 23 March, with 72% of those polled saying the government was doing well, 21% badly.
The figures stayed high through March, April and the start of May.
The switch will trigger alarm bells because the government needs the consent of the public more than in normal times.
The data reveals there is now a big age divide. In all the age groups under 50, more think the government is doing badly, while in all age groups over 50, more think the government is doing well. There are also big regional divides.
Image: 54% of those polled said the easing of the lockdown had gone too far
People in London and Scotland - two areas that have seen a large number of COVID-19 cases - now think the government is doing badly. The rest of Britain has more people saying the government has been doing well.
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Also, more than one in five people who voted for the Conservative Party in December - 22% - say Mr Johnson's government is handling this badly.
Image: Many of those questioned wanted more detailed advice from the government
Asked if they support or oppose the changes last weekend, 36% say they back them, while 49% say they are opposed.
Asked how they would change them, 54% think the changes go too far in loosening the lockdown, 8% want restrictions eased further and 29% say the balance is about right, while 9% are unsure.
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The public also appear to dislike being told that they should follow their "common sense", something Mr Johnson has told the nation repeatedly.
Only 23% want the public to be provided with basic guidance, compared with 73% who say more detailed guidance is needed from the government on what they can or cannot do during the outbreak.
It comes as the prime minister admitted his government's plans for easing the lockdown are causing "frustration".
Mr Johnson acknowledged the situation has become more "complex", but said he would trust what he called "the good sense of the British people".


news--2020-05-17--Coronavirus: Boris Johnson admits 'frustration' as criticism grows over strategy for easing COVID-19

Coronavirus: Boris Johnson admits 'frustration' as criticism grows over strategy for easing COVID-19 lockdown

The prime minister has admitted his government 's plans for easing the coronavirus lockdown are causing `` frustration '' , as he faces deepening criticism from doctors , nurses , teachers and regional councils .
Boris Johnson acknowledged the situation had become more `` complex '' but said he would trust what he called `` the good sense of the British people '' .
But the mayor of Greater Manchester , Andy Burnham , warned the prime minister of a `` fracturing of national unity '' if he ignored the concerns of the regions over his roadmap out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Sunday , the prime minister said : `` I understand people will feel frustrated with some of the new rules .
We are trying to do something that has never had to be done before - moving the country out of a full lockdown , in a way which is safe and does not risk sacrificing all of your hard work .
`` I recognise what we are now asking is more complex than simply staying at home , but this is a complex problem and we need to trust in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' It comes as some councils in the regions have said they would support teaching unions in resisting the reopening of schools in England in June .
The devolved administrations in Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland have refused to follow Mr Johnson 's strategy for easing the lockdown , while cities such as Liverpool have said they will not start reopening schools in June as the government wants .
Talks between teachers ' union representatives and government scientific advisers , intended to provide assurance about the government 's proposals to enable children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with union leaders saying it had raised more questions than answers .
Mr Burnham said the prime minister had failed to inform civic leaders of his easing of the lockdown restrictions in advance despite the fact they were the ones who had to deal with demands on the transport system .
The government 's change from `` stay at home '' to `` stay alert '' advice came as cases of COVID-19 and the virus 's reproduction rate - known as the R number - were falling in the South East , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come too soon for the north .
In an article in The Observer , he warned that without additional support for the regions , there was a danger of a `` second spike '' in the disease which could then spread again through the Midlands to London .
Mr Burnham said that despite taking part in a call two weeks ago with Mr Johnson and eight other regional mayors , he was given no real notice of the measures announced by the prime minister in his address to the nation last Sunday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a new working week , the PM was on TV 'actively encouraging ' a return to work .
Even though that would clearly put more cars on roads and people on trams , no one in government thought it important to tell the cities that would have to cope with that . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Burnham said the lack of notice was not the only issue Greater Manchester had to deal with .
`` The surprisingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the South East , given the fall in cases there .
But my gut feeling told me it was too soon for the north , '' he said .
`` Certainly , the abrupt dropping of the clear 'stay at home ' message felt premature . ''
He suggested Mr Johnson 's controversial chief adviser Dominic Cummings may have been to blame , saying it appeared to be `` another exercise in Cummings chaos theory '' .
To prevent further divisions , he urged Mr Johnson to appoint West Midlands mayor Andy Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the government 's Cobra emergency committee .
Mr Burnham spoke out as a poll reported public support for the government 's handling of the COVID-19 crisis has slipped sharply .
The survey by Opinium found 39 % backed the government 's response , down from 48 % a week ago .
Those saying they disapproved has risen from 36 % last week to 42 % .
Opinium 's head of polling Adam Drummond said it was the first time disapproval of the government 's handling of the crisis was higher than approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inevitable as the relatively simple and almost unanimous decision to lockdown has given way to much more contestable decisions about how and when to open up , '' he said .
In his article for the Mail on Sunday , Mr Johnson said he wants the UK to return to `` near-normality '' by July .
He said the British public 's `` fortitude '' would enable them to survive the crisis and regain `` the freedoms they hold dear '' and that people 's `` perseverance '' and `` good common sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inch forwards '' out of lockdown .

The prime minister has admitted his government's plans for easing the coronavirus lockdown are causing "frustration", as he faces deepening criticism from doctors, nurses, teachers and regional councils.
Boris Johnson acknowledged the situation had become more "complex" but said he would trust what he called "the good sense of the British people".
But the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, warned the prime minister of a "fracturing of national unity" if he ignored the concerns of the regions over his roadmap out of the COVID-19 crisis.
Writing in The Mail On Sunday, the prime minister said: "I understand people will feel frustrated with some of the new rules. We are trying to do something that has never had to be done before - moving the country out of a full lockdown, in a way which is safe and does not risk sacrificing all of your hard work.
"I recognise what we are now asking is more complex than simply staying at home, but this is a complex problem and we need to trust in the good sense of the British people."
It comes as some councils in the regions have said they would support teaching unions in resisting the reopening of schools in England in June.
The devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have refused to follow Mr Johnson's strategy for easing the lockdown, while cities such as Liverpool have said they will not start reopening schools in June as the government wants.
Talks between teachers' union representatives and government scientific advisers, intended to provide assurance about the government's proposals to enable children to return safely, ended on Friday with union leaders saying it had raised more questions than answers.
Image: Andy Burnham says Mr Johnson must listen to regional concerns
Mr Burnham said the prime minister had failed to inform civic leaders of his easing of the lockdown restrictions in advance despite the fact they were the ones who had to deal with demands on the transport system.
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The government's change from "stay at home" to "stay alert" advice came as cases of COVID-19 and the virus's reproduction rate - known as the R number - were falling in the South East, but Mr Burnham said he believed it had come too soon for the north.
In an article in The Observer, he warned that without additional support for the regions, there was a danger of a "second spike" in the disease which could then spread again through the Midlands to London.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:29 Parents fearful of sending children to school
Mr Burnham said that despite taking part in a call two weeks ago with Mr Johnson and eight other regional mayors, he was given no real notice of the measures announced by the prime minister in his address to the nation last Sunday.
He said: "On the eve of a new working week, the PM was on TV 'actively encouraging' a return to work. Even though that would clearly put more cars on roads and people on trams, no one in government thought it important to tell the cities that would have to cope with that."
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Mr Burnham said the lack of notice was not the only issue Greater Manchester had to deal with.
"The surprisingly permissive package might well be right for the South East, given the fall in cases there. But my gut feeling told me it was too soon for the north," he said.
"Certainly, the abrupt dropping of the clear 'stay at home' message felt premature."
He suggested Mr Johnson's controversial chief adviser Dominic Cummings may have been to blame, saying it appeared to be "another exercise in Cummings chaos theory".
To prevent further divisions, he urged Mr Johnson to appoint West Midlands mayor Andy Street to represent the English regions during meetings of the government's Cobra emergency committee.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:47 UK COVID-19 deaths rise by 468
Mr Burnham spoke out as a poll reported public support for the government's handling of the COVID-19 crisis has slipped sharply.
The survey by Opinium found 39% backed the government's response, down from 48% a week ago.
Those saying they disapproved has risen from 36% last week to 42%.
Opinium's head of polling Adam Drummond said it was the first time disapproval of the government's handling of the crisis was higher than approval.
"In part this was likely inevitable as the relatively simple and almost unanimous decision to lockdown has given way to much more contestable decisions about how and when to open up," he said.
In his article for the Mail on Sunday, Mr Johnson said he wants the UK to return to "near-normality" by July.
He said the British public's "fortitude" would enable them to survive the crisis and regain "the freedoms they hold dear" and that people's "perseverance" and "good common sense" will enable the country to "inch forwards" out of lockdown.


news--2020-05-16--Coronavirus: Bundesliga returns in Germany with near-empty stadia

The Bundesliga became the first major sporting league in the world to spring back into action in the coronavirus era this weekend and phase one of Germany 's experiment has been a success , by most metrics .
It looked and sounded different to normal in stadiums with no fans , no handshakes and virtually no atmosphere and with masks where there used to be mascots .
But the first day of Bundesliga fixtures also passed without major incident .
There were no mass gatherings of fans outside stadiums causing fixtures to be abandoned .
At the Signal Iduna park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside for the 180th derby match between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke .
Instead just 213 were permitted , close to the minimum required for the match to be played , keep the players safe and make the match televised .
Dortmund won the match comfortably 4-0 .
Sebastian Wessling , a German football writer , was just one of ten journalists allowed inside after his temperature was tested and he agreed to wear a face mask throughout the game .
`` The players did n't really celebrate , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so it was a very , very strange feeling , almost like a test game . ''
In Germany the decision for the Bundesliga to return after more than two months away has divided some .
The ultra fans believe football without fans is not football at all , while others object on the grounds that they believe it prioritises a game over the nation 's health .
`` There is a big part of the public that is also against it because they think we have enough other problems at the moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We do n't have enough day care for children .
Schools are not starting but football is starting so we do n't like that . ''
In the state of North-Rhine Westphalia , lockdown was eased further on Friday allowing cafes , restaurants and bars to reopen .
Many Dortmund fans gathered inside the Maximilian Bar on the main market square to watch the derby on several big screens .
`` It 's a bummer we ca n't be inside the stadium to watch , '' one fan said .
`` But at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something to do with our weekends . ''
Another fan was conflicted .
`` From speaking to people I know some are angry because they think millionaires who kick a ball are being given special treatment . ''
On Monday Premier League clubs are expected to vote on whether to return to return to non-contact training and executives will be watching and assessing the success , or otherwise , of the Bundesliga experiment .
`` We got calls and emails from big clubs in Spain and England and I know they really hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other leagues can restart as well , '' Schalke sporting director Jochen Schneider said .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' We know how important it is to restart and finish the season as well .
We all agree this situation will not change that much by August , September , October so if we are not able to play now , why will we be given the green light to play in September , October , November . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anticipation it provoked , was n't normal , was n't ideal .
But it was still football and this is probably the only design by which the game can return in the middle of a global pandemic .

The Bundesliga became the first major sporting league in the world to spring back into action in the coronavirus era this weekend and phase one of Germany's experiment has been a success, by most metrics.
It looked and sounded different to normal in stadiums with no fans, no handshakes and virtually no atmosphere and with masks where there used to be mascots.
But the first day of Bundesliga fixtures also passed without major incident.
Image: The Dortmund players cheer after their 4-0 win, but celebrate in a near-empty stadium
There were no mass gatherings of fans outside stadiums causing fixtures to be abandoned.
At the Signal Iduna park, usually 81,000 fans would have packed inside for the 180th derby match between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke.
Instead just 213 were permitted, close to the minimum required for the match to be played, keep the players safe and make the match televised. Dortmund won the match comfortably 4-0.
Sebastian Wessling, a German football writer, was just one of ten journalists allowed inside after his temperature was tested and he agreed to wear a face mask throughout the game.
Image: Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke, centre wearing a face mask, celebrates with board members
"The players didn't really celebrate," he said. "They kept distance, only clapping, so it was a very, very strange feeling, almost like a test game."
In Germany the decision for the Bundesliga to return after more than two months away has divided some.
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The ultra fans believe football without fans is not football at all, while others object on the grounds that they believe it prioritises a game over the nation's health.
"There is a big part of the public that is also against it because they think we have enough other problems at the moment," said Mr Wessling.
"We don't have enough day care for children. Schools are not starting but football is starting so we don't like that."
In the state of North-Rhine Westphalia, lockdown was eased further on Friday allowing cafes, restaurants and bars to reopen.
Many Dortmund fans gathered inside the Maximilian Bar on the main market square to watch the derby on several big screens.
"It's a bummer we can't be inside the stadium to watch," one fan said. "But at least football is back, we have something to do with our weekends."
Another fan was conflicted. "From speaking to people I know some are angry because they think millionaires who kick a ball are being given special treatment."
On Monday Premier League clubs are expected to vote on whether to return to return to non-contact training and executives will be watching and assessing the success, or otherwise, of the Bundesliga experiment.
"We got calls and emails from big clubs in Spain and England and I know they really hope that we manage this situation so that other leagues can restart as well," Schalke sporting director Jochen Schneider said.
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"We know how important it is to restart and finish the season as well. We all agree this situation will not change that much by August, September, October so if we are not able to play now, why will we be given the green light to play in September, October, November."
The return of football, with all the anticipation it provoked, wasn't normal, wasn't ideal. But it was still football and this is probably the only design by which the game can return in the middle of a global pandemic.


news--2020-05-16--Coronavirus: Fears virus could run rampant among homeless communities on Skid Row

One of the world 's most notorious homeless encampments has been hit with an outbreak of the coronavirus , and campaigners say the disease could run rampant among unsheltered communities .
More than 5,000 people live on the streets of 'Skid Row ' in downtown Los Angeles and urgent action has been taken to move some of the most vulnerable into vacant hotel rooms during the crisis .
But the Union Rescue Mission , one of the largest shelters in the US , has seen 100 of its homeless residents test positive for coronavirus .
It has now halved its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive , the Reverend Andy Bales , told Sky News : `` It 's the most humbling and difficult experience of my life and it 's the biggest , most devastating challenge in the history of our 128-year-old institution . ''
He described coronavirus as a `` ferocious , mysterious monster '' and warned its impact would be greatest among those living outside of shelters .
`` There is virtually no social distancing among the homeless on the streets of Skid Row .
If it shows up on the streets it will run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at risk already suffer from the sort of underlying health conditions that make them especially vulnerable .
Ferris , who has lived on Skid Row for three years , is 66 years old and suffers from diabetes .
He told Sky News : `` I 'm scared , to be truthful , I 'm scared . ''
The Street Medicine Project run by the University of Southern California 's Keck School of Medicine provides free healthcare to the homeless in Los Angeles .
Project director Brett Feldman says the coronavirus outbreak has had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even to the extent of social distancing and masks making it harder for staff to greet people with a smile .
He said : `` There 's a few thousand people in a very small area and they can drop into shelters and soup kitchens at different times and if you were to contact trace them they might contract trace to 1,000 people in one day .
For them I 'm very , very concerned and we 've seen outbreaks already on Skid Row . ''
Authorities have taken drastic action to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Camper vans have been provided at a beach car park to provide shelter .
And , after years of trying to clear tents and encampments from neighbourhoods across Los Angeles , the first official tent city has been built in a hospital car park to provide shelter for homeless veterans .
Mr Feldman says some homeless people see coronavirus as just another danger in an already risky way of life but others are deeply worried .
`` The rest of the world is saying stay safe , stay at home , and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel completely exposed . ''

One of the world's most notorious homeless encampments has been hit with an outbreak of the coronavirus, and campaigners say the disease could run rampant among unsheltered communities.
More than 5,000 people live on the streets of 'Skid Row' in downtown Los Angeles and urgent action has been taken to move some of the most vulnerable into vacant hotel rooms during the crisis.
But the Union Rescue Mission, one of the largest shelters in the US, has seen 100 of its homeless residents test positive for coronavirus. It has now halved its regular capacity.
Image: Reverend Andy Bales says its has been the most difficult experience of his life
The mission's chief executive, the Reverend Andy Bales, told Sky News: "It's the most humbling and difficult experience of my life and it's the biggest, most devastating challenge in the history of our 128-year-old institution."
He described coronavirus as a "ferocious, mysterious monster" and warned its impact would be greatest among those living outside of shelters.
"There is virtually no social distancing among the homeless on the streets of Skid Row. If it shows up on the streets it will run rampant."
Many of those most at risk already suffer from the sort of underlying health conditions that make them especially vulnerable.
Image: Ferris has lived on Skid Row for three years and suffers from diabetes
Ferris, who has lived on Skid Row for three years, is 66 years old and suffers from diabetes. He told Sky News: "I'm scared, to be truthful, I'm scared."
The Street Medicine Project run by the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine provides free healthcare to the homeless in Los Angeles.
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Project director Brett Feldman says the coronavirus outbreak has had a major impact on its work, even to the extent of social distancing and masks making it harder for staff to greet people with a smile.
Image: Skid Row is awash with tents in which the homeless sleep
He said: "There's a few thousand people in a very small area and they can drop into shelters and soup kitchens at different times and if you were to contact trace them they might contract trace to 1,000 people in one day. For them I'm very, very concerned and we've seen outbreaks already on Skid Row."
Authorities have taken drastic action to help the homeless community during the outbreak. Camper vans have been provided at a beach car park to provide shelter.
And, after years of trying to clear tents and encampments from neighbourhoods across Los Angeles, the first official tent city has been built in a hospital car park to provide shelter for homeless veterans.
Image: Tents have sprung up in wealthy districts
Mr Feldman says some homeless people see coronavirus as just another danger in an already risky way of life but others are deeply worried.
"The rest of the world is saying stay safe, stay at home, and they don't have a home so they feel completely exposed."


news--2020-05-17--Coronavirus: Heathrow trials thermal imaging temperature checks for Terminal 2 arrivals

Passengers arriving at Heathrow 's Terminal 2 are to be screened for high temperatures from Thursday in a bid to identify travellers who might be infected with coronavirus .
Thermal imaging cameras mounted on tripods will automatically scan everyone who touches down at the terminal , aiming to spot those who have signs of a fever - one of the common symptoms of COVID-19 .
The cameras form part of previously announced trials at the airport to combat the spread of coronavirus , which also include procedures to reduce person-to-person contact , UV sanitation and to quickly clean trays at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it could be expanded to departure halls and connection areas .
Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye has said he believes the new measures could be `` key to minimising transmission of COVID-19 across borders '' , and a spokesman for the airport suggested they could make government plans to force all arrivals into two weeks of quarantine unnecessary .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced last week that all travellers coming into the UK will soon have to enter a mandatory 14-day period of self-isolation , which is set to further reduce already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the trials at Heathrow are to be fed to the government and the airport has suggested that success in weeding out people with COVID-19 symptoms may allow Downing Street to ease its quarantine rules .
But initially the measures at Terminal 2 , which mainly deals with flights to and from Europe , will have no impact on the need for arrivals to quarantine .
Britons have been warned by several government ministers that foreign summer holidays are almost certain to be impossible this year , although Italy - which was once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is reopening its borders in a bid to kick-start its travel industry .
Ryanair has also said it plans to restore 40 % of its flight schedule from July , with nearly 1,000 flights per day on offer across some 90 % of its normal network .
This would be dependent on governments lifting restrictions on flights within the European Union , with all crew and passengers required to wear face masks and pass temperature checks .
Airlines are desperate to get back to some form of business for the traditionally busy summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decimated income streams .
The biggest names in the industry are among those badly affected , with British Airways on course to cut 12,000 jobs , and advisers put on standby to handle the potential administration of Virgin Atlantic Airways .
Heathrow has also taken drastic action , with employees at Britain 's busiest airport warned they face the sack if they refuse to accept voluntary pay cuts .
Sky News learnt last month that Heathrow 's human resources chief told thousands of staff that `` dismissal and reinstatement might be the final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take a 15 % pay reduction .
And in the US , the number of people travelling through airports has fallen to levels not seen since the 1950s .

Passengers arriving at Heathrow's Terminal 2 are to be screened for high temperatures from Thursday in a bid to identify travellers who might be infected with coronavirus.
Thermal imaging cameras mounted on tripods will automatically scan everyone who touches down at the terminal, aiming to spot those who have signs of a fever - one of the common symptoms of COVID-19.
The cameras form part of previously announced trials at the airport to combat the spread of coronavirus, which also include procedures to reduce person-to-person contact, UV sanitation and to quickly clean trays at security.
Should the screening prove successful, it could be expanded to departure halls and connection areas.
Image: The checks could be expanded to other areas of the terminal should they prove successful
Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye has said he believes the new measures could be "key to minimising transmission of COVID-19 across borders", and a spokesman for the airport suggested they could make government plans to force all arrivals into two weeks of quarantine unnecessary.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced last week that all travellers coming into the UK will soon have to enter a mandatory 14-day period of self-isolation, which is set to further reduce already dwindling demand for air travel.
Outcomes of the trials at Heathrow are to be fed to the government and the airport has suggested that success in weeding out people with COVID-19 symptoms may allow Downing Street to ease its quarantine rules.
But initially the measures at Terminal 2, which mainly deals with flights to and from Europe, will have no impact on the need for arrivals to quarantine.
Image: Temperature scanning in place at Singapore's Changi Airport
Britons have been warned by several government ministers that foreign summer holidays are almost certain to be impossible this year, although Italy - which was once the European country worst-hit by coronavirus - is reopening its borders in a bid to kick-start its travel industry.
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Ryanair has also said it plans to restore 40% of its flight schedule from July, with nearly 1,000 flights per day on offer across some 90% of its normal network.
This would be dependent on governments lifting restrictions on flights within the European Union, with all crew and passengers required to wear face masks and pass temperature checks.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:18 Walking through deserted Sydney airport
Airlines are desperate to get back to some form of business for the traditionally busy summer season, with the coronavirus pandemic having decimated income streams.
The biggest names in the industry are among those badly affected, with British Airways on course to cut 12,000 jobs, and advisers put on standby to handle the potential administration of Virgin Atlantic Airways.
Heathrow has also taken drastic action, with employees at Britain's busiest airport warned they face the sack if they refuse to accept voluntary pay cuts.
Sky News learnt last month that Heathrow's human resources chief told thousands of staff that "dismissal and reinstatement might be the final step" for anyone not choosing to take a 15% pay reduction.
And in the US, the number of people travelling through airports has fallen to levels not seen since the 1950s.


news--2020-02-11--UK prisoner tested for coronavirus after Thailand extradition is named as Mark John Rumble

A prisoner who had been transferred from a jail in Thailand and is being tested for coronavirus has been named as Mark John Rumble .
Thai authorities confirmed the identity of the 31-year-old , who was brought back to the UK on a flight two weeks ago .
He was taken to HMP Bullingdon in Oxfordshire , Sky News understands .
Prisoners at the Bicester jail are now being kept in isolation in their cells , with access also restricted to the wing of the complex where they are being held .
The prison has capacity for 1,114 inmates - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been sentenced , and young adults aged 18 to 21 - and remains operational , with Public Health England on site helping to manage the situation .
As Rumble and another prisoner were being tested , a British honeymooner who was removed from the Diamond Princess cruise ship over coronavirus fears has said his first test for the virus was negative .
Alan Steele wrote on Facebook : `` Just received great news .
My test showed negative to virus and have now been swabbed for second test .
If that comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile , the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) announced the illness would now be called COVID-19 .
WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the first vaccine could be ready in 18 months `` so we have to do everything today using available weapons to fight this virus '' .
• 2,015 new cases confirmed on 11 February - the fewest since 30 January • An A & E worker at Worthing Hospital is among the eight confirmed UK cases • Another 39 test positive on Diamond Princess ship off Japan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two deaths outside mainland China remain one in Hong Kong and one in the Philippines • Bank of England governor says virus `` already bigger than SARS '' from economic perspective Eight people in the UK have been confirmed as having COVID-19 , with the last four testing positive on Monday .
They are linked to Hove businessman Steve Walsh , who is believed to be a `` superspreader '' after 11 people he stayed in a French chalet with contracted the virus after he was infected in Singapore .
: : Listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced on Tuesday that the government is launching a capital fund to support any urgent work the NHS needs to carry out to prevent the virus spreading , such as isolation facilities .
He said the NHS has been working hard to contact trace anybody infected patients have been around , and said that was how five people in the UK and five others in France , linked to Mr Walsh , were found .
Professor Paul Cosford , emeritus medical director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said `` contact tracing '' run by PHE was `` working very well '' .
He added : `` I should say that the people who are of concern are those who have had very close contact with somebody with coronavirus - face-to-face contact or within a two-metre range for 15 minutes or more . ''
PHE is now working to trace about a dozen people who were in contact with two doctors , including a Brighton GP , who were among the four new cases announced on Monday .
Two GP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 have now re-opened .

A prisoner who had been transferred from a jail in Thailand and is being tested for coronavirus has been named as Mark John Rumble.
Thai authorities confirmed the identity of the 31-year-old, who was brought back to the UK on a flight two weeks ago.
He was taken to HMP Bullingdon in Oxfordshire, Sky News understands.
Prisoners at the Bicester jail are now being kept in isolation in their cells, with access also restricted to the wing of the complex where they are being held.
Image: Mark Rumble was taken to HMP Bullingdon in Oxfordshire, Sky News understands. Pic: Thailand department of corrections
The prison has capacity for 1,114 inmates - including those on remand, those who have been sentenced, and young adults aged 18 to 21 - and remains operational, with Public Health England on site helping to manage the situation.
As Rumble and another prisoner were being tested, a British honeymooner who was removed from the Diamond Princess cruise ship over coronavirus fears has said his first test for the virus was negative.
Alan Steele wrote on Facebook: "Just received great news. My test showed negative to virus and have now been swabbed for second test. If that comes back negative I get released."
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced the illness would now be called COVID-19.
WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the first vaccine could be ready in 18 months "so we have to do everything today using available weapons to fight this virus".
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Other latest developments:
Deaths from COVID-19 pass 1,100; total cases near 45,000
2,015 new cases confirmed on 11 February - the fewest since 30 January
An A&E worker at Worthing Hospital is among the eight confirmed UK cases
Another 39 test positive on Diamond Princess ship off Japan, bringing total to 169
The only two deaths outside mainland China remain one in Hong Kong and one in the Philippines
Bank of England governor says virus "already bigger than SARS" from economic perspective
Eight people in the UK have been confirmed as having COVID-19, with the last four testing positive on Monday.
They are linked to Hove businessman Steve Walsh, who is believed to be a "superspreader" after 11 people he stayed in a French chalet with contracted the virus after he was infected in Singapore.
Image: Steve Marsh, who is believed to be a coronavirus superspreader, is an assistant cub scout leader
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Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced on Tuesday that the government is launching a capital fund to support any urgent work the NHS needs to carry out to prevent the virus spreading, such as isolation facilities.
He said the NHS has been working hard to contact trace anybody infected patients have been around, and said that was how five people in the UK and five others in France, linked to Mr Walsh, were found.
Professor Paul Cosford, emeritus medical director of Public Health England (PHE), said "contact tracing" run by PHE was "working very well".
He added: "I should say that the people who are of concern are those who have had very close contact with somebody with coronavirus - face-to-face contact or within a two-metre range for 15 minutes or more."
PHE is now working to trace about a dozen people who were in contact with two doctors, including a Brighton GP, who were among the four new cases announced on Monday.
Two GP surgeries that had been closed due to COVID-19 have now re-opened.


news--2020-02-11--Why the economy is in (slightly) better shape than feared

Why the economy is in ( slightly ) better shape than feared Why the economy is in ( slightly ) better shape than feared Sajid Javid is due to deliver his first budget as chancellor next month On the face of it you might have assumed that Tuesday 's gross domestic product ( GDP ) data , which showed a mere 0.0 % growth rate in Britain 's national output in the fourth quarter of the year , would dismay the chancellor .
Look beneath the surface , though , and the story is rather more complicated - and perhaps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might have thought .
But let 's get the bad news out of the way first .
Clearly 0.0 % GDP is well below the 0.7 % or so that constitutes Britain 's average over the past half a century or so .
Sajid Javid has said he wants to get Britain back to that kind of growth rate and the figures give little impression he has much chance of achieving that kind of growth on a sustained basis .
But now take a closer look .
Remember GDP growth is simply the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this country over a given period .
Those figures are prone to frequent revision as more data comes into the ONS 's databases .
Here 's how much income Britain generated in the third quarter : £523.5m .
And in the fourth quarter ?
£523.6m .
As you might have noticed , that actually constitutes a very slight increase .
While in terms of one decimal place Britain is flatlining , if you add an extra decimal place this is growth of 0.02 % - not quite flatlining .
Now there 's a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so many decimal places , and that 's because that would create a spurious sense of accuracy .
As I mentioned , these figures are revised frequently as extra data comes in .
But that 's where the other good news comes in .
For the ONS has also upgraded its estimates of growth in the second and third quarters of last year .
Remember that 0.2 % contraction in Q2 ?
Well it 's now thought the economy actually contracted by 0.1 % .
The third quarter 's 0.3 % growth has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upshot of all of this is that when you look back over the past year annual growth is a fair bit stronger than economists anticipated .
They were forecasting that year on year GDP growth in the quarter would drop beneath 1 % for the first time since the financial crisis ; in the event it was 1.1 % .
Now as I 've said , none of the above could be taken as brilliant news about the UK economy .
It remains weak , not to mention beset by continued uncertainty over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might be quietly happy with some of the datapoints buried in today 's release .
Especially since most of the surveys suggest growth will bounce back quite sharply in the next quarter or two - depending on how big the coronavirus impact is on the UK economy .

Sky's economics editor Ed Conway says there are several reasons to be a bit more cheerful about the economy in the ONS data.
Why the economy is in (slightly) better shape than feared
Sajid Javid is due to deliver his first budget as chancellor next month
Flatlining. Zero. Nada. Nothing.
On the face of it you might have assumed that Tuesday's gross domestic product (GDP) data, which showed a mere 0.0% growth rate in Britain's national output in the fourth quarter of the year, would dismay the chancellor.
Look beneath the surface, though, and the story is rather more complicated - and perhaps a wee bit more encouraging than you might have thought.
But let's get the bad news out of the way first. Clearly 0.0% GDP is well below the 0.7% or so that constitutes Britain's average over the past half a century or so.
Sajid Javid has said he wants to get Britain back to that kind of growth rate and the figures give little impression he has much chance of achieving that kind of growth on a sustained basis.
But now take a closer look.
Remember GDP growth is simply the sum total of every pound earned in this country over a given period.
Image: The Bank of England held back on raising interest rates last month as a result of evidence that business activity was rising
Those figures are prone to frequent revision as more data comes into the ONS's databases. Here's how much income Britain generated in the third quarter: £523.5m. And in the fourth quarter? £523.6m.
As you might have noticed, that actually constitutes a very slight increase. While in terms of one decimal place Britain is flatlining, if you add an extra decimal place this is growth of 0.02% - not quite flatlining.
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Now there's a reason the ONS doesn't go to so many decimal places, and that's because that would create a spurious sense of accuracy.
As I mentioned, these figures are revised frequently as extra data comes in. But that's where the other good news comes in.
For the ONS has also upgraded its estimates of growth in the second and third quarters of last year.
Remember that 0.2% contraction in Q2? Well it's now thought the economy actually contracted by 0.1%. The third quarter's 0.3% growth has been upgraded to 0.5%.
The upshot of all of this is that when you look back over the past year annual growth is a fair bit stronger than economists anticipated.
They were forecasting that year on year GDP growth in the quarter would drop beneath 1% for the first time since the financial crisis; in the event it was 1.1%.
Image: Damage to China's economy from coronavirus could also impact the UK in the months ahead
Now as I've said, none of the above could be taken as brilliant news about the UK economy.
It remains weak, not to mention beset by continued uncertainty over Brexit.
But I suspect the chancellor might be quietly happy with some of the datapoints buried in today's release.
Especially since most of the surveys suggest growth will bounce back quite sharply in the next quarter or two - depending on how big the coronavirus impact is on the UK economy.


news--2020-02-11--UK coronavirus 'superspreader' says his thoughts are with those infected

The British man who is believed to be a `` superspreader '' of coronavirus has been identified as businessman Steve Walsh .
The 53-year-old said he has fully recovered after being diagnosed in Brighton on 6 February with coronavirus .
He contracted the virus in Singapore while at a business conference before going to the French Alps for a ski holiday , then returning to his home in Hove , East Sussex .
• The new name for the disease is COVID-19 , the World Health Organisation has announced • Two prisoners are being tested for the infection at HMP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thailand • The death toll in mainland China reached 1,110 on Tuesday • That came after 94 deaths in Hubei province , the epicentre of the outbreak , where the death toll is 1,068 • Hubei also reported 1,638 new cases , taking the total to 44,276 across mainland China • There have still only been two deaths outside mainland China - one in Hong Kong and one in the Philippines • As of 2pm on Tuesday , the UK had tested 1,358 people - 244 more than Monday - with eight positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that the virus was `` from an economic perspective , already bigger than SARS '' • Postal operators in the US , China and elsewhere have said the suspension of flights is having a major impact on global flows of letters and parcels Mr Walsh is suspected of being a `` superspreader '' by unwittingly infecting 11 other Britons who were in France with him .
Five of those Britons are now in the UK , five are in France and one is in Majorca .
Mr Walsh has two children and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 3rd Hove St Leonards Scout Group where he is known as Shere Khan .
All but two of the eight coronavirus cases confirmed in the UK are connected to Mr Walsh .
The most recent case to have been identified is a healthcare worker at Worthing Hospital in West Sussex .
Staff received a memo on Tuesday telling them someone in the A & E department had been diagnosed with the disease , but the Department of Health said all services , including surgery and out patients , are operating normally .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from St Thomas ' hospital in London , where he is in quarantine .
Mr Walsh said : `` I would like to thank the NHS for their help and care - whilst I have fully recovered , my thoughts are with others who have contracted coronavirus .
`` As soon as I knew I had been exposed to a confirmed case of coronavirus I contacted my GP , NHS 111 and Public Health England .
`` I was advised to attend an isolated room at hospital , despite showing no symptoms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` When the diagnosis was confirmed I was sent to an isolation unit in hospital , where I remain , and , as a precaution , my family was also asked to isolate themselves .
`` I also thank friends , family and colleagues for their support during recent weeks and I ask the media to respect our privacy . ''
As Mr Walsh and the other Britons who have contracted the virus from him remain in isolation , Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the situation `` will get worse before it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through contract tracing of Mr Walsh 's contacts , the NHS identified the four cases on Monday and the five British nationals in France .
He also announced the launch of a capital fund to support any urgent work the NHS needs to help prevent the spread , such as isolation facilities .
This is on top of the £40m that will go towards research for a vaccine he previously announced .
Mr Walsh was at the conference at the Grand Hyatt in Singapore with his company , Servomex , a gas analytics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We are very pleased that Steve Walsh has made a full recovery .
We continue to provide support to him and his family .
`` We are working with Public Health authorities to ensure the welfare of our staff and communities and wish anyone with the virus a quick and full recovery . ''
Mr Walsh attended the Singapore conference from 20-23 January before flying to the Alps on 24 January .
He shared a chalet with 11 others before flying from Geneva to Gatwick on an early morning easyJet flight on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Walsh was diagnosed with coronavirus in Brighton , having gone to a yoga class and The Grenadier pub .
Two days later five other Britons , including a nine-year-old , who were staying in the chalet with Mr Walsh , were diagnosed in France and are in quarantine in hospital there .
They are understood to not be in a serious condition .
Then on 9 February , another British man who was in the ski resort tested positive in Majorca , where he lives , but his wife and two daughters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member of the group was also confirmed as having the virus .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker On Monday , four people were diagnosed in the UK , including two healthcare workers at the County Oak Medical Centre in Brighton which has been closed since Monday .
A second branch , in Brighton 's Deneway area , was closed on Tuesday for `` urgent operational health and safety reasons '' .
Officials are now trying to trace anybody who came into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Patcham Nursing Home is isolating its 24 elderly residents after one of them visited the home .

The British man who is believed to be a "superspreader" of coronavirus has been identified as businessman Steve Walsh.
The 53-year-old said he has fully recovered after being diagnosed in Brighton on 6 February with coronavirus.
He contracted the virus in Singapore while at a business conference before going to the French Alps for a ski holiday, then returning to his home in Hove, East Sussex.
Image: Steve Walsh is believed to have spread coronavirus to 11 people. Pic: Servomex
In the latest coronavirus developments:
The new name for the disease is COVID-19, the World Health Organisation has announced
Two prisoners are being tested for the infection at HMP Bullingdon - one a recent transfer from Thailand
at HMP Bullingdon - one a recent transfer from Thailand The death toll in mainland China reached 1,110 on Tuesday
That came after 94 deaths in Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak, where the death toll is 1,068
Hubei also reported 1,638 new cases, taking the total to 44,276 across mainland China
There have still only been two deaths outside mainland China - one in Hong Kong and one in the Philippines
As of 2pm on Tuesday, the UK had tested 1,358 people - 244 more than Monday - with eight positive
Bank of England governor Mark Carney said that the virus was "from an economic perspective, already bigger than SARS"
Postal operators in the US, China and elsewhere have said the suspension of flights is having a major impact on global flows of letters and parcels
Mr Walsh is suspected of being a "superspreader" by unwittingly infecting 11 other Britons who were in France with him. Five of those Britons are now in the UK, five are in France and one is in Majorca.
Mr Walsh has two children and is an assistant cub scout leader at the 3rd Hove St Leonards Scout Group where he is known as Shere Khan.
All but two of the eight coronavirus cases confirmed in the UK are connected to Mr Walsh.
The most recent case to have been identified is a healthcare worker at Worthing Hospital in West Sussex.
Staff received a memo on Tuesday telling them someone in the A&E department had been diagnosed with the disease, but the Department of Health said all services, including surgery and out patients, are operating normally.
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Earlier, Mr Walsh released a statement from St Thomas' hospital in London, where he is in quarantine.
Mr Walsh said: "I would like to thank the NHS for their help and care - whilst I have fully recovered, my thoughts are with others who have contracted coronavirus.
"As soon as I knew I had been exposed to a confirmed case of coronavirus I contacted my GP, NHS 111 and Public Health England.
"I was advised to attend an isolated room at hospital, despite showing no symptoms, and subsequently self-isolated at home as instructed.
"When the diagnosis was confirmed I was sent to an isolation unit in hospital, where I remain, and, as a precaution, my family was also asked to isolate themselves.
"I also thank friends, family and colleagues for their support during recent weeks and I ask the media to respect our privacy."
Image: Eleven Britons who stayed with Mr Walsh have been diagnosed with coronavirus
As Mr Walsh and the other Britons who have contracted the virus from him remain in isolation, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the situation "will get worse before it gets better".
Mr Hancock said through contract tracing of Mr Walsh's contacts, the NHS identified the four cases on Monday and the five British nationals in France.
He also announced the launch of a capital fund to support any urgent work the NHS needs to help prevent the spread, such as isolation facilities. This is on top of the £40m that will go towards research for a vaccine he previously announced.
Mr Walsh was at the conference at the Grand Hyatt in Singapore with his company, Servomex, a gas analytics company.
A Servomex spokesman said: "We are very pleased that Steve Walsh has made a full recovery. We continue to provide support to him and his family.
"We are working with Public Health authorities to ensure the welfare of our staff and communities and wish anyone with the virus a quick and full recovery."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:25 Coronavirus: The issue with face masks
Mr Walsh attended the Singapore conference from 20-23 January before flying to the Alps on 24 January.
He shared a chalet with 11 others before flying from Geneva to Gatwick on an early morning easyJet flight on 28 January.
On 6 February, Mr Walsh was diagnosed with coronavirus in Brighton, having gone to a yoga class and The Grenadier pub.
Two days later five other Britons, including a nine-year-old, who were staying in the chalet with Mr Walsh, were diagnosed in France and are in quarantine in hospital there. They are understood to not be in a serious condition.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:51 Brighton health centre disinfected
Then on 9 February, another British man who was in the ski resort tested positive in Majorca, where he lives, but his wife and two daughters tested negative.
On Sunday, another member of the group was also confirmed as having the virus.
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On Monday, four people were diagnosed in the UK, including two healthcare workers at the County Oak Medical Centre in Brighton which has been closed since Monday.
A second branch, in Brighton's Deneway area, was closed on Tuesday for "urgent operational health and safety reasons".
Officials are now trying to trace anybody who came into contact with the two healthcare workers and the Patcham Nursing Home is isolating its 24 elderly residents after one of them visited the home.


news--2020-02-11--Coronavirus: Search for Brighton patients treated by infected healthcare workers

Patients treated by two healthcare workers diagnosed with coronavirus in Brighton are being urgently tracked down by officials .
About a dozen patients are believed to have been in contact with the pair , who were working in general practice at the County Oak Medical Centre in Carden Hill .
One of them has been named as Dr Catriona Greenwood , who owns the French chalet with her husband where 11 people caught coronavirus from Steve Walsh , a businessman who contracted the virus in Singapore before flying to France then the UK .
The GP practice where Dr Greenwood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a second branch - in the Deneway area of Brighton - was also closed on Tuesday for `` urgent operational health and safety reasons '' .
Bevendean Primary School in Brighton has also said parents can choose to keep their children at home after a staff member had been in contact with someone who has been advised to self-isolate because they had been `` in direct contact with the coronavirus '' .
Dr Greenwood and her colleague were two of four new coronavirus cases in the UK confirmed on Monday , bringing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and another case the day before , contracted the virus in France after coming into contact with Mr Walsh .
He was then diagnosed in Brighton on 6 February , making him the UK 's third case , before being taken to the infectious diseases unit at St Thomas ' hospital in London .
The 53-year-old businessman is linked to 11 cases , including the five in the UK and six Britons in France and Majorca , prompting fears he is a `` superspreader '' .
Five Britons , including a nine-year-old boy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contracting the virus in the ski resort of Les Contamines Montjoie from the man .
Jerome Salomon , head of France 's national health agency , said 61 people including the boy 's schoolmates were tested for the virus but all were negative .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker • On Tuesday , 109 people died in mainland China , topping 100 for the first time and bringing the total to 1,016 • There were 2,478 new confirmed cases on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before , with the total at 42,638 • Around the world 462 cases are confirmed in 27 countries , with a death in Hong Kong and one in the Philippines • A block of flats in Hong Kong was evacuated after two cases , raising suspicion the virus was spreading through plumbing • Nearly 4,000 foreign nationals from around the world have been evacuated from Wuhan • A total of 35 airlines have cancelled or suspended flights to China , or some Chinese cities • On a quarantined cruise ship in Yokohama 135 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and crew • European and US shares rose to a record high as investors assessed how quickly China 's factories could return to work • More than 300 Chinese firms are seeking bank loans of at least 57.4bn yuan ( £6.38bn ) to soften the virus ' impact .
World Health Organisation director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the new UK cases were `` concerning instances of onward transmission from people with no travel history to China '' .
He warned such spread `` could be the spark that becomes a bigger fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to contain the virus `` to prevent a bigger fire '' .
The director general said although 99 % of cases are in China it `` holds a very grave threat for the rest of the world '' .
Public Health England 's medical director Yvonne Doyle said : `` We are now working urgently to identify all patients and other healthcare workers who may have come into close contact , and at this stage we believe this to be a relatively small number . ''
The County Oak Medical Centre in Brighton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday after people wearing haz mat suits were seen cleaning the surgery on Monday .
Professor Martin Marshall , chair of the Royal College of GPs , said it is `` still more likely that anyone with flu-like symptoms will have the flu '' .
He said : `` However , in light of the members of staff who tested positive for coronavirus in Brighton we 'd like to remind the public that it is vital that any patient who thinks they may have symptoms does not try to attend a GP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` They should stay at home and call NHS 111 . ''
On Monday , Health Secretary Matt Hancock declared the virus a `` serious and imminent threat '' to the British public .
The move gives health professionals legal powers to keep those in supported isolation against their will after one patient threatened to escape from Arrowe Park Hospital where some of those evacuated from Wuhan are being kept in isolation .

Patients treated by two healthcare workers diagnosed with coronavirus in Brighton are being urgently tracked down by officials.
About a dozen patients are believed to have been in contact with the pair, who were working in general practice at the County Oak Medical Centre in Carden Hill.
One of them has been named as Dr Catriona Greenwood, who owns the French chalet with her husband where 11 people caught coronavirus from Steve Walsh, a businessman who contracted the virus in Singapore before flying to France then the UK.
The GP practice where Dr Greenwood works has been closed since Monday and a second branch - in the Deneway area of Brighton - was also closed on Tuesday for "urgent operational health and safety reasons".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:51 Brighton health centre disinfected
Bevendean Primary School in Brighton has also said parents can choose to keep their children at home after a staff member had been in contact with someone who has been advised to self-isolate because they had been "in direct contact with the coronavirus".
The school remains open.
Dr Greenwood and her colleague were two of four new coronavirus cases in the UK confirmed on Monday, bringing the total to eight.
All four, and another case the day before, contracted the virus in France after coming into contact with Mr Walsh.
He was then diagnosed in Brighton on 6 February, making him the UK's third case, before being taken to the infectious diseases unit at St Thomas' hospital in London.
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The 53-year-old businessman is linked to 11 cases, including the five in the UK and six Britons in France and Majorca, prompting fears he is a "superspreader".
Five Britons, including a nine-year-old boy, are in quarantine in France after contracting the virus in the ski resort of Les Contamines Montjoie from the man.
Jerome Salomon, head of France's national health agency, said 61 people including the boy's schoolmates were tested for the virus but all were negative.
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The latest coronavirus updates:
On Tuesday, 109 people died in mainland China, topping 100 for the first time and bringing the total to 1,016
and bringing the total to 1,016 There were 2,478 new confirmed cases on the mainland, down from 3,062 the day before, with the total at 42,638
Around the world 462 cases are confirmed in 27 countries, with a death in Hong Kong and one in the Philippines
A block of flats in Hong Kong was evacuated after two cases, raising suspicion the virus was spreading through plumbing
Nearly 4,000 foreign nationals from around the world have been evacuated from Wuhan
A total of 35 airlines have cancelled or suspended flights to China, or some Chinese cities
On a quarantined cruise ship in Yokohama 135 cases are confirmed out of 3,711 passengers and crew
European and US shares rose to a record high as investors assessed how quickly China's factories could return to work
More than 300 Chinese firms are seeking bank loans of at least 57.4bn yuan (£6.38bn) to soften the virus' impact.
Image: Supermarket workers wearing full protective gear man the check-outs in Shenyang, in China's northeastern Liaoning province
Image: A block of flats in Hong Kong's Tsing Yi district was evacuated after officials suspected the plumbing of spreading coronavirus
World Health Organisation director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the new UK cases were "concerning instances of onward transmission from people with no travel history to China".
He warned such spread "could be the spark that becomes a bigger fire" as he urged countries to work to contain the virus "to prevent a bigger fire".
The director general said although 99% of cases are in China it "holds a very grave threat for the rest of the world".
Public Health England's medical director Yvonne Doyle said: "We are now working urgently to identify all patients and other healthcare workers who may have come into close contact, and at this stage we believe this to be a relatively small number."
Image: Passengers on the Diamond Princess have been quarantined in Yokohama as 135 cases from the ship are confirmed
The County Oak Medical Centre in Brighton's Carden Hill area also remained closed on Tuesday after people wearing haz mat suits were seen cleaning the surgery on Monday.
Professor Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said it is "still more likely that anyone with flu-like symptoms will have the flu".
He said: "However, in light of the members of staff who tested positive for coronavirus in Brighton we'd like to remind the public that it is vital that any patient who thinks they may have symptoms does not try to attend a GP appointment or hospital emergency departments in person.
"They should stay at home and call NHS 111."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:25 Coronavirus: The issue with face masks
On Monday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock declared the virus a "serious and imminent threat" to the British public.
The move gives health professionals legal powers to keep those in supported isolation against their will after one patient threatened to escape from Arrowe Park Hospital where some of those evacuated from Wuhan are being kept in isolation.


news--2020-02-11--Coronavirus: More than 100 die in China on single day as worldwide total passes 1,000

More than 100 people died from coronavirus in China on Monday , the first time the daily death toll has reached the mark , as the worldwide total passed 1,000 .
The 108 deaths , 103 of them in Hubei province where the virus first appeared in the city of Wuhan , brings the total number of dead in the country from the illness to 1,016 .
The worldwide total number of deaths stands at 1,018 .
There were 2,478 new confirmed cases on the Chinese mainland , but that is down from the 3,062 recorded on the previous day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people infected to more than 42,638 , the National Health Commission said , although some 4,000 of those have since been cured and released from hospital since late December .
A team of World Health Organization ( WHO ) experts landed in China on Monday , with a larger international team set to join them `` as soon as possible '' , WHO director general , Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , said .
The blame game has begun in Hubei with the sacking of Hubei health commission chief Zhang Jin and director Liu Yingzi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , meanwhile , urged members of the public to report any examples of dereliction of duty among local governments and officials , with more dismissals threatened .
In Thailand , one new case was recorded , a 54-year-old Chinese woman from Wuhan , taking the total in the country to 33. : : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The condition of the woman , who was quarantined after coming into contact with another Chinese virus patient while in Thailand , `` is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has barred passengers on a Netherlands-flagged cruise liner , the MS Westerdam , from disembarking in the country , despite owners Holland America stating there was no reason to believe anybody on board had the virus .
Another cruise ship , the Diamond Princess , with 3,700 passengers and crew onboard , is quarantined in the Japanese port of Yokohama , with 135 cases of coronavirus detected on the vessel .
There are 319 cases in 24 other countries , the World Health Organization said .
One of the hundreds of people recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has the virus , bringing the total number of cases there to 14 .
As people question the Chinese government 's handling of the crisis , the country 's leader Xi Jinping visited a health centre in Beijing in an attempt to to boost public morale .
`` We will most definitely win this people 's war , '' he said .
With little sign the outbreak is abating , authorities are closely monitoring whether its spread rises as shops and offices reopen after the extended lunar new year break .

More than 100 people died from coronavirus in China on Monday, the first time the daily death toll has reached the mark, as the worldwide total passed 1,000.
The 108 deaths, 103 of them in Hubei province where the virus first appeared in the city of Wuhan, brings the total number of dead in the country from the illness to 1,016.
The worldwide total number of deaths stands at 1,018.
Image: Shoppers in protective masks at a supermarket in Wuhan
Image: A doctor kisses her five-year-old son goodbye before leaving Shaoxing to join the battle against coronavirus
There were 2,478 new confirmed cases on the Chinese mainland, but that is down from the 3,062 recorded on the previous day.
It brings the total number of people infected to more than 42,638, the National Health Commission said, although some 4,000 of those have since been cured and released from hospital since late December.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:21 How worried should we be about the coronavirus?
A team of World Health Organization (WHO) experts landed in China on Monday, with a larger international team set to join them "as soon as possible", WHO director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said.
The blame game has begun in Hubei with the sacking of Hubei health commission chief Zhang Jin and director Liu Yingzi by China's anti-corruption body.
Beijing, meanwhile, urged members of the public to report any examples of dereliction of duty among local governments and officials, with more dismissals threatened.
In Thailand, one new case was recorded, a 54-year-old Chinese woman from Wuhan, taking the total in the country to 33.
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Image: A protective mask was placed on a statue in Wuhan
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:56 What we know about the coronavirus so far
The condition of the woman, who was quarantined after coming into contact with another Chinese virus patient while in Thailand, "is not severe," authorities said.
Bangkok has barred passengers on a Netherlands-flagged cruise liner, the MS Westerdam, from disembarking in the country, despite owners Holland America stating there was no reason to believe anybody on board had the virus.
Another cruise ship, the Diamond Princess, with 3,700 passengers and crew onboard, is quarantined in the Japanese port of Yokohama, with 135 cases of coronavirus detected on the vessel.
There are 319 cases in 24 other countries, the World Health Organization said.
One of the hundreds of people recently evacuated from China to US military bases has the virus, bringing the total number of cases there to 14.
As people question the Chinese government's handling of the crisis, the country's leader Xi Jinping visited a health centre in Beijing in an attempt to to boost public morale.
"We will most definitely win this people's war," he said.
Image: At least 135 passengers have contracted coronavirus on the Diamond Princess, which is quarantined off the coast of Japan
With little sign the outbreak is abating, authorities are closely monitoring whether its spread rises as shops and offices reopen after the extended lunar new year break.


news--2020-02-11--Economic impact of coronavirus bigger than SARS, says Bank of England governor Mark Carney

The economic impact of China 's coronavirus outbreak is already bigger than that caused by the spread of SARS in 2003 , the Bank of England governor Mark Carney has said .
In evidence to the House of Lords economic affairs committee , Mr Carney that while new infections appeared to be slowing , it was still `` very , very early days '' .
The outbreak in China , the world 's second biggest economy , has prompted large parts of the country to be shut down - with many factories and shops closing their doors .
Mr Carney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pain and the suffering that is real and spreading and including in this country .
`` While there are some signs of slowing in the pace of infections in China itself , it 's still very , very early days .
`` This is , from an economic perspective , already bigger than SARS and it is just too early to say the overall macroeconomic impact . ''
Assessments carried out by independent economists suggest the latest outbreak could cause a sharp fall in the pace of growth in China .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK banks showed they were ready to cope with the shock caused by a much bigger hit to the country 's growth .
He added : `` In general , the experience has been with pandemics that they can have quite significant impacts but much of it is recovered in subsequent quarters . ''
More than 1,000 people have died , almost all in China , from coronavirus and the death toll has already surpassed the 774 killed by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome epidemic in 2002/3 .
Today , the Chinese economy is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago , and much more closely intertwined with those of other countries .
Factories that have shut down include those assembling Apple iPhones while western retail chains from Starbucks to Burberry have had to close many stores in the county .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The outbreak has also strained global supply chains , with Nissan announcing this week it was to halt production temporarily at a factory in Japan due to supply shortages of parts from China .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus first emerged but have since bounced back , with investors apparently assuming disruption to the economy will be temporary .
Neil Shearing , group chief economist at Capital Economics , said it was `` virtually impossible '' to quantify the impact of the virus on the world economy , though China 's role at the centre of global supply chains `` increases the likelihood that the disruption spreads to other countries '' .
Mr Carney 's assessment of the impact of the virus outbreak comes after his US counterpart Jerome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closely monitoring '' it .

The economic impact of China's coronavirus outbreak is already bigger than that caused by the spread of SARS in 2003, the Bank of England governor Mark Carney has said.
In evidence to the House of Lords economic affairs committee, Mr Carney that while new infections appeared to be slowing, it was still "very, very early days".
The outbreak in China, the world's second biggest economy, has prompted large parts of the country to be shut down - with many factories and shops closing their doors.
Mr Carney said: "We should all acknowledge the pain and the suffering that is real and spreading and including in this country.
Image: Carney: 'Too early to say the overall macroeconomic impact'
"While there are some signs of slowing in the pace of infections in China itself, it's still very, very early days.
"This is, from an economic perspective, already bigger than SARS and it is just too early to say the overall macroeconomic impact."
Assessments carried out by independent economists suggest the latest outbreak could cause a sharp fall in the pace of growth in China.
Mr Carney said stress tests carried out on UK banks showed they were ready to cope with the shock caused by a much bigger hit to the country's growth.
He added: "In general, the experience has been with pandemics that they can have quite significant impacts but much of it is recovered in subsequent quarters."
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More than 1,000 people have died, almost all in China, from coronavirus and the death toll has already surpassed the 774 killed by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome epidemic in 2002/3.
Today, the Chinese economy is several times bigger than it was 17 years ago, and much more closely intertwined with those of other countries.
Factories that have shut down include those assembling Apple iPhones while western retail chains from Starbucks to Burberry have had to close many stores in the county.
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The outbreak has also strained global supply chains, with Nissan announcing this week it was to halt production temporarily at a factory in Japan due to supply shortages of parts from China.
Global stock markets fell sharply as news of the virus first emerged but have since bounced back, with investors apparently assuming disruption to the economy will be temporary.
Neil Shearing, group chief economist at Capital Economics, said it was "virtually impossible" to quantify the impact of the virus on the world economy, though China's role at the centre of global supply chains "increases the likelihood that the disruption spreads to other countries".
Mr Carney's assessment of the impact of the virus outbreak comes after his US counterpart Jerome Powell said the Federal Reserve was "closely monitoring" it.


news--2020-02-05--BP London HQ temporarily shut down because of climate protest

BP has temporarily shut down its headquarters after climate activists targeted the company on its new boss 's first day in office .
Police said nine people had been arrested .
Greenpeace said protesters attempted to place hundreds of solar panels in front of the oil giant 's central London headquarters , and block the building 's entrances with oil barrels .
It comes on the first day in charge for new chief executive Bernard Looney .
In a statement , BP said Mr Looney shares the `` deep concerns '' of climate protesters .
Around 100 activists took 500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday , some of them locking themselves to oil barrels bearing the BP logo in front of the HQ 's six entrances to try to block them .
One protester , Richard George , said : `` BP are trying to block the transition to clean energy on a global scale .
`` They spend millions blocking action to fix the climate emergency and billions on drilling for more oil and gas to make it worse .
`` Floods , droughts , forest fires and hurricanes all over the globe start right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's headquarters . ''
Mr Looney will set out his vision for BP 's response to the transition to a low carbon future in a speech next week .
The company said the chief executive `` hopes that what he has to say to them will give people a sense that we get it and are very serious about working to address the problem '' .
Climate activists have reportedly targeted BP on a number of occasions .
: : Listen to A New Climate podcast on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Google @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters from Extinction Rebellion tried to disrupt a BP-sponsored screening of Romeo and Juliet at the Royal Opera House .
Greenpeace had also previously targeted the company 's headquarters in May ahead of its AGM .
The latest protest comes a day after BP reported a sharp fall in annual profits blamed on lower oil prices , and warned of the impact of the coronavirus on global demand .

BP has temporarily shut down its headquarters after climate activists targeted the company on its new boss's first day in office.
Police said nine people had been arrested.
Greenpeace said protesters attempted to place hundreds of solar panels in front of the oil giant's central London headquarters, and block the building's entrances with oil barrels.
It comes on the first day in charge for new chief executive Bernard Looney.
In a statement, BP said Mr Looney shares the "deep concerns" of climate protesters.
Around 100 activists took 500 solar panels to the building at 3am on Wednesday, some of them locking themselves to oil barrels bearing the BP logo in front of the HQ's six entrances to try to block them.
One protester, Richard George, said: "BP are trying to block the transition to clean energy on a global scale.
"They spend millions blocking action to fix the climate emergency and billions on drilling for more oil and gas to make it worse.
"Floods, droughts, forest fires and hurricanes all over the globe start right here with the plans made in BP's headquarters."
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Image: Protesters demonstrated against BP's sponsorship of Romeo and Juliet last year
Mr Looney will set out his vision for BP's response to the transition to a low carbon future in a speech next week.
The company said the chief executive "hopes that what he has to say to them will give people a sense that we get it and are very serious about working to address the problem".
Climate activists have reportedly targeted BP on a number of occasions.
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In June, protesters from Extinction Rebellion tried to disrupt a BP-sponsored screening of Romeo and Juliet at the Royal Opera House.
Greenpeace had also previously targeted the company's headquarters in May ahead of its AGM.
The latest protest comes a day after BP reported a sharp fall in annual profits blamed on lower oil prices, and warned of the impact of the coronavirus on global demand.