themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-15--Items rationed by Aldi, Tesco, Morrisons Sainsbury's and Asda over coronavirus

As people have been stockpiling everyday essentials like pasta and toilet roll due to coronavirus , supermarkets have been forced to act .
That means our favourite supermarkets , including Morrisons , Asda , Tesco and Sainsbury 's , have limited access to some items , reports CoventryLive .
The British Retail Consortium has also written to customers urging them to stop panic buying items .
Supermarkets have had to crack down on shoppers who have been stockpiling in-demand items such as loo roll , hand gel , anti-bacterial spray , pasta and tinned goods .
Major retailers around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelves stripped bare .
The government has urged people not to panic buy and says there will be enough items for everyone .
Milk , pastas and anti-bacterial wipes all have a five-item maximum on the number people can buy , reports DevonLive .
The restrictions started online on Sunday morning and in stores on Saturday afternoon .
The supermarket has sold out of many types of pasta online .
Waitrose is restricting online sales of certain anti-bacterial soaps and wipes .
The supermarket is in talks with supplies to increase orders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also introduced their own restrictions at a local level .
A post on the Morrisons website , reads : `` You may notice that delivery slots for our online groceries service are becoming less readily available as demand for home deliveries increases .
`` We 're working hard to facilitate as many orders as we can , however please be aware that you may need to book your slot further in advance than usual .
`` You will also discover that there is a maximum order number on selected products so we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to essential products . ''
The safety and well-being of our customers and colleagues is always our number one priority - and never more so than now , during the Coronavirus outbreak .
A post on the Asda website , reads : `` Like most retailers , we have seen a heightened demand for products both in stores and online – particularly on items like hand sanitizer and cleaning products and as a result , have implemented a two item limit on purchasing these items .
`` Whilst we are doing everything we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for all our customers , we are asking our customers to shop responsibly in our stores and online so that everyone has access to the essentials .
`` We are also grateful to our colleagues for their efforts to make sure our shelves are being refilled regularly and would ask customers to be patient with them as they try to meet this increased demand for products on the shop floor . ''
The supermarket will be setting a limit of five units per customer on a small number of products such as hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aldi has restricted all items in its store to four units .
The budget chain tweeted to say it had seen an `` unprecedented demand '' across its range and its wants to make all of its customers can purchase everything .
It added : `` All our stores remain open and continue to serve our valued customers .
`` We have good product availability and our colleagues are working tirelessly to restock and replenish shelves as quickly as they can . ''
No restrictions have been confirmed yet .
Toilet roll has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The website and app crashed yesterday as people rushed to buy food .
The outrage came as the company said it was struggling to fulfil demand and that new customers would not be able to use the site .
`` In this time of unusual demand , we have made the call to temporarily prioritise deliveries for you , our existing customers .
`` This means , after today we will not be processing new customer bookings for the time being , '' it wrote on Facebook .
`` Naturally , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone that chooses Ocado , and we ’ re working hard to increase our delivery capacity . ''
The High Street chemist Boots has restricted the sales of hand sanitisers to two per person .
As of Saturday afternoon , 21 people in the UK have died from the virus so far , with 1,140 people testing positive .
Government authorities have given advice on how to prevent the spread as airlines cancel flights across the world .

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Neil Shaw & Graeme Brown, Helen Carter)

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As people have been stockpiling everyday essentials like pasta and toilet roll due to coronavirus, supermarkets have been forced to act.
That means our favourite supermarkets, including Morrisons, Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury's, have limited access to some items, reports CoventryLive.
The British Retail Consortium has also written to customers urging them to stop panic buying items.
Supermarkets have had to crack down on shoppers who have been stockpiling in-demand items such as loo roll, hand gel, anti-bacterial spray, pasta and tinned goods.
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)
Major retailers around the country, including Costco, have seen shelves stripped bare.
The government has urged people not to panic buy and says there will be enough items for everyone.
Tesco
Milk, pastas and anti-bacterial wipes all have a five-item maximum on the number people can buy, reports DevonLive .
The restrictions started online on Sunday morning and in stores on Saturday afternoon.
The supermarket has sold out of many types of pasta online.
Waitrose
Waitrose is restricting online sales of certain anti-bacterial soaps and wipes. The supermarket is in talks with supplies to increase orders, reports the BBC.
Some stores have also introduced their own restrictions at a local level.
Morrisons
A post on the Morrisons website, reads: "You may notice that delivery slots for our online groceries service are becoming less readily available as demand for home deliveries increases.
"We're working hard to facilitate as many orders as we can, however please be aware that you may need to book your slot further in advance than usual.
(Image: PA)
"You will also discover that there is a maximum order number on selected products so we can make sure our customers still have access to essential products."
The safety and well-being of our customers and colleagues is always our number one priority - and never more so than now, during the Coronavirus outbreak.
Asda
A post on the Asda website, reads: "Like most retailers, we have seen a heightened demand for products both in stores and online – particularly on items like hand sanitizer and cleaning products and as a result, have implemented a two item limit on purchasing these items.
"Whilst we are doing everything we can to maintain the availability of products for all our customers, we are asking our customers to shop responsibly in our stores and online so that everyone has access to the essentials.
"We are also grateful to our colleagues for their efforts to make sure our shelves are being refilled regularly and would ask customers to be patient with them as they try to meet this increased demand for products on the shop floor."
Sainsbury's
The supermarket will be setting a limit of five units per customer on a small number of products such as hand wash, toilet rolls and cleaners.
(Image: MEN)
Aldi
Aldi has restricted all items in its store to four units.
The budget chain tweeted to say it had seen an "unprecedented demand" across its range and its wants to make all of its customers can purchase everything.
It added: "All our stores remain open and continue to serve our valued customers.
"We have good product availability and our colleagues are working tirelessly to restock and replenish shelves as quickly as they can."
Lidl
No restrictions have been confirmed yet.
Ocado
Toilet roll has been rationed to two 12-packs per customer.
The website and app crashed yesterday as people rushed to buy food.
The outrage came as the company said it was struggling to fulfil demand and that new customers would not be able to use the site.
(Image: PA)
"In this time of unusual demand, we have made the call to temporarily prioritise deliveries for you, our existing customers.
"This means, after today we will not be processing new customer bookings for the time being," it wrote on Facebook.
"Naturally, we are very sorry to have to disappoint anyone that chooses Ocado, and we’re working hard to increase our delivery capacity."
Boots
The High Street chemist Boots has restricted the sales of hand sanitisers to two per person.
As of Saturday afternoon, 21 people in the UK have died from the virus so far, with 1,140 people testing positive.
Government authorities have given advice on how to prevent the spread as airlines cancel flights across the world.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-15--Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba launches birthday appeal to combat coronavirus

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has used his birthday as an opportunity to launch a special appeal to help try and help fight the current coronavirus pandemic .
The French international turned 27 on Sunday and marked the special occasion by setting up his own birthday fundraiser against the coronavirus .
Taking to social media on his birthday Pogba posted a link to his appeal which is looking to raise £27,000 in one day to help 'fight the war ' against COVID-19 .
The United midfielder says if the target is reached by the end of the weekend he will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ £27,000 of his own money to the cause .
`` It 's my birthday and I 'm always grateful that me , my family and friends are healthy .
Nonetheless , not everybody is in good health right now , '' Pogba wrote on his official Facebook page .
`` The Coronavirus pandemic is affecting the health and lives of many , including children .
`` The impact of a large-scale outbreak , especially on poor and vulnerable children , can be immense .
`` Unicef is helping prevent the spread of # @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consulting with communities and implementing prevention campaigns .
It is a priority to stop the spread of this new virus , and the misinformation that ’ s spreading alongside it .
`` At times like this we need to come together .
`` With your help , I am hoping today to raise £27,000 to help fight this war and I will double the amount if we reach the goal .
If we manage to reach our target , it will be enough to provide : '' *333,332 pairs of disposable gloves for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help prevent the disease spreading further + *9,615 sets of vented goggles .
`` Any amount will be welcome to help fight this war against # COVID19 .
Thank you for all the support .

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Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has used his birthday as an opportunity to launch a special appeal to help try and help fight the current coronavirus pandemic.
The French international turned 27 on Sunday and marked the special occasion by setting up his own birthday fundraiser against the coronavirus.
Taking to social media on his birthday Pogba posted a link to his appeal which is looking to raise £27,000 in one day to help 'fight the war' against COVID-19.
The United midfielder says if the target is reached by the end of the weekend he will pay to double it and add another £27,000 of his own money to the cause.
"It's my birthday and I'm always grateful that me, my family and friends are healthy. Nonetheless, not everybody is in good health right now," Pogba wrote on his official Facebook page.
"The Coronavirus pandemic is affecting the health and lives of many, including children.
"The impact of a large-scale outbreak, especially on poor and vulnerable children, can be immense.
"Unicef is helping prevent the spread of #Coronavirus by supplying vital medical supplies, consulting with communities and implementing prevention campaigns. It is a priority to stop the spread of this new virus, and the misinformation that’s spreading alongside it.
"At times like this we need to come together.
"With your help, I am hoping today to raise £27,000 to help fight this war and I will double the amount if we reach the goal. If we manage to reach our target, it will be enough to provide:
"*333,332 pairs of disposable gloves for health workers + *2,777 surgical masks to help prevent the disease spreading further + *9,615 sets of vented goggles.
"For more information: https://www.unicef.org.uk/coronavirus-facts/
"Any amount will be welcome to help fight this war against #COVID19 . Thank you for all the support.
"Stay safe!"


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-15--Premier League considering 22-team league next season amid coronavirus pandemic

The Premier League are considering a 22-team league next season if the current campaign is declared void amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The MEN understands one of the proposals mooted during early discussions is that none of the current clubs are relegated and the first and second-placed teams in the Championship - Leeds United and West Brom - are promoted .
It is unclear whether Liverpool , 25 points clear at the summit and in need of two more wins to secure their first championship since 1990 , would be awarded the Premier League title .
Norwich City are at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21 points , Aston Villa are 19th with 25 points and Bournemouth 18th on 27 points .
Watford , 17th , and West Ham United , 16th , are also both on 27 points .
The West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady has brazenly called for the league to be suspended , amid fan discontent over the club 's ownership .
Championship leaders Leeds are on 71 points with nine fixtures remaining and West Brom trail them by a point .
The teams that finish between third and sixth quality for the Play-offs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brom .
Brentford , Nottingham Forest and Preston North End occupy the other three Play-off spots .
The 22-team proposal would doubtless be met with resistance by a host of clubs in the top two tiers .
Queens Park Rangers , 13th and in the bottom half of the second tier , are only six points below Preston in the final Play-off berth .
The four professional leagues in English football have been suspended until April 3 , but there is mounting uncertainty the leagues will resume in under three weeks ' time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200-300 things on this list that we ’ re working through to try and prepare ourselves for every eventuality , '' the Brighton chief executive Paul Barber told the BBC .
`` Our priority and the Premier League ’ s priority is to play out the remainder of the season , that ’ s what we all want , that ’ s what the fans want and it ’ s what the clubs want .
`` But we also have to be realistic , we really don ’ t know where this virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on April 4 ( when the Premier League is due to resume ) , when we intend to start playing games , and whether we can complete the fixture list .
`` We ’ ve got to look at every eventuality , we 've got to think about people , about the players and our coaches , but we ’ ve also got to think about the fans coming to the stadium and how they get to the stadium , usually through public transport , and therefore all the implications of that as @ @ @

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The Premier League are considering a 22-team league next season if the current campaign is declared void amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The MEN understands one of the proposals mooted during early discussions is that none of the current clubs are relegated and the first and second-placed teams in the Championship - Leeds United and West Brom - are promoted. It is unclear whether Liverpool, 25 points clear at the summit and in need of two more wins to secure their first championship since 1990, would be awarded the Premier League title.
Norwich City are at the foot of the Premier League on 21 points, Aston Villa are 19th with 25 points and Bournemouth 18th on 27 points. Watford, 17th, and West Ham United, 16th, are also both on 27 points. The West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady has brazenly called for the league to be suspended, amid fan discontent over the club's ownership.
Championship leaders Leeds are on 71 points with nine fixtures remaining and West Brom trail them by a point. The teams that finish between third and sixth quality for the Play-offs and third-placed Fulham are seven points behind West Brom. Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Preston North End occupy the other three Play-off spots.
The 22-team proposal would doubtless be met with resistance by a host of clubs in the top two tiers. Queens Park Rangers, 13th and in the bottom half of the second tier, are only six points below Preston in the final Play-off berth.
The four professional leagues in English football have been suspended until April 3, but there is mounting uncertainty the leagues will resume in under three weeks' time. "There’s probably about 200-300 things on this list that we’re working through to try and prepare ourselves for every eventuality," the Brighton chief executive Paul Barber told the BBC. "Our priority and the Premier League’s priority is to play out the remainder of the season, that’s what we all want, that’s what the fans want and it’s what the clubs want.
"But we also have to be realistic, we really don’t know where this virus is heading, where we will be on April 4 (when the Premier League is due to resume), when we intend to start playing games, and whether we can complete the fixture list.
"We’ve got to look at every eventuality, we've got to think about people, about the players and our coaches, but we’ve also got to think about the fans coming to the stadium and how they get to the stadium, usually through public transport, and therefore all the implications of that as well."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-15--Fears that work to 're-deck' railway bridge could cause months of traffic chaos in Westhoughton

Four months of nightmare traffic could be the price that commuters in Westhoughton have to pay , if plans to save a railway bridge are given the green light .
Bolton Council have asked the Department for Transport ( Dft ) for £2,500,000 in funding to re-deck the bridge at Daisy Hill Railway Station , in Leigh Road .
The Town Hall and Network Rail would each also put in £250,000 if the funding bid is approved .
In 2018 , barriers were installed to on either side of the bridge 's footpath in an effort to prolong its life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 'Daisy Hill Station Bridge - Bridge Deck Replacement ' project would prevent any permanent closure of what is a key commuter route .
It reads : `` The bridge deck has come to the end of its lifespan and a re-decking scheme is necessary to remove the current Health and Safety risks and to avoid the weight restriction or closure that is due to be implemented .
`` Any highway restrictions imposed over the bridge will have a severely detrimental effect on the surrounding MRN ( Major Road Network ) /KRN ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wigan , while also affecting Network Rail commuters .
`` The proposed Daisy Hill Station Bridge scheme benefits Bolton , Wigan and Network Rail by providing safe and unrestricted use of the important B5235 link road and access to the busy rail route . ''
The application goes on to state that if funding is not granted , then the bridge would have to be completely closed , or a 3.5 tonne weight limit would have to be enforced .
If closed completely , cars , HGVs and buses would be diverted via @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Hartford Road , which the application explains is not ideal .
It continues : `` Hartford and Hindley Road is residential and the A58 is MRN/KRN .
`` The diversion route would pass through multiple junctions , a commercial centre and also cross boundary between Wigan and Bolton .
`` Wearish Lane already has a history of issues with residents unhappy about the number of HGVs that use this route . ''
Westhoughton residents took to social media to express their concerns with the level of traffic that the scheme will likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It only takes any roadworks at that side of Westhoughton to turn Park Road , Bolton Road and Church Street into car parks .
`` The whole of Westhoughton will be impassable for at least three hours in the morning and evening . ''
Joanne Gilsenan added : `` Understand this needs to be done but this is going to be hell on earth unless a proper traffic management plan is put in place . ''
Westhoughton South councillor David Wilkinson suggested that the work is a necessary evil due to the bridge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` The bridge has to go , we put the barriers up two years ago to stop people parking on it but it 's absolutely knackered .
`` It will cause absolute chaos , there 's no two ways about it , but it 's better than it just dropping onto the railway one day .
`` Network rail have been monitoring and physically testing it and depending on the results of that , which should be out soon , I 'd imagine there will at least be a weight restriction @ @ @ @

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Four months of nightmare traffic could be the price that commuters in Westhoughton have to pay, if plans to save a railway bridge are given the green light.
Bolton Council have asked the Department for Transport (Dft) for £2,500,000 in funding to re-deck the bridge at Daisy Hill Railway Station, in Leigh Road.
The Town Hall and Network Rail would each also put in £250,000 if the funding bid is approved.
In 2018, barriers were installed to on either side of the bridge's footpath in an effort to prolong its life and according to the application form, the 'Daisy Hill Station Bridge - Bridge Deck Replacement' project would prevent any permanent closure of what is a key commuter route.
It reads: "The bridge deck has come to the end of its lifespan and a re-decking scheme is necessary to remove the current Health and Safety risks and to avoid the weight restriction or closure that is due to be implemented.
"Any highway restrictions imposed over the bridge will have a severely detrimental effect on the surrounding MRN (Major Road Network)/KRN (Key Route Network) in Bolton and Wigan , while also affecting Network Rail commuters.
(Image: Tom Molloy)
"The proposed Daisy Hill Station Bridge scheme benefits Bolton, Wigan and Network Rail by providing safe and unrestricted use of the important B5235 link road and access to the busy rail route."
The application goes on to state that if funding is not granted, then the bridge would have to be completely closed, or a 3.5 tonne weight limit would have to be enforced.
If closed completely, cars, HGVs and buses would be diverted via A58, Wearish Lane, Hindley Road and Hartford Road, which the application explains is not ideal.
It continues: "Hartford and Hindley Road is residential and the A58 is MRN/KRN.
"The diversion route would pass through multiple junctions, a commercial centre and also cross boundary between Wigan and Bolton.
"Wearish Lane already has a history of issues with residents unhappy about the number of HGVs that use this route."
Westhoughton residents took to social media to express their concerns with the level of traffic that the scheme will likely create.
(Image: Tom Molloy)
Jonny Melia said: "It only takes any roadworks at that side of Westhoughton to turn Park Road, Bolton Road and Church Street into car parks.
"The whole of Westhoughton will be impassable for at least three hours in the morning and evening."
Joanne Gilsenan added: "Understand this needs to be done but this is going to be hell on earth unless a proper traffic management plan is put in place."
Westhoughton South councillor David Wilkinson suggested that the work is a necessary evil due to the bridge's deterioration in recent years.
He said: "The bridge has to go, we put the barriers up two years ago to stop people parking on it but it's absolutely knackered.
"It will cause absolute chaos, there's no two ways about it, but it's better than it just dropping onto the railway one day.
"Network rail have been monitoring and physically testing it and depending on the results of that, which should be out soon, I'd imagine there will at least be a weight restriction on it."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-15--Wayne Rooney makes Pep Guardiola claim about Man City forward Raheem Sterling

Wayne Rooney credits Pep Guardiola with the improvement in Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling .
England international Sterling has transformed his finishing under the manager after a frustrating first season at the Etihad while Manuel Pellegrini was in charge .
The 25-year-old may currently be in a drought but has already hit double figures for Premier League goals , the third consecutive year he has achieved that landmark .
Sterling has put a lot of work into improving his game , and also worked with Mikel Arteta when the Arsenal manager was an assistant at City between 2016 and 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sterling on England duty for five years before retiring from international football in 2017 .
After moving to the US following a brief return to Everton , the 34-year-old is back in English football playing for Championship side Derby County .
And while he understands the work that Sterling has put in to improve his own game , he believes that Guardiola deserves praise for bringing the best out of the player and improving his decision-making .
“ Raheem ’ s a player who played on instinct , a lot of ability , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best of him now , ” Rooney told The Sunday Times .
“ He has worked on it himself but it ’ s because of Pep Guardiola .
Guardiola has got him in a mindset to know the game better and you see a massive difference .
It ’ s knowing the right time to do things and Guardiola is the best at teaching that , in my opinion .
”

Wayne Rooney credits Pep Guardiola with the improvement in Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling.
England international Sterling has transformed his finishing under the manager after a frustrating first season at the Etihad while Manuel Pellegrini was in charge. The 25-year-old may currently be in a drought but has already hit double figures for Premier League goals, the third consecutive year he has achieved that landmark.
Sterling has put a lot of work into improving his game, and also worked with Mikel Arteta when the Arsenal manager was an assistant at City between 2016 and 2019.
Manchester United great Rooney was around Sterling on England duty for five years before retiring from international football in 2017. After moving to the US following a brief return to Everton, the 34-year-old is back in English football playing for Championship side Derby County.
And while he understands the work that Sterling has put in to improve his own game, he believes that Guardiola deserves praise for bringing the best out of the player and improving his decision-making.
“Raheem’s a player who played on instinct, a lot of ability, and you’re only seeing the best of him now,” Rooney told The Sunday Times . “He has worked on it himself but it’s because of Pep Guardiola. Guardiola has got him in a mindset to know the game better and you see a massive difference. It’s knowing the right time to do things and Guardiola is the best at teaching that, in my opinion.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-15--Government could take action on food as retailers ask panic buyers to stop

The health secretary , Matt Hancock , has warned the government could take action on food as retailers tell people to stop panic buying over coronavirus .
Speaking on the Sophy Ridge programme on Sky News on Sunday , Mr Hancock said he was `` confident '' shops wo n't run out of food , but he added he could n't guarantee it .
And he made it clear the government could `` take further action '' in such circumstances .
Asked if food supply might be at risk , the Health Secretary told Sophy Ridge : `` No , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about is that the food supply will continue.
” But pressed to guarantee this would not be the case , he said : `` Well , we are confident about it .
`` What I can guarantee is we will work with the supermarkets to ensure that people get enough .
`` I understand why people might be stocking up - but people have got to behave responsibly .
`` Supermarkets are right to write the letter calling on people to be responsible and to consider the impact their stocking up might have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we stand ready to take further measures if that ’ s necessary.
” His comments come as the British Retail Consortium , which represents retailers , sent a joint letter to consumers urging everyone to work together to ensure there is enough food for the country .
Scores of shoppers have been panic-buying essentials , including toilet paper and tinned goods , as fears intensify over the spread of the virus .
Supermarket shelves have been emptied and long queues have formed in stores .
Retailers are currently working `` round the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ items they need , the BRC said .
The letter said : `` We know that many of you are worried about the spread of coronavirus ( Covid-19 ) .
`` We want to let you know that we are doing everything we can so that you and your families have the food and essentials you need .
The letter added : `` But we need your help , too .
`` We would ask everyone to be considerate in the way they shop .
`` We understand your concerns , but buying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that others will be left without .
`` There is enough for everyone if we all work together .
`` Together we can make sure we are looking out for family , friends , neighbours .
`` Together we will care for those around us and those who are elderly , vulnerable or choosing to remain at home . ''
Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said people were not selfish for stockpiling essentials .
The Labour MP said : `` People are worried and I think the broader issue and point is this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort .
`` Certainty is everything and people need advice and this virus spreads quickly and it exploits ambivalence and we don ’ t want any ambiguity . ''

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The health secretary, Matt Hancock, has warned the government could take action on food as retailers tell people to stop panic buying over coronavirus.
Speaking on the Sophy Ridge programme on Sky News on Sunday, Mr Hancock said he was "confident" shops won't run out of food, but he added he couldn't guarantee it.
And he made it clear the government could "take further action" in such circumstances.
Asked if food supply might be at risk, the Health Secretary told Sophy Ridge: "No, one of the things we are confident about is that the food supply will continue.”
But pressed to guarantee this would not be the case, he said: "Well, we are confident about it.
"What I can guarantee is we will work with the supermarkets to ensure that people get enough.
(Image: PA)
"I understand why people might be stocking up - but people have got to behave responsibly.
"Supermarkets are right to write the letter calling on people to be responsible and to consider the impact their stocking up might have on others.
"And of course, we stand ready to take further measures if that’s necessary.”
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
His comments come as the British Retail Consortium, which represents retailers, sent a joint letter to consumers urging everyone to work together to ensure there is enough food for the country.
Scores of shoppers have been panic-buying essentials, including toilet paper and tinned goods, as fears intensify over the spread of the virus.
Supermarket shelves have been emptied and long queues have formed in stores.
Retailers are currently working "round the clock" to help customers get the items they need, the BRC said.
The letter said: "We know that many of you are worried about the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19).
"We want to let you know that we are doing everything we can so that you and your families have the food and essentials you need.
The letter added: "But we need your help, too.
"We would ask everyone to be considerate in the way they shop.
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)
"We understand your concerns, but buying more than is needed can sometimes mean that others will be left without.
"There is enough for everyone if we all work together.
"Together we can make sure we are looking out for family, friends, neighbours.
"Together we will care for those around us and those who are elderly, vulnerable or choosing to remain at home."
Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said people were not selfish for stockpiling essentials.
The Labour MP said: "People are worried and I think the broader issue and point is this: we really need a mass co-ordinated effort.
"Certainty is everything and people need advice and this virus spreads quickly and it exploits ambivalence and we don’t want any ambiguity."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-15--Gorton made this millionaire. This is what he's doing for Gorton.

Business mogul Theo Paphitis says he hopes a new youth centre in his hometown of Gorton will help disadvantaged kids ‘ find their talent ’ and escape poverty .
The self-made millionaire and star of TV ’ s Dragon ’ s Den is one of the donors helping to fund the £5.8 million centre near Belle Vue .
The state-of-the-art facility , due to open later this year , will offer a range of activities from sports such as football and boxing to rock climbing and cookery , hair and beauty , and film and media for an entry fee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60 , who is donating part of the annual £1.3 million running costs , was this week given a behind-the-scenes tour of the centre on Hyde Road , which is still under construction .
And in an exclusive interview with the Manchester Evening News , the entrepreneur - worth a reported £300 million - said it was a project very close to his heart .
It is a little known fact that , despite spending a large part of his life in London , Theo and his family spent several years in Manchester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 1960s .
Born in Limassol on the Mediterranean island in 1959 , Theo moved to the north west when he was six and briefly lived in a rented terraced house in Old Trafford , before his dad bought a two up , two down in Gorton when he was aged seven .
“ I was a first generation immigrant and I couldn ’ t speak a word of English when I got here '' , Theo said .
`` I knew ‘ water ’ - that was it .
That was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So it was really strange coming here and going to school where there was no support for anyone that didn ’ t speak English .
They just put you in a class and you thought ‘ what the bloody hell is going on here.
’ “ There was no way of communicating , it was tough .
Eventually you learn a few words so you can communicate and then eventually you integrate within the place .
“ It wasn ’ t so bad , nobody had anything .
“ If you had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had two parents – my god you were special .
“ And I was a bit of a novelty because there wasn ’ t a lot of first generation immigrants here at the time .
It has changed a huge amount and is very diverse now.
” Looking around in the middle of the modern centre , situated close to the huge Tesco store that now dominates the centre of Gorton , Theo said in many ways it was unrecognisable from the terraced houses and cobbled streets which characterised the area in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just up the road from here .
I was a latchkey kid wandering around the streets .
“ There was Belle Vue here , we used to bunk into there , hang around on the railway sidings , play on the trains , get into mischief .
“ Whenever I brought my kids to Manchester it was always a source of amusement for them - ‘ oh God dad ’ s going to drive through Gorton and show us where he used to live.
’ “ In the end they got fed up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been back a lot .
“ It ’ s so very different now .
Most of the streets have been knocked down .
Some of them have been re-named .
My old school ( Peacock Street Primary School ) has been knocked down .
Some may say it should have been knocked down a lot earlier .
I never used to go there a lot in fairness .
“ Don ’ t forget , we ’ re talking just 20 years after the war when I was here .
So it still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even 20 years on .
“ If you looked at the railway sidings you could find an army helmet still lying there , half broken , on the floor which a soldier had just discarded .
“ It was that sort of place .
There was coke – not the sort you might be thinking – but coal coke that would fall off the trucks and trains .
“ You could collect it and sell it there was that much of it around .
“ We used to collect it and light fires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fires , talking nonsense .
“ The church had a youth centre that was open for one evening , I think it was a Thursday , for about two and a half hours , and you would go there .
“ But other than that there was nowhere to go , to do anything , to see anything , to talk to anyone.
” It may have changed architecturally but Gorton still remains one of the city 's most socially disadvantaged areas .
And Theo says his experiences growing up here inspired him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the area .
The £6.5 million HideOut Youth Zone is been being built on land donated by Manchester city council , using a generous donation from Salford bookmaker Fred Done and being overseen by the charity OnSide who also run the successful youth centre in Harpurhey .
However , it will also cost around £1.3 million a year to run , and , as it 's costing just 50p a day for kids to use , the contributions of donors , of which Theo was one , will be vital .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place to come to first of all , is amazing , ” said Theo , one of the centre 's founder patrons .
“ Then when you look at what you get when you walk through the front door , it blows your hat off .
“ I ’ m very fortunate to have been to many of the centres , but if I hadn ’ t and I walked in through these front doors , even whilst we ’ re still weeks away from the completion , I could visualise everything .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the youngsters I think 'what would it have been like if this was around when I was younger ? '
You ’ d never go home.
” The centre , due to open in late spring/early summer , will have an indoor climbing wall , a four court sports hall , an outdoor 3G football pitch , skate park , dance and drama studio , enterprise and employability suite , a fully equipped gym , an arts and crafts studio , a boxing and martial arts gym , a music room , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Theo says he hopes it ’ ll help people find their calling in life just as he did .
“ It ’ s not just about things to do – it ’ s about awareness and opportunity , ” he said .
“ Every kid has got a talent .
It ’ s just the opportunity they are lacking .
“ What you get here is an opportunity for them to see things , find their talent and be guided towards those opportunities .
“ Kids don ’ t know what they don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fact .
In fact a lot of adults don ’ t either by the way .
“ So to come here and see things in the flesh is massive .
“ Yes , they see things on television , but it ’ s a difference between seeing them on television and actually climbing a wall .
“ People watch Spiderman but they don ’ t think they ’ re actually going to be climbing a wall .
“ You can turn up and do that here .
You can do so many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boxing or martial arts .
You name it – football , skateboarding .
“ All these things exist but in most kids ' lives they exist either on telly or on a computer game .
Not for real , you can ’ t really have a go .
You can here .
“ Everyone has got a talent – whether it 's business , or sport , or with their hands .
It ’ s getting the opportunity and finding that talent that is the key . ''
Theo certainly had a talent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aged nine , he began working as a tea boy and filing clerk at a city of London insurance broker .
Aged 21 he began selling mortgages before setting up a property finance company aged , 23 , the first block in his now considerable multi-million pound empire .
He bought stationary chain Ryman ’ s from administration and has developed a reputation for turning around failing companies .
His current portfolio also includes Robert Dyas and Boux Avenue .
In 2006 , he sold his equity stake in the UK and EU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ La Senza , for a reported £100m .
He co-owns Red Letter Days with fellow Dragons ' Den businessman Peter Jones , one of his many investments arising from the Manchester filmed talent show .
However he also has a long history of donating to good causes and Theo has urged fellow wealthy Mancunians to sign up and donate to the centre .
“ Philanthropy and charitable giving in some ways are mislabelled '' , he said .
“ You know and I know that when we give , we feel so much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel quite guilty giving , cos I ’ m getting as much as a kick as anyone else .
“ And when you ’ re in a fortunate position to do be able to do that , it ’ s an amazing feeling .
“ I got a phone call from ( AO.com founder and OnSide Charmian ) John Roberts when the centre first got onto the starting blocks .
“ He said ‘ you ’ re a Gorton boy aren ’ t you ?
’ and I said ‘ yes.
’ “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ founder patrons because we ’ re starting one in Gorton ’ and I said ‘ never.
’ “ It took me a millisecond to say yes “ Manchester is an amazing city .
It has so much wealth .
“ But then at the same time , you look around and see how many children are living in poverty in this area .
Which is tragic .
I think it 's around 60 percent , it ’ s a mad figure .
“ So whoever has come from the area , and by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been able to grasp the opportunities Manchester has given them and benefit from it , wouldn ’ t it be great to just give a little bit back ? ''

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Business mogul Theo Paphitis says he hopes a new youth centre in his hometown of Gorton will help disadvantaged kids ‘find their talent’ and escape poverty.
The self-made millionaire and star of TV’s Dragon’s Den is one of the donors helping to fund the £6.6m centre near Belle Vue.
The state-of-the-art facility, due to open later this year, will offer a range of activities from sports such as football and boxing to rock climbing and cookery, hair and beauty, and film and media for an entry fee of just 50p.
Dad-of-five Theo, 60, who is donating part of the annual £1.3m running costs, was this week given a behind-the-scenes tour of the centre on Hyde Road, which is still under construction.
And in an exclusive interview with the Manchester Evening News, the entrepreneur - worth a reported £300m- said it was a project very close to his heart.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
It is a little known fact that, despite spending a large part of his life in London, Theo and his family spent several years in Manchester after arriving in the UK from Cyprus in the 1960s.
Born in Limassol on the Mediterranean island in 1959, Theo moved to the north west when he was six and briefly lived in a rented terraced house in Old Trafford, before his dad bought a two up, two down in Gorton when he was aged seven.
“I was a first generation immigrant and I couldn’t speak a word of English when I got here", Theo said. "I knew ‘water’ - that was it. That was the only word I knew.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
“So it was really strange coming here and going to school where there was no support for anyone that didn’t speak English. They just put you in a class and you thought ‘what the bloody hell is going on here.’
“There was no way of communicating, it was tough. Eventually you learn a few words so you can communicate and then eventually you integrate within the place.
“It wasn’t so bad, nobody had anything.
“If you had a bike you were rich. If you had two parents – my god you were special.
“And I was a bit of a novelty because there wasn’t a lot of first generation immigrants here at the time. It has changed a huge amount and is very diverse now.”
(Image: Manchester Local Image Collection)
Looking around in the middle of the modern centre, situated close to the huge Tesco store that now dominates the centre of Gorton, Theo said in many ways it was unrecognisable from the terraced houses and cobbled streets which characterised the area in the sixties.
“I used to live just up the road from here. I was a latchkey kid wandering around the streets.
“There was Belle Vue here, we used to bunk into there, hang around on the railway sidings, play on the trains, get into mischief.
“Whenever I brought my kids to Manchester it was always a source of amusement for them - ‘oh God dad’s going to drive through Gorton and show us where he used to live.’
“In the end they got fed up so I stopped, but I’ve been back a lot.
(Image: Mirrorpix)
“It’s so very different now. Most of the streets have been knocked down. Some of them have been re-named. My old school (Peacock Street Primary School) has been knocked down. Some may say it should have been knocked down a lot earlier. I never used to go there a lot in fairness.
“Don’t forget, we’re talking just 20 years after the war when I was here. So it still had residues of the war everywhere, even 20 years on.
“If you looked at the railway sidings you could find an army helmet still lying there, half broken, on the floor which a soldier had just discarded.
“It was that sort of place. There was coke – not the sort you might be thinking – but coal coke that would fall off the trucks and trains.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
“You could collect it and sell it there was that much of it around.
“We used to collect it and light fires and sit there all night, lighting fires, talking nonsense.
“The church had a youth centre that was open for one evening, I think it was a Thursday, for about two and a half hours, and you would go there.
“But other than that there was nowhere to go, to do anything, to see anything, to talk to anyone.”
It may have changed architecturally but Gorton still remains one of the city's most socially disadvantaged areas.
And Theo says his experiences growing up here inspired him to want to give something back to the area.
(Image: BBC)
The £6.5 million HideOut Youth Zone is been being built on land donated by Manchester city council, using a generous donation from Salford bookmaker Fred Done and being overseen by the charity OnSide who also run the successful youth centre in Harpurhey.
However, it will also cost around £1.3 million a year to run, and, as it's costing just 50p a day for kids to use, the contributions of donors, of which Theo was one, will be vital.
“The fact this place exists, as a place to come to first of all, is amazing,” said Theo, one of the centre's founder patrons.
“Then when you look at what you get when you walk through the front door, it blows your hat off.
“I’m very fortunate to have been to many of the centres, but if I hadn’t and I walked in through these front doors, even whilst we’re still weeks away from the completion, I could visualise everything.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
“Every time I meet some of the youngsters I think 'what would it have been like if this was around when I was younger?' You’d never go home.”
The centre, due to open in late spring/early summer, will have an indoor climbing wall, a four court sports hall, an outdoor 3G football pitch, skate park, dance and drama studio, enterprise and employability suite, a fully equipped gym, an arts and crafts studio, a boxing and martial arts gym, a music room, a recording studio and much more.
And Theo says he hopes it’ll help people find their calling in life just as he did.
“It’s not just about things to do – it’s about awareness and opportunity,” he said.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
“Every kid has got a talent. It’s just the opportunity they are lacking.
“What you get here is an opportunity for them to see things, find their talent and be guided towards those opportunities.
“Whereas that wouldn’t normally exist.
“Kids don’t know what they don’t know. That’s a fact. In fact a lot of adults don’t either by the way.
“So to come here and see things in the flesh is massive.
“Yes, they see things on television, but it’s a difference between seeing them on television and actually climbing a wall.
“People watch Spiderman but they don’t think they’re actually going to be climbing a wall.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
“You can turn up and do that here. You can do so many things – music, or media or boxing or martial arts. You name it – football, skateboarding.
“All these things exist but in most kids' lives they exist either on telly or on a computer game. Not for real, you can’t really have a go. You can here.
“Everyone has got a talent – whether it's business, or sport, or with their hands. It’s getting the opportunity and finding that talent that is the key."
Theo certainly had a talent for business. After moving to London aged nine, he began working as a tea boy and filing clerk at a city of London insurance broker.
Aged 21 he began selling mortgages before setting up a property finance company aged, 23, the first block in his now considerable multi-million pound empire.
(Image: Daily Record)
He bought stationary chain Ryman’s from administration and has developed a reputation for turning around failing companies. His current portfolio also includes Robert Dyas and Boux Avenue.
In 2006, he sold his equity stake in the UK and EU segment of the global lingerie brand, La Senza, for a reported £100m.
He co-owns Red Letter Days with fellow Dragons' Den businessman Peter Jones, one of his many investments arising from the Manchester filmed talent show.
However he also has a long history of donating to good causes and Theo has urged fellow wealthy Mancunians to sign up and donate to the centre.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
“Philanthropy and charitable giving in some ways are mislabelled", he said.
“You know and I know that when we give, we feel so much better.
“In some ways I feel quite guilty giving, cos I’m getting as much as a kick as anyone else.
“And when you’re in a fortunate position to do be able to do that, it’s an amazing feeling.
Follow reporter Chris Slater on social media To follow Chris on Twitter, click here. Or to like his Facebook page and keep up to date with the latest breaking news, click here Here's the link to the M.E.N's main Facebook page where we share our latest stories.
“I got a phone call from (AO.com founder and OnSide Charmian) John Roberts when the centre first got onto the starting blocks.
“He said ‘you’re a Gorton boy aren’t you?’ and I said ‘yes.’
“He said ‘well we need some founder patrons because we’re starting one in Gorton’ and I said ‘never.’
“It took me a millisecond to say yes
“Manchester is an amazing city. It has so much wealth.
“So much potential, it’s such a vibrant city.
“But then at the same time, you look around and see how many children are living in poverty in this area. Which is tragic. I think it's around 60 percent, it’s a mad figure.
“So whoever has come from the area, and by that I mean Manchester, and who has been able to grasp the opportunities Manchester has given them and benefit from it, wouldn’t it be great to just give a little bit back?"


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-15--Manchester United great Wayne Rooney recalls dressing room row with Sir Alex Ferguson

Wayne Rooney admits he 'went too far ' with Sir Alex Ferguson during a half-time confrontation in a game where he scored a hat-trick for Manchester United .
Rooney , 34 , netted the third hat-trick of his career in United 's 4-1 victory over Portsmouth at Fratton Park in November 2009 , yet the teams were level at the interval after referee Mike Dean awarded Portsmouth a controversial penalty that Kevin-Prince Boateng converted .
Rooney had put United ahead with his own spotkick and struck twice within 10 minutes of the restart to regain their lead and claim the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruthlessness was fuelled by a dressing room row with Ferguson , who deliberately used to target Rooney and Ryan Giggs , however well they were performing , during half-time team talks in an effort to get a message across to other players .
`` The best way to motivate me ?
Confrontation .
I ’ ve always been at my best when I 've been a bit angrier , '' Rooney told The Sunday Times .
`` Fergie knew exactly what I needed .
I ’ d say 90 per cent of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arguing at half-time .
`` I never got used to [ Ferguson targeting him ] .
I used to think , ' I ’ m playing well , he ’ ll have a go at someone else today . '
And it would be me again .
Portsmouth was the worst one .
It got really bad .
`` This was at half-time .
I went back out and scored a hat-trick .
I remember sitting on the coach thinking , ' I 've gone too far there . '
But the good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d go to the toilet in the coach or to get a coffee and walk past you on the way back and just , like , slap you on the back of the head .
That was his way of saying , 'The argument is gone . '
He never carried grudges . ''
Rooney spoke with Ferguson during United 's League Cup semi-final first leg defeat to Manchester City at Old Trafford in January .
The pair 's relationship towards the end of Ferguson 's United reign became strained after Ferguson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request , and Rooney was omitted from Ferguson 's last two matchday squads .
Ferguson became more candid and critical of Rooney in his assessments following the forward 's 2010 transfer request which attracted strong interest from City .
On both occasions that Rooney considered leaving United , he signed an improved contract .
`` It ’ s documented we had disagreements but disagreements are good in football , '' Rooney stressed .
`` [ Disagreeing ] gives you ways to improve and think about things differently . ''
Rooney added Ferguson 'looks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see ' after he recovered from a brain haemorrhage in May 2018 .

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Wayne Rooney admits he 'went too far' with Sir Alex Ferguson during a half-time confrontation in a game where he scored a hat-trick for Manchester United.
Rooney, 34, netted the third hat-trick of his career in United's 4-1 victory over Portsmouth at Fratton Park in November 2009, yet the teams were level at the interval after referee Mike Dean awarded Portsmouth a controversial penalty that Kevin-Prince Boateng converted.
Rooney had put United ahead with his own spotkick and struck twice within 10 minutes of the restart to regain their lead and claim the match ball. Rooney has revealed his ruthlessness was fuelled by a dressing room row with Ferguson, who deliberately used to target Rooney and Ryan Giggs, however well they were performing, during half-time team talks in an effort to get a message across to other players.
"The best way to motivate me? Confrontation. I’ve always been at my best when I've been a bit angrier," Rooney told The Sunday Times. "Fergie knew exactly what I needed. I’d say 90 per cent of the games I played under him we were arguing at half-time.
"I never got used to [Ferguson targeting him]. I used to think, 'I’m playing well, he’ll have a go at someone else today.' And it would be me again. Portsmouth was the worst one. It got really bad.
"This was at half-time. I went back out and scored a hat-trick. I remember sitting on the coach thinking, 'I've gone too far there.' But the good thing about him [is] he’d go to the toilet in the coach or to get a coffee and walk past you on the way back and just, like, slap you on the back of the head. That was his way of saying, 'The argument is gone.' He never carried grudges."
Rooney spoke with Ferguson during United's League Cup semi-final first leg defeat to Manchester City at Old Trafford in January. The pair's relationship towards the end of Ferguson's United reign became strained after Ferguson publicly revealed Rooney had submitted a transfer request, and Rooney was omitted from Ferguson's last two matchday squads.
Ferguson became more candid and critical of Rooney in his assessments following the forward's 2010 transfer request which attracted strong interest from City. On both occasions that Rooney considered leaving United, he signed an improved contract.
"It’s documented we had disagreements but disagreements are good in football," Rooney stressed. "[Disagreeing] gives you ways to improve and think about things differently."
Rooney added Ferguson 'looks really well and it’s great to see' after he recovered from a brain haemorrhage in May 2018.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-15--Wayne Rooney reveals Cristiano Ronaldo McDonald's trip before Manchester United fixture

Wayne Rooney has revealed how he once took Cristiano Ronaldo to McDonald 's the night before a Manchester United match .
The Portuguese forward was keen to improve his physicality during his time at Old Trafford and sought the help of teammate Rooney in order to get himself bulked up .
Ronaldo has always been known for his physique but things were n't quite the same when he first arrived in Manchester from Sporting Lisbon .
Following Rooney 's own move to United in 2004 , the teenage duo struck up a close friendship which saw the English forward regularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , one night before a match the pair took a trip to McDonald 's in a big to help Ronaldo bulk up .
`` With Cristiano , when I first got to United we used to go to games and training together .
I remember the night before a game stopping off at McDonald 's because he wanted a Big Mac , '' Rooney said in an interview with The Sunday Times .
`` He was trying to put weight on because he was so thin .
I was driving the car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get him a Big Mac . ''

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Wayne Rooney has revealed how he once took Cristiano Ronaldo to McDonald's the night before a Manchester United match.
The Portuguese forward was keen to improve his physicality during his time at Old Trafford and sought the help of teammate Rooney in order to get himself bulked up.
Ronaldo has always been known for his physique but things weren't quite the same when he first arrived in Manchester from Sporting Lisbon.
Following Rooney's own move to United in 2004, the teenage duo struck up a close friendship which saw the English forward regularly drive Ronaldo to matches and training.
However, one night before a match the pair took a trip to McDonald's in a big to help Ronaldo bulk up.
"With Cristiano, when I first got to United we used to go to games and training together. I remember the night before a game stopping off at McDonald's because he wanted a Big Mac," Rooney said in an interview with The Sunday Times.
"He was trying to put weight on because he was so thin. I was driving the car, having to go through the drive-through to get him a Big Mac."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-15--All people over 70 will be asked to self-isolate for months due to coronavirus, health secretary con

All people over 70 will be asked to self-isolate for months due to coronavirus, health secretary confirms

Elderly people will be asked to self-isolate for up to four-months as the UK ramps up efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said it 's a 'big ask ' but is a measure for 'their own protection ' .
The Covid-19 death toll in the UK rose from 11 to 21 on Saturday .
The number of people who tested positive for the disease passed the 1,000 mark .
Mr Hancock said that people aged over 70 will be asked in the coming weeks to self-isolate for up to four months , in order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asked if that was in the Government 's plan , he told Sky 's Sophy Ridge On Sunday : `` That is in the action plan , yes , and we will be setting it out with more detail when it is the right time to do so , because we absolutely appreciate that it is a very big ask of the elderly and the vulnerable , and it 's for their own self-protection . ''
Pressed on when the measure will be introduced , he said : `` Certainly in the coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus is `` a very significant challenge '' that will `` disrupt the lives of almost everybody '' in the UK .
`` The measures that we 're taking , the measures that we 're looking at taking , are very , very significant and they will disrupt the ordinary lives of almost everybody in the country in order to tackle this virus , '' he said .
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson will personally urge manufacturers to shift their production lines to build ventilators , as the NHS prepares for a significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Government is in talks with private hospitals about the possibility of taking over beds , in a further sign of the pressures that will face the health service at the peak of the coronavirus outbreak .
Mr Hancock said : `` Our generation has never been tested like this .
`` Our grandparents were , during the Second World War , when our cities were bombed during the Blitz .
`` Despite the pounding every night , the rationing , the loss of life , they pulled together in one gigantic national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facing its own test , fighting a very real and new disease . ''
Writing in the Sunday Telegraph , he said everyone would have to make sacrifices to protect not only themselves , but `` especially those most vulnerable to the disease '' .
Several major events have been postponed in the UK due to the threat of coronavirus , including the London Marathon and all Premier League matches .
At a press conference on Saturday , US President Donald Trump announced the extension of his travel restrictions to cover the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ baby in England who has tested positive for coronavirus is likely to be one of the world 's youngest patients with the disease .
The UK 's approach to developing `` herd immunity '' against Covid-19 has been called into question .
In an open letter , a group of 229 scientists from UK universities argued that `` going for 'herd immunity ' at this point does not seem a viable option , as this will put NHS at an even stronger level of stress , risking many more lives than necessary '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care spokesman said : `` Herd immunity is not part of our action plan , but is a natural by-product of an epidemic .
`` Our aims are to save lives , protect the most vulnerable , and relieve pressure on our NHS . ''

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Elderly people will be asked to self-isolate for up to four-months as the UK ramps up efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said it's a 'big ask' but is a measure for 'their own protection'.
The Covid-19 death toll in the UK rose from 11 to 21 on Saturday.
The number of people who tested positive for the disease passed the 1,000 mark.
Mr Hancock said that people aged over 70 will be asked in the coming weeks to self-isolate for up to four months, in order to protect them from the virus.
Asked if that was in the Government's plan, he told Sky's Sophy Ridge On Sunday: "That is in the action plan, yes, and we will be setting it out with more detail when it is the right time to do so, because we absolutely appreciate that it is a very big ask of the elderly and the vulnerable, and it's for their own self-protection."
Pressed on when the measure will be introduced, he said: "Certainly in the coming weeks, absolutely."
He said coronavirus is "a very significant challenge" that will "disrupt the lives of almost everybody" in the UK.
"The measures that we're taking, the measures that we're looking at taking, are very, very significant and they will disrupt the ordinary lives of almost everybody in the country in order to tackle this virus," he said.
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson will personally urge manufacturers to shift their production lines to build ventilators, as the NHS prepares for a significant increase in cases of Covid-19.
And the Government is in talks with private hospitals about the possibility of taking over beds, in a further sign of the pressures that will face the health service at the peak of the coronavirus outbreak.
(Image: PA)
Mr Hancock said: "Our generation has never been tested like this.
"Our grandparents were, during the Second World War, when our cities were bombed during the Blitz.
"Despite the pounding every night, the rationing, the loss of life, they pulled together in one gigantic national effort.
"Today our generation is facing its own test, fighting a very real and new disease."
Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, he said everyone would have to make sacrifices to protect not only themselves, but "especially those most vulnerable to the disease".
Several major events have been postponed in the UK due to the threat of coronavirus, including the London Marathon and all Premier League matches.
At a press conference on Saturday, US President Donald Trump announced the extension of his travel restrictions to cover the UK and Ireland.
(Image: AP)
Meanwhile, a newborn baby in England who has tested positive for coronavirus is likely to be one of the world's youngest patients with the disease.
The UK's approach to developing "herd immunity" against Covid-19 has been called into question.
In an open letter, a group of 229 scientists from UK universities argued that "going for 'herd immunity' at this point does not seem a viable option, as this will put NHS at an even stronger level of stress, risking many more lives than necessary".
A Department of Health and Social care spokesman said: "Herd immunity is not part of our action plan, but is a natural by-product of an epidemic.
"Our aims are to save lives, protect the most vulnerable, and relieve pressure on our NHS."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-15--The beautiful friendship that started in school 70 years ago

Two best friends who met as children are still as close as ever after more than 70 years of friendship .
Irene Blomeley and Vera Bode were just ten-years-old when they first became pals in the late 1940s .
They got to know each other when they both attended Longfield School on Mauldeth Road in Heaton Moor .
Now both 81 , they have been there for each other ever since - and Vera says they now feel more like sisters .
The Stockport friends still speak every day and regularly meet up for meals out together with their families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ site where Tithe Barn Primary now stands , was an open air school where children were sent to improve their health .
Vera went there due to chronic bronchitis , and remembers it being much smaller than a typical school .
Vera said : `` We were ten , and we just met in the school .
`` There were n't a lot of us in the school , it was n't like a proper school .
`` We had a few friends there between us .
I used to go and sleep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always been close , we 've been with one another all our lives '' .
As young women , they both lived on Hillgate and would see each other constantly .
Read more of today 's stories here After Irene moved to Offerton and Vera to Brinnington , they still made time to visit each other as they raised their young families .
Over the years they continued to socialise together and often all went on holiday together .
And if they were n't already close enough , the pair formally became family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vera 's daughter Marie .
Now two of their grandchildren are shared between them .
Vera added : `` We 've got other grandchildren , but two between both of us .
`` When she moved to Offerton and I moved to Brinnington , we still kept in touch .
`` I used to take my children through the park to the museum on the way to see her .
`` We 've been to all the same events together , Christenings , birthdays .
We used to go on holiday together with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older , you ca n't manage to do those things .
I had a fall and could n't get the bus , but family still bring her to see me .
`` We still bother with each other . ''
The pair have also supported each other through difficult times , including when they were both widowed at a young age .
Irene went on to marry again , while Vera has lived with her partner for more than 30 years .
Vera added : `` You support each other when things go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice .
`` It 's a long time to be friends and family together .
`` We 've never drifted apart .
She 's like a sister to me really '' .

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Two best friends who met as children are still as close as ever after more than 70 years of friendship.
Irene Blomeley and Vera Bode were just ten-years-old when they first became pals in the late 1940s.
They got to know each other when they both attended Longfield School on Mauldeth Road in Heaton Moor.
Now both 81, they have been there for each other ever since - and Vera says they now feel more like sisters.
The Stockport friends still speak every day and regularly meet up for meals out together with their families.
Longfield, which was on the site where Tithe Barn Primary now stands, was an open air school where children were sent to improve their health.
Vera went there due to chronic bronchitis, and remembers it being much smaller than a typical school.
(Image: Andy Brinsley)
Vera said: "We were ten, and we just met in the school.
"There weren't a lot of us in the school, it wasn't like a proper school.
"We had a few friends there between us. I used to go and sleep at her house.
"We've always been close, we've been with one another all our lives".
As young women, they both lived on Hillgate and would see each other constantly.
After Irene moved to Offerton and Vera to Brinnington, they still made time to visit each other as they raised their young families.
Over the years they continued to socialise together and often all went on holiday together.
And if they weren't already close enough, the pair formally became family, when Irene's son Stephen married Vera's daughter Marie.
Now two of their grandchildren are shared between them.
(Image: Andy Brinsley)
Vera added: "We've got other grandchildren, but two between both of us.
"When she moved to Offerton and I moved to Brinnington, we still kept in touch.
"I used to take my children through the park to the museum on the way to see her.
"We've been to all the same events together, Christenings, birthdays. We used to go on holiday together with the children.
"As you get older, you can't manage to do those things. I had a fall and couldn't get the bus, but family still bring her to see me.
"We still bother with each other."
(Image: Andy Brinsley)
The pair have also supported each other through difficult times, including when they were both widowed at a young age.
Irene went on to marry again, while Vera has lived with her partner for more than 30 years.
Follow reporter Helen Johnson on social media To follow Helen on Twitter, click here Find her Facebook news page here Find all the latest M.E.N stories on our Facebook page here
Vera added: "You support each other when things go wrong and try to give each other advice.
"It's a long time to be friends and family together.
"We've never drifted apart. She's like a sister to me really".


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-15--'We were on a flight to Alicante when the pilot said we couldn't land because of coronavirus'

A couple were en route to a winter getaway to Spain when it was announced mid-flight their aircraft would be turning back for the UK .
Donna Henners and boyfriend Andrew Grant were on a Jet2 flight from Manchester Airport to Alicante that was refused landing in Spain 'due to coronavirus ' on Saturday .
The aircraft was just 30 minutes away from its destination when they were told their flight had to turn around and go home .
It was among several Jet2 planes to do a U-turn and come back because coronavirus-hit Spain refused landing .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown as part of desperate measures to tackle the the outbreak as cases soared by a third overnight to 5,753 .
More than 120 people have died Donna , 37 , and Andrew , 42 , say little information was provided during and after the flight .
`` We 've had a hellish day , '' said Donna , from Bootle , Liverpool .
`` We 'd been really looking forward to a weekend of sun before I start my new job on Tuesday .
`` It was an early flight so we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woken up by an announcement from the pilot .
`` They said we 'd be turning back because Spain had refused us entry because of the virus and that was about it in terms of information .
`` We were about 30 minutes and they would n't let us land .
We were told the flight had been fully booked but there were only about 30 people on there .
`` Some people were really worried and upset .
A young Spanish girl who was on her way home was crying .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we did n't know what was going on either .
`` Loads of planes were just parked up on the tarmac - it did n't seem like many were taking off .
`` Then all of the corridors at the airport were empty .
It was really quite eery . ''
The couple claim Jet2 did n't provide much information on landing about refunds , or what people should do .
Donna and Andrew decided to book a hotel in Manchester city centre to rescue what was left of their weekend away .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blu hotel and they 've been fantastic , '' added Donna .
`` We 've had to find the money for the taxi and the hotel , but we did get an upgrade .
`` We 've decided to make the best of it .
It just really hit home how serious this outbreak really is . ''
Jet2 has cancelled all flights to mainland Spain , the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands with immediate effect .
The airline is based at nine UK airports .
A statement from Jet2 said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout Spain to prevent the spread of Covid-19 , including the closure of bars , restaurants , shops , and activities including any water sports , we have taken the decision to cancel all flights to Mainland Spain , the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands with immediate effect .
`` We know these local measures will have a significant impact on our customers ’ holidays , which is why we have taken this decision .
`` We are contacting our customers who are currently in these destinations , and who are due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their options , so we urge customers not to call us .
`` This is a fast-moving and complex situation and we are reviewing our programme as a matter of urgency , so that we can fly customers back to the UK .
`` The health and safety of our customers is our number one priority , and we would like to thank our customers for their understanding . ''

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A couple were en route to a winter getaway to Spain when it was announced mid-flight their aircraft would be turning back for the UK.
Donna Henners and boyfriend Andrew Grant were on a Jet2 flight from Manchester Airport to Alicante that was refused landing in Spain 'due to coronavirus' on Saturday.
The aircraft was just 30 minutes away from its destination when they were told their flight had to turn around and go home.
It was among several Jet2 planes to do a U-turn and come back because coronavirus-hit Spain refused landing.
It was announced that Spain would be put on lockdown as part of desperate measures to tackle the the outbreak as cases soared by a third overnight to 5,753. More than 120 people have died
Donna, 37, and Andrew, 42, say little information was provided during and after the flight.
"We've had a hellish day," said Donna, from Bootle, Liverpool.
"We'd been really looking forward to a weekend of sun before I start my new job on Tuesday.
"It was an early flight so we'd actually fallen asleep when we were woken up by an announcement from the pilot.
"They said we'd be turning back because Spain had refused us entry because of the virus and that was about it in terms of information.
"We were about 30 minutes and they wouldn't let us land. We were told the flight had been fully booked but there were only about 30 people on there.
"Some people were really worried and upset. A young Spanish girl who was on her way home was crying.
"Then when we landed back at Manchester we didn't know what was going on either.
"Loads of planes were just parked up on the tarmac - it didn't seem like many were taking off.
"Then all of the corridors at the airport were empty. It was really quite eery."
The couple claim Jet2 didn't provide much information on landing about refunds, or what people should do.
Donna and Andrew decided to book a hotel in Manchester city centre to rescue what was left of their weekend away.
"We're staying in a Radisson Blu hotel and they've been fantastic," added Donna.
"We've had to find the money for the taxi and the hotel, but we did get an upgrade.
"We've decided to make the best of it. It just really hit home how serious this outbreak really is."
Jet2 has cancelled all flights to mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands with immediate effect.
The airline is based at nine UK airports.
A statement from Jet2 said: "In response to local measures introduced throughout Spain to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including the closure of bars, restaurants, shops, and activities including any water sports, we have taken the decision to cancel all flights to Mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands with immediate effect.
"We know these local measures will have a significant impact on our customers’ holidays, which is why we have taken this decision.
"We are contacting our customers who are currently in these destinations, and who are due to travel, to advise them of their options, so we urge customers not to call us.
"This is a fast-moving and complex situation and we are reviewing our programme as a matter of urgency, so that we can fly customers back to the UK.
"The health and safety of our customers is our number one priority, and we would like to thank our customers for their understanding."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-15--Manchester United fans send transfer message on Odion Ighalo

Manchester United fans want the club to sign Odion Ighalo on a permanent deal when his loan expires .
The former Watford striker , on loan at United from Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua , has surpassed expectations at Old Trafford .
He 's already scored four goals in three starts for United and won considerable praise from his boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer .
The Norwegian has already hinted that United could complete a permanent swoop for Ighalo if his loan continues to fare well .
And United fans would appear to be overwhelmingly in favour .
In response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Should Manchester United sign Odion Ighalo on a permanent deal in the summer ? ''
more than 80 per cent said 'yes ' .
An 82.7 per cent share voted 'yes ' and only 17.3 per cent voted 'no ' .
Solskjaer has lavished Ighalo with praise in recent weeks , with the Nigerian scoring a fine goal to open the scoring in United 's 5-0 Europa League victory over LASK .
The game was played behind closed doors and could be United 's last competitive outing for some time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matches due to the coronavirus outbreak .
`` Odion has done really well since he came in and he ’ s enjoying himself , '' Solskjaer said .
`` And he will improve and get better but he has qualities we saw in him and we needed and we will still need those qualities for next season , so let ’ s see what we will do .
Coronavirus - help to shape our coverage by filling in our survey here “ He ’ s a goalscorer and a striker , he does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonsense ; build-up play - that ’ s a joke , obviously .
`` He knows his job and what his role in the team is , and he ’ s very good with his back to goal , great link player , but maybe the best thing about him is his personality , so he ’ s got the whole lot really .

Manchester United fans want the club to sign Odion Ighalo on a permanent deal when his loan expires.
The former Watford striker, on loan at United from Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua, has surpassed expectations at Old Trafford. He's already scored four goals in three starts for United and won considerable praise from his boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Norwegian has already hinted that United could complete a permanent swoop for Ighalo if his loan continues to fare well.
And United fans would appear to be overwhelmingly in favour.
In response to an MEN Sport poll that asked: "Should Manchester United sign Odion Ighalo on a permanent deal in the summer?" more than 80 per cent said 'yes'.
An 82.7 per cent share voted 'yes' and only 17.3 per cent voted 'no'.
Solskjaer has lavished Ighalo with praise in recent weeks, with the Nigerian scoring a fine goal to open the scoring in United's 5-0 Europa League victory over LASK.
The game was played behind closed doors and could be United's last competitive outing for some time, with measures being brought in to postpone matches due to the coronavirus outbreak.
"Odion has done really well since he came in and he’s enjoying himself," Solskjaer said. "And he will improve and get better but he has qualities we saw in him and we needed and we will still need those qualities for next season, so let’s see what we will do.
Coronavirus - help to shape our coverage by filling in our survey here
“He’s a goalscorer and a striker, he doesn't worry too much about all that nonsense; build-up play - that’s a joke, obviously.
"He knows his job and what his role in the team is, and he’s very good with his back to goal, great link player, but maybe the best thing about him is his personality, so he’s got the whole lot really.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-15--Manchester United news and transfers LIVE Leon Bailey latest plus Premier League fixture updates

Manchester United were originally scheduled to play Tottenham Hotspur today , but the game will not take place as the Premier League has been suspended until April 4 due to the coronavirus outbreak .
United 's games against Spurs , LASK Linz and Norwich are affected , after UEFA suspended the Champions League and Europa League until further notice , too .
The next scheduled fixture is away to Brighton on April 4 .
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said : “ While it is disappointing to see the season paused , we recognise there are bigger considerations as part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus.
” Meanwhile , Bruno Fernandes has opened up on how Solskjaer has helped him since arriving at Old Trafford .
`` I think he 's really good on this and he was a footballer so he knows when he needs to talk to players , when he needs to give a good word or sometimes come and push you to give more .
I think when you have a past in football , you understand these things more than when you do n't have [ a past ] , '' he told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United news , rumours and updates throughout the day .

Manchester United were originally scheduled to play Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, but the game will not take place as the Premier League has been suspended until April 4 due to the coronavirus outbreak.
United's games against Spurs, LASK Linz and Norwich are affected, after UEFA suspended the Champions League and Europa League until further notice, too. The next scheduled fixture is away to Brighton on April 4.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “While it is disappointing to see the season paused, we recognise there are bigger considerations as part of the need to help slow the spread of coronavirus.”
Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes has opened up on how Solskjaer has helped him since arriving at Old Trafford.
"I think he's really good on this and he was a footballer so he knows when he needs to talk to players, when he needs to give a good word or sometimes come and push you to give more. I think when you have a past in football, you understand these things more than when you don't have [a past]," he told Sky Sports.
Recap the latest United news, rumours and updates from the day.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-15--Premier League CEO calls for coronavirus decision on season impacting Liverpool FC and Man City

Brighton CEO Paul Barber insists that the season should be finished after the coronavirus suspension eventually ends and that Liverpool should have an opportunity to dethrone Manchester City as Premier League champions .
Jurgen Klopp 's men are just two wins away from winning the league title and ending City 's two-year run as champions but the Premier League has now been suspended until at least April 4 due to coronavirus fears .
Barber was on Football Focus and admitted that the future of the 2019/20 campaign remains uncertain , with another meeting set for this coming Thursday to discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , insist that the 'priority ' is to play out the rest of the season - an outcome that would likely lead to Liverpool lifting the domestic league title for the first time in 30 years .
`` There ’ s probably about 200-300 things on this list that we ’ re working through to try and prepare ourselves for every eventuality , '' Barber told the BBC .
`` Our priority and the Premier League ’ s priority is to play out the remainder of the season , that ’ s what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the fans want and it ’ s what the clubs want .
`` But we also have to be realistic , we really don ’ t know where this virus is heading , where we will be on April 4 , when we intend to start playing games , and whether we can complete the fixture list .
`` We ’ ve got to look at every eventuality , we ’ ve got to think about people , about the players and our coaches , but we ’ ve also got to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stadium and how they get to the stadium , usually through public transport , and therefore all the implications of that as well .
`` There ’ s a huge amount to think about and we ’ ve got the catering contracts , the sponsorship contracts , the tickets we ’ ve sold , the hospitality , there ’ s such a large range of things that go into the running of a football club week to week , match to match , and we ’ re all in the same boat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much as it ’ s difficult in the Premier League , I also feel for some of our colleagues in the lower leagues who rely so much on matchday income .
`` We don ’ t want to go down this option because every league starts with an expectation of completing all the fixtures and we really want to be able to do that .
Our intention must be to try and complete matches but we ’ ve got to put people ’ s health first . ''
Barber was then asked about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something which has been talked about as two unnamed clubs push for such a move .
The Brighton CEO says even in such a situation that Liverpool should still claim the title .
He added : “ At the moment , it ’ s really hard to imagine putting on a football game in the Premier League in two or three weeks time , it ’ s hard to imagine that given the scenario that we are in .
`` If we were to freeze the league , then for me it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be awarded the title because I think everybody in the game appreciates what a fantastic season they ’ ve had and what a wonderful team they are .
`` But equally , it would be incredibly unjust for teams to be relegated when there are still games to play and the financial consequences of that are difficult , and it ’ s equally unjust for Leeds and West Brom to not be promoted because we know how hard it is to get out of the Championship , we know how hard it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage of the season in the top two . ''

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Josh Challies, Paul Clarke)

Brighton CEO Paul Barber insists that the season should be finished after the coronavirus suspension eventually ends and that Liverpool should have an opportunity to dethrone Manchester City as Premier League champions.
Jurgen Klopp's men are just two wins away from winning the league title and ending City's two-year run as champions but the Premier League has now been suspended until at least April 4 due to coronavirus fears.
Barber was on Football Focus and admitted that the future of the 2019/20 campaign remains uncertain, with another meeting set for this coming Thursday to discuss further plans.
He did, however, insist that the 'priority' is to play out the rest of the season - an outcome that would likely lead to Liverpool lifting the domestic league title for the first time in 30 years.
"There’s probably about 200-300 things on this list that we’re working through to try and prepare ourselves for every eventuality," Barber told the BBC.
"Our priority and the Premier League’s priority is to play out the remainder of the season, that’s what we all want, that’s what the fans want and it’s what the clubs want.
"But we also have to be realistic, we really don’t know where this virus is heading, where we will be on April 4, when we intend to start playing games, and whether we can complete the fixture list.
"We’ve got to look at every eventuality, we’ve got to think about people, about the players and our coaches, but we’ve also got to think about the fans coming to the stadium and how they get to the stadium, usually through public transport, and therefore all the implications of that as well.
"There’s a huge amount to think about and we’ve got the catering contracts, the sponsorship contracts, the tickets we’ve sold, the hospitality, there’s such a large range of things that go into the running of a football club week to week, match to match, and we’re all in the same boat, facing an unprecedented situation.
"As much as it’s difficult in the Premier League, I also feel for some of our colleagues in the lower leagues who rely so much on matchday income.
"We don’t want to go down this option because every league starts with an expectation of completing all the fixtures and we really want to be able to do that. Our intention must be to try and complete matches but we’ve got to put people’s health first."
Barber was then asked about the potential of cancelling the season, something which has been talked about as two unnamed clubs push for such a move. The Brighton CEO says even in such a situation that Liverpool should still claim the title.
He added: “At the moment, it’s really hard to imagine putting on a football game in the Premier League in two or three weeks time, it’s hard to imagine that given the scenario that we are in.
"If we were to freeze the league, then for me it would be incredibly unjust for Liverpool not to be awarded the title because I think everybody in the game appreciates what a fantastic season they’ve had and what a wonderful team they are.
"But equally, it would be incredibly unjust for teams to be relegated when there are still games to play and the financial consequences of that are difficult, and it’s equally unjust for Leeds and West Brom to not be promoted because we know how hard it is to get out of the Championship, we know how hard it is for teams to even get to this stage of the season in the top two."