bbcuk--2020-04-03--The Papers: Test pledge as government admits to virus mistakes

`` Everyone will hope Mr Hancock delivers on his promise '' .
That 's the view of the Daily Mirror , which , like many papers , gives a broad welcome to the government 's re-vamped strategy to increase testing for coronavirus .
Only through testing can NHS staff know if they are safe to return to work , the paper argues , and only through testing can we judge when it will be safe to lift the lockdown restrictions .
Should Mr Hancock fail , it concludes , the cost will not be his job but lives lost .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ England , saying the crisis has laid bare its complacency and ineptitude .
For years this monument to `` bloated , sluggish bureaucracy '' has banged on obsessively about obesity but facing the gravest crisis in a century , its failings have been hideously exposed .
The Times believes that the government 's call on Britain 's extensive network of university and private-sector laboratories to join the national testing effort is the right strategy , but it should have been adopted weeks ago .
It says blame for what it calls `` this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England but squarely with the government .
It has been , the paper argues , consistently behind the curve in its response to the pandemic .
Mr Hancock has made a big promise , it says .
If he ca n't deliver , public confidence in the government will evaporate .
According to the Daily Telegraph , public health officials in charge of defending the country from a major pandemic never drew up plans for mass community testing , despite warnings from the World Health Organization .
It 's been told emergency planners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for community testing because they wrongly believed a new strain of influenza would be the next outbreak to strike the UK .
The Guardian highlights new data which suggests the coronavirus outbreak took hold earlier in the UK than previously thought .
It says according to NHS England the earliest death occurred on 28 February , almost a week earlier than previously acknowledged .
Get news from the BBC in your inbox , each weekday morning The Financial Times leads on the economic shockwaves the virus is continuing to make around the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers have applied for temporary unemployment benefits during the past two weeks , while Spain has recorded the biggest jump in unemployment in its history , with more than 800,000 people losing their jobs last month .
The New York Times says the reported loss of 10 million jobs in the US shows the scope of the unfolding economic disaster .
It says hopes for a dramatic but brief downturn followed by a quick recovery have faded , and in their place are fears that the world may be on the cusp of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Depression .
It says the speed and scale of the job losses is without precedent .
And finally , the Daily Mail is among the papers paying tribute to the comedian Eddie Large whose partnership with Syd Little spanned five decades .
The two men met in a pub in Wythenshawe when Eddie heckled Syd during a stand-up routine before joining him on stage .
After winning the talent show Opportunity Knocks , they went on to become one of the biggest acts of the 1970s and 80s .
At their peak , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show was watched by an enviable 15 million people .

It says hopes for a dramatic but brief downturn followed by a quick recovery have faded, and in their place are fears that the world may be on the cusp of an economic shock unseen since the Great Depression.


bbcuk--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: NI 'too slow' on virus testing, says O'Neill

NI 's deputy first minister has said the health minister is acting too slowly in key areas such as testing and providing protective equipment to health staff battling coronavirus .
Sinn Féin 's Michelle O'Neill accused the UUP 's Robin Swann of `` slavishly following the Boris Johnson model '' .
But First Minister Arlene Foster said she had confidence in Mr Swann and that it was `` not a time for party politics '' .
Mrs Foster denied co-operation within the executive had collapsed .
A total of 36 people with Covid-19 have died in Northern Ireland .
Nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NI , with 85 new cases confirmed on Thursday - a 12 % day-on-day rise - prompting calls for testing to be ramped up .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak • STRESS : How to look after your mental health In the UK , 2,921 people ( out of nearly 34,000 who tested positive ) have died , while there have been 98 fatalities and 3,849 confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are now more than one million confirmed cases of the coronavirus worldwide , with estimates suggesting more than 50,000 people have died .
While Ms O'Neill said she was committed to working with Mr Swann , she said the rate of daily testing in Northern Ireland - some 500 people out of a targeted 1,100 - was well below the required rate .
`` Slavishly following the [ UK Prime Minister ] Boris Johnson model , which has been too slow to act , means we are not as prepared as we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BBC NI 's The View .
`` I have made these arguments privately and I feel it 's my moral duty , given the severity of the situation we are dealing with , that I have to say those things when I think they are not right .
Ms O'Neill said her stance was not about party politics , but saving lives , and insisted the executive was `` working together '' to address the issues .
`` This is about what is the best advice - the World Health Organisation has very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . '
Mrs Foster said the fact the deputy first minister had made the comments publicly was `` a matter for her '' .
`` I have to support all of my ministers , because that is what we have to deal with at a very difficult time for us all , '' the first minister told the Good Morning Ulster radio programme .
`` We have to collectively work together to make sure I put our best foot forward . ''
UUP leader Steve Aiken said Mrs O'Neill was trying to exploit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that her comments were `` regrettable but not unexpected '' .
`` It is regrettable but not unexpected that the deputy first minister and Sinn Féin continue to seek to gain political advantage rather than joining together with the rest of the executive 's political parties to do what is best for us all , '' he said .
Power-sharing at Stormont was restored in January , after a deal reached by the biggest unionist party , the DUP , and biggest nationalist party Sinn Féin , to end three years without a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the clarion call in NI has been for politics to be taken out of health .
But if the parties failed to do that in the past , how can anyone expect them to take the politics out of a pandemic ?
Michelle O'Neill 's latest comments will not do anything to bolster the idea that the executive she co-leads is working to the concept of collective responsibility .
Sinn Féin argues that if it tried to solve its differences with other parties behind the scenes - rather than airing legitimate problems with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slated .
However , critics have accused the deputy first minister of looking more like an opposition leader and playing politics , than the joint head of an administration speaking out on principle .
First Minister Arlene Foster sounded a calm note in her interview this morning , but at what point do the differences in approach become too much to bear ?
For weeks now , all has not been smooth within the executive and it does n't seem there 's a chance of putting this back in a box .
Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to provide personal protection equipment ( PPE ) to front-line healthcare workers .
On Thursday , Royal College of Nursing Director Pat Cullen said nurses were concerned at the lack of equipment and the transfer of testing kits from Northern Ireland to Great Britain .
Dr John Porteous , who works at a nine-doctor practice in Lisnaskea , County Fermanagh , with more than 14,000 patients , said his surgery had received just 12 PPE packs a few weeks ago , and a further 12 packs last week .
Health staff `` need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .
One social worker , who spoke anonymously to BBC News NI , said his colleagues needed 100 times more protective kit , adding that many were self-isolating , and one entire team had tested positive for Covid-19 .
Mr Swann had insisted both testing and PPE were key priorities for his department , but added there was no `` quick fix '' .
`` The situation with PPE supply has been made more challenging by the fact that supply routes from China , a leading global provider , were closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday .
NI health officials have said they expect to hit the peak number of cases between 6 and 20 April , with an anticipated 3,000 deaths in a 20-week `` first wave '' of the coronavirus pandemic .
Expert modelling suggests 180 patients will need ventilation ; Northern Ireland currently has 165 ventilators , more have been ordered and 650 units capable of providing respiratory support are also being procured .
Expert modelling also indicated there could be second wave later in 2020 in the absence of a vaccine or sufficient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be furloughed in NI under the government 's coronavirus job retention scheme • 220 schools say they are prepared to open at Easter for the children of key workers and vulnerable children • Key services are struggling with reduced staffing numbers - 10 % in Belfast 's health trust , nearly a quarter of prison workers and a third of community pharmacy staff - due to workers self-isolating • Questions are being asked about Health Secretary Matt Hancock 's pledge that 100,000 tests will be carried out every day by the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being transformed into NI 's first Nightingale hospital , with a 230-bed unit for critically ill patients • Testing centres are being prepared at Belfast 's SSE arena in Belfast and MOT test centres • A `` clap for carers '' brought people to their front doors across NI and the UK on Thursday night to show appreciation for health staff

"It is regrettable but not unexpected that the deputy first minister and Sinn Féin continue to seek to gain political advantage rather than joining together with the rest of the executive's political parties to do what is best for us all," he said.


bbcuk--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: NHS workers offered free accommodation

Thousands of landlords are offering homes to NHS workers for free following reports that some face eviction .
Swathes of UK hospital employees have been forced to rent properties to relocate or isolate from their families .
Some are facing eviction because landlords have deemed them an infection risk .
But in the past week , sites have sprung up to manage the number of property owners now offering free accommodation .
Merilee Karr , a co-founder of the Short Term Accommodation Association , set up NHS Homes a fortnight ago .
The site aims to put health staff in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for free or next to nothing .
Mrs Karr , who also runs the luxury letting service Under the Doormat , said the the short-term letting market was down by 90 per cent .
As a result , many in the industry had empty properties and were willing to help out .
About 400 rooms are now listed through NHS Homes , worth a combined total of £1.2m in rent a month .
She said : `` Our sector is in lockdown and there 's no way of knowing how long so we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to good use .
`` There 's no better way to do that than helping the people who are going to be helping us through this crisis . ''
Among the landlords , Kay Morgan , from Ayrshire , has offered to rent her flat in Prestwick town centre out to all frontline staff for £5 a day .
She had been making between £50 and £150 a night through various booking sites .
`` As a family we have well and truly used up our NHS quota , '' the 46-year-old said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ping went my phone and all the cancellations came in .
`` I thought , rather than it sit empty , I can help somebody . ''
She said the opportunity would allow staff members to take on extra shifts , knowing they had a place to stay away from their families .
Elsewhere , Simon Bell , 51 , is lending his home in Brixton , south London , to an NHS worker he has never met .
He and his partner run a social enterprise in Sri Lanka and for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent half his time there and rented out their London home while they are away .
His partner John trained as a doctor in the US and has just flown out to help with medical needs in Seattle .
`` We were lucky enough to be here when it all started going really crazy .
Sri Lanka is in lockdown too and taking precautions , but so far it 's not too bad , '' he said .
`` It just felt like some way of being able to help when we 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are suffering so much worse .
It was a no-brainer , a brilliant idea . ''
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak AirBnB , which has been criticised for not giving its hosts clear guidance on whether to allow new lettings or not , began appealing for landlords to help the NHS last week .
The site is aiming to house 100,000 health workers through short-term lets .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the first two days .
Director of public policy Patrick Robinson said : `` The hosts who are offering accommodation through this initiative are real people , they can see what 's happening to their friends , neighbours and their community and want to do everything they can to help . ''
Scores of private landlords and local estate agents across the UK are also joining the effort .
Bobby Singh , from Birmingham estate agents Love Your Postcode , contacted its clients to ask if they would offer empty properties for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last eight days we 've had about 50 people moving into properties , quite a few of them co-shared by doctors and paramedics , '' the 39-year-old said .
Mr Singh said the main reason staff needed accommodation close to their work was `` to prevent the virus from spreading to their loved ones '' .
Others have been redeployed at hospitals miles away from their home .
But , he added other front line staff had been asked to leave their existing accommodation because of fears they may carry the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a doctor from The Wirral .
The 43-year-old surgeon had been renting a room at a house in Oxford on weekdays but was asked to leave in March because his landlord was worried about contracting Covid-19 .
Dr Alsousou has now set up Rooms4NHS , which will put medics in touch with landlords offering cheap or free properties .
`` The response nationally has been amazing , '' he said .
`` There are people offering rooms , whole flats , cottages and even their own residence .
`` It has really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NHS . ''
In London , many NHS staff are renting places in the centre of the capital to avoid using public transport .
Anaesthetist John Thornton , 48 , is staying in a flat offered to him through the NHS Homes scheme .
The apartment is six minutes from Chelsea and Westminster Hospital where he works - allowing him to avoid the exposure and exhaustion of a commute .
`` It 's a fantastic gesture on their part and very helpful , '' he said .
`` If one of your family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not isolate for a week or two weeks . ''
Are you a landlord who has offered a rent free home to a NHS worker ?
Are you a NHS worker who has been able to find a rent-free property during this crisis ?
Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay @ bbc.co.uk .
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Director of public policy Patrick Robinson said: "The hosts who are offering accommodation through this initiative are real people, they can see what's happening to their friends, neighbours and their community and want to do everything they can to help."


bbcuk--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: Staying home this weekend 'not a request', UK told

Staying at home this weekend is an instruction and `` not a request '' , Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said , as he updated the country on the coronavirus .
Speaking at the No 10 briefing , Mr Hancock said that while warm weather was forecast in some areas this weekend `` the disease is still spreading '' .
England 's chief nursing officer Ruth May also paid tribute to two nurses who have died from the disease .
`` Please stay at home for them , '' she urged people .
Areema Nasreen , 36 , had spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while Aimee O'Rourke , 39 , died at the hospital where she worked .
`` They were one of us , they were one of my profession , of the NHS family , '' said Ms May .
`` I worry that there 's going to be more and I want to honour them today and recognise their service . ''
It comes as latest figures showed a further 684 people with the virus died in the UK , bringing the total to 3,605 .
There are 38,168 confirmed cases .
In Scotland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 46 , while in Wales a further 24 people died .
In NI , the number of people who died with coronavirus has risen by 12 .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak • STRESS : How to look after your mental health Mr Hancock - who recently ended his seven days of self-isolation after contracting the virus - said : `` We can not relax our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people will die .
`` I end with the advice we all know .
This advice is not a request - it is an instruction .
`` Stay at home , protect lives and then you will be doing your part . ''
The warning follows messages from local councils , tourism bosses and police urging people to stay away from beauty spots , as the Easter holidays begin and warm weather is expected .
Mr Hancock also said the UK has set up three national clinical trials looking at how existing drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He added that more patients are needed to volunteer to take part in the trials - but England 's deputy chief medical officer later clarified that people can not apply themselves and it was up to doctors to refer patients .
Ms May also appealed to the public to stay at home , saying : `` This weekend is going to be very warm and it will be very tempting to go out and enjoy those summer rays .
`` But please , I ask to remember Aimee and Areema .
Please stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was one of the longest daily briefings that has been held since the coronavirus outbreak began .
It is the first time we 've been given detail of clinical trials which are under way in the UK to treat patients with Covid-19 and find out which medicines will help those who are sick .
At the moment there is no single proven drug to tackle coronavirus and a vaccine is still a long way off .
The trials involve patients from primary to critical care and more than 900 people are already involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even if clinicians give their patients the go ahead to take part , it will probably take a few months for that data to be gathered and then made available .
• Asked whether face masks were effective , England 's deputy chief medical officer Prof Jonathan Van-Tam said `` there is no evidence that general wearing of face masks by the public who are well affects the spread of the disease in our society '' • Prof Van-Tam said the government 's advisory committee looked into whether the loss of taste and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researchers have suggested .
He said while there is anecdotal data some people do lose those senses , the data does not show it is important enough on its own to be added to the list of symptoms • Discussions over `` do not resuscitate '' orders should be handled `` sensitively '' , Ms May said - adding these decisions are common but `` Covid-19 is no excuse to have those discussions in an insensitive way '' • More than 7,000 NHS staff have now been tested , and more than 2,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Nightingale hospitals - are available New cases have been slowing down recently : dipping slightly at the weekend and growing more slowly this week ( doubling roughly every five days ) .
Even that trend would have predicted over 5,000 new cases today , and so this looks like further evidence that the case numbers could be slowing down ( as long as every patient who needs testing is getting tested ) .
Today 's figures on deaths follow the recent trends closely ( doubling roughly every 3.5 days ) .
Remember @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we should expect to see record new highs regularly .
It takes more than three weeks from infection to death to being reported in these figures .
So while we can hope to see the effects of pre-lockdown social distancing soon , it will take longer for the effect of the lockdown , announced on 23 March , to become apparent .
Meanwhile , the Queen , 93 , will speak to the nation on Sunday evening about the coronavirus outbreak in a rare special address .
Buckingham Palace said the message , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadcast on TV and radio at 20:00 BST .
The Queen 's address will be broadcast on TV , radio and social media , Buckingham Palace said .
She has been staying at Windsor Castle since mid-March as a precaution .
It is only her fourth special address at a time of national crisis during her 68-year reign .
The other occasions were after the Queen Mother 's death in 2002 , ahead of Diana , Princess of Wales 's funeral in 1997 , and during the First Gulf War in 1991 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to mark her Diamond Jubilee in 2012 .
The monarch , 93 , released a statement about the outbreak last month , when the number of UK deaths stood at 144 .
She said the UK was `` entering a period of great concern and uncertainty '' and praised the work of scientists , medics and emergency staff , saying everyone has a `` vitally important part to play '' .
• How many confirmed cases are there in your area ?
• How deadly is the coronavirus ?
BBC royal correspondent Nicholas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided `` in close consultation with Downing Street '' as `` they have had it in their minds for some days now '' .
He suggested the speech might include thanks for NHS staff and key workers , as well as an emphasis on the important role individuals can play - while also aiming to reassure and rally people .
The heir to the throne , Prince Charles , was seen in public for the first time on Friday after being diagnosed with coronavirus and spending seven days in self-isolation .
He opened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's emergency field hospitals to treat coronavirus patients in east London 's ExCel centre , via a video-link from his home on the Queen 's Balmoral estate .
Meanwhile , Prime Minister Boris Johnson , who announced he had contracted the virus last Friday , said he will carry on self-isolating after continuing to display mild symptoms of the virus including a high temperature .

New cases have been slowing down recently: dipping slightly at the weekend and growing more slowly this week (doubling roughly every five days). Even that trend would have predicted over 5,000 new cases today, and so this looks like further evidence that the case numbers could be slowing down (as long as every patient who needs testing is getting tested).


bbcuk--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: Boris Johnson stays isolated with mild symptoms

Boris Johnson will carry on self-isolating after continuing to display mild symptoms of the coronavirus including having a temperature .
The prime minister tested positive for the virus last Friday and had been due to come out of self-isolation today .
Mr Johnson continues to work from home and chaired a coronavirus meeting on Friday morning .
He was seen on Thursday applauding the NHS and other key workers from his flat in Downing Street .
Speaking in a video posted on Twitter , Mr Johnson said : `` Although I am feeling better and I 've done my seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the minor symptoms .
`` I still have a temperature .
So in accordance with government advice I must continue my self isolation until that symptom itself goes .
`` But we 're working clearly the whole time on our programme to beat the virus . ''
• Hancock : 'Huge work ' to achieve virus test goal'Stay at home ' plea as Easter holiday looms He also added with expected good weather over the weekend that people may be tempted to ignore the advice and spend more time outside .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ do that , '' he said .
`` Please , please stick with the guidance . ''
He added : `` This country has made a huge effort , a huge sacrifice and done absolutely brilliantly well in delaying the spread of the virus .
`` Let 's stick with it now and remember that incredible clapping last night for our fantastic NHS .
We are doing it to protect them and save lives . ''
It 's been more than a week since the prime minister stood at the podium in Downing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Since announcing he 'd tested positive for the virus seven days ago his public appearances have been limited to video clips filmed on his phone from inside his flat , above 11 Downing Street .
He did venture on to the doorstep of No 11 last night to join the national clap for keyworkers and NHS staff - picked up by TV cameras notably stood some distance away .
In his latest self-shot message , he said he was still showing mild symptoms of the virus and would therefore stay in isolation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direct plea to the public , he urged people to stick to social distancing guidelines this weekend .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock had also tested positive for the virus and returned from self-isolation on Thursday , to host the daily Downing Street news conference .
The prime minister 's spokesman said Mr Johnson was following official guidance which states that you should continue to self-isolate if a temperature persists beyond the advised seven days .
He said he was not aware of any more cabinet members who had been infected .
Mr Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work with Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty , who has also tested positive for the virus .
It is not known if Mr Whitty is still in isolation .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak • STRESS : How to look after your mental health Mr Hancock has said the government has `` a huge amount of work to do '' to meet its target 100,000 coronavirus tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news conference .
He said he was not relying on new antibody blood tests to meet the goal , which was announced after criticism of the UK 's testing strategy .
`` It 's got to happen .
I 've got a plan to get us there , I 've set it as a goal and it 's what the nation needs , '' he said .
Labour has called for more details on what kind of tests will be involved .
It came as the Prince of Wales officially opened London 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a video link from his Scottish home .

Mr Johnson spokesman said the PM was continuing to work with Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty, who has also tested positive for the virus. It is not known if Mr Whitty is still in isolation.


bbcuk--2020-04-03--Premier League to ask players to take 30% wage cut

Premier League clubs will ask players to take a 30 % pay cut in order to protect jobs as it was announced the season will not resume until `` it is safe and appropriate to do so '' .
All clubs have agreed to put the proposed `` combination of conditional reductions and deferrals '' to players .
The Premier League will advance £125m to the EFL and National League , and give £20m towards the NHS .
Clubs still intend on completing all league and cup fixtures .
The EFL , Women 's Super League and Women 's Championship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ target return date , meaning the entirety of English football is on hold indefinitely .
`` It was acknowledged that the Premier League will not resume at the beginning of May - and that the 2019-20 season will only return when it is safe and appropriate to do so , '' a Premier League statement said .
`` Any return to play will only be with the full support of government and when medical guidance allows . ''
• What are Premier League and English football 's options amid coronavirus ?
• Hearts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 30 % cut - Ann Budge Players had faced scrutiny , notably from health secretary Matt Hancock , to take a cut in wages and `` play their part '' in offering support during the coronavirus pandemic .
Some clubs had furloughed non-playing staff as a result of the shutdown of the sport .
Before the Premier League statement was released , club captains - led by Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson - held discussions over the creation of a charitable fund which could benefit the NHS .
The Professional Footballers ' Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its members urging them not to agree any reduction or deferral in wages until they have spoken to the union .
After a meeting of clubs on Friday , the Premier League proposed a cut in wages in order to `` protect employment throughout the professional game '' .
`` This guidance will be kept under constant review as circumstances change , '' the Premier League said .
`` The league will be in regular contact with the PFA and the union will join a meeting which will be held tomorrow ( Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ club representatives . ''
Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend had spoken of his frustration with Hancock `` deflecting blame on to footballers '' , stating players were an `` easy target '' and often supported charities .
The Premier League said it was aware of `` severe difficulties '' throughout the football pyramid and with clubs unable to play fixtures , moved to help `` immediately deal with the impact of falling cash flow '' at EFL and National League clubs .
Julian Knight , chair of the government 's Digital , Culture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the financial help for smaller clubs but said as the wage cut had not yet been agreed by players , the situation was `` not much further along '' .
Knight had previously said clubs that furlough non-playing staff without imposing cuts on player wages should be subjected to a windfall tax if they do not change their approach by Tuesday .
Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said : `` It is absolutely right that a reduction of players ' wages is on the table when there are lower-paid staff at some clubs being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all be aware of the strength of public feeling on this and I expect them to show leadership on the matter .
`` It is important that the Premier League helps the national effort in response to the coronavirus pandemic and I will continue to work closely with the football authorities . ''
The league 's statement also expressed `` huge appreciation for the heroic efforts of NHS staff and all other key workers who are carrying out critical jobs in such difficult circumstances '' with £20m immediately committed `` to support the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups during the Covid-19 pandemic '' .
Analysis - what now for football ?
England 's football bodies decided they had little option other than to extend the current suspension .
It means the FA Cup will be stuck at the quarter-final stage for a bit longer , promotion and relegation issues are unresolved and Liverpool nervously await the chance to complete their first league title triumph since 1990 .
But while nothing seems to be happening , plenty of conversations are occurring and scenarios for concluding the historic 2019-20 season are being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the five options on the table : Read more from Simon here .

Last updated on .From the section Premier League
Some clubs have furloughed non-playing staff before any reduction to players' wages
Premier League clubs will ask players to take a 30% pay cut in order to protect jobs as it was announced the season will not resume until "it is safe and appropriate to do so".
All clubs have agreed to put the proposed "combination of conditional reductions and deferrals" to players.
The Premier League will advance £125m to the EFL and National League, and give £20m towards the NHS.
Clubs still intend on completing all league and cup fixtures.
The EFL, Women's Super League and Women's Championship have all suspended play without setting a target return date, meaning the entirety of English football is on hold indefinitely.
"It was acknowledged that the Premier League will not resume at the beginning of May - and that the 2019-20 season will only return when it is safe and appropriate to do so," a Premier League statement said.
"Any return to play will only be with the full support of government and when medical guidance allows."
Players had faced scrutiny, notably from health secretary Matt Hancock, to take a cut in wages and "play their part" in offering support during the coronavirus pandemic.
Some clubs had furloughed non-playing staff as a result of the shutdown of the sport.
Before the Premier League statement was released, club captains - led by Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson - held discussions over the creation of a charitable fund which could benefit the NHS.
The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) has previously written to its members urging them not to agree any reduction or deferral in wages until they have spoken to the union.
After a meeting of clubs on Friday, the Premier League proposed a cut in wages in order to "protect employment throughout the professional game".
"This guidance will be kept under constant review as circumstances change," the Premier League said. "The league will be in regular contact with the PFA and the union will join a meeting which will be held tomorrow (Saturday) between the league, players and club representatives."
Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend had spoken of his frustration with Hancock "deflecting blame on to footballers", stating players were an "easy target" and often supported charities.
The Premier League said it was aware of "severe difficulties" throughout the football pyramid and with clubs unable to play fixtures, moved to help "immediately deal with the impact of falling cash flow" at EFL and National League clubs.
Julian Knight, chair of the government's Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee, welcomed the financial help for smaller clubs but said as the wage cut had not yet been agreed by players, the situation was "not much further along".
Knight had previously said clubs that furlough non-playing staff without imposing cuts on player wages should be subjected to a windfall tax if they do not change their approach by Tuesday.
Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: "It is absolutely right that a reduction of players' wages is on the table when there are lower-paid staff at some clubs being furloughed.
"The football authorities must all be aware of the strength of public feeling on this and I expect them to show leadership on the matter.
"It is important that the Premier League helps the national effort in response to the coronavirus pandemic and I will continue to work closely with the football authorities."
The league's statement also expressed "huge appreciation for the heroic efforts of NHS staff and all other key workers who are carrying out critical jobs in such difficult circumstances" with £20m immediately committed "to support the NHS, communities, families and vulnerable groups during the Covid-19 pandemic".
Analysis - what now for football?
BBC Sport football reporter Simon Stone
England's football bodies decided they had little option other than to extend the current suspension.
It means the FA Cup will be stuck at the quarter-final stage for a bit longer, promotion and relegation issues are unresolved and Liverpool nervously await the chance to complete their first league title triumph since 1990.
But while nothing seems to be happening, plenty of conversations are occurring and scenarios for concluding the historic 2019-20 season are being discussed.
Fundamentally though, these are the five options on the table:
1. Null and void the season
2. End the season now
3. Set a deadline for completion
4. Play behind closed doors
5. Wait to complete the season
Read more from Simon here.


bbcuk--2020-04-03--Blackpool rail delay compensation scammer jailed

A conman funded a `` lavish lifestyle '' that included trips to Las Vegas by scamming rail delay compensation schemes @ @ @ @ @ Ingram was jailed for two years after pleading guilty at Preston Crown Court to nine @ @ @ @ @ , from Blackpool , Lancashire , targeted nine train companies , between 2013 to 2018 @ @ @ @ @ for fake trips in a `` sophisticated '' scam , British Transport Police ( BTP @ @ @ @ @ and printed hundreds of fake tickets from his home , which he used to make @ @ @ @ @ aliases and false addresses , a BTP spokesperson added .
`` The delay-repay compensation scheme @ @ @ @ @ compensate honest fare-paying members of the travelling public who have genuinely been inconvenienced by delayed @ @ @ @ @ Sgt Paddy Kerr .
`` This is n't a victimless crime - it is not @ @ @ @ @ dishonest means to steal from legitimate companies to fund a lavish lifestyle while impacting on @ @ @ @ @ for honest , paying passengers . ''

"This isn't a victimless crime - it is not right that someone should use dishonest means to steal from legitimate companies to fund a lavish lifestyle while impacting on the costs of rail fares for honest, paying passengers."


bbcuk--2020-04-03--Teachers to grade students for cancelled exams

Teachers in England will be asked to assess the grades they think pupils would have achieved in cancelled GCSE and A-level exams .
This will be used by exam boards to decide results - along with a ranking by ability of pupils in each subject in a school , also judged by teachers .
This approach from the qualifications watchdog Ofqual will replace exams disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak .
Results days will be no later than originally planned and may be earlier .
`` Our overriding aim in this is to be fair to students this summer and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Sally Collier , Ofqual 's chief executive .
• Teachers in England to predict grades after exams cancelled Paul Whiteman , leader of the National Association of Head Teachers , said there was no `` perfect solution '' .
But he said the substitute plan was `` pragmatic and the fairest approach to take in these exceptional circumstances '' .
Sir Peter Lampl , founder of the Sutton Trust social mobility charity , warned that `` teacher assessments can unconsciously disadvantage those from low-income backgrounds '' .
• In Scotland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Scottish Qualifications Authority says that coursework which has already been submitted by pupils will not count towards results • In Wales , teachers will estimate grades , but there will not be an extra exam in the autumn .
• In Northern Ireland , details are expected to be published later with plans for cancelled exams Teachers ' predictions for A-levels , AS-levels and GCSEs in England will be based on the evidence available - such as previous exam results , tests , homework , coursework , mock exams and what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course '' .
Teachers will be asked to say what they think would have been the grades most likely to have been achieved if the summer exams had taken place - based on an overall professional judgement .
But they will also be asked to put students in order of expected achievement within each predicted grade band .
This will be used to moderate the overall share of grades in schools across the country .
This could mean adjusting the grades suggested by teachers if they seem too generous or harsh , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a school - and to make the overall distribution of grades consistent with other years .
Schools will not be allowed to tell students the grades submitted to exam boards or how they are ranked .
If pupils think they could improve on the grades given to them , there are proposals for an alternative exam in the autumn .
This could be too late for A-level students intending to go to university this year - although it remains uncertain whether campuses will be able to re-open for the autumn term .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Education Union , welcomed the news that `` grades wo n't be based on mock exam results , or any other single piece of evidence alone '' .
But she said teachers could be `` uncomfortable '' with putting students into rank order .
The results will be available to students no later than the planned dates in August - but Ofqual suggested that they may be available sooner .
A process for appeals has still to be decided .
It also remains uncertain how grades will be decided for pupils who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with schools that could send in predicted grades .
Alternative plans for vocational qualifications will be announced at a later date .
In Wales , teachers will predict grades and rank students - but the option of an extra exam in the autumn will not be available .
Philip Baker , chief executive of Qualifications Wales , said : `` We want centres to consider each learner 's performance over the course of study and make a realistic judgement of the grade and rank of each learner . ''
England 's Education Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been a `` necessary step to help fight the spread of coronavirus '' .
But he said Ofqual 's plans would provide `` assurance to students , parents and schools that grades awarded this summer will accurately reflect students ' abilities and will be as valid this year as any other '' .

Teachers will be asked to say what they think would have been the grades most likely to have been achieved if the summer exams had taken place - based on an overall professional judgement.


bbcuk--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: Debenhams set to appoint administrators

Debenhams , the department store chain , is facing administration for a second time .
The retailer is set to appoint administrators as early next week to protect the company against claims from creditors as it tries to restructure its business .
Debenhams has already closed 22 stores this year and plans to shut a further 28 in 2021 .
However , the coronavirus outbreak has ramped up pressure on the firm .
Like much of the rest of the High Street , Debenhams 142 stores are closed .
Although the business is still trading online , it has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not sell .
• What does it mean to declare insolvency ?
• Coronavirus : Four ways the economy has been affected It is understood that Debenhams is concerned about potential legal claims from suppliers who have yet to be paid .
A Debenhams spokesperson said : `` Like all retailers , Debenhams is making contingency plans reflecting the extraordinary current circumstances .
`` Our owners and lenders remain highly supportive and whatever actions we may take will be with a view to protecting the business during the current situation . ''
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a pre-pack administration , where a company arranges to sell its business to a pre-determined buyer before administrators are appointed .
Last April , Debenhams fell into the hands of its lenders , comprising a group of banks and hedge funds led by US firm Silver Point Capital , after struggling for years to keep up with competition from rivals .
It has also faced rising costs in running its big stores as well as grappling with a huge amount of debt .
A source familiar with the company 's current thinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was to happen , the current owners intend to take the business out of administration once stores are allowed to re-open and were in talks to inject funding as part of its existing turnaround plan .
Landlords have already been told that a number of restructuring scenarios are being explored , which have `` varying outcomes '' for the business , landlords and Debenhams ' 20,000 workers .

A source familiar with the company's current thinking told the BBC that if a pre-pack was to happen, the current owners intend to take the business out of administration once stores are allowed to re-open and were in talks to inject funding as part of its existing turnaround plan.


bbcuk--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: Heathrow Airport sheltering '200 homeless people'

Up to 200 rough sleepers are reportedly using Heathrow Airport as a refuge during the coronavirus lockdown .
It comes despite councils being told to find accommodation for homeless people , the Local Democracy Reporting Service said .
Airport bosses did not comment on the numbers involved , but said they were working with agencies to find alternatives for people .
One , Paul Atherton , said he had been staying at Terminal Five for two weeks .
The 52-year-old usually beds down in Westminster , but was forced to move after the amenities he relied on closed .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to house rough sleepers within the week .
Mr Atherton , a wheelchair user with chronic fatigue syndrome , said the airport was a safer place to be if his condition worsens .
`` Where else do we go ?
That 's the reality , we go to central London there is nothing open , '' the qualified photographer and film producer said .
`` McDonald 's , all public lavatories are shut .
I use gyms to get showered , all the gyms are closed . ''
A spokesman for Heathrow said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assisting in re-housing people .
`` It is working in partnership with external outreach organisations , local authorities and government to relocate homeless people already at the airport , only when they are able to offer safe , alternative accommodation , '' he said .
Outreach workers are also patrolling the airport to engage with and help homeless people .
But Mr Atherton said there had been `` complete chaos '' in securing hotel rooms despite the travel care team working with charity Thames Reach .
• The rough sleepers who ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ councils and the Greater London Authority to get the rough sleepers into single room accommodation , but said the numbers of people involved had made it a `` complex task '' .
A volunteer who helps the homeless in Hillingdon said the airport was going `` above and beyond '' to help rough sleepers .
`` We have offered accommodation to all of the rough sleepers in other parts of the borough who we are in contact with , '' a Hillingdon council spokesperson said .
According to the Mayor of London 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been given rooms and more than 1,000 are available working with hotel partners .
The Ministry for Housing , Communities and Local Government said councils in England had been given £3.2m to help rough sleepers .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak • STRESS : How to look after your mental health

An MHCLG spokesperson said: "We have worked with Hillingdon Council and the Greater London Authority to ensure the vast majority of rough sleepers who were previously sleeping in Heathrow Airport have been given offers of safe and suitable accommodation, and will continue working with them to ensure those who remain are also protected from the pandemic."


bbcuk--2020-04-03--Coronavirus scam: Thieves raid elderly woman's Oldham home

Thieves tricked a 92-year-old woman into believing her neighbour had died of coronavirus so they could raid her home .
@ @ @ @ @ in Oldham , Greater Manchester , lied about the death and offered to clean the @ @ @ @ @ as a `` helping hand '' police said , but they stole a purse , @ @ @ @ @ Insp Trevor Harrison , from Greater Manchester Police , described it as an appalling crime @ @ @ @ @ injured , but was left `` understandably distraught '' by the theft in Grasmere Road @ @ @ @ @ absolutely appalling crime , which has taken advantage of a vulnerable and elderly woman at @ @ @ @ @ as a society , should be looking out for her , '' said Ch Insp @ @ @ @ @ GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on @ @ @ @ @ AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak

"This is an absolutely appalling crime, which has taken advantage of a vulnerable and elderly woman at a time where we, as a society, should be looking out for her," said Ch Insp Harrison.


bbcuk--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: How NHS Nightingale was built in just nine days

The UK 's newest , and largest , hospital facility is preparing to open its doors to take in coronavirus patients needing intensive care treatment .
East London 's ExCeL exhibition centre , which normally plays host to lifestyle shows , expos and conferences , has been converted into the temporary NHS Nightingale hospital , with space for 4,000 beds .
In nine days , the 87,328 square metres of double exhibition halls , have been fitted out with the framework for more than 80 wards , each with 42 beds .
Some 500 fully-equipped beds , with oxygen and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is space for another 3,500 .
If it did reach capacity , it would be one of the largest hospitals in the world .
How was it built ?
The facility , which was officially opened on Friday , was built with the help of up to 200 soldiers a day from the Royal Anglian Regiment and Royal Gurkha Rifles , working long shifts alongside NHS staff and contractors .
Architects and engineers from BDP , the firm that helped convert the centre , were part of the planning team given the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BDP Principal James Hepburn said the scale and timeframe for the construction were unlike previous healthcare projects and architects were coming up with designs almost as building needed to get under way .
The framework for individual bed bays were made from material usually used to make exhibition stands - because it is lightweight and could be constructed quickly .
Mr Hepburn said the three main challenges were : • Speed of the construction and what to build it out of • Having a reliable electrical supply - for life-saving ventilators and equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gases to each of the beds ExCeL 's existing electrical infrastructure has been modified to ensure the power supply can cope with demand - and not cut out .
Temporary generators and oxygen tanks , to supply the beds , have also been installed .
Mr Hepburn said his team has drawn up an instruction manual to share with other countries taking on similar emergency projects - and people in Australia and Canada have already contacted them .
Where will the staff come from ?
The ExCeL centre 's suitability for the hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the building .
It is served by public transport links .
The nearby London City Airport can be used to bring in supplies and equipment and there is also hotel and university accommodation close by - should it be needed .
It will be led by a team of eight senior staff , drawn from local hospitals and trusts .
At capacity , the hospital will need 16,000 staff to keep it running .
That will include thousands of doctors , nurses and volunteers .
`` The numbers are scary , '' chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To run one ward , including all of our ancillary staff , we need 200 members of staff . ''
The nursing staff is being drawn from other hospitals , as well as volunteers from St John Ambulance .
Airline staff from Easyjet and Virgin Atlantic have also been approached .
Cabin crews have security clearance and many of them are also first aid-trained .
The NHS says they would be changing beds , helping doctors and nurses on the wards , and performing other non-clinical tasks .
It will not be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on ventilators will be admitted , transferred from other intensive care units across London .
They will stay at the hospital until their course of ventilation is finished .
Support services such as pharmacies and therapy treatment will also be available .
And a mortuary is also included in the NHS Nightingale design .
Additional mortuary space is also being found elsewhere in the city , including Wanstead Flats in the Manor Park area of Newham , local residents have been told .
Other temporary morgues are also being set up around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Milton Keynes , a crematorium in Ruislip , and at Birmingham Airport , where the hangar facility will initially have space for 1,500 bodies `` but will expand to hold more '' .
Will there be other NHS Nightingales ?
Preparations are also being made to expand the NHS Nightingale-style hospitals beyond London .
Conference centres in Birmingham , Manchester , Glasgow and Harrogate and the University of West England ( UWE ) in Bristol have been earmarked as emergency hospital sites to help ease the pressure on the NHS - some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the month , albeit with fewer beds than London 's .
Belfast City Hospital 's tower block is being transformed into Northern Ireland 's first Nightingale hospital - it will become a 230-bed unit staffed by a team drawn from across Northern Ireland .
An extra 6,000 beds are also being set up in Wales - many in sports and leisure facilities - to take the pressure off hospitals during the coronavirus pandemic .
Among them is the Principality Stadium , in Cardiff , the national stadium of Wales , which will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 2,000 beds , if needed .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• EASY STEPS : How can I try to stay well ?
• MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the pandemic

In nine days, the 87,328 square metres of double exhibition halls have been fitted out with the framework for about 80 wards, each with 42 beds. Some 500 fully-equipped beds, with oxygen and ventilators, are already in place and there is space for another 3,500.


bbcuk--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: 'I don't want a flight voucher, where's my refund?'

Frustrated customers are demanding that airlines make it easier to claim a refund for flights cancelled owing to the coronavirus outbreak .
But the airlines ' trade body wants the right to give vouchers , not refunds .
Hundreds of flights have been cancelled as fleets are grounded and the process of reimbursing people is under strain .
EasyJet has faced particular anger as rebooking is done online but refunds require calling customer services and getting through is almost impossible .
Holly Fitton , writing on Facebook , said : `` I have been told to ring you for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebook my flight as it is not possible and fit in with our jobs at this current time .
`` I will be getting a refund and the money is needed .
I rang 14 times yesterday and was greeted with line busy noise or 'please ring back ' . ''
Another , Robin Parker , wrote : `` Since my flights have now been cancelled how am I supposed to get a refund ?
I do n't want 'new flights for which I would have to pay the difference ' . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on cancelled flights can transfer to an alternative flight free of charge or receive a voucher for the value of their booking online or claim a refund through our contact centre .
`` We are experiencing higher than average wait times so we would thank customers for their patience and assure them that these entitlements will be available long after their cancelled flight has flown . ''
What are my rights ?
• If your flight is cancelled , you are entitled to a full refund to the original form of payment within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be struggling to meet that deadline .
You can accept , or refuse , vouchers or a rebooking but a voucher will probably be invalid if the airline later goes bust • If you decide against going on a future flight , which is not yet cancelled , then there is no right to a refund .
Different airlines have different rules over what you can do but many are waiving any charges for changing to a later flight or having a voucher instead .
Your travel insurance may , or may not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to get home , the airline has a duty to get you back .
However , with so many flights cancelled , this has become increasingly difficult .
Now , the government has agreed to step in when needed to return those who are stranded • If you are stuck in the EU and a UK or EU carrier is not rerouting or helping you , you should be able to come home on any airline you can and bill the original airline for the new ticket .
The airline is legally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be rerouting you themselves .
If they are failing to do that , they are responsible for the cost of getting you home .
But you should not cancel and accept a refund as this ends the airline 's duty of care towards you and you wo n't be able to claim anything back .
It is best to pay by credit card , for the back-up to claim from your card provider Tim Alderslade , chief executive of Airlines UK , which represents the industry , said the financial situation was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He called on the government to do more to protect airlines so they could continue to operate in the future .
`` At the very top of the list is allowing airlines to issue vouchers instead of refunds in the event of cancellations , like other EU countries are doing , which would hugely help with liquidity and support airlines through the coming months , '' he said .
Travel organisation Abta has called for a four month deadline to pay refunds for package holidays .
However , consumer group Which ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the rights of customers should not be treated as an `` afterthought '' .
`` It is essential that businesses do right by their customers - particularly more vulnerable ones who may urgently need their money back , '' said Rory Boland , editor of Which ?
Travel .
EasyJet is not alone in facing criticism .
Similarly , customers have reported long waits on the live chat system when pursuing refunds from Ryanair .
BA has faced accusations of `` hiding '' the refund option for frequent flyers .
Many airlines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead of refunds .
Some people have found themselves stuck in a grey area for refund rights .
Pam and Bill Storey , from Lancashire , flew home from Fuerteventura and have been self-isolating .
She is in her 70s and he has hypertension .
Their Jet2 flight home was cancelled .
They said they were then asked to rebook on another flight .
The couple went online but found the only available flight to be €1,800 ( £1,592 ) .
They booked it expecting Jet2 to reimburse them for it but are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Why are planes still flying ?
`` We are left feeling very stressed .
They did n't offer any help with the booking , '' said Mr Storey , who added that they felt as though they had been `` abandoned '' .
`` In the first email they said they would reimburse us .
In the second email they said nothing .
Just sort your own flights out . ''
He said their flight was full of people in similar situations , although some were transferred to another flight for no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got back to Leeds Bradford airport , but others had to fly to destinations across the UK .
While in Fuerteventura they were able to go to the supermarket , pharmacy , and doctors , but nowhere else .
The taxis stopped running but people pulled together and hotel staff helped get their bags to the airport , while also helping elderly and disabled guests .
Jet2 has not responded to the BBC 's request for a response to their case .

Their Jet2 flight home was cancelled. They said they were then asked to rebook on another flight. The couple went online but found the only available flight to be €1,800 (£1,592). They booked it expecting Jet2 to reimburse them for it but are now left feeling out of pocket.


bbcuk--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: UK trialling existing and new medicines

The health secretary has explained how the government is looking into repurposing existing medication to help treat coronavirus .
Speaking @ @ @ @ @ briefing , Matt Hancock detailed three types of national clinical trials – adding that one @ @ @ @ @ nine days .
He was joined by Professor Jonathan Van Tam , Deputy Chief Medical @ @ @ @ @ Health secretary calls for more UK trial volunteers

The health secretary has explained how the government is looking into repurposing existing medication to help treat coronavirus.
Speaking in the daily coronavirus press briefing, Matt Hancock detailed three types of national clinical trials – adding that one had been put together in nine days.
He was joined by Professor Jonathan Van Tam, Deputy Chief Medical Officer.
Read more: Health secretary calls for more UK trial volunteers


bbcuk--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: 'We do not recommend face masks for general wearing'

During the government 's latest coronavirus briefing , the Deputy Chief Medical Officer addressed questions about whether people in the @ @ @ @ @ masks .
Professor Jonathan Van Tam said he does not believe healthy people wearing them @ @ @ @ @ the disease in the UK , saying `` what matters now is social distancing '' @

During the government's latest coronavirus briefing, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer addressed questions about whether people in the UK should be wearing face masks.
Professor Jonathan Van Tam said he does not believe healthy people wearing them would reduce the spread of the disease in the UK, saying "what matters now is social distancing".
Update: This video contains advice that has since been updated - people across the UK now have to wear face coverings in certain circumstances when out of the house. Read more here.


bbcuk--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: Boris Johnson warns public to 'stick with the guidance'

In a Twitter video message , the prime minister has urged the public to remain at home even as the @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Johnson is still self-isolating due to continued mild coronavirus symptoms .

In a Twitter video message, the prime minister has urged the public to remain at home even as the weather improves over the weekend.
Mr Johnson is still self-isolating due to continued mild coronavirus symptoms.


bbcuk--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: Prince Charles opens NHS Nightingale Hospital

Prince Charles spoke of his gratitude as the first UK emergency field hospital to treat coronavirus patients opened , in @ @ @ @ @ centre .
The temporary NHS Nightingale Hospital is able to hold as many as 4,000 @ @ @ @ @ to staff as he opened the facility via video link .

Prince Charles spoke of his gratitude as the first UK emergency field hospital to treat coronavirus patients opened, in east London's converted ExCel centre.
The temporary NHS Nightingale Hospital is able to hold as many as 4,000 patients.
He paid tribute to staff as he opened the facility via video link.


bbcuk--2020-04-03--Newspaper headlines: 'Stay in for heroes' and Queen 'rallies nation'

A key government adviser on the pandemic has said the UK has `` painted itself into a corner '' with @ @ @ @ @ , The Times reports .
Prof Graham Medley says it may have to consider allowing @ @ @ @ @ `` in the least deadly way possible '' so they can recover and build immunity @ @ @ @ @ .

He says no way has so far been found of easing the lockdown while controlling the virus and that the notion of herd immunity may need to be reconsidered. The country, he tells the paper, is facing a "trade-off between harming the young, versus the old".


bbcuk--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: 'Stay at home' plea as Easter holiday starts

People are being warned to stay away from England 's beauty spots amid the coronavirus lockdown , despite expected warm weather as Easter looms .
Pleas have been issued from the Yorkshire Dales and Peak District down to the south coast .
Despite a `` dramatic reduction '' in tourist visits already , the restrictions remain in place .
In Southend-on-Sea , for example , tourism bosses have rebranded PR material `` Do n't Visit Southend '' .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said it was an instruction and `` not a request '' to stay home this weekend .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ forecast in some areas this weekend `` the disease is still spreading '' .
In the Peak District , the message is that even if the sun comes out people should not travel .
Ch Insp Mark Thorley , who is in charge of policing the Staffordshire end of the Peaks , said on Twitter : `` The car parks are closed and the pulling in points will quickly become places where social distancing will be difficult .
`` Stay at home keep us all safe . ''
The advice comes amid social-distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to try to slow the rate of coronavirus infection .
Guidelines state people should stay at home except to buy food or medicines , or to go to work .
The advice is to take limited exercise near your home , and if you go out , to stay 2m ( 6ft ) away from other people at all times .
Police have now been given powers to fine people who gather in groups or refuse to return home - although some forces have been criticised for going too far .
Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a symptom of the virus - has asked people to `` stick with '' government advice , in a video posted to Twitter on Friday .
Andy Wilson , chief executive of the North York Moors National Park Authority , said : `` We have seen a huge drop in footfall at many popular beauty spots and we want this to continue .
`` We must all take responsibility for helping to slow the spread of Covid-19 and we can do this by simply staying at home and avoiding all non-essential travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak • STRESS : How to look after your mental health In Southwold , banners have been put up by town councillors Simon Flunder and David Beavan to ask people to stay away .
The 3.6m ( 12ft ) yellow signs read `` Please respect us .
Do n't infect us '' and urge those with second homes to stay away .
• Police told to be 'consistent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistant director of public health at Lincolnshire County Council , which covers coastal areas such as Skegness , said the number of cars on the road has increased compared to earlier in the lockdown phase .
He said : `` The message remains the same , do go about your essential business like food , medicine and exercise .
But do not do other business .
`` It is not as important as helping other people avoid the virus . ''
Richard Leaf , chief executive officer of the Lake District National Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Enjoy your weekends at home , '' he said .
`` The Lake District will be here for you when this is all over . ''
An official from the Cumbrian mountain rescue teams said people have not been visiting the area .
Tourism body Visit Cornwall has released a video to encourage people not to visit over the Easter holidays , but to come back later in the year .
The video , which features images of beauty spots across Cornwall , says : `` Our plans are on hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good times and memories will be had again .
`` So , for now , take a look from afar and know that Cornwall is here .
Our culture , beauty and wonder will be waiting for you along with a lovely , warm Cornish welcome . ''
Another campaign - # comebacklater - has been launched to discourage people from travelling to the area during the coronavirus crisis .
In an open letter shared on Twitter , bosses in charge of London 's open spaces have told the public `` it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sunbathe , cycle where it is not allowed , or confront those putting themselves at risk to keep these spaces open '' .
Local authorities in Kent , home to beach destinations Margate , Broadstairs , Whitstable and Hythe , have also asked people to stay at home over Easter .
A spokesman for five of the county 's councils said : `` Please do n't travel to the coast or country parks to do your exercise and certainly do n't go to public places for picnics or social gatherings .
`` Stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with members of your own household once a day for exercise and please avoid creating a crowd .
`` We 're in this together and it is working .
Do n't stop now # kenttogether . ''
Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .
Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news @ bbc.co.uk .

In an open letter shared on Twitter, bosses in charge of London's open spaces have told the public "it is clearly not ok to have picnics, sunbathe, cycle where it is not allowed, or confront those putting themselves at risk to keep these spaces open".


bbcuk--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: 'Not yet known' when virus will peak - Sturgeon

Nicola Sturgeon has said it is not yet known when the peak of the coronavirus epidemic in Scotland will come .
The first minister dismissed speculation that special measures could begin to be phased out soon .
She was speaking as new figures confirmed a further 46 people with coronavirus have died in Scotland , taking the total number to 172 .
Ms Sturgeon said 3,001 people had now tested positive for the virus , an increase of 399 from Thursday .
There are 1,321 patients in hospital who have been diagnosed with the virus , including 176 who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first minister told the Scottish government 's daily coronavirus briefing that she hoped to give `` more certainty '' over when the virus could peak in `` the next couple of weeks '' .
And she said modelling of how the epidemic is likely to play out was moving away from computer simulations to models populated with `` real data '' as more cases of the virus are diagnosed .
• Coronavirus in Scotland : How many cases are there ?
She added : `` I want to be clear , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing I have seen - absolutely nothing - would give me any basis whatsoever that this virus will peak in a week 's time .
`` I know there will be media messages across the whole of the UK today that people will be hearing , and if I have to continue to ask people to do the right thing it 's important I 'm doing that on the basis of frankness .
`` I do n't want people to hear something that , in my view , for Scotland is not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people for adhering to the lockdown measures so far , and urged them not to be tempted to relax their social distancing over the Easter period .
Ms Sturgeon 's view was echoed by Scotland 's chief medical officer , Dr Catherine Calderwood , who said it would be `` many months '' before the country is able to `` get on top of this virus '' without the risk of it re-emerging .
She said : `` Each day we are announcing more people infected with the virus than the day before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and intensive care and more deaths day-on-day as we go through this epidemic .
`` So at the moment we will not be able to give a clear date of when the peak would be .
`` What we would look for first is a slowing in the rate of those people becoming positive , and we are not seeing that yet .
In fact , the proportion of people being tested who are positive is increasing day by day and has done so for the past two to three weeks . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's testing capacity would increase from 1,900 a day to at least 3,500 `` by the end of this month at the latest '' , and denied that this was less ambitious than other parts of the UK .
UK health secretary Matt Hancock has set a target of 100,000 tests a day in England - but Ms Sturgeon said it was not fair to compare this to the Scottish government 's 3,500 target .
She said : `` The 3,500 target that we have set for the end of this month at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pillar of the five pillars that Matt Hancock outlined yesterday .
`` The UK 's target is 25,000 by the end of April so , proportionately , our target is a bit more ambitious than the UK 's . ''
`` It is over and above that where the UK gets to 100,000 , and what I 'm saying is that , through those same measures , Scotland will get to a position that is proportionately the same . ''
More cases , more people in hospital , more deaths .
This sombre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is spreading fast , and infecting more people Yesterday the UK government set out plans for NHS England to test 100,000 people every day , by the end of April .
Nicola Sturgeon was pressed on the Scottish target and gave a robust response .
She insists the Scottish target - 3,500 per day by the end of this month - is more ambitious than the English target .
She said the correct comparison with England is tests done in NHS and public health laboratories - what 's called their `` pillar one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day .
The rest - pillar two - would be made up by universities and private sector partners such as Amazon and Boots .
That , the first minister says , means Scotland will out-test England .
The NHS continues to prepare - and we 're told Scottish hospitals now have 500 ventilators for critically ill patients .
Orders are in place for more , we 're told , and there 's no upper limit on how many the NHS will buy .
There 's no end in sight .
Easter is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current lockdown will be harder for many to bear .
But Nicola Sturgeon was at pains to make clear there 's no sign the danger and death toll will peak by Easter .
She said it 's still uncertain when it will be - and restrictions will be in place for `` a long number of weeks '' .
Current testing is only reliable in confirming someone has coronavirus , but both the Scottish and UK governments hope a reliable antibody test that tells whether you have previously had the disease will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also considering plans around antibody testing , but the first minister cautioned against expectations that such a scheme could start any time soon .
`` That kind of test does n't currently exist , '' she said .
`` We hope it will do soon , but the fact is that might still be some time away . ''
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak

"What we would look for first is a slowing in the rate of those people becoming positive, and we are not seeing that yet. In fact, the proportion of people being tested who are positive is increasing day by day and has done so for the past two to three weeks."


bbcuk--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: Foster stresses executive 'unity of purpose'

First Minister Arlene Foster has said there is a `` unity of purpose '' among the executive to save lives .
She was speaking after Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill criticised the response of the Department of Health to the crisis .
At the daily Stormont briefing , Ms O'Neill also stressed that ministers were working together .
A total of 48 people have died with coronavirus in Northern Ireland , with 904 confirmed cases in the region .
Mrs Foster highlighted the fact that a surge in cases was expected between 6 April and 20 April .
• A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak • STRESS : How to look after your mental health She said it was very important that `` regardless of all of the other bits of noise '' , public health messages still got out .
Mrs Foster added : `` So be under no illusion and let me say again , we are very much united in that unity of purpose in saving lives . ''
She added : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to concentrate on apparent inconsistencies of approach between jurisdictions or indeed executive ministers , we need to focus on the things that really matter and we need to focus on getting our hospitals tooled up for the very difficult days ahead , of ensuring our nurses , doctors or indeed other key workers have the kit they need . ''
Ms O'Neill said that people were facing the `` battle of our lifetimes '' .
`` I am doing everything in my power , and we are , to make sure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure we come out the other side of this as best as we can .
`` This is n't about politics , this is about doing right by our people , we 're looking into the peak of the first wave of this pandemic over the course of the next number of days and everything we do has to be , and is always about , saving lives , everything comes back to that .
`` The executive 's priority is to save lives . ''
Health Minister Mr Swann , who also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to respond to Ms O'Neill 's criticism .
He said : `` My skin 's thick enough to take whatever abuse anybody wants to throw at me , because I 'll not be distracted from the work that we 're doing , I 'll not be allowing my department to be distracted from the work that it 's doing .
`` Because we 've done a lot of good work in a very , very short space of time - so we 'll keep doing what we 're doing . ''

"This isn't about politics, this is about doing right by our people, we're looking into the peak of the first wave of this pandemic over the course of the next number of days and everything we do has to be, and is always about, saving lives, everything comes back to that.


bbcuk--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: British man 'left behind' in India

A British man has been left stranded in an Indian hospital following emergency surgery - after narrowly missing the last flights home .
Ivor Gunton , 77 , became ill during an annual trip to Gura with wife Geraldine Davis , 72 .
After he underwent the operation Ms Davis returned to the UK , expecting her husband to follow on a flight that day .
But upon arriving in the UK , Ms Davis was told the timing of border closures had meant her husband was left behind .
The pair , who have been married for 38 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon as Mr Gunton could travel , but a curfew was imposed due to coronavirus .
Ms Davis was able to fly out of the country on March 21 , expecting her husband to be following by air ambulance the same day .
`` It was horrible , and now he is alone .
The thought of not knowing when he will be back is even worse . ''
But Mr Gunton , who underwent an operation to remove an intestinal tumour at Mothercare Hospital in Goa , has refused to let his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a strong character , '' his wife said .
`` If that was me I would not be able to get through it . ''
Ms Davis said : `` We spend five months every year in India but this time Ivor started getting abdominal pain and was sent to hospital where he was given two CT scans .
`` The second one showed a tumour . ''
Coronavirus had already begun to spread in India and it became clear they needed to get home quickly .
In the fortnight since Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insurers , Royal Bank of Scotland , have been trying to liaise with the hospital , where he remains , to have him airlifted .
They need permission from the Indian Aviation Authority to repatriate him , but say they must wait for the results of coronavirus testing .
It is likely that will take up to a week .
`` This , to me , is completely incomprehensible , '' said Ms Davis .
`` In the time it takes for the results to come and for the repatriation to then be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

"This, to me, is completely incomprehensible," said Ms Davis. "In the time it takes for the results to come and for the repatriation to then be requested he could easily catch the virus."


bbcuk--2020-04-04--New Labour leader Keir Starmer vows to lead party into 'new era'

Sir Keir Starmer has been elected as the new leader of the Labour Party .
The 57-year old defeated Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy in a ballot of party members , trade unionists and registered supporters and will succeed Jeremy Corbyn as opposition leader .
The lawyer , who became an MP in 2015 , won on the first round of voting , with more than 50 % of ballots cast .
He said his task was to `` lead this great party into a new era , with confidence and hope '' .
In a video message released by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an `` honour and privilege '' to have been elected and he hoped Labour `` when the time comes can serve our country again - in government '' .
And he apologised for the `` stain '' of anti-Semitism that has tainted Labour in recent years .
He pledged to `` tear out this poison by its roots '' and said his success would be judged on whether former Jewish members return to Labour .
The full results of the leadership contest were : Just over 490,000 people voted in the contest , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part , in the three-month contest triggered by Mr Corbyn 's decision to step down after Labour 's heavy defeat in last year 's general election .
Meanwhile , shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner has been elected deputy leader , replacing Tom Watson , who stood down as an MP before the election .
She defeated four other candidates but the contest was much closer , going to a third round of voting .
The 40-year old Ms Rayner beat Richard Burgon and Rosena Allin-Khan in a third round of voting , after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had earlier been eliminated .
Saturday 's result was announced by e-mail after plans for a public event were dropped due to the coronavirus crisis .
Sir Keir has described himself as a socialist but not a Corbynite , and vowed to keep key policies from the Corbyn era , such as nationalising rail , mail and water and repealing anti-union laws , in a 10-point plan .
The MP for Holborn and St Pancras , in London , had been the odds-on favourite to win the contest , having received the backing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than his rivals as well as significant union support .
He led the Crown Prosecution Service before entering frontline politics .
He served in Mr Corbyn 's top team for more than three years where he was responsible for the party 's Brexit policy .
His two rivals paid tribute to him , Mrs Long-Bailey saying he would be make `` brilliant prime minister '' and she `` would do all she could to make that a reality '' .
Ms Nandy said she was proud of her campaign and offered Labour 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the challenges that lie ahead '' .
`` Our country is crying out for fresh leadership .
We start today . ''
Sir Keir 's first task will be to lead Labour 's response to the coronavirus emergency , and he has been invited to take part in cross-party talks with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the government 's top scientific advisers next week , to `` work together '' on the crisis .
Sir Keir said he had been elected `` at a moment like no other '' and promised to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confront the pandemic and not engage in `` opposition for opposition 's sake '' .
But he added : `` We will shine a torch on critical issues and where we see mistakes or faltering government or things not happening as quickly as they should we 'll challenge that and call that out . ''
Prominent Labour figures have welcomed Sir Keir 's decisive victory , with former leader Ed Miliband saying `` his decency , values and intelligence are what our country needs at this time of crisis '' .
Labour MP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's candidacy , said he was `` ecstatic '' about the outcome .
Outgoing shadow chancellor John McDonnell , who backed Ms Long-Bailey , urged the party to `` unite now as a movement to achieve our socialist aim '' .

And he apologised for the "stain" of anti-Semitism that has tainted Labour in recent years. He pledged to "tear out this poison by its roots" and said his success would be judged on whether former Jewish members return to Labour.


bbcuk--2020-04-04--Coronavirus: Thirteen Glasgow care home residents die in one week

Thirteen residents at a Glasgow care home have died in one week following a suspected outbreak of coronavirus .
Staff at Burlington Care Home , Cranhill , said they were `` closely monitoring '' the health of other people in their care and that `` strict protocols '' were in place .
All of the deceased residents had underlying health conditions and their families have been made aware .
Two staff members have tested positive and are being treated in hospital .
As first reported in The Scottish Sun , the care home said tests were not carried out on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when people were admitted to hospital .
• 'Not yet known ' when virus will peak • How many cases are there in Scotland ?
A Four Seasons Health Care spokeswoman said : `` With deep sadness we can confirm that 13 residents at Burlington Care Home have passed away over the past seven days .
`` Our condolences are with their families and we are providing them with our ongoing support during this difficult time .
`` The passing of a loved one is always traumatic irrespective of the circumstances .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team continues to be the ongoing care and protection of all our residents and our colleagues , two of whom are currently being treated for coronavirus . ''
She said strict protocols on infectious diseases were in place , including social distancing , and staff were `` closely monitoring '' the health of other residents and workers .
`` In these exceptional circumstances we are sincerely grateful for the dedication of our colleagues and can assure our residents and their families that we are putting all our resources and energy into supporting and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she added .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak The Care Inspectorate have been made aware of the deaths and are in contact with the care service , as well as the local health and social care partnership .
A spokesperson said : `` We are aware of the tragic death of residents at this care home as a result of Covid-19 .
`` Our thoughts are with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as the the staff and wider community of the home .
`` All of Scotland 's social care sector is working under very difficult circumstances to care for people during the pandemic and the Care Inspectorate is doing all it can to support them . ''

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bbcuk--2020-04-04--Coronavirus: Fears for lockdown over weekend of sunshine

Police face `` one of their biggest challenges '' of the lockdown this weekend as sunny weather risks drawing crowds to parks and beauty spots .
Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer told the BBC it was a `` pivotal weekend '' , urging people to `` play their part '' and avoid travel .
Ministers have said `` stay at home '' is an instruction , not a request .
Senior medics urged people to avoid travel for the sake of two nurses who died of coronavirus .
A forecast of warm weather across much of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from local councils , tourism bosses and police urging people to stay away from coastal areas , national parks and other visitor destinations .
Restrictions state that everybody must stay at home where possible , and only leave if they have a `` reasonable excuse '' , such as exercise or shopping for basic necessities .
Prof Neil Ferguson , a leading scientist advising the government , has warned the coronavirus infection rate in the UK could remain high for `` weeks and weeks '' if people ignore social distancing rules this weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the virus have now died in the UK , with 684 deaths recorded on Friday .
There are 38,168 confirmed cases .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak • STRESS : How to look after your mental health • Prime Minister Boris Johnson , who remains in self-isolation in Downing Street after testing positive for coronavirus , has written to opposition party leaders inviting them to a briefing next week • Up to 4,000 prisoners in England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in England and Wales early because of the coronavirus , the prison service said • Sir Keir Starmer has been elected as the new leader of the Labour Party , with members learning the outcome via e-mail after a specially-planned conference was cancelled • Thirteen residents at a Glasgow care home have died in one week following a suspected outbreak of coronavirus • Mobile phone masts in Birmingham and Merseyside have been set on fire over false claims linking coronavirus to 5G .
• Passengers on board two cruise liners in Florida - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - have begun disembarking • An increasing number of councils are instructing dog owners to ensure their pets are always on a lead in parks and open spaces • Official data on testing in hospitals suggests that England is lagging behind Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland • The British Embassy in Manila has announced a plan to repatriate about 600 UK nationals stuck in the Philippines , after thousands of Britons became stranded around the globe amid the pandemic Speaking to BBC Breakfast , Mr Sawyer said people would have to examine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by travelling to tourist hotspots this weekend .
`` If a £60 ticket makes you do something and 684 people dying yesterday did n't , then I think you 've got to take a good look at yourself as to whether you 've realised the seriousness and significance of where we are , '' he said .
He added that officers would in the first instance `` explain '' and `` encourage '' people to follow government guidelines on essential travel , describing enforcement as `` a last resort '' .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` If we do n't get it right this weekend , then what are we going to do at Easter ? ''
Katy Bourne , Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner , told BBC Newsnight this weekend was set to be `` one of the biggest challenges for policing so far '' .
Police officers will be at Brighton station this weekend , asking people to go home if they travel to the seaside destination to enjoy the sunny weather , leader of Brighton and Hove City Council Nancy Platts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ College London , told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme the epidemic was expected to plateau in the next week to 10 days , but that the public 's behaviour was crucial for determining what happens next .
He said - providing people follow guidelines - he was `` hopeful '' that some of the intensive social distancing measures could be substituted for rapid testing and contact tracing in a few weeks ' time , once case numbers are lower .
`` We want to move to a situation where , at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are able to substitute some less intensive measures for the lockdown , '' he said .
On Friday , Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned at the No 10 briefing that `` we can not relax our discipline now '' .
`` If we do , people will die , '' he said .
Mr Hancock said the advice to stay home and protect lives is `` not a request - it is an instruction '' .
After the deaths of two NHS nurses with the virus , Areema Nasreen and Aimee O'Rourke , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged : `` Please stay at home for them . ''
Theresa Fife , director of the Royal College of Nursing Scotland , expressed concern that some frontline staff were not able to operate social distancing , and that protective equipment was not reaching them - both in the NHS and in care homes .
`` I do believe , sadly , that it is inevitable that we will see more nurses and other healthcare professionals die during this crisis , '' she told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government 's plans for scaling up testing for coronavirus infections to 100,000 a day risked being held up by a shortage of chemicals and supplies .
The Institute for Biomedical Sciences said the UK had enough laboratories and staff to increase testing , but there is a `` very real risk '' that hospitals could run out of reagents , the chemicals used in the tests .
And supplies of the the precision plastics used with the reagents are not due to be ready until mid-May , the institute said .
The Queen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address to the nation on TV , radio and social media on Sunday .
The speech at 20:00 BST will be intended to reassure and rally people , BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said .
The Queen is also expected to thank NHS staff and key workers , as well as emphasise the important role individuals can play .
The decision to deliver the speech has been made `` in close consultation with Downing Street '' , he added .
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bbcuk--2020-04-04--Coronavirus: Birmingham and Merseyside masts set on fire over false 5G claims

Mobile phone masts have been torched and engineers abused over `` baseless '' theories linking coronavirus to 5G .
UK mobile network providers have warned against the spread of the theories after videos showing masts on fire were posted on social media .
Masts were set alight in Sparkhill , Birmingham , on Thursday and Melling , Merseyside , on Friday .
Trade body Mobile UK , which represents network providers , said the false rumours and theories were `` concerning '' .
In a statement on Twitter , the Department for Digital , Culture , Media and Sport said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being shared online about 5G '' .
`` There is absolutely no credible evidence of a link between 5G and coronavirus , '' it added .
In Melling , Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said it extinguished a 5G mast tower fire near the M57 motorway late on Friday .
There was damage to the mast and control panels , a spokesman said .
West Midlands Fire Service said the fire in Birmingham on Thursday involved a 70ft tower on a telecommunications site .
However , the service said the cause was yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mast was 5G .
A West Midlands Police spokesman said : `` We 're aware of a fire involving a phone mast , but are awaiting further details on its cause . ''
On Friday , Facebook removed a page which showed several videos claiming to show 5G towers on fire and encouraged others to do the same .
In addition to warning on the theories about the safety of 5G technologies , Mobile UK added : `` More worryingly some people are also abusing our key workers and making threats to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 5G .
`` This is not acceptable and only impacts on our ability as an industry to maintain the resilience and operational capacity of the networks to support mass home working and critical connectivity to the emergency services , vulnerable consumers and hospitals . ''
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak • STRESS : How to look after your mental health


bbcuk--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: Nottinghamshire landlady's 'regret' over 'lock-in'

A landlady whose pub was shut down after police were called to a `` lock-in '' during the coronavirus lockdown said she `` wished she 'd kept the door shut '' .
Mandy Mallinson said she had been celebrating her husband 's birthday at the Blue Bell Inn in Nottinghamshire .
She admitted six regulars had turned up uninvited , but insists it was not a planned `` lock-in '' .
A councillor said the pub had been visited on successive weekends over concerns it was `` flouting '' rules .
Nottinghamshire Police were called to the premises in Mansfield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used new powers to shut down what they described as a `` lock-in '' .
Ms Mallinson said : `` If I could go back , I would have locked my door and not let anyone in .
I wish to God I had just shut it . ''
But she argues the police were wrong to describe it as a `` lock-in '' because the till was closed , beer nozzles were turned off and the doors were open .
`` People chose to come , drop off presents and thought they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
`` We were n't selling beer , they brought their own .
We did n't invite them , it was not a planned party . ''
She said it only lasted 30 minutes before police arrived .
Ch Supt Rob Griffin said the force 's actions `` send a very clear message '' that `` police and our partners will not tolerate those people who deliberately break the rules and put other people 's lives in danger '' .
Ashfield District Council 's deputy leader Helen-Ann Smith said a community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23 March after reports it had been `` open all that weekend '' as well .
She said they left a note as no-one responded .
She added : `` If this were the first time , I could possibly understand it .
But the rules have been put in place for a reason .
`` The staff at King 's Mill Hospital are working so hard , while five minutes down the road there are people flouting the regulations .
It 's a smack in the face . ''
Ms Mallinson denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she had not received a visit or note .
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Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews @ bbc.co.uk .

Ms Mallinson said: "If I could go back, I would have locked my door and not let anyone in. I wish to God I had just shut it."


bbcuk--2020-04-03--Second coronavirus death in boxer Yarde's family

British boxer Anthony Yarde has announced his grandmother has died from coronavirus .
She is the second member of his family to die as a result of the pandemic , following his father ’ s death last Friday .
The 28-year-old appealed to people to “ just stay home ” as he said his grandmother had died on Thursday .
“ My dad and his mother have passed just days apart , ” the light-heavyweight fighter wrote on social media .
“ It ’ s serious !
People are still going out when they don ’ t need to .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of opinions about Covid-19 and I have mine but I just know opinions ain ’ t worth risking your life and others .
Just stay home.
” The latest Government figures on Friday showed a further 684 people in the UK have died from coronavirus , bringing the total to 3,605 .
There are 38,168 confirmed cases .
Yarde said his father had been “ fit with no health issues ” .
His promoter Frank Warren wrote on Twitter : “ We are extremely sad to learn that Anthony Yarde has now lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We can ’ t begin to imagine what Anthony and his family are going through and our sincere condolences go out to them .
“ Please listen to his heartfelt personal plea , stay at home to save lives.
” Yarde ’ s next fight was set to be against fellow Briton Lyndon Arthur on 11 April , but the event has been delayed until 11 July because of the pandemic .

Last updated on .From the section Boxing
Anthony Yarde's next fight against fellow Briton Lyndon Arthur has been moved from 11 April to 11 July
British boxer Anthony Yarde has announced his grandmother has died from coronavirus.
She is the second member of his family to die as a result of the pandemic, following his father’s death last Friday.
The 28-year-old appealed to people to “just stay home” as he said his grandmother had died on Thursday.
“My dad and his mother have passed just days apart,” the light-heavyweight fighter wrote on social media.
“It’s serious! People are still going out when they don’t need to. I know there’s a lot of opinions about Covid-19 and I have mine but I just know opinions ain’t worth risking your life and others. Just stay home.”
The latest Government figures on Friday showed a further 684 people in the UK have died from coronavirus, bringing the total to 3,605. There are 38,168 confirmed cases.
Yarde said his father had been “fit with no health issues”.
His promoter Frank Warren wrote on Twitter: “We are extremely sad to learn that Anthony Yarde has now lost his nan to the coronavirus.
“We can’t begin to imagine what Anthony and his family are going through and our sincere condolences go out to them.
“Please listen to his heartfelt personal plea, stay at home to save lives.”
Yarde’s next fight was set to be against fellow Briton Lyndon Arthur on 11 April, but the event has been delayed until 11 July because of the pandemic.