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| Coronavirus: No 10 to start daily briefings | Coronavirus: No 10 to start daily briefings |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Boris Johnson will outline the next steps in the UK's plan to fight coronavirus at the first of a series of daily news conferences. | Boris Johnson will outline the next steps in the UK's plan to fight coronavirus at the first of a series of daily news conferences. |
| The briefing will follow a Cobra meeting which is expected to look at what steps the government could take to protect elderly and vulnerable people. | The briefing will follow a Cobra meeting which is expected to look at what steps the government could take to protect elderly and vulnerable people. |
| The over-70s have been told they are allowed to go out for walks when their lengthy self-isolation period begins. | The over-70s have been told they are allowed to go out for walks when their lengthy self-isolation period begins. |
| The first person in Wales to die with Covid-19 brings the UK total to 36. | |
| Most of those who have died in the UK have been people over the age of 60 with underlying health problems. | |
| Another 30 people have tested positive for the virus in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed UK cases to 1,402. More than 40,000 people have been tested. | |
| Daily news conferences will be led by the prime minister or senior ministers, alongside Prof Chris Whitty, the government's chief medical adviser, and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance. | Daily news conferences will be led by the prime minister or senior ministers, alongside Prof Chris Whitty, the government's chief medical adviser, and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance. |
| It follows criticism of No 10 for an apparent lack of transparency over its plans to stem the spread of the virus. | It follows criticism of No 10 for an apparent lack of transparency over its plans to stem the spread of the virus. |
| Downing Street said the government was committed to keeping the public informed and would be led by science. | Downing Street said the government was committed to keeping the public informed and would be led by science. |
| Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed the over-70s will soon be asked to stay at home for an extended period to protect themselves. | Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed the over-70s will soon be asked to stay at home for an extended period to protect themselves. |
| But he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme they would still be able to go for a walk outside: "It's about being sensible but not mixing in crowds," he said. | But he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme they would still be able to go for a walk outside: "It's about being sensible but not mixing in crowds," he said. |
| And the BBC has said it will delay changes to the TV licence for the over-75s until August. Director General Tony Hall said it was important the corporation served the public "at this difficult time". | |
| The Cobra meeting, chaired by the PM, will discuss further interventions, such as protecting the elderly and vulnerable, and whether mass gatherings should be banned. | The Cobra meeting, chaired by the PM, will discuss further interventions, such as protecting the elderly and vulnerable, and whether mass gatherings should be banned. |
| Most schools across the UK remained open on Monday, despite blanket closures in countries such as Spain, France and Ireland. | Most schools across the UK remained open on Monday, despite blanket closures in countries such as Spain, France and Ireland. |
| Some decided to close, however, with Education Secretary Gavin Williamson due to meet head teachers to discuss their concerns later. Some universities have halted classes and moved all their lectures online. | Some decided to close, however, with Education Secretary Gavin Williamson due to meet head teachers to discuss their concerns later. Some universities have halted classes and moved all their lectures online. |
| From Tuesday, face-to-face assessments for sickness and disability welfare payments will be suspended for three months. | From Tuesday, face-to-face assessments for sickness and disability welfare payments will be suspended for three months. |
| The suspension will apply to claimants of personal independence payments, employment and support allowance, some on Universal Credit and people on industrial injuries schemes. | The suspension will apply to claimants of personal independence payments, employment and support allowance, some on Universal Credit and people on industrial injuries schemes. |
| Health Secretary Matt Hancock said details of emergency legislation giving the government more powers to deal with the outbreak will be revealed on Tuesday. | Health Secretary Matt Hancock said details of emergency legislation giving the government more powers to deal with the outbreak will be revealed on Tuesday. |
| Hotels could be used to house patients and private hospitals could be called on to boost NHS bed numbers. | Hotels could be used to house patients and private hospitals could be called on to boost NHS bed numbers. |
| The government has asked any firms which may be able to help to produce ventilator machines for use in hospitals to call the Department for Business. | |
| The fallout from the coronavirus has begun to hit industry, with travel operators and airlines reporting big reductions in services. | The fallout from the coronavirus has begun to hit industry, with travel operators and airlines reporting big reductions in services. |
| Easyjet, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Ryanair announced sweeping flight cancellations and warned hundreds of planes would be grounded. | Easyjet, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Ryanair announced sweeping flight cancellations and warned hundreds of planes would be grounded. |
| Train companies warned passenger numbers had fallen and P&O and Cunard said their cruise liners would suspend sailing until 11 April. | Train companies warned passenger numbers had fallen and P&O and Cunard said their cruise liners would suspend sailing until 11 April. |
| Mr Shapps told BBC Breakfast that good companies "shouldn't be put out of business" due to a downturn caused by the virus. | Mr Shapps told BBC Breakfast that good companies "shouldn't be put out of business" due to a downturn caused by the virus. |
| He will meet airline leaders and discuss potential financial support for businesses with Chancellor Rishi Sunak. | He will meet airline leaders and discuss potential financial support for businesses with Chancellor Rishi Sunak. |
| Britons stuck abroad due to travel restrictions have been advised to contact their airline, as well as the Foreign Office by calling +44 (0)207 008 1500, so that the government knows they are trying to get home. | Britons stuck abroad due to travel restrictions have been advised to contact their airline, as well as the Foreign Office by calling +44 (0)207 008 1500, so that the government knows they are trying to get home. |
| Mr Johnson will speak with leaders of the G7 nations in a phone call on Monday, asking them to back the World Health Organization response and provide funding and expertise to develop a vaccine. | Mr Johnson will speak with leaders of the G7 nations in a phone call on Monday, asking them to back the World Health Organization response and provide funding and expertise to develop a vaccine. |
| A Public Health England (PHE) briefing, reported by the Guardian, warned the epidemic could last until spring 2021 and put 7.9 million people in hospital. | A Public Health England (PHE) briefing, reported by the Guardian, warned the epidemic could last until spring 2021 and put 7.9 million people in hospital. |
| Downing Street later said the PHE briefing outlined a reasonable worst-case scenario. | Downing Street later said the PHE briefing outlined a reasonable worst-case scenario. |
| People self-isolating with mild symptoms are no longer being tested. The government said tests are primarily being given to patients in hospital for pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome or a flu-like illness; or where an outbreak has happened in a residential or care facility. | |
| In other key updates: | In other key updates: |
| How have you been affected by coronavirus? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | How have you been affected by coronavirus? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |