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| Coronavirus: No 10 to start daily briefings | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Boris Johnson will outline the next step in the UK's plan to fight coronavirus at the first of a new series of daily news conferences. | |
| The PM, or a senior minister, will now address the media each day to ensure people are informed about how to protect themselves. | |
| 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. |
| A total of 35 people have died in the UK after contracting Covid-19. | A total of 35 people have died in the UK after contracting Covid-19. |
| The briefing on Monday afternoon will follow the latest meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee where further decisions could be made on actions to tackle the spread of coronavirus. | The briefing on Monday afternoon will follow the latest meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee where further decisions could be made on actions to tackle the spread of coronavirus. |
| Sir Keir Starmer, running to be the next Labour Party leader, had called for a daily update from the government to improve transparency. | Sir Keir Starmer, running to be the next Labour Party leader, had called for a daily update from the government to improve transparency. |
| He said he was concerned ministers had been failing in their responsibility to provide consistent and transparent public health advice. | He said he was concerned ministers had been failing in their responsibility to provide consistent and transparent public health advice. |
| 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. |
| Daily news conferences will be led by the prime minister or senior ministers, alongside Prof Chris Whitty, the UK'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 UK's chief medical adviser, and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance. |
| 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. |
| 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. | |
| 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 on 0300 456 3565. | 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 on 0300 456 3565. |
| 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 and Ryanair announced sweeping flight cancellations and warned hundreds of planes would be grounded. | Easyjet, British Airways and Ryanair announced sweeping flight cancellations and warned hundreds of planes would be grounded. |
| 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. |
| The number of confirmed UK cases of the virus has reached 1,372, with 40,279 people tested, according to the latest Department of Health figures. | The number of confirmed UK cases of the virus has reached 1,372, with 40,279 people tested, according to the latest Department of Health figures. |
| Almost all of the latest cases were in England, but 34 new cases were announced in Wales, 32 in Scotland and 11 in Northern Ireland. | Almost all of the latest cases were in England, but 34 new cases were announced in Wales, 32 in Scotland and 11 in Northern Ireland. |
| People self-isolating with mild symptoms are no longer being tested. | People self-isolating with mild symptoms are no longer being tested. |
| The government said tests will now be 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. | The government said tests will now be 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 |