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| UK coronavirus live: Williamson refuses to rule out government putting London in lockdown by weekend | UK coronavirus live: Williamson refuses to rule out government putting London in lockdown by weekend |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Rolling coverage of the latest coronavirus developments in the UK | Rolling coverage of the latest coronavirus developments in the UK |
| Prof Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser, and Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser, are holding a press conference now. | |
| Whitty says the idea that the world will be able to put this virus back until, while not totally impossible, is so unlikely as to be a mistake. | |
| Chris Evans broadcast a “test” radio show from a boat as he joined the many Britons working away from their offices amid the coronavirus pandemic. | |
| The broadcaster hosted his Virgin Radio breakfast programme from his tethered spot on the banks of the River Thames in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, this morning. He said the team might be relocating back to London tomorrow, “but we’ll see how it goes”. | |
| London mayor Sadiq Khan has said bans may be needed to stop people gathering in bars, restaurants and continuing to mix together in defiance of expert advice. He also said people’s civil liberties may have to be curtailed to stop more lives being lost to the Covid-19 virus. | |
| Giving evidence before the London assembly, Khan was asked about a Paris-style formal ban, ordering people to stay indoors except in certain limited circumstances. He said: | |
| Khan meets the prime minister and senior officials later today amid speculation tougher measures will be introduced and concern the outbreak is so far worst in the capital. | |
| “We are nowhere near the peak,” Khan said. | |
| The National Literacy Trust has launched an online zone for parents looking for ideas and activities whilst their children are home due to school closures. | |
| It includes reading and writing activities, book lists, videos, competitions and reading challenges. | |
| Social media posts, such as this, have led to some confusion over which London underground stations are closed today following the announcement by authorities that some would be shut. | |
| While a Transport for London (TfL) press release said that certain stations could be closed, users of social media interpreted it as being a definitive shutdown. | |
| Blackhorse Road station remains open today for example, despite having been listed last night as facing closure. | |
| Commuters, such as those at Blackhorse Road, also reported busy services as passengers were crowded together on fewer trains, leading to some questioning the policy of reducing the number coming through lines. | |
| TfL updates on which services are open and closed can be checked here: | |
| Users, including key workers, have also complained that underground and other services are as busy as ever due to the reduced services. | |
| An eerie calm, punctured by an ever-so-slight camaraderie among commuters, descended on London’s underground network this morning as Sadiq Khan announced more than 40 station closures to help delay the coronavirus surge. | |
| There were seats available on trains normally packed like sardine cans although some lines especially the Victoria line were dangerously devoid of social distancing. | |
| Other lines including the Northern line were ghostly. | |
| “Dead as a dodo,” said Sean Colley, one of the tube workers on the Waterloo and City line at Bank, the heart of the financial services district. | |
| The shop on the platform has already closed. “The lady took just £11 the other day so she’s long gone,” says Colley. | |
| Jeremy, a financial services executive who travelled in from Guilford, said about 25% of the 3,000-strong workforce were in the office. | |
| While a fraction of the numbers were travelling on the busy Victoria line, the reduced schedule was an issue. | |
| Bisi, an accountant at a Housing Association near Euston station, said she knew social distancing was two metres apart and people were trying their best in impossible circumstances on the tube. | |
| But it was better than normal, she said. | |
| One man heading to work at the nearby magistrates court at Highbury & Islington questioned why the country was being led by example in relation to social distancing. | |
| “Just look at everybody at the press conference sitting next to each other and passing around the microphone. With two doctors in the room?” he said referring to the Boris Johnson daily briefings with England’s chief medical adviser, Chris Whitty, and scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance. | |
| Surveying a trickle of people coming off the Northern line at Euston, tube worker Sandie Louis de Canonville, said: | |
| The environment secretary, George Eustice, has sought to reassure MPs about measures to tackle empty supermarket shelves, saying there is “significant resilience in our food supply chain” and that the main issue was getting the food out to shops when people were buying more. | The environment secretary, George Eustice, has sought to reassure MPs about measures to tackle empty supermarket shelves, saying there is “significant resilience in our food supply chain” and that the main issue was getting the food out to shops when people were buying more. |
| Answering departmental questions in the Commons, Eustice gave no new details of how food supplies would be maintained, but said supermarket staff would be included on a list due out later today of key workers, whose children will remain in otherwise-closed schools. | Answering departmental questions in the Commons, Eustice gave no new details of how food supplies would be maintained, but said supermarket staff would be included on a list due out later today of key workers, whose children will remain in otherwise-closed schools. |
| Asked about this by Labour MP Jim McMahon, Eustice said: | Asked about this by Labour MP Jim McMahon, Eustice said: |
| On the endlessly-shared social media photos of stripped shelves, Eustice said: | On the endlessly-shared social media photos of stripped shelves, Eustice said: |
| As well as moves to improve this, Eustice said, he was talking to colleagues in the communities and local government department about ensuring food reached people who are self-isolating. | As well as moves to improve this, Eustice said, he was talking to colleagues in the communities and local government department about ensuring food reached people who are self-isolating. |
| Luke Pollard, Labour’s shadow environment secretary, called for more help on the “immediate family emergency” of those relying on food banks, saying many were low on food and reliant on older volunteers who would need to self-isolate. | Luke Pollard, Labour’s shadow environment secretary, called for more help on the “immediate family emergency” of those relying on food banks, saying many were low on food and reliant on older volunteers who would need to self-isolate. |
| As travel continues to take a hit, London Gatwick airport is running less than half the number of scheduled flights. | As travel continues to take a hit, London Gatwick airport is running less than half the number of scheduled flights. |
| More info on the declining number of departures over the last 30 days here. | More info on the declining number of departures over the last 30 days here. |
| A cross-party group of MPs and peers has warned the government to ensure any measures it takes to curb the spread of coronavirus do not breach human rights provisions, ahead of the publication of emergency legislation later today. | A cross-party group of MPs and peers has warned the government to ensure any measures it takes to curb the spread of coronavirus do not breach human rights provisions, ahead of the publication of emergency legislation later today. |
| The intervention by parliament’s joint committee on human rights comes after Jeremy Corbyn wrote to Boris Johnson asking that the powers in the new coronavirus bill, which will last for two years, are reviewed every six moths. | The intervention by parliament’s joint committee on human rights comes after Jeremy Corbyn wrote to Boris Johnson asking that the powers in the new coronavirus bill, which will last for two years, are reviewed every six moths. |
| Opposition parties are not expected to seek votes on the emergency legislation, which is expected to complete all stages of the House of Commons on Monday, and then pass through the Lords on Wednesday and Thursday. | Opposition parties are not expected to seek votes on the emergency legislation, which is expected to complete all stages of the House of Commons on Monday, and then pass through the Lords on Wednesday and Thursday. |
| However, both party leaderships and MPs are lobbying hard to try to ensure safeguards, with the new powers set to include the potential ability of police to ban all gatherings, and to detain people with the virus and move them to quarantine. | However, both party leaderships and MPs are lobbying hard to try to ensure safeguards, with the new powers set to include the potential ability of police to ban all gatherings, and to detain people with the virus and move them to quarantine. |
| The human rights committee has published a 12-page interim report into potential civil liberties issues which could arise because of the powers in the legislation. | The human rights committee has published a 12-page interim report into potential civil liberties issues which could arise because of the powers in the legislation. |
| It stresses that all measures should comply with the UK’s obligations under both the UN and European conventions on human rights. Under the European convention, the report notes, a member state can derogate from some provisions during a public emergency. But the report adds: | It stresses that all measures should comply with the UK’s obligations under both the UN and European conventions on human rights. Under the European convention, the report notes, a member state can derogate from some provisions during a public emergency. But the report adds: |
| Potential areas of conflict the committee highlight include whether forced quarantine could breach the right to liberty and to family life. It says: | Potential areas of conflict the committee highlight include whether forced quarantine could breach the right to liberty and to family life. It says: |
| Northern Ireland has recorded the first death of a patient who tested positive for Covid-19, the Department of Health has announced. | Northern Ireland has recorded the first death of a patient who tested positive for Covid-19, the Department of Health has announced. |
| The patient was described as elderly and as having an underlying medical condition. | The patient was described as elderly and as having an underlying medical condition. |
| The Ivors, an annual celebration of excellence in screenwriting and composing, have been postponed from May until 2 September amid the coronavirus outbreak, with the announcement of nominations happening closer to that date. | The Ivors, an annual celebration of excellence in screenwriting and composing, have been postponed from May until 2 September amid the coronavirus outbreak, with the announcement of nominations happening closer to that date. |
| The Ivors Academy’s chief executive, Graham Davies, and its chairman, Crispin Hunt, said in a joint statement: | The Ivors Academy’s chief executive, Graham Davies, and its chairman, Crispin Hunt, said in a joint statement: |
| In an interview this morning Gavin Williamson, the education secretary for England, said that the government would be issuing guidance tomorrow explaining how pupils unable to sit exams this summer will be graded so that they get the qualifications they need for the future. | In an interview this morning Gavin Williamson, the education secretary for England, said that the government would be issuing guidance tomorrow explaining how pupils unable to sit exams this summer will be graded so that they get the qualifications they need for the future. |
| He also said there will be a “proper and fair system” of appeal for those who are unhappy with the results they are given. He said: | He also said there will be a “proper and fair system” of appeal for those who are unhappy with the results they are given. He said: |
| Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said he expected pupils to be given grades based on teacher assessment and internal work, such as the results of mock exams. And he said Williamson’s decision to scrap performance tables for schools this year would remove any incentive for teachers to skew the results. Barton said: | Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said he expected pupils to be given grades based on teacher assessment and internal work, such as the results of mock exams. And he said Williamson’s decision to scrap performance tables for schools this year would remove any incentive for teachers to skew the results. Barton said: |
| Universities UK chief executive Alistair Jarvis told the Today programme that one option might be for students who already have an offer from a university to be told that that will now be treated as an unconditional offer. Asked if this could happen, he replied: | Universities UK chief executive Alistair Jarvis told the Today programme that one option might be for students who already have an offer from a university to be told that that will now be treated as an unconditional offer. Asked if this could happen, he replied: |
| The London mayor, Sadiq Khan, gave a strong hint that the capital may see tougher measures because it highest level of cases in the UK, and said that Londoners should cease all but essential travel. | The London mayor, Sadiq Khan, gave a strong hint that the capital may see tougher measures because it highest level of cases in the UK, and said that Londoners should cease all but essential travel. |
| Giving evidence before the London assembly on Thursday morning, Khan said: | Giving evidence before the London assembly on Thursday morning, Khan said: |
| He said those in London must follow the advice and cease all but essential travel: | He said those in London must follow the advice and cease all but essential travel: |
| So big was the crisis, Khan said, that London and the country will be living with its effects for years. | So big was the crisis, Khan said, that London and the country will be living with its effects for years. |
| He confirmed transport services would be reduced, with some underground stations closed. | He confirmed transport services would be reduced, with some underground stations closed. |
| Khan said he would be meeting prime minister later on Thursday Boris Johnson and senior officials amid continued speculation about new measures. | Khan said he would be meeting prime minister later on Thursday Boris Johnson and senior officials amid continued speculation about new measures. |
| Khan said: | Khan said: |
| Restaurant chains have started to shutter their sites in the face of the pandemic, PA Media reports. | Restaurant chains have started to shutter their sites in the face of the pandemic, PA Media reports. |
| Zizzi and Ask Italian are to close their sites temporarily as national restaurant chains start to close in the face of the coronavirus outbreak. | Zizzi and Ask Italian are to close their sites temporarily as national restaurant chains start to close in the face of the coronavirus outbreak. |
| Azzurri Group, which runs the Italian chains as well as Coco di Mama, confirmed that its 300-plus sites will shut their doors from today. | Azzurri Group, which runs the Italian chains as well as Coco di Mama, confirmed that its 300-plus sites will shut their doors from today. |
| The company said it currently plans for 117 Ask and Zizzi sites to be open for delivery. | The company said it currently plans for 117 Ask and Zizzi sites to be open for delivery. |
| Meanwhile, hospitality giant Whitbread is also set to temporarily close around 400 restaurant sites from Friday night in response to the virus. | Meanwhile, hospitality giant Whitbread is also set to temporarily close around 400 restaurant sites from Friday night in response to the virus. |
| The move will affect its chains such as Brewers Fayre, Beefeater and Bar + Block. | The move will affect its chains such as Brewers Fayre, Beefeater and Bar + Block. |
| A Whitbread spokesperson said: | A Whitbread spokesperson said: |
| Vietnamese brand Pho revealed it will close its 30 sites to focus on home delivery, while burger chain Byron has also closed its operations to the public completely and is moving to delivery-only. Brasserie Blanc has closed its operations for the near future. | Vietnamese brand Pho revealed it will close its 30 sites to focus on home delivery, while burger chain Byron has also closed its operations to the public completely and is moving to delivery-only. Brasserie Blanc has closed its operations for the near future. |
| Other chains like Itsu have moved to take-away only models to reduce the time customers spend at their sties. | Other chains like Itsu have moved to take-away only models to reduce the time customers spend at their sties. |
| Public transport operators have started slashing services due to the coronavirus, PA Media reports. The story goes on: | Public transport operators have started slashing services due to the coronavirus, PA Media reports. The story goes on: |
| Former England defender Gary Neville has said he will open his hotels to health workers free of charge, in an effort to help with the public health crisis. | Former England defender Gary Neville has said he will open his hotels to health workers free of charge, in an effort to help with the public health crisis. |
| His two Manchester hotels will be closed to the public, freeing up 176 beds for medical staff from Friday. | His two Manchester hotels will be closed to the public, freeing up 176 beds for medical staff from Friday. |
| Neville said none of his staff will be made redundant or asked to take unpaid leave. | Neville said none of his staff will be made redundant or asked to take unpaid leave. |
| He made the announcement on Twitter yesterday: | He made the announcement on Twitter yesterday: |
| Chelsea Football Club made a similar announcement on Monday, opening a hotel owned by the club to NHS workers. | Chelsea Football Club made a similar announcement on Monday, opening a hotel owned by the club to NHS workers. |