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UK coronavirus live: police could enforce London social distancing; seven people die in Wales UK coronavirus live: police could enforce London social distancing; seven people die in Wales
(32 minutes later)
Concerns over people flouting social distancing rules; shops under pressure to close; rough sleepers race against time to self-isolateConcerns over people flouting social distancing rules; shops under pressure to close; rough sleepers race against time to self-isolate
Pictures on social media are showing busy crowds at a market in Victoria Park, east London today, as people continue to ignore government guidance to stay at home and maintain social distancing.
Yesterday people also reported busy scenes at the popular Broadway food market.
Earlier today, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the police could be used to enforce social distancing rules if they continue to be disregarded by the public.
As many people continue to go on pre-planned holidays, tourist boards across the UK have urged people to respect government advice on social distancing and unnecessary travel.
With schools closed and Easter holidays approaching, families are choosing to ignore calls to stay at home and limit social interactions.
Visit Cornwall asked holidaymakers online to “please stay away” to help reduce the speed that the virus was spread and avoid “needless lives being lost”.
Cherilyn Mackrory, Conservative MP for Truro and Falmouth said the message to tourists was simple:
The calls come as the Department of Transport and Network Rail announced significant transport reductions to provide more reliable services for key workers as well as the shipping of essential items such as food and fuel.
Similar measures on service reduction have been agreed by the Welsh and Scottish governments, which will be implemented from Monday. On Sunday, north Wales-based Pario Leisure Group handed over two holiday parks and more than 250 beds to the NHS after its parks were forced to close to holiday guests and caravan owners.
Park owner Wyn Williams said it was important for people to help one another and “ensure spirits are kept high”.
Schools in Scotland have been ordered to cancel plans to allow 15- to 18-year-olds into classes tomorrow to complete exam coursework, Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister, has announced.
Numerous secondary schools, including all those in areas such as Perth and Kinross, and others in Falkirk, Bishopbriggs and North Ayrshire, had told pupils in S4, 5 and 6 on Friday and Saturday they were expected to attend school on Monday to finish essential coursework. Private schools are also asking pupils to resit their preliminary exams, similar to mocks in England.
Sturgeon added that after a surge in the number of non-residents fleeing to Scottish islands to holiday homes or caravan parks, a clampdown on ferry travel to the islands had also been tightened further.
CalMac, the country’s main ferry firm, announced last week it would take no new bookings until July. Sturgeon said that from now on, Scotland’s ferry companies would only take bookings for essential travel. She also asked the countries hotels and B&Bs to stop taking bookings.
Sturgeon said since Friday she had spoken to the Scottish Qualifications Authority, which runs the country’s exams system, and had agreed this weekend to immediately cancel all course work classes.
She said schools still had an essential role to play to look after the most vulnerable children or those whose parents were key workers. A list of occupations who would get priority was being circulated soon, but intensive care unit nursing staff and critical care specialists were at the top of it.
She said the expert advice had not changed but they had realised over the weekend the virus was spreading through the community far faster than thought. “Therefore we need to do more to reduce the risks,” she said.
“Everybody should consider every time that they’re planning to come into contact with people whether that contact is necessary, and if it’s not necessary, don’t do it,” she said.
Catherine Calderwood, Scotland’s chief medical officer, said epidemiologists now estimated that any infected person could infect between four to six people. They had originally calculated it was two to three other people. That could lead to “an explosion of cases”, she said.
Primark is to close all 189 of its UK stores on Sunday and cancel all orders from suppliers as demand shrinks due to social distancing amid coronavirus crisis.
Primark boss Paul Marchant said:
Other high street retailers, such as John Lewis, TK Maxx, River Island and Timpson, have also announced closures amid the pandemic.
Doctors have said they feel like “lambs to the slaughter” due to the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) on the front line of the fight against coronavirus, according to the chair of the Doctors’ Association UK, Rinish Parmar.Doctors have said they feel like “lambs to the slaughter” due to the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) on the front line of the fight against coronavirus, according to the chair of the Doctors’ Association UK, Rinish Parmar.
Parmar is one of 5,000 health workers who have signed a letter to the prime minister calling for more PPE to protect NHS staff, their patients and also their families at home.Parmar is one of 5,000 health workers who have signed a letter to the prime minister calling for more PPE to protect NHS staff, their patients and also their families at home.
Speaking on the Andrew Marr Show today, Parmar said:Speaking on the Andrew Marr Show today, Parmar said:
Waitrose and John Lewis have outlined measures that will be in place from tomorrow to support NHS workers:Waitrose and John Lewis have outlined measures that will be in place from tomorrow to support NHS workers:
All Waitrose shops will protect a proportion of deliveries of ‘hard to find’ and essential stock exclusively for NHS workers to ensure they have better opportunity to access basic shopping items at all times of the day.All Waitrose shops will protect a proportion of deliveries of ‘hard to find’ and essential stock exclusively for NHS workers to ensure they have better opportunity to access basic shopping items at all times of the day.
NHS staff will receive priority checkout treatment in all Waitrose supermarkets either through a dedicated till or moved to the front of the queueNHS staff will receive priority checkout treatment in all Waitrose supermarkets either through a dedicated till or moved to the front of the queue
John Lewis is donating comfort items and Easter gift food to local hospitals, to support workersJohn Lewis is donating comfort items and Easter gift food to local hospitals, to support workers
Berangere Michel, executive director for customer service at the John Lewis Partnership, said:Berangere Michel, executive director for customer service at the John Lewis Partnership, said:
Earlier this week the John Lewis Partnership launched a £1m Community Support Fund, along with a protected shopping hour for the elderly and vulnerable.Earlier this week the John Lewis Partnership launched a £1m Community Support Fund, along with a protected shopping hour for the elderly and vulnerable.
An elderly patient with an underlying medical condition has become the second person to die in Northern Ireland after testing positive for coronavirus, the country’s Department of Health said.An elderly patient with an underlying medical condition has become the second person to die in Northern Ireland after testing positive for coronavirus, the country’s Department of Health said.
As of 2pm on Sunday, testing has resulted in 20 new positive cases in Northern Ireland, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 128.As of 2pm on Sunday, testing has resulted in 20 new positive cases in Northern Ireland, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 128.
The total number of tests completed in Northern Ireland is 2,484. A total of 44 were aged 44 or under, another 44 aged 45-69 and 40 were aged 70 or over. Males made up 73 cases and females 55.The total number of tests completed in Northern Ireland is 2,484. A total of 44 were aged 44 or under, another 44 aged 45-69 and 40 were aged 70 or over. Males made up 73 cases and females 55.
The health minister, Robin Swann, said:The health minister, Robin Swann, said:
Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday Politics programme this morning, First Minister Arlene Foster said enforcement of social distancing was needed in some cases to prevent the spread of coronavirus.Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday Politics programme this morning, First Minister Arlene Foster said enforcement of social distancing was needed in some cases to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Production on Coronation Street and Emmerdale will stop from Monday due to coronavirus concerns, ITV has said.Production on Coronation Street and Emmerdale will stop from Monday due to coronavirus concerns, ITV has said.
In a statement it announced:In a statement it announced:
Eastenders confirmed it has suspended filming earlier this week, while Home and Away, Australia’s popular soap, has also stopped production to protect to protect staff from the virus.Eastenders confirmed it has suspended filming earlier this week, while Home and Away, Australia’s popular soap, has also stopped production to protect to protect staff from the virus.
The chancellor, Rishi Sunak, is facing mounting pressure to extend the coronavirus bailout to include the UK’s five million self-employed workers, as a survey reveals half would keep working if they had symptoms.The chancellor, Rishi Sunak, is facing mounting pressure to extend the coronavirus bailout to include the UK’s five million self-employed workers, as a survey reveals half would keep working if they had symptoms.
On Friday, Sunak said self-employed workers could access £94.25 a week in universal credit but he gave a far more generous deal to employees, who will receive 80% of their wages, up to £2,500 a month.On Friday, Sunak said self-employed workers could access £94.25 a week in universal credit but he gave a far more generous deal to employees, who will receive 80% of their wages, up to £2,500 a month.
He is being lobbied to go further in the coming days or risk public health by incentivising self-employed taxi drivers, couriers and other gig economy workers and zero-hours contractors to keep working while ill.He is being lobbied to go further in the coming days or risk public health by incentivising self-employed taxi drivers, couriers and other gig economy workers and zero-hours contractors to keep working while ill.
According to a survey carried out on Wednesday and Thursday, 47% of the self-employed and 51% in “atypical” work such as those on zero-hours contracts would feel obliged to work even if they had the virus.According to a survey carried out on Wednesday and Thursday, 47% of the self-employed and 51% in “atypical” work such as those on zero-hours contracts would feel obliged to work even if they had the virus.
To help combat misinformation about coronavirus on social media, the NHS has been working with Twitter to ensure local NHS organisations have blue-tick verification.To help combat misinformation about coronavirus on social media, the NHS has been working with Twitter to ensure local NHS organisations have blue-tick verification.
The NHS is has been working with Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to verify or ‘blue tick’ over 800 accounts belonging to NHS organisations including hospital trusts and local commissioning groups.The NHS is has been working with Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to verify or ‘blue tick’ over 800 accounts belonging to NHS organisations including hospital trusts and local commissioning groups.
It has also worked with Twitter to suspend a false account posing as a hospital and putting out inaccurate information about the number of coronavirus cases, as well as publicly condemning homeopaths promoting false treatments.It has also worked with Twitter to suspend a false account posing as a hospital and putting out inaccurate information about the number of coronavirus cases, as well as publicly condemning homeopaths promoting false treatments.
Both Twitter and Facebook are now directing users to the NHS website if they search for coronavirus.Both Twitter and Facebook are now directing users to the NHS website if they search for coronavirus.
A man has appeared in court accused of making fake coronavirus test kits and attempting to send them across the world, police said.A man has appeared in court accused of making fake coronavirus test kits and attempting to send them across the world, police said.
Frank Ludlow, 59, of West Sussex, was arrested at a Post Office near his home on Friday after 60 Covid-19 treatment kits were seized by police in the US.Frank Ludlow, 59, of West Sussex, was arrested at a Post Office near his home on Friday after 60 Covid-19 treatment kits were seized by police in the US.
The kits, which were intercepted by Customs and Border Protection Agency officers in Los Angles on Wednesday, were labelled as “Anti-Pathogenic treatment” and had been sent from the UK, City of London Police said.The kits, which were intercepted by Customs and Border Protection Agency officers in Los Angles on Wednesday, were labelled as “Anti-Pathogenic treatment” and had been sent from the UK, City of London Police said.
They allegedly contained chemicals which are “extremely harmful” when the user is instructed to wash and rinse their mouth with them, police said.They allegedly contained chemicals which are “extremely harmful” when the user is instructed to wash and rinse their mouth with them, police said.
Police believe some of the kits could still be in circulation and urged people not to use them.Police believe some of the kits could still be in circulation and urged people not to use them.
Tariq Sarwar, head of operations for enforcement at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, said:Tariq Sarwar, head of operations for enforcement at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, said:
Detective chief superintendent Clinton Blackburn, from the City of London of Police, said: “If you have purchased one of these kits, it’s important you do not use it. Instead, report it to Action Fraud via their website or by calling 0300 123 2040 and quoting ‘Trinity CV19 treatment kits’.”Detective chief superintendent Clinton Blackburn, from the City of London of Police, said: “If you have purchased one of these kits, it’s important you do not use it. Instead, report it to Action Fraud via their website or by calling 0300 123 2040 and quoting ‘Trinity CV19 treatment kits’.”
The number of people who have died after testing positive for coronavirus in Scotland has risen to 10, the Scottish Government said.
The death toll stood at seven this morning, and the country has 373 confirmed cases
The first case of Covid-19 in an immigration detention centre has just been confirmed by the Home Office.
The case is at Yarls Wood immigration removal centre in Bedfordshire, which houses women and some family groups.
A female detainee has tested positive for the virus. Home Office officials say no one else, either staff or detainees, have tested positive.
Women at the centre are on lockdown and all are panicking. One woman told the Guardian:
A second woman said:
The first confirmed case in an immigration detention centre comes in the middle of a legal action calling for the release of hundreds of detainees because of the risk of them contracting the virus within the confined and sometimes overcrowded spaces in detention centres.
Antonia Bright, chair of the organisation Movement For Justice which is providing telephone support to the detainees inside Yarls Wood, said: “There is no way that detention centres can manage the health needs of detainees in a pandemic.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “A woman at Yarl’s Wood IRC tested positive for coronavirus and following guidance from Public Health England, was placed in isolation after displaying symptoms. No other staff or detainees have tested positive for coronavirus.
“Immigration Enforcement is responding to the unique circumstances of the coronavirus outbreak and decisions to detain are made on a case-by-case basis, following the guidance from Public Health England.
“Our priority is to maintain the lawful detention of the most high-harm individuals, including foreign national offenders.”
The wide range of key workers whose children can still access schools when they close next week has led to an “overwhelming” demand for places, the general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers has said.
In a video message, Paul Whiteman said:
While schools are closed to the majority of children next week, vulnerable children and the children of key workers including health, transport, local and national government workers, can still send their children in.
He added: “Please approach your school not with a sense of entitlement, but with a sense of cooperation and mutual support within your community. We need to look after one another right now.”
More than 5,000 former nurses have registered to offer their services in the fight against coronavirus, the Nursing and Midwifery Council has confirmed.
The temporary Covid-19 register will only come into force if emergency coronavirus legislation is passed by parliament and the health secretary declares a state of emergency.
The London mayor, Sadiq Khan, issued a stark warning to those in the capital today, saying that unless people stop interacting with each other, more people will die and police may have to enforce social distancing rules.
Speaking on the BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show, Khan said:
He added that while “it’s really important that the police are focused on the priorities they’ve got”, if people continued to ignore social distancing advice, they could be drafted in to enforce the measures.
More national parks and gardens across the country are closing as, despite government advice on social distancing, good weather and Mother’s Day celebrations continue to draw crowds to attractions.
Organisations such as Chatsworth House, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and the National Trust made the decision in order to “restrict the spread of the coronavirus”, after visitor numbers remained high on Saturday.
Chatsworth chief executive, Stephen Vickers, said the decision had “not been taken lightly”. He said:
An RHS spokesman said its gardens had remained “very busy” on Saturday and that it could no longer “guarantee the Government’s requirement for social distancing”.
Meanwhile, the National Trust director general, Hilary McGrady, said the organisation would be taking measures to ensure that people do not lose their connection with nature, and that sites of natural beauty remain open “virtually”. She said:
A spokesman for the Royal Parks said their venues would remain open for the time being, though cafes and kiosks have been closed.
They added: “If people do not follow social distancing guidelines, we will have no choice but to close the parks.”
People with underlying health conditions including severe asthma and specific cancers are being urged to stay at home “at all times” to protect themselves against coronavirus.
People who fall into the high-risk categories should avoid any face-to-face contact for at least 12 weeks, the government said.
Those at risk will receive a letter from NHS England and should implement the measures from the day they receive it, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said.
People who are most at risk include:
Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radical radiotherapy for lung cancer, as well as those with cancers of the blood or bone marrow who are at any stage of their treatment.
People having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer.
Those undergoing targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors.
People who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the past six months or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs.
Those with respiratory conditions including severe asthma, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cystic fibrosis.
Pregnant women who have significant heart disease.
The DHSC said people with rare diseases and inborn errors of metabolism that significantly increase infection are also classed as high-risk.
Those with serious health conditions face the highest risk of needing hospital treatment for Covid-19 according to the DHSC.
The measures advise people not to leave their home, attend any gatherings, or go out for shopping, while deliveries should be left at the door to minimise contact, the DHSC said.
People living with others in the same house are advised to keep two metres away from each other, use separate bathrooms where possible, and separate towels.
There are currently 5,018 confirmed cases of people with Covid-19 coronavirus in the UK.
As 53 more people who had tested positive for the virus died in England, the UK death toll rose to more than 200 this morning.
NHS England said all 53 patients had underlying health conditions and the eldest was 94.
In Wales the death toll has risen to 12 as seven more patients died, while Scotland’s stands at seven and Northern Ireland’s remains at one.
Boris Johnson has tweeted to say that everyone should stay at home this Mother’s Day in order to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
He advised people to keep in touch my calling, texting or using social media instead.
Earlier in the week Johnson was criticised for saying during a press conference that he hoped to be able to see his mother on Sunday, contradicting official social distancing advice.
Aides clarified afterwards that the prime minister was referring to seeing his mother, Charlotte, via Skype.
Welcome to today’s coverage of the coronavirus crisis in the UK. This is Jessica Murray and I’ll be taking you through the latest developments and stories for the afternoon.
Wales has said a further seven people have died after contracting coronavirus - taking the total number of deaths during the pandemic to 12. All those who died were over 70 and had underlying medical conditions.
Meanwhile, police could use emergency powers to enforce rules on social distancing and reduce the further spread of coronavirus, the London mayor has said, amid concerns about mixed messages from central government on the issue.
Shops are coming under continued pressure to close their doors in order to stop the close contact of customers, which goes against social distancing guidelines.
Timpson is the latest retailer to announce it is closing, with all 2,150 outlets shutting their doors by 23 March. Chief Executive James Timpson said the business is going into hibernation but all staff will remain on full pay.
Meanwhile, Waterstones is trending on Twitter following a backlash over the company’s decision to remain open.
Staff said they have not been provided with any personal protective equipment and are being put at risk by close contact with customers.
Last week James Daunt, the managing director of Waterstones, said the virus had led to “unprecedented demand” for books and a 17% increase in sales, calling for all bookshops to be kept open because they serve an essential purpose.