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UK coronavirus live: calls for tougher distancing measures amid concerns over people ignoring two-metre rule in parks UK coronavirus live: calls for tougher distancing measures amid concerns over people ignoring two-metre rule in parks
(31 minutes later)
Rolling coverage of all the UK developments in the coronavirus crisisRolling coverage of all the UK developments in the coronavirus crisis
A further four patients in Wales who tested positive for coronavirus have died, bringing the total to 16, Public Health Wales said.
The Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished. For the first time it took place entirely by conference call. And it was embargoed until it finished.
Here is one of the more interesting lines.
Dominic Raab will take charge of the government if the PM falls ill from coronavirus, the prime minister’s spokesman said. The spokesman stressed that Boris Johnson was well. But he said that Raab, the foreign secretary, would take over if Johnson could not carry out his duties because Raab is also first secretary of state.
I will post a full summary shortly.
The Labour party is calling for stricter enforcement of social distancing. In an official statement issued on behalf of the party, echoing what Sir Keir Starmer, the favourite in the leadership contest has also said (see 10.58am), Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, said:
The congestion charge and the ultra low emissions zone charge have been suspended as of today in London to help health workers, emergency service and other key workers move around the capital.
Transport for London said however the public should not exploit this as a licence to drive around London for free.
Chris Macleod, customer director at TfL said:
The Scottish health secretary has had to tell off one of her own MSPs after he tweeted that he would be keeping his office open to conduct surgeries with constituents.
Jeane Freeman retweeted John Mason with the comment: “John please don’t do this. Follow the clear health guidance – you are neither an exception nor exceptional.”
The UK’s Freemasons are taking the unusual step of inviting non-members to participate in a “virtual” toast at 9pm tonight, to remember loved ones who might be self-isolating as well as frontline NHS workers.
The 200,000-strong organisation traditionally toasts “absent brethren” to remember those who are unable to attend their meetings in person at the dinner that takes place afterwards.
The organisation is adapting its usual 9pm toast and inviting everyone to join in using #TimetoToast to toast ‘absent friends, and those working on the frontline in the NHS’.
Dr David Staples, chief executive of the United Grand Lodge of England, said:
A message for people to stay at home from Theo Usherwood, political editor of LBC, who has spent the last few weeks recovering after being diagnosed with pneumonia and was suspected of having Covid-19. It reads:
Morrisons has reduced its fuel prices by 12p per litre for petrol and 8p per litre for diesel, PA reports.
The supermarket described the move as “the biggest fuel price reduction in recent times”.
Jeremy Corbyn’s son is self-isolating in line with government advice for anyone with symptoms of Covid-19, Sky News understands.Jeremy Corbyn’s son is self-isolating in line with government advice for anyone with symptoms of Covid-19, Sky News understands.
Sources told Sky that Seb Corbyn – who works for the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell – has not recently been in contact with McDonnell or his father.Sources told Sky that Seb Corbyn – who works for the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell – has not recently been in contact with McDonnell or his father.
A powerful video from frontline medics from Belfast Health and Social care trust urging people to stay at home has gone viral, racking up more than 1.4m views since it was uploaded last night.A powerful video from frontline medics from Belfast Health and Social care trust urging people to stay at home has gone viral, racking up more than 1.4m views since it was uploaded last night.
One of the 20 healthcare workers (who stand two metres apart from each other in the video), a respiratory consultant called Angela, says:One of the 20 healthcare workers (who stand two metres apart from each other in the video), a respiratory consultant called Angela, says:
Later today MPs will debate all stages of the coronavirus emergency powers bill. It gives extensive powers to ministers – there is a good summary here – and in a normal circumstances it would be hugely controversial. Instead it is expected to be passed with cross-party support.Later today MPs will debate all stages of the coronavirus emergency powers bill. It gives extensive powers to ministers – there is a good summary here – and in a normal circumstances it would be hugely controversial. Instead it is expected to be passed with cross-party support.
Controversy has focused on the sunset clause in the bill, which says its provisions will lapse after two years. Opposition MPs, as well as the Tory libertarian David Davis, have tabled amendments saying the sunset clause should kick in after six months, or a year, not two years. According to the BBC’s Norman Smith, the government is going to address these concerns by including a six-month renewal clause in the legislation.Controversy has focused on the sunset clause in the bill, which says its provisions will lapse after two years. Opposition MPs, as well as the Tory libertarian David Davis, have tabled amendments saying the sunset clause should kick in after six months, or a year, not two years. According to the BBC’s Norman Smith, the government is going to address these concerns by including a six-month renewal clause in the legislation.
As many people with children around the country take to homeschooling from today, NewsWise have created a set of activities, links, tips and advice to help families learn more about the news together. You can access all the resources here.
The news literacy project for nine-11-year-olds set up by the Guardian Foundation, National Literacy Trust and PSHE Association, would normally be delivering workshops in schools around the country, so instead they are helping parents re-create some of that learning at home.
A few useful purposes, much needed at the moment, include helping kids not be afraid of the news, helping families learn how to identify fake news and also keeping kids entertained in an educational way.
And the Labour party is appealing to people working in PR and advertising to work on a pro bono basis (ie, for free) producing adverts designed to stop people panic buying. And advertisers should use some of their advertising budgets to pay for these to go out, Labour says. This is from Luke Pollard, the shadow environment secretary.
The jury in the Old Bailey trial of three teenagers for the murder of PC Andrew Harper has been discharged due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Last week, the jury dropped from 12 men and women to 10 due to jurors going into self-isolation.
This morning, Mr Justice Edis made a statement in court that the remaining jurors were discharged and the trial adjourned. He said he had made the decision with a “heavy heart” after a third juror went into isolation over the weekend. He said:
The judge set a review hearing on 1 June to set a date for the trial to start again. The defendants remain custody until the fresh trial on a date to be fixed.
More than a dozen high-profile Old Bailey trials had already been postponed following measures to delay the spread of Covid-19. Last Tuesday, it was announced that upcoming criminal trials lasting more than three days would be put off.
Sir Keir Starmer, the favourite in the Labour leadership contest, is urging the government to imposed tougher social distancing restrictions. In a statement he said:
Time Out magazine is to cease printing for the first time since 1968 and hopes to return after the pandemic, our media editor, Jim Waterson, reports. The magazine has temporarily rebranded as “Time In” as it focuses on online content.
All children’s play areas in Cardiff have been closed to the public, the council announced. Parks in the city will remain open but could be closed if people do not observe social distancing.
A spokesman for the council said:
The Times has published a lengthy leader column today (paywall) criticising Boris Johnson’s handling of the coronavirus so far. There is nothing particularly surprising about its arguments – you will have read many of them in the Guardian, where our leader today says “as we career into highly dangerous and uncharted waters, it is right to ask whether our ship’s captain is up to the job” - but Johnson expects to be criticised by the Guardian. If the Times is having a go at him too, that will cause more concern in No 10.
On the plus side for Johnson, the Times leader is qualified. The general thrust of it is more “must do better” than “completely useless”. Here is an extract.
Health minister Nadine Dorries is returning to work in Westminster after recovering from Covid-19.
She said on Twitter:
Laura Ashley is the latest retail casualty of the coronavirus outbreak. After the fashion and furnishings retailer went into administration earlier this month, the impact of the pandemic has been blamed for tipping it over the edge.
It has announced the permanent closure of 70 stores, with 721 employees set to lose their jobs, and has said it will continue to trade from its remaining 77 UK stores, which will remain open while online operations also continue to trade.