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| Coronavirus UK live: Boris Johnson 'in good spirits' after discharge from intensive care | Coronavirus UK live: Boris Johnson 'in good spirits' after discharge from intensive care |
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| No 10 defends Robert Jenrick’s lockdown journeys; public urged to stay home over Easter; FCO charters 12 flights to bring nationals back from India | No 10 defends Robert Jenrick’s lockdown journeys; public urged to stay home over Easter; FCO charters 12 flights to bring nationals back from India |
| Afternoon! This is Lucy Campbell again, bringing you up to speed with all the latest UK coronavirus developments for the rest of the day. | |
| I’m extremely grateful to everyone who has already been in touch with tips and suggestions. If you’d like to contact me please feel free to email me at lucy.campbell@guadian.co.uk or via Twitter @lucy_campbell_. | |
| Police Scotland has issued more than 500 fines to people ignoring the lockdown since the emergency powers came into force two weeks ago, and arrested others who refused to follow instructions, the chief constable, Iain Livingstone has said. | |
| Taking part for the first time in Nicola Sturgeon’s daily coronavirus press conference, Livingstone said the fines and arrests came after police had to break up house parties or large groups of people gathering outside. | |
| In the first week, the force issued just over 140 fixed penalty notices, implying non-compliance has increased nearly three-fold in the last week. The fines cost £60 or £30 if paid within 28 days. | |
| “With the continued support and cooperation of our fellow citizens, Police Scotland will explain the legal instructions, encourage compliance and when necessary, enforce the law,” he said. | |
| Policing of this would be “fair, reasonable and proportionate,” he said, adding: “do not make personal exemptions bespoke to your own circumstances.” | |
| Asked by the BBC whether she was worried people were growing fatigued by the lockdown, Sturgeon said: “Of course I worry about people tiring of this. I think we all find it more difficult to comply with these rules as every day passes. | |
| “That will get more difficult as we go into spring and the weather gets better, the nights get lighter. Nobody is under any illusion about that. But that is why it remains important for all us in government to be very clear with people: we will not ask you to do this for a minute longer than necessary.” | |
| Asked why the former chief medical officer, Catherine Calderwood, was not fined for twice breaching the lockdown and only given a verbal warning, Livingstone said the police rightly accepted her immediate acknowledgement she had broken the law and would not do so again. | |
| NHS England has announced 866 new deaths of people who tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 8,114. | NHS England has announced 866 new deaths of people who tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 8,114. |
| Of the 866 new deaths announced today, 117 occurred on 9 April while 720 took place between 1 April and 8 April. | Of the 866 new deaths announced today, 117 occurred on 9 April while 720 took place between 1 April and 8 April. |
| The remaining 29 deaths occurred in March, including one on March 5. | The remaining 29 deaths occurred in March, including one on March 5. |
| A further 10 people with coronavirus have died in Northern Ireland, taking the total number of deaths to 92. | A further 10 people with coronavirus have died in Northern Ireland, taking the total number of deaths to 92. |
| There are 112 newly confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Northern Ireland - now a total of 1,589. | There are 112 newly confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Northern Ireland - now a total of 1,589. |
| The first minister of Wales said the coronavirus lockdown could be “tightened” in Wales, including people not being allowed outside to exercise, if there was “large-scale flouting” of the guidelines. | The first minister of Wales said the coronavirus lockdown could be “tightened” in Wales, including people not being allowed outside to exercise, if there was “large-scale flouting” of the guidelines. |
| Speaking at a press briefing in Cardiff, Mark Drakeford added fines could be increased but said he did not want to toughen measures because the rules are “an enormous burden” already. | Speaking at a press briefing in Cardiff, Mark Drakeford added fines could be increased but said he did not want to toughen measures because the rules are “an enormous burden” already. |
| He added: “The small minority [who flout rules] need to get the message and get into line.” | He added: “The small minority [who flout rules] need to get the message and get into line.” |
| The first minister also said he would only relax physical distancing measures “when the evidence shows it is safe”, and that such a decision would not be based on any similar actions in England. | The first minister also said he would only relax physical distancing measures “when the evidence shows it is safe”, and that such a decision would not be based on any similar actions in England. |
| Drakeford also denied announcing an extension of the lockdown in Wales on Wednesday to “get in ahead of Westminster”. | Drakeford also denied announcing an extension of the lockdown in Wales on Wednesday to “get in ahead of Westminster”. |
| He said: “I wanted to be honest with people here in Wales and did not want them going into Easter believing they were on the final stretch and come next week the restrictions would be all over.” | He said: “I wanted to be honest with people here in Wales and did not want them going into Easter believing they were on the final stretch and come next week the restrictions would be all over.” |
| This is Jessica Murray, taking over the blog while my colleague Lucy has a short break. | This is Jessica Murray, taking over the blog while my colleague Lucy has a short break. |
| A 30-year-old man has been charged with fraud after allegedly spending six free nights at a hotel by claiming to be an NHS worker. | A 30-year-old man has been charged with fraud after allegedly spending six free nights at a hotel by claiming to be an NHS worker. |
| Ben Quince checked into the Casa hotel, in Chesterfield, at the end of March on a floor reserved for NHS staff, Derbyshire police said. | Ben Quince checked into the Casa hotel, in Chesterfield, at the end of March on a floor reserved for NHS staff, Derbyshire police said. |
| He stayed there for six nights and allegedly told staff he worked in the A&E department at Chesterfield Royal hospital. | He stayed there for six nights and allegedly told staff he worked in the A&E department at Chesterfield Royal hospital. |
| The hotel is offering complimentary lodgings for health workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, the force said. | The hotel is offering complimentary lodgings for health workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, the force said. |
| Quince, of no fixed address, has been charged with fraud by false representation. | Quince, of no fixed address, has been charged with fraud by false representation. |
| He appeared at Southern Derbyshire magistrates court on Monday and was bailed to appear again at a later date, police said. | He appeared at Southern Derbyshire magistrates court on Monday and was bailed to appear again at a later date, police said. |
| Nicola Sturgeon has pledged her government will pass on the full Scottish share of any Treasury bailout for universities but said they had to have further discussions on changing the way the Scottish Funding Council, which finances the sector, funds teaching costs for students and research. | Nicola Sturgeon has pledged her government will pass on the full Scottish share of any Treasury bailout for universities but said they had to have further discussions on changing the way the Scottish Funding Council, which finances the sector, funds teaching costs for students and research. |
| The first minister was asked about the Guardian’s report that Prof Sally Mapstone, the principal of the University of St Andrews, had warned her university was facing its worst financial crisis in recent history and had already lost £25m. | The first minister was asked about the Guardian’s report that Prof Sally Mapstone, the principal of the University of St Andrews, had warned her university was facing its worst financial crisis in recent history and had already lost £25m. |
| She said the urgent priorities were confronting the public health challenge and the preservation of life, but added: | She said the urgent priorities were confronting the public health challenge and the preservation of life, but added: |
| Unlike in England and Wales, Scottish universities do not charge Scottish students tuition fees but instead get a per capita sum from the SFC to cover teaching costs; universities say that figure is less than the costs of teaching Scottish students. | Unlike in England and Wales, Scottish universities do not charge Scottish students tuition fees but instead get a per capita sum from the SFC to cover teaching costs; universities say that figure is less than the costs of teaching Scottish students. |
| They use fees paid by foreign students to balance the books. University principals say they could lose between 50% and 100% of their income from foreign students, if they refuse to come to the UK because of the pandemic. | They use fees paid by foreign students to balance the books. University principals say they could lose between 50% and 100% of their income from foreign students, if they refuse to come to the UK because of the pandemic. |
| Universities are now planning to put their staff on furlough; some predict smaller universities will be merged or shut down. They are pressing the Scottish government to consider higher per capita payments for teaching and an increase in research and postgraduate funding to protect their finances. | Universities are now planning to put their staff on furlough; some predict smaller universities will be merged or shut down. They are pressing the Scottish government to consider higher per capita payments for teaching and an increase in research and postgraduate funding to protect their finances. |
| Sturgeon said: | Sturgeon said: |
| Here are all the main points from this afternoon’s lobby briefing from my colleague Frances Perraudin, including an update on the prime minister’s health and the wider government response to the pandemic. | Here are all the main points from this afternoon’s lobby briefing from my colleague Frances Perraudin, including an update on the prime minister’s health and the wider government response to the pandemic. |
| On Boris Johnson’s condition, the prime minister’s spokesman said: | On Boris Johnson’s condition, the prime minister’s spokesman said: |
| Asked what contact Johnson had had with No 10, the spokesman said: | Asked what contact Johnson had had with No 10, the spokesman said: |
| Asked about criticism of the cabinet minister Robert Jenrick for travelling more than an hour to visit his parents at the weekend, the prime minister’s spokesperson said: | Asked about criticism of the cabinet minister Robert Jenrick for travelling more than an hour to visit his parents at the weekend, the prime minister’s spokesperson said: |
| Asked to comment on Cambridge police saying they would monitor “non-essential” supermarket aisles, he said: | Asked to comment on Cambridge police saying they would monitor “non-essential” supermarket aisles, he said: |
| The Foreign Office announced this morning that it had chartered 12 more flights to bring more than 3,000 stranded UK nationals back from India. Asked if the government accepted that it had been too slow to get UK citizens home from India, the spokesman said: | The Foreign Office announced this morning that it had chartered 12 more flights to bring more than 3,000 stranded UK nationals back from India. Asked if the government accepted that it had been too slow to get UK citizens home from India, the spokesman said: |
| The spokesman said that in the 24 hours to 9am on Thursday, 15,194 coronavirus tests were carried out in NHS and PHE labs, including on 2,970 NHS staff. | The spokesman said that in the 24 hours to 9am on Thursday, 15,194 coronavirus tests were carried out in NHS and PHE labs, including on 2,970 NHS staff. |
| Also on Thursday, 29m PPE items were delivered to 268 trusts and organisations. | Also on Thursday, 29m PPE items were delivered to 268 trusts and organisations. |
| 10,000 mechanical ventilators are currently available and another 1,500 on order, due to arrive shortly. The NHS has “sufficient spare capacity” in terms of intensive care units and ventilators, he said. | 10,000 mechanical ventilators are currently available and another 1,500 on order, due to arrive shortly. The NHS has “sufficient spare capacity” in terms of intensive care units and ventilators, he said. |
| Firefighters are to fit face masks for frontline NHS and clinical care staff and deliver medical supplies to hospitals and care facilities during the coronavirus outbreak. | Firefighters are to fit face masks for frontline NHS and clinical care staff and deliver medical supplies to hospitals and care facilities during the coronavirus outbreak. |
| Firefighters have been wearing respiratory masks for decades and the specialist trainers are certified to undertake the face-fit testing. | Firefighters have been wearing respiratory masks for decades and the specialist trainers are certified to undertake the face-fit testing. |
| The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently warned that the incorrect fitting of a protective face mask can increase the risk of Covid-19 infection and “lead to immediate or long-term ill-health or can even put the ...wearer’s life in danger.” | The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently warned that the incorrect fitting of a protective face mask can increase the risk of Covid-19 infection and “lead to immediate or long-term ill-health or can even put the ...wearer’s life in danger.” |
| Under the agreement, firefighters could also assist in the delivery of PPE to the social care sector which has reported critical shortages of essential equipment. | Under the agreement, firefighters could also assist in the delivery of PPE to the social care sector which has reported critical shortages of essential equipment. |
| Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union (FBU) General Secretary, said: | Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union (FBU) General Secretary, said: |
| Under a previous agreement, fire and rescue personnel were already able to assist in delivery of essential items like food and medicines to vulnerable people, drive ambulances, assist ambulance staff and move dead bodies, should the outbreak cause mass casualties. | Under a previous agreement, fire and rescue personnel were already able to assist in delivery of essential items like food and medicines to vulnerable people, drive ambulances, assist ambulance staff and move dead bodies, should the outbreak cause mass casualties. |
| Firefighters will maintain their core responsibilities while providing the services specifically related to the pandemic. The agreement made by the FBU with fire chiefs provides for the arrangements to be in place for an initial two months but the time period can be altered if all parties agree. | Firefighters will maintain their core responsibilities while providing the services specifically related to the pandemic. The agreement made by the FBU with fire chiefs provides for the arrangements to be in place for an initial two months but the time period can be altered if all parties agree. |
| Downing Street said shops that are allowed to remain open during the lockdown are free to sell whatever items they have in stock. | Downing Street said shops that are allowed to remain open during the lockdown are free to sell whatever items they have in stock. |
| Asked about the idea of police patrolling particular supermarket aisles to see what people are buying, the prime minister’s spokesman said: | Asked about the idea of police patrolling particular supermarket aisles to see what people are buying, the prime minister’s spokesman said: |
| Commenting on the news that the housing secretary Robert Jenrick visited his elderly parents, the prime minister’s official spokesman said they were “confident” he had complied with physical distancing rules: | Commenting on the news that the housing secretary Robert Jenrick visited his elderly parents, the prime minister’s official spokesman said they were “confident” he had complied with physical distancing rules: |
| The spokesman added Jenrick has said himself that his wife and children consider their home in Herefordshire to be their family home. | The spokesman added Jenrick has said himself that his wife and children consider their home in Herefordshire to be their family home. |
| Asked about cabinet ministers commuting to and from London, the spokesman said: | Asked about cabinet ministers commuting to and from London, the spokesman said: |
| Boris Johnson is in “very good spirits” after being discharged from intensive care, Downing Street said at the daily lobby briefing. | Boris Johnson is in “very good spirits” after being discharged from intensive care, Downing Street said at the daily lobby briefing. |
| The prime minister’s spokesman said he was “enormously grateful” for the care he had received from NHS staff at St Thomas’ Hospital. He said: | The prime minister’s spokesman said he was “enormously grateful” for the care he had received from NHS staff at St Thomas’ Hospital. He said: |
| The spokesman said he was not aware of any contact between Johnson and No 10 and that it was too early to say how long he would need to remain in hospital. He added: | The spokesman said he was not aware of any contact between Johnson and No 10 and that it was too early to say how long he would need to remain in hospital. He added: |
| A man has been arrested in Greater Manchester after biting a female police constable and punching two other officers as they enforced lockdown. | A man has been arrested in Greater Manchester after biting a female police constable and punching two other officers as they enforced lockdown. |
| Police were called on Thursday evening to reports a man was causing a disturbance on Drake Street in Rochdale.Attending officers had attempted to explain to the man that in line with government guidelines around Covid-19, people shouldn’t be going around to other people’s homes, Greater Manchester police (GMP) said. While trying to engage with the man, two officers were both punched. One of those officers - a 21-year-old female police constable - was then seriously bitten and had to attend hospital, before being discharged to recover at home.A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, domestic violence assault, section 18 assault with intent to resist arrest and regulation 8 of the Health Protection Regulation 2020 (Coronavirus). He remains in police custody for questioning by officers.Superintendent Richard Hunt, of GMP’s Rochdale district, said: | Police were called on Thursday evening to reports a man was causing a disturbance on Drake Street in Rochdale.Attending officers had attempted to explain to the man that in line with government guidelines around Covid-19, people shouldn’t be going around to other people’s homes, Greater Manchester police (GMP) said. While trying to engage with the man, two officers were both punched. One of those officers - a 21-year-old female police constable - was then seriously bitten and had to attend hospital, before being discharged to recover at home.A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, domestic violence assault, section 18 assault with intent to resist arrest and regulation 8 of the Health Protection Regulation 2020 (Coronavirus). He remains in police custody for questioning by officers.Superintendent Richard Hunt, of GMP’s Rochdale district, said: |