Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon has laid out plans for how lockdown restrictions could be lifted in the country, warning that a return to normal life is “not on the cards in the near future”. The move is likely to put further pressure on Westminster to explain its own exit strategy from strict social distancing measures within its sphere of influence.
Meanwhile, scientists are to present to government their advice on whether the British public should wear face masks habitually today. The wearing of masks is being enforced in some other countries, like Austria, but doctors in the UK fear they could put healthy people at greater risk of contracting coronavirus.
It comes after the chief medical officer suggested social distancing measures may have to remain in place until 2021. Chris Whitty said the chances of having a usable vaccine by next year were “incredibly small” and that it would be unreasonable to end Britain’s lockdown completely until one was found.
Pandemic must be 'wake up call' on social care, says peer
The effect of coronavirus on care homes must be a "wake-up call" for the UK, a Labour peer has said.
Speaking in a virtual Lords debate on the impact of the pandemic on social care, Baroness Warwick of Undercliffe said: "The spread of this virus is indiscriminate but its impact on our society's most vulnerable people is pernicious.
"Like many, I have found the number of fatalities in care homes both alarming and distressing. We need a clear plan in place to reverse this trend.
"The statistics ... must be a wake-up call to take action on the questions about our social care system that have dogged our country for so long."
The effect of coronavirus on care homes must be a "wake-up call" for the UK, a Labour peer has said.
Speaking in a virtual Lords debate on the impact of the pandemic on social care, Baroness Warwick of Undercliffe said: "The spread of this virus is indiscriminate but its impact on our society's most vulnerable people is pernicious.
"Like many, I have found the number of fatalities in care homes both alarming and distressing. We need a clear plan in place to reverse this trend.
"The statistics ... must be a wake-up call to take action on the questions about our social care system that have dogged our country for so long."
3.2 million workers facing furlough
Firms have applied for 3.2 million workers to be furloughed since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, the taxman has revealed.
HMRC said that 435,000 applications have been made to the government's job retention scheme since it opened earlier this week.
Around £3.75bn-worth of applications had been made for the scheme by midnight on Wednesday, after £1bn-worth of claims were made in the last 24 hours.
Firms have applied for 3.2 million workers to be furloughed since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, the taxman has revealed.
HMRC said that 435,000 applications have been made to the government's job retention scheme since it opened earlier this week.
Around £3.75bn-worth of applications had been made for the scheme by midnight on Wednesday, after £1bn-worth of claims were made in the last 24 hours.
Hospital director gets death threat
A hospital chief has received a death threat after giving Ross Kemp behind the scenes access to Covid-19 patients for a documentary, writes Chiara Giordano.
Joe Harrison, chief executive of Milton Keynes University Hospital, said he does not “tolerate abuse and violence against NHS staff” and “will call it out” after revealing he had reported the threat to police.
The hospital in Buckinghamshire was forced to defend its decision to allow the EastEnders star and a film crew onto its wards for ITV series Ross Kemp: On the NHS Frontline after it attracted criticism on Twitter.
A hospital chief has received a death threat after giving Ross Kemp behind the scenes access to Covid-19 patients for a documentary, writes Chiara Giordano.
Joe Harrison, chief executive of Milton Keynes University Hospital, said he does not “tolerate abuse and violence against NHS staff” and “will call it out” after revealing he had reported the threat to police.
The hospital in Buckinghamshire was forced to defend its decision to allow the EastEnders star and a film crew onto its wards for ITV series Ross Kemp: On the NHS Frontline after it attracted criticism on Twitter.
Warning on sub-Saharan Africa
The number of deaths caused by malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa could double to 769,000 this year, as efforts to curb the disease are disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the World Health Organisation has warned.
The region currently has more than 25,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19, with more than 1,200 deaths.
The number of deaths caused by malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa could double to 769,000 this year, as efforts to curb the disease are disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the World Health Organisation has warned.
The region currently has more than 25,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19, with more than 1,200 deaths.
PM speaks to Queen on phone
Boris Johnson has held a telephone audience with the Queen from his Chequers country retreat as he recovers from coronavirus.
He also spoke to Dominic Raab, who is deputising for him, on Wednesday but the PM is not carrying out official work and there is no timetable for his return, Downing Street said.
Boris Johnson has held a telephone audience with the Queen from his Chequers country retreat as he recovers from coronavirus.
He also spoke to Dominic Raab, who is deputising for him, on Wednesday but the PM is not carrying out official work and there is no timetable for his return, Downing Street said.
Fox News stops pushing hydroxychloroquine
Echoing Donald Trump’s description of the drug as a “gamechanger”, Carlson, Laura Ingraham, Sean Hannity, Lou Dobbs and Fox and Friends hosts spoke of its potential benefits in dozens of segments from mid-March to mid-April.
They also criticised those in the media and the medical establishment who raised concerns, turning a debate among researchers and scientists into another front in the culture wars.
But in the past week or so, Trump has all but stopped talking about hydroxychloroquine. And so have Fox News’s hosts.
A study now suggests that the anti-malaria drug does more harm than good in Covid-19 sufferers.
Echoing Donald Trump’s description of the drug as a “gamechanger”, Carlson, Laura Ingraham, Sean Hannity, Lou Dobbs and Fox and Friends hosts spoke of its potential benefits in dozens of segments from mid-March to mid-April.
They also criticised those in the media and the medical establishment who raised concerns, turning a debate among researchers and scientists into another front in the culture wars.
But in the past week or so, Trump has all but stopped talking about hydroxychloroquine. And so have Fox News’s hosts.
A study now suggests that the anti-malaria drug does more harm than good in Covid-19 sufferers.
Malaysia extends travel restrictions
Malaysia will extend curbs on travel and other activities by two weeks until 12 May, prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin said on Thursday, adding that some sectors of the economy may be allowed to resume operations.
The country, which has so far reported 5,603 Covid-19 infections and 95 deaths, first started entered a partial lockdown on 18 March.
Malaysia will extend curbs on travel and other activities by two weeks until 12 May, prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin said on Thursday, adding that some sectors of the economy may be allowed to resume operations.
The country, which has so far reported 5,603 Covid-19 infections and 95 deaths, first started entered a partial lockdown on 18 March.
France won't unlock region-by-region
Unlocking France's coronavirus shutdown will not be done region by region, Emmanuel Macron's office said on Thursday.
His plans will be unveiled early next week.
Mayors were also told during a video conference call with the president that non-professional masks for the public would be recommended but not compulsory.
Unlocking France's coronavirus shutdown will not be done region by region, Emmanuel Macron's office said on Thursday.
His plans will be unveiled early next week.
Mayors were also told during a video conference call with the president that non-professional masks for the public would be recommended but not compulsory.
Fears in US that flu and coronavirus will combine to attack country
Could the United States face two epidemics at the same time next fall: flu and the coronavirus?
That frightening idea was raised by Dr Robert Redfield, director of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, during an interview Tuesday with The Washington Post. He suggested that a new surge in coronavirus cases could coincide with the next flu season, causing an even more difficult crisis than the one the nation is facing now.
“We’re going to have the flu epidemic and the coronavirus epidemic at the same time,” he said.
Could the United States face two epidemics at the same time next fall: flu and the coronavirus?
That frightening idea was raised by Dr Robert Redfield, director of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, during an interview Tuesday with The Washington Post. He suggested that a new surge in coronavirus cases could coincide with the next flu season, causing an even more difficult crisis than the one the nation is facing now.
“We’re going to have the flu epidemic and the coronavirus epidemic at the same time,” he said.
Iran update
Iran's death toll has risen by 90 in the past 24 hours to 5,481, while the total number of confirmed cases as reached 87,026, the country's health ministry has said.
Iranians have returned to shops, bazaars and parks this week as the country eases coronavirus restrictions. The daily increase in deaths from Covid-19 have remained below 100 since 14 April.
Iran's death toll has risen by 90 in the past 24 hours to 5,481, while the total number of confirmed cases as reached 87,026, the country's health ministry has said.
Iranians have returned to shops, bazaars and parks this week as the country eases coronavirus restrictions. The daily increase in deaths from Covid-19 have remained below 100 since 14 April.
Health minister refuses to apologise for PPE failures
A health and social care minister has refused to apologise for failings in the supply of personal protective equipment to the NHS and care homes.
Lord Bethell said no one could have anticipated the "huge demands" for PPE precipitated by the coronavirus crisis. He told the Lords in a virtual question time session that Britain was "not alone in struggling" with the issue.
"I don't think now is the time for apologies. Now is the time for delivering PPE and that is what this government is focused on doing," Lord Bethell added.
A health and social care minister has refused to apologise for failings in the supply of personal protective equipment to the NHS and care homes.
Lord Bethell said no one could have anticipated the "huge demands" for PPE precipitated by the coronavirus crisis. He told the Lords in a virtual question time session that Britain was "not alone in struggling" with the issue.
"I don't think now is the time for apologies. Now is the time for delivering PPE and that is what this government is focused on doing," Lord Bethell added.
Pressure mounts on UK to reform emergency loan scheme
Business secretary Alok Sharma struggled to explain on Thursday why British banks have agreed just £2.8bn of lending under a government-backed scheme designed to keep small and medium-sized businesses afloat through the coronavirus pandemic.
MPs on the House of Commons Business committee grilled Mr Sharma on why Switzerland, Hong Kong, Germany and other nations had been able to deliver multiple times the amount of emergency funding to businesses than the UK had.
Business secretary Alok Sharma struggled to explain on Thursday why British banks have agreed just £2.8bn of lending under a government-backed scheme designed to keep small and medium-sized businesses afloat through the coronavirus pandemic.
MPs on the House of Commons Business committee grilled Mr Sharma on why Switzerland, Hong Kong, Germany and other nations had been able to deliver multiple times the amount of emergency funding to businesses than the UK had.
Russia update
Russia's official coronavirus data showed tentative signs of a flattening infection curve on Thursday, but the Kremlin said the situation remained tense and officials moved to tighten lockdown measures in 21 areas of the country.
Russia reported 4,774 new coronavirus cases today, a fall in its daily case tally for the third day running, bringing its nationwide total to 62,773. Forty-two people with the virus died overnight, pushing the death toll to 555, officials said.
However, Moscow authorities warned that the numbe of very ill people being admitted to hospital in the capital was rising and could strain capacity.
Russia's official coronavirus data showed tentative signs of a flattening infection curve on Thursday, but the Kremlin said the situation remained tense and officials moved to tighten lockdown measures in 21 areas of the country.
Russia reported 4,774 new coronavirus cases today, a fall in its daily case tally for the third day running, bringing its nationwide total to 62,773. Forty-two people with the virus died overnight, pushing the death toll to 555, officials said.
However, Moscow authorities warned that the numbe of very ill people being admitted to hospital in the capital was rising and could strain capacity.
Scientists submit advice on face masks
Scientists from the Sage group of experts have now submitted their evidence on whether Britons should wear face masks as a matter of course when outside, No 10 has said.
"They have finalised their advice. Ministers will now be reviewing this to decide on any further action that might be needed," a spokesperson said.
Scientists from the Sage group of experts have now submitted their evidence on whether Britons should wear face masks as a matter of course when outside, No 10 has said.
"They have finalised their advice. Ministers will now be reviewing this to decide on any further action that might be needed," a spokesperson said.
Germany to make face masks compulsory
Face masks will now be compulsory in Germany as the country continues its battle against coronavirus, writes Jack Rathborn.
The decision comes after Bremen became the last of the 16 federal regions to support the proposed measures with confirmation expected to arrive on Friday.
The move could be rolled out on Monday. Angela Merkel, the chancellor, made the recommendation last week.
Face masks will now be compulsory in Germany as the country continues its battle against coronavirus, writes Jack Rathborn.
The decision comes after Bremen became the last of the 16 federal regions to support the proposed measures with confirmation expected to arrive on Friday.
The move could be rolled out on Monday. Angela Merkel, the chancellor, made the recommendation last week.
Indonesia bans travel including for Muslim holidays
Indonesia will temporarily ban domestic air and sea travel starting tomorrow, its transport ministry has said.
The ban on air travel will be in place until 1 June, said the ministry's director general of aviation Novie Riyanto Rahardjo. The ban on travel by sea will be in place until 8 June, according to sea transportation director general Agus Purnomo.
Cargo transportation is exempted from the ban, the officials said. The government is banning Indonesia's traditional annual exodus for Muslim holidays.
Indonesia will temporarily ban domestic air and sea travel starting tomorrow, its transport ministry has said.
The ban on air travel will be in place until 1 June, said the ministry's director general of aviation Novie Riyanto Rahardjo. The ban on travel by sea will be in place until 8 June, according to sea transportation director general Agus Purnomo.
Cargo transportation is exempted from the ban, the officials said. The government is banning Indonesia's traditional annual exodus for Muslim holidays.
Trump has signed order blocking permanent immigrants
Donald Trump has signed the executive order banning new permanent immigration to the US and it is "ready to go", he said.
Donald Trump has signed the executive order banning new permanent immigration to the US and it is "ready to go", he said.
Here's our most recent story on the ban:
NI considers re-opening cemeteries
The Northern Ireland Executive is set to consider reopening the region's cemeteries.
Council-run graveyards were closed last month as part of the coronavirus movement restrictions, but there have been mounting calls to reopen them, with bereaved relatives highlighting the mental anguish of being prevented from visiting the graves of loved ones.
Health minister Robin Swann told a Stormont scrutiny committee on Thursday that he "doesn't see any reason why" they should be closed.
This week, laws were changed to allow people to visit English graveyards.
The Northern Ireland Executive is set to consider reopening the region's cemeteries.
Council-run graveyards were closed last month as part of the coronavirus movement restrictions, but there have been mounting calls to reopen them, with bereaved relatives highlighting the mental anguish of being prevented from visiting the graves of loved ones.
Health minister Robin Swann told a Stormont scrutiny committee on Thursday that he "doesn't see any reason why" they should be closed.
This week, laws were changed to allow people to visit English graveyards.
Netherlands update
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Netherlands have risen by 887 to 35,729, health authorities said on Thursday, with 123 new deaths.
The Dutch death toll stands at 4,177, the Netherlands Institute for Public Health (RIVM) said in its daily update. The actual numbers are likely higher, as not all likely cases are tested, it added.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Netherlands have risen by 887 to 35,729, health authorities said on Thursday, with 123 new deaths.
The Dutch death toll stands at 4,177, the Netherlands Institute for Public Health (RIVM) said in its daily update. The actual numbers are likely higher, as not all likely cases are tested, it added.
Lombardy looks to end lockdown
Lombardy, the northern Italian region at the epicentre of Europe's worst coronavirus outbreak, began an antibody testing programme on Thursday as it prepared to modify its weeks-long lockdown.
The so-called serological tests on intravenous blood samples, using a kit designed by diagnostics specialist Diasorin, will be carried out in 14 of the worst-hit areas of Lombardy before being extended to the whole region next week.
Lombardy, the northern Italian region at the epicentre of Europe's worst coronavirus outbreak, began an antibody testing programme on Thursday as it prepared to modify its weeks-long lockdown.
The so-called serological tests on intravenous blood samples, using a kit designed by diagnostics specialist Diasorin, will be carried out in 14 of the worst-hit areas of Lombardy before being extended to the whole region next week.
