The UK’s coronavirus death toll has become the world’s second-highest, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics, with the total passing 30,000. More than 250,000 people have now been killed by the virus, according to Johns Hopkins University.
The grim announcement comes after governments around the world pledged some £6.5bn to the hunt for a Covid-19 vaccine and treatment.
In Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has suggested that small friends-and-family gatherings could pave the way for easing lockdown restrictions. The first minister also said people might be allowed to go outside for exercise more than once per day.
UK in talks over new antibody test
The UK is in talks with pharmaceutical giant Roche on a large-scale rollout of a coronavirus antibody test with a near-100 per cent accuracy rate, health secretary Matt Hancock has said, writes Andrew Woodcock.
The Swiss-based company announced on Sunday that it is ready to ramp up production of its test to “double-digit millions per month” over the course of May for use by healthcare services around the world.
The UK is in talks with pharmaceutical giant Roche on a large-scale rollout of a coronavirus antibody test with a near-100 per cent accuracy rate, health secretary Matt Hancock has said, writes Andrew Woodcock.
The Swiss-based company announced on Sunday that it is ready to ramp up production of its test to “double-digit millions per month” over the course of May for use by healthcare services around the world.
Aussie PM contradicts Trump rhetoric on virus origin
Coronavirus likely originated in a wildlife market in China, the Australian prime minister has said, contradicting Trump administration rhetoric that has sought to blame a laboratory leak for the global pandemic.
Donald Trump last week said he was confident the coronavirus may have originated in a Chinese virology lab, but Scott Morrison said Canberra had seen no evidence to alter its view about the wildlife market.
He added on Tuesdat: "We can't rule out any of these arrangements that's what I said the other day, but the most likely has been in a wildlife wet market."
Australia is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing group that also includes the UK, US, Canada and New Zealand.
Coronavirus likely originated in a wildlife market in China, the Australian prime minister has said, contradicting Trump administration rhetoric that has sought to blame a laboratory leak for the global pandemic.
Donald Trump last week said he was confident the coronavirus may have originated in a Chinese virology lab, but Scott Morrison said Canberra had seen no evidence to alter its view about the wildlife market.
He added on Tuesdat: "We can't rule out any of these arrangements that's what I said the other day, but the most likely has been in a wildlife wet market."
Australia is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing group that also includes the UK, US, Canada and New Zealand.
Fry warns theatres won't open for months
Stephen Fry has said he cannot foresee any theatres opening to live audiences until 2021, adding that these are "dark times indeed'' for the performing arts.
Writing in the Eastern Daily Press, he said: "I cannot see any theatres opening to live audiences before next year I'm afraid. "Perhaps March or April, a full year after the first lockdown.''
Stephen Fry has said he cannot foresee any theatres opening to live audiences until 2021, adding that these are "dark times indeed'' for the performing arts.
Writing in the Eastern Daily Press, he said: "I cannot see any theatres opening to live audiences before next year I'm afraid. "Perhaps March or April, a full year after the first lockdown.''
UK aviation in 'death spiral'
UK aviation is in “a death spiral” and in need of immediate government support to save jobs, the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa) has warned, writes Simon Calder.
Brian Strutton, general secretary of the pilots’ union, has written to the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, to demand a moratorium on job losses in aviation.
Since the coronavirus pandemic took hold, passenger aviation to, from and within the UK has dropped by around 95 per cent.
UK aviation is in “a death spiral” and in need of immediate government support to save jobs, the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa) has warned, writes Simon Calder.
Brian Strutton, general secretary of the pilots’ union, has written to the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, to demand a moratorium on job losses in aviation.
Since the coronavirus pandemic took hold, passenger aviation to, from and within the UK has dropped by around 95 per cent.
Labour calls for 'national safety standard' to govern lockdown easing
Sir Keir Starmer has said the government should seek a consensus on when to ease lockdown in order to reassure the public.
"I sense that people are really worried about lifting of lockdown. They're really worried about going back to work," the Labour leader told ITV's Good Morning Britain. "They need a high level of reassurance."
He added: "The point that trade unions have raised is safety at work and there was a consultation document the government put out last weekend which was pretty vague, and it needs strengthening.
"That's why one of the principles I've set out today is a national safety standard. I think people will want to know if I'm going back to work, is it a safe environment, what's being done about social distancing, what are the hand-washing facilities, if I need protective equipment am I going to get it?"
Sir Keir Starmer has said the government should seek a consensus on when to ease lockdown in order to reassure the public.
"I sense that people are really worried about lifting of lockdown. They're really worried about going back to work," the Labour leader told ITV's Good Morning Britain. "They need a high level of reassurance."
He added: "The point that trade unions have raised is safety at work and there was a consultation document the government put out last weekend which was pretty vague, and it needs strengthening.
"That's why one of the principles I've set out today is a national safety standard. I think people will want to know if I'm going back to work, is it a safe environment, what's being done about social distancing, what are the hand-washing facilities, if I need protective equipment am I going to get it?"
UK begins trial of contact-tracing app
The trial of the NHS's contact-tracing app has begun on the Isle of Wight, with health workers and council staff urged to download it. The rest of the population can do so from Thursday.
The trial of the NHS's contact-tracing app has begun on the Isle of Wight, with health workers and council staff urged to download it. The rest of the population can do so from Thursday.
Bob Seely, the island's MP, said scientists had told him a 50-per-cent uptake would be needed to effectively track Covid-19.
Governments pledge billions for vaccine search
Monday's EU-led Coronavirus Global Response Summit saw countries including the UK, France, Japan and Canada pledge £6.5bn to the search for a Covid-19 vaccine and treatments.
But now the governments face calls to ensure any inoculation will be freely available for everyone.
"We welcome the funding that has been pledged today and the commitment of the hosts to make any Covid-19 vaccine available, accessible and affordable to all," said Heidi Chow of activist group Global Justice Now.
"But what is not clear is how the hosts of today's summit intend to achieve the aim of universal access.
Monday's EU-led Coronavirus Global Response Summit saw countries including the UK, France, Japan and Canada pledge £6.5bn to the search for a Covid-19 vaccine and treatments.
But now the governments face calls to ensure any inoculation will be freely available for everyone.
"We welcome the funding that has been pledged today and the commitment of the hosts to make any Covid-19 vaccine available, accessible and affordable to all," said Heidi Chow of activist group Global Justice Now.
"But what is not clear is how the hosts of today's summit intend to achieve the aim of universal access.
"Ruling out pharmaceutical monopolies will not only prevent corporate profiteering but will also enable mass production at a scale that will be required by global demand."
Hospitals sent unusable face masks
NHS hospitals have been delivered unusable masks and gowns for staff treating coronavirus patients amid a shortage of personal protective equipment and advanced respirators, writes Shaun Lintern.
Across the country, managers sourcing PPE have reported receiving sub-standard masks and gowns, which have had to be boxed and unused because they did not meet minimum standards.
NHS hospitals have been delivered unusable masks and gowns for staff treating coronavirus patients amid a shortage of personal protective equipment and advanced respirators, writes Shaun Lintern.
Across the country, managers sourcing PPE have reported receiving sub-standard masks and gowns, which have had to be boxed and unused because they did not meet minimum standards.
Hancock touts app - but says human tracing necessary too
The new contact-tracing app will help the government identify virus hotspots, Matt Hancock has said.
The new contact-tracing app will help the government identify virus hotspots, Matt Hancock has said.
He said: "Of course we use the technology but we're going to be using people too in this test, track and trace system.''
The health secretary also insisted there was a "high privacy" level in the app.
A user's phone will store anonymously the information about all the phones it has been within 2m of for more than 15 minutes in the previous few days, he said.
Mr Hancock He said one of the aspects being tested in the trial on the Isle of Wight is whether the best thing is for someone who gets a message saying they have been in contact with someone with symptoms should self-isolate "in case you develop the symptoms".
He told BBC Breakfast: "This is one of the reasons that we want to test it to ensure that we get the rules right around what we advise people to do as soon as the contact tracing pings you."
The health secretary also insisted there was a "high privacy" level in the app.
A user's phone will store anonymously the information about all the phones it has been within 2m of for more than 15 minutes in the previous few days, he said.
Mr Hancock He said one of the aspects being tested in the trial on the Isle of Wight is whether the best thing is for someone who gets a message saying they have been in contact with someone with symptoms should self-isolate "in case you develop the symptoms".
He told BBC Breakfast: "This is one of the reasons that we want to test it to ensure that we get the rules right around what we advise people to do as soon as the contact tracing pings you."
France hopes to deploy contact-tracing app in summer
France is hoping to deploy its state-supported "StopCOVID" contact-tracing app by 2 June, digital affairs minister Cedric O said on Tuesday.
"We are pursuing our roadmap," he told BFM Business TV.
France's state-supported "StopCOVID" contact-tracing app should enter its testing phase in the week of 11 May when the country starts to unwind its lockdown, Mr O said earlier this month.
France is hoping to deploy its state-supported "StopCOVID" contact-tracing app by 2 June, digital affairs minister Cedric O said on Tuesday.
"We are pursuing our roadmap," he told BFM Business TV.
France's state-supported "StopCOVID" contact-tracing app should enter its testing phase in the week of 11 May when the country starts to unwind its lockdown, Mr O said earlier this month.
SNP calls for Brexit transition extension
The SNP is calling for a two-year extension to the Brexit transition period - something the government strongly rejects.
In a letter to other party leaders, Ian Blackford said: "The ongoing emergency caused by the Covid-19 virus is, and must remain, the sole focus of our collective efforts, and it is right that all other political agendas are paused as we deal with the priority of saving lives and protecting people's incomes."
Mr Blackford is resolutely anti-Brexit.
This morning, Matt Hancock has said there is no need to put trade talks on hold. Britain is to begin talks with Washington on a post-Brexit trade deal today via video-conference.
The SNP is calling for a two-year extension to the Brexit transition period - something the government strongly rejects.
In a letter to other party leaders, Ian Blackford said: "The ongoing emergency caused by the Covid-19 virus is, and must remain, the sole focus of our collective efforts, and it is right that all other political agendas are paused as we deal with the priority of saving lives and protecting people's incomes."
Mr Blackford is resolutely anti-Brexit.
This morning, Matt Hancock has said there is no need to put trade talks on hold. Britain is to begin talks with Washington on a post-Brexit trade deal today via video-conference.
Singapore update
Singapore's health ministry confirmed 632 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, taking the city-state's tally of infections to 19,410.
Singapore's health ministry confirmed 632 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, taking the city-state's tally of infections to 19,410.
NHS app 'will have unintended consequences'
The new NHS coronavirus app will have “unintended consequences”, according to the head of the unit developing it, writes Lizzie Dearden.
Officials do not know “exactly how it will work”, Matthew Gould, chief executive of NHSX, told a parliamentary committee.
“There will be unintended consequences, there will for sure be some things we have to evolve,” he said.
The new NHS coronavirus app will have “unintended consequences”, according to the head of the unit developing it, writes Lizzie Dearden.
Officials do not know “exactly how it will work”, Matthew Gould, chief executive of NHSX, told a parliamentary committee.
“There will be unintended consequences, there will for sure be some things we have to evolve,” he said.
Delhi slaps huge levy on booze
Authorities in Delhi have imposed a new tax of 70 per cent on alcohol purchases that comes into effect today, in order to deter large gatherings at shops.
India is beginning to relax its six-week coronavirus lockdown. Police baton-charged hundreds of people who had flocked to liquor shops when they re-opened on Monday.
Taxes on alcohol are a key contributor to the revenue of many of India's 36 states and federal territories, most of which are running short of funds because of the lengthy disruption in economic activity caused by the virus.
Authorities in Delhi have imposed a new tax of 70 per cent on alcohol purchases that comes into effect today, in order to deter large gatherings at shops.
India is beginning to relax its six-week coronavirus lockdown. Police baton-charged hundreds of people who had flocked to liquor shops when they re-opened on Monday.
Taxes on alcohol are a key contributor to the revenue of many of India's 36 states and federal territories, most of which are running short of funds because of the lengthy disruption in economic activity caused by the virus.
Taiwan rages at exclusion from WHO
Taiwan is chafing at its continued exclusion from the World Health Organisation's decision-making.
Steven Solomon, the WHO's principal legal officer, said the WHO recognised the People's Republic of China as the "one legitimate representative of China", in keeping with UN policy since 1971, and that the question of Taiwan's attendance was one for the WHO's 194 member states.
Speaking in Taipei, Taiwanese foreign ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou said: "Only the democratically-elected Taiwanese government can represent Taiwan's 23 million people in the international community."
The WHO should "cast off" Beijing's "improper political interference", she added.
Taiwan is chafing at its continued exclusion from the World Health Organisation's decision-making.
Steven Solomon, the WHO's principal legal officer, said the WHO recognised the People's Republic of China as the "one legitimate representative of China", in keeping with UN policy since 1971, and that the question of Taiwan's attendance was one for the WHO's 194 member states.
Speaking in Taipei, Taiwanese foreign ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou said: "Only the democratically-elected Taiwanese government can represent Taiwan's 23 million people in the international community."
The WHO should "cast off" Beijing's "improper political interference", she added.
One-quarter of UK workforce furloughed in a fortnight
Nearly one in four UK employees have been furloughed in the past fortnight under the scheme to support workers and firms during the coronavirus outbreak, according to government data, writes Andy Gregory.
HM Revenue and Customs data released on Monday showed 6.3 million workers are having up to 80 per cent of their salaries paid by the Treasury under its job retention scheme.
Nearly one in four UK employees have been furloughed in the past fortnight under the scheme to support workers and firms during the coronavirus outbreak, according to government data, writes Andy Gregory.
HM Revenue and Customs data released on Monday showed 6.3 million workers are having up to 80 per cent of their salaries paid by the Treasury under its job retention scheme.
Care providers 'stressing' about PPE
"Every homecare provider in the country is really struggling to get a sure supply of PPE, and having enough to be confident that they can continue providing care services across, sometimes even days, if not just a few weeks," a top sector leader has said.
Colin Angel, the UK Homecare Association's policy director, said sourcing PPE was causing "really high" levels of stress.
I have a provider who was telling me he was spending 90% of his time trying to phone round and get PPE delivered," Mr Angel told the BBC. "That means he's looking for PPE rather than being able to run the rest of his service."
"Every homecare provider in the country is really struggling to get a sure supply of PPE, and having enough to be confident that they can continue providing care services across, sometimes even days, if not just a few weeks," a top sector leader has said.
Colin Angel, the UK Homecare Association's policy director, said sourcing PPE was causing "really high" levels of stress.
I have a provider who was telling me he was spending 90% of his time trying to phone round and get PPE delivered," Mr Angel told the BBC. "That means he's looking for PPE rather than being able to run the rest of his service."
Italian newspaper strikes lighter note with driving advice
As Italy starts to lift lockdown, an Italian newspaper has provided helpful advice on social distancing when in a car, write Simon Calder and Zoe Tidman.
If there are two people in the car, one must sit in the back, Secolo XIX told its readers. And, if only the driver is present, they should sit in the front, on the side where the steering wheel is.
It was a light-hearted attempt to lift the mood in a dark time. But the paper was later forced to clarify the advice on its Facebook page.
"The author Enrico Musso and the editorial staff apologise to readers of Secolo XIX for not making it clear enough in the paper that the copy contained, while thoroughly laying out the rules to follow, a satirical tone and aimed to be lighter reading in a very difficult and worrying time when explaining the new rules," editors wrote.
As Italy starts to lift lockdown, an Italian newspaper has provided helpful advice on social distancing when in a car, write Simon Calder and Zoe Tidman.
If there are two people in the car, one must sit in the back, Secolo XIX told its readers. And, if only the driver is present, they should sit in the front, on the side where the steering wheel is.
It was a light-hearted attempt to lift the mood in a dark time. But the paper was later forced to clarify the advice on its Facebook page.
"The author Enrico Musso and the editorial staff apologise to readers of Secolo XIX for not making it clear enough in the paper that the copy contained, while thoroughly laying out the rules to follow, a satirical tone and aimed to be lighter reading in a very difficult and worrying time when explaining the new rules," editors wrote.
'The vaccine is only half the story'
As governments and pharmaceutical companies race to develop an effective vaccine for Covid-19 – one that would allow a gradual transition back to the life we knew – the global establishment finds itself drifting towards a series of stumbling blocks that, if left neglected, will undermine the meaningful scientific progress that is made in the coming months, writes Samuel Lovett.
To hand humanity its best hope of combating this pandemic, the world must now ready itself for the logistical, political and ethical challenges that are set to arise in manufacturing and delivering a vaccine to billions of people. The assumption that one will be produced at all is optimistic – there are currently no vaccines available for the coronavirus family – but this shouldn’t deter us from preparing for what comes next.
As governments and pharmaceutical companies race to develop an effective vaccine for Covid-19 – one that would allow a gradual transition back to the life we knew – the global establishment finds itself drifting towards a series of stumbling blocks that, if left neglected, will undermine the meaningful scientific progress that is made in the coming months, writes Samuel Lovett.
To hand humanity its best hope of combating this pandemic, the world must now ready itself for the logistical, political and ethical challenges that are set to arise in manufacturing and delivering a vaccine to billions of people. The assumption that one will be produced at all is optimistic – there are currently no vaccines available for the coronavirus family – but this shouldn’t deter us from preparing for what comes next.
Government 'open' to re-starting Premier League football
The government is open to allowing top-flight football to resume in June, Matt Hancock has said.
Asked about calls to allow Premier League football again next month, the health secretary told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Well, I'm absolutely open to that. And horse racing too.
"And, I know that both the Premier League and racing are working on how this might be doable in a safe way. But that safety has to be paramount."
The government is open to allowing top-flight football to resume in June, Matt Hancock has said.
Asked about calls to allow Premier League football again next month, the health secretary told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Well, I'm absolutely open to that. And horse racing too.
"And, I know that both the Premier League and racing are working on how this might be doable in a safe way. But that safety has to be paramount."
