Jeremy Corbyn has hit out at a shortfall in both testing and protection for NHS workers at his final PMQs. He also called on Boris Johnson to ensure care workers had sufficient support.
Meanwhile Public Health England said that at-home antibody testing kits will be widely available to buy within days. The antibody tests, which detect wether you have had the virus, have recovered from it, and are likely to be immune to it in the future, will be available online and in pharmacies.
Elsewhere in Britain, Prince Charles has tested positive for coronavirus, Clarence House said, though the Duchess of Cornwall is not infected. The Prince of Wales last saw the Queen less than two weeks ago.
In the US, Donald Trump has expressed his desire to “re-open” the US by Easter, and Democrats and Republicans in Congress have agreed on a $2tn (£1.7tn) stimulus package but still need to vote on official legislation.
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Morning.
NHS pleads for volunteers
The government has launched an urgent appeal for 250,000 volunteers to help the NHS in the battle against coronavirus, writes Lizzy Buchan.
As the UK death toll rose to 422 overnight, Matt Hancock, the health secretary, urged people to come forward to help the most vulnerable who are unable to leave their homes.
The government has launched an urgent appeal for 250,000 volunteers to help the NHS in the battle against coronavirus, writes Lizzy Buchan.
As the UK death toll rose to 422 overnight, Matt Hancock, the health secretary, urged people to come forward to help the most vulnerable who are unable to leave their homes.
UK housebuilding shutdown
Persimmon has said it will close down its construction sites with only essential work taking place.
The British housebuilder also said all of its sales offices would close from Thursday, and it would cancel the dividend of 125 pence-per-share dividend due to be paid on 2 April and postpone the payment of 110 pence-per-share on 6 July to conserve cash.
Persimmon has said it will close down its construction sites with only essential work taking place.
The British housebuilder also said all of its sales offices would close from Thursday, and it would cancel the dividend of 125 pence-per-share dividend due to be paid on 2 April and postpone the payment of 110 pence-per-share on 6 July to conserve cash.
US agrees stimulus package
The White House and Senate leaders of both parties have agreed on emergency legislation to help businesses, workers and a healthcare system creaking under the strain of the coronavirus pandemic.
The funding is the largest economic rescue measure in history and is intended as a weeks- or months-long patch for an economy spiraling into recession and a nation facing a rising death toll.
Top White House aide Eric Ueland announced the agreement in a Capitol hallway shortly after midnight, capping days of intense haggling and mounting pressure. The bill still needs to be finalised in detailed legislative language.
The White House and Senate leaders of both parties have agreed on emergency legislation to help businesses, workers and a healthcare system creaking under the strain of the coronavirus pandemic.
The funding is the largest economic rescue measure in history and is intended as a weeks- or months-long patch for an economy spiraling into recession and a nation facing a rising death toll.
Top White House aide Eric Ueland announced the agreement in a Capitol hallway shortly after midnight, capping days of intense haggling and mounting pressure. The bill still needs to be finalised in detailed legislative language.
Parliament to take early break
Parliament is likely to adjourn for an early Easter recess after the emergency coronavirus legislation to tackle the crisis has been approved.
Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg has tabled a motion for the House of Commons to rise on Wednesday until 21 April.
The Coronavirus Bill is expected to receive royal assent and become law before the end of Wednesday after MPs from all parties agreed to let it pass without formal votes.
Parliament is likely to adjourn for an early Easter recess after the emergency coronavirus legislation to tackle the crisis has been approved.
Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg has tabled a motion for the House of Commons to rise on Wednesday until 21 April.
The Coronavirus Bill is expected to receive royal assent and become law before the end of Wednesday after MPs from all parties agreed to let it pass without formal votes.
170,000 respond to NHS plea within hours
More than 170,000 people have signed up to volunteer for the NHS during the coronavirus crisis, according to the group coordinating the response, writes Zoe Tidman.
More than 170,000 people have signed up to volunteer for the NHS during the coronavirus crisis, according to the group coordinating the response, writes Zoe Tidman.
Kazakhstan cases rise
Kazakhstan's total coronavirus infections rose to 79 on Wednesday, due to new cases in its southernmost and northernmost provinces and despite government efforts to confine the disease to two major cities.
Among those who tested positive were one each in Shymkent, the biggest southern city, the southern province of Zhambyl, and the province of North Kazakhstan bordering Russia.
One had recently arrived from neighbouring Kyrgyzstan, while another returned from the Russian city of Omsk, authorities in the oil-exporting central Asian nation said.
Last week, Kazakhstan declared a state of emergency and locked down its capital, Nur-Sultan, and the biggest city of Almaty, which together account for a vast majority of cases, in a bid to curb spread of the disease.
While it has closed its borders to foreigners, it is allowing Kazakh citizens to return.
Among those who tested positive were one each in Shymkent, the biggest southern city, the southern province of Zhambyl, and the province of North Kazakhstan bordering Russia.
One had recently arrived from neighbouring Kyrgyzstan, while another returned from the Russian city of Omsk, authorities in the oil-exporting central Asian nation said.
Last week, Kazakhstan declared a state of emergency and locked down its capital, Nur-Sultan, and the biggest city of Almaty, which together account for a vast majority of cases, in a bid to curb spread of the disease.
While it has closed its borders to foreigners, it is allowing Kazakh citizens to return.
South Africa outbreak gathers pace
South Africa's number of coronavirus cases has risen to 709, from 554 on Tuesday.
South Africa's number of coronavirus cases has risen to 709, from 554 on Tuesday.
Couple 'stranded' in Bolivia
For three nights now, Harry Guy-Walters and Molly Holmes have lain in bed in an Airbnb in the Bolivian city of La Paz and listened as riots take place outside, writes Colin Drury.
“It’s pretty terrifying,” he says. “We’re trying to sleep in this strange city we can’t get out of – and it’s all kicking off everywhere.”
For three nights now, Harry Guy-Walters and Molly Holmes have lain in bed in an Airbnb in the Bolivian city of La Paz and listened as riots take place outside, writes Colin Drury.
“It’s pretty terrifying,” he says. “We’re trying to sleep in this strange city we can’t get out of – and it’s all kicking off everywhere.”
Modi shows how to socially-distance
With 1.3 billion people on lockdown across India, the country's leader Narendra Modi has also enforced social distancing at cabinet meetings, local reports showed.
With 1.3 billion people on lockdown across India, the country's leader Narendra Modi has also enforced social distancing at cabinet meetings, local reports showed.
NHS workers 'feel unprotected'
Some UK health workers fighting the coronavirus outbreak on the ground still feel inadequately protected, the head of the National Health Service Confederation - a lobby group which represents swathes of the health service.
"There are still people on the ground who feel inadequately protected," Niall Dickson, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, told the BBC.
"They haven't explained clearly enough to people on the ground why certain types of kit they are recommending is in this form."
Some UK health workers fighting the coronavirus outbreak on the ground still feel inadequately protected, the head of the National Health Service Confederation - a lobby group which represents swathes of the health service.
"There are still people on the ground who feel inadequately protected," Niall Dickson, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, told the BBC.
"They haven't explained clearly enough to people on the ground why certain types of kit they are recommending is in this form."
ICE detainee tests positive
The first Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainee to test positive for the coronavirus has been confirmed, the agency announced on Tuesday, writes Louise Hall.
A 31-year-old Mexican national who was being held at the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, New Jersey had been quarantined and is receiving care, ICE said in a statement.
The first Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainee to test positive for the coronavirus has been confirmed, the agency announced on Tuesday, writes Louise Hall.
A 31-year-old Mexican national who was being held at the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, New Jersey had been quarantined and is receiving care, ICE said in a statement.
Cabient minister questioned over builders going to work
It is "sensible" for builders to continue to turn up for work if conditions are safe, the communities secretary has said.
Robert Jenrick told BBC Breakfast: "If you can work from home you must do so. If you can't work from home then you can go into work but you and your employer should follow Public Health England's guidance on social distancing and safety precautions.
"In the construction industry in particular a number of employers have concluded that they can't follow the Public Health England guidance and are choosing to close down their sites - in some cases they are doing so over a short period of time so those sites remain safe and that's the right thing to do.
"But if you or your employer believes you can continue to operate safely within those guidelines then it's sensible for you to do so."
He urged people to remember that some construction roles are essential, such as safety work and efforts to removal the flammable cladding "of the sort we saw on Grenfell Tower".
"So there is work that will need to continue if it is safe to do so throughout this crisis," he said.
Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, will announce help for self-employed workers "shortly", Mr Jenrick added, after criticism that the government's economic rescue package did not help those in the gig economy.
The grilling of Mr Jenrick follows widespread concern over images posted to social media on Tuesday that showed Tube carriages in London packed with people, including construction workers, still attending their jobs.
A lower number of trains in service also meant workers were packed tightly together, against government advice. Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, said this was because too many Transport for London workers were off sick or self-isolating to allow him to maintain a normal level of service.
It is "sensible" for builders to continue to turn up for work if conditions are safe, the communities secretary has said.
Robert Jenrick told BBC Breakfast: "If you can work from home you must do so. If you can't work from home then you can go into work but you and your employer should follow Public Health England's guidance on social distancing and safety precautions.
"In the construction industry in particular a number of employers have concluded that they can't follow the Public Health England guidance and are choosing to close down their sites - in some cases they are doing so over a short period of time so those sites remain safe and that's the right thing to do.
"But if you or your employer believes you can continue to operate safely within those guidelines then it's sensible for you to do so."
He urged people to remember that some construction roles are essential, such as safety work and efforts to removal the flammable cladding "of the sort we saw on Grenfell Tower".
"So there is work that will need to continue if it is safe to do so throughout this crisis," he said.
Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, will announce help for self-employed workers "shortly", Mr Jenrick added, after criticism that the government's economic rescue package did not help those in the gig economy.
The grilling of Mr Jenrick follows widespread concern over images posted to social media on Tuesday that showed Tube carriages in London packed with people, including construction workers, still attending their jobs.
A lower number of trains in service also meant workers were packed tightly together, against government advice. Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, said this was because too many Transport for London workers were off sick or self-isolating to allow him to maintain a normal level of service.
'Not good enough' that NHS lacks PPE, minister admits
It is not good enough that health workers are being forced to make their own personal protective equipment from plastic bags, a cabinet minister has admitted.
Robert Jenrick, the communities secretary, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "People who are working in the NHS and social care at the moment are absolute heroes who are working round the clock to support us as a country.
"We, in turn, are now also embarked on a military-sized operation to get PPE to the front line - 7.5 million items have been delivered to the front line in recent days.
"The army will play its part in offering service personnel to help manage and offload supplies in busy NHS settings and we also need to ensure that it gets to a whole range of other settings from GP surgeries, pharmacies, people working in homeless hostels and shelters, and to every social care provider in the country.
"We believe that we can do that over the course of this week."
It is not good enough that health workers are being forced to make their own personal protective equipment from plastic bags, a cabinet minister has admitted.
Robert Jenrick, the communities secretary, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "People who are working in the NHS and social care at the moment are absolute heroes who are working round the clock to support us as a country.
"We, in turn, are now also embarked on a military-sized operation to get PPE to the front line - 7.5 million items have been delivered to the front line in recent days.
"The army will play its part in offering service personnel to help manage and offload supplies in busy NHS settings and we also need to ensure that it gets to a whole range of other settings from GP surgeries, pharmacies, people working in homeless hostels and shelters, and to every social care provider in the country.
"We believe that we can do that over the course of this week."
New date for Fury-Wilder rematch
Tyson Fury’s third fight against Deontay Wilder will be delayed due to coronavirus with October now the provisional date to complete the trilogy, writes Jack Rathborn.
Promoter Bob Arum concedes the global pandemic will force a rethink over initial plans to stage the WBC world heavyweight title fight on 18 July.
Tyson Fury’s third fight against Deontay Wilder will be delayed due to coronavirus with October now the provisional date to complete the trilogy, writes Jack Rathborn.
Promoter Bob Arum concedes the global pandemic will force a rethink over initial plans to stage the WBC world heavyweight title fight on 18 July.
What about builders? Police may soon be monitoring construction sites, minister suggests
Robert Jenrick has been asked why builders should still have to go to work when they cannot reasonably maintain a healthy environment - staying 2m apart from colleagues and regularly washing their hands.
He told Today: "It depends. There are situations where it is safe to continue to go to work and the medical advice says that.
"Public Health England have published further guidance as to how you can operate sites in certain settings safely - there are precautions that you would need to take, some of which will prove too difficult for some site operators to adhere to, and that's why you have seen a number of companies choosing to close down their in the last day or two.
"Employers need to be sensible, need to take account of PHE guidance and make decisions in the best interests of their workers and of wider society as they would have to with any other health and safety situation."
What can the government do to make sure bosses are sticking to the rules? Mr Jenrick was asked.
He said that the construction industry was an example of a setting in which it was important the government help people to continue to work, particularly relating to infrastructure like roads and railways, and building maintenance for safety. "There is essential work going on in the housing and construction industry that we want to encourage as long as it's safe.
"We will be taking powers to enforce the rules that we've set out and so the police and other authorities will be able to take action to fine those who are flouting them."
The situation for self-employed people was "far from perfect", Mr Jenrick admitted, and added - in comments likely to enrage many workers and probably his colleagues - that the government had beefed up the benefits safety net.
The chancellor will make a statement on help for the self-employed soon, he said. Yesterday Rishi Sunak said this phase of stimulus was much more difficult than previous ones.
Robert Jenrick has been asked why builders should still have to go to work when they cannot reasonably maintain a healthy environment - staying 2m apart from colleagues and regularly washing their hands.
He told Today: "It depends. There are situations where it is safe to continue to go to work and the medical advice says that.
"Public Health England have published further guidance as to how you can operate sites in certain settings safely - there are precautions that you would need to take, some of which will prove too difficult for some site operators to adhere to, and that's why you have seen a number of companies choosing to close down their in the last day or two.
"Employers need to be sensible, need to take account of PHE guidance and make decisions in the best interests of their workers and of wider society as they would have to with any other health and safety situation."
What can the government do to make sure bosses are sticking to the rules? Mr Jenrick was asked.
He said that the construction industry was an example of a setting in which it was important the government help people to continue to work, particularly relating to infrastructure like roads and railways, and building maintenance for safety. "There is essential work going on in the housing and construction industry that we want to encourage as long as it's safe.
"We will be taking powers to enforce the rules that we've set out and so the police and other authorities will be able to take action to fine those who are flouting them."
The situation for self-employed people was "far from perfect", Mr Jenrick admitted, and added - in comments likely to enrage many workers and probably his colleagues - that the government had beefed up the benefits safety net.
The chancellor will make a statement on help for the self-employed soon, he said. Yesterday Rishi Sunak said this phase of stimulus was much more difficult than previous ones.
Footballers donate millions
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola have each donated €1million towards the fight against coronavirus.
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola have each donated €1million towards the fight against coronavirus.
Light relief
Just a couple of tweets that made me smile this morning.
Just a couple of tweets that made me smile this morning.
What you may have missed
The coronavirus pandemic continues to cause chaos across the UK and around the world. Here’s your morning briefing of everything you may have missed overnight, writes Colin Drury.
The coronavirus pandemic continues to cause chaos across the UK and around the world. Here’s your morning briefing of everything you may have missed overnight, writes Colin Drury.
Another housebuilder shuts sites
Bellway, a housebuilder headquartered in Newcastle, said it would close its 200 building sites by the end of Friday, with site managers only allowed onto developments to maintain security or to hand over keys to buyers.
It joins Persimmon in making the move.
Bellway, a housebuilder headquartered in Newcastle, said it would close its 200 building sites by the end of Friday, with site managers only allowed onto developments to maintain security or to hand over keys to buyers.
It joins Persimmon in making the move.
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