Boris Johnson speech: PM announces first easing of lockdown and sets out three-step plan

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Summary of our top stories

Follow all the latest updates in Monday's live blog.

Expert reaction to Boris Johnson's speech

Dr Rupert Beale, Group Leader, Cell Biology of Infection Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, said:

“The broad strategy outlined by the Prime Minister - to keep the virus suppressed with R below 1 - is exactly right. The immediate next steps seem to be a very modest relaxation of the ‘lockdown’. The opportunity for additional exercise is welcome.

"However, I am concerned that confused messaging might lead people to relax their efforts too soon. It’s imperative that a really effective testing, tracing and isolation system is working before any significant change to the rules takes place.”

Boris Johnson sets out three-step plan to end lockdown on long road to freedom 

Gordon Rayner, our Political Editor, has our lead story on the end to lockdown:

Boris Johnson “actively encouraged” the nation to get back to work as he unveiled a three-step “road map to recovery” from the coronavirus lockdown on Sunday night.

The Prime Minister said anyone who cannot work from home should now go to work under his plan to “restore the freedoms that we need”.

Pupils in primary school years one, six and reception, together with nurseries, will go back on June 1 if the virus remains in retreat, but secondary schools will remain closed until September.

Click here to read the full story.

Wales message 'the same' says Welsh First Minister

Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford tweeted: "The Prime Minister has set out his changes to the lockdown rules in England. I set out the position for Wales on Friday. Our message remains the same - staying at home is the best way to protect yourself and others."

When will pubs and restaurants reopen in the UK? 

The hospitality industry has been hit harder than most. Pubs have resorted to throwing away beer; restaurants, if they haven’t completely shut up shop, are offering takeaway to help maintain a stream of income.

Tomé Morrissy-Swan talks you through exactly when the fun parts of the UK will be opening again:

There’s good reason why pubs and restaurants have temporarily boarded up. A Chinese study is looking into how a customer at a Guangzhou restaurant in January spread the disease to nine other people, all of whom were on their table or neighbouring ones. Enclosed environments packed with people are about as unsafe as it gets.

Thus, when Michael Gove told Andrew Marr last month that restaurants and pubs could be among the “last to reopen”, while it was a blow to chefs, restaurateurs, publicans and landlords, many told the Telegraph it was “understandable”. 

It is also understandable that they want to open as soon as they can – but when could this realistically happen? 

You can read all the details here.

Headteachers union criticises lockdown 

Commenting on this evening’s speech by Prime Minister Boris Johnson setting out the government’s ‘road-map’ out of lock-down, including plans to begin to reopen schools, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of NAHT, the union which represents leaders in the majority of schools, said:

 “We now know a little more about what the government’s ambition is for schools. However without explanation of why or how such a return is considered to be safe, tonight’s announcement will not pass the ‘confidence test’, with parents or school leaders.

“School leaders do not want to see classrooms empty for a day longer than they need to be. But there is not a school leader in the land who wants to risk admitting more pupils unless it is perfectly clear that it is safe.

“Schools are likely to be inundated with questions from anxious parents about what this all means. Our advice is to explain that in the short-term nothing has changed and that further information will be provided in the coming days and weeks once the government has issued more detailed guidance.”

Watch: Keir Starmer responds to PM's announcement 

Responding to Boris Johnson's new slogan and three-step plan to lift the UK lockdown, Labour leader Keir Starmer said the Prime Minister failed to provide clarity or consensus.

Sir Keir said the PM "appears to be effectively telling millions of people to go back to work tomorrow" without the necessary guidance.

"But we haven't got the guidelines, and we don't know how it's going to work with public transport so there's a huge number of questions arising out of this.

"Well what the country wanted tonight was clarity and consensus, and I'm afraid we've got neither," the Labour leader said in an interview.

"This statement raises as many questions as it answers, and we see the prospect of England, Scotland and Wales, pulling in different directions. It's big gap here for the Government to make up."

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Sage having 'heated arguments' over science of lockdown 

This just in from Bill Gardner:

The Sage committee of scientists advising the government has been split by “heated arguments” over how the UK should leave lockdown, a senior member has revealed.

Professor Peter Horby said key experts had been deeply divided over the scientific evidence guiding the UK’s coronavirus response, amid a lack of reliable data.

Scientists on the committee are understood to have argued fiercely about the use of face masks, the likelihood of immunity, and the rate at which lockdown measures should be eased.

Click here to read the full story.

National Trust reviewing plans to reopen sites

The National Trust said it was reviewing plans for reopening sites following Boris Johnson's speech.

"Following the Prime Minister's broadcast outlining the Government's gradual road map out of lockdown, we will begin to review its effect on our reopening plans," a spokeswoman said.

Last week, the trust said it was working on plans to reopen sites, which have been shut to the public since March 24.

Fury of Cabinet ministers locked out of lockdown plans 

This just in from Gordon Rayner, our Political Editor:

Boris Johnson was forced to quell a Cabinet rebellion today after furious ministers complained about being left in the dark about his plans to ease the lockdown.

The Prime Minister insisted at Sunday’s meeting he had not made any decisions behind the ministers’ backs, and also issued a personal apology to Health Secretary Matt Hancock following newspaper reports that his performance had been called into question.

Members of the Cabinet had complained before the meeting that they were about to be presented with a “fait accompli” by Mr Johnson as it emerged parts of his speech were recorded on Saturday.

Click here to read the full story.

Boris' strategy will drive up case numbers, claims senior lecturer

Dr Bharat Pankhania, Senior Clinical Lecturer, University of Exeter Medical School tonight criticised the messages.  He tweeted:

"The 'stay at home' advice is changed to a bland meaningless 'stay alert'. Quarantine for air passengers but no mention of rail or ferry arrivals. Why not? A refusal to say, if you have to use public transport, protect yourself with a face mask.

"In encouraging people to go to work, this will inevitably drive up case numbers. The control strategy for simultaneously testing and contact tracing is not in place. Thus we are not in the position to start lifting the lockdown measures."

When does lockdown end?

The Prime Minister's address contained a lot of information about how the next few weeks and months are going to pan out.

From schools and social distancing, to workplaces and walking instead of public transport, we now have a clearer idea of the roadmap out of the most restricting part of our lives.

Our team of journalists lay out exactly how the next phrase of life in the UK will work.

Click here to find out exactly what you need to know.

Unions criticise PM over “mixed messages” about returning to work  

Union leaders have attacked the Prime Minister's speech about easing the lcokdown, accusing him of sending mixed messages which could have "lethal" consequences.

Unions have been urging the Government for weeks to make sure workplaces are safe, with plenty of personal protective equipment (PPE), before the lockdown is eased.

John Philips, acting general secretary of the GMB, said: "More mixed messages from the Government - saying there's no end to lockdown, but asking everyone to go back to work.

"If ministers want the economy moving again, we need strict rules on hygiene and social distancing, enough PPE for everyone, and regulations employers can't just ignore if they fancy it.

"The overall message is contradictory and confusing, when what people really need is clarity."

Northern Ireland to decide on lockdown easing roadmap tomrrow

The Northern Ireland Executive will consider its plan for a phased, strategic approach to recovery at its meeting on Monday ahead of outlining its own coronavirus road map this week First Minister Arlene Foster said:

"People across Northern Ireland have listened and acted on the public health advice over the last six weeks. They have stayed at home, kept their distance and washed their hands and because of that, they have saved lives.

"We have flattened the curve of infection, reduced the R-rate to below one and protected our health service but we are not out of the woods yet. It is important that we continue to follow this advice.

"As the Executive begins to finalise our plans for recovery, we need to strike the balance between continuing to protect lives and the health service and give people hope for the future. The changes that we will introduce will be gradual, proportionate and based on scientific and medical advice and will be taken at the right time and in the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland."

First Minister Arlene Foster announced the plans ahead of the meeting tomorrow Credit: Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye /PA 

Grown-up politics

SNP MP Stewart Hosie tweeted a spoof of the Government's "stay alert" message, which read: "Ignore Boris. Listen to Sturgeon. Save Lives."

"Pretty much this!" he tweeted.

Day trip to Paris? Get ready for 28 days in isolation 

This just in from Tony Diver:

Emmanuel Macron has threatened to impose a two-week quarantine on Britons visiting France, after the Government announced it had similar plans that could begin as early as next month, 

Mr Macron said any quarantine applied to people travelling from France would also be imposed on Britons visiting France, resulting in a two-week quarantine either side of the Channel for tourists attempting as little as a day trip.

Downing Street and the Elysée have issued a joint statement agreeing quarantine measures would not apply between France and the UK "at this stage”.

Click here to read the full story.

British pubs missed out on a "glimmer of hope" from PM's speech

Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said:

“The industry was looking for a glimmer of hope today, a date to plan to and further financial support reassured, but it looks like we have more weeks of uncertainty ahead of us.

“With insufficient clarity as to when pubs will reopen, our sector remains in limbo and facing severe uncertainty and financial devastation. If Government plans to keep pubs closed until the final phase of release, as rumoured, this would make pubs first in and last out of lockdown.

“Our own research shows that 40% of Britain’s pubs won’t survive beyond September with the current level of financial support on offer from the Government. That’s almost 19,000 pubs that won’t reopen. 

“Without this specific additional financial support, the social hubs and heart of communities in many towns, villages and cities across the UK will be lost forever – resulting in immeasurable damage to the wellbeing of our nation."

Sturgeon says the Prime Minister needs to stress difference between UK and Scotland restrictions

This just in from Simon Johnson, our Scottish Political Editor:

Nicola Sturgeon has told BBC Scotland that "pretty much everything" the Prime Minister announced applied to England only and the only restriction she is lifting in Scotland is a small change in the rules around outdoor exercise.

She said: "He is the prime minister of the UK - I’m not trying to gainsay that - but these restrictions are in place legally separately in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and therefore we have a duty to take decisions in our own jurisdictions about the speed with which we lift those.

"(It) is incumbent on him, maybe a bit more strongly than he did tonight, to stress that when he’s talking about lifting these restrictions, he’s talking for England. We really have such a duty just now to be as clear as possible."

Labour asks for urgent clarity on public transport for workers

Shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy tweeted: "Deeply concerned that people are being asked to go to work tomorrow, but avoid public transport, and before workplace safety measures have been introduced.

"Too many families tonight will face a sleepless night faced with an impossible choice. We need clarity on this urgently."

Expert reaction to the new lockdown measures

Prof Jonathan Ball, Professor of Molecular Virology, University of Nottingham, said:

“It’s very difficult to see how underlying science has informed the measures announced today, for example, the difference between primary or secondary school children as drivers of community infection.

“I think the reality is, this is a statement driven almost entirely by an economic agenda and in truth lacks clarity in terms of future control of the virus epidemic.

Recognition of the importance of infection control through extensive testing and effective contact tracing was a welcome statement, but I am not convinced that the systems are really in place to do this.

“Hopefully clarity will emerge over the next few days.”

France pushes back on UK quarantine measures

Emmanuel Macron says France will introduce 'reciprocal' measures to the UK's 14 day quarantine.

The new supermarket rules - here's what you need to know

In recent weeks, supermarkets have introduced queuing rules, put up protective screens for staff and introduced home delivery slots, in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus within their stores. 

In Boris Johnson’s address to the nation on, the PM thanked supermarket staff alongside other key workers and outlined the government’s three step plan to move the country out of lockdown. 

While the public will be encouraged to take unlimited exercise outdoors and the Government hopes to reopen primary schools from June, Johnson stressed that existing social distancing rules will still be in affect throughout the next two months. 

Click here to find out how each supermarket will be enforcing social distancing.

Fines for breaching lockdown to be doubled

More on our post from 19:09, fines for breaching coronavirus regulations will rise from £60 to £100 under the plans set out by Boris Johnson. Payment of the fine within 14 days will reduce the sum to £50, up from the present £30.

Repeat offenders will see the fine double for each subsequent breach to a maximum of £3,200.

It is unclear whether this applies to England and Wales or England only.

Labour calls clarity for workers "not good enough"

Reacting to the Prime Minister's speech, the shadow business secretary Ed Miliband tweeted: "Workers in manufacturing and construction who are being told they should go back to work tomorrow need to know that they will be safe.

"Yet tonight the Government has still not published the official guidance to assure those workers of their safety.

"This isn't good enough for both workers and for the vast majority of good employers who want to do the right thing.

"Now clear that certain sectors will not be able to reopen until July at the earliest. This reinforces Labour's call for a second wave of support including an extension of the furlough scheme and help for those businesses who have missed out on vital assistance including grants."

Can I spend time with my friends and family? How social distancing works now

While social distancing and self-isolation has since become the new normal for lockdown Britain, the Prime Minister is set to address the nation today at 7pm, where he will set out an exit plan now that Britain is past the peak of the pandemic. 

Although details of “phase two” of Britain’s response to the pandemic will only be made clear at the end of this weekend, there is already some indication as to what this will mean for social distancing.

Click here to read everything you need to know about social distancing now and going forward.

Scotland R number higher than other parts of UK

The Scottish First Minister told a BBC Scotland news special that the rate of transmission is believed to be higher than in other parts of the UK.

She said the best estimate available was that the number was between 0.7 and 1.

Quarantine measures will not apply to France, say Downing St and Elysée

Boris Johnson and Emmanuel Macron, the French President, have agreed quarantine measures would not apply between France and the UK "at this stage", according to a joint statement.

See details of the quarantine in the post at 19.11.

Downing Street issued the statement after the pair spoke on Sunday.

"The leaders spoke about the need to manage the risk of new transmissions arising from abroad, as the rate of coronavirus decreases domestically," it read.

"In this regard, the Prime Minister and the President agreed to work together in taking forward appropriate border measures. This co-operation is particularly necessary for the management of our common border.

"No quarantine measures would apply to travellers coming from France at this stage; any measures on either side would be taken in a concerted and reciprocal manner. A working group between the two governments will be set up to ensure this consultation throughout the coming weeks."

The three-step lockdown plan

The Government's three-stage plan for exiting lockdown

The Prime Minister has announced a three-step lockdown plan that will see the UK released from the current restrictions.

Step one begins tomorrow, with unlimited exercise allowed and the public encouraged to go back to work if they cannot work from home.

Step two, in June, could see schools and shops re-open.

Step three will include some hospitality chains return.

Read the full three-stage plan here.

What are the five Covid alert levels?

One of Boris Johnson's key announcements was a new Covid-19 Alert Level.

It will chart the course of the epidemic on a scale of one to five.

Level One will be achieved when the virus is eliminated in the UK, while Level Five could overwhelm the NHS.

Read our full explainer on the Covid-19 alert levels here. 

Read Boris Johnson's speech in full

Boris Johnson's speech has now ended.

You can read back his address to the nation, in full, here.

I know we can get through this, says PM

A family in West London watches Mr Johnson's speech Credit:  (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) Image title: AFP_1RB2G8

Mr Johnson continues: “When I think of the millions of everyday acts of kindness and thoughtfulness that are being performed across this country, and that have helped to get us through this first phase, I know that we can use this plan to get us through the next.

“And if we can’t do it by those dates, and if the alert level won’t allow it, we will simply wait and go on until we have got it right.”

“We will come back from this devilish illness. We will come back to health, and robust health.

“And though the UK will be changed by this experience, I believe we can be stronger and better than ever before.

“More resilient, more innovative, more economically dynamic, but also more generous and more sharing.

“But for now we must stay alert, control the virus and save lives.”

Boris Johnson: ‘It is coming down the mountain that is often more dangerous’

Mr Johnson says “we have been through the initial peak – but it is coming down the mountain that is often more dangerous.”

“We have a route, and we have a plan, and everyone in government has the all-consuming pressure and challenge to save lives, restore livelihoods and gradually restore the freedoms that we need.

“But in the end this is a plan that everyone must make work.”

Sounding emotional, Mr Johnson thanks the public for “the patience and common sense you have shown, the fortitude of the elderly whose isolation we all want to end as fast as we can, the incredible bravery and hard work of our NHS staff, our care workers, the devotion and self-sacrifice of all those in every walk of life who are helping us to beat this disease”.

Government will impose quarantine on foreign travellers, says PM

Mr Johnson announces he is “serving notice” that the Government will impose a two-week quarantine on those entering the country by air.

It is expected to begin as early as next month, “to prevent re-infection from abroad”.

Stage three will include hospitality by July at the earliest

“Subject to all these conditions and further scientific advice, if and only if the numbers support it, we will hope to re-open at least some of the hospitality industry and other public places, provided they are safe and enforce social distancing,” Mr Johnson says.

“Throughout this period of the next two months we will be driven not by mere hope or economic necessity.

“We are going to be driven by the science, the data and public health.

“And I must stress again that all of this is conditional, it all depends on a series of big 'ifs'.

"It depends on all of us – the entire country – to follow the advice, to observe social distancing, and to keep that R down.”

Boris Johnson: Phase two of lockdown will include schools and shops

Mr Johnson says phase two of the lockdown easing will begin “at the earliest by June 1”.

It will include the phased reopening of shops and to get primary pupils back into schools, in stages, beginning with reception, Year 1 and Year 6.

“Our ambition is that secondary pupils facing exams next year will get at least some time with their teachers before the holidays,” Mr Johnson says. 

Boris Johnson announces new lockdown rules

Mr Johnson announces the new rules for lockdown, effective tomorrow.

They are:

  • Anyone who can’t work from home, for instance those in construction or manufacturing, should be actively encouraged to go to work.
  • Public should avoid public transport if at all possible - workers should travel by car, bike or walking.
  • New guidance for employers will make workplaces "Covid-secure".
  • Public can now “sit in the sun in your local park, drive to other destinations, even play sports, but only with members of the same household.
  • Public must obey the rules on social distancing, and fines will increase for breaking them.

Now is not the time to end lockdown, says PM

Mr Johnson says the R is “between 0.5 and 0.9, but potentially just below one”.

“Though we have made progress in satisfying at least some of the conditions I have given, we have by no means fulfilled all of them,” he says.

“And so no, this is not the time simply to end the lockdown this week.”

New ‘Covid Alert System’ will track progress

Mr Johnson says a new ‘Covid Alert System’, run by a new Joint Biosecurity Centre, will determine the R and the number of coronavirus cases.

There will be five alert levels, from one to five, that determine the risk and the extent of lockdown, he says.

“Level One means the disease is no longer present in the UK and Level Five is the most critical – the kind of situation we could have had if the NHS had been overwhelmed.”

“Over the period of the lockdown we have been in Level Four, and it is thanks to your sacrifice we are now in a position to begin to move in steps to Level Three."

We must satisfy five tests, says Boris Johnson

Mr Johnson says the country “cannot move forward unless we satisfy the five tests”.

  1. We must protect our NHS.
  2. We must see sustained falls in the death rate.
  3. We must see sustained and considerable falls in the rate of infection.
  4. We must sort out our challenges in getting enough PPE to the people who need it.
  5. We must make sure that any measures we take do not force the reproduction rate of the disease back up over one.

UK right to be flexible in response, says PM

The Prime Minister says he has consulted “across the political spectrum, across all four nations of the UK.”

“And though different parts of the country are experiencing the pandemic at different rates, and though it is right to be flexible in our response, I believe that as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom – Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, there is a strong resolve to defeat this together,” he says.

Boris Johnson: New plan will allay fears about lockdown

“There are millions of people who are both fearful of this terrible disease, and at the same time also fearful of what this long period of enforced inactivity will do to their livelihoods and their mental and physical wellbeing,” Mr Johnson says.

“So I want to provide tonight - for you - the shape of a plan to address both fears.

“Both to beat the virus and provide the first sketch of a road map for reopening society.“A sense of the way ahead, and when and how and on what basis we will take the decisions to proceed."

Boris Johnson unveils new coronavirus slogan

“It would be madness now to throw away” the achievement of protecting the NHS by “allowing a second spike”, Mr Johnson says.

In a nod to the new government slogan, he adds: “We must stay alert.

“We must continue to control the virus and save lives.”

Country has avoided 500,000 deaths, says Johnson

Mr Johnson says the “death toll has been tragic, and the suffering immense”.

“Though we grieve for all those we have lost, it is a fact that by adopting those measures we prevented this country from being engulfed by what could have been a catastrophe in which the reasonable worst case scenario was half a million fatalities," he says.

“And it is thanks to your effort and sacrifice in stopping the spread of this disease that the death rate is coming down and hospital admissions are coming down.

“And thanks to you we have protected our NHS and saved many thousands of lives.”

Boris Johnson: Lockdown is the ‘only way to defeat the coronavirus’

“You have put up with all the hardships of that programme of social distancing,” Mr Johnson says.

“Because you understand that as things stand, and as the experience of every other country has shown, it’s the only way to defeat the coronavirus - the most vicious threat this country has faced in my lifetime.”

Boris Johnson: Restrictions ‘never seen before in peace or war’

Boris Johnson is speaking from Downing Street Credit: No10

The Prime Minister begins his statement by saying it has been two months since the public “began to put up with restrictions on their freedom – your freedom – of a kind that we have never seen before in peace or war”.

Speaking from Downing Street, he says: “You have shown the good sense to support those rules overwhelmingly.”

Boris Johnson will be live here at 7pm

The Prime Minister's address to the nation is beginning in five minutes.

Watch the live stream at the top of this blog and follow all the latest here.

Mr Johnson will be speaking from Downing Street in a pre-recorded message.

As Trump pulls back from virus, Congress races to fill void

As President Donald Trump tries to move on from the coronavirus, Congress is rushing to fill the void and prepare the country for the long fight ahead.

Compelled by the lack of comprehensive federal planning as states begin to reopen, lawmakers of both parties, from the senior-most senators to the newest House member, are jumping in to develop policies and unleash resources to prevent a second wave.

In the House and Senate, lawmakers are pushing sweeping proposals for a national virus testing strategy. One seasoned Republican wants a war-like public health fund. A New Jersey freshman launched neighboring colleagues on a regional bipartisan task force to help guide Northeastern states back to work.

"This is going to be on us," said Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot in her first term in Congress.

There is 'no evidence' coronavirus in care homes has peaked, minister told  

“There is still a long way to go” before coronavirus infections in care homes peak, the country’s leading industry figure has warned after a government minister claimed infections had already peaked.

Robert Jenrick, secretary of state for housing, community and local government, said that “the rate has passed or we are passing through the peak of infection within care homes”. 

According to the latest official figures, the total death toll linked to coronavirus in the UK is 31,855. On Sunday 269 people died - the lowest daily figure since March 29.

You can read the full story here from Gabriella Swerling, our Social and Religious Affairs Editor.

Algeria regime exploits virus to defeat protesters, say analysts 

The Algerian regime is exploiting coronavirus to defeat a protest movement that has shaken it to its core over the past year, analysts say.

Despite protesters deciding to suspend their weekly gatherings since the start of the public health crisis, repression of regime opponents has persisted.

Security forces have targeted young bloggers, independent journalists, online media and activists from the "Hirak" protest movement.

Rapidly adopted laws ostensibly aimed at preventing the dissemination of false news and hate speech have further stoked fears of an orchestrated campaign to muzzle free expression.

The new laws "aim to repress citizens' freedom of expression", said lawyer and activist Abdelouhab Chiter, a lecturer at the University of Bejaia.

Scotland and Wales have higher R rate than England

Scotland and Wales' decision to stick to the "Stay Home" messaging may be backed up to the various R rates in each country.

Robert Peston, ITV's political editor, said that although the new data from the ONS showed that the range of R in the UK was between 0.6 and 0.9, the level in Scotland and Wales is nearer to 1 than in England.

Warship from Maldives with virus evacuees arrives in India 

A navy ship carrying evacuees from the Maldives arrived in India as part of a massive effort to bring home hundreds of thousands of nationals stranded overseas due to the coronavirus lockdown.

Workers and students were unable to return home after India banned all incoming international flights in late March as part of the world's biggest lockdown to combat the spread of the deadly infectious disease.

The INS Jalashwa carrying 698 Indians from the Maldives capital of Male arrived at Cochin port on the southwestern coast of India on Sunday morning.

Indian naval warship INS Jalashwa Credit: R S Iyer /AP

Former Labour leader attacks plans to return to work

Jeremy Corbyn has said that nobody should return to work until it is safe enough to do so.

"People must come before private profit," he said.

Boris Johnson's vague Stay Alert slogan would cost lives in Scotland, says Sturgeon

Simon Johnson, our Scottish Political Editor, has more details on Nicola Sturgeon's criticisms of the Prime Minister's position:

Nicola Sturgeon has warned the UK Government's "vague and imprecise" 'Stay Alert' message would cost lives in Scotland after persuading Boris Johnson not to run the new advertising campaign north of the Border.

The First Minister said she did not know what the new slogan means and there was a risk of "people dying unnecessarily in Scotland" if the current 'Stay at Home' message was dropped.

She argued the R number - the virus transmission rate - remains higher north of the Border so a more "cautious" strategy for easing the lockdown was required.

Speaking ahead of the Prime Minister's address to the nation on easing the lockdown, she appealed to him to make clear which parts applied to the entire UK and which to England only.

You can read the full story here.

New York to test nursing home staff twice a week for Covid-19 

All nursing homes in New York state will be required to test staff twice a week for the novel coronavirus, Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced, in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus.

At his daily briefing, Cuomo announced new rules to protect nursing home patients, including mandating that hospitals cannot discharge a Covid-19 patient to a nursing home until the person has tested negative for the disease.

"That is a rule, not an 'I appreciate it if you did'," Cuomo said, adding that facilities would lose their license if they do not adhere to the rules. 

The Governor of New York has overseen tackling the worst outbreak of the virus in the US Credit: MIKE SEGAR /REUTERS 

Scottish football chief urges unity after reconstruction row 

Scottish Professional Football League chief executive Neil Doncaster has pleaded with clubs to work together to get through the coronavirus crisis after reconstruction talks collapsed.

Several Scottish Premiership clubs decided to block any plans for reforming the leagues in the aftermath of the vote to cancel the Championship, League One and League Two seasons because of the pandemic.

Partick Thistle's relegation to League One now looks certain, while Falkirk will be denied promotion after finishing a point behind Raith Rovers when the pandemic stopped play.

Hearts will be relegated if, as seems likely, the Premiership is also abandoned.

The fall-out has been bitter, with Falkirk claiming Scottish football had become an "utter shambles", Partick Thistle calling Premiership clubs "thoughtless and selfish" and Hearts accusing their rivals of "appalling disrespect".

Action taken against two people travelling to pick up a new car

The Central Motorway Police Group said action had been taken against two people travelling on the M6 to pick up a new car.

Alongside a picture of two people sitting in a Mitsubishi 4x4, the CMPG said: "The driver and the passenger of this vehicle have been reported for breach of covid restrictions on the M6.

"Travelling from Coventry to Rochdale to pick up your new car is not an essential journey."

Some Twitter users were critical of the police group's actions, with one reply describing the decision as heavy-handed.

India to 'gradually' restart rail operations in lockdown easing 

One of the world's largest train networks will "gradually" restart operations from Tuesday as India eases its coronavirus lockdown, as the number of cases past 60,000 with more than 2,000 deaths.

Some 30 train journeys - 15 pairs of return trips - will run from the capital New Delhi to other cities including Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai, Indian Railways said late Sunday.

"It will be mandatory for the passengers to wear face cover and undergo screening at departure and only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to board the train," the railways ministry added in a statement.

The vast train network, which had carried more than 20 million passengers daily, was halted in late March as India imposed a strict lockdown to stem the spread of the virus.

France death toll rises by 70

France has said that their death toll has risen by 70 to 26,380, including hospitals and nursing homes.

Meanwhile the number of people in intensive care units fell to 2,776, down from 2,812 on Saturday.

Despite White House virus cases, top aides defend reopening 

Two top US economic advisers defended the need for an speedy reopening of the economy even as the coronavirus reached into the White House despite the extraordinary precautions taken there.

But the comments by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and economic adviser Larry Kudlow came just two days after the country recorded its steepest job losses in history, with 20.5 million jobs lost in April, and as virus cases continued rising in some states with far more deaths projected.

Vice President Mike Pence's spokeswoman and a White House valet who served President Donald Trump have tested positive for the virus, and as three members of the White House coronavirus task force - including top expert Anthony Fauci - reportedly self-quarantined after potential exposure to the pathogen.

Watch: Boris Johnson gives clarity on 'stay alert' message

Boris Johnson has shared additional information on what exactly it means to 'stay alert'.

He tweeted: "As we start to recover from coronavirus, we all need to play our part by following the rules."

NHS waiting lists could double by autumn, amid fears service will be overwhelmed 

This just in from Laura Donnelly, our health editor:

NHS waiting lists could double by the autumn, with more than seven million patients facing delays, new forecasts suggest.

Medics called for urgent action to prevent a winter crisis, amid warnings from NHS chiefs that restarting routine services could be even more challenging than stopping them.

A report by analysts suggests that as a result of delays caused by the virus, 1.3 million patients have been added to waiting lists for outpatient appointments. 

You can read the full story here.

Rail staff told to refuse to work if safety is compromised

Rail and Tube staff are being advised not to work if they believe conditions are unsafe amid warnings that "confused" Government messages could have "lethal consequences".

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) issued fresh guidance to its members on Sunday, ahead of a speech by the Prime Minister expected to include information affecting industry.

The RMT said "spin" ahead of the address showed "confused and contradictory" messaging over the Covid-19 lockdown.

Rail services are set to be increased from May 18, but the RMT said that has been brought forward to Monday.

In a circular to members issued after a meeting of the union's executive (NEC) on Sunday, the union said:

"Given the confusion and mixed messaging generated by the Government in recent days, RMT has no confidence in the ability of the Government to manage lockdown or its easing.

Lewis Hamilton has only himself to beat online

While Formula One rivals compete in virtual grands prix and various esports series during the Covid-19 lockdown, six-times world champion Lewis Hamilton has been busy racing against himself.

The Briton has been a keen gamer since boyhood and for some years a brand ambassador for the Gran Turismo franchise on Sony's PlayStation.

"I've been working with them the last couple of years and I got to do this challenge, beat my time kind of thing," the 35-year-old said in a Mercedes video interview discussing what he had been up to in the absence of real racing.

"So I've been racing myself, trying to beat my own laps and stuff. It's been frustrating as hell because my laps are pretty decent I think."

The Lewis Hamilton Time Trial Challenge also has a 'ghost car' to mimic racing against the Mercedes driver as well as video tutorials.

Italy death toll rises by 165.

The number of deaths in Italy from coronavirus has risen by 165, down from 194 on Saturday.

This takes the total up to 30,560 - over 1,000 under the UK's total announced today.

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