Schools in Scotland and Wales will close on Friday, March 20, as their devolved governments try to contain the spread of coronavirus.
"Our aim is to protect life, protect the most vulnerable, and relieve pressure on our NHS – so it is right that we prioritise testing for those most at risk of severe illness. We will always do the right thing at the right time, based on the best scientific advice, and will do whatever it takes to protect life."British members of parliament assembled in the House of Commons, Westminster, London, March 16, 2020.
Police will be able to detain coronavirus carriers under the government's new emergency coronavirus lawsPolice will have the power to temporarily detain people who have caught coronavirus but are not self-isolating under emergency measures being prepared by the UK government.If as expected it passes into law, it will allow:Retired health and social care workers to return to work
"I also want to pay tribute to our brilliantly selfless NHS and social care staff who are working tirelessly to care for our friends and loved ones in this unprecedented period."UK Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick is due to make an announcement on how the government will protect renters whose incomes are disrupted by coronavirus.
Sunak said the government would make £330 billion of loans available to businesses which need them amid warnings that businesses nationwide and across several sectors could collapse. "Both sides remain fully committed to the negotiations and we remain in regular contact with the European Commission to consider alternative ways to continue discussions, including looking at the possibility of video conferencing or conference calls, and exploring flexibility in the structure for the coming weeks.
Chancellor Rushi Sunak is to announce new economic measures to helping businesses deal with the impact of the virus later today.British people have been told to cancel all non-essential travel globally as the country ramps up its response to the coronavirus pandemic. Boris Johnson's government drastically changed its coronavirus plan after realising only "in the last few days" that it would result in the deaths of up to 250,000 people, according to reportsThe UK abruptly changed its strategy to cope with coronavirus yesterday after realising only "in the last few days" that its existing approach would result in the deaths of up to 250,000 people, according to a report by a team of disease experts who have advised the government on...
Khan told Sky News that the number of people using the Tube and London's other public transport had plummeted amid the outbreak of coronavirus."I was on the tube today and it was 40 per cent down today than it was a few weeks ago, so we have got to recognise that and follow the advice from the experts."BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images
"No insurance will apply unless the government requires closure — and even then any payout will come far too late to save millions of jobs."