E3: Boris Johnson leaves intensive care as Raab warns of no early end to lockdown – as it happened

PM making ‘positive steps’; Sir Patrick Vallance says Covid-19 peak still at least two weeks away

That’s it from me, Nadeem Badshah. For a summary of the evening’s events, check out the summary at 6.25pm.

For more coverage, head over to the global live blog:

Related: Coronavirus live news: confirmed global cases pass 1.5m as US sees new record unemployment

Scotland Yard PC Robert Tee told PA Media he was thankful for the weekly round of applause for key workers as it highlighted “all the amazing work everyone is doing at this time”.

PC Grace Wright added: “It’s keeping morale up, showing solidarity and gratitude. It’s been a tough few weeks and everyone’s doing their best.”

Read the full story on Boris Johnson being released from ICU at St Thomas’ hospital in London:

Related: Boris Johnson moved from intensive care but stays in hospital

Carrie Symonds has posted an image of a rainbow to show solidarity with NHS and key workers.

Her tweet came less than an hour after it was confirmed that her fiance Boris Johnson had been moved out of intensive care at St Thomas’ Hospital.

pic.twitter.com/83HkS1Vjhx

Media City in Salford turns blue to pay homage to key workers.

Thank you to all of our key workers and NHS staff.@MediaCityUK will remain illuminated with blue light until the pandemic is contained and our support remains for all key workers 24/7.#WeAreInThisTogether#ClapForOurCarers #ClapForTheNHS #clapforourkeyworkers
Carlos Brolan pic.twitter.com/H9rdJersJw

Made it home in time tonight to join my neighbours in the #ClapForOurCarers #ClapForTheNHS #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/MDbD8X5tSM

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon joined in the nationwide applause outside her front door.

London mayor Sadiq Khan has released a video montage of the nation applauding key workers.

To everyone on the frontline of this fight, including:

NHS

Fire

Police

Faith groups

Care workers 

Transport staff

Refuse collectors 

Supermarket staff

Charities & volunteers

Funeral directors & undertakers 

THANK YOU.#ClapForTheNHS #ClapForCarers pic.twitter.com/bS68y8pr6t

Labour MP Rebecca Long-Bailey has posted a video on Twitter giving her thanks to “NHS heroes”.

To all our NHS heroes working so hard to keep us safe, thank you for everything you do. #ClapForCarers #ClapForTheNHS #ClapForOurCarers pic.twitter.com/B4N6Q95uxP

GP Amir Khan thanks the nation for taking part in the applause.

Thank you everyone for supporting the NHS

It means a lot x

#ClapForOurCarers #ClapForTheNHS pic.twitter.com/8SnSSUb6Qu

Sir Keir Starmer is among thousands of people around the UK taking part in the clap for our carers.

Greater Manchester police are also participating in the applause which is in its third week now.

#ThankYou | We join the nation in applauding the #NHS and all other key worker heroes. Thank you to everyone, including those behinds the scenes, for all that you're doing. #ClapForOurCarers #ClapForOurKeyWorkers pic.twitter.com/of4mNkQ4tN

The nation unites to applaud NHS and key workers around the country.

To all care providers and key workers up and down the country - this is for you. #ClapForOurCarers #clapforourkeyworkers #ClapBecauseWeCare pic.twitter.com/TOjtISGXNE

The UK’s weekly nationwide applause for NHS workers will take place in five minutes.

Join the nation tonight at 8pm to show our appreciation to all NHS staff and key workers on the frontline to keep us safe! #coronavirus #clapforourcarers #clapforcarers #thankyouthursday #covid19 #thankyounhs #clapforkeyworkers #onemillionclaps pic.twitter.com/4aoMepem5W

US president Donald Trump has said Johnson’s move out of intensive care is “great news”.

Great News: Prime Minister Boris Johnson has just been moved out of Intensive Care. Get well Boris!!!

Health secretary Matt Hancock is among the first to react to the news.

He tweeted: “So good that the Prime Minister is out of intensive care and on the road to recovery. The NHS is there for us all and I know our amazing NHS staff have given him their characteristic world-class care.”

So good that the Prime Minister is out of intensive care and on the road to recovery. The NHS is there for us all and I know our amazing NHS staff have given him their characteristic world-class care

The prime minister has been moved out of intensive care at St Thomas’ hospital, where he had been since Monday night.

Downing Street said: “The prime minister has been moved this evening from intensive care back to the ward, where he will receive close monitoring during the early phase of his recovery. He is in extremely good spirits.”

Related: UK lockdown could end 'with sector-by-sector plan' for firms

The government has just scrapped the requirement for universal credit applicants to telephone benefits staff, after applicants reported spending hours on hold trying to reach someone.

New claimants previously had to make a phone interview appointment within 30 days of filing their claim. If they didn’t they would not be paid.

But with more than 1.2 million people having filed new claims in the last few weeks, the system could not cope.

The Department for Work and Pensions has now said: don’t call us – we’ll call you.

Staff will proactively call claimants if they need to check any of the information provided as part of the claim, as well as messaging them on their online journal to confirm details.

The work and pensions secretary, Thérèse Coffey, said:

We are doing whatever it takes to make claiming benefits as straightforward as possible during a time when we are receiving an unprecedented number of claims. That’s why no one making a new claim to universal credit needs to call us.

Once you’ve completed your online application, you can rest assured we have received your claim and we will call you if we need to check any of the information you’ve given us.

Inmates at six high priority prisons, including a sex offender jail where there have been a number of deaths, are to be decanted into 500 temporary single occupancy cells to alleviate pressure caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Installation of temporary accommodation will start this week at North Sea Camp, an open prison in Lincolnshire, with Littlehey, Hollesley Bay, Highpoint, Moorland, Lindholme and Humber prisons to follow, the Ministry of Justice said.

Three of the 10 prisoners known to have contracted Covid-19 and died were serving sentences at Littlehey, a sex offender prison in Cambridgeshire where more than a tenth of the population are aged 70 or over.

The new temporary accommodation will be built within existing prison walls but only lower-risk category C and D inmates will be moved following a risk assessment.

The first wave of sites were chosen because they have the highest number of shared cells, lack in-cell sanitation and house high numbers of vulnerable prisoners.

The measures were announced as the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 among prisoners rose by 15% in 24 hours to 149 inmates across 47 prisons, as at 5pm on Wednesday. There are 83,000 prisoners in England and Wales across 117 prisons.

The number of infected prison staff rose 17% to 28 across 17 prisons in the same period, while the number of prisoner escort and custody services (Pecs) staff who have tested positive remained at five.

The justice secretary, Robert Buckland, earlier this month announced that up to 4,000 risk-assessed prisoners who are within two months of their release date will be temporarily released from jail.

Earlier this week, the head of the prison service, Jo Farrar, told MPs that based on present accommodation levels between 10,000 and 15,000 inmates would have to be released to achieve single cell occupancy across the estate.

The principal of one of Scotland’s most famous universities, St Andrews, has warned her institution faces its worst crisis of modern times because the coronavirus pandemic has wrecked its finances.

Professor Sally Mapstone has told the university’s staff it has already lost £25m due to the crisis and now faces having to make significant spending cuts. She said there is now an urgent need for “urgent and substantial” financial aid for the UK’s universities.

EXCLUSIVE: @univofstandrews principal Prof Sally Mapstone warns it faces worst crisis of modern era; already lost £25m and worst to come. University sector needs "urgent aid" due to prevent collapse (story to come) pic.twitter.com/rxO8DsSTr3

It is as serious a financial crisis as our university has faced in modern times, and it will mean that we cannot do everything you want or expect us to, and that we have to take some very difficult decisions about our future.

We welcome the fact that the Scottish government has acknowledged the scale of the financial crisis facing higher education in Scotland, but we should not assume that aid will be forthcoming, or in the quantities that we require, given the devastation and raw need we are witnessing in other key sectors of our economy, and society.

Let me be very open with you: there is no magic pot of money in St Andrews. We must plan to do this by ourselves, with what we have at hand.

Vallance said Sage modelled all different measures in February, saying it is “not correct” to say it wasn’t modelled until March.

Vallance said the percentage of people across the world who have had coronavirus asymptomatically is likely to be “lower than 50, it could be around 30, but we don’t know for sure”.

He said in some places it’s “mostly single-digit numbers”.

Raab said he had “not yet” spoken to the prime minister since he took over and started to formally deputise.

Whitty said the NHS hospital figures allow them to see the trends over time. The ONS data is much wider – including care homes and when there isn’t a test involved – so the numbers are expected to be higher but there will be a lag.

The ONS figures therefore give a wider picture, but the NHS figures are useful for day-to-day decision-making.

Raab said:

Above all, as we go into this long bank holiday weekend, people should think long and hard about what happens to those on the NHS frontline, who are doing a heroic job, if people in large numbers don’t comply with the rules.

I would urge everyone to take a moment before they do anything, however warm it is, however great the temptation, just to think about the sacrifices those on the frontline are making.

Raab reiterated the government would “make the right decision at the right moment” and be guided by the science when it comes to deciding when to lift the lockdown.

Vallance added the doubling time in ICU is a reflection of what’s been happening in terms of physical distancing.

Whitty added that because of people’s actions, there is still room in intensive care across the NHS.

Whitty said the doubling time, particularly in intensive care, has got steadily longer in time over the last two weeks, thanks to physical distancing measures. Doubling time is now six or more days and extending in time.

That has only happened because of what everybody has done, in terms of staying at home.

Vallance said in general he expects the number of deaths to continue to go up for about two weeks after the picture for intensive care improves.

We’re not there yet in terms of knowing exactly when that will be, but that’s the sort of timeframe I’d expect.

They are taking questions from the media now.

Raab said people must be conscious of how what they have already done is contributing to curbing the spread of the virus and the number of deaths. This illustrates how crucial it is that we keep it up.

Physical distancing is breaking the transmission, it’s stopping hospital admissions, we’re beginning to see a flattening off, it’s preventing more people going into intensive care – and it will prevent deaths, Vallance said.

Vallance is talking now.

He said we know that physical distancing is working and we need to keep doing that, because it is working to stop the virus spreading within the community.

If we don’t continue to do what we’re doing [physical distancing], we put all of this at risk.

Raab said:

Please stay home, for everyone’s sake, this bank holiday weekend.

At this stage, the government continues to gather data to determine the effects of the lockdown and physical distancing measures. It’s too early to say conclusively whether it is working.

There will not be any more updates on this until the end of next week.

The measures will have to stay in place until the evidence shows we have moved beyond the peak.

Raab said now is not the time to ease up on lockdown rules.

Thank you for your sacrifice but we’re not done yet. We must keep going.

As of today, 243,421 people have been tested for the virus. 65,077 have tested positive and the number of people admitted to hospital with symptoms stands at 16,784.

Of those who have contracted the virus 7,978 have died.

The prime minister remains in intensive care but he “continues to make positive steps forwards” and is “in good spirits”.

The government’s daily press briefing is due to begin shortly and will be fronted by the first secretary of state Dominic Raab.

He will be joined by the chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance and the chief medical officer for England Chris Whitty.

Many people will get coronavirus at some point during this pandemic and in the majority of cases will be able to manage the illness themselves. Here, Emma Hammett, a nurse and founder of First Aid for Life, offers some advice on how to look after people who have mild or moderate symptoms at home.

Police Scotland has appointed a leading human rights lawyer to review its use of emergency powers during the coronavirus epidemic, including its powers to arrest and fine people who breach the lockdown.

Iain Livingstone, the chief constable, said the force had appointed John Scott QC, a civil rights specialist who previously led a review of its controversial use of stop and search powers, to scrutinise its use of the new emergency powers.

Related: Police Scotland faces clampdown on stop and search

Community policing has a vital role to play as we all make the changes and sacrifices needed to curtail the spread of coronavirus. With the support and co-operation of our fellow citizens, we will continue to focus on explaining the legal instructions, encouraging compliance, and using enforcement only where necessary.

We’re in discussions with the Scottish Police Authority and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary Scotland about ensuring our use of the new temporary powers we have been given is appropriately scrutinised and about the publication of accurate data.

London’s O2 arena, once known as the Millennium Dome, is to be turned into a training facility for NHS staff working at the new Nightingale field hospital set up nearby.

The 20,000 seater stadium, which was due to host acts including Snoop Dogg, the Pussycat Dolls and Whitesnake, will be used as an educational training facility. No patients will be treated on site.

It’s time to encourage people to wear face masks as a precautionary measure on the grounds that we have little to lose and potentially something to gain, said experts in The British Medical Journal today.

Prof Trisha Greenhalgh at the University of Oxford and colleagues say that despite limited evidence, masks “could have a substantial impact on transmission with a relatively small impact on social and economic life.”

Our new BMJ paper:
It's time to apply the precautionary principle to face maskshttps://t.co/A6cSwXlOlD

Masks are simple, cheap, and potentially effective.We believe that, worn both in the home (particularly by the person showing symptoms) and also outside the home in situations where meeting others is likely (for example, shopping, public transport), they could have a substantial impact on transmission with a relatively small impact on social and economic life.

The number of people who have died in Northern Ireland hospitals after testing positive for coronavirus has risen to 82, after four further deaths were reported on Thursday.

There were 138 new cases of Covid-19 confirmed, bringing the total across the region to 1,477.

British Gas engineers are now delivering emergency food parcels to aid food banks struggling with a surge in demand amid the pandemic.

As part of a new partnership with the Trussell Trust, British Gas employees are attending emergency callouts and essential visits for vulnerable customers, in order to manage demand and follow physical distancing guidelines.

We're delighted to partner with The @TrussellTrust, a fantastic initiative helping those most in need at this challenging time https://t.co/K3knLgf93e

There has been a marked rise in complaints about bonfires and domestic noise, prompting calls for people to be considerate over the Easter weekend, according to new data released by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) from local authorities.

CIEH asked its members working in local authorities whether the lockdown, with more people working from home and children confined to households, was leading to an increase in noise and nuisance complaints.

We are calling on people across the UK to be kind and considerate this Easter weekend and to keep their neighbours and communities in mind.

It is essential that we all follow government guidance to support efforts to fight Covid-19.

In the latest episode of the Science Weekly podcast, following the decision to end Wuhan’s lockdown this week, our science correspondent Hannah Devlin speaks to Dr Adam Kurcharski about the various aspects of lifting restrictive measures, including the importance of the timing and the role that testing could play.

Listen to the full episode here.

Related: Covid-19: how do you lift a lockdown? – podcast

Thousands of people working in the NHS, social care and local services have contacted a Unison hotline in the last week expressing anxiety at the lack of gloves, masks, eye protectors and gowns where they work, Unison said.

Staff from across the UK’s public services said they were scared that without the right protective equipment, they risked contracting coronavirus and passing it on to their families, or the elderly and vulnerable people they work with and care for.

Our clients are terrified we’ll bring the virus to their homes and we’re equally afraid of that. Many of us have isolated from our children because we fear for their lives.

My colleagues have been asked to wear bags over their faces for lack of surgical masks when needed. It’s getting to the point where I want to quit my job as I feel I’m endangering my own life.

Staff are extremely stressed and anxious and feel they’re not being supported with basic PPE. We’ve no face guards and are constantly being coughed on and sneezed on by residents. Small plastic aprons covering no more than an adult bib would are no protection against this virus.

We can’t go another week with health workers, care staff and those providing key local services feeling exposed to harm.

It’s tragic to see deaths of public services workers and the people they support over the past few weeks. Unless the government can get to grips quickly with supply problems, the numbers dying could spiral.

The Office for National statistics has published data obtained from its ‘Opinions and Lifestyle Survey’ of 1,588 adults, covering the period 20-30 March, which sheds some light on the impact the coronavirus crisis is having on people in Britain.

The figures suggest people are abiding by the hygiene advice to stem the spread of the virus:

Almost all adults (99.8%) said they had washed their hands with soap and water to avoid infection in the last seven days. Of those who had washed their hands with soap and water, 89.8% said they had increased the frequency of doing so since the coronavirus pandemic.

Over two-thirds (69.1%) of all adults also said they had tissues to catch coughs and sneezes. Of these, 42.3% said they had increased this activity since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Nearly 1 in 4 adults (23.8%) said they felt lonely often/always or some of the time. As is seen in similar reports on loneliness before the pandemic, levels of reported loneliness are lower amongst those aged 70 years and over (12.7%). For those with an underlying health condition it was 23.2%.

The public have been warned that going outside over the Easter weekend could result in them being questioned by police officers, amid concern flouting of the lockdown may increase during the expected good weather.

Martin Hewitt, chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said he understood the frustrations caused by the restrictions meant to stop the spread of the virus:

Officers may have to ask people about their circumstances if they’re outdoors. We will engage with the public, explain the social distancing regulations and the responsibilities we all share, and encourage those who are out without good reason to go back home.

Where people don’t comply, we will direct them to go home, and if necessary we will issue a fine. This is a last resort, but we will use our powers if we have to.

During this long weekend, please help the NHS and those most vulnerable in our communities by staying home unless your journey is essential - even when good weather or sheer frustration could tempt us outside.

A convicted fraudster who says that payments from the coronavirus will be “the next PPI” is among those who have been registering companies with names like Coronavirus Compensation Ltd since the crisis has taken hold.

Related: Convicted fraudster says coronavirus payouts will be 'next PPI'

Looking forward I see the next big thing about a year down the road from now will be that coronavirus will be the new PPI.

For the people that have lost relatives, people who have been poorly and people who have lost businesses there will be some kind of claims system. I think it will be the new PPI and that is the reason I have registered the companies.

A doctor who warned the prime minister that health workers urgently needed more PPE has died after being diagnosed with Covid-19.

Abdul Mabud Chowdhury, 53, died after 15 days in hospital.

A further 765 patients have died in hospital in England, bringing the total to 7,248 - up from 6,483 the day before.

Of the 765 new confirmed reported hospital deaths announced today by NHS England, 140 occurred on 8 April while 568 took place between April 1 and April 7.

Conservative MP Jack Lopresti has come under fire after he called for churches to reopen for Easter.

The MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke wrote to the housing secretary, Robert Jenrick, asking the government to consider opening churches for “private prayer”.

Today I wrote to The Secretary of State @mhclg and also sent a copy of this letter to Secretary of State @DCMS to ask the Government to consider opening church doors on Easter Sunday for private prayer. pic.twitter.com/pLnxdNRsEN

As a Vicar this is irresponsible and is totally opposite to all sensible advice give to us as churches - our buildings maybe shut but the churches are still open as we are finding new ways to be church

A further 41 patients have died after testing positive for coronavirus in
Wales, bringing the total number of deaths there to 286, health officials said.

Public Health Wales said that, due to changes in the way cases are reported, there were fewer new cases of people testing positive for Covid-19.

Due to a change in our reporting process, today we are reporting a lower than usual number of new cases of coronavirus in Wales.

Today’s figures reflect a much shorter period of six hours of testing. Case numbers will return to normal on Friday, as we return to 24-hour reporting.

UPDATED STATEMENT:

Due to a change in our reporting process, today we are reporting a lower than usual number of new cases of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales. 16 new cases have tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales.

More here: https://t.co/Z1N6KvyokQ pic.twitter.com/vqzl6u0tKv

Thanks everyone. Lucy Campbell is now back and will be bringing you the latest news for the rest of the day.

Border guards have introduced a new process to speed up incoming shipments of medical supplies, the Home Office has said.

Critical shipments are now flagged to border force in advance by the NHS so officers can process them as soon as possible.

The some secretary, Priti Patel, said: “This will ensure that the NHS and frontline workers can get the equipment they need as quickly as possible so they can continue saving lives and fighting the virus.”

The process has been in place since the beginning of April, the Home Office said, with Border Force working with suppliers, the NHS and HMRC to ensure all relevant shipments are flagged. The move comes after the Treasury announced it was waiving import taxes on medical equipment.


All shipments remain subject to the same controls including checks against illegal immigration, prohibited and restricted items and revenue fraud, the Home Office added.

In just three months, the coronavirus has turned the world upside down. But how did it play out so quickly? We take a look back to where it all began – from its origins in south-east Asia, to its acceleration across Europe and the US. As the infection rate increased and countries went into lockdown, people began to find imaginative and inspiring ways of coping with our new reality.

Please do get in touch if you want to share any information with me.

Twitter: @sloumarsh
Instagram: sarah_marsh_journalist
Email: sarah.marsh@theguardian.com

The environment secretary, George Eustice, has agreed to the National Farmers’ Union’s request for a “crisis meeting” – due to be held this afternoon – to discuss measures to help the UK’s stricken dairy sector.

The Covid-19 outbreak has seen the almost complete loss of the food service and hospitality markets – as well as increasing price volatility in global markets – which has left farm businesses and processors under increased pressure.

The Bank of England’s temporary extension of the use of “ways and means” is to smooth government cash flows, Downing Street said.

The prime minister’s official spokesman said: “The Bank of England will temporarily extend use of the government’s longstanding ways and means facility to help government cash flows and provide a temporary short-term source of additional funding.”

Pressed if the government was running out of money, he said: “The government will be raising the finance through the debt markets and continues to use the markets as a source of financing.

“For example, there have been four debt auctions this week and they all have been successful.”

Downing Street has said police have the full support of the government in enforcing the coronavirus lockdown.

The prime minister’s official spokesman said individual police forces would use their discretion as to how the measures were enforced.

“We have given them a job to do. They will use their own discretion about how they best do that job,” the spokesman said.

“The powers which we have given the police are there to save lives. The police have our full backing and they have the public’s backing too. They have set out in advice to officers that they should engage, explain and finally enforce.”

However, asked about a warning by the Northamptonshire police chief constable, Nick Adderley, that police could start searching shopping trolleys for non-essential purchases, the spokesman said: “Shops that are still open are free to sell any items they have in stock.”

The chief executive of NHS Wales is one of a number of officials who have signed an open letter calling for people to stay at home over the Easter weekend.

Speaking at a briefing in Cardiff, he thanked people for following guidelines, adding: “You have given the NHS time to prepare - to increase our capacity and to recruit and retrain staff. But we are still planning for the pressure on our health and care system to be significant and visible as the virus continues to spread. Please stay at home, protect the NHS and help us to save lives.”

Researchers who mapped some of the original spread of coronavirus in humans have discovered there are variants of the virus throughout the world.

They reconstructed the early evolutionary paths of Covid-19 as infection spread from Wuhan, China, out to Europe and North America.

By analysing the first 160 complete virus genomes to be sequenced from human patients, scientists found the variant closest to that discovered in bats was largely found in patients from the US and Australia, not Wuhan.

Dr Peter Forster, geneticist and lead author from the University of Cambridge, said: “There are too many rapid mutations to neatly trace a Covid-19 family tree. We used a mathematical network algorithm to visualise all the plausible trees simultaneously.

“These techniques are mostly known for mapping the movements of prehistoric human populations through DNA.”

Fire bosses have issued a fresh plea for the public to avoid lighting sky lanterns, describing a recent attempt by companies to market them as a means of showing support for NHS workers as “misguided”.

Emergency services have long described how the flimsy items – which often comprise a thin wire frame inside a paper shell containing a tealight – pose a fire risk to property and wildlife, as well as to livestock.

They have been linked to large fires while farmers have reported animals becoming entangled in the wire detritus once it has burned out and fallen from the sky.

Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said the lockdown would continue, with no likelihood of it lifting after the Easter weekend.

No 10 says it is not going to contradict Nicola Sturgeon on the lockdown

She said this morning: ‘I don’t think there is any possibility, any likelihood, of these measures being lifted even imminently’

BREAKING Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the lockdown will continue. "There is no likelihood or prospect of these measures being lifted after the Easter weekend...it is likely that restrictions and measures are going to be in place for some weeks to come yet."

No 10 has given an update on the prime minister’s condition and the wider coronavirus response:

• The prime minister’s spokesman said: “Boris Johnson has a good night and continues to improve in intensive care at St Thomas’ hospital. He is in good spirits.” He continues to receive standard oxygen treatment.

• He is able to be in contact with No 10 if required but is not doing any work.

Britons shelled out a whopping £88mn on fresh eggs as they stockpiled staple foods in the four weeks preceding the UK’s lockdown, new figures reveal today.

The latest data from the British Egg Industry Council (BIEC) reveal that over the four weeks leading to the week ending 22 March, an estimated 621m eggs were sold with a value of £88mn – nearly 20% more than the same time last year when they snapped up 518m eggs worth £74mn.

While the increased demand in the retail sector has been somewhat mitigated by a lower requirement from food service (restaurants, pubs and cafes etc), the industry is dealing with a period of unprecedented demand.

We are doing our utmost to get stock to shops as quickly as possible, so that they can replenish their shelves, but we would echo the government’s call for consumers to only buy what they need.

Hello. I am a taking over the Guardian’s live blog. Please do share any information or news tips with me via the channels below.

Twitter: @sloumarsh
Instagram: sarah_marsh_journalist
Email: sarah.marsh@theguardian.com

Victoria Park will reopen on Saturday from 8am subject to a number of new control measures, Tower Hamlets council has announced.

Victoria Park is reopening on Saturday 11 April from 8am

Read more about the new control measures we're introducing and find some answers to common questions here https://t.co/79dsXAozt1@VickyParkLondon pic.twitter.com/uvUQvcYtGQ

Nicola Sturgeon has announced that 81 further Covid-19 deaths have been reported overnight in Scotland, taking the total number of deaths involving laboratory-confirmed victims of the virus to 447.

Sturgeon was speaking in the first ever online version of first minister’s questions, broadcast by the Scottish parliament where all four Holyrood party leaders were questioning her from remote locations around the country, chaired by the parliament’s presiding officer, Ken Macintosh.

The first virtual #FMQs are underway pic.twitter.com/UD0aUrrWdQ

Lidl is giving away thousands of surplus Easter eggs to good causes such as Great Ormond Street hospital and charities supporting vulnerable people.

The chocolate eggs will be donated with the aim of bringing a little joy to Great Ormond Street hospital’s child patients and families, as well as volunteers at NSPCC’s Childline.

Now more than ever, we’re looking for ways to bring a little joy to those who are going through tough times, as well as thank the brilliant volunteers who support them – and we hope our donation of Easter treats will do just that.

Police arrested a man on suspicion of theft after it was alleged that he stole a large number of face masks and other products from stores at north London ambulance sites and attempted to sell them online.

The man, in his 20s, was arrested on Wednesday, taken into police custody and bailed pending further enquiries to a date in late April.

I am saddened that anyone would take advantage of the NHS for their financial gain at such a critical time. These masks are a vital piece of PPE for emergency service personnel and are used to keep both themselves and patients safe.

We will continue to crack down on anyone attempting to take advantage of our emergency services for personal gain, especially at such an unprecedented time.

PG tips has partnered with Re-engage, a charity tackling social isolation and loneliness, to train 2,000 volunteers to facilitate 100,000 volunteer calls in 2020 to support the oldest in Britain during the lockdown.

The partnership comes as research reveals that over-75s are most vulnerable to loneliness amid new lockdown regulations, with more than 2.2 million currently living alone in the UK.

From Prof Richard Schilling, the deputy clinical director for the NHS Nightingale hospital in London, waiting for his first patients to arrive.

I find this photo of me waiting for our first patient both sad and moving. I wish we didn’t have to be here. pic.twitter.com/DUmJ35eppm

Prince Charles has recorded a reading of the Gospel for Easter Day to be broadcast by Westminster Abbey and Canterbury cathedral.

The Prince of Wales’s reading of John 20: 1-18 was recorded at Birkhall, his home in Scotland, earlier this week.

A majority of Britons are in favour of a government of national unity being formed for the duration of the coronavirus crisis, a new poll from YouGov suggests.

In a survey, 63% of 1,609 people indicated they would be in support of representatives from all of the main political parties being brought into the fold.

63% of Brits support a national unity government for the duration of the #covid19 crisis - including a majority (54%) of Conservative voters https://t.co/rSTOdNTVxP https://t.co/5iT8aOkAai

There will be many times when, and there are many issues upon which, I will fundamentally disagree with the prime minister. There will also be times when Labour can - and must - engage constructively with the government.

Now is such a time. Coronavirus is a national emergency. It is also a global emergency. Everyone is anxious about what the next few months will bring, but we know we must be resolute in our determination to see this virus defeated, as it will be.

The Co-op has pulled its planned Easter television advertising campaign, instead donating the airtime to the national food redistribution charity FareShare.

The £2.5m campaign was originally planned to promote its chocolate Easter eggs, but in the wake of coronavirus, the retailer has turned over the airtime to promote “local heroes” and encourage people to support food banks.

Calling all #LocalHeroes

Join us in supporting the food charity @FareShareUK, who are getting food to those who need it most right now.

Text MEALS to 70490 to donate £10 or find out more here ➡️ https://t.co/boSWBLbEYH

In these times of national crisis, food banks are a lifeline for those who rely on the donations to feed their families. Demand for food bank services has already gone up in the past couple of weeks, and this is only set to grow as the number of people who unexpectedly find themselves without a regular or reduced income, increases.

As we face up to the coronavirus crisis, we’re determined to do everything we can to continue getting food to those who are most vulnerable. The money raised by generous Co-op customers will enable FareShare to provide emergency food supplies to frontline charities in communities across the UK. We are extremely grateful for Co-op’s support at this incredibly challenging time.

Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth and Tom Hiddleston are among the stars paying tribute to the NHS with a video of gratitude.

They are joined by stars including Billie Eilish, Danny Dyer, Dame Julie Walters, Simon Pegg, David Walliams and Gary Barlow, who sings at the piano, in a clip in which they all say “thank you” to those working on the frontline in the fight against coronavirus.

All across the country people want you to know how incredible you are and how grateful we are.

You are an amazing army of brave, wonderful people. Thank you.

Olivia Colman, @stephenfry, @billieeilish and @cesc4official are just some of the celebrities who want to say #ThankYouNHS — continuing the swell of support pouring in for #OurNHSPeople, working in the fight against coronavirus. #ThankYouThursday pic.twitter.com/kHqSucQaH7

With the traditional Royal Maundy Service unable to go ahead today, the Queen has nonetheless marked the occasion, by personally dispensing Maundy money to pensioners across the UK by post.

Every year the monarch ceremonially distributes specially-minted small silver coins to select individuals, normally aged over 70, and who have been nominated by their local church dioceses for their outstanding contributions to their local church and community life. The ceremony usually takes place during a church service marking the day on which Jesus held the Last Supper with his disciples.

The lockdown is likely to be extended beyond three weeks, a cabinet minister has said, as senior politicians prepare to hold a meeting to review the restrictions.

Get the full story here:

Related: UK coronavirus lockdown likely to be extended, says cabinet minister

Figures from NHS England show a big increase in the volume of calls to the NHS 111 service last month, with less than a third being answered within one minute.

An average of 95,600 calls a day were made in March 2020, more than double the average of 46,700 a day in March 2019.

The oldest bell at Canterbury Cathedral will toll every evening from now on in remembrance of those who have died from Covid-19, and to celebrate the heroism of frontline workers.

Seventeenth-century “Harry” will ring out at 8pm in recognition of the “shared global tragedy” of the coronavirus pandemic, the dean of Canterbury announced. The Very Rev Dr Robert Willis said:

Communities around the world have embraced the idea of clapping hands to thank publicly healthcare staff and other frontline workers at this time.

We all know that their vital work is undertaken at great personal risk to themselves.

As a symbol of strength and solidarity, beginning today at 20.00 Bell Harry will toll every evening in remembrance of the victims of coronavirus and in celebration of the heroism of frontline healthcare staff and other essential workers around the world.#ClapforKeyWorkers pic.twitter.com/k7GHWc7BAJ

Bell Harry will be tolled remotely via a timer, so no staff will be present – but we encourage those whose homes are within earshot to record the bells and share online with friends and families wherever they are.

See the full statement: https://t.co/PHPt3kS6a2

A temporary morgue for up to 1,000 people is due to be built in Lancashire to help cope with any rise in deaths as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

The facility will be constructed at a BAE Systems site in Fylde in preparation for what has been described as a “potential increase” in demand for mortuary space across the region.

But it’s vital that we are prepared in order to ensure the deceased are treated decently and with respect.

We are very grateful for the support we have received from BAE Systems, who have provided this site and access to utilities free of charge to support the people of Lancashire and help us to deal with this crisis.

In this widely shared clip from last night’s BBC Newsnight, Emily Maitlis delivered a powerful opening that has resonated with a great many people and earned her praise for debunking the “trite and misleading” language used to discuss coronavirus.

Emily Maitlis with powerful words that needed saying tonight. pic.twitter.com/yqNgxlHoJU

You do not survive the illness through fortitude and strength of character, whatever the prime minister’s colleagues will tell us, and the disease is not a great leveller – the consequences of which everyone, rich or poor, suffers the same.

Those on the frontline right now; bus drivers and shelf-stackers, nurses, care home workers, hospital staff and shopkeepers are disproportionately the lower-paid members of our work force.

They are more likely to catch the disease because they are more exposed.

Greater Manchester police have urged people not to flout lockdown rules over Easter after officers broke up 660 parties last weekend.

The force’s chief constable, Ian Hopkins, said:

We understand the desire people will have to spend time with family and friends over the Easter period, however it is vital that we follow the government guidelines.

Organisers of the BBC Proms are still hoping to present a programme this summer although they say “that will involve adapting and changing the festival we originally planned”.

In a statement, BBC Proms said it was delaying the announcement of the season, something which usually happens in mid-April. Publication of the Official Proms Guide and the sale of tickets is also being delayed. An update will be given by the end of May.

pic.twitter.com/T7YXf61fWE

Almost three in 10 business have cut jobs in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The ONS said 29% of the 4,598 businesses it surveyed over the past fortnight said they had to temporarily reduce staff numbers during the period from 9 March to 22 March.

A&E attendances at hospitals in England were down nearly a third last month compared with a year ago, new figures from NHS England show.

A total of 1.53m attendances were recorded in March 2020, a 29% drop on the 2.17m attendances in March 2019.

NEW A&E DATA: NHS performance v 4-hour target hits record low for a March month last month. 84.2% of patients were admitted, transferred, discharged within 4 hours (v 95% target) compared to 86.7% in March 2019. Figure up from 82.8% in February 2020https://t.co/icjLsQUWkQ

The NHS has worked night and day to surge capacity to manage coronavirus but it’s also there for you if you have symptoms of a stroke, symptoms of a heart attack.

Indeed if you have any emergency condition whether it’s a sick child, whether it’s a mother in pregnancy who’s worried about movements of the baby, you should be seeking emergency services just as you always have done.

A number of people who have spat or coughed at emergency workers, or exploited coronavirus for their own gain, have been charged and prosecuted recently, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

Max Hill QC, the director of public prosecutions has made it clear that anyone using coronavirus to threaten emergency and essential workers would face criminal charges, as a snapshot of the cases the CPS has charged and prosecuted recently show. Here are a few examples:

It is disappointing to see charges come in on a daily basis of hard-working police officers, NHS staff and other vital workers, being coughed or spat at, sometimes deliberately exposing them to the risk of infecting them with coronavirus.

We take these offences immensely seriously and want to make it absolutely clear – that where there is evidence to do so, people will be prosecuted and can face up to one year in prison.

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has issued a reminder that any protective equipment, including masks and gloves, should not be discarded on the ground – they should be disp

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