Across the UK, new coronavirus deaths rose by 861 in 24 hours on Thursday, bringing the death toll from 12,868 to 13,729 according to the Department of Health.
Policy: The coronavirus lockdown will be extended for another three weeks, the Government is expected to announce amid renewed warnings that it is still too soon to start easing the restrictions. Minister met on Thursday morning to discuss the next steps.
An exit strategy from lockdown will be developed and in the next week and made public, Nicola Sturgeon has revealed. The Scottish first minister said it is currently too early to think about easing restrictions, but added that a plan would be formulated in the next seven days.
The government has been criticised for offering social care workers a “badge of honour” so they can get the same recognition as NHS staff amid the coronavirus pandemic. Health secretary Matt Hancock said on Wednesday that the badge would allow frontline workers to “proudly and publicly identify themselves” during the outbreak.
Business: Supermarket chain Iceland has apologised after advice on its website saying that NHS workers would have to ‘buy what they touched’ sparked an online backlash. The policy appeared on the supermarket’s FAQs on what it is doing to help customers amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Finance: Experts are warning Britain may need to hike taxes in years to come, with the coronavirus crisis leaving a gaping hole in the public finances. Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) figures this week showed Britain could be facing the deepest recession in three centuries as the lockdown cripples the economy.
Royals: Prince William has become the second royal to open an NHS Nightingale field hospital via videolink. He praised the “selfless commitment” of NHS staff in a speech to open the Birmingham hospital, in the city’s NEC.
Crime: Lancashire Police handed out the most fines for breach of the lockdown rules, according to new figures. Thames Valley Police came second.
Technology: Facebook will begin showing notifications to users who have interacted with posts that contain “harmful” coronavirus misinformation to stop the spread of fake news.
Rest of the world
Donald Trump has fuelled a theory that the coronavirus pandemic began when the pathogen accidentally escaped a Chinese laboratory, teasing that “more and more we’re hearing the story”.
Positive news
Captain Tom Moore, the inspirational 99-year-old Second World War veteran, has raised more than £13m for the NHS by completing 100 laps of his garden. He said he will keep doing more laps.
Burger King, KFC, and Pret A Manger are set to reopen a limited number of restaurants after closing due to the coronavirus lockdown. The takeaway chains have or will open some outlets around the country for delivery only, in line with government guidelines that allow restaurants and pubs to prepare food for collection or delivery.