Summary

  • Officials in many seaside resorts - including Brighton, Blackpool and Scarborough - urge people not to visit

  • Another 186 people are confirmed to have died with Covid-19 in hospitals in England

  • League Two football clubs vote to end the season, but the decision still needs to be ratified

  • Nurse and midwife from Birmingham trust die with virus

  • Furlough scheme extension "makes no difference" to thousands of people, campaigners say

  • Updates on Friday 15 May

  1. That's all from the England Live team todaypublished at 19:00 BST 15 May 2020

    Thanks for joining us - we will return on Saturday with more updates from around England.

  2. 'Our message would be don’t rush back to the Lake District'published at 18:55 BST 15 May 2020

    People have been asked to avoid travelling to the Lake District this weekend by the chief executive of the national park.

    Richard Leafe told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the area would usually expect about two million visitors at this time of year.

    Lake DistrictImage source, PA Media

    Mr Leafe said: "We are putting in place, for those people who insist on coming this weekend, a system whereby you can check to see how full the car parks in the Lake District are.

    "But my main point would be please don’t travel for the moment to the Lake District because of the impact you will have on the local communities here."

  3. Coronavirus infection rate in UK creeps uppublished at 18:43 BST 15 May 2020

    The infection rate in the UK has gone up and is close to the point where the virus starts spreading rapidly, government scientific advice says.

    The so-called "R-number" is now between 0.7 and 1.0 - it needs to be kept below one in order to stay in control.

    The rise in the figures is thought to be driven by the virus spreading in care homes and hospitals.

    The effect of the changes to lockdown announced by the prime minister on Sunday is still unknown.

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus: What is the R number and why does it matter?

  4. How exposed to coronavirus is your job?published at 18:34 BST 15 May 2020

    nurse, police officer and construction worker graphic

    Millions of workers are doing their jobs from makeshift set-ups in their living rooms and kitchens.

    But how exposed to coronavirus might you be in your job? And how does that compare to others?

    Data from the UK's Office for National Statistics, based on a US survey, puts into context the risk of exposure to disease, as well as the amount of close human contact workers had before social distancing and other safety measures were introduced.

    Check how exposed the data suggests your job is here.

  5. Man injured as paragliders embrace 'unlimited exercise'published at 18:24 BST 15 May 2020

    Paraglider

    Multiple emergency services were called to the aid of an injured paraglider who was taking advantage of the eased lockdown restrictions.

    Four police cars, an ambulance and the air ambulance attended Selsley Common, near Stroud, Gloucestershire, where the man needed medical help.

    "At around 16:15 we assisted with an incident on Selsey Common with a paraglider. A man was subsequently taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital by the ambulance service" Gloucestershire Police said.

    Around 10 paragliders were observed at the scene, enjoying the new "unlimited exercise" opportunities.

    "The NHS could do without accidents like this right now" a bystander commented.

    Ambulance in countryside
  6. Coast residents' mixed response to lockdown easingpublished at 18:17 BST 15 May 2020

    Car park at Tynemouth
    Image caption,

    All North East councils have urged people to limit their travel plans despite the easing of lockdown

    Relaxed lockdown rules allowing people to travel for exercise have met with a mixed response from coastal residents in north-east England.

    North Tyneside Council closed its coastal car parks in March after crowds of people flocked to beauty spots.

    It has now reopened car parks in Tynemouth, Whitley Bay, and North Shields, with charging starting again from next week.

    Northumberland County Council said it was adopting a phased approach to reopening its beauty spots - Druridge Bay and Bolam Lake are open, but many coastal car parks remain shut.

  7. Premier League stars 'unfairly criticised', says Kanepublished at 18:09 BST 15 May 2020

    Harry KaneImage source, PA Media

    Premier League footballers have come in for "unfair criticism" during the coronavirus pandemic, says England captain Harry Kane.

    Last month Health Secretary Matt Hancock said players should "take a pay cut and play their part".

    Premier League players launched a "collective initiative" in April to help generate funds for the National Health Service and distribute them "where they are needed most".

    Kane told BBC Radio 5 Live: "We've shown we're doing everything we can to help support the NHS, charities and everyone who is struggling during this pandemic. We came under a bit of scrutiny and probably unfair criticism at times."

  8. Funding for homeless scheme will not be extendedpublished at 17:59 BST 15 May 2020

    Rough sleeperImage source, Getty Images

    The government will not extend funding to help rough sleepers in England stay off the streets amid the coronavirus pandemic, it has been confirmed.

    Councils were given £3.2m in March to provide emergency shelter for homeless people, with many housed in hotels.

    A leaked report seen by the Manchester Evening News revealed the government has "drawn a line'" under the scheme.

    The government denied it was "reneging on the commitment set out at the start of this national emergency". Instead, councils have been given £3.2bn to help with the additional costs of the pandemic.

  9. Swimming warning as beaches have no lifeguardspublished at 17:50 BST 15 May 2020

    Jennifer Meierhans
    BBC News

    New lockdown rules mean a trip to the beach is allowed but extra care should be taken in the water as there will be no lifeguards on duty, the National Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has warned.

    David Walker, RoSPA's leisure safety manager said: “The choices you make to look after yourself, your family and emergency services are critical this weekend. If you are thinking of going to the beach, check now as it may not be open and it will definitely will not be lifeguarded.

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    “Now is not the time to try out open water like lakes or reservoirs, as even though the weather’s getting warmer, cold water shock is a deadly danger and can incapacitate even the most experienced swimmers.

    “If you see someone in trouble call 999 and ask for coastguard or fire. If you are in trouble float to live: fight you instincts, lean back, extend your arms and float.”

  10. North Yorkshire Police braced for 'tricky' weekendpublished at 17:38 BST 15 May 2020

    Police in North Yorkshire are "bracing" themselves ahead of what could be a "tricky" weekend after coronavirus lockdown restrictions were eased, according to the county's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC).

    Julia MulliganImage source, PCC North Yorkshire

    The new rules, which came into force on Wednesday, external, say day trips to outdoor open spaces are permitted and do not limit the distance people can travel.

    Julia Mulligan, North Yorkshire's PFCC, said: "I'm urging people to think about what they do and where they go and be mindful of the impact it might have on the place they go to."

    Ms Mulligan added the main issue police would be concentrating on was gatherings.

    "Coming out with a group of mates is still against the law and that's what police will focus on now. We're somewhat bracing ourselves because we think this could be tricky," she said.

  11. Inside the UK's top-secret military lab fighting coronaviruspublished at 17:31 BST 15 May 2020

    Their work is normally highly classified, but Military Scientists at Porton Down in Wiltshire are now fighting coronavirus.

    Some of the same scientists who identified Novichok, the nerve agent used in the Salisbury poisoning, have been helping to analyse Covid-19 and find ways to protect NHS staff.

    The BBC's Defence Correspondent Jonathan Beale has been given exclusive access to the site...

    Media caption,

    Covid-19: Inside the UK's top-secret military lab

  12. Who am I allowed to meet now?published at 17:20 BST 15 May 2020

    People image

    Individuals in England are now allowed to meet one other person from outside their household if they stay outdoors. They will also be able to take part in more outdoor activities and exercise as much as they want.

    However, people will still need to follow social distancing rules , externalby keeping more than 2m (6ft) apart from anyone they don't live with.

    It's part of the government's steps' to ease lockdown measures for England.

    Here's a rundown of the new measures.

  13. How can people visit the National Parks safely?published at 17:03 BST 15 May 2020

    Lake DistrictImage source, PA Media

    National Parks UK have given us four key points to follow:

    • Know and follow the latest government advice.
    • Plan ahead - check the latest local advice about car parking and which facilities are open.
    • If it feels too crowded, it is too crowded - don't push ahead with your plans if it feels too busy or unsafe.
    • Be kind - be considerate of local residents, communities and nature.

    For further advice and where to find more information, click here., external

  14. Government's daily briefing at 17:00 BSTpublished at 16:50 BST 15 May 2020

    The UK government's daily briefing will begin at 17:00 BST.

    It will be led by Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who will be joined by Jenny Harries, deputy chief medical officer for England, and Nikki Kanani, medical director of primary care for NHS England and NHS Improvement.

    Follow updates from the briefing here.

  15. Answering the key questions about Premier League's 'Project Restart'published at 16:41 BST 15 May 2020

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport

    Everton v Manchester United in Premier LeagueImage source, Getty Images

    There won't any elite football in England this weekend but the Premier League hopes for a return to action on 12 June, with matches played behind closed doors.

    On Thursday, the UK government said it is "opening the door" for the return of professional football in England in June.

    Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said a meeting with the Football Association, Premier League and English Football League had "progressed plans".

    But where will matches be played? And do the players support the plans?

    BBC Sport answers some of the key questions about 'Project Restart'.

  16. Cornwall and Devon telling visitors to 'stay away'published at 16:28 BST 15 May 2020

    Andrew Segal
    BBC South West

    Perranrporth beach

    Tourism bosses in Cornwall and Devon are united in saying visitors should "stay away" as the counties prepare for the first weekend of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions being eased in England.

    Under the new guidelines, households are able to drive to other destinations in England, such as parks and beaches.

    However, despite the government's "stay alert" message also saying people should remain at home as much as possible, there are concerns some have read the changes as a green light to travel long distances.

    Malcolm Bell, from Visit Cornwall, said nobody should be spending the night anywhere other than their own homes.

  17. Lockdown sees leap in child burn injuriespublished at 16:15 BST 15 May 2020

    Gavin Bevis
    BBC News

    The Royal Derby Hospital says there has been a sharp rise in the number of children suffering burns and scalds since the lockdown started.

    A total of 66 children were brought to A&E with burn injuries in April - a 150% increase on the previous month.

    Royal Derby Hospital

    Dr Ian Lewins, consultant paediatrician at the hospital, said the rise could be because children are spending more time at home.

    He said: "There are some very simple steps to take if your child does burn themselves that will really help, like putting the burned area under cold, running water for at least 20 minutes, rather than still water in a sink or a bath."

  18. 'Respect the coastline' this weekendpublished at 16:01 BST 15 May 2020

    Rob England
    BBC News

    Anyone thinking of taking to the water this weekend has been urged to take extra care.

    The coastguard said, external "significant numbers of people" were expected to take part in sea-based activities, many of which are now allowed in England under new government guidelines.

    Boscombe beach in BournemouthImage source, Getty Images

    Claire Hughes, director of HM Coastguard said the majority of beaches would not have lifeguards and urged anyone with boats and yachts to carry out the usual safety checks.

    She said people should contact the coastguard in an emergency.

  19. League Two clubs vote to end seasonpublished at 15:46 BST 15 May 2020

    Dan Roan
    BBC Sports editor

    Northampton v Swindon in League TwoImage source, Getty Images

    League Two's season has been brought to an early conclusion following discussions between clubs and the English Football League.

    After an indicative vote by the clubs, the table is set to be decided using a weighted points-per-game method, while the play-offs would be played as usual.

    But any move still needs to be ratified by the EFL and Football Association.

    Teams in League One will meet again on Monday after failing to come to an agreement.

  20. Mask wearing 'risks isolating' deaf peoplepublished at 15:37 BST 15 May 2020

    A man in a face maskImage source, Getty Images

    People who are deaf or have hearing loss will struggle to communicate if more people wear non-medical face masks during the coronavirus pandemic, a charity has said.

    Face coverings are not advised in Wales, but are part of the strategy for easing England's lockdown.

    Action on Hearing Loss said people could feel "even more isolated and scared" at an already difficult time.