Updates on Saturday 30 May
Risk in lockdown easing to soon, warn scientists
Covid costs 'hit private renters hard'
Furlough scheme to finish at end of October
Six percent of virus-hit hospital staff test positive
Artist to paint 20 portraits for 'NHS heroes'
That's it for our updates on the coronavirus pandemic and how it's impacting England today.
We'll have more live coverage tomorrow.
In the meantime, here's a reminder of the current rules on social distancing and advice on when to self-isolate.
The lockdown has helped mothers get more breastfeeding time due to the extra time at home and fewer visitors, health officials in Liverpool have said.
Image source, ReutersAhead of National Breastfeeding Week on Monday, Matt Ashton, director of public health in the city, said: “Breastfeeding for even a short period gives children the best start in life and… this year we all find ourselves in extraordinary circumstances, but to hear that many women are finding more time to breastfeed brings a glimmer of hope to what has been a difficult few months.”
Sarah King, who recently gave birth, said: “Breastfeeding terrified me and I set out to only do six weeks initially but this time has made me love it and feel super confident about doing it.”
An MP has called for people from outside the popular Formby coast to “think twice” before visiting its beach.
Image source, PA MediaHundreds have been enjoying the sunshine at the National Trust reserve in Merseyside, plus at the nearby Crosby beach, although there have been complaints about some leaving rubbish.
Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson said: “The litter is a disgrace and I cannot believe people leave litter behind. If they managed to bring it with them, why can't they just take it all home again?
“Many people want to visit the beach from outside Formby. This is a problem at the best of times and I continue to ask people from out of area to think twice especially right now about visiting.”
Image source, PA Media
Andrew Segal
BBC South West
A dispersal order has been put on a beach in north Cornwall after "reports of large gatherings" on sand dunes, police said.
Devon and Cornwall Police's team in Bude said on Facebook the 48-hour order had been put in place on nearby Summerleaze beach after "substantial litter and mess" was left behind on Friday.
Ch Insp Julian Morris said the order, effective immediately, would let officers disperse "anyone likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress by their actions or behaviour in Bude town and beaches".
Image source, Viewer's picturePassengers have started boarding London buses from the front again for the first time since April.
Front boarding had been stopped in light of the coronavirus pandemic to help protect staff.
Transport for London says new measures including improvements to screens for drivers means it's now safe to go back to the front-boarding system.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Southampton City CouncilPlans to make roads in Southampton city centre traffic-free to help people trying to commute at a safe social distance, have been revealed.
Southampton City Council said it plans to close six central roads as part of a six-month trial, which could start as early as the summer.
Portland Terrace, Above Bar Street, New Road, Civic Centre Road, London Road and Bellevue Road would close to traffic - except for cyclists, buses, taxis and access for servicing and homes.
The measures were announced as part of the authority's £4.1m Green Transport Recovery Plan, which comes from existing budgets and money from central government, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Image source, PAExtinction Rebellion has held a series of protests across London.
Dozens of people from the environmental protest group gathered in Parliament Square, at the Woolwich Centre and in Richmond.
They called for environmental policies to be at the heart of the government's decisions as the country moves out of lockdown.
The Met Police said a small number of people had been arrested in relation to breaches of Covid-19 regulations and some Fixed Penalty Notices were issued.
Image source, pa
Image source, ReutersThe UK government has approved the return of domestic competitive sport behind closed doors from 1 June.
The 'phase three' guidance paves the way for live sport to return for the first time since mid-March.
It is up to individual sports to assess the risk and consult athletes, coaches and support staff.
Horse racing is among the first to resume with a meeting at Newcastle on Monday, while Premier League football is due to resume on 17 June.
Clubs in England's top flight returned to 'phase two' contact training on 25 May.
"The wait is over. Live British sport will shortly be back on in safe and carefully controlled environments," said the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Oliver Dowden.
Any beach that is too busy to allow safe social distancing should not be visited, police in Devon and Cornwall have said.
The advice has come as RNLI lifeguard patrols resumed on seven beaches in the county and one in Devon.
Sgt Andy Mulhern said people must follow safety advice.
Quote MessageIf you can get out, and it's safe, then by all means visit a life-guarded beach. But you have to bear in mind that, if they are crowded, you've got to give it a miss. You've got to protect your family... and that will ultimately save lives."
Sgt Andy Mulhern, Devon and Cornwall Police
Daniel Clark
Local Democracy Reporting Service
A councillor has criticised members of the public who have verbally abused staff at Devon’s reopened recycling centres.
Devon County Council cabinet member Andrea Davis said the behaviour of a minority of people had been "appalling and totally unacceptable" and urged visitors to "be kind to our key workers, please".
Image source, Devon County CouncilThe centres reopened last week for essential use only to cars without trailers, with a one-in, one-out policy and social distancing measures.
The council said the vehicle restrictions were a temporary measure to ensure queues were kept to a minimum and would be reviewed once demand had dropped to "more manageable levels".
Amy Lofthouse
BBC Sport
Image source, Getty ImagesThe coronavirus pandemic has prevented any cricket being played in England until at least July.
The hopes for this summer were that The Hundred would take the women's game to a new audience, alongside a £20m investment to fund 40 new professional contracts.
That money - described as "unprecedented" at the time - was part of a huge £50m funding plan aimed at closing the gap between England and Australia at international and domestic level.
England had a full international summer planned before they set about defending the 50-over World Cup in February 2021.
So what happens now? What cricket will we see this summer? And what next for the women's game?
Lockdown measures in England are easing from Monday, but some scientists have warned the government is lifting restrictions too soon.
Epidemic specialist Professor Sian Griffith and Professor Sally Bloomfield, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, have urged the public to remember there are still risks and they will need to be cautious and vigilant.
More than 50% of coronavirus patients who underwent surgery suffered from post-operative pulmonary complications, a new study suggests.
Image source, PA MediaIn the study, published in The Lancet, post-operative pulmonary complications occurred in 51.2% of coronavirus patients who underwent surgery.
These complications included conditions such as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and/or unexpected postoperative ventilation.
Lead author Dr Aneel Bhangu, from the University of Birmingham, said: "Medical teams should consider postponing non-critical procedures and promoting other treatment options, which may delay the need for surgery or sometimes avoid it altogether."
NHS England has announced 146 new deaths of people who tested positive for Covid-19.
The latest figures bring the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 26,529.
Image source, Bristol WaterThousands of people in Bristol are without water, or have low pressure, after a water main fractured in the early hours of this morning.
Bristol Water said the burst on Royate Hill was affecting customers in the BS5, BS6, BS7, BS9, BS15 and BS16 areas.
It said the repair was "trickier than first thought" but engineers had restored supplies to some people by rerouting the network.
The firm is working with the council to distribute bottled water while maintaining social distancing.
Messages thanking waste collectors in County Durham have gone on show on the side of bin wagons.
The County Council said that bin crews had been "inundated" with drawings and letters of appreciation from residents which had helped lift spirits while they have been carrying out collections.
Some of the drawings have now been blown up and displayed on three of the vehicles.
Image source, Durham County CouncilCouncillor Brian Stephens, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: "These displays of gratitude for our bin crews really do highlight that good work does not go unnoticed, and that a small gesture, such as a small thank you note, can make a big difference."
Three people have been arrested on suspicion of public order offences after fighting broke out at a birthday party, Lancashire Police said.
Image source, Getty ImagesOfficers said they were “met by a barrage of abuse” after being called to reports of a gathering that “got out of hand” at Dunnyshop Avenue, Accrington in the early hours of this morning.
“People who organise or attend any of these sorts of events will be dealt with accordingly as Covid fines can still be issued to anyone in breach of the rules," a spokesperson for the force said.
‘Why I recreated my local pub in virtual reality’
The coronavirus lockdown has seen pubs and bars closed in England but one man has missed his local so much that he decided to recreate it in virtual reality.
Tristan Cross taught himself how to make the 3D models by watching videos on YouTube.
It took him two and half weeks to create the virtual environment.
The Lake District National Park Authority has urged visitors to show "care and consideration" for everyone who lives and works in the area.
With the good weather expected to bring an influx of visitors, they are asking people not to flout social distancing rules.
It is feared "hot spot" areas such as Windermere, Ambleside, Glenridding and Devil’s Bridge at Kirkby Lonsdale could become overwhelmed and people are being advised to avoid them.
Visitors are also being reminded there is a ban on overnight camping and cafes remain closed.
Quote MessageIf you do visit, please use a car park, plan ahead, don’t light barbecues and take your litter home when you leave."
Richard Leafe, Chief executive, Lake District National Park Authority
A water company has apologised after there was "low pressure and/or no supply in a number of areas".
Severn Trent said yesterday was another day of "incredibly high demand for treated water" across pretty much its entire area - almost reaching its highest ever level and finishing at 2.275bn litres.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Coventry-based company said it knew "just how difficult it must be with the heat and with everyone needing to wash their hands... during the coronavirus crisis".
Areas affected included Ashfield in Nottinghamshire, Knaptoft in Leicestershire, Rugby in Warwickshire, Much Wenlock in Shropshire and Bushbury in Wolverhampton.
