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. 186 more hospital deaths in Englandpublished at 15:22 BST 15 May 2020

    Daniel Wainwright
    BBC England Data Unit

    Another 186 people have been confirmed to have died with Covid-19 in hospitals in England.

    This is the first weekday since March that the number reported to have died has been less than 200.

    However, the data includes people who died more than a week ago, with four having died in April.

    The NHS figure also only includes hospitals, not care homes, hospices or people who died at home.

    Chart showing hospital deaths by date of death
  2. What can you do now that you couldn’t on Tuesday?published at 15:09 BST 15 May 2020

    Woman working at a warehouseImage source, Getty Images

    Lockdown measures have been eased across England after more than seven weeks of restrictions - but how could everyday life change?

    Here's our analysis of some of the main questions around the current lockdown restrictions.

  3. Rail passengers 'must have reservation'published at 14:59 BST 15 May 2020

    Rob England
    BBC News

    London North Eastern RailwayImage source, Getty Images

    Passengers on London North Eastern Railway (LNER) services will not be allowed to board trains without a reservation from Monday, the operator has said.

    A spokesman said: "The safety of our staff and customers is always our top priority.

    "To support social distancing for customers who do need to travel with us at this time, all LNER services will be reservation only from Monday 18 May 2020.

    "We will have full details updated on our website over the weekend. LNER services continue to operate for those who have no alternative travel options."

  4. Liverpool schools 'resist' full 1 June reopeningpublished at 14:48 BST 15 May 2020

    Schools in Liverpool will not reopen to all pupils after the city's mayor raised safety fears over children going back into classes.

    Only the children of key workers and vulnerable children will be allowed in school from 1 June, the city council confirmed on Friday.

    Thank you NHS sign outside Liverpool Lime Street stationImage source, Getty Images

    Earlier this week Mayor Joe Anderson said he was "minded to resist" Prime Minister Boris Johnson's suggested 1 June partial reopening date, because of safeguarding concerns.

    The city and wider region has seen some of the UK's highest infection rates for coronavirus, well above the England average.

    Instead, the Labour-run local authority said schools' reopenings would be staggered, with all pupils only allowed in when head teachers, governing bodies, council officials and unions were satisfied it was safe to do so.

  5. League One clubs yet to agree over season conclusionpublished at 14:39 BST 15 May 2020

    Coventry v Sunderland in League OneImage source, Getty Images

    League One clubs have failed to agree whether to end the season early following discussions with the English Football League.

    Friday's meeting involving all 23 sides in the division came after six clubs had said they were determined to complete their remaining fixtures.

    The league was halted on 13 March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    The clubs will meet again on Monday, while teams in League Two are due to carry out discussions later on Friday.

    More details here.

  6. Police issue 14,000 fines for lockdown breachespublished at 14:24 BST 15 May 2020

    Police speak to couple in London parkImage source, Getty Images

    Police in England and Wales have issued more than 14,000 fines for alleged breaches of lockdown laws.

    The figures, from 27 March to 11 May, show the most fixed penalty notices - 906 - were handed out in London, by the Metropolitan Police.

    The data covers the period before the penalty rose from £60 to £100 in England after the rules were eased.

    It has also been disclosed that 56 people have been wrongly charged with offences relating to the pandemic.

  7. Nature charities urge people to 'stay local'published at 14:15 BST 15 May 2020

    Rob England
    BBC News

    A herd of deer at Holkham Hall, North NorfolkImage source, Getty Images

    Nature charities are urging people to stay local this weekend to prevent overcrowding at beauty spots across England.

    The Woodland Trust, Wildlife Trusts, RSPB, National Trust and Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust said not travelling further afield would stop popular sites becoming "overwhelmed with visitors" and minimise disruption for local residents.

    The charities advised people to check whether sites are open before they travel.

    Where sites are open, visitors should observe social distancing and follow the government's countryside code, external, they added.

  8. NHS staff clap for Covid-19 recovering nursepublished at 14:01 BST 15 May 2020

    A nurse who had been treated for coronavirus at the hospital where she worked was clapped and cheered by colleagues as she left to begin recovery at home.

    Sue Nelson was given a guard of honour by her colleagues and those who cared for her after spending 10 days being treated in the intensive care unit which she usually manages at Scunthorpe Hospital.

  9. There is 'literally nothing to do in Blackpool'published at 13:49 BST 15 May 2020

    Revellers hoping for some old-fashioned seaside fun have been warned: "If you come to Blackpool there is nothing to do."

    Gillian Campbell
    Image caption,

    Gillian Campbell said: "We are looking forward to welcoming you back but we are not in a place where we can do that just now"

    Culture and Tourism chief Gillian Campbell said it is "a very difficult" message to spread as it is usually her job is to encourage visitors to the town's attractions.

    She said: "Cafes are closed, pubs are closed, the attractions are closed and even the public toilets are closed."

    Ms Campbell asked people who do decide to visit the "densely populated" town to "please, please be careful and respect social distancing".

  10. Boardmasters cancelled for second year runningpublished at 13:36 BST 15 May 2020

    BoardmastersImage source, Boardmasters/Alex Rawson

    The Boardmasters festival has been cancelled for the second year running - this time because of coronavirus.

    Festival bosses said they were "absolutely gutted" but the safety of everyone involved and the local community came first.

    The Newquay festival was called off last year after warnings the site would be battered by storms.

    About 55,000 people were expected in August to watch acts including The 1975 and Kings of Leon.

  11. FA provides grassroots football guidancepublished at 13:27 BST 15 May 2020

    The Football Association has provided guidance about activity that is permitted outside the professional game.

    People are allowed to play individually to work on skills or increase fitness levels, and play with other people from the same household.

    You can play with one other person not from your household, and an adult player can be coached one-to-one as long as social distancing guidelines are followed.

    Football netsImage source, Getty Images

    Among the activities that are not permitted is coaching a player under the age of 18 from a different household one-to-one, as safeguarding rules insist a parent or carer must also be present and that would not comply with the government's social distancing guidelines.

    Click here to view the FA's guidance in full., external

  12. 'All your favourite places in Brighton will be shut'published at 13:14 BST 15 May 2020

    The leader of Brighton and Hove City Council has advised people not to travel there this weekend.

    Councillor Nancy Platts told BBC Radio London: "Normally we would love you to come here and we would welcome visitors from all over the world.

    "What's becoming difficult is everybody allowing one another enough space to be able to keep moving around the city."

    She added: "Lots of places are closed, there aren't going to be hotels to stay in and there aren't going to be your favourite places open."

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  13. Teen thanks 'phenomenal' NHS for saving her lifepublished at 13:05 BST 15 May 2020

    Casey DaviesImage source, Casey Davies

    A teenager recovering from Covid-19 has said she owes her life to "phenomenal" staff who "kept her going".

    Casey Davies, 18, was treated for the virus, as well as kidney and chest infections, at West Suffolk Hospital.

    She said she was brought to tears by the nurses who kept her company while she was separated from her family.

    "I felt like I was going to die...I'm so thankful for all the lovely staff who held my hand," she said, adding that staff had treated her like family.

  14. 'Now is not time' for seaside trips - North Yorks mayorspublished at 12:54 BST 15 May 2020

    Local Democracy Reporting Service

    The mayors of three North Yorkshire seaside towns have come together to tell people not to visit at the moment, despite coronavirus travel restrictions being eased.

    ScarboroughImage source, Getty Images

    The chiefs of Scarborough, Whitby and Filey say they fear their towns could be overwhelmed with visitors who no longer have to stay close to their own homes to take exercise.

    There is no lifeguard cover at Scarborough's beaches, while Filey's mayor said visitors would be welcome back to the area "as soon as we are able".

    Meanwhile Councillor Linda Wild, Mayor of Whitby, said her town "is not built for social distancing".

  15. The right way to wear a face coveringpublished at 12:42 BST 15 May 2020

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus: How to wear a face covering?

    For the first time, the government is advising people in England to wear face coverings in some enclosed spaces.

    But what's the right way to wear one?

  16. Police response to restrictions 'has not changed'published at 12:27 BST 15 May 2020

    Katy Lewis
    BBC News Online

    Police in Hertfordshire have warned lockdown measures "have not been lifted" after the easing of some restrictions this week.

    Herts police carImage source, Hertfordshire Constabulary

    Assistant Chief Constable Nathan Briant said: "Our officers will always use common sense and discretion.

    "In the first instance, we will engage, explain, and encourage – we will only enforce as a last resort."

    He added that people had "sacrificed so much over these last seven weeks... no-one will want to jeopardise the progress we’ve made by failing to comply with the ongoing restrictions".

  17. Half of children struggle to separate coronavirus fact from fictionpublished at 12:16 BST 15 May 2020

    Marianna Spring
    Specialist disinformation and social media reporter

    Half of children in the UK are finding it hard to figure out what’s true or false about coronavirus, according to a report by media regulator Ofcom., external

    And just under half of the 12 to 15-year-olds who were surveyed use social media as a source of information about Covid-19.

    So how can kids and teenagers spot misleading stories, especially ones that spread online?

    Newsround has three golden rules to help identify fake news on social media...

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus: How to spot fake news

    Have you or your kids seen something misleading online? Email me: marianna.spring@bbc.co.uk.

  18. Sailors set for return to Cowespublished at 12:07 BST 15 May 2020

    Cowes sailing - genericImage source, Chris Ison /PA

    Yacht owners on the Isle of Wight face the prospect of being able to head back on to the water as the Cowes Harbour Master announced it was opening for recreational sailing.

    Sailing was effectively banned during the lockdown, with marinas advised to close and the authorities keen to prevent extra strain on the emergency services at sea.

    Capt Stuart McIntosh said the harbour's policy was “to encourage and facilitate a controlled return to safe, family recreational boating, allowing boat owners to access their boats for day use to and from their local mooring and for maintenance purposes”.

    "I realise that this is a first small but important step back towards a more normal type of boating we all love," he added.

  19. 'Do not flock to our beaches'published at 11:53 BST 15 May 2020

    Day-trippers making plans to visit beaches in the Sefton borough, Merseyside, have been told to "stay at home" and not to flock to the coast.

    FORMBY BEACH SAND DUNESImage source, Getty Images

    Beach car parks and public toilets at Southport and Ainsdale remain closed, while Sefton council warns the sites, being as "tempting" as they are, "are not able to cope with high level of visitors at this time".

    Lifeguard patrols will not be in operation.

    The council has urged the public to visit local parks and green spaces instead of travelling long distances.

  20. Lawnmower factory sees 18 staff contract Covid-19published at 11:44 BST 15 May 2020

    BBC Radio Tees

    Bosses at a lawnmower factory have not ruled out closing the site after more than a dozen staff contracted coronavirus.

    Husqvarna in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, has confirmed there have been 18 cases at the plant.

    It says it has distancing measures and strict cleaning routines in place to allow safe working.

    Employees who have tested positive for the virus were either already at home or sent home as soon as they became unwell and have not been on site since, the firm says.

    They are all receiving sick pay, it added.

    Husqvarna factory, Newton AycliffeImage source, Google