Image source, Getty Images

The government says it is "opening the door" for the return of professional football in England in June.

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

He added that plans for the sport to resume should "include widening access for fans to view live coverage".

Meanwhile, England's deputy chief medical officer said any return would be "slow" and "measured".

Daniel Wainwright
BBC England Data Unit

One in three care homes in England has now reported an outbreak of coronavirus, according to Public Health England.

The figures include suspected and confirmed outbreaks.

Every local authority area with care homes, apart from the Isles of Scilly, has now reported at least one outbreak.

However the latest figures show the number of homes reporting their first outbreak is falling.

Image source, Getty Images

Stay away from Blackpool is the official message from the seaside resort amid fears crowds could gather following the easing of lockdown restrictions.

Earlier this week, Visit Blackpool temporarily changed its name on social media to Do Not Visit Blackpool after the government outlined new guidance saying people "can travel to open space, irrespective of distance".

Council leader Simon Blackburn said the prime minister's message meant there was "nothing we can do" to stop visitors, but he urged people to stay away.

"None of the traditional attractions that you want to see will be open, you won't be able to get the food you usually get, or do the things you can normally do," he said.

A post office has got creative to ease the frustration of customers as the site observes social distancing measures.

With just a single staff member currently at Abbey Foregate in Shrewsbury, there's a one-in-one-out policy to keep customers safe while they go about their business.

Here's some notices about the rules that are sure to make you smile...

Image source, Chris Kelsall

Image source, Chris Kelsall

Julie Skentelbery
BBC Radio Cornwall

A kayaker who drove to Cornwall from Leicester sparked a major rescue operation on Thursday when he got into trouble off Poldhu.

James Instance from Falmouth Coastguard described what happened.

Image source, Getty Images

Rapid testing and an adequate supply of protective equipment must be in place when the NHS reopens services cancelled during the peak of the coronavirus oubreak, health unions have said.

The unions have put forward a nine-point plan for the NHS to reopen safely as lockdown restrictions ease.

And staff working through the crisis should be paid overtime and a public sector pay freeze ruled out, they say.

The government has said it is working "around the clock" to provide more PPE.

People in the Lake District are bracing themselves for a possible influx of visitors, external as relaxations in the lockdown rules mean they no longer risk being sent home or even fined by police.

Image source, Google

Early in the epidemic, crowds in honeypot areas like the Glebe at Bowness caused concern that people might spread the virus, cafes and restaurants are closed, and toilets remain shut.

Mountain rescue volunteers have stressed the problems that Covid-19 precautions will cause if walkers have accidents on the high fells, and local councils and the national park authority say that after being closed down for neary two months, reopening facilities will take time.

Trudy Harrison, the Conservative MP for Copeland said: "I and other MPs, particularly from rural and coastal locations, have raised our concerns and I've suggested either a journey time, or perhaps a more sensible distance restriction may need to come into place."

Rachel Schraer
BBC Health Reporter

Image source, Rony Berebbi

NHS staff are at risk of high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder if they don't get the right support as the coronavirus outbreak subsides, health service adviser Prof Neil Greenberg has said.

The NHS in England is providing crisis support to its staff.

But it hasn't produced a formal long-term plan to offer extra psychological services in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Read the full story here.

Rob England
BBC News

A mountain rescue services has asked people planning to drive to beauty spots as lockdown restrictions ease to "think twice" due to safety concerns.

On social media, external, Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team, from Lancashire, said the government's decision to ease the lockdown "came as a total surprise".

Image source, Getty Images

The team said the number of rescuers deployed in case of an emergency would be limited and staff would be social distancing and wearing protective equipment.

"This will probably delay our response to anyone in need," the team said, "safety remains our priority and we ask you to think twice about travelling to the area now that lockdown rules have been eased."

It added those who did visit should plan their routes and make sure they were "properly equipped and prepared".

Kevin Peachey
Personal finance reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Organised criminals will be exploiting loneliness during lockdown to take money from romance scam victims, a charity has said.

Victim Support said people's increased confidence in using the internet to meet and talk leaves them vulnerable.

Research in one region shows romance scam victims are groomed, then tricked out of an average of £47,000.

One has spoken of how her "heart ruled my head" when sending money to the man she thought she loved.

Rail passengers have been urged not to turn up at stations without an advance ticket and to wear face coverings when they travel on the West Coast Mainline.

Avanti West Coast made the announcement as part of new social distancing on its services linking London, Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham.

Image source, Avanti West Coast

Passengers might be refused travel if the guidelines are not followed.

The measures take effect on Monday and Avanti says it may not allow carriages to be more than a quarter full.

Rob England
BBC News

Image source, Getty Images

The National Trust will open more sites to visitors from next week, it's been announced.

The trust said it would introduce a pre-booking system, external for some of its larger car parks - which it had already begun to do with smaller sites - "so people can access fresh air, open space and nature".

It added the details of which areas would be opening from Thursday would be available "on property web pages" from Monday.

Those with a membership can book spaces for free, while non-members will need to pay in advance.

Ian Youngs
Entertainment and Arts Reporter, BBC News

Image source, Johan Persson

Theatres will be among the last places to reopen after the coronavirus lockdown is lifted, meaning venues, actors and crews are fearing for their futures.

The appeal of the theatre - cramming into an enclosed space with hundreds of strangers to share a communal experience - has suddenly become its greatest risk.

Box office takings have dried up virtually overnight. Reopening with social distancing will not make financial sense. One venue, the Nuffield in Southampton, has already gone into administration.

Here, four artistic directors discuss how and when they might reopen, and warn of dire consequences if income and funding dry up.

Rob England
BBC News

Mosques in a London Borough will be allowed to broadcast a call to prayer from today during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, a council has said.

The prayer, to be broadcast from 19 mosques in Newham, will be "specially adapted" to remind worshippers to pray from home.

Muslim communities would usually gather at their local mosque to pray and break their fast, but religious buildings were closed in March after government guidance.

Image source, Getty Images

Deputy Mayor Charlene McLean said: “Ramadan has been a very different and difficult holy month for our Muslim community this year, and we recognise the sacrifices the community has made by following the rules regarding congregation and social distancing.

"By doing the right thing they, and other faith groups in the borough, have helped restrict the spread of the virus, which has saved lives."

Daniel Wainwright
BBC England Data Unit

More than a third of care homes in England have now recorded a coronavirus outbreak, official figures reveal.

Public Health England data shows 5,546 care homes out of a total of 15,514 had confirmed or suspected outbreaks since early March and almost every district has now had an outbreak in at least one.

Age UK said the situation in care homes was "a scandal behind closed doors".

The government has promised £600m to control infection in care homes.

Image source, Alamy

For the eighth Thursday in a row, the clap for carers event took place across the country.

In Milton Keynes, there was a round of applause with a difference...

The Starship Robots, who deliver food and items all over town, showed their appreciation to key workers and NHS staff in a rather unique way.

Rob England
BBC News

People have been asked to not use play areas in order to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Chorley Council, in Lancashire, said it had seen an increase in use since lockdown measures eased on Wednesday.

"The hard surfaces mean it is an ideal place for the virus to spread" the council said on social media, external, adding that infection rates in the north-west of England remained "high".

"If people allow children to play on them we are putting the lives of your friends and family, your life at risk."

Image source, Getty Images

The council also urged parents to keep children away from the facilities "until the time comes that the restrictions can be lifted".

"We are not able to fence off every single play area as it would be impractical and we have received reports of parents lifting young children over fences where gated play areas have been locked," the council said.

Here is the latest guidance on the lockdown measures., external

Sarah Lee
BBC London

Image source, Getty Images

The number of daily new cases of Covid-19 in London is likely to be "a little bit higher" than 24, a professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has said.

When asked about the number of deaths, Dr Sebastian Funk told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Well, there is some variation around this and there is some uncertainty in this.

"But what we have observed in London is that case numbers and death numbers have come down faster than in other parts of the country - albeit from a considerably higher level.

"So I think it... well, I would say it is a little bit higher than that, but it is probably lower than the rest of the country."

Image source, Natalie Poole

A British voluntary worker has been left stranded on a remote island in Myanmar for two months by coronavirus.

Natalie Poole, 35, is living out her near-castaway experience on Kyun Pila island with four other people, after their only boat out was cancelled.

The group, who were working to help protect a local coral reef, have used washed up plastic waste cleaned from the beach to set up a rainforest camp.

Ms Poole, from Ashburton, Devon, said they were taking things "day by day".

Sean Coughlan
BBC News, family and education correspondent

Teachers' unions are to meet the government's scientific advisors later to seek assurances that it will be safe to open schools in England from June.

Some teachers have expressed concern that social distancing will be difficult to implement and questioned whether staff should be given PPE.

Image source, Getty Images

The education secretary says the safety of pupils and teachers is a priority.

Meanwhile, one of England's biggest academy trusts says it will go ahead with opening its schools on 1 June.