good morning — welcome to breakfast with charlie stayt and mega munchetty. our headlines today: restrictions on people's movements will be discussed by ministers today, with the prospect of an extension to the uk's 3—week coronavirus measures. but the cobra meeting will take place without the prime minister, who's spent a third night in intensive care — colleagues say his condition is improving. outbreaks of coronavirus in care homes — we'll hear calls for more testing and greater protection for staff. prescriptions, paracetemol shortages and social distancing. pharmacies are under pressure like never before. i'll ask one of the industry's biggest bosses how they're protecting staff,

and serving the public. premier league footballers have clubbed together generate funds for the nhs. they've launched what they're calling a "collective initiative" to riase money and say they hope to make a real difference. royal video—visit by the duke and duchess of cambridge to the children of key workers, at a primary school in lancashire. its unseasonably warm to the south on the west and a look towards the easter weekend on breakfast. it's thursday 9th april. our top story. ministers will meet this morning to discuss whether the current restrictions on people's movements, aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus, should be extended.

on breakfast today, we'll be talking to the culture secretary, as the government suggests it's too soon to tell if the measures are having the desired impact. the prime minister, borisjohnson, has spent a third night in intensive care. here's charlotte rose with the latest. the lives of been changed unimaginably since the government. dominic raabe will chair a meeting with leaders to discuss a review of the current rules due to take place next week. but has the decision already been made? in wales, they say the lockdown will continue. in wales, they say the lockdown will continue. i must be plain with all members, these restrictions will not end. we will not throw away the gains we have made and the lives we can save. while scotland and northern ireland are moving in the same direction.

but speaking at the briefing yesterday, the chancellor would not be drawn on whether the uk government would follow their lead. we committed to a review in three weeks, based on the evidence and data provided by sage, which will only be available next week but i think that rather than speculate about the future, we should focus on very seriously on the here and now and the present. but it seems any relaxation is increasingly unlikely as a number of deaths in the uk in the past 2a hours reached 938, the highest daily figure yet. there were nearly 5500 new cases reported yesterday, a rise in the previous two days. ministers to stress that thejump is due to many more people being tested them before. hi, folks — quick update from me. facing his own personal test, the prime

minister, he spent his third night in intensive care at st thomas' hospital in london. the pm is now said to be improving, sitting up in bed and engaging positively with the medical team. but his own personal battle against this illness shows the country has a long way to go charlotte rose, bbc news. let's speak to our political correspondent leila nathoo, who's at westminster for us. lots of focus now on this special meeting of ministers, the cobra meeting. that's right. this is a huge decision point for the government, whether or not to relax the restrictions at this point. borisjohnson himself the restrictions at this point. boris johnson himself had the restrictions at this point. borisjohnson himself had said look, we will review the restrictions and look at them if the evidence shows we are able to do so and that 3— week marker of looking at the restrictions is written into the law, remember, that gave the government all these powers to bring in the restrictions we are all facing. so there is going to be this

decision point. cobra, the government's emergency committee is meeting today with the devolved nations involved as well. that will be chaired by the first secretary of state, dominic are a, —— dominic raab. it's not likely to be a formal process. all the indications are with boris johnson in process. all the indications are with borisjohnson in hospital, or relaxation of the rules next week. we've already heard from the welsh first miniature —— minister that restrictions will not be lifted next week. the government wants to be sure that we are past the peak of cases before they even consider lifting the restrictions. that is the priority for them, keeping it going. to slow the spread of this virus. i think although we can look forward to having a market in the sound next week as a decision point

for a review, it's very unlikely we are going to see any change in the restrictions just yet. clearly a bigger lifting of restriction, then bringing the men in the first place. we should say the culture secretary is going to destroy —— join us on the programme dealing with lots of issues around coronavirus. there are fears that the fallout from the pandemic could lead to an economic collapse as severe as that of the 1930s great depression. the world trade organisation has warned that international trade could decline sharply and says governments should take urgent steps to protect people's lives. matt graveling reports. while europe's death toll continued to rise, most of its stock markets were in decline. the world trade organisation warned the pandemic will cause the deepest economic recession in living memories. the bank of france said the nation's economy contracted 6% in the first quarter,

putting it in recession, one of spain's biggest football teams, real madrid, has said its players will reduce wages by up to a fifth this year to support the rest of the club's staff. spain has the most confirmed cases of covid—i9 in europe, with a death toll exceeding 14,500, but while the country remains a lockdown, others are taking a different approach. belarus has seen its cases rise above 1,000, with 13 deaths. their president questioned the benefits of introducing a lockdown, suggesting countries should focus on resolving economic issues instead. italy has seen a slowing in coronavirus deaths, prompting fears people may ignore the lockdown restrictions on the easter weekend. while austria's chancellor has announced plans to start easing some of the restrictions, despite this being against world health organization guidance. but while the fight to preserve human life continues, europe's economic health

is deteriorating, the european central bank saying £i.3 trillion will be required to tackle the crisis. matt graveling, bbc news. australian police have taken the black box from a cruise ship which disembarked hundreds of passengers infected with the coronavirus in sydney. the ruby princess has become a flashpoint of public anger in australia after authorities granted the ship permission to disembark its passengers last month without health checks. about 400 of the passengers later tested positive for the coronavirus premier league footballers have launched a charitable fund to raise money for the nhs. players have been under pressure from politicians to take a pay cut while matches are suspended. mike's in the sports centre and has been taking a look at this. mike tell us more. the club captain and players have been meeting in talks with our best to respond and how they can most effectively help. they have come

into criticism. this is something different. they think this will help more. over 150 players tweeted this letter to get through them funds directly to the nhs frontline. the response i gary neville, the form of united stars saying that plays have spoken. they are calling this initiative #playerstogether. and matt hancock, who had been critical of the players, saying they had to play their part. you are certainly

playing your part, he says now. what's going to happen, they haven't said how much they will be raising, how much players will be putting in that they do say it will go straight to the front line to help the nhs staff, volunteers and also coronavirus patients. to put this into context, the premier league clu bs ha d into context, the premier league clubs had been asking players to ta ke clubs had been asking players to take a 30% wage cut, the sort they be taking at other clubs around europe. but the association pointed out this could harm the nhs because of the reduction in taxes coming from these wealthy put callers. the average premier league wage is around £70,000 but there was criticism because some premier league clubs putting nonpaying staff on reduced pay and on furlough, but this response from players says this will be far more effective because it will get cash from them straight to the front line. thank you, mike.

the duke and duchess of cambridge have surprised children of key workers with a virtual visit to their school. from their home in norfolk, william and catherine dialled into casterton primary in burnley, their first royal engagement through video conferencing. richard askam has more. iam i am catherine and mrs william next to me. are you holding up pictures of your mummies and daddies?‘ to me. are you holding up pictures of your mummies and daddies? a royal call to children and staff at a school which is helping dozens of families in east lancashire. this is a picture of my mum and she works for the nhs as an admin for the health services and i'm really proud of her. well done, you. can you hold it up of her. well done, you. can you hold itupa of her. well done, you. can you hold it up a bit to your left so we can see it. brilliant, that's a great job. well done, it's brilliant. you should be very proud of her, they do an amazing job or the nhs workers. have you got a picture as well? this isa

have you got a picture as well? this is a picture of my mum and she works ata is a picture of my mum and she works at a special school and she helps and treats children. is she still working at the moment? this week. the school also delivers food to some families as well as helping with mental health provision. we are massively grateful to have their support today. and the duchess of cambridge has been our patron, royal patron since 2013 and really had that spotlight on children's mental health and support that can be given within schools, it's hugely impactful. duke and duchess were clearly impressed with the work the school is doing. make you so much, it's been fun, we had a really fun time. thank you for taking the time, it's been an amazing experience for them. we just want to say huge thank you to you guys, well done for keeping it all going and please pass oi'i keeping it all going and please pass on all the messages of support, the

staff and volunteers are doing a greatjob. staff and volunteers are doing a great job. a royal seal of approval that clearly went down very well. richard askam, bbc news. what a buzz for them. a successful virtual visit. the whole think felt very natural. the children seem to relax it as well. against all odds, a recovery from coronavirus has been made by 97—year—old joyce goldstraw from staffordshire. the great—grandma, who served in the women's raf during the second world war, has shown that she hasn't lost her fighting spirit, as kevin reide reports. at 97 years of age, everybody feared the worst when joyce goldstraw contracted coronavirus but now she is back at home safe and well.|j

copped a bit. i used to cough, but i've stopped coughing. she has been a winner 21 years her two children spend a lot of time carrying the herbert apart from that, she is still going strong. she's gone through some good times and bad times, like everyone of her generation but she pulls herself together and gets on with it and that's a philosophy. get yourself pulled together and get on with it. 0h, pulled together and get on with it. oh, it's brilliant, it's brilliant and we can't thank the nhs staff enough. we phoned every day, they've ke pt enough. we phoned every day, they've kept us up—to—date with what's happening and we were just totally amazed and blown away that she came through this. it's really good. joyce has six grandchildren and seven great—grandchildren, and they are now already planning her 100th but they. if it goes like they say

does, i shall be able to go out. but right now, i don't want to catch another cold or something. that's enough! that's the best advice we've had all afternoon. a fantastic story. 97, absolutely brilliant. it is 6:15am. farmers say they're having to pour away thousands of litres of fresh milk after a big drop in demand. with cafes, restaurants and hotels closing because of coronavirus, some dairy farms fear they'll go out of business, which they warn could cause a milk shortage in the future. alex forsyth reports. it is waste on so many levels. fresh milk and all the work it took to produce it literally down the drain. some farmers are having to pour away thousands of litres of perfectly good milk because it is not being collected from their farms and it cannot be stored. it is

heartbreaking, seeing it go straight out of the pipe and into the drain. especially when we have to work so ha rd to especially when we have to work so hard to sell so little of it. my father has been farming his entire life and he has never ever dumped milk. so it's notjust the effect on your bank account but on everybody‘s down in the dumps, that sort of thing. dairy farms affected, like this one near birmingham, produce milk that was destined for cafe's hotels and airlines but those businesses have slowed down or shut completely. the cows keep producing and need milking two or three times and need milking two or three times a day. the farmer he had to throw away a500 litres earlier this week after being told it would not be collected for processing and he is worried about the impact on his income. it is devastating for us and for the whole industry which is in freefall at the moment. not knowing how long this will carry on, nor

where we will end up. if we make it to when things reopen, you know? intentionally the banks could foreclose on that would be the end of ourdairyfarm foreclose on that would be the end of our dairy farm and there will not be any milk then to supply once things return to normal. there is work going on to try and redirect some of the milkmen for the hospitality industry to places like coffee shops and get it into supermarkets instead. the government says it is talking to farmers and the firms that and process the milk to work out what support the dairy sector needs. but it is not easy to change supply chains quickly and there could still be a milk surplus. many dairy farmers were already struggling full of some have seen the amount they are paid for milk but so there is fear for the future. there are long—term implications, that when the market returns to normal that those funds may not be there to supply the market so we

will actually become either more reliant on imports into the uk could because we are not self—sufficient in dairy product and the fact that we could actually see shortages again when demand picks back up. many dairy farms are seeking support so they do not become another casualty of coronavirus and to stop this situation getting worse. 18 minutes past six. let's have a look at the papers and bring you up—to—date. one theme, really, "no end in sight" — that's the headline on the front page of today's daily mirror. the paper says the government has not confirmed when the current restrictions will be eased, and reports on the calls for children to return to school. the front page of the mail predicts the measures could be in place until may. meanwhile the metro focuses on the chinese city of wuhan, where strict restrictions have been lifted 76 days after the start of the outbreak. and the bbc sport website reports

on a number of premier league footballers, including liverpool's jordan henderson, who are launching an initiative to raise funds for the nhs. it's called ‘players together‘ and aims to help healthcare staff working on the frontline of the pandemic. you will know that the chancellor yesterday announced a £750 million package to keep struggling charities afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. it comes as charities such as oxfam and age uk have furloughed two—thirds of staff and there are concerns some charities are facing collapse. let's see some of that announcement from yesterday's downing street press briefing. one of our greatest strengths as a country is our civil society. the local charities who provide so much compassion, care and community to the most vulnerable in our country. you have not been forgotten. british

people, businesses and foundations are already doing their part to support our charity sector and today we in government will do our part as we in government will do our part as we build on our plan for the economy with a plan to support our social family. there are many charities in this country and the truth is we will not be able to match every pound of funding they would have received this year. parities can already use many of our existing schemes to support people and protect their staff. all charities are eligible for thejob protect their staff. all charities are eligible for the job retention scheme and in line with medical advice and just like any other employer the right answer for many charities will be to furlough their employees. but some charities are on the frontline of fighting the coronavirus and others provide critical services in and support to vulnerable people and communities. for them, shutting up shop at this

moment would be to contravene their very purpose, their entire reason to exist. those charities have never been more needed than they are now and they have never faced such a sudden fall in their funding. so today i am announcing £750 million of funding for the charity sector. £370 million of that funding will support small local charities working with honourable people. we all know who they are, those small charities in our villages, our market towns, in pockets of our cities. the unsung heroes looking after the vulnerable and holding together our social fabric. in england, the support will be provided through organisations like the national community fund and we will allocate £60 million of this funding through the formula to scotland, wales and northern ireland. uk government will also

provide £360 million directly to charities providing essential services and supporting vulnerable people as we battle the coronavirus. up people as we battle the coronavirus. up to £200 million of those grants will support officers with the rest going to organisations like st john's ambulance as well as charity supporting vulnerable children, victims of domestic abuse or disabled people. and last night, the bbc announced their big night in charity appeal on a full 23. today i can confirm that the government will match pound for pound whatever the public decides to donate, starting with at least £20 million to the national emergencies trust appeal. that was the chancellor rishi sunak speaking at yesterday's downing street briefing. he mentioned the bbc‘s ‘big night in‘ which will take place

on thursday 23rd april on bbc one. for the third week in a row, millions of us are preparing to ‘clap for carers‘ at 8pm tonight. it‘s to highlight the efforts of key workers in the fight against coronavirus. breakfast‘s tim muffett has been speaking to residents on one estate in north london, about what it means to them. clapping the sound of thursday evenings. listened and guidance counsellor stayed in north london where, like so many places, clapping for carers has become a weekly ritual. we have 267 flats in this estate and virtually every flat has got people out on the balcony cheering each other on. it is like solidarity for the nhs staff and solidarity for each other. a number of our neighbours are on the frontline of the nhs. we are doing it for them.

neighbours are on the frontline of the nhs. we are doing it for themlj felt the love. there is power and love and i felt it. what impact has it had on you hearing people clap for you and your colleagues?m makes me feel very appreciated. it was heartwarming and emotional. you think people really do appreciate what we're doing. my granddaughter works in the hospital as a care assistant and she came down with covid—19 two days ago. this thursday i will clap my heart away with ple nty of i will clap my heart away with plenty of tears because it is very emotional. the week before last i suggested we start clapping which is what we did last thursday and it was absolutely tearful. i feel sorry for the prime minister and for anyone going through this. whatever money you've got, however poor you are, it will not make any difference. it is

out there. i felt quite choked up, actually. it was quite emotional. i normally put my son to bed at that moment and his dad, my husband, who was a doctor, he is never here because he is still working. it is nice to tell my two—year—old as i put him to bed that they are clapping for doc is and all the people who look after us. some believe that when this pandemic is over the clap for carers should continue, that we should carry on showing our appreciation for people we have perhaps taken for granted. it is something we should be doing anyway. after we get through this it will make this estate a model community. everyone gets on and i think it has made us stronger as people. everyone talks to each other now. the thursday evening applause for the nhs is a crucial part of life on this estate now. let off stea m life on this estate now. let off steam once a week, cheer on the heroes that we have. a chance to say

thank you but clapping for carers seems to be doing even more than that. do you know what else it does? this but was looking at social media and there was a message just sent saying he has lost the concept of what they it was because he was thrown by seeing us on the sofa and then sing mike and then he realised it was thursday full for all those who have lost timing, thursday really does bring it all back down to earth doesn‘t it and this cements the crucial day of the week. it is a moment now where things, for all the best reasons, stop for a moment. as we do, and that‘s what you do, eight o‘clock on thursday. we do, and that‘s what you do, eight o'clock on thursday. and matt, when you are doing it, probably you do not need to wear a scarf or gloves or hats at the moment because it has been lovely at the moment.

good morning. it is thursday and another day of contrasts across the uk. some spots are again seeing some warm and sunny weather particularly in the south and west but most places should be dry with a few spots of rain on the north and west of scotland. yesterday the contrast played out and we saw 2a degrees across parts of east sussex, eight degrees in highland scotland, separated by this weather front that has been in place through the night so as we start the day 10 degrees across parts of the midlands is —5 at the moment north of scotland. some sunshine here in between the areas we have a zone of cloud christmas islands and hebrides leaders. isolated rain shower in the north—east of wales but most places will dry and once again across many parts of england and wales it will bea parts of england and wales it will be a sunny and warm day with temperatures up around 23 or 2a agrees. some temperature contrast across northern england with the breeze of the sea, 9 degrees in

scarborough compared to 17 on the wesco —— west coast. it will feel cool across the eastern coasts and cloudy through today compared to yesterday. clear skies to the south and the west continue with a few showers possible in the northern parts of england into southern scotla nd parts of england into southern scotland leader and a bit more on the way of wet weather through orkney and into shetland stop that means it will be cold tonight across north—east scotland compared with the nightjust gone. cloud for the northern half of the country to start tomorrow. good friday, and some thundery showers possible across scotland through the day. most across scotland through the day. m ost pla ces across scotland through the day. most places will be dry, brightening in southern scotland, a lot of sunshine for england and wales and because of that easterly breeze it will not be as chilled. perhaps 25 celsius possible in the south and it could be a warm estate yet. especially in england and wales on saturday when we see the line share of the sunshine once again. a few showers possible later, most likely across scotland and northern ireland but certainly eastern areas see a boost in temperatures into the start

of the weekend, 18 in aberdeen up to 23 or 2a of the weekend, 18 in aberdeen up to 23 or2a in of the weekend, 18 in aberdeen up to 23 or 2a in some parts of eastern england. saturday to sunday, easter sunday, it will change a little bit low pressure closing in stop with that means is that more in the way of cloud around, shifting the wind direction as well but with more cloud around an low pressure close by there is a chance of a few heavy and thundery showers. most places are still dry at this stage but not those temperatures falling away. no longer in the 20s, mainly in the teens and as we go through into easter monday, northerly winds will dominate and cold air will push into place and temperatures will drop. noticeably along the cloudy eastern claude —— coasts any places only reaching 13 degrees. they give very much and will see you later. the headlines are coming up and still to come on the programme... we will

look at what is being done to protect strivers from coronavirus after the death of 1a transport workers in london. also this morning, hearing why many care homeworkers are feeling vulnerable and afraid as they deal with the outbreak. described as kind and caring by those who knew and loved her, a 29—year—old nurse died after contract in coronavirus. will hear tributes from her it‘s 6.30am. here‘s a reminder of today‘s main headlines. senior ministers will meet today to discuss whether the current lockdown should be extended. the measures came into force two—and—a—half weeks ago to try to limit the spread of the coronavirus, but ministers have suggested it‘s too soon to tell if they‘re having the desired impact. the prime minister has spent a third night in intensive care at st thomas‘s hospital in central london. the latest update from ministers said that boris johnson was "improving", sitting up in bed and "engaging positively"

with doctors. it‘s time now to get some answers to your coronavirus questions. joining us from nottingham is the gp, drjamie parker. lovely to see this morning. thank you for your time. when we check in with our gps at the we always ask how things are, how is it working on your practice, what is happening? give us a snapshot? things have changed so dramatically over the last few weeks. unrecognisable from a few weeks ago. we have changed from face—to—face appointments with everything being done by the telephone first, our front doors are closed. staff a re telephone first, our front doors are closed. staff are working on very different conditions, all with the aim of trying to prevent the spread of coronavirus and also preparing for the predicted spike and workload

in cases because of the coronavirus. what are the most common issues you are dealing with? at the moment there are a lot of concerns about people potentially having the coronavirus, they have done the 111 check and have been advised to call theirgp by check and have been advised to call their gp by that service, so calling with symptoms that could draw could not be that of coronavirus. but also other conditions that go on at the same time and the stay—at—home message is really key, but it doesn‘t mean not to seek help if and when you need it. so, it is trying to manage over the phone really normally conditions that you manage ona normally conditions that you manage on a face—to—face basis. you have kindly agreed to look at a few questions that people have sent in. we often get the same questions which is no bad thing because it is a reminder. martin, perhaps this crosses another territory, about

this information, the question he has is, are people who have had the lifetime pneumonia job immune to covid—19? lifetime pneumonia job immune to covid-19? clearly not. they are not. the reason it is worth putting that question to you is that there is a lot of talk about misinformation, people getting their medical information from different sources andi information from different sources and i would think that you would be hearing that through the surgery? yes, you hear it from calls from people. there is a lot of misinformation out there but there are misinformation out there but there a re lots of misinformation out there but there are lots of good information from trusted sources, and we are guiding a lot of our patients to the 111 website, which is an extremely good resource and if you haven‘t already looked, it‘s a really worthwhile having a look. there is so much information on there and a lot of work has been done to get that out there. it is really worth looking at that. the other thing that people

can do is to download the nhs app which allows you to get information and some of your personal health records, get prescriptions from home, it is really worthwhile. mark has got in touch, he says his mother is 91 and in good health with no conditions, is it safe for her to go for a short walk if she follows social distancing advice? in that age group the over 70s are obviously more at risk. if otherwise she is well and not in the extremely vulnerable group whom would have been written to by the nhs, if she is not in that group the advice for her would be to follow the social distancing advice. but strictly, because she is still in a vulnerable group. if she has to go out, yes, but be strict about the two metres. that is really key. bashir asks, i

suffer from hay fever, that is really key. bashir asks, i sufferfrom hay fever, many that is really key. bashir asks, i suffer from hay fever, many do at this time of year, i take antihistamine tablets. should i continue to take these? yes, if you struggle with hay fever, it is entirely reasonable to continue with the hay fever medication as advised either by a doctor or your pharmacist. a question from blake in york, he says he has not heard much about copd sufferers. should they be getting an annual review as this is a long term condition? copd is a lung condition normally smoking—related with lung damage. the normal situation as people with long—standing conditions would get the routine annual review from their gp and a breathing test for that. the current climate of reviews is not being done, that does not mean it is not important to control your condition. you must follow the advice you have already been given either by your specialist or your specialist nurse or gp and continue

the medication, but if you are struggling with symptoms you should seek medical advice appropriately. andjamie, seek medical advice appropriately. and jamie, just a thought from you, it is thursday, we have just spoken about the 8pm clap for carers. you are worried about other people, gps, nurses, front—line carers, all sorts... how are things within your own practice in terms of staff self isolating and in terms ofjust coping, how are things more generally? it has been difficult initially because we have had so many changes and we have had to tell some staff they are not safe to be at work, some staff are not critical so must be at home. that has been difficult. there have been lots of tea rs difficult. there have been lots of tears from that point of view and we are supporting staff, but i would say that i am extremely proud of my staff and my colleagues and the morale at work, and with the support from the public, which isjust so amazing, the morale at work is

actually really good. we are working really well as a team in very new and difficult times and a difficult environment and i am really proud of them. jamie, really good to speak to you. iam them. jamie, really good to speak to you. i am sure we will speak again. drjamie parkerfrom you. i am sure we will speak again. drjamie parker from nottingham where he has a gp. thank you. drjamie parker from nottingham where he has a gp. thank youm drjamie parker from nottingham where he has a gp. thank you. it is 23 minutes to seven o‘clock. lots of questions but worth repeating for clarity throughout the days and weeks ahead. please keep them coming in. it is time to have a chat with mike. mike is not with us on the sofa, he is a couple of floors down in the sports hub, is that right? the sports centre sounds more hard—hitting, the sports centre sounds more ha rd—hitting, doesn‘t the sports centre sounds more hard—hitting, doesn‘t it? where we gather all of the information and try to bring it to you. there has been one big talking point overnight... the premier league

footballers. they had been critisised, by many for failing, to help amid the coronavirus pandemic but premier league footballers have now launched what they say is a "collective initative" to help raise funds for the nhs. around 150 players posted this letter on social media last night. they‘ve called the initiative hashtag players together and promise help for nhs staff, volunteers and coronavirus patients. the likes of manchester united‘s harry maguire here, england team—mate jordan henderson and others all invovled, say it has been set up to "help those fighting for us on the nhs this front line" and distribute funds "where they are needed most". the players are working with nhs charities together. well, health secretary matt hancock, who last week called for players to take a pay cut, tweeted...

former premier league players have praised the move, too. gary lineker tweeting. .. wales‘s leading rugby union players are to take a 25% pay cut for the next three months. the wru and the four regions have reached the agreement with the players‘ union. those earning less than £25,000 a year won‘t be affected. support staff at clubs will also have salaries reduced to varying degrees. county cricket champions essex are placing the club‘s players and the majority of non—playing staff on furlough leave until futher notice. kent are also doing the same with the majority of their employees. and finally, olympic swimming champion adam peaty has ridden his bike 100 kilometres

at home as a fundraiser for the nhs. peaty finished the distance in just under three hours. he was joined by olympic medallists maddie hinch and jazz carlin. they were among 620 people who took part in the joint virutal ride. still putting in the effort, look at his face! really working up a sweat. he is also raffling off his 2016 tea m he is also raffling off his 2016 team gb racing trunks which are up for grabs for some lucky person out there. racing trunks? where can you buy them? he was going to do an option but he thought that a raffle was fairer. you will have to go to his website, check out his twitter feed. not a bad thing to have, is it? i can see you wearing them around the house, charlie! not for me, thank you, but no. i

around the house, charlie! not for me, thank you, but no. lam happy around the house, charlie! not for me, thank you, but no. i am happy to contribute to the raffle, but... when the olympics were on, you were going to do swimming. and you are having a long debate. mike, you can imagine how charlie felt, trunks, the longer edwardian swimming costume... the full 1920s outfit. bit of a moustache. longer shots. what would you have envisaged charlie wearing? yes, rather than the skimpy budgie smugglers. i prefer the full outfit on charlie. thank you for your contribution, mike. iwill thank you for your contribution, mike. i will bear that in mind! thank you, mike. it is 90 minutes to seven o‘clock. let us talk about ca re seven o‘clock. let us talk about care homes. many care homes say they are struggling to cope during the lockdown because of staff shortages and a lack of personal protective equipment. some care home owners say it‘s left them feeling vulnerable and afraid, as they try to keep residents and staff safe.

breakfast‘s graham satchell reports. just step on the mat there, and scrub your feet, mary. put your personal effects on the table. getting into glynn williams‘ care home is a military operation. this former raf man has set up a decontamination zone. nothing gets in without being sanitised. hello, ladies and gents. hello. enjoying a bit of time out in the sun? these pictures were taken for us by the care home. so far, none of the 28 residents has contracted the virus. but there‘s a strong feeling here that they‘re not getting the help they need, particularly with protective clothing. they‘ve had to innovate with the visors. we managed to source some hairspray visors that stick on to a forehead. i‘ve got one here that i can show you. it just peels off. you might have seen them in the hairdressers. you shouldn‘t have to be improvising, should you? no, absolutely not.

also we can‘t get medical gowns so we‘re having to consider the use of plastic bags, to be honest, to cut holes in for the heads and the arms. but, yes, as a last resort, we‘ve got a bag that you put your hands through and slot over your head, you know. no apron? no problem. bin bag. so this is what staff here are using to protect their residents and themselves. plastic bags and visors used in hairdressers. face shield. the welsh government told us they have issued ppe to local authorities for front—line care workers and they‘ve issued guidance on how social care workers can carry out their activities safely. but glynn says he‘s at his wit‘s end trying to keep everyone safe. the heartache that my wife and i are

going through at the moment with these residents because we love them. it‘s a sad state of affairs that the local authorities can‘t help us out in these dire circumstances, to be honest with you. we're all exhausted. i'm probably on three hours' sleep night and i'm desperate tojust try and do everything i can to achieve the duty of care for everyone in our welburn family. rachel runs 1a care homes in the north—east of england. she‘s bought protective clothing for all her staff, but it‘s expensive and in short supply. listen to the worries. where we geting our ppe from? where are we going to get this supply from? how are we going to protect this home from covid—19? it‘s very hard sometimes as we‘re frightened ourselves. and we are going home to some vulnerable people ourselves. i'm managing quite well, but the guilt of taking this dreadful virus home to my family

and possibly passing it on, it's heartbreaking. there have been cases of covid—19 in two of the 1a homes rachel runs. yeah. and what about testing? have any of you been tested? nope. none of the staff have been tested. and in fact, the first home where we had our first case, we rang public health and we said we have three now that have been admitted to the hospital, all tested positive. could we please have our six promised tests? and they said, "what's the point? it is what it is" and put the phone down. gosh, what do you think of that? i was furious. i actually cried when i went to bed that night. how can any of us know whether we're taking a virus into a home with vulnerable people if we haven't got the tests? covid—19 is starting to spread in care homes, with deaths now reported in luton, liverpool, portsmouth, glasgow. the scottish government says it will offer all the support

it can to care homes. hello, kathy. i‘ve brought you a cup of tea and a cheese scone. do you think it‘s inevitable that residents in care homes are going to end up dying in numbers? yes. ultimately, if we're not careful and we don't get the right equipment and admissions, our residents aren't cared for by the nhs, then, yes, that's what we are looking at. the government in westminster says it‘s delivered almost eight million pieces of ppe to care homes and is rapidly working to extend testing to social care workers. but the message is clear. there isn‘t enough financial support. there isn‘t enough testing. there isn‘t enough protective clothing. graham satchell, bbc news. imean, i mean, it‘s very hard to watch some of that, so many people have loved ones ina of that, so many people have loved ones in a care home, who have all of

those concerned the moment. seeing people in plastic bags... they have to make a very, very difficult decisions and make families to make difficult decisions. we will talk a lot more about that later in the programme this morning. we will be talking to the chairman of the national care association and also the daughter of a care home resident who has concerns, so we will put there‘s issues to them. the last few weeks have put intense pressure on the nhs but also on the nation‘s pharmacies. nina‘s looking into how they‘ve been coping this morning. what the picture? a good morning, charlie and nag. they are the people who deal with gps, hospitals, paramedics and face—to—face with us. the public. pharmacists over the last period have seen an increase in prescriptions of more than 30% because lots of people are asking for prescriptions so they have to make fewer visits face—to—face and home deliveries have doubled too. all at a time when staff are under pressure because some are self

isolating, and also because of those strict social distancing rules that have to be maintained, putting lots of pressure on pharmacists across the country. how are they coping? let‘s talk to toby anderson, ceo of lloyds pharmacy. thanks forjoining us at this very busy time, so 17,000 staff across 1500 pharmacists, how are you protecting them? good morning, nina. i‘d like to start by just thanking those amazing nurses and pharmacists, delivery drivers for doing an incredible job and pharmacists, delivery drivers for doing an incrediblejob in what isa for doing an incrediblejob in what is a very stressful and busy period. it's is a very stressful and busy period. it‘s amazing that they have been able to open every one of our lloyds pharmacy is each day, and we‘ve been able to get out at record levels of medicines to every hospital in the country each day. with respect to your specific question, the safety of my employees and customers is my main priority, something we discuss every single morning in our crisis

management talks. all of lloyds pharmacies have ppe equipment, they have protective screens, and as of today, they will also have advisers. but it is important that, with more than 20% sickness in the far teams, we ensure all health care workers have access to covid—19 tests so that we can help get front line clinical staff back into serving patients and their communities. do you have a sense of how many health ca re you have a sense of how many health care professionals who would be on the front of key workers within pharmacists are not working today because they are self isolating and haven‘t been tested? because they are self isolating and haven't been tested? well i can tell you this as of this morning i had 2500 employees that are self isolating at home and obviously not all of those will have the virus, some unfortunately well, so that‘s a large number of people. it makes it very ha rd large number of people. it makes it very hard for the teams in the

pharmacy to manage with the volume, andi pharmacy to manage with the volume, and i also want to thank patients of our customers. i know it‘s also very stressful for them and they are kind, their appreciation of pharmacies is helpful to ourfront line workers and i would ask them to continue to bear with us as we get there medicines. so you would like to see testing trickling down to pharmacies as quickly as possible? let‘s go back to the protection of your staff and customers because a national pharmacy association has said the government has not gone far enough to ensure that all pharmacists are protected in the right way. what would you say to that? within lloyds pharmacies at the moment, our staff do have good levels of ppe, but it is something we are constantly monitoring and today we are expecting further deliveries of ppe equipment from the department of health. of course, every day a clinical front line team needs to change their ppe equipment,

and it‘s something which need to continue to keep flowing to ensure our employees are well protected. public health england have said pharmacies can fall back on social distancing of two metres. in an environment where lots of people will be poorly, where cross contamination as possible, is it a lwa ys contamination as possible, is it always possible to maintain that to me to distance in no small pharmacy environments? well, one of the steps we took was to close the door of the pharmacy and to ensure only a couple of customers can come in to the pharmacy at any one time. and the pharmacies will have some social distancing zones to try to manage that. but, of course, every single location is slightly different. and the teams are working incredibly ha rd the teams are working incredibly hard and very bravely to ensure we keep patients out of hospital by getting them their medications.

today every single member of your staff is wearing ppe? our staff have full access to ppe and we are following the governments advice around where and when to use what type of ppe. 0k, there will be some people watching who are concerned about the flow of medicines, there is still a shortage of paracetamol in some pharmacies, so what would you say to them? we have good supply overall of medicines throughout the country. of course, it is helpful if people exercise restraint and only come into pharmacy for when they need the medicines that they need. and at the moment we are doing a good job of ensuring people get the medicines that they need. 0k, sound advice there too and on. thank you very much. social distancing rules do apply and exactly the same way in pharmacies and, as toby was saying, try to be restrained instead of stockpiling which we know are still

happening of course. nina, thank you very much. see you later on. wales is the first uk nation to announce an extension to the initial three—week lock down. first minister mark drakeford said yesterday that he expects other parts of the uk to do the same. i must leave welsh citizens in no doubt. the efforts we are all making are not yet over. they will not be over next week. before the restrictions can be lifted and the return to normality begins, there is more for all of us to do. let‘s speak to the health minister for wales, vaughan gething, who‘s in cardiff now. thank you very much forjoining us today, vaughan gething, on brea kfast. today, vaughan gething, on breakfast. can you just explain to us what decision, how this decision has been made to extend the measures, the length of time for these measures, what was that based on, what scientific evidence? well, we have had a range of evidence from

our chief adviser on health and indeed our chief medical officer, some progress is indeed being made asa some progress is indeed being made as a result of the lockdown measures and social distancing. that‘s of course really important, to slow down the rate of infection. we are also having clear advice that if we lifted those measures this weekend we could expect those rates to go up. our hospitals are filling up in the south—east corner of wales, filling up more quickly across the country, so the gains we have made because the public have followed the rules, would be lost and thrown away very quickly. we also know there advice coming, within the next few weeks, which will give us a greater understanding of the extent of the gains made and, rather than not being straight with a public ahead of the easter weekend, so there some sort of prospect ending after

easter, we think it‘s really important to be straight with the public that the action you have taken already is making real and positive difference to our nhs and we need you to carry on for a period of time longer, because we really do understand this is making a difference. when there‘s more evidence about what the direct impact has been, and indeed if there isa impact has been, and indeed if there is a path to removing lockdown measures, we will be honest with that. just want to drill down the language you have used. bearing in mind there is a cobra meeting today, all the devolved nations taking part with ministers taking part today, one of the subjects will be whether or not these measures will be extended for further weeks. you or not these measures will be extended forfurther weeks. you have said there is advice coming. what advice do you know is coming? the scientific group will advise on all four governments across the uk, but we understand there is virtually zero prospect of them a device being that it‘s safe and appropriate for

the four governments to remove the lockdown measures now. and we are right on the edge of the easter weekend. and if we don‘t provide a clear message to the public than those people that have gone to such extraordinary efforts to change the way they are living their lives are rather more likely to make different choices after what is after all a normal holiday weekend. we know people have come into different parts of wales on different weekends, and if there is no message ahead of the weekend, the lockdown will continue, they will act as if the last few days don‘t matter. and that would be a poor choice for all of us. so that‘s why we have been really clear. in fact, before the uk government said they would call a cobra meeting, the first minister already made his position clear at the start of the week. i reinforce that on tuesday. he made a statement to the assembly, so we have been very consistent, we have been honest to the public, and we look forward

to the public, and we look forward to the public, and we look forward to the four nations discussion on how much longer we need to continue these measures and when we will be able to collectively review all of the advice across the board. just to hone down on the language you are using, you said you‘ve been consistent, honest to the public, you don‘t want to not be straight with the public, what‘s your implication there? if we suggested or left the impression go that we we re or left the impression go that we were somehow considering removing lockdown as a serious alternative at the end of the bank holiday weekend, understandably people would make choices on the basis of that. we are telling people right across wales and those outside wales too, many of whom in normal times travel to parts of our very beautiful country on the bank holiday but that‘s not going to happen. will you be saying that to the representative of the uk government you will be talking to in the cabinet, scotland and northern ireland? the cabinet, scotland and northern

ireland ? do fundamentally the cabinet, scotland and northern ireland? do fundamentally disagree with are not saying now that these measures are going to be extended in the same way that the welsh first minister has? well, myself and the first minister of wales will attend the cobra meeting today, and the government of scotland and northern ireland are also saying there should be cobra meeting too and we are pleased the government has responded, but given the nation your income we don‘t think it‘s tenable to wait until after the bank holiday weekend before we told people on the very last day of the first few weeks, we want these measures to continue. if we want the public to prepare, and to continue to behave in accordance with the rules, the overwhelming way the public have done, we think that we need to inform people in advance what we are thinking and why and to be up front that these measures will continue for a number of weeks at least and, as we review them, there is evidence to support changing measures, we

we re to support changing measures, we were directed onto the public. vaughan gething, welsh health minister, thank you very much for talking to us this morning. time now for a look at the weather. you, charlie. another dry day out there across most parts of the uk. warmest once again an sunniest across southern and western areas, and we start the day, though, with sunshine course but —5 in the highlands, and in between that, the sunnier weather, if you and fog patches towards the west and we have a zone of clouds drifting through northern eglin, northern ireland and scotla nd northern eglin, northern ireland and scotland to produce light rain and drizzle later on in the highlands and have a decent fairly chilly day in north of scotland. temperatures in single figures. a breeze off the seam attempt is up to 23 or 2a, but the breeze off the sea making a big difference across northern england through this afternoon, just 9 degrees along the eastern coasts out towards the west. we could head 15-22. we towards the west. we could head 15—22. we will see a few showers in

north wales, which will drift way northwards through tonight, so we could see a few turning up in southern scotland into tomorrow morning. lots of cloud across the north and east, but most places staying well clear of a frost as we go into good friday. good friday could be a few sharp showers, northern england especially in scotland, developing through the day, and most places dry once again. increasing sunshine, developing from the south and another warm day. temperatures in the site around 2a-25. the temperatures in the site around 2a—25. the headlines are coming next.

good morning. welcome to breakfast with charlie stayt and naga munchetty. our headlines today... the uk—wide lockdown will be discussed by ministers today, with the prospect of an extension to the uk‘s three week coronavirus measures. the cobra meeting will take place without the prime minister, who‘s spent a third night in intensive care. say his condition is improving. a warning that the coronavirus epidemic could put a stop to organ transplant operations, because of a shortage of intensive care beds. treat our staff as front line health care workers and get them tested. the boss of one of the country‘s biggest pharmacy groups tells us more than 10 percent of his employees are self—isolating and he wants testing in place to keep under pressure pharmacies open. premier league footballers

come together to generate funds for the nhs. they‘ve launched what they‘re calling a "collective initiative" to raise money and say they hope to make a real difference. lam i am catherine and this is william next to me, are you holding up pictures of your mothers and fathers? a royal video—visit by the duke and duchess of cambridge to the children of key workers, at a primary school in lancashire. it‘s thursday 9th april. our top story. ministers will meet this morning to discuss whether the current lockdown, aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus, should be extended. on breakfast today, we‘ll be talking to the culture secretary, as the government suggests it‘s too soon to tell if the measures are having the desired impact. the prime minister boris johnson has spent a third night in intensive care. here‘s charlotte rose with the latest. a picture of lockdown britain, but for how much longer?

people‘s lives have been changed unimaginably since the government declared a lockdown. dominic raab will be discussing the current rules, due to take place next week, but has the decision already been made? in wales, they say the lockdown will continue. i must be plain with all members, these restrictions will not end. we will not throw away the gains we have made and the lives we can save. while scotland and northern ireland are moving in the same direction. but speaking at the briefing yesterday, the chancellor would not be drawn on whether the uk government would follow their lead. we committed to a review in three weeks, based on the evidence and data provided by sage, which will only be available next week, but i think that rather

than speculate about the future, we should focus very seriously on the here and now and the present. but it seems any relaxation is increasingly unlikely as a number of deaths in the uk in the past 2a hours reached 938, the highest daily figure yet. there were nearly 5,500 new cases reported yesterday, a rise in the previous two days. ministers are keen to stress that thejump is due to many more people being tested them before. being tested than before. hi, folks — quick update from me. facing his own personal test, the prime minister, he spent his third night in intensive care at st thomas‘ hospital in london. the pm is now said to be improving, sitting up in bed and engaging positively with his medical team. but his own personal battle against this illness shows the country has a long way to go to defeat the virus. charlotte rose, bbc news. let‘s speak to our political correspondent leila nathoo, who‘s at westminster for us.

this cobra meeting today is happening without the prime minister. just a few minutes ago you know we were talking to the welsh health minister, vaughan gething. he said some interesting things, didn‘t he? because the welsh first minister has said it will be an extension to the lockdown, when questions about it he made clear that he is keen to be straight with the public and the welsh government is keen to be straight, consistent and honest with the public and that is based on scientific evidence. there will be pressure, because all of the devolved nations will be present at the cobra meeting today? yes, clearly some nervousness as we go into the easter weekend. we heard from borisjohnson last into the easter weekend. we heard from boris johnson last weekend into the easter weekend. we heard from borisjohnson last weekend in his video message before he went into hospital that there was nervousness about people breaking the rules last weekend, especially with the good weather forecast and there is a possibility of the same thing happening this weekend. and this discrepancy between the nations are something that will be discussed

at the cobra meeting chaired by the foreign secretary dominic raab later. but all of the indications are from government ministers hear that there is not going to be this relaxation of the rules next week. remember, it is written into law that there has to be a review of the regulations. the first review must ta ke regulations. the first review must take place by next thursday, one week today, the 16th of april, and although ministers are committed to that, there is clear indications that, there is clear indications that they are not feeling that they have the data yet to say that we have the data yet to say that we have reached the peak of cases, and they do not want to relax the to our way. but i think at this point here, they are not prepared to say that yet and they don‘t want to take this major decision. the prime minister is out of action and dominic raab is deputising for him. as you heard, the message from wales, for them, they do not think this is a time and they do not think this is a time and they want to say that right now. thank you very much for the moment. the culture secretary

joins us on the programme at 7.30 this morning. we will chat about a number of things, including that cobra meeting today and what discussions will be had about the lockdown situation. that is coming up at 7:30am this morning. a temporary hospital, able to treat up to 500 coronavirus patients, will open in birmingham tomorrow. it‘s the second so—called nightingale hospital to be built. a a000—bed intensive care facility opened in london earlier this week. similarfield hospitals are due to be built in bristol and harrogate. staff working for the passport office have accused managers of putting their lives at risk, by asking them to return to work in buildings around the uk next week. unions said the move puts staff in greater danger of contracting covid—19, but the home office said it was maintaining correct social distancing practices at passport offices. australian police have raided a cruise ship in sydney and seized its black box. it‘s part of a criminal

investigation into why passengers were allowed to disembark, despite some having flu—like symptoms. about a00 of the passengers later tested positive for the coronavirus and 15 have died. they account for nearly a third of australia‘s death toll of 51. the duke and duchess of cambridge have surprised children of key workers with a virtual visit to their school. from their home in norfolk, william and catherine dialled into casterton primary in burnley, their first royal engagement through video conferencing. richard askam has more. i am catherine and this is william next to me. are you holding up pictures of your mummies and daddies? yes. a royal call to children and staff at a school which is helping dozens of families in east lancashire. this is a picture of my mum and she works for the nhs as an admin for the health services

and i'm really proud of her. well done, you. can you hold it up a bit to your left so we can see it? brilliant, that's a greatjob. well done, it‘s brilliant. you should be very proud of her, they do an amazing job, the nhs workers. have you got a picture as well? this is a picture of my mum and she works at a special school and she helps and treats children. is she still working at the moment? this week. the school also delivers food to some families as well as helping with mental health provision. we are massively grateful to have their support today. and the duchess of cambridge has been our patron, our royal patron since 2013 and to really have that spotlight on children's mental health

and support that can be given within schools, it's hugely impactful. the duke and duchess were clearly impressed with the work the school is doing. thank you so much, it‘s been fun, we had a really fun time. thank you for taking the time, it's been an amazing experience for them. we just want to say a huge thank you to you guys, well done for keeping it all going and please pass on all our messages of support, the staff and volunteers are doing a greatjob. a royal seal of approval that clearly went down very well. richard askam, bbc news. lovely to see that technology working. it worked really well. brilliant. against all odds, a recovery from coronavirus has been made by 97—year—old joyce goldstraw from staffordshire.

the great grandma, who served in the women‘s raf during the second world war, has shown that she hasn‘t lost her fighting spirit, as kevin reide reports. at 97 years of age, everybody feared the worst when joyce goldstraw contracted coronavirus, but now she is back at home safe and well. i coughed a bit. i used to cough, but i've stopped coughing. she has been a widow for 21 years. her two children spend a lot of time caring for her, but apart from that, she is still going strong. she's gone through some good times and bad times, like everyone of her generation, but she pulls herself together and gets on with it and that's her philosophy — get yourself pulled together and get on with it. oh, it‘s brilliant, it‘s brilliant, and we can‘t thank the nhs staff enough. we phoned every day, they‘ve kept us up to date with what‘s happening and we were just totally amazed and blown away

that she came through this. it‘s really good. joyce has six grandchildren and seven great—grandchildren, and they are now already planning her 100th birthday. if it warms up like they say it will, i shall be able to go out. but right now, i don't want to catch another cold or something. that's enough! that‘s the best advice we‘ve had all afternoon. kevin reide, bbc news. a wonderful story. she is doing really well. extra efforts are being made to protect bus drivers from coronavirus, after the death of 1a public transport workers in london. in the capital, they‘re trialling boarding buses using only the middle doors. but of course that‘s not an option in many other parts of the uk,

where there are also concerns about the use of cash, and a lack of protective equipment. adam mcclean reports. i just want to make sure that the key workers can get to work. it is myjob to carry passengers, it is what i was employed to do. today, tracy will follow her usual route and timetable, but for her, business on—board the service to manchester royal infirmary is far from normal. people are good at distancing themselves, so maybe the passenger will sit here and then maybe one there. although reduced passenger numbers help with social distancing, those on board still need to pass tracey on the way to their seat. this assault screen used to have holes in it and they have now been covered up. so people talking and breathing through that is a difference. we don‘t really want to handle cash any more cos that carries germs. we have made modifications to our vehicles and those vehicles that have customer seats that

are located close to the driver cab, they have been put out of use and we are asking people not to use them. i feel like i am suffering from the isolation as much as ability else now. i am so used to talking to passengers every day. and now i am on my own. the new safety measures have been introduced on these buses to reduce the chance of drivers being exposed to the virus. the objective is to make sure that those helping key workers travel to and from work can do their jobs safely. as bus drivers, we are part of a larger group of passenger transport and we are very much aware. ten passenger transport workers actually died in london, so we are very aware of that fact, and it is quite a scary and daunting thought that that could happen to any of us. hi, my name isjasmine and i am tracey's daughter. every morning jasmine waves her mother off to work as she prepares for the front line herself. as a recently graduated medical student, i start work early in two

weeks' time on the wards and it is scary knowing what is ahead of us and i am just really thankful to my mother and to everyone else who is a key worker for the work that they do. i am coming in to do myjob and myjob is to drive passengers around and if i can continue to do that... my bus is not any busier and i am not having to work any harder. i feel a little bit more at risk and i want to make sure that i can do my best. bus drivers are among the many key workers putting themselves at higher risk of exposure to coronavirus and tracey hopes her work towards the national effort to save lives can continue. adam mcclean, bbc news. we are hoping to speak to bobby morton from unite the union, which represents public transport workers. he‘s in the wirral this morning. that piece give us if you are on the

issue concerning drivers. and they have said we continue to work with those on the bus companies. hard—working transport staff are on the front line of the coronavirus effort, keeping the city moving so that nurses, doctors and other key workers can get to where they need to be. we have bobby now... i‘m not sure how much of the report you saw but there is obviously a concern amongst drivers, amongst those working in public transport, about their safety. what are you hearing? i‘m hearing on a daily basis about the concerns, i was going to say good morning to you and then i realised it may well be a good morning for you and i, but it‘s certainly not for the thousands of drivers who are facing this virus today. and the numerous drivers who are lying in intensive care beds awaiting their fate. i are lying in intensive care beds awaiting theirfate. i hear about this on an hourly, daily basis,

seven days a week, it‘s a dreadful scenario. we have heard of a tragic death of 1a public transport workers. i wanted to check my notes because i don‘t want to get that wrong, and that includes nine bus drivers, and you are saying you know of numerous drivers who are in intensive care, how many is numerous? i'm sorry i'm not able to give that figure. it‘s happening on a rolling basis. as i talk, the figure changes. are you talking about dozens, schools? whether you can give an accurate figure or not, it‘s important and here‘s an opportunity to show if there really isa opportunity to show if there really is a neglect of bus drivers on public transport? i can show there is neglect. the 1a deaths you have already quoted, it is evidence of the things that aren‘t happening in the things that aren‘t happening in the industry. the drivers are

particularly are not being given adequate protection. the people we are talking to before, they are terrified of going to work in the morning because they are being put at risk by having to handle cash that can contaminate not only them, but their loved ones when they get home after a shift, as well. let's break this time. let‘s pick up on cash, how would that work in practice if there were so many people who don‘t have contactless cards or the equipment isn‘t in place, in london, that is in place, but there is the rest of the country to consider as well so how would that work in practice? let me tell you habitable work in practice and give you an example. in northern ireland there a public owned company called translink who have banned all cash payments on buses and i was going to say we‘ve got happy drivers, they are not happy but relieved when they go to work in the morning, they do know they are adequately protected by ppe and they

don‘t have to handle cash which could very well transfer the germs into their hands. how quickly could not be put into practice? in the rest of the country. i have been working with the bus operators now, i started pleading with them to do this week and a half ago, i‘m demanding, and! this week and a half ago, i‘m demanding, and i went to the confederation of passenger transport on tuesday because i knew they were meeting ministers on wednesday and asked them to put it to the ministers, you can just asked them to put it to the ministers, you canjust stop it at the drop of a hat. the confederation had plenty of sympathy, told me they would raise it with the ministers come and come back to me wednesday afternoon. it‘s thursday now and i‘m still waiting for that call. if they did so yes, how quickly could they put that into practice? it's thursday morning now and you can do it by thursday afternoon. where there there‘s a way. it by thursday afternoon. where there there's a way. immediately. we‘ve seen measures in london being introduced, there is a trial to stop passengers using the front door to

avoid any contact or contagion with the driver, so using the rear doors or the middle doors, so how could that work, if it could come across the country with other services?” have to make the point that here we are, how many weeks into this crazy situation and now we are having a trial? it beggars belief. i agree people should enter the back door, there should be reduced passengers on the buses, we need to do everything we can to eradicate the virus, or eradicate the risk and, u nfortu nately, virus, or eradicate the risk and, unfortunately, i‘m hearing from bus operators, trying to reduce the risk but i don‘t want it reduced and i wa nted but i don‘t want it reduced and i wanted to be eradicated before anyone else dies. what does this look like? tell me what a bus journey, day in a bus drivers life, what does that look like the moment

he steps onto the bus, what does he need to know what has happened with the vehicle and will happen in the process of having passengers on and off the vehicle? 0k, let me describe the bus is a monster size wise, there are monsters on the road, the first thing a driver needs when he or she reports for their shift is to have a clear mind, not to be worrying about what might happen to them and their loved ones later on in the day. i have so many descriptions of bus drivers, they need to be psychiatrists when they are dealing with the public, they need to be accountants when they are dealing with thousands of pounds, a day, they have to be a health and safety experts when they are looking after the health and safety of up to 80 passengers. that‘s a drivers life. i could go on for hours. they don‘t have toilet facilities or any of the things you and i take for granted. what i was also trying to

get out is what does a bus driver need to know is in place in order to have a clear mind, for example, should the past have been disinfected with a certain chemical ora disinfected with a certain chemical or a certain spray? should there be certain rules in place for them to have a clear mind? yes, the answer to your question is what a driver needsis to your question is what a driver needs is to know that he or she is healthy and safe and their well—being is looked after when they are performing this very, very important duty. they are key workers. i know for a fact there are other key workers around the country who need to know that they are safe when they are doing that. bobby morton, national office of passenger transport, thank you very much for your time this morning. thank you. i‘m mindfulness into what bobby was saying there, it‘s thursday, eight o‘clock tonight, people will be

clapping for carers. i think as has gone by, key workers and people who work in rosie didn‘t think about before who are becoming more and more important and we would definitely include bus drivers, train drivers, people like that in that equation now. the people you would have taken for granted and thought they are part of your everyday furniture of life. and they are not, they are crucial. it‘s 723. there are fears that people in need of a vital organ donation could miss out as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. the number of people needing intensive care as a result of falling ill with the virus means there are fewer beds available for both potential donors and recipients, as our health correspondent dominic hughes explains. we just want to know what‘s what‘s happening. i think it‘s the unknown that‘s the scary thing. getting weaker every day. in desperate need of a liver transplant, anna rose is shielding herself, but the coronavirus epidemic poses a terrible dilemma. if she was offered a transplant, should anna rose risk infection

in hospital or miss out on a life—saving operation? having to go into hospital while that there are coronavirus patients in there on the same ward even, it‘s very worrying. and the longer that i‘m not being monitored, the longer i leave it, i could just get sicker and sicker. it is a matter of life and death. data from nhs blood and transplant, the body that oversees the uk‘s organ donation network, shows the number of transplants carried out each day has plummeted through march. this time last year, more than 80 transplants a week were being carried out. now only the most urgent operations are still happening, such as liver and heart transplants, and of 23 kidney units in the uk, only four are still operating. none of them in scotland, wales or northern ireland. the decline in transplants is linked to the pressure covid—19 is placing on intensive care beds.

organ donors and recipients both need that high level care, so fewer families of potential donors are being approached. and doctors don‘t want vulnerable transplant recipients with suppressed immune systems alongside infectious covid—19 patients. when i hearfrom other countries who have been at the centre of this covid pandemic, they have got to the point where no transplant is possible in certain regions at all. and we may get to that point in the next days or weeks, but we are working very hard to keep organ donation and transplant open for as long as possible. in this training exercise, staff go through the delicate process of broaching organ donation with a family. the parents are played by actors, but this is a very familiar scenario for amy preston, a nurse specialising in organ donation. her other organs are working well enough that she could potentially

help save the lives of maybe seven or eight other people. we recorded this 18 months ago with amy, but since coronavirus, she spends half her time as an intensive care nurse. it's unprecedented times. it's not how i ever expected my role to look. but we're just doing the best we can to try to ensure that when there is an opportunity for donation, when it can go ahead despite all the odds, when it does happen in these times, it's even more miraculous. so we just concentrate our efforts to make the most of the opportunity that arises. even in a normal year, around a50 people will die while waiting for a transplant. the sad reality is that number will probably rise this year as transplants come to a halt. anna rose and thousands like her fear they are at risk of becoming the unseen casualties of the coronavirus. dominic hughes, bbc news.

here‘s matt with a look at this morning‘s weather. it's it‘s very important because i know a lot of people have been, the weather is lovely right now for so many people, every time we say this, it‘s so important to say at the same time stay at home. stay at home is the message regardless of the weather. exactly, if you can enjoy it at home, all the batter but don‘t forget it‘s just one weekend out of lots of weekends are still to come for that spring and summer, and fingers crossed we‘ll be able to come and enjoy it soon enough. if your view is like this from your flat, not a bad one, this morning. here in bournemouth, blue skies overhead, a little bit hazy and misty ina overhead, a little bit hazy and misty in a few spots, southern and western areas seeing the sunniest and warmest conditions and a little bit cooler in northern and eastern areas and that was the case yesterday. yesterday we saw temperatures on the south reach 2a degrees compared to just eight celsius in the north of scotland and the weather from separating as different air masses, still in place so this morning to the north of it

across hyde in scotland, —5 at the moment whereas around 10 degrees through the midlands. sunshine either side of that weather front, which at the moment is producing lots of cloud across parts of scotland, northern england and a few showers will develop through the day across north—west of scotland as the cloud shifted its way northwards. in the sunshine, though, across southern and western areas, another 11 were tempered as up to 23 degrees, maybe 2a across some parts of central and southern england but big temperature contrast in northern england today. the wind off the sea, sea temperatures, 7 degrees, look out towards the west coast, though, sheltered from the breeze, the breeze coming off the land and anything up to around 17—22. a few showers north—east wales, very isolated, the odd one tonight in northern england undergoing most places dry and some further ones breaking out across scotland and cloud shifting forever northwards tonight so we will be frost free uk wide into good friday. a fair bit of cloud across parts of scotland,

maybe northern england to begin with, few you shop showers maybe the odd rumble of thunder developing with those showers in scotland and hit and with those showers in scotland and hitand miss, with those showers in scotland and hit and miss, and with those showers in scotland and hitand miss, and most with those showers in scotland and hit and miss, and most places staying dry much of northern ireland, england and wales, a sunny one, another 11, temperatures up to 23-2a one, another 11, temperatures up to 23—2a and out towards the west of london, and the north sea coast, it will feel a deal less chilly as we lose the breeze off the sea. the breeze goes into a south—westerly one as we go into saturday, bringing more cloud into scotland and northern ireland with a few splashes of rain, most of them dry, but the wind going south—westerly, these eastern coasts will be substantially warmer compared with today and it could be the warmest day of the week across parts of central and southern england. 2a or 25 celsius possible. as we go through the second half of the easter weekend, we have a low pressure system set to go closer and that means the air stabilises. a greater chance of a few showers p°ppin9 greater chance of a few showers p°pping up greater chance of a few showers popping up and in fact a bit more cloud generally across england and wales especially into easter sunday. the showers we do see could be on the heavy side, and many gardens,

though, will stay dry once again, dry across the north but as we are seeing temperature is 19 the south, back to single figures in the northern half of scotland and that‘s a sign of a change for the very end of the weekend because we are seeing colder air return, more widely, across the uk to take this into easter monday. plenty of cloud and eastern coast with that team breeze, sunniest towards the west, and temperatures only in single figures on the east coast, but even with a sunshine in the west, compared with temperatures in the 20s today, probably 10—13 at their highest, so we will see temperatures drop and this easter weekend in most places but staying dry, and hopefully the pollen levels will drop. i don‘t know about you but i‘m suffering at the moment with it. back to you both. much, talk to you later on. hello. this is breakfast with charlie stayt and naga munchetty. senior ministers will meet today to discuss whether the current lockdown should be extended. the measures came into force

two—and—a—half weeks ago to try to limit the spread of the coronavirus, but ministers have suggested it‘s too soon to tell if they‘re having the desired impact. the prime minister has spent a third night in intensive care at st thomas‘ hospital in central london. the latest update from ministers said that boris johnson was "improving", sitting up in bed and "engaging positively" with doctors. let‘s speak now to the culture secretary, oliver dowden, who joins us from hertfordshire. thank you for your time this morning. firstly, can i ask you about this morning‘s cobra meeting? we understand there will be discussions during that meeting in connection with the lockdown. the restrictions on people‘s movements. can you explain what will happen? firstly, we are approaching this easter weekend and this is not how i planned to spend my easter weekend, iam sure planned to spend my easter weekend, i am sure it was not how any of your

viewers plan to spend it. and i have been thinking about taking a break, seeing friends and family... we can‘t do any of those things, we must stay at and that is in order to protect the nhs and save lives. that is in accordance with guide and set out three weeks ago. when we set out guidance outcome we said we would review it after three weeks. we are coming up to those three weeks. today, the cobra meeting will look at the process for renewing it going forward , at the process for renewing it going forward, but i have to tell you, at the moment, we arejust beginning to see the strategy is starting to work, we are not seeing case is accelerating. now is the moment for people to stay at home and to stick to that guidance. the cobra meeting will determine the process for review but at the moment we are adhering to the guidance as it stands at the moment. just to be absolutely clear, we should not expect a decision today on restrictions? no, you should not

expect a decision on that but you should expect the cobra meeting to determine the process for undertaking that review and that review will happen next week. it will be based on the evidence. but asi will be based on the evidence. but as i have said, right now it isjust beginning to work. people need to stick the course this easter weekend, however tempting it is, however lovely a nd weekend, however tempting it is, however lovely and sunny it is, please stay at home in order to help protect the nhs and to help save lives. this strategy is starting to work, so now is the time... i know how difficult it has been and how ha rd how difficult it has been and how hard people have been working. please stick with it. of course, when we have the opportunity to change it, we will, but that is not at the moment. it is important there is continuity of messages. we have spoken to vaughan gething, wales‘ health minister, this morning on the programme. his message was different from the one you are putting out. they have already said they will

carry on with the restrictions. that is the decision of the welsh government. he went on to tell us this morning that it is not tenable to weight, which is why they took that decision. he said if we do not provide a clear message to the public, those who have gone to such extraordinary efforts to change the way that they live their lives are likely to make different choices on what is after all a normal whole of the weekend. he said it is not tenable to make though it —— to make that decision. are you not concerned that decision. are you not concerned that by not extending today people will be thinking, as the welsh health minister said to us this morning, they will think, "it is only a few days, it might change next week." we have been absolutely clear, this guidance remains in place. people should stay-at-home this weekend to save lives and protect the nhs. we have always said however that we would review these measures on a periodic basis. cobra

will meet today to determine that process , will meet today to determine that process, what evidence to consider. but you will have seen, for example, from the presentation just yesterday, at the daily press conferences, measures are starting to work. now is not the time to be changing course. so the message is clear, stick with it, but of course, we said that on a rolling three week basis we would keep it under review. but these measures are in place and will remain so until any decision to change them has been made. that is not coming this easter weekend. can you see why people might think that this appears to be a difference, a very clear difference of opinion, between the welsh government and the cabinet and the decision that will be made today. one appears to have seen the evidence and made a decision, but you are waiting? well, the welsh government announced their decision yesterday. we will announce

the outcome of considering these measures next week, but the measures are in place in england just as they are in place in england just as they are in place in england just as they are in wales. i do not think it is very likely that these measures are going to be changed given we are just starting to see them have an effect. we would review them and it is only prudent that we look at them after three weeks. reviewing them is not saying that somehow they will just stop now ahead of the review. they remain in place until they change, and the roomies in —— and the reason why they remain in place, and you are seeing me from my house, iam remaining and you are seeing me from my house, i am remaining at home in order to save lives and protect the nhs and i am thinking of all those hard—working nhs am thinking of all those ha rd—working nhs staff am thinking of all those hard—working nhs staff who are making such huge sacrifices. we need to do our bit by remaining at home. these rules remain in place and we have been clear about that. can i

ask about testing? everything is linked, as you know, to how we are progressing. we understand, the latest figures are that 1a,000 people were tested most recently. as of one week ago, that figure was 9000. effectively, in the space of six days, it has gone up by 5000. how does this sit in relation to the proposed 100,000 pledged by the end of the month, because the progress is slow, and clearly if it continues at this rate, the testing will be nowhere near the 100,000 each day marked? well, as you said, we have set the target of 100,000 by the end of the month. it is a challenging and stretching target, of course it is, but we are confident we can meet that target, and we are doing that through a five pillared strategy, we are pushing on all of those. you would expect as you begin on that

process that you would accelerate over time, and we have made progress up over time, and we have made progress up to over 1a,000 yesterday. clearly there is a lot further to go and we are working hard to deliver on that. on testing we heard this morning in one of ourfilms on testing we heard this morning in one of our films from rachel beckett, from welbourn care homes, i would like to read out what she said... none of her staff have been tested. the first home will we had our first case, we tested. the first home will we had ourfirst case, we rang public health england and said we have had three people who were admitted to hospital all testing positive. this is in hospital all testing positive. this isina hospital all testing positive. this is in a care home. could we please have over six promised tests for staff, and they said, what is the point? it is what it is and put the phone down. well, in terms of decisions as to where testing goes, we are driven by the facts on the evidence and the guidance from

public health england. we are focusing on hospitals initially, but clearly, as we increase this capacity, there will be greater opportunities for further use of tests. and in respect of care homes, we have had a huge effort to get protective equipment out to those ca re protective equipment out to those care homes. 26,000 care homes are receiving protective equipment, but there is more we must do in terms of testing, that is why we set this challenging target of 100,000. can i ask you about misinformation? there have been a lot of concerns about the sources people are going to and it would appear on some occasions deliberate misinformation is being put out. look, the first thing is that public service journalism is more important than ever, and i don‘tjust more important than ever, and i don‘t just say this because more important than ever, and i don‘tjust say this because i am on your show, but programmes like the bbc are producing, other broadcasters and our newspapers are vital sources of information. as i am sure you will have seen from your

viewing figures, more and more people are rib relying on programmes like this to understand what is happening and what they should be doing. people should also be relying on the government website which has extensive guidance. the first thing that we are doing is getting out those clear messages. of course, there is misinformation and that is why we try to do with that. there are two elements to what we are doing, rebutting things that are incorrect and that is being done through the cabinet office, but secondly, i am working with social media companies to remove false and misleading information. i hosted a cult with a major social media companyjust cult with a major social media company just yesterday. we cult with a major social media companyjust yesterday. we updated on the steps they are taking. they are treating this very seriously and we must move more rapidly to remove content, but they are removing that content, but they are removing that content, downgrading it. but as i have said, the main thing is getting that trusted information both from

broadcasters and reliable newspapers, and the government website. one last question, oliver dowden, if i may... iam website. one last question, oliver dowden, if i may... i am trying to clarify whether you are self isolating yourself as we speak this morning, and the other is do you have any more information on the prime minister? i am not self isolating. i was because my wife develop symptoms, but i am following government advice, which is that you should work from home if at all possible, and maybe it is not as clear an image you would get as if i was a new studio, but i have took the decision that we can try to work from home and we will do that, that is why i am doing this interview through my computer like this. in terms of the prime minister‘s condition, it remains as we said yesterday, so he remains stable, improving, he is sitting up in bed and engaged with medical staff. i have known that the prime minister for a long time and i wish him well

at this difficult time and i think things are getting better for him. oliver dowden, thank you very much. that is the culture secretary speaking to us, as he explained, from his home in hertfordshire. speaking to us, as he explained, from his home in hertfordshirem is going to be lovely this weekend for many of us. but to pay heed to the advice, stay home, protect lives. we are getting more from matt later on with the weather. time for the sport. what do you have for us this morning, mike? well, a development on this issue of premier league footballers and how they can help communities and the nhs during this pandemic. they had been critisised, by many for failing, to help amid the coronavirus pandemic but premier league footballers have now launched what they say is a "collective initative" to help raise funds for the nhs. they have argued this is more

effective than any wage cut, which is what the clubs had wanted. around 150 players posted this letter on social media last night. they‘ve called the initiative hashtag players together and promise help for nhs staff, volunteers and coronavirus patients. the likes of manchester united‘s harry maguire here, england team—mate jordan henderson and others all invovled, say it has been set up to "help those fighting for us on the nhs front line" and distribute funds "where they are needed most". the players are working with nhs charities together. well, health secretary matt hancock, who last week called for players to take a pay cut, tweeted... former premier league players have praised the move, too.

gary lineker tweeting. .. and ex—manchester united captain gary neville said... wales‘s leading rugby union players are to take a 25% pay cut for the next three months. the wru and the four regions have reached the agreement with the players‘ union. those earning less than £25,000 a year won‘t be affected. support staff at clubs will also have salaries reduced to varying degrees. county cricket champions essex are placing the club‘s players and the majority of non—playing staff on furlough leave until futher notice. kent are also doing the same with the majority of their employees. the new uk athletics chief executive, joanna coates, has been talking about the impact of coronavirus on the sport. they will be furloughing staff from today and are looking to protect what events

they still have in the calendar, like the anniversary games in london injuly, but that could see them clash with west ham, who play football there. we still really want to hold that. if the government is saying that we can still have mass gatherings, we still really want to hold that. it is very important for us, it is important for our athletes. we do understand that the premier league are controlling fixtures, so there are a lot of parties at work here, and we understand that west ham want to play their remaining fixtures. but we are still having conversations in the background that we want the anniversary games to go ahead. itjust feels like sometimes sport is weighted so much to football, and i think all sport at this moment in time should be given a fair shot. now earlier i was telling you about how premier league players are helping in the battle against coronavirus... well, in germany, several top—flight bundesliga players have taken wage cuts, and some haven‘t just

stopped there... they‘ve been stacking shelves at supermarkets — in particular, the wolfsburg players. also, some augsburg players have been handing out free drinks to health care workers, while rb leipzig stars have been donating blood. and then there‘s the schalke keeper even baking cakes for elderly fans, and they really seem to appreciate it! and not only baking cakes for elderly fans, though he is, taking them to the fans themselves as well, and that‘s a rather original way of getting them to the fans up there on the hoist in the basket. a quick update on the race for you, adam peaty, they are bidding on the little raffle to win those, it‘s a pound a go, so there we are. raising money for the nhs, adam peaty, his trunks, which are expressed a special interest in. why wouldn‘t i, mike? absolutely. mike, thank you very much. we will chat you later

on. a time is 7a6. farmers say they‘re having to pour away thousands of litres of fresh milk after a big drop in demand. some dairy farms fear they‘ll go out of business, which they warn could cause a milk shortage in the future. the government says it‘s already put some measures in place to support farmers, and will have further talks with unions. alex forsyth reports. it is waste on so many levels. fresh milk and all the work it took to produce it literally down the drain. some farmers are having to pour away thousands of litres of perfectly good milk because it is not being collected from their farms and it cannot be stored. it is heartbreaking, seeing it go straight out of the pipe and into the drain. especially when we have to work so hard to sell so little of it. my father has been farming his entire life and he has never ever dumped milk. so it‘s notjust the effect on your bank account but on everybody‘s down in the dumps, that sort of thing.

dairy farms affected, like this one near birmingham, produce milk that was destined for cafe‘s hotels and airlines but those businesses have slowed down or shut completely. the cows keep producing and need milking two or three times a day. the farmer he had to throw away a500 litres earlier this week after being told it would not be collected for processing and he is worried about the impact on his income. it is devastating for us and for the whole industry which is in freefall at the moment. not knowing how long this will carry on, nor where we will end up. if we make it to when things reopen, you know? potentionally the banks could foreclose on that would be the end of our dairy farm and there will not be any milk then to supply once

things return to normal. there is work going on to try and redirect some of the milkmen for the hospitality industry to places like coffee shops and get it into supermarkets instead. the government says it is talking to farmers and the firms that process the milk to work out what support the dairy sector needs. but it is not easy to change supply chains quickly and there could still be a milk surplus. many dairy farmers were already struggling, some have seen the amount they are paid for milk but so there is fear for the future. there are long—term implications, that when the market returns to normal that those funds may not be there to supply the market so we will actually become either more reliant on imports into the uk cos because we are not self—sufficient in dairy product and the fact that we could actually see shortages again when demand picks back up. many dairy farms are seeking support so they do not become another casualty of coronavirus and to stop this situation getting worse.

alex forsyth, bbc news. the time is coming up to 750. we've been talking about the pressures of various industries, the nhs of course, at the forefront of our minds, but so are the pharmacies and that‘s what nina is taking a look at as well. nina, we are talking about prescriptions, deliveries, trying to get patients through the door, socially distancing, so let‘s find out how industry is reacting. yes, they have been categorised as key front line workers and rightly so, pharmacists work with hospitals, with gps, with paramedics, and most importantly, with those face—to—face with the public, and over the past few weeks, they‘ve seen an increase in prescriptions of more than 30%. that‘s because lots of patience are asking for advance prescriptions so they have to make fewer visits, and home deliveries have doubled too. this is all at a time when lots of staff are self isolating at home but

also staff in store are under pressure to maintain those social distancing rules. not easy. earlier we spoke to toby anderson, the boss of lloyds pharmacy, the second biggest chain in the country who have 20,000 staff across 1500 stores. he said he is confident his staff will stay safe at work but what he says they need now is testing. all of lloyds pharmacy had ppe equipment, protective screens and, as of today, they also have visors. but it is important that, with more than 20% sickness in our front line teams, we ensure all health care workers have access to covid—19 tests, so that we can help get front line clinical staff back into certain patients in their communities. as of this morning, i have 2500 employees self isolating at home, and obviously not all of those will have the virus, some

u nfortu nately well. those will have the virus, some unfortunately well. so that‘s a large number of people. it makes it obviously very hard for the teams in the pharmacy to manage with the volume. ultimately, that 2500 people who are staying at home at a 10% hole in toby‘s workforce today and the department of health told us testing was initially prioritised for those working in critical care and emergency departments, but the extra volume is now trickling down to primary care provision, which will include pharmacists but obviously does not quickly enough for toby and the national pharmacy association. they have also been critical of the governments provision of protective equipment, the government have delivered 650,000 masks to pharmacies over the past few weeks, but many have been left to resource and replenish their stocks themselves. the advice from public health england is that pharmacists need to maintain social distancing rules, so two metres in all of their stores and then ppe is not necessary that, as you will

know, from going to your local pharmacy, sometimes that isn‘t a lwa ys pharmacy, sometimes that isn‘t always possible so the national pharmacy association is asking that more provisions are made immediately. pharmacists are working around the clock to make sure that the drugs that are needed are provided, they are asking patients to be patient, if there‘s a delay in a noncritical medicine, and also not to stockpile more off—the—shelf drugs and you absolutely need. nina, thank you very much for taking a look into that, something so many people are concerned about and interested in. thanks very much. for the third week in a row, millions of us are preparing to clap for carers at 8pm tonight. it has become a kind of set piece now, hasn‘t it? it‘s a way, actually, if you don‘t already feel it, you‘re so much more together, that sense of community, leaning out of the window and hearing clapping and car horns, all of it is a highlight to efforts of the key workers in the fight against key workers. coronavirus.

breakfast‘s tim muffett has been speaking to residents on one estate in north london about what it means to them. clapping. the sound of thursday evenings. listened and guidance counsellor stayed in north london where, like so many places, clapping for carers has become a weekly ritual. we have 267 flats in this estate and virtually every flat has got people out on the balcony cheering each other on. it is like solidarity for the nhs staff and solidarity for each other. a number of our neighbours are on the front line of the nhs. we are doing it for them. i felt the love. there is power and love and i felt it. what impact has it had on you hearing people clap for you and your colleagues? it makes me feel very appreciated. it was heart—warming and emotional. you think people really do appreciate what we're doing. my granddaughter works in the hospital as a care assistant

and she came down with covid—19 two days ago. this thursday i will clap my heart away with plenty of tears because it is very emotional. the week before last i suggested we start clapping which is what we did last thursday and it was absolutely tearful. last week i suggested you‘ll never walk alone, singing it, which we did last thursday and was absolutely tearful. i feel sorry for the prime minister and for anyone going through this. however higher up you are, whatever money you have got, however paul you are, it won‘t make any difference. it is out there. i felt quite choked up, actually. it was quite emotional. i normally put my son to bed at that moment and his dad, my husband, who is a doctor, he is never here because he is still working. it is nice to tell my two—year—old as i put him to bed

that they are clapping for doctors and all the people who look after us. some believe that when this pandemic is over the clap for carers should continue, that we should carry on showing our appreciation for people we have perhaps taken for granted. it is something we should be doing anyway. after we get through this it will make this estate a model community. everyone gets on and i think it has made us stronger as people. everyone talks to each other now. the thursday evening applause for the nhs is a crucial part of life on this estate now. let off steam once a week, cheer on the heroes that we have. a chance to say thank you but clapping for carers seems to be doing even more than that. without wishing to state the obvious, one thing i really look forward to now, friday morning, we get those big pictures and stories

and you share a little snapshot, don‘t you come of a moment in time? that hero half hour when we celebrate all of those who work so hard. yes. lovely out there. for many of us coming up this weekend. it has been. i have my bikini on earlier this week. i did a bit of sunbathing. didn‘t think i would be doing that for a while. much warmer than it has done... i think that i had a bikini top on, but worrying excavation work let‘s ta ke but worrying excavation work let‘s take a look through the kitchen window here in the hebrides. beautiful start in the far north of scotland, lovely sunrise, but what you can‘t make out is a bit of frost on the ground with temperatures in the highlands of scotland drop down to —5 through the night, compared to 10 degrees to the midlands, so there are some temperature contrast this morning and will be throughout the day. separating them is quite a bit of cloud across central and southern scotland, the far north of england, which could produce a few spots of light rain or drizzle, particular towards the hebrides later on. most places, though, dry with hazy

sunshine, a few mist and fog patches in the south but another day of sunny spells throughout and temperatures in the south up to 22 or 23 celsius, maybe 2a and yesterday. single figures for the north and east of scotland and a big temperature contrast across the north of england where the wind is coming from. coming off the north sea, temperatures, seven, so 9 degrees on the coast, and the wind off the land coming into the west, with temperatures between 15—23. a few isolated showers to finish the day in north wales, drifting to northern england and in two parts of scotla nd northern england and in two parts of scotland with wet weather for orkney and shetland is too overnight but with a fair and shetland is too overnight but withafairamount and shetland is too overnight but with a fair amount of cloud, the northern half of the country, it won‘t be as cold as last night and just about all of us are frost free into good friday. the cloud, few shops i was in the morning across northern england through the afternoon across parts of scotland under rumble of thunder possible with those. increasing sunshine working their way northwards and with a subtle shift in wind direction, north sea coast of england will be a bit warmer than they will be today and we could hit

2a celsius across some parts of the midlands and southern england and even a little bit milder in the far north of scotland compared to what we will have this afternoon. another mild night, and then to take us into saturday, still a fair bit of cloud at times in scotland, northern ireland, producing some showers around, a bit more of a breeze developing here. the breeze going into a south—westerly direction so all of his eastern coast will be substantially warmer than we have seen today, a few isolated showers across ireland and wales, but here we can see attempt is peaking at 2a or 25 degrees. and then during the second half of the easter weekend, it all starts to change a little bit and we see an area of low pressure just to the west of us, and what it does, it almost takes the lid off the atmosphere and allows a few more showers to pop up here and there. england and wales, greater chance of a shower, but many gardens will stay dry. afair a shower, but many gardens will stay dry. a fair bit of cloud of north—eastern scotland and a chilly wind developing and we will see temperatures 7—9 in the north of scotland, and even in the south, above where they should be for the time of year, 17—19, but down

through the next few days what we will see. that trend to cooler conditions continues further as we go to easter sunday into easter monday and it opens the door to north—easterly winds across the country with temperatures dropping, afair bit country with temperatures dropping, a fair bit of cloud to the north and east of the country and in the west, the best of the sunshine with temperatures at their highest, around 13 degrees. all the headlines coming up next. good morning welcome to breakfast with charlie stayt

and naga munchetty. our headlines today... the uk—wide lockdown will be discussed by ministers today, with the prospect of an extension to the uk‘s three—week coronavirus measures. the cobra meeting will take place without the prime minister, who has spent a third night in intensive care. colleagues say his condition is improving. outbreaks of coronavirus in care homes — we‘ll hear calls for more testing and greater protection for staff. a temporary payment holiday for loans and credit cards is confirmed. people struggling with their finances because of the coronavirus crisis will also get support with their overdraft and car financing deals. i‘ll have all the details. premier league footballers come together to generate funds for the nhs. they‘ve launched what they‘re calling a collective initiative to raise money and say they hope to make a real difference. iam i am catherine and this is william next to me. are you holding up pictures of your mummies and

daddies? a royal video visit by the duke and duchess of cambridge to the children of key workers at a primary school in lancashire. it‘s thursday 9th april. our top story... the culture secretary, oliver dowden, has told breakfast that no decision will be made today on whether to extend the current lockdown restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus. in the last half hour, mr dowden said now is not the time to change course. he was speaking ahead of a meeting of the government‘s emergency cobra committee, which will also involve leaders from the devolved nations. we have been absolutely clear about this. this guidance remains in place. people should be staying at home this weekend in order to save lives and protect the nhs. we‘ve always said, though, that we would review these measures on a periodic basis. cobra will meet today to determine that process, what evidence to consider. but i think you will have seen from, for example, the presentation just yesterday, the daily press conference,

these measures are starting to work, and now is not the time to be changing course. it comes after wales became the first uk nation to announce an extension to the initial three—week lock down. earlier, the welsh health minister explained why he believed the lockdown should remain in place. and we‘re right on the edge of the easter weekend, and if we don‘t provide a clear message to the public, then those people that have done such extraordinary efforts to change the way they live their lives are rather more likely to make different choices than what is after all a normal holiday weekend. let‘s speak to our political correspondent leila nathoo, who‘s at westminster for us. so, we are having this cobra meeting today. we‘re told in advance, the social restrictions, the so—called lockdown, will be discussed. but

tell us a bit more about the timeline around that, and now, possibly, the mixed messages from the devolved nations fidge i think what you‘re hearing there is really a difference of opinion on how to manage expectations about these restrictions, rather than a difference of opinion about whether the measures should continue. all the measures should continue. all the signs are from the cabinet, you heard oliver dowden there, saying he does not think it is very likely that the measures will be lifted, but wales going a bit further, saying they are definitively not going to lift it. i don‘t think there is going to be a clash of opinion, it is more about how the message is communicated. but we are going to have this cobra meeting later today, oliver dowden saying that we‘ll discuss how the lockdown measures will be reviewed. remember, it is written into law that there has to be a three—week review of lockdown measures, the first review has to take place by next thursday at the latest. so, that is what is

going to be under discussion today. but no decision from the cabinet about whether there was lockdown measures are going to be lifted in england. and in terms of the prime minister‘s condition? england. and in terms of the prime minister's condition? well, we have no further update this morning. yesterday we heard the encouraging news from the chancellor, rishi sunak, who said borisjohnson was improving. he is, of course, still in intensive care. but we know that he is stable, he has been responding to treatment, he has not yet needed a ventilator. he hasjust to treatment, he has not yet needed a ventilator. he has just been receiving standard oxygen treatment. but i think that message from rishi sunak last night that borisjohnson was improving, and had been sitting up was improving, and had been sitting up in bed and engaging with his medical team, that will clearly be positive news for people. leila nathoo, thank you. a temporary hospital, able to treat up to 500 coronavirus patients, will open in birmingham tomorrow. it‘s the second so—called nightingale hospital to be built. a a,000—bed intensive care facility opened in london earlier this week. similarfield hospitals are due to be built in bristol and harrogate.

staff working for the passport office have accused managers of putting their lives at risk by asking them to return to work in offices around the uk next week. unions said the move puts staff in greater danger of contracting covid—19, but the home office said it was maintaining correct social distancing practices at passport offices. australian police have raided a cruise ship in sydney and seized its black box. it‘s part of a criminal investigation into why passengers were allowed to disembark, despite some having flu—like symptoms. about a00 of the passengers later tested positive for the coronavirus and 15 have died. they account for nearly a third of australia‘s death toll of 51. people struggling with their personal finances because of the coronavirus crisis will get extra support from the banks from today. nina has got all the details. it isa it is a really worrying time for a lot of people, what are these latest

announcements? good morning. so, the financial conduct authority is the body which regulates banks and lenders, and they have been looking over the past week at possible measures to relieve people who are struggling financially because of the coronavirus. so, from today, there will be an option of a temporary freeze on loan and credit ca rd temporary freeze on loan and credit card payments for up to three months. there will also be a freeze on overdraft fees, on prearranged ove rd rafts, on overdraft fees, on prearranged overd rafts, to the on overdraft fees, on prearranged overdrafts, to the value of £500. within these measures, the fca have stipulated that anybody who takes advantage of these measures won‘t be punished by having their credit card rating affected. now, all of these measures come into effect from today and most of the big high street names have already signed up to it — hsbc, lloyds, rbs, santander, ba rclays, hsbc, lloyds, rbs, santander, barclays, among them. the fca is asking that you only take advantage of these measures if you absolutely need to, and contact your bank online if possible, or look at their

measures via social media. they have said they recognised that perhaps these measures don‘t far enough and that war more will need to be done that war more will need to be done that families who are struggling can get through this period. we understand that from next week, car finance payments will also be frozen, too. new overdraft charges, tell us a bit more about that? so, overdraft charges, at the moment, they have been frozen. so, any customer who has an arranged overdraft on their current account at the moment, up to £500, that will be charged at zero interest for three months. and there is also a role come in that any overdraft charges that would have been increased over the coronavirus period will have been frozen. so you will not be any worse off because of your overdraft after the crisis than your overdraft after the crisis than you were before. and i did get an e—mailfrom my you were before. and i did get an e—mail from my bank saying just that, that the facility if i wanted it would be interest free for a certain amount. at least they are

acting quickly because there has been a lot of criticism, hasn‘t there? yes, and within a statement this morning, a bit like the chancellor said a couple of weeks ago, they have said, this is a start but more measures will be coming into place later on. as we understand it, car financing into place later on. as we understand it, carfinancing will be added next week, but there could be more to come. and we already have the suspension of mortgage payments for three months, if you need it. many care homes say they are struggling to cope during the lockdown because of staff shortages and a lack of personal protective equipment. some care home owners say it has left them feeling vulnerable and afraid as they try to keep residents and staff safe. breakfast‘s graham satchell reports. just step on the mat there, and scrub your feet, mary. put your personal effects on the table. getting into glynn williams‘ care home is a military operation. this former raf man has set up a decontamination zone. nothing gets in without being sanitised. hello, ladies and gents. hello. enjoying a bit of

time out in the sun? these pictures were taken for us by the care home. so far, none of the 28 residents has contracted the virus. but there‘s a strong feeling here that they‘re not getting the help they need, particularly with protective clothing. we‘ve had to innovate with the visors. we managed to source some hairspray visors that stick on to a forehead. i‘ve got one here that i can show you. it just peels off. you might have seen them in the hairdressers. you shouldn‘t have to be improvising, should you? no, absolutely not. also we can‘t get medical gowns so we‘re having to consider the use of plastic bags, to be honest, to cut holes in for the heads and the arms. but, yes, as a last resort, we‘ve got a bag that you put your hands through and slot over your head, you know. no apron?

no problem. bin bag. so, this is what staff here are using to protect their residents and themselves — plastic bags and visors used in hairdressers. face shield. can be stuck to forehead, or... the welsh government told us they have issued ppe to local authorities for front line care workers and they‘ve issued guidance on how social care workers can carry out their activities safely. but glynn says he‘s at his wits end trying to keep everyone safe. the heartache that my wife and i are going through at the moment with these residents, because we love them. it‘s a sad state of affairs that the local authorities can‘t help us out in these dire circumstances, to be honest with you. we're all exhausted. i'm probably on three hours' sleep a night and i'm desperate tojust try and do everything i can to achieve the duty of care

that i have to everyone in our welburn family. rachel runs 1a care homes in the north east of england. she‘s bought protective clothing for all her staff, but it‘s expensive and in short supply. listen to the worries. where are we geting our ppe from? where are we going to get this supply from? how are we going to protect this home from covid—19? it‘s very hard sometimes as we‘re frightened ourselves. and we are going home to some vulnerable people ourselves. i'm managing quite well, but the guilt of taking this dreadful virus home to my family and possibly passing it on, it's heartbreaking. there have been cases of covid—19 in two of the 1a homes rachel runs. yeah. and what about testing? have any of you been tested? nope. none of the staff have been tested. and in fact, the first home where we had our first case, we rang public health and we said

we have three now that have been admitted to the hospital, all tested positive. could we please have our six promised tests? and they said, "what's the point? "it is what it is" and put the phone down. gosh, what do you think of that? i was furious. i actually cried when i went to bed that night. how can any of us know whether we're taking a virus into a home with vulnerable people if we haven't got the tests? covid—19 is starting to spread in care homes, with deaths now reported in luton, liverpool, portsmouth, glasgow. the scottish government says it will offer all the support it can to care homes. hello, kathy. i‘ve brought you a cup of tea and a cheese scone. do you think it‘s inevitable that residents in care homes are going to end up dying in numbers? yes. ultimately, if we‘re not careful and we don‘t get the right

equipment and admissions, our residents, aren‘t cared for by the nhs, then, yes, that‘s what we are looking at. the government in westminster says it has delivered almost eight million pieces of ppe to care homes and is rapidly working to extend testing to social care workers. but the message is clear. there isn‘t enough financial support. there isn‘t enough testing. there isn‘t enough protective clothing. graham satchell, bbc news. let‘s speak now to nadra ahmed, who is the chair of the national care association, she‘s in kent this morning, and helen robinson, whose mumjill is a resident in a care home. she‘s in malton in north yorkshire. very good morning to you both. helen, starting with you, thank you for sharing yourfamily helen, starting with you, thank you for sharing your family story with us. i think one of the really important things about this, these are not just statistics important things about this, these are notjust statistics and numbers in care homes, these are real people. so, first of all, can you just tell us about your mum? you're right, they are real people. my mum

is jill, right, they are real people. my mum isjill, she was sectioned in august of last year and moved to a care home in harrow gate on 30th december. she was diagnosed three yea rs december. she was diagnosed three years ago at the age of 6a with early—onset alzheimer‘s and sadly has deteriorated quite rapidly, but asi has deteriorated quite rapidly, but as i say, since 30th december, she‘s beenin as i say, since 30th december, she‘s been ina as i say, since 30th december, she‘s been in a home in harrogate, which isa been in a home in harrogate, which is a fantastic home, and caring for her really well. but of course, the last month has been quite worrying. helen, we‘re seeing right now these lovely images of the pair review smiling, and that is lovely to see. but you, like lots of other families, are now having to deal with extraordinary situations in terms of the practicalities, so, how does it work, what kind of contact can you have with your mum? yeah, it‘s been really difficult, the last timei it‘s been really difficult, the last time i saw my mum was on friday 13th, funnily enough, of march. and on that day she was really good form. i didn‘t know then that that

would be the last time i would see herfor a while because would be the last time i would see her for a while because at that stage we were being told the home wasn‘t going to close, that we could still keep going to visit her as long as we were not going in big groups. and by the following monday, my dad and brother drove through, we live an hour away from the home, but they through that drove evening to be turned away and told that they had a suspected case that day and therefore they were having to close therefore they were having to close the doors. since then, we obviously wa nt to the doors. since then, we obviously want to see her, my dad used to go and see her five times a week. i get to see her a couple of times a week. but sadly we can‘t go and visit. the two really important days they have had since then has been mother‘s day and her 68th birthday on 28th of march. and they were really important days, we have never missed a mother‘s day or birthday with her. so, we all made the effort, myself and my children and my dad and my sister drove through in separate ca rs sister drove through in separate cars and some gifts for her and

stood in the car park and the staff we re stood in the car park and the staff were brilliant, they brought her to the window of her bedroom and opened it up and she could see down into the car park at us and give us a big wave, and she was shouting through the window to us, wanted to know why we weren‘t coming up to see her in the way that she could talk. but it was nice for us, she was smiling, she was happy, she was clinging on to the teddy and the balloon that i had got for her. but that is all we can really do. her birthday was really a n can really do. her birthday was really an important day, it‘s the first time in a9 years that my dad hasn‘t spent some of the day with his wife, giving her a kiss and cuddles. and it was always going to be hard being the first day that she had been in a care home, the first birthday. however, we had never expected not to be able to give her a kiss and coddle and just sit and hold her head for —— hold her hand for a while. so it wasjust important that we went and stood in

that car park and waved at her. other than that it is telephone calls, my dad will ring them every couple of days. if there has been any incident, they will ring us. and we have tried to set up some kind of skype type of call so that we can see her. she wouldn‘t necessarily understand that we are on the end of a telephone line, but we can see her and see that she‘s ok. a telephone line, but we can see her and see that she's ok. helen, it's heartbreaking hearing what your family is going through, obviously a family is going through, obviously a family full of love, but one which is separated now. you‘ve been listening and nodding, so many exa m ples of listening and nodding, so many examples of separation, difficulties in communicating, and fear amongst families, particularly as there seems to be more concerned about coronavirus and how care homes are being advised to treat patients,

especially returning patients, with coronavirus and the exposure of those patients, nadra ahmed?m coronavirus and the exposure of those patients, nadra ahmed? it is, it‘s very emotional. and i think up and down the company, these are challenges that relatives are facing and providers are trying to manage to the best of their abilities, and our fantastic care staff are taking the time and the energy to make that day as special as they can under the circumstances. and i think the more we think about the impact of this coronavirus on settings like care homes, the more concerning it becomes, because we just don‘t have the support. we don‘t normally have masks in our care services, we do have aprons and gloves, so, the protective equipment required for our staff, we were trying to get it and being told that it had all been requisitioned for the nhs. so, we

had members ringing us up, absolutely desperate. we still have, those have not been resolved. so, to be clear, are you short of ppe at the moment? absolutely. what is that like? well, it is very, very frightening because we want to keep our staff safe, and we have got staff quite rightly saying, we don‘t wa nt to staff quite rightly saying, we don‘t want to do the job if we haven‘t got the equipment, because they‘ve got their own families to think about. we‘ve got one provider who has paid £8,500 for ppe for one week, and that will last them one week, because they‘ve got covid—19 patients in the service. that is unacceptable. we‘re paying vat on ppe, when the nhs was given an exemption very early on. and whilst we absolutely support our nhs colleagues, they are a sister service, it seems absolutely ridiculous that social care isn‘t treated in the same way. we are

looking after the most vulnerable. cani looking after the most vulnerable. can ijust looking after the most vulnerable. can i just say, looking after the most vulnerable. can ijust say, you‘re at looking after the most vulnerable. can i just say, you‘re at the sharp end of this, and the department of health has given a response when it comes to funding, and it says... we have delivered 7.8 million pieces of ppe to more than 26,000 care settings across the country. we‘re rapidly working to extend testing to social care workers and the government has announced a £2.9 billion to help local authorities support adult social care et cetera. how is that feeding down to you? well, those pieces of ppe was 300 per care home which would last a ca re per care home which would last a care home with somebody with covid—19 for maybe a day and a half, two days, depending. it‘sjust not enough. yes, the money was announced, several weeks ago, about three weeks ago, we still haven‘t had confirmation of how that is being filtered into the system. and i think everybody is doing everything they can, i‘m not saying

they‘re not. we are talking to government all the time. but i think the urgency of dealing with it in a ca re the urgency of dealing with it in a care setting seems to have passed them by and i think they need to really start to think about what we need. because we‘ve got, in addition to the list that was presented earlier, we‘ve also got staffing issues. we had 122,000 vacancies at the end of last year. and now, we‘ve got between 20% and 25% who are either self—isolating or not able to work. and that is just adding and compounding the issue. so, we‘ve got really committed, dedicated social ca re really committed, dedicated social care staff, providers who are trying to make this work, and the staff are doing double shifts, they‘re working their socks off to try and keep the people that we are looking after safe. that‘s our entire focus, is to keep people safe in our services. and wejust

keep people safe in our services. and we just need to be... keep people safe in our services. and wejust need to be... we keep people safe in our services. and we just need to be... we need a virtual hug, care homes, in your area, need a virtual hug, is there anything you can do to support them, evenif anything you can do to support them, even if it‘s dropping off a packet of biscuits for the staff to have with their tea. anything would just be better than just ignoring with their tea. anything would just be better thanjust ignoring us, which is how a lot of care providers are feeling, they feel they are being ignored. it shouldn‘t be right that they are wearing plastic bags. surely, people can see that, and the ppe, 600% more than you would normally pay for it? nadra, thank you so much, so many people when embrace what you‘re saying. on a personal note, clearly, the staff who work there in normal circumstances do extraordinary work, at the moment, the demands are above and beyond. presumably, you‘re relying on the staff there are more than ever emotionally, maybe in terms of translating a message from you to your loved one or vice versa,

for them telling you how in your case your mum is? yeah, absolutely. unfortunately when people have got dementia, one of the difficulties is in the way they communicate. and so you can't pick up the telephone and have a conversation with them like i can ring my dad and see how he's doing. it'sjust not possible. so you are absolutely reliant on the staff, and mum has not been in that home for very long but we know that the staff are fantastic. many of them, english isn't their first language but they are so caring and they will communicate with us, and asi they will communicate with us, and as i said before, if there has been any problems, mum had a little fall yesterday, they will ring us and let us know, they are always really reassuring. but it is hard when you can't see them for yourself and see how they are doing. as has been said, i worry about the staff themselves, they are putting their own lives and the lives of their families at risk by going in and

caring. and homes, i've said from the start, an elderly person's home has got to be a place we really need to keep this virus away from, because of all the statistics, it's the sort of place that it willjust ta ke the sort of place that it willjust take and be brutal. sorry to interrupted, something tells me that tonight, you will be clapping may be ever so slightly more fiercely than other people because of your circumstances, i mean, have you got a message you would like to send out to those people who are doing their job that those carers are doing? absolutely, just... they've all got to really understand and see how much they are appreciated. it's very much they are appreciated. it's very much focused when we hear of key workers on the nhs workers, quite rightly, who are doing a fantastic job, and also on supermarket staff. but actually, carers in homes, and social workers for young children, they're really important people, who

have got to carry on doing their job, and! have got to carry on doing their job, and i just have got to carry on doing their job, and ijust want to say to all of them, we really, really appreciate everything that you're doing, and every risk that you're taking personally. that must make you feel some appreciation from the people who matter? absolutely, we're doing it for the residents and their families, we are doing everything we possibly can. and i would want to reassure people who have got relatives in care services that we will do our very best, and if the virus comes in, despite the fact that you will be hearing all sorts of things about not being taken to hospitals and all of that, we will do everything physically possible to keep your relative safe. and our plea is for the banks to understand that. i don‘t like it when i hear one of my members saying, well, you‘re going to have to look at some savings. where are we going to make any savings at this moment in time?

we need to understand that care providers have invested into the services, and they are going to be under considerable financial strain. it's under considerable financial strain. it‘s been very interesting talking to you both. nadra ahmed, chair of the national care association, we wish you well. and helen robinson, we wish you, your mum and your dad, and hopefully you will all get a chance at some point in the future to have a hug, rather thanjust a virtual hug. thank you very much for talking to us. here‘s matt with a look at this morning‘s weather. and the message is always, as you tell us about the weather, is, stay at home? absolutely, charlie, that is the message, stay at home. there will be more weekends later in the spring and summer to enjoy. this was from the isle of wight a short time

ago. some sunshine to start the day. yesterday we saw big temperature contrasts. those temperatures contrasts. those temperatures contrasts remain in place either side of this weather front. that temperature contrast is separated by this area of cloud across central and southern scotland. there will be some spots of rain, which will push northwards during the day. sunshine still to the south, temperatures up towards 23 celsius this afternoon. and a big ten project contractor today across the north of england. with an easterly breeze coming off the north sea. —— and a big temperature contrast. the other side of northern england, considerably warmer. but that contrast will even out during the weekend. the heaviest

of the rain is likely across orkney and shetland. should be frost—free as we start good friday. for good friday, plenty of cloud across scotla nd friday, plenty of cloud across scotland and northern ireland. some showers, the odd sharp shower. much of northern ireland, england and wales will be dry. increasing sunshine during the day. easter saturday, sunshine still there for many across england and wales. there could be an isolated shower across england and wales later in the day, more chance of rain across scotland and northern ireland. warmer down those eastern coasts, but on easter sunday and monday, it is going to be turning colder. most places will stay dry although there is a chance of showers.

hello. this is breakfast with charlie stayt and naga munchetty. the time is coming up to half past eight. let's bring you up to date. senior ministers will meet this morning to discuss whether the current lockdown should be extended. but speaking to us earlier on breakfast, the culture secretary, oliver dowden, said no decision would be announced today. the measures came into force two—and—a—half weeks ago to try to limit the spread of the coronavirus, but ministers have suggested it‘s too soon to tell if they‘re having the desired impact. the prime minister has spent a third night in intensive care at st thomas‘s hospital in central london. the latest update from ministers said that boris johnson was "improving", sitting up in bed and "engaging positively" with doctors. police in greater manchester say they were called to almost 500 house parties and more than 160 street parties last weekend, despite the lockdown measures. some of the gatherings had bouncy castles, djs and fireworks. with warm weather forecast this weekend, police say they‘ll issue fines to people found breaking the rules and that only staying at home will help stop

the spread of coronavirus. the duke and duchess of cambridge have surprised children of key workers with a virtual visit to their school. from their home in norfolk, william and catherine dialled into casterton primary in burnley — their first royal engagement through video conferencing. richard askam has more. i am catherine and this is william, next to me. are you holding up pictures of your mummies and daddies? yes! a royal call to children and staff at a school which is helping dozens of families in east lancashire. this is a picture of my mum and she works for the nhs as an admin for the health services and i'm really proud of her. well done, you. can you hold it up a bit to your left so we can see it? brilliant, that's a greatjob. well done, it‘s brilliant. you should be very proud

of her, they do an amazing job, the nhs workers. have you got a picture as well? this is a picture of my mum and she works at a special school and she helps and treats children. fantastic. is she still working at the moment? this week. the school also delivers food to some families as well as helping with mental health provision. we are massively grateful to have their support today. and the duchess of cambridge has been our patron, our royal patron since 2013 and really had that spotlight on children‘s mental health and support that can be given within schools, it‘s hugely impactful. the duke and duchess were clearly impressed with the work the school is doing. thank you so much, it‘s been fun, we had a really fun time. thank you for taking the time, it's been an amazing experience for them. we just want to say a huge

thank you to you guys, well done for keeping it all going and please pass on all the messages of support, the staff and volunteers are doing a greatjob. a royal seal of approval that clearly went down very well. richard askam, bbc news. we‘re joined now by anita ghidotti, who is the chief executive of the trust which manages the school and spoke to the duke and duchess on the video call. we are speaking to you now, anita, you are the head teacher, i understand as well, but you haven‘t got your bunny ears on? did we see you a moment ago is that better? that is much better, for continuity reasons that makes much more sense. we can link you with the person we saw some moments ago, there we go. there is you enjoying the chat. talk about the impact on the youngsters they spoke to? it wasjust about the impact on the youngsters they spoke to? it was just the about the impact on the youngsters they spoke to? it wasjust the most incredible day yesterday. we told the children early in the morning

who was actually going to be calling us later in the day. and so they didn‘t freeze on camera. they were so excited. really excited to show them all the things they have been doing. and they put them so much at ease, they were completely themselves, the children, it was fantastic. we got a little taste, the kids had done pictures, with their parents, a lot of them. they could be nurses, doctors, any of those key workers. yes, the majority of the children we have in at the moment are children of key workers. so they‘d done portraits of their pa rents to so they‘d done portraits of their parents to explain whatjobs they are doing and to explain how they are doing and to explain how they are helping. i love it when children drew pictures of their parents, they are not always flattering, are they? it's are not always flattering, are they? it‘s the thought that counts, i think! exactly, that's the point. where there are any, i had to ask, we re

where there are any, i had to ask, were there any, kids say things, sometimes, don‘t they? sometimes they say things you‘re not expecting them to say. all the adults in the room were slightly on edge but they didn‘t, i think part of the reason it didn‘t happen was because they felt so comfortable. there were a couple of funny moments, there were laughs all the way through the conversation. from both sides, really, particularly the bunny ears. and they felt completely at ease. there was nothing horrendous said. that‘s good to hear. i‘m a little bit disappointed, in a way, but there you go so tell us how things are working? it‘s not normal times, is it? the kids you teaching there, pa rents is it? the kids you teaching there, parents involved in part of what‘s going on at the moment, how is it working more generally?” going on at the moment, how is it working more generally? i mean, our primary school yesterday, actually, thatis primary school yesterday, actually, that is a hub for our trust, there are children from five schools going into that school. and we‘ve got less

than 1% of our children coming in so pa rents than 1% of our children coming in so parents have been absolutely fantastic and forever possible have kept their children at home which means we are able to care just for the children that absolutely need us. so we had 18 children in yesterday and that‘s a mixture of children aged from five years to 1a, we‘ve got binary schools and secondary schools. this week is the easter holidays. —— primary schools. were trying to make things more activity —based, english and maths on the agenda, just for these two weeks. but we will be right back on it after that. but up to this week we we re it after that. but up to this week we were doing lessons with them. lovely to catch up with you, anita. thanks so much, lovely to see you in those bunny ears this morning, you carry them off very nicely. thank you very much! lovely to hear those

stories. the time is 2a minutes to nine. we will talk about the achievements, from a rather remarkable young lady who sadly lost her life after contracting coronavirus. rebecca mack had worked as a children‘s cancer nurse. friends described her as kind, funny and a tremendous clinician. she was due to turn 30 this summer. let‘s speak to rebecca‘s friend, sarah bredin—kemp who‘s in northumberland, and sarah oakley, whose son lewis was cared for by rebecca during his treatment for leukaemia. welcome to all of you to bbc brea kfast welcome to all of you to bbc breakfast this morning. sarah, firstly, i‘m so sorry for the loss of yourfriend. i know firstly, i‘m so sorry for the loss of your friend. i know the firstly, i‘m so sorry for the loss of yourfriend. i know the reason that you want to talk to us this morning is to tell us just how brilliant she was. tell us about her. yes, absolutely. she was this wonderfully kind person. how do you

explain someone who was just all things to all people? she was so funny, so kind. she would really wa nt funny, so kind. she would really want people to remember that she wasn‘t perfect, she was somebody who embraced her imperfections and she knew she was this absolute ball of silliness and goofiness. and we are really proud of her still. what makes her so perfect is that she was just a complete mess! what did she love about nursing? i think she loved helping people. i love hearing the stories that she had about the connections she‘d made. she never treated people as patients, really, just as friends. particularly the little kids on the wards. she really wa nted little kids on the wards. she really wanted to make sure that the kids had a proper childhood, they were a lwa ys had a proper childhood, they were always laughing and smiling. i think

partially because she was such a big kid herself, she loved to mess about and make sure the kids were having a good time, as much as they possibly could, in the circumstances. what a perfect opportunity to have a chat with sarah. lewis is with you. lovely to see you this morning. what can you tell us about becca and what she meant to you and your family? we first met rebecca back injune 2015, lewis was diagnosed with leukaemia. she was one of the first people that lewis met, she made lewis, and she made sure she told him everything was going to be ok, she was smiling, she lit up the room when she came in. she was fun, loving, bubbly, a little bit clumsy! i love hearing stories like this. tell us about the clumsy, it‘s nice to celebrate people in a way as they really were, alongside colleagues and we will hear more about that in a moment.

she was a wonderful clinician. she knew her stuff but a real personality at the same time, obviously, from what we are hearing? when she was coming in to do temperatures and things like that, dropping things on the floor, just making us laugh all the time! when you hear about things like that, and i know when you are talking about how she treated, she was treating lewis, she‘d teach the kids some naughty things as well. didn‘t she teach them how to do something with the cover of the thermometer you have to put a plastic cover over the thermometer for every patient she saw and used to be able to fire them like a bullet so every time she took the temperature you would fire the cover off, like a bullet from a gun. children all across wards, if they are watching this morning, good luck to all the nurses looking after them this morning night that the legacy of becca is going to be in those

words. sarah, i know one of the way she will celebrate her, and this will paint a picture, talk to me about leopard print. well, she was very reminiscent of the iconic pat butcher and her style choices! she had some ridiculous leopard print or a neon pink or something, these huge big earrings. and there was absolutely no way of telling her it was ever too much. the phrase less is more wasjust was ever too much. the phrase less is more was just not at all in her vocabulary! she was just, is more was just not at all in her vocabulary! she wasjust, she dressed how she was, over silly. she absolutely had this confidence that wouldn‘t let you tell her otherwise! she passed away at home, is that correct? yes, she'd been poorly for a couple of weeks, we didn‘t realise it was this series. she‘d been

isolating, doing everything she had to do, we were dropping off shopping and to do, we were dropping off shopping a nd flowers to do, we were dropping off shopping and flowers and medication for her. and just leaving it by the door, not seen her. so what‘s so heartbreaking is that she was such a lovely person and she would be everyone ‘s best friend, real people person. for her to have died on her own, is really, truly, it‘s harrowing. to have died on her own, is really, truly, it's harrowing. and talking to you both this morning, i‘m sure you know better than anyone else the impact that someone can have in such a short time in this life, really? and you know better than anyone else the way that one person can affect another person ‘s life? the way that one person can affect another person 's life? yes, definitely. we only knew her, even

when we went in, within a week, we we re when we went in, within a week, we were like really good friends. we took a real liking to her, she was just fantastic, amazing. am i right in thinking that lewis has got something he‘d like to add as well? yes. thank you! we just wanted to say thank you to her. we will be forever grateful. it's the most simple and the most meaningful of messages. sarah, thank you and lewis, thank you for chatting to us as well. it‘s good to see you. and sarah, we reiterate, we are so sorry for the loss, to family and friends, and to you and thank you so much for sharing your reminiscences this morning. thank you. it's the simplest thing, isn‘t it? i know, i

know. it‘s worth hearing every time. it's 17 know. it‘s worth hearing every time. it‘s 17 minutes to nine. we‘ve been talking about people who are really worried, if they are in need of an organ donation. there are some fears they could be missing out because of they could be missing out because of the corona virus outbreak. the number of people needing intensive care as a result of falling ill with the virus means there are fewer beds available for both potential donors and recipients, as our health correspondent dominic hughes explains. we just want to know what‘s, what‘s happening. i think it‘s the unknown that‘s the scary thing. getting weaker every day. in desperate need of a liver transplant, anna rose is shielding herself, but the coronavirus epidemic poses a terrible dilemma. if she was offered a transplant, should anna rose risk infection in hospital or miss out on a life—saving operation? having to go into hospital while that there are coronavirus patients in there on the same ward,

even, it‘s very worrying. and the longer that i‘m not being monitored, the longer i leave it, i could just get sicker and sicker. it is a matter of life and death. data from nhs blood and transplant, the body that oversees the uk‘s organ donation network, shows the number of transplants carried out each day has plummeted through march. this time last year, more than 80 transplants a week were being carried out. now only the most urgent operations are still happening, such as liver and heart transplants, and of 23 kidney units in the uk, only four are still operating. none of them in scotland, wales or northern ireland. the decline in transplants is linked to the pressure covid—19 is placing on intensive care beds. organ donors and recipients both need that high level care, so fewer families of potential donors are being approached. and doctors don‘t want vulnerable transplant recipients with suppressed immune systems alongside infectious

covid—19 patients. when i hearfrom other countries who have been at the centre of this covid pandemic, they have got to the point where no transplant is possible in certain regions at all. and we may get to that point in the next days or weeks, but we are working very hard to keep organ donation and transplant open for as long as possible. in this training exercise, staff go through the delicate process of broaching organ donation with a family. the parents are played by actors, but this is a very familiar scenario for amy preston, a nurse specialising in organ donation. her other organs are working well enough that she could potentially help save the lives of maybe seven or eight other people. we recorded this 18 months ago with amy, but since coronavirus, she spends half her time as an intensive care nurse. it's unprecedented times.

it's not how i ever expected my role to look. but we're just doing the best we can to try to ensure that when there is an opportunity for donation, when it can go ahead despite all the odds, when it does happen in these times, it's even more miraculous. so we just concentrate our efforts to make the most of the opportunity that arises. even in a normal year, around a50 people will die while waiting for a transplant. the sad reality is that number will probably rise this year as transplants come to a halt. anna rose and thousands like her fear they are at risk of becoming the unseen casualties of the coronavirus. dominic hughes, bbc news. let‘s speak now to bbc radio 1 xtra‘s dj ace, who‘s awaiting a kidney transplant, and jeremy crane, who‘s a transplant surgeon. good morning to you both. ace, thank

you so much for talking to us this morning. last night, i understand, tell me if this is right, you were in hospitalfor dialysis tell me if this is right, you were in hospital for dialysis and you tell me if this is right, you were in hospitalfor dialysis and you had covid 19. in hospitalfor dialysis and you had covid19. you‘ve been taken off air so you can isolate and you‘ve been put back on air so tell me about you and the situation you‘re in this moment? yes, about two weeks ago i tested positive for covid 19, about a week prior i was on air, came off air because i‘m in the high—risk and vulnerable category, i was told to go home and isolate for 12 weeks and about a week after coming off air i tested positive for covid 19. i‘m now, i‘ve had my second swap and test and i‘ve got the all clear but i had to have dialysis in that time soi i had to have dialysis in that time so i was doing it in isolation, in a different part of the hospital. i still, even now, i‘ve had negative swa bs. still, even now, i‘ve had negative swabs. so i am still having dialysis at my renal unit. and yes, i‘m still

in isolation, actually, for another seven days. when you hear about how the nhs, how certain parts of the nhs are being impacted, how do you think is going to affect you, personally? well, i've been on dialysis for two years. i‘ve been a renal patient for two years. only recently, i was starting to have my pre—tests for a transplant so i‘ve got one more test to go, actually. that‘s been cancelled. i can imagine mothers going to be loads of people waiting on transplants, some people closer than me to getting a transplant, maybe some people that have had a transplant scheduled that will be cancelled because of the situation so i canjust imagine, it‘s just like impacting so situation so i canjust imagine, it‘sjust like impacting so many different people. have you been told to be prepared to wait longer now?” just think it‘s a given, i haven‘t really been told that. but i mean, i

know all of my pretransplant tests have been cancelled. i did actually have been cancelled. i did actually have a couple of people that were going to be tested to be a donor but had been told not to come in yet, don‘t have your test yet. so yes, it‘s an extra long waiting game for me at the moment. jeremy, pick up some of those details that ace was talking about. the light programme is especially postponed for a moment so tell us, essentially, what are you able to do? we have to be very careful because there is a lot of unknowns in transplantation situations. these decisions weren't taken situations. these decisions weren't ta ken lightly so situations. these decisions weren't taken lightly so we have to wait and see how things evolve over the next few weeks. there's a lot of disappointment involved in dj, i can hear the disappointment in your voice but we will be back on it when we can but it has to be in a safe environment for our patients. there isa environment for our patients. there is a lot of risks involved with transplant patients because of the

immunosuppression drugs they are going to be taking. so until we really understand the effect of coronavirus in those patients are having transplants, then we'll have a bit more information and will be able to move forward but hopefully, all those people that are waiting for transplants, they will happen but not right now. this is an unsafe and unchartered territory at the moment. jeremy, two sides to the story, those who need a transplant organ and the donors and there clearly is a worry that the donors will be reluctant to come forward. take us through what happens in relation to that at the moment? there is two aspects to the question, the live donors and they are often paired with someone like dj who they are giving a kidney to and those transplants will take place, they will take place but there is a bit of a longer wait, unfortunately. there is a very good relationship between transplant recipients, people waiting for transplants and their transplant

surgeons and physicians. these decisions, they are sensible decisions, they are sensible decisions and they are taken in context and with long discussions so everyone understands the situation. also, of course, there is deceased donation, a large percentage of our work and of course, when patients are passing away on intensive care units, there is a lot of unknowns about whether these potential donors are affected with covid19 so of course, that's why we had to come again, suspend the deceased donor transplantation in the same way as live donor so at the moment, we are not quite sure when we are going to be able to restart but of course, we are watching the situation unfold as everyone else is. jeremy, very difficult to approach and broach the subject without asking this subject, considering how many people are dying because of covid 19, because of other issues as well. but is there now, is it now given in your world, that there will be people who

need transplants who want to get them, and will succumb as a result? so, that's a difficult question but it's an important question. in terms of, i do kidney and pancreas transplantation is, they are not life—saving in that instance, 0k? transplantation is, they are not life—saving in that instance, ok? so in terms of improving the quality of life and extending the quality of life, that is the case and there are some transplants like heart and liver that patients need them literally, straight away. in those situations, those transplants are still taking place. so yes, there are going to be ill effects of this but what i can say to those patients waiting for a transplant, is there isa waiting for a transplant, is there is a bit ofa waiting for a transplant, is there is a bit of a pause at the moment, 0k? things haven't been postponed, they had been suspended for a while but we will be back on track because transplant surgery, it's very unusual not to be operating. dj, sorry to interrupt, our time is limited so can i ask a very simple

question? how do you keep your spirits up? we know this is very difficult for you, what‘s your go to, keep the spirits up then? i've got great friends and family. as you quys got great friends and family. as you guys know, i am a dj, got great friends and family. as you guys know, iam a dj, i have listeners who have given me so much love and so much support and i‘m, i understand this is just a very difficult time for everything, this is something we have never been through before. there is going to be no blueprint as to how the nhs and the government or anybody handles this. i‘m just praying that we all get through it and at some point i will get my kidney. we wish you well, enviously, and everyone watching us. —— obviously. and jeremy, thank you so much for your time. there‘s just time for one more remarkable story for you. last week nhs worker karen mccabe was being treated in intensive care after catching coronavirus. today, she‘s preparing to head home to be reunited with her family.

karen joins us now from her hospital room in edinburgh. karen, a very good morning tea! good morning, good morning, are you. the question is, how are you? i'm good, yes, it's good that i can actually ask the question. this time last week was a very different story, i have to say. it's been a remarkable journey, remarkable recovery. yes, i'm very happy to be one of the lucky ones. just to give us, if you can, i know you‘ve been through some extraordinary and very difficult times. give people a sense of how that started and how you got to where you are now. obviously, we'd been watching the news, like everyone else, it's been on our mind and about three and a half, four weeks ago my daughter came at a school complaining of a sore throat, and under normal circumstances i would put her back to school the following day but i had a gut feeling, instant, ithought i

following day but i had a gut feeling, instant, i thought i should keep off school. that was the middle of the week and it was the date the first minister announced schools would close on the friday so the children and i self isolated from about mid march. i have an underlying health condition so i was obviously quite anxious to try and protect myself and keep us safe and it was the following week, my son, he is four years old, started to display some symptoms, he had a high temperature, coughing, but we put him on to couple and he was fine and the following day i started to cough and have a high temperature but again, symptoms were extremely mild, i was cooking, cleaning the house, doing all those things but a couple of days later, it was as if someone had flicked a switch in my body and on the friday evening i went to go to bed and brush my teeth and i literally could not breathe, i could not breathe. i struggled throughout the night. i don't know howl not breathe. i struggled throughout the night. i don't know how i did it, very unwell through the night, vomiting, headache, you know, body aching. just a soaring temperature.

ended up calling nhs 24 early that morning. was very quickly given an appointment to attend the western general hospital in edinburgh to be assessed for covid 19. and then eventually spiralled from there, testing positive. and my condition deteriorated, probably from the sunday night. and to the point i required intensive care unit admission on the monday. karen, i know now today is a very special day for you. we‘ve all been hearing tributes for the nhs staff and ca re rs tributes for the nhs staff and carers but tell us what today is going to be like. it‘s been hard but todayis going to be like. it‘s been hard but today is going to be a good day. today, hopefully, my oxygen sites are back up, my blood pressure is backup, that was the problem yesterday, i am backup, that was the problem yesterday, lam hoping backup, that was the problem yesterday, i am hoping the consultant is going to pack my bags and kick me out the door today, i hope! yes, and that means home? that means home. and i know you've got to

micro youngsters. i have, and who is seven and a half, and a son who is four. they are very excited, they wanted to be on tv this morning. but i had to break that news to them that they wouldn't be. they have been delighted. they've been, their dad has been trying to keep them busy. doing school work. dad has been trying to keep them busy. doing schoolwork. helping around the house and the garden. they have been drawing rainbow pictures and putting them in the window and all these things, they've done 0k window and all these things, they've done ok but they are missing their friends. we take it for granted kids will be ok but they do miss that social interaction, that activity. something tells me there are going to be some very big hugs somewhere in and around edinburgh today? absolutely, absolutely and it'sjust a pity i cannot see my wider family. a stepdaughter i will be able to see, my parents. it's been very difficult for them, they haven't been able to come near the hospital, when i was at my lowest ebb. you know, last monday, i send them a couple of text messages, to my

partner and thence to make sure the kids knew how much i love them, monday, i honestly thought that was me. it was so bad. thank you so much for talking to us, we wish you well and we are so glad you have recovered. underlying health conditions and going home today, absolutely fabulous. that‘s all from us for this morning. breakfast is back tomorrow from six. have a good day. bye bye.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines. the government‘s cobra emergency response committee meets to consider whether restrictions on people‘s movements should be extended. these measures will remain in place until there is any decision to change them, and that is not coming this easter weekend. the prime minister spends a third night in intensive care at st thomas‘ hospital in london. his condition is said to be improving.