life under lockdown is tough — the government acknowledges restrictions are difficult for everyone as it grapples with plans for an exit strategy. with some parts of society reopening, ministers announce measures to help some of the country's most vulnerable trapped at home. the prime minister reveals the extent of his experience of the virus, saying he was so ill that a statement announcing his death was prepared. another blow to british business, as rolls—royce says it may have to cut as many as 8,000 jobs. a trial begins to see if blood plasma from people who've recovered from coronavirus could help treat sick patients. and spain embraces the start of a return to normal as lockdowns begin to be lifted across europe.

good evening. ministers are studying proposals aimed at getting the economy restarted — including easing some measures of the lockdown. the prime minister will set out plans next week — with the communities secretary today saying he appreciated the restrictive measures were difficult for everyone. he was speaking during today's downing street press conference, during which robertjenrick announced a package of measures to support those living with the threat of domestic violence, sexual abuse and modern slavery. it comes as 621 more people died in the latest 24—hour period — that's those who have tested positive for coronavirus and died in hospitals, care homes

and the community. the total number of uk deaths now stands at 28,131. tonight boris johnson has revealed details of how close he came to dying, telling the sun on sunday that doctors were making preparations to announce his death. more on that in a moment. first, here's chris mason's report on the day's events. this is what relative liberation looks like right now, being able to throwjunk into a skip. in manchester this afternoon, the prospect of a trip to the reopened tip had people queueing to get in. couldn't wait to get rid of the stuff. at this time of year, everyone is in lockdown in the garden and you are piling up waste all the time. and today's government news conference, the focus from the communities secretary was offering new support for victims of domestic

abuse in england. today, i can announce a package of over £76 million in new funding to support the most vulnerable in society during the pandemic. this funding will help charities support survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. the government has proudly talked up the huge expansion in its capacity to test, but the next colossal challenge is restrictions are eased is tracking and tracing new outbreaks so that they are contained, including via an app for us to use. i wonder where we are in terms of an update on the staff that are being trained and the extent to which that system needs to be fully up which that system needs to be fully up and running before we see any noticeable shift in and ease of the restrictions around lockdown. there are some very experienced people already in public health teams and local authorities, working and the directors of public health and in public health england as well. but

to get this up and running at scale and effectively is another significant task. but lots of preparation is under way. the medical, economic and societal challenges posed by this virus remain vast. 0ne positive has been delivered very quickly, the near eradication of rough sleeping. ministers now want to ensure that as few people as possible return to a life on the streets after lockdown. chris is here. mrjohnson's given his first interview since leaving hospital. yeah, this was an interview in the sun on sunday tomorrow in which as you are saying, doctors were prepared to announce his death, that was how serious his condition was. he tells the paper he was given litres and litres of oxygen, and then he says it was a tough moment, i won't deny it, they had a strategy to deal with a death of stalin —type scenario. i was not in brilliant shape andi scenario. i was not in brilliant shape and i was aware that there we re shape and i was aware that there

were contingency plans in place. the doctors had all sorts of arrangements for what to do if things went badly wrong. they gave mea things went badly wrong. they gave me a face mask, so i did get litres of oxygen. but as if to prove that boris johnson's life of oxygen. but as if to prove that borisjohnson's life only ever happens in primary colours, take a look at this, a picture of boris johnson's new baby son, put on instagram by his fiancee, wilfred laurie nicholasjohnson, instagram by his fiancee, wilfred laurie nicholas johnson, wilfried happio boris johnson's grandfather laurie after one of carrie simon's pa rents laurie after one of carrie simon's parents and nicholas after the doctors who saved boris's life. i'm no paediatric expert, but looking at that photo, that is a johnsonian head of hair! thanks. thousands of people have registered to take part in a trial that uses blood —

specfically blood plasma from people who've recovered from coronavirus, to treat sick patients. it's one of the latest trials in progress aimed at helping the worst affected people to fight the virus. 0ur health correspondent, catherine burns reports. could this golden liquid be an effective treatment against coronavirus? it's not an expensive new drug, but blood plasma, freely given by survivors. jo's not a regular donor but she's doing it, slightly squeamishly, because her whole family got coronavirus. her husband was ill enough to need hospital treatment. i'm somebody that would not have donated, purely because i'm quite terrified of needles and giving blood, but everybody needs to do their bit. we're all getting touched by this virus one way or another and if this is something that's going to help, i would urge people to seriously think about doing it. it's not that bad. the idea is simple. donors need to have had coronavirus and have fully recovered. the liquid part of their blood, plasma, contains antibodies produced by the immune system to recognise and fight the virus.

researchers say when this is given to critically ill patients, it gives them some instantaneous immunity. more than 6,500 people have already gone online to volunteer. they need to either have had a positive coronavirus test or, like me, to have self—isolated with symptoms. people can'tjust turn up to their blood donor centres asking to give plasma. they need to make an appointment at least a month after being ill. the first priority will be confirmed cases and researchers will be ringing these people, asking if they would like to be involved. so far, about 150 recovered coronavirus patients in england have donated plasma, each one hopefully giving enough to treat another person. every donation is checked to make sure there is a high enough level of antibodies. now, the intensive care consultant running the trial is looking for patients to give that plasma, too. so far he's still waiting, because he's not seeing as many

seriously ill people with coronavirus now. it's a good thing that the pandemic, there is a semblance of control of the pandemic here, so i'm actually happy and feel that we are ready if the second wave happens, yes. this will help us immensely in the future because we can store this plasma, freeze this plasma, store it and use it in patients if there is a second wave in the future. the hope is that, if this trial works, we will have an effective treatment against coronavirus. catherine burns, bbc news. rolls—royce says it may have to cut as many as 8,000 jobs as the iconic british company deals with the impact of coronavirus. our business correspondent katy austin is here. katy — how big is this for uk manufacturing? it is difficult news for an important uk industry. the engineering giant rolls—royce employs about 20,000 people in the uk, many of them based at sites like

derby. a company source has told me that senior leaders have warned that job losses could be up to 8000. that number is not certain yet. there will be more detail later this month. we are seeing here is the unprecedented impact of the covid—i9 travel restrictions. airlines suffering because they can't fly. plane makers are cutting production, like booing. but rolls—royce makes engines for aeroplanes, so it is also feeling the hit. this has been also feeling the hit. this has been a difficult week for the aviation sector. we have heard two airlines, british airways and ryanair, also announced they are looking atjob losses in the thousands. the government has provided a lot of support to businesses, but aviation is one sector saying it needs even more. thank you. pressure is growing on the government to do more to help the owners of small businesses. a raft of measures is in place to provide emergency support — including employed and self—employed workers who will receive 80% of their incomes up to £2,500

a month if they're furloughed. but there are nearly two million limited companies whose directors pay themselves mainly through dividends, which aren't covered. our business correspondent, emma simpson reports. hi, my name is davinia, and i own a performing arts education company. i'm charles and i'm a chiropractor. my name is lorna and i run a cosmetic car repair business. i'm gina, i run a shutter company with my husband, simon. my name's rachel whitfield and i run a training company. hello, my name's kirsty. i have a shop in somerset with my husband and we supply and install fireplaces. they're all different, but they all have something in common — they feel forgotten by the government. we're the ones taking the risk, trying to keep our businesses open, yet we are not being supported personally to support our families, the same as everybody else. sales have gone up in smoke. they're trying to get a loan for the business

and live on £600 each month, all they're entitled to on furlough from the government, because they got most of their income from dividends. not sleeping properly, feeling stressed, starting to feel low. how urgent is this situation? we've probably got another sort of month and it depends how much money we can borrow on a credit card. small businesses are the backbone of our economy. many are set up as a limited company. their directors or owners typically pay a minimal salary, but take most of their income as dividends, that vary depending on how well the company is doing. that can reduce their tax bills, meaning there might not be much sympathy for more government help, but many are advised or forced to set up their businesses this way. it's perfectly legal, and right now, as dividends have dried up, it's costing them dear. company directors also

have a difficult choice. so, if we furlough we will get some small amount of money coming into the house which is great when you have zero income, but it means that we can't undertake any work on the business and actually that could mean there is no business to come back to. the clever people in the treasury will be able to find a way around this. so, could and should the government do more? 0ne influential mp thinks so. self—employed people may work for a company or may not work for a company but the reality is that that is their income, that is their livelihood, and i think it's only right that those for example, who qualify under the self—employment income support scheme who will receive up to £2,500 a month to support them, that that support should also be available to those who are structured in a different way. the treasury says there's already a host of support measures to make sure these owners can get back to work, including a new loan scheme, but for many, debt is the last thing they want when they're fighting to survive the shutdown.

emma simpson, bbc news. almost three weeks ago on easter sunday, the official number of confirmed hospital deaths of people with coronavirus had reached 10,000. lucy manning has been speaking to the families of two men, one a former professional footballer and the other a former mayor. both died that day. here are their stories. easter sunday, april the 12th, no bank holiday trips, deserted beaches, no family get—togethers or busy church services. empty airports, silent roads. instead, a terrible landmark, the government announced a total of 10,000 coronavirus deaths in uk hospitals. it will be a date we rememberfor ever. easter will never be the same.

brian arrowsmith died on april the 12th aged 79. a former footballer at barrow afc, he holds the club's appearance record. commentator: former player manager brian arrowsmith has been honoured today, the stand has been named after him. he would tell you if he was here that he had a great life. he loved his life, he loved his sport. he was a great talker! he just loved, could not say hello to people and carry on, always had to stop and talk. he played with his son a bit, did he? just a little bit! he tells the tale of when they both went up for the ball together and mark shouted, "ru get it, dad", and he said, "don't call me dad on the football field." everybody was shouting, "go on, dad, go on, dad." jean felt they had isolated as asked but brian, once in hospital, never came home.

we went in just two hours before he died and spentjust a few minutes with him. that must have been hard to only have a few minutes. it was, it was, but i'm glad i did. yeah, he was at peace. yeah. what do you say as a family that has been affected to the calls to relax the restrictions? we've got to keep our guard up. it's a shame to have got this far. we've all done so well. let's just keep it going until we know we're really safe. abdul karim sheikh died on april 12th, the 82—year—old also had a life of achievement, becoming mayor of newham in london. 0ur father came to the uk in 1967 and he worked at ford motor company for 20 odd years. very strong civic sense of duty.

he was very humble but very strong work ethic. he was awarded the british empire medal. what did that mean to him and the family? immensely proud. it was amazing news to get a letter from downing street to say you have been cordially invited at the queen's pleasure to be honoured in this way. again, a full life but a death alone. once he had left the house, that was basically the last time anybody was able to see him. it was devastating and it was frustrating, not being able to see him, at least in his last moments. so many lives lost that easter sunday. those pictured are just a snapshot of that day. they include nurses, one pregnant, one who had just had a baby, a comedian,

pa rents, a retired firefighter, a charity volunteer, a former bridge grand master and an actor, and hundreds more. and it turns out it wasn'tjust 10,000 who had died by april 12th, the latest figures updated and including care homes show in great britain there were actually more than 18,000 deaths by that easter weekend. lucy manning, bbc news. people in spain have been allowed outside to exercise for the first time in seven weeks, after one of the strictest lockdowns in europe. today, the spanish prime minister said that facemasks will be mandatory on public transport from monday. here's damian grammaticas. 0nto empty streets, tentatively, spaniards began emerging today, released from 48

days of confinement. then the numbers began to swell. adults first, allowed out to take a walk, to exercise for the first time in weeks. until now, the only acceptable reasons for leaving your home were to buy food or go to the chemist. it's amazing. the first time i ride with my bike this morning, it was incredible, really incredible. it's the fresh air in your face. some clearly wanted to capture the moment. for others, just being out in the sunshine was a relief. then, at ten in the morning, it all changed, adults back indoors so the elderly could have two hours to themselves. spain is segregating people by age, specific times of the day reserved for specific age groups to protect the most vulnerable. these two insist they're not afraid. instead, they are frustrated.

translation: we need tests for everyone to know if we're clear, if we can meet with our families, have a lie. i have five grandsons and i can't see them. and, after midday, children, who are allowed out now in the afternoons only. it means more work for the police. here monitoring valencia's beach today. everyone in spain is limited to one hour outdoors a day. police are trying to ensure that people stick to the rules. translation: it is forbidden for people to swim or sunbathe. you can only walk on the beach or in the afternoon, play with the children. but elsewhere, people were already taking to the water. this was spain's north coast and this, barcelona's seafront, the number is surging.

it is spain's worry, how to control what happens is the restrictions ease. with this relaxation, spain's government is dipping a cautious toe in the waters to see what happens. if virus cases continue to trend downwards, there'll be more easing in the coming days. if they surge again, the lockdown will come back. so these moments of liberty could mark a turning point, or prove fleeting. damian grammaticas, bbc news, valencia. you can see more on all of today's stories on the bbc news channel. that's all from me. goodnight. you're watching the bbc news. an experimental drug developed to treat ebola has been approved for use on coronavirus patients in the united states. a recent clinical trial suggested the drug shortened recovery time for people who fall seriously ill

with the virus. david willis reports. could it prove a game changer? remdesivir is an antiviral drug that appears to help severely ill coronavirus patients recover. announcing that federal regulators had approved emergency use of the drug, president trump said it also had the backing of his medical experts. an important treatment for hospitalised coronavirus patients and it's something i spoke with dr hahn and dr fauci, i spoke with deborah about it, and it's really a promising situation. earlier this week, the government's infectious diseases expert revealed that a clinical trial had shown that remdesivir could block the virus and help patients recover more quickly.

the data shows that remdesivir has a clear—cut significant positive effect in diminishing the time to recovery. manufactured by the californian pharmaceutical company gilead, remdesivir failed as a treatment for hepatitis and ebola, but tests showed that it shortened the recovery time for coronavirus patients by more than 30%, or an average about four days. neither a vaccine nor a cure, it is none the less the most promising treatment to date. after weeks under lockdown, large parts of this country are finally, tentatively starting to reopen. texas has reopened its beaches, but restaurants and shopping centres have been ordered to limit their capacity to 25% for two more weeks at least. the united states remains the global epicentre of the coronavirus, a million cases and counting and more than 63,000 deaths. medical experts are warning that by reopening their economies too quickly, some states could run the risk of sparking a second

wave of the pandemic. president trump ended his 32—day white house lockdown by flying to camp david for a weekend of talks with his advisers, all part of an attempt to kick—start the american economy ahead of elections later this year. meanwhile, the hunt for a cure for the virus goes on. david willis, bbc news. with all immigration into the united states suspended because of coronavirus, many asylum—seekers have found themselves trapped in lockdown in dangerous mexican border cities. as will grant reports from tijuana, the situation on the streets is growing steadily worse. constant cleaning. the only defence against coronavirus in this migrant shelter in tijuana. social distancing is impossible here. should a single case of covid—19 get in, everyone would be at risk.

this woman shares a flimsy tent with four relatives. she left el salvador a year ago and has spent months in these conditions while her asylum application is processed in the us. with no—one allowed to leave the shelter during lockdown, and with immigration into the us suspended, she fears her asylum request will simply be thrown out amid the crisis. translation: just the idea that everything is going to be cancelled and that everything that we have been through here is in vain, it's a horrible feeling. really horrible. activists say that us border patrol are returning any migrant they apprehend to mexico without due legal process. part of a wider strategy, they believe, by the trump administration. for years, the trump administration has told us that it is seeking to limit, if not obliterate the asylum system and they are using the pandemic as cover to do so now, including these widespread,

massive expulsions of asylum seekers that have attempted to enter the united states. including the expulsion without process of unaccompanied minors. even immigrants who are ill with the virus have been deported. in a shelter, one deportee is believed to have infected at least 15 other migrants. president trump, however, insists that suspending immigration will protect americans. as we move forward, we will examine what additional immigration—related measures should be put in place to protect us workers, we want to protect our us workers and i think, as we move forward, we will become more and more protective of them. the queues outside of tijuana's soup kitchens are longer than normal. beneath a tantalising sign to the nearest us city, asylum seekers and return deportees are among those looking for a warm meal from the church. the coronavirus has complicated life for the most vulnerable in northern mexico but,

with no sign of immigration being reinstated while the virus spreads, they are stuck in dangerous border cities, worried about the pandemic but unable to move forward or back. will grant, bbc news. you're watching bbc news. there's been a sharp daily increase in the number of deaths from covid—19 in italy. officials say the figure jumped to a74 on saturday. most of the deaths occurred in lombardy, the italy's worst affected region. the republic of ireland will begin a phased lifting of its lockdown restrictions in just over two weeks, the irish prime minister leo varadkar has announced. small social gatherings outside will be allowed from may the 18th, and larger shops will open. it's hoped cafes and restaurants will re—open by the end ofjune.

museums and places of worship will follow in mid—july, and children will return to school in september. and we'll be taking an in—depth look at the papers with our reviewers, nigel nelson of the sunday mirror and the political commentatorjo phillips. that's coming up after the headlines. time for a look at the weather with nick miller. hello. skies have threatened rather than delivered many showers today. if you've seen a bit of sunshine, the garden's been a nice place to be. spring in full swing of course right now and for part two of the weekend tomorrow, high pressure in control for much of the uk but there will still be a few showers breaking out. maybe for some of us, a greater chance tomorrow of capturing one than today. this weather front towards the south—west of england will produce a bit of patchy, light rain in places. and in fact, that's the case as we go on into tonight, as the cloud increases as the weather front gets closer. and where we have seen some showers today across northern and eastern scotland, north—east england, they will slowly fade as we get on into the night. for most overnight it is dry with clear spells, temperatures fall a little lower than this in more rural spots but most of us just about avoiding a frost as we go into the morning. sunday will start dry with a fair

amount of sunshine around but cloud is going to build and some showers will break out. towards northern and eastern scotland once again, a few for northern ireland, northern england, especially east of the pennines. it will take some time but from north wales, the midlands to east anglia in the later in the afternoon a chance of showers here could be heavy. and all the while a lot more cloud compared with today in south—west england and south wales, maybe some patchy light rain from that. temperatures in the mid teens for most of us. it will feel cooler for most in scotland tomorrow where you have the showers especially in the north and east. they will continue on here into the evening. and we could well see as we get into sunday night a spell of rain across parts of yorkshire and lincolnshire which will gradually clear on monday, just leaving a few showers. whereas most places on monday will be dry, a mixture of cloud and some sunny spells around. the wind willjust start to pick up across parts of england and wales is coming in from the east. that will cool thing is particularly across eastern counties. and as we get beyond monday to tuesday, that weather system towards the south—west brings

new life and brings in a spell of heavy rain here and particularly toward south—west england. some uncertainty about exactly where it is going to sit before it fizzles out later on tuesday and just about gone by the time we get into wednesday. as high pressure builds back in. but it does bring the chance of seeing a bit of rain towards southern, south—western parts of england and south—west wales on tuesday. drier, though, on wednesday, and throughout the week for much of scotland and northern ireland it is looking dry with a mixture of cloud and sunshine. but where you are starting the week with a bit of rain, from mid week on it is looking mainly dry.

hello, this is bbc news with james reynolds. we will take a look at tomorrow's papers in a moment with nigel wilson and jo philips. first of all, the headlines. with some parts of the uk reopening, ministers announce measures to help some of the country's most vulnerable trapped at home. the uk prime minister reveals the extent of his experience of the virus saying his condition was so serious that a statement announcing his death was prepared. spain embraces the start of a return to normal as lockdowns begin to be lifted across europe. another blow to british business as rolls—royce says it may have to cut as many as 8,000 jobs. an experimental drug is authorised by us officials for emergency use on severely—ill coronavirus patients.