tonight at 6pm... the uk is closing all travel corridors from monday to protect against new strains of coronavirus. from monday, anyone arriving in the uk must have proof of a negative test and will still need to self—isolate for ten days. —— at least five days. -- at least five days. to protect us auainst -- at least five days. to protect us against the — -- at least five days. to protect us against the risk _ -- at least five days. to protect us against the risk as _ -- at least five days. to protect us against the risk as yet _ -- at least five days. to protect us against the risk as yet unidentified i against the risk as yet unidentified new strains, we will temporarily close travel corridors from oaoo hrs on monday. and cole hospitals under intense pressure — some patients in the south—east of england are being moved to hospitals elsewhere in the country, amid warnings admissions and deaths won't fall for some weeks. but there is some hope, as england's chief medical officer, professor chris whitty, says it's looking likely that things will start to improve in the spring.

also tonight... we report from merseyside, which now has the highest rates of infection in england, to find out why the number of new cases just keeps rising. hope for tens of thousands of small businesses, as the supreme court has ruled that insurance firms must issue pay—outs for losses suffered during the first lockdown. the new variant of covid—19 — scientists reassure parents about the impact it will have on children. don't forget me. we will not forget ou. and the charity calling on children and teenagers to cheer up people who are isolated in care homes with a video call. and coming up on bbc news... a warning to players from the premier league's chief executive — set a good example and follow coronavirus protocols. richard masters has his say on the row over goal celebrations.

good evening. from monday anyone arriving in the uk will have to have proof of a negative coronavirus test and will also have to self—isolate for at least five days. the prime minister has announced the new border restrictions to protect the uk against the risks of unidentified new strains entering the country. new infections are coming down but still remain high. more than 1200 deaths have been reported in the last 2a hours in hospital admissions continue to hit record levels. tonight, hospitals in nottingham and newcastle, amongst others, stand ready to accept icu patients from london — the result of overwhelmed and now full hospitals in our capital city. but the prime minsiter talks of hope

— in all four nations, and now more than 3.2 million people in the uk have received a vaccine. this hospital was one of the first to fill up with seriously ill covid patients last march, now the same thing is happening again, only more so. like many other hospitals in south—east england, northwick park is under severe strain. south-east england, northwick park is under severe strain.— is under severe strain. there are no atients is under severe strain. there are no patients now _ is under severe strain. there are no patients now than _ is under severe strain. there are no patients now than there _ is under severe strain. there are no patients now than there were - is under severe strain. there are no patients now than there were in - patients now than there were in march, april and may, and if those numbers continue, it doesn't matter how good we are at looking after covid, we will run out of beds. because of pressure on london hospitals, some covid and other patients are set to be moved to this hospital in newcastle, which will also take patients from elsewhere in the north. nottingham hospitals are also ready to receive patients from southern england who need critical care. trust me to say hospitals outside london have been asked to help by boosting capacity stop —— trust leaders say stop we help by boosting capacity stop -- trust leaders say stop— help by boosting capacity stop -- trust leaders say stop we are now movin: a trust leaders say stop we are now

moving a small — trust leaders say stop we are now moving a small number _ trust leaders say stop we are now moving a small number of - trust leaders say stop we are now. moving a small number of patients from london to other parts of the country because london critical care capacity is very full. that's not something we would normally want to do, but i hope in one sense it's a reassuring sign of how far the nhs will go to treat every single patient who needs care. some london and south-east _ patient who needs care. some london and south-east hospitals _ patient who needs care. some london and south-east hospitals are - patient who needs care. some london and south-east hospitals are so - and south—east hospitals are so stretched that patients are having to be moved hundreds of miles for treatment. does this not suggest not enough was done by the government to prepare the nhs for the second wave? a huge amount was done to prepare the nhs continuously for the last year, since the pandemic became apparent, and we always knew we were going to have a particularly tough time now, and actually even in london, where the situation has been toughest, the london nhs has been under huge, huge pressure, but they really have been coping magnificently. at,

really have been coping magnificently.— really have been coping mannificentl . ~ ., ., really have been coping mannificentl. ~ ., ., , magnificently. a social media site has ut magnificently. a social media site has put together _ magnificently. a social media site has put together impressions - magnificently. a social media site | has put together impressions from the nhs front line. one doctor said, as he died in hospital bed alone, i sat and held his head, saying everything was going to be ok. i realise now that me saying these things was more for me than for him. another entry said, i became an a&e nurse because i feel we make a big difference to our patients but with this virus we don't get that. another doctor reported, my grandparents both die—ism five days apart in different hospitals. seeing all of this loss and suffering at work is so much harder when i have been on the other side of it. admissions to hospitals like this one in kettering involve patients who picked up infections a couple of weeks before. as the new covid cases, there are a few signs that the recent surge might have ended. recent case numbers show, in the last week, northern ireland, wales and scotland have all seen case numbers fall. it's the same in england, with more cases and a

bigger population, including dipped in hot spots like london, but it's too early to say whether these are lasting trends, in some are seeing gains, including councils like knowsley, horton and the isle of wight. with the risk of new strains of the virus coming into the uk, the prime minister said travel corridors will all be temporarily closed on monday, meaning everyone arriving in the country must self—isolate for up to ten days. and you can see the full report from northwick park hospital on newsnight tonight on bbc two and iplayer. 0ur deputy political editor, vicki young, is in westminster. nearly a year after the pandemic started, why such tight border restrictions now? the government came under— restrictions now? the government came under a _ restrictions now? the government came under a lot _ restrictions now? the government came under a lot of _ restrictions now? the government came under a lot of criticism - restrictions now? the government came under a lot of criticism in . restrictions now? the government| came under a lot of criticism in the spring for not having a strict approach as many other countries. they were under huge pressure from the airline industry and the travel industry, and their view then was that there were so many aces in the country that it wouldn't have made much difference, but now there is

one different thing, which is the vaccine, so what they don't want is to undermine what they see as the very good work going on there, and they want to protect against all new strains. what they have done, and we heard just yesterday, is to stop flights from places like south america, to stop new strains coming in, and they say the logic behind this is you can stop strains coming from wherever, because you don't know where they are coming from. they want to make sure the vaccine programme is rolled out and it's not undermined, and actually this will be much less disruptive than it would have been in the spring, because we are all being told to stay at home and not travel anywhere. the latest government figures show there were 55,761 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period, the first time it's crept above 50,000 this week. but numbers are still almost 14% down on this time last week, which means that, on average, the number of new cases reported per day in the last week is 51,221.

hospitals have had an average of 35,1117 covid—19 inpatients. 1,280 deaths were reported — that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. on average in the past week, 1,066 deaths were announced every day. the total number of deaths so far across the uk is 87,295. let's get an update on the uk's programme of mass vaccinations. 316,694 people have had their first dose of one of the three approved covid—19 vaccines in the latest 24—hour period, taking the overall number of people who've had at least one jab to 3,234,946. 0ur health editor, hugh pym, is with me now. there was a stark warning from professor whitty metro about the number of deaths and the fact that this is just going to number of deaths and the fact that this isjust going to keep going on

for some weeks.— for some weeks. yes, on the encouraging _ for some weeks. yes, on the encouraging side, _ for some weeks. yes, on the encouraging side, he - for some weeks. yes, on the encouraging side, he said - for some weeks. yes, on the | encouraging side, he said the for some weeks. yes, on the - encouraging side, he said the peak of infections has probably now passed in london and parts of the south of england, although it will be a bit later elsewhere. when it comes to hospital admissions, with yet more pressure on the nhs, as we were hearing, he said the peak there might come in a week or ten days, depending where in the country. may be a bit further outside london. in terms of daily reported deaths, he said the peak would happen sometime in the future. he wasn't exactly clear about when that would be. but the sobering reality is his suggestion that it will carry on rising from here before it reaches that peak, but when that is going to happen is still not clear.— happen is still not clear. thank ou. knowsley in the liverpool city region has the highest number of coronavirus cases in england. in the last three weeks alone, the number of new infections has been doubling on average every week. our special correspondent, ed thomas, has been to knowsley to find out why case numbers just keep rising.

the messages are clear, they are heard and seen.— heard and seen. stay safe. stay safe. heard and seen. stay safe. stay safe- from _ heard and seen. stay safe. stay safe. from asymptomatic - heard and seen. stay safe. stay. safe. from asymptomatic testing heard and seen. stay safe. stay - safe. from asymptomatic testing to the specialist _ safe. from asymptomatic testing to the specialist covid _ safe. from asymptomatic testing to the specialist covid prevention - the specialist covid prevention officers. i the specialist covid prevention officers. ., the specialist covid prevention officers. . ., ., officers. i am part of the covid team. officers. i am part of the covid team- you _ officers. i am part of the covid team. you have _ officers. i am part of the covid team. you have probably - officers. i am part of the covid team. you have probably seen officers. i am part of the covid i team. you have probably seen us wandering around.— team. you have probably seen us wandering around. despite this, in knowsle , wandering around. despite this, in knowsley. cases — wandering around. despite this, in knowsley, cases have _ wandering around. despite this, in knowsley, cases have surged, - wandering around. despite this, in knowsley, cases have surged, andj wandering around. despite this, in - knowsley, cases have surged, and not all lockdowns are equal. are you worried more and more people have got covid? worried more and more people have not covid? , , v got covid? yes, definitely. it's every other — got covid? yes, definitely. it's every other person _ got covid? yes, definitely. it's every other person saying, - got covid? yes, definitely. it'sl every other person saying, such got covid? yes, definitely. it's- every other person saying, such and such a person has got it. it's scary. such a person has got it. it's sca , �* ., ., such a person has got it. it's sca . ~ . ., such a person has got it. it's sca .~ . ., ., �*, such a person has got it. it's sca .~ . ., ., �* scary. amanda has to work. bills and rent needs to — scary. amanda has to work. bills and rent needs to be _ scary. amanda has to work. bills and rent needs to be paid. _ scary. amanda has to work. bills and rent needs to be paid. i _ scary. amanda has to work. bills and rent needs to be paid. i wake - scary. amanda has to work. bills and rent needs to be paid. i wake up - rent needs to be paid. i wake up throuuh rent needs to be paid. i wake up through the _ rent needs to be paid. i wake up through the night, _ rent needs to be paid. i wake up through the night, so _ rent needs to be paid. i wake up through the night, so it's - rent needs to be paid. i wake up through the night, so it'sjust i through the night, so it'sjust stressful. what's tomorrow going to bring? i'mjust stressful. what's tomorrow going to bring? i'm just about covering my bills and there is no spare cash. knowsley is one of the most deprived

parts of england. it’s knowsley is one of the most deprived parts of england-— parts of england. it's been a erfect parts of england. it's been a perfect storm. _ parts of england. it's been a perfect storm. the - parts of england. it's been a perfect storm. the public. parts of england. it's been a - perfect storm. the public health director believes _ perfect storm. the public health director believes that _ perfect storm. the public health director believes that inequality| perfect storm. the public health i director believes that inequality is fuelling cases. indie director believes that inequality is fuelling cases.— director believes that inequality is fuelling cases. we have a low-wage econom , fuelling cases. we have a low-wage economy. low— fuelling cases. we have a low-wage economy, low car _ fuelling cases. we have a low-wage economy, low car ownership, - fuelling cases. we have a low-wage economy, low car ownership, so - economy, low car ownership, so people have no choice other than to travel. people have no choice other than to go out to work. a lot of people in our communities have uncertainty around theirjobs, and they might fear that, if they take they might fear that, if they take the precautions they are supposed to do and self—isolate, they may not get money coming in. i do and self-isolate, they may not get money coming in.— do and self-isolate, they may not get money coming in. i live on the 13th floor and _ get money coming in. i live on the 13th floor and i _ get money coming in. i live on the 13th floor and i think _ get money coming in. i live on the 13th floor and i think that - get money coming in. i live on the 13th floor and i think that i'm - get money coming in. i live on the 13th floor and i think that i'm safe | 13th floor and i think that i'm safe up 13th floor and i think that i'm safe up there — 13th floor and i think that i'm safe up there because it's down here. spoke _ up there because it's down here. spoke to— up there because it's down here. spoke to peter during the last wave. since then, two family members have died with covid. i’m since then, two family members have died with covid.— died with covid. i'm keeping myself safe, died with covid. i'm keeping myself safe. keeping _ died with covid. i'm keeping myself safe. keeping my — died with covid. i'm keeping myself safe, keeping my distance - died with covid. i'm keeping myself safe, keeping my distance and - died with covid. i'm keeping myself safe, keeping my distance and if. safe, keeping my distance and if somebody comes close, i say, but off! ~ . somebody comes close, i say, but off! . ., ., , ., somebody comes close, i say, but off! . ., .,, ., ., ., somebody comes close, i say, but off! ~ ., ., ., ., off! what has covid done to your extended family? _

off! what has covid done to your extended family? decimated - off! what has covid done to your extended family? decimated it. | off! what has covid done to your| extended family? decimated it. a sin . le extended family? decimated it. a single parent. _ extended family? decimated it. a single parent, he _ extended family? decimated it. a single parent, he works _ extended family? decimated it. a single parent, he works on - extended family? decimated it. a single parent, he works on food l single parent, he works on food production lines. if single parent, he works on food production lines.— single parent, he works on food production lines. if you can't work, ou can't production lines. if you can't work, you can't play. _ production lines. if you can't work, you can't play. and _ production lines. if you can't work, you can't play, and plain _ production lines. if you can't work, you can't play, and plain is - production lines. if you can't work, you can't play, and plain is eating, | you can't play, and plain is eating, surviving, — you can't play, and plain is eating, surviving, clothes on your back. if you don't — surviving, clothes on your back. if you don't do— surviving, clothes on your back. if you don't do that, you are going to struggle _ you don't do that, you are going to struggle. 0n cue do you worry when you go— struggle. 0n cue do you worry when you go home to your daughter? of course, _ you go home to your daughter? of course, i'm — you go home to your daughter? of course, i'm scared to go anywhere near— course, i'm scared to go anywhere near her~ — course, i'm scared to go anywhere near her~ gn— course, i'm scared to go anywhere near her. . . course, i'm scared to go anywhere near her. ., ., ., , , near her. on average, covid cases in knowsley have _ near her. on average, covid cases in knowsley have doubled _ near her. on average, covid cases in knowsley have doubled every - near her. on average, covid cases in knowsley have doubled every week i near her. on average, covid cases in l knowsley have doubled every week for three weeks. i knowsley have doubled every week for three weeks-— three weeks. i 'ust want my needle. for vulnerable — three weeks. ijust want my needle. for vulnerable people _ three weeks. ijust want my needle. for vulnerable people like _ three weeks. ijust want my needle. for vulnerable people like edward, l three weeks. ijust want my needle. | for vulnerable people like edward, a sense of helplessness. i had for vulnerable people like edward, a sense of helplessness.— sense of helplessness. i had long covid for ten _ sense of helplessness. i had long covid for ten weeks _ sense of helplessness. i had long covid for ten weeks in _ sense of helplessness. i had long covid for ten weeks in april. - sense of helplessness. i had long covid for ten weeks in april. i'vel covid for ten weeks in april. i've beenin covid for ten weeks in april. i've been in twice. the new covid, lots of people are catching it. haifa been in twice. the new covid, lots of people are catching it. how does knowsley get _ of people are catching it. how does knowsley get out _ of people are catching it. how does knowsley get out of _ of people are catching it. how does knowsley get out of the _ of people are catching it. how does knowsley get out of the situation? | knowsley get out of the situation? by knowsley get out of the situation? by following the rules and getting the injection. the by following the rules and getting the injection-— by following the rules and getting the injection._ yes. l the in'ection. the vaccine? yes. after the injection. the vaccine? yes. after lockdowns _ the injection. the vaccine? yes. after lockdowns and _ the injection. the vaccine? yes. after lockdowns and months - the injection. the vaccine? yes. after lockdowns and months of| after lockdowns and months of restrictions, that is the hope so

many here are relying on. the number of children in england harmed during the first lockdown increased by more than a quarter. in the majority of cases, the harm occurred while children were living at home according to data from the department for education. child deaths increased from 89 to 119 and those seriously harmed from 132 to 153. stricter rules are to be introduced for supermarkets in wales, amid concerns about safety for customers and staff. supermarkets will have to display social distancing signs, provide sanitiser for hands and trolleys and limit customer numbers by law. first minister mark drakeford said there was "significant evidence" the virus is being spread in stores. ever since the new variant of covid emerged in the uk, there've been questions about its impact on children and whether they are more likely to get it or help spread it. as our science correspondent, rebecca morelle, explains, the new variant is no more harmful to children than before.

children have been one of the pandemic�*s biggest puzzles, with the young less likely to get the virus than adults, but does the arrival of the new variant change this, and is it affecting children more? initial data was analysed for all ages, and something stood out. this red barfor ten to 19—year—olds suggested the new variant was particularly infectious for this group, compared with the old one, in blue. but this was during november's lockdown, when much was closed apart from schools, and this may explain that bump. the latest evidence shows the new variant is 50% more infectious, but not especially for children. it's just that it's better at infecting everyone across every age group. is the new variant different for younger and older children? nurseries are still open in england and wales, and scientists think the youngest are less likely to catch the variant and pass it on than older kids. we know that, in all variants,

children less than ten were less susceptible but, you know, susceptibility and transmissibility increased by age. especially over the age of 15, transmission dynamics are almost similar to adults. does the new variant make kids more ill? the latest evidence suggests that it isn't causing more severe disease in the young. children can need hospital treatment, but they still make up a tiny proportion of cases overall. we are seeing slightly more children because there are more people being infected, but we are not seeing children being disproportionately infected and certainly not seeing wards full of children with covid. with classrooms empty, schools are part of the uk lockdown, but this isn't about risks to children, it's about controlling the spread of the virus. the science of the variant is fast—moving, and researchers will continue to monitor its impact on the young. rebecca morelle, bbc news.

in the middle ages, sick people would go on a pilgrimage to lichfield cathedral in staffordshire in the hope of being healed. now, centuries later, hundreds of people are passing through its doors again, this time in search of the vaccine to protect them against coronavirus. the medieval nave has been turned into a treatment area for the patients, medics and volunteers, as our religion reporter, sophia smith galer, reports. when the bell at lichfield cathedral chimes, it's usually to call people to prayer. but today people have gone to church for a very different reason. a sharp scratch. lichfield cathedral is the first cathedral in england to become a covid—19 vaccination hub, with the help of local clinicians. st chad founded this place to look after people, which is what is happening. i'm a bit of a heathen, so i'm not a cathedral person.

i never thought it was going to be i like this, you know, it's lovely. i people have come here to find healing for centuries. pilgrims in the middle ages who were sick would come through this door, which has step—free access, and it means that the building can now safely vaccinate the elderly and vulnerable who are most at risk. it's a huge undercover space which, in this weather, is a huge advantage, and itjust feels like it's a sense of the community. like many other cathedrals, lichfield is currently closed to worship, open only for those who have come for their vaccine. it's making us think carefully about the role of a cathedral in an uncertain kind of culture. there's the old notion of sanctuary and there were a very great number of people coming here to just weep over christmas. we lit over 200 lamps in memory of people. from a place to mourn, the cathedral is once again a beacon of hope.

sophia smith galer, bbc news, in lichfield. our top story this evening... the uk is closing all travel corridors from monday to protect against new strains of coronavirus. everyone arriving will need to have a negative test and self—isolate for “p a negative test and self—isolate for up to ten days. the head of the premier league warns footballers they must follow rules on social distancing. coming up on sportsday on bbc news: joe root makes good on his promise to deliver the big scores — he reaches 168 not out as england dominate sri lanka in the first test. british meat exporters say new customs systems post—brexit are "not fit for purpose". perishable goods are being delayed for hours, sometimes days, because of extra customs checks

and additional paperwork. the new border rules were introduced two weeks ago at the end of the brexit transition period. the uk exports £15 billion worth of food and drink to the eu every year. a third of it is perishable meat, fish and fresh produce. the trade body says meat exports to the eu are currently at 25% of their normal volumes for this time of year. our business editor simonjack�*s report begins at a meat processing factory in shropshire. report begins at a meat processing uk report begins at a meat processing lamb is highly ; abattoir, uk lamb is highly prized. at this abattoir, 70% gets exported to the ego, an export driven success story, but the well oiled machine that gets it there has a new spanner. paperwork that is to take 50 minutes is taking hours and require certificates not needed before. we have certificates not needed before. - have been having sleepless nights and taking calls in the early hours of the morning. it has been a steep

learning curve and we see some of these problems will remain even when we get to the new normal level. for a fresh quality product trading on a daily basis the system is not fit for purpose and it needs to be looked at urgently. the for purpose and it needs to be looked at urgently. the products are still caettin looked at urgently. the products are still getting through _ looked at urgently. the products are still getting through but _ looked at urgently. the products are still getting through but delays - looked at urgently. the products are still getting through but delays are l still getting through but delays are shortening shelf life, frustrating customers and forcing them to consider other options. i customers and forcing them to consider other options.- customers and forcing them to consider other options. i feel very u set. consider other options. i feel very uset. i consider other options. i feel very upset- i am _ consider other options. i feel very upset. i am thinking _ consider other options. i feel very upset. i am thinking to _ consider other options. i feel very upset. i am thinking to buy - consider other options. i feel very upset. i am thinking to buy some | upset. i am thinking to buy some land in spain. we have some of our competitors who have lamb in ireland instead. �* , ., instead. between the seller and bu er and instead. between the seller and buyer and the — instead. between the seller and buyer and the hollyoaks. - instead. between the seller and buyer and the hollyoaks. no - instead. between the seller and | buyer and the hollyoaks. no one instead. between the seller and i buyer and the hollyoaks. no one is feeling more frustrated this man. last week for me was probably the worst most difficult week in this job in 20 years. we have lost

hundreds of hours, dozens of days already with trucks waiting unnecessarily.— already with trucks waiting unnecessarily. already with trucks waiting unnecessaril . �* , ., unnecessarily. behind us we are lookin: unnecessarily. behind us we are looking at _ unnecessarily. behind us we are looking at the _ unnecessarily. behind us we are looking at the new _ unnecessarily. behind us we are looking at the new border i unnecessarily. behind us we are| looking at the new border control posts that customers have set up. at the mouth of the eurotunnel is customs expert says problems on the way out main problems on the wien. we have a situation where border force's car park is full, the roads are heavily congested, exports are grinding to a halt. if you have a lorry that is going to get stuck on the way out then if you are the holy are why would you want to bring it in the first place? so it will slow everything up. it in the first place? so it will slow everything up-— in the first place? so it will slow everything up. it has been a pretty measurable _ everything up. it has been a pretty measurable time _ everything up. it has been a pretty measurable time for— everything up. it has been a pretty measurable time for hauliers i everything up. it has been a pretty measurable time for hauliers and i measurable time for hauliers and their customers. ports operating at a fraction of normal volume, which are expected to increase. let's hope any potential chaos will be short—lived. it seems clear this will cost an additional complexity

and trading with our biggest —— problems trading are here to stay. there was bound to be disruption. there was bound to be disruption. the government says it is working hard with business to get to what it describes as a new normal in cross—channel trade. the economic impact of lockdown measures across the uk in november has become clearer, with the latest official figures showing the economy shrank by 2.6% during that month. the decline in gross domestic product, or the sum of value of goods and services produced in the economy, came after six months of growth. pubs, hairdressers and others in the service sector were particularly badly hit, but some manufacturing and construction activity improved. the chancellor says the figures show "things will get harder before they get better," but that with the vaccine rollout and economic support measures there are reasons to be hopeful. the supreme court has paved the way for tens of thousands of small

businesses to receive insurance payouts for the losses they have sustained during the coronavirus pandemic. the case was brought by the financial conduct authority and a group of firms whose insurers had refused to issue payments on their business interruption policies. the ruling could prove a lifeline for companies struggling to stay afloat. our business correspondent kevin peachey reports. a patisserie, a holiday cottage, a photography studio and a skin clinic — varied small businesses united in fury when their insurance claims for lost earnings in the lockdown were turned down. now they and tens of thousands of other small firms have been given hope of a payout. running a hair salon in central london, james is one of them. it will enable our business to keep going, and we've got debts to pay down, and we've got employees that we are responsible for, so being able to get through this difficult final phase of the pandemic, a payout

would mean the world to that. insurers had argued many business interruption policies were never intended for such unprecedented restrictions in a pandemic, but they agreed with the regulators to a legal case to test various policy wordings. now, supreme courtjudges have sided broadly with the policyholders for small businesses in a ruling that means many, but not all, will be compensated. each claim has to be assessed individually — that's the law, and that's the regulatory requirement, but insurers will work very closely with brokers, with policyholders and others to get this process moving as quickly as possible, and in many cases those policy holders have already lodged the details of their claims, and supplied much of the information that's needed. payouts of hundreds of millions of pounds will help many small firms to stay afloat, but putting their trust in insurers back on an even keel may take longer. kevin peachey, bbc news. the head of the premier league has told the bbc that players must set a good example and minimize unnecessary close contact on the pitch. richard masters was speaking

at the end of a week when footballers repeatedly ignored reinforced guidelines advising players to avoid hugging during goal celebrations. mr masters admits that footballers are in a privileged position. 0ur sports editor dan roan reports. football's continuation during this lockdown has been something for the sport to celebrate, but the game is now gripped by a row over players flouting controversial new rules limiting close contact, and today the man who runs the premier league broke his silence to issue this warning. we are asking them now again to adjust their behaviours on the pitch, goal celebrations, and in and around the beginning and end of matches. we are asking them to adjust their behaviour, and i think they understand why. you've got to follow the rules and you've got to set a good example. we get the optics, which is why we see ourselves in a privileged position. ministers have made it clear they expect players to respect the so—called no—hug rule in a time of national crisis or risk having the season suspended, but this week it's been repeatedly ignored. why is it taking so much to get

the message across to players? well, it's a very recent adjustment, and we are making these requests and trying to get this message across in pretty quick order, and i think it's going to take time to adjust to the situation, so we need a bit of time to get it right. and if players refuse or fail to do that, managers don't encourage them to do so, what's going to happen? how are you going to enforce this? we have sanctions available to us. the fa's jurisdiction is on the pitch and if the clubs are reaching protocols then we can take action. so sanctions are available but i hope they won't be needed. but many are sceptical. england's record goal—scorer wayne rooney, who today was appointed derby county's new manager, says enforcing such rules will not be straightforward. there's many people losing their lives from this disease, so i will give the message to the players to obviously be aware of the goal celebrations, but on the other hand will understand if players do hug each other because i know what it's like when you score a goal. a lot of the time

your mind goes blank. are we taking the fun out of the game by asking players not to celebrate as they always have? this isn't forever. this is hopefully until the end of the season, and i think under the circumstances we can make those small adjustments, get to the end of the season and then hopefully things will return to normal. with a host of matches already postponed the main goal is to complete the season and how players celebrate after scoring could now be decisive. dan roan, bbc news. captain joe root scored his first test century for over a year, as england's cricketers tightened their grip on the first test against sri lanka in galle. root reached 168 not out on a rain—affected day two. his stand of 173 with dan lawrence helped the tourists to 320/4 — a lead of 185. a charity is calling on children and young volunteers to help cheer up vulnerable people in care homes with a video call. some residents have been unable to spend time with family

and friends for almost a year. the charity is encouraging teenagers to connect with them online, in a scheme that brings something for everyone involved, as sian lloyd reports. there you go. he's lovely. saying hello to benny the guinea pig. 87—year—old mary is connecting with children and their pets. this is dot. we got her from father christmas. mary is supported by her carer jackie but hasn't felt able to leave her room in the care home since april. video calls are a highlight of her week. i cannot wait to see them. whenever the kids have come on and animals it's beautiful. i really love it. from their homes, young people with an interest in volunteering are able to make a virtual visit to an elderly person who is isolated by lockdown.

mary, i went on a drive on christmas eve to look at the lights. did you see any lights through your window? not this time, not this year. but before, when i used to go up west bromwich on the bus and see all the lights some houses have got it beautiful. jill fraser has been helping bring the generations together, running zoom calls for people right across the country. when young meet old, both benefit. the older people feel valued and the younger people feel valuable. and that's been so important at these times when the future is so uncertain for young people — that they can get that recognition of an older person saying thank you so much. see you, mary. see you, jackie. itjust makes me feel happy. and i also get to gain a bit- of empathy for how vulnerable they have been over this time. everyone on here makes me laugh and smile. reaching out with kindness

and giggles, and brightening up an older person's day, as well as their own. sian lloyd, bbc news. time for a look at the weather — here's alina jenkins. parts of scotland and northern england have seen a lot of snow in recent days and there is more in the forecast over the next few days but initially it is going to be rain into northern ireland and western scotland but further snow likely across scotland, northern england, parts of the midlands and parts of east anglia and south—east england, where we have the heavy rain falling on to saturated ground, so a number of flood warnings in place and ice warnings in place. temperature starting to recover from the west. the number of the warnings for snow but we are concerned about the amber

warning for east anglia,