Coronavirus latest news: Johnson & Johnson vaccine to be reviewed by EMA over possible blood clot links

• Backlash over cost of tests for holidays

• Travel traffic light Q&A: How it works

• Politics: Profiteering testing companies threatened with removal from official list

• Fraser Nelson: Why won't ministers talk about herd immunity?

The European Medicines Agency said on Friday that it has started a review to assess blood clots in people who received Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine.

Bloomberg reported that four serious cases of rare clots accompanied by low blood platelets, one of which was fatal, have emerged after vaccination with the J&J jab.

The move turns the European regulator's safety scrutiny on a second Covid vaccination, after the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab was possibly linked to a rare blood-clotting disorder.

One of the blood clot cases following the J&J jab happened during a clinical trial. At the time, the company responded saying it had found no evidence the vaccine was at fault.

The three other cases occurred in the United States, where the shot has been given to almost 5 million people.

Though the J&J vaccine is approved in the EU, its rollout in the bloc isn't expected to start until later this month.

However, the EU is relying on the single-shot vaccine to boost its Covid-19 immunization programme amid restrictions in some countries on use of the AstraZeneca jab, which is administered in two doses, for certain age groups.

​​Follow the latest updates below.

02:58 PM

News in brief

Here's a summary of today's headlines:

• British holidaymakers will have to pay hundreds of pounds for Covid tests if they want to take a trip abroad this summer under plans announced by the Government on Friday

• What does the Global Travel Taskforce report mean for holidays this summer? The latest government report brings hope that foreign travel will resume in May, but there's still uncertainty for hopeful holidaymakers

• France drops AstraZeneca second dose for under-55s

• Inside Israel's 'world-class experiment' in vaccine passports - Israel's Green Pass allows holders to dine indoors, stay in hotels, visit gyms, and attend large events

• A Government-approved Covid testing laboratory has left hundreds of travellers in the lurch after becoming "overwhelmed" with orders

• Young 'bearing brunt' of Covid crisis as mental health referrals soar

• The deaths of 10,400 older people in England have been prevented by the UK's vaccination programme, new PHE figures revealed

02:51 PM

Brazilian president attacks Supreme Court justice for COVID response probe

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Friday attacked Supreme Court Justice Luis Roberto Barroso after the judge ordered Congress to begin a probe of the federal government's response to Covid.

Bolsonaro criticized the request for the congressional probe to focus on the failures of the federal government in its Covid response.

Brazil's daily Covid-19 death toll has reached records this week, surpassing 4,000 people.

Bolsonaro said the Supreme Court justice has "no moral courage" and said Barroso should request the impeachment of other Supreme Court justices.

02:48 PM

Disabled people more likely to feel lonely and burden on others, says ONS

Disabled people are more likely to say they feel like a burden on others, are lonely, and that coronavirus is making their mental health worse, figures suggest.

About two thirds (65%) of disabled people said the pandemic was affecting their wellbeing, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Of these, a quarter said they feel like a burden on others, about half were lonely, and 67% said they are stressed and anxious.

This compares with 10% of non-disabled respondents feeling like a burden, 37% feeling lonely and 54% feeling stressed and anxious.

And 46% of disabled people said the pandemic was making their mental health worse, compared with 29% of respondents without a disability.

They were also more likely than non-disabled people to say they spend too much time alone and that they have no-one to talk to about their worries.

The ONS questioned 12,856 people, including more than 3,000 disabled respondents, in three waves in February as part of its opinions and lifestyle survey looking at the impact of the pandemic on British society.

02:33 PM

New UK vaccination figures

A total of 32,270,892 Covid-19 vaccinations took place in England between December 8 and April 8, according to NHS England data, including first and second doses, which is a rise of 458,751 on the previous day.

NHS England said 26,934,662 were the first dose of a vaccine, a rise of 55,539 on the previous day, while 5,336,230 were a second dose, an increase of 403,212.

02:19 PM

US stockpile of AstraZeneca grows to 20m, even as it seems unlikely to ever be used there

The United States stockpile of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine has grown to more than 20 million doses, according to people familiar with the matter, even as the shot looks increasingly unlikely to factor into President Joe Biden’s domestic vaccination campaign.

CNN reported on Friday that three vaccine advisers to the federal government, who spoke to CNN on the condition of anonymity, said that they don't foresee the US planning to add AstraZeneca to its immunisation programme.

One adviser said: "I think they're crossing their fingers that AstraZeneca won't apply for emergency use authorization.

"This vaccine has a checkered past. There's baggage. Why go down that road if we don't have to?"

AstraZeneca has yet to request Food and Drug Administration authorization for the vaccine, and the company faces safety questions abroad and scrutiny from US regulators who’ve already rebuked it for missteps during clinical trials and partial data releases.

Three other vaccines already authorized in the US - Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson - are being used at a rate of about 3 million doses per day, with hundreds of millions of additional doses set to be delivered by August.

02:11 PM

Covid variants not 'taking off' in European holiday destinations

The Covid-19 variants that have been worrying scientists do not appear to be rising in popular European destinations, UK advisers have said.

While Covid infection rates are still high in countries such as Spain and France, levels of, for example, the South African variant, are staying pretty constant and are not going up, according to scientists advising the Government.

The Kent variant is now so prevalent in many European countries that there is currently no advantage for other variants, and so they are not particularly rising.

Although there are pockets where variant cases appear to be high, they are still only accounting for around 5% of cases or fewer.

As a result, experts believe variants may not become such a problem, depending on what measures countries such as Spain and France take to lock down now.

The advisers believe that in Europe, as has been the case in the UK, there is now a race between increased viral spread and vaccination.

02:07 PM

UK R number remains unchanged at between 0.8 and 1

The coronavirus reproduction number, or R value, in England remains unchanged from last week and is between 0.8 and 1, according to the latest Government figures.

R represents the average number of people each Covid-19 positive person goes on to infect.

When the figure is above 1, an outbreak can grow exponentially, but when it is below 1, it means the epidemic is shrinking.

An R number between 0.8 and 1 means that, on average, every 10 people infected will infect between eight and 10 other people.

02:01 PM

EU preparing orders for 1.8 billion mRNA vaccine booster shots, says Die Welt

The European Union will shortly sign contracts to purchase up to 1.8 billion doses of coronavirus vaccine to cover the bloc's need for booster shots over the coming two years, German daily Die Welt reported on Friday.

The newspaper said that contracts would be signed for deliveries of 900 million doses, with further contracts creating an option for another 900 million doses to be bought. The planned purchases would also cover the 70-80 million children in the EU, who are not currently being vaccinated.

The planned orders will be for so-called mRNA vaccines, with a preference for manufacturers who are EU-based or who have production facilities in Europe.

Only the Pfizer vaccine, which is manufactured in Belgium and Germany, and Moderna, manufactured in Spain and Switzerland, currently meet these requirements.

01:48 PM

Coronavirus around the world, in pictures

Paris, France

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Medellin, Colombia

01:33 PM

Aviation regulator to get tougher powers to tackle airlines refusing refunds

Tougher powers will be handed to the aviation regulator after passengers struggled to get refunds when flights were grounded during the coronavirus outbreak, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced.

The plan to give more teeth to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) was announced in a report by the Government's Global Travel Taskforce as part of efforts to "build consumer confidence and develop trust in booking travel".

Consumer group Which? previously accused the CAA of "failing" passengers over its lack of enforcement action on refund delays.

UK consumer laws say passengers are entitled to cash refunds for cancelled flights within seven days, but during the pandemic many people have had to wait several months for a payout or been offered vouchers.

The DfT said latest data suggests airlines are now paying "the vast majority of refunds in a timely manner, within 14 days".

01:14 PM

France tells under-55s to abandon AstraZeneca jab for second dose

France has told under-55s to abandon the AstraZeneca jab for their second dose and have another vaccine instead.

Olivier Véran, the country's health minister, said the new advice will be that rival vaccines Moderna and Pfizer should be used for this age group at their second appointment.

An official announcement by the French health regulator is expected later today.

It comes after Germany reiterated advice that under-60s whose first jab was the AstraZeneca should get a second dose of Pfizer or Moderna.

The advice was issued a week ago over fears it could cause dangerous blood clots in the brain. The UK medicines regulator has said the benefits of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine continue to outweigh any risks.

01:09 PM

Merkel plans to push new law to impose tough restrictions in badly hit areas

In Germany, planned talks on new lockdown measures between Angela Merkel and regional leaders have reportedly been cancelled, writes Justin Huggler in Berlin.

Mrs Merkel is instead planning to push a new law through parliament imposing tough new restrictions on hard-hit areas. She was due to hold video talks with the heads of Germany’s 16 regional government on Monday.

Under the country’s federal system the regional governments currently have the final say on lockdown. But Mrs Merkel has spoken publicly of her concerns the regional leaders are not taking the risk from new variants of the virus seriously enough.

She is now planning to push through a law giving her direct control of lockdown measures as early as next week, according to Bild newspaper. But she has stopped short of plans to impose a tough new blanket national lockdown.

Instead she is planning to order stricter measures only in districts where the weekly infection rate rises above 100 per 100,000 inhabitants. Those areas would be subject to night-time curfews and a complete closure of all non-essential shops.

Businesses would be strongly encouraged to allow employees to work from home and obliged to test any who come into the office. In districts where the infection rate rises over 200 schools would close.

Germany is already under lockdown but most regions have allowed limited easing.

Germany has been in the grip of a third wave for weeks. Infections are currently falling but experts warn that may be because less testing was carried out over the Easter holidays. Reliable figures are not expected until Tuesday.

01:00 PM

J&J Covid Vaccine Reviewed by EU Regulator After Blood Clots

The European Medicines Agency said on Friday that it has started a review to assess blood clots in people who received Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine, Bloomberg reported.

Four serious cases of rare clots accompanied by low blood platelets, one of which was fatal, have emerged after vaccination with the J&J jab.

The move turns the regulator’s safety scrutiny on a second Covid shot, after the AstraZeneca jab was possibly linked to a rare blood-clotting disorder.

One of the blood clot cases following the J&J jab happened during a clinical trial.

At the time, the company responded saying it had found no evidence the vaccine was at fault.

The three other cases occurred in the United States, where the shot has been given to almost 5 million people.

Though the J&J vaccine is approved in the EU, its rollout in the bloc isn’t expected to start until later this month.

However, the EU is relying on the single-shot vaccine to boost its immunization drive amid restrictions in some countries on use of the AstraZeneca jab, which is administered in two doses.

12:48 PM

Britons return to pubs for loved ones and normality rather than drinking, research shows

The Portman Group, the social responsibility and regulatory body for alcohol in the UK, has revealed in new research published today that more than two-thirds (68%) of Britons who are planning on visiting pubs when they reopen, say the reason they are most looking forward to the trip is to reunite with friends and family, rather than purchasing food and drink they cannot get at home.

The second most cited reason for returning to the pub is to regain a sense of normality (57%).

Many are planning a cautious return to the pubs as hospitality gradually opens across the UK, including from 12 April in England.

The YouGov survey, commissioned by The Portman Group, also shows that whilst half of UK pubgoers (50%) plan to revisit the pub as much as they did previously, they either plan to drink the same (71%) or less (15%) as they did before the pandemic.

12:39 PM

Woman could be forced to give birth alone as testing backlog threatens to trap husband in quarantine

A woman has paid almost £400 in a last-minute bid to ensure her husband can be at the birth of their daughter, as a coronavirus testing backlog still threatens to leave him trapped in quarantine, writes Dominic Penna.

Emily Natividad last saw Arthur, a Filipino who became an American citizen this year, when she stayed with him in Arizona last August at a time of relaxed travel restrictions.

Ms Natividad, 25, became pregnant during the visit, which she made to celebrate them buying a house together.

Their plans for Arthur, 31, to be at the birth in the next few weeks have been thrown into disarray after 001Doctor.UK, the testing company that they had booked with, was removed from the list of Government-approved providers.

Read Dominic's full story here.

12:32 PM

Countries emphasise importance of AstraZeneca shot as they look to alternatives

Australia said on Friday it had ordered more alternatives for the AstraZeneca vaccine, setting back its vaccination rollout, and Hong Kong delayed deliveries of the shot amid concern about a possible very small risk of rare blood clots.

The Australian decision effectively puts paid to plans to have its entire population vaccinated by the end of October, highlighting the delicate public health balancing act the issue has created.

Millions of doses of the AstraZeneca shot have been safely administered around the world and millions more have been ordered but some countries have limited its use to older age groups as a precaution while cases of clotting are investigated.

Australia said it had doubled its order of the Pfizer shot after health authorities recommended that those under 50 take it instead of AstraZeneca, which had been the mainstay of its vaccination programme.

"It is not a prohibition on the AstraZeneca vaccine," Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters in Canberra. "For those who are over 50, there is a strong encouragement to be taking this AstraZeneca vaccine."

12:26 PM

The Queen and Philip were reunited in lockdown

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh spent more time under the same roof together during the coronavirus lockdown than they had in many years.

Philip had been occupying himself in his retirement mostly at his cottage, Wood Farm, in the sanctuary of the Sandringham estate, more than 100 miles away from the Queen, who was usually at Buckingham Palace or at Windsor.

But they were reunited at the Berkshire castle for their safety after Philip was flown there by helicopter on March 19 2020 ahead of the restriction on movements amid the pandemic.

Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine, told the PA news agency it was "an opportunity for them in their later years to reconnect" and the "perfect royal cocooning".

The couple were attended to by a reduced household of around 20 staff in what was dubbed HMS Bubble.

The monarch and Philip most likely had lunch or dinner together each day while spending other time on their separate interests.

12:03 PM

EU reviews J&J Covid-19 vaccine for blood clots, expands AstraZeneca probe

Europe's drug regulator said on Friday it had started reviewing reports of a bleeding condition in people who had received AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine and was also looking into Johnson & Johnson's shot over blood clots.

Four serious cases of rare blood clots with low platelets, one of which was fatal, have been reported after inoculation with J&J's vaccine from its Janssen unit, the European Medicines Agency said, adding five cases of capillary leak syndrome linked to AstraZeneca's vaccine were reported.

11:58 AM

Watch: AstraZeneca - French Health Minister tells under-55s to get different vaccine

11:55 AM

Japanese doctors perform world's first living donor lung transplant on Covid patient

Japanese doctors have performed the world’s first living donor lung transplant on a recovered coronavirus patient, writes Danielle Demetriou in Tokyo.

The woman, whose lungs were badly damaged by Covid-19, underwent the 11-hour operation at Kyoto University Hospital. A team of 30 doctors transplanted parts of healthy lungs from both her husband and son into the patient’s failed lungs.

Both donors are reportedly in a stable condition, while the woman, from Western Japan, who has not been identified, is in intensive care, with a view to being discharged in two months if she recovers well.

The patient contracted coronavirus at the end of last year, before developing pneumonia and spending months on a life support machine that worked as an artificial lung.

Serious lung damage has been detected in a number coronavirus patients across the globe, with some undergoing lung transplants as a result. However, Kyoto doctors described the operation as the first time in which lung tissue was transplanted from living donors into a Covid-19 patient.

News of the operation comes just days after Imperial College London announced the launch of a new national study investigating the long-term coronavirus effects of lung inflammation and scarring.

11:44 AM

Serbia considers mandatory vaccination of health workers

Serbia could introduce mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations for healthcare workers to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar said on Friday.

"We cannot be in a situation where we have a healthcare worker infected and then ask if he or she had been vaccinated," Loncar told Reuters, adding that the government could discuss the proposal within a few days.

Italy was the first country in Europe to introduce mandatory vaccination for health workers earlier this week.

Around 2.7 million of Serbia's 7 million population have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, the eighth highest proportion globally.

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said the Balkan country expects to have 40 percent of those aged over 18 vaccinated by the end of April.

11:17 AM

Covid pandemic affects plans for Duke of Edinburgh's funeral

The coronavirus pandemic will have a major impact on the carefully laid plans for the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral.

With restrictions still in place amid the Covid-19 outbreak, the public elements of the final farewell to the Queen's consort will not be able to take place in their original form.

Under the earlier arrangements for the coming days, codenamed Forth Bridge, thousands of people would have been expected to flock to London and Windsor, with some even camping out overnight to get the best vantage points, for a military procession of Philip's coffin on the day of his funeral.

Hundreds of members of the armed forces would have been called upon to line the streets in honour of the duke, along with thousands of police officers to keep control of crowds and protect the members of the royal family taking part.

Organisers are said to be "desperately anxious" not to stage anything that attracts mass gatherings, one source said.

The duke's funeral is still expected to be televised and held at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, dies aged 99

10:46 AM

Watch: Lockdown easing - what you can do from April 12

Read more about what you can do from Monday here.

10:43 AM

PM obsessed with tackling nation's obesity levels after brush with Covid, says Hancock

Tackling the nation's obesity levels is a "particular obsession" of Boris Johnson after his brush with Covid, Matt Hancock has said.

Speaking at the launch of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Longevity's Levelling Up Health report, the Health Secretary said that "improving the disparities in healthy life expectancy is absolutely at the core of our levelling-up agenda".

Earlier this year, the Prime Minister pledged to tackle Britain's obesity crisis following his admission to intensive care with coronavirus, admitting that he had been "too fat" when he contracted the virus.

Mr Hancock said "healthy life is unevenly distributed across the country" and issues around food, obesity, smoking, air pollution and the chances of children should be tackled.

He added: "Obesity is clearly critical, and has had a significant impact on people's morbidity and mortality when hit by Covid, and is a particular obsession of the Prime Minister's after his experience with Covid".

10:31 AM

Russia says Sputnik V dispute with Slovakia won't undermine EU confidence

A row over shipments of Sputnik V vaccine doses that erupted on Thursday between Russia and Slovakia will not undermine European Union confidence in the shot, the Kremlin said on Friday in the week of an EU vaccines' regulator visit to Moscow.

"If Slovakia doesn't need the vaccine, other countries will be pleased...there will be more for others," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Russia called on Slovakia on Thursday to return hundreds of thousands of doses of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, citing contract violations, in an escalating row between the two countries after a Slovak watchdog raised doubts about the shot.

10:24 AM

Merkel to take control from German states in pandemic battle

German Chancellor Angela Merkel plans to take control from federal states to impose restrictions on regions with high numbers of new coronavirus infections, a government spokeswoman said, as Germany struggles to curb a third wave of the pandemic.

The federal government plans to introduce draft legislation next week, she said.

A source had told Reuters earlier that this will include compulsory measures in regions with 100 or more new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people over seven days.

At a 7-day incidence below 100, the states will retain control over measures to slow the spread of the virus.

10:12 AM

Norway PM Fined $2,350 for Breaching Her Own Covid Rules

Norwegian police said on Friday they have fined Prime Minister Erna Solberg for breaking Covid-19 social distancing rules when she organised a family gathering to celebrate her birthday.

The fine is for 20,000 Norwegian crowns ($2,352), police chief Ole Saeverud told a news conference.

The two-term prime minister apologised last month for organising an event for her 60th birthday with 13 family members at a mountain resort in late February, despite a government ban on gatherings of more than 10 people.

While the police would not have issued a fine in most such cases, the prime minister has been at the forefront of the government's work to impose restrictions, police said.

"Though the law is the same for all, all are not equal in front of the law," said Saeverud, justifying the fine.

"It is therefore correct to issue a fine in order to uphold the general public's trust in the rules on social restrictions," he said.

While Solberg’s misstep hasn’t triggered calls for her resignation, it may possibly put a dent in her popularity.

10:06 AM

Japan places Tokyo under Covid-19 state of 'quasi-emergency'

Japan placed Tokyo under a new, month-long state of "quasi-emergency" on Friday to combat surging Covid-19 infections, less than a month after the capital and host of the Summer Olympics lifted a broader state of emergency.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said the restrictions were needed to prevent regional outbreaks from turning into a nationwide wave.

"We ask that people refrain from unnecessary travel between prefectures as much as possible," Suga said in televised remarks.

Japan's total Covid-19 cases crossed 500,000 on Friday, according to domestic media tallies.

10:00 AM

CDC update guidance to reflect low risk of catching Covid from contaminated surfaces

US health officials have updated their guidance to say people face little risk of catching Covid-19 from contaminated surfaces, downplaying what was once thought to be one of the major perils of the pandemic, reports Ben Farmer.

Fears that infections could be picked up from doorknobs, handrails, tables and even groceries led many to scrub or disinfect surfaces at the start of the coronavirus crisis in an attempt to kill off coronavirus particles.

But the threat has gradually receded as scientists have realised that airborne transmission accounts for by far the greatest proportion of cases.

New advice from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates the chances of catching Covid-19 from a contaminated surface is 1-in-10,000.

New advice issued on April 5 says: "The principal mode by which people are infected with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes Covid-19) is through exposure to respiratory droplets carrying infectious virus.

"It is possible for people to be infected through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects (fomites), but the risk is generally considered to be low."

09:47 AM

Thailand orders closure of entertainment venues in capital city to contain Covid

Thailand has ordered the closure of entertainment including bars, pubs, karaoke and massage parlours in its capital and 40 other provinces to contain a flareup in coronavirus infections ahead of the nation’s biggest annual festival, writes Ben Farmer.

The restrictions will last at least two weeks and provincial governors will have the power to extend the shutdown or revoke them early if the situation improves.

Thailand has added more than 2,000 new cases this month with a majority of them being traced to new clusters in Bangkok.

Such caseloads have alarmed the country, which has weathered the coronavirus pandemic far better than many nations.

Strict border controls have hammered the country's lucrative tourism industry, but have kept infections at bay.

The country has also used curfews, alcohol bans and the closures of schools, shopping malls and restaurants to quash hotspots.

09:38 AM

Boots offers free rapid lateral flow tests at over 1,500 pharmacies

Boots is offering free, rapid lateral flow tests (LFTs) at over 1,500 pharmacies in England as part of the government’s new Pharmacy Collect service, with more to come.

As part of this scheme, people without symptoms will be able to visit their local Boots pharmacy and collect a box of seven rapid LFTs to use twice a week at home.

Marc Donavon, Chief Pharmacist at Boots UK, commented: "Regular rapid COVID-19 testing using lateral flow devices is a fast and easy way to find out if you have COVID-19.

"It's a vital part of the government's road map to cautiously ease restrictions."

He added: "The tests are easy to do and the result is provided in around 30 minutes. The more of us that take part the more we can help protect each other.

"If you think you have COVID-19 symptoms, you should self-isolate immediately and head over to the government website to arrange a free PCR test, and follow the guidance depending on your result."

09:29 AM

'The science is clear: vaccines save lives', says Boris Johnson

The Covid-19 vaccination programme has prevented the deaths of some 10,400 older people in England since it began, new analysis suggests.

Figures from Public Health England (PHE) reveal the thousands of lives saved among those aged 60 and over in the space of four months.

From December 8 last year up to the end of March, more than 15 million jabs have been given to adults in this age group, PHE said.

According to its estimates, 9,100 deaths were prevented in those aged 80 and over, 1,200 were avoided in those aged 70 to 79, and 100 lives were saved in those aged 60 to 69.

09:21 AM

Watch: Lateral flow tests - how to get one and do it at home

As of Friday, people in England will be able to request two Covid lateral flow tests per week, for free.

The lateral flow tests – which can provide results in about 30 minutes – will be available regardless of whether people have symptoms.

Boris Johnson said the scheme would help stop fresh outbreaks, enabling authorities to identify and control new variants of the virus.

Tests can be ordered online or collected at a local centre.

To find out how to access your free lateral flow tests and how to correctly take them, watch the video:

09:15 AM

Jet2 extended suspension of flights up to June 23 following Government announcement

Jet2.com has extended the suspension of its flights and holidays up to June 23 following the Government's announcement on how foreign leisure travel will resume.

Chief executive Steve Heapy said: "We have taken time to study the Global Travel Taskforce's framework, and we are extremely disappointed at the lack of clarity and detail.

"After several weeks exploring how to restart international travel, with substantial assistance and input from the industry, the framework lacks any rigorous detail about how to get international travel going again. In fact, the framework is virtually the same as six months ago.

"Following the publication of the framework today, we still do not know when we can start to fly, where we can fly to and the availability and cost of testing. Rather than answering questions, the framework leaves everyone asking more."

He added: "Because of the continued uncertainty that the framework provides, it is with a heavy heart that we have taken the decision to extend the suspension of flights and holidays up to and including 23rd June 2021."

09:09 AM

UK 'depends practically entirely' on Europe for Covid-19 vaccines , says EU's Breton

Britain "depends practically entirely" on the European Union for its Covid-19 vaccines, European Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton - who heads the EU executive's vaccine task force - told France Info on Friday.

The EU and Britain have been engaged in political disputes over deliveries and rollouts of coronavirus vaccines.

09:06 AM

India's Serum Institute bound to supply virus vaccines

The Serum Institute of India (SII) is legally compelled to ship coronavirus vaccine to global vaccine sharing facility COVAX, its co-lead Gavi has told Reuters, a provision that could complicate the firm's efforts to boost domestic supplies.

India, where infections have surged to 13.06 million, suspended all major exports of vaccines last month to fill demand at home, forcing the world's biggest vaccine maker to divert nearly all its production to the domestic market.

"The agreement is legally binding and served as a basis for the first-round allocation document, which has been communicated to all participating economies," a Gavi spokeswoman said in an email.

The pact specified Gavi would receive from SII 1.1 billion doses of either the AstraZeneca vaccine or that of Novavax, with 200 million committed, and the rest on option.

SII partner AstraZeneca has already issued it a legal notice over delays to other shipments, even as many Indian states have complained of a shortage facing priority recipients.

08:44 AM

Start to think about booking overseas holidays, says Shapps

People can "start to think" about booking overseas summer holidays, according to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

The Cabinet minister said it is the first time in "many months" he was not advising against booking foreign trips.

His comments came just five days after Downing Street published a document which urged people "not to book summer holidays abroad until the picture is clearer".

On Friday Mr Shapps announced a "framework" for the resumption of overseas leisure travel, which included requiring all arrivals to take pre-departure and post-arrival coronavirus tests.

08:36 AM

Shapps to work with private providers to drive down cost of PCR test

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he was "concerned" about the cost of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) type of test and said he would be working with private providers "to see that cost driven down".

"The PCR test is often called the gold standard test, it's the one which will be able to be processed further to look at things like variants of concern," he told BBC Breakfast.

"I'm concerned about the cost of these. They are provided by private providers and we would like to see that cost driven down.

"And I'm actually going to work between now and May 17, which is the earliest possible date for international travel to resume, with the private sector, with providers, to see whether this can't be driven down quite a lot further.

"I think they are too expensive and that may be that there needs to be more entrance in the market and we'll be taking a very close look at that."

Asked what would be an acceptable price, he said: "It seems very surprising, particularly some of those higher-end tests, I would have thought should be half the price they are by now."

08:30 AM

Government 'risks wasting a huge amount of money' on weekly tests

The Government risks "wasting a huge amount of money" on coronavirus testing unless more support is given to people to self-isolate, a scientific adviser has said.

Professor Stephen Reicher, from the University of St Andrews and a member of the Scientific Pandemic Insights Group on Behaviours (Spi-B), which advises ministers, said more financial and practical support is needed.

People in England can have two rapid coronavirus tests per week from Friday, which can produce results in around half an hour.The lateral flow kits are available free of charge at approved testing sites, pharmacies and by post.

Prof Reicher told Sky News the main reason for offering the public two lateral flow tests per week was to get them to self-isolate if infected.

"The problem is that, at the moment, we're concentrating on that one piece of the system without thinking about the other parts," he said.

"And the consequence is not only that people don't self isolate... it also suggests that because people can't afford to self-isolate, they don't get tested in the first place.

"That was very clear last year when mass testing was done in Liverpool, where in deprived parts of the city only half as many people came forward for testing as in more affluent places."

08:19 AM

Transport plans under fire as Shapps hopes for 'safe' resumption of holidays

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has insisted foreign holidays will be able to resume "safely and sustainably" under new Government plans.

But travel firms have slammed measures to force holidaymakers returning from low-risk destinations to take an "expensive and unnecessary" type of coronavirus test.

Mr Shapps announced a "framework" for resuming overseas leisure travel which includes requiring all arrivals to take pre-departure and post-arrival coronavirus tests.

Post-arrival tests must be the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) type which cost around £120, he revealed.

This is despite pleas from the travel sector to allow travellers returning from countries on the "green" list under the new risk-based traffic light system to take lateral flow tests, which are cheaper and quicker.

The announcement came three days after Boris Johnson pledged to make testing requirements "as affordable as possible".

EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren claimed the plan was "a blow to all travellers" and risked "making flying only for the wealthy".

08:10 AM

Should be a 'bit more notice' on countries moving out of green list, says Shapps

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said that there should be a "bit more notice" on countries moving out of the "green" list.

"The green watchlist is designed to help people to get some forward guidance," he told Sky News.

"Now, I can't guarantee that that will always be absolutely 100% available, we may have to make very quick decisions as we had to last year.

"If you have for example a variation in the coronavirus, you usually have at least a couple of weeks whilst you're sequencing that to see whether it's actually a variation of concern, where the mutation is more significant.

"And so that will give people a period of time to potentially know, so that's the first thing, we should have a bit more notice this year."

08:06 AM

Shadow home secretary urges release of more detail about traffic light system

Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said the Government has not given enough detail about its traffic light travel system for it to be properly scrutinised by MPs.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, he said: "The problem that I have is that the system hasn't been outlined in detail.

"The Government has spoken about factors like vaccination rates, infection rates, the position with variants and also about the level of genomic sequencing - but I have no idea what the levels of each of those are, for the Government to place countries into the green category, amber or red.

"And instead what we've had this week, once again, is this system being drip-fed into the media day by day".

08:01 AM

Transport Secretary looking to 'drive down' costs of testing on arrival

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he was looking to "drive down the costs" of coronavirus tests required for international travel to resume.

"Costs are definitely a concern, it's one of the factors this year, and we have to accept we're still going through a global pandemic," he told Sky News.

"And so we do have to be cautious and I'm afraid that does involve having to have some tests and the like.

"But, I am undertaking today to drive down the costs of those tests and looking at some innovative things we could do.

"For example, whether we can help provide the lateral flow test that people need to take before they depart the country that they are in to return to the UK.

"And also drive down the costs of the test when they get home if it's in the green category, where it's just a single test."

07:55 AM

'Far better ways' than using PCR for returning passengers, says Heathrow boss

Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye has welcomed the Government's traffic light system approach to travel, but said there are "far better ways" than using a costly PCR testing system for returning passengers.

He told BBC Breakfast: "All of us will welcome the fact that if you are going to a country that is green, where there's very low risk of variants of concern, very low levels of Covid, that you won't need to quarantine when you're back."

He added: "If you are a British citizen, you've been fully vaccinated, and are going to somewhere low risk such as Israel or the United States, not only do you have to have a test before you get on the plane coming back to show that you don't have Covid, you then have to take an expensive PCR test after you arrive to demonstrate again.

"Most people would say: 'That makes no sense, that's a £150 bill I shouldn't have to be paying when I've already demonstrated I don't have Covid'.

"I think there are far better ways of delivering on the Prime Minister's promise of quick and easy testing, which we already use, such as taking a lateral flow test to demonstrate you don't have Covid, and only taking a PCR test if you've tested positive, which of course in that case is exceptionally unlikely."

07:51 AM

Wales accelerates easing of Covid restrictions as new infections fall

Two households will be able to meet indoors a week earlier than previously planned, as the Welsh Government moves to accelerate parts of its programme for the easing of coronavirus restrictions.

The reopening of gyms and leisure centres, and outdoor organised activities are also set to be brought forward amid a drop in new Covid-19 infections.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said the "improvements" in the public health situation and the ongoing vaccination programme meant changes could be made to previously announced plans.

Under the changes to the timetable, organised outdoor activities for up to 30 people will be able to take place from April 26 instead of May 3.

Wedding receptions for up to 30 people will also be permitted outdoors from April 26 - again a week earlier than previously announced.

The reopening of gyms, leisure centres and fitness facilities will now be allowed from May 3, brought forward a week from May 10.

07:33 AM

Young 'bearing brunt' of Covid crisis as mental health referrals soar

Mental health referrals for children and young people rose by more than a quarter during the pandemic, new figures show, with experts warning that the young are "bearing the brunt" of the Covid crisis, writes Henry Bodkin.

Research by the Royal College of Psychiatrists found there were 80,226 more children and young people referred for help between April and December – up 28 per cent on the previous year.

Meanwhile, 600,628 extra treatment sessions were given – a rise of 20 per cent. This compares to a rise of eight per cent in treatments for adults.

The head of the college warned that the demand for services is reaching breaking point, with a "very real risk" they will be "overrun by the sheer volume of people needing help".

Read the full story from Henry Bodkin here.

07:18 AM

MPs urge PM to address 'human suffering' caused by long Covid

A cross-party group of 65 MPs and peers have written to Boris Johnson urging him to take into account the "untold human suffering" caused by long Covid and the risk that more people could develop the disease as the lockdown is eased.

The letter urges the government to start collecting regular data on long Covid cases and factor these into future decisions over measures to contain the virus, in the same way as it does currently for hospitalisations and deaths.

Signed by 32 MPs and 33 peers from across eight different parties, the letter says the government must consider the potential harm posed by long Covid, including to younger age groups and key workers who have not yet been vaccinated.

It warns that long Covid sufferers were overlooked during the first and second waves of the pandemic, and that to do so again despite growing evidence of the scale and severity of the condition would be "unforgivable".

The latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics reveal that around 1.1 million people are living with long Covid across the UK.

07:04 AM

Pub staff will check drinkers' phones to prove they have registered with Test and Trace

Drinkers must hand their phones to pub staff to prove they have registered on the NHS Test and Trace app when beer gardens open on Monday under a tightening of rules to track Covid in hospitality venues.

The latest guidance says pub staff must look at customers' mobile phone screens to make sure that they have registered with Test and Trace before they can be served.

Drinkers will still have the option of registering manually by filling out a form with their name and telephone number.

Read the full story here.

06:59 AM

Twice-weekly Covid-19 testing campaign launches

The lateral flow tests - which can provide results in around 30 minutes - will be available from Friday, regardless of whether people have symptoms.

The Government will use a public information campaign across television, radio, newspapers, websites and social media to encourage people to get into the habit of using the tests twice a week.

Ministers hope regular testing combined with vaccines will result in more restrictions being lifted.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "Alongside the successful rollout of the vaccination programme, rapid testing will be one of our most effective weapons in tackling this virus and ensuring we can cautiously reopen our economy and parts of society that we have all missed.

"The British people have made a tremendous effort throughout the pandemic and I am confident they will do the same now by taking up this offer of free, rapid tests."

06:27 AM

Justin Welby regrets not fighting to allow prayer in church during first lockdown

The Archbishop of Canterbury has admitted he "got quite a few things wrong" on the closure of churches during the first Covid lockdown, saying he was "too risk-averse".

The Church of England came under fire as churches remained closed last Easter, with many parishioners frustrated that the Archbishop did not fight harder to keep them open and the Church's rules going beyond those of the Government in barring clergy from their church buildings.

"I got quite a few things wrong at the beginning and I learnt quite quickly," the Most Rev Justin Welby said in an interview with the Financial Times.

Read the full story here.

06:14 AM

Traffic light system for foreign holidays

The measure is among the recommendations of a report from the Government's Global Travel Taskforce which outlines how international travel could resume from May 17.

The taskforce said that people arriving home from abroad would still be subject to rules such as home quarantine and strict testing, but these will be differently applied depending on the country visited:

• Green destinations - Arrivals will have to take a pre-departure test and another PCR test on or before day two of their return to the UK. No quarantine or additional tests will be needed unless a positive result comes back.

• Amber destinations - Arrivals must quarantine for 10 days, take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on day two and day eight after their return, with the option of a "test to release" on day five to end self-isolation early.

• Red destinations - Travel to these countries will be restricted along the same lines as the Government's current "red list", meaning returning travellers must stay for 10 days in a quarantine hotel, as well as take a pre-departure test and a further PCR test on day two and day eight after returning.

05:59 AM

Deaths of 10,400 older people in England prevented by vaccination programme

Figures from Public Health England (PHE) reveal the thousands of lives saved among those aged 60 and over in the space of four months.

From December 8 last year up to the end of March, more than 15 million jabs have been given to adults in this age group, PHE said.

According to its estimates, 9,100 deaths were prevented in those aged 80 and over, 1,200 were avoided in those aged 70 to 79, and 100 lives were saved in those aged 60 to 69.

But experts believe the "true value" of the Covid-19 vaccines may also be seen in terms of avoiding future deaths should there be a resurgence of the virus in the UK.

05:45 AM

Under-40s could be asked to take an alternative Covid vaccine to AstraZeneca

Thirtysomethings could be asked to take an alternative jab to AstraZeneca, members of the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation (JCVI) have said.

The Government's independent scientific advisers said a fresh risk/benefit assessment of the vaccine in different age brackets would be made before the rollout reaches those under the age of 40.

Prof Anthony Harnden, the deputy chairman of the JCVI, said safety data will be examined "in scrupulous detail" and that "everybody should remain confident" in the vaccine programme, which he said was going "full steam ahead".

Read the full story here.

05:32 AM

Vaccine passports: Concerns about discrimination and surveillance persist, survey reveals

Around four in 10 adults in the UK believe unvaccinated people will be discriminated against, according to research from the University of Bristol and King's College London.

A quarter of adults believe vaccine passports would reduce civil liberties, but half disagree.

And 22% believe vaccine passports will be used by the Government for surveillance, while 45% do not think this will happen.

People from ethnic minority backgrounds were more likely to think unvaccinated people will be discriminated against, and that vaccine passports will infringe civil liberties or be used for surveillance, the survey found.

04:50 AM

Australia doubles Pfizer order amid AstraZeneca concerns

Australia has doubled its order of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said, as the country races to overhaul its inoculation plan over concerns about the risks of blood clots with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Until late Thursday, Australia based its vaccination programme largely on an AstraZeneca shot, with an order for 50 million doses - enough for the required two shots for its entire 25 million population - to be made domestically by biopharma CSL Ltd.

But Australia has now joined a host of countries in restricting use of the vaccine due to clotting concerns. Local health authorities have changed their recommendation to say the country's nearly 12 million people aged under 50 should take the Pfizer product instead.

As a result Australia has doubled an earlier Pfizer order to 40 million shots, enough for four-fifths of the population, which would be delivered by the end of the year, Morrison said.

The policy change to Pfizer effectively ends plans to have the entire population vaccinated by the end of October.

"It is not a prohibition on the AstraZeneca vaccine," Mr Morrison told reporters in Canberra after a national cabinet meeting to discuss the virus response.

"For those who are over 50, there is a strong encouragement to be taking this AstraZeneca vaccine."

03:18 AM

Today's top stories

• British holidaymakers will have to pay hundreds of pounds for Covid tests if they want to take a trip abroad this summer under plans announced by the Government on Friday
• A Government-approved Covid testing laboratory has left hundreds of travellers in the lurch after becoming "overwhelmed" with orders
• The Archbishop of Canterbury has admitted he "got quite a few things wrong" on the closure of churches during the first Covid lockdown, saying he was "too risk-averse"
• Thirtysomethings could be asked to take an alternative jab to AstraZeneca, members of the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation (JCVI) have said
• Hairdressers and beauty salons have been told to avoid long and complex treatments when they open on Monday in order to reduce the length of time customers spend in the chair
• Kate Garraway's husband has reportedly returned home after more than a year in hospital being treated for Covid-19