UK orders 50m coronavirus immunity tests April 26, 2020 The UK has reportedly ordered up to 50m new coronavirus immunity tests which would help quickly assess if people could go back to work. The Mail on Sunday reported that a team of British scientists were developing a test which could mean that by June people could reliably find out if they have developed immunity [...]
Coronavirus: Firms must adapt to survive April 26, 2020 As companies slowly transition from shock to survival during what is arguably history’s biggest peacetime crisis, it is becoming increasingly clear that the coronavirus pandemic has the potential to completely transform how the world does business. During an initial ‘Shock Phase’, which started around the middle of March and ended towards the middle of April, [...]
Tory MPs to scrutinise UK’s relationship with China amid anger over Covid-19 response April 25, 2020 Top Tory MPs have today launched a new research group aimed at reassessing the UK’s relationship with China amid concerns over the country’s handling of the coronavirus crisis. The China Research Group will gather and share information on Chinese foreign and industrial policy, as well as its ownership and development of new technologies. MPs said [...]
We must understand China to manage the threat of this rising superpower April 24, 2020 Tom Tugendhat MP is Chair of the Commons’ Foreign Affairs Committee As the world gets to grips with Covid-19, it is increasingly clear that this unprecedented crisis will have a huge impact on almost all aspects of our lives. And while some changes may take years to fully appreciate, others are already staring us in [...]
Facebook launches group video chat feature in blow to Houseparty April 24, 2020 Facebook today unveiled a new group video call feature for its Messenger app in a move that could sound the death knell for pandemic rival Houseparty. The joinable group calls, dubbed Messenger Rooms, will allow up to 50 people to discover and drop into “rooms”. The rooms, which can be created directly from Facebook or [...]
How and when will the UK coronavirus lockdown end? April 24, 2020 This week health secretary Matt Hancock confirmed the coronavirus outbreak has passed its peak, sparking speculation about an exit strategy from the UK lockdown. However, officials have poured cold water on the idea that Britain could return to normal soon. Last week the government said the UK coronavirus lockdown would continue for at least another [...]
CMA receives 16,000 consumer complaints over coronavirus refunds April 24, 2020 Around four fifths of the complaints received by the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) coronavirus taskforce have been related to refunds and cancellations. As of the beginning of the week, the CMA has received a total of 21,000 complaints related to the disease. According to the competition watchdog, 14,000 of these complaints refer to the [...]
Coronavirus: Sainsbury’s to extend supermarket opening hours from Monday April 24, 2020 Sainsbury’s will extend its supermarket opening hours from Monday in a bid to keep its staff and customers safe from coronavirus. It is one of a number of measures boss Mike Coupe announced yesterday to help Sainsbury’s cope with increased demand. Currently Sainsbury’s is open from 7:30am to 8am Monday to Saturday for NHS workers. [...]
UK hospital coronavirus deaths rise 684 to 19,506 April 24, 2020 UK coronavirus deaths recorded in hospitals rose another 684 today to hit 19,506 in total so far. Department for Health data showed another 5,386 people have tested positive for coronavirus to bring the total to 143,464. It would now take 17 days for coronavirus infections to double, compared to just six days over Easter. Most [...]
UK contact-tracing app launching ‘within weeks’ as RAF begins trials April 24, 2020 The RAF is testing a contact-tracing app which the NHS will launch in the coming weeks, as part of efforts to ease the nationwide lockdown. The contact-tracing app is part of a wider approach to track and test coronavirus. The government plans to recruit 18,000 people, including 3,000 health workers and specialists, to build and [...]