Coronavirus: People should wear face masks in public, say doctors

Health Secretary Matt Hancock, speaking at the UK government's daily coronavirus press briefing, said: "Like so many I am appalled by the death of George Floyd... but we are still facing a health crisis."

He says it is "vital" those considering going to protests "stick to the rules this weekend" to protect people and families.

"Please, for the safety of loved ones, do not attend large gatherings including demonstrations of more than six people."

His remarks come as thousands across the UK have joined mass protests over the death of George Floyd in the US.

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Our guide to different types of face coverings and step-by-step instructions on how to make them.

Cars from as far away as Oxford, Bristol and Cheltenham have been turned away after trying to enter Pembrokeshire.

They were stopped by police in Llanteg and nine people were reported for breaching coronavirus regulations.

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Hi-tech cleaning products are being offered to tackle coronavirus, but are they better than soap and water?

Cardiff council has published a detailed plan of how it plans to run the city after lockdown.

The leader, Councillor Huw Thomas, said they want to "restart, recover and renew Wales’ capital" and make it one of the safety cities in the UK.

"I’m determined that when lockdown restrictions are lifted, our city will reopen in a way that is safe for everyone; in a way that does everything it can to safeguard thousands of jobs; and in a way which is both welcoming and confident about the future of Cardiff," he said.

Among the measures being considered are:

Welcome Points: They will explain to visitors how the city centre works, from reaching particular destinations to where you can wash your hands

One-way pedestrian movement: Pedestrians within the city centre will need to follow signed routes to ensure social distancing

Queues: There will be a queuing system outside each retail unit /shopping centre/arcade as they will only be able accept a certain number of customers

Spill-out areas: The council says it recognises that businesses in the hospitality sector could be seriously affected by the need to follow social distancing. It proposes to open up spill-out areas, including the grounds inside and around the main walls of Cardiff Castle, the northern end of Churchill Way, the Hayes and Mill Lane

Car Parking: Many city centre car parks will need to operate at a reduced capacity to ensure social distancing. The council is working on a network of park and ride and cycle facilities to ease traffic

Accessing the city centre: An integrated transport plan will help people access the city centre via car, public transport, walking or cycling. It could see the city centre put into event mode, with road closures similar to those on rugby international days

Security and aggressive begging: Police have offered support to manage pedestrians and any social-distancing issues. A long-term strategy to help the homeless after lockdown is lifted is being developed

The plans will go to Cardiff council’s cabinet for discussion on Thursday, 11 June.

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All passengers using National Express coach services in the UK will be required to wear a face covering, preferably a mask.

The company says the condition will apply on vehicles and in bus stations when it resumes a reduced timetable from Wednesday, 1 July.

Passengers will be advised when booking, as well as on e-tickets, station signage and via announcements in both stations and on coaches.

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British Transport Police are working closely with ferry operators to ensure all passengers coming into Wales are doing so in line with government guidelines.

As many countries are easing restrictions, officials are warning that negligence can lead to a virus resurgence - and a second wave.

That means you should still be taking active measures to protect yourself - and to avoid infecting others should you be a silent spreader.

Here's a reminder of the symptoms, and what to do and not to do.

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The number of people who have died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus has passed 40,000.

It comes as another 357 people were reported to have died with the virus in hospitals, care homes and the wider community, according to the Department for Health. It brings the total to 40,261.

The UK is only the second country in the world to pass that number of deaths from Covid-19.

In March, the government's chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, said keeping deaths below 20,000 would be a "good outcome".

The park grounds at Scolton Manor near Haverfordwest are to reopen to the public from Monday, 8 June.

The Pembrokeshire council-run facility was locked down in March and the manor house and outdoor play areas will remain off limits.

The reopening allows people to exercise while observing social distancing and on the understanding that access is available only to those living within a five-mile radius.

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Countries across Europe are keen to reopen their borders in time for the summer tourist season, but while some states are working together it has not yet been organised across the EU.

European Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson says she wants all EU states on Friday to agree a date for the end of June.

Italy opened its borders on Wednesday but not everyone is keen to come. Austria lifted its border restrictions on Wednesday night to all its neighbours except Italy.

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Spain plans to reopen its borders on 1 July only to neighbours France and Portugal. It is not yet ready to open up to other countries, so any attempt by the EU to co-ordinate a reopening will prove tricky.

Belgium is one of the EU states expected to open its borders on 15 June while France is also hoping tourists will return and is pushing a plan to lift all the borders in the Schengen passport-free zone on 1 July.

Police have been carrying out routine checks at Pont Abraham service station in Carmarthenshire.

Out of the 300 cars stopped, four were turned around for non-essential journeys.

Officers in Machynlleth were also encouraged after their checks near Dyfi Bridge.

Pembrokeshire council has explained why it is keeping some of its car parks closed for the time being.

The authority said they have been identified as those which pose the greatest risk of overcrowding and difficulty maintaining social distancing.

They include car parks at Newgale, Broad Haven and Tenby South beaches.

"This decision is entirely in line with current Welsh Government guidance, and is very much reflective of the council’s priority to play its part in ensuring people are kept safe and in combating the spread of Covid-19," the council said.

"We are continuing to work to re-open certain car parks at the earliest safe opportunity."

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The BBC is to broadcast the Royal Opera House's first post-lockdown performance across TV and radio later this month.

The concert, which will take place without a live audience, is scheduled for 13 June, hosted by the venue's director of music Antonio Pappano.

It will feature a dance premiere by Wayne McGregor, resident choreographer of the Royal Ballet, as well as music by Britten, Handel and Butterworth.

Radio 3 will air the show on 15 June, with TV highlights later in the month.

Bangor University has told its students it plans for the campus to be open in September, despite the uncertainties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Because of the likely need to have social distancing measures in place, the university is currently planning on combining face-to-face teaching on campus with online teaching.

University student accommodation will also be open.

Due to the current restrictions, the university has been running virtual open days instead of its usual on-campus events, and regular updates are also being sent to new and returning students.

Bangor says its surveys indicate that students are keen to be on campus for their studies and it is working hard to enable this to happen whilst keeping students, staff and the local community safe.

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The Welsh Government is considering whether face-mask rules should be changed in Wales.

This comes in the light of an announcement in England that says they will be compulsory on public transport. That comes in on 15 June.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “There are a whole series of detailed questions we need to explore with our colleagues in England.”

He said there would be a “definitive statement” made next week.

Pembrey race circuit has announced it will partially reopen.

From Monday, 8 June professional teams will be allowed back on the Carmarthenshire track to carry out driver training and race car development.

Face masks should be worn in public areas where people cannot socially distance to help prevent the spread of coronavirus and "save lives", a doctors' union has said.

First Minister Mark Drakeford told the daily briefing he relied on the health advice of the Chief Medical Officer, Frank Atherton, on whether Wales would follow England in making face masks compulsory on public transport.

But the British Medical Association (BMA) wants the Welsh Government to "change its position immediately to lessen the risk of the public spreading the virus".

"There still remains a considerable risk of infection," said BMA Cymru Wales chairman Dr David Bailey.

"Emerging evidence has shown that if mouths and noses are covered when people are in areas where they cannot socially distance, it may help in in controlling the spread of infection of Covid-19 and therefore save lives," he said.

The Treasury says it is "working with" the Welsh Government over the £500 bonus that will be awarded to care workers - but indicated those payments would still be subject to tax.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said he is disappointed the Treasury intends to tax the payments, despite requests from the Welsh Government that they be tax-free.

The Treasury said the bonus - which will be extended to all those who work in Welsh care homes including kitchen staff and cleaners - could be raised by the Welsh Government to ensure each individual receives £500 after tax.

"We are working with the Welsh Government to determine the exact scope of the proposed bonus," said a Treasury statement.

"Payments made in connection with employment are, however, chargeable to income tax and NICS unless explicitly exempt.

"The Welsh Government has the powers and funding to gross up the payment, if its intention is for social care workers to benefit by at least £500.

"We value the contribution of social care workers, particularly during the current crisis.

"We also understand that the collective response to Covid-19 needs to be UK-wide, which is why alongside our UK-wide support schemes we've provided over £2.2bn of funding for the Welsh Government to support people, businesses and public services."

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