Coronavirus in Devon and Cornwall - latest updates

The chief executive of the Royal Cornwall Hospital is worried there could be a second coronavirus spike if social distancing isn't observed in the county.

With lockdown restrictions beginning to be lifted, and reports of busy beaches during the week, Kate Shields said the public had to be more careful than ever.

Quote Message: We locked down really early on in our Covid-19 exposure in Cornwall, and that's why we haven't really had very much of it. Our Cornish people have been amazing, they've followed all the rules, and now we need to follow them more than ever. As we're going out and about, stay eight feet away from each other, and make sure we follow all the rules on washing our hands, and make sure we keep ourselves and our families safe." from Kate Shields Chief Executive, Royal Cornwall Hospital

We locked down really early on in our Covid-19 exposure in Cornwall, and that's why we haven't really had very much of it. Our Cornish people have been amazing, they've followed all the rules, and now we need to follow them more than ever. As we're going out and about, stay eight feet away from each other, and make sure we follow all the rules on washing our hands, and make sure we keep ourselves and our families safe."

Powderham Castle in Exeter has announced a new event to replace some of the high-profile festivals and concerts which have had to be postponed or scrapped because of coronavirus.

Car Park Party is being billed as the UK's first socially-distanced and safe entertainment experience.

The Earl of Devon, Charlie Courtenay, explained to the BBC how this new version of a festival would work.

Quote Message: Cars parked at least two metres apart, lots of space, and families staying within their cars. We hope people will be able to come out and have a really good live event, outside of their homes, at a time when so little else is happening." from Charlie Courtenay Earl of Devon

Cars parked at least two metres apart, lots of space, and families staying within their cars. We hope people will be able to come out and have a really good live event, outside of their homes, at a time when so little else is happening."

The event will take place over the weekend of 3 July, and includes comedy, music and movies.

The venue has previously hosted BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in 2016.

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The RNLI is asking people to consider the countryside instead of the beach this bank holiday weekend because it is fearing a huge influx of swimmers and surfers.

There will not be any lifeguards on duty over the bank holiday, but a big swell and sunny weather could be a temptation for many.

A lifeboat would be the only option for people in trouble, according to James Millidge, the RNLI's manager for south east Cornwall.

Quote Message: Of course, if people see someone in trouble, call 999, ask for the coastguard - they will dispatch for a lifeboat. But bear in mind, a lifeboat might take 10 to 15 minutes to get to your location. A lifeguard, when they're on duty, may take just two minutes, so those response times are going to much longer." from James Millidge Manager, RNLI South East Cornwall

Of course, if people see someone in trouble, call 999, ask for the coastguard - they will dispatch for a lifeboat. But bear in mind, a lifeboat might take 10 to 15 minutes to get to your location. A lifeguard, when they're on duty, may take just two minutes, so those response times are going to much longer."

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There has been one further death reported in a hospital in the South West of England related to a person infected with coronavirus.

They died at Somerset Foundation Trust, NHS England said.

The total deaths for Somerset now stands at 99, while Devon remains at 178, and Cornwall at 86.

We've been telling you about the situation with government borrowing in the UK - it reached £62bn in April, the highest monthly figure on record.

To see in context just how big a leap that is, check out the graph below showing the monthly rates over the past 12 months.

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So how much will the coronavirus crisis cost the UK overall? While it's impossible to know what the final bill will be, experts have estimates - and it's not looking good.

BBC business reporter Ben King looks at the figures and where the money is going to come from.

Businesses in Cornwall that have fallen through the gaps of government support are being encouraged to apply for a new pot of grant funding.

Cornwall Council has been given £13.5m to distribute to those that haven't qualified elsewhere like some B&Bs and charities, businesses in innovation centres and market traders.

The council's deputy leader, Adam Paynter, said they hope to make the first payments of usually £10,000 in early June.

Quote Message: We suspect the level of need is much higher than the government funding allows for, therefore we can not guarantee to be able to help everyone who is struggling. That's why we're encouraging anyone who can't get help elsewhere to submit an expression of interest for us to consider. That way we can build a clear evidence-based picture of the need for more support, and continue lobbying government to increase Cornwall's share of the fund. from Adam Paynter Deputy Leader, Cornwall Council

We suspect the level of need is much higher than the government funding allows for, therefore we can not guarantee to be able to help everyone who is struggling. That's why we're encouraging anyone who can't get help elsewhere to submit an expression of interest for us to consider. That way we can build a clear evidence-based picture of the need for more support, and continue lobbying government to increase Cornwall's share of the fund.

A vicar from Devon will lead a national Church of England service this week, to mark the end of Mental Health Awareness Week.

The Reverend Professor Gina Radford was Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England until 2019, and has been advising the Church of England on its guidance for churches during the coronavirus pandemic.

Reverend Radford filmed her parts of the service in St Petroc’s Church in South Brent, accompanied by her “slow, clumsy, gentle” dog Buddy.

The Duke of Cambridge will also be contributing to the service.

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People will be left waiting at bus stops as a result of social distancing measures required, according to a senior Stagecoach employee.

The bus company's managing director, Mike Watson, told an emergency transport and travel roundtable hosted by Exeter City Futures - an organisation working to help the city be carbon neutral by 2030 - on Wednesday that their buses would run at a maximum 20% capacity from 1 June.

Mr Watson said that, from the start of next month, they aimed to resume a full bus service rather than the limited service currently in operation, but that social distancing measures would mean reduced patronage would will be allowed on buses.

Drivers would begin counting the number of people getting on and off its vehicles, he said.

He added: "There will be times when people will be left at bus stop.

"Once the passenger limit is reached, drivers will not allow anyone else to board, leaving passengers at bus stops hoping the next service will be quieter."

All of the speeds recorded were in Devon, officers for the team - which covers Devon & Cornwall and Dorset - said in a later tweet.

RNLI/NIGEL MILLARDCopyright: RNLI/NIGEL MILLARD

The mayor of Bude says the idea of not having a lifeguard service this summer is "ridiculous".

Bob Willingham told BBC Radio Cornwall most of the surfers and swimmers had little idea of the dangers, namely the sea's currents and tides.

Pointing to how the RNLI's patrols had gone down from 248 last year to 70 this year, he called on coastguards to man the beaches as usual to ensure public safety.

Quote Message: The beaches aren’t being life-guarded yet people are being allowed to come out to our coasts. It's ridiculous. It's crucial that all beaches are manned." from Bob Willingham Mayor of Bude

The beaches aren’t being life-guarded yet people are being allowed to come out to our coasts. It's ridiculous. It's crucial that all beaches are manned."

The RNLI, which would normally be two weeks into its main season, is rolling out a reduced lifeguard service "in phases" from the end of the month. However, it has said only 30% of the beaches it would usually patrol will be covered in the summer.

The UK government wrongly expected everyone to use common sense when lockdown restrictions were eased, according to the leader of the Devon County Council.

Roads around north Devon were gridlocked as thousands of people flocked to the beaches earlier in the week, with police confirming they saw vehicles from "all over the country".

John Hart told the BBC he wanted police in Devon to tell people to "go back to where they came from".

Quote Message: I know people are coming down here, and I know some of them are coming down here and sleeping in vans. In Cornwall, the police were knocking on the vans the following morning and telling people to go back to where they came from. I would like to see that as a common policy across Devon." from John Hart Devon County Council

I know people are coming down here, and I know some of them are coming down here and sleeping in vans. In Cornwall, the police were knocking on the vans the following morning and telling people to go back to where they came from. I would like to see that as a common policy across Devon."

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Devon and Cornwall Police said in their Covid-19 FAQ that they had "one clear, consistent message for the public – do not travel to Devon and Cornwall".

The advice added: "Day trips to outdoor open space, in a private vehicle, are permitted. However, we urge you to please stay at home and do not undertake travel that isn’t essential".

However, police also said in a tweet on Friday: "Staying overnight in a camper van, at a holiday or second home is not allowed. We want to see you again… just not quite yet."

Devon’s schoolchildren will still be able to take part in the popular annual School Games despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Active Devon, working with partners, has launched the "virtual" games which got under way this with a Walk, Jog, Run challenge starting this week.

Primary school pupils have 20, 30 and 40-mile targets, while those in secondary schools will aim for 40, 60 and 80 miles.

All those taking part will be able to compete at home, in the garden, or by adhering to social distancing rules and using safe open places. And, once a challenge has been completed, entries can be submitted online.

The Virtual Games continue until 13 July and other challenges include the "Sportshall" Pentathlon, Dance, Boccia (Sock-ia) and the Andy Murray "100 volley" event.

The last event will be a set of family-based challenges, which will run throughout the summer holidays.

Lisa Alford, from Active Devon, said: "Devon’s youngsters love taking part in the School Games, so, even though our normal event can’t go ahead, we wanted to create something virtually.

"Obviously safety is our number one priority, but we have designed this so that all those involved can achieve their targets either at home, in the backyard or garden, at school, or in open spaces near to where they live."

Full details of the Devon Virtual School Games can be found on the Active Devon website.

The leader of the Labour Party is urging people to think carefully before travelling long distances to Cornwall's beaches and countryside.

Sir Keir Starmer held an online session taking questions from the Cornish public and local journalists.

He did not say whether he was in favour of a limit on travel - for example: 20 miles - but said he wanted visitors to Cornwall to show some respect.

"Be sensible, think about the people, safety first and respect the local community wherever you are travelling to," he said.

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Big waves and no lifeguard cover could create a "perfect storm" of danger for beachgoers, rescuers have warned.

Waves up to 16ft high are forecast to hit beaches in the south west on Friday and Saturday.

Steve England, of surfing magazine Carve, predicted the conditions and the "loosening of lockdown restrictions could be recipe for disaster".

There was a surge of visitors to coastal areas this week, with reports of people travelling great distances to the seaside and "gridlock" in resort towns, including in Devon and Cornwall.

The RNLI has warned that none of its lifeguards are currently patrolling UK beaches.

The charity, which would normally be two weeks into its main season, is rolling out a reduced lifeguard service "in phases" from the end of the month. However, it has said only 30% of the beaches it would usually patrol will be covered in the summer.

Find out more here.

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"It seems that people have forgotten all about coronavirus and social distancing and the rest of it - they were just out to have a good time," said a Cornwall town councillor.

Perranporth councillor Rob Norrington said the area was "rammed" on Wednesday and reminded him of a normal bank holiday.

Flocks of people headed to beaches across Cornwall and Devon on Wednesday due to the hot weather.

There are concerns ahead of the bank holiday weekend about the lack of facilities at many of Cornwall's seaside resorts.

An app has been developed to help people in Cornwall who are struggling with confidence to stay connected and supported amidst Covid-19 restrictions.

Leaders of social enterprise Quiet Connections say they were concerned when its community groups had to be cancelled in the pandemic as they are a lifeline to many people who struggle with confidence issues.

Quiet ConnectionsCopyright: Quiet Connections

Directors Hayley Stanton and Stacie Clark say they were determined to find a way to help members continue to get social support throughout the crisis.

Some members have said it is becoming a "really important tool" in helping them to share experiences with like minded people while retaining their privacy online.

Quote Message: We want quieter people who feel awkward or anxious in social situations to know that they’re not alone, and this app offers people the chance to be a part of a genuinely understanding community where you can share your stories, worries and successes; ask questions and feel supported and understood from the comfort of your own home." from Hayley Stanton Director, Quiet Connections

We want quieter people who feel awkward or anxious in social situations to know that they’re not alone, and this app offers people the chance to be a part of a genuinely understanding community where you can share your stories, worries and successes; ask questions and feel supported and understood from the comfort of your own home."