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- British people stuck in the Philippines will be flown home on four flights, the British Embassy in the country has said.On 7 April the Philippine Airline flights will leave from airports in Palawan, Cebu, Bohol and Siarago - areas that have been identified as having the highest concentrations of stranded UK tourists. They will connect in Manila, where two planes will fly back to London Heathrow.Each passenger will need to pay £1,000 ($1,227) for the flight package, regardless of where they're flying from. The most vulnerable passengers, including the elderly, people with serious health conditions, or people who are running out of medicine, will be given priority.Ambassador Daniel Pruce says "many hundreds" of UK nationals are stranded in the Philippines after a number of travel routes out of the country were closed.The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) initially advised stranded tourists to take available commercial flights home - but people have complained that this was impossible, because of cancelled flights, closed airspace in many countries, and the exorbitant cost of the tickets that were available.
- Here are the latest headlines on the outbreak from the UK:
- Another 684 people died, bringing the UK death toll to 3,605. The total number of cases is now 38,168
- The government has told people to stay at home this weekend, as the weather is expected to turn warm
- Following the deaths of two nurses with the virus, England's chief nursing officer asked the public: "Please stay at home for them."
- Health Secretary Matt Hancock has called for volunteers to take part in three major clinical trials that include looking at how existing drugs could be used to treat the virus
- The Labour Party is to announce its new leader - at 10:45 BST - but amid the outbreak, a planned ceremony has been scrapped. Instead, candidates Keir Starmer, Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy will learn the outcome over email. Each of them has been asked to pre-record victory speeches - only one of which will be released
- The Queen is to address the nation in a broadcast on Sunday evening
- Because Covid-19 is a new respiratory disease, scientists and governments all around the world are trying to work out the best way to fight it. Vaccine development is under way but for now they say the best protection is thought to be regular and thorough handwashing.You should also:
- Avoid contact with people who are unwell
- Catch coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues
- Throw away any used tissues and wash your hands
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
Many places are also recommending and implementing social distancing measures. - People in China are paying their respects to their dead ancestors for the Qingming festival, also known as Tomb Sweeping Day.Usually the festival is a time when people spruce up the graves of their late friends and family, and make offerings to their spirits.But with the coronavirus still posing a real threat in the country, and a lockdown still in place in Wuhan, cemetery staff have been carrying out the ceremonies on people's behalf - and live-streaming them.Read more about how China is honouring its dead in these unusual times here.
- Good morning, if it's morning in your time zone - and good afternoon to our readers in Asia and Australia. Welcome back to our rolling coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.Here’s the latest:
- People in China paid their respects to dead ancestors for the Qingming festival. It’s usually a time when people visit the graves of their late friends and family, to spruce up the area and make offerings to their spirits - but with the coronavirus still very much a threat, many people marked the day digitally instead. The few cemeteries that were open only allowed people to visit if they had pre-booked a slot
- The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Friday that if countries rush to lift their restrictions, it will prolong the crisis
- In the US, President Donald Trump said the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended that face masks should be worn in public - but added that he wouldn’t be wearing one
- New York State, the worst hit state in the US, had its highest increase in deaths for one day - 562, bringing the total there to 2,935
- Confirmed cases in Spain have neared those of Italy, but the number of deaths fell on Friday from the previous day
