The Great Ashby District Park car park at Serpentine Close in Stevenage is now closed, external to reduce the risks of mass gatherings and promote social distancing.

North Hertfordshire District Council said the park was still open to pedestrians.

All playgrounds and equipment remain closed.

"Parks and open spaces are open for exercise, but you must stay more than two metres from others," a council spokesman said.

The opening of splash pads in council parks has been delayed and is being kept under review.

Image source, North Herts Council

Alex Pope
BBC News Online

​A school has said it was "only too pleased to help" make protective headgear for carers and social workers.

Ashcroft High School in Luton has so far made 25 masks and was hoping to make another 150 for Luton Borough Council, external.

The school has already donated four large boxes of protective goggles to the Luton and Dunstable Hospital.

Image source, Luton Borough Council

Julie Clarke, head teacher, said: "I only had to mention the request [to staff] and got an immediate response.

"At this time of national emergency, the school is only too pleased to help.

"We are all concerned for NHS staff and other frontline workers who have little or no protective equipment."

Image source, Luton Borough Council

Katy Lewis
BBC News Online

A temporary mortuary for coronavirus victims is being prepared at RAF Henlow in Bedfordshire.

Image source, Geograph/David Howard

Central Bedfordshire Council, external say the sad reality was that they were expecting more deaths.

"While we are working hard to keep people safe, we need to be ready for this eventuality so are working with partners to prepare a building on the RAF Henlow base as a temporary resting place should it be needed," a statement said.

"In order to protect the dignity and respect of those who have lost their lives, the area will be staffed and security will be in place."

Katy Lewis
BBC News Online

Police officers in Watford said they had been very busy over the weekend and "fines have been issued now for persons in blatant disregard" of social distancing.

It said they were "still being met with negative attitudes and responses" from people they were trying to move on.

They said these included:

• "I don’t care if I get sick or spread it, that’s not my problem"
• "We don’t live in the same house but we’re standing 6ft apart when we kick the football"
• "I'm driving because I need to use the car wash, I've got bird poo on my car, and this car costs 90 grand"
• "But I'm bored at home"
• "I've traveled from London to get some paint"

"These are difficult times for us all but please help us by respecting the government guidance and don’t take it personally when officers move you on, we’re all in the same boat. We want to keep you safe," a statement said.

On Saturday, Watford Borough Council, external, in conjunction with police, had to close Cassiobury Park car park as it was full and making social distancing in the park "very difficult".

Nic Rigby
BBC News

The main car park at Fairlands Valley Lakes in Stevenage has been closed to “reduce the risk from mass gatherings”.

Stevenage Borough Council notices say it is now for “disabled parking only", adding: “To reduce the risk from mass gatherings this car park is now closed.

"Public gatherings of more than two people are prohibited.”

Image source, South Beds News Agency

Katy Lewis
BBC News Online

People didn't just applaud to show appreciation for the NHS on Thursday evening.

In Welwyn Garden City, the Coronation Fountain turned blue.

Welwyn Hatfield Council, external said it was to "honour our NHS workers and all the other heroes out there taking care of us".

Nikki Fox
BBC Look East

The number of people infected by the coronavirus continues to rise.

Public Health England, external released the latest figures last night, but they are only from hospital tests and are a few days behind.

They are as follows:

• Hertfordshire - 480
• Buckinghamshire - 195
• Norfolk - 180
• Northamptonshire - 187
• Cambridgeshire - 141
• Peterborough - 36
• Suffolk - 125

• Milton Keynes - 117

• Central Bedfordshire - 81
• Luton - 91

• Bedford Borough Council - 60
• Essex - 420
• Southend-on-Sea - 44
• Thurrock - 62

Planet Ice in Milton Keynes may be needed if there is a rise in coronavirus-related deaths.

Sam Read
BBC Look East

Tower block residents in Milton Keynes who have been unable to access their balconies for six months say not having easy access to fresh air is affecting their mental health.

Balconies at flats in Mellish Court have been out of bounds for safety reasons.

Resident Tina, who lives with five-year-old daughter Tyler (both pictured), said: "I'm completely trapped.

"I feel frustrated knowing I'm stuck in one room and I can't walk out on to the balcony freely, but it has the same impact on everyone."

Nigel Long, cabinet member for housing at Milton Keynes Council, said he expects the work on the balconies to go-ahead "when this coronavirus isolation period has stopped".

"We are sorry, but we need to be careful and we need to do this properly," he added.

Sarah Jenkins
BBC News

From Friday, food and garden waste collections will be suspended in Milton Keynes.

The council said the decision was made "due to reduced staff number and to protect the weekly collection of black and clear sacks".

Sarah Jenkins
BBC News

East Hertfordshire District Council has suspended charges across all of its car parks.

The council has also extended all permit expiry dates by three months.

Councillor Graham McAndrew, executive member for environmental sustainability said it was "to support essential NHS and police staff, as well as residents that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic".

Sarah Jenkins
BBC News

Midwives from the Luton and Dunstable Hospital are operating out of a community centre for pre- and post-natal appointments.

Luton Council offered Chaul End community centre to the maternity team as a temporary home and it looks as though they are settling in well.

Euan Duncan
Local Democracy Reporting Service

A community lifeline has been set up for isolated residents in two Bedfordshire villages.

Ampthill and Flitwick Good Neighbours, churches, town council staff, a mental health forum and Central Bedfordshire, external councillor Gareth Mackey have united to help anyone stranded indoors.

Vicar of Flitwick Church, external, Rev Lucy Davis, said there was "a huge amount of goodwill" with people helping neighbours and keeping in touch with friends.

Richard Luscombe, co-founder of The Forum – Busy Getting Stronger, external, said social isolation can cause anxiety and a simple "conversation on the phone, an opportunity to be listened to, can help hugely".

The Flitwick community lifeline number is 07833 314903, but organisers say offers of help should be made via the Flitwick Community Lifeline Facebook page, external.

Bedford markets will continue, but they will only be selling fresh produce and essential household items.

Bedford Borough Council is putting the measures in place, external to make sure everyone stays safe.

Charges for parking on-street and in council-owned car parks have been suspended by Luton Borough Council., external

It said it was to "assist key workers to get to their places of work with greater ease and to ensure hassle-free parking for all those amazing volunteers helping people who are self-isolating and in need of assistance."

Time limits would continue for on-street parking bays, it said.

The new system will be "initially" in place for three weeks.

Alex Pope
BBC reporter

As the libraries have now all closed, Bedford Libraries, external have reasurred everyone that if you still have a book out on loan, all fines for the closure period will be waived.

They ask you not to return your books, but hold onto them until they are able to reopen.

Most library services across the region are operating a similar policy - check with your county council or unitary authority for details.

Alex Pope
BBC News

The message from Luton Council , externalis "stay at home" and they have even changed their Twitter handle, external to include it.

It is also asking people not to "visit council buildings as they will be closed to the public".

Schools are remaining open to key workers and vulnerable children only.

Image source, Luton Borough Council

"We'd like to thank you all for your understanding, patience, and support in these extraordinary times," a council spokesman said.

"We continue to be amazed by the extent to which communities are helping each other, and we thank everyone for playing their part.

"Our priority remains protecting the most vulnerable in our town and we will continue to do so."

A council takes the "reluctant" decision to close play areas on public health grounds.

The River Festival attracts about 250,000 people.

Two men are arrested after the device was found in the Bury Park area of Luton.