All the latest from Beds, Bucks, Cambs, Essex, Herts, Norfolk, Northants and Suffolk
Total number of deaths across the eight counties reaches 2,831
Zoo left 'speechless' by donations from public
Maverick music festival cancelled
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Pete Cooper
BBC News
Image source, Getty ImagesEarlier we brought you the story of the branch of Costa Coffee at Ipswich's Euro Retail Park, which opened for drive-thru customers at the weekend, only to close due to the high number of visitors it had.
The Police Federation's Suffolk branch said the resultant traffic queues had put officers "at risk".
The cafe chain have told me that they will be re-opening the store on Thursday, but the drive-thru lane will be closed.
Instead customers wishing the use it will have to "place their order via the Costa Coffee app and collect from the store".
In a statement it said: "Customers will be asked to queue outside the store, two metres from one another, and then collect their order from a designated collection area just inside the store. Baristas will place the order down at the collection point before moving back to allow the customer to enter and collect their order."
More details have been shared about how key workers in Norfolk can get coronavirus tests after complaints that some workers were being asked to travel 100s of miles for them.
The NHS said key workers with symptoms can either get tested through a dedicated local service or a national system.
Norfolk's three local testing sites are in Norwich, Gorleston and King's Lynn.
Image source, PANorth Norfolk's Conservative MP Duncan Baker said: "I had emails from constituents saying 'We're in North Walsham and we're being asked to have a test in Scotland'.
"My first response was to go to the CCG [Norfolk and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group] and say 'Look this isn't good enough'. I have been able to… make sure they get tested at the local areas."
While NHS acute hospital staff can use their organisation's existing booking system and all other NHS employees can email NHScovidtesting@nnuh.nhs.uk, external, employers of essential workers - including including care home staff and teachers - should contact NorfolkRegistercovidtesting@nnuh.nhs.uk, external to register their organisations so workers can book local appointments.
Key workers can also book tests through the national system, and can choose to be sent home kits or travel to regional testing centres in Ipswich, Peterborough or Stansted.
Alex Pope
BBC News Online
We have heard of many face mask being made for the NHS, but in Luton, a "huge thank you" has gone out to Donna Stevens who runs My Sewing Basket in Dunstable.
Luton Council said she made 160 masks for the council's bin crew.
"This important safety equipment will help to protect our bin men as they continue to provide a vital front line service," a spokeswoman said.
Image source, Luton CouncilAs people are receiving more goods by post during the Covid-19 lockdown police are warning residents about a delivery scam.Victims across Hertfordshire, external have received packages that were addressed to them but contained items that they had not ordered.Shortly after delivery, a courier wearing a DPD uniform has arrived to collect the package, claiming it had been delivered to the wrong address.
The victim would not be the householder, but someone else who may have had their bank cards or details stolen.
Image source, Hertfordshire PolicePackages have contained either iPhones or laptops and have been despatched by AO.Det Ch Insp Sam Khann said: "It appears fraudsters are ordering items, possibly using cloned credit or debit card details and getting them delivered to other people’s addresses, so that they can then try to collect them by posing as couriers."If goods are delivered that you have not ordered and are marked with your name and address, you should inform the company that sent it and wait for them to send a courier.
"Always check with them which courier company is making the collection and when they will arrive.”
An exercise, leisure and former music venue that began its life as St Matthew's Baths in 1924 will not reopen after the Covid-19 lockdown is lifted.
The building has been a fitness centre called The Gym Ipswich since Abbeycroft Leisure reopened it 10 years ago.
It was the first budget club to arrive in the town, but Abbeycroft said other gyms providing similar services have taken on its mantle.
Its lease expires in November and after reviewing the business, the decision was made to close.
In the past, it was a swimming pool, dance and music venue which saw performances from rock bands like Led Zeppelin and Cream – when the swimming area was covered with boarding.
Image source, Dave KindredWarren Smyth, chief executive at Abbeycroft, said: "This extremely difficult decision had been reached just prior to the recent coronavirus pandemic with a view to closing later in the year
"However, the leisure industry is now facing unprecedented challenges and this will continue when the lockdown is lifted, which has further reinforced that we have made the right choice."
Image source, Nigel ReaLed Zeppelin at St Matthew's Baths in 1971
Without funding from an airport, a council says the coronavirus lockdown is having a "disastrous" effect on its finances.
Luton Council has said it is facing a shortfall of £49m this year.
An emergency budget is being prepared which could mean "extremely difficult cuts to key services" it said.
Councillor Hazel Simmons, Labour leader of the council, said: "The council uses money from the airport to fund crucial services to everyone, particularly the most needy.
"With this key source of income obliterated, the council is compelled to consider painful solutions which will drastically affect services and have a profound, long-lasting and bleak impact on the lives of many."
Image source, London Luton Airport
Robby West
BBC East reporter
Earlier we brought you the story that 101-year-old Joan Rich, is walking loops of her Suffolk park to raise funds for the NHS.
Like Bedfordshire's Captain Tom Moore, she wanted to do her bit.
The famous fundraiser from Marston Moretaine has sent his support to her, saying "good for you Joan, sending best wishes and good luck on your walk for our NHS heroes".
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Hot meals have been delivered to a doctors surgeries in Stevenage to help feed key workers.
The town's MP, Stephen McPartland, said curries from Surma takeaway had been donated showing "amazing kindness" and he had been proud to help with deliveries.
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More garden waste collections are to resume after they were suspended as councils got to grips with restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic.
All subscribers to East Suffolk Council's, external will receive their collection from Monday, 25 May during the following fortnight now the local authority is satisfied workers were safe.
James Mallinder, cabinet member for the environment, said: "In a large, rural district, with over 50,000 subscribers, managing collections whilst implementing social distancing is a considerable challenge.
Image source, Getty Images"However, we are satisfied that we can deliver the service, while also ensuring that no more than two operatives are in each vehicle cab at any given time."
Several councils around the region have already resumed garden waste collections or are about to restart them while others have continued through the lockdown period.
Image source, East Suffolk and North Essex NHSChloe Rose's twin sons Jack and Peter were born six weeks’ premature
Three mothers who have recently given birth in hospital have been sharing their experiences to reassure other mothers that it is safe.
Jenna Mowbray, 31, from Colchester, gave birth at Colchester Hospital , externalon 25 April.
She said it felt "daunting and lonely" as visitors were not allowed.
Ms Mowbray said: "It’s really scary and hard for everyone, but I know it can’t be helped and the quality of care hasn’t been compromised at all.
"The midwives and staff are all still here for their ladies, nothing is too much trouble."
Image source, East Suffolk and North Essex NHSJenna and Jack Mowbray
She started talking to Catherine Hooker, 36, who had twins by emergency Caesarean section on 22 April.
Catherine, also from Colchester, said: “It’s hard, but it has been lovely having the curtains open and talking.
"You don’t feel so alone because everyone is in the same boat."
Nicole Reece, 37 from Harwich, gave birth to Elliott, and said: "It’s so nerve-wracking, but it’s been a much better experience than I thought it would be and it’s down to the people who have been in here and the midwives.
"I’d just encourage other people to do the same thing we did – open the curtains and talk to each other when you can’t have visitors."
Image source, East Suffolk and North Essex NHSNicole’s son Elliott was born on 25 April
Image source, South Beds News AgencyThe sounds of Vera Lynn will be ringing out across Leighton Buzzard on Friday.
Soprano singer and costume artist Fiona Harrison, external is planning her own driveway concert to mark VE Day.
"My front lawn concerts are not about attracting lots of people but more about doing something from my community in a small way by lifting peoples’ spirits through music and live performance.
"As long as social distancing is observed and people watch me from the safety of their own garden no rules are broken.”
The show is due to start at 15:00 and she will be joined by Brando Bjelobaba, dressed up as Winston Churchill, for the special concert.
Unsurprisingly, another music festival has accepted the inevitable and cancelled for this year.
The 14th Maverick Festival, external was due take place at Easton in Suffolk over the first weekend of July, featuring country and Americana acts including Steve Forbert, Dean Owens, Terra Lightfoot and Hank Wangford.
About 5,000 people usually attend, but organisers said the "good news" was that most of this year's acts will play at next year's event.
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Alex Pope
BBC News Online
Image source, Virginia PopeA theatre group that I belong to, that has had to close its doors, is keeping busy by getting its sewing team to make items for the NHS.
Image source, Virginia PopeMembers of the Sharnbrook Mill Theatre Trust, in Bedfordshire, got in touch with the Sewing for the NHS - Sharnbrook, external group, to offer their needlework skills, as currently they do not have any theatrical costumes to make.
So far they have made sewing bags, headbands, scrubs and srub hats, with some of the fabric coming from the theatre's own stock.
Image source, Ann WestIts wardrobe mistress Virginia Pope (yes, my mum) said: "Most of our volunteers are over 70, so, making items for the NHS, having a job and a role that helps others, makes us feel useful and productive again."
Mariam Issimdar
BBC News
The MP for Wellingborough is calling for any lifting of coronavirus restrictions to be presented to the House of Commons first, before the media.
Peter Bone at the Houses of Parliament
Conservative Peter Bone joined Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle to express "regret" at the Prime Minister's plan to make a major announcement on how the UK will exit the lockdown to journalists before informing MPs.
Mr Bone has called for the timing of the statement to be reconsidered, moving it from Sunday to Monday when MPs will be sitting.
In the House of Commons, Mr Bone urged the secretary of state for health to agree "that statements should be made first of new government policy in this House and would he advise the government that they put off making the statement on Sunday to Monday and have a statement in the House?".
Matt Hancock, health secretary, replied to say he would pass on the concerns and "ensure that they are looked into".
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Poor internet access and provider service is threatening the education of home-schooled pupils in Norfolk during the coronavirus lockdown, a children's welfare watchdog has warned.
The county was ranked in the lowest 5% in the country for the number of children living in homes with internet speeds below 10mbs – suitable for just one or two users in a study by the Children’s Commissioner for England, external.
The county was also ranked by the watchdog in the lowest 8% for the numbers of children living in homes with internet speeds below 2mbs.
The study looked at vulnerabilities of youngsters during the Covid-19 crisis.
Labour district councillor at Broadland, Natasha Harpley, external, said: "Digital inequality is becoming an increasingly acute problem during school closures.
"On top of not having compatible devices in order to complete work set by schools, many families are struggling to even access it due to slow or no internet at all."
A spokesman for Conservative-run Norfolk County Council, external said: "While this challenge is heightened in this unique situation, we’re working with schools and families across the county to ensure as many children as possible have the technology needed to continue their education at home."
Alex Pope
BBC News Online
If you are struggling with finding something for your children to do while you are in lockdown...
...follow in Harriett's footsteps and test your smoke alarm.
The three-year-old, is taking part in home safety activities for Children, external, as set out by Essex Fire Service.
Charities in Norfolk have been handed a £500,000 boost during the coronavirus crisis, it has been announced.
Norfolk Community Foundation, external says it has given the money to local charities and groups "making an incredible difference" to people across the county in the wake of the global pandemic.
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Patrick Byrne
BBC News
A social organisation, now meeting virtually via Zoom and WhatsApp, has committed to set aside up to £15,000 for local causes.
Colchester Rotary Club, external holds weekly virtual meetings attended by about 40 members.
John Powell, president, said: "As one of the biggest community service organisations in the world we must respond to the hardship and challenges faced by this crisis on our doorstep."
Funds will be raised by asking members to use some of the money they no longer spend on their weekly Rotary lunches - supplemented by funds from club reserves.
Image source, Colchester Rotary ClubCheques have been presented to:
The club is also providing on-going support to other local organisations such as Young Carers, Age Concern Colchester, Beacon House and special needs children.
Mr Powell added: "These are special times and we will need to redouble our efforts and be guided by our key principle of Making A Difference."
The chief executive of a hospital said the NHS will never be the same again.
Anna Hills, from the James Paget Hospital in Norfolk, said phone consultations and video conferencing used during lockdown is here to stay.
"That sort of innovative, informative way of delivering care - we don't want to go back from," she said.
She added that all the support the hospital has been receiving, from food to donations to clapping, "really does make a difference".