Summary

  • All the latest from Beds, Bucks, Cambs, Essex, Herts, Norfolk, Northants and Suffolk

  • There were 39 more deaths from Covid-19 in the region according to the latest daily figures

  • Private boats will be allowed to sail on The Broads

  • It's the first day of the relaxation of lockdown restrictions

  1. How the UK's most easterly port is powering onpublished at 13:21 British Summer Time 13 May 2020

    The Port of Lowestoft in Suffolk says the majority of its business is related to offshore energy.

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  2. Community hospitals increase capacity to deal with Covid-19 casespublished at 13:20 British Summer Time 13 May 2020

    Thirty out of 80 patients at two Essex community hospitals have coronavirus.

    Frank Sims, who is the chief executive of the Anglian Community Enterprise, external, a community interest company which provides NHS care at the hospitals, said the number of beds at the Fryatt Hospital in Harwich and at Clacton Hospital have had to be increased to deal with extra patients.

    The hospitals take patients from Colchester Hospital, with the aim of rehabilitating them so they can go home or to a care home.

    Fryatt Hospital in HarwichImage source, Google

    Mr Sims said "staff have really stepped up" with isolation facilities being introduced and coronavirus patients being looked after in a ward with bay facilities in order to keep them away from other patients.

    He said there was initially a "worrying" demand for personal protective equipment, but businesses including vets and nail bars stepped into the breach until supply lines improved.

    As well as introducing extra capacity, the hospitals have started using video conferencing to speak to patients in the community.

    Mr Sims added that 340 staff were tested in 24 hours last week, with six testing positive for coronavirus.

  3. Not all heroes wear capes...published at 13:18 British Summer Time 13 May 2020

    A team of Bedfordshire community police officers got a "super" surprise on their beat in Sandy this morning.

    The force shared these pictures on Twitter - and even got involved by posing alongside a resident dressed in full Superman attire.

    It comes as the force began monitoring adjustments to lockdown rules, which as of today include the addition of unlimited exercise.

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  4. What the papers are saying in Essexpublished at 13:12 British Summer Time 13 May 2020

    • In Mersea and Dedham community leaders are warning an influx of tourists, external could spread "an invisible killer" further after the government said people could travel to parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty
    • The Southend Echo, external reports that a trade union says 1 June is too early to return to school
    • Meanwhile bosses at Haven have extended the closure of their holiday parks across the country including Essex and Norfolk until July according to the Chelmsford and Mid-Essex Times, external

  5. Golf returns - but is it a good walk spoiled?published at 13:05 British Summer Time 13 May 2020

    Jon Welch
    BBC News

    Golfers will be rejoicing today after lockdown restrictions were loosened, making it possible for them to enjoy a round once more, albeit with some restrictions.

    Some say golf is "a good walk spoiled", and many would agree.

    Over the past few weeks, golfers' loss has been walkers' gain, with many clubs turning their courses over to local people for them to exercise on.

    That's come to an end at Eaton Golf Club in Norwich, which posted this notice informing neighbours that access was being withdrawn.

    "We would like to thank you for looking after our course so well in the lockdown period and hope that you have enjoyed it as much as we do," it reads.

    Eaton GC sign and golf ball
  6. Gardeners delight at centre openingspublished at 12:53 British Summer Time 13 May 2020

    Garden centres have been allowed to re-open from today and Graham was first in the queue at the Cherry Lane Garden Centre at Carlton Colville, Suffolk.

    Garden centre

    "I usually come here twice a week and that's been closed all these weeks and there's quite a lot of stuff I want," he said.

    "I'm also getting some stuff for some pensioners who can't get over here so I made sure I was first in the queue so I don't miss nothing."

  7. Norwich raise relegation objectionspublished at 12:47 British Summer Time 13 May 2020

    Norwich say relegation from the Premier League should be scrapped if the top flight completes its season but the Championship does not.

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  8. Electrician 'not comfortable' about the return to workpublished at 12:46 British Summer Time 13 May 2020

    The government's encouragement of people to return to work has raised many qualms about personal protection against catching coronavirus.

    Electrical socket

    Electrician Karen Boom runs She’s Electric, based in Billericay, Essex.

    She cancelled most jobs at the start of the lockdown, only responding to emergency calls, and despite having lots of demand for her services, she is concerned about going back to her normal routine.

    "My job involves being all over the house. I've got to be everywhere, got to test all the sockets, sometimes that involves going into every room," she said.

    "If I'm having a small job day, I go and fit eight different lines in eight different properties and I just don't feel comfortable to do that at the moment."

  9. League One and Two expected to be scrappedpublished at 12:21 British Summer Time 13 May 2020

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport

    Scrapping the rest of the football season in Leagues One and Two is likely to be the most significant topic for discussion at an English Football League (EFL) board meeting, later.

    It is not certain the leagues will be formally ended this week as there are a number of issues that need to be resolved, not least surrounding promotion and relegation, and the EFL is adamant no decision about the rest of the season has been made.

    However, BBC Sport understands there is a general acceptance among clubs that resumption of the season in Leagues One and Two is impossible.

    That means Ipswich, Peterborough, Colchester, Southend, Cambridge, Milton Keynes Dons, Northampton and Stevenage and Wycombe may not play again until next season - whenever that may be.

  10. Private powered boats allowed to use Broads waterwayspublished at 12:13 British Summer Time 13 May 2020

    Mariam Issimdar
    BBC News

    Privately-owned powered boats can return to The Broads National Park for day trips as long as guidance on social distancing is followed.

    Hickling Broad, NorfolkImage source, Geograph\Peter Turner

    The Broads Authority said permission has been granted by Defra.

    Earlier this week sailing and paddle boating, including canoes, kayaks and paddle-boards, were allowed to return to the water, but not ones with engines.

    John Packman of the Broads Authority said the quick resumption was due to private boat owners continuing to pay tolls during the lockdown.

    "It is because of this that we were able to continue the essential work needed to enable their safe return," he said.

    The full guidance for boat-owners can be seen here, external.

  11. Return of some children to schools 'sensible'published at 12:01 British Summer Time 13 May 2020

    A consultant virologist and Cambridge University lecturer says the reintroduction of some children into schools is a "sensible" approach.

    Dr Chris Smith, a BBC radio representer on the Naked Scientists show, said it would see children "benefit enormously from the socialistation".

    The government has announced plans that would see some reception, year one and year six pupils return to school from June.

    Dr Smith, who lives in Essex, said: "I think it's a very sensible approach. It's a staged approach."

  12. Spencer stately home reaches free meal milestonepublished at 11:46 British Summer Time 13 May 2020

    Charles Spencer, brother of the late Princess Diana, says kitchen staff at the families' Althorp House estate have hit a milestone in their efforts to supply meals for NHS workers.

    As part of the nationwide Food 4 Heroes campaign, , externalvolunteers at the Spencer family seat, near Northampton, have now produced 7,500 meals in the 26 days since they began on 18 April...

    That's about 290 meal portions per day!

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  13. Norfolk beach and seafront car parks to remain shutpublished at 11:45 British Summer Time 13 May 2020

    Beach and seafront car parks will remain closed in part of Norfolk, despite the relaxation of lockdown measures announced by the government on Monday.

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    North Norfolk District Council said while it would open some car parks others would stay shut.

    "The council has taken the decision not to open more public car parks at beach and seafront locations at this time, to avoid a potential sudden influx of visitors to these popular attractions," a tweeted statement said.

  14. Town's homeless 'won't slip through cracks'published at 11:05 British Summer Time 13 May 2020

    A homelessness forum is working with landlords to house people now living in Northampton's hotels.

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  15. Players to return to 'home of the Ryder Cup'published at 10:47 British Summer Time 13 May 2020

    Katy Lewis
    BBC News Online

    A golf club known as the 'home of the Ryder Cup' and which found a family using a bunker as a sand pit in the early days of lockdown is one of many which has announced that members will be back playing from this morning.

    Verulam Golf ClubImage source, Geograph/J Thomas

    Playing golf was postponed after lockdown rules were introduced to limit the spread of coronavirus.

    Verulam Golf Club , externalin St Albans said it had not been surprised to see members of the public walking round the course but there had been a few concerning incidents.

    With the re-opening of the club, it said all walkers must now "revert to the public footpaths".

    "If any of you could see some of our members swings, you, like us, would have no idea where their ball is going!" a statement said.

    Samuel Ryder was captain of the club when he suggested the forerunner to the cup which bears his name in 1926.

    Woburn on the Beds/Bucks border, arguably the most high-profile club in the region, tweeted yesterday to say it was ready to go...

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  16. FA outlines rules for Premier League football matchespublished at 10:04 British Summer Time 13 May 2020

    Dan Roan
    BBC Sports editor

    Measures to allow safe training for Premier League football teams, like Watford and Norwich City, have been revealed.

    Carrow Road stadiumImage source, Getty Images

    Tackling will be banned, pitches disinfected and players restricted to groups of five when the Premier League starts a first phase of team training.

    Official protocols sent to players and managers on Tuesday and obtained by the BBC reveal that social distancing must be "strictly observed".

    The BBC understands the Professional Footballers' Association has heard from a number of players, including those who have underlying health conditions like asthma or who are from black and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, that they have real concerns about returning to playing.

    According to the Office for National Statistics, BAME people are twice as likely to die from Covid-19 as white people, and a group of public figures and the Labour Party have both called for a public inquiry to find out why.

  17. Return to work for somepublished at 09:42 British Summer Time 13 May 2020

    People in England who cannot work from home are being encouraged to return to their workplaces, from today.

    However, those returning to work have been urged to avoid public transport if possible.

    This was the scene at St Albans railway station in Hertfordshire earlier...

    St Albans railway stationImage source, South Beds News Agency

    But it was a busier scene on the M1, near Hemel Hempstead...

    St Albans train stationImage source, South Beds News Agency

    Unlimited exercise, meeting a friend at the park - while maintaining social distancing - and moving house are also now allowed, under new rules.

  18. Clacton GP dies from coronaviruspublished at 09:24 British Summer Time 13 May 2020

    An "extraordinary, exceptional and astonishing" GP has died aged 84 after contracting coronavirus.

    Doctor's surgeryImage source, Google

    Dr Karamat Ullah Mirza worked at Old Road Medical Practice, external in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex and died in hospital on Sunday.

    He had been seeing patients until two weeks ago.

    Dr Ed Garratt, chief executive of the NHS North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group, said it was "deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dr Mirza, a respected and much-loved GP".

    A small number of people who had contact with Dr Mirza are self-isolating at home and the Clacton surgery and its branch practice in St Osyth have undergone deep cleansing.

  19. Buskers switch to live streams for Covid lockdownpublished at 09:16 British Summer Time 13 May 2020

    Some buskers in Norwich say they have found new ways to play their music and earn money.

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  20. Stanborough car park reopens this morningpublished at 08:50 British Summer Time 13 May 2020

    Katy Lewis
    BBC News Online

    Many places are tentatively opening up again across the region...

    The car park on the south side of Stanborough Park in Welwyn Garden City will be open again from this morning.

    Stanborough ParkImage source, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council

    Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council , externalasked the public to "take care when visiting the park and follow social distancing rules at all times‍".

    The authority has reminded people that, according to the latest government advice, gatherings of more than two people who are not living together are not allowed and the local police will have patrols in place.

    "Please keep healthy and enjoy our beautiful parks," a statement said.