Coronavirus: East of England live updates

1. All the latest from Beds, Bucks, Cambs, Essex, Herts, Norfolk, Northants and Suffolk
2. Latest figures show an increase in the number of coronavirus deaths in the East of England
3. Luton-based EasyJet plans thousands of job cuts as it deals with a huge drop in demand for air travel
4. Peterborough's New Theatre says it will remain closed until pantomime season

Thursday's updates as they happened

Thanks for joining us to find out how the East of England is reacting to the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown.

Live updates have now finished for the day, but they will resume tomorrow from 08:00.

Councils to refund parents cost of driving kids to school

Some councils are to reimburse parents any costs they might incur for taking their children to school from next week.

Reuters

Social distancing rules has meant pupils should avoid public transport (including school transport) and either walk, cycle, or use their own car to get to school.

"If your child is eligible for home to school transport assistance and normally travels on a school bus or coach, but you are planning to drive them to and from school instead, we can refund you for the mileage you drive," Central Bedfordshire Council said on its website.

It will be offering 36p per mile but Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire county councils will be paying more, at 45p. All will be offering a reduced school bus service.

School transport will still be provided in the usual way for those pupils that cannot make their own way to school, though with a reduced number of seats due to social distancing rules," said Sue Clark, of Central Bedfordshire.

Essex County Council said it would not be reimbursing parents who chose to make their own arrangements as they would still be providing "tax-payer funded" buses.

Stewbot pays tribute to Churchill and Captain Tom

Martin Barber

BBC News

Stewart Sutters

Stewbot Tributebots Sir Winston Churchill and Captain Sir Tom Moore

Earlier we introduced you to Stewbot,the 9in-tall (23cm) robot character created in tribute to NHS staff.

But he's nothing if not versatile, and has a number of other looks in his wardrobe.

Graphic designer Stewart Sutters' latest Tributebot has some esteemed company in the form of Sir Winston Churchill and Sir Captain Tom Moore.

The two came together for the 75th anniversary of VE Day as part of the celebrations in Leigh-on-Sea, where Mr Sutters lives.

Stewart Sutter

Sutters hopes Captain Tom will one day get to see his Tributebot

"Capt Sir Tom Moore captured the hearts of the whole nation with his selfless fundraising," Mr Sutters said.

"The country needed a hero, and someone to give them hope. I just wanted to create my own tribute to this wonderful man who bought a smile to my face every time I heard him speak."

Peterborough prepares to reopen city centre

Google

Peterborough City Council is to spend £181,500 of government funding to kick-start work on social distancing measures to welcome back shoppers from mid-June.

Google

Following the government’s announcement that non-essential shops could begin reopening from 15 June, it has been working closely with local businesses to prepare for a "new normal" in the city centre.

This will include the promotion of an open-air café-style culture, new bicycle storage facilities, reorganised spaces in car parks, a health and safety audit of Peterborough City Market and widening of pavements to encourage people coming short distances into the city centre to walk and cycle.

Clear signage and floor markings will encourage people to stay apart and the Cathedral Square fountains will also be turned off to create more space for shoppers.

Clap for Carers: Take me to your (NHS) leader

Martin Barber

BBC News

Stewart Sutters

'NHS Stewbot' has been supporting front line workers

Meet "NHS Stewbot", a wooden robot produced in tribute to NHS staff.

He was made by Stewart Sutters, 54, from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, a graphic designer turned "robot creator" whose work has attracted quite a following on Instagram.

He admits to being a novice when it comes to woodwork, but always wanted to give it a go and set about crafting a gift for his grandson.

It took him two days to make the NHS Stewbot Tributebot as his way of honouring the NHS.

"While the weekly clapping for the NHS won’t be forever, we should never forget the amazing courage and dedication that NHS staff have shown," he said.

Stewart Sutters

'NHS Stewbot' and friends

Pupils in line for in-tents learning experience

BBC Radio Suffolk

Giant tipi-style marquees have been loaned to three schools in Suffolk to be used as outdoor classrooms or lunch areas for young children returning after their lockdown ends.

The marquees have been loaned to two schools by Maui Waui Events, of Theberton, which said the coronavirus pandemic had been disastrous for its outdoor shows, events and music festivals.

The tents have been loaned free-of-charge to Bramfield Church of England Primary and Sibton Nursery School, but more may be loaned to other local schools, said Silas Rayner, of the firm.

Events Under Canvas of Capel St Mary has also loaned tipis to East Bergholt Primary School after its programme of weddings and social events was called off.

BBC

Spitfire to fly for Clap for Carers

Katy Lewis

BBC News Online

A Spitfire fighter plane from World War Two is due to fly over south Cambridgeshire tonight as part of the weekly Clap for Carers event.

The PR.XI, operated by the Aircraft Restoration Company and Aerial Collective and based at IWM Duxford, is flying to thank the NHS and "everyone who has cared for people and communities across the UK", the museum said.

ARC/George Romain

Clap for Carers - which originally began as a one-off to support NHS staff - has taken place every Thursday at 20:00 for the past 10 weeks of lockdown.

Tonight's, however, could be the last as Annemarie Plas, who is credited with starting the nationwide applause, said it has "had its moment" and should end.

The first event on 26 March, three days after the UK went into lockdown, proved very popular, and it was eventually expanded to cover all key workers and has continued every week, with people peering out of their windows or standing on their doorsteps to show their appreciation by clapping, cheering, banging saucepans and playing instruments.

Technician's trip to Stanley Johnson 'within guidelines'

Katy Lewis

BBC News Online

The University of Buckingham has said a 300-mile lockdown trip by one of its technicians to the home of the prime minister's father Stanley Johnson was within the government's latest guidelines.

BBC

The Bucks Herald has reported that Mr Johnson ordered the technician to drive to his Exmoor home after he was booked to take part in one of the university's Fireside Talks - an online discussion with students - and had issues with using the software that would allow him to connect with them.

A university spokesman said: "This journey did not go against the latest government guidelines.

"Our IT technicians regularly help with the set-up of the equipment required for university events and on this occasion the work could not be done from home.

"All of the appropriate precautions were taken to reduce any risk factors and ensure the safety of all the people in question.

"Personal protective equipment (PPE) was provided and worn, all materials and surfaces disinfected, and this was a no-contact installation."

What the papers are saying in Beds, Herts and Bucks

• Herts school governor says schools reopening is a "recipe for disaster", Herts Live says.
• The Watford Observer says Bromet Primary School is evaluating if Year 6 pupils can return.
• A junior doctor at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital is running a marathon to raise money for Covid Crisis Rescue UK, Luton Today says.
• The Comet reports a teacher at a primary school in Stevenage has tested positive for Covid-19, less than four days before the school is set to partially reopen.

Hospital bosses thank children of NHS staff

Katy Lewis

BBC News Online

Hospital chief executives have been writing to staff's children to tell them how proud they are of their parents and thank them for their efforts in helping to control the spread of coronavirus.

Jyothi Srinivas, a paediatrician at Milton Keynes University Hospital, said her daughter was "thrilled" to receive the letter from chief executive Joe Harrison.

In his letter to the whole household he singled out children, telling them it "must have been a hard time" for them but their parents do "an amazing and really important job".

Simon Weldon at Kettering General told Ajay Verma's son Luca that his doctor father was "a true hero" and the hospital was "working hard to make sure [he] is protected from the virus".

What the papers are saying in Cambridgeshire

• The Cambridge News has live updates as parents protest against the reopening of schools.
• It also reports that an Addenbrooke’s hospital worker has slammed Dominic Cummings as ‘selfish’ and ‘insulting’ amid the row about his lockdown actions.
• The Peterborough Telegraph says police are carrying out extra patrols as MPs say series of violent incident in the city is a "worry".

Council leader in lockdown head shave

The leader of Milton Keynes Council is pledging to shave his head for charity, having not had a haircut since January.

Just Giving

Labour councillor Pete Marland wants to raise £1,500 for the Helen and Douglas House Children's Hospice - and if he does, he will get the clippers out.

The hospice supports children and families in Milton Keynes, and the councillor is a trustee of the charity after a close family member died there six months ago.

What the papers are saying in Northamptonshire

• Northamptonshire catering firm forecasts £50,000 loss due to wedding postponements, the Northants Telegraph reports
• The Northampton Chronicle and Echo reports that a woman has been charged in connection with vital equipment being stolen from a hospital
• It also says that a Northampton writer has become the face of the 'Big Virtual Lunch' to keep virtual spirit alive

What the papers are saying in Norfolk

• The Eastern Daily Press reports that a wartime-themed scarecrow festival and carnival, due to be held on 27 June in Loddon, has now been postponed until June 2021
• The Lynn News reports that with income reduced because of the Covid-19 lockdown, West Norfolk Riding for the Disabled Association has launched a sponsored horseshoe project to raise money
• The Diss Express reports Jackie Mitchell, 63, from Kenninghall has been putting her sewing skills to good use by selling face masks to raise money for four charities

Recycling centres given 2,000 more weekly booking slots

BBC Radio Suffolk

More appointments are being made available for waste recycling in Suffolk.

An extra 2,000 slots per week have been made available as Suffolk County Council complies with Covid-19 requirements.

When the centres reopened as part of measures to combat the coronavirus pandemic, an advance booking system was introduced.

“We’ve had lots of good feedback from residents in Suffolk about it," said cabinet member Paul West.

The recycling centres are at:

• Bury St Edmunds
• Felixstowe
• Foxhall - East Ipswich
• Hadley
• Haverhill
• Leiston
• Lowestoft
• Mildenhall
• Ipswich
• Stowmarket
• Sudbury

BBC

Closure order placed on 'street rave' house

A house in Peterborough has been shut to anyone who doesn't live there, after about 300 people gathered there for a street rave on Monday night.

Cambridgeshire Police

Cambridgeshire Police issued a 48-hour closure notice on the property in Sheepwalk, Paston, on Wednesday, meaning only the legal occupants can enter until Friday evening.

The force said it would apply to magistrates on Friday for a full closure order to be granted, which could prohibit access to everyone, including the current occupants, for a period of up to three months.

The notice states "there are reasonable grounds" to suspect the premises could be the scene of "parties, disorder and drug-dealing".

Insp Ian Lombardo said: "There is a line between organising community events to build morale in this challenging time and the events of Monday night. This was very clearly not acceptable and caused significant concern to local residents and put a strain on police resources."

This week's Hertfordshire mobile testing sessions

Mobile testing units will also be in Hertfordshire over the next few days.

To arrange a test for anyone aged five years and over who has coronavirus symptoms, go to the government website and you will be directed to your nearest available site. Tests must be booked and are not available on a "drop-in" basis.

Hertfordshire mobile test sites are all open between 10:00 and 16:00 at:

• Thursday and Sunday: Central Watford leisure centre
• Saturday: County Hall, Pegs Lane, Hertford
• Monday: off Six Hills Way, Stevenage, SG1 2DF (Please follow the signs to the test centre, to ensure that you do not join a queue for the Household Waste Recycling Centre)

The NHS in Hertfordshire said it would share information about how the "test, trace and isolate" programme would work locally "when things become clearer".

The Hertfordshire Resilience team said it would also provide more information on the antibody test for NHS and social care staff when it has the details.

Mobile testing unit comes to Daventry

A mobile coronavirus testing unit will be operating in Daventry from today until Sunday.

Getty Images

Anyone aged five and over who has coronavirus symptoms - a high temperature, a new, continuous dry cough, a loss or change to sense of smell or taste - is now eligible to be tested but tests for essential workers, such as front line healthcare staff, are being prioritised.

Tests must be booked and are not available on a "drop-in" basis. To arrange a test, go to the government website.

Daventry District Council leader Richard Auger said: "We’re really pleased to welcome this Covid-19 mobile testing unit to Daventry this weekend, offering more local people with coronavirus symptoms the chance to access testing closer to where they live.

"Once you have booked you will be given the location of the testing site and details of how to get there."

Council explores new cycleways

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Six areas in Ipswich are being explored as possible cycle-friendly routes to make alternative transport easier after the Covid-19 lockdown has ended.

Suffolk County Council is considering creating cycle-only zones, widened cycle lanes and changes to junction designs as more people are expected to walk or cycle to work.

Adrian Cable/Geograph

Elm Street looking towards Museum Street in Ipswich

While no scheme has yet been finalised, Conservative cabinet member for highways, Andrew Reid, said the authority had a “long list of potential schemes” and measures for the following areas in Ipswich were being explored:

• Rushmere
• Portman Road
• Elm Street/Museum Street
• Princes Street
• Between Ipswich Hospital and the University of Suffolk
• Heath Road and Bixley Road

The council is waiting to find out how much of the government’s £250m pot it is to receive for the temporary measures, but the Waterfront has already been closed to traffic and on Wednesday it was confirmed that Milner Street would also be closed.

Mr Reid said: “There is quite a lot of interest in creating cycleways that serve the needs of towns and make it easier for them to have greater connectivity."

Bill Quinton, opposition spokesman for Ipswich from the Labour group, said: “We are yet to see the details regarding these specific proposals, but to get them right, Suffolk County Council now needs to develop the plans with local residents and councillors before pushing ahead with schemes that will affect their communities."

Covid-19-related deaths in Cambridgeshire care homes total more than 100

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, there have been 107 deaths in care homes involving a confirmed or suspected case of Covid-19, in the six weeks of available data.

Getty Images

The number of deaths in Peterborough between 10 April and 22 May is now 19, an increase of two in the last week of available figures. In the rest of the county the number has risen to 88, an increase of 10.

There were 90 deaths from all causes recorded in Peterborough care homes in that six-week period, meaning 21% of all deaths are thought to have involved Covid-19. In the rest of Cambridgeshire, the figure is 277 deaths from all causes, meaning that 32% are thought to have involved coronavirus.

Care Quality Commission (CQC) figures show there have been 10,636 deaths recorded in care homes in England involving a confirmed or suspected case of Covid-19 in that six-week period, and 26,369 deaths from all causes, meaning 40% of all deaths in care homes are thought to have involved Covid-19.