All the latest from Beds, Bucks, Cambs, Essex, Herts, Norfolk, Northants and Suffolk
Latest figures show an increase in the number of coronavirus deaths in the East of England
Luton-based EasyJet plans thousands of job cuts as it deals with a huge drop in demand for air travel
Peterborough's New Theatre says it will remain closed until pantomime season
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.
Some councils are to reimburse parents any costs they might incur for taking their children to school from next week.
Image source, ReutersSocial distancing rules, external 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, external.
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.
Martin Barber
BBC News
Image source, Stewart SuttersStewbot 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.
Image source, Stewart SutterSutters 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."
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.
Image source, GoogleFollowing 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.
Martin Barber
BBC News
Image source, 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, external.
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.
Image source, Stewart Sutters'NHS Stewbot' and friends
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, external and Sibton Nursery School, external, 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.
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.
Image source, ARC/George RomainClap 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.
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.
The Bucks Herald has reported , externalthat 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 , external- 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."
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".
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The leader of Milton Keynes Council, external is pledging to shave his head for charity, having not had a haircut since January.
Image source, Just GivingLabour 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.
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, external 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:
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.
Image source, Cambridgeshire PoliceCambridgeshire 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."
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 , externaland 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:
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, external team said it would also provide more information on the antibody test for NHS and social care staff when it has the details.
A mobile coronavirus testing unit will be operating in Daventry from today until Sunday.
Image source, Getty ImagesAnyone 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, external.
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."
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, external 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.
Image source, Adrian Cable/GeographElm 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:
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."
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.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe 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), external 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.