PA Media

A Court of Protection judge is set to stage a virtual trial because of concerns over coronavirus.

Mr Justice Mostyn, who is based in the Family Division of the High Court in London, was due to begin considering evidence at a hearing in Nottingham on Wednesday, but lawyers said he has decided the hearing will be staged using Skype or a telephone link.

They say arrangements are being made to enable a journalist to listen in and report the hearing, which is examining the future treatment of a sick elderly man.

Leicester Tigers are no longer up for sale because of a lack of suitable investors and uncertainty caused by Brexit and coronavirus.

Samantha Noble
BBC News Online

Toyota is suspending production at its European factories, including Burnaston in Derbyshire, because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The car manufacturer said production will be suspended in Derbyshire from today.

It said "lock down" measures across Europe has created "uncertain short-term sales outlook and difficulties in logistics and supply chains".

However, Toyota added "processes that are important for society, such as the continued provision of service parts for customer vehicles – which can be public safety vehicles – will continue".

While projects "deemed essential to a smooth re-start and to the future activity of the plants, such as new vehicle projects, will be maintained with necessary staff".

Toyota said sales operations will be assessed based on each country or region’s situation.

Sandish Shoker
BBC News

Scotland's airline Loganair which flies to East Midlands Airport has announced a further drop in the number of flights.

It has blamed "the increasing impact of the coronavirus" as bookings continue to fall dramatically.

Flights from Edinburgh to the East Midlands have been reduced to two flights per day which will stay in place until the end of May.

Image source, Loganair

Chief executive Jonathan Hinkles said the "situation has worsened materially in the last four days" and bookings had fallen by 75%.

He said customers booked on flights up to the end of May can change their reservation to a future date without a fee. However, if future flights are more expensive, the difference in fare will be payable.

Where services are completely suspended a full refund will be applicable.

Sandish Shoker
BBC News

Newark and Sherwood District Council has closed several buildings and leisure centres today in a bid to tackle the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.

Leisure centres operated by Acitve4Today are closed at Newark, Blidworth and The Dukeries, as well as the Southwell Leisure Centre Trust and community centres.

Other closures include:

• Palace Theatre, Newark
• Nineteen20 Cafe Bar
• National Civil War Museum
• Communal areas at Gladstone House including the beauty salon

Image source, Google

The council said closures will be reviewed on a monthly basis.

Council leader David Lloyd said: “Closing facilities and shutting down services is very much a last resort and a clear indication of the seriousness of the situation we find ourselves in."

He said measures to support people and businesses impacted by the virus would be announced soon and a helpline for vulnerable people would also be available.

Sandish Shoker
BBC News

More schools in the region are announcing full or partial closures due to the coronavirus outbreak today.

Image source, Getty Images

Here are the latest we know about for today:

New Mills School in High Peak, Derbyshire is only open to Years 7 and 11 today.

Queen Elizabeths Grammar School Ashbourne Academy has closed for Year 9 pupils because of staff shortages. Other year groups have been told to attend as normal.

Glossopdale School in Glossop has closed for students in Years 7, 8, and 9 because of staff shortages.

Matlock Bath Holy Trinity Primary Schoolhas closed to all pupils because of staffing issues.

Glebelands Primary School in Leicester is fully closed today for a deep clean but plans to re-open tomorrow.

Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online

Nottingham City Council has said it is closing a swathe of public services to limit the spread of coronavrius.

All leisure centres, day centres, heritage sites and museums are closed until further notice.

It includes Wollaton Hall and Newstead Abbey, although the parks and grounds remain open.

Image source, alan feebery

City libraries will also stay open today and tomorrow but will close on Friday.

All council outdoor events scheduled between now and the end of May are being cancelled or re-scheduled.

All councils around Nottinghamshire have said essential services will keep operating but many staff are being asked to work from home and, in many areas, face-to-face contact is being restricted.

Alex Regan
BBC News

Toot Hill School in Bingham, Nottinghamshire, will be closed to some pupils due to the "staffing position" at the institution.

Years 8, 9, 10 and 12 should not attend until further notice, and staff or students with underlying health conditions should also not attend.

The school said years 7, 11, and 13 should continue to attend school in preparation for exams.

Image source, Google

Championship clubs unanimously back plans to finish the season when the coronavirus pandemic eases.

Alex Regan
BBC News

Belper School will close from 23 March until at least the Easter holidays due to "rapidly increasing levels of student illness and because of worsening staff issues".

In a letter to parents, head teacher Nick Goforth said the situation "could accelerate" in the next three days, but added "basic supervised study" for children of NHS staff or first responders would be offered between 09:00 and 14:00 GMT.

He added he anticipated schools would be closing nationally in the near future.

Highfields School in Matlock will close to some pupils after "a significant number of staff" have had to self-isolate.

Derbyshire County Council said only years 7, 11, sixth form students and the children of "key workers" should attend school on Wednesday.

The council added: "We will re-evaluate on a daily basis."

Pauline Latham says she was "in a state of distress" when she replied to a constituent on Twitter.

Hugh Casswell
Political reporter, BBC Radio Nottingham

Councils across Nottinghamshire will ensure that essential services will continue, despite the coronavirus outbreak.

Local authorities have told BBC Radio Nottingham that bin collections, public health, housing support, revenue and benefits, and social care will continue.

Image source, Getty Images

Staff across councils have been asked to work from home where they can, but offices do remain open.

A full meeting of Nottinghamshire County Council has been postponed as it would involve 66 councillors, some of whom are over 70.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

A theatre that has closed due to the spread of coronavirus has donated food from its cafe to a homeless charity.

Image source, Curve

Curve in Leicester has closed for the rest of this week following government advice to avoid gatherings and crowded places.

Food that would have been served at its Green Room Cafe has instead been given to Action Homeless "to support those who are already in vulnerable situations."

The possible rescheduling of the cricketing summer amid the coronavirus outbreak is to be discussed by the ECB and county bosses.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

Cherry Lane garden centres - with branches in Bradmore and Countesthorpe - are to offer dedicated shopping time for elderly and vulnerable customers.

From Wednesday only these customers will be able to shop between 08:30 and 09:00.

Image source, Reuters

The company said it is taking the spread of coronavirus "extremely seriously" and these measures are part of their "ongoing programme of community support".

People bulk buying supplies in preparation for self isolation have left many shelves empty across the UK in recent days.

Nick Rubins, Cherry Lane CEO, said: "We are doing everything in our power to keep our shelves stocked, particularly with essential grocery, household, personal care and pet food products with new stock arriving every day."

Alex Regan
BBC News

Leicester City Council is cancelling its ward community meetings in the city until further notice, because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Phoenix cinema, bar and cafe, which is partly supported by Leicester City Council, will also close on Wednesday as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

Alex Regan
BBC News

Parkside Community School in Chesterfield will be closed to KS3 students - ages 11 to 14 - due to "staff who will not be able to come to school" as they are self-isolating.

The school will remain open to year 10 and 11 students.

All five UK sites are to close as a recent guest and member of staff test positive for coronavirus.

Alex Regan
BBC News

Nottingham's Playhouse, the city's Broadway cinema, Leicester's De Montfort Hall and the Derby Theatre are among the latest venues to close their doors to audiences amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The Playhouse has deferred a run of the play Private Peaceful, and will offer refunds, but is asking for donations as ticket sales count for "70% of our income".

The Derby Theatre has cancelled performances of Crongton Knights for the week.

Image source, Leicester Haymarket Theatre

Leicester's De Montfort Hall has rescheduled all its shows until later in the year, with a show from comedian Rhod Gilbert among the performances to be moved. The Curve had already announced a similar move.

Nottingham's Broadway Cinema will close from 18:00 while the city's Theatre Royal had already announced its intention to shut its doors during the outbreak.

Nottingham's Motorpoint Arena is the latest to reschedule concerts. The 10,000-capacity venue already postponed The Who's concert on 3 April, and has now rescheduled gigs such as Rick Astley's greatest hits tour next month.

The Leicester Haymarket Theatre has also closed with immediate effect.

The Concordia Theatre in Hinckley has also suspended performances, adding "our volunteers and patrons are our most valuable asset", and the measures have been taken to ensure their safety.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

The owners of an independent coffee shop in Leicester have decided to temporarily close after initially being "in two minds" about what to do over the coronavirus outbreak.

Orso, on Market Place in the city, said it was torn between staying open with a hope of limiting the damage and questioning if it was responsible to put people at risk.

Louis, one of the owners, said: "We don’t feel it’s responsible to open, we love our customers and the people of Leicester too much to put anyone at risk."

He added the closure will hit them "very hard" with rent and bills still to pay.