Empty blocks at a hospital could provide space for hundreds of beds, campaigners say.

These are some of the headlines from Northamptonshire's newspapers as the country faces new restrictions outlined by the government on Monday:

• Recycling centres in Northampton will be closed until further notice, reports the Northampton Chronicle and Echo, external
• The Northants Telegraph, external has pictures of "eerily empty" motorways
• Also in the Northants Telegraph,, external is news of which parks remain open after the county council closed its larger country parks

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Two chief constables have issued strongly-worded statements calling on communities to comply with new government rules restricting people’s movements to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Steve Jupp (below), who heads Suffolk Police, said: "The moves so far to limit social distancing have not had the necessary effect, with some people still going about their business as if the threat from coronavirus didn’t exist.

"It has to stop.”

Image source, Suffolk Police

He said officers would negotiate with people seen to be flouting the new rules before resorting to the law.

Norfolk's chief constable Simon Bailey (below) said he was staggered to hear holiday resorts had been full of people over the weekend.

Public gatherings of more than two people who do not live together should stop, the government said, and shops selling non-essential items have been asked to close.

New legislation has been introduced giving police powers to enforce the new rules.

Mr Bailey said: "Officers will continue to be out in their communities, speaking to people as we always do and taking the opportunity to explain the new rules and ask what people are doing and why they are out."

Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd said: "If the public do not comply with this lockdown the police will use their powers to enforce it, and have my full support in that."

Steve Shaw
Local Democracy Reporting Service

Image source, David Antiss/Geograph

Thurrock Council has taken the "unprecedented" step of allowing businesses to defer their rate payments until May.

The Conservative-run council, external has chosen to give businesses some relief from the tax as the country goes into lockdown conditions with only essential firms such as supermarkets being permitted to open.

Shane Hebb, cabinet member for finance, said the council "will make sure that our local businesses get the breathing space they need while the government’s plans are put in place".

Sarah Jenkins
BBC News

A charity that provides safe spaces for vulnerable and homeless people has appealed for more donations.

Smart's, external homeless shelter in Milton Keynes "urgently needs" cleaning materials, toilet roll, store cupboard tins and long-life milk.

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

The phrase "say it with flowers" has never been so poignant.

Flowers that were meant to be distributed during Christ Church Bedford's, external Mothering Sunday service, were handed out to local residents to brighten everyone's moods.

The Reverend Canon Richard Hibbert clearly loved his new role, and he said he wanted to make sure they were not wasted after the church service was turned into a home delivery one.

The vicar said he was observing social distancing rules.

Emma Baugh
BBC Look East

This is the scene at the usually rammed Peterborough railway station car park.

• In pictures: The quiet streets of the UK

Sarah Jenkins
BBC News

Police in Aylesbury have praised a group of people for practising social distancing while queueing for a pharmacy.

Thames Valley officers thanked the residents for "using sensible precautions" as they waited to enter the chemist in Southcourt in the Buckinghamshire town.

They also hinted that teenagers could be marched home... probably not by the ear these days though?

Covering the coronavirus crisis means new challenges for our crews of television reporters.

Here's a behind-the-scenes look at how BBC Science and Technology correspondent Richard Westcott and team are reporting on a shortage of seasonal workers at a farm in Soham, Cambridgeshire...

Craig Lewis
BBC News

A man in his 80s with underlying medical conditions has died of coronavirus at Luton and Dunstable Hospital, external.

The hospital's chief executive David Carter said the patient died over the weekend.

"Our thoughts and condolences remain with the patient's family and loved ones at this difficult time," he added.

As of Monday, some 335 people with the COVID-19 have died in the UK.

All parks, play areas and open spaces are now closed in the Brentwood Borough Council, external area.

Public toilets in Brentwood High Street and Ingatestone are also shut.

The following closures are in place for Brentwood:

• Golf course
• Bowling rinks
• Multi-storey car parks, except to residents of Baytree Centre - season ticket holders to use William Hunter Way car park

Image source, Marathon/Geograph

All refuse services are running as normal, along with cemeteries and burials.

Northampton Hope Centre says it will continue to provide a limited service for users, in line with new government guidance on the coronavirus pandemic.

It provides food, clothes and advice for homeless people in the town and will continue to do so between 08:30 GMT and 13:00 on weekdays.

However, in order to achieve social distancing, it will temporarily be unable to provide overnight stays for its users.

On Saturday, it will open from 09:30 until 13:00 and it will be closed on Sunday.

The centre, at Oasis House on Bailiff Street is also continuing to accept food donations, with any unused supplies to be shared with partners such as Northampton General Hospital.

The regional arm of Public Health England, the government organisation which aims to improve the nation's health and wellbeing, said it was making contact with anyone who was at risk of being admitted to hospital due to coronavirus.

For more information go to its website, external.

There are so many acts of kindness out there, and we're trying to highlight just a few of them.

Officers from Essex Fire Service in Orsett have thanked staff from Accessorize in Thurrock for donating gloves and hand sanitiser to their fire station.

Image source, Essex Fire Service

It's likely you will have seen your fair share of people taking on the "Toilet Roll Challenge" over the past week.

The idea is to film an attempt at doing kick-ups with a toilet roll (provided you can get your hands on some, that is).

But it's fair to say this effort by Northampton Saints rugby player Tommy Mathews could have gone better...

At least his neighbours will be happy!

Alex Pope
BBC reporter

As the libraries have now all closed, Bedford Libraries, external have reasurred everyone that if you still have a book out on loan, all fines for the closure period will be waived.

They ask you not to return your books, but hold onto them until they are able to reopen.

Most library services across the region are operating a similar policy - check with your county council or unitary authority for details.

Scientists at the University of East Anglia are making the gel for a hospital and local council.

Image source, Google

An elderly patient has died of coronavirus at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, the hospital's chief executive has confirmed.

The patient, in his 80s, had underlying health issues, the hospital added.

There are now 88 confirmed cases of coronavirus, external in Essex, according to updated Public Health England figures on Tuesday.

They include eight cases in Southend and 13 in Thurrock.

Lance McCarthy, chief executive at the Princess Alexandra, said: "We can confirm that sadly, a patient in their eighties, who had underlying conditions has passed away.

"Our thoughts and condolences remain with the patient's family and loved ones at this difficult time."

Two of Bedfordshire's most popular attractions have now closed.

Woburn Safari Park said it made the decision after the latest advice from the government.

It had been keeping its drive-through section open but that is also now shut. Annual passes will be extended once the park reopened.

Woburn Abbey is currently closed for refurbishment.

Image source, Woburn Safari Park

Whipsnade Zoo is also shut.

It said: "This is the right and responsible decision to protect our people and community."

Image source, ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Some frustrated customers have responded "aggressively" to theatre box office staff over postponements of shows, because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Stephen Crocker, chief executive of Norwich Theatre Royal, external, the Playhouse and Puppet Theatre, has said in a letter he "was very disappointed to receive reports … of rude and aggressive behaviour on the phone from customers".

Image source, Les Miserables

Their social media channels have also received "cluster of toxic comments".

The season included Les Miserables, external, Tom Rosenthal: Manhood, external and many other shows, some of which have already been rescheduled.

"Our team has been working relentlessly to try and reschedule dates for as many shows as possible," Mr Crocker said.

"I also cannot see any member of my team be the recipient of any more rudeness or abuse in these circumstances."

He is not considering refunds immediately as he hopes the shows will go on later but recognises they are often 2part of intricately-planned national tours" and rescheduling means liaising with dozens of other venues.