Image source, Reuters

British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair have abandoned their legal action over the 14-day quarantine requirements for travellers to the UK, as the government published its list of dozens of exemptions.

The airlines had opened their case earlier today, saying that it was "extraordinary" quarantine rules had been imposed when the government was advised they would have “no material impact whatsoever on the level of Covid-19 transmission in the UK”.

They argued that the medical advice was that quarantine would only be effective when transmission of the virus in the UK is low, but it remains "significant".

But this afternoon, the airlines agreed to withdraw their claim on the basis that the list of exemptions was about to be published.

Image source, AFP

The list of countries the UK government deems safe for travel from to England, external includes some that were widely expected, such as France, Italy, Spain and Germany.

Others on the list are countries that have been praised for their ability to control the spread of coronavirus, such as South Korea and Vietnam. But it also has some inclusions that might be surprising - and some notable omissions.

Turkey was left off the European Union's safe travel list, with the government there expressing its disappointment. But it's on the list for quarantine-free travel to England from 10 July.

And although Greece has seen very few infections, there was doubt whether it would appear on the list as it will not approve direct flights from the UK until at least mid-July.

Portugal, meanwhile, has had fewer coronavirus cases than some European holiday destinations and it is open to UK citizens without quarantine. But it has not been granted a travel corridor amid concerns over rising infection rates.

Sweden is the other notable European nation to be omitted: it has had a more relaxed approach to coronavirus restrictions, and its infection rate is higher than in the UK.

Countries such as the US and Brazil, which are experiencing tens of thousands of infections daily, were expected omissions.

But there is also no travel corridor with China, which has seen very few cases of coronavirus since the Wuhan outbreak came under control. Travellers from England will be able to fly back from Hong Kong or Macau without quarantine, however.

We heard earlier that with sunny weather widely forecast, A&E departments have been told to prepare for scenes similar to New Year’s Eve, when drunk patients pack emergency wards after injuring themselves (or each other).

We'd like to hear from people who work in A&E about your concerns.

If you're scheduled to work tomorrow, please get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

Downing Street has said the decision to open pubs in England on Saturday from 06:00 BST is a "sensible precaution" to avoid midnight parties.

The pub industry said the re-opening was "fantastic" but urged customers to respect staff and changes in practices.

Pub-goers are being encouraged to book tables in advance, while live gigs and standing at the bar will not be allowed.

• Here's some more on what the rules are when pubs reopen.

Some hairdressers and barbers will be open from midnight to provide those much-needed haircuts.

The UK government has published the list of countries which are exempt from England's 14-day quarantine requirements, external.

Image source, PA Media

We're expecting to hear from Prime Minister Boris Johnson a bit later on - he's leading a press conference at 17:00 BST, the day before some restrictions are being eased in England.

The PM is going to warn we're "not out of the woods yet" when it comes to the virus and that people need to act "safely and sensibly" when they're out and about at places like pubs and bars. They're going to be opening their doors for the first time since March - from as early as 06:00 - alongside restaurants, cinemas and hairdressers.

So, before we get to that - what else has been going on this Friday?

• England has said that people arriving from more than 50 countries - including France and Spain - won't have to quarantine from 10 July. A full list of exempt countries is expected to be confirmed later
• But Scotland and Wales still have to decide whether they're easing international travel restrictions, with the first ministers of each describing dealing with the UK government over the issue as "shambolic"
• At the height of the pandemic, people weren't asked for their addresses for weeks, it has emerged. It's understood Public Health England is now trying to match addresses to positive test results to understand the spread of the virus
• In Scotland, the five-mile travel limit has been lifted and self-contained holiday accommodation can now reopen
• Travel restrictions in Wales will end on Monday, First Minister Mark Drakeford confirmed - previously, people had been asked to stay within five miles of home
• And back to that so-called Super Saturday in England as pubs plan to reopen - one place they won't be is Leicester, which is under a local lockdown. Despite this, there'll be more police than on New Year's Eve patrolling, as rules are being eased outside the city's boundaries

A further 38 people who had tested positive for coronavirus have died in hospital in England. It brings the total number of confirmed Covid-19 deaths in hospitals in England to 28,832, NHS England said.

Northern Ireland recorded two more deaths, bringing its total to 554, while in Scotland, one further person has died, taking the total to 2,488.

Wales also recorded a further two deaths, bringing its total to 1,525.

A UK-wide figure is due to be announced later, but it may differ from the total figures announced by the four nations as it is calculated on a different time frame and includes deaths in the community and care home, as well as hospitals.

Image source, EPA

The European Commission has approved the use of remdesivir for patients with Covid-19 in the EU.

The anti-viral drug was originally developed as a treatment for Ebola but has been found in studies to reduce the recovery times of people hospitalised with coronavirus.

Remdesivir has already been approved in a number of countries, including the US. There has been controversy, however, after the US announced earlier this week that it had bought almost all supplies of the drug from US producer Gilead for the next three months.

Read more about remdesivir here.

Image source, Getty Images

Dozens of sex workers have held a demonstration in Berlin, demanding that brothels be allowed to reopen.

Wearing face masks and holding sex dolls, the group protested outside Germany's Bundesrat, or Federal Council.

"Sex workers deserve respect, regardless of whether you like their job or not," read one sign, while another warned the industry could be forced to operate illegally if restrictions continued.

While most of Germany's lockdown measures have been lifted, prostitution - which was legalised in 2002 - has been halted since March over fears it could allow the virus to spread.

But a number of neighbouring countries, including Switzerland, Austria and the Netherlands, have already allowed brothels to begin operating again.

Image source, Getty Images

Pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants in Northern Ireland and England are ready to welcome customers for the first time since lockdown began in March.

Hotels, pubs and restaurants in Northern Ireland that serve food and have table service are allowed to reopen from Friday and in England from 06:00 BST on Saturday.

But going to the pub will be very different, due to a range of new restrictions including limited numbers, mandatory table service and protective screens. So will it be safe? And do you need to book ahead?

Read about the new rules here.

Image source, PA Media

Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill has said she is "sorry for grieving families experiencing more hurt" after complaints that she breached social distancing rules at an ex-IRA leader's funeral.

Four executive parties, including the DUP, called for her to step aside after large crowds lined the streets for the funeral of Bobby Storey.

But Ms O'Neill, the Sinn Fein member for Mid-Ulster, said she believed she followed coronavirus guidelines "in terms of attending a Requiem Mass, which was allowed, and also to walk in a funeral cortege of up to 30 people".

She said she thought it was "unfortunate that the executive is divided on this issue".

The BBC understands that about 120 mourners were inside St Agnes's Church in Belfast, although coronavirus guidelines say a maximum of 30 people are allowed to gather together outdoors.

Image source, Getty Images

First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford says dealing with the UK government over changes to travel quarantine rules has been "an utterly shambolic experience".

The plans, including potential air bridges and international travel agreements, are an example of the government "making an announcement first" and making up details later, according to Mr Drakeford.

He says his administration has yet to see a reliable list of proposals involving international travel destinations. But he adds the Welsh government does not want to hold up any agreement and he foresees imposing the same measures in Wales as in England.

Quarantine rules are being relaxed in England, but not in the UK's other three nations, despite the ease of travel between them.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon used the same language as her Welsh counterpart, saying she would not be dragged along by the "shambolic decision-making process".

She says she needs time to consider the list of countries - adding she often had little or no notice of UK government proposals. Despite this, it's likely the Scottish government will be able to agree with the UK government's list of countries.

It comes on the day Mr Drakeford announced travel restrictions in Wales will end on Monday.

"Stay local" guidance, asking people to stay within five miles of home, will end, with no limits on travel, and outdoor attractions will able to open.

Two households will also be able to stay together indoors from 6 July.

Many US states have started the process of reopening, which means larger numbers of people are venturing out to attend protests, rallies, or dine at a restaurant.

Cases of the virus are spiking across the country and the US top disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci has warned that there could be 100,000 cases a day if the appropriate actions aren't taken.

Dr Georges Benjamin, the executive director at the American Public Health Association, breaks down the risks.

Video journalist: Cody Melissa Godwin. Senior producer: Phoebe Frieze.

Kerry Allen
BBC Monitoring, Chinese Media Analyst

Image source, Getty Images

There were problems with China’s track and trace system in Beijing this morning, meaning that many rush-hour travellers couldn't board public transport or enter buildings.

According to official Chinese broadcaster CCTV, the Beijing Health Kit app - which gives users a “green code” if they don't have Covid-19 - stopped working on the mobile messenger WeChat between 08:15 and 10:09 local time.

The city’s IT bureau apologised and said it would carry out upgrades.

Some people were able to access their green code via the only alternative app service, Alipay. But many others posted on social media site Sina Weibo that there were crowds of people outside buildings, unable to enter shops or workplaces.

Many cities, including Beijing, have been strict about these codes being a mandatory requirement for entering crowded spaces.

Image source, EPA

India has reached a new record number of daily infections, with more than 20,000 cases reported for the first time since the pandemic reached the country.

The southern states of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu are among the worst-affected areas in India, which has recorded more than 18,000 deaths and around 625,000 cases nationwide.

If this trend continues, the country could soon overtake Russia to have the third highest number of infections in the world.

Although India enforced a strict lockdown, many measures are now being eased, with restrictions remaining in hotspots.

After escalating conflicts with customers refusing to wear a face mask, Bill Kohne has decided to temporarily close Hugo's Tacos. He's part-owner of the restaurants in Los Angeles. He told BBC OS what his staff have experienced.

Kevin Peachey
Personal finance reporter

Image source, Reuters

Excitement among those desperate for a summer getaway has been mounting for some time, and will only be heightened by today’s quarantine announcements for England.

Yet holidaymakers need to be aware they are taking a risk when booking an overseas break, owing to the lack of financial protection.

Lifting of the Foreign Office advice against non-essential travel to some countries will make travel insurance valid again, and some cover is available for those who become ill with coronavirus at a resort.

But nearly all new policies won’t cover cancellation if someone develops symptoms, or needs to self-isolate, just before they plan to go away. Package holidays won’t be refunded in such circumstances either.

Advice service Resolver says holidaymakers are “bearing all the risk” and has called for them to be treated with “compassion”.

Read the full story here. And here's our explainer on your travel rights.

Image source, Getty Images

Along with Christmas and Thanksgiving, 4 July is one of the US's biggest public holidays - and it comes with certain traditions.

In "normal" times, it's not Independence Day if you don't have huge public fireworks displays, massive parades, and large family reunions - usually at a backyard barbecue.

But, as you can imagine, this year is a bit different.

Read about the many ways coronavirus is impacting 4 July here.

Hello - particularly if you're joining us from the US and are just waking up.

The US is seeing a surge in coronavirus cases right now, and states are reacting accordingly. Here's the latest.

• The US has recorded its largest single-day jump in infections since the start of the pandemic, with more than 53,000 new cases reported yesterday
• Cases are currently rising in 37 out of 50 states, leading governors to roll-back their plans to end lockdowns
• Southern states are seeing a particularly large surge. Over the past week, Arizona has the highest average daily increase in cases per million people
• Texas reported about 8,000 new confirmed cases of the virus yesterday. The state's governor has now ordered people to wear face coverings in public
• Chicago, in the midwestern state of Illinois, has said everyone who travels to the city from states where cases are surging will need to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. The new rule will take effect on Monday
• President Donald Trump said the surge in cases in the country was due to testing being "so massive and so good, far bigger and better than any other country"

Image source, Getty Images

Even in Leicester, the one city in England where pubs can't reopen tomorrow due to a local lockdown, police are bracing themselves.

Leicestershire Police said more officers would be on duty than on a typical New Year's Eve and hospital bosses in the city are also preparing for a busy weekend.

Assistant Chief Constable Kerry Smith said plans were being made for when restrictions were eased outside the lockdown boundary on Saturday.

"We realise it is a difficult situation and we are all still adapting to these new challenges," she said.

And Rebecca Brown, chief executive of Leicester's hospitals, said the trust was working with the ambulance service and the police "to make sure that we're ready to support not only a surge in Covid but also a surge in typical behaviours of New Year's Eve".

Elsewhere in England, just one in three pubs, bars and restaurants in Newcastle city centre will reopen, according to the local council. Some pubs have said they fear "total chaos" on so-called Super Saturday.

A further 10% will open later in the month when the initial rush has passed.