As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, putting the country technically into recession. The World Health Organisation says up to a quarter of a billion people in africa could catch coronavirus this year. But says the outbreak is likely to be less deadly than in europe and the us cafes a nd restau ra nts have begun reopening in many parts of australia, but with limits on the number of customers allowed in. And calls for nhs workers in the uk whove treated coronavirus patients to get the same Mental Health support as soldiers returning from war. It would be like having, you know, 15, 20 patients who are really on the edge who are going to die in the next few hours if you dont do anything every 12 hours. That is how bad it is. Good morning and welcome to bbc news. Im Annita Mcveigh with the latest developments on the coronavirus outbreak in the uk and around the world. Here, unions representing teachers and school staff will meet the governments top scientific advisors today, as they demand reassurance over the safety of opening schools in england next month. Some teachers have expressed concern that social distancing will be difficult to implement and have questioned whether staff should be given ppe. A road map setting out how wales could lift lockdown measures will be published by the countrys first minister later. Mark drakeford will explain how restrictions on day to day life, schools and businesses could begin to be eased. Europes biggest economy, germany, has shrunk by 2. 2 in the First Quarter of the year, its steepest quarterly contraction for more than a decade. German officials predict worse to come when the full effects of its coronavirus lockdown become clear. Scientists have warned that almost a quarter of a billion people in africa could catch covid 19 if containment measures are not successful. But the World Health Organisation says an outbreak in africa is likely to be less deadly than elsewhere, largely because of the continents young population. And in australia, restaurants, cafes and shops can now open in the countrys most populous state of New South Wales. Bars and pubs are re opening as well, but, landlords are only allowed to serve ten people at a time. Ourfirst report this morning is from our correspondent, Charlotte Rose schools in england are counting down the days until some pupils could return to the classroom on the first ofjune. But teaching unions say they want more reassurance about the risks of transmission of the virus between children and adults. Schools are already taking measures like increased cleaning, reducing class sizes, staggering the start and end of the school day for different groups of pupils, and creating one way systems around their sites. But teachers are asking why the government is recommending people wear face masks on public transport and at the supermarket, but not in schools. Weve always said that we very much hope to see schools returning in the week of the first ofjune. And we will continue to work with unions but also many other School Bodies to make sure that schools return in a phased, considered, and controlled way. Making sure that the safety of both children and those who work in schools are our top priority. Later today, welsh first minister Mark Drakeford is due to set out plans for the easing of the lockdown in wales but emphasising the need for continued caution. Unlike the westminster government, he wont be setting out a timetable for lifting restrictions on schools and businesses. But like england, its expected to use a traffic light system based on the rate of infection. Although that rate is slowing across the four nations of the uk, yesterdays figures showed a28 people had died from covid 19 in the past 2a hours, taking the total to 33,614. The swab goes right to the back of the throat. The results of a swab test survey on 11,000 people in england showed that around one in 400 people are currently infected. Around 0. 27 of the population. New figures released by nhs england also revealed that more than a quarter of those who died from the virus had diabetes. We dont know whether that is type one or type two. Last night, thousands of people came out once again to clap for carers. Horns toot. It was the eighth week that people took to the streets to mark their appreciation for workers on the frontline. Across the uk, and from up high, and below deck, people showed their support for those still battling against the virus. Charlotte rose, bbc news. 0ur Political Correspondent iain watson joins us from westminster. Teaching unions looking from big reassurances from the government at westminster, scientific advisers, today, about the reopening of schools in england, proposed for the beginning of next month. Why, fundamentally, as the government at westminster taking a different approach in terms of the dates to scotland, wales, Northern Ireland . What the government at westminster is saying is quite simply this. It is important for children to get back into school, theyve been offered seven weeks but in particular, they are worried about disadvantaged children, they feel they may lose out further, in terms of education but possibly nutrition as well. And the conservative education secretary Gavin Williamson says he actually agrees with the former labour education secretary David Blunkett who said its disadvantaged children who said its disadvantaged children who lose out most for a prolonged breakfrom who lose out most for a prolonged break from school life. Thats partly what they are saying but they are also saying the peak of the virus has passed so therefore it should be safer to go back into school but Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, stressing time and again, he wrote an article from one of the papers this morning, this would be a careful return to school, phased return to school so some of the youngest Children First and only then Primary Schools. Thats the approach, there is a slightly different approach of course elsewhere in the united kingdom, in scotland, wales and Northern Ireland, they say they are having more talks with trade unions on safety but they are also saying the infection rate there may still be at a higher level than it would be for example in london and the south east of england. They are being a little bit more cautious, probably no return to school or even a phased return to school or even a phased return until after the Summer Holidays and in that sense, they are beginning to diverge but the difficulty i think for the education secretary is this. He has to convince the trade unions it safe to go back, to get the teachers and teaching assistants in the classroom, thats why hes introducing them to the scientific advisers, so they can talk about risk and how to manager, he is also having to convince parents as well, if they dont send their children back to school, the easing of the lockdown, this cautious easing that seen this week from the government may actuallyjudder to a halt because it will be more difficult for pa rents because it will be more difficult for parents to get back to work. The big concerns are one of the big concerns is around social distancing. Especially the idea that very Young Children can be expected to observe social distancing albeit with reduced class sizes and how teachers might be expected to manage that situation . Thats really a tough one to argue over, isnt it . It is going to be very difficult and i think it is going to be very difficult and ithink in it is going to be very difficult and i think in that meeting with the scientific advisers, the teaching unions will be asking a lot of detailed questions, should they be wearing protective equipment in a classroom for example . If you cant get children to socially distance how does that affect the rate of infection, its potential spread of the disease . How safe is it of children passage either encourages for example . What other risks . There will be detailed questions but basically, to be fair, the government has macro on guidance to teachers saying we cannot expect Primary School aged pupils, pupils aged between four and 11, to socially distance from each other, state two metres apart so they got different proposals which is effectively having children working in small groups, sharing fewer pieces of school equipment, pencils and so on, all silly, big stress on hygiene. So i think there will be a different approach but some of the unions are saying, if you cannot socially distance in the way adults 01 socially distance in the way adults or older children could why on earth bring back younger Children First . 0k, thank you very much for that. The first minister of wales, Mark Drakeford, will today set out a plan for how wales could exit its coronavirus lockdown. Wales, along with scotland and Northern Ireland, has kept its stay home restrictions in place while england has started to ease the lockdown. Mr drakeford is not expected to give any firm dates, but will warn that people will have to learn to live with covid 19 in society. This morning he told us wales will be taking a cautious approach and monitoring the rate of infection closely. We are using a traffic light system. We are saying to people here, we are in lockdown at the moment, the first thing we will do will be to move into the red zone, it wont look very different to what we are doing now, it will be the careful, cautious first steps that we can take together. We will monitor that really carefully. Provided the virus doesnt start circulating again, we will be able to move into the amber zone. In the amber zone, there will be more things that people can do meeting friends and family, schools beginning to reopen, going shopping, all of those normal things. Again, monitor it really carefully, and if we are successful and the virus remains under control, we are into the green zone. The green zone will look quite like life before coronavirus started but not identical to it because until we have a vaccine or a really effective treatment, coronavirus is with us for a long time to come. Mark drakeford mark dra keford there, Mark Drakeford there, the first minister of wales. And our welsh correspondent spoke to us about what other measures would be put in place. Garden centres could reopen, people could go out to exercise more than once a day, differently dinky, borisjohnson said people could go in theircars, go borisjohnson said people could go in their cars, go further afield to exercise, the Welsh Government said thatis exercise, the Welsh Government said that is not the case in wales, we are being more stringent with restrictions, people have to exercise locally, people cannot stay away from their own home overnight. This has caused some confusion amongst the public, when Boris Johnson made his announcement on sunday, there was frustration by the Welsh Government that borisjohnson did not make it clear that his changes were referring to just england alone, its the Welsh Government that made the changes, that make the decisions about what happens here in wales and ive said anyone crossing the border into wales will be turned back and will be fined if they are deemed to be travelling unnecessarily in wales. Today, as you mentioned, we wont be hearing a timetable on the easing of restrictions from the first minister, Mark Drakeford but what we will have is a bit more detail on what comes into the different categories as each different level comes into force. You mentioned the traffic light system, when i spoke to mark dra keford just traffic light system, when i spoke to Mark Drakeford just over a week and a half ago, the issue of second homes and people travelling overnight was an issue that was still a burning topic in wales. The number along the west coast and north wales. He didnt see that anything like that would be coming in the red zone of the easing restrictions on may be not even the amberso restrictions on may be not even the amber so you restrictions on may be not even the amberso you can restrictions on may be not even the amber so you can see restrictions on may be not even the amber so you can see the difference between wales and england, quite starkly there. The other in stark contrast is of course when it comes to schools. The Welsh Government saying categorically, schools will not be opening on the 1st ofjune, you had a little bit of a hint this morning saying some children may come back before the Summer Holidays but in reality, its looking increasingly more likely that certainly in wales, just like probably will be the case and some of the other devolved nations, most children wont be returning to school before the Summer Holidays. Earlier this week we reported how the uks gdp had shrunk because of the pandemic figures released today in germany show its a similar story for europes biggest economy. Gdp there shrank by 2. 2 in the First Quarter the steepest three month contraction since the 2008 financial crisis. Analysts have predicted the countrys economy could shrink by more than 6 in total this year. Marcel fratzscher is president of the German Institute for Economic Research thank you very much for your time today. 2. 2 in the First Quarter, that really only covers the period up that really only covers the period up to the point where germany was just about starting to go into a serious lockdown. Assess those figures so far and look ahead, if you would to what might happen next . The German Economy is affected just as most other economies are. We expect somewhere between i would say, 7 and 15 contraction for the full year 2020, and of course the Second Quarter, april through to june, is experiencing a much deeper contraction. The big problem is we dont really know, we cannot give any reliable forecast or projection what the economy will do and i think what the economy will do and i think what we also need to realise, the risks are huge, we dont know, will a second wave or third wave come . How hard will it hit the economy . Will again restrictions be necessary . This uncertainty means that Many Companies are not willing to invest if they can invest at all and also consumers, and workers, are very reluctant to go out and spend. We are in a very, very difficult situation and whats different about germany is that we have a very open economy, its very dependent on exports, obviously experts and global value chains ahead particularly ha rd by global value chains ahead particularly hard by this crisis. What does the contraction of 2. 2 and as you say, the risks and uncertainties ahead, mean for the subsidies that the government has been giving to businesses and industry to try and keep the economy moving . Theres hardly any government in the world that has exercised or implemented a bigger Stimulus Programme than the German Government, the German Government is handing out money to small and medium sized companies. It has been spending a lot of money for short time work contracts, more than 10 million german workers now work in short time so reduced hours, this is paid mostly short time so reduced hours, this is pa id mostly by short time so reduced hours, this is paid mostly by the government. The government also is subsidising big companies, providing equity capital. So the German Government is trying to spend, Government Debt will increase tremendously. And the big question now that in germany is under discussion is how can the Government Support the recovery and its quite clear that companies but also hassles, need support from the government in recovery because as i described, private investment will be low. Households will not go out and buy the next new car. So the government now has a difficult task of deciding how it wants to stimulate the economy so that this recovery ca n stimulate the economy so that this recovery can take place quickly but again, ithink recovery can take place quickly but again, i think the consensus is that recovery wont happen quickly, we are talking about two or three yea rs, are talking about two or three years, the best case. To get back to where we were in terms of the size of the economy at the end of 2019. 23 of the economy at the end of 2019. 2 3 years in the best Case Scenario to get back to the way the economy was at the end of 2019 . Given that germany is your applause largest economy, to what extent can we therefore say this will be a scenario that is absolutely mirrored throughout the rest of europe . The scenario is mirrored through the rest of europe because we dont have national economies. We have one big european economy and this applies to the ukjust european economy and this applies to the uk just as european economy and this applies to the ukjust as much european economy and this applies to the uk just as much as germany. European economy and this applies to the ukjust as much as germany. Half of germany s exports go to europe. And a big difference, unfortunately, is that weaker countries, particularly in southern europe, italy, spain, greece, dont have the europe or the government does not have the money to spend as germany is doing and so the big concern is that divergences within europe will increase and one of the big failures of policymakers has been that there has not been a sufficiently strong and early response at the european level that most measures have been, differences, divergences are going to increase and possibly with that, also economic and political problems. Thank you very much for your thoughts on that news today. Top level professional football returns to germany on saturday as the bundesliga restarts. The atmosphere will be a little different though as the games are being played behind closed doors. One of the big matches is the derby between Borussia Dortmund and schalke. The bbc has spoken to the mayor of dortmund, ullrich sierau, who is concerned that fans might not stay away. We are much concerned about that but usually, this is one of the top matches of the bundesliga over the year. 100,000 fans, supporters from both teams. Who would of course like to experience this match. U nfortu nately now to experience this match. Unfortunately now nobody is allowed into the stadium. We have a lot of fa ns into the stadium. We have a lot of fans say, ok, at least we will have a party outside. Im very happy that a party outside. Im very happy that a lot of fan groups that do not gather outside the stadium. Stay at home. The headlines on bbc news. Teachers unions in england will meet senior government scientists today to discuss whether its safe to send more teachers unions in england will meet senior government pupils back to school. People in wales will get more details from the first minister Mark Drakeford this afternoon on how the country might come out of lockdown German Economy shrank by 2. 2 in the First Quarter of the year the sharpest contraction since the aftermath of the financial crisis in 2009 and putting the country technically into recession. People in the australian state of New South Wales are able to go out for a meal or a drink for the first time in weeks as it begins to ease coronavirus restrictions. Bars, cafes, restaurants and shops have been allowed to reopen as long as they apply strict hygiene and social distancing rules. People can now have up to five visitors at their homes and families can take their children to playgrounds again. 0ur correspondent Shaimaa Khalil has been to a bar in sydney which reopened earlier. You cant sit at the bar and have a drink but what you can do is sit in the dining area and have a meal and a drink which many people have been doing at this local pub in a central sydney neighbourhood. We cant quite show you the dining area because its actually at a maximum of ten peoplejust now. People have been given slots of 1 2 hours and theyve been fully booked here, theyve been turning people away who showed up, thats how excited people are to be out and about. All through the morning weve seen people as you say excitedly going to sit down and have a coffee and eat in a cafe as well. But the ten people rule applies really to all public spaces. Cafes, restaurants, shops, places of worship, big day for families because playgrounds are open, its back to the swings for the children. Its not quite business as usual but its a sigh of relief for many people here. Many areas working towards easing the rules and reopening the economy. Thats the situation in New South Wales but across australia the regulations differ from state to state. In austria bars and restaurants can reopen from today with Hotels Reopening on may 29th both with strict social distancing measures in force. We are joined now by wolfgang zankl sertl, a Restaurant Owner in vienna, and frank angilletta, who owns a restaurant in sydney. Really good to have you both with us on bbc news and bbc world news, wolfgang, lets go to you first, bars and wolfgang, lets go to you first, bars a nd restau ra nts wolfgang, lets go to you first, bars and restaurants reopening to with strict measures in place. What are your bookings looking like for today . Actually, we are in the lucky position, fully booked for tonight, everybody, wants to get out and support the local industry, which is a good thing. Its the first two days, actually, lets see how everything develops into further weeks. As you say, it sounds like eve ryo ne weeks. As you say, it sounds like everyone is very eager to get back out but how many people will you be able to serve today, compared to the lockdown . Actually, im in the lucky position i own a really small restau ra nt. Position i own a really small restaurant. The distance, casual, fine dining, weve got a michelin star and fine dining, weve got a michelin starand our fine dining, weve got a michelin star and our customers expect a little bit of privacy so we dont have to change much. We dont have to change much, we rearrange the ta bles to change much, we rearrange the tables a little bit and we can actually, do our thing. Its no harsh restrictions. 0k, actually, do our thing. Its no harsh restrictions. Ok, lets see how frank is doing over in sydney, australia. Frank, i have to ask you, about those, they are not real customers, i think they are cardboard cutouts hello, thank you for having me on. We came up with this to try and create some atmosphere in the restaurant we are about 90 seater, having ten customers at a time, didnt work for us, we have some background noise, im not sure if you can pick it up, plates chattering, glasses clinking, we have 15 of our cardboard regulars. I know during the lockdown when you were in the restaurant working by yourself, you found that quietness very, very strange so how did you counteract that . One of the first news did you counteract that . One of the first news memories i had of the lockdown, i walked first news memories i had of the lockdown, iwalked in, the fridges we re off, lockdown, iwalked in, the fridges were off, no machinery, no one on the street, it was quite surreal, being that quiet. For us, weve already had ten customers coming and going, we are waiting on the next ten, we have given the area a quick clean, its great to get back to work and move in the right direction. I wanted to ask you both about staff, wolfgang, have you been able to retain all the staff that you had before the lockdown was put in place . Yes, yes. Here in austria there is a programme of short time work, so its supported by the Austrian Employment Agency so i could keep all my stuff, i could keep all my stuff which was important to me because business wise, economically speaking, it would be best to cycle the people but its not the way i tried to sustain relations so i kept them all, to show some loyalty, of course. And yes, because im really satisfied with them, i want to keep them, of course. Its tough, but, its good. Frank, have you been able to hang on to all the stuff you had originally . Not all the staff. Our full time staff and australian residents, yes, we have a programme for them but unfortunately, International Student holders and some casuals that we had, we had to let them go. You say you can seat in normal circumstances 90 people but you can only have ten people in at a time, how long is that sustainable for you, obviously you are trying to get to grips with this new reality in the immediate term but you must be thinking longer term as well . How long, financially, is that situation sustainable . Look, not very long, we are not making any profit at the moment. But, sort of, the stage two, which is two or three weeks away, we are hoping to go up to 20 people so you know, with that start, maybe getting to numbers where we can turn a little profit but, yes, until we can get back to normal trade, its very difficult. Wolfgang, the same question for you. What are your feelings about the future of the business . How tricky, financially, is this going to be in the medium to longer term . You are a small restau ra nt, longer term . You are a small restaurant, smaller concern, as you say. Is that helpful at the moment, then . I mean, its better than nothing, its better than nothing, of course. You know, 10 of the best restau ra nt of course. You know, 10 of the best Restaurant Business here has revenue to earnings ratio of 10 , sort of. So, two months closed right now. Yes, we have to work two more years to get back to the level we used to. And its not guaranteed, of course, because now its going to be summer in austria, its usually slower business than wed are dependent on tourist, so no tourists at the moment. Lets see how this develops. Theres lots of uncertainty. Yes, there is no easy answer to that. You will be welcoming customers back today. Frank, youve already had your first ten customers in, today. Frank, youve already had yourfirst ten customers in, as today. Frank, youve already had your first ten customers in, as you said, under the new rules. I think it would be really interesting to hear from you, perhaps it would be really interesting to hearfrom you, perhaps interesting for wolfgang to hear how youve managed in terms of the distance between waiters and waitresses and the customers and so forth, the justice of actually running a restau ra nt justice of actually running a restaurant under these new social distancing rules . Weve got a bigger space here, it is quite easy. We have an outdoor area and indoor area, weve just split up the tables we had booked tonight. The whole square metre is probably about 90 square metre is probably about 90 square metres square metre is probably about 90 square metres so a square metre is probably about 90 square metres so a lot of room between customers. We are sort of used to working under a fast pace. But yes, ten customers, its different but it just but yes, ten customers, its different but itjust feels good just to be back at work. We will ta ke just to be back at work. We will take what we can. Yes, and i guess we all have to be adaptable. Frank and wolfgang, thank you both very much for talking to us. Good luck with both your businesses thank you. We are getting some breaking news in the last few moments from jcb. Announcing today up to 950 jobs are at risk of redundancy at its uk plant. After demand for its machinery fell by half, it says, as the result of the covid 19 crisis. The company has written to all its uk employees today it says to advise up uk employees today it says to advise up to 950 staff roles are under threat at its ten plants in staffordshire, derbyshire and wrexham and that a 45 day consultation period will begin on monday. Around 500 Agency Employees we re monday. Around 500 Agency Employees were told who workjcb uk sites are also being let go from theirjobs. That news just in to us from jcb. You have perhaps seen photos of the restaurant in the netherlands thats serving meals in greenhouses. Could they provide a solution, a covid 19 proof environment to help kick start our social lives . From amsterdam, our reporter Anna Holligan has been to see how staff are preparing to serve customers after lockdown. A covid secure space to socialise. Could these greenhouses be the future of going out . As countries emerge from lockdown, all over europe, they are experimenting with new ways to get people dining out again. Temperature checks, outdoor seating and this innovative idea is designed to help people adjust from a state of isolation to a degree of social contact. And overcome the inevitable anxiety many of us feel about mixing in public again while the risk of infection still exists. The head chef is happy to be back in the kitchen. Working is always kind of like a way to care for people, so actually, in this moment especially, i think for chefs it is more important because we lose the opportunity to feed the people and care for the people in our restaurants. Waitresses and diners must observe social distancing advice. Here in the netherlands, that means staying 1. 5 metres apart. These wooden planks serve as a low Tech Solution to help stick to the rules. But still the staff has some concerns. I worry all the time. I am also italian so italy now is in the middle of the storm, i would say. But at the same time, we have the role of make this fear maybe a little bit less and not to forget about it at all, but to start co living with it maybe. So, do the guests share her reservations . I think you just have to think about your hygiene more, just washing your hands, make sure that you keep a distance. I think especially if you want to go out with an older person, it is very nice to have this option. The real appeal may be the reassurance and ability to reignite our faith in venturing out again. Anna holligan, bbc news, amsterdam. Unions representing schools will meet government advisers today to seek reassurance of opening next month. Some teachers have expressed concern social distancing will be difficult to implement and questioned whether staff should be given ppe. Earlier i spoke to someone given ppe. Earlier i spoke to someone from the association of school and college leaders. Planning to reopen all 35 academies next month. Although for some children they are safe and sound and being well fed through the lockdown, that is not true for many of the kids in our school clinic. 45 of her children should have Free School Meals but the system to deliver them has failed completely. Many of them do not have gardens. They are shut up do not have gardens. They are shut up inside in poor, small, damp, overcrowded conditions and this is an incredible strain on them and their parents Mental Health and we have been asked by parents to reopen other schools. We have kept some open throughout. How will it look . How will the classes look when the schools reopen . Will you have smaller class sizes . Yes. We have 35 Primary Schools. Every building is different so what we have done is unique Risk Assessment of each building. Some have wide corridors, some do not, some have eco classrooms, some have multiple entrances. We can split the day, we can cut the day. This is for children and parents who are not worried and we are not insisting that any staff member or any child comes back. There is no pressure whatsoever but we know that many of our kids have stopped learning and do not have the opportunity to do that and we are equally worried about the six months they might spend out of school. We are responding to parental voices. We are going to come back to that, but i want to letjeff barton come in. Good morning to go as well. Steve has been quoted as saying that what the unions are seeing is lopsided and fails to recognise the harm being caused to disadvantaged children from missing school. How do you respond to that . children from missing school. How do you respond to that . I think we have all been saying that. Our starting point is when it is safe for children and we have the trust of parents that we know we can do the logistical planning of course children need to be in schools and the disadvantaged and vulnerable in particular will be suffering most by not being at school. As a head teacher for 15 years the decisions i have to make didnt risk peoples lives. If i chose to close the school because of snow i got a pummelling in the press but this requires a knowledge which i dont have and that is why todays meeting with scientific specialists ought to give us the reassuring thing about what is the transmission from children to adults and what the teaching profession are asking. You have said the unions have said there must be clear robust guidance. What about the current guidance is not clear and robust to you . What would you need to hearfrom clear and robust to you . What would you need to hear from the scientific advisers today to convince you that there could be a return, a broader return, to school injune . There could be a return, a broader return, to school in june . The first thing is lots of schools are continuing to be working at the moment. We have to acknowledge that for those priority pupils it is a kind of business as usual. The questions we are asking were hinted ata questions we are asking were hinted at a second ago. If we are talking about social distancing and if that is important what does that mean . Why would the government choose to bring the very youngest children back . We understand that but why dont you start with year five who are probably old enough to understand social distancing . We have a lot of their curriculum as well. It is not as if anyone is putting up barriers that these are legitimate questions as to what teachers should wear, like in france where they were one facemask in the morning and one in the afternoon, and if we are not doing that what is different here . And if we are not doing that what is different here . If we come out of that meeting reassured that those questions and answers that will be a great day for parents and the profession as we start gradually to bring young people back into school. That was jeff barton from the association of school and college leaders. Nhs staff on the front line of the pandemic should receive the same support as those returning from a war zone. 0ur Health Correspondent reports. Treating coronavirus has been a challenge like no other, with staff risking their own lives to save others. Covid related pressures on hospitals may be starting to ease, but its been relentless. It would be like having a terrorist attack, you know, at the door of the hospital every day, twice a day, for months. Thats the magnitude of it. It would be like having 15, 20 patients who are really on the edge, who are going to die in the next few hours if you dont do anything every 12 hours. Thats how bad it is. Theres no real downtime for me or for the other staff. We dont really reflect or process things. Some dont like the use of war language to talk about the coronavirus, but weve been told the Mental Health problems that nurses and doctors could experience may be similar to that of troops returning from a war zone. Its argued that the critical moment for treatment will be when the pressure subsides and life returns to a new normal. Inspired by his military background, a Mental Health advisor to the nhs says a robust Long Term Plan is needed to prevent staff developing conditions like post Traumatic Stress disorder. Its what happened after the trauma that is most predictive of what people will be like in terms of their Mental Health. If its not done well, if we muck it up, then actually thats going to really make the trauma theyve already had much more difficult to deal with. Professor greenberg says when covid pressures subside, workers should receive an official acknowledgement for their work, they should take leave followed by a slow introduction into the new role, and they should undergo regular Mental Health screenings for at least a year. But an nhs Mental Health service wants a more varied Long Term Support plan so it can suit different needs, from care workers to call handlers. Every Single Member of the nhs should have access to a confidential psychological Health Service that is fast access for them because of their having to wait in a queue behind everyone else then i think its putting them at more risk. And is it ready them now . So, there is a lot already in train. I think more needs to come. All four Health Services in the uk are currently providing workers with Mental Health support via phone and online. Formal Long Term Plans are varied, with Northern Ireland offering the most detail. Theres currently overwhelming support for our carers, but its claimed a better way to thank them will be the availability of professional help for years to come after the clapping has stopped. Anna collinson, bbc news. Nearly a quarter of a billion people in africa could catch coronavirus in the first year of the pandemic according to a new study by scientists at the world health 0rganization. Scientists at the World Health Organization. The virus has been relatively slow to spread in africa compared to other parts of the world but Research Predicts a quarter of the billion strong population of the african region could be infected over a 12 month period. Of those, 5. 5 million would require hospital treatment, putting a huge strain on services across the continent. However the study predicts a maximum death toll of 190,000 which would be a lower rate of deaths to infections than in the us and europe, which could be due to the younger populations and lower rates of obesity. This is predictive modelling. It has been slow as they have observed but they think africa generally may have an explosion may avoid an explosion of cases but the outbreak is likely to smoulder. That is according to the who. What they are observing is different to whats happening in the rest of the world for a number of reasons. One is the age, average age, of the population, but there are also diseases that affect the majority of people on the continent like tuberculosis and hiv but the fact they have interventions in place to deal with those diseases could be an advantage as well. There are still so much to learn for the scientists to predict what is happening so this modelling looked at the countries in africa and tried to predict what could happen in each individual country because they are different. In yemen the number of non white cases has remained relatively low but the un warns the virus is spreading largely undetected. The Health System has been ravaged by what is the country remains divided between an internationally recognised government on the side and a group based in the north. The bbc has gained access to hospitals in the capital, bracing for an outbreak with very little resources. The people here are no longer afraid of the bullets. They have learnt to live with war, starvation and cholera. And now, there is a new threat. One that has shattered the worlds most developed countries coronavirus. In yemen, the First Official case of covid 19 was announced on april 10th. Since then, scores of cases have been detected across the country where half of all the medical facilities have been destroyed by war. The Kuwait Hospital is still operating. Its said to be the best equipped in sanaa to receive patients with covid 19. The bbc has gained access to it. This woman knows how dangerous the virus is in such a fragile Health System. Translation this hospital is the main centre for receiving coronavirus patients. We have 16 icu beds. If we have an outbreak, how will these beds be enough . Well only receiv the first 16 patients but after that we will have to turn people away. There are only 200 ventilators for a population of nearly 30 Million People. The Houthi Movement based in the north of the country has only announced two cases and a single death in sanaa. But our sources tell us that the situation is more dire. That there have been scores of covid 19 cases and deaths in sanaa alone. The un warns that the virus could be spreading undetected in yemen. While reporting on the coronavirus has been banned by the authorities, videos like this one have been circulating on social media. Yet across the country, there have been few containment measures to keep the pandemic at bay. In some neighbourhoods, mosques were closed and markets shutdown. But others are terrifyingly crowded. Here in this quarantine centre, Health Workers are scrambling to prepare for a third influx of covid 19 cases. Translation there is only one floor out of five that is ready to use. We are facing a shortage of ppe and disinfectants. Every ten people here share a bathroom and theres two to a room. There is so much to do in a country that is already the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. The people here are acutely malnourished. Cholera and diphtheria waves have ripped through the country over the years. More than 2a Million People survive on humanitarian aid. It has been hampered by the Saudi Led Coalition blockade. And now american aid officials decided to halt funding, cutting off about 70 million in assistance destined for people in the houthi controlled northern parts of the country. The us says the houthis are to blame. There is a risk that aid is not going to go where it is meant to go, in those programmes, and keep the aid flowing to the people who need it most. Otherwise, the people in yemen are living in fear of coronavirus and will suffer the most. Despite a ceasefire designed to help the country focus on containing the virus, fighting has continued. This war has brought yemen to its knees. And now, with a deadly pandemic, there is no sign of relief for the people here. Nawal al maghafi, bbc news. Pa rt part of efforts to reach them restrict coronavirus is to do the tracking and tracing. Many argue more involvement of expertise at a local level is needed. I am joined bya local level is needed. I am joined by a professor of bacteriology aberdeen university. Very good to have you with us. What would you like to see happening at a local level in this effort that isnt currently happening . There is a group of people locally who know their local scene extremely well. They are very used to doing Contact Tracing, not necessarily of people but of problems, doing detective work, environMental Health officers. I have been talking about them for a while. These are very professional people who are just asking questions of people and having a degree of scepticism about the accuracy of the answer. They trust people but we have a detective kind ofjob. They are not doing very much at the moment because part of their workers inspecting restaurants. Much as a group of people who are local, employed by local authorities, who i think would be absolutely fantastic at doing Contact Tracing, notjust doing it but training all the other people we will need because we will need a very large number of contact researchers to track the cases under the testing. Has there been any contact between these environMental Health officials and government . Here they are holding up their hands and saying we are here, we would like to help, but has there been any useful conversation going on . |j dont know. Maybe i should know but ido dont know. Maybe i should know but i do not. I have not heard that there has been. I have not seen any announcement that he is a group of individuals who are extremely well professionally trained and so on who are under working at the moment. I am not saying underemployed but through no fault of their own they dont have enough work to do. I am sure all of them would be only too pleased to take part in this activity. Not that different to what they are doing normally. We are going to need a lot of people and they would be very good as managers and trainers and doing some of the Contact Tracing themselves but i havent seen any evidence we will be brought into the fold and they need to be brought in now, not next month or next week, but now, because this is an urgent task we need to get right. Contact tracing is one of the only ways to get out of the lockdown. How important is this Contact Tracing responsibility being devolved to lots of smaller geographical areas, devolved to lots of smaller geographicalareas, localareas, devolved to lots of smaller geographical areas, local areas, in the medium to longer term . Because of course we just do not know how long this virus is going to be present in communities around the uk. I think its absolutely vital to have his local expertise and local knowledge, for example that the environMental Health officers have, because is not going at the same rate in the same parts of the country. It has peaked in london and in other parts it is happening to a lesser degree. In scotland they are claiming that the r number is higher than in england. In the Northern Isles of scotland it may not be there at all. However that local knowledge is absolutely vital and they will be parts of the country where the virus is still quite busy and that is where we shall have to focus our attention but we can only do that if we know what is happening andi do that if we know what is happening and i have not seen any data about local outbreaks. If you look at what has happened in new zealand, that is top of the list on their website, they know exactly where the local outbreaks have been attended to them and they are following the cases. They are not any more because they have pretty well eradicated the virus but that is a good example we should be following, but details of exactly where the virus is doing mischief. Then what you are saying, do you think that england has been too hasty to start easing the lockdown . I know you said recently the lockdown couldnt be eased significantly until testing was exceeding 200,000 tests a day but in terms of what the government at westminster has done so far do you think its appropriate at this stage . Some bits are ok. I dont see any reason why you shouldnt be able to go and play golf as long as the clubhouse is closed. You are socially distancing most of the time anyway. Garden centres, a lot of it is outside and so on. The big problem, the really big problem, and the most important problem is schools and clearly there are meetings today between scientists and teachers and education authorities and so on because we just do not know, we dont have the secure information that children do not spread the virus. We think they are poorer than at spreading influenza which is the model we have been using that that is a very hard decision to take and at the end of the day the proof of the pudding is going to be in the eating and u nfortu nately going to be in the eating and unfortunately the only baby contest test the opening schools in any kind of scale is going to do any harm is looking for the harm unfortunately because we have never been with this virus before it. We do not know enough about it to be absolutely secure and safe in our advice. How do you see that working, the Antibody Test, alongside the Current System . Obviously we Antibody Test, alongside the Current System . Obviously we do not have that Antibody Test rolled out but should one take precedence over the other or will they work side by side . They will work side by side but looking for the virus itself is the fundamental test. The Antibody Test just tells you whats the fundamental test. The Antibody Testjust tells you whats happened in the past. It will be very useful to find out how much virus has been and how busy it has been but it is not a game changer i do not think. The game changer is doing more of the testing for the virus and basically if somebody has it they have to self isolate and most of them will get better. This weekend will be the first since the start of the lockdown, when people in england can travel to exercise and enjoy the open air but, with good weather forecast, lifeguards are warning people to stay away from coasts where the rescue services have been limited by the lockdown. John maguire has been to porthtowan beach in cornwall. After weeks of lockdown, the Great British coastline is more enticing than ever but its not inviting. If the beach shops were open, the postcards would say, wish you werent here. One major issue is safety. The rnli that runs lifeguards here on the North Cornwall coast is very concerned, especially about daytrippers. For locals such as nathan and his family, this is theirfirst chance to get back in the water. Theyve been pestering me every single night, can we go surfing . Can we go to the beach . So, yeah, quite looking forward to it really, guys, arent we . Yeah. Those who live here are normally more than happy to share the beauty of their home with visitors but warn this beautiful yet rugged coastline can be hazardous. If youre local and you know, you know what its like, you are careful and you know so youve just got to watch your kids, watch yourselves, be aware of the tides and ask people if youre not sure. If we walk round the side of the cliff and get cut off, that kind of thing. Ive been surfing for 15 years or so and you know when not to go in, you know what to look for. If youre not confident, dont risk it. So, surfs up, in england at least, yet covid continues to create problems and life remains anything but normal. You are watching bbc news. Lets ta ke lets take a look at the weather. After that particularly wet start to spring the second half of the season has been particularly dry. This chart shows rainfall amounts over the next five days. Wetter weather across the north and the darker cooler is indication we could see 50 millimetres of rain, most of that following on sunday. A few showers in western scotland today. This was the scene in fort william. Maybe the odd one into north west england and the isle of man but the vast majority will be dry. A bit more quieter and for the vast majority but still sunny spells. Temperatures closer to where they should be for the time of year. Colder weather across shetland with strong winds which will continue into tonight. Further showers around. Further south most places will be dry was partly clear skies but the big differences it is not going to be as cold. A little bit of a chill but the thrust is gone at least for the foreseeable. Temperatures well above freezing frost is gone. A lot of dry weather around with breaks in the cloud but the showers continue and as the cloud thickens in Northern Ireland you could see the odd splash of light rain or drizzle. Temperatures very similar to todays values and called in shetland. Into sunday we should see High Pressure keeping things slightly dry moving further south and that allows milder atla ntic further south and that allows milder atlantic air but also these weather fronts which will bring persistent rain across the highlands and islands of scotland. A little bit of rain elsewhere across eastern scotla nd rain elsewhere across eastern scotland at times. Northern ireland will see rain come and go potentially into the far north of england. Further south the dry story continues with increasing amounts of sunshine and temperatures back above 20 degrees. Next week an area of High Pressure begins to build back in once again in the rain eases through monday into tuesday and High Pressure becomes established and we drag on more of a southerly flow of airto the uk drag on more of a southerly flow of air to the uk and that will bring ever increasing temperatures. By wednesday you could see temperatures into the 20s and one or two into the high 20s. This is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. Teachers unions in england will meet government scientific advisers today to seek assurances that it will be safe to open schools in england to more children from next month. But one Academy Founder calls opposition rather middle class. For some children, they have Digital Access and they are safe and sound and well fed throughout the lockdown. That is not true for many other children in schools. People in wales will get more details from the first minister mark dra keford later on how the country might come out of lockdown. Europes biggest economy germany has shrunk by more than 2 in the First Quarter of the year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and putting the country technically into recession. The World Health Organization says up to a quarter of a billion people in africa could catch coronavirus this year. But it says the outbreak is likely to be less deadly than in europe and the us. Cafes and restaurants have begun reopening in many parts of australia but with limits on the number of customers allowed in. And calls for nhs workers in the uk whove treated coronavirus patients to get the same Mental Health support as soldiers returning from war. Itll be having 15 or 20 patients who are, really, on the edge and you are going to die in the next few hours if you dont do anything every 12 hours. Who are going. Were covering the latest coronavirus developments in britain and globally. Here, unions representing teachers and school staff will meet the governments top scientific advisors today, as they demand reassurance over the safety of opening schools in england next month. Some teachers have expressed concern that social distancing will be difficult to implement and have questioned whether staff should be given ppe. A road map setting out how wales could lift lockdown measures will be published by the countrys first minister later. Mark drakeford will explain how restrictions on day to day life, schools and businesses could begin to be eased. Europes biggest economy, germany, has shrunk by 2. 2 percent in the First Quarter of the year, its steepest quarterly contraction for more than a decade. German officials predict worse to come when the full effects of its coronavirus lockdown become clear. Scientists have warned that almost a quarter of a billion people in africa could catch covid 19 if containment measures are not successful. But the World Health Organization says an outbreak in africa is likely to be less deadly than elsewhere, largely because of the continents young population. In australia, restaurants, cafes and shops can now open in the countrys most populous state of New South Wales. Bars and pubs are reopening as well, but, landlords are only allowed to serve 10 people at a time. Ourfirst report this morning is from our correspondent Charlotte Rose. Schools in england are counting down the days until some pupils could return to the classroom on the first ofjune. But teaching unions say they want more reassurance about the risks of transmission of the virus between children and adults. Schools are already taking measures like increased cleaning, reducing class sizes, staggering the start and end of the school day for different groups of pupils, and creating one way systems around their sites. But teachers are asking why the government is recommending people wear face masks on public transport and at the supermarket, but not in schools. Weve always said that we very much hope to see schools returning in the week of the first ofjune. And we will continue to work with unions, but also many other School Bodies to make sure that schools return in a phased, considered, and controlled way. Making sure that the safety of both children and those who work in schools are our top priority. Later today, welsh first minister Mark Drakeford is due to set out plans for the easing of the lockdown in wales, but emphasising the need for continued caution. Unlike the westminster government, he wont be setting out a timetable for lifting restrictions on schools and businesses. But like england, wales is expected to use a traffic light system based on the rate of infection. Although that rate is slowing across the four nations of the uk, yesterdays figures showed a28 people had died from covid 19 in the past 24 hours, taking the total to 33,614. The results of a swab test survey on 11,000 people in england showed that around one in 400 people are currently infected. Around 0. 27 of the population. New figures released by nhs england also revealed that more than a quarter of those who have died from the virus had diabetes. Although we dont know whether that is type one or type two. Last night, thousands of people came out once again to clap for carers. Horns toot. It was the eighth week that people took to the streets to mark their appreciation for workers on the frontline. Across the uk, and from up high, and below deck, people showed their support for those still battling against the virus. Charlotte rose, bbc news. I think today we are going to be seeing a big concentration around lunchtime with this meeting of the chief scientific officer and chief nursing officer of england and the trade unions. The government wants schools to open onjune the 1st in england in a phased way, some children going back to Primary Schools. Safety concerns by the unions, so i think we will get Big Questions being asked of chris whitty and others at lunchtime. What they will be asked, festival, is it safe to bring people back into school, children and staff alike without social distancing measures in place first of all. Children of that age are unlikely to socially distance, keep two metres apart, so other measures are suggested. Making sure they dont share some equipment, arriving at school at different times. People will be asking, does this increase. Is it safe or less safe to try and do that and why is it that Primary Schoolchildren are being asked to come back to school first . Children in secondary schools coming back later when they are more likely to be able to socially distance. The crucial thing is that the result of the meeting may determine whether it is possible for schools in england to restart in june. Is possible for schools in england to restart injune. One of the unions which is going to be at the meeting are suggesting they would ta ke meeting are suggesting they would take legal action on behalf of their members if they feel as though employers are failing in their duty of care to take care of staff. If pa rents of care to take care of staff. If parents as well as unions are wary about sending children back to school, the pace of the easing of the lockdown may slow down quite a bit. At the moment, people will be thinking about what is happening elsewhere in the uk. Why is it that scotland, wales and Northern Ireland are not proposing to bring schools back before the summer term . Again, there are all sorts of reasons for this, including rate of infection. If people are wary about sending children to school, and unions are very wary about ringing children back into school, this could scupper the governments plans for the gradual step by step easing of the lockdown. It could also equally prevent people from going back to work if their children were in school from doing so later. Questions as to whether schools can partially reopened. The first minister of wales, Mark Drakeford, will today set out a plan for how wales could exit its coronavirus lockdown. Wales, along with scotland and Northern Ireland, has kept its stay home restrictions in place while england has started to ease the lockdown. Mr drakeford is not expected to give any firm dates, but will warn that people will have to learn to live with covid 19 in society. This morning, he told us wales will be taking a cautious approach and monitoring the rate of infection closely. We are using a traffic light system. We are saying to people here, we are in lockdown at the moment, the first thing we will do will be to move into the red zone, it wont look very different to what we are doing now, it will be the careful, cautious first steps that we can take together. We will monitor that really carefully. Provided the virus doesnt start circulating again, we will be able to move into the amber zone. In the amber zone, there will be more things that people can do meeting friends and family, schools beginning to reopen, going shopping, all of those normal things. Again, monitor it really carefully, and if we are successful and the virus remains under control, we are into the green zone. The green zone will look quite like life before coronavirus started but not identical to it because until we have a vaccine or a really effective treatment, coronavirus is with us for a long time to come. Lets go to cardiff and talk to our correspondent tomos morgan and just remind us what the current restrictions are in wales. Mark drakeford mark dra keford state Mark Drakeford state eeeeesssss some of the restrictions. Garden centres have reopened did ease. The biggest difference in england is that mr drake fred said that people can go out to exercise more than once a day, but they have to remain local. Those living in england can actually travel in their cars to exercise, but that is not the case in wales. He has been asked several times on this what would be the case of someone were this what would be the case of someone were to this what would be the case of someone were to cross over this what would be the case of someone were to cross over into the border. The first minister and the Welsh Government have reiterated several times that people will be sent home and find if they are to be travelling unnecessarily. Holiday homes has been a burning topic in here since the lockdown began. A huge wealth of beautiful beaches along the west coast and into north wales, people asking, what is the situation with thems the minister said that in no case are people allowed to go to their second. He told me a week and a half ago. He has reiterated that message again today, but asked whether there were people already in their second homes and had been there before the lockdown started, he said it might be more difficult and more dangerous to ta ke be more difficult and more dangerous to take people out of their homes and to these them. There are quite a few difficult areas to go across there. I think the key difference is that the message is clear in wales. The same in scotland and Northern Ireland. It is still at home, quite starkly different to the message from borisjohnson starkly different to the message from Boris Johnson on starkly different to the message from borisjohnson on sunday. Earlier this week we reported how the uks gdp had shrunk because of the pandemic figures released today in germany show its a similar story for europes biggest economy. Gdp there shrank by 2. 2 in the First Quarter, the steepest three month contraction since the 2008 financial crisis. Analysts have predicted the countrys economy could shrink by more than 6 in total this year. Our correspondent Damian Mcguinness is in berlin. Biggest contraction, inactivity since the financial crisis. It does look like germany suffered less, perhaps, than countries like france,. Perhaps, than countries like france,. That there perhaps, than countries like france,. That there is a very good reason for it. Around the world, we have seen shops shuttered, factories lockdown as we fight against the spread of coronavirus. Like here in the uk, germany did not enact that shuts down into the middle of march. Later than some of the worst affected european countries. The real impact on its activity, on gdp, its going to happen when we see the figures for the next three months, for the Second Quarter of the year. Analysts a re for the Second Quarter of the year. Analysts are warning what they are warning us about the rest of the world. It is going to get worse before it gets better. What is fascinating about these numbers is that also shows, the Germany Economy was actually shrinking a bit even before the impact of the virus became clear. In other words, germany was not in a healthy state even before the shutdown started. It is technically in recession. The industry is affected by tensions between china and the us. Industry starting to reopen, but perhaps the Second Quarter will be the worst bit. We will be keeping an ion that and see what happens to our economy in the months to come. A lot of economists saying dont get too relaxed about any of this. What we are likely to see over the rest of the year is that economies like germany and the uk are not going to be impacted just by shutdowns on their homes. It is what happens around the rest of the world as well. We are an open economy, we trade a lot, so this could be bad news for the rest of us. Thank you very much. People in the australian state of New South Wales are able to go out for a meal or a drink for the first time in weeks as it begins to ease coronavirus restrictions. Bars, cafes, restaurants and shops have been allowed to reopen as long as they apply strict hygiene and social distancing rules. People can now have up to five visitors at their homes and families can take their children to playgrounds again. Our correspondent, Shaimaa Khalil has been to a bar in sydney which reopened earlier. You cant sit at the bar and have a drink but what you can do is sit in the dining area and have a meal and a drink which many people have been doing at the royal albert, this local pub in central sydney neighbourhood. We cant quite show you the dining area because its actually at a maximum of ten peoplejust now. People have been given slots of 1 2 hours and theyve been fully booked here, theyve been turning people away who showed up, thats how excited people are to be out and about. All through the morning weve seen people, as you say, excitedly going to sit down and have a coffee and eat in a cafe as well. The ten people rule applies really to all public spaces, so cafes, restaurants, shops, even places of worship. A big day for families because playgrounds are open, so its back to the swings for the children. Its not quite business as usual, but its a sigh of relief for many people here as many areas around australia cautiously move towards easing of the rules and reopening the economy. Teachers unions in england will meet government scientific advisers today, to seek assurances that it will be people in wales will get more details from the first minister Mark Drakeford later on how the country might come out of lockdown germanys economy has shrunk by more than 2 in the First Quarter of the year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic putting the country technically into recession. Coronavirus has been relatively slow to spread in africa compared to other parts of the world, but the Research Predicts that a quarter of a billion strong population of the whos a billion strong population of the whos africa region could be infected over a 12 month period. Of those, some five and a half million would require hospital treatment, putting strain on services across the continent. The study predicts a maximum depth of 190,000. That would bea maximum depth of 190,000. That would be a lower rate of death to infections than we have seen in the us and europe, which could be due to younger populations and lower rates of obesity. Doctor, thank you very much for being here on bbc news with us. What is the situation as it stands with regards to infections across africa . Currently come across africa, we are seeing a very low rate of infection compared to what youre seeing the us, europe and parts of asia. Most people predicted earlier on. It has been quite a relief. It is difficult to generalise when there are so many countries on the continent, but what are they doing in terms of social distancing and putting restrictions in place ahead of the increase in infections . I think most countries are following social distancing rules and hygiene measures. A few of them like tanzania have perhaps ignored that, but people are practising social distancing rules, even without being told by the government or the government trying to put the restrictions on, so, overall, we are not seeing as much in terms of congregations and interactions that would lead to an explosive surge in infection. That isa explosive surge in infection. That is a good thing. How varied are the different Health Services in terms of their ability across the continent to cope with the number of people who might, for example, need to go on to ventilators . If you ask me, ithink to go on to ventilators . If you ask me, i think the only country where it is technically possible is south africa and mauritius, but most countries across africa do not have the capacity to cater for the population. But overall, i think the Health System could not cope with a surge, even a small surge like what has been predicted. The population is young, so that is one potential piece of optimism, i suppose, because it tends to affect younger people less smack theres not much interaction between the young and the Elderly Population what you are seeing in other places, so it is a good thing. What the other medical conditions which might be neglected as a result of the spread of covid 19 . Everything from hiv, tb and then cancer care, everything from hiv, tb and then cancer ca re, because everything from hiv, tb and then cancer care, because more or most hospitals are closed and people are scared of going to hospital. This is going to have an impact, and we dont know what is the impact on mortality on the continent. Studies will reveal sooner later. In our laboratories, the number of people on dialysis etc i much reduced. They must not be seeking health care in the first place then. What help would you hope would come from the International Community for the poorest countries in africa at least . What africa has done has been ahead of everybody else and that needs to be intensified terms of social distancing, personal hygiene and so on. I dont think the Health System and so on. I dont think the health syste m ca n and so on. I dont think the Health System can be ramped up to caterfor the population. The situation needs to be contained but at the same time open up the economy because people are going hungry. The best thing that can be done from the International Community and countries themselves is how do they balance open up the economy but at the same time making sure that the virus spread is kept slow as it has been happening. Thank you very much for joining been happening. Thank you very much forjoining us. Its a pleasure. In yemen, scores of covid 19 cases have been recorded across the country. But the un warns that the virus is spreading largely undetected. Yemens Health System has been ravaged by war as the country remains divided between an internationally recognized government in the south, and the houthi group based in the north. The bbc gained access to hospitals in the houthi controlled capital sanaa that is bracing for an outbreak with very little resources. Nawal al maghafi reports. The people here are no longer afraid of the bullets. They have learnt to live with war, starvation and cholera. And now, there is a new threat. One that has shattered the worlds most developed countries coronavirus. In yemen, the First Official case of covid 19 was announced on april 10th. Since then, scores of cases have been detected across the country where half of all the medical facilities have been destroyed by war. The Kuwait Hospital is still operating. Its said to be the best equipped in sanaa to receive patients with covid 19. The bbc has gained access to it. This nurse knows how dangerous the virus is in such a fragile Health System. Translation this hospital is the main centre for receiving coronavirus patients. We have 16 icu beds. If we have an outbreak, how will these beds be enough . Well only receive the first 16 patients but after that we will have to turn people away. There are only 200 ventilators for a population of nearly 30 Million People. The Houthi Movement based in the north of the country has only announced two cases and a single death in sanaa. But our sources tell us that the situation is more dire. That there have been scores of covid 19 cases and deaths in sanaa alone. The un warns that the virus could be spreading undetected in yemen. While reporting on the coronavirus has been banned by the authorities, videos like this one have been circulating on social media. Yet across the country, there have been few containment measures to keep the pandemic at bay. In some neighbourhoods, mosques were closed and markets shut down. But others are terrifyingly crowded. Here in this quarantine centre, Health Workers are scrambling to prepare for a third influx of covid 19 cases. Translation there is only one floor out of five that is ready to use. We are facing a shortage of ppe and disinfectants. Every ten people here share a bathroom and theres two to a room. There is so much to do in a country that is already the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. The people here are acutely malnourished. Cholera and diphtheria waves have ripped through the country over the years. More than 24 Million People survive on humanitarian aid. That has been hampered by the Saudi Led Coalition blockade. And now american aid officials decided to halt funding, cutting off about 70 million in assistance destined for people in the houthi controlled northern parts of the country. Us aid says the houthis are to blame. There is a risk that aid is not going to go where it is meant to go, in those programmes and keep the aid flowing to the people who need it most. Otherwise, the people in yemen who are living in fear of coronavirus and will suffer the most. Despite a ceasefire designed to help the country focus on containing the virus, fighting has continued. This war has brought yemen to its knees. And now, with a deadly pandemic, there is no sign of relief for the people here. Nawal al maghafi, bbc news. Motorists in london will start paying congestion charge and low emission charge from monday. Nhs staff and care home workers are to be exempt. Its to prevent traffic build up after people were told by the government it was their civic duty avoid public transport. I think people outside of london will understand there is a charge, a congestion charge, but there are actually two. That has been suspended during the pandemic so that key workers can get into the centre of the city. Nhs workers, ca re centre of the city. Nhs workers, care workers. What transport for london, the ultimate boss of that is the london mayor, are saying now is that the congestion charge and the ultra low emission charge will come back from monday. As you said, nhs workers and care workers will be exempt. I think they will have to claim the money back. That is the suggestion this morning. But any other care workers, key workers, anybody else continuing to work in central london, will have to start paying that charge from monday. They are also saying that the congestion charge, currently £11 50 to dive into london on that particular scheme, that is set to rise from june the 22nd to £15. That is going to cost more. The controversy here is around the government advice, avoid public transport at all costs if you can. Some people cannot, so they are travelling on public transport. Some people are questioning less. Why bring the congestion charge back in when that is still the advice . Transport london are saying they need to stop the boats getting clogged up as more people return to work. Roads. People might have seen that the government has bailed out transport for london. It has bailed out lots of transport authorities across the country. Obviously, the revenue has collapsed and they still have high costs. They have failed transport for london out, but there have been conditions on that. We are told that this rise in the congestion charge isnt actually linked as a condition of that Central Government bailout. There are conditions like the fact that fares here in the capital will have to rise slightly more than the london mayor was promising before, because the government says that has to be the case going forward. Nhs staff on the front line of the pandemic should receive the same Mental Health support as soldiers returning from a war zone. Thats the view of a leading psychiatrist who says workers are at risk of developing post Traumatic Stress disorder if they dont get long term care. Our Health Correspondent Anna Collinson reports. Hello . Dont mind me. Treating coronavirus has been a challenge like no other, with staff risking their own lives to save others. Pressures on hospitals may be starting to ease, but its been relentless. It would be like having a terrorist attack, you know, at the door of the hospital every day, twice a day, for months. Thats the magnitude of it. It would be like having 15, 20 patients who are really on the edge, who are going to die in the next few hours if you dont do anything every 12 hours. Thats how bad it is. Theres no real downtime for me or for the other staff. We dont really reflect or process things. I think this may have long term consequences on our physical and Mental Health. We are just doing what we can to save peoples loved ones. Some dont like the use of war language to talk about the coronavirus, but weve been told the Mental Health problems that nurses and doctors could experience may be similar to that of troops returning from a war zone. Its argued that the critical moment for treatment will be when the pressure subsides and life returns to a new normal. Inspired by his military background, a Mental Health advisor to the nhs says a robust Long Term Plan is needed to prevent staff developing conditions like post Traumatic Stress disorder. Its what happened after the trauma that is most predictive of what people will be like in terms of their Mental Health. If its not done well, if we muck it up, then actually thats going to really make the trauma theyve already had much more difficult to deal with. Professor greenberg says when covid pressures subside, workers should receive an official acknowledgement for their work, they should take leave followed by a slow introduction into the new role, and they should undergo regular Mental Health screenings for at least a year. But an nhs Mental Health service wants a more varied Long Term Support plan so it can suit different needs, from care workers to call handlers. Every Single Member of the nhs should have access to a confidential psychological Health Service that is fast access for them because if theyre having to wait in a queue behind everyone else then i think is putting them at more risk. And is it ready them now . So there is a lot already in train. I think more needs to come. All four Health Services in the uk are currently providing workers with Mental Health support via phone and online. Formal Long Term Plans are varied, with Northern Ireland offering the most detail. Theres currently overwhelming support for our carers, but its claimed a better way to thank them will be the availability of professional help for years to come after the clapping has stopped. Anna collinson, bbc news. Hello, this is bbc news. The headlines teachers unions in england will hold talks with the governments top scientific advisers today demanding assurances that it will be safe to open Primary Schools to more children next month. But one Academy Founder calls opposition rather middle class for some children, they have Digital Access and they are safe and they are sound and they are being well fed. That is not true for many of the kids, the children in our school. People in wales will get more details from the first minister Mark Drakeford later today on how the country might come out of lockdown europes biggest economy germany has shrunk by more than 2 in the First Quarter of the year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic putting the country technically into recession. The World Health Organization says up to a quarter of a billion people in africa could catch coronavirus this year. But says the outbreak is likely to be less deadly than in europe and the us. Cafes and restaurants have begun reopening in many parts of australia, but with limits on the number of customers allowed in. And calls for nhs workers in the uk whove treated coronavirus patients to get the same Mental Health support as soldiers returning from war. A study in spain suggests that about 2. 3 Million People have contracted the coronavirus. Thats about 5 of the whole population and about ten times more than the official number of confirmed cases. In the study, 60,000 people were tested to see if they had the anti bodies which fight off the virus. Spains minister of science, pedro duque, revealed the findings along with Spains Health minister, this week. Im pleased to say we now can speak to mr duque who joins us from madrid. Welcome to bbc news. How alarmed are you that the rate of infection seems much higher than you initially thought . Officially what we have is the data of the people who have been tested positive. Obviously, Everybody Knows that there might be more people around and what we have done is scientifically comprehensive and a very robust to test that is, we believe, the best that has been donein we believe, the best that has been done in the world and now we have the numbers, how many people have developed antibodies and it is also significant only regional level. The test for antibodies, the one that is safe to use and reliable, was only available from the beginning of this month. How have you managed to test so month. How have you managed to test so many people with it in such a short time . Well, it is obviously not magic. We have been surveying the market and what we have done is to have the best available lets say quick tests for antibodies that we could find to add on top of that and another test that is done in labs in order to check the previous and on top of that we have been checking with our own microbiology labs, the results of all of that. What we have done is take the best of the market can offer and then check them against one another so that we had less tha n against one another so that we had less than 10 margin on our results. There are some quite noticeable regional differences across the country. How do you account for those . Of course, the results of the study are still being analysed by our scientists and by the people who are in charge of the Health Systems and we are, of course, backtracking to whatever has happened in the previous months, but it is obvious that the virus has arrived to certain areas of spain in the beginning quite strongly. That were very localised and then it has spread in a certain way from the hubs of madrid and barcelona and it will reveal a lot about from when it came and four it it did not. Our microbiology institutes have been studying the genetics of the different areas of spain, of the virus in the different areas and found that no less than 15 different strains of virus are present in spain, so probably we have virus from many different places. How will these results then affect how your lift restrictions in different parts of the country . There has been a confirmation that we have to be extremely prudent and cautious with the lifting of restrictions because there is not enough people that we can even imagine that are immune to the virus so we have to be very cautious and it has also shown that there is a very large difference very large differences in the providence of the virus and the intensity of the epidemics in different areas of the country. It has revealed that the strategy that we have set up that is regional changes of measures in different areas, we can go further than in others. It has been really substantiated and we believe we are going to learn much more from this study so that we can take the best decisions. What do these results mean for the idea of herd immunity, to protect the populationlike this i think that having completely significant scientifically based no holds barred study gives us the safety in the numbers that we cannot really cou nt safety in the numbers that we cannot really count on that really. We have had here and of course in britain, france, in many areas, in italy, lots of people suffering a lot from this disease. And therefore, i think it shows that in order to achieve the immunity of the population, we would have to make great sacrifices with people and that we would probably have to be much more confident in the science that would find a vaccine and until then we have to be extremely cautious, keep our limitations and have the people follow the recommendations of the Health System. Spins minister of science and innovation, pedro duque, thank you for your time today spains. This week, the Indian Government unveiled a 266 billion dollar economic package to help people whove lost work and businesses because of the pandemic. Part of that package is aimed at helping migrant workers, who have been left without any income. Tens of thousands unable to work or to get home during the recent lockdown are now trying to get back to their villages. That means a long journey much of it by foot. The bbcs salman ravi is on the the outskirts of delhi. As the lockdown due to coronavirus has extended beyond 15 days life has become miserable by the migrant labourers who are working in the state capital and suburbs and satellite towns around delhi. They are satellite towns around delhi. They a re left satellite towns around delhi. They are left with no option other than to adjust a trend back to their homes with a little means of transport available, no means of food back where they were stealing in delhi are other areas because the industries have disowned them. You can see lots of people with their bags, they are walking away, some have already covered more than 500 kilometres on foot in the scorching sun. And now it is anotherjourney for more than 100,000 kilometres again and they are not sure whether they will be able to reach their villages without being infected by the disease. That is any biggest concern. The government officials have claimed that border areas that separate state there have been checked was to test people, to make sure that they are not positive of coronavirus so that they do not spread the disease back in their villages. These people, they feel that coronavirus is a lesser problem than hunger. They say that if they stay back, they are going to die of hunger, even if they survive coronavirus. More now on the news that unions representing teachers and school staff will meet the governments top scientific advisors today, as they demand reassurance over the safety of opening schools in england next month. Some teachers have expressed concern that social distancing will be difficult to implement and have questioned whether staff should be given ppe. Annita mcveigh has been speaking to steve chalke whos the founder of Oasis Community learning hes planning to re open all 35 of his primary academies next month. Although for some children they have Digital Access and they are safe and they are sound and they are being well fed through the lockdown, thats not true for many of the kids and children in our school. Our school, 45 of our children should have Free School Meals, but the system to deliver them has failed completely. Many of them dont have gardens. They are shut up inside in poor, small, damp, overcrowded conditions, and this is an incredible strain on their Mental Health and their parents Mental Health and weve been asked by parents to reopen our schools. In fact, we kept some of them open throughout. Social distancing. How will it look then . How will the classes, when these schools reopen, look . Will you have smaller class sizes . Yes. And we have 35 Primary Schools. Every building is different, so what weve done is a unique Risk Assessment of each building. Some have wide corridors, some dont. Oversized classrooms, some dont. Some have just one or two entrances, some have multiple entrances. We can split the day, we can cut down the day. This is simply for children and parents who want to come and they are not worried and were not, of course, insisting that any staff member or any child comes back. Theres no pressure whatsoever. Mary newton is a Primary School teacher shes also a mum of two primary aged children. She joins me via webcam from oxford. Welcome. Will you be sending your children back . Will you be going back to teach injune if that is what is decided . Back to teach injune if that is what is decided . Our children definitely will not be going back. We have a daughter in year six and we have already made the decision that she will not be going back in june. What about you as a teacher . Asa june. What about you as a teacher . As a teacher, presently the school i teach at, we use a google classroom and that is working, very, very well with our children and families. We are also in teams so, at present, i am ona are also in teams so, at present, i am on a monday team so im physically in the building on monday is looking after an average of about eight children. From key worker families are vulnerable children. It is doable, but in our school, we have three classrooms which are open plan so we open them up to the eight children so we can distance them very well. Equipment is labelled very well. Equipment is labelled very clearly so we are able to stick to the bills. What is your opposition, though, to having bigger classes stick to the rules. Perhaps 15 people in classes question you will have heard mr chalk saying that disadvantaged children will be harmed by being away from school for so long best mac i think that we should support her disadvantaged children completely. I do not think we should be making the majority of our children vulnerable. But the idea that you can have children out of school for this length of time, isnt that damaging to their learning . Particularly smaller ones who have only just learning . Particularly smaller ones who have onlyjust begun education . I think it is different in every family setup. I think most of our schools have been extremely supportive with work being sent out and help on hand where parents are finding it difficult. I think sending children and staff back to schools is potentially extremely dangerous any situation where we do not actually know how that will affect anybody, both physically and mentally. I think Mental Health wise, the children will be going back to a very different experience of school with lots of rules they have to adhere to, with staff who understandably will be very anxious. What is your reply, though, to those who say that teachers are guilty of exceptionalism in the fact that they do not think they should have to wear when other key workers have worked throughout the whole pandemic questioning should not have to go in . Teachers are willing to go in if the conditions are right. I do not have any colleagues who have said they will not go in. But understandably, there are still very, very many questions to be a nswered very, very many questions to be answered before we feel safe enough that the environment is ok to actually be there with so many children. Thank you very much for joining us. Thank you. Northern ireland is home to some of the most famous political murals in europe, many of them symbolising the violent divisions of the regions past. But, the wall art has taken on a more unified front during the pandemic, bringing those on different sides of the conflict together, to create colourful messages of support for the nhs. As our ireland correspondent chris page reports. For years, murals often stored up images of violence, division and fear. Pictorial markers of paramilitary territory. But the Coronavirus Crisis is generating a different brand of street art with one unifying theme. People in clonduff in east belfast are literally seeing a positive sight amidst all the difficult news. It has brought communities closer together. Its good to see some of the sectarian murals out of the road, and these wonderful, ones for the Health Service. Other traditions are being adapted, too. Loyalist parades and bonfires are strong and sometimes controversial symbols of identity. Usually at this time of year, thousands of wooden pallets like these are gathered up and piled one on top of each other before theyre set alight later in the summer. But here in portadown, bonfire builders have decided to use the resources to spell out a huge message. Its a common cause which all communities are rallying to. In west belfast, young members of a Republican Socialist Party are making ppe for staff and care homes. It is supporting working class people. For us, it is the do all, be all and people. For us, it is the do all, be alland end people. For us, it is the do all, be all and end all for us. It is our politics and what we feel we need to do. And the deliverys being organised by two former paramilitary prisoners. One is a loyalist, the other republican. Once they would have been enemies, now theyre a team. If youre going back over 25 years ago, what we were going through then, maybe this is completely different but there are still people down so i think if we can get through the troubles, i think we can get through covid 19. I think its a human thing, i think when were faced with something that either frightens us or does something to us, that we can forget some differences and focus on the one thing that we need to challenge. In a place too often characterised by past disputes and differences, the pandemic is changing perspectives. Chris page, bbc news, belfast. You have perhaps seen photos of the restaurant in the netherlands thats serving meals in greenhouses. Could they provide a solution, a covid 19 proof environment to help kick start our social lives . Our reporter Anna Holligan has been to amsterdam to see how staff are preparing to serve customers after lockdown. A covid secure space to socialise. Could these greenhouses be the future of going out . As countries emerge from lockdown, all over europe, they are experimenting with new ways to get people dining out again. Temperature checks, outdoor seating and this innovative idea is designed to help people adjust from a state of isolation to a degree of social contact. And overcome the inevitable anxiety many of us feel about mixing in public again while the risk of infection still exists. The head chef is happy to be back in the kitchen. Working is always kind of like a way to care for people, so actually, in this moment especially, i think for chefs it is more important because we lose the opportunity to feed the people and care for the people in our restaurants. Waitresses and diners must observe social distancing advice. Here in the netherlands, that means staying 1. 5 metres apart. These wooden planks serve as a low Tech Solution to help stick to the rules. But still the staff has some concerns. I worry all the time. I am also italian so italy now is in the middle of the storm, i would say. But at the same time, we have the role of make this fear maybe a little bit less and not to forget about it at all, but to start co living with it maybe. So do the guests share her reservations . I think you just have to think about your hygiene more, just washing your hands, make sure that you keep a distance. I think especially if you want to go out with an older person, it is very nice to have this option. The real appeal maybe the reassurance and ability the real appeal may be the reassurance and ability to reignite our faith in venturing out again. Anna holligan, bbc news, amsterdam. Concerns are growing over the amount of food that may go to waste as the coronavirus outbreak throws the farming supply chain into disarray. With travel between countries unreliable and in some cases not possible at all, farmers are struggling to find Seasonal Workers for jobs such as fruit picking. A surplus of Agricultural Produce is starting to build up and farmers are having to make difficult decisions about what to do with it. Lets speak now to Allan Buckwell who is professor in Agricultural Policy at Imperial College london. He is also a Senior Research fellow at the institute for European Environmental policy. Thank you forjoining us. Just how big a problem is agricultural surplus proving to be . It is a problem because the market for food through the Food Service Sector has been hugely diminished because we have close cafe is, restaurants, many were canteens and so on. Have close cafe is, restaurants, many were canteens and so on. Not all of it, but most of it has shut down completely and is only starting to reopen in some countries. It means that the food that was going through that chain has got to change and switch into retail. People are still, broadly speaking, eating the same amount as they always did, but it turns out quite difficult to switch some of that because package sizes are different and the processing is different for the products going through cafe is and so on products going through cafe is and so on and restaurants than it is through retail. So some biggish quantities of milk, some potatoes and various products are piling up so and various products are piling up so prices at farm gate are falling. How are farmers having to adapt . M is partly farmers and if they can store the product they will try, but if you have mostly had a contact with the Food Service Sector, you have to find a way of signing a new contract with the Retail Sector. The Retail Sector once your products because people are still eating, so it is more to do with the fruit processors, it is more to do with the fruit processors, Food Processors are changing their food processing, manufacturing to switch from one line to another. They are doing this, it takes time, but for some products it is much more difficult. We are simply eating fewer of the best cuts of meat and so on. Meat prices, beef prices have fallen. How can farmers possibly plan, then, when the future is so uncertain . With difficulty. They are in the same boat that we are all in. They are staring at the news and watching when we are likely to come out and it is likely that the restaurant and cafe is will be amongst the last to reopen. Or they will open with a much reduced throughput. Im afraid farming is suffering a loss as many other sectors are suffering a loss. They are helped by policy, particularly only a european scale. The common Agricultural Policy is quite generous for supporting farmers in difficulties. Professor Alan Blackwell from Imperial College london. Thank you forjoining us today professor alan buckwell. Now even if we cant take in some culture during the pandemic at least some furry creatures can enjoy a nice day out. Three peruvian penguins from Kansas City Zoo in the us have been given a day pass to tour a museum at their leisure. Zoo keepers said it was a chance to boost their spirits as they miss social interaction. Who would be a penguin . Ifeel quite envious. I hope they are enjoying the masters. Youre watching bbc news. Now its time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. After that particularly wet start to spring, the second half of the season has been particularly dry. A change for the southern areas as we go through the next five days. Rainfall amounts over the next five days, wet returning across the north. The darker blue says around two inches or 50 mil metres of rain. Most of that will fall on sunday. If you shower is already in western scotla nd you shower is already in western scotland today. At the same in fort william. Ina scotland today. At the same in fort william. In a fume showers will continue. Perhaps into Northern Ireland and north west england. The vast majority will be dry. After a sunny saturday afternoon, a bit more cloud around for the vast majority with some sunny spells and temperatures close to where they should be very time of your 13 to 18 celsius. Colder weather across shetland, strong to Gale Force Winds in northern scotland which will continue as we go through into tonight. Further showers around, further south for most places will be dry. Partly. Tonight it is not going to be as cold, still a bit of a chill, but we have the frost gone at least for the foreseeable. Temperatures well above freezing in most parts of the uk. Not as cold tomorrow morning, still a bit of a chill in the air. A lot of dry weather round, some breaks any cloud, sunny spells. Showers continue on in North Western scotla nd continue on in North Western scotland and is cloud figures a knock down, turn heavier because a knock down, turn heavier because a knock down, turn heavier because a knock down, turn hazy across northern england, we could see the odd splash of light rain or drizzle doesnt temperatures very similar to did a s values. Staying cold in shetland. There is reloading milder atlantic reloading milderatlantic air reloading milderatlanticairto fishing in these weather fronts. These will bring any persistent rain for the highlands and islands of scotland. Rainfall totals totting up through the day. Rainfall across eastern scotland at times, not thoroughly wet though and Northern Ireland will see rain come and go, potentially to the far north of england built up the further side, the dietary continues. Temperatures back about 20 celsius. As we go into next week, at that area of High Pressure brings again, the rain is strea m pressure brings again, the rain is stream and into tuesday. High pressure becomes established and around it we start to drag any more in the way of a southerly flow of air into the uk and that will bring ever increasing temperatures. By wednesday, temperatures wide into the 20s. And it is put into the high 20s too. Bye for now. This is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. Teachers unions in england will meet government scientific advisers today to seek assurances that it will be safe to open schools in england to more children from next month. But one Academy Founder calls opposition rather middle class. For some children, they have had Digital Access and they are safe and theyre sound and they are being well fed through the lockdown. That is not true for many other children in our school. People in wales will get more details from the first minister Mark Drakeford later on how the country might come out of lockdown europes biggest economy germany has shrunk by more than 2 in the First Quarter of the year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, putting the country technically into recession. The World Health Organisation says up to a quarter of a billion people in africa could catch coronavirus this year. But says the outbreak is likely to be less deadly than in europe and the us. Cafes and restaurants have begun reopening in many parts of australia, but with limits on the number of customers allowed in. And calls for nhs workers in the uk whove treated coronavirus patients to get the same Mental Health support as soldiers returning from war. Itd be like having 15 or 20 patients who are, really, you know, on the edge, who are going to die in the next few hours if you dont do anything every 12 hours. Hello and welcome to audiences in the uk and around the world. Were covering all the latest coronavirus developments here and globally. Unions representing teachers and school staff in england will meet the governments scientific advisors today as they demand reassurance over the safety of opening schools next month. Some teachers have expressed concern that social distancing will be difficult to implement and have questioned whether staff should be given ppe. A road map setting out how wales could lift lockdown measures will be published by the countrys first minister later. Mark drakeford will explain how restrictions on day to day life, schools and businesses could begin to be eased. Europes biggest economy, germany, has shrunk by 2. 2 in the First Quarter of the year, its steepest quarterly contraction for more than a decade. German officials predict worse to come when the full effects of its coronavirus lockdown become clear. Scientists have warned that almost a quarter of a billion people in africa could catch covid 19 if containment measures are not successful. But the World Health Organization says an outbreak in africa is likely to be less deadly than elsewhere, largely because of the continents young population. And in australia, restaurants, cafes and shops can now open in the countrys most populous state of New South Wales. Bars and pubs are re opening as well, but, landlords are only allowed to serve 10 people at a time. 0urfirst report this afternoon is from our correspondent, Charlotte Rose schools in england are counting down the days until some pupils could return to the classroom on the first ofjune. But teaching unions their members want more reassurance about the risks of transmission of the virus between children and adults. Schools are already taking measures like increased cleaning, reducing class sizes, staggering the start and end of the school day for different groups of pupils, and creating one way systems around their sites. But teachers are asking why the government is recommending people wear face masks on public transport and at the supermarket, but not in schools. Weve always said that we very much hope to see schools returning in the week of the 1st ofjune. And we will continue to work with unions but also many other School Bodies to make sure that schools return in a phased, considered, and controlled way. Making sure that the safety of both children and those who work in schools are our top priority. Later today, welsh first minister Mark Drakeford is due to set out plans for the easing of the lockdown in wales but emphasising the need for continued caution. Unlike the westminster government, he wont be setting out a timetable for lifting restrictions on schools and businesses. But like england, wales is expected to use a traffic light system based on the rate of infection. Although that rate is slowing across the four nations of the uk, yesterdays figures showed 428 people had died from covid 19 in the past 24 hours, taking the total to 33,614. The swab goes right to the back of the throat. The results of a swab test survey on 11,000 people in england showed that around one in 400 people are currently infected. Around 0. 27 of the population. New figures released by nhs england also revealed that more than a quarter of those who died from the virus had diabetes, although we dont know whether this is type one or type two. Last night, thousands of people came out once again to clap for carers. Horns toot. It was the eighth week that people took to the streets to mark their appreciation for workers on the frontline. Across the uk, and from up high, and below deck, people showed their support for those still battling against the virus. Charlotte rose, bbc news. Our Political Correspondent iain watson is at westminster, quite a lot of concerns before schools can be open in england . M isa schools can be open in england . M is a crucial meeting because depending on the answer is that the teaching unions get, that will determine whether the government really ca n determine whether the government really can open a substantial number of schools, Primary Schools, the first of a phased return to education. Amongst the concerns the unions have is how small with class sizes have to bes unions have is how small with class sizes have to hes also, as you have been hearing, there are concerns over whether teachers should be wearing ppe for example. And they will be asking for a scientific advice on distancing. Governments own guidelines acknowledges that you expect Primary School age children to stay two metres apart from one another. They are trying to introduce social distancing in different ways, having them in small clusters and making sure they dont go out supply at the same time. Making sure they dont share equipment. The teaching unions wants to know that that doesnt put them on other children at greater risk of infection than the general population. If they come out dissatisfied from that meeting there will be a real problem for the education secretary in trying to bring children back into school. He says it is important because disadvantaged children are especially losing out at the moment. But he has also got to convince pa rents but he has also got to convince parents as well as unions that it is safe to go back. How likely is it that it would be mandatory attendance for staff and pupils . Government has not gone down that road. It says it would be encouraging people to go back to school. If some schools said they have safety issues and a duty of care to their employees, they could be in a position where they decide they are not going to open the school. They are not saying as yet that it would be mandatory, but people are raising questions as to why schools in england are going to begin to return on it during the first and schools in scotland, wales and Northern Ireland are not, they are taking longer. They are taking longer to be convinced that the rate of infection in their area i the uk xi lz ¥ lg 9,222,272; iii elf 2lt continuing to ll lz l lg al 727 72 2; izil lil 2lt continuing to goasfirr thank ll lz l ll lilzlllz; ll lil luff continuing to 90. 5525 . Thank you is continuing to go down. Thank you very much. The first minister of wales, Mark Drakeford, has said he wasnt consulted before the uk government took the decision to change the lockdown slogan from stay at home to stay alert. Hes expected to set out a plan for easing the lockdown in wales today, but says he wont give a timetable for lifting restrictions. Wales is currently still enforcing a stay at home message. At h did message. At h did m;igjzi find borisjohnson was at h did m;igjzi find Boris Johnson was changing at h did m;igjzi find borisjohnson was changing the