More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Lorry drivers working longer shifts to deliver much-needed supplies are being refused service at stops along the way, KentOnline has been told.
Truckers are key workers and are under emergency law changes can now drive for up to 11 hours without stops but due to closures and special coronavirus policies service stations are not helping them. We spoke to one to see how bad the situation is.
Meanwhile the death toll passed 4,000 over the weekend, with more than 40,000 cases of Covid-19.
Follow our live blog for today's coronavirus updates:
8.18pm - Prime Minister in ICU
Boris Johnson is in intensive care after his coronavirus symptoms worsened.
5.31pm: Banks encouraged to step up and help small businesses
Dominic Raab says chancery is working with the banks and urging them to hand out loans to businesses.
He said the chancellor will set out the further detail on the rollout of support schemes "as soon as is practicable".
The Foreign Secretary declined to put a potential date on decelerating social distancing measures, adding they would not take their "foot off the pedal".
5.25pm - Chief medical officer says antibody tests are more useful at later stage of epidemic
"Clearly very important in the long run to how we manage this epidemic", adds Professor Whitty.
5.13pm - Chief scientific adviser says distance measures "are working"
Reviewing the latest data, Professor Angela McLean, chief scientific adviser for the Ministry of Defence, said the rate of infection was starting “we hope, to slow down”
But, she hastens to adds it really is "too soon" to know the impact of social distancing and other measures.
5.09pm - Foreign Secretary: We're working with airlines to bring Brits home
Dominic Raab says the government has brought home 20,000 people from Spain, 13,000 from Egypt and 8,000 from Indonesia.
He said: "For those travellers still stuck abroad, we are doing everything we can to keep airports open, commercial flights [running] and to charter flights."
5.04pm - Coronavirus daily briefing with Foreign Secretary and Chief Scientific Adviser
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab confirms the total number of deaths across the UK has now risen to 5,373.
4.48pm - Thanet fisherman delivering freshly caught produce to residents
A fisherman is serving up freshly caught fish from the surrounding waters of the Thanet coast and delivering them to people stuck at home, as the coronavirus lockdown measures continue.
Olly Swift, 24, from Ramsgate, offered his services on Facebook on Sunday and was surprised at how many people were interested.
4.20pm - Coral Princess cruise ship passengers flown home
A Kent couple who were stranded on a coronavirus-hit cruise ship on which two people died are finally home.
Mick Turnball from Bearsted, who first boarded the Coral Princess at the beginning of March with his partner, said once the lockdown began, the whole experience was "surreal".
3.55pm - Full story on The Open cancellation
Following the postponement of other major sporting events such as the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and Euro 2020, here's the full story on The Open - and when it will return.
3.45pm - 'Disappointment' as people play tennis during lockdown
A councillor has expressed his disappointment after people were spotted playing tennis in Ashford despite government advice to stay home.
The game took place on the courts at The Ridge in Kennington on Saturday, which are looked after by Ashford Borough Council and are free to use.
3.20pm - The Open
The event, which was set to come to Kent, is off.
The oldest golf tournament was due to take place in July at Royal St George’s Golf Club in Sandwich, will now be hosted by the venue in 2021.
3pm - Kent deaths
70 people in Kent have died from coronavirus, NHS England have confirmed.
Of these cases 24 were at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, 22 at East Kent Hospitals Trust, 13 in Dartford, 10 in Medway and one has been linked to Kent Community healthcare
2.42pm - People missing out on furlough process
Thousands of people across the UK are at risk of 'falling through the cracks' in the government's furloughing process, according to one Kent resident.
The measures- announced in an unprecedented package by Chancellor Rishi Sunak on Friday March 20- specify that employees must have started work by February 28 to qualify to have 80% of their wages paid by the government. Read more here.
2.17pm - NHS England reveal latest number of people who have died with Covid-19
A further 403 people in England with coronavirus have died. This brings the total to 4,897 as of 5pm last night.
The department of health and social care will tweet the cases for the UK later today.
1.46pm - MP defends farmers
A Kent MP has spoken out about the "appalling" treatment of farmers during the coronavirus pandemic.
Tonbridge and Malling MP Tom Tugendhat's tweet cameafter Winterdale Cheesemakers in Sevenoaks said it was "rough times" for the trade, with the business's milk not collected and instead, having to be poured down the drain. Read more here.
1.34pm - Message from the PM
10.57am - Send us your pictures for Snapshot Kent
Last week, we launched Snapshot Kent, a new photo competition set up to find your best lockdown pictures.
Some of you have already sent in pictures of what's happening in your home, from babies to pets and housework to new hairstyles. Keep them coming!
10.41am - Summer carnival cancelled
A seaside town's annual carnival parade which saw more than 20,000 people line the streets last year has been cancelled.
Margate Carnival was due to take place on Sunday, August 2, but due to growing concerns surrounding Covid-19, the organisers have decided to call it off.
10.21am - Les Mis family launch new lockdown song
A Kent family who went viral with a self-isolation adaptation of a Les Misérables track have released another song with lockdown-themed lyrics.
The six members of the Marsh family, who live in Faversham, became an online sensation last week - with their video being viewed by at least 10 million people.
10.01am - Couple celebrate 70th anniversary in isolation
When Bob Baker's house was bombed during the Second World War it would lead to a lifelong romance which would flourish to this very day.
The youngster, then 13, was re-located to a new school where he met a girl called Ruth and the pair would write notes to each other in class. Read more here.
9.12am - B&M Bargains to close stores
The budget retailer has announced that almost 50 of its stores will shut during the coronavirus outbreak due to financial troubles.
B&M has been allowed to continue trading under Government guidelines as an essential store, but bosses say they took the decision to close stores after reviewing its finances for the last quarter.
8.40am - New way to report those flouting lockdown rules
Kent Police has set up a new page on its website encouraging residents to report people ignoring the social distancing rules.
It comes after yet more people in the county were spotted breaking the guidelines during the sunny weekend.
The 'tell us about' page on the police website asks residents to give an address of where the breach happened or is happening.
Or, anyone using a mobile or device with satellite connection can press 'use current location' if they are at the scene themselves.
8.11am - Tiger tests positive for Covid-19
In what is the first known case of an animal catching the virus, a tiger at Bronx Zoo, in the US, has tested positive.
Six other lions and tigers at the zoo are also showing symptoms, but all are currently expected to recover.
8.05am - Hospital nurse shares emotional cover of Andrea Day’s hit song Rise Up
Emma Rivera, who works in the intensive care unit at the QEQM Hospital in Margate, dedicated her rendition to the continued efforts of fellow NHS staff.
"To maintain that teamwork and positive spirit is very important to us," the 40-year-old said.
7.49am - North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale reacts to "concerning" news of Boris Johnson being admitted to hospital.
The veteran MP says " is a harsh reminder that no one is immune to this virus which is why it is important that we all do as Boris has asked - stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives."
7.30am - Worldwide cases set to surpass 1.3 million today
The UK is eighth worst-hit country in the world, with Iran, China, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the US having more confirmed cases.
Almost 70,000 people have lost their lives to the disease so far.
7.12am - Ireland's PM helps hospital stall
Former doctor and current PM in Irelans, Leo Varadkar has re-joined the medical register.
He will be doing one shift a week answering helpline calls during the crisis.
7.00am - Boris Johnson in hospital
The Prime Minister has spent the night in hospital as his coronavirus symptoms persist.
Downing Street says he's still in charge of the country but his deputy, Dominic Raab will run the coronavirus meeting today.
