Lockdown in England to be mostly lifted on 4 July but ‘rules must be rigorously kept to’Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBoris Johnson hailed the beginning of the end of “our long national hibernation” as he set out a dramatic easing of lockdown rules amid warnings from government scientists that the move was “not risk-free”.From 4 July in England,...

Boris Johnson’s determination to kickstart economic recovery is a gamble, when test-and-trace systems are a work in progress and the coronavirus threat is still substantialCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverage For the first time since the coronavirus pandemic gripped Britain, Boris Johnson was able on Tuesday to offer a glimpse of the “Merrie England” kind of prime...

Sage advisers warn of risks of halving 2-metre rule while reopening venues in England Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe easing of multiple lockdown measures in England at once risks Covid-19 gaining a fresh foothold, scientists advising the government have warned.They raised concerns over the halving of the 2-metre physical distancing rule at the same time as...

Those in England most at risk from Covid-19 prepare for 6 July when life will tiptoe back to normalCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageAfter what will be more than 100 days in isolation, people with underlying health issues, who are most at risk from Covid-19, are preparing with some trepidation for 6 July when life will begin to return to normal for many who have been...

How PM’s latest announcement affects pubs and restaurants, hairdressers and galleriesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe government’s lockdown rules to control coronavirus are easing on 4 July in England to allow many more businesses, as well as leisure facilities, to reopen, with other measures also relaxed. Continue...

Lords committee told children may have to be immunised to protect their grandparentsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageA vaccine against Covid-19 may not work well in older people who are most at risk of becoming seriously ill and dying from the disease, say scientists, which may mean immunising others around them, such as children.Prof Peter Openshaw, from Imperial, one...

Members of two households will be able to dine together from 4 July in latest lockdown easingCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageMembers of two different households will be able to drink or dine together from 4 July in England as long as they stick to physical-distancing guidelines, the prime minister has announced, as he confirmed the 2-metre rule would be dropped in...

Local health chiefs say real-time information is crucial to monitor spread of disease Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageLocal outbreaks of Covid-19 could grow undetected because the government is failing to share crucial testing data, council leaders and scientists have warned.More than a month after being promised full details of who has caught the disease in their...

The 55 Beidou project satellites will try to emulate American navigation tool known as GPSChina has launched the final satellite in its Beidou constellation that emulates the US Global Positioning System (GPS), marking a further step in the country’s advance as a major space power.The launch of the satellite onboard a Long March-3 rocket was broadcast live from the satellite launch base of...

With reports that there are lower rates of smokers being admitted to hospital with Covid-19 in France and trials to test whether nicotine patches can reduce the severity of infection, but also data showing that smokers are more likely to contract the disease and develop severe symptoms, what’s actually going here? Sarah Boseley talks to Dr Nick Hopkinson to find out more Continue...

Texas ‘wide open for business’; WHO urges dexamethasone steroid boom; South Africa infections top 100,000. Follow the latest updatesSaudi Arabia closes borders to hajj attendeesHalf of US states see spike as officials warn first wave far from overGlobal cases pass 9 millionBarcelona opera reopens with performance for nearly 3,000 potted plantsSee all our coronavirus coverage 1.58am BST...

Men who have fought off virus have higher levels of antibodies in their blood than womenCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageMen who have recovered from Covid-19 are being asked to donate plasma to be used to treat sick patients in trials because they have higher levels of virus-fighting antibodies in their blood than women.Convalescent plasma is being trialled around the...