Thursday evening news briefing: Coronavirus lockdown 'grace period is over', warn police

Police 'may search shopping' to stop lockdown flouters

A top police officer has warned his force will consider roadblocks and searching shopping trolleys to stop lockdown flouters putting lives at risk. Chief Constable Nick Adderley, of Northamptonshire Police, said his force would now ramp up the enforcement of coronavirus regulations. Mr Adderley said the "three-week grace period is over", and people in the county could now face fines or a criminal record. His comments come as another police force has revealed it has had to close down more than 600 parties during the lockdown, including some with bouncy castles, fireworks and DJs. There were 1,132 incidents reported to Greater Manchester Police between March 25 and April 7. Read on for details.

So what are the lockdown rules? In case you have been living in a cave (in which case, you have probably been complying) here is a reminder. In this evening's Downing Street press conference, First Secretary of State Dominic Raab issued a plea to us all to stay at home over the Easter weekend, admitting the Government do not expect to make a decision on bringing the lockdown to an end until the latter part of next week. Talking about the frustration of not being able to see family and friends over the holidays, Mr Raab said "unfortunately, right now, we just can’t do those sorts of things and I’m really sorry about that." He added: "Thank you for your sacrifice but we are not done yet." It comes as the UK death toll increased by 881 to 7,978. Follow the latest here.

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PM still in 'good spirits' as he makes 'positive steps'

Boris Johnson's condition "continues to improve" in intensive care and he is in "good spirits", Downing Street has said. The Prime Minister had a "good night" in St Thomas' Hospital, where he has spent the last four nights. His official spokesman thanked the NHS for the "brilliant care" Mr Johnson has received. He was said to be continuing "standard oxygen treatment", while it was indicated he has not taken part in any drug trials for Covid-19. At this evening's Downing Street press conference, Mr Raab simply said Mr Johnson "continues to make positive steps forward". Here is a summary of everything we know about his recovery.

100 days of Covid-19: What will next 100 days hold?

On new year's eve last year the first case of Covid-19 was reported to the WHO. As of today, we are 100 days into living with the virus. We asked our expert journalists to look ahead and forecast what the next 100 days will hold. What is the outlook for their sector? Which key questions must be answered? And what will their world look like 100 days from now, on Saturday 18 July? Have a break from watching Netflix tonight and take 15 minutes to soak up their insight, after 100 days that changed the world.

At a glance: More coronavirus headlines

• A&E attendances | Lowest point since records began amid outbreak

• In pictures | The moment coronavirus infects a healthy cell

• Royal first | Queen posts Maundy money to Christian pensioners

• 'China centric' | Why Trump has threatened to cut funding to WHO

• Coronavirus positive | Why we should lay off well-paid footballers

Comment and analysis

• Angus Dalgleish | Resignation of top scientist exposes the EU's vanity

• Sherelle Jacobs | Enough war bluster – we must live with coronavirus

• Antonia Syn | Singapore's enviable response highlights its illiberalism

• Patrick O'Flynn | Sunak may get carried away spending our money

• Leo McKinstry | Why you should forget the 'power vacuum' hysteria

You Are Not Alone - Surviving coronavirus lockdown

1. Family's battle | 'My fit husband walked out of the house. Hours later, he was on a ventilator'

2. Holy Week in lockdown | It will be an Easter like no other

3. Honest John | How the car finance crisis has been fuelled by coronavirus

Business and money briefing

More Fed loans | The US Federal Reserve has announced it will provide up to $2.3tn in loans ​as it emerged unemployment claims spiked by another 6.6m, bringing the three-week total to about 16.8m during the economic shutdown. Follow the latest reaction in our business liveblog.

• Firms suffer | One in three businesses cut staff even before lockdown

• Diary of a fund manager | The stocks I want to own when this is over

• On top of markets | Live stocks and shares updates 24 hours a day

Video: Celebrities back Telegraph Appeal charity song

Comedian, musician and bestselling author Tony Hawks has recorded a new song, called Lockdown, and is using it to raise awareness of the Telegraph's Coronavirus Appeal. All proceeds from our appeal go to the national poverty charity Turn2us, which is providing emergency grants for people in the UK who have been hardest hit financially by the Covid-19 crisis. A video to accompany the song features a number of well known figures, all sharing their lockdown moments; they include Stephen Fry, Sandi Toksvig and Rob Brydon. Click here to watch.

Also in the news today

Debenhams collapse | Debenhams has called in administrators and the Queen's grocer Fortnum & Mason is putting 700 workers on taxpayer-funded leave as the crisis on the high street gathers pace. Details here.

• Democrat analysis | Series of 'what ifs' leave Sanders runner up again

• Airbnb move | Challenge to Rightmove and Zoopla on rental market

• Lies, mystery and beauty | The fascinating story of the Venus de Milo

• Joe Rogan | How libertarian pothead became powerful podcaster

• Inside story | Why Simple Minds hated Don't You (Forget About Me)

World news: One story you must read

Tiger King case | Donald Trump has responded to calls for a pardon for Joe Exotic, the colourful zoo owner at the centre of Netflix's breakout hit Tiger King. Exotic - whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage - is a mulleted, gun-toting polygamist who bred exotic animals while running an Oklahoma zoo. He is serving 22 years in prison for plotting to have an animal rights activist murdered. Now Mr Trump has intervened.

Tonight's TV

Coronavirus: How Clean Is Your House?, Channel 4, 8pm | Channel 4’s consumer-science series examines exactly how safe it is behind closed doors. Read on for more.

And finally... for this evening's downtime

End of an era | We could all use a laugh at the moment so there is something hugely bittersweet about the fact that hit comedy Modern Family has bowed out after 11 seasons. But after 11 years of hugs, off-camera in-fighting and eye-watering salaries, Ed Power reveals why this could be the end of the sitcom as we know it.