What the papers say – March 20
A variety of angles on the coronavirus crisis lead the papers on Friday, from the Queen’s message to the nation to the Prime Minister saying the tide can be turned inside three months.
The Times leads with words from the Queen saying Britain must “come together to work as one”, while the paper also reports on the first medical trials of vaccines beginning in the UK.
The Times 20/3/20Queen Elizabeth II leaves Buckingham Palace for Windsor Castle to socially distance herself amid the coronavirus pandemic. Photo.Aaron Chown/PA#tomorrowspaperstoday#thetimes @thetimespic.twitter.com/fJ63PJNXGW
— The Times Pictures (@TimesPictures) March 19, 2020
The Daily Mirror also leads with the Queen’s “inspirational rallying message”.
A look at tomorrow's front page:https://t.co/EF4LhAy6kD#TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/62hCRS3ZrF
— Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) March 19, 2020
The Daily Telegraph carries a preview of an announcement from the Chancellor Rishi Sunak on how people will be given “direct protection” from the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tomorrow’s Telegraph front page: “Support for millions of workers”#TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/hHQ0mXybT0
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 19, 2020
The Financial Times leads on a similar story, saying Mr Sunak is preparing a “big rescue plan” including wage subsidies for workers.
Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Friday 20 March https://t.co/81qF6BAjO2pic.twitter.com/NMcJ3AKqYy
— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) March 19, 2020
While the Guardian has a report saying trials of a vaccine will begin next month after experts have “accelerated tests”.
Guardian front page, Friday 20 March 2020: trials to begin on Covid-19 vaccine in UK next month pic.twitter.com/0pTVQi1kC8
— The Guardian (@guardian) March 19, 2020
Metro leads with Mr Johnson’s assertion that the tide can be turned within 12 weeks, a story which also leads the i.
Friday's front page:WE CAN TURN TIDEIN 12 WEEKS#tomorrowspaperstoday#bbcpapers#skypaperspic.twitter.com/8RlvgB3BoM
— Metro Newspaper UK (@MetroUKNews) March 19, 2020
Friday's front page: 12 weeks to turn tide in UK – as medics plead for public to follow advice #TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/QmoD8YaeYk
— i newspaper (@theipaper) March 19, 2020
The Independent asks whether the absence of new cases in Wuhan can be considered a “turning point”.
Friday’s INDEPENDENT digital: A glimmer of hope? #TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/M48w6ZedlL
— Helen Miller (@MsHelicat) March 19, 2020
A number of regional newspapers, including the Manchester Evening News, The Scotsman and the South Wales Echo pledge a show of support to their readers amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Here's Friday's South Wales Echo front page #ThereWithYoupic.twitter.com/aLOYQeoJwf
— WalesOnline (@WalesOnline) March 19, 2020
And the Sun leads with an appeal for Britons to “stop going to the pub”.
Tomorrow's front page: The Queen and the PM urged the UK to unite and behave responsibly to beat coronavirus within 12 weeks https://t.co/mVBD7XjJsgpic.twitter.com/R9tFp3V5Tf
— The Sun (@TheSun) March 19, 2020
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reports Mr Johnson attempted to “inject some hope” with his suggestion the situation could improve within 12 weeks.
Friday's @DailyMailUK#MailFrontPagespic.twitter.com/qVuq9dNWNz
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) March 19, 2020
The Covid-19 latest also leads the Daily Express, with the paper covering a plea to stop panic buying and the young being warned to stop socialising.
Friday’s EXPRESS: Boris: We can turn the tide in 12 weeks #TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/QBDXrPkb0I
— Helen Miller (@MsHelicat) March 19, 2020
And the Daily Star reports a “mountain” of toilet paper has been delivered to 10 Downing Street.
Tomorrow's @dailystar#frontpage:
– #Cornoravirus chaos: Bojo the bog roll bandit
– First Brit in trial jab
– 3 months to beat it #COVID19
#TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/icVF0ZhOBZ
— Daily Star (@dailystar) March 19, 2020