What the papers say – April 24
News on coronavirus testing, hospital shortages and the pathway back to normality figure prominently on the front pages of Friday’s papers.
The Daily Mail hails the arrival of coronavirus testing “for millions”, while the Daily Express says the mass testing will get Britain “back on her feet”.
MAIL: Corona test for millions #TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/Wldl9kGNHh
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) April 23, 2020
EXPRESS: Mass testing to get Britain ‘back on its feet’ #TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/JKJUe2V7ZK
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) April 23, 2020
The i says essential workers can book in for testing from Friday.
Friday's front page: Key workers promised tests starting today #TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/wxn7qocSwJ
— i newspaper (@theipaper) April 23, 2020
However, in an exclusive article The Guardian reports hospitals have sounded an alarm over alleged failings at one of the Government’s flagship testing centres.
Guardian front page, Friday 24 April 2020: Hospitals sound alarm at failings in privately run test centre pic.twitter.com/smbv6UqAwm
— The Guardian (@guardian) April 23, 2020
And The Independent says hospitals are now running out of dialysis machines needed to keep up to a third of Covid-19 patients alive.
INDEPENDENT DIGITAL: Now hospitals run out of vital kidney dialysis kit #TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/fGL4Tvm1MA
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) April 23, 2020
Meanwhile, first minister Nicola Sturgeon’s setting out Scotland’s road map for easing lockdown restrictions has heaped pressure on Downing Street to do the same for the UK, according to The Times.
The Times 24/4/20A husband and wife are self-isolating from each other at home in Edinburgh. Christine and Phil Rowe, both 52, both developed coronavirus symptoms. Photo : Katielee Arrowsmith/SWNS#tomorrowspaperstoday#thetimes #buyapaper @thetimespic.twitter.com/YXQdpEwv33
— The Times Pictures (@TimesPictures) April 23, 2020
The Daily Telegraph says Boris Johnson will be “back at the controls” from Monday.
The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph:
'Johnson back at the controls on Monday'#TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/QPawqzVogr
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) April 23, 2020
The Daily Mirror leads on Thursday night’s round of applause for medical workers.
Tomorrow's front page: Grateful Britain https://t.co/9Ny5VAhuYm#TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/CzwsUJOnOM
— Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) April 23, 2020
Metro leads on the show of thanks too, focusing on one 13-year-old boy who clapped for 12 hours.
Friday's front pageCLAPPIN' FANTASTIC#tomorrowspaperstoday#BBCPapers#skypaperspic.twitter.com/0tOoFZodCH
— Metro Newspaper UK (@MetroUKNews) April 23, 2020
The Sun leads with news hairdressers may have to stay shut for another six months, equating the situation to “182 bad hair days”.
THE SUN: 182 bad hair days #TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/ejreMxVVvM
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) April 23, 2020
The Financial Times reports the Government is preparing to offer 100% guarantees on small business loans.
Financial Times, UK edition, front page for Friday 24 April 2020 pic.twitter.com/UN3F3ZoMLj
— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) April 23, 2020
And the Daily Star steers clear of the virus, leading with an article saying TV star Jonathan Ross exaggerates his famous speech impediment.
Tomorrow's @dailystar#frontpage
– Wossy’s a dirty wotten scoundwal
– Just Jane is 20 today!
– Ssnakes ssneak in togardens
– B&Queue: Thousands can’t wait for store to open
– Trump Bills UK#TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/Xq0xwcyn3L
— Daily Star (@dailystar) April 23, 2020