What the papers say – May 21
A Government promise to have contact tracing launched by June 1 to help the reopening of schools leads Thursday’s papers.
The Daily Telegraph covers the Prime Minister’s vow, which the Daily Mail says will involve using a “25,000-strong army” to identify the contacts of infected coronavirus sufferers.
Tomorrow’s Telegraph front page: “PM promises tracing by June to help open schools”#TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/0vCquRhmyu
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) May 20, 2020
Thursday's @DailyMailUK#MailFrontPagespic.twitter.com/3OpGTJ2tPW
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) May 20, 2020
The Daily Mirror says the Government is in a “Trace against time” to deliver its tracking system by the promised date, with The Independent reporting that the smartphone app being trialled as part of the system “won’t be ready” in time.
Tomorrow's front page: Trace against time #tomorrowspaperstodayhttps://t.co/icJqSm3Yu6pic.twitter.com/GiXzwP1aPS
— Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) May 20, 2020
Tomorrow's @independent front page #tomorrowspaperstoday To subscribe to the Daily Edition: https://t.co/XF8VnDpHYFpic.twitter.com/do04onjPAZ
— The Independent (@Independent) May 21, 2020
Meanwhile, The Guardian says NHS and care staff will be offered a virus antibody test “within days”.
Thursday’s GUARDIAN: “NHS and care staff to be offered virus antibody test within days” #BBCPapers#TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/WzO7YAhb9X
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) May 20, 2020
The i reports that, if the UK avoids a second coronavirus outbreak, Britons could be allowed to take breaks at holiday homes, campsites and hotels.
Summer holiday plan for Britain – staycations could be allowed if no second peak #TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/0h2CbCiE07
— i newspaper (@theipaper) May 20, 2020
The Government has been “shamed” by a Syrian refugee who has appealed for assistance for his family if he dies while working as a hospital cleaner during the pandemic, according to Metro.
Thursday's front page:SHAMED BY THISHOSPITAL CLEANER#tomorrowspaperstoday#BBCPapers#skypaperspic.twitter.com/HP1oHF006D
— Metro Newspaper UK (@MetroUKNews) May 20, 2020
Staying on the wards, The Times reports that hospital admissions have fallen to their lowest level since the pandemic began, and the Daily Express says Health Secretary Matt Hancock “is promising a new war” on obesity after it was linked to Covid-19 deaths.
Hospital admissions fall to lowest level of crisis#TomorrowsPapersToday@AllieHBNewspic.twitter.com/7JD0BZuHyj
— The Times Pictures (@TimesPictures) May 20, 2020
Thursday’s Daily EXPRESS: “We Must Win Obesity War For Sake Of The NHS” #BBCPapers#TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/oyiMLntqhz
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) May 20, 2020
The Bank of England is considering introducing negative interest rates to help stimulate financial recovery, reports the Financial Times.
Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Thursday 21 May https://t.co/FODW1t8u4Upic.twitter.com/l8SNHj8BRc
— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) May 20, 2020
The Sun reports that Alan Partridge star Steve Coogan has furloughed two staff at his country estate, “leaving the taxpayer to stump up” most of the pair’s wages.
Thursday’s SUN: “Knowing me, furloughing you, AHA!” #BBCPapers#TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/6bFAeHJJ93
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) May 20, 2020
And the Daily Star calls for “the frying squad” as it reports on a “greedy” policeman banned from all British police forces for stealing fry-ups during his first week at work.
Tomorrow's front page: Yorkshire Nipper #TomorrowsPapersTodayhttps://t.co/eijPZYt4bQpic.twitter.com/j00HTlLueq
— Daily Star (@dailystar) May 20, 2020