Newspaper headlines: Italy in coronavirus 'chaos' and quarantine 'farce' By BBC News

Staff Published duration 9 March

image copyright Reuters image caption Military and police in Milan prepare to lock down the city

"Quarantine farce as Italian planes fly in" is the headline on the front of the Daily Telegraph. The paper reports that although 16 million people were put into lockdown, "dozens" of flights were allowed to arrive in the UK and passengers were not put into quarantine.

It adds that ministers are reportedly coming under pressure to follow France and Germany and cancel mass gatherings of more than 1,000 people.

But a government source is quoted as saying that British ministers are reluctant to act - with the view that EU nations are shutting down events for political reasons rather than scientific ones.

The paper reports that "hours after" the plan was put in place, the Foreign Office was still advising that it was safe to travel to anywhere apart from the initial 11 towns that were quarantined.

The guidance was updated to urge against all but essential travel, but holidaymakers were reportedly left confused - with flights to affected areas still being advertised.

image copyright PA Media

Panic buying in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak is the focus of a number of front pages.

"Don't be so shelf-ish" is the headline in the Metro. The accompanying story includes a warning from Boris Johnson that people do not need to panic buy.

The paper says there have been "scuffles" at checkouts over products including toilet roll.

The Daily Express reports that shelves across the country have been "stripped bare" of essentials including anti-bacterial wipes and long-life milk.

A number of papers use editorial comment columns to call for calm. The Sun, for instance, urges its readers to follow the example set by the Queen - who the paper says is "clearly not cowed by coronavirus"

It also suggests that UK follows the lead of countries who have dealt with the virus well by simply pulling together.

The paper has spoken to organisers of Glastonbury - who have said they are still planning and preparing for the event in sixteen weeks time. Bookings at the Barbican in London are reportedly also "holding up".

In contrast, a report in the Daily Mail suggests that the Italian city of Florence has "morphed into a ghost town"

Its reporter Matthew Bell was met by an "eerie silence" on a visit to the famous Uffizi gallery and spoke to a taxi driver who was now waiting two hours between jobs.

There is an upbeat assessment following the decision to close schools until the middle of the month in Italy in a letter to Corriere della Sera. Cristina Bottino, a teacher, writes that teachers have "put their trust in technology" and been able to run virtual classes and record video lessons.

She goes on to say that seven or eight years ago and without current technology "closed schools would have meant silent schools".

She concludes by saying although many pupils will not complete the curriculum, they will have learned vital lessons in terms of humanity and cooperation.

image copyright Reuters

Away from coverage of the virus, there is -widespread focus on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's final events as working royals.

"Harry and Meg's final salute", is the Daily Mirror's take, as it claims that the military is to be "central" to their new charitable organisation . The couple will reportedly attempt to deal with issues such as medical care and homelessness for veterans and injured personnel.

"The final bow," is the headline on the front of the i. In a column by Stefano Hatfield, he says Meghan will be missed because she has "genuine star power" and is able to reach different audiences.

Elsewhere, the Financial Times reports that Britain's biggest mental health provider, the Priory Group, is to be sold for almost £1bn. Its portfolio includes a clinic in south-west London, which is the location of choice for the "rich and famous" to treat their drugs, alcohol and sex addictions.

The Daily Mail has obtained figures which reveal a man with 66 points on his driving licence is still allowed out on the road.

The paper says he is one of a number of drivers to be spared a ban by magistrates - under a loophole which allows for courts to consider whether revoking a licence would cause "exceptional hardship".

The road safety charity Brake has called for a review of the system. The Magistrates Association has said the process for determining such circumstances is "robust".