Newspaper headlines: Tests 'failure' and masks warning By BBC News

Staff Published duration 21 April

image copyright Getty Images image caption The debate about whether people should wear face masks makes the lead for the Times

Pictures of coronavirus test centres in Cardiff, Manchester and Brighton lying empty dominate the Daily Mirror's front page.

It says the government promised 100,000 tests a day by the end of this month, but less than a fifth of that target is actually being met.

The Daily Telegraph suggests that Matt Hancock is being lined up in government as the "fall guy" for mistakes in response to the virus.

It says the health secretary's pledge on testing has been criticised by Downing Street sources as arbitrary and irrational.

It quotes a Number 10 insider as saying: "He's not had a good crisis."

Allies of Mr Hancock tell the paper they believe he's the victim of a blame game sweeping through Whitehall as ministers and advisers try to wash their hands of key decisions, with one eye on the eventual inquiry into the response to the outbreak.

The debate about whether people should wear face masks makes the lead for the Times

It says NHS bosses have warned ministers that advising the public to do so would risk jeopardising critical supplies to the health service.

Government scientists are due to examine the evidence about masks today before making a formal recommendation to ministers.

According to the paper, the World Health Organization is understood to be ready to issue fresh guidance on wearing masks in shops, on public transport and in other crowded spaces as part of measures to exit the lockdown.

However, the paper says there's concern that any endorsement of masks would encourage people to buy medical versions, which could send prices soaring.

While masks aren't in short supply in hospitals, the paper goes on, there are fears that that would change if their use was recommended more widely.

Cabinet splits over how quickly the lockdown measures should be relaxed are the subject of the Guardian's main story

The paper says senior ministers have been at loggerheads over whether the public health and economic impact of the lockdown will soon begin to rival the consequences of the virus itself.

According to the Guardian, Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove and Trade Secretary Liz Truss are known to be among those raising concerns about the impact of a lengthy shutdown.

But, the paper adds, other ministers appear to have taken on board the latest evidence from government scientists that any easing of restrictions could trigger an exponential rise in coronavirus cases, and have rowed back from their initial support for allowing schools and some businesses to return to normal.

The Daily Express gives its backing to a call by MPs - led by Liberal Democrat Layla Moran - for a "coronavirus compensation scheme" for the families of NHS workers who have died of the illness.

The paper is also calling for a national monument to be built to honour the sacrifice of what it calls "our health heroes".

And finally, Prince Philip's message praising the NHS and other key workers for keeping the country going during the crisis, is the Sun's top story

It says he issued a rallying cry for the UK's coronavirus heroes.