Public face fine or jail for refusing tests or quarantine

People aged over 70 face up to four months in self-isolation and the public risk being taken into custody or a £1,000 fine if they refuse to be tested or quarantined for suspected coronavirus. The emergency powers, expected to be announced this week, allow police in England and Wales to use "reasonable force" to detain people who are at risk of infecting others. The measures come as the widow of the UK's youngest coronavirus victim has spoken of her despair at losing her "life partner and soul mate", after he was named as retired police officer Nick Matthews. ​The UK's coronavirus death toll has risen to 35, with 1,391 cases, and immunology experts have criticised the Government's strategy to allow large numbers of people to become infected and develop "herd immunity" so the more vulnerable do not contract the disease. The British Society of Immunology warned the plan could have "severe consequences" and the Government appears to be distancing itself from the idea. The major development overnight came from the mayors of New York City and Los Angeles, the two largest cities in the United States, who said they were ordering restaurants, theatres, bars and cinemas to close in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.

Closer to home, school exams could be pushed as far back as the autumn due to the coronavirus outbreak, The Telegraph understands, with the Education Secretary due to hold talks today with leaders from across the sector. Gavin Williamson is expected to raise the scheduling of GCSE and A-level tests as part of the Government’s contingency planning, due to concern they will take place at the peak of the outbreak. In the health service, top intensive care specialists have warned Britain is not ready for the coronavirus crisis, with the "overwhelmed" NHS in danger of running out of protective clothing, drugs, beds and oxygen supplies. Ambrose Evans-Pritchard examines fears on the NHS front line that coronavirus is about to explode among medical staff. In a move that will evoke some Blitz spirit, major businesses like Rolls-Royce and JCB have said they are ready to join the "national effort" to help the NHS cope, amid calls for firms to switch to producing ventilators. Here is a summary of articles offering advice if you have to self-isolate:

Calls for government help to stop firms collapsing

Lobby groups and trade unions are appealing for urgent intervention by the Government amid fears that the coronavirus outbreak could spark mass job losses and cause businesses to go bust. Industry trade bodies have called for the extension of business rates relief to firms of all sizes as well as increased support for the millions of self-employed workers who risk seeing crucial contracts cancelled as a result of the outbreak. Robin Pagnamenta analyses how the rapid shutdown of large tracts of the global economy has triggered a scramble by policymakers for a response - both to help prop up businesses at risk of collapse and prevent the loss of millions of jobs as the world slips into a probable recession. He thinks it could see UK interest rates cut to a record 0.1pc. But while the disruption caused by coronavirus is being felt in every sector of the UK economy, some companies are benefiting from the chaos. Here is why. And read on for how coronavirus is affecting the property market.

Instagram influencers criticised for face mask posts

Instagram influencers donning face masks for photo-opportunities have been told to "act responsibly" after panic buying has left medical professionals short. The British Dental Association has warned its members are on the point of "downing drills" earlier this week due to a shortage of masks for practices. The call comes as online "influencers" with thousands of social media followers have been seen posing in face masks, with some apparently using them as fashion accessories. One with more than 75,000 followers on Instagram was pictured showing off a bespoke Louis Vuitton Mask. Others, such as reality TV star Charlotte Crosby, who rose to fame on the series Geordie Shore, posted a picture on a hen do wearing face masks with friends. Click here to see them.

News briefing: Police bid to boost rape conviction rates

A Scotland Yard chief has vowed to prosecute rapists even if victims are unwilling to testify as part of a radical shake-up to improve conviction rates. Detective chief superintendent Helen Lyons, the Met's lead on rape investigations, said it showed prospective victims that the police took all sexual offences "extremely seriously" and would prosecute in the public interest. She cited the case of a student who tried to rape a woman at a bus stop and now faces jail after being prosecuted despite his victim declining to make a report to police. Read on for details.

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Gallery: The big picture

Gremio players wearing masks before their match against Sao Luiz in the Rio Grande do Sul State Championship in Brazil, on a weekend when sporting fixtures were cancelled around the world. View our picture editor's choice of more striking images of the day.