Sunday newspaper round-up: Full lockdown, Italy, Coronavirus tests

(Sharecast News) - Boris Johnson has said he is prepared to bring in a full lockdown to tackle coronavirus including "restrictions on people's movements" if they do not act "responsibly" and follow social distancing guidelines. The prime minister raised concerns that people are ignoring the public health guidance after huge numbers flocked to parks, beaches and markets. - Sunday Times
Italy has announced tighter lockdown restrictions after nearly 800 people died in one day of Covid-19 and new cases climbed by 6,557 to more than 50,000. The prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, announced new measures in a video message on Facebook, in which he said the country faced "the most difficult crisis in our post-war period". - Sunday Times

Biotech companies are racing to respond to a call to boost the supply of coronavirus tests and facilities, as officials explore plans to send kits out to homes. A Cabinet Office memo to the industry has asked for "large scale testing services", turnaround timetables and information on whether testing kits could be sent to individuals through the post. - Daily Telegraph

British Airways could be bailed out by taxpayers in a desperate attempt to save the UK's aviation industry, which has been brought to a near-standstill by the coronavirus pandemic. Ministers are considering part-nationalising Britain's flag carrier, as well as rivals such as Virgin Atlantic and easyJet, as the travel industry reels from restrictions on movement brought in by governments to curb the spread of Covid-19. - Sunday Times

Factory and high street store closures after the coronavirus outbreak will push the UK into a deep recession this year, a study of the economy has concluded. KPMG's latest quarterly economic outlook found the UK's national income (GDP) has already stalled as businesses shut their doors and consumers restrict their spending to food and other essential items. Looking ahead, the business consultancy said the economy will contract by 2.6% in 2020 if the government gets on top of the crisis over the coming weeks and slump by 5.4% if the pandemic persists through the summer. - The Guardian

Pressure is mounting on Rishi Sunak to extend his coronavirus bailout to the UK's five million self-employed people, with gig workers threatening legal action against the chancellor's current "discriminatory" policy and a survey suggesting half would keep working if they had symptoms. On Friday, Sunak said self-employed workers could access ?94.25 a week in universal credit, but he gave a far more generous deal to employees of 80% of salaries, capped at ?2,500 per month. - The Guardian

Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic risks becoming isolated in its pursuit of a major bail-out from taxpayers after rival airlines took heart from the Government's pledge to bankroll wages. Airlines have been left reeling by the coronavirus pandemic, which will this week bring services from UK airports to a standstill. - Sunday Telegraph

Even the coronavirus has not stopped the intrigue in Ted Baker's boardroom. The troubled fashion retailer, which parted ways with its founder last year over allegations of inappropriate hugging, is close to appointing John Barton of easyJet as chairman. Sources close to the company insisted Barton, 75, was unanimously chosen by the board, but another source said the process had caused a split, with some non-executives preferring Helen Mahy, a non-executive director at energy giant SSE and a member of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. - Sunday Times