The government has said it will exercise “extreme caution” over lifting the lockdown. Ministers stress it will be a gradual process, not a single leap to freedom. It comes as the Prime Minister prepares to address the nation, to set out the next phase in tackling the coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile major airlines have called for clarity after being told that the government will bring in a 14-day quarantine for anyone arriving in the UK, from any country apart from the Republic of Ireland.

The transport secretary Grant Shapps has called on people to walk and cycle to work, once the lockdown restrictions are eased in England. He said it was a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to transform the way people get around.

Senior clerics are urging the government to act cautiously before allowing places of worship to reopen. All churches, mosques, synagogues and temples closed their doors almost two months ago.

Reeta Chakrabarti presents BBC News reports from Political Correspondent Ben Wright, Environment Correspondent Justin Rowlatt and Religion Editor Martin Bashir.

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In the latest evidence of growing tension between Britain and China the foreign secretary Dominic Raab has confirmed that the UK is suspending its extradition treaty with Hong Kong.

It’s in response to Beijing’s imposition of a new security law aimed at ending political protests in Hong Kong.

The UK has already offered residency rights to 3 million Hong Kong citizens but China has accused the UK of “brutal meddling” in its internal affairs.

In Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigners who fought against the introduction of the security law say they’re being pursued by the Chinese authorities.

Huw Edwards presents BBC News at Ten reporting from Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg and from Danny Vincent in Hong Kong.

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Plans announced by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to send asylum seekers who arrive in the UK to Rwanda in Africa have been described as “chilling”, “cruel” and “immoral” by charities and politicians.

Boris Johnson said the £120m pilot scheme would “save countless lives”. He claimed it would break the business model of “vile people smugglers”.

The scheme would initially focus on single men arriving on boats or lorries in the UK. They would be sent on a 4,000-mile trip to Rwanda where they would be processed and, if granted asylum, be offered long-term accommodation in the African country.

The UK Home Secretary Priti Patel, who travelled to the Rwandan capital Kigali to sign the deal, said the “vast majority” of those arriving in the UK “illegally” would be considered for relocation to Rwanda.

More than 160 charities and campaign groups called on the UK government to abandon the plan, which they described as “shamefully cruel”, as well as unworkable and unlawful. The policy is expected to face legal challenge in the courts.

Other critics said the announcement was an attempt to distract from Boris Johnson’s political difficulties. It was unveiled shortly after he was found guilty of criminal conduct for breaking his own lockdown rules, with parties in Downing Street at the height of the Covid pandemic.

Reeta Chakrabarti presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Home Editor Mark Easton, Jessica Parker in Dunkirk and political correspondent Helen Catt at Westminster.

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The Prime Minister has told the Mayor of Greater Manchester that he is prepared to intervene and impose the highest level of coronavirus restrictions on the region if they can’t reach an agreement.

The Mayor, Andy Burnham, is seeking a bigger package of financial support for businesses that would be forced to close as a result of the Tier 3 restrictions.

He has told Boris Johnson that local leaders are ready to meet the government at any time to seek agreement. Manchester has some of the highest levels of coronavirus transmission in the UK.

Meanwhile Lancashire has agreed to impose the highest restrictions, joining the Liverpool city region on Tier 3 — or Very High Alert.

It means no mixing between households indoors — or outdoors in certain settings including private gardens. Pubs and bars will close unless they serve a substantial meal. And people must avoid non-essential travel into or out of the area.

However there are some difference between Manchester and Liverpool, despite them both being placed at Tier 3. In Lancashire, unlike Liverpool, gyms and leisure centres won’t have to close but soft play centres and car boot sales will.

The Mayor of Liverpool says it’s “madness” to have different rules for Lancashire and he’s warned that it is “sowing confusion”.

Meanwhile people from areas of the UK with high levels of coronavirus – including Tier 2 in England – are now banned from entering Wales.

Sophie Raworth presents BBC News at Ten reporting by deputy political editor Vicki Young, Judith Moritz in Lancashire and Wales correspondent Hywel Griffith.

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A boat carrying nearly 270 people has capsized off northern Cyprus as a search and rescue operation is under way.

The ship began taking on water and “was in danger of sinking at a location four nautical miles off Kyrenia Port,” the Turkish Interior Ministry said.

“There has been a loss of life and there are injuries,” the prime minister of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus said.

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