Coronavirus news round-up for Monday, March 23 2020.

•SUPERMARKETS Asda and Morrisons have reduced their fuel prices by 12p per litre for petrol and 8p per litre for diesel.

The RAC said it is the largest single cut it has seen and predicted it will result in prices sinking to a four-year low.

Oil prices have plunged in the past few weeks since Covid-19 took hold across Europe.

They were also heavily dented when Saudi Arabia, which produces around 10% of the world’s oil, decided to slash prices and ramp up production in a trade war with Russia.

The price of a barrel of Brent crude oil, the most used measure, has fallen by around 60% since the beginning of the year.

It slipped another 5.7% to 25.53 US dollars per barrel on Monday.

•BORIS Johnson is "actively considering further steps" to help self-employed workers through the coronavirus crisis, Downing Street has said.

The Government last week announced an unprecedented plan to underwrite the wages of millions of workers who face being laid off as activity dries up.

But Chancellor Rishi Sunak has been criticised for doing nothing for the country’s five million freelancers, contractors and other self-employed workers.

However, Number 10 signalled that help may be coming, with officials working "around the clock" to find a "well-targeted support package".

The Prime Minister’s spokesman told reporters on Monday morning: "We understand the difficult position the self-employed are in.

"We have always said we will go further where we can and are actively considering further steps.

"We appreciate the urgency of the situation and officials are working around the clock to find a well-targeted support package."

•PENSION transfers should be temporarily halted amid market turmoil, a former pensions minister has suggested.

Ros Altmann called for emergency measures to help stabilise pension schemes and avoid losses to scammers.

•THE first UK patients have been enrolled in a clinical trial for possible Covid-19 treatments.

Researchers from the University of Oxford have launched a new clinical trial to test the effects of potential drug treatments for patients admitted to hospital with the virus.

There are currently no specific treatments for the coronavirus and it is possible some existing drugs used for other conditions may have some benefits.

Scientists say the randomised evaluation of Covid-19 therapy (recovery) trial will provide doctors and the health service with information they need to determine which treatments should be used.

•A LOTTERY winner has hit back at "selfish" stockpilers by distributing thousands of free potatoes from her farm to her local community.

Susan Herdman saved the potatoes - which were due to be ploughed back into the ground after the recent wet weather - and offered them free of charge to people in Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire.

Ms Herdman and her family hand-picked the vegetables from the 27-acre plot and delivered them personally to self-isolating families.

The 51-year-old, who moved from Herefordshire to live on the farm after her £1.2 million win on the National Lottery in 2010, said she was inundated with messages after she offered the potatoes on Facebook.

•THOUSANDS of people have returned to having their milk delivered as they are forced to stay at home during the coronavirus outbreak.

The country’s largest milk and groceries doorstep delivery service, Milk and More, has reported an increase of 25,000 customers and is recruiting 100 milkmen and women.

And local deliverers are reporting unprecedented demand for their daily pint.

After decades of diminishing rounds, with competition from cheaper supermarkets almost wiping them out, surviving milkmen said demand was "berserk".

----

THE Review are working hard to keep you informed by providing trusted information and helpful context, we are here for the community and will not stop.

Whilst efforts are being carried out to deal with the Covid-19 crisis, everyone can practise social distancing without ignoring the needs of our community. During these challenging times follow all guidelines to protect yourself and others, be safe and be kind, keep in contact by telephone with those vulnerable members amongst us, and practise all sensible precautions.

As always, our coverage is free for all to read www.theforestreview.co.uk