Lockdown measures are being eased slightly across England on Wednesday, more than seven weeks after they were imposed. People can spend more time outside, meet a friend at the park and take part in some sports, such as golf. The housing market is also getting back up and running, allowing viewings, conveyancing and removals, so long as social-distancing and workplace-safety rules are followed. 

Restrictions have been lifted on how far people can travel to get to the countryside, national parks and beaches - but coastal towns and beauty spots fear they could be inundated.

What can't you do still? Well, a lot. The message may have changed from "stay at home" to "stay alert", but the government still says we should do the former as much as possible. Playgrounds will stay shut, as will schools, non-essential retailers and most of the leisure industry. See our full breakdown of all the rules - and remember, those caught breaking them now face bigger fines.

Some employees who cannot work from home are being encouraged to return to their workplaces from Wednesday too. Senior Conservative Jacob Rees-Mogg thinks that should include MPs. Workplaces should be "Covid-secure" for any employees returning - what does that look like in an office? Find out.

All of this, remember, is England only. The devolved administrations are keeping stricter measures in place. See the rules in Scotland, in Wales and in Northern Ireland, plus the confusion created in some border areas by the divergence.

In other news, the self-employed can from this morning apply for an income support grant of up to £7,500. The furlough scheme, supporting employees' wages, was extended by the chancellor on Tuesday.

The global number of infections now stands at more than 4.2 million, with almost 300,000 deaths linked to Covid-19.

In the US, top health adviser Dr Anthony Fauci has warned against reopening too soon. Several US states already restarting their economies have infection rates that are rising, not falling, but President Trump is eager to get things going. Some firms that are operating, including delivery apps and cleaners, have noticed a new trend of large tips. We ask whether it will last.

Elsewhere, Brazil has seen its highest daily rise in virus deaths, with 881 new fatalities, but its controversial president, Jair Bolsanaro, insists the economy must be allowed to keep going. Neighbouring Venezuela is having a very tough time, with coronavirus adding to the economic crisis - find out more. India, meanwhile, has announced a $266bn (£217bn) support package to help the country's economy, and the Chinese city of Wuhan is drawing up plans to test its entire population. 

In Europe, France has overtaken Spain when it comes to deaths - putting it behind only Italy, the UK and the US. Russia now has the second highest number of confirmed cases in the world, but its official death toll remains relatively low and some lockdown restrictions have been eased.

Check out our live page throughout the day for more.

Our experts have been answering the latest tranche of readers' questions, including on your rights as a university student when it comes to fees. They also explain the science behind the government's decision to relax restrictions in England. Finally, with so much focus on deaths, it's important to remember that the vast majority of coronavirus sufferers do recover. Our medical correspondent Fergus Walsh meets some patients starting their rehabilitation after time in intensive care.

There's a mixed reaction to Tuesday's announcement that the chancellor is extending the furlough, or job retention, scheme. The Daily Mirror thinks Rishi Sunak deserves credit, describing it as a "rare success" in the government's response to coronavirus. "Sigh Of Relief For Millions" is how the Daily Express describes it. The Daily Mail is more wary, though. "This is a humane and understandable policy, but it comes at an eye-watering price," warns its editorial. The Financial Times says Mr Sunak faced triggering a "huge wave" of redundancies if he tried to end the scheme earlier, but extending it "could simply postpone the demise of zombie businesses". And, according to the Daily Telegraph, Whitehall officials are frantically trying to work out how to pay for it. Finally, the Guardian front page has a picture of Belly Mujinga, the 47-year-old railway worker who died after she was spat at by a man who said he had coronavirus. The paper says her family are demanding answers.

From elsewhere

The Documentary, from the BBC World Service, goes right back to the beginning, to Wuhan in China, and meets people who were on the ground when the new disease emerged. Get an insight into the critical turning points that defined the crisis to come.

Photographer Dieter Klein has travelled to remote corners of Europe and the US to find abandoned cars. The results are surprisingly beautiful. And elsewhere, it's 40 years since England's footballers first took to the field in Admiral's red, white and blue strip. Derided by pundits as garish and tacky, and almost abandoned after just a handful of games, how has it become one of football's most-loved kits?