Today is the last day for about four million people who are considered clinically vulnerable to shield at home. They were advised to take extra care to avoid contracting Covid-19 during the pandemic, because they are considered more at risk of needing hospital treatment. According to NHS Digital, there are 3.8 million shielded patients in England and 130,000 in Wales and they include people who have had stem cell transplants or are having chemotherapy treatment for cancer, and adults with chronic kidney disease.

Cases and hospital admissions are falling but the change, from tomorrow, still urges caution. People will no longer need to shield at home but they are still being advised to keep social contacts at low levels, work from home where possible and stay at a distance from other people.
 

Scotland's political leaders have clashed over whether a second independence referendum is needed as the country recovers from the pandemic. SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said the country was in danger of going in the "wrong direction" if it left decisions on the recovery to Boris Johnson. But her pro-UK opponents said the last thing the country needed was the "divisiveness" of a referendum.

They were taking part in a BBC Scotland debate ahead of the election on 6 May. The televised debate saw Ms Sturgeon, the country's first minister, go head-to-head with Conservative leader Douglas Ross, Labour's Anas Sarwar, Liberal Democrat Willie Rennie and Lorna Slater, the co-leader of the pro-independence Scottish Greens.
 

The papers are leading on various stories today including the report into inequalities, a warning about coronavirus as lockdown rules are eased and the weather warms up and the Covid vaccine. The Times headlines on the “landmark” government review on racism which, it says, found Britain is a “model” on race. This is echoed in the Daily Mail’s report on Britain’s “race revolution”. A “keep your cool” warning is issued by the Daily Mirror as people enjoyed the warm weather yesterday and, like the Daily Express, it quotes Health Secretary Matt Hancock who said “don’t blow it now”. A warning from Oxford jab pioneer features in the Independent and the Daily Telegraph headlines on German chancellor Angela Merkel and President Emmanuel Macron of France having discussions with Russia for vaccines.

Ross Lannon wouldn't class himself as a big hugger but shielding during the pandemic has made him realise the thing he misses most is giving “a good squeeze” to friends and family. But why? We’ve had a look at the science and found hugs are relaxing, reduce stress but “it can't be from just anyone - it has to be a meaningful thing,” Sophie Scott, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at University College London, says. You can read more about it here.

And what would think if you saw this tweet “;l;;gmlxzssaw" and it was from the official account of the agency that safeguards America’s nuclear weapons? Some feared it had been hacked but it turned out it was posted by a young child from the social-media manager's family. It was deleted within minutes.

Finally, check out how some people enjoyed the sunshine yesterday as parts of the UK had the warmest March day since 1968 with temperatures hitting 24.2C (75.6F ).

From elsewhere