The Papers: Test-and-trace 'revolution' and MPs 'fume' on Zoom

Image caption The row over the lockdown trip to County Durham by the prime minister's top adviser has "undermined key public health messages", the i quotes a minister as saying. The paper counts 44 Tory MPs demanding Dominic Cummings resigns - but says Boris Johnson believes the public has had enough of "political ding-dong".

Image caption In a Zoom call with "furious" members of a House of Commons committee, Mr Johnson was "given a mauling" over Mr Cummings' behaviour, the Metro says. It features a splash image of a woman being reunited with her family for the first time since March above the headline and caption: "They did lock down - no exceptions, no excuses."

Image caption A senior minister "broke ranks" to accuse Mr Cummings of inconsistencies in his account of his decision to drive 260 miles to County Durham, the Guardian reports. It says Penny Mordaunt's email to constituents was an intervention that has "deepened the turmoil" within government.

Image caption The front page of the Daily Mirror gives us the latest on the "scandal that has outraged Britain". It says the government is telling the public to do their "civic duty" to follow the rules of a new test-and-trace programme, while Mr Johnson "refuses to fire" his "rogue aide". The paper quotes a Labour MP who believes the move shows double standards.

Image caption The Daily Mail leads on that new NHS programme being launched by the NHS. It says anyone who has been in close contact with someone with coronavirus must now self-isolate for 14 days. Under the headline "Test & Trace revolution", the paper says the programme will "quickly shut down isolated outbreaks".

Image caption The test-and-trace programme could "effectively replace lockdown", the Daily Telegraph postulates. It quotes the prime minister as saying the new system would place a burden on a "tiny minority" of people, but could "unlock the prison" and free the rest of the population from restrictions.

Image caption Taking a similar stance is the Daily Express, which says the test-and-trace scheme is "key to our freedom". It says the "world-beating" scheme will be rolled out to help "kill off Covid-19" and end national lockdown restrictions.

Image caption However, the Times says the new regime means a "tighter lockdown" for hundreds of thousands of people. People who have come near someone with coronavirus will have the "personal responsibility" to self-isolate even if they test negative themselves, the paper reports.

Image caption Meanwhile, the prime minister has "shifted the blame" for the government's "failings" in handling coronavirus to previous administrations, the Financial Times claims. Boris Johnson "admitted" to MPs on Wednesday that the UK had not learned from previous pandemics - resulting in the current lack of sufficient testing, the paper says.

Image caption "Thirsty Brits could be back boozing in pubs next month", the Sun reports, as the prime minister "suggested" experts are close to a solution to halting the spread of coronavirus in drinking establishments. It adds that new moves to reduce the 2m social distancing rules "could bring more cheer".

Image caption In a departure from coronavirus news, the Daily Star leads on Coronation Street star Beverley Callard's reports that the spirit of soap legend Anne Kirkbride "came to say ta-ra" as she filmed her final scenes. The paper also pokes fun at Dominic Cummings' claims he drove during lockdown to test his eyesight - with a section on "driving tips" from a Stevie Wonder impersonator.

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