Covid-19: More mass jab centres, airport support and a virtual library

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Here are five things you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic this Sunday. We'll have another update for you on Monday.

1. New mass jab centres

Ten new mass Covid vaccination centres are to open in England from Monday , as the government bids to meet its target of offering 15 million people in the UK a dose by 15 February. Blackburn Cathedral and St Helens Rugby Ground are among the venues chosen to join the seven hubs already in use. NHS England said the new centres would offer "thousands" of jabs a week. It comes as another 324,233 vaccine doses have been administered across the UK, taking the total above 3.5 million. Check when you will be eligible for a jab .

image copyright PA Media

2. Airport support scheme

A financial support scheme for airports in England will open this month, the government says, as the aviation sector faces new Covid travel curbs. Aviation minister Robert Courts said the move was a response to the closure of all UK air corridors from Monday. The aim is to provide grants before the end of this financial year, he said. Industry groups had warned there was only so long airports could "run on fumes" , following the announcement of the new quarantine rules. Under the new rules beginning at 04:00 GMT on Monday , all travel corridors - which have been in place to allow arrivals from some countries to forgo quarantine - will close.

image copyright EPA

3. Covid hits church services

More than half of the Church of England's 14,000 parishes will not open for Sunday services today , as places of worship are hit hard by Covid-19. Many of the Church's clergy are shielding, while some parishes have decided it is not safe enough to admit worshippers. It has also been revealed that most mosques in London remained closed on Friday, meaning Muslims had to make alternative arrangements for Friday prayers. Despite current coronavirus restrictions, places of worship in England and Wales can open - but many are struggling to do so safely. Places of worship remain closed throughout Scotland, while Northern Ireland's main church denominations are to cease public worship until early February. Remind yourself of the rules where you live for places of worship .

image copyright PA Media

4. Virtual children's library

Children in England will be able to access books online free during school closures via a virtual library. Internet classroom Oak National Academy created the library after schools moved to remote learning for the majority of pupils until February half-term. Formed with The National Literacy Trust, the library will provide a book a week from its author of the week. The aim is to increase young readers' access to e-books and audiobooks, particularly the most disadvantaged. The latest lockdown has seen schools in England close to all but children of key workers and vulnerable pupils.

media caption WATCH: Tips for helping your child's mental health

5. William's vaccine pride

The Duke of Cambridge has expressed his pride at the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh for stepping up and having their Covid-19 vaccinations. In a video call with frontline workers, Prince William spoke about his grandparents after being told medics have witnessed "vaccine hesitancy" among some communities during the jab rollout. He praised NHS staff behind the rollout of the vaccine, and described the programme as "tremendous", saying it didn't "just happen". Staff joked they had been "thinking and dreaming" of vaccines all day and night with some describing working seven-day weeks.

media caption In a video call, the Duke of Cambridge said the vaccination programme was "tremendous"

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And don't forget...

You can find more information, advice and guides on our coronavirus page .

And it's been almost a month since people in some parts of the UK were allowed to meet in Christmas "bubbles", so what impact did this have?

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