Mass home testing is to be made available ‘within days’, Public Health England has claimed. The test, which involves pricking the finger to produce a drop of blood, which is then analysed by the device, will first be validated in Oxford to ensure it works as well as scientists hope. That will happen this week and it should then be available to test healthcare workers and also the general public. But at the PM’s press conference this afternoon Prof Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser, played down the idea that millions of the tests would be available on the internet next week. (See 6.18pm.) Prince Charles tested positive for coronavirus, displaying mild symptoms “but otherwise remains in good health”. He and the Duchess of Cornwall, who tested negative, are self-isolating on the Balmoral Estate. The government is considering introducing wartime-style legislation to outlaw coronavirus profiteering. The competition watchdog has already set up a taskforce to investigate coronavirus profiteering. Anyone with concerns about a business engaged in profiteering or harmful pricing practices should report it to the CMA. Some 405,000 people have signed up to volunteer for the NHS to help tackle the coronavirus. This includes more than 170,000 who signed up overnight, less than 15 hours after the health secretary, Matt Hancock, called for a quarter of a million volunteers to support the NHS fightback. The coronavirus strain on the NHS is likely to peak in three weeks’ time, the Commons science committee heard. Prof Neil Ferguson said he was confident the NHS would be able to cope with the epidemic. The Sports Direct owner, Mike Ashley, and JD Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin have been asked to explain to MPs by the end of this week what they are doing to protect their staff. Both firms have faced criticism this week for their response to the lockdown. Sports Direct angered staff by telling them they would have to turn up to work even though its stores were closed, and Martin upset some of his workers by telling them they should consider getting a job with a supermarket instead. Almost half a million people applied for universal credit in the last nine days, the Commons work and pensions committee heard. The work and pensions secretary, Thérèse Coffey, told the committee that extra money had been directed to an online verification programme, while staff would also be making outbound calls to verify people’s claims. The coronavirus bill, which gives the government a series of extensive emergency powers it may need to deal with the coronavirus epidemic, was granted royal assent, after it was passed with cross-party support. Parliament will close early for Easter recess, one week earlier than expected, and recess could be extended. For more coronavirus updates, do read our global coronavirus live blog.