In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the inability of most researchers across the World to access their laboratories, the Biochemical Journal wishes to emphasize its long-standing painless publishing strategy. To help limit delays in dissemination of important work and our progress as an academic community, we are keen to ensure that our fellow scientists are not asked to carry out unnecessary (e.g. confirmatory) experiments in order to publish during this difficult period.  We will be reminding external referees of this policy, asking them to help support the work and careers of our colleagues by adhering to it as they review for the Journal.