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Coronavirus live news: global trade forecast to fall by up to a third as US sees highest one-day death toll Coronavirus live news: global trade forecast to fall by up to a third as US sees highest one-day death toll
(32 minutes later)
Scientists predict UK will be worst-hit country in Europe; Trump threatens to stop WHO funding; Global cases pass 1.4 millionScientists predict UK will be worst-hit country in Europe; Trump threatens to stop WHO funding; Global cases pass 1.4 million
The European Union has reshuffled its aid budget and promised €20bn (£17.5bn, ¢21.7bn) to help countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific tackle coronavirus, as well as near neighbours in eastern Europe, Jennifer Rankin reports from Brussels. In Quebec, a mantra amid the pandemic has emerged: “ça va bien aller,” French for “it’s going to be OK.”
Following a conference call of EU development ministers, the EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borrell told journalists that he expected more than €20bn would be available to help countries around the world. Quebecers have embraced the rallying cry on social media and at home, writes Tracey Lindeman.
Across the Canadian province, handmade drawings of rainbows accompanied by the hopeful message have been taped up in windows, draped over balconies, hung from fire and police stations, and drawn in chalk on pavement. A few days ago, Montreal’s iconic Jacques-Cartier Bridge was turned into a giant neon rainbow.
This all comes as the province of eight million grapples with more than half of the country’s reported Covid-19 cases. At least 600,000 Quebecers have lost their jobs.
It’s unclear who started the “ça va bien aller” movement, but it gained momentum with Karine Laurin, a school teacher and mother of two in the Laurentian Mountains outside of Montreal. In mid-March, she taped rainbow illustrations her kids coloured to her front window, then started a Facebook page asking others to do the same.
The group now has nearly 18,000 members, and the movement has spread across the province with even the province’s top officials invoking the mantra. Said Premier François Legault in a French news release: “All this is temporary. We’re in this together… We’ll overcome this, and it’s going to be OK.”
The government in the west African country of Benin has made wearing face masks mandatory in public in several key regions.
The authorities have ordered security forces to step up patrols and detain people without masks, but have not outlined penalties for those failing to comply.
On Wednesday many residents in the largest city, Cotonou, had donned surgical masks or homemade face coverings, AFP reports. Police were stopping pedestrians and confiscating vehicles of those who failed to comply with the order.
The government in Benin has subsidised the cost of masks at the equivalent of about 25p ($0.30) but that expenditure remains high for many on a daily basis.
Some residents complained they could not find masks despite pharmacies limiting sales to two per customer in order to conserve stocks. “They just told me that there aren’t any masks available,” said Edouard Gbeha, as he emerged from a store.
“They say that they are obligatory and we want to buy them but can’t find them.”
Benin has imposed a “cordon sanitaire” around major towns and cities. Travel in and out of these areas is banned, gatherings are restricted and bars have been closed.
The country has so far confirmed 26 infections and one death from coronavirus.
Bad news from Brazil.
The UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, is sitting up in bed, after he was taken to an intensive care unit in a London hospital on Monday because of worsening coronavirus symptoms, his finance minister, Rishi Sunak, has said.
The prime minister is receiving “excellent care” and remains in intensive care, where his condition is “improving”. He has been “sitting up in bed” and “engaging positively” with the clinical team, the chancellor said in the British government’s daily coronavirus briefing.
You can read more updates from the press conference on our UK-focused blog.
The director general of the World Health Organization was on the defensive in a media briefing on Wednesday, after Donald Trump accused the UN health body of being biased towards China and threatened to slash US funding.
Some African leaders rallied around the WHO’s Ethiopian-born director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who declined to respond to questions about the US president’s specific criticisms and said: “Why would I care about being attacked when people are dying?
“I know that I am just an individual. Tedros is just a dot in the whole universe. I prefer to really focus on saving lives,” he said at the WHO’s daily media briefing.
The US contributed nearly $900m to the WHO’s budget for 2018-19, according to information on the agency’s website, an amount that represented one-fifth of the WHO’s total $4.4bn budget for those years.
The European Union has reshuffled its aid budget and promised €20bn (£17.5bn) to help countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific tackle coronavirus, as well as near neighbours in eastern Europe, Jennifer Rankin reports from Brussels.
Following a conference call of EU development ministers, the EU’s chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, told journalists he expected more than €20bn would be available to help countries around the world.
“Unless the virus is defeated everywhere, it will not be defeated anywhere,” he said.“Unless the virus is defeated everywhere, it will not be defeated anywhere,” he said.
The funds come from reorganising the EU’s existing aid budget. EU officials have insisted no country will get less than promised before the outbreak, while vital programmes on nutrition, sanitation, health and education will continue.The funds come from reorganising the EU’s existing aid budget. EU officials have insisted no country will get less than promised before the outbreak, while vital programmes on nutrition, sanitation, health and education will continue.
Earlier on Wednesday the EU announced €15.6bn in coronavirus aid, which includes €5.2bn in loans from the EU’s lending arm, the European Investment Bank.Earlier on Wednesday the EU announced €15.6bn in coronavirus aid, which includes €5.2bn in loans from the EU’s lending arm, the European Investment Bank.
Africa has been earmarked €3.25bn, while a further €3.07bn is for countries on or near the EU’s southern and eastern borders, including some Middle Eastern nations, as well as Belarus, Ukraine, the Caucasus, Turkey and the Balkans.Africa has been earmarked €3.25bn, while a further €3.07bn is for countries on or near the EU’s southern and eastern borders, including some Middle Eastern nations, as well as Belarus, Ukraine, the Caucasus, Turkey and the Balkans.
Borrell said Belarus had asked for help in tackling the virus and dealing with the impact on its economy, and could expect to get around €60m.Borrell said Belarus had asked for help in tackling the virus and dealing with the impact on its economy, and could expect to get around €60m.
After the meeting it emerged EU member states had pledged €4bn, while the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development was ready to offer €1bn, taking the total funds to more than €20bn. But it was not immediately clear how much of that money was grants or loans.After the meeting it emerged EU member states had pledged €4bn, while the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development was ready to offer €1bn, taking the total funds to more than €20bn. But it was not immediately clear how much of that money was grants or loans.
Borrell said Africa was a priority for the European Union, as the coronavirus could have “consequences of an entirely different scale than in other parts of the world”. Borrell said Africa was a priority for the EU, as the coronavirus could have “consequences of an entirely different scale than in other parts of the world”.
The World Health Organisation warned this week that cases were “increasing exponentially in the African region”, while local experts have stressed that sub-Saharan Africa lacks intensive care facilities, which could bring devastating results. The World Health Organization warned this week that cases were “increasing exponentially in the African region”, while local experts have stressed that sub-Saharan Africa lacks intensive care facilities, which could bring devastating results.
The European commission has advised EU member states to extend restrictions on non-essential travel until 15 May but is preparing to issue a “roadmap” on a coordinated lifting of Europe’s lockdown, Daniel Boffey, the Guardian’s Brussels bureau chief, reports.The European commission has advised EU member states to extend restrictions on non-essential travel until 15 May but is preparing to issue a “roadmap” on a coordinated lifting of Europe’s lockdown, Daniel Boffey, the Guardian’s Brussels bureau chief, reports.
Announcing the proposed extension of the travel ban, Margaritis Schinas, the European commission’s vice-President, said: Announcing the proposed extension of the travel ban, Margaritis Schinas, the European commission’s vice-president, said:
The commission guidance on travel was issued as a Brussels plan for lifting the lockdown was revealed in a document leaked to the Guardian.The commission guidance on travel was issued as a Brussels plan for lifting the lockdown was revealed in a document leaked to the Guardian.
Marked “absolutely confidential”, the paper which is expected be endorsed by the European commission next week, says “it is time to develop a well coordinated EU exit strategy” from the current measures. It says the easing should be done measure by measure on a month-by-month basis while admitting that it lead to new infections. Marked “absolutely confidential”, the paper, which is expected be endorsed by the European commission next week, says “it is time to develop a well-coordinated EU exit strategy” from the current measures. It says the easing should be done measure by measure on a month-by-month basis while admitting that it could lead to new infections.
“Any level of (gradual) relaxation of the confinement will unavoidably lead to a corresponding increase in new cases”, the paper says. “Any level of (gradual) relaxation of the confinement will unavoidably lead to a corresponding increase in new cases,” the paper says.
The criteria for lifting restrictions include a decrease in the spread of infection over a sustained period and confidence in the ability of the health services to cope.The criteria for lifting restrictions include a decrease in the spread of infection over a sustained period and confidence in the ability of the health services to cope.
“The exit strategy must be coordinated between the Member States, to avoid negative spillover effects”, the document says. Measures that should accompany an easing of restrictions include an expansion of testing and an increase of availability of personal protective equipment. “The exit strategy must be coordinated between the member states, to avoid negative spillover effects,” the document says. Measures that should accompany an easing of restrictions include an expansion of testing and an increase of availability of personal protective equipment.
The commission paper says: “The exit must be gradual: measures must be lifted in different steps and sufficient time should be left between the steps (e.g. one month), as their effect can only be measured over time. Wide measures must progressively be replaced by targeted ones. For example: Most vulnerable groups (e.g. the elderly) must be protected for longer.” The commission paper says: “The exit must be gradual: measures must be lifted in different steps and sufficient time should be left between the steps (eg one month), as their effect can only be measured over time. Wide measures must progressively be replaced by targeted ones. For example: most vulnerable groups (eg the elderly) must be protected for longer.”
To allow for social distancing the commission suggests that restaurants and bars should be only gradually opened, with restricted opening hours or limits on the number of people allowed in. Schools should start with small groups of students being permitted to to return. To allow for social distancing the commission suggests that restaurants and bars should be only gradually opened, with restricted opening hours or limits on the number of people allowed in. Schools should start with small groups of students being permitted to return.
Deaths from coronavirus in Italy rose by 542 on Wednesday, 62 less than on Tuesday, while the number of people who are currently infected rose by 1,195, or 1.3%, according to figures from the civil protection authority, Angela Giuffrida reports. Deaths from coronavirus in Italy rose by 542 on Wednesday, 62 less than on Tuesday, while the number of people currently infected increased by 1,195, or 1.3%, according to figures from the civil protection authority, Angela Giuffrida reports.
There was a record day-to-day increase – 2,099 – in the number of people who have survived the virus, taking the total to 26,491.There was a record day-to-day increase – 2,099 – in the number of people who have survived the virus, taking the total to 26,491.
Italy has registered 139,422 confirmed cases of the virus to date, including 17,669 deaths. Italy has registered 139,422 confirmed cases to date, including 17,669 deaths.
The Polish government has said it will pump another 100 billion zloty into its economy to save jobs during the coronavirus lockdown, AFP reports. The Polish government has said it will pump another 100bn złoty into its economy to save jobs during the coronavirus lockdown, AFP reports.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said businesses would not have to repay between 60 to 75 percent of the aid, which is equivalent to about 22 billion euros ($24 billion), or roughly 4.5% of national output. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said businesses would not have to repay between 60-75% of the aid, which is equivalent to about €22bn (£19bn), or roughly 4.5% of national output.
The new “financial shield” is to complement an “anti-crisis shield” worth 47 billion euros that Warsaw unveiled in March to help the normally vibrant economy weather the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The new “financial shield” will complement an “anti-crisis shield” worth €47bn that Warsaw unveiled in March to help the normally vibrant economy weather the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Business and employers associations complained loudly that the initial anti-crisis package fell short of their expectations and would not protect many from bankruptcy. Business and employers’ associations complained that the initial anti-crisis package fell short of their expectations and would not protect many from bankruptcy.
The total value of exceptional government spending “will exceed 300 billion zlotys, reaching 320 or 330 billion,” Morawiecki said in Warsaw. The total value of exceptional government spending “will exceed 300bn złotys, reaching 320 or 330bn,” Morawiecki said in Warsaw.
Meanwhile, the Polish central bank (NBP) cut Wednesday its main policy rate by 50 basis points to a record low 0.50 percent. Meanwhile, the Polish central bank (NBP) on Wednesday cut its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points to a record low 0.50%.
As of 5pm on 7 April, of those treated in hospital in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus, 7,097 have died, the Department for Health and Social Care said. That is a rise of 938, up from 6,159 the previous day – the highest day-on-day rise so far.As of 5pm on 7 April, of those treated in hospital in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus, 7,097 have died, the Department for Health and Social Care said. That is a rise of 938, up from 6,159 the previous day – the highest day-on-day rise so far.
As of 9am on 8 April, 282,074 tests have concluded, with 14,682 tests on 7 April.232,708 people have been tested, of which 60,733 tested positive.As of 9am on 8 April, 282,074 tests have concluded, with 14,682 tests on 7 April.232,708 people have been tested, of which 60,733 tested positive.
The overall test figure excludes data from Northern Ireland, and test data from Charing Cross and Southampton has not been included because of a processing delay, the department added.The overall test figure excludes data from Northern Ireland, and test data from Charing Cross and Southampton has not been included because of a processing delay, the department added.
Human rights NGOs have called on the International Monetary Fund to include anti-corruption measures in coronavirus relief programmes to make sure the billions of dollars in funding it hands out reaches those most at need.Human rights NGOs have called on the International Monetary Fund to include anti-corruption measures in coronavirus relief programmes to make sure the billions of dollars in funding it hands out reaches those most at need.
In a joint letter to the IMF board on Wednesday, Transparency International, Human Rights Watch and Global Witness called on the fund to “establish basic measures to ensure that the money received by countries is used in a transparent and accountable manner to reduce the risks of misuse and corruption”. The letter adds:In a joint letter to the IMF board on Wednesday, Transparency International, Human Rights Watch and Global Witness called on the fund to “establish basic measures to ensure that the money received by countries is used in a transparent and accountable manner to reduce the risks of misuse and corruption”. The letter adds:
Residents in the Canadian province of Alberta are being warned to expect a grim future as the coronavirus pandemic — and collapse in oil prices—hit at the same time, Leyland Cecco reports.Residents in the Canadian province of Alberta are being warned to expect a grim future as the coronavirus pandemic — and collapse in oil prices—hit at the same time, Leyland Cecco reports.
Speaking in a televised address on Tuesday evening, the state premier, Jason Kenney, said medical experts in his government anticipated Alberta could see as many as 800,000 cases of Covid-19 by the end of summer on the current trajectory, with as many as 3,100 deaths, or as few as 400. An “elevated” scenario would result in 1 million infections and as many as 6,600 deaths.Speaking in a televised address on Tuesday evening, the state premier, Jason Kenney, said medical experts in his government anticipated Alberta could see as many as 800,000 cases of Covid-19 by the end of summer on the current trajectory, with as many as 3,100 deaths, or as few as 400. An “elevated” scenario would result in 1 million infections and as many as 6,600 deaths.
“I know that these numbers can be overwhelming,” Kenney said. “But these models are not a done deal. I want Albertans to see them as a challenge.”“I know that these numbers can be overwhelming,” Kenney said. “But these models are not a done deal. I want Albertans to see them as a challenge.”
Currently, the province has 1,373 reported cases and 26 deaths.Currently, the province has 1,373 reported cases and 26 deaths.
Kenney also warned a collapse in oil prices has left the province has left the province in a dangerous situation, projecting as much as a quarter of the workforce could be out of a job.Kenney also warned a collapse in oil prices has left the province has left the province in a dangerous situation, projecting as much as a quarter of the workforce could be out of a job.
“The shutdown in much of our economy is having a devastating impact,” Kenney told to an online energy conference earlier in the day.“The shutdown in much of our economy is having a devastating impact,” Kenney told to an online energy conference earlier in the day.
An unemployment rate of 25% would be double Alberta’s worst numbers — set in 1984 — and worse than anything experienced in the rest of the country.An unemployment rate of 25% would be double Alberta’s worst numbers — set in 1984 — and worse than anything experienced in the rest of the country.
Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler said on Wednesday it planned to restart work at factories in Germany from 20 April, as a slew of car makers made plans to emerge from the coronavirus lockdown, AFP reports.Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler said on Wednesday it planned to restart work at factories in Germany from 20 April, as a slew of car makers made plans to emerge from the coronavirus lockdown, AFP reports.
In a statement the company said:In a statement the company said:
But Daimler also said it would further roll out shorter hours for its German workers until 30 April, impacting “the majority of production ... as well as administration”.But Daimler also said it would further roll out shorter hours for its German workers until 30 April, impacting “the majority of production ... as well as administration”.
Volkswagen said it would begin increasing production from 14 April in “a few” factories building car components, which are currently operating at much-reduced capacity.Volkswagen said it would begin increasing production from 14 April in “a few” factories building car components, which are currently operating at much-reduced capacity.
Most of the company’s sites are closed until at least 19 April, but the group wants “to safeguard the supply of components to plants in China” after the Easter weekend.Most of the company’s sites are closed until at least 19 April, but the group wants “to safeguard the supply of components to plants in China” after the Easter weekend.
BMW said on Tuesday it would extend a production stop until 30 April, while Ford’s European factories are on hold until at least 4 May.BMW said on Tuesday it would extend a production stop until 30 April, while Ford’s European factories are on hold until at least 4 May.
A retirement home in Canada that lost nearly half its residents to coronavirus is scrambling to protect the remaining healthy inhabitants who lived alongside infected neighbours for nearly two weeks, Leyland Cecco in Toronto reports.A retirement home in Canada that lost nearly half its residents to coronavirus is scrambling to protect the remaining healthy inhabitants who lived alongside infected neighbours for nearly two weeks, Leyland Cecco in Toronto reports.
Pinecrest nursing home, a privately run facility in the town of Bobcaygeon, Ontario, has emerged as one of the country’s deadliest Covid-19 hotspots.Pinecrest nursing home, a privately run facility in the town of Bobcaygeon, Ontario, has emerged as one of the country’s deadliest Covid-19 hotspots.
Twenty-seven of the home’s 65 residents have succumbed to the disease, and the spouse of one resident, who often volunteered at the home, has also died.Twenty-seven of the home’s 65 residents have succumbed to the disease, and the spouse of one resident, who often volunteered at the home, has also died.
But it was not until last week – after 16 deaths – that sick residents at the home were finally separated from healthy residents, according to CBC News.But it was not until last week – after 16 deaths – that sick residents at the home were finally separated from healthy residents, according to CBC News.
A respiratory outbreak at Pinecrest was first declared on 18 March. Three residents tested positive for Covid-19 shortly afterwards, and in the following weeks the virus tore through the home, overwhelming residents and infecting dozens of staff.A respiratory outbreak at Pinecrest was first declared on 18 March. Three residents tested positive for Covid-19 shortly afterwards, and in the following weeks the virus tore through the home, overwhelming residents and infecting dozens of staff.
The layout of the facility complicated efforts to contain the outbreak. Pinecrest has a mix of private and semi-private rooms to house residents, as well as shared rooms that sleep four people. In some cases, however, only a curtain separated residents, even though staff told families that sick residents had been isolated, CBC reported.The layout of the facility complicated efforts to contain the outbreak. Pinecrest has a mix of private and semi-private rooms to house residents, as well as shared rooms that sleep four people. In some cases, however, only a curtain separated residents, even though staff told families that sick residents had been isolated, CBC reported.
In an unprecedented move, the Italian government has declared its seaports “unsafe” due to the coronavirus pandemic, and will not authorise the landing of migrant rescue boats until the end of the emergency, writes Lorenzo Tondo in Palermo.In an unprecedented move, the Italian government has declared its seaports “unsafe” due to the coronavirus pandemic, and will not authorise the landing of migrant rescue boats until the end of the emergency, writes Lorenzo Tondo in Palermo.
In a decree issued late on Tuesday, the government wrote that “for the entire duration of the health emergency, due to the outbreak of coronavirus, Italian ports cannot be classified as ‘safe places’ for the landing of people rescued from boats flying a foreign flag”.In a decree issued late on Tuesday, the government wrote that “for the entire duration of the health emergency, due to the outbreak of coronavirus, Italian ports cannot be classified as ‘safe places’ for the landing of people rescued from boats flying a foreign flag”.
The measure – the first of its kind in Italian history – appeared designed to prevent rescue boats from disembarking migrants in the upcoming weeks, as departures from Libya have increased in recent days with the arrival of good weather.The measure – the first of its kind in Italian history – appeared designed to prevent rescue boats from disembarking migrants in the upcoming weeks, as departures from Libya have increased in recent days with the arrival of good weather.
The decree, signed by the interior minister, Luciana Lamorgese, the health minister, Roberto Speranza, the foreign minister, Luigi Di Maio, and the infrastructure minister, Paola De Micheli, also suggests that rescued migrants might include people who have contracted Covid-19.The decree, signed by the interior minister, Luciana Lamorgese, the health minister, Roberto Speranza, the foreign minister, Luigi Di Maio, and the infrastructure minister, Paola De Micheli, also suggests that rescued migrants might include people who have contracted Covid-19.
It adds that “rescued people must be guaranteed an absence of any threat to their lives”, and concludes that at this time the government cannot guarantee the security of migrants’ lives in Italy.It adds that “rescued people must be guaranteed an absence of any threat to their lives”, and concludes that at this time the government cannot guarantee the security of migrants’ lives in Italy.