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Coronavirus live news: global confirmed cases pass 2.5m but Italy sees first significant fall in infections Coronavirus live news: global confirmed cases pass 2.5m but Italy sees first significant fall in infections
(32 minutes later)
Singapore extends lockdown after cases rise; Donald Trump signals immigration ban; Oktoberfest cancelled; US oil market collapsesSingapore extends lockdown after cases rise; Donald Trump signals immigration ban; Oktoberfest cancelled; US oil market collapses
Steven Mnuchin, the treasury secretary, thanked Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer for their work on the latest coronavirus relief bill. There is “unprecedented of money for testing” in the bill, he said
The new legislation allocates another $310bn (£250bn) for the payroll protection program for small businesses, and $50bn in disaster loans for small businesses.
The White House virus task force briefing is beginning in Washington. Follow the developments here.
Trump has said he will sign the legislation pending in Congress to bail out the small business loan program that’s been overrun by demand but small business isn’t holding its breath.
The last round ended up in the pockets of “small businesses” including Potbelly, the international sandwich chain, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and Shake Shack, which has given its $10m (£8.13m) back.
In the meantime, real small businesses – especially in hard-hit New York – are suffering. Nichelina Mavros, the co-owner of Depanneur, a grocery and deli in New York, said: “Ninety eight per cent of New York businesses are small businesses. In my network not one of them got the money.”
She wasn’t alone, you can read more here:
As the global effort to limit the pandemic’s impact gathers pace, watch how subtle changes in social behaviour or the level of contagiousness of the virus can affect the battle to stop its spread:
The UK government has missed opportunities to secure at least 16m face masks for NHS staff in the past four weeks, amid growing frustration from companies who say Britain is losing much-needed equipment to other countries.The UK government has missed opportunities to secure at least 16m face masks for NHS staff in the past four weeks, amid growing frustration from companies who say Britain is losing much-needed equipment to other countries.
As ministers faced relentless questions over a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) in hospitals, suppliers said their offers to deliver UK-standard face masks were being met with silence from the government.As ministers faced relentless questions over a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) in hospitals, suppliers said their offers to deliver UK-standard face masks were being met with silence from the government.
The US Senate has unanimously passed legislation providing nearly $500bn (£406bn) in additional federal aid to help small businesses hurt by the pandemic and to aid hospitals dealing with large numbers of seriously ill patients.The US Senate has unanimously passed legislation providing nearly $500bn (£406bn) in additional federal aid to help small businesses hurt by the pandemic and to aid hospitals dealing with large numbers of seriously ill patients.
The bill now goes to the House of Representatives where it could be voted upon as soon as Thursday.The bill now goes to the House of Representatives where it could be voted upon as soon as Thursday.
New York state’s governor Andrew Cuomo has said he had a functional and effective conversation with the nation’s president Donald Trump and tried to keep the focus on testing and state budget problems. In an interview with MSNBC afterwards, Cuomo said:New York state’s governor Andrew Cuomo has said he had a functional and effective conversation with the nation’s president Donald Trump and tried to keep the focus on testing and state budget problems. In an interview with MSNBC afterwards, Cuomo said:
Iran and Russia should increase their cooperation in the fight against the pandemic and continue to trade with each other, the former’s president Hassan Rouhani has told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, according to the Iranian presidency website.Iran and Russia should increase their cooperation in the fight against the pandemic and continue to trade with each other, the former’s president Hassan Rouhani has told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, according to the Iranian presidency website.
Iran is one of the Middle Eastern countries hardest hit by the outbreak and Russia has seen a recent surge in infections. According to the official Iranian record of the call, Rouhani told Putin:Iran is one of the Middle Eastern countries hardest hit by the outbreak and Russia has seen a recent surge in infections. According to the official Iranian record of the call, Rouhani told Putin:
Rouhani, trying to revive an economy reeling under tough US sanctions, also pointed to what he called provocative actions by the United States and Israel in the region, and said that Iran and Russia should increase their cooperation to address regional problems.Rouhani, trying to revive an economy reeling under tough US sanctions, also pointed to what he called provocative actions by the United States and Israel in the region, and said that Iran and Russia should increase their cooperation to address regional problems.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 776,093 cases; an increase of 29,468 from its previous count. It has also said the number of deaths has risen by 2,675 to 41,758.The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 776,093 cases; an increase of 29,468 from its previous count. It has also said the number of deaths has risen by 2,675 to 41,758.
The CDC tallies are as of 20 April and compared with a day earlier. The figures do not necessarily reflect cases reported by individual states.The CDC tallies are as of 20 April and compared with a day earlier. The figures do not necessarily reflect cases reported by individual states.
The US president Donald Trump’s executive order banning immigration to the United States will apply narrowly to those seeking permanent immigration status, a senior administration official has said.The US president Donald Trump’s executive order banning immigration to the United States will apply narrowly to those seeking permanent immigration status, a senior administration official has said.
According to Reuters, the official added that the order will have a timeframe of 30 to 90 days and will be renewable. Other workers such as those on so called H1-B visas will be covered in a separate action. The order could be ready in time for Trump to sign it as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday.According to Reuters, the official added that the order will have a timeframe of 30 to 90 days and will be renewable. Other workers such as those on so called H1-B visas will be covered in a separate action. The order could be ready in time for Trump to sign it as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday.
Spain will allow children to go outside for walks from next weekend in a loosening of the country’s strict lockdown, its health minister Salvador Illa has said.Spain will allow children to go outside for walks from next weekend in a loosening of the country’s strict lockdown, its health minister Salvador Illa has said.
It comes amid mounting criticism that the government’s restrictions unfairly penalise the very young and a matter of hours after the announcement that young children would be allowed to accompany their parents on essential trips such as to buy food or medicine.It comes amid mounting criticism that the government’s restrictions unfairly penalise the very young and a matter of hours after the announcement that young children would be allowed to accompany their parents on essential trips such as to buy food or medicine.
That sparked fierce criticism on social media and widespread calls to let children outside to play. Across Madrid, people banged on pots and pans from their balconies in protest. Illa said:That sparked fierce criticism on social media and widespread calls to let children outside to play. Across Madrid, people banged on pots and pans from their balconies in protest. Illa said:
The Health Ministry will announce details on when and where children can walk in the coming days, he added.The Health Ministry will announce details on when and where children can walk in the coming days, he added.
A group of multinational companies is donating tens of thousands of testing kits and other items of medical equipment to Yemen, where a five-year war has destroyed the health system and left millions vulnerable to disease.A group of multinational companies is donating tens of thousands of testing kits and other items of medical equipment to Yemen, where a five-year war has destroyed the health system and left millions vulnerable to disease.
The country has reported only one laboratory-confirmed case so far. But the United Nations and aid groups have warned of a catastrophic outbreak should the disease spread among an acutely malnourished population.The country has reported only one laboratory-confirmed case so far. But the United Nations and aid groups have warned of a catastrophic outbreak should the disease spread among an acutely malnourished population.
The International Initiative on Covid-19 (IICY) said its first 34-tonne shipment will reach Yemen next week. It will contain 49,000 virus collection kits, 20,000 rapid test kits, five centrifuges and equipment that would enable 85,000 tests, and 24,000 Covid-19 nucleic acid test kits.The International Initiative on Covid-19 (IICY) said its first 34-tonne shipment will reach Yemen next week. It will contain 49,000 virus collection kits, 20,000 rapid test kits, five centrifuges and equipment that would enable 85,000 tests, and 24,000 Covid-19 nucleic acid test kits.
IICY was founded by the charity arm of multinational Yemeni family conglomerate Hayel Saeed Anam (HSA), Tetra Pak, Unilever, the World Bank-backed Yemen Private Sector Cluster, and the Federation of Yemen Chambers of Commerce and Industry.IICY was founded by the charity arm of multinational Yemeni family conglomerate Hayel Saeed Anam (HSA), Tetra Pak, Unilever, the World Bank-backed Yemen Private Sector Cluster, and the Federation of Yemen Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
The South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, has told the country he is optimistic, despite the current “moment of great peril”, writes Jason Burke in Johannesburg.The South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, has told the country he is optimistic, despite the current “moment of great peril”, writes Jason Burke in Johannesburg.
In a national TV address, the former labour activist and businessman, announced a massive $26bn, £21bn social and economic relief package and spoke of a gradual reopening of the economy as a strict lockdown nears the final week.In a national TV address, the former labour activist and businessman, announced a massive $26bn, £21bn social and economic relief package and spoke of a gradual reopening of the economy as a strict lockdown nears the final week.
The tough measures imposed on 27 March have caused immense hardship to many people in South Africa, with tens of millions deprived of their livelihoods and without sufficient food.The tough measures imposed on 27 March have caused immense hardship to many people in South Africa, with tens of millions deprived of their livelihoods and without sufficient food.
There has been growing tension in overcrowded poor neighbourhoods but the tough measures have effectively braked the spread of the disease and won plaudits internationally. There are currently 3,465 confirmed cases and 58 deaths in South Africa.There has been growing tension in overcrowded poor neighbourhoods but the tough measures have effectively braked the spread of the disease and won plaudits internationally. There are currently 3,465 confirmed cases and 58 deaths in South Africa.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s top civil servant says he “inadvertently and wrongly” informed MPs that ministers took a “political decision” not to take part in an EU scheme to get vital equipment.The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s top civil servant says he “inadvertently and wrongly” informed MPs that ministers took a “political decision” not to take part in an EU scheme to get vital equipment.
Sir Simon McDonald has written to the Commons foreign affairs committee to say he wishes to “clarify” his earlier remark.Sir Simon McDonald has written to the Commons foreign affairs committee to say he wishes to “clarify” his earlier remark.
The government’s explanation has shifted repeatedly.The government’s explanation has shifted repeatedly.
First, the prime minister’s official spokesman said the decision not to take part was taken because the UK is no longer a member of the EU, despite that not precluding participation during the transition period.First, the prime minister’s official spokesman said the decision not to take part was taken because the UK is no longer a member of the EU, despite that not precluding participation during the transition period.
Then Downing Street said it had missed out because a “communication error” meant it missed the deadline, despite UK officials having been present for numerous discussions about the scheme, and that it would be taking part after all.Then Downing Street said it had missed out because a “communication error” meant it missed the deadline, despite UK officials having been present for numerous discussions about the scheme, and that it would be taking part after all.
On Tuesday, McDonald told MPs not taking part had been a political decision, before the health secretary insisted later the same day that that was not the case. Within hours, McDonald’s latest statement has surfaced.On Tuesday, McDonald told MPs not taking part had been a political decision, before the health secretary insisted later the same day that that was not the case. Within hours, McDonald’s latest statement has surfaced.
Downing Street has weighed in behind the UK’s health secretary, Matt Hancock, following a report that he is being lined up to take the rap for government failures over protective equipment testing.Downing Street has weighed in behind the UK’s health secretary, Matt Hancock, following a report that he is being lined up to take the rap for government failures over protective equipment testing.
Boris Johnson’s official spokesman said the prime minister has full confidence in Hancock and stands behind his pledge to get the UK to 100,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of the month, despite only 19,000 being carried out on Monday.Boris Johnson’s official spokesman said the prime minister has full confidence in Hancock and stands behind his pledge to get the UK to 100,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of the month, despite only 19,000 being carried out on Monday.
However, a blame game has started in Whitehall about some of the problems that have dogged the government’s reaction to the crisis, with Hancock’s handling of the logistics around testing and personal protective equipment (PPE) in the spotlight.However, a blame game has started in Whitehall about some of the problems that have dogged the government’s reaction to the crisis, with Hancock’s handling of the logistics around testing and personal protective equipment (PPE) in the spotlight.
At the same time, some government sources have been pointing the finger at Public Health England for slowness to increase testing, and the NHS for failing to refer enough staff, which means completed tests are well below capacity of more than 39,000.At the same time, some government sources have been pointing the finger at Public Health England for slowness to increase testing, and the NHS for failing to refer enough staff, which means completed tests are well below capacity of more than 39,000.