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Coronavirus live news: more new cases in China as parts of Europe ease restrictions Coronavirus live news: more new cases in China as parts of Europe ease restrictions
(32 minutes later)
Boris Johnson’s plans for UK labelled vague and divisive; China records new cases in Wuhan and Shulan; New Zealand to move to level 2 restrictionsBoris Johnson’s plans for UK labelled vague and divisive; China records new cases in Wuhan and Shulan; New Zealand to move to level 2 restrictions
India is to reopen parts of its railway network this week, despite an ongoing rise in the coronavirus infection rate in the country.
The government’s railway ministry said it would gradually restart passenger services on Tuesday with 15 trains connecting Delhi to Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and other big cities.
“Thereafter, Indian Railways shall start more special services on new routes,” the government said in a statement.
India’s 1.3bn people are currently under lockdown until May 17 and a growing number of politicians and business groups are clamouring for an end to the measures.
An estimated 20m Indians use the railways each day under normal circumstances, and any resumption of services will be essential to restarting the Indian economy.
Figures released by the government on Sunday, however, showed coronavirus infections had jumped by 4,214 to 67,152, the biggest recorded daily rise.
India’s rising numbers of infections are in part the result of increased testing, which has grown from 2,000 tests per day in late March, to 85,000 to 90,000 a day now, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was due to hold a meeting with state chief ministers later on Monday to determine a path out of the lockdown even as infections spread.
Passengers taking the trains that will start up on Tuesday will have to wear masks and undergo screening at the stations, a government official said.
In Afghanistan, the capital, Kabul, recorded its worst day for coronavirus infections after 161 new cases were reported and the health ministry warned transmission will continue to surge across the war-torn country.The total number of infections in Kabul, which has so far been Afghanistan’s worst affected area, reached 1,257 confirmed cases. Around half of 325 tests in Kabul went back positive today.Wahid Majroh, deputy health minister said out of 709 tests across the country in the past 24 hours, 285 were positive and two patients had died of Covid-19, taking the total number of infections to 4,687 and death toll to 122. There have so far been 574 recoveries.Majroh warned that the country is going toward the peak of the virus and that the number of transmissions “will continue to surge”. He also said the testing capacity of the country will increase. Despite government authorised lockdown in the capital and several other provinces, cities are still crowded and some provinces eased lockdowns on Sunday.
Majroh said there is “a need for people to act responsibly and take the lockdown seriously”. He called on people to stay at home and asked the people to “adapt their life with the coronavirus and observe health guidelines”.
The Afghan government has announced that it has started a plan to distribute bread amongst the country’s poor after around two million Afghans lost their jobs due to the pandemic. The announcement came after at least six people were killed in a protest against unfair distribution of the aid in central Ghor province on Friday.Officials in Kandahar announced over the weekend that governor of Kandahar tested positive as 30 new confirmed cases reported today, pushing the total number of infection to 537 with 12 deaths.
Kandahar governor is the second high profile official in Afghanistan to get infected to Covid-19 after Ferozuddin Feroz, the health minister infected to virus last Thursday. Heath ministry spokesman said Feroz is in good condition.The western province of Herat recorded 7 new cases overnight. Herat borders Iran and first case of Covid-19 confirmed in the province as thousands of Afghan migrants poured back from Iran in February and March, fanning out across the country without being tested or quarantined. Herat is the country’s second worst affected city with 901 confirmed cases.Toward the east, six out of the eight of Sunday’s positive cases in Nangarhar were from province’s prison, said Shah Mahmoud Meyakhil, provincial governor, adding there are 12 other suspected cases are in the prison, 16 new cases confirmed today in Nangarhar.
Meanwhile, the war has intensified as at least six security forces were killed and five others were wounded in a Taliban attack in Laghman province on Sunday night, defense ministry said Monday.
At least 25 civilians were killed and 75 wounded in Taliban attacks over last week, according to country’s National Security Council spokesman.
Russia has reported a record rise in the number of new coronavirus infections with 11,656 new cases in the last 24 hours.Russia has reported a record rise in the number of new coronavirus infections with 11,656 new cases in the last 24 hours.
The Russian government attribute the spike in cases to an increased testing programme.The Russian government attribute the spike in cases to an increased testing programme.
The country’s coronavirus response centre also reported 94 new deaths, taking the overall death toll to 2,009 people.The country’s coronavirus response centre also reported 94 new deaths, taking the overall death toll to 2,009 people.
Schoolchildren began trialling temperature-monitoring bracelets at Beijing schools on Monday, in China’s latest high-tech measure for tracking possible exposure to Covid-19.Schoolchildren began trialling temperature-monitoring bracelets at Beijing schools on Monday, in China’s latest high-tech measure for tracking possible exposure to Covid-19.
The bracelets collect real-time temperature data that can be monitored by schools and parents via an app, the Beijing Daily reported. If a student’s temperature rises above 37.2 degrees, the bracelet will prompt their teacher to alert the police,The bracelets collect real-time temperature data that can be monitored by schools and parents via an app, the Beijing Daily reported. If a student’s temperature rises above 37.2 degrees, the bracelet will prompt their teacher to alert the police,
The bracelets were rolled out in five Beijing districts as middle school students went back to school for the first time in months.The bracelets were rolled out in five Beijing districts as middle school students went back to school for the first time in months.
“The bracelet is similar to a normal fitness tracker... We recommend that students wear them 24 hours a day,” one unnamed teacher told the Beijing Daily. “The bracelet is similar to a normal fitness tracker ... We recommend that students wear them 24 hours a day,” one unnamed teacher told the Beijing Daily.
Over the past few weeks, a wave of schools have gradually reopened across China with extra health and safety measures that include daily temperature monitoring, compulsory mask-wearing and social-distancing policies.Over the past few weeks, a wave of schools have gradually reopened across China with extra health and safety measures that include daily temperature monitoring, compulsory mask-wearing and social-distancing policies.
This follows measures taken in Chinese society more broadly. Thermal cameras have been in public areas and most places require people to show an app with green, yellow and red ratings that determine a person’s infection risk based on travel history.This follows measures taken in Chinese society more broadly. Thermal cameras have been in public areas and most places require people to show an app with green, yellow and red ratings that determine a person’s infection risk based on travel history.
Some Chinese regions have taken back-to-school measures that are even more vigilant. The southern province of Guangdong required all 167,000 of the first batch of returning high school students and 30,000 teachers to undergo nucleic acid testing in late April.Some Chinese regions have taken back-to-school measures that are even more vigilant. The southern province of Guangdong required all 167,000 of the first batch of returning high school students and 30,000 teachers to undergo nucleic acid testing in late April.
Confirmed coronavirus infections in the Philippines have broken past the 11,000 mark, the health ministry said on Monday.Confirmed coronavirus infections in the Philippines have broken past the 11,000 mark, the health ministry said on Monday.
In a bulletin, the health ministry reported 292 additional cases, bringing the total to 11,086. It recorded seven more deaths, increasing the total to 726 while 75 more patients have recovered, bringing total recoveries to 1,999.In a bulletin, the health ministry reported 292 additional cases, bringing the total to 11,086. It recorded seven more deaths, increasing the total to 726 while 75 more patients have recovered, bringing total recoveries to 1,999.
Tróndur Arge writes: The last time KI Klaksvik and B36 Torshavn met, last October, it was to decide the destiny of the Premier League title, a match that attracted a record 6,000 people – about 11.5% of the population of the Faroe Islands. On Saturday they played again, with no more than 50 people allowed into the stadium including the 22 players on the field, as European domestic football got back under way on the rocky archipelago between Scotland and Iceland.Tróndur Arge writes: The last time KI Klaksvik and B36 Torshavn met, last October, it was to decide the destiny of the Premier League title, a match that attracted a record 6,000 people – about 11.5% of the population of the Faroe Islands. On Saturday they played again, with no more than 50 people allowed into the stadium including the 22 players on the field, as European domestic football got back under way on the rocky archipelago between Scotland and Iceland.
Saudi Arabia has announced plans to raise taxes and cut public spending as it attempts to deal with both the Covid-19 pandemic and a collapse in oil prices.Saudi Arabia has announced plans to raise taxes and cut public spending as it attempts to deal with both the Covid-19 pandemic and a collapse in oil prices.
Taxes on basic goods are to triple to 15%, spending on major projects cut by $26bn and a ‘cost of living allowance’ for individuals is to be scrapped.Taxes on basic goods are to triple to 15%, spending on major projects cut by $26bn and a ‘cost of living allowance’ for individuals is to be scrapped.
“We are facing a crisis the world has never seen the likes of in modern history, a crisis marked by uncertainty,” said the Saudi finance minister and acting minister of economy and planning, Mohammed Al-Jadaan.“We are facing a crisis the world has never seen the likes of in modern history, a crisis marked by uncertainty,” said the Saudi finance minister and acting minister of economy and planning, Mohammed Al-Jadaan.
“These measures that have been undertaken today, as tough as they are, are necessary and beneficial to maintain comprehensive financial and economic stability.”“These measures that have been undertaken today, as tough as they are, are necessary and beneficial to maintain comprehensive financial and economic stability.”
Saudi Arabia has experienced a substantial coronavirus outbreak, reporting 39,000 confirmed cases and 246 deaths. But the country has also been hit hard by the fall in oil prices, with crude now trading at around $30 a barrel, less than half the price at the end of 2019.Saudi Arabia has experienced a substantial coronavirus outbreak, reporting 39,000 confirmed cases and 246 deaths. But the country has also been hit hard by the fall in oil prices, with crude now trading at around $30 a barrel, less than half the price at the end of 2019.
This is far below the range Saudi Arabia needs to balance its budget. The kingdom has also lost revenue from the suspension of Muslim pilgrimages to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, which were closed to visitors due to the virus.This is far below the range Saudi Arabia needs to balance its budget. The kingdom has also lost revenue from the suspension of Muslim pilgrimages to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, which were closed to visitors due to the virus.
The decision to cut $26bn in expenses, or about 100 billion Saudi riyals, includes cancelling, extending, or postponing some operational and capital expenditures for government agencies, as well reducing costs for major Vision 2030 projects that are the centerpiece of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s plans for the country.The decision to cut $26bn in expenses, or about 100 billion Saudi riyals, includes cancelling, extending, or postponing some operational and capital expenditures for government agencies, as well reducing costs for major Vision 2030 projects that are the centerpiece of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s plans for the country.
The cost-of-living allowance, is also to be withdrawn from June, a supplement that had cost the state about $13.5bn a year.The cost-of-living allowance, is also to be withdrawn from June, a supplement that had cost the state about $13.5bn a year.
VAT will also rise from 5% to 15% in July. The tax on most goods and services was only introduced in Saudi Arabia in 2018.VAT will also rise from 5% to 15% in July. The tax on most goods and services was only introduced in Saudi Arabia in 2018.
Switzerland has announced a range of measures to loosen lockdown conditions in the country.Switzerland has announced a range of measures to loosen lockdown conditions in the country.
From today, primary and ‘lower secondary’ schools will reopen, meaning children up to the age of 15 can resume their education.From today, primary and ‘lower secondary’ schools will reopen, meaning children up to the age of 15 can resume their education.
Shops, markets, museums, libraries and restaurants will also be allowed to reopen provided they comply with “precautionary measures”.Shops, markets, museums, libraries and restaurants will also be allowed to reopen provided they comply with “precautionary measures”.
The level of threat from coronavirus in the country remains ‘extraordinary’ however, according to the government’s classification.The level of threat from coronavirus in the country remains ‘extraordinary’ however, according to the government’s classification.
Switzerland has reported 30,305 cases of the disease, according to the John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, with 1,833 deaths.Switzerland has reported 30,305 cases of the disease, according to the John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, with 1,833 deaths.
Many of us have turned to the television set for solace during the coronavirus lockdown. But with much of the world behind closed doors, production of new content for the small screen has ground to a halt.Many of us have turned to the television set for solace during the coronavirus lockdown. But with much of the world behind closed doors, production of new content for the small screen has ground to a halt.
In Japan, this has led to an almost unprecedented situation: a lack of new episodes of “Sazae-san”, the world’s longest running cartoon.In Japan, this has led to an almost unprecedented situation: a lack of new episodes of “Sazae-san”, the world’s longest running cartoon.
A mainstay of the Japanese weekend, production of the cartoon has been interrupted by the coronavirus, forcing the broadcast of re-runs for the first time in decades.A mainstay of the Japanese weekend, production of the cartoon has been interrupted by the coronavirus, forcing the broadcast of re-runs for the first time in decades.
“Sazae-san”, which first aired in 1969, revolves around the life of Mrs Sazae, a cheerful but klutzy housewife who lives with her parents, husband, son, brother and sister.“Sazae-san”, which first aired in 1969, revolves around the life of Mrs Sazae, a cheerful but klutzy housewife who lives with her parents, husband, son, brother and sister.
The 30-minute episodes aired Sunday nights are very popular, and for many in Japan have come to denote the end of the weekend.The 30-minute episodes aired Sunday nights are very popular, and for many in Japan have come to denote the end of the weekend.
But the cartoon, recognised as the longest-running animated TV series by Guinness World Records, has been hampered by the outbreak of the virus, with animation dubbing halted to keep staff safe, broadcaster Fuji Television Network said.But the cartoon, recognised as the longest-running animated TV series by Guinness World Records, has been hampered by the outbreak of the virus, with animation dubbing halted to keep staff safe, broadcaster Fuji Television Network said.
“We will halt broadcast of new episodes of ‘Sazae-san’ for the time being from May 17 and instead air re-runs,” it announced on Sunday.“We will halt broadcast of new episodes of ‘Sazae-san’ for the time being from May 17 and instead air re-runs,” it announced on Sunday.
It is the first time the network has been forced to air re-runs since 1975, when the economic effects of an earlier oil crisis lingered..It is the first time the network has been forced to air re-runs since 1975, when the economic effects of an earlier oil crisis lingered..
Hi this is Paul and I’ll be taking you through for the next four hours. My Twitter is largely defunct (I just lurk really), but you can mail me hereHi this is Paul and I’ll be taking you through for the next four hours. My Twitter is largely defunct (I just lurk really), but you can mail me here
I’ll now hand over to my colleague Paul MacInnes in London. Thanks for your company.I’ll now hand over to my colleague Paul MacInnes in London. Thanks for your company.
You can catch up on the most recent developments with our global wrap here:You can catch up on the most recent developments with our global wrap here: