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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
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan passed 30,000 on Monday, after 1,476 new infections were detected in the past 24 hours, according to the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The latest increase brings the total number of people found infected with the virus to 30,941, of whom 667 have died and 8,212 have recovered. The country’s has so far conducted 277,698 tests.
The most affected province is Punjab, with 11,568 cases, followed by Sindh, which has 11,480.
The Cannes film festival appears to have halted any plans for a physical edition for 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but is aiming to sponsor screenings at other festivals and cinemas of the films that would have been selected for the festival, Andrew Pulver, the Guardian’s film editor, reports.
In an interview with Screen, Cannes artistic director Thierry Frémaux said he “could never have imagined” something like the cancellation of the festival, which was originally due to start tomorrow and was “overcome with a great sense of melancholy and nostalgia.”
He added:
The festival announced in April that it had been forced to call off its event in its traditional mid-May slot, after restrictions by French government effectively banned mass gatherings until mid-July at the earliest. However, tentative suggestions that a postponed version could be mounted later in the year appear to have been abandoned. Cannes has also appeared to resist calls to go down the digital route and construct a “virtual” festival online.
Frémaux said that, at the beginning of June, Cannes would announce a list of films that would have screened in the 2020 festival. Then, Frémaux said, “the aim is to start organising events in cinemas” – what he termed “Cannes hors les murs”, or “Cannes outside the walls”.
Authorities in South Korea are struggling to contain a new coronavirus outbreak linked to the capital’s nightclub district as a backlash against the country’s gay community increases, prompting fears LGBT people will fail to get tested out of fear of being outed, Nemo Kim in Seoul reports.
South Korea had been praised for its innovative efforts to contain the pandemic, going from the second most infected region outside China to having just a handful of cases before the latest outbreak a week ago.
But the increasing number of cases related to nightclubs in Seoul is raising concerns about a possible second wave as well as over the high level of deeply entrenched homophobic attitudes in the conservative society.
Of 35 new cases, 29 were found to be linked to Itaewon, the capital’s gay district, according to officials from the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), bringing the total number of cases related to the clubs to 86.
After Kookmin Ilbo, a local media outlet with links to an evangelical church, reported that businesses visited by an infected man over the long weekend were gay clubs, many other South Korean media followed suit, revealing not only the identity of clientele but also some of their ages and the names of their workplaces.
The media frenzy reached a new level when another infected man was found to have been to an LGBT sauna in Gangnam, prompting a slew of homophobic content in newspapers and online.
Lurid reporting, along with South Korea’s use of the trace and test method, has led to members of the gay community reporting feeling scared to get tested and even suicidal. Officials said 3,112 people who were in the nightclubs were currently not contactable.
Lee Youngwu , a gay man in his 30s, told the Guardian:
Spain’s health ministry reported 123 coronavirus deaths on Monday, the country’s lowest level in seven weeks and down from a peak of 950 in early April, Reuters reports.Spain’s health ministry reported 123 coronavirus deaths on Monday, the country’s lowest level in seven weeks and down from a peak of 950 in early April, Reuters reports.
The overall death toll from the epidemic rose to 26,744 on Monday from 26,621 on the previous day. The number of confirmed cases rose to 227,436 from 224,390 on Sunday.The overall death toll from the epidemic rose to 26,744 on Monday from 26,621 on the previous day. The number of confirmed cases rose to 227,436 from 224,390 on Sunday.
It came as about half of Spain’s 47 million people progressed to the so-called Phase 1 of a four-step plan to relax one of Europe’s strictest lockdowns after the government decided that the regions in which they live met the necessary criteria.It came as about half of Spain’s 47 million people progressed to the so-called Phase 1 of a four-step plan to relax one of Europe’s strictest lockdowns after the government decided that the regions in which they live met the necessary criteria.
In regions that qualify, including most of Andalusia - Spain’s most populous - as well as the Canary and Balearic Islands, bars, restaurants, shops, museums, gyms and hotels were allowed to open, most at reduced capacity.In regions that qualify, including most of Andalusia - Spain’s most populous - as well as the Canary and Balearic Islands, bars, restaurants, shops, museums, gyms and hotels were allowed to open, most at reduced capacity.
But Madrid, Barcelona and other cities including Valencia, Malaga and Granada will remain in Phase 0.But Madrid, Barcelona and other cities including Valencia, Malaga and Granada will remain in Phase 0.
Church services resumed with limited capacity and chairs, rather than pews, were spaced out inside for worshippers to keep 2m apart.Church services resumed with limited capacity and chairs, rather than pews, were spaced out inside for worshippers to keep 2m apart.
Under the lockdown relaxation, up to 10 people can gather together and people are allowed to move freely around their province.Under the lockdown relaxation, up to 10 people can gather together and people are allowed to move freely around their province.
Europe’s largest minority, the Roma people, are being particularly hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic in many countries, because they face a combination of health risks, economic deprivation and increased stigmatisation, reports Shaun Walker, the Guardian’s central and eastern Europe correspondent, in Budapest.Europe’s largest minority, the Roma people, are being particularly hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic in many countries, because they face a combination of health risks, economic deprivation and increased stigmatisation, reports Shaun Walker, the Guardian’s central and eastern Europe correspondent, in Budapest.
Around 80% of Europe’s 10 million Roma live in densely populated neighbourhoods and overcrowded houses, and many do not have access to running water. This means the basic distancing and sanitary measures required to combat the spread of the virus are more difficult. In some countries this has already led to scapegoating of Roma communities as potential illness hotspots.Around 80% of Europe’s 10 million Roma live in densely populated neighbourhoods and overcrowded houses, and many do not have access to running water. This means the basic distancing and sanitary measures required to combat the spread of the virus are more difficult. In some countries this has already led to scapegoating of Roma communities as potential illness hotspots.
“This disaster will not only affect the Roma but also mainstream societies, economies, and politics, and heighten inter-ethnic conflict to a level not seen in the last three decades,” according to a recent report by the Open Society Foundations on the impact of coronavirus on Roma in six countries with sizeable communities: Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Slovakia and Spain.“This disaster will not only affect the Roma but also mainstream societies, economies, and politics, and heighten inter-ethnic conflict to a level not seen in the last three decades,” according to a recent report by the Open Society Foundations on the impact of coronavirus on Roma in six countries with sizeable communities: Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Slovakia and Spain.
Roma neighbourhoods in Bulgaria and Slovakia have been cordoned off amid fears of the virus spreading. Police checkpoints were introduced outside two large neighbourhoods in Sofia, and people were only allowed to leave the area if they could show a work contract or prove another urgent reason for doing so.Roma neighbourhoods in Bulgaria and Slovakia have been cordoned off amid fears of the virus spreading. Police checkpoints were introduced outside two large neighbourhoods in Sofia, and people were only allowed to leave the area if they could show a work contract or prove another urgent reason for doing so.
Forty-five more people in Iran have been recorded as dying from coronavirus in the past 24 hours, according to the spokesman for the country’s health ministry.Forty-five more people in Iran have been recorded as dying from coronavirus in the past 24 hours, according to the spokesman for the country’s health ministry.
In a televised statement, Kianoush Jahanpour said said that 1,683 new infected cases have been detected since yesterday, bringing the total number of infections to 109,286.In a televised statement, Kianoush Jahanpour said said that 1,683 new infected cases have been detected since yesterday, bringing the total number of infections to 109,286.
So far 87,422 people have recovered from the virus, while 6,685 have died and 2,703 are currently in hospital in a critical condition, Jahanpour was quoted as saying by the Islamic Republic News Agency.So far 87,422 people have recovered from the virus, while 6,685 have died and 2,703 are currently in hospital in a critical condition, Jahanpour was quoted as saying by the Islamic Republic News Agency.
He added that 601,324 tests have so far been carried out in Iran.He added that 601,324 tests have so far been carried out in Iran.
Saudi-backed authorities in Yemen have declared Aden an “infested” city after the number of coronavirus cases there rose, Reuters reports.Saudi-backed authorities in Yemen have declared Aden an “infested” city after the number of coronavirus cases there rose, Reuters reports.
The Aden-based national coronavirus committee late on Sunday announced 17 new Covid-19 cases, 10 of them in the southern port city, to raise the total count in areas under the Saudi-backed government’s control to 51 with eight deaths.The Aden-based national coronavirus committee late on Sunday announced 17 new Covid-19 cases, 10 of them in the southern port city, to raise the total count in areas under the Saudi-backed government’s control to 51 with eight deaths.
The Iran-aligned Houthi movement, which controls Sanaa, the national capital, and most large urban centres, has reported two cases, with one death. The Aden-based government has accused Houthi authorities of covering up an outbreak in Sanaa, an accusation they deny.The Iran-aligned Houthi movement, which controls Sanaa, the national capital, and most large urban centres, has reported two cases, with one death. The Aden-based government has accused Houthi authorities of covering up an outbreak in Sanaa, an accusation they deny.
The committee said Aden had been declared an “infested city” due to the spread of the coronavirus and other diseases already rife in the country after recent flooding. It said movement from Aden to other regions was barred, except for transport of goods.The committee said Aden had been declared an “infested city” due to the spread of the coronavirus and other diseases already rife in the country after recent flooding. It said movement from Aden to other regions was barred, except for transport of goods.
“The administrative and political situation in Aden is also hampering efforts to combat the coronavirus and this should be remedied so relevant entities can carry out their duties,” the committee said on its Twitter account.“The administrative and political situation in Aden is also hampering efforts to combat the coronavirus and this should be remedied so relevant entities can carry out their duties,” the committee said on its Twitter account.
A five-year war has shattered Yemen’s health system, pushed millions to the brink of famine and divided the country.A five-year war has shattered Yemen’s health system, pushed millions to the brink of famine and divided the country.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says there is community transmission of the virus in Yemen, with the disease spreading undetected among a population with some of the lowest levels of immunity to disease compared with other states.The World Health Organization (WHO) says there is community transmission of the virus in Yemen, with the disease spreading undetected among a population with some of the lowest levels of immunity to disease compared with other states.
Testing capabilities are inadequate but the WHO has also urged local authorities to transparently report confirmed cases.Testing capabilities are inadequate but the WHO has also urged local authorities to transparently report confirmed cases.
Hi this is Damien Gayle taking the reins on the blog now for the next eight hours, with the latest coronavirus developments from around the world.Hi this is Damien Gayle taking the reins on the blog now for the next eight hours, with the latest coronavirus developments from around the world.
As usual, I’m keen to hear your input. If you have any tips, suggestions or ideas for things we could be covering from your part of the world, please do drop me a line, either via email to damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or via a direct message through Twitter to @damiengayle.As usual, I’m keen to hear your input. If you have any tips, suggestions or ideas for things we could be covering from your part of the world, please do drop me a line, either via email to damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or via a direct message through Twitter to @damiengayle.
This is Paul MacInnes signing off. Damien Gayle will be taking over till 7pm UK time. Thanks for reading and for your emails too.This is Paul MacInnes signing off. Damien Gayle will be taking over till 7pm UK time. Thanks for reading and for your emails too.
India is to reopen parts of its railway network this week, despite an ongoing rise in the coronavirus infection rate in the country.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.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.“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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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”.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.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.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.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.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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
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.
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.
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”.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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..
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 here
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: