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Coronavirus live news: Putin to ease Russia lockdown despite record number of new infections Coronavirus live news: Putin to ease Russia lockdown despite record number of new infections
(32 minutes later)
UK and WHO to lead global Covid-19 information campaign; Aden declared an ‘infested’ cityUK and WHO to lead global Covid-19 information campaign; Aden declared an ‘infested’ city
Mike Pence, the US vice-president, will not enter quarantine despite a rash of coronavirus cases in the White House in recent days, including a positive test for Pence’s press secretary, writes Tom McCarthy, the Guardian US national affairs correspondent in New York.
“Vice-president Pence has tested negative every single day and plans to be at the White House tomorrow,” Devin O’Malley, a backup spokesman for Pence, said in a statement on Sunday night.
As the Trump administration urges Americans to return to workplaces and Donald Trump touts a “transition to greatness” ahead, the White House faces a delicate balancing act in projecting business as usual even as coronavirus cases spread through the halls of power.
There were 179 new coronavirus fatalities in Italy on Monday, bringing the death toll to 30,739, while the number of new infections rose by 744, 58 less than on Sunday, writes Angela Giuffrida, the Guardian’s Rome correspondent.There were 179 new coronavirus fatalities in Italy on Monday, bringing the death toll to 30,739, while the number of new infections rose by 744, 58 less than on Sunday, writes Angela Giuffrida, the Guardian’s Rome correspondent.
While new infections have been declining across all the Italian regions, there has been an unusual rise in Molise, the sparsely-populated southern region. After registering several days of zero infections during the first week of May, the rate suddenly went up, with 81 new cases recorded since 7 May, reportedly from among the Roma community in the regional capital of Campobasso. While new infections have been declining across all the Italian regions, there has been an unusual rise in Molise, the sparsely populated southern region. After registering several days of zero infections during the first week of May, the rate suddenly went up, with 81 new cases recorded since 7 May, reportedly from among the Roma community in the regional capital of Campobasso.
The region has had 383 confirmed cases to date, the lowest in Italy, and 22 deaths.The region has had 383 confirmed cases to date, the lowest in Italy, and 22 deaths.
The president of Madagascar has dismissed criticism over his promoting a homegrown remedy for Covid-19, accusing the health experts of taking a condescending attitude towards traditional African medicine, AFP reports. The president of Madagascar has dismissed criticism over his promoting a homegrown remedy for Covid-19, accusing health experts of taking a condescending attitude towards traditional African medicine, AFP reports.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly warned that the infusion, derived from artemisia and other indigenous herbs, has not been clinically tested.The World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly warned that the infusion, derived from artemisia and other indigenous herbs, has not been clinically tested.
But the Madagascan leader, Andry Rajoelina, claims the infusion cures patients within 10 days. In an interview with French media, he said:But the Madagascan leader, Andry Rajoelina, claims the infusion cures patients within 10 days. In an interview with French media, he said:
Already Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Niger and Tanzania have taken delivery of consignments of the potion, which was launched last month.Already Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Niger and Tanzania have taken delivery of consignments of the potion, which was launched last month.
“No country or organisation will keep us from going forward,” Rajoelina said in response to the WHO’s concerns.“No country or organisation will keep us from going forward,” Rajoelina said in response to the WHO’s concerns.
He said proof of the tonic’s efficacy was in “the healing of our sick”.He said proof of the tonic’s efficacy was in “the healing of our sick”.
Madagascar has officially reported 183 coronavirus infections and 105 recoveries, with no deaths.Madagascar has officially reported 183 coronavirus infections and 105 recoveries, with no deaths.
The government of Jordan decided on Monday to allow civil servants to return to work on May 26 following a break of around two months imposed as part of measures to stem the spread of the new coronavirus, Reuters reports. The government of Jordan decided on Monday to allow civil servants to return to work from 26 May following a break of around two months imposed as part of measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus, Reuters reports.
Amjad al Adailah, the government’s spokesman, said that the civil servants, who comprise the bulk of Jordan’s public sector, would return after a three-day Muslim Eid holiday that will mark the end of Ramadan. Amjad al-Adailah, a government spokesman, said civil servants, who comprise the bulk of Jordan’s public sector, would return after the three-day Eid holiday that marks the end of Ramadan.
The government will also maintain a night curfew until further notice despite the easing of a tight lockdown over the last two weeks that has allowed most businesses to resume work, he added. The government will maintain a night curfew until further notice despite the easing of a tight lockdown over the last two weeks that has allowed most businesses to resume work, he added.
The European Commission will tell airlines and travel companies to offer vouchers valid at least 12 months for travel cancelled amid coronavirus when it presents this week its recommendations to help the ailing tourism industry, officials told Reuters. The European commission will tell airlines and travel companies to offer vouchers valid at least 12 months for travel cancelled as a result of the coronavirus crisis when it presents this week its recommendations to help the ailing tourism industry, officials told Reuters.
Vouchers should offer the same services, same route in case of a flight and same travel conditions as the original booking. Customers who end up not using the vouchers, would still be able to ask for a full refund no later than 12 months after the vouchers were issued, the officials said on Monday. Vouchers should offer the same services, same route in case of a flight and same travel conditions as the original booking. Customers who end up not using the vouchers would still be able to ask for a full refund no later than 12 months after the vouchers were issued, the officials said on Monday.
The EU executive is also due to tell member states to guarantee vouchers to convince customers to accept them instead of a cash refund, according to a document seen by Reuters ahead of official publication due on Wednesday. The EU executive is also due to tell member states to guarantee vouchers to convince customers to accept them instead of a cash refund, according to a document seen by Reuters before official publication due on Wednesday.
The proposal by the Commission will come as guidance to the 27 EU member states and European companies, rather than a law they would be obliged to follow. The proposal will come as guidance to the 27 EU member states and European companies, rather than a law they would be obliged to follow.
It comes as Germany and other countries have urged a suspension of EU rules that force cash-drained airlines and the hospitality industry to offer full refunds for cancelled flights and trips. Germany and other countries have urged a suspension of EU rules that force cash-drained airlines and the hospitality industry to offer full refunds for cancelled flights and trips.
Tunisia on Monday urged continued vigilance against the novel coronavirus, a day after recording no new cases for the first time since March 2 as it eases strict lockdown measures, AFP reports. Tunisia on Monday urged continued vigilance against the coronavirus, a day after recording no new cases for the first time since 2 March as it eases strict lockdown measures, AFP reports.
The country’s overall toll stood at 1,032 cases on Sunday, the same as the previous day, with 45 deaths - unchanged for several days - and 700 recoveries. The country’s overall toll stood at 1,032 cases on Sunday, the same as the previous day, with 45 deaths – unchanged for several days – and 700 recoveries.
But the health minister, Abdellatif Mekki, urged caution despite the encouraging figure. But the health minister, Abdellatif Mekki, urged caution despite the encouraging figures.
“It’s true that it boosts morale, but there could be a return of cases tomorrow,” he told the health committee of the North African country’s parliament. “It’s true that it boosts morale, but there could be a return of cases tomorrow,” he told the parliamentary health committee.
He called on Tunisians to continue respecting hygiene and social distancing measures.He called on Tunisians to continue respecting hygiene and social distancing measures.
Tunisia closed its schools, places of worship and non-essential shops in mid-March, despite having recorded fewer than 20 cases of the Covid-19 illness.Tunisia closed its schools, places of worship and non-essential shops in mid-March, despite having recorded fewer than 20 cases of the Covid-19 illness.
It began a partial easing of the lockdown in late April, although schools will largely remain closed until September.It began a partial easing of the lockdown in late April, although schools will largely remain closed until September.
Richard Branson is to sell $500m (£405m) in Virgin Galactic shares in order to prop up his airline and leisure interests, which have been ravaged by the coronavirus crisis.Richard Branson is to sell $500m (£405m) in Virgin Galactic shares in order to prop up his airline and leisure interests, which have been ravaged by the coronavirus crisis.
In a statement to the New York Stock Exchange, Branson’s Virgin Group said it intended to sell 25m shares via a series of transactions, prompting a 5% fall in the share price of Virgin Galactic during pre-market trading. In a statement to the New York stock exchange, Branson’s Virgin Group said it intended to sell 25m shares via a series of transactions, prompting a 5% fall in the share price of Virgin Galactic during pre-market trading.
The shares, which account for just over a fifth of the billionaire’s stake in the space tourism business, were worth $500m at their pre-announcement price of $20. The company said:The shares, which account for just over a fifth of the billionaire’s stake in the space tourism business, were worth $500m at their pre-announcement price of $20. The company said:
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization, is now giving his thrice-weekly press conference on coronavirus. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization, is now giving one of his thrice-weekly press conferences on coronavirus.
You can also viewer it in the player embedded at the top of the blog. You can also view it in the player embedded at the top of the blog.
Particular focus in Germany in the struggle against coronavirus is being paid to the meat industry, where there has been a disturbingly high number of infections, writes Kate Connolly, the Guardian’s Berlin correspondent.Particular focus in Germany in the struggle against coronavirus is being paid to the meat industry, where there has been a disturbingly high number of infections, writes Kate Connolly, the Guardian’s Berlin correspondent.
Critics of the industry have said they believe that working conditions, including the accommodation where workers – mainly from eastern European countries – are often housed collectively in very close quarters, are at least in part to blame.Critics of the industry have said they believe that working conditions, including the accommodation where workers – mainly from eastern European countries – are often housed collectively in very close quarters, are at least in part to blame.
In one abattoir in particular, in the municipality of Coesfeld in North Rhein-Westphalia, there have been 249 confirmed cases of coronavirus among workers.In one abattoir in particular, in the municipality of Coesfeld in North Rhein-Westphalia, there have been 249 confirmed cases of coronavirus among workers.
The meat industry has hit back at the claims, insisting the working conditions are not to blame. Instead, it says the reason is that the meat industry had to keep going even as the virus took hold in Germany, while other industries, such as the automobile industry, were forced to stop.The meat industry has hit back at the claims, insisting the working conditions are not to blame. Instead, it says the reason is that the meat industry had to keep going even as the virus took hold in Germany, while other industries, such as the automobile industry, were forced to stop.
“The industry had to keep going in order to ensure that the food supply was not interrupted”, Heike Harstick, the CEO of the association of the German meat industry, told the Süddeutsche Zeitung in an interview. She said if workers had to be kept in separate rooms, that would lead to higher rent and many abattoirs would go out of business or be forced abroad.“The industry had to keep going in order to ensure that the food supply was not interrupted”, Heike Harstick, the CEO of the association of the German meat industry, told the Süddeutsche Zeitung in an interview. She said if workers had to be kept in separate rooms, that would lead to higher rent and many abattoirs would go out of business or be forced abroad.
As a result of the scandal in Coesfeld, and other incidents elsewhere, all workers at abattoirs across NRW will now have a coronavirus test by the end of this week, said Karl-Josef Laumann, the state’s health minister.As a result of the scandal in Coesfeld, and other incidents elsewhere, all workers at abattoirs across NRW will now have a coronavirus test by the end of this week, said Karl-Josef Laumann, the state’s health minister.
The opposition Green party has called for a debate in the Bundestag for the coming week on working conditions in the meat industry across the country and is calling for tighter controls and better worker protection to be introduced.The opposition Green party has called for a debate in the Bundestag for the coming week on working conditions in the meat industry across the country and is calling for tighter controls and better worker protection to be introduced.
This is Damien Gayle back again after my break, so please do send on any tips, comments or suggestions for coverage. You can reach me via email to damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or via Twitter direct message to @damiengayle.This is Damien Gayle back again after my break, so please do send on any tips, comments or suggestions for coverage. You can reach me via email to damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or via Twitter direct message to @damiengayle.
This is Caroline Davies now handing the blog back to my colleague Damien Gayle.This is Caroline Davies now handing the blog back to my colleague Damien Gayle.
On an unseasonably chill grey May morning, in coats and scarves, Paris came out of lockdown in much the same mood as it went into it two months ago: a bit hesitantly, dragging its feet, not entirely sure what the rules were of another new non-normality, writes Jon Henley, the Guardian’s European affairs correspondent.On an unseasonably chill grey May morning, in coats and scarves, Paris came out of lockdown in much the same mood as it went into it two months ago: a bit hesitantly, dragging its feet, not entirely sure what the rules were of another new non-normality, writes Jon Henley, the Guardian’s European affairs correspondent.
“I’m a little bit frightened,” admitted Marianna Mota, reopening her florist’s on Rue Condorcet in the 9th arrondissement for the first time since 17 March. “I only hope the customers will come and I only hope they’ll be careful. We need them to be.”“I’m a little bit frightened,” admitted Marianna Mota, reopening her florist’s on Rue Condorcet in the 9th arrondissement for the first time since 17 March. “I only hope the customers will come and I only hope they’ll be careful. We need them to be.”
It nearly did not happen at all. According to local media, the government hesitated until the last minute before finally confirming last week it would lift the lockdown in the French capital and its surrounding area, the country’s most densely populated region and the hardest hit by Covid-19.It nearly did not happen at all. According to local media, the government hesitated until the last minute before finally confirming last week it would lift the lockdown in the French capital and its surrounding area, the country’s most densely populated region and the hardest hit by Covid-19.
Unlike most of the rest of France, classified green, and to a much greater extent than the three other regions coloured red for high-risk – broadly the country’s north-east quarter – the coronavirus is still circulating in and around Paris, where Covid-19 patients currently account for more than 10% of admissions to emergency care wards.Unlike most of the rest of France, classified green, and to a much greater extent than the three other regions coloured red for high-risk – broadly the country’s north-east quarter – the coronavirus is still circulating in and around Paris, where Covid-19 patients currently account for more than 10% of admissions to emergency care wards.
The UK government has given the all clear for the Premier League and other professional sports to return behind closed doors from 1 June, providing its five tests on controlling the coronavirus are met.The UK government has given the all clear for the Premier League and other professional sports to return behind closed doors from 1 June, providing its five tests on controlling the coronavirus are met.
The news was contained in a 60-page document, Our Plan to Rebuild, which sets out in broad terms the government’s strategy for recovery from the pandemic.The news was contained in a 60-page document, Our Plan to Rebuild, which sets out in broad terms the government’s strategy for recovery from the pandemic.
Sport would be able to resume as part of the second stage of the government’s recovery plan. This would permit “cultural and sporting events to take place behind closed-doors for broadcast, while avoiding the risk of large-scale social contact”.Sport would be able to resume as part of the second stage of the government’s recovery plan. This would permit “cultural and sporting events to take place behind closed-doors for broadcast, while avoiding the risk of large-scale social contact”.
Full report by Paul MacInnes here.Full report by Paul MacInnes here.
Cape Town and the surrounding Western Cape province have become South Africa’s coronavirus hotspot, accounting for more than half of the nation’s confirmed cases, which have climbed above 10,600, Associated Press reports.Cape Town and the surrounding Western Cape province have become South Africa’s coronavirus hotspot, accounting for more than half of the nation’s confirmed cases, which have climbed above 10,600, Associated Press reports.
Western Cape province has had 5,621 cases, according to figures released Monday, and of the country’s 206 deaths registered from Covid-19, 116 have occurred in the province.Western Cape province has had 5,621 cases, according to figures released Monday, and of the country’s 206 deaths registered from Covid-19, 116 have occurred in the province.
Cape Town, with its poor, densely populated townships, is the centre of the cases in the province.Cape Town, with its poor, densely populated townships, is the centre of the cases in the province.
South Africa has the continent’s highest number of confirmed cases and has eased its restrictions to allow an estimated 1.6 million people to return to work in selected mines, factories and businesses.South Africa has the continent’s highest number of confirmed cases and has eased its restrictions to allow an estimated 1.6 million people to return to work in selected mines, factories and businesses.
However, the concentration of cases in Cape Town may lead to the city returning to a stricter lockdown, according to the health minister, Zweli Mkizhe.However, the concentration of cases in Cape Town may lead to the city returning to a stricter lockdown, according to the health minister, Zweli Mkizhe.