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Coronavirus live news: Barack Obama attacks Trump virus response Coronavirus live news: Barack Obama attacks Trump virus response
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WHO calls for ‘preparation, not celebration’; boy in France dies of Kawasaki-like disease; virus survivor, 113, in Spain calls for ‘new world order’WHO calls for ‘preparation, not celebration’; boy in France dies of Kawasaki-like disease; virus survivor, 113, in Spain calls for ‘new world order’
Germans with holiday homes in Mallorca are clamouring to return to the sun-soaked island as the coronavirus lockdowns ease, but Spanish authorities are pushing back, Agence France-Presse reports. Several hundred Germans have in recent weeks sent pleading, sometimes angry letters to the regional government of the Balearic Islands asking them to allow foreign property owners to return to their second homes. The protesters have warned that keeping them away from their properties could make them think twice about their investments on the island. Mallorca has long been one of the most popular destinations for Germans abroad, so much so that it is sometimes jokingly referred to as Germany’s “17th state”. Some 4.5 million Germans visited Mallorca last year to enjoy its idyllic beaches and bustling nightlife. But the Spanish government is refusing to budge, wary of moving too quickly as it cautiously relaxes lockdown measures in one of Europe’s worst-affected countries. To limit the risk of a second wave of infections, Madrid has limited air and sea arrivals to Spanish nationals and permanent residents only, as well as people in certain professions. All international arrivals also have to self-quarantine for 14 days. The quarantine measure is expected to stay in place for the duration of Spain’s state of emergency, which Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez aims to extend until late June.
In Australia, Victorian premier Dan Andrews has announced plans to ease restrictions. From 1 June, cafes, restaurants, and the dining areas of pubs and clubs will reopen with up to 20 patrons indoors. Three weeks later, on 22 June, that limit will go up to 50 patrons. In mid-July, it will increase again to 100 patrons. Andrews says that citizens will still need to abide by distancing rules if this is to happen.
Restrictions on gyms or outdoor gatherings will remain in place. Andrews added that by mid-July, as hospitality reopens, the government messaging will change from “stay home” to “stay safe”. The policy of “if you can work from home, work from home” will not change, he said.
The Indian Express newspaper has reported on the plight of migrant workers who remain stranded across India. Millions of casual labourers and domestic workers abruptly lost their incomes when the country was placed under lockdown on 24 March. Many live hand to mouth and had no choice but to return home when the quarantine measures were introduced, but were unable to do so because transport had been halted.The Indian Express newspaper has reported on the plight of migrant workers who remain stranded across India. Millions of casual labourers and domestic workers abruptly lost their incomes when the country was placed under lockdown on 24 March. Many live hand to mouth and had no choice but to return home when the quarantine measures were introduced, but were unable to do so because transport had been halted.
Workers have resorted to walking in the searing heat for hundreds of miles to get home. Others have sought refugee in government shelters. On Saturday, at least 23 laborers died in northern India when a truck they were traveling in smashed into a stationary truck on a highway. Last week, a train crashed into a group of tired workers who fell asleep on the tracks while walking back home in western Maharashtra state, killing 16.Workers have resorted to walking in the searing heat for hundreds of miles to get home. Others have sought refugee in government shelters. On Saturday, at least 23 laborers died in northern India when a truck they were traveling in smashed into a stationary truck on a highway. Last week, a train crashed into a group of tired workers who fell asleep on the tracks while walking back home in western Maharashtra state, killing 16.
In the US, where more than more than 88,000 people have died in the coronavirus outbreak, some leaders have begun to ease quarantine measures.New Orleans took its first steps to loosen restrictions that have been in place for two months, one day after the rest of Louisiana did the same, Associated Press reports. The city is restricting buildings to 25% of capacity, like the rest of the state, but also requires restaurants, nail salons and other businesses to take customers by reservation. The city has capped the number of people allowed in houses of worship and movie theaters at fewer than 100. Malls and retail stores can reopen, but casinos, video poker, live entertainment and bars are still closed.Some restaurateurs decided to try reopening. Others planned to stick to takeout or stay closed all together.Meanwhile, New York governor Andrew Cuomo said horse racing tracks and the Watkins Glen International auto track can reopen with no crowds, no fans. He also said he could envision a return of Major League Baseball in New York, the centre of the US outbreak, also without spectators.In the US, where more than more than 88,000 people have died in the coronavirus outbreak, some leaders have begun to ease quarantine measures.New Orleans took its first steps to loosen restrictions that have been in place for two months, one day after the rest of Louisiana did the same, Associated Press reports. The city is restricting buildings to 25% of capacity, like the rest of the state, but also requires restaurants, nail salons and other businesses to take customers by reservation. The city has capped the number of people allowed in houses of worship and movie theaters at fewer than 100. Malls and retail stores can reopen, but casinos, video poker, live entertainment and bars are still closed.Some restaurateurs decided to try reopening. Others planned to stick to takeout or stay closed all together.Meanwhile, New York governor Andrew Cuomo said horse racing tracks and the Watkins Glen International auto track can reopen with no crowds, no fans. He also said he could envision a return of Major League Baseball in New York, the centre of the US outbreak, also without spectators.
On Saturday, Barack Obama attacked the Trump administration’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, stating that many of the country’s leaders “aren’t even pretending to be in charge”.On Saturday, Barack Obama attacked the Trump administration’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, stating that many of the country’s leaders “aren’t even pretending to be in charge”.
Speaking during an online commencement address to graduates of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), he said: Without naming Trump directly, Obama said during an online commencement address to graduates of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs):
Here is the Guardian’s full report on his comments.Here is the Guardian’s full report on his comments.
The number of coronavirus cases in Mexico has risen to 47,144, while the country’s death toll has increased to 5,045, health authorities said.The number of coronavirus cases in Mexico has risen to 47,144, while the country’s death toll has increased to 5,045, health authorities said.
The governments plans to reopen parts of the economy from Monday, despite concerns that the country’s outbreak has not yet peaked and that official figures underestimate the true scale of the outbreak.The governments plans to reopen parts of the economy from Monday, despite concerns that the country’s outbreak has not yet peaked and that official figures underestimate the true scale of the outbreak.
Mainland China recorded five new confirmed coronavirus cases on Saturday, down from eight the previous day, according to the National Health Commission (NHC).Two of the five confirmed cases are linked to foreign travel, while three are locally transmitted in northeastern Jilin Province. The number of new asymptomatic cases of the coronavirus fell to 12 from 13, the NHC said.The number of confirmed cases in the mainland stands at 82,947 and the death toll at 4,634Mainland China recorded five new confirmed coronavirus cases on Saturday, down from eight the previous day, according to the National Health Commission (NHC).Two of the five confirmed cases are linked to foreign travel, while three are locally transmitted in northeastern Jilin Province. The number of new asymptomatic cases of the coronavirus fell to 12 from 13, the NHC said.The number of confirmed cases in the mainland stands at 82,947 and the death toll at 4,634
In Thailand, shopping malls will reopen today and a nighttime curfew will be shortened by one hour, to 2300 to 0400, from 2200 to 0400. The country is beginning to relax restrictions after reporting single-digit increases of infections from the new coronavirus this month. Parks, hair salons, markets and restaurants have also been allowed to reopen over recent weeks, provided that measures such as temperature scanning and social distancing are in place.On Saturday, the country extended a ban on international passenger flights until the end of June. Thailand has recorded a total of 3,025 cases and 56 deaths.In Thailand, shopping malls will reopen today and a nighttime curfew will be shortened by one hour, to 2300 to 0400, from 2200 to 0400. The country is beginning to relax restrictions after reporting single-digit increases of infections from the new coronavirus this month. Parks, hair salons, markets and restaurants have also been allowed to reopen over recent weeks, provided that measures such as temperature scanning and social distancing are in place.On Saturday, the country extended a ban on international passenger flights until the end of June. Thailand has recorded a total of 3,025 cases and 56 deaths.
Brazil’s confirmed coronavirus cases rose on Saturday past those of Spain and Italy, outbreak the fourth largest in the world, Reuters reports.Brazil’s health ministry registered 14,919 new confirmed cases in the prior 24 hours, taking the total to 233,142, behind the United States, Russia and the United Kingdom. Brazil has done just a fraction of the testing seen in those three countries.The global distinction is likely to pile pressure on President Jair Bolsonaro, who lost his second health minister in a month on Friday as he defies public health experts and calls for widespread use of unproven drugs. Bolsonaro has been fiercely critical of the orders by many of Brazil’s state governors for strict social isolation and quarantine to combat the spread of the virus, including the closure of schools, shops and restaurants. Bolsonaro argues that the toll on the economy is becoming unbearable and businesses must be allowed to reopen as soon as possible. The government now expects Brazil will post its biggest annual economic contraction this year since records began over a century ago.Nationwide testing in Brazil still lags far behind European nations. Brazil had processed nearly 338,000 novel coronavirus tests in official labs by the beginning of the week, according to the health ministry. Another 145,000 tests were under analysis or waiting in line. By contrast, Italy and Spain have each run some 1.9 million official diagnostic tests for the virus.Brazil’s confirmed coronavirus cases rose on Saturday past those of Spain and Italy, outbreak the fourth largest in the world, Reuters reports.Brazil’s health ministry registered 14,919 new confirmed cases in the prior 24 hours, taking the total to 233,142, behind the United States, Russia and the United Kingdom. Brazil has done just a fraction of the testing seen in those three countries.The global distinction is likely to pile pressure on President Jair Bolsonaro, who lost his second health minister in a month on Friday as he defies public health experts and calls for widespread use of unproven drugs. Bolsonaro has been fiercely critical of the orders by many of Brazil’s state governors for strict social isolation and quarantine to combat the spread of the virus, including the closure of schools, shops and restaurants. Bolsonaro argues that the toll on the economy is becoming unbearable and businesses must be allowed to reopen as soon as possible. The government now expects Brazil will post its biggest annual economic contraction this year since records began over a century ago.Nationwide testing in Brazil still lags far behind European nations. Brazil had processed nearly 338,000 novel coronavirus tests in official labs by the beginning of the week, according to the health ministry. Another 145,000 tests were under analysis or waiting in line. By contrast, Italy and Spain have each run some 1.9 million official diagnostic tests for the virus.
Hello this is Rebecca Ratcliffe, bringing you the latest global coronavirus updates.Hello this is Rebecca Ratcliffe, bringing you the latest global coronavirus updates.
There are now 4,629,575 cases of Covid-19 recorded globally and 311,363 deaths according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker.There are now 4,629,575 cases of Covid-19 recorded globally and 311,363 deaths according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker.
In the US where 1,466,682 infections have been reported, Barack Obama has attacked the Trump administration’s response to the crisis, stating that a lot of the federal leadership “aren’t even pretending to be in charge.” He also highlighted the disproportionate effects of the pandemic on communities of colour in the United States.In the US where 1,466,682 infections have been reported, Barack Obama has attacked the Trump administration’s response to the crisis, stating that a lot of the federal leadership “aren’t even pretending to be in charge.” He also highlighted the disproportionate effects of the pandemic on communities of colour in the United States.
In other recent developments:In other recent developments:
The World Health Organization has warned countries ending lockdown that now should be a “time for preparation, not celebration”.The World Health Organization has warned countries ending lockdown that now should be a “time for preparation, not celebration”.
Italy announced the easing of a series of restrictions, including the reopening of all shops, bars, restaurants and hairdressers, from 18 May, and free travel to Italy for people coming from EU countries from 3 June without having to undergo quarantine.Italy announced the easing of a series of restrictions, including the reopening of all shops, bars, restaurants and hairdressers, from 18 May, and free travel to Italy for people coming from EU countries from 3 June without having to undergo quarantine.
The Spanish government has said it will seek to extend its state of emergency for the last time until late June, as the country’s daily death toll reached a near eight-week low.The Spanish government has said it will seek to extend its state of emergency for the last time until late June, as the country’s daily death toll reached a near eight-week low.
The Israeli government approved the resumption of school for all grades in areas that are not considered coronavirus hotspots, starting on Sunday. Beaches will officially open on Wednesday.The Israeli government approved the resumption of school for all grades in areas that are not considered coronavirus hotspots, starting on Sunday. Beaches will officially open on Wednesday.
Dozens of people were detained in the Polish capital, Warsaw, during a protest by business owners against coronavirus restrictions. Nineteen protesters were arrested in London and police dispersed rallies in several German cities.Dozens of people were detained in the Polish capital, Warsaw, during a protest by business owners against coronavirus restrictions. Nineteen protesters were arrested in London and police dispersed rallies in several German cities.
Turkey’s health ministry said 41 more people died from Covid-19 in the 24 hours to Saturday, bringing the death toll to 4,096. The daily death toll was the lowest registered since the end of March.Turkey’s health ministry said 41 more people died from Covid-19 in the 24 hours to Saturday, bringing the death toll to 4,096. The daily death toll was the lowest registered since the end of March.
Nepal reported its first coronavirus death late on Saturday, a 29-year-old woman who recently gave birth, as the total number of people infected in the country reached 281.Nepal reported its first coronavirus death late on Saturday, a 29-year-old woman who recently gave birth, as the total number of people infected in the country reached 281.
Ireland recorded 92 more cases, the lowest daily number in nine weeks, with the total at 24,048.Ireland recorded 92 more cases, the lowest daily number in nine weeks, with the total at 24,048.
If you think we have missed a story or want to draw our attention to something please do get in touch. My email is rebecca.ratcliffe@theguardian.com and I’m @rebeccarat on Twitter.If you think we have missed a story or want to draw our attention to something please do get in touch. My email is rebecca.ratcliffe@theguardian.com and I’m @rebeccarat on Twitter.