This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/jun/05/coronavirus-live-news-south-africa-sees-record-jump-in-cases-as-new-york-protestors-urged-to-get-tested

The article has changed 45 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 16 Version 17
Coronavirus live news: Brazil cases surge past 600,000 as country's death toll passes Italy Coronavirus live news: Brazil death toll passes Italy; virus 'under control' in France, says government adviser
(32 minutes later)
New York urges protesters to get tested; Turkey announces weekend lockdown in 15 cities; US jobless claims pass 42mNew York urges protesters to get tested; Turkey announces weekend lockdown in 15 cities; US jobless claims pass 42m
The Philippines’ health ministry has confirmed three new coronavirus deaths and 244 more infections, the lowest single-day increase in cases in two weeks.
The ministry said total deaths have reached 987 while confirmed cases have risen to 20,626. There are 4,330 patients who have recovered.
A professional rugby union team that set off for an away match on 23 February have still not made it home, the BBC have reported.
The Manuma Samoa team set off for a match in Perth, Australia over 100 days ago, and were forced to quarantine in New Zealand on their way home - where they ended up stuck when the country closed its borders.
They lived in a church compound in Auckland for three months, with 20 players sharing one room.
“When we arrived in New Zealand it was summer,” the team’s video analyst, Hari Junior Narayan, told the BBC. “When we left it was winter.”
The squad is now back in Samoa, halfway through a two-week quarantine, after which they will finally be reunited with their families.
“My daughter is four months old,” said Narayan. “The last time I saw her, she was one month, so I’ve missed a lot.”
All air traffic at Israel’s principal airport was shut down on Friday after workers walked off the job to demand compensation for wages lost due to the coronavirus crisis.
Global demand for air travel has plummeted amid the pandemic and Ben Gurion airport, near Tel Aviv, put about 2,500 airport workers on unpaid leave in early March.
The Israel Airports Authority’s workers’ union has demanded the country negotiate a compensation package with airport workers.
“The workers that were placed on unpaid leave have now stopped receiving unemployment benefits. We need the government to find a solution,” the union spokeswoman Gali Gabbay said.
Most flights at the airport had already been halted due to the pandemic, save for a handful of daily passenger and cargo services.
The workers’ strike will affect 37 flights on Friday, 17 outbound and 20 inbound, the airport said. It did not say how many were passenger or cargo flights.
Israel has not said when it will end Covid-19 border restrictions.
A US aircraft carrier ship, whose captain was removed for scathing remarks about a coronavirus outbreak onboard, has returned to service in the Pacific Ocean, authorities said.A US aircraft carrier ship, whose captain was removed for scathing remarks about a coronavirus outbreak onboard, has returned to service in the Pacific Ocean, authorities said.
Brett Crozier lost his command in early April as punishment for the leak of a letter he sent to superiors seeking tougher action against the spread of Covid-19 on his ship, the USS Theodore Roosevelt.Brett Crozier lost his command in early April as punishment for the leak of a letter he sent to superiors seeking tougher action against the spread of Covid-19 on his ship, the USS Theodore Roosevelt.
Hailed as a hero by his crew, Crozier’s case is now being reconsidered by the US Navy which has recommended his reinstatement to defense secretary Mark Esper. Hailed as a hero by his crew, Crozier’s case is now being reconsidered by the US navy, which has recommended his reinstatement to the defense secretary, Mark Esper.
The massive carrier was sidelined for about 10 weeks because of the outbreak which infected a fifth of its 5,000 sailors, but set sail again from the US Pacific territory of Guam on Thursday, the ship’s public affairs office said. The massive carrier was sidelined for about 10 weeks because of the outbreak, which infected a fifth of its 5,000 sailors, but set sail again from the US Pacific territory of Guam on Thursday, the ship’s public affairs office said.
It had a famous navy battle cry - “Don’t Give Up The Ship” - flying from the port yardarm. It had a famous navy battle cry – “Don’t Give Up The Ship” – flying from the port yardarm.
The ship returned to the US 7th Fleet area of operations to provide maritime security with new social distancing rules including staggered mealtimes, the Navy said. The ship returned to the US 7th Fleet area of operations to provide maritime security with new social distancing rules including staggered mealtimes, the navy said.
“We have returned Theodore Roosevelt to sea as a symbol of hope and inspiration,” said new Captain, Carlos Sardiello. “We have returned Theodore Roosevelt to sea as a symbol of hope and inspiration,” said the new Captain, Carlos Sardiello.
Thailand is positioning itself as a trusted destination for international tourists after travel restrictions ease, capitalising on its relative success in containing the coronavirus outbreak, industry officials say.Thailand is positioning itself as a trusted destination for international tourists after travel restrictions ease, capitalising on its relative success in containing the coronavirus outbreak, industry officials say.
The Southeast Asian country, the first to report a virus case outside of China, wants to build on its reputation and remake its popular image as a destination for big tour groups. The south-east Asian country, the first to report a virus case outside of China, wants to build on its reputation and remake its popular image as a destination for big tour groups.
“After Covid eases, we plan to refresh the country’s image to a trusted destination where tourists will have peace of mind,” Tanes Petsuwan, the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) deputy governor for marketing and communications, told Reuters.“After Covid eases, we plan to refresh the country’s image to a trusted destination where tourists will have peace of mind,” Tanes Petsuwan, the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) deputy governor for marketing and communications, told Reuters.
The campaign, to be launched later in the year, will be aimed at young affluent travellers from places that are considered low-risk such as China, South Korea and Taiwan, Tanes said. The campaign, to be launched later in the year, will be aimed at young, affluent travellers from places that are considered low-risk such as China, South Korea and Taiwan, Tanes said.
It will highlight scenic beaches and parks, part of a “tourism bridge” that could emerge in Asia including Hong Kong and Japan.It will highlight scenic beaches and parks, part of a “tourism bridge” that could emerge in Asia including Hong Kong and Japan.
The government has rolled out a health certification system for hotels and restaurants so that travellers can be reassured.The government has rolled out a health certification system for hotels and restaurants so that travellers can be reassured.
Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy has so far reported just over 3,100 cases and 58 deaths - far less than other major regional economies, except for Vietnam. South-east Asia’s second-largest economy has so far reported just over 3,100 cases and 58 deaths - far less than other major regional economies, except for Vietnam.
Local transmission has waned, with the last recorded case on 25 May.Local transmission has waned, with the last recorded case on 25 May.
The tourism industry, which accounts for 12% of the economy, collapsed after the outbreak escalated.The tourism industry, which accounts for 12% of the economy, collapsed after the outbreak escalated.
Thailand welcomed 39.8 million foreign tourists last year but projects as few as 14 million for 2020.Thailand welcomed 39.8 million foreign tourists last year but projects as few as 14 million for 2020.
Thailand has banned international flights until at least 30 June, and foreign tourists aren’t expected until later in the year.Thailand has banned international flights until at least 30 June, and foreign tourists aren’t expected until later in the year.
In the meantime, the government is drawing up a stimulus package to promote domestic tourism from July to October.In the meantime, the government is drawing up a stimulus package to promote domestic tourism from July to October.
But when international travel resumes, Thailand will promote the “trust” concept, as hotels emphasise measures they are taking for safety and offer special packages.But when international travel resumes, Thailand will promote the “trust” concept, as hotels emphasise measures they are taking for safety and offer special packages.
Central Plaza Hotel, which manages 46 hotels and resorts across Thailand, will seal rooms once they are cleaned and disinfected so guests will be confident, deputy CEO Markland Blaiklock told Reuters. Central Plaza Hotel, which manages 46 hotels and resorts across Thailand, will seal rooms once they are cleaned and disinfected so guests will be confident, the deputy CEO Markland Blaiklock told Reuters.
“We may limit occupancy at 50% on some properties so guests experience social distancing that they are comfortable with,” he said.“We may limit occupancy at 50% on some properties so guests experience social distancing that they are comfortable with,” he said.
But it’s unclear if travellers will be at ease before a coronavirus vaccine is available, which experts say is at least a year away.But it’s unclear if travellers will be at ease before a coronavirus vaccine is available, which experts say is at least a year away.
The Czech Republic said it would fully open borders with Austria and Germany, as well as travel with Hungary, on Friday, 10 days earlier than planned, almost three months after they were shut to curb coronavirus.The Czech Republic said it would fully open borders with Austria and Germany, as well as travel with Hungary, on Friday, 10 days earlier than planned, almost three months after they were shut to curb coronavirus.
Travellers will be free to enter from noon (10:00 GMT) without submitting a negative virus test or going into quarantine.Travellers will be free to enter from noon (10:00 GMT) without submitting a negative virus test or going into quarantine.
Czechs still require people from countries including Britain and Sweden to submit negative test results before being allowed in.Czechs still require people from countries including Britain and Sweden to submit negative test results before being allowed in.
Having closed all borders on 16 March to stem coronavirus infections, the Czechs reopened the Slovakia frontier on Thursday and lifted all travel restrictions with their neighbour.Having closed all borders on 16 March to stem coronavirus infections, the Czechs reopened the Slovakia frontier on Thursday and lifted all travel restrictions with their neighbour.
Officials said on Monday they would open the border for the citizens of “safe” countries, including their neighbours but also Switzerland, Finland and the Baltic states, from 15 June.Officials said on Monday they would open the border for the citizens of “safe” countries, including their neighbours but also Switzerland, Finland and the Baltic states, from 15 June.
“We have brought the opening forward with these countries,” prime minister Andrej Babiš told reporters, referring to Austria, Germany and Hungary, without explaining why the move was being made earlier than planned. “We have brought the opening forward with these countries,” the prime minister, Andrej Babiš, told reporters, referring to Austria, Germany and Hungary, without explaining why the move was being made earlier than planned.
The government also announced on Monday that Czechs would be free to travel to less-safe countries including Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain.The government also announced on Monday that Czechs would be free to travel to less-safe countries including Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain.
But foreigners arriving from these countries would have to submit a negative test result upon entry, just like those from the least safe countries - Britain and Sweden.But foreigners arriving from these countries would have to submit a negative test result upon entry, just like those from the least safe countries - Britain and Sweden.
Czechs returning from Britain and Sweden will have to provide negative tests too.Czechs returning from Britain and Sweden will have to provide negative tests too.
As of Friday morning, the Czech Republic had registered almost 9,500 confirmed cases of Covid-19, including 326 deaths, in a population of 10.7 million people.As of Friday morning, the Czech Republic had registered almost 9,500 confirmed cases of Covid-19, including 326 deaths, in a population of 10.7 million people.
Surgical masks are washing up in growing quantities on the shores of Hong Kong, a city that has overwhelmingly embraced face coverings to fight the coronavirus.Surgical masks are washing up in growing quantities on the shores of Hong Kong, a city that has overwhelmingly embraced face coverings to fight the coronavirus.
Conservationists say the masks are adding to already alarmingly high levels of plastic waste in the waters around the finance hub.Conservationists say the masks are adding to already alarmingly high levels of plastic waste in the waters around the finance hub.
“The single use plastic mask is just another additional burden that we are leaving behind for the future generations on the beach,” Gary Stokes, co-founder of OceansAsia, told AFP.“The single use plastic mask is just another additional burden that we are leaving behind for the future generations on the beach,” Gary Stokes, co-founder of OceansAsia, told AFP.
During a recent visit, conservationists counted and removed 70 masks from a 100 metre stretch of beach. A week later, another 30 masks had washed up.During a recent visit, conservationists counted and removed 70 masks from a 100 metre stretch of beach. A week later, another 30 masks had washed up.
“Ever since society started wearing masks, the cause and effects of it are now being seen on the beaches,” Stokes said.“Ever since society started wearing masks, the cause and effects of it are now being seen on the beaches,” Stokes said.
Hong Kong’s 7.5 million inhabitants produce six million tonnes of waste each year, only around 30% of it recycled.Hong Kong’s 7.5 million inhabitants produce six million tonnes of waste each year, only around 30% of it recycled.
Even before the coronavirus emerged, residents often wore facemasks on the daily commute, especially during the winter flu season. Even before the coronavirus emerged, residents often wore face masks on the daily commute, especially during the winter flu season.
But the emergence of the deadly Covid-19 disease has made mask wearing near ubiquitous.But the emergence of the deadly Covid-19 disease has made mask wearing near ubiquitous.
A growing number of companies are now offering reusable masks and the government has also launched an initiative to send all residents a fabric mask that can be washed.A growing number of companies are now offering reusable masks and the government has also launched an initiative to send all residents a fabric mask that can be washed.
But disposable masks remain by far the most popular choice. Stokes said:But disposable masks remain by far the most popular choice. Stokes said:
The Covid-19 pandemic is now “under control” in France, the head of the government’s scientific advisory council has said, as the country cautiously lifts a lockdown imposed in March.The Covid-19 pandemic is now “under control” in France, the head of the government’s scientific advisory council has said, as the country cautiously lifts a lockdown imposed in March.
Jean-Francois Delfraissy told France Inter radio:Jean-Francois Delfraissy told France Inter radio:
Delfraissy, an immunologist, and his colleagues were appointed to the coronavirus advisory panel as authorities sought to contain an outbreak that has killed over 29,000 people in France.Delfraissy, an immunologist, and his colleagues were appointed to the coronavirus advisory panel as authorities sought to contain an outbreak that has killed over 29,000 people in France.
The number of daily deaths has fallen off, however, with just 44 reported by the health ministry on Thursday.The number of daily deaths has fallen off, however, with just 44 reported by the health ministry on Thursday.
Delfraissy said around 1,000 new cases were currently being reported in France per day, down from around 80,000 in early March, before the nationwide stay-at-home orders and business closures were issued.Delfraissy said around 1,000 new cases were currently being reported in France per day, down from around 80,000 in early March, before the nationwide stay-at-home orders and business closures were issued.
In its latest summary of findings published on Thursday, the Sante Publique France health agency estimated that the country had 151,325 confirmed Covid-19 cases as of 2 June, when restaurants across France were allowed to reopen.In its latest summary of findings published on Thursday, the Sante Publique France health agency estimated that the country had 151,325 confirmed Covid-19 cases as of 2 June, when restaurants across France were allowed to reopen.
But it cautioned that at the height of the outbreak, patients with suspected coronavirus infections were not systematically tested, meaning the actual number of cases exceeds the official estimate.But it cautioned that at the height of the outbreak, patients with suspected coronavirus infections were not systematically tested, meaning the actual number of cases exceeds the official estimate.
Russia has reported 8,726 new cases of Covid-19, pushing the total number of infections in the country to 449,834.Russia has reported 8,726 new cases of Covid-19, pushing the total number of infections in the country to 449,834.
Officials said 144 people had died in the last 24 hours, bringing the official nationwide death toll to 5,528.Officials said 144 people had died in the last 24 hours, bringing the official nationwide death toll to 5,528.
An influential medical journal article that found hydroxychloroquine increased the risk of death in Covid-19 patients was retracted on Thursday, adding further controversy to the drug championed by US president Donald Trump.An influential medical journal article that found hydroxychloroquine increased the risk of death in Covid-19 patients was retracted on Thursday, adding further controversy to the drug championed by US president Donald Trump.
Three of the authors of the article retracted it, citing concerns about the quality and veracity of data in the study, following a Guardian investigation into the data and US company Surgisphere which provided it.Three of the authors of the article retracted it, citing concerns about the quality and veracity of data in the study, following a Guardian investigation into the data and US company Surgisphere which provided it.
The anti-malarial drug has been controversial in part due to support from Trump, as well as implications of the study published in British journal The Lancet last month, which led several Covid-19 studies to be halted.The anti-malarial drug has been controversial in part due to support from Trump, as well as implications of the study published in British journal The Lancet last month, which led several Covid-19 studies to be halted.
The three authors said Surgisphere would not transfer the dataset for an independent review and they “can no longer vouch for the veracity of the primary data sources”.The three authors said Surgisphere would not transfer the dataset for an independent review and they “can no longer vouch for the veracity of the primary data sources”.
The fourth author of the study, Dr Sapan Desai, chief executive of Surgisphere, declined to comment on the retraction.The fourth author of the study, Dr Sapan Desai, chief executive of Surgisphere, declined to comment on the retraction.
The Lancet said on Thursday it “takes issues of scientific integrity extremely seriously, and there are many outstanding questions about Surgisphere and the data that were allegedly included in this study”.The Lancet said on Thursday it “takes issues of scientific integrity extremely seriously, and there are many outstanding questions about Surgisphere and the data that were allegedly included in this study”.
It said institutional reviews of Surgisphere’s research collaborations were urgently needed.It said institutional reviews of Surgisphere’s research collaborations were urgently needed.
Another study in the New England Journal of Medicine that relied on Surgisphere data and shared the same lead author, Harvard Medical School professor Mandeep Mehra, was retracted for the same reason.Another study in the New England Journal of Medicine that relied on Surgisphere data and shared the same lead author, Harvard Medical School professor Mandeep Mehra, was retracted for the same reason.
The observational study published in The Lancet on 22 May said it looked at 96,000 hospitalised Covid-19 patients, some treated with the decades-old malaria drug.The observational study published in The Lancet on 22 May said it looked at 96,000 hospitalised Covid-19 patients, some treated with the decades-old malaria drug.
It claimed that those treated with hydroxychloroquine or the related chloroquine had higher risk of death and heart rhythm problems than patients who were not given the medicines.It claimed that those treated with hydroxychloroquine or the related chloroquine had higher risk of death and heart rhythm problems than patients who were not given the medicines.
The World Health Organization, which paused hydroxychloroquine trials after The Lancet study was released, said on Wednesday it was ready to resume trials, and dozens of other trials have resumed or are in process.The World Health Organization, which paused hydroxychloroquine trials after The Lancet study was released, said on Wednesday it was ready to resume trials, and dozens of other trials have resumed or are in process.
The study’s lead author, professor Mehra, said in a statement:The study’s lead author, professor Mehra, said in a statement:
Many scientists voiced concern about the study, which had already been corrected last week because some location data was wrong. Nearly 150 doctors signed an open letter to The Lancet calling the article’s conclusions into question and asking to make public the peer review comments that preceded publication.Many scientists voiced concern about the study, which had already been corrected last week because some location data was wrong. Nearly 150 doctors signed an open letter to The Lancet calling the article’s conclusions into question and asking to make public the peer review comments that preceded publication.
The episode highlights how studies to prevent and treat the virus are being conducted at unprecedented speed while garnering high levels of attention that could give findings unwarranted weight.The episode highlights how studies to prevent and treat the virus are being conducted at unprecedented speed while garnering high levels of attention that could give findings unwarranted weight.
Singapore has confirmed another 261 coronavirus cases, the city-state’s smallest increase in nearly two months, taking its tally to 37,183.
The lower number of cases was partly due to the fact that fewer swab-tests were conducted, the health ministry said.
Afghanistan has recorded its biggest one-day rise of new coronavirus cases as around 60% of tests over the last 24 hours came back positive, with a continued surge of transmission in Kabul and record high in Helmand.According to the latest update, the health ministry has detected 915 new cases out of 1,570 tests, marking the war-torn country’s biggest one-day rise of new infections.
Nine patients also died overnight, with the total number of infections now standing at 18,969 and the death toll at 309. There have been 1,763 recoveries.Most new cases have been reported in the capital city of Kabul, where the health ministry detected 423 new cases out of 811 tests. Kabul is the country’s worst affected area with 7,556 cases.
The western province of Herat recorded 201 new cases out of 243 tests in the last 24 hours. Testing capacity remains low in Afghanistan and experts warn that real Covid-19 figures may be much higher.Earlier this week, the International Rescue Committee warned about the low capacity of testing and said the Afghan health ministry has the capacity to test 2,000 suspected patients each day, but is receiving between 10,000 - 20,000 samples daily.
The IRC said:
Helmand province recorded 20 new cases after more than a month without new reports.
On Thursday, a newly introduced acting minister of public health, Ahmad Jawad Osmani, said in a press conference that he would bring reforms to the health sector.Osmani said the coronavirus must be fought, but that reforms in hospitals and in other service areas must also be made. He said current health services do not meet the people’s standards and need to be increased.
New orders for German manufacturing firms saw their sharpest fall on record in April during the coronavirus shutdown, official data has shown, plunging a worse-than-expected 25.8% from March.
The closely-watched indicator of future industrial activity saw “the biggest fall since the beginning of the data series in 1991” just after German reunification, federal statistics authority Destatis said.
The reading was down 36.6% year-on-year, it added.
Destatis had previously flagged March’s 15% month-on-month plunge as the worst in the history of the industrial orders measure.
“The collapse in new industrial orders worsened again in line with expectations in April,” the economy ministry in Berlin said, as “restrictions against the corona pandemic were in place during the whole month”.
Other indicators of German industrial output have also plummeted in recent months.
Since January, carmakers have built fewer than one million vehicles, down more than one-third compared with the first five months of 2019.
Ministers in chancellor Angela Merkel’s coalition government this week agreed a new €130bn ($148bn) stimulus package to get the country moving again as it gradually emerges from infection control lockdowns.
The country’s biggest post-war package, includes cuts to VAT, handouts to families, and subsidies for greener transport options.
However the economy ministry said that the “given gradual loosening (of lockdowns) the worst of the industrial recession should be behind us”.
Dozens of protesters in Hong Kong marched through a shopping mall on Friday, chanting pro-democracy slogans a day after thousands defied a police ban to hold a vigil for the anniversary of China’s Tiananmen crackdown in 1989.
Protesters of all ages joined the march in the heart of the city’s financial district, which ended peacefully after an hour.
Some held banners that read “Hong Kong independence” and “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times,” as well as the former British colonial flag, while others chanted “Glory to Hong Kong”, the unofficial anthem of the protests.
Thursday’s anniversary of Chinese troops opening fire on student-led protests in and around Beijing’s Tiananmen Square was particularly sensitive this year as the central government drafts national security laws for the Asian financial hub.
It was the first time in 31 years that scuffles briefly disrupted what is usually a solemn day in Chinese-ruled Hong Kong, which traditionally organises the world’s biggest memorial for the crackdown.
Officers would not have intervened if protesters had not blocked roads in the district of Mong Kok, police said on Twitter on Thursday. They had rejected the application for the vigil over concerns about the coronavirus.
Governments must rebuild their economies after the coronavirus crisis to withstand the next shock heading their way - climate change - the central bank governors of Britain and France have said.
“Unless we act now, the climate crisis will be tomorrow’s central scenario and, unlike Covid-19, no one will be able to self-isolate from it,” Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey and his French counterpart, François Villeroy de Galhau, wrote in a joint article published in the Guardian.
They said countries around the world were far from meeting their climate goals and the coronavirus pandemic had shown that reacting to a crisis at its height brought huge costs. They said:
Central banks have increasingly put the risks of climate change into their assessments of the health of the financial services firms that they monitor.
A group representing central bankers and regulators - the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) - will publish climate reference scenarios in the coming weeks which Bailey and Villeroy said would “raise the bar for the financial sector”.
The article was co-written with Frank Elderson, chair of NGFS who is an executive board member of the central bank of the Netherlands, and with former BoE governor Mark Carney, who is the United Nations’ special envoy for climate action and finance.
The first case of Covid-19 has been recorded among the Rohingya minority in Myanmar, adding to concerns that the virus could spread rapidly among the persecuted group.
Rohingya have faced decades of oppression in Myanmar, where they are denied citizenship, face severe restrictions on their movement, and have extremely limited access to health care.
Rights groups are particularly concerned about the squalid conditions in camps in central Rakhine state where around 130,000 internally displaced Rohingya remain trapped.
Human Rights Watch recently reported that the Burmese authorities are using the Covid-19 response measures as a pretext to further harass and extort Rohingya, and are “doubling down on a system in which they are already effectively incarcerating the population”.
In 2017, more than 700,000 Rohingya fled over the border to Bangladesh, following brutal campaign by the Myanmar military that has since led to a genocide case in the UN’s top court. Around 600,000 Rohingya remain in Myanmar, where the UN warns they face a continued risk of genocide.
The 38 year-old man in Rakhine state who is confirmed to have the virus was tested on Monday and had returned to Myanmar from Bangladesh, officials told Radio Free Asia.
This week, authorities in Bangladesh confirmed the first death from Covid-19 in the country’s refugee camps, where there are also major concerns about overcrowding, poor sanitation and limited medical facilities.
The man, aged 71, died on 31 May while undergoing treatment at the camp’s isolation center. So far, 29 people have tested positive in the camps, which host about one million Rohingya.
The Norwegian economy contracted 4.7% in April from March but the outlook for the rest of the year now looks less bleak than it did in late April, Statistics Norway has said.
The mainland economy, which excludes the volatile offshore oil and gas production, is now forecast to drop 3.9% for the full year compared to the 5.5% fall predicted on 24 April when Norway was in lockdown.
Hello, this is Jessica Murray, I’ll be steering the live blog for the next few hours.
If you have any stories or suggestions you’d like to share, feel free to get in touch:
Email: jessica.murray@theguardian.com
Twitter: @journojess_
A quick look at the Guardian UK’s front page, which is leading on a pandemic exclusive: “Revealed: NHS test and trace not fully operational until September”.
Britain’s test-and-trace system could take another four months before it is working properly, the Guardian has learned, raising concerns about how the country might cope with a second wave of coronavirus infections. Tony Prestedge, a banker drafted in to run the NHS scheme, told staff that the programme would be “imperfect” at launch and won’t be world class until September or October. Boris Johnson had said the “world-beating” scheme would be in place by 1 June.
You can read more about this and get up to speed with all the developments in our UK Morning Briefing with Martin Farrer below.