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Coronavirus live updates: Bolsonaro hides Brazil death figures; minister criticises Australian BLM protests Coronavirus live updates: Bolsonaro hides Brazil death figures; minister criticises Australian BLM protests
(32 minutes later)
Infections in Afghanistan climb above 20,000; lockdown in Greece migrant camps extended; Panama reimposes curbs after rise in casesInfections in Afghanistan climb above 20,000; lockdown in Greece migrant camps extended; Panama reimposes curbs after rise in cases
Kim Willsher in Paris
The French government has announced it intends to increase the fine for littering from €68 to €135, after complaints from street cleaners that people are throwing masks, gloves and tissues possibly contaminated with Covid-19 on to the streets.
A bill is expected to be presented to the lower house, the Assemblée Nationale, in the next 10 days as part of a clam down on littering and dumping, including throwing cigarette ends into the streets, another headache in French cities.
The move comes as the government is under pressure to ease restrictions further across the country ahead of the end of its three-week progressive deconfinement programme, after the country’s scientific advisory committee announced the epidemic is “under control” in France.
France has introduced measures to deal with the pandemic in three-week blocks, the next of which ends on 21 June.
Prof Jean-François Delfraissy, who heads the scientific committee, said there was a low circulation of the virus but advised the authorities to use the respite time to “prepare different state structures for an eventual return of the epidemic”.
Specialists cannot agree on the likelihood of a coronavirus “second wave”.
On Saturday, the Château de Versailles opened to the public for the first time in 82 days; about 70% of the château’s revenue comes from visitor ticket sales, but 80% of the visitors are tourists and France’s borders remain closed except for essential business and personal reasons. Château staff said there was a rush on the place on Saturday, but even so they have 4,000 visitors instead of the 20,000 a day on a normal June weekend.
France reported 31 new deaths from Covid-19 in the 24 hours to Saturday, bringing the total to 29,142 since March. The number of patients in intensive care with the virus is down to 1,059.
Poland’s attempts to contain the virus are hampered by outbreaks in coal mines in the southern region of Silesia, the Financial Times reports.
Like most of central Europe, Poland reacted quickly to the pandemic, closing its borders, shutting non-essential businesses, and banning large gatherings, and suffered far fewer deaths (1,155) and infection cases (26,249) than many countries in western and southern Europe as a result.
But for the past six weeks, Poland has recorded roughly 300-400 new infections a day, and more than 50 per cent of these have come from Silesia, which accounts for just 12 per cent of the population.
More than 400 migrants disembarked in Malta overnight on Saturday from four tourist boats after the government U-turned and allowed them to land after nearly 40 days onboard.
The 425 migrants, who had been picked up in the Mediterranean during various rescue operations, had been in limbo since April on the chartered boats held outside Maltese waters, Agence France-Presse reports.
Malta had refused them entry, pointing to the closure of its ports due to the coronavirus emergency and also to its full detention centres.
But in an about-face late on Saturday, Malta’s government said it was not prepared “to endanger lives of both the migrants and the crew, due the lack of solidarity shown by European Union member states in terms of relocation”.
“No European country accepted these migrants despite talk of solidarity,” the government said in a statement.
Sources told AGI news service the decision was taken because the crew feared for their safety, with the government saying the situation became “very difficult and commotions arose”.
In the late hours of Saturday and early Sunday, the boats docked at Boiler Wharf in Senglea and the migrants disembarked. It was not immediately clear where they were taken.
Malta had come under fire from humanitarian groups for holding the migrants on the tourist boats, which are not designed for lengthy stays.
Africa’s long-distance truckers say they are facing stigma as they are increasingly accused of being carriers of coronavirus, the Associated Press reports.Africa’s long-distance truckers say they are facing stigma as they are increasingly accused of being carriers of coronavirus, the Associated Press reports.
While hundreds of truckers have tested positive for the virus in recent weeks, the drivers say they are being stigmatised and treated like criminals, and being detained by governments.While hundreds of truckers have tested positive for the virus in recent weeks, the drivers say they are being stigmatised and treated like criminals, and being detained by governments.
One side-effect is slowed-down cargo traffic, which has created a challenge for governments in much of sub-Saharan Africa, where many borders remain closed due the pandemic, on how to strike a balance between contagion and commerce.One side-effect is slowed-down cargo traffic, which has created a challenge for governments in much of sub-Saharan Africa, where many borders remain closed due the pandemic, on how to strike a balance between contagion and commerce.
Abdulkarim Rajab, a Kenyan who has been driving trucks for 17 years, said: “When I entered Tanzania, in every town that I would drive through, they would call me, ‘You, corona, get away from here with your corona!’”, and recalls the times in which drivers were being accused of spreading HIV during that outbreak.Abdulkarim Rajab, a Kenyan who has been driving trucks for 17 years, said: “When I entered Tanzania, in every town that I would drive through, they would call me, ‘You, corona, get away from here with your corona!’”, and recalls the times in which drivers were being accused of spreading HIV during that outbreak.
Rajab and his load of liquefied gas spent three days at the Kenya-Tanzania border, where the line of trucks waiting to be cleared stretched into the distance and wound around the lush hills overlooking the crossing at Namanga.Rajab and his load of liquefied gas spent three days at the Kenya-Tanzania border, where the line of trucks waiting to be cleared stretched into the distance and wound around the lush hills overlooking the crossing at Namanga.
Tanzania closed the border there this week, the second time the frontier was closed in less than a month, after many Tanzanian truckers with negative results started testing positive at the border.Tanzania closed the border there this week, the second time the frontier was closed in less than a month, after many Tanzanian truckers with negative results started testing positive at the border.
The Republican senator Rick Scott claimed on Sunday the US has evidence China is trying to slow down or sabotage the development of a Covid-19 vaccine by Western countries.The Republican senator Rick Scott claimed on Sunday the US has evidence China is trying to slow down or sabotage the development of a Covid-19 vaccine by Western countries.
“We have got to get this vaccine done. Unfortunately we have evidence that communist China is trying to sabotage us or slow it down,” he said during a BBC interview.“We have got to get this vaccine done. Unfortunately we have evidence that communist China is trying to sabotage us or slow it down,” he said during a BBC interview.
“China does not want us … to do it first, they have decided to be an adversary to Americans and I think to democracy around the world.”“China does not want us … to do it first, they have decided to be an adversary to Americans and I think to democracy around the world.”
Asked what evidence the US had, Scott declined to give details but said it had come through the intelligence community.Asked what evidence the US had, Scott declined to give details but said it had come through the intelligence community.
“This vaccine is really important to all of us getting our economy going again. What I really believe is whether England does it first or we do it first, we are going to share. Communist China, they are not going to share,” he said.“This vaccine is really important to all of us getting our economy going again. What I really believe is whether England does it first or we do it first, we are going to share. Communist China, they are not going to share,” he said.
Last week, Scott had described China as “an adversary”, and called for a boycott of Chinese products, while urging his followers to “buy American”.Last week, Scott had described China as “an adversary”, and called for a boycott of Chinese products, while urging his followers to “buy American”.
Indonesia reported 672 new coronavirus infections on Sunday, taking the total to 31,186, according to a health ministry official.Indonesia reported 672 new coronavirus infections on Sunday, taking the total to 31,186, according to a health ministry official.
There were 50 new deaths, taking the total to 1,851, while 10,498 people have recovered, the official, Achmad Yurianto, said.There were 50 new deaths, taking the total to 1,851, while 10,498 people have recovered, the official, Achmad Yurianto, said.
My colleague Robin McKie has taken stock of the world’s attempts to get a grip on the pandemic, six months into a crisis that has killed an estimated 400,000 people, saw 6 million people get infected and has changed the world.My colleague Robin McKie has taken stock of the world’s attempts to get a grip on the pandemic, six months into a crisis that has killed an estimated 400,000 people, saw 6 million people get infected and has changed the world.
The Australian government said on Sunday it will continue to underwrite domestic flights through September, extending its aid for airlines such as Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia Holdings hurt by the Covid-19 pandemic.The Australian government said on Sunday it will continue to underwrite domestic flights through September, extending its aid for airlines such as Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia Holdings hurt by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Deputy prime minister and transport minister Michael McCormack said the initial backing, due to expire on Monday, will be extended to cover shortfalls in operating flights on top domestic routes, even as airlines start to rebuild crushed capacity, according to Reuters.Deputy prime minister and transport minister Michael McCormack said the initial backing, due to expire on Monday, will be extended to cover shortfalls in operating flights on top domestic routes, even as airlines start to rebuild crushed capacity, according to Reuters.
Australia has barred its citizens from almost all outbound travel in order to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.Australia has barred its citizens from almost all outbound travel in order to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.
“The Australian government is doing everything possible to ensure the aviation industry is sustained throughout the pandemic so that it can rebound on the other side,” McCormack said in a statement.“The Australian government is doing everything possible to ensure the aviation industry is sustained throughout the pandemic so that it can rebound on the other side,” McCormack said in a statement.
With border closures and social distancing since March, Australia has avoided the high infections and casualties of many nations, reporting 102 deaths and 7,255 infections so far.With border closures and social distancing since March, Australia has avoided the high infections and casualties of many nations, reporting 102 deaths and 7,255 infections so far.
Malaysia will lift most coronavirus restrictions on businesses on Wednesday, including a ban on travel between its states, after a lockdown of nearly three months.Malaysia will lift most coronavirus restrictions on businesses on Wednesday, including a ban on travel between its states, after a lockdown of nearly three months.
The country’s international borders will remain closed, however, Reuters reports.The country’s international borders will remain closed, however, Reuters reports.
Prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced in a televised address on Sunday that the coronavirus outbreak was under control and Malaysia would begin a new recovery phase that would last until 31 August.Prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced in a televised address on Sunday that the coronavirus outbreak was under control and Malaysia would begin a new recovery phase that would last until 31 August.
Malaysia had gradually allowed businesses to reopen with social distancing guidelines over the past month, after shutting all non-essential businesses and schools, banning public gatherings and restricting travel on 18 March.Malaysia had gradually allowed businesses to reopen with social distancing guidelines over the past month, after shutting all non-essential businesses and schools, banning public gatherings and restricting travel on 18 March.
Malaysia has reported 8,303 cases with 117 deaths, with the pace of infections slowing in recent days. Malaysian health officials reported 19 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, taking the cumulative total to 8,322. So for, 117 deaths have been recorded.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Afghanistan has topped 20,000 as the country recorded its biggest daily rise in the number of deaths from Covid-19 on Sunday.The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Afghanistan has topped 20,000 as the country recorded its biggest daily rise in the number of deaths from Covid-19 on Sunday.
The health ministry has detected 791 new cases from 1,427 tests, according to the latest update, bringing the total number of infections to 20,342. Thirty patients died overnight, taking the country’s Covid-19 death toll to 357. There have been 1,875 recoveries.The health ministry has detected 791 new cases from 1,427 tests, according to the latest update, bringing the total number of infections to 20,342. Thirty patients died overnight, taking the country’s Covid-19 death toll to 357. There have been 1,875 recoveries.
The capital Kabul has recorded its worst day of the crisis after 23 patients died in the last 24 hours to Sunday and 313 new cases were detected. The capital is the country’s worst affected area with 8,030 confirmed cases and 66 deaths.The capital Kabul has recorded its worst day of the crisis after 23 patients died in the last 24 hours to Sunday and 313 new cases were detected. The capital is the country’s worst affected area with 8,030 confirmed cases and 66 deaths.
Mohammad Yaghoub Heidari, the governor of Kabul, warned that the actual number of infections in the capital may be much higher than official figures show.Mohammad Yaghoub Heidari, the governor of Kabul, warned that the actual number of infections in the capital may be much higher than official figures show.
“There is a catastrophe going on in Kabul,” Heidari said, adding that the city had started carrying out burials during the night.“There is a catastrophe going on in Kabul,” Heidari said, adding that the city had started carrying out burials during the night.
From Saturday, masks must be worn in public places, two-metre physical distancing must be maintained and gatherings of more than 10 people should be avoided, the health ministry announced. Elderly people have been advised not leave their homes and workplaces must be disinfected.From Saturday, masks must be worn in public places, two-metre physical distancing must be maintained and gatherings of more than 10 people should be avoided, the health ministry announced. Elderly people have been advised not leave their homes and workplaces must be disinfected.
The exodus of migrant workers from big cities is plunging India’s factories into a crisis, Agence France-Presse reports.
An acute shortage of workers has turned the roar of machines to a soft hum at a footwear factory near New Delhi, just one of thousands in India struggling to restart after migrant workers decided to leave town during the virus lockdown.
India is slowly emerging from strict containment measures that were imposed in late March as leaders look to revive the battered economy, but manufacturers don’t have enough workers to man the machinery.
The big cities, once an attractive destination for workers from poor, rural regions, have been hit by reverse migration as millions of labourers flee back to their home villages, some uncertain if they will ever return.
Sanjeev Kharbanda, a senior executive with Aqualite Industries, which owns the footwear factory in the northern state of Haryana, said: “Sixty per cent of our labourers have gone back. How can we run a production unit with just one-third of our workforce?”
Kharbanda said the company’s sports shoe unit had been sitting idle as there were no skilled workers to operate the high-tech machines.
“We are running just one shift now. The cost of production has gone up and our profits are going down,” he said, a conveyor belt carrying semi-finished flip-flops running slowly in the background.
In Gujarat state’s Surat city – where 90% of the world’s diamonds are cut and polished – many factories have been unable to open after more than two-thirds of workers fled, Surat diamond association president Babu Kathiriya told AFP.
Meanwhile, the state’s salt refineries have started doubling salaries to lure staff back. But experts say the workers may not return anytime soon.
There are an estimated 100 million migrant workers – nearly a fifth of the labour force and contributing to an estimated 10% of GDP - across the nation of 1.3 billion people.
Many are employed as cheap labour across a vast range of sectors including textiles, construction, mines and small businesses.
Russia has reported 8,984 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours to Sunday, pushing the total number of infections to 467,673.
Officials said 134 people had died during the same period, bringing the official nationwide death toll to 5,859.
The coronavirus lockdown in Greece’s overcrowded migrant camps has been extended for another two weeks, while the rest of the country gears up to revive its tourism-dependent economy, Agence France-Presse reports.
“For residents of the reception and identification centres across the country, measures against the propagation of the Covid-19 virus are extended until 21 June,” the official Government Gazette said.
Greece has fared better than most of its European partners in the pandemic, with 180 deaths and 2,980 cases.
The country was quick to introduce strict confinement measures on migrant camps on 21 March and imposed a more general lockdown on 23 March.
More than 33,000 asylum seekers live in the five camps on the Aegean islands, with a total capacity of 5,400 people, and some 70,000 in other facilities on the mainland.
While no Covid-19 deaths have been recorded in the camps so far and only a few dozen infections, the measures have since been extended a number of times.
Rights groups have expressed concern that migrants’ rights could be eroded by the anti-virus restrictions.
Massive virus screening in the camps only started in early May.
Millions of people across the globe have relied on daily or even hourly updates from various media outlets during the pandemic, which saw new laws introduced, borders closed and restrictions amended, often overnight.
CNN reports on how people without internet access have been affected.
Taiwan will further ease its coronavirus restrictions, the government said on Sunday, as the island has kept the pandemic well in hand with only six active cases and no local transmission for 56 days.
Taiwan has never gone into total lockdown and life has continued largely as normal due to its early and effective prevention work and a first rate public health system, but has promoted social distancing and ensured broad public access to face masks, Reuters reports.
Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Centre said that it would lift restrictions limiting the number of people who could participate in “daily life and leisure events”, though people should continue to wear face masks if they were unable to socially distance.
However, border entry restrictions remain, with authorities wary of a second wave of infections coming in from countries where the pandemic is still raging, such as the United States and Britain.
Taiwan has reported 443 cases, the majority of which were in people who got infected overseas, and just seven deaths.
Hello everyone, I’m taking over from Rebecca Ratcliffe for the next few hours. If you have any updates to flag, please feel free to message me, either via email, or you can get me on Twitter @JedySays.
I can’t always respond to every email but I read them all and appreciate every tip.
That’s all from me - I’m now handing over to my colleague in London, Jedidajah Otte, who will keep you updated with the latest coronavirus developments from around the world.
China has released a lengthy report on the country’s response to Covid-19, while officials have rejected allegations that information about the virus was withheld, the country’s state television channel CGTN reports.
The report praises officials’ response to the pandemic as a thorough and comprehensive effort.
China’s relations with other countries have been strengthened rather than undermined by the pandemic, Ma Zhaoxu, the country’s vice minister of foreign affairs, said, according to CGTN.
Australia’s deputy chief medical officer Paul Kelly has said authorities could be forced to ask Australians who attended Black Lives Matter protests over the weekend to self isolate if clusters emerge among attendees, reports Elias Visontay in Canberra.
Kelly said he was encouraged by the sight of masks at Saturday’s protests and said he understood the right to protest, but reiterated the different state governments and the Australian Health Protection and Principal Committee had strongly suggested people not attend any of the mass gatherings.
He said that while people who attended the protests do not have to isolate or get tested if they don’t have symptoms, “if we were to start seeing cases crop up in the next week for example, then we might need to change that message”.
He also said the CovidSafe contact tracing app could help locate possible cases if there are reports of clusters among attendees.
Kelly made the announcement during a national Covid-19 update. As of Sunday afternoon, there have been six new cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, taking Australia’s total to 7260. However the number of active cases is now below 460, with less than 20 people in hospital and three people in intensive care units. The death rate remains at 102.
Care home residents are on course to make up more than half the deaths caused directly or indirectly by the coronavirus crisis in England, according to a new analysis.
The study warns that the death toll by the end of June from Covid-19 infections and other excess deaths is “likely to approach 59,000 across the entire English population, of which about 34,000 (57%) will have been care home residents”.
The estimate, produced by the major healthcare business consultancy LaingBuisson, includes people who list a care home as their primary residence, wherever they died – including those who died in hospital.
It is based on data from the Office for National Statistics, as well as the analyst’s own modelling of the number of care home resident deaths likely to have occurred in the absence of the pandemic.
The new study coincides with mounting concerns over the failure to protect care homes earlier in the pandemic. Senior care industry figures point to the decision to move some hospital patients back to care homes in mid-March. There have also been complaints that non-Covid-related healthcare became less accessible to homes during the height of the pandemic, leading to extra deaths.