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Coronavirus live news: Melbourne goes back into lockdown; Italy stops Bangladesh flights after new infections Coronavirus live news: Melbourne goes back into lockdown; Italy stops Bangladesh flights after new infections
(about 1 hour later)
Melbourne goes into full lockdown after rises in cases; Bolsonaro taking hydroxychloroquine to cure his Covid-19 infectionMelbourne goes into full lockdown after rises in cases; Bolsonaro taking hydroxychloroquine to cure his Covid-19 infection
Canada handled the coronavirus outbreak better than many of its allies, including the United States, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday in a rare public comment on the faltering US effort, Reuters reports.
In an update to a truly horrific story, French prosecutors have today charged two men with attempted murder after a bus driver was assaulted and left brain dead for refusing to let aboard a group of people who were not wearing face masks.
Four men set upon 59-year-old Philippe Monguillot in the southwestern town of Bayonne on Sunday after he asked three of them to wear masks and tried to check another man’s ticket.
Face masks remain mandatory on public transport in France to slow the Covid-19 outbreak, which has claimed nearly 30,000 lives in the country.
The US president, Donald Trump, has threatened to cut off funding to schools that do not open in the fall and criticised a federal health agency’s guidelines for reopening schools as “very tough & expensive”. From Reuters:The US president, Donald Trump, has threatened to cut off funding to schools that do not open in the fall and criticised a federal health agency’s guidelines for reopening schools as “very tough & expensive”. From Reuters:
The Republican president, who is seeking re-election in November, accused Democrats of wanting to keep schools shut for political reasons, despite a surge in coronavirus cases across the country.The Republican president, who is seeking re-election in November, accused Democrats of wanting to keep schools shut for political reasons, despite a surge in coronavirus cases across the country.
It was not clear what specific federal aid the Republican president had in mind. States are responsible for primary and secondary education under the US constitution, but the federal government provides some supplementary funding.It was not clear what specific federal aid the Republican president had in mind. States are responsible for primary and secondary education under the US constitution, but the federal government provides some supplementary funding.
Trump also took aim at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the nation’s health protection agency whose director sits on the White House coronavirus task force.Trump also took aim at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the nation’s health protection agency whose director sits on the White House coronavirus task force.
The White House did not elaborate on which CDC guidelines Trump took issue with.The White House did not elaborate on which CDC guidelines Trump took issue with.
The CDC has recommended a number of considerations for schools, including testing, dividing students into small groups, serving packaged lunches in classrooms instead of cafeterias, and minimiSing sharing of school supplies. It advised sneeze guards and partitions be put in place when social distancing is not possible, and that seats be spaced at least six feet apart.The CDC has recommended a number of considerations for schools, including testing, dividing students into small groups, serving packaged lunches in classrooms instead of cafeterias, and minimiSing sharing of school supplies. It advised sneeze guards and partitions be put in place when social distancing is not possible, and that seats be spaced at least six feet apart.
Yesterday, Trump held meetings about school reopenings at the White House and said he would pressure state governors to open schools in the fall. The White House coronavirus task force is meeting at the Department of Education today and will hold a news briefing afterward.Yesterday, Trump held meetings about school reopenings at the White House and said he would pressure state governors to open schools in the fall. The White House coronavirus task force is meeting at the Department of Education today and will hold a news briefing afterward.
Business and conservative groups have urged reopening schools safely as important to getting parents back to work and reviving the US economy.Educators say socialisation and other benefits such as school food programs are critically important. Experts have also shown online learning exacerbates the divide between poorer and more wealthy Americans, who have greater access to technology.Business and conservative groups have urged reopening schools safely as important to getting parents back to work and reviving the US economy.Educators say socialisation and other benefits such as school food programs are critically important. Experts have also shown online learning exacerbates the divide between poorer and more wealthy Americans, who have greater access to technology.
The alarming surge in cases in the United States, however, has raised concerns about the increased risk of spread of the virus by children to vulnerable adults at home as well as to older teachers and school staff.New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said today he planned to reopen state schools in the fall, but reserved the right to “tweak that if it means saving lives.The alarming surge in cases in the United States, however, has raised concerns about the increased risk of spread of the virus by children to vulnerable adults at home as well as to older teachers and school staff.New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said today he planned to reopen state schools in the fall, but reserved the right to “tweak that if it means saving lives.
Residents of Moscow will be permitted to visit the theatre again from next month, authorities said today as coronavirus infections in Russia – the fourth highest in the world – edged past 700,000.Residents of Moscow will be permitted to visit the theatre again from next month, authorities said today as coronavirus infections in Russia – the fourth highest in the world – edged past 700,000.
Theatre audiences at 50% capacity will be allowed, President Vladimir Putin’s special representative for international cultural cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoy was quoted as saying by the Tass news agency. Shvydkoy added that he hoped this percentage could be increased by September. Theatres will have been closed for four months by the time they reopen.Theatre audiences at 50% capacity will be allowed, President Vladimir Putin’s special representative for international cultural cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoy was quoted as saying by the Tass news agency. Shvydkoy added that he hoped this percentage could be increased by September. Theatres will have been closed for four months by the time they reopen.
Russia’s nationwide case tally stood at 700,792 as of today, behind only India, Brazil and the US, while 10,667 people have died from the virus, according to official data.Russia’s nationwide case tally stood at 700,792 as of today, behind only India, Brazil and the US, while 10,667 people have died from the virus, according to official data.
However, since measures meant to slow the spread of the virus began to be eased in May, the number of new cases recorded each day has been on a downward trend. Russia says 472,511 people have recovered from the virus.However, since measures meant to slow the spread of the virus began to be eased in May, the number of new cases recorded each day has been on a downward trend. Russia says 472,511 people have recovered from the virus.
Some businesses returned to work in May, following a nationwide non-working period in April, while in Moscow, the epicentre of Russia’s outbreak, the phased reopening of shops, restaurants and gyms came in June.Some businesses returned to work in May, following a nationwide non-working period in April, while in Moscow, the epicentre of Russia’s outbreak, the phased reopening of shops, restaurants and gyms came in June.
Also today, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the country’s coronavirus situation was leaning towards improving and that there was cause for more optimistic forecasts.Also today, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the country’s coronavirus situation was leaning towards improving and that there was cause for more optimistic forecasts.
Italian authorities stopped 125 Bangladeshi people from entering the country on Wednesday after they landed at Rome’s Fiumicino airport on a flight from Qatar.Italian authorities stopped 125 Bangladeshi people from entering the country on Wednesday after they landed at Rome’s Fiumicino airport on a flight from Qatar.
The move comes as Italy tries to contain an outbreak of coronavirus among the Bangladeshi community in the Lazio region. The passengers will return to Doha on the same flight later today, while those who disembarked were tested for Covid-19 and quarantined for 14 days.The move comes as Italy tries to contain an outbreak of coronavirus among the Bangladeshi community in the Lazio region. The passengers will return to Doha on the same flight later today, while those who disembarked were tested for Covid-19 and quarantined for 14 days.
Yesterday, Italy suspended flights from Bangladesh for a week after 36 people who arrived in Rome on board a flight the day before tested positive for coronavirus.Yesterday, Italy suspended flights from Bangladesh for a week after 36 people who arrived in Rome on board a flight the day before tested positive for coronavirus.
Lazio authorities estimate that as many as 600 Bangladeshi citizens in Rome and the surrounding areas could potentially have the virus. Alesso D’Amato, Lazio’s health councillor, told Il Messaggero:Lazio authorities estimate that as many as 600 Bangladeshi citizens in Rome and the surrounding areas could potentially have the virus. Alesso D’Amato, Lazio’s health councillor, told Il Messaggero:
The newspaper also reported that several people on Monday’s flight arrived in Italy with fake certificates, purchased from medics in Bangladesh, declaring they had tested negative for Covid-19.The newspaper also reported that several people on Monday’s flight arrived in Italy with fake certificates, purchased from medics in Bangladesh, declaring they had tested negative for Covid-19.
Authorities in Greece are becoming increasingly worried by the rising number of “imported” coronavirus cases the country is seeing since it re-opened its borders last week. The National Organisation of Public Health said 14 out of the 27 new confirmed cases reported on Tuesday were identified “after tests at ports of entry”.Authorities in Greece are becoming increasingly worried by the rising number of “imported” coronavirus cases the country is seeing since it re-opened its borders last week. The National Organisation of Public Health said 14 out of the 27 new confirmed cases reported on Tuesday were identified “after tests at ports of entry”.
Four foreign tourists tested positive for the virus on the island of Thassos in the northern Aegean. All four were described by the Greek media as asymptomatic and citizens of Serbia and Bulgaria, which have both seen a spike in infections.Four foreign tourists tested positive for the virus on the island of Thassos in the northern Aegean. All four were described by the Greek media as asymptomatic and citizens of Serbia and Bulgaria, which have both seen a spike in infections.
“Nothing is over. I appeal to you to please see what is happening around us in the Balkans,” said Athens’ deputy citizens’ protection minister Nikos Hardalias who has been handling the day to day management of the pandemic.“Nothing is over. I appeal to you to please see what is happening around us in the Balkans,” said Athens’ deputy citizens’ protection minister Nikos Hardalias who has been handling the day to day management of the pandemic.
To date, 3,589 people have tested positive for the highly infectious disease in Greece, much lower than most other countries in Europe following application of stringent lockdown measures. There have been 193 deaths related to Covid-19.To date, 3,589 people have tested positive for the highly infectious disease in Greece, much lower than most other countries in Europe following application of stringent lockdown measures. There have been 193 deaths related to Covid-19.
Athens announced it will be lifting its ban on flights from the UK on Wednesday next week, almost four months after air links were suspended.Athens announced it will be lifting its ban on flights from the UK on Wednesday next week, almost four months after air links were suspended.
You can read about the details of Melbourne’s lockdown here. It bars visiting other people’s houses except for giving or receiving care or if you are in an “intimate personal relationship” with them.You can read about the details of Melbourne’s lockdown here. It bars visiting other people’s houses except for giving or receiving care or if you are in an “intimate personal relationship” with them.
The coronavirus pandemic is showing the limits of “fact-denying populism,” the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has told the European parliament, as she set out her country’s plans for its six-month presidency of the European Union, the Associated Press reports.The coronavirus pandemic is showing the limits of “fact-denying populism,” the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has told the European parliament, as she set out her country’s plans for its six-month presidency of the European Union, the Associated Press reports.
Germany took over the task of chairing EU meetings on 1 July and faces the challenge of seeking a compromise on a coronavirus recovery fund for the 27-nation bloc as well as the EU’s budget for the next seven years as the continent faces up to the task of pulling out of a deep recession.Germany took over the task of chairing EU meetings on 1 July and faces the challenge of seeking a compromise on a coronavirus recovery fund for the 27-nation bloc as well as the EU’s budget for the next seven years as the continent faces up to the task of pulling out of a deep recession.
“The depth of the economic decline demands that we hurry,” Merkel told MEPs. “We must waste no time — only the weakest would suffer from that. I very much hope that we can reach an agreement this summer. That will require a lot of readiness to compromise from all sides — and from you too.”“The depth of the economic decline demands that we hurry,” Merkel told MEPs. “We must waste no time — only the weakest would suffer from that. I very much hope that we can reach an agreement this summer. That will require a lot of readiness to compromise from all sides — and from you too.”
“We must not be naive: In many member states, opponents of Europe are just waiting to misuse the crisis for their ends,” she said. “We must show them all where the added value of cooperation in the European Union lies. We must show that a return to nationalism means not more, but less control.”“We must not be naive: In many member states, opponents of Europe are just waiting to misuse the crisis for their ends,” she said. “We must show them all where the added value of cooperation in the European Union lies. We must show that a return to nationalism means not more, but less control.”
Without naming any countries or politicians, Merkel pointed to cautionary examples elsewhere.Without naming any countries or politicians, Merkel pointed to cautionary examples elsewhere.
“We are seeing at the moment that the pandemic can’t be fought with lies and disinformation, and neither can it be with hatred and agitation,” she said.“We are seeing at the moment that the pandemic can’t be fought with lies and disinformation, and neither can it be with hatred and agitation,” she said.
“Fact-denying populism is being shown its limits,” she added to applause. “In a democracy, facts and transparency are needed. That distinguishes Europe, and Germany will stand up for it during its presidency.”“Fact-denying populism is being shown its limits,” she added to applause. “In a democracy, facts and transparency are needed. That distinguishes Europe, and Germany will stand up for it during its presidency.”
Britain’s last governor of Hong Kong has accused China of “taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to bully other countries, as he urged the west to stand up to Beijing, French news agency AFP reports.Britain’s last governor of Hong Kong has accused China of “taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to bully other countries, as he urged the west to stand up to Beijing, French news agency AFP reports.
Chris Patten, who served as the former British colony’s governor for five years from 1992 and oversaw its 1997 return to Chinese rule, also said Chinese authorities had exploited the global health emergency to impose a controversial security law on the territory.Chris Patten, who served as the former British colony’s governor for five years from 1992 and oversaw its 1997 return to Chinese rule, also said Chinese authorities had exploited the global health emergency to impose a controversial security law on the territory.
“What’s happened in Hong Kong is just part of a broader series of actions taken by the Chinese communist party taking advantage of the fact that we’re all of us focused very much on dealing with the coronavirus,” he told an online discussion organised by British MPs.“What’s happened in Hong Kong is just part of a broader series of actions taken by the Chinese communist party taking advantage of the fact that we’re all of us focused very much on dealing with the coronavirus,” he told an online discussion organised by British MPs.
“From India to Japan... to Australia to Canada, the Chinese have been bullying their way around the world,” he added.“From India to Japan... to Australia to Canada, the Chinese have been bullying their way around the world,” he added.
“We have to learn how to contain China when it behaves badly.”“We have to learn how to contain China when it behaves badly.”
Beijing imposed the security legislation on Hong Kong last week, in response to huge and often violent democracy protests that erupted last year. It targets acts of subversion, secession, terrorism and foreign collusion.Beijing imposed the security legislation on Hong Kong last week, in response to huge and often violent democracy protests that erupted last year. It targets acts of subversion, secession, terrorism and foreign collusion.
The law’s imposition, which bypassed the territory’s legislature, is the most radical change in its freedoms and autonomy since the 1997 handover. Police have already arrested people voicing certain political views now deemed illegal, such as advocating independence or greater autonomy.The law’s imposition, which bypassed the territory’s legislature, is the most radical change in its freedoms and autonomy since the 1997 handover. Police have already arrested people voicing certain political views now deemed illegal, such as advocating independence or greater autonomy.
Armenia’s defence minister, Gabriel Balayan, is among a further 535 people in the country who have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing its total caseload to 29,820, according to Xinhua, China’s official news agency.Armenia’s defence minister, Gabriel Balayan, is among a further 535 people in the country who have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing its total caseload to 29,820, according to Xinhua, China’s official news agency.
In its latest update, the national centre for disease control and prevention said that 18 people had died from Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, raising the death toll to 521. The number of recoveries so far in the country is 17,427, with a further 520 patients listed as having shaken off the virus.In its latest update, the national centre for disease control and prevention said that 18 people had died from Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, raising the death toll to 521. The number of recoveries so far in the country is 17,427, with a further 520 patients listed as having shaken off the virus.
Austria’s government has announced travel restrictions for fellow EU members Romania and Bulgaria after a spike in the number of coronavirus cases in both countries, AFP reports:Austria’s government has announced travel restrictions for fellow EU members Romania and Bulgaria after a spike in the number of coronavirus cases in both countries, AFP reports:
Hello, this is Damien Gayle taking over the blog for a little while, while Haroon takes a break. If you have any comments, tips or suggestions drop me a line at damien.gayle@theguardian.com or via Twitter to @damiengayle.Hello, this is Damien Gayle taking over the blog for a little while, while Haroon takes a break. If you have any comments, tips or suggestions drop me a line at damien.gayle@theguardian.com or via Twitter to @damiengayle.