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Coronavirus live news: UK restrictions could last six months; WHO reports record weekly rise in global cases Coronavirus live news: UK restrictions could last six months; WHO reports record weekly rise in global cases
(32 minutes later)
World reports just under two million Covid-19 cases in one week; UK government asks people to work from homeWorld reports just under two million Covid-19 cases in one week; UK government asks people to work from home
Australia’s coronavirus hot spot of Victoria is considering easing curbs sooner than previously flagged, the state’s premier said on Wednesday, as the two-week average of new infections in the city of Melbourne dropped below 30.
Melbourne, Australia’s second most populous city, has been the epicentre of the country’s second wave of Covid-19. The city has been under a hard lockdown, including a nightly curfew, since 2 August.
The state reported 15 new cases and five deaths on Wednesday.
The 14-day average in Melbourne dropped below the 30-50 band which the state set as a precondition for allowing around 100,000 people to return to work in construction, manufacturing, warehouses and child care from 28 September.
“We are winning this battle and we will prevail. It’s just a matter of us staying the course - not letting our frustration get the better of us,” state premier Daniel Andrews told reporters.
Andrews said if the average holds below 30 ahead of this Sunday’s review of restrictions, it was possible further curbs could be eased, but he declined to say what those might be.
Couple of interesting developments in the world of ballet.
The realities of the pandemic have intervened in Bolshoi’s return after performers test positive for Covid-19.
Shaun Walker, the Guardian’s central and eastern Europe correspondent, reports about the plans announced over the summer for something approaching a full season of opera and ballet across its three stages.
On 6 September, the theatre started the season with an all-star cast performing Verdi’s Don Carlo, even as Moscow continued to record hundreds of new Covid cases every day. But the third and final performance had to be cancelled at the last minute after singer Ildar Abdrazakov tested positive for Covid. Later, the soprano Anna Netrebko posted on Instagram that she had also tested positive.
Meanwhile, Mark Brown, our arts correspondent, writes about plans for the Royal Ballet announcing its October comeback with 100 dancers.
The company has revealed ambitious details of its “comeback” after a seven-month break from full performances on the Covent Garden stage. The plan is for a celebration performance with 100 dancers and a full orchestra on 9 October, livestreamed around the world.
The UK foreign minister, Dominic Raab, says the country cannot rule out a full second national lockdown.The UK foreign minister, Dominic Raab, says the country cannot rule out a full second national lockdown.
In a radio interview the minister said there was no “silver bullet” to beat the pandemic urging those workers who could do so to work from home. In a radio interview, the minister said there was no “silver bullet” to beat the pandemic urging those workers who could do so to work from home.
This could be a game changer- European airlines are pinning hopes on pre-flight Covid-19 tests that deliver results as fast as pregnancy tests to help restore passengers’ confidence in taking to the skies in confined spaces with shared air. This could be a game changer – European airlines are pinning hopes on pre-flight Covid-19 tests that deliver results as fast as pregnancy tests to help restore passengers’ confidence in taking to the skies in confined spaces with shared air.
Germany’s Lufthansa, at the mercy of government bailouts for survival, is in talks with Swiss drugmaker Roche over deploying so-called antigen tests, according to two people familiar with the discussions, as the airline aims to make them available next month. Germany’s Lufthansa, at the mercy of government bailouts for survival, is in talks with the Swiss drugmaker Roche over deploying so-called antigen tests, according to two people familiar with the discussions, as the airline aims to make them available next month.
Italian operator Alitalia, meanwhile, told Reuters that from Wednesday it would add two flights from Milan to Rome, to the two it is already offering from Rome to Milan, exclusively for passengers with negative tests. The Italian operator Alitalia, meanwhile, told Reuters that from Wednesday it would add two flights from Milan to Rome, to the two it is already offering from Rome to Milan, exclusively for passengers with negative tests.
The tests are administered by health authorities at the airports and included in ticket prices. If they prove popular and safe, these antigen-tested flights will be expanded to more domestic, and later international, routes, the airline said.The tests are administered by health authorities at the airports and included in ticket prices. If they prove popular and safe, these antigen-tested flights will be expanded to more domestic, and later international, routes, the airline said.
Unlike laboratory-based molecular tests that have been the staple of health authorities in the pandemic, antigen tests do not require machines to process. Much like pregnancy tests, they can produce results in about 15 minutes.Unlike laboratory-based molecular tests that have been the staple of health authorities in the pandemic, antigen tests do not require machines to process. Much like pregnancy tests, they can produce results in about 15 minutes.
However the tests require an uncomfortable nasal swab and are not as accurate as the molecular, or PCR, tests. They generally produce more “false negatives” which could mean sick people could slip through the cracks and onto planes. However the tests require an uncomfortable nasal swab and are not as accurate as the molecular, or PCR, tests. They generally produce more “false negatives”, which could mean sick people could slip through the cracks and on to planes.
An increasing number are hitting the market, from companies such as Abbott Laboratories, Becton Dickinson & Co and Quidel Corp and Roche, which is rebranding antigen tests from South Korea’s privately held SD Biosensor.An increasing number are hitting the market, from companies such as Abbott Laboratories, Becton Dickinson & Co and Quidel Corp and Roche, which is rebranding antigen tests from South Korea’s privately held SD Biosensor.
Airlines are pressing governments to embrace alternatives to blanket travel restrictions amid a resurgence of Covid-19 cases in Europe.Airlines are pressing governments to embrace alternatives to blanket travel restrictions amid a resurgence of Covid-19 cases in Europe.
Morning and welcome to today’s live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. As ever please do send any tips, stories and things you feel we should be covering to nazia.parveen@theguardian.com or follow me to send me a DM on Twitter @NParveenG Morning and welcome to today’s live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. As ever, please do send any tips, stories and things you feel we should be covering to nazia.parveen@theguardian.com or follow me to send me a DM on Twitter @NParveenG
Well, my time is up for today. Thanks for following along – and I look forward to bringing you more blog tomorrow. In the meantime:Well, my time is up for today. Thanks for following along – and I look forward to bringing you more blog tomorrow. In the meantime:
It stands just over 18 metres tall and weighs 25 tonnes. And, after years of painstaking work, a life-size Japanese Gundam robot has just proved to its legions of fans that it really can move.It stands just over 18 metres tall and weighs 25 tonnes. And, after years of painstaking work, a life-size Japanese Gundam robot has just proved to its legions of fans that it really can move.
Modelled on one of the robots from the hugely popular 1970s anime series Mobile Suit Gundam, the huge machine was put through its paces this week at its new home in the the port city of Yokohama.Modelled on one of the robots from the hugely popular 1970s anime series Mobile Suit Gundam, the huge machine was put through its paces this week at its new home in the the port city of Yokohama.
The humanoid was due to become the centrepiece of Gundam Factory Yokohama, south of Tokyo, on 1 October, but the virus pandemic means it will not be officially unveiled until later in the year, according to the site’s operator.The humanoid was due to become the centrepiece of Gundam Factory Yokohama, south of Tokyo, on 1 October, but the virus pandemic means it will not be officially unveiled until later in the year, according to the site’s operator.
“This decision was made to ensure the health and safety of our fans and employees in response to the worldwide spread of Covid-19,” it said in a statement.“This decision was made to ensure the health and safety of our fans and employees in response to the worldwide spread of Covid-19,” it said in a statement.
Jacinda Ardern’s Covid success gives National little room to move on policyJacinda Ardern’s Covid success gives National little room to move on policy
Charlotte Graham-McLay in WellingtonCharlotte Graham-McLay in Wellington
Its record on eliminating Covid-19 and bringing a second outbreak under control has drawn praise for New Zealand from around the world. Now, the centre-left Labour party, led by the wildly popular Jacinda Ardern, faces an election bolstered by their success in containing the virus – but darkened by the shadow of the country’s worst recession in years.Its record on eliminating Covid-19 and bringing a second outbreak under control has drawn praise for New Zealand from around the world. Now, the centre-left Labour party, led by the wildly popular Jacinda Ardern, faces an election bolstered by their success in containing the virus – but darkened by the shadow of the country’s worst recession in years.
At the polls on 17 October, voters will be asked to choose between slightly different approaches to who would be allowed to enter the country, whether border quarantine should be government-managed or partially privatised, and the best economic recipe to recover from the pandemic.At the polls on 17 October, voters will be asked to choose between slightly different approaches to who would be allowed to enter the country, whether border quarantine should be government-managed or partially privatised, and the best economic recipe to recover from the pandemic.
But beyond policy, the centre-right opposition party, National, led by Judith Collins and lagging in the polls, faces perhaps an even tougher job: convincing New Zealanders that a government widely seen as having kept the country safe during a pandemic should be jettisoned so that they can be installed.But beyond policy, the centre-right opposition party, National, led by Judith Collins and lagging in the polls, faces perhaps an even tougher job: convincing New Zealanders that a government widely seen as having kept the country safe during a pandemic should be jettisoned so that they can be installed.
Analysts said that would be a tall order; Labour, according to a 1 News Colmar Brunton poll on Tuesday, is sitting at 48%, while National is polling at 31%. The rest of the vote is occupied by minor parties, who traditionally in New Zealand have formed coalition governments with Labour and National:Analysts said that would be a tall order; Labour, according to a 1 News Colmar Brunton poll on Tuesday, is sitting at 48%, while National is polling at 31%. The rest of the vote is occupied by minor parties, who traditionally in New Zealand have formed coalition governments with Labour and National:
Here are the key developments from the last few hours:Here are the key developments from the last few hours:
US president Donald Trump has said the 200,000 US deaths from coronavirus were “a shame” in response to a reporter’s question about the milestone in the country’s fight against the pandemic. As Trump was departing for an election campaign event in Pittsburgh he told the media: “I think if we didn’t do it properly and do it right, you’d have 2.5 million deaths.” The US has the most Covid-19 deaths in the world, 60,000 more deaths than Brazil, which has the next worst toll. The total US figure on Tuesday night was 200,768.US president Donald Trump has said the 200,000 US deaths from coronavirus were “a shame” in response to a reporter’s question about the milestone in the country’s fight against the pandemic. As Trump was departing for an election campaign event in Pittsburgh he told the media: “I think if we didn’t do it properly and do it right, you’d have 2.5 million deaths.” The US has the most Covid-19 deaths in the world, 60,000 more deaths than Brazil, which has the next worst toll. The total US figure on Tuesday night was 200,768.
In a video address on Tuesday at the United Nations general assembly, Trump said the UN had to take action against China and called for Beijing to be held accountable by the UN for “releasing the virus”. He also falsely claimed the World Health Organization was “virtually controlled by China”. China’s UN representative, Zhang Jun, said the country rejected the “baseless accusations” before introducing President Xi Jinping.In a video address on Tuesday at the United Nations general assembly, Trump said the UN had to take action against China and called for Beijing to be held accountable by the UN for “releasing the virus”. He also falsely claimed the World Health Organization was “virtually controlled by China”. China’s UN representative, Zhang Jun, said the country rejected the “baseless accusations” before introducing President Xi Jinping.
Japan is considering allowing more foreign arrivals into the country for longer stays starting as early as next month, while keeping the Covid-19 entry curbs in place for tourists, the Asahi newspaper reported on Wednesday.Japan is considering allowing more foreign arrivals into the country for longer stays starting as early as next month, while keeping the Covid-19 entry curbs in place for tourists, the Asahi newspaper reported on Wednesday.
In Scotland, hundreds of students have been told to isolate after a suspected Covid-19 outbreak in a hall of residence. NHS Tayside is investigating a single positive Covid case and a small number of suspected cases linked to private student accommodation Parker House in Dundee.In Scotland, hundreds of students have been told to isolate after a suspected Covid-19 outbreak in a hall of residence. NHS Tayside is investigating a single positive Covid case and a small number of suspected cases linked to private student accommodation Parker House in Dundee.
The weekly number of new recorded infections worldwide was last week at its highest level ever, the WHO announced. With a new seven-day high of just short of 2m new cases recorded, the latest tally represents a 6% increase on the previous week as well as “the highest number of reported cases in a single week since the beginning of the epidemic”, the UN health agency said.The weekly number of new recorded infections worldwide was last week at its highest level ever, the WHO announced. With a new seven-day high of just short of 2m new cases recorded, the latest tally represents a 6% increase on the previous week as well as “the highest number of reported cases in a single week since the beginning of the epidemic”, the UN health agency said.
In the UK, the prime minister, Boris Johnson, introduced new restrictions for England that could last six months following a surge in cases in recent weeks. The raft of measures include telling the public to continue working from home, a 10pm curfew for hospitality venues, and limiting weddings to 15 people.In the UK, the prime minister, Boris Johnson, introduced new restrictions for England that could last six months following a surge in cases in recent weeks. The raft of measures include telling the public to continue working from home, a 10pm curfew for hospitality venues, and limiting weddings to 15 people.
Robert Booth and Pamela Duncan report:Robert Booth and Pamela Duncan report:
In the UK, sweeping bans on visiting at thousands of care homes risk residents dying prematurely this winter as they give up hope in the absence of loved ones, experts in elderly care have warned.In the UK, sweeping bans on visiting at thousands of care homes risk residents dying prematurely this winter as they give up hope in the absence of loved ones, experts in elderly care have warned.
More than 2,700 care homes in England are either already shut or will be told to do so imminently by local public health officials, according to a Guardian analysis of new government rules announced to protect the most vulnerable from Covid-19.More than 2,700 care homes in England are either already shut or will be told to do so imminently by local public health officials, according to a Guardian analysis of new government rules announced to protect the most vulnerable from Covid-19.
Care groups are calling for the government to make limited visiting possible, including by designating selected family members as key workers:Care groups are calling for the government to make limited visiting possible, including by designating selected family members as key workers:
With the coronavirus devastating jobs across the country, desperate Indonesians are flocking to illegal gold mines as the soaring price of the precious metal overrides the risk to their lives and the environment.With the coronavirus devastating jobs across the country, desperate Indonesians are flocking to illegal gold mines as the soaring price of the precious metal overrides the risk to their lives and the environment.
Spooked by the economic destruction wrought by the pandemic, consumers and investors around the world have been snapping up gold, which is seen as a hedge against volatility, sending its price to a record above $2,000 an ounce last month.Spooked by the economic destruction wrought by the pandemic, consumers and investors around the world have been snapping up gold, which is seen as a hedge against volatility, sending its price to a record above $2,000 an ounce last month.
The surge in demand has fuelled a boom in mineral-rich Indonesia’s illegal mining industry, with workers ignoring the threat of arrest, mercury poisoning or being caught in the middle of gun battles, AFP reports.The surge in demand has fuelled a boom in mineral-rich Indonesia’s illegal mining industry, with workers ignoring the threat of arrest, mercury poisoning or being caught in the middle of gun battles, AFP reports.
Indonesia banned the use of mercury for artisanal miners in 2017. But the dangerous metal, which can affect the nervous system and cause disabilities in newborn children, can still be purchased on the black market.Indonesia banned the use of mercury for artisanal miners in 2017. But the dangerous metal, which can affect the nervous system and cause disabilities in newborn children, can still be purchased on the black market.
The livelihoods of at least one million Indonesians are supported by small-scale mining, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which promotes mercury-free technologies.The livelihoods of at least one million Indonesians are supported by small-scale mining, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which promotes mercury-free technologies.
Despite pandemic restrictions, there are reports of unlicensed operators bringing scores of domestic migrants to makeshift mines sites across the country, which have long been prone to fatal accidents.Despite pandemic restrictions, there are reports of unlicensed operators bringing scores of domestic migrants to makeshift mines sites across the country, which have long been prone to fatal accidents.
The Bolshoi’s doors have stayed open even in times of revolution and war. So after coronavirus forced the longest hiatus in the Moscow theatre’s schedule for more than two centuries, it was eager to bounce back.The Bolshoi’s doors have stayed open even in times of revolution and war. So after coronavirus forced the longest hiatus in the Moscow theatre’s schedule for more than two centuries, it was eager to bounce back.
Plans were announced over summer for something approaching a full season of opera and ballet across its three stages, and on 6 September, the theatre started the season with an all-star cast performing Verdi’s Don Carlo, even as Moscow continued to record hundreds of new Covid cases every day.Plans were announced over summer for something approaching a full season of opera and ballet across its three stages, and on 6 September, the theatre started the season with an all-star cast performing Verdi’s Don Carlo, even as Moscow continued to record hundreds of new Covid cases every day.
But it did not take long for the realities of the pandemic to intervene: the third and final performance of Don Carlo had to be cancelled at the last minute after singer Ildar Abdrazakov tested positive for Covid. Later, the soprano Anna Netrebko posted on Instagram that she had also tested positive:But it did not take long for the realities of the pandemic to intervene: the third and final performance of Don Carlo had to be cancelled at the last minute after singer Ildar Abdrazakov tested positive for Covid. Later, the soprano Anna Netrebko posted on Instagram that she had also tested positive:
Mainland China reported 10 new Covid-19 cases as of 22 September, up from 6 a day earlier, the country’s national health authority said on Wednesday.The National Health Commission said in a statement that all new cases were imported infections involving travellers from overseas. The number of new asymptomatic infections also rose to 18 from 15 a day earlier, though China does not classify these symptomless patients as confirmed cases.The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases for mainland China now stands at 85,307, while the death toll remained unchanged at 4,634.Mainland China reported 10 new Covid-19 cases as of 22 September, up from 6 a day earlier, the country’s national health authority said on Wednesday.The National Health Commission said in a statement that all new cases were imported infections involving travellers from overseas. The number of new asymptomatic infections also rose to 18 from 15 a day earlier, though China does not classify these symptomless patients as confirmed cases.The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases for mainland China now stands at 85,307, while the death toll remained unchanged at 4,634.
The leader of the Democratic Republic of Congo appealed Tuesday before the UN General Assembly for debt relief for developing countries to help them cope with the pandemic, AFP reports.The leader of the Democratic Republic of Congo appealed Tuesday before the UN General Assembly for debt relief for developing countries to help them cope with the pandemic, AFP reports.
“In order to help developing countries exit the crisis and fare better after Covid-19, the international community’s efforts must include debt cancellation and other relief so they can better recover,” President Felix Tshisekedi said.“In order to help developing countries exit the crisis and fare better after Covid-19, the international community’s efforts must include debt cancellation and other relief so they can better recover,” President Felix Tshisekedi said.
The Group of 20 major economies and the International Monetary Fund have already agreed on measures including relieving debt or suspending payments as poor nations prioritize the response to the pandemic.The Group of 20 major economies and the International Monetary Fund have already agreed on measures including relieving debt or suspending payments as poor nations prioritize the response to the pandemic.
But Tshisekedi, in a video address to the annual summit, called on the international community to “take other decisions with a view to complete cancellation.”But Tshisekedi, in a video address to the annual summit, called on the international community to “take other decisions with a view to complete cancellation.”
“All measures of support or additional funding for development countries should be without any conditions,” he said.“All measures of support or additional funding for development countries should be without any conditions,” he said.
He also called for a boosting of technical assistance “to halt and stop a disease that is our common enemy.”He also called for a boosting of technical assistance “to halt and stop a disease that is our common enemy.”
Covid-19 has killed more than 966,000 people since it first emerged in China in late 2019, according to a global tally by AFP.Covid-19 has killed more than 966,000 people since it first emerged in China in late 2019, according to a global tally by AFP.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the world’s poorest nations but international observers have found guarded hope since the December 2018 election of Tshisekedi.The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the world’s poorest nations but international observers have found guarded hope since the December 2018 election of Tshisekedi.
His succession from Joseph Kabila marked the first peaceful transition of power since the former Zaire’s independence from Belgium six decades earlier.His succession from Joseph Kabila marked the first peaceful transition of power since the former Zaire’s independence from Belgium six decades earlier.
The US president says: ‘Well, I think it’s a shame’ when asked by a White House reporter about the 200,000 coronavirus deaths in the US – a fifth of the global total and the highest of any country worldwide. He claims the US could have had 2.5 million deaths ‘if we didn’t do it properly’. Trump also repeats his accusation that China is at fault for the pandemic:The US president says: ‘Well, I think it’s a shame’ when asked by a White House reporter about the 200,000 coronavirus deaths in the US – a fifth of the global total and the highest of any country worldwide. He claims the US could have had 2.5 million deaths ‘if we didn’t do it properly’. Trump also repeats his accusation that China is at fault for the pandemic:
Mike Hytner and Ben Butler report:Mike Hytner and Ben Butler report:
Embattled Rugby Australia has been delivered another blow after major sponsor Qantas ended its 30-year partnership with the code.Embattled Rugby Australia has been delivered another blow after major sponsor Qantas ended its 30-year partnership with the code.
The Australian airline has also pulled back in its deals with cricket and football in a bid to save up to $20m a year.The Australian airline has also pulled back in its deals with cricket and football in a bid to save up to $20m a year.
Qantas said the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was the reason behind the rugby decision, rather than last year’s Israel Folau controversy.Qantas said the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was the reason behind the rugby decision, rather than last year’s Israel Folau controversy.
Folau’s homophobic social media posts raised questions over the continued involvement of Qantas, whose chief executive Alan Joyce said at the time that sponsorship deals were “supposed to be a positive”.Folau’s homophobic social media posts raised questions over the continued involvement of Qantas, whose chief executive Alan Joyce said at the time that sponsorship deals were “supposed to be a positive”.
Israel Folau’s anti-gay comments ‘very disappointing’, Qantas saysRead moreIsrael Folau’s anti-gay comments ‘very disappointing’, Qantas saysRead more
But on Wednesday Qantas chief customer officer Stephanie Tully said the virus had been “the undoing” of the partnership, which will expire at the end of this year:But on Wednesday Qantas chief customer officer Stephanie Tully said the virus had been “the undoing” of the partnership, which will expire at the end of this year: