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Coronavirus live news: curfew starts for millions in France; Victoria set to ease restrictions Coronavirus live news: curfew starts for millions in France; Victoria set to ease restrictions
(32 minutes later)
Paris and several other French cities face month of restrictions; numbers soar in Europe amid new lockdowns; in Australia, Victoria is expected ease restrictions after recording just two new cases – follow liveParis and several other French cities face month of restrictions; numbers soar in Europe amid new lockdowns; in Australia, Victoria is expected ease restrictions after recording just two new cases – follow live
Now for the easing of restrictions in Victoria:
From 11.59pm tonight the following changes to restrictions will occur:
There will be no time limit on leaving your home for exercise or socialising
The travel distance from your home will move from 5km to 25km (this is a metropolitan Melbourne restriction being lifted).
Outdoor gatherings will increase to 10 people from two households.
The following settings will be open, subject to Covid-safe conditions: Tennis, skate parks, golf courses. Hairdressers will reopen.
Real estate auctions will occur with a maximum of 10 people and commercial real estate inspections can occur.
Outdoor pools can host 30 swimmers. Indoor pools can open up for one-on-one hydrotherapy with a health professional.
The following will be allowed, subject to conditions: non-essential outdoor home maintenance, repairs, renovations, house painting, can occur with a maximum of five workers.
Solo or automated car washing and poor cleaning will be allowed, mobile or home business pet grooming will be allowed, outdoor photography will be allowed, and there will be a full return of allied health services.
The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, is on his feet, preparing to announce an easing of restrictions.
He confirms that there were two new cases in Victoria, one linked to a known outbreak, the other under investigation. There were no deaths from Covid-19 in the past 24 hours.
“Victorians have done an amazing job over recent weeks and months,” he says.
He says Victorians from every community have “stayed the course” and “we have just a little longer to go”.
In Australia’s most populous state, NSW, numbers remain low. Australia and New Zealand standing in stark contrast to the rest of the world.
Staying in Australia: the acting federal immigration minister Alan Tudge has been speaking in Canberra about the 17 New Zealand travellers who flew into Melbourne via Sydney, which has reignited tensions over borders.
Tudge is referencing reports in the Age that the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet gave authorisation for one of the travellers to travel onward to Victoria, but the authorisation was given a week before the premier Daniel Andrews said the state would not be participating in the travel bubble.
Tudge also reiterates comments he made yesterday that the arrivals should not have surprised Victoria because the state’s chief health officer, Brett Sutton, was at a meeting of health ministers where it was discussed.
“So the Victorian government was present when it was discussed, they were made aware that this was going to occur, they raised no objections in the meetings, and furthermore, expressly authorised individuals who were arriving into Sydney from New Zealand to be able to travel on into Victoria,” Tudge said.
“Now, I would ask the premier today to reveal those emails and any other correspondence which shows, clearly, and demonstrably, that they authorised the people to come into Victoria.”
Australia and New Zealand have established a one-way travel bubble: New Zealanders are allowed to travel to the Australian jurisdictions of NSW and the Northern Territory without quarantining. Australians going the other way must still quarantine on arrival in NZ. The wrinkle here has been 17 people who flew into NSW, and then on to Victoria (which is allowed, but Victoria has said it was unaware people were coming into the state from outside the country).
For our Australian readers in particular. Victorian premier Dan Andrews is speaking at 11am to outline the easing of restrictions in that state as case numbers continue to dwindle (down to one Saturday, and two Sunday). Victoria’s capital Melbourne has endured one of the longest and strictest lockdowns in the world, including curfews and a 5km limit on all movement.
Andrews’s announcement is keenly anticipated, to say the very least.
We will bring you his announcement as it happens, in about 10 minutes from now.
Millions of Europeans faced tough new coronavirus restrictions on Saturday as governments stepped up efforts to slow the surge in infections, after the World Health Organization reported a “very concerning” 44% rise in European cases over one week.Millions of Europeans faced tough new coronavirus restrictions on Saturday as governments stepped up efforts to slow the surge in infections, after the World Health Organization reported a “very concerning” 44% rise in European cases over one week.
From Saturday evening, Paris and several other French cities go under a nighttime curfew that will last at least a month. England is banning mixed household gatherings in the capital and other areas, and Italy’s most populous region is limiting bar openings and suspending sports events.From Saturday evening, Paris and several other French cities go under a nighttime curfew that will last at least a month. England is banning mixed household gatherings in the capital and other areas, and Italy’s most populous region is limiting bar openings and suspending sports events.
The need for action in France was underlined as the country recorded another record for new cases, with over 32,000 registered in 24 hours.The need for action in France was underlined as the country recorded another record for new cases, with over 32,000 registered in 24 hours.
In a bid to stem the worrying rise in infections and in the hope of heading off a return to full lockdowns, many governments have tightened measures to control the spread of the pandemic – even if some dissenters are fighting back in the courts.In a bid to stem the worrying rise in infections and in the hope of heading off a return to full lockdowns, many governments have tightened measures to control the spread of the pandemic – even if some dissenters are fighting back in the courts.
As a region, Europe is reporting more daily cases than India, Brazil and the US combined.As a region, Europe is reporting more daily cases than India, Brazil and the US combined.
Of every 100 infections reported around the world, 34 were from European countries.Of every 100 infections reported around the world, 34 were from European countries.
The region is currently reporting a million new infections about every nine days and has reported more than 6.3 million cases since the pandemic began.The region is currently reporting a million new infections about every nine days and has reported more than 6.3 million cases since the pandemic began.
Major European countries – the UK, France, Russia, the Netherlands and Spain – accounted for about half of Europe’s new cases in the week to 18 October.Major European countries – the UK, France, Russia, the Netherlands and Spain – accounted for about half of Europe’s new cases in the week to 18 October.
Several European countries are closing schools, cancelling elective surgeries and enlisting student medics as the authorities face a Covid-19 resurgence.Several European countries are closing schools, cancelling elective surgeries and enlisting student medics as the authorities face a Covid-19 resurgence.
Russia is moving students to online learning and Northern Ireland is closing schools for two weeks and restaurants for four.Russia is moving students to online learning and Northern Ireland is closing schools for two weeks and restaurants for four.
In Spain, authorities in Catalonia ordered bars and restaurants to close for 15 days and limited the numbers of people allowed in shops.In Spain, authorities in Catalonia ordered bars and restaurants to close for 15 days and limited the numbers of people allowed in shops.
The Czech Republic has also shifted schools to distance learning and plans to call up thousands of medical students. Hospitals are cutting non-urgent medical procedures to free up beds.The Czech Republic has also shifted schools to distance learning and plans to call up thousands of medical students. Hospitals are cutting non-urgent medical procedures to free up beds.
Polish health officials have warned the country is on the brink of a disaster as a record 6,526 new coronavirus infections and 116 deaths were reported this week.Polish health officials have warned the country is on the brink of a disaster as a record 6,526 new coronavirus infections and 116 deaths were reported this week.
Poland is ramping up training for nurses and considering creating military field hospitals.Poland is ramping up training for nurses and considering creating military field hospitals.
Around the world: Latin America is the worst-affected region with about 27% of total Covid-19 cases followed by Asia, North America and Europe.Around the world: Latin America is the worst-affected region with about 27% of total Covid-19 cases followed by Asia, North America and Europe.
India is reporting fewer cases this month compared with September, with 69,000 cases per day.India is reporting fewer cases this month compared with September, with 69,000 cases per day.
The numbers have fallen by more than 20,400 over the last three weeks, down 22% from its previous peak. India reported 55,342 cases on 13 October, its lowest daily increase since 18 August.The numbers have fallen by more than 20,400 over the last three weeks, down 22% from its previous peak. India reported 55,342 cases on 13 October, its lowest daily increase since 18 August.
In the US, which has the largest total number of cases and deaths in the world, new infections are edging higher along with the most hospitalised Covid-19 patients since early September.In the US, which has the largest total number of cases and deaths in the world, new infections are edging higher along with the most hospitalised Covid-19 patients since early September.
The US has suffered more than 218,000 fatalities, on Friday revealed a record deficit of $3.1tn in the fiscal year ended September 30.The US has suffered more than 218,000 fatalities, on Friday revealed a record deficit of $3.1tn in the fiscal year ended September 30.
It also announced that the number of cases there had passed eight million, while global daily infections also hit a new record.It also announced that the number of cases there had passed eight million, while global daily infections also hit a new record.
Good morning/afternoon/evening – wherever these words find you. Ben Doherty in Sydney here, helming our rolling coverage for the new few hours. If you’d like to be in contact, I can be found on email: ben.doherty@theguardian.com or reluctantly on Twitter @BenDohertyCorro.Good morning/afternoon/evening – wherever these words find you. Ben Doherty in Sydney here, helming our rolling coverage for the new few hours. If you’d like to be in contact, I can be found on email: ben.doherty@theguardian.com or reluctantly on Twitter @BenDohertyCorro.
To the state of play this morning (it’s morning where I am):To the state of play this morning (it’s morning where I am):
Globally, there have been 39.5m confirmed cases of Covid-19, and 1.1m deaths. The US has nearly 8.1m confirmed cases, followed by India 7.4m, and Brazil 5.2m.Globally, there have been 39.5m confirmed cases of Covid-19, and 1.1m deaths. The US has nearly 8.1m confirmed cases, followed by India 7.4m, and Brazil 5.2m.
Europe is the emerging epicentre of the current wave: a third of all new cases worldwide are being detected in western European countries. Europe is recording more new cases than India, Brazil and the US combined.Europe is the emerging epicentre of the current wave: a third of all new cases worldwide are being detected in western European countries. Europe is recording more new cases than India, Brazil and the US combined.
Global coronavirus cases rose by more than 400,000 for the first time late on Friday, a record one-day increase as much of Europe enacts new restrictions to curb the outbreak.Global coronavirus cases rose by more than 400,000 for the first time late on Friday, a record one-day increase as much of Europe enacts new restrictions to curb the outbreak.
Italy had a record daily rise in cases of 10,925 and is considering toughening nationwide restrictions in response to the increase. The Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine and Malaysia also recorded their highest daily totals since the pandemic began.Italy had a record daily rise in cases of 10,925 and is considering toughening nationwide restrictions in response to the increase. The Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine and Malaysia also recorded their highest daily totals since the pandemic began.
The number of deaths in Iran from Covid-19 now exceeds 30,000, with the country’s health ministry saying the total number of deaths since the start of the pandemic was now 30,123.The number of deaths in Iran from Covid-19 now exceeds 30,000, with the country’s health ministry saying the total number of deaths since the start of the pandemic was now 30,123.
A two week “circuit breaker” lockdown is expected to commence in Wales on 23 October that will see all but essential retail outlets close, according to a leaked letter.A two week “circuit breaker” lockdown is expected to commence in Wales on 23 October that will see all but essential retail outlets close, according to a leaked letter.
Thailand has recorded its first locally transmitted cases of Covid-19 in more than a month.Thailand has recorded its first locally transmitted cases of Covid-19 in more than a month.
The foreign ministers of Austria and Belgium have both tested positive for Covid-19.The foreign ministers of Austria and Belgium have both tested positive for Covid-19.
The Australian state of Victoria recorded two new cases of Covid-19 and no deaths as the state’s premier, Daniel Andrews, prepares to announce an easing of restrictions on Sunday.The Australian state of Victoria recorded two new cases of Covid-19 and no deaths as the state’s premier, Daniel Andrews, prepares to announce an easing of restrictions on Sunday.