27th May 2020 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=17 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

SFGate Id say it hasnt worked out so well said Dr. George Rutherford professor of epidemiology at the University of California San Francisco. I think the mortality in Norway is something like tenfold lower. Thats the real comparator. Norways 7day rolling average death rate is less than .01 per 1 million people. If you let this go or dont try very hard or go about it in somewhat of a more restrained way rather than we have here this is the price you pay Rutherford said. Maybe it didnt hurt businesses but you have twice the mortality rate of the United States. All those people who died were part of families and they were citizens and part of the fabric of Swedish society. And now theyre gone because of a policy that hasnt worked out quite the way they thought it would. https://www.sfgate.com/news/editorspicks/article/Sweden-herd-immunity-experiment-backfires-covid-15289437.php 26th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

Forbes Many Italians are now being forced to accept aid from criminal organizations who are capitalizing on the governments delays and those fearing to expose their involvement in undeclared work. The Mafia has been distributing food packages and providing loans in the South of Italy in a move to exploit the desperation of the new poor from coronavirus according to the mayor of the Sicilian capital Palermo Leoluca Orlando. https://www.forbes.com/sites/rebeccahughes/2020/05/26/after-the-health-crisis-comes-poverty-italy-warns-the-world/ 26th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

Financial Times In this series the FT is following an Italian familyowned company through the pandemic crisis. After the initial shock of the lockdown in this second instalment the factory and its workers grapple with their new reality as they go back to work. https://www.ft.com/content/75711325-eadc-44e3-86d8-7c82dfe11595 26th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

Daily Mail Ryanair confirmed plan to ramp up flights to 40 per cent of its normal schedule. The budget airline group has now launched a sale for flights in July and August. Spain said 14day quarantine measures for passengers will be lifted from July 1 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8357649/Ryanair-ramp-services-Spain-reopens-tourists-July-1.html 26th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

Euro Weekly News Malagas police have reported that 457 people in Malaga over the weekend have been reported for flouting lockdown restrictions with more than half receiving fines for failing to wear masks or social distancing. Of the 457 people reported 92 have been sanctioned for not wearing face masks such as in confined public spaces and on public streets where social distancing cannot be maintained. Another 236 people have been fined for not adhering to social distancing measures and the rest for other state of alarm restrictions such as not complying with outing timetables. That takes the total number of people reported for breaching lockdown restrictions to 8636 since the beginning of State of Alarm according to Malagas law enforcement authorities. https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2020/05/25/spains-costa-del-sol-police-sanction-457-people-for-flouting-lockdown-restrictions-with-more-than-half-fined-for-failing-to-wear-masks-or-social-distancing/ 26th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

IQ Magazine The first postlockdown live music events are taking place in Spain this week as the country embarks on phase two of its lockdown easing plan. As of 25 May outdoor events of up to 400 people and indoor concerts with a maximum capacity of 50 people have been allowed to resume in Spain. Although the reopening measures have been criticised by members of the Spanish live industry for being unclear and unrealistic a number of event organisers have taken the opportunity to restart business. This week five concerts are taking place in the northern region of Cantabria as part of the local governments Culture Counterattack campaign. Performances by acts Rulo Vicky Castelo Billy Boom Band Deva and Repion will take place this weekend 29 to 30 May in the cities of Santander Torrelavega and Muriedas. http://www.iq-mag.net/2020/05/first-post-lockdown-concerts-return-to-spain/ 26th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

YAHOO! In France the month of May is usually synonymous with the Cannes Film Festival. But this year the worlds biggest movie extravaganza did not take place due to the coronavirus pandemic. Whether its cinema theatre or music all branches of Frances prized cultural sector have taken a hit from the lockdown and its unclear when things will improve. Facing harsh criticism from the artistic world the French government recently unveiled a rescue plan. Will it be enough to save the countrys prized cultural industry Join us for this episode of French Connections. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/frances-cultural-industry-eager-bounce-115814309.html 26th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

Daily Mail Sweden reported 33843 coronavirus cases on Monday and 4029 deaths Totals far exceed Nordic neighbours even when population taken into account Government under fire for shunning strict lockdown in favour of social distance State epidemiologist Anders Tegnell says approach will be best in the longterm https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8356787/Lockdown-free-Swedens-coronavirus-death-toll-tops-4-000.html 26th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

FRANCE 24 There were also signs of hope at some of the worlds best known and symbolic destinations. In Bethlehem the Church of the Nativity built on the spot where Christians believe their saviour Jesus was born reopened its doors after more than two months. Once inside Greek Orthodox Bishop Theophylactos kissed an icon while a priest scattered holy water in the grotto where Jesus is said to have rested in a manger. Palestinian authorities believe the COVID19 virus came to Bethlehem with a group of Greek tourists and the virus outbreak has devastated the travel industry worldwide. Nevertheless in Italy once the world epicentre of infections after it spread to Europe from China the site of a previous natural disaster also reopened to visitors. The ruins of the Roman city of Pompeii destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 79 AD and preserved through the centuries in a layer of ash attracted four million visitors last year. https://www.france24.com/en/20200526-iconic-sites-reopen-as-world-eyes-life-after-lockdown 26th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

Financial Times France and Spain show a sharp increase of requests for help during the lockdown officials and support groups say many more victims have been afraid or unable to come forward. There are women who have had the courage to leave the prisons that their homes have become said Mariti Pereira from Spains Federation of Associations for Assistance to Victims of Gender and Sexual Violence of the lockdown period now being phased out in both Spain and France. But there are many victims of violence who have stayed where they are because of economic concerns or worries about coronavirus or simply because they are scared. https://www.ft.com/content/9b3c3b39-89cc-41d2-8f7c-bd742e49eb3e 26th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

BBC The groups founder Laurent Lombard who shot the underwater footage and posted it on Facebook says these masks we havent had them for long and were going to have billions so I say watch out its the beginnings of a new type of pollution. Diving off GolfeJuan near Antibes he found five disposable face masks and four latex gloves on the seabed along with the usual plastic rubbish such as empty bottles. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-52807526 26th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Times In our new series the first wave Times and Sunday Times foreign correspondents examine pandemic responses around the world and ask what happens next. Oliver Moody reports from Berlin https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-first-wave-how-germanys-coronavirus-contact-tracers-helped-to-ease-its-lockdown-w7tw5ddjs 26th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

Evening Standard A South Korean cafe has found an innovative way of serving its customers during the coronavirus pandemic with an efficient robot barista. The new robot barista at the cafe in Daejon is courteous and swift as it delivers coffee and tea to its customers https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/south-korea-cafe-robot-barista-social-distancing-coronavirus-a4449986.html 26th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Wall Street Journal Some developing countries are reopening in efforts to save their economies even as caseloads continue to rise at worrisome rates. In Brazil and Mexico car factories are firing back up while mines are restarting in Peru. Domestic flights started taking off again in India even though the country is hitting its highest levels of new cases. On Tuesday India reported 6535 new cases extending a stretch of days above 6000. Total confirmed cases stand at 145380 with 4167 deaths according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Iran reopened restaurants around the country Tuesday the first day after the Eid holiday marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. The move followed weeks of easing lockdown restrictions that have included reopening religious sites museums shopping malls and bazaars. https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-latest-news-05-26-2020-11590482671 26th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

China.org.cn Life in the West Bank has returned to normal after Palestinian government decided to lift most of the precautionary measures against the coronavirus pandemic. Big cities in the West Bank is unprecedentedly busy and crowded. Public transportation and traffic were all resumed in the area on Tuesday the last day of the Muslim holiday of Eid alFitr. The West Bank cities towns villages and refugee camps have also witnessed the return of busy trade and commercial activities where all private sector establishments stores pubic parks and squares were opened. The Palestinian ministries and official establishments will get back to work all over the West Bank on Wednesday amid the governments instructions for people to keep committed to personal precautionary measures http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2020-05/26/content_76093608.htm 26th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Irish Times US stocks surged to the highest since March 5th as investors speculated the worst of the pandemics damage to the global economy has passed after countries moved to ease lockdowns. A dollar gauge fell by the most in almost two months. The SP 500 jumped more than 2 per cent following a threeday holiday weekend propelling it past 3000 for the first time since early March. Merck and Co rose after it unveiled development plans on both a treatment and vaccine for Covid19. https://www.irishtimes.com/business/markets/european-stocks-rise-as-lockdown-easing-boosts-sentiment-1.4262862 26th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Guardian Residents of Spains two biggest cities can now meet in groups of up to 10 in their homes or on the outside terraces of bars and restaurants as both moved belatedly into the second phase of looser lockdown restrictions. Small shops can also open without appointments. Madrids mayor Jos Luis MartnezAlmeida marked the occasion by tweeting a picture of himself in the citys famous El Retiro park. Open he tweeted. Good morning and lets be responsible. Almost half of Spain has already moved to phase three with shopping centres allowed to open and restaurants to serve customers indoors at 40 capacity. Cinemas and theatres may also reopen but sell no more than 30 of tickets for each performance. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/25/global-report-europe-eases-out-of-coronavirus-lockdown-as-memorial-day-draws-big-us-crowds 26th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

Stuff.co.nz Kiwis are beginning to see farmers in a new light after lockdown research shows. Figures from UMR Research show 63 per cent of New Zealanders hold a positive view of sheep and beef farming an increase of 9 per cent compared to just eight months ago. Support for dairy farmers has also jumped rising from 51 per cent to 60 per cent. Horticulture tops the list with a positive rating of 65 per cent while ratings for fisheries have clicked over into majority positive territory at 53 per cent up from 47 per cent https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/121626750/coronavirus-kiwis-more-positive-about-farming-after-covid19-lockdown 26th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Guardian After a strict seven weeks of confinement the atmosphere in the resort towns reopened bars varies from restrained to raucous https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/may/25/life-after-lockdown-in-new-zealand-a-night-out-in-wanaka 26th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

Outlook India After three consecutive days of no new coronavirus patient New Zealand decided to reopen bars and other businesses last Thursday i.e. May 21st. The country was under lockdown for two months during which many bars struggled to stay afloat but the government decided not to open them early as they were deemed as highrisk spots. The lockdown got shifted from Level 4 to Level 2 with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying level 2 restrictions will mean retail restaurants and other public spaces including playgrounds can reopen from Thursday. I am announcing that Cabinet agrees we are ready to move into level 2 to open up the economy but to do it as safely as possible Ardern told a news conference. However businesses will be required to have physical distancing and strict hygiene measures in place. https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/travelnews/story/70274/new-zealand-bars-reopen-after-two-months-of-lockdown 26th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

New Zealand Herald Hundreds of foreigners have been allowed through New Zealands closed borders including key production crew to the blockbuster Avatar sequels. The film industry says allowing key film personnel like producers and cast into New Zealand would be huge as it could trigger thousands of jobs for Kiwis. Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford revealed today there was a littleknown category for border exemptions for foreigners deemed essential to a project of significant economic value. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&ampobjectid=12333398 26th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

Euronews Barcelona and Madrid will begin easing their lockdown rules from today allowing residents to meet in groups of up to ten people either at home in the park or on terraces of bars and restaurants. Some major museums will also be allowed to reopen but with a limited number of visitors and people will still be required to wear a mask when it is not possible to keep two metres apart. Barcelona and Madrid account for half of the countrys deaths from COVID19 but now move into phase one of deconfinement as the country shifts into the second phase of its lockdown. https://www.euronews.com/2020/05/25/spaniards-can-hit-the-beach-and-drink-on-the-terrace-as-lockdown-eases 25th May 2020

Exit Strategies

Sky News After 10 weeks of lockdown thousands of high street shops department stores and markets across England can start reopening from next month. At a daily news briefing in Downing Street overshadowed by Dominic Cummings response to claims he broke lockdown rules the prime minister outlined which businesses can begin trading again from Monday. Boris Johnson said Step 2 of the plan to unlock the lockdown in place since 23 March would see the following changes. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-lockdown-which-shops-will-open-next-month-11994675 26th May 2020

Exit Strategies

BBC South East Wales The most obvious is distance. Research that began in the 1930s showed that when someone coughs most of the droplets they release either evaporate or fall to the ground within about one metre. Thats why the World Health Organization WHO settled on its one metre rule for social distancing. Some governments have opted for a safer limit of 1.5m with the UK and others preferring an even more cautious 2m. The guidance essentially means that the further youre apart the safer you ought to be but its not distance alone that matters. The second key factor is timing how long youre close to someone. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-52804795 26th May 2020

Exit Strategies

YAHOO! Germanys government and its state premiers have agreed to extend social distancing rules until June 29 to contain the coronavirus pandemic a government spokesman said. Tuesdays deal confirmed by the spokesman after being revealed to Reuters by a source follows a dispute over how quickly to ease lockdown measures that have helped Germany weather the outbreak with far fewer deaths than European peers. Under the agreement public gatherings of up to 10 people would also be allowed from June 6 the government spokesman said. Chancellor Angela Merkel originally suggested extending the distancing rules which require people to stay 1.5 metres apart until July 5 as the conservative leader is worried about a second wave of cases that could require another costly lockdown. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/social-distancing-extended-until-june-053306094.html 26th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The Times As the coronavirus permeated Germany with a speed that was scarcely credible there was no technology in the world that could track it. Instead the job of mapping and slowing the advance of the pandemic has been carried out largely by hand often with little more than a telephone a fax machine and many cups of coffee. The secret of Germanys muchlauded contacttracing system one of the central pillars of its relative success in managing Covid19 is not ingenious software nor an allseeing state. It is an impromptu army of students offduty planning inspectors social workers police officers military health workers administrators and in at least one case the local fire brigade. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/germanys-corona-detectives-led-way-out-of-lockdown-2wkrwtfdv 26th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The Wall Street Journal Italian politicians threatened to reinstate restrictions on peoples movements and announced plans to recruit 60000 unemployed volunteers to help oversee social distancing after thousands of Italians celebrated the end of the countrys lockdown by going out for a drink. Many Italians hit beaches parks and bars over the weekend sometimes flouting distancing rules and requirements to wear face masks when near other people. The return of crowds to places that have been deserted for most of the spring sparked an angry reaction from some politicians who warned that Italys progress in containing the coronavirus could reverse if people relaxed the restriction rules too much. https://www.wsj.com/articles/italian-leaders-threaten-to-reimpose-restrictions-after-sunshine-draws-out-crowds-11590419828 26th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The Local Italy The Italian government will revise its plans to allow travel between regions again if people keep socializing in the streets after Italys long coronavirus lockdown a cabinet minister has warned. https://www.thelocal.it/20200525/italy-wont-re-allow-travel-if-post-lockdown-partying-continues-minister 26th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The Independent Tourists will be able to visit Spain from the beginning of July without having to quarantine for two weeks after the government eased coronavirus lockdown rules. The worlds secondmost visited nation currently demands all foreign visitors isolate themselves for 14 days on arrival but has decided to lift the controls in an attempt to revive its tourist industry for the holiday season. Prime minister Pedro Sanchez has said he wants Spain to establish reciprocal safe corridors with other countries in Europe so long as they dont bring risks to our country. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/spain-travel-quarantine-advice-foreign-office-holiday-coronavirus-a9532371.html 26th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The Scotsman Despite there being only vague ideas of when lockdown measures might fully end in the UK people are already thinking about the potential of summer travel https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/when-can-i-travel-spain-latest-fco-guidance-country-relaxes-quarantine-rules-1995876 26th May 2020

Exit Strategies

VOA News In a discussion paper submitted by Spain to a Future of Europe consultation process between EU member states Madrid also called for the monitoring of tourists health via individual checks as part of a common EUwide procedure. It would be appropriate to consider in coordination with UNWTO and WHO options for health checks either upon the purchase of tickets or at the airport itself should the results of those checks be available within a reasonable timeframe read the document seen by Reuters. The definition of a safe and operational passenger transit system is key to restoring the normality of tourist flows in a sustainable manner it said. https://www.voanews.com/covid-19-pandemic/spain-wants-common-eu-rules-cross-border-movement-pandemic-lockdowns-ease 26th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The Times A regular business survey by the Ifo Institute offered a glimmer of hope by beating expectations. Sentiment has recovered somewhat after a catastrophic few months the Munichbased researcher said. Its index reading was 79.5 points in May up from a downwardly revised 74.2 points in April. Klaus Wohlrabe economist at the institute said The German economy is again seeing light at the end of the tunnel. But we are still far away from optimism. Although the outlook is improving secondquarter growth will be dismal. Ifo said that German GDP would shrink by more than 10 per cent. Factory order books remain weak and businesses still expect exports to fall. Germany is already in recession after contracting in both the final quarter of last year and the first three months of 2020. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/confidence-rises-in-germany-as-lockdown-is-relaxed-7xsjwhl5q 26th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The Local France The initial loosening of Frances strict lockdown on May 11th was a threeweek phase so as that moves to a close what can we expect from phase 2 of the dconfinement https://www.thelocal.fr/20200525/what-can-we-expect-from-phase-2-of-frances-lockdown 26th May 2020

Exit Strategies

CBS News South Koreans will be required to wear masks when using public transportation and taxis nationwide starting Tuesday as health authorities look for more ways to slow the spread of the coronavirus as people increase their public activities. Health Ministry official Yoon Taeho on Monday said masks also will be enforced on all domestic and international flights from Wednesday. From June owners of highrisk facilities such as bars clubs gyms karaoke rooms and concert halls will be required to use smartphone QR codes to register customers so they can be tracked down more easily when infections occur. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-south-korea-unveils-new-covid-rules-travel-face-masks-high-risk-businesses/ 26th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The Wall Street Journal We looked into all the scenarios including total lockdown but to be honest we cant afford it Egyptian Information Minister Osama Heikal said in a television interview last week. Pakistans top court last week ordered all stores to be allowed to open including shopping malls in Karachi arguing that the government was focusing too much on stopping the spread of the pandemic. While leaders in wealthier countries face similar tradeoffs the dilemma for leaders in developing countries is especially stark Each week that the reopening is postponed creates more poverty increasing chances of social unrest and violence. But reopening too soon may cause new outbreaks. https://www.wsj.com/articles/poor-countries-weigh-easing-lockdowns-as-coronavirus-cases-continue-to-rise-11590422400 26th May 2020

Exit Strategies

Newsweek Japans Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has announced the end of his state of emergency declaration for the novel coronavirus pandemic with just 851 deaths reported and without ever implementing a lockdown. I have decided to end the state of emergency across the nation Abe said during a televised press conference on Monday. In just over a month and a half we almost brought the infection situation under control. Abe cautioned that lifting the order did not mean that the novel virus was gone from Japan. Our battle against the virus will continue he said while urging the Japanese people to continue following stringent social distancing guidance. https://www.newsweek.com/japan-ends-coronavirus-emergency-850-deaths-no-lockdown-1506336 26th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The Jakarta Post Europeans flocked to parks gyms and pools on Monday as more countries eased coronavirus restrictions while Japan lifted its state of emergency but urged vigilance to avoid another wave of infections. In the United States as the pandemic death toll approached the horrific milestone of 100000 stircrazy Americans also headed en masse to beaches and parks for the big Memorial Day weekend. https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/05/26/europe-lifts-virus-shutters-as-japan-ends-emergency.html 26th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The Guardian Australias peak cycling organisation is calling on governments to capitalise on a surge in lockdowninduced bicycle sales by fasttracking the construction of all 750km of planned bike lanes around the country a move it says would promote physically distanced commuting while taking tens of thousands of cars off city roads. The rising interest in cycling has also been noticed by Queenslands transport and roads minister Mark Bailey who told the Guardian the Palaszczuk government would consider further investments in cycleways across Queensland in the near future as a result of the demand. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/26/call-to-fast-track-bike-lanes-to-boost-jobs-and-take-advantage-of-lockdown-induced-bicycle-sales 26th May 2020

Exit Strategies

Financial Post With Australia confident it has suppressed the spread of coronavirus Morrison will on Tuesday turn to how to revive the countrys economy as debt levels rise to about 30 of GDP. Morrison will say in a speech that tax reform deregulation and lower energy costs will be central to stimulating economic growth as Canberra begins to unwind its more than A250 billion worth of stimulus. https://business.financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/australia-to-outline-economic-recovery-plans-as-lockdowns-ease 26th May 2020

Exit Strategies

ABC News Thailand will extend its state of emergency until the end of June despite the countrys dwindling number of Covid19 cases and a gradual easing of lockdown measures. Germany may ease socialdistancing steps a week earlier than previously planned and aims to lift a travel warning for 31 European countries German media reports. Brazil has recorded more coronavirus deaths in a day than the United States even as some leaders in the South American nation consider loosening lockdown measures. Closer to home the southern hemispheres first human trials of a potential coronavirus vaccine have started in Melbourne with the program set to expand to Brisbane within a week https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-26/coronavirus-update-covid19-australian-news-brazil-vaccine-may-26/12284540 26th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The Guardian Australians have been slowly emerging from Covid19 lockdowns since the federal government announced a threestage plan in May to ease restrictions across the country. It is up to each state and territory to decide when and how far they will relax restrictions. Here we try to answer some of the most common questions people have about the laws based on the information current as of 25 May. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/may/26/coronavirus-australia-lockdown-covid-19-restrictions-how-far-can-travel-social-distancing-rules-nsw-victoria-queensland-qld-wa-sa-act-how-people-over-house 26th May 2020

Exit Strategies

Metro The telly doc went on to explain the rationale behind the current rules against meeting loved ones in their gardens saying its very easy to slip into bad habits such as using their toilet. Those are the rules Dr Mark added. You cannot and should not go to your sisters garden but you can meet her in a park near her house. https://metro.co.uk/2020/05/26/dr-hilary-jones-replacement-explains-coronavirus-garden-lockdown-rules-12757573/ 26th May 2020

Exit Strategies

Metro.co.uk The Prime Minister revealed during Mondays press conference that markets and car dealerships will be able to open from June 1 while all nonessential retail will begin resuming from June 15. The changes are dependent on the coronavirus daily death toll continuing to fall. Now the government is reportedly working on proposals to allow small social gatherings outdoors such as garden parties or barbecues. The plans are said to be part of a wider implementation of social bubbles which could see people mix with up to 10 other people at a time. https://metro.co.uk/2020/05/26/plans-underway-groups-10-meet-outdoors-lockdown-12756985/ 26th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The Times of India According to Prime Minister Ardern 60 percent of New Zealand is dependent on tourism. Therefore New Zealanders should travel domestically in order to support the tourism industry. She believes that a fourday work week will leave enough time for domestic travel. She has left employers and employees to decide on the fourday work week scenario and rightly pointed out that the lockdown has caused us to learn a lot about our work about how it is really possible to be productive while working from home. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/a-four-day-work-week-in-new-zealand-could-boost-domestic-travel/as75993957.cms 26th May 2020

Exit Strategies

Sky News First day with no reported CoVid19 deaths since March 21st. This is a day of hope. We will prevail. Dr Tony Holohan Irelands chief medical officer said figures over the past week indicated we have suppressed COVID19 as a country. He added It has taken strict measures to achieve this. It will take another week to see any effect on disease incidence that might arise from the easing of measures in Phase 1. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-ireland-records-no-new-covid-19-deaths-as-varadkar-hails-day-of-hope-11994628 25th May 2020

Exit Strategies

Daily Mail WA lifting most internal travel restrictions but interstate borders remain shut. Tasmania eases aged care restrictions announces infrastructure spend. South Australia to open venues from June 1 to up to 80 people in groups of 20. NSW suspects a newly diagnosed Sydney woman may have been sick for weeks Hospitality industry lobbies for spillover trade onto parks and footpaths in NSW Victoria lifts restrictions prepares for Stage Two easing on June 1 Queensland WA remain firm on border closures despite industry pressure Tasmania allows aged care residents to have two visitors in a single day https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8354275/Australias-active-coronavirus-cases-plunge-500-states-lift-restrictions-EARLY.html 25th May 2020

Partisan Exits

Associated Press With Brazil emerging as one of the worlds most infected countries President Jair Bolsonaro is deflecting all responsibility for the coronavirus crisis casting blame on mayors governors an outgoing health minister and the media. By contrast he portrays himself as a cleareyed crusader willing to defend an unpopular idea that shutting down the economy to control COVID19 will ultimately cause more suffering than allowing the disease to run its course. The refusal of governors to fall into line with his decree allowing gyms to open he said verged on authoritarianism. https://apnews.com/7a7e8a0d3c524986412245ec9a23fad0 26th May 2020

Partisan Exits

The Guardian Political leaders in Kentucky have condemned rightwing protesters against the states measures to fight the coronavirus after the demonstrators hanged an effigy of Democratic state governor Andy Beshear from a tree. The incident happened on Sunday during a protest in favor of gun rights and other mostly conservative causes. Several men produced a rope and an effigy and strung it from a tree outside the state capitol building in Frankfort. The state representative Charles Booker who is African American and the Democratic party challenger for the Senate majority leader Mitch McConnells seat in Kentucky in November described the representation as vile and traumatic. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/25/kentucky-governor-effigy-protest 26th May 2020

Partisan Exits

BBC As Scotland prepares to ease its coronavirus lockdown from Friday Scots have voiced concerns about the UK governments handling of the crisis and the risk of lifting restrictions too quickly. A survey for BBC Scotland suggested that a majority of people thought Boris Johnson and UK ministers had handled the pandemic fairly or very badly. Meanwhile 82 of respondents said First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had handled the crisis well overall with only 8 saying she had done badly. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-52795997 26th May 2020

Partisan Exits

WION on MSN.com The row erupted after Bodo Ramelow premier of the eastern state of Thuringia said on Saturday he would scrap rules on maskwearing and distancing relying instead on local measures. The states set most rules affecting daytoday life in Germany. Though his proposal echoes federal government policy which envisages gradually reopening the economy while responding fast to outbreaks with local lockdowns and contacttracing officials fear muddying the message could undermine public discipline. https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/germany-central-and-regional-government-tussle-over-lifting-lockdown/ar-BB14zhP5 26th May 2020

Partisan Exits

Wales Online Some smaller venues will have to stay shut if the twometre rule remains in force with others claiming it would not be economically viable to reopen https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/pub-bosses-plea-revise-social-18310061 26th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

Thomson Reuters Foundation News U.S. lockdown closures leave hundreds of thousands of rough sleepers without access to soap and water putting them at increased risk of infection advocates say https://news.trust.org/item/20200526101748-rou62/ 26th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

Daily Mail Gracewell of Ascot set up a drivethrough for people to visit loved ones safely The Berkshire care home keeps residents outside while visitors stay in their cars Many of the cars were decorated cheerfully with balloons flags and drawings https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8357411/Care-home-creates-drive-families-visit-loved-ones-safely-lockdown.html 26th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

Metro The UKs coronavirus death rate has fallen to its lowest point since the lockdown began in March after another 77 people were confirmed dead. NHS England today recorded 59 more deaths in hospitals but this does not take into account other settings like care homes. Across all settings Scotland announced three more deaths while Wales had seven and Northern Ireland had eight. https://metro.co.uk/2020/05/25/another-77-dead-coronavirus-across-uk-12754648/ 26th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

Daily Mirror Of those depending on food banks 67 cited Covid19 and lockdown restrictions as the cause of their visit and some of the hardest hit cities include London Bristol Bournemouth and Sheffield https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/uk-food-banks-see-demand-22088998 26th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

BBC Its week ten of lockdown in the UK after restrictions were introduced on 23 March to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Some of these measures have started to be lifted but others remain in place. Though the impact has been felt by everyone young people are one of the demographics hit hardest with traditionally smaller incomes and living spaces. So how are they coping We asked young people across the UK to document a day in their life. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-52780259/coronavirus-a-day-of-lockdown-for-young-people-in-the-uk 26th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

BBC Hairdressers have been offering virtual appointments to help people style their hair at home. Stylists are using apps including FaceTime Zoom and YouTube to provide customers live onetoone advice and tutorials. While salons have already reopened in France and Germany hairdressers in the UK expect to remain closed until July. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-52800250 26th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

POLITICO Austrias President Alexander Van der Bellen apologized on Sunday after he and his wife were caught by police breaking curfew rules at a restaurant. The countrys coronavirus restrictions include the mandatory closing of restaurants and bars at 11 p.m. but police said the couple still had drinks at their table after midnight Van der Bellen said on Twitter that he had gone out to eat for the first time since lockdown began with his wife and two friends. We lost track of the time while chatting and unfortunately overlooked the hour he wrote. I am sincerely sorry. It was a mistake. If the restaurant host suffers any damage from this I will take responsibility for it. https://www.politico.eu/article/europes-elite-skewered-for-coronavirus-covid19-lockdown-double-standards/ 26th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

AFP on MSN.com A man in a face mask on a Moscow Metro train. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin made mandatory wearing face masks and gloves in public places and on public transport since May 12. The selfisolation regime is extended in Russia through May 31 in order to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection. https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/world/russia-reports-record-coronavirus-deaths-recoveries/ar-BB14CkjT 26th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

The Guardian When I was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkins lymphoma at the beginning of February my mind immediately turned not to the illness and pain I knew would have to endure but to the sadness of putting my life on pause. I could never have predicted that the world would end up putting its life on pause with me. My treatment an intensive chemotherapy regimen began on 4 March and finished on 12 May coinciding closely with the UK lockdown which began on 23 March and is looking to be relaxed over the coming weeks. I have been lucky that despite Covid19 treatment at my Teenage Cancer Trust unit has been able to go ahead without interruption. Most adult patients from my hospital have been transferred to a local private hospital. Other cancer patients have not been so fortunate. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/may/26/21-chemotherapy-lockdown-lucky-nhs-covid-19 26th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

BBC Thirty barber shops in Kent have been ordered to cease trading after a BBC investigation found businesses offering haircuts during lockdown. Trading standards issued prohibition notices to premises suspected of breaking legislation intended to halt the spread of coronavirus. It came after BBC South East found that 19 of 50 barbers contacted by phone were still offering appointments. Hairdressers and barbers are not expected to reopen before 4 July. What these select number of barbers are doing is unfair said Steve Rock of Kent County Council Trading Standards. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-kent-52808740 26th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

Euronews Moscow remains at serious risk and its coronavirus lockdown has been extended until May 31 according to its mayor Sergey Sobyanin. Sobyanin has also made the wearing of masks and gloves in public places mandatory. https://www.euronews.com/2020/05/25/coronavirus-russia-remains-in-lockdown-as-cases-top-350-000 26th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

Huffington Post UK Health experts concerned as number of people seen by doctors for suspected cancer in March was 26000 below expected figure. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/cancer-coronavirus-warning_uk_5ec29233c5b637e3d2d33c29 26th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

YAHOO! Some argue that the use of surveillance tools such as drones is a price worth paying if it helps to control the spread of infections. But drones offer a simplistic technological solution to a complex public health crisis. The overzealous deployment of surveillance drones risks damanging public trust in the police in public bodies and in the lockdown measures. Many are also worried that using a health crisis to justify the introduction of public surveillance will enable it to continue after the emergency has passed. To prevent this scenario from unfolding we need to have a serious conversation about the use and oversight over drones how their use impacts on our rights and their effectiveness in combating the pandemic. The actions taken during this pandemic and the use of technologies that implement them must be lawful necessary proportionate and timelimited. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/coronavirus-drones-used-enforce-lockdown-131625906.html 26th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

China.org.cn Indonesia has deployed soldiers and police personnel to enforce the partial lockdown in a bid to bring the COVID19 infections down as the country plans to relax restrictions to shore up the ravaged economy. Nearly 350000 troops and police on Tuesday started guarding mall shopping centers public transport and tourist attractions in the capital of Jakarta and three other provinces as well as 25 cities Indonesian Military Chief Air Marshall Hadi Tjahjanto said. President Joko Widodo stressed that the soldiers and police personnel would make people abide by the protocols of social distancing so that the infection rate would continue to fall. Starting today Tuesday military and police personnel will be stationed in spots where mass usually gather to discipline the people making them obey the health protocols Jokowi as the president is known said when visiting a mass rapid transport station in Jakarta http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2020-05/26/content_76093695.htm 26th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

Sky News Australia US Studies Centre Research Associate Elliott Brennan says antilockdown protests in the US are gaining momentum in republican states which are democratically governed. Mr Brennan told Sky News antilockdown protests were most active in states that went to Donald Trump in the 2016 election but have democratic governors that are largely being viewed as tyrannical in the way they are imposing these lockdowns. It really rubs against conservative predisposition for freedom he said. We all know the United States is the land of the free and theyve been told at the moment their freedoms are limited. And for people who have been affected economically and just want to work to provide for their families this is a really frustrating phenomena. https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6159117659001 26th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

CNBC U.S. drugmaker Merck plans to work alongside nonprofit scientific research organization IAVI to develop a potential vaccine against the coronavirus. Most experts agree that it could take 12 to 18 months for a safe vaccine to be rolled out to the market. Even if an effective vaccine becomes available many have warned of significant logistical challenges around distributing enough doses for the global population. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/26/coronavirus-merck-to-develop-vaccine-clinical-trials-to-start-later-this-year.html 27th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Financial Times Japan has delayed the approval of an antiflu drug as a potential coronavirus treatment after interim results from its first randomised clinical trial provided no solid evidence of its effectiveness. The decision has cast doubt on Prime Minister Shinzo Abes early enthusiasm for Fujifilm Holdings Avigan which was touted as a promising treatment even before the completion of randomised clinical trials. Mr Abe had indicated the drug which has the generic name favipiravir could be approved this month but government officials admitted on Tuesday that more clinical research was required. https://www.ft.com/content/207afb7c-74e0-4e79-b6a8-9988c0374047 26th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail Hydroxychloroquine is most typically used to treat malaria lupus and arthritis. The WHO had been testing the drug as part of its Solidarity trial looking at the safety and efficacy of four medications against coronavirus. But a study on Friday revealed higher mortality rates among COVID19 patients who took the drug On Monday the WHO announced it was suspending the hydroxychloroquine arm of its trial over safety concerns. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he finished taking his twoweek prescription of the drug which he had used as a prophylactic https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-8355273/WHO-says-SUSPENDING-trial-anti-malaria-drug-hydoxychloroquine-coronavirus-patients.html 26th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

BBC South East Wales A drug treatment called remdesivir that appears to shorten recovery time for people with coronavirus is being made available on the NHS. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said it was probably the biggest step forward in the treatment of coronavirus since the crisis began. Remdesivir is an antiviral medicine that has been used against Ebola. UK regulators say there is enough evidence to approve its use in selected Covid19 hospital patients. For the time being and due to limited supplies it will go to those most likely to benefit. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-52805828 26th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

BBC Just 24 hours before Cheltenham opened its gates to 250000 spectators on 10 March Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden rebuffed growing calls for a ban on mass outdoor gatherings. He told the BBC Theres no reason for people not to attend such events or to cancel them at this stage. But Prof Spector from Kings College London said people will have probably died prematurely because of the decision. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52797002 26th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Medical Xpress South Korea is a standout in the current battle against COVID19 largely due to its widespread testing and contact tracing however key to its innovation is publicly disclosing detailed information on the individuals who test positive for COVID19. These measures prove more effective at reducing deaths among than comprehensive stayhome orders according to new research from University of California San Diego Pennsylvania State University and the University of Chicago. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-05-disclosure-covid-cases-effective-lockdowns.html 26th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

New Zealand Herald Scientists have hailed a justannounced 37m Government spend toward a Covid19 vaccine and now a major clinical research organisation has called for trials to be carried out here. This afternoon ministers revealed the fund would be sending 10m toward local vaccine research and 5m for exploring manufacturing a vaccine here. Up to 15m would also be steered toward global research collaborations and 7m would go to Gavi an alliance that distributes vaccines to developing nations. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&ampobjectid=12335042 26th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Newshub New Zealanders should have a little perspective as impatience grows about alert level restrictions the DirectorGeneral of Health says. Gatherings of up to 100 people will be allowed from Friday but alert level 2 will likely remain in place for another month. New Zealand moved to alert level 2 on May 14. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the expansion of mass gatherings on Monday but said the country would not move to alert level 1 for at least another month when Cabinet will reassess the situation. https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/05/coronavirus-dr-ashley-bloomfield-urges-new-zealand-to-have-some-perspective-as-impatience-grows-about-alert-level-restrictions.html 26th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

CNBC Workers on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic will be first to receive a vaccine and that could come as soon as later this year Stanley Erck CEO of vaccine development company Novavax said Tuesday. Novavax announced Monday that it has launched clinical trials of its coronavirus vaccine candidate and it expects preliminary results in July. Erck said his company plans to price its potential vaccine on a tiered approach based on affordability. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/26/front-line-coronavirus-workers-could-be-vaccinated-as-soon-as-this-year-novavax-ceo-says.html 26th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

New York Times Merck Co Inc which has largely kept to the sidelines of the race for COVID19 treatments said it was buying Austrian vaccine maker Themis Bioscience and would collaborate with research nonprofit IAVI to develop two separate vaccines. It also announced a partnership with privately held Ridgeback Biotherapeutics to develop an experimental oral antiviral drug against COVID19 the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus. https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2020/05/26/world/europe/26reuters-health-coronavirus-merck.html 26th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Observer Novavaxs vaccine effort is backed by 388 million from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness and Innovation CEPI a nonprofit founded by Bill Gates. The billionaire philanthropist created the organization in 2015 to prepare the world for a global respiratory epidemic which he prophetically warned about in a TED talk the same year. The Novavax project is the CEPIs largest investment to date. The funds are supposed to cover up to phase 2 clinical trial and production of millions of doses by the end of 2020 CEPI said in a funding announcement earlier this month. https://observer.com/2020/05/coronavirus-vaccine-update-novavax-merck-bill-gates-funding/ 26th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters The world is still in the middle of the first wave of the coronavirus outbreak WHO emergencies head Dr Mike Ryan told an online briefing noting that while cases are declining in many countries they are still increasing in Central and South America South Asia and Africa. Ryan said epidemics often come in waves which means that outbreaks could come back later this year in places where the first wave has subsided. There was also a chance that infection rates could rise again more quickly if measures to halt the first wave were lifted too soon. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-peak/who-warns-of-second-peak-in-areas-where-covid-19-declining-idUSKBN2311VJ 26th May 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Yahoo Sport UK South Korea has reported 19 new coronavirus cases on the eve of the return to school for more than two million children. The majority of the new cases were in the Seoul metropolitan area where officials have been actively tracing transmissions linked to nightclubs and other entertainment venues. South Koreas Centres for Disease Control and Prevention also reported two more deaths bringing the countrys total to 269 fatalities from 11225 cases. Wednesday will see around 2.4 million pupils return to school and health minister Park Neunghoo urged school officials to doublecheck their preventive measures. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/south-korea-reports-19-coronavirus-041228049.html 26th May 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

ABC News South Korea has reported 19 new cases of the coronavirus most from the Seoul metropolitan area where officials have been actively tracing transmissions linked to nightclubs and other entertainment venues https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/latest-greece-makes-bit-save-tourism-season-70863698 26th May 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Wired.co.uk There are signs that the rigorously efficient contact tracing regime deployed by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention KCDC is bringing this new outbreak under control. As of May 20 there have been 336 new cases of Covid19 since the beginning of the month a far cry from February when there were more than 3000 in just two weeks. However the incident still serves to illustrate the challenge that South Korea and other countries face in avoiding a second wave of the virus in the months and years to come. https://www.wired.co.uk/article/south-korea-coronavirus-response-second-wave 26th May 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Caixin Global Though the country first hit by the coronavirus pandemic has largely brought it under control regional flareups continue to menace China and highlight the difficulty of reopening and restarting an economy. In this case Shulan in Northeast Chinas Jilin province. Where the city rolled out a series of new restrictions on Sunday effectively putting residents back into lockdown after a cluster of a dozen cases appeared in recent days https://www.caixinglobal.com/2020-05-11/chinas-latest-regional-flare-up-highlights-challenge-of-emerging-from-lockdown-101552788.html 26th May 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

ABC News The two diagnoses take the total number of cases at Lynden Aged Care in Camberwell to three. The facility went into lockdown on May 19 after a resident was diagnosed with the virus. The Department of Health and Human Services DHHS said the source of the latest infections was under investigation. But the new cases were not identified as close contacts of the first case so the two staff members continued to work at the facility. Staff members identified as close contacts of the two new cases have been placed into quarantine. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-26/victoria-coronavirus-cases-at-aged-care-home-in-melbourne/12285706 26th May 2020