6th Jul 2020 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=45 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

The Peninsula Qatar Malawis president Lazarus Chakwera on Sunday called off planned independence celebrations and drastically scaled back on his inauguration ceremony following a spike in coronavirus infections in the southern African country. The cancellation will put a dampener on the euphoria generated by the historic opposition triumph in a recent landmark election rerun after last years fraudulent polls were overturned. https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/05/07/2020/Malawi-cancels-independence-celebrations-over-virus-spike 5th Jul 2020

Lockdown Exit

Anadolu Agency South Africa has reported a sharp rise in novel coronavirus infections with 7210 cases reported in a single day on Saturday and another 6334 on Sunday the Health Ministry said. We are seeing a rapid rise in the cumulative number of positive COVID19 cases indicating that as we had expected we are approaching a surge during the latter winter months of July and August Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced in a statement Sunday night. Mkhize said as of Sunday the total number of confirmed COVID19 cases reached 138134 with the death toll hitting 2456 and recoveries standing at 68925. The minister said 43 new fatalities were reported on Sunday while a day earlier the country recorded 73 deaths from the disease. The highest fatalities were recorded in the tourism hub of Western Cape. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/safrica-reports-record-rise-in-covid-19-cases/1893038 5th Jul 2020

Lockdown Exit

Dhaka Tribune Indias tally of the coronavirus disease reached 673165 with the biggest singleday increase of 24850 new cases and 613 deaths data from the Union health ministry on Sunday showed. The countrys death toll due to the disease has reached 19268 and there are 2444814 active cases of Covid19 in the country according to the health ministrys dashboard reports Hindustan Times. The number of recoveries stands at 409082 with 14856 people cured of the viral disease in the last 24 hours. The recovery rate is now 60.76 slightly down from Saturdays 60.80. This is the third consecutive day when coronavirus disease cases have increased by more than 20000. https://www.dhakatribune.com/health/coronavirus/2020/07/05/nearly-25-000-covid-19-cases-in-india-in-record-daily-jump 5th Jul 2020

Lockdown Exit

Thomson Reuters Foundation News The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 239 to 196335 data from the Robert Koch Institute RKI for infectious diseases showed on Sunday. The reported death toll rose by 2 to 9012 the tally showed. https://news.trust.org/item/20200705021656-iezfz 5th Jul 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Guardian The citys bars clubs and even massage parlours are beginning to buzz again but the absence of tourists is taking its toll https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/04/lets-do-karaoke-bangkok-nightlife-eases-out-of-lockdown 4th Jul 2020

Lockdown Exit

The New York Times Uruguay Paraguay and Argentina are the Latin American countries that earned the best grades for their response to the coronavirus according to a poll conducted in the region and released on Friday while Brazil was tagged as the worst performer. https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2020/07/03/world/americas/03reuters-health-coronavirus-latam-poll.html 3rd Jul 2020

Lockdown Exit

Reuters UK Poor Italians are significantly more likely to die of the coronavirus than higherincome groups the countrys first significant study into the diseases disproportionate social impact showed on Friday. Italy is one of the worlds worsthit countries with almost 35000 COVID19 deaths since its outbreak emerged on Feb. 21 and it was the first European nation to report largescale infections. In its annual report national statistics bureau ISTAT studied mortality rates for each month from January 2019 to March 2020 when the outbreak took off focusing on the education levels of those who died. On average Italians who leave school early with few qualifications have lower lifeexpectancy than those who study for longer ISTAT said and this excess mortality remained roughly constant through February this year. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-italy-poor/coronavirus-mortality-in-italy-is-highest-among-poor-study-shows-idUKKBN24410L 3rd Jul 2020

Lockdown Exit

SwissInfo.ch The United States Russia Saudi Arabia and Brazil are among 29 countries listed as posing a high risk of coronavirus infection by the Swiss authorities. From July 6 travellers entering Switzerland from these countries must go into quarantine for ten days. https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/switzerland-publishes-list-of--high-risk--travel-quarantine-countries/45877556 3rd Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

BBC The government has unveiled a 1.57bn support package to help protect the futures of UK theatres galleries museums and other cultural venues. It follows several weeks of pressure with industry leaders warning that many venues were on the brink of collapse. Independent cinemas heritage sites and music venues will also be eligible for the new emergency grants and loans. Guidance for a phased return of the performing arts is expected to be published by the government shortly. A string of theatres have announced plans to make staff redundant in recent weeks after being closed since the coronavirus pandemic took hold earlier this year. The announcement of the new funding comes just two days after theatres across the UK were covered in colourful messages of support. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-53302415 5th Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters UK Ireland is to ease quarantine restrictions on people travelling from abroad on July 20 with people from a green list of countries with low COVID19 rates to be exempt from isolating themselves for 14 days transport minister Eamon Ryan said. Former prime minister Leo Varadkar in June said that the restrictions would be eased from July 9. A socalled green list... will be published on July 20 Ryan said in an interview with Newstalk radio station. The green list will be operating after that. https://uk.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-ireland-travel/ireland-to-ease-foreign-travel-restrictions-from-july-20-idUKS8N2DU03U 5th Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

MSN UK Well its very odd in Britain that were opening pubs before schools. It says something about our priorities. Being outdoors the risks are pretty low 19 times lower risk according to a Japanese study. I would have said open pubs as long as you serve outside. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/former-who-director-anthony-costello-opening-pubs-before-schools-says-something-about-our-priorities/ar-BB16lFDt 5th Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

FRANCE 24 A group of Russian ecommerce companies said Friday they had erected a monument in Moscow thanking couriers for helping people through the coronavirus lockdown. The tribute comes after some delivery workers many of whom are impoverished migrants from Central Asia protested against conditions they said were unfair. Online shopping company Ozon sometimes called the Russian Amazon as well as several supermarkets and food delivery services said they clubbed together to put up the sculptural tribute in the south of the capital. https://www.france24.com/en/20200703-lockdown-heroes-couriers-get-moscow-monument 3rd Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters Brazil was set to pass 1.5 million confirmed coronavirus cases on Friday as the virus continues to ravage Latin Americas largest country even as cities reopen bars restaurants and gyms sparking fears infections will keep rising. Brazil has the worlds second largest outbreak after the United States and the virus has killed over 60000 people in the country. In Rio de Janeiro crowds gathered to drink on the sidewalk of an upscale beachside neighborhood on Thursday night the first evening bars in the city were allowed to reopen. Pictures of the revelry in Leblon where few were wearing face masks and people were huddled close together went viral on social media drawing condemnation and concern. https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-brazil/brazil-set-to-pass-15-million-coronavirus-cases-cities-reopen-anyway-idUSL1N2EA0QS 3rd Jul 2020

Partisan Exits

Medical Xpress Greece announced on Sunday the closure of its frontier for Serbian nationals until July 15 because of a coronavirus spike. Serbia declared a state of emergency on Friday in the capital Belgrade because of the highest rise of coronavirus cases since April. Greece had made its decision after analysing the epidemiological data said government spokeswoman Aristotelia Peloni. Greece which has suffered fewer than 200 virus deaths has launched a promotional campaign to revive tourism which accounts for a quarter of its gross domestic product https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-07-greece-border-serbians-virus-spike.html 5th Jul 2020

Partisan Exits

AlJazeera President Jair Bolsonaro waters down law requiring face masks in public places as countrys cases surpass 1.5 million. Bolsonaro on Friday used his veto power to dilute a law aimed at preventing the spread of the virus. The law mandates masks in public spaces but the president removed provisions that mandate face coverings in shops and churches. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/07/foretold-coronavirus-ravages-brazil-cities-reopen-200703190411186.html 4th Jul 2020

Partisan Exits

FRANCE 24 A French court will open an inquiry into former prime minister Edouard Philippe and two cabinet ministers over their handling of the coronavirus crisis a prosecutor said Friday. The inquiry will be led by the Law Court of the Republic CJR which deals with claims of ministerial misconduct said senior prosecutor Francois Molins. Along with Philippe who was replaced Friday in the first stage of a government reshuffle the ministers under investigation are former health minister Agnes Buzyn who stepped down in February for an unsuccessful bid to become mayor of Paris and her successor Olivier Veran. https://www.france24.com/en/20200703-france-to-launch-inquiry-into-ex-pm-ministers-over-coronavirus 3rd Jul 2020

Continued Lockdown

The Economic Times The jump in infections came as local authorities in northern Agra city said the Taj Mahal one of the New Seven Wonders of the World would remain closed to visitors even though the national government said it had permission to reopen on Monday. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/taj-mahal-remains-shut-as-india-reports-record-daily-virus-cases/articleshow/76804998.cms 6th Jul 2020

Continued Lockdown

The Washington Post Israel said Sunday it has ordered thousands of people into quarantine after a contentious phone surveillance program resumed while Palestinians in the West Bank returned to life under lockdown amid a surge in coronavirus cases in both areas. Israels Health Ministry said Sunday many messages had been sent to Israelis following the renewed involvement of the Shin Bet domestic security agency. The Israeli daily Haaretz reported that more than 30000 people were notified they must enter quarantine since Thursday. Just weeks ago both Israel and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank appeared to have contained outbreaks after imposing strict measures early on during a first wave of infections. But after reporting just a handful of new cases a day in early May both areas have experienced a steady uptick in cases following an easing of restrictions. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/israel-palestinians-face-new-restrictions-amid-virus-surge/2020/07/05/51bed170-be94-11ea-97c1-6cf116ffe26c_story.html 5th Jul 2020

Continued Lockdown

Reuters UK Mexico reported 523 more coronavirus deaths on Saturday pushing its tally to 30366 overtaking France to become the fifthhighest in the world. The health ministry also reported 6914 new infections and a total of 252165 confirmed cases. Deputy Health Minister Hugo Lopez Gatell reiterated that the actual number of infected was probably significantly higher. We knew from the beginning that the cases we report here do not represent the total number of people with COVID19 in Mexico he told a regular news conference. Neither Mexico nor any other country in the world aims to make an exhaustive count. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-mexico/mexicos-coronavirus-death-toll-surpasses-30000-idUKKBN24600B 5th Jul 2020

Continued Lockdown

Daily Mail COVID19 sign with similar layout to Checkpoint Charlie raised in Melbourne. Sign warns residents they are entering COVID hotspot at West Footscray. The caution is translated from English into Russian French and German. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8488931/West-Footscray-COVID-19-sign-chilling-echo-Checkpoint-Charlie-Melbourne-suburb-enters-lockdown.html 4th Jul 2020

Continued Lockdown

The Telegraph Leicester has become the first city in Britain to be placed in a local lockdown after public health officials voiced concern at the citys alarming rise in Covid19 cases. Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday night Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that from Tuesday 30 June nonessential shops in the city will be forced to close and starting from Thursday 2 July schools will be shut to all but the most vulnerable children as well as the children of key workers. Residents have been advised to stay at home as much as you can while members of the public outside of the city have been told to avoid all nonessential travel to the region. The lockdown which was signed off by Boris Johnson was a difficult decision to make the Health Secretary said. He told Parliament I know that this is a worrying time for people living in Leicester and I want you to know you have our full support. We do not take these decisions lightly but with the interests of the people of Leicester in our hearts. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/07/04/leicester-lockdown-map-areas-uk-coronavirus/ 4th Jul 2020

Continued Lockdown

Thomson Reuters Foundation News Brazil recorded 37923 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours as well as 1091 deaths the Health Ministry said on Saturday. Brazil has registered more than 1.5 million cases since the pandemic began while cumulative deaths total 64265 according to the ministry https://news.trust.org/item/20200704210121-jyj3c 4th Jul 2020

Continued Lockdown

The Jakarta Post Australian police set up suburban checkpoints in new coronavirus hotspots in Melbourne on Thursday as authorities struggled to contain new outbreaks in the countrys secondlargest city even as travel restrictions eased elsewhere. Images published by the Australian Broadcasting Corp. on Thursday showed police flagging down cars in suburban streets after 36 suburbs in Melbourne in Victoria state went into lockdown following a spike in new infections there. The state reported 77 new cases on Thursday up slightly from the previous day and in line with two weeks of doubledigit daily increases. Im obviously concerned about the outbreak and Im pleased that the premier has taken the action hes taken by putting in place the lockdown for the outbreak in those suburbs Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a televised news conference referring to the Victorian state government. https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/07/02/australia-sets-up-suburban-checkpoints-to-contain-melbourne-virus-hotspots.html 2nd Jul 2020

Continued Lockdown

Caspian News Kazakh authorities have reimposed lockdown in what is Central Asias largest country after a rapid increase in coronavirus cases as more than 42000 people have been affected. The countrys government announced Thursday the second lockdown as part of an online joint briefing chaired by the countrys prime minister Askar Mamin saying the preventative measures in Kazakhstan will last until July 19. Authorities banned the use of public transport operating between regions and limited public transport activities in the cities. Any interactive events such as entertainment sports and other public events as well as family and commemorative events are banned. Around 80 percent of employees should continue working from home except for essential workers according to the new order. https://caspiannews.com/news-detail/kazakhstan-back-under-lockdown-after-coronavirus-spike-2020-7-2-14/ 2nd Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

New York Times New federal data provides the most comprehensive view to date of how Black and Latino people have been likelier than their white peers to contract the virus and die from it. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/07/05/us/coronavirus-latinos-african-americans-cdc-data.html 5th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Hundreds of scientists say there is evidence that novel coronavirus in smaller particles in the air can infect people and are calling for the World Health Organization to revise recommendations the New York Times reported on Saturday. The WHO has said the coronavirus disease spreads primarily from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are expelled when a person with COVID19 coughs sneezes or speaks. In an open letter to the agency which the researchers plan to publish in a scientific journal next week 239 scientists in 32 countries outlined the evidence showing smaller particles can infect people the NYT said https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-airborne/hundreds-of-scientists-say-coronavirus-is-airborne-ask-who-to-revise-recommendations-nyt-idUSKBN2460O7 5th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

BBC Singapores TraceTogether Tokens are the latest effort to tackle Covid19 with tech. But they have also reignited a privacy debate. The wearable devices complement the islands existing contacttracing app to identify people who might have been infected by those who have tested positive for the virus. All users have to do is carry one and the battery lasts up to nine months without needing a recharge something one expert said had stunned him. The government agency which developed the devices acknowledges that the Tokens and technology in general arent a silver bullet but should augment human contacttracers efforts https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-53146360 5th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

ABC News The directorgeneral of the World Health Organization WHO says it should soon get results from the clinical trials of drugs that might be effective in treating COVID19 patients. The Solidarity Trial started in five parts looking at possible treatment approaches to COVID19 standard care remdesivir the antimalaria drug touted by US President Donald Trump hydroxychloroquine the HIV drugs lopinavirritonavir and lopinavirritonavir combined with interferon. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-04/who-expects-first-results-from-covid-19-drug-trials-coronavirus/12422744 4th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Manila Bulletin The World Health Organization on Friday urged countries hit by serious coronavirus outbreaks to wake up to the realities on the ground instead of bickering and to take control. People need to wake up. The data is not lying. The situation on the ground is not lying WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan told journalists at a briefing hosted by the UN correspondents association in Geneva. Touching almost every country on Earth since it emerged in China late last year the coronavirus has hit at least 10.8 million people and killed 521000 worldwide. The Americas are the hardesthit region with most cases and deaths registered in the United States and with numbers skyrocketing in a several countries in Latin America. https://mb.com.ph/2020/07/04/who-urges-countries-to-wake-up-and-halt-virus/ 4th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

World Health Organization WHO today accepted the recommendation from the Solidarity Trials International Steering Committee to discontinue the trials hydroxychloroquine and lopinavirritonavir arms. The Solidarity Trial was established by WHO to find an effective COVID19 treatment for hospitalized patients. The International Steering Committee formulated the recommendation in light of the evidence for hydroxychloroquine vs standardofcare and for lopinavirritonavir vs standardofcare from the Solidarity trial interim results and from a review of the evidence from all trials presented at the 12 July WHO Summit on COVID19 research and innovation. These interim trial results show that hydroxychloroquine and lopinavirritonavir produce little or no reduction in the mortality of hospitalized COVID19 patients when compared to standard of care. Solidarity trial investigators will interrupt the trials with immediate effect. https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/04-07-2020-who-discontinues-hydroxychloroquine-and-lopinavir-ritonavir-treatment-arms-for-covid-19 4th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Lancet Belgium was the worsthit country per capita in Europe. They did systematic testing for SARSCoV2 in longterm care facilities just reported @TheLancetInfDis No symptoms were reported in 6244 74.8 of 8343 people who tested positive https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(20)30560-0/fulltext 3rd Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

MedPage Today Ischemic stroke rate appears more than seven times higher with coronavirus https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/87386 2nd Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The BMJ This week I joined online with over 1700 delegates from 120 countries for Lives in the Balance A covid19 summit to explore ways of improving and increasing investment in health systems and social protection policies for women children and adolescents as the world rebuilds in the wake of the pandemic. As we came together we reflected on the fact that the world had recently hit the grim milestone of over 500000 deaths from covid19. Yet the World Health Organisation warns us that the worst of the pandemic is yet to come and we see the deepening global public health crisis compounded by full blown social and economic crises with implications for global peace and security. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2020/07/02/will-covid-19-be-the-catalyst-for-a-new-deal-for-the-health-and-wellbeing-of-women-children-and-adolescents/ 2nd Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters UK El Salvadors presidential office on Sunday postponed the second phase of the economys reopening by two weeks citing a stillrising number of coronavirus infections. President Nayib Bukele has imposed some of the toughest measures in the Americas against the pandemic which has caused 217 deaths and 7777 infections in the Central American country. His government on June 16 began a gradual process to bring back the economy outlining a second phase that would allow public transportation business services manufacturers and the shoe bag box and paper industries to reopen. That phase was due to begin on July 7 but has now been delayed until July 21 after the government said infections rose by 50 and deaths increased by 80. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-el-salvador/el-salvador-delays-next-steps-in-reopening-economy-as-covid-19-cases-rise-idUKKBN2460NE 5th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters A rise in new coronavirus infections in a Czech coal mining region that has driven a recent jump in overall cases is under control and should ease soon the health minister said on Sunday amid criticism. State hard coal miner OKD last week closed its mines in the Karvina area in the countrys east along the Polish border after a jump in cases among miners and their close contacts. The rise has caused overall case numbers to accelerate prompting some other European Union members like Slovenia to bump the Czech Republic from their list of safe countries complicating travel at the start of the summer holiday season. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-czech/coronavirus-cases-in-czech-mining-area-are-under-control-minister-says-idUSKBN2460IW 5th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

CNN Philippines The Philippines recorded an alltime high singleday increase in COVID19 cases on Sunday with the Department of Health reporting 2434 new infections. This broke the previous record high of 1531 posted just two days ago. The total case count soared to 44254 with 1147 of the new cases classified as fresh or were detected in the last three days. The other 1287 are late cases or were part of the validation backlog according to the DOH. As the country continues to ease community quarantine measures the rise in the number of cases may be attributed to the increased contact among the population the agency said. https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/7/5/PH-covid-cases-highest-single-day-increase.html 5th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Arab News Morocco reported Sunday 698 additional novel coronavirus infections the highest oneday increase since the outbreak began in early March with numerous cases discovered in a port city factory. The new figures bring the official total in the North African kingdom to 14132 infections and 234 deaths according to the health ministry. The majority of the new infections were detected in a fish canning factory in the southern port city of Safi. The city was quarantined overnight Saturday to Sunday and its around 300000 inhabitants placed under a total lockdown media reports Sunday quoted local authorities as saying. https://www.arabnews.com/node/1700326/middle-east 5th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

NDTV Restrictions had been in place in both countries since midMarch and their gradual lifting has allowed commercial businesses and public venues to reopen. Saudi Arabia which has the highest count among the six Gulf states reported more than 4100 cases on Friday and on Saturday to take its total to 205929 with 1858 deaths. The daily tally first rose above 4000 in midJune but had dipped. The United Arab Emirates where daily infection rates recently dropped to between 300 and 400 from a peak of some 900 in late May registered more than 600 cases on Friday and over 700 on Saturday taking its toll to 50857 with 321 deaths. Dubai the regions business and tourism hub is due to reopen to foreign visitors on July 7 although this has not been implemented at a federal level in the UAE which does not provide a breakdown of cases for each of its seven emirates. https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/coronavirus-cases-rising-in-saudi-arabia-uae-after-curfews-lifted-2257473 5th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Guardian The World Health Organization has reported a record increase in global coronavirus cases with 212326 being recorded in just 24 hours amid a surge in the United States Brazil and India. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/05/global-report-who-reports-record-200000-cases-in-one-day-amid-surging-outbreaks 5th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Korea Times South Koreas daily new virus cases stayed above 60 for the third consecutive day Sunday as infections outside the Seoul metropolitan area continued to swell putting further strain on the countrys virus fight. The country added 61 cases including 43 local infections raising the total caseload to 13091 according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention KCDC. South Korea added 63 new cases on both Friday and Saturday. Of the locally transmitted infections 15 cases were newly identified in Gwangju 330 kilometers southwest of Seoul. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2020/07/119_292295.html 5th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters UK China recorded eight new coronavirus cases for July 4 up from with three a day earlier the national health authority said on Sunday while city officials in Beijing said nearly all the cases in a recent outbreak in the capital were mild. Of the new cases six were imported and two were in Beijing which has been scrambling to quash an outbreak traced to a massive wholesale market in the city early last month. In Beijing 47 of the 334 confirmed cases since June 11 were staff at the Xinfadi market Pang Xinghuo a senior Beijing disease control official told a media briefing on Sunday. Of all the cases in the city since then 98 were mild and normal she said. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-china-cases/mainland-china-reports-eight-new-coronavirus-cases-two-in-beijing-idUKKBN246011 5th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Yahoo News Iranians who do not wear masks will be denied state services and workplaces that fail to comply with health protocols will be shut for a week President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday as he launched new measures to try to curb the coronavirus. Iran has been battling the spread of the coronavirus with the total number of cases hitting 237878 on Saturday and a further 148 deaths bringing the countrys toll to 11408 Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on state television. Wearing masks becomes mandatory from Sunday in covered public places Rouhani said on state television after tougher curbs were imposed in cities and towns in five provinces where the outbreak is rising after an easing of lockdowns from midApril. https://news.yahoo.com/iran-imposes-curbs-coronavirus-toll-104752589.html 4th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Daily Mail Spains Catalonia region has locked down an area of more than 400000 residents from midday today. Comes as Britons prepare to make the most of air bridges to visit Spain without having to quarantine. The regional president Quim Torra said this morning that no one could leave the area from 12pm. Western Catalan city of Lleida and the rest of Segri county has been locked down after rise in cases https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8489421/Spain-locks-area-200-000-people-spike-coronavirus-cases.html 4th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Serbia has declared a state of emergency in the capital Belgrade and is reimposing a series of restrictions to slow the spread of the coronavirus after a spike in infections. The government on July 3 said it was making the wearing of masks compulsory in indoor public spaces or on public transport and shortened the opening hours of clubs and cafes which will now be closed between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. while limiting gatherings to 100 people indoors or 500 outdoors. Those not wearing masks in closed spaces face hefty fines. https://www.rferl.org/a/coronavirus-wrapup-covid-19-july-3/30704410.html 4th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Straits Times An 82yearold Singaporean woman is among eight new unlinked community cases that were announced on Saturday July 4. She was confirmed to have the virus on Saturday after showing symptoms on July 1. The Ministry of Health MOH confirmed 185 new coronavirus cases in Singapore on Saturday bringing the total to 44664. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/82-year-old-singaporean-woman-among-eight-new-unlinked-community-covid-19-cases 4th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Wall Street Journal Dozens of U.S. diplomats and their families are leaving Saudi Arabia this weekend amid a surge in new coronavirus cases drawing into focus the kingdoms struggle in containing the outbreak as it reopens its economy. The diplomats will take a repatriation flight Saturday after the State Department last week approved the voluntary departure of nonemergency personnel U.S. officials familiar with the plan said. More diplomats are expected to follow in the coming weeks they added. https://www.wsj.com/articles/dozens-of-u-s-diplomats-to-leave-saudi-arabia-as-coronavirus-outbreak-worsens-11593812097 3rd Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Alabama and six other U.S. states reported record increases in coronavirus cases on Friday as Floridas most populous county imposed a curfew ahead of the Independence Day weekend and Arkansas joined a push toward mandating maskwearing in public. North Carolina South Carolina Tennessee Alaska Missouri Idaho and Alabama all registered new daily highs in cases of COVID19 the illness caused by the novel coronavirus. Texas hit a new peak for hospitalizations with one doctor calling for a complete lockdown in the state to get the virus under control. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-usa/several-u-s-states-hit-highs-in-covid-19-cases-miami-dade-enacts-curfew-idUKKBN24429C 3rd Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Yahoo News UK Japan will not reintroduce a state of emergency to tackle the novel coronavirus a government spokesman said on Friday as cases in Tokyo rose to a twomonth high driven by the spread of the virus in the capitals night spots. Tokyo reported 124 new cases on Friday up from 107 the day before partly due to increased testing among nightlife workers in the Shinjuku and Ikebukuro districts. Of all new infections confirmed in Tokyo in the week through Wednesday 44 were traced to establishments where food and drinks are provided along with company chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said an oblique reference to spots such as host bars where male hosts are paid to flirt with female patrons over drinks. But despite the spike the number of serious cases is declining and there was no need to reinstate the state of emergency that was lifted on May 25 Suga said. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/japan-not-revive-state-emergency-024818158.html 3rd Jul 2020

New Lockdown

BBC Officials in Spains northwestern region of Galicia have reimposed restrictions on an area of 70000 people following a Covid19 outbreak. Only those travelling for work will be allowed to leave or enter the coastal district of A Marina from midnight on Sunday to Friday. The move comes a day after the northeastern region of Catalonia imposed a similar local lockdown. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53299544 5th Jul 2020

New Lockdown

cgtn.com Madagascar has placed its capital Antananarivo under a fresh lockdown following a new spike in coronavirus infections two months after the restrictions were eased the presidency announced on Sunday. In as statement The Analamanga region under which the capital is situated is returning to full lockdown the presidency said. No traffic will be allowed in or out of the region starting Monday until July 20 and a strict curfew will be imposed on street movement by people. Only one person per household is allowed to go out into the street between 600 am 0400 GMT and 1200 pm 1000 GMT said the statement. The measures have been taken because of the spread of the epidemic and the increase of COVID19 cases it added. Madagascar was used to registering dozens of COVID19 cases a day however the country has recently seen an exponential rise in daily numbers jumping to a record 216 cases on Saturday after a total of 675 people were tested. https://africa.cgtn.com/2020/07/05/madagascar-re-imposes-lockdown-amid-surge-in-virus-cases/ 5th Jul 2020

New Lockdown

EL PAS in English The Catalan regional government on Saturday confined residents of the comarca of Segri in Lleida given the rising number of coronavirus cases that have been detected there. The affected area is in the south of the province on the border with neighboring Huesca and Zaragoza provinces and contains 38 municipalities including the city of Lleida. The comarca a traditional administrative division in parts of Spain holds a population of slightly more than 200000 inhabitants and occupies 1400 square meters of land. https://english.elpais.com/society/2020-07-04/catalan-government-confines-residents-of-segria-in-lleida-due-to-rising-coronavirus-cases.html 4th Jul 2020