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Coronavirus live news: Japan extends state of emergency; US hands $50m Covid-19 aid to fossil fuel firms Coronavirus live news: Japan extends state of emergency; US hands $50m Covid-19 aid to fossil fuel firms
(32 minutes later)
Donald Trump contradicts intelligence on virus origin; worldwide recoveries pass 1m; outbreak increasing in AfricaDonald Trump contradicts intelligence on virus origin; worldwide recoveries pass 1m; outbreak increasing in Africa
Rwanda is to ease its coronavirus lockdown from Monday, allowing limited movement of people and restricted re-openings of restaurants and hotels, according to Reuters.
Movement between provinces in the central African country will still not be allowed, while schools will also remain shut until September, according to a government statement released late on Thursday.
All resumed services must adhere to health guidelines ... mask wearing and social distancing.
Rwanda alongside neighbouring Uganda implemented some of the strictest lockdown measures in Africa to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, including shuttering all but the most essential businesses.
As of Thursday it had 243 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and no deaths.
Scientists working for the US military have designed a new Covid-19 test that could potentially identify carriers before they become infectious and spread the disease, Giles Tremlett reports for the Guardian.
In what could be a significant breakthrough, project coordinators hope the blood-based test will be able to detect the virus’s presence as early as 24 hours after infection – before people show symptoms and several days before a carrier is considered capable of spreading it to other people. That is also around four days before current tests can detect the virus.
The test has emerged from a project set up by the US military’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) aimed at rapid diagnosis of germ or chemical warfare poisoning. It was hurriedly repurposed when the pandemic broke out and the new test is expected to be put forward for emergency use approval (EUA) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within a week.
“The concept fills a diagnostic gap worldwide,” the head of Darpa’s biological technologies office, Dr Brad Ringeisen, told the Guardian, since it should also fill in testing gaps at later stages of the infection. If given FDA approval, he said, it had the potential to be “absolutely a gamechanger”.
Comoros has reported its first case of coronavirus, the World Health Organization’s Africa office said. Its daily round up of Covid-19 figures from Africa showed that South Africa and Egypt still have the most confirmed cases, while Algeria has recorded the most deaths.
Riot police fanned out across Hong Kong on Friday after democracy activists threatened to defy a ban on gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic - but the streets remained largely calm, AFP reports.
Activists in the semi-autonomous financial hub, which had for months protested against a strengthening of control by China’s government, had issued calls to muster once more on May Day - despite emergency anti-virus laws banning more than four people gathering in public.
The threat largely failed to materialise, although hundreds of protesters did however gather in small groups at a shopping mall in the town of Shatin, chanting slogans and holding protest flags.
Riot police soon rushed into the mall and used pepper spray to disperse the crowd.
One protester, a retired firefighter who gave his name as Lam, said:
A day after armed protesters against Michigan’s stay-at-home order entered the statehouse in Lansing, Donald Trump has once again expressed support for the rightwing movement, writes Joan E Greve, a Guardian US politics reporter.A day after armed protesters against Michigan’s stay-at-home order entered the statehouse in Lansing, Donald Trump has once again expressed support for the rightwing movement, writes Joan E Greve, a Guardian US politics reporter.
Michigan’s Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer, should, the president wrote in a tweet on Friday morning, “make a deal” with the demonstrators.Michigan’s Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer, should, the president wrote in a tweet on Friday morning, “make a deal” with the demonstrators.
Some of the demonstrators in Lansing on Thursday carried assault rifles, causing alarm among legislators.Some of the demonstrators in Lansing on Thursday carried assault rifles, causing alarm among legislators.
Some protesters, many without face coverings, entered the statehouse and demanded to be let on to the House floor, which is not allowed. The gallery was closed to the public to allow room for representatives and reporters to spread apart.Some protesters, many without face coverings, entered the statehouse and demanded to be let on to the House floor, which is not allowed. The gallery was closed to the public to allow room for representatives and reporters to spread apart.
Cities around the world are taking the lead in post-coronavirus planning, with a raft of environmental initiatives being rolled out in places from Bogotá to Barcelona to ensure public safety and bolster the fight against climate breakdown, Guardian environment correspondents Matthew Taylor and Sandra Laville report.Cities around the world are taking the lead in post-coronavirus planning, with a raft of environmental initiatives being rolled out in places from Bogotá to Barcelona to ensure public safety and bolster the fight against climate breakdown, Guardian environment correspondents Matthew Taylor and Sandra Laville report.
Mayors from cities in Europe, the US and Africa held talks this week to coordinate their efforts to support a low-carbon, sustainable recovery from the crisis as national governments begin to roll out huge economic stimulus packages.Mayors from cities in Europe, the US and Africa held talks this week to coordinate their efforts to support a low-carbon, sustainable recovery from the crisis as national governments begin to roll out huge economic stimulus packages.
Many cities have already announced measures, from hundreds of miles of new bike lanes in Milan and Mexico City to widening pavements and pedestrianising neighbourhoods in New York and Seattle.Many cities have already announced measures, from hundreds of miles of new bike lanes in Milan and Mexico City to widening pavements and pedestrianising neighbourhoods in New York and Seattle.
The initiatives are designed to allow people to move around urban spaces safely in a world where physical distancing will be the norm for the foreseeable future – and do so without sparking a drastic increase in air pollution.The initiatives are designed to allow people to move around urban spaces safely in a world where physical distancing will be the norm for the foreseeable future – and do so without sparking a drastic increase in air pollution.
The mayors who took part in the newly formed economic taskforce this week believe these initial schemes point the way to more radical long-term measures that will help tackle inequality and the climate crisis.The mayors who took part in the newly formed economic taskforce this week believe these initial schemes point the way to more radical long-term measures that will help tackle inequality and the climate crisis.
The mayor of Milan, who is heading the taskforce run by the C40 group of cities, said:The mayor of Milan, who is heading the taskforce run by the C40 group of cities, said:
Is expecting the worst the best way to handle the coronavirus crisis?Is expecting the worst the best way to handle the coronavirus crisis?
During the pandemic, it’s useful to see the role your coping mechanisms play, if only to stop yourself spiralling into anxiety, writes Oliver Burkemann, a Guardian writer based in New York, in his regular column on mental wellbeing.During the pandemic, it’s useful to see the role your coping mechanisms play, if only to stop yourself spiralling into anxiety, writes Oliver Burkemann, a Guardian writer based in New York, in his regular column on mental wellbeing.
Damien Gayle here back at the reins of the blog now, with thanks to my colleague Jessica Murray for covering my break for the past hour. Remember, if you want to send me any tips, comments or suggestions for coverage please drop me a line at damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or a via Twitter DM to @damiengayle.Damien Gayle here back at the reins of the blog now, with thanks to my colleague Jessica Murray for covering my break for the past hour. Remember, if you want to send me any tips, comments or suggestions for coverage please drop me a line at damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or a via Twitter DM to @damiengayle.
Boris Johnson is of course no newcomer to Greece, a country he visited regularly in pre-corona times to sojourn at his father’s villa in Pelion, the peninsula off the mainland overlooking the Aegean Sea.Boris Johnson is of course no newcomer to Greece, a country he visited regularly in pre-corona times to sojourn at his father’s villa in Pelion, the peninsula off the mainland overlooking the Aegean Sea.
Greek diplomats and politicians voice admiration for his knowledge of the classics.Greek diplomats and politicians voice admiration for his knowledge of the classics.
But Britain’s handling of the disease – its soft-touch approach and consequential catastrophic death toll - has been met with disbelief in a nation that, despite the odds has kept Covid-19 under remarkable control.But Britain’s handling of the disease – its soft-touch approach and consequential catastrophic death toll - has been met with disbelief in a nation that, despite the odds has kept Covid-19 under remarkable control.
In contrast to the 26,771 people who have succumbed to the pandemic in the UK which has registered 165,221 coronavirus cases so far, Greece has recorded 2,591 infections and a death toll of 140 after enforcing tough measures to curb the spread of the disease early on.In contrast to the 26,771 people who have succumbed to the pandemic in the UK which has registered 165,221 coronavirus cases so far, Greece has recorded 2,591 infections and a death toll of 140 after enforcing tough measures to curb the spread of the disease early on.
Addressing reporters at his daily briefing on Thursday, the Greek health ministry spokesman and infectious disease expert professor Sotiris Tsiodras spoke of “victory” saying incidents of the illness had clearly stabilised.Addressing reporters at his daily briefing on Thursday, the Greek health ministry spokesman and infectious disease expert professor Sotiris Tsiodras spoke of “victory” saying incidents of the illness had clearly stabilised.
The UK is home to a large Greek community many of whom fled to Greece before commercial air traffic was suspended in March.The UK is home to a large Greek community many of whom fled to Greece before commercial air traffic was suspended in March.
Indicative of the mood the popular Protothema newspaper reported the news of the birth of the prime minister’s latest child under the headline: “Johnson, father amid national sorrow over coronavirus.”Indicative of the mood the popular Protothema newspaper reported the news of the birth of the prime minister’s latest child under the headline: “Johnson, father amid national sorrow over coronavirus.”
“In the midst of the national sorrow that has weighed down on British society, the birth of Boris Johnson’s son has once again brought his personal life, one that is as unconventional as he is, back in the public eye,” the paper wrote. “[A life] with two marriages, an engagement, three extra marital affairs and at least six children.”“In the midst of the national sorrow that has weighed down on British society, the birth of Boris Johnson’s son has once again brought his personal life, one that is as unconventional as he is, back in the public eye,” the paper wrote. “[A life] with two marriages, an engagement, three extra marital affairs and at least six children.”
Brazil’s far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro, continued to fly in the face of science on Thursday when he called social isolation measures introduced by state governors and mayors “useless”.Brazil’s far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro, continued to fly in the face of science on Thursday when he called social isolation measures introduced by state governors and mayors “useless”.
He said:He said:
The president has consistently sought to downplay the impacts of the pandemic, arguing that Brazilians would be immune because they jump in sewage, and mixing with supporters.The president has consistently sought to downplay the impacts of the pandemic, arguing that Brazilians would be immune because they jump in sewage, and mixing with supporters.
Brazil has 85,380 confirmed cases and 5,901 deaths with 435 reported in the last 24 hours as numbers accelerate.Brazil has 85,380 confirmed cases and 5,901 deaths with 435 reported in the last 24 hours as numbers accelerate.
His new health minister, Nelson Teich, earlier contradicted this view. “You can’t start freeing things up when you have a curve that is frankly ascending,” he said.His new health minister, Nelson Teich, earlier contradicted this view. “You can’t start freeing things up when you have a curve that is frankly ascending,” he said.
While there are no definitive studies about the impact of social isolation on the growth of Brazil’s cases, experts believe it has had a positive impact.While there are no definitive studies about the impact of social isolation on the growth of Brazil’s cases, experts believe it has had a positive impact.
The worst-hit state of São Paulo, for instance, was supposed to see a peak in April but this has now been moved to May, the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper reported.The worst-hit state of São Paulo, for instance, was supposed to see a peak in April but this has now been moved to May, the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper reported.
“Brazil had flattened the curve, yes, with isolation measures, but in the last two weeks we are seeing a loosening of isolation and what we are seeing is a new acceleration of the epidemic,” Fernando Bozza,a researcher in infectious diseases at the government research institute Fiocruz in Rio de Janeiro who is modelling the pandemic, told the Guardian.“Brazil had flattened the curve, yes, with isolation measures, but in the last two weeks we are seeing a loosening of isolation and what we are seeing is a new acceleration of the epidemic,” Fernando Bozza,a researcher in infectious diseases at the government research institute Fiocruz in Rio de Janeiro who is modelling the pandemic, told the Guardian.
Malaysia on Friday detained hundreds of refugees and migrant workers for illegally living in the country, rights groups said, at a time of movement and travel restrictions imposed to contain the spread of Covid-19.Malaysia on Friday detained hundreds of refugees and migrant workers for illegally living in the country, rights groups said, at a time of movement and travel restrictions imposed to contain the spread of Covid-19.
Malaysia has around two million registered foreign workers but authorities estimate many more are living in the Southeast Asian country without proper documents.Malaysia has around two million registered foreign workers but authorities estimate many more are living in the Southeast Asian country without proper documents.
Malaysia does not formally recognise refugees, regarding them as illegal migrants.Malaysia does not formally recognise refugees, regarding them as illegal migrants.
The arrests followed immigration raids in a neighbourhood in capital Kuala Lumpur where thousands of migrant workers and refugees live, according to human rights groups and photos shared on social media.The arrests followed immigration raids in a neighbourhood in capital Kuala Lumpur where thousands of migrant workers and refugees live, according to human rights groups and photos shared on social media.
Human Rights Watch and the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network said over 700 migrants were taken into custody including young children.Human Rights Watch and the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network said over 700 migrants were taken into custody including young children.
Malaysian police and the immigration department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Malaysian police and the immigration department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Rachel Tan, programme officer at the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network, said the arrests were a “criminalisation of a people who toil in difficult and dangerous work conditions”.Rachel Tan, programme officer at the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network, said the arrests were a “criminalisation of a people who toil in difficult and dangerous work conditions”.
The neighbourhood where the raids took place was close to an area with three buildings that had been placed under strict lockdowns last month after a surge in coronavirus cases there.The neighbourhood where the raids took place was close to an area with three buildings that had been placed under strict lockdowns last month after a surge in coronavirus cases there.
Malaysia has reported a total of 6,071 coronavirus cases and 103 deaths, and its prime minister said on Friday that most businesses will reopen from Monday following six-week long curbs that have caused a damaging economic slowdown.Malaysia has reported a total of 6,071 coronavirus cases and 103 deaths, and its prime minister said on Friday that most businesses will reopen from Monday following six-week long curbs that have caused a damaging economic slowdown.
Big Macs delivered on meal trolleys, hand washing stations at the entrance and designated waiting spots to separate customers could become a feature of McDonald’s restaurants in the Netherlands when they are allowed to reopen.Big Macs delivered on meal trolleys, hand washing stations at the entrance and designated waiting spots to separate customers could become a feature of McDonald’s restaurants in the Netherlands when they are allowed to reopen.
In a trial at a restaurant in the city of Arnhem, McDonald’s has been looking for ways to maintain social distancing when the coronavirus lockdown is relaxed.In a trial at a restaurant in the city of Arnhem, McDonald’s has been looking for ways to maintain social distancing when the coronavirus lockdown is relaxed.
McDonald’s Netherlands spokeswoman Eunice Koekkoek told Reuters:McDonald’s Netherlands spokeswoman Eunice Koekkoek told Reuters:
Restaurants, bars and other public places in the Netherlands have been closed since 15 March.Restaurants, bars and other public places in the Netherlands have been closed since 15 March.
But new infections have been dropping, prompting calls to loosen the lockdown after its current deadline of 19 May.But new infections have been dropping, prompting calls to loosen the lockdown after its current deadline of 19 May.
A decision on whether to reopen restaurants and bars is expected around 12 May, but the prime minister, Mark Rutte, has ruled out a return to normal.A decision on whether to reopen restaurants and bars is expected around 12 May, but the prime minister, Mark Rutte, has ruled out a return to normal.
If they do reopen, they will have to keep customers and staff at least 1.5 meters (5 feet) apart to avoid a new wave of infections.If they do reopen, they will have to keep customers and staff at least 1.5 meters (5 feet) apart to avoid a new wave of infections.
McDonald’s says it could introduce table service, with burgers and fries wheeled to customers on trolleys from which they can pick up their orders.McDonald’s says it could introduce table service, with burgers and fries wheeled to customers on trolleys from which they can pick up their orders.
Other new features would include hand-washing stations at the entrance and a host behind a plastic screen showing customers their place in line.Other new features would include hand-washing stations at the entrance and a host behind a plastic screen showing customers their place in line.
Many restaurant owners in the Netherlands fear social distancing will simply put them out of business.Many restaurant owners in the Netherlands fear social distancing will simply put them out of business.
But McDonald’s expects its new set-up will work at 180 larger restaurants out of its 252 franchises in the country.But McDonald’s expects its new set-up will work at 180 larger restaurants out of its 252 franchises in the country.
Koekkoek said:Koekkoek said:
The Hungarian budget carrier, Wizz Air, flew into London’s Luton airport from Sofia on Friday, becoming one of the first European airlines to restart routes during the coronavirus pandemic.
At least one person onboard seen through the window was wearing a face mask.
There were also dozens of passengers within the airport, spaced out for social distancing, possibly for the return flight which took off shortly afterwards.
European airlines have grounded the majority of their fleets over the last six weeks as governments imposed travel restrictions to combat the spread of the virus.
But Wizz Air said last week it planned to put some of its planes back in the air for essential travel, restoring services to destinations in Romania, Budapest in Hungary, Lisbon in Portugal and Spain’s Tenerife plus a few more.
The London Luton arrivals and departures board showed three Wizz Air flights were due to arrive and depart on Friday.
The airline says it is important to get the infrastructure operating and that there are people across Europe who need to travel for work.
Across Europe, air traffic is down by about 90% according to global body IATA, with the flights that are still operating facilitating the repatriation of citizens, travel by medical experts and cargo supplies.
Given ongoing travel restrictions - UK government advice for example is for Britons to avoid all non-essential global travel and Wizz has said that it does not expect flights to be full, enabling it to maintain social distancing onboard.
The airline, whose geographic focus is on central and eastern Europe, has said all passengers must wear masks on flights while its crew will wear masks and gloves.
When travel restrictions do start to ease, it is likely that there will be tougher measures for flying, which could affect demand.
Britain is considering a two-week quarantine requirement for arrivals into the country.
India is extending its nationwide lockdown for another two weeks after 4 May, but will allow “considerable relaxations”.
These will apply in lower-risk districts marked as green and orange zones, under the government’s plan to fight the Covid-19.
Ural Airlines has begun delivering in-flight meals to travel-deprived Russians who miss the thrill of a catering cart rolling down the aisle because of coronavirus lockdown.
The airline, which is delivering its in-flight meals to customers in Moscow, St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg, said the initiative was meant to provide people with “the taste of travel without leaving your home”.
“Everything is just like on the airplane except for the view,” it wrote on its Instagram page on Thursday.
Russia has closed its borders to foreigners and grounded international flights, except those repatriating Russians or returning foreign nationals to their country of origin.
Ural Airlines’ service offers the staples of airline meals - chicken, meat and fish - as well as orange, apple and tomato juice. The meal is served on a traditional airline tray.
US fossil fuel companies have taken at least $50m in taxpayer money they likely won’t have to pay back, according to a review of coronavirus aid meant for struggling small businesses by the investigative research group Documented and the Guardian, writes Guardian US environment reporter Emily Holden in Washington.
A total of $28m is going to three coal mining companies, including two with ties to Trump officials, bolstering a dying American industry and a fuel that scientists insist world leaders must shift away from to avoid the worst of the climate crisis. The other $22m is being paid out to oil and gas services and equipment providers and other firms that work with drillers and coal miners.
Melinda Pierce, the legislative director for the Sierra Club, said:
This fascinating thread is an account of how a remote fishing village in Iceland dealt with its coronavirus outbreak. It is worth clicking through to read in full.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Netherlands has risen by 475 to 39,791 health authorities said on Friday, with 98 new deaths.
The country’s death toll stands at 4,893, the Dutch institute for public health and the environment (RIVM) said in its daily update.
The RIVM cautioned it only reports confirmed cases, and actual numbers are higher. But it said the latest figures are “in line with the impression that the measures [taken to deal with the outbreak] are working,” adding:
The country is on course to reopen primary schools on 11 May, with secondary schools planned to reopen the following month.
The world’s largest public service union federation, Public Services International, has launched a 12-hour virtual May Day live stream to celebrate the public service workers who are keeping society going during the coronavirus pandemic.
With more than 600 affiliated unions, PSI represents more than 20 million workers in 180 countries. They are calling on unions and workers across the world to take action from their homes rather than in the streets. In a blog posted to their website today, PSI general secretary, Rosa Pavanelli, said:
Anyone who wants to take part is encouraged to post a solidarity message to frontline workers to social media, using the hashtag #VirtualMayDay, or chat join the live chat on the stream on Vimeo or Facebook.
By eschewing the kinds of lockdowns seen elsewhere in the world, Sweden has taken a different and controversial approach to tackling the coronavirus pandemic. That has led to international criticism and wounded national pride, writes Gina Gustavsson, an academic at Uppsala University. She asks: has Sweden’s coronavirus strategy played into the hands of nationalists?
Thousands of Indian students unable to leave the UK because of the coronavirus lockdown are relying on food donations from charities because they can no longer afford to eat, Anna Fazackerly reports for the Guardian.
Student groups representing the students, from across Britain, have been coordinating emergency food drops with local community groups and charities. Many of the young people have lost their part-time jobs and can no longer afford even basic living costs.
The Indian National Students’ Association, one of the largest student groups, says so far it has helped to distribute food to more than 3,000 struggling students across the country. A second UK-wide students’ group, the National Indian Students and Alumni Union, says it has also had calls from hundreds of students who cannot afford food.
Charan Sekhon, the chair of an Anglo-Indian charity based in Bedford called the Seva Trust, which has delivered food parcels to more than 60 Indian students in its local area, says: “We have had lots of examples where students are actually starving. They haven’t got anything at all to eat.”
India banned all international flights from 22 March, giving students only two days to arrange to get home. Flights that typically cost around £300 were selling for £2,000, and thousands of students found themselves stranded in Britain.
Singapore has begun moving migrant workers who have recovered from coronavirus infections to two cruise ships in an effort to curb its spread in workers’ dormitories, AFP reports.
After taking swift and aggressive measures that initially controlled its outbreak, Singapore has been hit by a bigger second wave among the work permit holders who carry out many of the basic services that keep the city running.
On Friday, Singapore’s ministry of health reported 932 new infections, the majority of which were among migrant workers, who are housed in sprawling dormitory complexes. Just five cases were found among Singapore nationals or so-called permanent residents. So far it has reported 17,101 cases but just 15 deaths.
A group of migrant workers boarded the SuperStar Gemini, a mid-sized cruise ship, on Wednesday, and another vessel, the SuperStar Aquarius, is ready to receive more after undergoing assessments by government agencies, the Singapore Tourism Board said on Friday.
Together, the vessels can accommodate up to 2,000.