March 29, 2024

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Germany could be facing second wave as daily cases double

Travellers line up for a security check at the airport in Dortmund, Germany, after the Minister of Health Jens Spahn ordered that starting next week all travel returnees from risk areas must be tested for the coronavirus. - FRIEDEMANN VOGEL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Travellers line up for a security check at the airport in Dortmund, Germany, after the Minister of Health Jens Spahn ordered that starting next week all travel returnees from risk areas must be tested for the coronavirus. – FRIEDEMANN VOGEL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter ..
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter ..

Negligence is behind Germany’s steady rise in new coronavirus infections, the head of a state-funded research body has said, adding it was unclear if a second wave was underway.

“The new developments in Germany make me very worried,” Lothar Wieler, of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases, said during his first news conference in weeks.

“The rise has to do with the fact that we have become negligent,” he added, urging people not to flout social distancing rules.

The number of daily new cases almost doubled on Tuesday to 633, and the RKI linked that to increased contact at parties and the workplace.

The summer holiday season has prompted fears that tourists returning from destinations experiencing a surge in new cases like Spain could sow the seeds of a second wave.

Following the UK’s announcement advising all but essential travel to Spain, Germany advised holidaymakers not to travel to several Spanish regions including Catalonia, home to Barcelona.

But the World Health Organization has warned against isolating the coronavirus pandemic into separate spikes, insisting: “It’s going to be one big wave”.

The virus does not behave like the influenza, the WHO said during a briefing in Geneva, warning northern hemisphere countries to avoid becoming complacent about transmission in the summer.

Dr Margaret Harris, of the WHO said: “It’s going to be one big wave. It’s going to go up and down a bit. The best thing is to flatten it and turn it into just something lapping at your feet.”

Follow the latest updates below.

Table of Contents

11:14 AM

Duchess of Cornwall sports peacock print mask

The Duchess of Cornwall has been spotted wearing a rather fetching peacock print face mask. 

Camilla arrived at the recently reopened National Gallery in London to speak to staff involved in the organisation’s Covid-19 response and reopening process.

It appears the Duchess has taken a leaf out of Samantha Cameron’s style book, by matching her mask to her dusty blue dress.

Read more: 

The Duchess of Cornwall wearing a face mask arrives at the recently reopened National Gallery in London - Aaron Chown/PA Wire
The Duchess of Cornwall wearing a face mask arrives at the recently reopened National Gallery in London – Aaron Chown/PA Wire
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall arrives at the National Gallery wearing a peacock print mask - Neil Mockford/GC Images
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall arrives at the National Gallery wearing a peacock print mask – Neil Mockford/GC Images

11:01 AM

Health is priority when it comes to local lockdowns, says PM

Boris Johnson said the priority must be people’s health in determining when local lockdowns are lifted.

Asked about the lockdown in Leicester, he said: “I have every sympathy for local leaders who want their area out of lockdown, I can understand their instincts.

“But we have to look at the big picture, we have to look at the national situation and, of course, we need to look at the health of the people of Leicester as well.”

He added a review in ongoing but that “the priority has got to be people’s health and getting the disease under control”.

10:59 AM

PM hints at review of 14-day quarantine period 

Asked about reports the 14-day quarantine period could be reduced, Boris Johnson said: “We are always looking at ways in which we can mitigate the impact of the quarantine, try to help people, try to make sure that the science is working to help travellers and holidaymakers.”

He added that travellers have “got to stick to the guidance”.

“I’m afraid if we do see signs of a second wave in other countries it is really our job, our duty, to act swiftly and decisively to stop … travellers coming back from those places seeding the disease here in the UK,” he said.

Read more: Quarantine to be cut to 10 days for people arriving from Spain

10:55 AM

‘It’s up to individuals to take the risk’, says PM on foreign holidays

Boris Johnson said it was up to individuals to decide whether they wanted to take the risk of going abroad in the present circumstances.

“These are decisions for families, for individuals, about where they want to go,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the quarantine measures were aimed at stopping cases being brought in to the UK.

“It’s vital that when people are coming back from abroad, if they are coming back from a place where I’m afraid there is another outbreak, they must go into quarantine.

“That’s why we have taken the action that we have and we will continue, throughout the summer, to take such action where it is necessary,” he said.

Travel updates: Five new countries added to FCO ‘travel corridor’ list

10:54 AM

Signs of a second wave in Europe, Boris Johnson warns

Boris Johnson said there were signs of a second wave of coronavirus in Europe as he defended the Government’s decision to impose quarantine restrictions on Spain.

“What we have to do is take swift and decisive action where we think that the risks are starting to bubble up again,” he said.

“Let’s be absolutely clear about what’s happening in Europe, amongst some of our European friends, I’m afraid you are starting to see in some places the signs of a second wave of the pandemic.”

Politics latest news: Government ‘taking advice on the science’ of 10-day quarantine, says minister

10:51 AM

Greece to enforce masks in more indoor places 

Greece will make mask-wearing compulsory at more indoor public spaces to contain the spread of Covid-19 after a small flare up of Covid-19 infections in the second half of this month, its Deputy Civil Protection Minister said today.

Health authorities had made mask-wearing compulsory for consumers at supermarkets 10 days ago. Masks have been also compulsory at public transport.

But the new measure goes into effect from Wednesday.

Greece has managed to contain the spread of Covid-19 infections to 4,227 confirmed cases and 202 deaths after imposing an early lockdown based on official data up to Monday.

10:40 AM

Australia sends medical team to Papua New Guinea as cases rise

Australia is sending a medical team to help Papua New Guinea (PNG) fight an outbreak of coronavirus after the neighbouring country experienced a rise in infections.

The Pacific nation has recorded an increase in new cases in the past week, according to data analysis firm Worldometer. There were 62 confirmed virus cases as of late Tuesday, up from just eight infections 11 days ago.

After PNG asked for assistance, Australia arranged to send a team of medical and crisis response staff to the capital Port Moresby, Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Birmingham said.

The Australian team would help with laboratories, case management, infection control, triage and emergency management and public health, he added.

A day earlier, PNG halted entry for travellers, except those arriving by air, in an effort to tighten curbs against coronavirus infections.

10:30 AM

Five coronavirus stories from around the world 

Here are five stories to read from across The Telegraph this morning:

  1. Immunity: why antibody studies may offer a false sense of security in megacities

  2. Rise of the anti-maskers: The psychology of why face coverings are causing so much upset 

  3. Chinese authorities ‘covered up’ coronavirus cases in Wuhan, claims scientist

  4. Business: Workers settle in for a year away from the office as pandemic refuses to go away

  5. Lockdown recovery: How to get your body in shape post-lockdown

10:21 AM

Models mask up ahead of Tussauds reopening 

Madame Tussauds London, Sea Life London Aquarium and The London Dungeon are set to reopen their doors for the first time since being shut down during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Merlin Entertainments said these and other major attractions including the lastminute.com London Eye and Shrek’s Adventure! London will reopen with enhanced hygiene and safety measures on August 1.

All guests and team members will have their temperature checked before they are allowed to enter the attractions which now have hygiene stations and hand sanitiser at key locations. Masks for anyone aged over 11 will also be required.

Boris Johnson's Madame Tussauds London figure is prepared for the world-famous attraction's reopening on August 1st in line with recent Government guidelines - Yui Mok/PA Wire
Boris Johnson’s Madame Tussauds London figure is prepared for the world-famous attraction’s reopening on August 1st in line with recent Government guidelines – Yui Mok/PA Wire
Enhanced hygiene and safety measures and reduced ticket capacity will be in place to ensure social distancing is maintained as guests grab the ultimate celeb selfie. - Yui Mok/PA Wire
Enhanced hygiene and safety measures and reduced ticket capacity will be in place to ensure social distancing is maintained as guests grab the ultimate celeb selfie. – Yui Mok/PA Wire
A Madame Tussauds London artist gets Anthony Joshua's figure ready for its big comeback when the attraction reopens on August 1st - Yui Mok/PA Wire
A Madame Tussauds London artist gets Anthony Joshua’s figure ready for its big comeback when the attraction reopens on August 1st – Yui Mok/PA Wire

09:51 AM

‘Put social life on back burner’ young Belgian’s told, as Antwerp reinforces restrictions

Belgian authorities have imposed a curfew in Antwerp and blamed partying youngsters for making the city the epicentre of a potential second wave. 

The new rules, which will come into force Wednesday and last four weeks, will mean all residents must be at home between 11.30pm and 6am. 

They have been brought in after the number of cases in the city, which has a young population and vibrant nightlife, surged in recent weeks. 

Bars, cafes, and restaurants will have to shut early and more strictly enforce social distancing of at least 1.5 metres between customers. 

In a bid to stop the spread of the virus face masks will now be compulsory in public spaces for everyone above the age of 12. 

Teleworking has been made compulsory again for most employees and facilities including gyms have been shut. 

Authorities have said most of the new cases are amongst younger people who have picked up the virus at parties and weddings. 

Governor Cathy Berx warned youngsters they can be badly hit by the disease too and urged them to “put social life on the back burner”. 

09:41 AM

Over 56,000 deaths linked to Covid-19 in UK

Just over 56,400 deaths involving Covid-19 have now been registered in the UK, the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show.

Figures published this morning by the ONS show that 51,366 deaths involving Covid-19 had occurred in England and Wales up to July 17, and had been registered by July 25.

Figures published last week by the National Records for Scotland showed that 4,193 deaths involving Covid-19 had been registered in Scotland up to July 19, while 850 deaths had occurred in Northern Ireland up to July 17 (and had been registered up to July 22) according to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.

Together, these figures mean that so far 56,409 deaths have been registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, including suspected cases.

09:29 AM

WATCH: Spanish PM slams UK quarantine decision ‘inappropriate’

09:18 AM

Selfridges to cut 14 per cent of workforce 

The iconic British department store Selfridges is to cut 450 jobs, 14 per cent of its workforce, due to the coronavirus impact.

“It will, without doubt, be the toughest year we have experienced in our recent history,” according to a company statement reported by CityAM.

“The task ahead is significant and, as we look to reinvent retail and prepare to build back, we will need to go further.

“As a family business, the hardest decisions are the ones that affect our people which is why it pains me to share news today of the toughest decision we have ever had to take that we will, very regrettably, need to make a 14 per cent net reduction in our overall headcount, approximately 450 roles.”

Read all the latest business news on our live blog here. 

09:12 AM

ONS: Deaths in all but two English regions below five-year average

All but two regions of England had deaths below the five-year average in the week ending July 17, the ONS said.

The exceptions were the East Midlands, where the number of registered deaths was 3.0 per cent above the five-year average, and the West Midlands, which was 2.7 per cent above the average.

The other regions were:

  • South-east England (2.3 per cent below) 

  • South-west England (2.5 per cent below)

  • Eastern England (2.7 per cent below)

  • Yorkshire & the Humber (3.5 per cent below)

  • North-west England (5.5 per cent below) 

  • London (6.9 per cent below)

  • North-east England (9.7 per cent below)

In Wales, the number of deaths registered in the week to July 17 was 1.3 per cent below the five-year average.

08:57 AM

ONS latest: Deaths below average for fifth week in a row

There were a total of 8,823 deaths registered in England and Wales in the week to July 17, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 270 fewer than the five-year average of 9,093.

This is the fifth week in a row that deaths have been below the five-year average.

Of the deaths registered in the week to July 17, 295 mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate – the lowest number of deaths involving Covid-19 since the week ending March 20 (103 deaths).

08:43 AM

Rapid rise in German cases ‘of great concern’ 

The rapid rise in Germany’s coronavirus numbers is very worrying, the country’s Robert Koch Institute for disease control said this morning, urging citizens to keep their distance and wear face masks.

“We must prevent that the virus once again spreads rapidly and uncontrollably,” RKI head Lothar Wieler told reporters.

“The latest developments in the number of Covid-19 cases is of great concern to me and all of us at the RKI,” he said.

Data from the RKI shows the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 633 to 206,242 today. The reported death toll rose by 4 to 9,122.

Read more: Here in Germany, our rise in cases has been blamed on holidaymakers returning from Spain

08:33 AM

Travel latest: Five more countries added to exemption list 

Five more countries have been added to the quarantine exemption list:

  1. Estonia

  2. Latvia

  3. Slovenia

  4. Slovakia

  5. St Vincent and the Grenadines

However, the Government said anyone who arrived in England from these countries before Tuesday would still need to self-isolate.

It comes as Britain’s air corridor to Spain, one of the most popular tourist destinations for Britons, was removed on Saturday causing chaos for travelers.

Read more:

08:24 AM

In case you missed it: Senior White House adviser tests positive for Covid-19

Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser has tested positive for coronavirus, making him the highest-ranking US official known to have contracted the disease so far, Josie Ensor reports.

Robert O’Brien, who is reported to have caught the virus from a “family event”, has mild symptoms and has been self-isolating since receiving the result, a White House spokesman said on Monday.

Read the full story here.

08:15 AM

North Korea tightens measures over virus fears

North Korea has introduced tougher prevention measures against Covid-19, state media reported, after it locked down the border town of Kaesong to tackle what could be its first publicly confirmed case of the disease.

Strict quarantine measures and the screening of districts were in progress, and test kits, protective clothing, and medical equipment were being rapidly supplied, the North’s KCNA state news agency said.

The measures come after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared an emergency on Sunday after a person suspected of being infected with the virus returned from South Korea.

North Korea had reported testing 1,211 people for the virus as of July 16 with all returning negative results, the World Health Organization said in a statement yesterday. The report said 696 nationals were under quarantine.

08:03 AM

Spain latest: Quarantine to be cut to 10 days 

Quarantine for people arriving from Spain and other countries with high levels of Covid-19 will be cut to 10 days under plans being finalised by ministers, The Telegraph has learnt.

The Government hopes to announce this week a new policy of testing arrivals from high-risk countries eight days after they land. If they test negative they will be allowed to come out of self-isolation two days later, reducing the mandatory quarantine period by four days.

Read the full story by Charles Hymas and Gordon Rayner here.

07:57 AM

Pandemic fallout will leave 6.7m children dangerously undernourished, Unicef warns 

A 6 month old eats ready-to-use therapeutic food at her home in Mopti, central Mali - UNICEF/UNI287192/Dicko
A 6 month old eats ready-to-use therapeutic food at her home in Mopti, central Mali – UNICEF/UNI287192/Dicko

Almost seven million children could become dangerously undernourished this year, a stark report has warned, amid growing concerns that the fallout from the pandemic will kill more people than the coronavirus itself.

According to an analysis by Unicef published in The Lancet, an added 6.7 million children under five years old could suffer from wasting this year – a life-threatening form of malnutrition that leaves children emaciated. 

As a result at least two decades of progress in tackling hunger could be reversed.

Read the full story by Sarah Newey here.

07:43 AM

Russian cases show no sign of slowing

Russia reported 5,395 new coronavirus infections today, bringing its nationwide tally to 823,515, the fourth largest in the world.

The country’s coronavirus taskforce said 150 people had died over the last 24 hours, pushing the official death toll in the country of around 145 million people to 13,504.

St Petersburg shopping centre reopens despite cases still on the rise

A sign on a revolving door reads "Face Masks and Gloves Required for Entry" at the Galeria shopping and entertainment centre which reopened yesterday after the lifting of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions - Roman PimenovTASS
A sign on a revolving door reads “Face Masks and Gloves Required for Entry” at the Galeria shopping and entertainment centre which reopened yesterday after the lifting of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions – Roman PimenovTASS
A woman emerges from one of the itting rooms complying with social distancing rules at the Galeria shopping and entertainment centre reopened after the lifting of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. - Roman Pimenov/TASS
A woman emerges from one of the itting rooms complying with social distancing rules at the Galeria shopping and entertainment centre reopened after the lifting of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. – Roman Pimenov/TASS
A shop assistant in a face mask arranges clothing for sale at the Galeria shopping and entertainment centre which reopened after the lifting of restrictions, despite cases still rising in Russia - Roman PimenovTASS
A shop assistant in a face mask arranges clothing for sale at the Galeria shopping and entertainment centre which reopened after the lifting of restrictions, despite cases still rising in Russia – Roman PimenovTASS

07:22 AM

Holidaymakers  going abroad should know they may have to quarantine, minister says

People who go on holiday abroad should have an understanding that they may be asked to self-isolate when they return, ministers have said.

Local government minister Simon Clarke said: “All holidays have to be taken understanding that foreign travel in the middle of a global pandemic which has caused devastation across the world has to be conducted against the backdrop of the Government’s right to take steps to protect the UK.

“We’ve made enormous strides in this country over the last few weeks and we have now got the situation very largely under control.

“We cannot jeopardise that, we cannot render all the sacrifices that we’ve made redundant by failing to intervene to stop risk from being reimported from abroad.

“By all means go on holiday, but understand that there is a chance that you might be asked to self-isolate on your return.”

07:02 AM

Government must reserve right to change advice, minister says

Simon Clarke said the UK Government must reserve the right to take action to keep the British public safe during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He told the BBC: “The reality is people travelling abroad will have to accept that there is a degree of uncertainty.

“As the situation changes on the ground, we have to reserve the right to take action to keep the British public safe.

“That’s what we’ve done in the case of Spain. I think we’d have faced equally, frankly, strong criticism from you this morning had we done anything else.

“If we’d failed to take these steps, we’d be accused of inaction in the face of a growing health crisis and therefore it is important to remember we’re doing this because the balance of medical opinion is it’s the right thing to do.”

06:58 AM

Rise of the anti-maskers: Psychology of why face coverings are causing so much upset 

Read Science Editor Sarah Knapton‘s full story here – but enjoy the snippet below on the latest point of contention.

A divisive new battleground has emerged in recent weeks between Britons who are angry at being forced to wear face masks, and those equally furious about non-compliance. 

Libertarians, massing under the banner ‘Keep Britain Free’, complain that covering up is an affront to civil rights, and largely pointless when pubs and restaurants are exempt.

Pro-maskers, operating under the ‘mask it or casket’ slogan, brand the dissenters selfish, with some shops even installing mirrors which state: “We have provided this space away from everyone else where you can stare at your reflection, since apparently you’re the only person you care about.”

06:51 AM

Matt of the day

Here is Matt’s take on the Government’s move to tackle obesity against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic. 

MATT
MATT

 You can see all of Matt’s cartoons here. 

06:48 AM

Track and trace app ‘for London in next few weeks’

A track and trace app could be rolled out in major cities “in the next few weeks”, according to the Government’s lead on track and trace.

Tom Riordan, who is also chief executive of Leeds City Council, was asked if the much-maligned app was “still alive”, to which he told the BBC’s Radio 4 Today programme: “I think it is still alive. I think it will happen and it’s needed. 

“It’s not the silver bullet, but it is something that could really help… I think it is probably needed more in places like London where people use public transport more than the rest of the country and we need the economy to kickstart. 

“And I would expect that to start to be rolled out in the next few weeks.”

06:41 AM

Concerns over ‘blind spot’ of non-English speakers in UK

Concerns have been raised about a Government “blind spot” on translating coronavirus guidance for many non-English speakers in the UK.

Charity Doctors of the World said public health messages had only been translated into a limited number of languages and had not been promptly updated when guidance changed.

It has co-ordinated a letter to Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick calling for a stronger focus on helping “excluded people”, according to the BBC.

More than 4.2 million people – or 7.7% of the population in England and Wales – said that English or Welsh was not their main language, according to the March 2011 census.

Head of policy and advocacy Anna Miller told the broadcaster that attempting to draw attention to the “blind spot” was a struggle.

06:31 AM

Ministers told to get a grip on summer holiday confusion

Ministers were told to get a grip on summer holiday ‘confusion’ after the Balearic and Canary islands were added to the list of places where only essential travel should take place.

Holiday firms and the opposition urged the Government to bring more clarity to the situation as travel companies cancelled flights.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advised against all non-essential travel to the Spanish holiday islands following a Covid-19 upsurge in some parts of mainland Spain.

The move brought the FCO advice into line with existing advice for mainland Spain and with the UK Goverment’s decision to impose a 14-day quarantine requirement on people arriving from the whole of the country.

But the quarantine policy has been criticised by Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who described it as an “error”

06:24 AM

Today’s front page

Here is your Daily Telegraph on Tuesday, July 28.

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05:57 AM

Working from home? We’re WFA (working from abroad) instead 

For the thousands left unexpectedly facing quarantine on return from their holiday in Spain after this weekend’s abrupt change to travel restrictions, there is, perhaps, an alternative: what if they just stayed there? Indeed the world has become the remote workforce’s new office, breeding a new tribe of WFA (work from anywhere) employees who, since Covid-19 hit, have swapped their homes for more distant climes. 

The Prime Minister has said that, from August 1, staff may begin returning to offices. But with up to 40 per cent of Britain’s workforce able to work remotely and as many as a third keen for things to stay that way many are trading in their travelcards for a one-way plane ticket.

Hoping to capitalise on this sudden abundance of itchy feet, Barbados this month began offering 12-month visas to frazzled workers looking to make a move; cheaper rent makes it a yet more compelling prospect. 

Read the full story

Read more: Should I return to work? Your rights if your employer asks you to go back to work

05:13 AM

Australia restricts surgeries so nurses can be deployed to care homes

Victoria state, Australia’s coronavirus hot spot, is restricting non-urgent surgeries so that hospital nurses can be transferred to elderly care homes, where most  deaths are occurring, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said on Tuesday.

Victoria reported 384 new infections and six deaths on Tuesday, down from a record 532 cases on Monday.

Mr Andrews said residents of the care homes would be moved to hospitals if they were not being adequately protected from infection.

“Some of the stories we’ve heard, some of what’s gone on in some of these settings is simply not acceptable,” Mr Andrews said, without elaborating.

Australian Defence Force staff arrive at Epping Gardens Aged Care Facility on the outskirts of Melbourne - DANIEL POCKETT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Australian Defence Force staff arrive at Epping Gardens Aged Care Facility on the outskirts of Melbourne – DANIEL POCKETT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

04:52 AM

Chinese authorities ‘covered up’ cases in Wuhan, claims scientist

Chinese authorities were warned that coronavirus could spread between humans in early January, but did not tell the public for a week, a leading microbiologist has claimed, saying that there has been a “cover up”.

Professor Yuen Kwok-yung says he alerted health officials on January 12 to suspected human to human transmission of Covid-19, but his warnings were not made public until January 19, according to a new BBC Panorama documentary about China’s sluggish early response to the pandemic.

The professor, who helped to identify an outbreak of Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003, diagnosed a family of seven with the novel coronavirus in Shenzhen, 700 miles from Wuhan, the global pandemic’s original epicentre.

Only some members of the family had been to Wuhan, which set alarm bells ringing about the infectious nature of the virus. Prof Yuen said he immediately informed Beijing.

Read the full story

03:35 AM

Australian police disperse protesters at BLM rally 

Australian police on Tuesday detained at least one person and ordered about 50 others to disperse after they gathered in Sydney to go ahead with a Black Lives Matter protest despite an official ban because of the pandemic.

The march had been called to highlight the deaths of Aboriginal people in custody, building on momentum from global rallies for racial justice and against police brutality.

Organisers had pressed ahead with the gathering despite the courts upholding the police ban, pledging to comply with social distancing restrictions.

A demonstrator wearing a face mask with the Australian Aboriginal flag is seen after police shut down the rally - Reuters
A demonstrator wearing a face mask with the Australian Aboriginal flag is seen after police shut down the rally – Reuters

02:21 AM

Pakistan urges worshippers to buy sacrificial animals online

Pakistani authorities are encouraging people to buy sacrificial animals online or at least wear masks when visiting cattle markets, fearing preparations for the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha could reverse a decline in infection numbers.

Government social-distancing restrictions this year including half-day closing have seen a drop in customers at the normally bustling markets which, like in other Muslim countries, are set up in urban centres ahead of one of Islam’s most important festivals.

The main cattle market of Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, was less busy on Sunday than in preceding years with just six days before festivities. 

Most visitors flouted a requirement to wear masks, and many were accompanied by children who this year are barred.

“I don’t understand this coronavirus. I have not seen anyone dying of it,” said trader Muhammad Akram. “Look around you: No one is wearing a mask.”

Pakistan has reported over 270,000 cases with almost 6,000 deaths. 

Men prepare lunch as they sell bulls at a cattle market, ahead of the Muslim festival of sacrifice Eid al-Adha in Karachi - Reuters
Men prepare lunch as they sell bulls at a cattle market, ahead of the Muslim festival of sacrifice Eid al-Adha in Karachi – Reuters

02:02 AM

Vietnam suspends flights to and from tourism hot spot

Vietnam has suspended all flights to and from Da Nang for 15 days starting on Tuesday after at least 14 cases had been detected in the city, the government said on Tuesday.

The Southeast Asian country has also suspended all passenger bus and train services to and from the city, the government said in a statement.

The city, a tourism hot spot, had reintroduced social distancing measures over the weekend after the government confirmed the first domestically-transmitted cases in more than three months. 

Read more: Vietnam joins list of Asia-Pacific nations struggling to beat Covid-19

A man and his children ride a bicycle on a street in Hanoi - Reuters
A man and his children ride a bicycle on a street in Hanoi – Reuters

01:53 AM

68 new cases reported in China

New cases continue to rise in China’s northwestern region of Xinjiang, with 57 reported on Tuesday.

The capital Beijing also reported its first case of domestic transmission in more than two weeks, while the northeastern province of Liaoning added another six cases in its local outbreak. Another four cases were found among Chinese travellers arriving from outside the country, bringing the daily total over the past 24 hours to 68.

Despite the new clusters, China appears to have largely contained the virus and the death toll remains at 4,634 among 83,959 cases. 

Coronavirus Live Tracker promo embed
Coronavirus Live Tracker promo embed

01:25 AM

Australian Open postponed

The Australian Open, the country’s oldest and most prestigious golf event, has been postponed from its scheduled staging in November due to Covid-19, organisers said on Tuesday.

Golf Australia had planned to stage the 105th edition at Melbourne’s Kingston Heath Golf Club later this year but were now looking at other dates in early 2021, the governing body said.

Melbourne is midway through a six-week lockdown as authorities battle a surge in Covid-19 infections.

“These are very challenging times for all Australians and the uncertainty the global pandemic has caused makes it very difficult to be definitive in relation to future dates at this time,” Golf Australia operations manager Simon Brookhouse said in a statement.

“Then, when you consider the rescheduled major championships, particularly the (US) Masters from 12-15 November, assembling the customary world-class field was also becoming increasingly difficult.”

12:52 AM

Bolivian prison inmates riot over Covid exposure in pictures

The death of an inmate suspected of having the coronavirus prompted rioting in four of the most populated prisons in Bolivia’s Cochabamba region over access to medical care.

Inmates protest on the roof of a San Sebastian prison - AP
Inmates protest on the roof of a San Sebastian prison – AP
The sign reads: "The rich have private doctors. The prisoners - no doctors, no medicines". - Reuters
The sign reads: “The rich have private doctors. The prisoners – no doctors, no medicines”. – Reuters
Detainees riot on the roof of the prison and show posters demanding medical assistance amid the health emergency - Jorge Abrego/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Detainees riot on the roof of the prison and show posters demanding medical assistance amid the health emergency – Jorge Abrego/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

12:19 AM

Brazil’s President takes off mask for selfies with supporters

Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro on Monday took off his mask in public as he greeted supporters in Brasilia, days after saying he had recovered from coronavirus, which he said had not had a serious impact on his health.

The right-wing leader tested positive earlier this month and went into quarantine at his residence, but said on Saturday that his latest test had come back negative.

“I didn’t have any problems,” Mr Bolsonaro said on Monday. “For people who have prior health problems and are of a certain age, anything can be dangerous.”

Brazil has the worst coronavirus outbreak in the world outside of the US and Mr Bolsonaro has been criticised for minimizing the severity of the disease and doing little to curb its spread as deaths mount.

Standing outside the Alvorada Palace, the Brazilian president’s official residence, Mr Bolsonaro removed his mask after supporters asked that he take it off so they could snap pictures and selfies with him.

Initially, Mr Bolsonaro said he would not take his mask off because he would end up “on the frontpage of tomorrow’s newspapers” if he did, but ended up doing so for brief periods of time in response to supporters.

Jair Bolsonaro, center front, removes his protective mask during a meeting with supporters - AP
Jair Bolsonaro, center front, removes his protective mask during a meeting with supporters – AP

11:49 PM

More than 900 females feared dead during lockdown in Peru

A staggering 900-plus girls and women are missing and feared dead in Peru since Covid-19 confinement began, authorities said on Monday.

The Andean nation home to 33 million people has long had a horrific domestic violence problem.

But Covid-19, which has compounded home confinement combined with job losses and a health crisis, has seen an already scary situation grow worse in just 3 and a 1/2 months, according to Eliana Revollar, who leads the women’s rights office of the National Ombudsman’s office.

Seventy percent of that figure are minors, she added.

“During the quarantine, from March 16 to June 30, 915 women in Peru were reported missing,” and feared dead, said Ms Revollar.

Before Covid-19, five women were reported missing in Peru every single day; since the lockdown, the number has surged to eight per day.

Read more: Pandemic fallout will leave 6.7m children dangerously undernourished, Unicef warns

Commuters wearing face masks and face shields walk on a bridge to a bus platform in Lima, Peru - AP
Commuters wearing face masks and face shields walk on a bridge to a bus platform in Lima, Peru – AP

11:16 PM

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