30th Jun 2020 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=41 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

iNews Last year figures published by the Campaign for Real Ale CAMRA showed pubs were closing at a rate of one every 12 hours with 378 locals shutting permanently between July and December 2019. It was the worrying continuation of an existing trend and Covid19 has only brought further concern across the industry. And yet a new report suggests the number of pubs vanishing from UK towns and cities has slowed despite coronavirus. https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/food-and-drink/pubs-reopening-rules-camra-decline-closing-458295 29th Jun 2020

Lockdown Exit

Evening Standard Police will mount operations all over the country this weekend to prevent new outbreaks of violence when lockdown rules are eased. Martin Hewitt head of the National Police Chiefs Council said forces recognised people have had frustrations and would be ready to enjoy the new freedom that will come when pubs restaurants hotels and other businesses reopen on Saturday. But he said it remained vital that the public acted responsibly to prevent the risk of a second wave of Covid19. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/police-braced-disorder-super-saturday-lockdown-eased-a4482866.html 29th Jun 2020

Lockdown Exit

CBS News The Londonbased domestic violence charity Solace says it saw a 200 rise in calls to its helpline during the first easing of Britains coronavirus lockdown in May and that it is preparing for a massive rise in demand for its services when restrictions relax even further on July 4. As restriction ease as partners go back physically to work or come off furlough for example then they will be able to they will be trying to seek those means of escape Fiona Dwyer chief executive of Solace told CBS News. Coronavirus lockdowns around the world sparked warnings about an increase in domestic abuse as partners were trapped in close proximity to one another to prevent the spread of COVID19. Dwyer says the numbers of people fleeing abusive relationships is expected to increase as lockdown restrictions ease further and escape starts to feel like more of a possibility for some victims and survivors. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-lockdown-eases-uk-domestic-abuse-charity-sees-huge-surge-in-calls-for-help/ 29th Jun 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Guardian In the same week Northern Ireland became the first part of the UK to allow camping a new glampsite opened in the Sperrin mountains dark sky park https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/jun/29/northern-ireland-fopens-campsites-first-uk-night-out-of-lockdown-camping-sperrin-mountains 29th Jun 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Guardian The new faces are among the 1 million Italians who will be pushed into poverty this year as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic according to estimates from Coldiretti the farmers association. What is happening is right before everyones eyes said Lorenzo Bazzana an economic adviser to Coldiretti. Families who perhaps were not in difficulty before are now shouldering a very heavy economic burden and are turning to food banks for help. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/29/they-are-new-poor-covid-19-fuels-rising-poverty-italy 29th Jun 2020

Lockdown Exit

FRANCE 24 Irish pubs unlock their doors and begin pouring pints on Monday ending a 15week dry spell forced by the nations coronavirus lockdown. Pubs serving food as well as restaurants and hotels are permitted to open as the republic enters the penultimate stage of its plan to lift stayathome restrictions. All domestic travel restrictions were also lifted as churches hairdressers cinemas and museums opened and mass gatherings of 50 indoors or 200 outdoors were permitted. https://www.france24.com/en/20200629-cheers-irish-pubs-reopen-as-end-of-lockdown-nears 29th Jun 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Irish Times The June 29th milestone should be seen as end of the beginning but not the beginning of the end of the coronavirus pandemic. We are a long way from an effective vaccine and there are no drug treatments for the virus on the horizon so the best we can hope for is a gradual stepbystep reduction in infection. One of the countrys leading infectious disease specialists University College Dublins Prof Paddy Mallon certainly punctured any immediate optimism when he told the Oireachtas health committee it is inevitable that we will experience a resurgence of cases as we relax restrictions and permit more travel. https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/rise-in-coronavirus-transmission-seems-inevitable-as-lockdown-lifts-1.4289628 29th Jun 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Guardian Actors dancers and comedians could find themselves experiencing a different kind of lockdown. Fancourt mentions film sets in the US where entire casts and crews are agreeing to isolate for two weeks before a shoot. We might have companies of people locking themselves away over a period she says. Alternatively if were able to exist in a state of semilockdown with some social interaction permitted theatres may be able to adapt their models. Instead of having multiple different shows with different companies coming in and out we might end up with scenarios like the Royal Shakespeare Company where you have companies of actors who stay and do shows as a collective in one place. So the number of social interactions among the company is limited and its easier to track and trace if an infection does occur. https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/jun/29/covid-19-easing-arts-museums-comedy-theatre-clubbing 29th Jun 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Courier The first stage of Scotlands High Street recovery launched on Monday with retailers opening their doors to customers for the first time in 14 weeks. https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/politics/scottish-politics/1406309/high-street-gets-set-to-reopen-as-scotland-continues-to-emerge-from-lockdown/ 29th Jun 2020

Lockdown Exit

Reuters Russia on Monday reported 6719 new cases of the novel coronavirus the lowest oneday reported increase since April 29 pushing its nationwide tally to 641156. The national coronavirus taskforce said 93 people had died in the last 24 hours bringing the official death toll to 9166. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-russia-cases/russia-reports-lowest-number-of-coronavirus-infections-since-april-29-idUSKBN2400PA 29th Jun 2020

Lockdown Exit

YAHOO! Spain is to uphold a ban on cruise liners from docking at its ports to stop the spread of COVID19 according to a ministerial order published on Saturday. Cruise liners carrying thousands of passengers regularly stop off at ports in the Balearic Islands the Canary Islands Barcelona and Malaga but were prohibited when Spain went into lockdown on March 14. With their crowds of often elderly passengers cruise ships have been especially vulnerable to outbreaks of the virus and have been barred from disembarking in several countries. Spains ban on the vessels will continue until the coronavirus epidemic is brought under control according to the Official State Gazette even as the country otherwise reopens to tourists in an effort to revive an industry hammered by the coronavirus lockdown. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/spain-maintains-ban-cruise-ships-165520551.html 28th Jun 2020

Lockdown Exit

HuffPost Italy once the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic has been easing restrictions for two months. Here are the lessons now emerging. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/italy-tourism-new-normal-coronavirus_n_5ef5b1d3c5b6acab283fd55e 26th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

Yorkshire Evening Post Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced several changes to current lockdown restrictions following the governments latest review on 23 June. The changes which include plans to allow family visits overnight the reopening of businesses and a reduction of the 2m social distancing rule will take effect in England from Saturday 4 July. But what do the latest rules mean for office workers Heres everything you need to know. https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/health/coronavirus/when-can-i-go-back-office-latest-government-guidance-and-social-distancing-measures-youll-have-follow-workplace-2898506 29th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

BBC Shoppers queued early as nonessential retailers across Scotland prepared to reopen their doors. Shops with onstreet access and some workplaces such as factories are reopening following further easing of lockdown. Small weddings and civil partnerships can be held outdoors and zoos can reopen but only to local visitors. However the first minister urged people to act responsibly and not to squander Scotlands progress. The resumption of nonessential retail is one of the biggest changes to restrictions to date. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-53210774 29th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

City A.M. A further 25 people have died from coronavirus in the UK bringing the total death toll to 43575. The increase announced today by the Department of Health DoH includes the number of people who have died after testing positive for Covid19 in hospitals care homes and the wider community in the 24 hours up to 9am this morning. However government officials including Englands chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty have warned that infection numbers will rise again if people ignore social distancing guidelines. A major incident was declared in Bournemouth last Thursday after thousands of sun seekers flouted lockdown rules to head to the beach. Johnson has warned that he will not hesitate to apply the handbrakes on a local or indeed national level should the number of infections rise in the country. https://www.cityam.com/uk-coronavirus-death-toll-rises-by-25-as-england-prepares-for-lockdown-lifting/ 29th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

The Local Europe Austria has withdrawn a general travel warning for Germanys most populous state issued after a massive coronavirus outbreak at a meat processing plant. The country put the warning in place for people travelling from North RhineWestphalia NRW following the outbreak at Tnnies meat plant in Gtersloh. Now it has been lifted but the ban remains in place on the Gtershloh district of NRW. As of today Sunday at midnight the general travel warning for North RhineWestphalia will be lifted it will only apply to the district of Gtersloh said Elisabeth Kstinger the Austrian minister responsible for tourism during a live broadcast organised by German newspaper Bild. If people from Gtersloh want to visit neighbouring Austria they have to present a negative coronavirus test that is less than 48 hours old. Those who can do this will be able to start their vacation in Austria said Kstinger. https://www.thelocal.com/20200629/austria-relaxes-general-travel-warning-for-german-state-of-north-rhine-westphalia 29th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

Morocco World News Spain is planning to reopen its borders with Morocco on Wednesday after months of suspended international travel due to the COVID19 pandemic. Schengen Visa Info quoted the President of the Spanish enclave of Ceuta Eduardo de Castro who said PM Pedro Sanchez informed him of Spains plans to resume international travel on July 1. The outlet added that the reopening of borders might be a oneside action as Spain expects that Moroccos government will maintain its borders closed until winter. Spanish outlet El Pais also reported that Spain will allow travelers from outside the Schengen area to visit the country starting July 1 providing there is a reciprocal agreement on travel and taking into account the epidemiological situation in the country of origin. https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/06/307187/spain-expects-morocco-to-maintain-closed-borders-until-winter/ 29th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

FRANCE 24 Premier Prayut ChanOCha said the most atrisk businesses will be allowed to reopen from Wednesday as there has been no local transmission of the virus for more than a month. The most important thing we care about are the people who have no income for their families he said. Secondly we are confident that our health system is ready to handle the situation. Beginning July 1 bars clubs and karaoke lounges can reopen though they must adhere to a midnight closing time and have social distancing measures said Taweesin Visanuyothin spokesman for the Centre for COVDI19 Situation Administration. Massage parlours and teahouses which sometimes act as fronts for brothels will also have to register customers using the governments tracking app. Staff must be tested for COVID19 from time to time and there should be no sex trade said Taweesin. https://www.france24.com/en/20200629-thailand-to-ease-nightlife-lockdown-allow-some-entry-to-foreigners 29th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

International Business Times Thailands nightlife will restart with some restrictions this week the kingdom announced Monday part of a return to normalcy as it prepares to welcome business travellers and medical tourists after a ban on foreign entry. So far Thailand has 3169 cases and 58 deaths from the coronavirus a low toll considering the kingdom in midJanuary became was the first country outside China to register a case. But the countrys tourismreliant economy has been hit hard by the border closures while a halt to its infamous nightlife has left the kingdoms informal workers in bars massage parlours and karaoke lounges adrift. Premier Prayut ChanOCha said the most atrisk businesses will be allowed to reopen from Wednesday as there has been no local transmission of the virus for more than a month. https://www.ibtimes.com/thailand-ease-nightlife-lockdown-allow-some-entry-foreigners-3002334 29th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

France Today As of 22 June France is now in the 3rd phase of dconfinement the relaxation of lockdown rules. Cinemas holiday centres sports halls for group sports all crches schools and collges are fully open but with strict adherence to sanitary regimes. Earlier in June restrictions were lifted on restaurants bars travel distances tourist accommodation parks and more. The 2nd phase also saw the end of the 100km travel limit restriction so people are now free to travel without carrying documents proving their purpose of travel. Residents now no longer need to carry an attestation form to travel further than 100km from their home and the limit has been dropped. Hotels restaurants gites BBs cafes parks and gardens were also opened during the 2nd phase. France is still under an official state of health emergency whereby government can fast track legislation and local authorities have the power to restrict movements stop gatherings festivals concerts etc in their own departments if they deem these to be a health risk. https://www.francetoday.com/travel/covid-19-lockdown-measures-in-france-deconfinement/ 29th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

China Daily USA Europe will allow tourists from countries and regions outside of the bloc to begin entering again on Wednesday but the US and Russia are now among the nations considered too risky because they have not controlled the novel coronavirus outbreak The New York Times reported on Friday. Travelers from more than a dozen countries that are not overwhelmed by the virus are set to be welcomed when the bloc reopens on Wednesday after months of lockdown the newspaper said. According to the report countries that made the safe list were judged on a mix of scientific criteria that included their infection rates and the credibility of their public health reporting data. http://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202006/29/WS5ef99546a310834817255e04.html 29th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

The Argus Governments were stepping up testing and warily considering their next moves on Monday as the number of newly confirmed coronavirus cases surges in many countries. India reported 20000 new cases on Monday while the US confirmed more than 40000 new infections for the third straight day. As infections rise along with summer temperatures in the northern hemisphere many governments are stepping up testing and mulling more aggressive moves such as renewed lockdowns to stem fresh outbreaks. Indias 20000 new infections was a new daily record. Several states reimposed partial or full lockdowns after the total number of cases jumped by nearly 100000 in one week to 548318. https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/national/18548011.testing-stepped-indias-virus-cases-jump-another-daily-high/ 29th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

Bloomberg Australias suppression of the coronavirus in contrast with New Zealands elimination will bring different outcomes in their growth paths according to Paul Bloxham at HSBC Holdings Plc. as cases spike Down Under while Kiwis are heading to the rugby. Australias southern state of Victoria has seen an isolated sharp rise in new cases in recent days. New Zealand on the other hand has recorded no community transmission for 38 days the 20 active cases are recent overseas arrivals and are in quarantine. Given these outcomes HSBC said in a Monday report it expects a Ushaped recovery in Australia with a sharp fall in secondquarter GDP of 7.5 followed by a modest rise of 0.4 in the next three months. It sees a much sharper slump of 14.7 in New Zealand for this quarter but expects the economy to be on track for a Vshaped rebound with a 12.6 surge during JulySeptember. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-29/australia-new-zealand-recovery-paths-to-differ-on-virus-hsbc 29th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

RNZ Emails released to RNZ show a US offer to rapidly set up Covid19 datacrunching capabilities sat with the government for more than a month during the lockdown period before being rejected https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/420112/new-zealand-government-sat-on-palantir-covid-19-data-tracking-offer 29th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters Prime Minister Boris Johnson will launch a plan this week to get Britain moving again after the coronavirus lockdown when the government will set out measures to boost infrastructure construction interior minister Priti Patel said on Sunday. Johnson will make a speech on Tuesday to set out plans to fasttrack building projects such as hospitals schools housing and road and rail infrastructure part of efforts to try to stem a fall in support for his government. The British leader has been criticised for his response to the coronavirus crisis with opposition parties and some scientists saying the government was too slow to bring in a lockdown too slow to carry out widespread testing and not clear in its messaging. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain-patel/get-britain-moving-again-pm-johnson-to-unveil-new-infrastructure-plan-idUSKBN23Z094 29th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

BBC Panorama Is the biggest mistake in the Covid19 crisis about to happen As the country comes out of lockdown the UK needs a test and trace system that can stop the disease from spreading again. So is that system ready to keep us safe Reporter Richard Bilton investigates the rapid expansion of our testing capacity and asks whether we have got the worldbeating service the prime minister promised. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000kjrw/panorama-has-covid-testing-gone-wrong 29th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

YAHOO! Spain is to uphold a ban on cruise liners from docking at its ports to stop the spread of COVID19 according to a ministerial order published on Saturday. Cruise liners carrying thousands of passengers regularly stop off at ports in the Balearic Islands the Canary Islands Barcelona and Malaga but were prohibited when Spain went into lockdown on March 14. With their crowds of often elderly passengers cruise ships have been especially vulnerable to outbreaks of the virus and have been barred from disembarking in several countries. Spains ban on the vessels will continue until the coronavirus epidemic is brought under control according to the Official State Gazette even as the country otherwise reopens to tourists in an effort to revive an industry hammered by the coronavirus lockdown. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/spain-maintains-ban-cruise-ships-165520551.html 28th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

AlAraby.co.uk Egypt on Saturday lifted many restrictions put in place against the coronavirus pandemic reopening cafes clubs gyms and theaters after more than three months of closure despite a continued upward trend in new infections. Authorities also allowed the limited reopening of mosques and churches and lifted the nighttime curfew. President Abdelfattah AlSisis government has been keen to save the Egyptian economy that was hit hard by the virus outbreak. On Friday the International Monetary Fund approved another 5.2 billion loan for Egypt to be added to the 2.8 billion the fund had already promised to stave off the pandemics worst economic effects. https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2020/6/28/egypt-eases-restrictions-despite-surge-in-covid-19-infections 28th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

The Independent Several Britons have been banned from working in Singapore after reportedly going on a bar crawl during lockdown. Six people found guilty this week of breaching anticoronavirus measures have had their work permits revoked authorities said. They had meetups near the citystates Robertson Quay while social gatherings were banned to limit the spread of the virus according to Singapores Ministry of Manpower MoM. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/singapore-coronavirus-lockdown-britons-work-passes-revoked-bar-crawl-a9588051.html 28th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

The Independent Australian supermarkets have restricted toilet roll sales after a new bout of panicbuying as the country continues to ease its coronavirus lockdown despite a spike in infections in its secondmostpopulated state. Despite assurances from prime minister Scott Morrison that Australias coronavirus curve is flat the countrys largest supermarket chain Woolworths on Friday introduced a twopack limit on toilet paper and kitchen towels across all of its stores. Claire Peters managing director of Woolworths supermarkets division said the company was taking preventative action now to get ahead of any excessive buying. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/coronavirus-australia-lockdown-easing-infections-spike-a9586981.html 27th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

The Independent Australian supermarkets have restricted toilet roll sales after a new bout of panicbuying as the country continues to ease its coronavirus lockdown despite a spike in infections in its secondmostpopulated state. Despite assurances from prime minister Scott Morrison that Australias coronavirus curve is flat the countrys largest supermarket chain Woolworths on Friday introduced a twopack limit on toilet paper and kitchen towels across all of its stores. Claire Peters managing director of Woolworths supermarkets division said the company was taking preventative action now to get ahead of any excessive buying. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/coronavirus-australia-lockdown-easing-infections-spike-a9586981.html 27th Jun 2020

Partisan Exits

Reuters To tackle the invisible virus doctors and health specialists first needed to find it. But with few tests little contact tracing and a government culture of secrecy they lost sight of the enemy. https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/health-coronavirus-britain-tracing/ 29th Jun 2020

Partisan Exits

The Washington Post Sometimes information slips out telling a more dire story for Russians grappling with mixed messages the Kremlins upbeat assessments versus statistics showing that Russias confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus are still climbing. When infectiousdisease doctor Victoria Adonyeva predicted in a newspaper interview that the nationwide vote would cause a spike in new cases many readers applauded her honesty. Adonyeva chief infectiousdisease specialist of the Orlovskaya region about 220 miles south of Moscow also called into question the accuracy of Russias statistics on coronavirus deaths now at 9152 in the interview with the Orlovsky Novosti newspaper. The numbers are going up. Theres no plateau she said. What kind of stabilization what kind of lifting of restrictions can we talk about Her hospital and others in the city of Oryol had no free beds she added. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/putin-coronavirus-russia-cases-crisis/2020/06/27/d40124c6-b16f-11ea-98b5-279a6479a1e4_story.html 29th Jun 2020

Partisan Exits

The Guardian Victorias chief medical officer said residents may be asked to wear face masks in light of the states surging coronavirus cases contradicting earlier warnings that wearing personal protective equipment was unnecessary and potentially harmful. Brett Sutton told ABCs Radio National on Monday that health authorities were preparing advice on whether Victorians should wear masks. I take the perspective that when you are really trying to drive numbers down to maintain your test and trace capability it needs to be considered Sutton said. I have got a team working up some advice now and we will talk about masks in those types of settings for people to choose it and provide some guidance on the masks that work and how much protection you get. The federal health minister Greg Hunt told ABCs 730 on Monday night that states and territories can make decisions about whether wearing masks could be encouraged or even mandatory confirming that thats one of the items that Victoria is looking at. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jun/29/victorians-may-now-be-told-to-wear-face-masks-to-halt-covid-19-whats-changed 29th Jun 2020

Partisan Exits

Newshub Duncan Garner Its time to completely shut New Zealands border returning Kiwis included https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/06/duncan-garner-it-s-time-to-completely-shut-new-zealand-s-border-returning-kiwis-included.html 29th Jun 2020

Continued Lockdown

Newshub According to new research the COVID19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown has been tough on the mental wellbeing of Asian New Zealanders. The New Zealand Asian Mental Health and Wellbeing report commissioned by charity Asian Family Services found high levels of anxiety and nervousness as well as racism. The research surveyed 580 Asian New Zealanders across the country and found almost 44 percent of them experienced some form of mental distress since level 4 lockdown. Nervousness and anxiety are the most widely experienced 57 percent followed by little interest or pleasure in doing things 55.2 percent uncontrollable worrying 47.4 percent and feeling down and hopeless 44 percent. https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/06/covid-19-asian-new-zealanders-experienced-high-rates-of-anxiety-depression-during-lockdown-survey.html 29th Jun 2020

Continued Lockdown

Reuters UK Sudan is extending a lockdown in the state of Khartoum aimed at curbing the spread of the new coronavirus by one week until July 7 the government spokesman said on Sunday. From July 8 there will be a gradual return to normal though a night curfew will be imposed from 6 p.m. until 5 a.m. Faisal Salih told Reuters. Sudan has confirmed 9258 cases of the novel coronavirus including 572 deaths. Authorities have extended the closure of Khartoums international airport until July 12. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-sudan/sudan-extends-coronavirus-lockdown-in-khartoum-state-idUKKBN23Z0TH 29th Jun 2020

Continued Lockdown

Business Insider Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said bars gyms movie theaters waterparks and tubing rentals will shut down for 30 days as coronavirus cases continue to soar in the state. The measure is meant to help ease the strain on the states healthcare system. https://www.businessinsider.com/arizona-governor-closes-bars-gyms-movie-theaters-for-month-2020-6 29th Jun 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Bharat Biotechs COVID19 vaccine has been approved for human trials making it Indias first domestic candidate to get the green light from the governments drug regulator as cases surge in a country with more than 1.3 billion people. The Drug Controller General of India has approved the companys application to conduct a Phase I and II clinical trial of Covaxin which was developed along with the Indian Council of Medical Researchs National Institute of Virology the company said in a statement on Monday. Human clinical trials are scheduled to start across the country in July for the vaccine which was developed and manufactured in Bharat Biotechs facility at Genome Valley in Hyderabad India. India which lags only the United States Brazil and Russia in total cases reported close to 20000 new infections on Monday according to data from the countrys federal Health Ministry. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-india-vaccine/indias-first-covid-19-vaccine-candidate-approved-for-human-trials-idUKKBN24108V?il=0 30th Jun 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

News-Medical.Net A new report in the journal Nature Human Behaviour in June 2020 reports predictions as to the effects of removing lockdown restrictions on the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 SARSCoV2 and suggests that individual responsibility concerning social distancing and other precautions could avoid the need for lockdowns. The ongoing COVID19 pandemic is in different phases in different countries waning in some former hotspots but rising rapidly in others. Since there are no antivirals to prevent or treat infections the only preventative measure available is social distancing and lockdowns. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20200628/Virus-re-emergence-after-lockdown-ends.aspx 29th Jun 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Hill More than 10 million people across the globe have tested positive for the coronavirus WHO DirectorGeneral Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Monday nearly 180000 of whom tested positive in the last 24 hours. Almost half a million people have died worldwide. The reality is this is not close to being over Tedros told reporters. Globally the pandemic is actually speeding up. About half the cases and nearly half the deaths across the globe have come in the Americas. The United States which accounts for about 4 percent of the global population has nearly a quarter of the total confirmed cases 2.4 million. https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/505042-who-director-pandemic-speeding-up 29th Jun 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Chinas military has received the greenlight to use a COVID19 vaccine candidate developed by its research unit and CanSino Biologics 6185.HK after clinical trials proved it was safe and showed some efficacy the company said on Monday. The Ad5nCoV is one of Chinas eight vaccine candidates approved for human trials at home and abroad for the respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus. The shot also won approval for human testing in Canada. Chinas Central Military Commission approved the use of the vaccine by the military on June 25 for a period of one year CanSino said in a filing. The vaccine candidate was developed jointly by CanSino and a research institute at the Academy of Military Science AMS. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-china-vaccine/cansinos-covid-19-vaccine-candidate-approved-for-military-use-in-china-idUSKBN2400DZ 29th Jun 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Mexico is in talks with the Chinese government and private Chinese laboratories as well as the University of Oxford and company AstraZeneca about running trials for experimental COVID19 vaccines a senior Mexican official said on Monday. More than 100 vaccines against the novel coronavirus which has killed hundreds of thousands of people and ravaged the global economy are now being developed and tested by various teams around the world. Martha Delgado a Mexican deputy foreign minister told Reuters the government was seeking to collaborate with different countries and laboratories that are working on experimental vaccines. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-mexico-vaccines-idUSKBN2402WT 29th Jun 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

WSAY Singapores state investor Temasek and other investors are injecting 250 million into German biotech company BioNTech which is developing an experimental vaccine against the coronavirus with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer. The investment which BioNTech said was via a private placement reflects heightened investor interest in the race to develop an agent that will stop the pandemic and sent shares in biotech firms such as Moderna and Novavax soaring this year. U.S.listed shares in the German company jumped almost 15 to their highest since March 19 on the news. They have surged more than 80 so far this year against the Nasdaq biotech indexs gain of 12. https://wsau.com/news/articles/2020/jun/29/temasek-led-investor-group-in-250-million-vaccine-bet-on-biontech/1034083/?refer-section=health 29th Jun 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

CNBC Gilead Sciences announced its pricing plans in preparation for it to begin charging for the drug in July. The company has been donating doses to the U.S. government for distribution since it received emergency use authorization in May. The drugmaker said it will sell remdesivir for 390 per vial to governments of developed countries around the world and the price for U.S. private insurance companies will stand at 520 per vial. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/29/gileads-coronavirus-treatment-remdesivir-to-cost-3120-for-us-insured-patients.html 29th Jun 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Scotsman As lockdown restrictions ease across the UK concerns amongst experts are growing in regards to the possibility of a second wave of coronavirus cases if social distancing guidelines are not adhered to https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/health/will-there-be-second-wave-coronavirus-could-cases-covid-19-uk-rise-again-after-germany-sees-infection-rate-jump-2872312 29th Jun 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

News.com.au The declaration by New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian that Victorians shouldnt cross the border and that her citizens should avoid travel south highlights the seriousness of the resurgence. Authorities say the situation is likely to get much worse given the benefits of renewed restrictions and a rapid testing blitz across 10 suburbs wont be felt for weeks. Professor James McCaw from the Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics at The University of Melbourne initially wondered whether the uptick was just a blip that could be managed. The pendulum is starting to swing towards this being more than a statistical blip Prof McCaw said. While there is no apparent uptick in hospitalisation yet it is too early to tell why. It may be that cases are in younger people picked up by the targeted testing system who are less likely to become severely ill. Or it may be that in a few weeks time we will see increasing hospitalisations as the infection spreads further. https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/is-victorias-dire-covid19-situation-going-to-be-australias-second-wave-of-coronavirus/news-story/180dfb7fe2cc7d3631916ea7d89a35e5 29th Jun 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Newcastle Herald Victorians have been warned they might be legally forced to minimise their movements to help contain the spread of coronavirus after the state recorded 75 new cases. Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said the increase in cases on Monday was concerning but big numbers could be turned around if people do the right thing. https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/6809858/vic-records-highest-peak-since-lockdown/?cs=9397 29th Jun 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Daily Mail As of Monday 1015 inmates in the prison had tested positive for COVID19. The number has grown by 973 in just two weeks. The spike is thought to have been caused by an influx of inmates from California Institute for Men. Sixteen inmates there died from the virus 121 were transferred to San Quentin on May 31. Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Monday some inmates would be removed to be cared for in medical facilities. It comes as the number of cases across the US continues to rise https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8472293/More-1-000-inmates-Californias-San-Quentin-Prison-coronavirus.html 29th Jun 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Daily Mail In the weeks following a prison staff members positive coronavirus test 35 inmates in five buildings tested positive. Less than two months later despite quarantines 71 out of 98 remaining inmates in those buildings were infected. Sixteen people tested negative once before testing positive and two had two negative COVID19 tests before the tested positive. Weeks may have elapsed between when they were infected and when they tested positive a CDC report reveals https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-8472277/CDC-report-reveals-coronavirus-spread-72-inmates-exposed-Louisiana.html 29th Jun 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Los Angeles Times Los Angeles County health officials issued a dire warning Monday that conditions amid the COVID19 pandemic are deteriorating rapidly and the highly contagious virus is spreading swiftly in the nations most populous county. They said they are now faced with one of their biggest fears that the reopening of L.A. County would coincide with sudden jumps in disease transmission that have the potential to overwhelm public and private hospitals. L.A. County has long been the epicenter of the coronavirus in California with nearly 98000 confirmed cases and more than 3300 deaths but officials said Monday that the outbreak is worsening. Barbara Ferrer the director of public health for L.A. County said that new data show alarming increases in cases positivity rates and hospitalization. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-06-29/l-a-county-issues-dire-warning-amid-alarming-increases-in-coronavirus 29th Jun 2020

New Lockdown

Wales Online Coronavirus testing data will be discussed at a Monday morning meeting between Leicesters mayor and Government officials amid suggestions a local lockdown could be imposed on the city. City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby and the councils director of public health Ivan Browne will be present to examine the data behind a local surge in Covid19 cases in recent weeks. Sir Peter said the council was only provided with detailed testing information for the first time on Thursday a week after Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that there was a local outbreak in the city. It comes as restrictions are being eased elsewhere in the UK with parks and shops with outdoor entrances able to reopen in Scotland and schools in Wales welcoming more pupils https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/uks-first-local-lockdown-discussed-18505094 29th Jun 2020

New Lockdown

BBC Leicester could be kept in the current stage of lockdown for another two weeks because of a local surge in coronavirus cases. That means pubs and restaurants would remain closed when they open in the rest of England from Saturday and social distancing guidelines would stay at 2m 6ft. But local politicians say it is unclear how restrictions can still be maintained in one area. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-52934822 29th Jun 2020

New Lockdown

Reuters The western German state of North RhineWestphalia NRW said on Monday that as a precaution it would extend by one week a lockdown in one of two districts affected by an outbreak of the coronavirus at a slaughterhouse. NRW premier Armin Laschet said restrictions keeping bars museums galleries cinemas sports halls gyms and swimming pools shut would remain in place in the district of Guetersloh for now even though the outbreak was under control. A lockdown in the neighbouring district of Warendorf will be lifted on Tuesday because the number of positive tests there was lower than in Guetersloh. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-germany-meat/germany-extends-lockdown-in-district-hit-by-covid-19-in-abattoir-idUKKBN2401US 29th Jun 2020

New Lockdown

MSN Kazakh President KassymJomart Tokayev ordered his government on Monday to prepare a package of coronavirus restrictions similar to the hard lockdown that the Central Asian nation imposed in MarchMay after a recent sharp rise in infections. Tokayev gave his cabinet two days to draft the new measures and scolded senior officials formally reprimanding a few for botching the reopening and allowing the outbreak to resurge in the country of 19 million. In foreign observers opinion the situation in Kazakhstan is critical on the brink of spiraling out of control he said adding that the government was considering several lockdown options and ways to support the economy. https://www.msn.com/en-xl/europe/top-stories/kazakhstan-heads-for-second-covid-19-lockdown-after-botched-reopening/ar-BB166zSD 29th Jun 2020

New Lockdown

Globalnews.ca Indias 20000 new infections was a new daily record. Several states reimposed partial or full lockdowns after the total number of cases jumped by nearly 100000 in one week to 548318. While some states have tightened precautions in the worstaffected regions of Maharashtra which includes Indias financial capital Mumbai and Delhi home to the federal capital of New Delhi most restrictions have been eased with restaurants shopping malls and parks reopened and public buses and sharedride services back on the roads. https://globalnews.ca/news/7119573/coronavirus-cases-surge-worldwide-lockdowns/ 29th Jun 2020

New Lockdown

RTL Today The number of coronavirus cases is starting to rise again in several countries especially in the south of Europe. Portugal for example has recently reimposed lockdown measures in some neighbourhoods around Lisbon. https://today.rtl.lu/news/world/a/1541010.html 29th Jun 2020

New Lockdown

FRANCE 24 English The central English city of Leicester could be the countrys first to face a local lockdown due to a rise in coronavirus cases the UKs Home Secretary Priti Patel said Sunday. The Midlands city recorded 658 new cases in the two weeks up to June 16 many linked to fresh outbreaks at food production plants. Patel told the BBC that there have been flareups across the country in recent weeks in just the last three or four weeks in particular. For local outbreaks it is appropriate to have local solutions in terms of infection control social distancing screening and many tools she added. https://www.france24.com/en/20200628-uk-city-of-leicester-could-be-the-first-to-face-local-lockdown-after-virus-surge 29th Jun 2020

New Lockdown

FRANCE 24 China imposed a strict lockdown on nearly half a million people near the capital to contain a fresh coronavirus outbreak on Sunday as authorities warned it was soon to relax over the new cluster of cases. After China largely brought the virus under control hundreds have been infected in Beijing and cases have emerged in neighbouring Hebei province. Health officials said Sunday that Anxin county about 150 kilometres 90 miles from Beijing will be fully enclosed and controlled the same strict measures imposed at the height of the pandemic in the city of Wuhan earlier this year. https://www.france24.com/en/20200628-half-a-million-in-lockdown-as-beijing-fights-new-virus-cluster 29th Jun 2020

New Lockdown

The New York Times The capital district of the northeastern state of Assam on the Bangladesh border has reimposed a full lockdown until July 12 following a spike in cases. Another border state West Bengal has extended its lockdown until July 31. However in Indias worstaffected states Maharashtra which includes Indias financial capital Mumbai and Delhi home to the federal capital of New Delhi most lockdown restrictions have been eased with restaurants shopping malls and parks reopened and public buses and sharedride services back on the roads. https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2020/06/28/business/ap-as-virus-outbreak-asia.html 29th Jun 2020

New Lockdown

Voice of America A rise in coronavirus cases around the world is prompting authorities in some countries including India and the United States to reimpose lockdown restrictions as the head of the World Health Organization said the pandemic is not even close to being over. Most people remain susceptible. The virus still has a lot of room to move WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Monday during a virtual briefing in Geneva. Although many countries have made some progress globally the pandemic is actually speeding up he said. India reported another record oneday increase in confirmed cases Monday with nearly 20000 a jump of more than 100000 in a week. The country trails only the United States Brazil and Russia in total confirmed cases since the pandemic began late last year in China. Part of Indias Assam state has reimposed its lockdown through July 12 while West Bengal state extended its restrictions until the end of July. https://www.voanews.com/covid-19-pandemic/spike-covid-19-cases-brings-renewed-lockdowns 29th Jun 2020

New Lockdown

Shropshire Star With people increasingly venturing out in public new clusters are tied to a variety of places. Health Minister Park Neunghoo announced on Sunday that the government is prepared to implement stronger social distancing measures if the epidemic continues to grow. He said the strongest measures including banning all gatherings of more than 10 people shutting schools halting professional sports and restricting operations of nonessential businesses will be enforced if the daily increase in infections doubles more than two times during the span of a week. https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/world-news/2020/06/29/seoul-considers-new-lockdown-measures-as-virus-cases-climb/ 29th Jun 2020

New Lockdown

IBTimes UK China imposed a strict lockdown on nearly half a million people in a province surrounding the capital to contain a fresh coronavirus cluster on Sunday as authorities warned the outbreak was still severe and complicated. After China largely brought the virus under control hundreds have been infected in Beijing and cases have emerged in neighbouring Hebei province in recent weeks. Health officials said Sunday that Anxin county about 150 kilometres 90 miles from Beijing will be fully enclosed and controlled the same strict measures imposed at the height of the pandemic in the city of Wuhan earlier this year. Only one person from each family will be allowed to go out once a day to purchase necessities such as food and medicine the countys epidemic prevention task force said in a statement. https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/china-puts-half-million-people-lockdown-beijing-fights-new-cluster-1680052 29th Jun 2020

New Lockdown

Evening Standard Texas has seen a surge of cases after allowing businesses to reopen following the US nationwide lockdown and has begun to reimpose restrictions. Both Vice President Mike Pence and Texas Governor Greg Abbott acknowledged the rapid rise in the number of coronavirus cases in the state in recent weeks after Mr Abbott began allowing businesses to start reopening in early May. Covid 19 has taken a very swift and very dangerous turn in Texas over just the past few weeks said Mr Abbott who on Friday again shut down bars and limited restaurant dining a day after Texas reported a record high confirmed positive tests of 5996. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/coronavirus-deaths-worldwide-china-seoul-lockdown-a4482686.html 29th Jun 2020

New Lockdown

BBC China has reinstated a strict lockdown near Beijing affecting around 400000 people after a small surge in cases. The restrictions have come into force in Anxin county in Hebei province near the capital. After the pandemic emerged in China at the end of last year the country has managed to get new infections to a consistently low level. To avoid a second wave even small surges are taken very seriously by the countrys health authorities. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-53216047 29th Jun 2020

New Lockdown

The Guardian The Victorian premier Daniel Andrews says the state will consider potential stayathome orders and suburban lockdowns to contain several coronavirus clusters in Melbourne after another 49 cases of coronavirus were detected on Saturday the highest daily number since April. The overall total has increased by 41 with eight cases reclassified after further testing found these indeterminate results to be negative. On Sunday afternoon the federal deputy chief medical officer Michael Kidd told reporters that while Victorias spike was of genuine concern it was not a second wave. This is not a second wave he said. What were seeing in Victoria is exactly what was planned when we have outbreaks occurring across the country. He praised the Victorian governments response so far saying it was very vigorous and appropriate. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/28/coronavirus-in-victoria-daniel-andrews-considers-suburban-lockdowns-as-49-new-cases-confirmed 29th Jun 2020

New Lockdown

BBC Pubs and restaurants in Leicester may stay closed for two more weeks due to a surge in coronavirus cases the citys mayor has said. Sir Peter Soulsby said the government had recommended current restrictions are maintained for a further fortnight. He told the Today programme the city could remain restricted for two weeks longer than the rest of the country. The prime minister said Public Health England and local authorities had the power to bring in a local lockdown. There have been 2987 positive cases in Leicester since the pandemic began with 866 of those 29 reported in the two weeks to 23 June. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-53217095 29th Jun 2020

New Lockdown

London South East Coronavirus testing data will be discussed at a Monday morning meeting between Leicesters mayor and UK Government officials amid suggestions a local lockdown could be imposed on the city. City Mayor Peter Soulsby and the councils Director of Public Health Ivan Browne will be present to examine the data behind a local surge in Covid19 cases in recent weeks. Soulsby said the council was only provided with detailed testing information for the first time on Thursday in a week after Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that there was a local outbreak in the city. It comes as restrictions are being eased elsewhere in the UK with parks and shops with outdoor entrances able to reopen in Scotland and schools in Wales welcoming more pupils. The Welsh Government said schools will operate with staggered starts and breaks for check in catch up and prepare sessions starting on Monday. https://www.lse.co.uk/news/leicester-faces-local-lockdown-as-covid-19-cases-under-scrutiny-y4aa9sk4jlfc3vz.html 29th Jun 2020