14th May 2020 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=8 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

Reuters UK British property website Rightmove said visits to its site rose 45 on Wednesday morning compared with a day earlier after the government moved to reopen the housing market which it had effectively closed as part of the coronavirus lockdown. Email enquiries to agents rose by 70 and new listings also increased with 2115 new properties added in five hours Rightmove said. Buyers and renters in England were given the goahead to move house again by the government on Wednesday when estate agents offices reopened and buyers and renters were allowed to able to view properties in person. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-britain-housing/uk-property-website-rightmove-sees-signs-of-life-as-lockdown-eases-idUKKBN22P1Y5 13th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

BBC Lockdown rules are now different in England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland. But where does that leave those who live on a border or live in one country and work in another In Englands northernmost town BerwickuponTweed in Northumberland some residents told us they felt torn. Boris Johnson encouraged people in England who could not work from home to go back to work. Yet over the border in Scotland the message has remained stay at home. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-52632829 13th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

BBC South East Wales Some people in England who cannot work from home are returning to their workplaces today as the government begins easing some lockdown measures. The government urged people to avoid public transport if possible. But some commuters said Tube trains and buses were still too busy to observe social distancing rules. Meanwhile new guidance issued by the College of Policing said officers had no powers to enforce twometre distancing in England. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52642222 13th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Guardian Britains coastal resorts have told visitors to stay away amid concerns that people may be drawn to the seaside as the weather improves and the lockdown is eased in England. The tourism body for Blackpool has rebranded as Do Not Visit Blackpool in an attempt to discourage visitors after new guidance came into force on Wednesday allowing people in England to travel to open space irrespective of distance. Simon Blackburn the leader of Blackpool council said the UK governments new message meant there was nothing we can do to stop visitors but he urged people to stay away. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/may/13/coastal-towns-visitors-stay-away-lockdown-eases-england-blackpool-covid-19-seaside-resorts 13th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

Sky News People who cannot work from home are now being urged to go back to work as the government eases lockdown rules in England. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-union-warns-it-will-stop-trains-after-crowds-on-first-day-of-eased-lockdown-11987412 13th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

BBC The government has set out plans to restart Englands housing market which has been in deep freeze since the coronavirus lockdown. Estate agents can now open viewings can be carried out and removal firms and conveyancers can restart operations. Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said the changes must be carried out under social distancing and safety rules. It is estimated there are 450000 buyers and renters with plans on hold. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52640696 13th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

Reuters England tentatively began easing its coronavirus lockdown on Wednesday with some people who cannot do their jobs at home urged to return to work as stark economic data showed the disastrous impact of the pandemic. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain/england-tiptoes-out-of-lockdown-as-economy-dives-idUSKBN22P10N 13th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

Business Insider Italy began easing its coronavirus restrictions on May 4. Before that the country had been carrying out one of the worlds strictest lockdowns and the country is still urging people to follow social distancing. Business Insider talked to a handful of people throughout Italy about how they had been navigating the lockdown and what they were doing with some of their new freedom. https://www.businessinsider.com/italians-across-country-reflect-on-lockdown-as-restrictions-ease-2020-5 13th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

Evening Standard Teachers in France are using paint and chalk to ensure social distancing measures are enforced as students return to school this week. France is gradually lifting stay at home measures following two months of coronavirus lockdown. Teachers have been told they must wear face masks and classes are capped at 10 students at preschools and 15 elsewhere. Images of school children playing in isolated squares in Tourcoing northern France were taken by Lionel Top a TV journalist with the BFM news channel on Tuesday. He said the children had been told to stay in their zones. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/lockdown-france-eased-teachers-paint-social-distancing-a4439546.html 13th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Independent A photograph of nursery school children sitting apart from each another in squares drawn on the ground in chalk has caused sadness and outrage in France. The picture was taken by TV journalist Lionel Top on Tuesday in the northern town of Tourcoing on the border with Belgium. It shows a group of seven children trying to play while being isolated by chalk squares. Around 1.5 million elementary and primary school pupils returned to classes this week after the French government relaxed restrictions after almost two months of coronavirus lockdown. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/coronavirus-france-lockdown-children-school-isolation-chalk-squares-a9511986.html 13th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

Bloomberg Frances tentative exit from lockdown will probably allow coronavirus infections to rebound leading to more than 150000 new cases and 5000 deaths this month according to researchers at the business school Insead. As restrictions ease and the virus circulates more actively the number of new Covid19 cases will likely start rising again Inseads Phebo Wibbens and two colleagues said in a report. To bring new daily infection numbers to just 100 France would have needed to prolong its lockdown by three months according to their statistical model. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-13/france-seen-facing-5-000-more-deaths-in-may-as-lockdown-eases 13th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

BBC Bus drivers have expressed concerns over their safety as lockdown measures ease and passenger numbers rise. The Office for National Statistics said road transport drivers had some of the highest rates of death involving coronavirus of any working group. Forty two London transport staff including 12 bus workers have died after contracting Covid19. People in England are being encouraged to return to work if they cannot work at home but avoid public transport. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-52646034 13th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Straits Times Factory and construction workers in Russia were set to return to work on Tuesday May 12 after President Vladimir Putin ordered a gradual easing of coronavirus lockdown measures despite a sharp increase in new cases of the novel virus. Putin in a surprise announcement on Monday said it was time after six weeks to lift nationwide restrictions that had forced many people to work from home and businesses to temporarily close. He made the announcement on a day when Russia overtook Italy to become the country with the fourthhighest number of cases in the world according to Johns Hopkins University in the United States. https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/russia-reports-10899-new-coronavirus-cases-surpassing-britains-tally 13th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

Reuters South Korea health authorities said on Wednesday they had no immediate plans to reinstate strict social distancing rules despite a fresh coronavirus outbreak in the capital of Seoul. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-southkorea/south-korea-sticks-with-virus-lockdown-rollback-despite-nightclub-outbreak-idUSKBN22P0NO 13th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

YAHOO! New Zealand reported zero new cases of the coronavirus on Wednesday the second day in a row without any new cases and the fourth day since early last week. DirectorGeneral of Health Ashley Bloomfield said it was encouraging news as the country prepares to ease many of its lockdown restrictions from midnight. Most businesses including malls retail stores and sitdown restaurants will be able to reopen. Social distancing rules will remain in place and gatherings will be limited to 10 people. The sense of anticipation is both palpable and understandable Bloomfield said https://in.news.yahoo.com/zealand-sees-no-coronavirus-cases-061500080.html 13th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

Stuff.co.nz Segments of Hollywood are looking to move to New Zealands nearCovidfree shores as the countrys film industry stands to win big in coming months. New Zealand Film Commission chief executive Annabelle Sheehans optimism is matched by BusinessNZ Equity NZ and the Wellywood councillor in charge of economic development. Sheehan said 47 local productions with a spend of around 200 million were stalled or unable to start when lockdown hit. That was on top of seven or eight international projects in production or about to start employing about 3300 people and spending just under 400m. https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/121494289/coronavirus-hollywood-looks-to-new-zealand-amid-us-covid19-crisis 13th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

AlJazeera Some might have been tempted to complain that such restrictions were draconian. But Ardern relayed the order with clarity and empathy. On that day she also introduced the bubble a concept to help New Zealanders visualise who they might have close contact with during lockdown typically just their own household. The concept made social distancing into something tangible like a twometre shell protecting anyone who ventured outside. Be strong and be kind the prime minister said that day a fiveword slogan that would come to symbolise the countrys unity during the lockdown as messages like be kind or kia kaha te reo Mori for be strong were etched in chalk on pavements by children while teddy bears were left in windows as part of a nationwide game of Ispy. https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/lockdown-life-zealand-bubble-beat-coronavirus-200511174534088.html 13th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

Bloomberg New Zealand equity investors are among the most positive in the region as Kiwis begin to exit from one of the worlds strictest coronavirus lockdowns. The nations stock market is the secondbest performer in the AsiaPacific since global benchmarks plunged to their March lows according to data compiled by Bloomberg. A fading infection count and moves to unwind virus restrictions have helped unwind virus restrictions and helped the market recover about 27 from its trough trailing only South Koreas 33 improvement. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-12/investors-optimistic-as-new-zealand-begins-to-exit-lockdown 13th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

YAHOO! Restaurants cafes and some nonessential shops have reopened in Spain as parts of the country moved into phase 1 of the nations coronavirus reopening plan on May 11. El Pais reported the government announced that more than half of the countrys population will be able to visit loved ones attend funerals go shopping without a prior appointment and have a drink at a street cafe. In some regions according to the report restaurants and cafes can open their terraces at 50 percent capacity with a maximum of 10 people per table. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/people-return-sidewalk-cafes-northeastern-143150855.html 12th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

7NEWS.com.au Victorians can now invite five friends or family members over attend mass or tee off at their favourite golf course as the state officially relaxes its coronavirus restrictions. As of 11.59pm on Tuesday Victorians can invite five friends or family members over to their home but Premier Daniel Andrews has warned it is not an invitation to host a dinner party every night of the week. Its not about having a rotating roster of acquaintances and associates or your thirdbest friend from primary school over for a visit he said earlier in the week. https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/victorians-wake-to-relaxed-virus-rules-c-1033547 12th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

RFI English People wearing protective face masks walk at the financial district of La Dfense near Paris as France begun a gradual end to a twomonth nationwide lockdown intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus causing Covid19 http://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20200513-france-reports-348-new-covid-19-deaths-as-country-emerges-from-lockdown-schools-public-transport 13th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The Telegraph One hundred per cent accuracy of test developed by Swiss firm Roche confirmed by experts at PHEs Porton Down facility last week https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/05/13/exclusive-first-coronavirus-antibody-test-given-approval-public/ 13th May 2020

Exit Strategies

Belfast Telegraph Despite the UK Governments preference for a four nations approach towards softening the lockdown clear differences have emerged between the countries. The devolved governments in Northern Ireland Scotland and Wales have diverged from England notably in keeping the stay at home slogan after Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled his new stay alert message on Sunday. Here is a look at how the four UK nations and the Republic of Ireland differ in their approach to exiting the restrictive regime which was imposed across the board on March 23. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-lockdown-how-northern-ireland-differs-to-other-uk-regions-and-republic-39200364.html 13th May 2020

Exit Strategies

Independent On Sunday 10 May Boris Johnson announced the implementation of new measures to ease lockdown in England. Among the new guidelines the prime minister unveiled a change to the advice being given to workers across the nation. When the lockdown was first introduced on Monday 23 March in response to the coronavirus pandemic the government stated that if members of the public are able to work from home then they should do so accordingly. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/uk-work-return-lockdown-ease-restrictions-coronavirus-covid-secure-a9507721.html 13th May 2020

Exit Strategies

Sky News After almost two months of being urged to stay at home protect the NHS and save lives the terms of the UK lockdown have now changed. As Prime Minister Boris Johnson seeks to get parts of the British economy moving again the restrictive measures we have become used to are now different depending on which of the home nations you live in. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-how-lockdown-rules-differ-across-the-uk-11987375 13th May 2020

Exit Strategies

iNews Easing the lockdown so that people in the UK can slowly return to their prepandemic lives depends on many factors but there is one number that is mentioned time and again. The R number or R rate refers to the reproduction rate of coronavirus basically how many people on average an infected individual will pass Covid19 to. https://inews.co.uk/news/coronavirus-uk-betting-on-r-number-to-help-lift-lockdown-may-not-be-easy-way-out-2852017 13th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The Scotsman The Prime Minister revealed the governments plans for the roadmap out of lockdown on Sunday 10 May. However Scotland is not replacing the stay home message with Johnsons new stay alert slogan. The First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon has instead ordered those in Scotland to follow different advice on outdoors exercise. https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/outdoors/when-will-gyms-reopen-uk-if-fitness-centres-could-be-among-last-open-when-lockdown-eased-2843157 13th May 2020

Exit Strategies

Independent Prime minister Giuseppe Conte lets regional leaders lift restrictions from 18 May. Italys bars restaurants hairdressers and beauty salons will be able to reopen next week after the government announced new moves to relax lockdown measures during the coronavirus pandemic. The countrys regional authorities have been granted the power to lift restrictions on bars and other popular leisure businesses from 18 May. It follows pressure from local government leaders for an easing of the rules as the number of new Covid19 cases reaches its lowest level in more than two months. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/coronavirus-italy-lockdown-bars-restaurants-hairdressers-open-a9510576.html 13th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The Telegraph Highaltitude ski resorts in France Austria and Switzerland are to reopen their slopes for the summer as lockdown measures begin to ease around Europe. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ski/news/ski-resorts-in-europe-set-to-reopen-for-summer-skiing/ 13th May 2020

Exit Strategies

Deutsche Welle The regime of nonworking days as the state of affairs in Russia has officially been called for the last six weeks ended on Tuesday. The situation allows the gradual abolition of all restrictions Putin said in his recent speech to the nation. This applies to all sectors of the economy he said adding that all businesses should be able to function again heavy industry construction agriculture transport and energy. People older than 65 and those in risk groups must however continue to stay at home Putin said. Nationwide people must wear face masks in public. Many citizens were surprised about the eased regulations because Russia with more than 10000 new cases per day now ranks first in the worldwide statistics of new infections and second in the absolute number of infected people. Why then many wondered these relaxations And why now and not a few weeks ago when the official infection figures were much lower https://www.dw.com/en/russia-eases-lockdown-at-the-height-of-its-coronavirus-crisis/a-53420572 13th May 2020

Exit Strategies

CBC.ca As Canada moves to start easing lockdown measures experts say there are key lessons we can learn from other countries to avoid risking a sudden spike in new COVID19 cases. Countries like South Korea and Germany lifted some restrictions and have faced setbacks but also did some things right. What theyve shown is that easing measures could result in new outbreaks and a return to restrictions if not handled correctly. Experts say effective testing tracing and isolating of cases need to be put in place before reopening. Shutting your eyes and trying to drive through this blind is about as silly an equation as Ive seen Dr. Mike Ryan the World Health Organizations top emergencies expert said this week. And Im really concerned that certain countries are setting themselves up for some seriously blind driving over the next few months. https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/south-korea-germany-lessons-lifting-lockdown-1.5566485 13th May 2020

Exit Strategies

Yahoo News Australia Australia should be looking to other countries for cautionary tales as it eases lockdown restrictions and the coronavirus curve flattens. Many countries overseas who have experienced soaring numbers of coronavirus cases such as Germany and the UK have started easing lockdown as Australia too announced rules would be relaxed. But with this comes the risk of a spike in coronavirus cases and the feared second wave of outbreaks. So what mistakes have other countries made and what lessons can Australia learn to ensure cases can remain controlled. https://au.news.yahoo.com/australia-warned-crucial-mistakes-sparked-second-coronavirus-waves-102310990.html 13th May 2020

Exit Strategies

CNBC As authorities globally look to ease restrictions intended to contain the coronavirus and reopen economies Australian Finance Minister Mathias Cormann says the country is on the path to victory against the coronavirus. Acknowledging that Australia remains very focused on avoiding a second wave of infections Cormann said the health risk is appropriately managed at the moment. Australia has been among the countries in Asia Pacific that have announced plans to ease lockdown measures put in place earlier to curb the spread of the coronavirus. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/13/australia-is-winning-against-coronavirus-finance-minister-says.html 13th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The Times The bubble method of social distancing being adopted in the UK was pioneered by New Zealand and is credited with helping the country to all but eliminate Covid19 with only 21 deaths. For seven weeks a lockdown forced five million people into household or family bubbles in which they had to stay. Company while exercising or shopping could only be drawn from an individuals bubble which could not include outsiders. Jacinda Ardern the prime minister spoke often through social media to New Zealanders from her bubble in her official Wellington residence. It was limited to her partner infant daughter and her parents. In late March using Facebook Live she apologised for wearing a casual green jumper saying that she had just put her daughter https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/life-in-a-bubble-britain-embraces-kiwi-method-for-halting-spread-vjmfm9trp 13th May 2020

Exit Strategies

YAHOO! Russia moved to ease a nationwide coronavirus lockdown on Tuesday despite a surge in cases that has seen it register one of the worlds highest number of infections. With pressure building to get the economy moving again President Vladimir Putin on Monday announced an end to a national nonworking period in place since late March. Containment measures remained in many parts of the vast country including hardhit Moscow which is on lockdown until the end of May but others began to lift some restrictions. In Bashkortostan in the Urals officials reopened parks and river banks and in Magadan in the Far East residents were allowed to leave their homes to exercise. In Moscow some halfamillion construction and industrial workers were allowed back on the job as wearing masks and gloves became mandatory in shops and on public transport. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/russia-moves-ease-lockdown-despite-surge-virus-cases-105408785.html 12th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The New York Times Critics say the government has failed to answer some basic questions. Among them 1 when to return to work and 2 how to get there. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/11/world/europe/coronavirus-uk-boris-johnson.html 11th May 2020

Partisan Exits

CNBC Hackers linked to the Chinese government are trying to steal coronavirusrelated research on vaccines treatments and testing the FBI and a U.S. cybersecurity agency warned. The FBI in a joint statement with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said it is investigating the targeting and compromise of U.S. organizations conducting COVID19related research by Peoples Republic of Chinaaffiliated cyber actors and nontraditional collectors. The hackers have been caught attempting to identify and illicitly obtain valuable intellectual property and public health data related to coronavirus research according to the statement. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/13/coronavirus-vaccine-china-linked-hackers-are-targeting-us-research-fbi-warns.html 13th May 2020

Partisan Exits

The Scotsman Boris Johnson has insisted the UK will go forward together out of coronavirus lockdown after facing claims that devolved administrations had been shut out of the UK Governments plans. https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/pm-uk-will-go-forward-together-despite-lockdown-splits-2851910 13th May 2020

Partisan Exits

The Times A German ministerial adviser has been sacked for circulating a report that described coronavirus as a false alarm and accused the government of causing a large number of avoidable deaths through its lockdown. The 92page document was drawn up by a civil servant in the interior ministry and leaked to a rightwing website apparently after he felt that his misgivings were being ignored by his superiors. The entirely unforced collateral damage of the corona crisis has by now become gigantic it says. The protection measures ordered by the state have meanwhile lost any purpose but remain largely in force. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/german-adviser-sacked-for-report-on-lockdown-peril-jjzvpvrq9 13th May 2020

Partisan Exits

ABC News Spurred by economic pressure the provincial governor defied Rome this week and reasserted South Tyrols cherished autonomy allowing restaurants hair salons tattoo parlors and museums to reopen Monday well ahead of the timetable set by Italys government. We have a relatively positive situation regarding the epidemic with a rate of contagion the lowest in Italy said Gov. Arno Kompatscher whose South Tyrolean Peoples Party has controlled the province since 1948. The partys legislators in the national parliament back Italian Premier Giuseppe Contes government. We appreciated the actions of the government in the phase of emergency where it was necessary to move in a united way Kompatscher said. But we are very proud and jealous of our autonomy. https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/italys-south-tyrol-invokes-autonomy-pry-open-lockdown-70652880 13th May 2020

Partisan Exits

YAHOO! First independence. Then Brexit. Now Scotlands handling of the coronavirus outbreak has stirred up fresh tensions with the UK government despite an initial unified approach. The leader of the Scottish government Nicola Sturgeon has put clear water between Edinburgh and London by refusing to implement the same easing of lockdown measures. At the weekend she warned lives could be at risk if stayathome restrictions were lifted too soon just before British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a plan for a gradual return to normality. https://news.yahoo.com/tensions-mount-scotland-goes-own-way-virus-lockdown-115030941.html 13th May 2020

Partisan Exits

POLITICO The publication of a 50page document followed Prime Minister Boris Johnsons televised address to the nation on Sunday evening which was widely criticized for lacking precision. A broadcast round by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on Monday morning ahead of the documents release added to the confusion when he appeared to contradict the prime ministers assertion that anyone who is able to work safely should return to their jobs on Wednesday not Monday as Johnson had stated the night before. https://www.politico.eu/article/confusion-as-uk-boris-johnson-britain-publishes-coronavirus-covid19-lockdown-exit-plan/ 11th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

EL PAS in English The lockdown has given the 4.5 million families in the country with small children an overload of responsibility. Experts are calling for urgent measures https://english.elpais.com/society/2020-05-13/how-the-coronavirus-crisis-destroyed-work-life-balance-in-spain.html 13th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

Daily Mail London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine LSHTM made the estimate. They say for every 20000 new cases each day 770000 people would be traced. Currently 3000 cases are diagnosed per day but it is heavily underreported. The study measured the impact of appbased tracing against manual tracing . Both methods are due to be implemented by health chiefs in the coming weeks. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8312585/Up-770-000-Britons-told-self-isolate-day-contact-tracing-regime.html 13th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

GlobalNews.ca The Saskatchewan government is detaining people who are allegedly not selfisolating and putting them in a place where prisoners who are awaiting bail or trial are usually held. According to the Ministry of Justice the White Birch Remand Centre in Regina is being used as an isolation centre for those unwilling or unable to follow the selfisolation orders established by the chief medical officer of Saskatchewan. https://globalnews.ca/news/6938735/saskatchewan-government-detaining-coronavirus-patients/ 13th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

UN News The UN Peacekeeping mission in South Sudan UNMISS told the UN Spokespersons Office on Wednesday that the appearance of cases within one of the camps in the capital was not unexpected given the rising number of cases confirmed within communities across the city. The UN continues to urge displaced people in the sites to follow prevention measures such as social distancing handwashing and isolating themselves if they become sick Stphane Dujarric told reporters during the regular online briefing in New York. https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/05/1064012 13th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

Khaleej Times The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Wednesday announced 725 new cases of the Covid19 coronavirus as well as 511 new recoveries. The total number of cases in the country has reached 20386 and the total number of recoveries has also reached 6523. As many as 34869 new tests have also been carried out the ministry added. 3 people have succumbed to the illness bringing the total number of deaths to 206 in the country. The UAEs daily testing average is equivalent to a fourmonth screening average in other countries and the country has conducted over 1.5 million Covid19 tests so far the ministry had said earlier. https://www.khaleejtimes.com/coronavirus-pandemic/coronavirus-uae-announces-new-cases-recoveries-1 13th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

Financial Times A top official in Madrid has called on Spains government to move faster to end the citys lockdown arguing that keeping residents at home as other areas start to ease restrictions serves little health purpose and will deepen the damage to the nations economy. Ignacio Aguado deputy head of the Madrid regional government said there would be severe consequences for unemployment and poverty if Madrid was left behind after half the country began phasing out the coronavirus lockdown this week. https://www.ft.com/content/06102fce-b56c-4a2c-9ca2-dd73e712b09a 13th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

YAHOO! The Philippines on Tuesday announced an extension of a lockdown of its capital Manila to 11 weeks stretching one of the worlds strictest and longest community quarantines to June to try to contain coronavirus outbreaks. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/philippine-president-extend-coronavirus-lockdown-030747724.html 12th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

CNN A fire in a hospital treating coronavirus victims claimed the lives of five patients and forced the evacuation of 150 people in the Russian city of St. Petersburg on Tuesday further testing the Russian governments response to the Covid19 pandemic amid a growing crisis that has reached the Kremlins inner circle. The St. Petersburg fire broke out on the sixth floor of an intensive care unit at the St. George Hospital killing five coronavirus patients connected to ventilating equipment the TASS news agency reported citing medical personnel. According to initial findings the fire may have been caused by a short circuit in a ventilator or its malfunction state news agencies said. The Investigative Committee Russias top law enforcement body said a criminal investigation had been opened into the matter. https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/12/europe/russia-fire-coronavirus-patients-intl/index.html 12th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

YAHOO! The UK death toll could surpass 100000 if lockdown restrictions are eased too soon leading academics have warned. As many as 73000 excess deaths could happen in the next year as a direct or indirect result of the coronavirus pandemic according to a new report published in the Lancet. The UKs COVID19 death toll now exceeds 40000 which is the worst in Europe and the government has just eased restrictions. Dr Amitava Banerjee from University College London UCL is the lead author on the new study. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/coronavirus-death-toll-uk-lancet-lockdown-141419356.html 13th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Geo News Austria announced its border with Germany would be unlocked following a twomonth shutdown and Britons were allowed unlimited outdoor exercise despite a global death toll closing in on 300000. Curbs that have confined billions to their homes continued easing but the death toll spiked in some of the worlds most populated countries with Brazil Russia and the US all reporting bad news. It came as US government expert Anthony Fauci issued a stark warning to Congress about the dangers of resuming normal life too soon saying a run of 14 days with falling cases was a vital first step. https://www.geo.tv/latest/287796-lockdown-ease-in-europe-gains-pace-as-fauci-warns-of-danger-if-us-re-opens-too-soon 13th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail In Lombardy Italy over the last 5 years 19 children were admitted to a hospital with an inflammatory syndrome with symptoms resembling Kawasaki Disease. Between February 18 2020 and April 20 2020 10 children were admitted with the same symptoms such as a full body rash. 80 of the 10 tested positive for coronavirus bodies and 60 had more severe complications such as heart issues. Researchers say this is evidence the mysterious condition is linked to COVID19 and that it should be classified as Kawasakilike Disease. On Wednesday New York Governor Andrew Cuomo revealed 15 US states are investigating a link between coronavirus and the syndrome https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-8317159/80-children-Italian-hospital-rare-inflammatory-disorder-tested-positive-coronavirus.html?ito=social-twitter_mailonline 13th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Metro.co.uk The results of tens of thousands of Covid19 key worker testing kits have reportedly gone missing it has emerged. Data from essential workers home testing and drivethrough kits have been disappearing into a black hole according to NHS sources reported the HSJ. Without the information local authorities and organisations do not know exactly how many people in their area have tested positive for the virus. A Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson has denied that tests have been lost and said there was a technical error relating to postcode data but this has now been fixed. https://metro.co.uk/2020/05/13/thousands-coronavirus-test-results-disappear-12695923/ 13th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Hill A rapid coronavirus diagnostic test manufactured by Abbott may miss nearly half of all positive infections according to a prepublished study from New York University. The analysis of Abbotts ID NOW system which has not been peerreviewed found the test to be unacceptable in a clinical setting. But Abbott said its not clear if the researchers used the samples correctly. A spokesperson said the companys own rate of false negatives that it has shared with the Food and Drug Administration FDA is .02 percent. https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/497661-abbotts-rapid-coronavirus-test-misses-nearly-half-of-positive-cases-study 13th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Le Monde Even in the most affected regions less than 10 of the inhabitants have been infected according to this updated study by French epidemiologists. https://www.lemonde.fr/sciences/article/2020/05/13/en-france-le-covid-19-aurait-contamine-moins-de-5-de-la-population-loin-de-l-immunite-collective_6039584_1650684.html?utm_term=Autofeed&amputm_medium=Social&amputm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1589411595 13th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

AlJazeera Deaths of those infected with coronavirus were ascribed to other causes following postmortem exams said officials. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/05/moscow-defends-reporting-coronavirus-death-statistics-200513200922020.html?taid=5ebc948d6e6c390001c579a3&amputm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A+Trending+Content&amputm_medium=trueAnthem&amputm_source=twitter 13th May 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Bloomberg PM Pedro Sanchez is also facing growing pressure from industry groups particularly in the tourism and restaurant sectors hammered by the fallout from the virus. The government issued a decree Tuesday mandating a 14day confinement for people arriving from outside Spain a potential blow to travel companies desperate for a return to normality. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-13/spain-s-new-virus-cases-deaths-edge-higher-as-lockdown-eases 13th May 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

CIDRAP Two countriesChina and Singaporeare taking massive testing steps to tamp down COVID19 resurgences as cases continued to soar in Russia now the country with the thirdhighest number of cases. The global total today climbed to 4239872 cases and 290390 people have died from COVID19 according to the Johns Hopkins online dashboard. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/05/wuhan-use-massive-testing-against-covid-19-resurgence-russia-cases-soar 13th May 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

RepublicWorld Authorities in South KoreaMay 13 said that there were no immediate plans on reinstating stringent social distancing rules despite fresh surge in COVID19 cases https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/rest-of-the-world-news/south-korea-to-refrain-from-reimposing-lockdown-despite-rising-cases.html 13th May 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

CBS News China plans to test all 11 million people in epicenter city Wuhan after finding new cases while South Korea races to contain a new cluster in Seoul. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-in-asia-new-cases-wuhan-china-seoul-south-korea-test-contain-covid-today-2020-05-13/ 13th May 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

ITV News Authorities in the Chinese city where the coronavirus pandemic first broke out are planning to test all 11 million residents in the next 10 days local media have reported. No official announcement has been made https://www.itv.com/news/2020-05-13/china-to-test-all-11m-wuhan-residents-amid-fears-of-coronavirus-comeback/ 13th May 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

NPR South Korea is now grappling with some of its largest infection clusters yet after authorities began to loosen some social distancing restrictions this month. Scores of new cases have been reported in the past two weeks many of which are linked to a young man who stopped in at several clubs and bars in Seoul the night of May 1. Officials do not know how he contracted the virus in the first place. Its a demoralizing development for officials there who postponed their plans to reopen onsite classes in schools for the first time in more than two months. But South Korea is not the only apparent success story to report a regression recently. https://www.npr.org/2020/05/13/855117276/south-korea-and-china-see-covid-19-resurgence-after-easing-restrictions 13th May 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Bangkok Post A city in northeastern China has partially shut its borders and cut off transport links after the emergence of a local coronavirus cluster that has fuelled growing fears of a second wave of infections. Jilin with a population of more than four million suspended bus services Wednesday and said it will only allow residents to leave the city if they have tested negative for COVID19 in the past 48 hours and complete an unspecified period of strict selfisolation. All cinemas indoor gyms internet cafes and other enclosed entertainment venues must shut immediately and pharmacies must report all sales of fever and antiviral medicines the local government said in a statement. https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/1917416/chinese-city-in-partial-lockdown-major-risk-of-virus-spreading 13th May 2020

New Lockdown

The Philadelphia Inquirer Lebanon on Tuesday became the latest country to reimpose restrictions after experiencing a surge of infections almost exactly two weeks after it appeared to have contained the spread of the virus and began easing up. Authorities ordered a fourday nearcomplete lockdown to allow officials time to assess the rise in numbers. The reemergence of coronavirus cases in many parts of Asia is also prompting a return to closures in places that had claimed success in battling the disease or appeared to have eradicated it altogether including South Korea regarded as one of the continents top success stories. https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-lockdowns-relapses-lebanon-south-korea-restrictions-20200513.html 13th May 2020

New Lockdown

YAHOO! Jilin city in northeast China has closed schools imposed restrictions on transport and banned gatherings as a cluster outbreak sparks fears of a new wave of Covid19 infections. Train and longdistance bus services have been stopped gatherings banned and indoor public venues closed after six new cases were confirmed on Tuesday. That brought the total to 21 community cases with two asymptomatic patients since the first infection in the cluster was reported a week ago. Anyone who wants to leave Jilin the second biggest city in the province of the same name must provide a negative report for a nucleic acid test done in the 48 hours before departure. Social gatherings have also been banned and indoor public venues such as theatres internet cafes mahjong parlours and public bathhouses have been closed until further notice the statement said. https://sg.news.yahoo.com/china-jilin-city-goes-partial-075919096.html 13th May 2020