Key developments in the global coronavirus outbreak today include:
US unemployment reaches record heights
More than 20 million people in the US lost their jobs in April, more than trebling the unemployment rate. The pandemic has triggered a financial crisis in the US unseen since the Great Depression.
Hong Kong eases physical distancing measures
Hong Kong has begun to relax physical distancing measures, with bars, gyms, cinemas and beauty parlours opening today. For the last 18 days, the number of new Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong has been in the single digits, with 11 days showing a zero tally. All new infections have been residents returning from overseas, who are quarantined immediately.
Denmark to relax lockdown
Denmark will reopen museums, theatres, cinemas, zoos and outdoor amusement parks on 8 June, the country’s government has announced. Restrictions on gatherings will also be altered, enabling between 30 and 50 people to congregate, depending on the event, compared to the current limitation of 10. The country also announced that shopping centres will reopen from 11 May, with restaurants, places of worship and schools for 11- to 15-year-olds to resume a week later.
‘Significant changes to lifestyle’ until vaccine found, WHO warns
People may have to live with a significant change to their lifestyles until a vaccine for coronavirus has been found, Dr Michael Ryan has warned at today’s World Health Organization briefing. He said that the WHO’s examination of global lockdown measures and their easing shows that a “careful and measured return of those kind of normal activities of work and school – especially when they are done with density reduction” seems to be effective, but mass gatherings are much more difficult.
South Africa to release 20,000 prisoners
Almost 20,000 prisoners will be released in attempt to halt the spread of coronavirus in South African prisons. The president, Cyril Ramaphosa, said the low-risk inmates would be freed, after the UN called for countries to reduce the number of inmates in prisons to aid physical distancing and self-isolation measures.
Italian opposition file motion of no-confidence against justice minister
Opposition parties in Italy have filed a motion of no-confidence in the justice minister, Alfonso Bonafede, who was criticised for releasing 376 top mafiosi because of the risk of coronavirus infection. During the pandemic, Italian judges have released hundreds of elderly mobsters owing to their vulnerability to Covid-19 complications, but prosecutors, anti-mafia associations and opposition parties have warned that mafia members could abuse this to secure their release.
Israel’s confirmed coronavirus cases drop below 500
The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Israel has dropped below 500 for the first time since a strict eight-week lockdown was imposed. In recent days, the country has recorded fewer than 50 new cases a day, with the number of recoveries bypassing that of new infections. Hospitals have begun to close coronavirus wards, but remain on standby in case of a second peak.
South Korea fears anti-gay backlash
Fears of a homophobic backlash in South Korea are mounting after a man infected with coronavirus was reported to have visited clubs in Seoul’s gay district. The 31-year-old tested positive for the virus on Thursday, and by Friday 14 of his contacts were also confirmed to have contracted the disease. Members of the gay community fear this will trigger a rise in efforts to out them, in a country where most gay people choose to keep their sexuality hidden.
