Spain‘s foreign minister has insisted the country is safe after the UK’s sudden imposition of a mandatory two-week quarantine for travellers, and said that any retaliatory measure would be taken “on the basis of epidemiological data”, adding: “This is not a political exercise.”
British foreign secretary Dominic Raab defended the move, described by Labour as “shambolic”, which also caught out two government ministers as they holidayed in Spain – transport secretary Grant Shapps and the minister for London, Paul Scully.
It came as North Korea identified what is believed to be its first case of Covid-19, in a defector who returned after three years, state news agency KCNA reported.
Australia recorded its largest number of deaths in one day, with all 10 taking place in Victoria, which suffered its second-highest tally of new cases despite a lockdown in Melbourne.
Please see below for how the day's events unfolded:
Good morning, we'll be using this blog to follow all of the latest developments in the coronavirus pandemic.
Aviation chief urges 'voluntary testing' and regional air corridors with Spain
The government should adopt "voluntary testing" and regional air corridors instead of quarantining all holidaymakers returning from Spain, the group which represents the airline industry said.
"We back the idea of voluntary testing on arrival or before you leave, we think testing would enable perhaps countries where quarantine would still apply as a whole, to enable individuals to come back without the need for quarantine if they test," Rob Griggs of Airlines UK told BBC Breakfast.
"And that's something that's been trialled in various parts around the world now, but we also think it's important to enable countries that are on the 'go' list, and people are able to fly, they will have the added reassurance that they would be able to take a test when they come back and not have to quarantine.
"For us the testing element is very important and the regional aspect, if the whole country isn't necessarily affected in the same way, can we be a little bit more specific in whether restrictions apply."
The government should adopt "voluntary testing" and regional air corridors instead of quarantining all holidaymakers returning from Spain, the group which represents the airline industry said.
"We back the idea of voluntary testing on arrival or before you leave, we think testing would enable perhaps countries where quarantine would still apply as a whole, to enable individuals to come back without the need for quarantine if they test," Rob Griggs of Airlines UK told BBC Breakfast.
"And that's something that's been trialled in various parts around the world now, but we also think it's important to enable countries that are on the 'go' list, and people are able to fly, they will have the added reassurance that they would be able to take a test when they come back and not have to quarantine.
"For us the testing element is very important and the regional aspect, if the whole country isn't necessarily affected in the same way, can we be a little bit more specific in whether restrictions apply."
Labour criticises 'shambolic' Spain quarantine plans
Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said the government's sudden decision to take Spain off the safe list had left holidaymakers "confused and distressed".
"I understand why they've made the decision but, of course, the way in which this decision has been made in the last 24 hours is frankly shambolic," the Labour MP told Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme.
"There are holidaymakers in Spain at the moment confused and distressed, there are people about to go on holiday to Spain and the islands like Tenerife who are confused, and they don't know whether their employers will allow them to take two weeks' quarantine - the government is just saying, 'we hope that employers co-operate'.
"Well, to be frank, I hope I win the lottery on Saturday but that doesn't mean it is going to happen.
"We need clarity from government now as to whether those who are asked to quarantine, whether they'll get financial support if their employers refuse it them and we need clarity for those holidaymakers who are currently in Spain who have properly saved up all year for their family holiday who are confused and distressed.
"The way in which this decision has been communicated is obviously causing anxiety."
"I understand why they've made the decision but, of course, the way in which this decision has been made in the last 24 hours is frankly shambolic," the Labour MP told Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme.
"There are holidaymakers in Spain at the moment confused and distressed, there are people about to go on holiday to Spain and the islands like Tenerife who are confused, and they don't know whether their employers will allow them to take two weeks' quarantine - the government is just saying, 'we hope that employers co-operate'.
"Well, to be frank, I hope I win the lottery on Saturday but that doesn't mean it is going to happen.
"We need clarity from government now as to whether those who are asked to quarantine, whether they'll get financial support if their employers refuse it them and we need clarity for those holidaymakers who are currently in Spain who have properly saved up all year for their family holiday who are confused and distressed.
"The way in which this decision has been communicated is obviously causing anxiety."
Our political correspondent Ashley Cowburn has the details on the government's decision to add Spain to the mandatory two-week quarantine list.
UK 'must be able to take swift, decisive action', Dominic Raab says
The foreign secretary has said the government could did not apologise for the decision to re-introduce quarantine measures on Spain at short notice.
"The cases in Spain, the data came we got was on the Friday, showed a big jump right across mainland Spain, that was then assessed yesterday afternoon and we took the decision as swiftly as we could," he told Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme."And we can't make apologies for doing so.
"We must be able to take swift, decisive action, particularly in relation to localised, or internationally in relation to Spain or a particular country, where we see we must take action.
"Otherwise, we risk re-infection into the UK, potentially a second wave here and then another lockdown.
"So yes, I understand it is disruptive for those going through this who are in Spain or have been considering going but we must though be able to take swift, decisive action to protect the UK because we've made such progress in getting the virus down and prevent the virus re-taking hold in the UK."
"The cases in Spain, the data came we got was on the Friday, showed a big jump right across mainland Spain, that was then assessed yesterday afternoon and we took the decision as swiftly as we could," he told Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme."And we can't make apologies for doing so.
"We must be able to take swift, decisive action, particularly in relation to localised, or internationally in relation to Spain or a particular country, where we see we must take action.
"Otherwise, we risk re-infection into the UK, potentially a second wave here and then another lockdown.
"So yes, I understand it is disruptive for those going through this who are in Spain or have been considering going but we must though be able to take swift, decisive action to protect the UK because we've made such progress in getting the virus down and prevent the virus re-taking hold in the UK."
Global efforts to find Covid-19 medicines 'being hindered by haphazard use of treatments in US, expert says
Global efforts to find Covid-19 medicines are being hindered by the haphazard use of treatments in the US, the expert leading Britain's quest for a cure has said.
Professor Martin Landray has told The Observer that American researchers have been compromising attempts to find a treatment by testing drugs in "an arbitrary, williy-nilly way".
Global efforts to find Covid-19 medicines are being hindered by the haphazard use of treatments in the US, the expert leading Britain's quest for a cure has said.
Professor Martin Landray has told The Observer that American researchers have been compromising attempts to find a treatment by testing drugs in "an arbitrary, williy-nilly way".
The UK's Recovery Trial programme has involved 12,000 patients at several hundred British hospitals. It has already highlighted one promising new drug and found two others previously thought to have potential as being useless in the fight against coronavirus.
Practices in the US, however, have meant drugs that could help are yet to be properly evaluated, Prof Landray said.
At the top of the list is convalescent plasma - blood plasma taken from Covid-19 patients which contains antibodies that could protect against the disease.
"Tens of thousands of people have been given convalescent plasma in the US but these treatments were not randomised," Prof Landray, one of the founders of the Recovery Trial programme, told the paper.
"They just give individuals convalescent plasma in the hope it will work. Vast quantities have been given and they still have no idea whether it helps, harms or has no impact."
Parents to create wind-farm outside Downing Street to urge coronavirus recovery tackles climate change
More than 100 high-profile parents have urged Boris Johnson to ensure the recovery from the coronavirus crisis tackles climate change, our womens' correspondent Maya Oppenheim reports.
An open letter asking the prime minister to ensure the response to the Covid-19 emergency takes climate change into account has been signed by Julie Walters and Lily Cole, two actors, Paloma Faith, a musician, Chris Packham, the TV naturalist, and others.
Parents will gather outside Downing Street on Sunday where they will create a real-life wind farm with handheld bamboo turbines to signify the low-carbon recovery they say is required “to create jobs for our children today and help ensure a safe climate tomorrow”.
More than 100 high-profile parents have urged Boris Johnson to ensure the recovery from the coronavirus crisis tackles climate change, our womens' correspondent Maya Oppenheim reports.
An open letter asking the prime minister to ensure the response to the Covid-19 emergency takes climate change into account has been signed by Julie Walters and Lily Cole, two actors, Paloma Faith, a musician, Chris Packham, the TV naturalist, and others.
Parents will gather outside Downing Street on Sunday where they will create a real-life wind farm with handheld bamboo turbines to signify the low-carbon recovery they say is required “to create jobs for our children today and help ensure a safe climate tomorrow”.
Australia records highest number of daily infections
Australia has recorded its highest ever daily tally of deaths from coronavirus, as authorities in Victoria state battled scores of clusters of infection and intensified efforts to trace their contacts.
State leader Daniel Andrews told a media briefing the state had reported 10 Covid-19 deaths in the past 24 hours, Australia's highest ever daily toll. Victoria also recorded 459 new cases of the coronavirus, its second highest tally ever, he said, falling short only of the 483 last Wednesday, and up from 357 on Saturday, as infections remained persistent despite a two-week lockdown of its biggest city, Melbourne.
The state's second wave is being driven by workplace infections at places like aged-care and healthcare facilities, big distribution centres, slaughterhouses, cold-storage facilities and warehouses, Andrews said.
"What that tells you is that some people ... are feeling sick, they have symptoms and they are still going to work," he said. "If that continues, then we will just continue to see more and more cases."
Australia has recorded its highest ever daily tally of deaths from coronavirus, as authorities in Victoria state battled scores of clusters of infection and intensified efforts to trace their contacts.
State leader Daniel Andrews told a media briefing the state had reported 10 Covid-19 deaths in the past 24 hours, Australia's highest ever daily toll. Victoria also recorded 459 new cases of the coronavirus, its second highest tally ever, he said, falling short only of the 483 last Wednesday, and up from 357 on Saturday, as infections remained persistent despite a two-week lockdown of its biggest city, Melbourne.
The state's second wave is being driven by workplace infections at places like aged-care and healthcare facilities, big distribution centres, slaughterhouses, cold-storage facilities and warehouses, Andrews said.
"What that tells you is that some people ... are feeling sick, they have symptoms and they are still going to work," he said. "If that continues, then we will just continue to see more and more cases."
Dominic Raab warns of 'summer of uncertainty' after air bridge to Spain pulled with hours notice
The foreign secretary admitted the government could not give a “guarantee” other countries or territories would be removed the safe flight list if they experienced a spike in coronavirus transmission rates, Ashley Cowburn reports.
Questioned on why the decision was made by ministers with such short notice, Mr Raab told Sky New’s Sophy Ridge programme that data compiled by the government on Friday showed a “big jump” in coronavirus infections across mainland Spain.
“That was then assessed yesterday afternoon and we took the decision as swiftly as we could,” he said. “We can’t make apologies for doing so. We must be able to take swift, decisive action, particularly in relation to localised, or internationally in relation to Spain or a particular country, where we see we must take action.
"Otherwise, we risk re-infection into the UK, potentially a second wave here and then another lockdown.”
Questioned on why the decision was made by ministers with such short notice, Mr Raab told Sky New’s Sophy Ridge programme that data compiled by the government on Friday showed a “big jump” in coronavirus infections across mainland Spain.
“That was then assessed yesterday afternoon and we took the decision as swiftly as we could,” he said. “We can’t make apologies for doing so. We must be able to take swift, decisive action, particularly in relation to localised, or internationally in relation to Spain or a particular country, where we see we must take action.
"Otherwise, we risk re-infection into the UK, potentially a second wave here and then another lockdown.”
Russia records over 5,000 new cases
Russia has reported 5,765 new coronavirus cases and 77 more deaths, a steep decline from the 146 deaths reported a day earlier.
The nationwide tally of infections has risen to 812,485, Russia's coronavirus crisis response centre said. The Covid-19 death toll now stands at 13,269 and 600,250 people have recovered.
Reuters
Russia has reported 5,765 new coronavirus cases and 77 more deaths, a steep decline from the 146 deaths reported a day earlier.
The nationwide tally of infections has risen to 812,485, Russia's coronavirus crisis response centre said. The Covid-19 death toll now stands at 13,269 and 600,250 people have recovered.
Reuters
Voices: Left unchallenged, anti-vaxxers could become as contagious as coronavirus itself
The country took a cautious sigh of relief this week as news broke that the coronavirus vaccine being developed by Oxford academics triggers an immune response, writes Chris Elmore for Independent Voices.
As critical phase 3 trials get underway, communities across the UK – and indeed around the world – have been given a glimmer of hope that a long-term solution to this crisis could be within reach. We mustn’t get ahead of ourselves, though. The Oxford/AstraZeneca study is just one of around 140 that are being conducted globally, as world-leading scientists seek to find what could be as close to a “silver bullet” end to this pandemic as we are going to get.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that formulating a clinically safe and effective vaccine would be the final hurdle we face in what will inevitably still be an arduous struggle against Covid-19. Recent polling from the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) lays bare that 31 per cent of the British public would be hesitant to have a coronavirus vaccine if one becomes available. This doesn’t merely present a risk for those individuals – it risks undermining the effectiveness of potentially the most powerful tool in our armoury.
The country took a cautious sigh of relief this week as news broke that the coronavirus vaccine being developed by Oxford academics triggers an immune response, writes Chris Elmore for Independent Voices.
As critical phase 3 trials get underway, communities across the UK – and indeed around the world – have been given a glimmer of hope that a long-term solution to this crisis could be within reach. We mustn’t get ahead of ourselves, though. The Oxford/AstraZeneca study is just one of around 140 that are being conducted globally, as world-leading scientists seek to find what could be as close to a “silver bullet” end to this pandemic as we are going to get.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that formulating a clinically safe and effective vaccine would be the final hurdle we face in what will inevitably still be an arduous struggle against Covid-19. Recent polling from the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) lays bare that 31 per cent of the British public would be hesitant to have a coronavirus vaccine if one becomes available. This doesn’t merely present a risk for those individuals – it risks undermining the effectiveness of potentially the most powerful tool in our armoury.
Clubs, bars and beaches face new lockodwn in Spain
Nightclubs, bars and beaches in Spain are facing new lockdown restrictions after turning into coronavirus hot spots.
The northeast region of Catalonia now hosts two of the most worrying virus hotspots in Spain, prompting authorities to tighten restrictions in Barcelona and an interior agricultural area around Lleida that were relaxed only a month ago when Spain had its devastating outbreak in check.
The UK announced on Saturday that it had put Spain back on its unsafe list, meaning that travellers arriving in the UK from Spain must now quarantine for 14 days.
Norway also ordered a 10-day quarantine for those who return from the Iberian Peninsula. France and Belgium are recommending that travellers ditch plans to spend their summer vacations in Barcelona and its nearby beaches, which have seen crowds too massive to allow for social distancing. Police have had to step in and take measures to reduce the number of beach-goers.
The northeast region of Catalonia now hosts two of the most worrying virus hotspots in Spain, prompting authorities to tighten restrictions in Barcelona and an interior agricultural area around Lleida that were relaxed only a month ago when Spain had its devastating outbreak in check.
The UK announced on Saturday that it had put Spain back on its unsafe list, meaning that travellers arriving in the UK from Spain must now quarantine for 14 days.
Norway also ordered a 10-day quarantine for those who return from the Iberian Peninsula. France and Belgium are recommending that travellers ditch plans to spend their summer vacations in Barcelona and its nearby beaches, which have seen crowds too massive to allow for social distancing. Police have had to step in and take measures to reduce the number of beach-goers.
Make or break: Ensuring your relationships survive the new normal
he day the UK went into lockdown, Sarah Dixon, 50, waved goodbye to her daughter. Although the prime minister’s broadcast was still hours away, social media had been full of speculation that the government was about to impose strict new rules to control the spread of coronavirus. The 18-year-old – Dixon’s youngest child – was worried that she would be kept apart from her boyfriend if the rumours came true, writes Natasha Preskey.
So Dixon, and her husband Stephen, who have four children, gave their blessing for her to go and live with her partner. “She cried because she didn’t want to leave,” Dixon tells The Independent. “But within the space of an hour, though, she’d packed up her car, driven off, and we didn’t see her for three months.”
The couple were left to see out lockdown alone – the first time in over 20 years they’d spent a week by themselves. “In the back of my mind I always thought ‘Oh god, I wonder what it’s going to be like when it’s just him and me’,” Dixon explains. But as the weeks drew on, they settled into a routine, enjoying daily sunset beach walks, and gardening.
Three months later, the easing of lockdown brought another drastic change. Their eldest son lost his job and he, his wife, and his younger brother, all came back to the family home. Sarah and Stephen went from living alone as a couple, to the house being the busiest it has been in five years.
he day the UK went into lockdown, Sarah Dixon, 50, waved goodbye to her daughter. Although the prime minister’s broadcast was still hours away, social media had been full of speculation that the government was about to impose strict new rules to control the spread of coronavirus. The 18-year-old – Dixon’s youngest child – was worried that she would be kept apart from her boyfriend if the rumours came true, writes Natasha Preskey.
So Dixon, and her husband Stephen, who have four children, gave their blessing for her to go and live with her partner. “She cried because she didn’t want to leave,” Dixon tells The Independent. “But within the space of an hour, though, she’d packed up her car, driven off, and we didn’t see her for three months.”
The couple were left to see out lockdown alone – the first time in over 20 years they’d spent a week by themselves. “In the back of my mind I always thought ‘Oh god, I wonder what it’s going to be like when it’s just him and me’,” Dixon explains. But as the weeks drew on, they settled into a routine, enjoying daily sunset beach walks, and gardening.
Three months later, the easing of lockdown brought another drastic change. Their eldest son lost his job and he, his wife, and his younger brother, all came back to the family home. Sarah and Stephen went from living alone as a couple, to the house being the busiest it has been in five years.
TUI cancels all holidays to mainland Spain until 9 August
TUI, Europe's biggest holiday company, said on Sunday it had decided to cancel all holidays to mainland Spain up to and including 9 August in updated advice after Britain imposed a quarantine on those returning from the country.
"TUI UK have taken the decision to cancel all holidays to mainland Spain up to and including Sunday 9th August 2020," it said in a statement.
"We know how much our customers look forward to their holiday abroad and some will be able to accommodate the new quarantine restrictions. Therefore all those that wish to travel to the Balearic Islands and Canary Islands will be able to travel as planned from Monday 27th July."
TUI, Europe's biggest holiday company, said on Sunday it had decided to cancel all holidays to mainland Spain up to and including 9 August in updated advice after Britain imposed a quarantine on those returning from the country.
"TUI UK have taken the decision to cancel all holidays to mainland Spain up to and including Sunday 9th August 2020," it said in a statement.
"We know how much our customers look forward to their holiday abroad and some will be able to accommodate the new quarantine restrictions. Therefore all those that wish to travel to the Balearic Islands and Canary Islands will be able to travel as planned from Monday 27th July."
North Korea enters state of emergency as infection possibly discovered
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un placed the city of Kaesong near the border with South Korea under total lockdown after a person was found there with suspected Covid-19 symptoms, saying "the vicious virus" may have entered the country, state media reported Sunday.
If the person is officially declared a coronavirus patient, he or she would be North Korea's first confirmed case. The North has steadfastly said it has had no cases of the virus, a claim questioned by outside experts.
The lockdown was declared on Friday afternoon. The North's official Korean Central News Agency said the suspected virus patient is a runaway who fled to South Korea three years ago before illegally crossing the border into the North early last week.
KCNA said respiratory secretion and blood tests showed the person "is suspected to have been infected" with the coronavirus.
It said the person was placed under quarantine. People who had been in contact with the suspected patient and those who had been to Kaesong in the last five days were also quarantined.
Describing its anti-virus efforts as a "matter of national existence," North Korea earlier this year shut down nearly all cross-border traffic, banned foreign tourists and mobilised health workers to quarantine anyone with symptoms. But the Kaesong lockdown is the first such known measure taken in a North Korean city to stem the pandemic.
AP
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un placed the city of Kaesong near the border with South Korea under total lockdown after a person was found there with suspected Covid-19 symptoms, saying "the vicious virus" may have entered the country, state media reported Sunday.
If the person is officially declared a coronavirus patient, he or she would be North Korea's first confirmed case. The North has steadfastly said it has had no cases of the virus, a claim questioned by outside experts.
The lockdown was declared on Friday afternoon. The North's official Korean Central News Agency said the suspected virus patient is a runaway who fled to South Korea three years ago before illegally crossing the border into the North early last week.
KCNA said respiratory secretion and blood tests showed the person "is suspected to have been infected" with the coronavirus.
It said the person was placed under quarantine. People who had been in contact with the suspected patient and those who had been to Kaesong in the last five days were also quarantined.
Describing its anti-virus efforts as a "matter of national existence," North Korea earlier this year shut down nearly all cross-border traffic, banned foreign tourists and mobilised health workers to quarantine anyone with symptoms. But the Kaesong lockdown is the first such known measure taken in a North Korean city to stem the pandemic.
AP
Trump says Democrats are like 'Venezuela on steroids' for trying to overturn his travel ban
Donald Trump attacked Democrats on Capitol Hill after they passed the No Ban Act, which would repeal his travel ban towards several Muslim-majority countries, claiming the party has gone "Stone Cold Left - Venezuela on steroids!", Chris Riotta reports.
The No Ban Act, which was not expected to receive a vote in the Republican-led Senate, mainly served as a repudiation of the president’s efforts to impose travel restrictions on Muslim majority countries — a campaign promise he made in 2016, long before the coronavirus pandemic.
Donald Trump attacked Democrats on Capitol Hill after they passed the No Ban Act, which would repeal his travel ban towards several Muslim-majority countries, claiming the party has gone "Stone Cold Left - Venezuela on steroids!", Chris Riotta reports.
The No Ban Act, which was not expected to receive a vote in the Republican-led Senate, mainly served as a repudiation of the president’s efforts to impose travel restrictions on Muslim majority countries — a campaign promise he made in 2016, long before the coronavirus pandemic.
Hurricane Hanna batters coronavirus-ravaged south Texas coast
Hurricane Hanna has hit the south Texas coast with blistering winds and crashing waves, leaving a large area already badly hit by Covid-19 bracing for torrential downpours and potential flash floods.
Hanna came ashore on Padre Island on Saturday afternoon as a Category 1 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale, and later made a second landfall in Eastern Kennedy County, Texas.
Weakening as it headed west over land, Hanna was a tropical storm by Sunday morning, with its centre about 40 miles from Mcallen, Texas and about 65 miles from Monterrey, Mexico, the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said.
The centre cancelled the storm surge warning it had issued for the Texas coast but said Hanna could dump upward of 18 inches of rain in the area, which it said "will produce, life-threatening flash flooding, rapid rises on small streams, and isolated minor to moderate river flooding".
Texas governor Greg Abbott said during a Saturday briefing that the storm was especially challenging as it was sweeping through an area of the state that has been the worst hit by the coronavirus.
Hurricane Hanna has hit the south Texas coast with blistering winds and crashing waves, leaving a large area already badly hit by Covid-19 bracing for torrential downpours and potential flash floods.
Hanna came ashore on Padre Island on Saturday afternoon as a Category 1 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale, and later made a second landfall in Eastern Kennedy County, Texas.
Weakening as it headed west over land, Hanna was a tropical storm by Sunday morning, with its centre about 40 miles from Mcallen, Texas and about 65 miles from Monterrey, Mexico, the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said.
The centre cancelled the storm surge warning it had issued for the Texas coast but said Hanna could dump upward of 18 inches of rain in the area, which it said "will produce, life-threatening flash flooding, rapid rises on small streams, and isolated minor to moderate river flooding".
Texas governor Greg Abbott said during a Saturday briefing that the storm was especially challenging as it was sweeping through an area of the state that has been the worst hit by the coronavirus.
Scottish Lib Dems call for evidence behind 'shambolic' Spain quarantine
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has called for the evidence behind the "shambolic" decision to impose a mandatory quarantine on travellers from Spain.
The decision was taken across the UK on Saturday night, amid rising numbers of cases in the popular holiday destination, meaning some travellers would have to quarantine for two weeks when they returned.
In a letter to Nicola Sturgeon, Mr Rennie called on her to publish the data that led to Saturday's decision, just three days after the country was initially given the exemption.
After the decision, Scotland's justice secretary Humza Yousaf said: "The decision to exempt Spain earlier this week was taken when the data showed there was an improvement in the spread of the virus. But clearly the latest data has given us cause for concern to overturn that decision."
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has called for the evidence behind the "shambolic" decision to impose a mandatory quarantine on travellers from Spain.
The decision was taken across the UK on Saturday night, amid rising numbers of cases in the popular holiday destination, meaning some travellers would have to quarantine for two weeks when they returned.
In a letter to Nicola Sturgeon, Mr Rennie called on her to publish the data that led to Saturday's decision, just three days after the country was initially given the exemption.
After the decision, Scotland's justice secretary Humza Yousaf said: "The decision to exempt Spain earlier this week was taken when the data showed there was an improvement in the spread of the virus. But clearly the latest data has given us cause for concern to overturn that decision."
Tokyo identifies over 200 cases for sixth straight day
Tokyo officials confirmed 239 new coronavirus infections on Sunday, Japanese media reported, as the capital struggles with a resurgence in cases after the government lifted a state of emergency.
The total marks the sixth straight day new cases in the city have exceeded 200.Tokyo has raised its coronavirus alert system to the highest level after a series of new cases.
Tokyo officials confirmed 239 new coronavirus infections on Sunday, Japanese media reported, as the capital struggles with a resurgence in cases after the government lifted a state of emergency.
The total marks the sixth straight day new cases in the city have exceeded 200.Tokyo has raised its coronavirus alert system to the highest level after a series of new cases.
Jacinda Ardern turns 40: How New Zealand's youngest PM won over the world in her first term
The New Zealand prime ministser marks her birthday with just 55 days to go until a general election. Luckily for her, her polling numbers are stronger than ever, as Amy Nelmes Bissett reports from Auckland.
The New Zealand prime ministser marks her birthday with just 55 days to go until a general election. Luckily for her, her polling numbers are stronger than ever, as Amy Nelmes Bissett reports from Auckland.
