Labour has urged Boris Johnson to extend the government’s furlough scheme, telling the prime minister it could be the “last chance to save millions of jobs".
It comes as more towns and cities are monitored for coronavirus spikes that could see them placed under local lockdowns. Ministers have faced criticism for the handling of the surge in cases in Leicester, which was put into the UK’s first local lockdown on Tuesday.
Australian authorities, meanwhile, will lock down about 300,000 people in suburbs north of Melbourne for one month from today after two weeks of double-digit rises in new Covid-19 cases.
Good morning and welcome to today's live blog. We'll be bringing you rolling coverage on all of the latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic around the world.
Give local authorities better data about spikes, urge leading doctors
Leading doctors are calling for local authorities to be given accurate and up-to-date data on spikes in coronavirus cases.
The British Medical Association (BMA) implored the government to ensure local leaders were given timely information about cases in their area to help contain the spread of the virus.
It comes after ministers faced criticism for the handling of the surge of cases in Leicester.
The BMA urged the government to share "timely, comprehensive and reliable" information to all those involved in the management of new cases at a local level.
It also called for clarity about how regional spikes will be managed in the future.
Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chairman of the BMA Council, said: "The prime minister has talked about a 'whack a mole' strategy to tackle local outbreaks, but this is no use if the people leading the response on the ground - be they public health teams or local leaders - are not given the most accurate up-to-date data possible.
"This is crucial to allow swift action and to protect lives and the health service, and something that is not happening right now.
"This is all the more important given that the 'world leading' test and trace app is not in place, meaning local leaders and teams armed with up-to-date information will be vital in containing spread of outbreaks."
PA
Leading doctors are calling for local authorities to be given accurate and up-to-date data on spikes in coronavirus cases.
The British Medical Association (BMA) implored the government to ensure local leaders were given timely information about cases in their area to help contain the spread of the virus.
It comes after ministers faced criticism for the handling of the surge of cases in Leicester.
The BMA urged the government to share "timely, comprehensive and reliable" information to all those involved in the management of new cases at a local level.
It also called for clarity about how regional spikes will be managed in the future.
Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chairman of the BMA Council, said: "The prime minister has talked about a 'whack a mole' strategy to tackle local outbreaks, but this is no use if the people leading the response on the ground - be they public health teams or local leaders - are not given the most accurate up-to-date data possible.
"This is crucial to allow swift action and to protect lives and the health service, and something that is not happening right now.
"This is all the more important given that the 'world leading' test and trace app is not in place, meaning local leaders and teams armed with up-to-date information will be vital in containing spread of outbreaks."
PA
Australia locks down 300,000 for one month to contain outbreak
Authorities will lock down about 300,000 people in suburbs north of Melbourne for a month to contain the risk of infection after two weeks of double-digit rises in new coronavirus cases in Australia's second most populous state.
Australia has fared better than many countries in the pandemic, with about 7,830 cases and 104 deaths, but the recent surge has stoked fears of a second wave of Covid-19.
From midnight, more than 30 suburbs in Australia's second-biggest city will return to stage three restrictions, the third-strictest level in curbs to control the pandemic. That means residents will be confined to home except for grocery shopping, health appointments, work or care-giving, and exercise.
The restrictions will be accompanied by a testing blitz that authorities hope will extend to half the population of the area affected, and for which borders will be patrolled.
The measures come as curbs ease across the rest of the state of Victoria, with restaurants, gyms and cinemas reopening in recent weeks.
Victoria recorded 73 fresh cases on Tuesday from 20,682 tests, following an increase of 75 cases on Monday. State premier Daniel Andrews warned that the return of broader restrictions across city remained a possibility.
Reuters
Authorities will lock down about 300,000 people in suburbs north of Melbourne for a month to contain the risk of infection after two weeks of double-digit rises in new coronavirus cases in Australia's second most populous state.
Australia has fared better than many countries in the pandemic, with about 7,830 cases and 104 deaths, but the recent surge has stoked fears of a second wave of Covid-19.
From midnight, more than 30 suburbs in Australia's second-biggest city will return to stage three restrictions, the third-strictest level in curbs to control the pandemic. That means residents will be confined to home except for grocery shopping, health appointments, work or care-giving, and exercise.
The restrictions will be accompanied by a testing blitz that authorities hope will extend to half the population of the area affected, and for which borders will be patrolled.
The measures come as curbs ease across the rest of the state of Victoria, with restaurants, gyms and cinemas reopening in recent weeks.
Victoria recorded 73 fresh cases on Tuesday from 20,682 tests, following an increase of 75 cases on Monday. State premier Daniel Andrews warned that the return of broader restrictions across city remained a possibility.
Reuters
Up to 5,000 jobs at risk due to coronavirus, says Upper Crust owner
The SSP Group, which owns Upper Crust and Caffe Ritazza, has warned up to 5,000 jobs could be cut as the company grapples with the fallout from the coronavirus crisis.
Plunging passenger numbers at railway stations and airports mean the group expects to open only around a fifth of its sites in the UK by the autumn, as travel is set to remain at very low levels due to the ongoing pandemic.
The SSP Group, which owns Upper Crust and Caffe Ritazza, has warned up to 5,000 jobs could be cut as the company grapples with the fallout from the coronavirus crisis.
Plunging passenger numbers at railway stations and airports mean the group expects to open only around a fifth of its sites in the UK by the autumn, as travel is set to remain at very low levels due to the ongoing pandemic.
Staff in slaughterhouses are paid the minimum wage despite suffering from post-traumatic stress and other side effects of their brutal work. And now they're at high risk of contracting Covid-19, writes Chas Newkey-Burden for Indy Voices.
Lives will be lost if local authorities aren't given better data, leading doctors have warned
Lives will be lost in fresh outbreaks of coronavirus because local health chiefs are being starved of the data they need, doctors’ leaders are warning.
The British Medical Association (BMA) has hit out at the failure to provide local leaders with the addresses and workplaces of people becoming infected – preventing them from taking swift action.
The data gap has been partly blamed for the delay in imposing the local lockdown in Leicester, where it was thought the city had recorded just 80 new Covid-19 cases between 13-26 June.
Lives will be lost in fresh outbreaks of coronavirus because local health chiefs are being starved of the data they need, doctors’ leaders are warning.
The British Medical Association (BMA) has hit out at the failure to provide local leaders with the addresses and workplaces of people becoming infected – preventing them from taking swift action.
The data gap has been partly blamed for the delay in imposing the local lockdown in Leicester, where it was thought the city had recorded just 80 new Covid-19 cases between 13-26 June.
Canada extends travel restrictions
The Canadian government is extending its global travel ban and quarantine rules for those entering the country to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
A mandatory quarantine measure will now stay in place until at least 31 August. People entering the country, including citizens returning home, must self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival.
The Canadian government is extending its global travel ban and quarantine rules for those entering the country to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
A mandatory quarantine measure will now stay in place until at least 31 August. People entering the country, including citizens returning home, must self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival.
Texas bars sue state’s governor and alcohol commission over coronavirus closures
Bar owners in Texas are suing governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission after they were ordered to close amid rising coronavirus cases in the state.
The businesses have argued in court documents that Mr Abbott’s recent executive order, which paused the further reopening of the state and forced them to close, has singled them out unfairly, according to CBS News.
Biden says he won’t hold campaign rallies during pandemic
As the US faces a new surge in coronavirus cases, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has said he will hold back on traditional presidential rallies until large gatherings no longer pose a risk.
When one reporter asked if he planned to hold any rallies between now and November, the candidate made it clear that epidemiological concerns came first.
Jennifer Aniston urges fans to 'wear a damn mask'
Jennifer Aniston has urged people to “wear a damn mask” to help curb the spread of coronavirus.
The Morning Show star shared a photo on Instagram of herself wearing a face mask alongside a message urging fans to cover up when outdoors.
Jennifer Aniston has urged people to “wear a damn mask” to help curb the spread of coronavirus.
The Morning Show star shared a photo on Instagram of herself wearing a face mask alongside a message urging fans to cover up when outdoors.
South Korea to start talks on Covid-19 drug remdesivir purchases in August
South Korea has started distributing stocks of the Covid-19 treatment remdesivir that have been donated by Gilead Sciences Inc and plans to begin talks to purchase more supplies in August, its disease control agency said.
It is the first country to disclose a timeline for talks with Gilead. The drugmaker said this week it has priced remdesivir at $390 per vial in developed countries and agreed to allocate nearly all of its supply of the drug to the United States over the next three months.
One of the few treatments shown to alter the course of Covid-19, remdesivir is expected to be in high demand. The intravenously administered medicine has won emergency-use authorisation in several countries and full approval in Japan after a clinical trial showed it helped shorten hospital stays.
Only patients severely ill with Covid-19 are eligible for remdesivir and South Korea currently has 33 such patients, the Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said.
South Korea has started distributing stocks of the Covid-19 treatment remdesivir that have been donated by Gilead Sciences Inc and plans to begin talks to purchase more supplies in August, its disease control agency said.
It is the first country to disclose a timeline for talks with Gilead. The drugmaker said this week it has priced remdesivir at $390 per vial in developed countries and agreed to allocate nearly all of its supply of the drug to the United States over the next three months.
One of the few treatments shown to alter the course of Covid-19, remdesivir is expected to be in high demand. The intravenously administered medicine has won emergency-use authorisation in several countries and full approval in Japan after a clinical trial showed it helped shorten hospital stays.
Only patients severely ill with Covid-19 are eligible for remdesivir and South Korea currently has 33 such patients, the Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said.
Thailand reopens schools, pubs and massage parlours
Thailand has begun a fifth phase of relaxations of Covid-19 restrictions, allowing the reopening of schools and high-risk entertainment venues such as pubs and massage parlours that had been shut since mid-March.
It is also allowing in foreign visitors on a controlled basis, limiting entry to those with existing family or work ties to the country, students, technical experts for businesses, investors and specially invited VIPs. Scheduled passenger flights to Thailand were suspended in early April.
The number of foreign visitors allowed into the country each day is limited to 200, and they are supposed to travel on repatriation flights bringing Thai citizens home. All returnees, foreign and Thai, will be subject to varying degrees of quarantine.
All confirmed coronavirus cases for the past five weeks have been repatriated Thais rather than cases of local transmission, giving the government confidence to lift restrictions. However, it has extended through July a state of emergency, though critics claim it is being used to suppress political dissent.
Reopened establishments still have to maintain social distancing rules. A contact tracing app already used at shopping malls is also mandated for the reopened entertainment venues, including "soapy" massage parlors, which are often illegal fronts for sexual services.
Thailand has begun a fifth phase of relaxations of Covid-19 restrictions, allowing the reopening of schools and high-risk entertainment venues such as pubs and massage parlours that had been shut since mid-March.
It is also allowing in foreign visitors on a controlled basis, limiting entry to those with existing family or work ties to the country, students, technical experts for businesses, investors and specially invited VIPs. Scheduled passenger flights to Thailand were suspended in early April.
The number of foreign visitors allowed into the country each day is limited to 200, and they are supposed to travel on repatriation flights bringing Thai citizens home. All returnees, foreign and Thai, will be subject to varying degrees of quarantine.
All confirmed coronavirus cases for the past five weeks have been repatriated Thais rather than cases of local transmission, giving the government confidence to lift restrictions. However, it has extended through July a state of emergency, though critics claim it is being used to suppress political dissent.
Reopened establishments still have to maintain social distancing rules. A contact tracing app already used at shopping malls is also mandated for the reopened entertainment venues, including "soapy" massage parlors, which are often illegal fronts for sexual services.
Austria's foreign minister, Alexander Schallenberg, has said the country is issuing travel warnings for all six countries of the western Balkans because of coronavirus.
Philippines reports 999 new cases, including four deaths
The Philippines' health ministry has reported 999 more coronavirus infections and four additional deaths.
In a bulletin, the ministry said total confirmed cases have reached 38,511 while deaths have increased to 1,270.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday retained partial restrictions in the capital Manila for another two weeks to contain the spread of the virus while reducing the pandemic's economic damage.
The Philippines' health ministry has reported 999 more coronavirus infections and four additional deaths.
In a bulletin, the ministry said total confirmed cases have reached 38,511 while deaths have increased to 1,270.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday retained partial restrictions in the capital Manila for another two weeks to contain the spread of the virus while reducing the pandemic's economic damage.
Opinion: After the terrible damage lockdown has caused, we can never do it again
This week marks 100 days since our liberties were stolen. It also marks 100 days of rising inequalities, countless avoidable deaths and the ruin of a generation, writes Simon Dolan.
This week marks 100 days since our liberties were stolen. It also marks 100 days of rising inequalities, countless avoidable deaths and the ruin of a generation, writes Simon Dolan.
Prague throws huge ‘farewell pandemic’ party with thousands of guests
Prague has celebrated a self-proclaimed end to its coronavirus epidemic – by throwing a massive party attended by thousands of people all sharing food and without any social distancing.
The Czech capital held the unorthodox gathering to say a “symbolic farewell” to the infection and to show residents should no longer be scared to meet with friends or visit local businesses.
Prague has celebrated a self-proclaimed end to its coronavirus epidemic – by throwing a massive party attended by thousands of people all sharing food and without any social distancing.
The Czech capital held the unorthodox gathering to say a “symbolic farewell” to the infection and to show residents should no longer be scared to meet with friends or visit local businesses.
PM urged to axe Public Health England over response to coronavirus crisis
Boris Johnson has been urged to scrap Public Health England (PHE), the government body facing criticism for delays in sharing data that shows how the coronavirus is spreading in different parts of the country.
Former Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith said he would “abolish PHE tomorrow” if he was in charge, claiming the agency was guilty of “arrogance laced with incompetence”.
Boris Johnson has been urged to scrap Public Health England (PHE), the government body facing criticism for delays in sharing data that shows how the coronavirus is spreading in different parts of the country.
Former Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith said he would “abolish PHE tomorrow” if he was in charge, claiming the agency was guilty of “arrogance laced with incompetence”.
Turkish president claims EU's restrictive treatment of Turkey is 'political'
Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan has claimed the European Union had treated Turkey in a restrictive way over the coronavirus pandemic in what he said was a political stance.
He did not provide further details but his comments came after the EU excluded Turkey, along with the United States and other countries, from its initial "safe list" of countries from which the bloc will allow non-essential travel from Wednesday.
The president was giving a speech to officials from his AK Party.
Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan has claimed the European Union had treated Turkey in a restrictive way over the coronavirus pandemic in what he said was a political stance.
He did not provide further details but his comments came after the EU excluded Turkey, along with the United States and other countries, from its initial "safe list" of countries from which the bloc will allow non-essential travel from Wednesday.
The president was giving a speech to officials from his AK Party.
Stormont first minister calls on deputy to apologise over IRA funeral scenes
Arlene Foster's comments come as Michelle O'Neill faces calls to resign after she and party colleagues attended Bobby Storey's funeral in west Belfast on Tuesday.
Police are investigating potential breaches of coronavirus lockdown rules that restrict outdoor public gatherings to 30 people.
A picture posted on social media by a Sinn Fein branch in the Irish Republic showed Ms O'Neill posing for a selfie close to two men, one of whom had his arm on her shoulder. The picture was subsequently deleted.
Ms Foster said the scenes at the funeral and apparent lack of social distancing "undermined the credibility" of Stormont's Covid-19 guidance.
The DUP leader said it sent out a message of "do as I say and not as I do".
"She needs to apologise and recognise the wrong that has been done and she absolutely needs to make amends for what happened yesterday and take steps to try and build up that credibility again," said Ms Foster.
Ms O'Neill said the funeral had taken place "in accordance" with coronavirus guidelines.
She has defended the event, saying the cortege only had 30 people in it and social distancing inside the church was "exemplary".
PA
Remdesivir: What is the coronavirus drug stockpiled by US?
Health officials in the US have announced that the Trump administration has bought almost the entire world’s stock of the Covid-19 drug remdesivir.
But what is remdesivir, how does it work in treating Covid-19 and is it available to patients in the UK?
Health officials in the US have announced that the Trump administration has bought almost the entire world’s stock of the Covid-19 drug remdesivir.
But what is remdesivir, how does it work in treating Covid-19 and is it available to patients in the UK?
