22/06/20 COVID-19 Global News Update

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - The New Development Bank established by the BRICS group of emerging nations has approved a $1 billion COVID-19 emergency loan to South Africa to help reduce the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic, the National Treasury said on Saturday.

The government will introduce new measures on Monday to protect businesses critical to public health from foreign takeovers. Changes to legislation would give ministers extra powers to protect those needed to help in future pandemics, who might be struggling now.

Scotland's tourism sector will need "long-term help" to recover from the economic impact of Covid-19. Tourism Secretary Fergus Ewing said this included extending the furlough scheme beyond October. He also urged the UK government to cut VAT to 5% as the sector prepares to reopen on 15 July. But Scotland ...

Summary of data collected from local authorities on the financial impact of COVID-19.

A new “no-swab” coronavirus test using patients’ saliva is set to be piloted in Southampton starting this week, the government has announced. More than 14,000 GP staff, essential workers and university staff will participate in the first phase of the trial, which they will be able to complete at home ...

Boris Johnson will this week reveal the next stage in the relaxation of the coronavirus lockdown and announce the conclusions of a review into the two-metre social distancing rules. The prime minister said on Sunday he is “sticking absolutely like glue” to the roadmap he set out in an address ...

Five people have been arrested after police officers were assaulted and injured at an illegal house party in Cardiff. South Wales Police said four officers were hurt after responding to reports of a large house party in the St Mellons area of the city on Friday night. Five people were ...

Drinkers at pubs and bars may have to leave their names and contact details at the door under plans to reopen the hospitality sector next month. Officials are understood to be looking at the “guest book” measure so that customers’ contacts can be swiftly traced if they contract coronavirus. On ...

The congestion charge for people driving into central London has now increased by 30 per cent. Expected to be in place for a year, the charge has risen from £11.50 to £15 and will now be enforced everyday from 07:00-22:00. It is one of the conditions of a recent £1.6bn ...

The chiefs of scores of the UK’s foremost arts and culture organisations have joined the call for a green recovery from the coronavirus crisis, even as their own sector faces the biggest threat to its existence in modern times. Sir Mark Rylance, Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys, Brian ...

Scottish households are to receive information on the Test and Protect system and what to do if someone develops coronavirus symptoms. The NHS programme, designed to reduce the risk of the virus spreading, was rolled out on 28 May. People with symptoms are urged to get tested immediately, with positive ...

Seventy-five employees at a chicken plant in Anglesey, north Wales, have tested positive for coronavirus. The 2 Sisters poultry processing factory, which has contracts with thousands of UK supermarkets, announced on Thursday that it would be temporarily suspending production at its Llangefni site for two weeks. It said the decision ...

The backlog of court cases waiting to be heard in England and Wales has rocketed to more than half a million during the coronavirus pandemic. Some trials are not expected to start until December 2021, amid warnings that victims may drop out of delayed prosecutions. Crime fell dramatically during the ...

One in four adults in the UK have struggled to access food they can afford during the coronavirus pandemic, leaving them susceptible to hunger and potential malnutrition, a new report warns. Research by Feeding Britain and Northumbria University’s Healthy Living Lab indicates a far broader group of households, in addition ...

Children are developing serious mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress, because of the coronavirus pandemic, a charity has warned. In a report, the Childhood Trust says disadvantage is leaving children extremely vulnerable. As well as anxiety about their loved ones' health, many children are facing social isolation and hunger. Lack ...

Police reinforcements have been sent to maintain a coronavirus quarantine on a tower block in the German city of Goettingen after violence on Saturday. Seven-hundred people were placed in quarantine, but 200 trying to get out clashed with police. Residents attacked police with fireworks, bottles and metal bars, officials said. ...

One million people advised not to leave their suburbs after hotspots emerge in Melbourne caused by birthday parties Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage Australia is battling a coronavirus outbreak in its second largest city – fuelled by family gatherings and birthday parties – that has resulted ...

Outbreaks in meatpacking plants, logistics centres, refugee shelters, church services and family parties have 'strong influence' on figure, says Robert Koch Institute

Overseas visitors have begun arriving in Spain once more as the country reopens its borders and the three-month state of emergency declared in response to the coronavirus pandemic comes to an end. As the second most-visited country in the world, Spain is desperate to reactivate its vital tourism sector as ...

Saudi Arabia has announced it will lift its nationwide curfew on Sunday, but says other restrictions will remain. Authorities say all economic and commercial activities will resume, but bans on international travel and religious pilgrimages will not change. The kingdom has not yet made any announcements about the annual Hajj ...