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Get the latest updates on the coronavirus live blog
Summary of the latest key developments:
- The UK government said 35,341 people have died from COVID-19 in the country
- Britain's Office for National Statistics estimates however that more than 42,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the UK
- France and Germany back EU bond to raise €500bn
- Donald Trump threatens permanent withdrawal from WHO over China
- He has also revealed he is taking a contested anti-malarial drug to protect from COVID-19
- The WHO has agreed to an independent probe into its handling of the crisis
- Portugal care home creates 'emotion box' for family to safely visit elderly relatives
- British family tell Euronews what it's like to be a coronavirus vaccine guinea pig
Follow the latest updates below:
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Live ended
No ''mini-Schengens" because of COVID-19, warns EU chief
Euronews' Efi Koutsokosta speaks to European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas about the future of Europe's border-free travel Schengen zone and what European solidarity should look like once Europe comes out of the crisis.
"There is no way that returning to Schengen normality from the existing restrictions in our internal borders should be replaced by some sort of regional mini-Schengens that fragment our single market and discriminate against the non-participating member states," Schinas said.
WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE.
Extra-EU trade fell from €252 billion to €228 billion between January and March: Eurostat
The bloc's official statistics agency revealed that imports and exports with all five main trade partners -- China, Switzerland, Russia, UK, US -- decreased between January and March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"In March 2020, EU recorded an increase in trade balance with 8 of its 11 main trade partners compared with January 2020, with highest increases observed with China (+€2.1 billion) and the United Kingdom (+€1.2 billion)," it said.
Initial surge in UK news use around COVID-19 followed by significant increase in news avoidance: Study
A study by the Reuters Institute and Oxford University found that there's been a "significant increase in news avoidance" with 22% of nearly 2,900 respondents saying they often or always actively try to avoid the news (up from 15% in mid-April).
"The vast majority of those who always or often avoid news (86%) say they are trying to avoid COVID-19 news at least some of the time, and most of them said they are primarily worried about the effect it has on their mood (66%)," the study notes.
Divisions emerge over €500BN COVID-19 aid plan proposed by France and Germany
Dutch restaurants and cafes to reopen on June 1
Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Tuesday evening that "as long as the coronavirus remains under control" more measures can be relaxed as of June 1.
Restaurants and cafes will be able to reopen their doors provided that there is a maximum of 30 guests (excluding staff) who book in advance and with everyone to keep at least 1.5 metres between them.
"There is no maximum number of people on terraces. Everyone should be seated at a table and kept 1.5," the government added.
Film, theater and concert halls will also be able to reopen on June 1 under the same conditions while museums and monuments will be allowed to open if visitors buy tickets in advance
Secondary education will open on June 2 while "primary education will reopen 100% on 8 June, unless current studies show that this is not justified."
WHO members agree to independent inquiry into pandemic response
France revises death toll down
French health authorities have revised the COVID-19 death toll down by 217 following "a double count error in several care homes".
The country's death toll now stands at 28,022.
Pandemic to push 60 million people 'into extreme poverty': World Bank
The World Bank announced on Tuesday that it has provided assistance to 100 developing countries home to 70% of the world's population to help protect the poor and vulnerable.
Of the 100 countries, 39 are in sub-Saharan Africa.
"The pandemic and shutdown of advanced economies could push as many as 60 million people into extreme poverty -- erasing much of the recent progress made in poverty alleviation," David Malpass, President of the World Bank, said in a statement.
"To return to growth, our goal must be rapid, flexible responses to tackle the health emergency, provide cash and other expandable support to protect the poor, maintain the private sector, and strengthen economic resilience and recovery," he added.
Portugal 'box of emotions' allows relatives to visit loved ones
A care home in Portugal has created a special visiting room with a plexiglass screen that allows relatives to visit their loved ones amid the risk posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
It has been named the 'box of emotions'.
"We cannot touch them, there's no contact, but just the fact of being there and looking them in the eye is very positive," says Jose Navarro, son of one of the elderly that stay at the Montepio nursing home, near Lisbon.
According to Navarro, the past few months have been a painful experience for his father.
Turkey sees rate of infections and deaths slow
Turkey reported a continued downward trajectory in COVID-19 deaths and confirmed infections Tuesday, with 28 new deaths and 1,022 infections over the past 24 hours.
Health Minister Fahrettin Koca tweeted new figures showing a total of 4,199 deaths and 151,615 reported positive cases since March 11, when the first infection was confirmed.
Koca said the decrease in patients needing intensive care continued and the number of patients who recovered reached 112,895.
One-in-eight museums could close due to coronavirus
Museums are starting to reopen in some countries as governments ease coronavirus restrictions, but experts warn one in eight worldwide could face permanent closure due to the pandemic.
Studies by UNESCO and the International Council of Museums show 90% of the planet's museums, some 85,000 institutions, have had to shut at least temporarily.
“It is alarming data that we are giving,” Ernesto Ottone, Assistant Director-General for Culture at UNESCO said in an interview with the Associated Press Tuesday.
Russia and Brazil now behind US when it comes to confirmed cases
According to the Johns Hopkins University, Russia and Brazil have now recorded more confirmed COVID-19 infections than severely-hit EU countries.
Russia has 299,941 confirmed cases while Brazil has 255,368.
The US remains far ahead with over 1.5 million.
Eustice defends UK return to schools strategy
Britain's Environment Secretary said that it's important that children return to school as soon as possible, stressing that "other countries like Denmark have demonstrated how it's possible to bring schools back into reopening".
He also pointed out that throughout the health crisis, other sectors including the NHS, law enforcement and the food industry have continued to work.
"We don't underestimate that there are challenges but we believe that it's right to embark on this as other countries have," he went on, adding that as people will have to live alongside the virus for some time to come, it's important to "identify ways of returning to work".
The government wants all pupils in reception, year 1 and year 6 to return to school from the week commencing 1 June but teachers' unions have opposed have expressed concerns about the measures in place to ensure schools can reopen safely.
Italian COVID-19 deaths rise by 162
Italy's Ministry of Health has released its latest figures.
A further 162 people have succumbed to the novel coronavirus since yesterday, bringing the total death toll to 32,169.
The number of confirmed cases has risen by 813 to 226,699.
Brits urged to 'lend a hand' to harvest: Minister
Eustice also said that every year, "a large number of people" from eastern Europe come to the UK to work in the fields and that the government estimates that "probably about a third" of the amount needed are currently in the country.
"We will need to rely on British workers to lend a hand to help bring that harvest home," he added.
He called on people, especially workers that have been furloughed and who may need "to supplement their income", to visit the 'Pick for Britain' website to see how they could help.
UK government death toll passes 35,000
Eustice said that a further 545 people who had tested positive to COVID-19 have died since yesterday.
The government's death toll now stands at 35,341.
The number of confirmed cases in the country is 248,818 after a one-day rise of 2,412.
UK government to give daily COVID-19 update
Environment Secretary George Eustice will handle the government's press conference starting at 18:00 CET.
He will be joined by Professor Angela McLean, chief scientific adviser at the Ministry of Defence.
You'll be able to watch the news conference live below:
Spain records fewer than 100 daily COVID-19 deaths for third consecutive day
Eighty-three people died from the novel coronavirus in Spain over the previous 24 hours, the Ministry of Health has announced.
It's the third consecutive day the death toll is below 100.
The total number of fatalities in the country is now at 27,778.
The number of confirmed cases has reached 232,037.
US-Canada border to remain closed until June 21
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has just announced that the border with the US will remain closed to all but non-essential travel until June 21.
The border was first closed in March with the limit extended by another 30 days last month.
Six Premier League players and staff test positive for COVID-19
The Premier League confirmed in a statement that six players and club staff tested positive for COVID-19.
Overall, 748 players and club staff were tested on Sunday 17 May and Monday 18 May.
"Of these, six have tested positive from three clubs. Players or club staff who have tested positive will now self-isolate for a period of seven days.
"No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the League and results will be made public in this way after each round of testing," it added.
UK COVID-19 death toll passes 42,000: National statistics agency
Britain's Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that 39,071 coronavirus-related deaths were registered in England and Wales up to May 8.
Last week, Scotland's National Records said the country had recorded 3,213 COVID-19 deaths as of May 10 while Northern Ireland's Statistics and Research Agency recorded 599 such deaths up to May 8.
This would bring the country's total number of fatalities to 42,883 -- 8,000 more than the death toll released on Monday evening by the Department of Health and Social Care.
Italians enjoy first days of open bars, restaurants, hairdressers and shops
Italy was the first European country to announce a lockdown. Now Italians can return to bars, restaurants and shops. With the easing of restrictions, they're finally able to visit friends and socialise. But, even though social distancing remains in place, the relief of residents is obvious.
Dutch daily death toll reaches lowest level in four weeks
Twenty-one people have died from COVID-19 in the Netherlands over the previous 24 hours, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has announced.
This is the lowest daily tally since March 22.
The total death toll now stands at 5,715.
The number of confirmed infections has risen by 108 to 44,249.
Trumps accuses WHO of favouring China and makes funding threat
The US President has threatened to permanently withdraw funds from the World Health Organization (WHO) accusing them of favouring China during the coronavirus crisis.
The US leader detailed his "serious concerns" in a letter to the organisation's director-general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu, and said he was prepared to drop funding on a permanent basis if no "substantive improvements" are seen in the next 30 days.
He listed a series of bullet points in his letter saying it served as proof of the WHO's "alarming lack of independence" from China.
For more information, you can read the full article by Euronews' Rachael Kennedy.
Swedish death toll rises by 45
Sweden's Public Health Agency said that the death toll from the pandemic is 3,743 after a one-day increase of 45.
The number of confirmed infections rose by 422 to 30,799.
UK vaccine trials: How a family is helping to fight the pandemic
Britain's government has announced plans to roll out a COVID-19 vaccine to 30 million people by September, if the current round of trials proves successful. The University of Oxford has started the first phase of clinical testing of a vaccine.
Barcelona reopens beaches for residents to exercise
The Spanish city has announced that beaches will reopen on Wednesday from 6am to 8pm but "exclusively for walking and for the practice of individual sports activities".
The city is limiting access points and has imposed a timetable based on age:
- From 6 am to 10 am: exercise time for people over 14 years old, on all beaches, using the approved access points.
- From 10 am to 12 am: people over 70 years old.
- From 12 noon to 7 pm: children and adolescents under 14 years old, accompanied by an adult (one adult can accompany up to three minors from the same household).
- From 7 pm to 8 pm: people over 70 years old.
- From 8 pm to 11 pm: only from the Mar Bella Nautical Centre (for surf activities and use by federated members with valid sports licences).
Prince Charles urges Brits to make "vital contribution to the national effort" and help farmers harvest
In a video posted on social media, Prince Charles said that "if we are to harvest British fruit and vegetables this year we need an army of people to help."
"In the coming months, many thousands of people will be needed to bring in the crops. It will be hard graft but is hugely important if we are to avoid the growing crops going to waste.
"Now I do not doubt that the work will be unglamorous and at times challenging. But it is of the utmost importance and, at the height of this global pandemic, you will be making a vital contribution to the national effort So I can only urge you to 'Pick for Britain'," he added.
The end of coal? Experts predict pandemic could hasten end of coal's use as an energy source
French people returning from abroad urged to self-isolate
France's Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told French TV on Tuesday morning that from Wednesday, citizens returning from a trip outside Europe will be urged to "voluntarily" self-isolate for a fortnight "to protect themselves and their loved ones".
He stressed that the EU's external borders are closed "and will remain so". As such, while Europeans and foreign residents may be able to enter the bloc, non-EU nationals who do not reside in Europe "won't be able to enter".
Donald Trump claims to be taking unproven drug as fatalities top 90,000
The US president says he's been taking an anti malarial drug to try to fight off coronavirus despite warnings about its safety and side effects.
Russian confirmed cases increase by over 9,000
Health authorities have announced that the number of infections in the country now stands at 299,941 after a daily increase of 9,263.
Russia is the second most impacted country in the world in terms of confirmed cases after the US.
The death toll also surged by a record 115 over the past 24 hours to reach 2,837.
UK vaccine trials: How one family is helping to fight the pandemic
European Commission welcomes the France-Germany recovery proposal
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the "constructive proposal" from France and Germany had taken into account the "scope and the size of the economic challenge" facing Europe during the coronavirus crisis.
She added that the proposal had rightly put the bloc's budget at the core of the recovery from the outbreak, and was "in the direction of" a proposal the Commission is also working on.
She added that the proposal had rightly put the bloc's budget at the core of the recovery from the outbreak, and was "in the direction of" a proposal the Commission is also working on.
Manchester United to refund season ticket holders for matches they'll miss
The Premier League club has written to its fans promising to refund season ticket holders for matches they won't be able to watch due to coronavirus.
It said: "We share your disappointment that you will not be able to watch United in person from within the stadium, but we would encourage you to give your continued loyal support from the comfort and safety of your home."
The top division team had four matches left in the season before it was called off in March as the outbreak worsened.
A tentative resuming of the season, dubbed Project Restart, is currently following in the footsteps of Germany's Bundesliga, with players allowed to return to non-contact training today.
The Bundesliga held its first match over the weekend - but was played to an empty stadium to avoid a spike in infections.
It said: "We share your disappointment that you will not be able to watch United in person from within the stadium, but we would encourage you to give your continued loyal support from the comfort and safety of your home."
The top division team had four matches left in the season before it was called off in March as the outbreak worsened.
A tentative resuming of the season, dubbed Project Restart, is currently following in the footsteps of Germany's Bundesliga, with players allowed to return to non-contact training today.
The Bundesliga held its first match over the weekend - but was played to an empty stadium to avoid a spike in infections.
WHO has no immediate reaction to Trump's letter, but expects 'more clarity' throughout the day
A spokeswoman for WHO said the critical letter from Donald Trump had been seen, but that there had been no immediate reaction due to focus spent on preparing for the final day of the World Health Assembly on Tuesday.
She added: "I am sure in the course of the day we will have more clarity and a reaction to this letter."
She added: "I am sure in the course of the day we will have more clarity and a reaction to this letter."
Italians enjoy first days of open bars, restaurants, hairdressers and shops
Austrian minister becomes godmother to baby elephant used as an example in country's coronavirus messaging
Austria's economy minister Margarete Schramboeck has been named as the honourary godmother of a baby elephant at Vienna Zoo.
The elephant, named Kibali, has served as an example to Austrians during the coronavirus crisis as the government advised people stay "the length of a baby elephant" away from each other in public.
Schramboeck said she had kept the animal in her thoughts through the pandemic as she was handed a plaque and a watercolour painting of Kibali on Monday.
Vienna Zoo reopened to visitors on May 15 as Austria further relaxed its restriction measures.
The elephant, named Kibali, has served as an example to Austrians during the coronavirus crisis as the government advised people stay "the length of a baby elephant" away from each other in public.
Schramboeck said she had kept the animal in her thoughts through the pandemic as she was handed a plaque and a watercolour painting of Kibali on Monday.
Vienna Zoo reopened to visitors on May 15 as Austria further relaxed its restriction measures.
WHO agrees to independent probe into how it handled the coronavirus crisis
The World Health Organisation's director general Dr Tedros has said an independent evaluation of the organisation's handling of the coronavirus outbreak will be undertaken "at the earliest appropriate moment".
It comes after calls after a coalition of European, African and other countries called for the evaluation to understand the lessons learned from the crisis.
Much of the WHO's response has been overshadowed in recent days by an ongoing political back and forth between the US and China - with the former sending a letter to threaten its withdrawal of funds from the WHO on a permanent basis.
It comes after calls after a coalition of European, African and other countries called for the evaluation to understand the lessons learned from the crisis.
Much of the WHO's response has been overshadowed in recent days by an ongoing political back and forth between the US and China - with the former sending a letter to threaten its withdrawal of funds from the WHO on a permanent basis.
Premier League could be facing coronavirus restrictions for another year
The British government has told England's top football division that restrictions could be in place for another year to limit the spread of coronavirus.
It comes as players prepare to return to non-contact training today after carefully watching the progress of Germany's Bundesliga.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said the division must be "flexible" with how it resumes for now, and added: "The Germans are a couple of steps ahead of us obviously and we can learn from them and watch them and take confidence from their success."
It comes as players prepare to return to non-contact training today after carefully watching the progress of Germany's Bundesliga.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said the division must be "flexible" with how it resumes for now, and added: "The Germans are a couple of steps ahead of us obviously and we can learn from them and watch them and take confidence from their success."
Charitable organisation specialising in research on quinoline-related drugs says medication Trump is taking has risks of 'permanent neuropsychiatric adverse effects'
Donald Trump said Monday night that he had been taking hydroxychloroquine, despite it not being proven to combat coronavirus.
In response The Quinism Foundation shared its statement from mid-March that listed the dangerous potential side effects from taking the anti-malarial drug.
In response The Quinism Foundation shared its statement from mid-March that listed the dangerous potential side effects from taking the anti-malarial drug.
Lithuania PM opens another border crossing with Latvia as he says the 'Baltic bubble' is working
Saulius Skvernelis said another border crossing with Latvia had been reopened in an easing of restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Earlier on Monday, the Lithuanian PM said the "Baltic travel bubble" had been working for countries in the region, adding that crossings had increased "up to 20 times".
He is now advocating for Poland and Finland to join the bubble, which he argues would be "good news for people, business and tourism".
For more information about the science behind "social bubbles", you can read our Euronews piece on the topic here.
Earlier on Monday, the Lithuanian PM said the "Baltic travel bubble" had been working for countries in the region, adding that crossings had increased "up to 20 times".
He is now advocating for Poland and Finland to join the bubble, which he argues would be "good news for people, business and tourism".
For more information about the science behind "social bubbles", you can read our Euronews piece on the topic here.
Trump reveals he is taking an anti-malarial drug unproven to combat COVID-19
In other Trump news, the US president has said he is taking an anti-malarial drug to protect himself from coronavirus, despite its dangerous potential side effects, and it not being to proven to affect the disease.
He said he had been taking hydroxychloroquine “for about a week and a half now" after requesting it from the White House physician. His doctor did not recommend it to him.
The drug, which is usually used to treat lupus and arthritis, is not supposed to be taken outside a hospital setting for COVID-19 due to potentially lethal side effects.
Research on its effect on the virus is slim - and there is nothing conclusive to say it does combat COVID-19.
Euronews journalist Lauren Chadwick last month investigated difficulties lupus sufferers had in obtaining the drug - which is life-saving for their condition - after extended hype over its relationship with coronavirus. You can read the rest of Lauren's piece here.
He said he had been taking hydroxychloroquine “for about a week and a half now" after requesting it from the White House physician. His doctor did not recommend it to him.
The drug, which is usually used to treat lupus and arthritis, is not supposed to be taken outside a hospital setting for COVID-19 due to potentially lethal side effects.
Research on its effect on the virus is slim - and there is nothing conclusive to say it does combat COVID-19.
Euronews journalist Lauren Chadwick last month investigated difficulties lupus sufferers had in obtaining the drug - which is life-saving for their condition - after extended hype over its relationship with coronavirus. You can read the rest of Lauren's piece here.
Should children go back to school during a pandemic?
Belgium and Denmark have sent children back to school with strict conditions in place, while disputes wage on in France and the UK whether to follow suit.
The question is whether it is actually safe to do so, or whether it poses a high risk of children catching coronavirus and passing it on to their peers, their teachers, and family.
Euronews' political editor Darren McCaffrey looked into this question further. You can read the full piece here.
The question is whether it is actually safe to do so, or whether it poses a high risk of children catching coronavirus and passing it on to their peers, their teachers, and family.
Euronews' political editor Darren McCaffrey looked into this question further. You can read the full piece here.
Portugal nursing home 'box of emotion' allows families to visit elderly relatives
A nursing home in Montijo has created what it calls a "box of emotions" to allow families to come and visit their relatives without putting them in danger during the pandemic.
The room, split in two by a plexiglass screen, allows visitors to see their loved ones on the other side - although touching is still not possible.
Jose Navarro, who came to visit his 84-year-old father with dementia, said it was a "very positive" experience as the weeks of distancing had been painful for his family.
He said: "We cannot touch them, there's no contact, but just the fact of being there and looking them in the eye is in itself very positive.
"The message I want to convey to my father (is that) things are getting better, we are closer to each other and sooner or later it will all go back to normal."
The room, split in two by a plexiglass screen, allows visitors to see their loved ones on the other side - although touching is still not possible.
Jose Navarro, who came to visit his 84-year-old father with dementia, said it was a "very positive" experience as the weeks of distancing had been painful for his family.
He said: "We cannot touch them, there's no contact, but just the fact of being there and looking them in the eye is in itself very positive.
"The message I want to convey to my father (is that) things are getting better, we are closer to each other and sooner or later it will all go back to normal."
Donald Trump threatens to withdraw membership from the World Health Organisation
The US president has tweeted a letter he sent to the World Health Organisation (WHO), threatening to make a suspension in funding to the organisation permanent, and to withdraw membership overall.
This would happen if no "substantive improvements" are seen within the next 30 days, the letter says, as it details Trump's "serious concerns" about the WHO's relationship with China.
In listing several bullet points from an investigation carried out by his administration, Trump said the WHO had demonstrated an "alarming lack of independence" from China.
This would happen if no "substantive improvements" are seen within the next 30 days, the letter says, as it details Trump's "serious concerns" about the WHO's relationship with China.
In listing several bullet points from an investigation carried out by his administration, Trump said the WHO had demonstrated an "alarming lack of independence" from China.
Good morning, Europe! My name is Rachael, and I will be updating you with the latest news on coronavirus around the world.
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