Keep up to date with the latest coronavirus developments here.
A summary of the latest developments
Spain had no deaths due to coronavirus on Sunday, a first since March
There were just 178 new coronavirus cases in Italy, the lowest number since February 26th
The UK had 111 deaths in 24 hours, the lowest death toll since late March
More than six million people have had confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide
UK government defends easing lockdown despite concern from scientific advisors
Greek airports get ready to accept international flights for mid-June
Coronavirus statistics: Latest numbers on COVID-19 cases and deaths
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France to open bars and restaurants from Tuesday
Many restaurants began to set up terraces in preparation for the first day since mid-March that they could welcome members of the public.
Here's what people will be able to do in France from Tuesday:
- Go to a cafe, bar or restaurant, although they now will have to keep a distance of one metre from other tables
- Travel more than 100 kilometres from their residences
- Go to the theatre for a show, although social distancing measures will have to be in place
- Take a swim in the pool or go to the gym
- See a piece of artwork in a museum or visit a national monument, although they must wear a mask
- Go to the beach or the lake throughout the country
- Sit in the park or garden in areas such as Paris that were more heavily impacted by the epidemic
- Attend secondary school or high school, many of which will reopen next week
Bars and restaurants reopen in Finland and Norway
Small groups quickly formed on terraces as restaurants reopened.
Finland has had 318 deaths linked to the COVID-19 and more than 6,800 infections. Neighbouring country Norway has had over 8,400 cases and 236 deaths.
Eurozone manufacturing bouncing back, but still struggling
Despite some improvement, the score for May still shows "we're a long long way from a market that's growing and thriving again," said business analyst Guy Shone.
Watch the full report below:
Officials worry that US protests could lead to more coronavirus infections
Some officials have expressed concern that mass protests against systemic racism in the US could lead to more coronavirus infections.
“You turn on the TV and you see these mass gatherings that could potentially be infecting hundreds and hundreds of people after everything that we have done,” New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said in the city at his daily briefing.
“We have to take a minute and ask ourselves: ‘What are we doing here?’”
The Democratic governor said he agreed with demonstrators fighting racism but said New York is only supposed to open starting next week after three months of an order to stay at home.
“New York City opens next week. It took us 93 days to get here. Is this smart?” Cuomo asked.
Read more about the protests against racism and police violence here: https://www.euronews.com/2020/05/31/george-floyd-killing-violence-and-fury-in-cities-across-us-as-protesters-ignore-curfews
Difficult to predict when coronavirus will peak in Central and South America, WHO emergencies chief says
Central and South America are currently witnessing the most intense transmission of coronavirus though it's difficult to predict when the epidemic will peak, the World Health Organization's emergencies chief said.
Five of the 10 countries reporting the highest number of cases are in the Americas, Dr Michael Ryan said, including the U.S., Brazil, Peru, Chile and Mexico.
Growth of cases is not exponential but there is a progressive increase in cases.
“We’re particularly concerned about places like Haiti because of the inherent weaknesses in the system,” Ryan said at a press briefing on Monday. “I think we now absolutely need to focus on supporting particularly Central and South America,” he said.
“I don’t believe we’ve reached the peak” in the Americas, Ryan said, noting that fragile health systems in the region.
France records an additional 35 deaths in hospitals in 24 hours
There are 14,288 people currently in hospital due to COVID-19, and 1,302 in intensive care, the Directorate General for Health said in a statement.
There have been over 150,000 cases of coronavirus in France since the beginning of the epidemic.
Spain records no deaths in 24 hours, a first since early March
Spain reported no deaths in 24 hours from COVID-19 for the first time since March.
The development is “very, very encouraging,” emergency health response chief Fernando Simón said.
The country also recorded just 71 new COVID-19 infections over the past 24 hours, AP reported.
“We are in a very good place in the evolution of the pandemic,” Simón said. “The statistics are following a trend. They are going in the right direction.”
Italy records just 178 new cases, the lowest number since February
The total number of people who currently have coronavirus in Italy is 41,367, with a decrease of 708 patients compared to yesterday. Among the currently positive, 424 are undergoing intensive care and 6,099 people are hospitalised with symptoms.
Another 60 people died in 24 hours, bringing the total death toll due to coronavirus to 33,475.
Most of the positive cases in Italy continue to be in the northern region of Lombardy.
Minor differences in UK lockdown rules but major principles are same, officials say
Hancock said he respected "the Scottish government's right" to take "different decisions,".
"The overall responsibility for public health emergencies is a UK-wide one," Hancock added, but there are differences on the ground and a slightly different "shape" of the pandemic in Scotland.
People who have been shielding are now allowed to go outside in England but they are not in Scotland, for instance.
"We give very similar advice," added Prof Newton and they try to have the same "principles".
"We do everything we can to simplify and unify," Prof Newton said.
Contact tracing system has more capacity than UK needs
As the rate of incidence of coronavirus decreases, there are fewer cases and contacts to track.
The UK hired 25,000 people to work as contact tracers to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
"At the moment many of them are not fully occupied," said Professor John Newton from Public Health England. Yet health officials think there will be flare ups of coronavirus.
"Of the numbers of new cases, not all of them need to go into the contact tracing," Newton added. He said the government is pleased with the program but had no data to report yet of its efficacy.
UK records another 111 deaths due to coronavirus
Another 111 people died due to coronavirus, bringing the total number to 39,045 people. This was the lowest number of deaths in 24 hours since late March.
The UK continues to see a "downward progress" in the number of new coronavirus cases, health minister Matt Hancock said.
There are now 606 people on mechanical ventilators, and there are 7,541 people in hospital.
"The data show that we're winning the battle against coronavirus," Hancock said, insisting that the progressive lifting of restrictions was being done cautiously.
He warned people not to "step too far" because the virus is still present. If you have symptoms, you should get a test, Hancock said.
Northern Irish hotels, tourist accommodation to reopen on July 20: Minister
"Tourist accommodation will operate in a new, and challenging, world when it begins to emerge from COVID-19," she said in a statement.
"We need to enable businesses to plan ahead to ensure social distancing and hygiene practices are in place and staff are trained. These practices will also be essential to reassure customers and employees that establishments are COVID-19 safe," she added.
Restaurants and pubs are still awaiting guidance on when they'll be able to resume their activities.
Rome's Colosseum reopens
Plastic masks and gloves are already littering the seabed, campaigners warn
French environmental NGO Opération Mer Propre (Operation Clean Sea) is sounding the alarm over a new type of waste piling on top of the longtime plague of plastic pollution.
"It’s only the beginning," the group’s co-founder Joffrey Peltier told Euronews.
Diving near the French Riviera resort of Antibes to clean up the waste, the NGO found face masks and gloves littering the Mediterranean seabed alongside other rubbish such as empty cups and beer cans.
Greece reopens to tourists, with coronavirus tests on arrival
Hotels, golf courses and public swimming pools have now reopened in Greece, where authorities are ramping up preparations for the crucial summer tourism season.
The Greek government is keen to ensure the season is not lost to the coronavirus pandemic, and that holidaymakers can safely return to the country’s beauty spots. Taxes on airplane and boat tickets have been cut to make prices more attractive.
Tourism accounts for almost one-fifth of the Greek economy, and reopening the industry is vital to the country's recovery. According to the Tourism Ministry, 350,000 jobs depend directly on tourism, as many as double that number indirectly.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR FULL ARTICLE.
Officials baffled by claims from top Italian doctor
Iran declares huge jump in cases
German death toll rises by 11
Greyhound and pigeon racing resume in the UK
Belgian prince contracts COVID-19 after breaking Spanish lockdown rules
Prince Joachim, who is tenth in line to the throne, said he "deeply regrets" his actions and that he "will accept the consequences".
"I would like to apologise for not having respected all the quarantine measures during my trip. In these difficult times, I did not intend to offend or disrespect anyone," he added.
Spanish police have opened an investigation into the party with the young royal facing a fine of up to €10,000.
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