Coronavirus - 18th May

Summary for Monday, 18th May

• Anyone over the age of five with symptoms can be tested for coronavirus, UK health secretary says
  
• "We may have to learn to live with this virus for months if not years," England's deputy chief medical officer warns
  
• The US accuses the World Health Organization of allowing the Covid-19 outbreak to spin "out of control"
  
• China’s president agrees to an investigation “after pandemic under control”, and pledges £1.6bn in aid for affected nations
  
• More European countries are relaxing lockdown restrictions on Monday, with bars and restaurants reopening in Italy
  
• France and Germany propose a 500bn euro plan to relaunch the EU economy
  
• The mayor of Brazil's biggest city, Sao Paulo, warns its health system is close to collapse
  
• Globally, there are 4.7 million confirmed cases and 315,000 deaths
  

Welcome back to our rolling coverage of all things coronavirus. Our teams across the globe will be keeping you posted on all the developments on the pandemic.
Here’s what you need to know as the Asian morning kicks off this new week.

• Several European countries have recorded their lowest daily death tolls in weeks. The falling numbers come as some countries are set to ease lockdown restrictions further
  
• In the US, there were 820 new deaths linked to the virus in the past 24 hour, taking the country's toll close to 90,000
  
• Brazil now has the fourth-highest number of infections after the US, Russia and the UK. The mayor of Sao Paulo has warned the health system is close to collapse while Presiden Jair Bolsonaro continues to argue against the lockdown implemented by regional governors
  
• Japan has entered its first recession since 2015. The world’s third largest economy is on course for its worst economic slump since World War Two as a result of the coronavirus crisis
  
• India has extended its nationwide lockdown until 31 May, although there are considerable relaxations
  

Japan falls into recession for first time in years

Japan has fallen into a recession for the first time since 2015, as the virus outbreak continues to take a heavy toll on businesses and consumer spending.
GDP shrank an annualised 3.4% in the first quarter of the year from the previous quarter, as private consumption, capital expenditure and exports fell.
And experts say the future isn’t looking good either.
“It’s near certainty the economy suffered an even deeper decline in the current quarter,” Yuichi Kodama, chief economist at the Meiji Yasuda Research Institute told Reuters.
Analysts polled by Reuters said they expect Japan's economy to shrink an annualised 22% in the current quarter - which if it happens, would be the biggest decline on record.

Europe sees low death toll as lockdown eases

A glimmer of hope coming out of Europe this morning. The death toll in several countries have now hit a new low for the first time in weeks.
Italy reported 145 new deaths on Sunday, its lowest toll since 9 March. It comes as the country is set to further ease its lockdown measures - most businesses in Italy will be free to reopen in just a matter of hours, after more than two months in lockdown.
Over in Spain, the death toll stood at 87 - the first time the death toll has fallen below 100 since it imposed its lockdown restrictions. Spain is set to relax its restrictions outside of Madrid and Barcelona, with groups of up to 10 people free to meet.
And the trend continues in the UK which saw 170 deaths, the lowest since 24 March - the day after lockdown was introduced. However it is not uncommon for the number of deaths to be lower at the weekend than those reported during the week.
Read more about what restrictions are being eased in Europe here.

Crowds flock to beaches as lockdowns ease

As some countries are easing their lockdowns, people are heading back to the beaches wherever they are allowed to.
Social distancing measures are meant to remain in place though - which in some places means ticketed entires and temperature check before you can hit the waves.

Buyers line up for Virgin Australia

Simon Atkinson - BBC News, Sydney
Despite being in financial trouble even before the Covid-19 pandemic, Virgin Australia - Australia's second-biggest airline - has had no shortage of potential buyers.
Administrators Deloitte have shortlisted "a small number" of bidders to go through to the next stage of the sale process.
They have not been named officially but are all described as "well funded and possessing deep aviation experience". Binding offers must be made in the next four weeks or so.
Whoever takes over Virgin Australia is expected to cut back the business - including axing unprofitable routes.
But the fact there has been so much interest is a relief for those who feared that Qantas would have a domestic monopoly in this vast land, where air travel is an essential mode of transport.

Hospitals in Brazil's São Paulo 'near collapse'

The mayor of Brazil's largest city, São Paulo, has said its health system could collapse as demand grows for emergency beds to deal with coronavirus cases.
Bruno Covas said the city's public hospitals had reached 90% and could run out of space in about two weeks.

• Click here to read our full story
  

On Sunday, Brazil's health ministry reported 7,938 new cases in the past 24 hours, taking the total above 241,000. Only the US, Russia and the UK have higher numbers. With more than 16,000 deaths, the country has the sixth-highest death toll.
Brazil is deeply divided over how to respond to the crisis.
While governors have implemented lockdown measures, President Jair Bolsonaro continues to speak out against such measures, arguing the harm from a collapsing economy will be worse than that from the virus.

India's 'lockdown 4.0'

India has extended its lockdown for another two weeks as it attempts to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The government's disaster response authority said that new guidelines would be issued, "keeping in view the need to open up economic activities".
The country went into lockdown on 24 March and schools, public transport and most businesses have been shut since.
India has recorded 2,896 deaths. It has more than 90,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and 53,946 active infections.
It is the fourth time the federal government has extended the world's largest lockdown, covering 1.3 billion people. India media dubbed the extension "lockdown 4.0".
Read more here.

South Africa's ban on cigarettes and alcohol

South Africa implemented one of the world's toughest lockdowns, even banning cigarettes and alcohol.
But what's the impact of such strict measures and how do people feel about it?



South Aficans in massive queues for food parcels
Aerial footage has shown massive queues, thought to be miles long, of people waiting for food parcels in Centurion, South Africa.
Around 10,000 bags of maize meal, vegetables, face masks, soap and sanitisers were given out by charity workers on Thursday, to help those struggling in lockdown.

Sex dolls cheer South Korea's football league

The K-League is one of the few football arenas where playing has resumed, albeit, in empty stadiums. To remedy that lack of a proper crowd, FC Seoul decided to put plastic fans into the stands for their clash against Gwangju FC on Sunday.
But eagle-eyed social media users said the mannequins looked more like sex dolls.
The club has since apologised in a statement but said the order it placed with its supplier was for "products for fashion companies", i.e. not an "adult product".

World Health Assembly set to meet later today

The World Health Organization (WHO)'s decision-making body is set to (virtually) meet.
The annual World Health Assembly (WHA) usually brings together representatives from the WHO's member states in Geneva. There's no doubt there'll only be one thing on the agenda this year - the virus outbreak.
But it's not just a health convention - this year's assembly has already been shrouded in politics.
According to AFP, the WHO is set to discuss the question of Taiwan's participation as an observer at the WHA.
Taiwan has had huge success in dealing with the pandemic but it is currently excluded from the WHO. Taiwan sees itself as an independent nation but China views it as a breakaway province.
Nearly 15 countries have written to the WHO, asking that the question of Taiwan's participation be added to the agenda.
Find out more about why Taiwan has not been invited here.

Global number of cases reaches 4.7m

More than 4.7 million people across the world have now been infected with the coronavirus outbreak, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
The US accounts for the staggering majority of this with over 1.4 million cases, or almost one-third.
Russia comes in at second with 281,752, followed closely by the United Kingdom at 244,995.
A surge cases means the number of cases in Brazil have surpassed the total in Italy, with 241,080 infections recorded in the central American country.
Lastly, Spain has now recorded 230,698 cases, followed by Italy, France and Germany.

Crowds flock to Vietnam tourist sites

The selfies are back in Vietnam after the government allowed domestic travel to return. Tourists are now visiting famed spots like Ha Long Bay and Da Nang.
Swift and severe action early on has allowed Vietnam to stem the spread of the virus and it's already opening up again. But the country's tourism sector has been hit hard by the restrictions

Singapore to test 30,000 pre-school staff

About 30,000 staff members at pre-schools around Singapore will be required to undergo testing before they go back to work.
This includes teachers, principals, administrative staff, cooks and cleaners - who will be tested between 15 - 26 May.
Local preschools have had clusters of infections. Earlier in April, one centre was closed for 10 days after a teacher tested positive. Another centre was also temporarily shut after a child tested positive after being infected by a family member.
One parent told news site TODAY that the move was reassuring, adding that it was a "good initiative".
However, questions still remain over how measures like social distancing and mask wearing would be put in place in preschool - most children who attend are under the age of 6.
It is not yet clear when preschools might reopen but Singapore is currently under a partial state of lockdown until 1 June.

Sao Paulo expects lockdown to tighten

Katy Watson - BBC South America correspondent
A quarantine in São Paulo state was imposed nearly two months ago - businesses, schools and public spaces were closed and people were asked to stay at home.
But there are no costly punishments for those who flout the rules - plenty of Paulistanos (residents of São Paulo city) are still choosing to drive to the beach for the weekend and it's getting locals very cross.
A recent rule brought in that made the wearing of masks mandatory is often ignored - at the weekend, I saw plenty of people going for their Sunday cycle or run either with no mask or wearing one around their neck. It doesn't feel like the virus is being taken seriously.
At the same time, people are seeing Europe start to open up and wonder when it's going to happen here. But as the mayor said at the weekend, the city has to stop before it can reopen. Many are expecting a tougher lockdown in the weeks ahead.

Call for inquiry into virus origins gains support

A growing number of countries are backing Australia in calling for an independent inquiry into the coronavirus outbreak.
More than 100 countries will co-sponsor the motion, boosting its chances of passing through at the virtual meeting of the World Health Assembly later on today, said a report by the Sydney Morning Herald. The motion does not mention the location in which the outbreak is believed to have emerged, but calls on the WHO to "identify the zoonotic source of the virus and the route of introduction to the human population".
The international support is likely to isolate China, which has previously dismissed calls for an inquiry saying it was "political manipulation".

Cambodia now 'virus-free'

Over the weekend, Cambodia said its only remaining Covid-19 patient has been treated and released from hospital, leaving the country with no current cases of the virus.
Video of the 36-year old woman leaving a hospital in the capital Phnom Penh was shown live on Cambodian television on Saturday.
Cambodia has reported 122 cases of the virus and no deaths.
Health officials have warned that they will not ease existing restrictions though - including school closures and border entry checks and quarantine - and continue to be vigilant.
"We think that most of the cases, generally, are imported, so we must be careful with all checkpoints at the border, at airports, at ports, at land checkpoints," Health Minister Mam Bunheng said.

Can India replace China as world's factory?

Nikhil Inamdar -India Business Correspondent
China is facing a global backlash over the Covid-19 pandemic that could destabilise its reign as the world's factory of choice.
And its neighbour, India, is hoping to cash in on this opportunity. The federal government is readying a pool of land twice the size of Luxembourg to offer manufacturers.
But experts say there are other challenges.
Read the full story here.

Australians enjoy weekend of greater freedoms

Australian states and territories have begun easing restrictions - to varying levels - in the past week.
For many, it was the first weekend since March that they had seen family and friends.
Australia has recorded more than 7,000 infections and 99 deaths.

'Growing anger' on Manila Bay cruise ships

Howard Johnson - Philippines Correspondent, BBC News
Roxas Boulevard, a palm tree-lined promenade in Manila Bay, is a popular spot for joggers and amateur fishermen. But in the last month regulars here have been confronted with an eerie sight, a shimmering ‘city’ of cruise ships around 8km (five miles) from the shore.
Thousands of returning Filipino and foreign crew members are on board more than 20 ships undergoing 14-days in isolation quarantine so they can disembark in the Philippines. But delays in processing Covid-19 test results by the Filipino authorities mean many have had to endure more than a month alone in their cabins.
According to the Philippine Coastguard the testing schedule was put on hold last Friday because Typhoon Vongfong passed through Manila.
At the weekend I spoke with Tijana Majic, a 28-year-old Serbian crew worker from one of the ships. She was at Manila’s main international airport waiting for a flight home to Belgrade via Doha, arranged by the cruise ship operator. “Disaster, all of it,” she told me. “I was locked down for 50 days in one room. They brought us food and washing, but it was like being in a jail.”
Today I spoke with another crew member still on board one of the ships. He was scheduled to fly home at the weekend but was “kept in the dark” as to why he wasn’t allowed to disembark. “I can’t speak for Filipinos in quarantine,” he told me, “but there is growing anger among the rest of us that have been kept locked down for a month”.
Cruise operators say they have already repatriated thousands of crew members and that their top priority is to return more safely and as quickly as possible

What's going on in Europe?

Rome is beginning to open up again

Good morning from London. Here's a round-up of the latest developments in Europe as we head into a new week.

• More European countries are relaxing lockdown measures on Monday as the continent's worst-hit countries appear to have passed their peaks
  
• The UK, Italy and Spain all recorded their lowest death tolls since March over the weekend
  
• Most businesses in Italy, including bars and hairdressers, will be opening their doors for the first time in more than two months on Monday
  
• People living outside of Madrid and Barcelona in Spain will be free to meet in groups of 10
  
• Belgium is to begin reopening primary and secondary schools under strict conditions
  
• Portugal, Greece, Denmark and Ireland are also easing their lockdown measures
  

What's happening in the UK?

If you are just joining us from the UK, then welcome. Here are your headlines on Monday morning.

• The government says it is vital people do not use public transport unless their journey is essential and they have no alternative, but if you are planning to do so today then expect to see new measures in place.
  
• Security guards with crowd management training will be at some stations, while passengers could be prevented from boarding a train or entering a platform if there are too many people.
  
• It comes as the UK recorded 170 deaths yesterday - the lowest since 24 March, the day after lockdown was introduced.
  
• However, UK nations have been told they need to band together to compete in the global market for testing supplies.
  
• The Archbishop of Canterbury has warned cuts to public spending after the pandemic "would be catastrophic" and has urged politicians to be "brave and courageous" as they deal with the economic and social consequences of the lockdown.
  
• And a new points-based immigration system moves a step closer to becoming law as proposed legislation appears before MPs today - the immigration bill repeals EU freedom of movement and introduces the new framework - though not exact details - for who can come to live in Britain.
  

India cases up more than 5,000, a one-day record

India recorded 5,242 new cases in the last 24 hours - the highest spike the country has seen so far, just as the government has begun to ease restrictions.
This takes the total number of cases to 96,169, with around 56,000 active infections.
While the lockdown is slated to end on 31 May, some non-essential shops and businesses have begun to reopen, and buses have been allowed to operate across cities and towns, and even cross state borders if they have permission.
Easing the lockdown is seen by some as essential for India's battered economy to recover - job losses have crossed 120 million.

Bangkok considers bankruptcy for Thai Airways

Thailand plans a bankruptcy proceeding to save the country's flag carrier Thai Airways, officials have told news agency Reuters.
The move would replace an earlier rescue plan, which involved the airline seeking a $1.8m (£1.5m) loan guaranteed by the government.
The plans are to be submitted to cabinet on Tuesday.
The state of Thailand holds a 51% stake in the airline which like many global carriers has suffered dramatically from the global lockdown, although Thai Airways was already making losses before the global pandemic began.

China sees 'air pollution rise' post-lockdown

Pollution in areas of China has risen higher than last year after dropping considerably during its strict lockdown, according to a new study.
The Helsinki-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) said the rebound was likely due to industrial activity as the country attempts to kickstart the economy.
"There are early warning signs that China's recovery from the Covid-19 crisis is reversing air quality gains," it said.
Despite experiencing a major drop in February, the level of pollutants were higher in the 30 days ending 8 May on last year, the report said.
Industrial activity appears to be driving the rise as areas with large numbers of factories showed the biggest increase, it said.
The group analysed data from 1,500 air quality monitoring stations in China.

'Diminished patience' for Taiwan's exclusion from WHO

Saira Asher - BBC News
Taiwan has had astounding success battling coronavirus. It has recorded only 440 cases and seven deaths in a population of 23 million, attributed largely to early border controls, a ban on foreign visitors and mandatory quarantine for all Taiwanese people returning home.
This has given it a renewed zeal to be included in decision-making about global health.
And it's lobbied hard to be an observer at the World Health Assembly - the annual meeting of the World Health Organization's decision making body - that begins later today.
It's also won support from major powers including the US, EU, Japan and Australia.
But China - which says Taiwan is part of its territory - has blocked Taiwan's attendance since 2016.
The Taiwan dispute is long-running, but Shelley Rigger, professor of political science at Davidson College and long-time Taiwan researcher, says there may now be "diminished patience" from some countries with an objection from China which "feels very abstract and ideological in a moment of, you know, global catastrophe".
Read more about this here.

Belgium takes next step to reopen schools

Gavin Lee - BBC Europe reporter
Belgian authorities have reported fewer than 50 Covid-19 deaths a day for two consecutive days, the lowest figure for almost two months.
Today, a week on from the reopening of all shops across the country, primary and secondary schools will begin again, for selected year groups, small classes, and attendance will be optional. Museums and zoos can reopen with online bookings only to ensure smaller crowds, and up to 20 people can play sports together.
This week is being seen as a huge test for Belgium, which has the world’s highest Covid-19 mortality rate, with 9,000 deaths in a country of 11 million.
Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes faced a so-called guard of dishonour outside a Brussels hospital at the weekend. Doctors and nurses turned their backs as her motorcade approached, in a protest over their pay and working conditions.

As rules relax, Asian cities inch closer to normality

Some of Asia's biggest cities are slowly limping back to normal as governments begin to ease restrictions.
Vietnam, one of the world's success stories in curbing the pandemic, has allowed non-essential businesses, such as bars, restaurants, cinemas and spas to reopen in recent weeks.
And Hanoi's popular Ta Hien Street, known as the beer corner, is once again looking like it used to.

Ta Hien Street, known as the beer corner, in Hanoi


Thailand too has seen life inch closer to normality as outdoor markets reopened earlier in the month. The country also started to open shopping malls and department stores last week.
It has confirmed a little more than 3,000 cases, among the lowest in the world.

People have begun to throng to Bangkok's Chinatown again



Traffic in Yangon city


Traffic has returned to cities such as Myanmar's Yangon and Pakistan's Karachi, which saw some of its roads clogged last week after the government allowed businesses to reopen with social distancing norms.
The government said rules could be reimposed if cases start to spike again.

Karachi's roads were crowded last week

Standalone shops in Indian cities have also begun to reopen.
Both India and Pakistan have begun to relax restrictions, even as cases continue to rise, because the economic impact of lockdown has proved costly.
The two countries have not seen a high number of fatalities - a trend they hope will hold

Small shops have begun to reopen the Indian city of Amritsar

UK stations put crowd-control measures in place

Train stations are enforcing new rules to limit crowding on trains and platforms as services start to ramp up across the country.
The measures include blocking off seats to spread out passengers, and not halting at every stop if the carriages fill up early on.
There are more radical ideas on the table as well - such as requiring passengers to book time slots for when they can arrive at a station, or preventing them from boarding a train or even entering a station that's already full.
Currently, only people who cannot work from home are advised to return to their workplace. And workers have been asked to use public transport when they have no alternative.
Read the full story here.

'More staff than passengers'

Tom Burridge - Transport correspondent
New crowd-control measures are in place in stations in England today, as more people are encouraged to get back to work. The BBC's transport correspondent Tom Burridge is at Euston station this morning:
I can see dozens of passengers streaming through the concourse now from a particular platform, but compared to normal this is very, very quiet at London Euston this morning
That’s what rail companies want, that’s what they’re working for, and that’s what the advice is designed to create.
There's probably at points this morning more staff than passengers. There’s lots of British Transport Police, lots of security staff to manage flows of passengers if necessary,
And dotted around the station there are yellow metal gates which they can pull across entrances and exits and entrances to platforms if necessary - if they judge that there are too many people.
I am told that the forecasting for train companies says that passenger numbers are expected to rise significantly several weeks from now, and that’s why they’re considering other measures at stations like possibly requiring people to book an arrival slot time at their local station in the future so that there aren’t crowds.

Passengers board and leave a train in Bracknell, Berkshire, on Monday

Premier League games could be shown on free-to-air TV

Some Premier League games could be shown on free-to-air television when professional football returns in England, says Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden.
He told BBC Breakfast the English top flight would only resume once it is safe to do so, with 12 June slated as a potential date - though there is a feeling among clubs that this may be pushed back.
There is a blanket ban on broadcasting 15:00 kick-offs in the UK but Mr Dowden says, because the matches will be played with no spectators, those slots could be available for free-to-air viewing.
"We are looking at increasing the number of matches that are free-to-air so people wouldn't be tempted to leave their houses to watch it," he said.

China's Xi to address WHO assembly

Chinese President Xi Jinping will be addressing the World Health Organization's 73rd World Health Assembly, getting underway today.
Xi will deliver a speech at the opening ceremony of the conference, which will be held by video link due to the global lockdown.
China has been criticised by some countries for not alerting the WHO and the world early enough about the virus outbreak. China's foreign ministry repeated on Monday that it was premature to begin an investigation into this.

Russia records more than 8,000 more cases

Russia has recorded 8,926 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of those infected to more than 290,000.
A total of 91 deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours, which takes the reported death toll to 2,722.

UK 'missing 70,000 cases due to outdated symptoms' list

Thousands of Covid-19 cases are probably being missed because the UK has not updated its list of potential symptoms, Prof Tim Spector from King's College London told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Prof Spector leads the team running the Covid Symptom Tracker app and said they had identified around 14 symptoms associated with having a positive test - but the UK continues to emphasise only coughs and fevers.
He said the country was likely to be missing 50,000 to 70,000 infections by overlooking complaints such as fatigue, muscle pain and loss of taste or smell, which other countries are including as indicators of coronavirus infection.
"This country is missing them all, underestimating cases but also putting people at risk and continuing the epidemic," he said.
"There’s no point telling people to be alert if they don’t know the symptoms."

Health workers face violent attacks in Mexico

Mexican nurse Ligia Kantun says that in 40 years of work, she has never witnessed such a poisonous reaction to health workers. While in many countries doctors and nurses are being praised for their work on the coronavirus front line, in Mexico dozens have been attacked.
Ligia, 59, says that she worked during the swine flu pandemic in 2009 and an outbreak of cholera in 2013, but some people are "behaving psychotically in response to this virus".
"It is terrible," she says.
She was attacked on 8 April after leaving work in her hometown of Merida, Yucatan. Someone drove past her and threw hot coffee down her back. "Infected!" they yelled through the car window before speeding away.
She says that luckily she was not badly injured but she knows it could have been worse.
As of 28 April, there had been at least 47 attacks against health workers, particularly nurses, in the country, according to the Mexican government. And the authorities say the true figure may be higher. Reports on social media of discrimination range from nurses being stopped from getting on buses to doctors being assaulted by relatives of Covid-19 patients.
Read more here.

Police visit Neil Gaiman after 11,000-mile trip

Police say they have given "suitable advice" to the writer Neil Gaiman after he admitted travelling from New Zealand to the Isle of Skye – via Los Angeles and London – despite Scotland's lockdown rules only allowing "essential travel".
The author of Good Omens and American Gods said he went to his home in Skye so he could “isolate easily” after he and his wife, the singer Amanda Palmer, agreed they “needed to give each other some space”.
Inspector Lynda Allan from Police Scotland said officers visited Gaiman, and he was given "suitable advice about essential travel and reminded about the current guidelines in Scotland".
Responding to criticism online, Gaiman said he was a UK taxpayer and on the electoral register in Scotland, adding that it was permitted to return home.

China: Covid-19 investigation still premature

Ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at the World Health Assembly later, the country's foreign ministry has said any investigation into the origins of the coronavirus would be premature.
Xi will deliver a speech via video link at the opening ceremony of the conference. China has been accused by some of early attempts to cover up the outbreak, which has gone on to claim more than 300,000 lives globally.
A joint EU-Australia draft resolution calling for an inquiry into the origins and spread of Covid-19 has the backing of 116 nations at the World Health Assembly. It needs the backing of two-thirds of the 194 members of the assembly before a resolution can be put forward.
However, China has voiced its staunch opposition to such a move and opposed a similar call from Australia last month.
On Monday, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said it was still too early for an investigation as most countries believed the pandemic was not over.

French schools shut after child tests positive

Seven schools have closed as a precaution in the north-eastern French city of Roubaix after a child tested positive for coronavirus.
Officials say they will tell the families of those who came in contact with the child. Meanwhile, the shuttered schools will conduct lessons remotely.
French schools began to reopen last week as the country slowly eased its lockdown. But many were concerned about the move, with one poll showing 69% of respondents thought authorities could not keep them safe. A number of other schools have since closed because of positive cases.
Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer told French broadcaster RTL on Monday that 70 cases of the virus had been found in the roughly 40,000 schools that have opened since last week. He said all affected schools had been shut, showing how strict the authorities were being on safety.
But he also said that not teaching children could have serious consequences. "Our children must not be collateral victims of health measures," he reportedly said.

Most of Europe seems to be past virus peak

Many European countries are gradually easing their lockdown measures. The decision comes as number of new infections and daily deaths are on the decline.
The table below shows you the worst-hit countries - the darker the colour the higher was the number of daily new infections.

What’s the latest from the Middle East?

Qatar and Kuwait have announced tough penalties for people who fail to wear a face mask in public. Those breaking the rules in Qatar risk up to three years in prison, while the maximum punishment in Kuwait will be three months.
Lebanon’s four-day lockdown has ended, although an overnight curfew will remain in place. Lockdown measures were reintroduced last week after the number of cases surged when some restrictions were eased.
Deaths in Yemen's port city of Aden have surged to at least five times higher than normal, an NGO and medics say, prompting fears about the spread of coronavirus in the war-torn country.
As Muslims around the world prepare to celebrate the end of Ramadan later this week, a number of countries have announced stricter measures to prevent the spread of the virus during Eid al-Fitr. Saudi Arabia is planning a nationwide lockdown over the holiday, while Egypt will bring forward the start of its curfew by four hours and halt public transport for six days.

Garden centres reopen as NI considers easing lockdown

Later today, the Northern Ireland executive is meeting to look at whether the scientific advice justifies lockdown measures being eased.
But a handful of changes have already been introduced, with garden centres opening today and queues already forming at recycling centres.
Marriage ceremonies are also being allowed for people who are terminally ill.
It comes as the Republic of Ireland begins the first stage of its five-step plan for reopening, with groups of four allowed to meet while observing social distancing and some outdoor businesses reopening.

'Little global unity' in Covid-19 battle: UN chief

The UN secretary general has opened the World Health Organization's annual World Health Assembly by saying that there needs to be more global unity in fighting Covid-19.
There has been "little [global] unity in response to Covid-19", António Guterres said.
He added that the pandemic will potentially be "even more devastating in developing countries".

Xi Jinping: China has been open

President Xi Jinping is up early at the World Health Assembly, after South Africa's representative experienced some technical difficulties.
"All along we have acted with openness, transparency and responsibility," he says.
Let's see what more he has to say about the response to Covid-19.

Xi Jinping: Impartial inquiry, after pandemic controlled

A pointed comment from President Xi, amid calls for an independent review of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
He urges a "comprehensive review of the global response to Covid-19, after it has been brought under control..." and adds that it should be "conducted in an objective and impartial way".
Xi also pledged $2bn (£1.65bn) over two years to help with theCovid-19 response and said any vaccines developed against thedisease by China will be made a "global public good".

More of Spain moves into phase one of reopening

Guy Hedgecoe - BBC News, Madrid
Seventy per cent of Spain is now in phase one of the government’s planned three-phase lifting of the national lockdown.
Today, several provinces along the Mediterranean coast in Valencia, in the southern region of Andalusia, and in the country’s interior joined other areas which moved into phase one last week.
Cafes and restaurants in those places can now serve customers, but only at outdoor tables; groups of up to 10 people can gather in the street or in homes; and smaller cultural events are allowed to take place.
In the southern coastal city of Malaga, for example, many bars and restaurants opened after two months of closure to serve customers outdoors. However, there has been a heavy police presence there and in other cities to ensure that continuing restrictions are respected.
Madrid and Barcelona are not yet in phase one, due to safety concerns, and therefore remain under tighter restrictions.

Macron: Health cannot be quarreled over

French President Emmanuel Macron has been speaking on videolink after Xi Jinping at the World Health Assembly.
He has emphasised the importance of a global approach to tackling the virus.
"If we do discover a vaccine against Covid-19... everyone must have access to it," he says.
"As long as the disease remains a threat to a few, it will remain a threat to everybody," he adds.
"It's also a question of principle. Human health cannot be quarreled over, cannot be appropriated and cannot be bought and sold."

Greeks rush to countryside as travel to regions permitted

Kostas Koukoumakas - Athens, Greece
Greece today entered the third phase of the government’s plan to lift restrictions.
Greeks are now allowed to travel to neighbouring regions on the mainland, and ferries to Crete have restarted.
"There was heavy traffic on the highway; people ran to the countryside," a friend told me on the phone while he drove from Athens to western Greece.
Archaeological sites also opened today. President Katerina Sakellaropoulou visited the famous Acropolis in Athens with a group of officials and archaeologists, all observing 1.5 metres of social distancing. "Marbles shine in the sun," she told journalists - paraphrasing the Greek poet and Nobel prize laureate, George Seferis.
Middle and high schools reopened on Monday as well as shopping malls. People were queuing outside a mall in Marousi suburb of Athens earlier today, craving the chance to browse newly opened shops with an iced coffee in hand.

Merkel: WHO is legitimate but could be improved

Speaking at the World Health Assembly, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has defended the work of the WHO, but suggested it could be improved.
"The World Health Organization is the legitimate, global institution where all the threads come together. Because that is the case we have to keep looking at how we can further improve its functioning," Merkel said, appearing via video link.
Merkel said international cooperation was key to overcoming the pandemic.
The WHO has been strongly criticised by some world leaders, particularly US President Donald Trump, who has accused it of mismanaging the pandemic.

Celtic are Scottish football champions as season ended

Celtic have been confirmed as Scottish Premiership champions for the ninth season in a row - and Hearts relegated - after the SPFL ended the season.
The decision was taken at a board meeting on Monday after the 12 clubs agreed at the end of last week that completing the campaign was unfeasible.
Average points per game played has been used to determine final placings, with the only change to the table from when football was halted on 13 March being that St Johnstone move above Hibernian into sixth place.
Celtic were 13 points ahead of nearest challengers Rangers - having played a game more - when the season was put into abeyance. Like most teams in the division, Neil Lennon's side still had eight games to play.
Hearts were four adrift of Hamilton Academical at the bottom with a possible 24 points available.

• More on this story here.
  

War of words looms between US and China

Tulip Mazumdar - Global Health Correspondent
The annual World Health Assembly is an important, but usually quite dry event. Not this year.
The Covid-19 pandemic is taking centre stage and the event is likely to host a strong war of words between China and the US about how this health emergency has unfolded - with the World Health Organization stuck in the middle of a bigger geopolitical fight between the superpowers.
The EU-led call for an investigation into the international response - and to find the animal source of Covid-19 - has been deliberately worded without mentioning China, where the virus first emerged.
Also expect calls for an independent WHO team to be allowed into China to investigate the origins of the virus. So far international teams have only been allowed in alongside Chinese authorities. The US and others including Australia will no doubt call for this, China is highly unlikely to agree.
Speaking at the start of the conference, President Xi Jinping said China had acted "with openness and transparency" and insisted that any investigation should happen after it was brought under control.

Scotland aims to ease lockdown on 28 May

Coronavirus lockdown measures in Scotland could begin to be lifted from 28 May, the first minister has announced.
Nicola Sturgeon said the easing of restrictions would mean people would be able to meet up with others outside their household and be allowed to do more outdoor activities.

Hundreds of lockdown breaches in English National Park, say police

With England having relaxed some lockdown measures and allowing households to travel to places such as parks and beaches, some beauty spots and National Parks felt the impact over the weekend.
Police said they tackled hundreds of incidents in the Yorkshire Dales over the weekend, including a group of eight people from six different households who went wild camping, large groups of motorcyclists and "people who deliberately organised mass gatherings".
A parish councillor in Masham, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, also complained about people having a "party on the tables in the middle of the market place, drinking wine and eating fish and chips".
Read more

Fifa to organise charity football match

Fifa is in the process of organising a charity football match to help raise funds for the fight against coronavirus.
Gianni Infantino, president of world football's governing body, says the match will take place when global health conditions allow.
“Further details of this unique event, including the location, date, participants and format will be announced by the Fifa Foundation in due course," said Youri Djorkaeff, the foundation’s chief executive.
The former France midfielder added: “Various scenarios and plans are currently under consideration, all of which are in line with health and other relevant guidelines from respective governments and international organisations.”
The intention is to raise funds for Access to Covid-19 Tools, a WHO initiative that aims to ensure treatments, vaccines and diagnostics are accesible to all.

WHO 'sounded alarm early' on pandemic, its chief says

The WHO “sounded the alarm early” to warn the world about the coronavirus, but its handling of the pandemic will be independently reviewed, its chief has said.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus defended the WHO’s response to the pandemic, arguing it gave countries ample warning, guidance and advice.
"The WHO sounded the alarm early, and we sounded it often," Dr Tedros said in a speech at the World Health Assembly.
But he welcomed a proposed resolution, spearheaded by the EU, on reviewing the WHO’s response, saying it should involve “all actors, in good faith”.
Acknowledging there were “lessons to learn”, Dr Tedros said he would launch an independent inquiry of the WHO's response as soon as possible.
"I will initiate an independent evaluation at the earliest appropriate moment to review experience gained and lessons learned and to make recommendations to improve national and global pandemic preparedness and response," Dr Tedros said.

Sorrow mixes with relief at morning mass in Italy

There was sorrow but relief too at morning mass in Milan’s Santa Maria del Rosario: the first time that people could return to churches in 10 weeks.
They came for comfort and to pray for Italy’s recovery. And they abided by strict measures: pews were disinfected before the service; worshippers sat apart; and the priest wore gloves to place the communion wafer in people’s hands, not their mouths. “It was strange to feel the body of Christ on these gloves,” said Father Marco Borghi, “but it’s so important for people to be able to get closer to God again at this time.”
From restaurants and bars to museums and libraries, to hair salons and beauty parlours, Italy is reopening and emerging from the world’s longest national lockdown.
There's a sense of optimism in the streets but also, still, astonishment at what has happened, particularly here in Italy’s richest, most advanced region. More than 15,000 people were killed in Lombardy, almost half of all the Italian deaths.
And the economic pain is intense. One in three businesses here say they won’t be reopening today.

South Africa leader pictured breaking social distance rules

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has been criticised for posing for photos with strangers despite telling people to keep their distance to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
A video shows Mr Ramaphosa joking about breaking social distancing rules after two women asked him for the photo.
He is heard saying "come, before we get arrested", prompting laughter.
On Sunday the country reported 1,160 new coronavirus infections - the highest daily numbers yet.
South Africa has had some of the strictest lockdown measures in the world, including a ban on cigarettes and alcohol, but is now easing some restrictions.
See more here.

What's happening in the US today?

• Several states, including South Carolina and Maine, are expanding their reopening measures today. And in Texas, Governor Abbott is expected to announce gyms, non-essential manufacturing and some work spaces will reopen from today with restrictions
  
• Tens of thousands of people are returning to work at car manufacturers, as companies such as General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler restart assembly lines today. Safety measures include face masks, gloves and curtains
  
• The USS Roosevelt, which was in the news after more than 500 of the sailors aboard the aircraft carrier tested positive for coronavirus, has begun preparations to return to normal operations
  
• And at 19:00 BST today (14:00 local time), President Trump will take part in an event with restaurant executives in the White House's State Dining Room.
  

The UK coronavirus app is delayed

Chris Mason - Political Correspondent
Don’t expect to be asked to download a coronavirus app for a while yet.
On 28 April, the Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "We hope to have the contact tracers in place before or at the same time as the app goes live. On the app – we're expecting that to be ready by the middle of May.”
Well, it isn’t.
In today's briefing for Westminster reporters, the Prime Minister's official spokesman told us: "The pilot is ongoing in the Isle of Wight. Residents have been hugely supportive. Sixty thousand downloads on the island. Their feedback is vital. It remains our aim to roll out the app across the country in the coming weeks."
You can read more about the app here.
Asked whether Hancock had been incorrect to suggest the whole system would be ready for mid-May, the prime minister's official spokesman said: "I have only ever spoken about having the 18,000 contact tracers in place by this week."

US car manufacturing industry slowly reopens

Tens of thousands of people in the US are returning to work today as the country's car industry slowly reopens.
General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler are among the companies restarting assembly lines with safety measures - such as temperature checks for workers, masks, gloves and curtains - in place.
The industry, which has been closed since March because of lockdown, accounts for about 6% of the US economy.
In the UK, Ford and Vauxhall have started reopening their car manufacturing plants

NHS England announces another 122 hospital deaths

NHS England has announced another 122 coronavirus deaths, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths in hospitals in England to 24,739.
Meanwhile, in Scotland there were two further deaths, Wales reported four more people had died, while another six were announced in Northern Ireland.
The death numbers announced on Sundays and Mondays are typically lower than the other five days of the week, because of fluctuations in how quickly deaths are reported.
The total UK-wide figure will be announced later - that also includes deaths in care homes and the community.

What did China do to prevent coronavirus spreading?

Reality Check
Our Reality Check team have been running a magnifying glass over China's actions given President Xi Jinping's comments to the World Health Assembly in Geneva.
He defended China’s response to the outbreak in the face of criticism from the United States and others that it could have done more to stop the spread of the virus.
Speaking at the conference via video-link earlier, Xi said: “All along we have acted with openness, transparency and responsibility.
"We have provided information to the WHO and relevant countries in a most timely fashion.”
Reality Check has looked at what we know about China’s actions during the early stages of the outbreak

Premier League players to train in small groups

Premier League football clubs have agreed to allow players to start training in small groups from Tuesday.
The league has been suspended since March and players have only been able to train individually.
But now clubs have voted to allow the first stage of the return to training protocol, which allows players to train in small groups with social distancing rules in place and contact banned.
The Premier League is aiming to restart on 12 June but some clubs want that date pushed back to allow players to regain their fitness.
The German Bundesliga became the first major European football league to restart over the weekend behind closed doors.
Read more here

Relief as hairdressers reopen in Poland

Adam Easton - Warsaw Correspondent
Restaurants, cafes, beauty salons and hairdressers have reopened in Poland.
For my wife, who has long hair, this had become something of a matter of urgency after a wait of more than two months. Alerted to the fact by text message immediately after the prime minister announced it, she managed to get an appointment on the first day.
But some restrictions remain. Upon arrival, unaccompanied by myself or our children, she must disinfect her hands and put on protective gloves. A face mask or scarf is compulsory, not just for staff but also the customers, who will be placed in seats at least 1.5 metres apart from each other. Employees are also advised to wear visors.
No hot drinks may be served, nor mobile phones taken out of pockets. And strictly no waiting in the salon. Staff are advised to monitor their health by taking their temperature daily.
One piece of good news at my wife’s salon is that the prices remain unchanged. There have been reports of some businesses taking advantage of the renewed demand to hike their prices.

Over two million claims for UK self-employment scheme

There have been more that two million claims for the UK’s grant scheme for self-employed people, the chancellor has said.
Rishi Sunak told MPs that the total value of the claims made as of yesterday stood at £6bn, after applications opened last week.
Grants will be calculated for 80% of average monthly profit over a period of up to three years.
The maximum payment will be £7,500, intended to cover March, April and May.

No UK quarantine exemption for French travellers

Details of plans to quarantine travellers arriving in the UK will be "set out in due course", Downing Street says.
But the prime minister's spokesman said there had never been plans for a specific exemption for people coming from France, as had been reported last week. There is an "ongoing discussion with the French government", he said.
Boris Johnson and President Emmanuel Macron discussed how the tunnel connecting their countries could have an important role to play in the movement of freight both ways.
But the UK will determine its own policy.
The spokesman was not aware of discussions with other countries "at leader level" regarding the quarantine plans.
There will, however, be an exemption for those entering the UK from the Common Travel Area, meaning those coming from Ireland.
Any quarantine measures will be reviewed every three weeks in line with scientific advice
The Foreign Office advice remains that nothing but essential travel should be taken overseas.

All over-fives to get tests in UK

Everyone over the age of five living in the UK with symptoms of coronavirus will soon be eligible to be tested, the health secretary has just told MPs.
The move has been agreed by Matt Hancock and his counterparts in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Testing in England and Scotland is currently limited to key workers, hospital patients, care home residents, the over-65s and those who need to leave home for work.
In Northern Ireland and Wales, it is confined to key workers, hospital patients and care home residents.

Mixed verdict in NHS contact-tracing app trial

Rory Cellan-Jones - Technology correspondent
It is 10 days since all Isle of Wight residents were invited to test the NHS app at the heart of the government's test, track and trace strategy. So how's it going?
Mixed would probably be a fair verdict, though we may have a clearer idea following a Commons statement by the Health Secretary Matt Hancock this afternoon.
The big concern was how many people would download it. Epidemiologists suggest that for the UK as a whole, about 60% of the population needs to install and use the software for it to live up to its full potential.
So when Downing Street says there have been roughly 60,000 downloads, that's not a bad result. The island's population is 140,000, and its inhabitants are slightly older and less likely to own a smartphone than the UK average.
But one cautionary note - that 60,000 may include some who downloaded it twice or are from the mainland.
Read the full analysis

US students forced to retake online exams after glitch

As many as 22,000 high school students may have to retake Advanced Placement (AP) exams in the US after technical problems.
Students took the tests online this year after schools were closed by coronavirus. Several students reported problems with submitting their answers at the end of the timed examination.
The College Board, the organisation which runs the exams, said issues with submitting answers had affected fewer than 1% of the 2.2 million who took the tests, and students could retake them in June.
It blamed outdated browsers for the issues.
Some universities in the US give credits based on the scores achieved by students in their AP exams, and others consider AP scores in whether to accept new recruits.

US attacks WHO at World Health Assembly

Tulip Mazumdar - Global Health Correspondent
After a good four hours of countries pledging their support for the World Health Organization, the US took just three minutes to launch a scathing attack on the UN's health agency.“We must be frank... There was a failure by this organisation to obtain the information that the world needed, and that failure cost many lives”, was one of the brutal opening lines from US Health Secretary Alex Azar. It didn't get any prettier...
He didn't specifically name China, but talked about "at least one member state's apparent attempt" to "conceal this outbreak", and said the WHO "must become far more transparent and far more accountable”.

Students 'need clarity' for university choices

Sean Coughlan - BBC News, education correspondent
Students applying for university places in England must be told with "absolute clarity" how courses will be taught before they make choices for the autumn, the university watchdog has said.
Courses might still be online and Nicola Dandridge, of the Office for Students (OFS), warned against misleading promises about a "campus experience".
Campuses have been closed this term by the Covid-19 outbreak.
But universities can charge full fees even if courses are taught online.
The OFS says this information should be provided for students before they make a firm choice in June - and "certainly before" the clearing process that follows students getting their A-level grades in August.
Read more here

160 new UK deaths in last 24 hours

The UK Department of Health says 34,796 people have died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Sunday, up by 160 from 34,636 the day before.
In the 24-hour period up to 9am on Monday, 100,678 tests were carried out or dispatched, with a total of 67,409 people tested and 2,684 positive results.
Overall a total of 2,682,716 tests have been carried out, and 246,406 cases have been confirmed positive.
As always, there are two important caveats to mention with these figures
There has typically been a reporting lag over the weekend and today’s figures – which represent the lowest daily death toll since 24 March – might not be a true indicator of future numbers.
And most experts accept the total death toll attributable to the virus is much higher than that officially recorded by the Department of Health, with ONS figures indicating thousands of excess deaths over the past two months.
The number of people in hospital has fallen by 13% to 9,408.
As for testing, 100,678 tests were carried out in the past 24 hours, marginally above the government’s 100,000 end of April target.

US attacks WHO at World Health Assembly

Tulip Mazumdar - Global Health Correspondent
After a good four hours of countries pledging their support for the World Health Organization, the US took just three minutes to launch a scathing attack on the UN's health agency.“We must be frank... There was a failure by this organisation to obtain the information that the world needed, and that failure cost many lives”, was one of the brutal opening lines from US Health Secretary Alex Azar. It didn't get any prettier...
He didn't specifically name China, but talked about "at least one member state's apparent attempt" to "conceal this outbreak", and said the WHO "must become far more transparent and far more accountable”.

What did we learn from today's UK briefing?

Today's government press conference was led by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab. He was joined by Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, the deputy chief medical officer for England.
Here's what they told us:

• There is now a steady decline in the number of new confirmed cases, hospital admissions and critical care use
  
• The government is hoping to avoid a second peak but it planning for emergencies. It is possible that autumn and winter conditions will help the virus spread so the government is preparing for that
  
• Anosmia - the loss of sense of smell and taste - has been added to the list of key symptoms of the virus. It was added late because it usually appears after the other symptoms (persistent cough and fever) and only makes a small difference in diagnosis
  
• Children do not appear to be significant spreaders of the virus as they are with flu. They also, in the overwhelming majority, have a much milder version of the disease than adults
  
• The government wants an international review of the pandemic to include a look at how the virus originated
  

Italy and Spain record new lows in daily death toll

Italy has recorded its lowest daily death toll since 9 March - with 99 deaths from coronavirus reported on Monday.
Spain too has its lowest in two months. The government said 59 people have died in its latest count.
Both countries have been very badly affected by the pandemic, with 31,908 deaths in Italy and 27,709 in Spain, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins university.
But both have seen a steady decline in deaths recently.

Northern Ireland to allow groups of six and drive-in church services

Groups of up to six people who do not share a household in Northern Ireland will now be allowed to meet outdoors from Tuesday.
Ministers in the devolved government have agreed to ease more lockdown restrictions as part of the first step of their recovery plan, so long as social distancing is followed.
Churches will now be able to open for private prayer, and some sports, such as golf and tennis, can restart.
Drive-in church services and drive-in cinemas will also be permitted.

Danish bars and cafes back in business

Adrienne Murray in Copenhagen
Denmark’s cafes, restaurants and pubs are reopening, after two months of lockdown.
It’s the latest chapter in Denmark’s phased easing of restrictions.
Social distancing has been scaled back from 2m (6.5ft) to 1m. It means more customers can be seated, making it more viable for restaurants to reopen.
“The two metres was a big issue because it didn't allow us to have enough revenue,” says Jacob Niebuhr, Chairman of Denmark’s Restaurant and Cafe Association.
He thinks most will be ready to open this week.
One cafe owner expects meal discounts and stiff competition, as businesses try to tempt customers back.
In the neighbourhood of Vesterbro, I saw tables being laid and staff armed with tape measures, lining up seats precisely.
Face masks - already a rare sight in Denmark - aren’t compulsory, and groups of up to 10 friends can sit together.
For pubs though, there’ll be no more customers propping up the bar. They aren’t allowed to face staff for more than 15 minutes.
Tim Tynan, owner of Kennedy’s Irish Bar in central Copenhagen, says he’s put up signs and red tape to guide customers. “We’re looking forward to seeing our regular customers come back. How many will come, and when, is another thing.”

Uber cuts 3,000 more jobs

Uber has announced it will cut 3,000 more jobs worldwide as part of an action plan to scale back its business.
The latest job cuts come after plans to cut 3,700 jobs were announced earlier this month, meaning around a quarter of the company's jobs will be lost.
The workforce cuts do not include drivers, whom Uber considers independent contractors.
Uber said it would reorganise its remaining staff and cut back spending in areas that are not part of its core personal transport or food delivery businesses, including its AI Labs.
The number of Uber rides dropped 80% around the world last month as the company was hit by coronavirus restrictions.

What's the risk on public transport?

In Rome, Italy, a limit on the number of people allowed on trains have been introduced

With lockdowns easing across much of Europe and the US, and some sectors returning to work, you might be wondering how safe public transport is.
Many cities are urging commuters to cycle or walk instead of catching a bus or train, but in some cases, there is no other option.
A lot of the potential risk of infection on trains and buses depends on how crowded they are, and how far away you can keep from other people.
Ventilation also plays an important role as fresh air can help droplets containing the virus dissipate faster.
In the UK, the advice for people taking public transport incudes:

• Travel at off-peak times
  
• Take a less busy route and reduce the number of changes
  
• Wait for other passengers to get off before boarding
  

Read more about the infection risks on public transport

South Sudan's vice president tests positive for coronavirus

South Sudan's Vice President Riek Machar and his wife Angelina Teny, the country's defence minister, have tested positive for coronavirus.
Machar, who is in his late 60s, was tested on 13 May after one of the members of the government 's Covid-19 task force tested positive.
He says he has no symptoms and will self-isolate for the next 14 days.
A number of Machar’s bodyguards and staff have also been found positive.
South Sudan has recorded 236 cases of the virus, while four people have died.
Read more on Riek Machar

Another New York region to reopen

Western New York is expected to begin reopening on Tuesday, according to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
The region - which contains Niagara Falls - will join Central New York, Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, North County and Southern Tier in phase-one reopening.
This means parts of the economy including retail, agriculture, construction and manufacturing may soon start up again.
There were 106 coronavirus-related deaths yesterday in New York state, taking the total to more than 28,000.
Cuomo also used his press briefing to announce that he wants professional sports teams to start competing again without fans in attendance. "Hockey, basketball, baseball, football, whoever can reopen. We're a ready, willing and able partner," he said.

UK right to reopen schools - Tony Blair

Tony Blair has spoken to BBC Newsnight about coronavirus and global leadership

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has said in a BBC interview that it is right to reopen schools. Speaking amid a row about the safety of bringing teachers and children back to the classroom from 1 June, he says he believes the government's approach is based on evidence.
"I don’t think they would say that they’re putting school opening above health risks. What they’re doing is basing it on the evidence, actually. There are countries that have reopened parts, at least, of their school system.
"If you look at all the best evidence, and my institute has assembled a lot of the different data on this, especially for younger children, the risks of transmission are actually quite low."
Blair, who runs the Tony Blair Institute For Global Change, also said he was shocked by "the absence of global leadership" in particular from the US.
The West should "stand together" in a new relationship with China, he says.
"I think we need a strategic response to China, not simply ad-hoc or reactive response on individual issues or questions."
The full Newsnight interview can be seen at 22.30 BST on BBC Two

French court orders government to lift ban on places of worship

France's highest administrative court has ruled the government must lift a blanket ban on meetings at places of worship imposed as part of measures to combat the coronavirus, AFP reports.
The latest rules ban all gatherings in places of worship except funerals which are limited to 20 people.
The Council of State has ruled such a ban on freedom of worship caused "a damage that is serious and manifestly illegal" and is "disproportionate in nature."
It told the government to lift the ban within the next eight days.

US death toll passes 90,000

The US coronavirus death toll has passed 90,000, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
The US toll now stands 90,312 - the highest of any nation in the world.
The UK has reported the second highest death toll with 34,876, followed by Italy with 32,007.

Trump says he has been taking hydroxychloroquine

US President Donald Trump has said he is taking hydroxychloroquine in an attempt to ward off coronavirus.
Trump has previously touted the malaria drug as a treatment for coronavirus, but there is scant scientific evidence it can fight off Covid-19.
Clinical trials are under way to see if it is at all effective.
"I'm taking it for about a week and a half now and I'm still here, I'm still here," Trump told reporters on Monday.
Asked what evidence he had for he drug's positive benefits, Mr Trump said: "Here's my evidence, I get a lot of positive calls about it."

• Reality Check: Is there evidence hydroxychloroquine works?
  

Greece requests exemption from UK quarantine

Greece has urged the UK to exempt Greeks from a planned quarantine for arrivals to Britain. It would be in return for British people being able to enter Greece.
The British government has said it will introduce a 14-day quarantine for all arrivals to the UK with the exception of Ireland from early June. But on Monday the UK transport secretary said people coming from countries with low rates of infection could be exempted in the future.
"The kind of aggressiveness this country (the UK) is showing in making the decisions is totally understandable," Greek tourism minister Harry Theoharis told the BBC.
"What I can say is we think this is a time for us to start lifting restrictions, and to try and remove as many barriers as possible."
The Greek economy is heavily reliant on tourism. The EU last week promised that Europe will have a summer tourist season in some form.
The Greek tourism minister was speaking the BBC's Coronavirus Newscast. Listen here

We're pausing our live coverage

Our colleagues in Asia will be taking over in a few hours, but for now, we'll leave you with Monday's main stories.

• At the World Health Assembly, the US accused the World Health Organization of allowing the pandemic to spin "out of control"
  
• The US death toll has passed 90,000 - the highest in the world
  
• The lockdown in Europe continues to be eased - bars and restaurants reopened in Italy; in France a court ordered that places of worship can open
  
• Cases continue to soar in Brazil - it has the fourth highest tally in the world, and São Paulo's hospitals are close to collapse
  
• In Britain, anyone over five can now be tested if they show symptoms. The UK has now added loss of smell to its list of symptoms
  
• A vaccine trial in the US by Moderna Inc has shown promising results - antibodies that can neutralise coronavirus were found in eight participants
  
• France and Germany proposed a 500bn euro plan to relaunch the EU economy
  
• And let's end on something lighter. In Ghana, Private Joseph Hammond, 95, is walking two miles a day for a week to raise money for frontline workers and vulnerable veterans across Africa.
  

BBC journalists across the world contributed to writing this live page. They are: George Wright, Jasmine Taylor-Coleman, Vicky Baker, Georgina Rannard, Claire Heald, Sean Fanning, Katie Wright, Gavin Stamp, Paul Seddon, Joseph Lee, Frank Keogh, Tom Gerken, Matthew Henry, Ritu Prasad, Lucy Webster, Joshua Nevett, Alex Bysouth, Victoria Bisset, Andreas Illmea, Aparna Alluri, Saira Asher, Yvette Tan