6th Aug 2020 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=68 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

The New York Times As the United States and other countries anxiously consider how to reopen schools Israel one of the first countries to do so illustrates the dangers of moving too precipitously. Confident it had beaten the coronavirus and desperate to reboot a devastated economy the Israeli government invited the entire student body back in late May. Within days infections were reported at a Jerusalem high school which quickly mushroomed into the largest outbreak in a single school in Israel possibly the world. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/04/world/middleeast/coronavirus-israel-schools-reopen.html 4th Aug 2020

Lockdown Exit

BBC France has recorded its highest number of daily coronavirus infections in more than two months. Figures released on Wednesday showed 1695 new cases within 24 hours. With more than 30000 deaths France has the thirdhighest death toll in Europe behind the UK and Italy. The city of Toulouse has introduced new rules requiring face masks in its busiest streets with Paris and a number of other cities expected to follow suit. France is not the only European nation to witness a resurgence in cases since lockdown measures were eased. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53672991 5th Aug 2020

Lockdown Exit

Newshub If New Zealands the COVID19 role model then were in strife an Australian economics journalist has argued claiming that declining case numbers are not correlated to the success of draconian lockdown measures. Sydneybased journalist Adam Creighton has argued that New Zealands COVID19 response internationally lauded for its success at flattening the curve is not deserving of praise arguing lockdown in response to a virus with a low infection fatality rate is not worth the economic sacrifice. https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/08/coronavirus-new-zealand-s-covid-19-response-criticised-by-australian-economics-journalist.html 5th Aug 2020

Lockdown Exit

BBC Another day another worrying coronavirus headline. On Tuesday it was reported the UKs testing and tracing system was not good enough to prevent a second wave once schools reopen. It came after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced last week the brakes were being applied on the lifting of further restrictions. And that was off the back of the announcement that parts of northern England were to have some of the lockdown restrictions reimposed on them. The problem ministers and their advisers warned was that infections were on the rise. We had concluded chief medical adviser Prof Chris Whitty reached the limits of lifting lockdown. It prompted a weekend of debate with people urging pubs to close so schools could open. But is the situation really as bad as it seems https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-53656852 5th Aug 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Conversation AU A full accounting of how Swedens approach has fared compared to other countrys will take time and will involve trading off health economic educational and other outcomes. Confidence in its Public Health Agency remains high at 65 suggesting Swedes are not unhappy with the tradeoffs made. And they are prepared to follow directions perhaps more than Australians and residents of the United States and the muchtouted Germany. Swedens Civil Contingencies Agency says 87 of the population is complying with the social distancing restrictions that are in place up from 82 a month ago. https://theconversation.com/sweden-eschewed-lockdowns-its-too-early-to-be-certain-it-was-wrong-143829 5th Aug 2020

Lockdown Exit

EDP 24 City eateries will be free to use outdoor space for alfresco dining and drinking in a bid to boost businesses following the impact of the coronavirus lockdown. Social distancing measures mean bars and restaurants are having to maximise outdoor seating in line with government guidance to limit the spread of the virus. And Norwich councillors have agreed to introduce new policies to make it quicker and cheaper for firms to get permission to do so. But concerns were raised ahead of a meeting of the city councils licensing committee over a rise in noise complaints and the impact on residents during the summer. https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/politics/noise-concerns-over-new-al-fresco-dining-policies-norwich-city-council-ben-price-danny-douglas-1-6778648 5th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters Poland intends to fully reopen its schools on Sept. 1 the education minister said on Wednesday despite a recent renewed spike in coronavirus infections. Poland was initially successful in containing the outbreak but cases started rising after restrictions on public gatherings were eased. On Tuesday authorities reported the fourth record daily increase in a week with 680 new infections. Poland a nation of 38 million people had recorded a total of 48789 cases and 1756 deaths as of Wednesday. We want students to come back to normal education in schools from September said Education Minister Dariusz Piontkowski. He said the ministry would impose strict hygiene and safety rules for schools as well as criteria under which some schools could switch to online or a mix of online and inclass instruction in case of local infection spikes. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-poland/poland-plans-to-fully-reopen-schools-in-september-despite-covid-19-spike-idUKKCN251267 5th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters The United States government will pay Johnson Johnson JNJ.N over 1 billion for 100 million doses of its potential coronavirus vaccine as it stocks up on vaccine and drugs in an attempt to tame the pandemic. The latest contract is priced at roughly 10 per vaccine dose produced by JJ or around 14.50 per dose including a previous 456 million the U.S. government promised to JJ for vaccine development in March. That compares with the 19.50 per dose that the U.S. is paying for the vaccine being developed by Pfizer Inc PFE.N and German biotech BioNTech SE https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-usa-johnsonandjohn/u-s-to-pay-over-1-billion-for-100-million-doses-of-jjs-potential-covid-19-vaccine-idUKKCN2511V7 5th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters The French government was under fire on Wednesday over its freeforall COVID19 testing policy as queues snaked out of some testing centres in Paris and at sites across the country amid a flareup in infections. One leading federation of laboratories said an abrupt July 25 decree to make testing freeofcharge and without prescription piled pressure on at a time many staff go on holiday. Political opponents lampooned a policy in disarray. Testing anyone achieves nothing. You have to be targeted epidemiologist Didier Pittet who heads a governmentappointed task force monitoring the handling of COVID19 told Europe 1 radio. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-france-testing/testing-centre-queues-fuel-criticism-over-frances-covid-strategy-idUSKCN25122N 5th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

The Local Switzerland The western Swiss canton of Geneva is now one of Europes hotspots for new coronavirus infections. In one of Europes wealthiest regions with excellent health care how did it get so bad On Monday August 3rd the number of new infections per 100000 residents in Geneva crossed the 100 mark reaching 103 per 100000 for the past 14 days. The mark is well above the Swiss governments high risk classification of 60 per 100000 meaning that if Geneva was a separate country residents would be forced to quarantine upon entering the rest of Switzerland. On Saturday August 1st Belgium banned travel to and from Geneva along with Valais and Vaud as a result of the rising infections although Valais and Vaud were removed from the list on Wednesday August 5th. https://www.thelocal.ch/20200804/officially-a-high-risk-area-why-geneva-is-switzerlands-coronavirus-hotspot 5th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

The Irish Times Ireland urgently needs to move to a zeroCovid policy in order to avert longterm social and economic catastrophe leading Irish scientists have warned. The scientists say there is a small and narrowing window to bring the incidence of Covid19 here to zero and to keep it there thereby allowing schools and colleges to return safely and operate normally. The group which has written seeking a meeting with the Oireachtas special committee on Covid19 is calling for the universal use of masks in enclosed spaces and more targeted finding testing tracking and isolation of cases. It also says an effective and fair system of testing and isolating incoming travellers needs to be introduced. The scientists suggest a regional response here to coronavirus outbreaks saying there should be a wider use of green zones internally as the best route back to a normally functioning economy and community. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/ireland-needs-to-move-to-zero-covid-policy-to-avoid-catastrophe-scientists-say-1.4321947 4th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

FRANCE 24 English France and the Netherlands are gearing up for stricter maskwearing rules to fight the coronavirus as the global death toll from the pandemic neared 700000. Paris Toulouse and other cities announced that the wearing of masks would be compulsory in particularly busy streets and squares. People already have to wear them inside most private businesses and all public buildings. A scientific committee advising the French government warned that the country could lose control of its spread at any time. In the Netherlands the same maskwearing measure will be applied in Rotterdam and the famous redlight district of Amsterdam from Wednesday. https://www.france24.com/en/20200805-france-lockdown-covid-19-coronavirus-pandemic-netherlands-philippines 5th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

Yahoo News UK France and the Netherlands are gearing up for stricter maskwearing rules to fight the coronavirus as the global death toll from the pandemic neared 700000. Paris Toulouse and other cities announced that the wearing of masks would be compulsory in particularly busy streets and squares. People already have to wear them inside most private businesses and all public buildings. A scientific committee advising the French government warned that the country could lose control of its spread at any time. In the Netherlands the same maskwearing measure will be applied in Rotterdam and the famous redlight district of Amsterdam from Wednesday. And Ireland postponed the reopening of pubs and other nightspots on the advice of scientists concerned about rising infections. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/nations-tighten-mask-rules-lockdowns-024331011.html 5th Aug 2020

Partisan Exits

The Independent Delta has banned more than 100 people from flying for refusing to wear a mask according to the airlines CEO. Ed Bastian said that passengers who refused to comply with the carriers requirement that they wear face coverings at all times are being temporarily blacklisted. If you insist on not wearing your mask we will insist that you dont fly Delta he told The Today Show last month. https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/delta-face-mask-flight-ban-passengers-coronavirus-a9655216.html 5th Aug 2020

Partisan Exits

The Guardian The UKs Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies SAGE has asked for coronavirus survivors to receive the free winter flu vaccine. The proposal would mean that more than 250000 Brits who have recovered from the disease can get the winter jab. It comes as the UK Covid19 death toll went up by 65 today while hospital fatalities increased by 15. The number of people who have died from coronavirus in hospital is down from the same time last week. Meanwhile new lockdown restrictions have been put in place in Aberdeen following a rise in cases. Todays announcement is the first local lockdown in Scotland after a string of areas in England had restrictions reimposed. https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/aug/05/keeping-england-schools-open-must-take-priority-in-second-wave-of-covid-19 5th Aug 2020

Partisan Exits

The Guardian We are at a crucial point in the battle against coronavirus. This summer there are three key questions the government should be reflecting on. First are we now doing everything we can to suppress the virus Second how can we protect lives and livelihoods Third how is it that frontline workers have been left feeling to quote the National Care Association kicked in the teeth Labour has been a constructive opposition. We accept that no one could have handled coronavirus perfectly. But the truth is that the government has been too slow to act throughout this crisis too slow into lockdown too slow on testing and too slow getting PPE to frontline workers. Despite Labours warnings in recent months the government has ignored the red lights flashing on the countrys economic dashboard and been too slow to change course in order to save jobs. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/04/government-second-wave-covid-19-labour-opposition-no10-lives-jobs 5th Aug 2020

Partisan Exits

Newsweek The President is not considering a national lockdown McEnany told reporters. What he is encouraging is mitigation efforts like wearing a mask which is patriotic like social distancing and engaging in these really commonsense safe measures to safely reopen and avoid the health consequences of a lockdown. Coronavirus cases have been on the rise in several states that started to loosen restrictions put into place as the pandemic began to spread earlier this year. According to the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation at least 36 states are currently designated COVID19 hotspots. California Florida and Texas have seen the sharpest increases in cases in recent weeks. At least 156000 people have died of COVID19 in the United States since it began to spread across the states earlier this year https://www.newsweek.com/white-house-another-lockdown-would-harm-more-help-covid-cases-spike-1522846 4th Aug 2020

Partisan Exits

The Guardian Donald Trump visibly floundered in an interview when pressed on a range of issues including the number of coronavirus cases and deaths in the US his claims that mailin voting is fraudulent and his inaction over the Russian bounty scandal. The US president also repeatedly cast doubt on the cause of death of Jeffrey Epstein and said of Ghislaine Maxwell the British socialite who has pleaded not guilty to participating in the sextrafficking of girls by Epstein that he wished her well. In the interview broadcast on HBO on Monday and conducted by Axioss national political correspondent Jonathan Swan Trump again asserted that his administration was doing an incredible job responding to the coronavirus. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/04/donald-trump-on-the-ropes-in-interview-over-us-covid-19-death-toll 5th Aug 2020

Continued Lockdown

The Guardian The coronavirus lockdown has provoked a mental health crisis among the LGBTQ community with younger people confined with bigoted relatives the most depressed researchers found. A study of LGBTQ peoples experience during the pandemic by University College London UCL and Sussex University found 69 of respondents suffered depressive symptoms rising to about 90 of those who had experienced homophobia or transphobia. Around a sixth of the 310 respondents to the Queerantine study said they had faced discrimination during the pandemic because of their sexuality. The rate rose to more than a third among those living in homes where they were not open about their identity. Almost 10 of people reported they felt unsafe in their homes. The studys coauthor Laia Bcares deputy director of the centre for innovation and research in wellbeing at Sussex University said the pandemic was having a pernicious impact on the LGBTQ communitys mental health with younger trans and nonbinary people suffering more discrimination and reporting the highest levels of depression. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/aug/05/lockdown-having-pernicious-impact-on-lgbt-communitys-mental-health 5th Aug 2020

Continued Lockdown

Financial Times The rash of cold feet has not generally extended beyond the US. Globally only 593 deals had been withdrawn down 9 per cent year on year. Thats partly because laws outside America make it much harder for a buyer to claim conditions have changed so much that it justifies pulling out of a deal. The Takeover Panel which governs British MA made this abundantly clear back in 2001 when it knocked back WPPs claim that it should be allowed to drop its offer for Tempus because of the 911 terrorist attacks. USbased payments group WEX is due in a British court in September to test that high barrier as it tries to break its deal to purchase two systems from Travelport citing the pandemic. Lawyers say that they would be surprised to see many European deals falter because of Covid19. Europe is still a market where if you do a deal you are lockedin says one top MA lawyer. People are looking not at walkaway rights but at financial adjustments. https://www.ft.com/content/8fc98258-be7e-4092-9c1c-05d8ed5461b5 5th Aug 2020

Continued Lockdown

The Guardian The experiences of LGBTQ people across the UK during lockdown have been as diverse as the community itself. Married and cohabiting older gay men and lesbians have mainly felt the pandemic has had no more impact on them than on their heterosexual peers. But for many of the more than 200 respondents to the Guardians callout the past few months have brought significant challenges including weeks of homophobia biphobia and transphobia increased isolation and deteriorating mental health. Younger LGBTQ people reported that lockdown meant being confined with families who were unsupportive or hostile. Kate a 24yearold bisexual demigirl meaning she identifies as a woman but not completely said moving from her flat in Glasgow back into her childhood home in Ayrshire had meant hiding her sexuality again. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/05/i-had-to-hide-myself-again-young-lgbt-people-on-their-life-in-uk-lockdown 5th Aug 2020

Continued Lockdown

Reuters Ugandas crumbling public hospitals doctors strikes and corruption scandals make its success in the fight against the new coronavirus all the more unlikely. But the nation of 42 million people has recorded just over 1200 cases and five deaths since March a strikingly low total for such a large country. As the number of cases in Africa approaches one million Ugandas experience shows what can be accomplished when a government with a firm grip on power acts quickly and enforces a strict lockdown. But its success came at a cost critics say. Jobs were lost and economic growth is set to plunge to as low as 0.4 in 2020 from 5.6 last year according to the World Bank. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-uganda/ugandas-tough-approach-curbs-covid-even-as-africa-nears-1-million-cases-idUSKCN251159 5th Aug 2020

Continued Lockdown

Axios.com Travelers from 35 states are now required to quarantine for 14 days when traveling to New York New Jersey and Connecticut per New York states health department. Whats new New York City will set up bridge and tunnel checkpoints to enforce the quarantine order Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday per the Wall Street Journal. Why it matters The tristate area the original hub of the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. has successfully flattened its curve and is reopening. Officials fear however that the surge of cases in others states across the country could erase progress. https://www.axios.com/new-york-quarantine-states-coronavirus-0b2cb5d1-31ff-4a07-8c8d-b781876cb9fd.html 5th Aug 2020

Continued Lockdown

AS English The Union Health Ministry in India announced that the country is now registering its lowest Covid19 fatality rate since the first national lockdown was imposed in March. The fatality rate dropped to 2.1 percent while the recovery rate is now double the number of active cases a good indicator that the country is on the right track in its battle with Covid19. Secretary of the Ministry of Health Rajesh Bhushan stated This is the first time after the first lockdown that the fatality rate is at its lowest at 2.1 percent. The fatality rate has seen a progressive decline and it is continuing which is a good sign. https://en.as.com/en/2020/08/04/latest_news/1596571271_284158.html 5th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Financial Times Few relish a jab in the arm with a needle. If the syringe prevented Covid19 then many might think it a pain worth suffering but by no means all. Tens of thousands of antilockdown protesters gathered in Berlin over the weekend some to voice their discontent at the possibility of being coerced by the state into getting vaccinated. The situation is far from unique to Germany. In Italy where the broader antivaccination movement enjoys widespread support both main antiestablishment parties campaigned last year against compulsory routine vaccinations for children. In the US a fifth of people say they would never submit to inoculation against coronavirus another third remain unsure. A recent online survey of UK residents showed a quarter would decline a vaccine if the government made it available tomorrow. https://www.ft.com/content/c613666a-1400-4b03-a400-16d351b2a2de 5th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

BBC The Runnymede Trust a race equality thinktank said Bangladeshi and black African people were most vulnerable. Jobs households and using public transport are all said to be risk factors. The government said it is working to help ethnic minorities who have been disproportionately harmed by Covid19. There is growing evidence that people from those communities are at greater risk from the virus. The Runnymede Trust also warned important public safety messages aimed at reducing transmission were currently not reaching all black Asian and minority ethnic BAME communities. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-53651954 5th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian The Runnymede Trust found that people from BAME backgrounds faced greater barriers in shielding from Covid19 with employment public transport and multigenerational and overcrowded households all risk factors. Those from BAME backgrounds are overrepresented in Covid19 diagnosis severe illness and deaths. A Public Health England report published in June found people from Bangladeshi backgrounds faced the greatest risk of dying from the disease. The findings of the survey of 2585 adults in Britain including 750 from BAME backgrounds suggest that one of the main reasons ethnic minorities are at greater risk of dying from Covid19 than their white counterparts is that they are more exposed to coronavirus. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/05/british-bame-groups-face-greater-barriers-than-white-people-in-avoiding-covid-19 5th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

New Europe The global death toll from the coronavirus surpassed 700000 on Wednesday media reported with the United States Brazil India and Mexico leading the rise in fatalities. On average one person dies every 15 seconds from the disease caused by the virus according to media. Countries across the world have recently seen singleday records in new cases signaling a second wave in infections. Spain has been among the first countries that warned the country is facing the start of a second major coronavirus outbreak. The announcement has prompted the United Kingdom France Belgium and Germany to recommend that their citizens cancel their vacation plans in Spain. https://www.neweurope.eu/article/global-coronavirus-deaths-exceed-700000-one-person-dies-every-15-seconds-on-average/ 5th Aug 2020

Highlights

The Economic Times If Brazils underfunded medical institutions are unable to meet their ambitious goals it would mark the latest failure by President Jair Bolsonaros government to control the virus. It would also leave Brazil vulnerable to a frenzied global scramble for vaccine supplies. https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/brazil-hotbed-for-covid-19-vaccine-testing-may-struggle-to-produce-its-own/77363186 5th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Medical Xpress The number of cancers diagnosed weekly in the United States fell by almost fifty percent during March and April compared to the recent average a study said Tuesday the latest to examine the impacts of COVID19 lockdowns. Emergency room visits additionally appear to have dropped for heart attacks strokes and even appendicitistrends that are being confirmed through ongoing studies. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-08-cancer-fell-lockdown.html 5th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail Lockdown has affected the behaviour of babies across the UK survey suggests. The Babies In Lockdown report found some new parents felt abandoned. Others said babies have become clingy violent and upset in recent months https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-8595703/Lockdown-affected-babies-development-behaviour-research-shows.html 5th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Independent British people Americans and other English speakers were measurably less likely to comply with coronavirus lockdown regulations than people in other European countries a new study has claimed. Academics at Durham University found that 71 per cent of English speakers around the globe followed guidelines. But 89 per cent of French and Italian speakers are said to have complied according the academics analysis based on a survey of over 8300 respondents from 70 countries. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/coronavirus-uk-us-english-lockdown-rules-france-italy-a9653341.html 5th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

ANSA Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus the DirectorGeneral of the World Health Organization said Wednesday that other countries are learning from how Italy has tackled the coronavirus. Grazie mille @robersperanza Italy Health Minister for a very good call and for your strong support to @WHO Adhanom Ghebreyesus commented as he retweeted a post by Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza. Your leadership and humility is inspiring to other countries who are learning from and acting on Italys experience. Italy was the first European country to be badly hit by the pandemic. https://www.ansa.it/english/news/general_news/2020/08/05/covid-19-other-countries-are-learning-from-italy-who_d7e8c949-6e8c-446c-b7f3-18ead74a8900.html 5th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Independent British people Americans and other English speakers were measurably less likely to comply with coronavirus lockdown regulations than people in other European countries a new study has claimed. Academics at Durham University found that 71 per cent of English speakers around the globe followed guidelines. But 89 per cent of French and Italian speakers are said to have complied according the academics analysis based on a survey of over 8300 respondents from 70 countries. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/coronavirus-uk-us-english-lockdown-rules-france-italy-a9653341.html 5th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Times of India New research into peoples coping strategies faced with COVID19 highlights the mental health toll for those shielding. Coronavirus and the imposition of lockdown this year significantly raised mental health challenges particularly so for the most vulnerable groups including those shielding according to the first study to look at peoples coping styles in face of the pandemic. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/de-stress/lockdown-study-reports-surge-in-health-anxieties/articleshow/77363938.cms 5th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters North Koreas test results for a man suspected of being the countrys first coronavirus case were inconclusive though authorities have quarantined more than 3635 primary and secondary contacts a World Health Organization official told Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-northkorea-idUSKCN2511CG 5th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Lancet As lockdown measures to slow the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 SARSCoV2 infection begin to ease in the UK it is important to assess the impact of any changes in policy including school reopening and broader relaxation of physical distancing measures. We aimed to use an individualbased model to predict the impact of two possible strategies for reopening schools to all students in the UK from September 2020 in combination with different assumptions about relaxation of physical distancing measures and the scaleup of testing. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanchi/article/PIIS2352-4642(20)30250-9/fulltext 4th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Africa The World Health Organization has warned the coronavirus pandemic could overwhelm strained public health systems in Africa. On Wednesday the continent was approaching a million infections and around 21000 deaths according to a Reuters tally. Here are measures some countries are taking to curb the virus. https://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKCN25116J-OZATP 5th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Mirror Online Starting lockdown just three days earlier would have saved 20000 lives new research shows. Scientists claim certain countries were unwilling to take the economic cost of shutting businesses and ordering people to stay home earlier. Modelling by the University of Exeter Business School calculated that delaying lockdown by three more days would have cost 32000 more lives. A delay of 12 days would have seen 200000 extra deaths linked to Covid19 they found. They have calculated a price of a life in the impact on lost GDP linked to lockdown for every death avoided. The price of life in the UK was among the lowest at around 77000. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/starting-uk-coronavirus-lockdown-three-22469626 4th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Connexion A second wave is highly likely the French Scientific Committee has said but what will that mean for people in France France could see a resumption at any moment of the Covid19 pandemic warned the Conseil Scientifique in a document published on Tuesday August 4. It added that a second wave could be expected in Autumn or Winter this year. The four scenarios Scenario 1 Epidemic under control Scenario 2 One or more critical clusters showing signs of a local resumption of the epidemic Scenario 3 A diffuse and lowkey resurgence of the epidemic Scenario 4 The epidemic reaches a critical stage The report said that localised lockdowns should be considered early on if critical clusters emerged with indications of this including a rate of more than 50 cases per 100000 population. This was reached in Mayenne in midJuly but there has been no local lockdown so far. https://www.connexionfrance.com/French-news/Coronavirus-what-France-s-second-wave-could-look-like 5th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters UK Australia reported a record 15 deaths from COVID19 on Wednesday all in Victoria state which was preparing to close much of its economy to control a second wave of infection that threatens to spread across the country. The secondmost populous state in Australia reported a record rise of 725 new COVID19 cases despite having reimposed a lockdown on Melbourne the state capital with a population of 5 million people four weeks ago. New South Wales and Queensland states introduced new measures to limit the spread of the new coronavirus which has claimed 247 lives across the country. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-australia/australia-suffers-record-coronavirus-deaths-triggering-tighter-curbs-idUKKCN251053 5th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

BBC Lockdown measures could return to Preston in the next few days after a rise in Covid19 cases Lancashires director of public health said. Dr Sakthi Karunanithi expects stricter rules to be imposed in the city as they have been in east Lancashire Greater Manchester and parts of West Yorkshire. The council has already asked residents to follow a number of extra measures in a bid to halt the spread of the virus. Data from Public Health England shows a rise in new Covid19 cases in the city. Preston recorded 49 new cases of coronavirus in the week to 31 July more than double the week before when there were 22 this meant almost 35 cases per 100000 population. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-53665543 5th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Daily Mail The infection rate in the Lancashire city has more than doubled in seven days. More than 34 people per 100000 were diagnosed with Covid19 last week Lancashire director of public health said matter of days before lockdown comes https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8595617/Preston-set-city-local-lockdown-days.html 5th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Guardian Communities straddling Victoria and New South Wales are bracing for enormous heartache and even more disruption to business with the looming lockdown measures adding to the pain caused by last months border closure a federal MP says. The independent MP for the northeast Victorian seat of Indi Helen Haines said many business owners were desperate and exhausted after experiencing four weeks of impacts from the NSW border restrictions and now faced another hit from the reintroduction of stage three lockdown measures in regional Victoria this week. Haines is calling for some very targeted federal government business support to the border communities which recognises that they have now experienced a month of disruption to their business as a result of the border closing. The AlburyWodonga region for example has faced a range of impacts. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/aug/04/victoria-nsw-border-communities-brace-for-enormous-heartache-as-lockdown-measures-loom 4th Aug 2020

New Lockdown

The Scotsman Nicola Sturgeon has said the uncertainty over the origin of the outbreak of Covid19 in Aberdeen and the ongoing rapid transmission of the virus created a tipping point for the Scottish Government to reimpose lockdown restrictions in the city. The First Minister speaking at her daily coronavirus briefing with chief medical officer Gregor Smith announced those living in Aberdeen will face tougher restrictions from today due to the outbreak which was first reported last week. https://www.scotsman.com/health/coronavirus/uncertainty-about-origin-outbreak-and-rapidly-accelerating-transmission-forced-aberdeen-lockdown-decision-2933810 5th Aug 2020

New Lockdown

Metro Aberdeen has become the latest city in the UK to go back into lockdown following a spike in local cases. The new restrictions will see hospitality venues once again forced to close and limitations placed on peoples movements as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said 54 cases had been reported in the cluster. It joins a number of other areas across the country which are facing renewed lockdown restrictions or other curbs in response to rising Covid cases. But which parts of the UK are back in lockdown or have had some lockdown restrictions reimposed https://metro.co.uk/2020/08/05/which-parts-uk-are-back-lockdown-aberdeen-becomes-latest-city-see-spike-coronavirus-cases-13087810/ 5th Aug 2020

New Lockdown

BBC Lockdown restrictions have been reimposed in Aberdeen due to a coronavirus cluster in the city First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced. Pubs and restaurants were ordered to close by 1700 on Wednesday. People are being told not to travel to Aberdeen and those living in the city face travel restrictions. Ms Sturgeon said there were now 54 cases in the significant outbreak and that community transmission could not be ruled out. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-53666665 5th Aug 2020

New Lockdown

The Independent Some 500 military personnel will be deployed to Australias second most populous state Victoria to enforce coronavirus isolation orders. Anyone caught breaking the rules will face a tough fine as high as A20000 10900 with the only exception being for urgent medical care. Earlier this week Victoria imposed a nighttime curfew tightened restrictions on peoples movements during the day and ordered large parts of the economy to close in order to slow the spread of the virus. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/coronavirus-australia-victoria-melbourne-lockdown-military-police-cases-deaths-a9652996.html 5th Aug 2020

New Lockdown

The Sydney Morning Herald Business leaders are urging the Victorian government to make immediate changes to its tough COVID19 lockdown rules to avoid jeopardising national food supplies amid confusion and fury at conflicting signals about who can keep working. Industry groups gained an emergency meeting with state Treasurer Tim Pallas on Wednesday night after venting their frustration at the lack of clarity about rules exposing employers to fines of up to 99132 if workers do not carry the right permits during the sixweek stage 4 lockdown. https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/serious-problems-business-furious-over-victorian-industry-shutdowns-20200805-p55it9.html 5th Aug 2020

New Lockdown

BBC Australias Queensland will extend its border closure to New South Wales NSW and the Australian Capital Territory ACT to halt the spread of coronavirus from southeastern states. It has already shut to Victoria the centre of Australias second wave amid an outbreak in Melbourne. Victoria reported 725 new infections on Wednesday yet another daily record despite being four weeks into lockdown. NSW saw many fewer 12 but all other states have consistently fared better. Sydney the NSW capital and Australias largest city has been averaging about 80 infections per week prompting concerns that community transmission could grow. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-53659914 5th Aug 2020

New Lockdown

The New York Times Melbournes usually vibrant downtown streets were draining of signs of life on Wednesday on the eve of Australias toughestever pandemic restrictions coming into force. Many of the stylish boutiques and eateries in a city dubbed Australias Hipster Capital that prides itself on superior coffee had already closed their doors ahead of a ban on nonessential businesses that will throw 250000 people out of work from Thursday. https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2020/08/05/world/asia/ap-as-virus-outbreak-australia.html 5th Aug 2020

New Lockdown

Metro New lockdown restrictions impacting millions of people in parts of northern England come into force at midnight tonight. The coronavirus crackdown in areas including Manchester parts of east Lancashire and West Yorkshire will see people from different households banned from meeting in a private home or garden following a spike in cases. Ministers had initially said the rules in the Health Protection Coronavirus Restrictions on Gatherings North of England Regulations 2020 would apply from midnight on July 31 but refused to comment when asked why there had been a delay in imposing them. The regulations published on Tuesday afternoon say anyone found flouting the rules could be fined 100 up to a maximum of 3200 for repeat offences. https://metro.co.uk/2020/08/05/new-lockdown-laws-4000000-northern-england-come-force-tonight-13086097/ 5th Aug 2020

New Lockdown

YAHOO! Philippine police deployed road blocks on Tuesday to enforce a tough new lockdown on about 28 million people in the capital Manila and nearby provinces as the Southeast Asian country reported the regions biggest daily rise in coronavirus cases. The area which accounts for most economic activity in the country and a quarter of the population has gone back into lockdown for two weeks after restrictions were relaxed in June. The eased restrictions in an effort to revive the economy led to infections soaring more than sixfold to 112593 and deaths more than doubling to roughly 2100 piling pressure on a beleaguered healthcare sector. The health ministry on Tuesday reported 6352 new cases marking the biggest daily jump in infections in Southeast Asia and after posting a record rise in five of the past six days. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/philippines-reports-6-352-coronavirus-085359086.html 5th Aug 2020