Summary

  • West Wing employees told to wear masks after two members of Trump administration staff tested positive for coronavirus.

  • UK PM Boris Johnson defends new "stay alert" message, saying most people should stay at home where possible

  • UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer says the government's roadmap out of lockdown leaves "questions that need answering"

  • People in England should cover their faces in settings where they can't social distance, the government says

  • Russia now has the third-highest number of confirmed cases in the world, overtaking UK and Italy

  • In France, people are able to walk outside for the first time in weeks without filling in a permit

  • In New York state, some low-risk businesses and activities will resume after 15 May

  1. More detail promised on new lockdown rulespublished at 08:37 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    Further detail on the UK government's new lockdown rules will be published over the next 36 hours, says Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.

    That 50-page document will be published at 14:00 BST on Monday. It will flesh out the "signalling" made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in his televised speech on Sunday evening.

    Guidance on workplaces and public transport will follow on Tuesday, he told BBC Radio Four's Today programme.

  2. Raab: Driving trips not limited, provided rules observedpublished at 08:28 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    There are no specific limits on distances drivers can travel within one of the UK nations under the new rules, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said.

    "You can drive as far as you want to, for example to walk in a park or particular area you're fond of, as long as you maintain the social distancing," he tells BBC Breakfast.

    "But obviously if you're going from one part of the UK to another - from England to Wales or Scotland to Wales - different rules are in place because the devolved governments take a different approach."

  3. French passengers exempt from UK quarantine planspublished at 08:21 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    UK Border Control at an airportImage source, Getty Images

    Among the new UK measures, people arriving into the country will have to go into quarantine for 14 days to prevent Covid-19 being brought in from overseas.

    The government has clarified this morning that this applies to all types of arrivals - not just at airports.

    It has already indicated that people arriving from the Republic of Ireland will be exempt - and this also now applies to people arriving from France.

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson did not specify when the measures would be enforced but said he was "serving notice" that the quarantine measures were coming.

    Read more about the quarantine measures here.

  4. Just joining us? Here are the latest global developmentspublished at 08:06 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    Commuters wearing face masks are seen at a metro station, on 11 May 2020 in ParisImage source, AFP
    Image caption,

    Masks are obligatory on public transport in France

    Hello and welcome - the global headlines so far:

    • Across Europe, countries are easing the lockdown, hoping that this will not lead to a second wave of infections. France and the Netherlands will partially open primary schools, while shopping centres can open in Denmark and hotels in Poland later this week
    • It’s a big day for the House of Mouse in Shanghai as it reopens. Disney executives estimate that the shutdown of its six theme parks across the world will probably cost the company more than $1bn in profits
    • China reported 17 new cases on Monday, five of them from Wuhan, where the virus first emerged
    • The White House has denied that US Vice-President Mike Pence is self-isolating, saying he will be at work on Monday. A top aide to Mr Pence tested positive on Friday
    • And with just 90 active cases, New Zealand is "close to eradicating" the virus, which means it will reopen restaurants, shops and cinemas from Thursday

  5. 'People cannot mix inside homes' - UK Foreign Secretary Raabpublished at 07:58 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    The UK's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab says advice has not changed about meeting in other people's homes.

    Asked on BBC Breakfast TV whether someone could meet their dad in the morning and their mum in the afternoon, Raab says: "In the outdoors, staying two metres apart yes."

    But he adds: "We are not moving to a stage where we say households can mix inside the home. That advice is not changing."

    Raab said it "breaks his heart" that he could not have his family together to celebrate his mother's birthday over the weekend.

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus: 'Use common sense' when meeting up outdoors - Raab

  6. Labour Party criticises UK PM's speechpublished at 07:51 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    The Labour Party has raised more questions about Prime Minister Boris Johnson's strategy announced in a speech on Sunday to ease the lockdown in England.

    Speaking on BBC Breakfast, shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said he hoped the information on the new lockdown changes "provides clarity as it is urgently needed".

    Labour's shadow business secretary Ed Miliband and shadow employment rights minister Andy McDonald earlier said they were "deeply concerned" about the recommendation that those people unable to work from home should go back to work.

    They wrote: "Ordering a return to work with 12 hours notice and no official guidance on how workers can keep safe is irresponsible and wrong."

    Shortly after the speech on Sunday, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Johnson's statement raised "as many questions as answers".

    He also questioned how people would be able to go to work without using public transport.

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus: Labour's Starmer says PM statement 'raises as many questions as answers'

  7. 'We need to treat people like adults' - UK Foreign Secretary Raabpublished at 07:41 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has defended the UK government against criticism that its new 'stay alert' slogan is unclear.

    "We are going to be treating people like adults," he told BBC Breakfast TV.

    He said a 50-page document outlining greater detail on the latest lockdown proposals would be released later on Monday.

    Mr Raab is answering a selection of questions from the public - more than 5,000 were submitted.

    Foreign Secretary Dominic RaabImage source, Getty Images
  8. How to cope with life after lockdownpublished at 07:33 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    'Closed' sign at shop doorImage source, AFP

    As many countries begin to ease coronavirus restrictions, mental health experts are noticing an emerging phenomenon; anxiety about life after lockdown.

    "It's very stressful for people," explains Dr Steven Taylor, a professor in the psychiatry department at the University of British Columbia, in Canada.

    "People are trying to cope by loving being in lockdown, by creating a cocoon of safety, a haven, to make the whole experience more tolerable.

    "Ironically that can create problems later on because people can become anxious about going outside."

    Click here to read our full story on how to cope with the life after lockdown

  9. The latest from South Asiapublished at 07:26 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    • Bangladesh woke up to its highest daily number of infections (884) and deaths (14) on Monday as its Covid-19 tally reportedly breached the 14,000 mark
    • Pakistan will begin plasma therapy trials, which involves transfusing antibody-rich blood into infected patients. The country has reported more than 30,000 cases and 667 deaths
    • Sri Lanka, which has more than 800 cases, will begin easing lockdown restrictions on Monday. Government and private business can restart with a limited number of staff
    • Nepal added 10 new infections on Monday, which means the Himalayan country now has 120 Covid-19 cases
  10. R value: Is this the crucial number?published at 07:14 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    A crowd of people connected by lines and dotsImage source, Getty Images

    Every country looks like a hawk at the number of new daily infections. So how do experts decide the threshold above which they have to worry things are getting worse?

    The crucial number is the R value, which puts a rating on the disease's ability to spread within the community. And every country tries to push that number below one.

    Why? If the reproduction number is higher than one, then the number of cases increases exponentially - it snowballs like debt on an unpaid credit card.

    Click here to read our full story on why the R value is so important

    Graph showing the impact of different R values
  11. What is happening in the rest of the UK?published at 07:02 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    Last night Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out plans for England, but what is happening in the rest of the UK?

    • A slight change to the lockdown rules means people in Scotland can now exercise more than once a day
    • But Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has stressed the "stay at home" message remains in place there. She stressed that picnics, sunbathing or barbecues are still not permitted
    • In Wales, rules on the amount of times you can exercise has been relaxed. Some garden centres will be allowed to open from Monday
    • In Northern Ireland, ministers are set to meet on Monday to discuss a plan to taking the country out of lockdown. The lockdown is in place until at least 28 May
  12. Chaos or freedom? Lockdown plan divides UK paperspublished at 06:57 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson's statement on Sunday evening has drawn a mixed bag of newspaper headlines in the UK.

    From Wednesday, people in England will be allowed unlimited outdoor exercise, can go back to work (if not possible from home), and can meet someone from outside their household in a park.

    Here's what some of the papers made of it - with a full round-up here.

    Metro

    "It's all Greek to us, Boris" is the Metro's response to the lockdown roadmap unveiled by Mr Johnson - who it says often quotes Greek classical scholars.

    Daily Mail

    "Boris keeps handbrake on" is how the Daily Mail describes the prime minister's televised address on Sunday night.

    Daily Mirror

    "Lockdown Britain: It's Chaos" is the headline in the Daily Mirror which, like other papers, criticises the new rules for England as "confusing".

    The Sun

    "Ready, Steady, Slow" is the Sun's take on Mr Johnson's "cautious" address, with the paper reporting his warning that it would be "madness" to lift restrictions too quickly and risk a second spike of coronavirus infections.

  13. When will English primary schools reopen?published at 06:44 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    In his speech on Sunday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said primary schools in England could open from 1 June "at the earliest".

    He said a phased return to school would begin with pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6, if infection rates and the government's other tests at the time allow it.

    For most pupils, schools have been closed since 20 March. Secondary schools are likely to stay closed until September.

    Read more here.

  14. Premier League clubs meet today to discuss restartpublished at 06:36 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    Premier LeagueImage source, Getty Images

    The Premier League is set for a decisive few days in establishing whether it is possible to resume and complete the current season.

    Club officials will meet on Monday to continue talks on Project Restart.

    In other developments:

    • A third player at Premier League side Brighton has tested positive for coronavirus. Two team-mates tested positive earlier in the pandemic
    • Formula 1 bosses are in talks with the UK government as to whether new measures to control coronavirus affect plans to start the season
    • While other sport is suspended, horse racing resumes in France on Monday behind closed doors with a 10-race card at ParisLongchamp

  15. The little theatre with the big lockdown followingpublished at 06:30 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    Like many other performing arts venues across the UK forced to shut their doors due to coronavirus, puppeteers The Little Angel Theatre have had to up their online presence.

    They've since been overwhelmed by the response. Check out how they've adapted here:

    Media caption,

    Making puppet theatres from lockdown parcel packaging

  16. What is changing in England?published at 06:23 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced plans to reopen society in England during his television address on Sunday. But what is changing?

    • People will be allowed to take unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise, sit or sunbathe in parks and play sports with household members from Wednesday
    • Two people from different households will be able to meet in a park if they stay two metres apart
    • People who cannot work from home should return to the workplace - but avoid public transport
    • People should try to stay at home as much as possible
    • Public transport should be avoided if possible
    • Stricter guidelines remain in the rest of the UK

    Mr Johnson will reveal more details of the reopening plan today.

  17. New Zealand 'close to eradicating' viruspublished at 06:16 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    As we've reported, New Zealand will reopen most elements of society from Thursday - with restaurants, shops, and cinemas all to open their doors (bars will remain shut until 21 May).

    The nation is close to eradicating the virus, with just 90 active cases said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

    Unlike neighbouring Australia - which has also been praised for its virus response - New Zealand has not brought in a tracing app for citizens to use.

    Instead, it's relying on people to keep their social circles tight and to maintain distance when out and about. The nation lifted its full lockdown only two weeks ago.

  18. Lockdown eases across most of Europepublished at 06:09 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    Eiffel Tower with people going for a walkImage source, AFP

    Across Europe, countries are easing the lockdown, hoping that it will not lead to a second wave of infections.

    In France, primary schools will start with small numbers of pupils today, and clothes shops, bookshops, hair salons and florists will reopen. Restaurants, cinemas and bars will remain shut.

    In Belgium, most business will open on Monday albeit with social distancing. Restaurants, bars and cafes remain closed.

    In the Netherlands, primary schools will partially reopen today. Libraries, physiotherapists, driving schools and hairdressers will also open.

    In Switzerland, both primary and middle schools will reopen but classes will be reduced in size. Restaurants, bookshops and museums can also open but with certain restrictions.

    In some regions of Spain, gatherings of up to ten people will be allowed and outdoor spaces at restaurants can reopen with social distancing measures.

    In the UK, England will ease some of the lockdown measures this week, but other parts of the UK will keep stricter guidelines.

    In Denmark, shopping centres can reopen on Monday while in Poland, hotels can reopen this week - although foreign tourists would still have to quarantine for two weeks.

    Other European countries like Germany, Austria and Italy have already begun easing their restrictions.

  19. European infections exceed 1.5 millionpublished at 05:57 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    Face masks for saleImage source, AFP

    While the United States might have the highest number of confirmed infections with 1.3 million, Europe as a whole exceeds that tally.

    Here's an overview in numbers. The UK tops the list in terms of deaths, Spain in terms of infections.

    Spain (224,350 cases, 26,621 deaths)

    UK (220,449 cases, 31,930 deaths)

    Italy (219,070 cases, 30,560 deaths)

    Russia (209,688 cases, 1,915 deaths)

    France (177,094 cases, 26,383 deaths)

    Germany (171,879 cases, 7,569 deaths)

    Belgium (53,081 cases, 8,656 deaths)

    Netherlands (42,826 cases, 5,459 deaths)

    These are only the confirmed cases and deaths - with different countries having different testing and recording guidelines.

    The data is from the Johns Hopkins University, external and might differ slightly from official national tallies.

  20. Ghana extends gatherings ban as infections risepublished at 05:49 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    Thomas Naadi
    BBC News, Accra

    People at Makola market after the partial lockdown was lifted in Accra, Ghana on 20 April 2020.Image source, AFP
    Image caption,

    Ghana has one of the highest rates of testing in Africa

    Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo has extended the ban on public gatherings until the end of the month. as the country's coronavirus cases continue to rise.

    Schools will remain closed while religious activities, conferences and festivals are also banned. All border crossings will stay closed.

    The West African nation has so far confirmed 4,263 cases and 22 deaths.