Summary

  • President Trump says the US is ending its relationship with the World Health Organization

  • UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak says the government is "in a position" to ease lockdown despite warnings the infection level remains high

  • Confirming changes to the government's furlough scheme, Sunak says employers will be asked to cover National Insurance and employer pension contributions in August

  • By September, businesses will pay 10% of wages for furloughed staff, and in October 20%, the UK chancellor says

  • Up to eight people from two households can now meet outside in Scotland, as the country eases its lockdown

  • People must be prepared for new outbreaks of coronavirus to build up very quickly, the World Health Organization tells the BBC

  • Spain fast-tracks a plan to pay the country's poorest households a basic income of £410 a month in the wake of the pandemic

  • There are more than 5.8 million cases globally and the death toll stands at more than 361,200, according to Johns Hopkins University

  1. That's all for todaypublished at 22:38 British Summer Time 29 May 2020

    We are now pausing our live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. Thank you for joining us. Here are the main events from today:

    • President Trump said the US was severing Washington's relationship with the World Health Organization, criticising its handling of the pandemic and accusing it of being under the thumb of China. Mr Trump's critics say he is trying to deflect attention from his own handling of the outbreak
    • Two members of the UK government's scientific advisory body have expressed concern that the lockdown in England is being eased too soon
    • But UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the easing of restrictions in England was not being done in a "reckless or big bang way" and ministers were still following scientific advice
    • Scotland has announced a loosening of restrictions. People from two households can meet outside but must keep two metres apart
    • Greece will open its doors to tourists from 29 countries from 15 June, but they will not include the UK, France, Italy or Spain
    • Spain has approved a flagship plan to pay the poorest households in the country a basic income of €462 (£410; $514) a month. Larger households with receive a bigger monthly payment, up to a maximum of about €990 for households of five or more
    • Globally, about 5.9 million people are confirmed to have been infected with the coronavirus and 363,000 have died
  2. Second UK scientific adviser says it's too early to relax lockdownpublished at 22:27 British Summer Time 29 May 2020
    Breaking

    Another member of the UK government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) says England is easing restrictions too soon.

    Dr Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust - Britain's biggest charitable funder of scientific research - tweeted that current infection rates were too high for the lockdown to be lifted.

    He said a fully working system of test, trace and isolate (TTI) had to be in place to deal with any fresh surge.

    Farrar said he agreed with fellow Sage member John Edmunds, who warned earlier that infection levels were still very high and relaxing lockdown was a "political decision".

    "Agree with John and clear science advice," Farrar tweeted.

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    Read more about Edmunds' warning here

  3. Dutch health authority to get access to phone datapublished at 22:17 British Summer Time 29 May 2020

    The Dutch government has drawn up an emergency law that would allow the country's health authority (RIVM) to use anonymised mobile phone data.

    Ministers say the information, from mobile phone masts, would be used to monitor the movement of people as coronavirus restrictions are eased and help health officials decide whether measures needed to be tightened up.

    If approved by parliament, the new law would be in force for up to one year.

    "The data is not suitable for identifying individuals," a government statement said. "It is a count, per hour, per municipality of the total number of mobile phones present there, and from which municipality."

    Last month, Norway's largest mobile operator, Telenor, said it was collaborating with health officials to help them track the spread of the coronavirus.

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus: Mobile data helps Norway track cases

  4. Names of 3,000 added to UK book of remembrancepublished at 22:11 British Summer Time 29 May 2020

    Helena Wilkinson
    BBC News correspondent

    An online book of remembrance to commemorate those who have died from coronavirus in the UK has had more than 3,000 names entered since it launched a week ago.

    The memorial book, called Remember Me, has been organised by St. Paul’s Cathedral in London with the support of the Prince of Wales.

    The Dean of the Cathedral, the Very Reverend David Ison, said they had been “overwhelmed by the response” to the online book.

    “It has been incredibly moving to see the messages from family, friends and carers," he said.

    "It reminds us that every person who has died as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic is not merely a statistic in a health crisis - but a person, valued, missed and worthy of remembrance.”

    Family members, friends and carers of anyone who has died can submit the name, photograph and a short message.

    It’s open to people of all faiths, or none, and the deceased person must be British or have been living in the UK.

    BBC Scotland has been telling the stories of some of those who lost their lives.

    People who died with Covid-19 in Scotland
  5. New York City 'on track' for 8 June reopeningpublished at 22:04 British Summer Time 29 May 2020

    New York City skylineImage source, Getty Images

    New York City - the epicentre of the US outbreak - is "on track" to enter the first phase of reopening on 8 June, according to state Governor Andrew Cuomo.

    The announcement comes as five northern regions of the state have entered phase two, meaning they can open businesses such as hair salons and barber shops where customers and employees come into close contact.

    New York City is the only one of the ten regions in the state not yet to have entered phase one of reopening.

    Cuomo said that as many as 400,000 people will go back to work in New York City when non-essential construction and manufacturing resumes.

    "I understand why people would be anxious about taking public transit," Cuomo said, pledging that buses and trains are being cleaned frequently. "The public transit system will be safe."

  6. UK scientific adviser warns against relaxing lockdownpublished at 21:54 British Summer Time 29 May 2020

    Media caption,

    Relaxing lockdown 'risky' and a 'political decision'

    Relaxing lockdown is a risk because levels of the coronavirus are still at "very high" levels, Prof John Edmunds, one of the government's top science advisers says.

    Read more here

  7. Singapore and China to restart business travelpublished at 21:49 British Summer Time 29 May 2020

    Changi Airport, SingaporeImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Singapore's Changi Airport is a key regional and global travel hub

    Singapore and China are to reopen essential travel links for business and official purposes early next month, they said in a joint statement.

    The "Fast Lane" arrangement will be applied first between Singapore and six Chinese provinces - Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, Guangdong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

    The statement said that "effective Covid-19 prevent-and-control measures" would be in place.

    "The arrangement will be gradually expanded to the other Chinese provinces and municipalities. Both sides agreed to explore the increase of air links between the two countries for the Fast Lane," it added.

    As we reported earlier, Singapore National Development Minister Lawrence Wong said the city-state was considering setting up "travel bubbles" with countries where Covid-19 is under control. He said they were in talks with several countries, though "some [are] at more advanced stages, some we're just starting".

  8. Canadian doctor 'exposed up to 150 people to virus'published at 21:40 British Summer Time 29 May 2020

    A doctor from New Brunswick, Canada has been suspended after he exposed as many as 150 to coronavirus after flouting quarantine rules.

    The doctor, who has not been named, had caught the virus in Quebec, which is one of the hardest-hit provinces in Canada.

    He then went right back to work in New Brunswick, instead of self-isolating for 14 days.

    At least eight people he has come in contact with have been infected, including his own child and a long-term care worker, officials say. Two of the infected are in intensive care, and he could have exposed as many as 150 to the virus.

    Chief Medical Officer Jennifer Russell told CBC News, external this one case could trigger an "exponential rise" of cases in the province.

  9. The Louvre set for July reopeningpublished at 21:30 British Summer Time 29 May 2020

    People entering the Louvre in Paris through its famous PyramidImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    The Louvre, like many of France's cultural attractions, has been closed since 13 March

    The Louvre museum in Paris will reopen on 6 July as France's historical and cultural sites emerge from the coronavirus lockdown.

    "Even if it was possible to discover the Louvre's treasures virtually during lockdown, nothing can replace the emotion of standing in front of a work of art; that is the raison d'etre of museums," said Louvre director Jean-Luc Martinez.

    With 9.6 million people going through the doors in 2019, the Louvre is the most visited museum in the world.

    The reopening of France's historical and cultural attractions will begin with the Chateau de Chambord in the Loire Valley on 5 June and the Palace of Versailles on 6 June.

    In Paris, the Quai Branly Museum and Musee d'Orsay will also reopen in June. Exhibitions will begin again at the Grand Palais, Centre Pompidou and Picasso museum in July.

  10. Toronto embraces park circlespublished at 21:20 British Summer Time 29 May 2020

    Trinity Bellwoods Park has painted park circlesImage source, Getty Images

    How do you stop people from crowding in public parks this summer?

    An infamously crowded park in downtown Toronto plans to encircle people with safety - literally.

    City staff have painted large rings on the grass at Trinity Bellwoods Park to show how far apart people should be. They recommend that only three people sit in one circle cross-legged, or two people lying down, to maintain social distancing.

    The move came after last weekend, when as many as 10,000 people crammed into the park to enjoy one of the first truly glorious days of summer, coronavirus be damned.

    Ontario Premier Doug Ford sharply criticised the parkgoers, and urged them all to get tested. Park circles have also been adopted in New York and San Francisco.

  11. Trade body warns over support for freelancerspublished at 21:09 British Summer Time 29 May 2020

    The UK government has missed an opportunity to provide additional help to freelancers, a trade body for the creative sector has said.

    The Creative Industries Federation welcomed the announcement earlier that grants for the self-employed will continue until August.

    But its chief executive Caroline Norbury said some freelancers - such as those paid via PAYE, contractors of limited companies and the newly self-employed - "continue to fall through the gaps".

    She added that there remains a "worrying inequality" between employed and self-employed workers.

  12. What's happening in the sporting world?published at 21:00 British Summer Time 29 May 2020

    Lionel Messi trains with his Barcelona team-matesImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Lionel Messi and his Barcelona team-mates are among the Spanish La Liga players who have returned to training

    The sporting world, like many others, is slowly re-emerging from the pandemic.

    Here are the latest headlines:

    • Football: The game in which Liverpool could secure the English Premier League title could be held at a neutral venue
    • Football: Spain's La Liga will resume on 11 June
    • Cricket: Coronavirus replacements could be allowed in England's summer Test series against the West Indies and Pakistan
    • Tennis: Former world number one Andy Murray will play in a tournament organised by brother Jamie that will raise money for NHS Charities Together
    • Formula 1: Renault says it will stay in the sport beyond the end of this season, despite the French car manufacturer cutting 15,000 jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic
  13. No investigation over police's handling of UK aide controversypublished at 20:50 British Summer Time 29 May 2020

    Dominic Cummings in the rose garden at Downing StreetImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Political adviser Dominic Cummings held a press conference at Downing Street on Monday

    More now on the saga involving the UK prime minister's top aide.

    Dominic Cummings' decision in March to drive from his London home to his parents' farm near Durham with his wife - who had coronavirus symptoms - and his son, has dominated headlines in Britain this week.

    On Thursday, it was announced that an internal police review of Cummings' trip concluded that Cummings might have broken the rules.

    Some newspapers have reported that the force's chief constable could face another investigation into her handling of the recent probe.

    But Durham Police say there is "currently no investigation into the force’s handling of this inquiry".

    Boris Johnson's top adviser has faced calls to resign after accusations that he breached lockdown rules.

    This timeline shows the significant developments in the affair so far.

  14. Trump and Johnson discuss search for vaccinepublished at 20:40 British Summer Time 29 May 2020

    A composite of Trump and Johnson

    US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson discussed the global response to coronavirus during a phone call a little earlier.

    Downing Street said the two men spoke about the "ongoing international co-operation to develop a vaccine".

    Trials have begun on vaccines across the world, including in the US and UK.

    A Number 10 spokesman said they also discussed the next G7 summit scheduled to be held in Washington next month and stressed the "importance of leaders meeting in the US in person if possible" .

    Earlier this week, a White House spokeswoman said the US planned to hold the summit as planned “towards the end of June”.

    The White House added that the two men also discussed "progress on reopening" their respective countries amid continued lockdowns.

  15. Trump: 'China has total control over WHO'published at 20:26 British Summer Time 29 May 2020

    Trump's criticism of the WHO started last month when he threatened to permanently withdraw US funding if the body did not "commit to major substantive improvements in the next 30 days".

    "It is clear the repeated missteps by you and your organization in responding to the pandemic have been extremely costly for the world," Trump wrote in a letter to the WHO director-general on 18 May.

    "The only way forward for the World Health Organization is if it can actually demonstrate independence from China."

    In today's White House speech, Trump said "China has total control over the World Health Organization", despite paying the organisation a fraction of what the US does.

    China has accused the US of being responsible for the spread of the virus on its own soil, attributing the outbreak to American "politicians who lie".

  16. Briton's Covid-19 death not caused by spit attack - policepublished at 20:15 British Summer Time 29 May 2020

    Belly MujingaImage source, Family handout
    Image caption,

    Belly Mujinga worked at Victoria station in London

    The death of a British railway worker was not linked to an attack in which she was spat at by a man claiming to have coronavirus, police have said.

    Belly Mujinga, 47, who died with Covid-19 last month, was working at Victoria station in London when she was assaulted.

    British Transport Police (BTP) concluded the attack did not lead to her death, following "extensive inquiries".

    On Thursday, the force also said no further action would be taken against a 57-year-old man who was interviewed by officers.

    Read more here.

  17. White House briefing concludespublished at 20:05 British Summer Time 29 May 2020

    Trump's Rose Garden event was nearly an hour late, and he took no questions after attacking China on several issues.

    These included the origin of the coronavirus, recent developments in Hong Kong, border disputes in the South China Sea and human rights abuses.

  18. Trump: 'We are terminating relationship with WHO'published at 20:00 British Summer Time 29 May 2020
    Breaking

    President Donald Trump is now speaking in the White House Rose Garden, where he is announcing measures aimed at punishing China.

    "We will be today terminating our relationship with the World Health Organization and directing those funds" to other global public health charities, Trump says.

    "The world is now suffering as a result of the malfeasance of the Chinese government," he says, adding that China "instigated a global pandemic that has cost over 100,000 American lives".

    China, he says, "pressured the World Health Organization to mislead the world" about the virus.

    "Countless lives have been taken and profound economic hardship has been inflicted all around the globe," he adds.

  19. Why has Thai king been staying in Germany during lockdown, MPs askpublished at 19:46 British Summer Time 29 May 2020

    Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida pay their respects to the King Rama I monumentImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida pictured in Bangkok before his trip to Germany

    German politicians have asked the country's foreign ministry to explain why the king of Thailand has spent several weeks in a luxury Bavarian hotel during the coronavirus lockdown.

    King Maha Vajiralongkorn has been staying in the Grand Hotel Sonnenbichl in Garmisch Partenkirchen, a town close to the German-Austrian border.

    Margarete Bause, a Green party member of parliament, said a ban on tourism should have prevented the king from staying there.

    The hotel - which boasts of panoramic views of the Alps - is "currently unavailable" for bookings, according to its website.

    King Maha Vajiralongkorn is a frequent visitor to Germany. He has made no comment.

    A local man rides through a square in the picturesque German town of Garmisch PartenkirchenImage source, EPA
    Image caption,

    King Maha Vajiralongkorn has been staying in the picturesque German town of Garmisch Partenkirchen

  20. Pub group issues warning over furlough planspublished at 19:38 British Summer Time 29 May 2020

    Closed pubImage source, AFP

    A group representing UK pubs has issued a warning over government plans to gradually reduce support for its job retention scheme.

    Pubs have been closed since March, and under current plans will not reopen until July at the earliest, when furloughed workers will be able to start working part-time under plans unveiled earlier.

    Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said all pubs would have to be open by July for the changes outlined by the chancellor to work.

    Keeping pubs closed while government subsidies are reduced would leave them with "no income to cover the additional staff costs," she added, "risking job losses and pubs staying closed for good".