Review into 2-metre rule
Britain’s government hopes to complete a review into whether the country should stick to a social distancing measure of keeping people 2 metres apart in the coming weeks, a spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.
The review into the 2-metre rule comes after some businesses, especially in the hospitality industry, complained they could not return profits if customers had to stand far apart, citing other countries where the distances are smaller.
“It will be completed in the coming weeks,” the spokesman told reporters, adding that the review would be chaired by Simon Case, permanent secretary at Number 10, and would report to Johnson.
Singapore to remove most Coronavirus restrictions from Friday
Singapore will allow small gatherings and the reopening of restaurants and shops from June 19, its health ministry said.
Social gatherings of up to five people will be permitted from Friday, when the majority of activities resume after more than two months of restrictions. Social distancing requirements will remain in place.
Tiny Singapore has one of the highest infection tallies in Asia, with more than 40,000 cases, because of mass outbreaks in dormitories for its migrant workers.
India may use train carriages for virus beds
India’s home minister has offered 500 railway carriages for use as makeshift coronavirus hospital wards as the capital New Delhi struggles to contain a spike in cases.
Delhi has about 9,000 beds dedicated to COVID-19 patients among public and private hospitals, but a state government panel of experts has said that Delhi will need at least 15,000 beds by the end of June.
India’s health ministry reported a jump of more than 11,000 new coronavirus infections nationwide for a third consecutive day, taking the total caseload to more than 332,000, including 9,520 deaths.
Coronavirus cases surge in Pakistan
Pakistan saw an exponential rise in cases of the coronavirus last week, with the country’s planning minister predicting that the South Asian nation could see more than 1.2 million cases by the end of July if citizens do not abide by the government’s advice on social distancing and hygiene.
Last week, Pakistan saw cases of the coronavirus rise by 39 percent, from 103,671 to 144,478, according to government data. Deaths rose by 31.4 percent, to 2,787.
The second wave?
Global markets started the week on the back foot while oil prices slipped as fears of a second wave of coronavirus infections in China and a surge in cases in the United States sent investors scurrying for safe-haven assets such as gold.
The pan-European STOXX 600 fell 2.5 percent with all sectors and regional markets trading deep in the red after losses accelerated in the final hours of trading in Asia.
Qatar eases Industrial Area restrictions
In line with the first stage of the gradual lifting of restrictions, Qatar has removed the requirement for entry and exit permits to and from the Industrial Area, a commercial hub outside capital Doha where many of its migrant workers live, effective Monday, 15 June.
The Industrial Area was partially closed after the discovery of a number of coronavirus cases among its residents.
The Gulf country will also implement phase one of the lifting of restrictions where certain shops in malls, as well as selected parks and mosques will reopen.
Tajikistan starts easing
restrictions
Tajikistan announced the first easing of restrictions, as it allowed malls, bazaars, restaurants, hotels and other service providers to reopen after a two-month shutdown.
State borders will remain closed, the government said in a statement, and so will mosques and mass transit facilities such as railways.
The Central Asian nation bordering China has confirmed 5,035 COVID-19 cases with 50 deaths.
Coronavirus is changing the way Londoners get to work
The crowded daily commute in London has long been a source of misery for millions. But getting to work will be even more of a challenge following the United Kingdom’s coronavirus lockdown.
Capacity on the transport network in one of the world’s biggest financial hubs has been reduced by 85 percent to comply with social-distancing rules, protecting commuters by preventing them from cramming into trains, the London Underground and buses.
