news--2020-03-27--Coronavirus: Number of COVID-19 cases in US overtakes Italy and China

The US now leads the world in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases .
There are almost 86,000 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus in the US - roughly 16 % of the world 's total of 532,000 - according to Johns Hopkins University .
This puts it ahead of China , where the virus originated , and also ahead of Italy , Europe 's epicentre which has been overwhelmed by the virus in recent weeks .
China has almost 82,000 cases and Italy has 80,500 .
The country has seen a sharp decrease in new cases in recent weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost all foreign nationals - a turnaround from the situation in January , when the US and Europe were limiting travel from China .
US President Donald Trump dismissed his country 's high number of cases as being a `` tribute to our testing '' , adding that health officials were `` testing tremendous numbers of people '' .
Mr Trump also cast doubt on China 's numbers , saying : `` You do n't know what the numbers are in China . ''
President Xi Jinping took issue with this statement in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ telling him that Beijing had been open and transparent since the epidemic began .
Different countries do indeed have different thresholds for when a person should be tested for the disease and testing a smaller number of people will result in a smaller number of reported cases .
But the US is among the countries that have been criticised for not testing widely enough .
Despite the continuing spread of the pandemic in the US , Mr Trump said the country `` needed to get back to work '' , adding that `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty quickly '' .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Mr Trump has also dismissed pleas from some state governors for more ventilators to treat the worst-affected patients .
New York has seen around 30,000 cases , most of them in New York City .
Almost 400 people have died , with the peak expected to come weeks from now .
New York governor Andrew Cuomo has warned that the shortage of ventilators is `` astronomical '' and is expected to worsen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help them breathe - often for many weeks - and Mr Cuomo warned : `` Any scenario ( in terms of patient numbers ) that is realistic will overwhelm the capacity of the healthcare system . ''
Mr Trump replied : `` I do n't believe you need 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators . ''
A February estimate by infectious disease specialist Dr James Lawler found the US would need 960,000 ventilators for victims of the virus , although not all of these would be required at the same time .
Another study has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon - still far more than are readily available .
Meanwhile , Louisiana is fast becoming another badly affected state , with last month 's Mardi Gras in New Orleans being blamed for situation .
Demand for ventilators in the state has already doubled and governor John Bel Edwards said there could be none available by 2 April and beds could be full as early as five days later `` if we do n't flatten the infection curve soon '' .
Warner Thomas , chief executive of the state 's hospital group Ochsner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state 's intensive care patients are on ventilators .
The normal rate is 30 % to 40 % , he said .
As well as a ventilator shortage , there have been reports of doctors and nurses having to recycle face masks or even make their own .
Also , US Attorney General William Barr said he has told the Bureau of Prisons to expand its use of home confinement for some inmates as the virus spreads through the prison system .
Six inmates and four prison workers have tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Barr said : `` One of the things we have to assess is whether that individual ... will be more safe in the particular circumstance in which they are going to find themselves .
And in many cases , that may not be the case . ''

The US now leads the world in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases.
There are almost 86,000 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus in the US - roughly 16% of the world's total of 532,000 - according to Johns Hopkins University.
This puts it ahead of China, where the virus originated, and also ahead of Italy, Europe's epicentre which has been overwhelmed by the virus in recent weeks.
China has almost 82,000 cases and Italy has 80,500.
The country has seen a sharp decrease in new cases in recent weeks and has moved to suspend visits from almost all foreign nationals - a turnaround from the situation in January, when the US and Europe were limiting travel from China.
US President Donald Trump dismissed his country's high number of cases as being a "tribute to our testing", adding that health officials were "testing tremendous numbers of people".
Mr Trump also cast doubt on China's numbers, saying: "You don't know what the numbers are in China."
President Xi Jinping took issue with this statement in a call with Mr Trump - reportedly telling him that Beijing had been open and transparent since the epidemic began.
Different countries do indeed have different thresholds for when a person should be tested for the disease and testing a smaller number of people will result in a smaller number of reported cases. But the US is among the countries that have been criticised for not testing widely enough.
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Despite the continuing spread of the pandemic in the US, Mr Trump said the country "needed to get back to work", adding that "I think it's going to happen pretty quickly".
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
Mr Trump has also dismissed pleas from some state governors for more ventilators to treat the worst-affected patients.
New York has seen around 30,000 cases, most of them in New York City. Almost 400 people have died, with the peak expected to come weeks from now.
Image: In New York the coronavirus outbreak is getting worse
New York governor Andrew Cuomo has warned that the shortage of ventilators is "astronomical" and is expected to worsen.
Many coronavirus victims need ventilators to help them breathe - often for many weeks - and Mr Cuomo warned: "Any scenario (in terms of patient numbers) that is realistic will overwhelm the capacity of the healthcare system."
Mr Trump replied: "I don't believe you need 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators."
A February estimate by infectious disease specialist Dr James Lawler found the US would need 960,000 ventilators for victims of the virus, although not all of these would be required at the same time. Another study has estimated some 300,000 would be needed very soon - still far more than are readily available.
Image: New Orleans, Louisiana, is badly-affected by the coronavirus
Meanwhile, Louisiana is fast becoming another badly affected state, with last month's Mardi Gras in New Orleans being blamed for situation.
Demand for ventilators in the state has already doubled and governor John Bel Edwards said there could be none available by 2 April and beds could be full as early as five days later "if we don't flatten the infection curve soon".
Warner Thomas, chief executive of the state's hospital group Ochsner Health System, said 80% of the state's intensive care patients are on ventilators. The normal rate is 30% to 40%, he said.
As well as a ventilator shortage, there have been reports of doctors and nurses having to recycle face masks or even make their own.
Also, US Attorney General William Barr said he has told the Bureau of Prisons to expand its use of home confinement for some inmates as the virus spreads through the prison system.
Six inmates and four prison workers have tested positive for COVID-19. Several prisons are on lockdown.
Mr Barr said: "One of the things we have to assess is whether that individual... will be more safe in the particular circumstance in which they are going to find themselves. And in many cases, that may not be the case."


news--2020-01-18--New virus from China that killed two may be more widespread – report

A new type of virus originating from a city in central China may have infected far more people than first thought .
Two people in Wuhan have died after an outbreak of pneumonia linked to the new strain which is believed to have come from a seafood market .
On Sunday , health officials in the city confirmed 17 more people had contracted the illness , placing the total number of infections at 62 cases .
But a study from London 's Imperial College suggests there could be more than 1,723 cases in Wuhan alone .
It said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a novel coronavirus has caused substantially more cases of moderate or severe respiratory illness than currently reported . ''
Doctors began seeing people with symptons including fever , cough and breathing difficulties , in people who worked at or visited the market late last month .
Local health authorities and the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) have not concluded that the virus can be passed from person to person .
Officials currently believe it is spread from animals to people .
But the new report suggests they could be wrong .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruled out , '' it says .
There are also concerns that the disease could spread across China and internationally .
400 million Chinese people are expected to make 3 billion trips as they travel to celebrate the lunar new year around 24 January .
Two cases have been reported in Thailand and one in Japan .
All three victims had recently been in Wuhan .
The United States and most Asian countries have stepped up screenings of people travelling from Wuhan and the WHO has warned hospitals worldwide that a wider outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles , San Francisco and JFK airport in New York City will have their temperatures taken and be asked about symptoms .
Authorities are keen to avoid a repeat of the SARS ( severe acute respiratory syndrome ) outbreak in 2002 and 2003 , which also originated in China .
SARS killed 800 people worldwide .
Temperature tests started at Wuhan 's Tianhe international airport on Wednesday but two flight attendants who were working at domestic terminals told Reuters they had not received any extra training or warnings .
Hospital authorities and police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus online or to the media , with eight people `` dealt with '' earlier this month after sharing information online .

A new type of virus originating from a city in central China may have infected far more people than first thought.
Two people in Wuhan have died after an outbreak of pneumonia linked to the new strain which is believed to have come from a seafood market.
On Sunday, health officials in the city confirmed 17 more people had contracted the illness, placing the total number of infections at 62 cases.
But a study from London's Imperial College suggests there could be more than 1,723 cases in Wuhan alone.
It said: "It is likely that the Wuhan outbreak of a novel coronavirus has caused substantially more cases of moderate or severe respiratory illness than currently reported."
Image: A notice for passengers from Wuhan, China is displayed near a quarantine station at Narita airport in Japan
Doctors began seeing people with symptons including fever, cough and breathing difficulties, in people who worked at or visited the market late last month.
Local health authorities and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have not concluded that the virus can be passed from person to person. Officials currently believe it is spread from animals to people.
But the new report suggests they could be wrong. "Self-sustaining human-to-human transmission should not be ruled out," it says.
Image: A security guard outside the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market
There are also concerns that the disease could spread across China and internationally.
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400 million Chinese people are expected to make 3 billion trips as they travel to celebrate the lunar new year around 24 January.
Two cases have been reported in Thailand and one in Japan. All three victims had recently been in Wuhan.
Image: A woman wears a mask near the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market
The United States and most Asian countries have stepped up screenings of people travelling from Wuhan and the WHO has warned hospitals worldwide that a wider outbreak is possible.
Passengers arriving at Los Angeles, San Francisco and JFK airport in New York City will have their temperatures taken and be asked about symptoms.
Authorities are keen to avoid a repeat of the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) outbreak in 2002 and 2003, which also originated in China. SARS killed 800 people worldwide.
Image: Medical staff transfer patients to Jin Yintan hospital in Wuhan
Temperature tests started at Wuhan's Tianhe international airport on Wednesday but two flight attendants who were working at domestic terminals told Reuters they had not received any extra training or warnings.
Hospital authorities and police have warned people against speaking about the virus online or to the media, with eight people "dealt with" earlier this month after sharing information online.


news--2020-04-16--Coronavirus: UK lockdown extended for at least three more weeks

The UK 's coronavirus lockdown will remain in place for at least another three weeks , the government has announced .
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab , who is deputising for Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he recovers from COVID-19 , said experts had warned that relaxing the lockdown would `` risk damage to both public health and the economy '' .
Speaking at Downing Street 's daily coronavirus news briefing , Mr Raab said : `` The government has decided that the current measures must remain in place for at least the next three weeks . ''
He added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SAGE ) had advised that `` relaxing any of the measures in place '' would `` undo the progress we have made '' .
The extension takes the lockdown to at least 7 May , and Mr Raab hinted it would likely go further in light of a previous suggestion by the prime minister that the UK could `` turn the tide '' of the virus within 12 weeks .
Mr Johnson made the comment on 19 March , and Mr Raab admitted that was `` broadly the outline '' for when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normalcy .
Mr Raab laid out five factors the government `` must be satisfied of '' before considering changes to the lockdown : • Confidence that the NHS can still provide sufficient critical care and specialist treatment across the UK • The need to see a sustained and consistent fall in the daily death rate to be confident we are beyond the peak • Reliable data from SAGE that the infection rate has decreased to manageable levels • Testing capacity and PPE is in hand to meet supply for future demand • Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overwhelms the NHS Mr Raab said : `` We 've come too far , lost too many loved ones and sacrificed too much to let up now - especially when we are now beginning to see that our efforts are paying off .
`` There is light at the end of the tunnel , but we are at a delicate and dangerous stage of this pandemic . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Ahead of Thursday 's news conference , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ original three-week timescale laid out by the prime minister last month .
The extension keeps people indoors , only leaving the house for one hour of exercise per day , to shop for essential supplies like food , for medical assistance , or to go to work if doing so from home is not possible .
No measures are being lifted for now as the UK remains a few weeks behind other European countries badly hit by the pandemic .
Italy and Spain have slightly eased some restrictions following consistent daily falls in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raab said that while the lockdown had seen the rate of infection drop significantly , there were still `` issues with the virus spreading in some hospitals and care homes '' .
The extension came after Mr Raab led a cabinet meeting where ministers were briefed on SAGE 's advice by the government 's chief scientific adviser , Sir Patrick Vallance .
After then dialling in to a meeting of G7 leaders led by US President Donald Trump , Mr Raab chaired another meeting of the government 's emergency COBRA committee .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Wales and Northern Ireland joined in by video link as the lockdown was formally extended .
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford had stolen Mr Raab 's thunder minutes before the government 's briefing began , confirming that the leaders of each administration had agreed to keep the measures in place .
The extension announcement was widely expected , with ministers and some of the government 's top medical and scientific personnel having spent recent days warning that it was too early to consider lifting any restrictions .
Chief medical officer , Professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefing that while the UK was `` probably reaching the peak '' of the epidemic , thousands more would die before attention turns to easing the lockdown .
Earlier on Thursday , Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News that it would take time for the measures to be phased out and for life to get back to something resembling normality .
He told Kay Burley @ Breakfast : `` It is too early to say now that we should remove the measures .
`` People can see that while we may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't coming down yet . ''
The number of deaths of coronavirus patients in UK hospitals jumped by 861 to 13,729 on Thursday , after four consecutive days in which the increases had been below 800 .
It has also been well established that the UK 's true COVID-19 death toll is higher than the hospital figures suggest .
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics suggested there were around 75 % more coronavirus-related fatalities in England and Wales last month than previously reported by the government .
More than half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while others took place in people 's homes and in hospices .
On Wednesday , the National Records of Scotland revealed that - as of 12 April - almost 25 % of 962 registered deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned in the death certificate in Scotland had occurred in care homes .
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the government must ensure `` more is done to protect our care homes '' before considering any lockdown changes .
He said : `` I fully support the government 's decision to extend the lockdown .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure we see a ramp up in testing , that staff get the PPE they desperately need and more is done to protect our care homes from the virus .
`` We also need clarity about what plans are being put in place to lift the lockdown when the time is right . ''

The UK's coronavirus lockdown will remain in place for at least another three weeks, the government has announced.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is deputising for Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he recovers from COVID-19, said experts had warned that relaxing the lockdown would "risk damage to both public health and the economy".
Speaking at Downing Street's daily coronavirus news briefing, Mr Raab said: "The government has decided that the current measures must remain in place for at least the next three weeks."
Image: Britons must keep staying indoors for at least another three weeks
He added that the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) had advised that "relaxing any of the measures in place" would "undo the progress we have made".
The extension takes the lockdown to at least 7 May, and Mr Raab hinted it would likely go further in light of a previous suggestion by the prime minister that the UK could "turn the tide" of the virus within 12 weeks.
Mr Johnson made the comment on 19 March, and Mr Raab admitted that was "broadly the outline" for when the UK might expect to return to some normalcy.
Mr Raab laid out five factors the government "must be satisfied of" before considering changes to the lockdown:
Confidence that the NHS can still provide sufficient critical care and specialist treatment across the UK
The need to see a sustained and consistent fall in the daily death rate to be confident we are beyond the peak
Reliable data from SAGE that the infection rate has decreased to manageable levels
Testing capacity and PPE is in hand to meet supply for future demand
Not risk a second peak of infection that overwhelms the NHS
Mr Raab said: "We've come too far, lost too many loved ones and sacrificed too much to let up now - especially when we are now beginning to see that our efforts are paying off.
"There is light at the end of the tunnel, but we are at a delicate and dangerous stage of this pandemic."
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Image: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announced the extension from Downing Street
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Ahead of Thursday's news conference, the UK's lockdown had already surpassed the original three-week timescale laid out by the prime minister last month.
The extension keeps people indoors, only leaving the house for one hour of exercise per day, to shop for essential supplies like food, for medical assistance, or to go to work if doing so from home is not possible.
No measures are being lifted for now as the UK remains a few weeks behind other European countries badly hit by the pandemic.
Italy and Spain have slightly eased some restrictions following consistent daily falls in their infection and death rates.
Mr Raab said that while the lockdown had seen the rate of infection drop significantly, there were still "issues with the virus spreading in some hospitals and care homes".
Image: The UK is in its fourth week of lockdown
The extension came after Mr Raab led a cabinet meeting where ministers were briefed on SAGE's advice by the government's chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance.
After then dialling in to a meeting of G7 leaders led by US President Donald Trump, Mr Raab chaired another meeting of the government's emergency COBRA committee.
The leaders of the devolved administrations for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland joined in by video link as the lockdown was formally extended.
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford had stolen Mr Raab's thunder minutes before the government's briefing began, confirming that the leaders of each administration had agreed to keep the measures in place.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:02 Lockdown: The dos and don'ts
The extension announcement was widely expected, with ministers and some of the government's top medical and scientific personnel having spent recent days warning that it was too early to consider lifting any restrictions.
Chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, told Wednesday's news briefing that while the UK was "probably reaching the peak" of the epidemic, thousands more would die before attention turns to easing the lockdown.
Earlier on Thursday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News that it would take time for the measures to be phased out and for life to get back to something resembling normality.
He told Kay Burley@Breakfast: "It is too early to say now that we should remove the measures.
"People can see that while we may be reaching a peak, the numbers aren't coming down yet."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:03 Your guide to social distancing
The number of deaths of coronavirus patients in UK hospitals jumped by 861 to 13,729 on Thursday, after four consecutive days in which the increases had been below 800.
It has also been well established that the UK's true COVID-19 death toll is higher than the hospital figures suggest.
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics suggested there were around 75% more coronavirus-related fatalities in England and Wales last month than previously reported by the government.
More than half of those happened in care homes, while others took place in people's homes and in hospices.
On Wednesday, the National Records of Scotland revealed that - as of 12 April - almost 25% of 962 registered deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned in the death certificate in Scotland had occurred in care homes.
Image: Britons must keep staying indoors for at least another three weeks
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the government must ensure "more is done to protect our care homes" before considering any lockdown changes.
He said: "I fully support the government's decision to extend the lockdown.
"The priority now must be to ensure we see a ramp up in testing, that staff get the PPE they desperately need and more is done to protect our care homes from the virus.
"We also need clarity about what plans are being put in place to lift the lockdown when the time is right."
Acting Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey also backed the lockdown extension.


news--2020-04-16--Coronavirus: NASA satellites flown from staff homes during lockdown

Satellite operators are flying NASA spacecraft from their homes during the coronavirus pandemic to help prevent transmissions .
Instead of the traditional mission operation centre - a room filled with control panels and screens - command for two of NASA 's smaller satellites has gone digital to tackle COVID-19 .
NASA 's Hyper-Angular Rainbow Polarimeter ( HARP ) CubeSat and its Compact Infrared Radiometer in Space ( CIRiS ) instrument are being commanded from staff members ' homes , due to the coronavirus social distancing guidelines .
Both satellites are operated by the Space Dynamics Laboratory ( SDL ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ built HARP , which measures just 10cm wide , 10cm high , and 30cm long .
The NASA-funded CubeSat collects vital information about clouds and aerosols , tiny particles in the atmosphere that help cloud droplets and ice particles to form It was designed by Professor Vanderlei Martins at the University of Maryland , after he decided to photograph the bright white clouds floating by while flying across the Pacific Ocean a few years ago .
`` On a whim , he took out a polariser , similar to a sunglasses lens , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camera as he snapped photos , '' NASA says .
`` The result ? '
I saw rainbows in the clouds , ' Martins said . ''
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The measurements the satellite takes will help NASA and scientists around the world understand how aerosol particles impact the weather , climate and air quality .
The CIRiS satellite was built by Ball Aerospace , and is collecting , processing and calibrating infrared images of Earth .
A little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a backpack with a mass of approximately 25lbs - it is testing a small , space-based infrared instrument .
This instrument collects images to be used for a variety of scientific studies , including studies of cloud properties and mapping of soil moisture for measuring local drought conditions .
`` We have worked closely with NASA and the principal investigators for HARP and CIRiS to ensure their mission objectives are being met while our employees are practising recommended COVID-19 mitigation methods , '' said Asal Naseri , SDL 's small satellite technologies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety of our employees is a top priority for SDL , and we are actively pursuing opportunities for them to work from home during this extraordinary time while maintaining commitments to our partners . ''

Satellite operators are flying NASA spacecraft from their homes during the coronavirus pandemic to help prevent transmissions.
Instead of the traditional mission operation centre - a room filled with control panels and screens - command for two of NASA's smaller satellites has gone digital to tackle COVID-19.
NASA's Hyper-Angular Rainbow Polarimeter (HARP) CubeSat and its Compact Infrared Radiometer in Space (CIRiS) instrument are being commanded from staff members' homes, due to the coronavirus social distancing guidelines.
Image: HARP measures just 10cm by 10cm by 30cm. Pic: SDL
Both satellites are operated by the Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL), based at Utah State University. SDL built HARP, which measures just 10cm wide, 10cm high, and 30cm long.
The NASA-funded CubeSat collects vital information about clouds and aerosols, tiny particles in the atmosphere that help cloud droplets and ice particles to form
It was designed by Professor Vanderlei Martins at the University of Maryland, after he decided to photograph the bright white clouds floating by while flying across the Pacific Ocean a few years ago.
"On a whim, he took out a polariser, similar to a sunglasses lens, and rotated it in front of his camera as he snapped photos," NASA says. "The result? 'I saw rainbows in the clouds,' Martins said."
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The measurements the satellite takes will help NASA and scientists around the world understand how aerosol particles impact the weather, climate and air quality.
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The CIRiS satellite was built by Ball Aerospace, and is collecting, processing and calibrating infrared images of Earth.
A little larger than HARP - about the size of a backpack with a mass of approximately 25lbs - it is testing a small, space-based infrared instrument.
This instrument collects images to be used for a variety of scientific studies, including studies of cloud properties and mapping of soil moisture for measuring local drought conditions.
"We have worked closely with NASA and the principal investigators for HARP and CIRiS to ensure their mission objectives are being met while our employees are practising recommended COVID-19 mitigation methods," said Asal Naseri, SDL's small satellite technologies branch head.
"The health and safety of our employees is a top priority for SDL, and we are actively pursuing opportunities for them to work from home during this extraordinary time while maintaining commitments to our partners."


news--2020-04-16--Coronavirus: EasyJet could keep middle seats empty when flying resumes

EasyJet plans to keep middle seats on its planes empty to maintain social distancing when flying resumes following the coronavirus lockdown .
The low-cost carrier is mulling plans on how it will return to service after a lockdown which is currently costing it up to £40m a week .
Its aircraft - currently all grounded - are mostly configured with three seats in a row , either side of the aisle .
The proposed change would see passengers in window and aisle seats having an empty seat next to them .
It is an example of how the easing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is expected to take place gradually rather than seeing an immediate return to normality .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker EasyJet 's chief executive Johan Lundgren said of the idea : `` I expect that to happen .
That is something that we will do because I think that is something that the customers would like to see .
`` Then we will work out with the authorities and listen to the customers ' views and points on what they believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly in the start-up period . ''
He said this would be made possible by the likelihood that `` load factors '' - a measure of how full planes are - would `` not get back to normal early on '' .
Mr Lundgren disclosed the idea as he delivered the airline 's latest trading update - revealing that it was burning through £30m to 40m of cash every week during the grounding .
The airline expects to use up £1.2bn if the restrictions continue for three months , rising to £3bn for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new fundraising measures to cover the spending .
`` We 've been able to adapt ourselves to reduced demand for the next couple of years , then have the flexibility to increase as demand picks up again , '' Mr Lundgren said He also said that bookings for the winter period were `` well ahead '' of last year , partly boosted by customers choosing alternative flights after journeys were cancelled .
Mr Lundgren added that he expected there to be pent-up demand for holidays as people emerge from lockdown .
The update @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13 % in early trading though the gains later petered out .
They were 2.5 % down at the close - almost 60 % lower in the year to date .
EasyJet said its trading performance for the six months to the end of March before the impact of coronavirus was `` very strong '' but the costs of hedging against oil price and currency fluctuations would help pull it to a half-year loss of up to £380m .

EasyJet plans to keep middle seats on its planes empty to maintain social distancing when flying resumes following the coronavirus lockdown.
The low-cost carrier is mulling plans on how it will return to service after a lockdown which is currently costing it up to £40m a week.
Its aircraft - currently all grounded - are mostly configured with three seats in a row, either side of the aisle.
The proposed change would see passengers in window and aisle seats having an empty seat next to them.
It is an example of how the easing of restrictions across society following the coronavirus lockdown is expected to take place gradually rather than seeing an immediate return to normality.
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EasyJet's chief executive Johan Lundgren said of the idea: "I expect that to happen. That is something that we will do because I think that is something that the customers would like to see.
"Then we will work out with the authorities and listen to the customers' views and points on what they believe is the right thing to do, particularly in the start-up period."
He said this would be made possible by the likelihood that "load factors" - a measure of how full planes are - would "not get back to normal early on".
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:31 COVID-19 to inflict huge hit on UK economy
Mr Lundgren disclosed the idea as he delivered the airline's latest trading update - revealing that it was burning through £30m to 40m of cash every week during the grounding.
The airline expects to use up £1.2bn if the restrictions continue for three months, rising to £3bn for a nine-month stoppage but is has taken new fundraising measures to cover the spending.
"We've been able to adapt ourselves to reduced demand for the next couple of years, then have the flexibility to increase as demand picks up again," Mr Lundgren said
He also said that bookings for the winter period were "well ahead" of last year, partly boosted by customers choosing alternative flights after journeys were cancelled.
Mr Lundgren added that he expected there to be pent-up demand for holidays as people emerge from lockdown.
The update helped shares soar by as much as 13% in early trading though the gains later petered out. They were 2.5% down at the close - almost 60% lower in the year to date.
EasyJet said its trading performance for the six months to the end of March before the impact of coronavirus was "very strong" but the costs of hedging against oil price and currency fluctuations would help pull it to a half-year loss of up to £380m.


news--2020-04-16--Coronavirus: What can science tell us about when to lift the lockdown?

Coronavirus : What can science tell us about when to lift the lockdown ?
Coronavirus : What can science tell us about when to lift the lockdown ?
A question is looming : when and how to lift the lockdown ?
The politicians say they 're guided by the scientific advice .
The scientists say it 's a decision for the politicians .
Who , then , should we look to for answers ?
Parliament 's Science and Technology Committee put this question to a group of scientists on Thursday afternoon .
Perhaps , when they began , they hoped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If they did , they will have been disappointed .
The only area in which there was unequivocal consensus was in the conditions necessary to lift the lockdown .
After that , the clarity vanished .
First , those conditions .
The most important is also the most obvious : the epidemic needs to be under control .
In technical terms , this means bringing the reproductive rate below one , so an infected individual only infects one other person on average .
Two scientists interviewed by the committee , Professor Graham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the data from hospitalisations and deaths suggested that had happened , indicating that the lockdown had broken the chains of transmission .
The government 's chief scientific adviser , Sir Patrick Vallance , confirmed this finding in the news briefing afterwards , with the caveat that it was probably only true in the community - not , say , in care settings or some hospitals .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker So why is n't the lockdown over ?
Partly because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues .
Partly because the government is still building capacity to understand the epidemic , by increasing the number of tests it can do , and improving the tests so they can effectively track the outbreak .
Professor Chris Whitty said the government was hoping to have a `` crude ranging shot '' from blood tests soon , but that is still being developed , and will need to be improved in order to give a true picture .
But in large measure the difficulty is simply the strength of the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's a real danger it will just come roaring back .
The question is n't whether to lift the lockdown , but how - and here the science can offer guidance , but not firm answers .
Take , for instance , school closures .
In the early stages of the epidemic , the government 's scientific advisers said shutting schools would n't have much effect on slowing the spread of the virus .
This was supported both by historical and contemporary research .
A study in March led by University College London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closure of schools was `` very weak '' .
Not everyone agrees .
Professor Neil Ferguson , one of the key epidemiologists advising the government , has argued that school closures combined with `` intense social distancing '' can break links between different households .
: : Listen to Coronavirus : In This Together on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or Spreaker But anyone wishing to keep schools open in March would have had plenty of scientific support - not to mention huge economic support , as opening schools would allow parents time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So why were they closed ?
Simply put , because it seemed impossible not to .
There was widespread public demand for it , not least from teachers and catering staff .
It avoided any risk .
By contrast , airports are still open , without routine testing of the 15,000 passengers arriving in the UK each day .
There are some exceptions - a US woman was turned away recently because her visit was deemed non essential - but on the whole the UK 's borders remain open , in contrast to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The government says it is following the science , but in this case there is little of it .
Public Health England has cited a study that concluded that travel restrictions would make `` an extremely limited contribution '' to restricting an epidemic .
But that study was from 2014 .
And it was about influenza .
In the face of this kind of uncertainty , what should the government do ?
It seems to me that it did what it was elected to do , and followed the people .
Schools staying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not - at least not yet .
That is ultimately what made the difference .
This might sound like I 'm accusing the government of not listening to the science .
Far from it .
Judging what is publicly acceptable is essential to making sure this lockdown saves lives - and that is the key skill of politicians , not of scientists .
It might seem a strange thing to say , given the restrictions we are struggling under , but the decision-maker that always gets left out of the scientists or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We do n't have a single voice , but , in aggregate , we play a far bigger role than either of them .

The government has announced an extension to the UK's lockdown, but the science suggests transmission rates have dropped.
Coronavirus: What can science tell us about when to lift the lockdown?
A question is looming: when and how to lift the lockdown?
The politicians say they're guided by the scientific advice. The scientists say it's a decision for the politicians. Who, then, should we look to for answers?
Parliament's Science and Technology Committee put this question to a group of scientists on Thursday afternoon. Perhaps, when they began, they hoped to find hard truths about the situation.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:46 Why has the UK lockdown been extended?
If they did, they will have been disappointed.
The only area in which there was unequivocal consensus was in the conditions necessary to lift the lockdown. After that, the clarity vanished.
First, those conditions. The most important is also the most obvious: the epidemic needs to be under control.
In technical terms, this means bringing the reproductive rate below one, so an infected individual only infects one other person on average.
Two scientists interviewed by the committee, Professor Graham Medley and Dr James Rubin, said the data from hospitalisations and deaths suggested that had happened, indicating that the lockdown had broken the chains of transmission.
The government's chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, confirmed this finding in the news briefing afterwards, with the caveat that it was probably only true in the community - not, say, in care settings or some hospitals.
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
So why isn't the lockdown over? Partly because we need to be sure this trend continues. Partly because the government is still building capacity to understand the epidemic, by increasing the number of tests it can do, and improving the tests so they can effectively track the outbreak.
Professor Chris Whitty said the government was hoping to have a "crude ranging shot" from blood tests soon, but that is still being developed, and will need to be improved in order to give a true picture.
But in large measure the difficulty is simply the strength of the virus. Once the lockdown is lifted, there's a real danger it will just come roaring back.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:07 Relaxing UK lockdown would risk lives - Raab
The question isn't whether to lift the lockdown, but how - and here the science can offer guidance, but not firm answers.
Take, for instance, school closures. In the early stages of the epidemic, the government's scientific advisers said shutting schools wouldn't have much effect on slowing the spread of the virus.
This was supported both by historical and contemporary research. A study in March led by University College London found that the evidence to support the closure of schools was "very weak".
Not everyone agrees. Professor Neil Ferguson, one of the key epidemiologists advising the government, has argued that school closures combined with "intense social distancing" can break links between different households.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to Coronavirus: In This Together on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Spreaker
But anyone wishing to keep schools open in March would have had plenty of scientific support - not to mention huge economic support, as opening schools would allow parents time and space to work from home.
So why were they closed? Simply put, because it seemed impossible not to. There was widespread public demand for it, not least from teachers and catering staff. It avoided any risk.
By contrast, airports are still open, without routine testing of the 15,000 passengers arriving in the UK each day. There are some exceptions - a US woman was turned away recently because her visit was deemed non essential - but on the whole the UK's borders remain open, in contrast to the rest of the world's.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:22 Has the lockdown flattened UK deaths?
The government says it is following the science, but in this case there is little of it. Public Health England has cited a study that concluded that travel restrictions would make "an extremely limited contribution" to restricting an epidemic. But that study was from 2014. And it was about influenza.
In the face of this kind of uncertainty, what should the government do? It seems to me that it did what it was elected to do, and followed the people.
Schools staying open prompted a widespread outcry. Airports did not - at least not yet. That is ultimately what made the difference.
Image: The public is often left out of decision making
This might sound like I'm accusing the government of not listening to the science. Far from it. Judging what is publicly acceptable is essential to making sure this lockdown saves lives - and that is the key skill of politicians, not of scientists.
It might seem a strange thing to say, given the restrictions we are struggling under, but the decision-maker that always gets left out of the scientists or politicians debate is us - the public.
We don't have a single voice, but, in aggregate, we play a far bigger role than either of them.


news--2020-04-16--Coronavirus lockdowns unlocked: Which countries are easing restrictions

With coronavirus outbreaks at different stages around the world , countries are making changes to their restrictions .
In some places lockdowns are being eased , in others , like the UK , the restrictions are being kept in place .
Elsewhere , they are being strengthened .
It comes as the World Health Organisation has said countries that ease restrictions should wait at least two weeks to evaluate the impact , before taking further action .
Children are now allowed to leave their homes with an adult once per day .
Spaniards will be allowed to leave their homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 May , having previously only been permitted to go out for essential shopping or to go to work that can not be done from home .
Some shops have been reopened but bars , restaurants , schools and many non-essential shops are closed .
Public gatherings of more than five people remain banned .
Reopening is to be done in stages over the coming weeks .
Authorities said all stores can reopen on 2 May , followed by restaurants in mid-May , provided the pandemic remains under control .
Switzerland is due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April with the reopening of hairdressers , florists , and garden centres .
Then schools could reopen on 11 May .
Bars and restaurants will remain closed until at least 8 June .
Seven weeks into Italy 's strict lockdown , Premier Giuseppe Conte has laid out a timetable for getting back to normal , announcing that factories , construction sites and wholesale supply businesses can resume activity .
From 4 May , parks and gardens will reopen , funerals will be allowed , and people will be able to visit relatives in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will open 18 May , and restaurants , cafes and salons on 1 June , he said .
Schools and public places such as libraries remain closed and there is a ban on public gatherings of more than 10 people until 13 May .
Restaurants are to remain closed until the end of May , except for takeaways .
This week it will be decided whether schools can reopen on 13 May and the ban on large events has been extended until the end of July .
Some non-essential shops have been allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closures .
Masks are mandatory in shops and on public transport from Monday 27 April .
Gatherings are still limited to no more than two people , bars and restaurants are closed and schools shut .
Officials will review the situation again on 30 April .
Denmark has reopened schools for some children in certain year groups , while other students must continue to study from home .
Gatherings of more than 10 people remain banned .
Trades that have close physical contacts with customers remain closed .
Restaurants and cafes can still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week .
Earlier this month , restrictions on non-essential travel were lifted , as were restrictions on meetings of two to 10 people .
Czechs have also been allowed to visit relatives or see doctors .
Last week , car service centres and certain shops reopened , and outdoor sports were allowed to resume .
On 4 May , hairdressers and beauty parlours can reopen .
People still need to wear face masks in an indoor public space .
It has not been decided when schools , hotels , bars and restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopened last week and limits on the number of people in shops were eased .
Schools are still closed and borders will remain closed until 3 May .
The Chinese city of Wuhan , where the pandemic started , said all major construction projects had resumed as authorities pushed to restart factory production and other economic activity after a two-and-a-half-month lockdown .
The mayor has said the city aims to fully resume rail , flight and freight operations by the end of this month .
India has allowed the limited reopening of small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff , physical distancing , and wearing masks and gloves during work .
Larger shops are to reopen when the lockdown ends on 3 May .
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said from Wednesday primary schools will reopen but attendance would be voluntary .
Some business can reopen , including drive-through and delivery restaurants .
Malls and retail stores will remain closed and large gatherings banned .
Donald Trump is preparing new guidelines allowing some states to quickly relax social distancing measures .
The ultimate decisions will remain with governors .
Lockdown relaxation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of non-essential treatment in hospitals and the reopening of textile and sewing shops to provide face masks .
Bars and restaurants can start reopening on 8 June .
President Hassan Rouhani says Iran will be divided into white , yellow and red regions based on the number of infections and deaths .
Activities in each region will be restricted accordingly .
Iranians have returned to shops , bazaars and parks over the past week but the closure of schools , universities , and a ban on cultural , religious and sports gatherings has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is expected to discuss plans for modifying - but not lifting - the lockdown , possibly before the 7 May deadline when the government is legally obliged to announce its next review of the rules .
Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said he will unveil the `` national de-confinement strategy '' on Tuesday .
A partial lockdown is in place until 4 May with the wearing of masks mandatory for people outside of their homes .
There are signs the virus is growing in migrant worker communities .
Portugal 's infection cases curve has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be lifted and the economy to be reopened , government ministers have said .
The measures are in place until at least 2 May .
Some of Canada 's 10 provinces have announced plans to gradually reopen their economies with social distancing and protective equipment in workplaces .
The premier of Saskatchewan is planning to slowly restart the economy on 4 May .
Ontario said on Sunday it was extending school closures until 29 May .
The states of Queensland and Western Australia will ease some restrictions this week .
Western Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , while Queensland has allowed picnics , shopping and drives of up to 30 miles from home .
Queensland has also opened its national parks .
The most populous states of Victoria and New South Wales are maintaining strict social and business restrictions .
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is likely to postpone his announcement of a gradual relaxation of quarantine measures .
This had been tentatively scheduled for Monday 27 April , but it will likely be postponed by at least one day .
Lockdowns are set to continue in the largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro extending social distancing measures .
Argentina has extended a mandatory nationwide quarantine period until 10 May .
Quarantining has been extended until 30 May and Mexico 's government has closed schools and non-essential businesses but it has not imposed a strict curfew , unlike some countries in Latin America .
Saudi Arabia has eased curfews across the country , while keeping 24-hour curfews in the city of Mecca and in neighbourhoods previously in isolation .
Some businesses have been allowed to reopen and officials will consider allowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial efforts .
A complete lockdown has been extended until the end of April but the country plans to reopen its agriculture sector and allow some manufacturing and retail to resume .
Governors want a lockdown on flights and on interstate movement , restrictions on large gatherings and overnight curfews , as well as making the use of face masks in public compulsory .
Lagos and Ogun states , as well as the capital Abuja , are already under lockdown .
Japan 's prime minister Shinzo Abe declared a state of emergency in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has since been extended across the country .
Unlike compulsory lockdowns , however , social distancing in Japan is voluntary .
Some businesses , such as gyms , have been asked to close but others , such as restaurants , remain open .
Russia has declared lockdowns across the country , including in the capital Moscow , where residents are only allowed to go out to buy food or medicines at their nearest shop , get urgent medical treatment , walk their dog , or take out rubbish .
A digital permit is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the measures is expected this week .

With coronavirus outbreaks at different stages around the world, countries are making changes to their restrictions.
In some places lockdowns are being eased, in others, like the UK, the restrictions are being kept in place. Elsewhere, they are being strengthened.
It comes as the World Health Organisation has said countries that ease restrictions should wait at least two weeks to evaluate the impact, before taking further action.
Image: People applaud from a balcony at a flash mob during Spain's lockdown
SPAIN
Children are now allowed to leave their homes with an adult once per day. Spaniards will be allowed to leave their homes for short walks and exercise starting on 2 May, having previously only been permitted to go out for essential shopping or to go to work that cannot be done from home.
AUSTRIA
Some shops have been reopened but bars, restaurants, schools and many non-essential shops are closed. Public gatherings of more than five people remain banned. Reopening is to be done in stages over the coming weeks.
Authorities said all stores can reopen on 2 May, followed by restaurants in mid-May, provided the pandemic remains under control.
SWITZERLAND
Switzerland is due to start relaxing its restrictions on 27 April with the reopening of hairdressers, florists, and garden centres. Then schools could reopen on 11 May. Bars and restaurants will remain closed until at least 8 June.
ITALY
Seven weeks into Italy's strict lockdown, Premier Giuseppe Conte has laid out a timetable for getting back to normal, announcing that factories, construction sites and wholesale supply businesses can resume activity.
From 4 May, parks and gardens will reopen, funerals will be allowed, and people will be able to visit relatives in the same region. Stores and museums will open 18 May, and restaurants, cafes and salons on 1 June, he said.
Image: A woman walks across a deserted Pope Pius XII square in Rome
FINLAND
Schools and public places such as libraries remain closed and there is a ban on public gatherings of more than 10
people until 13 May. Restaurants are to remain closed until the end of May, except for takeaways. This week it will be decided whether schools can reopen on 13 May and the ban on large events has been extended until the end of July.
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GERMANY
Some non-essential shops have been allowed to reopen after nearly four weeks of closures. Masks are mandatory in shops and on public transport from Monday 27 April. Gatherings are still limited to no more than two people, bars and restaurants are closed and schools shut. Officials will review the situation again on 30 April.
DENMARK
Denmark has reopened schools for some children in certain year groups, while other students must continue to study from home. Gatherings of more than 10 people remain banned. Trades that have close physical contacts with customers remain closed. Restaurants and cafes can still only serve takeaway.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Universities will reopen this week. Earlier this month, restrictions on non-essential travel were lifted, as were restrictions on meetings of two to 10 people. Czechs have also been allowed to visit relatives or see doctors.
Image: Street performers have been entertaining people in Prague on lockdown
SLOVENIA
Last week, car service centres and certain shops reopened, and outdoor sports were allowed to resume. On 4 May, hairdressers and beauty parlours can reopen. People still need to wear face masks in an indoor public space. It has not been decided when schools, hotels, bars and restaurants could reopen.
POLAND
Parks and forests were reopened last week and limits on the number of people in shops were eased. Schools are still closed and borders will remain closed until 3 May.
CHINA
The Chinese city of Wuhan, where the pandemic started, said all major construction projects had resumed as authorities pushed to restart factory production and other economic activity after a two-and-a-half-month lockdown. The mayor has said the city aims to fully resume rail, flight and freight operations by the end of this month.
INDIA
India has allowed the limited reopening of small shops with a 50% reduction in staff, physical distancing, and wearing masks and gloves during work. Larger shops are to reopen when the lockdown ends on 3 May.
Image: India's lockdown led to large groups of migrant workers and labourers stuck in the national capital
NEW ZEALAND
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said from Wednesday primary schools will reopen but attendance would be voluntary. Some business can reopen, including drive-through and delivery restaurants. Malls and retail stores will remain closed and large gatherings banned.
UNITED STATES
Donald Trump is preparing new guidelines allowing some states to quickly relax social distancing measures. The ultimate decisions will remain with governors.
BELGIUM
Lockdown relaxation starts on 4 May with the return of non-essential treatment in hospitals and the reopening of textile and sewing shops to provide face masks. Bars and restaurants can start reopening on 8 June.
IRAN
President Hassan Rouhani says Iran will be divided into white, yellow and red regions based on the number of infections and deaths. Activities in each region will be restricted accordingly.
Iranians have returned to shops, bazaars and parks over the past week but the closure of schools, universities, and a ban on cultural, religious and sports gatherings has been extended.
Image: A giant screen over the A57 urges people to stay home in Manchester
UK
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to discuss plans for modifying - but not lifting - the lockdown, possibly before the 7 May deadline when the government is legally obliged to announce its next review of the rules.
FRANCE
Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said he will unveil the "national de-confinement strategy" on Tuesday.
SINGAPORE
A partial lockdown is in place until 4 May with the wearing of masks mandatory for people outside of their homes. There are signs the virus is growing in migrant worker communities.
PORTUGAL
Portugal's infection cases curve has flattened but not enough for lockdown measures to be lifted and the economy to be reopened, government ministers have said. The measures are in place until at least 2 May.
Image: Hungary's lockdown has meant religious services have had to be streamed on TV
CANADA
Some of Canada's 10 provinces have announced plans to gradually reopen their economies with social distancing and protective equipment in workplaces. The premier of Saskatchewan is planning to slowly restart the economy on 4 May. Ontario said on Sunday it was extending school closures until 29 May.
AUSTRALIA
The states of Queensland and Western Australia will ease some restrictions this week. Western Australia will allow gatherings of up to 10 people, while Queensland has allowed picnics, shopping and drives of up to 30 miles from home. Queensland has also opened its national parks. The most populous states of Victoria and New South Wales are maintaining strict social and business restrictions.
GREECE
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is likely to postpone his announcement of a gradual relaxation of quarantine measures. This had been tentatively scheduled for Monday 27 April, but it will likely be postponed by at least one day.
Image: There has been a limit to how refugees on the Greek islands can adhere to the lockdown
BRAZIL
Lockdowns are set to continue in the largest Brazilian cities and most states, with Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro extending social distancing measures.
ARGENTINA
Argentina has extended a mandatory nationwide quarantine period until 10 May.
MEXICO
Quarantining has been extended until 30 May and Mexico's government has closed schools and non-essential businesses but it has not imposed a strict curfew, unlike some countries in Latin America.
SAUDI ARABIA
Saudi Arabia has eased curfews across the country, while keeping 24-hour curfews in the city of Mecca and in neighbourhoods previously in isolation.
Image: Israel has struggled to enforce its lockdown in ultra-orthodox areas
ISRAEL
Some businesses have been allowed to reopen and officials will consider allowing children back to school as part of trial efforts.
SOUTH AFRICA
A complete lockdown has been extended until the end of April but the country plans to reopen its agriculture sector and allow some manufacturing and retail to resume.
NIGERIA
Governors want a lockdown on flights and on interstate movement, restrictions on large gatherings and overnight curfews, as well as making the use of face masks in public compulsory. Lagos and Ogun states, as well as the capital Abuja, are already under lockdown.
JAPAN
Japan's prime minister Shinzo Abe declared a state of emergency in seven prefectures on 7 April, which has since been extended across the country. Unlike compulsory lockdowns, however, social distancing in Japan is voluntary. Some businesses, such as gyms, have been asked to close but others, such as restaurants, remain open.
Image: The mayor of Moscow told older Russians to either stay at home or escape to their country houses on 30 March
RUSSIA
Russia has declared lockdowns across the country, including in the capital Moscow, where residents are only allowed to go out to buy food or medicines at their nearest shop, get urgent medical treatment, walk their dog, or take out rubbish. A digital permit is needed to go elsewhere. An update on the measures is expected this week.


news--2020-04-16--Coronavirus: 'Virtual parliament' plan approved for MPs to quiz ministers

Plans for a `` virtual parliament '' to let MPs quiz ministers during the coronavirus outbreak have been approved by authorities .
Breaking with nearly 700 years of tradition , around 120 MPs will be able to dial into Zoom calls to ask questions - with a further 50 allowed to sit in the chamber under `` strict social distancing rules '' .
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said the hybrid solution will let MPs `` stay close to their communities '' and continue `` their important work scrutinising the government '' during the COVID-19 pandemic .
He explained he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of staff who work on the Westminster estate `` putting themselves at risk '' as the country remains in lockdown .
`` By working virtually , this is our contribution to the guidance of stay home , protect the NHS and save lives , '' Sir Lindsay added .
The step will need to be formally approved by MPs themselves when recess ends on Tuesday 21 April .
When it is , those attending virtually will be allowed to take part in Prime Minister 's Questions and any urgent questions or statements within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They will not be allowed to display or draw attention to any objects to illustrate their remarks or make any interventions or points of order .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Screens will be placed around the main chamber where MPs debate so Sir Lindsay and those in the room can see who is present virtually , with MPs able to be called later in proceedings if they `` can not be heard or seen for technological reasons '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ MPs to decide if they want to change the rules on voting , which remain that each politician has to physically walk through one of two voting lobbies .
In a bid to assuage fears over the security of Zoom , which staff at the Ministry of Defence were banned from using , the National Cyber Security Centre has advised it thinks the video service 's use is `` appropriate '' for public parliamentary business .
Darren Hughes of the Electoral Reform Society welcomed the `` good progress '' on representing constituents during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The elephant in the room seems to be the question of how MPs will vote .
`` What is paramount is that voters are represented , and that members are safe .
That means we must either see a rapid rollout of proxy voting for MPs and Peers , or allowing them to vote digitally .
`` This is an urgent matter of scrutiny , representation and safety .
We hope all parties work together to make it happen . ''
Parliament shut a week early for the Easter break because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handing the government powers were rushed through .
Fears also grew about the spread of the virus when first a junior health minister , then the health secretary and eventually the prime minister all contracted it .

Plans for a "virtual parliament" to let MPs quiz ministers during the coronavirus outbreak have been approved by authorities.
Breaking with nearly 700 years of tradition, around 120 MPs will be able to dial into Zoom calls to ask questions - with a further 50 allowed to sit in the chamber under "strict social distancing rules".
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said the hybrid solution will let MPs "stay close to their communities" and continue "their important work scrutinising the government" during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Image: Speaker Sir Lindsay urged people to 'stay home'
He explained he did not want MPs or the thousands of staff who work on the Westminster estate "putting themselves at risk" as the country remains in lockdown.
"By working virtually, this is our contribution to the guidance of stay home, protect the NHS and save lives," Sir Lindsay added.
Image: Only 50 MPs will be allowed into the chamber and will have to social distance
The step will need to be formally approved by MPs themselves when recess ends on Tuesday 21 April.
When it is, those attending virtually will be allowed to take part in Prime Minister's Questions and any urgent questions or statements within the first two hours of proceedings starting.
Image: The MOD banned staff using Zoom over security fears
They will not be allowed to display or draw attention to any objects to illustrate their remarks or make any interventions or points of order.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
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Screens will be placed around the main chamber where MPs debate so Sir Lindsay and those in the room can see who is present virtually, with MPs able to be called later in proceedings if they "cannot be heard or seen for technological reasons".
Image: The lockdown has been in place for three weeks
The Commons said it is up to MPs to decide if they want to change the rules on voting, which remain that each politician has to physically walk through one of two voting lobbies.
In a bid to assuage fears over the security of Zoom, which staff at the Ministry of Defence were banned from using, the National Cyber Security Centre has advised it thinks the video service's use is "appropriate" for public parliamentary business.
Darren Hughes of the Electoral Reform Society welcomed the "good progress" on representing constituents during the crisis.
But he cautioned: "The elephant in the room seems to be the question of how MPs will vote.
"What is paramount is that voters are represented, and that members are safe. That means we must either see a rapid rollout of proxy voting for MPs and Peers, or allowing them to vote digitally.
"This is an urgent matter of scrutiny, representation and safety. We hope all parties work together to make it happen."
Image: Prime Minister Boris Johnson contracted coronavirus
Parliament shut a week early for the Easter break because of the coronavirus outbreak, after emergency laws handing the government powers were rushed through.
Fears also grew about the spread of the virus when first a junior health minister, then the health secretary and eventually the prime minister all contracted it.


news--2020-04-14--Coronavirus: Why the UK's daily death figures don't reveal the full picture

The daily death toll announced by the government is unlikely to reveal when the UK hits the peak in fatalities linked to COVID-19 .
The number of people who died with coronavirus in the UK revealed every afternoon only includes deaths `` recorded '' up to that day , not those who died in the previous 24 hours .
This means the total number of people who may have died on that day will only be known in days or weeks from now .
Analysis by Sky News , using figures from the Office for National Statistics , shows that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of deaths linked to COVID-19 in England was more than 80 % higher than previously reported by the government .
NHS England , which also reported figures against the date of death rather than the date the deaths were announced , shows 60 % more deaths than those reported by the Department of Health and Social Care at the end of March .
Why does this difference matter ?
In a pandemic , it is not only important to know the total numbers of cases and deaths , but also how fast they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the curve is when plotted on a graph , and consequently how long authorities are likely to maintain the lockdown .
The delay in reporting deaths is leading to under-counting figures for each day .
Hence , the curve that we are seeing today is not a representation of how fast the outbreak is growing at the moment .
Sky 's science correspondent , Thomas Moore , said : `` The steep upward curve in daily deaths has begun to level off , but spotting the moment the tide turns in this epidemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the event .
`` It can take up to two weeks for some deaths to appear in the statistics .
The problem is even more acute on Monday 's and Tuesdays - the lag from the 'weekend effect ' - with a spike mid-week as the numbers are corrected .
`` But that wo n't make any difference to the decision on when to ease the lockdown .
Cases will have to fall dramatically from the peak before the social distancing rules are relaxed - otherwise the virus will quickly bounce back in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker How many deaths is COVID-19 currently causing ?
The exact up-to-date number is unknown and detailed data for deaths is difficult to collect in real time .
Both the daily government 's tally as well as NHS England do not count deaths outside hospitals , which the Office for National Statistics does .
The ONS figures count any death certificate which mentions COVID-19 .
But this number is likely to be under-reported too as it does not include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and there is a lag between when the death occurs and when it is registered .
Latest data from the ONS shows there has been an `` excess of mortality '' during the week ending 3 April in England and Wales .
The darkest dashed line in the graph shows the weekly average of the past five years and therefore the expected mortality for this year .
The blue line reflects the actual number of deaths recorded by the ONS .
The average number of deaths for the past five years for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10,300 .
The actual figure registered in 2020 went up to 16,387 .
That meant 60 % more deaths than the average - around 6,000 in total .
Two in five of the additional deaths recorded by the ONS were attributed to non-COVID-19 reasons - yet .
One report from the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine says tracking deaths during a pandemic is often `` fraught with problems . ''
It suggests that the under-counting of COVID-19 deaths might be caused by the fact that COVID-19 deaths have been under-reported , but also due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths or even because deaths are reported more efficiently and brought forward from subsequent weeks .
Sir David Spiegelhalter , from the Statistical Laboratory at the University of Cambridge , said it was a `` shock '' to see the big rise in deaths that do not have COVID-19 mentioned on the death certificate .
He added : `` The challenge now is to estimate what proportion actually did have COVID , and what were collateral damage from the restriction in our healthcare system .
`` It 's inevitable there will be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are fortunate that ONS produces these data as quickly as they do . ''

The daily death toll announced by the government is unlikely to reveal when the UK hits the peak in fatalities linked to COVID-19.
The number of people who died with coronavirus in the UK revealed every afternoon only includes deaths "recorded" up to that day, not those who died in the previous 24 hours.
This means the total number of people who may have died on that day will only be known in days or weeks from now.
Analysis by Sky News, using figures from the Office for National Statistics, shows that at the end of March the number of deaths linked to COVID-19 in England was more than 80% higher than previously reported by the government.
NHS England, which also reported figures against the date of death rather than the date the deaths were announced, shows 60% more deaths than those reported by the Department of Health and Social Care at the end of March.
Why does this difference matter?
In a pandemic, it is not only important to know the total numbers of cases and deaths, but also how fast they are increasing. That determines how steep the curve is when plotted on a graph, and consequently how long authorities are likely to maintain the lockdown.
The delay in reporting deaths is leading to under-counting figures for each day. Hence, the curve that we are seeing today is not a representation of how fast the outbreak is growing at the moment.
Image: A typical model of a pandemic outbreak
Sky's science correspondent, Thomas Moore, said: "The steep upward curve in daily deaths has begun to level off, but spotting the moment the tide turns in this epidemic will be impossible until several days after the event.
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"It can take up to two weeks for some deaths to appear in the statistics. The problem is even more acute on Monday's and Tuesdays - the lag from the 'weekend effect' - with a spike mid-week as the numbers are corrected.
"But that won't make any difference to the decision on when to ease the lockdown. Cases will have to fall dramatically from the peak before the social distancing rules are relaxed - otherwise the virus will quickly bounce back in a second wave."
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How many deaths is COVID-19 currently causing?
The exact up-to-date number is unknown and detailed data for deaths is difficult to collect in real time.
Both the daily government's tally as well as NHS England do not count deaths outside hospitals, which the Office for National Statistics does.
The ONS figures count any death certificate which mentions COVID-19.
But this number is likely to be under-reported too as it does not include deaths from those not tested for coronavirus and there is a lag between when the death occurs and when it is registered.
Latest data from the ONS shows there has been an "excess of mortality" during the week ending 3 April in England and Wales.
The darkest dashed line in the graph shows the weekly average of the past five years and therefore the expected mortality for this year. The blue line reflects the actual number of deaths recorded by the ONS.
The average number of deaths for the past five years for the week ending 3 April, was around 10,300. The actual figure registered in 2020 went up to 16,387. That meant 60% more deaths than the average - around 6,000 in total.
Two in five of the additional deaths recorded by the ONS were attributed to non-COVID-19 reasons - yet.
One report from the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine says tracking deaths during a pandemic is often "fraught with problems."
It suggests that the under-counting of COVID-19 deaths might be caused by the fact that COVID-19 deaths have been under-reported, but also due to an increase of other types of deaths or even because deaths are reported more efficiently and brought forward from subsequent weeks.
Sir David Spiegelhalter, from the Statistical Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, said it was a "shock" to see the big rise in deaths that do not have COVID-19 mentioned on the death certificate.
He added: "The challenge now is to estimate what proportion actually did have COVID, and what were collateral damage from the restriction in our healthcare system.
"It's inevitable there will be a lag in official registrations, and we are fortunate that ONS produces these data as quickly as they do."


news--2020-04-16--Coronavirus: Life won't go back to normal when COVID-19 lockdown eased, says health secretary

Life in the UK will not go straight back to normal when coronavirus lockdown measures are eased , the health secretary has said .
Matt Hancock warned it will `` take time '' for the enforced social distancing measures to be fully phased out .
He suggested the government will later announce an extension to the three-week emergency `` stay-at-home '' rules in a bid to suppress the COVID-19 outbreak , which has already seen at least 12,868 people die .
Cabinet ministers were briefed on the latest scientific and medical advice via video conference , before a special meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as COBRA this afternoon - chaired by stand-in prime minister Dominic Raab .
The foreign secretary , who is deputising for Boris Johnson while he recovers from coronavirus in the countryside retreat of Chequers , is expected to announce the lockdown extension at this afternoon 's daily news conference .
Questions of when the lockdown might end were raised by a health minister , Nadine Dorries , on Wednesday night .
She tweeted : `` There is only one way we can 'exit ' full lockdown and that is when we have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find ways we can adapt society and strike a balance between the health of the nation and our economy . ''
Responding to the comment , Mr Hancock told Sky News ' Kay Burley @ Breakfast : `` The key word in that is full - she was being quite precise , I think .
`` It is too early to say now that we should remove the measures .
`` People can see that while we may be reaching a peak the numbers are n't coming down yet .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be returning to some , just straight back to how things were before .
This will take time . ''
Professor Neil Ferguson - of Imperial College London , which is advising the government on its coronavirus response - echoed the warning .
`` We will have to maintain some form of social distancing , a significant level of social distancing , probably indefinitely until we have a vaccine available , '' he told BBC Radio 4 .
He suggested that like Brexit the government could set up a specific department to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Downing Street dismissed the idea , the prime minister 's spokesman telling journalists `` the entire focus of government is on the response to the coronavirus '' .
He also confirmed a formal review will be launched into why people from a black and minority ethnic background appear to be disproportionately affected by COVID-19 .
Mr Hancock also said 15 % of care homes in England have seen an outbreak of coronavirus , after Scottish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have there .
The government has promised that everyone in care homes who needs a COVID-19 test will get one , after the NHS Confederation chief executive said fatalities were going `` under the radar '' because daily figures only count hospital patient deaths .
Mr Hancock said 10,000 care home residents have been tested and 4,000 workers in them have been referred for tests .
He added the reason there were thousands of unused tests over the Easter weekend was fewer people than expected turned up at the new drive-through test centres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Health showed 11,170 people were tested in a day - despite it saying on 18 March that within four weeks tests would increase to 25,000 a day .
Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer has said he will support a lockdown extension but is calling on the government to publish its exit strategy to ensure `` transparency '' and maintain public confidence .
Asked why the UK was not doing so like countries including Germany and Italy , Mr Hancock said yesterday : `` Different countries are in different stages in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the things that I think we have learnt during this crisis is that the clarity of the guidance to the public is incredibly important and hence we repeat it . ''
Jon Ashworth , the shadow health secretary , said the public needs `` greater clarity '' on the exit strategy soon as a vaccine could take up to 18 months .
`` If you want to return to some greater degree of normality then you need to combine it with a proper testing and tracing strategy , '' he told Sky News @

Life in the UK will not go straight back to normal when coronavirus lockdown measures are eased, the health secretary has said.
Matt Hancock warned it will "take time" for the enforced social distancing measures to be fully phased out.
He suggested the government will later announce an extension to the three-week emergency "stay-at-home" rules in a bid to suppress the COVID-19 outbreak, which has already seen at least 12,868 people die.
Image: The initial lockdown was set to last three weeks
Cabinet ministers were briefed on the latest scientific and medical advice via video conference, before a special meeting of the government's emergency committee known as COBRA this afternoon - chaired by stand-in prime minister Dominic Raab.
The foreign secretary, who is deputising for Boris Johnson while he recovers from coronavirus in the countryside retreat of Chequers, is expected to announce the lockdown extension at this afternoon's daily news conference.
Image: Dominic Raab is deputising for the PM while he recovers from COVID-19
Questions of when the lockdown might end were raised by a health minister, Nadine Dorries, on Wednesday night.
She tweeted: "There is only one way we can 'exit' full lockdown and that is when we have a vaccine. Until then, we need to find ways we can adapt society and strike a balance between the health of the nation and our economy."
Responding to the comment, Mr Hancock told Sky News' Kay Burley@Breakfast: "The key word in that is full - she was being quite precise, I think.
"It is too early to say now that we should remove the measures.
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Image: People have been urged to stay at home to stop coronavirus spreading
"People can see that while we may be reaching a peak the numbers aren't coming down yet.
"The point Nadine was making is we will not be returning to some, just straight back to how things were before. This will take time."
Professor Neil Ferguson - of Imperial College London, which is advising the government on its coronavirus response - echoed the warning.
"We will have to maintain some form of social distancing, a significant level of social distancing, probably indefinitely until we have a vaccine available," he told BBC Radio 4.
He suggested that like Brexit the government could set up a specific department to deal with the "national emergency".
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Downing Street dismissed the idea, the prime minister's spokesman telling journalists "the entire focus of government is on the response to the coronavirus".
He also confirmed a formal review will be launched into why people from a black and minority ethnic background appear to be disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:47 'Things will be better', says inspirational veteran
Mr Hancock also said 15% of care homes in England have seen an outbreak of coronavirus, after Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed 40% have there.
The government has promised that everyone in care homes who needs a COVID-19 test will get one, after the NHS Confederation chief executive said fatalities were going "under the radar" because daily figures only count hospital patient deaths.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:31 Care worker: 'We lose someone every shift'
Mr Hancock said 10,000 care home residents have been tested and 4,000 workers in them have been referred for tests.
He added the reason there were thousands of unused tests over the Easter weekend was fewer people than expected turned up at the new drive-through test centres.
Image: Prof Neil Ferguson said measures will probably continue 'until we have a vaccine'
The latest figures from the UK Department of Health showed 11,170 people were tested in a day - despite it saying on 18 March that within four weeks tests would increase to 25,000 a day.
Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer has said he will support a lockdown extension but is calling on the government to publish its exit strategy to ensure "transparency" and maintain public confidence.
Image: More than 12,000 coronavirus patients have died in UK hospitals
Asked why the UK was not doing so like countries including Germany and Italy, Mr Hancock said yesterday: "Different countries are in different stages in this epidemic.
"And one of the things that I think we have learnt during this crisis is that the clarity of the guidance to the public is incredibly important and hence we repeat it."
Jon Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, said the public needs "greater clarity" on the exit strategy soon as a vaccine could take up to 18 months.
"If you want to return to some greater degree of normality then you need to combine it with a proper testing and tracing strategy," he told Sky News.


news--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: Top civil servant Sir Simon McDonald withdraws claim UK 'chose' not to join EU medical

Coronavirus: Top civil servant Sir Simon McDonald withdraws claim UK 'chose' not to join EU medical kit scheme

A top civil servant has U-turned after claiming ministers chose not to join an EU scheme to bulk buy medical equipment at the start of the coronavirus crisis .
Sir Simon McDonald , the Foreign Office ’ s permanent under secretary , said he made the claim `` inadvertently and wrongly '' .
His original version of events had put major pressure on Downing Street , which has been accused of failing to `` ramp up '' stocks of ventilators and give NHS staff enough Personal Protective Equipment ( PPE ) .
Number 10 said last month as the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the scheme co-ordinated by Brussels because it is `` no longer a member of the EU '' .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson ’ s spokesman was asked on 26 March if the country asked to join the scheme , which it is still entitled to despite Brexit .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He said Whitehall is `` doing our own work '' to procure ventilators - a key machine for treating those with respiratory illnesses caused in severe cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an email mix-up , a spokesperson saying that `` owing to an initial communication problem , the UK did not receive an invitation in time to join in four joint procurements in response to the coronavirus pandemic '' .
But Sir Simon seemed to reveal a different version of events when he told parliament ’ s Foreign Affairs Select Committee on Tuesday : `` It was a political decision . ''
Speaking via videolink , he told senior MPs : `` The mission ... in Brussels briefed ministers about what was available , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is known . ''
Just over an hour later , Health Secretary Matt Hancock directly denied the claim , saying at the daily Downing Street briefing : `` As far as I 'm aware there was no political decision not to participate in that scheme . ''
He then said that the UK had already joined the EU 's procurement scheme - something not previously announced by the government - and that no PPE has been delivered through it yet .
Sir Simon was then forced to issue a climbdown , clarifying that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong '' and `` due to a misunderstanding '' , adding his original version of events was `` incorrect '' .
Chris Bryant , the Labour backbencher who extracted Sir Simon 's original view , told Sky News `` it 's all nonsense - he 's been leant on '' .
`` The whole thing stinks of people trying to cover their tracks . ''
Shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth tweeted : `` First we were told an email was missed , then we were told the decision not to take part was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told that the Government did sign up to the scheme .
`` This is not a trivial matter .
Ministers needs to explain what has happened . ''
MP Stewart McDonald , the SNP 's defence spokesperson , said the `` clarification is just not credible '' and `` raises more questions than it answers '' .

A top civil servant has U-turned after claiming ministers chose not to join an EU scheme to bulk buy medical equipment at the start of the coronavirus crisis.
Sir Simon McDonald, the Foreign Office’s permanent under secretary, said he made the claim "inadvertently and wrongly".
His original version of events had put major pressure on Downing Street, which has been accused of failing to "ramp up" stocks of ventilators and give NHS staff enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Image: Sir Simon McDonald said his original claim was 'incorrect'
Number 10 said last month as the pandemic unfolded the UK wasn't taking part in the scheme co-ordinated by Brussels because it is "no longer a member of the EU".
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman was asked on 26 March if the country asked to join the scheme, which it is still entitled to despite Brexit.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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He said Whitehall is "doing our own work" to procure ventilators - a key machine for treating those with respiratory illnesses caused in severe cases of COVID-19.
The government then blamed an email mix-up, a spokesperson saying that "owing to an initial communication problem, the UK did not receive an invitation in time to join in four joint procurements in response to the coronavirus pandemic".
Image: Mr Johnson's spokesman said the UK wasn't joining because of Brexit
But Sir Simon seemed to reveal a different version of events when he told parliament’s Foreign Affairs Select Committee on Tuesday: "It was a political decision."
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Speaking via videolink, he told senior MPs: "The mission... in Brussels briefed ministers about what was available, what was on offer and the decision is known."
Just over an hour later, Health Secretary Matt Hancock directly denied the claim, saying at the daily Downing Street briefing: "As far as I'm aware there was no political decision not to participate in that scheme."
He then said that the UK had already joined the EU's procurement scheme - something not previously announced by the government - and that no PPE has been delivered through it yet.
Sir Simon was then forced to issue a climbdown, clarifying that he made the comments "inadvertently and wrong" and "due to a misunderstanding", adding his original version of events was "incorrect".
Chris Bryant, the Labour backbencher who extracted Sir Simon's original view, told Sky News "it's all nonsense - he's been leant on".
"The whole thing stinks of people trying to cover their tracks."
Image: Mr Hancock said no PPE has been delivered through the scheme yet
Shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth tweeted: "First we were told an email was missed, then we were told the decision not to take part was a political decision. Now we are told that the Government did sign up to the scheme.
"This is not a trivial matter. Ministers needs to explain what has happened."
MP Stewart McDonald, the SNP's defence spokesperson, said the "clarification is just not credible" and "raises more questions than it answers".