Coronavirus: latest global developments
Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:
India locks down millions
The northern Indian state of Bihar, which has a population of around 125 million people, will go into lockdown on Thursday for 15 days, the local government says.
The announcement comes as the southern city and IT hub Bangalore, home to more than 13 million people, also prepares to go into a week-long lockdown from 8:00 pm (1430 GMT).
More than 573,000 deaths
The pandemic has killed at least 573,091 people worldwide since it surfaced in China late last year, according to an AFP tally at 1100 GMT on Tuesday based on official sources.
The United States is the worst-hit country with 135,615 deaths. It is followed by Brazil with 72,833, Britain with 44,830, Mexico with 35,491 and Italy with 34,967 fatalities.
UK slump
Britain's economy slumped almost one-fifth during the country's lockdown and remains set for its sharpest decline in annual output for 300 years, official data shows.
The Office for National Statistics says gross domestic product plunged 19.1 percent in the three months to the end of May.
France pushes mask-wearing
"I would like to make masks mandatory in all enclosed public spaces," says French President Emmanuel Macron in a televised interview, adding such a measure could come into force from August 1 amid signs infections in the country are picking up again.
England too
Facemasks will be compulsory in shops and supermarkets in England from July 24, the government says, in a U-turn on previous policy.
People who fail to cover their face risk a fine of up to £100 ($123) with enforcement to be carried out by the police.
Travel trouble
Thailand suspends all inbound flights after an Egyptian soldier skips self-quarantine and visits a shopping mall before testing positive for the virus. Authorities are now scrambling to trace around 1,700 people at the mall and the surrounding area.
And Cyprus threatens to fine or turn away incoming passengers who fail to complete its online arrival forms aimed at preventing a resurgence of the virus, after a visitor who misrepresented their itinerary later tested positive.
© 2020 AFP
