Russia announces relief from coronavirus blockade: live updates | News

• Saudi Arabia will impose harsh austerity measures, triple its value-added tax, and stop monthly payments to citizens to deal with record low oil prices and an economic recession led by the coronavirus.

• Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Russia will begin easing the coronavirus restriction on Tuesday, even as the country reported a record 11,656 new cases in 24 hours. At least 221,344 people have been infected in Russia, with more than 2,000 deaths confirmed by COVID-19.

• France and Spain, two of the countries most affected by the pandemic in Europe, are gradually easing the restrictions they imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

• Lebanese authorities warn of a new wave of coronavirus cases after the number jumped to its highest point in more than a month as the government eased some restrictions on public life.

• Globally, more than four million coronavirus cases have been confirmed and 1.4 million people have recovered, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. More than 282,500 people have died from COVID-19.

Here are the latest updates.

Monday, May 11

17:30 GMT – Study: New York virus death toll may be worse than official count

According to the analysis published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the US, the death toll from the coronavirus in New York City may be thousands of deaths worse than the official figure maintained by the city and state.

Between mid-March and early May, about 24,000 more people died in the city than researchers would normally expect, depending on the season, according to the report. That’s about 5,300 more deaths than had previously been attributed to the coronavirus during that time period.

These so-called “excess deaths” may have been caused by by-products of the pandemic, according to the report, including “demand from hospitals and healthcare providers and public fear related to COVID-19,” causing delays in people. seeking or receiving vital care.

“Tracking excess mortality is important to understanding the contribution to the mortality rate of both COVID-19 disease and the unavailability of care for non-COVID conditions,” the report says, adding that a further investigation.

17:15 GMT – Erdogan of Turkey imposes a four-day blockade starting on Saturday

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said a blockade would be imposed starting Saturday and will end after Tuesday May 19, which is a national holiday.

Ankara has imposed blockades in major cities for the past four weekends, as well as on national holidays to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting, Erdogan said long-distance travel restrictions had been lifted in nine more cities, as Turkey gradually eased measures taken against the coronavirus.

The restrictions on the three largest cities, Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, remain in force.

17:00 GMT – China’s Wuhan plans to run city-wide tests over 10-day period: report

The Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the Chinese coronavirus outbreak, plans to conduct nucleic acid testing throughout the city over a 10-day period, according to an internal document seen by Reuters news agency and two sources familiar with the situation. .

All city districts have been asked to submit a detailed test plan by Tuesday for their respective area, according to the document.

The city of 11 million people reported its first batch of new infections over the weekend, after the lockout was lifted on April 8.

16:40 GMT – WHO says ‘extreme vigilance’ is needed to get out of blockades

The WHO has said “extreme vigilance” is needed as countries begin to break out of the imposed blockades to stem the spread of the new coronavirus, amid global concerns about a second wave of infections.

Germany previously reported an acceleration in new coronavirus infections after it took the first steps to ease its blockage. South Korea, another country that has managed to limit virus infections, has seen a new outbreak in nightclubs.

“We are now seeing some hope as many countries emerge from these blockades,” Dr. Mike Ryan, head of the WHO emergency program, said at an online news conference, but added that “extreme vigilance is required. “

“If the disease persists at a low level without the possibility of investigating groups, there is always the possibility that the virus will take off again,” he said.

16:25 GMT – WHO says ‘it has no mandate’ to invite Taiwan to the assembly meeting

The WHO director-general “has no mandate” to invite Taiwan to participate in its assembly next week, the agency’s lawyer said, adding that member states had “divergent views” on the island’s participation.

WHO chief legal officer Steven Solomon told an online news conference that only member states could decide who attended the World Health Assembly (WHA). Taiwan, with strong support from the United States, has stepped up its lobbying to be allowed to participate as an observer in next week’s meeting of the WHO decision-making body, in the face of China’s anger.

China rebuked New Zealand on Monday for its support for Taiwan’s participation in the WHO, saying the country should “stop making wrong statements” on the issue to avoid damaging bilateral relations.

16:10 GMT – New daily cases fall in Italy, the number of deaths increases

Deaths from the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy have risen by 179, compared to 165 the previous day, the Civil Protection Agency said, as the daily count of new cases fell to 744 from 802 on Sunday.

It was the lowest number of new cases announced on any given day since March 4.

The total death toll since the outbreak emerged on February 21 is now 30,739, the agency said, the third highest in the world after the United States and Britain.

The total number of confirmed cases amounted to 219,814, the fifth highest global figure behind the United States, Spain, Great Britain and Russia.

16:00 GMT – Jordanian officials will return to work on May 26: Government

Jordan’s cabinet has decided to allow public officials to return to work on May 26 after a break of about two months imposed as part of measures to stop the spread of the new coronavirus, a government spokesman said.

Amjad al Adailah said the officials, who comprise most of Jordan’s public sector, would return after a three-day Muslim Eid holiday that will mark the end of Ramadan.

The government will also maintain a nightly curfew until further notice despite the relaxation of a strict closure in the past two weeks that has allowed most companies to resume work, he added.

15:50 GMT – All mosques in Iran will reopen on Tuesday

All mosques in Iran will reopen on Tuesday, a further step in government plans to ease restrictions aimed at containing the spread of the new coronavirus, the official IRIB news agency reported.

The move comes despite some parts of the country seeing an increase in infections. At least 6,685 have died from the coronavirus in Iran amid 109,286 cases,

Last Friday, prayer meetings resumed in up to 180 Iranian cities and towns considered to be at low risk for coronavirus spread after a two-month suspension, state media reported.

The resumption of Friday prayers, which are still banned in the capital Tehran and in some other major cities, followed the reopening on Monday of 132 mosques in areas constantly free of the virus. Schools will reopen next week, President Hassan Rouhani said Sunday, according to the presidency’s official website.

15:40 GMT – Danish Super League to resume on May 28, says Danish League Association

Denmark’s high-flying super league will resume on May 28 after a gap of more than two months due to the new coronavirus pandemic, the Danish League Association said in a statement.

On Monday, Denmark entered its second phase of reopening the partnership after a two-month shutdown, allowing the country’s top soccer teams to resume play.

The League Association said the season would restart without fans in the stadiums, and that it expected the campaign to end with the European playoff games on July 29. Elsewhere in Europe, some leagues will also resume, and the German Bundesliga will begin. on May 16.

15:25 GMT – Philippines: Duterte’s war on drugs continues despite blockade

The Philippine war on drugs continues despite the blockade of the coronavirus.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s radical policy has caused more than 20,000 deaths since 2016, most of which were extrajudicial executions. Al Jazeera’s The Take podcast talks to filmmaker Leah Borromeo to understand how classism has upset society in the Philippines.

15:15 GMT – United Kingdom Johnson: the country in the ‘most dangerous moment’ as restrictions ease

Britain faces the most delicate point in its battle with the coronavirus as a spike of infections passes and it gradually begins to facilitate guidance on social distancing, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.

“Our journey has reached the most dangerous moment where a wrong move could be disastrous,” he told parliament on Monday. “So at this stage, we cannot go beyond announcing the first careful modification of our measures.”

On Sunday, Johnson encouraged employees who cannot work from home to return to their workplaces this week, where businesses were open and it was safe to do so. The government will announce guidelines for some companies to return to work later on Monday.

15:00 GMT – Elite sport in England cannot return until June 1: document

The elite sport in England cannot return until at least June 1 and will have to take place without the presence of spectators, according to a government document containing guidelines to reduce blocking restrictions, according to Reuters news agency. .

Most of professional sport in England has been suspended since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government’s guidance on easing restrictions on elite sport is presented in “step two” of the document, and will be done before June 1.

The second step includes “allowing cultural and sporting events to take place behind closed doors for broadcast, avoiding the risk of large-scale social contact,” the guidelines say.

14:40 GMT – Journalists on the front line of the Pakistan outbreak

At least 30 journalists have tested positive for the coronavirus in southwest Pakistan, bringing the total number of infected journalists across the country to more than 50, according to data from an independent media watchdog, while the southern nation Asia continues to decrease its closure in the midst of a spike in cases and deaths.

At least 54 journalists and media workers have tested positive for the coronavirus in Pakistan, according to data released by rights group Freedom Network on Monday, indicating that news organizations’ guidelines for journalists were ignored or needed better enforcement. .

“I was in the office and I felt like I had a fever, and I felt really dizzy,” said Salman Ashraf, a reporter for the local television station Geo News in the city of Quetta, in the southwest. Ashraf was one of the first journalists to test positive for the virus in the country.

Read more here.

14:25 GMT – Putin announces the relaxation of the blockade measures in Russia

President Vladimir Putin said that Russia would begin to gradually ease the coronavirus-related blocking measures starting Tuesday, but that individual regions would need to adapt their approach to different local conditions.

In a televised speech on Monday, Putin also announced new welfare payments for families with children and new support measures for the Russian economy.

Plus:

14:10 GMT – Abu Dhabi Etihad fires staff, warns of further cuts: Report

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways has laid off large numbers of employees due to the coronavirus pandemic that has shattered global demand for travel, and has warned staff to prepare for further cuts, three sources familiar with the matter told the agency. Reuters news.

The state airline declined to comment. But during a webinar from the US Business Council. USA And the UAE that was not reported on April 29, Etihad chief executive Tony Douglas said the airline had made “quite considerable layoffs.”

It was not immediately clear how many employees had been affected or from which departments. Etihad has disrupted regular passenger flights and has temporarily cut wages by up to 50 percent. He has said he plans to restart flights from mid-June.

13:45 GMT – UK death toll rises from 210 to 32,065

The death toll in the UK COVID-19 has increased by 210 to 32,065, according to figures announced by the Department of Health.

The figures, compiled by the government agency Public Health England and equivalents in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, comprise deaths in all settings after positive coronavirus tests and cover the period up to 1600 GMT on Sunday.

13:30 GMT – Merkel of Germany: we must stick to the basic rules, even when the blockade is eased

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has emphasized that people must continue to keep their distance from each other and cover their mouths and noses, even as Germany eases some of the restrictions it imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

“It is very important for me to call attention again to the fact that we are entering a new phase of the pandemic and that it will now be necessary, with all the relief measures, to make sure that people stick to the basic rules, that is, keeping their distance, wearing mouth and nose protection and showing consideration for each other, “Merkel told reporters.

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This is Joseph Stepansky in Doha taking on the live updates from my colleague Umut Uras.

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13:05 GMT – Qatar Airways CEO says demand for air travel will not pick up until 2024

Global travel demand will take years to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, and many business travelers will never go back to heaven, the head of Qatar Airways said.

The state airline is one of the few that has maintained some regular passenger flights during the pandemic. Earlier this month, he said he would begin rebuilding his network in anticipation of governments easing travel restrictions.

Qatar Airways expects to fill 50 to 60 percent of seats on flights in the coming weeks as it reopens more routes and increases the frequency of flights.

“There are still many stranded people around the world, [and] people who want to go visit their loved ones, “Akbar al-Baker told Reuters news agency by phone.

But Baker said he would be “very surprised” if travel demand rebounded to pre-pandemic levels before 2023-2024.

13:02 GMT – Saudi Arabia will cut oil production by another million barrels per day

Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry said it asked oil giant Aramco to cut additional voluntary production by one million barrels a day from June to support prices.

The measure will reduce production of the world’s largest crude exporter to 7.5 million barrels per day, the energy ministry said in a statement quoted by the official Saudi press agency.

13:00 GMT – Anti-blockade protests threaten Germany’s coronavirus battle

German politicians expressed alarm at protests against the blockade in major cities over the weekend, warning that conspiracy theorists and others with an agenda were exploiting frustration with measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

While the protests in Berlin, Munich and Stuttgart were relatively modest, several resulted in violent clashes with the police, as densely targeted crowds violated social distancing requirements designed to prevent the spread of the virus.

The protests, organized in part by proponents of conspiracy theories blaming everyone from vaccine makers to billionaire software tycoon and philanthropist Bill Gates over the disease, occurred when the rate of reproduction of the virus in Germany exceeded the critical threshold of 1 again.

“Germany has a free media landscape that reports on all aspects of the pandemic,” said government spokesman Steffen Seibert. “The absurd claims and the hateful claims, the theories of evils that mechanize globally, are something very different.”

12:55 GMT – Thirsty Czech toast returns to the beer gardens as the closure eases

Thirsty Czechs were allowed to return to the beer gardens in one of the most anticipated measures by the government to relax restrictions on the coronavirus.

Authorities also allowed the reopening of some schools, hairdressers, shopping malls, cinemas, and other businesses. Museums and galleries opened, and the government gave the green light to weddings, cultural and religious events of less than 100 people. Professional sports teams resumed full training.

But for many Czechs, who rank as the world’s largest beer drinkers per capita, the reopening of restaurant terraces and beer gardens was a highlight of the government’s plan to restart the economy in stages.

“Considering that the beer is finally in a glass instead of a plastic cup from a takeaway, it’s absolutely great,” said Ivan Verner, a retiree taking a Pilsner Urquell at the historic U Pinkasu pub in the center from Prague.

12:50 GMT: ease restrictions to boost Australian economy by $ 6 billion a month

Once Australia removes most of the social distancing restrictions in July, its economy will be boosted by $ 6.15 billion each month, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Tuesday in a speech that updates lawmakers on his budget planning.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said last week that the social distancing restrictions imposed since March will be reduced in a three-step process, as Canberra aims to remove most of the restrictions by July and achieve almost a One million people return to work amid a decline in coronavirus cases.

Frydenberg will present some of the economic benefits of relaxation restrictions in his speech, excerpts of which were provided in advance to the media.

12:45 GMT – Tourist arrivals in Thailand may drop as much as 65 percent in 2020

The number of foreign tourists to Thailand may drop from 25.8 to 14 million this year, the lowest level in 14 years, as the coronavirus pandemic affects world travel, the Thai Tourism Authority (TAT) said on Monday. ).

The TAT now predicts just 14 million to 16 million foreign visitors this year, well below the 33.8 million projected in March. Foreign arrivals last year were a record 39.8 million.

12:35 GMT – Lebanon fears second wave of coronavirus as new infections emerge

Lebanese authorities warned of a new wave of coronavirus cases after the number jumped to its highest point in more than a month when the government eased some restrictions on public life.

The country has been under closure since mid-March to control an outbreak that has infected 859 people and killed 26.

Lebanon began lifting the restrictions last week as part of a longer-term plan, allowing restaurants, beauty salons, construction sites and other businesses to open up to less capacity so far.

12:20 GMT – Georgia eases antivirus restrictions

Georgia lifted most of the restrictions on economic activity that were imposed as part of measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

The resumption of industrial production and trade was allowed, with the exception of large shopping centers and clothing stores.

The government has said that the country will reopen to foreign tourists from July 1, while domestic tourism will resume in mid-June.

12:00 GMT – Sri Lanka: Muslims face additional threat as coronavirus arouses hatred

The Sri Lankan Buddhist majority had originally agreed to the burial of coronavirus victims, but amended the guidelines on April 11 to make their cremations mandatory.

Prominent Muslim activists and personalities have expressed concern over the ban on burials they see as part of anti-Muslim rhetoric amid the pandemic.

Read more here.

11:40 GMT – China to step up macroeconomic policy adjustments: Prime Minister

China will intensify macroeconomic policy adjustments as the country’s development faces unprecedented hardships and challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Li Keqiang said, according to state television.

China will also strive to achieve economic and social development goals and tasks this year, China Central Television said, according to a quote by Li at a meeting with senior officials from other political parties to discuss the government’s work report, which will soon follow. will be revealed at the annual meeting. parliament meeting later this month.

11:10 GMT – Marriott quarterly profit falls 92 percent on declining bookings

Marriott International Inc reported a 92 percent drop in earnings for the first quarter as bookings fell due to travel restrictions led by the coronavirus.

Net income fell to $ 31 million, or nine cents a share, in the quarter ended March 31, from $ 375 million, or $ 1.09 per share, a year earlier.

On an adjusted basis, Marriott earned 26 cents a share in the quarter. Revenue fell seven percent to $ 4.68 billion.

11:10 GMT – Russia establishes a new daily registry of coronavirus cases

Russian President Vladimir Putin will address the nation on the coronavirus as a new record for confirmed daily infections was set and the number of deaths exceeded 2,000.

Putin will give a speech on the deadly pandemic and measures to support the Russian economy, the Kremlin said in a statement.

According to the official coronavirus data website created by the Russian government, 11,656 people tested positive in the last 24 hours, totaling 221,344.

13:55 GMT – Germany takes the rebound in coronavirus reproduction seriously: ministry

The German health ministry is taking the latest increase in the rate of coronavirus reproduction in the country seriously, but the higher number does not mean there is an uncontrolled outbreak, a ministry spokesperson said.

The Robert Koch Institute for Disease Control had said that the number of people each sick person now infects, known as the reproduction rate, or R, had increased to 1.1. When it exceeds 1, it means that the number of infections is growing.

10:35 GMT – Low-skilled men suffer the highest COVID-19 deaths in England and Wales

According to the data, men in the least skilled jobs had the highest COVID-19-related death rate among working-age people in England and Wales, which also showed that deaths among nurses and doctors were not higher than the average.

The data was released after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said manufacturing and construction workers should be encouraged to return to their jobs, raising concern from union groups.

Men in the least skilled jobs suffered 21.4 COVID-related deaths per 100,000 men in the period through April 20, more than double the average for working-age men of just under 10 deaths per 100,000, the Office said of National Statistics. The average mortality rate for women of working age was 5.2 per 100,000.

10:10 GMT – The number of daily deaths from coronavirus in Spain falls to 123

El número diario de muertos por coronavirus en España cayó a 123, dijo el ministerio de salud, su nivel más bajo en siete semanas.

El número total de muertes por la epidemia aumentó a 26,744 el lunes desde 26,621 el día anterior. El número de casos confirmados aumentó a 227,436 de 224,390 el domingo.

09:40 GMT – Abu Dhabi ofrece reembolso parcial por arrendamientos de restaurantes y propiedades turísticas

Abu Dhabi ha anunciado un reembolso del 20 por ciento en alquileres anuales de propiedades comerciales para restaurantes y para instalaciones de turismo y entretenimiento, informó la agencia estatal de noticias WAM.

Las empresas elegibles deberán solicitar en línea el reembolso, que se calcula contra los costos de alquiler fijos, informó WAM, citando al departamento de desarrollo económico del emirato.

El plan de reembolso tiene como objetivo aliviar la presión sobre las empresas afectadas por las medidas gubernamentales para contener la propagación del nuevo coronavirus, dijo WAM.

09:10 GMT – Las infecciones por coronavirus en Filipinas infringen la marca de 11,000

Las infecciones confirmadas por coronavirus en Filipinas han superado la marca de 11,000, dijo el ministerio de salud.

En un boletín, el ministerio de salud reportó 292 casos adicionales, con un total de 11,086. Registró siete muertes más, aumentando el total a 726, mientras que 75 pacientes más se han recuperado, llevando las recuperaciones totales a 1,999.

08:55 GMT – Coronavirus corta las alas de la segunda aerolínea más antigua del mundo

Avianca Holdings, la segunda aerolínea más grande de América Latina, se declaró en bancarrota después de no cumplir con el plazo de pago de bonos, mientras que sus pedidos de ayuda por coronavirus del gobierno de Colombia hasta ahora no han tenido éxito.

Si no sale de la bancarrota, Avianca, con sede en Bogotá, sería uno de los primeros grandes transportistas del mundo en caer como resultado de la pandemia, que ha paralizado los viajes mundiales.

Read more here.

08:40 GMT – ¿Cuánta vigilancia es demasiado durante una pandemia?

En la lucha contra el nuevo coronavirus, los gobiernos de todo el mundo están utilizando drones policiales, cámaras de seguridad y aplicaciones móviles para rastrear la salud y la ubicación de las personas.

En ese entorno, ¿cuánta vigilancia es demasiado?

Start Here de Al Jazeera explica.

08:20 GMT – Migrantes varados en Grecia por COVID-19 vuelan a Reino Unido

Un grupo de 50 refugiados y solicitantes de asilo voló de Grecia a Gran Bretaña para reunirse con familiares en una transferencia que había sido retenida por el bloqueo del coronavirus.

El grupo incluye 16 menores no acompañados, dijeron funcionarios del ministerio de migración griego. Unos 130 ciudadanos griegos varados en el Reino Unido debido al bloqueo de COVID-19 serán repatriados en el vuelo de regreso, dijo el ministerio.

Grecia espera reubicar gradualmente a alrededor de 1,600 personas vulnerables de sus campamentos de refugiados a otros países en los próximos meses.

08:00 GMT – El ministro francés advierte que la flexibilización del encierro podría revertirse

Francia podría revertir la relajación de su bloqueo nacional si hay un resurgimiento del brote de coronavirus, advirtió el ministro de Salud, Olivier Veran.

“Si el virus reanudara su carrera salvaje, nuevamente tomaríamos medidas de bloqueo”, dijo Veran a la televisión BFM.

Francia, con la quinta cifra más alta de muertes en el mundo, ha impuesto un bloqueo de ocho semanas desde el 17 de marzo para frenar la propagación del nuevo coronavirus. Gradualmente está levantando esas restricciones.

07:45 GMT – Los centros comerciales y los salones se vuelven a abrir mientras Turquía alivia el bloqueo del coronavirus

Los centros comerciales, las peluquerías y los salones de belleza se han reabierto en Turquía después de un cierre de casi dos meses, con medidas más estrictas de seguridad e higiene para contener el nuevo coronavirus.

La reducción de las restricciones es el comienzo de una normalización nacional posterior al coronavirus a medida que disminuye el número de muertes y el número de infecciones en el país.

El domingo, las personas mayores de Turquía también tuvieron su primera oportunidad de aventurarse afuera en siete semanas, después de haber sido objeto de un toque de queda en casa desde el 21 de marzo.

Read more here.

07:20 GMT – Colombian woman’s 100th birthday celebrated despite lockdown

A Colombian neighbourhood found a way to celebrate a resident’s 100th birthday despite the coronavirus lockdown.

Here is the moment Sara Veron’s neighbours came together to throw her a big surprise party from their terraces and balconies.

This is the moment a Colombian neighbourhood came together to celebrate their neighbour’s 100th birthday in lockdown. pic.twitter.com/Yt2AeKoDZ7

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) May 10, 2020

07:05 GMT – Raab: UK economy will not be back to work until July at very earliest

Non-essential retailers would not go back to work until June at the earliest while other sectors will not go back to work until July at the earliest, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said.

“There’s the other changes for things like non-essential retail and people going back to school, particularly primary school, which won’t start until the earliest on the first of June, subject to conditions,” Raab said.

“Starting July 4 at the earliest, those other sectors where they are inherently more difficult because people mix and it is difficult to maintain social distance, we could not say … that we would start at least until July 4.”

06:40 GMT – Men have high levels of enzyme key to COVID-19 infection: Study

Men’s blood has higher levels of a key enzyme used by the new coronavirus to infect cells than women’s, the results of a big European study showed – a finding which may help explain why men are more vulnerable to infection with COVID-19.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is found in the heart, kidneys, and other organs. In COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus, is believed to play a role in how the infection progresses to the lungs.

The study, published in the European Heart Journal, also found that widely prescribed drugs called ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) did not lead to higher ACE2 concentrations and should therefore not increase the COVID-19 risk for people taking them.

06:10 GMT – India to ‘gradually’ restart rail operations in lockdown easing

One of the world’s largest train networks will “gradually” restart operations starting Tuesday as India eases its six-week coronavirus blockade.

The move comes after the government faced widespread criticism for its treatment of migrant workers, who were forced to walk hundreds of kilometres from cities to reach their home villages as factories and businesses where they earned their livings shut down due to the lockdown.

Read more here.

05:55 GMT – Coronavirus interrupts world’s longest-running cartoon

The coronavirus has disrupted production of the world’s oldest cartoons and a mainstay of the Japanese weekend, forcing reruns for the first time in decades.

“Sazae-san”, which first aired in 1969, revolves around the life of Ms. Sazae, a cheerful but clumsy housewife who lives with her parents, husband, son, brother, and sister.

The cartoon, recognised as the longest-running animated TV series by Guinness World Records, has been hamstrung by the outbreak of the virus, with animation dubbing halted to keep staff safe, broadcaster Fuji Television Network said. It is the first time that the network has been forced to broadcast since 1975.

05:37 GMT – Saudi announces tough austerity measures

Saudi Arabia will triple its value added tax (VAT) and halt monthly handout payments to citizens in tough new austerity measures amid record low oil prices and a coronavirus-led economic slump.

The measures, which could provoke public resentment at the rising cost of living, come as the country steps up emergency plans to cut government spending to deal with the double economic blow.

“It was decided that the cost of living subsidy will be suspended from June 2020 and VAT will be raised from 5 percent to 15 percent from July 1,” said Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan, in a statement issued by the official Saudi press agency.

Read more here.

04:55 GMT – Markets reopened in Pakistan as shutdown slowed

Pakistan will allow markets and shops to open for several days a week from Monday, as it loosens its coronavirus lockdown, Al Jazeera’s Asad Hashim reports.

Confirmed cases have exceeded 30,000 with 667 deaths, but planning minister Asad Umar reiterated on Sunday the government’s approach to containing the outbreak would be to focus on targeted lockdowns in areas where a large number of cases were reported.

Markets can open three to four days a week, depending on the province.

04:30 GMT – New Zealand to ease nearly all restrictions

New Zealand will allow the reopening of restaurants, cafes, cinemas and shopping malls, as well as travel within the country to resume from Thursday, as it eases most of the restrictions in place to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that schools can open from May 18 and bars until May 21.

The meetings would be limited to 10 people, he added.

03:20 GMT – South Korea struggles to contain Seoul-focused outbreak

South Korean authorities are struggling to contain an increase in Seoul’s nightlife-related coronavirus cases after 35 new cases were reported on Monday.

The Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a total of 69 cases in the past 48 hours, most of them related to an outbreak in various bars and nightclubs in the capital. Some 4,000 people have been tested, but authorities are still trying to track down 3,000 more who were at the venues.

“Our top priority is to minimize the spread of infections in the Seoul metropolitan area,” Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said Monday.

“We should find and test them quickly.”

02:40 GMT – Tunisia reports zero new cases for the first time since March

Tunisia did not report new cases of coronavirus on Monday for the first time since March.

The North African country reported its first case on March 2 and has confirmed 1,032 cases and 45 deaths. It began to loosen its coronavirus blockade last week, and shopping malls, clothing stores, and hair salons will open Monday.

02:35 GMT – Pence not in quarantine, will be at White House on Monday

United States Vice President Mike Pence is not quarantined and will be in the White House on Monday, spokesman Devin O’Malley said in a statement on Sunday.

O’Malley said Pence had tested negative “every single day” amid reports he was in self-quarantine after a member of his staff tested positive for coronavirus.

“Vice President Pence will continue to follow the advice of the White House Medical Unit and is not in quarantine,” the statement said.

Plus:

02:30 GMT – China reports new cases, five in Wuhan

China reported 17 new cases of coronavirus, including five in Wuhan, the city where the virus first emerged late last year.

The five Wuhan cases involve people living in the same residential complex.

Seven other cases were among travelers who returned from trips abroad, and the rest in the northeast, where concerns about the resurgence of the virus have led some cities to intensify their response.

#JUSTIN: Another district in the Chinese city has raised its response to viruses and the risk level from low to medium. Following the Zhongxihu District in #Wuhan, Fengman District in NE Jilin on Monday adjusted the level of response to the virus after two new #COVID-19 Cases were reported. pic.twitter.com/579ngMJFsk

– Global Times (@globaltimesnews) May 11, 2020

01:45 GMT – Australian state of Victoria announces “cautious next steps”

Australians living in the southeast of the state of Victoria will be able to visit more friends and family under a slight relaxation before the confinement in the state.

Larger gatherings – of up to ten people outdoors and five visitors inside a home – will be allowed. Residents will also be able to do more outdoor sports – provided physical distancing rules are followed – and more people will be able to attend funerals.

The changes come into effect at 11:59pm (13:59 GMT) on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister’s statement has just landed: pic.twitter.com/zo07VYOjU0

– Benitæ Kolovos (@benitakolovos) May 11, 2020

01:10 GMT – Saudi Arabia to distribute $493m in ‘Ramadan aid’

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman on Monday ordered the distribution of ‘Ramadan Aid’ worth 1.85 billion riyals ($492.6m) to social security beneficiaries, according to the state news agency.

Individuals supporting families will get 1,000 riyals each, while family members will each get 500 riyals.

00:15 GMT – Shanghai Disneyland will welcome first guests

Shanghai Disneyland will welcome its first guests in more than three months on Monday.

The park, the first of Disney’s theme parks to reopen since the coronavirus pandemic began, will operate at 30 percent capacity (24,000 people) and visitors will have to wear masks and follow strict rules on physical distancing.

00:00 GMT – Some Australian children return to school

Some children in the Australian states of New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland began returning to school on Monday after weeks off school because of the coronavirus.

NSW has equipped schools with disinfectant, soap, personal protective equipment, and temperature monitors, while class sizes will be smaller and personal contact will be reduced.

“I know this is a great relief to families,” NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters. “It is a great relief to the state government because we know how important it is for students to receive that teaching in person.”

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Hello and welcome to Al Jazeera’s continued coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. I’m Kate Mayberry in Kuala Lumpur.&

Read all the updates from yesterday (May 10) here.