A group of scientists has written to the UK Government urging them not to relax coronavirus restrictions as the country becomes the second to record more than 40,000 deaths.
Meanwhile, China has issued a travel warning to its citizens, advising them against travel to Australia amid what it says is increased racism following the coronavirus outbreak.
This story will be updated throughout Saturday.
Saturday’s key moments
- Scientists warn against easing UK lockdown
- WHO changes advice on wearing facemasks
- China tells citizens to avoid Australia
- India reports another spike in cases as the country eases its strict lockdown
- Medical waste from coronavirus epidemic worries Spaniards
- Japan aims to have coronavirus vaccines in use by June 2021
- WHO warns COVID-19 not close to ending
Scientists warn against easing UK lockdown
The UK has become the second country to officially record more than 40,000 coronavirus-related deaths, as more than 100 scientists wrote to the British Government to urge it to reconsider lifting virus lockdown restrictions.
The Government said on Friday another 357 people who had tested positive for the virus had died in the UK across all settings, including hospitals and care homes.
That took the UK’s total to 40,261, the world’s second-highest pandemic death toll behind the United States.
The UK’s actual COVID-19 death toll is widely considered to be higher, as the total only includes those who have tested positive for the virus.
In an open letter, the scientists urged the Government to postpone further easing of the lockdown given the still-high level of daily virus-related deaths and new infections.
WHO widens recommendations for use of masks
The World Health Organization (WHO) is changing its recommendations for the use of masks during the coronavirus pandemic.
The WHO is now recommending that in areas where there is widespread transmission, people should wear masks when social distancing is not possible, such as on public transport and in shops.
In a press briefing on Friday, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also said people older than 60 or those with underlying medical conditions should wear a medical mask in situations w