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Coronavirus: Latest global developments

11 April 2021, MVT 18:05
A health worker takes a swab sample from a shopkeeper for a RT-PCR Covid-19 coronavirus test in Chennai on April 10, 2021. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP)
11 April 2021, MVT 18:05

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:

- Cautious plans for Philip's funeral -

Much of the planning for the April 17 funeral of Queen Elizabeth II's husband Prince Philip must be adapted to strict coronavirus restrictions and social distancing guidelines. Public elements of the funeral have been taken out.

- 'No link' of J&J vaccine to clots -

Top US health authority the Food and Drug Administration says it has not yet found a "causal" link between Johnson & Johnson's Covid shot and blood clots. The European Medicines Agency has launched a review of the jab after reports of four cases of blood clots, one of them fatal.

- Fines at Paris restaurant -

Paris police fine over 100 diners at an underground restaurant flouting coronavirus restrictions and arrested its organiser, after a week of allegations that ministers attended similar rule-breaking events. All restaurants and cafes have been closed in France for eating in for the last five months.

- Maharashtra lockdown -

India's coronavirus epicentre Maharashtra with state capital Mumbai enters a weekend lockdown, as the country battles exploding infection numbers and shortages of vaccines, drugs and hospital beds. Although the central government is desperate to avoid unpopular shutdowns, state governments have stepped into the breach.

- 'Only essential activities' in Bogota -

The eight million people of Colombian capital Bogota were under strict lockdown to slow a third wave of the epidemic, with only strictly essential activities allowed. At more than 2.4 million, Colombia has the second most cases in Latin America after Brazil.

- Naples lingerie protest -

Dozens of shopkeepers in Naples, Italy took to the streets holding up women's lingerie to protest against the protracted shutdown of their businesses due to coronavirus restrictions. Lingerie has become a symbol of retailers' protests because underwear is considered an essential item, allowing shops that offer it to stay open.

- Libya launches campaign -

Libya officially launches its coronavirus vaccination campaign. It has so far received 200,000 doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, alongside over 57,600 AstraZeneca shots, the latter delivered through the Covax programme.

- Cambodia threatens to jail rule-breakers -

Cambodia's strongman premier Hun Sen threatens quarantine-breakers with jail time and warned civil servants they could lose their jobs if they go unvaccinated.

- Tunisia reversal -

Tunisia's prime minister announces that a curfew tightened to combat a rise in coronavirus infections and deaths will return to hours previously in place, following a presidential request. The announcement comes before the start next week of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, during which the faithful fast from dawn to dusk and typically gather for evening meals with family and friends.

- Finland protest -

Several hundred people protest against Finland's Covid-19 restrictions in Helsinki without having obtained permission, leading to 20 arrests when they refused to disperse. Public gatherings of more than six people are banned in Helsinki due to the pandemic.

- 2.9 million dead -

At least 2,917,316 people have died of Covid-19 around the world since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1000 GMT on Saturday.

The United States is the worst-affected country with 561,074 deaths, followed by Brazil with 348,718, Mexico with 207,020, India with 168,436 and Britain with 127,040.

Paris, France | AFP

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