250-year-old U.S. Easter tradition’s horns silenced by coronavirus pandemic
(This April 9 story corrects title of the Rev. Chaz Snider to chair of the Salem Congregation Board of Elders; corrects to show that the service is sponsored by 12 Moravian congregations)
Bulgarian churches to remain open on Palm Sunday, Easter
Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said on Thursday that Bulgaria’s Orthodox churches and temples will be open for traditional Palm Sunday and Easter services despite the coronavirus outbreak, saying many people were desperate and in low spirits.
Botswana’s entire parliament quarantined after coronavirus scare
All Botswana’s parliamentarians including President Mokgweetsi Masisi will be quarantined for 14 days and tested for the new coronavirus, after a health worker screening lawmakers for the virus herself tested positive.
Slovakia closes off five Roma settlements due to coronavirus
Slovakia has closed off several Roma settlements in the eastern part of the country after reports of a cluster of coronavirus cases in five of them, highlighting difficulties faced by Europe’s largest ethnic minority during the pandemic.
England’s coronavirus hospital death toll rises 765 to 7,248
The coronavirus death toll in English hospitals rose 765 to 7,248, the health service said on Thursday.
UK PM Johnson improving but still in intensive care in COVID-19 fight
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had a good night and is getting better four days after being admitted to hospital with COVID-19, but he remains in intensive care as his government reviews the most stringent shutdown in Britain’s peacetime history.
Lebanon extends coronavirus lockdown by two more weeks
Lebanon’s government has extended its almost month-long coronavirus shutdown by another two weeks until April 26 to combat the spread of the disease, the information minister said on Thursday.
Hong Kong tourism chief pins hopes on recovery starting by July
The impact of the novel coronavirus on Hong Kong’s tourism sector is unprecedented and the city can hope to start seeing things returning to normal by July, in part by trying to develop new markets, the head of the tourism board told Reuters.
Kiev photographer works around lockdown with video photo shoots
Kiev photographer Kate Kondratieva has found a way to continue doing her job by holding virtual photo shoots, and clients are pouring in.
Stay home, eat chocolate: Belgian chefs celebrate Easter despite coronavirus
Determined chocolatiers and chefs in Belgium have kept producing their Easter delicacies despite the coronavirus lockdown, with specialist chocolate shops remaining open and also doing deliveries.
