Swiss double size of coronavirus company loan scheme to $41 billion
The Swiss government said on Friday it was doubling the size of its coronavirus emergency loan scheme to 40 billion Swiss francs ($41 billion) after being flooded with requests for help from businesses.
U.N. worried about Iran prisoners amid coronavirus outbreak
A United Nations rights official on Friday voiced concern over prisoners after reports of unrest in facilities prompted by worries over a coronavirus outbreak in countries including Iran, one of the worst-hit in the world.
Mexico president says gang violence persists despite coronavirus
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Friday that violence among criminal groups has persisted despite the coronavirus outbreak on the country.
Catalan leader highlights equipment crunch at stressed hospitals
Hospitals in Catalonia are at “maximum stress”, with this week and next likely to be the worst experienced by the Spanish region during the coronavirus crisis, its leader told Reuters.
Canada coronavirus cases rise to almost 12,000, death toll up by almost 20%
Canada has recorded almost 12,000 cases of the new coronavirus and the death toll jumped by almost 20% from Thursday, according to data posted by the country’s public health agency on Friday.
EU to fly home another 250,000 nationals stranded by coronavirus
More than 250,000 European Union citizens are still trying to get home, as the number of people stranded by the coronavirus outbreak remains high even after the EU has repatriated some 350,000 people, its top diplomat said on Friday.
Slovenia orders quarantine for most people entering country
Slovenia will introduce a mandatory 14-day quarantine for most people entering the country from Saturday in an attempt to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Spain overtakes Italy in coronavirus cases, death rate slows
Spain overtook Italy for the first time on Friday for the number of confirmed coronavirus cases, but the overnight death toll fell from the previous day, providing a small glimmer of hope.
UK PM Johnson staying in coronavirus isolation with mild symptoms
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was remaining in isolation on Friday as he still had mild symptoms of the coronavirus including a high temperature seven days after he tested positive for the virus.
Police get tough on French holidaymakers trying to break virus lockdown
French police ramped up checks at train stations and motorways on Friday to stop people breaking a national lockdown ahead of school holidays this weekend, as doctors said they hoped to see a plateau in coronavirus cases in the coming days.
