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21/05 New Manufacturing Centre given extra funding in light of Covid-19

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21/05 New Manufacturing Centre given extra funding in light of Covid-19

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The COVID-19 pandemic has forced companies and organizations worldwide to change courses, and the U.K.'s Vaccines Manufacturing and Innovation Centre (VMIC) is no different. With a new £131 million contribution from the U.K. government, the center aims to both speed up and expand upon its prior ambitions.

A response to the Ebola crisis, the VMIC came together after it "became apparent ... that there wasn't a centralized facility" where vaccine researchers could take their work to "rapidly develop" manufacturing processes and produce clinical supplies, CEO Matthew Duchars told FiercePharma.
RELATED: With capacity stretched and billions of doses required, COVID-19 vaccine makers cheer each other on
The University of Oxford, Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine proposed such a center, and the U.K. government committed £65 million in 2018, Duchars said. Then, as the group was moving forward, the pandemic hit.

Now, the U.K. government is committing another £131 million so the center can come online next summer⁠-a year earlier than previously planned⁠-and dramatically expand its capacity. In the meantime, the funding also covers a "virtual VMIC" for purchasing manufacturing equipment, recruiting staff and setting up a physical space to help make COVID-19 vaccines this year.

"This is a transformational moment for our organization to be part of a national and global response, and we're very proud to be part of that," Duchars said. Even beyond COVID-19, VMIC also aims to be a partner for vaccine developers worldwide that could tap its manufacturing and development expertise for various diseases.
RELATED: AstraZeneca scores $1.2B from U.S., signs up to deliver hundreds of millions of COVID-19 vaccines
The news comes amid a global race for a COVID-19 vaccine. Sunday, the U.K. government announced that AstraZeneca signed up to supply early doses of the company's vaccine-originally developed by the University of Oxford's Jenner Institute-to the country if it succeeds in testing. Thursday, the U.S. inked a $1.2 billion development and manufacturing deal with the drugmaker.

Aside from AstraZeneca, other global drug giants-including Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Sanofi-are involved in COVID-19 vaccine work. Boston biotech Moderna recently turned in positive phase 1 data, raising hope for a vaccine in record time.

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U.K. grants new vaccine manufacturing center £131M as researchers race to deliver a COVID-19 shot

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The COVID-19 pandemic has forced companies and organizations worldwide to change courses, and the U.K.'s Vaccines Manufacturing and Innovation Centre is no different. With a new £131 million contribution from the U.K. government, the center aims to both speed up and expand upon its prior ambitions.

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15/06 Secondary schools can reopen for yrs 10 and 12. 

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15/06 Secondary schools can reopen for yrs 10 and 12. 

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Department for Education, 2020, “Actions for education and childcare settings to prepare for wider opening from 1 June 2020” Gov.uk Accessed 23rd June 2020 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-educational-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020/actions-for-education-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020

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This guidance has been updated to reflect the announcement by the Prime Minister that the government's 5 tests have been met and the decision, based on all the evidence, to move forward with wider opening of education and childcare settings.

It also includes details on how primary schools can use flexibility to welcome back additional pupils this term, where they have capacity.

As part of national social distancing measures to limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), we have had to limit the numbers of children and young people attending educational and childcare settings, to ensure that pupils and staff attending could do so safely. That is why, since 23 March 2020, education and childcare settings have only been open to priority groups ( vulnerable children and children of critical workers).

As well as offering face-to-face provision for those able to attend, settings have also done a huge amount to support the remote education of those who have been staying at home. Innovative and fast-paced work has taken place, by committed staff, to develop resources to make this education the best it can be.

Throughout this period, the work and dedication of critical workers has been crucial to our country. This of course includes all our critical workers working with children and young people - leaders, teachers, support staff, childcare workers, social workers and others, who have worked tirelessly to support the education and welfare of young people.

As a result of the huge efforts everyone has made to adhere to strict social distancing measures, the government's 5 tests have been met, meaning we can move forward with modifying measures which have been in place. Based on all the evidence, from 1 June 2020 we can welcome back more children to early years and primary school settings, and from 15 June 2020 to secondary school and further education settings. Schools, colleges and childcare providers have been planning on this basis, and confirmation that this could go ahead was provided by the Prime Minister on 28 May.

We know that in some primary schools, there will be capacity to welcome more children back, in group sizes of no more than 15, before the summer holidays. This may be because, since 1 June, take-up amongst eligible children is lower than expected, or because there is additional space still available within the school and available staff to teach and supervise. There is no expectation on primary schools to welcome back additional children where they do not have capacity to do so, and they should only do so where they can accommodate more children while still following the approaches set out in this guidance and their own risk assessment. Where schools have capacity, they may choose to welcome back additional pupils. It is up to schools to decide which pupils to prioritise, based on their knowledge of their children and communities.

We have worked closely with the sector, and will continue to do so over the coming weeks to support the wider opening of schools, colleges and childcare settings. In this document we are setting out the overarching aims and principles of this next phase, including information about protective measures which will be in place. We have worked with the profession to produce more detailed guidance to support planning.

Next steps

Education and childcare settings are already open to priority groups. Now that we have made progress in reducing the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) we are encouraging all eligible children to attend - it is no longer necessary for parents of eligible children to keep them at home if they can. In particular, as per the existing guidance on vulnerable children and young people, vulnerable children of all year groups continue to be expected and encouraged to attend educational provision where it is appropriate for them to do so.

From the week commencing 1 June 2020, we are asking primary schools to welcome back children in nursery, Reception, year 1 and year 6, alongside priority groups. Primary schools that have capacity after making provision available for these groups can invite additional children to return, so long as they can accommodate more children while still following the approaches set out in the protective measures guidance and their own risk assessment. From 15 June, we are asking secondary schools, sixth form and further education colleges to offer some face-to-face support to supplement the remote education of year 10 and year 12 students and 16 to 19 learners in the first year of their course who are due to take key exams next year, alongside the full time provision they are offering to priority groups.

We are also asking nurseries and other early years providers, including childminders, to begin welcoming back children of all ages from 1 June. Alternative provision settings should mirror the approach being taken for mainstream schools and also offer some face-to-face support for year 10 and 11 students (as they have no year 12) from 15 June. Special schools, special post-16 institutions and hospital schools will work towards a phased return of more children and young people without a focus on specific year groups.

We want to get all children and young people back into education as soon as the scientific advice allows because it is the best place for them to learn, and because we know how important it is for their mental wellbeing to have social interactions with their peers, carers and teachers. Children returning to educational and childcare settings in greater numbers will also allow more families to return to work.

We are therefore gradually increasing the numbers of children and young people attending schools and colleges. This decision is based on the latest scientific advice. By returning pupils gradually, settings can initially reduce the number of children and young people in classrooms compared to usual and put protective measures in place to reduce risks. Children and young people will need to stay within their new class/group wherever possible and we will ask settings to implement a range of protective measures including increased cleaning, reducing 'pinch points' (such as parents dropping children off at the start and end of the day), and utilising outdoor space. Staff and pupils in all settings will be eligible for testing if they become ill with coronavirus symptoms, as will members of their households. A negative test will enable children and young people to get back to childcare or education, and their parents to get back to work. A positive test will ensure rapid action to protect their classmates and staff in their setting. Those who are clinically vulnerable, or are living with someone who is, should follow our protective measures guidance.

In childcare settings, providers can welcome back all children from the week commencing 1 June 2020. Demand for childcare is likely to be lower than usual at first, and existing space requirements and staff to child ratios for these age groups should allow for small group working. Where the physical layout of a setting does not allow small groups of children to be kept at a safe distance apart, we expect practitioners to exercise judgement in ensuring the highest standards of safety are maintained. In some cases, it may be necessary for providers to introduce a temporary cap on numbers to ensure that safety is prioritised. From 1 June 2020, childminders can look after children of all ages, in line with usual limits on the number of children they can care for.

Year groups in first phase of wider opening

The three year groups within mainstream primary have been prioritised because they are key transition years - children in Reception and year 1 are at the very beginning of their school career and are mastering the essential basics, including counting and the fundamentals of reading and writing, and learning to socialise with their peers. We know that attending early education lays the foundation for lifelong learning and supports children's social and emotional development. Year 6 children are finishing Key Stage 2 and are preparing for the transition to secondary school, and will benefit immensely from time with their friends and teachers to ensure they are ready.

We are prioritising younger children in the first phases of wider opening, for several reasons. Firstly, because there is moderately high scientific confidence in evidence suggesting younger children are less likely to become unwell if infected with coronavirus (COVID-19); and secondly because evidence shows the particularly detrimental impact which time spent out of education can have upon them. In addition, older children are more likely to have higher numbers of contacts outside of school so pose a greater transmission risk, and they are typically better able to learn at home.

The two year groups in mainstream secondary schools and colleges have been prioritised because they are preparing for key examinations next year, and are most at risk of falling behind due to time out of school or college. From 15 June 2020, secondary schools and colleges will be able to offer some face-to-face contact with year 10 and year 12 pupils or 16 to 19 learners in the first year of a two-year study programme. This will supplement their remote education, which should remain the predominant mode of education during this term. Our assessment, based on the latest scientific and medical advice, is that we need to continue to control the numbers attending school or further education settings to reduce the risk of increasing transmission. Therefore, schools are able to have a quarter of the year 10 and year 12 cohort (for schools with sixth forms) in school at any one time, and should refer to our guidance for advice on minimising risk. Likewise, for colleges and other FE settings, a quarter of 16 to 19 learners in the first year of a two-year study programme may attend at any one time. Schools and colleges should also ensure that the use of public transport for travel to and from school or college is minimised as far as possible. Where it is totally necessary, this should not be during peak times. Schools should introduce staggered start and end times as appropriate to help achieve this.

Our approach is in line with other countries across Europe, who have begun to bring pre-school and school-age children back in a phased way and are focusing on primary schools and younger children. Approaches between countries will vary slightly based on different public health circumstances.

We expect all mainstream schools and colleges, including independent schools, to follow the same approach. We encourage middle schools to do the same and welcome back children in year 6, to ensure national parity for children in this year group.

Any educational or childcare settings which have closed should work towards reopening from the week commencing 1 June 2020 to cater for children in nurseries, Reception, year 1, year 6 and priority groups, and, from 15 June, to provide some face-to-face support to pupils in years 10 and 12, and 16 to 19 learners in the first year of their course.

We have provided all educational and childcare settings with further guidance and support to help them to prepare for wider opening and continue to work closely with the sector.

What the latest science tells us

The above approach is underpinned by our latest understanding of the science, which indicates that we need to take a phased approach to limit the risk of increasing the rate of transmission (often referred to as R) above 1. We have factored in:

severity of disease in children - there is high scientific confidence that children of all ages have less severe symptoms than adults if they contract coronavirus (COVID-19)

the age of children - there is moderately high scientific confidence that younger children are less likely to become unwell if infected with coronavirus (COVID-19)

numbers of children going back - which needs to be limited initially then increased gradually as the science permits

systems to reduce the size of the groups coming into contact with each other - such as smaller class sizes spread out across settings

Approach: first phase of wider opening of educational and childcare settings

From the week commencing 1 June 2020, we are asking nurseries and other early years settings to open to children of all ages, and primary schools to welcome back pupils to nursery, Reception, year 1 and year 6 (including in middle schools). On 15 June, we confirmed that primary schools that have capacity, after making provision for these groups, can invite additional pupils to return, so long as they can accommodate more children while still following the approaches set out in our protective measures guidance. From 15 June, we are asking secondary schools and colleges to offer some face-to-face support for children and young people in year 10 and year 12, and 16 to 19 learners in the first year of their course, to supplement their remote education, alternative provision to mirror the approach being taken for mainstream schools and also offer some face-to-face support for year 10 and year 11 students (as they have no year 12), and special schools, special post-16 institutions and hospital schools to welcome back more pupils and students.

We will assess the impact of these changes closely, working with medical and scientific advisers as well as sector leaders. When the most up-to-date assessment of the risk posed by the virus indicates that it is appropriate to do so, we will ask more primary year groups to return to school, and issue revised guidance.

The following principles will apply to this phase of wider opening by settings:

children and young people in eligible year groups are strongly encouraged to attend (where there are no shielding concerns for the child or their household), so that they can gain the educational and wellbeing benefits of attending

vulnerable children of all year groups continue to be expected and encouraged to attend educational provision where it is appropriate for them to do so (for children with education health and care (EHC) plans this will be informed by a risk assessment approach)

children, young people and staff who have been classed as clinically extremely vulnerable due to pre-existing medical conditions have been advised to shield. We do not expect people in this category to be attending school or college, and they should continue to be supported to learn or work at home as much as possible. Clinically vulnerable (but not clinically extremely vulnerable) people are those considered to be at a higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19). Few if any children will fall into this category, but parents should follow medical advice if their child is in this category. Staff in this category should work from home where possible, and refer to the detail in our protective measures guidance

a child/young person or a member of staff who lives with someone who is clinically vulnerable (but not clinically extremely vulnerable), including those who are pregnant, can attend their education or childcare setting

if a child/young person or staff member lives in a household with someone who is extremely clinically vulnerable, as set out in the guidance on shielding, it is advised they only attend an education or childcare setting if stringent social distancing can be adhered to and, in the case of children, if they are able to understand and follow those instructions. This may not be possible for very young children and older children without the capacity to adhere to the instructions on social distancing. If stringent social distancing cannot be adhered to, we do not expect those individuals to attend. They should be supported to learn or work at home

staff and children or young people should not attend if they have symptoms or are self-isolating due to symptoms in their household

protective measures will be put in place for staff and pupils, as far as is possible, to ensure that the risk of transmission is reduced

Implementation: managing risk and rate of transmission

Scientific advice indicates that a phased return that limits the number of children in education settings and how much they mix with each other will help to control the rate of transmission. This is set out in our guidance.

There are a number of immediate issues which educational and childcare settings will need to consider. The following list of issues are the ones we have identified as the top priorities. We recognise that each setting and community is different, and that leaders will need to make their own judgements on the most important issues for them. We have published further advice for early years, primary schools, secondary schools and further education settings to help them prepare.

Key issues

Risk assessment

Every setting should carry out a risk assessment before opening. The assessment should directly address risks associated with coronavirus (COVID-19), so that sensible measures can be put in place to control those risks for children and staff. All employers have a duty to consult employees on health and safety, and they are best placed to understand the risks in individual settings.

Class sizes and staff availability

One of the protective measures we can take to reduce transmission is to have smaller group and class sizes. We know that, unlike older children and adults, early years and primary age children cannot be expected to remain 2 metres apart from each other and staff. In deciding to bring more children back to early years and schools, we are taking this into account. Schools should therefore work through the hierarchy of measures set out in our guidance:

avoiding contact with anyone with symptoms

frequent hand cleaning and good hygiene practices

regular cleaning of settings

and minimising contact and mixing as far as possible

As well as the measures above, secondary schools and colleges should:

ensure that only a quarter of pupils in year 10 and year 12 are in school at any one time

aim to practise social distancing in line with the measures the government is asking everyone to adopt in public and in workplaces, including keeping pupils 2 metres apart from each other where possible

plan that classes are no more than half their usual size, to allow sufficient distancing between pupils. However, this may vary due to individual school circumstances

It is still important to reduce contact between children and staff as far as possible, and settings can take steps to achieve that and reduce transmission risk by ensuring children, and staff where possible, mix in a small group and keep that small group away from other people and groups. For pre-school children in early years settings, the staff to child ratios within Early Years Foundation Stage continue to apply, and we recommend using these to group children. In mainstream primary schools the basic principle is that classes should be halved. Normally one teacher should be allocated to a group but if there are any teacher shortages then support staff may be used to lead groups, under the direction of a teacher. In mainstream secondary schools and colleges, we recognise that the range of subjects and courses taught means that some mixing may be unavoidable to provide pupils with face-to-face support from subject/specialist teachers. We would expect that these groups are still smaller than normal. More detail is provided in our protective measures guidance.

Public Health England are clear that if early years, school and college settings do this, and crucially if they also apply comprehensive infection control measures, such as taking steps to ensure symptomatic individuals do not attend settings, regular hand cleaning, respiratory hygiene and cleaning measures and handling potential cases of the virus as per our advice, then the risk of transmission will be lowered.

Where settings can keep children and young people in those small groups 2m away from each other, they should do so. While in general groups should be kept apart, brief, transitory, contact such as passing in a corridor is low risk.

Each setting's circumstances will be slightly different. Any setting that cannot achieve these small groups at any point should discuss options with their local authority or trust. This might be because there are not enough classrooms / spaces available in the setting or because they do not have enough available teachers / staff to supervise the groups. Solutions might involve children attending a nearby school (on a consistent basis). If necessary, settings have the flexibility to focus first on continuing to provide places for priority groups and then, to support children's early learning, settings should prioritise groups of children as follows:

early years settings - 3 and 4 year olds followed by younger age groups

infant schools - nursery (where applicable) and reception

primary schools - nursery (where applicable), reception and year 1

Protective measures in education and childcare settings

The DfE guidance on Implementing Protective Measures in Education and Childcare Settings contains detailed advice for settings on:

cleaning, including supplies of cleaning and handwashing products

testing and tracing

personal protective equipment (PPE)

what settings should do in response to a case of coronavirus (COVID-19) being confirmed

Attendance

No one with symptoms should attend a setting for any reason. Eligible children and young people - including priority groups - are strongly encouraged to attend their education setting, unless they are self-isolating or they are clinically vulnerable (in which case they should follow medical advice). If someone in their household is extremely clinically vulnerable, they should only attend if stringent social distancing can be adhered to, and the child is able to understand and follow those instructions. Families should notify their nursery/school/college as normal if their child is unable to attend so that staff can explore the reason with them and address barriers together. Parents will not be fined for non-attendance at this time, and schools and colleges will not be held to account for attendance levels. Schools and colleges should continue to inform social workers where children with a social worker do not attend.

Schools and colleges should resume taking their attendance register and continue to complete the online Educational Setting Status form which gives the Department for Education daily updates on how many children and staff are attending. The Department will continue to monitor attendance at early years settings, via local authorities. This is to ensure that we have up-to-date information on available early years and childcare provision during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, which children are accessing it and to monitor sufficiency in particular areas.

Vulnerable children and young people

There is a continuing expectation that vulnerable children and young people of all year groups will attend educational or childcare provision, where it is safe and appropriate for them do so. As per the current guidance, where these children and young people are currently not attending but attendance is appropriate, we expect providers and local authorities to consider how to encourage their attendance.

Vulnerable children and young people in this context include those who:

are assessed as being in need under section 17 of the Children Act 1989, including children who have a child in need plan, a child protection plan or who are a looked-after child. Attendance is expected, unless their social worker decides that they are at less risk at home or in their placement. The educational provider should notify the social worker in cases where these children or young people do not take up their place at school or college

have an education, health and care ( EHC) plan and it is determined, following a risk assessment, carried out with educational providers and parents, that their needs can be as safely or more safely met in the educational environment

have been assessed as otherwise vulnerable by educational providers or local authorities (including children's social care services), and who are therefore in need of continued education provision - this might include children on the edge of receiving support from children's social care services, adopted children, those at risk of becoming NEET ('not in employment, education or training'), those who are young carers and others at the provider and local authority's discretion

Alternative Provision

Alternative Provision ( AP) settings should follow the same principles and guidance as mainstream schools and welcome back, from 1 June 2020, all children in Reception, year 1 and year 6. AP settings do not have a year 12, so, from 15 June, they they should also offer some face to face support for students in year 10 and year 11 to supplement their remote education, as they are approaching key transition points. In line with the advice above for mainstream provision, settings should limit the numbers in attendance at any one time and aim to keep students in small groups as set out in our guidance. Settings should also consider ways to minimise use of public transport to get to and from school at peak times, in consultation with local authorities. Priority groups of all ages should continue to be offered a place and strongly encouraged to attend.

Special schools

Special schools, special post-16 institutions and hospital schools should work towards welcoming back as many children and young people as can be safely catered for in their setting. They may want to prioritise attendance based on key transitions and the impact on life chances and development, and to consider creating part-time attendance rotas so that as many children as possible can benefit from attending their setting. Special settings should work with local authorities and families to ensure that decisions about attendance are informed by existing risk assessments for their children and young people, which should be kept up to date.

Sixth form and further education (FE) colleges

From 15 June, further education settings (including general further education colleges, sixth form colleges, and other providers) can offer face-to-face support to 16 to 19 learners. Remote education should remain the predominant mode of learning during this time. To help reduce the coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission risk, the number of learners attending at any one time will be limited to a quarter of those on the first year of a two-year 16 to 19 study programme. Further guidance is available here.

Curriculum

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the standards that schools and childcare settings must meet for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old. Early years settings should use reasonable endeavours to deliver the learning and development requirements as far as possible in the current circumstances, as set out here.

Schools and colleges continue to be best placed to make decisions about how to support and educate all their pupils during this period, based on the local context and staff capacity.

Where year groups are returning to school, we would expect school leaders and teachers to:

consider their pupils' mental health and wellbeing and identify any pupil who may need additional support so they are ready to learn

assess where pupils are in their learning, and agree what adjustments may be needed to the school curriculum over the coming weeks

identify and plan how best to support the education of high needs groups, including disadvantaged pupils, and SEND and vulnerable pupils

support pupils in Year 6, who will need both their primary and secondary schools to work together to support their upcoming transition to Year 7

Schools should use best endeavours to support pupils attending school as well as those remaining at home, making use of the available remote education support.

No school will be penalised if they are unable to offer a broad and balanced curriculum to their pupils during this period.

Priority groups

Settings will need to consider how they integrate children and young people from priority groups who are attending but not in any of the transition year groups into their education offer. Settings have the flexibility to make the right decision for their circumstances on how these pupils are supervised, continue to learn and are supported in school.

Assessment and accountability

There are no changes to the previously announced expectations on assessment and accountability. No examinations or assessments will take place this term and Ofsted will continue to pause routine inspection.

Staff workload and wellbeing

Governing boards and senior leaders should be conscious of the wellbeing of all staff, including senior leaders themselves, and the need to implement flexible working practices in a way that promotes good work-life balance and supports teachers and leaders.

Workload should be carefully managed and schools and colleges should assess whether staff who are having to stay at home due to health conditions are able to support remote education, while others focus on face-to-face provision. Senior leaders and boards will want to factor this into their resource and curriculum planning, and consider where additional resource could be safely brought in if necessary.

Transport

Parents and children and young people should be encouraged to walk or cycle where possible, and avoid public transport at peak times.

They should refer to guidance on safe travel, particularly on public transport.

Home to school transport provided or organised by schools, trusts or local authorities varies widely. Schools, trusts and local authorities should work together and with relevant transport providers to put in place arrangements which fit the local circumstances, including the measures being put in place to reduce contact.

Further guidance is available in Guidance on implementing protective measures.

Food

Schools should provide meals for all children in school, and meals should be available free of charge where pupils meet the free school meal (FSM) eligibility criteria. To ensure food is available for pupils who attend, educational settings are expected to reopen their kitchens and ensure that meals are able to be prepared and served safely.

We are also continuing to ask schools to work with their food providers to offer meals or food parcels for benefits-related free school meal pupils not in school. Now that schools are opening more widely, school catering teams will be better placed to do this. The provision of food vouchers for those eligible under the benefits criteria will also continue to be available where needed. Information on supporting those in FE with free meals is in the FE operational guidance.

Costs associated with opening for more children and young people

As previously confirmed, schools will continue to receive their core funding allocations - as determined by the local authority for maintained schools and through the general annual grant (GAG) for academies. FE colleges continue to receive funding in line with the flexibilities that have been announced in recent weeks including payment on profile for 16 to 19 study programmes without reconciliation. In addition, we have announced a fund for schools to cover specific additional costs as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak - this remains open and should be used by schools as appropriate. Access to the wider business support schemes, including Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), can continue to be used for staff typically paid for through private income, on condition that the principles in Department for Education's sector specific guidance continue to be met.

For early years settings, the dedicated schools grant (DSG) should continue to be paid by local authorities for provision of free entitlements. Where parents are accessing hours beyond the free entitlements they are eligible for, early year providers should continue to charge parents in the normal way. The wider business support packages can continue to be used as appropriate, including the loan schemes and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), on condition that the principles in Department for Education's sector specific guidance continue to be met.

We are continuing to work with the childcare sector to understand how the early years sector can best be supported to ensure that sufficient safe, appropriate and affordable childcare is available for those returning to work now, and for all families who need it in the longer term.

Further guidance and support

We have published:

This complements the existing guidance for schools and educational settings that continues to be relevant (and which will be updated in due course where needed).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
[Withdrawn] Actions for education and childcare settings to prepare for wider opening from 1 June 2020

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This guidance has been updated to reflect the announcement by the Prime Minister that the government's 5 tests have been met and the decision, based on all the evidence, to move forward with wider opening of education and childcare settings.

# data[].attributes.headline
01/06 Schools can reopen for years reception, 1 and 6

# data[].attributes.subject
01/06 Schools can reopen for years reception, 1 and 6

# data[].attributes.body
Department for Education, 2020, “Actions for education and childcare settings to prepare for wider opening from 1 June 2020” Gov.uk Accessed 23rd June 2020 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-educational-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020/actions-for-education-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This guidance has been updated to reflect the announcement by the Prime Minister that the government's 5 tests have been met and the decision, based on all the evidence, to move forward with wider opening of education and childcare settings.

It also includes details on how primary schools can use flexibility to welcome back additional pupils this term, where they have capacity.

As part of national social distancing measures to limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), we have had to limit the numbers of children and young people attending educational and childcare settings, to ensure that pupils and staff attending could do so safely. That is why, since 23 March 2020, education and childcare settings have only been open to priority groups ( vulnerable children and children of critical workers).

As well as offering face-to-face provision for those able to attend, settings have also done a huge amount to support the remote education of those who have been staying at home. Innovative and fast-paced work has taken place, by committed staff, to develop resources to make this education the best it can be.

Throughout this period, the work and dedication of critical workers has been crucial to our country. This of course includes all our critical workers working with children and young people - leaders, teachers, support staff, childcare workers, social workers and others, who have worked tirelessly to support the education and welfare of young people.

As a result of the huge efforts everyone has made to adhere to strict social distancing measures, the government's 5 tests have been met, meaning we can move forward with modifying measures which have been in place. Based on all the evidence, from 1 June 2020 we can welcome back more children to early years and primary school settings, and from 15 June 2020 to secondary school and further education settings. Schools, colleges and childcare providers have been planning on this basis, and confirmation that this could go ahead was provided by the Prime Minister on 28 May.

We know that in some primary schools, there will be capacity to welcome more children back, in group sizes of no more than 15, before the summer holidays. This may be because, since 1 June, take-up amongst eligible children is lower than expected, or because there is additional space still available within the school and available staff to teach and supervise. There is no expectation on primary schools to welcome back additional children where they do not have capacity to do so, and they should only do so where they can accommodate more children while still following the approaches set out in this guidance and their own risk assessment. Where schools have capacity, they may choose to welcome back additional pupils. It is up to schools to decide which pupils to prioritise, based on their knowledge of their children and communities.

We have worked closely with the sector, and will continue to do so over the coming weeks to support the wider opening of schools, colleges and childcare settings. In this document we are setting out the overarching aims and principles of this next phase, including information about protective measures which will be in place. We have worked with the profession to produce more detailed guidance to support planning.

Next steps

Education and childcare settings are already open to priority groups. Now that we have made progress in reducing the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) we are encouraging all eligible children to attend - it is no longer necessary for parents of eligible children to keep them at home if they can. In particular, as per the existing guidance on vulnerable children and young people, vulnerable children of all year groups continue to be expected and encouraged to attend educational provision where it is appropriate for them to do so.

From the week commencing 1 June 2020, we are asking primary schools to welcome back children in nursery, Reception, year 1 and year 6, alongside priority groups. Primary schools that have capacity after making provision available for these groups can invite additional children to return, so long as they can accommodate more children while still following the approaches set out in the protective measures guidance and their own risk assessment. From 15 June, we are asking secondary schools, sixth form and further education colleges to offer some face-to-face support to supplement the remote education of year 10 and year 12 students and 16 to 19 learners in the first year of their course who are due to take key exams next year, alongside the full time provision they are offering to priority groups.

We are also asking nurseries and other early years providers, including childminders, to begin welcoming back children of all ages from 1 June. Alternative provision settings should mirror the approach being taken for mainstream schools and also offer some face-to-face support for year 10 and 11 students (as they have no year 12) from 15 June. Special schools, special post-16 institutions and hospital schools will work towards a phased return of more children and young people without a focus on specific year groups.

We want to get all children and young people back into education as soon as the scientific advice allows because it is the best place for them to learn, and because we know how important it is for their mental wellbeing to have social interactions with their peers, carers and teachers. Children returning to educational and childcare settings in greater numbers will also allow more families to return to work.

We are therefore gradually increasing the numbers of children and young people attending schools and colleges. This decision is based on the latest scientific advice. By returning pupils gradually, settings can initially reduce the number of children and young people in classrooms compared to usual and put protective measures in place to reduce risks. Children and young people will need to stay within their new class/group wherever possible and we will ask settings to implement a range of protective measures including increased cleaning, reducing 'pinch points' (such as parents dropping children off at the start and end of the day), and utilising outdoor space. Staff and pupils in all settings will be eligible for testing if they become ill with coronavirus symptoms, as will members of their households. A negative test will enable children and young people to get back to childcare or education, and their parents to get back to work. A positive test will ensure rapid action to protect their classmates and staff in their setting. Those who are clinically vulnerable, or are living with someone who is, should follow our protective measures guidance.

In childcare settings, providers can welcome back all children from the week commencing 1 June 2020. Demand for childcare is likely to be lower than usual at first, and existing space requirements and staff to child ratios for these age groups should allow for small group working. Where the physical layout of a setting does not allow small groups of children to be kept at a safe distance apart, we expect practitioners to exercise judgement in ensuring the highest standards of safety are maintained. In some cases, it may be necessary for providers to introduce a temporary cap on numbers to ensure that safety is prioritised. From 1 June 2020, childminders can look after children of all ages, in line with usual limits on the number of children they can care for.

Year groups in first phase of wider opening

The three year groups within mainstream primary have been prioritised because they are key transition years - children in Reception and year 1 are at the very beginning of their school career and are mastering the essential basics, including counting and the fundamentals of reading and writing, and learning to socialise with their peers. We know that attending early education lays the foundation for lifelong learning and supports children's social and emotional development. Year 6 children are finishing Key Stage 2 and are preparing for the transition to secondary school, and will benefit immensely from time with their friends and teachers to ensure they are ready.

We are prioritising younger children in the first phases of wider opening, for several reasons. Firstly, because there is moderately high scientific confidence in evidence suggesting younger children are less likely to become unwell if infected with coronavirus (COVID-19); and secondly because evidence shows the particularly detrimental impact which time spent out of education can have upon them. In addition, older children are more likely to have higher numbers of contacts outside of school so pose a greater transmission risk, and they are typically better able to learn at home.

The two year groups in mainstream secondary schools and colleges have been prioritised because they are preparing for key examinations next year, and are most at risk of falling behind due to time out of school or college. From 15 June 2020, secondary schools and colleges will be able to offer some face-to-face contact with year 10 and year 12 pupils or 16 to 19 learners in the first year of a two-year study programme. This will supplement their remote education, which should remain the predominant mode of education during this term. Our assessment, based on the latest scientific and medical advice, is that we need to continue to control the numbers attending school or further education settings to reduce the risk of increasing transmission. Therefore, schools are able to have a quarter of the year 10 and year 12 cohort (for schools with sixth forms) in school at any one time, and should refer to our guidance for advice on minimising risk. Likewise, for colleges and other FE settings, a quarter of 16 to 19 learners in the first year of a two-year study programme may attend at any one time. Schools and colleges should also ensure that the use of public transport for travel to and from school or college is minimised as far as possible. Where it is totally necessary, this should not be during peak times. Schools should introduce staggered start and end times as appropriate to help achieve this.

Our approach is in line with other countries across Europe, who have begun to bring pre-school and school-age children back in a phased way and are focusing on primary schools and younger children. Approaches between countries will vary slightly based on different public health circumstances.

We expect all mainstream schools and colleges, including independent schools, to follow the same approach. We encourage middle schools to do the same and welcome back children in year 6, to ensure national parity for children in this year group.

Any educational or childcare settings which have closed should work towards reopening from the week commencing 1 June 2020 to cater for children in nurseries, Reception, year 1, year 6 and priority groups, and, from 15 June, to provide some face-to-face support to pupils in years 10 and 12, and 16 to 19 learners in the first year of their course.

We have provided all educational and childcare settings with further guidance and support to help them to prepare for wider opening and continue to work closely with the sector.

What the latest science tells us

The above approach is underpinned by our latest understanding of the science, which indicates that we need to take a phased approach to limit the risk of increasing the rate of transmission (often referred to as R) above 1. We have factored in:

severity of disease in children - there is high scientific confidence that children of all ages have less severe symptoms than adults if they contract coronavirus (COVID-19)

the age of children - there is moderately high scientific confidence that younger children are less likely to become unwell if infected with coronavirus (COVID-19)

numbers of children going back - which needs to be limited initially then increased gradually as the science permits

systems to reduce the size of the groups coming into contact with each other - such as smaller class sizes spread out across settings

Approach: first phase of wider opening of educational and childcare settings

From the week commencing 1 June 2020, we are asking nurseries and other early years settings to open to children of all ages, and primary schools to welcome back pupils to nursery, Reception, year 1 and year 6 (including in middle schools). On 15 June, we confirmed that primary schools that have capacity, after making provision for these groups, can invite additional pupils to return, so long as they can accommodate more children while still following the approaches set out in our protective measures guidance. From 15 June, we are asking secondary schools and colleges to offer some face-to-face support for children and young people in year 10 and year 12, and 16 to 19 learners in the first year of their course, to supplement their remote education, alternative provision to mirror the approach being taken for mainstream schools and also offer some face-to-face support for year 10 and year 11 students (as they have no year 12), and special schools, special post-16 institutions and hospital schools to welcome back more pupils and students.

We will assess the impact of these changes closely, working with medical and scientific advisers as well as sector leaders. When the most up-to-date assessment of the risk posed by the virus indicates that it is appropriate to do so, we will ask more primary year groups to return to school, and issue revised guidance.

The following principles will apply to this phase of wider opening by settings:

children and young people in eligible year groups are strongly encouraged to attend (where there are no shielding concerns for the child or their household), so that they can gain the educational and wellbeing benefits of attending

vulnerable children of all year groups continue to be expected and encouraged to attend educational provision where it is appropriate for them to do so (for children with education health and care (EHC) plans this will be informed by a risk assessment approach)

children, young people and staff who have been classed as clinically extremely vulnerable due to pre-existing medical conditions have been advised to shield. We do not expect people in this category to be attending school or college, and they should continue to be supported to learn or work at home as much as possible. Clinically vulnerable (but not clinically extremely vulnerable) people are those considered to be at a higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19). Few if any children will fall into this category, but parents should follow medical advice if their child is in this category. Staff in this category should work from home where possible, and refer to the detail in our protective measures guidance

a child/young person or a member of staff who lives with someone who is clinically vulnerable (but not clinically extremely vulnerable), including those who are pregnant, can attend their education or childcare setting

if a child/young person or staff member lives in a household with someone who is extremely clinically vulnerable, as set out in the guidance on shielding, it is advised they only attend an education or childcare setting if stringent social distancing can be adhered to and, in the case of children, if they are able to understand and follow those instructions. This may not be possible for very young children and older children without the capacity to adhere to the instructions on social distancing. If stringent social distancing cannot be adhered to, we do not expect those individuals to attend. They should be supported to learn or work at home

staff and children or young people should not attend if they have symptoms or are self-isolating due to symptoms in their household

protective measures will be put in place for staff and pupils, as far as is possible, to ensure that the risk of transmission is reduced

Implementation: managing risk and rate of transmission

Scientific advice indicates that a phased return that limits the number of children in education settings and how much they mix with each other will help to control the rate of transmission. This is set out in our guidance.

There are a number of immediate issues which educational and childcare settings will need to consider. The following list of issues are the ones we have identified as the top priorities. We recognise that each setting and community is different, and that leaders will need to make their own judgements on the most important issues for them. We have published further advice for early years, primary schools, secondary schools and further education settings to help them prepare.

Key issues

Risk assessment

Every setting should carry out a risk assessment before opening. The assessment should directly address risks associated with coronavirus (COVID-19), so that sensible measures can be put in place to control those risks for children and staff. All employers have a duty to consult employees on health and safety, and they are best placed to understand the risks in individual settings.

Class sizes and staff availability

One of the protective measures we can take to reduce transmission is to have smaller group and class sizes. We know that, unlike older children and adults, early years and primary age children cannot be expected to remain 2 metres apart from each other and staff. In deciding to bring more children back to early years and schools, we are taking this into account. Schools should therefore work through the hierarchy of measures set out in our guidance:

avoiding contact with anyone with symptoms

frequent hand cleaning and good hygiene practices

regular cleaning of settings

and minimising contact and mixing as far as possible

As well as the measures above, secondary schools and colleges should:

ensure that only a quarter of pupils in year 10 and year 12 are in school at any one time

aim to practise social distancing in line with the measures the government is asking everyone to adopt in public and in workplaces, including keeping pupils 2 metres apart from each other where possible

plan that classes are no more than half their usual size, to allow sufficient distancing between pupils. However, this may vary due to individual school circumstances

It is still important to reduce contact between children and staff as far as possible, and settings can take steps to achieve that and reduce transmission risk by ensuring children, and staff where possible, mix in a small group and keep that small group away from other people and groups. For pre-school children in early years settings, the staff to child ratios within Early Years Foundation Stage continue to apply, and we recommend using these to group children. In mainstream primary schools the basic principle is that classes should be halved. Normally one teacher should be allocated to a group but if there are any teacher shortages then support staff may be used to lead groups, under the direction of a teacher. In mainstream secondary schools and colleges, we recognise that the range of subjects and courses taught means that some mixing may be unavoidable to provide pupils with face-to-face support from subject/specialist teachers. We would expect that these groups are still smaller than normal. More detail is provided in our protective measures guidance.

Public Health England are clear that if early years, school and college settings do this, and crucially if they also apply comprehensive infection control measures, such as taking steps to ensure symptomatic individuals do not attend settings, regular hand cleaning, respiratory hygiene and cleaning measures and handling potential cases of the virus as per our advice, then the risk of transmission will be lowered.

Where settings can keep children and young people in those small groups 2m away from each other, they should do so. While in general groups should be kept apart, brief, transitory, contact such as passing in a corridor is low risk.

Each setting's circumstances will be slightly different. Any setting that cannot achieve these small groups at any point should discuss options with their local authority or trust. This might be because there are not enough classrooms / spaces available in the setting or because they do not have enough available teachers / staff to supervise the groups. Solutions might involve children attending a nearby school (on a consistent basis). If necessary, settings have the flexibility to focus first on continuing to provide places for priority groups and then, to support children's early learning, settings should prioritise groups of children as follows:

early years settings - 3 and 4 year olds followed by younger age groups

infant schools - nursery (where applicable) and reception

primary schools - nursery (where applicable), reception and year 1

Protective measures in education and childcare settings

The DfE guidance on Implementing Protective Measures in Education and Childcare Settings contains detailed advice for settings on:

cleaning, including supplies of cleaning and handwashing products

testing and tracing

personal protective equipment (PPE)

what settings should do in response to a case of coronavirus (COVID-19) being confirmed

Attendance

No one with symptoms should attend a setting for any reason. Eligible children and young people - including priority groups - are strongly encouraged to attend their education setting, unless they are self-isolating or they are clinically vulnerable (in which case they should follow medical advice). If someone in their household is extremely clinically vulnerable, they should only attend if stringent social distancing can be adhered to, and the child is able to understand and follow those instructions. Families should notify their nursery/school/college as normal if their child is unable to attend so that staff can explore the reason with them and address barriers together. Parents will not be fined for non-attendance at this time, and schools and colleges will not be held to account for attendance levels. Schools and colleges should continue to inform social workers where children with a social worker do not attend.

Schools and colleges should resume taking their attendance register and continue to complete the online Educational Setting Status form which gives the Department for Education daily updates on how many children and staff are attending. The Department will continue to monitor attendance at early years settings, via local authorities. This is to ensure that we have up-to-date information on available early years and childcare provision during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, which children are accessing it and to monitor sufficiency in particular areas.

Vulnerable children and young people

There is a continuing expectation that vulnerable children and young people of all year groups will attend educational or childcare provision, where it is safe and appropriate for them do so. As per the current guidance, where these children and young people are currently not attending but attendance is appropriate, we expect providers and local authorities to consider how to encourage their attendance.

Vulnerable children and young people in this context include those who:

are assessed as being in need under section 17 of the Children Act 1989, including children who have a child in need plan, a child protection plan or who are a looked-after child. Attendance is expected, unless their social worker decides that they are at less risk at home or in their placement. The educational provider should notify the social worker in cases where these children or young people do not take up their place at school or college

have an education, health and care ( EHC) plan and it is determined, following a risk assessment, carried out with educational providers and parents, that their needs can be as safely or more safely met in the educational environment

have been assessed as otherwise vulnerable by educational providers or local authorities (including children's social care services), and who are therefore in need of continued education provision - this might include children on the edge of receiving support from children's social care services, adopted children, those at risk of becoming NEET ('not in employment, education or training'), those who are young carers and others at the provider and local authority's discretion

Alternative Provision

Alternative Provision ( AP) settings should follow the same principles and guidance as mainstream schools and welcome back, from 1 June 2020, all children in Reception, year 1 and year 6. AP settings do not have a year 12, so, from 15 June, they they should also offer some face to face support for students in year 10 and year 11 to supplement their remote education, as they are approaching key transition points. In line with the advice above for mainstream provision, settings should limit the numbers in attendance at any one time and aim to keep students in small groups as set out in our guidance. Settings should also consider ways to minimise use of public transport to get to and from school at peak times, in consultation with local authorities. Priority groups of all ages should continue to be offered a place and strongly encouraged to attend.

Special schools

Special schools, special post-16 institutions and hospital schools should work towards welcoming back as many children and young people as can be safely catered for in their setting. They may want to prioritise attendance based on key transitions and the impact on life chances and development, and to consider creating part-time attendance rotas so that as many children as possible can benefit from attending their setting. Special settings should work with local authorities and families to ensure that decisions about attendance are informed by existing risk assessments for their children and young people, which should be kept up to date.

Sixth form and further education (FE) colleges

From 15 June, further education settings (including general further education colleges, sixth form colleges, and other providers) can offer face-to-face support to 16 to 19 learners. Remote education should remain the predominant mode of learning during this time. To help reduce the coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission risk, the number of learners attending at any one time will be limited to a quarter of those on the first year of a two-year 16 to 19 study programme. Further guidance is available here.

Curriculum

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the standards that schools and childcare settings must meet for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old. Early years settings should use reasonable endeavours to deliver the learning and development requirements as far as possible in the current circumstances, as set out here.

Schools and colleges continue to be best placed to make decisions about how to support and educate all their pupils during this period, based on the local context and staff capacity.

Where year groups are returning to school, we would expect school leaders and teachers to:

consider their pupils' mental health and wellbeing and identify any pupil who may need additional support so they are ready to learn

assess where pupils are in their learning, and agree what adjustments may be needed to the school curriculum over the coming weeks

identify and plan how best to support the education of high needs groups, including disadvantaged pupils, and SEND and vulnerable pupils

support pupils in Year 6, who will need both their primary and secondary schools to work together to support their upcoming transition to Year 7

Schools should use best endeavours to support pupils attending school as well as those remaining at home, making use of the available remote education support.

No school will be penalised if they are unable to offer a broad and balanced curriculum to their pupils during this period.

Priority groups

Settings will need to consider how they integrate children and young people from priority groups who are attending but not in any of the transition year groups into their education offer. Settings have the flexibility to make the right decision for their circumstances on how these pupils are supervised, continue to learn and are supported in school.

Assessment and accountability

There are no changes to the previously announced expectations on assessment and accountability. No examinations or assessments will take place this term and Ofsted will continue to pause routine inspection.

Staff workload and wellbeing

Governing boards and senior leaders should be conscious of the wellbeing of all staff, including senior leaders themselves, and the need to implement flexible working practices in a way that promotes good work-life balance and supports teachers and leaders.

Workload should be carefully managed and schools and colleges should assess whether staff who are having to stay at home due to health conditions are able to support remote education, while others focus on face-to-face provision. Senior leaders and boards will want to factor this into their resource and curriculum planning, and consider where additional resource could be safely brought in if necessary.

Transport

Parents and children and young people should be encouraged to walk or cycle where possible, and avoid public transport at peak times.

They should refer to guidance on safe travel, particularly on public transport.

Home to school transport provided or organised by schools, trusts or local authorities varies widely. Schools, trusts and local authorities should work together and with relevant transport providers to put in place arrangements which fit the local circumstances, including the measures being put in place to reduce contact.

Further guidance is available in Guidance on implementing protective measures.

Food

Schools should provide meals for all children in school, and meals should be available free of charge where pupils meet the free school meal (FSM) eligibility criteria. To ensure food is available for pupils who attend, educational settings are expected to reopen their kitchens and ensure that meals are able to be prepared and served safely.

We are also continuing to ask schools to work with their food providers to offer meals or food parcels for benefits-related free school meal pupils not in school. Now that schools are opening more widely, school catering teams will be better placed to do this. The provision of food vouchers for those eligible under the benefits criteria will also continue to be available where needed. Information on supporting those in FE with free meals is in the FE operational guidance.

Costs associated with opening for more children and young people

As previously confirmed, schools will continue to receive their core funding allocations - as determined by the local authority for maintained schools and through the general annual grant (GAG) for academies. FE colleges continue to receive funding in line with the flexibilities that have been announced in recent weeks including payment on profile for 16 to 19 study programmes without reconciliation. In addition, we have announced a fund for schools to cover specific additional costs as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak - this remains open and should be used by schools as appropriate. Access to the wider business support schemes, including Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), can continue to be used for staff typically paid for through private income, on condition that the principles in Department for Education's sector specific guidance continue to be met.

For early years settings, the dedicated schools grant (DSG) should continue to be paid by local authorities for provision of free entitlements. Where parents are accessing hours beyond the free entitlements they are eligible for, early year providers should continue to charge parents in the normal way. The wider business support packages can continue to be used as appropriate, including the loan schemes and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), on condition that the principles in Department for Education's sector specific guidance continue to be met.

We are continuing to work with the childcare sector to understand how the early years sector can best be supported to ensure that sufficient safe, appropriate and affordable childcare is available for those returning to work now, and for all families who need it in the longer term.

Further guidance and support

We have published:

This complements the existing guidance for schools and educational settings that continues to be relevant (and which will be updated in due course where needed).

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[Withdrawn] Actions for education and childcare settings to prepare for wider opening from 1 June 2020

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This guidance has been updated to reflect the announcement by the Prime Minister that the government's 5 tests have been met and the decision, based on all the evidence, to move forward with wider opening of education and childcare settings.

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06/06 Many Schools in North West delay reopening

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06/06 Many Schools in North West delay reopening

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Many Schools in the North West of England delay their reopenings (scheduled for 1st-8th June depending on holidays and govt. guidance) due to rising R numbers and doubts about guidance (see Andy Burnham's statement in above article).

BBC, 2020c, "Coronavirus: North-west England schools delay reopening" BBC News, 6th June, Accessed 19th JUne 2020

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Many schools in north-west England will delay reopening at least until 22 June over concerns the coronavirus infection rate is on the rise.

Schools in Blackburn said they would not reopen on Monday, as the government has urged, while Tameside Council "strongly" advised schools not to do so.

Wirral Council also urged schools to "pause and consider" reopening plans.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said "there is a challenge" in the region.

Some scientists say the R number is creeping up across the country and may have surpassed one - the point at which the epidemic takes off again - in the region.

Data from Public Health England, released on Friday, gave an R value of 1.01 for the North West and 1.0 for the South West, with all other regions below 1.

If the R is one or higher, the virus will spread exponentially through the population, while a value less than one indicates the virus is in decline.

Colin Cox, director of public health in Cumbria, also warned on Friday people should not be "complacent" and lockdown restrictions could be tightened if the number continues to rise.

Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy, Tameside council's public health director, has written to all head teachers "to strongly advise them to delay the wider reopening until there is further assurance that the Covid 19 infection rate is reducing".

In a statement, the authority said: "This follows new data published [on Friday] showing that the regional R rate has risen above 1, as well as local information that infection rates remain higher and health services are stretched."

Dr Paul Birrell, from a team at Public Health England (PHE) and the University of Cambridge, said the North West - with 4,170 infections a day - was "more worrying" compared to other regions, while the National Education Union (NEU) also raised concerns on Twitter.

The government has suggested an introduction of "local lockdown" measures to fight any flare-ups in particular areas.

But Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham questioned whether such measures are workable, calling them a "recipe for chaos".

Both he and Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram have said lockdown restrictions were being lifted too soon and were driven from London, with other regions not being listened to.

Councils in Gateshead, Hartlepool and Liverpool announced in May that they would not reopen schools on 1 June as advised by the government.

Wirral Council Leader Pat Hackett also urged people to "stay at home as much as possible" after popular areas were "jam-packed" with visitors during the warm weather last weekend.

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Schools to remain shut over virus infection fear

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Many schools in north-west England will delay reopening at least until 22 June over concerns the coronavirus infection rate is on the rise. Schools in Blackburn said they would not reopen on Monday, as the government has urged, while Tameside Council "strongly" advised schools not to do so.

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non-essential shops are opened provided they introduce social distancing measures.

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non-essential shops are opened provided they introduce social distancing measures.

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Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, 2020.

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All non-essential retail shops to reopen in England from Monday 15 June, provided they follow government guidelines to keep staff and customers as safe as possible

the government issued detailed COVID-19 secure guidance for retailers and other sectors in May, following extensive consultation with businesses, trade unions and devolved administrations

businesses should display a downloadable notice to inform customers and staff they have followed COVID-secure guidance

High street retailers and department stores, including book shops, electronics retailers, tailors, auction houses, photography studios, indoor markets, and shops selling clothes, shoes and toys, will be allowed to open their doors again provided they follow the COVID-19 secure guidelines set out by the government in May.

Retailers will need to take certain steps to protect customers and staff, including limiting the number of customers allowed inside at one time, placing protective coverings on large items such as sofas which may be touched by passing shoppers, and frequently checking and cleaning objects and surfaces.

Employers should also display a notice visibly in their shop windows or outside their store to show their employees, customers and other visitors that they have followed this guidance.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said:

Shops, department stores and shopping centres that have been closed since March will be able to reopen from Monday 15 June, provided they put in place the necessary steps to keep their workers and customers safe. This is the latest step in the careful restarting of the economy and will enable high streets up and down the country to spring back to life.

I would like to thank workers at supermarkets, pharmacies, post offices and other essential retailers who have introduced social distancing to keep the public and their staff safe. Now is the time to apply these principles to even more shops to allow workers safely back into stores and welcome back shoppers, as we look to get the economy going again.

At today's press conference the Business Secretary confirmed the UK continues to meet the 5 tests set out in the Prime Minister's roadmap, meaning it is safe to continue gradually reopening parts of the economy.

Notes to editors

read the government guidance on the regulations governing which businesses can, and cannot, remain open

businesses should only reopen once they have completed a risk assessment, in consultation with trade union representatives or workers, and are confident they are managing the risks. They must have taken the necessary steps to become COVID-19 secure in line with current Health and Safety legislation

hairdressers, nail bars and beauty salons, and the hospitality sector remain closed, because the risk of transmission in these environments is higher where long periods of person to person contact is required

There are 8 workplace guidance documents now available under Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance

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Thousands of high street shops, department stores and shopping centres to reopen safely in England

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All non-essential retail shops to reopen in England from Monday 15 June, provided they follow government guidelines to keep staff and customers as safe as possible the government issued detailed COVID-19 secure guidance for retailers and other sectors in May, following extensive consultation with businesses, trade unions and devolved administrations

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16/04 Prince William officially opens Birmingham Nightingale Hospital 6days after it became operational

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16/04 Prince William officially opens Birmingham Nightingale Hospital 6days after it became operational

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BBC, 2020b “ Covid-19: Prince William opens Birmingham's Nightingale Hospital” BBC News, Accessed 16th June 2020

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The Duke of Cambridge has officially opened Birmingham's NHS Nightingale Hospital.

Set up inside the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), the site is intended to take coronavirus patients from 23 Midlands hospitals.

Prince William said it was a "wonderful example" of the "pulling together" going on up and down the UK during the coronavirus pandemic.

He spoke via video link to healthcare, military and civilian personnel.

The site became operational as planned on 10 April with a 500-bed capacity, which can be increased to 1,500, but is yet to take in any patients.

More than 400 civilian contractors, along with military personnel and about 500 clinical staff, have been involved in building the temporary field hospital.

It is thought about 300 people have already volunteered to staff the site, BBC Midlands Today health correspondent Michele Paduano said.

Prince William praised NHS workers' "selfless commitment" and said "hospitals are about the people and not the bricks".

"Let me start by reiterating all that has been said so far and paying tribute to the incredible work that NHS staff across the country have been doing to tackle the coronavirus pandemic," he said.

"Their selfless commitment has touched the hearts of the entire nation."

He added: "The Nightingale hospitals will rightly go down as landmarks in the history of the NHS.

"The NHS Nightingale Hospital Birmingham is a wonderful example of Britain pulling together."

Prince William thanked everyone involved in the building and setting up of the hospital, saying they should be "hugely proud" of what they have achieved as the site will provide "invaluable resources for hospitals from miles and miles around".

Helen Gyves, lead nurse for clinical environment, said the Duke of Cambridge spoke to staff involved in the build asking how it had all gone.

"It was lovely, he took quite a decent amount of time to chat to us all, had something really nice to say, asked us all about our families, which is quite emotional, I suppose - that we're all here and we feel like everything's revolving around here and our families are all at home, isolated," she said.

The hospital, which was built in eight days, will be run by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust (UHB).

It has showering and eating facilities for patients and "good bed spaces" and equipment, considering they were using a warehouse, Ms Gyves said.

Trust chief executive Dr David Rosser said: "We need to think how else we use this facility to help us through the next couple of years."

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the hospital would help create vital extra NHS capacity.
Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk

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Nightingale hospital 'example of pulling together'

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The Duke of Cambridge has officially opened Birmingham's NHS Nightingale Hospital. Set up inside the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), the site is intended to take coronavirus patients from 23 Midlands hospitals. Prince William said it was a "wonderful example" of the "pulling together" going on up and down the UK during the coronavirus pandemic.

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23/04 testing scope increases to include essential workers

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23/04 testing scope increases to include essential workers

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testing is expanded to include/prioritise essential workers rather than just those in hospital

Department of Health and Social Care, 2020, "Coronavirus testing extended to all essential workers in England who have symptoms" Accessed 19th June 2020

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The biggest widening of access to coronavirus testing made possible due to substantially increased testing capacity

Essential workers with coronavirus symptoms can get tested, helping them return to work if test is negative

Broad range of testing methods being rolled-out to increase accessibility, including home testing kits, mobile testing sites and satellite testing kits

New campaign to provide clear information for essential workers on how to get a test

All essential workers in England, and members of their households who are showing symptoms of coronavirus will now be able to get tested, the government has announced.

This will mean individuals and people they live with will have the reassurance of knowing whether their symptoms are caused by coronavirus and can decide whether they are well enough to return to work.

A new campaign will help essential workers in England - including NHS and care staff, teachers, hospital cleaners, public servants, the emergency services, supermarket staff, delivery drivers, and other critical infrastructure staff - to access testing.

Booking the test has been made simpler via a new online system. From today, employers can register and refer self-isolating staff, and from tomorrow employees will be able to book a test directly for themselves or members of their household who are experiencing symptoms - a high temperature or new continuous cough.

Essential worker self-referral service

This will speed up the process of getting an appointment and take the burden off employers, helping reach everyone who has symptoms at the earliest opportunity.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock said:

"We have already prioritised testing for patients and health and social care workers and other key workers today I can go further.

"We are making it easier, faster and simpler for any essential worker in England who needs a test to get a test. From today, employers of essential workers will be able to go on GOV.UK to get a test for any of their staff who need a test. And from tomorrow, any essential workers who need a test will be able to book an appointment on GOV.UK themselves directly.

"This all applies for people in essential workers' households who need a test too. It's all part of getting Britain back on her feet."

Essential workers using the new portal can enter their details and will then receive a text or email the same day inviting them to either book an appointment at one of more than 30 drive-through testing sites across the country, or receive a home testing kit.

Test results from the drive-through sites will be sent out by text within 48 hours, and within 72 hours of collection of the home delivery tests.

The aim is that most people should not have to drive for more than 45 minutes to get to a regional testing site. However, additional testing methods are being rolled-out to support testing accessibility:

A network of new mobile testing units is being rapidly established. These will travel the country to reach care homes, police stations, prisons and other sites where there is demand for testing. The units have been designed to clinical requirements by army engineers and can be easily set up in under 20 minutes.

The new mobile units will work alongside the drive-through test sites, together sending thousands of patient samples to the network of Lighthouse Labs, to rapidly increase the number of tests completed each day.

A delivery service for home testing kits has been designed with key industry partners, including Royal Mail and Amazon. The home delivery service will come on line from tomorrow. The availability of home testing kits will initially be limited, but more will become available soon. This will ensure those not able to travel to a test centre can still take the test, find out their results and return to work if possible.

Working with Public Health England, the Care Quality Commission and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, the government is sending packages of 'satellite' test kits directly to care homes across England, to enable testing of symptomatic residents.

Since the beginning of April, the government has significantly increased the UK's coronavirus testing capacity and is on track to provide 100,000 tests a day by the end of the month.

The 3 new Lighthouse Labs in Milton Keynes, Glasgow and Alderley Park in Cheshire are increasing the country's capacity to test for coronavirus, with each site scaling up to test tens of thousands of patient samples each day. Each individual site took just 3 weeks to complete and begin testing, staffed by an army of highly qualified staff and volunteers from industry and academia across the country.

Under the government's five-pillar strategy, swab testing has been offered to different groups in a phased approach, prioritising NHS workers, but the ultimate aim is that anyone who needs a test will be able to have one.

Testing helps the government and scientists understand the current spread of the virus and plan how to manage the pandemic moving forwards.

Anyone who thinks they are eligible and has symptoms and would like to be tested should speak to their employer or use the self-referral website to request a test.

The response to coronavirus is a national effort. The government is working collaboratively across the four nations to ensure the take up of testing among essential workers. Each of the devolved administrations will have their own eligibility criteria and testing priorities, however the government is working closely to align approaches.

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Coronavirus testing extended to all essential workers in England who have symptoms

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The biggest widening of access to coronavirus testing made possible due to substantially increased testing capacity Essential workers with coronavirus symptoms can get tested, helping them return to work if test is negative Broad range of testing methods being rolled-out to increase accessibility, including home testing kits, mobile testing sites and satellite testing kits New campaign to provide clear information for essential workers on how to get a test All essential workers in England, and members of their households who are showing symptoms of coronavirus will now be able to get tested, the government has announced.

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26/04Government increases and mobilises mobile testing units in order to reach target of 100,000 tests a day

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26/04Government increases and mobilises mobile testing units in order to reach target of 100,000 tests a day

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Department of Health and Social Care, 2020b, "Mobile coronavirus testing units to target frontline workers" Accessed 19th June 2020

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Units will respond to areas of highest demand, travelling to test frontline workers and the most vulnerable at sites including care homes, police stations and prisons

The new units will work alongside the country's drive-through test sites, sending patient samples to the network of Lighthouse Labs, to rapidly increase the number of tests done each day

Essential workers and the most vulnerable will receive increased access to coronavirus tests after the government unveiled a network of mobile testing units to travel where there is significant demand, including care homes, police stations and prisons.

The number of new mobile units is being scaled up after a successful pilot last week, which saw Department of Health and Social Care vehicles refitted to fully functioning testing sites, following a design developed by the Royal Engineers of the British Army. Today, there are 8 existing mobile units carrying out tests across the country, including in Salisbury, Southport and Teesside.

Mobile facilities can be set up in under 20 minutes, allowing the testing of hundreds of people each day and are now travelling to those most in need and hard to reach. Specially trained Armed Forces personnel will collect swabs at the mobile sites, before they are sent to mega-labs for processing. Those tested will receive results within 48 hours.

Rapid expansion of a network of mobile test units is now underway, with new units being fielded in the coming weeks and at least 96 ready to be deployed by the start of May.

This follows the announcement last week that other frontline workers would join the priority list for coronavirus testing, alongside the existing commitment to make sure patients and NHS staff are tested for the virus.

New mobile sites will travel to frontline workers in places including:

care homes

police stations

prisons

benefits centres

fire and rescue services

Testing Minister Lord Bethell said:

Everyone who needs a coronavirus test should be able to have access to one. New mobile testing units will travel the country to provide vital frontline workers with tests so those testing negative to safely return to work.

We have built up capacity in the system with new testing facilities backed by Britain's world-class scientists and industry partners. This means more workers can know if they have coronavirus if they have been demonstrating symptoms.

Testing is key in our battle against coronavirus. We now have the ability to provide more people with the certainty they need to get back to the front line when it is safe to do so.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

Our Armed Forces will help deliver testing to where it's most needed, using a network of up to 96 mobile units that will be rolled out in the coming weeks. They will make sure our care sector get the testing required to remain in the frontline of the fight against this pandemic.

National Testing Coordinator John Newton said:

Across the country we are creating new infrastructure to rapidly increase our capacity to test for coronavirus. New mobile testing units will help us achieve our goal of 100,000 coronavirus tests a day, providing tests to vital frontline workers wherever they need them.

In a matter of weeks we have worked with Britain's leading scientists, academics and industry partners to build scores of new testing facilities and Britain's largest network of diagnostic labs in history. Each day we are delivering more coronavirus tests, and allowing more frontline staff testing negative for the virus to safely return to work.

The government's objective is to deploy 96 mobile testing units during the month of May - 92 will be staffed by the Armed Forces and a further 4, located in Northern Ireland, will be operated by civilian contractors.

Earlier this month the Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced the UK government's 5-pillar plan to rapidly scale up coronavirus testing across the UK. The new 5-pillar plan outlines the ambitions to:

pillar 1: scale up swab testing in PHE labs and NHS hospitals for those with a medical need and the most critical workers to 25,000 a day in England, with the aligned testing strategies of the NHS in the devolved administrations benefiting from PHE's partnership with Roche through a central UK allocation mechanism

pillar 2: deliver increased commercial swab testing for critical key workers in the NHS across the UK, before then expanding to key workers in other sectors. There are now more than 30 drive-through sites collecting these samples across the UK

pillar 3: develop blood testing to help know if people across the UK have the right antibodies and so have high levels of immunity to coronavirus

pillar 4: conduct UK-wide surveillance testing to learn more about the spread of the disease and help develop new tests and treatments

pillar 5: create a new national effort for testing, to build a mass-testing capacity for the UK at a completely new scale

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Mobile coronavirus testing units to target frontline workers

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Units will respond to areas of highest demand, travelling to test frontline workers and the most vulnerable at sites including care homes, police stations and prisons The new units will work alongside the country's drive-through test sites, sending patient samples to the network of Lighthouse Labs, to rapidly increase the number of tests done each day Essential workers and the most vulnerable will receive increased access to coronavirus tests after the government unveiled a network of mobile testing units to travel where there is significant demand, including care homes, police stations and prisons.

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13/03 University of Bristol announce they will end teaching on the 18th March instead of the 27th. 

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13/03 University of Bristol announce they will end teaching on the 18th March instead of the 27th. 

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18/03 teaching finishes early at University of bristol

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18/03 teaching finishes early at University of bristol

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University of Bristol, 2020, "Dates (University Almanac" Accessed 18th June 2020

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Key academic dates

Please note that the academic dates below relate to the standard teaching, examination and term dates at the University, however the academic dates may vary for some programmes of study, in particular postgraduate or professional programmes.

Christmas vacation (students)

23 December 2019 - 10 January 2020

21 December 2020 - 8 January 2021

Teaching suspended (2020 only)

19 - 27 March 2020

Teaching consolidation week (2020 only)

18 - 22 May 2020

Summer assesment period 2

17 August - 4 September 2020

TBC

Note: Winter and Summer congregations morning and afternoon

University closure dates and bank holidays

University Christmas closure

Tuesday 24 December 2019 (CD)
Wednesday 25 December 2019 (BH)
Thursday 26 December 2019 (BH)
Friday 27 December 2019 (CD)
Monday 30 December 2019 (CD)
Tuesday 31 December 2019 (CD)
Wednesday 1 January 2020 (BH)
Thursday 2 January 2020 (CD)

Thursday 24 December 2020 (CD)
Friday 25 December 2020 (BH)
Monday 28 December 2020 (BH)
Tuesday 29 December 2020 (CD)
Wednesday 30 December 2020 (CD)
Thursday 31 December 2020 (CD)
Friday 1 January 2021 (BH)
Monday 4 January 2021 (CD)

Friday 24 December 2021 (CD)
Monday 27 December 2021 (BH)
Tuesday 28 December 2021 (BH)
Wednesday 29 December 2021 (CD)
Thursday 30 December 2021 (CD)
Friday 31 December 2021 (CD)
Monday 3 January 2022 (BH)
Tuesday 4 January 2022 (CD)

University Easter closure

Friday 10 April 2020 (BH)
Monday 13 April 2020 (BH)
Tuesday 14 April 2020 (CD)

Friday 2 April 2021 (BH)
Monday 5 April 2021 (BH)
Tuesday 6 April 2021 (CD)

Friday 15 April 2022 (BH)
Monday 18 April 2022 (BH)
Tuesday 19 April 2022 (CD)

May bank holidays

8 and 25 May 2020 *

3 and 31 May 2021

Monday 2 May 2022
Monday 30 May 2022

University summer closure

Monday 31 August (BH) and Tuesday 1 (CD) September 2020

Monday 30 (BH) and Tuesday 31 (CD) August 2021

Monday 29 August 2022 (BH)
Tuesday 30 August 2022 (CD)

BH = Bank holiday / CD = Closure day

* Important information: the early May Bank Holiday will now be on 8 May 2020 and not 4 May, due to a change announced by HM Government on 8 June 2019.

Current students and staff can add the 'UoB key dates calendar' in Outlook, see the guidance.

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Please note that the academic dates below relate to the standard teaching, examination and term dates at the University, however the academic dates may vary for some programmes of study, in particular postgraduate or professional programmes.

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17/03 Government advises against all non-essential international travel

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17/03 Government advises against all non-essential international travel

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Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 2020, "Travel Advice against all non-essential travel: Foreign Secretary's statement, 17 March 2020"

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The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all non-essential travel overseas. Read our latest coronavirus travel advice.

Today the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all non-essential international travel, initially for a period of 30 days. This advice takes effect immediately.

This change in travel advice reflects the pace at which other countries are either closing their borders or implementing restrictive measures in response to the global coronavirus pandemic.

Often there is little or no notice when countries take these steps and restrictions are also being imposed in areas where no cases of coronavirus have yet been reported. They are therefore very difficult to predict.
Travel Advice against all non-essential travel: UK Foreign Secretary statement
British people who decide that they still need to travel abroad should be fully aware of the increased risks of doing so. That includes the risk that they may not be able to get home, if travel restrictions are put in place. Anyone still considering travel needs to be realistic about the level of disruption they are willing and able to endure, and to make decisions in light of the unprecedented conditions we face.

We are not currently advising British people to immediately return to the UK if they are overseas, except for a few countries detailed in our travel advice. However, British people should keep in mind that flights may be cancelled at short notice or other travel restrictions may be put in place by foreign governments.

If people do want to return to the UK soon, then they need to take account of the fast moving situation and plan accordingly, while flights remain available in many places.

Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, said:

UK travellers abroad now face widespread international border restrictions and lock downs in various countries. The speed and range of those measures across other countries is unprecedented.

So I have taken the decision to advise British nationals against all non-essential international travel.

Whether travel is essential or not is a personal decision and circumstances differ from person to person. It is for individuals themselves to make an informed decision based on the risks and FCO advice. Anyone still planning to travel should check the validity of their travel insurance.

UK inward and outward travel has already fallen by a significant amount since the outbreak of coronavirus. Ryanair, Virgin and EasyJet have cut flights by 80% this month and IAG has decreased capacity by 75%.

The UK's extensive diplomatic network is continuing to work around the world to support British people at the greatest risk of exposure to the virus.

In the last week alone 430 changes have been made to FCO Travel Advice.

We will continue to do everything in our power to get those British nationals affected the care, support and advice they need. We are also working urgently to ensure international governments have sensible plans to enable the return of British and other travellers and, crucially, that they keep borders open for enough time to allow people to return home on commercial flights.

British nationals who become ill overseas should, in the first instance, seek care and support from the country they are in.

This guidance follows the domestic measures announced by the Prime Minister on Monday and forms part of the national effort to meet the international challenge presented by coronavirus.

For British people travelling and living overseas during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, see our coronavirus travel advice.

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Travel Advice against all non-essential travel: Foreign Secretary's statement, 17 March 2020

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The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all non-essential travel overseas. Read our latest coronavirus travel advice. Today the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all non-essential international travel, initially for a period of 30 days. This advice takes effect immediately.

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16/03 Government advises against mass gatherings

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16/03 Government advises against mass gatherings

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Tell us whether you accept cookies

We use cookies to collect information about how you use GOV.UK. We use this information to make the website work as well as possible and improve government services.

We are looking for businesses to support in the production and supply of ventilators and ventilator components.

The government is looking for businesses who can support in the supply of ventilators and ventilator components across the UK as part of our response to COVID-19.

As well as manufacturers, we are looking for businesses with the following skills:

design/specification

rapid prototyping

contract/product assembly

certification/regulation/testing

logistics

medical training

You can also offer wider coronavirus support from your business.

The Ventilator Challenge launched by the government is ongoing.

If you have completed the online form with details of the support you can offer, there is no further action you need to take. You will be contacted when your offer of support meets necessary requirements.

Please direct future queries to ventilatorchallenge@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Thank you for your offer of support.

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Call for businesses to help make NHS ventilators

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We use cookies to collect information about how you use GOV.UK. We use this information to make the website work as well as possible and improve government services. We are looking for businesses to support in the production and supply of ventilators and ventilator components.

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Scottish Government, 2020, "Coronavirus (Covid-19) Confirmed in Scotland" www.gov.scot Accessed, 18th June 2020

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First positive case in Scotland.

A patient has been diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland.

Following a positive test result for the virus, they are being admitted to hospital and are currently receiving treatment in isolation.

The patient is a resident of the Tayside area and has recently travelled from northern Italy. Clinicians have already begun contact tracing, the process of gathering details of the places they have visited and the people they have been in contact with since returning to the UK.

It is important to note that this does not involve people the patient may have passed on the street or in a shop as the risk in these situations is very low. Close contact involves either face to face contact or spending more than 15 minutes within two metres of an infected person.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has chaired a meeting of the Scottish Government Resilience Committee (SGoRR) this evening and will be taking part in the UK Government's resilience (COBR) meeting chaired by the Prime Minister tomorrow morning to ensure all necessary steps are being taken to prepare for further expected cases in Scotland. SGoRR will meet again later tomorrow.

There have been a total of 698 negative test results in Scotland since the start of the outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.

According to Scottish and UK protocol all patients presenting with a history and symptoms which may be suggestive of coronavirus will be isolated and appropriate infection prevention and control measures put in place.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

"Our first thoughts must be with the patient diagnosed with coronavirus, I wish them a speedy recovery.

"Scotland is well-prepared for a significant outbreak of coronavirus but there is currently no treatment or vaccine. Early detection measures will continue to be vital in helping to prevent the spread of the virus.

"People have a vital role to play in helping us contain any outbreak by following the latest health and travel advice, and following basic hygiene precautions, such as washing hands frequently, not touching their face and covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing."

Scotland's Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood said:

"Firstly our thoughts are with the person who has been diagnosed, and with their family. I would like to thank all the health professionals who continue to be involved in their care and treatment.

"Scotland is well equipped to deal with infections of this kind. We have a proven track record of dealing with challenging health issues, and have been preparing for this possibility since the beginning of the outbreak in Wuhan.

"This is peak season for respiratory and flu-like illness. There will be people presenting with symptoms of acute respiratory illness but these cases are highly unlikely to be coronavirus (COVID-19).

"We practice and prepare our response to disease outbreaks and follow tried and tested procedures, following the highest safety standards possible for the protection of NHS staff, patients and the public."
Background
The positive sample has been sent to Public Health England's Colindale laboratory in London for a confirmatory test. Scottish Laboratories will send all positive samples to Public Health England's WHO designated Colindale laboratory for confirmatory testing.

Advice for travellers who have visited affected area s is available at NHS Inform.

More advice on travel can be found on Fit for Travel and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
NHS Inform Q&A
Up to date information on the situation in Scotland is being published by Scottish Government.

Under the terms of International Health Regulations, high consequence infectious diseases like coronavirus (COVID-19) are reportable to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

A coronavirus is a type of virus. Typical symptoms include fever, a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune symptoms, older people, and those with long term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China. This is a rapidly evolving situation which is being monitored carefully.

Specific guidance on handling the coronavirus has been shared with NHS staff.

For patient confidentiality reasons we cannot give out information that would identify any patients.

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) confirmed in Scotland

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First positive case in Scotland. A patient has been diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland. Following a positive test result for the virus, they are being admitted to hospital and are currently receiving treatment in isolation. The patient is a resident of the Tayside area and has recently travelled from northern Italy.

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12/03. Boris Johnson recommends for vulnerable to isolate AND for those with symptoms to isolate for 1 week

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12/03. Boris Johnson recommends for vulnerable to isolate AND for those with symptoms to isolate for 1 week

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needs source

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Arrowsmith et al, 2020, "Public request to take stronger measures of social"

distancing across the UK with immediate effect

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19/02 people returning from Italy after this date must self-isolate for 2weeks

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19/02 people returning from Italy after this date must self-isolate for 2weeks

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Public Health England, 2020, "Covid-19: Specified Countries and Areas". Accessed 18th June 2020. Document Withdrawn.

can no longer access the documents but the pages applied to people travelling abroad from the 19th February - 12th March

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Tell us whether you accept cookies

We use cookies to collect information about how you use GOV.UK. We use this information to make the website work as well as possible and improve government services.

Countries and specified areas affected by COVID-19 with implications for returning travellers or visitors arriving in the UK.

This publication was withdrawn on

Details

This document contains details of the specified countries and areas that have implications for returning travellers or visitors arriving in the UK. It includes information on the actions that these individuals should follow on returning to the UK and if they develop symptoms.

The guidance for Italy, Iran, and Daegu or Cheongdo (Republic of Korea) applies to individuals who returned from these specific areas on or after 19 February 2020.

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We use cookies to collect information about how you use GOV.UK. We use this information to make the website work as well as possible and improve government services. Countries and specified areas affected by COVID-19 with implications for returning travellers or visitors arriving in the UK.

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Shetland Scrubs. 1.3K likes. A community making scrubs for the NHS clinical staff during the Covid-19 emergency

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Coronavirus Job retention Scheme was announced by the Uk government until 1 August 2020, all UK employers, regardless of size or sector, can claim a grant from HMRC to cover 80% of the wages costs of employees who are not working but kept on the payroll ("furloughed"), of up to £2,500 a calendar month

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Coronavirus Job retention Scheme was announced by the Uk government until 1 August 2020, all UK employers, regardless of size or sector, can claim a grant from HMRC to cover 80% of the wages costs of employees who are not working but kept on the payroll ("furloughed"), of up to £2,500 a calendar month

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quote from website

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Sign on to Thomson Reuters products and services including Westlaw, Westlaw Edge, Practical Law, CLEAR, ProView, law books, practice management solutions, and more.

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Principality stadium capacity of 2,000 beds 

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Principality stadium capacity of 2,000 beds 

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03/04 80 wards in NHS nightingale open. framework for bed bays made from material usually used to make exhibition stands - lightweight and easily constructed 

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03/04 80 wards in NHS nightingale open. framework for bed bays made from material usually used to make exhibition stands - lightweight and easily constructed 

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The UK's newest, and largest, hospital facility has taken in its first coronavirus patients needing intensive care treatment.
East London's ExCeL exhibition centre, which normally plays host to lifestyle shows, expos and conferences, has been converted into the temporary NHS Nightingale hospital, with space for 4,000 beds.

In nine days, the 87,328 square metres of double exhibition halls have been fitted out with the framework for about 80 wards, each with 42 beds. Some 500 fully-equipped beds, with oxygen and ventilators, are already in place and there is space for another 3,500.

If it did reach capacity, it would be one of the largest hospitals in the world.

Each ward is named after a different British doctor, nurse or other medical professional.

The first two wards to open will be named Lady Harriett Acland and Ethel Bedford-Fenwick after two nurses whose work in the 18th and 19th centuries paved the way for modern nursing.

How was it built?

The facility, which was officially opened on 3 April, was built with the help of up to 200 soldiers a day from the Royal Anglian Regiment and Royal Gurkha Rifles, working long shifts alongside NHS staff and contractors.

Timelapse video of NHS Nightingale being built

Architects and engineers from BDP, the firm that helped convert the centre, were part of the planning team given the task of creating the life-saving facility.

BDP Principal James Hepburn said the scale and timeframe for the construction were unlike previous healthcare projects and architects were coming up with designs almost as building needed to get under way.

The framework for individual bed bays were made from material usually used to make exhibition stands - because it is lightweight and could be constructed quickly.

Mr Hepburn said the three main challenges were:

Speed of the construction and what to build it out of

Having a reliable electrical supply - for life-saving ventilators and equipment

And being able to get medical gases to each of the beds

ExCeL's existing electrical infrastructure has been modified to ensure the power supply can cope with demand - and not cut out. Temporary generators and oxygen tanks, to supply the beds, have also been installed.

Mr Hepburn said his team has drawn up an instruction manual to share with other countries taking on similar emergency projects - and people in Australia and Canada have already contacted them.

Where will the staff come from?

The ExCeL centre's suitability for the hospital site goes beyond the functional characteristics of the building.

It is served by public transport links. The nearby London City Airport can be used to bring in supplies and equipment and there is also hotel and university accommodation close by - should it be needed.

It will be led by a team of eight senior staff, drawn from local hospitals and trusts. At capacity, the hospital will need 16,000 staff to keep it running. That will include thousands of doctors, nurses and volunteers.

"The numbers are scary," chief operating officer Natalie Forrest said. "To run one ward, including all of our ancillary staff, we need 200 members of staff."

The nursing staff is being drawn from other hospitals, as well as volunteers from St John Ambulance. Airline staff from Easyjet and Virgin Atlantic have also been approached.

Cabin crews have security clearance and many of them are also first aid-trained. The NHS says they would be changing beds, helping doctors and nurses on the wards, and performing other non-clinical tasks.

It is not a conventional walk-in hospital - only patients already on ventilators will be admitted, transferred from other intensive care units across London. They will stay at the hospital until their course of ventilation is finished.

Support services such as pharmacies and therapy treatment are also be available.

And a mortuary is also included in the NHS Nightingale design. Additional mortuary space is also being found elsewhere in the city, including Wanstead Flats in the Manor Park area of Newham, local residents have been told.

Other temporary morgues are also being set up around the UK, including at an ice rink in Milton Keynes, a crematorium in Ruislip, and at Birmingham Airport, where the hangar facility will initially have space for 1,500 bodies "but will expand to hold more".

Where are the other NHS Nightingales?

Work is already underway to expand the NHS Nightingale-style hospitals beyond London to ease pressures on regional NHS services.

Conference centres in Birmingham, Manchester and Harrogate have been transformed into NHS Nightingale hospitals over the past few weeks to serve the midlands and north of England.

Work is also underway in Glasgow and at the University of West England (UWE) in Bristol to create temporary emergency hospital sites.

Scotland's emergency facility at the SEC in Glasgow will be named NHS Louisa Jordan, after a nurse who died from typhus while serving in Serbia during an outbreak in 1915.

Belfast City Hospital's tower block has been transformed into Northern Ireland's first Nightingale hospital - a 230-bed unit staffed by a team drawn from across Northern Ireland.

An extra 6,000 beds are also being set up in Wales - many in sports and leisure facilities - to take the pressure off hospitals during the coronavirus pandemic.

Among them is the Principality Stadium, in Cardiff, the national stadium of Wales, with capacity for up to 2,000 beds, if needed.

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How the UK's newest hospital was built in nine days

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The UK's newest, and largest, hospital facility has taken in its first coronavirus patients needing intensive care treatment. East London's ExCeL exhibition centre, which normally plays host to lifestyle shows, expos and conferences, has been converted into the temporary NHS Nightingale hospital, with space for 4,000 beds.

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24/03 new NHS nightingale hospital announced, capacity for 4,000 beds and 80 wards using military planners and doctors and nurses 

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24/03 new NHS nightingale hospital announced, capacity for 4,000 beds and 80 wards using military planners and doctors and nurses 

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The NHS Nightingale Hospital, London, will be ready for use from next week.

The hospital, based at the ExCeL conference centre in East London, will initially provide up to 500 beds equipped with ventilators and oxygen.

The capacity will then continue to increase, potentially up to several thousand beds, should it be required.

NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said: "Under these exceptionally challenging circumstances the NHS is taking extraordinary steps to fight coronavirus. That's why NHS clinicians and managers are working with military planners and engineers to create, equip, staff and open the NHS Nightingale London, and we're very grateful for their support.

"This will be a model of care never needed or seen before in this country, but our specialist doctors are in touch with their counterparts internationally who are also opening facilities like this, in response to the shared global pandemic.

"Despite these amazing measures, the fact is no health service in the world will cope if coronavirus lets rip, which is why NHS staff are pleading with the public to follow medical advice - stay at home, stop the virus spreading, and save lives."

Ruth May, chief nursing officer for England, said: "This is the single biggest health challenge our country has faced in generations, and we need everyone to follow the guidance set out by government about how to stay safe and practise good hygiene.

"Nurses, midwives and care staff across the NHS and social care always step up to the plate, and I'm thrilled but unsurprised that some of my retired colleagues are ready to re-join the NHS at this crucial time for our country, which is seeing the NHS ramp up the number of beds, services and facilities to help people to manage over the coming weeks and months."

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "In the face of this unprecedented global emergency, we are taking exceptional steps to increase NHS capacity so we can treat more patients, fight the virus and save lives.

"I applaud the NHS, engineers, and the military for their continued work on setting up the new NHS Nightingale Hospital so it is ready to open its doors next week - a remarkable feat in these challenging circumstances."

Military personnel have been involved in the planning stages and continue to support NHS England by providing infrastructure, logistics and project management advice.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: "Our military planners and engineers are working hand in hand with the NHS to support their development of the NHS Nightingale Hospital. The Armed Forces have already been distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) to meet the increased demand and we stand ready to assist further in any capacity needed.

"The NHS and our Armed Forces are both world leaders in their fields, and this ambitious project is just one example of what can be achieved when they come together to help the nation."

The ExCeL London Centre is being refitted to take hundreds of beds with oxygen and ventilators..

The NHS Nightingale Hospital will draw nurses, doctors and other staff from across the health service, as well as a number of military medics will also tend to patients. The majority will be NHS staff.

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New NHS nightingale hospital to fight coronavirus

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The NHS Nightingale Hospital, London, will be ready for use from next week. The hospital, based at the ExCeL conference centre in East London, will initially provide up to 500 beds equipped with ventilators and oxygen. The capacity will then continue to increase, potentially up to several thousand beds, should it be required.

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09/06 UK lowest daily death toll since 22nd march at 55 deaths 

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09/06 UK lowest daily death toll since 22nd march at 55 deaths 

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COVID-19 Timeline
December 21st 2019

Chinese epidemiologists with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention published an article on 20th January 2020 stating that the first cluster of patients with 'pneumonia of an unknown cause' had been identified on 21st December 2019
December 31st 2019 January 2nd 2020

Central Hospital of Wuhan banned its staff from discussing the disease publicly or recording them using text or image that can be used as evidence
January 8th 2020

The Chinese government agrees to accept a WHO scientific team to assist their own researchers
January 11th 2020

Chinese state media reported the first known death from an illness caused by the virus. It was a 61-year old man who was a regular customer of the market in Wuhan where the virus is believed to have originated, and had previously been found to have abdominal tumors and chronic liver disease.
January 14th 2020

Reporters from Hong Kong taken to police station after trying to film the situation within Wuhan hospital
January 20th 2020

The first confirmed cases outside mainland China occurred in Japan, South Korea and Thailand, according to the WHO.
January 21st 2020

The first confirmed case of the virus in the US in Washington State, where a man in his 30s developed symptoms after returning from a trip to Wuhan.
January 22nd 2020

Public Health England announces it is moving the risk level to the British public from 'very low' to 'low'.
January 23rd 2020 January 26th 2020 January 29th 2020 January 30th 2020

WHO declares a global health emergency amid thousands of new cases in China.
January 31st 2020 February 1st 2020

Spain confirms its first case of the coronavirus on La Gomera in the Canary Islands
February 2nd 2020

The first death of coronavirus is reported outside China, as a 44-year-old man in the Philippines dies after being infected.
February 4th 2020

The UK directs its citizens to leave China if possible
February 5th 2020

A cruise ship in Japan quarantines 3600 people after a two-week trip to Southeast Asia. 218 people onboard the ship tested positive for the virus.
February 7th 2020

The Chinese doctor Dr. Li Wenliang, who tried to ring early alarms that a cluster of infections could spin out of control, dies after contracting the virus. He was reprimanded by authorities in early January and he was forced to sign a statement denouncing his warning as an unfounded and illegal rumor.
February 11th 2020

The disease is named 'Covid-19', an acronym that stands for coronavirus disease 2019. 1113 people in China have died with 44,653 cases, and 393 cases outside of China.
February 14th 2020 February 17th 2020

China said it was reviewing its trade and consumption of wildlife, which has been identified as a probable source of the outbreak
February 19th 2020

443 passengers leave the Diamond Princess cruises ship. A total of 621 people aboard the ship were infected.
February 21st 2020 February 23rd 2020 February 24th 2020 February 26th 2020

Latin America reports its first coronavirus case, as Brazilian health officials said that a 61-year-old Sao Paulo man, returning from Italy, tested positive for the virus.
February 28th 2020

800 people are now infected in Italy, and cases in 14 other European countries remain an area of concern

Sub-Saharan Africa records its first infection.

The first British victim dies of coronavirus onboard the Diamond Princess.

UK authorities confirm the first case of the illness to be passed on inside the country.

The worst week for the global stock markets since the 2008 financial crash.

The WHO raises the coronavirus alert to the highest level.

February 29th 2020

The US records its first coronavirus death and announces travel restrictions of 'do not travel' warnings for areas in Italy and South Korea. It also bans all travel to Iran and bars entry to any foreign citizen who had visited Iran in the previous 14 days.
March 4th 2020 March 10th 2020 March 11th 2020 March 13th 2020 March 16th 2020 March 17th 2020 March 18th 2020

The UK government announces most schools across England will be shut down from Friday until further notice. Wales and Scotland announce they will also close schools.
March 19th 2020

For the first time, China reports zero local infections, a milestone in the fight against the pandemic. Experts said the country would need to see at least 14 consecutive days without new infections for the outbreak to be considered over. 34 new cases were confirmed among people who had arrived in China from elsewhere.
March 20th 2020 March 23rd 2020 March 24th 2020

Tokyo Olympics likely to be postponed - according to a member of the International Olympic Committee, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics - set to begin in August - will be postponed. Australia and Canada have already announced that their athletes will not compete
March 25th 2020

Prince Charles tests positive for the coronavirus.

In the US, negotiators strike a deal on a $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package intended to assist businesses and millions of Americans amid the halt in the US economy. The bill includes $1,200 for individuals earning up to $75,000, $100 billion for health care providers, and $58 billion for the US airline industry. It would also include $2,400 per month for up to four months to the unemployed. $500 billion goes to industry loans that corporations, cities, and states can apply for.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown of the country's 1.3 billion residents. India has only recorded 536 cases of COVID-19 so far.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro rails against coronavirus measures being taken in his country, as local officials take preparedness into their own hands.

March 26th 2020 March 27th 2020 March 28th 2020

European COmmission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU 'looked into the abyss' in the early days of the crisis but now it has the chance to reinvent itself.

French President Emmanuel Macron issues a plea for European solidarity to fight the coronavirus crisis, saying 'I don't want a selfish and divided Europe'

Belgium extend confinement measures until 19th April

UK Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, announces he is self-isolating after experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus

March 29th 2020 March 30th 2020 March 31st 2020 April 1st 2020 April 2nd 2020

The number of worldwide coronavirus cases passes one million.
April 3rd 2020

German Chancellor Angela Merkel returns to her office after isolating as her physician tested positive for the coronavirus.
April 5th 2020 April 6th 2020 April 7th 2020

European finance ministers meet to discuss a range of options to support the bloc's economy.

The messaging service WhatsApp announces it is introducing limits to its forwarding service in order to combat disinformation. The application has been a hotbed for the spread of fake news relating to the coronavirus outbreak.

US stock market indices rise for the second day in a row to hit their highest level since 11th March.

The airline industry cuts 90% of its flights in Europe.

April 8th 2020 April 9th 2020 April 10th 2020 April 11th 2020

Italy extends its lockdown until May 3rd.

Yemen records its first case.

Brazil reports more than 1,000 COVID-19 deaths.

April 12th 2020 April 13th 2020 April 14th 2020 April 15th 2020 April 16th 2020 April 17th 2020

US President Donald Trump announces that the US will be reopened in phases.

The Economist Intelligence Unit announce that the world economy may face a double recession.

The number of confirmed virus cases in the US reaches 700,000.

Hospitals in Japan on the brink of collapse due to new wave of infections.

NHS bosses to ask Doctors and nurses to work without some PPE as supplies begin to run out.

Ecuador see's surge in death count, with the Guayas province a hotbed for the virus

Two men in Tunisia, including a suspected Jihadist, detained over plot to infect members of the security force with COVID-19.

April 18th 2020 April 19th 2020 April 20th 2020

US oil prices dip below zero for the first time on record.

New Zealand and South Korea plan to relax lockdown restrictions.

Italy and Spain report falls in their daily death tolls.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro joins anti-lockdown protests.

Ghana eases lockdown restrictions.

The Coogee, Maroubra and Clovelly beaches in Sydney, Australia have reopened to 'ease mental strain', but social distancing rules are still in place.

Ugandan Independent MP Francis Zaake arrested for distributing food to his constituents in the Mityana district.

India begins easing some lockdown restrictions, especially on agricultural businesses, in order to ease pressure on farming.

April 21st 2020 April 22nd 2020

South Africa announce relief package worth $26bn (£21bn) intended to protect companies and three million workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, President Cyril Ramaphosa has also taken the decision to deploy an extra 73,180 soldiers of the South African national defence force to enforce lockdown.

Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio to self-isolate over virus fears due to one of his bodyguards testing positive for COVID-19.

UK human COVID-19 vaccine trials start.

Italy sees its first drop in active cases, with 127 fewer patients in hospitals.

US state of Missouri announces it is suing China over the crisis.

US President Donald Trump announced a 60 day ban on the distribution of green cards to immigrants, an authorisation that allows someone to live and work in the US on a permanent basis.

April 23rd, 2020 April 24th, 2020

Algeria ease lockdown measures around the capital of Algiers for the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.

The World Trade Organisation reports that 80 countries are limiting the export of face masks and other PPE.

Costa Rica reports a steady fall in the number of COVID-19 cases, amidst the struggles of fellow South American countries.

The UK will host a 'global vaccines summit' on June 4thto encourage nations to come together to support the development of a global COVID-19 vaccine.

At least 150 doctors have died in Italy from COVID-19

April 25th, 2020 April 26th, 2020 April 27th, 2020

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson returns to work after recovering from COVID-19.

France, Italy and Spain all prepare to ease lockdown restrictions.

French researchers prepare to launch human trial to test whether nicotine helps the body combat COVID-19.

Ghana plans to build 90 new hospitals in the wake of the pandemic.

The president of EL Salvador Nayib Bukele claims that criminal gangs are taking advantage of the pandemic, with over 50 people murdered between the 24thand 26th of the month.

April 28th: US reaches 1 million COVID-19 cases.

Australia begins to ease lockdown restrictions.

Greece prepares to ease lockdown restrictions from next week.

France cancels its 2019-20 football Ligue 1 season.

April 29th, 2020

US GDP falls 4.8% in worst economic decline since 2008.

The International Labour Organisation reports that nearly half of the global workforce risk losing their livelihoods due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is reported that over 12 million Italian workers have requested emergency funds.

Switzerland to further ease restrictions on May 11th.

Ghana lifts lockdown restrictions.

April 30th, 2020 May 1st, 2020

UK providing 100,000 COVID-19 tests a day.
May 2nd, 2020 May 3rd, 2020 May 4th, 2020 May 5th, 2020

Australia and New Zealand plan 'travel bubble' that would allow quarantine-free flow of people between the two neighbouring countries.

Spain allows people outside to exercise for the first time in two weeks.

WHO announces there are 108 potential COVID-19 vaccines in development around the world, with 8 approved for clinical trials.

Belarus to hold annual military parade commemorating the end of World War 2 on May 9thdespite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hong Kong to begin relaxing social distancing measures from Friday the 8thof May.

Russia surpasses 150,000 COVID-19 cases.

May 6th, 2020 May 7th, 2020 May 8th, 2020

COVID-19 cases in Russia continue to rise, with 10,699 newly recorded cases.
May 9th, 2020 May 10th, 2020 May 11th, 2020 May 12th, 2020 May 13th, 2020

US death toll passes 80,000.

Carbon emissions in India drop for the first time in four decades.

Belgium to open museums and some school classes from May 18th.

Saudi Arabia to reimpose lockdown restrictions on May 23rd.

US Embassy in Tanzania claims that the country is at risk of a large growth in COVID-19 cases amidst President John Magalufi's accusations that the crisis has been exaggerated by health officials.

May 14th, 2020 May 15th, 2020 May 16th, 2020

India's COVID-19 cases rise to 85,940, surpassing China.

Italy to reopen shops on May 18th, and lift travel restrictions from June 3rd.

Brazil's COVID-19 deaths passes 15,000.

Zhong Nanshan, the top respiratory authority in China, says the country are still at a high risk of a second wave of COVID-19 infections.

Spain to reopen some public places, including hotels.

May 17th, 2020 May 18th, 2020

Cafes, restaurants and pubs in Denmark begin to reopen.

US health secretary Alex Azar accuses WHO of allowing the COVID-19 pandemic to 'spin out of control.'

first case of coronavirus confirmed in the indigenous Waorani community in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Both Spanish footballers and English footballers in the premier league to begin training in small group as prospects of top-level sport returning increase.

The Czech Republic lifts state of emergency.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron propose a 500 Billion Euro German-French scheme to aid European recovery

May 19th, 2020

Brazil see's record raise in both cases at 17,4018, and deaths at 1,179.

Iraq to reimpose curfew from May 28thduring Eid al-Fitr holiday.

COVID-19 lockdowns have reduced global carbon emissions to the lowest level in 15 years.

Germany announces that over 20,000 health care workers have been infected with COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin released from hospital after treatment for COVID-19.

May 20th, 2020

The WHO reports largest single day increase in COVID-19 cases, with 106,000 newly recorded infections.

Cambridge University announce all lectures will be held online in the next academic year.

Spanish parliament votes to extend the countries state of emergency for another two weeks.

Greece to reopen the country to foreign visitors from some countries with low infection rates from June 15th.

Cuba reports that the country has gone a week without a single COVID-19 related death.

Switzerland to allow places of worship to reopen from May 28th.

May 21st, 2020 May 22nd, 2020

Peruvian president Martin Vizcarra extends the nationwide lockdown until June 30th.

COVID-19 cases in Africa pass 100,000.

US President Donald Trump directs states to reopen places of worship, deeming them 'essential.'

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Italy continues to fall, with numbers falling to 59,322.

Travellers entering the UK will have to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning June 8th.

May 23rd, 2020 May 24th, 2020

Schools in New South Wales in Australia to reopen from the 31st.

US President Donald Trump bans entry to the US for anyone who has been in Brazil 14 days prior to their arrival.

South Africa to reopen the majority of its economy, with schools beginning to reopen and most sectors to reopen with strict health and safety measures.

UK schools to begin phased reopening beginning June 1stwith year one and year six, and then on June 15th year ten and year twelve.

White House economic advisor says that US unemployment levels will reach north of 20% by the end of May.

May 25th, 2020 May 26th, 2020 May 27th, 2020 May 28th, 2020

Brazil sees record number of COVID-19 infections with 26,417 new cases.

Spain to further decrease lockdown restrictions from 1st June as the country enters its phase two.

Turkey announces restaurants and cafés to reopen June 1st.

Jordan announces plans to reopen places of worship from June 5th.

May 29th, 2020

The WHO's Covid-19 special envoy Dr David Nabarro, warns "this virus has not gone away" despite lockdowns being eased.

Cases in Seoul, the South Korean capital continue to rise after second outbreak.

Lockdown restrictions in England continue to ease, with groups of up to six people allowed to meet from June 1st, whilst maintaining strict social distancing rules.

English Premier League football set to return from June 17th.

May 30th, 2020 May 31st, 2020 June 1st, 2020 June 2nd, 2020 June 5th, 2020

The WHO calls for nations to encourage the increased use of face mask coverings.

UK COVID-19 death toll surpasses 40,000.

Mexico sees record increase in COVID-19 cases, with 4,442 new infections.

UK makes masks compulsory on public transport, starting June 15th.

June 6th, 2020 June 7th, 2020 June 8th, 2020 June 9th, 2020

Global COVID-19 cases reaches 7 million.

UK records lowest daily COVID-19 death toll since March 22nd, with 55 deaths.

Moscow relaxes lockdown restrictions, allowing free movement around the city.

All COVID-19 restrictions in New Zealand, except overseas travel, have been relaxed. No new infections have been reported in the country for two weeks.

June 10th, 2020 June 11th, 2020 June 12th, 2020

French government to lift travel restrictions on internal European borders on June 15th.

Chile reports a spike in COVID-19 cases, the country currently has 160,846 confirmed cases.

UK to review its 14-day quarantine on those travelling into the country on June 29th.

June 13th, 2020

US President Donald Trump declares the US will 'vanquish' and 'extinguish' COVID-19.

Florida researchers say experiments suggest that the COVID-19 pathogen has mutated in a way that makes It infect human cells easier.

El Salvador announces plans to reopen and restart is economy, beginning June 16th.

June 14th, 2020

Worldwide COVID-19 death count surpasses 300,000.

Over 600,000 people have become unemployed in Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brazil tops 200,000 COVID-19 cases.

Northern Ireland announces it will begin easing lockdown restrictions from Monday 15thof June.

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COVID-19 Timeline - British Foreign Policy Group

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December 21st 2019 Chinese epidemiologists with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention published an article on 20th January 2020 stating that the first cluster of patients with 'pneumonia of an unknown cause' had been identified on 21st December 2019 December 31st 2019 January 2nd 2020 Central Hospital of

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05/05 WHO calls for nations to encourage the use of face coverings 

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05/05 WHO calls for nations to encourage the use of face coverings 

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UK death toll passes 40,000

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COVID-19 Timeline
December 21st 2019

Chinese epidemiologists with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention published an article on 20th January 2020 stating that the first cluster of patients with 'pneumonia of an unknown cause' had been identified on 21st December 2019
December 31st 2019 January 2nd 2020

Central Hospital of Wuhan banned its staff from discussing the disease publicly or recording them using text or image that can be used as evidence
January 8th 2020

The Chinese government agrees to accept a WHO scientific team to assist their own researchers
January 11th 2020

Chinese state media reported the first known death from an illness caused by the virus. It was a 61-year old man who was a regular customer of the market in Wuhan where the virus is believed to have originated, and had previously been found to have abdominal tumors and chronic liver disease.
January 14th 2020

Reporters from Hong Kong taken to police station after trying to film the situation within Wuhan hospital
January 20th 2020

The first confirmed cases outside mainland China occurred in Japan, South Korea and Thailand, according to the WHO.
January 21st 2020

The first confirmed case of the virus in the US in Washington State, where a man in his 30s developed symptoms after returning from a trip to Wuhan.
January 22nd 2020

Public Health England announces it is moving the risk level to the British public from 'very low' to 'low'.
January 23rd 2020 January 26th 2020 January 29th 2020 January 30th 2020

WHO declares a global health emergency amid thousands of new cases in China.
January 31st 2020 February 1st 2020

Spain confirms its first case of the coronavirus on La Gomera in the Canary Islands
February 2nd 2020

The first death of coronavirus is reported outside China, as a 44-year-old man in the Philippines dies after being infected.
February 4th 2020

The UK directs its citizens to leave China if possible
February 5th 2020

A cruise ship in Japan quarantines 3600 people after a two-week trip to Southeast Asia. 218 people onboard the ship tested positive for the virus.
February 7th 2020

The Chinese doctor Dr. Li Wenliang, who tried to ring early alarms that a cluster of infections could spin out of control, dies after contracting the virus. He was reprimanded by authorities in early January and he was forced to sign a statement denouncing his warning as an unfounded and illegal rumor.
February 11th 2020

The disease is named 'Covid-19', an acronym that stands for coronavirus disease 2019. 1113 people in China have died with 44,653 cases, and 393 cases outside of China.
February 14th 2020 February 17th 2020

China said it was reviewing its trade and consumption of wildlife, which has been identified as a probable source of the outbreak
February 19th 2020

443 passengers leave the Diamond Princess cruises ship. A total of 621 people aboard the ship were infected.
February 21st 2020 February 23rd 2020 February 24th 2020 February 26th 2020

Latin America reports its first coronavirus case, as Brazilian health officials said that a 61-year-old Sao Paulo man, returning from Italy, tested positive for the virus.
February 28th 2020

800 people are now infected in Italy, and cases in 14 other European countries remain an area of concern

Sub-Saharan Africa records its first infection.

The first British victim dies of coronavirus onboard the Diamond Princess.

UK authorities confirm the first case of the illness to be passed on inside the country.

The worst week for the global stock markets since the 2008 financial crash.

The WHO raises the coronavirus alert to the highest level.

February 29th 2020

The US records its first coronavirus death and announces travel restrictions of 'do not travel' warnings for areas in Italy and South Korea. It also bans all travel to Iran and bars entry to any foreign citizen who had visited Iran in the previous 14 days.
March 4th 2020 March 10th 2020 March 11th 2020 March 13th 2020 March 16th 2020 March 17th 2020 March 18th 2020

The UK government announces most schools across England will be shut down from Friday until further notice. Wales and Scotland announce they will also close schools.
March 19th 2020

For the first time, China reports zero local infections, a milestone in the fight against the pandemic. Experts said the country would need to see at least 14 consecutive days without new infections for the outbreak to be considered over. 34 new cases were confirmed among people who had arrived in China from elsewhere.
March 20th 2020 March 23rd 2020 March 24th 2020

Tokyo Olympics likely to be postponed - according to a member of the International Olympic Committee, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics - set to begin in August - will be postponed. Australia and Canada have already announced that their athletes will not compete
March 25th 2020

Prince Charles tests positive for the coronavirus.

In the US, negotiators strike a deal on a $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package intended to assist businesses and millions of Americans amid the halt in the US economy. The bill includes $1,200 for individuals earning up to $75,000, $100 billion for health care providers, and $58 billion for the US airline industry. It would also include $2,400 per month for up to four months to the unemployed. $500 billion goes to industry loans that corporations, cities, and states can apply for.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown of the country's 1.3 billion residents. India has only recorded 536 cases of COVID-19 so far.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro rails against coronavirus measures being taken in his country, as local officials take preparedness into their own hands.

March 26th 2020 March 27th 2020 March 28th 2020

European COmmission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU 'looked into the abyss' in the early days of the crisis but now it has the chance to reinvent itself.

French President Emmanuel Macron issues a plea for European solidarity to fight the coronavirus crisis, saying 'I don't want a selfish and divided Europe'

Belgium extend confinement measures until 19th April

UK Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, announces he is self-isolating after experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus

March 29th 2020 March 30th 2020 March 31st 2020 April 1st 2020 April 2nd 2020

The number of worldwide coronavirus cases passes one million.
April 3rd 2020

German Chancellor Angela Merkel returns to her office after isolating as her physician tested positive for the coronavirus.
April 5th 2020 April 6th 2020 April 7th 2020

European finance ministers meet to discuss a range of options to support the bloc's economy.

The messaging service WhatsApp announces it is introducing limits to its forwarding service in order to combat disinformation. The application has been a hotbed for the spread of fake news relating to the coronavirus outbreak.

US stock market indices rise for the second day in a row to hit their highest level since 11th March.

The airline industry cuts 90% of its flights in Europe.

April 8th 2020 April 9th 2020 April 10th 2020 April 11th 2020

Italy extends its lockdown until May 3rd.

Yemen records its first case.

Brazil reports more than 1,000 COVID-19 deaths.

April 12th 2020 April 13th 2020 April 14th 2020 April 15th 2020 April 16th 2020 April 17th 2020

US President Donald Trump announces that the US will be reopened in phases.

The Economist Intelligence Unit announce that the world economy may face a double recession.

The number of confirmed virus cases in the US reaches 700,000.

Hospitals in Japan on the brink of collapse due to new wave of infections.

NHS bosses to ask Doctors and nurses to work without some PPE as supplies begin to run out.

Ecuador see's surge in death count, with the Guayas province a hotbed for the virus

Two men in Tunisia, including a suspected Jihadist, detained over plot to infect members of the security force with COVID-19.

April 18th 2020 April 19th 2020 April 20th 2020

US oil prices dip below zero for the first time on record.

New Zealand and South Korea plan to relax lockdown restrictions.

Italy and Spain report falls in their daily death tolls.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro joins anti-lockdown protests.

Ghana eases lockdown restrictions.

The Coogee, Maroubra and Clovelly beaches in Sydney, Australia have reopened to 'ease mental strain', but social distancing rules are still in place.

Ugandan Independent MP Francis Zaake arrested for distributing food to his constituents in the Mityana district.

India begins easing some lockdown restrictions, especially on agricultural businesses, in order to ease pressure on farming.

April 21st 2020 April 22nd 2020

South Africa announce relief package worth $26bn (£21bn) intended to protect companies and three million workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, President Cyril Ramaphosa has also taken the decision to deploy an extra 73,180 soldiers of the South African national defence force to enforce lockdown.

Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio to self-isolate over virus fears due to one of his bodyguards testing positive for COVID-19.

UK human COVID-19 vaccine trials start.

Italy sees its first drop in active cases, with 127 fewer patients in hospitals.

US state of Missouri announces it is suing China over the crisis.

US President Donald Trump announced a 60 day ban on the distribution of green cards to immigrants, an authorisation that allows someone to live and work in the US on a permanent basis.

April 23rd, 2020 April 24th, 2020

Algeria ease lockdown measures around the capital of Algiers for the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.

The World Trade Organisation reports that 80 countries are limiting the export of face masks and other PPE.

Costa Rica reports a steady fall in the number of COVID-19 cases, amidst the struggles of fellow South American countries.

The UK will host a 'global vaccines summit' on June 4thto encourage nations to come together to support the development of a global COVID-19 vaccine.

At least 150 doctors have died in Italy from COVID-19

April 25th, 2020 April 26th, 2020 April 27th, 2020

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson returns to work after recovering from COVID-19.

France, Italy and Spain all prepare to ease lockdown restrictions.

French researchers prepare to launch human trial to test whether nicotine helps the body combat COVID-19.

Ghana plans to build 90 new hospitals in the wake of the pandemic.

The president of EL Salvador Nayib Bukele claims that criminal gangs are taking advantage of the pandemic, with over 50 people murdered between the 24thand 26th of the month.

April 28th: US reaches 1 million COVID-19 cases.

Australia begins to ease lockdown restrictions.

Greece prepares to ease lockdown restrictions from next week.

France cancels its 2019-20 football Ligue 1 season.

April 29th, 2020

US GDP falls 4.8% in worst economic decline since 2008.

The International Labour Organisation reports that nearly half of the global workforce risk losing their livelihoods due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is reported that over 12 million Italian workers have requested emergency funds.

Switzerland to further ease restrictions on May 11th.

Ghana lifts lockdown restrictions.

April 30th, 2020 May 1st, 2020

UK providing 100,000 COVID-19 tests a day.
May 2nd, 2020 May 3rd, 2020 May 4th, 2020 May 5th, 2020

Australia and New Zealand plan 'travel bubble' that would allow quarantine-free flow of people between the two neighbouring countries.

Spain allows people outside to exercise for the first time in two weeks.

WHO announces there are 108 potential COVID-19 vaccines in development around the world, with 8 approved for clinical trials.

Belarus to hold annual military parade commemorating the end of World War 2 on May 9thdespite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hong Kong to begin relaxing social distancing measures from Friday the 8thof May.

Russia surpasses 150,000 COVID-19 cases.

May 6th, 2020 May 7th, 2020 May 8th, 2020

COVID-19 cases in Russia continue to rise, with 10,699 newly recorded cases.
May 9th, 2020 May 10th, 2020 May 11th, 2020 May 12th, 2020 May 13th, 2020

US death toll passes 80,000.

Carbon emissions in India drop for the first time in four decades.

Belgium to open museums and some school classes from May 18th.

Saudi Arabia to reimpose lockdown restrictions on May 23rd.

US Embassy in Tanzania claims that the country is at risk of a large growth in COVID-19 cases amidst President John Magalufi's accusations that the crisis has been exaggerated by health officials.

May 14th, 2020 May 15th, 2020 May 16th, 2020

India's COVID-19 cases rise to 85,940, surpassing China.

Italy to reopen shops on May 18th, and lift travel restrictions from June 3rd.

Brazil's COVID-19 deaths passes 15,000.

Zhong Nanshan, the top respiratory authority in China, says the country are still at a high risk of a second wave of COVID-19 infections.

Spain to reopen some public places, including hotels.

May 17th, 2020 May 18th, 2020

Cafes, restaurants and pubs in Denmark begin to reopen.

US health secretary Alex Azar accuses WHO of allowing the COVID-19 pandemic to 'spin out of control.'

first case of coronavirus confirmed in the indigenous Waorani community in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Both Spanish footballers and English footballers in the premier league to begin training in small group as prospects of top-level sport returning increase.

The Czech Republic lifts state of emergency.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron propose a 500 Billion Euro German-French scheme to aid European recovery

May 19th, 2020

Brazil see's record raise in both cases at 17,4018, and deaths at 1,179.

Iraq to reimpose curfew from May 28thduring Eid al-Fitr holiday.

COVID-19 lockdowns have reduced global carbon emissions to the lowest level in 15 years.

Germany announces that over 20,000 health care workers have been infected with COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin released from hospital after treatment for COVID-19.

May 20th, 2020

The WHO reports largest single day increase in COVID-19 cases, with 106,000 newly recorded infections.

Cambridge University announce all lectures will be held online in the next academic year.

Spanish parliament votes to extend the countries state of emergency for another two weeks.

Greece to reopen the country to foreign visitors from some countries with low infection rates from June 15th.

Cuba reports that the country has gone a week without a single COVID-19 related death.

Switzerland to allow places of worship to reopen from May 28th.

May 21st, 2020 May 22nd, 2020

Peruvian president Martin Vizcarra extends the nationwide lockdown until June 30th.

COVID-19 cases in Africa pass 100,000.

US President Donald Trump directs states to reopen places of worship, deeming them 'essential.'

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Italy continues to fall, with numbers falling to 59,322.

Travellers entering the UK will have to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning June 8th.

May 23rd, 2020 May 24th, 2020

Schools in New South Wales in Australia to reopen from the 31st.

US President Donald Trump bans entry to the US for anyone who has been in Brazil 14 days prior to their arrival.

South Africa to reopen the majority of its economy, with schools beginning to reopen and most sectors to reopen with strict health and safety measures.

UK schools to begin phased reopening beginning June 1stwith year one and year six, and then on June 15th year ten and year twelve.

White House economic advisor says that US unemployment levels will reach north of 20% by the end of May.

May 25th, 2020 May 26th, 2020 May 27th, 2020 May 28th, 2020

Brazil sees record number of COVID-19 infections with 26,417 new cases.

Spain to further decrease lockdown restrictions from 1st June as the country enters its phase two.

Turkey announces restaurants and cafés to reopen June 1st.

Jordan announces plans to reopen places of worship from June 5th.

May 29th, 2020

The WHO's Covid-19 special envoy Dr David Nabarro, warns "this virus has not gone away" despite lockdowns being eased.

Cases in Seoul, the South Korean capital continue to rise after second outbreak.

Lockdown restrictions in England continue to ease, with groups of up to six people allowed to meet from June 1st, whilst maintaining strict social distancing rules.

English Premier League football set to return from June 17th.

May 30th, 2020 May 31st, 2020 June 1st, 2020 June 2nd, 2020 June 5th, 2020

The WHO calls for nations to encourage the increased use of face mask coverings.

UK COVID-19 death toll surpasses 40,000.

Mexico sees record increase in COVID-19 cases, with 4,442 new infections.

UK makes masks compulsory on public transport, starting June 15th.

June 6th, 2020 June 7th, 2020 June 8th, 2020 June 9th, 2020

Global COVID-19 cases reaches 7 million.

UK records lowest daily COVID-19 death toll since March 22nd, with 55 deaths.

Moscow relaxes lockdown restrictions, allowing free movement around the city.

All COVID-19 restrictions in New Zealand, except overseas travel, have been relaxed. No new infections have been reported in the country for two weeks.

June 10th, 2020 June 11th, 2020 June 12th, 2020

French government to lift travel restrictions on internal European borders on June 15th.

Chile reports a spike in COVID-19 cases, the country currently has 160,846 confirmed cases.

UK to review its 14-day quarantine on those travelling into the country on June 29th.

June 13th, 2020

US President Donald Trump declares the US will 'vanquish' and 'extinguish' COVID-19.

Florida researchers say experiments suggest that the COVID-19 pathogen has mutated in a way that makes It infect human cells easier.

El Salvador announces plans to reopen and restart is economy, beginning June 16th.

June 14th, 2020

Worldwide COVID-19 death count surpasses 300,000.

Over 600,000 people have become unemployed in Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brazil tops 200,000 COVID-19 cases.

Northern Ireland announces it will begin easing lockdown restrictions from Monday 15thof June.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
COVID-19 Timeline - British Foreign Policy Group

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
December 21st 2019 Chinese epidemiologists with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention published an article on 20th January 2020 stating that the first cluster of patients with 'pneumonia of an unknown cause' had been identified on 21st December 2019 December 31st 2019 January 2nd 2020 Central Hospital of

# data[].attributes.headline
29/05 can meet of groups of up to 6 outside in a public space, socially distanced 

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29/05 can meet of groups of up to 6 outside in a public space, socially distanced 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
COVID-19 Timeline
December 21st 2019

Chinese epidemiologists with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention published an article on 20th January 2020 stating that the first cluster of patients with 'pneumonia of an unknown cause' had been identified on 21st December 2019
December 31st 2019 January 2nd 2020

Central Hospital of Wuhan banned its staff from discussing the disease publicly or recording them using text or image that can be used as evidence
January 8th 2020

The Chinese government agrees to accept a WHO scientific team to assist their own researchers
January 11th 2020

Chinese state media reported the first known death from an illness caused by the virus. It was a 61-year old man who was a regular customer of the market in Wuhan where the virus is believed to have originated, and had previously been found to have abdominal tumors and chronic liver disease.
January 14th 2020

Reporters from Hong Kong taken to police station after trying to film the situation within Wuhan hospital
January 20th 2020

The first confirmed cases outside mainland China occurred in Japan, South Korea and Thailand, according to the WHO.
January 21st 2020

The first confirmed case of the virus in the US in Washington State, where a man in his 30s developed symptoms after returning from a trip to Wuhan.
January 22nd 2020

Public Health England announces it is moving the risk level to the British public from 'very low' to 'low'.
January 23rd 2020 January 26th 2020 January 29th 2020 January 30th 2020

WHO declares a global health emergency amid thousands of new cases in China.
January 31st 2020 February 1st 2020

Spain confirms its first case of the coronavirus on La Gomera in the Canary Islands
February 2nd 2020

The first death of coronavirus is reported outside China, as a 44-year-old man in the Philippines dies after being infected.
February 4th 2020

The UK directs its citizens to leave China if possible
February 5th 2020

A cruise ship in Japan quarantines 3600 people after a two-week trip to Southeast Asia. 218 people onboard the ship tested positive for the virus.
February 7th 2020

The Chinese doctor Dr. Li Wenliang, who tried to ring early alarms that a cluster of infections could spin out of control, dies after contracting the virus. He was reprimanded by authorities in early January and he was forced to sign a statement denouncing his warning as an unfounded and illegal rumor.
February 11th 2020

The disease is named 'Covid-19', an acronym that stands for coronavirus disease 2019. 1113 people in China have died with 44,653 cases, and 393 cases outside of China.
February 14th 2020 February 17th 2020

China said it was reviewing its trade and consumption of wildlife, which has been identified as a probable source of the outbreak
February 19th 2020

443 passengers leave the Diamond Princess cruises ship. A total of 621 people aboard the ship were infected.
February 21st 2020 February 23rd 2020 February 24th 2020 February 26th 2020

Latin America reports its first coronavirus case, as Brazilian health officials said that a 61-year-old Sao Paulo man, returning from Italy, tested positive for the virus.
February 28th 2020

800 people are now infected in Italy, and cases in 14 other European countries remain an area of concern

Sub-Saharan Africa records its first infection.

The first British victim dies of coronavirus onboard the Diamond Princess.

UK authorities confirm the first case of the illness to be passed on inside the country.

The worst week for the global stock markets since the 2008 financial crash.

The WHO raises the coronavirus alert to the highest level.

February 29th 2020

The US records its first coronavirus death and announces travel restrictions of 'do not travel' warnings for areas in Italy and South Korea. It also bans all travel to Iran and bars entry to any foreign citizen who had visited Iran in the previous 14 days.
March 4th 2020 March 10th 2020 March 11th 2020 March 13th 2020 March 16th 2020 March 17th 2020 March 18th 2020

The UK government announces most schools across England will be shut down from Friday until further notice. Wales and Scotland announce they will also close schools.
March 19th 2020

For the first time, China reports zero local infections, a milestone in the fight against the pandemic. Experts said the country would need to see at least 14 consecutive days without new infections for the outbreak to be considered over. 34 new cases were confirmed among people who had arrived in China from elsewhere.
March 20th 2020 March 23rd 2020 March 24th 2020

Tokyo Olympics likely to be postponed - according to a member of the International Olympic Committee, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics - set to begin in August - will be postponed. Australia and Canada have already announced that their athletes will not compete
March 25th 2020

Prince Charles tests positive for the coronavirus.

In the US, negotiators strike a deal on a $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package intended to assist businesses and millions of Americans amid the halt in the US economy. The bill includes $1,200 for individuals earning up to $75,000, $100 billion for health care providers, and $58 billion for the US airline industry. It would also include $2,400 per month for up to four months to the unemployed. $500 billion goes to industry loans that corporations, cities, and states can apply for.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown of the country's 1.3 billion residents. India has only recorded 536 cases of COVID-19 so far.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro rails against coronavirus measures being taken in his country, as local officials take preparedness into their own hands.

March 26th 2020 March 27th 2020 March 28th 2020

European COmmission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU 'looked into the abyss' in the early days of the crisis but now it has the chance to reinvent itself.

French President Emmanuel Macron issues a plea for European solidarity to fight the coronavirus crisis, saying 'I don't want a selfish and divided Europe'

Belgium extend confinement measures until 19th April

UK Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, announces he is self-isolating after experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus

March 29th 2020 March 30th 2020 March 31st 2020 April 1st 2020 April 2nd 2020

The number of worldwide coronavirus cases passes one million.
April 3rd 2020

German Chancellor Angela Merkel returns to her office after isolating as her physician tested positive for the coronavirus.
April 5th 2020 April 6th 2020 April 7th 2020

European finance ministers meet to discuss a range of options to support the bloc's economy.

The messaging service WhatsApp announces it is introducing limits to its forwarding service in order to combat disinformation. The application has been a hotbed for the spread of fake news relating to the coronavirus outbreak.

US stock market indices rise for the second day in a row to hit their highest level since 11th March.

The airline industry cuts 90% of its flights in Europe.

April 8th 2020 April 9th 2020 April 10th 2020 April 11th 2020

Italy extends its lockdown until May 3rd.

Yemen records its first case.

Brazil reports more than 1,000 COVID-19 deaths.

April 12th 2020 April 13th 2020 April 14th 2020 April 15th 2020 April 16th 2020 April 17th 2020

US President Donald Trump announces that the US will be reopened in phases.

The Economist Intelligence Unit announce that the world economy may face a double recession.

The number of confirmed virus cases in the US reaches 700,000.

Hospitals in Japan on the brink of collapse due to new wave of infections.

NHS bosses to ask Doctors and nurses to work without some PPE as supplies begin to run out.

Ecuador see's surge in death count, with the Guayas province a hotbed for the virus

Two men in Tunisia, including a suspected Jihadist, detained over plot to infect members of the security force with COVID-19.

April 18th 2020 April 19th 2020 April 20th 2020

US oil prices dip below zero for the first time on record.

New Zealand and South Korea plan to relax lockdown restrictions.

Italy and Spain report falls in their daily death tolls.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro joins anti-lockdown protests.

Ghana eases lockdown restrictions.

The Coogee, Maroubra and Clovelly beaches in Sydney, Australia have reopened to 'ease mental strain', but social distancing rules are still in place.

Ugandan Independent MP Francis Zaake arrested for distributing food to his constituents in the Mityana district.

India begins easing some lockdown restrictions, especially on agricultural businesses, in order to ease pressure on farming.

April 21st 2020 April 22nd 2020

South Africa announce relief package worth $26bn (£21bn) intended to protect companies and three million workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, President Cyril Ramaphosa has also taken the decision to deploy an extra 73,180 soldiers of the South African national defence force to enforce lockdown.

Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio to self-isolate over virus fears due to one of his bodyguards testing positive for COVID-19.

UK human COVID-19 vaccine trials start.

Italy sees its first drop in active cases, with 127 fewer patients in hospitals.

US state of Missouri announces it is suing China over the crisis.

US President Donald Trump announced a 60 day ban on the distribution of green cards to immigrants, an authorisation that allows someone to live and work in the US on a permanent basis.

April 23rd, 2020 April 24th, 2020

Algeria ease lockdown measures around the capital of Algiers for the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.

The World Trade Organisation reports that 80 countries are limiting the export of face masks and other PPE.

Costa Rica reports a steady fall in the number of COVID-19 cases, amidst the struggles of fellow South American countries.

The UK will host a 'global vaccines summit' on June 4thto encourage nations to come together to support the development of a global COVID-19 vaccine.

At least 150 doctors have died in Italy from COVID-19

April 25th, 2020 April 26th, 2020 April 27th, 2020

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson returns to work after recovering from COVID-19.

France, Italy and Spain all prepare to ease lockdown restrictions.

French researchers prepare to launch human trial to test whether nicotine helps the body combat COVID-19.

Ghana plans to build 90 new hospitals in the wake of the pandemic.

The president of EL Salvador Nayib Bukele claims that criminal gangs are taking advantage of the pandemic, with over 50 people murdered between the 24thand 26th of the month.

April 28th: US reaches 1 million COVID-19 cases.

Australia begins to ease lockdown restrictions.

Greece prepares to ease lockdown restrictions from next week.

France cancels its 2019-20 football Ligue 1 season.

April 29th, 2020

US GDP falls 4.8% in worst economic decline since 2008.

The International Labour Organisation reports that nearly half of the global workforce risk losing their livelihoods due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is reported that over 12 million Italian workers have requested emergency funds.

Switzerland to further ease restrictions on May 11th.

Ghana lifts lockdown restrictions.

April 30th, 2020 May 1st, 2020

UK providing 100,000 COVID-19 tests a day.
May 2nd, 2020 May 3rd, 2020 May 4th, 2020 May 5th, 2020

Australia and New Zealand plan 'travel bubble' that would allow quarantine-free flow of people between the two neighbouring countries.

Spain allows people outside to exercise for the first time in two weeks.

WHO announces there are 108 potential COVID-19 vaccines in development around the world, with 8 approved for clinical trials.

Belarus to hold annual military parade commemorating the end of World War 2 on May 9thdespite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hong Kong to begin relaxing social distancing measures from Friday the 8thof May.

Russia surpasses 150,000 COVID-19 cases.

May 6th, 2020 May 7th, 2020 May 8th, 2020

COVID-19 cases in Russia continue to rise, with 10,699 newly recorded cases.
May 9th, 2020 May 10th, 2020 May 11th, 2020 May 12th, 2020 May 13th, 2020

US death toll passes 80,000.

Carbon emissions in India drop for the first time in four decades.

Belgium to open museums and some school classes from May 18th.

Saudi Arabia to reimpose lockdown restrictions on May 23rd.

US Embassy in Tanzania claims that the country is at risk of a large growth in COVID-19 cases amidst President John Magalufi's accusations that the crisis has been exaggerated by health officials.

May 14th, 2020 May 15th, 2020 May 16th, 2020

India's COVID-19 cases rise to 85,940, surpassing China.

Italy to reopen shops on May 18th, and lift travel restrictions from June 3rd.

Brazil's COVID-19 deaths passes 15,000.

Zhong Nanshan, the top respiratory authority in China, says the country are still at a high risk of a second wave of COVID-19 infections.

Spain to reopen some public places, including hotels.

May 17th, 2020 May 18th, 2020

Cafes, restaurants and pubs in Denmark begin to reopen.

US health secretary Alex Azar accuses WHO of allowing the COVID-19 pandemic to 'spin out of control.'

first case of coronavirus confirmed in the indigenous Waorani community in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Both Spanish footballers and English footballers in the premier league to begin training in small group as prospects of top-level sport returning increase.

The Czech Republic lifts state of emergency.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron propose a 500 Billion Euro German-French scheme to aid European recovery

May 19th, 2020

Brazil see's record raise in both cases at 17,4018, and deaths at 1,179.

Iraq to reimpose curfew from May 28thduring Eid al-Fitr holiday.

COVID-19 lockdowns have reduced global carbon emissions to the lowest level in 15 years.

Germany announces that over 20,000 health care workers have been infected with COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin released from hospital after treatment for COVID-19.

May 20th, 2020

The WHO reports largest single day increase in COVID-19 cases, with 106,000 newly recorded infections.

Cambridge University announce all lectures will be held online in the next academic year.

Spanish parliament votes to extend the countries state of emergency for another two weeks.

Greece to reopen the country to foreign visitors from some countries with low infection rates from June 15th.

Cuba reports that the country has gone a week without a single COVID-19 related death.

Switzerland to allow places of worship to reopen from May 28th.

May 21st, 2020 May 22nd, 2020

Peruvian president Martin Vizcarra extends the nationwide lockdown until June 30th.

COVID-19 cases in Africa pass 100,000.

US President Donald Trump directs states to reopen places of worship, deeming them 'essential.'

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Italy continues to fall, with numbers falling to 59,322.

Travellers entering the UK will have to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning June 8th.

May 23rd, 2020 May 24th, 2020

Schools in New South Wales in Australia to reopen from the 31st.

US President Donald Trump bans entry to the US for anyone who has been in Brazil 14 days prior to their arrival.

South Africa to reopen the majority of its economy, with schools beginning to reopen and most sectors to reopen with strict health and safety measures.

UK schools to begin phased reopening beginning June 1stwith year one and year six, and then on June 15th year ten and year twelve.

White House economic advisor says that US unemployment levels will reach north of 20% by the end of May.

May 25th, 2020 May 26th, 2020 May 27th, 2020 May 28th, 2020

Brazil sees record number of COVID-19 infections with 26,417 new cases.

Spain to further decrease lockdown restrictions from 1st June as the country enters its phase two.

Turkey announces restaurants and cafés to reopen June 1st.

Jordan announces plans to reopen places of worship from June 5th.

May 29th, 2020

The WHO's Covid-19 special envoy Dr David Nabarro, warns "this virus has not gone away" despite lockdowns being eased.

Cases in Seoul, the South Korean capital continue to rise after second outbreak.

Lockdown restrictions in England continue to ease, with groups of up to six people allowed to meet from June 1st, whilst maintaining strict social distancing rules.

English Premier League football set to return from June 17th.

May 30th, 2020 May 31st, 2020 June 1st, 2020 June 2nd, 2020 June 5th, 2020

The WHO calls for nations to encourage the increased use of face mask coverings.

UK COVID-19 death toll surpasses 40,000.

Mexico sees record increase in COVID-19 cases, with 4,442 new infections.

UK makes masks compulsory on public transport, starting June 15th.

June 6th, 2020 June 7th, 2020 June 8th, 2020 June 9th, 2020

Global COVID-19 cases reaches 7 million.

UK records lowest daily COVID-19 death toll since March 22nd, with 55 deaths.

Moscow relaxes lockdown restrictions, allowing free movement around the city.

All COVID-19 restrictions in New Zealand, except overseas travel, have been relaxed. No new infections have been reported in the country for two weeks.

June 10th, 2020 June 11th, 2020 June 12th, 2020

French government to lift travel restrictions on internal European borders on June 15th.

Chile reports a spike in COVID-19 cases, the country currently has 160,846 confirmed cases.

UK to review its 14-day quarantine on those travelling into the country on June 29th.

June 13th, 2020

US President Donald Trump declares the US will 'vanquish' and 'extinguish' COVID-19.

Florida researchers say experiments suggest that the COVID-19 pathogen has mutated in a way that makes It infect human cells easier.

El Salvador announces plans to reopen and restart is economy, beginning June 16th.

June 14th, 2020

Worldwide COVID-19 death count surpasses 300,000.

Over 600,000 people have become unemployed in Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brazil tops 200,000 COVID-19 cases.

Northern Ireland announces it will begin easing lockdown restrictions from Monday 15thof June.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
COVID-19 Timeline - British Foreign Policy Group

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
December 21st 2019 Chinese epidemiologists with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention published an article on 20th January 2020 stating that the first cluster of patients with 'pneumonia of an unknown cause' had been identified on 21st December 2019 December 31st 2019 January 2nd 2020 Central Hospital of

# data[].attributes.body
uk highest record of daily deaths at 938 in 24 hours

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
COVID-19 Timeline
December 21st 2019

Chinese epidemiologists with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention published an article on 20th January 2020 stating that the first cluster of patients with 'pneumonia of an unknown cause' had been identified on 21st December 2019
December 31st 2019 January 2nd 2020

Central Hospital of Wuhan banned its staff from discussing the disease publicly or recording them using text or image that can be used as evidence
January 8th 2020

The Chinese government agrees to accept a WHO scientific team to assist their own researchers
January 11th 2020

Chinese state media reported the first known death from an illness caused by the virus. It was a 61-year old man who was a regular customer of the market in Wuhan where the virus is believed to have originated, and had previously been found to have abdominal tumors and chronic liver disease.
January 14th 2020

Reporters from Hong Kong taken to police station after trying to film the situation within Wuhan hospital
January 20th 2020

The first confirmed cases outside mainland China occurred in Japan, South Korea and Thailand, according to the WHO.
January 21st 2020

The first confirmed case of the virus in the US in Washington State, where a man in his 30s developed symptoms after returning from a trip to Wuhan.
January 22nd 2020

Public Health England announces it is moving the risk level to the British public from 'very low' to 'low'.
January 23rd 2020 January 26th 2020 January 29th 2020 January 30th 2020

WHO declares a global health emergency amid thousands of new cases in China.
January 31st 2020 February 1st 2020

Spain confirms its first case of the coronavirus on La Gomera in the Canary Islands
February 2nd 2020

The first death of coronavirus is reported outside China, as a 44-year-old man in the Philippines dies after being infected.
February 4th 2020

The UK directs its citizens to leave China if possible
February 5th 2020

A cruise ship in Japan quarantines 3600 people after a two-week trip to Southeast Asia. 218 people onboard the ship tested positive for the virus.
February 7th 2020

The Chinese doctor Dr. Li Wenliang, who tried to ring early alarms that a cluster of infections could spin out of control, dies after contracting the virus. He was reprimanded by authorities in early January and he was forced to sign a statement denouncing his warning as an unfounded and illegal rumor.
February 11th 2020

The disease is named 'Covid-19', an acronym that stands for coronavirus disease 2019. 1113 people in China have died with 44,653 cases, and 393 cases outside of China.
February 14th 2020 February 17th 2020

China said it was reviewing its trade and consumption of wildlife, which has been identified as a probable source of the outbreak
February 19th 2020

443 passengers leave the Diamond Princess cruises ship. A total of 621 people aboard the ship were infected.
February 21st 2020 February 23rd 2020 February 24th 2020 February 26th 2020

Latin America reports its first coronavirus case, as Brazilian health officials said that a 61-year-old Sao Paulo man, returning from Italy, tested positive for the virus.
February 28th 2020

800 people are now infected in Italy, and cases in 14 other European countries remain an area of concern

Sub-Saharan Africa records its first infection.

The first British victim dies of coronavirus onboard the Diamond Princess.

UK authorities confirm the first case of the illness to be passed on inside the country.

The worst week for the global stock markets since the 2008 financial crash.

The WHO raises the coronavirus alert to the highest level.

February 29th 2020

The US records its first coronavirus death and announces travel restrictions of 'do not travel' warnings for areas in Italy and South Korea. It also bans all travel to Iran and bars entry to any foreign citizen who had visited Iran in the previous 14 days.
March 4th 2020 March 10th 2020 March 11th 2020 March 13th 2020 March 16th 2020 March 17th 2020 March 18th 2020

The UK government announces most schools across England will be shut down from Friday until further notice. Wales and Scotland announce they will also close schools.
March 19th 2020

For the first time, China reports zero local infections, a milestone in the fight against the pandemic. Experts said the country would need to see at least 14 consecutive days without new infections for the outbreak to be considered over. 34 new cases were confirmed among people who had arrived in China from elsewhere.
March 20th 2020 March 23rd 2020 March 24th 2020

Tokyo Olympics likely to be postponed - according to a member of the International Olympic Committee, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics - set to begin in August - will be postponed. Australia and Canada have already announced that their athletes will not compete
March 25th 2020

Prince Charles tests positive for the coronavirus.

In the US, negotiators strike a deal on a $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package intended to assist businesses and millions of Americans amid the halt in the US economy. The bill includes $1,200 for individuals earning up to $75,000, $100 billion for health care providers, and $58 billion for the US airline industry. It would also include $2,400 per month for up to four months to the unemployed. $500 billion goes to industry loans that corporations, cities, and states can apply for.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown of the country's 1.3 billion residents. India has only recorded 536 cases of COVID-19 so far.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro rails against coronavirus measures being taken in his country, as local officials take preparedness into their own hands.

March 26th 2020 March 27th 2020 March 28th 2020

European COmmission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU 'looked into the abyss' in the early days of the crisis but now it has the chance to reinvent itself.

French President Emmanuel Macron issues a plea for European solidarity to fight the coronavirus crisis, saying 'I don't want a selfish and divided Europe'

Belgium extend confinement measures until 19th April

UK Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, announces he is self-isolating after experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus

March 29th 2020 March 30th 2020 March 31st 2020 April 1st 2020 April 2nd 2020

The number of worldwide coronavirus cases passes one million.
April 3rd 2020

German Chancellor Angela Merkel returns to her office after isolating as her physician tested positive for the coronavirus.
April 5th 2020 April 6th 2020 April 7th 2020

European finance ministers meet to discuss a range of options to support the bloc's economy.

The messaging service WhatsApp announces it is introducing limits to its forwarding service in order to combat disinformation. The application has been a hotbed for the spread of fake news relating to the coronavirus outbreak.

US stock market indices rise for the second day in a row to hit their highest level since 11th March.

The airline industry cuts 90% of its flights in Europe.

April 8th 2020 April 9th 2020 April 10th 2020 April 11th 2020

Italy extends its lockdown until May 3rd.

Yemen records its first case.

Brazil reports more than 1,000 COVID-19 deaths.

April 12th 2020 April 13th 2020 April 14th 2020 April 15th 2020 April 16th 2020 April 17th 2020

US President Donald Trump announces that the US will be reopened in phases.

The Economist Intelligence Unit announce that the world economy may face a double recession.

The number of confirmed virus cases in the US reaches 700,000.

Hospitals in Japan on the brink of collapse due to new wave of infections.

NHS bosses to ask Doctors and nurses to work without some PPE as supplies begin to run out.

Ecuador see's surge in death count, with the Guayas province a hotbed for the virus

Two men in Tunisia, including a suspected Jihadist, detained over plot to infect members of the security force with COVID-19.

April 18th 2020 April 19th 2020 April 20th 2020

US oil prices dip below zero for the first time on record.

New Zealand and South Korea plan to relax lockdown restrictions.

Italy and Spain report falls in their daily death tolls.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro joins anti-lockdown protests.

Ghana eases lockdown restrictions.

The Coogee, Maroubra and Clovelly beaches in Sydney, Australia have reopened to 'ease mental strain', but social distancing rules are still in place.

Ugandan Independent MP Francis Zaake arrested for distributing food to his constituents in the Mityana district.

India begins easing some lockdown restrictions, especially on agricultural businesses, in order to ease pressure on farming.

April 21st 2020 April 22nd 2020

South Africa announce relief package worth $26bn (£21bn) intended to protect companies and three million workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, President Cyril Ramaphosa has also taken the decision to deploy an extra 73,180 soldiers of the South African national defence force to enforce lockdown.

Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio to self-isolate over virus fears due to one of his bodyguards testing positive for COVID-19.

UK human COVID-19 vaccine trials start.

Italy sees its first drop in active cases, with 127 fewer patients in hospitals.

US state of Missouri announces it is suing China over the crisis.

US President Donald Trump announced a 60 day ban on the distribution of green cards to immigrants, an authorisation that allows someone to live and work in the US on a permanent basis.

April 23rd, 2020 April 24th, 2020

Algeria ease lockdown measures around the capital of Algiers for the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.

The World Trade Organisation reports that 80 countries are limiting the export of face masks and other PPE.

Costa Rica reports a steady fall in the number of COVID-19 cases, amidst the struggles of fellow South American countries.

The UK will host a 'global vaccines summit' on June 4thto encourage nations to come together to support the development of a global COVID-19 vaccine.

At least 150 doctors have died in Italy from COVID-19

April 25th, 2020 April 26th, 2020 April 27th, 2020

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson returns to work after recovering from COVID-19.

France, Italy and Spain all prepare to ease lockdown restrictions.

French researchers prepare to launch human trial to test whether nicotine helps the body combat COVID-19.

Ghana plans to build 90 new hospitals in the wake of the pandemic.

The president of EL Salvador Nayib Bukele claims that criminal gangs are taking advantage of the pandemic, with over 50 people murdered between the 24thand 26th of the month.

April 28th: US reaches 1 million COVID-19 cases.

Australia begins to ease lockdown restrictions.

Greece prepares to ease lockdown restrictions from next week.

France cancels its 2019-20 football Ligue 1 season.

April 29th, 2020

US GDP falls 4.8% in worst economic decline since 2008.

The International Labour Organisation reports that nearly half of the global workforce risk losing their livelihoods due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is reported that over 12 million Italian workers have requested emergency funds.

Switzerland to further ease restrictions on May 11th.

Ghana lifts lockdown restrictions.

April 30th, 2020 May 1st, 2020

UK providing 100,000 COVID-19 tests a day.
May 2nd, 2020 May 3rd, 2020 May 4th, 2020 May 5th, 2020

Australia and New Zealand plan 'travel bubble' that would allow quarantine-free flow of people between the two neighbouring countries.

Spain allows people outside to exercise for the first time in two weeks.

WHO announces there are 108 potential COVID-19 vaccines in development around the world, with 8 approved for clinical trials.

Belarus to hold annual military parade commemorating the end of World War 2 on May 9thdespite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hong Kong to begin relaxing social distancing measures from Friday the 8thof May.

Russia surpasses 150,000 COVID-19 cases.

May 6th, 2020 May 7th, 2020 May 8th, 2020

COVID-19 cases in Russia continue to rise, with 10,699 newly recorded cases.
May 9th, 2020 May 10th, 2020 May 11th, 2020 May 12th, 2020 May 13th, 2020

US death toll passes 80,000.

Carbon emissions in India drop for the first time in four decades.

Belgium to open museums and some school classes from May 18th.

Saudi Arabia to reimpose lockdown restrictions on May 23rd.

US Embassy in Tanzania claims that the country is at risk of a large growth in COVID-19 cases amidst President John Magalufi's accusations that the crisis has been exaggerated by health officials.

May 14th, 2020 May 15th, 2020 May 16th, 2020

India's COVID-19 cases rise to 85,940, surpassing China.

Italy to reopen shops on May 18th, and lift travel restrictions from June 3rd.

Brazil's COVID-19 deaths passes 15,000.

Zhong Nanshan, the top respiratory authority in China, says the country are still at a high risk of a second wave of COVID-19 infections.

Spain to reopen some public places, including hotels.

May 17th, 2020 May 18th, 2020

Cafes, restaurants and pubs in Denmark begin to reopen.

US health secretary Alex Azar accuses WHO of allowing the COVID-19 pandemic to 'spin out of control.'

first case of coronavirus confirmed in the indigenous Waorani community in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Both Spanish footballers and English footballers in the premier league to begin training in small group as prospects of top-level sport returning increase.

The Czech Republic lifts state of emergency.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron propose a 500 Billion Euro German-French scheme to aid European recovery

May 19th, 2020

Brazil see's record raise in both cases at 17,4018, and deaths at 1,179.

Iraq to reimpose curfew from May 28thduring Eid al-Fitr holiday.

COVID-19 lockdowns have reduced global carbon emissions to the lowest level in 15 years.

Germany announces that over 20,000 health care workers have been infected with COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin released from hospital after treatment for COVID-19.

May 20th, 2020

The WHO reports largest single day increase in COVID-19 cases, with 106,000 newly recorded infections.

Cambridge University announce all lectures will be held online in the next academic year.

Spanish parliament votes to extend the countries state of emergency for another two weeks.

Greece to reopen the country to foreign visitors from some countries with low infection rates from June 15th.

Cuba reports that the country has gone a week without a single COVID-19 related death.

Switzerland to allow places of worship to reopen from May 28th.

May 21st, 2020 May 22nd, 2020

Peruvian president Martin Vizcarra extends the nationwide lockdown until June 30th.

COVID-19 cases in Africa pass 100,000.

US President Donald Trump directs states to reopen places of worship, deeming them 'essential.'

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Italy continues to fall, with numbers falling to 59,322.

Travellers entering the UK will have to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning June 8th.

May 23rd, 2020 May 24th, 2020

Schools in New South Wales in Australia to reopen from the 31st.

US President Donald Trump bans entry to the US for anyone who has been in Brazil 14 days prior to their arrival.

South Africa to reopen the majority of its economy, with schools beginning to reopen and most sectors to reopen with strict health and safety measures.

UK schools to begin phased reopening beginning June 1stwith year one and year six, and then on June 15th year ten and year twelve.

White House economic advisor says that US unemployment levels will reach north of 20% by the end of May.

May 25th, 2020 May 26th, 2020 May 27th, 2020 May 28th, 2020

Brazil sees record number of COVID-19 infections with 26,417 new cases.

Spain to further decrease lockdown restrictions from 1st June as the country enters its phase two.

Turkey announces restaurants and cafés to reopen June 1st.

Jordan announces plans to reopen places of worship from June 5th.

May 29th, 2020

The WHO's Covid-19 special envoy Dr David Nabarro, warns "this virus has not gone away" despite lockdowns being eased.

Cases in Seoul, the South Korean capital continue to rise after second outbreak.

Lockdown restrictions in England continue to ease, with groups of up to six people allowed to meet from June 1st, whilst maintaining strict social distancing rules.

English Premier League football set to return from June 17th.

May 30th, 2020 May 31st, 2020 June 1st, 2020 June 2nd, 2020 June 5th, 2020

The WHO calls for nations to encourage the increased use of face mask coverings.

UK COVID-19 death toll surpasses 40,000.

Mexico sees record increase in COVID-19 cases, with 4,442 new infections.

UK makes masks compulsory on public transport, starting June 15th.

June 6th, 2020 June 7th, 2020 June 8th, 2020 June 9th, 2020

Global COVID-19 cases reaches 7 million.

UK records lowest daily COVID-19 death toll since March 22nd, with 55 deaths.

Moscow relaxes lockdown restrictions, allowing free movement around the city.

All COVID-19 restrictions in New Zealand, except overseas travel, have been relaxed. No new infections have been reported in the country for two weeks.

June 10th, 2020 June 11th, 2020 June 12th, 2020

French government to lift travel restrictions on internal European borders on June 15th.

Chile reports a spike in COVID-19 cases, the country currently has 160,846 confirmed cases.

UK to review its 14-day quarantine on those travelling into the country on June 29th.

June 13th, 2020

US President Donald Trump declares the US will 'vanquish' and 'extinguish' COVID-19.

Florida researchers say experiments suggest that the COVID-19 pathogen has mutated in a way that makes It infect human cells easier.

El Salvador announces plans to reopen and restart is economy, beginning June 16th.

June 14th, 2020

Worldwide COVID-19 death count surpasses 300,000.

Over 600,000 people have become unemployed in Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brazil tops 200,000 COVID-19 cases.

Northern Ireland announces it will begin easing lockdown restrictions from Monday 15thof June.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
COVID-19 Timeline - British Foreign Policy Group

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
December 21st 2019 Chinese epidemiologists with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention published an article on 20th January 2020 stating that the first cluster of patients with 'pneumonia of an unknown cause' had been identified on 21st December 2019 December 31st 2019 January 2nd 2020 Central Hospital of

# data[].attributes.headline
26/03 brits across the UK clap for the NHS at 8pm 

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26/03 brits across the UK clap for the NHS at 8pm 

# data[].attributes.headline
10/03 Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced £12bn package of emergency support 

# data[].attributes.subject
10/03 Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced £12bn package of emergency support 

# data[].attributes.headline
04/03 cases surge in Uk, biggest one day increase so far with total to 87 confirmed 

# data[].attributes.subject
04/03 cases surge in Uk, biggest one day increase so far with total to 87 confirmed 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
COVID-19 Timeline
December 21st 2019

Chinese epidemiologists with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention published an article on 20th January 2020 stating that the first cluster of patients with 'pneumonia of an unknown cause' had been identified on 21st December 2019
December 31st 2019 January 2nd 2020

Central Hospital of Wuhan banned its staff from discussing the disease publicly or recording them using text or image that can be used as evidence
January 8th 2020

The Chinese government agrees to accept a WHO scientific team to assist their own researchers
January 11th 2020

Chinese state media reported the first known death from an illness caused by the virus. It was a 61-year old man who was a regular customer of the market in Wuhan where the virus is believed to have originated, and had previously been found to have abdominal tumors and chronic liver disease.
January 14th 2020

Reporters from Hong Kong taken to police station after trying to film the situation within Wuhan hospital
January 20th 2020

The first confirmed cases outside mainland China occurred in Japan, South Korea and Thailand, according to the WHO.
January 21st 2020

The first confirmed case of the virus in the US in Washington State, where a man in his 30s developed symptoms after returning from a trip to Wuhan.
January 22nd 2020

Public Health England announces it is moving the risk level to the British public from 'very low' to 'low'.
January 23rd 2020 January 26th 2020 January 29th 2020 January 30th 2020

WHO declares a global health emergency amid thousands of new cases in China.
January 31st 2020 February 1st 2020

Spain confirms its first case of the coronavirus on La Gomera in the Canary Islands
February 2nd 2020

The first death of coronavirus is reported outside China, as a 44-year-old man in the Philippines dies after being infected.
February 4th 2020

The UK directs its citizens to leave China if possible
February 5th 2020

A cruise ship in Japan quarantines 3600 people after a two-week trip to Southeast Asia. 218 people onboard the ship tested positive for the virus.
February 7th 2020

The Chinese doctor Dr. Li Wenliang, who tried to ring early alarms that a cluster of infections could spin out of control, dies after contracting the virus. He was reprimanded by authorities in early January and he was forced to sign a statement denouncing his warning as an unfounded and illegal rumor.
February 11th 2020

The disease is named 'Covid-19', an acronym that stands for coronavirus disease 2019. 1113 people in China have died with 44,653 cases, and 393 cases outside of China.
February 14th 2020 February 17th 2020

China said it was reviewing its trade and consumption of wildlife, which has been identified as a probable source of the outbreak
February 19th 2020

443 passengers leave the Diamond Princess cruises ship. A total of 621 people aboard the ship were infected.
February 21st 2020 February 23rd 2020 February 24th 2020 February 26th 2020

Latin America reports its first coronavirus case, as Brazilian health officials said that a 61-year-old Sao Paulo man, returning from Italy, tested positive for the virus.
February 28th 2020

800 people are now infected in Italy, and cases in 14 other European countries remain an area of concern

Sub-Saharan Africa records its first infection.

The first British victim dies of coronavirus onboard the Diamond Princess.

UK authorities confirm the first case of the illness to be passed on inside the country.

The worst week for the global stock markets since the 2008 financial crash.

The WHO raises the coronavirus alert to the highest level.

February 29th 2020

The US records its first coronavirus death and announces travel restrictions of 'do not travel' warnings for areas in Italy and South Korea. It also bans all travel to Iran and bars entry to any foreign citizen who had visited Iran in the previous 14 days.
March 4th 2020 March 10th 2020 March 11th 2020 March 13th 2020 March 16th 2020 March 17th 2020 March 18th 2020

The UK government announces most schools across England will be shut down from Friday until further notice. Wales and Scotland announce they will also close schools.
March 19th 2020

For the first time, China reports zero local infections, a milestone in the fight against the pandemic. Experts said the country would need to see at least 14 consecutive days without new infections for the outbreak to be considered over. 34 new cases were confirmed among people who had arrived in China from elsewhere.
March 20th 2020 March 23rd 2020 March 24th 2020

Tokyo Olympics likely to be postponed - according to a member of the International Olympic Committee, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics - set to begin in August - will be postponed. Australia and Canada have already announced that their athletes will not compete
March 25th 2020

Prince Charles tests positive for the coronavirus.

In the US, negotiators strike a deal on a $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package intended to assist businesses and millions of Americans amid the halt in the US economy. The bill includes $1,200 for individuals earning up to $75,000, $100 billion for health care providers, and $58 billion for the US airline industry. It would also include $2,400 per month for up to four months to the unemployed. $500 billion goes to industry loans that corporations, cities, and states can apply for.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown of the country's 1.3 billion residents. India has only recorded 536 cases of COVID-19 so far.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro rails against coronavirus measures being taken in his country, as local officials take preparedness into their own hands.

March 26th 2020 March 27th 2020 March 28th 2020

European COmmission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU 'looked into the abyss' in the early days of the crisis but now it has the chance to reinvent itself.

French President Emmanuel Macron issues a plea for European solidarity to fight the coronavirus crisis, saying 'I don't want a selfish and divided Europe'

Belgium extend confinement measures until 19th April

UK Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, announces he is self-isolating after experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus

March 29th 2020 March 30th 2020 March 31st 2020 April 1st 2020 April 2nd 2020

The number of worldwide coronavirus cases passes one million.
April 3rd 2020

German Chancellor Angela Merkel returns to her office after isolating as her physician tested positive for the coronavirus.
April 5th 2020 April 6th 2020 April 7th 2020

European finance ministers meet to discuss a range of options to support the bloc's economy.

The messaging service WhatsApp announces it is introducing limits to its forwarding service in order to combat disinformation. The application has been a hotbed for the spread of fake news relating to the coronavirus outbreak.

US stock market indices rise for the second day in a row to hit their highest level since 11th March.

The airline industry cuts 90% of its flights in Europe.

April 8th 2020 April 9th 2020 April 10th 2020 April 11th 2020

Italy extends its lockdown until May 3rd.

Yemen records its first case.

Brazil reports more than 1,000 COVID-19 deaths.

April 12th 2020 April 13th 2020 April 14th 2020 April 15th 2020 April 16th 2020 April 17th 2020

US President Donald Trump announces that the US will be reopened in phases.

The Economist Intelligence Unit announce that the world economy may face a double recession.

The number of confirmed virus cases in the US reaches 700,000.

Hospitals in Japan on the brink of collapse due to new wave of infections.

NHS bosses to ask Doctors and nurses to work without some PPE as supplies begin to run out.

Ecuador see's surge in death count, with the Guayas province a hotbed for the virus

Two men in Tunisia, including a suspected Jihadist, detained over plot to infect members of the security force with COVID-19.

April 18th 2020 April 19th 2020 April 20th 2020

US oil prices dip below zero for the first time on record.

New Zealand and South Korea plan to relax lockdown restrictions.

Italy and Spain report falls in their daily death tolls.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro joins anti-lockdown protests.

Ghana eases lockdown restrictions.

The Coogee, Maroubra and Clovelly beaches in Sydney, Australia have reopened to 'ease mental strain', but social distancing rules are still in place.

Ugandan Independent MP Francis Zaake arrested for distributing food to his constituents in the Mityana district.

India begins easing some lockdown restrictions, especially on agricultural businesses, in order to ease pressure on farming.

April 21st 2020 April 22nd 2020

South Africa announce relief package worth $26bn (£21bn) intended to protect companies and three million workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, President Cyril Ramaphosa has also taken the decision to deploy an extra 73,180 soldiers of the South African national defence force to enforce lockdown.

Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio to self-isolate over virus fears due to one of his bodyguards testing positive for COVID-19.

UK human COVID-19 vaccine trials start.

Italy sees its first drop in active cases, with 127 fewer patients in hospitals.

US state of Missouri announces it is suing China over the crisis.

US President Donald Trump announced a 60 day ban on the distribution of green cards to immigrants, an authorisation that allows someone to live and work in the US on a permanent basis.

April 23rd, 2020 April 24th, 2020

Algeria ease lockdown measures around the capital of Algiers for the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.

The World Trade Organisation reports that 80 countries are limiting the export of face masks and other PPE.

Costa Rica reports a steady fall in the number of COVID-19 cases, amidst the struggles of fellow South American countries.

The UK will host a 'global vaccines summit' on June 4thto encourage nations to come together to support the development of a global COVID-19 vaccine.

At least 150 doctors have died in Italy from COVID-19

April 25th, 2020 April 26th, 2020 April 27th, 2020

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson returns to work after recovering from COVID-19.

France, Italy and Spain all prepare to ease lockdown restrictions.

French researchers prepare to launch human trial to test whether nicotine helps the body combat COVID-19.

Ghana plans to build 90 new hospitals in the wake of the pandemic.

The president of EL Salvador Nayib Bukele claims that criminal gangs are taking advantage of the pandemic, with over 50 people murdered between the 24thand 26th of the month.

April 28th: US reaches 1 million COVID-19 cases.

Australia begins to ease lockdown restrictions.

Greece prepares to ease lockdown restrictions from next week.

France cancels its 2019-20 football Ligue 1 season.

April 29th, 2020

US GDP falls 4.8% in worst economic decline since 2008.

The International Labour Organisation reports that nearly half of the global workforce risk losing their livelihoods due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is reported that over 12 million Italian workers have requested emergency funds.

Switzerland to further ease restrictions on May 11th.

Ghana lifts lockdown restrictions.

April 30th, 2020 May 1st, 2020

UK providing 100,000 COVID-19 tests a day.
May 2nd, 2020 May 3rd, 2020 May 4th, 2020 May 5th, 2020

Australia and New Zealand plan 'travel bubble' that would allow quarantine-free flow of people between the two neighbouring countries.

Spain allows people outside to exercise for the first time in two weeks.

WHO announces there are 108 potential COVID-19 vaccines in development around the world, with 8 approved for clinical trials.

Belarus to hold annual military parade commemorating the end of World War 2 on May 9thdespite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hong Kong to begin relaxing social distancing measures from Friday the 8thof May.

Russia surpasses 150,000 COVID-19 cases.

May 6th, 2020 May 7th, 2020 May 8th, 2020

COVID-19 cases in Russia continue to rise, with 10,699 newly recorded cases.
May 9th, 2020 May 10th, 2020 May 11th, 2020 May 12th, 2020 May 13th, 2020

US death toll passes 80,000.

Carbon emissions in India drop for the first time in four decades.

Belgium to open museums and some school classes from May 18th.

Saudi Arabia to reimpose lockdown restrictions on May 23rd.

US Embassy in Tanzania claims that the country is at risk of a large growth in COVID-19 cases amidst President John Magalufi's accusations that the crisis has been exaggerated by health officials.

May 14th, 2020 May 15th, 2020 May 16th, 2020

India's COVID-19 cases rise to 85,940, surpassing China.

Italy to reopen shops on May 18th, and lift travel restrictions from June 3rd.

Brazil's COVID-19 deaths passes 15,000.

Zhong Nanshan, the top respiratory authority in China, says the country are still at a high risk of a second wave of COVID-19 infections.

Spain to reopen some public places, including hotels.

May 17th, 2020 May 18th, 2020

Cafes, restaurants and pubs in Denmark begin to reopen.

US health secretary Alex Azar accuses WHO of allowing the COVID-19 pandemic to 'spin out of control.'

first case of coronavirus confirmed in the indigenous Waorani community in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Both Spanish footballers and English footballers in the premier league to begin training in small group as prospects of top-level sport returning increase.

The Czech Republic lifts state of emergency.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron propose a 500 Billion Euro German-French scheme to aid European recovery

May 19th, 2020

Brazil see's record raise in both cases at 17,4018, and deaths at 1,179.

Iraq to reimpose curfew from May 28thduring Eid al-Fitr holiday.

COVID-19 lockdowns have reduced global carbon emissions to the lowest level in 15 years.

Germany announces that over 20,000 health care workers have been infected with COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin released from hospital after treatment for COVID-19.

May 20th, 2020

The WHO reports largest single day increase in COVID-19 cases, with 106,000 newly recorded infections.

Cambridge University announce all lectures will be held online in the next academic year.

Spanish parliament votes to extend the countries state of emergency for another two weeks.

Greece to reopen the country to foreign visitors from some countries with low infection rates from June 15th.

Cuba reports that the country has gone a week without a single COVID-19 related death.

Switzerland to allow places of worship to reopen from May 28th.

May 21st, 2020 May 22nd, 2020

Peruvian president Martin Vizcarra extends the nationwide lockdown until June 30th.

COVID-19 cases in Africa pass 100,000.

US President Donald Trump directs states to reopen places of worship, deeming them 'essential.'

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Italy continues to fall, with numbers falling to 59,322.

Travellers entering the UK will have to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning June 8th.

May 23rd, 2020 May 24th, 2020

Schools in New South Wales in Australia to reopen from the 31st.

US President Donald Trump bans entry to the US for anyone who has been in Brazil 14 days prior to their arrival.

South Africa to reopen the majority of its economy, with schools beginning to reopen and most sectors to reopen with strict health and safety measures.

UK schools to begin phased reopening beginning June 1stwith year one and year six, and then on June 15th year ten and year twelve.

White House economic advisor says that US unemployment levels will reach north of 20% by the end of May.

May 25th, 2020 May 26th, 2020 May 27th, 2020 May 28th, 2020

Brazil sees record number of COVID-19 infections with 26,417 new cases.

Spain to further decrease lockdown restrictions from 1st June as the country enters its phase two.

Turkey announces restaurants and cafés to reopen June 1st.

Jordan announces plans to reopen places of worship from June 5th.

May 29th, 2020

The WHO's Covid-19 special envoy Dr David Nabarro, warns "this virus has not gone away" despite lockdowns being eased.

Cases in Seoul, the South Korean capital continue to rise after second outbreak.

Lockdown restrictions in England continue to ease, with groups of up to six people allowed to meet from June 1st, whilst maintaining strict social distancing rules.

English Premier League football set to return from June 17th.

May 30th, 2020 May 31st, 2020 June 1st, 2020 June 2nd, 2020 June 5th, 2020

The WHO calls for nations to encourage the increased use of face mask coverings.

UK COVID-19 death toll surpasses 40,000.

Mexico sees record increase in COVID-19 cases, with 4,442 new infections.

UK makes masks compulsory on public transport, starting June 15th.

June 6th, 2020 June 7th, 2020 June 8th, 2020 June 9th, 2020

Global COVID-19 cases reaches 7 million.

UK records lowest daily COVID-19 death toll since March 22nd, with 55 deaths.

Moscow relaxes lockdown restrictions, allowing free movement around the city.

All COVID-19 restrictions in New Zealand, except overseas travel, have been relaxed. No new infections have been reported in the country for two weeks.

June 10th, 2020 June 11th, 2020 June 12th, 2020

French government to lift travel restrictions on internal European borders on June 15th.

Chile reports a spike in COVID-19 cases, the country currently has 160,846 confirmed cases.

UK to review its 14-day quarantine on those travelling into the country on June 29th.

June 13th, 2020

US President Donald Trump declares the US will 'vanquish' and 'extinguish' COVID-19.

Florida researchers say experiments suggest that the COVID-19 pathogen has mutated in a way that makes It infect human cells easier.

El Salvador announces plans to reopen and restart is economy, beginning June 16th.

June 14th, 2020

Worldwide COVID-19 death count surpasses 300,000.

Over 600,000 people have become unemployed in Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brazil tops 200,000 COVID-19 cases.

Northern Ireland announces it will begin easing lockdown restrictions from Monday 15thof June.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
COVID-19 Timeline - British Foreign Policy Group

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
December 21st 2019 Chinese epidemiologists with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention published an article on 20th January 2020 stating that the first cluster of patients with 'pneumonia of an unknown cause' had been identified on 21st December 2019 December 31st 2019 January 2nd 2020 Central Hospital of

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
COVID-19 Timeline
December 21st 2019

Chinese epidemiologists with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention published an article on 20th January 2020 stating that the first cluster of patients with 'pneumonia of an unknown cause' had been identified on 21st December 2019
December 31st 2019 January 2nd 2020

Central Hospital of Wuhan banned its staff from discussing the disease publicly or recording them using text or image that can be used as evidence
January 8th 2020

The Chinese government agrees to accept a WHO scientific team to assist their own researchers
January 11th 2020

Chinese state media reported the first known death from an illness caused by the virus. It was a 61-year old man who was a regular customer of the market in Wuhan where the virus is believed to have originated, and had previously been found to have abdominal tumors and chronic liver disease.
January 14th 2020

Reporters from Hong Kong taken to police station after trying to film the situation within Wuhan hospital
January 20th 2020

The first confirmed cases outside mainland China occurred in Japan, South Korea and Thailand, according to the WHO.
January 21st 2020

The first confirmed case of the virus in the US in Washington State, where a man in his 30s developed symptoms after returning from a trip to Wuhan.
January 22nd 2020

Public Health England announces it is moving the risk level to the British public from 'very low' to 'low'.
January 23rd 2020 January 26th 2020 January 29th 2020 January 30th 2020

WHO declares a global health emergency amid thousands of new cases in China.
January 31st 2020 February 1st 2020

Spain confirms its first case of the coronavirus on La Gomera in the Canary Islands
February 2nd 2020

The first death of coronavirus is reported outside China, as a 44-year-old man in the Philippines dies after being infected.
February 4th 2020

The UK directs its citizens to leave China if possible
February 5th 2020

A cruise ship in Japan quarantines 3600 people after a two-week trip to Southeast Asia. 218 people onboard the ship tested positive for the virus.
February 7th 2020

The Chinese doctor Dr. Li Wenliang, who tried to ring early alarms that a cluster of infections could spin out of control, dies after contracting the virus. He was reprimanded by authorities in early January and he was forced to sign a statement denouncing his warning as an unfounded and illegal rumor.
February 11th 2020

The disease is named 'Covid-19', an acronym that stands for coronavirus disease 2019. 1113 people in China have died with 44,653 cases, and 393 cases outside of China.
February 14th 2020 February 17th 2020

China said it was reviewing its trade and consumption of wildlife, which has been identified as a probable source of the outbreak
February 19th 2020

443 passengers leave the Diamond Princess cruises ship. A total of 621 people aboard the ship were infected.
February 21st 2020 February 23rd 2020 February 24th 2020 February 26th 2020

Latin America reports its first coronavirus case, as Brazilian health officials said that a 61-year-old Sao Paulo man, returning from Italy, tested positive for the virus.
February 28th 2020

800 people are now infected in Italy, and cases in 14 other European countries remain an area of concern

Sub-Saharan Africa records its first infection.

The first British victim dies of coronavirus onboard the Diamond Princess.

UK authorities confirm the first case of the illness to be passed on inside the country.

The worst week for the global stock markets since the 2008 financial crash.

The WHO raises the coronavirus alert to the highest level.

February 29th 2020

The US records its first coronavirus death and announces travel restrictions of 'do not travel' warnings for areas in Italy and South Korea. It also bans all travel to Iran and bars entry to any foreign citizen who had visited Iran in the previous 14 days.
March 4th 2020 March 10th 2020 March 11th 2020 March 13th 2020 March 16th 2020 March 17th 2020 March 18th 2020

The UK government announces most schools across England will be shut down from Friday until further notice. Wales and Scotland announce they will also close schools.
March 19th 2020

For the first time, China reports zero local infections, a milestone in the fight against the pandemic. Experts said the country would need to see at least 14 consecutive days without new infections for the outbreak to be considered over. 34 new cases were confirmed among people who had arrived in China from elsewhere.
March 20th 2020 March 23rd 2020 March 24th 2020

Tokyo Olympics likely to be postponed - according to a member of the International Olympic Committee, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics - set to begin in August - will be postponed. Australia and Canada have already announced that their athletes will not compete
March 25th 2020

Prince Charles tests positive for the coronavirus.

In the US, negotiators strike a deal on a $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package intended to assist businesses and millions of Americans amid the halt in the US economy. The bill includes $1,200 for individuals earning up to $75,000, $100 billion for health care providers, and $58 billion for the US airline industry. It would also include $2,400 per month for up to four months to the unemployed. $500 billion goes to industry loans that corporations, cities, and states can apply for.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown of the country's 1.3 billion residents. India has only recorded 536 cases of COVID-19 so far.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro rails against coronavirus measures being taken in his country, as local officials take preparedness into their own hands.

March 26th 2020 March 27th 2020 March 28th 2020

European COmmission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU 'looked into the abyss' in the early days of the crisis but now it has the chance to reinvent itself.

French President Emmanuel Macron issues a plea for European solidarity to fight the coronavirus crisis, saying 'I don't want a selfish and divided Europe'

Belgium extend confinement measures until 19th April

UK Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, announces he is self-isolating after experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus

March 29th 2020 March 30th 2020 March 31st 2020 April 1st 2020 April 2nd 2020

The number of worldwide coronavirus cases passes one million.
April 3rd 2020

German Chancellor Angela Merkel returns to her office after isolating as her physician tested positive for the coronavirus.
April 5th 2020 April 6th 2020 April 7th 2020

European finance ministers meet to discuss a range of options to support the bloc's economy.

The messaging service WhatsApp announces it is introducing limits to its forwarding service in order to combat disinformation. The application has been a hotbed for the spread of fake news relating to the coronavirus outbreak.

US stock market indices rise for the second day in a row to hit their highest level since 11th March.

The airline industry cuts 90% of its flights in Europe.

April 8th 2020 April 9th 2020 April 10th 2020 April 11th 2020

Italy extends its lockdown until May 3rd.

Yemen records its first case.

Brazil reports more than 1,000 COVID-19 deaths.

April 12th 2020 April 13th 2020 April 14th 2020 April 15th 2020 April 16th 2020 April 17th 2020

US President Donald Trump announces that the US will be reopened in phases.

The Economist Intelligence Unit announce that the world economy may face a double recession.

The number of confirmed virus cases in the US reaches 700,000.

Hospitals in Japan on the brink of collapse due to new wave of infections.

NHS bosses to ask Doctors and nurses to work without some PPE as supplies begin to run out.

Ecuador see's surge in death count, with the Guayas province a hotbed for the virus

Two men in Tunisia, including a suspected Jihadist, detained over plot to infect members of the security force with COVID-19.

April 18th 2020 April 19th 2020 April 20th 2020

US oil prices dip below zero for the first time on record.

New Zealand and South Korea plan to relax lockdown restrictions.

Italy and Spain report falls in their daily death tolls.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro joins anti-lockdown protests.

Ghana eases lockdown restrictions.

The Coogee, Maroubra and Clovelly beaches in Sydney, Australia have reopened to 'ease mental strain', but social distancing rules are still in place.

Ugandan Independent MP Francis Zaake arrested for distributing food to his constituents in the Mityana district.

India begins easing some lockdown restrictions, especially on agricultural businesses, in order to ease pressure on farming.

April 21st 2020 April 22nd 2020

South Africa announce relief package worth $26bn (£21bn) intended to protect companies and three million workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, President Cyril Ramaphosa has also taken the decision to deploy an extra 73,180 soldiers of the South African national defence force to enforce lockdown.

Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio to self-isolate over virus fears due to one of his bodyguards testing positive for COVID-19.

UK human COVID-19 vaccine trials start.

Italy sees its first drop in active cases, with 127 fewer patients in hospitals.

US state of Missouri announces it is suing China over the crisis.

US President Donald Trump announced a 60 day ban on the distribution of green cards to immigrants, an authorisation that allows someone to live and work in the US on a permanent basis.

April 23rd, 2020 April 24th, 2020

Algeria ease lockdown measures around the capital of Algiers for the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.

The World Trade Organisation reports that 80 countries are limiting the export of face masks and other PPE.

Costa Rica reports a steady fall in the number of COVID-19 cases, amidst the struggles of fellow South American countries.

The UK will host a 'global vaccines summit' on June 4thto encourage nations to come together to support the development of a global COVID-19 vaccine.

At least 150 doctors have died in Italy from COVID-19

April 25th, 2020 April 26th, 2020 April 27th, 2020

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson returns to work after recovering from COVID-19.

France, Italy and Spain all prepare to ease lockdown restrictions.

French researchers prepare to launch human trial to test whether nicotine helps the body combat COVID-19.

Ghana plans to build 90 new hospitals in the wake of the pandemic.

The president of EL Salvador Nayib Bukele claims that criminal gangs are taking advantage of the pandemic, with over 50 people murdered between the 24thand 26th of the month.

April 28th: US reaches 1 million COVID-19 cases.

Australia begins to ease lockdown restrictions.

Greece prepares to ease lockdown restrictions from next week.

France cancels its 2019-20 football Ligue 1 season.

April 29th, 2020

US GDP falls 4.8% in worst economic decline since 2008.

The International Labour Organisation reports that nearly half of the global workforce risk losing their livelihoods due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is reported that over 12 million Italian workers have requested emergency funds.

Switzerland to further ease restrictions on May 11th.

Ghana lifts lockdown restrictions.

April 30th, 2020 May 1st, 2020

UK providing 100,000 COVID-19 tests a day.
May 2nd, 2020 May 3rd, 2020 May 4th, 2020 May 5th, 2020

Australia and New Zealand plan 'travel bubble' that would allow quarantine-free flow of people between the two neighbouring countries.

Spain allows people outside to exercise for the first time in two weeks.

WHO announces there are 108 potential COVID-19 vaccines in development around the world, with 8 approved for clinical trials.

Belarus to hold annual military parade commemorating the end of World War 2 on May 9thdespite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hong Kong to begin relaxing social distancing measures from Friday the 8thof May.

Russia surpasses 150,000 COVID-19 cases.

May 6th, 2020 May 7th, 2020 May 8th, 2020

COVID-19 cases in Russia continue to rise, with 10,699 newly recorded cases.
May 9th, 2020 May 10th, 2020 May 11th, 2020 May 12th, 2020 May 13th, 2020

US death toll passes 80,000.

Carbon emissions in India drop for the first time in four decades.

Belgium to open museums and some school classes from May 18th.

Saudi Arabia to reimpose lockdown restrictions on May 23rd.

US Embassy in Tanzania claims that the country is at risk of a large growth in COVID-19 cases amidst President John Magalufi's accusations that the crisis has been exaggerated by health officials.

May 14th, 2020 May 15th, 2020 May 16th, 2020

India's COVID-19 cases rise to 85,940, surpassing China.

Italy to reopen shops on May 18th, and lift travel restrictions from June 3rd.

Brazil's COVID-19 deaths passes 15,000.

Zhong Nanshan, the top respiratory authority in China, says the country are still at a high risk of a second wave of COVID-19 infections.

Spain to reopen some public places, including hotels.

May 17th, 2020 May 18th, 2020

Cafes, restaurants and pubs in Denmark begin to reopen.

US health secretary Alex Azar accuses WHO of allowing the COVID-19 pandemic to 'spin out of control.'

first case of coronavirus confirmed in the indigenous Waorani community in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Both Spanish footballers and English footballers in the premier league to begin training in small group as prospects of top-level sport returning increase.

The Czech Republic lifts state of emergency.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron propose a 500 Billion Euro German-French scheme to aid European recovery

May 19th, 2020

Brazil see's record raise in both cases at 17,4018, and deaths at 1,179.

Iraq to reimpose curfew from May 28thduring Eid al-Fitr holiday.

COVID-19 lockdowns have reduced global carbon emissions to the lowest level in 15 years.

Germany announces that over 20,000 health care workers have been infected with COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin released from hospital after treatment for COVID-19.

May 20th, 2020

The WHO reports largest single day increase in COVID-19 cases, with 106,000 newly recorded infections.

Cambridge University announce all lectures will be held online in the next academic year.

Spanish parliament votes to extend the countries state of emergency for another two weeks.

Greece to reopen the country to foreign visitors from some countries with low infection rates from June 15th.

Cuba reports that the country has gone a week without a single COVID-19 related death.

Switzerland to allow places of worship to reopen from May 28th.

May 21st, 2020 May 22nd, 2020

Peruvian president Martin Vizcarra extends the nationwide lockdown until June 30th.

COVID-19 cases in Africa pass 100,000.

US President Donald Trump directs states to reopen places of worship, deeming them 'essential.'

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Italy continues to fall, with numbers falling to 59,322.

Travellers entering the UK will have to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning June 8th.

May 23rd, 2020 May 24th, 2020

Schools in New South Wales in Australia to reopen from the 31st.

US President Donald Trump bans entry to the US for anyone who has been in Brazil 14 days prior to their arrival.

South Africa to reopen the majority of its economy, with schools beginning to reopen and most sectors to reopen with strict health and safety measures.

UK schools to begin phased reopening beginning June 1stwith year one and year six, and then on June 15th year ten and year twelve.

White House economic advisor says that US unemployment levels will reach north of 20% by the end of May.

May 25th, 2020 May 26th, 2020 May 27th, 2020 May 28th, 2020

Brazil sees record number of COVID-19 infections with 26,417 new cases.

Spain to further decrease lockdown restrictions from 1st June as the country enters its phase two.

Turkey announces restaurants and cafés to reopen June 1st.

Jordan announces plans to reopen places of worship from June 5th.

May 29th, 2020

The WHO's Covid-19 special envoy Dr David Nabarro, warns "this virus has not gone away" despite lockdowns being eased.

Cases in Seoul, the South Korean capital continue to rise after second outbreak.

Lockdown restrictions in England continue to ease, with groups of up to six people allowed to meet from June 1st, whilst maintaining strict social distancing rules.

English Premier League football set to return from June 17th.

May 30th, 2020 May 31st, 2020 June 1st, 2020 June 2nd, 2020 June 5th, 2020

The WHO calls for nations to encourage the increased use of face mask coverings.

UK COVID-19 death toll surpasses 40,000.

Mexico sees record increase in COVID-19 cases, with 4,442 new infections.

UK makes masks compulsory on public transport, starting June 15th.

June 6th, 2020 June 7th, 2020 June 8th, 2020 June 9th, 2020

Global COVID-19 cases reaches 7 million.

UK records lowest daily COVID-19 death toll since March 22nd, with 55 deaths.

Moscow relaxes lockdown restrictions, allowing free movement around the city.

All COVID-19 restrictions in New Zealand, except overseas travel, have been relaxed. No new infections have been reported in the country for two weeks.

June 10th, 2020 June 11th, 2020 June 12th, 2020

French government to lift travel restrictions on internal European borders on June 15th.

Chile reports a spike in COVID-19 cases, the country currently has 160,846 confirmed cases.

UK to review its 14-day quarantine on those travelling into the country on June 29th.

June 13th, 2020

US President Donald Trump declares the US will 'vanquish' and 'extinguish' COVID-19.

Florida researchers say experiments suggest that the COVID-19 pathogen has mutated in a way that makes It infect human cells easier.

El Salvador announces plans to reopen and restart is economy, beginning June 16th.

June 14th, 2020

Worldwide COVID-19 death count surpasses 300,000.

Over 600,000 people have become unemployed in Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brazil tops 200,000 COVID-19 cases.

Northern Ireland announces it will begin easing lockdown restrictions from Monday 15thof June.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
COVID-19 Timeline - British Foreign Policy Group

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
December 21st 2019 Chinese epidemiologists with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention published an article on 20th January 2020 stating that the first cluster of patients with 'pneumonia of an unknown cause' had been identified on 21st December 2019 December 31st 2019 January 2nd 2020 Central Hospital of

# data[].attributes.headline
31/01 213 people died, 9,800 infected worldwide 

# data[].attributes.subject
31/01 213 people died, 9,800 infected worldwide 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
COVID-19 Timeline
December 21st 2019

Chinese epidemiologists with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention published an article on 20th January 2020 stating that the first cluster of patients with 'pneumonia of an unknown cause' had been identified on 21st December 2019
December 31st 2019 January 2nd 2020

Central Hospital of Wuhan banned its staff from discussing the disease publicly or recording them using text or image that can be used as evidence
January 8th 2020

The Chinese government agrees to accept a WHO scientific team to assist their own researchers
January 11th 2020

Chinese state media reported the first known death from an illness caused by the virus. It was a 61-year old man who was a regular customer of the market in Wuhan where the virus is believed to have originated, and had previously been found to have abdominal tumors and chronic liver disease.
January 14th 2020

Reporters from Hong Kong taken to police station after trying to film the situation within Wuhan hospital
January 20th 2020

The first confirmed cases outside mainland China occurred in Japan, South Korea and Thailand, according to the WHO.
January 21st 2020

The first confirmed case of the virus in the US in Washington State, where a man in his 30s developed symptoms after returning from a trip to Wuhan.
January 22nd 2020

Public Health England announces it is moving the risk level to the British public from 'very low' to 'low'.
January 23rd 2020 January 26th 2020 January 29th 2020 January 30th 2020

WHO declares a global health emergency amid thousands of new cases in China.
January 31st 2020 February 1st 2020

Spain confirms its first case of the coronavirus on La Gomera in the Canary Islands
February 2nd 2020

The first death of coronavirus is reported outside China, as a 44-year-old man in the Philippines dies after being infected.
February 4th 2020

The UK directs its citizens to leave China if possible
February 5th 2020

A cruise ship in Japan quarantines 3600 people after a two-week trip to Southeast Asia. 218 people onboard the ship tested positive for the virus.
February 7th 2020

The Chinese doctor Dr. Li Wenliang, who tried to ring early alarms that a cluster of infections could spin out of control, dies after contracting the virus. He was reprimanded by authorities in early January and he was forced to sign a statement denouncing his warning as an unfounded and illegal rumor.
February 11th 2020

The disease is named 'Covid-19', an acronym that stands for coronavirus disease 2019. 1113 people in China have died with 44,653 cases, and 393 cases outside of China.
February 14th 2020 February 17th 2020

China said it was reviewing its trade and consumption of wildlife, which has been identified as a probable source of the outbreak
February 19th 2020

443 passengers leave the Diamond Princess cruises ship. A total of 621 people aboard the ship were infected.
February 21st 2020 February 23rd 2020 February 24th 2020 February 26th 2020

Latin America reports its first coronavirus case, as Brazilian health officials said that a 61-year-old Sao Paulo man, returning from Italy, tested positive for the virus.
February 28th 2020

800 people are now infected in Italy, and cases in 14 other European countries remain an area of concern

Sub-Saharan Africa records its first infection.

The first British victim dies of coronavirus onboard the Diamond Princess.

UK authorities confirm the first case of the illness to be passed on inside the country.

The worst week for the global stock markets since the 2008 financial crash.

The WHO raises the coronavirus alert to the highest level.

February 29th 2020

The US records its first coronavirus death and announces travel restrictions of 'do not travel' warnings for areas in Italy and South Korea. It also bans all travel to Iran and bars entry to any foreign citizen who had visited Iran in the previous 14 days.
March 4th 2020 March 10th 2020 March 11th 2020 March 13th 2020 March 16th 2020 March 17th 2020 March 18th 2020

The UK government announces most schools across England will be shut down from Friday until further notice. Wales and Scotland announce they will also close schools.
March 19th 2020

For the first time, China reports zero local infections, a milestone in the fight against the pandemic. Experts said the country would need to see at least 14 consecutive days without new infections for the outbreak to be considered over. 34 new cases were confirmed among people who had arrived in China from elsewhere.
March 20th 2020 March 23rd 2020 March 24th 2020

Tokyo Olympics likely to be postponed - according to a member of the International Olympic Committee, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics - set to begin in August - will be postponed. Australia and Canada have already announced that their athletes will not compete
March 25th 2020

Prince Charles tests positive for the coronavirus.

In the US, negotiators strike a deal on a $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package intended to assist businesses and millions of Americans amid the halt in the US economy. The bill includes $1,200 for individuals earning up to $75,000, $100 billion for health care providers, and $58 billion for the US airline industry. It would also include $2,400 per month for up to four months to the unemployed. $500 billion goes to industry loans that corporations, cities, and states can apply for.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown of the country's 1.3 billion residents. India has only recorded 536 cases of COVID-19 so far.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro rails against coronavirus measures being taken in his country, as local officials take preparedness into their own hands.

March 26th 2020 March 27th 2020 March 28th 2020

European COmmission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU 'looked into the abyss' in the early days of the crisis but now it has the chance to reinvent itself.

French President Emmanuel Macron issues a plea for European solidarity to fight the coronavirus crisis, saying 'I don't want a selfish and divided Europe'

Belgium extend confinement measures until 19th April

UK Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, announces he is self-isolating after experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus

March 29th 2020 March 30th 2020 March 31st 2020 April 1st 2020 April 2nd 2020

The number of worldwide coronavirus cases passes one million.
April 3rd 2020

German Chancellor Angela Merkel returns to her office after isolating as her physician tested positive for the coronavirus.
April 5th 2020 April 6th 2020 April 7th 2020

European finance ministers meet to discuss a range of options to support the bloc's economy.

The messaging service WhatsApp announces it is introducing limits to its forwarding service in order to combat disinformation. The application has been a hotbed for the spread of fake news relating to the coronavirus outbreak.

US stock market indices rise for the second day in a row to hit their highest level since 11th March.

The airline industry cuts 90% of its flights in Europe.

April 8th 2020 April 9th 2020 April 10th 2020 April 11th 2020

Italy extends its lockdown until May 3rd.

Yemen records its first case.

Brazil reports more than 1,000 COVID-19 deaths.

April 12th 2020 April 13th 2020 April 14th 2020 April 15th 2020 April 16th 2020 April 17th 2020

US President Donald Trump announces that the US will be reopened in phases.

The Economist Intelligence Unit announce that the world economy may face a double recession.

The number of confirmed virus cases in the US reaches 700,000.

Hospitals in Japan on the brink of collapse due to new wave of infections.

NHS bosses to ask Doctors and nurses to work without some PPE as supplies begin to run out.

Ecuador see's surge in death count, with the Guayas province a hotbed for the virus

Two men in Tunisia, including a suspected Jihadist, detained over plot to infect members of the security force with COVID-19.

April 18th 2020 April 19th 2020 April 20th 2020

US oil prices dip below zero for the first time on record.

New Zealand and South Korea plan to relax lockdown restrictions.

Italy and Spain report falls in their daily death tolls.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro joins anti-lockdown protests.

Ghana eases lockdown restrictions.

The Coogee, Maroubra and Clovelly beaches in Sydney, Australia have reopened to 'ease mental strain', but social distancing rules are still in place.

Ugandan Independent MP Francis Zaake arrested for distributing food to his constituents in the Mityana district.

India begins easing some lockdown restrictions, especially on agricultural businesses, in order to ease pressure on farming.

April 21st 2020 April 22nd 2020

South Africa announce relief package worth $26bn (£21bn) intended to protect companies and three million workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, President Cyril Ramaphosa has also taken the decision to deploy an extra 73,180 soldiers of the South African national defence force to enforce lockdown.

Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio to self-isolate over virus fears due to one of his bodyguards testing positive for COVID-19.

UK human COVID-19 vaccine trials start.

Italy sees its first drop in active cases, with 127 fewer patients in hospitals.

US state of Missouri announces it is suing China over the crisis.

US President Donald Trump announced a 60 day ban on the distribution of green cards to immigrants, an authorisation that allows someone to live and work in the US on a permanent basis.

April 23rd, 2020 April 24th, 2020

Algeria ease lockdown measures around the capital of Algiers for the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.

The World Trade Organisation reports that 80 countries are limiting the export of face masks and other PPE.

Costa Rica reports a steady fall in the number of COVID-19 cases, amidst the struggles of fellow South American countries.

The UK will host a 'global vaccines summit' on June 4thto encourage nations to come together to support the development of a global COVID-19 vaccine.

At least 150 doctors have died in Italy from COVID-19

April 25th, 2020 April 26th, 2020 April 27th, 2020

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson returns to work after recovering from COVID-19.

France, Italy and Spain all prepare to ease lockdown restrictions.

French researchers prepare to launch human trial to test whether nicotine helps the body combat COVID-19.

Ghana plans to build 90 new hospitals in the wake of the pandemic.

The president of EL Salvador Nayib Bukele claims that criminal gangs are taking advantage of the pandemic, with over 50 people murdered between the 24thand 26th of the month.

April 28th: US reaches 1 million COVID-19 cases.

Australia begins to ease lockdown restrictions.

Greece prepares to ease lockdown restrictions from next week.

France cancels its 2019-20 football Ligue 1 season.

April 29th, 2020

US GDP falls 4.8% in worst economic decline since 2008.

The International Labour Organisation reports that nearly half of the global workforce risk losing their livelihoods due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is reported that over 12 million Italian workers have requested emergency funds.

Switzerland to further ease restrictions on May 11th.

Ghana lifts lockdown restrictions.

April 30th, 2020 May 1st, 2020

UK providing 100,000 COVID-19 tests a day.
May 2nd, 2020 May 3rd, 2020 May 4th, 2020 May 5th, 2020

Australia and New Zealand plan 'travel bubble' that would allow quarantine-free flow of people between the two neighbouring countries.

Spain allows people outside to exercise for the first time in two weeks.

WHO announces there are 108 potential COVID-19 vaccines in development around the world, with 8 approved for clinical trials.

Belarus to hold annual military parade commemorating the end of World War 2 on May 9thdespite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hong Kong to begin relaxing social distancing measures from Friday the 8thof May.

Russia surpasses 150,000 COVID-19 cases.

May 6th, 2020 May 7th, 2020 May 8th, 2020

COVID-19 cases in Russia continue to rise, with 10,699 newly recorded cases.
May 9th, 2020 May 10th, 2020 May 11th, 2020 May 12th, 2020 May 13th, 2020

US death toll passes 80,000.

Carbon emissions in India drop for the first time in four decades.

Belgium to open museums and some school classes from May 18th.

Saudi Arabia to reimpose lockdown restrictions on May 23rd.

US Embassy in Tanzania claims that the country is at risk of a large growth in COVID-19 cases amidst President John Magalufi's accusations that the crisis has been exaggerated by health officials.

May 14th, 2020 May 15th, 2020 May 16th, 2020

India's COVID-19 cases rise to 85,940, surpassing China.

Italy to reopen shops on May 18th, and lift travel restrictions from June 3rd.

Brazil's COVID-19 deaths passes 15,000.

Zhong Nanshan, the top respiratory authority in China, says the country are still at a high risk of a second wave of COVID-19 infections.

Spain to reopen some public places, including hotels.

May 17th, 2020 May 18th, 2020

Cafes, restaurants and pubs in Denmark begin to reopen.

US health secretary Alex Azar accuses WHO of allowing the COVID-19 pandemic to 'spin out of control.'

first case of coronavirus confirmed in the indigenous Waorani community in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Both Spanish footballers and English footballers in the premier league to begin training in small group as prospects of top-level sport returning increase.

The Czech Republic lifts state of emergency.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron propose a 500 Billion Euro German-French scheme to aid European recovery

May 19th, 2020

Brazil see's record raise in both cases at 17,4018, and deaths at 1,179.

Iraq to reimpose curfew from May 28thduring Eid al-Fitr holiday.

COVID-19 lockdowns have reduced global carbon emissions to the lowest level in 15 years.

Germany announces that over 20,000 health care workers have been infected with COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin released from hospital after treatment for COVID-19.

May 20th, 2020

The WHO reports largest single day increase in COVID-19 cases, with 106,000 newly recorded infections.

Cambridge University announce all lectures will be held online in the next academic year.

Spanish parliament votes to extend the countries state of emergency for another two weeks.

Greece to reopen the country to foreign visitors from some countries with low infection rates from June 15th.

Cuba reports that the country has gone a week without a single COVID-19 related death.

Switzerland to allow places of worship to reopen from May 28th.

May 21st, 2020 May 22nd, 2020

Peruvian president Martin Vizcarra extends the nationwide lockdown until June 30th.

COVID-19 cases in Africa pass 100,000.

US President Donald Trump directs states to reopen places of worship, deeming them 'essential.'

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Italy continues to fall, with numbers falling to 59,322.

Travellers entering the UK will have to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning June 8th.

May 23rd, 2020 May 24th, 2020

Schools in New South Wales in Australia to reopen from the 31st.

US President Donald Trump bans entry to the US for anyone who has been in Brazil 14 days prior to their arrival.

South Africa to reopen the majority of its economy, with schools beginning to reopen and most sectors to reopen with strict health and safety measures.

UK schools to begin phased reopening beginning June 1stwith year one and year six, and then on June 15th year ten and year twelve.

White House economic advisor says that US unemployment levels will reach north of 20% by the end of May.

May 25th, 2020 May 26th, 2020 May 27th, 2020 May 28th, 2020

Brazil sees record number of COVID-19 infections with 26,417 new cases.

Spain to further decrease lockdown restrictions from 1st June as the country enters its phase two.

Turkey announces restaurants and cafés to reopen June 1st.

Jordan announces plans to reopen places of worship from June 5th.

May 29th, 2020

The WHO's Covid-19 special envoy Dr David Nabarro, warns "this virus has not gone away" despite lockdowns being eased.

Cases in Seoul, the South Korean capital continue to rise after second outbreak.

Lockdown restrictions in England continue to ease, with groups of up to six people allowed to meet from June 1st, whilst maintaining strict social distancing rules.

English Premier League football set to return from June 17th.

May 30th, 2020 May 31st, 2020 June 1st, 2020 June 2nd, 2020 June 5th, 2020

The WHO calls for nations to encourage the increased use of face mask coverings.

UK COVID-19 death toll surpasses 40,000.

Mexico sees record increase in COVID-19 cases, with 4,442 new infections.

UK makes masks compulsory on public transport, starting June 15th.

June 6th, 2020 June 7th, 2020 June 8th, 2020 June 9th, 2020

Global COVID-19 cases reaches 7 million.

UK records lowest daily COVID-19 death toll since March 22nd, with 55 deaths.

Moscow relaxes lockdown restrictions, allowing free movement around the city.

All COVID-19 restrictions in New Zealand, except overseas travel, have been relaxed. No new infections have been reported in the country for two weeks.

June 10th, 2020 June 11th, 2020 June 12th, 2020

French government to lift travel restrictions on internal European borders on June 15th.

Chile reports a spike in COVID-19 cases, the country currently has 160,846 confirmed cases.

UK to review its 14-day quarantine on those travelling into the country on June 29th.

June 13th, 2020

US President Donald Trump declares the US will 'vanquish' and 'extinguish' COVID-19.

Florida researchers say experiments suggest that the COVID-19 pathogen has mutated in a way that makes It infect human cells easier.

El Salvador announces plans to reopen and restart is economy, beginning June 16th.

June 14th, 2020

Worldwide COVID-19 death count surpasses 300,000.

Over 600,000 people have become unemployed in Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brazil tops 200,000 COVID-19 cases.

Northern Ireland announces it will begin easing lockdown restrictions from Monday 15thof June.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
COVID-19 Timeline - British Foreign Policy Group

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
December 21st 2019 Chinese epidemiologists with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention published an article on 20th January 2020 stating that the first cluster of patients with 'pneumonia of an unknown cause' had been identified on 21st December 2019 December 31st 2019 January 2nd 2020 Central Hospital of

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
COVID-19 Timeline
December 21st 2019

Chinese epidemiologists with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention published an article on 20th January 2020 stating that the first cluster of patients with 'pneumonia of an unknown cause' had been identified on 21st December 2019
December 31st 2019 January 2nd 2020

Central Hospital of Wuhan banned its staff from discussing the disease publicly or recording them using text or image that can be used as evidence
January 8th 2020

The Chinese government agrees to accept a WHO scientific team to assist their own researchers
January 11th 2020

Chinese state media reported the first known death from an illness caused by the virus. It was a 61-year old man who was a regular customer of the market in Wuhan where the virus is believed to have originated, and had previously been found to have abdominal tumors and chronic liver disease.
January 14th 2020

Reporters from Hong Kong taken to police station after trying to film the situation within Wuhan hospital
January 20th 2020

The first confirmed cases outside mainland China occurred in Japan, South Korea and Thailand, according to the WHO.
January 21st 2020

The first confirmed case of the virus in the US in Washington State, where a man in his 30s developed symptoms after returning from a trip to Wuhan.
January 22nd 2020

Public Health England announces it is moving the risk level to the British public from 'very low' to 'low'.
January 23rd 2020 January 26th 2020 January 29th 2020 January 30th 2020

WHO declares a global health emergency amid thousands of new cases in China.
January 31st 2020 February 1st 2020

Spain confirms its first case of the coronavirus on La Gomera in the Canary Islands
February 2nd 2020

The first death of coronavirus is reported outside China, as a 44-year-old man in the Philippines dies after being infected.
February 4th 2020

The UK directs its citizens to leave China if possible
February 5th 2020

A cruise ship in Japan quarantines 3600 people after a two-week trip to Southeast Asia. 218 people onboard the ship tested positive for the virus.
February 7th 2020

The Chinese doctor Dr. Li Wenliang, who tried to ring early alarms that a cluster of infections could spin out of control, dies after contracting the virus. He was reprimanded by authorities in early January and he was forced to sign a statement denouncing his warning as an unfounded and illegal rumor.
February 11th 2020

The disease is named 'Covid-19', an acronym that stands for coronavirus disease 2019. 1113 people in China have died with 44,653 cases, and 393 cases outside of China.
February 14th 2020 February 17th 2020

China said it was reviewing its trade and consumption of wildlife, which has been identified as a probable source of the outbreak
February 19th 2020

443 passengers leave the Diamond Princess cruises ship. A total of 621 people aboard the ship were infected.
February 21st 2020 February 23rd 2020 February 24th 2020 February 26th 2020

Latin America reports its first coronavirus case, as Brazilian health officials said that a 61-year-old Sao Paulo man, returning from Italy, tested positive for the virus.
February 28th 2020

800 people are now infected in Italy, and cases in 14 other European countries remain an area of concern

Sub-Saharan Africa records its first infection.

The first British victim dies of coronavirus onboard the Diamond Princess.

UK authorities confirm the first case of the illness to be passed on inside the country.

The worst week for the global stock markets since the 2008 financial crash.

The WHO raises the coronavirus alert to the highest level.

February 29th 2020

The US records its first coronavirus death and announces travel restrictions of 'do not travel' warnings for areas in Italy and South Korea. It also bans all travel to Iran and bars entry to any foreign citizen who had visited Iran in the previous 14 days.
March 4th 2020 March 10th 2020 March 11th 2020 March 13th 2020 March 16th 2020 March 17th 2020 March 18th 2020

The UK government announces most schools across England will be shut down from Friday until further notice. Wales and Scotland announce they will also close schools.
March 19th 2020

For the first time, China reports zero local infections, a milestone in the fight against the pandemic. Experts said the country would need to see at least 14 consecutive days without new infections for the outbreak to be considered over. 34 new cases were confirmed among people who had arrived in China from elsewhere.
March 20th 2020 March 23rd 2020 March 24th 2020

Tokyo Olympics likely to be postponed - according to a member of the International Olympic Committee, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics - set to begin in August - will be postponed. Australia and Canada have already announced that their athletes will not compete
March 25th 2020

Prince Charles tests positive for the coronavirus.

In the US, negotiators strike a deal on a $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package intended to assist businesses and millions of Americans amid the halt in the US economy. The bill includes $1,200 for individuals earning up to $75,000, $100 billion for health care providers, and $58 billion for the US airline industry. It would also include $2,400 per month for up to four months to the unemployed. $500 billion goes to industry loans that corporations, cities, and states can apply for.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown of the country's 1.3 billion residents. India has only recorded 536 cases of COVID-19 so far.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro rails against coronavirus measures being taken in his country, as local officials take preparedness into their own hands.

March 26th 2020 March 27th 2020 March 28th 2020

European COmmission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU 'looked into the abyss' in the early days of the crisis but now it has the chance to reinvent itself.

French President Emmanuel Macron issues a plea for European solidarity to fight the coronavirus crisis, saying 'I don't want a selfish and divided Europe'

Belgium extend confinement measures until 19th April

UK Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, announces he is self-isolating after experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus

March 29th 2020 March 30th 2020 March 31st 2020 April 1st 2020 April 2nd 2020

The number of worldwide coronavirus cases passes one million.
April 3rd 2020

German Chancellor Angela Merkel returns to her office after isolating as her physician tested positive for the coronavirus.
April 5th 2020 April 6th 2020 April 7th 2020

European finance ministers meet to discuss a range of options to support the bloc's economy.

The messaging service WhatsApp announces it is introducing limits to its forwarding service in order to combat disinformation. The application has been a hotbed for the spread of fake news relating to the coronavirus outbreak.

US stock market indices rise for the second day in a row to hit their highest level since 11th March.

The airline industry cuts 90% of its flights in Europe.

April 8th 2020 April 9th 2020 April 10th 2020 April 11th 2020

Italy extends its lockdown until May 3rd.

Yemen records its first case.

Brazil reports more than 1,000 COVID-19 deaths.

April 12th 2020 April 13th 2020 April 14th 2020 April 15th 2020 April 16th 2020 April 17th 2020

US President Donald Trump announces that the US will be reopened in phases.

The Economist Intelligence Unit announce that the world economy may face a double recession.

The number of confirmed virus cases in the US reaches 700,000.

Hospitals in Japan on the brink of collapse due to new wave of infections.

NHS bosses to ask Doctors and nurses to work without some PPE as supplies begin to run out.

Ecuador see's surge in death count, with the Guayas province a hotbed for the virus

Two men in Tunisia, including a suspected Jihadist, detained over plot to infect members of the security force with COVID-19.

April 18th 2020 April 19th 2020 April 20th 2020

US oil prices dip below zero for the first time on record.

New Zealand and South Korea plan to relax lockdown restrictions.

Italy and Spain report falls in their daily death tolls.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro joins anti-lockdown protests.

Ghana eases lockdown restrictions.

The Coogee, Maroubra and Clovelly beaches in Sydney, Australia have reopened to 'ease mental strain', but social distancing rules are still in place.

Ugandan Independent MP Francis Zaake arrested for distributing food to his constituents in the Mityana district.

India begins easing some lockdown restrictions, especially on agricultural businesses, in order to ease pressure on farming.

April 21st 2020 April 22nd 2020

South Africa announce relief package worth $26bn (£21bn) intended to protect companies and three million workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, President Cyril Ramaphosa has also taken the decision to deploy an extra 73,180 soldiers of the South African national defence force to enforce lockdown.

Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio to self-isolate over virus fears due to one of his bodyguards testing positive for COVID-19.

UK human COVID-19 vaccine trials start.

Italy sees its first drop in active cases, with 127 fewer patients in hospitals.

US state of Missouri announces it is suing China over the crisis.

US President Donald Trump announced a 60 day ban on the distribution of green cards to immigrants, an authorisation that allows someone to live and work in the US on a permanent basis.

April 23rd, 2020 April 24th, 2020

Algeria ease lockdown measures around the capital of Algiers for the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.

The World Trade Organisation reports that 80 countries are limiting the export of face masks and other PPE.

Costa Rica reports a steady fall in the number of COVID-19 cases, amidst the struggles of fellow South American countries.

The UK will host a 'global vaccines summit' on June 4thto encourage nations to come together to support the development of a global COVID-19 vaccine.

At least 150 doctors have died in Italy from COVID-19

April 25th, 2020 April 26th, 2020 April 27th, 2020

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson returns to work after recovering from COVID-19.

France, Italy and Spain all prepare to ease lockdown restrictions.

French researchers prepare to launch human trial to test whether nicotine helps the body combat COVID-19.

Ghana plans to build 90 new hospitals in the wake of the pandemic.

The president of EL Salvador Nayib Bukele claims that criminal gangs are taking advantage of the pandemic, with over 50 people murdered between the 24thand 26th of the month.

April 28th: US reaches 1 million COVID-19 cases.

Australia begins to ease lockdown restrictions.

Greece prepares to ease lockdown restrictions from next week.

France cancels its 2019-20 football Ligue 1 season.

April 29th, 2020

US GDP falls 4.8% in worst economic decline since 2008.

The International Labour Organisation reports that nearly half of the global workforce risk losing their livelihoods due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is reported that over 12 million Italian workers have requested emergency funds.

Switzerland to further ease restrictions on May 11th.

Ghana lifts lockdown restrictions.

April 30th, 2020 May 1st, 2020

UK providing 100,000 COVID-19 tests a day.
May 2nd, 2020 May 3rd, 2020 May 4th, 2020 May 5th, 2020

Australia and New Zealand plan 'travel bubble' that would allow quarantine-free flow of people between the two neighbouring countries.

Spain allows people outside to exercise for the first time in two weeks.

WHO announces there are 108 potential COVID-19 vaccines in development around the world, with 8 approved for clinical trials.

Belarus to hold annual military parade commemorating the end of World War 2 on May 9thdespite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hong Kong to begin relaxing social distancing measures from Friday the 8thof May.

Russia surpasses 150,000 COVID-19 cases.

May 6th, 2020 May 7th, 2020 May 8th, 2020

COVID-19 cases in Russia continue to rise, with 10,699 newly recorded cases.
May 9th, 2020 May 10th, 2020 May 11th, 2020 May 12th, 2020 May 13th, 2020

US death toll passes 80,000.

Carbon emissions in India drop for the first time in four decades.

Belgium to open museums and some school classes from May 18th.

Saudi Arabia to reimpose lockdown restrictions on May 23rd.

US Embassy in Tanzania claims that the country is at risk of a large growth in COVID-19 cases amidst President John Magalufi's accusations that the crisis has been exaggerated by health officials.

May 14th, 2020 May 15th, 2020 May 16th, 2020

India's COVID-19 cases rise to 85,940, surpassing China.

Italy to reopen shops on May 18th, and lift travel restrictions from June 3rd.

Brazil's COVID-19 deaths passes 15,000.

Zhong Nanshan, the top respiratory authority in China, says the country are still at a high risk of a second wave of COVID-19 infections.

Spain to reopen some public places, including hotels.

May 17th, 2020 May 18th, 2020

Cafes, restaurants and pubs in Denmark begin to reopen.

US health secretary Alex Azar accuses WHO of allowing the COVID-19 pandemic to 'spin out of control.'

first case of coronavirus confirmed in the indigenous Waorani community in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Both Spanish footballers and English footballers in the premier league to begin training in small group as prospects of top-level sport returning increase.

The Czech Republic lifts state of emergency.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron propose a 500 Billion Euro German-French scheme to aid European recovery

May 19th, 2020

Brazil see's record raise in both cases at 17,4018, and deaths at 1,179.

Iraq to reimpose curfew from May 28thduring Eid al-Fitr holiday.

COVID-19 lockdowns have reduced global carbon emissions to the lowest level in 15 years.

Germany announces that over 20,000 health care workers have been infected with COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin released from hospital after treatment for COVID-19.

May 20th, 2020

The WHO reports largest single day increase in COVID-19 cases, with 106,000 newly recorded infections.

Cambridge University announce all lectures will be held online in the next academic year.

Spanish parliament votes to extend the countries state of emergency for another two weeks.

Greece to reopen the country to foreign visitors from some countries with low infection rates from June 15th.

Cuba reports that the country has gone a week without a single COVID-19 related death.

Switzerland to allow places of worship to reopen from May 28th.

May 21st, 2020 May 22nd, 2020

Peruvian president Martin Vizcarra extends the nationwide lockdown until June 30th.

COVID-19 cases in Africa pass 100,000.

US President Donald Trump directs states to reopen places of worship, deeming them 'essential.'

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Italy continues to fall, with numbers falling to 59,322.

Travellers entering the UK will have to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning June 8th.

May 23rd, 2020 May 24th, 2020

Schools in New South Wales in Australia to reopen from the 31st.

US President Donald Trump bans entry to the US for anyone who has been in Brazil 14 days prior to their arrival.

South Africa to reopen the majority of its economy, with schools beginning to reopen and most sectors to reopen with strict health and safety measures.

UK schools to begin phased reopening beginning June 1stwith year one and year six, and then on June 15th year ten and year twelve.

White House economic advisor says that US unemployment levels will reach north of 20% by the end of May.

May 25th, 2020 May 26th, 2020 May 27th, 2020 May 28th, 2020

Brazil sees record number of COVID-19 infections with 26,417 new cases.

Spain to further decrease lockdown restrictions from 1st June as the country enters its phase two.

Turkey announces restaurants and cafés to reopen June 1st.

Jordan announces plans to reopen places of worship from June 5th.

May 29th, 2020

The WHO's Covid-19 special envoy Dr David Nabarro, warns "this virus has not gone away" despite lockdowns being eased.

Cases in Seoul, the South Korean capital continue to rise after second outbreak.

Lockdown restrictions in England continue to ease, with groups of up to six people allowed to meet from June 1st, whilst maintaining strict social distancing rules.

English Premier League football set to return from June 17th.

May 30th, 2020 May 31st, 2020 June 1st, 2020 June 2nd, 2020 June 5th, 2020

The WHO calls for nations to encourage the increased use of face mask coverings.

UK COVID-19 death toll surpasses 40,000.

Mexico sees record increase in COVID-19 cases, with 4,442 new infections.

UK makes masks compulsory on public transport, starting June 15th.

June 6th, 2020 June 7th, 2020 June 8th, 2020 June 9th, 2020

Global COVID-19 cases reaches 7 million.

UK records lowest daily COVID-19 death toll since March 22nd, with 55 deaths.

Moscow relaxes lockdown restrictions, allowing free movement around the city.

All COVID-19 restrictions in New Zealand, except overseas travel, have been relaxed. No new infections have been reported in the country for two weeks.

June 10th, 2020 June 11th, 2020 June 12th, 2020

French government to lift travel restrictions on internal European borders on June 15th.

Chile reports a spike in COVID-19 cases, the country currently has 160,846 confirmed cases.

UK to review its 14-day quarantine on those travelling into the country on June 29th.

June 13th, 2020

US President Donald Trump declares the US will 'vanquish' and 'extinguish' COVID-19.

Florida researchers say experiments suggest that the COVID-19 pathogen has mutated in a way that makes It infect human cells easier.

El Salvador announces plans to reopen and restart is economy, beginning June 16th.

June 14th, 2020

Worldwide COVID-19 death count surpasses 300,000.

Over 600,000 people have become unemployed in Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brazil tops 200,000 COVID-19 cases.

Northern Ireland announces it will begin easing lockdown restrictions from Monday 15thof June.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
COVID-19 Timeline - British Foreign Policy Group

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
December 21st 2019 Chinese epidemiologists with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention published an article on 20th January 2020 stating that the first cluster of patients with 'pneumonia of an unknown cause' had been identified on 21st December 2019 December 31st 2019 January 2nd 2020 Central Hospital of

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22/01 Public Health England announced it is moving the risk level to the British Public from 'very low' to 'low 

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22/01 Public Health England announced it is moving the risk level to the British Public from 'very low' to 'low 

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COVID-19 Timeline
December 21st 2019

Chinese epidemiologists with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention published an article on 20th January 2020 stating that the first cluster of patients with 'pneumonia of an unknown cause' had been identified on 21st December 2019
December 31st 2019 January 2nd 2020

Central Hospital of Wuhan banned its staff from discussing the disease publicly or recording them using text or image that can be used as evidence
January 8th 2020

The Chinese government agrees to accept a WHO scientific team to assist their own researchers
January 11th 2020

Chinese state media reported the first known death from an illness caused by the virus. It was a 61-year old man who was a regular customer of the market in Wuhan where the virus is believed to have originated, and had previously been found to have abdominal tumors and chronic liver disease.
January 14th 2020

Reporters from Hong Kong taken to police station after trying to film the situation within Wuhan hospital
January 20th 2020

The first confirmed cases outside mainland China occurred in Japan, South Korea and Thailand, according to the WHO.
January 21st 2020

The first confirmed case of the virus in the US in Washington State, where a man in his 30s developed symptoms after returning from a trip to Wuhan.
January 22nd 2020

Public Health England announces it is moving the risk level to the British public from 'very low' to 'low'.
January 23rd 2020 January 26th 2020 January 29th 2020 January 30th 2020

WHO declares a global health emergency amid thousands of new cases in China.
January 31st 2020 February 1st 2020

Spain confirms its first case of the coronavirus on La Gomera in the Canary Islands
February 2nd 2020

The first death of coronavirus is reported outside China, as a 44-year-old man in the Philippines dies after being infected.
February 4th 2020

The UK directs its citizens to leave China if possible
February 5th 2020

A cruise ship in Japan quarantines 3600 people after a two-week trip to Southeast Asia. 218 people onboard the ship tested positive for the virus.
February 7th 2020

The Chinese doctor Dr. Li Wenliang, who tried to ring early alarms that a cluster of infections could spin out of control, dies after contracting the virus. He was reprimanded by authorities in early January and he was forced to sign a statement denouncing his warning as an unfounded and illegal rumor.
February 11th 2020

The disease is named 'Covid-19', an acronym that stands for coronavirus disease 2019. 1113 people in China have died with 44,653 cases, and 393 cases outside of China.
February 14th 2020 February 17th 2020

China said it was reviewing its trade and consumption of wildlife, which has been identified as a probable source of the outbreak
February 19th 2020

443 passengers leave the Diamond Princess cruises ship. A total of 621 people aboard the ship were infected.
February 21st 2020 February 23rd 2020 February 24th 2020 February 26th 2020

Latin America reports its first coronavirus case, as Brazilian health officials said that a 61-year-old Sao Paulo man, returning from Italy, tested positive for the virus.
February 28th 2020

800 people are now infected in Italy, and cases in 14 other European countries remain an area of concern

Sub-Saharan Africa records its first infection.

The first British victim dies of coronavirus onboard the Diamond Princess.

UK authorities confirm the first case of the illness to be passed on inside the country.

The worst week for the global stock markets since the 2008 financial crash.

The WHO raises the coronavirus alert to the highest level.

February 29th 2020

The US records its first coronavirus death and announces travel restrictions of 'do not travel' warnings for areas in Italy and South Korea. It also bans all travel to Iran and bars entry to any foreign citizen who had visited Iran in the previous 14 days.
March 4th 2020 March 10th 2020 March 11th 2020 March 13th 2020 March 16th 2020 March 17th 2020 March 18th 2020

The UK government announces most schools across England will be shut down from Friday until further notice. Wales and Scotland announce they will also close schools.
March 19th 2020

For the first time, China reports zero local infections, a milestone in the fight against the pandemic. Experts said the country would need to see at least 14 consecutive days without new infections for the outbreak to be considered over. 34 new cases were confirmed among people who had arrived in China from elsewhere.
March 20th 2020 March 23rd 2020 March 24th 2020

Tokyo Olympics likely to be postponed - according to a member of the International Olympic Committee, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics - set to begin in August - will be postponed. Australia and Canada have already announced that their athletes will not compete
March 25th 2020

Prince Charles tests positive for the coronavirus.

In the US, negotiators strike a deal on a $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package intended to assist businesses and millions of Americans amid the halt in the US economy. The bill includes $1,200 for individuals earning up to $75,000, $100 billion for health care providers, and $58 billion for the US airline industry. It would also include $2,400 per month for up to four months to the unemployed. $500 billion goes to industry loans that corporations, cities, and states can apply for.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown of the country's 1.3 billion residents. India has only recorded 536 cases of COVID-19 so far.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro rails against coronavirus measures being taken in his country, as local officials take preparedness into their own hands.

March 26th 2020 March 27th 2020 March 28th 2020

European COmmission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU 'looked into the abyss' in the early days of the crisis but now it has the chance to reinvent itself.

French President Emmanuel Macron issues a plea for European solidarity to fight the coronavirus crisis, saying 'I don't want a selfish and divided Europe'

Belgium extend confinement measures until 19th April

UK Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, announces he is self-isolating after experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus

March 29th 2020 March 30th 2020 March 31st 2020 April 1st 2020 April 2nd 2020

The number of worldwide coronavirus cases passes one million.
April 3rd 2020

German Chancellor Angela Merkel returns to her office after isolating as her physician tested positive for the coronavirus.
April 5th 2020 April 6th 2020 April 7th 2020

European finance ministers meet to discuss a range of options to support the bloc's economy.

The messaging service WhatsApp announces it is introducing limits to its forwarding service in order to combat disinformation. The application has been a hotbed for the spread of fake news relating to the coronavirus outbreak.

US stock market indices rise for the second day in a row to hit their highest level since 11th March.

The airline industry cuts 90% of its flights in Europe.

April 8th 2020 April 9th 2020 April 10th 2020 April 11th 2020

Italy extends its lockdown until May 3rd.

Yemen records its first case.

Brazil reports more than 1,000 COVID-19 deaths.

April 12th 2020 April 13th 2020 April 14th 2020 April 15th 2020 April 16th 2020 April 17th 2020

US President Donald Trump announces that the US will be reopened in phases.

The Economist Intelligence Unit announce that the world economy may face a double recession.

The number of confirmed virus cases in the US reaches 700,000.

Hospitals in Japan on the brink of collapse due to new wave of infections.

NHS bosses to ask Doctors and nurses to work without some PPE as supplies begin to run out.

Ecuador see's surge in death count, with the Guayas province a hotbed for the virus

Two men in Tunisia, including a suspected Jihadist, detained over plot to infect members of the security force with COVID-19.

April 18th 2020 April 19th 2020 April 20th 2020

US oil prices dip below zero for the first time on record.

New Zealand and South Korea plan to relax lockdown restrictions.

Italy and Spain report falls in their daily death tolls.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro joins anti-lockdown protests.

Ghana eases lockdown restrictions.

The Coogee, Maroubra and Clovelly beaches in Sydney, Australia have reopened to 'ease mental strain', but social distancing rules are still in place.

Ugandan Independent MP Francis Zaake arrested for distributing food to his constituents in the Mityana district.

India begins easing some lockdown restrictions, especially on agricultural businesses, in order to ease pressure on farming.

April 21st 2020 April 22nd 2020

South Africa announce relief package worth $26bn (£21bn) intended to protect companies and three million workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, President Cyril Ramaphosa has also taken the decision to deploy an extra 73,180 soldiers of the South African national defence force to enforce lockdown.

Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio to self-isolate over virus fears due to one of his bodyguards testing positive for COVID-19.

UK human COVID-19 vaccine trials start.

Italy sees its first drop in active cases, with 127 fewer patients in hospitals.

US state of Missouri announces it is suing China over the crisis.

US President Donald Trump announced a 60 day ban on the distribution of green cards to immigrants, an authorisation that allows someone to live and work in the US on a permanent basis.

April 23rd, 2020 April 24th, 2020

Algeria ease lockdown measures around the capital of Algiers for the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.

The World Trade Organisation reports that 80 countries are limiting the export of face masks and other PPE.

Costa Rica reports a steady fall in the number of COVID-19 cases, amidst the struggles of fellow South American countries.

The UK will host a 'global vaccines summit' on June 4thto encourage nations to come together to support the development of a global COVID-19 vaccine.

At least 150 doctors have died in Italy from COVID-19

April 25th, 2020 April 26th, 2020 April 27th, 2020

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson returns to work after recovering from COVID-19.

France, Italy and Spain all prepare to ease lockdown restrictions.

French researchers prepare to launch human trial to test whether nicotine helps the body combat COVID-19.

Ghana plans to build 90 new hospitals in the wake of the pandemic.

The president of EL Salvador Nayib Bukele claims that criminal gangs are taking advantage of the pandemic, with over 50 people murdered between the 24thand 26th of the month.

April 28th: US reaches 1 million COVID-19 cases.

Australia begins to ease lockdown restrictions.

Greece prepares to ease lockdown restrictions from next week.

France cancels its 2019-20 football Ligue 1 season.

April 29th, 2020

US GDP falls 4.8% in worst economic decline since 2008.

The International Labour Organisation reports that nearly half of the global workforce risk losing their livelihoods due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is reported that over 12 million Italian workers have requested emergency funds.

Switzerland to further ease restrictions on May 11th.

Ghana lifts lockdown restrictions.

April 30th, 2020 May 1st, 2020

UK providing 100,000 COVID-19 tests a day.
May 2nd, 2020 May 3rd, 2020 May 4th, 2020 May 5th, 2020

Australia and New Zealand plan 'travel bubble' that would allow quarantine-free flow of people between the two neighbouring countries.

Spain allows people outside to exercise for the first time in two weeks.

WHO announces there are 108 potential COVID-19 vaccines in development around the world, with 8 approved for clinical trials.

Belarus to hold annual military parade commemorating the end of World War 2 on May 9thdespite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hong Kong to begin relaxing social distancing measures from Friday the 8thof May.

Russia surpasses 150,000 COVID-19 cases.

May 6th, 2020 May 7th, 2020 May 8th, 2020

COVID-19 cases in Russia continue to rise, with 10,699 newly recorded cases.
May 9th, 2020 May 10th, 2020 May 11th, 2020 May 12th, 2020 May 13th, 2020

US death toll passes 80,000.

Carbon emissions in India drop for the first time in four decades.

Belgium to open museums and some school classes from May 18th.

Saudi Arabia to reimpose lockdown restrictions on May 23rd.

US Embassy in Tanzania claims that the country is at risk of a large growth in COVID-19 cases amidst President John Magalufi's accusations that the crisis has been exaggerated by health officials.

May 14th, 2020 May 15th, 2020 May 16th, 2020

India's COVID-19 cases rise to 85,940, surpassing China.

Italy to reopen shops on May 18th, and lift travel restrictions from June 3rd.

Brazil's COVID-19 deaths passes 15,000.

Zhong Nanshan, the top respiratory authority in China, says the country are still at a high risk of a second wave of COVID-19 infections.

Spain to reopen some public places, including hotels.

May 17th, 2020 May 18th, 2020

Cafes, restaurants and pubs in Denmark begin to reopen.

US health secretary Alex Azar accuses WHO of allowing the COVID-19 pandemic to 'spin out of control.'

first case of coronavirus confirmed in the indigenous Waorani community in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Both Spanish footballers and English footballers in the premier league to begin training in small group as prospects of top-level sport returning increase.

The Czech Republic lifts state of emergency.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron propose a 500 Billion Euro German-French scheme to aid European recovery

May 19th, 2020

Brazil see's record raise in both cases at 17,4018, and deaths at 1,179.

Iraq to reimpose curfew from May 28thduring Eid al-Fitr holiday.

COVID-19 lockdowns have reduced global carbon emissions to the lowest level in 15 years.

Germany announces that over 20,000 health care workers have been infected with COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin released from hospital after treatment for COVID-19.

May 20th, 2020

The WHO reports largest single day increase in COVID-19 cases, with 106,000 newly recorded infections.

Cambridge University announce all lectures will be held online in the next academic year.

Spanish parliament votes to extend the countries state of emergency for another two weeks.

Greece to reopen the country to foreign visitors from some countries with low infection rates from June 15th.

Cuba reports that the country has gone a week without a single COVID-19 related death.

Switzerland to allow places of worship to reopen from May 28th.

May 21st, 2020 May 22nd, 2020

Peruvian president Martin Vizcarra extends the nationwide lockdown until June 30th.

COVID-19 cases in Africa pass 100,000.

US President Donald Trump directs states to reopen places of worship, deeming them 'essential.'

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Italy continues to fall, with numbers falling to 59,322.

Travellers entering the UK will have to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning June 8th.

May 23rd, 2020 May 24th, 2020

Schools in New South Wales in Australia to reopen from the 31st.

US President Donald Trump bans entry to the US for anyone who has been in Brazil 14 days prior to their arrival.

South Africa to reopen the majority of its economy, with schools beginning to reopen and most sectors to reopen with strict health and safety measures.

UK schools to begin phased reopening beginning June 1stwith year one and year six, and then on June 15th year ten and year twelve.

White House economic advisor says that US unemployment levels will reach north of 20% by the end of May.

May 25th, 2020 May 26th, 2020 May 27th, 2020 May 28th, 2020

Brazil sees record number of COVID-19 infections with 26,417 new cases.

Spain to further decrease lockdown restrictions from 1st June as the country enters its phase two.

Turkey announces restaurants and cafés to reopen June 1st.

Jordan announces plans to reopen places of worship from June 5th.

May 29th, 2020

The WHO's Covid-19 special envoy Dr David Nabarro, warns "this virus has not gone away" despite lockdowns being eased.

Cases in Seoul, the South Korean capital continue to rise after second outbreak.

Lockdown restrictions in England continue to ease, with groups of up to six people allowed to meet from June 1st, whilst maintaining strict social distancing rules.

English Premier League football set to return from June 17th.

May 30th, 2020 May 31st, 2020 June 1st, 2020 June 2nd, 2020 June 5th, 2020

The WHO calls for nations to encourage the increased use of face mask coverings.

UK COVID-19 death toll surpasses 40,000.

Mexico sees record increase in COVID-19 cases, with 4,442 new infections.

UK makes masks compulsory on public transport, starting June 15th.

June 6th, 2020 June 7th, 2020 June 8th, 2020 June 9th, 2020

Global COVID-19 cases reaches 7 million.

UK records lowest daily COVID-19 death toll since March 22nd, with 55 deaths.

Moscow relaxes lockdown restrictions, allowing free movement around the city.

All COVID-19 restrictions in New Zealand, except overseas travel, have been relaxed. No new infections have been reported in the country for two weeks.

June 10th, 2020 June 11th, 2020 June 12th, 2020

French government to lift travel restrictions on internal European borders on June 15th.

Chile reports a spike in COVID-19 cases, the country currently has 160,846 confirmed cases.

UK to review its 14-day quarantine on those travelling into the country on June 29th.

June 13th, 2020

US President Donald Trump declares the US will 'vanquish' and 'extinguish' COVID-19.

Florida researchers say experiments suggest that the COVID-19 pathogen has mutated in a way that makes It infect human cells easier.

El Salvador announces plans to reopen and restart is economy, beginning June 16th.

June 14th, 2020

Worldwide COVID-19 death count surpasses 300,000.

Over 600,000 people have become unemployed in Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brazil tops 200,000 COVID-19 cases.

Northern Ireland announces it will begin easing lockdown restrictions from Monday 15thof June.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
COVID-19 Timeline - British Foreign Policy Group

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
December 21st 2019 Chinese epidemiologists with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention published an article on 20th January 2020 stating that the first cluster of patients with 'pneumonia of an unknown cause' had been identified on 21st December 2019 December 31st 2019 January 2nd 2020 Central Hospital of

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11/03 WHO characterised COVID-19 as a pandemic 

# data[].attributes.subject
11/03 WHO characterised COVID-19 as a pandemic 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This statement is no longer maintained. An updated version was published on 29 June 2020.

31 Dec 2019

Wuhan Municipal Health Commission, China, reported a cluster of cases of pneumonia in Wuhan, Hubei Province. A novel coronavirus was eventually identified.

1 January 2020

WHO had set up the IMST (Incident Management Support Team) across the three levels of the organization: headquarters, regional headquarters and country level, putting the organization on an emergency footing for dealing with the outbreak.

4 January 2020

WHO reported on social media that there was a cluster of pneumonia cases - with no deaths - in Wuhan, Hubei province.

5 January 2020

WHO published our first Disease Outbreak News on the new virus. This is a flagship technical publication to the scientific and public health community as well as global media. It contained a risk assessment and advice, and reported on what China had told the organization about the status of patients and the public health response on the cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan.

10 January 2020

WHO issued a comprehensive package of technical guidance online with advice to all countries on how to detect, test and manage potential cases, based on what was known about the virus at the time. This guidance was shared with WHO's regional emergency directors to share with WHO representatives in countries.

Based on experience with SARS and MERS and known modes of transmission of respiratory viruses, infection and prevention control guidance were published to protect health workers recommending droplet and contact precautions when caring for patients, and airborne precautions for aerosol generating procedures conducted by health workers.

12 January 2020

China publicly shared the genetic sequence of COVID-19.

Officials confirm a case of COVID-19 in Thailand, the first recorded case outside of China.

WHO's technical lead for the response noted in a press briefing there may have been limited human-to-human transmission of the coronavirus (in the 41 confirmed cases), mainly through family members, and that there was a risk of a possible wider outbreak. The lead also said that human-to-human transmission would not be surprising given our experience with SARS, MERS and other respiratory pathogens.

20-21 January 2020

WHO experts from its China and Western Pacific regional offices conducted a brief field visit to Wuhan.

22 January 2020

WHO mission to China issued a statement saying that there was evidence of human-to-human transmission in Wuhan but more investigation was needed to understand the full extent of transmission.

22- 23 January 2020

The WHO Director- General convened an Emergency Committee (EC) under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) to assess whether the outbreak constituted a public health emergency of international concern. The independent members from around the world could not reach a consensus based on the evidence available at the time. They asked to be reconvened within 10 days after receiving more information.

28 January 2020

A senior WHO delegation led by the Director-General travelled to Beijing to meet China's leadership, learn more about China's response, and to offer any technical assistance.

While in Beijing, Dr. Tedros agreed with Chinese government leaders that an international team of leading scientists would travel to China on a mission to better understand the context, the overall response, and exchange information and experience.

The WHO Director-General reconvened the Emergency Committee (EC). This was earlier than the 10-day period and only two days after the first reports of limited human-to-human transmission were reported outside China. This time, the EC reached consensus and advised the Director-General that the outbreak constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The Director-General accepted the recommendation and declared the novel coronavirus outbreak (2019-nCoV) a PHEIC. This is the 6th time WHO has declared a PHEIC since the International Health Regulations (IHR) came into force in 2005.

WHO's situation report for 30 January reported 7818 total confirmed cases worldwide, with the majority of these in China, and 82 cases reported in 18 countries outside China. WHO gave a risk assessment of very high for China, and high at the global level.

WHO releases the international community's Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to help protect states with weaker health systems.
11-12 February 2020
WHO convened a Research and Innovation Forum on COVID-19, attended by more than 400 experts and funders from around the world, which included presentations by George Gao, Director General of China CDC, and Zunyou Wu, China CDC's chief epidemiologist.

16-24 February 2020

The WHO-China Joint mission, which included experts from Canada, Germany, Japan, Nigeria, Republic of Korea, Russia, Singapore and the US (CDC, NIH) spent time in Beijing and also travelled to Wuhan and two other cities. They spoke with health officials, scientists and health workers in health facilities (maintaining physical distancing). The report of the joint mission can be found here: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/who-china-joint-mission-on-covid-19-final-report.pdf

11 March 2020
Deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction, WHO made the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic.

COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund launched to receive donations from private individuals, corporations and institutions.
18 March 2020
WHO and partners launch the Solidarity Trial, an international clinical trial that aims to generate robust data from around the world to find the most effective treatments for COVID-19.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
31 Dec 2019China reported a cluster of cases of in Wuhan, Hubei Province. A novel coronavirus was eventually identified.1 January 2020WHO had set up the IMST (Incident Management Support Team) across the three levels of the organization: headquarters, regional headquarters and country level, putting the organization on an emergency footing for dealing with the outbreak.4 January 2020WHO reported on social media that there was a cluster of pneumonia cases - with no deaths - in Wuhan, Hubei province.

# data[].attributes.headline
10/01/20 WHO issues a technical guidance on how to detect, test and manage cases, based on experience from MERS and SARS

# data[].attributes.subject
10/01/20 WHO issues a technical guidance on how to detect, test and manage cases, based on experience from MERS and SARS

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This statement is no longer maintained. An updated version was published on 29 June 2020.

31 Dec 2019

Wuhan Municipal Health Commission, China, reported a cluster of cases of pneumonia in Wuhan, Hubei Province. A novel coronavirus was eventually identified.

1 January 2020

WHO had set up the IMST (Incident Management Support Team) across the three levels of the organization: headquarters, regional headquarters and country level, putting the organization on an emergency footing for dealing with the outbreak.

4 January 2020

WHO reported on social media that there was a cluster of pneumonia cases - with no deaths - in Wuhan, Hubei province.

5 January 2020

WHO published our first Disease Outbreak News on the new virus. This is a flagship technical publication to the scientific and public health community as well as global media. It contained a risk assessment and advice, and reported on what China had told the organization about the status of patients and the public health response on the cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan.

10 January 2020

WHO issued a comprehensive package of technical guidance online with advice to all countries on how to detect, test and manage potential cases, based on what was known about the virus at the time. This guidance was shared with WHO's regional emergency directors to share with WHO representatives in countries.

Based on experience with SARS and MERS and known modes of transmission of respiratory viruses, infection and prevention control guidance were published to protect health workers recommending droplet and contact precautions when caring for patients, and airborne precautions for aerosol generating procedures conducted by health workers.

12 January 2020

China publicly shared the genetic sequence of COVID-19.

Officials confirm a case of COVID-19 in Thailand, the first recorded case outside of China.

WHO's technical lead for the response noted in a press briefing there may have been limited human-to-human transmission of the coronavirus (in the 41 confirmed cases), mainly through family members, and that there was a risk of a possible wider outbreak. The lead also said that human-to-human transmission would not be surprising given our experience with SARS, MERS and other respiratory pathogens.

20-21 January 2020

WHO experts from its China and Western Pacific regional offices conducted a brief field visit to Wuhan.

22 January 2020

WHO mission to China issued a statement saying that there was evidence of human-to-human transmission in Wuhan but more investigation was needed to understand the full extent of transmission.

22- 23 January 2020

The WHO Director- General convened an Emergency Committee (EC) under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) to assess whether the outbreak constituted a public health emergency of international concern. The independent members from around the world could not reach a consensus based on the evidence available at the time. They asked to be reconvened within 10 days after receiving more information.

28 January 2020

A senior WHO delegation led by the Director-General travelled to Beijing to meet China's leadership, learn more about China's response, and to offer any technical assistance.

While in Beijing, Dr. Tedros agreed with Chinese government leaders that an international team of leading scientists would travel to China on a mission to better understand the context, the overall response, and exchange information and experience.

The WHO Director-General reconvened the Emergency Committee (EC). This was earlier than the 10-day period and only two days after the first reports of limited human-to-human transmission were reported outside China. This time, the EC reached consensus and advised the Director-General that the outbreak constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The Director-General accepted the recommendation and declared the novel coronavirus outbreak (2019-nCoV) a PHEIC. This is the 6th time WHO has declared a PHEIC since the International Health Regulations (IHR) came into force in 2005.

WHO's situation report for 30 January reported 7818 total confirmed cases worldwide, with the majority of these in China, and 82 cases reported in 18 countries outside China. WHO gave a risk assessment of very high for China, and high at the global level.

WHO releases the international community's Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to help protect states with weaker health systems.
11-12 February 2020
WHO convened a Research and Innovation Forum on COVID-19, attended by more than 400 experts and funders from around the world, which included presentations by George Gao, Director General of China CDC, and Zunyou Wu, China CDC's chief epidemiologist.

16-24 February 2020

The WHO-China Joint mission, which included experts from Canada, Germany, Japan, Nigeria, Republic of Korea, Russia, Singapore and the US (CDC, NIH) spent time in Beijing and also travelled to Wuhan and two other cities. They spoke with health officials, scientists and health workers in health facilities (maintaining physical distancing). The report of the joint mission can be found here: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/who-china-joint-mission-on-covid-19-final-report.pdf

11 March 2020
Deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction, WHO made the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic.

COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund launched to receive donations from private individuals, corporations and institutions.
18 March 2020
WHO and partners launch the Solidarity Trial, an international clinical trial that aims to generate robust data from around the world to find the most effective treatments for COVID-19.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
31 Dec 2019China reported a cluster of cases of in Wuhan, Hubei Province. A novel coronavirus was eventually identified.1 January 2020WHO had set up the IMST (Incident Management Support Team) across the three levels of the organization: headquarters, regional headquarters and country level, putting the organization on an emergency footing for dealing with the outbreak.4 January 2020WHO reported on social media that there was a cluster of pneumonia cases - with no deaths - in Wuhan, Hubei province.

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1st December - earliest recorded symptoms

# data[].attributes.subject
1st December - earliest recorded symptoms

# data[].attributes.body
the Lancet's study suggested that someone who continuously frequented the market starting showing symptoms on Dec 1st. It is unknown if this is patient zero. it takes 5-14days to show symptoms.
Huang, Wang, Li, Ren, Zhao, Hu et al, 2020, "Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China", The Lancet,  https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30183-5

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The 2019-nCoV infection caused clusters of severe respiratory illness similar to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and was associated with ICU admission and high mortality. Major gaps in our knowledge of the origin, epidemiology, duration of human transmission, and clinical spectrum of disease need fulfilment by future studies.

# data[].attributes.headline
3rd Janurary 2020 - China starts informing WHO of updates

# data[].attributes.subject
3rd Janurary 2020 - China starts informing WHO of updates

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
BEIJING, April 6 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday published a timeline on how it has shared information and advanced international cooperation in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic.

Please see the attachment for the document, titled "Timeline of China releasing information on COVID-19 and advancing international cooperation on epidemic response".
Full text: China publishes timeline on COVID-19 information sharing, int'l cooperation
Timeline of China releasing information on COVID-19 and advancing international cooperation on epidemic response

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic is a major public health emergency that has spread the fastest, caused the most extensive infections and been the hardest to contain since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, China has taken the most comprehensive, the strictest and the most thorough prevention and control measures to battle the epidemic. In their tenacious fight against the coronavirus, 1.4 billion Chinese people have pulled together in tough times and paid a tremendous price and sacrificed a lot.

With the joint efforts of the whole nation, the positive trend in preventing and controlling the epidemic in China has been constantly consolidated and expanded, and the restoration of normal production and everyday life has been quickened.

The following timeline was arranged in chronological order .

Late December 2019

-- The Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in central China's Hubei Province detected cases of pneumonia of unknown cause.

-- The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission issued an urgent notification to medical institutions under its jurisdiction, ordering efforts to appropriately treat patients with pneumonia of unknown cause.

-- The National Health Commission (NHC) made arrangements in the wee hours, sending a working group and an expert team to Wuhan to guide epidemic response and conduct on-site investigations.

-- The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission released a briefing on its website about the pneumonia outbreak in the city, confirming 27 cases and telling the public not to go to enclosed public places or gather. It suggested wearing face masks when going out.

-- Starting Dec. 31, 2019, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission released briefings on the pneumonia outbreak in accordance with the law.

January 2020

-- The NHC set up a leading group to determine the emergency response to the epidemic. The group convened meetings on a daily basis since then.

-- The NHC came up with a set of guidelines on early discovery, early diagnosis and early quarantine for the prevention and control of the viral pneumonia of unknown cause.

-- Starting Jan. 3, China has been regularly informing the WHO, relevant countries and regions and China's Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan about the pneumonia outbreak.

-- China began to inform the United States of the pneumonia outbreak and response measures on a regular basis.

-- The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission updated briefing on its website about the situation of viral pneumonia of unknown cause, reporting a total of 44 cases of viral pneumonia of unknown cause.

-- The NHC and the Health Commission of Hubei Province jointly worked out nine documents on the outbreak, including a trial version of guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of viral pneumonia of unknown cause.

-- The NHC and relevant health departments in Hubei Province issued a treatment manual for viral pneumonia of unknown cause to all medical institutions in Wuhan City, and provided citywide training.

-- Head of the China CDC talked over phone with director of the U.S. CDC about the pneumonia outbreak. The two sides agreed to keep in close contact for information sharing and technological cooperation.

-- The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission updated briefing on the situation of viral pneumonia of unknown cause, reporting a total of 59 cases. Laboratory test results ruled out respiratory pathogens, such as influenza, avian influenza, adenovirus, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus, as the cause.

-- China informed the WHO about the outbreak updates.

-- The WHO released its first briefing on cases of pneumonia of unknown cause in Wuhan.

-- The NHC gave a briefing on cases of pneumonia of unknown cause at a national health conference, calling for efforts to strengthen monitoring, analysis and study, and make timely response.

-- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, made instructions on epidemic response when presiding over a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

-- The China CDC succeeded in isolating the first novel coronavirus strain.

-- An expert evaluation team from the NHC initially identified a new coronavirus as the cause of the epidemic.

-- Heads of China and U.S. CDCs talked over phone to discuss technological exchanges and cooperation.

-- An expert team from the NHC made public of the pathogen, saying a new type of coronavirus was initially identified as the cause of the viral pneumonia in Wuhan.

-- China informed the WHO about the epidemic, sharing with the WHO the initial progress in determining the cause of the viral pneumonia in Wuhan.

-- The WHO released on its website a statement regarding a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, saying that preliminary identification of a novel coronavirus in a short period of time is a notable achievement.

-- Research institutions including the Wuhan Institute of Virology(WIV) developed testing kits. Wuhan City organized tests of all relevant cases admitted at hospitals in the city.

-- Head of China CDC exchanged information over phone with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

-- The China CDC shared with the WHO the specific primers and probes for detecting the novel coronavirus.

-- The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission updated briefing on the situation of viral pneumonia of unknown cause.

-- The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission changed the name of "viral pneumonia of unknown cause" to "pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus" for the first time in a briefing.

-- The China CDC, the CAMS and t he WIV under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) , as designated agencies of the NHC , submitted to the WHO the genome sequence of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), which was published by the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) and shared globally .

-- The NHC shared with the WHO about information on the genome sequence of the novel coronavirus.

-- The NHC held a meeting to instruct Wuhan authorities to further strengthen social management measures and body temperature monitoring of people at ports and stations, as well as reduce crowd gathering.

-- Delegations from the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and Taiwan visited Wuhan (until Jan. 14.)

-- Wuhan Municipal Health Commission updated the outbreak briefing on its official website, saying Wuhan had reported a total of 41 cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus as of Jan. 12.

-- The WHO issued on its official website a statement on the discovery of the novel coronavirus cases in Thailand, pointing out that China's sharing of the genome sequence enabled more countries to quickly diagnose patients.

-- The NHC held a national teleconference, making arrangements for Hubei Province and Wuhan City to strengthen epidemic prevention and control, while ordering the whole country to prepare for epidemic prevention and response.

-- The NHC unveiled the first version of guidelines on diagnosis and treatment for pneumonia caused by novel coronavirus, along with the guidelines on prevention and control measures.

-- After the optimization of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) diagnostic reagents was complete, Wuhan City took proactive measures to screen all patients treated in fever clinics or under medical observation in 69 secondary or above hospitals.

-- Foreign journalists asked about the epidemic for the first time at a press conference held by the Chinese foreign ministry in Beijing. Foreign ministry spokesperson said that China has timely informed the WHO and other international organizations of the outbreak and kept close communication with them.

-- The NHC sent seven inspection teams to different provincial-level regions to instruct local epidemic prevention and control work.

-- The NHC organized and sent a high-level expert team, headed by Zhong Nanshan, to Wuhan City to carry out on-site investigation into the prevention and control work (until Jan. 19).

-- The NHC released the second version of guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment for the pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus.

-- The NHC distributed nucleic acid testing reagents to health departments across the country.

-- The China CDC communicated with the U.S. CDC on epidemic prevention and control.

-- Wuhan Municipal Health Commission updated the outbreak briefing on its official website, saying as of Jan. 17, Wuhan had reported a total of 62 confirmed cases, including 19 cases discharged after recovery, eight cases with severe symptoms, and two deaths.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has made important instructions on the outbreak of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus in Wuhan City and other places in Hubei Province, stressing the Party committees and governments at all levels must put people's safety and health as the top priority, make thorough plans, take effective measures to curb the spread of the virus, timely release information and deepen international cooperation.

--Xinhua News Agency reported that Premier Li Keqiang chaired an executive meeting of the State Council to make further arrangements on the prevention and control work of the pneumonia outbreak caused by the novel coronavirus.

-- A teleconference of the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council was held in Beijing, at which Vice Premier Sun Chunlan stressed local authorities must take their responsibilities, strengthen the prevention and control measures, secure people's health, and maintain normal production and everyday life order.

-- Wuhan Municipal Health Commission updated the outbreak briefing on its official website: as of 10 p.m. on Jan. 19, Wuhan reported a total of 198 cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus, with 25 cured and discharged cases, three deaths.

-- The NHC held a press conference for the high-level expert team headed by Zhong Nanshan, who on the team's behalf confirmed human-to-human transmission of the novel coronavirus and called on people not to go to Wuhan except for extremely important reasons.

-- The NHC published the second version of guidelines on the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus pneumonia.

-- Researchers from City University of Hong Kong published a genetic analysis on the bioRxiv preprint platform, suggesting what animals that serve as the transmission vehicle of the 2019-nCoV remains to be identified.

-- The NHC started to update via its official website and its new media platform the epidemic information of the previous day on a daily basis. It had updated 71 times by March 31. Starting on Feb. 3, the English official website of the NHC started releasing epidemic information simultaneously, updating the data for 58 times by March 31.

-- A foreign ministry spokesperson said China will, upon invitation from the WHO, send representatives to attend an International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee meeting.

-- The People's Government of Guangdong Province held a press briefing on the pneumonia outbreak and epidemic prevention and control measures. Zhong Nanshan told the briefing that "since it is known that the virus can be transmitted from people to people, one thing to do is to strictly quarantine patients and track close contacts, which is probably the most important thing," adding that there has been thus far no targeted and effective drugs against the novel coronavirus.

-- The WHO published a statement on its official website saying on Jan. 20-21, a WHO delegation conducted a field visit to Wuhan to learn about the response to 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and visited the Wuhan Tianhe Airport, Zhongnan hospital, Hubei provincial CDC.

Chinese experts shared with Gauden Galea, the WHO Representative in China, Olowokure Babatunde and other members of the delegation a range of protocols that will be used in developing international guidelines, including case definitions, clinical management, and infection control among others.

-- Researchers from the Institut Pasteur of Shanghai under the CAS, the Institute of Military Medicine under the Academy of Military Sciences, and the CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences published a paper in the English version of "Science China Life Science," titled "Evolution of the novel coronavirus from the ongoing Wuhan outbreak and modeling of its spike protein for risk of human transmission," evaluating the potential human-to-human transmission capacity of the virus, providing scientific theoretical basis for confirming the source and transmission route of infection as soon as possible and formulating prevention and control strategies.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping talked over phone with French President Emmanuel Macron at request.

Macron said that France supports China in actively dealing with the epidemic and is willing to enhance health cooperation with the Chinese side.

Xi said that since the outbreak, China has taken strict measures in prevention, control and treatment, and has been releasing relevant information to the public and keeping the World Health Organization as well as relevant countries and regions informed in a timely manner.

China is willing to work with the international community to effectively tackle the spread of the disease and maintain global health security, Xi said.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping talked over phone with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at request.

Merkel said Germany appreciates China's efforts to respond in a timely manner, stay open and transparent, and actively carry out international cooperation, adding that Germany is willing to provide China with support and assistance.

Xi expressed his gratitude to Germany, stressing that China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Germany, the WHO and the international community.

-- The NHC published the third version of guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia, detailing the use of traditional Chinese medicine in treatment.

-- The State Council Information Office held a press conference about epidemic and the prevention and control work, advising people outside Wuhan not to go to the city in principle and Wuhan residents not to leave the city without special reasons.

-- At the invitation of the WHO, China attended an International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee meeting along with other countries affected by the epidemic. Participating countries, the WHO and experts shared information on the epidemic and conducted scientific research and assessment of the epidemic at the meeting.

-- China's NHC received a notification from the United States saying the first confirmed case had been reported in the United States.

-- Researchers from the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research and the Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, posted their sequence analysis of the 2019-nCoV on a medical discussion forum Virological, suggesting the novel coronavirus may have originated in bats rather than snakes.

-- The 2019 Novel Coronavirus Resource (2019nCoVR), a database develop by the Chin a National C enter for Bio information , was officially launched to release worldwide novel coronavirus genome and information on variation analysis.

-- Wuhan epidemic prevention and control headquarters issued a notice to shut down the city's outbound channels at airports and railway stations starting 10 a.m. on Jan. 23.

-- In an emergency notice, the Ministry of Transport demanded other parts of the country suspend the passenger traffic into Wuhan by road or by waterway.

-- The NHC and other five departments jointly issued a statement on preventing the transmission of the novel coronavirus-caused pneumonia via transportation, requiring efforts for health management of vehicles, trains, planes and other means of transport, as well as key places including stations, airports and docks to prevent to the greatest extent the spread of the epidemic.

-- Researchers from WIV under the CAS, Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital and the Hubei Provincial CDC found that the full-length genome sequences of the 2019-nCoV shares 79.5 percent of SARS-CoV sequence, which was published on the bioRxiv preprint platform.

-- Researchers from the Beijing-based China-Japan Friendship Hospital , the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and the Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital published an article in the Lancet, titled "Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China. "

-- WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on social media thanked the Chinese government for its cooperation and transparency, saying that the Chinese government has been successful in isolating and sequencing the virus very quickly and has shared that genetic sequence with the WHO and the international community.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, chaired a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on the prevention and control of the outbreak of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus, making further study of and new arrangements on issues especially related to the treatment of patients.

The meeting decided to set up a CPC Central Committee leading group for the epidemic response work under the leadership of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

The CPC Central Committee decided to send guidance groups to Hubei Province and other seriously affected areas to enhance the frontline prevention and control work.

-- The NHC unveiled six guidelines on public prevention for general use, tourism, households, public places, public transport and self observation at home.

-- The NHC replied in a letter to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, welcoming the WHO to send a group of international experts to cooperate with China to strengthen epidemic prevention and control.

-- Led by the China CDC, several hospitals and research institutes jointly published a paper, titled "The novel coronavirus carried by Chinese pneumonia patients in 2019,"revealing their finding of a Betacoronavirus that had never been seen before through whole genome sequencing, which became the seventh member of the coronavirus family that infects human.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and head of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on the response to the novel coronavirus outbreak, presided over the leading group's meeting. The meeting made further epidemic prevention and control arrangements according to instructions by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

-- The State Council Information Office held a press conference to invite the NHC head Ma Xiaowei to brief on the epidemic and introduce the joint prevention and control work.

Ma told the press conference recent clinical results showed that the novel coronavirus has more transmissibility and the epidemic situation is grim and complicated, adding that the country is at a crucial time in the prevention and control of the outbreak.

Ma said that the source of infection is yet to be found and studies are still needed to understand its pathogenicity, adding that the possibility of virus changes over time can't be ruled out.

-- The NHC and relevant departments jointly provided detailed information to the WHO Western Pacific Region on measures taken in Wuhan may restrict international travel, including the suspended operation of city buses, subways and ferries, as well as public health reasons for the above measures.

-- A guidance group, sent by the CPC Central Committee and headed by Vice Premier Sun Chunlan , arrived in Wuhan to guide the epidemic prevention and control work in Hubei Province , repeatedly demanding open and transparent releas e of epidemic information.

-- The NHC released the fourth version of guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing to give briefings on the development of the community-based prevention measures to curb the novel coronavirus epidemic.

Such press conference has been held every day since Jan. 27, releasing updated data on a daily basis, including new confirmed cases, people discharged from hospital, people who had had close contact with infected patients and were discharged from medical observation, severe cases, deaths, suspected cases, people receiving treatment in quarantine, close contacts still under medical observation, accumulative data on the Chinese mainland as well as data reported in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and Taiwan.

As of March 31, 65 press conferences under the mechanism had been held on a wide range of topics, including the epidemic prevention and control, treatment and scientific research. Officials of 69 departments answered 779 questions raised by Chinese and foreign reporters at the conferences.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with visiting World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 28, 2020. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Beijing.

"The epidemic is a devil. We will not let it hide," Xi said, stressing the Chinese government has released information about the epidemic in a timely, open, transparent and responsible manner, actively responded to concerns of all sides, and enhanced cooperation with the international community.

Xi noted that China is ready to work with the WHO as well as the international community to safeguard regional and global public health security.

-- The NHC released the third-edition guidelines on the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus pneumonia.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing on details of medical workers sent from other parts of China to Hubei Province to help fight the epidemic.

-- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a briefing for foreign embassies and missions in China on the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak. The NHC and the foreign ministry briefed on the current situation and China's efforts to prevent and control the epidemic, and answered questions. Foreign diplomats and representatives present made positive comments on the briefing held by the Chinese side, and appreciated the Chinese government's firm and decisive measures in handling the epidemic, as well as the open, transparent and responsible attitude it has shown. They said that they are willing to strengthen communication and coordination with the Chinese side, and cooperate with China in prevention and control efforts to jointly safeguard regional and international health security.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Li Keqiang presided over a meeting of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on the response to the novel coronavirus outbreak to further study the prevention and control of the epidemic, and roll out targeted and enhanced measures to curb the epidemic.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing to advise the public on the prevention of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

-- A thesis on the genome sequence of the novel coronavirus by a research team of the WIV of the CAS was formally accepted by the journal Nature.

-- The China CDC published an epidemiological feature analysis of the novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak in the New England Journal of Medicine.

-- Researchers from the Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine and WIV under the CAS published an article in the Lancet, titled "Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 99 cases of 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia in Wuhan, China: a descriptive study", revealing data regarding clinical features and treatment of novel coronavirus patients.

--Researchers from the China CDC published a paper in the Lancet, titled "Genomic characterization and epidemiology of 2019 novel coronavirus: implications for virus origins and receptor binding," analyzing 10 genome sequences of 2019-nCoV obtained from nine confirmed patients in Wuhan.

-- Research team of Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica under the CAS published an article on the bioRxiv preprint platform, revealing research results about drugs by computer-simulated screening.

-- Researchers of the Institute of Automation under the CAS published an article on the medRxiv preprint platform, estimating the development trend of the epidemic based on the daily reported novel coronavirus cases by the China CDC.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing on policies to ensure transportation of anti-epidemic materials in the fight against the novel coronavirus outbreak.

-- China's NHC notified the U.S. side that American experts are welcomed to join the China-WHO joint mission. The U.S. side responded the same day and expressed their appreciation.

-- The China CDC published a paper in the New England Journal of Medicine, titled "Early Transmission Dynamics in Wuhan, China, of Novel Coronavirus-Infected Pneumonia," revealing the epidemiological characteristics of the 2019-nCoV on the basis of data collected from the first 425 confirmed cases.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Li Keqiang presided over a meeting of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak, making arrangements for the transportation for the post-Spring Festival trips while enhancing the epidemic prevention and control.

-- The NHC released guidelines on gathering patients infected with novel coronavirus that show severe symptoms into designated medical institutions for treatment, in order to minimize the fatality rate and increase the recovery rate.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing on the epidemic prevention and control work concerning major groups and by community organizations.

February 2020

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang spoke over phone with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, noting the Chinese government and people have confidence, resolution and ability to win the battle against the epidemic.

Li said China is willing to strengthen information, policy and technology exchanges, and carry out relevant cooperation with EU and the international community.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing giving briefings on the epidemic prevention and control work concerning pregnant women, infants and nurseries.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Li Keqiang presided over a meeting of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak, urging authorities in some provincial-level regions to flexibly arrange their work to battle the epidemic, step up prevention and control efforts and ensure market supply while pledging greater medical supplies support to key areas in Hubei Province.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing providing epidemic prevention guidance for people exposed to public places, public transport and other potential coronavirus risks.

As revealed by China CDC experts at the press conference, the finding of novel coronavirus from fecal samples of confirmed cases showed the virus can exist and replicate in digestive tract, but it needs further epidemiological research to determine whether the virus can transmit through the fecal-oral route or respiratory droplets-formed aerosol.

-- Head of China's NHC Ma Xiaowei sent a letter to the U.S. secretary of health and human services Alex Azar, further exchanging views on bilateral cooperation in health as well as epidemic prevention and control.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, chaired a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to hear briefings from the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak and from relevant departments, and study epidemic prevention and control work in the near future. Xi's speech was later published on the Qiushi Journal, a flagship magazine of the CPC Central Committee, in its fourth issue of 2020.

-- The State Council Information Office held a press conference on ensuring supplies of crucial anti-epidemic medical materials and daily necessities. At the press conference, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said about 60 percent of production capacity of domestic mask manufacturers have been resumed. Though N95 masks were in shortage, the supply would keep on increasing through expanded domestic production and increased international procurement.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing about provision of psychological assistance through online or hotline counseling services amid efforts to prevent and control the epidemic.

-- During the first online press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a ministry spokesperson gave briefings on donations of epidemic prevention and control supplies China has received. The spokesperson said China attaches great importance to the lives and health of Chinese and foreign nationals in Wuhan, and has timely taken effective measures to address their concerns and needs.

-- The NHC introduced the epidemic situation in China and presented suggestions for further cooperation at a video conference held among senior health officials from China, ASEAN, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK).

-- The WHO Executive Board convened its 146th session meeting in Geneva, during which China's deputy permanent representative to the UN Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland called for concerted efforts from the international community to combat the epidemic.

-- As of Feb. 3, China has given the United States briefings on the epidemic information and control measures in China for 30 times, including sharing with U.S. CDC project manager in China information about China's diagnosis and treatment guidelines, prevention and control guidelines, and the linkage of the novel coronavirus database that China shares with the world in real time.

-- Officials of the China CDC welcomed a U.S. expert from the Columbia University.

-- Researchers from Fudan University, Central Hospital of Wuhan, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention of China CDC, Wuhan CDC, and the University of Sydney published a paper in the journal Nature, titled "A new coronavirus associated with human respiratory disease in China."

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Li Keqiang presided over a meeting of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak, rolling out measures to improve the admission and cure rates, reduce the infection and fatality rates of patients in Wuhan, and further improve supplies of medical materials and life necessities.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing on the treatment of novel coronavirus-infected patients with severe symptoms.

As revealed by the NHC at the press conference, the number of confirmed cases on the Chinese mainland had reached 20,438 as of Feb. 3, with a total of 425 deaths and a fatality rate of 2.1 percent. The NHC vowed to concentrate resources to improve the admission and cure rates and reduce the infection and fatality rates.

-- Head of the China CDC spoke over phone with director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to exchange information on the epidemic.

-- The Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health and Harvard University had first discussion over scientific research cooperation to fight the novel coronavirus epidemic.

-- Researchers from WIV under the CAS and the Institute of Military Medicine under the Academy of Military Sciences released a paper in the journal Cell Research, titled "Remdesivir and chloroquine effectively inhibit the recently emerged novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in vitro."

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that President Xi Jinping presided over the third meeting of the Commission for Overall Law-based Governance of the CPC Central Committee, and delivered an important speech, stressing that under the CPC Central Committee's centralized and unified leadership, ensuring the safety and health of the people should always be prioritized.

Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, and head of the Commission for Overall Law-based Governance of the CPC Central Committee, called for greater legislative, law enforcement, judicial and law observance efforts to strengthen the capacity to carry out law-based epidemic prevention and control. Excerpts of Xi's speech at the meeting was published by the Qiushi Journal in its fifth issue of 2020.

-- President Xi Jinping met with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen in Beijing, saying a friend in need is a friend indeed as the Cambodian people stand with the Chinese people at this special moment.

Xi said Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and his mother, former Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, had specially extended sympathy and support to the Chinese side.

The Cambodian prime minister had expressed strong support to China on many occasions and even made a special tour to China, which demonstrated unbreakable friendship and mutual trust between the two nations and showcased the essence of building a community of shared future of the two countries, Xi said.

-- The NHC made revisions and published the fifth edition of guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of the novel coronavirus patients.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing on the latest development of work involving production, dispatch and imports of medical supplies, and briefing on the fifth-edition guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of the novel coronavirus patients.

-- While meeting with a delegation of Russian experts on epidemic prevention, a Chinese foreign ministry official said China is committed to maintaining global public health security and conducting international cooperation in epidemic prevention and control in the principles of openness and transparency. The epidemic prevention exchanges and joint research between the two countries will definitely help win the fight against the epidemic.

-- While meeting with French Ambassador to China Laurent Bili, a Chinese foreign ministry official briefed him on the latest situation of the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak, saying that the life and health of French citizens in China are guaranteed and it is hoped that France will view and support the Chinese side's work in a rational, calm and scientific manner.

-- Chinese foreign ministry hosted the second briefing on the novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak for diplomatic missions in China. The briefing was held online and attended by representatives of more than 180 diplomatic missions. Officials from the NHC and the foreign ministry gave briefings on the epidemic situation and the containment measures taken by the Chinese government, and answered questions of concern to the diplomatic envoys.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke over phone with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at request, noting China will keep on working with Saudi Arabia and other countries to jointly handle the epidemic, and maintain public health security in the region and around the world in openness and transparency.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Li Keqiang presided over a meeting of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak, making arrangements of more targeted measures to enhance epidemic prevention and control, and resume production and ensure market supply step by step.

-- While meeting with Ambassador of the United Kingdom to China Barbara Janet Woodward, a Chinese foreign ministry official briefed on the latest development of prevention and control of the novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak, and stressed that China has the confidence and capability to win this battle. The life and health of all the foreign nationals, including the British people, are guaranteed.

-- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said at a regular press conference that the Chinese government puts people's lives and health as its top priority. Acting with openness, transparency and a high sense of responsibility, it has been timely sharing information, enhancing international cooperation, putting in place a nationwide scheme to pool national resources and take the strictest and most thorough measures to fight the outbreak. The ministry started to update cases of the novel coronavirus pneumonia at the regular press conferences.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke over phone with U.S. President Donald Trump at request, stressing that China is dedicated to safeguarding the lives and health of not only its own people but also people all over the world.

With an open, transparent and responsible attitude, China has kept the WHO as well as relevant countries and regions, including the United States, posted on the epidemic, and invited WHO and other experts to conduct field visits in Wuhan, Xi said.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held publishing measures to enhance epidemic prevention and control in key regions, and improve the admission and cure rates and reduce the infection and fatality rates.

-- While meeting with Head of the Delegation of the European Union to China Nicolas Chapuis, a Chinese foreign ministry official briefed on the latest development of the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak, saying China will continue to share information and data with the EU and the international community in an open, transparent and responsible manner and strengthen cooperation in the field of public health.

-- Experts of the China CDC joined the WHO informal expert conference call and epidemiology working group expert conference call.

-- The NHC gave briefings on China's anti-epidemic efforts and measures at the first meeting of the APEC health working group.

-- The NHC gave briefings to Chinese diplomatic missions overseas on the country's plans for the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak, diagnosis and treatment, monitoring, epidemiological probe and laboratory testing.

-- Chinese, U.S. health authorities had another discussion over arrangements regarding the participation of American experts in the China-WHO joint mission.

-- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang talked over phone with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, exchanging views over the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Li said China is open, transparent and highly responsible in epidemic prevention and control work, releasing information to the Chinese people and the international community in a timely manner.

"The measures we have taken have gone far beyond the requirements of the International Health Regulations and the recommendations of the WHO," Li said.

Li said he hopes that the international community, including Germany, can stay rational, support China's efforts in containing the epidemic, maintain normal bilateral exchanges, and strengthen international cooperation on public health security, adding he hopes that the German side can provide China with necessary convenience so that China can purchase medical supplies from Germany through commercial channels.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made an inspection tour in Beijing on the epidemic prevention and control. Xi said the situation at the moment remains very serious, calling on Party committees and governments at all levels to firmly follow the CPC Central Committee's decisions and arrangements on epidemic prevention and control.

Xi urged strict enforcement of the general requirements of firm confidence, sticking together in tough times, scientific prevention and control and carrying out targeted policies.

Calling for persistent efforts, Xi said with firmer confidence, more indomitable will and more decisive measures, and by firmly relying on the people, China will resolutely contain the spread of the epidemic, and win the people's all-out war against the epidemic.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Li Keqiang presided over a meeting of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak, making arrangements to further increase the production and supply of key medical prevention and control materials, and strengthen the deployment of medics and development of drugs against the novel coronavirus.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing on measures to enhance epidemic prevention and control at the grassroots level.

-- The Ministry of Commerce held the first online press conference, giving briefings on the supply of daily necessities in the battle against the epidemic. The weekly news conferences had been held for seven consecutive weeks as of March 31, taking many epidemic-related questions, such as about the consumer market, resumption of work and production as well as foreign trade and investment.

-- An advance squad of the WHO-led team arrived in Beijing.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke over phone with Indonesian President Joko Widodo at request, noting China has been safeguarding the lives and health of the Chinese people and fulfilling responsibility for the cause of global public health by upholding the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Xi said China will continue to strengthen cooperation on the prevention and control of the epidemic with Indonesia and other countries in an open and transparent manner to safeguard regional and global public health security.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping talked over phone with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at request, stressing that China has been safeguarding the Chinese people's lives and health while actively contributing to global public health security.

Xi said China is willing to maintain close communication with Qatar, timely provide updates on the latest situation of the epidemic, ensure the life and health of the Qatari nationals in China so as to safeguard the health and safety of the people of both countries.

-- Experts of the China CDC participated in a WHO-coordinated research and innovation forum, held on Feb. 11-12 in Geneva, either in person or online. The forum, co-hosted by WHO and the Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness, attracted more than 400 participants, including leading scientists from virus-related disciplines, representatives of countries with confirmed COVID-19 cases and those of public health agencies. Soumya Swaminathan, WHO chief scientist, hailed the contribution made by Chinese researchers attending the forum.

-- The China-WHO joint mission held the first meeting, discussing and reaching initial agreement on issues including the principle in determining the list of members, priorities of field visits and agenda of the mission.

-- Experts from the China and U.S. CDCs held a conference call, discussing and sharing epidemic prevention and control information.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing on measures to enhance epidemic prevention and control in rural regions.

-- Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and the China CDC for the first time used transgenic mice to study the pathogenicity of the novel coronavirus, and published an article in the bioRxiv platform. This may facilitate the development of therapeutics and vaccines.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, chaired a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to hear the report of the central leading group on the prevention and control work to the COVID-19 outbreak, analyze the epidemic situation, and study measures to strengthen prevention and control work.

-- Specialists from the NHC joined a China-EU teleconference on COVID-19 related technical exchanges, introducing the latest developments of the epidemic, prevention and control measures, and the situation of international cooperation.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping talked over phone with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad at request, noting that China has taken strong measures in response to the epidemic in a way that not only assumes the responsibility for the health of its people, but also contributes to the cause of global public health, which has been fully recognized by the WHO and other countries in the world.

Xi said China will continue to strengthen cooperation with Malaysia and other ASEAN countries on prevention and control of the epidemic in an open and transparent manner to jointly safeguard regional public health security.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Li Keqiang presided over a meeting of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on the prevention and control of the COVID-19 outbreak, making arrangements to take category-specific prevention and control measures, optimize diagnosis and treatment, and accelerate the development of drugs for the scientific prevention and control efforts.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held on the new category of clinically diagnosed COVID-19 cases.

As revealed at the press conference, the new category was created in Hubei Province to define suspected cases with pneumonia-related computerized tomography (CT) scan results as confirmed cases to facilitate early standardized treatment and further improve the recovery rate.

China is strengthening efforts to treat the 13,332 clinically diagnosed cases in Hubei to reduce the number of severe cases and the death rate.

The WHO supported the adoption of the new category, believing it helpful in providing patients with faster clinical care, while citing the resulting rise in confirmed cases not meaning a major change in the trajectory of the epidemic.

-- The U.S. department of health and human services sent a letter to China's NHC to communicate the arrangements of bilateral cooperation in health and epidemic prevention and control.

-- Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health and Harvard Medical School jointly formed a COVID-19 research team, co-chaired by Chinese respiratory expert Zhong Nanshan and the dean of Harvard Medical School. The team works in four major fields including rapid detection and diagnosis, clinical treatment, drug screening and vaccine development.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, chairman of the Central Military Commission and the head of the CPC Central Committee for Deepening Overall Reform, presided over the 12th meeting of the central committee for deepening overall reform and made an important speech.

Xi stressed safeguarding people's life and health is a major mission of the Party in governing the country, urging efforts to win the battle against the epidemic with scientific and accurate measures, strengthen areas of weakness, and close the loopholes exposed in the current epidemic.

-- Michael Ryan, executive director of the WHO health emergencies program, refuted remarks by Lawrence Kudlow, the director of the White House National Economic Council, that described the Chinese government's response to the epidemic outbreak as lacking transparency.

Ryan said the remarks did not accord with the facts, as the Chinese government actively cooperated with the WHO and displayed a high level of transparency.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held announcing China's daily new confirmed COVID-19 cases outside Hubei had been dropping for 10 consecutive days.

-- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi made a speech at the 56th Munich Security Conference, introducing China's decisive measures to combat the COVID-19 epidemic and the notable results it has achieved.

-- The State Council Information Office held a press conference in Wuhan, briefing the work of epidemic prevention and control and medical treatment in Hubei Province. It was the first of such conferences held in the province by the office amid the epidemic outbreak. The office held three press conferences in Beijing and Wuhan that day.

-- The State Council Information Office held a press conference in Beijing on epidemic prevention and control related to the return trips of the Spring Festival travel rush.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing updating progress in drug development and scientific research related to the COVID-19.

As revealed at the press conference, seven types of detection reagents have been approved to tap the market, while staged progress has been made in drug screening and treatment, vaccine development and animal model construction.

-- The China-WHO joint expert team started a nine-day field visit in China, scheduled to inspect cities including Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Wuhan.

The team consists of 25 experts from China, Germany, Japan, Republic of Korea (ROK), Nigeria, Russia, Singapore, the United States and WHO.

Foreign experts include senior WHO adviser Bruce Aylward, Tim Eckmanns, researcher with the Robert Koch Institute, Dale Fisher, professor at the National University of Singapore, Chikwe Ihekweazu, head of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Cliff Lane, researcher with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the United States, Jong-Koo Lee, associate professor at Seoul National University College of Medicine, Natalia Pshenichnaia, Aleksandr Semenov, Hitoshi Takahashi, scientist with the National Institute of Infectious Diseases of Japan, Maria van Kerkhove, head of WHO's emerging diseases and zoonosis unit, and Weigong Zhou.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing updating the country's prevention and control situation.

As revealed at the press conference, as of Feb. 15, the proportion of severe and critical cases among all confirmed COVID-19 cases had dropped significantly in China (including Wuhan and Hubei Province).

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Li Keqiang presided over a meeting of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on response to the COVID-19 outbreak, making arrangements to continue the treatment of COVID-19 patients and ensure market supply in Hubei Province, particularly in Wuhan City, and advance orderly resumption of work and production while enhancing epidemic prevention and control.

-- During a working consultation with Estonian officials in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, a senior official from the Chinese foreign minist ry introduced China's progress in prevention and control of the COVID-19, saying China has confidence, ability and certainty to win the battle against the epidemic.

-- At a press conference in Beijing, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson introduced China's efforts in sharing information and anti-epidemic cooperation with Japan.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping talked over phone with French President Emmanuel Macron at request, noting China not only safeguards the lives and health of the Chinese people, but acts in a highly responsible manner for global public health security.

Xi said China has always been open and transparent in its cooperation with France and other countries to deal with the epidemic, adding that China stands ready to work with France to boost practical cooperation in the health sector and jointly safeguard regional and global public health security.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping talked over phone with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at request, noting that by upholding the idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind, China is not only responsible for the safety and health of its people, but also committed to the cause of safeguarding international public health.

China has made enormous efforts, and has effectively contained the global spread of the virus, Xi said, adding that the Chinese side will continue to cooperate with Britain and all other countries in an open and transparent manner.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing announcing that the daily new confirmed cases nationwide dropped below 2,000 for the first time on Feb. 17, with that outside Hubei Province below 100 for the first time. Daily death across the country also fell below 100 for the first time.

-- The China-WHO joint expert team traveled to Guangdong and Sichuan provinces for a three-day field investigation on the COVID-19 outbreak.

-- An official of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs introduced China's progress in prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic when meeting with Albanian officials at Tirana, the capital of Albania.

-- An official of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs met with Greg Gilligan, the new chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, saying the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic is temporary, and the long-term trend of China's economic development has not changed. China welcomes U.S. enterprises to continue their business in China and hopes to strengthen cooperation with the chamber and its members, the official said.

-- China's NHC replied in a letter to U.S. department of health and human services, further communicating on arrangements for bilateral cooperation on health and epidemic control.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, chaired a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to hear reports on the epidemic prevention and control work, and coordinate epidemic control and economic and social development. The meeting decided to submit the relevant measures to the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee for further review.

-- The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs held the third briefing on epidemic prevention and control online. Ambassadors and diplomats from more than 180 foreign missions in China attended the briefing. China's foreign ministry updated the situation of the COVID-19 outbreak in China and the country's efforts in epidemic prevention and control. The Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality introduced the latest epidemic control arrangements related to people returning to Beijing from abroad amid the outbreak, which was closely followed by foreign missions in China. Officials from the education and foreign ministries answered questions relevant to foreign students and employees in China.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping talked over phone with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan at request, stressing facts have proved once again that China and Pakistan are true friends and good brothers that share weal and woe. Xi said China will take good care of its Pakistani brothers and sisters in the country like its own citizens.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping replied in a letter to Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, expressing his appreciation toward the foundation's act in supporting China's prevention and control work against the COVID-19 epidemic. Xi called for unity and cooperation in the international community to fight the disease.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Li Keqiang presided over a meeting of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on response to the COVID-19 outbreak, making arrangements on further improving protection for frontline medics, accelerating effective applications of drugs and continuing to advance orderly resumption of work and production while enhancing epidemic prevention and control measures in a scientific way.

-- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended a special China-ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting, introducing China's progress in epidemic prevention and control.

-- The State Council Information Office held a press conference in Hubei Province, briefing epidemic prevention and control work organized by the guidance group sent to the province by the CPC Central Committee.

-- Clinical medical experts from China and ASEAN held a video conference to exchange ideas on treatment guidelines and rescue experience on COVID-19 patients.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, chaired a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on the prevention and control of the COVID-19 and the coordination between the epidemic control and economic and social development.

The meeting called for deepening opening up and international cooperation, enhancing communication and coordination with China's economic and trade partners, and giving priority to helping the leading enterprises that have a significant influence in the global supply chain to resume production and supply to maintain the stability of the global supply chain.

Efforts will be made to make good use of export credit insurance and encourage key export enterprises to resume operation as soon as possible, according to the meeting.

The meeting also highlighted active international cooperation in epidemic prevention and control from the perspective of building a community with a shared future for humanity.

-- The NHC released the fifth version of guidelines on the prevention and control of the COVID-19.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing announcing the daily number of newly cured and discharged COVID-19 patients on Feb. 20 in Wuhan outnumbered that of new confirmed cases for the first time, and the daily number of newly cured and discharged COVID-19 patients nationwide surpassed 2,000 for the first time.

-- The China-WHO joint expert team arrived in Hubei Province for a two-day field investigation on the COVID-19 outbreak.

The experts visited Tongji Hospital, the Wuhan Sports Center that was converted into a temporary hospital, and the provincial CDC to learn about epidemic prevention and control as well as medical treatment. They also talked with officials and experts in the province.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed unremitting efforts on the prevention and control of the COVID-19 and coordination in advancing economic and social development.

Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when delivering an important speech at a meeting in Beijing to advance the work on coordinating the prevention and control of the COVID-19 and economic and social development.

The epidemic situation remains grim and complex and it is now a most crucial moment to curb the spread, Xi noted, asking Party committees and governments at all levels to continue to make unremitting efforts in various prevention and control work and resume work and production in an orderly manner.

Efforts should be made to turn pressure into impetus, turn crises into opportunities, restore the work and life order step by step, Xi said, adding measures should be consolidated to stabilize the employment, finance, foreign trade, foreign capital, domestic investment, and expectations, and intensify policy adjustments to fully unleash the huge potential and strong momentum of China's development and strive to achieve the goals and tasks for economic and social development this year, Xi said.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Li Keqiang presided over a meeting of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on response to the COVID-19 outbreak, helping Wuhan City to further enhance epidemic prevention and treatment and making arrangements on region- and category-based differentiated prevention and control strategies.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing announcing China's daily number of new COVID-19 infections had remained below 1,000 for the five consecutive days.

The number of existing confirmed cases had dropped for nearly a week, while the daily number of newly cured and discharged COVID-19 patients was no less than that of new confirmed infections in all provincial-level regions.

-- An official with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs talked over phone respectively with ambassadors of Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago and Costa Rica to China, briefing foreign missions on China's epidemic prevention and control work.

-- The China-WHO joint expert team held a press conference in Beijing, during which team members said China's unprecedented public health responses to the COVID-19 outbreak have yielded notable results in slowing the spread of the epidemic and blocking human-to-human transmission of the virus, preventing or at least delaying hundreds of thousands of cases.

-- The China CDC published a paper on The Journal of the American Medical Association, titled "Characteristics of and Important Lessons from the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak in China", to describe and analyze the epidemiological characteristics of the 72,314 cases of infection reported through Feb. 11 on the Chinese mainland.

-- The Lancet published an article coauthored by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan. The article said Chinese doctors quickly identified the novel coronavirus during the flu season and shared genome sequencing information of the virus with international counterparts through the global scientific research network, which laid the foundation for follow-up scientific research. China's unremitting efforts in preventing and controlling the COVID-19 not only wins precious time for other countries, but also "paves the way" for the international scientific community to jointly deal with the epidemic.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping talked over phone with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at request, noting that the Chinese government has always acted with an open, transparent and responsible attitude, timely shared information, actively addressed the concerns of various parties, and boosted cooperation with the international community.

Xi said China will continue to take effective measures to safeguard the life and health of citizens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and all other foreign nationals in the country, and stands ready to work with the UAE to maintain close communication on the latest development of the COVID-19 and share experience in epidemic prevention and control.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping talked over phone with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at request, noting that African countries and people's various support for China's battle against the COVID-19 outbreak has vividly illustrated the brotherly friendship of sharing weal and woe and helping each other between China and Africa.

Xi said African countries are also facing many challenges in epidemic prevention and control, and China is willing to provide them with more medical supplies that are urgently needed, including test kits.

China also stands ready to accelerate the implementation of the health care initiative of the eight major initiatives unveiled during the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, promote the construction of the Africa CDC, and strengthen China-Africa cooperation in public health and disease prevention and control, Xi said.

-- China's NHC shared updated technical guidelines on COVID-19 response with a number of countries and regional organizations.

-- When meeting with Laurent Bili, the French ambassador to China, an official of the Chinese foreign ministry introduced the latest situation of China's notable achievements in fighting COVID-19, stressing that under the strong leadership of President Xi Jinping, the Chinese people are united and have full confidence, capacity and certainty to win the battle against the epidemic.

-- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said at a press briefing that China is willing to share information and experience with Japan and the Republic of Korea in fighting COVID-19 outbreak and offer support and assistance to them according to their needs.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, chaired a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. The meeting was briefed by the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on the prevention and control work of COVID-19 epidemic, analyzed the current situation and made arrangements for prevention and control measures in the near future.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing on the COVID-19 outbreak in prisons.

An official from the ministry of justice told the press that as of Feb. 25, five prisons in Hubei, Zhejiang and Shandong provinces had reported 555 confirmed COVID-19 cases and another 19 suspected cases, four severe confirmed cases, adding that no inmates have thus far died of the virus.

-- Experts from the China CDC participated in the WHO's informal expert consultation teleconference on COVID-19.

-- At a regular press conference, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson briefed reporters on COVID-19 infection among foreigners in China.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga in Beijing, stressing that by upholding the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, China is making every effort not only to protect the lives and health of its own people but also to contribute to global public health security.

With an open, transparent and responsible attitude, the Chinese government has actively stepped up international cooperation to fight the outbreak, and China's efforts have been highly affirmed and recognized by the WHO and the international community, Xi said, adding China will continue to work with Mongolia and other countries to fight the epidemic and safeguard regional and global public health security.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Li Keqiang presided over a meeting of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on the prevention and control work of the COVID-19 epidemic, making further arrangements to reduce mortality and ensure the sufficient supply of daily necessities, demanding more detailed prevention and control measures for vulnerable groups and urging strengthened international cooperation.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing, saying that upon the WHO's notice, COVID-19 cases had been reported in some other countries, and the epidemic is spreading quite quickly in a few countries. China would attach equal importance to joint control measures to effectively prevent imported and exported cases, and strengthen cooperation with relevant international organizations and countries to jointly contain the epidemic.

-- The second China-EU special teleconference on COVID-19 was held for health experts from both sides to have in-depth exchanges on epidemic prevention and control measures, diagnosis and screening, and treatment guidelines.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping talked over phone with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel at request, stressing that by upholding the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind and with an attitude of openness, transparency and responsibility, China has timely shared information with the WHO and the international community, actively responded to the concerns of various sides, and strengthened international cooperation in the anti-epidemic fight to prevent it from spreading around the world.

The WHO and the international community have spoken highly of China's prevention and control work, Xi said, adding that China is willing to continue exchanges and cooperation with Cuba in the fields of medicine and epidemic prevention and control.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping talked over phone with Chilean President Sebastian Pinera at request, noting that the Chinese nation has experienced many ordeals in its history, but has never been overwhelmed.

Xi said the impact of the epidemic on China's economy is temporary and generally manageable, and the fundamentals of China's long-term sound economic growth remain unchanged.

While making unrelenting, solid and meticulous efforts in epidemic prevention and control, China will roll out a series of policies and measures to gradually restore orderly production and life and ensure realization of this year's economic and social development goals, Xi said.

-- The State Council Information Office held a press conference in Hubei Province on the progress of the epidemic prevention, control work and medical treatment in Hubei under the direction by the guidance team sent by the CPC Central Committee to the province.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing about the prevention, control work and treatment of COVID-19.

As revealed by the NHC at the press conference, the number of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases in Hubei outside Wuhan and that outside Hubei have both dropped to single-digit figures for the first time on Feb. 27. Efforts should not be slackened in prevention and control in communities, medical treatment and other aspects to prevent the epidemic from rebounding.

-- China's NHC participated in the video conference of the Greater Mekong Sub-region's Working Group on Health Cooperation to discuss the challenges and technical needs of epidemic prevention and control.

-- Research teams led by academicians Zhong Nanshan and Li Lanjuan, and researchers from Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, the Central Hospital of Wuhan, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and other institutions jointly published a paper on the New England Journal of Medicine, titled "Clinical Characteristics of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in China", analyzing the data of 1,099 COVID-19 patients' treatment.

-- Research teams from Peking Union Medical College and the China CDC published a paper titled "The Pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 in hACE2 Transgenic Mice," which develops an animal model for COVID-19 and helps promote the development of vaccines and drugs.

-- Voluntary medical experts from the Red Cross Society of China arrived in Iran.

-- The WHO-China Joint Mission published a report about its field study trip on COVID-19 in China. According to the report, in the face of a previously unknown virus, China has rolled out perhaps the most ambitious, agile and aggressive disease containment effort in history. As striking, has been the uncompromising rigor of strategy application that proved to be a hallmark in every setting and context where it was examined. Achieving China's exceptional coverage with and adherence to these containment measures has only been possible due to the deep commitment of the Chinese people to collective action in the face of this common threat. At a community level this is reflected in the remarkable solidarity of provinces and cities in support of the most vulnerable populations and communities.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing about the treatment of COVID-19 and the recovery of patients.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing about the effective prevention and control in accordance with the law of the imported COVID-19 cases.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made an inspection tour of the scientific research work for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic in Beijing.

Xi stressed the COVID-19 research must be taken as a major and pressing task, calling for pooling talents and resources of multiple fields under the united leadership and synergy, accelerating the research and development pace on the basis of adhering to science and ensuring safety, to overcome key and difficult issues in epidemic prevention and control as soon as possible to provide strong scientific and technological support for winning the anti-epidemic war. Xi's speech was published by the Qiushi Journal in its sixth issue of 2020.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Li Keqiang presided over a meeting of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on COVID-19 response work, making arrangements of prevention and control work for the next stage, to enhance the caring for the community workers at the response frontline and coordinate the work of epidemic prevention and control and spring farming.

-- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson answered questions on imported cases from Russia at a press conference.

-- China's NHC unveiled the seventh version of guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19, which made modifications and improvements in the transmission routes, clinical features and diagnostic criteria, and emphasized the integration of traditional Chinese and western medicine in treating the disease.

-- Received by China's NHC, Hala Zayed, Egyptian President's special envoy and Egypt's Minister of Health and Population, visited China and met Chen Zhu, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and president of the Red Cross Society of China.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, chaired a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to analyze major tasks in preventing and controlling the COVID-19 epidemic while stabilizing economic and social development.

-- China's NHC sent letters to the health authorities or organizations of Japan, Iran, the Republic of Korea, Italy, Singapore and Pakistan to express concerns on the current COVID-19 outbreak in these countries and hopes to enhance information sharing and technical cooperation.

-- China's foreign ministry and NHC jointly held a multilateral video conference on COVID-19 with experts from six countries including Azerbaijan and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, to have in-depth exchanges on areas including prevention and control measures, diagnosis and screening, and laboratory testing.

-- The State Council Information Office held a simultaneous press conference in Beijing and Wuhan, linking frontline Chinese experts in Wuhan who introduced the treatment of COVID-19 with reporters in Beijing via video. The whole meeting was in English.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing about promoting production and ensuring supply of important medical treatment equipment for epidemic prevention and control.

-- A research team from Westlake Institute for Advanced Study published an article in the journal Science, titled "Structural Basis for the Recognition of the SARS-CoV-2 by Full-Length Human ACE2", which successfully analyzed for the first time the full-length three-dimensional structure of ACE2, the cellular receptor for the new coronavirus.

-- Experts from China CDC participated in a COVID-19 response teleconference by the WHO's Global Preparedness Monitoring Board.

-- Zhong Nanshan held a video conference with head of the European Respiratory Society to introduce China's anti-epidemic achievements and experience.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Li Keqiang presided over a meeting of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on COVID-19 response work, ordering more targeted and effective prevention and control measures, demanding the implementation of solid measures to care for the medical personnel fighting on the frontline against COVID-19, and urging efforts to better guarantee the minimum living standard for those people in need.

-- China's foreign ministry and NHC held a video conference with health experts from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia, Turkmenistan and the secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to share China's anti-epidemic experience.

-- The State Council Information Office held a press conference in Beijing on international cooperation in combating the COVID-19 outbreak.

An NHC official told the press conference that China had conducted multiple exchanges with the heads of international and regional organizations such as the WHO and health departments of relevant countries, and received a special visit of Egypt's Minister of Health and Population, the special envoy of Egyptian President.

China has timely shared with the world the whole gene sequence, primers and probes of the coronavirus, and shared diagnosis and treatment guidelines and other technical documents with more than 100 countries and over 10 international and regional organizations around the world, said the official.

China has also carried out timely technical exchanges with international and regional organizations, such as the WHO, ASEAN and APEC, as well as Japan, Russia, Germany, the United States and other countries through expert discussions and teleconferences to share China's epidemic prevention and control experience and guidelines, said the official.

An Official with Chinese foreign ministry introduced China's international cooperation in fighting the COVID-19 outbreak and answered questions from reporters.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing about the COVID-19 epidemic.

As revealed by the NHC at the press conference, two imported cases of novel coronavirus infection were reported on the Chinese mainland on March 4, bringing the accumulated number of imported cases to 20.

From March 5, China began reporting on a daily basis the newly imported COVID-19 cases on the previous day and the total imported cases from overseas.

-- A joint research team from Southern University of Science and Technology and the Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen published an article on bioRxiv, titled "Viral Architecture of SARS-CoV-2 with Post-Fusion Spike Revealed by Cryo-EM", revealing the overall structure of the novel coronavirus.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended a symposium on securing a decisive victory in poverty alleviation in Beijing and made an important speech. Xi urged Party committees and governments at all levels to advance the fight against poverty in greater determination and intensity, overcome the impact of the COVID-19 to clinch a complete victory in eradicating poverty and accomplish the great cause that is of tremendous importance both for the Chinese nation and humanity. Xi's speech was published in full text on the same day.

-- China shared with ASEAN, Japan, ROK, Yemen, Iran, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, EU and other countries and regions videos of press conferences of China's clinical experts.

-- The State Council Information Office held a press conference in Hubei Province on the progress of the prevention, control, and treatment of COVID-19.

"We made public the information of epidemic prevention and control timely to let the society see the truth," said Ding Xiangyang, deputy secretary-general of the State Council.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing about the latest situation of COVID-19 scientific and technological research and development.

NHC spokesperson told the press that among 17 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported on March 5 on the Chinese mainland, 16 cases were imported from outside the mainland, warning that China faces rising risk of imported COVID-19 cases.

China will continue to deepen international cooperation, timely share information and experience with the WHO and relevant countries, and jointly fight the epidemic, the spokesperson said.

-- The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson answered questions of reporters, addressing some media's claim that the novel coronavirus is "made in China."

According to the spokesperson, the traceability of the virus is still in progress. "Though the first case of COVID-19 was detected in China, it does not necessarily mean that it originated from China. We should jointly oppose 'information virus' and ' political virus.'"

-- The NHC released the sixth version of guidelines on the prevention and control of COVID-19.

-- A Chinese medical team dispatched by the Red Cross Society of China arrived in Iraq, carrying China-aided COVID-19 prevention supplies.

-- China's NHC shared with Chile the latest version of the guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 and other technical information, expressing its willingness to conduct technical exchanges online. The commission also shared with key countries and regions the English version of the seventh version of the diagnosis and treatment guidelines.

-- China announced a donation of 20 million U.S. dollars to the WHO to support its international cooperation in the fight against COVID-19.

-- The State Council Information Office held a press conference in Wuhan City at which members of the guidance group sent by the CPC Central Committee introduced the progress of the COVID-19 prevention and treatment.

-- The NHC released a manual on prevention and control of COVID-19 for rural residents, which provides guidance and help for them to understand, prevent and control the coronavirus, and improve their self-prevention awareness and personal protection.

-- The NHC instructed medical teams aiding foreign countries to carry out capacity-building in local areas, held online training on the COVID-19 prevention and control for these teams, along with exercises on the epidemic prevention and control for the medical teams aiding Mozambique, Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Li Keqiang presided over a meeting of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on the COVID-19 response work, making arrangements for deepening international cooperation on epidemic prevention and control, curbing the cross-border spread of the epidemic and pushing for substantial results in relevant work.

-- Chen Zhu, vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee and head of the Red Cross Society of China, held a China-Italy video seminar on the COVID-19 prevention and control at the emergency command center of the China CDC.

-- A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said at a routine press conference in Beijing that while overcoming its own difficulties, China is willing to provide masks and other medical protection materials to relevant countries to support them in fighting the COVID-19 epidemic and jointly deal with and eventually win the battle.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, went to Wuhan to inspect the prevention and control work at the critical moment of fighting COVID-19.

Xi stressed that the epidemic prevention and control situation in Hubei and Wuhan has seen positive changes and achieved important results in stages through hard work, but the task of the epidemic prevention and control remains arduous.

Xi pointed out that the public must keep a clear mind and be more cautious at this moment, making persistent efforts and great achievements and continuing to take the epidemic prevention and control as the current top priority and the most important work.

Xi also stressed that the whole country must not be careless or weary, and should pay close attention to all kinds of prevention and control work to resolutely win the battles against the coronavirus in Hubei and Wuhan.

Xi's speech was published by the Qiushi Journal in its seventh issue of 2020.

-- China's NHC and the foreign ministry held a TV and telephone conference with 10 South Pacific island countries to exchange the COVID-19 prevention and control technologies, organized experts to introduce China's prevention and control measures and phased achievements, shared disease information, prevention and control experience, and addressed foreign concerns.

-- The NHC recommended experts to participate in the formulation of the WHO gene sequencing guidelines.

-- The NHC and the foreign ministry jointly held the third China-EU teleconference on the exchange of the COVID-19 prevention and control technologies.

-- The NHC coordinated experts to attend the WHO's conference in America to introduce China's experience in the COVID-19 prevention and control.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing about the COVID-19 epidemic.

As revealed at the press conference, China has seen the daily number of newly confirmed cases and newly suspected cases of COVID-19 ease to double-digit for five consecutive days. Apart from Wuhan, there were two newly confirmed cases in the last five days in China. The overall epidemic situation remained at a relatively low level and the prevention and control situation continued to improve.

However, there are still a large number of confirmed cases in Hubei and Wuhan, and the task of the epidemic prevention and control remains arduous. The rapid development of epidemic abroad also brings uncertainties, according to the press conference.

-- A research team from the China CDC published a paper in the JAMA network, titled "Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Different Types of Clinical Specimens", discovering the cytokine change map and prognosis rule in patients infected with COVID-19 for the first time.

-- Experts from the China CDC were invited to attend 2020 online Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections organized by the International Antiviral Society-USA.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping talked over phone with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at request, stressing that the hard work of the Chinese people has bought precious time and made important contributions to the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic in countries in the world.

Xi noted that China is willing to share its prevention and control experience with relevant countries, carry out joint research and development of drugs and vaccines, and is providing assistance to some countries where the epidemic has spread.

Xi said China supports the UN and the WHO in mobilizing the international community to strengthen policy coordination and increase resource investment, especially to help developing countries with weak public health systems to prepare for prevention and response.

Xi also said China has announced a donation of 20 million U.S. dollars to the WHO to support its international efforts to combat the epidemic.

Xi stressed that the international community should step up its efforts to effectively carry out international cooperation in joint prevention and control, so as to pool strong synergy in the fight against the epidemic; and that the international community must foster a sense of community with a shared future for mankind, support each other, work together to deal with risks and challenges and build a better planet.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Li Keqiang presided over a meeting of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on COVID-19 response work, calling for better region- and category-based measures to prevent and control the COVID-19, ensure supplies according to the changing epidemic situation, and taking more precise and targeted measures to guard against imported and exported cases of infection across the border.

-- The Second Sherpa Meeting of the G20 Riyadh Summit was held in Saudi Arabia, to discuss COVID-19 and its impact on people worldwide and the global economy. A special statement by the sherpas (personal representatives) of the leaders of the G20 on international response to the coronavirus pandemic was issued after the meeting.

-- Heads of China, Japan and ROK CDCs held a conference call on the COVID-19 prevention and control technologies, during which the three parties introduced the current situation of the epidemic prevention and control in their respective countries and exchanged views on specific technical issues.

-- China and the WHO held an international briefing via video chat in Beijing on China's experience in preventing and controlling COVID-19. Representatives of relevant countries' embassies in China and international organizations attended the briefing. Representatives of the WHO Western Pacific Region and relevant countries attended the meeting remotely via video chat.

China and the WHO jointly released the latest English versions of the diagnosis and treatment guidelines and prevention and control guidelines at the briefing.

-- The first batch of Chinese medical experts carrying China-assisted medical supplies arrived in Italy to help with its epidemic prevention and control efforts.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing about the COVID-19, saying the epidemic peak in China has passed as a whole, with the number of new cases declining continuously, and the epidemic situation remaining at a relatively low level.

-- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said that China and Europe have maintained close communication and cooperation since the COVID-19 outbreak, and that China's NHC and CDC have set up a special joint expert group to deal with the epidemic with the European Commission's Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety and the ECDC.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping sent messages to the European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, extending sincere sympathies to the EU and the people in all its member countries over the recent outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease.

China firmly supports the European side in combating the COVID-19 epidemic. China is willing to provide assistance to help the European side win the fight against the epidemic at an early date. Upholding the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, China stands ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the European sided within bilateral and international frameworks to jointly safeguard global and regional public health security and protect the lives and health of people of both sides and in other countries around the world, Xi said.

-- China and the ROK established a joint prevention and control cooperation mechanism to deal with the epidemic and held the first video conference.

Led by the foreign ministries of these two countries, with the participation of health, education, customs, immigration, civil aviation and other departments, the mechanism aims to implement the important consensus of the heads of these two countries, strengthen communication and coordination between the two sides, carry out joint prevention and control, overcome the epidemic jointly, improve the health and well-being of these two countries' people, and safeguard and promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation.

-- China and 17 central and eastern European countries (CEEC) held a video conference of experts on the COVID-19 prevention and control, during which officials of the China's foreign ministry, NHC, and Chinese experts in disease control, civil aviation, customs and other fields shared information on the fight against the epidemic and exchanging prevention and control experience with government officials and experts from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia and Czech Republic and other CEEC members.

-- Experts from University of Science and Technology of China and its first affiliated hospital published an article, titled "Pathogenic T cells and inflammatory storm in severe COVID-19 patients."

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping recently sent a message of sympathy to Italian President Sergio Mattarella, expressing sincere sympathies on behalf of the Chinese government and people to the Italian government and people on the recent COVID-19 epidemic in Italy.

Xi stressed that the Chinese government and its people firmly support Italy's fight against the COVID-19 outbreak at this difficult time, and China is willing to cooperate with Italy and offer assistance.

Xi noted that mankind is a community with a shared future and that only through unity and coordination can humanity tackle various global risks and challenges.

Xi said as long as the two countries and the broader international community make joint efforts, they will certainly overcome the current difficulties and prevail over the epidemic at an early date, so as to protect the well-being of people in both countries and across the world.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping recently sent a message of sympathy to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, expressing heartfelt sympathies on behalf of the Chinese government and people to the Iranian government and people over the epidemic.

Xi noted that the Iranian government and people have provided sincere and friendly support and help for China's fight against the epidemic.

Meanwhile, to help Iran beat the disease, China has offered Iran a batch of anti-epidemic supplies and sent a team of voluntary health experts, Xi said.

Xi stressed that China stands ready to step up cooperation with Iran to contain the epidemic and will continue to provide as much assistance as it can for Iran in the latter's fight against the COVID-19 outbreak, adding he is confident that the Iranian government and people will surely win the battle against the outbreak.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping recently sent a message of sympathy to President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in, expressing heartfelt sympathies on behalf of the Chinese government and people to the ROK government and people in ROK over the epidemic.

Xi noted that epidemics know no borders, and all countries worldwide are part of a community with a shared future, and the Chinese government and people empathize with the ROK in its struggle against the epidemic and related difficulties.

Xi said China will continue to provide as much assistance as it can to the ROK to support the latter's fight against the COVID-19 outbreak, the Chinese side stands ready to join hands with the ROK to win the fight against the epidemic at an early date, so as to protect the lives and health of the people of the two countries and the wider world.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing about the COVID-19 epidemic risk categorization, saying the vast majority of counties on the Chinese mainland have been thus far low-risk through the monitoring of high, medium and low-risk counties. Relevant provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions have published lists of high, medium and low-risk counties.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing saying all the new local confirmed cases of COVID-19 came from Wuhan.

As revealed at the press conference, no new local confirmed cases have been reported in cities other than Wuhan for 10 consecutive days. The number of local new confirmed cases in provinces other than Hubei has been in single-digit since Feb. 27 and zero new local confirmed cases has been reported for three consecutive days.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping talked over phone with Giuseppe Conte, Italian Prime Minister at request. Xi pointed out that China is willing to work with Italy to contribute to international cooperation in fighting the epidemic and building a "healthy Silk Road," believing that the traditional friendship and mutual trust will be further deepened and the all-round cooperation between China and Italy will usher in a broader prospect through this joint fight against the epidemic.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Li Keqiang presided over a meeting of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on COVID-19 response work, making further arrangements to improve prevention and control measures and speed up work and manufacturing resumption in all aspects and restore normal economic and social order.

-- The State Council Information Office held press conferences in English simultaneously in Beijing and Wuhan. Experts from the medical team of Peking Union Medical College Hospital aiding Hubei answered questions from foreign media on issues related to the treatment of COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms.

-- The State Council Information Office held a press conference in Hubei on the scientific treatment of COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing about the prevention and control measures China adopted according to law to guard against imported COVID-19 cases.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Pakistani President Arif Alvi in Beijing, noting that the COVID-19 epidemic is erupting in many places around the world at present, and all countries should join hands to fight the epidemic.

Upholding the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, China has timely released the epidemic information and shared prevention and treatment experience openly, transparently and responsibly, Xi said, adding China is willing to make more contributions to prevent the spread of the epidemic worldwide and will continue to provide support and assistance to Pakistan.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping talked over phone with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at request, stressing that China's prevention and control measures have achieved positive results and have stepped out of the most difficult and most arduous stage through the hard work of the whole country.

Xi said as the epidemic has spread in many countries, China is willing to carry out international cooperation with other countries and provide assistance within its capabilities.

Xi hoped that the international community will work together to turn crises into opportunities, resist the impact of the epidemic with open and cooperative practical actions, and jointly safeguard international health security.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing to introduce the latest research and development of vaccines and detection reagents.

-- China, Japan, and the ROK held a teleconference among heads of their COVID-19 response departments. The three parties introduced the epidemic situation and measures in their respective countries and exchanged in-depth views on strengthening cooperation in the epidemic prevention and control. They believed that they should jointly prevent the spread of the epidemic and strengthen joint prevention and control.

-- China began supplying 14 kinds of domestic test kits to 11 countries, with the first batch of test kits donated by China to Cambodia arrived in Phnom Penh.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, chaired a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to analyze the situation of the COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control as well as the economy at home and abroad, and make arrangements for coordinating the epidemic prevention and control with key work of economic and social development.

Xi urged closer cooperation with the international community on epidemic prevention and control, stressing China will keep its close cooperation with the WHO to strengthen the analysis and prediction of the changes in the global epidemic situation, improve strategies and policies to cope with imported risks, boost exchanges and cooperation with other countries on epidemic response, and continue to offer assistance to the best of China's ability.

-- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang talked over phone with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, saying under the current circumstances, China stands firmly with the EU and supports its anti-epidemic efforts.

Li said China will facilitate its procurement of medical supplies through commercial channels, adding that China is also ready to actively carry out international cooperation to jointly protect the health of the humankind.

-- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang spoke over phone with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov at request.

Li said China is willing to enhance exchanges of anti-epidemic experience with Bulgaria, provide assistance within China's capability to help it contain the spread of COVID-19, and provide necessary facilitation to the Bulgarian side in its procurement of medical supplies through commercial channels.

-- The second group of Chinese medical experts arrived in Italy, carrying nine tonnes of medical supplies donated by China, including ventilators, infusion pumps, monitors and testing reagents.

-- China and Africa held a video conference on COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control. Attendees of the online meeting were about 300 officials, health experts from 24 African countries, including health ministers from Ethiopia, Kenya and Liberia, and WHO representatives in some countries.

-- China and Mongolia held a video meeting on the COVID-19 epidemic, at which China shared its anti-epidemic technologies and experience in epidemic prevention and control, had in-depth exchanges in epidemic situation, prevention and control measures, screening and diagnosis, and treatment guidelines.

-- Zhong Nanshan said at a press conference in Guangzhou that China has proved the effectiveness of containment measures in high outbreak regions and public prevention and control measures in other regions.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke over phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin at request, reaffirming that China stands ready to work with Russia and other countries to step up international cooperation against the COVID-19 epidemic for the vision to build a community with a shared future for humanity.

Xi called for closer international cooperation in epidemic prevention and control, experience sharing on containment and treatment, and facilitation of joint research, to cope with the common threat and challenge, and safeguard global public health security.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Li Keqiang presided over a meeting of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on the COVID-19 epidemic response, making arrangements to optimize prevention and control measures, precisely curb cross-border transmission of COVID-19, and actively promote the orderly resumption of work and production.

-- An inspection team of the National Supervisory Commission released the report of an investigation into issues related to doctor Li Wenliang, an ophthalmologist with the Central Hospital of Wuhan. Following the report, Wuhan Public Security Bureau decided to revoke the previous reprimand letter and apologized to Li's family over the mistake.

-- China's foreign ministry and NHC jointly held a China-Europe video meeting with 18 European countries including Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland, introducing China's experience of COVID-19 outbreak prevention and control for European officials and medical specialists.

-- The NHC held a meeting with the Embassy of Japan in China to exchange views in building clinical and epidemic prevention mechanism of joint response to COVID-19 epidemic.

Shanghai Municipal Health Commission and Health Commission of Anhui Province held video meetings with specialists from Costa Rica and South Sudan, respectively, to exchange on epidemic prevention and control.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing saying that no new confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases were reported for the first time on the Chinese mainland on March 18.

No new death was reported outside Hubei Province, and the number of severe cases dropped by two. No new confirmed local cases had been reported outside Hubei on the Chinese mainland for seven consecutive days, as revealed by the press conference.

The risk of imported COVID-19 cases was on the rise due to the rapid spread of the epidemic globally, thus the task to prevent imported risk must be implemented, according to the press conference.

-- Specialists from the China CDC participated in a teleconference with the WHO and the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) to introduce China's experience on COVID-19 prevention and control.

-- Zhong Nanshan attended an international sharing and exchange meeting on epidemic prevention and control experience, calling for high attention to the spread of novel coronavirus in a number of countries, saying it's crucial to carry out early detection, early quarantine, early diagnosis and early treatment to control the epidemic.

-- Upon the initiative of China, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a special video conference on COVID-19 with ROK Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. They had an in-depth exchange of views on joint response to the epidemic.

-- China's NHC and foreign ministry held a video meeting with 19 countries from Europe and Asia to provide a platform for specialists to exchange and share technologies for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing, announcing that no new confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases were reported on the Chinese mainland on March 19. It was the first time of such zero report on the Chinese mainland since it started the nationwide battle against the coronavirus.

-- Specialists from the China CDC attended a teleconference organized by the WHO on COVID-19 vaccine research.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping recently sent a message of sympathy to Spanish King Felipe VI, expressing sincere sympathies on behalf of the Chinese government and people to the Spanish government and people over the recent COVID-19 outbreak in Spain.

Xi noted that China firmly supports Spain's efforts and measures in fighting the epidemic, and stands ready to share prevention and control experience as well as diagnostic and treatment guidelines, and provide assistance and support within its capacity.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping recently sent a message of sympathy to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, expressing sincere sympathies on behalf of the Chinese government and people to the Serbian government and people over the recent COVID-19 outbreak in Serbia.

Xi stressed that China firmly supports Serbia's efforts against the epidemic, and will provide Serbia with assistance in protective equipment and medical instruments, and help it purchase urgently needed supplies in China.

China will also send a group of medical experts to help it better contain the COVID-19 epidemic, so as to protect the life, health and well-being of the Serbian people.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping recently sent a message of sympathy to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, stressing China firmly supports Germany's endeavor in combating the epidemic and is willing to provide assistance within its capacity if there is a need from the German side.

Xi noted by upholding the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, China stands ready to continue sharing information and experience with Germany, and strengthening cooperation in such areas as epidemic prevention and control, treatment of patients, and vaccine research and development, so as to jointly protect the health and well-being of people not only in both countries but in the rest of the world.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping recently sent a message of sympathy to French President Emmanuel Macron, noting the Chinese government and people firmly support France's efforts against the COVID-19 epidemic, and stand ready to boost cooperation with France and jointly win the battle through mutual support and help.

Xi said China is willing to make concerted efforts with France to enhance international cooperation in epidemic prevention and control, support the UN and the WHO playing a core role in improving global public health governance, and build a community of common health for mankind.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing underscoring the importance of implementing prevention and control measures in quarantine, transfer, treatment and isolation to curb the imported COVID-19 cases as the pandemic is affecting more than 180 countries and regions.

-- A Chinese medical team carrying ventilators, medical masks, test kits and other medical materials arrived in Serbian to help it battle the novel coronavirus.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping talked over phone with French President Emmanuel Macron, introducing upon request the situation of the COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control in China.

Xi stressed both China and France shoulder the arduous responsibility of safeguarding international and regional public health security, suggesting that both countries carry out sincere cooperation to promote joint research programs, strengthen cooperation in frontier health and quarantine inspection, support the work of the WHO, jointly help African countries enhance epidemic prevention and control, and strive to build a community of common health.

Xi said China stands ready to work with France to encourage all relevant parties to step up coordination and cooperation within such frameworks as the UN and G20, engage in joint prevention and containment, improve global health governance, help developing countries and other countries in need with capacity-building, and cushion the epidemic's impact on the world economy.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping talked over phone with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, noting facts have shown once again that mankind is a community that shares weal and woe. All countries must unite and work together to jointly cope with the COVID-19 epidemic.

Xi said by upholding the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, China will work with other countries to step up international cooperation in epidemic prevention and control, jointly address common threats and challenges, and safeguard global public health security.

Noting that Egypt is also facing the urgent task of battling the epidemic, Xi said China is willing to share with Egypt the epidemic-related information, experience on prevention and treatment, and medical research results, and provide it with medical supplies to support its prevention and control efforts to jointly beat the disease.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping talked over phone with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, introducing upon request China's epidemic prevention and control measures. Xi stressed that China hopes Britain will enhance coordination with China to minimize the risk of the epidemic's spread while ensuring necessary flow of people and trade.

Xi called on all nations to push forward cooperation within the frameworks of the UN and G20, enhance the exchange and sharing of information and experience, boost collaboration in scientific research, support the WHO in playing its due role, improve global health governance, increase macro-economic policy coordination so as to stabilize the market, maintain economic growth, safeguard people's well-being, and keep the global supply chains open, stable and safe.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Li Keqiang presided over a meeting of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on the COVID-19 epidemic response, making arrangements to prevent imported infections and COVID-19 rebound at home according to changes in the epidemic situation, actively advance the resumption of work and production in order while keep prevention and control effective.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing, announcing Hubei Province and Wuhan City had reported zero new confirmed and suspected case for five straight days, with the number of existing confirmed cases declining continuously. A health official told the press conference that zero report of new cases does not mean there is no risk, thus it's still arduous to prevent and control the epidemic.

-- The State Council Information Office held a press conference in Hubei, introducing the importan ce and effective ness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating COVID-19 . Zhang Boli, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering noted that TCM had remarkably reduce d the proportion of patients with mild symptoms turning to severe cases.

-- A team of Chinese medical experts carrying a batch of medical materials aided by China arrived in Cambodia to help it fight the COVID-19.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping talked over phone with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, noting that in the battle against the current global public health crisis, the urgency and significance of building a community with a shared future for humanity have become even greater. Only with solidarity and cooperation can the international community prevail over the pandemic and safeguard the planet.

Xi said China is ready to work with Kazakhstan and other countries to strengthen international cooperation against the pandemic and safeguard global public health security.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping talked over phone with Polish President Andrzej Duda, reiterating China's firm support to the Polish government and people in combating the COVID-19 epidemic.

Xi noted China had held a video conference of health experts with Poland and other Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs) to timely share information and relevant measures on epidemic prevention and control.

Xi said by upholding the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, China is willing to enhance cooperation with other countries to fight the epidemic and safeguard global public health security.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping talked over phone with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro at request, noting that the COVID-19 broke out in many parts of the world and was spreading rapidly and the top priority now is for countries to strengthen cooperation.

Xi said by upholding the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and with an open, transparent and responsible attitude, China has timely released epidemic information and shared experience in prevention, control and treatment with the WHO and the international community without reserve, and doing its best to provide assistance for other parties.

Xi stressed that the international community has already recognized that China made enormous sacrifices in the fight against COVID-19 and bought precious time for the world.

-- Chinese authorities and experts interacted via a video conference with health professionals across Latin America and the Caribbean states, sharing COVID-19 prevention and control experience. Attendees were about 200 officials and experts from 25 countries and representatives from the WHO, UNICEF, Pan American Health Organization and Inter-American Development Bank.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing with disease control specialists and medical experts introducing the COVID-19 prevention, control and clinical diagnosis information. As revealed at the press conference, spreading risks of sporadic COVID-19 cases and imported cases still exist, thus the prevention and control work should not be taken lightly.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to hear reports of the epidemic prevention and control and the current economic situation, and study responsive measures.

The meeting decided to submit the measures to the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee for further review.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping talked over phone with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, stressing China firmly supports Germany in its fight against the COVID-19 epidemic and is willing to continue to provide assistance within China's capacity.

Xi said that the Chinese and German experts have already had video exchanges, and German experts have also travelled to China with the WHO expert team.

Xi said China is willing to share with Germany its experience in prevention, control and treatment, strengthen cooperation in vaccine and drug research and development, and contribute to the health and well-being of both peoples and global public health security.

In the battle against the outbreak, the strength of solidarity and cooperation between China and Germany, between China and the EU, have displayed positive energy, Xi said, adding China is ready to work with Germany and other sides to step up coordination and advocate the spirit of sharing the same boat and jointly fight the epidemic, so as to shore up confidence in the international community.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing asking for efforts to strictly prevent imported infections and epidemic rebound at home.

-- A new PCR lab assisted and built by China was inaugurated in Baghdad, Iraq, to increase the testing capacity to contain COVID-19 in the war-torn country.

-- Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health plans to sign with American pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences on China-led evaluation research of medicine Remdesivir.

-- Via video link in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech titled "Working Together to Defeat the COVID-19 Outbreak" at the Extraordinary G20 Leaders' Summit.

Stressing the outbreak is spreading worldwide and the situation is disturbing and unsettling, Xi said it's imperative for the international community to strengthen confidence, act with unity and work together in a collective response to win the battle against such a major infectious disease for humanity.

Guided by the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, China will be more than ready to share its good practices, provide assistance in its capacity to countries hit by the growing outbreak, and contribute to the stability of the world economy, Xi said.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping wrote in a reply letter to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, saying China has always supported the global COVID-19 containment efforts with concrete actions, and has offered assistance to the WHO and other international organizations, as well as more than 80 countries. Xi said China will continue to provide support for the international community in combating COVID-19 epidemic.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Li Keqiang presided over a meeting of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee COVID-19 response work, calling for strict implementation of measures to prevent the rebound of the epidemic within the country and efforts to step up measures to guard against risks of imported cases by land and water.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing announcing that 23 provincial-level regions reported confirmed imported cases of COVID-19 on March 25.

As revealed by the press conference, pressure remains huge to prevent the spread of the epidemic, and people should prepare for more persistent prevention and control efforts.

-- China's third medical team carrying ventilators, medical monitors, masks and other medical supplies arrived in Italy via chartered flight to help Italy fight the COVID-19 outbreak.

-- China held a video meeting on COVID-19 pandemic with medical experts and health officials from the West Asian and North African countries. About 200 participants from the Gulf Cooperation Council and 16 countries including Egypt, Algeria, Palestine, Lebanon, Kuwait and Qatar joined the online meeting.

-- According to the data of China International Development Cooperation Agency, China has thus far provided four batches of anti-pandemic aid for 89 countries and four international organizations, while the fifth batch of aid program was being developed.

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, chaired a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to analyze the COVID-19 response and economic performance.

The meeting made new arrangements on coordinating the COVID-19 response and economic and social development.

China will deepen exchange and cooperation with the WHO and continue to provide assistance within its ability to other countries, according to the meeting.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping talked over phone with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, stressing viruses respect no national borders, and only by cooperation and with a collective response can the international community prevail over them.

Xi said the G20 major economies should uphold the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and strengthen unity, coordination and cooperation to resolutely stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and stabilize the world economy with all their strength.

Xi noted that with the king's presiding, G20 leaders successfully held an extraordinary summit on COVID-19 on March 26, and reached important consensus on fighting the pandemic in solidarity and stabilizing the world economy, which has sent a positive signal to the international community.

Xi stressed that China is ready to maintain close communication with Saudi Arabia and strengthen the momentum of G20 cooperation.

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping talked over phone with U.S. President Donald Trump at request, stressing that China has been timely sharing information on COVID-19 in an open, transparent and responsible manner with the WHO and countries including the United States since the onset of the epidemic.

China, Xi said, wasted no time in releasing such information as the genetic sequence of the coronavirus, and has also been sharing experience on COVID-19 prevention, containment and treatment without reserve, and providing as much support and assistance as it can for countries in need.

Xi said China will continue to do so, and work with the international community to prevail over the pandemic.

-- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang talked over phone at request over the COVID-19 pandemic with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, and with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, respectively.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing announcing that the number of the close contacts under medical observation had been increasing for seven consecutive days, with the number reported on March 26 jumping 78 percent than that on March 19.

The combination of emergency and normalized measures should be improved to accurately prevent and control the domestic epidemic and take strict precautions against the virus spreading.

-- A Chinese medical expert team carrying medical supplies arrived in Pakistan to help it fight COVID-19.

-- Invited by the European Respiratory Society, Wang Chen, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and also a medical specialist of respiratory and critical disease, attended a video connection and shared the health policies of the COVID-19 prevention and control with European physicians and health administrators.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with villagers and learns about the huge changes brought about by advancing green development, in Yucun Village of Tianhuangping Township in Anji County, east China's Zhejiang Province, March 30, 2020. Xi inspected Zhejiang from March 29 to April 1, 2020. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

-- Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made an inspection tour for COVID-19 control and work resumption in east China's Zhejiang Province from March 29 to April 1, according to a Xinhua News Agency report.

Xi called for the full implementation of the decisions and arrangements by the CPC Central Committee, while coordinating efforts for COVID-19 prevention and control, and economic and social development.

-- Under the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, a press conference was held in Beijing announcing that local transmission of COVID-19 has been basically blocked on the Chinese mainland, and China will continue efforts to guard against the dual risks of sporadic domestic cases and imported cases.

-- A team of Chinese medical experts carrying medical supplies, such as treatment machines, protective materials, traditional Chinese and western medicines, arrived at Laos to assist the country's fight against the COVID-19 outbreak.

Chinese medical experts share their experience in COVID-19 prevention and control with health experts and officials from Venezuelan Health Ministry, in Caracas, Venezuela, March 31, 2020. China has sent a team of medical experts and aid supplies to Venezuela to help the country fight the COVID-19 pandemic. (Xinhua/Salgado)

-- Xinhua News Agency reported that Li Keqiang presided over a meeting of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee COVID-19 response work, urging efforts to consolidate prevention and control measures to focus on the prevention and control of cases of infections that show no symptoms.

-- The International Department of CPC Central Committee and the secretariat of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) standing committee co-hosted an online seminar about jointly fighting against the COVID-19, aiming to promote the exchange and dialogue among Asian political parties in epidemic prevention and control via online communication, and boosting experience sharing and cooperation among Asian countries.

-- A team of Chinese medical and scientific experts carrying test kits, medical protective equipment, medicines and other China-donated medical supplies arrived in Caracas, capital of Venezuela, to help fight COVID-19.

-- Invited by the American College of Chest Physicians, Chinese medical experts attended a network forum of COVID-19 with their American counterparts and shared experience in fighting against the virus.

-- Upgraded by Chinese enterprises, Zimbabwe's main COVID-19 quarantine and treatment center, Wilkins Hospital, was completed and delivered to Zimbabwe.

-- China's NHC head Ma Xiaowei talked over phone with the U.S. s ecretary of h ealth and h uman s ervices Alex Azar on the implementation of principles agreed by the heads of state of China and the United States in a telephone conversation on March 27, sharing China's latest epidemic prevention and control situation and exchanging views for further cooperation.

-- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang talked over phone with Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad at request, saying the COVID-19 epidemic is spreading in the Middle East region and China feels keenly for it. Li said China stands firmly with Algeria, and is willing to provide support within its capacity and share its anti-virus experience.

-- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang talked over phone with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar at request, saying China firmly supports Ireland's efforts in the fight against the disease, and is willing to provide Ireland with necessary assistance within its capacity. Li said China is also ready to facilitate Ireland's procurement and transportation of medical supplies from China, enhance exchanges of experience on epidemic prevention and treatment, and carry out cooperation in medical research and development.

-- The State Council Information Office held a press conference in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, and answered questions about the COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control, treatment of severe patients, resumption of normal medical order in the province and international cooperation of epidemic prevention and control.

-- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson told a press conference in Beijing that the Chinese government had provided material assistance including medical masks, N95 masks, protective suits, nucleic acid testing reagent and ventilators to 120 countries and four international organizations.

Local governments had donated medical supplies to more than 50 countries. And the Chinese enterprises donated medical supplies to more than 100 countries and international organizations.

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China publishes timeline on COVID-19 information sharing, int'l cooperation

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BEIJING, April 6 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday published a timeline on how it has shared information and advanced international cooperation in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic. Please see the attachment for the document, titled "Timeline of China releasing information on COVID-19 and advancing international cooperation on epidemic response".

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31st December - Chinese authorities report a string of Pneumonia-like cases. 

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31st December - Chinese authorities report a string of Pneumonia-like cases. 

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WHO (World Health Organisation), 2020. “WHO Timeline - COVID-19”. 27 April, https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/27-04-2020-who-timeline---covid-19

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14th-22nd December 2020, First French Case

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14th-22nd December 2020, First French Case

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back testing of samples revealed that France's first case may have been in December, possibly mid December due to the time taken to show symptoms. He worked near the airport

BBC News, 2020, "France's first coronavirus case 'was in December'", BBC,

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A patient treated in a hospital near Paris on 27 December for suspected pneumonia actually had the coronavirus, his doctor has said.

This means the virus may have arrived in Europe almost a month earlier than previously thought.

Dr Yves Cohen said a swab taken at the time was recently tested, and came back positive for Covid-19.

The patient, who has since recovered, said he had no idea where he caught the virus as he had not travelled abroad.

Knowing who was the first case is key to understanding how the virus spread.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says it is possible more early cases will come to light, and spokesman Christian Lindmeier urged countries to check records for similar cases in order to gain a clearer picture of the outbreak.

The French health ministry told the BBC that the government was obtaining confirmation on the case and that it would consider further investigations if they proved necessary.

France is not the only country where subsequent testing points to earlier cases. Two weeks ago, a post-mortem examination carried out in California revealed that the first coronavirus-related death in the US was almost a month earlier than previously thought.

What do we know about the new case?

Dr Cohen, head of emergency medicine at Avicenne and Jean-Verdier hospitals near Paris, said the patient was a 43-year-old man from Bobigny, north-east of Paris.

He told the BBC's Newsday programme that the patient must have been infected between 14 and 22 December, as coronavirus symptoms take between five and 14 days to appear.

The patient, Amirouche Hammar was admitted to hospital on 27 December exhibiting a dry cough, a fever and trouble breathing - symptoms which would later become known as main indications of coronavirus.

This was four days before the WHO's China country office was informed of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause being detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

Mr Hammar told French broadcaster BFMTV that he had not left France before falling sick. Dr Cohen said while two of the patient's children had also fallen ill, his wife had not shown any symptoms.

But Dr Cohen pointed out that the patient's wife worked at a supermarket near Charles de Gaulle airport and could have come into contact with people who had recently arrived from China. The patient's wife said that "often customers would come directly from the airport, still carrying their suitcases".

"We're wondering whether she was asymptomatic," Dr Cohen said.

What does it tell us?

Could coronavirus have been circulating in Europe in late 2019, many weeks before it was officially recognised and declared a threat there? That is the suggestion being made after a French doctor has revealed that he treated a patient in Paris with all of the symptoms of coronavirus just after Christmas.

How does this change what we know about the pandemic? It might be that the test result is an error and so does not change a thing.

But it if is correct, it could mean spread of the disease was going unchecked in Europe while all eyes were on the East in Wuhan.

Certainly, any laboratories in Europe with samples from patients sick with similar symptoms around that time might want to run a test for coronavirus to see what it reveals so that we can learn more about this new disease.

Why does it matter?

Until now, what were thought to have been the France's first three cases of coronavirus were confirmed on 24 January. Of those, two had been to Wuhan - where the outbreak was first detected - and the third was a close family member.

Mr Hammar's positive test result suggests the virus was present in France much earlier.

The first human-to-human transmission within Europe had until now thought to have been a German man who was infected by a Chinese colleague who visited Germany between 19 and 22 January.

Rowland Kao, a professor of veterinary epidemiology and data science at the University of Edinburgh, said that if confirmed, Mr Hammar's case highlighted the speed at which an infection starting in a seemingly remote part of the world could quickly seed infections elsewhere.

"It means that the lead time we have for assessment and decision-making can be very short," Prof Kao said.

How was the new case found?

Dr Cohen told the BBC that he had the idea to look back at all patients who had been in intensive care units with suspected pneumonia between 2 December and 16 January.

He found 14 patients who had tested negative for pneumonia. He defrosted their samples and tested them for traces of Covid-19.

He said that out of the 14 samples, one tested positive for traces of Covid-19. A second test on that same sample also came back positive. He added that the patient's chest scan was also compatible with the symptoms of Covid-19.

A full report was due later this week, and would be published by the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, Dr Cohen added.

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France's first coronavirus case 'was in December'

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A patient treated in a hospital near Paris on 27 December for suspected pneumonia actually had the coronavirus, his doctor has said. This means the virus may have arrived in Europe almost a month earlier than previously thought. Dr Yves Cohen said a swab taken at the time was recently tested, and came back positive for Covid-19.

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Digital 'Download festival TV' replaces physical festival 12th-14th June 2020

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Digital 'Download festival TV' replaces physical festival 12th-14th June 2020

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Arif, S. 2020, "Download Festival Goes Digital This Year After the Donington Park Event Was Cancelled", Gizmodo UK Accessed 19th JUne 2020

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download festival june announced - Gizmodo

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Somerset trust recognises vulnerable status of BAME health workers - 28th April

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Somerset trust recognises vulnerable status of BAME health workers - 28th April

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ITV, 2020, "Somerset trust is first in the country to recognise BAME health workers as 'vulnerable' to coronavirus" ITV News Accessed 19th June 2020

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Black, Asian and ethnic minority (BAME) health workers in Somerset have been warned they are "vulnerable and at risk" of contracting coronavirus.

In a letter to staff, bosses from Somerset NHS Foundation Trust - which looks after Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton - set out how they will support BAME workers as the pandemic continues.

It comes after a review was launched to examine why there appears to be a disproportionate number of people from BAME backgrounds affected by Covid-19.
Part of the letter reads:
The response also follows pressure on Government health officials from the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO).

Progessor Parag Singhal, Secretary of BAPIO and a consultant at Weston General Hospital, is just one health professional from the West Country who has raised concerns.

Sorry, this content isn't available on your device.

Data from the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre (ICNARC) suggests more than 30% of critically ill coronavirus patients are from BAME backgrounds.

A large proportion of NHS workers who have died after testing positive for the virus also had BAME heritage - including those from the West Country.

Health workers in Somerset are also being encouraged to make sure they are fitted with the right personal protective equipment (PPE) when working on the frontline.

The letter states all BAME colleagues who work with Covid-19 patients and need to use a "FFP3 mask" will be supported to do as "as soon as possible".

The trust has also promised to include BAME workers and their families in the priority list for testing during the first five days of symptoms.

They have also been told that taking sick leave as a result of the virus will not affect job roles or future career progression.

Peter Lewis, Chief Executive of the trust, said the wellbeing of BAME colleagues in Somerset is a "high priority" at this time.

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somerset trust is first in the country to recognise bame health workers as 'vulnerable' to coronavirus

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Somerset trust is first in the country to recognise BAME health workers as 'vulnerable' to coronavirus

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Black, Asian and ethnic minority (BAME) health workers in Somerset have been warned they are "vulnerable and at risk" of contracting coronavirus. In a letter to staff, bosses from Somerset NHS Foundation Trust - which looks after Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton - set out how they will support BAME workers as the pandemic continues.

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False Positives due to machine failure - 10th June

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False Positives due to machine failure - 10th June

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somerset hospital may have accidentally given patients false positive results

ITV, 2020b, "Patients given false positive coronavirus results at Musgrove Park Hospital" ITV News, Accessed 19th June 2020

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A lab machine failure has seen a number of hospital patients given false positive coronavirus tests, it has emerged.

The NHS Trust behind Musgrove Park Hospital has issued a 'heartfelt apology' after some patients there were told they had tested positive for Covid-19 when, in fact, they may have been negative.

The hospital has not yet said whether those patients with wrong tests were put on to Covid-specific wards.

The Somerset NHS Foundation Trust says the fault was picked up on Thursday 4 June by a "vigilant laboratory manager" who noticed an "unusual increase in the number of positive test results for patients".

The teams quickly identified the faulty testing machine, and after testing the swabs again realised that it had reported some false positive results.

27 patients have so far been confirmed as being given the wrong diagnosis.

The trust says it will be contacting 147 people in total.

Sorry, this content isn't available on your device.

Dr Daniel Meron adds: "We are contacting everyone who is affected so please do not worry if you do not hear from us. Please continue to follow the advice you receive from your healthcare professional and the national advice to minimise the spread of COVID-19.

"Our heartfelt apologies go to all patients and their families who have been affected."

All patients who test positive for Covid-19 when they arrive at the hospital are isolated on specific wards.

The fault has been blamed for huge increase in cases Somerset has seen in recent days.

Trudi Grant, Director of Public Health at Somerset County Council, says it leaves her team in a "better position" and "explain an awful lot of the quandary" over the increase in figures.

She adds: "Without these false positive cases we're as confident as we can be that there hasn't been an increase in new cases in Somerset and, in fact, the trend continues downwards, which is great news for all of us.

"We've actually only had three confirmed cases over the last four days, which is about in line with the way that our trajectory was showing.

"I want to really reassure Somerset residents that we continue to experience low levels of infection in this county, and long may it last, and that's thanks to the efforts of the people in Somerset to make sure we stick to the measures around social distancing, hand-washing and isolation as soon as we or someone in our household experiences symptoms."

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patients given false positive coronavirus results at musgrove park hospital

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Patients given false positive coronavirus results at Musgrove Park Hospital

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A lab machine failure has seen a number of hospital patients given false positive coronavirus tests, it has emerged. The NHS Trust behind Musgrove Park Hospital has issued a 'heartfelt apology' after some patients there were told they had tested positive for Covid-19 when, in fact, they may have been negative.

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Boris Johnson announce Lockdown, 23rd March 2020

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Boris Johnson announce Lockdown, 23rd March 2020

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- only go outside to buy food, exercise once a day

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Good Evening,

The coronavirus is the biggest threat this country has faced for decades - and this country is not alone.

All over the world we are seeing the devastating impact of this invisible killer.

And so tonight I want to update you on the latest steps we are taking to fight the disease and what you can do to help.

And I want to begin by reminding you why the UK has been taking the approach that we have.

Without a huge national effort to halt the growth of this virus, there will come a moment when no health service in the world could possibly cope; because there won't be enough ventilators, enough intensive care beds, enough doctors and nurses.

And as we have seen elsewhere, in other countries that also have fantastic health care systems, that is the moment of real danger.

To put it simply, if too many people become seriously unwell at one time, the NHS will be unable to handle it - meaning more people are likely to die, not just from Coronavirus but from other illnesses as well.

So it's vital to slow the spread of the disease.

Because that is the way we reduce the number of people needing hospital treatment at any one time, so we can protect the NHS's ability to cope - and save more lives.

And that's why we have been asking people to stay at home during this pandemic.

And though huge numbers are complying - and I thank you all - the time has now come for us all to do more.

From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction - you must stay at home.

Because the critical thing we must do is stop the disease spreading between households.

That is why people will only be allowed to leave their home for the following very limited purposes:

shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible

one form of exercise a day - for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household;

any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person; and

travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.

That's all - these are the only reasons you should leave your home.

You should not be meeting friends. If your friends ask you to meet, you should say No.

You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home.

You should not be going shopping except for essentials like food and medicine - and you should do this as little as you can. And use food delivery services where you can.

If you don't follow the rules the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings.

To ensure compliance with the Government's instruction to stay at home, we will immediately:

close all shops selling non-essential goods,​ including clothing and electronic stores and other premises including libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship;

we will stop all gatherings of more than two people in public - excluding people you live with;

and we'll stop all social events​, including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, but excluding funerals.

Parks will remain open for exercise but gatherings will be dispersed.

No Prime Minister wants to enact measures like this.

I know the damage that this disruption is doing and will do to people's lives, to their businesses and to their jobs.

And that's why we have produced a huge and unprecedented programme of support both for workers and for business.

And I can assure you that we will keep these restrictions under constant review. We will look again in three weeks, and relax them if the evidence shows we are able to.

But at present there are just no easy options. The way ahead is hard, and it is still true that many lives will sadly be lost.

And yet it is also true that there is a clear way through.

Day by day we are strengthening our amazing NHS with 7500 former clinicians now coming back to the service.

With the time you buy - by simply staying at home - we are increasing our stocks of equipment.

We are accelerating our search for treatments.

We are pioneering work on a vaccine.

And we are buying millions of testing kits that will enable us to turn the tide on this invisible killer.

I want to thank everyone who is working flat out to beat the virus.

Everyone from the supermarket staff to the transport workers to the carers to the nurses and doctors on the frontline.

But in this fight we can be in no doubt that each and every one of us is directly enlisted.

Each and every one of us is now obliged to join together.

To halt the spread of this disease.

To protect our NHS and to save many many thousands of lives.

And I know that as they have in the past so many times.

The people of this country will rise to that challenge.

And we will come through it stronger than ever.

We will beat the coronavirus and we will beat it together.

And therefore I urge you at this moment of national emergency to stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives.

Thank you.

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Prime Minister's statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 23 March 2020

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Good Evening, The coronavirus is the biggest threat this country has faced for decades - and this country is not alone. All over the world we are seeing the devastating impact of this invisible killer. And so tonight I want to update you on the latest steps we are taking to fight the disease and what you can do to help.