Covid-19 - Spain's PM to ask for lockdown extension as deaths top 20,000

Coronavirus live news: Spain's PM to ask for lockdown extension as deaths top 20,000

China pushes ‘comprehensive’ economic reopening; first virus case in Syria’s northeast; Germany says pandemic ‘under control’.

Spain’s PM to ask for extension of lockdown to 9 May

Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez said on Saturday he would ask parliament for a third 15-day extension of the lockdown imposed to curb one of the world’s worst outbreaks of the new coronavirus, taking the restrictions up to 9 May.
Restrictions to be lifted in some US states

US president Donald Trump said on Saturday that Texas and Vermont will allow certain businesses to reopen on Monday while still observing coronavirus-related precautions and Montana will begin lifting restrictions on Friday.

Turkey’s coronavirus cases overtake Iran to become highest in Middle East

Turkey’s confirmed coronavirus cases have risen to 82,329, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Saturday, overtaking neighbouring Iran for the first time to register the highest total in the Middle East.
Morocco has extended its lockdown measures by another month

Morocco will extend lockdown measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus for another month until May 20, the government said on Saturday.
France reports 642 more coronavirus deaths as country’s toll hits 19,323

France registered 642 more deaths from coronavirus infections on Saturday, bringing the total to 19,323, the fourth-highest tally in the world, although the number of people in hospital declined for a fourth day running.