Coronavirus news: Boris Johnson set to make face masks mandatory in shops as WHO reports record global surge in infections

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Emerging evidence that coronavirus could be airborne, says WHO

Boris Johnson is set to make face coverings compulsory in shops and other indoor venues as the government indicated further relaxation of lockdown restrictions.

The prime minister said he was looking at ways of being “stricter” about masks as the culture secretary announced gyms, sports facilities and beauty salons will be allowed to reopen in England later this month.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation warned the coronavirus pandemic had still not reached its peak, with the organisation’s director general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, saying the virus is not under control “in most of the world” and is in fact “getting worse”.

It comes as quarantine rules for people returning to or visiting the UK from a list of 76 countries are relaxed from Friday.

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Key Points

• Johnson set to make face coverings mandatory in shops
• WHO reports record daily increase in global coronavirus cases
• ‘Clueless’ government officials unsure of how to end Leicester lockdown
• UK coronavirus death toll rises by 48
• Working from home should become new 'norm', Hancock says
• Boris Johnson to reject place on EU vaccine scheme
• Pandemic has still not reached its peak, WHO warns
• Beauty salons and nail bars to reopen this week

[10 July 2020 23:40 · Peter Stubley]

US death toll rises by 799, according to CDC

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a further 59,260 cases of coronavirus today.

Meanwhile the death toll rose by 799 to 132,855, as of 4 pm ET on Thursday. The figures do not reflect more recent updates from individual states.

[10 July 2020 23:56 · Peter Stubley]

Belgrade protesters clash with police

Demonstrators tried to storm Serbia's parliament during the fourth night of protests against president Aleksandar Vucic.

Bbottles, rocks and flares were thrown at police guarding the domed parliament building in central Belgrade. Officers first used their shields to push back the protesters before firing tear gas to disperse the crowds.

The protests began on Tuesday when Mr Vucic announced that Belgrade would be placed under a new three-day lockdown. They have since grown into an expression of wider frustration with his hard-line rule.

 

Photo via EPA

[10 July 2020 23:58 · Peter Stubley]

[11 July 2020 00:06 · Peter Stubley]

That's it for today's live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. Thanks for reading.