GLOBAL COVID-19 TODAY
CORONAVIRUS CASES: 12,394,651
DEATHS: 557,510
RECOVERED: 7,225,127
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Gyms to reopen in England by July 25, and further restrictions lifted
The Guardian says gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres will reopen in England in a few days as the government continues easing lockdown.
Outdoor pools can reopen from Saturday 11 July and indoor gyms, swimming pools and sports facilities may open from Saturday 25 July with new guidance on social distancing and cleaning equipment. They will also need to limit the number of people in the facilities and offer smaller class sizes.
Read the full story on The Guardian
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Quarantine rules end for dozens of destinations
BBC News says the two-week self-isolating rule for travellers arriving in England, Wales and Northern Ireland has been scrapped.
The quarantine requirements are being relaxed for arrivals from 59 countries and 14 British overseas territories.
Scotland is continuing to quarantine passengers from countries with a higher number of cases of Covid-19 than its own.
Foreign Office advises on not taking a cruise holiday.
Read the full story on BBC News
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Serbia drops plans for reimposed lockdown after days of violent protests
France24 says thousands staged a sit-down rally in Belgrade on Thursday to object to the country reimpose coronavirus lockdown measures and to voice opposition to the government, an even-tempered protest that contrasted sharply with riots in the past two days.
Similar protests were also held in several Serbian cities and came hours after authorities dropped plans for a weekend lockdown in the capital to curb a new spread of the coronavirus.
Read the full story on France24
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Hospital named in honour of Saudi nurse who lost her life to Covid-19
Arab News says a new Covid-19 field hospital in Madinah has been named in honour of Saudi nurse Nujood Al-Khaibari, who died in June after contracting the virus. She had been working at a medical centre in the city on the front line of the battle against the pandemic when she contracting Covid-19.
“This project is established in appreciation and recognition of the efforts of all workers in the health sector, who not only serve citizens, expatriates and visitors in this country, but they have also sacrificed their lives,” Prince Faisal said during the inauguration ceremony.
Read the full story on Arab News
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WHO sets up panel to review handling of Covid-19
Aljazeera says the World Health Organisation (WHO) is setting up an independent panel to review its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and the response by governments worldwide.
The announcement follows strong criticism by US Trump administration who have claimed the WHO is “China-centric”, and US formal notification it will be withdrawing from the WHO in a year’s time.
Read the full story on Aljazeera
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Poor coronavirus surveillance has ‘hamstrung’ response efforts in the US, report says
CNN says surveillance for coronavirus is hit and miss in the US and needs to be coordinated so every state is reporting the same data, according to a new report from the University of Minnesota.
“The country’s approach to surveillance thus far been lacking in consistent methods and strategy, which has hamstrung response efforts,” the report says.
“The lack of reliable and comparable national data on Covid-19 makes it difficult to develop, assess, and evaluate public health policies across the country. Much of this is the result of a patchwork of variable policies for testing and surveillance in different jurisdictions, despite recommendations from the CDC for standardized reporting,” it adds.
Read the full story on CNN
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ARTS & ENT
Former Glee star presumed dead – and police say body may never be found
Sky News says former Glee actress Naya Rivera is presumed dead after emergency teams said efforts to find her have now been classed as a “search and recovery operation.”
Rivera was reported missing on Wednesday after disappearing during a boating trip on Lake Piru in California with her four-year-old son.
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SPORT
Premier Leauge admits VAR errors in all three Thursday matches
BBC Sport says incorrect penalty decisions were made by the video assistant referee in all three of Thursday’s games, the Premier League has told BBC Match of the Day.
The Premier League confirmed United and Southampton should not have been given penalties, but Tottenham should have been awarded one.
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