Corona virus in the EU: China's head of state calls Merkel - and distances himself from the Trump administration

Corona hotspots in Europe are slowly recovering from the strict lockdown. Infection numbers are increasing in Russia - nevertheless there are easing. Is Spain at a turning point? 

• The corona virus is putting many European countries to the test.
• Corona hotspots such as Spain and Italy are slowly returning to normal.
• In Spain, the Corona requirements are causing increasing criticism (update from May 31, 3:58 p.m.). Now the emergency has been extended (update from June 3, 7:56 p.m.).
• Here you will find the basic facts about the corona virus * and the corona news from Germany. We also offer you the current number of cases in Germany on a map. The following recommendations for Corona protective measures * are currently available.

Update of June 4th, 9:31 am : The summit with China on September 14th in Leipzig should be a highlight of the German EU Council Presidency - now the corona pandemic * is preventing the meeting. Given the tensions with the United States, China is banking on Europe .

Chinese President #XiJinping held a phone conversation on Wed. night with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and said #China stands ready to work with #Germany and #EuropeanUnion to strengthen strategic cooperation, uphold multilateralism, and tackle global challenges. pic.twitter.com/XZRTBAGyZP

In a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU), China's state and party leader said Xi Jinping News Agency Xinhua According to his country is ready to cooperate with Germany and the European Union, "to strengthen the strategic cooperation to maintain multilateralism and global challenges approach ".

Against the backdrop of growing tensions with the United States, Xi Jinping said China wanted "with the EU to contribute to predictability in this world of uncertainty," as Xinhua quoted. 

Corona virus in Europe: Austria eases - Spain renews Corona emergency again

Update of June 3, 7:56 p.m .: In Spain , which was particularly hard hit by the Corona crisis , the controversial state of emergency has been extended by a further two weeks until June 20 for the sixth time. In view of the sharply falling numbers of newly infected and corona deaths ( see update from June 2, 3 p.m. ), it should be the last extension. 

Spain had introduced one of the most severe restrictions on public life in Europe because of the Corona crisis . It is currently in a phased plan to ease measures and slowly reopen the country. From July 1st, foreigners should also be allowed to enter the most important holiday destination in Europe.

Corona virus in Europe: Austria sets freedom of travel - with one exception

Update of June 3, 1:03 pm: Austria is back on freedom of travel after about three months of travel restrictions to its neighboring countries due to the corona pandemic . All border restrictions on Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Hungary would be lifted this week, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) said in Vienna on Wednesday. The only exception is Italy *. The restrictions remain there, next week the next assessment should take place. The government in Vienna is in close contact with Rome. The plan is an opening to Italy as soon as the numbers allow.

For the remaining seven neighboring countries, the situation from before Corona times applies . When entering Austria from these countries, there is no longer any quarantine or compulsory test results.

The Foreign Minister appealed to the common sense of travelers. He emphasized the importance of opening up. It is not just about vacations, but also about family visits and business trips.

Update of June 3, 11:32 am: The corruption experts of the Council of Europe expect  significantly more corruption because of the many state aid from Corona . "When we look around Europe , we see several signs of this," said the Greco group leader Marin Mrcela on Tuesday. In many places, under the pretext of the crisis, conflicts of interest, statutes for the award of public contracts and guidelines for lobbying would be ignored.

Greco, a body of the Strasbourg Council of Europe , had already warned in April of an increase in corruption due to the Corona crisis . "The first signs now suggest that we were not wrong with our warning," said Mrcela. A lot of public money is currently flowing "and that's good because we need it". States, authorities and organizations would have to guarantee transparency, control and traceability more than ever.

Corona virus: Federal government wants to lift travel warning for Europe

Update of June 3, 2020, 10:14 a.m .: The federal government wants to lift the worldwide travel warning for tourists from June 15 for around 30 European countries , if the further development of the corona pandemic allows. This emerges from a key point paper, which was approved by the cabinet on Wednesday. After that, the blanket warning for tourist trips to all 200 countries around the world is to be replaced by individual travel information that provides information about the country-specific risks.

The travel warning for the 26 partner countries of Germany in the European Union , the United Kingdom that has just left the EU and the four countries of the Schengen area that are not border control that are not members of the EU are to be lifted : Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The cabinet has not yet made the final decision on the lifting. It should take place at an as yet undetermined point in the next two weeks.

Corona in the EU: Spain reports no deaths for the first time 

Update of June 2, 3 p.m .: Italy celebrates its national holiday on June 2. Because of the corona virus  , only small celebrations take place. The Italian aerobatic team Frecce Tricolori drew the national colors into the sky above Rome .

“74 years of republic and democracy - I congratulate our Italian friends. Corona affects us all, but the suffering in Italy hit us particularly hard. We are at your side. Let's defeat the virus together! ”Wrote German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) on Twitter.

74 years of republic and democracy - I congratulate our Italian friends on the #FestadellaRepubblica! Corona affects us all, but the suffering in Italy hit us particularly hard. We are at your side. Let's beat the virus together! # 2giugno

Update of June 2, 2 p.m .: The EU is presenting further plans to best cushion the economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic . 

This Tuesday in Brussels , the European Union published plans for the years 2021 to 2027 for a total of EUR 118.2 billion for neighborhood and development policy. 

This means an increase of 15.5 billion euros, which should particularly benefit neighboring countries.

Corona in the EU: Corona deaths - Spain reports astonishing numbers   

Update of June 2, 1:15 p.m .: In Spain , for the first time since the outbreak of the corona pandemic,  no new casualties occurred within 24 hoursregistered. This was announced by the head of the authority for health emergencies, Fernando Simón, on Monday evening. 

However, he did not rule out that cases could still be reported after Whit Monday. However, it was the first time since March 3 that the Covid-19 death was not known to have occurred on a single day, the El País  newspaper  emphasized. 

Spain is one of the corona hotspots in Europe : more than 27,000 people died in connection with Sars-CoV-2 deaths. So far, 240,000 cases of infection have been reported. The numbers are improving. There are loosenings. From July 1st, foreign tourists should be allowed to enter again. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez still wants the controversial state of emergency to be extended by a further two weeks until June 20.

The réouverture des cafés, hotels and restaurants signe le retour des jours heureux! Nul doute que les Français seront là pour retrouver cette part de l'esprit français, de notre culture et de notre art de vivre. En ces temps difficiles, l'État continuera à soutenir ce secteur.

Update of June 2, 12 noon: Far-reaching easing of the corona restrictions will come into effect in France this Tuesday . 

Specifically: after two months, restaurants, cafés and hotels are allowed to open to guests again. He has no doubt that the French are now rediscovering this "part of the French spirit, our culture and our way of life", wrote French President Emmanuel Macron on Twitter.

Corona in the EU: Prime Minister throws birthday party and wears no mask - fine follows

Update of June 1, 3:23 pm: Many politicians are currently criticized because they  prescribe a mask , but do not adhere to them. Romanian Prime Minister  Ludovic Orban  and four ministers had to pay fines. They hadn't worn protective masks at the premier's birthday party in his office - and a photo of that scene had become public.

Romanya başbakanı Ludovic Orban korona toplantısı yönetirken.

Only in Balkans pic.twitter.com/H1j8JwEfEI

According to the Romanian news agency Mediafax , Orban paid the equivalent of around 500 euros. Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu had to pay the same amount.

A photo without a corona mask has caused Romanian Prime Minister Ludovic Orban trouble.

© AFP / DANIEL MIHAILESCU

Corona in the EU: Spain wants to extend conditions until June 20 

Update of June 1, 9:04 a.m .: Russia is severely affected by the corona virus - and this Monday (June 1) will allow greater easing for the first time despite increasing numbers of infections . After more than two months of strict curfews, people in Moscow, the largest city in Europe, are allowed to take walks on the streets again on individual days. Sport is also allowed between five and nine in the morning. However, there is a tightened mask requirement . For the first time, mouth and nose protection must also be worn outdoors, so far this was only a requirement in public spaces and means of transport.

Shopping centers and service providers such as dry cleaners and repair shops are opening in Moscow again . For the first time in months, it has enabled more than 300,000 people to go back to work in the capital. Among others, hairdressers, restaurants, schools and cultural institutions remain closed.

Coronavirus in Russia: According to Kremlin chief Putin, the situation normalizes - more than 9,000 new cases on Sunday

Relaxations are also planned in many Russian regions. Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin had spoken, despite ever new record highs in corona infections and deaths, that the situation had stabilized in the largest country in the world in terms of area. Russia ranks first in the number of infected people outside of North and South America . Shortly before the easing, the number of registered corona cases exceeded 400,000. As of Sunday (May 31st) there were 9268 new cases. The total number of cases recorded in Russia rose to 405,843 , including 4,693 deaths , according to official figures. The authorities also justified the easing by saying that the number of people recovering in Moscow, for example, was higher than that of new hospitals. Nationwide, 171,883 people were considered recovered. 

The pressure from the economy in Russia is great, the country was already in an economic crisis before the pandemic . Criticism of politics in the fight against Corona has been increasing for weeks - also because the number of infections increased with increasing severity of the restrictions and did not decrease. In social networks, millions of people complain of a mess of regulations and chaos when it comes to imposing penalties for violating regulations.

Corona in the EU: Spain wants to extend conditions until June 20 - Russia passes sad mark

Update of May 31, 6:22 p.m .: In Russia, the number of Sars CoV 2 infections on Sunday was more than 400,000 - a massive increase. Official statistics showed 9268 new cases. The total number rose to 405,843, according to official figures including 4693 deaths . 

For the first time in more than two months, curfew is permitted in Moscow - Europe's largest city - from Monday to day walks and early morning sports outdoors. However, the mandatory mask is being tightened .

Spain wants to extend conditions until June 20, but the government gives hope

Update from May 31, 3:58 p.m .: The controversial state of emergency should now last longer for the Corona hotspot Spain . The left government wants to extend it until June 20 . He wants to apply to parliament for a final extension of the so-called alarm state, said Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez on Sunday. They had “done almost everything” that they had set out to do. 

"But now we need this last extension to finish the job," said the socialist. It will be a "weakened form" of the emergency. Parliament will debate and vote on the government's proposal on Wednesday.

The left government's strict anti-corona policy is provoking increasing criticism in Spain. There were several rallies . Sánchez meanwhile claims that the strict anti-corona policy is responsible for the success in the fight against the virus. With more than 27,000 deaths and around 240,000 infections, Spain is one of the countries most affected by the pandemic. However, the numbers have been improving for a week, with only 43 new deaths recorded in the past seven days.

Cigar, alcohol and more: Corona scandal surrounding party of Prime Minister of EU country

Update from May 30th, 8:24 pm: Monkeys are probably the most famous inhabitants of Gibraltar. The small country has now come up with a special protective measure to protect against a corona infection.

Update of May 30, 6.41 p.m .: Ludovic Orban , Prime Minister of Romania , has violated the self-established corona rules with several members of his cabinet . A photo shows the head of government in his office with four ministers smoking, drinking and without a protective mask. "So that's what happens in the prime minister's office. Be ashamed," wrote opposition politician Eugen Teodorovici of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), who was one of the first to spread the image on social networks.

"Corona Party" in Romania - with cigar, alcohol and without masks

In addition to Orban , who is not related to the Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban, you can also see Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu with a cigar in his hand. Bottles of alcohol are on the table. Orban told Mediafax news agency  that the picture was taken on May 25, his  57th birthday . "A couple of colleagues came to see me surprisingly. I offered them something to eat and a glass of wine, whiskey. We don't wear masks in the photo because we were just finished eating," said Orban.

#BREAKING NEWS # ROMANIA #BUKAREST #CORONAVIRUS

Romanian Prime Minister Ludovic Orban and several members of his cabinet violated the self-imposed Corona rules. pic.twitter.com/loX2UNCmlr

Former Prime Minister and current MEP Dacian Ciolos asked Orban to apologize. "Every wrong step undermines trust in the authorities when we need it most," he wrote on Facebook. The picture has already been taken up online in memes. It said, for example: "Romania's government, the only restaurant open during the pandemic."

Orban has now apologized. He admitted to having made a "human mistake". He wants to pay the fine for smoking in closed rooms - banned in Romania since 2016. Romania has registered 19,000 corona virus cases. In the country, a mask requirement applies in public buildings. Bars and restaurants are closed, but should be allowed to reopen from June 1st under strict rules.

Corona Hammer: Chancellor Kurz largely removes the obligation to wear a mask - infant dies from Covid-19

Update of May 30, 10:29 am : Although Europe, with just over 176,100 deaths (from almost 360,500 deceased worldwide) is still the most severely affected continent, the strict measures to contain the pandemic are being relaxed across borders - by further economic and social impacts better intercept. An overview:

• France : In France, easing will come into effect on Tuesday, the luxury kuafhaus Galeries LaFayette has already reopened on Saturday, and public facilities such as the Louvre (from July 6) will be open again. Restaurants open from June 2nd.
• Spain : Spain wants to enable swimming pools, theaters, museums, cinemas and shopping centers from Monday onwards - but only in some regions.
• Austria : Austria's hotels have reopened since Friday, and by the middle of June, wearing a nose and throat protector should no longer be compulsory for the general public, and further restrictions in the catering sector will then also lapse.
• Sweden : Outdoor sports competitions will be allowed again in Sweden from June 14th.
• Turkey : Despite a further curfew at the weekend, mass prayers in mosques have again been allowed under certain conditions since Friday.
  

Coronavirus: In Switzerland, an infant dies as a result of Covid-19

Update of May 29, 18:28:  In  Switzerland  an infant from the effects of the first time  coronavirus  died.

The baby from the canton of Aargau was infected abroad, according to the information. There will now be further investigations. There was no information as to whether the infant already had previous illnesses. In Switzerland, more than 30,000 people have been infected with the corona virus, 1,650 of them died.

Corona in Austria: In short, the requirement for a mask largely abolishes - gastronomy can also celebrate

Update from May 29, 2.10 p.m .: Austria - one of the role models for parts of German politics in the Corona crisis - has decided new, far-reaching easing: Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) announced on Friday afternoon an end for large parts of the mask requirement . At the same time, there are further freedoms in gastronomy .

As of June 15 the needs mouth-nose protection be worn compulsory only in three areas of life, explained briefly: in public transport , in the health sector - such as in pharmacies - as well as " services , in which the minimum distance can not be maintained" for example at the hairdresser . The obligation no longer applies in retail and for guests in restaurants.

"We are fully aware of the mask in particular: that was and is a cultural change for Austria, " emphasized Kurz. Now you can "take off the mask a little bit at a time", if not entirely. According to government information, there were only 27 new infections in Austria within 24 hours.

Also from June 15, the curfew in the catering trade will be "extended" to 1 a.m. A minimum distance of one meter must still be maintained between tables. How many people settle as a group around a table, however, should be “hosts decide together with the guests”, said Kurz.

Austria's chancellor also issued a warning to his compatriots. Infection numbers in the country have dropped “insanely fast” - but they could also rise just as quickly.

Corona deaths in Russia peak

Update of May 29, 12.45 p.m .: The number of corona deaths in Russia has increased dramatically compared to the previous day. The authorities said 232 deaths have been reported since Thursday in Moscow. On Thursday, the number was well below the victim mark; at 174. 

According to Johns Hopkins University (as of May 29, 12:56 p.m.), 387,623 people in Russia have been infected with Sars-CoV-2, and 4,374 have died in connection with Sars-CoV-2. Nationwide, 159,000 Covid-19 patients are considered to have recovered.

At the same time, there have recently been numerous media reports on allegedly beautiful statistics. The authorities vehemently reject this. Against this background, experts from the capital Moscow examined the deaths in April again and corrected the numbers slightly upwards. Around 756 deceased had been tested positive for the virus, but "other causes" had led to death. Initially, around 600 corona deaths were reported in April.

Corona in Europe: Austria vigorously warns of Italy - "is still a hotspot"

Update of May 28, 2:55 p.m .: Austria's Minister of Health Rudolf Anschober (Greens) is still critical of possible border openings to Italy due to the corona pandemic . "Italy is still a hotspot, although the situation has already improved in some regions and people are very committed," Anschober told the "Oberösterreichische Nachrichten" . "I am a big fan of freedom of travel, but we still have to be careful with Italy."

Austria wants to reopen its borders with numerous neighboring countries in the coming weeks. With regard to the borders with Italy and Slovenia , however, the government in Vienna recently expressed its reservations. Italy, in particular, is pressing for Austria to ease the situation so that tourism can pick up speed again. For its part, Italy wants to open its borders to EU citizens on June 3.

Meanwhile, South America is increasingly becoming the corona epicenter. 

Coronavirus: The number of Covid-19 deaths is increasing rapidly in Russia

Update of May 28, 1:20 p.m .:  According to the Johns Hopkins University, a total of 4124 people died in Russia as a result of an infection with the Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus . There are said to be 174 new Covid 19 deaths within 24 hours. This reports n-tv.de in relation to the Coronavirus crisis center. Russia had the highest growth in deaths within a day.

In total, almost 380,000 people in Russia are infected with the corona virus. Russia continues to lag behind the USA and Brazil worldwide . 

Corona: Great Britain at the top worldwide with sad value - ahead of the USA and Germany

Update of May 28, 10:30 a.m .: According  to a report by the Financial Times, Great Britain is said to have the highest mortality rate in the corona crisis worldwide. This emerges from the evaluation of health data from a total of 19 countries for which "sufficient information is available to enable reliable comparisons to be made."

According to the report, the UK has had a total of 59,537 more deaths since March 20, 2020. This, in turn, indicates that the virus, whether extrapolated to one million people, directly or indirectly killed 891 people, the highest figure worldwide . 

Italy is in second place behind Great Britain,  according to the Financial Times . This is followed by Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands. According to a graphic, Germany is in 13th place, the USA just ahead of it in eleventh place.

The UK has suffered 60,000 excess deaths, directly or indirectly linked to Coronavirus, according to official figures.

Only the much larger US has had more.
UK has had the highest global excess death rate (per million)
And only Peru has had a higher increase in deaths

2 / pic.twitter.com/bYQDuutpIA

Update from May 27, 2.20 p.m .: Corona help is being fought for  in the EU . In the ZDF program Markus Lanz, an economist has now made serious accusations against Angela Merkel's federal government.

"I am in favor of: We should give Italy money straight away and say so. This will make it easier for us to get there because they will then know that they will receive money, ”said economist Daniel Stelter about the Merkel-Macron plan for 500 billion euros.

Update of May 26, 8:05 p.m .:  In the past few days, normality has returned to Spain , the country was severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic and imposed a more severe lockdown. 

With over 27,000 registered deaths , only four countries worldwide are ahead of Spain. The government ordered a particularly long ten-day mourning for the dead .

Corona easing: Spain orders ten-day mourning for the state

On Wednesday at 12 noon, the mourning began with a minute's silence across the country, the government said on Tuesday. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will attend a ceremony at the Palacio de la Moncloa government headquarters in Madrid, government spokeswoman María Jesús Montero announced.

# ÚltimaHora El Gobierno decreta 10 días de luto estatal por las víctimas del # COVID19 https://t.co/p8cZTD0lhK pic.twitter.com/ADcJCcUa4X

The national flags are then set to half mast throughout Spain . Since the end of Francisco Franco's dictatorship between 1939 and 1975, there has been no lengthy state mourning in Spain. The government spokeswoman emphasized that eighty percent of the late Covid 19 patients were older than 70 years . In the second half of the 1970s the country, above all, would have helped these people to transform the former dictatorship into a democracy .

Corona loosening: Sweden cracks sad death toll - model failed? 

Update of May 25, 10:35 p.m .:  The Swedish health authorities registered 4029 deaths related to a corona infection until Monday . The rate of death at 40 per 100,000 population in Norway is significantly higher than the rate in Norway (4.4) or Germany (10). To date, around 34,000 corona infections have been reported in the Scandinavian country.  

There was no strict lockdown in Sweden , the only thing citizens were advised to do was keep their distance and wash their hands. The government also did not close the schools , unlike most European countries. The "Swedish Way" is extremely controversial. State epidemiologist Anders Tegnel l points out the declining deaths and contagions * in old people's homes and sees a positive development.

Special way in the Corona crisis: deaths in Sweden rise to over 4000 https://t.co/89j6XksXhH pic.twitter.com/V0JPTHDuMu

Corona easing: Spain corrects number of deaths 

Update of May 25, 9:15 p.m .:  The Spanish Ministry of Health corrected the corona numbers on Monday evening. Almost 2,000 fewer people are said to have died from the effects of an infection with the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen. The data had been rechecked and the death toll is now 26,834. 

Some deaths are said to appear twice in the statistics. In other cases, contrary to what was originally assumed, there should be no infection with the novel virus. The number of all registered cases was corrected by 372 to 235,400 .

Corona loosening: Corona hotspots Italy and Spain loosen lockdown measures

Madrid / Rome - While the corona pandemic continues to be dramatic in Brazil and the United States, European trouble spots are slowly returning to normal. Spain and Italy have now decided to further relax the corona measures. 

Corona easing: Spain opens beaches - with conditions

Since Monday, May 25th, bathing has started on the beaches of some coastal regions of Spain , but the number of visitors is limited. In addition, there must be a distance of four meters between the parasols. The country, which is dominated by tourism, has also recently announced that foreign visitors will be able to enter again from July 1st. The two largest cities in Spain, Madrid and Barcelona, ​​also opened the parks and terraces of restaurants.

The number of infections and deaths measured daily in Spain decreased steadily , which is why the strict measures of the Corona hotspot could be relaxed. The country reported Monday the ninth day in a row with fewer than 100 Covid 19 deaths. The Ministry of Health registered a comparatively low value with 50 deaths within 24 hours . According to Johns Hopkins University, 28,752 Covid-19 patients have died in Spain so far  .

Corona loosening: Italy wants tens of thousands of volunteers to comply with distance rules

In Italy , too , the number of cases has been declining for a long time, which is why it was decided to further relax the measures. For example, swimming pools and gyms started operating again after the strict lockdown. Italy was considered the worst country in the world to be affected by the corona pandemic * for weeks before the strict measures took effect. To date, 32,877 people have died in Italy  as a result of a corona infection.

In Rome the people were bustling in the squares again.

© dpa / Cecilia Fabiano

The Italian government also drew attention to itself with a curious report . Around 60,000 volunteers are to the population now help the spacing rules to be observed during and after the output restrictions. The reason for this was pictures from Milan and Naples, where the first gatherings of people already formed on the first weekend after the easing. 

Francesco Boccia , Minister for Regional Affairs, condemned this behavior towards La Stampa newspaper .  "Those who are plunging into nightlife are betraying the victims who have brought millions of Italians," said Boccia. 

Virologist Hendrik Streeck does not expect a second wave of infections, but also sees no reason to give the all-clear.

Markus Söder responds to the question about the end of mandatory masking with an extreme answer.

A study examines the influence of the Corona hotspot Ischgl on the infection rate in Germany - this is immense.

Virologist Christian Drosten praises the successful corona fight in Germany, but warns of a possible mutation of the virus.

After the summer holidays, many German students could be taught in club homes or exhibition halls.

There was a massive corona outbreak in Göttingen - around 160 people are in quarantine, including 57 children and adolescents.

ajr

* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.

List of rubric lists: © dpa / Michael Kappeler