Coronavirus News from Across the Globe: May 31, 2020 – Greece Boosts Tourism, Prince Tests Positive

By Anna Breuer on 31 May 2020
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A tram on the Maximilianstraße in Munich

05-31 Greece announced an aggressive plan to boost tourism. After first announcing on Friday that it would allow tourists from 29 countries where outbreaks of the coronavirus had been largely contained, it switched gears and said it would allow visitors from all countries.  While visitors from the original list of 29 nations will be subject to random testing, those arriving from areas deemed by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency to have a high risk of transmission of the Covid-19 infection will be required to be tested.  This list includes multiple cities in the European Union as well as 22 U.S. states.

05-31 Spanish police said that Prince Joachim of Belgium tested positive for the novel coronavirus after attending a lockdown party in the southern city of Córdoba.  The police launched an investigation and those found to have flouted lockdown rules would be subject to a €10,000 ($11,134) fine.

05-31 Governor Andrew Cuomo reported that the number of people who died from the novel coronavirus in New York had once again fallen. At least 56 people died in the state on Saturday, down from 67 on Friday.

05-31 Pope Francis appeared in person to bless a socially-distanced audience in Saint Peter’s Square. “Today since the square is open we can return,” he told them. Aftewards, he recited a prayer and blessed the crowd.

05-31 The Spanish government said it will seek a 15-day extension of the state of emergency imposed due to the pandemic, saying it needs “15 more days to end this health emergency in a definite manner.”

05-31 One of the holiest sites in Israel reopened, following weeks of closure due to the pandemic. Known as the Temple Mount to Jews and as the Noble Sanctuary to Muslims, it is the holiest site in the world to Jews and the third holiest to Muslims.

05-31 The World Health Organization announced new guidelines for large events, once they are permitted by local authorities.  In addition to social distancing and face masks, the agency recommended that arrivals be staggered, seats be assigned, and the frequency of transportation to and from the vent be increased.

05-30 A month-long run of 28 programs at a drive-in theater that had served as as a parking lot for vegetable market concluded with a show performed by the Národní divadlo or Czech National Theater.  Over the month-long program, over 11,000 people attended in the autos. The show included excerpts from several plays including “Faust” and “Oedipus.”

05-30 Norway and Denmark said they were creating a travel bubble between the two countries. Sweden was not included in the bubble given the higher rate of infection there. “Let’s have the courage to change in order to be better than before,” were the words he concluded his appearance with.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)

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