Coronavirus live news: Saudi Arabia closes borders to hajj attendees as global Covid-19 cases pass 9m

Texas ‘wide open for business’;WHO urges dexamethasone steroid boom; South Africa infections top 100,000. Follow the latest updatesSaudi Arabia closes borders to hajj attendeesHalf of US states see spike as officials warn first wave far from overGlobal cases pass 9 millionBarcelona opera reopens with performance for nearly 3,000 potted plantsSee all our coronavirus coverage10.01amBSTPeople inFrance are being urged to go back to their places of work in a new easing of the coronavirus regulations following a “significant improvement in the health situation”.The employment minister, Muriel P énicaud, will announce a new protocol for employers and staff this week that calls for homeworking to stop being “the norm” as the daily death toll of Covid-19 in the country is reduced to low double figures.9.52amBSTMongolia will elect a new parliament tomorrow amid controversy over candidates flouting Covid-19 lockdown rules and thousands of people stranded overseas who are unable to vote. Here, an elderly resident prepares to vote from home.Continue reading...

Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - June 23, 2020 Category: Science Authors: Nick Ames (now); Helen Sullivan (earlier) Tags: Coronavirus outbreak World news Science Infectious diseases US news Australia news UK news Microbiology Medical research Brazil Source Type: news