Spain daily coronavirus death toll lowest in weeks
Spain has said the number of daily coronavirus-related fatalities fell to its lowest level in more than a month, with 288 deaths in the previous 24 hours. With this great improvment, parks have opened and children have been allowed to go outside for the first time in over a month.
Brazil justice minister Aras resigns and accuses Bolsonaro of meddling
Brazilian public prosecutor Augusto Aras asked the Supreme Court on Friday to authorise the investigation of allegations made by former minister Sergio Moro against President Jair Bolsonaro, his office said. Bolsonaro suffered the heaviest blow to his presidency so far as his popular justice minister quit on Friday and accused him of potentially criminal meddling in law enforcement, adding to the turmoil of a government struggling to confront a fast-growing coronavirus outbreak.
Mexico unveils $26bn virus spending plan
Mexico will increase spending on social programmes and infrastructure projects by $25.6bn, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has said, in a delayed attempt to jump-start the coronavirus-hit economy. Economists said the move was a welcome relaxation of Lopez Obrador's rigid adherence to frugality during the first weeks of the crisis, but it was not immediately clear how much of the package represented increases over previously budgeted spending.
Argentina Welcomes Cuban Medical Aid and Slams US Blockade
Officials have acknowledged that during this pandemic, "we will need more medical and nursing personnel." Argentina has invited citizens to sign a proclamation to welcome Cuban medical aid workers and those of any other nationality, and to oppose the United States' (US) campaign against Cuba's policy of solidarity with the world. In the letter, signed by the President of Abuelas de Mayo, Estela de Carlotto, the political scientist Atilio Borón, the writer Stella Calloni and the actresses Cecilia Roth and Cristina Banega, among others, it is highlighted: "Welcome to Cubans and any other nationality”.
Coronavirus: Argentina bans commercial flight sales until 1 September
Argentina has banned all internal and international commercial flights until 1 September because of the deadly coronavirus outbreak. The authorities said airlines should not be allowed to sell tickets for flights that may not go ahead in the next four months. Aviation industry groups said thousands of people could lose their jobs as a result. Argentina closed its borders to non-residents in March, imposing tough quarantine measures. The country currently has nearly 4,000 confirmed infections, with 192 deaths, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.
Coronavirus: Chile to introduce controversial 'virus-free' certificates
Chile's government has said it will go ahead with a controversial plan to issue certificates to people who have recovered from Covid-19. The documents would be given to people to allow them to return to work, Deputy Health Minister Paula Daza said. The World Health Organization (WHO) has said there is "no evidence" that people who contract coronavirus are immune from being infected again. They warned certificates could inspire false confidence and help it spread. Chile has reported 189 virus-related deaths and more than 13,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
