COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, COVID-19 vaccination in the United Kingdom The number of people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in the United Kingdom surpasses 20 million. (Sky News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Maine, Lineage B.1.617 Maine reports its first case of the Lineage B.1.617 variant that originated in India. (Bangor Daily News)
The Ministry of Health suspends the distribution of around 450,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine from batch CTMAV547 for toxicity and sterility tests following the death of a 22-year-old man who received the vaccine 11 days ago. (Jakarta Globe)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong, COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore Hong Kong and Singapore postpone the start date of their air travel bubble agreement, which was initially scheduled to begin on May 26, due to an increase in the number of unlinked community cases of COVID-19 in Singapore. (CNBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports a record 45 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 1,947. (The Star)
COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Saudi Arabia eases an international travel ban for those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19. However, citizens from 20 countries remain banned from entering the country and Saudi citizens are banned from travelling to 13 high-risk countries, either directly or indirectly. (The Independent)
COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan Taiwan reports a record 335 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, 333 of which are locally transmitted cases. This subsequently brings the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2,017. (Taiwan News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand reports a record 9,635 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which includes 6,853 cases among prisoners from jail clusters. This subsequently brings the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 111,082. (The Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom Lockdown restrictions are eased in England, Wales, and Scotland with museums, cinemas, children's play areas, and hotels reopening. Pubs, bars, and restaurants can now serve customers indoors again with social distancing rules in place. In England, people can now gather in groups of 30 outdoors and meet indoors in groups of up to six. A ban on international travel is also lifted. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey Turkey begins to gradually lift its COVID-19 restrictions, including the 17-day full lockdown, which will end at 5:00 a.m. as the number of infections has declined. This gradual normalization will last until June 1. (Anadolu Agency)
In the first global study of its kind, the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization find that working more than 55 hours a week can lead to higher risks of strokes and ischemic heart disease. The study, which was conducted between 2000 and 2016, also found that people living in the Southeast Asia and Western Pacific regions, as well as men that are at least middle-aged, are particularly susceptible to risks from overworking. (Reuters)
Namibia bans all imports of poultry and poultry products from South Africa due to an outbreak of avian influenza that was detected there. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina Argentina reports records of 35,543 new cases of COVID-19 and 745 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the total number of cases to 3.37 million and the death toll to 71,771. (Minuto Uno)
COVID-19 pandemic in India India reports a record 4,329 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 278,719. (The Times of India)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports a record for the second consecutive day of 47 deaths from COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 1,994. (Free Malaysia Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education Taipei and New Taipei City close all elementary, middle, and high schools until May 28 amidst an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (Kyodo News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand reports a record 35 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 649. (CNA)
Gunmen storm a church during a baptism in a village in Burkina Faso and open fire, killing 15 people. (Reuters)
Insurgency in the Maghreb Gunmen storm a church during a baptism in a village in Burkina Faso and open fire, killing 15 people. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina Argentina reports 39,652 new cases of COVID-19, a record for the second consecutive day. This subsequently brings the national total to 3.4 million. (Big News Network)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus, Lineage B.1.617 Cyprus reports its first four cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant, which was first discovered in India. (Cyprus Mail)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus, Lineage B.1.617 Cyprus reports its first four cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant, which was first discovered in India. (Cyprus Mail) COVID-19 pandemic in France Restaurants, bars, and cafés are reopened in France for outdoor dining for the first time in six months. Museums, theatres, and other cultural venues are also reopened as the curfew is changed to 9:00 p.m. as part of an easing of restrictions. (The Washington Post) (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in France Restaurants, bars, and cafés are reopened in France for outdoor dining for the first time in six months. Museums, theatres, and other cultural venues are also reopened as the curfew is changed to 9:00 p.m. as part of an easing of restrictions. (The Washington Post) (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports a record 6,075 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 485,496. (Free Malaysia Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan Taiwan raises its COVID-19 alert level to level 3 nationwide, which is the same level as Taipei and New Taipei City, where masks are required to be worn at all times and gatherings of more than five people indoors and ten people outdoors are banned amid an increase in the number of locally transmitted cases. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe, Lineage B.1.617 Zimbabwe reports its first cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant. The variant had been detected among a group of people in the central town of Kwekwe after a student returned from India on April 29. (Reuters)
2021 wildfire season Wildfires in Attica, Greece, prompt the evacuation of several villages and monasteries as the fires spread throughout the Geraneia mountain range. (Reuters)
Brunei suspends a reciprocal green lane arrangement with Singapore until further notice following the worsening situation of the pandemic in the latter country. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, Lineage B.1.617 Brazil reports its first cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant, which was first discovered in India. The variant had been detected among a group of six crew members of a ship travelling from South Africa to deliver iron ore in São Luís, Maranhão. (Geo News) (Al Arabiya English)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brunei Brunei suspends a reciprocal green lane arrangement with Singapore until further notice following the worsening situation of the pandemic in the latter country. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Laos Laos extends its nationwide lockdown for another 15 days until June 4 as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase. (Big News Network)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports a record for the second consecutive day of 6,806 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 492,302. The country also reports a record 59 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 2,099. (Malay Mail)
COVID-19 pandemic in Nicaragua Nicaragua approves the emergency use of the single-dose Sputnik Light vaccine. (PharmiWeb)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, COVID-19 vaccination in the United Kingdom Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, receives his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (CBS News) (BBC News)
Wildfires in Attica, Greece, prompt the evacuation of several villages and monasteries as the fires spread throughout the Geraneia mountain range. (Reuters)
A Nigerian Air Force plane crashes near Kaduna International Airport, killing Chief of Army Staff Ibrahim Attahiru and several of his aides. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cuba, COVID-19 vaccine Over one million people in Cuba have received a dose of the Abdala and Soberana 02 vaccines. (UrduPoint)
COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt Egypt receives its first shipment of raw materials used to manufacture the Sinovac Coronavac vaccine, as well as a shipment of 500,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine. (Ahram Online)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lineage B.1.617 Germany declares the United Kingdom a "virus variant area" due to the spread of the Indian Lineage B.1.617 variant. It means that anyone from the UK will be required quarantine for two weeks on arrival, even if they have tested negative. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in Louisiana, Lineage B.1.617 Louisiana reports its first two cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant first discovered in India. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in Cuba, COVID-19 vaccine Over one million people in Cuba have received a dose of the Abdala and Soberana 02 vaccines. (UrduPoint) COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Louisiana, Lineage B.1.617 Louisiana reports its first two cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant first discovered in India. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, COVID-19 vaccination in South Korea South Korea approves the use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. (The Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Louisiana, Lineage B.1.617 Louisiana reports its first two cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant first discovered in India. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka reports a record 46 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 1,178. (Colombo Page)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Germany begins to implement a two-week quarantine for German citizens and residents who have travelled from the United Kingdom, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated. Additionally, all non-essential travel to the UK is banned amidst an outbreak of the Indian Lineage B.1.617 variant. (Euronews)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports a record 6,976 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 512,091. (Malay Mail)
COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan Pakistan surpasses 900,000 cases of COVID-19. (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia surpasses five million cases of COVID-19. (ANI News)
Germany begins to implement a two-week quarantine for German citizens and residents who have travelled from the United Kingdom, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated. Additionally, all non-essential travel to the UK is banned amidst an outbreak of the Indian Lineage B.1.617 variant. (Euronews)
India reports more than 8,800 cases of the deadly "black fungus" in a growing epidemic of the disease. The normally rare infection has a mortality rate of 50% and is believed to occur 12 to 18 days after recovery from COVID-19. Following the increase in the number of cases, India's states and territories are told to declare the disease as an epidemic. (BBC News)
Stresa–Mottarone cable car crash Fourteen people are killed and another is wounded when the Stresa-Alpino-Mottarone Cable Car in Piedmont, Italy, collapses and falls to the ground. (La Stampa)
Thailand orders strict controls on the movements of cattle and buffalo following an outbreak of a rarely-fatal disease that causes lumps to form on the animals’ skin and which can also reduce milk production. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports a record 61 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 2,309. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malta Malta has vaccinated 70% of its adult population with at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot, thereby becoming the first country in the European Union to achieve this herd immunity-related milestone. (U.S. News & World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in Metro Manila, COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte receives her first dose of the CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccine. (The Philippine Star)
COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan Taipei bans all on-site dining and drinking in response to the continued increase in the number of domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases. All food and beverage vendors are only allowed to serve takeout or deliveries. (Focus Taiwan)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines COVID-19 pandemic in Metro Manila, COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte receives her first dose of the CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccine. (The Philippine Star)
Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic The U.S. State Department tells Americans not to travel to Japan due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases there. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Restrictions are tightened in Melbourne, Victoria, after an increase in cases, potentially linked to a hotel quarantine breach in South Australia. The mask mandate is reintroduced, public gatherings are limited to 30 people and private gatherings are limited to 5 people. Residents will also be expected to adhere to these rules when leaving the city. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in India, Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in India Tata Steel has said that it will support the families of its workers in India who have died of COVID-19. The firm said that it will pay deceased employees' salaries, housing and medical benefits until what would have been their retirement at the age of 60. The company has also pledged to cover the education costs of the children of deceased front line workers until they graduate. This is the third firm to make such an announcement, after hospitality group Oyo Rooms and glass manufacturer Borosil. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports a record 7,289 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 525,889. (The Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines The Philippines surpasses 20,000 deaths from COVID-19. (ABS-CBN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium Belgium suspends the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for people under the age of 41 following the death of a woman who had received the vaccine last week and who was showing "serious thrombosis and reduced blood platelets". (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus The Cypriot Ministry of Health issues a new recommendation that people under the age of 50 should not receive the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine and should receive an mRNA vaccine instead. However, people under the age of 50 who have already received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine should proceed normally with the second dose. (Cyprus Mail)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports a record 7,478 new cases and 63 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 533,367 and the nationwide death toll to 2,432. (Free Malaysia Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia Slovakia authorizes the use of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, becoming the second European Union country to do so after Hungary. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan Taiwan reports a record 11 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 46. (South China Morning Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand reports a record 41 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 873. (Bangkok Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Maldives The Maldives imposes a curfew from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 a.m. and will only allow people to travel for a few hours each day to obtain essential supplies in order to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases. (Reuters)
The Cypriot Ministry of Health issues a new recommendation that people under the age of 50 should not receive the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine and should receive an mRNA vaccine instead. However, people under the age of 50 who have already received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine should proceed normally with the second dose. (Cyprus Mail)
COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina Argentina reports a record 41,080 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total to 3.66 million. (Perfil)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 vaccination in Canada Canada announces that it will purchase two million doses of the vaccine produced by Moderna. (Global News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, COVID-19 vaccination in Indonesia Indonesia resumes the usage of the temporarily suspended batch of the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine after tests conducted by the Food and Drug Authority showed that there is no relation between the quality of vaccine batch number CTMAV547 and the death of a young man earlier in the month. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports a record 7,857 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 541,224. (The Star)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico, COVID-19 vaccination in Mexico The Mexican Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risk grants an emergency use authorization for the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (Reuters)
