Record infections driven by US, Brazil, India; Melbourne stops residents from nine tower blocks leaving home; England reopens pubs. Follow the latest updates
- Local lockdowns ordered in Melbourne and northern Spain
- Trump claims ‘victory’ as US sees case records in multiple states
- ‘We feel totally safe’: east London drinkers savour taste of freedom
- WHO says trials show malaria and HIV drugs don’t cut hospital deaths
- See all our coronavirus coverage
Some 3.85 million Croats are eligible to go to polls on Sunday to elect a new government at a time when coronavirus infections are on the rise and the economy is facing a sharp downturn, reports Reuters.
Polling stations will open at 05.00 GMT and close at 17.00 GMT when the exit polls will be released. The first preliminary official results are expected some two hours later.
The ruling centre-right Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) has had a slight advantage in most opinion polls over its main rival, the Social Democrats (SDP), but neither party is seen being able to form a cabinet on its own.
Croatia has reported a relatively small number of coronavirus infections - 3,000 Covid-19 cases and around 100 deaths recorded so far - but infections have accelerated in the past two weeks, with new daily cases currently peaking at around 80.
Voters have been strongly advised to wear masks and respect other hygiene measures at the polling stations.
Awatif Taha, a community worker who lives in the locked down Flemington public housing towers in Melbourne, has written about being abruptly confined to her apartment.
The police have been good tonight – very polite and very respectful. But it is still a shock to see so many of them.
We are worried now about how we will get food and medication. Some people were planning to shop tomorrow and have no food. We need to know how this will be handled. People need medication, bread, milk, things for babies. We don’t know yet how that will be done. I am happy for the government to take care of us. I just want to thank Australia.
Continue reading...from The Guardian https://ift.tt/3dTBr1K
