5 must-read coronavirus headline stories from around the world on April 20th, 2020.
1. President calls right-wing protestors calling for restrictions to be lifted “great people”
Thousands of people in the US – mostly right wing followers – have been storming streets across the country defying social distance orders and calling for stay-at-home orders to be lifted.
The action has even seen counter-protests by people in masks and in scrubs holding signs calling for rules to be followed.
In response, Donald Trump contradicted what the photos showed and said protestors had been obeying social distancing.
“I watched a protest and they were all six feet apart, I mean it was a very orderly group of people,” he said.
“I see protesters for all sorts of things, and I’m with everybody.”
Read more: US President defends people protesting stay-at-home orders
2. Coronavirus cripples illegal drug trade
Drug traffickers are facing supply problems as supply chains are disrupted around the world.
One of the main suppliers of profitable drugs like methamphetamine and fentanyl is in Wuhan – the epicentre of virus.
The street value of drugs has also been affected, with cocaine prices up 20 percent or more in some cities around the world.
In LA alone the price of methamphetamine has more than doubled to $1,275 per kilogram.
Read more: International drug market takes massive hit from coronavirus
3. Online shopping prompts Myer to rehire thousands of staff
After standing down about 10,000 staff by the end of March, the retail giant has announced it will bring back thousands of its employees.
It comes as online sales spiked by 800 percent.
The store also recently announced it will reduce its free delivery threshold to $49 and relax its return policy.
Myer’s Chief Customer Officer Geoff Ikin said customers turning to online meant the store would rehire 2,000 people.
“Furthermore, with our continued focus on online, it has allowed us to bring back more than 2,000 team members into work to assist with our online fulfilment during this very busy time,” he said.
Read more: Myer rehires 2,000 staff as more people turn online
4. Virgin reports it will go into voluntary administration
The embattled airline is reporting it will have to go into voluntary administration after the Government refused the possibility of a bailout, saying they would only provide “sector-wide” support.
It would put 10,000 Virgin jobs at stake if the airline folded.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said on Monday the airline needed to turn to their share holders.
“They have some very big shareholders with deep pockets,” he said.
Read more: Thousands of jobs at stake as Virgin faces voluntary administration
5. Prince Harry says things are “better than we’re led to believe” in facing the virus
The member of the UK Royal Family has been blasted for playing down COVID-19, saying things were not as bad as they seemed.
“I think things are better than we’re led to believe through certain corners of the media,” he said.
It comes as more than 15,000 people have died in the UK from COVID-19 and cases continue to climb.
Read more: Prince Harry faces back-lash over coronavirus comments
