Fines for violating social distancing rules are doubled and those caught without a mask will now pay up without an initial warning; malls to stay shut

PM reportedly leaning toward accepting Health Ministry recommendation to prevent large gatherings; lockdown in Muslim holy month to be imposed only in Arab communities

'It has to do with tradition,' says Lauterbach resident who has resorted to collecting his pastries with a fishing rod over the closed frontier with France

Though rates have picked up in recent days, the Health Ministry has been slow to prioritize tests and has all but ignored more efficient sampling methods

US president attacks states led by Democratic governors, effectively urging further protests against lockdown rules; singles out NY Gov. Cuomo, calling him ungrateful

Association of Public Health Officials and Society for Protection of Nature issue joint plea; say time in green spaces reduces depression, lowers blood pressure, speeds recovery

Thousands of people have died with COVID-19 symptoms -- many in nursing homes, which have been ravaged by a disease that hits the elderly the hardest -- without ever being tested

Health minister says 'it is too early' to rescind national closure announced on March 23; toll jumps by 861 in one day, marking a rise

Health officials back cautious, slow approach, angering treasury; reported compromise could see some stores and workplaces reopen next week

Spain, Italy and Germany take initial steps as figures indicate outbreak there could be past its peak, as does Trump who says US will be 'comeback kids'