The latest coronavirus news updated every day including coronavirus cases, the latest news, features and interviews from New Scientist and essential information about the covid-19 pandemic The UK’s job retention scheme, which pays 80 per cent of furloughed employees’ wages up to £2500 a month, will be extended for four months until October. Rishi Sunak, the chancellor of the exchequer, said that from August employees will be allowed to work part-time while furloughed, but the government will require companies to shoulder some of the costs of furlough payments. The scheme currently covers the salaries of 7.5 million workers, a quarter of the UK’s workforce, and costs the UK government about £14 billion a month. Other coronavirus developments Head teachers have warned that the government’s plan to reopen schools for some year groups in England on 1 June is not feasible. Paul Whiteman, head of the National Association for Head Teachers, told MPs that it wouldn’t be possible to comply with the government’s new guidance recommending a maximum class size of 15 pupils. Northern Ireland has unveiled a five-stage plan for easing coronavirus restrictions, which includes advice for specific job sectors and is more cautious than the plan for England. Unlike England, Northern Ireland is sticking with the “stay home” messaging – along with Scotland and Wales – rather than switching to “stay alert.” Russia now has 232,243 confirmed coronavirus cases, the second-highest after the US. The number of new covid-19 cases and deaths are also accelerating in Brazil. White House staff have been told to wear face coverings at work after two members of staff tested positive for coronavirus, although administration officials said the rule isn’t expected to apply to president Donald Trump or vice president Mike Pence. US health adviser Anthony Fauci has warned of “needless suffering and death” and multiple new outbreaks of coronavirus if states allow businesses to reopen too soon. The World Health Organization has also asked countries to show “extreme vigilance” when easing coronavirus restrictions. All 11 million residents of Wuhan in China, where the first coronavirus cases were confirmed, will be tested for the virus, according to Chinese state media. This comes after six new cases were confirmed there over the weekend.