More than 120 asylum seekers and refugees are being held in the Kangaroo Point Central Hotel in inner-city Brisbane. They are forced to live in close proximity to each other, sharing rooms for sleeping as well as communal spaces for eating and recreation. They are not allowed out, but are exposed to security guards and other workers coming in and out of their confined space. A steadily building protest movement is urging the government to release people into the community - a significant number have families living in Australia, other friends - where they could more easily practice social distancing. The Australian government’s health department has warned that people held in detention are at greater risk of contracting Covid-19, and at greater risk of having serious illness from it. On Friday, supporters who came to protest the ongoing detention of asylum seekers and refugees, by having picnics and by exercising along the footpath next to the hotel, were fined by police - at least six were fined $1334 The Guardian understands - while others were told by officers to move on. Some people laid down rugs on the edge of the footpath to have a picnic - legal in Queensland as long as social distancing is observed - but were forced to move on. Refugees and asylum seekers protesting on the balconies of the hotel unfurled a two-storey banner from the hotel’s balcony reading “no crime, 7 years in detention” while police officers issued fines and move-on orders. Farhad is a refugee currently held inside the hotel. For the past 7 years our dreams were taken from us, we were exiled to manus island, we were tortured mentally and we lost some of our friends at Manus. Last year some of us were taken here, thinking it was the end of the torture. Now we are locked up here in this situation, especially at this crazy time and it seems that no one in power that can make decisions about our future have any interest in taking action.” All of you are going through a tough time, somewhat locked up and I’m so sorry for that, hopefully now some Australians can begin to understand what we have gone through for the past 7 years.” What we are asking for in this moment, is to forget about the political game that you [in government] have put us in. This is a dangerous situation, why are you not letting us be amongst those that care about us? (A democracy hey? Lucky that robotic dog from Singapore wasn’t around.) I love the NT News. A newspaper that knows its audience so well (and knows they will love the phrase ‘peasant Southerners’). In these extraordinary times, the Guardian’s editorial independence has never been more important. Because no one sets our agenda, or edits our editor, we can keep delivering quality, trustworthy, fact-checked journalism each and every day. Free from commercial or political bias, we can report fearlessly on world events and challenge those in power. Your support protects the Guardian’s independence. We believe every one of us deserves equal access to accurate news and calm explanation. No matter how unpredictable the future feels, we will remain with you, delivering high quality news so we can all make critical decisions about our lives, health and security – based on fact, not fiction. Support the Guardian from as little as $1 – and it only takes a minute. Thank you. New Zealand’s cabinet will meet on Monday to decide that country’s roadmap out of lockdown – but it will be too late for mums to be visited on Mother’s Day. From AAP in NZ: Hugs and visits to mums across New Zealand have been banned this Mother’s Day by prime minister Jacinda Ardern, seeking a final push from Kiwis to end the country’s lockdown. Sunday could be the final day of New Zealand’s tough but effective lockdown, credited as one part of a world-leading response to the spread of Covid-19. On Monday, Ardern’s government will plot a path back to something close to normality, meeting to decide a timetable for the removal of the social and business restrictions. The prime minister has already outlined what level two restrictions will look like, including the reopening of restaurants, hairdressers, gyms, cinemas and public facilities like museums and libraries. Social restrictions could end immediately, with provisions for schools, business and personal movement more likely to be phased in. Any decision will come too late for mums to enjoy visits from sons and daughters not already in their household bubbles. Ardern has banned socialising outside of existing households, with few exceptions, and told Kiwis this week to “stick to the plan” before Monday’s review. “I know it’s Mother’s Day this weekend and the urge to reach out will be strong,” she said. “But we remain at level three. And so if your mum is not in your bubble, then reach out over the phone or video. “Send a wee local present, and make plans to catch up when it’s safe to do so.” New Zealand has recorded just five new cases in the past five days. While the bubble restrictions will be removed when New Zealand makes the jump, a ban on gatherings over 100 people will be retained. “We are still requiring people to play it safe,” Ardern said. “That means not having large gatherings, cramming people into your home, and dispensing of all of the advice we’ve had over this period of time. “Yes, do catch up with your family, do catch up with your friends, but large gatherings are still a no-no.” This is not Covid-19 related, but this story broke late last night, and it is outrageous. (Five police watchdog reports were dropped on a Friday afternoon – amazing how often that happens with bad news). A New South Wales police watchdog investigation into seven strip searches including one in which a 16-year-old Aboriginal boy was physically forced to remove his shorts and squat has found that all of them were unlawful. Every search the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission examined was deemed unlawful and the commission repeated what has been previously revealed in hearings: many police don’t understand the law with regards to search powers. But no disciplinary action was recorded against any officer. My colleague Michael McGowan has been following this story. Deep recessions have long shadows, Wayne Swan writes today. After the initial stimulus of 2008 and 2009 most advanced countries too quickly flicked the switch to austerity and then experienced half-a-dozen years of high and prolonged unemployment. Exhibits A and B are the US and Great Britain. I have to say I find this, from a Singapore park, discomfiting. My question is: okay, the four-legged zoomorphised robot mounted with cameras and security sensors is monitoring social distancing today, what’s it going to be monitoring tomorrow? The robot’s name is Spot, by the way. How do others feel about this? The Straits Times has the story. It’s a Saturday in Australia, so we must go “around the grounds”. There have been significant developments overseas in the global effort to combat Covid-19. Grateful thanks to my colleague Molly Blackall who compiled this excellent global summary. (The story out of Italy is pretty extraordinary ...) US unemployment reaches record heights More than 20 million people in the US lost their jobs in April, more than trebling the unemployment rate. The pandemic has triggered a financial crisis in the US unseen since the Great Depression. Hong Kong eases physical distancing measures Hong Kong has begun to relax physical distancing measures, with bars, gyms, cinemas and beauty parlours opening today. Denmark to relax lockdown Denmark will reopen museums, theatres, cinemas, zoos and outdoor amusement parks on 8 June, the country’s government has announced. ‘Significant changes to lifestyle’ until vaccine found, WHO warns People may have to live with a significant change to their lifestyles until a vaccine for coronavirus has been found, Dr Michael Ryan has warned at today’s World Health Organization briefing. He said that the WHO’s examination of global lockdown measures and their easing shows that a “careful and measured return of those kind of normal activities of work and school – especially when they are done with density reduction” seems to be effective, but mass gatherings are much more difficult. South Africa to release 20,000 prisoners Almost 20,000 prisoners will be released in attempt to halt the spread of coronavirus in South African prisons. The president, Cyril Ramaphosa, said the low-risk inmates would be freed. Italian opposition file motion of no-confidence against justice minister Opposition parties in Italy have filed a motion of no confidence in the justice minister, Alfonso Bonafede, who was criticised for releasing 376 top mafiosi because of the risk of coronavirus infection. Israel’s confirmed coronavirus cases drop below 500 The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Israel has dropped below 500 for the first time since a strict eight-week lockdown was imposed. In recent days, the country has recorded fewer than 50 new cases a day. South Korea fears anti-gay backlash Fears of a homophobic backlash in South Korea are mounting after a man infected with coronavirus was reported to have visited clubs in Seoul’s gay district. The 31-year-old tested positive for the virus on Thursday, and by Friday, 14 of his contacts were also confirmed to have contracted the disease. Good morning beloved readers, I hope these missives find you well. Ben Doherty at Guardian HQ (this morning, the quietest room in my noisy, noisy house). I’ll be with you this morning. Friday was a signal day in Australia’s fight against Sars-Cov-2. The federal and state governments outlined a three-stage roadmap to recovery. Restrictions will be lifted in phases, over four-week blocks, with the final phase likely to be implemented by July. But different states will move at different times with some, at the moment notably the Northern Territory and Western Australia, significantly ahead of eastern seaboard states, NSW and Victoria in particular. The decision when to move on easing restrictions rests with state premiers and territory chief ministers. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the plan would get 850,000 people back to work when fully implemented. “You can stay under the doona forever and you’ll never face any danger. But we’ve got to get out from under the doona at some time,” he said. “If not now, well, then when?” Victorian premier DanAndrews will not lift any restrictions until at least Monday, refusing to apologise for his hardline approach. “This is a pandemic, this is not a popularity contest,” he said. NSW is also cautious, holding off on any announcements, while NT, WA and SA have moved to adopt many of the stage one measures from the national cabinet guidelines. From this morning, gatherings of up to ten people are allowed in the ACT, Queensland and in South Australia. Tasmania is easing restrictions gradually from next week, but Queensland is moving more rapidly to allow dining in pubs and clubs for 10 people at a time from May 16. Queensland has also lifted restrictions around households visiting others - in time for Mothers’ Day – with up to five people from a single household visiting another household. There have been 6,900 confirmed cases in Australia, 97 people have died. Daily infection rates remain low and there are fewer than 1,000 active cases. Chief medical officer Dr Brendan Murphy is urging people to maintain physical distancing and good hygiene to stop further outbreaks. “Please, keep that distancing. We could lose the battle that we have won so well so far,” he said. Please be in touch throughout the day, @BenDohertyCorro on twitter. I’ll endeavour to keep you updated on developments, here and abroad. Be well, enjoy your weekends, but stay safe.