Coronavirus live news: Belgium to ease most restrictions in June; Americans offered free taxis to vaccination centres

Belgium to relax most measure in June with all restrictions phased out by September; Joe Biden to announce scheme to boost US vaccination programme

• Johnson says public inquiry into Covid will begin this parliament
• Scotland: hugs and indoor visits to be allowed from 17 May
• US authorises Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for children ages 12 to 15
• NHS Covid lab staff hired via pay scheme with tax scam hallmarks
• Explainer: the deadly black fungus' seen in Covid patients in India

11.37pm BST

Brazil's federal government on Tuesday nationally suspended the vaccination of pregnant women with the AstraZeneca Covid-19 shot, after an expectant mother in Rio de Janeiro died from a stroke possibly related to the inoculation.

Franciele Francinato, coordinator of the Health Ministry's vaccination program, told reporters the suspension was enacted as a precautionary measure after health regulator Anvisa issued a warning about the vaccine's use in pregnant women earlier in the day, Reuters reports.

The serious adverse event of a hemorrhagic stroke was assessed as possibly related to the use of the vaccine given to the pregnant woman.

10.23pm BST

The Canadian provinces of Alberta and Ontario said on Tuesday they would stop offering first doses of AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine, with Ontario citing evidence that the risk of rare blood clots is somewhat higher than previously estimated.

Alberta said it took the same step only because it was unclear when more shipments of the vaccine might arrive, and not due to concern about side effects, Reuters reports.

We maintain that those who received their first dose with the AstraZeneca vaccine did absolutely the right thing to prevent illness and protect their families, loved ones and communities.