Today show hosts clash over coronavirus restrictions

They’ve been on our screens every morning reporting on the coronavirus news from all around the world but things got a bit heated on the Today show desk this morning.

Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon experienced technical difficulties when interviewing an Australian dad living in Denmark, where schools are reopening after three weeks of lockdown, with the line cutting off mid-call.

Allison said it’s a “shame” they didn’t get to speak to him but Karl had a different opinion on how restrictions were being eased in Denmark.

“He was explaining with the schools reopening, the kids have to wash their hands 25 times a day. They put social distancing in place so you won't have a classroom of 25 kids,” Allison said.

She went on to say it was unfortunate that they didn’t get to speak to the man to see “exactly how that is going to look, which is something we could potentially look at.”

Karl let his feelings on the matter be known, saying: “Can I say this, I don't think Australia needs to be taking any lead out of Europe.”

Allison looked a bit taken aback and told Karl that “not every European country is the same”, pointing out that countries like Denmark haven’t had the same kind of outbreaks as elsewhere.

“I'm just saying,” Karl said, to which Allison responded: “You can say and I can disagree.”

Karl has the last word, saying: “I think our medical authorities are right on top of it.”

According to the John Hopkins coronavirus resource centre, there are currently 6,511 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Denmark and 299 people have lost their lives.

Meanwhile, Australia has 6,415 positive cases of coronavirus, with 62 deaths.

The segment came after Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison called on teachers around the country to keep their classrooms open.

"We cannot allow a situation where parents are forced to choose between putting food on the table through their employment, to support their kids and their kids' education," he said.

"We will lose many things in the course of fighting this virus. One thing that I know teachers are united on, with their parents, is we do not want one of those things to be the loss of a child's education, giving up a whole year of their learning."

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