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Trial for Derek Chauvin Wraps Up; Police Paranoid with Traffic Violations; Airline Facing a Tough Challenge Ahead; Royal Family Prepares Prince Philip's Funeral; Tribe in Vanuatu Mourns for the Duke of Edinburgh; Thailand Tourist Industry Wants to See Life Back to Normal; A Day to Celebrate in England; Michigan's COVID-19 Cases Rising; Iran Points Finger to Israel for Natanz Incident; Myanmar's Military Have Different Version of Story; Outrage Spark in the Streets of Minnesota. Aired 3-4a ET

Aired April 12, 2021 - 03:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[03:00:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PAULA NEWTON, CNN ANCHOR (on camera): Hello, and welcome to our viewers joining us from here in the United States and all around the world. You are watching CNN Newsroom. And I'm Paula Newton.

Just ahead, a very British milestone, people can now have a pint in a pub bar as England takes a major step to its road to reopening after the latest COVID lockdown.

But the U.S. is struggling with hotspots where cases are rising despite aggressive vaccination campaigns.

And we are keeping a close eye on Brooklyn Center in Minnesota where protests ever erupted after an officer involved shooting of a young Black man.

So, today is the day that millions of people across England have been anticipating.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNKNOWN: Three, two, one, ladies and gentlemen take your seats, have your first drink. Please calm down.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NEWTON (on camera): And you see it there, the country has now entered step two as it eases into more of its COVID-19 restrictions. As you can see, this group of merrymakers just couldn't wait for daylight and got the party started at a pub just as the clock struck midnight. Both owners and customers of course are happy to be back.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

IAN SNOWBALL, LONDON PUB OWNER: No one know how this is going to work out. We didn't even know if it was going to come. It's on Hodus (Ph) field (Ph), it's midnight, it's freezing cold, everyone is still come. Have a look, everyone has come. We've got a single table that hasn't been filled of people.

UNKNOWN: It's great, it's really great. More than anything, for businesses to survive, through all of this, I think that's the real happiness and getting this place back up and running again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NEWTON (on camera): Now on a statement, Prime Minister Boris Johnson urge everyone to, in his words, behave responsibly. But even he has admitted that he is looking forward to a pint in a pub garden just like the scene from back in 2019. You see him there.

Now for more on what is sure to be a busy and exciting day right across England we want to bring in our Anna Stewart who is in front of a pub I might add. I don't think excitement begins to cut this. You know, this is more than three months of enforced isolation and lockdown. And boom, here we are. What's happening today, Anna. What's reopening?

ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER: Paula, it's been such a long lockdown I can assure you I was not drinking at midnight. This pub house hasn't yet actually reopened. It will do later today. And they have spent months, Paula, trying to get their outdoor facility ready.

So, there are tens, there are wooden booths, there are plenty of places, it was actually snowing just a couple of hours ago. So, it's going to be very chilly first pint. But the outdoor spacing, this is all because pubs can only reopen today outdoors. And that is the same for cafes and restaurants.

So, it will be a very chilly first pint, I think. Now this is not the only thing unlocking in England today, this is really a milestone. When we look at the roadmap of how England is going to get back to some sort of normal, today nonessential shops also reopening. Hairdressers, thank goodness for that, nail salons, they can all start to reopen outdoors, particularly and if they have COVID safety measures in place.

For shops, all shops can reopen today. That is big news for spending, and of course, for the economy. Paula?

NEWTON: Yes, to that point, Anna, I know how closely you follow this in Britain. How much of a high street revival are we looking at here? Not to mention, you know, travel, hospitality.

STEWART: Well, it's going to be interesting, last year the U.K. economy shrunk by nearly 10 percent so this is obviously critical. Many businesses have been on life support on various loan schemes, on the furlough schemes.

For retail, we are expecting quite a big shopping spree at least in the first few weeks because it's been so suppressed. People have been stuck at home online shopping is all they've been able to do. However, not everyone is happy, particular in hospitality, I think.

Because you can only open outside, that means lots of people haven't been able to reopen today. For pubs, the pub associations say that only 40 percent of pubs will be reopening. And many of them, who don't have such a huge big -- I know I'll be touring later here at the Black Lion in Hammersmith, many of them will have to operate at a loss at least for the time being.

And actually, some 2,000 pubs will never reopen. They did not survive the pandemic. And it goes for shops too. Lots of department stores won't be reopening ever again either, Paula.

So, that's the sad news, but I don't think it's going to dampen the spirits today. I have a feeling that even snow won't dampen spirits today as people finally get back to the pub, get to the pub, raise a pint with friends and family. It's really a big moment here. Paula.

[03:04:58]

NEWTON: And Hallelujah, Anna, we will wait for other parts of the world to be able to get to this point as well. Anna Stewart for us outside of a pub. Anna, I'm going to notice that you said the pub wasn't open, now that you wouldn't be having. I just want to make that clear. Anyway, let's do it for us outside the pub.

STEWART: Well said, Paula.

NEWTON (on camera): All right. So here in the United States now where more signs of hope and progress in the battle against the coronavirus. More than 187 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have now been administered across the country according to the CDC.

Staggering, really, staggering numbers, nearly 22 percent of the population has now been fully vaccinated. That's about 73 million people. But experts warn the U.S. should not let its guard down just yet. The CDC reports that for the third straight week new cases and hospitalizations are increasing.

In Michigan, of course, is in the middle of yet another surge. Officials there are pleading with the Biden administration to send the state more vaccines.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LT. GOV. GARLIN GILCHRIST (D-MI): Vaccine doses and administering them is how we are going to get through. And the same is about that hotspots. Equity means responding differently to where there is the most need. And right now, the most need is in the state of Michigan.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NEWTON (on camera): CNN's Polo Sandoval is calling the COVID crisis in Michigan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): If ever there was a critical time to double down on coronavirus protective measures in the state of Michigan it's right now. From COVID-19 positivity rate not seen since the start of the pandemic to hospitalizations nearing December peak levels, it's not getting any better in the wolverine.

ROB DAVIDSON, E.R. PHYSICIAN, MICHIGAN: The pandemic fatigue with the big challenge here in Michigan of a very sort of anti-coronavirus movements with about half of our population, people who don't wear masks, don't want to distance, I think getting vaccine shots in arms is our ultimate defense.

SANDOVAL: Repeated calls from Michigan leaders to the Biden administration asking to increase their vaccine allotments have been unsuccessful so far.

GILCHRIST: In every conversation we're having at every level of the federal government we are asking for more help and for more vaccines.

SANDOVAL: Hoping to help curb the rise in outbreaks, Governor Gretchen Whitmer ask high schools to go remote, use sports to pause and people skip indoor dining for at least the next two weeks.

GOV. GRETCHEN WHITMER (D-MI): Please, redouble your efforts.

SANDOVAL: But these are only recommendations insist the governor, not the mandated sweeping shutdowns from a year ago that made the subject of criticism and even death threats.

WHITMER: What's happening in Michigan today could be what's happening in other states tomorrow. And so, it's on all of us to recognize we are getting squashed where we're seeing hotspots. It's in everyone's best interest.

SANDOVAL: Andy Witkowski, a Detroit-area special education teacher wants to see a more aggressive move from state leaders perhaps make those requests requirements.

ANDY WITKOWSKI, DETROIT-AREA TEACHER: I think it felt short that she didn't mandate. I think the reason our numbers are spiked is because we have opened up, schools are back. They've had an uptick in the sports here.

SANDOVAL: Other Michiganders like Leah Fairbanks stand behind the governor's approach.

LEAH FAIRBANKS, DETROIT-AREA NURSE: Whitmer is a rock start. You know, she's doing her best. It's a pandemic. When it comes down to it, people are either going to take care of themselves and take care of each other, or they're not.

SANDOVAL: Jordan Ross is frustrated that his peers are choosing not to.

JORDAN ROSS, DETROIT RESIDENT: I'm seeing a lot of students, you know, they know the issues that are going on, but they are still going to hang out friends, and go to like Florida, or things like that. So, it's kind of concerning to me.

SANDOVAL: The state's chief medical executives says nearly 1,000 COVID-19 outbreaks are being traced in Michigan linked to indoor dining, bars, new sporting events, and K through 12 classes.

JONEIGH KHALDUN, CHIEF DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR HEALTH, MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES: Our public health system is overwhelmed. We are not able to get information on many cases, nor are we able to identify their close contacts.

SANDOVAL: There's also the spread of the highly infectious COVID-19 variant, some 2,200 cases identified in Michigan. Though experts say there are likely more.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANDOVAL (on camera): Over the weekend, Michigan state authorities received word that the Biden administration will be sending about 160 FEMA personnel here to the Wolverine state. Their purpose will be to actually assist in administering vaccinations. Though they haven't announced any plans to actually increase Michigan's vaccination allotment.

Polo Sandoval, CNN, Detroit.

NEWTON: And I'm joined now by Sterghios Moschos. He is an associate professor of molecular virology at Northumbria University. And thanks so much for joining us.

So, we just heard, you know, that summary of what was going on in the United States, of course, Michigan having a hard time. The vaccine rollout has been nothing short of extraordinary, but when you look at what's going on in the United States, even with the vaccine doses distributed, what is the message there in terms of the danger of yet another virus resurgence?

STERGHIOS MOSCHOS, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN CELLULAR & MOLECULAR SCIENCES, NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY: I think the message is pretty clear. It's stark actually, that the vaccine alone is not doing the job at the moment because we don't have sufficient vaccine coverage and those populations have not been vaccinated. As a result of that we see the unfortunate situation that we're seeing in Michigan.

[03:09:57]

NEWTON: There's been quite a debate, really, with doctors here in the United States arguing whether or not there would be another wave of the pandemic. I mean, when we look at the -- if we took this to the U.K. and we look at the data that's been out there, it's pretty impressive. Right across the board, right? New cases down, hospitalizations down, deaths noun.

Is this vindication for the lockdowns or for the single-dose vaccine strategy? I guess I'm comparing the U.S. and the U.K. where do you think we are? MOSCHOS: I think it's really important to say that it's vindication

for the lockdowns. The vaccine is just about starting to kick in in terms of effect in the elderly population and those at high risks that have already been vaccinated. The rest of the population of Britain are not protected right now. It's essential.

I can't underscore it enough that we all do our bit to contain transmission and prevent the transmission from happening, so no breaking of the rules just for a little bit because that's going to show up in three or four few weeks from now.

NEWTON: Yes. And that brings us to our next point, we just have a live report from the U.K. There is a sense of euphoria. How best do you think to temper that? I mean, Boris Johnson has been clear, but what are your concerns, if any, that there might be some backsliding now?

MOSCHOS: My concerns are quite substantial actually. They are based around the activities that we are anticipating in the next few weeks. Specifically, we are anticipating schools to reopen. There are anecdotal reports that some schools have basically relaxed the measures. And the next thing that I'm concerned about is how people are going to be huddling up because of the minus four temperatures degree centigrade that we have here to wake up every morning.

So, if they do go up to the pub, which is, you know, a classic pastime here in the U.K., and it's cold, they are more likely to huddle up together with their friends. And this is going to increase the risk of transmission. So, it's extremely important that we maintain that physical distance between individuals even if they are vaccinated.

And I think it's important here to highlight the report from Israel that came out a day ago that says, you know what, the B117 variant which is the U.K. variant actually seems to transmit pretty OK while people are receive one dose of the Pfizer vaccine. And then the South African variant actually is being able to infect people who are vaccinated, not hugely but it is still able to infect people who are vaccinated after the second dose.

So, we need to be focusing on the fact that Brazil and South Africa right now present a risk to the rest of the world. Those variants in other those countries, one could argue Brazil is a country has a problem, but these things if given the opportunity to transmit amongst people who have been vaccinated. That's exactly how we do it in the lab in order to adapt viruses to new conditions.

And in six months to a year from now we'll be exactly in the same place waiting for the vaccination rollout to protect against the strains that will come up.

NEWTON: Yes, really insightful what you're saying there and a lot to really keep an eye on, and especially as you pointed out we've got people in schools, we have students going back to school in Britain and they will not be vaccinated for a very long time.

Thanks for the update this morning, we really appreciate it. MOSCHOS: You're very welcome.

NEWTON: Now coming up, an incident at an Iranian nuclear facility. Iran is calling it a quote, "terrorist action." And Israel's army chief has appeared to hint at possible Israeli involvement. We are live in Jerusalem after the break.

And people in Myanmar are standing up against the military, the peaceful response to a weekend of bloodshed. That's next.

[03:15:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NEWTON (on camera): Now, to an incident in Iran's Natanz nuclear facility and what is being described by one Iranian lawmaker as a blackout. Iran says that no one was injured and there were no leaks, but the timing doesn't seem like a coincidence and it's likely to stoke tensions in the region.

CNN's Fred Pleitgen is following the story from Berlin.

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the Iranians have called all of these terrorist actions which seems to very strongly indicate that they believe that some sort of foreign power is behind the incident that took place with the Natanz nuclear reactor which is really one of the main sites in Iran's nuclear program.

The Iranians are saying that they believe that some power that is afraid of what the Iranians have been doing. They are afraid of some of the advancements that the Iranians have been making.

Of course, we know that since the Trump administration put in place a lot of those sanctions and left the Iran nuclear dead that Iran has actually expanded a lot of its nuclear activities. Enriching more uranium and enriching it also to a higher grade.

And one of the things that happened on Saturday is that the Iranians had their national nuclear day. And on the state, they actually unveiled some new centrifuges which they say are more powerful, more efficient and that will help them enrich the uranium even more and more efficient.

So, a day after this there was this incident at the Natanz nuclear reactor. The Iranians are saying that they reserve the right to retaliate but they haven't said who they think is actually behind it. However, there have been some interesting hints that have been dropped by the army chief of Israel where he was seeming to indicate that it might actually be the Israelis who are behind it.

One of the things that he said was quote, "that Israel's operations throughout the Middle East are not hidden from the eyes of the enemies, they are watching us, seeing the capabilities and carefully considering their steps." So, certainly, that could indicate that maybe the Israelis were behind it. There were some sources apparently in Israel who were also hinting at that as well. So far, again, it's still very much unclear whether or not it's the case.

But of course, all of this comes at a very important time for the Iran nuclear agreement. That for the first time in a very, very long time, both the U.S. and the Iranians are negotiating, not face-to-face but indirectly in an effort to try and bring the U.S. back into the deal and bring Iran back into full compliance with the deal.

Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Berlin.

NEWTON: Now as we are just hearing from Fred, Israel's military chief is appearing to actually hint at a possible role in the incident. And all of this comes ahead of a meeting between the Israeli prime minister and the U.S. defense secretary later today.

[03:20:06]

Watching all of it is Hadas Gold. She is live for us in Jerusalem. Hadas, you know, we just heard Fred say that they had hinted at it, perhaps some kind of involvement. You and I both know that's excitingly rare even if there was a hint. And yet what is the significance at this moment in time when we have the U.S. defense secretary there for a very important visit?

HADAS GOLD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Paula, of course timing is always significant in these types of events. But just to give you a bit of news. In just the last for hours, the Iranians are now placing the blame directly at the feet of the Israelis foreign minister, Javad Zarif, just in the last few hours saying that the Zionist want to take revenge because of our progress in the way to lift sanctions.

They have publicly said that they will not allow this. But we will take our revenge from the Zionists. So, this is the Iranians directly placing the blame on Israel for that incident at the nuclear facility.

Now, Israeli's prime minister's office is not commenting on this. There have been some reports in Israeli media pointing the finger that saying it was Israeli Mossad behind this attack. But as Fred and we did have some interesting hints from the Israeli army chief, and Prime Minister Netanyahu himself just yesterday said at an event that the struggle against Iran and its proxies and the Iranian armament efforts is a huge mission.

He also said the situation that exists today will necessarily be the situation that exist tomorrow. Very important comments of course to keep in mind.

And all of this happening, Paula, during the timing of these ongoing talks in Vienna that Fred reference between a U.S.-led group of world powers and Iran to get to some sort of agreement to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions. Of course, Israel is directly opposed to any sort of return to a 2015 style Iran nuclear deal. Saying it will simply give Iran the green light to build up its nuclear weapons. And then of course, we have the U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is

at this very moment in Israel. We just saw him at an Air Force base. He is with the defense minister at this moment and within a few hours we may hear him speak to reporters, and also, he will be appearing alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later this afternoon for a statement.

And Austin's comments related -- if he does comment to this incident -- will be very, very closely watched because a question a lot of people's minds, is what is the American reaction to this alleged incident. Paula?

NEWTON: Yes. It will give us some more hints about the Biden administration's posture on all of this. Hadas Gold, I know you'll be watching it throughout the day. We appreciate.

Myanmar's pro-democracy protesters are refusing to give into fear and intimidation. Crowds of people marched peacefully in several cities Sunday this group, in fact, in the middle of the night. Now their demonstrations follow a weekend of military violence. It happened in the town of Bago near -- pardon me, in the north of Yangon.

One monitoring group says security forces at least 82 people there on Friday. Now this is incredible. The military is now reportedly charging families to collect the bodies of their loved ones. Meanwhile, a state-run media reports the leader of the junta made new remarks attempting to justify the coup.

We want to bring in our Paula Hancocks on this who is following all of this from neighboring Thailand. You know, puzzling comments from the generals, but I'm not sure what else we should expect to try to justify the actions saying that they were somehow strengthening the multiparty democracy there.

But, really, at this point in time, is there a sense that any of this is getting into the military at all in terms of them trying to de- escalate it at all?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Paula, we have been hearing over recent days as well from the junta spokesman saying that things were getting back to normal in the country. That soon there would be banks and other things would be fully operational as normal. The protests were dwindling because people wanted peace, and didn't want to come out on the streets anymore.

It's very divorced from the reality of what is actually happening on the streets. People are still coming out. They are insisting that this is the final battle that they need to come out onto the streets knowing the risks to fight for their democracy.

Now, as you say, on Friday, there were more than 82 people killed according to an advocacy group AAPP. This was in one place on one day. And we heard from AAPP calling it a killing field. We did speak to one eyewitness who said that many people have fled to neighboring villages as it was believed that the military was till there at least as far as Sunday went. And they were still hunting protesters. The eyewitness also told us that there were bodies piled up in the mortuaries. And we had reports of the military taking some bodies as well. And then you have this new horrifying development that the military according to the Bago student union on their Facebook, saying that the military is actually charging families $85 or the equivalent of, to be able to come and collect their loved ones to be able to bury them their final rights.

[03:25:08]

Now it's an awful development to think that the military who is responsible for this bloody crackdown, is now charging for these bodies to be sent back to their loved ones. What they have said is that they believe it's the protesters fault. They call them rioters saying they're using handmade guns, handmade shields.

But what we're hearing from AAPP is fact the military is using assault rifles and heavy weaponry like rocket propelled grenades. A handmade shield does not protect you from an RPG. Paula?

NEWTON: Yes. And the video we've seen from there in the last few weeks is just been horrific. Paula Hancocks, thanks for the update.

Still to come on CNN, George Floyd's family is preparing to hear more painful testimony as prosecutors are set to wrap their case. And the defense in the Derek Chauvin murder trial gears up to present theirs.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NEWTON (on camera): So, we're watching this developing story. As you see it there, these protesters are up there in Brooklyn Center Minnesota after officials say a police officer shot and killed a Black man during a traffic stop on Sunday.

The victim is Dante Wright according to a tweet from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Now state officials are investigating the incident and now the National Guard will be sent to the area. The shooting happened just 10 miles from the courthouse where former officer Derek Chauvin's murder trial is taking place in Minneapolis.

Chauvin is charged in the death of George Floyd. The former police officer's trial enters its third week of testimony just hours from now.

The prosecution is set to call a member of Floyd's family to the stand before resting its case, likely early this week.

[03:30:00]

CNN's Adrienne Broaddus reports.

ADRIENNE BROADDUS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We know a medical doctor who was slated to testify to take the stand on Friday will testify today. But before the prosecution rests its case, a member of George Floyd's family will also take the stand. That family member has the ability to remind the jury, George Floyd was a brother, an uncle, a cousin, a father who was loved.

That family member will humanize Floyd to the defense and the prosecution. This is a case but to Floyd's family, he was so much more. The family member will also be able to speak intimately about Floyd's love for his little girl.

On that video that has been widely shared throughout the course of the trial, we hear Floyd call out, tell my children I love them.

The testimony over the last two weeks which included hearing from top brass with the Minneapolis Police Department and other medical experts including the medical examiner here in Hennepin County, Dr. Andrew Baker who performed the autopsy on Floyd's body, was painful for members of the Floyd family to hear.

But that pain, they say, was necessary. And as we entered the third week of the trial, the family is preparing to hear more painful testimony. This time from witnesses the defense calls as the defense will argue Floyd died from a drug overdose and underlying medical conditions.

In Minneapolis, I'm Adrianne Broaddus, CNN.

NEWTON (on camera): A police officer in Virginia has been fired after he and another officer pointed guns at, pepper sprayed and pushed a black U.S. army lieutenant to the ground.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNKNOWN: -- of the car. You receive the order, obey us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NEWTON (on camera): Traffic stop last December. Windsor police say the officers did not follow department policy. Now, the other officer involved is still employed. The active duty soldier is now suing the two officers.

Lieutenant Caron Nazario is Black and Latino, he was pulled over after police officer mistakenly thought he was driving without a license plate. The traffic stopped quickly escalated and was captured on two body cameras and the lieutenant's personal cell phone.

Now, CNN hasn't been able to reach either officer at this time and it's unclear if they have lawyers. We are also reaching out to both officers and the police union for comment.

Natasha Chen has more on the story. Now a warning, some of this may be difficult to watch.

NATASHA CHEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Six thirty p.m., December 5th, 2020, Lieutenant Caron Nazario driving in his army fatigues through the small town of Windsor, Virginia saw flashing lights in his rearview mirror. He wasn't sure why he was being pulled over. According to his lawsuit, he slowed down and put his blinker on indicating his intention to pull over but didn't do so for another minute and 40 seconds, which he later explained was in order to find a well-lit area.

UNKNOWN: Driver, roll your window down. Put your hands out the window! Turn the vehicle off! Put your hands out the window!

CHEN: Hearing these different commands while sitting in his car with a seatbelt on, Nazario began recording from his own cell phone and put his hands outside the window as ordered. It turns out, Officer Daniel Crocker had not seen the temporary license plate tape to the back window of Nazario's brand new Chevrolet Tahoe.

And seeing tinted windows and a driver not stopping right away, Crocker decided it was a high-risk traffic stop. But this was never explained to Nazario, who for several minutes continued to ask why he had been pulled over.

CARON NAZARIO, U.S. ARMY: What's going on?

UNKNOWN: How many occupants are in your vehicle.

NAZARIO: It's only myself. Why are your weapons drawn? What's going on?

UNKNOWN: Get out of the car now.

NAZARIO: I'm serving this country, and this is how I'm treated?

UNKNOWN: Your wild guess. Well, I'm a veteran too. And I know how to obey. Get out of the car.

CHEN: Body camera footage shows Officer Joe Gutierrez gun drawn unfastening the Velcro around what may be his taser at this time.

NAZARIO: What's going on?

UNKNOWN: What's going on you fixed the red lightning (Inaudible), son.

CHEN: The lawsuit says Nazario thought ride the lightning that he could be killed.

NAZARIO: I'm honestly afraid to get out. Can I --

UNKNOWN: Yes. Do you shoot me?

NAZARIO: -- actually know --

UNKNOWN: Get out, now.

NAZARIO: I have not committed any crimes.

UNKNOWN: You're being stopped for trying to violate and you're not cooperating at this point right now, you are under arrest, and you are being detained. You are being detained for --

NAZARIO: For a traffic violation I do not have to get out of the vehicle. You haven't even told me why I'm being stopped. CHEN: About two to three minutes in, Officer Crocker tried to open

the driver's door. In his report, he wrote, quote, "when I attempted to unlock and open the driver's door, the driver assaulted myself by striking my hand away and pulled away from Officer Gutierrez's grip."

But on his own body camera footage, Nazario is not seen striking anyone. Crocker's report also says that at this point, Gutierrez, quote, "gave several more commands to comply with orders or he would be sprayed with his OC spray."

[03:35:05]

But no such warnings could be heard. Gutierrez just sprayed Nazario, still without either officer having told Nazario what exactly he was pulled over for.

NAZARIO: That's (muted) up. That's (muted) up.

UNKNOWN: Get out of the car now.

NAZARIO: I don't even (Inaudible) my seat belt. Can you?

UNKNOWN: Take your seatbelt out and get out of the car. You made this more difficult than it had to be.

UNKNOWN: Get on the ground. Get on the ground now.

NAZARIO: Can you please talk to me what's going on? Can you please talk to about what's going on? Why am I being treated like this? Why?

UNKNOWN: Because you're not cooperating. Get on the ground. You're going to get tased.

CHEN: The officers handcuffed Nazario, then stood him back up. He told them his dog was in the back seat and was choking from the pepper spray. Medics arrived and the conversation mellowed.

NAZARIO: Well, what have been a two-minute traffic stop turn into all this.

CHEN: Nazario explained why he didn't immediately pull over.

NAZARIO: I was pulling over to a well-lit area for my safety and yours, I have respect for law enforcement.

CHEN: But Gutierrez said that wasn't the problem.

UNKNOWN: The climate we're in, with the media spewing with the race relations between minorities and law enforcement? I get it OK. So, like I told you, as far as you not stopping, you weren't comfortable, you wanted a well-lit spot, lieutenant, that happens all the time. It happens to me a lot. And it's I'll say 80 percent of the time, not always, it's a minority.

CHEN: And while the officers couldn't understand why Nazario didn't get out of the car as instructed. UNKNOWN: Why wouldn't you comply?

CHEN: Nazario said he didn't know why he was being stopped.

NAZARIO: I've never looked out the window and saw guns blazing immediately.

CHEN: Gutierrez eventually Nazario that he had a conversation with the chief of police and was giving him the option to let this all go.

UNKNOWN: There's no need for this to be on your record. I don't want it to be on your record. However, it's entirely up to you, if you want to fight and argue, and I don't mean that distrustfully. You have that right as a citizen. If that's what you want, we'll charge you. It doesn't change my life either way.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHEN (on camera): The officer said his life wouldn't be changed whether Nazario was charged or not. But with the video of this incident now widely shared, all three lives are undoubtedly changed. Politicians are weighing in including Virginia Governor Ralph Northam who on Sunday directed Virginia state police to conduct an independent investigation.

Natasha Chen, CNN, Atlanta.

NEWTON: Coming up, we are in Windsor as Britain mourns Prince Philip ahead of his funeral Saturday.

[03:40:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NEWTON (on camera): Now the U.K.'s House of Commons is to set a special session to commemorate the life of Prince Philip. The country is in the middle of eight days of national mourning ahead of Saturday's funeral.

Cyril Vanier is live for us in Windsor. And Cyril, for the royal family in different message has alluded to this but this has got to be an incredibly difficult time for the queen.

CYRIL VANIER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, absolutely. And the queen is notoriously tight-lipped. She doesn't say much, herself. She doesn't put herself in the spotlight more than she already is. But her family has been speaking on her behalf and her son, Prince Andrew, Duke of York who attended a Sunday service here in Windsor yesterday said that the queen has described this moment in her life as leaving a huge void in her life, which of course, makes sense after losing her husband of 73 years.

Now Prince Andrew also said that she is stoic which is in keeping with the queen's character and that she is contemplating. Her, one of her daughters- in-law, the countess of Wessex who is also here yesterday, said that the queen was thinking of others before she was thinking of herself, which is also something that is in keeping with her sense of duty and with the character that she has displayed throughout her reign.

So, it is a time of grieving for the queen, but it is not only that. The queen would've been very busy since Friday the announcement of the passing of his royal highness, the late duke of Edinburgh because she also has to sign off on all the funeral arrangements.

Now, of course, this have been discussed for a number of years now. The duke has himself signed off on them. He did so during his lifetime. But they have to be tweaked. They have to be modified for the moment, to take into account COVID protocols.

One obvious illustration of this is that the guest list has now been reduced to just 30 people. The royal household will have to abide by the same protocols as any ordinary British family. Only 30 people as you can imagine for a royal funeral, that's -- that's going to be hard to fit to that requirement.

And the last thing is that, royal wedding, like royal funerals are moments that have the potential to define the monarchy in their -- in their own way and they go down in history. So, they have to be managed carefully. And you can expect that nothing will be left to chance, whether it's the protocol.

And I want to say that's the easy part in some respect, or family feuds that may existed that time, and there is a very obvious one of course, a few that came to light between Harry, his wife Meghan Markle and the royal household over the last 12 to 18 months. Harry reported to be in the U.K. intending to attend the funeral of his grandfather. Paula?

NEWTON (on camera): And we will see how all of this unfolds over the coming days. Cyril Vanier, thank you so much.

Now for a tribe in the Pacific Islands, Prince Philip's death is also difficult. Villagers believed him to be a God and he maintained a relationship with him for decades.

Will Ripley has more.

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WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Pristine beaches surrounded by turquoise water filled with coral reefs. Vanuatu is a dream vacation for some or --

UNKNOWN: Yasur is one of nine active volcanoes on the island nation of Vanuatu.

RIPLEY: The setting of the season of an American TV series, "Survivor" contestants competed against each other and the elements. On Tanna, one of dozens of islands that make up the Pacific nation of Vanuatu, it's a place of mourning right now for a prince half the world away. For the past 50 years, villagers here have regarded Prince Philip as a God. And Philip, known at times for his off-color remarks and gaffes, maintained a respectful relationship with them over several decades. Sending them gifts, some were even invited for a visit to the U.K.

The tribal chief sent a message to England expressing his sadness over Philip's death.

YAPA, IKUNALA VILLAGE CHIEF (through translator): The connection between the people on the island of Tanna and the English people is very strong. We are sending condolence messages to the royal family and the people of England.

[03:45:04]

RIPLEY: Anthropologists say there was a legend in Vanuatu in the 60's that a pale skin son of a mountain god would travel across the seas and marry a rich and powerful woman. Villagers would have likely seen pictures of Philip in the queen and government offices, somehow, the connection stuck.

Though the royal couple never visited Tanna Island, they did visit other parts of Vanuatu in 1974. They were even treated to a show of land diving. A local initiation rite similar to modern-day bungee jumping.

After Philip's death, it's unclear what's next for the people of Tanna. Prince Charles did visit another part of Vanuatu in 2018. Whether the devotion to Philip is transferred to his son, perhaps only the gods know.

Will Ripley, CNN, Hong Kong.

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NEWTON (on camera): OK. Ahead for us, officials in Thailand are hoping to fill beaches in tourist destinations again. We'll talk about how they plan to do that while keeping safe from COVID.

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NEWTON (on camera): Thailand's tourism workers are ready to get back to business. Officials have approved a plan to allow vaccinated tourists to skip quarantine and head right to the beach.

[03:50:06]

But there is still a lot of fear about COVID and not enough vaccines to go around.

Blake Essig tells us what's at stake if tourism doesn't start back soon.

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BLAKE ESSIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): On Phuket, off the coast of Thailand the waves peacefully lapping up against the shore masks are raised furiously underway.

UNKNOWN: If we have a vaccine, that would be a very great news.

SU SUTSAM, LOBSTER AND PRAWN RESTAURANT MANAGER: We hope for vaccine, if the vaccine is OK, we hope customers will come back.

UNKNOWN: The vaccine is the best solution now.

ESSIG: Normally bustling this time of year, one of the world's great destinations been left hollow by the pandemic. The sooner Phuket reaches herd immunity, the sooner it can welcome back those well- heeled travelers from abroad.

VINCENT GERARDS, GENERAL MANAGER, PHUKET ELEPHANT SANCTUARY: Around 85 percent of the population Phuket relies on tourism in some form or another, whether they're working in hotels, they are taxi drivers, fishermen, it's all connected to tourism.

ESSIG: For Vincent Gerards who runs the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, the pandemic and the Thai government strict quarantine rules have been an existential threat to business.

GERARDS: We are a tourism company, so we are not a foundation so before COVID our main income stream would the visitors who come here and join our tours. More than 150 elephants living in Phuket have left the islands since the beginning of COVID-19 because the camp had to temporarily or permanently close.

ESSIG: Mandating quarantine for outsiders has help Thailand control the spread of COVID-19, fewer than 100 people have died from coronavirus here. Anthony Lark, the president of Phuket Hotels Association says the result in drop in tourism has caused untold damage.

ANTHONY LARK, PRESIDENT, PHUKET HOTELS ASSOCIATION: We know that the virus is not what is destroying this industry, it's the quarantine.

ESSIG: And the ripple effects go well beyond just this one island. Since many tourism workers come from outside of Phuket and send their income back home to support their families. After a year of struggle, many here are pinning their hopes on a new government plan to allow inoculated foreigners to start returning to the island in July and skip the quarantine.

Lark says that the way out of this crisis is not with vaccinated tourists, but vaccinated locals.

LARK: The fear factor here is quite high. You know, there is a lot of people in time that don't want foreigners coming in here with this, you know, carrying the virus. So, the secret is to get the local community vaccinated to a level where we feel safe enough with the presence of antibodies in people's systems to welcome back tourists without that fear.

ESSIG: For a developing country like Thailand getting vaccine doses has not been easy. The country has received just over one million doses so far for a population of nearly 70 million. With million more doses on order the government has said it will prioritize tourist- dependent Phuket earmarking nearly a million doses for the island hoping to speed up the path to herd immunity.

Gerards smiles at the thought of Phuket reaching that milestone.

GERARDS: That's great to finally see that light at the end of the tunnel.

ESSIG: He looks forward to welcoming back the international tourists to support his 12 elephants along with many other businesses in the heart of Thailand's tourism industry.

Blake Essig, CNN.

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NEWTON (on camera): Now, well some holiday destinations prepared to welcome guest as we just saw there, many would be travelers just still trying to figure out how to get. I ask CNN transportation analyst, Mary Schiavo how the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is trying to make flying safe in the COVID era. She told me that in some respects, airlines will be left to their own devices. Here's more of our conversation.

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MARY SCHIAVO, CNN AVIATION ANALYST: What is going to be the same across all airlines are those orders from the CDC. Beyond that it's up to the airline and the FAA said it's up to the airline to decide how they're going to clean their planes, how often they're going to clean their planes. Are they going to help the passengers that are going to travel internationally get the test results? Do they have a program to send travelers certain places, et cetera?

And the biggest issue on most airlines left to the airline discretion issues is how are they going to enforce the rules. And everyone remembers in years past people being dragged off of planes, et cetera.

And so far, it's been kind of hit or miss. Some airline politely say, put your mask back on and other have literally drag people off the planes. That's left up to the airline to decide how they are going to do it other than the CDC saying you've got to enforce the mask rule.

NEWTON: Yes, it sounds like things will get complicated here. I mean, do you believe that we're about to enter an unprecedented demand cycle for leisure travels specially, and if so, what do you believe the impact of that will be in the coming months?

SCHIAVO: Well, I think we are. I think that we are already seeing it. I've had to travel some for work and have been traveling domestically, not haven't done international trips but traveling domestically.

[03:55:05]

And it's the bookings the other passengers on the planes and the airports, it's up ticking and very quickly. And you know, back in December, January, it was desert. Now there are a lot of people, and a lot of people traveling and there is pent-up demand, and other travel industries are making great offers.

There's a lot of incentives out there for people to go ahead and put there, you know, put their bags in the car, or bags on the plane, and go. So, there is going to be a lot of pent-up demand. And of course, there's so many issues that no one has answered yet.

What is going to be the effect of vaccinations card? Right now, vaccination card does no good except to protect your health. But no one will take that in lieu of these tests. And again, these tests are required for international travel. And the other is of course among many problems is different nations have different rules.

For example, our list of countries, to which you cannot travel to the United States from the banned list of countries is not the same, for example, as the U.K.'s list of banned countries. The U.K. is on banned list but we're not on the U.K.'s banned list.

And so that's going to get very tricky for airlines because remember if the airline transport someone to a country and the country will not take that person the airline is going to have to bring them back home.

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NEWTON: And our thanks there to CNN transportation analyst Mary Schiavo for her insights.

I'm Paula Newton. And I'll be right back with more news after a quick break.

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