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Coronavirus live updates: Italy-wide lockdown comes into force Coronavirus live updates: Italy-wide lockdown comes into force
(32 minutes later)
UK and US had worst days trading since 2008 GFC; Global cases near 110,000; Grand Princess passengers disembarkUK and US had worst days trading since 2008 GFC; Global cases near 110,000; Grand Princess passengers disembark
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who was at the Championship football team’s home game on Friday alongside more than 27,000 fans, has reportedly contracted coronavirus.
The 52-year-old Greek businessman announced the news in an Instagram post, writing to his 49,000 followers: “The recent virus gas ‘visited’ me and I felt obliged to let the public know. I feel good as I take all the necessary measures and I discipline to the doctors’ instructions. I strongly advise all my all my fellow citizens to do the same. I wish all a quick recovery.”
British Airways is contacting passengers whose upcoming trips to Italy fall within the quarantine period, telling them that, in light of the updated Foreign Office advice to avoid all but essential travel to Italy, flights are being cancelled and customers refunded, the Guardian understands.
Matt Hancock, the UK health secretary, is inviting members of the public to submit questions on the coronavirus via his Instagram account.
A very moving tweet from a presenter in Ireland, putting into perspective the human impact as the coronavirus outbreak unfolds – “Big stats, a million individual heartbreaks.”A very moving tweet from a presenter in Ireland, putting into perspective the human impact as the coronavirus outbreak unfolds – “Big stats, a million individual heartbreaks.”
As the number of coronavirus patients in Germany rose to 1,295 this morning (up to date as of midday local time), and after the first two deaths in the country of a 78-year-old and an 89-year-old announced yesterday, Jens Spahn, the health minister, urged people to show solidarity towards each other despite the restrictions to their daily lives.As the number of coronavirus patients in Germany rose to 1,295 this morning (up to date as of midday local time), and after the first two deaths in the country of a 78-year-old and an 89-year-old announced yesterday, Jens Spahn, the health minister, urged people to show solidarity towards each other despite the restrictions to their daily lives.
“We will conquer this situation, by helping each other, working together and having trust in each other even when we are in a state of stress,” he wrote in a guest commentary for Germany’s widest read newspaper, the tabloid Bild. “We can do it, and best of all is if we do it together,” he added.“We will conquer this situation, by helping each other, working together and having trust in each other even when we are in a state of stress,” he wrote in a guest commentary for Germany’s widest read newspaper, the tabloid Bild. “We can do it, and best of all is if we do it together,” he added.
The peak of the epidemic in Germany has not yet been reached, he said. “We are expecting a rise in the number of infections, and we will continue to face further restrictions in our daily lives.” Having recommended at the weekend, like the French authorities, that all gatherings of 1,000 people or more should be cancelled, Spahn said: “It’s clear, our safety is more important than anything else, even economic interests. But restricting public life is no easy decision. Openness belongs to democracy, and it should remain that way. Which is why we must proceed with caution and calm.”The peak of the epidemic in Germany has not yet been reached, he said. “We are expecting a rise in the number of infections, and we will continue to face further restrictions in our daily lives.” Having recommended at the weekend, like the French authorities, that all gatherings of 1,000 people or more should be cancelled, Spahn said: “It’s clear, our safety is more important than anything else, even economic interests. But restricting public life is no easy decision. Openness belongs to democracy, and it should remain that way. Which is why we must proceed with caution and calm.”
Lothar Wieler, the president of the Robert Koch Institute, the leading health and safety advisory body in Germany, has called on the country’s community leaders and hospitals to activate their emergency plans and start preparing for an epidemic. “The situation is serious,” Wieler said.Lothar Wieler, the president of the Robert Koch Institute, the leading health and safety advisory body in Germany, has called on the country’s community leaders and hospitals to activate their emergency plans and start preparing for an epidemic. “The situation is serious,” Wieler said.
Hospitals should increase the amount of emergency beds as far as possible, and have sufficient breathing apparatus to hand, he said. They need to ensure that patients with suspected coronavirus can be admitted and cared for in a separate part of the hospital to other patients and to assign a specific section of the medical staff to solely treat coronavirus patients.The Marshall Islands and Samoa are among several countries to have banned German citizens or people who have been in Germany recently, while Liberia, Uganda and Russia have said travellers from Germany have to spend two weeks in quarantine – in the case of Liberia, in a state-run institution – before they are allowed to stay.Meanwhile, a much-anticipated Bundesliga football match between Borussia Mönchengladbach and FC1 Köln, rescheduled because of the recent cyclone Sabine, is to go ahead on Wednesday evening, but without any spectators, in line with restrictions which also face Champions League and Europe League matches, the German football federation (DFL) announced.Hospitals should increase the amount of emergency beds as far as possible, and have sufficient breathing apparatus to hand, he said. They need to ensure that patients with suspected coronavirus can be admitted and cared for in a separate part of the hospital to other patients and to assign a specific section of the medical staff to solely treat coronavirus patients.The Marshall Islands and Samoa are among several countries to have banned German citizens or people who have been in Germany recently, while Liberia, Uganda and Russia have said travellers from Germany have to spend two weeks in quarantine – in the case of Liberia, in a state-run institution – before they are allowed to stay.Meanwhile, a much-anticipated Bundesliga football match between Borussia Mönchengladbach and FC1 Köln, rescheduled because of the recent cyclone Sabine, is to go ahead on Wednesday evening, but without any spectators, in line with restrictions which also face Champions League and Europe League matches, the German football federation (DFL) announced.
The start of the UK peak of the coronavirus epidemic is expected within the next fortnight, England’s deputy chief medical officer has said.The start of the UK peak of the coronavirus epidemic is expected within the next fortnight, England’s deputy chief medical officer has said.
Dr Jenny Harries defended the government’s decision to delay closing schools and the introduction of other stringent tactics, saying experts are assessing new cases on an hourly basis to achieve a “balanced response”.Dr Jenny Harries defended the government’s decision to delay closing schools and the introduction of other stringent tactics, saying experts are assessing new cases on an hourly basis to achieve a “balanced response”.
Payments on mortgages are to be suspended in Italy, the Independent reports the country’s government has announced.Payments on mortgages are to be suspended in Italy, the Independent reports the country’s government has announced.
The deputy economic minister, Laura Castelli, confirmed to Radio Anch’io that it would be the case for individuals and households.The deputy economic minister, Laura Castelli, confirmed to Radio Anch’io that it would be the case for individuals and households.
More than 400 people have died in Italy after contracting the coronavirus, and the total number of infections leaped to 9,172 at the start of this week.More than 400 people have died in Italy after contracting the coronavirus, and the total number of infections leaped to 9,172 at the start of this week.
New York University has become the latest US university to announce it will stop in-person teaching and switch to remote learning for all of its 50,000 students from tomorrow.New York University has become the latest US university to announce it will stop in-person teaching and switch to remote learning for all of its 50,000 students from tomorrow.
The university also said that “non-essential“ events and meetings at its Manhattan and other US campuses would be stopped, and staff were barred from any non-essential travel to California and Washington states as well as to countries affected by coronavirus.Last week, several universities on the west coast of the US, including Stanford, announced they were switching to remote learning, and this week several in the east coast are following suit, including NYU, Colombia and Princeton.In the UK, universities are preparing themselves for remote learning, including video lectures and online seminars, with an expectation that many will not reopen their campuses to students after the Easter holidays if the spread of Covid-19 continues.The university also said that “non-essential“ events and meetings at its Manhattan and other US campuses would be stopped, and staff were barred from any non-essential travel to California and Washington states as well as to countries affected by coronavirus.Last week, several universities on the west coast of the US, including Stanford, announced they were switching to remote learning, and this week several in the east coast are following suit, including NYU, Colombia and Princeton.In the UK, universities are preparing themselves for remote learning, including video lectures and online seminars, with an expectation that many will not reopen their campuses to students after the Easter holidays if the spread of Covid-19 continues.
Hong Kong will quarantine all visitors from Italy and parts of France, Germany and Japan for two weeks from 13 March to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the French consulate in the city has said.Hong Kong will quarantine all visitors from Italy and parts of France, Germany and Japan for two weeks from 13 March to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the French consulate in the city has said.
Visitors from Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Grand Est in France, North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany, and Hokkaido in Japan will be quarantined from midnight on Friday, it said.Visitors from Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Grand Est in France, North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany, and Hokkaido in Japan will be quarantined from midnight on Friday, it said.
In case you missed it …In case you missed it …
The Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, told the country’s 17 million residents to stop shaking hands to help combat coronavirus, then immediately broke the new rule.The Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, told the country’s 17 million residents to stop shaking hands to help combat coronavirus, then immediately broke the new rule.
“From now on we stop shaking hands,” he said during a Monday evening news conference. “You can foot-tap or elbow-bump, or whatever you can come up with … but from today on we are going to stop shaking hands.”“From now on we stop shaking hands,” he said during a Monday evening news conference. “You can foot-tap or elbow-bump, or whatever you can come up with … but from today on we are going to stop shaking hands.”
Minutes later Rutte turned and enthusiastically shook the hand of Jaap van Dissel, the head of the Dutch centre for infectious disease control who was also giving the press conference.Minutes later Rutte turned and enthusiastically shook the hand of Jaap van Dissel, the head of the Dutch centre for infectious disease control who was also giving the press conference.
“Sorry, sorry! No, that’s not allowed! Let’s do that again,” Rutte said, breaking into a laugh.“Sorry, sorry! No, that’s not allowed! Let’s do that again,” Rutte said, breaking into a laugh.
The Netherlands had reported 321 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of Monday.The Netherlands had reported 321 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of Monday.
All air traffic to Denmark from areas severely hit by coronavirus, will cease later on today, the prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, has said.All air traffic to Denmark from areas severely hit by coronavirus, will cease later on today, the prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, has said.
“Effective from later today, all air traffic to Denmark from red areas will be suspended,” she said, referring to areas hard hit by the coronavirus such as northern Italy, Iran and South Korea.“Effective from later today, all air traffic to Denmark from red areas will be suspended,” she said, referring to areas hard hit by the coronavirus such as northern Italy, Iran and South Korea.
Serbia has closed its borders to travellers from countries most affected by the coronavirus outbreak to prevent the spread of the disease, the government has said in a statement.Serbia has closed its borders to travellers from countries most affected by the coronavirus outbreak to prevent the spread of the disease, the government has said in a statement.
The temporary ban applies to people arriving from Italy, certain provinces in China, South Korea, Iran and Switzerland, it said. The government did not say when the ban would be lifted.The temporary ban applies to people arriving from Italy, certain provinces in China, South Korea, Iran and Switzerland, it said. The government did not say when the ban would be lifted.
So far, four people in Serbia, including a Chinese national, have tested positive for the coronavirus.So far, four people in Serbia, including a Chinese national, have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Barcelona’s Champions League match with Napoli will take place without spectators due to fears over the spread of the coronavirus. More details to follow …Barcelona’s Champions League match with Napoli will take place without spectators due to fears over the spread of the coronavirus. More details to follow …
Kazakhstan has barred entry to travellers from Italy over coronavirus and is adding France, Germany, and Spain to the list from 12 March, Reuters reports chief sanitary doctor Zhandarbek Bekshin as saying. There are so far reported no cases in the country.Kazakhstan has barred entry to travellers from Italy over coronavirus and is adding France, Germany, and Spain to the list from 12 March, Reuters reports chief sanitary doctor Zhandarbek Bekshin as saying. There are so far reported no cases in the country.
Lebanon has recorded its first death from the coronavirus, local broadcasters said, adding that the patient had been in quarantine since returning from Egypt.Lebanon has recorded its first death from the coronavirus, local broadcasters said, adding that the patient had been in quarantine since returning from Egypt.
The government has halted flights for non-residents from centres of the outbreak, shut schools and warned against public gatherings as the total number of cases rose to 41 this week.The government has halted flights for non-residents from centres of the outbreak, shut schools and warned against public gatherings as the total number of cases rose to 41 this week.
Stormont’s leaders have cancelled plans to travel to the US later this week to attend St Patrick’s Day events in Washington DC, the deputy first minister, Michelle O’Neill, said.Stormont’s leaders have cancelled plans to travel to the US later this week to attend St Patrick’s Day events in Washington DC, the deputy first minister, Michelle O’Neill, said.
O’Neill and the first minister, Arlene Foster, were due to fly to the US capital on Wednesday. They had already cancelled the New York leg of their itinerary.O’Neill and the first minister, Arlene Foster, were due to fly to the US capital on Wednesday. They had already cancelled the New York leg of their itinerary.
“We remain in the containment stage. However, as leaders of the executive we have decided to suspend our travel to the United States this week since our full attention is on civil contingency planning around the coronavirus outbreak and protecting public health,” said O’Neill.“We remain in the containment stage. However, as leaders of the executive we have decided to suspend our travel to the United States this week since our full attention is on civil contingency planning around the coronavirus outbreak and protecting public health,” said O’Neill.
“We are fully engaged in the Cobra meetings alongside England, Scotland and Wales in assessing the response to the outbreak on advice from our chief medical officer.“We are fully engaged in the Cobra meetings alongside England, Scotland and Wales in assessing the response to the outbreak on advice from our chief medical officer.
“There is all-Ireland co-ordination between health and medical professionals on a daily basis also. I am in regular contact with tánaiste (deputy head of the government) Simon Coveney and health ministers north and south are also working closely.”“There is all-Ireland co-ordination between health and medical professionals on a daily basis also. I am in regular contact with tánaiste (deputy head of the government) Simon Coveney and health ministers north and south are also working closely.”
The Czech Republic is to close schools indefinitely and ban events hosting more than 100 people in measures to contain the coronavirus, its prime minister said on Tuesday.The Czech Republic is to close schools indefinitely and ban events hosting more than 100 people in measures to contain the coronavirus, its prime minister said on Tuesday.
The country has reported 40 cases of coronavirus since detecting the first infections on 1 March. In most cases, the virus appeared in people coming from northern Italy, the worst-hit area of Europe.The country has reported 40 cases of coronavirus since detecting the first infections on 1 March. In most cases, the virus appeared in people coming from northern Italy, the worst-hit area of Europe.
“Our paramount task is the health of our citizens,” the prime minister, Andrej Babis, told a news conference. “We understand this will be very unpleasant for people, but we want to prevent, by all means, what happened in Italy from happening here.”“Our paramount task is the health of our citizens,” the prime minister, Andrej Babis, told a news conference. “We understand this will be very unpleasant for people, but we want to prevent, by all means, what happened in Italy from happening here.”
Officials said the measures were decided after a Prague taxi driver was diagnosed with the disease, the first case where the source of infection could not be identified.Officials said the measures were decided after a Prague taxi driver was diagnosed with the disease, the first case where the source of infection could not be identified.
The new measures will close schools and universities, but not kindergartens, from Wednesday. A ban from Tuesday night on events ranges from film and theatre to other cultural, sports and religious gatherings.The new measures will close schools and universities, but not kindergartens, from Wednesday. A ban from Tuesday night on events ranges from film and theatre to other cultural, sports and religious gatherings.
The Czech government has already banned flights with Italy, and issued mandatory quarantines for thousands returning from vacation in the southern European country.The Czech government has already banned flights with Italy, and issued mandatory quarantines for thousands returning from vacation in the southern European country.
On Monday, it banned hospital and retirement home visits, and started border checks including taking temperatures and testing any foreign travellers feeling ill.On Monday, it banned hospital and retirement home visits, and started border checks including taking temperatures and testing any foreign travellers feeling ill.
British Airways has cancelled all flights to and from Italy, Reuters is reporting.British Airways has cancelled all flights to and from Italy, Reuters is reporting.