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Coronavirus live updates: Trump suspends travel from 26 European countries to US Coronavirus live updates: Trump suspends travel from 26 European countries to US
(32 minutes later)
Global recession fears intensify; Tom Hanks tests positive in Australia; NBA basketball season suspended indefinitely. Follow the latest.Global recession fears intensify; Tom Hanks tests positive in Australia; NBA basketball season suspended indefinitely. Follow the latest.
To clarify Trump’s European travel ban, here’s a list of the 26 Schengen countries whose citizens will not be allowed into the US for 30 days: The UK government is funding a new international push to challenge dangerous fake news about coronavirus, which is engaging social media influencers to help combat misinformation. The £0.5m from the Department for International Development (DfID) will challenge misinformation in South East Asia and Africa, which it says is then spreading worldwide, and direct people to the right advice to help stop the spread of the virus.
DfID says false claims and conspiracy theories have spread rapidly on social media, touting dangerous “cures” like drinking bleach or rubbing mustard and garlic into your skin. As well as posing a serious risk to health they can speed up the spread of the virus, by stopping people taking simple practical, preventative steps like washing their hands, it says.
The cash will go to the Humanitarian-to-Humanitarian (H2H) Network, which has extensive experience addressing the spread of misinformation during epidemics, for example following the 2015 Ebola outbreak.
H2H will work with social media influencers – vloggers and bloggers – in the relevant regions to help spread accurate health information and reach younger online audiences that are more susceptible to fake news. It will also work with partners to create verified content.
Tennis is expected to shut down on Thursday for up to 10 weeks. The French Open in May and Wimbledon in June are thought to be safe at the moment, but the Guardian understands several other big tournaments are almost certain to be cancelled, including the Miami Open, which is due to start on 25 March.
In Paris the show goes on, as smaller concert halls find creative ways to get round France’s ban on gatherings of more than 1,000 people.
While Madonna cancelled the last dates of her tour in Paris, the US rock band Nada Surf got round the ban by playing the same Paris concert twice in one evening.La Cigale concert hall, where the band performed, is among several smaller venues to have resorted to asking bands to play one set starting at 7 or 7.30pm and another at 9 or 9.30pm, with no opening act.The concert hall, which has a capacity of 1,500, asked ticket holders who could come to the early show to make every effort to do so, so that as many people as possible could be sure to see one of the performances.The veteran Irish singer Van Morrison also played two shows in Paris’s Olympia concert hall, which has a capacity of 1,900, on Tuesday evening to get around the crowd limit, and other venues holding fewer than 2,000 spectators are taking similar steps.
It is unclear, however, how long the strategy will continue to work as the French president, Emmanuel Macron, is expected to announce stricter containment measures when he addresses the nation on Thursday evening.
The home affairs committee is to launch a short inquiry into the Home Office’s preparations for and response to Covid-19.
Covid-19 has already affected the work of the Home Office and its associated bodies. As part of the “contain” phase of the plan, Border Force has assisted in the repatriation of British nationals and their dependents from affected areas overseas, while the Home Office has provided support to foreign nationals in the UK who were unable to return home.
The committee is seeking written evidence on how police and fire and rescue service plans are being designed, as well as what trade-offs will have to be made by police if a significant number of officers are unable to work at any given time.
The committee will look at whether UK Border Force is sufficiently equipped to deliver any additional functions required of it during a period of heightened vigilance, and with reduced staffing.
The chair of the committee, Yvette Cooper, said: “It’s very important that all of our public services are prepared for coronavirus. We need to know what preparations the Home Office is and should be making and what practical consequence there will be for police and border force as coronavirus continues to spread.”
A hearing is currently scheduled for next Wednesday.
Iran has asked for $5bn loan from International Monetary Fund emergency fund in a bid to fight the growing threat of coronavirus in its country.
The request has been made by the Iranian Central Bank to the IMF managing director, Kristalina Georgieva.
The move was revealed in a tweet by the Iranian foreign minister, Javad Zarif, who urged the IMF to do the right thing and be on the right side of history by providing the cash.
Zarif said that Georgieva had said the IMF funds would be available to help the fight against coronavirus through a new rapid financial instrument.
He added the Iranian central bank had asked for access to the $50bn fund immediately.
Iran, partly due to sanctions, says it has been short of medicines, protective equipment for nurses and doctors including gloves and masks.
Iran’s official statistics show that 9,000 Iranians have been infected with the virus and 354 have died, making it the third worst affected country in the world. The virus has crippled the already weakened Iranian economy, and led to many of its borders being closed, so disrupting trade.
Zarif’s wording implied he knew the request may find resistance from the US, which is running a policy of maximum economic pressure on Iran over its refusal to renegotiate the Iran nuclear deal signed in 2015.
Bizarre scenes are unfolding in Greece’s ancient Olympia where the flame lighting ceremony for the Tokyo 2020 games is currently under way.
The elaborate ceremony that is the usual backdrop to the traditional torch lighting event has been scaled back to the point that only 100 accredited guests are attending it, thanks to coronavirus.
Delegates, including the country’s outgoing president Prokopis Pavlopoulos, have been listening to speeches sitting some distance apart from one another. Addressing the crowd Thomas Bach, the president of the international Olympic Committee, felt fit to mention the virus in a speech otherwise eulogising the Olympics’ universalism. A dress rehearsal on Wednesday was similarly closed to the public to comply with Greek government restrictions to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The site of the birth of the Olympic games, the stadium at ancient Olympia can seat as many as 3,000 people, the number who attend the ceremony in more normal times.
Lit by a high priestess in the 7thcentury BC Temple of Hera, on an otherwise radiant day replete with birdsong, the flame will begin its week-long rally through Greece before being handed over to Japan’s Olympic committee in Athens next week to start its journey to Tokyo – even if question marks remain over whether the 2020 games will take place at all.
To clarify Trump’s European travel ban, here’s a list of the 26 Schengen countries from where people will not be allowed to fly to US for 30 days:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
The European countries that are not part of the Schengen zone, and whose citizens are therefore exempt from Trump’s ban are: Albania, Andora, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Ireland, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, The United Kingdom and Vatican City. The European countries that are not part of the Schengen zone, and whose citizens are therefore exempt from Trump’s ban are: Albania, Andora, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Ireland, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, The United Kingdom and Vatican City.
Note that the ban applies to where people are flying from, not an individual’s nationality, so a Brit flying from a Schengen country will still be covered by the ban.
Every member of the Spanish cabinet is being tested for the coronavirus after the country’s equality minister, Irene Montero, became the latest politician to test positive for the virus.Every member of the Spanish cabinet is being tested for the coronavirus after the country’s equality minister, Irene Montero, became the latest politician to test positive for the virus.
Her partner, the deputy prime minister and Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias, is in precautionary quarantine, the government said in a statement.Her partner, the deputy prime minister and Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias, is in precautionary quarantine, the government said in a statement.
The government also announced that the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, will be using videoconferencing for all his meetings and press conferences once today’s cabinet meeting is over.The government also announced that the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, will be using videoconferencing for all his meetings and press conferences once today’s cabinet meeting is over.
News of Montero’s diagnosis comes days after Javier Ortega Smith, the general secretary of the far-right Vox party, was diagnosed with the virus. Vox also apologised for holding a 9,000-person rally in Madrid on Sunday as cases of the virus rose. Ana Pastor, the former speaker of the congress of deputies, tested positive for the virus on Wednesday.News of Montero’s diagnosis comes days after Javier Ortega Smith, the general secretary of the far-right Vox party, was diagnosed with the virus. Vox also apologised for holding a 9,000-person rally in Madrid on Sunday as cases of the virus rose. Ana Pastor, the former speaker of the congress of deputies, tested positive for the virus on Wednesday.
Spain has now confirmed 2,277 cases of the virus, making it the second most affected country in Europe and the fifth in the world after China, South Korea, Iran and Italy. So far, 55 people have died from the virus in the country.Spain has now confirmed 2,277 cases of the virus, making it the second most affected country in Europe and the fifth in the world after China, South Korea, Iran and Italy. So far, 55 people have died from the virus in the country.
Iglesias tweeted that his partner and their three young children were doing well, and thanked Spain’s health workers for their efforts, calling them “our country’s greatest pride”.
The chief medical officers from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern have instructed doctors to change the way they work to deal with “very abnormal emergency situation”.The chief medical officers from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern have instructed doctors to change the way they work to deal with “very abnormal emergency situation”.
In a letter they warned that the expected epidemic will be a “challenge” and exacerbate staff shortages in the NHS.In a letter they warned that the expected epidemic will be a “challenge” and exacerbate staff shortages in the NHS.
It says doctors will be required to temporarily work in “clinical areas outside their usual practice for the benefit of patients and the population as a whole”.It says doctors will be required to temporarily work in “clinical areas outside their usual practice for the benefit of patients and the population as a whole”.
It adds: “Clinicians may need to depart, possibly significantly, from established procedures in order to care for patients in the highly challenging time-bound circumstances of the peak of an epidemic.”It adds: “Clinicians may need to depart, possibly significantly, from established procedures in order to care for patients in the highly challenging time-bound circumstances of the peak of an epidemic.”
Ireland’s caretaker taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, is due to meet Donald Trump in the Oval Office this morning, the first meeting with an EU leader since the president’s travel ban announcement.Ireland’s caretaker taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, is due to meet Donald Trump in the Oval Office this morning, the first meeting with an EU leader since the president’s travel ban announcement.
Varadkar was in the US ahead of the ban, which does not include flights from Ireland as it is not one of the Schengen zone countries Trump has targeted.Varadkar was in the US ahead of the ban, which does not include flights from Ireland as it is not one of the Schengen zone countries Trump has targeted.
Varadkar’s two-day visit is the shortest undertaken for an Irish premier in recent memory and he was forced to cancel some engagements yesterday to deal with the Coronavirus crisis at home.Varadkar’s two-day visit is the shortest undertaken for an Irish premier in recent memory and he was forced to cancel some engagements yesterday to deal with the Coronavirus crisis at home.
The US has also curtailed the traditional Irish American festivities with this afternoon’s shamrock ceremony in the White House usually headed by the US president and taoiseach of the day cancelled.The US has also curtailed the traditional Irish American festivities with this afternoon’s shamrock ceremony in the White House usually headed by the US president and taoiseach of the day cancelled.
It is understood that Varadkar’s breakfast meeting with the vice-president, Mike Pence, this morning is also going ahead. Earlier it was announced that New York’s St Patrick’s day parade has been cancelled.It is understood that Varadkar’s breakfast meeting with the vice-president, Mike Pence, this morning is also going ahead. Earlier it was announced that New York’s St Patrick’s day parade has been cancelled.
Austria has reported its first coronavirus death.Austria has reported its first coronavirus death.
A 69-year-old man has died in Vienna after contracting the virus, city authorities said on Thursday, Reuters reports.A 69-year-old man has died in Vienna after contracting the virus, city authorities said on Thursday, Reuters reports.
Austria has confirmed 302 cases so far, and four people have recovered.Austria has confirmed 302 cases so far, and four people have recovered.
A paramedic with the East of England ambulance service has tested positive for coronavirus.A paramedic with the East of England ambulance service has tested positive for coronavirus.
An NHS spokesman said:An NHS spokesman said:
Hertfordshire is the worst hit council area in the UK with 18 confirmed cases.Hertfordshire is the worst hit council area in the UK with 18 confirmed cases.
Trump’s travel ban has prompted another plunge in the markets.Trump’s travel ban has prompted another plunge in the markets.
Wild trading in London has driven the FTSE 100 as low as 5,482 points, down over 6% today.Wild trading in London has driven the FTSE 100 as low as 5,482 points, down over 6% today.
Every single company on the blue-chip index, and on the smaller FTSE 250 index, is down.Every single company on the blue-chip index, and on the smaller FTSE 250 index, is down.
Cineworld has slumped 30% after it warned it could breach its banking covenants if cinemas are forced to close (see earlier post).Cineworld has slumped 30% after it warned it could breach its banking covenants if cinemas are forced to close (see earlier post).
Wall Street is heading for another slump too – trading in futures contracts have been suspended ‘limit down’, after falling 5%.Wall Street is heading for another slump too – trading in futures contracts have been suspended ‘limit down’, after falling 5%.
A man in Rome has come up with an extreme way of enforcing social distancing.A man in Rome has come up with an extreme way of enforcing social distancing.
There is a “big question mark” over whether large-scale events such as football matches should go ahead as Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has warned.
Sturgeon warned it is highly likely “significant numbers” of people will get the virus, with 36 cases confirmed in Scotland so far and the first case of community transmission north of the border reported on Wednesday.
She said that while cancelling mass gatherings did not have a significant impact on reducing the spread of the virus, such events tie up resources that could be used elsewhere.
She told ITV’s Good Morning Britain:
Here’s video of Paris Saint-Germain players celebrating their Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund with thousands of their fans who had been locked out of match in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.
Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia, points out that the science does not support Trump’s European travel ban.
In comments circulated by the Science Media Centre, he said:
The Financial Times reports a suspected coronavirus cases in a camp for internally displaced people in northern Iraq.
A nursing and residential home in Basingstoke in Hampshire has closed to visitors after a person tested positive for Covid-19.
Oakridge house cares for up to 91 people who have a range of needs including diabetes and dementia.
Hampshire county council could not confirm whether the person who has tested positive for the virus was a resident or staff member, the BBC reports.
The council said it was working closely with Public Health England to minimise the risk of the virus spreading further.
So far there have been 13 confirmed cases of the virus in Hampshire, making it one of the worst hit areas in the UK.
In Brussels, EU politicians and diplomats suggested that Trump was seeking to find a scapegoat for his own failures over management of the coronavirus.
Dacian Cioloş, a former prime minister of Romania who now leads the Renew group in the European parliament within which MEPs from Emmanuel Macron’s party sit, tweeted:
Staff who work in the UK parliament are demanding guidance on how to deal with thousands of visitors and potential security threats during the coronavirus crisis.
It comes amid growing disquiet among 650 MPs and more than 3,000 support staff over how to keep parliament functioning without shutting out the public they are meant to serve.
At least three Whitehall departments - HM Revenue and Customs, the Department of Health and the Cabinet Office - are testing out systems which would allow thousands of staff to work from home for several months at a time.
A letter from Prospect union, GMB and PCS unions to the Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, has asked for “clear guidance” on how parliamentary staff including tourists guides and security guards can minimise the risk of infection.
Ken Gall, chair of the joint union committee across parliament, wrote that there were many unanswered questions from parliament’s 3,000 staff which must be addressed urgently. In a leaked email to the Speaker circulated to other members of the House of Commons Commission, he wrote:
Max Freedman, the chair of Unite’s parliamentary branch, which represents MPs’ staff, told the Guardian that his members should be allowed to work from home.
“MPs may wish to carry on as normal, but House of Commons authorities must explain why they aren’t allowing staff to work remotely – something that can be done with minimum disruption – to stop further spread within a large and mobile workplace. MPs should also allow staff to work remotely particularly if they are at increased risk,” he said.
At least three government departments have told some staff to work remotely on Friday in preparation for asking thousands of civil servants to stay away from central London offices if the disease spreads dramatically, Whitehall sources have confirmed.
As Number 10 begins preparations for allowing most civil servants to work from home, some staff at the Department of Health and Social Care and the Cabinet Office have been told to stay away but continue to work, sources said. Parts of HMRC are preparing to close on Monday and Tuesday, sources said.
Dave Penman, the head of the FDA union, which represents the most senior civil servants in Whitehall, said his members are seeking a delicate balance between public access and staff safety.
He said:
The giant German contracting firm Bilfinger, which works for a number of water utilities companies in the UK, has sent a draconian memo to staff banning them from travel to China, South Korea, Italy and Iran.
The memo, leaked to the Guardian, also orders any staff member displaying flu-like symptoms to inform their supervisors and contact a doctor.
It also bans meetings of more than 50 people and recommends video calls instead. “Smaller face-to-face meetings should continue to be held when absolutely necessary for effective business performance,” it says.
It informs staff that two of the company’s employees have tested positive for Covid-19.
European politicians reacted with astonishment to Trump’s decision to bar entry to the US to travellers from the 26-nation Schengen zone, highlighting its apparently political nature and warning above all of the move’s economic impact.
Charles Michel, the president of the European council, said the EU27 would “assess the situation” but stressed that economic disruption “must be avoided”. Europe was “taking all necessary measures to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus, limit he number of affected people and support research,” he added.
Alexander Stubb, the former Finnish foreign minister, tweeted that while any attempt to contain the coronavirus outbreak was welcome, Trump’s decision to exclude the UK from a European travel ban was “nothing short of irresponsible”
Stubb noted that viruses “do not recognise borders” and said decisions about dealing with the coronavirus outbreak, which has infected more than 126,000 people and killed more than 4,600, “should be based on facts, not politics”.
Iceland now has 90 confirmed Covid-19 cases, which in a county of only 364,000 people, could represent the highest percentage infection rate in the world, reader Louise Todd points out.
Reykjavik’s Grapevine has the latest:
Update: Reader, Diego Sánchez Santaya, points out that San Marino has more than 60 cases in a population of 30,000, which represents an infection rate 10 times higher than Iceland’s.