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Coronavirus live updates: death toll in Italy passes 1,000 Coronavirus live updates: death toll in Italy passes 1,000
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Stock markets plunge again; number of cases nears 130,000 around world; Canadian PM Justin Trudeau self-isolating. Follow the latest newsStock markets plunge again; number of cases nears 130,000 around world; Canadian PM Justin Trudeau self-isolating. Follow the latest news
My colleague Leylan Cecco reports that Canada’s most populous province will shut down schools for two weeks in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus. All publicly funded schools in Ontario will be shut down from March 14 until April 5, 2020.
“We recognize the significant impact this decision will have on families, students, schools, as well as the broader community, but this precaution is necessary to keep people safe,” the province said in a statement this afternoon, the day before schools closed for a one week spring break. The advice to shutter all schools came from Ontario’s chief medical officer, Dr. David Williams, who also called on people to refrain from attending large events in the coming days.
The surprise decision follows remarks from premier Doug Ford earlier today that appeared out of step with the cautious messaging from neighbouring provinces.
“I just want the families and their children to have a good time. Go away, have a good time, enjoy yourself,” he told reporters Thursday. “We’re going to be monitoring the situation as it changes every single day.”
Ontario now has 59 cases of the coronavirus.
Our Berlin correspondent Kate Connolly has just followed a press conference in Berlin headed by Angela Merkel, which followed hours of heated discussion between the leaders of Germany’s 16 Länder at an emergency meeting over what steps Germany’s biggest economy should be taking, after the number of people with coronavirus rose to 2695 and the number of dead, rose to six.
Many Germans were glued to livestreams of the press conference, expecting and hoping to hear some decisive measures, such as the closure of schools and kindergartens across the country. What they got was a sense of urgency which we have not heard up until now. In short, the meeting’s participants concluded that Germany is now in crisis mode, with a plan to be unrolled with immediate effect to restructure the country’s hospitals in order to boost the number of intensive care beds (currently there are 28,000 of them, 25,000 of which are equipped with respiratory apparatus). All non-urgent operations are to be postponed. The state will offer financial help to the health insurance companies to ensure this happens, Merkel said.
She appealed to Germans to restrict social contact as much as possible. She also advised on the cancellation of all gatherings which are not strictly necessary. She said the next “4, 5 weeks” would be “very very crucial in determining the question as to what happens next”.
Markus Söder, premier of Bavaria and the leader of the Christian Social Union in Bavaria, admitted that the situation was “far more dramatic than we had thought even one or two weeks ago”. He said that the government’s quick introduction of so-called ‘Kurzarbeit’ - or work reduction policies introduced at the height of the banking crisis, which ensure workers receive their wages, and see employers compensated by the state “send an important signal to German businesses”. He coined a phrase used by Mario Draghi, president of the European Central Bank at the height of the Euro crisis, “we will do whatever it takes”.
Although many Germans had hoped or expected they might do, the leaders did not decide on:
- a universal policy on closing schools, kindergartens and universities, although Söder did announce this evening that Bavaria (which currently has 500 people with coronavirus, and one death) will do so from tomorrow, becoming the first state to do so.
- Neither did it decide on the closure of German borders (though it will control them including checking temperatures).
- Neither did it decide to stop flights to and from Italy.
Should schools in Britain shut? Interestingly, although other countries such as Italy and Ireland are doing that, there appears to be no groundswell of medical or scientific opinion in the UK that it should follow suit.
There are slightly mixed opinions among experts surveyed by the Science Media Centre (https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/), but no one urging immediate closures like those seen elsewhere.
“Not closing schools seems understandable to me”, said Dr Jennifer Rohn, a cell biologist at University College London. “Children will be the least likely to be affected and therefore the least likely to be shedding virus, which is directly proportional to more serious symptoms. In contrast, if you close schools you’re keeping a very large number of parents away from work. As long as it is deemed feasible to keep workplaces open, it’s probably better not to harm the economy further in this way.”
Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, is more sceptical. “I would like to see a bit more about why they’re not closing schools and banning large events. We do know, in general, that school holidays lead to a marked reduction of transmission in infections and at the end of school holidays, infection rates take off. Every mother and father knows that when kids go back to school they’re going to get hammered by colds and flus and sore throats.”
He would like to know more about how ministers and government advisers reached their decision. “I’m sure it’s based on good quality science. But we don’t know what that science is. The science isn’t being shared with us in a way that makes it easy for us to understand the logical basis for all of this. I would hope that more of the information and science that the government is relying on to make these decisions would be made available so we could interrogate it and see if it’s valid.”
Dr Charlotte Jackson, from the UCL Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology, points out that school closures have proven effective against outbreaks in the past.
“There are examples from the UK and elsewhere of school closures reducing transmission of influenza. During the 2009 flu pandemic, the UK saw a reduction in cases following the closure of schools for the summer holiday, and an increase when schools reopened in the autumn. There are also studies from various other settings, including France, Hong Kong and Mexico, suggesting reductions in transmission of seasonal or pandemic influenza associated with school closures. Social distancing measures in general did seem to slow down transmission in US cities during the 1918 flu pandemic”, she says.
However, that does not mean that they would help delay the spread of the Coronavirus, she adds. “With the current coronavirus outbreak, countries have generally used lots of control measures at the same time (this also happened during the 1918 flu pandemic) so it’s difficult to separate any effects of school closures from other interventions. I wouldn’t like to comment definitively on whether closures would be effective for this particular virus.”
What about Boris Johnson’s new policy of advising schools against overseas trips? Deenan Pillay, professor of virology at UCL, says: “Banning overseas school trips is a difficult one, but remember that any trips involve groups of people going to airports, going on boats and coaches and living together, and since this virus is ubiquitous now, anything like that is likely to increase acquisition of the virus. We know that children are less likely to get severe disease from coronavirus, but they nevertheless are likely, if they do get infection, to spread to others. It’s a sensible measure before closing the schools”.
(With thanks to the Science Media Centre).
A further update from Spain: The government has announced that another member of the cabinet has tested positive for coronavirus. Spain’s territorial policy minister, Carolina Darias, tested positive for the virus after all cabinet members and staff working in close proximity were tested after Spain’s equality minister, Irene Montero, was confirmed to have Covid-19. Darias is doing well, the government said in a statement, and was the only person to test positive.
Here’s a photo of Queen Letizia, who is also being tested, meeting Montero last week:
My colleague Sam Jones reports that the Spanish government will inject €14bn into the economy to help the country’s businesses weather the coronavirus storm, and will direct €2.8bn of funds to regional governments to help them deal with the health emergency.
The measures were announced this afternoon by prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, as the number of confirmed cases of the virus rose to 3,004. So far, the virus has claimed 84 lives in Spain.
“These are difficult moments but we will overcome then,” said Sánchez. “We will overcome this with unity and responsibility from all.”Spain’s tourist industry - which provides 11% of its GDP - could be badly hit by the outbreak. According to the Spanish hoteliers’ confederation, reservations were already down 20-30%, in particular for holidays in Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearic and Canary Islands, in February compared with last year. Hotel bookings were down 24% in Madrid and 20% in Barcelona.The prime minister will be conducting all his meetings by videoconferencing after it emerged that Spain’s equality minister, Irene Montero had tested positive for the virus. Her partner, the deputy prime minister, Pablo Iglesias, is in quarantine. Every member of the cabinet is being tested for the virus - as are King Felipe and Queen Letizia after the queen participated in a joint event with Montero last Friday. Although the central government has been criticised for its initially slow response to the epidemic, regional governments have been putting their own preventative measures in place, with most of Spain’s autonomous regions - including Madrid, Catalonia and the Basque country - shutting down schools.
Some sad news for US basketball fans: the NCAA has cancelled both men’s and women’s tournaments.Some sad news for US basketball fans: the NCAA has cancelled both men’s and women’s tournaments.
BT has announced that its Chief Executive Philip Jansen has contracted coronavirus.BT has announced that its Chief Executive Philip Jansen has contracted coronavirus.
Here’s a statement from the company:Here’s a statement from the company:
“Philip Jansen, Chief Executive, BT Group has late this afternoon tested positive for COVID-19 and as a result has followed the Public Health England protocols to self-isolate.“Philip Jansen, Chief Executive, BT Group has late this afternoon tested positive for COVID-19 and as a result has followed the Public Health England protocols to self-isolate.
BT is now working closely with Public Health England to undertake a full deep clean of relevant parts of its Group headquarters and will ensure those employees who have had contact with Philip are appropriately advised.BT is now working closely with Public Health England to undertake a full deep clean of relevant parts of its Group headquarters and will ensure those employees who have had contact with Philip are appropriately advised.
Philip Jansen said: “Having felt slightly unwell I decided as a precaution to be tested. As soon as the test results were known I isolated myself at home.”Philip Jansen said: “Having felt slightly unwell I decided as a precaution to be tested. As soon as the test results were known I isolated myself at home.”
“I’ve met several industry partners this week so felt it was the responsible thing to do to alert them to this fact as soon as I could.”“I’ve met several industry partners this week so felt it was the responsible thing to do to alert them to this fact as soon as I could.”
“Given my symptoms seem relatively mild, I will continue to lead BT but work with my team remotely over the coming week. There will be no disruption to the business.”“Given my symptoms seem relatively mild, I will continue to lead BT but work with my team remotely over the coming week. There will be no disruption to the business.”
My colleague David Agren in Mexico City reports that a top Mexican health official insisted today there was no need to cancel upcoming festivals, concerts and sporting events, even as Covid-19 continues spreading and countries struggle to contain the pandemic.My colleague David Agren in Mexico City reports that a top Mexican health official insisted today there was no need to cancel upcoming festivals, concerts and sporting events, even as Covid-19 continues spreading and countries struggle to contain the pandemic.
Speaking at a morning press conference with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, undersecretary of health Hugo López-Gatell said cancelling large events – such as the annual San Marcos Fair, the largest state fair in Mexico – would occur on a case-by-case basis, according to risk.Speaking at a morning press conference with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, undersecretary of health Hugo López-Gatell said cancelling large events – such as the annual San Marcos Fair, the largest state fair in Mexico – would occur on a case-by-case basis, according to risk.
“If we stay disciplined, we can come up with an orderly scheme for cancellations or restrictions on public places, according to the risk,” López-Gatell said. The government, he added, wanted to avoid “significant economic impacts for canceling [events] without prior notice.”“If we stay disciplined, we can come up with an orderly scheme for cancellations or restrictions on public places, according to the risk,” López-Gatell said. The government, he added, wanted to avoid “significant economic impacts for canceling [events] without prior notice.”
A massive music festival and full slate of pro-football matches will occur of the weekend in Mexico – at a time when such events are being cancelled in other countries. López Obrador also still plans to hold campaign-style rallies southern Guerrero state on Saturday and Sunday.A massive music festival and full slate of pro-football matches will occur of the weekend in Mexico – at a time when such events are being cancelled in other countries. López Obrador also still plans to hold campaign-style rallies southern Guerrero state on Saturday and Sunday.
The annual Tianguis Turistico – an massive tourism tradeshow – was postponed Thursday, however, as foreign attendees cancelled their trips to the city of Mérida, according to local media.The annual Tianguis Turistico – an massive tourism tradeshow – was postponed Thursday, however, as foreign attendees cancelled their trips to the city of Mérida, according to local media.
The resistance call off events comes as the man known as AMLO comes under criticism for his Covid-19 response – and AMLO politicises the issue. On Wednesday, he accused his opponents of “wanting Mexicans to be infected” so they can “blame us for everything.”The resistance call off events comes as the man known as AMLO comes under criticism for his Covid-19 response – and AMLO politicises the issue. On Wednesday, he accused his opponents of “wanting Mexicans to be infected” so they can “blame us for everything.”
Mexico has confirmed only 12 cases of coronavirus and tested just 324 individuals as of March 11. AMLO said Thursday said the country would spend what it had to address the pandemic, though critics allege his austerity measures and changes in government purchasing of pharmaceuticals have crippled the health system.Mexico has confirmed only 12 cases of coronavirus and tested just 324 individuals as of March 11. AMLO said Thursday said the country would spend what it had to address the pandemic, though critics allege his austerity measures and changes in government purchasing of pharmaceuticals have crippled the health system.
“The Covid-19 pandemic couldn’t arrive at worse moment [for Mexico] with a collapsed healthcare system and a growing economic crisis,” said Xavier Tello, a healthcare consultant in Mexico City.“The Covid-19 pandemic couldn’t arrive at worse moment [for Mexico] with a collapsed healthcare system and a growing economic crisis,” said Xavier Tello, a healthcare consultant in Mexico City.
Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has announced that the country will close schools and universities immediately to delay the spread of the virus.He said preschools and kindergartens would remain open.“The potential number of deaths is very high, and we must take action to prevent that,” Netanyahu said in a prime-time televised speech from his office in Jerusalem.Israel has already taken relatively stringent measures, including forcing anyone arriving in the country, from any part of the world, to self-isolate for at least 14 days.There have been 109 confirmed cases in Israel, some serious, but with no deaths.Currently head of an interim administration, Netanyahu has also called for an emergency unity government to deal with the crisis. Three elections within the past year – the latest one on 2 March – have led to a political deadlock, with no side coming out ahead.Netanyahu asked the opposition leader, Benny Gantz, to help him form a unity government, which he said would last only a limited time to tackle coronavirus.Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has announced that the country will close schools and universities immediately to delay the spread of the virus.He said preschools and kindergartens would remain open.“The potential number of deaths is very high, and we must take action to prevent that,” Netanyahu said in a prime-time televised speech from his office in Jerusalem.Israel has already taken relatively stringent measures, including forcing anyone arriving in the country, from any part of the world, to self-isolate for at least 14 days.There have been 109 confirmed cases in Israel, some serious, but with no deaths.Currently head of an interim administration, Netanyahu has also called for an emergency unity government to deal with the crisis. Three elections within the past year – the latest one on 2 March – have led to a political deadlock, with no side coming out ahead.Netanyahu asked the opposition leader, Benny Gantz, to help him form a unity government, which he said would last only a limited time to tackle coronavirus.
Glastonbury ticket holders will be pleased to know that the festival’s organisers have said they were “working hard” to ensure the event goes ahead despite the pandemic. Kendrick Lamar has been announced as Glastonbury’s third headliner.Glastonbury ticket holders will be pleased to know that the festival’s organisers have said they were “working hard” to ensure the event goes ahead despite the pandemic. Kendrick Lamar has been announced as Glastonbury’s third headliner.
The US rapper joins Taylor Swift and Sir Paul McCartney at the top of the bill for the festival’s 50th anniversary edition in June, while Diana Ross will (hopefully) play the Sunday legend’s slot.The US rapper joins Taylor Swift and Sir Paul McCartney at the top of the bill for the festival’s 50th anniversary edition in June, while Diana Ross will (hopefully) play the Sunday legend’s slot.
A ray of sunshine perhaps in this dark picture is that the coronavirus crisis may lead to a slump in global carbon emissions this year. A word of warning however has come from the International Energy Agency, the global energy watchdog. Their executive director Fatih Birol has said the outbreak could spell a slowdown in the world’s clean energy transition unless governments use green investments to help support economic growth through the global slowdown.A ray of sunshine perhaps in this dark picture is that the coronavirus crisis may lead to a slump in global carbon emissions this year. A word of warning however has come from the International Energy Agency, the global energy watchdog. Their executive director Fatih Birol has said the outbreak could spell a slowdown in the world’s clean energy transition unless governments use green investments to help support economic growth through the global slowdown.
My colleague Jillian Ambrose has the full story:My colleague Jillian Ambrose has the full story:
Within minutes of Leo Varadkar’s announcement on Thursday of closures and restrictions shoppers packed supermarkets across Ireland to stock up on toiletries, tinned food, pasta, rice and other products.Within minutes of Leo Varadkar’s announcement on Thursday of closures and restrictions shoppers packed supermarkets across Ireland to stock up on toiletries, tinned food, pasta, rice and other products.
“A fresh supply of toilet paper on the shelves, all gone, pasta, going, wipes, forget about it,” said a manager at SuperValu in Dun Laoghaire, south Dublin, as people with full trollies and baskets queued at cash registers.“A fresh supply of toilet paper on the shelves, all gone, pasta, going, wipes, forget about it,” said a manager at SuperValu in Dun Laoghaire, south Dublin, as people with full trollies and baskets queued at cash registers.
Similar scenes played out across the country. Several supermarkets briefly closed to restock. “As a result of unprecedented numbers of customers in some stores this afternoon we had to put some health and safety measures in place,” said a Tesco spokesperson.Similar scenes played out across the country. Several supermarkets briefly closed to restock. “As a result of unprecedented numbers of customers in some stores this afternoon we had to put some health and safety measures in place,” said a Tesco spokesperson.
Retail Excellence, an industry representative, asked people to stop posting images on social media of empty shelves, saying it was sensationalising the issue.Retail Excellence, an industry representative, asked people to stop posting images on social media of empty shelves, saying it was sensationalising the issue.
Authorities urged people to stay calm and not stockpile, saying supply chains were robust. “People do not need to panic buy. Supermarkets & shops will remain open. Stockpiling could cause problems - please don’t do it,” tweeted Heather Humphreys, the business and enterprise minister.Authorities urged people to stay calm and not stockpile, saying supply chains were robust. “People do not need to panic buy. Supermarkets & shops will remain open. Stockpiling could cause problems - please don’t do it,” tweeted Heather Humphreys, the business and enterprise minister.
The industry group Retail Ireland warned that distribution networks were not designed to deal with widespread bulk buying. “It is important that consumers behave responsibly and don’t buy more than they need.”The industry group Retail Ireland warned that distribution networks were not designed to deal with widespread bulk buying. “It is important that consumers behave responsibly and don’t buy more than they need.”
German-owned chain Lidl reported significantly stronger sales but in a statement said its supply chain could cope. “We’re confident of maintaining supply of key lines as consumer demand remains high and our stores are continuing to receive deliveries as planned.”German-owned chain Lidl reported significantly stronger sales but in a statement said its supply chain could cope. “We’re confident of maintaining supply of key lines as consumer demand remains high and our stores are continuing to receive deliveries as planned.”
In the US, the professional baseball season is going to be delayed by two weeks because of Covid-19In the US, the professional baseball season is going to be delayed by two weeks because of Covid-19
President Macron also gave the French people an “economic guarantee” that those who have to self isolate will continue to be paid, including independent workers.
“I know you have legitimate worries about your jobs, your businesses,” he said, promising to protect businesses and staff “whatever it costs”.
He added that Europe had to act together during the crisis. “Europe will react in a huge organised manner to protect its economy. We also have to organise international level.”
“Today we have to avoid two pitfalls...nationalism. This virus has no passport. We have to join forces, coordinate our responses, cooperate. European cooperation is essential.
“The other pitfall is to take an individualist approach. It is by being united and saying “us” and not “I” that we will bounce back. I am counting on you to invent during this period new sense of solidarity.”
The French President Emmanuel Macron is giving a live address from the Elysée Palace where he has described the coronavirus outbreak as “the most serious health crisis France had faced in a century”. This is the first time he has addressed the French on the outbreak.
He announced the closure of all the country’s creches, schools, colleges and universities as part of “strong measures” to address an expected acceleration in the number of people with the coronavirus and prepare for a second wave at a later date.
Macron called on those aged over 70 and with underlying health conditions to limit their contact with the outside world and remain at home as much as possible. Protecting the weakest was a priority, he said.
He also praised the “sang froid” of the French population. “You haven’t given in to anger or panic...you have slowed the spread of the virus and allowed our health staff and hospitals to prepare. That is what a great nation is.”
“We are only at the beginning of the epidemic and the spread of the virus is accelerating...we have to have confidence in science, to listen to those who know. We have in France the best virulogues and epidemiologists and clinicians...we have said despite our efforts to stop it the virus continues to spread and spread faster,” he said.
The second priority was to slow the spread of the virus. Non-urgent hospital procedures will be postponed. “We will mobilise all financial means necessary to save lives, however much it costs,” he said.
The latest figures in France are 2,876 confirmed cases and 61 deaths an increase of 595 cases and 13 deaths on the previous day.
The international medical humanitarian organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has released a statement saying the appalling conditions in which thousands of men, woman and children now find themselves on Aegean islands close to the Turkish coast provide “especially high risk environments” for the novel virus to both flourish and spread.
Calling for camps on the outposts to be evacuated immediately, the group said: “All over the world governments are cancelling events and prohibiting large gatherings, but in the Greek island camps people have no option but to live in close proximity. COVID-19 may be just the latest threat that people face here, but the conditions they live in make them more vulnerable than the rest of the country’s population.Dr Hilde Vochten, MSF’s medical coordinator in Greece, added: “We are in contact with the National Public Health Organization in order to coordinate actions, including health information and case management for local residents and asylum seekers alike. But we need to be realistic: It would be impossible to contain an outbreak in such camp settings in Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Leros, and Kos. To this day we have not seen a credible emergency plan to protect and treat people living there in case of an outbreak.”Health authorities, she said, should implement a plan that includes measures for infection prevention and control (IPC), health promotion, rapid identification of cases, isolation, management of mild cases, as well as the treatment of severe and critical cases.More than 42,000 asylum seekers are stranded in camps on the Aegean isles of Lesbos, Samos, Chios, Leros and Kos.
Here’s a helpful round up from our politics live blog on a busy day of Covid-19 developments over in the US, with plenty more to come.
New York state is poised to ban large gatherings over 500 people. And Broadway shows are all suspended from 5pm today, as are events at Carnegie Hall, together the beating heart of America’s vibrant performing arts world.
Joe Biden says America needs a stronger national response to coronavirus and demands no cover up on the numbers, no sparing of effort to test and treat. Trumps Trump with strong address from home state of Delaware.
Top federal health official Anthony Fauci told Congress this morning that the US is “failing” in its efforts to conduct adequate testing of the nation for coronavirus.
Donald Trump is considering extending travel restrictions to domestic travel between California and Washington. There is no confirmation and no details from the president on this yet.
There is heightened concern at the White House after a picture emerged of a top Brazilian government aide, who has tested positive for coronavirus, standing right next to Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago last weekend.
Donald Trump said the US wants to lose as few people as possible to the virus, predicted, once again, that it will “go away” and also that financial markets will rebound.
News is just coming in that 121 people at Juventus F. C. are voluntarily self-isolating after footballer Daniele Rugani tested positive for the virus. Those in isolation include football players, staff members, directors, entourage and Juventus employees.
Many thanks to my colleague Damien for covering the blog. This is Hannah Mays signing on now with the latest updates.
The UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, said that many families “are going to lose loved ones before their time”, as he indicated a shift in the government’s approach to coronavirus from “contain” to “delay”.
Johnson spoke as the death toll from coronavirus in Italy passed 1,000, making it the European country worst affected by coronavirus, with 15,113 confirmed cases - an day on day increase of 21.7%.
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide now stands at 127,863, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. There have been 4,718 deaths and 68,310 people have recovered.
The UK death toll so far is 10, while the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country increased by 134 to 590.
Mainland China reported 15 new infections, eight of which are in Hubei. There have been 11 new deaths, 10 of which were in Hubei.
In London, the FTSE 100 index of leading shares suffered its second worse day ever, with about £160bn wiped off the value of Britain’s biggest blue-chip companies.
In Scotland, the government advised that gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled, overseas school trips should not go ahead and anyone with symptoms indicative of coronavirus should stay at home for seven days.
The Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau revealed he is self-isolating after his wife returned from a visit to the UK with flu-like symptoms, including a fever.
A nursing home in Basingstoke has become the first care home for older people to be hit by the virus. Oakridge House been closed to visitors after a person tested positive.
Ireland’s taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, announced the closure of all schools, colleges and childcare facilities from tomorrow. “I know that some of this is coming as a real shock... but we’re doing it for each other,” he said. Malta, Denmark, Norway and Lithuania introduced similar measures.
The EU condemned Donald Trump’s unilateral ban on travel from 26 European countries. The presidents of the European commission and European council defended Europe’s record in managing the pandemic and sharply criticised the White House for its failure to consult its allies.
India barred the entry of all foreign tourists for one month starting tomorrow. The ban on foreign visitors includes foreign nationals of Indian origin.
Actors Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson announced that they have both tested positive for Covid-19 while filming in Australia.
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”.
Every member of the Spanish cabinet is being tested for coronavirus after the country’s equality minister, Irene Montero, became the latest politician to test positive for the virus. The coronavirus death toll in Spain has increased from 47 to 84.
In Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, the country’s prime minister, has called for the formation of a national unity government to tackle the threat of the global coronavirus epidemic, according to a snap on Reuters.
The country has held three elections within the a year, with no clear winner making it difficult for any one party to form a government.
The Football Association of Ireland has announced that all football has been suspended until 29 March, the Press Association reports.
The decision follows advice from the government, the Department of Health and European football governing body Uefa. In a statement, the FAI said:
Also today, the Gaelic Athletic Association of Ireland (GAA) - the body that coordinates the Irish sports of Hurling, Gaelic Football and Camogie - announced the suspension of all games, training and club gatherings at all levels - from under-8’s practice to inter-county championship teams - until 29 March. The GAA’s statement said:
The EU has condemned Donald Trump’s unilateral ban on travel from 26 European countries as urgent efforts to contain the rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic upended daily life for millions of people around the world, Jon Henley, the Guardian’s Europe correspondent, reports.
Ireland, Austria, Turkey and Norway on Thursday joined the growing list of countries to close all schools, universities and kindergartens, while Italy – by far the hardest-hit European nation – said its death toll from the virus rose to 1,016 from 827, with infections climbing by 21% to 15,113.
In a joint statement, the presidents of the European commission and European council defended Europe’s record in managing the pandemic and sharply criticised the White House for its failure to consult its allies.
Here is what the UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, said at the start of his press conference, in which he warned of a grim new phase of the coronavirus outbreak in the country, cross-posted from our politics live blog.
In a marked change of tone from the previous press conferences and interviews he has given on this subject, he said this was the worst public health crisis for a generation and that “many more” people would die. He said: