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| Coronavirus: EU condemns Trump travel ban as Italy death toll passes 1,000 | Coronavirus: EU condemns Trump travel ban as Italy death toll passes 1,000 |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen urge ‘cooperation rather than unilateral action’ | Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen urge ‘cooperation rather than unilateral action’ |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Travellers scrambled to rebook flights and global markets slumped after Trump imposed sweeping restrictions on travel from the passport-free Schengen zone on Wednesday night, battering airlines and further straining ties with Europe. | Travellers scrambled to rebook flights and global markets slumped after Trump imposed sweeping restrictions on travel from the passport-free Schengen zone on Wednesday night, battering airlines and further straining ties with Europe. |
| The US president restricted travel from the zone, which does not include Britain or Ireland, for 30 days from midnight on Friday. The ban does not apply to American citizens or legal permanent residents of the US and their close family members. | The US president restricted travel from the zone, which does not include Britain or Ireland, for 30 days from midnight on Friday. The ban does not apply to American citizens or legal permanent residents of the US and their close family members. |
| “The coronavirus is a global crisis, not limited to any continent, and requires cooperation rather than unilateral action,” Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel said in a strongly-worded statement. | “The coronavirus is a global crisis, not limited to any continent, and requires cooperation rather than unilateral action,” Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel said in a strongly-worded statement. |
| They said the EU “disapproved” of the fact that the US decision was taken “unilaterally and without consultation”, adding: “The EU is taking strong action to limit the spread of the virus.” | They said the EU “disapproved” of the fact that the US decision was taken “unilaterally and without consultation”, adding: “The EU is taking strong action to limit the spread of the virus.” |
| In the US, which has confirmed more than 1,000 cases of coronavirus, a top health official said the country’s testing system was currently failing. “The system is not really geared to what we need right now ... let’s admit it,” said Anthony Fauci from the National institute of allergy and infectious diseases. | |
| European governments, meanwhile, continued to impose strict containment measures on Thursday, with Ireland the latest country to close of all schools, colleges and childcare facilities from Friday as part of a partial lockdown. | European governments, meanwhile, continued to impose strict containment measures on Thursday, with Ireland the latest country to close of all schools, colleges and childcare facilities from Friday as part of a partial lockdown. |
| Ireland’s taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, banned all indoor gatherings of 100 people or more and outdoor gatherings of 500 or more from 6pm on Thursday. Public transport will still run and shops will remain open. | Ireland’s taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, banned all indoor gatherings of 100 people or more and outdoor gatherings of 500 or more from 6pm on Thursday. Public transport will still run and shops will remain open. |
| “I know that some of this is coming as a real shock,” Varadkar said. “And it’s going to involve big changes in the way we live our lives. And I know that I’m asking people to make enormous sacrifices. But we’re doing it for each other.” | “I know that some of this is coming as a real shock,” Varadkar said. “And it’s going to involve big changes in the way we live our lives. And I know that I’m asking people to make enormous sacrifices. But we’re doing it for each other.” |
| Late on Wednesday the Italian government, which on Monday outlawed most domestic travel, ordered the closure of bars, restaurants and all shops except those selling basic necessities. | Late on Wednesday the Italian government, which on Monday outlawed most domestic travel, ordered the closure of bars, restaurants and all shops except those selling basic necessities. |
| There are now nearly 128,000 cases of coronavirus worldwide and more than 4,700 people have died, according to the Johns Hopkins university tracker. | There are now nearly 128,000 cases of coronavirus worldwide and more than 4,700 people have died, according to the Johns Hopkins university tracker. |
| Almost 7,000 cases were reported globally on Wednesday, far surpassing the average daily number reported in China during the virus’s initial peak. Italy has seen the sharpest recent increases, accounting for a third of all new cases. | Almost 7,000 cases were reported globally on Wednesday, far surpassing the average daily number reported in China during the virus’s initial peak. Italy has seen the sharpest recent increases, accounting for a third of all new cases. |
| The director of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the body was “deeply concerned that some countries are not approaching this threat with the level of political commitment needed to control it”. | The director of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the body was “deeply concerned that some countries are not approaching this threat with the level of political commitment needed to control it”. |
| The European centre for disease prevention and control said in an updated risk assessment that it was “likely that similar situations to those seen in China and Italy may be seen in other EU countries or the UK”. | The European centre for disease prevention and control said in an updated risk assessment that it was “likely that similar situations to those seen in China and Italy may be seen in other EU countries or the UK”. |
| Underlining the scale of the economic fallout, the European central bank head Christine Lagarde said the virus represented “a major shock” that even if ultimately temporary, will have “a significant impact on economic activity”. | Underlining the scale of the economic fallout, the European central bank head Christine Lagarde said the virus represented “a major shock” that even if ultimately temporary, will have “a significant impact on economic activity”. |
| In other developments: | In other developments: |
| Spain became Europe’s second worst-affected country with 2,968 cases and 84 deaths. Both houses of parliament are suspended and every cabinet member is being tested after equality minister Irene Montero tested positive. Her partner, the deputy prime minister, Pablo Iglesias, is in quarantine. | Spain became Europe’s second worst-affected country with 2,968 cases and 84 deaths. Both houses of parliament are suspended and every cabinet member is being tested after equality minister Irene Montero tested positive. Her partner, the deputy prime minister, Pablo Iglesias, is in quarantine. |
| The number of confirmed cases in Germany rose to 2,527, with four deaths. | The number of confirmed cases in Germany rose to 2,527, with four deaths. |
| Slovenia, Norway and Austria suspended teaching at schools and colleges, although the Austrian chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, said working parents will still be able to drop off children for supervision. | Slovenia, Norway and Austria suspended teaching at schools and colleges, although the Austrian chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, said working parents will still be able to drop off children for supervision. |
| The Netherlands banned gatherings of more than 100, asked people to work at home and closed Amsterdam’s celebrated Rijks- and Van Gogh museums. | The Netherlands banned gatherings of more than 100, asked people to work at home and closed Amsterdam’s celebrated Rijks- and Van Gogh museums. |
| Iran’s health ministry said the the virus had killed 75 more people, raising the death toll to 429 with more than 10,000 confirmed cases. Iran has asked the International Monetary Fund for an emergency $5bn (£4bn) loan. | Iran’s health ministry said the the virus had killed 75 more people, raising the death toll to 429 with more than 10,000 confirmed cases. Iran has asked the International Monetary Fund for an emergency $5bn (£4bn) loan. |
| The Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, is self-isolating while his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau awaits results from a coronavirus test. She began to show mild symptoms of illness late on Wednesday after a speaking engagement in the UK. | The Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, is self-isolating while his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau awaits results from a coronavirus test. She began to show mild symptoms of illness late on Wednesday after a speaking engagement in the UK. |
| Jair Bolsonaro’s communications director tested positive days after travelling with the Brazilian president to a meeting with Trump in Florida. | Jair Bolsonaro’s communications director tested positive days after travelling with the Brazilian president to a meeting with Trump in Florida. |
| India, which has reported 73 cases, has barred all foreign tourists for one month starting on Friday, including foreign nationals of Indian origin. | India, which has reported 73 cases, has barred all foreign tourists for one month starting on Friday, including foreign nationals of Indian origin. |
| The Philippines halted domestic travel to and from the capital, Manila, banned mass gatherings and closed schools for a month. | The Philippines halted domestic travel to and from the capital, Manila, banned mass gatherings and closed schools for a month. |
| Stock markets in the US and Europe again posted near-record falls after Trump’s travel ban sparked panic from investors. | Stock markets in the US and Europe again posted near-record falls after Trump’s travel ban sparked panic from investors. |
| China, where the outbreak originated, said the peak had passed as it reported just eight new cases in Hubei province on Thursday. More businesses reopened as authorities cautiously eased draconian containment measures. | China, where the outbreak originated, said the peak had passed as it reported just eight new cases in Hubei province on Thursday. More businesses reopened as authorities cautiously eased draconian containment measures. |
| Beijing’s senior medical officer, Zhong Nanshan, an epidemiologist renowned for helping to combat the Sars outbreak in 2003, said the global epidemic could be over by June if countries were prepared to take firm measures. | Beijing’s senior medical officer, Zhong Nanshan, an epidemiologist renowned for helping to combat the Sars outbreak in 2003, said the global epidemic could be over by June if countries were prepared to take firm measures. |
| “But if some countries do not treat the infectiousness and harmfulness seriously, and [do not] intervene strongly, it would last longer,” he said. | “But if some countries do not treat the infectiousness and harmfulness seriously, and [do not] intervene strongly, it would last longer,” he said. |