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Coronavirus: Countries enforce mass closures to stem spread Coronavirus: Countries enforce mass closures to stem spread
(about 2 hours later)
Schools have been closed, sports events cancelled and cultural institutions shut around the world as countries try to stem the coronavirus outbreak.Schools have been closed, sports events cancelled and cultural institutions shut around the world as countries try to stem the coronavirus outbreak.
In the US, all major sport has been suspended and Broadway performances are off for a month. In the US, six states told schools to close on Monday for at least two weeks.
And France is one of the latest countries to announce closure of all schools, universities and nurseries. Belgium announced sweeping measures including the closure of schools, cafes and restaurants, and cancellation of cultural and recreational events.
President Emmanuel Macron described the outbreak as France's most serious health crisis for a century. All forthcoming fixtures in Europe's top football contests the Champions and Europa leagues have been postponed.
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has begun 14-day self-isolation after his wife Sophie tested positive for coronavirus. He is not showing symptoms. In other developments:
And Australia's Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has been admitted to hospital after testing positive.
More than 125,000 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in 118 countries around the world, according to the World Health Organization. The total number of deaths is more than 4,600.More than 125,000 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in 118 countries around the world, according to the World Health Organization. The total number of deaths is more than 4,600.
Share prices around the world continue to plunge. On Friday, Asian markets slumped, with Japan's Nikkei 225 falling 10% but recovering to end down 6.1%. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong fell by 6.9% but ended the day just 1.6% down. Which countries are closing schools?
This follows losses in Europe and the US, where Wall Street stocks plummeted about 10% on their worst day since the 1987 Black Monday crash, a fall mirrored on London's FTSE. Schools in the US states of Ohio, Michigan, Oregon, Maryland, Kentucky and New Mexico have been told to shut on Monday for at least two weeks.
How is the cultural sector being affected? French schools will be closed from Monday for 15 days, while Belgian schools will be closed until Easter.
Some of the world's top museums and galleries have now shut their doors: The German states of Bavaria and Saarland said their schools would be closed until the end of Easter holidays in late April. The capital Berlin will also start closing its schools next week.
Disney announced it would shut its theme parks in Florida and Paris until the end of the month. It earlier said it was closing its California park from Saturday amid a wave of Covid-19 infections in the state. The moves follow similar announcements from the Republic of Ireland, Spain, the Philippines, Portugal and Bolivia on Thursday.
In the world of film, the release of the latest Fast and Furious instalment was pushed back by 11 months, one of a number of movies to postpone opening dates. And the Tribeca Film Festival was postponed in the US. In the UK, the government said such measures were being considered but that the scientific advice was that "this could do more harm than good" at this stage.
Also on Thursday, Qatar announced the closure of all cinemas, theatres, gyms, play areas and museums. All school trips abroad were banned, however, and anyone with a cough or high temperature was advised to self-isolate for seven days.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said this was "the worst public health crisis for a generation" and warned many families they would "lose loved ones before their time".
And what sporting events are off?And what sporting events are off?
Several clubs in the English premiership have been hit. Chelsea football club has gone into lockdown after player Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive. All Chelsea personnel who have been in contact with him, including the entire senior men's team, will have to self-isolate for 14 days. The next matches of Europe's Champions League and Europa League have been postponed, as well as the draws for the following rounds.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta tested positive and Saturday's match against Brighton has been postponed. Leicester and Manchester City also have players in self-isolation. England's premiership and football league have suspended all matches until 3 April.
Several clubs in the premiership have been hit. Chelsea football club went into lockdown after player Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive. All Chelsea personnel who have been in contact with him, including the entire senior men's team, will have to self-isolate for 14 days.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta tested positive. Leicester and Manchester City also have players in self-isolation.
The news follows a host of postponements and suspensions in European football, including all French football matches.The news follows a host of postponements and suspensions in European football, including all French football matches.
The NHL, NBA and MLS have all suspended their seasons in North America, and the ATP tour shut down for six weeks "to protect the health and safety of our players, staff, the wider tennis community and general public health".The NHL, NBA and MLS have all suspended their seasons in North America, and the ATP tour shut down for six weeks "to protect the health and safety of our players, staff, the wider tennis community and general public health".
This weekend's Formula One season-opening Australian Grand Prix has been called off.This weekend's Formula One season-opening Australian Grand Prix has been called off.
The Nepalese government has cancelled all climbing permits for Mount Everest, following China's decision not to allow any expeditions on the northern side of the mountain.The Nepalese government has cancelled all climbing permits for Mount Everest, following China's decision not to allow any expeditions on the northern side of the mountain.
Ski areas in western Austria's Tyrol province are also to close down from Sunday, regional officials said Thursday.Ski areas in western Austria's Tyrol province are also to close down from Sunday, regional officials said Thursday.
Read more: How the virus has impacted sporting events around the worldRead more: How the virus has impacted sporting events around the world
What is the latest on quarantines? What is the latest on lockdowns and quarantines?
Belgium is the latest country to impose a blanket ban on restaurants, cafes and nightclubs, although chip shops will be allowed to remain open.
On Thursday, Italy's government imposed the closure of restaurants, bars and almost all shops except food stores and pharmacies. The death toll there has passed 1,000 but Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio says the measures imposed in the first area of the outbreak have been proving effective.
Four towns in Spain's Catalonia region were put under lockdown on Thursday, in a first in the country. The measures, affecting some 70,000 people, came as Spain's death toll rose to 84 - up from 47 the day before.Four towns in Spain's Catalonia region were put under lockdown on Thursday, in a first in the country. The measures, affecting some 70,000 people, came as Spain's death toll rose to 84 - up from 47 the day before.
In Italy the government imposed a blanket closure of restaurants, bars and almost all shops except food stores and pharmacies. The death toll there has passed 1,000 but Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio says the measures imposed in the first area of the outbreak have been proving effective.
Also on Thursday, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced a ban on domestic travel to and from Manila, in what he called a "lockdown" of the capital.Also on Thursday, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced a ban on domestic travel to and from Manila, in what he called a "lockdown" of the capital.
A number of key figures have also revealed they are self-isolating amid concerns they may have caught the virus.A number of key figures have also revealed they are self-isolating amid concerns they may have caught the virus.
What about school closures? How is the cultural sector being affected?
The Republic of Ireland, Belgium, Spain, France, the Philippines, Portugal and Bolivia were among the countries to announce school closures on Thursday. French schools will be closed from Monday for at least 15 days. Some of the world's top museums and galleries have now shut their doors:
In the UK, the government said such measures were being considered but that the scientific advice was that "this could do more harm than good" at this stage. Disney announced it would shut its theme parks in Florida and Paris until the end of the month. It earlier said it was closing its California park from Saturday amid a wave of Covid-19 infections in the state.
All school trips abroad were banned, however, and anyone with a cough or high temperature was advised to self-isolate for seven days. In the world of film, Disney's Mulan became the latest major film release to be delayed, and the release of the latest Fast and Furious instalment was pushed back by 11 months. The Tribeca Film Festival was postponed in the US.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said this was "the worst public health crisis for a generation" and warned many families they would "lose loved ones before their time". Also on Thursday, Qatar announced the closure of all cinemas, theatres, gyms, play areas and museums.