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Coronavirus live updates: Justin Trudeau's wife tests positive, Europe shuts schools, sport events cancelled Coronavirus live updates: Justin Trudeau's wife tests positive, Europe shuts schools, sport events cancelled
(32 minutes later)
First case at UN headquarters; Australian home affairs minister infected; schools close across Europe Mount Everest calls off climbing season; Canadian prime minister self-isolates; London Underground driver tests positive
A British woman who died in Bali after contracting coronavirus has been named in Australian media as Kimberley Finlayson.
Finlayson died earlier this week in a Bali hospital after coming down with Covid-19 while on holiday with her husband, Ken, who has since tested negative for the virus. She was said to have suffered from a series of pre-existing medical conditions.
Sanglah Hospital director, Wayan Sudana told 7NEWS.com.au: “Based on information from Bali Health Agency the laboratory test result of the husband of the COVID-19 patient number 25 are complete. The lab test result is negative.”
The Scottish government has opened an advice helpline for businesses following yesterday’s announcement that gatherings over 500 will be advised to cancel from Monday, Aamna Mohdin reports.
Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the government wrote to all planning authorities this week encouraging them to relax their approach to the enforcement of planning restrictions on shop delivery times and opening hours.
Scotland’s football authorities announced they would “enter discussions” with the Scottish government before deciding whether to postpone matches.
In a joint statement, the Scottish Professional Football League and Scottish FA confirmed games would go ahead as planned this weekend. Following the discussion with the Scottish government, the football authorities will “provide clear and unequivocal advice” on what happens to games from next week.
The Scottish FA confirmed they would also take part in a Uefa video conference call on Tuesday to discuss whether Euro 2020 will need to be cancelled.
Scotland are due to face Israel in the UEFA Nations League Play-Off semi-final against Israel on March 26th at Hampden Park.
The Guardian’s Today in Focus podcast has been looking at the question of whether the UK National Health Service is fit to tackle the developing coronavirus pandemic.
The NHS is bracing for a major surge in hospital admissions as the coronavirus outbreak continues to grow. Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, made a firm commitment to helping the NHS get “whatever it needs”.
Denis Campbell, the Guardian’s health policy editor, tells Rachel Humphreys there is genuine concern among staff that the service will not be able to cope in the event of a sustained crisis of the type being seen in Italy.
The Premier League, the Football League and the Women’s Super League and Championship have suspended all matches until 3 April in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Paul MacInnes reports.
An unprecedented development, it follows the revelation overnight that several Premier League clubs have members of staff, including players and coaches, who are displaying symptoms of the virus.
All schools in Croatia are to shut from Monday, the country’s prime minister announced on Friday morning. Andrej Plenkovic told reporters:
Reuters currently has the country down as having 27 cases, but a reader who sent in details of the schools closures says the most recent figure is 31.
From Monday, all schools in the German state of Bavaria will be shut until the end of the Easter holidays on 19 April, the Süddeutsche Zeitung reports.
The five week holiday means almost no child in Bavaria will be able to go to school or kindergarten, with emergency care organised in only a few cases, according to the paper.
Bavarian prime minister Markus Söder also announced that he would ban visits to retirement homes and hospitals and that events with more than 100 visitors would be banned unless they were absolutely necessary.
The climbing season on Mount Everest has been called off amid fears over the coronavirus pandemic, Pete Pattisson reports.The climbing season on Mount Everest has been called off amid fears over the coronavirus pandemic, Pete Pattisson reports.
The Nepal government suspended all mountaineering permits on Thursday and, as we reported earlier, will stop issuing on-arrival tourist visas, dealing a devastating blow to the country’s tourism industry.The Nepal government suspended all mountaineering permits on Thursday and, as we reported earlier, will stop issuing on-arrival tourist visas, dealing a devastating blow to the country’s tourism industry.
Nepal’s tourism minister Yogesh Bhattarai told the Guardian, “We will review the decision if the situation improves, but for now everything has been cancelled. Those who have paid for climbing permits will be refunded.”Nepal’s tourism minister Yogesh Bhattarai told the Guardian, “We will review the decision if the situation improves, but for now everything has been cancelled. Those who have paid for climbing permits will be refunded.”
The Chinese government has also cancelled all expeditions from the north side of Everest.The Chinese government has also cancelled all expeditions from the north side of Everest.
The announcement comes as Nepal enters its peak tourist season when tens of thousands of trekkers and mountaineers were expected to test themselves among the highest mountains in the world.The announcement comes as Nepal enters its peak tourist season when tens of thousands of trekkers and mountaineers were expected to test themselves among the highest mountains in the world.
Trekking and climbing are a lucrative and vital source of revenue for Nepal. Last year the government earned over £3.5 million from issuing climbing permits on peaks above 6000 metres, including Everest.Trekking and climbing are a lucrative and vital source of revenue for Nepal. Last year the government earned over £3.5 million from issuing climbing permits on peaks above 6000 metres, including Everest.
Despite its impact, the decision appears to have the support of the tourism industry.Despite its impact, the decision appears to have the support of the tourism industry.
Mingma Sherpa, the director of Seven Summit Treks, Nepal’s biggest and arguably most successful expedition company, supported the move. “No doubt our business will suffer but who will be responsible if the virus spreads on the mountain,” he said. “The mountain is here, it’s not moving anywhere. People can come and climb next year.”Mingma Sherpa, the director of Seven Summit Treks, Nepal’s biggest and arguably most successful expedition company, supported the move. “No doubt our business will suffer but who will be responsible if the virus spreads on the mountain,” he said. “The mountain is here, it’s not moving anywhere. People can come and climb next year.”
Nuru Janbu Sherpa, the CEO of International Sherpa Adventure, a trekking and expedition company said, “It’s a positive decision as it will help to contain the spread of the virus. If waiting six months helps to protect people, we have no problem with suspending our business.”Nuru Janbu Sherpa, the CEO of International Sherpa Adventure, a trekking and expedition company said, “It’s a positive decision as it will help to contain the spread of the virus. If waiting six months helps to protect people, we have no problem with suspending our business.”
However, Sherpa warned that the decision will hit many low wage labourers who depend on climbing for their livelihood.However, Sherpa warned that the decision will hit many low wage labourers who depend on climbing for their livelihood.
The mountaineering industry in Nepal has suffered a series of setbacks in recent years. Climbing on Everest was effectively called off following an avalanche in 2014 and the 2015 earthquake. Last year, the government was widely criticised for failing to manage the huge numbers of climbers on the peak, which some claimed contributed to the deaths of 11 mountaineers.The mountaineering industry in Nepal has suffered a series of setbacks in recent years. Climbing on Everest was effectively called off following an avalanche in 2014 and the 2015 earthquake. Last year, the government was widely criticised for failing to manage the huge numbers of climbers on the peak, which some claimed contributed to the deaths of 11 mountaineers.
Nepal has had just one confirmed case of the coronavirus, said Basu Dev Pandey, the director of the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease hospital in Kathmandu, but he warned the country was at risk due its location between China and India.Nepal has had just one confirmed case of the coronavirus, said Basu Dev Pandey, the director of the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease hospital in Kathmandu, but he warned the country was at risk due its location between China and India.
In a further blow to the economy, last week Qatar barred entry to travellers from 14 countries, including Nepal, leaving tens of thousands of migrant labourers unable to start work in the emirate. Almost 30% of Nepal’s GDP comes from remittances sent by its migrant workers, who are largely based in the Gulf and Malaysia.In a further blow to the economy, last week Qatar barred entry to travellers from 14 countries, including Nepal, leaving tens of thousands of migrant labourers unable to start work in the emirate. Almost 30% of Nepal’s GDP comes from remittances sent by its migrant workers, who are largely based in the Gulf and Malaysia.
PA Media has more details on the London underground train driver who has tested positive for coronavirus.PA Media has more details on the London underground train driver who has tested positive for coronavirus.
The man, who works on the tube’s Jubilee Line, has been off work this week after returning to the UK from holiday in Vietnam, sources told the news agency. An internal message to staff said the driver, based at the North Greenwich depot, had been self-isolating but had tested positive for Covid-19. The memo said:The man, who works on the tube’s Jubilee Line, has been off work this week after returning to the UK from holiday in Vietnam, sources told the news agency. An internal message to staff said the driver, based at the North Greenwich depot, had been self-isolating but had tested positive for Covid-19. The memo said:
Rail union leaders wrote to the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, on Thursday, voicing concern about what advice transport workers are being given. The letter said:Rail union leaders wrote to the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, on Thursday, voicing concern about what advice transport workers are being given. The letter said:
The Scottish government is advising that gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled next week, as the number of positive cases jumps to 60 yesterday.Were you planning on attending an event or a trip that might now not go ahead? If so, please get in touch with the Guardian reporter Aamna Mohdin, who is based in Edinburgh, at aamna.mohdin@theguardian.com.The Scottish government is advising that gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled next week, as the number of positive cases jumps to 60 yesterday.Were you planning on attending an event or a trip that might now not go ahead? If so, please get in touch with the Guardian reporter Aamna Mohdin, who is based in Edinburgh, at aamna.mohdin@theguardian.com.
Barack Obama is to blame for shortcomings in the United States government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, Donald Trump has said.Barack Obama is to blame for shortcomings in the United States government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, Donald Trump has said.
But not to worry, he has fixed the problems by slashing red tape.But not to worry, he has fixed the problems by slashing red tape.
In the UK, a hospital left a patient with coronavirus on a ward of critical ill patients while she was being tested, according to a local newspaper report.In the UK, a hospital left a patient with coronavirus on a ward of critical ill patients while she was being tested, according to a local newspaper report.
The Basingstoke Gazette reports that it was told by an employee of Basingstoke and North Hampshire hospital that the woman, who was showing coronavirus symptoms, was moved into a ward with critically unwell women.The Basingstoke Gazette reports that it was told by an employee of Basingstoke and North Hampshire hospital that the woman, who was showing coronavirus symptoms, was moved into a ward with critically unwell women.
According to the paper:According to the paper:
You can read more on the Basingstoke Gazette website.You can read more on the Basingstoke Gazette website.
England’s tour of Sri Lanka has been officially called off due to the global spread of the coronavirus, Ali Martin reports.England’s tour of Sri Lanka has been officially called off due to the global spread of the coronavirus, Ali Martin reports.
The decision was announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board and their Sri Lankan counterparts on Friday morning while Joe Root’s players were out in the middle playing the second day of their final warm-up fixture in Colombo.The decision was announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board and their Sri Lankan counterparts on Friday morning while Joe Root’s players were out in the middle playing the second day of their final warm-up fixture in Colombo.
The two-match series, part of the World Test Championship, was due to start in Galle next Thursday. But with England supporters due to begin travelling out to the island in the coming days, and apparent unease among the squad about the situation, a postponement became inevitable.The two-match series, part of the World Test Championship, was due to start in Galle next Thursday. But with England supporters due to begin travelling out to the island in the coming days, and apparent unease among the squad about the situation, a postponement became inevitable.
The World Health Organisation is using its Twitter feed to highlight the important role that women play - often unpaid and unrecognised - in handling outbreaks such as the current Covid-19 pandemic.
Uefa has postponed all Champions League and Europa League fixtures next week because of the coronavirus, the Guardian’s sport desk reports.
Two Europa League games, those between Sevilla and Roma as well as Inter and Getafe, had already been postponed this week and on Thursday next week’s game between Manchester City and Real Madrid was suspended.
On Friday morning the European governing body announced that all games next week had been suspended.
Authorities in Madrid, the capital of Spain, have not ruled out a lockdown of the capital, the mayor said on Friday, as the number of cases in the region reached 2,000, Sam Jones reports from the city.
José Luia Martínez-Almeida told Antena 3 TV that he had not discarded the idea of locking downthecity, saying it would be “irresponsible” not to look at every possible scenario. He added:
The mayor also suspended licenses for terraces and seating areas outside bars and cafés in the capital, urging owners to shut them down before it became mandatory.
He said “stricter measures would be needed” to halt the spread of the virus, adding that children’s play areas in parks would be closed from Friday.
On Thursday night, the regional government of Catalonia ordered around 70,000 people in four municipalities in the Barcelona region to remain in their homes for a fortnight after a steep increase in Coronavirus cases in the area.
Igualada, Vilanova del Camí, Santa Margarida de Montbui and Òdena have been placed in lockdown after the number of cases linked to a hospital in Igualada rose to 58 on Thursday. The regional government said on Thursday evening:
The move comes almost a week after neighbourhoods in a small town in the northern region of La Rioja were placed in lockdown after a cluster of cases was traced to a funeral in the nearby Basque Country.
The government of the Czech Republic has also declared a state of emergency, restricting the opening hours of restaurants and cafes, closing gyms and sports facilities, and requiring people returning from high risk countries to quarantine themselvs.
According to a report in Prague Morning, the rules will permit restaurants and cafes to open only between 6am and 8pm, while refreshments at shopping centres will be banned altogether.
Those organising weddings have been asked to keep their guest lists to a maximum of 30 people, while funerals may be attended to 100 people. According to prime minister Andrej Babis:
“We are also banning theatre, music, film and other performances, sports, cultural, religious, community, dancing, traditional events and other meetings.”
The Czech government will also require people returning from all high-risk countries to quarantine themselves, widening a requirement so far only applied to those returning from Italy, foreign minister Tomas Petricek said on Twitter on Friday.
The list includes Austria, Belgium, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Iran, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, and the US, Prague Morning reported.
Bulgaria has become the latest European country to declare a state of emergency in response to the coronavirus crisis, Reuters reports.
The country’s parliament voted unanimously on to declare the state of emergency until 13 April after the number of confirmed cases in the country rose to 23.
It will allow for travel bans to and from countries with large coronavirus outbreaks, the closing of schools and universities, and permit police to intervene when imposed isolation of infected people is not observed.
The government also plans a revision of the 2020 state budget to allocate more funds to support the healthcare system, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov told deputies.
In news that will be worrying for those of us who travel on the Tube to work every morning, a London Underground driver has tested positive for coronavirus, sources told PA.
Earlier this week we reported that Transport for London had stepped up cleaning protocols across its Tube and bus networks.
The Portuguese government has put the country on a “state of alert” and ordered the closure of schools and universities as the number of cases reached 78, Sam Jones, the Guardian’s Madrid correspondent reports.
It said the move was intended to ensure that “civil protection and security forces” were ready to react to the situation “promptly”.
The government said the opening hours of shopping centres would be limited to avoid overcrowding and that the number of customers in bars and restaurants would be limited.
It added: “This is a fight for our survival and for the protection of Portuguese lives.”
The country’s football league was also suspended.
Irish authorities are reportedly trying to identify 10,000 beds around Ireland as a contingency for coronavirus, Rory Carroll reports from Dublin.
The Health Service Executive is attempting to source beds in hospitals, hotels, military barracks, student accommodation and other sites for a possible surge in cases, according to RTE.
The National Public Health Emergency Team said the delay phase measures announced on Thursday – such as closing schools and universities and banning big public gatherings – may slow infections so that 200 people a week catch the virus over five weeks instead of 500 people a week catching the virus over two weeks. The goal is to give health services and society time to handle the pandemic.
Simon Harris, the health minister, on Friday said environmental health workers would meet people returning from Spain and Italy. He asked such people to not go to work and curb social interactions for two weeks. “It is not quite self-isolate, but to restrict their movements.”
Ireland has 70 confirmed cases. Northern Ireland has 20.
Arlene Foster, Northern Ireland’s first minister, said the region would close schools at some point.
The Premier League are expected to convene at 10.30am to determine what happens next.
This is an unprecedented time but all 20 clubs will need to come to an unanimous decision for any action to be taken and government officials are also being kept in the loop.
The EFL board are likely to follow action taken by the Premier League, who at 9.30pm on Thursday said all of this weekend’s games would “go ahead as scheduled” before, an hour later, releasing a statement confirming Friday morning’s emergency meeting.
In terms of press conferences, Jürgen Klopp’s has been canned, as has Frank Lampard’s. Steve Bruce and Eddie Howe, however, are scheduled to speak as planned imminently.
Read more on our football live blog: