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Coronavirus live updates: Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro tests positive, local media report Coronavirus live news: Brazil president Bolsonaro reportedly tests positive, and Spain declares state of emergency
(32 minutes later)
Mount Everest calls off climbing season; Canadian prime minister self-isolates; London Underground driver tests positiveMount Everest calls off climbing season; Canadian prime minister self-isolates; London Underground driver tests positive
The organisers of the Boston Marathon have announced that the event is to be postponed until 14 September.
The Spanish government is to declare a state of emergency in response to the coronavirus epidemic, paving the way for drastic containment measures after the number of confirmed cases in the country passed 4,200 and the death toll rose to 120, Sam Jones reports from Madrid.
In an urgent appearance on Friday afternoon, the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, said the cabinet would convene on Saturday to declare an emergency by activating article 116 of the constitution.
Its provisions allow the government to limit the movement of people and vehicles in specified places, to temporarily requisition goods, to take over factories and businesses, to ration the consumption of basic items, and to issue the necessary orders to ensure the provision of services.
The article has not been used since 2010, when it was enacted in response to an air traffic controllers’ strike. The state of emergency will initially apply for two weeks, but can be extended with parliamentary approval.
Spain is the European country most affected by the outbreak after Italy, which has confirmed 15,000 cases and more than 1,000 deaths.
The decision came after the government of neighbouring Portugal also enacted a state of alert as the number of cases in the country reached 78, explaining the situation was now “a fight for our survival and for the protection of Portuguese lives”.
As well as ordering the closure of schools and universities, it said the number of customers allowed in bars and restaurants would be reduced.
The Madrid authorities have not ruled out a lockdown of the capital, the mayor said on Friday morning, as the number of cases in the region reached 2,000.
José Luia Martínez-Almeida told Antena 3 TV that he had not discarded the idea of locking down the city, saying it would be “irresponsible” not to look at every possible scenario.
He added: “We can’t say that it’s going to happen immediately, nor can we say we’ve ruled it out.”
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.
The mayor 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.
Hours earlier, authorities in the Basque country had activated a civil protection plan, which allows the regional government to order the confinement of people to stop the spread of the disease.
“We need to use all containment and prevention measures as the situation is serious. We’re not over the worst yet,” the Basque president, Iñigo Urkullu, said on Friday morning.
The Basque country has confirmed 346 cases of the coronavirus, and here have been 11 deaths.
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.
“No one is allowed out of these affected areas,” the regional government said on Thursday evening.
“Only emergency personnel and vehicles bringing fuel and food supplies will be allowed to move around the area.”
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.
Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is now warning against all but essential travel to the regions that the Spanish Ministry of Health have designated as areas of community transmission of coronavirus.
They are Madrid and La Rioja, and the municipalities of La Bastida and Vitoria (both in the Basque Country) and Miranda de Ebro (in Castilla y León).
Augusta National has not ruled out hosting the Masters later in 2020 after postponing the first major of the year, as scheduled for April, Ewan Murray reports.
A statement issued from the club on Friday followed the model of the PGA Tour, which scrapped the Players Championship after just 18 holes and three subsequent tournaments.
The Masters, which began in 1934, has been contested each year since the end of the second world war.
Care homes across the United Kingdom are banning visits from friends and family and keeping residents indoors in an effort to stem the spread of coronavirus, Amelia Hill reports.
The government has not told care providers to shut their doors to all non-essential visits but the former health secretary Jeremy Hunt, chair of the Commons health and social care committee, told BBC Newsnight on Thursday he was “personally surprised that we’re still allowing external visits to care homes”.
Mario Kreft, the chair of Care Forum Wales, which represents more than 450 care and nursing homes, advised people on Thursday morning to stay away. “Simply put, not visiting care homes is likely to save people’s lives,” Kreft said.
He called for bureaucracy to be cut so older people who no longer needed hospital care could be transferred to care homes, freeing up hospital beds.
“We’ve got to do everything that we can to ensure that people are safe, and I would say this to anybody who wants to visit a loved one in a care home to think very, very carefully because totally accidentally, this virus could be transmitted,” he said.
The Jack Ma Foundation, the charitable foundation set up by the founder of Chinese ecommerce giant Alibaba, has announced plans to donate 500,000 testing kits and a million masks to the US.
Ma said in a tweet:
The foundation has already helped sourcing and delivering materials to combat Covid-19 to other countries suffering outbreaks, including South Korea, Italy and Iran. Ma’s donation follows the purchase of 31 tons of medical supplies from China by the Italian government, which arrived in Rome early this morning.
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau tested positive for Covid-19 just over a week after a high-profile event in London where she was filmed hugging the singer Leona Lewis and kissing the former Australian prime minister Julia Gillard, Matthew Weaver reports.
The wife of the Canadian prime minister was also photographed at the Wembley Arena We Day event on 4 March alongside the F1 driver Lewis Hamilton and the actor Idris Elba. Four days later, Grégoire Trudeau went to an International Women’s Day party attended by the former supreme court president Lady Hale.
It is feared Grégoire Trudeau may have contracted the virus during her London trip. She reported feeling unwell following her return to Canada earlier this week.
The University of Oxford has announced that it has six students who have tested positive for Covid-19, and that it may switch to “more extensive use of technology for teaching and assessment” next term.The University of Oxford has announced that it has six students who have tested positive for Covid-19, and that it may switch to “more extensive use of technology for teaching and assessment” next term.
The university said in a statement:The university said in a statement:
Formula One has called off the Bahrain and Vietnamese Grand Prix after the cancellation of Sunday’s Australian season-opener due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Guardian sports desk reports.Formula One has called off the Bahrain and Vietnamese Grand Prix after the cancellation of Sunday’s Australian season-opener due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Guardian sports desk reports.
Bahrain, the second race on the calendar which was due to take place on Sunday 22 March, had already been scheduled to be run without spectators under floodlights at the Sakhir circuit.Bahrain, the second race on the calendar which was due to take place on Sunday 22 March, had already been scheduled to be run without spectators under floodlights at the Sakhir circuit.
Vietnam’s first Formula One Grand Prix had been scheduled for 5 April on the streets of Hanoi as the third round of the season. Both races have now been postponed just over 12 hours after the Australian Grand Prix was officially abandoned following a positive coronavirus test from a McLaren team member.Vietnam’s first Formula One Grand Prix had been scheduled for 5 April on the streets of Hanoi as the third round of the season. Both races have now been postponed just over 12 hours after the Australian Grand Prix was officially abandoned following a positive coronavirus test from a McLaren team member.
According to the latest figures from the Department of Health, there are now 798 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK, 208 more than yesterday.According to the latest figures from the Department of Health, there are now 798 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK, 208 more than yesterday.
The president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, has tested positive for coronavirus, according to local media.The president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, has tested positive for coronavirus, according to local media.
The positive test comes after Bolsonaro’s press secretary was found to have the disease following a trip to the US. His son Eduardo Bolsonaro, a congressman who was also on the trip, tweeted that his father “is not exhibiting any signs of the disease”The positive test comes after Bolsonaro’s press secretary was found to have the disease following a trip to the US. His son Eduardo Bolsonaro, a congressman who was also on the trip, tweeted that his father “is not exhibiting any signs of the disease”
Bolsonaro dined with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday night and videos and photos, including some on Wajngarten’s own Instagram account, showed the press secretary, Bolsonaro and Trump all in close proximity. “I’m not concerned,” Trump told reporters on Thursday.Bolsonaro dined with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday night and videos and photos, including some on Wajngarten’s own Instagram account, showed the press secretary, Bolsonaro and Trump all in close proximity. “I’m not concerned,” Trump told reporters on Thursday.
Bolsonaro has downplayed the crisis. On Wednesday, he said “Other flus kill more than this” and has also called concern over coronavirus “oversized”.Bolsonaro has downplayed the crisis. On Wednesday, he said “Other flus kill more than this” and has also called concern over coronavirus “oversized”.
Romania’s interim prime minister, Ludovic Orban, announced on Friday that he and other senior party leaders were going into a 14-day self-imposed quarantine after a party colleague tested positive for coronavirus, Kit Gillet reports.Romania’s interim prime minister, Ludovic Orban, announced on Friday that he and other senior party leaders were going into a 14-day self-imposed quarantine after a party colleague tested positive for coronavirus, Kit Gillet reports.
The senator, Vergil Chitac, had attended a recent party leadership meeting.The senator, Vergil Chitac, had attended a recent party leadership meeting.
Orban also announced that all ministers in his cabinet would be tested for the virus, and would remain isolated in their offices in order to avoid direct contact with others. He recommended that journalists be tested, too.Orban also announced that all ministers in his cabinet would be tested for the virus, and would remain isolated in their offices in order to avoid direct contact with others. He recommended that journalists be tested, too.
As of Friday afternoon, Romania had 73 confirmed cases of the virus, with no fatalities. Six individual have been discharged from hospital.As of Friday afternoon, Romania had 73 confirmed cases of the virus, with no fatalities. Six individual have been discharged from hospital.
Schools have already been cancelled across the country, with events of over 100 people banned and museums shut. On Friday, the Romanian Football Federation announced that it was suspending all games until the end of the month.Schools have already been cancelled across the country, with events of over 100 people banned and museums shut. On Friday, the Romanian Football Federation announced that it was suspending all games until the end of the month.
Authorities in France are tightening controls on mass gatherings, limiting numbers to no more than 100, after previously saying no more than a 1,000 would be allowed.Authorities in France are tightening controls on mass gatherings, limiting numbers to no more than 100, after previously saying no more than a 1,000 would be allowed.
The prime minister, Edouard Philippe, told TF1 television that the new limit would come into force immediately.The prime minister, Edouard Philippe, told TF1 television that the new limit would come into force immediately.
The coronavirus has killed 61 people in France and infected 2,876, according to figures released by the health ministry late on Thursday.The coronavirus has killed 61 people in France and infected 2,876, according to figures released by the health ministry late on Thursday.
Austria has just announced it is following Italy in closing almost all shops except for supermarkets and chemists, Kate Connolly reports.Austria has just announced it is following Italy in closing almost all shops except for supermarkets and chemists, Kate Connolly reports.
Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said that the communities of Paznautal and St Anton would be placed under quarantine.Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said that the communities of Paznautal and St Anton would be placed under quarantine.
The coronavirus epidemic is causing inreased stress and anxiety, particularly among people with existing mental health problems, practitioners and campaigners have said, Jessica Murray and Harriet Sherwood report.
Reactions to the crisis can include feeling overwhelmed, fearful, sad, angry and helpless, according to experts. Some people may have difficulty sleeping or concentrating. Fear of contact with others, travelling on public transport or going into public spaces may increase, and some people will have physical symptoms, such as an increased heart rate or upset stomach.
The World Health Organization has acknowledged that the crisis is generating stress, and has advised people to avoid watching, reading or listening to news that causes feelings of anxiety or distress.
Stephen Buckley, of the mental health charity Mind, said: “We know that the coronavirus and its impact are causing stress and worry for many people. If you already have a mental health problem, it’s possible that the worries of coronavirus may be affecting how you’re coping.”
Anyone from anywhere in the world arriving in Malta will have to undergo two weeks of mandatory self-quarantine, the country’s prime minister, Robert Abela, announced on Friday.
Anyone breaking the order will face a €1,000 fine for each breach, the Times of Malta reports. Police will carry out spot checks to ensure that the quarantine is observed. The paper quoted Abela as saying:
Malta closed all schools, universities and childcare centres earlier this week.
Cyprus has been told that a much-anticipated trip to the island by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall next week will be postponed because of the global pandemic, Helena Smith reports.
The royals were due to spend three days in the former British colony in a tour that also included visits to Bosnia and Jordan. It was to be the first royal visit since Queen Elizabeth’s trip to Cyprus in 1993.
A Clarence House spokesman said:
Health authorities in Cyprus’s internationally recognised southern sector have confirmed 14 cases of coronavirus so far. Another five more have been announced in the island’s breakaway Turkish-run north, bringing the total to 19 islandwide.
Boris Johnson, the UK prime minister, believes more needs to be done to coordinate international action on tackling the coronavirus, his official spokesman has said, Heather Stewart, the Guardian’s political editor, reports.
In a briefing to reporters on Friday, his spokesman said:
He added that Johnson has discussed the handling of the outbreak with presidents Macron and Trudeau in the past few days, and will hold more talks with leaders today.
Former chancellor Alistair Darling told the BBC’s Today on Friday that he was concerned about the lack of coordination. He said:
A civil protection plan has been activated by Iñigo Urkullu, the president of the Basque country, which allows the Spanish region’s government to order the confinement of people to stop the spread of the disease.
“We need to use all containment and prevention measures as the situation is serious. We’re not over the worst yet,” Urkullu said on Friday morning.
The Basque country has confirmed 346 cases of the coronavirus, and here have been 11 deaths.
Separately Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) warned against all but essential travel to the regions that the Spanish Ministry of Health have designated as areas of community transmission of coronavirus.
They are Madrid and La Rioja, and the municipalities of La Bastida and Vitoria (both in the Basque Country) and Miranda de Ebro (in Castilla y León).
In Scotland, launch events for the Edinburgh International Festival have been cancelled and Scottish football authorities have postponed the rest of the season, following advice from the Scottish government to scrap large gatherings above 500 people.
The Edinburgh International Festival announced it will cancel all gatherings associated with its 2020 programme launch, initially set to run from 18th to 25th of March in Edinburgh and London.
Instead the Festival is creating a digital event to be broadcast live on 18th March, 12pm on its Facebook page.
Fergus Linehan, festival director at Edinburgh International Festival, said: “At this point, the Festival is almost 5 months away. For now we remain committed to running the International Festival as planned. In hope that the pandemic will be curbed by August, we must continue to provide security for our artists and for our sector.
“We hope that in August, our Festival will provide a much-needed moment of joy after what will have been a challenging summer. To reassure our audiences, we have also revised our refunds policy to offer anyone with Coronavirus related concerns a ticket refund.”
The Scottish FA and Scottish Professional Football League announced the postponement of this weekend’s and following midweek’s fixtures, starting with tonight’s Premiership match between Motherwell and Aberdeen and the Championship match between Queen of the South and Ayr United.
The suspension will also affect non-professional and grassroots games until further notice, Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA chief executive said.
Ethiopia has confirmed its first case of coronavirus, Agence-France Presse reports, shortly after Kenya became the first east African country to report a case of the disease.
A 48-year-old Japanese man who had arrived in the country on 4 March 4 from Burkina Faso was confirmed to have contracted the virus, the French news agency reported the Ethiopian health ministry as saying.
PA Media reports that a school in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, has been closed due to a case of coronavirus. Lanark Grammar school in Lanark was closed by South Lanarkshire Council and NHS Lanarkshire.
Dr John Logan, NHS Lanarkshire consultant in public health medicine, said:
Tony McDaid, executive director for education at South Lanarkshire council, said:
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised Britons against all but essential travel to Madrid and some other regions of Spain.
Turkey has announced its second confirmed case of Covid-19, two days after the virus finally reached the tourism and travel hub, Bethan McKernan, the Guardian’s Turkey and Middle East correspondent, reports.
The new patient is a relative of the first, who contracted the novel coronavirus after a visit to Europe. Both are in isolation and are in a stable condition, health minister Fahrettin Koca said on Friday morning.
The new case follows extra measures announced Thursday evening by Ibrahim Kalin, a senior aide to president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, to contain the spread of the virus.
Turkey’s spring school holiday will be moved up one week to 16 March, after which there will be at least one week of online remote teaching. Universities will also be closed for at least three weeks from Monday and all sports events will take place without spectators until the end of April.
Turkey, a tourist hub linking Europe and western Asia, had around 50 million visitors last year. It also hosts the largest number of refugees in the world, including some 3.5 million Syrians. Aid agencies have warned of possibly catastrophic consequences if the coronavirus reaches vulnerable undocumented and refugee populations in the region.
Hospitals in Istanbul and the capital Ankara have been set up to test and quarantine patients suspected of having the virus.
The border with Iran, one of the worst affected countries, remains shut, and flights to several destinations with high rates of infection were cancelled last month. International travel for public servants is now under review.
On Thursday, Kalin also advised against all travel excluding extraordinary circumstances and 14-day self-quarantine on return to Turkey for all citizens and foreigners.
Erdoğan is still set to meet with his German and French counterparts in Istanbul next Tuesday, as well as possibly Boris Johnson, for talks on the fighting in Syria’s Idlib province.