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Coronavirus live news: UK local and mayoral elections postponed to 2021, as WHO calls Europe 'centre of pandemic' Coronavirus live news: UK local and mayoral elections postponed to 2021, as WHO calls Europe 'centre of pandemic'
(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
In addition to the measures we reported earlier, Poland says it will ban foreigners from entering the country from Sunday and impose a 14-day quarantine on its citizens returning home. Morawiecki has said:
Nadine Dorries, a junior health minister in the UK’s government who tested positive for coronavirus earlier this week, says her mother has now been confirmed as having contracted the virus.
Azerbaijan has banned wedding celebrations and other public events, the authorities have said the day after the country recorded its first death.
The measures, which come into force on Saturday, also include shuttering museums, cinemas and theatres. The authorities said the country’s border with Georgia will be closed for 10 days and that all large cultural and sporting events will be postponed by a month.
The former Soviet country said on Thursday that a woman who had been quarantined after returning from neighbouring Iran had died from the virus.
Schools and universities in the country have been closed since the beginning of March and the authorities extended the closure of the border with Iran for another two weeks on Thursday. Azerbaijan has so far recorded 19 cases.
Tunisia will immediately suspend prayers in mosques, close cafes at 4pm every day, and ban all cultural, sports and economic gatherings to combat the spread of the coronavirus, its prime minister Elyes Fakhfakh has said.
The government has also closed Tunisia’s maritime borders, suspended all flights to and from Italy, in addition to reducing flights with Egypt, Germany, Britain and France. Tunisia has confirmed 16 cases; mostly among recent arrivals from Europe. And the disease is expected to hit its crucial tourism sector hard.
In London, parliament is limiting visitor access from Monday and introducing restrictions on overseas travel. The Speakers of the Commons and the Lords, Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Lord Fowler, have said:
The number of people in Germany with coronavirus has climbed again – this time to 3,634. The eighth death in the country was announced on Friday and a German man died in Egypt last week.
In a brief press conference, the chancellor Angela Merkel pledged government support for the economy and for society “on all levels”. She described the widespread closure of schools, the announcement of a massive credit programme for businesses and a work reduction programme to support workers and employers as far-reaching measures that would help ease the burden. In contrast to the financial crisis of 2008/9, she said:
Merkel said she hoped all citizens would show solidarity by keeping their distance. She said it was an “apparent paradox” that the weakest, oldest and those with pre-existing conditions could be best helped if social contact was avoided
Meanwhile, Berlin’s senate has decided – along with 12 of Germany’s 16 other states – to close all schools and kindergartens. To its list of cultural institutions forced to close, which included theatres, opera houses museums and concert halls, it has now added nightclubs and bars.
The famous fish hall in the northern port city of Hamburg has closed for the first time in its 300-year history, authorities said.
India has reported its second coronavirus death. Its ministry of health and family welfare said the person lived in the capital, New Delhi.
In Poland, public gatherings are to be limited to 50 people, restaurants, bars and casinos are to close and no inbound flights will be allowed from Sunday onwards, the country’s prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki has said.
He said food deliveries would still be allowed and the flight ban would not include charter flights.
The American singer, Kelis, has cancelled her two UK gigs next week, which were scheduled for Manchester on Monday and London on Tuesday. She has said:
The singer, who is touring to mark 20 years since the release of her debut album, Kaleidoscope, said she hope the shows can be rescheduled for the summer.
The number of cases in Germany has increased from the 3,000 reported earlier on Friday to 3,062, according to the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases. It said five people had died after testing positive for the virus.
Speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, a State Department official has confirmed the Chinese ambassador was “summoned with regard to what the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said over Covid-19”.Speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, a State Department official has confirmed the Chinese ambassador was “summoned with regard to what the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said over Covid-19”.
Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian made the accusation on Thursday on his Twitter account.Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian made the accusation on Thursday on his Twitter account.
An editorial in the official China Daily on Friday intensified a war of words with the United States, blasting “China-bashers”. Earlier this week, the US national security adviser, Robert O’Brien, said China reacted slowly to the emergence of the coronavirus, probably costing the world two months when it could have been preparing.An editorial in the official China Daily on Friday intensified a war of words with the United States, blasting “China-bashers”. Earlier this week, the US national security adviser, Robert O’Brien, said China reacted slowly to the emergence of the coronavirus, probably costing the world two months when it could have been preparing.
The US State Department has summoned the Chinese ambassador over a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson’s comments about claims that the US military was responsible for bringing the new coronavirus to the province of Wuhan at the start of the outbreak.The US State Department has summoned the Chinese ambassador over a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson’s comments about claims that the US military was responsible for bringing the new coronavirus to the province of Wuhan at the start of the outbreak.
That’s just breaking now on Reuters.That’s just breaking now on Reuters.
Some more interrogation now of that ‘Herd Immunity’ strategy which appears to be a par of the UK government’s response to the pandemic.Some more interrogation now of that ‘Herd Immunity’ strategy which appears to be a par of the UK government’s response to the pandemic.
While questioning the logic that underpins it, this piece by a virologist in The Converstion online journal questions how much of the discussion around herd immunity is actually part of the policy being pursued.While questioning the logic that underpins it, this piece by a virologist in The Converstion online journal questions how much of the discussion around herd immunity is actually part of the policy being pursued.
Jeremy Rossman, Honorary Senior Lecturer in Virology and President of Research-Aid Networks, University of Kent, argues:Jeremy Rossman, Honorary Senior Lecturer in Virology and President of Research-Aid Networks, University of Kent, argues:
Many of Britain’s biggest insurers are pulling down the shutters to new travel insurance customers, with Aviva, Direct Line and Churchill the latest to stop selling policies as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.Many of Britain’s biggest insurers are pulling down the shutters to new travel insurance customers, with Aviva, Direct Line and Churchill the latest to stop selling policies as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
Responding to the moves, the consumer body Which? said the government, insurers and the travel sector needed to “urgently” work together to tackle the challenge because “the industry depends on people having the confidence to travel knowing they will be covered”.Responding to the moves, the consumer body Which? said the government, insurers and the travel sector needed to “urgently” work together to tackle the challenge because “the industry depends on people having the confidence to travel knowing they will be covered”.
On Wednesday 11 March, LV became the first big insurer to stop selling travel insurance to new customers. Then on Friday 13 March, Direct Line and Churchill said they had taken a decision to temporarily suspend the sale of travel insurance to new customers “so we can focus on our existing customers”.On Wednesday 11 March, LV became the first big insurer to stop selling travel insurance to new customers. Then on Friday 13 March, Direct Line and Churchill said they had taken a decision to temporarily suspend the sale of travel insurance to new customers “so we can focus on our existing customers”.
The World Health Organisation has been rolling out details of a new disease Solidarity Response Fund.The World Health Organisation has been rolling out details of a new disease Solidarity Response Fund.
It enables private individuals, corporations and institutions around the world to come together to directly contribute to global response efforts, and has been created by the United Nations Foundation and the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, together with WHO.It enables private individuals, corporations and institutions around the world to come together to directly contribute to global response efforts, and has been created by the United Nations Foundation and the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, together with WHO.
The director general of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said earlier that Europe is now at the centre of the global coronavirus outbreak.The director general of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said earlier that Europe is now at the centre of the global coronavirus outbreak.
School closures lasting four weeks could cut 3% from the UK’s GDP, costing the economy billions of pounds, according to research being considered by the government as it weighs up the benefits and risks of shutting down classrooms.School closures lasting four weeks could cut 3% from the UK’s GDP, costing the economy billions of pounds, according to research being considered by the government as it weighs up the benefits and risks of shutting down classrooms.
Advisers at the Department for Education and No 10 are examining a range of options from complete closure of all schools and colleges in England, which would affect around 7 million children, to more nuanced policies.Advisers at the Department for Education and No 10 are examining a range of options from complete closure of all schools and colleges in England, which would affect around 7 million children, to more nuanced policies.
Measures being looked at include those effected in Japan, where schools sent home individual classes and age groups when a certain percentage of children were infected, and Austria, where elementary schools have stayed open to effectively act as daycare for the children of essential workers.Measures being looked at include those effected in Japan, where schools sent home individual classes and age groups when a certain percentage of children were infected, and Austria, where elementary schools have stayed open to effectively act as daycare for the children of essential workers.
Belgium has followed a similar path. Other countries have closed all schools.Belgium has followed a similar path. Other countries have closed all schools.
Extraordinary times - or carnage - in the business world. After we reported earlier that Lufthansa was considering an application for financial aid from the German government news now also breaks that Delta Airlines is in talks with the White House regarding support that can be provided.Extraordinary times - or carnage - in the business world. After we reported earlier that Lufthansa was considering an application for financial aid from the German government news now also breaks that Delta Airlines is in talks with the White House regarding support that can be provided.
That’s according to a memo to employees from the company’s CEO, and which has been reported by Reuters.That’s according to a memo to employees from the company’s CEO, and which has been reported by Reuters.
Peru has announced it will suspend all flights to and from Europe and Asia for 30 days beginning on Monday, March 16.
The government announced the measure via supreme decree on Friday just two days after closing all its schools until the end of the month and ordering travelers from France, Spain, Italy and China to quarantine themselves for 14 days on arrival in the country.
The country had 28 Coronavirus cases as of Friday morning, according its health ministry. Gatherings of more than 300 people have been banned while concerts and football matches have been cancelled or postponed.
The Andean country is a major tourist destination and Canatur, the main tour operators union, says the $5.2bn sector is in crisis. Cancelled trips from Europe and Asia represent $650m in lost revenue and the loss of some 800,000 direct and indirect jobs, it said on Thursday.
The Scottish government has confirmed the first coronavirus related death in Scotland.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Catherine Calderwood said:
The British government strategy of striving to achieve ‘herd immunity - by broadening the peak of the epidemic, and allowing immunity to build up among the population - is beginning to come under greater scrutiny.
Critics including the former health secretary Jeremy Hunt have expressed concern about the decision to delay more drastic measures, such as school closures.
Sir Patrick Vallance, England’s chief scientific adviser, has defended the approach, seeking to underline that it is epidemiology that is guiding the decision not to impose more draconian restrictions on the public’s day-to-day lives immediately.
But among others asking questions about the strategy is Anthony Costello, a paediatrician, research scientist and former director of mother, child and adolescent health at WHO.
In this twitter thread, he states that vaccines are a safer way to develop herd immunity, without the risks associated with the disease itself and asks: “Is it ethical to adopt a policy that threatens immediate casualties on the basis of an uncertain future benefit”
He also asks if the herd immunity strategy conflicts with WHO Policy, adding: “After the announcement of this being a pandemic, Dr Tedros, Director General WHO, said ‘The idea that countries should shift from containment to mitigation is wrong and dangerous.’”
The London marathon has been postponed until October 4, organisers have just announced.
Hugh Brasher, the event’s director, said: “The world is in an unprecedented situation grappling with a global pandemic of COVID-19 and public health is everyone’s priority.
“We know how disappointing this news will be for so many – the runners who have trained for many months, the thousands of charities for which they are raising funds and the millions who watch the race every year.”
Greek health authorities have announced further preventative measures to curb the spread of coronavirus, saying all bars, malls, restaurants, take-aways and beauty parlours have been ordered closed as the number of confirmed cases in the country rose to 190.
Supermarkets, bakeries, pharmacies and other private health stores can remain open. Earlier Friday, the Greek ministry of culture said all archaeological sites and state-run museums would stay shut until at least March 30, citing the extraordinary circumstances.
The move was announced after it emerged that several sites had reported shortages of staff and guards because of Covid-19 concerns. Announcing the introduction of the extra measures, health minister Vassillis Kikilis said it was clear that not all Greeks were adhering to restrictions that had been introduced for their protection.
“I had said that we would enforce whatever measure was needed to protect our people,” he told reporters. “Today we are extending the measures so as not to enable coronavirus to spread. Firstly, because new cases have appeared. Secondly, because the restrictive measures are not being adhered to.”
Of the 190 confirmed cases, 47 are currently hospitalised in isolation wards around the country.
The world’s citizens are being put at risk because of a lack of leadership, according to the former UK prime minister, Gordon Brown, writing today for the Guardian.
Brown also called for much greater collaboration on a global scale to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, asking:
Brown also takes aim at a familiar opponent, populism, writing that the very idea of global collaboration – and the convening of what would be a “virtual” G20 – sits uneasily with what he describes as the “America first”, “China first”, “India first” and “Russia first” populist nationalism of recent years.
The outbreak in Venezuela ( which earlier confirmed its first two cases of coronavirus) could hardly come at a worse time for Venezuela, which despite boasting the planet’s largest proven oil reserves remains mired in years-long economic and social turmoil, reports Joe Parkin Daniels in Bogota.
Hyperinflation is rampant, with shortages in basic foodstuffs and medical supplies already a daily reality.
The country’s health services are among the hardest hit by the crisis, with hospitals regularly facing power outages while basic supplies - from latex gloves to routine antibiotics - are often hard to come by. 4.5m people have fled Venezuela, with health care workers and disease specialists among them.
Around 3.4 percent of confirmed coronavirus patients have died, according to the World Health Organization, a rate that analysts say would likely be much higher in Venezuela.
“Just one case in a hospital could lead to transmission within the system, putting already sick patients at risk,” Kathleen Page, associate professor and medical doctor at Johns Hopkins University, and Tamara Taraciuk Broner, a Venezuela expert at Human Rights Watch, wrote this week in Foreign Policy.
“There is no capacity for complex care due to a lack of basic X-rays, laboratory tests, intensive care beds, and respirators.”
Yesterday, Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro declared a health emergency ahead of any confirmed cases of Covid-19, banning flights from Europe and neighbouring Colombia.
The Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau - whose wife tested positive for Covid-19 following a trip to the UK - has told a press conference that he has no symptoms of the coronavirus and he is feeling good.
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau announced Thursday evening that she had tested positive for the coronavirus and plans to remain in isolation for the next two weeks. Her symptoms have been described as mild.
He said that Canada is looking to reduce the number of airports receiving visitors from overseas
The leading German business daily, Handelsblatt, is reporting that Lufthansa, the nation’s flagship airline, will apply to the German government’s multibillion liquidity fund for help due to the financial fallout from the coronavirus.
In an internal video message to employees, the airline’s CEO, Carten Spohr, said the company would look to the German government for help, as well as entering discussions with governments in the other countries where it has a subsidiary, about possible state aid.
A spokesman for the company, Europe’s largest-grossing airline, which last week announced it would cut the number of its flights by 50% in response to the health crisis, confirmed the reports.
Apple’s worldwide developer’s conference, the company’s biggest annual event where it reveals the changes heading its software over the coming year, will be online only for the first time, it said today.“The current health situation has required that we create a new WWDC 2020 format,” said Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. The company is avoiding the word “cancellation”, instead the press that this year’s even, which will take place in June, “will take on an entirely new online format packed with content for consumers, press and developers alike”.The event the phone-buying public will be most interested in, the keynote speech that launches the conference, has been streamed live online for several years. But behind the scenes, WWDC is an important annual occurrence for the community of developers who work on iOS and macOS apps, offering them their only real chance for face-to-face conversations with Apple staff.Apple is also committing $1m to local organisations in San Jose, where the conference would have taken place, to offset revenue loss.