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European countries take radical steps to combat coronavirus Spain declares state of emergency as EU nations step up coronavirus measures
(about 2 hours later)
Evidence grows that outbreak is easing in South Korea and has passed its peak in ChinaEvidence grows that outbreak is easing in South Korea and has passed its peak in China
Governments, central banks and EU ministers have taken further radical steps to stem the spread of the coronavirus and cushion its economic impact, as evidence grew that in China the outbreak has passed its peak and in South Korea it is easing. The Spanish government is to declare a state of emergency as European national governments and EU institutions scramble to impose further restrictions to stem the rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak and cushion its economic impact.
The Covid-19 pandemic has infected more than 135,000 people and killed nearly 5,000 globally, according to the Johns Hopkins university tracker, disrupting travel, closing schools, shutting factories and cancelling sporting, cultural and political events. The virus was now present in all 27 EU states and had infected more than 25,000 people, authorities said, prompting many countries to strengthen their response to the crisis beyond closures of schools, universities and creches announced earlier this week.
For the second day in a row, however, Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak, reported a tally of new cases in single digits, while the surrounding Hubei province has recorded no new infections for eight days. As the number of confirmed cases in Spain passed 4,200 and the death toll rose to 120, the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, said the government would “mobilise all resources”, including the military, to contain the outbreak. “This is an emergency that affects the life and health of all,” he said.
South Korea, once the biggest centre of coronavirus cases after China, on Friday reported more recoveries than new infections for the first time, as a downward trend in daily cases raised hopes that the outbreak may be easing in Asia’s fourth-largest economy. Sánchez said the cabinet would on Saturday activate article 116 of the constitution, allowing it to limit the movement of people and vehicles, requisition goods, take over factories and businesses and ration the consumption of basic items.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded 110 new cases, compared with 114 a day earlier, taking the national tally to 7,979. The death toll rose by five to 72. By contrast, 177 patients were released from hospital, KCDC said. France on Friday restricted all gatherings to no more than 100 people with immediate effect, while Austria announced the closure of all shops except for food stores, supermarkets and pharmacies, ordered bars and restaurants to close at 3pm and told employers to allow working from home from Monday.
Officials said new clusters of infections remained a concern and warned the epidemic was not yet over. “We’ve managed to turn the corner, but there are concerns about overseas inflows, as well as possible infections around call centres, computer cafes and karaoke rooms,” the prime minister, Chung Sye-kyun, said. Belgium also decided on Thursday night to shut bars and restaurants and allow only essential shops to stay open at weekends. As in several other countries, the government also ordered companies to allow staff to work from home.
In Europe, where the virus is present in all 27 EU states and has infected more than 25,000 people, governments have adopted strict measures to contain the outbreak. France, Spain, Ireland, Austria, Norway and Denmark are among the countries to have closed all schools, universities and kindergartens. The Covid-19 pandemic has infected more than 135,000 people and killed just over 5,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker, disrupting travel, closing schools, shutting factories and cancelling sporting, cultural and political events.
Others have gone further, with Belgium deciding on Thursday night to shut bars and restaurants too, and allow only essential shops such as supermarkets and pharmacies to stay open at weekends. Citizens are being advised to work from home.
In other developments:In other developments:
India and Norway announced their first deaths, while Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines confirmed their first infections. Local media reported that the Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, had tested positive. There was no immediate confirmation.
Iran declared a further 85 deaths, pushing the country’s death toll to 514. There are 11,364 confirmed cases. India and Norway announced their first deaths, while Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines confirmed their first infections.
Iran declared a further 85 deaths, pushing the country’s death toll to 514. There are 11,364 confirmed cases there.
France joined Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and others in cancelling professional football.France joined Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and others in cancelling professional football.
The Portuguese government put the country on a state of alert to mobilise civil protection, police and the army.The Portuguese government put the country on a state of alert to mobilise civil protection, police and the army.
The Bulgarian parliament voted unanimously to declare a state of emergency until 13 April after the number of confirmed cases more than tripled to 23.The Bulgarian parliament voted unanimously to declare a state of emergency until 13 April after the number of confirmed cases more than tripled to 23.
The entire Romanian cabinet is in quarantine after coming into contact with a senator who has tested positive.The entire Romanian cabinet is in quarantine after coming into contact with a senator who has tested positive.
The Czech government banned all foreign travellers from entering and all Czechs from leaving the country from 16 March.The Czech government banned all foreign travellers from entering and all Czechs from leaving the country from 16 March.
Hungary’s nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orbán, said foreigners and migration were to blame for the emergence and spread of the virus in Hungary.Hungary’s nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orbán, said foreigners and migration were to blame for the emergence and spread of the virus in Hungary.
Italy, by far the hardest-hit European country with 15,000 infections and more than 1,000 deaths, is in nationwide lockdown, with all travel banned unless certified necessary on professional or health grounds and the 62m-strong population expected to stay mainly at home. Italy, by far the hardest-hit European country with 15,000 infections and more than 1,000 deaths, is in a nationwide lockdown, with all travel banned unless certified necessary on professional or health grounds and the 62 million population expected to stay mainly at home.
In France, which has reported 2,867 cases and 61 deaths, President Emmanuel Macron said the country faced its worst public health crisis in a century and unveiled a series of social distancing measures, calling for a “sacred union” of the nation – as well as international cooperation – to defeat the epidemic. In France, which has reported 2,867 cases and 61 deaths, President Emmanuel Macron said the country faced its worst public health crisis in a century and unveiled a series of social distancing measures, calling for a “sacred union” of the nation – as well as international cooperation – to defeat the virus.
France would do “all it takes” to preserve its economy, jobs and businesses, Macron said. The economy minister, Bruno Le Maire, pledged on Friday that workers would “not lose a centime” due to temporary lay-offs during the crisis. Local elections this Sunday will, however, go ahead, with voters advised to bring their own pen. France would do “all it takes” to preserve its economy, jobs and businesses, Macron said. The economy minister, Bruno Le Maire, pledged on Friday that workers would “not lose a centime” due to temporary layoffs during the crisis. Local elections this Sunday will, however, go ahead, with voters advised to bring their own pen.
Germany reported more than 3,000 confirmed infections on Friday, with six deaths. Of the country’s 16 states, Berlin, Bavaria and two others have announced the blanket closure of schools and kindergartens, with more expected to follow. Germany reported more than 3,000 confirmed infections on Friday, and six deaths. Of the country’s 16 states, Berlin, Bavaria and two others have announced the blanket closure of schools and kindergartens, with more expected to follow.
The German federal government has announced a far-reaching reorganisation of the nation’s hospitals to cope with the crisis, and on Friday legislated to compensate companies so they could continue to pay workers on reduced hours their full salary. “We will not abandon anyone,” Olaf Scholz, the finance minister, said. The German federal government announced a far-reaching reorganisation of the nation’s hospitals to cope with the crisis, and unleashed its biggest postwar aid package to combat the economic impact of the outbreak.
More than 60,000 people were confined to four towns in Spain’s first mandatory lockdown, while the situation in and around the capital, Madrid, with nearly 2,000 cases, was a source of particular concern. Officials admitted on Friday that the region was “in dire need” of medical supplies. “We promised that we will not fail because of a lack of money and political will,” said the economy minister, Peter Altmaier. “This means that no healthy company, no job should find themselves in trouble.”
Spain reported a total of more than 3,800 cases on Friday and 84 deaths. The government has closed museums and sports centres, sent home nearly 10 million students and asked people to work remotely. In Asia, meanwhile, evidence grew that in China the outbreak has passed its peak and in South Korea it is easing. For the second day in a row Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak, reported a single-digit tally of new cases, while surrounding Hubei province has recorded no new infections for eight days.
In Brussels, EU interior ministers said any border restrictions inside the passport-free Schengen zone must be coordinated to ensure they are not counterproductive. Individual member countries are responsible for health and public safety, which do not fall within the remit of the EU’s institutions. South Korea, once the biggest centre of coronavirus cases after China, on Friday reported more recoveries than new infections for the first time: 177 people were released from hospital, while 114 new cases were confirmed.
Several countries, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria, have tightened their borders or introduced checks. The EU’s top interior official, Ylva Johansson, said any curbs must be “coordinated, operational, proportionate and effective” and must not impede transport of food and healthcare equipment. Officials said new clusters of infections remained a concern and warned the epidemic was not yet over. “We’ve managed to turn the corner, but there are concerns about overseas inflows, as well as possible infections around call centres, computer cafes and karaoke rooms,” the prime minister, Chung Sye-kyun, said.
In Brussels, the European commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said member states “should feel comfortable to take any measures they need” to support their economy, adding that the commission would allow “maximum flexibility on state aid” and fiscal rules to help national governments counter the crisis.
The bloc would also establish a €37bn (£33bn) investment initiative to cushion Europe’s economy, Von der Leyen said. Individual member countries are responsible for health and public safety, which do not fall within the remit of the EU’s institutions.