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Spain to enter state of emergency as EU nations step up coronavirus measures Spain to enter state of emergency as EU nations step up coronavirus measures
(about 1 hour 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
Spain has said it will declare a state of emergency as European governments and EU institutions take further radical steps to stem the rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak and cushion its economic impact. Spain has said it will declare a state of emergency as governments and EU institutions take further radical steps to contain the rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak and cushion its economic impact.
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 this week. The virus was now present in all 27 EU states and had infected more than 25,000 people, authorities said, prompting countries to stiffen their response, introducing tough new restrictions on daily life beyond the closure of schools and universities.
The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said Europe was now the centre of the epidemic, with more reported cases and deaths than the rest of the world combined apart from China.
Maria van Kerkhove, the head of the WHO’s emerging diseases unit, said it was “impossible for us to say when this will peak globally. We hope it is sooner rather than later.” Tedros stressed that countries needed to take “a comprehensive approach”.
“Not testing alone. Not contact tracing alone. Not quarantine alone. Not social distancing alone. Do it all,” he said. “Find, isolate, test and treat every case, to break the chains of transmission … Do not just let this fire burn.”
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.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.
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.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.
But he added that victory over the virus would depend not just on decrees but on “each and everyone of us, in our homes, in our workplaces, with our families and with our neighbours. Being a hero is also about washing your hands, staying at home, and protecting yourself in order to protect others.”But he added that victory over the virus would depend not just on decrees but on “each and everyone of us, in our homes, in our workplaces, with our families and with our neighbours. Being a hero is also about washing your hands, staying at home, and protecting yourself in order to protect others.”
France, which has reported 2,867 cases and 61 deaths, on Friday restricted all gatherings to no more than 100 people with immediate effect hours after President Emmanuel Macron said the country faced its worst public health crisis in a century. France, which has reported 2,867 cases and 61 deaths, on Friday restricted all gatherings to a maximum of 100 people, hours after President Emmanuel Macron said the country faced its worst public health crisis in a century. France would do “all it takes” to preserve its economy, jobs and businesses, he said.
The country would do “all it takes” to preserve its economy, jobs and businesses, Macron said. The economy minister, Bruno Le Maire, pledged workers would “not lose a centime” due to temporary lay offs during the crisis. Following Belgium’s example, Austria on Friday closed all shops except food stores, supermarkets and pharmacies, ordered bars and restaurants to close at 3pm, and told employers to allow home working, while Switzerland closed schools, banned public gatherings of more than 100 and restricted bars and restaurants to 50 customers.
Following Belgium’s example on Thursday, Austria also 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 Italy, by far the hardest-hit European country, with 17,660 confirmed infections and more than 1,266 deaths, is already 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.
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.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.
After calling other leaders in the G7 group of leading industrial nations, Macron announced an extraordinary summit of leaders – by video conference – on Monday to coordinate work on vaccine and treatment research as well as “a global economic and financial response”. In the US, President Donald Trump was expected to declare a national emergency, freeing up federal funds for testing and treatment as well as help individuals and businesses struggling with the economic impact. The state of Louisiana postponed its Democratic and Republican presidential primaries for two months.
After calling Trump and other leaders in the G7 group of leading industrial nations, Macron announced an extraordinary summit of leaders – by video conference – on Monday to coordinate work on vaccine and treatment research as well as “a global economic and financial response”.
In other developments:In other developments:
Jair Bolsonaro’s son denied local media reports that the Brazilian president had tested positive.Jair Bolsonaro’s son denied local media reports that the Brazilian president had tested positive.
India and Norway announced their first deaths, while Ghana, Kenya and Ethiopia confirmed their first infections.India and Norway announced their first deaths, while Ghana, Kenya and Ethiopia 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.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. Champions League games were postponed. France joined Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and others in cancelling professional football. The Champions League was postponed.
The Portuguese government put the country on a state of alert to mobilise civil protection, police and the army. The Louvre, the world’s most visited museum, closed until further notice.
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 Portuguese government put the country on a state of alert and the Bulgarian parliament voted unanimously to declare a state of emergency.
The entire Romanian cabinet is in quarantine after coming into contact with a senator who has tested positive. The entire Romanian cabinet went into 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 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. 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 most 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 announced a far-reaching reorganisation of the nation’s hospitals to cope with the crisis, and unleashed its biggest post war aid package to combat the economic impact of the outbreak.The German federal government announced a far-reaching reorganisation of the nation’s hospitals to cope with the crisis, and unleashed its biggest post war aid package to combat the economic impact of the outbreak.
“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.”“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.”
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 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.
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.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.
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.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.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.