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France orders non-essential public places to close Coronavirus: France and Spain announce partial lockdowns
(32 minutes later)
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has ordered the closure of all non-essential public locations from midnight (23:00 GMT Saturday) in response to the coronavirus outbreak. France has ordered the closure of all non-essential places used by the public from midnight (23:00 GMT Saturday) amid fears the outbreak is accelerating.
The measure applies to restaurants, cafes, cinemas and nighclubs as well as non-essential businesses. PM Edouard Philippe said the number of people in intensive care was growing and earlier guidelines for the public were being ignored.
Mr Philippe also called on French people to reduce their travel, especially between towns. Spain will begin a 15-day state of emergency on Monday morning.
France reported a sharp rise in cases on Saturday, from 3,661 to 4,499. With 191 deaths and 6,046 infections, Spain is the worst-hit country in Europe after Italy.
It recorded 12 more deaths, bringing the toll to 79. Rome declared a nationwide lockdown on Monday. More than 1,440 people have died in Italy.
Spain is poised to declare a 15-day national lockdown on Monday to battle the virus, following similar measures by Italy - where 1,441 people have now died - earlier this week. Meanwhile the US is to extend its European coronavirus travel ban to include the UK and Republic of Ireland. The ban will begin at midnight EST on Monday (04:00 GMT Tuesday), Vice-President Mike Pence announced.
And the US is to extend its European coronavirus travel ban to include the UK and Republic of Ireland. The ban will begin at midnight EST on Monday (04:00 GMT Tuesday), Vice-President Mike Pence announced.
On Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Europe was now the "epicentre" of the pandemic. Its head Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged countries to use aggressive measures, community mobilisation and social distancing to save lives.On Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Europe was now the "epicentre" of the pandemic. Its head Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged countries to use aggressive measures, community mobilisation and social distancing to save lives.
What does the French shutdown entail?What does the French shutdown entail?
Mr Philippe said the shutdown would apply until further notice. The measure applies to restaurants, cafes, cinemas and nightclubs as well as non-essential businesses.
It would not, he said, affect essential businesses which he listed as food shops, chemists, banks, tobacco shops and petrol stations. It would not, Mr Philippe said, affect essential businesses which he listed as food shops, chemists, banks, tobacco shops and petrol stations.
Local elections due on Sunday would also still go ahead. Mr Philippe also asked people to reduce their travel, especially between towns.
Religious buildings would remain open but gatherings and ceremonies should be postponed.
The prime minister justified the shutdown by saying the spread of the virus in France was accelerating and the number of people needing intensive care support was growing.
He also said too many people were still out in the streets and not following earlier guidelines.
"The best way to slow down the epidemic", he said, was "social distancing"."The best way to slow down the epidemic", he said, was "social distancing".
"I say this gravely - we must all together show greater discipline in the application of these measures," Mr Philippe added.
However local elections due on Sunday would also still go ahead. he said. Religious buildings would remain open but gatherings and ceremonies should be postponed.
France reported a sharp rise in cases on Saturday, from 3,661 to 4,499. It recorded 12 more deaths, bringing the toll to 79.
The BBC's Paris correspondent Hugh Schofield says the measures amount to a dramatic ratcheting up of the French response reflecting growing alarm at the fast spread of the virus.The BBC's Paris correspondent Hugh Schofield says the measures amount to a dramatic ratcheting up of the French response reflecting growing alarm at the fast spread of the virus.
What is happening in Spain?What is happening in Spain?
With 191 deaths and 6,046 infections, Spain is the worst-hit country in Europe after Italy, which declared a nationwide lockdown on Monday. After a lengthy meeting of the country's government cabinet, Spanish Prime minister Pedro Sánchez said a partial lockdown would be in place across the country, with the armed forces on standby to assist with relief efforts.
All shops will be forced to close, except for those selling food and other basic necessities.
There will also be a reduction in medium-distance rail traffic to stem the spread of people around the country, and economic measures to support businesses and workers.
Mr Sánchez said the state of emergency would be in force from 08:00 local time (07:00 GMT) on Monday, and could be extended with congressional approval.
Authorities recorded 1,800 more cases since Friday evening - many in the capital Madrid.Authorities recorded 1,800 more cases since Friday evening - many in the capital Madrid.
The Spanish government is poised to declare a 15-day national lockdown under which people would be allowed out of their homes only for emergencies, to buy food, or for work.
All public transport would be cut back with airline, train, bus and boat operators told they need to cut their services by at least half and that any plane, train, bus or other means of transport can only be a third full, Reuters news agency reports.
This will be the second state of emergency in the country since the transition to democracy began in 1975, the first being a 2010 air traffic controllers' strike.This will be the second state of emergency in the country since the transition to democracy began in 1975, the first being a 2010 air traffic controllers' strike.
Some measures have already been enforced at local level. Madrid and its surrounding area have ordered the closure of most bars, restaurants and shops.
In other developmentsIn other developments
Are you in France? Have you been affected by the coronavirus? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. Are you in France or Spain? Have you been affected by the coronavirus? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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