This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/mar/15/coronavirus-latest-updates-trump-tests-negative-as-spain-orders-nationwide-lockdown-uk-us-australia-italy-europe-global-economy

The article has changed 46 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 19 Version 20
Coronavirus latest updates: UK over 70s to have to self-isolate 'within weeks' Coronavirus latest updates: UK over 70s to have to self-isolate 'within weeks'
(32 minutes later)
Trump tests negative while Spanish PM’s wife tests positive; France and Israel announce partial closure of country; scientists condemn UK ‘herd immunity’ strategyTrump tests negative while Spanish PM’s wife tests positive; France and Israel announce partial closure of country; scientists condemn UK ‘herd immunity’ strategy
Ministers are planning to give police in the UK the power to arrest people with coronavirus who are not self-isolating, the health secretary has confirmed.
“We are going to take the powers to make sure that we can quarantine people if they are a risk to public health, yes, and that’s important,” Matt Hancock told the Andrew Marr Show on the BBC.
“I doubt that actually we will need to use it much because people have been very responsible.”
The emergency powers will be set out on Tuesday before the legislation is outlined in a Bill due to be published on Thursday, Hancock said.
Meanwhile, the government has been urged to prioritise the testing of doctors for coronavirus to ensure adequate staff levels during the pandemic.
Dr Chaand Nagpaul, the chairman of the council of the British Medical Association, said he “can’t emphasise enough how serious the problem is” if numerous healthcare workers are self-isolating, and he urged the government to ensure that GP practices can run “in a normal fashion”.
Scottish Labour has urged the government to close the country’s parliament to the public.
The demand comes as a £320m support package was unveiled for the next financial year.
Scottish Labour business manager Elaine Smith said:
Union leaders are calling for private hospital beds in the UK to be used rent free, to ease pressure on NHS hospitals dealing with the coronavirus crisis.
The GMB union has launched a petition urging the prime minister to requisition private hospital beds, amid reports the NHS is to spend up to £2.4m a day to do so.
Rehana Azam, GMB national officer, said:
France will start reducing plane, train and coach services between cities from Sunday to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, two ministers said on Sunday.
In a joint news conference, ecology minister Elisabeth Borne and transport minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari said cargo services would continue as normal, as would city metro services.
“We have to limit our movements as much as possible. Long distance trips must be kept to what is strictly necessary,” Borne said.
Djebbari said the number of long-distance trains would be cut by half, while several airport terminals in Paris would be closed.
Meanwhile, social distancing measures were observed in Paris as people stood a metre apart from each other while queueing at a bakery which is only letting three people in at a time this morning.
Iran’s death toll from the coronavirus has reached 724, with 113 new deaths in the past 24 hours, an official confirmed, adding that some 13,938 people have been infected across the country.
“In the past 24 hours, 1,209 new cases have been confirmed ... with 113 deaths in the past 24 hours, the death toll has reached 724,” tweeted Alireza Vahabzadeh, an adviser to Iran’s health minister.
Meanwhile, Iran’s official leading the response to the coronavirus outbreak acknowledged that it could overwhelm health facilities in the country, which is under severe US sanctions.
Colombia is to expel four Europeans for violating compulsory quarantine protocols designed to halt the spread of the coronavirus, just hours after it closed its border with Venezuela, the government said on Saturday.Colombia is to expel four Europeans for violating compulsory quarantine protocols designed to halt the spread of the coronavirus, just hours after it closed its border with Venezuela, the government said on Saturday.
Two men and two women of French and Spanish nationality will be deported after ignoring mandatory instructions to isolate themselves and leaving their hotels, against the warnings of staff, the migration agency said.Two men and two women of French and Spanish nationality will be deported after ignoring mandatory instructions to isolate themselves and leaving their hotels, against the warnings of staff, the migration agency said.
Colombia has so far reported 22 cases of the virus and has declared a health emergency to contain the disease. Measures include suspending public gatherings of more than 500 people and blocking cruise ships from entering its ports, Reuters reported.Colombia has so far reported 22 cases of the virus and has declared a health emergency to contain the disease. Measures include suspending public gatherings of more than 500 people and blocking cruise ships from entering its ports, Reuters reported.
President Ivan Duque said Colombia would close its border with Venezuela starting Saturday, while arrivals who are not residents or nationals and have stayed in Europe or Asia during the last two weeks will not be allowed to enter from Monday.President Ivan Duque said Colombia would close its border with Venezuela starting Saturday, while arrivals who are not residents or nationals and have stayed in Europe or Asia during the last two weeks will not be allowed to enter from Monday.
Matt Hancock, the UK health secretary, said Britain has not ruled out following other countries and closing restaurants, bars and other shops to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.Matt Hancock, the UK health secretary, said Britain has not ruled out following other countries and closing restaurants, bars and other shops to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
When asked if ministers were planning on shutting up shops other than pharmacies and supermarkets, Hancock told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “We haven’t ruled that out, we will do what is necessary.”When asked if ministers were planning on shutting up shops other than pharmacies and supermarkets, Hancock told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “We haven’t ruled that out, we will do what is necessary.”
Government contingency plans briefed a fortnight ago that retired doctors, and leavers of the profession, would be called on to return to work in the event of a major pandemic were met with scepticism.Government contingency plans briefed a fortnight ago that retired doctors, and leavers of the profession, would be called on to return to work in the event of a major pandemic were met with scepticism.
Scores of retired NHS doctors and nurses told the Guardian they are against returning to work to help tackle coronavirus, with many saying it would threaten their physical and mental health.Scores of retired NHS doctors and nurses told the Guardian they are against returning to work to help tackle coronavirus, with many saying it would threaten their physical and mental health.
Asked whether he is confident in the government’s approach of calling on retired doctors to help, BMA chair Dr Nagpaul said:Asked whether he is confident in the government’s approach of calling on retired doctors to help, BMA chair Dr Nagpaul said:
Freedom of movement will be “massively limited” in Austria as part of drastic measures to fight the spread of Covid-19.Freedom of movement will be “massively limited” in Austria as part of drastic measures to fight the spread of Covid-19.
Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced the measures would include closing playgrounds and sports grounds across the alpine country from Tuesday.Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced the measures would include closing playgrounds and sports grounds across the alpine country from Tuesday.
Non-essential shops, restaurants and bars will also close. Travel restrictions will be further tightened, with border checks imposed between Austria and Switzerland, people no longer allowed to enter the country from Great Britain, the Netherlands, Ukraine and Russia.Non-essential shops, restaurants and bars will also close. Travel restrictions will be further tightened, with border checks imposed between Austria and Switzerland, people no longer allowed to enter the country from Great Britain, the Netherlands, Ukraine and Russia.
Kurz said the coming weeks would be “challenging, difficult and painful”, but assured the public that the supply of crucial goods would be uninterrupted.Kurz said the coming weeks would be “challenging, difficult and painful”, but assured the public that the supply of crucial goods would be uninterrupted.
Shops including pharmacies and drugstores are to remain open for now. Austria has had 800 confirmed cases of coronavirus so far, with the Tyrol region emerging as one of the hotspots of the infection. One person has died as a result of the virus.Shops including pharmacies and drugstores are to remain open for now. Austria has had 800 confirmed cases of coronavirus so far, with the Tyrol region emerging as one of the hotspots of the infection. One person has died as a result of the virus.
Ireland’s taoiseach has warned he may seek enforcement powers to stop large gatherings in pubs after drunken scenes in Dublin’s city centre last night caused alarm with cabinet colleagues.Ireland’s taoiseach has warned he may seek enforcement powers to stop large gatherings in pubs after drunken scenes in Dublin’s city centre last night caused alarm with cabinet colleagues.
The Irish government is concerned that members of the public are not taking the coronavirus emergency measures which involves closures of schools and bans of indoor gatherings of more than 100 seriously enough.The Irish government is concerned that members of the public are not taking the coronavirus emergency measures which involves closures of schools and bans of indoor gatherings of more than 100 seriously enough.
Varadkar added:Varadkar added:
His warning comes 12 hours after European affairs minister Helen McEntee expressed alarm following posts on social media of drunken sing-alongs in pubs.His warning comes 12 hours after European affairs minister Helen McEntee expressed alarm following posts on social media of drunken sing-alongs in pubs.
She pleaded with the public to be vigilant and pay heed to social distancing advice which warns that to do otherwise could force closures across the hospitality sector with devastating consequences for business owners, their staff and families.She pleaded with the public to be vigilant and pay heed to social distancing advice which warns that to do otherwise could force closures across the hospitality sector with devastating consequences for business owners, their staff and families.
Health minister Simon Harris had described drunken scenes in Dublin’s Temple Bar, an area popular with tourists and stag and hen parties, as “an insult” to the efforts of health workers fighting to stem the disease in hospitals nearby.Health minister Simon Harris had described drunken scenes in Dublin’s Temple Bar, an area popular with tourists and stag and hen parties, as “an insult” to the efforts of health workers fighting to stem the disease in hospitals nearby.
Ireland announced its emergency measures on Thursday and followed up with a summit with the Northern Ireland executive yesterday after which Arlene Foster revealed schools in the region could be closed for “at least 16 weeks”.Ireland announced its emergency measures on Thursday and followed up with a summit with the Northern Ireland executive yesterday after which Arlene Foster revealed schools in the region could be closed for “at least 16 weeks”.
Jordan has announced six new cases of the novel coronavirus, the day after implementing a raft of quarantine measures including the banning of all passenger flights in and out of the country from Tuesday.Jordan has announced six new cases of the novel coronavirus, the day after implementing a raft of quarantine measures including the banning of all passenger flights in and out of the country from Tuesday.
The kingdom’s health minister said the cases included four French tourists, a Jordanian citizen who had come from the UK and another Jordanian who had been in contact with a US tourist who visited Jordan.The kingdom’s health minister said the cases included four French tourists, a Jordanian citizen who had come from the UK and another Jordanian who had been in contact with a US tourist who visited Jordan.
Another case, a 70-year-old man, was tested positive in Tel Aviv and had spent time in Jordan. A Canadian tourist also tested positive there shortly after she had left the kingdom, where the all-important tourism season has just started.Another case, a 70-year-old man, was tested positive in Tel Aviv and had spent time in Jordan. A Canadian tourist also tested positive there shortly after she had left the kingdom, where the all-important tourism season has just started.
The four French people are said to have stayed at a Dead Sea hotel. I’ve been ringing around to find out where exactly, but a staffer at one told me they had yet to be told anything and were “very worried”.The four French people are said to have stayed at a Dead Sea hotel. I’ve been ringing around to find out where exactly, but a staffer at one told me they had yet to be told anything and were “very worried”.
Before these new infections, the sole confirmed case was a man who had contracted the disease but recovered. Jordan has shut schools, universities, mosques, churches and tourist sites to try to contain the virus.Before these new infections, the sole confirmed case was a man who had contracted the disease but recovered. Jordan has shut schools, universities, mosques, churches and tourist sites to try to contain the virus.
Greece has closed all its archaeological sites including the 5th century BCE Acropolis. With few other places to go, Athenians this weekend gathered on rocks beneath the ancient monument.
The chairman of the British Medical Association, Dr Chaand Nagpaul, has suggested that sustained cuts left the UK’s public healthcare system far more unprepared than other European countries at the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak.
He said the UK’s relative lack of ventilators was “a result of a decade of under-funding” and urged the government to provide “clear, decisive plans” to ensure that healthcare workers can provide the care patients need.
Asked whether the whole GP system needs to be looked at, Nagpaul added:
Meanwhile, the Labour leadership contender Lisa Nandy accused the government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak of being a “shambles”.
She criticised ministers for “going to ground” after an apparent U-turn on banning mass gatherings and reports that powers may be handed to police and immigration officers to arrest sick people who will not self-isolate.
She told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show:
More than 150 “mutual aid” groups have been formed across the UK to provide support from shopping, dog walking and picking up prescriptions within communities.
The groups, which number at least 174 and are being coordinated nationally by ‘Covid-19 Mutual Aid UK’, have organised online meetings today and are handing out flyers in streets.
As well as practical support the groups are offering telephone calls with people who are self-isolating due to infection or increased vulnerability.
Anna Vickerstaff, one of the coordinators of the national network, said:
Releasing low-risk prisoners is not yet part of government plans to limit the spread of the coronavirus in “grossly overcrowded” prisons, according to the Prison Officers Association.
When asked by Sky News’s Sophy Ridge if releasing some prisoners was in the contingency plan, Steve Gillan, general secretary of the association, said:
He explained this could be in the form of temporary release or a decision by the secretary of state to release low-risk category prisoners towards the end of their sentences.
He added there were problems caused by a limited amount of single-capacity cells in the prison system.
People in Norway have been ordered to leave their countryside cabins and return to their homes, due to fears rural hospitals could be ovewhelmed, according to Norwegian media.
The municipalities that have many cottages should be able to take care of their own inhabitants in a very demanding situation, health minister Bent Høie reportedly said.
It comes after prime minister Erna Solberg threatened to deploy the civil defence to bring people home from their cabins.
An 83-year-old British national has tested positive for coronavirus after disembarking a cruise ship in Chile, local media reported.
The man, who was travelling on the Silver Explorer, is in a “good condition” in hospital in Coyhaique, Patagonia, the country’s health minister Jaime Manalich said, as quoted in La Tercera.
Chile has quarantined nearly 1,300 passengers on board the Silver Explorer and another ship in the port of Chacabuco.
Following the man’s diagnosis, the 500 residents of Caleta Tortel have also been made subject of restrictions for a fortnight after the passenger was in contact with several members of the community, the Chilean health ministry said.
Here is some from Matt Hancock’s announcement earlier. He said requesting all over 70-year-olds to self-isolate is a “very big ask”, but is a measure which is for their own “self-protection”.
In the coming weeks, over-70’s will be asked to self-isolate for up to four months, in order to protect them from the virus, he told Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday.
Experts on the UK’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies have set out the need for extra action to slow the spread of the disease. The panel advised that the next interventions “will need to be instituted soon”.
Those measures will include steps to shield the vulnerable from the virus, including the elderly and those with existing health problems, by telling them to stay in their houses or care homes. There could also be a shift to household isolation rather than individual self-isolation.
Meanwhile, a new-born baby in England who has tested positive for coronavirus is likely to be one of the world’s youngest patients with the disease. The infant and its mother both tested positive at a north London hospital and staff who had contact with them have been advised to self-isolate.
The developments come as the UK’s approach to developing “herd immunity” against Covid-19 has been called into question.
But Hancock denied that achieving herd immunity was part of the government’s policy. Responding to criticism from parts of the scientific community, and when asked by Ridge if he was playing “roulette” with public safety, Hancock replied: “No, obviously.”
Heartwarming scenes in Madrid as people applaud healthcare workers from their balconies last night.
The UK is unlikely to have a vaccine for this round of the coronavirus pandemic, according to former chief scientific adviser Mark Walport
He told Sky’s Sophy Ridge:
Walport added it was “quite likely” that a large percentage of the population would get coronavirus, but many would be mild or sub-clinical.
Meanwhile, shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth called on Boris Johnson to hold another press conference today if the coronavirus situation has changed.
Speaking on the same programme earlier, he said: