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Coronavirus latest updates: UK advises against 'all but essential' travel to US and warns over 70s will have to self-isolate 'within weeks' Coronavirus latest updates: UK advises against 'all but essential' travel to US and warns over 70s will have to self-isolate 'within weeks'
(32 minutes later)
UK also not ruling out ordering closure of all bars, restaurants and non-essential shops while France and Israel announce partial closure of countrieUK also not ruling out ordering closure of all bars, restaurants and non-essential shops while France and Israel announce partial closure of countrie
Universities Scotland has said in a statement that the country’s higher education institutions will remain open – subject to expert advice – but that teaching and assessments will shift online.
Health secretary Matt Hancock urged people in the UK to be responsible when stocking up on supplies and that the government could take measures to ensure they do so.Health secretary Matt Hancock urged people in the UK to be responsible when stocking up on supplies and that the government could take measures to ensure they do so.
Meanwhile, in north London, shoppers queue en masse to enter the local Waitrose.Meanwhile, in north London, shoppers queue en masse to enter the local Waitrose.
French president Emmanuel Macron has said the government had no option but to impose stricter measures to tackle the coronavirus, but that the country would get through the crisis if it acted responsibly.French president Emmanuel Macron has said the government had no option but to impose stricter measures to tackle the coronavirus, but that the country would get through the crisis if it acted responsibly.
“I am the guarantor of the health of our citizens and also the democratic life of our country,” he said, defending his decision to hold local elections – which have been postponed in the UK.“I am the guarantor of the health of our citizens and also the democratic life of our country,” he said, defending his decision to hold local elections – which have been postponed in the UK.
“We will overcome this crisis by being responsible together and for each other,” he said, after casting his vote in northern France.“We will overcome this crisis by being responsible together and for each other,” he said, after casting his vote in northern France.
Macron said the decision to close shops and restaurants needed to be made because too many people were being too lax in how they protected themselves from the virus.Macron said the decision to close shops and restaurants needed to be made because too many people were being too lax in how they protected themselves from the virus.
Meanwhile, a reader in the Rhône valley, in the south of France, has been in touch to say voters have been asked to bring their own pens to the polling stations.Meanwhile, a reader in the Rhône valley, in the south of France, has been in touch to say voters have been asked to bring their own pens to the polling stations.
The Scottish government is not planning to ask over-70’s to self-isolate, contrary to the UK government.The Scottish government is not planning to ask over-70’s to self-isolate, contrary to the UK government.
Instead, elderly people in Scotland will be asked to reduce social contact.Instead, elderly people in Scotland will be asked to reduce social contact.
Jeane Freeman, Scottish health secretary confirmed the plans after UK health secretary Hancock said potential future measures to force over-70s to stay at home were a “very big ask”, but said it would be for their own “self-protection”.Jeane Freeman, Scottish health secretary confirmed the plans after UK health secretary Hancock said potential future measures to force over-70s to stay at home were a “very big ask”, but said it would be for their own “self-protection”.
Asked about whether Scotland would follow suit, Freeman said:Asked about whether Scotland would follow suit, Freeman said:
The news of the potential isolation of elderly people was briefed anonymously to journalists overnight and has led to criticism over how the UK government is communicating policies and advice.The news of the potential isolation of elderly people was briefed anonymously to journalists overnight and has led to criticism over how the UK government is communicating policies and advice.
Overnight anonymous briefings to Sunday journalists are common, but there have been calls for a new approach in light of the pandemic.Overnight anonymous briefings to Sunday journalists are common, but there have been calls for a new approach in light of the pandemic.
Asked about how the news emerged, Freeman said:Asked about how the news emerged, Freeman said:
Urgent efforts to repatriate 30,000 British tourists from ski resorts in France are underway amid warnings of “widespread failures” in the travel sector in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. Urgent efforts to repatriate 30,000 British tourists from ski resorts in France are under way amid warnings of “widespread failures” in the travel sector in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
French mountains resorts closed at midnight on Saturday just hours after tens of thousands had landed for their annual holiday in the snow.French mountains resorts closed at midnight on Saturday just hours after tens of thousands had landed for their annual holiday in the snow.
Leading ski and summer activity holiday company Neilson has called for the government to step in with “emergency measures”.Leading ski and summer activity holiday company Neilson has called for the government to step in with “emergency measures”.
There were reports of chaos and confusion across the alps with one source saying local police had taken the French government’s message into their own hands and going round hotels and restaurants telling marooned Britons to go home immediately. There were reports of chaos and confusion across the Alps with one source saying local police had taken the French government’s message into their own hands and going round hotels and restaurants telling marooned Britons to go home immediately.
Diane Palumbo, sales and marketing director at SkiWorld said she had 900 customers across the alps and they had been in talks with all the key resorts on Friday to warn them that if they were to close not to do so on Saturday when a fresh influx of tourists were scheduled to arrive. Diane Palumbo, sales and marketing director at SkiWorld, said she had 900 customers across the Alps and they had been in talks with all the key resorts on Friday to warn them that if they were to close not to do so on Saturday when a fresh influx of tourists were scheduled to arrive.
“We are getting over our anger. It was literally not until 10pm last night that we were confident of the information we were receiving. The same people who had assured us on Thursday, Friday or even Saturday that they would remain open, have now all closed,” she said.“We are getting over our anger. It was literally not until 10pm last night that we were confident of the information we were receiving. The same people who had assured us on Thursday, Friday or even Saturday that they would remain open, have now all closed,” she said.
French prime minister Edouard Philippe announced at 8pm that the country must “close all non-essential locations, notably cafes, restaurants, cinemas, nightclubs and shops” from midnight. The French prime minister, Édouard Philippe, announced that the country must “close all non-essential locations, notably cafes, restaurants, cinemas, nightclubs and shops” from midnight.
Although ski-resorts were not specifically listed, the ski industry in the UK believe they are all now closing. Although ski-resorts were not specifically listed, the ski industry in the UK believe they are all closing.
One of the biggest operators Inghams said “as a responsible tour operator” it would not be operating any more holidays to French resorts for the rest of the season and advised those who were due to go out on Sunday to abandon plans. One of the biggest operators, Inghams, said “as a responsible tour operator” it would not be operating any more holidays to French resorts for the rest of the season and advised those who were due to go out on Sunday to abandon plans.
Palumbo said all those who had booked through an ATOL backed agent would get their money back but that small to medium sized tour operators and travel companies could go bust. Palumbo said all those who had booked through an ATOL backed agent would get their money back but that small- to medium-sized tour operators and travel companies could go bust.
“The airlines are very quick to ask for help from the government but this is a massive flow of people which will costs the industry millions. If the government does not step in travel companies will start to fail because the cost of repatriation will be enormous,” she said.“The airlines are very quick to ask for help from the government but this is a massive flow of people which will costs the industry millions. If the government does not step in travel companies will start to fail because the cost of repatriation will be enormous,” she said.
David Taylor, chief executive of Neilson holidays said it was “hugely disappointed” that it received “such short notice” on the closures. He called for “emergency measures” for the sector. David Taylor, chief executive of Neilson holidays, said it was “hugely disappointed” that it received such short notice on the closures. He called for emergency measures for the sector.
Separately Ryanair was frantically working to repatriate customers stranded in Spain after the country was thrown into lockdown arrangements. It has also cancelled all flights to and from Poland.Separately Ryanair was frantically working to repatriate customers stranded in Spain after the country was thrown into lockdown arrangements. It has also cancelled all flights to and from Poland.
“Ryanair Group Airlines (including Buzz and Lauda) has been forced to severely reduce flights to/from Spain, the Balearic Islands and Canary Islands from 24.00 Sun 15 Mar until 24.00 Thurs 19 Mar,” it said in a statement.“Ryanair Group Airlines (including Buzz and Lauda) has been forced to severely reduce flights to/from Spain, the Balearic Islands and Canary Islands from 24.00 Sun 15 Mar until 24.00 Thurs 19 Mar,” it said in a statement.
It added it was “contacting all affected customers by email to advise them of their options and we urge customs not to call us”.It added it was “contacting all affected customers by email to advise them of their options and we urge customs not to call us”.
Earlier it announced all flights “to and from Poland have been cancelled from midnight on Saturday to midnight on March 31”. Earlier, it announced all flights “to and from Poland have been cancelled from midnight on Saturday to midnight on 31 March”.
The Foreign Office has advised against “all but essential travel” to the US after president Trump introduced a travel ban on the UK over the coronavirus pandemic.The Foreign Office has advised against “all but essential travel” to the US after president Trump introduced a travel ban on the UK over the coronavirus pandemic.
A Foreign Office spokesman said:A Foreign Office spokesman said:
British nationals with journeys planned and citizens already in the US are advised to contact their airlines or tour operators.British nationals with journeys planned and citizens already in the US are advised to contact their airlines or tour operators.
Health minister Nadine Dorries has reassured people panic-buying toilet roll that she has not run out of the bathroom essential during her week in self-isolation.Health minister Nadine Dorries has reassured people panic-buying toilet roll that she has not run out of the bathroom essential during her week in self-isolation.
However, it was unclear how many rolls she had in her house when her period of quarantine began after she tested positive earlier this week.However, it was unclear how many rolls she had in her house when her period of quarantine began after she tested positive earlier this week.
A piece authored by the novelist has been published n the Times (paywall) this morning, documenting the Tory MP’s coronavirus ordeal.A piece authored by the novelist has been published n the Times (paywall) this morning, documenting the Tory MP’s coronavirus ordeal.
G7 leaders will discuss the importance of a coordinated response to the impact of coronavirus on the global economy, according to No 10 following a phone conversation between Boris Johnson and Japanese prime minister Shinzō Abe.G7 leaders will discuss the importance of a coordinated response to the impact of coronavirus on the global economy, according to No 10 following a phone conversation between Boris Johnson and Japanese prime minister Shinzō Abe.
A Downing Street spokesperson said:A Downing Street spokesperson said:
Following reports of passengers not being able to claim refunds on flights to Spain after the British government advised against all but essential travel to the whole country, Ryanair has told customers they will be informed of their options.Following reports of passengers not being able to claim refunds on flights to Spain after the British government advised against all but essential travel to the whole country, Ryanair has told customers they will be informed of their options.
Muslim authorities have announced that part of the Al-Aqsa mosque in east Jerusalem, the third holiest site in Islam, is to close indefinitely due to concerns about the outbreak, with prayers continuing to be held on the esplanade outside.Muslim authorities have announced that part of the Al-Aqsa mosque in east Jerusalem, the third holiest site in Islam, is to close indefinitely due to concerns about the outbreak, with prayers continuing to be held on the esplanade outside.
Similar measures have been taken at the nearby Western Wall, the holiest place where Jews can pray, where outdoor prayers continue but only 10 people at a time are permitted in enclosed areas, in keeping with measures taken by the Israeli government.Similar measures have been taken at the nearby Western Wall, the holiest place where Jews can pray, where outdoor prayers continue but only 10 people at a time are permitted in enclosed areas, in keeping with measures taken by the Israeli government.