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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 warns over 70s will have to self-isolate as many countries increase measures
(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 countries UK also not ruling out closure of bars, restaurants and non-essential shops while flight bans and lockdowns increase across the world
Equatorial Guinea has reported its first case of coronavirus, a 42-year-old woman who flew back to the capital Malabo from Spain on March 13, the health ministry said in a statement. Goldman Sachs Group Inc has confirmed to staff its first two cases of coronavirus, Bloomberg News reports, citing internal memos.
The investment bank informed its staff that an employee from its London office had tested positive and was at home in isolation, the report said.
The London case followed an earlier memo to staff in its Sydney office that an employee working in its Governor Phillip Tower site had a confirmed case of coronavirus, the report added.
Hungary has confirmed its first death of the new coronavirus, state news agency MTI reported.
A 75 year-old Hungarian national died shortly after being hospitalised with severe pneumonia and a suspected coronavirus infection.
Hungary has 32 confirmed coronavirus cases and 159 people in quarantine, according to government data. The government closed all schools and introduced restrictions on public gathering this week.
Thousands of runners have taken part in the Bath Half Marathon, despite concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
Organisers faced calls to postpone or cancel the event, including from Bath’s MP, they but said it would go ahead as planned.
A total of 6,200 runners took part in the 13.1 mile race, about half the usual number expected.
Almost 1,000 people joined a Virtual Bath Half group on Facebook instead – running the distance in their own communities and posting about it online.
Organisers said they had “carefully considered, listened and consulted” before deciding that the it would continue as planned. They said the risk of infection from outdoor events remained low and there was “no epidemiological or medical evidence” to suggest it should be restricted.
“Even if we were to cancel at this late stage on the eve of the event, we anticipate that thousands of runners would still turn up to run the route, and we feel we would owe a duty of care to those runners, given that our resources are ready and waiting to support them.”
The move proved controversial after the postponement of other major events, including the London Marathon.
Morocco has suspended all international passenger flights to and from its airports as a protective measure against the spread of coronavirus, the foreign ministry said.
The country has confirmed 28 cases, including one death and one recovery.
Brunei has barred its citizens and foreign residents in the country from leaving the south-east Asian nation due to the coronavirus outbreak, Reuters is reporting.
The health ministry said it had confirmed 10 new cases, bringing the tally to 50.
Hong Kong has issued a “red” travel alert urging people to adjust their plans and avoid non-essential travel to Ireland, Britain and the United States, as the city tries to contain any further outbreak of coronavirus.
The government also said members of the public were advised to consider delaying all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong.
Equatorial Guinea has reported its first case of coronavirus, a 42-year-old woman who flew back to the capital, Malabo, from Spain on 13 March, the health ministry said in a statement.
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan effectively closed their borders on Sunday after Central Asia’s two biggest nations confirmed their first coronavirus cases, Reuters reports.Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan effectively closed their borders on Sunday after Central Asia’s two biggest nations confirmed their first coronavirus cases, Reuters reports.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared a state of emergency, barring entry to Kazakhstan for everyone except returning citizens, diplomats and those invited by the government; Kazakhs are also barred from leaving the country. Kazakh president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared a state of emergency, barring entry to Kazakhstan for everyone except returning citizens, diplomats and those invited by the government; Kazakhs are also barred from leaving the country.
Uzbekistan announced similar sweeping measures, barring entry for all foreigners and departures by locals.Uzbekistan announced similar sweeping measures, barring entry for all foreigners and departures by locals.
The Tashkent government also closed schools, universities and colleges for three weeks, and cancelled all public events, measures previously announced by Kazakhstan.The Tashkent government also closed schools, universities and colleges for three weeks, and cancelled all public events, measures previously announced by Kazakhstan.
The Kazakh president’s decree introduced restrictions - without detailing them - on the work of large retail trade facilities in addition to the already announced closure of all entertainment venues. The Kazakh president’s decree introduced restrictions – without detailing them – on the work of large retail trade facilities in addition to the already announced closure of all entertainment venues.
Tokayev’s office said he would address the nation of 19 million on Monday via state television. The emergency is set to last until April 15. Tokayev’s office said he would address the nation of 19 million on Monday via state television. The emergency is set to last until 15 April.
Kazakhstan has confirmed eight coronavirus cases over the last three days, while Uzbekistan, which has a population of 34 million, reported its first case on Sunday, saying it has quarantined 150 people who arrived on the same plane from Paris.Kazakhstan has confirmed eight coronavirus cases over the last three days, while Uzbekistan, which has a population of 34 million, reported its first case on Sunday, saying it has quarantined 150 people who arrived on the same plane from Paris.
Spain is to punish people who fail to comply with the restrictions that have been imposed in response to the coronavirus pandemic. El Pais reported that people could be fined €100 euros, and even sentenced to a year in prison if they “seriously resist or disobey the authorities or their agents in the exercise of their functions ”.Spain is to punish people who fail to comply with the restrictions that have been imposed in response to the coronavirus pandemic. El Pais reported that people could be fined €100 euros, and even sentenced to a year in prison if they “seriously resist or disobey the authorities or their agents in the exercise of their functions ”.
People in Spain – Europe’s worst-hit country after Italy – have been banned from leaving their homes unless they are buying essential supplies and medicines, or going work, following the deaths of 191 people from the virus.People in Spain – Europe’s worst-hit country after Italy – have been banned from leaving their homes unless they are buying essential supplies and medicines, or going work, following the deaths of 191 people from the virus.
Sportswear giant Nike Inc is set to close all of its stores in the United States and several other countries to limit the spread of the coronavirus.Sportswear giant Nike Inc is set to close all of its stores in the United States and several other countries to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Nike stores in Canada, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand will be closed from March 16 to 27, the company said in a statement.Nike stores in Canada, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand will be closed from March 16 to 27, the company said in a statement.
However, Nike-owned stores in South Korea, Japan, most of China and in many other countries are currently open and will continue their normal operations.However, Nike-owned stores in South Korea, Japan, most of China and in many other countries are currently open and will continue their normal operations.
“We are taking additional steps in other Nike-managed facilities, including the option to work from home,” it added.“We are taking additional steps in other Nike-managed facilities, including the option to work from home,” it added.
Earlier this month Nike had temporarily closed its European headquarters in the Netherlands after an employee was infected with the coronavirus.Earlier this month Nike had temporarily closed its European headquarters in the Netherlands after an employee was infected with the coronavirus.
Major sporting events in South Africa are now being cancelled as the number of cases there begins to rise steeply. The total has now reached 51, thirteen more than yesterday. Major sporting events in South Africa are being cancelled as the number of cases there begins to rise steeply. The total has reached 51, 13 more than yesterday.
All – or almost all – appear to be individuals who have recently returned from travel to Europe or other badly-hit places. This has been the pattern across most of the continent, where numbers of confirmed cases overall remain negligible compared to elsewhere. All – or almost all – appear to be individuals who have recently returned from travel to Europe or other badly hit places. This has been the pattern across most of the continent, where numbers of confirmed cases overall remain negligible compared to elsewhere.
Kenya, which has significant commercial ties with China and Europe, announced its first case late last week. However the pandemic is still having a major effect. Kenya, which has significant commercial ties with China and Europe, announced its first case late last week. However, the pandemic is still having a major effect.
A series of sporting events in South Africa have been cancelled in recent days including the iconic Two Oceans ultra marathon in Cape Town which was set to take place early next month. Among sporting events in South Africa that have been cancelled in recent days include the Two Oceans ultra marathon in Cape Town, which was set to take place early next month.
There are widespread fears that weak and under-resourced health systems across the continent will have difficulty coping with large numbers of seriously ill people. Ventilators and other critical equipment are in extremely short supply in many countries.There are widespread fears that weak and under-resourced health systems across the continent will have difficulty coping with large numbers of seriously ill people. Ventilators and other critical equipment are in extremely short supply in many countries.
When I heard about Britain’s ‘herd immunity’ coronavirus plan, I thought it was satire, writes Dr William Hanage, a professor of the evolution and epidemiology of infectious disease at Harvard.When I heard about Britain’s ‘herd immunity’ coronavirus plan, I thought it was satire, writes Dr William Hanage, a professor of the evolution and epidemiology of infectious disease at Harvard.
More than €4m has been raised in Italy from hundreds of campaigns within 24 hours to help those at the heart of the coronavirus outbreak, GoFundMe said.More than €4m has been raised in Italy from hundreds of campaigns within 24 hours to help those at the heart of the coronavirus outbreak, GoFundMe said.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
Asked about how the news emerged, Freeman said:
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
“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”.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.