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Coronavirus latest updates: UK warns over 70s will have to self-isolate as many countries increase measures Coronavirus latest updates: UK warns over-70s will have to self-isolate as many countries increase measures
(30 minutes later)
UK also not ruling out closure of bars, restaurants and non-essential shops while flight bans and lockdowns increase across the worldUK also not ruling out closure of bars, restaurants and non-essential shops while flight bans and lockdowns increase across the world
The government of Hong Kong will extend compulsory self-quarantine to arrivals who have been to the UK, Ireland, the USA and Egypt, regardless of whether they are Hong Kong citizens, as of 19 March.
Cyprus has said it will tighten its borders to only allow persons into the country with medical clearance, and place those who do arrive in compulsory quarantine for two weeks to curb the spread of coronavirus.
It also announced a suspension in operations of private businesses, including retail stores, nightclubs, hotels and malls.
Thousands of Cypriot students currently abroad would be offered a 750 euro benefit to stay in the country of their study, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said.
Cyprus presently has 26 coronavirus cases reported.
Iran recorded the highest number of deaths in a single day from coronavirus on Saturday, Iran’s ministry of health announced on Sunday.
The number of people killed in the 24 hours to Saturday lunchtime was 113 people, raising the country’s death toll to 724. The number of infected people had reached 13,938, a rise of 1,209, a small drop on the size of the previous 24 hour increase.
Health ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur told state TV that 4,590 of those infected had recovered.
The figures came as public authorities continued to disagree over measures to stem the flow of new cases. Some of the worst affected areas called for a quarantine of their cities, but the Mayor of Tehran said the measure was not practicable. He has advised all people aged over 60 to stay home, but he is not imposing a closure of shops or offices. Officials are relying on citizens to show self-restraint.
A claim by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps on Friday that they were set to clean the streets, roads and shops over the weekend did not materialise with large numbers still out in Tehran shopping and acting as normal. The army instead started screening drills in a small number of provinces.
The President Hassan Rouhani said he opposed curfews, and also rejected plans for fines to be imposed on anyone found to be driving while infected. He said it would be a sufficient punishment to turn people back, and gave the go-ahead for roadside checks in 11 provinces. He also announced a 3-month grace period for hard pressed businesses to pay tax, electricity, water and gas bills and banking loans.
The death toll remained concentrated with the most 251 dying in the capital Tehran, 84 in Qom city and 143 in Khorazan and 72 in Mazandaran province. The vast majority are aged over 60 or more.
On Saturday cabinet spokesman Ali Rabiee denied all rumours about a lockdown in Tehran.
Kate Connolly, our correspondent in Berlin reports that Germany is to close its borders to France, Switzerland and Austria, the government has just announced.
5,072 people were confirmed to have the coronavirus by early afternoon today, with the western state of North Rhine Westphalia, which borders the Netherlands and Belgium, the worst affected area with 2,100 cases. The 9th and 10th deaths from the virus in Germany were announced today. Last week a German man died in Egypt from the virus.
German doctors have warned that they face a personnel shortage, which should be of far greater concern than the oft-cited potential lack of ventilators in case of a mass outbreak. Michael Pfeiffer, president of the German Respiratory Society (DGP) said intensive care wards were already understaffed. He urged decision-makers to train extra staff as a matter of urgency.
Uwe Janssens, general secretary of the German Society for ICU Medicine and Emergency Medicine (DIVI), said the recommendations given by the Robert Koch Institute, the leading German public health advisory body, that every medical carer who has been in close, unprotected contact with confirmed coronavirus cases should self-isolate, was “quite simply not practical”. Janssens said it could lead to the collapse of Germany’s health system.
In the southern state of Bavaria, which is the third worst affected state, with 681 confirmed cases, local elections are taking place today, despite coronavirus fears, with people advised to bring their own pens, and soap, water and disinfectant on hand for voting station staff. The number of people who chose to vote by postal vote in the last few days, is said to have been considerably higher than in previous years.
As authorities ordered the closure of pubs and bars in Berlin, on top of the widespread closure of cultural venues, and all gatherings of 50 people or more, the city’s police urged the public not to call emergency services if they spotted a venue that had yet to close. “The order is still very new and word still needs to get around,” the police said in a tweet. “There is no need to ring our emergency number if you see pubs and bars which are still open.”
Gatherings of more than 50 people have been banned on the island of Montserrat.
The government also advised that all schools would be closed from 16 March-3 April, and hospital visits would be restricted until further notice.
The action curtailed St Patrick’s Week festivities and saw other events cancelled.
The move came after a passenger on a flight from the UK to Antigua tested positive for Covid-19 and it transpired that more than 80 Montserrat-bound passengers had travelled on the same flight. The passengers have been advised to self-isolate.
There are no confirmed cases on the island.
Georgia will temporarily shut its border with Russia for travellers from 16 March in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus, the government has said.
“This decision would not apply accordingly to the citizens of the Russian Federation and Georgia who wish to return to their home country,” the government said on its website. Restrictions will not apply to freight traffic.
The ex-Soviet country of 3.7 million people has 30 cases of coronavirus, the highest number in the South Caucasus region.
Earlier this month, Georgia elections officials delayed the state’s presidential primary set for 24 March until 19 May in an effort to slow the spread of the pandemic.
Goldman Sachs Group Inc has confirmed to staff its first two cases of coronavirus, Bloomberg News reports, citing internal memos.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 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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.”“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.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.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.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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.