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Coronavirus latest updates: 14 more people die in UK as flight bans and lockdowns increase globally Coronavirus latest updates: 14 more people die in UK as flight bans and lockdowns increase globally
(32 minutes later)
UK not ruling out closure of bars, restaurants and non-essential shops while other countries introduce new measuresUK not ruling out closure of bars, restaurants and non-essential shops while other countries introduce new measures
A fugitive boss of the calabrese Mafia was arrested, on Friday, thanks to the lockdown imposed by the Italian government to contain the coronavirus.
Cesare Antonio Cordì, 42, emerging boss of the Locri clan, in Calabria, has been wanted since last July and accused of fraudulent money transfer. The man was hiding in a villa in the countryside of Locri. The police have been busy, for days, on the checks to enforce the lockdown and the ban on going out, except in cases of extreme necessity. The day before, they stopped a man with shopping bags who justified himself saying he was only bringing the groceries to a friend who could not go out.
The police were suspicious of the fact that, in that area, almost all the villas were uninhabited. In the following hours, they followed him and found the shopping was destined for the boss Cordì.
To arrest him, the intervention of a special military unit was necessary. It consists of elite and highly trained soldiers, known as the Carabinieri Heliborne Squadron, or the Cacciatori, literally: the hunters.
According to investigators, Cordì is a mobster on the rise in the fierce Locri clan and the subject of a recent investigation by the Calabrian prosecutors.
Thousands of citizens have been reported for violating the ban on staying at home, according to data from the Ministry of the Interior.
In Sciacca, Sicily, a Covid-19 positive man who was forbidden from going out, was discovered by the police, while shopping. The Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation and accused the man of “aiding the epidemic”. If convicted, he faces 12 years in prison.
There is outrage in Brazil this afternoon after the country’s far-right leader, Jair Bolsonaro, ignored medical advice to leave his presidential palace and greet supporters outside - despite supposedly having been placed in isolation on Friday because he is waiting to take another coronavirus test.
At least four close Bolsonaro aides or officials have been diagnosed with the illness since returning from a trip to the US last week and Brazil’s president is set to take another test next week following confused reports last week that initially suggested he had tested positive for Covid-19.Despite this, Bolsonaro decided to greet and touch supporters on Sunday during controversial anti-democracy protests which he has been promoting.Bolsonaro also tweeted videos and photos egging on pro-Bolsonaro protests across the country - despite the risks of such gatherings given the spread of coronavirus in the South American country.
Bolsonaro’s decision sparked fury among opponents and ordinary citizens who are increasingly alarmed about the spread of coronavirus in Brazil. Major cities including Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo have begun announcing strict measures such as the closure of schools and cinemas in a bid to contain the crisis.“President Bolsonaro is promoting corona day,” tweeted Vera Magalhães, a prominent journalist and political commentator.“Bolsonaro must be detained immediately,” tweeted the rockstar Lobão, a former supporter who has become one of the president’s most ferocious critics.In an editorial published on Sunday morning, a leading Brazilian newspaper lamented: “The major crisis Brazil now faces isn’t the stuttering economy or the threat of coronavirus. The real crisis is lacking a government when it is needed most”
All arriving passengers from the UK to Bermuda will be required to complete a health questionnaire setting out their travel history for the last 14 days and are strongly urged to self-quarantine for the next 14 days, the Bermudan government has announced.
All Dutch schools are to be closed from 16 March, while all restaurants and bars are to be closed from today (18:00 CET), the government announced at a press conference this afternoon.
Schools and childcare facilities through the Netherlands will not open tomorrow and the catering industry must close its doors from 6pm this evening.
Schools and nurseries will remain only to children of parents working in vital professions, such as health care.
Cafes, restaurants, sports clubs, saunas, sex clubs and coffee shops also have to close.
The measures will remain in force until 6 April.
Several African countries have closed borders, cancelled flights and imposed strict entry and quarantine requirements to contain the spread of the coronavirus, which has a foothold in 26 nations on the continent as cases keep rising.
The Kenyan government is suspending travel for anyone coming into Kenya from any country with reported cases, President Uhuru Kenyatta said in a televised address.
He added that anyone entering Kenya in the last 14 days should self-quarantine. The ban would take effect within 48 hours and last for at least 30 days.
Schools should close immediately and universities by the end of the week. Cashless transactions were encouraged.
Ghana will ban anyone has been to a country with more than 200 cases in the last 14 days, from Tuesday, unless they are an official resident or a Ghanaian national.
Namibia ordered schools to close for a month following two confirmed cases on Saturday.
Other nations have shut schools, cancelled religious festivals and sporting events.
Djibouti, which has no cases, announced it was suspending all international flights. Tanzania, which also has no cases yet, cancelled flights to India and suspended school games.
NHS Trusts have released the following details:NHS Trusts have released the following details:
Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust said a 72-year-old patient who tested positive for Covid-19 and had significant other health conditions had died at Queen’s hospital.Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust said a 72-year-old patient who tested positive for Covid-19 and had significant other health conditions had died at Queen’s hospital.
Epsom and St Heliere University Hospitals NHS Trust said that a man in his 80s who was being cared for at Epsom Hospital, and a man in his 60s being cared for at St Helier Hospital had both died. Both patients had underlying health conditions.Epsom and St Heliere University Hospitals NHS Trust said that a man in his 80s who was being cared for at Epsom Hospital, and a man in his 60s being cared for at St Helier Hospital had both died. Both patients had underlying health conditions.
George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust said that a woman in her 70s with underlying health conditions who was being cared for at George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton had died.George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust said that a woman in her 70s with underlying health conditions who was being cared for at George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton had died.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust said a patient in her early 90s who had underlying health conditions had died.Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust said a patient in her early 90s who had underlying health conditions had died.
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust said a man who was being cared for at Wythenshawe Hospital had died. He was aged 91 and had underlying health conditions.Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust said a man who was being cared for at Wythenshawe Hospital had died. He was aged 91 and had underlying health conditions.
Mid Essex Hospital Service NHS Trust said a patient in her 90s with underlying health conditions had died.Mid Essex Hospital Service NHS Trust said a patient in her 90s with underlying health conditions had died.
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed that a patient in his 90s who was being cared for at Queens Medical Centre had died.Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed that a patient in his 90s who was being cared for at Queens Medical Centre had died.
North Manchester Greater Hospital said two patients, both of whom were elderly and had underlying health problems, had died. One of the patients was a man in his 80s and the other was a woman in her 70s.North Manchester Greater Hospital said two patients, both of whom were elderly and had underlying health problems, had died. One of the patients was a man in his 80s and the other was a woman in her 70s.
Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust said a woman who was being cared for at New Cross Hospital had passed away. She was in her 60s and had underlying health conditions.Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust said a woman who was being cared for at New Cross Hospital had passed away. She was in her 60s and had underlying health conditions.
Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust said a man in his 80s with underlying health conditions had died.Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust said a man in his 80s with underlying health conditions had died.
Dudley Group NHS Foundation confirmed a patient in their 80s who was being treated for underlying health conditions had died.Dudley Group NHS Foundation confirmed a patient in their 80s who was being treated for underlying health conditions had died.
The catering industry, childcare centres and sports clubs in the Netherlands will close from tomorrow, according to sources from The Hague. Cafés and restaurants have to be closed to prevent the spread of the virus, just like sports canteens, the Dutch Broadcast Foundation NOS reported.The catering industry, childcare centres and sports clubs in the Netherlands will close from tomorrow, according to sources from The Hague. Cafés and restaurants have to be closed to prevent the spread of the virus, just like sports canteens, the Dutch Broadcast Foundation NOS reported.
The Dutch journalist Arjan Noorlander tweeted that “schools and crèches remain open to people with vital professions. Nurses, agents, fire brigades can ‘just’ bring their children.”The Dutch journalist Arjan Noorlander tweeted that “schools and crèches remain open to people with vital professions. Nurses, agents, fire brigades can ‘just’ bring their children.”
A student at the University of Exeter has tested positive for coronavirus while abroad, PA Media reports.A student at the University of Exeter has tested positive for coronavirus while abroad, PA Media reports.
In a letter to students, Mike Shore-Nye, the registrar and secretary of the university, said: “Our immediate concerns are for the affected student, their family and friends, as well as the health and wellbeing of our university community. The student has not been on campus since 12 March and tested positive at home.”In a letter to students, Mike Shore-Nye, the registrar and secretary of the university, said: “Our immediate concerns are for the affected student, their family and friends, as well as the health and wellbeing of our university community. The student has not been on campus since 12 March and tested positive at home.”
The student, who is with their family and feeling “relatively well”, lives alone in a private one-bedroom apartment when in Exeter, Shore-Nye said.The student, who is with their family and feeling “relatively well”, lives alone in a private one-bedroom apartment when in Exeter, Shore-Nye said.
People have not had enough of experts after all, writes our columnist John Harris in this comment piece on coronavirus and the politics of polarisation.People have not had enough of experts after all, writes our columnist John Harris in this comment piece on coronavirus and the politics of polarisation.
A package containing suspected counterfeit Covid-19 testing kits arriving from the UK was seized by US customs and border protection at LAX airport.A package containing suspected counterfeit Covid-19 testing kits arriving from the UK was seized by US customs and border protection at LAX airport.
The fake kits had been labelled as “purified water vials”. They have been turned over to the FDA for analysis.The fake kits had been labelled as “purified water vials”. They have been turned over to the FDA for analysis.
The number of UK deaths has risen to 35, after Public Health England confirmed that 14 more patients who tested positive for the coronavirus had died.The number of UK deaths has risen to 35, after Public Health England confirmed that 14 more patients who tested positive for the coronavirus had died.
Schools in the Netherlands are set to close as the Dutch government steps up measures to combat the spread of coronavirus, national broadcaster NOS reported.Schools in the Netherlands are set to close as the Dutch government steps up measures to combat the spread of coronavirus, national broadcaster NOS reported.
NOS said the measure was decided on during crisis meetings and would be announced later (5pm local time) at a government news conference.NOS said the measure was decided on during crisis meetings and would be announced later (5pm local time) at a government news conference.
The Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, has said he would not rule out closing the country’s borders or forcing people arriving from foreign nations to go into self-isolation to help combat a coronavirus outbreak.The Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, has said he would not rule out closing the country’s borders or forcing people arriving from foreign nations to go into self-isolation to help combat a coronavirus outbreak.
Asked specifically whether Canada might shut its borders to Europe or the US, Trudeau told CTV: “We are not taking anything off the table.”Asked specifically whether Canada might shut its borders to Europe or the US, Trudeau told CTV: “We are not taking anything off the table.”
So far, 249 Canadians have tested positive for Covid-19 and one person has died.So far, 249 Canadians have tested positive for Covid-19 and one person has died.
City, University of London will also end face-to-face teaching by 23 March.
The charity Beauty Banks has launched a fundraiser for people in the UK who are most vulnerable to the impact of the coronavirus and cannot afford basic hygiene essentials and foodstuffs. Donations will go to food banks, homeless shelters, youth centres, NHS trusts and refugee centres.
You can donate here.
The Spanish government has sparked ire among hairdressers over its decision to allow hair salons to remain open during the nationwide near-lockdown.
Spain declared a state of emergency on Saturday, ordering the closure of all non-essential shops as well as bars, restaurants, cafes, football grounds and cinemas.
The country’s 47 million residents have been ordered to stay at home, allowed out only to buy food and medicine or travel to work, health centres or banks.
Sources with the Spanish government said the decision to allow hairdressers to remain open was made for hygiene reasons, so as to guarantee services for people with mobility issues who may need help washing their hair.
A workers’ union representing hairdressers in the southern Spanish city of Cordoba launched a Change.org petition on Sunday calling for hairdressers to be shuttered during the lockdown.
“It doesn’t make sense to expose this sector, which has so much contact with the public, to the virus,” reads the petition. Less than a day after its launch, it had racked up more than 70,000 signatures.
Two other associations representing hairdressers said they had advised their members to close during the lockdown in order to avoid any risk of spreading the virus.
Germany is set to close its borders with France, Austria and Switzerland from 8am on Monday to try to stem the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, German media reported on Sunday afternoon.
Exceptions are expected to be made for goods traffic and commuters.
The German government took the step following a conference call with the premiers of the affected states of Rhineland-Palatinate, Baden-Württemberg and Saarland, said newspaper Bild.
The government has not officially communicated the border closures.
The US embassy and the British Foreign Office are also advising their non-resident citizens to leave Argentina quickly while flights are still open.
A hotel chain has said it could turn its properties into temporary hospitals if the NHS needs additional bed space during the coronavirus outbreak, PA reports.
Best Western Great Britain said it will discuss the move this week and would be willing to take “unprecedented” steps to help.
The chain, which is the largest independent hotel group in Britain, said it had seen a significant increase in cancellations over the last month due to the outbreak.
Rob Paterson, chief executive officer of Best Western Great Britain, said: “We are in unprecedented territory so we would be willing to take unprecedented steps to support the national effort.
“If the NHS wants additional bed space, and we can partner with other companies to provide the right medical equipment and supplies, and we can do it safely, then we would be willing to start having those conversations immediately.
“Whatever we can do to help.”
The National Education Union hastoday asked Ofsted to suspend its inspections of schools in England because of the pressure being placed on teachers by the Covid-19 outbreak.
Ofsted has come under fire after the inspectorate said it was “business as usual” during the outbreak, and noted existing guidance for inspections in situations where headteachers had died, for which it later apologised.A letter to Amanda Spielman, the chief inspector of schools in England, from the NEU’s leadership, states: “We are very concerned, given the serious challenges that Covid-19 poses for schools, that Ofsted is still planning to conduct inspections.”
The Association of School and College Leaders(ASCL)has also called on Ofsted to halt its regular inspections.
Ofsted’s counterpart in Scotland has already announced that it has suspended school visits.
Sean Harford, Ofsted’s national director of education, told ASCL’s conference that “we will look very favourably” on all requests to postpone inspections.
Any move to halt inspections will need a decision by the government and even an amendment to current legislation that mandates Ofsted to carry out regular inspections.
Arts Council England (ACE) has announced details of a three-month coronavirus action plan designed to ensure “as strong a sector as possible as we come out the other side of this crisis”.
ACE has a £622m annual budget supporting England’s arts organisations – including theatres, orchestras, festivals and opera and dance companies – as well as individual artists, museums and libraries. All of them will be affected by the escalating coronavirus situation.
On Sunday, ACE announced measures that include refocusing some grant programmes to help compensate individual artists and freelancers for lost earnings.
“This will require further planning,” ACE said in a statement. “It may take about 10 days before we can announce the details.”
It also said funding conditions for the 800-plus national portfolio organisations to which it gives money would be suspended for three months with immediate effect.
That means organisations, whether a small fringe theatre or the National Theatre for example, don’t have to worry about whether they are meeting targets on diversity or achieving goals around the relevance or distinctiveness of their work.
The same also applies to projects that get money from ACE’s creative people and places scheme. “We can also advance grant payments to assist with cashflow.”
ACE said the priority was for arts organisations to stay in business. “In exchange for our support we ask them to honour contracts agreed with freelancers and artists and to think about what help they can offer their communities.
It said the new support was “just the start” and it was “collecting intelligence from across the sector so we can understand what is needed.”
Unlike the US and much of Europe, most UK galleries, museums, theatres and concert halls have followed government advice and remained open.
That could change quickly. On Saturday, South London Gallery said it was closing until further notice because of the spread of coronavirus “in order to protect the health and wellbeing of our staff, partners and visitors”.
Organisers of mass event festivals including Glastonbury in June, Edinburgh in August and Hay in May are also ploughing on with plans assuming they will be allowed to take place.
Edinburgh international festival has cancelled public launch events due to have taken place on Wednesday in Edinburgh and London. Instead it will announce details of its 2020 programme digitally through Facebook Live. It has also promised to refund in full anyone unable to attend an event because of coronavirus.
The Vatican’s Holy Week ceremonies will go ahead but without public attendance as Italy tries to contain the coronavirus outbreak, the Holy See has said.
The UK government is being urged to block-book hotel rooms to enable rough sleepers to self-isolate amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Grassroots volunteer network Streets Kitchen and the Museum of Homelessness (MoH) have said hotel bills could be covered by the £500m coronavirus hardship fund announced in chancellor Rishi Sunak’s budget on Wednesday.
The MoH tweeted: “This would mean people are safer, cross infection rates likely in shared shelter spaces are minimised … This plan would reduce hospital admissions and stop people being turfed out of shelters onto the streets and concentrate community efforts.”
The groups said volunteers could deliver food and supplies in a safe and managed way.
The call comes more than a week after homelessness charity Crisis raised concerns that the government has no clear strategy in place to protect homeless people from catching the coronavirus.
Glass Door, one of London’s biggest night shelter operators, revealed on Friday it refused to admit a rough sleeper it feared might be carrying the virus amid a lack of guidance.
A Public Health England spokeswoman said the advice is being coordinated by the ministry of housing and will be released within days.