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Coronavirus: Germany to 'largely' shut borders with France, Switzerland and Austria | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Germany will "largely" shut its borders with France, Switzerland and Austria from Monday to stop coronavirus spreading, government sources say. | |
Other EU states are also taking radical action, with Austria banning gatherings of more than five people from Monday. | |
Romania is to declare a state of emergency. The Czech Republic, which has already closed its borders, could introduce a nationwide quarantine. | |
The moves follow strict measures taken by France and Spain on Saturday. | The moves follow strict measures taken by France and Spain on Saturday. |
Spain recorded 97 more deaths and 2,000 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the country's total death toll to 288 and overall number of cases to 7,753. | |
France, with 4,469 confirmed cases and 91 deaths, is holding local elections, despite the shutting of cafes, restaurants and most shops. | France, with 4,469 confirmed cases and 91 deaths, is holding local elections, despite the shutting of cafes, restaurants and most shops. |
Italy, which has recorded 1,441 deaths and and 21,157 cases, began a nationwide lockdown on Monday. | Italy, which has recorded 1,441 deaths and and 21,157 cases, began a nationwide lockdown on Monday. |
The Czech Republic and Slovakia have already closed their borders. | The Czech Republic and Slovakia have already closed their borders. |
The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday that Europe was now the "epicentre" of the pandemic. | The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday that Europe was now the "epicentre" of the pandemic. |
WHO head Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has urged countries to use aggressive measures, community mobilisation and social distancing to save lives. | WHO head Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has urged countries to use aggressive measures, community mobilisation and social distancing to save lives. |
How will the German border shutdown work? | |
According to German media, the borders will close at 08:00 (07:00 GMT) on Monday. | |
However, goods will continue to flow between the countries and commuters may still cross the borders. | |
The aim is to contain coronavirus but also reportedly to curb panic-buying by foreigners which has led to some supply problems in the border regions. | |
Germany has seen at least nine deaths with coronavirus and 4,585 cases of infection. | |
What is happening in other EU states? | |
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz urged people to self-isolate and banned gatherings of more than five people as of Monday. | Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz urged people to self-isolate and banned gatherings of more than five people as of Monday. |
He added the UK, the Netherlands, Russia and Ukraine to a list of countries, entry to whose citizens is restricted. | He added the UK, the Netherlands, Russia and Ukraine to a list of countries, entry to whose citizens is restricted. |
Schools and most shops will be closed from Monday, following an earlier announcement. | Schools and most shops will be closed from Monday, following an earlier announcement. |
Meanwhile, the prime minister of the neighbouring Czech Republic, Andrej Babis, said in a TV interview he would propose to government that the entire country should be put under quarantine. | Meanwhile, the prime minister of the neighbouring Czech Republic, Andrej Babis, said in a TV interview he would propose to government that the entire country should be put under quarantine. |
He said the number of cases in the country had risen from 214 to 231, with no fatalities. | He said the number of cases in the country had risen from 214 to 231, with no fatalities. |
Romania, which has 123 cases, is set to declare a state of emergency on Monday. | Romania, which has 123 cases, is set to declare a state of emergency on Monday. |
On Saturday Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said citizens should not leave home, except for buying essential supplies and medicines, or for work. | On Saturday Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said citizens should not leave home, except for buying essential supplies and medicines, or for work. |
The state of emergency there will last for two weeks - more if deemed necessary and parliament approves. | The state of emergency there will last for two weeks - more if deemed necessary and parliament approves. |
In France the closure - which went into force at 23:00 GMT on Saturday - applies to restaurants, cafes, cinemas and nightclubs as well as non-essential businesses. | In France the closure - which went into force at 23:00 GMT on Saturday - applies to restaurants, cafes, cinemas and nightclubs as well as non-essential businesses. |
Prime Minister Édouard Philippe also asked people to reduce their travel, especially between towns, in the country of 63.5 million. | Prime Minister Édouard Philippe also asked people to reduce their travel, especially between towns, in the country of 63.5 million. |
Are you in France, Spain or Austria? Have you been affected by the coronavirus? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in France, Spain or Austria? Have you been affected by the coronavirus? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |