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Coronavirus updates: all non-essential foreign travel to EU set to be banned for 30 days – live news Coronavirus updates: WHO tells governments to 'test, test, test', as EU proposes 30-day travel ban – live news
(32 minutes later)
US measures ramped up; Spain takes over private healthcare providers; UK cases jump by more than 170 overnight. Follow the latest newsUS measures ramped up; Spain takes over private healthcare providers; UK cases jump by more than 170 overnight. Follow the latest news
The head of the World Health Organizaion, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has implored governments to test more suspected cases, warning that they cannot fight the pandemic blindfolded.
In a strongly-worded attack on governments which have neglected or held back testing, he said: “We have not seen an urgent enough escalation in testing, isolation and contact tracing, which is the backbone of the response.”
Tedros added:
The regional leader of Spain’s Catalonia, Quim Torra, has tested positive for coronavirus.
Torra said he began noticing symptoms on Sunday, soon after the region’s deputy leader, Pere Aragonès, said he had tested positive.
In recent days, Torra has emerged as one of the fiercest critics of Spain’s emergency measures, joining the Basque country in claiming that the centralisation of powers could undermine the autonomy of Spain’s regions. The separatist was the only regional leader who refused to sign a joint document with the central government promising united action as the nation battles an epidemic that ranks among the worst in Europe.
Spain has confirmed 9,191 cases and 309 deaths, making it the second hardest-hit country in Europe after Italy.
Last week Torra called for Madrid to suspend all travel to Catalonia by closing airports and train stations in the region. On Monday he reiterated his call for stronger measures to stem the spread of Covid-19. “We can’t let another minute go by,” said Torra. Catalonia has confirmed around 900 cases and 33 deaths.
Several high-profile Spanish politicians have tested positive in recent days, including Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the leader of the Madrid region, as well as two ministers in the Spanish government, Irene Montero and Carolina Darias. Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez, tested positive earlier this week.
On Monday, Malaga-based football club Atletico Portada Alta confirmed the death of Francisco Garcia, a 21-year-old junior team coach. Garcia had reportedly been suffering a form of leukaemia, leaving him vulnerable to coronavirus.
Two major online supermarket websites in the UK went into meltdown today and imposed “virtual queues” for their shoppers as retailers battled to cope with the ongoing surge of online grocery orders due to fears about the impact of coronavirus.
As panic buying continues to sweep the UK, Waitrose shoppers were left unable to complete their planned grocery orders due to “technical issues” while Ocado customers were also told they had to wait in a “virtual queue” of at least fifteen minutes.
After ongoing technical glitches over the weekend, which led to many Ocado deliveries this morning delayed and then cancelled at short notice, the online grocer also said that it will not be processing “new customers bookings” until further notice. It has also suspended its online shopping app which failed last Friday.
Existing Ocado customers logging into their accounts have been greeted with a message saying:
In a further update to its website it also explains that due to “unusual demand, we have made the call to temporarily prioritise deliveries for existing registered customers. We will not be processing new customer bookings for the time being.”
Meanwhile, Waitrose shoppers unable to access their accounts or complete their grocery orders were told: “If you’re experiencing technical issues at this busy time, please bear with us. We’ll fix them as soon as we can.”
A Waitrose spokesperson said:“We are experiencing some intermittent technical issues due to high volumes, but we’re working to resolve them and are sorry for any inconvenience. We have a queue system in place to manage flow to the website.”
The fallout comes as grocery retailers continued to cope with a surge in demand for store cupboard essentials, including toilet roll, dried pasta and tinned tomatoes, as shoppers stock up in preparation for potential self-isolation amid fears of shortages or store closures. Even wet wipes, kitchen roll and biscuits are also selling out.
Malaysia has imposed sweeping measures to slow the spread of coronavirus, after the number of cases confirmed in the country rose to 553.
The country will ban all mass gatherings, including religious, sports and social activities. All citizens will be banned from travelling overseas, and any Malaysians returning to the country will be required to self quarantine for 14 days. No foreign tourists will be allowed entry.
All schools, kindergartens, universities and colleges will be closed, as will many government and private offices. The measures will be introduced on Wednesday for a two week period.
Officials earlier confirmed 125 new cases, part of a sudden wave of infections linked to a gathering at a mosque in Kuala Lumpur, which was attended by 16,000 people.
The Freight Transport Association in the UK has confirmed that there are no hold ups for trucks bringing food in from Spain, France or elsewhere in Europe at the moment.
It insists that supplies are getting through to supermarkets, particularly of perishable foods that come from the continent including lettuce, tomatoes and winter vegetables.
However Elizabeth de Jong the FTA’s UK policy advisor are concerned about the sharp reduction in flights warning that 70% of freight is transported on passenger planes including critical pharmaceuticals, scientific equipment, some food and flowers.
The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said the EU travel ban proposal would not apply to UK citizens.
She told a press conference: “The UK citizens are European citizens so of course there are no restrictions for the UK citizens to travel to the continent.”
Von Der Leyen also endorsed tough social distancing measures being imposed in Europe. But she urged neighbouring countries to “harmonize” their measures they are taking to give a clear message to citizens.
She said: “It is important that our healthcare system is able to deal with the amount of patients that are severely ill. And therefore it’s of utmost importance to take all these measures member states are taking right now to slow down social contracts to slow down public life.”
On the proposed travel ban she said:
Those commuting to work across borders will also be exempt
Guardian reader Clare Finnigan noticed that Paperchase in London appears to be banning cash payments. A sign on the window of a store in Islington’s Upper Street said it is only accepting credit card payments to “protect our customers and colleagues”.Guardian reader Clare Finnigan noticed that Paperchase in London appears to be banning cash payments. A sign on the window of a store in Islington’s Upper Street said it is only accepting credit card payments to “protect our customers and colleagues”.
In the UK, routine inspections for hospitals, GP surgeries and care homes have been suspended so health and care workers can concentrate efforts on battling coronavirus.In the UK, routine inspections for hospitals, GP surgeries and care homes have been suspended so health and care workers can concentrate efforts on battling coronavirus.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) announced it has temporarily paused inspections of health and care organisations where there are no immediate safety concerns.The Care Quality Commission (CQC) announced it has temporarily paused inspections of health and care organisations where there are no immediate safety concerns.
The move was welcomed by health leaders, some of whom had warned that inspections could divert attention away from clinical care.The move was welcomed by health leaders, some of whom had warned that inspections could divert attention away from clinical care.
Ian Trenholm, chief executive of the CQC, said:Ian Trenholm, chief executive of the CQC, said:
The NHS Confederation said frontline staff will “breathe a sigh of relief” as the NHS faces “the greatest challenge in its history”. The British Medical Association (BMA) said the decision was “common sense”.The NHS Confederation said frontline staff will “breathe a sigh of relief” as the NHS faces “the greatest challenge in its history”. The British Medical Association (BMA) said the decision was “common sense”.
A major push to provide provide food supplies and mental health support to older Irish residents – Britain’s oldest ethnic group and the most likely to already feel isolated even before the impact of the coronavirus pandemic - is being launched in London.A major push to provide provide food supplies and mental health support to older Irish residents – Britain’s oldest ethnic group and the most likely to already feel isolated even before the impact of the coronavirus pandemic - is being launched in London.
The switching of existing services at the London Irish Centre to door to door deliveries coincided with the news that a food bank used by vulnerable people in the same part of the city is closing to minimise the risk of coronavirus infection“We had our last lunch club at the centre today for the many older people who come and there was a look of shock on their faces but the response from people wanting to get involved in what we’re going to be doing has been incredible,” said Brian Hanley, Director of Community Services at the centre. The switching of existing services at the London Irish Centre to door to door deliveries and a helpline coincided with the news that a food bank used by vulnerable people in the same part of the city is closing to minimise the risk of coronavirus infection“We had our last lunch club at the centre today for the many older people who come and there was a look of shock on their faces but the response from people wanting to get involved in what we’re going to be doing has been incredible,” said Brian Hanley, Director of Community Services at the centre.
Hanley, whose colleagues work with 2,400 vulnerable people a year to provide benefits advice service, lunch clubs and a befriending service, said that an analysis had shown the Irish in Britain were likely to be older than members of other communities, have long term health conditions and live alone.Hanley, whose colleagues work with 2,400 vulnerable people a year to provide benefits advice service, lunch clubs and a befriending service, said that an analysis had shown the Irish in Britain were likely to be older than members of other communities, have long term health conditions and live alone.
“What we’re doing is making plans to redirect all of our resources and services for the community and target it at those most in need over the coming months. We’re talking about a generation who moved to Britain in the 1950s and played a major part in building up London’s infrastructure, the NHS and more but who have high levels of need now.”“What we’re doing is making plans to redirect all of our resources and services for the community and target it at those most in need over the coming months. We’re talking about a generation who moved to Britain in the 1950s and played a major part in building up London’s infrastructure, the NHS and more but who have high levels of need now.”
The centre, which has cancelled St Patrick’s day events that were due to take place there, requires donations and volunteers. Its coronavirus effort ranges from food deliveries of home-cooked food through to telephone calls and advice from a qualified nurse.The centre, which has cancelled St Patrick’s day events that were due to take place there, requires donations and volunteers. Its coronavirus effort ranges from food deliveries of home-cooked food through to telephone calls and advice from a qualified nurse.
It comes after there was shock today/Monday when Islington Food Bank announced it was closing to the public from march 23. “We understand that we provide a service to vulnerable people who may need us now more than ever, but still feel this is the best way to keep our volunteers and clients safe and minimise the risk of infection,” it said in a statement.It comes after there was shock today/Monday when Islington Food Bank announced it was closing to the public from march 23. “We understand that we provide a service to vulnerable people who may need us now more than ever, but still feel this is the best way to keep our volunteers and clients safe and minimise the risk of infection,” it said in a statement.
The EU is proposing suspending all non-essential travel for 30 days, the president of the EU commission has announced.The EU is proposing suspending all non-essential travel for 30 days, the president of the EU commission has announced.
Italy’s top flight football league, Serie A, is considering splitting the current campaign over two seasons.Italy’s top flight football league, Serie A, is considering splitting the current campaign over two seasons.
Northern Ireland has recorded seven new cases of Covid-19 since Sunday taking its total to 52 cases, Stormont health minister Robin Swann said.Northern Ireland has recorded seven new cases of Covid-19 since Sunday taking its total to 52 cases, Stormont health minister Robin Swann said.
The health authorities have expanded their definition of cases of the virus.The health authorities have expanded their definition of cases of the virus.
Swann said 88 intensive care unit (ICU) beds were available and there were plans to expand that to 126 adult beds.Swann said 88 intensive care unit (ICU) beds were available and there were plans to expand that to 126 adult beds.
At least 36 people have now died in the UK after being diagnosed with coronavirus, after Wales confirmed its first death.At least 36 people have now died in the UK after being diagnosed with coronavirus, after Wales confirmed its first death.
The patient, who was in their sixties and had underlying health conditions, died at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.The patient, who was in their sixties and had underlying health conditions, died at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
Across the UK, 1,543 people have now tested positive for Covid-19, up from 1,372 at the same time on Sunday. However, many thousands more are estimated to have been infected.Across the UK, 1,543 people have now tested positive for Covid-19, up from 1,372 at the same time on Sunday. However, many thousands more are estimated to have been infected.
Over 200 British and American passengers are among 609 people on a cruise ship in isolation in Recife in the north-eastern Brazilian state of Pernambuco, Dom Phillips reports from Brazil.Over 200 British and American passengers are among 609 people on a cruise ship in isolation in Recife in the north-eastern Brazilian state of Pernambuco, Dom Phillips reports from Brazil.
Two passengers have been removed for coronavirus testing from the Silver Shadow - a Canadian male passenger, aged 78, tested positive and an Irish woman tested negative, local media reported.Two passengers have been removed for coronavirus testing from the Silver Shadow - a Canadian male passenger, aged 78, tested positive and an Irish woman tested negative, local media reported.
Sailing from Buenos Aires to Fort Lauderdale after stopping in Rio de Janeiro and Salvador, the Silver Shadow docked in Recife on March 12 and has been isolated there since the Canadian passenger left the ship, felt sick and was taken to a local private hospital.Sailing from Buenos Aires to Fort Lauderdale after stopping in Rio de Janeiro and Salvador, the Silver Shadow docked in Recife on March 12 and has been isolated there since the Canadian passenger left the ship, felt sick and was taken to a local private hospital.
According to a ship’s manifest seen by The Guardian, there are 109 British passengers – 62 female and 47 male – among the 318 passengers and eight British nationals among the 291 crew. There are also 103 US passengers.According to a ship’s manifest seen by The Guardian, there are 109 British passengers – 62 female and 47 male – among the 318 passengers and eight British nationals among the 291 crew. There are also 103 US passengers.
A spokeswoman for the ship’s owners Silversea, part of the Royal Caribbean group, said:A spokeswoman for the ship’s owners Silversea, part of the Royal Caribbean group, said:
Olimar Cardoso, Pernambuco director of Brazil’s sanitary vigilance agency, ANVISA, told reporters on Saturday that passengers are only allowed to circulate around the ship in small groups and meals are left outside their cabins. “It is a situation nobody likes to go through,” he said.Olimar Cardoso, Pernambuco director of Brazil’s sanitary vigilance agency, ANVISA, told reporters on Saturday that passengers are only allowed to circulate around the ship in small groups and meals are left outside their cabins. “It is a situation nobody likes to go through,” he said.
A spokesman for the British embassy said it is working closely with Royal Caribbean on “how best to get British nationals home.” The US Consulate in Recife said it is “in contact with Brazilian authorities regarding the well-being and safety of U.S. passengers”.A spokesman for the British embassy said it is working closely with Royal Caribbean on “how best to get British nationals home.” The US Consulate in Recife said it is “in contact with Brazilian authorities regarding the well-being and safety of U.S. passengers”.
A Pernambuco government spokesman said it has been meeting with health ministry, embassies and the navy to find a “safe way to return everyone to their countries.”A Pernambuco government spokesman said it has been meeting with health ministry, embassies and the navy to find a “safe way to return everyone to their countries.”
In Germany the federal government has announced the closure of a range of non-essential retail outlets in its latest bid to curb the spread of coronavirus.In Germany the federal government has announced the closure of a range of non-essential retail outlets in its latest bid to curb the spread of coronavirus.
There are hopes supermarket delivery services could ease tensions by getting supplies to those advised to self isolate and also avoid lots of people going to shops for their supplies, Vikram Dodd reports.There are hopes supermarket delivery services could ease tensions by getting supplies to those advised to self isolate and also avoid lots of people going to shops for their supplies, Vikram Dodd reports.
But on Monday morning they were buckling under the pressure.But on Monday morning they were buckling under the pressure.
Sainsburys had no delivery slots for the next three weeks, Ocado was closed to new customers and had introduced a “virtual queue” for existing customers and Waitrose was off line altogether.Sainsburys had no delivery slots for the next three weeks, Ocado was closed to new customers and had introduced a “virtual queue” for existing customers and Waitrose was off line altogether.
An estimated 140,000 people have been laid off in Ireland since emergency measures to combat coronavirus were introduced four days ago, according to national broadcaster RTE.An estimated 140,000 people have been laid off in Ireland since emergency measures to combat coronavirus were introduced four days ago, according to national broadcaster RTE.
This is a combination of 70,000 restaurant workers, 50,000 pub and bar staff, and around 20,000 crèche and childcare workers. it reported.This is a combination of 70,000 restaurant workers, 50,000 pub and bar staff, and around 20,000 crèche and childcare workers. it reported.
This is a huge shock to the economy and triple them monthly unemployment numbers in the 2010 crash and possibly gives a glimpse of the consequences to come if the UK’s follows EU countries and moves to close schools and introduce curfews on restaurants and bars.This is a huge shock to the economy and triple them monthly unemployment numbers in the 2010 crash and possibly gives a glimpse of the consequences to come if the UK’s follows EU countries and moves to close schools and introduce curfews on restaurants and bars.
The minister for social protection said they had 20,000 applications for benefits on Friday alone.The minister for social protection said they had 20,000 applications for benefits on Friday alone.
As the prime minister prepares for the first of what are to be daily briefings on the developing coronavirus situation in the UK, here’s the Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins on why he thinks that they may only make things worse.As the prime minister prepares for the first of what are to be daily briefings on the developing coronavirus situation in the UK, here’s the Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins on why he thinks that they may only make things worse.