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Coronavirus updates: WHO tells countries to 'test, test, test', as EU proposes 30-day travel ban – live news Coronavirus updates: WHO tells countries to 'test, test, test', as EU proposes 30-day travel ban – live news
(32 minutes later)
Director-general of World Health Organization says ‘We cannot fight a fire blindfolded’; US measures ramped up; Germany closes shops. Follow the latest newsDirector-general of World Health Organization says ‘We cannot fight a fire blindfolded’; US measures ramped up; Germany closes shops. Follow the latest news
The death toll in Italy from Covid-19 has increased to more than 2,000 with the announcement of another 349 victims. Angela Merkel has announced a raft of further drastic measures to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus in Germany, including the closure of places of worship, playgrounds and non-essential shops.
Speaking at a press conference in Berlin on Monday afternoon, the German chancellor issued new guidelines for restricting social gatherings, which the country’s federal state are expected to enforce in the coming days. She said:
The measures include the closure of bars, clubs, theatres, museums, cinemas, trade fairs and brothels, as well as a ban on services of worship at churches, mosques and synagogues.
A number of shops will be exempted from the restrictions and may be allowed to open their doors on Sundays, the chancellor said. They include supermarkets, corner stores, pharmacies, petrol stations, banks, post offices, hairdressers, hardware stores and delivery services.
Restaurants are to open their doors from six am until 6pm.
The southern state of Bavaria had already announced on Monday morning it would implement state of emergency measures to the same effect from this Wednesday.
Canada’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau, says he will close his country’s border to foreigners. Only four Canadian airports will be allowed to accept international flights, he said.
The closure will not apply to commerce or trade, Trudeau said.
Boris Johnson first daily briefing has come to an end. Here’s a news story on the main points:
The UK has defended its record on testing in response to that call by the WHO’s director general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, to ‘test, test, test.”
Tedros told a press conference in Geneva that government’s cannot fight the pandemic blindfolded. Johnson was challenged about this at his Downing Street briefing, but left it to his chief medical officer, Chris Whitty to answer.
Whitty said:
A prison officer at HMP High Down, south London, UK, has tested positive for coronavirus.
A Prison Service spokesperson said:
Here’s video of the WHO’s very clear message on testing.
The death toll in Italy from Covid-19 has increased to 2,158, with the announcement of another 349 victims.
Egyptian officials have announced that the country will close its airports and halt all domestic and international air travel from Thursday until the end of March.Egyptian officials have announced that the country will close its airports and halt all domestic and international air travel from Thursday until the end of March.
The country has banned large gatherings, limited prayer times and curbed many public activities in order to respond to the spread of the disease.The country has banned large gatherings, limited prayer times and curbed many public activities in order to respond to the spread of the disease.
Separately, Egyptian officials and the World Health Organization responded to scientific research published by the Guardian on the likely number of COVID-19 cases in Egypt.Separately, Egyptian officials and the World Health Organization responded to scientific research published by the Guardian on the likely number of COVID-19 cases in Egypt.
Infectious disease specialists at the University of Toronto detailed how the total number of those infected in Egypt was likely higher than Egypt’s official infection rate, which currently stands at 126. “We estimated an outbreak size of 19,310 cases,” they said, adding that this figure is an average, with the range between 6,270 and 45,070 cases.Infectious disease specialists at the University of Toronto detailed how the total number of those infected in Egypt was likely higher than Egypt’s official infection rate, which currently stands at 126. “We estimated an outbreak size of 19,310 cases,” they said, adding that this figure is an average, with the range between 6,270 and 45,070 cases.
The disparity is likely due to a lack of widespread testing, Egypt’s overwhelmingly young population who are less likely to show symptoms, and a reticence among some to self-report their illness. At least 97 foreign nationals reported symptoms of COVID-19 after leaving Egypt since mid-February.The disparity is likely due to a lack of widespread testing, Egypt’s overwhelmingly young population who are less likely to show symptoms, and a reticence among some to self-report their illness. At least 97 foreign nationals reported symptoms of COVID-19 after leaving Egypt since mid-February.
The Canadian scientists findings’ sparked angry rebukes from the Egyptian authorities, including Egypt’s Ministry of Health who denied the report and labelled it “a complete disgrace to health.” The spokesman for Egypt’s Ministry of Health, Khaled Megahed, added the “the ministry announces any cases who test positive for the emerging coronavirus.” He did not respond to further requests for comment by the Guardian.The Canadian scientists findings’ sparked angry rebukes from the Egyptian authorities, including Egypt’s Ministry of Health who denied the report and labelled it “a complete disgrace to health.” The spokesman for Egypt’s Ministry of Health, Khaled Megahed, added the “the ministry announces any cases who test positive for the emerging coronavirus.” He did not respond to further requests for comment by the Guardian.
The World Health Organization in Cairo said it could not verify the methodology used by the Toronto-based researchers. A WHO official told reporters that the organisation draws the data it publishes from hospitals, meaning there are normally reporting delays. “It is possible that there are many other cases with mild symptoms which did not result in hospital visits, and therefore are not detected and reported,” the official said.The World Health Organization in Cairo said it could not verify the methodology used by the Toronto-based researchers. A WHO official told reporters that the organisation draws the data it publishes from hospitals, meaning there are normally reporting delays. “It is possible that there are many other cases with mild symptoms which did not result in hospital visits, and therefore are not detected and reported,” the official said.
The Egyptian authorities have repeatedly threatened anyone they believe is spreading “false news,” about the virus, arresting three on this charge on Monday after three were arrested last week.The Egyptian authorities have repeatedly threatened anyone they believe is spreading “false news,” about the virus, arresting three on this charge on Monday after three were arrested last week.
Egypt ranks 163rd out of 180 countries on Reporters Sans Frontiers World Press Freedom Index.Egypt ranks 163rd out of 180 countries on Reporters Sans Frontiers World Press Freedom Index.
Boris Johnson says the government will no longer support mass gatherings in the UK.Boris Johnson says the government will no longer support mass gatherings in the UK.
Mass gatherings are something “we are now moving emphatically away from”, he said.Mass gatherings are something “we are now moving emphatically away from”, he said.
He also urged people to stay at home for 14 days if any member of the household is ill.He also urged people to stay at home for 14 days if any member of the household is ill.
Full details are on Politics live blog.Full details are on Politics live blog.
Nurses at the Royal Victoria hospital in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in north east England have been forced to lock away masks and hand sanitisers after visitors stole the essential items from the wards.Nurses at the Royal Victoria hospital in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in north east England have been forced to lock away masks and hand sanitisers after visitors stole the essential items from the wards.
Hand gels were previously housed at the bottom of each bed, with the masks left outside flu isolation cubicles, but they are now stored in coded offices outside of the ward – leading them to be used less since they are not left in close proximity to care-givers.Hand gels were previously housed at the bottom of each bed, with the masks left outside flu isolation cubicles, but they are now stored in coded offices outside of the ward – leading them to be used less since they are not left in close proximity to care-givers.
Staff nurse Jennie Mitchell told the Guardian:Staff nurse Jennie Mitchell told the Guardian:
Many doctors and nurses don’t understand why the UK isn’t doing more to control the spread, writes Prof Devi Sridhar chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh. We need decisive action now, she says.Many doctors and nurses don’t understand why the UK isn’t doing more to control the spread, writes Prof Devi Sridhar chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh. We need decisive action now, she says.
Boris Johnson is about to give the first daily briefing on the UK’s response to Covid-19. For full details follow Politics live with Andrew Sparrow.Boris Johnson is about to give the first daily briefing on the UK’s response to Covid-19. For full details follow Politics live with Andrew Sparrow.
On this blog we will continue to focus on the global response to the pandemic. We will cover any major announcements made by Johnson during the briefing, plus a summary once its over.On this blog we will continue to focus on the global response to the pandemic. We will cover any major announcements made by Johnson during the briefing, plus a summary once its over.
As the number of cases of Covid-19 cases rose to 114 in India, the government ordered a shutdown across the capital Delhi from Tuesday.As the number of cases of Covid-19 cases rose to 114 in India, the government ordered a shutdown across the capital Delhi from Tuesday.
All gyms, spas and social, political, cultural and religious gatherings of more than 50 people will be suspended until at least 31 March. Weddings, however, are exempt.All gyms, spas and social, political, cultural and religious gatherings of more than 50 people will be suspended until at least 31 March. Weddings, however, are exempt.
Delhi so far has reported seven cases of Covid-19, with one casualty. Schools in Delhi Maharashtra, Tripura, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Jammu and Kashmir also all remain closed. A nationwide closure of all museums and major monuments has also been ordered.Delhi so far has reported seven cases of Covid-19, with one casualty. Schools in Delhi Maharashtra, Tripura, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Jammu and Kashmir also all remain closed. A nationwide closure of all museums and major monuments has also been ordered.
The restrictions on cross border movement have been ramped up and the country’s borders with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Myanmar were all closed over the weekend.The restrictions on cross border movement have been ramped up and the country’s borders with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Myanmar were all closed over the weekend.
The crackdown on foreigners travelling in India continues. A blanket ban on all travellers from the UK, EU, and Turkey will be enforced from 18 March and today the state of Odisha has ordered all foreigners to register their arrival into state and quarantine themselves for 14 days. The borders of the state of Kerala, where the first cases were reported, remain completely closed.The crackdown on foreigners travelling in India continues. A blanket ban on all travellers from the UK, EU, and Turkey will be enforced from 18 March and today the state of Odisha has ordered all foreigners to register their arrival into state and quarantine themselves for 14 days. The borders of the state of Kerala, where the first cases were reported, remain completely closed.
Hotels and private residences in Mumbai and Delhi are now being converted into private quarantine facilities to cater for the increasing numbers arriving back into India.Hotels and private residences in Mumbai and Delhi are now being converted into private quarantine facilities to cater for the increasing numbers arriving back into India.
For a country with a population of 1.3bn , and where people often live in densely populated areas with poor sanitation, the current rate of Covid-19 infections remains very low and so far there have only been two recorded deaths.For a country with a population of 1.3bn , and where people often live in densely populated areas with poor sanitation, the current rate of Covid-19 infections remains very low and so far there have only been two recorded deaths.
However, there are currently only 52 testing sites across the whole of India and less than 7000 tests have been carried out so far.However, there are currently only 52 testing sites across the whole of India and less than 7000 tests have been carried out so far.
• 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.”• 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.”
• France has warned of a “fast-deteriorating” situation and Spain has requisitioned its private healthcare sector as European governments imposed closures and lockdowns rarely seen outside wartime to curb the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.Jérôme Salomon, France’s top health official, said on Monday the epidemic in the country was “very worrying”, with the number of cases doubling every three days. “There is a real worry the speed of the outbreak could saturate hospitals,” he said.• France has warned of a “fast-deteriorating” situation and Spain has requisitioned its private healthcare sector as European governments imposed closures and lockdowns rarely seen outside wartime to curb the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.Jérôme Salomon, France’s top health official, said on Monday the epidemic in the country was “very worrying”, with the number of cases doubling every three days. “There is a real worry the speed of the outbreak could saturate hospitals,” he said.
• Mounting concerns over a possible global recession have sent financial markets around the world plunging, despite a coordinated effort by central banks to protect growth and jobs, amid the widespread disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak.The escalation of the worst turmoil since the 2008 financial crisis, came as world leaders prepared to hold a G7 video summit on Monday devoted to strengthening the financial markets during the coronavirus pandemic and improving coordination on finding a vaccine.• Mounting concerns over a possible global recession have sent financial markets around the world plunging, despite a coordinated effort by central banks to protect growth and jobs, amid the widespread disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak.The escalation of the worst turmoil since the 2008 financial crisis, came as world leaders prepared to hold a G7 video summit on Monday devoted to strengthening the financial markets during the coronavirus pandemic and improving coordination on finding a vaccine.
• Major airlines including British Airways, Ryanair, easyJet and Virgin Atlantic announced a dramatic scaling back of their operations on Monday, with cuts of up to 80% of their services.The moves came as an aviation consultancy warned that the international airline industry will collapse within months, with the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs, unless states worldwide inject billions of dollars of emergency funding to see it through the coronavirus “catastrophe”.• Major airlines including British Airways, Ryanair, easyJet and Virgin Atlantic announced a dramatic scaling back of their operations on Monday, with cuts of up to 80% of their services.The moves came as an aviation consultancy warned that the international airline industry will collapse within months, with the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs, unless states worldwide inject billions of dollars of emergency funding to see it through the coronavirus “catastrophe”.
• Britain’s prime minister, Boris Johnson, was preparing to appear at the first of a series of daily news conferences where he was expected to outline the next steps in the UK’s plan to fight the outbreakAhead of the briefing, UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps rejected criticism the government is being too slow to introduce measures limiting the spread of coronavirus, saying ministers are rigorously following scientific advice rather than “doing things that just sound good”Britain’s armed forces are meanwhile preparing to send thousands of military medics to assist in NHS hospitals in the coming weeks as part of Operation Broadshare – the Ministry of Defence’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.• Britain’s prime minister, Boris Johnson, was preparing to appear at the first of a series of daily news conferences where he was expected to outline the next steps in the UK’s plan to fight the outbreakAhead of the briefing, UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps rejected criticism the government is being too slow to introduce measures limiting the spread of coronavirus, saying ministers are rigorously following scientific advice rather than “doing things that just sound good”Britain’s armed forces are meanwhile preparing to send thousands of military medics to assist in NHS hospitals in the coming weeks as part of Operation Broadshare – the Ministry of Defence’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Finland’s government has proposed emergency legislation to close all its schools and universities from Wednesday.Finland’s government has proposed emergency legislation to close all its schools and universities from Wednesday.
Announcing the plan, Prime Minister Sanna Marin, said: “You can be [in public], take care of your business, walk through the train station. But everything unnecessary should be stopped, also by private businesses. There would be no point in closing schools if students just gathered at other places.”Announcing the plan, Prime Minister Sanna Marin, said: “You can be [in public], take care of your business, walk through the train station. But everything unnecessary should be stopped, also by private businesses. There would be no point in closing schools if students just gathered at other places.”
There were 272 confirmed coronavirus cases and no linked deaths in Finland as of Monday according to health authority.There were 272 confirmed coronavirus cases and no linked deaths in Finland as of Monday according to health authority.
The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) has called on additional measures from the Scottish government to support the industry as the number of cases jumped to 171.
Scrapping of business rates for all travel and tourism businesses for 2020 and deferring all corporation tax, VAT, PAYE and other tax payments for 12 months is just a few of the measures the STA is calling on the Scottish government to immediately implement in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
The alliance has been engaged in several discussions with the government and called for widespread support “since these are unprecedented times, the rule book needs to be thrown out of the window”.
The Scottish government advice that gatherings of 500 or more be cancelled has come into force today. Though the advice, which was issued to reduce the impact of the outbreak on front line services, only applies to certain events, many organisations have taken it upon themselves to cancel large gatherings.
Edinburgh International Festival announced it would be postponing the launch of the 2020 programme. Organisers said they are still planning to deliver a festival this August.
“We are working as quickly as we can to provide certainty to everyone. Our focus remains on presenting the festival and getting artists back on our stages and audiences back into concert halls and theatres as soon as it is safe to do so,” Francesca Hegyi, executive director of Edinburgh International Festival said.
The Glasgow School of Art became the latest educational institution to cease all lectures and tutorials at its Glasgow and Highlands and Islands campuses from 6pm today.
Vauxhall’s major UK manufacturing facilities are to close until 27 March as part of a Europe-wide shutdown by owner PSA Group due to coronavirus.
Carmakers including Fiat Chrysler, Peugeot, Volkswagen and its premium unit Audi are reducing production at their European plants as they grapple with the Coronavirus.
Like factories in the UK they do not have clarity on social-distancing rules in the workplace.
Audi said workers have downed tools over concerns about exposure to the virus while Fiat Chrysler said it was halting production for two weeks to help protect staff and adjust to decline in demand.
French carmaker PSA, which owns the Peugeot, Opel and Vauxhall brands, also said it was closing its European factories until March 27.
Ford said it was closing its plant in Valencia, Spain, for the rest of this week following a flurry of infections, and would reassess after talks with trade unions.
“We have had three positive cases of COVID-19 on the Valencia site in a 24-hour period, two of which involved more isolated workers who did not enter the assembly operations,” a spokeswoman said on Monday.
Ford employees who had close contact with the affected workers are now in self-isolation.
“We will take all other appropriate steps to ensure that risk from this situation is minimised,” Ford said.
Last week, some Spanish plants of the Renault-Nissan alliance and Volkswagen’s Spanish division Seat announced temporary stoppages that could last for days or weeks.
On Monday, Volkswagen’s Autoeuropa car assembly plant near Lisbon, Portugal, said it had reduced its daily output by 16% because of a shortage of workers after Portugal ordered all schools closed amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Volkswagen also said on Sunday it was preparing to suspend operations at its plant in Bratislava after Slovakia declared a state of emergency in response to the virus.
Tedros also expressed alarm about the the spread of the disease to developing countries. He said:
And he urged people around the world to stop hoarding. Tedros said:
Tedros also warned against treating Covid-19 patients at home. He said:
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”.