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Coronavirus updates: French citizens ordered to stay in their homes, as Canada closes borders to foreigners – live news Coronavirus updates: French citizens ordered to stay in their homes, as Canada closes borders to foreigners – live news
(32 minutes later)
WHO urges governments to ‘test, test, test’; US measures ramped up; Germany closes shops. Follow the latest newsWHO urges governments to ‘test, test, test’; US measures ramped up; Germany closes shops. Follow the latest news
In the UK, opposition parties are beginning to put pressure on Downing Street over its response to the pandemic. The outgoing Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, is due to meet Boris Johnson on Monday evening (GMT) and has said he will make five key demands:
In the Commons, the Liberal Democrat health spokeswoman, Munira Wilson, has called for all social care workers to be tested for coronavirus, alongside NHS staff.
Montenegro has temporarily halted flights of its national air carrier, Montenegro Airlines, and all international railway and bus lines.
The former Yugoslav republic has tested dozens of people but has so far not reported a single case of coronavirus infection. More than 390 people remain in quarantine. The government has said:
Last week, Montenegro’s health authorities banned public gatherings, closed schools and restaurants, and some border crossings with Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia Kosovo and Albania. The country, which earns most of its revenue from tourism, also last week closed its ports and marinas for all incoming cruiser ships and yachts.
The US president, Donald Trump, has stopped short of calling upon states to follow the lead of many other countries across the world – including the UK and France – and cancel elections, saying he does not think it is a “very good thing” and would be “unnecessary”.
One state just announced to have taken a different approach is Serbia, which has said its election commission has postponed general elections that were due to take place on 26 April. The Serbian president, Aleksandar Vučić, declared the state of emergency on Sunday.
In the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said an employee has tested positive. The individual, who is now in good condition, has not been present in the CDC workplace since 6 March, and was asymptomatic at that time, the agency said.
It has not disclosed any more details about the individual, citing privacy concerns.
Egypt has reported two more deaths because of coronavirus, bringing the official total of related deaths to four, its health ministry has said. The individuals were a 72-year-old German who died in Luxor and a 50-year-old Egyptian in Dakahlia governorate, it added.
On Sunday, research published by the Guardian suggested Egypt was likely grappling with a higher rate of coronavirus infections than official figures:
Costa Rica has declared a state of emergency in response to the coronavirus outbreak and has become the latest Latin American country to close its borders to non-resident foreign nationals. From 11:59pm (CST – 5pm GMT) on Wednesday, non-citizens and non-residents will not be able to enter the country.Costa Rica has declared a state of emergency in response to the coronavirus outbreak and has become the latest Latin American country to close its borders to non-resident foreign nationals. From 11:59pm (CST – 5pm GMT) on Wednesday, non-citizens and non-residents will not be able to enter the country.
On Monday, the Costa Rican government said 41 cases COVID-19 have been recorded in the country, rising from 35 on Sunday.On Monday, the Costa Rican government said 41 cases COVID-19 have been recorded in the country, rising from 35 on Sunday.
In Greece, authorities are also ramping up measures after the health ministry said confirmed cases of coronavirus had risen to 352, an increase of 21 over the past 24 hours. Of that number 65 patients are hospitalised with nine in intensive care, professor Sotiris Tsiodras, an expert in infectious diseases told reporters.In Greece, authorities are also ramping up measures after the health ministry said confirmed cases of coronavirus had risen to 352, an increase of 21 over the past 24 hours. Of that number 65 patients are hospitalised with nine in intensive care, professor Sotiris Tsiodras, an expert in infectious diseases told reporters.
With Greek officials unimpressed by the way Britain in particular has handled the crisis, it was announced that anyone flying in from abroad must now undergo two weeks of obligatory quarantine – or risk being penalised. Unveiling the measure at the health ministry’s daily briefing, the deputy civil protection minister, Nikos Hardalias, singled out the UK where people have not been subjected to the sort of measures applied elsewhere in Europe.With Greek officials unimpressed by the way Britain in particular has handled the crisis, it was announced that anyone flying in from abroad must now undergo two weeks of obligatory quarantine – or risk being penalised. Unveiling the measure at the health ministry’s daily briefing, the deputy civil protection minister, Nikos Hardalias, singled out the UK where people have not been subjected to the sort of measures applied elsewhere in Europe.
Greece, which has seen four people die from the disease, has applied some of the most stringent safety guards to date partly because of fears that after years of savage budget cuts the country’s fragile health system would collapse if overwhelmed.Greece, which has seen four people die from the disease, has applied some of the most stringent safety guards to date partly because of fears that after years of savage budget cuts the country’s fragile health system would collapse if overwhelmed.
After sealing borders with Albania and North Macedonia on Sunday and suspending flights to Italy and Spain, the centre-right government also announced the closure of all shops, bar supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, petrol stations, pet shops, food delivery outlets and appliance stores.After sealing borders with Albania and North Macedonia on Sunday and suspending flights to Italy and Spain, the centre-right government also announced the closure of all shops, bar supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, petrol stations, pet shops, food delivery outlets and appliance stores.
On the same day it said public beaches and ski resorts were also off-limits after Greeks converged on the coast en masse after being previously told that cafes, bars, tavernas, restaurants, casinos, brothels and barbers were also banned. Those violating the policies do so at their own peril: among those arrested in recent days was a hairdresser caught giving a customer highlights.On the same day it said public beaches and ski resorts were also off-limits after Greeks converged on the coast en masse after being previously told that cafes, bars, tavernas, restaurants, casinos, brothels and barbers were also banned. Those violating the policies do so at their own peril: among those arrested in recent days was a hairdresser caught giving a customer highlights.
In Washington, Trump is discussing potential future measures.In Washington, Trump is discussing potential future measures.
He’s told reporters he’s looking at expanding sick pay requirements to companies with more than 500 employees and that the US government is taking over buildings to expand medical care capacity.He’s told reporters he’s looking at expanding sick pay requirements to companies with more than 500 employees and that the US government is taking over buildings to expand medical care capacity.
And Trump adds that the US may be heading into a recession.And Trump adds that the US may be heading into a recession.
France’s Public Health Authority has reported 21 new deaths from coronavirus taking the total to 148, an increase of around 16%. It says on its website that the number of cases had risen to 6,633, up from 5,423 on Sunday, which is a rise of more than 20% in 24 hours.France’s Public Health Authority has reported 21 new deaths from coronavirus taking the total to 148, an increase of around 16%. It says on its website that the number of cases had risen to 6,633, up from 5,423 on Sunday, which is a rise of more than 20% in 24 hours.
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has put the country into almost total lockdown, introducing new rules stopping people from leaving home unless strictly necessary and banning them from meeting others and spreading the coronavirus.The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has put the country into almost total lockdown, introducing new rules stopping people from leaving home unless strictly necessary and banning them from meeting others and spreading the coronavirus.
In his second national address in less than a week, Macron reprimanded those who had not followed official advice and warned that those who broke the new rules would be punished. In his 20-minute live broadcast, Macron repeated several times: “We are at war.”In his second national address in less than a week, Macron reprimanded those who had not followed official advice and warned that those who broke the new rules would be punished. In his 20-minute live broadcast, Macron repeated several times: “We are at war.”
Beginning on Tuesday, people will only be allowed to leave home for strictly necessary reasons including to go shopping – while keeping a distance of one metre from anyone else – to get medical help and for work if it could not be done from home. Individual sporting activity will be allowed, but no collective sports.Beginning on Tuesday, people will only be allowed to leave home for strictly necessary reasons including to go shopping – while keeping a distance of one metre from anyone else – to get medical help and for work if it could not be done from home. Individual sporting activity will be allowed, but no collective sports.
Macron said the reinforced measures will be imposed for at least 15 days.Macron said the reinforced measures will be imposed for at least 15 days.
He also postponed the second round of the municipal elections next Sunday and told the nation: He also postponed the second round of the municipal elections next Sunday and postponed pension reforms that saw months of protests, demonstrations and strikes after they were unveiled in December until the outbreak of the coronavirus. He told the nation:
An extraordinary G20 summit will be convened to discuss the pandemic, according to a statement from the office of the Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, which says the decision was made during a call with the Saudi crown prince.An extraordinary G20 summit will be convened to discuss the pandemic, according to a statement from the office of the Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, which says the decision was made during a call with the Saudi crown prince.
The Trump administration’s measures are particularly focused on older people, whom it urged to stay home and keep away from other people.The Trump administration’s measures are particularly focused on older people, whom it urged to stay home and keep away from other people.
The US president, Donald Trump, is announcing more radical White House recommendations; telling Americans to avoid any gatherings of more than 10 people over the next 15 days and advising all states with evidence of community transmission to close down bars, restaurants, gyms and other facilities.
France will also be closing its borders, in coordination with other EU nations, Macron says.
France is taking a slightly different approach. Macron has told the nation he wants no company to be exposed to the risk of collapse as a result of the pandemic. He has also said gas, electricity and water bills are to be suspended – as are rents – and the state will guarantee companies’ loans with a €300bn package.
Here’s a summary of the latest developments:
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 death toll in Italy from Covid-19 has increased to 2,158, with the announcement of another 349 victims in Europe’s worst his country. Spain confirmed 9,191 cases and 309 deaths, making it the second hardest-hit country in Europe after Italy.
The death toll in the UK has increased to 55 people, including the first death in Wales. The latest victims included a 56-year-old, believed to be the youngest in the UK so far.
Boris Johnson unveiled a series of stringent new restrictions, including a 14-day isolation for all households with symptoms, a warning against “non-essential” contact, and an end to all mass gatherings. At the first of what is set to be daily Downing Street press conferences, the prime minister Johnson also said those over 70 and will soon need to be “largely shielded from social contact for around 12 weeks”.
Germany has closed places of worship, bars, restaurants, museums and cinemas. Announcing the plan, Chancellor Angela Merkel said: “The more individuals stick to these rules, the quicker we will get through this phase.”
The actor Idris Elba has become the latest celebrity to contract the virus. Earlier this month he was photographed at an event at London’s Wembley Arena with Sophie Grégoire Trudeau just over week before she tested positive.
The European Union has proposed banning all but essential travel for 30 days. Egypt, Canada, and Malaysia have become the latest countries to close airports.
France has warned of a “fast-deteriorating” situation and Spain has requisitioned its private healthcare sector. 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 that the pandemic could prompt a global recession have sent financial markets around the world plunging, despite a coordinated effort by central banks to protect growth and jobs. 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”.
The economic impact on Ireland will be “severe”, the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has warned.
All Irish residents have been urged not to travel overseas. The deputy Irish premier, Simon Coveney, said the National Public Health Emergency Team has recommended the measure be put in place from now until 29 March. The guidance includes Great Britain, but not Northern Ireland.
In the UK, the health secretary Matt Hancock has said the illness is thought not to come back “for some time” for those who contract it. He has told MPs:
Adding weight to his order, Macron says infractions will be punished – going significantly further than the measures announced by the UK’s prime minister in the last few hours.
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, is telling the nation people’s movements will be severely limited, saying those who have ignored the government’s advice to isolate have put the health of other people at risk. He has ordered citizens to stay in their homes and only come out where it’s absolutely necessary.
Macron says all companies must now take steps to ensure employees can work from home. And he calls off a second round of municipal elections.
The leaders of the G7 group of nations – the UK and the US, France, Germany and Italy, as well as Canada and Japan – have promised to do “whatever is necessary” to combat the virus.
Focusing on the global scale and nature of the problem, a statement released by Downing Street said the seven nations would focus on
Coordinating on necessary public health measures
Restoring confidence, growth, and protecting jobs
Supporting global trade and investment
Encouraging science, research, and technological cooperation
Sergeant exams for police officers which had been scheduled to take place in large venues around the country tomorrow have now been cancelled.
The College of Policing said in a statement: