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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
Qantas has announced it will slash its international flights, cutting international capacity by 90% until at least the end of May as demand plummets.
Domestic capacity will be cut by around 60%.
The airline said:
This represents the grounding of around 150 aircraft, including almost all of the group’s wide-body fleet.
Previously announced cuts in place from end-May through to mid-September remain in place and are likely to be increased, depending on demand.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce will receive no pay for three months.
The number of coronavirus cases in Turkey rose to 47 on Monday, with 29 new cases confirmed, the country’s health minister Fahrettin Koca has said.
Sunak has come under pressure to do more – including from a Tory former cabinet minister who has told the Lords the financial support committed by the government is a “flea bite” compared to what will be needed. Lord Forsyth of Drumlean said:
Responding, the health minister, Lord Bethell, said:
Sources say the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has been in discussions with cabinet colleagues and that, following the £12bn package of support provided in the budget, will appear at Tuesday’s press conference with the prime minister to announce more measures to help businesses.
The Met Gala, one of the biggest dates in the fashion industry diary, has been postponed, its host Anna Wintour has said.The Met Gala, one of the biggest dates in the fashion industry diary, has been postponed, its host Anna Wintour has said.
The gala, which benefits the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, usually takes place on the first Monday of May. This year’s exhibition, titled About Time: Fashion and Duration, had been sponsored by luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton and was scheduled for 4 May. Writing on Vogue’s website, editor-in-chief Wintour said:The gala, which benefits the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, usually takes place on the first Monday of May. This year’s exhibition, titled About Time: Fashion and Duration, had been sponsored by luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton and was scheduled for 4 May. Writing on Vogue’s website, editor-in-chief Wintour said:
The Department of Health and Social Care has released this guide to its latest advice:The Department of Health and Social Care has released this guide to its latest advice:
The former chancellor, George Osborne, has called on the government to dramatically expand its support for British businesses by underwriting bank loans worth hundreds of billions of pounds to support firms struggling as the coronavirus spreads.The former chancellor, George Osborne, has called on the government to dramatically expand its support for British businesses by underwriting bank loans worth hundreds of billions of pounds to support firms struggling as the coronavirus spreads.
He reckons the measures outlined by the incumbent, Rishi Sunak, at the budget last week fall far short of what is required as the economic downturn intensifies, with Britain on the brink of recession and as stock markets crash around the world.He reckons the measures outlined by the incumbent, Rishi Sunak, at the budget last week fall far short of what is required as the economic downturn intensifies, with Britain on the brink of recession and as stock markets crash around the world.
At the budget, the government announced it would support up to £1bn of state-backed lending through the British Business Bank, as part of a wider £12bn package of support for households and firms. High street banks will also raise their lending by around £21bn to provide further support following talks with the Treasury.At the budget, the government announced it would support up to £1bn of state-backed lending through the British Business Bank, as part of a wider £12bn package of support for households and firms. High street banks will also raise their lending by around £21bn to provide further support following talks with the Treasury.
However, the measures stand in stark contrast to much more substantial efforts elsewhere across Europe.However, the measures stand in stark contrast to much more substantial efforts elsewhere across Europe.
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has said the state will underwrite additional loans worth €300bn (£273.3bn) – more than 300 times the level of UK support. Last week, Germany said it would expand lending at its KfW state-backed investment bank from €460bn to €550bn, while saying there was no upper limit on the amount of loans it would issue.The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has said the state will underwrite additional loans worth €300bn (£273.3bn) – more than 300 times the level of UK support. Last week, Germany said it would expand lending at its KfW state-backed investment bank from €460bn to €550bn, while saying there was no upper limit on the amount of loans it would issue.
Reuters is reporting that El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, has accused Mexico of allowing a dozen confirmed coronavirus cases to board a flight due to leave Mexico City for San SalvadorReuters is reporting that El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, has accused Mexico of allowing a dozen confirmed coronavirus cases to board a flight due to leave Mexico City for San Salvador
He said he’s suspended all passenger air travel with immediate effect. Bukele, who made the assertion on Twitter, did not provide evidence or more detail about the situation. Mexican authorities, which Bukele described as “irresponsible,” did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.He said he’s suspended all passenger air travel with immediate effect. Bukele, who made the assertion on Twitter, did not provide evidence or more detail about the situation. Mexican authorities, which Bukele described as “irresponsible,” did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle says parliament will stop all non-essential access. There will be no access to the public gallery and tours will be stopped. All pregnant MPs, those with underlying health issues and those aged 70 years or older will need to pay particular attention to the government’s advice. But parliament will remain open.Sir Lindsay Hoyle says parliament will stop all non-essential access. There will be no access to the public gallery and tours will be stopped. All pregnant MPs, those with underlying health issues and those aged 70 years or older will need to pay particular attention to the government’s advice. But parliament will remain open.
The Commons Speaker is making a statement on the coronavirus pandemic.The Commons Speaker is making a statement on the coronavirus pandemic.
There are claims this evening that the UK prime minister’s decision to stop just short of ordering businesses such as pubs, restaurants and theatres to close down altogether will make it harder for them to claim back losses on their insurance.There are claims this evening that the UK prime minister’s decision to stop just short of ordering businesses such as pubs, restaurants and theatres to close down altogether will make it harder for them to claim back losses on their insurance.
The shadow digital, culture and media secretary, Tracy Brabin, has said:The shadow digital, culture and media secretary, Tracy Brabin, has said:
France will mobilise 100,000 police to carry out checks on people’s movements, the country’s interior minister, Christophe Castaner, has said.France will mobilise 100,000 police to carry out checks on people’s movements, the country’s interior minister, Christophe Castaner, has said.
In the past couple of hours, the French president Emmanuel Macron announced stricter controls after a weekend during which he said many French people had carried on largely as normal and, in so doing, put the people around them at risk.In the past couple of hours, the French president Emmanuel Macron announced stricter controls after a weekend during which he said many French people had carried on largely as normal and, in so doing, put the people around them at risk.
The Brazilian foreign trade secretary Marcos Troyjo, who was part of the delegation that met with the US president Donald Trump nine days ago, has tested positive for the coronavirus, his office has said.
Troyjo, who is Brazil’s deputy economy minister, was also in Washington last week. He is showing no symptoms and is working from his home in strict isolation, a statement said.
The leader of Plaid Cymru, Adam Price, has gone into isolation:
Tunisia will suspend international flights and close its land border, its prime minister Elyes Fakhfakh has said. He added in a speech that all gatherings and markets will be banned and work hours for state employees will be reduced.
The Grand National has been cancelled due to the pandemic, its organisers have said.
There had been speculation the race would be run behind closed doors.
The United Arab Emirates has urged its citizens abroad to return home due to travel difficulties amid the spread of coronavirus and suspensions of flights from some countries, the state news agency WAM has said, citing the ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation. UAE has recorded 98 cases of the virus.
Boris Johnson has been accused of shutting down the hospitality industry without any support when he advised people to stay indoors on Monday. UKHospitality, which represents pubs, coffee shops, nightclubs and other leisure venues said the effect would be “catastrophic for businesses and jobs”.
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has recommended Muslim communities across the UK “suspend all congregational activities” following the government’s latest advice. It said the decision had not been taken lightly due to the importance of Friday prayers. Harun Khan, its secretary general, has said:
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s three theatres will close, in line with government advice. The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the Swan Theatre and the Studio Theatre at The Other Place will all shut for an “undetermined period of time”, the company has said.
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.