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Coronavirus: Germany latest country to close borders Coronavirus: Germany latest country to close borders
(about 1 hour later)
Germany has become the latest country to close borders as European nations try to stem the spread of the coronavirus.Germany has become the latest country to close borders as European nations try to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Its borders with France, Austria and Switzerland were shut on Monday morning, except for commercial traffic.Its borders with France, Austria and Switzerland were shut on Monday morning, except for commercial traffic.
France is considering more stringent lockdowns, with its health chief saying the situation is "deteriorating fast".France is considering more stringent lockdowns, with its health chief saying the situation is "deteriorating fast".
Latest World Health Organization (WHO) figures list 164,000 confirmed cases and 6,470 deaths worldwide.Latest World Health Organization (WHO) figures list 164,000 confirmed cases and 6,470 deaths worldwide.
However, last week it said Europe was now the "epicentre" of the virus and urged governments to act aggressively to control the spread of the Covid-19 disease.However, last week it said Europe was now the "epicentre" of the virus and urged governments to act aggressively to control the spread of the Covid-19 disease.
Leaders of the G7 nations are to hold a video conference on Monday to discuss a joint response to the coronavirus pandemic.Leaders of the G7 nations are to hold a video conference on Monday to discuss a joint response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Central banks around the world, including the US Federal Reserve and those in the UK, Japan, Canada, and Switzerland have cut interest rates and taken other measures to try to curb the economic turmoil, but stock markets in Asia and Europe still fell.Central banks around the world, including the US Federal Reserve and those in the UK, Japan, Canada, and Switzerland have cut interest rates and taken other measures to try to curb the economic turmoil, but stock markets in Asia and Europe still fell.
The EU's Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton said a recession was now expected, with a 2-2.5% negative growth.The EU's Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton said a recession was now expected, with a 2-2.5% negative growth.
Airlines are also continuing to slash flights as demand slumps.Airlines are also continuing to slash flights as demand slumps.
Why and how has Germany acted?Why and how has Germany acted?
Germany had tried to resist closing its borders, to try to keep the Schengen agreement on free travel between European countries working, but traffic crossing the borders with the three neighbours and also Luxembourg will now be restricted to goods and work commuters. Germany had tried to resist closing its borders, to try to keep the Schengen agreement on free travel between European countries working, but traffic crossing the borders with the three neighbours and also Luxembourg will now be restricted to goods and people commuting for work.
The aim is to stem the spread of the virus but also to curtail cross-border panic-buying, German media reported.The aim is to stem the spread of the virus but also to curtail cross-border panic-buying, German media reported.
Only the borders with the Netherlands and Belgium are as yet unaffected.Only the borders with the Netherlands and Belgium are as yet unaffected.
Schools in Germany were closed on Monday, while Berlin over the weekend shut all clubs, bars and fitness centres. Large gatherings nationwide are banned. Following a phone call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU chiefs, French President Emmanuel Macron criticised those who were taking unilateral border control measures.
Schools in Germany were closed on Monday, while the capital Berlin over the weekend shut all clubs, bars and fitness centres. Large gatherings nationwide are banned.
One of the most powerful states, Bavaria, declared an emergency, closing all leisure facilities and restricting the activities of restaurants and cafes.One of the most powerful states, Bavaria, declared an emergency, closing all leisure facilities and restricting the activities of restaurants and cafes.
German tourism giant TUI said on Monday it was suspending most of its operations and asked for state aid.German tourism giant TUI said on Monday it was suspending most of its operations and asked for state aid.
Germany now has close to 5,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, and 12 deaths.Germany now has close to 5,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, and 12 deaths.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas responded to reports that US President Donald Trump wanted to buy exclusive access to a potential vaccine developed by a German biotech firm, saying: "We cannot allow others to seek exclusive results."Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas responded to reports that US President Donald Trump wanted to buy exclusive access to a potential vaccine developed by a German biotech firm, saying: "We cannot allow others to seek exclusive results."
What are the other restrictions in Europe?What are the other restrictions in Europe?
Germany's neighbours such as Poland, the Czech Republic and Denmark have already closed borders or introduced severe restrictions.Germany's neighbours such as Poland, the Czech Republic and Denmark have already closed borders or introduced severe restrictions.
But there are a vast amount of travel restrictions inside many countries.But there are a vast amount of travel restrictions inside many countries.
Spain and Portugal have agreed to restrict tourism travel over their shared border, allowing only goods and workers to cross.Spain and Portugal have agreed to restrict tourism travel over their shared border, allowing only goods and workers to cross.
Spain imposed a partial lockdown on its 47 million inhabitants on Saturday, as part of a 15-day state of emergency. People are barred from leaving home except for buying essential supplies and medicines, or for work.Spain imposed a partial lockdown on its 47 million inhabitants on Saturday, as part of a 15-day state of emergency. People are barred from leaving home except for buying essential supplies and medicines, or for work.
It is also considering closing all its borders and expects the 15-day emergency period will be extended.It is also considering closing all its borders and expects the 15-day emergency period will be extended.
Portugal has a state of alert, although its confirmed cases of 112 are far below Spain's 5,753, according to WHO figures.
Italy, the worst-affected nation outside China, where the virus originated, has more than 20,000 cases and more than 1,800 deaths.Italy, the worst-affected nation outside China, where the virus originated, has more than 20,000 cases and more than 1,800 deaths.
Prime Minister Guiseppe Conte told Corriere della Sera on Monday that damage from the virus would be "serious and widespread. A true 'reconstruction plan' will be needed". Prime Minister Guiseppe Conte told the Corriere della Sera newspaper on Monday that damage from the virus would be "serious and widespread", adding: "A true 'reconstruction plan' will be needed.
"After the coronavirus, nothing will be as before, we will have to sit down and rewrite the rules of trade and the free market," he said."After the coronavirus, nothing will be as before, we will have to sit down and rewrite the rules of trade and the free market," he said.
Renowned Italian architect, Vittorio Gregotti, who helped design the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics stadium, has died after contracting the virus, aged 92. France is considering following the lead of Italy and Spain and ordering people to remain in their houses. Cafes, restaurants, cinemas and most shops are already shut.
Mr Macron will address the nation at 19:00 GMT.
On Monday, the head of the country's health service, Jerome Salomon, said the outbreak was "very worrying" and "deteriorating very fast".
France so far has more than 5,000 infections and 127 deaths.
EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has expressed fears that border closures could strand thousands of lorry drivers at the borders.EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has expressed fears that border closures could strand thousands of lorry drivers at the borders.
"If we don't act now, stores will have difficulty filling with certain products," she said, urging the "common internal market [to keep] going"."If we don't act now, stores will have difficulty filling with certain products," she said, urging the "common internal market [to keep] going".
In other European nations:In other European nations:
What is happening in France? What is happening in countries outside Europe?
President Emmanuel Macron will discuss the border closures with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday and will address his nation at 19:00 GMT. Iran, which has the third-highest number of confirmed cases globally, on Monday reported 129 more deaths, its highest tally in a single day.
France is considering following the lead of Italy and Spain and ordering people to remain in their houses. Cafes, restaurants, cinemas and most shops are already shut. Health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour urged people not to travel outside their province.
On Monday, the head of the country's health service, Jerome Salomon, said the outbreak was "very worrying" and "deteriorating very fast". The fourth-most-affected nation, South Korea, again reported a slowdown in new infections, with President Moon Jae-in saying he was increasingly confident of overcoming the virus.
"The number of cases doubles every three days," he told France Inter. In the United States, New York closed all schools as of Monday, and will shut restaurants, bars and other venues from Tuesday. Overall 29 US states have announced that they are closing schools.
"I want our citizens to realise that there are people who are sick, who are in intensive care and that [their number] runs into hundreds," he said. On the West Coast, Los Angeles has decided to shut down the city's bars and restaurants.
The government has drawn criticism for proceeding with local elections on Sunday, which saw a record-low turnout. There has been a sharp rise in coronavirus cases in Africa. Although there are fewer than in most other continents, the total count more than doubled in the past two days. Strict measures are being introduced in many of the 26 countries affected, with schools and borders closing in several parts of Africa.
The country so far has more than 5,000 infections and 127 deaths. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths outside China has now surpassed the number inside. More than 87,000 people have been infected outside China, while just over 80,000 cases have been reported inside.
Have you been affected by the coronavirus? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by the coronavirus? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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