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Coronavirus: Spain takes over private healthcare amid more European lockdowns Coronavirus: EU calls for 30-day ban on foreigners entering bloc
(about 4 hours later)
France warns situation is ‘fast deteriorating’ as more governments impose measures rarely seen outside wartime Ursula von der Leyen calls for end to non-essential travel as governments impose measures rarely seen outside wartime
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. The European commission has proposed a 30-day ban on foreigners entering the bloc as EU governments imposed closures and lockdowns rarely seen outside wartime in a continuing effort to curb the rapid 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. As the head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, urged countries to “test, test, test” for the virus, saying it “cannot be fought blindfolded”, the commission president called for an end to all non-essential travel to Europe.
“The less travel, the more we can contain the virus,” Ursula von der Leyen said. “We think non-essential travel should be reduced right now in order to not spread the virus further, be it within the EU or by leaving the EU.”
Von der Leyen said the restrictions – which would not apply to UK nationals – should last for 30 days initially but may be extended if necessary. Permanent EU residents, family members of EU nationals, diplomats, doctors and coronavirus researchers would also be exempted, she said.
Officials said the move, which could be approved by leaders in a video conference on Tuesday, was aimed mainly at removing the need for national controls at borders between the 26 members of the passport-free Schengen zone.
Germany, which has recorded 5,813 cases and 13 deaths from Covid-19, introduced border controls with Austria, Denmark, France, Luxembourg and Switzerland on Monday, allowing through only those with a valid reason for travel such as residents, cross-border commuters and delivery drivers.
In line with a growing number of EU countries, the federal government and state leaders also agreed to close almost all shops except food stores, banks, pharmacies and petrol stations, ban religious gatherings, shutter hotels and restrict visits to hospitals and care homes.
Schools in most German states were closed and Bavaria declared a disaster situation to allow the state’s authorities to push through new restrictions faster. The German president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, urged citizens to limit their social contacts. “Restrictions on our lives today can save lives tomorrow,” he said.
The foreign minister, Heiko Maas, said rights to coronavirus vaccine research were not for sale, after reports that Donald Trump wanted the US to buy exclusive access to a potential vaccine developed by the German biotech firm CureVac. “German researchers play a leading role in drug and vaccine development and we cannot allow others to seek exclusive results,” Maas said.
Jérôme Salomon, France’s top health official, said the epidemic in the country was “very worrying” and the situation was “deteriorating very fast”, with the number of cases doubling every three days. “There is a real worry the speed of the outbreak could saturate hospitals,” he said.
“We must do everything to slow down the outbreak … Every Frenchman and Frenchwoman must ask themselves every morning: how can I reduce by a third or fourth the number of people I meet? Stay at home; it’s that simple.”“We must do everything to slow down the outbreak … Every Frenchman and Frenchwoman must ask themselves every morning: how can I reduce by a third or fourth the number of people I meet? Stay at home; it’s that simple.”
France, which has reported 5,423 confirmed coronavirus cases and 127 deaths, closed all bars, restaurants and non-essential shops from midnight on Saturday and creches, schools and universities from Monday morning. Paris on Monday closed all its parks and gardens and authorities are reportedly considering introducing stricter measures including a general curfew. France, which has reported 5,423 confirmed coronavirus cases and 127 deaths, closed all bars, restaurants and non-essential shops from midnight on Saturday and creches, schools and universities from Monday morning.
As Paris on Monday closed all its parks and gardens, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, was due to address the nation, with many observers expecting him to announced the introduction of still stricter measures, including a general curfew.
In Spain, where the coronavirus toll climbed to 309 on Monday with 9,191 confirmed cases, the government announced sweeping measures allowing it to take over private healthcare providers and requisition materials such as face masks and Covid-19 tests.In Spain, where the coronavirus toll climbed to 309 on Monday with 9,191 confirmed cases, the government announced sweeping measures allowing it to take over private healthcare providers and requisition materials such as face masks and Covid-19 tests.
The health minister, Salvador Illa, said private healthcare facilities would be requisitioned for coronavirus patients, and manufacturers and suppliers of healthcare equipment must notify the government within 48 hours.The health minister, Salvador Illa, said private healthcare facilities would be requisitioned for coronavirus patients, and manufacturers and suppliers of healthcare equipment must notify the government within 48 hours.
The Spanish government declared a state of emergency on Saturday, placing the country in lockdown and ordering people to leave their homes only if they needed to buy food or medicine or go to work or hospital. The transport minister, José Luis Ábalos, said it was “obvious” the measures would be extended beyond the planned 15-day period.The Spanish government declared a state of emergency on Saturday, placing the country in lockdown and ordering people to leave their homes only if they needed to buy food or medicine or go to work or hospital. The transport minister, José Luis Ábalos, said it was “obvious” the measures would be extended beyond the planned 15-day period.
The US Federal Reserve and other central banks unveiled sweeping emergency measures over the weekend to boost the global economy amid mounting fears that the epidemic, which has infected nearly 170,000 people globally and killed more than 6,500, may tip the world into a recession.The US Federal Reserve and other central banks unveiled sweeping emergency measures over the weekend to boost the global economy amid mounting fears that the epidemic, which has infected nearly 170,000 people globally and killed more than 6,500, may tip the world into a recession.
Italy, which on Sunday announced 368 deaths over the previous 24 hours, the worst single-day toll for any country of the crisis and far exceeding the deadliest day in China, where the virus originated, said it was ready to intervene again if needed.Italy, which on Sunday announced 368 deaths over the previous 24 hours, the worst single-day toll for any country of the crisis and far exceeding the deadliest day in China, where the virus originated, said it was ready to intervene again if needed.
The prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, told Corriere della Sera the measures unveiled so far were “not sufficient”. The country has reported 24,747 cases and 1,809 deaths. “Damage will be serious and widespread,” Conte said. The prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, told Corriere della Sera the measures unveiled so far were “not sufficient”. Italy’s death toll from Covid-19 passed 2,000 on Monday with the announcement of another 349 victims.
“A true reconstruction plan will be needed … Scientists are telling us that the outbreak has not reached its peak, these weeks will be the most risky, and the maximum precaution is needed.” “Damage will be serious and widespread,” Conte said. “A true reconstruction plan will be needed … Scientists are telling us that the outbreak has not reached its peak, these weeks will be the most risky, and the maximum precaution is needed.”
Conte said the results of the country’s lockdown, in which schools and non-essential shops were closed and people ordered to stay home except for certifiably necessary travel, would not be seen for a few weeks yet. Police have fined 20,000 people in four days for not complying with the rules.Conte said the results of the country’s lockdown, in which schools and non-essential shops were closed and people ordered to stay home except for certifiably necessary travel, would not be seen for a few weeks yet. Police have fined 20,000 people in four days for not complying with the rules.
Germany, which has recorded 5,813 cases and 13 deaths, on Monday introduced border controls with Austria, Denmark, France, Luxembourg and Switzerland in an attempt to stem the outbreak, allowing through only those with a valid reason for travel, such as residents, cross-border commuters and delivery drivers. In other developments:
Schools and daycare centres in most German states were closed, with exceptions for parents in critical jobs who do not have alternative childcare arrangements. Bavaria declared a disaster situation to allow the state’s authorities to push through new restrictions faster, including possibly asking the army for assistance. The Dutch government closed schools and daycare centres until at least 6 April, along with non-essential shops, restaurants, sex clubs, sports clubs and cannabis cafes, prompting large queues.
The German president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, urged citizens to limit their social contacts. “Restrictions on our lives today can save lives tomorrow,” he said on Monday. “We will conquer this virus,” he added. Iran reported another 129 corona virus deaths on Monday, the largest one-day rise since it began combating the worst outbreak of the virus in the Middle East.
The foreign minister, Heiko Maas, said rights to coronavirus vaccine research were not for sale, after reports that Donald Trump wanted the US to buy exclusive access to a potential vaccine developed by the German biotech firm CureVac. Russia announced the closure of its border with Belarus unveiled a 300bn rouble (£3.25bn) fund including support for workers who lose wages.
“German researchers play a leading role in drug and vaccine development and we cannot allow others to seek exclusive results,” Maas said.
The Dutch government decided in a crisis meeting on Sunday to close schools and daycare centres until at least 6 April, reversing its earlier position. Non-essential shops, restaurants, sex clubs and sports clubs will also be closed – as well as cannabis cafes, prompting large queues.
Iran reported another 129 corona virus deaths on Monday, the largest one-day rise since it began combating worst outbreak of the virus in the Middle East, taking it overall death tally to more than 850.
Russia on Monday announced the closure of its border with Belarus as a new government commission to coordinate the country’s response to the virus unveiled a 300bn rouble (£3.25bn) fund, including some relief for those who would lose wages while under quarantine. So far, Russia has reported 63 cases and no deaths.
In the US, Los Angeles followed New York by announcing that bars, restaurants and entertainment venues should shut.In the US, Los Angeles followed New York by announcing that bars, restaurants and entertainment venues should shut.
Switzerland deployed 80,000 troops, shut parks, schools, universities and non-essential businesses for over a month and banned gatherings of more than five.
South Korea, meanwhile, once the biggest outbreak after China, reported its third day when recoveries have outstripped infections. In the country as a whole, 74 new infections were reported on Monday, well below the peak of 909 in late February.South Korea, meanwhile, once the biggest outbreak after China, reported its third day when recoveries have outstripped infections. In the country as a whole, 74 new infections were reported on Monday, well below the peak of 909 in late February.
“For three straight days, we have seen more numbers of discharged than newly confirmed, but we should not forget the lessons we’ve learned,” the vice-health minister, Kim Gang-lip, said.
The country warned, however, that a new cluster of infections had surfaced in Seongnam city, south of Seoul, where at least 40 members of a Protestant church tested positive, including the pastor, after services were held on 1 and 8 March despite a government ban on mass gatherings.The country warned, however, that a new cluster of infections had surfaced in Seongnam city, south of Seoul, where at least 40 members of a Protestant church tested positive, including the pastor, after services were held on 1 and 8 March despite a government ban on mass gatherings.