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Coronavirus news: UK measures to last at least 'several months' as restrictions increased globally – live updates Coronavirus news: UK measures to last at least 'several months' as restrictions increased globally – live updates
(32 minutes later)
England’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer does not rule out further curbs; Ohio primary polls ordered to close; France in lockdown; WHO urges widespread testing. Follow the latest updatesEngland’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer does not rule out further curbs; Ohio primary polls ordered to close; France in lockdown; WHO urges widespread testing. Follow the latest updates
In Jordan, the army has said it will deploy at entrances and exits of main cities in the kingdom in a move officials said was ahead of an imminent announcement of a state of emergency to combat the spread of coronavirus.
The country, which has already announced a tight lockdown after the number of confirmed cases of the virus rose to least 34, was about to take further imminent steps that include announcing a state of emergency, officials told Reuters.
“These measures aim at preventing the spread of coronavirus,” said an army statement.
Britain’s hospitality industry could effectively be destroyed without urgent state help to get through the coronavirus pandemic, it has been warned.
Pubs and restaurant owners are calling for immediate action to support the industry financially after Prime Minister Boris Johnson advised people not to go out but stopped short of ordering entertainment venues to close.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has added his voice to the plea for clarity, saying the UK should be following measures being enacted in other countries such as France.
The British Beer and Pub Association has written to Mr Johnson, demanding urgent steps are taken to prevent mass job losses and permanent pub closures.
The letter, seen by the Press Associarion news agency and dated Monday, follows the Government issuing new advice for people to avoid pubs, clubs and theatres in a bid to halt the spread of coronavirus.
Southeast Asian countries, which had previously reported low case numbers, are continuing to see a rise in infections following a ramping up of testing.
Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous nation, has just reported another 26 cases, bringing its total to 172.
The country of 264 million did not record its first cases until 2 March. A week ago, the country had carried out only 220 tests. This has now risen to nearly a thousand. The Philippines also reported another 45 cases on Tuesday afternoon, bringing its total to 185. Its cases rose from six to 140 just last week.
Earlier today officials in Thailand reported a further 30 people have tested positive for coronavirus. The country has so far recorded 177 cases.
On Tuesday afternoon, Thailand’s cabinet approved plans to close schools and postpone the traditional New Year celebration, Songkran, due to be held 13-15.
Several countries in the region, including the Philippines and Malaysia, have recently introduced sweeping restrictions affecting millions of people.
Facebook and Google are among the technology firms that have issued a statement pledging to protect and inform people during the coronavirus outbreak.
The group of companies have said they have committed to work together and with governments in response to the pandemic.
In a joint statement, Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Reddit and YouTube said they would help ensure people could stay connected to each other during isolation as well as fight any misinformation and fraud linked to the outbreak.
“We are working closely together on Covid-19 response efforts,” the statement said.
“We’re helping millions of people stay connected while also jointly combating fraud and misinformation about the virus, elevating authoritative content on our platforms, and sharing critical updates in co-ordination with government healthcare agencies around the world.
China has issued an angry reaction to US President Donald Trump’s characterisation of the disease as “the Chinese virus.”
China’s foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said the US president should take care of his own matters first.
C“Some US politicians have tried to stigmatise China… which China strongly condemns. We urge the US to stop this despicable practice,” he said at a regular press briefing on Tuesday.
“We are very angry and strongly oppose it,” he added, referring to Trump’s tweet.
Germany’s foreign minister, Heiko Maas, has just announced that today the government is going to start an operation to bring back thousands of German citizens home, who have been stranded abroad due to the coronavirus. He has set aside 50 million Euros to do so. We are expecting more details on that soon.
Meanwhile across the country, people are scrambling to buy last minute items from shops considered non-essential for daily life, after the government’s surprise announcement yesterday evening that from tomorrow most shops will be forced to close. Supermarkets, chemists and medical stores are allowed to stay open, even on Sundays (there is normally a Sunday trading ban for most shops in Germany). Ikea has closed its 53 German stores, but has said its online store remains open.
The government has advised citizens against all non-essential travel within Germany as well from journeying abroad.As the number of confirmed persons with coronavirus stands at over 7000 this morning, with 17 deaths (though that figure is now several hours old and is due to be updated soon) German hospitals chiefs have said they are gearing up to increase their intensive bed capacity nationwide from the current 28,000 to 34,000 with ventilators.
Currently 25,000 intensive care beds have ventilators. With 34,000 beds, experts say as long as the current measures slow the virus spread down sufficiently, they should be able to treat the tens of thousands they expect to have to be hospitalised over the next few months.
In the corporate world, VW has said it will close production at all of its German plants and most of those in Europe. The last shift will take place on Friday, VW boss Herbert Diess has said. The closures are initially planned for the next two to three weeks. On a positive note, production at the company’s plants in China has resumed again.
And most journalists, including the two-correspondent team in Berlin for The Guardian, are now excluded from physically accessing government press conferences. We can however, log in remotely via a livestream, and submit questions, the government has announced this morning. Large news agencies and Germany’s main broadcasters are still able to attend but numbers will be restricted.
Governments in Asia are preparing to tackle a “boomerang wave” of coronavirus cases as their nationals flee Europe, North America and the Middle East.Governments in Asia are preparing to tackle a “boomerang wave” of coronavirus cases as their nationals flee Europe, North America and the Middle East.
The latest tally from mainland China, where the outbreak first began, showed 21 new confirmed cases on Monday, of which 20 involved infected travellers arriving from abroad, mostly Chinese nationals, Reuters reported. Hong Kong said most of the recent confirmed cases in the past two weeks were imported.The latest tally from mainland China, where the outbreak first began, showed 21 new confirmed cases on Monday, of which 20 involved infected travellers arriving from abroad, mostly Chinese nationals, Reuters reported. Hong Kong said most of the recent confirmed cases in the past two weeks were imported.
In Taiwan, 24 new cases up to Tuesday were all imported, while South Korea had 44 new infections involving infected travellers as of Sunday. Singapore confirmed 17 new infections on Monday, its biggest daily jump in cases, with 11 of those imported.In Taiwan, 24 new cases up to Tuesday were all imported, while South Korea had 44 new infections involving infected travellers as of Sunday. Singapore confirmed 17 new infections on Monday, its biggest daily jump in cases, with 11 of those imported.
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam told a press briefing on Tuesday:Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam told a press briefing on Tuesday:
Ling, a Cambridge University student, spoke to Reuters after landing in Hong Kong wearing a surgical mask and rubber gloves. She said:Ling, a Cambridge University student, spoke to Reuters after landing in Hong Kong wearing a surgical mask and rubber gloves. She said:
In the UK, the leftwing campaign group Momentum has called on supporters to begin an “emergency mobilisation” to support vulnerable members of society, and to pressure the government to provide more support.In the UK, the leftwing campaign group Momentum has called on supporters to begin an “emergency mobilisation” to support vulnerable members of society, and to pressure the government to provide more support.
In a statement to its members, the group called on them to join community mutual aid groups and outlined a plan to repurpose its campaign tools to support grassroots initiatives. It is to publish an online map of all mutual aid groups in the country next week.In a statement to its members, the group called on them to join community mutual aid groups and outlined a plan to repurpose its campaign tools to support grassroots initiatives. It is to publish an online map of all mutual aid groups in the country next week.
But it rejected calls from some quarters to “leave our politics at the door” and vowed to campaign to pressure the government to take measures including suspending mortgage, rent and bill payments, as well as guaranteeing full sick pay for all workers.But it rejected calls from some quarters to “leave our politics at the door” and vowed to campaign to pressure the government to take measures including suspending mortgage, rent and bill payments, as well as guaranteeing full sick pay for all workers.
It is also calling on the government to bring all private hospitals and healthcare facilities into emergency public ownership, as was announced by the Spanish government yeseterday.It is also calling on the government to bring all private hospitals and healthcare facilities into emergency public ownership, as was announced by the Spanish government yeseterday.
The group’s statement, sent to 100,000 supporters, said:The group’s statement, sent to 100,000 supporters, said:
England’s deputy chief medical officer has insisted the stricter measures to tackle the coronavirus had not been introduced too late.England’s deputy chief medical officer has insisted the stricter measures to tackle the coronavirus had not been introduced too late.
Prof Jonathan Van-Tam told the BBC: “We are following the science very carefully and consider the measures we announced yesterday have been announced at the right time - not too early and certainly not too late.Prof Jonathan Van-Tam told the BBC: “We are following the science very carefully and consider the measures we announced yesterday have been announced at the right time - not too early and certainly not too late.
“We don’t rule out taking further measures if these are necessary but much of this depends on how the next two weeks play out.”“We don’t rule out taking further measures if these are necessary but much of this depends on how the next two weeks play out.”
He could not rule out the strict measures having to last for a year but predicted they would last at least “several months”.He could not rule out the strict measures having to last for a year but predicted they would last at least “several months”.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that more people will encounter the coronavirus and become resistant with herd immunity, but “that will take time”.He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that more people will encounter the coronavirus and become resistant with herd immunity, but “that will take time”.
“But, yes, you’re absolutely right that we can’t say how long this will need to go on for,” he said.“But, yes, you’re absolutely right that we can’t say how long this will need to go on for,” he said.
“I don’t know if it could be a year yet. I think we are too far out to make those kind of predictions but I certainly think it could be several months.”“I don’t know if it could be a year yet. I think we are too far out to make those kind of predictions but I certainly think it could be several months.”
The US president, Donald Trump, has referred to the global coronavirus outbreak as “the Chinese virus”, escalating a deepening US-China diplomatic spat over the disease.The US president, Donald Trump, has referred to the global coronavirus outbreak as “the Chinese virus”, escalating a deepening US-China diplomatic spat over the disease.
After giving an address on Monday warning of a possible recession, Trump posted on Twitter: “The United States will be powerfully supporting those industries, like Airlines and others, that are particularly affected by the Chinese Virus. We will be stronger than ever before!”After giving an address on Monday warning of a possible recession, Trump posted on Twitter: “The United States will be powerfully supporting those industries, like Airlines and others, that are particularly affected by the Chinese Virus. We will be stronger than ever before!”
The World Health Organization has advised against terms that link the virus to China or the city of Wuhan, where it was first detected, in order to avoid discrimination or stigmatisation.The World Health Organization has advised against terms that link the virus to China or the city of Wuhan, where it was first detected, in order to avoid discrimination or stigmatisation.
The comment comes as Beijing and Washington appeared to be locked in a game of shifting blame. Last week, outspoken official Zhao Lijian from China’s ministry of foreign affairs accused the US military of bringing the virus to Wuhan. The US summoned Chinese ambassador Cui Tiankai over the comment and issued a “stern” warning to Cui.The comment comes as Beijing and Washington appeared to be locked in a game of shifting blame. Last week, outspoken official Zhao Lijian from China’s ministry of foreign affairs accused the US military of bringing the virus to Wuhan. The US summoned Chinese ambassador Cui Tiankai over the comment and issued a “stern” warning to Cui.
The apparent switching of places between China and other states continues.The apparent switching of places between China and other states continues.
The coastal province of Shandong has said that all overseas arrivals will be subject to 14 days quarantine, Reuters reports.The coastal province of Shandong has said that all overseas arrivals will be subject to 14 days quarantine, Reuters reports.
Olympic organisers in Japan are asking people not to create crowds along the route of the Olympic torch relay and not to gather near the route if they feel sick.Olympic organisers in Japan are asking people not to create crowds along the route of the Olympic torch relay and not to gather near the route if they feel sick.
The introduction of new rules which radically change the way in which the tradition unfolds come amid continuing uncertainty about whether the Tokyo Olympics will even take place or not.The introduction of new rules which radically change the way in which the tradition unfolds come amid continuing uncertainty about whether the Tokyo Olympics will even take place or not.
Jack Tarrant, a Reuters journalist, tweeted this photo of some of the changes in the case of the relay.Jack Tarrant, a Reuters journalist, tweeted this photo of some of the changes in the case of the relay.
A Boeing aircraft flew to Greece on 15 March to bring the torch to Japan.A Boeing aircraft flew to Greece on 15 March to bring the torch to Japan.
Amid signs of some global stock markets stabilising on the back of indications that government actions are having an effect, Britain’s FTSE 100 Index has rebounded by nearly 2% - up 100.1 points at 5251.4 - soon after opening.Amid signs of some global stock markets stabilising on the back of indications that government actions are having an effect, Britain’s FTSE 100 Index has rebounded by nearly 2% - up 100.1 points at 5251.4 - soon after opening.
That followed steep losses on Monday. My colleague Graeme Wearden is liveblogging all the business developments here.That followed steep losses on Monday. My colleague Graeme Wearden is liveblogging all the business developments here.
Britain got the timing of its new measures “about right”, Prof Ferguson has said in the last few minutes on BBC Radio 4.Britain got the timing of its new measures “about right”, Prof Ferguson has said in the last few minutes on BBC Radio 4.
There could be a need to escalate still further, he adds, citing the case of France.There could be a need to escalate still further, he adds, citing the case of France.
Asked if the measures taken in Britain should have been taken sooner, he said that he believed the UK was still behind the epidemic seen in other European countries.Asked if the measures taken in Britain should have been taken sooner, he said that he believed the UK was still behind the epidemic seen in other European countries.
“I overall think we have got the timing about right.“I overall think we have got the timing about right.
“We are about three weeks behind Italy, two weeks behind France and Spain, so we are making these decisions in a more timely manner but certainly there wasn’t any time to lose.”“We are about three weeks behind Italy, two weeks behind France and Spain, so we are making these decisions in a more timely manner but certainly there wasn’t any time to lose.”
There is much discussion today of the shift in UK strategy to one of “total containment”, which involves new quarantine and social distancing based on modelling by Imperial College.There is much discussion today of the shift in UK strategy to one of “total containment”, which involves new quarantine and social distancing based on modelling by Imperial College.
Explaining what cause that switch, the Guardian’s health editor, Sarah Boseley, writes that just last week Boris Johnson and his advisers had announced that anyone with symptoms of a cold should stay at home for seven days, but otherwise live life as normal.Explaining what cause that switch, the Guardian’s health editor, Sarah Boseley, writes that just last week Boris Johnson and his advisers had announced that anyone with symptoms of a cold should stay at home for seven days, but otherwise live life as normal.
What changed was new data on the impact of Italy’s epidemic on its health service. Basically, it is catastrophic, with 30% of hospitalised patients having to be admitted to intensive care. The teams of modellers at Imperial College and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine who advise the government crunched those numbers – and the death toll and pressure on the NHS that came out were unacceptable.What changed was new data on the impact of Italy’s epidemic on its health service. Basically, it is catastrophic, with 30% of hospitalised patients having to be admitted to intensive care. The teams of modellers at Imperial College and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine who advise the government crunched those numbers – and the death toll and pressure on the NHS that came out were unacceptable.
Prof Neil Ferguson at Imperial College’s MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis and colleagues found that the mitigation strategy, as they called it – or scenario 1 – that the government had just announced would lead to 260,000 deaths.Prof Neil Ferguson at Imperial College’s MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis and colleagues found that the mitigation strategy, as they called it – or scenario 1 – that the government had just announced would lead to 260,000 deaths.
That would be not just deaths from the virus, but from other illnesses that the NHS would be too hard-pressed to treat.That would be not just deaths from the virus, but from other illnesses that the NHS would be too hard-pressed to treat.
Advice on whether schools should close in the UK may change before Easter, according to London’s mayor Sadiq Khan, who attended a meeting of the government’s Cobra emergency committee for the first time yesterday.Advice on whether schools should close in the UK may change before Easter, according to London’s mayor Sadiq Khan, who attended a meeting of the government’s Cobra emergency committee for the first time yesterday.
Khan, who said he had been frustrated for some time there was not a London presence at the meeting but was glad to be invited, said that the British government policy of allowing schools to remain open was challenged during the discussions. They were briefed on how the current policy was in line with scientific advice and that there was no reason for closing them at present.Khan, who said he had been frustrated for some time there was not a London presence at the meeting but was glad to be invited, said that the British government policy of allowing schools to remain open was challenged during the discussions. They were briefed on how the current policy was in line with scientific advice and that there was no reason for closing them at present.
He added that he would not be surprised if that position changes before Easter.He added that he would not be surprised if that position changes before Easter.
Khan said he was particularly concerned about vulnerable sections of London’s population, such as those working in the gig economy and the homeless, and spoke of how there was an impact on them already from “the form of rationing” taking place at supermarkets.Khan said he was particularly concerned about vulnerable sections of London’s population, such as those working in the gig economy and the homeless, and spoke of how there was an impact on them already from “the form of rationing” taking place at supermarkets.
A familiar face on British morning television, Susanna Reid, has told viewers this morning that she is self-isolating after one of her children developed a “persistent cough”.A familiar face on British morning television, Susanna Reid, has told viewers this morning that she is self-isolating after one of her children developed a “persistent cough”.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain via video link, she said: “That means that immediately I thought ‘I can’t go into work’ and work with you guys for 14 days.Appearing on Good Morning Britain via video link, she said: “That means that immediately I thought ‘I can’t go into work’ and work with you guys for 14 days.
“The children are off and, of course, we are effectively two households because like many families we are a separated family, so we have two families who have gone into self-isolation.”“The children are off and, of course, we are effectively two households because like many families we are a separated family, so we have two families who have gone into self-isolation.”