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Coronavirus news: Britain needs 'big increase in testing,' says government adviser; Euro 2020 postponed for a year – live updates Coronavirus news: Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe temporarily released from prison in Iran – live updates
(32 minutes later)
UK measures to last at least ‘several months’; Iran temporarily releases thousands of prisoners; Australia tells citizens to fly home. Follow the latest updatesUK measures to last at least ‘several months’; Iran temporarily releases thousands of prisoners; Australia tells citizens to fly home. Follow the latest updates
British-Iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been temporarily released from prison in Iran. There’s more bad news for the UK’s beer drinkers. The Campaign for Real Ale, which runs over 180 local beer festivals across the country, has cancelled all events – including local beer festivals - planned between now and the end of June following the new advice on mass gathering.
The British foreign secretary Dominic Raab said: All physical events, festivals and meetings, from branch to national levels, have been cancelled for an initial three-month period, with further cancellations to be considered regularly as the situation evolves.
Nik Antona, CAMRA National Chairman said: “While we understand the important social benefits of CAMRA and the huge pleasure in pub going, we feel it would be highly irresponsible to continue to promote gatherings of people in pubs – both of which have been advised against by the Government.
“We will, of course, be looking into what campaigning measure we can take to help support the British beer and pub industry during this unsettling time – and would repeat our calls for the Government to put together a support package to support the pub and brewery trade during this period.”
CAMRA’s flagship festival, the Great British Beer Festival, is currently under review as it is due to take place at Olympia, London from 4-8 August.
In the second daily coronavirus press conference, the UK chancellor Rushi Sunak has announced that he will make £330bn available in lending to keep firms in business.
You can follow all the latest political developments over on Andy Sparrow’s politics live blog.
The total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Italy has risen to 31,506, from 27,980 on Monday, Reuters reports.
The death toll also increased by 16% in the last 24 hours, by 345 to 2,503.
Following in the footsteps of Italy, the Spanish government has vowed to suspend mortgage payments for workers and self-employed affected by the coronavirus epidemic.
The government will also prohibit the cutting off of basic utilities such as electricity, water, gas and telecommunications for vulnerable groups during the crisis.
“These are extraordinary times and they require extraordinary measures,” Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, said as he unveiled what he described as the “greatest mobilisation of resources in Spain’s democratic history”.
A surge of recent cases in Spain have made it one of Europe’s hardest hit countries, with 491 deaths and 11,178 confirmed cases. The country has been in a near-total lockdown since Saturday.
Among the latest victims are 19 senior citizens who died after the virus spread throughout their care home in Madrid.
Companies across the country responded to the epidemic with plans to temporarily lay off at least 100,000 people, adding to the anxiety in a country where the unemployment rate already ranks among the highest in the industrialised world.
Under the measures promised by Sánchez, laid-off workers will be guaranteed unemployment benefits, while salaried workers will be able reduce their working hours or take time off to care for dependents.
Companies will be offered state-backed credit guarantees and unlimited liquidity lines, while €30m will be set aside for research on a Covid-19 vaccine.
The measures will cost a total of €200bn, or around 20% of the country’s gross domestic product, said Sánchez. Around €117bn euros will come from public coffers, with the rest from private funds, he added.
A crown court judge has gone into self-isolation, the judiciary has confirmed.
A spokesman for the judiciary said: “Following the latest government advice, a judge at Canterbury crown court has taken the decision to self-isolate.”
Richard Radcliffe said unlike other prisioners given temporary release, his wife has to wear an ankle tag, which her parents had to hire from the authorities, and her movements will be restricted to 300 metres from her parents’ home.
He said: “My feelings today have been all of a mix – pleased at the happiness for Nazanin and (their daughter) Gabriella, but fear this is a new drawn-out game of chess.”
He added: “The issue now is to make it permanent and bring Nazanin home. It is one feeling to walk out of prison. It is completely different to walk back in. No one should be asked to go and be a hostage again. So we are watching carefully.”
Nazanin said: “I am so happy to be out. Even with the ankle tag, I am so happy. Being out is so much better than being in – if you knew what hell this place is. It is mental. Let us hope it will be the beginning of coming home.”
Her MP, Tulip Siddiq, said: “We are pleased and relieved that Nazanin will be with her family rather than in jail at this time of terrible chaos and uncertainty.
“However, we have been here before and know from past experience that Nazanin will be treated like a prisoner in her own home. The UK government must get reassurances from Iran that she won’t be harassed or intimidated while on temporary release.”
Eleven hours ago, 30 Seconds to Mars frontman Jared Leto emerged from a 12-day silent retreat in the desert to a very different world.
His post on Instagram certainly put things into perspective:
Public buildings are rapidly closing across Scotland as authorities announced the second death from the coronavirus outbreak.
The second person to die was an elderly patient with underlying health conditions. This follows the first death of a patient in Scotland with coronavirus on 13 March.
Chief medical officer Catherine Calderwood confirmed they were being treated by the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board.
The death comes as a range of institutions, from the arts to churches, announced they would be closing their doors to the public or limiting access.
V&A Dundee, National Museum of Scotland, and National Galleries of Scotland all announced they would be closing following government advice that people stay at home as much as possible and avoid unnecessary social contact.
The Scottish Episcopal Church have asked clergy to cease church services until further notice, to help protect the vulnerable from coronavirus. Church buildings will be allowed to stay open for private prayer.
Following yesterday’s guidance to decrease social contact, parliamentary service staff in Scotland have been told to work from home until further notice. Only staff required to deliver key essential business on site will attend work at Holyrood.
The UK is eligible to take part in a European Union wide-scheme on buying ventilators and other medical equipment needed in the coronavirus crisis.
A European commission spokesperson confirmed the UK was “eligible to participate in these joint procedures” despite leaving the EU on 31 January.
Under David Cameron, the British government in 2014 signed a voluntary “joint procurement agreement”, which was drawn up after the H1N1 pandemic of 2009 showed some countries found it difficult to get medical supplies on the open market. The agreement allows EU countries to band together to use their combined purchasing power to get a good deal on vaccines and other medical supplies.
The EU executive is organising joint procurement of protective clothing for medics, including masks, as well as ventilators. The commission spokesperson said “a very big majority of member states [were] interested” in taking part in the joint procurement on ventilators. The British government has not revealed whether it intends to take part in any of the procurement schemes.
On Monday, the prime minister, Boris Johnson, urged British industry to step forward and build 20,000 ventilators “at speed”. The NHS has 5,900 ventilators, but might need more than three times as many in the worst-case scenario for the spread of Covid-19.
The UK will be expected to apply EU-wide restrictions on the export of medical goods outside the bloc, passed in emergency legislation on Sunday. For a period of six weeks, EU countries and the UK will have to seek approval to export critical medical supplies outside the bloc.
Later on Tuesday, EU leaders are expected to adopt a 30-day travel ban on non-EU citizens entering the union, but the commission has said restrictions will not apply to the UK. There are exemptions for residents, diplomats, healthcare workers and researchers, and people delivering goods.
The UK and Ireland, neither in the EU’s Schengen passport-free travel zone, are being “encouraged” to enforce the travel ban.
A UK spokesperson said: “The UK can choose whether to opt in to this proposal if it is agreed. We will make our own decisions on entry to the UK, notably on the basis of our scientific advice.”
The British-Iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is among thousands of prisoners temporarily released from prison in Iran because of the coronavirus outbreak, her husband has said.
The British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, said:
The British Museum will close temporarily from March 18.The British Museum will close temporarily from March 18.
Director Hartwig Fischer said: “We have taken this decision with a heavy heart but our absolute priority is the health and safety of our staff and visitors.Director Hartwig Fischer said: “We have taken this decision with a heavy heart but our absolute priority is the health and safety of our staff and visitors.
“At present we do not know when we will be able to reopen but we hope to be able to provide further updates soon.’“The museum remains accessible through our digital channels. We will be updating and adding to this content during the period we are closed to allow visitors to stay in touch with the museum.“At present we do not know when we will be able to reopen but we hope to be able to provide further updates soon.’“The museum remains accessible through our digital channels. We will be updating and adding to this content during the period we are closed to allow visitors to stay in touch with the museum.
“We will share our collections, research and programmes in new ways that will not require a trip to the museum. We look forward to welcoming our visitors back to the museum as soon as we can.”“We will share our collections, research and programmes in new ways that will not require a trip to the museum. We look forward to welcoming our visitors back to the museum as soon as we can.”
A further 14 people have died after being diagnosed with coronavirus in England, the Department of Health said, bringing the death toll in the UK to 69. A further 14 people have died after being diagnosed with coronavirus in England, the Department of Health said, bringing the death toll in the UK to 67.
The patients were aged between 93 and 45 and had underlying health conditions, it added.
In an address to the nation, the Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has called the battle against coronavirus “a war against an invisible but not invincible enemy”.In an address to the nation, the Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has called the battle against coronavirus “a war against an invisible but not invincible enemy”.
“If we manage to curb the spread of transmission, we’ll give time to our health system to handle urgent cases. Our first priority is non-negotiable: to save lives,” he told Greeks in a televised speech from his Maximos office. “That is why, much earlier than other European countries, we enforced measures that are unprecedented in peacetime. And we are continuing in that direction.”“If we manage to curb the spread of transmission, we’ll give time to our health system to handle urgent cases. Our first priority is non-negotiable: to save lives,” he told Greeks in a televised speech from his Maximos office. “That is why, much earlier than other European countries, we enforced measures that are unprecedented in peacetime. And we are continuing in that direction.”
So far, Greek health authorities have announced 387 confirmed cases of coronavirus, revealing this afternoon that a fifth person had fallen victim to Covid-19. There were 35 new cases in the last 24 hours, the health ministry spokesman and infectious disease expert professor Sotiris Tsiodras told reporters. Of the total number, 11 were in intensive care, he said.So far, Greek health authorities have announced 387 confirmed cases of coronavirus, revealing this afternoon that a fifth person had fallen victim to Covid-19. There were 35 new cases in the last 24 hours, the health ministry spokesman and infectious disease expert professor Sotiris Tsiodras told reporters. Of the total number, 11 were in intensive care, he said.
Fearing the fate of Italy, the centre-right government has threatened to be merciless with those who flout tough restrictions that as of Wednesday will also include all shops being closed across Greece, with the exception of supermarkets. Banks, pharmacies, pet-stores, mobile phone stores, opticians, bakers, mini-markets, couriers and food delivery outlets are among the few that will also be allowed to remain open.Fearing the fate of Italy, the centre-right government has threatened to be merciless with those who flout tough restrictions that as of Wednesday will also include all shops being closed across Greece, with the exception of supermarkets. Banks, pharmacies, pet-stores, mobile phone stores, opticians, bakers, mini-markets, couriers and food delivery outlets are among the few that will also be allowed to remain open.
After nearly a decade of hard-hitting austerity – measures that hurt the health system in particular – Greek officials worry that hospitals would be rapidly overwhelmed if the outbreak required untold numbers needing intensive care.After nearly a decade of hard-hitting austerity – measures that hurt the health system in particular – Greek officials worry that hospitals would be rapidly overwhelmed if the outbreak required untold numbers needing intensive care.
Mitsotakis said the resources of private clinics would also be tapped during the health crisis and that with their help 1,900 additional beds would be available for coronavirus patients.Mitsotakis said the resources of private clinics would also be tapped during the health crisis and that with their help 1,900 additional beds would be available for coronavirus patients.
The government had three goals: containing the disease’s spread, bolstering the health system and weighing in with support for workers as the economy feels the effect of the crisis.The government had three goals: containing the disease’s spread, bolstering the health system and weighing in with support for workers as the economy feels the effect of the crisis.
Hinting that people’s lives were likely to be put on hold for at least two months, Mitsotakis said: “The dangers will multiply over the next two months and because of that other new restrictions will follow. We must all show discipline. Whoever behaves in an antisocial manner will face exemplary punishment because they will have committed a double crime against the law and against life.”Hinting that people’s lives were likely to be put on hold for at least two months, Mitsotakis said: “The dangers will multiply over the next two months and because of that other new restrictions will follow. We must all show discipline. Whoever behaves in an antisocial manner will face exemplary punishment because they will have committed a double crime against the law and against life.”
Center Parcs has said it is closing all its UK villages from Friday.Center Parcs has said it is closing all its UK villages from Friday.
Brazil has reported its first confirmed death from the coronavirus outbreak, as Congress cancelled a joint session due to a lack of quorum and the country braced for the mounting epidemic, reports Reuters.
The Natural History Museum has closed its buildings in South Kensington and Tring.
A statement said: “We are disappointed to have to delay welcoming you to the exciting exhibitions and events which we have planned, but the most important thing for us is the welfare of our visitors, supporters, staff and volunteers.
“We currently expect to reopen in early summer but until then we will continue online with our mission to create advocates for the planet so that in the future both people and the planet thrive. We’ll keep you up to date with what’s going on via email and our social channels.
“We will continue to update our website with brilliant content that connects people with the natural world.”
The number of Greece’s confirmed coronavirus cases rose to 387 from 352 with the death toll increasing to five, health officials confirmed.
The French Open has been postponed until late September amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Guardian Sport has the developing story here:
Talks on a post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and EU will not take place on Wednesday as planned.
A government spokesman said: “In light of the latest guidance on coronavirus, we will not formally be convening negotiating work strands tomorrow in the way we did in the previous round.
“We expect to share a draft FTA alongside the draft legal texts of a number of the standalone agreements in the near future still, as planned.
“Both sides remain fully committed to the negotiations and we remain in regular contact with the European commission to consider alternative ways to continue discussions, including looking at the possibility of video conferencing or conference calls, and exploring flexibility in the structure for the coming weeks.
“The transition period ends on December 31 2020. This is enshrined in UK law.”
Gatwick airport said it has terminated the employment of 200 staff as part of “decisive action to protect the business”, PA Media reports.
It will also be closed to flights between midnight and 5.30am with immediate effect, except for emergency landings.
The airport’s chief executive, Stewart Wingate, and his executive team will take a 20% salary cut and waive any bonus for the current financial year.
The UK communities secretary Robert Jenrick has announced £3.2m of emergency funding to help rough sleepers self-isolate to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The funding, to be available to all local authorities in England, will reimburse them for the cost of providing accommodation and services to help rough sleepers self-isolate.
Mr Jenrick said:
Apple Inc said it is closing all its retail stores in the Unites States until further notice.
That follows an announcement by the iPhone maker on Saturday that it was closing retail stores globally, except in Greater China, for the next two weeks due to the fast-spreading coronavirus.
The National Portrait Gallery in London will close temporarily from 18 March, it has announced.
A statement from the gallery said: “In line with UK government guidance, the National Portrait Gallery, London, will temporarily close from Wednesday March 18 2020 until further notice, in order to help contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus, and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our visitors and staff.
“We will continue to closely monitor the situation and act on the advice of the UK government and Public Health England. In the meantime, we look forward to staying connected to our audiences online and hope to be able to welcome visitors back to the gallery again soon.”
Saudi Arabia will no longer allow Muslims to conduct their five daily prayers and the weekly Friday prayer inside mosques as part of efforts to limit the spread of coronavirus, the state news agency SPA said on Tuesday.
The prayers will continue only at the two holy mosques in Mecca and Medina, the holiest places in Islam, SPA said, citing a decision from the Council of Senior Scholars, the kingdom’s highest religious body.