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Coronavirus news: Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe temporarily released from prison in Iran – live updates Coronavirus news: death toll in Italy rises by 16% in 24 hours – 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 updates UK measures to last at least ‘several months’; Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe freed temporarily; Saudi Arabia to stage virtual G20 summit. Follow the latest updates
Curzon cinemas will be closed on March 19 onwards.
CEO Philip Knatchbull said in a statement: “At Curzon, the health and safety of our staff and customers is paramount, and we have therefore made the difficult decision to close all our cinemas from the end of play tomorrow until further notice.
“Curzon head office will also be closed during this time with all staff now fully equipped to work from home.
“During this incredibly challenging period, we would ask our customers to continue to support us through the Curzon Home Cinema platform. We are working with a number of third-party distributors to provide an outlet for their new and current film releases, and we are also launching a number of exciting initiatives to keep film fans entertained during the lockdown.
“We intend to keep our current distribution slate on their published release dates and look to increase audiences through Curzon Home Cinema.”
The Royal Academy will be closed from 6pm.
A statement said: “Like our peer organisations, our aim is to ensure the health and wellbeing of our Friends, visitors and staff - as well as the general public - during this unprecedented time.
“While our front doors will close, we plan to stay open in other ways.
“The RA has been a voice for art and artists for more than 250 years, and in the coming weeks we’ll draw on this deep well of experience as we continue to share video tours, interviews and exhibition highlights; revisit popular events; encourage you to get your paint and pencils out; and offer creative inspiration for your new ways of working and connecting.”
UK high street coffee chain Pret a Manger has become the latest to announce that from today (Tuesday) it is no longer accepting customers’ own reusable coffee cups (typically made of plastic, glass or bamboo material) because of the risk of contamination for staff and customers. It will hand out cardboard disposable cups instead, although customers are still eligible for the 50p discount per cup.
In further measures, it has also removed water cups from its free water stations, and moved all cutlery and napkins to behind its tills, to be handed out by staff members. It is also sanitising all surfaces that are regularly touched by its teams or customers at a minimum of every 30 minutes.
In a blogpost published on its website on Tuesday, chief executive Pano Christou seeks to reassure customers, saying: “We are living in unprecedented times, and as the everyday is rapidly changing, I want to reassure you that everyone at Pret is devoted to taking care of you when you shop with us.”
Starbucks has already temporarily banned the use of reusable cups for the safety of both customers and staff.
Bulgaria put its ski resort of Bansko under a two-week lockdown after three people there tested positive for coronavirus on Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev said.
Access to the resort, home to some 10,000 people and located in southwestern Bulgaria, will be curtailed until the end of the month. Some 200 foreign tourists currently in Bansko will be escorted to Sofia Airport if they opt to leave.
Among the confirmed cases is a nine-year-old British boy, who was in Bansko with his family on a skiing holiday. Tests for the rest of the family came back negative.
Bulgaria’s confirmed coronavirus cases jumped to 81 on Tuesday. It has banned all holiday trips to the country in an effort to contain the infection.
Luxury jeweller Tiffany & Co has said it would temporarily close several stores, including its Fifth Avenue flagship store in New York, and reduce working hours at other outlets, in an effort to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Earlier in the day, L Brands Inc, Ralph Lauren and American Eagle Outfitters announced temporary store closure, joining a spate of retailers, including Nike Inc , which have made similar announcements in recent days.
Tiffany, which is being bought by Louis Vuitton owner LVMH , will be reporting quarterly earnings report on Friday.
The foreign ministry of Guatemala has temporarily suspended flights of deported Guatemalans and other nationalities returned from the United States, Reuters reports.
Visits to Scottish prisons will continue to operate as normal amidst the coronavirus outbreak, as prisoners with symptoms are told to self-isolate in their cells.
Humza Yousaf, Scotland’s Justice Minister, confirmed on Twitter on Tuesday that the Scottish Prison Service has a Coronavirus Response Group that has been implementing its national pandemic plan. Governors in charge of prisons have been overseeing local delivery plans as advice is given to every prisoner via letters and in-cell TV messages.
Updated guidance shows that visits to prisons will continue to operate as normal. Those with symptoms who live alone have been advised to stay at home for seven days, while those who live with others have been told to stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days.
A Scottish Prison Service spokeswoman said:
“The safety and wellbeing of those living and working in our establishments is a priority for the Scottish Prison Service (SPS).
“SPS is following the advice of Health Protection Scotland and we have issued guidance to staff and those in our care about steps which should be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“At this time there are no restrictions on movement in place therefore establishments are continuing to operate visits as normal.
“Anyone within our care who is presenting with symptoms of COVID-19 is required to self-isolate within their cell for seven days.
“Those who are self-isolating still have access to food and medication and we are working on ways to maintain communication with friends and family.”
Another major casualty of the film calendar, Disney has delayed the release of Marvel film Black Widow, as well as The Woman In The Window and the US release of The Personal History Of David Copperfield. New dates have not yet been finalised.
Nespresso is the latest company to announce it has closed all stores in the UK and Ireland in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
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.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.
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.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.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.”“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.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.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.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 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.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.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.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”.“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.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.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.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.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.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.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.
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.
“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 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”.
“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.
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.
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.
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.