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Coronavirus news: death toll in Italy rises by 16% in 24 hours – 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’; Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe freed temporarily; Saudi Arabia to stage virtual G20 summit. Follow the latest updatesUK measures to last at least ‘several months’; Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe freed temporarily; Saudi Arabia to stage virtual G20 summit. Follow the latest updates
Scottish parliament has closed all access to its public galleries until further notice amidst the coronavirus outbreak, which has killed two in the country.The public have instead been told to watch proceedings on the government’s webcasting service.Access to the media gallery in the chamber will remain open for accredited media, but journalists are being encouraged to work from their offices or home.Ken Macintosh, senior Labour MSP and presiding officer of Holyrood parliament, said: “All our decisions are consistent with public health advice and are designed to minimise the impact of COVID-19, to help keep our staff and members of the public safe and with a view to safely and sustainably delivering essential parliamentary business.”
French health authorities reported 27 new deaths from coronavirus on Tuesday, taking the total to 175 or an increase of around 18%, as France entered its first day of lockdown to try and contain the outbreak.
During a press conference without any physical presence of journalists, health agency director Jérôme Salomon added the number of cases had risen to 7,730, up from 6,633 on Monday, which is a rise of 16.5% in 24 hours.
Salomon said 699 people were in a serious condition, needing life support.
In view of the latest UK government advice on the coronavirus pandemic, the Masons have suspended all lodge and chapter meetings within England and Wales for a period of four months, with immediate effect, says an official communication from the Grand Master, HRH the Duke of Kent.
With the UK’s economy heading towards critical condition, more radical action needs to be taken if it is to ever recover, writes Tom Kibasi. Read the full opinion piece here:
Edinburgh Science Festival will be cancelled in response to the coronavirus outbreak.The festival, scheduled for 4-19 April, is the first in the yearly cycle of Edinburgh festivals to be cancelled and could be a harbinger of what will follow if the pandemic worsens.The festival’s key venue partners, the National Museum of Scotland, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and City Art Centre managed by Museums and Galleries Edinburgh, have all announced their closures today until further notice.
Festival and creative director Amanda Tyndall said:
The festival had a programme of over 270 events.
In a moment Billboard has called “a massive dance track with a touch of ominousness well-suited for moment”, DJ Snake has turned Cardi B’s viral rant into a song.
He recorded the process in a video which shows him tapping a fork on a glass to make percussion sounds and incorporating the sound of him pumping some antibacterial gel into his hands too.
Enjoy.
Readings of Shakespeare plays will be streamed online by a group seeking to entertain those who “do not like Netflix” after all major British theatres closed their doors.Lucy Aarden, a professional actor who has been cast in the lead role of Julia for the hastily organised production of The Two Gentleman of Verona said three different companies cancelled her upcoming work this morning and she was delighted to be cast in the unpaid role.
The streamed performance on Thursday, she said, would continue weekly with the playwrights’ works in chronological order, and allow actors and theatre makers to stay connected with each other.
“My dog has also been cast,” she said. “Hopefully when it’s his bit he’ll bark. I’m going to get his cues shortly.”
She said the reading, directed by Rob Myles and introduced by renowned Shakespeare expert Ben Crystal, would also include amateur actors, and that she was already rehearsing for her role alone at home after being cast earlier today.
“150 now unemployed actors got in touch from different time zones across the globe to take part,” she said. “It’s a really nice platform for actors. No one is going to theatres for the foreseeable. And not everyone likes Netflix.”
In what seems apt during times of crisis, she will say:
But say, Lucetta, now we are alone,Wouldst thou then counsel me to fall in love?
Bafta has postponed its annual television and TV craft awards. The former were were due to go ahead on May 17, while the craft awards, which celebrate technical achievement in television, were due to take place on April 26.Bafta has postponed its annual television and TV craft awards. The former were were due to go ahead on May 17, while the craft awards, which celebrate technical achievement in television, were due to take place on April 26.
On the day that Royal Mail workers have voted hugely in favour of strikes in a long-running dispute over job security and the company’s future direction, they have also offered to serve as an additional coronavirus emergency service in the UK.On the day that Royal Mail workers have voted hugely in favour of strikes in a long-running dispute over job security and the company’s future direction, they have also offered to serve as an additional coronavirus emergency service in the UK.
A statement reads:A statement reads:
Public crowds of more than 10 people will be banned in Denmark starting Wednesday at 10am local time in a move to curb the spread of coronavirus, the country’s prime minister said.Public crowds of more than 10 people will be banned in Denmark starting Wednesday at 10am local time in a move to curb the spread of coronavirus, the country’s prime minister said.
All restaurants, bars, cafes, night clubs as well as gyms, tanning centers and tattoo parlors will be required to shut down for two weeks until March 30, Mette Frederiksen said told a press conference.All restaurants, bars, cafes, night clubs as well as gyms, tanning centers and tattoo parlors will be required to shut down for two weeks until March 30, Mette Frederiksen said told a press conference.
Jordan’s King Abdullah has approved a law that gives the government sweeping powers to enforce a state of emergency to help it combat the spread of coronavirus, state media said.Jordan’s King Abdullah has approved a law that gives the government sweeping powers to enforce a state of emergency to help it combat the spread of coronavirus, state media said.
The royal decree gives the prime minister, Omar Razzaz, extraordinary powers under a defence law enacted in times of war and disasters to enforce curfews, closing businesses and placing restrictions on freedom of movement of people.The royal decree gives the prime minister, Omar Razzaz, extraordinary powers under a defence law enacted in times of war and disasters to enforce curfews, closing businesses and placing restrictions on freedom of movement of people.
The cabinet announced the closure of all government agencies except hospitals from Wednesday and ordered private firms to also close their offices and send employees home.The cabinet announced the closure of all government agencies except hospitals from Wednesday and ordered private firms to also close their offices and send employees home.
All shops in malls would be shut apart from those selling food and medicine. Gatherings of more than 10 people will be banned.All shops in malls would be shut apart from those selling food and medicine. Gatherings of more than 10 people will be banned.
The public security department said it would use force if necessary against anyone resisting these government decisions.The public security department said it would use force if necessary against anyone resisting these government decisions.
Edinburgh city council has announced the closure of galleries and museums, along with the cancellation of events at its venues, in response to the coronavirus outbreak.Edinburgh city council has announced the closure of galleries and museums, along with the cancellation of events at its venues, in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
A spokeswoman for the council confirmed that events at the Usher Hall, Assembly Rooms, Church Hill Theatre and Ross Bandstand to be held before the end of April will not go ahead.A spokeswoman for the council confirmed that events at the Usher Hall, Assembly Rooms, Church Hill Theatre and Ross Bandstand to be held before the end of April will not go ahead.
The Olivier Awards, which were due to take place on April 5, have been cancelled.
A statement from the Society Of London Theatre said: “Following the government’s new advice on social distancing yesterday, and the subsequent closing of many theatres and public venues, we no longer feel that it is feasible to host the ceremony that we had planned to deliver.
“As the Royal Albert Hall has announced closure until further notice, we have taken the difficult decision that the event will not be going ahead.
“The Society of London Theatre would like to thank all nominees, shows, producers, theatres, sponsors, suppliers and creatives for their ongoing support.
“We are working through plans on how to properly honour and announce this year’s winners, and will release further information soon.
“All tickets will be refunded, and the Royal Albert Hall will be in touch with ticketholders, who are asked to be patient during this process.”
Uber Technologies Inc and Lyft Inc began suspending shared rides on their ride-hailing platforms in the United States and Canada to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Uber also said it has suspended its shared rides services in London and Paris.
Regular rides and the company’s food delivery platform, Uber Eats, remain available, but Uber said it was in contact with local authorities to adjust operations as needed.
Oman has closed all tourist sites, sports clubs, mosques, all shops in malls except food stores and pharmacies, traditional and local souqs, and has banned gatherings in public places over coronavirus fears, state tv reports.
Tesco is expected to announce all its 24-hour stores will from tonight reduce their hours to open between 6am and 10pm, PA understands.
The Cheltenham Jazz Festival and the Cheltenham Science Festival have both been cancelled, in response to what senior management called “the worst public health crisis in a generation”.
John McDonnell MP, the shadow chancellor, responding to Rishi Sunak’s coronavirus update, said:
The Science Museum Group has announced its sites will be closed from Tuesday evening until further notice.
This includes its five museums: the Science Museum in London, National Railway Museum in York, Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, and Locomotion in Shildon, County Durham.
Curzon cinemas will be closed on 19 March onwards.
CEO Philip Knatchbull said in a statement:
The Royal Academy will be closed from 6pm.
A statement said:
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.