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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
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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
A two-week ban on flights from 28 countries, including the UK and Greece, has been announced by Cyprus.
The measure will come into effect from 1am GMT on 21 March, an official statement said. It does not affect cargo flights.
The island has already enacted stringent entry requirements, effective from 16 March, barring anyone into the island, including Cypriots, without a medical certificate that they are clear of coronavirus. Those who do arrive are placed in compulsory quarantine in a government-supervised facility for two weeks.
The east Mediterranean island has reported 49 cases.
Mass street protests have been banned in Algeria, where demonstrators demanding political reforms have been out on the streets for more than a year.
The country’s president Abdelmadjid Tebboune, told the nation in a televised address:
According to Reuters, it was not immediately clear if all protesters would agree to suspend their movement. One, school teacher Mohamed Hachimi, said the demonstrations would not stop.
Algeria has confirmed 60 cases of the coronavirus including five deaths, mostly in the town of Blida, south of the capital, and has restricted much foreign travel and closed mosques.
Montenegro is confirming its first cases; in two female patients who arrived in the country 12 days ago from the United States and Spain. The prime minister, Duško Marković, said both patients have been hospitalised.
Montenegro had already sealed its borders, stopped public transportation, closed down schools, cafes and restaurants to stop spreading the infection. Only supermarkets and pharmacies remain open.
Mosques in Saudi Arabia will no longer receive worshippers for the customary five daily prayers or the weekly Friday congregation, the country has said. The move is aimed at limiting the spread of the virus that has infected 171 people.
Neighbouring Oman also closed mosques, restaurants, coffee shops, tourist sites and traditional markets and malls, except groceries and pharmacies. It barred foreigners from entering and nationals from leaving, state TV said.
New Zealanders travelling overseas are being urged to return home as soon as possible by their government.
An alert on the safe travel website follows similar advice issued by the Australian government overnight.
Many Kiwis overseas will face an arduous journey home, with few long-haul flights still connecting to the South Pacific nation as demand dramatically decreased following the introduction of self-isolation rules for all new arrivals.
New Zealand’s national carrier, Air New Zealand has also said it will slash its overseas flights by 85% in the coming months.
Guatemala is suspending incoming flights carrying immigrants and asylum seekers sent by the United States.
The measure covers two flights of Guatemalan deportees scheduled for Tuesday, as well as indefinitely suspending flights carrying people from other Central American nations who were being sent to Guatemala under an asylum cooperation agreement with the United States that is part of Washingtons broader crackdown on immigration at the US-Mexico border.
Concerns have been expressed that the deportation of migrants from the US and Mexico could accelerate the spread of coronavirus in Central America:
Back in the Commons, the chancellor has been coming under pressure over the prospect of many people following the government’s instructions to self-isolate being left with less than £100 per week to live on. The Labour MP, Jess Phillips, asked Sunak:Back in the Commons, the chancellor has been coming under pressure over the prospect of many people following the government’s instructions to self-isolate being left with less than £100 per week to live on. The Labour MP, Jess Phillips, asked Sunak:
Sunak sidestepped the question and focused on the government’s response to helping those in need.Sunak sidestepped the question and focused on the government’s response to helping those in need.
Rachel Reeves, the Labour MP and chairwoman of the Commons business, energy and industrial strategy select committee, urged the chancellor to go further with his economic measures to support those in financial hardship.Rachel Reeves, the Labour MP and chairwoman of the Commons business, energy and industrial strategy select committee, urged the chancellor to go further with his economic measures to support those in financial hardship.
Sunak replied:Sunak replied:
The Conservative former cabinet minister, Iain Duncan Smith, welcomed the “bold measures”, noted there is “more to do” and added: “The most important thing we can do is to do everything we can to keep people in employment.”The Conservative former cabinet minister, Iain Duncan Smith, welcomed the “bold measures”, noted there is “more to do” and added: “The most important thing we can do is to do everything we can to keep people in employment.”
Duncan Smith also said the smallest elements of the voluntary sector who have no reserves will lose about £400m during the next few months, adding they will be called upon most for support in the community.Duncan Smith also said the smallest elements of the voluntary sector who have no reserves will lose about £400m during the next few months, adding they will be called upon most for support in the community.
He said: “Could I please ask him to look at this very carefully and see what we can do to give them that cash aid?”He said: “Could I please ask him to look at this very carefully and see what we can do to give them that cash aid?”
Sunak, in his reply, said: “The communities secretary is talking already to the voluntary sector and we stand ready to provide the support that may be required.”Sunak, in his reply, said: “The communities secretary is talking already to the voluntary sector and we stand ready to provide the support that may be required.”
D&D London, which operates restaurants in London, Leeds and Manchester, has said it is temporarily closing all of its UK restaurants and called on the government to help protect its workforce.D&D London, which operates restaurants in London, Leeds and Manchester, has said it is temporarily closing all of its UK restaurants and called on the government to help protect its workforce.
Des Gunewardena, its chairman and chief executive, has said:Des Gunewardena, its chairman and chief executive, has said:
The actor Idris Elba has said he is “feeling OK” after contracting coronavirus, but that he is worried about it because he suffers from asthma. In a live broadcast on social media, he has said:The actor Idris Elba has said he is “feeling OK” after contracting coronavirus, but that he is worried about it because he suffers from asthma. In a live broadcast on social media, he has said:
He said he was inspired to share information about what having the virus is like by his fellow actor, Tom Hanks, who has also tested positive for Covid-19 and was released from isolation this weekHe said he was inspired to share information about what having the virus is like by his fellow actor, Tom Hanks, who has also tested positive for Covid-19 and was released from isolation this week
“Urgent talks” aimed at keeping the UK’s supermarket shelves full are underway, the chancellor has said.“Urgent talks” aimed at keeping the UK’s supermarket shelves full are underway, the chancellor has said.
The Tory former minister, Harriet Baldwin, asked if supermarkets could be supported in boosting home deliveries.The Tory former minister, Harriet Baldwin, asked if supermarkets could be supported in boosting home deliveries.
Sunak told the Commons the environment secretary, George Eustice, is in “urgent talks with supermarkets to ensure the security of our food supply and to improve accessibility; particularly for those who may now be at home”.Sunak told the Commons the environment secretary, George Eustice, is in “urgent talks with supermarkets to ensure the security of our food supply and to improve accessibility; particularly for those who may now be at home”.
Two large secondary schools in the Wiltshire town of Chippenham with more than 3,000 children between them have closed because of coronavirus.Two large secondary schools in the Wiltshire town of Chippenham with more than 3,000 children between them have closed because of coronavirus.
Both Hardenhuish and Sheldon schools announced on Tuesday that they would remain shut until further notice. The headteacher of Hardenhuish, Lisa Perry, explained that, following the government’s advice on self-isolation and social distancing, the school had been left with “significant” staff shortages.Both Hardenhuish and Sheldon schools announced on Tuesday that they would remain shut until further notice. The headteacher of Hardenhuish, Lisa Perry, explained that, following the government’s advice on self-isolation and social distancing, the school had been left with “significant” staff shortages.
All synagogues in the UK should be closed, the chief rabbi has urged, saying that extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures.All synagogues in the UK should be closed, the chief rabbi has urged, saying that extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures.
Over recent weeks, synagogues had “sought responsible and creative ways” to continue to function as “cornerstones of our communities, Ephraim Mirvis said. But it was now clear that “congregational activity of any kind” posed a significant danger to the vulnerable.Over recent weeks, synagogues had “sought responsible and creative ways” to continue to function as “cornerstones of our communities, Ephraim Mirvis said. But it was now clear that “congregational activity of any kind” posed a significant danger to the vulnerable.
Citing the Torah obligation to the sanctity of life, he said that “with much pain and the heaviest of hearts” all synagogue activity would be suspended until further notice. Further guidance about Pesach, or Passover, which takes place next month, would follow, he added.Citing the Torah obligation to the sanctity of life, he said that “with much pain and the heaviest of hearts” all synagogue activity would be suspended until further notice. Further guidance about Pesach, or Passover, which takes place next month, would follow, he added.
In what would appear to be the biggest per capita stimulus policy yet announced in response to the corona crisis, Bahrain has pledged a package that amounts to 29.6% of it’s GDP, which is focused on getting business owners and citizens through the next three months.In what would appear to be the biggest per capita stimulus policy yet announced in response to the corona crisis, Bahrain has pledged a package that amounts to 29.6% of it’s GDP, which is focused on getting business owners and citizens through the next three months.
The government has announced an $11.44bn (£9.29bn, 4.3 billion BHD) infusion that from April guarantees private sector salaries, pays citizens’ utilities bills and exempts business from a wide range of fees. The package also offers loan support and debt relief. The announcement made on Tuesday night did not say how the package would be funded.The government has announced an $11.44bn (£9.29bn, 4.3 billion BHD) infusion that from April guarantees private sector salaries, pays citizens’ utilities bills and exempts business from a wide range of fees. The package also offers loan support and debt relief. The announcement made on Tuesday night did not say how the package would be funded.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has collectively seen more than 1,000 corona cases, and one death – of an elderly patient in Bahrain. Disruption to core industries, such as tourism and aviation has been huge and the impact of the virus is ravaging employment markets.The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has collectively seen more than 1,000 corona cases, and one death – of an elderly patient in Bahrain. Disruption to core industries, such as tourism and aviation has been huge and the impact of the virus is ravaging employment markets.
Gulf States have largely closed restaurants and schools, though some with less enthusiasm than others. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have effectively closed their borders for a fortnight.Gulf States have largely closed restaurants and schools, though some with less enthusiasm than others. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have effectively closed their borders for a fortnight.
The fast food chain, McDonalds, is closing all seating areas and temporarily move to being takeaway, drive-through and delivery only in the UK and Ireland from 5am on Wednesday (GMT), it has said.The fast food chain, McDonalds, is closing all seating areas and temporarily move to being takeaway, drive-through and delivery only in the UK and Ireland from 5am on Wednesday (GMT), it has said.
Amid concerns that many pubs and restaurants will struggle to survive the near-lockdown conditions being encouraged by the government, ministers have said planning rules will be relaxed to allow them to serve takeaway meals.Amid concerns that many pubs and restaurants will struggle to survive the near-lockdown conditions being encouraged by the government, ministers have said planning rules will be relaxed to allow them to serve takeaway meals.
The communities secretary, Robert Jenrick, has said:The communities secretary, Robert Jenrick, has said:
Currently, planning permission is required for businesses to carry out a change of use to a hot food takeaway. The government is now confirming such regulations will be relaxed.Currently, planning permission is required for businesses to carry out a change of use to a hot food takeaway. The government is now confirming such regulations will be relaxed.
The head of the European Union executive has said a German company might have a vaccine against coronavirus by the autumn.The head of the European Union executive has said a German company might have a vaccine against coronavirus by the autumn.
The European commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, released €80m (£71.7m) of EU funds to the German pharmaceutical company CureVac on Monday, after discussing with executives their vaccine plans. She said:The European commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, released €80m (£71.7m) of EU funds to the German pharmaceutical company CureVac on Monday, after discussing with executives their vaccine plans. She said:
German media reported that Donald Trump had tried to buy the company over the weekend, although the firm has distanced itself from those claims.German media reported that Donald Trump had tried to buy the company over the weekend, although the firm has distanced itself from those claims.
Von der Leyen said: “It is a European company. We wanted to keep it in Europe, it wanted to stay in Europe.” She said rules on approval of medical products would speed up “as we are in a severe crisis we all see that we are able to speed up many of the processes that are slow normally and take a lot of time”.Von der Leyen said: “It is a European company. We wanted to keep it in Europe, it wanted to stay in Europe.” She said rules on approval of medical products would speed up “as we are in a severe crisis we all see that we are able to speed up many of the processes that are slow normally and take a lot of time”.
She was speaking in Brussels, after European leaders approved a 30-day ban on non-EU citizens travelling into the union, following crisis talks via conference call.She was speaking in Brussels, after European leaders approved a 30-day ban on non-EU citizens travelling into the union, following crisis talks via conference call.
Von der Leyen said there was “a unanimous and united approach” on the travel restrictions, which include exemptions for British nationals, residents, healthcare workers and researchers, and people delivering goods across the EU internal markets.Von der Leyen said there was “a unanimous and united approach” on the travel restrictions, which include exemptions for British nationals, residents, healthcare workers and researchers, and people delivering goods across the EU internal markets.
She said it was up to EU member states to implement the plan “as soon as possible”.She said it was up to EU member states to implement the plan “as soon as possible”.
Von der Leyen said her information was that the British government did not plan to join the EU in implementing the travel ban, while noting the British government was advising against foreign travel.Von der Leyen said her information was that the British government did not plan to join the EU in implementing the travel ban, while noting the British government was advising against foreign travel.
She hinted the EU would soon have to go further with plans to deal with the economic fallout of the virus.She hinted the EU would soon have to go further with plans to deal with the economic fallout of the virus.
The European council president, Charles Michel, said EU27 leaders would hold another conference call next week. Long planned face-to-face talks at an EU summit in Brussels at the end of the month have been cancelled.The European council president, Charles Michel, said EU27 leaders would hold another conference call next week. Long planned face-to-face talks at an EU summit in Brussels at the end of the month have been cancelled.