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Coronavirus news: death toll in Italy rises by 16% in 24 hours – live updates Coronavirus news: trials longer than three days to be put on hold in UK – 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
Tunisia is imposing a curfew from 6pm to 6am from Wednesday, its president has said. The country declared 24 cases, closed mosques, cafes and markets, closed its land borders and suspended international flights.
Elsewhere in the region, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has ordered the army to use field hospitals to help health services fight the coronavirus outbreak.
The country has confirmed 44 cases and two deaths. Most cases were found in Moroccans resident in Spain, Italy and France who had returned home for visits. Morocco has suspended all international flights, closed mosques, schools, entertainment and sports venues and non-essential shops as a precautionary measure against the pandemic.
The Costa Rican government has announced the number of confirmed cases has risen to 50, the day after a state of emergency was declared in the Central American country. Those affected range from 10 to 87 years-old.
On Monday, the Costa Rican president said it would be “hard to say” whether the outbreak in the region could be controlled and warned that predictive models for the spread of virus were “not that precise”.
Criminal trials in England and Wales are to be put on hold, the Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett has said, adding that no new trial should start in any crown court unless it is expected to last for three days or fewer.
As a result, cases longer than three days that were due to start before the end of April will be postponed. Burnett has said:
Back to Ireland, where Varadkar has urged people to only access news from trusted sources, expressing concern about the impact of false information.
He closed his address with a message of solidarity to those countries currently worst hit by Covid-19.
One country already feeling serious economic effects is Bulgaria, where the prime minister Boyko Borissov has said the nation has already entered into a fiscal deficit.
Reuters reports that the Balkan country raised the salaries of medics involved in treating infected patients by 1,000 levs (£466.56) per month and extended 500m levs to support affected companies to service loans.
On Tuesday alone, confirmed cases in the European Union country jumped by 30% to 81, and the country sealed off the ski resort of Bansko.
Borissov said his main aim was to protect the small and open economy and carefully manage the state’s finances, discarding what he called populist calls for tax breaks and a freeze on payments of electricity and water bills.
Varadkar added that the economic impact is likely to be enormous.
The Irish government has already signed off a €3bn (£2.69bn) package for health, social welfare and support for businesses.
Older people and those with a long-term illness will be asked to stay at home for several weeks at some point during the pandemic, Varadkar added.
And he expressed pride in the work being done by Ireland’s healthcare workers.
Ireland expects to see 15,000 or more cases of coronavirus in the Republic by the end of the month and yet more in the following weeks, the taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said.Ireland expects to see 15,000 or more cases of coronavirus in the Republic by the end of the month and yet more in the following weeks, the taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said.
Making a rare live broadcast on Ireland’s state broadcaster RTÉ, Varadkar said it had been a St Patrick’s day “like no other, a day that none of us will ever forget”. He warned the nation:Making a rare live broadcast on Ireland’s state broadcaster RTÉ, Varadkar said it had been a St Patrick’s day “like no other, a day that none of us will ever forget”. He warned the nation:
Varadkar said there was a global and national emergency caused by a pandemic the like of which had never been seen before.Varadkar said there was a global and national emergency caused by a pandemic the like of which had never been seen before.
The taoiseach said more restrictions of social interactions would be introduced. He said the best strategies to deal with the virus focus on testing, contact tracing and social distancing.The taoiseach said more restrictions of social interactions would be introduced. He said the best strategies to deal with the virus focus on testing, contact tracing and social distancing.
More than 650 Britons stuck on a cruise ship that has seen numerous virus cases will be flown back to the UK on Wednesday evening (GMT).More than 650 Britons stuck on a cruise ship that has seen numerous virus cases will be flown back to the UK on Wednesday evening (GMT).
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, which operates the Braemar liner, said three flights chartered from British Airways would fly to Heathrow from Jose Marti airport, in Havana, in Cuba. The first will take off from Havana at 6pm local time (10pm GMT), landing in London at 6.30am GMT. The final flight will land at 10.30am GMT.Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, which operates the Braemar liner, said three flights chartered from British Airways would fly to Heathrow from Jose Marti airport, in Havana, in Cuba. The first will take off from Havana at 6pm local time (10pm GMT), landing in London at 6.30am GMT. The final flight will land at 10.30am GMT.
The company said there would be a separate flight for anyone who has received a positive diagnosis for coronavirus, or has displayed any flu-like symptoms, plus their companions. The firm said:The company said there would be a separate flight for anyone who has received a positive diagnosis for coronavirus, or has displayed any flu-like symptoms, plus their companions. The firm said:
Guests on the British Airways flights will not be required to self-isolate.Guests on the British Airways flights will not be required to self-isolate.
A two-week ban on flights from 28 countries, including the UK and Greece, has been announced by Cyprus.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 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 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.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.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: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.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.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 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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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: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:
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.
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.”
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?”
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.
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:
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 week
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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:
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”.
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.
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.
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.