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Coronavirus live news: number of confirmed global cases passes 200,000 Coronavirus live news: number of confirmed global cases passes 200,000
(32 minutes later)
Belgium goes into lockdown; EU implements strictest travel ban in history; outbreak reaches every US state. Follow the latest updatesBelgium goes into lockdown; EU implements strictest travel ban in history; outbreak reaches every US state. Follow the latest updates
Breaking: Nicola Sturgeon announces schools and nurseries in Scotland will close to pupils at the end of the week.
The first minister said there will be further announcements to support low income students on free school meals as well as students who have exams.
Sturgeon added that people should not assume schools and nurseries will reopen after the Easter break. She cannot promise it will reopen before summer holidays.
She said: “It will not be easy, but together we will get through this.”
A person has died from coronavirus in Burkina Faso, the first known death from the disease in sub-Saharan Africa, writes the Guardian’s international correspondent Michael Safi.
The country, where security has been deteriorating for months due to attacks by armed groups including some linked to Islamic State and Al-Qaeda, has emerged as a hotspot in Africa, with 27 confirmed cases and at least 200 more people suspected of having the disease.
South Africa has the most cases in the region with 116 as of this morning, a 31% jump on yesterday’s figures.
The Burkina Faso government has closed schools and universities and banned public gatherings but is said to be enforcing the laws in a piecemeal way, raising fears the infection could spread
The wearing of masks has been made compulsory in Prague, by order of local authorities.
The measure, which comes into effect today from 6pm local time, comes after authorities had said that masks would also be required in all indoor spaces such as shops and offices. A fine of up to 20,000 CZ has been set.
In Denmark, a simple but seemingly effective step is being employed in at least one retailer
Facebook has banned the sale of medical masks on its Marketplace platform, but the Guardian has found evidence of how users are selling them in closed groups to get around the ban.
We found at least five groups, some of which have thousands of members, where people posted offers to buy and sell masks. Some of these groups appear to be targeted specifically at UK users and have members whose Facebook location is in the UK.
It is not clear what price the masks are selling for as vendors mostly appear to be arranging sales via Facebook Messenger or Whatsapp. The groups also show posts offering hand sanitiser and thermometers for sale.
As the pandemic worsens there is a serious global shortage of medical masks. Facebook announced it would ban users selling masks on its Marketplace or placing ads featuring masks, in an attempt to stop price gouging.
Amazon and Ebay have also restricted the sale of masks, though earlier this week the Guardian found other household items selling at hugely inflated prices on Ebay.
Facebook has been contacted for comment.
A general ban on group gatherings will be announced within the day in Greece.A general ban on group gatherings will be announced within the day in Greece.
Speaking to Alpha TV earlier, the government spokesman, Stelios Petsas, who is self-isolating as his wife has contracted coronavirus, signalled a cap of ten was likely to be placed on groups meeting in public spaces such as parks and squares.Speaking to Alpha TV earlier, the government spokesman, Stelios Petsas, who is self-isolating as his wife has contracted coronavirus, signalled a cap of ten was likely to be placed on groups meeting in public spaces such as parks and squares.
“Today we will take another step and proceed with a ban on gatherings above a certain number … unfortunately, and I say this with regret, the recommendation that we should all stay at home while upheld by a large part of the population is still not followed by all, and that is very dangerous.”“Today we will take another step and proceed with a ban on gatherings above a certain number … unfortunately, and I say this with regret, the recommendation that we should all stay at home while upheld by a large part of the population is still not followed by all, and that is very dangerous.”
When put to him that experts were saying it was good to be out in the sun, Petsas clarified it wasn’t “a problem” for one or two people to take a stroll “and on the contrary helps them psychologically and helps them deal with this period of self-isolation.”When put to him that experts were saying it was good to be out in the sun, Petsas clarified it wasn’t “a problem” for one or two people to take a stroll “and on the contrary helps them psychologically and helps them deal with this period of self-isolation.”
But what had been witnessed in recent days of people converging on the beach and in public spaces in cities nationwide was unacceptable, he told the channel.But what had been witnessed in recent days of people converging on the beach and in public spaces in cities nationwide was unacceptable, he told the channel.
The government has repeatedly said that those caught flouting regulations will be punished.The government has repeatedly said that those caught flouting regulations will be punished.
Greece was among the first EU states to prohibit mass public events but has yet to announce a full lockdown that would include a curfew on the streets. Petsas that “at this point” it was not considering one.Greece was among the first EU states to prohibit mass public events but has yet to announce a full lockdown that would include a curfew on the streets. Petsas that “at this point” it was not considering one.
With cafes and eateries closed, young Greeks, in particular, have taken to hanging out in squares and the few green spaces that exist in central Athens.With cafes and eateries closed, young Greeks, in particular, have taken to hanging out in squares and the few green spaces that exist in central Athens.
Sites around the capital’s world-renowned antiquities have become popular – even if they, too, are closed. So far, Greek health authorities have announced 387 confirmed cases of coronavirus. There have been five reported deaths as a result of covid-19.Sites around the capital’s world-renowned antiquities have become popular – even if they, too, are closed. So far, Greek health authorities have announced 387 confirmed cases of coronavirus. There have been five reported deaths as a result of covid-19.
Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan has said the coronavirus outbreak was hitting Turkey just as it was recovering from a 2018 lira crisis but that there would be “big opportunities” if it could bring the outbreak under control in the coming weeks.Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan has said the coronavirus outbreak was hitting Turkey just as it was recovering from a 2018 lira crisis but that there would be “big opportunities” if it could bring the outbreak under control in the coming weeks.
Turkey confirmed its first death related to the coronavirus on Tuesday and a doubling of its confirmed cases in one day to 98 after it ramped up measures to combat the spread of the virus.Turkey confirmed its first death related to the coronavirus on Tuesday and a doubling of its confirmed cases in one day to 98 after it ramped up measures to combat the spread of the virus.
“It is not easy to keep all the wheels of the economy turning while battling coronavirus,” Reuters reported Erdogan as saying at the start of a meeting he was chairing with ministers, bankers and business leaders to discuss dealing with the pandemic.“It is not easy to keep all the wheels of the economy turning while battling coronavirus,” Reuters reported Erdogan as saying at the start of a meeting he was chairing with ministers, bankers and business leaders to discuss dealing with the pandemic.
“If we can manage these few weeks well and inform the nation well and keep the virus under control, we anticipate a good outlook, better than we had hoped,” he said.“If we can manage these few weeks well and inform the nation well and keep the virus under control, we anticipate a good outlook, better than we had hoped,” he said.
“We can see that greater opportunities await us when we get out of this period with success.”“We can see that greater opportunities await us when we get out of this period with success.”
Dutch plans to press ahead with a controversial ‘herd immunity’ strategy against the coronavirus outbreak continued to face criticism today as parliamentarians debated an approach which the Netherlands appears to be alone in pursuing.Dutch plans to press ahead with a controversial ‘herd immunity’ strategy against the coronavirus outbreak continued to face criticism today as parliamentarians debated an approach which the Netherlands appears to be alone in pursuing.
In a speech to the nation on Monday, Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte said that the Netherlands would aim to develop immunity to coronavirus among its population by allowing large numbers to contract the illness at a controlled paceIn a speech to the nation on Monday, Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte said that the Netherlands would aim to develop immunity to coronavirus among its population by allowing large numbers to contract the illness at a controlled pace
“Those who have had the virus are usually immune afterwards. Just like in the old days with measles. The larger the group that is immune, the less chance that the virus will jump to vulnerable elderly people and people with poor health. With group immunity you build, as it were, a protective wall around them,” said Rutte.“Those who have had the virus are usually immune afterwards. Just like in the old days with measles. The larger the group that is immune, the less chance that the virus will jump to vulnerable elderly people and people with poor health. With group immunity you build, as it were, a protective wall around them,” said Rutte.
The debate by members of the Dutch House of Representatives can be viewed live here on the Netherlands public broadcaster, NOS.The debate by members of the Dutch House of Representatives can be viewed live here on the Netherlands public broadcaster, NOS.
But while Rutte insisted on Tuesday that the strategy of his country - which has banned public gatherings and taken other measures - differed little from that of other states some Dutch people have been left to wonder if had become “the guineapigs of Europe.”But while Rutte insisted on Tuesday that the strategy of his country - which has banned public gatherings and taken other measures - differed little from that of other states some Dutch people have been left to wonder if had become “the guineapigs of Europe.”
The British government announced last week that it would be banning mass gatherings after prime minister Boris Johnson’s cautious approach to the coronavirus outbreak was overtaken by care homes, sporting bodies and others. That came after the UK government’s chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, had last week defended its initial approach to coronavirus, saying it was aimed at creating a “herd immunity.”The British government announced last week that it would be banning mass gatherings after prime minister Boris Johnson’s cautious approach to the coronavirus outbreak was overtaken by care homes, sporting bodies and others. That came after the UK government’s chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, had last week defended its initial approach to coronavirus, saying it was aimed at creating a “herd immunity.”
Amid a continued debate in the Netherlands, some insisted that the strategy of ‘herd immunity’ was a side effect rather than the main goal, which was to mirror that of other states in attempting to use social distancing and other measures to ‘flatten the curve’ of the likely peak of the outbreak.Amid a continued debate in the Netherlands, some insisted that the strategy of ‘herd immunity’ was a side effect rather than the main goal, which was to mirror that of other states in attempting to use social distancing and other measures to ‘flatten the curve’ of the likely peak of the outbreak.
A Dutch microbiologist, Marc Bonten of UMC Utrecht, told De Telegraaf newspaper that even countries opting for a total lockdown would have to work on building group immunity.A Dutch microbiologist, Marc Bonten of UMC Utrecht, told De Telegraaf newspaper that even countries opting for a total lockdown would have to work on building group immunity.
But critics including the London-based economist Jerome Roos pointed to what they estimated the resulting death rate would be, as well as arguing that countries going for ‘herd immunity’ would make it impossible for the countries trying to completely stamp out the virus through collective quarantinesBut critics including the London-based economist Jerome Roos pointed to what they estimated the resulting death rate would be, as well as arguing that countries going for ‘herd immunity’ would make it impossible for the countries trying to completely stamp out the virus through collective quarantines
Roos told the Guardian that the Dutch approach does not mimic the one Boris Johnson’s government in the UK just backtracked on - adding that there was a lot of “epidemic suppression” going on in the Netherlands already with school closures and other developments - so it didn’t make a lot of sense for Rutte to invoke the concept of herd immunity in his address to the nation.Roos told the Guardian that the Dutch approach does not mimic the one Boris Johnson’s government in the UK just backtracked on - adding that there was a lot of “epidemic suppression” going on in the Netherlands already with school closures and other developments - so it didn’t make a lot of sense for Rutte to invoke the concept of herd immunity in his address to the nation.
This is Ben Quinn picking up the blog now from Lexy Topping as she takes a break.This is Ben Quinn picking up the blog now from Lexy Topping as she takes a break.
The number of coronavirus cases around the world has tipped over the 200,000 mark, according to the John Hopkins University global dashboard.The number of coronavirus cases around the world has tipped over the 200,000 mark, according to the John Hopkins University global dashboard.
Belgium is the latest country to go into lockdown, with citizens asked to stay at home and limit contact to their closest family.Belgium is the latest country to go into lockdown, with citizens asked to stay at home and limit contact to their closest family.
Coronavirus cases in France increase by 1,097 in 24 hoursCoronavirus cases in France increase by 1,097 in 24 hours
Iran reported its single biggest jump in deaths from the new coronavirus on Wednesday, saying that a further 147 had died in a nearly 15% spike that raises the death toll to 1,135 people nationwide.Iran reported its single biggest jump in deaths from the new coronavirus on Wednesday, saying that a further 147 had died in a nearly 15% spike that raises the death toll to 1,135 people nationwide.
Glastonbury’s 50th anniversary celebrations will not go ahead this year in the UK, after organisers announced they would be cancelling because of coronavirus fears.Glastonbury’s 50th anniversary celebrations will not go ahead this year in the UK, after organisers announced they would be cancelling because of coronavirus fears.
Two UN agencies have announced that refugees will no longer be resettled to homes in safe countries, as the world battles the Covid-19 crisis.Two UN agencies have announced that refugees will no longer be resettled to homes in safe countries, as the world battles the Covid-19 crisis.
The Qantas Group has announced it is slashing international capacity by 90% and domestic capacity by 60% until the end of May.The Qantas Group has announced it is slashing international capacity by 90% and domestic capacity by 60% until the end of May.
Ireland’s taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, has won praise for a national address on Tuesday night that made grim predictions and called for sacrifice, responsibility and solidarity.Ireland’s taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, has won praise for a national address on Tuesday night that made grim predictions and called for sacrifice, responsibility and solidarity.
Burkina Faso has announced its first death from coronavirus, which is also the first known fatality in sub-Saharan Africa.Burkina Faso has announced its first death from coronavirus, which is also the first known fatality in sub-Saharan Africa.
Bangladesh has reported its first death from coronavirus.Bangladesh has reported its first death from coronavirus.
Iran reported its single biggest jump in deaths from the new coronavirus on Wednesday, saying that another 147 had died in a nearly 15% spike that raises the death toll to 1,135 people nationwide, the Associated Press reports:Iran reported its single biggest jump in deaths from the new coronavirus on Wednesday, saying that another 147 had died in a nearly 15% spike that raises the death toll to 1,135 people nationwide, the Associated Press reports:
The number of coronavirus cases around the world has tipped over the 200,000 mark, according to the John Hopkins University global dashboard.The number of coronavirus cases around the world has tipped over the 200,000 mark, according to the John Hopkins University global dashboard.
Vietnam’s prime minister, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, has asked the country’s agriculture ministry to draft a directive to stop illegal trading and consumption of wildlife over fears it spreads disease.
Here is an extract:
Read the full report here:
EasyJet has put all its flights for autumn and next winter on sale early – for a flat fare of £29.99 – even during Christmas and school holiday peaks, writes the Guardian’s transport correspondent, Gwyn Topham.
The airline said the move will give more scope to passengers who had booked flights for the next couple of months to find alternatives, without any charges to change existing bookings (or to rebook should the crisis persist).
The extraordinary step could provide particularly good deals for people booking in the next week for peak season – and perhaps a glimmer of optimism for some normality ahead.
EasyJet will hope it generates some revenues and forward bookings at a time when demand has vanished and airlines await details of the chancellor’s promised package of help, with the industry warning that most airlines worldwide could go bankrupt by the end of May.
Glastonbury’s 50th anniversary celebrations will not go ahead this year in the UK, after organisers announced they would be cancelling because of coronavirus fears.
Tickets bought for this year’s festival will be valid for next year, organisers said.
Earlier this month despite coronavirus worries, the festival announced a wave of more than 90 artists including headliner Kendrick Lamar.
The festival was scheduled to take place 24-28 June at Worthy Farm, Somerset. It was due to take place during the likely peak of the outbreak in the UK, according to information announced by Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific advised.
Burkina Faso has announced its first death from coronavirus, which is also the first known fatality in sub-Saharan Africa, according to AFP Africa.
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has defended his government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, the Associated Press reports.
The Iranian government has faced widespread criticism that officials acted too slowly and may have even covered up initial cases before infections rapidly spread across the country.
AP reports:
Bangladesh has reported its first death from coronavirus while 14 patients are infected with the disease across the country, according to officials.
The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) Director Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora told reporters at a press briefing in Dhaka today, tbs news reported.
“The elderly victim was suffering from many old age complications and came into contact with a returnee from abroad,” she added.
Flora also said four new coronavirus patients, including one female and three male, were indentified in the country in the last 24 hours.
Estonia and Latvia have pledged to send ships to bring home hundreds of their citizens stranded on the German-Polish border, after Poland closed its borders last week to prevent the spread of coronavirus, writes my colleague Jennifer Rankin in Brussels.
Citing official sources, Reuters said the countries were organising cruise ships and ferries to bring their citizens home via Baltic ports later on Wednesday and next week. The Lithuanian government estimates that 420 vehicles with Lithuanian number plates were stuck at the German-Polish border on Monday.
Under EU law, countries are allowed to introduce border controls during emergency situations, but are obliged to allow their own citizens to enter and citizens of other EU countries to pass through on their way home.
Following talks with 27 EU leaders via video link on Tuesday, the head of the European commission Ursula von der Leyen said it was “absolutely crucial that we unblock the situation, because we know that too many people are stranded within the European Union”.
As lorries queue at the EU’s internal borders, prompting concern about the supply of food and medical goods, von der Leyen also urged states to follow new guidelines to ensure the swift flow of supplies.
The flow of goods has to be swift. We need these goods for the functioning of the internal market.
She was speaking after EU leaders approved a ban on non-EU citizens coming into the union. EU member states will now have to enforce the 30-day ban, which includes exemptions for British nationals, EU citizens and family members returning home, healthcare workers and researchers, diplomats and people transporting goods.
Two UN agencies have announced that refugees will no longer be resettled to homes in safe countries, as the world battles the Covid-19 crisis, writes my colleague Jennifer Rankin in Brussels.
In a joint statement, the UN refugee agency (the UNHCR) and the UN migration agency (the IOM), said refugee resettlement would be suspended as “a temporary measure that will be in place only for as long as it remains essential”.
As more countries have introduced travel restrictions and frozen refugee resettlement programmes, the two agencies had little choice. They also raised concern that international travel could increase the exposure of refugees to the virus.
In 2019, the UNHCR helped more than 63,600 refugees find a life in a new country, including people who had fled Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan and Somalia. In the previous year, the IOM helped nearly 95,000 people find a new home, whether through a resettlement programme to a safe country, or some other humanitarian scheme.
The decision comes after rights groups warned that refugees and migrants - especially unaccompanied minors - need urgent help. The charities are deeply concerned about the fate of 36,000 asylum seekers on five Greek islands, who are sheltering in squalid, overcrowded camps, often lacking electricity, heating and hot water.
Belgium is the latest country to go into lockdown, with citizens asked to stay at home and limit contact to their closest family, writes Jennifer Rankin.
From noon local time (CET), all non-essential shops and open-air markets will close and people will be expected to work at home.
Employers who require staff to be on site but cannot ensure social distancing face fines and even closure.
The measures are similar to those adopted by France24 hours earlier, but looser. People will be able to visit supermarkets, pharmacies, medical professionals, banks, post offices and bookshops.
Supermarkets must limit the number of customers to one per 10 square metres, meaning people are likely to have to queue outside, where they must also observe social distancing by standing well apart.
Going out for a walk or a run, or riding a bike is allowed, “even encouraged”, the authorities say, as long as people observe a distance of one and a half metres from anyone who is not a member of their household.
The restrictions, which are unprecedented in peacetime, were agreed on Tuesday night by Belgium’s national security council, which includes the prime minister, Sophie Wilmès, deputy prime ministers, other senior politicians and the security services.
Wilmès, appointed by the king on Monday to form a permanent government, after 15 months of caretaker administrations, said social distancing did not have to mean no social contact, stressing the role technology could play to keep people together.
She said:
Belgium has had 1,085 cases of Covid-19 and 10 people have died, according to the latest figures in Belgian media.