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Coronavirus live updates: Singapore reports first two fatalities, deaths jump in Spain and Italy Coronavirus live updates: Singapore reports first two fatalities, deaths jump in Spain and Italy
(32 minutes later)
Spain death pass 1,000, Italy deaths pass 4,000; More US states, including New York, tell people to stay home; Dow Jones falls 900 points. Follow the latestSpain death pass 1,000, Italy deaths pass 4,000; More US states, including New York, tell people to stay home; Dow Jones falls 900 points. Follow the latest
UK Supermarket chain have announced a number of measures to support frontline staff responding to the coronavirus epidemic and the most vulnerable groups affected by the crisis.
Morrisons said it would take on staff from Marie Curie and CLIC Sargent charity shops whose doors may close because of the Coronavirus. It announced this morning that it will take on up to 500 colleagues to help the elderly and vulnerable in stores across the UK.
Matthew Reed, chief executive of Marie Curie, said: “Every day and night Marie Curie nurses and doctors continue to care for people at the end of the lives. As we face into this national emergency, communities, business and charities need to work together more than ever.”
It comes as Lidl announced it would be giving away thousands of bunches of Mother’s Day flowers to NHS workers and worthy causes for free.
Ryan McDonnell, Chief Commercial Director at Lidl GB, commented: “This Mother’s Day, we wanted to redistribute this surplus supply and show our thanks and appreciation to those working tirelessly through these extraordinary times. We hope that our beautiful bunches will help raise the spirits of those who receive them.”
While convenience retailer the Co-op will next week donate £1.5 million worth of food to FareShare, to help boost plummeting stocks at food banks which have suffered a huge slump in donations.
FareShare – the UK’s largest hunger fighting charity - supports over 11,000 charities and community groups, including food banks. The Co-op has pledged £1.5 million of essential food products which will be split amongst FareShare’s 23 regional centres and then supplied to a network of local community groups across the country.
Food banks remain a lifeline for those who rely on the donations to feed their families and demand is set to grow as the number of people who unexpectedly find themselves out of work increases.
The Co-op has also announced measures to combat holiday hunger in pupils caused by unplanned school closures. 6,500 students across 25 Co-op Academy Schools who currently have free school meals will be given a £20 voucher for every week that schools remain shut.
The European Union commission moved to formalise an agreement reached by EU finance ministers to suspend budget rules that put limits on borrowing so that governments have a free hand in fighting the coronavirus, Reuters reports.
The European Union executive proposed late on Friday to activate the ‘general escape clause’ in the rules to respond to the pandemic that has caused lockdowns in most EU countries and the closure of Europe’s borders.
“It will allow member states to undertake measures to deal adequately with the crisis, while departing from the budgetary requirements that would normally apply under the European fiscal framework,” the Commission said.
EU rules say that governments have to keep cutting their budget deficits until they reach balance or surplus and have to reduce public debt every year to bring it below 60% of GDP.
Once the Commission proposal is formally accepted by EU finance ministers at their next meeting, government spending to fight the coronavirus will be excluded from Commission calculations of deficit and debt.
UK car parking giant NCP is offering free parking to all NHS staff to help them to get to work when slimmed-down transport networks are offering limited services.
NHS workers can access the offer directly via the NCP website and pre-book their space each time they need to park. The offer is at over 150 locations across the UK and available to book up any time up to an hour before arrival.
The offer will run until the end of April and then reviewed. NCP currently already offers discounted rates for NHS workers all year round in many car parks located near a hospital.
Stephen Barclay, treasury chief secretary, said that providing protection for the the self-employed during the coronavirus outbreak would be “operationally” difficult to deliver, following criticism that current UK government plans to underwrite the wages of millions of workers did not cover the freelancers, contractors and the self-employed.
Mr Barclay said the self-employed would benefit from measures as the deferral of self-assessment tax requirements, the holidays for mortgage payers and the strengthening of the welfare “safety net”.
“We are looking at operationally what we can roll out to people,” he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. “The main thing we have done is twofold: it is to support the economy as a whole, because the best thing for people who are self-employed as for all people is to sustain the economy and ensure that we can return with those viable businesses, and alongside that strengthen the safety net.”
When asked whether the government would come forward with measures specifically for the self-employed, he said: “I come back to this underlying point about operationally what is difficult to do and what can be delivered to the timescales were are working to.”
For some comic relief, Guardian media editor Jim Waterson has talked to the man behind the WhatsApp audio clip poking fun at coronavirus misinformation.
Billy McLean, a 29-year-old Londoner who works in software sales, is the man responsible for a spoof WhatsApp audio clip that claimed the Ministry of Defence was about to requisition Wembley Stadium to cook the world’s biggest lasagne. He told the Guardian that his “viral” success highlighted the risks of believing everything that gets sent to you on the messaging service.
Indonesia has confirmed 81 new coronavirus cases and six more deaths, bringing the total number of cases to 450 and deaths to 38, a health ministry official told reporters on Saturday, Reuters reports.Indonesia has confirmed 81 new coronavirus cases and six more deaths, bringing the total number of cases to 450 and deaths to 38, a health ministry official told reporters on Saturday, Reuters reports.
This comes a day after the governor of Jakarta declared a state of emergency in the Indonesian capital for the next two weeks.This comes a day after the governor of Jakarta declared a state of emergency in the Indonesian capital for the next two weeks.
While the death toll in the country climbed to the highest in Southeast Asia, the region, home to 1.9 billion people, appears to have been less hard hit than elsewhere in the world. The rate of new infections in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka has accelerated, with 869 detected cases and seven deaths. While the death toll in the country climbed to the highest in south-east Asia, the region, home to 1.9 billion people, appears to have been less hard hit than elsewhere in the world. The rates of new infections in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka have accelerated, with a total of 869 detected cases and seven deaths.
Bangladesh tightened its border controls while Sri Lanka in response to the coronavirus outbreak and arrested more than two dozen people for violating a nationwide curfew. Bangladesh tightened its border controls while Sri Lanka arrested more than two dozen people for violating a nationwide curfew.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said social distancing measures to combat the coronavirus outbreak in the country will only need to be applied for two to three weeks as he expects the crisis to ease by then.Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said social distancing measures to combat the coronavirus outbreak in the country will only need to be applied for two to three weeks as he expects the crisis to ease by then.
On Friday, Iran reported 149 new deaths, making a total of 1,433 and 19,644 confirmed cases in all. More than 1.2 million Iranians ignored pleas by the government to stay at home, taking to the country’s roads at the start of Iranian new year. On Saturday, Iran announced 123 more deaths from the coronavirus, bringing the toll to 1,556, with 20,610 confirmed cases.
Iran “has to do everything necessary to return economic production to normal,” Rouhani said in comments broadcast on state TV. He also accused “counter-revolutionaries” of plotting to shut down economic production.Iran “has to do everything necessary to return economic production to normal,” Rouhani said in comments broadcast on state TV. He also accused “counter-revolutionaries” of plotting to shut down economic production.
Iran is one of the countries most affected by the pandemic outside of China, with more than 1,400 deaths so far, and nearly 20,0000 confirmed infections. Iran is one of the countries most affected by the pandemic outside of China.
The Highland hotel that attracted widespread condemnation on Friday after it sacked staff and made them homeless during the coronavirus outbreak has apologised and excused their heartless actions as “an administrative error”. The Highland hotel that attracted widespread condemnation on Friday after it sacked staff and made them homeless during the coronavirus outbreak has apologised and excused their actions as “an administrative error”.
The Guardian reported yesterday that more than a dozen workers at the Coylumbridge hotel near Aviemore received a letter on Thursday informing them management was “taking the latest government advice” and that staff employment had been terminated, with those who live at the hotel complex asked to leave the premises immediately.The Guardian reported yesterday that more than a dozen workers at the Coylumbridge hotel near Aviemore received a letter on Thursday informing them management was “taking the latest government advice” and that staff employment had been terminated, with those who live at the hotel complex asked to leave the premises immediately.
But the Britannia Hotels group, which owns the hotel, did not respond to requests from the Guardian for comment, but later told theLiverpool Echo:”Unfortunately, the communication sent to these employees was an administrative error. All affected employees are being immediately contacted. We apologise for any upset caused.” The Britannia Hotels group, which owns the hotel, did not respond to requests from the Guardian for comment, but later told the Liverpool Echo: “Unfortunately, the communication sent to these employees was an administrative error. All affected employees are being immediately contacted. We apologise for any upset caused.”
The government’s message that there is enough food for everyone still hasn’t stopped large queues forming outside of supermarkets.The government’s message that there is enough food for everyone still hasn’t stopped large queues forming outside of supermarkets.
A reader sent the following two photos of the long queues of shoppers at 5:45am at Tesco Extra on Sunbury-on-Thames in Middlesex. The store’s opening time was 6:00am A reader sent the following two photos of the long queues of shoppers at 5.45am at Tesco Extra on Sunbury-on-Thames in Middlesex. The store’s opening time was 6am.
The husband of a British woman who died while on holiday in Bali after contracting coronavirus said he was able to say goodbye to her.The husband of a British woman who died while on holiday in Bali after contracting coronavirus said he was able to say goodbye to her.
Kimberley Finlayson was the first British victim of coronavirus to be named after she died on holiday on 11 March. She had underlying health conditions and underwent two emergency operations before her death. Kimberley Finlayson, who had underlying health conditions, underwent two emergency operations before she died on 11 March.
Her husband Ken Finlayson said the couple had exchanged goodbyes “for a few minutes” before she died. “She said that she loved me and we exchanged that for a few minutes and looked into one another’s eyes,” he told the BBC. Her husband, Ken, said the couple had exchanged goodbyes “for a few minutes” before she died. “She said that she loved me and we exchanged that for a few minutes and looked into one another’s eyes,” he told the BBC.
The mother of four was the founder of a dental communication business based in Shenley, Hertfordshire. Her colleagues praised her “passion, creativity and determination”.The mother of four was the founder of a dental communication business based in Shenley, Hertfordshire. Her colleagues praised her “passion, creativity and determination”.
“Those fortunate enough to know her will remember a whirlwind of energy and ideas - and an ability to make things happen that few can match,” an online statement said.“Those fortunate enough to know her will remember a whirlwind of energy and ideas - and an ability to make things happen that few can match,” an online statement said.
All shopping centres in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, will be temporarily closed, it was announced on Saturday, as the country reported its biggest leap in cases yet.All shopping centres in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, will be temporarily closed, it was announced on Saturday, as the country reported its biggest leap in cases yet.
Shopping centres, except for supermarkets, will be closed from Sunday until April 12 in an attempt to stop the outbreak from spreading further.Shopping centres, except for supermarkets, will be closed from Sunday until April 12 in an attempt to stop the outbreak from spreading further.
Despite advice against panic buying, shoppers rushed to supermarkets, it was reported, while others tried unsuccessfully to book online food deliveries.Despite advice against panic buying, shoppers rushed to supermarkets, it was reported, while others tried unsuccessfully to book online food deliveries.
Restaurants will be open only for takeaway orders, it was confirmed, while pharmacies will stay open. Boxing stadiums, beauty salons, arcades and other entertainment venues will remain shut.Restaurants will be open only for takeaway orders, it was confirmed, while pharmacies will stay open. Boxing stadiums, beauty salons, arcades and other entertainment venues will remain shut.
The measures were announced as Thailand reported 89 new cases of the coronavirus, bringing its tally to 411, with the majority of cases in Bangkok.The measures were announced as Thailand reported 89 new cases of the coronavirus, bringing its tally to 411, with the majority of cases in Bangkok.
The capital will also extend the closure of schools and bars for another 22 days, while both Thai AirAsia and Thai Lion Air have both suspended international flights.The capital will also extend the closure of schools and bars for another 22 days, while both Thai AirAsia and Thai Lion Air have both suspended international flights.
Hello, I’m Aamna Mohdin taking over the liveblog from my colleague Rebecca Ratcliffe.Hello, I’m Aamna Mohdin taking over the liveblog from my colleague Rebecca Ratcliffe.
Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt has said NHS staff treating coronavirus patients must have the protective equipment they need. He shared his concerns that not all NHS staff were receiving the correct personal protection equipment (PPE) on BBC Radio 4 Today programme.Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt has said NHS staff treating coronavirus patients must have the protective equipment they need. He shared his concerns that not all NHS staff were receiving the correct personal protection equipment (PPE) on BBC Radio 4 Today programme.
“We must sort this out. We are asking people to put their own lives at risk on the NHS frontline. We have all seen the terrible scenes as to what is happening in Italy,” he said. “It is absolutely heartbreaking when NHS frontline professionals don’t have the equipment that they need.”“We must sort this out. We are asking people to put their own lives at risk on the NHS frontline. We have all seen the terrible scenes as to what is happening in Italy,” he said. “It is absolutely heartbreaking when NHS frontline professionals don’t have the equipment that they need.”
He added: “I think the Government has done a lot in the last week. I think they have unblocked the supply chains, but there is this question about whether it is the right equipment.”He added: “I think the Government has done a lot in the last week. I think they have unblocked the supply chains, but there is this question about whether it is the right equipment.”
Lisa Anderson, a consultant cardiologist at St George’s Hospital in London, echoed Hunt’s concerns. She said the Government had changed the rules so they where no longer compliant with World Health Organisation recommendations, which required medics to wear a full gown and visor.Lisa Anderson, a consultant cardiologist at St George’s Hospital in London, echoed Hunt’s concerns. She said the Government had changed the rules so they where no longer compliant with World Health Organisation recommendations, which required medics to wear a full gown and visor.
She said that since Monday, staff in the NHS only had to wear a simple face mask, short gloves and a pinafore apron. “This is not just about the risk to ourselves and our families. We are travelling home on the Tube, on buses,” she told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.She said that since Monday, staff in the NHS only had to wear a simple face mask, short gloves and a pinafore apron. “This is not just about the risk to ourselves and our families. We are travelling home on the Tube, on buses,” she told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.
“Sainsbury’s this morning has announced that they are opening up the early hours to the frail, elderly and NHS workers. We are cross-infecting everybody at the moment,” she added.“Sainsbury’s this morning has announced that they are opening up the early hours to the frail, elderly and NHS workers. We are cross-infecting everybody at the moment,” she added.
The tally of global cases has risen to 275,452 on Saturday, as 70 million people across New York, Illinois and California face being largely confined to their homes, and Britain closes its pubs, cafes, gyms and restaurants.The tally of global cases has risen to 275,452 on Saturday, as 70 million people across New York, Illinois and California face being largely confined to their homes, and Britain closes its pubs, cafes, gyms and restaurants.
More than 1,000 infections have now been recorded in each of Japan, Australia and Canada.More than 1,000 infections have now been recorded in each of Japan, Australia and Canada.
In Sydney, officials have temporarily closed Bondi Beach after thousands flocked there on Friday, defying guidance on social distancing.In Sydney, officials have temporarily closed Bondi Beach after thousands flocked there on Friday, defying guidance on social distancing.
A nationwide curfew has begun in Jordan, limiting the mobility of its 10 million citizens indefinitely.A nationwide curfew has begun in Jordan, limiting the mobility of its 10 million citizens indefinitely.
Colombia also announced that it will begin a country-wide quarantine from Tuesday night.Colombia also announced that it will begin a country-wide quarantine from Tuesday night.
New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern asked citizens to restrict their movements around the country, and cancel all non-essential domestic travel. Those who could work from home should now do so, she said.New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern asked citizens to restrict their movements around the country, and cancel all non-essential domestic travel. Those who could work from home should now do so, she said.
South Korea’s prime minister Chung Sye-kyun strongly recommended religious, sports and entertainment facilities suspend operations, and advised people to avoid socialisingSouth Korea’s prime minister Chung Sye-kyun strongly recommended religious, sports and entertainment facilities suspend operations, and advised people to avoid socialising
Mainland China reported no new locally transmitted cases, but infections involving travellers arriving from other countries continued to rise.Mainland China reported no new locally transmitted cases, but infections involving travellers arriving from other countries continued to rise.
Singapore reported two coronavirus-related deaths on Saturday, marking the city-state’s first fatalities from the infection.Singapore reported two coronavirus-related deaths on Saturday, marking the city-state’s first fatalities from the infection.
Fatalities rose to 19 in the Philippines, while Thailand recorded 89 new cases on Saturday, the largest daily increase in infections since the outbreak began.Fatalities rose to 19 in the Philippines, while Thailand recorded 89 new cases on Saturday, the largest daily increase in infections since the outbreak began.
East Timor confirmed its first infection, a citizen who had returned from traveling abroad.East Timor confirmed its first infection, a citizen who had returned from traveling abroad.
You can find a further breakdown of recent developments on our at-a-glance guide.You can find a further breakdown of recent developments on our at-a-glance guide.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organisation, has given some advice on staying healthy and looking after yourself at this time. You can see his comments in full, posted on Twitter, here.Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organisation, has given some advice on staying healthy and looking after yourself at this time. You can see his comments in full, posted on Twitter, here.
“Life is changing dramatically for many of us, but it’s important to continue looking after your physical and mental health,” he writes, adding that you can do so by adopting a healthy diet, limiting alcohol consumption, and exercising regularly.“Life is changing dramatically for many of us, but it’s important to continue looking after your physical and mental health,” he writes, adding that you can do so by adopting a healthy diet, limiting alcohol consumption, and exercising regularly.
The Guardian has published this video explainer on coping with anxiety and self-isolation.The Guardian has published this video explainer on coping with anxiety and self-isolation.
A longtime employee of NBC News died on Thursday after testing positive for the coronavirus, NBC News chairman Andy Lack said in an email to staff members. Larry Edgeworth, 61, worked in an equipment room at NBC News’ headquarters in New York. He had previously spent 25 years at NBC News working as an audio technician, and had traveled the world with many of the network’s correspondents.A longtime employee of NBC News died on Thursday after testing positive for the coronavirus, NBC News chairman Andy Lack said in an email to staff members. Larry Edgeworth, 61, worked in an equipment room at NBC News’ headquarters in New York. He had previously spent 25 years at NBC News working as an audio technician, and had traveled the world with many of the network’s correspondents.
“Many of you were fortunate enough to work with Larry over the years, so you know that he was the guy you wanted by your side no matter where you were,” Lack wrote.“Many of you were fortunate enough to work with Larry over the years, so you know that he was the guy you wanted by your side no matter where you were,” Lack wrote.
“We lost a dear colleague today. I wish you could have known him he brightened our lives and lifted our spirits with his love and kindness,” Andrea Mitchell, NBC News’ chief foreign affairs correspondent, wrote on Twitter.“We lost a dear colleague today. I wish you could have known him he brightened our lives and lifted our spirits with his love and kindness,” Andrea Mitchell, NBC News’ chief foreign affairs correspondent, wrote on Twitter.