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Coronavirus live news: UK goes into lockdown as WHO warns global spread of virus is accelerating Coronavirus live news: UK goes into lockdown as WHO warns global spread of virus is accelerating
(32 minutes later)
Zimbabwe records first death from coronavirus; Germany sees first sign exponential infection growth levelling off; Japan Olympics chief says postponement being consideredZimbabwe records first death from coronavirus; Germany sees first sign exponential infection growth levelling off; Japan Olympics chief says postponement being considered
The White House coronavirus briefing is due to start any minute now. You can follow it in detail on our dedicated US live blog (I’ll have key lines here too):
Leyland Cecco reports from Toronto:
Canada’s two most populous provinces – Ontario and Quebec – have announced plans to effectively shut down their economies in a bid to dramatically slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Orders in both provinces are set to go into effect on Tuesday at midnight. The shut-down – which comes after both Ontario and Quebec ordered all bars and restaurants to close last week – does not apply to essential businesses such as pharmacies and grocery stores. Both provinces have said they will release a list of businesses permitted to remain open on Tuesday morning.
“This was a very, very tough decision. But it is the right decision … This decision was not made lightly and the gravity of this order does not escape me,” said Ontario premier Doug Ford at a press conference on Monday. “But as I’ve said from day one, we will – and we must – take all steps necessary to slow the spread of Covid-19.”
Ontario recorded 78 new cases of the coronavirus on Monday, bringing the province’s total to 503. Canada has recorded nearly 2,000 cases of the virus, and 21 deaths.
Ford’s announcement follows stern remarks from prime minister Justin Trudeau earlier in the day, where he chastised Canadians for ignoring pleas from public health officials to stay home and avoid gatherings outside.
Quebec, which was the first province in the country to declare a state of emergency last week, is also planning to curtail its economy in dramatic fashion.
“Quebec will hit pause for three weeks,” Quebec premier François Legault said Monday. “The faster we can limit contact between people, the faster we can limit the contagion and get back to normal life. I’m asking all Quebeckers to cooperate.”
Heather Stewart and Rowena Mason report on the drastic new measures just announced that will take the UK into lockdown:
Boris Johnson will order police to enforce a strict coronavirus lockdown, with a ban on gatherings of more than two people and strict limits on exercise, as he told the British public: “You must stay at home.”
The prime minister ratcheted up Britain’s response with an address to the nation on Monday evening, warning that people will only be allowed outside to buy food or medication, exercise alone once a day, or to travel to work if absolutely necessary.
All non-essential shops will close with immediate effect, as will playgrounds and libraries, he said in the address from Downing Street.
After days of being accused of sending mixed messages about what the public should do, Johnson significantly escalated his language as he urged people to comply with the new, more stringent measures.
“You should not be meeting friends. If your friends ask you to meet, you should say No. You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home. You should not be going shopping except for essentials like food and medicine – and you should do this as little as you can,” he said.
“If you don’t follow the rules the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings.”
In Australia, the state of Queensland has announced that it will shut its borders tomorrow. This will be disruptive for many people, lots of whom live on one side of the southern border and work on the other.In Australia, the state of Queensland has announced that it will shut its borders tomorrow. This will be disruptive for many people, lots of whom live on one side of the southern border and work on the other.
There’s more on our dedicated Australia live blog:There’s more on our dedicated Australia live blog:
Scotland’s first minster, Nicola Sturgeon, is now delivering an address setting out what the UK measures mean for Scotland.Scotland’s first minster, Nicola Sturgeon, is now delivering an address setting out what the UK measures mean for Scotland.
She says the restrictions are “difficult and unprecedented”. She says she will not seek to sugarcoat it, but adds they are essential to protect people.She says the restrictions are “difficult and unprecedented”. She says she will not seek to sugarcoat it, but adds they are essential to protect people.
News that those in the UK will be asked to stay in their homes brings the country closer in line to others around the world, particularly in the rest of Europe.News that those in the UK will be asked to stay in their homes brings the country closer in line to others around the world, particularly in the rest of Europe.
Here, my colleague Peter Beaumont examines how the UK coronavirus lockdown compares with others:Here, my colleague Peter Beaumont examines how the UK coronavirus lockdown compares with others:
And Peter Walker sets out what the measures are and what they mean:And Peter Walker sets out what the measures are and what they mean:
Boris Johnson, the British prime minister, has just announced that UK citizens are now being ordered to stay in their homes in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus. He says people will only be allowed to leave their home for the following “very limited purposes”:Boris Johnson, the British prime minister, has just announced that UK citizens are now being ordered to stay in their homes in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus. He says people will only be allowed to leave their home for the following “very limited purposes”:
The British prime minster, Boris Johnson, is addressing the nation now and is expected to outline new measures to stop the spread of the virus. You can follow it live on our dedicated UK live blog:The British prime minster, Boris Johnson, is addressing the nation now and is expected to outline new measures to stop the spread of the virus. You can follow it live on our dedicated UK live blog:
Myanmar has recorded its first cases of coronavirus today, according to the AFP news agency bureau chief, who adds that so far only 214 people had been tested in the country:Myanmar has recorded its first cases of coronavirus today, according to the AFP news agency bureau chief, who adds that so far only 214 people had been tested in the country:
Churches and other religious centres are to close in Costa Rica after 24 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed on Monday, bringing the total to 158.Churches and other religious centres are to close in Costa Rica after 24 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed on Monday, bringing the total to 158.
President Carlos Alvarado also announced nationwide vehicle restrictions from Tuesday on the Central America country, with only cargo and emergency transportation allowed on the roads from 10pm until 5am.President Carlos Alvarado also announced nationwide vehicle restrictions from Tuesday on the Central America country, with only cargo and emergency transportation allowed on the roads from 10pm until 5am.
Earlier on Monday, Panama announced that deaths from from the virus in Panama increased to five on Monday, including a 13-year-old girl.Earlier on Monday, Panama announced that deaths from from the virus in Panama increased to five on Monday, including a 13-year-old girl.
Confirmed Covid-19 cases rose to 313 over the weekend in the region’s economic and transportation hub.Confirmed Covid-19 cases rose to 313 over the weekend in the region’s economic and transportation hub.
Belize announced that a 38-year-old woman who had recently returned from the United States was the country’s first Covid-19 case on Monday.Belize announced that a 38-year-old woman who had recently returned from the United States was the country’s first Covid-19 case on Monday.
The death toll in New York City is now approaching 100, with the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the city on Monday reaching 12,339 with 99 deaths, Tom Lutz reports.The death toll in New York City is now approaching 100, with the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the city on Monday reaching 12,339 with 99 deaths, Tom Lutz reports.
There are just over 20,000 confirmed cases in New York state as a whole and 157 deaths. For context, there are around 41,200 confirmed cases in the entire United States.There are just over 20,000 confirmed cases in New York state as a whole and 157 deaths. For context, there are around 41,200 confirmed cases in the entire United States.
You can follow the latest developments – including a press conference from Donald Trump, expected around 90 minutes from now – on our dedicated US live blog:You can follow the latest developments – including a press conference from Donald Trump, expected around 90 minutes from now – on our dedicated US live blog:
The UN special rapporteur on racism and xenophobia has criticised Donald Trump and other politicians for encouraging racism by continuing to refer to Covid-19 as “the Chinese virus”.Tendayi Achiume, assistant professor of law at UCLA, said US president’s “calculated use of a geographic-based name” for the virus was leading to the stigmatising of people perceived to be of Chinese or east Asian descent.The World Health Organization, in its guidance for naming new infectious diseases, has previously warned that certain names can provoke a backlash against members of religious and ethnic communities. In a statement published to mark the international day for the elimination of racism, which was on Friday, Achiume said:The UN special rapporteur on racism and xenophobia has criticised Donald Trump and other politicians for encouraging racism by continuing to refer to Covid-19 as “the Chinese virus”.Tendayi Achiume, assistant professor of law at UCLA, said US president’s “calculated use of a geographic-based name” for the virus was leading to the stigmatising of people perceived to be of Chinese or east Asian descent.The World Health Organization, in its guidance for naming new infectious diseases, has previously warned that certain names can provoke a backlash against members of religious and ethnic communities. In a statement published to mark the international day for the elimination of racism, which was on Friday, Achiume said:
Edouard Philippe, the French prime minister, has said that country’s lockdown could last several more weeks, with new restrictions – including limits on daily exercise outside the home – now in place:Edouard Philippe, the French prime minister, has said that country’s lockdown could last several more weeks, with new restrictions – including limits on daily exercise outside the home – now in place: