Spain is set to join Italy by becoming the second country in Europe to impose a nationwide lockdown as part of its effort to slow the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The news came as the UK's death toll from coronavirus nearly doubled, by rising from 11 to 21, and the UK government was reportedly preparing to ban mass gatherings from next week
Boris Johnson has faced criticism for not taking tougher action against the outbreak and his government's plan to build up immunity within the population to fight the virus over a prolonged period, rather than introducing mass lockdowns, has been questioned by health experts.
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Further coronavirus restrictions announced worldwide
Here's a roundup of some of the measures announced by governments across the globe this evening.
Here's a roundup of some of the measures announced by governments across the globe this evening.
- Greece bans all flights operating to and from Italy.
- Lithuania to close its borders to nearly all foreigners from midnight on Monday.
- The United Arab Emirates is shutting major tourism and cultural venues.
- Morocco suspends flights to and from 21 countries including Egypt, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Senegal.
- Honduras issues country-wide red alert for two weeks with ban on all gatherings above 50 people
- France will shut most shops, restaurants and entertainment facilities from midnight on Saturday. There are exceptions for food stores, pharmacies and petrol stations.
- Senegal has ordered all schools and universities closed for the next three weeks.
- Yemen is suspending all flights to and from airports under its control for two weeks from Wednesday.
Lewis Capaldi hit raises spirits
Amid the coronavirus lockdown in Italy, some residents resort to blasting a rendition of a Lewis Capaldi hit into the deserted streets.
Amid the coronavirus lockdown in Italy, some residents resort to blasting a rendition of a Lewis Capaldi hit into the deserted streets.
France announces partial lockdown
Cafes, shops, restaurants, cinemas will be closed from midnight tonight to halt the spread of coronavirus, French prime minister Edouard Philippe has announced.
Exceptions to the shop ban will include food stores, pharmacies and gas stations.
Public transport will be kept open, however, but people should only go out to buy supplies, take light exercise or vote in the election.
Cafes, shops, restaurants, cinemas will be closed from midnight tonight to halt the spread of coronavirus, French prime minister Edouard Philippe has announced.
Exceptions to the shop ban will include food stores, pharmacies and gas stations.
Public transport will be kept open, however, but people should only go out to buy supplies, take light exercise or vote in the election.
Death toll in France rises to 91
France's public health authority has announced 91 deaths and 4,499 confirmed cases of coronavirus, as of 3pm today.
The new figures were released as President Emmanuel Macron appeared to signal his support for an Italian-style lockdown.
"On borders as well as for our economy, we must act quickly and together at European level," he tweeted.
Meanwhile Slovenia has recorded its first death due to coronavirus, with 181 confirmed cases, according to the country's national broadcaster.
Second death in Ireland as confirmed cases rise to 129
Ireland's chief medical officer Tony Holohan has announced that a second patient has died of the Covid-19 virus.
The total number of confirmed cases in the country has increased from 90 to 129.
Earlier today five new cases were confirmed in Northern Ireland bringing the total number of cases to 34.
Ireland's chief medical officer Tony Holohan has announced that a second patient has died of the Covid-19 virus.
The total number of confirmed cases in the country has increased from 90 to 129.
Earlier today five new cases were confirmed in Northern Ireland bringing the total number of cases to 34.
Coronavirus deaths in Spain rise to 193
Spain's public broadcaster TVE has reported that the death toll from coronavirus reached 193 on Saturday, up from 120 on Friday.
Spain's public broadcaster TVE has reported that the death toll from coronavirus reached 193 on Saturday, up from 120 on Friday.
Health authorities said earlier today that the total number of infections had passed 5,750, with half of them in the capital Madrid.
It follows reports that the Spanish government is to put the country under lockdown as part of its state of emergency measures.
According to a draft decree, Spaniards will be ordered to stay at home except to buy food or drugs, go to the hospital, go to work or other emergencies.
Spanish government imposes lockdown of entire country over coronavirus
Spaniards will be ordered to stay at home except to buy food or drugs, go to the hospital, go to work or other emergenciesHere's the full story on the US decision to add the UK and Ireland to its travel ban.
onald Trump appeared not to be aware of the measure when asked during the press conference, but minutes later it was confirmed by vice president Mike Pence.
onald Trump appeared not to be aware of the measure when asked during the press conference, but minutes later it was confirmed by vice president Mike Pence.
Trump adds UK and Ireland to US travel ban
US president appears unsure of his own decision before Mike Pence confirms move
Norway to close all airports
Norway's prime minister Erna Solberg has announced that all airports will close on Monday to try and prevent the spread of coronavirus, Reuters has reported.
However there are no plans to introduce a curfew and Norwegians will be allowed to return home from abroad, she added.
Norway's prime minister Erna Solberg has announced that all airports will close on Monday to try and prevent the spread of coronavirus, Reuters has reported.
However there are no plans to introduce a curfew and Norwegians will be allowed to return home from abroad, she added.
In a statement posed on the government website, Ms Solberg said: "We are in a serious and increasingly unpredictable situation.
"Our priority is to safeguard life and health. That requires extraordinary steps. The situation is changing rapidly in many countries, which is why we are advising against travel that is not strictly necessary to all countries.
"Norwegian citizens already travelling abroad should consider returning as soon as possible, in a calm and safe manner, and in dialogue with their travel agency or airline."
"Our priority is to safeguard life and health. That requires extraordinary steps. The situation is changing rapidly in many countries, which is why we are advising against travel that is not strictly necessary to all countries.
"Norwegian citizens already travelling abroad should consider returning as soon as possible, in a calm and safe manner, and in dialogue with their travel agency or airline."
Italy coronavirus latest: Deaths rise by 175 in 24 hours to 1,441
The coronavirus death toll in Italy has increased by almost 14 per cent to 1,441, the civil protection authority has announced.
The total number of cases rose by nearly 3,500 to 21,157.
Italy remains the worst affected country in Europe and second only to China, which has confirmed 80,824 cases and 3,189 deaths since the start of the outbreak.
However China's strict quarantine measures appear to have drastically reduced the number of new cases, with 11 confirmed infections, 17 suspected infections, and 13 deaths reported for Friday.
The coronavirus death toll in Italy has increased by almost 14 per cent to 1,441, the civil protection authority has announced.
The total number of cases rose by nearly 3,500 to 21,157.
Italy remains the worst affected country in Europe and second only to China, which has confirmed 80,824 cases and 3,189 deaths since the start of the outbreak.
However China's strict quarantine measures appear to have drastically reduced the number of new cases, with 11 confirmed infections, 17 suspected infections, and 13 deaths reported for Friday.
Germany urges travellers from Italy, Switzerland and Austria to self-isolate
Germany has urged people returning from Italy, Switzerland and Austria to self-isolate for up to two weeks to help slow the spread of coronavirus.
“Especially travellers and skiers returning from Switzerland, Italy and Austria should stay at home as far as possible for up to two weeks, even without symptoms,” Jens Spahn, the country’s health minister, wrote on Twitter.
As of Friday, there were 3,062 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Germany, with five deaths, according to the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases.
In western Germany, the city of Cologne has said it will close nightclubs, bars, theatres, cinemas and amusement arcades with immediate effect until 10 April.
Church and religious services are also banned, but restaurants and pubs that serve food will be able to remain open.
Mike Pence has just confirmed all travel from the UK and Ireland will be suspended as of midnight on Monday.
US citizens and legal residents will be allowed to come home, through specific airports.
Here is what Donald Trump said about the decision shortly before Mr Pence’s announcement.
Denmark reports first death of coronavirus patient
The first death of a person infected with coronavirus in Denmark has been confirmed.
An 81-year-old patient died in a hospital in Copenhagen, the city’s health authorities said in a statement on Saturday.
Greece has also reported two more fatalities related to the virus, bringing the country’s total death toll to three people.
BREAKING: Donald Trump says he has been tested for coronavirus and is awaiting results
However, the president does not appear to know when he will get his test results back.
As a result of those temperature tests on White House reporters, at least one journalist has been turned away because they were deemed to be “too hot”.
Our reporter, Andrew Buncombe, will have more details on this breaking story as they come through below:
UK and Ireland to be added to US travel ban
The Trump administration is set to announce that the UK and Ireland will be added to its travel ban on most European countries due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to Reuters.
Donald Trump originally exempted Britain and Ireland from his 30-day ban on travellers from 26 European countries which took effect at midnight on Friday.
The president has said a news conference on coronavirus will begin shortly.
Here are some images of White House staff checking reporters' temperatures earlier today.
Cannes not yet cancelled but festival looking unlikely
The Cannes Film Festival has not yet been cancelled but it is looking increasingly unlikely that the event will take place during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to French media.
Le Point, a French weekly magazine, has reported that an official decision on cancelling the event will take place in April, when the full festival programme is set to be unveiled.
Our reporter, Jacob Stolworthy, has the full story below:
Cannes film festival not yet cancelled, but unlikely to take place
Decision won't be made about 2020 event until AprilIn the US, White House reporters have said officials are conducting temperature checks on people who have been in contact with Donald Trump and Mike Pence.
More details on Spain’s lockdown proposal
Spain is planning to put its 47 million inhabitants under partial lockdown from Monday as part of a 15-day state of emergency to combat coronavirus, a draft of an official decree seen by Reuters has shown.
Under the draft plan, all Spaniards will be told to stay home expect to buy food, go to the pharmacy, to the hospital, or to work or for other emergencies.
Bars, restaurants, conference centres and all leisure and sports activities – including cinemas, theatres, swimming pools or football grounds – will also be shut down.
However, plans may change as the Spanish Cabinet debates the proposal.
All public transport is set to be curtailed, with airline, train, bus and boat operators told they need to cut services by at least half, the draft showed.
Those services that do run will have be only a third full, it added.
The draft decree apparently does not involve closing the country's borders.
Employers would have the obligation to let their workers work remotely and judicial proceedings would be suspended.
Russia closes land border with Poland and Norway to foreigners
The Russian government has said it will close its land border with Poland and Norway to foreigners from midnight as a precautionary measure against coronavirus.
It said the closure would apply to all foreigners passing through those border points for tourism, study, work or private visits.
Citizens of neighbouring Belarus and official delegations would be exempt, the government said in a statement.
Russia has reported less than 100 coronavirus cases but has still taken strict measures against the outbreak, by introducing quarantine rules, cancelling flights and trains, and partially closing its long land border with China.
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