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| Coronavirus latest updates: Trump extends travel ban to UK and Ireland | Coronavirus latest updates: Trump extends travel ban to UK and Ireland |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Ivanka Trump working from home as a precaution; US House passes virus aid package; China records 11 new cases; WHO says Europe is at centre of pandemic | Ivanka Trump working from home as a precaution; US House passes virus aid package; China records 11 new cases; WHO says Europe is at centre of pandemic |
| Sportswriter Jonathan Liew, in London, reflects on the dearth of sporting events amid the coronavirus pandemic. He writes: | |
| Read the full story: | |
| Libya’s Tripoli-based Government of National Accord has declared a state of emergency over the coronavirus and will close all air and sea ports from Monday, prime minister Fayez al-Serraj said on Saturday. | |
| Serraj also said, in a broadcast address, that his internationally recognised government had earmarked 500 million Libyan dinars ($360.54 million) to combat the disease if it reached Libya, though no cases had been confirmed so far. | |
| Libya, split for years between rival governments that have been fighting a war for nearly a year, lacks adequate isolation and other facilities to combat the virus, the head of its disease control centre told Reuters on Thursday. | |
| Ecuador has announced sweeping restrictions, hours after the second person to die from Covid-19 in the Andean country was reported. | |
| Starting tonight, foreigners will be banned from entering Ecuador, whether that is by land, sea or air. Citizens and residents will be able to enter until Monday, after which they will also face restrictions. Gatherings larger than 30 people have also been banned. | |
| The bodies of those that die from the disease will be cremated. | |
| Ecuador’s vice president Otto Sonnenholzner announced the measures – the strictest in South America – on Saturday. | |
| “This a problem for all of Ecuador, which could affect all of us,” Sonnenholzner said at an emergency operations committee meeting in Quito on Saturday afternoon. | |
| The country has confirmed 28 cases and two deaths. | |
| From Madrid correspondent Sam Jones: | From Madrid correspondent Sam Jones: |
| Ireland’s foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney has issued a travel advisory warning against all but essential travel to Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Malta, Poland, and Slovakia. | Ireland’s foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney has issued a travel advisory warning against all but essential travel to Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Malta, Poland, and Slovakia. |
| He has also issued a telephone number for all Irish citizens impacted by flight cancellations. | He has also issued a telephone number for all Irish citizens impacted by flight cancellations. |
| The Swedish government is advising its citizens against all non-necessary trips abroad, it said in a statement on Saturday. | The Swedish government is advising its citizens against all non-necessary trips abroad, it said in a statement on Saturday. |
| “Due to the widespread spread of the new coronavirus and the rapidly changing and uncertain situation that exists for travellers, the ministry of foreign affairs advises against unnecessary travel to all countries,” the government said. | “Due to the widespread spread of the new coronavirus and the rapidly changing and uncertain situation that exists for travellers, the ministry of foreign affairs advises against unnecessary travel to all countries,” the government said. |
| Madrid correspondent Sam Jones has the latest from Spain: | Madrid correspondent Sam Jones has the latest from Spain: |
| The Spanish government has formally declared a state of emergency over the coronavirus, placing the country in lockdown and ordering people to stay at home for the next two weeks unless they have to buy food or medicine or go to work or hospital. | The Spanish government has formally declared a state of emergency over the coronavirus, placing the country in lockdown and ordering people to stay at home for the next two weeks unless they have to buy food or medicine or go to work or hospital. |
| Speaking after a seven-hour cabinet meeting on Saturday evening, the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, said “extraordinary decisions” needed to be taken as Spain grappled with a “health, social and economic crisis”. | Speaking after a seven-hour cabinet meeting on Saturday evening, the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, said “extraordinary decisions” needed to be taken as Spain grappled with a “health, social and economic crisis”. |
| Spain is the country most affected by the coronavirus in Europe after Italy, and has so far confirmed 6,251 cases of the virus and 193 deaths. Italy has already taken similar measures. | Spain is the country most affected by the coronavirus in Europe after Italy, and has so far confirmed 6,251 cases of the virus and 193 deaths. Italy has already taken similar measures. |
| Sánchez said the central government would direct the response and that all the local, national and regional police forces would come under the command of the interior ministry. He also said that the army was standing by and ready to help with the emergency response. | Sánchez said the central government would direct the response and that all the local, national and regional police forces would come under the command of the interior ministry. He also said that the army was standing by and ready to help with the emergency response. |
| The prime minister confirmed that people would be required to stay home from Monday morning and that all non-essential shops would close, along with bars, restaurants, cafes and cinemas. | The prime minister confirmed that people would be required to stay home from Monday morning and that all non-essential shops would close, along with bars, restaurants, cafes and cinemas. |
| Supermarkets, small food shops, pharmacies, petrols stations and pet supply shops are among those businesses that will remain open. | Supermarkets, small food shops, pharmacies, petrols stations and pet supply shops are among those businesses that will remain open. |
| He said: “During the state of emergency, people will only be allowed out on to public streets for the following reasons: to buy food, basic or pharmaceutical items; to attend medical centres; to go to and from work; to look after children, older people or those with disabilities or who are especially vulnerable, and to attend financial or insurance offices on force majeure grounds.” | He said: “During the state of emergency, people will only be allowed out on to public streets for the following reasons: to buy food, basic or pharmaceutical items; to attend medical centres; to go to and from work; to look after children, older people or those with disabilities or who are especially vulnerable, and to attend financial or insurance offices on force majeure grounds.” |
| Sánchez acknowledged that the measures needed to tackle the coronavirus would have a “big economic impact” but said the government was committed to mitigating its effects. | Sánchez acknowledged that the measures needed to tackle the coronavirus would have a “big economic impact” but said the government was committed to mitigating its effects. |
| Sudan has ordered the closure of schools and universities for one month from Saturday to stop the spread of coronavirus, a statement from the prime minister’s office said. | Sudan has ordered the closure of schools and universities for one month from Saturday to stop the spread of coronavirus, a statement from the prime minister’s office said. |
| The statement said all public gatherings, such as weddings and social events, will also be banned. | The statement said all public gatherings, such as weddings and social events, will also be banned. |
| Meanwhile, Rwanda, Seychelles and Central African Republic confirmed their first coronavirus cases on Saturday – bringing the total number of African countries that have reported positive tests for the virus to 23. | Meanwhile, Rwanda, Seychelles and Central African Republic confirmed their first coronavirus cases on Saturday – bringing the total number of African countries that have reported positive tests for the virus to 23. |
| In case you missed it, here is a video from Saturday’s White House briefing in which Donald Trump revealed he has been tested coronavirus. | In case you missed it, here is a video from Saturday’s White House briefing in which Donald Trump revealed he has been tested coronavirus. |
| Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez has also announced that medium-distance rail transport will be reduced as part of the government’s state of emergency measures. | Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez has also announced that medium-distance rail transport will be reduced as part of the government’s state of emergency measures. |
| This restriction on freedom of movement will come into effect on Saturday. | This restriction on freedom of movement will come into effect on Saturday. |
| Sanchez added that it would not be reasonable to hold planned regional elections in Galicia and the Basque country amid the coronavirus lockdown. | Sanchez added that it would not be reasonable to hold planned regional elections in Galicia and the Basque country amid the coronavirus lockdown. |
| My colleague Oliver Holmes has the latest in Israel: | My colleague Oliver Holmes has the latest in Israel: |
| Similar to France, Israel has announced a partial closure of the country, shutting down hotels, cafes, restaurants, cinemas, theatres and malls.Speaking on Saturday night at a news conference, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said pharmacies, supermarkets and banks should continue to operate. He added people should remain two metres apart to prevent the spread of the virus.In an unclear move that raised immediate privacy issues, Netanyahu announced the government also intended to use technology developed for counter-terrorism to track people with the virus digitally.He said the decision depended on approval from the justice ministry. “The enemy is invisible, but we must locate it,” Netanyahu said. | Similar to France, Israel has announced a partial closure of the country, shutting down hotels, cafes, restaurants, cinemas, theatres and malls.Speaking on Saturday night at a news conference, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said pharmacies, supermarkets and banks should continue to operate. He added people should remain two metres apart to prevent the spread of the virus.In an unclear move that raised immediate privacy issues, Netanyahu announced the government also intended to use technology developed for counter-terrorism to track people with the virus digitally.He said the decision depended on approval from the justice ministry. “The enemy is invisible, but we must locate it,” Netanyahu said. |
| There have been 193 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Israel, with no deaths, according to the health ministry. | There have been 193 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Israel, with no deaths, according to the health ministry. |
| Spain to be placed under 15-day nationwide lockdown – Sanchez | Spain to be placed under 15-day nationwide lockdown – Sanchez |
| Spain is to be placed under nationwide lockdown as part of state emergency measures to control the spread of coronavirus, prime minister Pedro Sanchez has announced. | Spain is to be placed under nationwide lockdown as part of state emergency measures to control the spread of coronavirus, prime minister Pedro Sanchez has announced. |
| Following in the footsteps of France, Sanchez said that shops will close for 15-days. Pharmacies and those selling other basic necessities will be exempted. | Following in the footsteps of France, Sanchez said that shops will close for 15-days. Pharmacies and those selling other basic necessities will be exempted. |
| He added that the crisis requires “extraordinary decisions” and confirmed that the government has agreed a state of emergency. | He added that the crisis requires “extraordinary decisions” and confirmed that the government has agreed a state of emergency. |
| Armed forces will be available to help in the response effort if needed. | Armed forces will be available to help in the response effort if needed. |
| In case you are just tuning in, here is a round-up of the biggest developments in the coronavirus outbreak as of this evening. | In case you are just tuning in, here is a round-up of the biggest developments in the coronavirus outbreak as of this evening. |
| If there’s anything I’ve missed, please drop me a message on Twitter (@aaronwala). Due to the enormous interest in coronavirus, I won’t be able to respond to everything, but I will do my best to take a look | If there’s anything I’ve missed, please drop me a message on Twitter (@aaronwala). Due to the enormous interest in coronavirus, I won’t be able to respond to everything, but I will do my best to take a look |
| Morocco has suspended flights to and from at least 25 countries as the country’s total number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose to 17. | Morocco has suspended flights to and from at least 25 countries as the country’s total number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose to 17. |
| On Saturday Morocco’s foreign ministry announced it would extend an earlier travel ban that covered China, Spain, Italy, France and Algeria. | On Saturday Morocco’s foreign ministry announced it would extend an earlier travel ban that covered China, Spain, Italy, France and Algeria. |
| Other countries with which air travel is now suspended are Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chad, Denmark, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Jordan, Lebanon, Mali, Mauritania, Netherlands, Niger, Norway, Oman, Portugal, Senegal, Switzerland, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey and the UAE. | Other countries with which air travel is now suspended are Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chad, Denmark, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Jordan, Lebanon, Mali, Mauritania, Netherlands, Niger, Norway, Oman, Portugal, Senegal, Switzerland, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey and the UAE. |
| Morocco has closed all schools and cancelled gatherings of more than 50 people to stop the coronavirus spreading. One person has died and another has recovered from the virus. | Morocco has closed all schools and cancelled gatherings of more than 50 people to stop the coronavirus spreading. One person has died and another has recovered from the virus. |
| Dubai said on Saturday it was temporarily suspending operations at four major theme parks and tourist attractions until the end of March amid coronavirus concerns. | Dubai said on Saturday it was temporarily suspending operations at four major theme parks and tourist attractions until the end of March amid coronavirus concerns. |
| The emirate’s government media office said in a statement that Motiongate Dubai, Legoland Dubai, Legoland Waterpark Dubai and Bollywood Parks Dubai would be closed to ensure the health and safety of guests and employees. | The emirate’s government media office said in a statement that Motiongate Dubai, Legoland Dubai, Legoland Waterpark Dubai and Bollywood Parks Dubai would be closed to ensure the health and safety of guests and employees. |
| My colleague Kim Willsher has the latest from France: | My colleague Kim Willsher has the latest from France: |
| France has announced the closure of all places “non essential” to public life including restaurants, cafes, cinemas and discos from midnight Saturday. | France has announced the closure of all places “non essential” to public life including restaurants, cafes, cinemas and discos from midnight Saturday. |
| “We must absolutely limit movement, meetings and contacts,” French prime minister Edouard Philippe said on Saturday evening. Food shops, tobacconists, banks and public transport will remain open, he said. | “We must absolutely limit movement, meetings and contacts,” French prime minister Edouard Philippe said on Saturday evening. Food shops, tobacconists, banks and public transport will remain open, he said. |
| Philippe said the measure was being imposed after another meeting with the country’s scientific committee. | Philippe said the measure was being imposed after another meeting with the country’s scientific committee. |
| The announcement came as Jérome Salomon, director of the French health authority, confirmed the WHO’s assessment, that Europe is “the epicentre of the epidemic”. | The announcement came as Jérome Salomon, director of the French health authority, confirmed the WHO’s assessment, that Europe is “the epicentre of the epidemic”. |
| “In France, we are confronted with the start of a national epidemic with a rapid and intense spread in numerous zones,” Salomon said. | “In France, we are confronted with the start of a national epidemic with a rapid and intense spread in numerous zones,” Salomon said. |
| The first round of the municipal elections will still go ahead on Sunday. | The first round of the municipal elections will still go ahead on Sunday. |
| The UK’s Foreign Office has said it is working to support Britons affected by the US’s extended travel ban, which comes into effect from midnight on Monday (EST). | The UK’s Foreign Office has said it is working to support Britons affected by the US’s extended travel ban, which comes into effect from midnight on Monday (EST). |
| “This is a decision for the US. We are working to provide as much information and support to affected British nationals as possible,” a spokesman said. “We continue to coordinate closely with the US and other international partners on the global response to coronavirus.” | “This is a decision for the US. We are working to provide as much information and support to affected British nationals as possible,” a spokesman said. “We continue to coordinate closely with the US and other international partners on the global response to coronavirus.” |
| The Embassy of Ireland in the USA tweeted to confirm the travel from the US to Ireland will continue: | The Embassy of Ireland in the USA tweeted to confirm the travel from the US to Ireland will continue: |
| Irish airline Aer Lingus said: “We’re assessing the impact of new US government restrictions announced today on travel from Ireland and the UK to the United States. | Irish airline Aer Lingus said: “We’re assessing the impact of new US government restrictions announced today on travel from Ireland and the UK to the United States. |
| “We will communicate directly with affected guests as soon as possible. | “We will communicate directly with affected guests as soon as possible. |
| “All travel before 31 May can be changed to a later date and/or destination. No change fees apply. A fare difference may apply.” | “All travel before 31 May can be changed to a later date and/or destination. No change fees apply. A fare difference may apply.” |
| Lithuania will shut its borders to foreigners from Monday to try stop the spread of coronavirus, the government has said in a statement. | Lithuania will shut its borders to foreigners from Monday to try stop the spread of coronavirus, the government has said in a statement. |
| France to close most shops, cafes, restaurants and cinemas – Philippe | France to close most shops, cafes, restaurants and cinemas – Philippe |
| France will shut down cafes, shops, restaurants and cinemas to stem the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, prime minister Édouard Philippe has announced. | France will shut down cafes, shops, restaurants and cinemas to stem the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, prime minister Édouard Philippe has announced. |
| Philippe said public transport will be kept open but asked citizens to limit their use, Reuters news agency reported. | Philippe said public transport will be kept open but asked citizens to limit their use, Reuters news agency reported. |
| The closures will come into effect at midnight on Saturday. | The closures will come into effect at midnight on Saturday. |
| He told a news conference that exceptions on the shop ban would include food stores, pharmacies and gas stations. | He told a news conference that exceptions on the shop ban would include food stores, pharmacies and gas stations. |