ItcomesasPrimeMinisterBorisJohnsonsaidthetidecanbeturnedinthecoronavirusfightwithinthenext12weeks.
Here'swhatyouneedtoknow:
That'sallfromTelegraphLondonHQtonightbeforewehandovertoourovernightteamsacrosstheglobe.
Beforewego,wewantedtoleaveyouwithsomethingabitmoreupbeattoendanotherdayofrelentlesscoronavirusnews.
Staysafe,stayhomeandstayuptodate!
"BorisJohnsonandhisChancellor,RishiSunak,promisetodo“whateverittakes”todefeattheCovid-19pandemic.Thequestionbeingaskedinmarketsisnotoftheirintent,butwhethertheycanaffordit;cananeconomyalreadyweakenedbyworriesaboutimpendingdivorcefromEuropewithstandthevastcostsoftheactionsnowdeemednecessarytobringthevirusundercontrol"
Spainhasorderedallhotelsinitsterritorytoclosetohelpstemthespreadofcoronavirus,underanewmeasureannouncedinthestateofficialbulletinonThursday.
Themeasureorders"thesuspensionofopeningtothepublicofallhotelsandsimilarlodgings,touristaccommodationandothershort-termaccommodation...situatedonnationalterritory,"theofficialnoticepublishedinBOEread.
Spainisfourth-hardesthitcountrybyCovid-19,with767deathsand17,147infections.
ThisjustinfromJamesBadcockinMadrid:
AcoupleofNHSdoctorstrappedinSpainhavedescribedtheirheartbreakatnotbeingabletoreturnhometohelptheircolleaguesdealwiththegrowingCovid-19crisisinBritainaftertheirflightbackwascancelled.
DrLindaMizumandherpartnerAdrian,alsoanNHSdoctor,travelledtoSpaintodosomerock-climbingnearValencia,butforthepastfivedays,underthenationallockdowndecreedbytheSpanishgovernment,theyhavebeendesperatelytryingtogetaflighthome.
DrMizum,anemergencydoctorfromahospitalinRotherham,describestheanguishofreceivingmessagesfromcolleagues,includingherfather,whosharesherspecialism,astheybattleasituationwhereequipmentisbecomingscarceandmedicsthemselvesfallingillandbecomingexhausted.
“FromwhatIamhearing,itisaverychallengingsituation.Theysaythatsomehospitalsarerunningoutofventilators,”DrMizumtoldTheTelegraph.
TheNHShasputoutarequestforhealthcareprofessionalsofallspecialismstofightCovid-19asthe“pandemichasreachedcriticalstatus”.
“I′mgettingregularmessages.We’veneverseenanythinglikeit–suddenlywe’resoindemand,likepopstars,”shesaid.
MattHancock,theHealthSecretary,hasannouncedthegovernmentiscurrentlyinnegotiationstopurchaseanewantibodytesttodetectifpatientshavehadcoronavirus.
DrAlexanderEdwards,AssociateProfessorinBiomedicalTechnology,UniversityofReading,said:
“Thisisgreattoheartheintentiontoscaleuptestingusingantibody“rapidtests”.Itisabsolutelypossibletomakeverylargenumbersoftheserapidantibodytestsbecausethefactoriesneededtomakesuchdiagnostictestscanscaleupproductionrapidly,usingverysophisticated‘printers’ontorollsofspecialpaper.
"Thelimitingfactoristime-firstlytomakeviraltargets,andsecondlytofullytestthemwithrealpatientsamplestobesuretheygiveaccuratedata[...]
"Wemustallowourexpertstocheckaccuracybeforewecanusethese,andourpublichealthsystemworkingcloselywithindustryiscritical.
“Thesecouldmakeabigdifference-infollowingspread,inhelpingNHSworkersreturntoworksafelyfollowingself-isolation,andalsointestingthenewvaccinesbeingdeveloped."
ThisjustinfromBenRiley-Smith,USEditor:
DonaldTrumphasannouncedheisfast-trackingtheuseofdrugsthatcouldpotentiallyhelptreatcoronavirus,expressinghopethatitcouldprovea“game-changer”.
TheUSpresidentsaidonedrugcalledchloroquine,normallyusedtotacklemalaria,andanothercalledremdesivirwillsoonbeavailabletosomeAmericans.
BothdrugsarealreadyapprovedforotherusesbutarenotknowntoworkagainstCovid-19,avirussonewthattreatmentsareyettobediscovered.
“Ithinkit'sgoingtobeveryexciting,”MrTrumpsaidduringapressbriefingattheWhiteHouse.“Itcouldbeagame-changerormaybenot.”
MrTrumpsaidhehadorderedtheFoodandDrugAdministration[FDA]to“eliminateoutdatedrulesandbureaucracy”soprogresscould“rapidly”bemade.
Hesaidgettingsuchdrugsapprovednormallytakesmonthsbuttheprocesshadbeenspedup,addingthatstateswoulddistributethemandproscriptionswouldbeneeded.
DrStephenHahn,theFDAcommissionerwhostoodnexttoMrTrumpduringthebriefing,offeredanoteofcautionaboutthechanceofaspeedybreakthrough.
“What’salsoimportantisnottoprovidefalsehope,”DrHahnsaid.“Wemayhavetherightdrug,butitmightnotbeintheappropriatedosageformrightnow,anditmightdomoreharmthangood.”
Itisunclearwhenthedrugswillbeavailableorhowwidelytheywillbedistributed.Theyareessentiallyatthetestingstage.
MrTrumpsaidsomehavebeenapprovedfor“compassionateuse”,typicallyusedtogiveaccesstonot-yet-approveddrugstopatientswhomightotherwisedie.
Netflixhassaiditwilltemporarilyreducethequalityofvideosonitsplatformtoeasepressureoninternetserviceprovidersduringthecoronavirusoutbreak.
Theplatform,whichishometoshowsincludingStrangerThingsandTheCrown,willdropthevideobitratefor30days,followingcallsfromtheEU'sEuropeanCommissionerforinternalmarketThierryBreton.
Panamawillsuspendallinternationalpassengerflightsfrom11:59pmonSundayfor30days,tocontainthespreadofcoronavirus,PresidentLaurentinoCortizohassaid.
MPsaretobegivenanextra￡10,000tocoveradditionalofficecostsfromremoteworkingduringthecoronavirusoutbreak,ithasbeenreported.
Theywillalsobeabletoclaimexpenseswithoutproofofreceipt.
TheextensiontoMPsexpenseshasbeenmadebytheIndependentParliamentaryStandardsAuthority(IPSA).
"IPSA’sBoardmetyesterdaytodiscusshowwecansupportyouandyourstaffduringtheUK’sresponsetothecoronavirus(COVID-19)outbreak.Wehaveagreedaseriesofimmediatemeasuresthatwehopewillprovideyouwiththeresourcesandflexibilitytoconcentrateonyourparliamentarydutiesandsupportyourstaffatthistime,"IPSAtoldMPs.
Theonlinegrocersaidithadtoshutdownthesitethisweektoletsoftwareengineersretoolitafteraspikeinordersalmostcausedittocrash.
ItisduetoreopenonSundaywithrestrictionsonthenumberofitemsshopperscanorder.
ThedeathtollinTurkeyduetothecoronavirusrosetofour,HealthMinisterFahrettinKocasaidlateonThursday,addingtherewasatotalof359confirmedcasesinthecountry.
Thenumberofconfirmedcaseswas191onWednesday.Kocasaid1,981testshadbeenconductedinthepast24hours,168ofwhichcamebackpositive.
LifeKitchen,acookeryschoolforpeoplelivingwithcancer,hasbeenforcedtopostponetheirclassesduethehealthrisksposedtotheirstudentsfollowingtheoutbreakofCovid-19.
Theyhavesincesetupafundraiserinanefforttocontinuetheirclassesonline.Todoso,theyneedtohireacameracrewandasanon-profitareunabletomeetthesecostsalone.
Readmoreonthepagebelow.
Londonersseemtofinallybelisteningtoadviceandstayinghometonight.
Sofar,therehavebeen953casesofthevirusconfirmedinthecapital,withasmanycasesrecordedinWestminsterasthewholeofNorthernIreland.
AlockdownofLondonhasbeenproposedasawayofpreventingthevirusfromspreading.
Butwhatdoesitmean
Moroccohasdeclaredahealthemergencyandwillrestrictmovementacrossthecountryfrom6pmonFridaytopreventthefurtherspreadofthecoronavirus,theinteriorministrysaid.
Mostpeoplemayleavetheirhomesonlytobuyfoodormedicine,butcriticalstaffforcompaniesandworkersinkeysectorswillbegivenpaperstoallowthemtotraveltoandfromwork.
Colombia'smigrationchief,JuanFranciscoEspinosa,hasannouncedthat40foreignershavebeenexpelledfromthecountryforfailingtorespectcurfewrules.
"Theforeigners-amongthemBritons,Israelis,Australians,Yemenis,Pakistanis,Haitians,Indians,Americans,GermansandDutch-wereexpelledatthediscretionofColombianmigrationauthorities,forriskingthroughtheiractionsnationalsecurity,publicorderandpublichealth,"hesaid.
Theforeignersweredetainedacrossthecountry,incitiesincludingBogota,Medellin,CaliandCartagena.
Allrestaurants,barsandpublicspaceshavebeenorderedshutacrossthecountry,andColombianstoldtostayathome.
EarlieronThursday,Colombia'spresident,IvanDuque,announcedthatthecountry'sborderswereclosing,andallflightsintothecountrywouldbehalted.
NotevenColombiancitizenswouldbeallowedtoarriveordepartfor30days,beginningonMarch23atmidnight.
PrimeMinisterBorisJohnsonhasspokentohisIrishcounterparttodiscusstheireffortsintacklingtheCovid-19crisis.
"ThePrimeMinisterspoketotheIrishTaoiseach,LeoVaradkar,todayabouttheongoingcoronaviruspandemic,"aDowningStreetspokesmansaid.
"HesetouttheUK'sscience-basedapproachandthemeasurestheGovernmenthasalreadytakentostopthespreadofthevirusandprotectthepublic.
"Theleadersagreedontheimportanceofinternationalco-ordinationtosupporttheglobalhealthresponseandminimisetheeconomicimpactonourcitizens.
"TheyalsoresolvedtocontinueworkingtogethertostrengthenourbilateralrelationshipandtosupporttheNorthernIrelandAssemblyatStormont."
Celebritieshavetakentotheirsocialmediafeedstosharesnippetsoftheirdailylifeunderself-isolation.
MrHancockadmittedhecouldnotliveonstatutorysickpayof￡94.25aweek,bluntlysaying"no"whenasked.
HesuggestedmoreonthesubjectcouldcomewhenChancellorRishiSunakmakesafurtherannouncementonfinancialmeasurestotacklethecrisisonFriday.
"I'mnotgoingtoprejudgewhattheChancellor'sgoingtosaytomorrow,butallIcansayis:markmywords,wewilldoeverythingwecantomakesurepeoplearesupportedthroughthis,"hesaid,whileappearingQuestionTime.
ThisjustinfromHarrietAlexander,inNewYork:
The73-year-oldmatriarchofalargeNewJerseyhorseracingfamilydiedonWednesdaynight,unawarethathertwoeldestchildrenhaddiedshortlybeforeher.
GraceFusco-motherof11,grandmotherof27–losthereldestchild,RitaFusco-Jackson,55,onFriday.Shewasunaware.
Hereldestson,horseracingtrainerCarmineFusco,also55,diedonWednesday–afewhoursbeforehismother.
Afourthmemberofthefamily,VincentFuscodiedonThursdayatCentraStateMedicalCenterinFreehold,thefamilyspokesmansaid.
ThreeotherFuscochildrenwhocontractedcoronavirusremaininhospital.
Nearly20otherrelativesarequarantinedattheirhomes,saidRoseannParadisoFodera,acousin.
“Ifthey’renotonarespirator,they’requarantined,”shesaid.
“Itissopitiful.Theycan’tevenmournthewayyouwould.”
ThedeathsofFuscoandFusco-JacksonareconnectedtothedeathofJohnBrennan,ahorsetrainerwholivedinLittleFerry.ThegrouphadalldinedtogethershortlybeforeBrennanfellill.
BrennanwasthefirstNewJerseyresidenttodieaftertestingpositiveforCovid-19.
MattHancock,theHealthSecretary,hassaidthattheGovernmenthashadan"amazingresponse"toacall-outformanufacturerstoturntheireffortstomakeventilators,whichareseenasessentialtosavinglivesfromCovid-19.
SpeakingonQuestionTimehesaid1,400companieshavecomeforwardtosaytheyareabletoturntheircapabilitiestothetask.
AjuniordoctorinWeston-super-MareappearedontheBBC'sQuestionTimetotellMattHancock,theHealthSecretary,thathercolleaguesare"frightened"ofendingupinasituationsimilartoItaly'sinafewweeks.
SheaskedhowvitalequipmentwouldberationedwhentheNHSbecomes"overwhelmed".
MrHancocksaid:
"Iknowthatthereareconcernsonthefrontlinearoundmakingsurethattheprotectiveequipmentkeepscoming.
"Icantellyouthatoverthelast24hourswe'veshipped2.6millionmasks,10,000bottlesofhandsanitiser,andwehaveagrowingefforttogetthatequipmenttothefrontline.
"Overnightwe'regoingtoget150hospitalsthenextpackofprotectiveequipmentthattheyneed.We'vegotallthisinstorageincasethere'sapandemiclikethisandthereareliterallylorriesontheroadrightnow.
"Somehospitalswillgetitovernighttonightandthentherestwillgettheirnextloadbeforetheendoftheweekend."
TheHealthSecretaryhassoughttoallaydoctors'fearsthattheyarelackingtheprotectiveequipmentandventilatorstheyneededtodealwiththecoronaviruscrisis.
MattHancockinsisted,duringanappearanceonBBCQuestionTime,thata"massiveeffort"wasunderwaytodeliverpersonalprotectiveequipmenttoNHSstaffandsocialcareproviders.
Hesaid2.6millionmasksand10,000bottlesofhandsanitiserhavebeenshippedinthepast24hoursandpromisedthateveryhospitalwillhaveafreshdeliverybytheendofSunday.
CanadianPrimeMinisterJustinTrudeausaidtodaythatheexpectedtheclosureoftheUS-CanadabordertotakeeffectovernightonFridayandwasworkingwithdomesticcarrierstobringhomecitizensstrandedoverseas.
Canada,whichcloseditsbordersthisweektomostforeignnationals,agreedwiththeUnitedStatestoclosetheirsharedborderto"non-essentialtraffic"tocurbtransmissionofthenovelcoronavirus.
Canadatodatehas801casesoftheCOVID-19respiratoryillnesscausedbythecoronavirus,and10deaths.Some55,000peoplehavebeentestedacrossthecountrysofar,ChiefMedicalOfficerTheresaTamsaid.
Morethan30,000peoplehaveansweredtheIrishgovernment'scallforqualifiedprofessionalsandvolunteerstojointhehealthcareworkforcebattlingthecoronavirusemergency,thehealthservicesaidThursday.
"We'relookingforanyonewhocanoffertheirservicesandskills,"AnneMarieHoeyoftheHealthServiceExecutivesaidofthedrivelaunchedTuesday,addingthatmorethan30,000peoplehadrespondedsofar.
HSEisseekingmedical,nursing,ambulanceandhealthcareassistantsasthenationbracesforasharpriseininfections.
RaversacrosstheUKarediggingouttheirglitterandglowsticksfora12-hourdancemusicfestival–livestreamedtotheirbedrooms.
DefectedRecordhaslinedupHouseDJs,includingMonki,SamDivine,LowSteppaandTheShapeshifters,toplayatanemptyclubinLondon'sMinsitryofSoundonFridaynight.
PortuguesePrimeMinisterAntonioCostahasannouncedthatpeopleinfectedwiththecoronavirusaretobeconfinedtotheirresidencesandmostretailoutletsmustcloseaspartofa15-daystateofemergency.
Thoseover70yearsoldorwithchronicailmentsshouldonlyleavehomeforshortwalksforhealthreasons.Costasaidtherestofthepopulationshouldonlyleavehometocommutetowork,shopfornecessities,tohelpafamilymember,toaccompanychildren,ortowalkapet.
Costaaddedthatallretailshopsexceptsupermarkets,bakeries,pharmacies,gasstations,andnewsstandsareorderedtoclose.
IthasnowbeentwoweekssincethefirstconfirmeddeathfromcoronavirusintheUK-andsincethenthenumberwhohavediedhasbeenrisingatafasterratethaninItaly.
IthighlightstheurgencyneededtoarrestthespreadofthediseasebeforetheNHSbecomesoverwhelmedandisunabletocope.
Fitnesschain,PureGym,haveannouncedtheyarestayingopenandcustomerscannowaccessanygymintheUK.
Theyissuednewguidancetomemberstoday,askingthemtostay2metresawayfromotherswhileinthegym,aswellastryingtovisitatoff-peaktimes.
TheUSStateDepartmentonThursdayissuedanewalerturgingAmericansnottotravelabroadunderanycircumstancesandtoreturnhomeiftheyarealreadyabroadunlesstheyplantoremainoverseas.
"TheDepartmentofStateadvisesU.S.citizenstoavoidallinternationaltravelduetotheglobalimpactofCOVID-19,"itsaidinthenewadvice.
"Incountrieswherecommercialdepartureoptionsremainavailable,U.S.citizenswholiveintheUnitedStatesshouldarrangeforimmediatereturntotheUnitedStates,unlesstheyarepreparedtoremainabroadforanindefiniteperiod.U.S.citizenswholiveabroadshouldavoidallinternationaltravel."
The2020InvictusGameswhichwasduetobeheldinTheHagueinMayhasbeencalledoffbecauseofthecoronaviruspandemic.
OrganiserssaidthesportingcompetitionfoundedbytheDukeofSussexwaslikelytoberescheduledtoMayorJune2021.
Thecompetitionbringstogethercurrentandformerwounded,injuredorsickservicemenandwomenfrommorethan20countries.
Inastatement,theInvictusGamesFoundationsaid:"Thedecisionwasalsotakeninrecognitionoftheanticipatedstrainonmedicalstaffandtheinfrastructurerequiredindealingwiththepandemic."
Yesterday,PrinceHarryandhiswifeMeghanpostedamessageofsupportviatheirInstagrampage,SussexRoyal.
TheCannesfilmfestivalisthelatesteventtonottakeplaceasplannedduetothecoronavirus,itsboardsaidThursday,withitsdirectorslookingatpostponingituntillateJune.
Theworld'sbiggestfilmfestivalwasduetotakeplacebetweenMay12and23.
Butitsboardsaidinlightofthepandemictheywerenowlookingatreschedulingitto"theendofJune-beginningofJuly".
Severalotherfilmfestivals,includingTribeca,SXSWandEdinburghhavealreadybeencancelledorputback.
Competitionlawswillbetemporarilyrelaxedtoallowsupermarketstocollaborateinfeedingthenationduringthecoronaviruscrisis.
Retailerswillbeabletopoolstaff,sharedataonstocklevels,andsharedistributiondepotsanddeliveryvansastheGovernmentseekstoeaserestrictionsundertheexceptionalcircumstances.
Thetemporaryrelaxationonlypermitsretailerstoworktogetherforthesolepurposeoffeedingthenationastheyfaceastrainfromintensedemandamidpanicbuying,ministerssaid.
The5pplasticbagchargewillalsobewaivedforonlinepurchasestohastendeliveries,anddrivers'hourswillberelaxedsomorefoodcanbedeliveredtostores.
EnvironmentSecretaryGeorgeEusticelistenedtothecallsofretailersandconfirmedelementsofthelawwouldbewaivedduringameetingwithchiefexecutivesonThursday.
"We'velistenedtothepowerfulargumentsofourleadingsupermarketsandwilldowhateverittakestohelpthemfeedthenation,"hesaid.
ThismorningtherewerechaoticscenesoutsideLondonsupermarketsaspeoplecontinuedtopanicbuydespitereassurancesfromthegovernmentsupplychainswillbemaintained.
BenRiley-Smith,ourUSEditor,hasmorefromtoday'sWhiteHousebriefing.
DonaldTrumpisrampinguphisrhetoricagainstChinaastheworldstrugglestocontainthecoronavirusoutbreakthatbeganinthatcountry.
TheUSpresidentstartedhisbriefingintheWhiteHousetodaybydefyingcriticsandagaincallingthecoronavirusthe"Chinesevirus".
SomehavearguedthenamefuelsxenophobiaandisanattempttoblameChina,whileTrumpsupportersnotepastdiseases,suchastheSpanishflu,carriedcountrynames.
ButduringthebriefingMrTrumpalsotookdigsatChina,someveiledandothersquiteexplicit,foritshandlingoftheoutbreak.
Herepeatedlysaidifsomepeoplehadactedquickertoalertothercountriesthenthespreadoftheviruswouldhavebeenlimited.
"Certaintytheworldispayingabigpriceforwhattheydid,"MrTrumpsaidatonepoint,inaremarkwhichsingledoutChina.
Thecommentscomeamidgrowingtensionsbetweentheworld'stwobiggesteconomiesovertheoutbreak.
OneChineseofficialsuggestedtheUSArmymayhavebroughtcoronavirusintothecountry,triggeringitsemergence.
MrTrumphasmentionedthatwhenchallengedonhis"Chinesevirus"nickname,suggestingheisusingthetermtocounterdisinformation.
Millionsofpeoplecoulddiefromthenewcoronavirus,particularlyinpoorcountries,ifitisallowedtospreadunchecked,UNSecretary-GeneralAntonioGuterreswarnedThursday,appealingforacoordinatedglobalresponsetothepandemic.
"Ifweletthevirusspreadlikewildfire-especiallyinthemostvulnerableregionsoftheworld-itwouldkillmillionsofpeople,"hesaid.
"Globalsolidarityisnotonlyamoralimperative,itisineveryone'sinterests,"hesaid.
Guterresstressedtheneedforacoordinatedglobalresponsetocontaina"healthcatastrophe"thatalreadyhasclaimedthelivesofmorethan9,000peopleandinfectedmorethan217,500aroundtheworld.
"Weneedtoimmediatelymoveawayfromasituationwhereeachcountryisundertakingitsownhealthstrategiestoonethatensures,infulltransparency,acoordinatedglobalresponse,includinghelpingcountriesthatarelesspreparedtotacklethecrisis,"hesaid.
MattHancock,theHealthSecretary,hassaidtheUKisindiscussionstobuyanewcoronavirustestingkit,whichthePrimeMinisteralludedtoinhisearlierpressconference.
Moretestingiscriticaltostoppingthisvirus&gettinglifebacktonormalassoonaspossible.We’reinnegotiationsforabrand-newtypeofantibodytest-whichcantellyouifyou’vehadthevirus&areimmune.Wewillbuy100,000s
ThedeathtollinItalyduetothecoronavirushasnowreachedthehighestintheworld,surpassingChinawheretheoutbreakstarted.
Butwhyisthedeathratesohigh
ThisbookshopinNewhaminEastLondonhasbeendeliveringreadstolocalcustomersself-isolatingovercoronavirusfears.Agroupofvolunteerspickupthebooksatthestorebeforedeliveringthemtocustomershome.
ThedeathtollinFrancefromthecoronavirusnowstandsat372,upfrom264onthepreviousday,publichealthofficialshaveconfirmed.
Itisanincreaseofalmost41percent,thetollrisingsharplyyetagainasthecountrywasinitsthirddayofalockdownaimedatcontainingtheoutbreak.
Additionally,1,122peopleareonlifesupportinthecountryduetothecoronavirus.
Forthoseofyouwhomaybeconfusedwiththeswitchtoworkingfromhome,Matthasyoucoveredwithadetailedmap.
ApowerfulantibodywhichcouldneutralisecoronavirushasbeendiscoveredbyBritishscientistsinthebloodofapatientwhorecoveredfromSars,offeringhopeofatreatment.
ThenumberofUKinfectionshasrisento3,269and144deaths,theDepartmentofHealthhasconfirmed.
Forthoseofyouwhoarejustjoiningus,hereisaroundupoftoday'skeyevents:
Anotherpersonhasdiedand191newcasesofCovid-19havebeenconfirmedintheRepublicofIreland.
Thisisthethirddeath.Thetotalnumberofcasesisnow557intheRepublic
TheDutchmedicalcareministerresignedonThursdayaftercollapsingfromwhathesaidwasexhaustionduringadebateinparliamentonthecoronavirusoutbreak.
BrunoBruins,whoseresponsibilitiesincludeddealingwiththepandemic,faintedwhilestandingatalecterninparliamentonWednesdaynightandhadtobehelpedtohisfeet.
"Thekinghasgrantedthisresignationinthemosthonourablemanner...withgratitudeforthemanyandimportantservicesrendered"byBruins,saidaroyalpalacestatement.
ThegovernmentofDutchPrimeMinisterMarkRuttehasbeenunderpressureoverwhatcriticscalledaninitiallyslowresponsetotheCOVID-19outbreak.
Ruttehassinceorderedschools,barsandrestaurantsshuttorespondtothecrisis.TheNetherlandshasreported2,460casesincluding76deaths.
TheprimeministerwenttoasupermarketonThursdaytopromiseDutchpeoplethattherewouldbenoshortagesofonekeycommodity:toiletpaper.
"Wehaveenough...wecanallpoopfortenyears,"Ruttesaid.
SouthAfricaisbuildinga6’high25milelongfencealongtheborderwithZimbabwetotryandstopthespreadofthevirus.WorkbeganonWednesday.
SofarZimbabwedoesnothaveanyconfirmedcaseofthevirusbutisdoinglittletestingnorisitrunninganyinformationcampaign.
HundredsofthousandsofZimbabweansliveandworkinSouthAfrica.
ThefirstpersontodieofthediseaseinSubSaharanAfricawasanelderlydiabeticwomaninBurkinoFaso.
ThisjustinfromHenrySamuel,Francecorrespondent:
PresidentEmmanuelMacronofFrancedeploredthat"toomany"Frenchwere"takinglightly"confinementrulesthathavebeeninplacesinceTuesday,sayingtheywere"notbeingperfectlyrespected".
"WhenIseepeoplegoingtothepark,tothebeachorrushingtomarkets,theyhaven'tunderstoodthemessages,"hesaidduringavisittothePasteurInstituteinParis.
Hiscommentscomeafterunionsformedicalinternscalledfor"totalandabsoluteconfinementoftheentirepopulation"andwarningthatthenumberofpeopleoutoftheirhomeswasthreateningtoscupperattemptstocurbtheepidemic,whichhaskilled264people.
Earlier,theinteriorministerChristopheCastanerlashedoutat"imbeciles"whorefusetoobeyconfinementrulesandpromisedtoseverelypunishthosewhostealfacemasksasaninquirywaslaunchedintothetheftof12,500fromMontpellierhospital.
ItalyonThursdayovertookChina'scoronavirusdeathtoll,with427newfatalitiestakingitstotalto3,405.
Chinahasofficiallyreported3,245deathssinceregisteringthefirstinfectionattheendoflastyear.
Closingtoday'spressconference,thePrimeMinisterhassaidthemediamayneedtostartheedingtheadvicebymovingthedailypressbriefingsonline.
Acknowledgingconcernsthattheymaynotbeabletoaskquestions,hepledgedhewouldmakethispossible.
MrJohnsonsaid:"Itmaybethatweneedtodomoresocialdistancing.Somesortofremotepressconference.
"Iwillmakeapledgethatifwehavetomovetoamoreremoteformofinterrogation,Iwillmakesurethatwecan[takequestionsfromthemedia]."
SirPatrickVallance,thechiefscientificadvisor,hassaid:"We'reabsolutelyatthebeginningofthisandthemeasuresthatareinplaceshouldstarttohaveanimpact.
"They’reexpectedtodelayandbreaktransmissionchains,[soweare]expectingthecasestocomedown."
ProfessorWhittyrespondedtoquestionsaboutcasesofyoung,healthypeoplecontractingthecoronavirus.
Hesaid:"Thegreatmajorityofpeoplewhowillgetthisvirus,willrecoverfromitandwillnotneedhospital(treatment)."Hestressedthisisparticularlytrueforchildren.
"Itisalsotruethatgroupsofolderpeopleandmedicallyvulnerablepeopledogetthismoreseverely.
"But,andthisisapointthattheUSismaking,itisimportant...nottosaythatyoungerpeoplewillnotget[itmoreseverely].
"Therewillbepeoplewhodon'tfallintothesegroupswhowillgetseriouslyill.
"Takeitseriouslyforyourself,aswellastakingitseriouslyforyourselftotaketheburdenofftheNHS."
ProfessorChrisWhitty,thechiefmedicalofficer,hassaidthereisa"localandglobal"issueregardingaccesstoprotectiveequipmentforfrontlineworkers.
Hesaid:"IcompletelyunderstandthepointsthatmycolleaguesintheNHShaveaboutthis...IntheshorttermthisisaboutmakingsurethatthePPEstockthatwehavegoestotherightplaces.Onaglobalscalethenitsaboutmakingsurethere’senough.
"Andtraining,ofcourse,ifyouusePPEincorrectlythenitcanmakethingsworse."
BorisJohnsonhasbeenquicktodismissrumoursthatthecapitalwillbeputintolockdown.
"Idostressthatwewanttoseepeoplefollowingtheadviceinthecapitalwherewe'reseeingthe(biggestcases),"hesaid.
"Therearesomeareaswherepeoplearenotfollowing(therecommendations)inthewaythatwewantthemto.
"(But)we’renotgoingtobetellingpeoplethatundernocircumstances,iftheyreallyneedtogotoworkthattheycan’tgotowork."
PrimeMinisterJohnsonsaid:"Iknowhowdifficultitwillbeitmayseemrightnow.
"Butifwedothistogetherthenwewillsavemanymanylives,andeverybodywhofacesdifficultiesbecauseoftheadvicewearegiving,Isay:standbyyourworkers,standbyyouremployeesbecausewewillstandbyyou.
"Ihaveabsolutelynodoubtthatwewillturnthetideofthisdiseaseandwewillbeatittogether."
ThePrimeMinisterhasannouncedaUKpatientwhotestedpositiveforthecoronavirushasbeenplacedinarandomtrialforapotentialtreatment.
MrJohnsonadded:"We’reinnegotiationstodaytobuyasocalledanti-bodytest,similartoapregnancytestthatcantellifyouhavehadthedisease.
"Ithasthepotentialtobeanabsolutegamechanger."
Addressingthenation,PrimeMinisterBorisJohnsonsaid:"I’mconsciousthatpeopleareaskingusforholdlongwe'reexpectingthemtokeep[isolation]up.
"Idothink,lookingatitall,thatwecanturnthetideinthenext12weeks.
"AndIamabsolutelyconfidentthatwecansendthecoronaviruspacking,butonlyifwetakethestepswehaveoutlined.
"Thatisvitalbecausethatishowweregoingtoreducethepeak."
WhilewewaitforthePrimeMinistertobegin,hereissomepositivenews...
AwomanwhotestedpositiveforcoronavirusgavebirthtoahealthybabyatanAthenshospital,GreekmediareportedonThursday.
The24-year-oldwomanandherpartnerhadbothtestedpositivebeforethedeliveryonWednesday,butthefirsttestonthebabycamebacknegativeforCovid-19.
"Thevirusisnottransmittedbytheplacenta,"thedirectorofmaternityatAttikonHospitaltoldGreeknationalbroadcasterERT.
Thehospitalhadpreparedforthebirthbyinstallingaconfinedareainthewardandthedoctorsallworethreepairsofgloves,protectiveglassesandmaskstoperformthecaesareansection.
"Itwasauniqueexperience,"anobstetriciantoldERT.
Themothermustremaininisolationforthenext14daysandwillonlybeabletoholdherbabyattheendofthatperiod.
TravelgiantTuiistocutthepayofworkersinresponsetothecoronaviruscrisis,buthaspledgedtomaintainaminimumwageofalmost￡17,100.
Thecompany,whichhasbeenforcedtosuspendpackageholidaysandcruises,saiditwasintroducingmeasurestoensurethefutureofitsbusinessisprotected.
FromApril,staffrequiredtoworkwillreceivea30%reductioninbasicpayandcontractedhours,whilethoseworkinglessthan50%,ornotatall,willreceivea50%reduction.
Therewillbenoredundancies,otherthanalreadyplannedactivityinretailandseasonalcabincrewwhowererecruitedreadyforthesummerseason,whoarenolongerrequired.
TheU.S.CentersforDiseaseControlandPreventionhasreported10,491casesofcoronavirus,anincreaseof3,404casesfromitspreviouscount.
Thedeathtollinthecountryhasalsorisenby53to150.
Asbarsandclubsshutteraroundtheworld,dragqueensareperformingonlinetomakeupforlostincomeandkeeptheirfansingoodspiritsduringthecoronavirusepidemic,Reutersreports.
Someofthebiggestnamesindraghavegotbehindtheinitiative,includingincluding"RuPaul'sDragRace"starsLatriceRoyaleandGiaGunn.
FromlivestreamingshowsfromhometoreachingouttofansoverInstagramtomakesuretheystayinformed,starsarecomingupwithinnovativewaystomakesurethe‘show’goeson.
ThePrimeMinisterhastweetedamessageofsupportfortheNHS,asthenationawaitshisdailypressconferenceonthecoronavirus.
IwanttosayahugethankyouonbehalfofthewholecountrytoeveryoneworkinginourNHS,ofeveryspecialismandrole,inourfightagainstthecoronaviruspandemic.We’veneverneededyoumorethanwedotoday.
PoliceinNorthernIrelandhaveraisedshortagesofCovid-19protectivekitwithStormontministers.
PoliceServiceofNorthernIreland(PSNI)temporaryassistantchiefconstableAlanToddsaidthestateofconfidenceandreassuranceofofficerswaslinkedtotheirabilitytointurnprovidereassurancetothepublic.
Headded:"Myprincipalconcernisthatnotallofourofficershavealltheirkitinalloftheplacesatalltimes."
Hesaidthatwasdowntoglobaldemand.
Policecallhandlersarenowaskingthosecontactingthemquestionstoestablishwhetherattendingcouldputofficersatriskofcontractingthevirus,hesaid.
TheUSisfast-trackingtheanti-malarialdrugchloroquineforuseasatreatmentagainstthenewcoronavirus,PresidentDonaldTrumpsaidThursday.
"We'regoingtobeabletomakethatdrugavailablealmostimmediately,andthat'swheretheFDA(FoodandDrugAdministration)hasbeensogreat,"Trumptoldreporters.
"They'vegonethroughtheapprovalprocess-it'sbeenapproved.Theytookitdownfrommany,manymonthstoimmediate.Sowe'regoingtobeabletomakethatdrugavailablebyprescription."
ButtheFDACommissionerStephenHahnlaterindicatedthat,whilethedrughasnotyetbeenformallyapproved,accesstoitwasbeingexpandedsothatauthoritiescouldgathermoredata.
Thisisknownas"compassionateuse."
"Ifthereisanexperimentaldrugthatispotentiallyavailable,adoctorcouldaskforthatdrugtobeusedinapatient.Wehavecriteriaforthatandveryspeedyapprovalforthat,"saidHahn.
TheQueenhasjustsharedthismessagetothecountry:
AsPhilipandIarriveatWindsortoday,weknowthatmanyindividualsandfamiliesacrosstheUnitedKingdom,andaroundtheworld,areenteringaperiodofgreatconcernanduncertainty.
Weareallbeingadvisedtochangeournormalroutinesandregularpatternsoflifeforthegreatergoodofthecommunitiesweliveinand,inparticular,toprotectthemostvulnerablewithinthem.
Attimessuchasthese,Iamremindedthatournation’shistoryhasbeenforgedbypeopleandcommunitiescomingtogethertoworkasone,concentratingourcombinedeffortswithafocusonthecommongoal.
Weareenormouslythankfulfortheexpertiseandcommitmentofourscientists,medicalpractitionersandemergencyandpublicservices;butnowmorethananytimeinourrecentpast,weallhaveavitallyimportantparttoplayasindividuals-todayandinthecomingdays,weeksandmonths.
Manyofuswillneedtofindnewwaysofstayingintouchwitheachotherandmakingsurethatlovedonesaresafe.Iamcertainweareuptothatchallenge.YoucanbeassuredthatmyfamilyandIstandreadytoplayourpart.
ELIZABETHR
Romaniansfaceupto15yearsinprisoniftheyviolatemeasuresimposedtocontainthecoronaviruspandemic,thegovernmentannouncedtoday.
Anemergencydecreelaysdowntheharshestpunishmentforthosewhoknowtheyhavethediseaseandflouttherules-upto15yearsifsomeonegetsinfectedanddiesasaresultoftheiractions.
Anyonefailingtorespectquarantinerulescouldfaceuptothreeyearsinprison,goinguptofiveiftheiractionsleadtotheinfectionofanotherperson.
Around3,800peoplehavebeenplacedinquarantineinRomania,mostlypeoplereturningfromhigh-riskareasorthosewhohavehadcontactwithaconfirmedorsuspectedcoronaviruspatient.
"Wecan'tacceptthatirresponsiblecitizenswhoshouldbeisolateddon'trespecttherules,walkaroundfreelyamongothersandriskmakingotherpeoplesick,"PrimeMinisterLudovicOrbansaid.
Franceremainsonlockdownfollowingtheoutbreakofthecoronavirus,buthowareParisianscopingthecrisisStockpilingfinewine,course.
Fast-foodchainLeonwillturnitsrestaurantsintomini-supermarketsinabidtoeasefoodconcernscausedbypanic-buyingintheUK.
Leon,whichhasmorethan75restaurantsandstylesitselfas"NaturallyFastFood",willtransformitsshopsandlaunchaneweCommerceplatformthatallowscustomerstobookadeliveryslotafewdaysinadvance,similartohowothersupermarketsdo.
Boththerestaurantandwebsitewillsellrestaurant-qualityreadymeals,sauces,meatsandotherfoodthatcustomerscanstoreandeatathome.
TheplatformwilllaunchbyMarch25,whilecustomerswillalsobeabletobuyfoodimmediatelyusingDeliverooandJustEat.
Morethan65,000formernursesanddoctorshavebeentold“YourNHSNeedsYou”,aspartofarecruitmentdrivetosupportthefightagainstcoronavirus,NHSEnglandhasannounced.
England’stopnurseandtopdoctorhavecalledoncolleagueswhohavelefttheNHSinrecentyearstore-registerandhelpthehealthservicetotacklethe“greatestglobalhealththreat”inacentury.
Thosewhohavelefttheprofessionwithinthelastthreeyears,withuptodateskillsandexperiencewillbeaskedtoreturn.
Finalyearmedicalstudentsandstudentnursesarealsobeingofferedthechancetotaketemporary,fully-paidrolestoboosttheNHSfrontline.
MattHancock,theHealthSecretary,said:
“TofurtherboosttheranksofourNHS,wearenowturningtopeoplewhohaverecentlyleftthehealthcareprofessionswhocanbringtheirexperienceandexpertisetoourhealthsystem.
“Theycanplayacrucialroleinmaximisingourcapacitytofightthisoutbreak-andwherevertheycanhelp,theywillbehugelywelcomed."
Thenumberofpeopleattendingchurchweddingsduringthecoronaviruscrisisshouldbelimitedtothelegalminimumoffive-thepriest,thebrideandgroomandtwowitnesses,theChurchofEnglandhassaid.
Trumpcalledhydroxychloroquinea"tremendousbreakthrough"andsaiditwouldbeavailablealmostimmediatelytofightcoronavirus.
Defending'righttotry'lawsthatwerecreatedwiththeintentofallowingterminallyillpatientsaccesstoexperimentaltherapies,TrumpsaidthattheFDAwouldbefast-trackingthedrugwhichisusedtotreatmalariaandstrongarthritis.
TwoinmatesatHMPKilmarnockhavetestedpositiveforCovid-19.
TheScottishPrisonService(SPS)confirmedthecasesonThursday,andsaidanother28peopleatthejailare"symptomatic".
BothindividualswhohavetestedpositivearebeingcaredforwithintheSPSestateandhavenotrequiredhospitaltreatment.
Thoseshowingsymptomsareself-isolatingwithintheircellforsevendays
Themoneysavingexpertsaid:
Wefaceanunprecedentedchallengetoourhealth,economy,businesses,personalfinanceandwayoflife.Andmanyofthosewhonormallyhelpsociety–ourcharities–aregoingtofacesimilarpressuresrightnowtoo.
TotryandhelpI'mgoingtorelease￡1,000,000frommypersonalcharityfundtoprovidegrantsof￡5,000to￡20,000tosmallregisteredcharities,orlocalarmsofbiggercharities,acrosstheUK–tohelpwithspecificUKcoronavirus-relatedpovertyreliefprojects.
Monaco'sPrinceAlbertIIhastestedpositiveforthenovelcoronavirus,theprincipalitysaidinastatementThursday,addingtherewere"noconcernsforhishealth".
ThetitularheadoftheMediterraneanenclaveiscontinuingtoworkfromhisprivateapartmentsattheroyalpalace,thestatementsaid.
TheBillgivestheGovernmentthreepowersinrelationtoschools.
ThedeathsinEnglandwereamongpatientsbetween47and96withunderlyinghealthconditions,accordingtothehealthservice.
29morepeople,whotestedpositiveforthecoronavirushavedied,bringingthetotalnumberofconfirmedreporteddeathsinEnglandto128.Youngestwas47.
TheStateDepartmentissettoannouncealevelfourtraveladvisoryapplyingtoallinternationaltravel,itsmostseriouswarning.
TheadvisorywouldinstructallAmericansabroadtoeitherreturntotheUnitedStatesorpreparetoshelterinplace,giventheglobalthreatofthecoronavirusoutbreak.Undertheadvisory,Americanswouldbeinstructednottotravelabroad.
TheCo-opistocreate5,000store-basedpostsinabidtoprovidetemporaryemploymentforhospitalityworkerswhohavelosttheirjobsamidthecoronaviruscrisis,thecompanyannounced.--
TheBankofEnglandhascutinterestratesfrom0.25pcto0.1pcinanotheremergencymovetoshoreuptheeconomy.
Inastatement,theMonetaryPolicyCommitteesaid:
Overrecentdays,andincommonwithanumberofotheradvancedeconomybondmarkets,conditionsintheUKgiltmarkethavedeterioratedasinvestorshavesoughtshorter-datedinstrumentsthatareclosersubstitutesforhighlyliquidcentralbankreserves.Asaconsequence,UKandglobalfinancialconditionshavetightened.
Romaniansfaceupto15yearsinprisoniftheyviolatemeasuresimposedtocontainthecoronaviruspandemic,thegovernmentannouncedonThursday.
ThisjustinfromJoeWallen,ourIndiaCorrespondent:
AnactivistbelongingtotherulingBharatiyaJanataParty(BJP)hasbeenarrestedinthecityofKolkataafterheorganisedacowurinedrinkingpartyandaguestfellillafterward.
ThecowisasacredanimalwithinHinduismandsomeBJPfirebrandshaveadvocateditsurine,andevendung,aseffectivemethodstostopcoronavirustransmission.
OnecowurinedrinkingpartyinNewDelhionSaturdayissaidtohaveattracted200devotees.
"Wehavebeendrinkingcowurinefor21years,wealsotakebathsincowdung,"oneattendeetoldReuters,"WehaveneverfelttheneedtoconsumeEnglishmedicine."
Whilesomepreviousstudieshavesuggestedcowurinehasanti-bacterialpropertiesthereisabsolutelynoevidencetosuggestitcanbeusedtofightcoronavirus.
Indiandoctorshavebeenquicktodiscreditalternativeremedies-withfirewalking,lemonpiercingandmeditationallsuggestedbyapopularreligiousguru-andtoinsteadfollowtheadviceofamedicalprofessional.'
Therearenow77casesofCovid-19inNorthernIreland,thePublicHealthAgencyhasannounced.
Thiscomesafterthecountryrecordeditsfirstdeathearliertoday.
Thecoronavirusbillcontainsdetailsofemergencypowersfordetainingthosewiththeinfection,andfiningthosewhodonotgointomandatoryisolation.
JacobRees-MogghasadvisedBritonsagainstpayingattentiontoPiersMorganandinsteadlistentoGovernmentguidanceduringthecoronaviruspandemic.
TheCommonsLeaderhadbeenaskedabouttheroleofthemediaindeliveringinformationtoconcernedviewers,listenersandreaders.
RespondingtosuggestionsthatMorgan,ahostonITV'sGoodMorningBritain,hasbeenmaking"irresponsiblecommentsonadailybasis",MrReesMoggsaidpeopledonothavetobelieveeverythingsaidby"controversialists".
"Butonedoesnothavetotakeeveryutterancefromcontroversialistsaswhollywrit.
"PiersMorganenjoyscausingarowandIthinkfranklyit'dbebettertopaylessattentiontohimratherthanmoreandlistentotheGovernmentadvisers."
The321-pagecoronavirusbillhasjustbeenpublished,coveringvariousemergencypowers.
WewillbringyoualloftheanalysishereandacrosstheTelegraphwebsite.
WhatifthisiswhatfinallystopstheDFSsale
Astheoutbreakspreadsaroundtheworld,travelwriterThomasO'MalleygiveusasnapshotofhowlifegoesinChinawherehelives:
LifeinChinadoesn’tquitefeellikeit’sreturningtonormal;morelikeanewnormal.Foronething,therearenotourists.TheGreatWalliswalledoff.ShanghaiDisneylandhasorderedMickeyandMinnietoworkfromhome.Anyonecomingintothecapitalnow,whetherfromelsewhereinChinaoroverseas,isrequiredtosubmittotwoweeksofquarantine,mostlikelyatagovernmentfacility,withfamilymembersconfinedtoseparaterooms.
Moroccanpolicehavearrestedatleastadozenpeopleforspreadingrumoursaboutthecoronavirus,authoritiessaidonThursday,includingawomanwhousedherYouTubechanneltosaythediseasedidnotexist.
"Fakenewsisthefirstcauseofpanicamongcitizens,"saidPrimeMinisterSaadEddineEl-Otmai,comparingthespreadofmisinformationwithcontagionofthedisease.
Otherpeoplewerearrestedforattackingthegovernmentoveritsstrictmeasuresagainstpublicgathering,urgingpeopletoignorethem,orsayingalockdownhadbeenimplementedwhenithadnot.
FootballinEnglandhasbeenpostponeduntilatleastApril30,withnolimitimposedonwhentheseasoncanfinish.
InjointstatementfrombodiesincludingtheFA,PremierLeagueandEFL,theysaid:
"TheFA’sRulesandRegulationsstatethat"theseasonshallterminatenotlaterthanthe1June"and"eachcompetitionshall,withinthelimitlaiddownbyTheFA,determinethelengthofitsownplayingseason".
"However,TheFA’sBoardhasagreedforthislimittobeextendedindefinitelyforthe2019/20seasoninrelationtoProfessionalFootball.
"Additionally,wehavecollectivelyagreedthattheprofessionalgameinEnglandwillbefurtherpostponeduntilnoearlierthan30April."
AcommissionspokespersonhassaidthatalthoughPresidentvonderLeyenhasnosymptomsshewillbetestedinlightofMrBarnier'sannouncement.Theysaid:
"PresidentvonderLeyenlastmetMichelBarnieralmosttwoweeksagototheday.Shehasnosymptomsandthereforeiscontinuingtowork.
"Shewillbetestedobviouslyinviewofthisannouncementbutforthemomentheractivitiescontinueexactlyasforeseenastheydofortherestofthecollege.
"TheoperationsoftheCommissioncontinueforthemomentasnormalbutobviouslyallstaffwhohavebeenincontactwithMichelBarnierareaskedtotakethenecessaryprecaution."
JohnLewisandWaitrosehavebecomethelatestretailerstoannouncelimitsonthepurchaseofsomeitemsamidthecoronaviruspandemic.
ItcomesafterrivalsTesco,Sainsbury's,Aldi,AsdaandMorrisonsallannouncedsimilarmeasurestoeasestockpilingpressures.
Waitrose,whichispartofJohnLewisPartnership,hasannouncedathree-itemlimitoncertainproductsandalimitoftwopacketsoftoiletroll.
TheretailgroupsaiditisalsolaunchingaprotectedshoppingperiodfortheelderlyandvulnerableatWaitrose,whichwillbeeachstore'sfirstopeninghourfromFriday.
Waitrosecafesandrotisserieswillbetemporarilyshuttohelpstorescopewithincreaseddemandinotherareas.
TheQueenhasbeenreunitedwiththeDukeofEdinburghatWindsorCastleafterleavingLondonasshesociallydistancesherselfamidthecoronaviruspandemic.
Philip,98,wasflownbyhelicopterfromtheSandringhamestatewherehehasbeenstayinginhissecludedWoodFarmcottage.
ThemonarchdepartedBuckinghamPalaceonThursdayfortheBerkshireroyalresidence,accompaniedbyhertwodorgis.
Theduke,whohasretiredfrompublicduties,hadalwaysplannedtojoinhiswifeforEasterCourt,buthasarrivedaweekearlytocoincidewithhermovements.
TheprimeministerintheNetherlandshasofferedreassurancesamidtheglobalcoronavirusoutbreak:tellingcitizensonThursdaythereisnoshortageoftoiletpaper.
"Yes,Ihaveenough,"MarkRuttetoldashopperinaninformalexchangewhilevisitingasupermarkettoshowsupportforworkers."Theyhaveit(onshelves)again."
"Butthere'senoughinthewholecountryforthecoming10years,"hesaid.
"Wecanallpoopfor10years."
Afurther24peopleinWaleshavetestedpositiveforcoronavirus,bringingthetotalnumberofcasesto170,PublicHealthWalessays.
TheDukeofCambridgehasrecordedamessageofsupportfortheNationalEmergenciesTrust'sfundraisingappealasaresultofthecoronavirusoutbreak.
ThefulldetailsontheLondonlockdownfromGordonRayner,ourpoliticaleditor:
DowningStreethasinsistedthereis“zeroprospect”ofpeoplebeingbannedfromtravellinginandoutofLondonasitdeniedthecapitalwouldbeputinto“lockdown”.
ThePrimeMinister’sofficialspokesmansaidtherewasalsonochanceoftheLondonTransportnetworkbeingcloseddown.
Reportsofhouseholdsbeingrestrictedtoonepersonleavingatatimeare“nottrue”,thespokesmanadded.
OnWednesdayBorisJohnsonsaidhewouldrulenothingoutwhenitcametorestrictionsontransport,fuellingspeculationaboutamajorclampdownthisweekend.
ButatabriefingforjournalistsinDowningStreet,MrJohnson’sspokesmanmovedtoruleoutsomeofthemoreextrememeasuresthatwerereportedtobeunderconsideration.
Thespokesmansaid:“TherearenoplanstoclosedownthetransportnetworkandthereiszeroprospectofanyrestrictionbeingplacedontravellinginoroutofLondon.Itisnothappening.
“ThePrimeMinisterandhisadvisershavesetouttheneedforsocialdistancingmeasurestolimitthespreadofthevirusandtoprotectlives.
“Whatwearefocusedonisensuringthatasmanypeopleaspossibletakethatadviceanddon’tunnecessarilyputthemselvesinapositionwheretheycouldspreadcoronavirus.”
ThespokesmansaidanyfurtherguidanceissuedtoLondonerswouldbelikelytocentreonavoidingpubsandrestaurantsandonincreasedhomeworking.
LondonTransporthasshut40Undergroundstationsaspartofareducedservice,whichwasdoneinconsultationwiththeDepartmentforTransport,butNo10insistedTubesandbuseswouldcontinuetorun.
Askedifaccesstothetransportsystemcouldberestrictedtokeyworkers,thespokesmansaid:“IhaveseenabsolutelynosuggestionthattheGovernmentisintendingtorestrictaccesstothetransportsystem.”
ThespokesmanalsoplayeddownsuggestionsthatpeoplecouldbefinedfordisobeyingtheGovernmentadvice-asFrancehasstarteddoing-sayingthepowertodosoexisted,buthadonlybeenintroducedtopreventpeopleleavingquarantinefacilitiesatthestartoftheoutbreak.
Askedaboutreportsthatfamiliescouldberestrictedtoonepersonleavingthehouseatatime,thespokesmansaid:“Thatisnottrue.”
OneWhitehallofficialwentfurther,sayingtheGovernmentwould“never”lockdowncitiesinthewaythathashappenedinsomeEuropeancountries.
Thesamesourcesaid:“Thereisn’tgoingtocomeanypointwhereborderguardsarestoppingpeoplecominginandoutofLondon.Thatisnotthesortofcountryweare.”
TheQueenhasleftherresidenceatBuckinghamPalace,withoneofherdorgis(adachshund-corgicross)watchingonoutofthewindow.
Iranistofree"around10,000prisoners"inanamnestymarkingthePersianNewYear,Nowruz,onFriday,includinghalfofthoseservingtimeforsecurityoffences,thejudiciarysaid.
SupremeleaderAyatollahAliKhameneigrantsseveralmassamnestiesayearmarkingthemajorIslamicandnationalholidaysbutthisweek'searlyreleasescomeasIranbattlesoneoftheworld'sworstCOVID-19outbreaksoutsideChina.
Thelatestamnestyaimsto"reducethenumberofprisonersinlightofthesensitivesituationinthecountry",Esmailisaid.
"Aroundhalfofthoseconvictedofnationalsecurityoffenceswillbenefitfromthisamnesty,"Esamiliaddedwithoutgivingafigure.
Whenaskedaboutdifferentstrainsofthevirus,ProfessorChrisWhittysaid"withastrongcaveatofscientificspeculation"thatitwasexpectedtomutate.
Hesaidtherewasachancethattheviruscouldmutate"aroundthevaccine",butthatsomemutationscouldbe"actuallyuseful".
"Smallermutations...helptotrackfamilytreesofthevirus,"saidProfessorWhitty,addingthatthiswouldhelpscientiststounderstandandtacklethedisease.
SirPatrickVallanceaddedthattheUKwas"absolutelyworld-class"inaddressingviralmutations.
TheQueenhasleftLondonforWindsorCastleasshesociallydistancesherselfamidthecoronaviruspandemic.ThemonarchwasseendrivingawayfromBuckinghamPalacewithherdogs.
Oneofherdorgiswasspottedsittingnexttothe93-year-oldheadofstate.
TheQueenismovingtothesanctuaryofherhistoricBerkshirehomeaweekearlierthanshenormallywouldatthistimeofyear,andisexpectedtoremaintherebeyondtheEasterperiod.
NicolaSturgeonhasdisclosedthatthenumberofpeopleinScotlandwhohavediedaftertestingpositiveforcoronavirushasdoubledfromthreetosix.
Moreaswegetit.
DefenceforcesengagedintrainingIraqisecurityforceshavebeenredeployedbacktotheUKbecauseofcoronavirus.
TheMinistryofDefencesaidthattherehasbeena"reducedrequirementfortraining"sincetheoutbreak.
Thetrainingmission,whichtheUKhasconductedalongsideGlobalCoalitionpartnerssince2014,hasbeenpausedfor60daysasaprecautionduetotheglobalpandemic.
BenWallace,thedefencesecretarysaid:
“Inrecentmonthsthetempooftraininghassignificantlydeclined,whichmeansthatIaminapositiontobringbackthecurrenttrainingunittotheUK.”
“ThereremainsasignificantfootprintofUKArmedForceswithinthecoalitionandelsewhere.WearecommittedtobuildingIraq’ssecuritycapacitythroughourmembershipoftheGlobalCoalitionthathasprovedsoeffectiveandwillcontinuetosupporttheIraqiGovernmentinachievingstability.”
ChiefmedicalofficerforEnglandProfessorChrisWhittyhassaidthatthereare"significanthealthandsocialdownsides"tothesocialdistancingmeasures.
Speakingatabriefing,hesaid:"Ifyoudothemtooearlyyougetallthenegativesbutalmostanimmeasurableimpactontheepidemic."
SirPatrickVallance,thegovernment'schiefscientificadviser,addedthatitwas"notpossible"toputabsolutetimelinesonthepandemic.
ThisjustinfromHenrySamuel,ourFrancecorrespondent:
France'sinteriorministerChristopheCastanerhaslashedoutat"imbeciles"whorefusetoobeyconfinementrulesandpromisedtoseverelypunishthosewhostealfacemasksasaninquirywaslaunchedintothetheftof12,500fromMontpellierhospital.
"Somepeoplethinktheyarelittleheroeswhentheybreaktherules.Wellno,theyareimbeciles,"hetoldEurope1.
"Theyposearisktothemselves,theirfamily,theirlovedonesbutalsotohealthworkerswhowillbethereeveniftheybehavestupidly,tohelpthem,treatthem,savethem."
Heslammedthe"shamefulandvile"theftoffacemasks,whichareinshortsupplyinFrenchhospitals,sayingthatthosecaughtfacedthreeyearsinprisonanda€45,000fine.Ifstolenfromachemistatnight,thesentencecouldbeincreasedtofiveyearsinprisonanda€75,000fine.
Unilabs,theleadingEuropeandiagnosticservicesprovider,hassetupa"drive-through"facilitytocollectsamplesfromsuspectedCovid-19patients.Thefacility,amongthefirstofitskindinEurope,isbasedinPorto,Portugal.
Aftermakinganappointment,patientsdrivetothecollectionpoint,wheretheyrolldowntheirwindowstobetestedbytrainedmedicalstaffinprotectiveclothing.
Byremainingintheirownvehiclesthroughout,patientsminimizecontactwithotherpeople,reducingtheriskofinfectionforeveryone–patients,medicalprofessionals,andthegeneralpublic.
Accordingtothecompany,thesystemallowsabout400dailyteststobeperformedinthefirstphase,risingtonearly700testsoverthecomingdays.
DowningStreethasdismissedsuggestionsofatravelbaninandaroundthecapital.
ThePrimeMinister'sofficialspokesmansaid:"TherearenoplanstoclosedownthetransportnetworkinLondonandthereiszeroprospectofanyrestrictionsbeingplacedontravellinginandoutofLondon."
ThiscomesafterTransportforLondondecidedtoclosedowntubestationstolimittravelaroundthecapital.
MrKhansaidworkwasunderwayinwritingtorecently-retiredpoliceofficerssotheycouldreturntoworktodobackofficefunctions.
Healsosaidrecentlyretiredfirefightersunder70couldbeaskedtohelp.
TheNationalLiteracyTrustsaidithaslaunchedanonlinezoneforparentslookingforideasandactivitieswhilsttheirchildrenarehomeduetoschoolclosures.
Itincludesreadingandwritingactivities,booklists,videos,competitionsandreadingchallenges.
ChiefexecutiveJonathanDouglassaid:"WewanttoensurethateveryparentacrosstheUKhasaccesstoawiderangeofexcitingactivitiesthatwillengagetheirchildrenathomewhilstalsosupportingtheirliteracydevelopment."
London'sCrossrailprojectcouldbedelayedfurtherbecauseofthecoronaviruscrisis,LondonmayorSadiqKhanhassaid.
HetoldtheLondonAssemblythathewas"notsure"whatimpacttheoutbreakwouldhaveontheproject.
"Crossrail2willdowhattheycantoworkremotelywheretheycan,butsomeofthethingsyouneedtobephysicallytheretodosoIthinkitisinevitable."
GreeceonThursdayhandedovertheOlympicflametoTokyo2020organisersataceremonyheldbehindcloseddoorsamidcallsfortheOlympicstobepostponedoverthecoronaviruspandemic.
Intheabsenceofspectators,OlympicgymnasticschampionLefterisPetrouniasranalapwiththeflameandOlympicpolevaultchampionKaterinaStefanidilitacauldroninsidetheall-marblePanathenaicstadium,wherethefirstmodernOlympicswereheldin1896.
GreekPresidentKaterinaSakellaropoulouinastatementsaidtheancientOlympicvaluesof"concord,goodwill,brotherhood...aretheweapontouse"againstthevirus.
Inlighternews,thiscatistakingwelltoself-isolationbycheeringuppassersbywithacheekywave.
TheArmyissettingup"virtualplatoons"afterhaltingallbasictraininginthewakeofthecoronavirusoutbreak.
Allface-to-facebasictrainingandrecruitingactivitywillbepostponedindefinitely,althoughallrecruitseitherintrainingorwhohavebeengivenastartdatewillretaintheirplaces.
TheArmysaystrainingwillcontinuewherepossibleusingonlinelearningtools.
Anarmyspokesmansaidthe"virtualplatoons"willusetheexistingDefenceLearningEnvironment,anonlineportaltowhichallsoldiershaveaccess.
ThisjustinfromJustinHuggler,ourBerlincorrespondent:
RegionalauthoritiesinGermanyhavethreatenedtoordercurfewsifpeopledonotstarttakinggovermmentadvicetoremainathomeseriously.
“Ifpeopledonotrestrictthemselvesvoluntarily,thenintheendaBavaria-widecurfewwillbetheonlywaytodealwiththis.Everyonehastobeclearaboutthat,"MarkusSder,theregionalprimeministerforBavariasaid.
MichaelMüller,themayorofBerlin,issuedasimilarwarningforGermany'scapitalafterpolicebrokeupaseriesof"coronavriusparties".
Non-essentialshopsandnightlifehavebeenclosedacrossGermany.Peoplehavebeenadvisedtoleavehomeonlytogotoworkorrunessentialerrands,butthereisnocurfew.
"Icannotandwillnotruleouttakingfurthermeasuresinthecomingdays,"MrMüllersaid."Thequestionofalockdowncanplayarole.Thatcanbedecidedquickly.Inthatcase,theparksandgardenswillbeclosed."
ReuvenRivlin,thepresidentofIsrael,invitedparentsandchildrentojoinhimforstorytimeatmiddayonhisFacebookpage.
MrRivlinreadthechildren'sstorybook"AFlatforRent"byLeahGoldberginaFacebooklivestream.
Thestory,basedonaneasternEuropeanfable,isaclassicofchildren'sliteratureabouttheimportanceofbeingfriendlytoyourneighbours.
PaulNuki,ourglobalhealthsecurityeditor,explainshowthevirusisgoingtohitthehealthservice:
WeknowtheNHSasawholehastoolittlecapacitytocopewiththecoronavirusoutbreak.That’swhyallhospitalswereonTuesdayorderedtosend“medicallyfit”patientshomeandcancelallnon-urgentoperations,moveswhichwillimpacttensofthousands.
Despitesuchannouncements,it’samistaketothinkoftheNHSasasingleservice.Itisanythingbut.HealthcareintheUKisrunindependentlyineachofthefournations.EveninEngland,theserviceMrStevens’presidesover,theNHS,isnotreallyoneentityrunandcontrolledfromthecentre.Inrealityit'safederationofsometimescompetingservices.
IsraelispyagencyMossadbrought100,000coronavirustestingkitsintoIsraelthisweek,onlyforthehealthministrytofindtheywereunusableduetomissingcomponents.
AccordingtotheJerusalemPost,Mossadprocuredthekitsfrom"twocountries,"withoutdetailsofwhichonesandhow,butitthenemergedtheyweremissingtheliquidsolutionthetestingstickneedstobedippedinbeforeuse.
AspokesmanforBenjaminNetanyahu,theIsraeliprimeminister,saidhewas"usinghisconnectionsaroundtheworld"tosecuremoretestingkitsbytheendoftheweek.
ThekitsweregiventoMossadwiththe"consent"ofthecountriesinvolved.
FollowingtheannouncementofschoolclosuresacrosstheUK,therearestillalotofunansweredquestions:
HowwillpupilsgettheirresultsWhatwillhappenaboutuniversityplacesWhatmakesachild"vulnerable"andhowisa"keyworker"beingdefined
CamillaTurner,oureducationeditor,willbeansweringallyourquestionsonschoolclosuresfrom11.30a.m.
ThisjustinfromNataliyaVasilyeva,ourMoscowcorrespondent:
AlexanderLukashenko,theBelarusianpresident,hasdismissedglobalresponsetothecoronavirusepidemicas“psychosis,”sayingthatpanicaroundCovid-19ismoredangerousthanthediseaseitself.
MrLukashenko,whohasruledBelarusfornearly26years,madetheremarksonThursdayduringameetingwiththecountry’stophealthofficialswhomhesaidheinvitedtodiscuss“thecoronaviruspsychosis.”
Belarus,aformerSovietrepublicwestofRussia,has51confirmedcasesofthediseasebutnotdeaths.
OncedubbedEurope’slastdictator,MrLukashenkoonThursdaylambastedothercountriesincludingRussiaforshuttingdowntheirborders,whichhecalled“anincrediblefoolishness”that“doesnothingtoprotect”Russiaorothercountries.
“I’mconvincedthatthisisjustpsychosiswhichcouldbenefitsomeandhurtothers,”MrLukashenkosaidintelevisedremarks.“Paniccouldhurtusmuchmorethanthevirusitself.”
SadiqKhancriticisedLondonerswhowererefusingtofollowtheofficialguidanceonsocialdistancingandwerestilltravellingaroundthecity.Inadirectmessagetothecapital'sresidents,hesaid:
"Ican'tsaythisclearlyenough:peopleshouldnotbetravellingbyanymeansunlesstheyabsolutelymust.
"Thescientificadviceonthisisveryclear:Londonersshouldbeavoidingsocialinteractionunlessabsolutelynecessaryandthisincludesavoidingusingthetransportnetwork.
"IwanttoseemoreLondondersfollowingtheexpertadvice,whichmeansit'scriticalthatweseefarfewerLondonersusingourtransportnetworkthaniscurrentlythecase."
Germany'sIfWinstituteonThursdayrevisedits2020growthforecastforEurope'slargesteconomyduetothecoronavirusoutbreak,predictinggrossdomesticproducttoshrinkbetween4.5%and9%thisyear.
Germanmanufacturershaverecordedthemostprecipitousdropinbusinessexpectationsinthe70-yearhistoryofindustrialsurveys,preliminaryfiguresshowedonThursday,withoverallmoralecrateringtothelevelofthe2009recession.
ItsoverallbusinessclimateindexforEurope'sbiggesteconomyslumpedto87.7from96.0inFebruary.
"TheGermaneconomyisspeedingintorecession,"saidClemensFuest,PresidentoftheIfoinstitute,whichpublishedpreliminaryresultsofitsmonthlysurveyforMarch.
Referringtotheplungeinmanufacturingbusinessmorale,hesaid:"NeverinthehistoryofareunifiedGermanyhasitfallensofar.Thedropinexpectationsisthesinglemostprecipitousin70yearsofindustrysurveys,"Ifosaid.
MrEusticesaidintheCommons:"Wewillnotdothatmeasure.
"ItwassomethingthatwasdoneinItaly,witharestrictiononthenumberofpeopleinstoresandwhattheyfoundwastheyjusthadhundredsofpeoplehuddledtogetherattheentrancetothestoreandit'scounterproductive."
ThisjustinfromHenrySamuel,ourFrancecorrespondent,onthesituationacrossthechannel:
"Betweentwoandfourweeks"arerequiredfortheoutbreaktobecontained,GenevieveChene,theheadofthecountry'spublichealthagency,toldFranceinforadio,whichmeansanextensionofthehomeconfinementthatbeganTuesdaywould"verylikelybenecessary."
Shesaidthatsuchmeasurescouldputthe"brakes"ontheepidemicsufficientlytoavoidthescaleofthedeathtollinneighbouringItalyandendupwithatollhigherthaninfluenzabut"contained".
Judgingbythevirus'courseinChina,shesaidFrancecouldhopetosee"aninversionofthecurve(oftheepidemic)around"mid-Mayorend-of-May,"shesaid.
MsChenealsosaidthatFrancehadneverconsideredallowingthevirustospreadamongthepopulationtoboostcollectiveimmunity,aswasapparentlythecaseatfirstinBritainandtheNetherlands.
TheformerEUchiefnegotiatorMichelBarnierhasannouncedhehastestedpositiveforcoronavirus.
Despiteallthefocusonthecapital,itishospitalsoutsideLondonthatareatgreaterriskofbecomingoverwhelmedduringamajorcoronavirusepidemic,accordingtonewanalysis.
BillGardnerandPaulNuki,ourglobalhealthsecurityeditortalkyouthroughwhatthismeansforyourarea:
Ruralareaswillbehithardestbyanationalshortfallofhospitalbedsasthevirusoutbreaksweepsacrossthecountry,modellingseenbyTheTelegraphsuggests.
Meanwhile,seniordoctorswarnedthatelderlyandfrailpeoplemaybedeniedcriticalcareifhospitalsrunoutofroom.Healthchiefsarediscussingplansto"movethegoalposts"sopriorityisgiventoyoungerpatientswithbettersurvivalchances,itisunderstood.
ActressGalGadotledastar-studdedcoverofJohnLennon'sImagineascelebritiesincludingNataliePortmanandJamieDornanattemptedtoliftspiritsamidthecoronavirusoutbreak.
InavideoviewedmillionsoftimesonInstagram,IsraeliWonderWomanstarGadotexplainsshehasbeeninisolationforsixdaysandtheglobalcrisishasleftherfeeling"philosophical".
GeorgeEustice,theministerforEnvironment,FoodandRuralAffairs,seemedtosuggestintheCommonsthatworkersinsupermarketsmaybeontheexpectedlistofkeyworkers.
GeorgeEusticeappearstoconfirmtotheCommonsthatsupermarketworkerswillbeonthelistofkeyworkerswhosekidswillstillgettogotoschool
Thisjustinfromforeigncorrespondent,MatthewDay:
ThereareincreasingcallsinPolandforthecancellationofpresidentialelectionsduetobeheldinMay.
Withthecountryinsemi-lockdownandmassgatheringsprohibitedowingtothepandemiccrisissomecandidateshavestoppedcampaigningandcalledforthepostponementoftheelections.
SofarAndrzejDuda,thepresident,andthegovernmenthavenotsupportedsuchcalls.
Topostponetheelectionswouldrequireanaturaldisasterorthedeclarationofastateofemergencytobedeclared.
TheGermangovernmentplansa40billioneurorescuepackageforsmallbusinessesandtheself-employedtotidethemthroughthecollapseindemandbroughtonbythecoronavirusepidemic,DerSpiegelmagazinehasreported.
The"SolidarityFund"representsadefinitivebreakfromGermany'slong-standingno-new-debtspolicy,sinceitwillbestructuredasagovernment-backedvehiclewiththepowertoborrowattheverylowratesavailabletotheGermangovernment.
Therewillbeatotalof10billioneurosindirectgrantsavailabletosmallbusinesses,andafurther30billioneurosavailableintheformofloans.
DespiteGavinWilliamson,theeducationsecretary,suggestingearliertodaythat"nodecisionhasbeenmade"yetontheshutdownofLondonmanyshoppersinandoutsidethecapitalhaveseenthisasalastchancetogetinsupplies.
Britishshopperswerequeuingaroundtheblockearlythismorningtobuybasicgoods.
Reutersarereportingthatmorethan100peoplequeuingintherainbeforethe7openingofalargeSainsbury'sstoreinClaphamCommon,whileafewmilesawayinVauxhallqueuessnakedaroundanother.
France's15-daylockdownorderedbyPresidentEmmanuelMacrontocurbthecoronavirusepidemiccouldbeextendedifnecessary,InteriorMinisterChristopheCastanersaid.
"The15-dayperiodmaybeextended.Ifnecessary,thegovernmentwillre-conductit,"CastanertoldEurope1radiostation.
SinceWednesdaymorning,thepolicedeployedtoenforcethelockdownhascarriedout70,000controlsandhandedout4,095ticketstothosefloutingthelockdown,Castaneradded.
Train,coachandbusfrequenciesarebeingcutamidacollapseindemandandGovernmentadviceonavoidingnon-essentialtravel.
ThiscomesasTransportforLondonannouncedthat40tubestationswouldbeclosinginthecapital.
NorthernTrainssaidtherewillbecancellationsonadozenroutesonThursday"asaresultofCovid-19".
SouthWesternRailwaysaiditiscancellingtrainsatshortnoticeas,"likemostorganisations,we'reseeingmorestaffhavingtostayathomeunwell".
GreatWesternRailwayhasannounceditssleeperservicebetweenLondonPaddingtonandPenzance-knownastheNightRiviera-willbesuspendedafterFriday"toprotectourcustomersandcolleagues".
AmajorityofBurberry'sstoresinitsEuropeanandAmericanmarketshaveclosedashighstreetshavebeenhitinthebidtolimitthespreadofthecoronaviruspandemic,thebusinessrevealed.
Morethan60%ofstoresinEurope,theMiddleEast,IndiaandAfrica,and85%ofthoseintheAmericasareshutasthebattleagainsttheviruscontinues.
Inanearlier-than-expectedtradingupdatewhichwasbroughtforwardbecauseoftheoutbreak,Burberrywarnedthatitsin-storesaleswerelikelytotakea30%hitfromthevirusinthefourthquarteroftheyear.
Meanwhile,footfallinthestoresthatarestillopenis"veryweak"whileopeninghourshavebeenslashed.
SinceJanuary24,saleshavedeterioratedbyaround40%to50%,Burberryrevealed.
France'stwo-weekhomeconfinementwill"verylikely"havetobeextendedtocurbthenovelcoronaviruspandemic,theheadofthecountry'spublichealthagencysaid.
"Betweentwoandfourweeks"arerequiredfortheoutbreaktobecontained,GenevieveChenetoldFranceinforadio,whichmeansanextensionofthehomeconfinementthatbeganTuesdaywould"verylikelybenecessary."
EducationSecretaryGavinWilliamsonhassaidtheGovernmentstandsreadytotakethe"incrediblytoughdecisions"neededtoslowthespreadofthevirus.
Hesaidtherearecurrentlynoplanstoshutdownbarsandrestaurantsandorderpeopleoffthestreetsbutthatministerswouldbeguidedbythescientificevidence.
HetoldBBCRadio4'sTodayprogramme:"ThePrimeMinisterwillconstantlybeinformedbythescientificandmedicalevidence.
"Wewilltaketheincrediblytoughdecisionsthataresometimesneededinordertoensurethesafetyofthepopulation.
"ThePrimeMinisterhasateverystageintermsofdealingwiththisdemonstratedthathewillprovidetheleadershipthatisrequiredinordertodealwithsomeofthemostdifficultdecisionsthatanyprimeministerhaseverhadtodealwithinpeacetime.
"But,asthePrimeMinisterhassaid,therearecertainlynoplanstodosoatthemoment."
LabourformerprimeministerandchancellorGordonBrownhasurgedRishiSunaktodo"considerablymore"toprotectpeople'sjobsbytheweekendamidthecoronaviruscrisis.
"Ithinkhewillhavetodoconsiderablymoretodealwiththeissuesofemploymentprotection,"MrBrowntoldBBCRadio4'sTodayprogramme.
"Hesayshe'lldomorebutthepackageshouldbeoutnowtoavoidredundanciesbeingforceduponcompaniesoverthenextdayortwo.
"Ithinkalotofcompanydirectorswillbelookingatthemomenttohowmanystafftheyaregoingtoshedinthenextfewdays,nextfewweeks.
"AndIthinkweneedtostepinnowwithbuildingtheconfidencethatwecankeeppeopleinworkorkeeppeopleonshortterminworkandhaveanarrangementwithpeoplewheretheytakesomeholidaysbutatthesametimetheyaregoingtohaveincomeprotection.
"Iffamiliesdon'thaveincomeprotectionthere'slotofotherconsequences:peopletrytoworkiftheyaresick,peopleputthemselvesatrisk.
"TheirhealthbecomesanissueofpublichealthandIthinkwereallyhavetostepintodealwiththisparticularblockageatthemomentandIhopetheChancellorwillactbeforetheendoftomorrow."
BBCDirector-GeneralLordHallhasnotruledoutafurtherdelaytotheendofthefreelicencefeeforover-75s.
TheuniversalbenefitwasduetoendonJune1butwaspushedbackuntilAug1asaresultofcoronavirus.
Askedwhetheritcouldbedelayedfurtherifthecrisisisnotoverbythen,LordHalltoldRadio4'sTodayprogramme:"TheboardmetonSundaytotakethatdecision,toputtheimplementationoffuntilAugust,andthephraseis'underreview'.
"Ithinkonallofthis...wemustjustkeepdoingwhatwethinkisrighteachdayandkeepeverythingunderreview."
Here'sthelatestfromourMoscowCorrespondentNataliyaVasilyeva
Russiahasreporteditsfirstcoronavirusdeath.
Thecountry’sheadquartersfortacklingtheoutbreakofCovid-19saidThursdaymorningthata79-yearoldwomanwhowashospitalisedinMoscowonFridayandlatertestedpositiveforthediseasehasdied.
MoscowMayorSergeiSobyaninsaidonTwitterthatthewomanhadpre-existingconditionsincludingdiabetesandatherosclerosis.
ShewastakentoaprivateclinicwithpneumoniaonFridaybeforeshewastransferredtoastatehospitalonMondayfollowingpositivetestresultsforcoronavirus.
Thewomanhadbreathingproblemsandreceivedmechanicalventilationbutthatdidnothelpintheend.
Russiahasrecordedjust147confirmedcoronaviruscases,alowfigurelargelyattributedtoalackofwidespreadtestingaswellasrestrictionsthatRussianofficialstookasearlyasJanuaryincludingclosingtheborderwithChina.
AnextraordinarypostfromTheWhiteHouse'sofficialTwitteraccount:
SpanishFlu.WestNileVirus.Zika.Ebola.Allnamedforplaces.Beforethemedia’sfakeoutrage,evenCNNcalledit“ChineseCoronavirus.”ThosetryingtodivideusmuststoprootingforAmericatofailandgiveAmericansrealinfotheyneedtogetthroughthecrisis.
WithLondonaheadofthecoronaviruscurve,thericharesaidtobefleeingforpasturesgreen.
AccordingtoTheTimes,affluentfamiliesarewillingtopayupto￡50,000amonthtoownersofcountrypropertiesinordertotemporarilyrelocate.
ThepaperreportsthatestateagentshavebeenswampedwithcallsfromwealthyLondonersdauntedbytheprospectofworkingfromhomeinalockeddowncapital.
Goodmorning.
Ifyou'rejustjoiningus,therehasalreadybeenalotofmovementthismorningonthecoronavirusoutbreak.
Youcancatchupwiththoseupdatesbelow
UniversitiesUKchiefexecutiveAlistairJarvishassaidthattherearetwooptionsbeinglookedatforthosewhowherescheduledtosittheirA-levelsthissummer.
Theyare:
EducationSecretaryGavinWilliamsonsaidtheGovernmentwouldbepreparedtowaivethenewly-qualifiedteacherstatustoensurenewteacherscurrentlyintrainingcanentertheclassroominSeptember.
DuringaninterviewwithSkyNews,hewasaskedwhether-fortraineeteacherswhowillnothavehadtherequiredclassroomtimebySeptember-theGovernmentwouldbepreparedtowaivethenewly-qualifiedteacherstatus.
MrWilliamsonsaid:"Wewillbepreparedtowaivethat,wewillbeworkingwithteachertrainingestablishmentsinordertodothis.
"We'realsostartingtorolloutsomethingcalledtheEarlyCareerFrameworkwhichinanumberofregionswillbestartingthenextacademicyearandrightacrossthecountrythefollowingyeartomakesurenewteachersaresupported."
GavinWilliamson,EducationSecretary,hassaidtheaimisforchildrentogettheirGCSEandA-levelresultsinthesummer.
Examshavealreadybeenruledout,soitsuggeststhatchildrenwillbegiventheirpredictedgrades.
HetoldtheBBC:"Ouraimwillbetoissueresultsinthesummerunderadifferentsystemthatwe'vedoneinthepastwithtraditionalexams."
TheEducationSecretaryinsistedchildrenwouldretaintherighttoappealtheirgradesiftheythinktheyhavebeenshort-changed.
AftertheGovernmenthasmetwithOfqual,MrWilliamsonsaidthefulldetailswillbereleasedonFriday.
OnWednesday,itwasannouncedthatschoolswillclosefromFriday.
Buttheywouldremainopentochildrenwhoseparentsarekeyworkers.
Laterontoday,therewillbeacompletelistofpeoplewhoareconsideredkeyworkers,GavinWilliamsontoldtheBBC.
NationalExpresssaiditisrunningreducedcoachservicesinasimilarwaytohowitoperatesonChristmasDay,duetothedropindemandcausedbythecoronavirus.
Thishastheeffectofremovingupto80percentofcapacity.
Japan'sstatevisittotheUKinMayhasbeenpostponed,BuckinghamPalacehasannounced.
Apalacestatementsaid:"AfterconsultationwithHerMajesty'sGovernmentandtheGovernmentofJapan,HerMajestyTheQueenhasagreedthat,inthecurrentcircumstances,theplannedstatevisittotheUnitedKingdominspring2020bytheirmajestiestheEmperorandEmpressofJapanshouldbepostponed.
"Thestatevisitwillberescheduledatalaterdate."
OnlinesupermarketOcadohasseengrowthdoubleinMarchasthebusinessisoverwhelmedbynewordersfrompeoplestayingindoorstoavoidthecoronaviruspandemic.
Theretailer,whichonWednesdaytemporarilyshutdownitswebsitetogiveitselfbreathingspace,saidthatsalesgrowthinthesecondquarteroftheyearwassofartwicethatinthethreemonthsendingMarch1.
Ocadosaiditisworkingwithitssupplierstoincreaseitsstockinrelevantcategories.
However,itdidnotincreasefinancialguidancefortheyear,sayingthespikeinordersnowcouldmeanafall-offlaterascustomersburnthroughtheirsuppliesinsteadoforderingmorefood.
AskedifthereareplansinplaceforLondontoshutdownandfortheonlythingsopeninthecapitaltobeshops,supermarketsandpharmacies,theEducationSecretarysaid:"ThePrimeMinistersaidyesterdaytherecurrentlyisn'ttheintentiontolockdownLondon,butobviouslylookingatthescientificadvice...nodecisionhasbeenmade."
EducationSecretaryGavinWilliamsonhassaidchildrennotatschoolshouldnotbehangingaroundwiththeirfriendsandshouldn'tbecaredforbytheirgrandparents.
HetoldSkyNewsitwas"essential"forthemtobeapartofsocialdistancing.
Withsomanypeopleworkingfromhome,interactionwithpetsmightwellbeatanall-timehigh.
So,here'showtoprotectthemduringthepandemic:
Here'sthepotentiallypromisingnewsfromourAsiaCorrespondentNicolaSmith:
AteamofSingapore-basedscientistshasuncoveredthefirstglimmerofhopethattheCOVID-19viruscouldbemutatingintoalessvirulentstrainafterdiscoveringkeyproteinsuspectedtoaffectthevirus’stransmissionandseverityhasdisappearedinsomepatients.
Inanacademicpaper,stillunderpeerreviewbutprovidedtoTheAustralian,theDukeNationalUniversityofSingaporeteamreportedtheprotein“deletion”discoveredineightSingapore-patientsbetweenFebruary9andMarch2wasconsistentwiththosefoundatthetailendofthe2003SARSoutbreak,andcouldsignalaweakeningofthedisease.
DukeNUSteamleaderWangLinfa,anAustralianvirologistwhosequencedandnamedAustralia’sbat-borneHendrahorsevirus,saidthediscoverywassignificantbecause“it’simportantfortheworldtoknowthat,justlikeSARSandMERS,(COVID-19)canchange”.
AmongthefirsthallmarksofthenovelcoronavirusidentifiedearlybyWorldHealthOrganisationscientistswasthatitwas-geneticallymorestablethanits-severeacuterespiratorysyndromeandMiddleEastrespiratorysyndromepredecessors.
InavideoviewedmorethantwomilliontimesonInstagram,IsraeliWonderWomanstarGadotexplainsshehasbeeninisolationforsixdaysandtheglobalcrisishasleftherfeeling"philosophical".
The34-year-oldaddedshehadbeeninspiredbyaviralvideofromItaly-whichisinlockdownafterbeingdevastatedbythevirus-ofamanplayingImagineonhistrumpetwhilequarantinedneighboursjoininfromtheirhomes.
GadotsangtheintrotoLennon's1971classicbeforeahostofcelebritiestookitinturnstosingportionsofthesong.
AswellasOscar-winningactressPortmanandNorthernIrishstarDornan,theyincludeSia,PedroPascal,ZoeKravitz,ChrisO'Dowd,LeslieOdomJr,EddieBenjamin,AshleyBenson,LyndaCarter,JimmyFallon,WillFerrell,NorahJones,KaiaGerber,CaraDelevingne,AnnieMumolo,LabrinthandMayaRudolph.
Hereisalookatwhatyou'llseeonyournewstandsthismorning:
TheorganisersoftheTokyoOlympicGameshaveplayeddownreportsthatticket-holderswillnotberefundediftheeventiscancelledandcriticiseddebateoverwhethertheGamesshouldbeheldinthefaceoftheglobalcoronaviruspandemic,JulianRyallreports.
Thetermsdefineforcemajeureas,“AnycausebeyondTokyo2020’sreasonablecontrol,including,withoutlimitation,actsofGod,war,insurrection,riot,civildisturbance,actsofterrorism,fire,explosion,flood,theft,maliciousdamage,strike,lockout,weather,thirdpartyinjunction,nationaldefencerequirements,publichealthemergency,andactsorregulationsofnationalorlocalgovernments”.
AustralianPrimeMinisterScottMorrisonsaysallnon-citizensandnon-residentswouldbebannedfromenteringthecountryfrom9pmonFriday.
"TheoverwhelmingproportionofcasesinAustraliahavebeenimported,"MrMorrisontoldatelevisedbriefinginCanberra.
Australiahasrecordedaround600coronavirusinfectionsandsixdeaths,arelativelysmallnumbercomparedtoothercountries,butofficialsaregrowingincreasinglyconcernedabouttheprospectofarapidspikeincases.
Acrossthewater,NewZealandalsocloseditsborderstoallforeignersfrommidnightonThursday.
PrimeMinisterJacindaArderntoldapressconferencethatcitizensandpermanentresidentscanstillreturn,buttheiroptionsarerunningoutasmanycommercialairlinesarecancellingflights.
"Wewillnotolerateriskatourborders,"MsArdernsaidatanewsconference,addingthatborderswillremainopenforfreightandcargoandurgedpeoplenottopanic-shop.
NewZealandhassofarconfirmed28casesofthecoronavirus.
TransportforLondonsaysitwillrunareducedserviceinthecapitalfromtoday.
Itsaystheplansweredesignedtoallowcriticalworkerstomakeessentialjourneysandwillseeupto40stationswhichdonotinterchangewithotherlinesclosedontheTubenetwork.
Busesinthecapitalwillbereducedandpeoplearebeingurged"nottousepublictransportforanythingotherthanessentialjourneys"andtheWaterlooandCitylineandNightTubeserviceswillnotrunfromFriday.
Stationswhichcouldbeaffectedinclude:
Australia'scentralbankhasmadeanemergencyinterestratecuttoahistoriclowof0.25percentyaspartofseveralmeasurestocounterthefalloutfromthecoronaviruspandemic.
TheReserveBankofAustraliaboardcutthecashrateaquarterpointandsaiditwouldremainatthisrecordlow"untilprogressisbeingmadetowardsfullemployment".
Othermeasuresincludedofgovernmentbondpurchasesandsupportforthebankingsector,itsaid.
TwoUSlawmakersonWednesdaybecamethefirstmembersofCongresstoannouncetheyhavetestedpositiveforthenovelcoronavirus.
CongressmanMarioDiaz-Balart'sofficesaidinastatementthat"justashortwhileago,hewasnotifiedthathehastestedpositiveforCovid-19".
TheRepublican,whorepresentspartofMiami,followsthatcity'smayor,FrancisSuarez,whoannouncedthathehadtestedpositiveforcoronaviruslastweek.
TheyarefollowingCDC-specifiedself-isolationguidelinesattheirhomes.
TheEuropeanCentralBankonWednesdayunexpectedlysaiditwouldspend750billioneuros(￡709bn)on"emergency"bondpurchases,asitjoinedothercentralbanksinsteppingupeffortstocontaintheeconomicdamagefromthecoronavirus.
JohanLundgren,whoappearedinapre-recordedinterviewwithRobertPestononITVonWednesdayevening,saidtheairlinehassofarcancelled14,000flightsthismonthastheviruscontinuestospread.
HiswarningcameasRyanairannounceditwillcancelmorethanfouroutoffiveflightsbetweenThursdayandMarch24withanexceptionfor"essentialconnectivity"journeys.AirlineJet2.comhassuspendedallofitsflightsuntilnextmonth.
DuringhisinterviewonPeston,MrLundgrensaid:"EverythingfromtheGulfWartothe9/11totheSarsandthefinancialcrisisin2008andashcloud,thereisnothingasbadaswhatIseerightnow.Andtheissuearounditisreallytheuncertainty.Youknow,whenisthisgoingtoend"
Headded:"Ifwedon'tgetsufficientlevelsofsupportfromtheGovernmentandthiscontinuesforthatperiodoftime,theaviationindustrywillnotbeintact."
ThereismixednewsforChinathismorning.
ItreportednonewdomesticcasesofthecoronavirusforthefirsttimesinceitstartedrecordingtheminJanuary...butitrecordedasharpriseininfectionsimportedfromabroad.
Therewere34casesthatwerebroughtinfromabroad,thebiggestdailyincreaseintwoweeks,accordingtotheNationalHealthCommission.
Tenthousandtroopsareonstandbytocombatcoronaviruswithplanstorunhotelsashospitalsandmanroadblocksifrequired.
ThenewCovidSupportForce,madeupofRegularandReserveunits,couldbedoubledto20,000ifnecessary,theDefenceSecretaryhasannounced.
DefenceSecretaryBenWallacesaid:“ThemenandwomenofourArmedForcesstandreadytoprotectBritainandhercitizensfromallthreats,includingCovid-19."
NHShospitalsoutsideLondonareatgreaterriskofbecomingoverwhelmedduringamajorcoronavirusepidemic,accordingtonewanalysis.