Boris Johnson said the coronavirus outbreak was “the worst public health crisis for a generation” and the number of cases could be “much higher” than had been confirmed.
As he confirmed that the country was moving to stage two, the delay stage of its precautions, he announced that nyone with a new persistent cough or high temperature is now advised to self-isolate for seven days.
Schoo trips abroad will be banned from Friday, and older people and those with pre-existing health conditions have been told not to go on cruises.
Johnson said he had to level with the British public that “many more families are going to lose loved ones before their time”.
A total of 590 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 9am on Thursday, up from 456 at the same point on Wednesday, the Department of Health said.The 134 daily increase is the biggest numerical rise so far.
Two more people have died from the infection taking the total up to ten.They were an 89-year-old at Charing Cross Hospital in London and a woman in her 60s at Queen’s Hospital in Romford, NHS England said. They both had underlying health conditions.
Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has announced a ban on gatherings of over 500 people in Scotland.
The electoral commission has called for May’s local elections to be postponed
Ireland has announced that it will be shutting schools, colleges and childcare facilities from tomorrow as part of a partial lockdown that will apply from 6pm tonight until 29 March.
Leo Varadkar, the taoiseach, also announced that indoor gatherings of 100 people or more and outdoor gatherings of 500 or more will be cancelled.
Varadkar said he was acting on new medical advice the government had received following a meeting of the national emergency team last night.
“The virus is all over the world, it will continue to spread but it can be slowed,”
India has barred the entry of all foreign tourists for one month starting tomorrow in a bid to contain the coronavirus.The ban on foreign visitors includes foreign nationals of Indian origin. Only diplomats, officials and members of international organisations such as the UN are exempt.
Real Madrid, Manchester City’s opponents next week in the Champion’s League at the Etihad stadium have put their squad into quarantine as all football matches in Spain’s top division, La Liga, have been suspended for two weeks.Next week’s Champions League meeting with Manchester City has now been postponed.
