Belgium extends lockdown period until April 18: RTBF
Belgium has extended its lockdown over the coronavirus crisis by two weeks until April 18, Belgian broadcaster RTBF said on Friday.
France extends lockdown to April 15 as coronavirus wave swamps Paris
France will extend a national lockdown until April 15 after reporting its biggest daily death toll from coronavirus, its prime minister said on Friday, and officials warned that hospitals around Paris could be overwhelmed in 48 hours.
PM Johnson’s central role to UK virus response entitled him to test: health official
People with a central role in co-ordinating the response to coronavirus will be prioritized for testing along with those with severe symptoms, a health official said on Friday after Prime Minister Boris Johnson tested positive.
Spain acts to prevent layoffs as rising coronavirus death toll stabilises
Spain’s government approved measures on Friday to prevent employers using the coronavirus outbreak as an excuse to fire staff after health officials said the rising death toll was stabilising.
Coronavirus cases top half a million, protective gear lacking: WHO
Coronavirus has infected more than half a million people and killed more than 20,000 globally, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday, as he appealed again for protective gear for medical staff working to save lives.
UK’s Royal Mint making coronavirus protective gear for health staff
The Royal Mint, the world’s largest maker and supplier of coins, said on Friday it has started manufacturing visors for Britain’s medical staff to protect them from coronavirus.
British PM Johnson has coronavirus, self-isolates in Downing Street
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for the coronavirus and is self-isolating at his Downing Street residence but said he would still lead the government’s response to the accelerating outbreak.
Britain to increase coronavirus tests for frontline workers: Gove
Britain is boosting the number of coronavirus tests available to frontline workers, Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said on Friday, with new capacity being rolled out immediately and increasing dramatically next week.
Finland begins to block roads to Helsinki
Police and the Finnish army set up roadblocks on all routes that connect Helsinki with the rest of the country, while the government rushed legislation through parliament to enforce the capital region’s coronavirus blockade by midnight on Friday.
UK approves two new temporary hospitals in Birmingham and Manchester
Britain will build a further two hospitals to handle coronavirus patients, the head of England’s publicly funded National Health Service (NHS) said on Friday.
