the evidence tells us that stopping mass gatherings does not have a huge impact on the spread of the virus, but for example, the decision has been taken in some countries because of the impact on public services and because when you have a mass gathering, this is bbc news. it draws on the police i'm lewis vaughan—jones. and the ambulance service our top stories: who need to support it. today, the death toll in the uk jumped, almost doubling from 11 spain introduces strict to 21 patients. new emergency measures as it's all those who lost their lives announced the wife of the prime were in the at risk groups, aged over 60 with underlying conditions. there are now more than 1,100 minister has the coronavirus. confirmed cases in the uk. one of them is a newborn baby and its mother but officials believe the true figure could be as many as 10,000. a partial lockdown has come the world health organization into effect in france. has raised serious concerns restaurants, cafes, cinemas about the uk's handling and nightclubs and all non—essential businesses have closed. of the outbreak and its aim —— and its strategy to allow enough people to be infected with the virus who then president trump is extending recover, in order to build up his ban on flights so—called herd immunity. from europe to include the united kingdom and ireland. and we look the impact meanwhile, hundreds of coronavirus is having on religious scientists have risen to the practice around the world. government urging them to introduce tougher measures to stop the virus spreading, and warning of the risks of a lack of action, and other experts agree. the uk government response has, in my view, placed the country at a considerable higher risk of becoming the next domino

to fall in the series of outbreaks we have seen around the world. remember this, if you cut your hello and welcome to bbc world news. number of contacts in half then in spain, it's been confirmed that you have cut in half the number begona gomez, the wife of opportunities the virus of the country's prime has to transmit. minister pedro sanchez, if everybody were to do has tested positive that there would be a chance for the coronavirus. of slowing the infection the news came just hours to the extent you would not be after the prime minister announced overwhelming the nhs. a nationwide lockdown for 15 days. people can only leave their homes the government is keen to stress it is following to go to work, buy food, or in an emergency. so far more than 190 the government has announced it people have died in spain, is developing plans for more second only in europe to italy, where another 175 people died new ventilators to be produced on saturday, bringing the total as quickly as possible, and said the nhs will buy a hudson there to well over 1,400. private hospitals to boost our correspondent sima kotecha has capacity. it has insisted its approach is the best way to keep the public safe, and it stressed those with a dry cough and a fever should self sent us this report from rome. isolate. willem vans hike is a professor of microbiology and infection at the university of birmingham. he's one of the signatories to the letter. he says the government plan for "herd immunity" may not they sing italian national anthem. work in this case. through a health crisis, italy turns to song. stringent measures restricting movement has led to this, from north to south. but behind the music, more than 1,000 have died.

at a hospital in rome, doctors who helped with the outbreak the concepts of herd immunity is mostly thought of in terms in china are visiting of vaccination. but we don't have a vaccine right now. so the only way we could to advise and support. potentially get immunity to devices by getting the infection ourselves. hopefully, speaks mandarin. once we have had the infection we believe that colleagues in italy and have recovered, then we will a long lasting immunity. have done a very good job. so that is one concern. we don't actually know weather they believe early detection there is long lasting immunity is key and medics here say their experiences to the virus that causes covid—19, and the other concern are invaluable. is that there will be it is always important to have exchanges. some of these medical doctors were on the front line substantial morbidity and in the beginning of the epicentre fidelity associated with this in wuhan so they have developed disease. protocols and they have a downing street spokesperson treated lots of patients, gave us this statement in response. "as confirmed by the scientific advisory group for emergencies, especially about the severe cases. we will be instituting our next i have understood they have planned interventions soon. important exchanges about the protocols. "we will publish the modelling and data considered by the group. we continue to be guided by the advice of the chief it was preferred that media medical officer and chief on site wore a mask. scientific adviser." this is the main hospital in rome in other developments, where people who have israeli prime minister benjamin neta nyahu has announced coronavirus are treated. all shopping centres, gyms, and restaurants will be closed, prohibiting gatherings of over 10 people. the greek police and army personnel stationed along the turkish border to stop

the entry of migrants into the country have been preve ntitavely tested for the virus. bolivia will ban the entry of passengers from china, south korea, italy and spain in an effort prevent further spread. it has confirmed 10 cases so far. the un—recognised tripoli government of libya has declared a national state of emergency and will close allairand sea some hospitals in the north, ports form monday. where most of the cases are, continue to struggle to cope. like in italy, some parts of spain are already under strict measures as the government prepares to enter and thousands of tourists have a 15—day state of emergency. translation: it's not comfortable for anyone, been stranded in morocco but it is the best we can do. go out only when necessary, after the country enacted perhaps get disposable gloves its own border restrictions, for not touching doors or keys leaving travelers stuck at border crossings, ports and airports. when we enter, that kind of thing. and, well, just stay quiet at home. the white house doctor says president trump has tested translation: it's negative for coronavirus. mr trump underwent the check all very worrying. let's hope it lasts not only 15 on saturday, days after hosting a meeting with the brazilian days, but a month or two, president, some of whose that we are careful at home, entourage have tested positive. and go out as little as possible. the famed latin vibrancy is fading as families cut themselves off and the meanwhile, as it tries to limit outbreak continues. the spread of covid—19, a first death has been recorded

strict measures to tackle in the southern state the spread of coronavirus have of louisiana, while georgia been introduced elsewhere will postpone its presidential in europe, too. france is closing all primaries from 24 public spaces described march until mid—may. as non—essential for public 0ur washington correspondent life, such as cafes and cinemas. jane 0'brien reports. and authorities in the german capital, berlin, limits on public and private gatherings to no more a new sense of urgency than 50 people. in the us, as more than 500 with more, here's rich preston. additional cases are confirmed and the death toll rises to 50. testing is being ramped up, and for donald trump, it has become personal. facing criticism after being exposed to an infected person governments across europe are several days ago, he says under pressure to act now to he is now being tested. limit the spread of covid—i9. i decided i should, based on the press conference yesterday, and people asking, france has announced strict new did i take the test? rules severely limiting public how long before movement and interactions, you get results? i don't know how long it forcibly closing public places described as non—essential to the life of the country. takes, one day, two days. translation: these include restau ra nts, translation: these include restaurants, cafe ‘s, cinemas and nightclubs. places of worship will remain open, but ceremonies will be postponed. after a slow and at times mixed response, americans are reeling it also includes all businesses from the disruption accept essential shops. food to their lives. many are stockpiling food and medicine and confronting social restrictions. shops, pharmacies, petrol museums has closed and gatherings are limited. stations, banks and tobacco there are few economic safety nets in the us,

shops. all public services and millions of americans have no health insurance. essential to the life of our lawmakers have passed emergency fellow citizens will remain measures offering paid sick leave and free testing. open. urban transport will most people without symptoms, or asymptomatic, aren't continue to operate, but i call being tested, and could still on the french people to reduce be spreading the disease. until you really understand how their travel and to avoid in many people are asymptomatic, their travel and to avoid in the city travel. france has and asymptomatically passing the virus on, we think it's better seen over 800 new cases of for the entire american public to know that the risk of serious illness may be low, covid—i9 since friday, bringing the total to just under 4500. but they could be potentially similar restrictions have been introduced in germany, europe's spreading the virus to others. biggest economy. in the capital, berlin, about on all the impact is perhaps events, public or private, with being felt most in the cities, more than 50 people, as well as which are starting to empty. the administration says the closure of bars, cinemas, there are no immediate plans to restrict domestic travel, clu bs, the closure of bars, cinemas, clubs, gyms and brothels. but the president says it is being considered. translation: it is very clear that all cultural events must in such a vast country, be limited stop restaurants, that would have been unthinkablejust a few days ago. but this is the new reality, food shops and markets will come now, be allowed to stay as america shuts down. open. germany has more than 3500 cases of coronavirus, and i spoke to dr aaron carrol, has had eight deaths. as poland director of the center for health policy and professionalism research at the university of indiana. records its third coronavirus i asked whether the us healthcare system has death, foreigners have been the capacity to deal banned from entering the

country. polish citizens returning from abroad will have with an outbreak like this. to be quarantined for 14 days. cafe ‘s, bars, restaurants and the united states is a big most shops accept food shops and pharmacies are closed. country. so of course some locations are going to be more ready than others. but in schools, universities, cinemas and museums are shut for two general, not as ready as we would like to be. we have weeks. and in croatia, certainly been way behind in quarantine rules on anyone testing. we don't have a real arriving from a lengthy list of accurate sense of how much community transmission there is. we don't have a real sense countries, including italy, of how many true cases there iran, south korea, the uk and are and where they are located. germany. 0n but that has left a somewhat iran, south korea, the uk and germany. on friday, the world unprepared for what is to come. health organization said europe was now the epicentre of but the us is a very rich, covid—i9, a virus which was wealthy nation. yes, which is first detected in china just over ten weeks ago. and in that why it is a bit of a surprise that we have been so bad at testing. lots of fingers are short time has spread around being pointed under it is the world, infecting more than certainly going to lead to some a people and killing more than investigations, i'm sure. but the problem exists nonetheless. 5800. in the united kingdom, more than 200 scientists have the other issue is that we sent a letter to the government criticising its coronavirus could easily be overwhelmed in strategy. there are over 1,100 confirmed cases here, oui’ could easily be overwhelmed in our capacity to provide high and 21 deaths. intensity care for people who truly get sick. while we have a but prime minister boris lot of intensive care unit beds johnson hasn't closed schools or introduced travel and a lot of ventilators, they

are not evenly spread, and a restrictions. lot of them are being used already because hospitals don't big public gatherings stay in business by leaving are still allowed and there beds empty and their equipment is no advice to work from home. unused, and if a lot of people people with mild symptoms get sick at the same time it won't be tested, but instead could easily overwhelm what are being asked we've got. and what difference to stay at home. 00:07:13,017 --> 4294966103:13:29,430 sophie hutchinson has more. does the way that the healthcare does the way that the healthca re system does the way that the healthcare system is set up in the united states make? 0bviously most advanced, rich countries have a system organised by the state that protects everyone. what difference does it make in the united states? one of the biggest problem is that we have is that too many americans avoid care because of cost. they don't fill prescriptions they have been given, they don't get tests that have been ordered, they don't see a doctor when they have been told to, or because of the cost. we also have a real problem in the way that we design our out—of—pocket spending, in that it starts over again every january. so right about now eve ryo ne january. so right about now everyone is facing the highest levels of deductibles and copayments they are going to see for the entire year. that could lead some people not to go get testing, even if it were available, or when it is available, or when it is available, or when it is

available, or to get some of their early care they might need which can help prevent them from getting much worse. just worried about people being denied care of it is really intensive care, but of course but almost when it is too late. 0ur but almost when it is too late. our thanks to aaron carroll. stay with us on bbc news. still to come, will be speaking to a psychologist about how to deal with anxiety surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. today, we have closed the book on apartheid and that chapter. more than 3,000 subway passengers were affected. nausea, bleeding, headaches and a dimming of vision — all of this caused by an apparently organised attack. the trophy itself was on the pedestal in the middle of the cabinet here. now, this was an international trophy, and we understand

now that the search for it has become an international search. above all, this was a triumph for the christian democrats of the west, offering reunification as quickly as possible, and that's what the voters wanted. this is bbc news. the latest headlines: spain has introduced a 15—day state of emergency as it has also confirmed the wife of the spanish prime minister has tested positive with coronavirus. all non—essential services have closed in france as part of strict new measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus. more now on the news that the spanish prime minister's wife and two female cabinet ministers have tested positive for coronavirus.

all three took part in an international women's day march in madrid last weekend. miguel murado is a freelance journalist in madrid and he says there are likely to be political repercussions. this to be political repercussions. is going to be controversial, this is going to be controversial, because that huge demonstration on sunday because of women's date was seen because of women's date was seen by many voices who are wanting that this was a mistake, that those demonstration are very big in spain and that many people could get infected. the government allowed it to go ahead, and even encouraged people tojoin in ahead, and even encouraged people to join in the demonstrations, and even sent all the female cabinet ministers to the head of the demonstration. and now, as it happens, two of those female ministers have tested positive, and now the wife of the prime minister, who was also the head of the demonstration, has also

tested positive. so this is, in a way, i blow to the credibility of the government. also it means that the prime minister will have to be quarantined. but i think more generally, and leaving aside all these debates and controversies, it shows us how far the virus has gone, and the fa ct far the virus has gone, and the fact that people... you know that people that are famous are getting it in such huge numbers, it means that it is already everywhere. so that's the latest from spain there. the coronavirus is also having an impact on religious practice around the world. pope francis is delivering his wednesday and sunday addresses only via video link, churches and mosques in bethlehem are closed for at least the next two weeks, and the saudi arabian government is restricting access to the holy city of mecca. 0ur religion editor martin bashir reports. easter sunday last year, and more than 100,000 pilgrims gather in rome. but the church

of st peter, which for centuries has welcomed saints and sinners, is now closed. and it may stay that way this easter. so what of the catholic church in england and way?m we hear, in this country, asked to close churches for the celebration of mass, i will say yes, people should not come to mass, but yes, the churches should remain open, so that people can go and pray. and yes, i will ask priests to continue to celebrate mass, evenif continue to celebrate mass, even if they do it on their own. and everyone was singing along to all the songs. the church's wider ministry is also being impacted. almost 65 yea rs, being impacted. almost 65 years, the hosanna house and pilgrimage trust has taken disabled children to live in france every easter. it is the catholic church's oldest and

largest pilgrimage, but it is not happening this year. it was very difficult having to pick up very difficult having to pick up that phone and having to ring afamily up that phone and having to ring a family and explain the reasons why the pilgrimage wasn't going to be taking place. for a lot of these children, this could be the first holiday they have ever had. for the families, this could be the only respite care that they receive. coronavirus does not discriminate, and for muslims, the hajj pilgrimage to mecca, which attracts over 2 million pilgrims in july, mecca, which attracts over 2 million pilgrims injuly, is also now in jeopardy. million pilgrims injuly, is also now injeopardy. this mum in leeds is preparing worshippers for potential disappointment. is a person of faith, i believe that my god wa nts faith, i believe that my god wants me to not only protect my own self, but also protect the lives of others. and if that means postponing a particular obligation due to circumstances beyond my control, then i am following the message of god,

you know, by not performing that particular religious obligation. back in rome, the annual delivery of flowers from the netherlands, used to decorate st peters on easter sunday, has been cancelled, signalling the possibility that for the first time in modern history, this year's open air mass will not take place. let's turn now to the ways in which the coronavirus is affecting our mental health. with alarming news from around the world, and more and more people being forced to isolate, what are the impacts on our mental wellbeing, and what can we do? dana rose garfin is an assistant professor at the university of california in irvine, where she specialises in collective trauma and social psychology. she told me how people can manage the stress and anxiety caused by the coronavirus outbreak. well, i think it's really important that people do practice good self—care, even

in these times. we are seeing a lot of cancellations. people are having to stay—at—home from work, stay at home from school. we are seeing quarantines, which i expect here in the united states will probably only be increasing over time. and i think it's really important that people stay connected with their friends and loved ones. you know, maybe even using the time at home, if you have people that you live with, yourfamily you have people that you live with, your family or roommates, to spend time connecting with them. use the technology that we have available, staying connected with people on zoom 01’ connected with people on zoom orface time, so connected with people on zoom or face time, so you don't feel as isolated. and it is interesting, you know, spending more time in a confined space, there is a whole spectrum here, from just getting annoyed with the people that you live with a bit more, right down to the really serious side. you know, increases of violence within the home, and things like that. yes, i mean, ithink that the home, and things like that. yes, i mean, i think that was a real concern for people even when thinking about shutting down schools, and the like, because some children were not

necessarily going home to a positive environment. you know, they might be going home to an environment where the parents are very distressed about having to stay home from work, an environment where, even on a typical day, it might not be ideal. an environment where pa rents ideal. an environment where parents might not, even on a normal basis, have the resources to provide nutritious food for their children. and children really rely on school for those sorts of resources, a lot of children do. and just on quarantines there, how long can we go on for? are we equipped to go on and on and on, or is there inevitably a period where people start breaking them? you know, i don't think that we have really tested that in modern society. you know, i would encourage people to follow whatever guidelines are in place, and, you know, use the resources of the modern era to promote self—care. you know, if people find meditation to be comforting, or prayer, there's

lots of resources online that you could either do it by yourself, or even in conjunction with other people, at the same time. you know, to leverage those resources of technology to maybe create a feeling of connection, where, you know, it might be easy to feel very isolated. and i you know, it might be easy to feelvery isolated. and i am presuming academics, experts right around the world, will now be studying the effect of this. yes, they will. we're actually going to be launching study shortly to look at the long—term psychological effects of the coronavirus and the quarantine on a nationally representative sample of americans. so we will have more information for you after we collect that data. just before we go, some pictures from madrid shortly after the government announced after the government announced a national lockdown because of the coronavirus, thousands of residents taking to their balconies to applaud workers in the health sector.

applause the show of solidarity was called through social media and took place at 10pm local time. don't forget you can get in touch with me and some of my team on twitter. i'm @lvaughanjones. this is bbc news. goodbye. hello. well, the weather's going to be a little hit and miss early on sunday morning. some of us will need our brollies, for sure. but it won't be long before the sun comes out, and actually, for many of us, sunday is going to end up being a pretty decent day, with at least some sunshine. now, currentlya weather system is barrelling across the uk. it has brought rain to scotland and some other western parts of the uk. certainly through the early hours of sunday morning. you can see the rainfall here, falling across parts of wales, the south—west of england, and scotla nd the south—west of england, and scotland and northern ireland

too, but two different wind directions, one coming across the north across scotland. so here it is colder. also a little bit of wintering is across the highlands. here, the winds are blowing out of the south—west, so it's quite a bit milder. so i think i'll start to much of england and wales, but scotland and northern ireland will feel a little more chilli early on sunday. now, you can see the various areas of rain crossing the country, so of rain crossing the country, so this is a weather front that will bring some rain around lunchtime in the south—east and east anglia. showers and scotland, but the vast majority of the uk sunday afternoon enjoying a fine day. it won't be clear blue skies, at least the weather is looking dry and bright. now, monday, two things happening on the weather front. 0n the one hand, we've got high—pressure building in from the south—west. 0n the other, there is a low pressure lurking close to iceland. but the high pressure will be more dominant across the uk on monday, and early scenes outside of town probably looking something like this. so some mist, some frost around. crisp, sunny, calm conditions on monday. certainly across england and wales was not much of eastern scotland

too. but early in the morning, we will start to see weather fronts affecting or a weather fronts affecting or a weather front affecting western scotla nd front affecting western scotland and northern ireland here, and stronger winds. so very different weather here. but the vast majority of the uk, i think a fine day on monday. beautiful sunshine on the way. and then monday night into tuesday, that weather front‘s going to slip a little bit further south. in fact, it's trailing out into the atla ntic it's trailing out into the atlantic here, and there's another sort of pulse of rain running along it. so that does mean that we are expecting some rainfall to reach again north—western areas during the course of tuesday. that's a bit more cloud overall across the uk on tuesday. i think the sunniest spots will be on the south and on the east, but look at these temperatures. these are south—westerly winds, 15— 16 degrees tuesday for some of us. 16 degrees tuesday for some of us. monday and tuesday will feel like spring. and then towards the end of the week and into next week, it's not necessarily going to turn that one, but the winds will die down. the sun will come out, and we will have a high—pressure with crisp weather on the way.

this is bbc news, the headlines: spain's prime minister, pedro sanchez, has banned people from leaving home apart from for specific purposes, including to buy essential supplies and medicines and for work. it comes as his wife maria is tested positive for covid—19. france has brought in strict measures after seeing a sharp rise in infections. prime minister edouard philippe says non—essential public places will shut from midnight, including cafes, restaurants, cinemas and most shops. as many people as possible are being asked to work from home. the united states is tightening its travel restrictions as it tries to limit the spread of covid—19. a flight ban on europe's schengen travel zone has been extended to cover britain and ireland, while vice—president mike pence has said that internal travel restrictions are being considered.