this is bbc news. the headlines at 7pm: 1a more patients who tested positive for coronavirus have died, bringing the number of deaths in the uk to 35. the health secretary warns that measures to combat coronavirus will disrupt the lives of everybody — and older people and those with underlying health conditions will be asked to stay at home. the protection of the vulnerable and elderly by asking them to stay away, to stay at home, that is in our action plan, but we do not want formally to say yet that people should do that. british companies are urged to join a national effort to produce more ventilators and other medical equipment at speed. huge queues today as supermarkets urge shoppers not to buy more than they need,

saying there is enough for everyone if people are considerate. the eu warns its member states against closing borders, saying checks at frontiers are increasing the risk of shortages. in this moment of crisis it is of utmost importance to keep our internal market going. and in around 20 minutes, we'll be joined by gp, dr phillipa kay, to answer your questions on the coronavirus outbreak. good evening. the government says that in the coming weeks it will advise people over the age of 70 and those with underlying health conditions, to stay at home to protect themselves from coronavirus.

the health secretary matt hancock warned that when this measure comes it will be for a long period. so far in the uk 35 people have died, with nearly m00 infected. the health secretary says he will ask manufacturers to see if they could switch their production lines to making extra ventilators for the nhs. also today, supermarkets are warning against panic—buying. we'll have reports about the situation in the uk and around the world , and later in the hour we'll be asking some of your questions about coronavirus symptoms and self—isolation , but first here's our home editor mark easton with the latest. the centre of leeds today, as the government warns we may be just weeks from asking britain's elderly to go into self—imposed quarantine. to protect those most vulnerable to the virus, ministers plan to encourage more than 10 million pensioners and those with respiratory conditions to consider isolating themselves for what may be several months.

we do not want formally to say yet that people should do that, and the reason for that is simply this length of time that they'd need to stay self—isolated, stay—at—home, to protect themselves, is a very big ask, it's a very long time. it is a big ask, a measure that poses agonising questions for every family. both myself and my wife have elderly parents who at the minute are relatively physically fit, but we've had to change plans with having them looking after our children. my mum, she's 87 now, and i've given her the advice myself to stay in and not go out. whatever they advise, we'll have to follow, won't we? so, we trust in them, don't we? the government knows there's a balance between shielding at—risk groups from the virus at its height and exposing them to the health risks of loneliness, anxiety and depression. i've got underlying circumstances and, yeah, i'm 77, so i'm right into that category and i don't fancy it. i do think we do have to take it very serious, and people to protect themselves.

hasn't everything gone crazy, you're just walking around, people are going constantly. some nursing homes are already restricting or stopping visits, but what if you're caring for someone in their own home? the health secretary says britain will need an army of volunteers. every single person in this country is going to be affected and going to have to do things. if you are healthy and they are healthy, then please go and help them. the government's plan is based on reducing infections while increasing nhs capacity. this is how the virus might spread without interventions. scientific advisors hope the peak of the virus can be delayed, allowing time for the health service to free up more beds, train more staff and source more equipment. hospitals like this one in central london may soon run out of intensive care beds, so, one idea is to requisition what these days are largely empty hotels, for extra space, drafting and retired medics and volunteers to treat and support patients. operating theatres, with their supply of oxygen,

may be used as emergency wards. there aren't nearly enough medical ventilators in britain for those whose lives may depend on them, so the government is asking engineering companies to switch resources to making as many of those as possible. and tonight, it was confirmed that nick matthews, a 59—year—old former police officer from somerset, is among those who've died after testing positive for the virus. he'd previously suffered a heart attack and had been off work. ministers don't want to spread panic along with the infection, but they do want to prepare the country for some very difficult days ahead. mark easton, bbc news. with me is out political correspondent, jessica parker. jessica, there has been criticism this weekend, let's be frank, about the communication is coming from the government, talk about the criticism and the response, if you would? among the critics, the labour party says the government needs to step up

its communications, daily press conferences and that type of thing. first of all, on this issue of herd immunity, patrick vallance talked about this on friday, building up some kind of herd immunity, a lot of people being infected with the virus, but building up community and that can protect the population in the longer term. matt hancock the health secretary, saying that is not the aim. so mix to messaging there. and yesterday we had this idea spelling out that vulnerable groups in people over 70 could be asked to stay at home for many weeks, if not months. matt hancock clarified the situation somewhat saying that is in the actual plan, but not for a number of weeks. but it is the important messaging that affects peoples lives very deeply and that needs to be coming clearly from the government. also, a lot of questions about why britain is taking the

approach it is taking, when other countries seem to be much more stringent in what they are telling people to do? downing street have said all along, they continue to say that they are taking a science led approach. they are being led by the scientist. interestingly, the modelling that the scientific advisers are using that produces the data that downing street government are to some extent, basing their approach on, they have called for it to be published. my understanding is it will be published in the coming week so people can see the basis the government are basing their approach. scotland have already moved to stop mass gatherings of more than 500 people. we learned friday night into saturday morning, the uk will look into banning mass gatherings as well. then the issue in northern ireland and ireland. ireland have moved to close schools and colleges in northern ireland

haven't. due to the nature of cross—border co—operation, another nine and needs to move faster on that situation. there is a cobra meeting tomorrow, what might we see in terms of legislation to make sure that everybody understands what they can and cannot do. a lot will be happening this week i'm moving from the government side. so cobra, chaired by the prime minister tomorrow. we think there will be more advice in terms of how elderly people can, not necessarily self—isolate, but socially distance themselves and remove the chances, reduce the chances of catching the infection. in terms of emergency legislation, i think it will take in this issue of stopping mass gatherings. we will see what will count as a mass gathering of what powers the government will adopt. 0ther powers the government will adopt. other things that have previously been talked about, are changing the limits on class sizes. where there isa limits on class sizes. where there is a statutory class size limit of

30 children, you could lift that in orderfor more children 30 children, you could lift that in order for more children to be taught by one teacher in case of teacher shortages. jessica, thank you very much. let's see how families can plan ahead if people over the age of 70 are asked to stay at home for weeks, if not months. annabeljames is the director of agespace, an organisation that helps to share advice on elderly care. she joins us from west london. annabel, thank you forjoining us on bbc news. we seem to have a bit of warning that this could be coming down the track. how can families or neighbours, relatives try to use this time to get ready for older people having to self—isolate? this time to get ready for older people having to self—isolate ?m this time to get ready for older people having to self-isolate? it is absolutely key. we have produced a guide today with some practical things people can do now to plan ahead. we have broken it down to three areas. lots of elderly people, medication is a bit concerned. if you haven't already, get a list together of what medications your

pa rents together of what medications your parents and relatives take. sign them up get them to sign up for the electronic prescription service, which should be available to the gp surgery which should be available to the gp surgery online. that will get medication delivered to a local pharmacy. 0h, medication delivered to a local pharmacy. oh, if someone can collect it, they can sign up with the high street chemist to get medication delivered to the door. 0bviously food and household goods is a massive issue. 0nline deliveries, i know they have been swamped, but hopefully that will get a bit better. a lot of this is about planning ahead so try to register online if you can. you may need to book weeks ahead, but if you can it is worth doing. the third area is the nature of isolation for a long time. if your parents are not internet savvy oh smartphone savvy, perhaps now is the time to try and get that in place so you can have whatsapp and skype groups, do a little bit of practice and try to make it work. so you have got that,

if nothing else. what we already seen, street groups, community groups, they are coming together in terms of food delivery and meal preparation. it will be a huge team effort and for a family, it is about building a network around their pa rents building a network around their parents and relatives to try and piece it together a bit until we know more. we have just heard in the last few minutes six residents in a ca re last few minutes six residents in a care home in north lanarkshire have tested positive for corona and and other care home said they have isolated the residents. they don't need hospital treatment but no visitors will be allowed inside the home. whether you are in your own home. whether you are in your own home or a care home, this is going to bea home or a care home, this is going to be a big adjustment for many, many people? it is an enormous adjustment and we haven't even begun to understand that, i don't think. there are concerns people are not internet savvy and somehow we will

have to find a way to combine a human response with a technical response. if your parents are in a ca re response. if your parents are in a care home, perhaps you can give them a laptop oran care home, perhaps you can give them a laptop or an ipad two star to have regular communications. i know some ca re regular communications. i know some care homes are beginning to do that already. how do people keep their spirits up then? if you are not going to be able to get out, you can maybe only totter around your home, a garden, if you are lucky enough to have one, contact over the phone is one thing but the face—to—face, in the same room contact, it is hard to beat that isn't it? it is impossible. that is something we will have to get our heads around in the next few days. there are some difficult conversations families are going to have to have about how we manage this for our elderly parents. as we know, it is unprecedented. somehow we have to find our way through it and if working from home

means people have different options, perhaps then that might help families decide how they will deal with this, you know, with their families. it is going to be about building a network around our elderly people to try and give them the support, whatever it is.|j imagine the support, whatever it is.” imagine that some of the charities, particularly those that focus on older people will become quite critical in the organisation of networks, making sure nobody is fo rg otte n ? networks, making sure nobody is forgotten? absolutely. i think we have already seen the organisations are kicking into action, which is fantastic. in some respects, they have the same challenges we do. if you have a befriending service, going to people's doors might not be an option in the short to medium term. 0r actually going to visit people. how we deal with the social isolation, the two metre rule is going to become really important in the next few days. one of our make—up artists mentioned something

as well, she has already started to offer to walk dogs for people stuck at home? that seems to be, pets as well, it is a huge source of comfort for many elderly people. so looking after those pets is going to be critical. these local organisations are springing up, the lovely postcard you can download going through people's letterboxes if they wa nt through people's letterboxes if they want more help for dog walking, shopping or medication delivery. it really is going to be a huge team effort, i am afraid. i could be a good thing, we will see what we are made of. annabeljames, thank you very much for talking to us. thank you very much. just a quick line that has dropped from france, writers are saying the french health minister has announced that there are more than 5&00 coronavirus cases

in france. that is up from a449 in france. that is up from 4449 yesterday. so a rise of almost 1000 injusta yesterday. so a rise of almost 1000 injust a day. supermarkets yesterday. so a rise of almost 1000 in just a day. supermarkets are urging people not to buy more than they need as concern grows over stockpiling. in a joint letter, 12 large food retailers said they were working night and day to keep the nation fed and asked customers not to panic buy. here's our business correspondent katy austin. queues for supermarkets and shelves emptied of essentials like loo roll, hand wash and long life foods. pictures like these show shoppers aren't listening to official advice. how was it in there? absolute nightmare, to be perfectly honest. not a lot on the shelves left. no toilet roll at all. have you tried to stock up on anything yourself? yes, to be perfectly honest, just because everyone else is doing it. but they did limit us when we went to pay. it's a bit ridiculous. i can't find toilet paper. i'm looking for toilet paper for a couple of days, three days, actually.

supermarkets have had to adapt quickly by speeding up supplies, increasing warehouse space and they are running online delivery services at full capacity. they are also being allowed to extend their delivery hours. but still, many shops are limiting the purchases of the most in—demand products. here at aldi, customers are being asked not to buy more than four of anything. now food retailers have written to customers asking them to be considerate in the way they shop, telling them, "buying more than is needed can sometimes mean that others will be left without." they are reassured, though, there is enough for everyone if we all work together. the risk is that we alljust buy that little bit more than we actually need and if we all did that, then that would cause more of a problem in terms of making sure that we have the right supplies coming through the system. superstores may be selling out, but stocks are holding up better at corner shops, although they say wholesalers' prices have soared.

today's letter from retailers is a plea to all customers to stop panic buying for fear of overstretching the system and leaving the most vulnerable without what they need. katie austin, bbc news. train companies today joined airlines in calling for government support as passenger numbers drop because of coronavirus. it's thought the numbers using some rail lines last week were down by nearly a fifth. as airlines continue to struggle — ryanair has suspended all flights in and out of spain. here's our transport correspondent tom burridge. passenger numbers are significantly down at peak times in major train stations across the uk. as the coronavirus spreads, more people are working from home and avoiding nonessential travel. i do a lot of travelling with work, and now we've restricted that to dire need only, so a lot of work is being done via the internet, conference calls etc.

with what's happening at the moment, i think we are definitely like looking in a bit more detail and only going places where we have to go, so, yeah, i suppose our habits will be changing. the worry and expectation from train companies is that passenger numbers will continue to fall, so they are negotiating with government and they want relief on payments they make to run franchises. some train companies were already losing money before the coronavirus outbreak, so with passenger numbers falling, drastic measures are now needed from government, i'm told, if those companies are to survive. all of our travel habits will, for a period of time, change. my grandparents have just gone away to spain, and they are stuck in an airport at the moment, wondering whether they are going to get back, so it's made me think about travelling, obviously. ryanair is the latest airline to cut virtually all flights to and from spain for the coming days, the airline telling staff they'll have to take unpaid leave. job cuts could follow.

jonathan matthews was due to fly back home with ryanair tomorrow from ibiza. now we've read this lockdown that was supposed to start on monday has been brought forward is and we are not supposed to leave, so all today's plans are cancelled. this airline will temporarily lay off 9,000 of the 10,000 people it employs. tomorrow, virgin atlantic will tell the prime minister that uk airlines need a bailout of several billion pounds. the civil aviation authority called it the worst moment ever, as travel companies fight to survive. tom burridge, bbc news. let's take a look at some of the other updates on coronavirus around the world. south africa has closed it's borders to ‘high—risk‘ countries,

which include italy, the us and the uk among others, that comes into affect on the 18th march. germany is to restrict border entries from france, switzerland and austria. and ireland will shut all pubs from midnight tonight for two weeks, meaning they'll be closed on st patrick's day on tuesday. close to a complete lockdown came into force in spain today, with people banned from leaving home except to go to work, buy food or get medical care. in the last 24 hours spain has reported 2,000 new coronavirus cases and more than 100 deaths. damian grammaticas reports from madrid. she is gasping, grief stricken and infected with the virus. last night in this hospital, her husband died. today doctors have told her to go home. there are not enough beds to treat her, she is not sick enough, not yet. around her trying to calm her are her children, now at extreme risk as well. they want us to wear masks and keep a distance. spain is in the grip of the virus, everywhere it is close at hand. this woman told me the medics

working double shifts are overwhelmed and fearful of being infected themselves. translation: it so hard, you go home and you can't get close to your child or husband but it's what we have to do. and this is that frustration boiling over. don't come to the hospital if your symptoms are mild, the doctor says. people have to stop flooding emergency rooms. and so spain has ordered everyone off the streets. madrid, a major european capital, silent. the police and tell anyone they see to go home. unseen, the virus is propagating, and also the anxiety point of this is what happens when a country really starts to fear the threat posed by the put it is part of the madrid financial district

and look down here, one of the biggest avenues through the city. just two days ago this was full and almost empty. you are only allowed out to buy food or go to work. petrol stations are one of the few places that are open and people have to keep a distance. but spain was slower to do this than italy. they should have put up the measures before because we are neighbours. it was impossible that it was not going to spread to here. and last night, this happened... applause, all across spain, to thank the country's doctors. they came out of their clinics for a few minutes to acknowledge the gesture. and then got back to work on are trying to save hundreds more from succumbing to the virus. damian grammaticus,

bbc news, madrid. with me now david wright, a british expat from brighton who has been living over 15 years in almeria. david, thank you forjoining us. how did you prepare for this lockdown in spain? we have been watching the television, thinking it wouldn't really affect us. then the announcements on television and it went into lockdown straightaway. it has been quite difficult. we have been out today to the corner supermarket and it is a bit surreal. you have to wear gloves and masks to go and shop and spray our hands before you go in the shop and police monitoring people not buying too much. it is quite surreal. how are the shops keeping up with demand?

this morning there was basic foods available. it didn't seem too bad but water is very low, there was no bread this morning, no dairy products and the fruit and vegeta bles products and the fruit and vegetables were very low. but we've still got enough food to keep us going for a while. what are the consequences for people who do not observe the new rules? apparently now, the police have rights and powers to stop you and check where you are going, if it is not essential travel. they are imposing fines and we did see a lot of police on the road on the way back. 0bviously, spain is a very popular place for a lot of british people to move to, particularly in retirement, how are those communities trying to support each other through this?” have got to keep in touch with all my friends and family members here and people i have known over the yea rs and people i have known over the years from facebook. it is a similar scenario so people are rallying

round on the internet because you cannot go out anywhere, you cannot do anything. it really is a major lockdown everywhere. more than one person can only travel in a car, we have just been advised on the television. how well-prepared do you think people are for this? well, it was such a shock to us and we have been thinking about it for a while, watching it on television, progress through china and italy. even so, we literally had just a few hours to prepare and didn't realise until this morning how much of a lockdown it really is. even the tiny children's park at the end of the street that has a couple of swings and slides, has the police hazard tape around it. david, it is an extraordinary time in spain and it looks like a lot of other places are heading in the same direction. thank you for talking to us about what is

happening there. thank you. us officials say they're working to improve waiting times for health screening after chaotic scenes for returning travellers at some american airports. the trump administration's decision to include the uk and ireland in its european travel ban comes into effect on tuesday. 0ur washington correspondent jane 0'brien reports. as the last link to europe close, panicked americans rush to beat the travel ban. immigration at chicago 0'hare airport was overwhelmed, with passengers reporting enormous crowds and unsanitary conditions. here at washington's dallas airport, it seems the shutdown is already taking hell because it really is eerily quiet. this is normally one of the nation's busiest international hubs. looking at the arrivals board, there is only a handful of planes coming in from europe. americans returning ona in from europe. americans returning on a plane from london were grateful to be home. just given the timing,

we just were lucky, given we got back today instead of tomorrow because it would have been more hectic. the airline industry is reeling from the travel bans and cancellations as fewer americans risk travelling even within the country. american airlines, the well‘s second carrier is cutting capacity and suspending almost all long haul international flights from monday. the trump administration is promising sweeping measures to help pf°p up promising sweeping measures to help prop up the economy as america grinds to a halt. what i would focus on is one, what do we need to do right now? it is clear we need to get economic relief to the economy. a shortage of testing kits continues to hamper efforts to get an accurate picture of how far the coronavirus has spread. in denver, colorado, people queued for hours at one of the drive—through sites that is starting to open up. but at least one person has been cleared. president trump, who face public pressure after coming into contact

with an infected person, has now tested negative. but across the country, cases are rising and so is the death toll. jane 0'brien, bbc news, washington. now on bbc news, it's time for your questions answered. so many questions coming into bbc news throughout the pass few days on coronavirus, tonight we'll be answering some about symptoms and self—isolation. we can speak now to the gp dr philippa kaye, who joins us from north west. thank you forjoining us. daniel hutchens in northern ireland said she is concerned how young babies can be affected. she has a

three—month—old baby at home and wondering if she is at higher risk for getting the virus. she has also had a carfor over a week but no fever, any advice would be appreciated. -- a cough. children seem to be doing really well with this infection. they are getting it and they will get it, but they seem to have it madly or a symptomatically, so no symptoms at all. so they seem to be doing really well, which is reassuring and even if you were pregnant three months ago, there doesn't seem to be what we call vertical transmission. it doesn't seem to be able to travel through the placenta to affect the baby, so that is reassuring. it is not sure if you have the cough, or baby has the cough, if this is a new cuff, the guidance you have to isolate with your baby for seven days. thank you, i hope that helps. kevin robinson from grimsby says, once you have had and recovered from

coronavirus, can you be infected a second time? we are not exactly sure of the answer to this, but we think not. there seem to be a few cases where people seem to have tested positive twice. but in those situations, it's not clear whether or not they cleared the virus in the first place. so we think that you cannot get it twice, but we cannot promise that at the moment. chris from redcar says when the over 70s go into isolation, as we are being warned they might have to full weeks if not months, will i be able to go out? he is 63 but has partner is 81. it depends on the staging of quarantine and it is likely it will be done in stages. at the moment we are saying if you have symptoms use stay—at—home, it is likely the next stage would be if anybody in your household has symptoms he would have to self quarantine for 14 days. if