jean mackenzie reports.mother died. so many lives here have been touched by loss, but the psychological scars spread far further — scars of isolation, of fear. and it's leaving this support centre overwhelmed. translation: some people call because they say "i want to suicide" because their life is not so good any more. some of them are very angry. some people call shouting, screaming. i scream sometimes. sometimes i go crazy with my head. for luca, who's a student, they lockdown has become unbearable — stuck in a small flat now for seven weeks. what was your reaction when they extended the lockdown this last time? i got crazy with my parents, with my friends by video chat. i said to them, "really, we have to stay more time at home?!" this isn't a country that talks much about mental health and there is no national system in place to help people through this pandemic, meaning charities must step in. we don't have enough psychology so in this kind of moment, we need the public system. we need a real public sys

the sound of hope returning. jean mackenzie, bbc news, rome.ld of sport, is it? normally it is one of the highlights of the british horse racing calendar but this year it was virtual after the real race was cancelled due to the real race was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. it was potter's corner that took first place. they beat runner—up in —— finishing third in the race stimulated through the use of computer imageries. makers were taking bets and profits going to the national health service. players have been told that the english premier league but did —— faces a penalty if the season is not finished and broadcasters demands refunds for matters not on other platforms. the break is led to burnley. that's a loss of matchday revenue worth £5million money that would still be lost if the league resumes behind closed doors as well as a £a5million deficit in broadcasting revenue. league leaders liverpool are to place some non—playing staff on temporary leave. the furlough will mean they get 80% of their salary through the uk government's

jean mackenzie, bbc news, rome.t home, as the death toll from coronavirus in the uk rises by 700, including a five—year—old boy. spain records its lowest number of deaths this week, as the government says the crisis might be reaching its peak there. sir keir starmer becomes labour leader and promises to work with the government to tackle the coronavirus crisis. speaking in a daily briefing at downing street earlier, the medical director of nhs england said that there was still capacity in the health service. posting on social media earlier today, one nurse who works in basildon in essex, said that staff there were doing all they can. people are appreciating that what we're doing, that we are staying away from our families and we're putting ourselves in danger to try and save other people's loved ones and it feels like... it feels like a losing battle, but it's not, because we've all got a hope that we are all trying to do, we're all trying to do what we can, and we're all sticking together, and although i am a bit o

jean mackenzie is in rome. siness since the lockdown began five weeks ago. yes, and it has really been that uncertainty that has been unbearable for them. this was supposed to be the final day of the lockdown here but the government has extended it for another three weeks. only a very small number of shops are allowed to reopen. and when you look at the numbers, you can see why. the number of new infections today is down, but the number of daily debts is up, there were more than 500. so although things are still moving in the right direction, they are moving very slowly and the government doesn't want to take any risks. but that leaves some small businesses really with no way out of this. the tables are still set for meals that were never served. chiara built this place for the people of rome to meet, eat, and play music. crowd sings but it's been five weeks since every restaurant in italy was shut down and, as the lockdown drags on, she's preparing to close for good. and this is the reality. when shops and busi

jean mackenzie, bbc news, rome.as given more details of tomorrow night's special broaddcast by the queen about the coronavirus emergency. our royal correspondent, nicholas witchell, is here — so what will she say? let mejust let me just put this podcast in context festival. —— let me put this broadcast in context. it is not wartime, but everyone is facing the same peril, everyone has a part to play. we are told it is a deeply personal message from the queen. she will talk about a challenging time which has already brought grief, financial difficulties and enormous changes for everyone. she will of course thank those on the front line in the nhs, in care homes, in essential services. she will recognise the pain that is already being felt by many families, and she will thank everyone for playing their part for following the government guidelines to protect the vulnerable. and then in what i think isa vulnerable. and then in what i think is a real echo of wartime spirit, almost, and have shared national purpose, she wi

jean mackenzie, bbc news, rome. let's get some of the day's other news.ek. the latest figures show nearly 700 people died, taking the total to 12,400. the country has just over 130,000 confirmed cases — sweden's king has urged to people to stay at home over the easter holidays in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus. the swedish government has been criticised for its softer measures to combat the disease. the colombian army has stepped up security along the border with ecuador, which has reported one of the highest number of cases of the disease in latin america. extra troops were deployed at dozens of illegal crossings. millions of people in india have followed the prime minister's plea to switch off, and light up candles for nine minutes, in a show of solidarity during the coronavirus crisis. but government critics have been quick to dismiss the movement, saying there's an urgent need to assist the country's poor. freya cole reports. the victory of light over darkness, prime minister modi's message during india's battle against covid—19. the country

jean mackenzie, bbc news, rome. let's get some of the day's other news.rus for more than a week. the latest figures show nearly 700 people died, taking the total to 12,400. the country has just over 130,000 confirmed cases, the second highest in the world after the us. south korea has reported fewer than 50 new coronavirus cases, its lowest daily total since the outbreak there peaked in february. the rate of infection has been dropping for weeks. fewer than 200 people have died. the colombian army has stepped up security along the border with ecuador, which has reported one of the highest number of cases of the disease in latin america. ecuador is using cardboard coffins due to a sought edge of caskets —— shortage. sweden's king has urged to people to stay at home over the easter holidays in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus. the swedish government has been criticised for its softer measures to combat the disease. ireland's prime minister, leo varadkar, has re—registered as a medical doctor to help out his country's health service. he'll do one shif

jean mackenzie has more from rome.pening for the first weekend since italy's lockdown began, albeit with some caveats. do you think this is safe? there are very few people, everything is under control, so, it's ok. what difference does it make, having the market open again? it seems like, you know, normal. but things are not normal. italy might have reached the peak of its epidemic, with fewer deaths here in the last day than in the uk, but the country is still in strict lockdown. as the infections plateau and even start to decrease and the weather keeps improving, it's going to be a real challenge for authorities to convince people to stay indoors and play the long game. because the lockdown is working, they say. just look at the hospitals, where the number of people in intensive care has fallen for the first time since this crisis began. the situation, for the first time after weeks, is not worsening any more. we are still working 12—15 hours per day. they are serious, they are critically ill, but we can now cope wit

jean mackenzie, bbc news, rome.ritish nationals home. there are an estimated 35,000 still in the country. it comes as thousands of other nationals, including europeans and russians remain stuck overseas. reged ahmad has more on their efforts to make it back. sad to be saying goodbye but relieved may be to be heading home. thousands of european citizens are travelling back on special flights. repatriated as the coronavirus crisis plays out around much of the world. translation: actually my return date expired and the airline had rescheduled it for the airline had rescheduled it for the end of this month. but it is going to take longer because covid—19 is spreading. ifound out about the repatriation fight and decided to return. translation: now we have to go back to france because we don't know what will happen with the virus in this country. we are of course hoping for the best but we don't know for some it's estimated a quarter of a million other europeans are so trying to get home. and it is not just them. the brit

jean mackenzie, bbc news, rome. how are you getting on?uld love to hear from you. please do stay with me this evening. how about there, the weekend brought plenty of sunshine for many of us and temperatures responded accordingly. sunday was the warmest day of the year so far, 22.2 degrees the highest temperature we recorded in west wales but for monday, something a little bit cooler. there will be sunshine around but there will also be some showers. so that plume of very warm air that wafted northwards across the uk through sunday is being replaced by something cooler from the atlantic moving in behind this frontal system. this front will continue to bring some operas of renter monday morning, becoming slow moving across east anglia and the south—east. you can see these outbreaks of rain trudging eastwards and for east anglia and the south—east the rain will turn heavier for a time during the morning. behind it we will see brighter skies and sunshine, one or two showers across england and wales, one or tomorrow across northern ireland and

jean mackenzie, bbc news, rome.lying health condition has become the youngest person in the uk to die after becoming infected with coronavirus. the latest figures show another record rise in the number of daily deaths — another 708 deaths takes the uk total to more than 4,300. 0ur science correspondent pallab ghosh reports. brighton beach would normally be packed on a day like this. but across the country, it seems that most people are following the government's instruction to stay at home. we haven't got all day. the police have been told to engage with those they suspect of breaching the guidelines, like these people having a barbecue, and advise them to return home. 0ne emotional and exhausted nurse posted a video after a shift in intensive care, explaining why it was so important for people to observe the guidelines. we're desperately short of staff and things are really difficult and we're all really struggling. so i'm just saying to you all to stay in. if you stay in and you don't spread it and you don't catch

jean mackenzie, bbc news.re than 100 new cases of the virus , the highest daily figure in more than five weeks. most of the latest infections are among chinese nationals returning from overseas. here's our china correspondent robin brant. they are particularly worried about imported cases, international travellers coming into china and bringing coronavirus with them. at the moment as well, there's a real cluster emerging in a province in the north, near the border with russia, heilongjiang, and we are seeing in recent weeks that a number of chinese nationals are crossing that border, a bit of a game of cat and mouse going on up there, bringing covid—19 with them. there is evidence as well, even in today's figures, we are seeing seven new domestic cases in that province, so evidence people are bringing it in and then they appear to be spreading it. the numbers that have been revealed in the last 2a hours of 108 new, confirmed cases in china, that is relatively small, obviously. but it will be worrying because t

from rome, jean mackenzie reports. at this moment i have no way to have money, no. started bringing food to those who can no longer afford to buy it. like stephano, who sells houses for a living, and now can't feed his two young children. living without money for more than one month. we change our life from one day to another one. everything changed, everything. it's not your life. casual work is common here, so for many the money has simply stopped. like for maria rosa. yesterday, her money ran out. these sacrifices have helped fight the epidemic here. the situation is finally improving, but the price has been high. this virus has taken thousands and thousands of lives, but it's also taken people's livelihoods, it's taken people's futures, it's taken some people's very last pennies. the government has promised to pay part of people's wages, but four weeks into this strict lockdown, the money hasn't arrived. applications only opened last week. do you accept it's taken too long for this money to come through? here, they've given up on political promises. italy may be

jean mackenzie, bbc news, rome. let's get some of the day's other news.o coronavirus for more than a week. the latest figures show nearly 700 people died, taking the total to 12,400. the country has just over 130,000 confirmed cases, the second highest in the world after the us. sweden's king has urged to people to stay at home over the easter holidays in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus. the swedish government has been criticised for its softer measures to combat the disease. the colombian army has stepped up security along the border with ecuador, which has reported one of the highest number of cases of the disease in latin america. extra troops were deployed at dozens of illegal crossings. and a tiger at a zoo in new york has tested positive for the coronavirus. nadia is thought to have contracted the virus from a keeper at the bronx zoo who didn't have any symptoms. she is one of several big cats there who has developed a dry cough. nadia is thought to be the first animal who has tested positive for the coronavirus and the us. millions of peopl

jean mackenzie, bbc news, rome.ry is "close to passing the peak of infections" as the number of coronavirus deaths fell for the second day in a row. but pedro sanchez also extended lockdown measures until the 25th of april, saying the restrictions were "saving lives". the toll of 809 deaths in one day, is the lowest in spain for a week. i spoke to marta gonzalez—freire, a biomedical scientist working for the balearic islands health research institute. her team is looking to test some existing drugs to see if they can treat covid—i9. we are trying to see if some of the everyday drugs already approved to treat other diseases could have some protective effect in covid patients so that is something we are doing here at this moment. and my understanding is that there are 69 existing drugs that have been identified that may have some impact on the virus. tell us about the drug you are looking at. we are looking at an anti—diabetic drug that currently is being tested as an anti—ageing drug as well. in this scientific repor

jean mackenzie, bbc news, rome., the queen will praise the country's self—discipline, and quiet good—humoured resolve in response to the crisis, when she makes a rare television address later on sunday. countries around the world increasingly scramble to get their hands on orders for personal protective gear, among them n95 respirator masks. earlier, president trump announced that the us is ordering the production of 180 million masks amid a row with germany over the supply of the vital protective equipment. the battle is just one element of a growing controversy, with us manufacturer 3m at the centre. reged ahmad reports. these are some of the protective masks desperately sought after by governments and health systems around the world. and orders are only increasing. in a sign of growing demand, the us has been accused of modern piracy by germany for intercepting 200,000 3m masks it had ordered and diverting them back to the us. both 3m and the white house deny the claims but 3m saying it doesn't even have a record

jean mackenzie, bbc news.ort packages worth tens of billions of pounds have been announced by the government to try and ease the economic damage of the pandemic. the treasury says those who don't qualify will be able to access a range of other measures but many businesses and workers who've lost their jobs say they've not received enough support. katy austin has been speaking to some of them. asking for help to ride out the pandemic. the government's emergency support schemes include enabling millions of employees to be furloughed, kept on while the state pays a proportion of wages, grants for some businesses in england, loans and financing schemes for small and large companies, grants for millions of self—employed people, and a range of other measures. but many firms and workers tell us they fall through the cracks. including junior, previously self employed, he started a newjob in mid—march but has since been made redundant. he started too late to be furloughed. we've been trying to make phone calls, to univ

jean mackenzie, bbc news, rome.y deaths linked to coronavirus for more than a week. the latest figures show nearly 700 people died, taking the total to 12,400. the country has just over 130,000 confirmed cases, the second highest in the world after the united states. nearly 400 companies that provide care for people in their own homes have told the bbc that they don't have enough personal protective equipment. some fear they will run out of supplies within days, with a serious impact on their ability to care for people with coronavirus symptoms. our social affairs correspondent alison holt has more. the number of coronavirus related hospital deaths in the uk has risen by 569 to just under 3000... suzanne catterall is a senior care worker in cumbria, supporting people in their own homes. she is at the sharp end of the care system. i'm just she is at the sharp end of the care system. i'mjust about she is at the sharp end of the care system. i'm just about to set off on my first goal of the day, it's 7am. her video dia

jean mackenzie, bbc news, rome.said the country is "close to passing the peak of infections" as the number of coronavirus deaths fell for the second day in a row. but pedro sanchez also extended lockdown measures until the 25th of april, saying the restrictions were "saving lives". the toll of 809 deaths in one day, is the lowest in spain for a week. i spoke to marta gonzalez—freire, a biomedical scientist working for the balearic islands health research institute. her team is looking to test some existing drugs to see if they can treat covid—19. we are trying to see if some of those fda drugs, already approved to treat other diseases, good work to pretend or have some protective effect encoded 19 infections. so thatis effect encoded 19 infections. so that is what we're doing at the moment. i understand that there are 69 existing drugs that have identified that may have some impact on the virus. tell us about the drug you are looking at. we are looking at in antidiabetic drug that is being tested as an anti—ageing d

jean mackenzie, bbc news.women are likely to be hardest hit by the effects of coronavirus on the economy, that's according to new research by the think—tank, the institute for fiscal studies. let's go to our business correspondent, ben thompson. then, why are these groups are the ha rd est then, why are these groups are the hardest hit? because they work in industries that are most likely to be affected by the shut down of business. we are talking about hospitality, retail, travel and tourism. those are the jobs that quite frankly you cannot do from home. women, for example, a third as likely as men to work in those industries. they make up the bulk of workers in retail and hospitality. those under the age of 25, two .5 times more likely to work in an industry that is badly affected by the shutdown. we should also bear in mind as well there are big questions about those jobs in future. many retailers and travel firms are saying they may struggle to get through the worst of this downturn without more government

the sound of hope returning. jean mackenzie, bbc news, rome. mount everest — clearly now is not the time, although one man remains undeterred. john griffin traded compass and crampons for a staircase and bannister, to climb the equivalent of the world's highest mountain, at home. duncan kennedy has more. wish me luck. here we go, bye. in these times of great uncertainty, life really does have its peaks and troughs. 0oh! that hurts. right. butjohn griffin has peaked higher than most... the total height is 8,850 metres. ..by climbing the equivalent of mount everest, using just the stairs in his house. just, it was an offhand remark to my wife, literally a week ago today, in the morning. i'd walked upstairs to the bedroom for the fifth time, and i said to her, "by the time this lockdown is over, i will have climbed everest." so he did it, for real. 29,000 feet — or 41,000 steps. i've got to get to 75% minimum today. six hours a day, forfour days, but coming down... ..doesn‘t count towards the total. just got to sit down for a minute. by day three,

jean mackenzie, bbc news.the lockdowns we've just been talking about, and the pub trade here in the uk is no exception. but there are no signs of pubs being able to unlock their doors in the near future. some have turned to takeaways and home deliveries, while others have poured their stock away, as our ireland correspondent emma vardy reports. there are thousands of gallons of lovingly—brewed beer right now going to waste. the landlord of the gardener's arms in norwich disposed of his ten real ales to the hymn played as the titanic sank. we have a cellar full of beer, which is probably all going to be out of date within the next two or three weeks. a lot of the brewers who brew with the products, they love what they do. it's really sad to think that all that beer and all that hard work is being wasted and thrown away. i drank a little bit, but i can't drink loads of it, so i think, all in all, we're up to nearly 6,000 gallons of beer that we're due to throw away. in cool rooms and cellars across the uk, it's

jean mackenzie, bbc news, rome.rus, is beginning to ease strict lockdown measures wet have brought its economy to a standstill. people in construction and some services are being allowed to return to work, but must stick to strict safety guidelines. staff and a british care home say they're devastated after it was revealed that 13 residents have died with coronavirus symptoms there. the suspected outbreak at the stanley park home in county durham was last month. peter harris has this report. the death toll continues to rise two weeks on. this care home confirm the number of deaths with suspected covid—19 has presented double figures. only one who died in hospital was actually tested for coronavirus and came out positive. but the symptoms of the others who died are consistent with the disease. the regional director carolyn morrison —— karen morrison said they are devastated at the loss of the residence and they said their condolences are with the families. she also praised the staff here who she said have been absolu

jean mackenzie reports from rome.tables still set for meals were never served. chiara built this place for the people of rome to meet, eat, and play music. but it has been five weeks since every restaurant in italy was shut down and, as the lockdown drags on, she is preparing to close for good. and this is the reality. when shops and businesses are reopened, it will be gradual and the places where you can't keep your distance will be last. we can't have a concert, we can't have a cinema. what about bars and restaurants? now it is impossible to imagine that the restaurants can reopen until the discovery of a vaccine, it's impossible to imagine that you can return to a normal life. in the meantime, the government is offering loa ns to the government is offering loans to keep them going. but these businesses are struggling to see their place in a socially distant future and fear that either time allowed to reopen the damage done will be so great it will be irreversible. this bar now resembles a ghost ship. another busine

jean mackenzie, bbc news, rome.sidents of a care home in glasgow have died over the past seven days, leading to concerns about a possible link to coronavirus. none of the residents were tested for the virus because they weren't admitted to hospital. 0ur scotland correspondent alexandra mackenzie is in glasgow. are care homes or looking after the frail list members of our families and the burlington court has 90 beds and the burlington court has 90 beds and i3 and the burlington court has 90 beds and 13 residents have died there in the last seven days. have you said, we don't know if this is definitely down to covid—i9. they were looked after, they weren't taken to hospital, so they weren't tested. but we do know that two members of staff have tested positive and that family members were told that there could be a connection with coronavirus. scotland's deputy first minister has expressed his condolences and he has said the deaths demonstrate the gravity of the threat that we face to our population. alexandra mckenzi

in italy, there is also hope that the crisis has passed its peak. 0ur europe correspondent jean mackenzie. we had some encouraging signs yesterday that not only has italy reached the peak of the epidemic but things are turning round. we had fewer deaths than the day before, 681, the first time the number of deaths has been in the 600s for over a week and the number of patients in intensive key has fallen for the first time. hospitals seeing some progress finally. the lockdown at the moment takes place until the 13th of april which is after easter. there was some suggestion from the italian emergency response teams this could be extended into may. it is too early to tell how long it will go on for, it is due to what happens to the infection rate over the coming weeks and the death rate. the authorities are desperate to prevent the likelihood of a second outbreak so it is too early to ease restrictions. road blocks are being set up on palm sunday, police are telling people to stay at home and not do what they usually do which is visit friends and family and take their traditional olive bran

jean mackenzie reports from rome.l set for meals that we re the tables still set for meals that were never served. chiara make this place for people to eat and play music. but it has been weeks since places initially were close down and as the lockdown goes on, some places are preparing to close for good. and this is the reality. when shops and businesses are be opened, it will be gradual, and the places where you cannot keep your distance will be lost. we cannot have concerts, we cannot have cinemas. what about bars and restaurants?m is impossible right now for restau ra nts is impossible right now for restaurants to reopen. until the vaccine, it is impossible... the government is offering loans to keep them going, but businesses are struggling to see their place in a socially distant future. by the time they are allowed to reopen, fears that the damage is so great it will be reversible. this resembles a ghost ship. another business on the edge. how busy does it get? and while this country waits to be opened, the str

our europe correspondent jean mackenzie is in rome for us we had some encouraging signs yesterday thatemic but things are turning round. we had fewer deaths than the day before, 681, the first time the number of deaths has been in the 600s for over a week and the number of patients in intensive key has fallen for the first time. hospitals seeing some progress finally. the lockdown at the moment is to ta ke the lockdown at the moment is to take place until the 13th of april, so that is after easter. there was some suggestion from italy's emergency response team the other day that this could well be extended until may. i think it is too early to say yet how long this lockdown is going to go on for. it is going to depend on what happens to the infection rates over the coming weeks and the death rates because the authorities here are desperate to prevent the likelihood of a second outbreak or a resurgence in infections. they are saying that it is too early to restrict —— ease restrictions and restrictions will be tightly on palm sunday, roadblocks are being stepped up, police telling peopl

in a moment, we'll speak to our correspondent in madrid, but first, jean mackenzie reports from rome.eally fragile stages of its recovery. only a select number of shops are being allowed to reopen. they are book shops, baby clothes shops and stationery shops. and other than that, the strict lockdown conditions here remaining in place for another three weeks. even today, some regions have decided to opt out of this, they are not going to reopen shops, they think it is too soon. factories have been putting a lot of pressure on the government to allow them to start up again, and the government has said it will look in the coming weeks as to whether some could be allowed to reopen, but it's going to be led very much by the health situation. in fact, today italy increased the restrictions on people travelling into the country, so you can now only come from abroad for work or for health reasons. people coming into the country will have their temperatures checked before getting on planes. and once they arrive, they will have to go into quarantine for 1h days, whether or not they are displayi

jean mackenzie, bbc news.frienders international for more information about support services. that's at www. befrienders.org. the annual islamic holy month has begun, but in a pandemic how will bans on religious and social gatherings affect ramadan? many local mosques are closed, the virus has shut islam's holiest sites and social distancing forces the daily fast to be broken in isolation. we asked our middle east editor jeremy bowen whether the month ahead is going to be difficult. very difficult for people, i think, because ramadan is, apart from its sanctity, in the evenings, it's a very sociable time. when people break the fast, traditionally, people do it collectively. there are usually, in most countries, well always, there are large public tables where people can go if they don't have enough money, to have a decent meal themselves. benefactors, sometimes local authorities or government, set out long tables in streets. and the evenings are really lively events. and of course the days are quieter. but wit

jean mackenzie, bbc news.tory, sending love to her. and this from a christian, i wish to praise wendy for her strength and being capable at this time speaking live on national television, telling the story of her father. —— this from christine. i wish everybody was listening to that so the message gets through to people. important to say wendy wanted to come on today to pay tribute to her father, she didn't want her dad simply to be a statistic as she told us yesterday. a group of bikers has been delivering shopping to those who are vulnerable is. it started as one man but grew to a number of volunteers. patrick tells us more. travelling on cornwall‘s now empty roads, these bikers are on a mission. i'm guy. i work in the emergency services and iformed bodmin bikers. bodmin bikers is a delivery team for medication from doctors surgeries to pharmacies. we are also a food delivery so if you need your essentials, bread, milk. do you know what? we haven't had any pasty deliveries yet. the group don't charge for del

jean mackenzie reports rome. jean mackenzie reports from rome. we are 1,900 people.t this? very upset. we are so confused. people call me on the phone and say, are we sick? are we sick? what is up? the virus started in a care home and spread quickly, without doctors realising. two people died. the rest were taken to hospital. how are you feeling? trsanlation: "i'm feeling well, i don't have a fever." this doctor was also infected. she is recovering in the next—door village. translation: at first it didn't look like corona. it all started with some people getting sick, as they usually do because they are very old. we even have a 104—year—old woman. to quarantine an entire village is unusual. but given everything italy has gone through, authorities were just so nervous about having an area so contaminated and the thought it would be allowed to spread. now the village is being turned into a human coronavirus laboratory. everyone is to be tested and this is day one. translation: it's an interesting place because it is a small village and quite contained with a population

jean mackenzie, bbc news.d have saved lives" if it had introduced measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus earlier, according to one of the country's top health officials, anthony fauci. more than 21,000 people in the us have died with coronavirus. there were 758 coronavirus—related deaths recorded in the past 2a hours in the state of new york alone. the state's governor andrew cuomo described the figures as "horrific" — but pointed to a stabilisation in the number of new deaths. you see also flattening in the numbers of lives lost. at a terribly high rate. but if you look back, the last several days sees a certain continuity to that number. again, that is the one number that i look forward to seeing drop... ..as soon as i open my eyes in the morning and it has been flattening, but flattening at a terribly high level. south korea says it will send 600,000 coronavirus testing kits to the us on tuesday. an official says the request was made by donald trump to president moonjae—in during a telephone call la

jean mackenzie is in rome.said it will go to the next couple of weeks and see if some factories can be open and it's going to be led by the health situation in effect today they've introduced even more strict restrictions on people coming into the country from abroad so you can only travel into italy for health and for work reasons. and people coming into the country will having their temperatures checked before they get onto planes and once they arrive they will have to go into quarantine for two weeks regardless of whether or not they've got symptoms. this is italy now trying to protect itself from the rest of the world. the restrictions in italy differ from region to region, and some areas like lombardy in the north — the epicentre of italy's crisis — have decided to keep shops shut. the european commission is urging eu countries to co—ordinate any plans to gradually ease restrictions, warning that even phased measures will lead to a corresponding increase in new cases. around the continent — denmark plans t

jean mackenzie, bbc news. now to talk about the global ramifications of the virus is masood ahmed who is the president of the center for global development, and former director of the international monetary fund's middle east and central asia department. thank you forjoining us, i wonder if we could talk about the different sort of economies and societies that are having to fight against the coronavirus and perhaps the difference between the west and developing world?|j difference between the west and developing world? i think the first thing to remember is that so far the epidemic has been concentrated mainly in europe, china, the us. most developing countries have not yet seen the same kinds of intensity but it is only a question of time and we need to prepare for that. and when you think about how they can prepare, they are going to have a much more difficult time. why? partly because if you imagine their societies, you have families of ten 01’ societies, you have families of ten or 12 people living in two

jean mackenzie, bbc news.ria which has been the first country in europe to lift the lockdown restrictions. if the public sticks to social distancing rules over the easter period then smaller, nonessential shops could be allowed to open in just over one week's time. however, face masks that you can see will still have to be worn in all shops and also on public transport. here is the chancellor. our aim is to allow small shops, up to 400 square metres, as well as hardware and garden shops to open again by april the 14th. of garden shops to open again by april the 14th. of course, with very strict safety precautions. from the 1st of may, our aim is to allow all shops, shopping centres and hairdressers to reopen. all other services, hospitality and hotels, will open step—by—step by mid—may the earliest. the situation in austria there. to bring you some breaking news from the uk, the british prime minister borisjohnson has been admitted to intensive care with those persistent symptoms of coronavirus. that is breaki

our europe correspondent jean mackenzie is in rome for us we had some encouraging signs yesterday thataths than the day before, 681, the first time the number of deaths has been in the 600s for over a week and the number of patients in intensive key has fallen —— then in number of patients in intensive care has fallen by the first time. the first time. hospitals seeing some progress finally. we are going to see the pope because today is palm sunday, i think it is too early to say how long this lockdown is going to go on for. it is going to depend on what happens to the infection rates over the coming weeks and at the death rates because the authorities here are desperate to prevent the likelihood of a second outbreak or a resurgence in infections. they are saying that it is too early to ease restrictions and restrictions will be tight today on palm sunday. roadblocks are being stepped up. telling people to please a stay at home, not to do what they would usually do on a and here, which has visit friends and family and take that traditional gift of an olive branch round to each other. i

our europe correspondent jean mackenzie is in rome.ched the peak of the epidemic but things could be starting to turn round so we had fewer deaths than the day before. 681, that is the first time deaths have been in the 600s for well over a week and a number of patients in intensive care fell. hospitals finally starting to see progress. the lockdown at the moment is to ta ke the lockdown at the moment is to take place until 13th april, so that is after easter, now there was some suggestion from italy‘s members of thejury psi suggestion from italy‘s members of the jury psi response team the other day —— emergency response team this could be extended into may. it is too early to say how long it will go on for, it depends what happens to the infection rate so over the coming weeks and the death rates because the authorities are desperate to prevent the likelihood ofa desperate to prevent the likelihood of a second outbreak or a a resurgence of infection, they are saying it is too early to ease restrictions the hands will be tight today. r

for easing restrictions, but says this should not be done too soon. 0ur europe correspondent jean mackenzieicularly in italy and spain, countries was hit, the infection rates are slowing and the daily death tolls are coming down but progress is very slow and the daily death are still high. more than 600 deaths in italy yesterday, more than 500 in spain but that is the lowest country has recorded three weeks. france is a little behind france and italy in terms of recovery but we are starting to see some changes. yesterday the health minister described it as a ray of sunshine. but how do you get moving again without threatening these very fragile recoveries? both spain and italy under strict lockdown conditions. some people in spain and will be allowed to go back to work on monday but with very strict social distancing rules. that is what is and italy have been putting pressure on government to do but on friday beside it will extend the lockdown for another three weeks because it thinks it is too early to ease restrictions and really does not want to risk a second outbreak. easter celebration

have been allowed to reopen in italy, and some people are beginning to go back to work in spain. jean mackenzieuntry, so you can now only come from abroad for work or for health reasons. people coming into the country will have their temperatures checked before getting on planes. people boarding aeroplanes will have their temperatures checked and once they arrive, they will have to go into quarantine for 14 days, whether or not they are displaying any symptoms. this is really italy now trying to protect itself from the rest of the world. spain has begun to allow some employees to return to work, after reporting that the daily increase in reported cases of the virus has been falling since hitting a peak of more than 9,000 at the end of march. 0ur correspondent guy hedgecoe gave us this update earlier from madrid. today‘s latest figures at 567 deaths over the last 24 hours. that is about 50 more than were registered yesterday, but it does continue this overall trend that we have seen over the last ten days or so a downward trend in terms of the daily deaths. ten days ago we were seeing 950 deaths

let's get the latest now from our correspondent, jean mackenzie, who joins us from rome. , this country has been hit harder than any other and it is that death toll which really set it apart. 0ver that death toll which really set it apart. over the last week, 800 people have died every single day. the rate of infection has dropped off in recent days so we are now at about 2% or 3% when we talk about the number of people currently infected that rise every day. authorities here have said that italy has reached its peak, but they are warning this isn't a summit with are warning this isn't a summit with a clear way down, but the start of a plateau which needs to be very carefully crossed. 0f plateau which needs to be very carefully crossed. of course it is a similar situation in spain, where more than 9000 people have now died. again, their rate of infection is showing signs of slowing down, as well. yesterday, in italy, there we re well. yesterday, in italy, there were just 12 patients admitted to intensive care will stop that situation that was once so critical does appear t

jean mackenzie, bbc news.government to try and ease the economic damage of the pandemic. the treasury says those who don‘t qualify will be able to access a range of other measures but many businesses and workers who‘ve lost theirjobs say they‘ve not received enough support. our business correspondent, katy austin, has been speaking to some of them. asking for help to ride out the pandemic. schemes include enabling millions of employees to be followed and helped by the state to pay wages. grants for millions of self—employed people. and a range of other measures but many firms and workers tell us they fall through the cracks, including junior, previously self—employed, he started a newjob in mid march but it seems been made redundant and started too late. we have been trying to make phone calls to universal credit. my wife is on statutory maternity leave. i now have no salary and is not the best time to be looking for a job right now. sole director of ltd co m pa ny a job right now. sole director of ltd company

let's speak with our europe correspondent, jean mackenzie, who's in rome.ce with this make? well, in reality, very little. it isa make? well, in reality, very little. it is a very small number of shops, a very select number of shops being allowed to reopen today. shops, shops selling baby clothes, stationery shops, and even some regions have decided to opt out. really, the lockdown is continuing here for another three weeks. factories and businesses have been putting a lot of pressure on the government to allow them to restart but ultimately the government felt it was too soon. it has a it will look to see if there is a way of reopening some factories in this three week period, but really it is going to depend on the recovery. because, although yesterday did record now 20,000 deaths from this virus, and the number of daily doubts jumped up again. virus, and the number of daily doubtsjumped up again. it's virus, and the number of daily doubts jumped up again. it's a reminder the recovery here is very slow. in fact, reminder the recovery here is very slow. in