UK to ban mass gatherings from next week to curb coronavirus

[rooster59]

UK to ban mass gatherings from next week to curb coronavirus

 

A man wears a protective mask as he walks into Oxford Circus underground station in London, Britain March 13, 2020. REUTERS/Simon Dawson

 

LONDON (Reuters) - The British government will ban mass gatherings from next week in an attempt to curb the coronavirus outbreak, an escalation of its crisis plan that critics had said was too relaxed.

 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has so far resisted pressure to take some of the stringent measures adopted by other European countries to slow the spread of the virus.

 

"Ministers are working with the chief scientific adviser and chief medical officer on our plan to stop various types of public events, including mass gatherings, beginning next week," a government source said on Saturday.

 

Legislation would be published next week to give the government powers to deal with the outbreak, including to stop mass gatherings and compensate organizations, the source said.

 

Some organizations have stepped ahead of the government in terms of limiting public gatherings. On Friday, England's soccer Premier League suspended all matches until April 4 and other events such as the London Marathon were postponed by their organizers.

 

Queen Elizabeth, 93, canceled some public engagements for next week due to the coronavirus outbreak, Buckingham Palace said on Friday.

 

Johnson postponed for a year local and mayoral elections in England that had been due to take place in May.

 

As of Friday, Britain had 798 cases of the illness, and 11 people had died.

 

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States might include the United Kingdom in the coronavirus travel ban that it has imposed on other European countries.

 

British media said the new ban on mass gatherings could affect events such as the Glastonbury music festival, the Wimbledon tennis championships and the Grand National horse race.

 

Scotland's devolved government said on Thursday all large gatherings above 500 people should be canceled to help emergency services to focus on the coronavirus outbreak.

 

(Reporting by William Schomberg; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Frances Kerry)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-03-14

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[Basil B]

I had already cancelled my mum's memorial service fer next week, sensible thing to do is avoid any unnecessary contacts with anybody for the next few weeks. 

 

 

Edited March 14, 2020 by Basil B

[Crazy Alex]

4 hours ago, Basil B said:

I had already cancelled my mum's memorial service fer next week, sensible thing to do is avoid any unnecessary contacts with anybody for the next few weeks. 

 

 

Sorry about your mom. RIP.

[RubbaJohnny]

Aside from the medical tragedy this year will be remarkable.

 

Many landmark events could be at risk, Trooping the Colour, The local and Mayoral elections already gone, may be no Derby,Oaks,, Glastonbury music festival Wimbledon.

The EPL may survive with no gate receipts but many smaller clubs without huge sponsors , sales may well be bankrupted.Same for Rugby and it may continue into the cricket and tennis golf tournaments.While not a Liverpool fan their incredible EPL lead may be snatched from them.With leagues throughout Europe incomplete the next 2020-2021 Champions League wrecked

 

It is also the season for the European Nations and of course Olympics, Paralymics, for some sport those who are at their peek may lose a once in a lifetime opportunity.

 

BA already warned staff losses.Schools ,colleges Unis having to defer exams .

 

As in Thailand other countries there will be a huge economic hit to hopsitality and tourism which are big business in Greece, Spain UK and Italy

Edited March 14, 2020 by RubbaJohnny
typo

[Stargeezr]

With all the events being cancelled around the world, maybe the air may be a little cleaner.

  I think that there will be major spikes in the virus, in many countries after seeing

the people 50 and younger, even young parents with their kids, travelling back from

Thailand, and Taiwan, not wearing any face masks. In Taiwan, I seen many  Asians taking

the outbreak serious and wearing masks, but only less than 50 percent of the Canadian

travellers wearing any. In Vancouver B.C. none of the airport staff wore masks, and I did not

see anyone checking temperatures anywhere. The same for the airport in Calgary, Alberta,

the lax attitudes will likely affect the spread of covid19.

Geezer

Edited March 15, 2020 by Stargrazer9889
error

[RickBradford]

One complex matter which bears investigation is the mortality rate, which varies hugely from country to country.

 

Italy tops the list at 7.31%, followed closely by Iran at 6.12%. No other country comes close; even China is down at 3.97%, Spain (3.40%) and Japan (2.99%).

 

Some countries - Singapore, Malaysia, Qatar have not registered any deaths despite hundreds of infected people - Germanic and Nordic countries are way down around 0.25% - except the Netherlands (1.76%) and the UK (2.52%). For reference, the US is at 1.83% and France 2.34%. Thailand is under 1% if official figures are to be believed, as is Australia.

 

What is it, I wonder? Quality of health care? Early diagnosis? Demographics? Public awareness? Weather conditions?