Coronavirus Declared a Pandemic as Europe Races to Prevent Spread
On 11 March, the World Health Organization (WHO), declared coronavirus a global pandemic as countries struggle to contain the outbreak. The virus has now affected over 100 countries and territories worldwide.
Across Europe, countries are racing to slow down the spread of the virus. Governments in Germany, the UK, France and Switzerland have banned all events of more than 1,000 people, cancelling football matches across the continent.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned on Wednesday that up to 70% of Germany’s population could become infected with coronavirus, a figure echoed by officials in the UK.
Economies across Europe are likely to suffer as experts declare that a coronavirus-induced global recession is now “highly probable”. Stock markets have tumbled in Asia and on Wall Street. Trade, travel restrictions, bans on large gatherings and workers off sick could cost billions.
“We assume it [coronavirus] can and will have a slight impact on the global economy,” said German Economics Minister Peter Altmaier. “The extent will depend on how quickly the virus is contained and how quickly the number of infections slows down again.”
The UK has pledged a £30 billion economy injection in an attempt to lessen the impact of the virus on small businesses and the self-employed. “It’s going to be tough,” Chancellor Rishi Sunak admitted on Wednesday.
The tourism sector could be especially hard hit. Airlines are cancelling thousands of flights; German airline Lufthansa suspended over 23,000 flights on Wednesday.
In addition, many countries have stopped inbound travel from Italy, which has the worst outbreak outside of China.
In a sombre speech on Wednesday evening, US President Donald Trump announced a ban on all travel from Europe, excluding the UK, to the US following WHO’s decision to declare coronavirus a pandemic.
“To keep new cases from entering our shores, we will be suspending all travel from Europe to the United States,” stated Trump in a speech on Wednesday.
“The European Union failed to take the same precautions and restrict travel from China and other hotspots,” Trump claimed. “As a result, a large number of new clusters in the United States were seeded by travellers from Europe.”
Australia, which has already forbidden travel from Italy, announced on Thursday that they are considering an EU travel ban.
On Tuesday, Italy’s entire population of 60 million was placed into lockdown. All shops aside from grocery stores and pharmacies have been closed. In Milan, Italy’s financial center, the streets have emptied.
Figures released by John Hopkins University on Thursday revealed over 126,100 cases of coronavirus worldwide, with more than 4,200 deaths.
In Europe, the number of cases in Italy stands at 12,462, with 827 deaths. France has reported 2,284 cases, with 2,277 cases in Spain, 1,966 cases in Germany and 652 in Switzerland. On Wednesday, the Republic of Ireland, Bulgaria and Sweden reported their first deaths.
There have been 24 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Georgia as of Thursday morning. 295 people are in quarantine. The government decided to close schools, colleges and kindergartens until 1 April.
By Amy Jones