A round-up of Monday's developmentspublished at 22:48 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2020
We're closing our live coverage shortly. First a recap on another day of developments that at times came at breakneck speed - here's the main points:
- The number of coronavirus infections is now higher outside China than in the country where the outbreak began. More than 180,000 cases have been reported worldwide. At least 7,007 people have died.
- The UK, France and Germany introduced stringent new measures. Britons are strongly advised to socially distance, avoiding offices, shops and bars. From Tuesday France will be in nationwide lockdown and infractions could be punished. And in Germany, most non-grocery shops and venues have been ordered to shut. The Western Balkans closed shops and schools, while Switzerland declared a national emergency.
- The death rate in Italy - Europe's worst-hit country - jumped by 349, bringing total fatalities there to more than 2,100. In Iran, another hotspot, the death toll reached at least 853
- President Donald Trump said the US outbreak could last all summer, and said gatherings should not be larger than 10 people
- The global economy showed further signs that a recession could be coming, as US stock markets plunged.
- The World Health Organization warned governments that testing people, tracing cases and isolating patients are the only ways to stop the pandemic
- Airlines are cancelling flights worldwide as demand for travel collapses
- Borders continue to close globally. India and Russia have banned visitors from the UK and EU. On Tuesday EU leaders will meet to discuss a proposal to shut the EU's borders
Read more on how to steps to take to prevent infection and how to protect your mental health during the pandemic.