European leaders have moved to shut the EU’s external borders as they grapple with the quickly spreading virus. The measure is expected to apply to 26 EU states as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The ban came as deaths continued to soar across Europe.
Italy remains the worst-hit country with another big surge in cases today.
Spain has also partially locked down its 47 million inhabitants
In Germany Chancellor Merkel has banned religious services and venues including clubs, bars, leisure facilities, zoos and playgrounds will also be closed.
In France tough new restrictions have come into force. No one can now leave home without a government form – that they print out – to justify their reason for being outside. For the next two weeks, people are only allowed out – to go to work, to buy essential food or medical supplies, for a family emergency, or to exercise or walk a dog – but they must be on their own — facing a fine if these conditions aren’t met.
Lucy Williamson, Mark Lowen, Damian Grammaticas and Jenny Hill report for the News at Ten presented by Sophie Raworth.
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In This Story: Iceland
Iceland is a Nordic island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, with a population of 356,991 and an area of 103,000 km2 (40,000 sq mi), making it the most sparsely populated country in Europe. The capital and largest city is Reykjavík. Iceland is volcanically and geologically active. The interior consists of a plateau characterised by sand and lava fields, mountains, and glaciers, and many glacial rivers flow to the sea through the lowlands. Iceland is warmed by the Gulf Stream and has a temperate climate, despite a high latitude just outside the Arctic Circle.
Iceland’ gained independence in 1918 and founded a republic in 1944. Although its parliament (Althing) was suspended from 1799 to 1845, the island republic has been credited with sustaining the world’s oldest and longest-running parliament.
Hit hard by the worldwide financial crisis, the nation’s entire banking system systemically failed in October 2008, leading to an economic crisis and the collapse of the country’s three largest banks. By 2014, the Icelandic economy had made a significant recovery, in large part due to a surge in tourism.
Iceland has the smallest population of any NATO member and is the only one with no standing army, with a lightly armed coast guard.
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