france24--2020-03-16--Biden, Sanders focus on coronavirus crisis in one-on-one Democratic debate

Democratic U.S. presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden listens as Senator Bernie Sanders speaks during the 11th Democratic candidates debate of the 2020 U.S. presidential campaign , held in CNN 's Washington studios without an audience because of the global coronavirus pandemic , in Washington , U.S. , March 15 , 2020 .
Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders blasted President Donald Trump 's handling of the coronavirus outbreak during a Democratic debate on Sunday and offered competing visions of leadership during a widening crisis that has upended the daily lives of Americans .
In their first one-on-one debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump in the November election clashed on the proper approach to the pandemic and other pressing issues , with Biden arguing his approach to leadership would get quick results and Sanders pushing for bigger , more fundamental changes .
Biden , the front-runner in the Democratic race , promised for the first time during the debate to pick a woman as his running mate if he is the Democratic nominee .
`` If I ’ m elected president , my Cabinet , my administration , will look like the country , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pick a woman as vice president , '' Biden said .
Sanders was less willing to commit to picking a woman , saying that `` in all likelihood '' he would .
The debate came two days before Tuesday 's nominating contests in the big states of Ohio , Illinois , Florida and Arizona , where another string of Biden victories would give him a nearly unassailable lead in delegates over Sanders .
But hopes the debate would be a first step to party unity ahead of the Nov. 3 election against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as the two candidates bickered repeatedly over their approach to leadership .
`` People are looking for results , not a revolution , '' Biden said , taking a shot at Sanders ' promises to lead a political revolution to sweep in his anti-corporate economic agenda .
Sanders , a democratic socialist senator from Vermont , said his long-standing support for sweeping economic and social reforms was actually proof of his ability to lead and contrasted it with what he said was Biden 's sometimes shifting views .
`` I do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders said .
`` That 's what leadership is . ''
Both candidates assailed Trump for his handling of the coronavirus outbreak , saying he had contributed to growing worries by spending weeks minimizing the threat before declaring a national emergency on Friday .
The debate , originally scheduled for Phoenix , took place in a Washington studio with no audience , a move made to limit possible exposure to the virus - a sign of how deeply the campaign routine has been reshaped by the global pandemic .
When the two candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared an elbow bump - abiding by the advice of public health officials to avoid handshakes .
Biden recounted his experience as vice president in President Barack Obama 's administration in dealing with the Ebola outbreak in 2014 .
He laid out a coronavirus plan to make testing free and widely available , establish mobile sites and drive-through facilities in each state and provide more help for small businesses hurt by the resulting economic slowdown .
He said he was willing to call out the military to help local officials build hospitals and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is like a war , and in a war you do whatever needs to be done to take care of your people , '' Biden said .
Sanders suggested the first step in responding to the outbreak would be `` to shut this president up right now '' because he was undermining the response of public health officials .
`` We have got to learn that you can not lie to the American people .
You can not be less than frank about the nature of the crisis , '' Sanders said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his signature Medicare for All healthcare proposal , which would replace private health insurance with a government-run system .
`` Let 's be honest and understand that this coronavirus pandemic exposes the incredible weakness and dysfunctionality of our current healthcare system , '' he said .
Biden has opposed the Medicare for All plan , saying it is too costly and he prefers to build on the Affordable Care Act , known as Obamacare , by adding a public option for those who want it .
`` That has nothing to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in America .
That ’ s real .
But that does not affect the need for us to act swiftly and very thoroughly and in concert with all the forces we need to bring to bear , '' he said .
Biden , 77 , and Sanders , 78 , have been forced to cancel public events and step off the campaign trail during the crisis .
They said they were taking personal steps to stay healthy - avoiding crowds , washing hands and having their campaign staffs work from home .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and in a bitter exchange repeated criticism that has come up on the campaign trail before , with Sanders saying Biden was beholden to special interests and Biden accusing Sanders of being too supportive of the gun industry .
Earlier in the day , Biden 's campaign courted the progressive supporters of Sanders and Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts , who dropped her White House bid earlier this month but has not endorsed anyone , by promising to back a Sanders plan to make public colleges tuition-free to families with incomes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders blasted President Donald Trump's handling of the coronavirus outbreak during a Democratic debate on Sunday and offered competing visions of leadership during a widening crisis that has upended the daily lives of Americans.
Democratic U.S. presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden listens as Senator Bernie Sanders speaks during the 11th Democratic candidates debate of the 2020 U.S. presidential campaign, held in CNN's Washington studios without an audience because of the global coronavirus pandemic, in Washington, U.S., March 15, 2020.
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In their first one-on-one debate, the two Democratic contenders to face Trump in the November election clashed on the proper approach to the pandemic and other pressing issues, with Biden arguing his approach to leadership would get quick results and Sanders pushing for bigger, more fundamental changes.
Biden, the front-runner in the Democratic race, promised for the first time during the debate to pick a woman as his running mate if he is the Democratic nominee.
"If I’m elected president, my Cabinet, my administration, will look like the country, and I commit that I will in fact appoint and pick a woman as vice president," Biden said.
Sanders was less willing to commit to picking a woman, saying that "in all likelihood" he would.
The debate came two days before Tuesday's nominating contests in the big states of Ohio, Illinois, Florida and Arizona, where another string of Biden victories would give him a nearly unassailable lead in delegates over Sanders.
But hopes the debate would be a first step to party unity ahead of the Nov. 3 election against Trump seemed to fade during the showdown, as the two candidates bickered repeatedly over their approach to leadership.
"People are looking for results, not a revolution," Biden said, taking a shot at Sanders' promises to lead a political revolution to sweep in his anti-corporate economic agenda.
Sanders, a democratic socialist senator from Vermont, said his long-standing support for sweeping economic and social reforms was actually proof of his ability to lead and contrasted it with what he said was Biden's sometimes shifting views.
"I don't have to rethink my position," Sanders said. "That's what leadership is."
Both candidates assailed Trump for his handling of the coronavirus outbreak, saying he had contributed to growing worries by spending weeks minimizing the threat before declaring a national emergency on Friday.
The debate, originally scheduled for Phoenix, took place in a Washington studio with no audience, a move made to limit possible exposure to the virus - a sign of how deeply the campaign routine has been reshaped by the global pandemic.
When the two candidates took the stage, they smiled and shared an elbow bump - abiding by the advice of public health officials to avoid handshakes.
'Like a war'
Biden recounted his experience as vice president in President Barack Obama's administration in dealing with the Ebola outbreak in 2014. He laid out a coronavirus plan to make testing free and widely available, establish mobile sites and drive-through facilities in each state and provide more help for small businesses hurt by the resulting economic slowdown.
He said he was willing to call out the military to help local officials build hospitals and take other necessary relief steps.
"This is like a war, and in a war you do whatever needs to be done to take care of your people," Biden said.
Sanders suggested the first step in responding to the outbreak would be "to shut this president up right now" because he was undermining the response of public health officials.
"We have got to learn that you cannot lie to the American people. You cannot be less than frank about the nature of the crisis," Sanders said, adding the crisis showed the need for his signature Medicare for All healthcare proposal, which would replace private health insurance with a government-run system.
"Let's be honest and understand that this coronavirus pandemic exposes the incredible weakness and dysfunctionality of our current healthcare system," he said.
Biden has opposed the Medicare for All plan, saying it is too costly and he prefers to build on the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, by adding a public option for those who want it.
"That has nothing to do with the legitimate concern about income inequality in America. That’s real. But that does not affect the need for us to act swiftly and very thoroughly and in concert with all the forces we need to bring to bear," he said.
Biden, 77, and Sanders, 78, have been forced to cancel public events and step off the campaign trail during the crisis. They said they were taking personal steps to stay healthy - avoiding crowds, washing hands and having their campaign staffs work from home.
Both candidates promised to support the eventual nominee, and in a bitter exchange repeated criticism that has come up on the campaign trail before, with Sanders saying Biden was beholden to special interests and Biden accusing Sanders of being too supportive of the gun industry.
Earlier in the day, Biden's campaign courted the progressive supporters of Sanders and Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who dropped her White House bid earlier this month but has not endorsed anyone, by promising to back a Sanders plan to make public colleges tuition-free to families with incomes of less than $125,000 a year.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-16--Latin America takes steps to counter coronavirus, Brazil's Bolsonaro snubs warnings

People cover their faces while leaving Hospital Cosme Argerich , after the first fatality from coronavirus in Latin America was confirmed , in Buenos Aires , Argentina March 7 , 2020 .
Guatemala logged its first fatality from coronavirus on Sunday as nations in South and Central America ramped up measures to contain the infection , with Panama banning entry of non-resident foreigners and Honduras closing its borders to passenger traffic for a week .
The leaders of Argentina and Peru also announced border closures on Sunday to curb coronavirus .
Argentina will close its borders for 15 days to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a televised press conference .
Public and private school classes would also be suspended until March 31 , Fernandez said .
National parks would be closed .
A day earlier , Argentina published a decree establishing a 30-day ban on entry to non-residents who have traveled to a country highly affected by coronavirus in the last 14 days .
The country has also temporarily stopped issuing visas to travellers from the United States , China , South Korea , Japan , Iran , Britain and many European countries .
Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also close its borders , suspending air and sea transport .
He called on citizens to self-quarantine for 15 days to help slow the infection .
In Guatemala , Health Minister Hugo Monroy told a news conference the dead man was a 85-year-old who had recently returned from Madrid without showing signs of illness .
Doctors confirmed he had the virus early on Sunday , Monroy added .
He later died in a private hospital .
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday ordered a `` collective quarantine '' in seven states , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus pandemic Food distribution , health services , transport and security are exempted , Maduro said in a television address to his crisis-devastated nation where the economy had already collapsed long before the pandemic struck .
`` The only way to contain the channels of transmission is to enter in a ... drastic phase of collective quarantine throughout the country , '' said Maduro , adding the measures `` deserves great social discipline , great self-control '' and people should stay at home .
Caracas alone is home to six million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic comes after Maduro previously banned flights to and from Europe , Colombia , Panama and the Dominican Republic .
He also suspended school and university classes , and sports events .
Venezuela reported seven new cases of the COVID-19 illness on Sunday , taking its total to 17 .
Panama , which has been the hardest hit in Central America , reported its first coronavirus death earlier this week .
Panama 's health minister Rosario Turner said the number of confirmed cases in the nation rose to 55 from 43 on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night , only Panamanians and foreign residents would be allowed to enter Panama , security minister Juan Pino said alongside Turner at a news conference .
Panama has ordered communal areas in hotels , discos , bars , and casinos and elsewhere closed , Turner said .
The government has also ordered shops in the country to be shut except supermarkets , pharmacies and medical centers .
In addition , Panama has suspended elective surgical procedures and limited hospital visits by outpatients , Turner said .
On Sunday , Honduran police moved people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cafes to enforce an order issued by the government on Saturday to prohibit gatherings of more than 50 people .
President Juan Orlando Hernandez said in a televised address that from one minute before midnight on Sunday , the country 's borders would be closed for a week to all traffic , aside from the movement of goods .
All businesses in Honduras with a few exceptions including supermarkets , pharmacies , medical centers , hotels , gas stations and banks would be closed for the time being , Hernandez added .
Costa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of all bars and discos as the tally of coronavirus infections in the country rose to 35 , the health ministry said on Sunday .
Colombia will block entry to travellers who are not residents or citizens and will close schools and universities from Monday in a bid to control the outbreak of coronavirus , President Ivan Duque said on Sunday .
Colombian citizens and foreign residents who arrive from March 16 will be required to perform an obligatory 14-day period of self isolation , Duque said on Twitter , while educators will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
The Andean country reported its first case of COVID-19 on March 6 , and its tally had risen to 34 cases by Sunday .
The government said it would close its border with Venezuela starting Saturday morning , following its earlier declaration of a health emergency , which suspended public gatherings of more than 500 people and blocked cruise ships from docking at its ports .
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro took selfies with supporters and celebrated the thousands of protestors gathering in major cities on Sunday , just days after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrations due to the spreading coronavirus .
Bolsonaro appeared to shrug off the advice of medical experts suggesting he remain isolated after several members of his delegation to Florida recently tested positive for the virus .
The president tested negative for the virus , as did U.S. President Donald Trump following their meeting , but newspaper O Estado de S.Paulo reported that Bolsonaro 's medical team has suggested he remain isolated until early next week .
He will also take another test to rule out all chances that he has the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @

Guatemala logged its first fatality from coronavirus on Sunday as nations in South and Central America ramped up measures to contain the infection, with Panama banning entry of non-resident foreigners and Honduras closing its borders to passenger traffic for a week.
People cover their faces while leaving Hospital Cosme Argerich, after the first fatality from coronavirus in Latin America was confirmed, in Buenos Aires, Argentina March 7, 2020.
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The leaders of Argentina and Peru also announced border closures on Sunday to curb coronavirus. Argentina will close its borders for 15 days to non-residents, President Alberto Fernandez said in a televised press conference.
Public and private school classes would also be suspended until March 31, Fernandez said. National parks would be closed.
Argentina tightens travel restrictions
A day earlier, Argentina published a decree establishing a 30-day ban on entry to non-residents who have traveled to a country highly affected by coronavirus in the last 14 days.
The country has also temporarily stopped issuing visas to travellers from the United States, China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Britain and many European countries.
Peru suspends air and sea transport
Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra said later on Sunday that Peru would also close its borders, suspending air and sea transport. He called on citizens to self-quarantine for 15 days to help slow the infection.
In Guatemala, Health Minister Hugo Monroy told a news conference the dead man was a 85-year-old who had recently returned from Madrid without showing signs of illness.
Doctors confirmed he had the virus early on Sunday, Monroy added. He later died in a private hospital.
Venezuela imposes "collective quarantine"
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday ordered a "collective quarantine" in seven states, including the capital Caracas to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic
Food distribution, health services, transport and security are exempted, Maduro said in a television address to his crisis-devastated nation where the economy had already collapsed long before the pandemic struck.
"The only way to contain the channels of transmission is to enter in a... drastic phase of collective quarantine throughout the country," said Maduro, adding the measures "deserves great social discipline, great self-control" and people should stay at home.
Caracas alone is home to six million people.
This latest measure to combat the pandemic comes after Maduro previously banned flights to and from Europe, Colombia, Panama and the Dominican Republic. He also suspended school and university classes, and sports events.
Venezuela reported seven new cases of the COVID-19 illness on Sunday, taking its total to 17.
Panama worst affected country in Central America
Panama, which has been the hardest hit in Central America, reported its first coronavirus death earlier this week. Panama's health minister Rosario Turner said the number of confirmed cases in the nation rose to 55 from 43 on Saturday.
From 11.59 p.m on Monday night, only Panamanians and foreign residents would be allowed to enter Panama, security minister Juan Pino said alongside Turner at a news conference.
Panama has ordered communal areas in hotels, discos, bars, and casinos and elsewhere closed, Turner said.
The government has also ordered shops in the country to be shut except supermarkets, pharmacies and medical centers. In addition, Panama has suspended elective surgical procedures and limited hospital visits by outpatients, Turner said.
Honduras imposes strict measures
On Sunday, Honduran police moved people off beaches and out of shops and cafes to enforce an order issued by the government on Saturday to prohibit gatherings of more than 50 people.
President Juan Orlando Hernandez said in a televised address that from one minute before midnight on Sunday, the country's borders would be closed for a week to all traffic, aside from the movement of goods.
All businesses in Honduras with a few exceptions including supermarkets, pharmacies, medical centers, hotels, gas stations and banks would be closed for the time being, Hernandez added.
Costa Rica's government has ordered the closure of all bars and discos as the tally of coronavirus infections in the country rose to 35, the health ministry said on Sunday.
Colombia restricts entry for foreigners
Colombia will block entry to travellers who are not residents or citizens and will close schools and universities from Monday in a bid to control the outbreak of coronavirus, President Ivan Duque said on Sunday.
Colombian citizens and foreign residents who arrive from March 16 will be required to perform an obligatory 14-day period of self isolation, Duque said on Twitter, while educators will start planning for students to study at home.
The Andean country reported its first case of COVID-19 on March 6, and its tally had risen to 34 cases by Sunday.
The government said it would close its border with Venezuela starting Saturday morning, following its earlier declaration of a health emergency, which suspended public gatherings of more than 500 people and blocked cruise ships from docking at its ports.
Brazil's Bolsonaro shrugs off advice
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro took selfies with supporters and celebrated the thousands of protestors gathering in major cities on Sunday, just days after he had called for a suspension of the demonstrations due to the spreading coronavirus.
Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro meets supporters during a protest against Brazil's Congress and Brazilian Supreme Court in front the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil March 15, 2020. © REUTERS/Adriano Machado
Bolsonaro appeared to shrug off the advice of medical experts suggesting he remain isolated after several members of his delegation to Florida recently tested positive for the virus.
The president tested negative for the virus, as did U.S. President Donald Trump following their meeting, but newspaper O Estado de S.Paulo reported that Bolsonaro's medical team has suggested he remain isolated until early next week.
He will also take another test to rule out all chances that he has the virus, the paper reported on Friday.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS and AFP)
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france24--2020-03-16--Live: Macron announces 15-day lockdown in French 'war' on coronavirus

Live : French Interior Minister will mobilise 100,000 police to carry out checks on people ’ s movements French President @ @ @ @ @ stringent restrictions on people 's movement amid a rapidly worsening coronavirus outbreak , adding that @ @ @ @ @ in to help move the sick to hospitals .
Get all the latest updates on @ @ @ @ @ orders French to stay home for 15 days from midday Tuesday except for necessary reasons @ @ @ @ @ on fighting virus 'will be punished' • French Interior Minister announces he will mobilise 100,000 @ @ @ @ @ on people ’ s movements • Second round of French municipal elections is suspended , @ @ @ @ @ overhaul • EU to close all external and internal borders for 30 days from midday @ @ @ @ @ above to watch our coverage , and follow our liveblog below for analysis and reactions @

Macron announces 15-day lockdown in French 'war' on coronavirus
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday ordered stringent restrictions on people's movement amid a rapidly worsening coronavirus outbreak, saying the army will be drafted in to help move the sick to hospitals.
00:57 French President Emmanuel Macron speaks to the nation on Monday, March 16, 2020. © FRANCE 24 screengrab
Advertising Read more Macron announced measures to "severely restrict movements for the next 15 days at least", starting at midday Tuesday, and limit social contacts as much as possible The president ordered people to stay at home unless they need to buy groceries, travel to work, exercise or seek medical care Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said 100,000 officers will be deployed to enforce the lockdown; anyone found outside will have to provide proof of their reasons for travelling Macron said the second round of municipal elections will be suspended, as will his government’s controversial pension overhaul The French president said the EU’s external borders will shut for 30 days, but French nationals will be allowed home; travel across the Schengen Area’s internal borders will be severely restricted The French army will be deployed to help transport the sick and a field hospital is being set up in the hard-hit Alsace region in eastern France Macron also announced a 300-billion-euro package to help prop up struggling businesses The death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in France rose to 148 on Monday, with 6,633 confirmed cases Click on the player above to watch our coverage, and follow our liveblog below for analysis and reactions. Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe Take international news everywhere with you! Download the France 24 app


france24--2020-03-16--Trump admits coronavirus 'not under control', as new guidelines unveiled for Americans

US President Donald Trump , surrounded by members of the Coronavirus Task Force , at a press conference on March 16 , 2020 in Washington , D.C. , USA .
The White House on Monday urged all older Americans to stay home and everyone to avoid crowds and eating out at restaurants as part of sweeping new guidelines meant to combat an expected surge of coronavirus cases .
President Donald Trump and the Coronavirus Task Force released the guidelines as the US government moved to try to blunt the impact of the virus , racing to bolster testing and aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrambled to reorder their lives .
The new recommendations included : over the next 15 days , Americans should not gather in groups of more than 10 people , schooling should be at home and discretionary travel and social visits should be avoided .
If anyone in a household tests positive for the virus , everyone who lives there should stay home .
`` If everybody in America does what we ask for over the next 15 days , we will see a dramatic difference , '' Deborah Birx , White House coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House briefing .
When asked when the pandemic would subside , Trump said that “ if we do a really good job '' the crisis could pass by July or August , a far less optimistic take than in his earlier predictions that it could be over within weeks .
“ We will rally together as one nation and we will defeat the virus , ” the US president added .
“ We can turn the corner and turn it quickly.
” Trump also , for the first time , acknowledged that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ markets , may send the nation 's economy into a recession , a potentially brutal blow for an incumbent in an election year .
He also , without providing details , said of the administration , “ We 're going to back the airlines 100 percent , '' a note of reassurance for an industry crippled by travel bans and fears of spreading the virus .
Trump , who adopted his most somber tone yet when discussing the crisis , acknowledged that it was “ not under control ” in the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not yet plan to call for domestic travel restrictions .
The administration did not immediately define what an an older American was in terms of the recommendation to stay home .
On Monday Trump also said he might ask the military to help build temporary hospitals to tackle the worsening coronavirus outbreak .
Asked if the Army Corps of Engineers would build emergency hospitals , Trump said , `` We 're looking into it ... we 're looking into it very strongly . ''

The White House on Monday urged all older Americans to stay home and everyone to avoid crowds and eating out at restaurants as part of sweeping new guidelines meant to combat an expected surge of coronavirus cases.
US President Donald Trump, surrounded by members of the Coronavirus Task Force, at a press conference on March 16, 2020 in Washington, D.C., USA.
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President Donald Trump and the Coronavirus Task Force released the guidelines as the US government moved to try to blunt the impact of the virus, racing to bolster testing and aid even as financial markets fell and Americans scrambled to reorder their lives.
The new recommendations included: over the next 15 days, Americans should not gather in groups of more than 10 people, schooling should be at home and discretionary travel and social visits should be avoided. If anyone in a household tests positive for the virus, everyone who lives there should stay home.
"If everybody in America does what we ask for over the next 15 days, we will see a dramatic difference," Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus response coordinator, said at the White House briefing.
'Crisis could pass by July or August'
When asked when the pandemic would subside, Trump said that “if we do a really good job" the crisis could pass by July or August, a far less optimistic take than in his earlier predictions that it could be over within weeks.
“We will rally together as one nation and we will defeat the virus,” the US president added. “We can turn the corner and turn it quickly.”
Trump also, for the first time, acknowledged that the virus, which has battered the global markets, may send the nation's economy into a recession, a potentially brutal blow for an incumbent in an election year.
He also, without providing details, said of the administration, “We're going to back the airlines 100 percent," a note of reassurance for an industry crippled by travel bans and fears of spreading the virus.
Trump, who adopted his most somber tone yet when discussing the crisis, acknowledged that it was “not under control” in the United States or globally, but said he did not yet plan to call for domestic travel restrictions.
The administration did not immediately define what an an older American was in terms of the recommendation to stay home.
Trump may ask military for help
On Monday Trump also said he might ask the military to help build temporary hospitals to tackle the worsening coronavirus outbreak.
Asked if the Army Corps of Engineers would build emergency hospitals, Trump said, "We're looking into it... we're looking into it very strongly."
Trump also said he felt that postponements of primary elections, like those announced in Ohio, Georgia, Louisiana and Kentucky, were generally unnecessary.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said on Twitter his administration was ordering polls closed on Tuesday in defiance of a state court ruling to the contrary.
The number of known coronavirus infections and deaths in the United States has paled in comparison with hot spots of the global pandemic, such as China, Italy or Iran.
But the tally of confirmed U.S. cases has multiplied quickly over the past few weeks, surpassing 4,600 and prompting fears American hospitals might soon be overwhelmed, as Italian medical centers have been strained to the breaking point.
At least 83 people in the United States had died of the virus, as of Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University and public health agencies, with the hardest-hit state, Washington, accounting for the bulk of the fatalities, including six more announced on Monday.
Restaurants, bars, cafes and casinos closed
The unprecedented wave of closures and restrictions, which began to accelerate last week, took on fresh urgency as New Jersey "strongly discouraged" all non-essential and non-emergency travel between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., starting on Monday.
The states of New Jersey, New York and Connecticut struck a regional agreement to close all movie theaters, casinos and gyms as of 8 p.m. Monday (0000 GMT). Restaurants and bars in the three states - where more than 22 million people live - will serve takeout and delivery only.
Officials in six San Francisco Bay Area counties on Monday ordered residents to stay at home for all but the most crucial outings until April 7. That directive came a day after California Governor Gavin Newsom urged adults older than 65, and their caretakers, to remain indoors whether or not they have underlying health conditions.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, said efforts by state and local governments were insufficient to confront the coast-to-coast crisis.
"This is a national problem. It cannot be done in a piecemeal method," Cuomo said, calling for bold action involving the military and Army Corps of Engineers to quickly create excess hospital capacity.
In the nation's capital, Washington, a deeply divided Senate was considering a multibillion-dollar emergency spending bill requiring sick leave for some workers and expanded unemployment compensation, while the Supreme Court postponed oral arguments for the first time in over a century.
(FRANCE 24 with AP, REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-16--Stocks plunge worldwide as central bank action fails to ease virus fears

Stocks dropped 9 percent in early trading Monday , March 16 , 2020 on Wall Street as huge swaths of the economy come closer to shutting down , from airlines to restaurants .
Stock markets and oil prices went into freefall Monday as interest rate cuts and fresh stimulus measures by central banks failed to lift confidence , with analysts warning that the USA 's Federal Reserve may have reached the limits of its power to fend off recession as the coronavirus spreads .
Brent North Sea oil plunged more than ten percent to a four-year low , as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Russia added to sliding crude demand caused by the virus .
The euro surged one percent against the dollar after the Fed on Sunday slashed borrowing costs to almost zero -- its second emergency cut in less than two weeks .
The US central bank also unveiled a massive asset-buying programme , similar to measures put into place during the global financial crisis more than a decade ago .
The Bank of Japan joined in on Monday , saying it would ramp up its bond-buying programme .
New Zealand 's central bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an attempt to cushion the economic blow , while the People 's Bank of China has injected vast sums into financial markets to ease liquidity worries .
In joint action coordinated with the European Central Bank , Bank of England , Bank of Japan , Bank of Canada and the Swiss National Bank , the Fed moved to counteract global `` dollar funding pressures '' according to its boss Jerome Powell .
But traders were left unimpressed , with the virus showing no sign of letting up , while the head of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it was impossible to tell when it would peak globally .
With G7 leaders set to hold crisis videoconference talks later Monday , IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva called Monday for global governments to work together to provide massive spending as in the 2008 financial crisis to help the economy withstand the damage from the coronavirus pandemic .
Trading was halted on Wall Street just after the opening bell , with the Dow dropping nearly 10 percent .
In afternoon trading in Europe , Paris 10.7 percent , Milan 10.9 percent , Madrid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London 7.9 percent .
Airlines and tourism groups were the biggest fallers after slashing capacity , with TUI down by nearly a third and British Airways-parent IAG crashing 28 percent .
The car sector also slid as carmakers Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot-Citroen said they were halting production .
`` While these ( central bank ) moves may go some way to easing any potential blockages in the plumbing of the financial markets , they wo n't adequately compensate for the upcoming economic shocks that are about to come our way , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scale of the crisis was laid bare by data showing Chinese industrial production for January and February shrank 13.5 percent , the first contraction in around 30 years .
Meanwhile , manufacturing activity in New York state fell to its lowest level since 2009 , according to the New York Federal Reserve Bank 's monthly industry survey .
Equity markets continue to be whipsawed by the disease , which has now infected almost 170,000 people and killed more than 6,000 with several countries going into lockdown as Europe becomes the new epicentre of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led losses in Asia-Pacific , tumbling 9.7 percent in its worst daily drop on record , while Manila shed nearly eight percent and Bangkok and Mumbai dropped more than five percent .
Hong Kong , Singapore , Taipei and Jakarta all lost more than four percent .
Wellington and Seoul were more than three percent off .
Shanghai tumbled 3.4 percent after the release of the industrial production data , which came a week after news that Chinese exports had collapsed .
Tokyo ended 2.5 percent lower , after a rally sparked by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcement fizzled .
The broad retreat followed a tumultuous week that saw some stock markets suffer their worst days in decades and in some cases their worst ever .
And experts said there was a concern that the Fed might be running on empty with regards to further action .
Sunday 's move `` raises the question of whether the Fed has anything left in the tank should the spread of the virus not be contained '' , said Kerry Craig at JP Morgan Asset Management .
`` Our view is that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing policies and shock from the fall of the oil price on the energy sector will be enough to tip the US into recession , but not necessarily a long one . ''

Stock markets and oil prices went into freefall Monday as interest rate cuts and fresh stimulus measures by central banks failed to lift confidence, with analysts warning that the USA's Federal Reserve may have reached the limits of its power to fend off recession as the coronavirus spreads.
Stocks dropped 9 percent in early trading Monday, March 16, 2020 on Wall Street as huge swaths of the economy come closer to shutting down, from airlines to restaurants.
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Brent North Sea oil plunged more than ten percent to a four-year low, as a price war between major producers Saudi Arabia and Russia added to sliding crude demand caused by the virus.
The euro surged one percent against the dollar after the Fed on Sunday slashed borrowing costs to almost zero -- its second emergency cut in less than two weeks.
The US central bank also unveiled a massive asset-buying programme, similar to measures put into place during the global financial crisis more than a decade ago.
The Bank of Japan joined in on Monday, saying it would ramp up its bond-buying programme.
New Zealand's central bank also slashed rates to record lows in an attempt to cushion the economic blow, while the People's Bank of China has injected vast sums into financial markets to ease liquidity worries.
In joint action coordinated with the European Central Bank, Bank of England, Bank of Japan, Bank of Canada and the Swiss National Bank, the Fed moved to counteract global "dollar funding pressures" according to its boss Jerome Powell.
But traders were left unimpressed, with the virus showing no sign of letting up, while the head of the World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said it was impossible to tell when it would peak globally.
With G7 leaders set to hold crisis videoconference talks later Monday, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva called Monday for global governments to work together to provide massive spending as in the 2008 financial crisis to help the economy withstand the damage from the coronavirus pandemic.
Trading was halted on Wall Street just after the opening bell, with the Dow dropping nearly 10 percent.
U.S. stocks plunge at the open, S&P 500 Index sinks more than 8% https://t.co/Pe92THjKWr pic.twitter.com/6JI13n9DxX — Bloomberg Markets (@markets) March 16, 2020
In afternoon trading in Europe, Paris 10.7 percent, Milan 10.9 percent, Madrid 11.3 percent, Frankfurt 9.5 percent and London 7.9 percent.
Airlines and tourism groups were the biggest fallers after slashing capacity, with TUI down by nearly a third and British Airways-parent IAG crashing 28 percent.
The car sector also slid as carmakers Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot-Citroen said they were halting production.
"While these (central bank) moves may go some way to easing any potential blockages in the plumbing of the financial markets, they won't adequately compensate for the upcoming economic shocks that are about to come our way," said CMC Markets analyst Michael Hewson.
The scale of the crisis was laid bare by data showing Chinese industrial production for January and February shrank 13.5 percent, the first contraction in around 30 years.
Meanwhile, manufacturing activity in New York state fell to its lowest level since 2009, according to the New York Federal Reserve Bank's monthly industry survey.
Equity markets continue to be whipsawed by the disease, which has now infected almost 170,000 people and killed more than 6,000 with several countries going into lockdown as Europe becomes the new epicentre of the outbreak.
Asia meltdown
Sydney's stock market led losses in Asia-Pacific, tumbling 9.7 percent in its worst daily drop on record, while Manila shed nearly eight percent and Bangkok and Mumbai dropped more than five percent.
Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei and Jakarta all lost more than four percent. Wellington and Seoul were more than three percent off.
Shanghai tumbled 3.4 percent after the release of the industrial production data, which came a week after news that Chinese exports had collapsed.
Tokyo ended 2.5 percent lower, after a rally sparked by the Bank of Japan's support measures announcement fizzled.
Meltdown in banking stocks continue w/ EuroStoxx Banks plunge another 11%. Deutsche Bank trades <€4.50. pic.twitter.com/xHUbOMSdUM — Holger Zschaepitz (@Schuldensuehner) March 16, 2020
The broad retreat followed a tumultuous week that saw some stock markets suffer their worst days in decades and in some cases their worst ever.
And experts said there was a concern that the Fed might be running on empty with regards to further action.
Sunday's move "raises the question of whether the Fed has anything left in the tank should the spread of the virus not be contained", said Kerry Craig at JP Morgan Asset Management.
"Our view is that the drag on the services sector from social distancing policies and shock from the fall of the oil price on the energy sector will be enough to tip the US into recession, but not necessarily a long one."
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-16--Sanofi, Regeneron start testing arthritis drug to fight coronavirus

Sanofi SA and partner Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc have started a clinical trial of their rheumatoid arthritis drug Kevzara as a @ @ @ @ @ the companies said on Monday .
Enrolments for the mid-to-late stage trial will begin immediately @ @ @ @ @ the trial will test up to 400 patients .
Kevzara is an infection-fighting protein known @ @ @ @ @ in February announced a partnership with the US Department of Health and Human Services to @ @ @ @ @ and had said it would focus on monoclonal antibodies .

Sanofi SA and partner Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc have started a clinical trial of their rheumatoid arthritis drug Kevzara as a treatment for the coronavirus, the companies said on Monday.
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Enrolments for the mid-to-late stage trial will begin immediately, and the companies anticipate the trial will test up to 400 patients.
Kevzara is an infection-fighting protein known as monoclonal antibody.
Regeneron in February announced a partnership with the US Department of Health and Human Services to develop a coronavirus treatment, and had said it would focus on monoclonal antibodies.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-16--Escape and resignation as life slows in Paris

In the hours before French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to announce yet another new round of restrictions in an effort to curb the coronavirus and less than two days after all “ non-essential ” commerce was ordered shut , life in Paris on Monday was dampened but not doused .
The weather may have been a factor , along with the day of the week .
It was Monday , when many essential shops such as butchers and bakers take their regular day off , and the skies were grey .
The streets were not empty , but they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was simply nowhere to go and nothing to do .
Contrast that with Sunday , when the sun glittered and warmed and the markets were open – and crowded .
Social distancing ?
Hardly .
Social media was filled with images of people thronging markets or strolling along rivers and canals .
Germ-passing high-five greetings were not unseen .
Pharmacies are among those establishments allowed to stay open and several of them seemed to have at least average clientele on Monday .
A resourceful though not entirely rule-following florist was piggybacking on one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , selling bouquets and bunches of tulips from the back of a truck parked in front of the establishment .
Business appeared brisk .
Elsewhere , though , the pace of trade was decidedly slower .
Delcius Dervilme had been behind the wheel of his taxi for two-and-a-half hours when he picked up a fare headed for the airport .
He said that his business started slacking off about two weeks ago , around the time tourists started getting skittish .
A healthy-looking Haitian well shy of the age at which one becomes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t overly nervous about catching the virus from a client .
“ It ’ s going to affect everyone , ” he shrugged , adding that he needed to earn money .
He was more concerned about his relatives who remained in Haiti , where the health care system is much weaker .
What happens to fashion on lockdown ?
Morning traffic on the A1 autoroute was clogged coming into the city but sparse heading to Charles de Gaulle ( CDG ) airport .
Dervilme ’ s cab sped past the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giant poster for the opera Carmen , scheduled to be held there in September .
Perhaps that concert will take place , but elsewhere in Paris streets are adorned with advertisements for events that will not be held and movies that no one can go see .
Shopfronts display the latest fads .
What happens to fashion on lockdown ?
Do things go out of style or do we all just pick up where we left off ?
Terminal 2C at CDG was not crowded , but it wasn ’ t empty either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks – and you saw all types ( perhaps that ’ s where the fashion impulses are being directed ) .
Throughout the airport were people absentmindedly rubbing their hands together , trying to distribute coatings of anti-bacterial gel .
Where all these accoutrements came from was unclear ; it certainly wasn ’ t the airport pharmacy , which had taped signs on to every available surface informing hopeful purchasers that they had no gel and no masks .
At least , though , it was open .
Starbucks , McDonalds , Paul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passenger who had forgotten to eat breakfast was left with whatever was on offer at the Relay—a mélange of prepackaged sandwiches and salads , chips , cookies , sweets .
There was a fresh orange juice machine with a basket of croissants , muffins and pain au raisin next to it , but a knot of construction workers stood nearby talking and coughing , rending them unappealing choices .
The cashier was wearing a mask and asked customers who got too close to back off a bit .
The check-in counters operated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same kinds of queues you ’ d see on an average day , though the touch-screen machines were being under-utilised for obvious reasons .
At the American Airlines counters , employees outnumbered travellers .
A flight to Philadelphia had been cancelled , but flights to Miami and Dallas were still scheduled to depart .
Samuel Morin and Kassandra Brambila , both in their late-20s , were taking the latter flight , heading back to their home in McAllen , Texas , near the border with Mexico , where they both have their roots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on March 11for Brambila ’ s life-coach certification ceremony , but it had been cancelled .
They had planned to stay until the 26th but worried that if they didn ’ t get back to the US soon , they wouldn ’ t be able to .
Today was calm in the airport , they said .
They had come at 4.30am on Saturday morning to change their tickets , and there was already a huge queue of people at American Airlines counters trying to catch flights home .
They were able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hung around for a few more hours to help some friends from Mexico who didn ’ t speak English or French .
They had been scheduled to fly back to Mexico via the US , but as they were not US residents or citizens , the measures announced by Trump meant they could no longer connect on US soil .
One of them ended up paying $ 4,000 ( €3,600 ) for a new ticket that would allow him to fly directly .
Morin said he was a little worried about travelling during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was sanguine .
“ I ’ m Mexican , ” she said with a laugh .
“ I ate dirt when I was a kid .
I think I ’ m more worried about him.
” Not everyone in the airport was heading home .
Justine Bouchard is from La Somme and was catching a flight to Tahiti .
She had already paid for the trip and was unable to cancel so decided to go , but was somewhat worried she wouldn ’ t be able to get back .
Getting back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other hand , was no issue .
The buses and RERs were all operating , though the front area of the RoissyBus was reinforced with construction tape and no-entry signs to prevent people from approaching the driver .
As it was , there were few passengers to worry about .
And back in Paris , Métro stations were uncharacteristically clean and eerily deserted .
Trains were underpopulated .
Periodic announcements in the stations reminded what few riders there were how to protect themselves against the virus .
All of this is likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announces anticipated new restrictions .

In the hours before French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to announce yet another new round of restrictions in an effort to curb the coronavirus and less than two days after all “non-essential” commerce was ordered shut, life in Paris on Monday was dampened but not doused.
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The weather may have been a factor, along with the day of the week. It was Monday, when many essential shops such as butchers and bakers take their regular day off, and the skies were grey. The streets were not empty, but they were far quieter than usual. There was simply nowhere to go and nothing to do.
Contrast that with Sunday, when the sun glittered and warmed and the markets were open – and crowded. Social distancing? Hardly. Social media was filled with images of people thronging markets or strolling along rivers and canals. Germ-passing high-five greetings were not unseen.
Pharmacies are among those establishments allowed to stay open and several of them seemed to have at least average clientele on Monday. A resourceful though not entirely rule-following florist was piggybacking on one in the 18th arrondissement (district), selling bouquets and bunches of tulips from the back of a truck parked in front of the establishment. Business appeared brisk.
Elsewhere, though, the pace of trade was decidedly slower. Delcius Dervilme had been behind the wheel of his taxi for two-and-a-half hours when he picked up a fare headed for the airport. He said that his business started slacking off about two weeks ago, around the time tourists started getting skittish.
A healthy-looking Haitian well shy of the age at which one becomes a high-risk patient, he said he wasn’t overly nervous about catching the virus from a client.
“It’s going to affect everyone,” he shrugged, adding that he needed to earn money. He was more concerned about his relatives who remained in Haiti, where the health care system is much weaker.
What happens to fashion on lockdown?
Morning traffic on the A1 autoroute was clogged coming into the city but sparse heading to Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport. Dervilme’s cab sped past the Stade de France, festooned with a giant poster for the opera Carmen, scheduled to be held there in September. Perhaps that concert will take place, but elsewhere in Paris streets are adorned with advertisements for events that will not be held and movies that no one can go see. Shopfronts display the latest fads. What happens to fashion on lockdown? Do things go out of style or do we all just pick up where we left off?
Terminal 2C at CDG was not crowded, but it wasn’t empty either. A fair number of travellers wore masks – and you saw all types (perhaps that’s where the fashion impulses are being directed). Throughout the airport were people absentmindedly rubbing their hands together, trying to distribute coatings of anti-bacterial gel. Where all these accoutrements came from was unclear; it certainly wasn’t the airport pharmacy, which had taped signs on to every available surface informing hopeful purchasers that they had no gel and no masks .
At least, though, it was open. Starbucks, McDonalds, Paul …. all closed. A hungry passenger who had forgotten to eat breakfast was left with whatever was on offer at the Relay—a mélange of prepackaged sandwiches and salads, chips, cookies, sweets. There was a fresh orange juice machine with a basket of croissants, muffins and pain au raisin next to it, but a knot of construction workers stood nearby talking and coughing, rending them unappealing choices. The cashier was wearing a mask and asked customers who got too close to back off a bit.
The check-in counters operated by Air Canada and Air Algérie had the same kinds of queues you’d see on an average day, though the touch-screen machines were being under-utilised for obvious reasons. At the American Airlines counters, employees outnumbered travellers. A flight to Philadelphia had been cancelled, but flights to Miami and Dallas were still scheduled to depart.
Samuel Morin and Kassandra Brambila, both in their late-20s, were taking the latter flight, heading back to their home in McAllen, Texas, near the border with Mexico, where they both have their roots. The couple had arrived in Paris on March 11for Brambila’s life-coach certification ceremony, but it had been cancelled. They had planned to stay until the 26th but worried that if they didn’t get back to the US soon, they wouldn’t be able to.
Today was calm in the airport, they said. They had come at 4.30am on Saturday morning to change their tickets, and there was already a huge queue of people at American Airlines counters trying to catch flights home. They were able to rebook with no problem, but they hung around for a few more hours to help some friends from Mexico who didn’t speak English or French. They had been scheduled to fly back to Mexico via the US, but as they were not US residents or citizens, the measures announced by Trump meant they could no longer connect on US soil. One of them ended up paying $4,000 (€3,600) for a new ticket that would allow him to fly directly.
Morin said he was a little worried about travelling during the time of coronavirus, but Brambila was sanguine. “I’m Mexican,” she said with a laugh. “I ate dirt when I was a kid. I think I’m more worried about him.”
Not everyone in the airport was heading home. Justine Bouchard is from La Somme and was catching a flight to Tahiti. She had already paid for the trip and was unable to cancel so decided to go, but was somewhat worried she wouldn’t be able to get back.
Clean and deserted
Getting back to Paris from the airport, on the other hand, was no issue. The buses and RERs were all operating, though the front area of the RoissyBus was reinforced with construction tape and no-entry signs to prevent people from approaching the driver. As it was, there were few passengers to worry about. And back in Paris, Métro stations were uncharacteristically clean and eerily deserted. Trains were underpopulated. Periodic announcements in the stations reminded what few riders there were how to protect themselves against the virus.
All of this is likely to look entirely different tomorrow, once Macron announces anticipated new restrictions.
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france24--2020-03-16--Coronavirus: 'It is crucial to implement the strictest measures as soon as possible'

Whole-country quarantines , border closures , states of emergency , medical supplies requisitioned – and now the United States has banned most Europeans from travelling to the United States .
The coronavirus outbreak may have begun in China , but the illness is currently presenting an almost unprecedented challenge in Europe .
Our guest is a man deeply involved in those efforts : Fabio Massimo Castaldo , a vice-president of the European Parliament .
He is from the Five Star Movement , which is currently in coalition government in Italy , one of the countries worst hit by the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coordinated EU response to the coronavirus outbreak .
`` There should immediately be a joint health protocol across the whole continent because this virus does not recognise any borders .
We are still implementing different measures in different countries and this is not acceptable , it is increasing the risk of spreading the virus , '' he told FRANCE 24 's Catherine Nicholson .
The European Parliament vice president also regretted that Italy has not received more help from its EU neighbours .
`` We should centralise the production , distribution and acquisition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the viruses .
Germany and France refused to give part of their stocks to Italy – and in my country we do n't have the industry that 's able to produce ventilation equipment for example , '' he explained .
> > Coronavirus in Italy : From Florence to Palermo , tourism and economy grind to a halt

Whole-country quarantines, border closures, states of emergency, medical supplies requisitioned – and now the United States has banned most Europeans from travelling to the United States. The coronavirus outbreak may have begun in China, but the illness is currently presenting an almost unprecedented challenge in Europe. Our guest is a man deeply involved in those efforts: Fabio Massimo Castaldo, a vice-president of the European Parliament. He is from the Five Star Movement, which is currently in coalition government in Italy, one of the countries worst hit by the virus.
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Castaldo criticised the lack of a coordinated EU response to the coronavirus outbreak.
"There should immediately be a joint health protocol across the whole continent because this virus does not recognise any borders. We are still implementing different measures in different countries and this is not acceptable, it is increasing the risk of spreading the virus," he told FRANCE 24's Catherine Nicholson.
The European Parliament vice president also regretted that Italy has not received more help from its EU neighbours.
"We should centralise the production, distribution and acquisition of medical equipment and devices to counteract the viruses. Germany and France refused to give part of their stocks to Italy – and in my country we don't have the industry that's able to produce ventilation equipment for example," he explained.
>> Coronavirus in Italy: From Florence to Palermo, tourism and economy grind to a halt
Programme prepared by Céline Schmitt, Isabelle Romero, Mathilde Bénézet and Perrine Desplats.
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france24--2020-03-16--Coronavirus: Parisians ignore warnings amid virus clampdown

Parisians were seen taking to the city ’ s parks and public spaces in their droves Sunday , just hours after the government ordered bars , restaurants and all other non-essential businesses to close and advised citizens to stay at home as much as possible .
Now , stricter measures may be imminent .
“ I say this in all seriousness : We must all together show more discipline in the application of these measures , ” French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe said as he announced the closures Saturday .
“ What we must do at this moment is simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limit meeting friends and family … Only leave home for essential activities . ''
But on an unseasonably warm day Sunday , groups of Parisians and tourists were seen gathering with friends and family in the city 's parks and on the banks of the River Seine .
Some picnicked , others played football or pétanque .
On Monday , France ’ s public health chief Jerome Salomon warned the spread of the virus , which has killed 127 in the country and infected more than 5,400 , was increasing because of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The TV reports yesterday were stark and people were still out and about a lot , ” he told France Inter radio , “ and that limited adherence to the advice means we have n't been able to slow down the epidemic . ''
French president Emmanuel Macron is due to address the nation tonight following a high level meeting with ministers and advisors , and he is widely expected to announce tougher measures to enforce social distancing .
It remains to be seen if France will be implicating the sort of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Italy and Spain , where people have been forbidden to leave their homes unless it is for certain essential tasks , such as going to work or to buy food .

Parisians were seen taking to the city’s parks and public spaces in their droves Sunday, just hours after the government ordered bars, restaurants and all other non-essential businesses to close and advised citizens to stay at home as much as possible. Now, stricter measures may be imminent.
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“I say this in all seriousness: We must all together show more discipline in the application of these measures,” French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe said as he announced the closures Saturday.
“What we must do at this moment is simply avoid gathering as much as possible, limit meeting friends and family … Only leave home for essential activities.''
But on an unseasonably warm day Sunday, groups of Parisians and tourists were seen gathering with friends and family in the city's parks and on the banks of the River Seine. Some picnicked, others played football or pétanque.
On Monday, France’s public health chief Jerome Salomon warned the spread of the virus, which has killed 127 in the country and infected more than 5,400, was increasing because of people ignoring the government’s advice.
“The TV reports yesterday were stark and people were still out and about a lot,” he told France Inter radio, “and that limited adherence to the advice means we haven't been able to slow down the epidemic."
French president Emmanuel Macron is due to address the nation tonight following a high level meeting with ministers and advisors, and he is widely expected to announce tougher measures to enforce social distancing.
It remains to be seen if France will be implicating the sort of total lockdown seen in other countries, like Italy and Spain, where people have been forbidden to leave their homes unless it is for certain essential tasks, such as going to work or to buy food.
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france24--2020-03-16--Germany closes public spaces, bans religious gatherings in virus clampdown

People queue in front of the gold trading store Degussa in Berlin , Germany , on March 16 , 2020 .
The German government on Monday banned gatherings in churches , mosques and synagogues , and ordered non-essential shops as well as playgrounds shut , as it battled to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic .
The sweeping restrictions aimed at `` limiting social contact in public places '' will leave most sites from museums to swimming pools to gyms shuttered .
But supermarkets , banks and post offices will stay open , as will pharmacies and petrol stations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laundromats will also keep operating , said the government , saying that the move was to ensure that `` service providers and craftsmen can continue to carry out their trade '' .
Restaurants and cafes can stay open , but only until 6pm daily .
Hotels will only be used for `` essential and explicitly not for tourist purposes '' , the government added .
Authorities had last week ordered schools shut , and regional trains have been curtailed in a bid to reduce travel .
Germany also from Monday re-introduced checks on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Switzerland , Luxembourg and Denmark , turning back motorists without an essential reason to enter Germany .
With most of Europe now in lockdown , and stock markets in a tailspin , Berlin on Friday promised companies `` unlimited '' credit to keep them afloat .
The economic package is worth at least 550 billion euros ( $ 614 billion ) initially -- the biggest in Germany 's post-war history .

The German government on Monday banned gatherings in churches, mosques and synagogues, and ordered non-essential shops as well as playgrounds shut, as it battled to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
People queue in front of the gold trading store Degussa in Berlin, Germany, on March 16, 2020.
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The sweeping restrictions aimed at "limiting social contact in public places" will leave most sites from museums to swimming pools to gyms shuttered.
But supermarkets, banks and post offices will stay open, as will pharmacies and petrol stations.
Hairdressers, construction supply stores and laundromats will also keep operating, said the government, saying that the move was to ensure that "service providers and craftsmen can continue to carry out their trade".
Restaurants and cafes can stay open, but only until 6pm daily.
Hotels will only be used for "essential and explicitly not for tourist purposes", the government added.
Germany is imposing new restrictions to fight the coronavirus spread:
- non-essential shops to shut
- religious gatherings not allowed
- playgrounds to close
- restaurants/cafes will have to close by 6pm
-hotels closed to tourists https://t.co/3HNtyDgWmK — Rachel Loxton (@RachLoxton) March 16, 2020
Authorities had last week ordered schools shut, and regional trains have been curtailed in a bid to reduce travel.
Germany also from Monday re-introduced checks on its borders with Austria, France, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Denmark, turning back motorists without an essential reason to enter Germany.
With most of Europe now in lockdown, and stock markets in a tailspin, Berlin on Friday promised companies "unlimited" credit to keep them afloat.
The economic package is worth at least 550 billion euros ($614 billion) initially -- the biggest in Germany's post-war history.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-16--French judges order trial for 20 suspects linked to 2015 Paris attacks

In this photo from November 13 , 2019 , a wreath and flowers surround a commemorative plaque set outside the Bataclan concert venue during ceremonies across Paris marking the fourth anniversary of the November 2015 terror attacks that killed 130 people .
French judges have ordered 20 people to stand trial over the coordinated attacks that killed 130 people in Paris in November 2015 , including Salah Abdeslam , the only suspected assailant still alive , prosecutors said Monday .
The move comes after investigators wrapped up their vast inquiry into the murderous attacks claimed by the Islamic State group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strikes on French soil over the past five years .
No date was announced for the trial , which will include 1,765 civil plaintiffs , many of them relatives of victims .
A total of 130 people died in the November 13 , 2015 assaults by 10 heavily armed gunmen who attacked during a football match at the national stadium outside Paris , and then bars and restaurants in the capital as well as the Bataclan concert hall .
All of the attackers detonated their explosive vests or were killed by police except @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four months later .
He has refused to cooperate with investigators and remains in solitary confinement .
Anti-terror prosecutors last November charged 14 people currently in prison or under judicial supervision , with six others sought by international arrest warrants .
But at least three of those wanted are believed dead , including Oussama Atar , a Belgian-Moroccan citizen who is thought to have helped orchestrate the attack from Raqqa , the former capital of the Islamic State group 's so-called `` caliphate '' in Syria .
Atar was reportedly killed in early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been officially confirmed .
The other suspects facing trial have been charged with helping to organise or finance the attacks , or helping the gunmen to flee .
The same jihadist cell blamed for the Paris attacks is believed to also have struck the airport and metro system of Brussels in March 2016 , killing 32 people .

French judges have ordered 20 people to stand trial over the coordinated attacks that killed 130 people in Paris in November 2015, including Salah Abdeslam, the only suspected assailant still alive, prosecutors said Monday.
In this photo from November 13, 2019, a wreath and flowers surround a commemorative plaque set outside the Bataclan concert venue during ceremonies across Paris marking the fourth anniversary of the November 2015 terror attacks that killed 130 people.
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The move comes after investigators wrapped up their vast inquiry into the murderous attacks claimed by the Islamic State group, part of a wave of jihadist strikes on French soil over the past five years.
No date was announced for the trial, which will include 1,765 civil plaintiffs, many of them relatives of victims.
A total of 130 people died in the November 13, 2015 assaults by 10 heavily armed gunmen who attacked during a football match at the national stadium outside Paris, and then bars and restaurants in the capital as well as the Bataclan concert hall.
All of the attackers detonated their explosive vests or were killed by police except Abdeslam, who was arrested in Belgium four months later.
He has refused to cooperate with investigators and remains in solitary confinement.
Anti-terror prosecutors last November charged 14 people currently in prison or under judicial supervision, with six others sought by international arrest warrants.
But at least three of those wanted are believed dead, including Oussama Atar, a Belgian-Moroccan citizen who is thought to have helped orchestrate the attack from Raqqa, the former capital of the Islamic State group's so-called "caliphate" in Syria.
Atar was reportedly killed in early 2018, but his death has not been officially confirmed.
The other suspects facing trial have been charged with helping to organise or finance the attacks, or helping the gunmen to flee.
The same jihadist cell blamed for the Paris attacks is believed to also have struck the airport and metro system of Brussels in March 2016, killing 32 people.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-03-16--Israel's Gantz gets chance to form govt after inconclusive unity talks

Benny Gantz , the leader of Israeli centrist party Blue and White , arrives for a meeting with Avigdor Lieberman , the head of the Israeli secular nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu party , in the central Israeli city of Ramat Gan on March 9 , 2020 .
Israel 's ex-military chief Benny Gantz was nominated Monday to try to form a government but further talks were expected with his bitter rival , premier Benjamin Netanyahu , on an emergency alliance to fight coronavirus .
Gantz , who heads the centrist Blue and White party , called for `` unity '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Israel seeks to end a crippling political stalemate after three inconclusive elections in less than a year .
`` We must not have a fourth election , '' Gantz said , after he was formally nominated to attempt to form an administration by President Reuven Rivlin .
`` I 'll do everything to form in as few days as possible a national , patriotic and broad government . ''
Gantz , 60 , won recommendations on Sunday from 61 lawmakers , a razor thin majority in the 120-member Knesset , or parliament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's right-wing Likud , but Rivlin has urged the two men to work together in an emergency unity government , in order to avoid a national policy vacuum in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` It is possible that forming a government quickly will require interim arrangements for the coming months '' , Rivlin said Monday .
Gantz 's path to a longer-term stable coalition is difficult given the deep divisions within the factions that backed him , which include the mainly Arab Joint List and the nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu .
Rivlin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to form a government , a task which proved impossible for any candidate following the two elections last year .
Netanyahu -- Israel 's longest-serving premier and the first ever to be indicted in office , on graft charges -- has insisted that voters in the March 2 election gave him a mandate to continue as prime minister .
The vote saw Likud secure the most seats but , along with its religious party allies , it fell three seats short of a majority .
Gantz has a `` hollow mandate , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yediot Aharonot newspaper , referring to the possibly insurmountable divisions within the anti-Netanyahu camp .
Rivlin has made clear he wants a government in place soon to help Israel beat back the COVID-19 pandemic .
He said political leaders had a duty to form a government amid `` the national and international emergency . ''
`` Fourth elections are not a possibility , '' added Rivlin , who is largely a ceremonial figure .
Rivlin summoned Gantz and Netanyahu on Sunday for an `` urgent conversation '' , which ended without agreement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the talks would continue .
But prospects for the two men coming to terms may be remote , especially as mutual acrimony has ramped up in recent days .
A new Knesset will also be sworn in later Monday in a stripped-down ceremony due to coronavirus .
Writing in the left-wing Haaretz newspaper , columnist Raviv Drucker said the pandemic `` could be our political establishment 's miracle , '' forcing a compromise that has proved elusive over the past year of political deadlock .
Israel has 255 confirmed cases of coronavirus with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home-quarantine .
Authorities have banned gatherings of more than 10 people and ordered schools , universities , restaurants and cafes to close , among other measures .
Netanyahu , 70 , on Sunday proposed a six-month unity government that he would lead to manage the response to the pandemic .
He also offered a four-year arrangement that would see the two leaders equally split the job of prime minister .
`` Gantz does n't believe a single word Netanyahu says , '' columnist Nahum Barnea wrote in Yediot Aharonot , arguing against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barnea added , coronavirus could prove `` key to a deal '' .
Gantz has consistently refused to serve in any government led by someone facing criminal charges .
Netanyahu was in January formally charged with bribery , fraud and breach of trust .
His trial had been due to open on Tuesday , but Jerusalem 's District Court postponed it to May 24 , blaming the pandemic .
The prime minister 's rivals cried foul , accusing him of using the coronavirus public health crisis to push back his long-anticipated day in @ @

Israel's ex-military chief Benny Gantz was nominated Monday to try to form a government but further talks were expected with his bitter rival, premier Benjamin Netanyahu, on an emergency alliance to fight coronavirus.
Benny Gantz, the leader of Israeli centrist party Blue and White, arrives for a meeting with Avigdor Lieberman, the head of the Israeli secular nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu party, in the central Israeli city of Ramat Gan on March 9, 2020.
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Gantz, who heads the centrist Blue and White party, called for "unity" and urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to join him as Israel seeks to end a crippling political stalemate after three inconclusive elections in less than a year.
"We must not have a fourth election," Gantz said, after he was formally nominated to attempt to form an administration by President Reuven Rivlin.
"I'll do everything to form in as few days as possible a national, patriotic and broad government."
Gantz, 60, won recommendations on Sunday from 61 lawmakers, a razor thin majority in the 120-member Knesset, or parliament.
His backers did not include Netanyahu's right-wing Likud, but Rivlin has urged the two men to work together in an emergency unity government, in order to avoid a national policy vacuum in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
"It is possible that forming a government quickly will require interim arrangements for the coming months", Rivlin said Monday.
Squaring the circle
Gantz's path to a longer-term stable coalition is difficult given the deep divisions within the factions that backed him, which include the mainly Arab Joint List and the nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu.
Rivlin officially granted Gantz 28 days to try to form a government, a task which proved impossible for any candidate following the two elections last year.
Netanyahu -- Israel's longest-serving premier and the first ever to be indicted in office, on graft charges -- has insisted that voters in the March 2 election gave him a mandate to continue as prime minister.
The vote saw Likud secure the most seats but, along with its religious party allies, it fell three seats short of a majority.
Gantz has a "hollow mandate," political columnist Sima Kadmon wrote in the Yediot Aharonot newspaper, referring to the possibly insurmountable divisions within the anti-Netanyahu camp.
Rivlin has made clear he wants a government in place soon to help Israel beat back the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said political leaders had a duty to form a government amid "the national and international emergency."
"Fourth elections are not a possibility," added Rivlin, who is largely a ceremonial figure.
Rivlin summoned Gantz and Netanyahu on Sunday for an "urgent conversation", which ended without agreement, but Likud and Blue and White said the talks would continue.
But prospects for the two men coming to terms may be remote, especially as mutual acrimony has ramped up in recent days.
A new Knesset will also be sworn in later Monday in a stripped-down ceremony due to coronavirus.
Coronavirus coalition?
Writing in the left-wing Haaretz newspaper, columnist Raviv Drucker said the pandemic "could be our political establishment's miracle," forcing a compromise that has proved elusive over the past year of political deadlock.
Israel has 255 confirmed cases of coronavirus with no fatalities but tens of thousands in home-quarantine.
Authorities have banned gatherings of more than 10 people and ordered schools, universities, restaurants and cafes to close, among other measures.
Netanyahu, 70, on Sunday proposed a six-month unity government that he would lead to manage the response to the pandemic.
He also offered a four-year arrangement that would see the two leaders equally split the job of prime minister.
"Gantz doesn't believe a single word Netanyahu says," columnist Nahum Barnea wrote in Yediot Aharonot, arguing against the prospects of an alliance.
But, Barnea added, coronavirus could prove "key to a deal".
Gantz has consistently refused to serve in any government led by someone facing criminal charges.
Netanyahu was in January formally charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
He denies wrongdoing.
His trial had been due to open on Tuesday, but Jerusalem's District Court postponed it to May 24, blaming the pandemic.
The prime minister's rivals cried foul, accusing him of using the coronavirus public health crisis to push back his long-anticipated day in court.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-16--Macron announces a two-week lockdown in France, closure of EU’s Schengen zone borders

France is imposing nationwide restrictions on how far from their homes people can go and for what purpose as part of the country 's strategy to stop the spread of the new coronavirus .
French President Emmanuel Macron said that `` movements will be very strongly reduced ” for 15 days starting at midday Tuesday .
He says residents will only be permitted to leave their homes for necessary trips such as going to work or the supermarket .
Macron said in televised remarks that the government decided to order the restrictions because people have n't complied with earlier public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war ” .
Macron added that any violations will be penalised , without elaborating how .
Earlier in the day , Macron held a meeting with his prime minister , top military adviser , intelligence coordinator and ministers of health , the interior and foreign affairs on the health crisis before giving his televised address at 8pm Paris time ( 19:00 GMT ) .
Also on Monday , France ’ s director general of health Jérôme Salomon said that the coronavirus outbreak in France is `` very worrying '' and `` deteriorating very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases double every three days , '' Salomon said on the France Inter radio network .
`` I want our citizens to realise that there are people who are sick , who are in intensive care and that ( their number ) runs into hundreds , '' he said .
According to the latest official figures published on Sunday , France has had 127 coronavirus deaths and 5,423 confirmed cases .
That was a jump of 36 deaths and over 900 cases in 24 hours .
More than 400 people have been hospitalised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a real worry that the speed of the outbreak could saturate hospitals and this is something we absolutely want to avoid , '' Salomon said , singling out the badly affected eastern region of Alsace near Germany and the greater Paris area .
`` This is why we must do everything to slow down the outbreak , '' he said .
`` Each Frenchman and Frenchwoman must tell themselves every morning : how can I reduce by a third or fourth the number of people I approach ?
`` Remain at home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

France is imposing nationwide restrictions on how far from their homes people can go and for what purpose as part of the country's strategy to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.
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French President Emmanuel Macron said that "movements will be very strongly reduced” for 15 days starting at midday Tuesday.
He says residents will only be permitted to leave their homes for necessary trips such as going to work or the supermarket.
Macron said in televised remarks that the government decided to order the restrictions because people haven't complied with earlier public health measures and “we are at war”.
Macron added that any violations will be penalised, without elaborating how.
'Deteriorating very fast'
Earlier in the day, Macron held a meeting with his prime minister, top military adviser, intelligence coordinator and ministers of health, the interior and foreign affairs on the health crisis before giving his televised address at 8pm Paris time (19:00 GMT).
Also on Monday, France’s director general of health Jérôme Salomon said that the coronavirus outbreak in France is "very worrying" and "deteriorating very fast".
"The number of cases double every three days," Salomon said on the France Inter radio network.
"I want our citizens to realise that there are people who are sick, who are in intensive care and that (their number) runs into hundreds," he said.
According to the latest official figures published on Sunday, France has had 127 coronavirus deaths and 5,423 confirmed cases.
00:26
That was a jump of 36 deaths and over 900 cases in 24 hours. More than 400 people have been hospitalised in a serious condition.
"There is a real worry that the speed of the outbreak could saturate hospitals and this is something we absolutely want to avoid," Salomon said, singling out the badly affected eastern region of Alsace near Germany and the greater Paris area.
"This is why we must do everything to slow down the outbreak," he said.
"Each Frenchman and Frenchwoman must tell themselves every morning: how can I reduce by a third or fourth the number of people I approach?
"Remain at home, it's as simple as that."
(FRANCE 24 with AP and AFP)
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france24--2020-03-17--France to deploy 100,000 police to enforce coronavirus lockdown

French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner stands on the door steps of the French Interior Ministry in Paris , France March 13 , 2020 .
France will deploy 100,000 police to enforce a lockdown ordered by President Emmanuel Macron aimed at curbing the coronavirus outbreak , the country 's interior minister said on Monday , and fixed checkpoints will be set up across the country .
`` Stay at home , '' Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said , adding that fines of up to 135 euros would be handed out to those flouting the toughened restrictions .
In a sombre address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Tuesday midday ( 1100 GMT ) people should stay at home unless it was to buy groceries , travel to work , exercise or for medical care .
France had already shut down restaurants and bars , closed schools and put ski resorts off limits , but Macron said measures unprecedented in peacetime were needed as the number of infected people doubled every three days and deaths spiralled higher .
Anyone flouting the restrictions , in place for at least the next two weeks , would be punished .
`` I know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unprecedented but circumstances demand it , '' Macron said .
`` We 're not up against another army or another nation .
But the enemy is right there : invisible , elusive , but it is making progress . ''
Macron said tougher action was needed after too many people ignored earlier warnings and mingled in parks and on street corners over the weekend , risking their own health and the wellbeing of others .
In France the coronavirus has killed 148 people and infected more than 6,600 .
Under the new measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hospitals with spare capacity and a military hospital with 30 intensive-care beds would be set up in the eastern region of Alsace , where one of the largest infection clusters has broken out .
Macron said he was postponing the second round of local elections on Sunday .
Because the government 's sole focus needed to be fighting the pandemic , he said he was suspending his reform agenda , starting with his overhaul of the pension system .
The government would , when necessary , legislate by decree to fight the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fatalities in France and Spain have been surging at a pace just days behind that of Italy , the epicentre of the outbreak in Europe where hospitals in the worst-hit northern regions are stretched to breaking point .
Seeking to offer further reassurance to businesses , Macron said the government would guarantee 300 billion euros worth of loans .
The loan guarantee plan would be submitted to parliament in coming weeks and would be retroactive , a finance ministry source said .
Rent and utility bills owed by small companies would also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic storm , he added .
`` No French company , whatever its size , will be exposed to the risk of collapse , '' Macron said .

France will deploy 100,000 police to enforce a lockdown ordered by President Emmanuel Macron aimed at curbing the coronavirus outbreak, the country's interior minister said on Monday, and fixed checkpoints will be set up across the country.
French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner stands on the door steps of the French Interior Ministry in Paris, France March 13, 2020.
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"Stay at home," Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said, adding that fines of up to 135 euros would be handed out to those flouting the toughened restrictions.
In a sombre address to the nation, Macron said that from Tuesday midday (1100 GMT) people should stay at home unless it was to buy groceries, travel to work, exercise or for medical care.
France had already shut down restaurants and bars, closed schools and put ski resorts off limits, but Macron said measures unprecedented in peacetime were needed as the number of infected people doubled every three days and deaths spiralled higher.
Happy St. Paddy's Day! French dailies this morn featuring Macron's "state of war" against "invisible" #CoronavirusFrance enemy theme. Le Parisien picked "French people stay home". Let's see if famously rebellious French peeps comply. pic.twitter.com/IsEAUoSSUd — leela jacinto (@leelajacinto) March 17, 2020
Anyone flouting the restrictions, in place for at least the next two weeks, would be punished.
"I know what I am asking of you is unprecedented but circumstances demand it," Macron said.
"We're not up against another army or another nation. But the enemy is right there: invisible, elusive, but it is making progress."
Macron said tougher action was needed after too many people ignored earlier warnings and mingled in parks and on street corners over the weekend, risking their own health and the wellbeing of others.
In France the coronavirus has killed 148 people and infected more than 6,600.
Army moblised
Under the new measures, soldiers would help transport the sick to hospitals with spare capacity and a military hospital with 30 intensive-care beds would be set up in the eastern region of Alsace, where one of the largest infection clusters has broken out.
Macron said he was postponing the second round of local elections on Sunday. Because the government's sole focus needed to be fighting the pandemic, he said he was suspending his reform agenda, starting with his overhaul of the pension system.
The government would, when necessary, legislate by decree to fight the coronavirus, he said.
They’re not messing around. Never had a text from the government before.
Lockdown begins in one hour
⏰🇫🇷🏠
#francelockdown #CoronavirusFrance pic.twitter.com/FE7R2dbk4m — Catherine Nicholson (@ACatInParis) March 17, 2020
Coronavirus infections and fatalities in France and Spain have been surging at a pace just days behind that of Italy, the epicentre of the outbreak in Europe where hospitals in the worst-hit northern regions are stretched to breaking point.
Seeking to offer further reassurance to businesses, Macron said the government would guarantee 300 billion euros worth of loans. The loan guarantee plan would be submitted to parliament in coming weeks and would be retroactive, a finance ministry source said.
Rent and utility bills owed by small companies would also be suspended to help them weather the economic storm, he added.
"No French company, whatever its size, will be exposed to the risk of collapse," Macron said.
(FRANCE 24 wth REUTERS and AFP)
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france24--2020-03-17--Scramble for the countryside: Parisians flee capital ahead of lockdown deadline

Travellers wearing protective masks wait in front of Gare du Nord railway station in Paris on March 17 , 2020 .
Parisians thronged the city 's rail stations and took to the highway early on Tuesday to escape the French capital before a lockdown imposed to slow the rate of coronavirus contagion kicked in at midday .
The Paris exodus drew dismay from provincial France , where many fear that city-dwellers will bring the virus with them and accelerate its spread .
Health Minister Olivier Veran said the government had no intention of preventing people travelling to secondary residences but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would apply on the coast as they would in the city .
At Paris ' Gare du Nord , passengers , many wearing masks , stared up at departure boards .
`` We 'd rather be in a more open environment , in a bigger house with a garden , than in a Parisian apartment , '' said education journalist Camille , who was travelling to her mother 's home in northern France with her partner .
Both plan to work remotely .
France 's death toll from the coronavirus has reached 148 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been confirmed infected .
President Emmanuel Macron late on Monday said the country `` was at war '' with coronavirus and announced restrictions unprecedented in post-war France .
He ordered people to stay at home from Tuesday lunch time .
He said they should leave only to buy groceries , travel to work if essential , exercise or for medical care .
The army will be mobilised to help move the sick to hospitals , he said .
Junior transport minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari said services of the high-speed intercity TGV trains would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections .
But many in the provinces remained incredulous .
`` Parisians are fleeing the city and will infect the provinces , just to be confined in the open air .
This exodus is unthinkable , selfish and a ticking time-bomb , '' one Twitter user wrote .

Parisians thronged the city's rail stations and took to the highway early on Tuesday to escape the French capital before a lockdown imposed to slow the rate of coronavirus contagion kicked in at midday.
Travellers wearing protective masks wait in front of Gare du Nord railway station in Paris on March 17, 2020.
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Those who stayed behind descended on supermarkets and pharmacies even as these were due to remain open under the sweeping restrictions on public life announced by President Emmanuel Macron late on Monday.
The Paris exodus drew dismay from provincial France, where many fear that city-dwellers will bring the virus with them and accelerate its spread.
One man, a pensioner who was loading his car near the UNESCO headquarters, said he was fleeing to his country house 100 km west of Paris.
"Better to be there than couped up in the apartment," he said, giving his name only as Jean-Yves.
Along with controls on France's land borders, Macron ordered people to stay at home from 1100 GMT on Tuesday and to leave only to buy groceries, travel to work if essential, exercise or for medical care. The army will help move the sick to hospitals, he said.
🔊Fuite hors de #Paris à gare Montparnasse. De nombreux jeunes se rendent dans leur famille pour y passer leur confinement. De très grosses valises, signe qu'on ne prévoit pas de revenir si tôt dans la capitale.. #COVID19france pic.twitter.com/nPAp5qYq2k — GauloiseRéfractaire💥 (@MAHIEUCATHERINE) March 17, 2020
France's death toll from the coronavirus has reached 148 and a total of 6,600 people have been confirmed infected.
As in other European countries including Italy, Germany and Spain, schools are closed, restaurants and bars shuttered up, and factories idle.
Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said he expected the French economy to shrink by 1% in 2020.
Airbus said it would temporarily stop production at its plants in France and Spain. Carmaker Renault announced it was shutting down industrial sites in France and Spain until further notice.
Panic buying
In central Paris, normally choked with traffic, children played out in the streets before the lockdown came into force.
It will last at least two weeks, Macron said.
In supermarkets across the city, people loaded up their trolleys, ignoring the government's plea not to panic-buy.
In one Monoprix supermarket in the 15th arrondissement, close to the Eiffel Tower, the shelves were empty of flour, pasta and long-life milk. At the tills, the store had marked out one-metre intervals in tape to remind customers to keep distance from one another and sought payment by card, not cash.
After Macron announced mandatory confinement and the closing of borders earlier today, the Parisians are fleeing the capital en masse. Montparnasse station looks totally safe right now... #coronapocolypse https://t.co/TdZh5KnKcs — Hélène Landemore (@landemore) March 16, 2020
At the Gare du Nord station, crowds of passengers, many wearing masks, waited to board their trains out of the city.
Armed police patrolled inside and a worker disinfected the main hallway.
Junior transport minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari said the government had not wanted to prevent people travelling to the provinces. But he acknowledged the spread of the coronavirus might be exacerbated by people crowding onto trains.
In provincial France, some were incredulous at the influx of city folk.
"Parisians are fleeing the city and will infect the provinces, just to be confined in the open air. This exodus is unthinkable, selfish and a ticking time-bomb," one Twitter user wrote.
One traveller, at the Gare du Nord, 44-year-old Stephane Legrand, shrugged at the suggestion the exodus was going to help spread the contagion.
"The virus is global already. I'm normally in good health,
I'm never ill, so I hope all will be well."
(REUTERS)
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