AMC Theatres close during coronavirus pandemic
The coronavirus outbreak has forced AMC Theatres to temporarily close all of its theaters until further notice, the company announced on its website.
AMC said they are working in accordance with local and federal guidelines and will reopen when those guidelines allow.
Regal Cinemas also announced that they are closing all screens due to the outbreak.
Jordan’s security forces prepared to “use force” to enforce virus lockdown
From CNN’s Tamara Qiblawi and Ghazi Balkiz in Beirut
Jordan’s Directorate of General Security have said they are “prepared to use force” to enforce the kingdom’s coronavirus lockdown, according to state-owned Jordan News Agency.
Security forces said they will use all the means available to them, including “the use of appropriate force to implement the decisions that aim to protect citizens and preserve their safety.”
On Tuesday, the kingdom announced a two-week lockdown to stop the spread of the pandemic.
People can only leave their homes in cases of “extreme necessity,” public transport has been suspended, and work in the private and public sector has also been temporarily stopped. Only “emergency” medical surgeries and consultations are permitted.
The country’s military is also set to deploy at the entrances and exits of main cities. The government has banned people from moving between provinces.
Jordan has 35 confirmed cases of the Covid-19 virus. More than 4,700 people are in quarantine, according to Minister of Health Saad Jaber. CNN
France goes into lockdown after Macron promises to protect businesses
From CNN’s Barbara Wojazer in Paris and Lauren Kent in London
France officially entered lockdown at midday Tuesday local time (7 a.m. ET) as part of a number of measures announced by President Emmanuel Macron.
All non-essential outings are outlawed and can draw a fine of up to €135 ($148).
In a televised speech Monday, Macron also promised to support French businesses by guaranteeing €300 billion worth of loans, as well as suspending rent and utility bills owed by small companies.
“No French company, whatever its size, will be exposed to the risk of collapse,” he said.
The French government will also support healthcare staff by paying for hotels, taxis and childcare during the coronavirus crisis, Macron said in a series of tweets following his speech.
“We owe the care of their children to our healthcare teams: a minimum service has been put in place, from today, in kindergartens and schools,” Macron said.
“We also owe them peace in their travel and rest: this is why, from tomorrow onwards, taxis and hotels can be mobilized for their benefit. The state will pay.”
Macron also said hospital masks will be rationed for healthcare workers.
“We have decided to reserve the masks as a priority for hospitals and for medical personnel in cities and in the countryside, especially for general practitioners and nurses, who are now at the front line of dealing with the crisis,” he said in a tweet.
France joins Italy, which has been under total lockdown since Friday, and Spain, whose 47 million people have been under partial lockdown since Saturday, allowed to leave their homes only to go to work, buy food, or visit a pharmacy or hospital.
Switzerland has also banned all events and closed shops and restaurants from midnight Monday.
Volkswagen to temporarily halt production
From CNN’s Nadine Schmidt in Berlin
German carmaker Volkswagen plans to temporarily suspend production due to the coronavirus outbreak, it announced Tuesday.
The works’ council in Wolfsburg said the last shift would run this Friday at the vast majority of locations.
In the past few days VW confirmed there have been cases of coronavirus at its facilities.
UK warns coronavirus outbreak spreading faster than expected
From Nada Bashir in London
The British government has warned that the coronavirus outbreak is spreading faster than it initially predicted, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said Tuesday.
The spread of the virus across the UK capital is “a few weeks ahead” of the rest of the country, Khan also said, citing guidance given by the government at Monday’s emergency ‘COBRA’ meeting.
“I was told by the government, and the government’s advisers, that London is a few weeks ahead of the rest of the country, and the way that this virus is spreading is faster than the government and advisers had thought,” Khan said during an interview with ITV’s Good Morning Britain.
“We can understand why London is further ahead than the rest of the country, because of our connectivity, our global travel, our density,” Khan said, highlighting that 23 people have so far died in London after contracting the virus.
“I think the advice given by the government now is the right advice…we’ve got to take sensible to steps to avoid the virus spreading faster,” the mayor added.
Khan’s remarks come just hours after Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced new measures to tackle the spread of coronavirus, advising against all unnecessary social contact.
“Now is the time for everyone to stop non-essential contact with others and to stop all unnecessary travel,” Johnson said Monday.
“We need people to start working from home where they possibly can and you should avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues,” he said. CNN
