EU closes borders to try to slow spread of pandemic

Europe's battle to curb the COVID-19 pandemic has reached a new level of urgency as European Union leaders agreed on Tuesday to immediately shut the 27-nation bloc's external borders, while the British government pledged to act like "any wartime government" as it faces the novel coronavirus.

EU leaders endorsed on Tuesday a coordinated temporary restriction of nonessential travel to the bloc for 30 days during a video conference, in an effort to contain the spread of the virus and the COVID-19 respiratory disease it causes.

Member countries have also agreed to set up fast-track transport lanes to ensure the swift delivery of important medical equipment, food and other goods within the bloc.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it is up to the member states to implement the new measures, adding that she appreciates that leaders of member states said they "will immediately do that".

"The enemy is a virus, and now we have to do our utmost to protect our people and to protect our economies," said von der Leyen. "We are ready to do everything that is required. We will not hesitate to take additional measures as the situation evolves."

The move came as a growing number of European countries step up quick-fix containment measures domestically such as quarantine and partial border closures.

Following the video conference, Portugal announced that all flights to and from non-EU countries would be suspended for 30 days starting at midnight on Wednesday, and Greece declared the closure of national borders to non-EU citizens, with exceptions strictly for urgent family or business reasons starting on Wednesday morning. The Netherlands also said it would bar all non-EU travelers from entering the country.

Europe, now the epicenter of the pandemic, reported 70,989 cases of infection with 3,309 deaths as of Wednesday, including the United Kingdom, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Globally, the pandemic had caused 194,029 cases of infection in 164 countries and regions and 7,873 deaths as of Wednesday, according to the World Health Organization.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Wednesday that China will never forget the global community's support when it was going through the most difficult times in fighting the virus, adding that China is now actively participating in global cooperation in the fight against the pandemic.

Geng said the Chinese government has donated $20 million to the WHO and has donated medical materials to countries and global organizations including Pakistan, Laos, Thailand, Iran, South Korea, Japan, and the African Union. It also has committed to provide anti-pandemic aid to dozens of countries including Italy and Spain within its capabilities.

Moreover, China has shared its experience and practices in its battle against COVID-19 in various ways with the world, including sending medical teams to Iran, Iraq, and Italy, Geng said.

Italy, the worst-hit country in Europe, decided on Tuesday to rush 10,000 student doctors into service to help the struggling health service, as the virus has pushed hospitals to the breaking point in the country's northern region. Italy's death toll rose to 2,505 while the total number of confirmed cases increased to 31,506 as of Wednesday, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Tuesday that the novel coronavirus was causing a "socioeconomic tsunami" and no nation would be left untouched.

The United Kingdom announced on Tuesday 330 billion pounds ($398 billion) of financial support for businesses impacted by the virus.

"We must act like any wartime government and do whatever it takes to support our economy," Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday.

UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said the fight against the virus is "not only a public health emergency but an economic emergency".

"I promise to do whatever it takes to support our economy," he said, while assuring the public the government will support jobs and businesses "large and small".

With the European center on Wednesday reporting the UK death toll from COVID-19 at 60 and confirmed cases at 1,950－but with some estimates of infection as high as 50,000－London also found 3.2 million pounds of emergency funding to support homeless people with the infection.

The British government has also advised its citizens not to travel overseas during the next 30 days, and National Health Service England postponed all non-urgent surgery in an attempt to free up 30,000 hospital beds.

Also on Tuesday, Spain, the second worst-hit country in Europe, announced a massive 200 billion euro ($220 billion) package to help companies and protect workers and other vulnerable groups affected by the crisis. Spain had 11,178 cases and 491 deaths, the European center said on Wednesday.

Having registered 114 cases of infection, Russia announced on Tuesday that everyone returning from Europe in the past 14 days will be tested for the novel coronavirus.

Anna Popova, chief of the Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare, said the tests would also be given to those who will arrive at Russia with a stopover in a European state and those who have returned from abroad in the past month and sought medical aid due to having cold symptoms.