Europe

On March 26, Maria Teresa of Bourbon-Parma (86), cousin of King Felipe IV, has died after being infected with the novel Coronavirus. She died in Paris and a funeral was held in Madrid on Friday. She is the first royal to die from Covid-19.

In order to allow migrants and asylum seekers, that are currently living in Portugal, access to the public services of the country during the coronavirus pandemic, the government has announced to treat them as residents. Being treated as such they can use social security services such as healthcare or welfare, but also open bank accounts, close rental contracts and work. The only requirement is an ongoing request for residency.

Boris Johnson has tested positive for the Coronavirus. The British Prime Minister revealed the news in a self-filmed video posted on his Twitter account. Johnson said, "I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus."

The German government is barring entry to seasonal workers from abroad, including other EU countries, in order to stem the coronavirus outbreak. Around 300,000 seasonal workers come to Germany each year to help with harvesting crops such as asparagus and strawberries.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was denied bail on Wednesday after his defense lawers argued a release from Belmarsh Prison in London would mitigate his "high risk" of catching coronavirus.

Assange's lawyer, Edward Fitzgerald, told Westminster Magistrates Court Assange has prior chest and tooth infections and osteoporis, placing him at a higher risk from the virus.

However, Judge Vannessa Baraitser rejected the arguments, arguing that based on Assange's prior conduct, there are "substantial grounds" to believe that if released he would not return to face extradition hearing. "As matters stand today, this global pandemic does not, as of itself, yet provide grounds for Mr Assange’s release," she said.

The ExCeL Conference Centre in London's East End is being transformed into a temporary hospital with the capacity for up to 4,000 beds as part of the UK's efforts to fight the Coronavirus outbreak. Named the 'Nightingale Hospital', the halls of the 100,000m² facility — which normally house large exhibitions and trade shows — will initially hold around 500 beds with oxygen and ventilators, with capacity for more spaces and equipment as they become available.

The number of deaths in Spain as a result of the novel Coronavirus rose to 3,434 on Tuesday. 47,610 people have been infected and 3,166 are being treated in ICU. Spain has called for a nationwide lockdown on March 14th, and health authorities hope that these measures will soon result in decreasing numbers.

Prince Charles, the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II, has tested positive for the Coronavirus. A spokesperson said that the prince is showing mild symptoms but is otherwise in good health. His wife, Camilla, tested negative.

Russia may delay the public vote on amendments allowing Vladimir Putin to hold office potentially until 2036 due to the corona virus pandemic. The Kremlin has not yet officially rescheduled the vote originally planned for April 22nd. Putin intends to alter the constitution in order to get the chance for a fifth and sixth term as President.

According to recent figures, Germany now counts 32,400 coronavirus infections. Particularly affected states are North Rhine-Westphalia with more than 9000 cases, Bavaria with more than 6300 and Baden-Württemberg with more than 5800 cases. 150 total deaths have been reported.

The Press and Information Office of the Federal Government of Germany announced on Monday that Merkel's first Coronavirus results came back negative. According to Steffen Seibert, the Government spokesman of Germany, further tests would follow in the coming days. Merkel, who has been in quarantine since Sunday, is currently governing remotely from her own home.

In a televised address to the nation on monday evening, prime minister Boris Johnson informed the public of a lockdown starting monday night. Public spaces will be closed and people will only be allowed to leave their homes for grocery shopping, one form of exercise per day and if travel to work can´t be avoided. The lockdown will last for at least three weeks, after which the government will reexamine the situation.

The German government presented a plan to help all kinds of businesses, including small companies, freelancers as well as large businesses. The plan includes credit guaranties as well as direct investments into companies and special financial support for hospitals. Regulations regarding Germanys short-time work and welfare programs as well as bankruptcy rules will be eased, and landlords will no longer be able to evict due to missing rent payments. The German Bundestag and Bundesrat still needs to accept the plans.

After getting a vaccination on March 20th, the doctor that gave the German Chancellor Angela Merkel the vaccination got tested positive for the coronavirus. As a consequence the German Chancellor went into self-quarantine.

In order to combat the spread of the coronavirus, the mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced that 300 hotel rooms have been secured to give homeless people a place to self-isolate. All rooms are booked for 12 weeks and an operation to bring homeless people in has already started. The project is supported by the British government.

After announcing 627 new deaths from the coronavirus, the highest number in a single day worldwide so far, on Friday 20th, the Italian government has now called the military in to enforce the lockdown of the Lombardy region. Attilio Fontana, the Lombardy region president, said that the request for military help has been accepted and "114 soldiers will be on the ground throughout Lombardy", which is according to him still too little since no slowing down in the infection and death numbers can be seen so far.