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CORONAVIRUS

Coronavirus: EU closes borders as shutters come down across the world

Medics in Slovakia suit up before going to collect samples at a hospital in Bratislava
Medics in Slovakia suit up before going to collect samples at a hospital in Bratislava
JOE KLAMAR/GETTY IMAGES

President Macron announced last night that the EU would close its external borders as he placed France on lockdown in what he called the war on coronavirus.

In a televised address to the nation, Mr Macron said that the French would be banned from leaving home for all but essential journeys and added that the EU would shut its borders, initially for a 30-day period.

He said both measures would come into force at 11am British time today.

In Spain the army has been mobilised in the capital after a state of emergency was declared
In Spain the army has been mobilised in the capital after a state of emergency was declared
EUROPA PRESS/GETTY IMAGES

Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, said that Britons would be exempted from the travel ban into the EU, adding: “The UK citizens are European citizens so of course there are no restrictions for the UK citizens to travel to the Continent.”

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