Coronavirus live news: record rise in Italy death toll as Irish PM tells people to stay home for two weeks
Varadkar brings in new restrictions; Spain records highest daily death toll; British prime minister Boris Johnson tests positive
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After many delays, and then a series of tweets earlier today, US President Donald Trump is invoking the Defense Production Act to compel General Motors to built ventilators for hospitals, he announced at the White House’s daily coronavirus briefing, he announced at a White House briefing.
The Defense Production Act gives the president powers to direct domestic industrial production to provide essential materials and goods needed in a national security crisis.
Related: Coronavirus US live: Trump signs $2.2tn stimulus bill after invoking Defense Production Act
The Irish government has announced sweeping restrictions that will put Ireland in a de facto lockdown to try to slow the spread of coronavirus.
The taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, said on Friday evening that from midnight people should stay home for two weeks, until 12 April, in a significant tightening of curbs on social and commercial life.
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