German minister slams Trump virus restrictions

Germany's finance minister has condemned US President Donald Trump's European travel ban in response to the new coronavirus outbreak as "grotesque".

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, Olaf Scholz said: "Instead of tending to the problems of his country, and to a virus that knows no borders, he thinks that he can fight it like people that have a different citizenship than American."

Scholz called for "solidarity" between countries in the fight against the spread of the new virus.

The comments came as German Finance and Economic ministers set out financial figures for a German help programme due to the ongoing effects of the coronavirus on the Economy.

The Germany government is pledging at least 460 billion euros (513 billion US dollars) in guarantees to cope with the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.