Two of the EU's biggest states, France and Spain, have followed Italy in announcing emergency restrictions to combat the spread of coronavirus.

Iran Press/ Europe: Spain has declared a state of emergency over coronavirus and ordered people to stay at home unless it's for work or food shopping.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez made the move in a televised address after the country became one of Europe's worst-hit for COVID-19.

It came less than an hour after his French counterpart, Edouard Philippe, introduced tough new restrictions in France.

He announced bars, restaurants and other non-essential outlets would close in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19.

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