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Coronavirus latest updates: Australia adds Iran to travel bans, South Korea reports 594 new cases – live Coronavirus latest updates: Australia adds Iran to travel bans, South Korea reports 594 new cases – live
(32 minutes later)
Australian government places people arriving via Iran under same restrictions as China, while South Korea asks people to stay home. Follow live newsAustralian government places people arriving via Iran under same restrictions as China, while South Korea asks people to stay home. Follow live news
The United States has updated its travel advice for Iran and Italy, warning people to “avoid nonessential travel” due to the increased spread of coronavirus.
It comes as Australia placed a travel ban on Iran, putting it on the same restrictions as China.
“Avoid nonessential travel” is a level three warning. China and South Korea were already under the same warning.
The ratings for Italy and Iran were updated by the CDC on Friday. The upgraded travel advice for Italy in particular is expected to have implications for businesses that have policies against allowing staff to travel to countries with a level three warning in place.
There is no additional travel warning for Hong Kong, and Japan currently sits at a level two, which means travellers are advised to practice “enhanced precautions.”
Coronavirus cases from ‘unknown’ sources concern health officials
Health officials in the US are reportedly worried that the novel coronavirus is spreading through communities on the west coast, after three patients — one in Oregon, one in California and one in Washington — were infected through unknown means.
This report from Associated Press.
The patients are:
An older woman in northern California with chronic health conditions
A high school student in Everett, Washington
An employee at an elementary school in Portland, Oregon
None of the patients had recently travelled overseas or had any known close contact with a traveller or an infected person, authorities said.
Santa Clara County in the San Francisco Bay Area also reported two cases where the source of infection wasn’t known, AP reported.
Cherry blossom festivals in Japan have been cancelled due to fears around the coronavirus.Cherry blossom festivals in Japan have been cancelled due to fears around the coronavirus.
From AFP:From AFP:
Tiger Ye, a 21-year-old student in Wuhan, contracted the novel coronavirus. He wrote about the experience in The Guardian.Tiger Ye, a 21-year-old student in Wuhan, contracted the novel coronavirus. He wrote about the experience in The Guardian.
You can read the full story here:You can read the full story here:
Australia’s chief medical officer, Prof Brendan Murphy, says people should not stockpile face masks.Australia’s chief medical officer, Prof Brendan Murphy, says people should not stockpile face masks.
Australia has implemented a travel ban against Iran, placing it under the same restrictions as China, because of an increased risk of coronavirus.Australia has implemented a travel ban against Iran, placing it under the same restrictions as China, because of an increased risk of coronavirus.
It follows the first case in Australia of a person who had travelled to Iran.It follows the first case in Australia of a person who had travelled to Iran.
Health minister Greg Hunt is explaining the ban to reporters in Melbourne at the moment. From tomorrow, 1 March, people who have travelled to Iran are required to self-isolate for 14 days upon return to Australia.Health minister Greg Hunt is explaining the ban to reporters in Melbourne at the moment. From tomorrow, 1 March, people who have travelled to Iran are required to self-isolate for 14 days upon return to Australia.
Also, from tomorrow, non-citizens or permanent residents, and people who are not family members of citizens or permanent residents, will be prevented from entering Australia unless they left Iran at least 14 days before entering Australia.Also, from tomorrow, non-citizens or permanent residents, and people who are not family members of citizens or permanent residents, will be prevented from entering Australia unless they left Iran at least 14 days before entering Australia.
Hunt said the level 4 travel advice on Iran is identical to travel advice already in place for China. The Smartraveller website is yet to be updated.Hunt said the level 4 travel advice on Iran is identical to travel advice already in place for China. The Smartraveller website is yet to be updated.
As of Saturday, more than 85,000 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed and 2,900 people have died. The virus has now spread to 58 countries.As of Saturday, more than 85,000 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed and 2,900 people have died. The virus has now spread to 58 countries.
Chief medical officer, Brendan Murphy, said it was “not possible to isolate Australia further” and place travel bans on every country where the virus had been detected.Chief medical officer, Brendan Murphy, said it was “not possible to isolate Australia further” and place travel bans on every country where the virus had been detected.
But he said his office had recommended the increased travel warning against Iran, due to the nature of the outbreak there.But he said his office had recommended the increased travel warning against Iran, due to the nature of the outbreak there.
Thailand has reported one new case of coronavirus, bringing its total to 42, Reuters reports.Thailand has reported one new case of coronavirus, bringing its total to 42, Reuters reports.
South Korean authorities have asked residents to stay at home this weekend to help contain the spread of the coronavirus, and it seems that advice has been heeded. This shopping area in Seoul is usually busy. Today it was empty.South Korean authorities have asked residents to stay at home this weekend to help contain the spread of the coronavirus, and it seems that advice has been heeded. This shopping area in Seoul is usually busy. Today it was empty.
Quarantine operations are underway in Daegu, the city at the centre of the outbreak in South Korea.Quarantine operations are underway in Daegu, the city at the centre of the outbreak in South Korea.
Current advice for AustraliaCurrent advice for Australia
Just to recap on the situation as it currently stands in Australia: the total number of cases confirmed in Australia is 25. Fifteen of these people are reported to have recovered and the remaining are in a stable condition.Just to recap on the situation as it currently stands in Australia: the total number of cases confirmed in Australia is 25. Fifteen of these people are reported to have recovered and the remaining are in a stable condition.
Nine are passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.Nine are passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
People who become ill after travelling to China or a region with reported coronavirus cases are advised to isolate themselves and call their doctor. There is no need for people to buy and wear face masks — and authorities ask that you don’t buy up supplies — but extra careful hand washing is advised.People who become ill after travelling to China or a region with reported coronavirus cases are advised to isolate themselves and call their doctor. There is no need for people to buy and wear face masks — and authorities ask that you don’t buy up supplies — but extra careful hand washing is advised.
The current travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is for Australians to not travel to mainland China. They also advise that Australians “reconsider” travel to Iran and “exercise a high degree of caution” in regions of northern Italy, South Korea, Japan, and Mongolia.The current travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is for Australians to not travel to mainland China. They also advise that Australians “reconsider” travel to Iran and “exercise a high degree of caution” in regions of northern Italy, South Korea, Japan, and Mongolia.
The Australian government’s official up-to-date advice is here.The Australian government’s official up-to-date advice is here.
South Korea has urged its citizens to stay indoors and warned it is facing a “critical moment” in its battle against the coronavirus, Reuters reports.South Korea has urged its citizens to stay indoors and warned it is facing a “critical moment” in its battle against the coronavirus, Reuters reports.
It comes as the country records its biggest daily jump in the number of cases reported since it reported its first case on 20 January, with 594 new cases reported on Saturday. The total number of cases is 2,931. Another person is confirmed to have died from the virus bringing the death toll to 17.It comes as the country records its biggest daily jump in the number of cases reported since it reported its first case on 20 January, with 594 new cases reported on Saturday. The total number of cases is 2,931. Another person is confirmed to have died from the virus bringing the death toll to 17.
Vice health minister Kim Kang-lip told a briefing on Saturday that residents were advised to stay home.Vice health minister Kim Kang-lip told a briefing on Saturday that residents were advised to stay home.
He said it was a “critical moment” in curbing the spread of the virus.He said it was a “critical moment” in curbing the spread of the virus.
Many of the new cases have been linked to a church. More from Reuters:Many of the new cases have been linked to a church. More from Reuters:
Speaking of airports — Guardian Australian news editor Mike Ticher reports that about 50% of all passengers and staff at Singapore airport are wearing masks, despite the Singapore government’s instruction that there is no need to do so unless people are feeling unwell.Speaking of airports — Guardian Australian news editor Mike Ticher reports that about 50% of all passengers and staff at Singapore airport are wearing masks, despite the Singapore government’s instruction that there is no need to do so unless people are feeling unwell.
He writes:He writes:
In LAX, the flight crews are wearing masks.In LAX, the flight crews are wearing masks.
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has recommended that ministers and diplomats skip travelling to a meeting in New York of the Commission on the Status of Women due to the coronavirus outbreak, Reuters reports.The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has recommended that ministers and diplomats skip travelling to a meeting in New York of the Commission on the Status of Women due to the coronavirus outbreak, Reuters reports.