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Coronavirus live updates: all of Italy to be placed under lockdown conditions Coronavirus live updates: all of Italy to be placed under lockdown conditions
(32 minutes later)
With cases spiking sharply across Europe and emergency measures in place from California to Saudi Arabia, investors have sent shares tumblingWith cases spiking sharply across Europe and emergency measures in place from California to Saudi Arabia, investors have sent shares tumbling
The benchmark ASX200 index has fallen 3.7% in Sydney as another horror day begins to unfold on the financial markets.
Stand by for similar falls elsewhere in Asia Pacific as markets open on Tuesday.
That’s all from me for this evening. My colleague Martin Farrer will be taking over the blog now. Here’s a summary of the most recent events:
More than 60 million were placed in lockdown conditions in Italy as the measures imposed on the northern “red zone” were extended to the whole country. The steps announced by the Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte included the suspension of all public gatherings and strict travel restrictions.
Anyone arriving in the UK from Italy should self-isolate for two weeks, Whitehall warned. Officials updated travel advice in response to Conte’s announcement and advised against all but essential travel.
Egypt announced similar measures aimed at countering the virus’s spread. Authorities had already cancelled all upcoming cultural events.
And you can read a summary of the day’s earlier events here.
A Royal Bank of Canada employee working at one of the lender’s suburban Toronto offices, who was earlier suspected of having contracted coronavirus, has tested positive, Reuters is reporting.A Royal Bank of Canada employee working at one of the lender’s suburban Toronto offices, who was earlier suspected of having contracted coronavirus, has tested positive, Reuters is reporting.
Citing a bank spokeswoman, the news agency said the employee worked in the Meadowvale office complex in Mississauga, about 25 miles west of the bank’s downtown Toronto headquarters. The person has remained at home in self-isolation since late last week, the bank said.Citing a bank spokeswoman, the news agency said the employee worked in the Meadowvale office complex in Mississauga, about 25 miles west of the bank’s downtown Toronto headquarters. The person has remained at home in self-isolation since late last week, the bank said.
Last week, Royal Bank advised other employees working on the same floor to self-quarantine until further notice. The bank has also disinfected the affected floor, and all common areas, including elevators, the cafeteria and wash rooms, the spokeswoman said.Last week, Royal Bank advised other employees working on the same floor to self-quarantine until further notice. The bank has also disinfected the affected floor, and all common areas, including elevators, the cafeteria and wash rooms, the spokeswoman said.
More than 111,600 people have been infected by the coronavirus across the world and over 3,800 have died, according to a Reuters tally of government announcements.More than 111,600 people have been infected by the coronavirus across the world and over 3,800 have died, according to a Reuters tally of government announcements.
A patient at the Royal London hospital in Whitechapel has tested positive, Barts Health NHS Trust has confirmed. A spokesman has told the Guardian that “staff in close contact with the patient have been sent home to self-isolate, as per PHE guidance”.A patient at the Royal London hospital in Whitechapel has tested positive, Barts Health NHS Trust has confirmed. A spokesman has told the Guardian that “staff in close contact with the patient have been sent home to self-isolate, as per PHE guidance”.
The department of health and social care says it’s unable to say whether or not the patient’s included in or additional to the number of confirmed cases it released earlier today. The department of health and social care says it’s unable to say whether or not the patient’s included in or additional to the number of confirmed cases it released earlier today. It plans to update the figure tomorrow.
Anyone who arrives in the UK from Italy should place themselves in isolation for two weeks, the UK government has said after their Italian counterparts extended quarantine measures to the whole country.Anyone who arrives in the UK from Italy should place themselves in isolation for two weeks, the UK government has said after their Italian counterparts extended quarantine measures to the whole country.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has said:The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has said:
The benchmark Australian index, the ASX200, is set to open down almost 5% after a horror day on US markets.The benchmark Australian index, the ASX200, is set to open down almost 5% after a horror day on US markets.
It is likely to be the second day running of heavy falls, following a 7.4% tumble on Monday amid growing fears the coronavirus crisis will plunge an already weak global economy into recession.It is likely to be the second day running of heavy falls, following a 7.4% tumble on Monday amid growing fears the coronavirus crisis will plunge an already weak global economy into recession.
US markets plunged more than 7%, triggering a 15 minute “circuit-breaker” halt to trading in New York – a precaution put in place following the global financial crisis in an attempt to stop enormous one-day falls.US markets plunged more than 7%, triggering a 15 minute “circuit-breaker” halt to trading in New York – a precaution put in place following the global financial crisis in an attempt to stop enormous one-day falls.
European markets were down almost 8%.European markets were down almost 8%.
Order books indicate Qantas, which fell almost 11% on Monday, was due to fall another 1.2% as the airline grounded more flights, reducing its international capacity by about a quarter.Order books indicate Qantas, which fell almost 11% on Monday, was due to fall another 1.2% as the airline grounded more flights, reducing its international capacity by about a quarter.
Qantas has reduced its international flying capacity by a quarter, grounding eight Airbus A380s, and leaving just two of the largest planes in its fleet flying.Qantas has reduced its international flying capacity by a quarter, grounding eight Airbus A380s, and leaving just two of the largest planes in its fleet flying.
The cuts to international routes will last for six months following a “sudden and significant drop in forward travel demand”. Smaller planes will now service a number of key international routes.The cuts to international routes will last for six months following a “sudden and significant drop in forward travel demand”. Smaller planes will now service a number of key international routes.
The airline’s signature Sydney-Singapore-London return service (QF1 and QF2) will be temporarily re-routed to become a Sydney-Perth-London service.The airline’s signature Sydney-Singapore-London return service (QF1 and QF2) will be temporarily re-routed to become a Sydney-Perth-London service.
To help cut costs, Qantas’s chief executive Alan Joyce – Australia’s highest paid executive who took home nearly AUD$24m (about £12m) in 2018 – will take no salary this financial year.To help cut costs, Qantas’s chief executive Alan Joyce – Australia’s highest paid executive who took home nearly AUD$24m (about £12m) in 2018 – will take no salary this financial year.
The Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison, is due to reveal some of his government’s plan to protect the economy from a recession caused by the coronavirus. The stimulus package, likely to include cash payments for pensioners, welfare recipients and small business owners, could cost up to $10bn (AUD).The Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison, is due to reveal some of his government’s plan to protect the economy from a recession caused by the coronavirus. The stimulus package, likely to include cash payments for pensioners, welfare recipients and small business owners, could cost up to $10bn (AUD).
Morrison will argue that, while the covid-19 is a global health crisis, it will have real and significant economic impacts for Australia, potentially greater than the global financial crisis of 2008. According to preview reports of his speech, he’s due to say:Morrison will argue that, while the covid-19 is a global health crisis, it will have real and significant economic impacts for Australia, potentially greater than the global financial crisis of 2008. According to preview reports of his speech, he’s due to say:
Australia’s economy is hugely dependent on China. The country is the largest export destination for Australian resources and Australia relies heavily on imports of Chinese manufactured products. Additionally, Australia is a significant destination for Chinese students and tourists. Morrison will argue:Australia’s economy is hugely dependent on China. The country is the largest export destination for Australian resources and Australia relies heavily on imports of Chinese manufactured products. Additionally, Australia is a significant destination for Chinese students and tourists. Morrison will argue:
Saudi Arabia has detected five new cases, Reuters is reporting; citing state TV.Saudi Arabia has detected five new cases, Reuters is reporting; citing state TV.
Four Saudi citizens have been diagnosed – three of whom had arrived from Iran and Iraq. The fifth case is of an Egyptian man who arrived from Egypt to the kingdom, the ministry has added. They bring the total of coronavirus cases detected in the kingdom to 20.Four Saudi citizens have been diagnosed – three of whom had arrived from Iran and Iraq. The fifth case is of an Egyptian man who arrived from Egypt to the kingdom, the ministry has added. They bring the total of coronavirus cases detected in the kingdom to 20.
Burkina Faso has reported its first two cases of coronavirus, making it the sixth nation in sub-Saharan Africa to be affected by the virus.Burkina Faso has reported its first two cases of coronavirus, making it the sixth nation in sub-Saharan Africa to be affected by the virus.
Its health minister, Claudine Lougue, has told reporters the two patients – a husband and wife – recently returned to Burkina Faso from a trip to France and are now in isolation.Its health minister, Claudine Lougue, has told reporters the two patients – a husband and wife – recently returned to Burkina Faso from a trip to France and are now in isolation.
Egypt has placed a nationwide suspension on “any large gatherings of citizens, or those that involve the movement of citizens between governorates,” its prime minister, Mostafa Madbouly, has announced.
The Egyptian ministry of culture separately cancelled any upcoming events taking place, including a film festival in Luxor, the site of a major outbreak of covid-19. Egypt’s ministry of health has also said 59 people have so far been infected with the virus.
The US and UK stock markets have both suffered their worst daily slump since the 2008 financial crisis. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average has plunged by more than 2,000 points, closing down 7.8% tonight.
Earlier, Britain’s FTSE 100 posted its fifth biggest fall ever. The index closed down 7.7%, which wiped £125bn off the biggest companies listed in London. Italy’s FTSE MIB index slumped by 11% (and was closed before PM Conte announced the country’s new lockdown).
Our business liveblog has more details.
The announcement in Italy spells out the restriction of movement of more than 60 million people.
The decree provides for banning all public events, closing cinemas, theatres, gyms, discos and pubs, funerals, weddings and all sport events, including Serie A matches. All schools and universities will remain close until 3 April
Conte added that he will sign the decree now and it will come into effect on Tuesday morning.
All sporting events will be suspended, Conte has told a press conference. The country is grappling to contain Europe’s worst outbreak of covid-19, which has claimed 463 lives and infected a total of 9,172 people.
All of Italy will be placed under the lockdown conditions thus far imposed upon the so-called “red zone” in the north of the country, the Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte has said.
The restrictions will include banning all public gatherings and preventing all movement other than for work and emergencies. According to the Reuters news agency, he has said the decision was necessary to protect Italy’s most vulnerable citizens and that the right course of action now is for people to stay at home.
A second Oxford University student has tested positive, the institution has said.
We reported earlier that the Madrid regional government has ordered the closure of all schools and universities for a fortnight. Madrid has a population of 6.6 million and the school shutdown is expected to have a direct impact on 1.5 million people.
The president of the Madrid regional government, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, said she was sorry to have to inform people of the new measures that will come into force on Wednesday but insisted they were necessary given the spread of the disease.
Díaz Ayuso also urged anyone showing symptoms of the virus to remain at home and not to go to work or to medical centres. People should instead call the coronavirus hotline, she added.
Moreover, the regional government warned against all but essential travel and encouraged older people or those with chronic illnesses to remain at home. Salvador Illa, the Spanish health minister, also advised people to work from home.
In Catalonia, where 101 cases have so far been reported, the regional government also urged people to work from home and to avoid travel. A nursery school in Barcelona was closed today as a result of the virus but as yet the Catalan government is not proposing to shut down schools.
The Photography Show and the Video Show, which organisers claim attracts more than 30,000 visitors and which was due to start in Birmingham this weekend, has been postponed amid coronavirus concerns.
Organisers have said:
Iraqi authorities have ordered the closure of the Najaf province, home to holy Muslim Shi’ites sites, for non-residents starting on Wednesday for a week to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the state news agency has said. Najaf is a major destination for Shi’ite pilgrims.