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Coronavirus live updates: Trump suspends all travel from Europe to US for 30 days, excluding UK Coronavirus live updates: Trump suspends all travel from Europe to US for 30 days, excluding UK
(32 minutes later)
Tom Hanks tests positive in Australia, NBA basketball season suspended indefinitely, WHO declares pandemic. Follow the latest.Tom Hanks tests positive in Australia, NBA basketball season suspended indefinitely, WHO declares pandemic. Follow the latest.
Reactions to Donald Trump’s speech earlier include this, from David Litt, who wrote speeches for Obama: “As a former presidential speechwriter, my careful rhetorical analysis is that he’s gonna get us all killed.”
Donald Trump’s first Oval Office address – that almost sacred altar for US presidents on prime time television – came in January 2019 amid a partial government shutdown and asserted that only a border wall can keep out dangerous illegal immigrants.
His second such address on Wednesday night was again couched in terms around the need to resist a foreign invasion that is someone else’s fault. The problem is that the coronavirus is already inside America and spreading.
And the message was delivered by a 73-year-old man with a sniffing habit who did not seem to be a glowing picture of health nor entirely at ease reading from a TelePrompter. His bold assertion last week – “I like this stuff. I really get it … Maybe I have a natural ability.” – seemed even more incredible than before.
The latest on Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, who are in Australia and have confirmed they have tested positive for coronavirus:
The premier of Queensland, Annastacia Palaszczuk, said on Thursday that health officials would conduct contact tracing to determine who had been in close contact with Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson.
“People who have come in close contact with Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson will now need to self isolate and quarantine,” she said.
Shortly before health minister Greg Hunt’s announcement that the question of travel from Europe had been referred to the Health Protection Principal Committee, Australia’s foreign minister Marise Payne – who is in Washington DC to meet with US officials – said there were no immediate plans to expand Australia’s current travel restrictions to other countries such as the US or regions like Europe, but that these restrictions were continually being re-assessed.
“I think the important thing about our response is that we have acted early in our decisions around travel restrictions that we’ve needed to impose – always focused on protecting the health and safety of Australians. We are constantly reviewing our travel restrictions.”Payne said government-issued travel bans were becoming almost “self-fulfilling” with people unwilling to travel as the global Covid-19 pandemic took hold.“To an extent these are about to become self-fulfilling in some ways, given the restriction and the constraints on airlines around the world. That is having an impact, most certainly, on people’s ability to travel.“If you’re travelling at the moment you will see that we have very subdued airports, that we have a much lower level of activity. So I think it is, in fact, in some ways, addressing itself.”
In Australia, Victorian health minister Jenny Mikakos says there have been 5,200 negative tests in Victoria.
There are 27 confirmed cases in the state.
There are 12 screening clinics across the state, says Mikakos. “We are already seeing increased demand of people presenting for testing,” she says. The state’s call centre has received over 21,000 calls.
Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt is speaking now.
“In Australia we have 128 cases,” he says.
The Prime Minister and the national security committee have met and decided to refer the question of travel from Europe to the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (composed of chief medical officers), following Trump’s announcement.
Now for the latest reactions to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s coronavirus stimulus package, which economists say will do its bit to boost confidence – but, they add, further cash maybe needed:
“The decision not to pump much cash, relatively speaking, into the wallets of ordinary Australians is the biggest gamble in the Morrison government’s stimulus package,” writes the Guardian’s senior business reporter Ben Butler. So will it pay off?
Guardian Australia political editor Katharine Murphy writes, “Regions and communities that are severely impacted by the coronavirus will be given access to taxpayer support through a new $1bn fund – but it is unclear how the fund will operate, because the practicalities will be worked through with the states.”
In the US, CNN has more now on the US coronavirus travel ban for Europe announced by President Donald Trump earlier today.In the US, CNN has more now on the US coronavirus travel ban for Europe announced by President Donald Trump earlier today.
The ban exempts all countries NOT in the Schengen Area travel zone, acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Chad Wolf explained the ban in a statement issued on Twitter.The ban exempts all countries NOT in the Schengen Area travel zone, acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Chad Wolf explained the ban in a statement issued on Twitter.
We’ll have a fuller story explaining the ban and its implications – including whether Europeans could skirt the ban by traveling through the UK and other countries – shortly.We’ll have a fuller story explaining the ban and its implications – including whether Europeans could skirt the ban by traveling through the UK and other countries – shortly.
There has been no lack of major Covid-19 news today, as the virus affects Hollywood actors, major sporting events and prompts Donald Trump to place a travel ban on all flights from Europe.There has been no lack of major Covid-19 news today, as the virus affects Hollywood actors, major sporting events and prompts Donald Trump to place a travel ban on all flights from Europe.
US President Donald Trump introduced a total travel ban from Europe, excluding the UK, for 30 days. The ban does not extend to trade.US President Donald Trump introduced a total travel ban from Europe, excluding the UK, for 30 days. The ban does not extend to trade.
Actors Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have announced that they have both tested positive for Covid-19 while filming in Australia.Actors Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have announced that they have both tested positive for Covid-19 while filming in Australia.
The St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City has been canceled this year for the first time since 1762, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Wednesday night.The St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City has been canceled this year for the first time since 1762, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Wednesday night.
In Hong Kong, an 80-year-old man has denied he was “patient zero” for the Diamond Princess cruise ship outbreak.In Hong Kong, an 80-year-old man has denied he was “patient zero” for the Diamond Princess cruise ship outbreak.
The total number of coronavirus cases worldwide now stands at 126,135, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.The total number of coronavirus cases worldwide now stands at 126,135, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.
Mainland China reported 15 new infections, eight of which are in Hubei. There have been 11 new deaths, ten of which were in Hubei.Mainland China reported 15 new infections, eight of which are in Hubei. There have been 11 new deaths, ten of which were in Hubei.
Australia’s ASX200 was down over 7% following Trump’s Europe travel ban.Australia’s ASX200 was down over 7% following Trump’s Europe travel ban.
The NBA has suspended play indefinitely after after a player on the Utah Jazz preliminarily tested positive for Covid-19.The NBA has suspended play indefinitely after after a player on the Utah Jazz preliminarily tested positive for Covid-19.
Two more Formula One team members have been tested for the coronavirus at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. The event has not been cancelled.Two more Formula One team members have been tested for the coronavirus at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. The event has not been cancelled.
Juventus defender Daniele Rugani has tested positive for coronavirus, the Serie A club said on Wednesday.Juventus defender Daniele Rugani has tested positive for coronavirus, the Serie A club said on Wednesday.
The Australian stock market gave the thumbs down to the Morrison government’s stimulus package and Trump’s travel ban.The Australian stock market gave the thumbs down to the Morrison government’s stimulus package and Trump’s travel ban.
Rita Wilson, the actor and singer, has posted a similar statement to the one made by her husband Tom Hanks earlier today on her Instagram stories.Rita Wilson, the actor and singer, has posted a similar statement to the one made by her husband Tom Hanks earlier today on her Instagram stories.
Hanks and Wilson, both currently in Australia, have both confirmed that they have contracted the coronavirus.Hanks and Wilson, both currently in Australia, have both confirmed that they have contracted the coronavirus.
“Hello, folks. Tom and I are down here in Australia. We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches. I had some chills that came and went. Slight fevers too,” she wrote. “To play things right, as is needed in the world right now we were both tested for the coronavirus, and were found to be positive.“Well, now. What to do next? The medical officials have protocols that must be followed. We Hanks’ will be tested, observed and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires. Not much more to it than a one-day-at-a-time approach, no? “We’ll keep the world posted and updated. Keep us in your prayers!”“Hello, folks. Tom and I are down here in Australia. We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches. I had some chills that came and went. Slight fevers too,” she wrote. “To play things right, as is needed in the world right now we were both tested for the coronavirus, and were found to be positive.“Well, now. What to do next? The medical officials have protocols that must be followed. We Hanks’ will be tested, observed and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires. Not much more to it than a one-day-at-a-time approach, no? “We’ll keep the world posted and updated. Keep us in your prayers!”
The Australian Academy of Science has made a helpful explainer answering your coronavirus questions, including whether or not to stockpile toilet paper.The Australian Academy of Science has made a helpful explainer answering your coronavirus questions, including whether or not to stockpile toilet paper.
In Hong Kong, an 80-year-old man has denied he was “patient zero” for the Diamond Princess cruise ship outbreak.In Hong Kong, an 80-year-old man has denied he was “patient zero” for the Diamond Princess cruise ship outbreak.
The Hong Kong man, who gave his surname as Wu, told the South China Morning Post that he had been unfairly identified as the source of the Covid-19 outbreak which infected more than 700 and killed eight.The Hong Kong man, who gave his surname as Wu, told the South China Morning Post that he had been unfairly identified as the source of the Covid-19 outbreak which infected more than 700 and killed eight.
Wu was the first confirmed case from the cruise ship’s 3,700 passengers, diagnosed after he returned home to Hong Kong. The diagnosis prompted the eventual quarantining of the thousands still on the ship, and in subsequent reports Wu has been reported as the index case.Wu was the first confirmed case from the cruise ship’s 3,700 passengers, diagnosed after he returned home to Hong Kong. The diagnosis prompted the eventual quarantining of the thousands still on the ship, and in subsequent reports Wu has been reported as the index case.
However Wu told the Post reports that he had begun coughing before he boarded were wrong, and that it started several days into the trip. He was diagnosed after returning disembarking in Hong Kong with about 130 other passengers.However Wu told the Post reports that he had begun coughing before he boarded were wrong, and that it started several days into the trip. He was diagnosed after returning disembarking in Hong Kong with about 130 other passengers.
Wu was traveling with his wife and daughters, none of whom became sick, the report said, and their journey from Hong Kong to Tokyo involved interaction with multiple groups of people.Wu was traveling with his wife and daughters, none of whom became sick, the report said, and their journey from Hong Kong to Tokyo involved interaction with multiple groups of people.
Health official said that while Wu was the first identified patient from the cruise, there were at least two people who developed symptoms before he did.Health official said that while Wu was the first identified patient from the cruise, there were at least two people who developed symptoms before he did.
“The timing doesn’t support that he was the first case, as his symptoms’ onset was January 23,” said Professor David Hui Shu-cheong, a respiratory medicine expert from Chinese University, who added there were many uncertainties about the case.“The timing doesn’t support that he was the first case, as his symptoms’ onset was January 23,” said Professor David Hui Shu-cheong, a respiratory medicine expert from Chinese University, who added there were many uncertainties about the case.
“I think it is very likely the Hong Kong man got infected from others such as on the bus because there were two confirmed cases on the cruise who developed symptoms before him and his family tested negative.”“I think it is very likely the Hong Kong man got infected from others such as on the bus because there were two confirmed cases on the cruise who developed symptoms before him and his family tested negative.”
Wu, who was hospitalised with the disease, told the Post he was recovering and in good health.Wu, who was hospitalised with the disease, told the Post he was recovering and in good health.
“Because of me, my family had to suffer from quarantine. I don’t want to bring more trouble to them,” he said. “But I cannot accept people calling me the source.”“Because of me, my family had to suffer from quarantine. I don’t want to bring more trouble to them,” he said. “But I cannot accept people calling me the source.”
Here’s the latest on Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, who have confirmed they have tested positive for coronavirus while in Australia.Here’s the latest on Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, who have confirmed they have tested positive for coronavirus while in Australia.
The Guardian understands that early on Thursday morning cast and crew attached to the film received an email instructing them to stay away from set after a member of the production tested positive for the virus.The Guardian understands that early on Thursday morning cast and crew attached to the film received an email instructing them to stay away from set after a member of the production tested positive for the virus.
In the lead up to shooting, normal practice would involve lead actors to have close contact with wardrobe and hair and makeup departments for screen tests and sound tests. These often involve close physical contact with potentially dozens of crew.In the lead up to shooting, normal practice would involve lead actors to have close contact with wardrobe and hair and makeup departments for screen tests and sound tests. These often involve close physical contact with potentially dozens of crew.
In a statement the US production company behind the film, Warner Bros, said it was “taking precautions” to protect its employees.In a statement the US production company behind the film, Warner Bros, said it was “taking precautions” to protect its employees.
Hanks and Wilson, who is a singer as well as an actor, had been travelling to different locations in Australia and had posted photos from Sydney and Brisbane on Instagram.Hanks and Wilson, who is a singer as well as an actor, had been travelling to different locations in Australia and had posted photos from Sydney and Brisbane on Instagram.
Wilson performed at the famous Sydney Opera House over the weekend and had appeared on the Nine breakfast morning show Today earlier in the week.Wilson performed at the famous Sydney Opera House over the weekend and had appeared on the Nine breakfast morning show Today earlier in the week.
Famously approachable, Hanks had regularly posed for photos with fans at Coolangatta Beach on the Gold Coast and a cafe near Mount Warning on the New South Wales far north coast.Famously approachable, Hanks had regularly posed for photos with fans at Coolangatta Beach on the Gold Coast and a cafe near Mount Warning on the New South Wales far north coast.
In the US, the St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City has been canceled this year, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Wednesday night. The parade is one of the most high-profile – and oldest – US public events to be felled by the global coronavirus pandemic. Organisers plan to hold the event at a later date, Cuomo said in a statement. The parade is usually held on 17 March, attracting millions of spectators who line up along Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue to celebrate the patron saint of Ireland. The tradition dates back to 1762, organisers say.In the US, the St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City has been canceled this year, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Wednesday night. The parade is one of the most high-profile – and oldest – US public events to be felled by the global coronavirus pandemic. Organisers plan to hold the event at a later date, Cuomo said in a statement. The parade is usually held on 17 March, attracting millions of spectators who line up along Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue to celebrate the patron saint of Ireland. The tradition dates back to 1762, organisers say.
In Australia, the federal opposition has said the country should immediately close schools and cancel mass events, arguing the “public health emergency” requires urgent, even “draconion” action.In Australia, the federal opposition has said the country should immediately close schools and cancel mass events, arguing the “public health emergency” requires urgent, even “draconion” action.
Labor shadow cabinet minister Bill Shorten said Australia needed to implement social distancing “not in weeks and months but in days”.Labor shadow cabinet minister Bill Shorten said Australia needed to implement social distancing “not in weeks and months but in days”.
“The only way to make sure this pandemic is not worse than it otherwise could be is to have more drastic social distancing measures,” he told Sky News.“The only way to make sure this pandemic is not worse than it otherwise could be is to have more drastic social distancing measures,” he told Sky News.
In New Zealand, the ministry of health said there had been no new cases of coronavirus for the fifth consecutive day in a row.In New Zealand, the ministry of health said there had been no new cases of coronavirus for the fifth consecutive day in a row.
The two people who had been hospitalised for the virus were now recovering at home.The two people who had been hospitalised for the virus were now recovering at home.
Yesterday around the country 100 tests for the virus took place around the country, the ministry of heath’s Ashley Bloomfield said. Daily monitoring of those in self-isolation was “usually a phone call” he said.Around 9000 people are currently in self-isolation in New Zealand, and the director said there had been no reports of non-compliance. “We’re operating in an environment where it’s high trust,” Bloomfield said, though his ministry were conducting research into how to “force” people into self-isolation if they needed too.Yesterday around the country 100 tests for the virus took place around the country, the ministry of heath’s Ashley Bloomfield said. Daily monitoring of those in self-isolation was “usually a phone call” he said.Around 9000 people are currently in self-isolation in New Zealand, and the director said there had been no reports of non-compliance. “We’re operating in an environment where it’s high trust,” Bloomfield said, though his ministry were conducting research into how to “force” people into self-isolation if they needed too.
In Australia, travel agencies and airlines are among Australian stocks smashed by Donald Trump’s decision to close US borders to travel from Europe.
Flight Centre stock tumbled almost 18% by 1.30pm on Thursday afternoon while online rival Webjet was down 14.6%. Shares in Australia’s flag carrier, Qantas, were down 10.4%.All three stocks have been consistently sold down since the market first began its coronavirus slide on 21 February.The stockmarket sell-off, which began as Australian prime minister Scott Morrison unveiled a stimulus package with little in it for ordinary workers, has gripped the entire market.Just two stocks recorded small rises – contractor Cimic Group, formerly known as Leighton Holdings, and medical imaging software group Pro Medicus, which bounced back after a savaging on Wednesday.
Back to US president Donald Trump’s remarks earlier.
The White House has clarified one of the key details about Trump’s measures. The president said that trade and cargo from Europe would be banned along with passengers. But the administration later said that the president misspoke and that trade would continue between the US and Europe.Trump himself also clarified this point via Twitter:
The total number of coronavirus cases worldwide now stands at 126,135, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.
These are the highest infection figures globally:
Two more Formula One team members have been tested for the coronavirus at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, taking the total having undergone checks for the infection to five.
The race weekend begins in earnest with the first free practice session on Friday afternoon, with no indication that racing will be cancelled.
In the Philippines, staff at the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) headquarters in Manila are working from home after a visitor to the bank tested positive for Covid-19.
“The Bank’s Manila headquarters facility will be closed from 12 March to undertake cleaning and disinfecting. Bank operations will continue. ADB Management will make a decision in coming days on when to reopen the Bank premises,” the bank said in a statement.
Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, marked his 3,000th day in office battling the coronavirus’s effects on the world’s third-biggest economy and speculation that this summer’s Tokyo Olympics could be cancelled or postponed.
Abe, who became the longest-serving leader last November - after two separate periods in office - this week announced 1tn yen (US$9.6 bn) in emergency funds for businesses hit by the coronavirus outbreak. The package includes 500 billion yen in zero-interest loans for small and medium-sized firms who suffer cash shortages due to dramatic declines in sales.
Japan’s health and welfare ministry on Thursday said it had confirmed a further 50 cases of the virus, bringing the country’s total to 620. Fifteen people have died from Covid-19 in Japan. The ministry’s figures do not include almost 700 cases and six deaths among passengers and crew on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined in Yokohama for more than two weeks.
South Korea has reported 114 new cases of the coronavirus, as well as six more deaths, bringing the country’s total number of infections to 7,869, the Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said on Thursday.
The new cases, detected on Wednesday and reported Thursday morning, marked the lowest number of daily infections in more than two weeks. Sixty-six people have died from the illness in South Korea, where more than 60% of confirmed cases have been linked to a branch of the Shincheonji religious sect in Daegu, a city of 2.5 million people in the country’s south-east.Of the new cases reported on Thursday, 73 were in Daegu and eight were in nearby North Gyeongsang province, the KCDC said.
In Australia, Triple J host Avani Dias is reporting that a person who attended a Melbourne music festival with a crowd of 12,000 has tested positive for coronavirus.
The Australian sharemarket is continuing to fall following US president Donald Trump’s announcement he was banning travel from Europe (except the UK).At around 1pm on Thursday the benchmark ASX200 was down more than 7%.
Actor Rita Wilson’s recent Instagram posts before she and husband Tom Hanks announced that they have been infected with coronavirus show her in front of the Sydney Opera House.
She also performed songs from her new album at the Sydney Opera House on 7 March.
She also appeared on Australia’s Today Show on 9 March.
Two hours ago she posted a video of her performance on the show.