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Coronavirus latest updates: all arrivals in Australia must self-isolate for 14 days, says PM Coronavirus latest updates: all arrivals in Australia must self-isolate for 14 days, says PM
(32 minutes later)
Trump tests negative while Spanish PM’s wife tests positive; France and Israel announce partial closure of country; scientists condemn UK ‘herd immunity’ strategy. Follow live newsTrump tests negative while Spanish PM’s wife tests positive; France and Israel announce partial closure of country; scientists condemn UK ‘herd immunity’ strategy. Follow live news
Myanmar’s government has rejected suggestions that the country has undetected cases of the virus, reiterating that it is free of any infections and that “the lifestyle and diet of Myanmar citizens” has helped protect the country.
According to Global New Light of Myanmar, a state-run news source, the director general of the ministry of office of the state counsellor, U Zaw Htay, told a press conference:
U Zaw Htay added that the government was taking measures to prepare for the pandemic, and that people should avoid large gatherings, maintain good personal hygiene and not panic buy at shops.Severe legal action would be taken against anyone sharing fake news online and against any businesses attempting to make profit from the situation, reporters were told.Myanmar recently cancelled water festivals due to take place next month to mark the Buddhist New Year. Other Southeast Asian countries are also scaling back planned events.
South Africa’s mining and tourism industries are bracing for a virus buffeting, AFP reports.
Around 18.5% of South African exports go to China, with mining commodities making up around 86% of total trade with the Asian country.
With China’s growth expected to slow as a result of Covid-19, the demand for minerals is also expected to take a knock potentially affecting commodity prices and costing the industry millions.
South Africa’s economy is already fragile.
It slipped into recession in the final three months of 2019, the second contraction to hit the economy in as many years. That contraction was largely blamed on erratic electricity supplies.
The virus “will turn out to be a national crisis” and “it will have a huge impact... on our economy which as we all know is in a very precarious situation,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said when the first case was detected last week.
China ranked the seventh largest origin of foreign visitors to South Africa in 2018.
South Africa has so far imposed no travel bans on Chinese visitors, but Beijing has blocked outbound group travel from China.
“Despite the fact that we have had very few cases of the virus, the local tourism industry has already suffered serious losses,” lamented Tourism Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, said earlier last week. The country has 38 confirmed cases.
The South African fisheries industry was one of the first casualties after China halted animal imports.
China traditionally imports 95% of South African rock lobsters harvests.
Queensland, Australia state premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has shed some light on how the federal government’s self-quarantine requirement will be enforced, as the state sees its biggest one-day jump since the start of the outbreak, with 15 new cases.
Palaszczuk said there were heavy fines for anyone who did not follow the directive to self-isolate under the ‘Public Health Emergency Act’.
“That bill was passed in early February and there are penalties for not complying with the notification and that is around $13,000,” she told AAP.
“We have random police checks to make sure people are compliant with that notice.”
The announcement from Israel that it will use anti-terrorism tracking technology to minimise coronavirus transmission follows a series of ever-stricter restrictions imposed by the Israeli government to contain the virus, Reuters reports. The Israeli military said earlier on Saturday that it had ordered all troops to be back on their bases by Sunday morning, and that combat soldiers should prepare for a lengthy stay with no leave for up to a month. Last week anyone entering Israel was ordered to self-isolate for two weeks and schools have been shut. Tens of thousands of Israelis are presently quarantined. Israel’s Health Ministry said 193 people have tested positive, with no fatalities. Many had been on international flights in the past two weeks.
More now on Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to use anti-terrorism tracking technology to minimise the risk of coronavirus transmission.
Cyber tech monitoring would be deployed to locate people who have been in contact with those carrying the virus, subject to cabinet approval, Netanyahu told a news conference in Jerusalem. “We will very soon begin using technology ... digital means that we have been using in order to fight terrorism,” Netanyahu said. He said he had requested Justice Ministry approval because such measures could infringe patients’ privacy. The Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic security service, confirmed that it was examining the use of its technological capabilities to fight coronavirus, at the request of Netanyahu and the Health Ministry, Reuters reports. Avner Pinchuk, a privacy expert with the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, said such capabilities could include real-time tracking of infected persons’ mobile phones to spot quarantine breaches and backtracking through meta-data to figure out where they had been and who they had contacted. “I am troubled by this announcement. I understand that we are in unique circumstances, but this seems potentially like over-reach. Much will depend on how intrusive the new measures are,” said Pinchuk. The Shin Bet, however, said in its statement that quarantine enforcement was not on the table. “There is no intention of using said technologies for enforcement or tracking in the context of isolation guidelines,” it said.
The US city of Hoboken, across the Hudson River from New York City, has announced a night curfew starting 16 March and ordered bars and restaurants to conduct only delivery services amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.The US city of Hoboken, across the Hudson River from New York City, has announced a night curfew starting 16 March and ordered bars and restaurants to conduct only delivery services amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
In a statement, Mayor Ravi Bhalla said all residents of Hoboken, New Jersey, will be required to remain in their homes between 10 pm and 5 am, “except for emergencies, or if you are required to work by your employer”. The mayor said that bars and restaurants in the city will not be allowed to serve food from Sunday, 11 a.m. local time. However, they will be allowed to conduct delivery services. Hoboken reported its first case of coronavirus on Friday. More than 2,900 cases of coronavirus and at least 57 deaths have been reported in the United States, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.In a statement, Mayor Ravi Bhalla said all residents of Hoboken, New Jersey, will be required to remain in their homes between 10 pm and 5 am, “except for emergencies, or if you are required to work by your employer”. The mayor said that bars and restaurants in the city will not be allowed to serve food from Sunday, 11 a.m. local time. However, they will be allowed to conduct delivery services. Hoboken reported its first case of coronavirus on Friday. More than 2,900 cases of coronavirus and at least 57 deaths have been reported in the United States, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.
An Uzbek citizen has tested positive for coronavirus after returning from France, Uzbekistan’s Healthcare Ministry said on Sunday, marking the first infection from the virus in the Central Asian country of 34 million.An Uzbek citizen has tested positive for coronavirus after returning from France, Uzbekistan’s Healthcare Ministry said on Sunday, marking the first infection from the virus in the Central Asian country of 34 million.
It said it was taking the necessary measures to prevent the spread of the virus. Uzbekistan’s state airline said on Sunday it was suspending or curbing flights to a number of cities in Western Europe, Asia and the Middle East until the end of April.It said it was taking the necessary measures to prevent the spread of the virus. Uzbekistan’s state airline said on Sunday it was suspending or curbing flights to a number of cities in Western Europe, Asia and the Middle East until the end of April.
The Jakarta Post reports that the Indonesian transportation minister, Budi Karya Sumadi, has tested positive for coronavirus and is being treated in hospital.The Jakarta Post reports that the Indonesian transportation minister, Budi Karya Sumadi, has tested positive for coronavirus and is being treated in hospital.
New South Wales, Australia attorney general Mark Speakman has announced that “all new Supreme and District Court jury trials will be suspended until further notice,” from Monday, 16 March. “Jury trials already underway will continue,” he said in a statement.New South Wales, Australia attorney general Mark Speakman has announced that “all new Supreme and District Court jury trials will be suspended until further notice,” from Monday, 16 March. “Jury trials already underway will continue,” he said in a statement.
“Visitors not involved in proceedings are asked to stay away from any NSW court building and measures will also be implemented to reduce contact between parties in current matters.“Visitors not involved in proceedings are asked to stay away from any NSW court building and measures will also be implemented to reduce contact between parties in current matters.
“The Local Court will also implement greater use of Audio Visual Link technology to minimise the number of people in court.”“The Local Court will also implement greater use of Audio Visual Link technology to minimise the number of people in court.”
The Australian state of Queensland has confirmed fifteen new coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 55, including three passengers from the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship.The Australian state of Queensland has confirmed fifteen new coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 55, including three passengers from the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship.
This post has been corrected to reflect a correction in the number of new cases made by the Queensland government.This post has been corrected to reflect a correction in the number of new cases made by the Queensland government.
Democratic presidential candidates Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders will debate against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic on Sunday.Democratic presidential candidates Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders will debate against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic on Sunday.
As the two remaining Democratic presidential candidates return to the debate stage, their party, the stakes, and the world look much different than in their last meeting less than three weeks ago, AP reports.As the two remaining Democratic presidential candidates return to the debate stage, their party, the stakes, and the world look much different than in their last meeting less than three weeks ago, AP reports.
The fast-moving coronavirus was something of an afterthought in that debate; now the escalating crisis is likely to dominate Sunday’s contest. The coronavirus crisis rapidly upended plans for Sunday’s debate. First, the Democratic National Committee announced that it would hold the contest without a live audience. Then the debate was moved from a large venue in Arizona, one of the states holding a primary Tuesday, to a television studio in Washington because of concerns about cross-country travel. One of the moderators had to withdraw because of potential exposure to a person who tested positive for coronavirus.The fast-moving coronavirus was something of an afterthought in that debate; now the escalating crisis is likely to dominate Sunday’s contest. The coronavirus crisis rapidly upended plans for Sunday’s debate. First, the Democratic National Committee announced that it would hold the contest without a live audience. Then the debate was moved from a large venue in Arizona, one of the states holding a primary Tuesday, to a television studio in Washington because of concerns about cross-country travel. One of the moderators had to withdraw because of potential exposure to a person who tested positive for coronavirus.
For Biden, the outbreak of a global pandemic has been a moment to bolster the central argument of his candidacy: that his eight years as vice president give him the experience, as well as the relationships in Washington and around the world, that are needed in the Oval Office during turbulent times.For Biden, the outbreak of a global pandemic has been a moment to bolster the central argument of his candidacy: that his eight years as vice president give him the experience, as well as the relationships in Washington and around the world, that are needed in the Oval Office during turbulent times.
Central American countries took further and tougher steps to contain the fast-spreading coronavirus on Saturday with measures ranging from bans on large gatherings to travel restrictions, Reuters reports. El Salvador’s Congress approved a series of emergency measures sought by President Nayib Bukele to prevent the spread of the virus and to fend off the risk of a public health crisis.Central American countries took further and tougher steps to contain the fast-spreading coronavirus on Saturday with measures ranging from bans on large gatherings to travel restrictions, Reuters reports. El Salvador’s Congress approved a series of emergency measures sought by President Nayib Bukele to prevent the spread of the virus and to fend off the risk of a public health crisis.
The measures include restrictions on entry to and exit from El Salvador, as well as curbs on public gatherings. El Salvador has so far not reported any cases of coronavirus. Earlier, Honduras and Guatemala banned public gatherings to prevent the virus from spreading as quickly as it has in Asian and European countries. Panama had already banned large gatherings. Meanwhile, authorities in Panama said flights arriving from Europe and Asia would be temporarily suspended, with the exception of flights that transport doctors, medical equipment or other humanitarian aid.The measures include restrictions on entry to and exit from El Salvador, as well as curbs on public gatherings. El Salvador has so far not reported any cases of coronavirus. Earlier, Honduras and Guatemala banned public gatherings to prevent the virus from spreading as quickly as it has in Asian and European countries. Panama had already banned large gatherings. Meanwhile, authorities in Panama said flights arriving from Europe and Asia would be temporarily suspended, with the exception of flights that transport doctors, medical equipment or other humanitarian aid.
An influential former Chinese property executive who called President Xi Jinping a “clown” over a speech he made last month about the government’s efforts to battle the coronavirus has gone missing, three of his friends told Reuters.An influential former Chinese property executive who called President Xi Jinping a “clown” over a speech he made last month about the government’s efforts to battle the coronavirus has gone missing, three of his friends told Reuters.
Ren Zhiqiang, a member of China’s ruling Communist Party and a former top executive of state-controlled property developer Huayuan Real Estate Group, has not been contactable since March 12, they said. “Many of our friends are looking for him,” his close friend and businesswoman Wang Ying said in a statement to Reuters, describing them as being “extremely anxious”. “Ren Zhiqiang is a public figure and his disappearance is widely know. The institutions responsible for this need to give a reasonable and legal explanation for this as soon as possible,” she said. Calls made by Reuters to Ren’s mobile phone went unanswered. The Beijing police did not immediately respond to requests by phone and fax for comment on Sunday. China’s State Council Information Office did not immediately respond to a faxed request for comment. An essay Ren shared with people he knew in recent weeks took aim at a speech Xi made on 23 February. Copies of his essay were later posted online by others. In the essay, which does not mention Xi by name, Ren said after studying the speech he “saw not an emperor standing there exhibiting his ‘new clothes,’ but a clown stripped naked who insisted on continuing being emperor,” according to a version posted by China Digital Times, a U.S.-based website. Ren’s disappearance comes as censorship over how local media and online users discuss the epidemic has tightened in recent weeks.Ren Zhiqiang, a member of China’s ruling Communist Party and a former top executive of state-controlled property developer Huayuan Real Estate Group, has not been contactable since March 12, they said. “Many of our friends are looking for him,” his close friend and businesswoman Wang Ying said in a statement to Reuters, describing them as being “extremely anxious”. “Ren Zhiqiang is a public figure and his disappearance is widely know. The institutions responsible for this need to give a reasonable and legal explanation for this as soon as possible,” she said. Calls made by Reuters to Ren’s mobile phone went unanswered. The Beijing police did not immediately respond to requests by phone and fax for comment on Sunday. China’s State Council Information Office did not immediately respond to a faxed request for comment. An essay Ren shared with people he knew in recent weeks took aim at a speech Xi made on 23 February. Copies of his essay were later posted online by others. In the essay, which does not mention Xi by name, Ren said after studying the speech he “saw not an emperor standing there exhibiting his ‘new clothes,’ but a clown stripped naked who insisted on continuing being emperor,” according to a version posted by China Digital Times, a U.S.-based website. Ren’s disappearance comes as censorship over how local media and online users discuss the epidemic has tightened in recent weeks.
America has no real public health system – coronavirus has a clear run, writes Robert Reich, former US secretary of labor and professor of public policy at the University of California at Berkeley.America has no real public health system – coronavirus has a clear run, writes Robert Reich, former US secretary of labor and professor of public policy at the University of California at Berkeley.
In Australia, here is everything we know about the new self-isolation requirement:In Australia, here is everything we know about the new self-isolation requirement:
And here is what the government has told people about a lockdown, an option it says is still on the table:And here is what the government has told people about a lockdown, an option it says is still on the table:
In the US, Yale University has confirmed its first case of coronavirus and asked students not to return to campus, according to an email sent to students and shared with the Guardian.In the US, Yale University has confirmed its first case of coronavirus and asked students not to return to campus, according to an email sent to students and shared with the Guardian.
Yale President Peter Salovey writes:Yale President Peter Salovey writes:
The Ivy League university had previously asked students to remain at home through April 5th.The Ivy League university had previously asked students to remain at home through April 5th.
It has now decided that students will be kept off campus and teaching will be conducted online for the entire spring semester, including final examinations. The Guardian understands the Spring semester ends on 6 May.It has now decided that students will be kept off campus and teaching will be conducted online for the entire spring semester, including final examinations. The Guardian understands the Spring semester ends on 6 May.
“I hasten to note one vital exception: Yale will house those students who simply cannot go home, whether because they come from a country severely affected by Covid-19, or for other serious reasons,” says Salovey.“I hasten to note one vital exception: Yale will house those students who simply cannot go home, whether because they come from a country severely affected by Covid-19, or for other serious reasons,” says Salovey.
The university has asked students not to return to campus to retrieve their belongings, and only staff “whose work is deemed critical to current operations” are expected to return to work.The university has asked students not to return to campus to retrieve their belongings, and only staff “whose work is deemed critical to current operations” are expected to return to work.
The Australian Society of Anaesthetists is calling for all elective surgeries to be postponed to to the increased demand on hospital resources due to the coronavirus pandemic.The Australian Society of Anaesthetists is calling for all elective surgeries to be postponed to to the increased demand on hospital resources due to the coronavirus pandemic.
ASA President Dr Suzi Nou said in a statement:ASA President Dr Suzi Nou said in a statement: