This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/mar/15/coronavirus-latest-updates-trump-tests-negative-as-spain-orders-nationwide-lockdown-uk-us-australia-italy-europe-global-economy

The article has changed 46 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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:
If you happen to spot interesting or cheering coronavirus news – or anything I’ve missed – please do drop me a line on Twitter @helenrsullivan.If you happen to spot interesting or cheering coronavirus news – or anything I’ve missed – please do drop me a line on Twitter @helenrsullivan.
The number of coronavirus infections in Japan rose to 1,484 on Sunday, increasing by a faster pace than the previous day, public broadcaster NHK reported. The total number of infections includes 697 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship and 14 returnees on charter flights from China, according to NHK data. Deaths in the country related to the virus stand at 29, up one from the previous day. The total number of deaths include 7 from the cruise ship.The number of coronavirus infections in Japan rose to 1,484 on Sunday, increasing by a faster pace than the previous day, public broadcaster NHK reported. The total number of infections includes 697 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship and 14 returnees on charter flights from China, according to NHK data. Deaths in the country related to the virus stand at 29, up one from the previous day. The total number of deaths include 7 from the cruise ship.
Argentina has banned entry to non-residents who have traveled to a country highly affected by coronavirus in the last 14 days, the government officially announced late on Saturday. The ban was established for 30 days, according to the decree published in the official bulletin. The bulletin did not specify which countries would be included in the ban, though Argentina already temporarily stopped issuing visas to travellers from the United States, China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Britain and many European countries. Argentina now has 45 cases of coronavirus, the health ministry said, up from 21 on March 12.Argentina has banned entry to non-residents who have traveled to a country highly affected by coronavirus in the last 14 days, the government officially announced late on Saturday. The ban was established for 30 days, according to the decree published in the official bulletin. The bulletin did not specify which countries would be included in the ban, though Argentina already temporarily stopped issuing visas to travellers from the United States, China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Britain and many European countries. Argentina now has 45 cases of coronavirus, the health ministry said, up from 21 on March 12.
An update on American Airlines reducing its flights now: it plans to cut 75% of its international flights through May 6 and ground nearly all of its widebody fleet, the company said on Saturday.An update on American Airlines reducing its flights now: it plans to cut 75% of its international flights through May 6 and ground nearly all of its widebody fleet, the company said on Saturday.
The dramatic announcement by the largest US airline came hours after the White House said the United States would widen new travel restrictions on Europeans to include travellers in the United Kingdom and Ireland, starting Monday night.The dramatic announcement by the largest US airline came hours after the White House said the United States would widen new travel restrictions on Europeans to include travellers in the United Kingdom and Ireland, starting Monday night.
South Australia has reported one new case of coronavirus, bringing the state’s total to 20.South Australia has reported one new case of coronavirus, bringing the state’s total to 20.
Tasmania, Australia has suspended all cruise ship visits to its ports after the island state recorded its sixth coronavirus case, AAP reports. Shortly after the announcement, Australian prime minister Scott Morrison said the entire country will ban cruise ships from foreign ports for an initial 30 days.Tasmania, Australia has suspended all cruise ship visits to its ports after the island state recorded its sixth coronavirus case, AAP reports. Shortly after the announcement, Australian prime minister Scott Morrison said the entire country will ban cruise ships from foreign ports for an initial 30 days.
Tasmanian premier Peter Gutwein said he will direct TasPorts, which runs the state’s ports, to suspend all cruise ship visits until June 30, as a precautionary measure.Tasmanian premier Peter Gutwein said he will direct TasPorts, which runs the state’s ports, to suspend all cruise ship visits until June 30, as a precautionary measure.
A domestic cruise ship, carrying 43 mainly local passengers and which has been in Tasmanian waters since December 31, will make a final call to Hobart port on Sunday afternoon.A domestic cruise ship, carrying 43 mainly local passengers and which has been in Tasmanian waters since December 31, will make a final call to Hobart port on Sunday afternoon.
No passengers will disembark and it will depart later in the day.No passengers will disembark and it will depart later in the day.
Twelve cruise ship visits are scheduled during the period to June 30, including five to Hobart, five to Burnie and two to Port Arthur.Twelve cruise ship visits are scheduled during the period to June 30, including five to Hobart, five to Burnie and two to Port Arthur.
About 1400 passengers and staff abroad the Magnifica, which arrived in Hobart on Saturday, were told they could not return to the ship if they disembark, an MSC Cruises spokeswoman has told The Mercury.About 1400 passengers and staff abroad the Magnifica, which arrived in Hobart on Saturday, were told they could not return to the ship if they disembark, an MSC Cruises spokeswoman has told The Mercury.
Nobody on the ship has the illness but the captain made the call as a precaution to protect passengers’ health.Nobody on the ship has the illness but the captain made the call as a precaution to protect passengers’ health.
P&O Cruises Australia on Saturday announced a 30-day pause in cruise operations to the impact of coronavirus.P&O Cruises Australia on Saturday announced a 30-day pause in cruise operations to the impact of coronavirus.
Still in Australia for a moment – just to wrap up that presser from Prime Minister Morrison and Deputy Chief Medical Officer Kelly, Australia is enforcing a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for all travellers, including Australians, arriving from overseas.Still in Australia for a moment – just to wrap up that presser from Prime Minister Morrison and Deputy Chief Medical Officer Kelly, Australia is enforcing a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for all travellers, including Australians, arriving from overseas.
Morrison says this requirement is legally enforceable, though he didn’t have the details of precisely how that might work or what the penalties for non-compliance might be.Morrison says this requirement is legally enforceable, though he didn’t have the details of precisely how that might work or what the penalties for non-compliance might be.
Schools will remain open. No more handshakes.Schools will remain open. No more handshakes.
“There’s no herd immunity,” says Dr Kelly.“There’s no herd immunity,” says Dr Kelly.
The US source is a “major source” of cases in Australia, says Morrison.The US source is a “major source” of cases in Australia, says Morrison.
The conference is over now, with a final message from the prime minister:The conference is over now, with a final message from the prime minister:
“So long as Australians keep being Australians we’ll get through this together.”“So long as Australians keep being Australians we’ll get through this together.”
Australian prime minister Scott Morrison says he hopes Australians will not lose their “sense of Australianness”, in response to a question about how social distancing might work:Australian prime minister Scott Morrison says he hopes Australians will not lose their “sense of Australianness”, in response to a question about how social distancing might work:
Is social distancing being instructedto schools, kids in schools? How is social distancing going to work?Is social distancing being instructedto schools, kids in schools? How is social distancing going to work?
Question: What is the penalty for committing the offence of not self-isolating?Question: What is the penalty for committing the offence of not self-isolating?
Morrison: That will be a matter for the states and territories.Morrison: That will be a matter for the states and territories.