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Coronavirus live news: Californians told to 'shelter in place', NZ launches historic spending package | |
(32 minutes later) | |
French told to stay inside; WHO chief urges widespread testing; markets plummet. Follow the latest updates | |
San Francisco and five other Bay Area counties in California have ordered all residents to shelter-in-place to curb the spread of coronavirus, in a drastic move similar to ones taken in Italy, Spain and China, but the first of its kind in the US. | |
The order came Monday following a 14% increase in positive coronavirus cases in California, with 335 reported and six deaths. More than a third of all positive cases were in Santa Clara county, the home of Silicon Valley, as well as two deaths. San Francisco has had 40 positive cases. | |
More than 6.7 million people live in San Francisco and the five counties issuing the order – Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, Contra Costa and Alameda counties. The order, which goes into effect at midnight Tuesday until 7 April, does not confine residents to their home unless they have permission to leave, as the lockdown orders in Italy and China do, but directs them to stay inside unless absolutely necessary. | |
A bit more on New Zealand’s massive stimulus package in response to the coronavirus pandemic now. Just to give you an idea of how this compares to packages announced in other wealthy countries around the world, Grant Robertson, the NZ finance minister described it in the below terms. | |
He said the stimulus package totalling 4% of New Zealand’s GDP was bigger than: | |
Australia’s (2.2% of Australia’s GDP) | |
Britain’s (0.6% of Britain’s GDP) | |
Ireland’s (0.9% of Ireland’s GDP) | |
Singapore’s (1.3% of Singapore’s GDP) | |
New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has urged New Zealanders to adopt the “east coast wave” instead of the traditional handshake, and has demonstrated the greeting on national television to ensure citizens are onboard. | |
The full story, should you wish to be informed before adopting the nod yourself, below: | |
New Zealand’s government has announced a spending package equivalent to 4% of the country’s GDP in an attempt to fight the effects of Covid-19 on the country’s economy, in what ministers called the most significant peace-time economic plan in the country’s modern history. | |
“This package is one of the largest in the world on a per capita basis,” Grant Robertson, the finance minister, told reporters at New Zealand’s parliament on Tuesday. | |
Mainland China had 21 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infections on Monday, the National Health Commission said on Tuesday, up from 16 a day earlier. The death toll from the outbreak was up by 13 from the previous day. Hubei province accounted for twelve pf these deaths, with 11 of these in Wuhan, the provincial capital. The number of imported cases of the virus in mainland China reached 143 as of Monday, up 20 from a day earlier. | |
The official China Daily said in an editorial on Tuesday that the rest of the world should learn from China and follow the principles of early detection, early quarantine and early treatment in order to halt the global spread of the coronavirus, Reuters reports. | |
Though the coronavirus was first discovered last year in the city of Wuhan, where officials initially tried to cover up the outbreak, China has sought to emphasise the positive role it has played in controlling the global spread of the disease. | |
With the number of new domestic cases dwindling, China has now turned its attention to controlling new infections coming into the country from overseas, where the pandemic continues to spread. China Daily said Singapore, Japan and South Korea had all “based their responses on the experience and lessons drawn from China’s successful battle with the virus,” and China was now “proactively sharing” its best practices. | |
Chinese President Xi Jinping told United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres last week that China’s efforts to control the outbreak had given the world “precious time” to formulate their own responses. China and the United States have been in a war of words about the pandemic, with many senior U.S. government officials, including President Donald Trump, continuing to refer to Covid-19 as the “Chinese virus”. | |
In less exasperating US news, an LA-based songwriter has launched an online Social Distancing Festival “made to celebrate and showcase the work of the many artists around the world who have been affected by the need for social distancing.” | |
The founder of the project, Nick Green, writes of his reasons for launching the project, which will live stream events and alert people to other live streams, including tonight’s performance of the opera Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera in New York (starting now, 7:30pm ET, for the opera fans among you): | |
US president Donald Trump has posted a tweet referring to Covid-19 as “the Chinese Virus”: | US president Donald Trump has posted a tweet referring to Covid-19 as “the Chinese Virus”: |
The Costa Rican president says predictive models on the virus are “not that precise”. | The Costa Rican president says predictive models on the virus are “not that precise”. |
The Costa Rican president Carlos Alvarado has told the Guardian it is “hard to say” whether the coronavirus outbreak in Central America can be controlled and has cautioned that predictive models for the spread of virus are “not that precise”. On Monday, Costa Rica declared a state of emergency over the global pandemic and announced it would close their borders to foreign nationals that do not reside in the country from the end of Wednesday. Speaking to the Guardian hours after the announcement, President Alvarado said he expected the economic hit from the virus on the popular ecotourism destination to be temporary. He said: | The Costa Rican president Carlos Alvarado has told the Guardian it is “hard to say” whether the coronavirus outbreak in Central America can be controlled and has cautioned that predictive models for the spread of virus are “not that precise”. On Monday, Costa Rica declared a state of emergency over the global pandemic and announced it would close their borders to foreign nationals that do not reside in the country from the end of Wednesday. Speaking to the Guardian hours after the announcement, President Alvarado said he expected the economic hit from the virus on the popular ecotourism destination to be temporary. He said: |
When asked whether he believes Central America could control the spread of the virus, President Alvarado said: | When asked whether he believes Central America could control the spread of the virus, President Alvarado said: |
All cricket in Australia has been cancelled, including the Sheffield Shield final, with NSW declared champions. | All cricket in Australia has been cancelled, including the Sheffield Shield final, with NSW declared champions. |
“Cricket Australia has today announced the cancellation of the Marsh Sheffield Shield final and recommended that all cricket played within the community is ceased for the remainder of the 2019-20 season in response to the global coronavirus pandemic,” a statement read. | “Cricket Australia has today announced the cancellation of the Marsh Sheffield Shield final and recommended that all cricket played within the community is ceased for the remainder of the 2019-20 season in response to the global coronavirus pandemic,” a statement read. |
NSW were awarded the title after leading the Sheffield Shield competition through nine rounds having won six, lost two and drawn one. Their nearest rivals Victoria had posted just three wins. | NSW were awarded the title after leading the Sheffield Shield competition through nine rounds having won six, lost two and drawn one. Their nearest rivals Victoria had posted just three wins. |
See anything you think other readers would like to know? Send it through to me on Twitter @helenrsullivan, or tag me in posts. I’m unlikely to be able to can’t respond to very message, but I do try to read them all. | See anything you think other readers would like to know? Send it through to me on Twitter @helenrsullivan, or tag me in posts. I’m unlikely to be able to can’t respond to very message, but I do try to read them all. |
In a rare bit of good news for the US jobs market, supermarket chains – and Amazon.com – are hiring more workers to meet an increase in demand sparked by consumer response to the coronavirus crisis. US supermarket chains Albertsons, Kroger and Raley’s have sought new hires to staff busy sections and fulfil online orders. They are turning to people in the restaurant, travel and entertainment businesses who are suddenly looking for work. | In a rare bit of good news for the US jobs market, supermarket chains – and Amazon.com – are hiring more workers to meet an increase in demand sparked by consumer response to the coronavirus crisis. US supermarket chains Albertsons, Kroger and Raley’s have sought new hires to staff busy sections and fulfil online orders. They are turning to people in the restaurant, travel and entertainment businesses who are suddenly looking for work. |
Amazon.com Inc on Monday said it would hire 100,000 warehouse and delivery workers in the United States to deal with a surge in online orders, as many consumers have turned to the web to meet their needs during the coronavirus outbreak. | Amazon.com Inc on Monday said it would hire 100,000 warehouse and delivery workers in the United States to deal with a surge in online orders, as many consumers have turned to the web to meet their needs during the coronavirus outbreak. |
With shoppers clearing out shelves in fear of quarantines or product shortages, retailers are racing to keep food and hygienic items in stock and have employees on hand for in-store work or delivery. “We want those people to know we welcome them on our teams until things return to normal and their past employer is able to bring them back,” Amazon said in a blog post https://blog.aboutamazon.com/operations/amazon-opening-100000-new-roles. Major shipper United Parcel Service Inc (UPS) said its trucking and air deliveries were still on despite growing government restrictions on commercial activities. It said Monday it was meeting demand with its existing workforce. Amazon’s headcount fluctuates seasonally, recently peaking for the holiday quarter at 798,000 full and part-time workers. It was not immediately clear how many people Amazon would employ after it hires 100,000 more. To draw new employees, Amazon said it would add US$2 to its minimum US$15 per hour to US workers’ wages through April. | With shoppers clearing out shelves in fear of quarantines or product shortages, retailers are racing to keep food and hygienic items in stock and have employees on hand for in-store work or delivery. “We want those people to know we welcome them on our teams until things return to normal and their past employer is able to bring them back,” Amazon said in a blog post https://blog.aboutamazon.com/operations/amazon-opening-100000-new-roles. Major shipper United Parcel Service Inc (UPS) said its trucking and air deliveries were still on despite growing government restrictions on commercial activities. It said Monday it was meeting demand with its existing workforce. Amazon’s headcount fluctuates seasonally, recently peaking for the holiday quarter at 798,000 full and part-time workers. It was not immediately clear how many people Amazon would employ after it hires 100,000 more. To draw new employees, Amazon said it would add US$2 to its minimum US$15 per hour to US workers’ wages through April. |
Moving away from that press conference now, in other Australia news – in case you missed it – actor Tom Hanks has been released from a Gold Coast Queensland hospital after being quarantined with coronavirus, AAP reports. | Moving away from that press conference now, in other Australia news – in case you missed it – actor Tom Hanks has been released from a Gold Coast Queensland hospital after being quarantined with coronavirus, AAP reports. |
His wife Rita Wilson remains in isolation after also testing positive to the virus last week. | His wife Rita Wilson remains in isolation after also testing positive to the virus last week. |
Hanks is in Queensland filming a Baz Luhrmann biopic about Elvis Presley. Production has ceased for two weeks but he is not believed to have infected any other cast or crew. Singer-songwriter Wilson recently performed in Brisbane and Sydney. Nine Network entertainment editor Richard Wilkins has since also tested positive for the virus, saying he met Wilson twice in the week leading up to her diagnosis. | Hanks is in Queensland filming a Baz Luhrmann biopic about Elvis Presley. Production has ceased for two weeks but he is not believed to have infected any other cast or crew. Singer-songwriter Wilson recently performed in Brisbane and Sydney. Nine Network entertainment editor Richard Wilkins has since also tested positive for the virus, saying he met Wilson twice in the week leading up to her diagnosis. |
Hanks issued a statement last Thursday saying he and his wife went to hospital after feeling run down. He said they would comply with all Australian health restrictions relating to the virus. | Hanks issued a statement last Thursday saying he and his wife went to hospital after feeling run down. He said they would comply with all Australian health restrictions relating to the virus. |
While in hospital Hanks tweeted his gratitude to the medical staff caring for them. The post, which included a photo of two pieces of toast smothered in Vegemite, sparked a furious social media debate about the correct amount and application of the popular spread. | While in hospital Hanks tweeted his gratitude to the medical staff caring for them. The post, which included a photo of two pieces of toast smothered in Vegemite, sparked a furious social media debate about the correct amount and application of the popular spread. |
Wilson asked Twitter to help her compile a music playlist for those in isolation, calling it “Quarantunes”. | Wilson asked Twitter to help her compile a music playlist for those in isolation, calling it “Quarantunes”. |
On Monday, Idris Alba became the next famous actor to confirm he had tested positive. He recently spent time with Sophie Grègoire Trudeau, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau’s wife, who tested positive last week. | On Monday, Idris Alba became the next famous actor to confirm he had tested positive. He recently spent time with Sophie Grègoire Trudeau, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau’s wife, who tested positive last week. |
Still in New South Wales, Australia for the moment, where state chief economist Stephen Walters says: | Still in New South Wales, Australia for the moment, where state chief economist Stephen Walters says: |
New South Wales, Australia treasurer Dominic Perrottet says of the state government’s AU$2.3bn package, AU$700 million of which will be invested into health care: | New South Wales, Australia treasurer Dominic Perrottet says of the state government’s AU$2.3bn package, AU$700 million of which will be invested into health care: |
The Australian stockmarket rose more than 1.6% at the opening bell on Tuesday morning, defying the strong lead set by a crash overnight in the US. | The Australian stockmarket rose more than 1.6% at the opening bell on Tuesday morning, defying the strong lead set by a crash overnight in the US. |
The ASX is still down by about 30% since the coronavirus crisis started hitting markets about a month ago, and the extreme volatility we’ve seen in recent days means there’s no guarantee the relief will last.Australian companies rushed out waves of bad news before the market opened, with the flagship carrier Qantas saying it would cut international flights by 90% and domestic ones by 60%. | The ASX is still down by about 30% since the coronavirus crisis started hitting markets about a month ago, and the extreme volatility we’ve seen in recent days means there’s no guarantee the relief will last.Australian companies rushed out waves of bad news before the market opened, with the flagship carrier Qantas saying it would cut international flights by 90% and domestic ones by 60%. |
The move, which will ground about 150 aircraft including almost all the airline’s long-haul fleet, is the latest reaction in an industry put under extreme financial pressure by the coronavirus crisis. | The move, which will ground about 150 aircraft including almost all the airline’s long-haul fleet, is the latest reaction in an industry put under extreme financial pressure by the coronavirus crisis. |
The Australian government has not ruled out a bail-out for the industry. | The Australian government has not ruled out a bail-out for the industry. |
Elsewhere, the soft-drink manufacturer Coca-Cola Amatil canned its profit forecasts, Auckland airport cancelled its dividend, the property developer Sunland called off a $60m share buyback program and Crown Resorts extended the closure of every second poker machine to its Burswood casino. | Elsewhere, the soft-drink manufacturer Coca-Cola Amatil canned its profit forecasts, Auckland airport cancelled its dividend, the property developer Sunland called off a $60m share buyback program and Crown Resorts extended the closure of every second poker machine to its Burswood casino. |
In Australia, New South Wales state premier Gladys Berejiklian is addressing media now on a AU$2.3bn (US$1.4) package the state government is announcing. | In Australia, New South Wales state premier Gladys Berejiklian is addressing media now on a AU$2.3bn (US$1.4) package the state government is announcing. |
Against a backdrop of incredulity and consternation, the Greek Orthodox church has, if reluctantly, decided to suspend daily services after a marathon session of its Holy Synod, citing the need to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. | Against a backdrop of incredulity and consternation, the Greek Orthodox church has, if reluctantly, decided to suspend daily services after a marathon session of its Holy Synod, citing the need to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. |
Emerging from the five-hour meeting, the Church’s spokesman said while Sunday mass could continue, daily liturgies would be halted until the Holy week preceding Orthodox Easter on April 19. | Emerging from the five-hour meeting, the Church’s spokesman said while Sunday mass could continue, daily liturgies would be halted until the Holy week preceding Orthodox Easter on April 19. |
Following the decision, prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who had implored clergy to listen to scientific advice, overrode the ruling in a tweet that made clear services would have to end. Period. “A government decision suspends operations in all areas of religious worship of any religion or dogma,” he wrote. “Churches remain open only for individual prayer. Protection of public health requires clear decisions.” | Following the decision, prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who had implored clergy to listen to scientific advice, overrode the ruling in a tweet that made clear services would have to end. Period. “A government decision suspends operations in all areas of religious worship of any religion or dogma,” he wrote. “Churches remain open only for individual prayer. Protection of public health requires clear decisions.” |
In a country of little separation between church and state, the tweet came as a surprise to many. | In a country of little separation between church and state, the tweet came as a surprise to many. |
Greek congregations, like most across Europe, are comprised of older people thought to be more susceptible to the disease. As the Church’s governing body, the Holy Synod had steadfastly rejected calls for practices such as Holy Communion to be stopped, saying it would continue to hold services and conduct the sacrament despite public health fears raised by the issue of shared chalices. | Greek congregations, like most across Europe, are comprised of older people thought to be more susceptible to the disease. As the Church’s governing body, the Holy Synod had steadfastly rejected calls for practices such as Holy Communion to be stopped, saying it would continue to hold services and conduct the sacrament despite public health fears raised by the issue of shared chalices. |
To the alarm of scientists, high-ranking metropolitans had invoked religious belief as a bulwark again Covid-19. | To the alarm of scientists, high-ranking metropolitans had invoked religious belief as a bulwark again Covid-19. |
Today’s decision was taken only after the government’s chief medical advisor on infectious diseases, professor Sotiris Tsiodras, personally intervened, appearing before the church’s top tier to explain the gravity of the situation. | Today’s decision was taken only after the government’s chief medical advisor on infectious diseases, professor Sotiris Tsiodras, personally intervened, appearing before the church’s top tier to explain the gravity of the situation. |
That, say insiders, paved the way for Mitsotakis to be able to take matters into his own hands. | That, say insiders, paved the way for Mitsotakis to be able to take matters into his own hands. |
Hundreds of prisoners escaped from prisons in São Paulo state in the South East of Brazil on Monday. The G1 news site reported that the prison rebellions and escapes happened after temporary exits for Easter due to start on Tuesday were cancelled because of the risk of prisoners infecting other inmates with coronavirus when they returned to prison. Prisoners escaped in Tremembé and Mirandópolis and G1 reported a rebellion was reported at a prison in Porto Feliz. | Hundreds of prisoners escaped from prisons in São Paulo state in the South East of Brazil on Monday. The G1 news site reported that the prison rebellions and escapes happened after temporary exits for Easter due to start on Tuesday were cancelled because of the risk of prisoners infecting other inmates with coronavirus when they returned to prison. Prisoners escaped in Tremembé and Mirandópolis and G1 reported a rebellion was reported at a prison in Porto Feliz. |
And in a widely-shared video, hordes of prisoners could be seen running away from the semi-open Dr Rubens Aleixo Sendin at Mongaguá on the São Paulo coast while a man shouts: “Come back Monday, ok?” | And in a widely-shared video, hordes of prisoners could be seen running away from the semi-open Dr Rubens Aleixo Sendin at Mongaguá on the São Paulo coast while a man shouts: “Come back Monday, ok?” |
Other videos showed dozens on a beach and 41 have already been recaptured, G1 said. Semi-open prisons in the state have no armed guards, São Paulo’s state penitentiary administration department said, adding that it is “taking all the due providences to remedy the problem.” | Other videos showed dozens on a beach and 41 have already been recaptured, G1 said. Semi-open prisons in the state have no armed guards, São Paulo’s state penitentiary administration department said, adding that it is “taking all the due providences to remedy the problem.” |
Hello and welcome to today’s coronavirus liveblog, where we’ll be giving you up-to-the-minute news on the pandemic around the world. | Hello and welcome to today’s coronavirus liveblog, where we’ll be giving you up-to-the-minute news on the pandemic around the world. |
‘Test, test, test,’ is the message of the day from the World Health Organization. The question is: How? | ‘Test, test, test,’ is the message of the day from the World Health Organization. The question is: How? |
Here is a summary of the latest developments: | Here is a summary of the latest developments: |
The head of the World Health Organizaion, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, implored governments to test more suspected cases, warning that they cannot fight the pandemic blindfolded. In a strongly-worded attack on governments which have neglected or held back testing, he said: “We have not seen an urgent enough escalation in testing, isolation and contact tracing, which is the backbone of the response.” | The head of the World Health Organizaion, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, implored governments to test more suspected cases, warning that they cannot fight the pandemic blindfolded. In a strongly-worded attack on governments which have neglected or held back testing, he said: “We have not seen an urgent enough escalation in testing, isolation and contact tracing, which is the backbone of the response.” |
The White House recommended isolation. US President Donald Trump told Americans to avoid any gatherings of more than 10 people over the next 15 days and advising all states with evidence of community transmission to close down bars, restaurants, gyms and other facilities. | The White House recommended isolation. US President Donald Trump told Americans to avoid any gatherings of more than 10 people over the next 15 days and advising all states with evidence of community transmission to close down bars, restaurants, gyms and other facilities. |
The death toll in Italy from Covid-19 increased to 2,158, with the announcement of another 349 victims in Europe’s worst his country. Spain confirmed 9,191 cases and 309 deaths, making it the second hardest-hit country in Europe after Italy. | The death toll in Italy from Covid-19 increased to 2,158, with the announcement of another 349 victims in Europe’s worst his country. Spain confirmed 9,191 cases and 309 deaths, making it the second hardest-hit country in Europe after Italy. |
The death toll in the UK increased to 55 people, including the first death in Wales. The latest victims included a 56-year-old, believed to be the youngest in the UK so far. | The death toll in the UK increased to 55 people, including the first death in Wales. The latest victims included a 56-year-old, believed to be the youngest in the UK so far. |
Britons were told to avoid pubs, bars and restaurants and to self-isolate if anyone in their family fell ill. The new government advice, something of a U-turn, came during the prime minister’s first daily press conference. Boris Johnson unveiled a series of stringent new restrictions, including a 14-day isolation for all households with symptoms, a warning against “non-essential” contact, and an end to all mass gatherings. | Britons were told to avoid pubs, bars and restaurants and to self-isolate if anyone in their family fell ill. The new government advice, something of a U-turn, came during the prime minister’s first daily press conference. Boris Johnson unveiled a series of stringent new restrictions, including a 14-day isolation for all households with symptoms, a warning against “non-essential” contact, and an end to all mass gatherings. |
The G7 nations stressed the importance of international cooperation. A statement released by Downing Street sought to highlight the significance of national governments not looking solely to their own interests – acknowledging that coronavirus is a global pandemic. | The G7 nations stressed the importance of international cooperation. A statement released by Downing Street sought to highlight the significance of national governments not looking solely to their own interests – acknowledging that coronavirus is a global pandemic. |
Germany closed places of worship, bars, restaurants, museums and cinemas. Announcing the plan, Chancellor Angela Merkel said: “The more individuals stick to these rules, the quicker we will get through this phase.” | Germany closed places of worship, bars, restaurants, museums and cinemas. Announcing the plan, Chancellor Angela Merkel said: “The more individuals stick to these rules, the quicker we will get through this phase.” |
The actor Idris Elba has become the latest celebrity to contract the virus. Earlier this month he was photographed at an event at London’s Wembley Arena with Sophie Grégoire Trudeau – just over week before she tested positive. | The actor Idris Elba has become the latest celebrity to contract the virus. Earlier this month he was photographed at an event at London’s Wembley Arena with Sophie Grégoire Trudeau – just over week before she tested positive. |
The European Union has proposed banning all but essential travel for 30 days. Egypt, Canada, and Malaysia have become the latest countries to close airports. | The European Union has proposed banning all but essential travel for 30 days. Egypt, Canada, and Malaysia have become the latest countries to close airports. |
France has warned of a “fast-deteriorating” situation and Spain has requisitioned its private healthcare sector. Jérôme Salomon, France’s top health official, said on Monday, “There is a real worry the speed of the outbreak could saturate hospitals.” | France has warned of a “fast-deteriorating” situation and Spain has requisitioned its private healthcare sector. Jérôme Salomon, France’s top health official, said on Monday, “There is a real worry the speed of the outbreak could saturate hospitals.” |
Mounting concerns that the pandemic could prompt a global recession have sent financial markets around the world plunging, despite a coordinated effort by central banks to protect growth and jobs. | Mounting concerns that the pandemic could prompt a global recession have sent financial markets around the world plunging, despite a coordinated effort by central banks to protect growth and jobs. |
Major airlines including Qantas, British Airways, Ryanair, easyJet and Virgin Atlantic announced a dramatic scaling back of their operations on Monday, with cuts of up to 90% of their services. | Major airlines including Qantas, British Airways, Ryanair, easyJet and Virgin Atlantic announced a dramatic scaling back of their operations on Monday, with cuts of up to 90% of their services. |
The official global death toll from the coronavirus outbreak has now passed 6,500, with the number of deaths and infections around the world now exceeding those in China, where it began. Infections have been reported in 156 countries. | The official global death toll from the coronavirus outbreak has now passed 6,500, with the number of deaths and infections around the world now exceeding those in China, where it began. Infections have been reported in 156 countries. |
In the UK, an NHS document leaked to the media suggested that the coronavirus emergency could last up to a year and put 8m people in hospital. This morning, Downing St said the 8m figure was a worst case scenario, rather than what the government expected. | In the UK, an NHS document leaked to the media suggested that the coronavirus emergency could last up to a year and put 8m people in hospital. This morning, Downing St said the 8m figure was a worst case scenario, rather than what the government expected. |
Passengers on the London Underground network are down by nearly a fifth compared to the same time last year, while numbers on buses were down by 10%. | Passengers on the London Underground network are down by nearly a fifth compared to the same time last year, while numbers on buses were down by 10%. |
The Spanish government has requisitioned its private healthcare sector and given any company that has supplies of protective gear 48 hours to report to health authorities, or face fines. | The Spanish government has requisitioned its private healthcare sector and given any company that has supplies of protective gear 48 hours to report to health authorities, or face fines. |
The government of Singapore sharply criticised responses to the outbreak by the UK, Switzerland and Japan, saying that “these countries have abandoned any attempt at containing the spread of the virus,” as he announced new travel restrictions. | The government of Singapore sharply criticised responses to the outbreak by the UK, Switzerland and Japan, saying that “these countries have abandoned any attempt at containing the spread of the virus,” as he announced new travel restrictions. |
New York City will close the largest public school system in the US on Monday, and its bars, restaurants and entertainment venues from Tuesday. | New York City will close the largest public school system in the US on Monday, and its bars, restaurants and entertainment venues from Tuesday. |
The states of California, Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts and Washington closed their bars, restaurants and entertainment venues, too. Food takeout and delivery are still allowed. | The states of California, Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts and Washington closed their bars, restaurants and entertainment venues, too. Food takeout and delivery are still allowed. |
Luxembourg on Sunday followed its neighbours France and Belgium in closing bars and restaurants to try to stem the spread of the coronavirus epidemic. | Luxembourg on Sunday followed its neighbours France and Belgium in closing bars and restaurants to try to stem the spread of the coronavirus epidemic. |