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Coronavirus live news: Ohio primary polls ordered to close, NZ launches historic spending package Coronavirus live news: Ohio primary polls ordered to close, NZ launches historic spending package
(32 minutes later)
Ohio governor says voting won’t happen due to ‘health emergency’; French told to stay inside; WHO urges widespread testing. Follow the latest updatesOhio governor says voting won’t happen due to ‘health emergency’; French told to stay inside; WHO urges widespread testing. Follow the latest updates
‘This is like a war’: the view from Italy’s coronavirus frontline
There are the elderly couples who died hours apart and without their families around them. There is the 47-year-old woman who died at home, and who remained there for almost two days because funeral companies refused to collect her body. There are the doctors who lost their lives after assisting their infected patients.
Among the 2,158 people to have been killed by the coronavirus pandemic in Italy as of Monday, the oldest was 95 and the two youngest were 39.
Brazil’s largest favela, Rocinha, has asked that foreigners to be banned from entering the area, AP reports. Rocinha was home to about 70,000 people as of the latest census.
Wallace Pereira da Silva, president of Rocinhas residents’ association, says he delivered the official request to the state tourism secretariat on 13 March.
“What we have most news of is that the disease comes from foreigners, and that worries us,” Pereira da Silva said in an interview. “Obviously we’re taking precautions washing our hands, using hand sanitiser, etc. but the big worry for me personally is foreigners visiting.”
The tourism secretariats press office wasn’t immediately able to confirm receipt of the document, which was reviewed by the AP. Vacationers often include a favela visit on their checklist, be it independently, on a walking tour with a local guide, or riding in the bed of safari-like trucks, the latter of which have been widely criticised as dehumanising. Rocinha, located near the hotels of Ipanema and Copacabana, is a common destination.
Ukraine late on Monday announced shutdowns of public transport, bars, restaurants and shopping malls to stem the spread of the coronavirus after President Volodymyr Zelensky promised to act “harshly, urgently, perhaps unpopularly”, AFP reports.
The government supported Zelensky’s proposals and introduced restrictions on domestic movement, including full closure of the country’s three metro systems - in Kiev, Kharkiv and Dnipro - until April 3.
The government also banned mass events with more than ten people participating.
Ukraine has officially confirmed seven cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, and one death. Two new cases were confirmed in Kiev late Monday.
Ukraine has already implemented drastic preventative measures including banning entry to foreigners, and it will stop all flights to and from the country from Tuesday.
It has also closed schools and universities and banned major public events.
“We need to buy time. We must reduce the chances of the virus spreading through the capital,” Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko said in a statement earlier the day.
Ukraine’s other major cities, from Lviv in the west to the southern port of Odessa, have closed museums and swimming pools.
The country’s parliament is to hold an extraordinary session on Tuesday to consider further steps.
Meanwhile in Australia:
Asian markets sank Tuesday as investors struggled to pick themselves off the floor following the previous day’s global bloodbath, the AFP writes, which saw Wall Street suffer its worst day in more than three decades as coronavirus sweeps the planet.
Despite government and central bank attempts to soothe markets with massive stimulus pledges and interest rate cuts, more countries are going into lockdown to prevent the outbreak’s spread - bringing the world economy juddering to a halt.
There is a broad consensus that the disease, which has wiped trillions off market valuations, will cause a global recession, with the airline industry first in the firing line leading company heads to plead for billions of dollars in state help to prevent them going under.
The Philippines became the first country to shut down its stock market as the country goes into lockdown.
Elsewhere, Sydney rose more than 4%, a day after crashing 9.7% in its worst day on record.
But after an early advance, the rest of Asia resumed its downward trend.
Hong Kong and Shanghai lost more than 1%, while Seoul, Jakarta and Taipei dropped more than 3%. Tokyo ended the morning down 0.5%.
Singapore was slightly lower and Wellington was flat after New Zealand became the latest country to announce monetary support.
The losses came after Wall Street indices collapsed in their worst day since 1987, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq dropping about 12% and the Dow sinking nearly 13%.
Thousands of Australian doctors have called on the government to ramp up its coronavirus response.Thousands of Australian doctors have called on the government to ramp up its coronavirus response.
Almost 2,500 doctors have urged the health minister, Greg Hunt, to take immediate action on containment measures around the country to curb coronavirus.Almost 2,500 doctors have urged the health minister, Greg Hunt, to take immediate action on containment measures around the country to curb coronavirus.
Led by Dr Hemant Garg, the letter states doctors are “dismayed at the disconnect between the actions being taken within the medical community and the recommendation for actions being passed on to the general population”.Led by Dr Hemant Garg, the letter states doctors are “dismayed at the disconnect between the actions being taken within the medical community and the recommendation for actions being passed on to the general population”.
In the US, San Francisco and five other counties in California issued a shelter-in-place order in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus.In the US, San Francisco and five other counties in California issued a shelter-in-place order in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The order, which goes into effect at midnight Tuesday until 7 April, is similar to the drastic lockdown measures taken in places like Italy, Spain, France and China, but it’s the first of its kind in the United States.The order, which goes into effect at midnight Tuesday until 7 April, is similar to the drastic lockdown measures taken in places like Italy, Spain, France and China, but it’s the first of its kind in the United States.
What does the order do?What does the order do?
This order requires 6.7 million residents in San Francisco and five other Bay Area counties – Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, Marin and Contra Costa – to stay home unless absolutely necessary.This order requires 6.7 million residents in San Francisco and five other Bay Area counties – Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, Marin and Contra Costa – to stay home unless absolutely necessary.
Santa Cruz county issued a similar order later on Monday.Santa Cruz county issued a similar order later on Monday.
They can’t ever go outside?They can’t ever go outside?
Residents “may leave to provide or receive certain essential services or engage in certain essential activities and work for essential business or government services”.Residents “may leave to provide or receive certain essential services or engage in certain essential activities and work for essential business or government services”.
The key word here is “essential”.The key word here is “essential”.
More on this below:More on this below:
New Zealand on Tuesday deported its first unruly traveller flouting the country’s mandatory 14-day self-isolation rule for almost all arrivals, the health ministry said. The tourist, who had checked into a backpackers hostel in the city of Christchurch, was removed from the accommodation by the police after officials learned she did not have clear self-isolation plans.New Zealand on Tuesday deported its first unruly traveller flouting the country’s mandatory 14-day self-isolation rule for almost all arrivals, the health ministry said. The tourist, who had checked into a backpackers hostel in the city of Christchurch, was removed from the accommodation by the police after officials learned she did not have clear self-isolation plans.
But on the second day of the country’s strict travel restrictions, the new rules appeared to have sunk in for many others. The mood on Wellington airport on Tuesday was subdued and compliant as a handful of travellers arrived on flights from Sydney and Melbourne.But on the second day of the country’s strict travel restrictions, the new rules appeared to have sunk in for many others. The mood on Wellington airport on Tuesday was subdued and compliant as a handful of travellers arrived on flights from Sydney and Melbourne.
The plane had felt like a ghost ship, said Addison Li-Strong. “I had a whole row to myself.”The plane had felt like a ghost ship, said Addison Li-Strong. “I had a whole row to myself.”
All of those who spoke to the Guardian were New Zealanders returning home, and almost all said they planned to self-isolate; one trio was looking forward to a “dreamy” fortnight at a stocked-up family beach house on Wellington’s south coast.All of those who spoke to the Guardian were New Zealanders returning home, and almost all said they planned to self-isolate; one trio was looking forward to a “dreamy” fortnight at a stocked-up family beach house on Wellington’s south coast.
Some questioned whether the border checks in New Zealand and Australia were stringent enough; masked and gloved officials had helped passengers fill in forms stating their health status and plans, and had asked travellers how they were feeling, said Luke Furness, arriving from Thailand via Sydney, but had not performed temperature checks.Some questioned whether the border checks in New Zealand and Australia were stringent enough; masked and gloved officials had helped passengers fill in forms stating their health status and plans, and had asked travellers how they were feeling, said Luke Furness, arriving from Thailand via Sydney, but had not performed temperature checks.
“They chucked me a bit of paper and asked me how I was feeling, and I said ‘good’ but why would I say ‘bad’?” he said. “But I am feeling a hundred.”“They chucked me a bit of paper and asked me how I was feeling, and I said ‘good’ but why would I say ‘bad’?” he said. “But I am feeling a hundred.”
The procedures were “pretty vague really. They just give you a sheet of paper and make you fill in a card and that’s it,” said Cory Turnewitsch, who planned to move his belongings into the spare bedroom and avoid his four-year-old’s hugs and kisses for the duration of his mandatory isolation.The procedures were “pretty vague really. They just give you a sheet of paper and make you fill in a card and that’s it,” said Cory Turnewitsch, who planned to move his belongings into the spare bedroom and avoid his four-year-old’s hugs and kisses for the duration of his mandatory isolation.
Not all travellers were so well-behaved. Two young men arriving from Melbourne said they could not stop to chat because their father was waiting outside to whisk them off. To self-isolation?Not all travellers were so well-behaved. Two young men arriving from Melbourne said they could not stop to chat because their father was waiting outside to whisk them off. To self-isolation?
Both laughed. “Yeah, at the golf course!” one said.Both laughed. “Yeah, at the golf course!” one said.
The New Zealand Herald reported on Tuesday evening that two people from South East Asia would be deported after “irresponsible” behaviour that had put New Zealanders at risk when they failed to self-isolate, according to the immigration agency.
The Greek Orthodox Church suspended daily services. 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.The Greek Orthodox Church suspended daily services. 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.
Hundreds of prisoners escaped from prisons in São Paulo state in the South East of Brazil on Monday.Hundreds of prisoners escaped from prisons in São Paulo state in the South East of Brazil on Monday.
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.
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.
US president Donald Trump has posted a tweet referring to Covid-19 as “the Chinese Virus”. Trump also warned that social upheaval caused by the outbreak could last beyond August.US president Donald Trump has posted a tweet referring to Covid-19 as “the Chinese Virus”. Trump also warned that social upheaval caused by the outbreak could last beyond August.
New Zealand announced an enormous 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.New Zealand announced an enormous 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.
Californians were urged to ‘shelter in place’. 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. Here is what the order means.Californians were urged to ‘shelter in place’. 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. Here is what the order means.
The Ohio primary was ordered to be delayed on health grounds. The state’s governor, Mike DeWine, had recommended on Monday that in-person voting during Tuesday’s primary elections be postponed.The Ohio primary was ordered to be delayed on health grounds. The state’s governor, Mike DeWine, had recommended on Monday that in-person voting during Tuesday’s primary elections be postponed.
The Sydney Opera House announced it would cancel all public performances starting Tuesday, March 17.The Sydney Opera House announced it would cancel all public performances starting Tuesday, March 17.
The UN Security Council called off its remaining two remaining meetings for the week, Agence France-Presse reported.The UN Security Council called off its remaining two remaining meetings for the week, Agence France-Presse reported.
China’s state planner said the economy would return to normal in the second quarter, as the country reported just one case outside Wuhan.China’s state planner said the economy would return to normal in the second quarter, as the country reported just one case outside Wuhan.
Australia is looking at developing a mass testing process. The country has 415 confirmed cases of coronavirus.Australia is looking at developing a mass testing process. The country has 415 confirmed cases of coronavirus.
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.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.
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.
Here is the most recent Coronavirus latest: at a glance.Here is the most recent Coronavirus latest: at a glance.
The latest venture into the brave new world of live-streaming-in-the-age-of-coronavirus-shutdown is none other than Chris Martin – the frontman of Coldplay, who had already put a hold on all touring until they could find a sustainable way to do it. Martin is the curator – and inaugural act – of new online festival the Solidarity Sessions: Together, At Home, in which artists will be performing for their fans, over Instagram, from home.The latest venture into the brave new world of live-streaming-in-the-age-of-coronavirus-shutdown is none other than Chris Martin – the frontman of Coldplay, who had already put a hold on all touring until they could find a sustainable way to do it. Martin is the curator – and inaugural act – of new online festival the Solidarity Sessions: Together, At Home, in which artists will be performing for their fans, over Instagram, from home.
Martin offered up a half-hour concert, featuring Coldplay hits and a David Bowie cover which has already been watched by 585,000. The festival is happening in partnership with the World Health Organization, and intends to raise awareness for their new Solidarity Response Fund – and John Legend is next on the lineup.Martin offered up a half-hour concert, featuring Coldplay hits and a David Bowie cover which has already been watched by 585,000. The festival is happening in partnership with the World Health Organization, and intends to raise awareness for their new Solidarity Response Fund – and John Legend is next on the lineup.
A strong contender for cutest coronavirus-induced lockdown news today (and perhaps ever) is penguins Annie and Edward being allowed out of their enclosure to explore some if the exhibits at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago:
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau is currently working from home, prompting a senior government official who has participated in calls with the prime minister to tell Reuters, “You can run a G7 country from home.”
Trudeau has help in the form of “a very large box of Legos” to keep his children occupied, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland told Reuters.
Friendly reminder: If Trudeau can pull that off, many of you can and should work from home, too (though we understand Trudeau has many helpers and resources beyond Lego at his disposal).
An update now on Canada, which closed its borders to all foreign nationals except US citizens and permanent residents on Monday.
Several other countries have taken the same step. The 27-nation European Union proposed shutting its external borders for 30 days on Monday. “We will be denying entry into Canada to people who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents ... it is a significant step that we take in exceptional circumstances,” Trudeau told reporters outside his home, where he is under quarantine after his wife, Sophie, tested positive for the respiratory virus.
As the virus’ spread accelerates in Canada, Trudeau urged people to stay home and restrict contact with others. “Staying home is an important step to protect the community and each other. We all have to do it,” he said. The death toll in Canada rose to four on Monday from one on Sunday. The number of infected jumped to 407 from the 341 reported at 9 a.m. (1300 GMT) earlier in the day, medical officials said.
As former Australian prime minister Julia Gillard self-isolates after embracing Sophie Trudeau a week before Trudeau tested positive for coronavirus, now is a helpful time to remind you to please wash your hands, this time to Gillard’s famous misogyny speech:
The Philippine Stock Exchange was closed with no trading Tuesday after the president placed the northern part of the country including Manila in quarantine.
The exchange’s CEO said the end of trading activity would be “until further notice.” Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte placed the northern third of the country under an “enhanced community quarantine” that requires millions of people to stay mostly at home in an attempt to contain the coronavirus.
Most office work and mass transit on Luzon Island, including Manila, will be suspended for a month. Public movement will be restricted and large gatherings banned except for medical and other emergencies. Banks, hospitals, drugstores and supermarkets will remain open but only one family member can make such trips and should observe “social distancing.” The Philippines has 142 cases of infection. The 12 deaths due to Covid-19 are the most in Southeast Asia. Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri said he had tested positive for the virus, becoming the highest Philippine official to be infected.
Still in Australia, in what appears to be a severe escalation of the supermarket wars, a man has been airlifted to hospital from the Victorian town of Rosebud after he was reportedly stabbed at a Woolworths.
Ambulance Victoria said paramedics were called to an incident in Rosebud, which is 88km from Melbourne on the Mornington Peninsula, at 12.55pm and treated a man for “an injury to the lower body.”
Neither paramedics nor Victoria Police — who asked Guardian Australia if we calling about the Rosebud incident almost before we’d stated our name — have provided any more information at this stage.
Australia’s health minister, Greg Hunt, says the country now has 375 confirmed cases of coronavirus.
He also says the country is looking at developing a mass testing process.
“We have actually one of the most advanced testing regimes in the world. We have had over 30,000 tests conducted in Australia, and I expect new figures in the next 24 hours which will be significantly in advance of that,” he says.
Testing is one of his “absolute highest priorities” and he is working with the Doherty Institute to look at how to “expand beyond the individual tests,” he says.
“They are looking at ways of expediting the testing process, and, indeed, some significant new mass testing processes over and above what we’re doing.”
China’s economy will return to normal in the second quarter as government support measures to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus epidemic take effect, the state planner said on Tuesday.
Officials from the National Development and Reform Commission also told reporters during a briefing that China has ample policy tools and will roll out relevant measures at an appropriate time.
Wuhan, the central Chinese city that was at one time the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, where the viral illness was first detected in December, was down to just one new case on Tuesday.
New Zealand has recorded three more confirmed cases of coronavirus, all from New Zealanders recently returned from overseas. Two are in Wellington, having returned from the US, and one is in Dunedin, recently returned from Germany. The total of infected persons is now 11.
The Dunedin man only began showing symptoms five days after arriving home. The man and two family members are in self-isolation, including a student from Logan Park High School.
Dr Ashley Bloomfield, director-general of health, said all cases of the virus in New Zealand have been recorded from overseas travellers arriving in the country, and at this stage there was no community outbreak.
“New Zealand has no barrier from cost to testing, nor is there a constraint on capacity.” Bloomfield said.
The health-line helpline answered more than 7,000 calls on Monday, although 24,000 people had tried to get through. The 7,000 was seven times the normal volume.Five hundred tests for the virus are being undertaken in New Zealand today, with those returning from overseas travel prioritised.
The UN Security Council called off its remaining two remaining meetings for the week, Agence France-Presse reports.
“Council members will maintain communication and consultation on issues on the agenda with a view to taking necessary actions as needed to fulfil the Council’s mandate,” a spokesperson for the mission said in a statement.
A Philippines delegate at the UN tested positive to Covid-19 last week.