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Coronavirus live news: outbreak reaches every US state as Australia says measures could last six months Coronavirus live news: outbreak reaches every US state as Australia says measures could last six months
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EU implements strictest travel ban in history; Australian PM declares ‘human biosecurity emergency’; British restaurants and museums close. Follow the latest updates.EU implements strictest travel ban in history; Australian PM declares ‘human biosecurity emergency’; British restaurants and museums close. Follow the latest updates.
Australian prime minister Scott Morrison has told the country that hoarding is ‘unAustralian’:
A few days ago Morrison had a similar message for the country, saying he hoped Australians would not “lose our sense of Australianness in all of this”.
California governor Gavin Newsom warned Tuesday that most schools will likely remain closed for the rest of the school year because of coronavirus.
Currently, about 6.1 million students are out of school, as 98.8% of the state’s schools have shut down to curb the spread of coronavirus.
“I would plan and assume it is unlikely that many of these schools, few if any, will open before the summer break,” Newsom said in a news conference.
As of Monday night, there were 472 positive cases in California, and 11 deaths.
Newsom said the state has released publicly the detailed guidelines to homeschool curricula, as well as put an emphasis on online learning. “We want to make sure that learning is still occurring, he said.
“We will get back to the life we have lived,” he said. “I get asked every day if this is the new normal. This is a moment in time.”
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin warned Republican senators on Tuesday that failure to act on a proposed coronavirus rescue package could lead to U.S. unemployment as high as 20% and lasting economic damage, a person familiar with the closed-door meeting said. Mnuchin met with senators to persuade them to pass a US$1 trillion stimulus package that would send cash to Americans within two weeks and backstop airlines and other companies.
Eight new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in New Zealand today, all from people recently arrived from overseas. The total number of coronavirus in New Zealand is now 20.
“We expected more cases,” director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said.Bloomfield urged those who had arrived from overseas before the Monday self-isolation measures came into force to “voluntarily self-isolate” to protect the community.
150 “close contacts” of a student from Logan Park High School in Dunedin will be tested for the virus, after the student positive after catching it from a family member. The high school is closed for the rest of the week. No other schools have been asked to close in New Zealand, and the ministry of education is urging parents to continue sending their children to school. Meanwhile police have been undertaking self-isolation compliance visits, dropping in on a random sample group of travellers who arrived into New Zealand after the new self-isolation requirements came into effect on Monday. In a statement police said the ministry of health had requested police conduct the visits to check on the “compliance and welfare” of 50 individuals.The visits involved police “visually sighting” those in self-isolation, and asking them questions about their well-being.Police said they were “pleased with the high level of compliance with most people taking the isolation seriously”.
Economists at ratings agency S&P say the much-feared worldwide recession has arrived and they now estimate global GDP will grow 1%-1.5% in 2020 with the risk that it could sink even lower.Economists at ratings agency S&P say the much-feared worldwide recession has arrived and they now estimate global GDP will grow 1%-1.5% in 2020 with the risk that it could sink even lower.
The economic impact of coronavirus on China was much greater than initially thought, chief economist Paul Gruenwald said in a note on Wednesday, and the increasingly severe lockdown in Europe and the US will continue to crush demand.The economic impact of coronavirus on China was much greater than initially thought, chief economist Paul Gruenwald said in a note on Wednesday, and the increasingly severe lockdown in Europe and the US will continue to crush demand.
“The initial data from China suggests that its economy was hit far harder than projected, though a tentative stabilisation has begun,” said Gruenwald. “Europe and the U.S. are following a similar path, as increasing restrictions on person-to-person contacts presage a demand collapse that will take activity sharply lower in the second quarter before a recovery begins later in the year.”“The initial data from China suggests that its economy was hit far harder than projected, though a tentative stabilisation has begun,” said Gruenwald. “Europe and the U.S. are following a similar path, as increasing restrictions on person-to-person contacts presage a demand collapse that will take activity sharply lower in the second quarter before a recovery begins later in the year.”
The S&P team have also been looking at Asia-Pacific and predict that growth in the region will more than halve to less than 3%. That’s according to an article S&P Global Ratings published today, titled “Asia-Pacific Recession Guaranteed.”The S&P team have also been looking at Asia-Pacific and predict that growth in the region will more than halve to less than 3%. That’s according to an article S&P Global Ratings published today, titled “Asia-Pacific Recession Guaranteed.”
“An enormous first-quarter shock in China, shutdowns across the U.S. and Europe, and local virus transmission guarantees a deep recession across Asia-Pacific,” said Shaun Roache, the chief Asia-Pacific economist.“An enormous first-quarter shock in China, shutdowns across the U.S. and Europe, and local virus transmission guarantees a deep recession across Asia-Pacific,” said Shaun Roache, the chief Asia-Pacific economist.
“By recession, we mean at least two quarters of well below-trend growth sufficient to trigger rising unemployment.“By recession, we mean at least two quarters of well below-trend growth sufficient to trigger rising unemployment.
“Our estimate of permanent income losses is likely to at least double to more than US$400 billion,” said Roache. “For credit markets, a key question is how these losses are distributed across sovereigns, firms, banks, and households.”“Our estimate of permanent income losses is likely to at least double to more than US$400 billion,” said Roache. “For credit markets, a key question is how these losses are distributed across sovereigns, firms, banks, and households.”
China is gradually recovering from an enormous economic blow early in 2020. February data confirm a huge shock to activity in the first quarter. Investment accounts for about 45% of China’s economy--and fixed asset investment in January and February combined plunged by almost 25% compared with a year ago. Over the same period, industrial production and retail sales fell by 14% and 21%.China is gradually recovering from an enormous economic blow early in 2020. February data confirm a huge shock to activity in the first quarter. Investment accounts for about 45% of China’s economy--and fixed asset investment in January and February combined plunged by almost 25% compared with a year ago. Over the same period, industrial production and retail sales fell by 14% and 21%.
“These are unprecedented numbers,” said Mr. Roache. “This not only confirms a hard hit to China’s growth but indicates that the authorities are not smoothing the data.”“These are unprecedented numbers,” said Mr. Roache. “This not only confirms a hard hit to China’s growth but indicates that the authorities are not smoothing the data.”
Police in Puyallup, Washington have asked criminals to stop committing crimes in light of the coronavirus epidemic.Police in Puyallup, Washington have asked criminals to stop committing crimes in light of the coronavirus epidemic.
The Puyallup Police Department posted on Facebook:The Puyallup Police Department posted on Facebook:
“Due to local cases of #Covid-19, PPD is asking all criminal activities and nefarious behavior to cease. We appreciate your anticipated cooperation in halting crime & thank all the criminals in advance. We will certainly let you know when you can resume your normal criminal behavior. Until then.... #washyourhands & #behaveyourself”“Due to local cases of #Covid-19, PPD is asking all criminal activities and nefarious behavior to cease. We appreciate your anticipated cooperation in halting crime & thank all the criminals in advance. We will certainly let you know when you can resume your normal criminal behavior. Until then.... #washyourhands & #behaveyourself”
The US death toll has passed 100, according to Johns Hopkins University.The US death toll has passed 100, according to Johns Hopkins University.
The total number of coronavirus-related deaths stands at 108. The number of infections across the country, where the virus has now reached every state, is 6,423, making it the eighth-highest globally.The total number of coronavirus-related deaths stands at 108. The number of infections across the country, where the virus has now reached every state, is 6,423, making it the eighth-highest globally.
West Virginia became the last of the 50 US states to report a positive case of new coronavirus on Tuesday, meaning the pandemic has now touched every part of the world’s richest and most powerful nation.West Virginia became the last of the 50 US states to report a positive case of new coronavirus on Tuesday, meaning the pandemic has now touched every part of the world’s richest and most powerful nation.
Watch as Ireand’s prime minister, Leo Varadkar, delivers stark warnings and calls for unity in the wake of the coronavirus crisis:Watch as Ireand’s prime minister, Leo Varadkar, delivers stark warnings and calls for unity in the wake of the coronavirus crisis:
Speaking on St Patrick’s Day, Varadkar called for citizens to isolate, for pubs and restaurants to close and social gatherings to be cancelled. Varadkar also said the most vulnerable would be looked after, insisting banks, government and utilities were there to help.Speaking on St Patrick’s Day, Varadkar called for citizens to isolate, for pubs and restaurants to close and social gatherings to be cancelled. Varadkar also said the most vulnerable would be looked after, insisting banks, government and utilities were there to help.
Coronavirus is now in every US state, more European and other countries are in lockdown and urging citizens to return home and the Australian government has warned of a possible six months of isolation measures.Coronavirus is now in every US state, more European and other countries are in lockdown and urging citizens to return home and the Australian government has warned of a possible six months of isolation measures.
Around the world, people are trying to return to their home countries or coming to terms with being stuck where they are for the time being. Stay with us for the latest developments.Around the world, people are trying to return to their home countries or coming to terms with being stuck where they are for the time being. Stay with us for the latest developments.
Criminal trials are to be halted in England and Wales, the lord chief justice announced. Lord Burnett said no new trial should start in any crown court unless it is expected to last for three days or fewer. Any longer cases due to start before the end of April are to be postponed.Criminal trials are to be halted in England and Wales, the lord chief justice announced. Lord Burnett said no new trial should start in any crown court unless it is expected to last for three days or fewer. Any longer cases due to start before the end of April are to be postponed.
Australians were told to expect at least six months of severe disruption. The prime minister and chief medical officer delivered a series of new restrictions, saying Australians should avoid international travel and groups of more than 100 people, as well as other measures.Australians were told to expect at least six months of severe disruption. The prime minister and chief medical officer delivered a series of new restrictions, saying Australians should avoid international travel and groups of more than 100 people, as well as other measures.
The virus reached every US state as West Virginia became the last to diagnose a case. All 50 states in the union now have at least one confirmed case. The USA has seen 93 deaths as a result of the pandemic, according to Johns Hopkins University figures.The virus reached every US state as West Virginia became the last to diagnose a case. All 50 states in the union now have at least one confirmed case. The USA has seen 93 deaths as a result of the pandemic, according to Johns Hopkins University figures.
The UK government announced that £330bn in business loans would be made available to support firms struggling to cope with the repercussions of the outbreak.The UK government announced that £330bn in business loans would be made available to support firms struggling to cope with the repercussions of the outbreak.
85,000 prisoners were temporarily released in Iran due to the coronavirus outbreak.85,000 prisoners were temporarily released in Iran due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The death toll in Italy has risen by 16% in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number to 2,503. The number of confirmed cases also rose to 31,506.The death toll in Italy has risen by 16% in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number to 2,503. The number of confirmed cases also rose to 31,506.
British cultural buildings have closed their doors temporarily. These include the Natural History Museum, the British Museum and the Royal Academy.British cultural buildings have closed their doors temporarily. These include the Natural History Museum, the British Museum and the Royal Academy.
The French Open has been postponed, along with the European Championship which has been postponed until 2021, Uefa has decided.The French Open has been postponed, along with the European Championship which has been postponed until 2021, Uefa has decided.
The EU is set to endorse the strictest travel ban in its history as France joined Italy and Spain in full lockdown and Donald Trump told Americans to change their behaviour, acknowledging for the first time that beating the coronavirus could take months.The EU is set to endorse the strictest travel ban in its history as France joined Italy and Spain in full lockdown and Donald Trump told Americans to change their behaviour, acknowledging for the first time that beating the coronavirus could take months.
The UK’s chief scientific advisor said that around 55,000 people in the country have coronavirus and the aim is for fewer than 20,000 people to die from it.The UK’s chief scientific advisor said that around 55,000 people in the country have coronavirus and the aim is for fewer than 20,000 people to die from it.
Britain’s three largest airports have warned that they may have to close down operations unless there is government intervention to help them weather the coronavirus crisis.Britain’s three largest airports have warned that they may have to close down operations unless there is government intervention to help them weather the coronavirus crisis.
Saudi Arabia is to stage a virtual G20 summit in the coming days in a bid to show world leaders have coordinated medical and economic plans to control coronavirus.Saudi Arabia is to stage a virtual G20 summit in the coming days in a bid to show world leaders have coordinated medical and economic plans to control coronavirus.