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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
(32 minutes later)
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.
More now on the casinos and other businesses closing in Las Vegas:
The Democratic governor Steve Sisolak order Tuesday night – a monthlong closure of casinos and other non-essential businesses like bars, movie theaters and gyms – follows similar moves by more than 10 other governors as states scramble to mitigate the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Sisolak’s order gave thousands of businesses a little more than two days prepare. The governor’s order follows an order the mayor of Reno issued Monday night.
In US election news - and some context for that alarming potential unemployment figure given by US treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin earlier:
“This Democratic race isn’t pining for the fjords. It is no more. It has ceased to be. Its metabolic processes are now history. This is an ex-presidential contest.
The only reason the news networks could not call the Florida primary as soon as the votes piled up for Joe Biden was because the state’s panhandle voters were still at the polls. Once those polls closed, the obvious was made official: it was a blowout for Biden.
The last time we heard from Bernie Sanders after losing big in the last round of primaries, he said he wanted to debate the former vice-president head-to-head, one-on-one, to press his case directly and finally.
The only topic the American people want to debate is the coronavirus pandemic and the severe recession that looks like the certain outcome of this quasi-national quarantine. Trump’s treasury secretary, Steve Mnuchin, told Republican senators on Tuesday that unemployment could hit 20% if they didn’t push through a huge economic stimulus as soon as possible.
To put that into context, unemployment peaked at 10% after the financial collapse of 2008. It hit 24.9% in the Great Depression in 1933.
What’s quarantine without a fun way to pass the time? As pandemic-induced social distancing pushes more and more people to the solitude of the home, self-isolators have started coming up with ways to entertain themselves, their neighbours and strangers around the world through social media.
In Australia, popular children’s show Bluey more than doubled its viewership between Monday and Tuesday, as more parents and kids spend time at home, Crikey news reports.
In the US, Nevada governor Steve Sisolak has announced the closure of all non-essential services.
That includes Las Vegas casinos, restaurants and bars.
In Australia, Anglican Archbishop Glenn Davies has issued a public statement “suspending all public church gatherings until further notice”.In Australia, Anglican Archbishop Glenn Davies has issued a public statement “suspending all public church gatherings until further notice”.
The decision has been taken in light of the Australian government’s ban public gatherings of 100 or more people.The decision has been taken in light of the Australian government’s ban public gatherings of 100 or more people.
“We are encouraging all our churches to consider providing their services online or by other communication methods,” he added.“We are encouraging all our churches to consider providing their services online or by other communication methods,” he added.
A little more on those China figures now. Mainland China reported just one new domestic case in the coronavirus outbreak on Wednesday – and a dozen more infections imported from overseas.A little more on those China figures now. Mainland China reported just one new domestic case in the coronavirus outbreak on Wednesday – and a dozen more infections imported from overseas.
For the second consecutive day there was only one more fresh infection in Wuhan.For the second consecutive day there was only one more fresh infection in Wuhan.
New cases in Hubei province have now been in the single digits for the past seven days.New cases in Hubei province have now been in the single digits for the past seven days.
In recent days, there has been an easing of restrictions in some parts of the province, with China saying it has “basically curbed” the spread of the virus.In recent days, there has been an easing of restrictions in some parts of the province, with China saying it has “basically curbed” the spread of the virus.
An average of 20,000 people are flying into China every day, according to the government, and 10 Chinese provinces and municipalities are imposing mandatory quarantines on those arriving from abroad.An average of 20,000 people are flying into China every day, according to the government, and 10 Chinese provinces and municipalities are imposing mandatory quarantines on those arriving from abroad.
Beijing requires almost all international arrivals to go into 14-day quarantine in designated hotels in the capital.Beijing requires almost all international arrivals to go into 14-day quarantine in designated hotels in the capital.
Guatemala announced Tuesday that it was suspending incoming flights carrying immigrants and asylum seekers sent by the United States, citing concerns over the global coronavirus pandemic. The measure covered two flights of Guatemalan deportees scheduled for the day, as well as indefinitely suspending flights carrying people from other Central American nations who were being sent to Guatemala under an asylum cooperation agreement with the United States that is part of Washingtons broader crackdown on immigration at the US-Mexico border.Guatemala announced Tuesday that it was suspending incoming flights carrying immigrants and asylum seekers sent by the United States, citing concerns over the global coronavirus pandemic. The measure covered two flights of Guatemalan deportees scheduled for the day, as well as indefinitely suspending flights carrying people from other Central American nations who were being sent to Guatemala under an asylum cooperation agreement with the United States that is part of Washingtons broader crackdown on immigration at the US-Mexico border.
The British foreign office has advised its citizens in Myanmar to leave the country if they are able to do so. “This is due to potential pressures on medical facilities and the risk of air routes out of Myanmar being cancelled,” the foreign office said in its updated travel guidance.The British foreign office has advised its citizens in Myanmar to leave the country if they are able to do so. “This is due to potential pressures on medical facilities and the risk of air routes out of Myanmar being cancelled,” the foreign office said in its updated travel guidance.
Some staff and their dependents in the British Embassy are being withdrawn. Core staff will remain to continue critical work including consular assistance.“The worldwide coronavirus outbreak is expected to put significant pressure on Myanmar’s medical facilities. They may not be able to offer routine care,” UK travel guidance warns.Myanmar has no confirmed cases of coronavirus, despite sharing a border with China.A spokesperson for Myanmar’s government recently claimed that people’s “lifestyle and diet” protected them from the disease.Some staff and their dependents in the British Embassy are being withdrawn. Core staff will remain to continue critical work including consular assistance.“The worldwide coronavirus outbreak is expected to put significant pressure on Myanmar’s medical facilities. They may not be able to offer routine care,” UK travel guidance warns.Myanmar has no confirmed cases of coronavirus, despite sharing a border with China.A spokesperson for Myanmar’s government recently claimed that people’s “lifestyle and diet” protected them from the disease.
Thousands of foreign travellers need to leave the northern Philippines by Friday or they will be stranded in the region, which has been placed under quarantine because of a growing number of coronavirus infections, officials said Tuesday.Thousands of foreign travellers need to leave the northern Philippines by Friday or they will be stranded in the region, which has been placed under quarantine because of a growing number of coronavirus infections, officials said Tuesday.
President Rodrigo Duterte declared an enhanced community quarantine on the main island of Luzon that requires millions of people to stay mostly at home and restricts land, air and sea travel to fight the Covid-19 disease.President Rodrigo Duterte declared an enhanced community quarantine on the main island of Luzon that requires millions of people to stay mostly at home and restricts land, air and sea travel to fight the Covid-19 disease.
The drastic moves announced by Duterte on Monday night, which include the suspension of mass transport, caught many by surprise and sparked traffic jams and confusion in many areas. Hundreds of taxis were stopped by police along metropolitan Manilas main EDSA highway for violating the transport ban and made to wait for hours in long rows on the sidelines. Many drivers said they were unaware of the ban and were eventually allowed to leave without fines.The drastic moves announced by Duterte on Monday night, which include the suspension of mass transport, caught many by surprise and sparked traffic jams and confusion in many areas. Hundreds of taxis were stopped by police along metropolitan Manilas main EDSA highway for violating the transport ban and made to wait for hours in long rows on the sidelines. Many drivers said they were unaware of the ban and were eventually allowed to leave without fines.
The Philippines has reported 187 cases of infections, according to the Department of Health, which confirmed Tuesday that one of its officials was among those infected. Fourteen people have died, the highest toll in Southeast Asia.Transport Undersecretary Raul del Rosario said foreign tourists and travelers can opt to leave Luzon, where Manila is located, within 72 hours to avoid being stranded, because all flights from the region will be suspended.When the deadline arrives, they will have no option because all flights, domestic and international, will be canceled, del Rosario told a news conference.Many passengers jammed Manilas main airport Tuesday. Some airlines have already canceled flights, complicating the problems of outbound travellers.The Philippines has reported 187 cases of infections, according to the Department of Health, which confirmed Tuesday that one of its officials was among those infected. Fourteen people have died, the highest toll in Southeast Asia.Transport Undersecretary Raul del Rosario said foreign tourists and travelers can opt to leave Luzon, where Manila is located, within 72 hours to avoid being stranded, because all flights from the region will be suspended.When the deadline arrives, they will have no option because all flights, domestic and international, will be canceled, del Rosario told a news conference.Many passengers jammed Manilas main airport Tuesday. Some airlines have already canceled flights, complicating the problems of outbound travellers.
More on Australia’s latest steps in response to the coronavirus pandemic, which were announced Thursday morning.
Australian prime minister Scott Morrison told Australians to “stop hoarding” as he announced sweeping new measures to try to slow the spread of coronavirus, including a ban on indoor gatherings of more than 100 people, a global do-not-travel order, and strict new rules for visiting aged care homes.
In a massive step-up of the government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, the prime minister announced that a national cabinet of state and federal leaders had agreed on Tuesday night to an indefinite new ban on indoor groups of 100 people or more, with exemptions for schools, public transport, universities, prisons, courts, supermarkets and worksites.
The new measure, to be effective immediately, comes after a ban on mass gatherings of more than 500 people was put in place on Monday, prompting the widespread cancellation of sporting and cultural events.
While declaring a national human biosecurity emergency under the Biosecurity Act on Tuesday morning, Morrison ruled out an Italian-style national lockdown and urged calm, taking aim at those panic buying, saying it was “un-Australian” and unnecessary.
“Stop hoarding,” he said. “I can’t be more blunt about it. Stop it. It is not sensible, it is not helpful and it has been one of the most disappointing things I have seen in Australian behaviour in response to this crisis.
Florida, Illinois and Arizona held primaries on Tuesday despite the coronavirus outbreak – and there were predictable glitches.
Voters faced confusion, a shortage of poll workers, and shifting or closed polling stations on Tuesday in Florida, Illinois and Arizona – the three key states that still held their primaries despite concerns over coronavirus and pressures to delay the elections.
The New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal have hit back at China in separate statements following the large-scale expulsion of US journalists, accusing Beijing of having a cold war mindset and carrying out an “unprecedented attack on freedom of the press”.
The New York Times’s executive editor said the move to force out foreign reporters was “especially irresponsible” during the coronavirus pandemic.
UK supermarket chain Sainsbury’s has just emailed its customers announcing rations. The company wrote in an email seen by the Guardian:
“From tomorrow, Wednesday 18th March, customers will be able to buy a maximum of three of any grocery product and a maximum of two on the most popular products including toilet paper, soap and UHT milk. We have enough food coming into the system, but are limiting sales so that it stays on shelves for longer and can be bought by a larger numbers of customers.”
The chain has already closed its cafes as well as meat, fish and pizza service counters to free up its staff and delivery network for essentials.
Hong Kong reported 10 new cases on Tuesday, equalling its highest daily record from February. Half were imported cases.While the region is widely recognised as one of a few countries to have had success in keeping the infection rate low, authorities are very concerned about a second wave. It has issued an outbound travel red alert for everywhere in the world other than Macau, Taiwan, and mainland China.
From Thursday all international arrivals must undergo mandatory quarantine at home for 14 days, and the announcement sparked a rush of people - particularly students - to come home.Two students who flew back from London on London and a 24-year-old who was working in Denmark declared on arrival that they felt unwell. They were taken to hospital immediately, where they tested positive for the virus.Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan from the Hong Kong centre for health protection urged students not to come back from overseas if they are already feeling sick.“Those who have symptoms should seek medical advice in the local health authority instead of going back to Hong Kong because this may pose risks to other people who are travelling on the flight,” Chuang said.“For those without symptoms, it depends on their situation. If they are advised by their school, or their parents want them to come back to Hong Kong, I think they can. But they have to take good personal environmental hygiene measures, especially during their stay in the airport as well as on the flight.”
Joe Biden has won both the Florida and Illinois primaries, building on a remarkable surge as he barrels toward the Democratic presidential nomination at a time when the nation is gripped by concern about the new coronavirus.
Arizona polls indicate Biden has an advantage there as well.
Biden celebrated his primary victories in Florida and Illinois, saying his campaign had had a “very good night” and moved closer to securing the nomination.
The former vice president then made a pitch for unity, directly addressing the supporters of Bernie Sanders and asserting it was time to “put politics aside.”
Biden said he and Sanders shared a “common vision” to provide Americans with affordable health care and reduce income inequality in the country.
Biden commended the “remarkable passion and tenacity” of Sanders’ supporters, asserting they had “shifted the fundamental conversation in this country.”
“I hear you,” Biden told his opponent’s supporters. “I know what’s at stake. I know what we have to do.”
The message was clearly meant to unify Democratic voters as Biden looks ahead to his likely general-election race against Trump.
Bernie Sanders started speaking before the polls closed Tuesday and didn’t mention the election results, instead sticking to policy while addressing supporters via livestream. During the coronavirus outbreak, he said, We must make sure everyone who has a job right now receives the pay checks they need.”
Donald Trump has officially secured the Republican presidential nomination after winning the Florida and Illinois primaries tonight.
New York City may soon compel most people to stay in their homes except in emergencies or when shopping for essentials, Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Tuesday, an order already imposed by San Francisco to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Any decision to issue the “shelter-in-place” order is likely to be made in the next 48 hours, but even if imposed, it would likely still allow more than 8 million residents to make necessary trips out to buy food or medicine, the mayor said as the number of confirmed cases in the city rose to 814. City officials acknowledged on Tuesday they still did not have all the medical resources they were seeking and that they had been receiving protective equipment from the federal government that was past its expiry date. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said he did not think sheltering in place would be effective. “I don’t think you can really do a policy like that just in one part of the state. So I don’t think it works,” he told CNN. “As a matter of fact, I’m going so far that I don’t even think you can do a statewide policy,” Cuomo said.
The city has already asked New Yorkers to stay home when they can and has closed schools and limited bars and restaurants to takeout or delivery. But if there is still not enough compliance, the city may soon enforce new rules restricting people to their homes unless they can prove they have a good reason to stay outside, Emergency Management Commissioner Deanne Criswell said in an interview.
Google has been accused by two US senators of seeking to exploit consumers fear over Covid-19 for profit following allegations that the company is targeting “predatory” and “price-gouging” ads for scarce goods, including protective masks and hand sanitiser, to vulnerable users.
Mark Warner and Richard Blumenthal, two Democratic senators, have called on the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to address what they called Google’s “pattern of misbehaviour”.
In a letter to both the DOJ and FTC, the senators said the ads were being sold by Google even though they contradict the company’s own policy against capitalising on “sensitive events”.
Google said on 10 March that it would ban the ads, but media reports since then indicate that the ads have continued to appear, especially in news articles associated with the pandemic.
South Korea reported 93 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing its total infections to 8,413, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. The daily tally is slightly up from 84 recorded on Tuesday but marked the fourth day in a row that the country has reported fewer than 100 new infections.
Mainland China had 13 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infections on Tuesday, the country’s National Health Commission said, down from 21 cases a day earlier.
Of the 13 new cases, all but one were imported. The total number of important cases is now 155.
That brings the total number of confirmed cases in mainland China so far to 80,894, the health authority said in a statement on Wednesday. The death toll from the outbreak in mainland China had reached 3,237 as of the end of Tuesday, up by 11 from the previous day. All new deaths were in Hubei province. Only one of these was outside the capital city of Wuhan.