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Coronavirus live updates: Australia to close Bondi Beach, deaths jump in Spain and Italy Coronavirus live updates: Australia to close Bondi Beach, deaths jump in Spain and Italy
(32 minutes later)
Spain death pass 1,000, Italy deaths pass 4,000; More US states, including New York, tell people to stay home; Dow Jones falls 900 points. Follow the latestSpain death pass 1,000, Italy deaths pass 4,000; More US states, including New York, tell people to stay home; Dow Jones falls 900 points. Follow the latest
Following the news that Sydney’s Bondi beach is set to close, here’s a roundup of the latest developments in Australia, from the Guardian’s Melbourne bureau chief, Melissa Davey.
There are now 969 Covid-19 cases and seven deaths in Australia, and the health minister Greg Hunt says about 115,000 tests have been carried out.
New South Wales is expected to announce at 2pm Sydney time the closure of Bondi Beach, after photos emerged of people defying social-distancing rules and gathering in thousands at the beach.
A ban on non-citizens and non-residents entering Australia has taken effect.
Questions are being asked about why passengers were allowed to disembark the Ruby Princess cruise ship in Sydney. The ship’s 2,700 passengers have been told to self-isolate. Four people on the ship have now tested positive for the virus.
Meanwhile, Victorian premier Daniel Andrews announced $1.7bn “economic survival and jobs package”, which will provide full payroll tax refunds for the 2019-20 financial year to small and medium-sized businesses with payroll of less than $3m. Payments will start being made next week.
Syria will not allow visitors arriving from countries that are dealing with outbreaks to enter the country, as part of measures to prevent the spread of the virus.Syria will not allow visitors arriving from countries that are dealing with outbreaks to enter the country, as part of measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
No cases have been recorded by the government, or in the large parts of the country that fall outside of government control.No cases have been recorded by the government, or in the large parts of the country that fall outside of government control.
The World Health Organization has expressed deep concern about a possible epidemic in the country, which is already shattered by nine years of civil war, and where vast numbers of people are living in cramped camps and slum areas.The World Health Organization has expressed deep concern about a possible epidemic in the country, which is already shattered by nine years of civil war, and where vast numbers of people are living in cramped camps and slum areas.
The UN political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo warned on Friday of the potentially devastating impact of coronavirus in Syria.The UN political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo warned on Friday of the potentially devastating impact of coronavirus in Syria.
Damascus has also closed schools, parks, restaurants and various public institutions.Damascus has also closed schools, parks, restaurants and various public institutions.
The New South Wales government is set to announce it will close Sydney’s Bondi Beach, the Guardian’s Ben Smee reports.The New South Wales government is set to announce it will close Sydney’s Bondi Beach, the Guardian’s Ben Smee reports.
The announcement - to be made by NSW and emergency services police minister David Elliot at 2pm AEDT - comes after concerns were raised that large numbers of beachgoers were not abiding by public health advice. Images from Australia’s most iconic beach in recent days have shown large crowds of people.The announcement - to be made by NSW and emergency services police minister David Elliot at 2pm AEDT - comes after concerns were raised that large numbers of beachgoers were not abiding by public health advice. Images from Australia’s most iconic beach in recent days have shown large crowds of people.
Guardian Australia understands the closure will affect Bondi Beach alone at this stage, though the NSW government could extend the restriction to other beaches if they find more than 500 people gathered at any time.Guardian Australia understands the closure will affect Bondi Beach alone at this stage, though the NSW government could extend the restriction to other beaches if they find more than 500 people gathered at any time.
Five US states have either closed, or are set to close, all non-essential businesses account. Here’s some useful background on the likely economic impact of the shutdowns.Five US states have either closed, or are set to close, all non-essential businesses account. Here’s some useful background on the likely economic impact of the shutdowns.
California, New York, Illinois, New Jersey and Connecticut – which are all issuing “stay at home orders” – Account for almost a third of the world’s biggest economy. They rank first, third, fifth, eight and 23rd respectively among all 50 states by GDP, according to Reuters.California, New York, Illinois, New Jersey and Connecticut – which are all issuing “stay at home orders” – Account for almost a third of the world’s biggest economy. They rank first, third, fifth, eight and 23rd respectively among all 50 states by GDP, according to Reuters.
California alone has a $3 trillion economy that accounts for 14.5% of the US output, making the state by itself a bigger economic powerhouse than all but four nations.California alone has a $3 trillion economy that accounts for 14.5% of the US output, making the state by itself a bigger economic powerhouse than all but four nations.
Together, the five states produced $6.4 trillion in goods and services in 2018, Bureau of Economic Analysis data shows. For reference, President Donald Trump’s administration and congress are currently negotiating a $1 trillion-plus economic stimulus package, which equates to about one-20th of annual US economic output.Together, the five states produced $6.4 trillion in goods and services in 2018, Bureau of Economic Analysis data shows. For reference, President Donald Trump’s administration and congress are currently negotiating a $1 trillion-plus economic stimulus package, which equates to about one-20th of annual US economic output.
About 5.4 million residents across the five states do not have health insurance, according to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation. That is about 19% of the total US uninsured.About 5.4 million residents across the five states do not have health insurance, according to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation. That is about 19% of the total US uninsured.
The local prefect said the curfew, to be introduced from Saturday, was necessary to enforce the strict confinement measures decided by France.The local prefect said the curfew, to be introduced from Saturday, was necessary to enforce the strict confinement measures decided by France.
“A curfew is going to be put in place,” Prefect Bernard Gonzalez told BFM TV. “This decree is essentially aimed at those who find it funny to gather together and defy public authorities.”“A curfew is going to be put in place,” Prefect Bernard Gonzalez told BFM TV. “This decree is essentially aimed at those who find it funny to gather together and defy public authorities.”
The curfew will start at 11 pm local time (2200 GMT) and run until 5 am.The curfew will start at 11 pm local time (2200 GMT) and run until 5 am.
Mexico’s health ministry confirmed that the number of infections has risen from 168 to 203. A second death has also been reported. Details of the new cases are not yet clear.Mexico’s health ministry confirmed that the number of infections has risen from 168 to 203. A second death has also been reported. Details of the new cases are not yet clear.
Mainland China reported no new locally transmitted cases of the coronavirus for a third day running, Reuters has reported. The daily log of infections involving travellers arriving from other countries continued to rise. Mainland China had 41 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infections on Friday, the country’s National Health Commission said, all imported from abroad. That brought the total number of imported cases to 269. High in the charts was Beijing, with 14 new imported cases. Shanghai and six provinces also identified such cases. That brought the total number of confirmed cases in mainland China to 81,008, the health authority said in a statement on Saturday. The death toll from the outbreak in mainland China reached 3,255 as of the end of Friday, up by seven from the previous day and all from the central province of Hubei, the epicentre of the outbreak in China.Mainland China reported no new locally transmitted cases of the coronavirus for a third day running, Reuters has reported. The daily log of infections involving travellers arriving from other countries continued to rise. Mainland China had 41 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infections on Friday, the country’s National Health Commission said, all imported from abroad. That brought the total number of imported cases to 269. High in the charts was Beijing, with 14 new imported cases. Shanghai and six provinces also identified such cases. That brought the total number of confirmed cases in mainland China to 81,008, the health authority said in a statement on Saturday. The death toll from the outbreak in mainland China reached 3,255 as of the end of Friday, up by seven from the previous day and all from the central province of Hubei, the epicentre of the outbreak in China.
South Korea has confirmed 147 new cases, brining the total to 8,799, it was reported on Saturday.South Korea has confirmed 147 new cases, brining the total to 8,799, it was reported on Saturday.
The country has been praised for its efforts to contain the virus after it experienced a large outbreak in the city of Daegu. Authorities have remained high alert however, as new clusters have continued to emerge.The country has been praised for its efforts to contain the virus after it experienced a large outbreak in the city of Daegu. Authorities have remained high alert however, as new clusters have continued to emerge.
I’ll bring you more on today’s cases later.I’ll bring you more on today’s cases later.
Haitians rushed to buy food, gas, soap and face masks on Friday after two cases of the coronavirus were confirmed to have been imported into the country, Associated Press reports. President Jovenel Moise said Thursday that two patients had been quarantined after testing positive for the COVID-19 virus. One was a 31-year-old Haitian who had just returned from Paris and the other was a Belgian volunteering in a Port-au-Prince orphanage.Moise said the country was closing all airports, schools, factories and seaports. The measure is designed to halt new cases of the virus, but health workers said it could prevent the arrival of important medical supplies and volunteer doctors and nurses if the virus starts to spread inside the densely population nation of roughly 11 million people.According to the United Nations, some 35% of Haitians lack basic drinking water services and two-thirds have limited or no sanitation services, making it extremely difficult for people to regularly wash their hands as recommended to deter the spread of the coronavirus.The country just completed its first year free of cholera, a water-borne disease that was imported by U.N. peacekeepers and killed nearly 10,000 people over the last decade.Haitians rushed to buy food, gas, soap and face masks on Friday after two cases of the coronavirus were confirmed to have been imported into the country, Associated Press reports. President Jovenel Moise said Thursday that two patients had been quarantined after testing positive for the COVID-19 virus. One was a 31-year-old Haitian who had just returned from Paris and the other was a Belgian volunteering in a Port-au-Prince orphanage.Moise said the country was closing all airports, schools, factories and seaports. The measure is designed to halt new cases of the virus, but health workers said it could prevent the arrival of important medical supplies and volunteer doctors and nurses if the virus starts to spread inside the densely population nation of roughly 11 million people.According to the United Nations, some 35% of Haitians lack basic drinking water services and two-thirds have limited or no sanitation services, making it extremely difficult for people to regularly wash their hands as recommended to deter the spread of the coronavirus.The country just completed its first year free of cholera, a water-borne disease that was imported by U.N. peacekeepers and killed nearly 10,000 people over the last decade.
New Zeland prime minister Jacinda Ardern has asked citizens to restrict their movements around the country, and cancel all non-essential domestic travel, the Guardian’s Eleanor Ainge Roy reports from Dunedin.New Zeland prime minister Jacinda Ardern has asked citizens to restrict their movements around the country, and cancel all non-essential domestic travel, the Guardian’s Eleanor Ainge Roy reports from Dunedin.
Ardern also asked those aged 70 and over, or with a compromised immune system to stay home for the foreseeable future. Those who could work from home should now do so, Ardern said, but reassured Kiwis that essential services such as supermarkets and pharmacies would remain open.There are four alert levels in New Zealand, and the country was currently at stage two. Ardern took a warm and smiley demeanor for her address, in a bid to reassure New Zealanders in “unprecedented times”. 14 new cases of the virus were confirmed today, bringing the total number of cases to 53. Two of the cases show no link to overseas travel, meaning community transmission may now be underway.Ardern also asked those aged 70 and over, or with a compromised immune system to stay home for the foreseeable future. Those who could work from home should now do so, Ardern said, but reassured Kiwis that essential services such as supermarkets and pharmacies would remain open.There are four alert levels in New Zealand, and the country was currently at stage two. Ardern took a warm and smiley demeanor for her address, in a bid to reassure New Zealanders in “unprecedented times”. 14 new cases of the virus were confirmed today, bringing the total number of cases to 53. Two of the cases show no link to overseas travel, meaning community transmission may now be underway.
The number of coronavirus cases keeps rising in Argentina, with 30 new reported cases Friday, brining the tally up to 158, including three deaths so far. The largest number of cases are in the capital city of Buenos Aires and the province of Buenos Aires. A total of around 200 persons were arrested Friday for violating the nationwide obligatory quarantine announced by President Alberto Fernández Thursday evening. Among them were 13 people arrested at an “hotel alojamiento” (Argentina’s equivalent of a “love motel”), a jogger, a drunk policeman and a doctor who broke her quarantine after testing positive for the virus in the northern province of Chaco.The number of coronavirus cases keeps rising in Argentina, with 30 new reported cases Friday, brining the tally up to 158, including three deaths so far. The largest number of cases are in the capital city of Buenos Aires and the province of Buenos Aires. A total of around 200 persons were arrested Friday for violating the nationwide obligatory quarantine announced by President Alberto Fernández Thursday evening. Among them were 13 people arrested at an “hotel alojamiento” (Argentina’s equivalent of a “love motel”), a jogger, a drunk policeman and a doctor who broke her quarantine after testing positive for the virus in the northern province of Chaco.
The hotline for reporting quarantine violators in the city of Buenos Aires alone had already received 116 calls by midday Friday, including 99 cases in which the reported persons resisted the police.The hotline for reporting quarantine violators in the city of Buenos Aires alone had already received 116 calls by midday Friday, including 99 cases in which the reported persons resisted the police.
Turkey on Friday recorded five more deaths from the novel coronavirus, bringing the overall total to nine, as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged people not to go out for “non-essential reasons”.Turkey on Friday recorded five more deaths from the novel coronavirus, bringing the overall total to nine, as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged people not to go out for “non-essential reasons”.
“We have lost five patients who are elderly and with a weak resistance,” Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Twitter.“We have lost five patients who are elderly and with a weak resistance,” Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Twitter.
Koca also said the number of cases has reached 670 after 311 out of 3,656 patients tested positive over the last 24 hours.Koca also said the number of cases has reached 670 after 311 out of 3,656 patients tested positive over the last 24 hours.
Good morning and welcome to our coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.Good morning and welcome to our coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.
The number of cases reported worldwide has now passed a quarter of a million, according to Johns Hopkins University figures, which show there are now 272,167 infections globally and 11,299 deaths.The number of cases reported worldwide has now passed a quarter of a million, according to Johns Hopkins University figures, which show there are now 272,167 infections globally and 11,299 deaths.
Governments are continuing to ramp up restrictions to stop the spread of the virus. On Friday, the UK announced it will close all cafes, bars and restaurants and said that the government would pay 80% of wages of people not working. Meanwhile, Donald Trump invoked new powers to speed up virus supplies. The announcements came as both Italy and Spain reported their biggest single-day death tolls from the coronavirus. Elsewhere:Governments are continuing to ramp up restrictions to stop the spread of the virus. On Friday, the UK announced it will close all cafes, bars and restaurants and said that the government would pay 80% of wages of people not working. Meanwhile, Donald Trump invoked new powers to speed up virus supplies. The announcements came as both Italy and Spain reported their biggest single-day death tolls from the coronavirus. Elsewhere:
Two people died in the United Arab Emirates; the first deaths suffered by the country. The country’s official news agency, WAM, said each had suffered from previous health conditions.Two people died in the United Arab Emirates; the first deaths suffered by the country. The country’s official news agency, WAM, said each had suffered from previous health conditions.
Israel also announced its first death. The country’s health ministry has said an 88-year-old man who had been suffering from previous illnesses had died.Israel also announced its first death. The country’s health ministry has said an 88-year-old man who had been suffering from previous illnesses had died.
A member of the US vice president’s staff tested positive. The employee, who was not identified, had not come into close contact with either the US president, Donald Trump, or his boss, Mike Pence, who is in charge of the US’s coronavirus response.A member of the US vice president’s staff tested positive. The employee, who was not identified, had not come into close contact with either the US president, Donald Trump, or his boss, Mike Pence, who is in charge of the US’s coronavirus response.
The Chinese doctor who was reprimanded for “spreading rumours” after he sought to warn colleagues about the emergence of Covid-19 has been officially exonerated by an investigation into his death.The Chinese doctor who was reprimanded for “spreading rumours” after he sought to warn colleagues about the emergence of Covid-19 has been officially exonerated by an investigation into his death.
The Tunisian president, Kais Saied, on Friday ordered a general lockdown, restricting public movement to counter the spread of the coronavirus.The Tunisian president, Kais Saied, on Friday ordered a general lockdown, restricting public movement to counter the spread of the coronavirus.
Thousands of British holidaymakers risk becoming stranded abroad, as flight cancellations, travel restrictions and lockdowns due to the global coronavirus pandemic complicate their journeys home. As many as 100,000 tourists may still be in Spain, despite a near-total lockdown and government orders that all hotels be shut down within the week.Thousands of British holidaymakers risk becoming stranded abroad, as flight cancellations, travel restrictions and lockdowns due to the global coronavirus pandemic complicate their journeys home. As many as 100,000 tourists may still be in Spain, despite a near-total lockdown and government orders that all hotels be shut down within the week.
You can get up to date with some of other coverage below:You can get up to date with some of other coverage below:
Coronavirus: Italy and Spain record highest single-day death tollsCoronavirus: Italy and Spain record highest single-day death tolls
New York now the centre of the US coronavirus crisis – can it cope?New York now the centre of the US coronavirus crisis – can it cope?
Boris Johnson announces closure of all UK pubs and restaurantsBoris Johnson announces closure of all UK pubs and restaurants
Trump throws tantrum over question about coronavirus fears: ‘You’re a terrible reporter’Trump throws tantrum over question about coronavirus fears: ‘You’re a terrible reporter’