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Coronavirus live news: Trump says he will suspend all immigration to US amid pandemic Coronavirus live news: Trump signals immigration ban as WHO says worst of crisis still to come
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President to sign temporary executive order ‘in light of attack from Invisible Enemy’; US oil market collapses into negative prices; global cases near 2.5 million. Follow the latest updatesPresident to sign temporary executive order ‘in light of attack from Invisible Enemy’; US oil market collapses into negative prices; global cases near 2.5 million. Follow the latest updates
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Indonesia has banned an annual homecoming where tens of millions of people travel to see their families for Eid-al-Fitr, fearing the mass exodus could accelerate the spread of coronavirus across the country.
It is not clear how the rule will be enforced, or how many people have already embarked on journeys after losing jobs in the cities they worked in before the virus emerged. Millions of people across Indonesia have been left with no income as a result of the economic crisis caused by the pandemic.
President Joko Widodo had previously stopped short of banning Mudik, instead urging people not to travel. On Tuesday, he announced a change in policy, citing a transport ministry survey that said roughly a quarter of Indonesians were insisting on joining the exodus after Ramadan in the world’s biggest Muslim-majority country.
It is feared that mass movement in the country of 264 million people, would allow coronavirus to spread rapidly to areas of the country where health systems are far weaker. Indonesia has recorded more than 6,700 coronavirus infections, and 590 fatalities, most of which have occurred in Jakarta. A lack of testing means the actual number is likely to be higher.
“Trust us, the worst is yet ahead of us,” WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned on Monday about the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Although he did not specify exactly what the worst could look like, the WHO has previously warned of the future spread of the virus throughout Africa.
However, new research suggests that only a tiny proportion of the global population – maybe as few as 2% or 3% – appear to have antibodies in the blood. Ghebreyesus cautioned countries that have began loosening lockdown laws, saying “easing restrictions is not the end of the epidemic in any country”:
New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern’s political opponents have condemned her decision to keep the country’s tough lockdown restrictions in place for a further five days beyond the initial four-week lockdown period.New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern’s political opponents have condemned her decision to keep the country’s tough lockdown restrictions in place for a further five days beyond the initial four-week lockdown period.
“We have stopped a wave of devastation,” the prime minister said on Monday as she announced that the strictest period of national shutdown would continue until just before midnight on Monday 27 April. Marginally looser rules – level-3 restrictions – will then be in place until 11 May.“We have stopped a wave of devastation,” the prime minister said on Monday as she announced that the strictest period of national shutdown would continue until just before midnight on Monday 27 April. Marginally looser rules – level-3 restrictions – will then be in place until 11 May.
The country recorded one death from Covid-19 on Tuesday, taking the toll to 13. Five new cases were registered and 1,445 people in total in New Zealand have had the coronavirus.The country recorded one death from Covid-19 on Tuesday, taking the toll to 13. Five new cases were registered and 1,445 people in total in New Zealand have had the coronavirus.
The opposition, led by National party leader, Simon Bridges, reversed earlier support for Ardern on the need for a lockdown. Business owners felt as though they were “sacrificial lambs” due to the shutdown measures, Bridges told a parliamentary committee.The opposition, led by National party leader, Simon Bridges, reversed earlier support for Ardern on the need for a lockdown. Business owners felt as though they were “sacrificial lambs” due to the shutdown measures, Bridges told a parliamentary committee.
Australia’s reserve bank governor, Phil Lowe, says the country’s economy faces the biggest contraction in output since the Great Depression.Australia’s reserve bank governor, Phil Lowe, says the country’s economy faces the biggest contraction in output since the Great Depression.
The RBA expects:The RBA expects:
Australia is likely to experience “the biggest contraction in national output since the 1930s”.Australia is likely to experience “the biggest contraction in national output since the 1930s”.
The decline is estimated to be 10% over the first half of 2020, with most of the decline in June quarter.The decline is estimated to be 10% over the first half of 2020, with most of the decline in June quarter.
Total hours work are estimated to decline by 20%, a “staggeringly large number”, Lowe said.Total hours work are estimated to decline by 20%, a “staggeringly large number”, Lowe said.
Unemployment is expected to be 10% by June.Unemployment is expected to be 10% by June.
The RBA also predicts negative inflation, for the first time since the 1960s.The RBA also predicts negative inflation, for the first time since the 1960s.
Lowe sounds a positive note though: “As a country we are up to the task ... all arms of public policy are pulling together.”Lowe sounds a positive note though: “As a country we are up to the task ... all arms of public policy are pulling together.”
Follow the latest on this story with the Australia coronavirus live blog.Follow the latest on this story with the Australia coronavirus live blog.
Visa conditions that block thousands of migrants in the UK from accessing most state-funded benefits, tax credits and housing assistance should be suspended during the Covid-19 crisis, the shadow immigration minister has said.Visa conditions that block thousands of migrants in the UK from accessing most state-funded benefits, tax credits and housing assistance should be suspended during the Covid-19 crisis, the shadow immigration minister has said.
Most migrants from outside the European Economic Area with temporary permission to remain in the UK have “no recourse to public funds” status, including sponsored skilled workers, family members of British citizens, self-employed people, investors, entrepreneurs and asylum seekers. The NRPF rules also apply to undocumented migrants.Most migrants from outside the European Economic Area with temporary permission to remain in the UK have “no recourse to public funds” status, including sponsored skilled workers, family members of British citizens, self-employed people, investors, entrepreneurs and asylum seekers. The NRPF rules also apply to undocumented migrants.
There have been warnings that without other sources of financial support, some temporary migrants with NRPF status may feel compelled to continue working and risk exposing themselves and others to coronavirus.There have been warnings that without other sources of financial support, some temporary migrants with NRPF status may feel compelled to continue working and risk exposing themselves and others to coronavirus.
The Grenfell Tower inquiry could resume by Zoom videolink, as the inquiry’s solicitor sets out options for restarting hearings during coronavirus crisis.The Grenfell Tower inquiry could resume by Zoom videolink, as the inquiry’s solicitor sets out options for restarting hearings during coronavirus crisis.
The public inquiry into the disaster could resume in virtual form, its senior legal adviser has told bereaved people and survivors.The public inquiry into the disaster could resume in virtual form, its senior legal adviser has told bereaved people and survivors.
An online system has been successfully tested by role-playing barristers, and hearings could be restarted within weeks if the option is chosen following a consultation launched on Monday.An online system has been successfully tested by role-playing barristers, and hearings could be restarted within weeks if the option is chosen following a consultation launched on Monday.
Here is everything we know so far about Trump’s tweet saying he plans to sign an executive order temporarily halting immigration to the US.Here is everything we know so far about Trump’s tweet saying he plans to sign an executive order temporarily halting immigration to the US.
Donald Trump has been accused of “xenophobic scapegoating” after he announced he will order a temporary ban on immigration into the US to combat the coronavirus pandemic.Donald Trump has been accused of “xenophobic scapegoating” after he announced he will order a temporary ban on immigration into the US to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
There were no other details on the timing or scope of the president’s proposed executive order and no official policy statement from the White House.There were no other details on the timing or scope of the president’s proposed executive order and no official policy statement from the White House.
Instead there was a lone tweet issued by Trump at 10.06pm on Monday. Without warning, he wrote: “In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy” – a phrase he commonly applies to Covid-19 – “as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!”Instead there was a lone tweet issued by Trump at 10.06pm on Monday. Without warning, he wrote: “In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy” – a phrase he commonly applies to Covid-19 – “as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!”
The post generated instant uncertainty. Similar moves by Trump in the past have triggered mayhem at airports in America and beyond as well as legal challenges. Such an order would be a far-reaching use of executive power from a president who last week claimed he had “total” authority over states’ efforts to reopen their economies.The post generated instant uncertainty. Similar moves by Trump in the past have triggered mayhem at airports in America and beyond as well as legal challenges. Such an order would be a far-reaching use of executive power from a president who last week claimed he had “total” authority over states’ efforts to reopen their economies.
Zimbabwe faces malaria outbreak as it locks down to counter coronavirusZimbabwe faces malaria outbreak as it locks down to counter coronavirus
Nyasha Chingono reports for the Guardian from Harare:Nyasha Chingono reports for the Guardian from Harare:
At least 131 people have died from malaria in Zimbabwe in a new outbreak, adding pressure to a country already struggling to deal with Covid-19.At least 131 people have died from malaria in Zimbabwe in a new outbreak, adding pressure to a country already struggling to deal with Covid-19.
The fatalities occurred in 201 outbreaks recorded across the country, according to the Ministry of Health. Meanwhile Zimbabwe’s lockdown has been extended by two weeks to prevent the spread of coronavirus.The fatalities occurred in 201 outbreaks recorded across the country, according to the Ministry of Health. Meanwhile Zimbabwe’s lockdown has been extended by two weeks to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Malaria transmission is seasonal and unstable, causing sickness and death across all age groups. In Zimbabwe, epidemics occasionally occur during the warm and wet season, particularly in February, March and April.Malaria transmission is seasonal and unstable, causing sickness and death across all age groups. In Zimbabwe, epidemics occasionally occur during the warm and wet season, particularly in February, March and April.
Health experts predict the figures will continue to rise across the country, although the true figures may well be masked by families being unable to access clinics or failing to report cases.Health experts predict the figures will continue to rise across the country, although the true figures may well be masked by families being unable to access clinics or failing to report cases.
The World Health Organization warned on Tuesday that any lifting of lockdowns to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus must be gradual, and if restrictions were to be relaxed too soon, there would be a resurgence of infections, Reuters reports. “Lockdown measures have proved effective, and people must be ready for a new way of living to allow society to function while the coronavirus is being kept in check,” said Takeshi Kasai, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific.Governments considering lifting lockdown measures should do so carefully and in stages, and continue to monitor the epidemic situation, he said. So long as the coronavirus is circulating, no country is safe from a potentially overwhelming outbreak, he said.“Individuals and society need to be ready for a new way of living,” he said.The World Health Organization warned on Tuesday that any lifting of lockdowns to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus must be gradual, and if restrictions were to be relaxed too soon, there would be a resurgence of infections, Reuters reports. “Lockdown measures have proved effective, and people must be ready for a new way of living to allow society to function while the coronavirus is being kept in check,” said Takeshi Kasai, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific.Governments considering lifting lockdown measures should do so carefully and in stages, and continue to monitor the epidemic situation, he said. So long as the coronavirus is circulating, no country is safe from a potentially overwhelming outbreak, he said.“Individuals and society need to be ready for a new way of living,” he said.
More than 13,400 people linked to a Covid-19 outbreak in a village on the outskirts of the Vietnamese capital Hanoi have tested negative for the coronavirus, the government said on Monday.Supported by the mass quarantine of tens of thousands and an aggressive contact-tracing programme, Vietnam has recorded just 268 cases of the novel coronavirus so far, and no deaths. The country has stayed clear of the virus for four consecutive days so far, Reuters reports.More than 13,400 people linked to a Covid-19 outbreak in a village on the outskirts of the Vietnamese capital Hanoi have tested negative for the coronavirus, the government said on Monday.Supported by the mass quarantine of tens of thousands and an aggressive contact-tracing programme, Vietnam has recorded just 268 cases of the novel coronavirus so far, and no deaths. The country has stayed clear of the virus for four consecutive days so far, Reuters reports.
The government said in a statement: “97.7% of the total samples tested negative for the virus. Results of the rest will be released in coming days.”The government said in a statement: “97.7% of the total samples tested negative for the virus. Results of the rest will be released in coming days.”
Ha Loi village, 32km (20 miles) from the capital city, was considered an epicentre and was placed under lockdown since April 7, after 13 people living there, including a Samsung Display worker, were infected.Vietnam’s health ministry on Monday said over 200 samples linked to the Samsung Display worker also tested negative for the virus.Ha Loi village, 32km (20 miles) from the capital city, was considered an epicentre and was placed under lockdown since April 7, after 13 people living there, including a Samsung Display worker, were infected.Vietnam’s health ministry on Monday said over 200 samples linked to the Samsung Display worker also tested negative for the virus.
Trump announces plan to suspend immigration to US. US president Donald Trump announced on Twitter that he will “temporarily suspend” immigration to the US, referring to the “Invisible Enemy,” a term he has used in the White House press briefings and on Twitter to refer to coronavirus.
Global deaths pass 170,000. More than 170,000 people have lost their lives in the coronavirus pandemic so far, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.The toll currently stands at 170,324.Deaths in the US alone, at 42,308, account for just under a quarter of this figure.
Singapore has highest cases in Southeast Asia. Singapore reported a record 1,426 new coronavirus cases on Monday, mostly among foreign workers, pushing its total number of confirmed infections to 8,014, AP reports.
Maryland obtains 500,000 coronavirus tests from South Korea. The announcement raised questions about governors circumventing the federal government to obtain medical equipment.
Hong Kong extends social distancing measures for 14 days. Chief executive Carrie Lam has announced an extension of the city’s social distancing measures.Hong Kong reported its first day since early March with no new cases yesterday. But Lam said “now is not the time to let down our guard”,
Oil prices fall to historic lows. The US oil market has collapsed into negative prices for the first time in history as North America’s oil producers run out of space to store an unprecedented oversupply of crude left by the pandemic.
US President Donald Trump downplays the oil price drop, saying it’s only “short term”. Asked if he would like Opec+ to make more cuts, he said “we’ve already done that”.He said oil producers need to “do more by the market” in terms of production cuts.
The World Health Organization chief warns that the worst is still ahead of us, reviving international concern the alarm just as many countries ease restrictive measures aimed at reducing its spread.
Italy’s confirmed cases fall by 20. Italy reported 454 new deaths from coronavirus on Monday, 21 more than on Sunday, bringing the death toll to 24,114. For the first time, the number of people who are currently infected fell by 20 to 108,237.
The Spanish government is to propose that the European Union create a €1.5tn fund to aid recovery in countries worst-hit by the coronavirus crisis, Spain’s El Pais newspaper reported.
Several countries began to ease their lockdown restrictions. Australians to the beach in Sydney but only for exercise. India allowed some industrial and agricultural firms to reopen, while Iran opened some shopping malls and intercity highways.
A Japanese specialist in infectious diseases has said he is “very pessimistic” about the likelihood of the Tokyo Olympics going ahead next year. Kentaro Iwata, a professor at Kobe University Hospital said: “I don’t think the Olympics are likely to be held next year. People will be coming from hundreds of nations ... and although Japan might have the disease under control by next summer, I don’t think that will be the case everywhere.”
New Zealanders will remain in total lockdown until 27 April prime minister Jacinda Ardern has said, with restrictions easing if elimination progress is maintained.
Staying in Asia pacific for now: about 800,000 Australians lost their job in the first three weeks of coronavirus restrictions.
Australian workers suffered a 6.7% reduction in take-home pay and about 800,000 people – 6% of the workforce – lost their job in the first three weeks of restrictions to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
According to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released on Tuesday, people under 20 have suffered the biggest decline in jobs and wages, with accommodation and food services, arts and recreation services the hardest hit industries.
The very old and very young experienced the worst job cuts, with 9.7% of those 70 and over losing employment, and 9.9% of those 20 and under.
Women were slightly more likely than men to have lost their jobs – 5.9% and 5.8% respectively – and lost more pay – 7%, compared with 6.4% for men.
Japanese police reported last month the deaths of 11 people deemed to be unnatural before tests showed the victims had been infected with the new coronavirus, media said on Tuesday.Japan, has more than 260 virus-related deaths according to public broadcaster NHK, but there are questions as to whether it is testing sufficiently.Some of the 11 died at home and one was found lying in the street, the Nikkei business daily and other media said, citing the National Police Agency. Six were in Tokyo, the capital, where virus cases have topped 3,000, from a nationwide tally of 11,157.
Contacted by Reuters, the National Police Agency said it could not confirm the facts before receiving questions by fax.One of the cases police reported in the month to mid-April involved a man in his 60s found on a street in eastern Tokyo and taken to hospital, the Nikkei said. A PCR test after he died from symptoms of pneumonia confirmed that he had been infected, it added.The government has said it follows World Health Organization guidelines for virus testing, with all suspicious pneumonia deaths tested for the respiratory disease caused by the virus.
Podcast: is seven days in isolation enough?
How long should you remain in isolation if you have symptoms of Covid-19? It depends on who you ask. The UK government guidelines recommend seven days from the onset of symptoms, whereas the World Health Organization advises 14. To get to the bottom of this apparent disparity, Nicola Davis discusses viral shedding with Dr Charlotte Houldcroft, and asks what the evidence currently tells us about how long we stay infectious for:
More than 170,000 people have lost their lives in the coronavirus pandemic so far, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
The toll currently stands at 170,324.
Deaths in the US alone, at 42,308, account for just under a quarter of this figure.
The number of known infections worldwide is approaching 2.5 million, with 2,477,426 currently confirmed.
These are the ten worst-affected country in terms of the number of confirmed infections:
Australia’s national cabinet is lifting some restrictions on elective surgery, including IVF, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced, after the Anzac Day public holiday on 25 April.
He said this decision will see a re-opening of around 25% of activity in elective surgery in private and public hospitals, and that the decision includes post-cancer reconstructive surgeries, all procedures for children under the age of 18, all joint replacements, and cataract and eye procedures.
Morrison said:
In Australia, foreign minister Marise Payne told the ABC television programme Insiders on Sunday that that her concerns over China’s transparency were “at a very high point”, and that she also shared some of the US’s concerns about the WHO. She joined called for an independent review into the origins of the virus as well as the outbreak response.
Reaction from China continues to roll in, this time from state-backed online news site, the Global Times. The editorial accuses Australia of being a “petty follower” of the US, and “engineering a divorce from China”.
The Global Times editorial, published late yesterday, saidAustralia was acting more and more like “a petty follower of the US”, after having alreadybanned Huawei from its 5G network, and allegedChinese infiltration in domestic politics.It said Australia was trying but failing to recalibrate its Asia policy, and there was “no area of importance to Australia politically that doesn’t have a China dimension to it”.“However, the debate in Australia in recent years has largely centered on China as inimical to Australian interests and poses a threat,” it said.“Therefore, Australian politicians are engineering a divorce from China in the context of US policy objectives.”It said Australia didn’t miss the chance to talk on behalf of the US in the wake of the outbreak, and was using the pandemic as an excuse “to engage in political point scoring with the US and its egotistical president”.
China has reported 11 new confirmed coronavirus cases for Monday, down from 12 a day earlier, with no new deaths.
Of the 11, four were imported, the National Health Commission said in its daily bulletin.
Six of the remaining cases were in the north-eastern border province of Heilongjiang, the site of some diplomatic unease with Russia.
China also reported 37 new asymptomatic coronavirus cases, compared with 49 a day earlier.
Mainland China now has an accumulated total of 82,758 cases and 4,632 deaths
A few hours ago, Donald Trump played down Monday’s unprecedented oil price crash. Here are some clips from his press briefing
In non-coronavirus news:
Kim Jong-un underwent heart surgery earlier this month and is recovering at his private villa, according to a South Korean report, with US media citing officials as saying the North Korean leader was in “grave danger” after the procedure.
If accurate, the surgery claim, made by the Daily NK website, would explain Kim’s absence from an event to mark the anniversary of the birth of his grandfather – and the country’s founder – Kim Il-sung.