As the day unfolded: Travel ban placed on Italy as Australia records rise in cases
If you suspect you or a family member has coronavirus you should call (not visit) your GP or ring the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
Summary
NSW has confirmed six new cases of coronavirus, bringing the state's tally to 64. Victoria has three new cases, bringing the total to 21.
Southern Cross University has closed two campuses, and a second school has closed in Melbourne. A total of two Melbourne schools and one Sydney school are closed today.
Australia has implemented a travel ban on Italy
UNESCO says the coronavirus outbreak has interrupted schooling for nearly 363 million students worldwide
Stocks gave up of an early surge on Wall Street and briefly dipped into the red a day after the market's biggest drop since 2008
Cure for coronavirus-hit economy could be in renewables: Garnaut
By Lydia Lynch
As Australia scrambles to avoid its first recession in three decades, economist Ross Garnaut says it is "exactly the right time" for government to throw cash into renewable energy infastructure.
The global outbreak of COVID-19 has already taken a bite out of tourism, education and export industries, with the federal government working on a stimulus package to stave off a recession.
Stimulus package to pay half the wages of 120,000 apprentices
By Kerrie Yaxley and Angus Livingston
Almost 120,000 apprentices will get half their wages paid for in the first part of the Morrison government's stimulus package to push the economy along as the impact of the coronavirus bites.
The $1.3 billion plan will cover half the wages of 117,000 apprentices working for businesses with fewer than 20 employees, for nine months until September this year.
Officials from the HAAS Formula One team and the McLaren squad have confirmed that members of their Grand Prix crews have gone into self-isolation while they are being tested.
It comes after the Australian Grand Prix Corporation denied any suggestion that the federal government held off on an Italy travel ban to allow the Ferrari team into Australia.
Australian Grand Prix Corporation chairman Paul Little on Wednesday refused to divulge what discussions took place between race organisers and government authorities before Ferrari and AlphaTauri, were allowed into Australia.
Mr Little said there was no conspiracy theory and stressed that at all times the Australian Grand Prix Corporation had followed the guidelines laid down by health authorities and the federal government.
Asked if lobbying had taken place, Mr Little said the issues of travel restrictions were sensitive.
He said it was "stretching the truth" to suggest pressure had been mounted before the government made its initial ruling on travellers from Italy, which stopped short of an outright ban. "There's no conspiracy there," Mr Little said.
Spanish football club to offer refund to Champions League fans
Atalanta remains the only Italian club in Europe's top competition, but their domestic campaign has been suspended until further notice, with the Serie A season paused until at least April 3rd due to the coronavirus outbreak across the country.
Advertisement
Ricciardo avoids F1 media over virus fears
Australian Formula 1 star Daniel Ricciardo has pulled out of a scheduled Renault team media conference over fears he might be exposed to the coronavirus.
Ricciardo and teammate Esteban Ocon were due to take questions from reporters after they unveiled Renault's new livery for the 2020 season at the Albert Park circuit on Wednesday, but were withdrawn by team officials at the last minute.
"Our drivers were supposed to be with us for this event but due to the situation, we've excused them for the occasion ... I hope you understand why we are taking such measures," team principal Cyril Abiteboul said.
AAP
Online learning in virus shutdown will impact many children negatively, educators warn
By Natassia Chrysanthos and Jordan Baker
The NSW Teachers Federation has warned of learning inequities if schools were shut for longer periods to stall the spread of coronavirus, as some students have access to better technology and wireless networks at home than others.
The NSW Department of Education has revealed online course delivery and virtual classrooms are a key part of its contingency plan if the coronavirus outbreak escalates, but union senior vice president Amber Flohm said teachers would also need extra resources, including more training, if a significant number of lessons needed to be delivered online.
Healthcare workers support COVID-19 testing as flu season looms
By Laura Chung and Rachel Clun
Coronavirus testing is critical to protecting the health of frontline medical workers and ensuring there is enough staff to keep the sector operating during peak flu season.
Saudi oil company apologies for 'hand sanitiser costume'
Saudi Arabian oil company Aramco has apologised after forcing a migrant worker to dress up as a mobile hand sanitiser station.
In a statement released late on Tuesday, Aramco distanced itself from the act, calling it "abusive," adding it simply wanted to highlight the importance of hand sterilisation.
"The company has immediately stopped this act and has taken steps to prevent it from happening again," it said.