Coronavirus Australia live updates: Fifth Australian dies as Scott Morrison tightens travel restrictions
NSW Health has confirmed two new deaths, as Scott Morrison announces tighter travel restrictions and the University of Queensland suspends classes.
- Fifth virus death
- Fourth Australian dies
- PM tightens border controls, bans cruise ships
- Stimulus cash to hit bank accounts soon
- Josh Frydenberg reveals virus scare
- Spain in lockdown
- Vivid joins growing list of event cancellations
- NZ border controls kick in, sport in turmoil
- Donald Trump tested for virus
- US extends travel ban to UK, Ireland
Welcome to The Weekend Australian’s live coverage of the coronavirus crisis. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced tougher travel restrictions, including a mandatory 14-day quarantine period for all international arrivals from midnight Sunday, and a ban on foreign cruise ships.
Jamie Walker 11.37pm: University suspends classes
The University of Queensland has suspended all lectures and coursework teaching for at least a week after a another student came down with the coronavirus.
In an announcement late Sunday, Vice Chancellor Peter Hoj said teaching would be accelerated to allow students to complete their studies this academic year.
The Brisbane-based university, one of the largest in the country, will keep its campuses open and staff will continue to work.
But lectures, tutorials and other contact sessions with students would be suspended until March 23, Professor Hoj said.
“This is a big call, and one I have not taken lightly,” he said. “We offer more than 300 programs and around 3300 courses, and the scale and complexity of achieving the changes are significant,” he said.
The potential rescheduling of graduation ceremonies in July would allow the university to extend the current semester; students studying externally and those on work placement or internships would not be affected.
With the confirmation Sunday that another student had contracted COVID-19, Professor Hoj urged people to maintain social distancing to contain the spread of the virus.
Adrian McMurray 9.56pm: Wilkins tests positive
Nine’s entertainment editor Richard Wilkins has tested positive to COVID-19. The network veteran twice made contact with Rita Wilson in the last 14 days: backstage at the Sydney Opera House and when she appeared on Today Extra at Nine’s Sydney studios.
Both Wilson and husband Tom Hanks contracted the disease and are in quarantine at a Gold Coast hospital.
“Richard Wilkins has tested positive to COVID-19. Richard is not showing any symptoms of the virus and has been self-isolating, on his own at home, since Thursday last week,” a Nine spokesperson said.
“Since he is still without symptoms the authorities advise that he has not knowingly put others at risk, although anyone he has been in contact with prior to Thursday afternoon has been notified and will be tested if they show any symptoms of the virus.
“We want to assure everyone that Richard is feeling well and still without symptoms.”
Wilkins’ fellow Today Extra hosts David Campbell and Belinda Russell went into self-isolation, but have been cleared.
Steve Jackson 9.08pm: Third nursing home death, fifth in Australia
A third eldery resident at the Dorothy Henderson Lodge nursing home in Sydney’s north-west has died after contracting the coronavirus, bring the national death toll to five.
NSW Health said the 90-yer-old woman died on Saturday and testing had since confirmed she had been infected with the disease.
Two other residents at the facility — an 82-year-old man and a 95-year-old woman — died last week after contracting COVID19.
It is believed they caught the deadly pathogen and began developing respiratory symptoms after coming into contact with an infected aged care worker at the facility.
The latest death comes as NSW Health confirmed that a Queensland woman who died in a Sydney hospital on Friday had also tested positive for the virus.
“Our condolences are with the family and friends of both women at this time,” NSW Health said in a statement.
The 77-year-old, from Noosaville on the Sunshine Coast, had been on a flight to Sydney on Friday when her health deteriorated rapidly.
She was taken to hospital immediately after landing but died soon after.
Health officials reportedly believe she contracted the disease from her daughter, who returned to Queensland on flight from San Francisco two weeks ago.
James Kwan, a 78-year-old retired travel agent from Perth, became the first person in Australia to die from the coronavirus on March 1.
He was diagnosed with the virus after going on the ill-fated Diamond Princess cruise ship that was placed in quarantine near Yokohama for two weeks last month following an outbreak of the disease on board.
Lachlan Moffet Gray 8.16pm: Virus toll rises to five
Coronavirus has claimed its fifth Australian life after a 90 year-old woman succumbed to the illness on Saturday.
NSW Health announced the death on Sunday and said the woman was a resident of the Dorothy Henderson Lodge aged care facility in northern Sydney. Two other residents of that aged care home have died from coronavirus.
NSW Health are working with state health authorities to trace close contacts of the deceased woman.
It is the second death to be announced on Sunday night after Queensland authorities announced a 77-year-old died in Sydney on Friday.
7.48pm: Hanks, Wilson continue their recovery
Thanks to the Helpers. Let’s take care of ourselves and each other. Hanx pic.twitter.com/09gCdvzGcO
— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) March 15, 2020
Joseph Lam 7.15pm: Albanese addresses nation
Anthony Albanese has urged Australians to approach the COVID-19 crisis with an open mind and an open heart.
Addressing the public on Sunday evening, the Opposition Leader noted more consistent advice is needed from health professionals and that Australians need to “trust in them and their advice”. He also noted the government needs to look at expanding Medicare to include telehealth consultations, allowing people to contact their GP over the phone or on Skype.
More recognition of casual and contract workers whose income would stop during self quarantine is needed, Mr Albanese added.
WATCH: My address to the nation on the coronavirus pandemic.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) March 15, 2020
Labor will approach this in the spirit of bipartisanship. But as we've seen overseas, the earlier and the faster the response, the better the outcome.
More can and should be done – and there's no room for delays. pic.twitter.com/FiZ7nNiGkx
Mr Albanese has also reiterated the importance of basic hygiene and taking care of each other, asking the public to keep calm, wash their hands, look out for the elderly and trust information from credible sources.
“We need to respect workers on the frontline and in supermarkets,” Mr Albanese said.
“We can’t forget how the communities were affected by the bushfires earlier and late last year. (It is this) spirit that will get us through this crisis.”
Steve Jackson 7.08pm: Fourth Australian dies
The national coronavirus death toll has risen to four with confirmation a 77-year-old Queensland woman who died in NSW last week had contracted the insidious disease.
The woman, from Noosaville on the Sunshine Coast, had been on a flight to Sydney on Friday when her condition deteriorated significantly.
She was taken to hospital immediately after landing but died soon after.
Health officials reportedly believe she contracted the disease from her daughter, who returned to Queensland on flight from San Francisco two weeks ago.
Matthew Westwood 6.36pm: Opera House, Arts Centre to close
Iconic cultural venues the Sydney Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne are likely to close their doors as governments move to ban non-essential gatherings of more than 500 people.
Scott Morrison said “non-essential static gatherings” such as concerts and plays attended by more than 500 people would be banned to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Both the Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne are multi-venue buildings and their largest auditoriums can seat more than 1000 people.
Queensland Performing Arts Centre at the weekend became the first major arts venue to close, while the Opera House, Arts Centre Melbourne, the National Gallery of Victoria and other institutions remained open, pending advice.
Other arts groups have cancelled or postponed planned events. The West Australian Symphony Orchestra has suspended all performances until the end of April.
On Friday the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, due to start later this month, said the event was cancelled, and the Sydney Writers Festival has suspended ticket sales.
Victoria Laurie 6.30pm: WA testing kit shortage to be ‘addressed urgently’
An acute shortage of coronavirus testing agent in Western Australia will be addressed urgently, says WA health minister Roger Cook today.
The shortage of a chemical reagent that is essential for testing swabs emerged last Thursday when WA health officials were told by a supplier their order could not be filled due to a shortage of stock.
On Saturday, Deputy Chief Health Officer Robyn Lawrence said the state had around one week’s supply left and strict guidelines would be needed to reduce wastage by testing people who were unlikely to have contracted the virus.
Individuals fronting up to a COVID-19 clinic would have to present a travel ticket, or boarding pass to prove they had travelled recently.
Mr Cook said on Sunday that he has been assured by federal Health Minister Greg Hunt that WA will receive sufficient supply of the reagent.
6.24pm: Another supermarket fight breaks out
A fight has broken out at a Woolworths in the Sydney suburb of Bass Hill.
Panic causes fight in Woolworths due to glass bottle thrown at customers in Sydney, Australia #coronavirus #CoronavirusOutbreak #basshill #Harrassment #Australia
— hilal 🦠(@hilly491) March 15, 2020
Source: unknown pic.twitter.com/t1ocgsUBaz
Panic buying has caused tension to boil over in various supermarkets, with a woman charged with assault over an incident in another Sydney supermarket.
Tim Dodd 5.45pm: Sydney Uni cleaned after student tests positive
Six rooms at the University of Sydney were intensively cleaned on Sunday after a student was diagnosed with the coronavirus over the weekend.
In a joint statement the university and NSW Health said the student was admitted to hospital and is recovering.
Teaching and research activities are expected to continue on the university campus this week but about 80 people, who were identified as having close contact with the student while on campus, have been asked to self-isolate for 14 days.
The rooms which were cleaned on Sunday are: Physics Road Building, dry lab LG03; Education Building, seminar room 618; Carslaw Building- room 452 and seminar room 355; Old Teachers College, psychology computer lab 403; and Brennan MacCallum, Building, room 110.
Lachlan Moffet Gray 5pm: Virus cases reach 298 nationwide
Queensland has experienced its largest single-day jump in new coronavirus cases, with Queensland Health on Sunday announcing 15 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the state’s total to 61.
Of the new cases, six are male and nine are female, an eight-year-old girl among them.
Queensland Health said all the cases “remain isolated in appropriate accommodation” and contract tracing is underway.
Queensland’s chief health officer warned that now may not be the time for children to visit nana and pop.
Dr Jeanette Young said measures announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison that included people having to self-quarantine upon arrival from overseas would also help slow down the spread of the virus.
“The aim is to contain it as much as possible where we can so we can protect the most vulnerable,” she said.
“The vast majority of people will have a mild disease.
“I implore people if you have parents or who have parents or grandparents in that older age group think about how you can help them. Maybe it’s not the time for your young kids to see their grandparents.”
A public health emergency has been declared in SA, allowing the government to implement additional powers to slow the spread of coronavirus in the state.
It comes as another case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in the state, a woman in her 60s who recently returned from the US, bringing the total number of cases to 20.
“This is perfectly consistent with the other cases that have been identified here in South Australia,” Premier Steven Marshall told reporters on Sunday.
He said all of the state’s cases have been people who had travelled overseas, interstate or contracted the virus from a relative who had been overseas.
“There is still no evidence whatsoever of community transmission in South Australia,” Mr Marshall said.
“We’re at a much lower level of risk than other jurisdictions but I have made the decision that we will work together with the other states.”
Westwen Australian Premier Mark McGowan announced another case confirmation on Sunday afternoon, bringing WA’s total to 18.
The case was a woman in her 60s who recently travelled overseas.
The Premier said there was still no evidence of community transmission in WA.
State infections:
NSW: 134
VIC: 57
QLD: 61
SA: 20
WA: 18
TAS: 6
ACT: 1
NT: 1
Total 298.
4.30pm: SA Premier declares public health emergency
A public health emergency has been declared in SA, allowing the government to implement additional powers to slow the spread of coronavirus in the state. It comes as another case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in the state, a woman in her 60s who recently returned from the US, bringing the total number of cases to 20.
“This is perfectly consistent with the other cases that have been identified here in South Australia,” Premier Steven Marshall told reporters on Sunday. He said all of the state’s cases have been people who had travelled overseas, interstate or contracted the virus from a relative who had been overseas. “There is still no evidence whatsoever of community transmission in South Australia,” Mr Marshall said.
“We’re at a much lower level of risk than other jurisdictions but I have made the decision that we will work together with the other states.” The premier said the declaration of a public health emergency would allow public health officers to take “all the necessary actions required to keep the people of South Australia as safe as we possibly can”.
“This is a very difficult time,” he said.
“We’re taking the threat of the coronavirus very seriously.”
AAP
Lachlan Moffet Gray 4pm: NSW suspends jury trials
NSW will follow Victoria in suspending all jury trials over concerns packed courtrooms could encourage the transmission of coronavirus.
In a joint statement released on Sunday, the District and Supreme Courts of NSW said new jury trials set down for Monday would be temporarily suspended “whilst the empanellment process is reviewed and steps are taken to seek to limit the close social contact amongst jurors.”
“Current trials, where a jury has already been selected and empanelled, will continue,” the statement read.
“This decision has been made in response to the Australian Government’s advice to limit large gatherings and close social contact over an extended period of time.”
“Judge alone trials, bail applications and civil trials will not be affected. Steps have already been implemented to enable those matters to proceed taking into account the advice received concerning the virus.”
Elias Visontay 3pm: Schools to remain open
Scott Morrison has said widespread closures of schools will not be introduced based on present medical advice because such a measure “could actually make the situation worse not better”.
The Prime Minister explained the burden the move could put on the health sector and health professionals who have to take time off work to mind their children would be one issue with the measure.
.@ScottMorrisonMP says wide scale closure of schools could be very negative in impacting the #coronavirus curve. There are very good reasons why you wouldn't do that, he says. States will consider this further on Friday #auspol
— Rosie Lewis (@rosieslewis) March 15, 2020
Mr Morrison also said keeping children - who present few symptoms of the virus - away from the general public was beneficial, given their ability to spread the virus.
He said he had consulted British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the decision not to close schools yet.
However Mr Morrison acknowledged any decision made could be changed.
“Just because something is not necessary today doesn’t mean it won’t be necessary in three weeks from now or three months from now.
“We’re going to have to get used to some more changes in the way we live our lives in the next six months or so.”
Mr Morrison also said states were considering moving their public health systems to emergency status.
Static, non-essential gatherings will not go ahead with more than 500 people, @ScottMorrisonMP says. That affects stadiums, theatres, outdoor events. States will enforce this.
— Rosie Lewis (@rosieslewis) March 15, 2020
Earlier today, Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said the effects of COVID-19 on children and their ability to spread the virus was not well known.
Elias Visontay 2.36pm: No more handshakes: PM
Scott Morrison has announced he will no longer be shaking hands in line with expanded social distancing advice the government is urging on all Australia.
“The social distancing practices that we’re encouraging are being expanded, so there’s no more handshakes,” the Prime Minister said.
“That is a new move we’ve moved to that’s something that I’ll be practicing.
Mr Morrison also warned it would be a criminal offence for someone to ignore a self isolation requirement.
“If your mate has been to Bali and they come back and they turn up at work and they are sitting next to you, well, they’ll be committing an offence.
“This (today’s announcement) provides the backstop of a legal enforcement.”
"If your mate has been to Bali and they come back and they turn up at work and they are sitting next to you, they will be committing an offence," @ScottMorrisonMP says #auspol #coronavirus https://t.co/yoOJ1k7slj
— Rosie Lewis (@rosieslewis) March 15, 2020
Christine Kellett 2.22pm: Prime Minister tightens travel restrictions, bans cruise arrivals
Scott Morrison has announced tighter travel restrictions in line with New Zealand, as well as a ban on all cruise ship arrivals.
The Prime Minister also announced the need for more “aggressive” social distancing measures, including a full ban on “static” gatherings of over 500 people and advising against handshakes.
After a meeting of his newly-formed national cabinet to tackle the coronavirus epidemic, Mr Morrison announced:
– A compulsory 14-day self-quarantine period for all people arriving in Australia from overseas
– A ban on all cruise ships from foreign ports arriving in Australia for the next 30 days
– “Aggressive” social distancing measures, including legally banning all non-essential static gatherings of more than 500 people and “no more handshakes”.
“We will impose a universal compulsory self isolation requirement on all international arrivals to Australia from midnight tonight,” Mr Morrison said on Sunday, stressing the strengthened measures were aimed at avoiding maximum pressure on the health system in the coming months.
“All people coming to Australia will be required, I stress, to self isolate for 14 days. This is very important.”
.@ScottMorrisonMP says people should have enough grocery supplies for a few days, not two weeks #coronavirus
— Rosie Lewis (@rosieslewis) March 15, 2020
“We know the virus cannot be completely stopped but we can try to slow the spread,” he said.
“We know that it is a more severe condition than the flu.
“Our aim in all of this is to protect the most vulnerable.
“The job of our plan is to flatten the peak (of infections) We are looking to suppress the demand on our health systems.”
“No hospital on its own can deal with something like this at its extreme.
Mr Morrison said Australians were “going to have to get used to some changes to our lives over the next six months.”
Visitor arrivals to Australia will "dry up very, very quickly" @ScottMorrisonMP says as he announces all international arrivals will have to self-isolate for 14 days #auspol #coronavirus
— Rosie Lewis (@rosieslewis) March 15, 2020
“There will be more intrusions … there will be more restrictions.
“Australians are smart people, they are common sense people … we rely on their judgment as well.
“We’re relying on that Australian spirit of looking after each other as we get through these difficult months.”
Lachlan Moffet Gray 2.05pm: Let’s follow Ardern’s lead: Premier
Daniel Andrews will lobby the federal government to impose stricter travel restrictions on the United States, telling reporters on Sunday a majority of Victoria’s new cases are connected to the country.
“It’s a little difficult to explain why say China, who have very few new cases, there are travel bans there but the United States are free to travel when we’re seeing many many new cases, indeed the majority of Victoria’s new cases, are connected to those who have travelled from the United States,” the Victorian Premier said.
“I think that arrangement similar to New Zealand will absolutely be on the agenda to be discussed today.
“We need to do everything we can do to flatten this curve and I think there is more we can do in terms of travel.”
2pm: Tasmania suspends cruise visits
Tasmania has suspended all cruise ship visits to its ports after the island state recorded its sixth coronavirus case.
Premier Peter Gutwein said he will direct Tasports to suspend all cruise ship visits until June 30, as a precautionary measure.
Mr Gutwein said while the risk to the public of coronavirus remains low, the government wants to keep people safe.
“This is not a decision I make lightly, and one which has been done in careful consultation with senior members of our State Emergency Management Committee, Tasports and the tourism industry,” he said.
“While I know this places challenges on our tourism industry and visitor economy, I strongly believe we must act to make the decisions that best protect Tasmanians and help to manage COVID-19 risks to our state.” A domestic cruise ship, carrying 43 mainly local passengers and which has been in Tasmanian waters since December 31, will make a final call to Hobart port on Sunday afternoon.
No passengers will disembark and it will depart later in the day. Twelve cruise ship visits are scheduled during the period to June 30, including five to Hobart, five to Burnie and two to Port Arthur.
Mr Gutwein said the cruise industry has been notified of its decision to suspend these port stops.
“We are in uncharted territory, and these are uncertain times, which is why we must act based on advice using the levers available to us to protect Tasmanians,” he said.
“I want to reassure Tasmanians that we will do all we can to maintain a level of economic stimulus and support business and Tasmanians. Yet, like the rest of the country and other nations, we will not be without impact.”
About 1400 passengers and staff abroad the Magnifica, which arrived in Hobart on Saturday, were told they could not return to the ship if they disembark, an MSC Cruises spokeswoman has told The Mercury.
No one on the ship has the illness but the captain made the call as a precaution to protect passengers’ health.
AAP
Ewin Hannan 1.58pm: More casual workers to get virus leave
Thousands of casual workers employed by Kmart, Target and Officeworks will be eligible for up to 14 days special leave if they are unable to work due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The employees of the Wesfarmers owned businesses join casual workers at a growing list of employers including Woolworths, Telstra and the Commonwealth Bank who will receive leave if impacted by coronavirus.
Wesfarmers managing director Rob Scott said on Sunday the businesses recognised the important role they had to play in continuing to serve customers and the community while contributing to the public health response to coronavirus.
“Our businesses are letting their team members know that they are committed to supporting both permanent and casual employees and they will not be disadvantaged because of their employment status if they are unable to work because of public health requirements related to coronavirus,” he said.
Under the policy, casual team members are required to be quarantined, or care for “loved ones”, they will be paid for a maximum of up to 14 days based on their agreed and rostered hours for that period.
This leave will be paid at the same rate as the rostered shifts, inclusive of penalty rates and loadings
The approach also applies to its Bunnings businesses but the hardware giant is in a different position to most retailers as 85 per cent of its 40,000 workforce are permanent and its casual employees can already accrue paid sick leave.
Lachlan Moffet Gray 1.50pm: NSW cases rise
NSW has confirmed another 22 of cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the state to 134.
Of these cases, 60 were acquired overseas, 30 were the contact of a confirmed cases, 23 are under investigation and 13 are currently unknown.
NSW Health are currently contract tracing the new cases but have said four of the new cases recently travelled from the United States, one from the Philippines and one from Singapore.
NSW: 134
VIC: 57
QLD: 46
SA: 19
WA: 17
TAS: 6
ACT: 1
NT: 1
Total:
281
Lachlan Moffet Gray 1.40pm: Australian man tests positive in NZ
As the total number of confirmed cases in Australia surpasses 250, New Zealand on Sunday announced two more cases of coronavirus, including an Australian man who travelled from Brisbane to Wellington after having a COVID-19 test. The test confirmed positive after he arrived in New Zealand.
New Zealand now has eight confirmed cases. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Saturday announced the “world’s toughest” border restrictions, requiring all international arrivals to self-isolate for 14 days from midnight tonight.
“He was tested in Australia proper to flying to New Zealand and has been now confirmed as positive by the Australian authorities,” New Zealand’s Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said.
“The man arrived in Wellington at 12.05am Saturday morning … from Brisbane on Air New Zealand Flight 828, and was informed, as we were, later that morning by his Australian doctor of his positive test.
The man, who is in his 60s, is now in self-isolation with his partner and another family member. He is currently symptom-free.
The eighth case is a woman in her 30s who travelled from Denmark via Doha on Qatar Airways flight 920, arriving on Tuesday March 10. She was diagnosed in Queenstown after travelling around the country via Jetstar flight JQ 225 and private rental vehicle.
The woman is being cared for in Queenstown hospital and is reportedly recovering.
Paul Maley 1.32pm: Cruise passenger awaits testing off New Zealand
Passengers aboard a cruise ship berthed at the New Zealand port of Akaroa, just outside Christchurch are being quarantined as a passenger is tested for what authorities suspect is a case of coronavirus.
Three passengers aboard the Golden Princess cruise ship have been placed in quarantine and one tested for COVID-19, after two of the passengers travelled on a flight from Los Angeles that carried a corona-positive passengers.
None of the ship’s passengers are allowed to leave the ship until the results are in tomorrow.
The 2600-capacity ship embarked from Melbourne and docked briefly at Dunedin.
New Zealand health officials are preparing to manage what could be another mass outbreak aboard a cruise liner, similar to the outbreak that occurred on the Diamond Princess in Japan.
However, in a sharp departure from previous experiences New Zealand authorities indicated they would aim to get as many passengers on the ship off as quickly as they could.
1.20pm: Hanks did not infect cast and crew
Isolated Hollywood star Tom Hanks may have an infectious smile but at least that hasn’t extended to him passing on coronavirus.
Hanks and his wife, singer Rita Wilson, are quarantined in a Gold Coast hospital after testing positive to COVID-19 on Thursday.
He is in Australia to film the untitled Baz Luhrmann-biopic on Elvis Presley being filmed at Village Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast.
A representative for the production said no cast or crew had come down with the virus although production had ceased for two weeks.
“We are aware of only the one case of the coronavirus among our cast and crew, and additionally the cast member’s wife,” the statement said. “Working closely with the Queensland Health Department we have delayed our start date by approximately two weeks to allow for the cast member’s full recovery.”
The 63-year-old star is playing the role of the Elvis’ manager Colonel Tom Parker.
Singer-songwriter Wilson performed at the ballroom of the Emporium Hotel South Bank in Brisbane and also at the Sydney Opera House in the first week of March. On Friday, Hanks posted a photo of himself and wife Rita Wilson wearing peaked caps as they recover from coronavirus in isolation on the Gold Coast. The Oscar-winning actor looked sombre while Wilson was smiling as he assured fans and friends on Twitter that the couple is doing fine and wanted “to thank everyone here Down Under”.
“There are things we can all do to get through this by following the advice of experts and taking care of ourselves and each other, no? Remember, despite all the current events, there is no crying in baseball. Hanx”.
Hanks’ statement about ‘no crying’ in baseball refers to his iconic line from A League Of Their Own’ in which he portrayed manager Jimmy Dugan in the 1992 film.
– AAP
Jamie Walker 12.50pm: Brisbane pool shut after patron tests positive
A public swimming pool in suburban Brisbane has been closed after a patron came down with COVID-19.
Brisbane City Council said Yeronga pool on the city’s southside had been shuttered after a regular swimmer tested positive to the virus after returning from overseas.
But there was confusion about whether the news had reached the pool’s management, with people posting on the council website that the pool remained open Sunday.
BCC said the popular pool would remained closed until further notice.
Chris Griffith 12.45pm: Eurovision under a cloud
The Eurovision song contest in 2020 has been thrown into disarray with new restrictions on public movements imposed in the Netherlands due to coronavirus.
The Netherlands has joined France, Spain and Italy in imposing new restrictions on the movement of people. In the case of The Netherlands it has reportedly banned public gatherings larger than 100 people and banned inward flights from China, Hong Kong, Italy, Iran and South Korea.
The decision to prohibit large gatherings has thrown planning for Eurovision in the Dutch city of Rotterdam into jeopardy. The European Broadcasting Union in a statement says a decision has not been taken yet on whether to cancel the song contest which is scheduled for May.
“With two months to go until the three live shows on 12, 14 and 16 May, and a rapidly changing situation both in the Netherlands and the countries of the participating broadcasters, it is still too early to make any final decisions,” says the EBU.
“We are working closely with Dutch Host Broadcasters NPO, NOS and AVROTROS and the City of Rotterdam to explore different potential scenarios for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020.”
Organisers of Eurovision 2020 say planning is continuing and no decisions have been made about the fate of the contest, according to a statement on eurovisionworld.com.
However, a decision will be made early next month before the building of the stage at the venue, according to the mayor of Rotterdam, Ahmed Aboutaleb.
Organisers have floated alternatives to outright cancellation. One option is to limit the amount of audience at the Eurovision venue, or have no audience, another option is to broadcast Eurovision from a TV studio without an audience, while a third would see every country broadcast their song from its own location, which would avoid the need for artists, their support staff and fans to travel.
Organisers say they might also consider postponing the content until after the virus threat subsides.
12.40pm: Spanish PM’s wife tests positive
The wife of Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has tested positive for the new coronavirus.
It said Begona Gomez and the prime minister are in good health and following the instructions of medical authorities at their residence in La Moncloa Palace in Madrid.
Two ministers of Sanchez’s Cabinet, the minister of equality and the minister of regional affairs, had already tested positive earlier this week. The government said both are in good health as well.
The others member of the Cabinet have tested negative.
The government informed the media of Gomez’s infection shortly after Mr Sanchez gave a nationally televised address to announce a battery of measures his government will take to combat the pandemic during a two-week state of emergency.
Prior to the address, Mr Sanchez presided at a seven-hour Cabinet meeting that was attended by all the ministers except for the two who had tested positive. Health authorities said Saturday that coronavirus infections have reached 5,753 people in Spain, half of them in Madrid, since the first case was detected in late January. That represents a national increase of over 1,500 in 24 hours.
– AP
12.30pm: ISIS issues virus health warning, cites WHO
The Islamic State terrorist group is steering clear of Europe because of the coronavirus. Having previously urged its supporters to attack European cities, the group is now advising members to “stay away from the land of the epidemic” in case they become infected.
The group has issued a new set of “sharia directives” that instruct followers to “cover their mouths when yawning and sneezing” and to wash their hands regularly. ISIS militants have plenty of experience in covering their faces, though previously they did so to hide their identities when beheading hostages on camera.
In the latest issue of its al-Naba newsletter, the group refers not to guidance from the World Health Organisation or other medical experts, but to recorded quotes by the Prophet Muhammad, known to Muslims as hadiths. The newsletter refers to a “plague” described as a “torment sent by God on whomsoever He wills”. Another message notes: “Illnesses do not strike by themselves but by the command and decree of God.”
ISIS has lost almost all its so-called caliphate in the Middle East after a string of defeats, but its fragmented remains are still active in Iraq and Syria.
The newsletter warned that the “healthy should not enter the land of the epidemic and the afflicted should not exit from it”. But it may not be safe in the Middle East either – Iraq has already reported 101 cases of the coronavirus and 10 deaths.
– The Sunday Times
Lachlan Moffet Gray 12.05pm: More cases confirmed in Victoria
Eight more cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Victoria, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 57.
Of the new cases, six are men and two are women, with their ages ranging from their teens to their 60s.
One of the new cases is the year 10 Carey Grammar student who was confirmed as contracting the disease earlier on Sunday.
“The student was not at school during their infectious period. The school will remain closed until the holidays. And, as a precaution, 12 classmates will home-isolate,” the department of health and human services said in a statement.
“All cases are recovering at home in isolation. All were acquired overseas or through close contact with known, confirmed cases of COVID-19.
“At the present time, there remains only one confirmed case of COVID-19 in Victoria that may have been acquired through community transmission.”
Christine Kellett 11.40am: Latest advice to the community
After an in-depth interview on the ABC this morning, in which he attempted to clear up some confusion in the community, here’s a breakdown of Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy’s latest advice:
– Social distancing (no handshaking, keeping 1.5m apart) only applies to returned travellers or close contacts of confirmed cases
– Using public transport is fine
– Going to the cinema is fine
– Going to the gym is fine
– Schools can remain open
– Over 70s should exercise greater caution in public places
– Handwashing/sanitising and personal hygiene is crucial
– Households should have a stock of grocery supplies to last them several days (two weeks’ supply is ‘premature’ at this stage)
– This advice will change as infection rates increase in the community
The government’s national cabinet will meet to discuss its coronavirus response later today, when updated guidelines may be given.
Lachalan Moffet Gray 11.20am: Another major cruise line suspends operations
Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited has confirmed it will voluntarily cease all cruises worldwide for at least a month and a half.
The company announced earlier in the week it would cancel all voyages departing from US ports but is now extending the suspension to all cruises until at least April 11, citing “global public health circumstances.”
International Royal Caribbean cruises currently underway will continue as planned, with the company to offer refunds and credits to customers with outstanding bookings.
Lachlan Moffet Gray 11.15am: Trump tests negative
Donald Trump’s personal physician has released a statement saying the president has tested negative for coronavirus.
Trump agreed to be tested on Saturday after it was revealed he had extended contact with Brazilian officials who later tested positive for COVID-19 at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, last weekend.
“One week after having dinner with the Brazilian delegation in Mar-a-Lago, the president remains symptom-free,” the statement from Dr Sean P Conley reads.
BREAKING: White House doctor says President Trump has tested negative for COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/wjU4UZ1MYX
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) March 14, 2020
Elias Visontay 10.40am: Australian cities could be placed in lockdown if crisis worsens
Australia’s top health official has acknowledged Australian cities could be placed in lockdown as the coronavirus spreads through the community.
It comes as Health Minister Greg Hunt warned “we will all be connected in some way over the coming months” to confirmed cases of coronavirus or people in self-isolation.
Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy and Mr Hunt both sought to defend the government’s response to the pandemic, including the decision to implement a ban on gatherings of 500 people from Monday and the advice to not force cabinet ministers who met with an infected Peter Dutton into self-isolation.
“In our published series of national guidelines, which is the public health advice which the entire country has been using, we define close contact as someone who has been in contact with someone who is symptomatic at any stage or up to 24 hours before,” Professor Murphy said of his decision to advise government ministers not to self isolate after being in contact with Mr Dutton.
Speaking to the ABC on Sunday, he said measures to disinfect Mr Dutton’s office on Saturday and advice to fellow travellers on Mr Dutton’s return flight from the US to self-isolate were “an abundance of caution”.
Professor Murphy also labelled a recommendation by Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton for households to store two weeks’ of food supplies as “premature”.
“For most people, we don’t want to encourage major panic buying at the moment. We’ve seen that with the supermarket chains. But I think it is probably sensible to have a few days of supply,” Professor Murphy said.
While stressing the need for social distancing for returned travellers and close contacts of infected people, he said that there was a “relatively low” risk for activities like going to the cinema. However, he warned: “if you’re over 70 you should be more careful, particularly if you have chronic disease.”
“If you’re going to the gym, I would be very focused on hand washing, using hand sanitisers, all of those social distancing, good hygiene measures.”
On the potential for cities to be locked down in Australia similar to what has been done in Italy, Professor Murphy said “it is potential that that could be the case”.
“One of the things we know about outbreaks of infections is that they can affect one part of a country, not another,” he said.
“Everything is up for consideration. The premiers and the Prime Minister said to us, the health advisers, ‘give us your fearless advice and we will take it’,” Professor Murphy said.
Asked by @David_Speers if we could see the lock-down of the country like in Spain, France and Italy the Chief Medical Officer says: "It is a potential."#Auspol #Insiders #COVIDー19 pic.twitter.com/qhhiVpaHVe
— Insiders ABC (@InsidersABC) March 14, 2020
Asked why a decision had not been made to close schools, Health Minister Greg Hunt said many factors had to be taken into consideration, including the knock-on effect of children being kept at home with elderly grandparents and the impact on the economy and health system if parents – particularly those in the health sector – could not work.
Professor Murphy said while anecdotal evidence showed children were not seriously affected by the virus, its spread among them and their potential to develop “herd immunity” was not properly understood yet, thus a decision to close schools was complicated.
However, he said it was still safe to use public transport.
“At the moment we are not suggesting people stop using public transport. As the situation evolves … this will change. Our social distancing measures may well change over time. At the moment we are ahead of the curve. We are moving earlier than other countries on public gatherings.”
Minister Hunt said social distancing included staying 1.5 metres away from people, not shaking hands and avoiding public gatherings, but that only applied to returned travellers and those in contact with confirmed cases at this stage. That was likely to change as more people became infected.
“We will all be connected in some way over the coming months to people who are in some way either infected or isolated and it’s very important that our approach is one of national support.”
On advice about whether parliament should sit, Professor Murphy said: “I had a meeting with the Presiding Officers yesterday and they are looking at a range of measures to reduce the number of people in the (Parliament House) building including staff and visitors. School groups have nearly all cancelled now. So I think it is important the parliament sits.”
.@David_Speers: Do you think Parliament should sit next week?
— Insiders ABC (@InsidersABC) March 14, 2020
CMO: Parliament is planning to sit next week.@GregHuntMP: [Presiding Officers] .. are making sure we operate within exactly the same parameters as the nation.#Auspol #Insiders pic.twitter.com/Kv8fBSdvVN
10.35am: Carey Grammar student tests positive
A student at Melbourne’s Carey Grammar has tested positive to coronavirus – forcing the school to stay shut.
More than 2000 students were due to return to the Kew school on Tuesday, but staff have this morning been told the school will stay closed until at least Friday.
“There is a possibility that the student contracted the virus from contact with their teacher, one of the previous identified cases,” staff were told in a statement.
The student is in year 10.
“The school was closed and the student was not considered infectious during their time at school.”
Lachlan Moffet Gray 10.25am: Hillsong to close
Hillsong churches across Australia will close their doors tomorrow and move all services online.
In a message released to church followers on Sunday, Hillsong head Brian Houston said “we’re still gathering, it’s just that we’re gathering online.”
“This will be the last weekend that we’re able to gather in full and because we want what’s best for you and we also want to be compliant to all health and government authorities, next week we are going to be meeting online,” Mr Houston said.
The pastor said members of the Hillsong faithful could still gather in small groups in homes to watch services.
Wally Mason 10.12am: NRL season to continue without fans
NRL games will continue to be played, but all games will be behind closed doors.
ARL commission chairman Peter V’landys and NRL CEO Todd Greenberg today confirmed the competition would not be suspended, but all games would go ahead without fans from round two.
Sunday afternoon’s games between Manly and Melbourne and St George Illawarra and Wests Tigers will be last where fans will be admitted.
10am: Sixth case in Tasmania
Tasmania has confirmed its sixth coronavirus case after a woman in her 60s tested positive.
She was identified as a close contact during the public health investigation of a previous Tasmanian case, who had recently travelled overseas, acting director of public health Scott McKeown said on Sunday.
The woman and all the other five cases in Tasmania are in a stable condition and remain in isolation receiving medical care.
The state’s Public Health Services has identified and contacted the woman’s close contacts. These people will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days and receive daily follow up from PHS staff.
– AAP
9.40am: Government to establish business unit to lift confidence
The Morrison government is establishing a new coronavirus business unit aimed at building on its existing efforts to support confidence, employment and business continuity.
Based in the Department of Treasury it will engage with peak business groups on issues relating to COVID-19 from Monday to ensure these are being addressed by the government.
“It will also be a source of information for business groups on the Australian government’s response to coronavirus and the actions that agencies are taking to support business at this difficult time,” Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said in a statement on Sunday.
“This will allow for information to be disseminated quickly and effectively across the business community.” The initiative follows last week’s announcement of a $17.6 billion stimulus package that was aimed at businesses being able to keep their staff employed, and giving cash handouts to pensioners and welfare recipients. Mr Frydenberg has indicated his second budget on May 12 will contain further measures to help the economy avoid recession from the impact of the coronavirus. “We will undertake the measures necessary to continue to support the economy and to keep Australians in a job,” Mr Frydenberg told Sky News Labor and the unions are concerned there is no help for casual workers or sole traders should they have to self-isolate if they come into contact with COVID-19.
“We cannot have a situation where people have a financial incentive to turn up for work when it’s in the interests of everyone’s health that they don’t turn up,” Labor’s industrial relations spokesman Tony Burke told reporters in Sydney on Saturday.
Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell said there is “nothing” in the package for the 1.4 million small businesses that don’t employ people and that needed to be looked at.
– AAP
9am: France closes cafes, restaurants and cinemas
France has drastically stepped up its measures against the spread of the coronavirus, announcing the closure of all non-essential public places including restaurants and cafes from midnight.
“I have decided on the closure until further notice from midnight of places that receive the public that are non-essential to the life of the country,” Prime Minister Edouard Philippe told reporters.
“This includes notably cafes, restaurants, cinemas and discos.”
Top health official Jerome Salomon meanwhile announced that the death toll from COVID-19 had risen by 12 over the last day in France to 91, with the total number of infected standing at 4,500.
Salomon added that France was from now at its highest sanitary alert level of stage three, which means that the virus is now circulating actively across French territory.
He added that the number of those infected had doubled over the last 72 hours. Mr Philippe said that the new measures were being adopted after the first measures announced in France to fight the virus were “imperfectly applied”.
Places of worship would stay open but all services and ceremonies would have to be postponed, he said.
Shops would also have to close with the exception of essential services like supermarkets and pharmacies, he added.
Public transport would continue to work, but Mr Philippe urged the French to “limit their movements” and avoid intercity travel.
But he insisted that despite the strict new rules, the first round of local elections would go ahead as planned on Sunday while “respecting strictly the guidelines of distancing”.
“I know the French will show their calm, their civic mentality and their ability to obey the rules we have set out for their own security,” Mr Philippe said.
– AFP
8.45am: Virus cash to hit bank accounts directly
The federal government says the 6.5 million welfare recipients and pensioners due to receive a $750 cheque at the end of the month will see the cash flow directly into their bank accounts.
Some of Australia’s poorest households are in line to receive $4.8 billion of the government’s $17.6 billion stimulus package to keep the economy healthy during the coronavirus outbreak, with payments to be given to income support recipients and eligible concession card holders.
“I want to remind everyone who may be eligible for the one-off payment and have existing bank account details with Services Australia that they do not have to do anything – Services Australia will process the payment after 31 March,” Government Services Minister Stuart Robert said in a statement on Sunday.
Mr Robert said Services Australia or Centrelink would not be proactively sending out emails about the stimulus payments and urged recipients to be careful of scam messages.
– AAP
Christine Kellett 8.21am: Treasurer in virus scare
Josh Frydenberg has revealed he was tested for COVID-19 after returning from a trip to Saudi Arabia, but the results came back negative.
On the day he and Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a $17.6 billion stimulus package to combat the economic impact of the pandemic, the Treasurer had fallen ill and was waiting to find out whether he himself was infected.
“I’d been in Riyadh just two weeks before,” Mr Frydenberg told Sky News on Sunday.
“As a precautionary measure I got tested. It came back negative.”
Mr Frydenberg said his scare had come the day before colleague Peter Dutton was diagnosed with COVID-19.
He slammed Labor’s accusations of a double standard by the government after it announced cabinet ministers would not self-isolate after spending hours in a meeting with Mr Dutton on Tuesday.
“We’ll take our advice from the Chief Medical Officer, not Chris Bowen,” Mr Frydenberg said.
“It’s very disappointing that he would play politics when the nation should be coming together. This is a time of great stress.”
He said he wished Mr Dutton “a full and speedy recovery”.
7.35am: More details emerge on Spain’s virus lockdown
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has confirmed a 15-day nationwide lockdown as part of state of emergency measures to control the spread of the coronavirus.
He said the coronavirus crisis requires “extraordinary decisions” and is placing tight restrictions on the movements of Spain’s 46 million residents, closing restaurants and other establishments and declaring a two-week state of emergency.
Spain has followed Italy’s path in implementing a similar lockdown after both European countries failed to contain the virus in regional hot spots. Ms Sanchez detailed the battery of exceptional measures in a nationally televised address after holding a Cabinet meeting that lasted over seven hours on Saturday. The delay was reportedly due to discrepancies in the coalition government of Sanchez’s Socialists and the anti-austerity United We Can.
“From now we enter into a new phase,” Mr Sanchez said. “We won’t hesitate in doing what we need must to beat the virus. We are putting health first.”
Mr Sanchez added that all police forces, including those run by local authorities, will be put under the orders of the Interior Minister and that the armed forces could be deployed it necessary.
According to the government decree, people will only be allowed to leave their homes to buy food and medicine, commute to work, go to medical centres and banks, or take trips related to the care for the young and the elderly. Those limitations are effective immediately.
Effective immediately, Spain is also closing all restaurants, bars, hotels, schools and universities nationwide, and other non-essential retail outlets, a move some of the hardest-hit communities have already carried out. Health authorities said Saturday that coronavirus infections have reached 5,753 people, half of them in Madrid, since the first case was detected in Spain in late January. That represents a national increase of over 1,500 in 24 hours. Mr Sanchez acknowledged that the number of infections could reach 10,000 in the coming days.
7.20am: Twenty new cases in 24 hours in NSW
The number of coronavirus cases in NSW has jumped by 20 over 24 hours, taking the total number of infected people in the state to 112.
An additional 20 people were diagnosed with COVID-19 between 11am on Friday and 11am on Saturday, NSW Health said in a statement.
The new cases include three people who recently returned from Italy and a 41-year-old female healthcare worker. Authorities are working to identify how she became infected.
NSW Health says of the 112 cases, 51 were acquired overseas while 32 were infected after contact with a confirmed case. The remaining are either unknown or under investigation.
A further 1668 cases in NSW are being investigated while more than 18,700 people have been tested and cleared.
As the number of COVID-19 cases in NSW climbs, several large events across the state have been cancelled in a bid to slow its spread.
It follows the federal government’s announcement on Friday that non-essential mass gatherings of 500 people or more should not be held from Monday.
– AAP
7.15am: Sydney’s Vivid joins growing list of cancelled events
This year’s Vivid Sydney light festival has been cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak.
It follows recommendations from the federal government to limit public events to fewer than 500 people, NSW Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres said. “Vivid Sydney is a bright star of Sydney’s event calendar so the decision to cancel was not taken lightly. As the event owner, we must follow the advice of health officials to ensure the health and safety of our citizens and everyone involved with Vivid Sydney,” Mr Ayres said.
The festival had been scheduled to run between May 22 and June 13.
Sydney’s St Patrick’s Day Festival, due to be held at the Rocks on Sunday, has also been cancelled after “further reflection” by the event organisers.
The Sydney Royal Easter Show, which was due to start in three weeks’ time, has also been called off.
RSL NSW representatives will meet the state government on Monday to discuss the Commonwealth’s advice, which the league says will “obviously have an impact on planning for Anzac Day”.
– AAP
Christine Kellett 7am: PM’s coronavirus national cabinet to meet
Scott Morrison will today convene the first meeting of his newly announced national cabinet to deal with the spread of COVID-19.
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, who was diagnosed with coronavirus on Friday, will reportedly dial-in to the meeting from a Brisbane hospital, where he is being monitored.
Mr Dutton, in a radio interview from his hospital bed, said he was feeling “much better” after experiencing only a sore throat and a fever.
I’m feeling much better this morning - thank you to everyone for your well wishes.
— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) March 14, 2020
Full interview: https://t.co/6zfvXb8Q8m pic.twitter.com/B5b6asM8dV
He also took a swipe at Labor’s health spokesman Chris Bowen, who described a decision not to quarantine ministers who spent hours in a cabinet meeting with Mr Dutton on Tuesday as “gobsmacking.”
“This is a time for everyone to pull together as the PM & Premiers did yesterday- not a time for making poorly informed cheap political statements,” Mr Dutton posted on Twitter.
He said Queensland Health were only tracing close contacts from March 11, when he is believed to have been infectious.
Ivanka Trump, who met with Mr Dutton on March 5 in Washington, will work from home as a precaution.
I’m feeling much better this morning - thank you to everyone for your well wishes. I was really disappointed to see comments by @Bowenchris seeking to make political advantage.
— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) March 14, 2020
6.45am: New Zealand border controls kick in, sport in turmoil
Anyone enteringNew Zealand from tonight will be required to self-isolate for 14 days under strict new travel restrictions.
Kiwi Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Saturday announced she was enacting the “toughest border restrictions of anyone in the world” in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus cases.
The mandatory quarantine period applies to all international arrivals from midnight Sunday.
Ms Ardern has defended the unprecedented measure, which effectively kills the country’s tourism sector and will deliver a hammer blow to the economy.
“We do not take these decisions lightly,” Ms Ardern said.
“We have two choices as a nation.
“One is to let COVID-19 roll on. The other is to go hard on measures to stamp it out. It is in our power to slow it down.
“That’s why we must go hard, and go early, and do everything we can to protect New Zealanders’ health.”
A memorial service for victims of the Christchurch gun massacre a year ago today has been cancelled as a precaution.
The decision has thrown trans-Tasman sport into turmoil, forcing the indefinite suspension of Super Rugby.
The ARL Commission will hold an emergency meeting, with a press conference called with chairman Peter V’landys and boss Todd Greenberg for 10am Sunday after they speak to club bosses.
Meanwhile, NRL Warriors centre Peta Hiku is facing the prospect of missing the birth of his child if the team is forced to remain in Australia under the new border restrictions.
6.30am: Trump tested for coronavirus
Donald Trump said he has been tested for the novel coronavirus after coming into contact with individuals who later tested positive, though he said Saturday afternoon that the results of his test weren’t known.
The comments during a news briefing came just hours after the White House released a memorandum late Friday night from the president’s doctor saying Mr. Trump didn’t currently need to be tested. An explanation for the change wasn’t immediately given.
“I decided I should based on the press conference yesterday. People were asking, ‘Did I take the test?’” Mr. Trump said, in explaining his decision to take the test on Friday night, adding, “The press has been going crazy.” The president didn’t say when he would get the results.
Vice President Mike Pence said he had not been tested but would consult with the White House physician, saying he and his wife would get tested if necessary.
Sean Conley, the physician to the president, said in the memo that the president came into contact with two people who later tested positive for the coronavirus last weekend when Mr. Trump was hosting a delegation from Brazil at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
The memo didn’t identify the two people. Mr. Trump’s contact with the first person was “extremely limited,” it said, including a handshake and a photograph, while he spent more time closer to the second.
“Additionally, given the president himself remains without symptoms, testing for COVID-19 is not currently indicated,” Dr. Conley said in the memo, adding that he would closely monitor the president’s health.
Mr. Trump said he also had his temperature taken before appearing in the briefing room. As he was leaving, reporters asked about his temperature reading.
“Totally normal,” he responded.
The Wall Street Journal
Jacquelin Magnay 6am: US extends travel ban to UK, Ireland
The United States has extended a travel ban to travellers from the United Kingdom and Ireland as the coronavirus continues to rip through Europe at an alarming pace, forcing Spain to declare a state of emergency and impose an Italian-style lockdown.
From Monday night US time and 4am UK time on Tuesday morning, all travel from across the Atlantic will be restricted to American citizens and green card holders only, and the limited travellers will be checked at one of 13 entry airports and subject to quarantine orders.
Mr Trump said the flight restrictions that were imposed on Europe would now be extended to the UK and Ireland “because they’ve had a little bit of activity unfortunately’’.
Meanwhile Spain was preparing to implement a nationwide lockdown, prompting some aircraft heading to some of the country’s tourist hot spots to turn around mid-flight on Saturday.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has copied the quarantine measures adopted by Italy as coronavirus infections climbed past 5,700.
Madrid has been particularly hard hit, and deaths have soared to 136.
From Monday morning, Spaniards will only be allowed to leave home to buy food and medicine or for an emergency, commute to work, go to hospitals and banks, or take trips related to care for the young or the elderly. The Spanish Holy Week processions mid April have also been cancelled.
As of Saturday evening, all Spanish schools, universities, bars, hotels, and retail shops have been ordered closed.
France and Germany, both have more than 3600 positive coronavirus cases but have kept their borders open. Germany’s health minister Jens Spahn told travellers and skiers returning from Italy, Switzerland and Austria to self-isolate for two weeks, even without symptoms.
Meanwhile, in morale-booster news, one hospital in the centre of Italy crisis will open new beds in an intensive care unit after raising four million euros in just five days of crowd-funding.
Nearly 200,000 people have raised €3,901,340, for the San Raffaele Hospital in Segrate, Milan, enabling it to triple it’s intensive care facility.
The crowdfund page, started by Italian social media celebrity Chiara Ferragni and her husband Fedez with a personal donation of €100,000, has attracted support from throughout the world.
The Go Fund Me page says the money will buy fans, non invasive ventilation devices, hemodynamic monitoring and monitors.
Professor Alberto Zangrillio, head of the San Raffaele general intensive care department said intensive care is the only chance to cure the patients most affected.’’ We continue our battle, which will win against this extraordinary emergency,’’ he said.
Italy continues to see more deaths and positive cases but the rate has begun to ease to 20 per cent daily increases, and officials hope the trend will continue downwards once the severe isolation measures now in place throughout the country begin to take effect.
Reuters reported that both German and Italy have ordered mass numbers of medical ventilators costing around $17,000 each. The German government has ordered 10,000 ventilators while the Italian government has ordered 5,000 and has seconded the army to help on a 24 hour production line.
In the United Kingdom the number of deaths nearly doubled from 11 to 21 and the 798 positive cases increasing to 1140 on Saturday. The UK has announced it will only test hospital patients and has advised anyone with coronavirus symptoms to self-care and isolate at home for at least seven days.
Northern Ireland has flagged that in the coming weeks or days, schools may be shut ‘’for at least 16 weeks’’ the First Minister Arlene Foster announced. She said ‘’it is a matter of timing’’ when the schools would shut.
In The Netherlands, cases have also exploded to nearly 1000.
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