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NationalCoronavirus pandemic

This was published 6 years ago

As it unfolded: Coronavirus cases jump as New Zealand ups travel restrictions

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.

Nick Bonyhady, Natassia Chrysanthos and Megan Levy
Updated ,first published

Summary

  • The number of coronavirus cases in NSW and Queensland grew by a record amount in the last 24 hours.
  • Global technology giant Apple shut its stores around the world in a move that will put pressure on others to follow suit.
  • Europe has become the centre of the pandemic and several EU nations, including Poland, Slovakia and Cyprus, have closed their borders
  • Australia reached 200 cases, while Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said he was 'feeling much better' after contracting COVID-19
  • New Zealand is requiring travelers to self isolate for 14 days, throwing trans-Tasman sport into chaos.

We're closing the blog for the day

By Nick Bonyhady

Thanks for following our live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic today. Here are some of the key things to know:

The economic effects of the coronavirus rippled out from the tourism industry on Saturday, with cultural and sporting events postponed across the country.

The number of cases of coronavirus grew to 145,594 around the world, according to data compiled by the news agency Reuters, with about 200 in Australia.

Europe is now the epicentre of the virus, the World Health Organisation said, as China recovers from the worst of the crisis.

Global technology giant Apply announced its stores would close, expensive private school Geelong Grammar will wrap up term one early, and jury trials have been postponed in Victoria's courts.

Abu Dhabi joins global cultural shutdown

By Reuters

Abu Dhabi announced on Saturday it was shutting major tourism and cultural venues, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum and the Ferrari World theme park, from March 15-31, due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The announcement was made in tweets by the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office. Abu Dhabi is the capital and largest emirate in the United Arab Emirates federation.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi is one of the area's top cultural institutions.Alamy

Elsewhere in the Middle East, state TV in Iran is reporting 12,729 cases of coronavirus have been diagnosed in the country.

Baz Luhrmann in isolation

By Nick Bonyhady

Acclaimed Australian director Baz Luhrmann is in isolation after coming into contact with actor Tom Hanks, who had contracted the coronavirus.

But Luhrmann, whose movie on Elvis was in pre-production on the Gold Coast, said he and his family was "healthy and well" on Saturday night.

Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson said on Thursday they had contracted the virus, which forced Luhrmann's production to be temporarily shut down.

Luhrmann thanked health services that have been caring for him on Twitter on Saturday evening.

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Apple stores to close worldwide, employees to work from home

By Nick Bonyhady

Global technology giant Apple will close all of its stores outside greater China in response to coronavirus for two weeks.

All of its employees will work from home if they can, and those that have to stay at work will be given "guidance to maximise interpersonal space", the company's chief executive Tim Cook said in a letter posted on Apple's website.

Apple closed its stores for weeks as the coronavirus ravaged China.AP

"Extensive, deep cleaning will continue at all sites," Mr Cook said. "In all our offices, we are rolling out new health screenings and temperature checks."

The stores, which will shut from today, will reopen on March 27. At the same time, Apple's stores in China, where the worst of the virus appears to be over, will reopen. They were closed in early last month.

"Though the rate of infections has dramatically declined, we know COVID-19’s effects are still being strongly felt," Mr Cook said. "I want to express my deep gratitude to our team in China for their determination and spirit."

Mr Cook said the company would pay all of its hourly workers around the world in line with its usual roster.

Cruise industry battens down the hatches against coronavirus

By Caitlin Fitzsimmons

The cruise industry is reeling from the coronavirus pandemic, with many operators suspending operations.

Only a few days ago, the cruise market was awash with special deals to win back anxious customers, and operators were touting their hygiene measures.

In addition to P&O Cruises Austraia and Carnival Cruises suspending operations for 30 days, as this masthead reported earlier, global company Princess Cruises has gone further. Its ships will not embark on new trips for 60 days.

The company's Diamond Princess was quarantined for two weeks off the coast of Japan in February after a coronavirus outbreak on board. More recently the Grand Princess has been quarantined off the shore of Oakland, near San Francisco, California, with 21 confirmed cases.

Alan Jones, Ray Hadley to broadcast from home

By Nick Bonyhady

Talkback hosts Alan Jones, 78, and Ray Hadley, 65, will join thousands of others in working from home from Monday as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus.

The 2GB shock jocks will broadcast from their country homes rather than the network's studios in Pyrmont.

Jones has a "minor cold" unrelated to the coronavirus, a source close to the network said.

Staff at other Nine radio stations, including 3AW will also work from home where possible.

A spokesman for Nine Entertainment, which owns 2GB as well as this masthead, declined to comment.

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Queensland posts record jump in coronavirus cases

By Matt Dennien

Queensland has recorded a jump of 11 COVID-19 cases, its largest single day-increase yet, taking the state’s total to 46.

Among those newly diagnosed were four cases across greater Brisbane, three on the Sunshine Coast and two on the Gold Coast.

Two further cases were being managed by the West Moreton and Wide Bay public health units, Queensland Health said. Two of the 11 were people aged in their 60s — a 69-year-old man and 61-year-old woman.

All patients are isolated and in stable conditions, with contact tracing under way.

Jury trials suspended in Victoria to slow spread of coronavirus

By Tom Cowie

Victoria's court system has been thrown into disarray by the coronavirus shutdown, with all new jury trials suspended until further notice.

The Supreme Court and County Court will stop empanelling new juries from Monday as a precaution to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

The decision will put huge strain on the justice system, with dozens of civil and criminal trials affected by the decision over the next two weeks.

Jury trials have been suspended at the Supreme and County Courts.

"The courts acknowledge this is an unprecedented decision and we are confident it is in the best interests of the Victorian community," said Chief Justice Anne Ferguson.

Jakarta shuts schools, Philippines imposes curfew

By

Reuters is reporting that the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, will close its schools for two weeks due to coronavirus concerns.

And the Philippines will enforce a month-long curfew in Manila from Sunday, local news reported on Saturday, citing the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

The 8pm to 5am curfew will last until April 14, the report cited MMDA chief Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. as saying.

Workers and those involved in essential services will be exempt, while violators will be issued with a warning and will not be arrested, it said.

Officials also urged businesses including shopping malls to shut during the curfew, according to the report.

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Multi-million dollar advertising blitz launched to stop coronavirus

By Rob Harris and Jennifer Duke

Authorities will launch a multi-million dollar national advertising blitz on Sunday encouraging Australians to wash their hands and avoid contact if they are sick, as the government steps up its efforts to limit the spread of coronavirus.

The campaign includes television spots and two full-page newspaper advertisements featuring a letter from Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Health Minister Greg Hunt and Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy warning about the viral infection and its flu- or cold-like symptoms.

Australian Government coronavirus advertising campaign.

There will also be a 30-second video advertisement called "Good Hygiene Starts Here".

The $30 million public health campaign forms part of the government's $2.4 billion package designed to help stop the spread of the disease. The health plan also includes $205 million for 100 pop-up respiratory clinics and $100 million for a tele-health service allowing people to have consults remotely.

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