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Coronavirus Live Updates: Governments Clamp Down as Markets Nose-Dive Coronavirus Live Updates: Governments Clamp Down as Markets Nose-Dive
(32 minutes later)
新冠病毒疫情最新消息新冠病毒疫情最新消息
Global stocks plunged on Monday, with Wall Street poised to follow suit, as the spread of coronavirus led governments around the world to take increasingly stringent measures to try to slow the outbreak.Global stocks plunged on Monday, with Wall Street poised to follow suit, as the spread of coronavirus led governments around the world to take increasingly stringent measures to try to slow the outbreak.
Italy began one of the largest-ever attempts to restrict the movement of people in a Western democracy, with a lockdown of the country’s northern region affecting about 16 million people and fueling questions about whether citizens would comply with the restrictions.Italy began one of the largest-ever attempts to restrict the movement of people in a Western democracy, with a lockdown of the country’s northern region affecting about 16 million people and fueling questions about whether citizens would comply with the restrictions.
Saudi Arabia on Monday closed off air and sea travel to nine countries in an effort to slow transmission as the kingdom grappled with a simultaneous blow to its economy from a severe drop in oil prices because of the outbreak.Saudi Arabia on Monday closed off air and sea travel to nine countries in an effort to slow transmission as the kingdom grappled with a simultaneous blow to its economy from a severe drop in oil prices because of the outbreak.
In the United States, where the Trump administration has come under criticism for sending conflicting messages on the crisis and failing to prepare adequately for its arrival, some government officials gave briefings on the more extreme measures that might be needed to limit the outbreak.In the United States, where the Trump administration has come under criticism for sending conflicting messages on the crisis and failing to prepare adequately for its arrival, some government officials gave briefings on the more extreme measures that might be needed to limit the outbreak.
The leading American expert on infectious diseases, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, said that officials might have to order regional lockdowns in the near future.The leading American expert on infectious diseases, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, said that officials might have to order regional lockdowns in the near future.
“I don’t think it would be as draconian as ‘nobody in and nobody out,’” Dr. Fauci said on “Fox News Sunday.” “But there’ll be, if we continue to get cases like this, particularly at the community level, there will be what we call mitigation.”“I don’t think it would be as draconian as ‘nobody in and nobody out,’” Dr. Fauci said on “Fox News Sunday.” “But there’ll be, if we continue to get cases like this, particularly at the community level, there will be what we call mitigation.”
President Trump took to Twitter to rail against his critics, including Governor Andrew M. Cuomo of New York, who denounced the federal government for sending mixed messages and criticized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for delays in allowing private laboratories in New York State to test for the coronavirus.President Trump took to Twitter to rail against his critics, including Governor Andrew M. Cuomo of New York, who denounced the federal government for sending mixed messages and criticized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for delays in allowing private laboratories in New York State to test for the coronavirus.
“There are no mixed messages, only political weaponization by people like you and your brother, Fredo!” Mr. Trump wrote. The president was referring to Fredo Corleone, the youngest and most ineffectual of the fictional brothers in the movie “The Godfather” in his response to Mr. Cuomo and his brother, Chris Cuomo, an anchor on CNN.“There are no mixed messages, only political weaponization by people like you and your brother, Fredo!” Mr. Trump wrote. The president was referring to Fredo Corleone, the youngest and most ineffectual of the fictional brothers in the movie “The Godfather” in his response to Mr. Cuomo and his brother, Chris Cuomo, an anchor on CNN.
Oblivious to politics, the virus continued its steady march across the country, with at least 545 cases. California, New York, Oregon and Washington State have all declared emergencies.Oblivious to politics, the virus continued its steady march across the country, with at least 545 cases. California, New York, Oregon and Washington State have all declared emergencies.
In Europe, France, Germany and Spain saw new cases double in just the past few days.In Europe, France, Germany and Spain saw new cases double in just the past few days.
Italy remains the epicenter of the epidemic on the Continent, accounting for more than 7,350 of the world’s 109,400 cases, which are spread across at least 95 countries.Italy remains the epicenter of the epidemic on the Continent, accounting for more than 7,350 of the world’s 109,400 cases, which are spread across at least 95 countries.
In China, where the outbreak was first reported late last year and which has recorded the vast majority of cases, the authorities continued to tout their success in beating back the spread of the pathogen.In China, where the outbreak was first reported late last year and which has recorded the vast majority of cases, the authorities continued to tout their success in beating back the spread of the pathogen.
The first schools reopened in China on Monday, a sign that the country could soon get back to normal. However, experts cautioned that until very stringent restrictions on movement were lifted, it would be hard to gauge how successful the measures had been in defeating the virus.The first schools reopened in China on Monday, a sign that the country could soon get back to normal. However, experts cautioned that until very stringent restrictions on movement were lifted, it would be hard to gauge how successful the measures had been in defeating the virus.
The United States faces an accelerating pace of new coronavirus case reports — each of the last six days has brought more than the day before — as well as the prospect of more sweeping measures to fight the spread of the virus. Over the weekend, more than 230 cases were added, bringing the national total to well over 500.The United States faces an accelerating pace of new coronavirus case reports — each of the last six days has brought more than the day before — as well as the prospect of more sweeping measures to fight the spread of the virus. Over the weekend, more than 230 cases were added, bringing the national total to well over 500.
In Washington State, with the epicenter in the Seattle area, Gov. Jay Inslee said he was considering mandatory measures to help keep people apart. Public school districts in several states have shut down, universities are moving classes online and canceling large gatherings, companies are telling many employees to work from home, and houses of worship are limiting services. A global health conference in Orlando, Fla., planned for Monday, with President Trump as a speaker, has been called off.In Washington State, with the epicenter in the Seattle area, Gov. Jay Inslee said he was considering mandatory measures to help keep people apart. Public school districts in several states have shut down, universities are moving classes online and canceling large gatherings, companies are telling many employees to work from home, and houses of worship are limiting services. A global health conference in Orlando, Fla., planned for Monday, with President Trump as a speaker, has been called off.
The cruise ship Grand Princess, which has been held off the California coast for days after some onboard developed symptoms and tested positive for the virus, is expected to dock Monday in Oakland. Passengers and crew members will be quarantined on four military bases in California, Georgia and Texas, the authorities said.
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The cruise ship Grand Princess, which has been held off the California coast for days after some onboard developed symptoms and tested positive for the virus, is expected to dock Monday in Oakland. Passengers and crew members will be quarantined on four military bases in California, Georgia and Texas, the authorities said.
Officials are not yet talking about locking down whole American cities, as China and Italy have done. But the specter of isolation — of telling people in affected areas not to go out — is hovering in communities where the infection has taken hold.Officials are not yet talking about locking down whole American cities, as China and Italy have done. But the specter of isolation — of telling people in affected areas not to go out — is hovering in communities where the infection has taken hold.
“I don’t think you want to have folks shutting down cities like in northern Italy — we are not at that level,” Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said in an interview. “Social distancing like in Seattle is the way to go. I’m not talking about locking down anything. There’s a big difference between voluntary social distancing and locking anything down.”“I don’t think you want to have folks shutting down cities like in northern Italy — we are not at that level,” Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said in an interview. “Social distancing like in Seattle is the way to go. I’m not talking about locking down anything. There’s a big difference between voluntary social distancing and locking anything down.”
Dr. Fauci and other officials have been signaling that, with many new cases popping up that have no known link to foreign travel, the spread of the virus in the United States may have reached the point where it can no longer be completely contained by isolating the sick and quarantining their contacts.Dr. Fauci and other officials have been signaling that, with many new cases popping up that have no known link to foreign travel, the spread of the virus in the United States may have reached the point where it can no longer be completely contained by isolating the sick and quarantining their contacts.
“Don’t go to crowded places, think twice before a long plane trip, and for goodness’ sake, don’t go on any cruises,” Dr. Fauci said. For people who are particularly vulnerable, he said: “Don’t wait for community spread. Now is the time to do social distancing, whether there is spread in your community or not.”“Don’t go to crowded places, think twice before a long plane trip, and for goodness’ sake, don’t go on any cruises,” Dr. Fauci said. For people who are particularly vulnerable, he said: “Don’t wait for community spread. Now is the time to do social distancing, whether there is spread in your community or not.”
Italy reported a huge jump in deaths from the coronavirus on Sunday, a surge of more than 50 percent from the day before, as it ordered an unprecedented peacetime lockdown of its wealthiest region in a sweeping effort to fight the epidemic.
The extraordinary measure restricted movement for a quarter of the country’s population.
“We are facing an emergency, a national emergency,” Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said in announcing the government decree in a news conference after 2 a.m.
The move is tantamount to sacrificing the Italian economy in the short term to save it from the ravages of the virus in the long term. The measures will turn stretches of wealthy northern Italy — including the economic and cultural capital of Milan and prime tourist destinations like Venice — into quarantined red zones until at least April 3.
They will prevent the free movement of roughly 16 million people.
Funerals and cultural events are banned. The decree requires that people keep a distance of at least one meter from one another at sporting events, bars, churches and supermarkets.
The Italian outbreak — the worst outside Asia — has inflicted serious damage on one of Europe’s most fragile economies and prompted the closing of schools. The country’s cases nearly tripled from about 2,500 infections on Wednesday to more than 7,375 on Sunday. Deaths rose to 366.
More and more countries have adopted or are considering stronger measures to try to keep infected people from entering and to contain outbreaks.
Global financial markets began a perilous week on Monday, as the relentless spread of the coronavirus and a clash among the world’s biggest oil producers rattled investors.Global financial markets began a perilous week on Monday, as the relentless spread of the coronavirus and a clash among the world’s biggest oil producers rattled investors.
European shares plunged when they started trading on Monday, with London and Frankfurt markets down 8 percent. Paris and other European exchanges were close behind, echoing sentiment in the Asia-Pacific region, where markets ended sharply lower.European shares plunged when they started trading on Monday, with London and Frankfurt markets down 8 percent. Paris and other European exchanges were close behind, echoing sentiment in the Asia-Pacific region, where markets ended sharply lower.
Wall Street looked set to follow, according to futures markets.Wall Street looked set to follow, according to futures markets.
Government bonds signaled that investors wanted the security of a safe harbor, as yields on U.S. government debt fell to new lows. Gold, the tried-and-true indicator of investor skittishness, rose.Government bonds signaled that investors wanted the security of a safe harbor, as yields on U.S. government debt fell to new lows. Gold, the tried-and-true indicator of investor skittishness, rose.
Oil prices lost nearly a quarter of their value in futures markets, as Saudi Arabia and Russia, two major producers, set off a price war while the world’s thirst for crude is already ebbing. While low oil prices can give consumers a boost, they can also disrupt countries that depend heavily on petroleum dollars to keep their economies running.Oil prices lost nearly a quarter of their value in futures markets, as Saudi Arabia and Russia, two major producers, set off a price war while the world’s thirst for crude is already ebbing. While low oil prices can give consumers a boost, they can also disrupt countries that depend heavily on petroleum dollars to keep their economies running.
World markets were already shaken by the near-shutdown of China in January, as the new coronavirus began spreading beyond the city of Wuhan. Even before the weekend’s developments, stocks in the United States had fallen more than 10 percent over the past month, as measured by the S&P 500 stock index. World markets were already shaken by the near-shutdown of China in January, as the new coronavirus began spreading beyond the city of Wuhan. Even before the weekend’s developments, stocks in the United States had fallen more than 10 percent over the past month, as measured by the S&P 500 stock index.
The problem is growing worse. The problem is growing worse.
Italy took the drastic step on Sunday of locking down a large chunk of its industrial northern region. In the United States, a government disease expert warned that regional lockdowns might become necessary, though he played down the idea of tight quarantines like the kind China has enacted. Analysts warned that if Saudi Arabia failed to reach an agreement with Russia on oil prices, it could prompt not only a further spiraling in oil prices but also contagion across financial markets.Italy took the drastic step on Sunday of locking down a large chunk of its industrial northern region. In the United States, a government disease expert warned that regional lockdowns might become necessary, though he played down the idea of tight quarantines like the kind China has enacted. Analysts warned that if Saudi Arabia failed to reach an agreement with Russia on oil prices, it could prompt not only a further spiraling in oil prices but also contagion across financial markets.
A fear gauge known as the Vix index jumped to a multiyear high. It last reached similar levels in August 2015, when a sudden devaluation of China’s currency set off a global market rout.A fear gauge known as the Vix index jumped to a multiyear high. It last reached similar levels in August 2015, when a sudden devaluation of China’s currency set off a global market rout.
As much of northern Italy enters a lockdown — with restrictions affecting nearly 16 million people — prisoners across the country have rioted after being denied visits from family members.
Protests were held in at least two dozen prisons across the country on Sunday and Monday after the government banned visits and cut down day-release programs, Italian news outlets reported. Several people managed to escape from a prison in Foggia, a town in southern Italy, according to the news agency ANSA.
About a dozen inmates at San Vittore Prison in Milan, the city’s largest, managed to get to the roof on Monday, where they shouted, “We want freedom, we want freedom.”
Patrick Gonnella, president of Antigone, an association that monitors prison conditions, said the precautionary measures had not been explained sufficiently to the prisoners before being put in place.
“They should have been compensated immediately with more calls, not leaving people in anxiety and solitude,” he said.
The restrictions prohibit face-to-face visits, substituting them with phone calls and video chats. In some “exceptional cases,” personal visits can take place as long as the inmate and visitor are kept about six feet apart.
On Sunday, six inmates died after a riot in a prison in Modena, also in northern Italy, when they apparently overdosed on medicines stolen from the infirmary, Italian news media reported.
“The situation is serious and dramatic,” Daniela Caputo, the secretary of Dirpolpen, an association of penitentiary police officers, said on Sky News Italia.
Donato Capece, secretary general of Sappe, a union representing guards, said that prisons were unprepared for an outbreak.
“It’s a pot that’s boiling,” he said.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York criticized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday for delays in allowing private laboratories in his state to test for the coronavirus. The number of confirmed cases in the state has risen to at least 106, but more testing is needed, the governor said.Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York criticized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday for delays in allowing private laboratories in his state to test for the coronavirus. The number of confirmed cases in the state has risen to at least 106, but more testing is needed, the governor said.
“C.D.C., wake up, let the states test, let private labs test, let’s increase as quickly as possible our testing capacity so we can identify the positive people,” Mr. Cuomo said.“C.D.C., wake up, let the states test, let private labs test, let’s increase as quickly as possible our testing capacity so we can identify the positive people,” Mr. Cuomo said.
President Trump fired back on Twitter overnight, saying that his administration had been consistent in its public statements while attacking the governor of New York and his brother.President Trump fired back on Twitter overnight, saying that his administration had been consistent in its public statements while attacking the governor of New York and his brother.
“There are no mixed messages, only political weaponization by people like you and your brother, Fredo!” Mr. Trump wrote. The president was referring to Fredo Corleone, the youngest and most ineffectual of the fictional brothers in the movie “The Godfather” in his response to Mr. Cuomo and his brother, Chris Cuomo, an anchor on CNN.“There are no mixed messages, only political weaponization by people like you and your brother, Fredo!” Mr. Trump wrote. The president was referring to Fredo Corleone, the youngest and most ineffectual of the fictional brothers in the movie “The Godfather” in his response to Mr. Cuomo and his brother, Chris Cuomo, an anchor on CNN.
In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Sunday that there were 13 cases of the coronavirus, with “hundreds” expected in the weeks to come. He said the city would offer no-interest loans to small businesses with fewer than 100 employees that could show a 25 percent reduction in sales since the outbreak and grants of as much as $6,000 for businesses with fewer than five employees.In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Sunday that there were 13 cases of the coronavirus, with “hundreds” expected in the weeks to come. He said the city would offer no-interest loans to small businesses with fewer than 100 employees that could show a 25 percent reduction in sales since the outbreak and grants of as much as $6,000 for businesses with fewer than five employees.
The mayor urged New Yorkers to avoid crowded subway cars and to use alternative forms of transportation, like biking, if possible.The mayor urged New Yorkers to avoid crowded subway cars and to use alternative forms of transportation, like biking, if possible.
In Scarsdale, in Westchester County, schools will be closed from Monday through March 18 after a faculty member at the district’s middle school tested positive for the virus.In Scarsdale, in Westchester County, schools will be closed from Monday through March 18 after a faculty member at the district’s middle school tested positive for the virus.
Columbia University and Barnard College in New York canceled classes Monday and Tuesday and will shift to remote classes the rest of the week after a member of its community was quarantined as a result of exposure to the coronavirus.Columbia University and Barnard College in New York canceled classes Monday and Tuesday and will shift to remote classes the rest of the week after a member of its community was quarantined as a result of exposure to the coronavirus.
Two members of Congress said they would enter a period of self-quarantine after interacting last month with a person who attended a conservative conference outside Washington and later tested positive for the virus.Two members of Congress said they would enter a period of self-quarantine after interacting last month with a person who attended a conservative conference outside Washington and later tested positive for the virus.
One of those lawmakers, Senator Ted Cruz, said in a statement on Sunday that he had interacted with the person at the conference. The interaction was less than a minute and consisted of a brief conversation and a handshake, the senator said, adding that he would self-quarantine at his home in Texas this week “out of an abundance of caution.”One of those lawmakers, Senator Ted Cruz, said in a statement on Sunday that he had interacted with the person at the conference. The interaction was less than a minute and consisted of a brief conversation and a handshake, the senator said, adding that he would self-quarantine at his home in Texas this week “out of an abundance of caution.”
The other lawmaker, Representative Paul Gosar, Republican of Arizona, said he would take similar measures.The other lawmaker, Representative Paul Gosar, Republican of Arizona, said he would take similar measures.
“I was with the individual for an extended period of time, and we shook hands several times,” Mr. Gosar said in a statement.“I was with the individual for an extended period of time, and we shook hands several times,” Mr. Gosar said in a statement.
The American Conservative Union, which hosts the conference, said the person was exposed to the virus before the four-day event and tested positive for it on Saturday.The American Conservative Union, which hosts the conference, said the person was exposed to the virus before the four-day event and tested positive for it on Saturday.
President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence also spoke at the event, the Conservative Political Action Conference, but they did not interact with the infected person, who never attended the proceedings in the main hall, the union said in a statement.President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence also spoke at the event, the Conservative Political Action Conference, but they did not interact with the infected person, who never attended the proceedings in the main hall, the union said in a statement.
Others who spoke at the conference included Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia. Also in attendance were Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and adviser, and Donald Trump Jr., the president’s eldest son.Others who spoke at the conference included Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia. Also in attendance were Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and adviser, and Donald Trump Jr., the president’s eldest son.
On Saturday, President Trump said he was “not concerned at all” about the outbreak getting closer to the White House.On Saturday, President Trump said he was “not concerned at all” about the outbreak getting closer to the White House.
He also said that he had no plans to curtail his campaign rallies even though other large gatherings of people are being canceled across the country.He also said that he had no plans to curtail his campaign rallies even though other large gatherings of people are being canceled across the country.
“We’re going to have tremendous rallies,” the president told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where he was spending the weekend.“We’re going to have tremendous rallies,” the president told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where he was spending the weekend.
The Grand Princess cruise ship that has been held off California after 21 people onboard tested positive for the coronavirus was expected to dock on Monday at the Port of Oakland, the vessel’s operator said. Egypt suspended entry to its most famous temples along the Nile at Luxor on Monday amid fears that the city had become a major international transmission point for the coronavirus.
Of the more than 3,500 people aboard, 19 crew members and two passengers have tested positive. Tourists were confined to their hotels and inside cruise boats docked on the Nile as government doctors arrived to carry out tests, local officials and guests said.
After the ship docks, everyone aboard will be taken to military facilities around the country to be tested and quarantined for 14 days, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. About 136 crew members and guests from one Nile cruiser, the A Sara, have been in quarantine in Luxor, in southern Egypt, since Saturday. Another 45 people aboard the boat who tested positive for the virus, including American and European tourists, have been sent by military plane to an isolation ward at a hospital in northern Egypt.
The department said in a statement that about 1,000 passengers who are California residents were to go to Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, Calif., or Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego. Residents of other states will be taken to the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas or Dobbins Air Force Base in Marietta, Ga. On Sunday night, the government announced that the total number of coronavirus cases across Egypt had reached 55, with one fatality: a 60-year-old German tourist who died at a hospital at the Red Sea resort of Hurghada. The German was admitted to the hospital on Friday, after traveling from Luxor.
The State Department is working with other countries to repatriate “several hundred passengers,” according to the statement.
Saudi Arabia on Monday shut off air and sea travel to nine countries in an effort to slow transmission of the virus as the kingdom grappled with a simultaneous blow to its economy from a severe plunge in oil prices.Saudi Arabia on Monday shut off air and sea travel to nine countries in an effort to slow transmission of the virus as the kingdom grappled with a simultaneous blow to its economy from a severe plunge in oil prices.
Effectively isolating itself from its neighbors, Saudi Arabia closed air and sea travel to the Arab states of Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Syria and the United Arab Emirates, as well as to Italy and South Korea. The kingdom had already closed its land borders, and travel to and from neighboring Qatar has been banned since 2017 because of a political dispute.Effectively isolating itself from its neighbors, Saudi Arabia closed air and sea travel to the Arab states of Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Syria and the United Arab Emirates, as well as to Italy and South Korea. The kingdom had already closed its land borders, and travel to and from neighboring Qatar has been banned since 2017 because of a political dispute.
Internally, Saudi Arabia on Sunday cordoned off the Shiite-majority towns and villages in the area of the Qatif Governorate, where all 11 of the reported coronavirus cases in the kingdom have been identified. Compared with the Sunni majority of the kingdom’s population, Shiite Saudis are far more likely to have traveled to Shiite-led Iran, which has become a major hub for the transmission of the coronavirus.Internally, Saudi Arabia on Sunday cordoned off the Shiite-majority towns and villages in the area of the Qatif Governorate, where all 11 of the reported coronavirus cases in the kingdom have been identified. Compared with the Sunni majority of the kingdom’s population, Shiite Saudis are far more likely to have traveled to Shiite-led Iran, which has become a major hub for the transmission of the coronavirus.
Shiite Saudis have long complained of discrimination against them by the Sunni Muslim rulers of the kingdom and their ultraconservative clerical allies.Shiite Saudis have long complained of discrimination against them by the Sunni Muslim rulers of the kingdom and their ultraconservative clerical allies.
The kingdom has also suspended pilgrimages to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.The kingdom has also suspended pilgrimages to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
At the same time, Saudi Arabia on Monday faced a potentially devastating cut to its revenue from a drop in oil prices. A slowdown in the global economy because of the pandemic has been pushing down oil prices for weeks. Last week, negotiators for the kingdom and OPEC failed to reach an agreement with Russia to curb production.At the same time, Saudi Arabia on Monday faced a potentially devastating cut to its revenue from a drop in oil prices. A slowdown in the global economy because of the pandemic has been pushing down oil prices for weeks. Last week, negotiators for the kingdom and OPEC failed to reach an agreement with Russia to curb production.
Italy reported a huge jump in deaths from the coronavirus on Sunday, a surge of more than 50 percent from the day before, as it ordered an unprecedented peacetime lockdown of its wealthiest region in a sweeping effort to fight the epidemic.
The extraordinary measure restricted movement for a quarter of the country’s population.
“We are facing an emergency, a national emergency,” Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said in announcing the government decree in a news conference after 2 a.m.
The move is tantamount to sacrificing the Italian economy in the short term to save it from the ravages of the virus in the long term. The measures will turn stretches of wealthy northern Italy — including the economic and cultural capital of Milan and prime tourist destinations like Venice — into quarantined red zones until at least April 3.
They will prevent the free movement of roughly 16 million people.
Funerals and cultural events are banned. The decree requires that people keep a distance of at least one meter from one another at sporting events, bars, churches and supermarkets.
The Italian outbreak — the worst outside Asia — has inflicted serious damage on one of Europe’s most fragile economies and prompted the closing of schools. The country’s cases nearly tripled from about 2,500 infections on Wednesday to more than 7,375 on Sunday. Deaths rose to 366.
More and more countries have adopted or are considering stronger measures to try to keep infected people from entering and to contain outbreaks.
The first schools reopened in China on Monday, a sign that the country could soon get back to relative normalcy.The first schools reopened in China on Monday, a sign that the country could soon get back to relative normalcy.
The government in Qinghai, a remote mountainous region in the west of the country, decided to reopen schools on a staggered basis beginning on Monday. Middle schools are scheduled to follow suit next week, but kindergartens and elementary schools will stay closed for now.The government in Qinghai, a remote mountainous region in the west of the country, decided to reopen schools on a staggered basis beginning on Monday. Middle schools are scheduled to follow suit next week, but kindergartens and elementary schools will stay closed for now.
Ren Wenyu, deputy principal of a school in Yushu, a city in the region, said that the school had reopened today. Third grade students in high school, who are under pressure to prepare for the national college entrance exam, held every June, were the first to return, he added.Ren Wenyu, deputy principal of a school in Yushu, a city in the region, said that the school had reopened today. Third grade students in high school, who are under pressure to prepare for the national college entrance exam, held every June, were the first to return, he added.
The Ministry of Education announced in late February that schools could only reopen when the epidemic was under control and the health and safety of students could be guaranteed.The Ministry of Education announced in late February that schools could only reopen when the epidemic was under control and the health and safety of students could be guaranteed.
Qinghai has been one of the regions in China least hit by the coronavirus. It has had a total of 18 cases and no reported deaths. There have been no new cases since Feb. 6.Qinghai has been one of the regions in China least hit by the coronavirus. It has had a total of 18 cases and no reported deaths. There have been no new cases since Feb. 6.
Elsewhere, Guizhou, a province in southwestern China, announced that some schools would reopen on March 16.Elsewhere, Guizhou, a province in southwestern China, announced that some schools would reopen on March 16.
Reporting was contributed by Carlos Tejada, David Kirkpatrick, Marc Santora, Steven Lee Myers, Claire Fu, Alissa J. Rubin, Gillian Wong, Jason Horowitz, Emma Bubola, Ellen Tumposky, Neil Vigdor and Russell Goldman.Reporting was contributed by Carlos Tejada, David Kirkpatrick, Marc Santora, Steven Lee Myers, Claire Fu, Alissa J. Rubin, Gillian Wong, Jason Horowitz, Emma Bubola, Ellen Tumposky, Neil Vigdor and Russell Goldman.