france24--2020-03-17--French Open tennis rescheduled amid coronavirus lockdown

A picture taken on March 21 , 2019 shows the new Simonne Mathieu tennis court after its inauguration ceremony at Roland-Garros in Paris , France .
The French Open tennis tournament has been postponed until Sept 20 – Oct 4 amid the coronavirus outbreak , the organisers of the Grand Slam event said on Tuesday .
The first major tournament to be hit by the spread of the coronavirus was initially scheduled to be played from May 24 – June 7 .
`` In order to guarantee the health and safety of all those involved in the preparation of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to organise the 2020 edition of Roland-Garros from 20 September to 4 October 2020 , '' the French tennis federation said in a statement .
`` While no one today can predict what the health situation will be like on May 18 ( when qualifications were due to start ) , the lockdown measures in force make it impossible to prepare for it and therefore to organise it on the dates initially planned.
” A new roof on the main Philippe Chatrier court has already been installed but is not in service yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of April , added officials .
Last week , the ATP suspended its professional men ’ s tennis tour for six weeks while the WTA on Monday suspended play until May 2 .
The FFT said that ticket-holders for the French Open could either be reimbursed or change their tickets for the new dates .
`` It is a difficult but courageous decision that we have taken at this exceptional and evolving time since this weekend , '' said FFT president Bernard Giudicelli .
`` We are acting responsibly , we must stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone 's safety.
” The coronavirus outbreak has infected over 190,000 and killed more than 7,500 people worldwide as the epicentre of the pandemic has switched from China to Europe .

The French Open tennis tournament has been postponed until Sept 20 – Oct 4 amid the coronavirus outbreak, the organisers of the Grand Slam event said on Tuesday.
A picture taken on March 21, 2019 shows the new Simonne Mathieu tennis court after its inauguration ceremony at Roland-Garros in Paris, France.
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The first major tournament to be hit by the spread of the coronavirus was initially scheduled to be played from May 24 – June 7.
"In order to guarantee the health and safety of all those involved in the preparation of the tournament, the French Tennis Federation decided to organise the 2020 edition of Roland-Garros from 20 September to 4 October 2020," the French tennis federation said in a statement.
"While no one today can predict what the health situation will be like on May 18 (when qualifications were due to start), the lockdown measures in force make it impossible to prepare for it and therefore to organise it on the dates initially planned.”
A new roof on the main Philippe Chatrier court has already been installed but is not in service yet and needs more testing until the end of April, added officials.
Women's, men's tours suspended
Last week, the ATP suspended its professional men’s tennis tour for six weeks while the WTA on Monday suspended play until May 2.
The FFT said that ticket-holders for the French Open could either be reimbursed or change their tickets for the new dates.
"It is a difficult but courageous decision that we have taken at this exceptional and evolving time since this weekend," said FFT president Bernard Giudicelli.
"We are acting responsibly, we must stand together in solidarity in this fight for everyone's safety.”
The coronavirus outbreak has infected over 190,000 and killed more than 7,500 people worldwide as the epicentre of the pandemic has switched from China to Europe.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-17--Coronavirus death toll passes 7,000 as WHO urges world to 'test, test, test'

The WHO 's chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has urged countries to `` test , test , test '' for coronavirus cases .
The head of the World Health Organization has urged countries around the world to test every suspected coronavirus case as the number of confirmed infections passed 182,000 .
`` You can not fight a fire while blindfolded , '' WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told journalists .
`` Test , test , test .
Test every suspected case . ''
The virus is spreading rapidly , forcing governments to impose restrictions rarely seen outside wartime -- closing borders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events including major sporting fixtures .
Tedros said more cases and deaths have now been reported in the rest of the world than in China , where COVID-19 first emerged in December before crisscrossing the globe .
`` This is the defining global health crisis of our time , '' he told reporters .
`` Crises like this tend to bring out the best and worst of humanity . ''
More than 182,260 people have been infected by the coronavirus across the world and 7,165 have died , with cases and deaths outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak began , according to a Reuters tally published on Tuesday .
Infections outside China have been reported by 161 countries .
There were continuing signs of improvement in China , with only four new COVID-19 cases recorded in Wuhan -- where the virus was first detected in December -- although imported cases rose .
Governments are scrambling to contain not only the spread of the virus but also the economic fallout , with fears it will catapult the world into recession .
Countries across Europe are on full lockdown , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants and schools are closing nationwide .
In the latest restrictions in Europe , France imposed a 15-day lockdown on its population while Germany announced border controls , banned gatherings in churches , mosques and synagogues and said playgrounds and non-essential shops would close .
Spain also announced it would seal off its land bordes as the number of cases edged closer to 10,000 , while Britain called for an end to all `` non-essential '' contact and travel , and Switzerland declared a state of emergency .
Italy -- the hardest hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in deaths , taking its overall toll to more than 2,000 .
Iran , the country with the highest number of infections and deaths in the Middle East , closed four key Shiite pilgrimage sites .
'Never seen shopping like this' In the United States , the US Federal Reserve sought again to shore up the economy , announcing another USD 500 billion in cash injections after slashing its key interest rate to virtually zero .
The Bank of Japan on Monday also announced emergency economic stimulus measures for the world '' s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil prices went into freefall again as the various central bank moves failed to lift confidence .
Wall Street stocks sank more than 10 per cent after a brief suspension triggered by steep losses , following sharp nosedives in European markets .
`` The biggest concern has to be that the big G7 central banks have exhausted their policy tool kit , especially the biggest and most influential one of them all , the Fed , '' said AxiCorp '' s Stephen Innes .
Major world airlines on Monday axed almost all flights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survive .
China provided more evidence of COVID-19 's dire economic impact , announcing factory output had contracted for the first time in nearly 30 years .
There have been scenes of panic-buying around the world as anxious people stock up on essentials fearing a lengthy period of enforced quarantine .
Larry Grossman , manager at a Manhattan supermarket , said he had never seen anything like it in 40 years .
`` I have been through Hurricane Sandy ... through 9/11 , I have never seen shopping like this , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The head of the World Health Organization has urged countries around the world to test every suspected coronavirus case as the number of confirmed infections passed 182,000.
The WHO's chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has urged countries to "test, test, test" for coronavirus cases.
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"You cannot fight a fire while blindfolded," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told journalists. "Test, test, test. Test every suspected case."
The virus is spreading rapidly, forcing governments to impose restrictions rarely seen outside wartime -- closing borders, ordering home quarantine and scrapping public events including major sporting fixtures.
Tedros said more cases and deaths have now been reported in the rest of the world than in China, where COVID-19 first emerged in December before crisscrossing the globe.
"This is the defining global health crisis of our time," he told reporters. "Crises like this tend to bring out the best and worst of humanity."
More than 182,260 people have been infected by the coronavirus across the world and 7,165 have died, with cases and deaths outside China overtaking those in the country where the outbreak began, according to a Reuters tally published on Tuesday.
Infections outside China have been reported by 161 countries.
There were continuing signs of improvement in China, with only four new COVID-19 cases recorded in Wuhan -- where the virus was first detected in December -- although imported cases rose.
Europe in lockdown
Governments are scrambling to contain not only the spread of the virus but also the economic fallout, with fears it will catapult the world into recession.
Countries across Europe are on full lockdown, while major US cities have shut bars and restaurants and schools are closing nationwide.
In the latest restrictions in Europe, France imposed a 15-day lockdown on its population while Germany announced border controls, banned gatherings in churches, mosques and synagogues and said playgrounds and non-essential shops would close.
Spain also announced it would seal off its land bordes as the number of cases edged closer to 10,000, while Britain called for an end to all "non-essential" contact and travel, and Switzerland declared a state of emergency.
Italy -- the hardest hit nation in Europe -- announced another surge in deaths, taking its overall toll to more than 2,000.
Iran, the country with the highest number of infections and deaths in the Middle East, closed four key Shiite pilgrimage sites.
'Never seen shopping like this'
In the United States, the US Federal Reserve sought again to shore up the economy, announcing another USD 500 billion in cash injections after slashing its key interest rate to virtually zero.
The Bank of Japan on Monday also announced emergency economic stimulus measures for the world''s third-biggest economy.
But stock markets and oil prices went into freefall again as the various central bank moves failed to lift confidence.
Wall Street stocks sank more than 10 per cent after a brief suspension triggered by steep losses, following sharp nosedives in European markets.
"The biggest concern has to be that the big G7 central banks have exhausted their policy tool kit, especially the biggest and most influential one of them all, the Fed," said AxiCorp''s Stephen Innes.
Major world airlines on Monday axed almost all flights temporarily, triggering pleas to help carriers survive.
China provided more evidence of COVID-19's dire economic impact, announcing factory output had contracted for the first time in nearly 30 years.
There have been scenes of panic-buying around the world as anxious people stock up on essentials fearing a lengthy period of enforced quarantine.
Larry Grossman, manager at a Manhattan supermarket, said he had never seen anything like it in 40 years.
"I have been through Hurricane Sandy... through 9/11, I have never seen shopping like this," he told AFP as he restocked empty shelves.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-03-17--Football's Euro 2020 postponed for a year due to coronavirus

UEFA on Tuesday postponed football 's Euro 2020 Championship in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic .
UEFA announced on Tuesday the postponement of football 's Euro 2020 Championship in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic .
UEFA has put all club and national team competitions for men and women `` on hold until further notice '' , European football 's governing body said in a statement on Tuesday after deciding to postpone Euro 2020 for a year due to the coronavirus outbreak .
The decision puts a halt to the current Champions League and Europa League matches , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standstill by the coronavirus pandemic .
The playoffs for Euro 2020 , which were scheduled for the end of March , will now be played at the start of June `` subject to a review of the situation , ” said the body .
UEFA said it has set up a `` working group '' involving leagues and club representatives to examine the overall calendar situation facing the game with the bulk of the continent 's domestic championships having stopped play .
The group will aim to find `` solutions that would allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and any other consequence of the decisions made today.
” Among the major unresolved issues facing UEFA is how to finish the current European club competitions , including the Champions League which is currently in its last 16 phase .

UEFA announced on Tuesday the postponement of football's Euro 2020 Championship in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
UEFA on Tuesday postponed football's Euro 2020 Championship in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
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UEFA has put all club and national team competitions for men and women "on hold until further notice", European football's governing body said in a statement on Tuesday after deciding to postpone Euro 2020 for a year due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The decision puts a halt to the current Champions League and Europa League matches, with global sport being brought to a virtual standstill by the coronavirus pandemic.
The playoffs for Euro 2020, which were scheduled for the end of March, will now be played at the start of June "subject to a review of the situation,” said the body.
UEFA said it has set up a "working group" involving leagues and club representatives to examine the overall calendar situation facing the game with the bulk of the continent's domestic championships having stopped play.
The group will aim to find "solutions that would allow for the completion of the current season and any other consequence of the decisions made today.”
Among the major unresolved issues facing UEFA is how to finish the current European club competitions, including the Champions League which is currently in its last 16 phase.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-17--‘Elderly hour’: Australian supermarkets open just for older shoppers

Some supermarkets in Australia opened early on Tuesday .
But for one hour , only the elderly and the disabled were allowed in , a way to give those most at risk a chance to shop away from the crowds amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Following scenes of panic buying for items such as toilet paper in Australia and elsewhere , Woolworths , the country ’ s largest supermarket chain , decided to set aside one hour a week to allow only those with disabilities or aged over 60 to enter .
But while some shoppers praised the initiative others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some items and long queues outside several supermarkets .
`` It is important but I do n't think it is the best way .
The best way , I think must be delivery at home , '' said one elderly shopper in Sydney .
`` Why they 're doing the seven to eight if you 've got no stock on the shelf , '' added another .
`` Pointless exercise . ''
Australia is not the only country to try out elderly-only shopping .
Similar initiatives have been launched by certain supermarkets in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland .

Some supermarkets in Australia opened early on Tuesday. But for one hour, only the elderly and the disabled were allowed in, a way to give those most at risk a chance to shop away from the crowds amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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Following scenes of panic buying for items such as toilet paper in Australia and elsewhere, Woolworths, the country’s largest supermarket chain, decided to set aside one hour a week to allow only those with disabilities or aged over 60 to enter.
But while some shoppers praised the initiative others complained of a lack of stock of some items and long queues outside several supermarkets.
"It is important but I don't think it is the best way. The best way, I think must be delivery at home," said one elderly shopper in Sydney.
"Why they're doing the seven to eight if you've got no stock on the shelf," added another. "Pointless exercise."
Australia is not the only country to try out elderly-only shopping. Similar initiatives have been launched by certain supermarkets in countries including the UK, France and Ireland.
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france24--2020-03-17--Author Angie Thomas on her follow-up to phenomenon 'The Hate U Give'

Author Angie Thomas on her follow-up to phenomenon 'The Hate U Give' Her debut book `` The Hate U Give @ @ @ @ @ sensitive and contentious subjects in America today : race , privilege and the killings of @ @ @ @ @ hands of the police .
It spent more than a hundred weeks on the NYT @ @ @ @ @ into a movie .
Angie Thomas speaks to Eve Jackson about writing a blockbuster young-adult @ @ @ @ @ `` On the Come Up '' that 's just been translated into French and why @ @ @ @ @ hip-hop as an art form .

Author Angie Thomas on her follow-up to phenomenon 'The Hate U Give'
11:51 Angie Thomas speaks to Eve Jackson about writing a blockbuster young-adult phenomenon, "The Hate U Give". © FRANCE 24
Her debut book "The Hate U Give" talked about the most sensitive and contentious subjects in America today: race, privilege and the killings of unarmed black people at the hands of the police. It spent more than a hundred weeks on the NYT bestsellers list and was made into a movie. Angie Thomas speaks to Eve Jackson about writing a blockbuster young-adult phenomenon, her new book "On the Come Up" that's just been translated into French and why she wanted to talk about hip-hop as an art form.


france24--2020-03-16--Dystopia vs reality: The sci-fi films helping us gain a critical outlook on society

As COVID-19 spreads throughout the world , we take a look at certain sci-fi movies and dystopian novels that had perhaps predicted certain consequences of such an outbreak .
In this edition , we also explore the influence and the critical outlook that TV series can have on science and innovation but also politics and society at large .
From `` Black Mirror '' to `` Westworld '' , many series are centered around dark themes examining modern society .
They bring a critical outlook to how human beings use new technology and how it influences their lives .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Westworld '' is no different .
The TV series , which is set in a Western-themed amusement park filled with conscious androids , premiered on OCS on March 15 here in France .
Our correspondents in Los Angeles tell us how the reality of technology is catching up with the imagination of authors and scriptwriters .
Plus , we speak to French author Jean-Pierre Andrevon about how sci-fi novels have helped us gain a critical outlook on political regimes like dictatorships .
And in Test 24 , we try Hap2U , a device @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense of touch in tactile devices .

As COVID-19 spreads throughout the world, we take a look at certain sci-fi movies and dystopian novels that had perhaps predicted certain consequences of such an outbreak. In this edition, we also explore the influence and the critical outlook that TV series can have on science and innovation but also politics and society at large.
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From "Black Mirror" to "Westworld", many series are centered around dark themes examining modern society. They bring a critical outlook to how human beings use new technology and how it influences their lives. In its latest season, HBO's "Westworld" is no different. The TV series, which is set in a Western-themed amusement park filled with conscious androids, premiered on OCS on March 15 here in France. Our correspondents in Los Angeles tell us how the reality of technology is catching up with the imagination of authors and scriptwriters.
Plus, we speak to French author Jean-Pierre Andrevon about how sci-fi novels have helped us gain a critical outlook on political regimes like dictatorships.
And in Test 24, we try Hap2U, a device that enhances digital experiences by integrating the sense of touch in tactile devices.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-03-17--European, Asian stocks settle but analysts predict more volatility

A stock trader looks at his screens during a trading session at Frankfurt 's stock exchange as markets react to the coronavirus pandemic in Frankfurt , Germany on March 16 , 2020 .
European and Asian stock markets steadied Tuesday following Wall Street 's sharpest daily drop in more than three decades , with analysts forecasting more volatility as governments and central banks scramble to try and calm the panic .
The dollar bounced back from heavy losses against the euro on Monday , while oil prices also recovered .
European stock markets surged around 5 percent in early deals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the gains .
`` As has been the case every time the European markets have tried to rebound , it is not going to be smooth sailing , '' noted Connor Campbell , analyst at Spreadex trading group .
Wall Street indices collapsed Monday in their worst day since 1987 , with the S & P 500 and Nasdaq dropping about 12 percent and the Dow sinking nearly 13 percent .
US futures rallied Tuesday .
Sentiment was buoyed by reports that US President Donald Trump will ask Congress to approve a massive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contain the growing economic damage from the pandemic , in line with similar moves taken by European governments .
Trump acknowledged the US `` may be '' heading into a recession due to the virus .
However , he added that the crisis should wash through the economy by August , after which there would be a `` tremendous surge in the stock market '' .
In a move meant to help tame the massive volatility in the markets caused by the coronavirus outbreak , the French bourse regulator on Tuesday banned short-selling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Taking into account the significant losses in recent days on the financial markets , the Financial Markets Authority ( AMF ) has decided to take an urgent step , '' it said in a statement .
The ban order covers mostly bank and financial stocks .
Investors use short-selling to bet the market will fall , putting tremendous downward pressure on prices at a time when buying interest is virtually non-existent .
While governments and central banks attempt to soothe markets with massive stimulus pledges and interest rate cuts , more countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak 's spread — bringing the world economy juddering to a halt .
Airlines ask for billions in aid There is a broad consensus that the disease , which has wiped trillions off market valuations , will cause a global recession , with the airline industry among the first in the firing line , leading company heads to plead for billions of dollars in state help to prevent them going under .
The Italian government Tuesday said it intends to re-nationalise the bankrupt former national carrier Alitalia under an emergency economic rescue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other central banks have failed to appease markets , with investors still running towards the exit door of risk assets as governments step up their radical measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak , '' said National Australia Bank 's Rodrigo Catril .
The Philippines became the first country to shut down its stock market as the country goes into lockdown , and the bourse will be closed until further notice .
Sydney 's stock market closed up 5.8 percent Tuesday , a day after crashing 9.7 percent in its worst day on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the rest of Asia swung in and out of positive territory through the day .
Tokyo ended up 0.1 percent after a roller-coaster session , Hong Kong added 0.9 percent and Mumbai rose 0.7 percent , while Bangkok was slightly higher .
But Shanghai slipped 0.3 percent , while Jakarta sank more than 4 percent .
Seoul , Taipei and Singapore were all down .
Wellington dipped despite New Zealand becoming the latest country to announce monetary support , unveiling a US $ 7.3 billion package of measures .
That was followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 50 billion ) aid pledge by France for its businesses .
'Crying out ' for help '' The message from markets is that as much as monetary stimulus is a welcome move , lowering the price of borrowing and increasing liquidity are not enough , '' added analyst Catril .
`` The required COVID-19 measures are hampering the global economy and with activity grinding to a halt , governments need to step in and provide support .
Markets are crying out for more fiscal backing . ''
G7 leaders on Monday vowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and `` do whatever it takes , using all policy tools '' , after a meeting held via videoconference .
Oil prices climbed slightly after Monday 's collapse that saw Brent falling more than 12 percent to a four-year low , and WTI sliding below $ 30 per barrel .
Adding to the weakness in crude markets is the price war between major producers Saudi Arabia and Russia .

European and Asian stock markets steadied Tuesday following Wall Street's sharpest daily drop in more than three decades, with analysts forecasting more volatility as governments and central banks scramble to try and calm the panic.
A stock trader looks at his screens during a trading session at Frankfurt's stock exchange as markets react to the coronavirus pandemic in Frankfurt, Germany on March 16, 2020.
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The dollar bounced back from heavy losses against the euro on Monday, while oil prices also recovered.
European stock markets surged around 5 percent in early deals Tuesday before either limiting or erasing all the gains.
"As has been the case every time the European markets have tried to rebound, it is not going to be smooth sailing," noted Connor Campbell, analyst at Spreadex trading group.
Wall Street indices collapsed Monday in their worst day since 1987, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq dropping about 12 percent and the Dow sinking nearly 13 percent. US futures rallied Tuesday.
Sentiment was buoyed by reports that US President Donald Trump will ask Congress to approve a massive $850 billion emergency spending package to contain the growing economic damage from the pandemic, in line with similar moves taken by European governments.
Trump acknowledged the US "may be" heading into a recession due to the virus. However, he added that the crisis should wash through the economy by August, after which there would be a "tremendous surge in the stock market".
In a move meant to help tame the massive volatility in the markets caused by the coronavirus outbreak, the French bourse regulator on Tuesday banned short-selling in 92 stocks for the day.
"Taking into account the significant losses in recent days on the financial markets, the Financial Markets Authority (AMF) has decided to take an urgent step," it said in a statement.
The ban order covers mostly bank and financial stocks.
Investors use short-selling to bet the market will fall, putting tremendous downward pressure on prices at a time when buying interest is virtually non-existent.
While governments and central banks attempt to soothe markets with massive stimulus pledges and interest rate cuts, more countries are going into lockdown to prevent the outbreak's spread — bringing the world economy juddering to a halt.
Airlines ask for billions in aid
There is a broad consensus that the disease, which has wiped trillions off market valuations, will cause a global recession, with the airline industry among the first in the firing line, leading company heads to plead for billions of dollars in state help to prevent them going under.
The Italian government Tuesday said it intends to re-nationalise the bankrupt former national carrier Alitalia under an emergency economic rescue.
"Drastic measures by the Federal Reserve and other central banks have failed to appease markets, with investors still running towards the exit door of risk assets as governments step up their radical measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak," said National Australia Bank's Rodrigo Catril.
The Philippines became the first country to shut down its stock market as the country goes into lockdown, and the bourse will be closed until further notice.
Sydney's stock market closed up 5.8 percent Tuesday, a day after crashing 9.7 percent in its worst day on record.
But after an early advance, the rest of Asia swung in and out of positive territory through the day.
Tokyo ended up 0.1 percent after a roller-coaster session, Hong Kong added 0.9 percent and Mumbai rose 0.7 percent, while Bangkok was slightly higher.
But Shanghai slipped 0.3 percent, while Jakarta sank more than 4 percent. Seoul, Taipei and Singapore were all down.
Wellington dipped despite New Zealand becoming the latest country to announce monetary support, unveiling a US $7.3 billion package of measures.
That was followed later Tuesday by a €45 billion ($50 billion) aid pledge by France for its businesses.
'Crying out' for help
"The message from markets is that as much as monetary stimulus is a welcome move, lowering the price of borrowing and increasing liquidity are not enough," added analyst Catril.
"The required COVID-19 measures are hampering the global economy and with activity grinding to a halt, governments need to step in and provide support. Markets are crying out for more fiscal backing."
G7 leaders on Monday vowed to coordinate their response to the virus and "do whatever it takes, using all policy tools", after a meeting held via videoconference.
Oil prices climbed slightly after Monday's collapse that saw Brent falling more than 12 percent to a four-year low, and WTI sliding below $30 per barrel.
Adding to the weakness in crude markets is the price war between major producers Saudi Arabia and Russia.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-03-17--French lockdown comes into force in bid to curtail spread of deadly virus

France entered a 15-day lockdown at midday on Tuesday that will require people to remain at home except for essential outings in a bid to curtail the coronavirus outbreak .
The French government has said tens of thousands of police will be patrolling streets and issuing fines of 38 to 135 euros for people without a written declaration justifying their reasons for being out .
France is the latest country to impose draconian restrictions affecting the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world .
European leaders also plan to ban all non-essential travel into the continent on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic that has killed thousands , upended society and battered economies .
With French President Emmanuel Macron describing the battle against COVID-19 as a `` war '' , governments around the world are scrambling to keep the public safe with measures rarely seen in peacetime , slamming borders shut and forcing citizens to stay home .
COVID-19 has now killed more than 7,000 people worldwide , including over 2,100 in Italy , the worst-hit country outside China , and more than 180,000 cases have been recorded in 145 countries .
On Tuesday morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stations and took to the highway to escape the French capital before the midday lockdown deadline .
The Paris exodus drew dismay from provincial France , where many fear that city-dwellers will bring the virus with them and accelerate its spread .
Health Minister Olivier Veran said the government had no intention of preventing people travelling to secondary residences but said the stringent restrictions on public life would apply on the coast as they would in the city .
Most shops , restaurants and tourist sites in the world 's most visited country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas desperate shoppers crowded supermarkets before the new rules took effect .
About 100,000 police and gendarmes will be out on the streets to enforce the lockdown , after Macron warned violations would be punished .
People will be allowed to step outside for essential activities , such as buying groceries , walking their dogs or seeking medical help , but must carry a signed form explaining where they are headed and why .
The form can be downloaded here .
In the absence of a printer , a written document will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dated and states full name , address , date of birth and reason for travel .
Travelling to work is permitted so long as the work is essential and can not be done from home .
`` We are at war , a public health war certainly .
We are fighting not against an army or another nation .
But the enemy is there , invisible and elusive and on the move , '' Macron said in a sombre address on Monday .
With European nations already closing their borders , European Commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would ask the leaders of the bloc 's Schengen visa-free border zone to stop all non-essential travel into the area .
This follows a ban on inbound travel to the United States , whose President Donald Trump steeled the nation for a fight against the virus that he warned could last months .
The head of the World Health Organization called Monday for every suspected coronavirus case to be tested , something which would send the known tally of the sick sky-rocketing .
`` You can not fight a fire while blindfolded , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Test , test , test .
Test every suspected case . ''

France entered a 15-day lockdown at midday on Tuesday that will require people to remain at home except for essential outings in a bid to curtail the coronavirus outbreak.
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The French government has said tens of thousands of police will be patrolling streets and issuing fines of 38 to 135 euros for people without a written declaration justifying their reasons for being out.
France is the latest country to impose draconian restrictions affecting the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world. European leaders also plan to ban all non-essential travel into the continent on Tuesday in a bid to stem a pandemic that has killed thousands, upended society and battered economies.
With French President Emmanuel Macron describing the battle against COVID-19 as a "war", governments around the world are scrambling to keep the public safe with measures rarely seen in peacetime, slamming borders shut and forcing citizens to stay home.
Strange view: Deserted #EiffelTower, one of the most visited places in the world. From 12 pm today all #France on lockdown. You can't even go for a walk with your child. Only jogging. #COVID19france #Paris #TourEffel pic.twitter.com/iPmQwjhEld — Karolina Borońska-Hryniewiecka (@K_Boronska) March 17, 2020
COVID-19 has now killed more than 7,000 people worldwide, including over 2,100 in Italy, the worst-hit country outside China, and more than 180,000 cases have been recorded in 145 countries.
Paris exodus
On Tuesday morning, Parisians thronged the city's rail stations and took to the highway to escape the French capital before the midday lockdown deadline.
The Paris exodus drew dismay from provincial France, where many fear that city-dwellers will bring the virus with them and accelerate its spread.
Health Minister Olivier Veran said the government had no intention of preventing people travelling to secondary residences but said the stringent restrictions on public life would apply on the coast as they would in the city.
Most shops, restaurants and tourist sites in the world's most visited country are already shuttered, but in some areas desperate shoppers crowded supermarkets before the new rules took effect.
About 100,000 police and gendarmes will be out on the streets to enforce the lockdown, after Macron warned violations would be punished.
Lockdown pass
People will be allowed to step outside for essential activities, such as buying groceries, walking their dogs or seeking medical help, but must carry a signed form explaining where they are headed and why.
The form can be downloaded here. In the absence of a printer, a written document will be accepted, as long as it is dated and states full name, address, date of birth and reason for travel.
France lockdown info 1/
Here’s the form France residents need for the next fortnight if they want to leave their homes (whole country inc. all overseas territories)https://t.co/qtxaztR0gC#coronavirus #CoronavirusFrance #F24 cc @BritishInEurope pic.twitter.com/vGTXzAzksC — Catherine Nicholson (@ACatInParis) March 17, 2020
Travelling to work is permitted so long as the work is essential and cannot be done from home.
Border closures
"We are at war, a public health war certainly. We are fighting not against an army or another nation. But the enemy is there, invisible and elusive and on the move," Macron said in a sombre address on Monday.
With European nations already closing their borders, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she would ask the leaders of the bloc's Schengen visa-free border zone to stop all non-essential travel into the area.
Happy St. Paddy's Day! French dailies this morn featuring Macron's "state of war" against "invisible" #CoronavirusFrance enemy theme. Le Parisien picked "French people stay home". Let's see if famously rebellious French peeps comply. pic.twitter.com/IsEAUoSSUd — leela jacinto (@leelajacinto) March 17, 2020
This follows a ban on inbound travel to the United States, whose President Donald Trump steeled the nation for a fight against the virus that he warned could last months.
The head of the World Health Organization called Monday for every suspected coronavirus case to be tested, something which would send the known tally of the sick sky-rocketing.
"You cannot fight a fire while blindfolded," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told journalists. "Test, test, test. Test every suspected case."
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-03-18--EU leaders agree to close external borders amid coronavirus crisis

European Union leaders agreed Tuesday to immediately impose travel restrictions on most foreigners entering Europe for at least 30 days to limit the spread of the new coronavirus , and to set up fast-track transport lanes to keep vital medical equipment , food and goods flowing smoothly inside the bloc .
As the virus case count in Europe climbed to over 60,000 and with more than 2,700 people dead , nervous national governments have introduced quick-fix measures such as partial border closures and quarantines with little consultation .
The EU sought over three hours of video talks to forge a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also wreaking economic havoc .
“ We reaffirmed the need to work together and do everything necessary to tackle the crisis and its consequences , '' European Council President Charles Michel told reporters .
He said the 27 EU countries agreed to impose border restrictions on tourism and non-essential business “ as fast as possible.
” The plan exempts long-term EU residents , diplomats , some healthcare and transport workers .
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said her proposal for the restrictions `` got a lot of support by the member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them now to implement .
They said they will immediately do that . ''
Chancellor Angela Merkel said the leaders agreed in a conference call to an entry ban with `` very , very limited exceptions , '' and that Germany would start implementing it immediately .
Merkel said citizens of Switzerland , Liechtenstein , the United Kingdom and Norway are exempt .
The EU leaders also agreed to coordinate the repatriation of EU citizens stranded outside the bloc , she said .
Von der Leyen said they also backed a proposal to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trucks and other priority vehicles aimed at beating the traffic jams that have formed around crossing points on internal borders , where no ID or vehicle checks were required just days ago .
Those transport guidelines , she said , `` have to be implemented now ” The leaders agreed to meet again for a third video conference and to cancel a summit they planned to attend in Brussels late next week .
“ We are ready to do everything that is required .
We shall not hesitate to take additional measures as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leyen told reporters .
In a new update Tuesday , the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said that 61,098 cases of the coronavirus have now been reported in Europe and that 2,740 people have died , the overwhelming majority in Italy .
After Italy , ground zero in Europe ’ s battle with COVID-19 , Spain and now France have imposed lock-downs , confining citizens to their homes except for urgent business like buying food or heading to any hospital that might still have the capacity to treat them .
Nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the EU ’ s executive body , that they ’ ve reintroduced ID checks inside Europe ’ s passport-free Schengen Area .
Among them are Austria , Hungary , the Czech Republic and Poland , which all took unilateral action to halt the influx of migrants in 2015 .
Indeed , it is a similar challenge that leaders are grappling with as they confront the coronavirus - how to ensure that the fraying solidarity among partners in the same European club does not completely unravel as the crisis deepens .
Asked Monday whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free travel after this , Merkel said : `` I hope so .
But it 's been shown that coordination did n't work well everywhere the way one would have hoped . ''
The EU proposals endorsed Tuesday are relatively modest , as Europe ’ s centralized powers in this crisis are limited .
While it may be a Union , the world ’ s biggest trading bloc remains an accumulation of 27 individual countries , some with populist and far-right governments that reject orders from Brussels .
“ In recent days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis said Saturday as he announced the closure of retail businesses in his country .
“ We didn ’ t need to wait for Brussels to give us any advice.
” In times of crisis , Europe ’ s machinery is painfully slow .
Like a super-butler dealing with an unpredictable 27-headed master , the EU ’ s massive bureaucracy offers ideas , proposes plans and occasionally cajoles but often it must wait for approval .

Desperate travelers choked European border crossings on Wednesday after nations implemented strict controls in an attempt to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, creating traffic jams miles long and slowing the passage of trucks carrying critical supplies.
Trucks are stuck on a highway near Fuerstenwalde, southeast of Berlin and about 50 kilometres from the Polish border, on March 18, 2020, as Polish border authorities conducted strenuous health checks.
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The number of people infected worldwide crested the 200,000 mark and deaths topped 8,000, with the number of people now recovered at more than 82,000, according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.
In an attempt to alleviate some of the pressure from eastern Europeans stuck in Austria trying to return home, Hungary overnight opened its borders in phases. Bulgarian citizens were first allowed to cross in carefully controlled convoys, then Romanians had a turn.
But by early Wednesday on the Austrian side of the border, trucks were backed up for 28 kilometers (17 miles) and cars for 14 kilometers (nearly 9 miles) as rules allowing only Hungarians or transport trucks through the country's borders kicked back in.
01:28
European Union leaders have been working on how to make sure that food, medical supplies and other essential goods keep flowing but so far borders have been clogged. Looking ahead, they're also trying to figure out ways to allow seasonal agricultural workers, needed to keep the production of food going, to travel back and forth across essentially closed borders.
Nations around the world were facing the same issues, with the U.S. and Canada working on a mutual ban on nonessential travel between the two countries.
In Southeast Asia, the causeway between Malaysia and the financial hub of Singapore was eerily quiet after Malaysia shut its borders, while the Philippines backed down on an order giving foreigners 72 hours to leave from a large part of its main island.
President Donald Trump's administration was considering a plan to immediately return to Mexico all people who cross America's southern border illegally, according to two officials who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the plan hasn’t been finalized.
The coronavirus is now present in every U.S. state after West Virginia reported an infection. In far-flung Hawaii, the governor encouraged travelers to postpone their island vacations for at least the next 30 days, while the governor of Nevada - home to Las Vegas - ordered a monthlong closure of the state's casinos
Increasingly worried about the economic fallout of the global shutdown, the U.S., Britain and the Netherlands announced rescue packages totaling hundreds of billions of dollars, while longtime International Monetary Fund critic Venezuela asked the institution for a $5 billion loan.
Major Asian stock markets fell back Wednesday after early gains after Wall Street jumped on Trump's promise of aid.
In Brussels, Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, said there had been "a unanimous and united approach” to the decision to prohibit most foreigners from entering the EU for 30 days.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said European leaders agreed in a conference call to the commission's proposal for an entry ban to the bloc - along with Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Britain - with "very, very limited exceptions." Germany will implement the decision immediately.
But so far, EU efforts to smooth the transition have failed.
On Wednesday, thousands of trucks remained backed up in Lithuania on roads into Poland, after Warsaw ordered strict measures that include testing every driver for COVID-19 symptoms. The line of trucks was 60 kilometers (37 miles) long on Tuesday night.
“The Polish and Lithuanian governments have opened a second crossing, but that did not help much,” said border police spokesman Rokas Pukinsas.
Travel bans in Asia
Elsewhere, droves of Malaysians endured hourslong traffic jams as they sought to get into Singapore before the border closure. More than 300,000 people commute daily to Singapore to work and many have chosen to stay there during the lockdown.
Malaysia's restricted movement order came after a sharp spike in coronavirus cases to 673, making it the worst-affected country in Southeast Asia.
The self-governing island of Taiwan said Wednesday that it too would ban foreigners from entry and Taiwanese would have to self-quarantine at home for 14 days.
In Thailand, Bangkok's notorious red light districts were due to go dark Wednesday after a government order closing bars, schools, movie theaters and many other venues.
Even tourists on Ecuador's iconic Galapagos islands - 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) off the South American mainland - have been affected. Canadian Jessy Lamontaine and her family were stuck on the island when flights were suspended and they missed the last trip out.
“I was in tears this morning,” Lamontaine said. “I couldn’t get any answers from the airline. I had no money and didn’t know whether I was going to keep my job.”
Galapagos Gov. Norman Wray said the 2,000 foreigners who remain on the archipelago in the next week may be able to leave on charter or government-approved flights.
So far, 81,000 people have recovered from the virus, mostly in China. The virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, for most people, but severe illness is more likely in the elderly and people with existing health problems.
In Italy, the hardest hit nation after China, infections jumped to 27,980 on Tuesday. With 2,503 deaths, Italy accounts for a third of the global death toll.
Spain, the fourth-most infected country, saw its cases soar by more than 2,000 in one day to 11,178. Virus-related deaths jumped to 491, a toll that included 17 elderly residents of a Madrid nursing home. Among them was the 86-year-old diabetic grandmother of Ainhoa Ruiz.
“We feel totally helpless and devastated because my grandma spent her last week only with her husband and caretakers but no other relatives,” Ruiz said.
Hope in Wuhan
Some bright spots emerged. Wuhan, the central Chinese city where the virus was first detected late last year and which has been under lockdown for weeks, reported just one new case for a second straight day Wednesday.
In the U.S., the death toll surpassed 100, and officials urged older Americans and those with health problems to stay home. They also recommended all gatherings be capped at 10 people.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio warned that residents should be prepared for the possibility of a shelter-in-place order within days. A shelter-in-place order in the San Francisco Bay Area, requiring most residents to leave their homes only for food, medicine or exercise for three weeks, is the most sweeping lockdown in the U.S.
Janitor Miguel Aguirre, his wife and two children were the only people on a normally bustling street near City Hall. He showed up to work because he needed the money but his supervisor texted him to leave. He brought his two daughters because schools had closed. He already lost his second job at a hotel when tourism conferences were canceled.
“If we don't work, we don't eat,” said Aguirre.
(AP)
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france24--2020-03-18--Fearing coronavirus recession, France announces €45 billion in business aid

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire leaves after the weekly cabinet meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris , France March 4 , 2020 .
France 's finance minister said Tuesday that he was willing to nationalise large companies to protect them from bankruptcy , while warning that the country faces recession this year as the coronavirus epidemic sinks the economy .
Bruno Le Maire announced a 45 billion euro ( $ 50 billion ) aid package to help businesses and employees cope with the escalating health crisis .
`` I will not hesitate to use any means at my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the minister said during a conference call with journalists .
`` This can be through capital injections or stake purchases .
I can even use the term nationalisation if necessary , '' he said .
Le Maire earlier described the struggle against the coronavirus pandemic as an `` economic and financial war . ''
`` It will be lengthy , it will be violent ... this war will require us to mobilise all our forces , '' he told RTL radio .
Additional economic support measures will be announced shortly , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a growth forecast of minus one percent , that is to say negative growth . ''
France 's national debt will exceed 100 percent of GDP this year , he added , well above the European Union 's guidelines of not more than 60 percent .
France 's markets regulator also moved Tuesday to ban short-selling in 92 stocks for the day in a bid to tame the fierce volatility on financial markets as nervous investors try to assess the virus ' economic toll .
Short-selling involves borrowing shares to sell them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so they can be bought back cheaper , allowing the investor to pocket the difference .
The practice can put immense downward pressure on prices at times when buyer interest is virtually non-existent .
France 's Financial Markets Authority ( AMF ) said that `` taking into account the significant losses in recent days on the financial markets '' it had decided `` an urgent step '' was needed .
The short-selling ban would last all day Tuesday for stocks especially hard hit when a global sell-off saw Wall Street plunge nearly 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was prepared to impose a short-selling ban of up to a month if necessary .
The Paris market , like its European peers , did slightly better in early trade Tuesday , gaining 4.0 percent , helped in part by the short-selling ban , dealers said .
By mid-morning , however , gains were being eroded as virus worries once again came to the fore .

France's finance minister said Tuesday that he was willing to nationalise large companies to protect them from bankruptcy, while warning that the country faces recession this year as the coronavirus epidemic sinks the economy.
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire leaves after the weekly cabinet meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France March 4, 2020.
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Bruno Le Maire announced a 45 billion euro ($50 billion) aid package to help businesses and employees cope with the escalating health crisis.
"I will not hesitate to use any means at my disposal to protect large French enterprises," the minister said during a conference call with journalists.
"This can be through capital injections or stake purchases. I can even use the term nationalisation if necessary," he said.
Le Maire earlier described the struggle against the coronavirus pandemic as an "economic and financial war."
"It will be lengthy, it will be violent... this war will require us to mobilise all our forces," he told RTL radio.
Additional economic support measures will be announced shortly, he said, and will be based "on a growth forecast of minus one percent, that is to say negative growth."
France's national debt will exceed 100 percent of GDP this year, he added, well above the European Union's guidelines of not more than 60 percent.
France's markets regulator also moved Tuesday to ban short-selling in 92 stocks for the day in a bid to tame the fierce volatility on financial markets as nervous investors try to assess the virus' economic toll.
Short-selling involves borrowing shares to sell them, effectively betting their price will fall so they can be bought back cheaper, allowing the investor to pocket the difference.
The practice can put immense downward pressure on prices at times when buyer interest is virtually non-existent.
France's Financial Markets Authority (AMF) said that "taking into account the significant losses in recent days on the financial markets" it had decided "an urgent step" was needed.
The short-selling ban would last all day Tuesday for stocks especially hard hit when a global sell-off saw Wall Street plunge nearly 13 percent on Monday.
Le Maire said he was prepared to impose a short-selling ban of up to a month if necessary.
The Paris market, like its European peers, did slightly better in early trade Tuesday, gaining 4.0 percent, helped in part by the short-selling ban, dealers said.
By mid-morning, however, gains were being eroded as virus worries once again came to the fore.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-18--Avoid ibuprofen for coronavirus symptoms, WHO says

The World Health Organization recommended Tuesday that people suffering COVID-19 symptoms avoid taking ibuprofen , after French officials warned that anti-inflammatory drugs could worsen effects of the virus .
The warning by France Health Minister Olivier Veran followed a recent study in The Lancet medical journal that hypothesised that an enzyme boosted by anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen could facilitate and worsen COVID-19 infections .
Asked about the study , WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier told reporters in Geneva the UN health agency 's experts were `` looking into this to give further guidance . ''
`` In the meantime , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not use ibuprofen as a self-medication .
That 's important , '' he said .
He added that if ibuprofen had been `` prescribed by the healthcare professionals , then , of course , that 's up to them . ''
His comments came after Veran sent a tweet cautioning that the use of ibuprofen and similar anti-inflammatory drugs could be `` an aggravating factor '' in COVID-19 infections .
`` In the case of fever , take paracetamol , '' he wrote .
The French minister stressed that patients already being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from their doctor .
Paracetamol must be taken strictly according to the recommended dose , because too much of it can damage the liver .
The COVID-19 pandemic , which has infected around 190,000 people worldwide and killed more than 7,800 , causes mild symptoms in most people , but can result in pneumonia and in some cases severe illness that can lead to multiple organ failure .
Even before the pandemic , French authorities sounded the alarm over serious `` infectious complications '' linked to the use of ibuprofen , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Advil , and other anti-inflammatory drugs .
A spokesperson for British pharmaceutical company Reckitt Benckiser , which makes Nurofen , said in an email statement that the company was aware of concerns raised about `` the use of steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory ( NSAIDs ) products , including ibuprofen , for the alleviation of COVID-19 symptoms . ''
“ Consumer safety is our number one priority , '' the spokesperson said , stressing that `` Ibuprofen is a well-established medicine that has been used safely as a self-care fever and pain reducer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 30 years . ''
`` We do not currently believe there is any proven scientific evidence linking over-the-counter use of ibuprofen to the aggravation of COVID-19 , '' the statement said .
The spokesperson said Reckitt Benckiser was `` engaging with the WHO , EMA ( the European Medicines Agency ) and other local health authorities '' on the issue and would provide `` any additional information or guidance necessary for the safe use of our products following any such evaluation . ''

The World Health Organization recommended Tuesday that people suffering COVID-19 symptoms avoid taking ibuprofen, after French officials warned that anti-inflammatory drugs could worsen effects of the virus.
Advertising Read more
The warning by France Health Minister Olivier Veran followed a recent study in The Lancet medical journal that hypothesised that an enzyme boosted by anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen could facilitate and worsen COVID-19 infections.
Asked about the study, WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier told reporters in Geneva the UN health agency's experts were "looking into this to give further guidance."
"In the meantime, we recommend using rather paracetamol, and do not use ibuprofen as a self-medication. That's important," he said.
He added that if ibuprofen had been "prescribed by the healthcare professionals, then, of course, that's up to them."
His comments came after Veran sent a tweet cautioning that the use of ibuprofen and similar anti-inflammatory drugs could be "an aggravating factor" in COVID-19 infections.
"In the case of fever, take paracetamol," he wrote.
The French minister stressed that patients already being treated with anti-inflammatory drugs should ask advice from their doctor.
Paracetamol must be taken strictly according to the recommended dose, because too much of it can damage the liver.
The COVID-19 pandemic, which has infected around 190,000 people worldwide and killed more than 7,800, causes mild symptoms in most people, but can result in pneumonia and in some cases severe illness that can lead to multiple organ failure.
Even before the pandemic, French authorities sounded the alarm over serious "infectious complications" linked to the use of ibuprofen, which is sold under various brands like Nurofen and Advil, and other anti-inflammatory drugs.
A spokesperson for British pharmaceutical company Reckitt Benckiser, which makes Nurofen, said in an email statement that the company was aware of concerns raised about "the use of steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) products, including ibuprofen, for the alleviation of COVID-19 symptoms."
“Consumer safety is our number one priority," the spokesperson said, stressing that "Ibuprofen is a well-established medicine that has been used safely as a self-care fever and pain reducer, including in viral illnesses, for more than 30 years."
"We do not currently believe there is any proven scientific evidence linking over-the-counter use of ibuprofen to the aggravation of COVID-19," the statement said.
The spokesperson said Reckitt Benckiser was "engaging with the WHO, EMA (the European Medicines Agency) and other local health authorities" on the issue and would provide "any additional information or guidance necessary for the safe use of our products following any such evaluation."
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-18--Biden strengthens lead over Sanders on virus-hit primary night

Democratic U.S. presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during the 11th Democratic candidates debate of the 2020 U.S. presidential campaign , held in CNN 's Washington studios without an audience because of the global coronavirus pandemic , in Washington , U.S. , March 15 , 2020 .
Joe Biden swept to victory in Florida , Illinois and Arizona on Tuesday , increasingly pulling away with a Democratic presidential primary upended by the coronavirus and building pressure on Bernie Sanders to abandon his campaign .
The former vice president ’ s third big night in as many weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contest collides with efforts to slow the spread of the virus that has shut down large swaths of American life .
Polls were shuttered in Ohio , and although balloting went ahead as scheduled in the three other states , election workers and voters reported problems .
Still , Biden ’ s quest for his party ’ s nomination now seems well within reach .
His trio of wins doubled his delegate haul over Sanders , giving the former vice president a nearly insurmountable lead .
Top Democratic leaders and donors have also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best option to square off against President Donald Trump in November .
Using a livestream to address supporters from his home state of Delaware , Biden seemed ready to move past the primary .
He paid tribute to the Vermont senator for advancing key issues like affordable health care and combating climate change .
“ Sen .
Sanders and his supporters have brought a remarkable passion and tenacity to all of these issues .
Together they have shifted the fundamental conversation in this country , ” Biden said .
“ So let me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have been inspired by Sen. Sanders , I hear you .
I know what ’ s at stake .
I know what we have to do.
” With the exception of North Dakota and the Northern Mariana Islands , Sanders hasn ’ t scored a victory since Super Tuesday on March 3 .
He made no immediate move on Tuesday to contact Biden , according to people familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak for the candidates .
During remarks early in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the future of the race and instead focused on the coronavirus outbreak .
Trump , meanwhile , formally clinched the Republican presidential nomination after facing minimal opposition .
But much of the action was on the Democratic side , where higher vote totals in some key states suggested enthusiasm that even the coronavirus couldn ’ t contain .
Turnout in Florida ’ s Democratic primary surpassed the 1.7 million who cast ballots four years ago .
Sanders ’ path to the nomination is quickly narrowing , and some Democrats are now calling on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of party unity .
Top advisers have said he ’ s considering whether the political landscape could look different as the virus continues to reshape life across the country .
Still , the race increasingly favors Biden .
He maintained strength on Tuesday with African Americans and older voters who have been the hallmark of his campaign .
He also appeared to chip away at Sanders ’ previous advantage with Hispanics that helped him win Nevada and California early in the race .
In Florida , Latinos made up roughly 20 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sided with Biden .
The former vice president received the support of 62 % of Puerto Rican voters and 57 % of Cubans , according to AP VoteCast , a broad survey of primary voters .
The public health and economic havoc wreaked by the coronavirus will nonetheless influence how the presidential contest unfolds .
Rallies and other big events have been canceled .
Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez urged states with upcoming primaries to expand vote-by-mail and absentee balloting , as well as polling station hours — trying to ensure the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward .
“ The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy , and we must do everything we can to protect and expand that right instead of bringing our democratic process to a halt , ” Perez said in a statement .
But the damage may have already happened .
Nowhere for Sanders to gain ground Four states — Louisiana , Georgia , Kentucky and Maryland — have joined Ohio in moving to push back their upcoming primaries , and others may yet do so .
That has left the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when Puerto Rico is scheduled to go to the polls .
But island leaders are working to reschedule balloting there , too .
That means there is nowhere for Sanders to gain ground on Biden anytime soon , even if he could find a way to mount a sudden surge .
At least one of Sanders ’ top advisers chided party officials for going forward with voting on Tuesday .
“ The Democratic Party rightly berates the GOP for ignoring scientists ’ warnings about climate change , ” David Sirota tweeted .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ warnings & pushed to continue in-person elections during a lethal pandemic , rather than delaying until there is vote by mail.
” There were problems across the country on Tuesday .
In Illinois , for instance , there was a push to relocate about 50 Chicago-area polling places after locations canceled at the last minute .
Jim Allen , a spokesman for the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners , said the board asked Democratic Gov .
J.B. Pritzker last week to cancel in-person voting , but the governor refused .
Pritzker countered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him the authority to make the sweeping changes that elections officials wanted .
“ Let me tell you this : It is exactly in times like these when the constitutional boundaries of our democracy should be respected above all else .
And if people want to criticize me for that , well , go ahead , ” the governor said .
There weren ’ t problems , everywhere , though .
Mel Dockens , a 49-year-old small-business owner , voted in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale and said it was a tough choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he thought Sanders ’ progressive views might turn off some Democratic voters .
“ It ’ s all about electability , ” Dockens said .
“ It ’ s not that I don ’ t trust Bernie Sanders , but I trust ( Biden ) a little more .
”

Joe Biden swept to victory in Florida, Illinois and Arizona on Tuesday, increasingly pulling away with a Democratic presidential primary upended by the coronavirus and building pressure on Bernie Sanders to abandon his campaign.
Democratic U.S. presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during the 11th Democratic candidates debate of the 2020 U.S. presidential campaign, held in CNN's Washington studios without an audience because of the global coronavirus pandemic, in Washington, U.S., March 15, 2020.
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The former vice president’s third big night in as many weeks came amid tremendous uncertainty as the Democratic contest collides with efforts to slow the spread of the virus that has shut down large swaths of American life. Polls were shuttered in Ohio, and although balloting went ahead as scheduled in the three other states, election workers and voters reported problems.
Still, Biden’s quest for his party’s nomination now seems well within reach. His trio of wins doubled his delegate haul over Sanders, giving the former vice president a nearly insurmountable lead. Top Democratic leaders and donors have also increasingly lined up behind Biden as the best option to square off against President Donald Trump in November.
00:34
Using a livestream to address supporters from his home state of Delaware, Biden seemed ready to move past the primary. He paid tribute to the Vermont senator for advancing key issues like affordable health care and combating climate change.
“Sen. Sanders and his supporters have brought a remarkable passion and tenacity to all of these issues. Together they have shifted the fundamental conversation in this country,” Biden said. “So let me say, especially to the young voters who have been inspired by Sen. Sanders, I hear you. I know what’s at stake. I know what we have to do.”
Impact of coronavirus
With the exception of North Dakota and the Northern Mariana Islands, Sanders hasn’t scored a victory since Super Tuesday on March 3. He made no immediate move on Tuesday to contact Biden, according to people familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak for the candidates. During remarks early in the night, Sanders said little about the future of the race and instead focused on the coronavirus outbreak.
Trump, meanwhile, formally clinched the Republican presidential nomination after facing minimal opposition.
But much of the action was on the Democratic side, where higher vote totals in some key states suggested enthusiasm that even the coronavirus couldn’t contain. Turnout in Florida’s Democratic primary surpassed the 1.7 million who cast ballots four years ago.
Sanders’ path to the nomination is quickly narrowing, and some Democrats are now calling on him to drop out in the name of party unity. Top advisers have said he’s considering whether the political landscape could look different as the virus continues to reshape life across the country.
Still, the race increasingly favors Biden. He maintained strength on Tuesday with African Americans and older voters who have been the hallmark of his campaign. He also appeared to chip away at Sanders’ previous advantage with Hispanics that helped him win Nevada and California early in the race.
In Florida, Latinos made up roughly 20% of Democratic primary voters, and they largely sided with Biden. The former vice president received the support of 62% of Puerto Rican voters and 57% of Cubans, according to AP VoteCast, a broad survey of primary voters.
The public health and economic havoc wreaked by the coronavirus will nonetheless influence how the presidential contest unfolds. Rallies and other big events have been canceled. Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez urged states with upcoming primaries to expand vote-by-mail and absentee balloting, as well as polling station hours — trying to ensure the primary isn’t further hampered going forward.
“The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy, and we must do everything we can to protect and expand that right instead of bringing our democratic process to a halt,” Perez said in a statement.
But the damage may have already happened.
Nowhere for Sanders to gain ground
Four states — Louisiana, Georgia, Kentucky and Maryland — have joined Ohio in moving to push back their upcoming primaries, and others may yet do so. That has left the Democratic primary calendar empty until March 29, when Puerto Rico is scheduled to go to the polls. But island leaders are working to reschedule balloting there, too.
That means there is nowhere for Sanders to gain ground on Biden anytime soon, even if he could find a way to mount a sudden surge.
At least one of Sanders’ top advisers chided party officials for going forward with voting on Tuesday.
“The Democratic Party rightly berates the GOP for ignoring scientists’ warnings about climate change,” David Sirota tweeted. “The same Dem Party just ignored scientists’ warnings & pushed to continue in-person elections during a lethal pandemic, rather than delaying until there is vote by mail.”
There were problems across the country on Tuesday. In Illinois, for instance, there was a push to relocate about 50 Chicago-area polling places after locations canceled at the last minute.
Jim Allen, a spokesman for the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, said the board asked Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker last week to cancel in-person voting, but the governor refused. Pritzker countered that state law doesn’t give him the authority to make the sweeping changes that elections officials wanted.
“Let me tell you this: It is exactly in times like these when the constitutional boundaries of our democracy should be respected above all else. And if people want to criticize me for that, well, go ahead,” the governor said.
There weren’t problems, everywhere, though. Mel Dockens, a 49-year-old small-business owner, voted in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale and said it was a tough choice. But he went for Biden because he thought Sanders’ progressive views might turn off some Democratic voters.
“It’s all about electability,” Dockens said. “It’s not that I don’t trust Bernie Sanders, but I trust (Biden) a little more.”
(AP)
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france24--2020-03-18--Australia declares emergency, invokes new powers to fight coronavirus

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday declared a “ human biosecurity emergency ” and said the country ’ s citizens should abandon all overseas travel because of the coronavirus epidemic .
The formal declaration gives the government the power to close off cities or regions , impose curfews and order people to quarantine , if deemed necessary to contain the spread of the virus .
The upgrade in official advice to an unprecedented “ Level 4 : Do not travel ” to any country in the world , was accompanied by a ban on any non-essential indoor gatherings of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is changing in Australia , as it is changing all around the world , ” Morrison said during a televised news conference .
“ Life is going to continue to change , as we deal with the global coronavirus .
This is a once in a hundred year type event.
” Australia has recorded around nearly 500 coronavirus infections and six deaths , a relatively small number compared to other countries , but officials are growing increasingly concerned about the prospect of an exponential rise in cases .
New South Wales , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported its biggest one-day surge in new cases on Wednesday , along with the country ’ s latest death , an 86-year-old man who died in a Sydney hospital .
Morrison said the tighter ban on indoor social gatherings , down to 100 people from 500 people , did not include essential services like schools , public transport and shopping centres .
The Australian leader cited expert health guidance as the rationale for keeping schools open , a strategy that has been questioned by some experts .
Several private schools have made the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upcoming Easter break .
Morrison reiterated the need for social distancing and good hand hygiene to curb the spread of the virus and announced restricted access to aged care homes .
Anybody who travels during a Level 4 ban is warned that the Australian government may not be able to assist if they get into trouble while abroad , according the government ’ s official SmartTraveller website .
It also recommends people already in a “ do not travel ” area consider leaving .
Shortly before Morrison ’ s statement , the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million ( $ 430 million ) aid package for airlines , including waivers on domestic air traffic control fees .
Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd has suspended all international flights from March 30 to June 14 , while Qantas Airways Ltd has cut its international capacity by 90 % .
The widening restrictions on travel and domestic movement are expected to take a significant toll on Australia ’ s tourism , retail and entertainment sectors .
Economists are predicting the country will slip into its first recession in nearly three decades in the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jump in unemployment .

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday declared a “human biosecurity emergency” and said the country’s citizens should abandon all overseas travel because of the coronavirus epidemic.
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The formal declaration gives the government the power to close off cities or regions, impose curfews and order people to quarantine, if deemed necessary to contain the spread of the virus.
The upgrade in official advice to an unprecedented “Level 4: Do not travel” to any country in the world, was accompanied by a ban on any non-essential indoor gatherings of more than 100 people.
“Life is changing in Australia, as it is changing all around the world,” Morrison said during a televised news conference. “Life is going to continue to change, as we deal with the global coronavirus. This is a once in a hundred year type event.”
Australia has recorded around nearly 500 coronavirus infections and six deaths, a relatively small number compared to other countries, but officials are growing increasingly concerned about the prospect of an exponential rise in cases.
New South Wales, the country’s most populous state, reported its biggest one-day surge in new cases on Wednesday, along with the country’s latest death, an 86-year-old man who died in a Sydney hospital.
Morrison said the tighter ban on indoor social gatherings, down to 100 people from 500 people, did not include essential services like schools, public transport and shopping centres.
The Australian leader cited expert health guidance as the rationale for keeping schools open, a strategy that has been questioned by some experts. Several private schools have made the unilateral decision to close ahead of the upcoming Easter break.
Morrison reiterated the need for social distancing and good hand hygiene to curb the spread of the virus and announced restricted access to aged care homes.
Anybody who travels during a Level 4 ban is warned that the Australian government may not be able to assist if they get into trouble while abroad, according the government’s official SmartTraveller website. It also recommends people already in a “do not travel” area consider leaving.
Shortly before Morrison’s statement, the government unveiled a A$A$715 million ($430 million) aid package for airlines, including waivers on domestic air traffic control fees. Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd has suspended all international flights from March 30 to June 14, while Qantas Airways Ltd has cut its international capacity by 90%.
The widening restrictions on travel and domestic movement are expected to take a significant toll on Australia’s tourism, retail and entertainment sectors.
Economists are predicting the country will slip into its first recession in nearly three decades in the first half of 2020, prompting a rapid jump in unemployment.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-18--Anti-government protests thwarted as Algeria bans street marches over coronavirus

Algeria has banned street protests over the coronavirus , President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said on Tuesday , bringing to an end a year of unprecedented mass demonstrations that brought down the veteran president and convulsed the state .
“ The lives of citizens are above all considerations even if this requires restricting some freedoms , ” he said .
Algeria has confirmed 60 cases of the coronavirus including five deaths , mostly in the town of Blida , south of the capital , and has restricted much foreign travel and closed mosques .
The protest movement , known as the Hirak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 as it became clear that octogenarian leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika would seek another term as president after 20 years in the job .
Demonstrators quickly moved from demanding he step aside to insisting that the entire ruling elite that had run Algeria since independence from France in 1962 must also quit .
In April , as hundreds of thousands of people continued to march through the streets of major cities , Bouteflika gave in .
He resigned hours after the powerful army chief , Ahmed Gaed Salah , said he should go .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities began detaining many of his closest allies on corruption charges in the biggest purge of the ruling class for decades , but the protesters viewed the reforms as cosmetic and would not yield .
As they started to demand the army ’ s withdrawal from politics and Gaed Salah ’ s resignation , the army chief pushed for a new election to replace Bouteflika .
The protesters opposed that , saying any vote would be illegitimate while the old elite still held sway .
But the election went ahead in December , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Gaed Salah died suddenly of a heart attack , meaning all Algeria ’ s most prominent figures from a year before , men who had dominated power for decades , had left the scene .
Tebboune offered talks with the protesters and promised to change the constitution , but the street demonstrations continued , though with what witnesses said were smaller numbers .
As the coronavirus arrived in North Africa this month , some protesters said they would no longer march for the sake of public health , but thousands still took @ @ @ @

Algeria has banned street protests over the coronavirus, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said on Tuesday, bringing to an end a year of unprecedented mass demonstrations that brought down the veteran president and convulsed the state.
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“The lives of citizens are above all considerations even if this requires restricting some freedoms,” he said.
Algeria has confirmed 60 cases of the coronavirus including five deaths, mostly in the town of Blida, south of the capital, and has restricted much foreign travel and closed mosques.
The protest movement, known as the Hirak, exploded onto the streets in February 2019 as it became clear that octogenarian leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika would seek another term as president after 20 years in the job.
Demonstrators quickly moved from demanding he step aside to insisting that the entire ruling elite that had run Algeria since independence from France in 1962 must also quit.
In April, as hundreds of thousands of people continued to march through the streets of major cities, Bouteflika gave in. He resigned hours after the powerful army chief, Ahmed Gaed Salah, said he should go.
With Bouteflika out of power, the authorities began detaining many of his closest allies on corruption charges in the biggest purge of the ruling class for decades, but the protesters viewed the reforms as cosmetic and would not yield.
As they started to demand the army’s withdrawal from politics and Gaed Salah’s resignation, the army chief pushed for a new election to replace Bouteflika.
The protesters opposed that, saying any vote would be illegitimate while the old elite still held sway. But the election went ahead in December, putting Tebboune into power.
Days later, Gaed Salah died suddenly of a heart attack, meaning all Algeria’s most prominent figures from a year before, men who had dominated power for decades, had left the scene.
Tebboune offered talks with the protesters and promised to change the constitution, but the street demonstrations continued, though with what witnesses said were smaller numbers.
As the coronavirus arrived in North Africa this month, some protesters said they would no longer march for the sake of public health, but thousands still took to the streets.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-17--Four years after Ebola crisis, Liberia braces for coronavirus

Four years after Ebola crisis , Liberia braces for coronavirus Governments across Africa are scrambling to increase their capacity to @ @ @ @ @ in cases of COVID-19 .
Several countries are putting the focus on ramping up detection @ @ @ @ @ take a closer look at Liberia .
The West African country had to deal with @ @ @ @ @ ended just four years ago .
Have lessons been learned and is its health infrastructure @ @ @ @ @ ?
Finally , we report on the measures being taken to battle coronavirus in Ivory @ @

Governments across Africa are scrambling to increase their capacity to deal with an expected surge in cases of COVID-19. Several countries are putting the focus on ramping up detection and prevention measures. We take a closer look at Liberia: The West African country had to deal with a devastating Ebola outbreak that ended just four years ago. Have lessons been learned and is its health infrastructure ready for another potential crisis? Finally, we report on the situation in Ivory Coast and Zimbabwe.
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With far fewer cases than in China or Europe, Africa has been battling to keep the coronavirus at bay. But as the number of infections increases daily across the continent, many countries are warning they don't have the tools and resources to deal with a potential outbreak. Access to clean water is one key issue.
We hear from the correspondent of our sister radio station RFI on the situation in Liberia, which has confirmed a second case of coronavirus. The country was hit hard by the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus back in 2014-16.
Meanwhile, Ivory Coast is taking firm measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. While the number of confirmed cases remains small, schools have been closed and public gatherings of more than 50 people are to be banned. FRANCE 24 reports on how locals are reacting in Abidjan.
Finally, in Zimbabwe, the country’s defence minister said on Monday that the coronavirus was an "act of God against the West". He was then contradicted by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who said the virus has a scientific explanation and knows no boundaries.
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france24--2020-03-18--New York City may issue 'shelter-in-place' order in fight against coronavirus

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks during a news conference for the outbreak of Coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) at City Hall in the Manhattan borough of New York City , New York , U.S. , March 17 , 2020 .
New York City may soon compel most people to stay in their homes except in emergencies or when shopping for essentials , Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Tuesday , but the state 's governor , Andrew Cuomo , doubted it would work .
Any decision to issue the `` shelter-in-place '' order would likely be made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even if imposed , it would likely still allow more than 8 million residents to make necessary trips out to buy food or medicine , the mayor said as the number of confirmed cases in the city rose to 814 .
Cuomo , a Democrat like de Blasio , said he did not think sheltering in place would be effective .
`` I don ’ t think you can really do a policy like that just in one part of the state .
So I don ’ t think it works , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter of fact , I ’ m going so far that I don ’ t even think you can do a statewide policy , '' Cuomo said .
New York , Washington state and California account for the bulk of confirmed U.S. cases of the highly contagious respiratory illness .
There have been 13 deaths in New York state , according to a Johns Hopkins University tally .
Some 6.7 million people in the San Francisco Bay area have already been ordered to stay home for all but the most crucial outings until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acknowledged on Tuesday they still did not have all the medical resources they were seeking and that they had been receiving protective equipment from the federal government that was past its expiry date .
The city has already asked New Yorkers to stay home when they can and has closed schools and limited bars and restaurants to takeout or delivery .
But if there is still not enough compliance , the city may soon enforce new rules restricting people to their homes unless they can prove they have a good reason to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in an interview .
A tally of mechanical ventilators found the city had far fewer of the life-saving machines than was thought , she said .
There are about 3,500 mechanical ventilators in the city 's public and private hospitals , the tally found , not the 5,000 city officials including the mayor cited as recently as Tuesday afternoon .
In the most serious cases of COVID-19 , the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus , patients need the machines in order to breathe .
Public health officials fear there may not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctors to make life-and-death decisions .
`` We 're aggressively trying to buy ventilators right now , '' Criswell said .
'We 've never been here before' The city asked the federal government to send 2.2 million N95 respirator masks , which nurses and doctors place over their faces to prevent getting infected by the patients they treat , from the National Strategic Stockpile .
`` We received 76,000 , '' Criswell said .
`` And they were all expired . ''
It was not clear when , or if , the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services , which runs the stockpile and previously acknowledged some resources were expired , did not respond to a request for comment .
Federal health agency guidance allows expired masks to be used in certain circumstances , which Criswell said the city would follow .
`` We 're facing an unprecedented disaster here and it 's going to continue to grow rapidly and get much worse before it gets better and we need to get the federal government to make sure we 're receiving the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she said .
The city has asked the U.S. Navy hospital ship Comfort , which can care for up to 1,000 patients , to dock in New York , a request echoed by lawmakers from the state on Tuesday , Criswell said .
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Tuesday he ordered the Navy to get ready to deploy Comfort and a second hospital ship , Mercy , if needed , but did not say to where .
`` We 've never been here before , '' de Blasio said of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I have never heard of anything like this in the history of New York City .
We 're going to have to create it from scratch , if we do it . ''

New York City may soon compel most people to stay in their homes except in emergencies or when shopping for essentials, Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Tuesday, but the state's governor, Andrew Cuomo, doubted it would work.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks during a news conference for the outbreak of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at City Hall in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., March 17, 2020.
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Any decision to issue the "shelter-in-place" order would likely be made in the next 48 hours, but even if imposed, it would likely still allow more than 8 million residents to make necessary trips out to buy food or medicine, the mayor said as the number of confirmed cases in the city rose to 814.
Cuomo, a Democrat like de Blasio, said he did not think sheltering in place would be effective. "I don’t think you can really do a policy like that just in one part of the state. So I don’t think it works," he told CNN.
"As a matter of fact, I’m going so far that I don’t even think you can do a statewide policy," Cuomo said.
New York, Washington state and California account for the bulk of confirmed U.S. cases of the highly contagious respiratory illness. There have been 13 deaths in New York state, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally.
Some 6.7 million people in the San Francisco Bay area have already been ordered to stay home for all but the most crucial outings until April 7.
New York City officials acknowledged on Tuesday they still did not have all the medical resources they were seeking and that they had been receiving protective equipment from the federal government that was past its expiry date.
The city has already asked New Yorkers to stay home when they can and has closed schools and limited bars and restaurants to takeout or delivery.
But if there is still not enough compliance, the city may soon enforce new rules restricting people to their homes unless they can prove they have a good reason to stay outside, Emergency Management Commissioner Deanne Criswell said in an interview.
A tally of mechanical ventilators found the city had far fewer of the life-saving machines than was thought, she said.
There are about 3,500 mechanical ventilators in the city's public and private hospitals, the tally found, not the 5,000 city officials including the mayor cited as recently as Tuesday afternoon.
In the most serious cases of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus, patients need the machines in order to breathe. Public health officials fear there may not be enough to go around, forcing doctors to make life-and-death decisions.
"We're aggressively trying to buy ventilators right now," Criswell said.
'We've never been here before'
The city asked the federal government to send 2.2 million N95 respirator masks, which nurses and doctors place over their faces to prevent getting infected by the patients they treat, from the National Strategic Stockpile.
"We received 76,000," Criswell said. "And they were all expired." It was not clear when, or if, the government would send the other 2.1 million masks.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which runs the stockpile and previously acknowledged some resources were expired, did not respond to a request for comment.
Federal health agency guidance allows expired masks to be used in certain circumstances, which Criswell said the city would follow.
"We're facing an unprecedented disaster here and it's going to continue to grow rapidly and get much worse before it gets better and we need to get the federal government to make sure we're receiving the right resources to help our citizens," she said.
The city has asked the U.S. Navy hospital ship Comfort, which can care for up to 1,000 patients, to dock in New York, a request echoed by lawmakers from the state on Tuesday, Criswell said.
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Tuesday he ordered the Navy to get ready to deploy Comfort and a second hospital ship, Mercy, if needed, but did not say to where.
"We've never been here before," de Blasio said of the possible "shelter-in-place" order. "I have never heard of anything like this in the history of New York City. We're going to have to create it from scratch, if we do it."
(REUTERS)
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