Qantas slashes international flights by 90% because of growing coronavirus restrictions
The numbers: As of 4 p.m in Geneva on Monday, the World Health Organization has recorded 168,019 coronavirus cases and 6,610 deaths globally.
A separate tally from the Johns Hopkins University, which is tracking cases reported by the WHO and additional sources, puts the number of cases at over 181,500 with at least 7,100 deaths. Nearly 79,000 patients have recovered around the world, according to Johns Hopkins.
China: The country where the pandemic began reported 21 new confirmed cases of coronavirus — all but one imported from overseas — and 13 new deaths by end of day on Monday, according to China’s National Health Commission.
This brings the death toll in mainland China to 3,226 and total confirmed cases to 80,881. Some 68,679 patients in mainland China have recovered and been discharged from hospitals.
World in lockdown: Countries all over the world have closed borders, enacted restrictions on travel and daily life, issued bans on public gatherings and told citizens to work from home or not to leave the house.
US: Cases have surpassed 4,400 and at least 86 people have died. The White House recommends people avoid gatherings of more than 10 people, and a growing number of US states and cities have announced widespread mandatory closures as part of attempts to curb the spread of the virus.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said today that the state’s health director will order presidential primary polls closed tomorrow “as a health emergency.”
Asia: In response to several cases of the virus imported to the city, Hong Kong will require all arriving travelers from foreign countries to be quarantined for 14 days at home.
Meanwhile, countries in Southeast Asia are issuing far-reaching restrictions as cases in the region jump. Malaysia will impose a nationwide movement control order, banning citizens from traveling abroad, banning all religious, sports, social, and cultural activities, while foreign tourists and visitors will be restricted from entering the country.
The Philippines placed half of the country into lockdown on Monday, with all public transportation and offices shut and people told to stay in their homes.
Europe: The European Commission will introduce temporary restrictions on non-essential travel to the EU.
Germany, Spain, France, Russia and Hungary have closed or will close their land borders, while some 47 million Spanish residents have been banned from leaving their homes.
Restrictions on public life have been imposed in countries including France and Germany. The UK has urged people to stop all non-essential contact with others and stop all unnecessary travel.