CORONAVIRUS | The gov't will have the power to close off cities or regions, impose curfews and quarantine to contain the spread of Covid-19.
| 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 that he warned could last at least six months.
"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." 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.
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 to the government's official SmartTraveller website. It also recommends people already in a "do not travel" area consider leaving. 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.The expectations have weighed on Australia's financial markets, with the local share market falling more than six percent on Wednesday. Earlier this week, the Australian share market posted its biggest one-day loss since 1987.
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