It was once the city that never sleeps, well, not right now.
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While Australia was indeed sleeping New York City (and much of the northern hemisphere) was gradually shutting down. All due to the global coronavirus outbreak.
New York City has decided to close major tourist attractions, with shows at Broadway cancelled, Times Square deserted as well as schools and restaurants being closed.
France locked down its borders and the Trump administration on Monday released new guidelines for the public to slow the spread of the coronavirus, including closing schools and avoiding groups of more than 10 people, discretionary travel, bars, restaurants and food courts.
Detections rise in UK, Ireland
The health secretary, Matt Hancock, said 53 people had died and figures from the Department of Health and Social Care showed the country had identified 1,543 confirmed sufferers, up 181 from 1,372 in 24 hours. Officials said 44,105 people had been tested in the UK, of which 42,562 had been confirmed negative.
The Scottish government has commissioned 700 new ventilators for hospitals to prepare for more victims of the coronavirus.
Fifty-four new cases of the coronavirus were diagnosed in Ireland overnight, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 223. Two people have died from the illness.
In Northern Ireland, seven new cases of coronavirus were confirmed today, bringing the total number of cases to 52, RTE reported.
NSW to announce rescue package
Premier Gladys Berejiklian will today announce a $2.3 billion stimulus package, consisting of $700 million for healthcare and $1.6 billion for job creation and tax relief.
Wall Street slides and countries close borders
The global battle to contain the coronavirus has reached a new level of urgency as governments lock down borders and millions of workers, students and worshippers are under orders to stay home.
On Wall Street, financial markets plunged by more than eight per cent, surpassing drops in Asia and Europe, as worried investors struggled to estimate the outbreak's rippling economic fallout.
The New Zealand Reserve Bank made a surprise cut to the official cash rate, cutting it from 1% to 0.25%. The PM, Jacinda Ardern warned the virus's impact could be worse than the GFC.
Victorian unis look to online learning
La Trobe, Monash and Swinburne universities announced on Monday night that from Tuesday, all classes will be suspended until the end of the week so staff can prepare for online learning.
A message from Arnie
He's a former governor of California. He's 72. He's feeding his pets BUT he also has a message. Have a watch:
Shelf-raiding is a global phenomenon
No surprise that panic-buying is not limited to our shores. It's a problem the world over.
In Christchurch, New Zealand, stocks of rice, pasta, canned foods, paracetamol, dishwashing liquid and soap as reports of people racking up stockpiling bills of $1500 a time.
The US man who stockpiled 17,700 bottles of hand sanitiser to sell on Amazon is now being investigated for price gouging.
Spanish police use drones to keep people in lockdown
Police in Madrid are using drones in public areas to urge people to return to their homes. With nearly 300 deaths from COVID-19 and almost 9000 cases of infection, Spain is Europe's worst-hit country behind Italy.
Meanwhile, Aussie footy codes lay it on the line: AFL, NRL, rugby, football - and more
The AFL's 2020 season has been reduced to 17 rounds. There is currently no change to Thursday's season start. But it's early in the morning ... though the players association voted to play on last night.
The news wasn't all positive as the code's senior body confirmed the suspension of all state league competitions and national talent programs. That means the Greater Western Victoria Rebels, the Bendigo Pioneers as well as the Tasmanian comps will be put on hold until May 31.
The NRL is exploring the logistics of taking up to 1000 players and staff to the tropics in an effort to keep the season alive. It is one option the code is considering, CEO Todd Greenberg said.
As the Newcastle Knights back-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon said, the show must go on. Well, this weekend at least!
Meanwhile, the QRL will meet today to make decisions about their statewide competitions with decisions expected to be revealed on Wednesday. The PNG Hunters have remained in Australia ahead of Round 2.
Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle explained the code's position in full on Monday.
Rugby Australia, state and territory unions and all other member unions agreed on Monday to postpone all juniors, sub-districts, women's and premier club rugby, including training, around the country until the first week of May.
The FFA is in step with the other codes and matches will be played behind closed doors starting with Wednesday's match between Sydney FC and Wellington. The Westfield W-League 2020 Grand Final will go ahead this weekend, just without fans.
FFA CEO James Johnson confirmed on Monday that football will continue to be played around the country and shared its guidelines for grassroots players.
The sport of kings hasn't had a fun couple of years in Albury. Last year is was torrential rain which KOd the big Albury Gold Cup; this year the coronavirus pandemic. Well, for fans anyway.
And that raises the question: should the half-day holiday remain given the public can't go to the races?
