15 Mar 2020

Covid-19 coronavirus latest: What you need to know

1:42 pm on 15 March 2020

A passenger on board the Golden Princess cruise ship berthed at Akaroa, in the South Island, is being tested for Covid-19.

LAKE SUCCESS, NY - MARCH 11: A lab technician begins semi-automated testing for COVID-19 at Northwell Health Labs on March 11, 2020 in Lake Success, New York.

Photo: AFP

Here are the latest coronavirus developments:

In New Zealand

  • The sixth case of Covid-19 coronavirus in New Zealand was confirmed by the Waitematā District Health Board yesterday.
  • A passenger on board the Golden Princess cruise ship berthed at Akaroa, in the South Island, is being tested for Covid-19. A Canterbury DHB spokesperson says passengers on board the cruise are not being allowed off the ship which arrived this morning.
  • All travellers arriving in New Zealand after midnight tonight, including New Zealand citizens, will need to self-isolate for 14 days.
  • All cruise ships are also being asked to not come to New Zealand until June 30. It does not apply to cargo ships.
  • The tourism industry is in shock and predicting widespread job losses over the government's travel ban announcement.
  • The government expects the economy to take a significant hit from tough new border rules, and a relief package is expected this week.
  • A number of events have been cancelled, including today's mosque attack national memorial service, Auckland's Pasifika Festival and the Super Rugby.
  • The country's Catholic churches are being asked to limit contact during services to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19.
  • Wellington Mayor Andy Foster will be meeting the council's emergency committee to discuss what public events will be postponed. The Homegrown music festival is one of the events being looked at.
  • If you have symptoms of the coronavirus, call the NZ Covid-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 (+64 9 358 5453 for international SIMs)

Around the world

  • Spain has confirmed a 15-day lockdown as part of emergency measures.
  • France has ordered the closure of all non-essential places used by the public from midnight (local time).
  • The US has extended a travel ban to Britain and Ireland to try to contain the pandemic that has shut down much of the daily routine of American life.
  • US President Donald Trump has tested negative for Covid-19.
  • In the UK, 10 more people have died in the last 24 hours after testing positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of deaths to 21.
  • Germany has reported 733 more cases - the national total now stands at 3,795, with eight deaths. Berlin has banned on all public and private events with more than 50 participants and forced the closure of all bars, cinemas, clubs, gyms, betting halls and brothels. Similar bans are expected in the western city of Cologne on Sunday.
  • In China, new cases among people arriving in the country outnumbered those by local transmission for the first time.
  • Colombia closed its border with Venezuela and barred any visitors who recently visited Europe or Asia.

Looking after yourself and others

- RNZ/BBC/Reuters