COVID-19

They are subject to all the restrictions in place to stop the spread of Covid-19, meaning they have to respect the curfew and need to carry a written attestation to justify their movements.

The government said those who are from the outer islands will have to await the lifting of the restrictions.

37 people have tested positive since the outbreak of the epidemic in French Polynesia three weeks ago.

One of the carriers is in hospital.

The man and his 88-year-old wife both recovered after testing positive about a month ago, and will be discharged in a few days, hospital officials said.

The couple lives in the the southern state of Kerala, and were infected by their daughter and son-in-law, who returned from Italy.

India has reported 1,238 active cases of Covid-19 as of Wednesday.

Thirty-five people have died of the infection, while 123 have recovered, according to the health ministry.

The airline, which grounded much of its fleet due to the coronavirus crisis, has been negotiating with the Unite union for more than a week.

The two sides have reached a broad deal but are yet to sign on some details.

The agreement means that up to 80% of BA cabin crew, ground staff, engineers and those working at head office will have their jobs suspended but no staff are expected to be made redundant.

The decision will affect all staff at Gatwick and London City Airport after the airline suspended its operations at both locations until the crisis is over.

Police said the man posted on Facebook that there was already a case of the coronavirus in Solomon Islands.

Police said this is not true and the country has no confirmed cases of Covid-19.

The supervising assistant commissioner for crime and intelligence, Patricia Leta said the man has been charged with spreading false rumours and released on bail to appear in court on 14 April.

"It is a serious offence to spread false rumours that cause public disharmony."

It was imposed after the country's first cases of Covid-19 were detected in Fiji's second-largest city.

Health minister Ifereimi Waqainabete told a news conference on Wednesday the extension is necessary to prevent any further outbreak .

He said authorities will conduct intensive testing that will involve house visits and mobile testing stations.

"We know these restrictions have not been easy for many within the Lautoka confined area. But take comfort in knowing that these tough decisions we're making could very well spare us enormous future suffering," he said.

"I've found it tougher than I ever thought I would," he said during a special edition of his Late Late Show.

"You feel so out of control," he said. "It feels so beyond our comprehension, all of it, that I've found I get sort of overwhelmed with sadness in it all."

He broadcast live from his garage in LA and was joined via live stream by stars like Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa and BTS.

The latest situation report released today (Wednesday) has also confirmed that there are no suspected cases of COVID-19.

There are no samples awaiting testing.

The last tests for six samples were sent to New Caledonia on 25 March and they all returned negative.

The two-week State of Emergency was declared on 26 March by President Tallis Obed Moses.  

Photo RNZ Pacific      

Reuters reports a letter from Captain Brett Crozier, the commanding officer of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, called for the removal of over 4,000 sailors from the ship to place them in isolation.

However Mr Esper told CBS News he didn't think it was time to evacuate the carrier.

"We're moving a lot of supplies and assistance, medical assistance, out to the carrier in Guam. We're providing additional medical personnel as they need it."

Mr Esper says the goal is still to contain the virus and none of the crew were seriously ill.

In a national address, Charlot Salwai said the funding was intended to support the economy in difficult times and bring some comfort to many who were already suffering.

Mr Salwai said the global spread of COVID-19 presents a potentially catastrophic outlook for both public health and the economy.

"With the economies of Vanuatu's major trading partners effectively locked down, substantial restrictions on crossing international borders, and the prospect of a global contraction, we are now looking at much lower economic in 2020 than we have forecasted at budget time."

Prince Charles, 71, spent seven days self-isolating in Scotland after testing positive and displaying mild symptoms.

The Duchess of Cornwall, 72, was tested and did not have the virus, but will self-isolate until the end of the week.

A Palace official said the prince was in good health and was following the government's restrictions.

"Clarence House has confirmed today that, having consulted with his doctor, the Prince of Wales is now out of self-isolation," a spokesman said.