Shelves a cost europe including the u. K. Where the government is accused of not acting quickly enough to contain the strain. Thank you for joining as the United States is stepping up its efforts to combat the spread of corona virus and the Economic Impacts from it mayors of some of the largest cities have already ordered the shutdown of bars and restaurants and the Federal Reserve bank has stepped in to try to provide relief for businesses but the head of the Coronavirus Task force is warning the worst is yet to come alan fischer reports from washington. From the president of the United States was aimed at comforting americans relax doing great it will pay us moments later from the man heading the drive against the virus. Starkly different message the worst is yes the head for us it is how we respond to that challenge the number of confirmed cases in the us is no more than 3000 states are shutting down bars and restaurants curfews are starting to be introduced the face of america is changing at airports chaos as the extended european travel ban kicks in here. Staff carrying out Health Screenings have been overwhelmed the governor of illinois blamed the trumpet ministration for a lack of planning and foresight he didnt get the response he wanted well heres what i got i got a call at about 11 oclock last night after that tweet from a white house staffer who yelled at me about the tweet the administration at its no Daily Briefing admitted mistakes were made the lines again that we saw overnight at a limited number of airports including chicago are unacceptable weve adjusted our processes we continue to surge personnel at the same briefing when asked how many ventilators the u. S. Had to help patients with breathing difficulties the government secretary in charge said this we dont disclose concrete numbers on particular items for National Security purposes but we have many ventilators thousands and thousands of ventilators and a quick internet search reveals one study says the number is there and 160000 Americas Central Bank has also cut Interest Rates to almost 0 to try and protect the economy the most dramatic intervention since the Global Financial crisis in 2008 theres a clear warning that even when the medical recovery begins the financial shock will be felt for a very long time. The 2 leading contenders for the democratic president ial nomination faced off in washington in the latest debate a new audience and both make it 6 feet apart neither convinced the trumpet ministration is on top of the crisis 1st thing we have got to do but were not on president has to shut this president up right now because he is on the mining the doctors. From the scientists who are trying to help the American People this is a crisis this is like we are being attacked from abroad this is something that is of great consequence as like a war and in a war you do whatever is needed to be done to take care of your people this is no whats on trial it would not be a significant election issue alan fischer wishing to reserve and theyve been reports of panic buying across the u. S. With shoppers talking up on basics like toilet paper Vice President mike pence has assured people surprise will not run outs stores will stay open throughout the days that lie ahead. We were told that hours may be reduced to allow for cleaning and to resupply but American Families can be confident your local Grocery Store is going to be open its going to be well supplied and they specifically asked us to encourage americans just. By your weekly needs and grocery because the Grocery Stores will remain open china meanwhile has reported its lowest number of new infections but the pandemic is having a major impact on the wall 2nd largest economy figures just out show production in factories fell by a record 13. 5 percent in february and the regional shutdown of shopping malls and other businesses has led to a 23. 5 percent drop in retail sales economists warn recovery may be slow as the global spread of the virus is likely to hit a rebound in overseas imports despite factories returning to normal well weve got 2 reporters across this say in asia mcbride is in seoul where the numbers all of these cases are also dropping but for us as sought to katrina you in beijing katrina the Economic Impact as we expected is already having an effect on chinas economy tell us about those numbers for us. Thats right follow me starting to see how big of a hit its having so important Economic Indicators have been out in the last few hours industrial in output is the big one its down by 13. 5 percent and thats the biggest jump that weve seen since records began another important indicator we saw was fixed Asset Investment or Housing Investment thats down by 24. 5 percent and thats the biggest other than we saw during the Global Financial crisis in 20082009 retail consumption is also down by 20. 5 percent while unemployment is up and thats really not surprising that were seeing that in china this current Virus Outbreak has had a huge impact essentially the entire country was paralyzed for the month of february even as early as late january people were staying in people were not working people were not gathering and this time is supposed to be a time of celebration and spending its the Chinese New Year period the Chinese Government is under a lot of pressure to restart the economy and get those numbers up much 16 is the date in many major cities but businesses have to resume operations unless they have a very good reason to then the government says that industrial capacity in china is back up to about 80 percent but still many factories are having trouble starting their operations is still a lot of people having trouble traveling within china because there still are some travel restrictions there in place chinese president xi jinping has said that he still confident that china could hit its 6 percent g. D. P. Growth target for this year but analysts say that that looks unlikely even with some targeted stimulus measures that have been put in place by the Chinese Government now the good news jill katrina is that the number of new cases is going down but authorities are not concerned about the virus being ordered back into china so what sort of measures are they putting in place to deal with this. Thats right so theyre stepping up travel restrictions on people flying into the country internationally certainly in beijing now if youre flying into beijing from another country as soon as you land youll be persis and youll have to undergo a compulsory 2 we quarantine period in a designated Government Hotel center and you also have to foot your own bill for that quarantine period which is different because previously quarantine periods were paid for by the government and this seems to be a sign from them discouraging people to fly into china saying if you can stay away certainly in china if youre coming into beijing from other areas of the country you have to undergo that 2 week quarantine period at home at least and the government has put into some very strict criminal charges if you have are caught circumventing those restrictions you could face up to 7 years in jail now of course we have seen as you mentioned good news these numbers are going down but as more people go to work as more people leave their homes including inside who are big problems the government is worried that these numbers could go back up again so these restrictions these tight interest actions are designed to really keep that downward trend continuing for as long as possible katrina thank you very much katrina you live for is to. Go to Seoul South Korea where bike ride is so robbers china concerns in south korea about inspections coming from outside what measures are south korean authorities taking to deal with this. Thats right the last thing that south korea wants as china wants is to import reinfection wants more especially as we continue to have these falling numbers here today monday only 74 new cases of being reported they havent had a number as low as that for 3 weeks so we have this gradually continuing trend which is good news in other developments here the government has announced that daegu down in the south east of the country and its surrounding provinces to become to be classified as a special disaster zone now that sounds more dramatic than it actually is its more of an administrative measure to allow state level funding to help that part of the country it is the hardest hit by the coronavirus weve had nearly 90 percent of all of the cases have been down in the southeast of the country and so in a way it is a hopeful sign because it is addressing the economic crisis which is going to be left after the Public Health crisis thankfully seems to be under control but we do know that the government here is taking more measures to try to look at visitors especially from other parts of the world that are considered to be more contagious than south korea and were talking a particular about your up already for a number of countries from europe the more stringent screening was in place at all ports of entry well ask there are now going to be expanded to all european arrivals and there are measures which may be applied to everybody arriving here in south korea its interesting fairly that these measures south korea has opted not to have a blanket ban on all visitors or all visitors from certain countries or even designating that people have to go and have 2 weeks of quarantine they in some ways use a more flexible sophisticated maybe smarter approach that could be copied by other countries where they rely more on technology that basically as people come into the country as well as having normal Health Screening they have to show the device that they have a. Arrived with their smartphone or their tablet there make sure it works that they can be reached here in south korea on that number and then they have to before theyre allowed into the country download the app that basically in whatever language they choose they have to interact with it it keeps a track of their health for that all important 2 week period and if you dont interact if you dont tell us what your temperature is or whether you have any symptoms then an official will follow up with you to ask you why not so it is a. Proactive approach if you like and south korea probably feels it has the confidence to take this kind of approach because of course with its experience it has now in place very extensive medical facilities especially Testing Facilities more than a quarter of a 1000000 tests have been carried out for the corona virus so they do have the confidence that if anybody is infected and wandering around the streets of south korea they will be found very quickly and can be isolated and treated so there are some hopeful signs here moving forward thank you very much for that rob mcbride live for us there in seoul now italy reported hundreds more deaths on sunday the countrys worst single day 368 were added to the toll taking it past 1800 its nearly a week since a nationwide lockdown of 60000000 people began restricting travel in banning public gatherings italy is the worst affected country outside china that countries across europe have closed business is encouraged people to stay home has more than that. The latest tool in the fight against Coronavirus Police drones in madrid flying over public spaces urging people to stay home whenever possible. The countrys now under a 2 week state of emergency and as the death toll more than doubled even people out exercising were ordered. In france schools bars and restaurants are closed gatherings of more than 100 people are banned and people are being urged to work from home public transport is still running but more measures are on their way as of them at this stage in urban areas we will maintain public transport to allow french people to commute for strictly necessary purposes and regarding Long Distance travel by train between major cities by bus or by plane this will be gradually reduced. In the u. K. The governments been accused of not acting quickly enough to contain the spread as people stocked up over the weekend almost emptying supermarkets in some areas hundreds of scientists queried the governments strategy the Health Minister now says water time style measures are coming hes asking british manufacturers to make more ventilators soon everyone over the age of 70 will be asked to self isolate for up to 4 months and this week should see new measures including a ban on large gatherings we will change the law so that we take the power to be able to close math at Mass Gatherings if we need to and and take other action that you just normally wouldnt but we might have to in order to respond to this to this virus italys record is another dramatic rise in the death toll there have been more than 20000 coronavirus cases there in the vatican with some Peters Square empty pope francis delivered his weekly sunday prayers a fire live stream you know let me reach you know i want to renew my proximity to all the 2nd those who are nursing them and for the many volunteers helping people unable to leave their homes but everyone meeting the needs of the poorest and the homeless as of sunday night the czech republics borders with poland closed a move designed to slow the spread of the virus and in poland theyve shut the border with germany temporarily. This is a historic moment we have just restored an internal European Union border between poland and germany for the coming 10 days germany has confirmed its borders with austria switzerland and france will be closed from monday although commuters and goods vehicles are to be allowed through another sign of how europes turning inwards as the number of corona virus infections continues to grow the dean barber al jazeera. I said ahead on aljazeera well look at other stories making headlines and why protesters are brockett the highway and seriously prodding says russian and texas troops begin joint patrols says rouse president turns to the opposition to form the next government and a year of political stalemate. Yet more cloud of rain pushing into western parts of the shadows to doubt is the southeast this area of low pressure swelling away across turkey central parts to generate settle but you see the Better Weather up towards the northwest pushing across seaports shells into scandinavia High Pressure overspread at the moment its not too bad at present this will go on through monday quite a bit of cloud and rain will spill in a much colder day on monday 12 cells is the top temperature in madrid next is some snow over the spanish play pushing up towards boston rather peyronies right sleep the snow coming in here central parts of france also seeing some of that wintry mix when she weather to just around all the parts of scotland pushing across Northern Areas of olland as well as a central parts of europe not bad because that snow down into the southeast and cold is some Winter Weather to around the Baltic States pushing into western parts of russia has issued at this time of the years ago and its achieved i think squatting down across the the northwests not too bad into western half this by into political some showers there into the east side of spain for a time they will gradually ease still rather live below weather on the other side of the mediterranean for northern parts of africa what is generate dry cool for some over the next couple of days just 21 in tripoli. Perception is validation. Leave what he sees but in one life time we cannot see everything that we would lie and he experiences of others and the legacies that a previous generations. Of that testimony we would know very little. Witness documentaries that open your eyes on aljazeera. The end. This isnt just there are top stories this hour restaurants and bars in major cities across the United States are being closed as the country steps up its efforts to curb coronavirus the centers for Disease Control is recommending against Mass Gatherings of 50 people or more the outbreak is having a major impact on chinas economy manufacturing the past month dropped in the newest level in decades and retail spending was down more than 20 percent and each city has recorded its launches daily increase in deaths with 360 more on sunday it comes as thousands of new cases were recorded across europe which has become the center of the epidemic. Now one of irans top government officials has died of the cold 1000 virus his the most high profile death in the country where there are concerns the pandemic could overwhelm Health Facilities and the struggling economy there now almost 14000 confirmed cases in iran its believed to have 110000 hospital beds 30000 of those in the capital tehran the countrys already under pressure because of u. S. Sanctions and with the outbreak facing further pressure on medical services the government has asked the International Monetary fund for 5000000000 dollars in emergency funding present Hassan Rouhani has offered no interest loans in cash handouts to ease the financial burden on millions of households. Now a cruise ship carrying more than a 1000 people is set to dock in cuba in the next few hours after he was turned away from malta or course in the caribbean there are 5 confirmed cases of corn a virus on board the m. S. Braman about 40 passengers and crew showing symptoms have been isolated the british cruise ship had been stuck at sea for more than a week trying to dock in the bahamas over the weekend but was refused entry. U. S. Meanwhile is rolling out tough new rules to combat the pandemic the country which has at least 6 cases declared a red alert and has banned public gatherings of more than 50 people for the next 2 weeks dedicated medical centers will also be set up in south africa the president has won the number of cases there is expected to rise they are 61 cases so far he also announced new travel restrictions for people from high risk countries and new screening measures at airports schools will be closed for at least 2 weeks kenya has banned all travel from countries with confirmed cases of coronavirus theres a new who of kenya is kenyatta says kenyan citizens and red residents will still be allowed in if they isolate themselves for 2 weeks at home or in a government facility there are now 3 confirmed cases in kenya. Lets turn to other world news now and an explosion in oil pipeline in nigeria has killed at least 16 people and destroyed dozens of buildings at least 60 people were injured and dozens of homes destroyed in the blast in lagos emergency workers say it happened because a truck confines pipeline previously targeted by oil thieves. Russia and turkey have been holding joint military patrols in syria to monitor a cease fire in the last rebel held stronghold of it province despite backing up Holding Signs in syrias war which has now entered its 10th year simcoe sealed reports from istanbul. To syrian protesters in the town of my rob and i dont want Russian Troops in their area the 2 military powers are patrolling a section of the m 4 highway about to ration was stopped after also self activists who opposed the russian presence and lip blocked the highway. Were here to send a clear message to the russians and the turks we will not open the road unless assad forces and russian militias withdraw isnt even enough they kill to displace us. From the joint patrols are part of an agreement struck between russian president Vladimir Putin and the turkish later richest safeguard john during their meeting in moscow earlier this month. The deal is also expected to set up a security corps or the 16 kilometers north and south those dam for highway that connects to surat. But since sunday is the 9th anniversary of the syrian war there is heightened tension. So its the 2nd day of protest on its highway its the anniversary of our revolution for 9 years we suffered the regimes massacres we dont care about agreement we will not allow russians here they should get out of our country the fighting going to live has been catastrophically for the people. Nearly 1000000 syrians have fled their homes since the government backed by russia began its latest offensive last december its happened despite a deal back in 2018 that turned into a their school ation zone supposedly cleared from acts of aggression most of the people who have a scaped have now crowded at the Turkish Border turkey are older the whole smaller than 3600000 Syrian Refugees the crisis nearly led to a direct conflict between turkey and russia especially after the Syrian Government carried out on their strike in the late last month that killed the dozens of turkish soldiers on corresponded with drone strikes in order to learn a fire that killed hundreds of pro Syrian Government forces and destroyed over a 100 Armored Vehicles many ceasefires have common gone and at that some evil lasted less than 24 hours turkey and russia insists they still want to preserve the latest cease fire lets fight supporting opposing sides in the conflict it is unclear how they will achieve this but the rebels are worried about losing their last stronghold in syria and flush us a stroke is that using its influence to control the opposition fighters most of whom most call accuses of being terrorists see an anchor solo aljazeera a stumble. Israels president is still ask Opposition Leader benny gantz to form a new government ahead of current Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu as a latest attempt to break the nation spend this tickle deadlock after 3 inconclusive elections results in less than a year arafats that reports from jerusalem. Benjamin netanyahu began the day adopting some of the coronavirus measures he denounced the night before the fewer than 10 ministers at the Cabinet Meeting the Prime Minister joining by video he received confirmation of his corruption trial due to start on tuesday had been pushed back by the Health Crisis for more than 2 months but the decisive moves were brewing at the home of the president ruben rivlin as he received recommendations for Prime Minister from newly elected factions in Israels Parliament netanyahu as likud is proposing a 6 month emergency unity government with netanyahu in charge or a 4 year rotational deal in which he serves for the 1st 2 blue and white Opposition Leader benny gantz hasnt ruled out some kind of a deal which several members of his alliance are reported to favor but hes also been working on legislation to stop an indicted politician netanyahu from forming an administration and dances own hopes of leading a minority government would boost it by the recommendations of all 15 members of the mainly palestinian israeli joint list grouping to be made out of the gun if dance or netanyahu decide to form a National Unity government or an emergency one we will be the Main Objective as if gans wants to form a Center Left Government then we will recommend gantz with the support to have met knows former ally and now bitter rival and we do lieberman has 61 recommendations to netanyahu 58 that doesnt mean the benny gantz will now automatically be able to form a government there are some in his own party that dont favor a Minority Administration relying on the outside support of palestinian israeli members of parliament and there is considerable pressure from many quarters for a National Unity government at a time when the country. Is facing a health and economic crisis in occupied East JerusalemMuslim Leaders at the al aqsa mosque compound closed the mosque and the dome of the rock allowing worshippers to pray earlene with courtyards across israel sunday was day one of a sweeping new set of restrictions and detainment venues shut down workers told to stay home if they can new digital tracking authorized to trace and slow contagion the incoming worried about read about the whats going to happen late on sunday president rivlin trying to persuade gantz and netanyahu to unite in the face of the coronavirus and prevent israel from going into a 4th election the president s prescription is clear but so far the 2 would be Prime Ministers remain divided kerry forsett aljazeera west jerusalem. To ghana now where illegal gold mining is threatening farmland destroying the landscape and poisoning water sources leaving some communities struggling to find clean Drinking WaterTreatment Plants are being shut down and as for him ahmed reports that warnings the country might be forced to import water. The river probably in southern ghana is contaminated with mercury and cyanide and vegetation is drying off and gone as heartlands of cocoa the main ingredient of chocolate. The river is also vital for fishing farming and filter. The pollution is blamed on frozen of small scale gold mines working round the clock at this one boys as young as 15 and dozens of men what theyre doing is illegal many mines have been here for years despite a government crackdown to close them. They operate deep in the forest hidden from the police and a military task force attracted by the precious metal minus come from different parts of ghana and neighboring countries as well as china they say is their only source of income per godless of the risks and injuries. In mind i was able to provide money and help my family in the volta region until the government decided to ban small scale and illegal mining now police harass us all the time some of us tried to run away and others fall into the money hits those who cant swim get injured or die. There joe had his hand cut off 2 years ago while mining he received no compensation if youre going to be able going to there are no decent jobs for the an educated and poor young people if we had training opportunities provided by the government it would be better. Makeshift pumping stations are used to divert rivers to do. Bandits penitently come here looking to come very big on the scale these 5 minus just a few grams and sold it for 120. 00 u. S. Dollars sent between them ghana is one of africas leading gold export. President s none of us pledged to continue his fight against illegal mining his government regulates the industry or community mines. That is meant a lot more. In the Community Center to get people in a community who want to get important money to be able to do so broken that will serve more up large and small scale money but critics and environmental activists blame the lack of political will and corruption to government promises falling short who moved over these findings sources be from foreigners and have been from the top of the car and in this society i need a reason why. In the government it has also been difficult one environmental groups call for tighter regulations minus say they have no choice but to continue digging for their survival for him a comment on just even. Though again im fully back to bill with the headlines on aljazeera out of restaurants and bars in major cities across the United States are being closed as a country steps up its efforts to curb corona virus the centers for Disease Control is recommending against Mass Gatherings of 50 people or more u. S. Officials are also urging people to avoid panic by Vice President mike pence a short people surprise will not run out. Stores will stay open throughout the days that lie ahead. We were told that hours may be reduced to allow for cleaning and to resupply but American Families can be confident your local Grocery Stores going to be open its going to be well supplied and they specifically asked us to encourage americans just. By your weekly needs and grocery because the Grocery Stores will remain open. China has reported its lowest number of new infections but the outbreak is having a major impact on its economy manufacturing levels of fallen 13. 5 percent since the end of january with Consumer Spending down more than 20 percent as a result of regional shutdowns south korea says its looking to impose stricter quarantine measures on travelers coming into the country there more than 8000. 00 cases but the number of new reported infections appears to be going down its only meanwhile has reported a 25 percent increase in corona virus deaths the countrys largest single day uptick it comes as thousands of new cases were reported across europe which has become the epicenter of the epidemic accrue ship carrying more than 1000. 00 people is said to dock in cuba after it was rejected by multiple course in the caribbean there are 5 confirmed cases of corona virus on board the m. S. Bramer about 40 passengers and crew showing symptoms have been isolated the British School ship had been stuck at sea for more than a week it tried to dock in the bahamas over the weekend but was refused entry and in other news an explosion near an oil pipeline in nigeria has killed at least 16 people and destroyed dozens of buildings 60 people were injured in lagos those are the headlines on aljazeera inside story is coming up next stay with us. We understand the differences and similarities of cultures across the world so no matter how you take it down to 0 bring you the news and current affairs. Libya syria and yemen are bracing for a possible corona Virus Outbreak officials there have shut down schools and imposed travel restrictions but how can this virus be contained in conflict zones and can developing nations cope with the pandemic this is inside story. Hello and welcome to the program im. From complete lockdowns of cities to building new hospitals rich countries appear to be better suited in the fight against the corona virus pandemic but covered 19 a straining Health Systems and some guy