France goes on nationwide lockdown following an example set by spain and italy. Thousands of police are on the street. President macron is telling people to stay home or face heavy fines. In washington, d. C. , the Trump Administration wants it hundred 50 billio in emergency spending to boost the economy and reassure stock market spooked by a collapse and Economic Activity to the summers football european chairmanship postponed. The popular tournament will be held in 2021. Brent im brent goff. To our viewers on pbs in the United States and around the world, welcome. The European Union has declared a 30day ban on people trying to enter the eu in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus. That is according to german chanancelloror angela merkel, wo spoke a short titime ago in berlin. Shes in europe is determined to address the crisis and do what is necessary to protect Public Health as well a as the continents s economicic health. Uncle held a a series ofof death merkelmerkel held a series of video conferences with other european leaders to discuss the pandemic. Chancellor merkel the first thing we agreed on was restrictions on travel restrictions will be placed on the European Union for states to are not members of the European Union trade area or are not the u. K. Travel will be forbidden in all but the most exceptional circumstances. This restriction will be valid for 30 days. Germany will be implementing these changes with immediate effect. Brent for more on chancellor merkels press conference, im joined by the free democrat partys domestic policy spokesman on the committee for Homeland Affairs in the german parliament. Good to have you on the program. The german chancellor talked about the steps to keep to protect the eu, including a 30day travel ban on noneu citizens coming into the eu. What is your take . Is this response to little, to late . It t is the right thing to d. We can startrt discussing about ththe effect, the amount of tim, but this is not the time in which the o opposition or the govevernment should blame thememselves or recuse themselv. This is ththe time we have to te concrete measures. This measure is the riright thig to do. O. It is not about bororder securi, however. It is a measure that shall reduce unnecessary traveling, and that is what has to begun right now. It is the right thing to do. Brent there are so many clusters of the virus here in europe now. Shouldnt the energy of the chancellor and other eu leaders be now on the people inside the eu and making sure that the virus doesnt spread within the eu . Yes, that is very impmportant aspect. The main r rponsibilitity right now w is to reduce thehe develot within the European Union, all the countries affected, and the travel ban is only one element of reducing such developmentnt. Howevever, it is the respsisibility of f every cititn and everery national governmento take further stepsps and bee responsible in their personal lilife. A travelel ban is one thing we n do, but it is not everything. It is not the entire strategy. Brent what about a nationwide lockdown . We have got one in italy, we now have one in france. Should germany alslso be on ckdown . I think i if you obobserve hw citizezens are b behaving rightn in germany, everyone has to be well aware that ththis is a development we can face in germany also within the next dadays. This is a question of days. We may well see it in the next days. Brent all right, konstantin kuhle, thank you. My pleasure. Brent germanys Disease Control agency has raised the coronavirus Risk Assessment too high. Robert Koch Institute says that measures are necessary to contain the spread of the virus was a germany is not yet under general lockdown, but appeals for people to stay home and avoid unnecessary contact are having an effect. Simon young reports. Simon there is a curious calm in the normally pulsating heart of berlin. On tuesday morning, far fewer people than usual were out and about in the german capital. The foreign minister announced another unprecedented measure, a travel warning for the entire planet. He said no unnecessary trips should be made. In addition, the government will provide 50 Million Euros so german citizens currently brought can, abroad can come home. The ministry of Foreign Affairs has agreed on a unique program with commercial airlines which will bring back german travelers from particularly affected areas within the next few days. We are talking above all about morocco, the dominican republic, the philippines, egypt, and the maldives. The airlines will make flights available. Simon on monday, drastic steps were announced to beat the virus shutting many shops aside from essential is this is such as food stores and pharmacies. Civic life is shutting down. Schools, theaters, and museums are being closed nationwide, as even childrens playgrounds are deserted, many parents having to stay at home to look after their families. Government is offering them extra support. What we are seeing is that many families are wondering about many issues. They want to know how to deal with the drop in income. This is a huge concern. It is not a privatee matter. It needs to be resolved, and the state has to help. Simon politicians continue to search for the right responses to this rapidly evolving crisis. Brent daimler, the Parent Company of mercedesbenz, says it is suspending the majority of its european production in response to the coronavirus pandemic become Committee Says the shutdown affecting vehicle plans will be for an additional twoweek period, which could be extended. Dime was as it wants to contain the spread of the virus within its ranks. Other german Car Companies are also shutting down presently lines. The worlds biggest auto producer, volkswagen, is suspending production in germany and other countries. Management has told employees to expect a rococky road ahead. Reporter a banner year, with record profits and record levels of investment. But the coronavirus pandemic has put the brakes on what should have been a good day for volkswagen. Due to poor turnover and disruptions in a supply chains we will soon be confronted by, we will be forced to close down many of our production facilities. Work has already ground to a halt in factories in spain, italy, and slovakia. And Assembly Lines in germany and throughout the rest of the European Union will soon be shut down for at least two weeks. Vw had expected to continue itss winning streak in 2020. But with no sign of anan end to the spspreadf covid119, compay brass s now says it expects a very difficult year ahead. Brent in the United States, the Trump Administration is proposing an 850 billion schemas package that would among other measures send a 1000 check to every american. The package would include 50 billion for the American Airline industry, a cut in payroll taxes,s, and furtherer lnsns and guarantees for small businesses. The plans come as governments around the world scramble to send direct aid to citizens affected by the pandemic. This plan would still need to be passed by the u. S. Congress. With me at the table is Steven Beardsley from dw business. A check to every american citizen for 1000 . Steven sounds like something we have never seen before, a check to every american. Sounds very trumpian, something that is eyeopening and get search engine, and maybe that would be the plant, to give people money to pay outstanding bills or to go and spend it while the economy is still open. Remember that two thirds of the u. S. Economy is based on consumption, consumer activity. The travel industry, the hotel industry, the restaurant industry, all the industries being hit very hard. Direct help was a part of the last a recession package. It was put into tax measures, tax credits, and it was put into payroll withholdings. Your withholdings were decreased. This is a lot different. This would be an eyeopener, and it would gin up a little bit of excitement or help for people. Brent i would imagine it would get some criticism because a lot of people who dont need the money would be getting a check for 1000. Steven of course that is one claim, but in recent years, a lot of people say this looks like universal basic income, and a lot of people are saying that. But even ubi has support from conservative and liberal sides. You would be surprised were some of the support is coming from. Mitt romney is saying this is a good idea, and on the democratic side, Sherrod Brown of ohio. There might be more support than you expect. Brent were talking about 850 billion, the stimulus plan to is comparable to packages from the past . Steven we are getting into that territory. George w. Bush when he was in office from 780 going dollars from obama. 780 billion from obama. The airlines will get a big portion of this money under the proposal. The recession is different from what is happening now. Thats our credit freeze up and a lot of business damaged, which brought demand down. Demand is down and artificially so, almlmost, because there are fears of the virus but also restrictive measures that are keeping people home and shuttered businesses. It is something that economies have never seen and they dont know how to respond to it. That is why you are seeing an effort to get as close as possible to the business and individual themselves. They want to get as close as possible to directly pay and give that money to them because there is fear they might not have time otherwise. People will face bankruptcies because of this. Brent that is a good point. We heard from some political leaders in the United States warning that this could be worse than the Great Depression of the 1930s. All of this money going to stop the virus. Are they saying that the cure is going to be more extensive, worse than the actual virus . Steven it would be a cold calculus because we are talking about lives. No one would put it that way, but it is a good point to make to understand how this worship the economy and livelihoods. Livelihoodsthis will shake the economy and livelihoods. Livelihoods will change. Industries will be shoveled. There will be a longterm effect just as there was from the great recession. Whether it is bifg or not, we will leave that to experts to say. Everything will change because of this. Uncertainty is really looming. Brent Steven Beardsley, thank you very much, helping us get through, as we said, unprecedented decisions being made today. France has joined different italy and spain in ordering a complete lockout to halt the spread of the coronavirus. President Emmanuel Macron describing the situation as a Public Health war. The virus has killed 150 people in the country and infected more than 6600. Reporter as the clock struck noon in france, the lockdown took effect. People must now carry a document justifying their reasons for going outdoors. Only essential trips and axis eyes alone are permitted exercise alone are permitted. Those who break the rules will be fined. The president has called the outbreak a war. 100,000 Police Officer have been deployed across the country. Officials stress everyday life must be upended to contain the virus. To give you some examples, a family lunch, dinner with friends, Football Game with friends, game of cards. All of that which might not seem important normally is now forbidden, not only live advised, but forbidden not only ill advised, but forbidden. Each of those meetings is a moment when the virus can be transmitted. It runs the risk of speeding the spread of covid19. Brent in the capital reporter in the capital, paris, unusual quiet has taken hold. Reactions to the lockdown are mixed. I think it is a bit too strict. You should be able to walk the streets if you want. People should be able to choose what they want. I think it is necessary. It is an epidemic that is spreading exponentially. So is the contamination. There are many a cinematic carriers. Asymptomatic carriers. I can be one of them. Reporter the Health Ministry says the restrictions could be eased in a fortnight if the virus sufficiently contained. Brent spain has announced an aid package worth 200 billion euros to reduce the impact of the endemic. That is 20 of the countrys gdp. The isis has put the brakes on the entire spanish account the crisis has put the brakes on the entire spanish economy. It is one of three European Countries under lockdown at the moment. Authorities reported a sharp increase in violent cases, read the National Total to 11,000 infections and 500 deaths. More on the potential damage to ththe spanish h economy. Reporter i think nobody even cares to think about the longterm e economic consequques for spain at t the moment. I talked to some p people ininvd in the Tourism Industryy today, and d they said that cancellatis for the next weeks are at 100 0 at t the moment. The toTourism Industry is s onef spains most important economic sectors. They also said that if they dont get immediate relief from ththe government from immediate reliefef package, ththey will nt survive e many weeks. It is not only the Tourism Industry is the entire Service Sector which makes around 70 of spains gdp. They are also really hit by the coronavirus. Brent that was janphilipp scholz reporting. Researchers in the United States have begun testing a pototential coronavirus back seen on volunteers. Four people received the injections. Healthy individuals will receive two very dosages among the part while scientists check for side effects and the impact on their immune systems. Even if the trials a successful, a vaccine is unlikely to be available for at least a year. The World Health Organization has praised china for itws effort its efforts to contain covid19, but are countries in europe doing enough . Heres a spokesman for ththe w. This is an interesting developmenent. Just a fewew weeks to goa few weekss a ago, people werere criticizing all over europe thte ststrong measurein chihina, a ae who was praising, but not only the ststrong measusures, mainlne ststng working o on testing and treating and tracingng every patient. It is a combination n of efforts which are important. It is the comprehensive approach of trying to limit any further options for human spread and larger gatherings and cafees and bars and restaurants are definitely a risk factor. On the other hand, dont forget to test, treat, and trace every singngle patient. In europe, countries have now, as weve seen cases rising up pn europe, have seenen examples of china. They have e shown n good resultn china. Hence ma c countries a across europe and many across the world looking at similar options. Brent here is a look at more of the latest coronavirus development. Belgium has decided on a threeweek lockdown to stop people from leaving their homes. Exceptions are allowed for going to supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, or for cases of emergency. Britain has announced Financial Aid for businesses affected by the virus announcing to more than 360 billion euros worth of guarantees. Iran has temporarily freed 85,000 prisoners in response to the pandemic. Among them is a British National whos been held since 2016. And wuhan, the chinese city where the virus was first detected, reported just one new locally transmitted case on tuesday. However, another 20 cases were reported in the rest of china today. But Authorities Say these can all be traced to people returning from abroad. The first group of medical workers deployed to wuhan at the height of the outbreak, they are now leaving. They have been supporting those temporary hospitals for moree than a month. More than 42,000 healalth care workers from across china were dispatched to the region since the outbreak began. The departure comes as chinese authorities begin to claim victory over the coronavirus. Reporter china has fatather coronavivirus with unified strength and the crisis will soon be over a at leastst ths accocording to the daily streamf news from Chinese State television. The drastic measures undertaken by the Chinese Government at the beginning of the crisis have led to a drop in a new infections. Thousands of patients have recovered. Many chinese factories have started up production again. At the moment we are 70 of our capacity, but the figure will increase day by day. Reporter the World Health Organization h has commended chinas response. Praised china again and again becaususe its actions acactualy helped in reducing the spread of the coronavirus to other countries. Reporter the construction of an Emergency Hospital in wuhan in just 10 days impressed the world. The hospital was closed on the eighth of march with all patients fully rececovered, in fafact that was proudly announud on Chinese State television. What state media doesnt report is that chinese president xi jinping already knew about the Virus Outbreak by january 7. The public was only informed two weeks later. A chinese doctor had already discovered the virus and warned of the dangers posed by it in december of last year. He received a wine from police and was forced to write an official apologywarning from police and was forced to write an official apology. He became infected and died in february. Other attempts by journalists and doctors to draw attention to the gravity of the situation were brutally repressed. There were of several whistleblowers is still unknown. China has had success in battling the epidemic, but with nearly 9000 people still infected, the battle is far from over. Brent the world of sports is also hit hard ride is pandemic. The french open tennis tournament has been shifted from may to september, and european soccers governing body has confirmed that euro 2020 will be postponed until 2021. It has been Holding Meetings with c clubs and Member Associations in hopes that postponing euro 2020 means domestic leagues will be able to play into may and june and complete the seasons, minimizing the Financial Impact on clubs. Kres harrington is here for dw sports. Euro 2020 into 2021 . Kres yes, you touched on the reasoning. After hours of video conferences with stakeholders, uefa president and we have a statement from him following the decision and he explains what you touched on in the world is looking at right now. Lets take a listen. We all know that this terrible virus that is all across europe makes football at all like in europe quite impossible. We knew we had to stop competitions. We think that postponing the euro is the only chance to get a chance to the National Leagues and all the Club Competition to finish their competition. Kres brent, exactly, that is a pressing matter for the top leagues in europe. Brent what does this mean for football clubs and leaks around the continent . Kres when you look at all there is to lose monetarily, look at germany specifically germany employees well over 50,000 people for t german football, and then you look at the tv deal, tv money, sponsorship, ticket sales as well. There was one estimate they estimate between 680 million and 750 Million Euros if everything were to stop today. It is an born to give these teams an opportunity, and the Lower Division teams could full or collapse. It is a pressing matter for all of football. Even Europa League and champions league, they are looking at different formats, possibly a final four format to close out this. Just to give an opportunity and rest for these future football tournaments to take place. Brent what about other competitions due to take place . Is everything being pushed back . Kres the european under 21 temperature was scheduled for next summer. The president said they are thinking of pushing those back because they dont want it to cannibalize these tournaments. They want them to maintain their integrity. And then fever fifas president came out and said that one big tournament due to start next summer was the club world cup, sponsored by fifa. The president cannot is a that they will push that back as well came out to say that they will put that back as well to give an opportunity for the European Championship to take place. That will be confirmed tomorrow during another series of calls between fifa. They also did one thing very positive, donated 10 million to the World Health Organization. It is a collective front to combat this deadly virus. Brent kres harrington, wise words. Thank you very much. Kres ok. Brent how our top level actors and musicians and Opera Singers responding now that theaters and concert venues have been closed . The bavarian state opera in munich has found one answer, livestreaming conferences online. Reporter the bavarian state opera may be performing to empty seats, but the music is still alive. The star pianist says it is more difficult with an audience. Playing to an antiauditorium and sharing music and thinkempty auditorium and sharing music and thinking about how many friends and colleagues are struggling to make ends meet is not easy. Reporter byh livestreaming on the variant tv, the opera wants to send a message, rehearsals are continuing. A performance artist was hopipig to from your premiere her maria callas project in three weeks. We are hoping on the 20th of april we can have the large public see the work. For me, when i perform, public is essential to otherwise i have to have a very good imagination. The public is somewhere, in some space else. Reporter for as long as audiences must keep away, the performances will be streamed. Selective productions and a growing number of honest are taking part in the Initiative Number of productions are taking part in the initiative. They agree that art has the power to heal. Brent we agree. You are watching dw news. After a short break, i will be back to take you through the day. We will be right back. [captioning pepeormed by t the national capaptioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] twenty four correspondents around the world. Transposable it steps of italy and spain and enters a total lock down to limit the spread of the corona virus. Boris johnson says he will go further and faster in the comoming days to fight the c corona virus to british Prime Minister adding his government would work like a wartime one to support the economy. And governments around the world unveiled new measures to cushion the impact from the corona virus over in italy for having such separate conte announcing. A plan to re nationalize flag carrier alitalia. Thank you very much fo