Since german unification no since the 2nd world war there has been no challenge to our nation that has demanded such a degree of common and united actions in a televised address to the nation german chancellor Angela Merkel makes an unprecedented call for solidarity in the fight against corona virus. And taiwan seems to have kept its infection rates down despite being so close to the original outbreak in china we talked to taipei for a look at what theyre doing. And as cases of the infection jump shockey in the u. S. A mother in quarantine accuses the government of inaction. A lot more hurt. And i think we should have word from deep end on that that have. Dr turner moment. Im monica jones in berlin good to have you with us. Italy has reported to the highest one day death toll from coronavirus and any other country official said nearly 500 people died on wednesday videos posted on social media are said to show military trucks in the city of bury them or preparing to transport the dead to nearby cities morts recent in bury them all have run out of space medical teams from china have a drive to help authorities fight the virus. The governor of italys hardest hit region made this appeal to retired Health Care Workers to the queries immediate you can to go to i want to appeal to all of these doctors and nurses. Make yourself available. And learn this a hand in these trying times. In my opinion through the corporation and availability of these professional Health Workers we can find important answers to the challenges we face is both to be important well here in germany chancellor Angela Merkel has addressed the nation in an unprecedented televised speech saying the country faces its biggest challenge since the 2nd world war this as the countrys top Disease Control officials warn that germany could be dealing with 10000000. 00 Coronavirus Infections in the coming months if its citizens dont adhere to measures outlined by the government. Berlins most famous locations should be bustling with tourists at this time of year but due to covert dine 900. 00 there currently surrounded by empty streets its also highly unusual. For a german chancellor to make a televised address but Angela Merkel said these are extraordinary times and she urged all citizens of germany to seriously consider that own obligations to society the situation is serious take it seriously since german unification no since the 2nd world war there has been no challenge to our nation that has demanded such a degree of common and united action. 1. 00 and called the winners beginning she said germany was in a good position but warned that it could not be complacent got slunk out then that germany has an Excellent Health system perhaps one of the best in the world we can take some confidence from that but our hospitals too would be completely overstretched if too many patients with a severe corona infection were to be admitted in a short space of time i think. Because people in berlin have been waiting in long queues to be tested for their coverage 19 virus and there have been reports from other states of people having to wait in lines for long periods before they were finally tested across the country germans are having their nerves tested new border regulations on the polish border are causing massive traffic jams as far as the eye can see. In many places thirtys have begun extending Police Patrols to enforce new regulations on which shops are allowed to remain open cultural establishments schools and nurseries are supposed to be closed along with most normal grocery shops. And. Our officers are on patrol all around the clock with 2 groups of 100. 00 each in addition we have Undercover Police officers and their only mission is to enforce the regulations. So far the German Government has resisted placing a nationwide curfew such as in spain france and italy but that could soon change. For more lets bring in our Political Correspondent on tons that was quite an unusual and certainly on president address to the nation last night hows it going down with the public. Yes indeed very very unusual we have to see that im going to america has been in office as chancellor for almost 15 years in all in that time shes addressed the nation routinely every new years eve but she has never in those 15 years never ever in the 15 years has she directly addressed the nation in such a situation under such circumstances in such a manner so it is a very dramatic signal in the german political scene and also coming from im going to knuckle emotional support we must say is not her strong suit shes a physicist a scientist she prefers to act in terms of facts in terms of predictions so for her to go to the nation with a personal appeal is something very unusual something that gives her words the kind of way its really needs to go through to enter into the consciousness into the. Awareness of all citizens in germany that was the purpose of this appeal exactly she didnt and that strict a mischa she appealed to the publics sense of responsibility do you think she was successful. Well have to wait and see about that this happened last night to day this morning germany is just starting to get going as it were so we cant yet see whether today people are behaving differently from the way that they do yesterday im going to macko did emphasize that she did not want to use further coercion she put she pointed to the fact that she herself grew up in companies east germany where travel restrictions were the run of normal people were not allowed to leave that country shes very loath to in to impose further restrictions thats why shes appealing to peoples sense of responsibility their sense of solidarity with as citizens but also within families within family groups within neighborhood groups a very personal appeal from her we have to wait and see today whether or not this is going to change the situation of course things are moving very fast this described as has been a learning process for all of us including the government how did yemens rate the governments handling of the situation well and recent polls the support for these measures has been overwhelming. Very large majority support the support the measures but there are even a quarter of people who say that they would one measures to be even harsher that they would want the government to be even stricter in what it does so at the moment that seems to be still supported in this is side but we have to say people are beginning to feel the strain people who have no skin have no schools to look after their children are beginning to feel the strain of having to look after their children themselves people whose businesses are struggling are beginning to feel the strain so German Society is under strain well have to wait and see how this develops indeed hans but on to the Political Correspondent thank you so much. And now to what could be a major turning point in the drive to contain the corona virus china the epicenter of the original outbreak has reported no new local cases of the infection for the 1st time since it began recording them in january however there were 34. 00 new infections imported from abroad which threatens the progress china has made beijing imposed strange and instructions on travel and movement in an attempt to prevent the virus from spreading the total number of confirmed corona virus infections in Mainland China is almost 81000. 00. Taiwan has managed to keep its infection rate follower than neighboring countries despite its proximity to china where the corona virus originated weeks ago the island was expected to become the 2nd worst hit region after china but that didnt happen so what did taiwan do to change the narrative and how is it coping with the ongoing pandemic. Phebe kong sent us the latest from taiwan. Surgical masks and goals have become part of dr whos uniform since the coronavirus outbreak began he was among the 1st group of doctors and tyrone to treat suspected patients that was back in january when the virus 1st spread from china across the strait. Islands taiwan is experienced in understanding china. We know what is reliable and when we should be skeptical. And because taiwan has long been isolated from the International Community we must take more steps ahead of the crisis and use our own judgement. On both ends of busy citizenship. This is where he ended up sleeping a dormitory next to the hospital set aside for medical stuff like him for taiwan the jail and says the treatment for a disease with no cure. Sits on you it was hard to identify misinformation out 1st i was scared of spreading the virus to my family. I think this has to be a collective effort if each of us takes very strict a cautions ourselves it eases the burden on the health care system. Other than medics and military students and teachers at High School Level and below and now banned from overseas travel. Foreigners are denied entry but containing the virus is not only about Border Control communities have found themselves on the frontline district officer of the local government gary cron monitors individuals and a 14 day home quarantine. One of his duties is to take care of the daily needs such as delivering fresh food. There and how do i thought that we help to make it easier for quarantine people to stay at home to reduce the risk of contagion if anyone least the apartment will be alerted by text message and call the police he or she may be fined 3. Quarantine in time 1 may feel Service Based but its also stringent. Individuals under surveillance. Telecom providers are cooperating to enable the government to track people via their mobile phones. Health officials believe Technology Helps contain concern and prevent panic. One example is the face mask rationing system where people can place their order and check availability online. Because it is a whole new Technology Helps us to systemize containment policies in a transparent way it helps the public build up a sense of trust in the government because they are well informed about the situation tendency in america. Taiwans next step is to broaden its testing regimen. Why the bill says anyone with overseas travel history fever or respiratory symptoms is eligible for testing according to research the spread of the virus can be largely contained if 60 percent of infection chains are broken were trying our best to achieve that you know tens or your thomas will see. The island remains concerned about a potential massive outbreak while waiting for a Vaccine Community and government led containment is the only way anyone knows how to fight the virus. Of port was by phoebe kong and she joins me now from taipei the capital of taiwan phebe looking at these latest infection figures coming out of china and taiwan is there a sense in asia the virus is now under control. China has reported 3 year old dont mask the infection today this is the 1st time since the epidemic erupted in generally given that if we assume that chinas official figures are accurate then it appears that the domestic contention is largely and the control or even nearly stopped but there is mounting concern over a possible 2nd wave of infection across asia because many residents are now rushing back home from the current Epicenter Group and other western countries and when we look at the figures on the newly infection in the region recently like china taiwan Hong Kong Singapore nearly all of them all of the cases are imported from overseas and this number is surging rapidly these days and 34 in china today and over 20 in taiwan and hong kong yesterday so the crucial next step is to stop the spread of virus and try to prevent this from turning into a massive domestic outbreak again right to containing the virus is still the main challenge but how are the taiwanese people dealing with the related restrictions what how one is ramping up its containment measures drastically these days and starting from today taiwan bans almost all of the most of the foreigners from entry into taiwan and for those who are allowed to come in to come to taiwan they have to be 1000 at home for 2 weeks and people will even be fined if they lied about their travel history they are who they are farsi so the measures are really strange and that people in taiwan the local citizens they remain and this to this measure theyre willing to sacrifice some of their personal liberties are for a short period of time in order to contain the virus and cooperate with the government right now and what are people there making of the response to the groaner virus here in europe which the w. H. O. Is now calling the new epicenter for the bios. Peek hole feel that maybe the european and ask them maybe its a fear of tee off the problem and. People here around the region in asia they still have fresh memory about why how things can worsen in a shop here of time so fast like in china just 2 months ago so theyre understandable like to us the unprecedented measures are taken by the European Countries and in this sense they feel like maybe taiwan and some other Asian Countries can be a model for the west right a word of warning there from taiwan phoebe kong thank you so much. Lets have a look at some of the other corona related to developments around the world do you zealand and australia are to close their borders to nonresidents and noncitizens to protect their nations from the virus japans deputy Prime Minister says holding the summer olympics would make no sense if countries can send athletes but the government says it is still working to hold the games scheduled francaise reported a big spike in coronavirus deaths its dest hold jumped by 89 to 264 people on wednesday british Prime MinisterBoris Johnson says that from friday schools across the u. K. Will close like in many other European Countries. Back here in europe turkey will close its borders with greece and bulgaria as part of strict measures announced by president regift tired to deal with a coronavirus pandemic and one urged turks not to leave home unless necessary for 3 weeks and to minimize social contact he also unveiled a significant financial package to boost the economy the decision to seal crossings into the e. U. Comes weeks after anchorage triggered a border crisis by saying it would no longer stop migrants from trying to enter the bloc. And im joined now by g. W. Correspondent dorian jones in istanbul dorian do tell us more about these new measures announced by the turkish government. Here present a 21 Point Package yesterday after speaking with his advisers and medical chiefs brainwave part of the package is focused on the economy over 15000000000 dollars package of our support for turkeys Key Industries also giving tax help holidays for Key Companies particularly in the Tourism Sector on said the priority is to protect employment and to also the economy border a colony also has announced that the closure of land borders with greece imbolc area that follows already closure of travel to most of europe said the country should not prepare itself for the danger of mass casualties from this this virus odonnells arrear authorities call that everyone should stay at home as much as possible for the next 3 weeks although these measures are not compulsory yet turkey is now preparing itself for some very difficult times ahead and difficult times ahead especially probably also for those migrants who are already kamte at the border hoping to cross into europe once the Border Closure mean for them. Well in fact theres been this crisis for the last couple of weeks insert one announce an open door policy to refugees seeking to end to europe now theres been weeks of clashes but in the last week or so that crisis has significantly died down even before this announcement of the closing of the turkish borders weve crease about garia this is feeling i think that this tactic of putting pressure on europe by opening its borders has largely built because there wasnt this mass exodus into greece in particular because of the robust measures taken by athens although that has drawn some considerable criticism from human Rights Groups so i think that that crisis is largely has now ended at the realisation now for the rest of europe is our priority is dealing with this coronavirus and their cooperation is vital so i think that i think that the few remaining refugees that are on that border are expected to be returning back to their cities across turkey and that has largely happened already and whats the coronavirus scenario the measures taken mean for Turkish Society how are they coping. Well turkey is a very tactile into a social country where meeting people gracing touching is a vital part of life well that is come to an end i mean now turkey is learning to live a very different reality here in istanbul the main entertainment hubs are dead all the cinema bars restaurants are all closed its like a ghost town in march parts of of the city theres a significant drop in public use of transport the words for the present one is to go to work and go straight back home and dont go out again and that is being largely heeded most of here in istanbul and much of the country although there are people that are trying continue a normal way of life although that is proving quite controversial but Going Forward turkey is realizing that this is an unprecedented moment where everyone has to stay at home and stay away from one another and thats going to be a very difficult adjustment for Turkish Society dorian johns reporting from istanbul thank you so much. For the European Central bank has announced a 750000000000 euro Bond Buying Program to help stabilize markets reeling from the fallout of the coronavirus outbreak its just one of many stimulus plans announced by policymakers across the developed world however investors are still an easy and stocks are tumbling. The carnage has returned to the asian markets the regions main indexes are all trading in the red stocks have continued to extend their earlier losses this week after a moderate reprieve for the markets wednesday. Investors in asia appear to be taking cues from wall street. The dow industrials index plunged more than 6 percent the market decline continues even as lawmakers take further action to support individuals and businesses on wednesday u. S. Lawmakers approved 100000000000. 00 package for free testing sick pay and paid family leave. This is not from rush following. A decision nobody thinks. Is the fault of Small Businesses so while i will support the hospital in order to secure some emergency relief for salt American Workers i want out of here on the senate until we have passed a far bolder package that must include significant relief for Small Businesses all across our country and across the pond european policymakers also announced further stimulus measures after an emergency meeting wednesday evening b. C. B. Says its setting aside 750000000000 euros for bond buying to help ease the effects of a cob in 1000 pandemic still markets are fulling investors are not convinced by the efforts of lawmakers. And the c. E. O. Of lufthansa has want to the coronavirus is jeopardizing the future of aviation said governments may need to save the entire industry from the fallout of the pandemic he added that europes Largest Airline is in good financial shape for now International Industry group i have to estimates up to 200000000000. 00 are needed to help cushion the blow of the outbreak. And over now to my colleague because from business he joins us from. How serious is this crisis for the industry do we know now. Well its becoming ever more clear that this crisis is posing an existential threat to the entire interview and industry in the most recent developments quantas told much of its 30000. 00. Staff to stay home india is preparing a 1600000000. 00 aid package to support i carry errors and effect causes for the c. E. O. Of lift ons i says well were fighting for survival here its not just about move tons of its about the entire industry because the Counter Measures that have been put in place to tackle the virus to address it are likely to stay in place for for a long period of time and the business of the airlines is equally long hit during that period of time so for now its not you know its about saying staying alive staying afloat for that matter that is not said that the planes are needed because look times and other airlines in germany. I have planned and are conducting scores of relief flights repatriating stranded citizens across the world back to germany an operation that has been described as the biggest of its kind in german history but despite the Current Crisis at least look tons apparently is in good shape do the numbers confirm that. Well if yeah well has a liquidity of about 4000000000 euros thats what the Company Announced today which is a somewhat soft cushion if we can if we can say that and also theres another advantage here tons of owns a huge chunk of its fleet of 7780 planes meaning it doesnt have to pay any leasing rates on it and it can get loans against these planes should it become necessary experts say look times i could acquire up to 10000000000 euros with such a move now other than that times as taken similar steps as competitors have been putting people putting staff on short work meaning less pay reduced work hours here the executive board says it will take a 20 percent pay cut and loved ones as confirmed that it has held talks with the German Government about Financial Aid and the c. E. O. Kasich boss says its not just the bob lowering hurdles like taxes and fees but rather about specific active meaning Financial Support for the company so right now it is not about Business Development strategies but rather about trimming costs and staying in business right cost of cool buy them from a business thank you so much for your insights. One of the worlds most famous statues has been lit up to express solidarity with people suffering from the coronavirus the christ the redeemer statue in Rio De Janeiro was illuminated with the flags and maps of countries and continents affected by covert 900 the light show on the brazilian aims to encourage people to pray for the victims of the pandemic said to me to talk statue which last year saw almost 2000000 visitors is closed to the public as part of efforts to contain the fires. Now. Youre watching news from the end of next focus on the euro ill be back at the top of the hour. For europe schools are closing. In italy lessons have been taking place at home for several weeks now because of the international drastic measures in the exceptionally calendaring times for teachers. And students. Become much when students learn during the time of the program. On your. Next on d w. 5 promises to respect the goal nigerias government stands accused by the International Community of serious human rights abuses i guess this week here in london is blind mohammed the countrys information minister counters he just runs against the countrys many critics when the evidence of wrongdoing be so compelling. You to. Go on. Sale today dont miss our highlights. Programme online w dot com highlights. Hello and welcome to focus on europe we are currently experiencing an absolute state of emergency more and more European Countries are on the lockdown and are closing their borders theaters and schools are keeping their doors shut all in an effort to fight the coronavirus and no other country has been worse hits than italy. Duh