State of emergency: Australia steps up efforts to curtail coronavirus

Australia's capital and the country's second most populous state declared states of emergency on Monday (Mar 16) while large, non-essential gatherings were banned in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus after the national death toll rose to five.

Australia has recorded nearly 300 cases of coronavirus and authorities fear a rapid rise in the flu-like respiratory disease.

Read more: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/coronavirus-covid-19-australia-state-of-emergency-12541616