Morning Report

Thousands of people are in self isolation after arriving home from overseas.

About 15,000 people came into the country in the first two days after government imposed a two week quarantine on all arrivals.

About half are Kiwis.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters told reporters New Zealanders planning to come home need to do so as fast as possible, but many are struggling to get a flight.

In the US, the death toll from Covid-19 has now passed 100, as the coronavirus reaches all 50 states.

The US and Canada have jointly agreed to close their land border to non-essential traffic, but trade will not be affected.

Nearly 8 million people in northern California are being asked to stay at home and the mayor of New York says a similar measure is being considered there.

Many schools may remain closed for the rest of the school year - until the end of August.

Washington correspondent Giles Gibson speaks to Corin Dann.

New Zealanders will learn today how much tougher their lives will be as the government looks at whether to ban gatherings of more than 100 people.

Earlier this week the Prime Minister banned crowds of more than 500 but warned tougher measures are on the way that will affect weddings and funerals.

The country now has 20 confirmed cases of coronavirus with officials tracking hundreds who've been in close contact including 150 students at a Dunedin high school.

It's expected the disease will start spreading within communties by within two weeks.

Globally, the number of coronavirus cases has now passed 200-thousand and the number of deaths has now tipped out over 8-thousand. 

Covid-19 is an enemy against humanity. 

That's the latest word from the World Health Organisation's director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, this morning. 

He's calling on ALL countries to implement comprehensive strategies to slow down the Covid-19 epidemic, so hospitals can cope with the numbers of patients.

New Zealand Super Rugby teams have been caught up in the coronavirus restrictions with the Crusaders and Chiefs entering voluntary self-isolation.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Dental Association says dentists will have to shut down within weeks due to a lack of masks unless the Government takes action immediately.

The chief executive of the New Zealand Dental Association, David Crum says the masks dentists use are of a specific standard which are in very short supply.

He told RNZ reporter Rachel Graham there was about two weeks supply left before dentists will have to start closing.

US Stock markets are falling again despite the huge stimulus package announced yesterday by President Trump

\European shares have closed 4 to 5 percent lower, the Dow is faring worse, close to 9 percent down.

The oil price war has also seen prices drop to an 18-year low.

International markets journalist Rob Budden, based in France, speaks to Susie Ferguson.

Covid-19 is an enemy against humanity.

That's the latest word from the World Health Organisation's director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, this morning.

He's calling on ALL countries to implement comprehensive strategies to slow down the Covid-19 epidemic, so hospitals can cope with the numbers of patients.

Dr Tedros says Africa especially needs to wake up, and take stern measures to contain the virus such as avoiding mass gatherings.

He says isolating, testing, treating and tracing every suspected case must be the backbone of the world's response - until a vaccine or cure is found.

News from the rural and farming sector.

A brief update from the business sector.