Coronavirus

The government said last night two people who arrived from Australia on their honeymoon have tested positive for the coronavirus.

They arrived at Tontouta airport on board an Aircalin flight from Sydney on Tuesday.

The government statement said the pair started displaying symptoms on Tuesday night and were immediately taken to a Noumea hospital.

He said other people who were on the plane have been taken to a suburban sports centre that has been converted into a quarantine centre.

“In bigger countries like America you can see how difficult it is because it is so big,” Dr ‘Akau’ola said.

“I feel if the virus does come to Tonga, it will be easy for us to contain it.

“I don’t think we should look at it and compare it to other countries. I think for us as a developing country we should do what is practical, what is feasible and what can get results.”

Kaniva News reports while Tonga’s health authorities were preparing for a “worst case” scenario, Dr ‘Akau’ola said he believed that 98% of people infected by the coronavirus recovered.

Countries around the Pacific are continuing to further isolate themselves in a bid to stave off a rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in the region.

Six cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in the Pacific - three in Guam and three in French Polynesia - since Thursday. No new cases were declared on Monday.

After three residents were confirmed to have Covid-19 on Sunday, Guam's government restricted public gatherings and closed all public schools on Monday. It also closed government offices for two weeks.

Premiership Rugby's decision followed new guidance from the United Kingdom government on Monday.

British prime minister Boris Johnson encouraged people to avoid mass gatherings and all "non-essential" travel and contact with others.

"The safety of our fans, players and staff is our first priority, and we would like to wish all of those who are affected our heartfelt best wishes and a very speedy recovery," a Premiership Rugby statement read.

The NRL season got underway last week and is scheduled to continue behind closed doors from round two.

But there are concerns over the financial impact of playing without fans or the season possibly being suspended due to the coronavirus.

Greenberg said there was a possibility star players may be asked to take pay cuts if the season was hugely impacted.

Media release - https://t.co/YMcR7LfvZz pic.twitter.com/MRjWtOLJYI

The NBA was this week suspended indefinitely amid the spread of COVID-19, with league commissioner Adam Silver saying that will remain the case for at least 30 days.

In response, Kevin Love, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Blake Griffin all donated $100,000 to the arena staff of their respective teams to help those who will be hardest hit by the halting of NBA action.

Zion Williamson vowed to cover the salaries of all staff at the New Orleans Pelicans' Smoothie King Center for the next month.

Jurgen Klopp's men are 25 points clear at the top and need just two wins to secure their first Premier League title, but no more fixtures will be played until at least early April due to the coronavirus pandemic.

As a result of the prolonged break, no collections for FSF – a charity set up to support the city's most vulnerable -– will take place at Anfield for the foreseeable future.

However, Liverpool announced on Saturday their players, along with the LFC Foundation, Red Neighbours and club staff, will step in by making a large donation to North Liverpool Foodbank.

Under the decree being finalised, people would be allowed out only for emergencies, to buy food, or for work.

With 191 deaths and 6,046 infections, Spain is the worst-hit country in Europe after Italy, which declared a nationwide lockdown on Monday.

The US is extending its European travel ban to the UK and the Republic of Ireland from Monday.

President Donald Trump confirmed the news in answer to a reporter's question at the White House.

On Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Europe was now the "epicentre" of the pandemic.

The Bulls suffered a defeat to Reds in Brisbane on Saturday and was scheduled to face the Waratahs before heading to New Zealand on their four-week Australia tour.

However, the Bulls are now returning home following SANZAAR’s decision to suspend the tournament indefinitely amid the global Coronavirus pandemic.

Following SANZAAR’S announcement of the Super Rugby tournament being suspended, we can confirm that the Bulls team will be returning to South Africa and are expected to touch down on Monday evening.

"This is very important," Scott Morrison said at a briefing, adding that the measure would take effect from midnight on Sunday (13:00 GMT).

The measures mirror those announced by New Zealand on Saturday.

Foreign cruise liners will also be banned from docking in Australia for 30 days, but schools will remain open.

Australia has reported nearly 250 confirmed cases, with three deaths.