Over 1 bn people worldwide told to stay home over virus

Global emergency efforts ratcheted up as pandemic deaths soar

PARIS: More than one billion people have been asked to stay home in more than 50 countries and territories around the world as governments battle the Coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe, according to an AFP tally Monday.

Some countries imposed mandatory lockdown measures, while others have issued stay-athome recommendations to stem the spread of the virus.

Meanwhile, global emergency efforts to slow the Coronavirus pandemic ratcheted up Monday with more nations and cities imposing extraordinary lockdowns, as the number of deaths around the world from the novel Coronavirus cases stood at 15,189, according to a tally on Monday from official sources.

More than 341,300 declared cases have been registered in 174 countries and territories since the epidemic first emerged in China in December.

From Germany banning gatherings of more than two people, New Zealand announcing a four-week lockdown and Hong Kong shutting its borders to all non-residents, the new round of containment efforts highlighted a deepening sense of panic around the world.