Trump declares national emergency over coronavirus
US President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency to help handle the growing outbreak of coronavirus.
The declaration - "two very big words", according to Mr Trump - allows the government to tap up to $50bn (£40bn) in emergency relief funds.
The move loosens regulations on the provision of healthcare and could speed up testing - the slow pace which has been criticised widely.
There are 1,701 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the US, and 40 deaths.
Several US states have taken measures to stem the infections rate, including banning large gatherings, sports and closing schools.
The virus started in China last December, but Europe is currently the "epicentre" of the global pandemic, the top of the World Health Organization said on Friday, as several Europe reported steep rises in infections and deaths.
Italy has recorded its highest daily toll yet - 250 in the last 24 hours, taking the full total to at least one 1,266, with 17,660 infections in the united states.
Mr Trump's administration has come under recent scrutiny over its failure to supply Americans with widespread coronavirus testing.
What did Mr Trump announce?
Your choice on the state of emergency was announced by Mr Trump in a live address from the White House Rose Garden.
The "next eight weeks are critical," Mr Trump said.
Between the measures envisaged within the emergency response are:
THE UNITED STATES Health Secretary Alex Azar and health officials can waive certain laws and license requirements, giving more overall flexibility to healthcare providers
Hospitals have already been asked to activate their emergency preparedness plans
Up to 500,000 additional coronavirus tests will be available by early in a few days, though authorities are not recommending tests without clear need; private labs and vaccine developers will be able to provide five million coronavirus tests within the month, though authorities aren't recommending tests for those without symptoms
Interest on all student education loans is usually to be waived until further notice as a measure to help ease the burden for students as universities and colleges in the united states shut their doors
Democrats in Congress and heavily-affected states have been urging Mr Trump to issue the order, that may also allow more persons to be eligible for government health insurance.
Later on Friday, US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced she had reached a handle the White House on a package to assist people afflicted by the outbreak.
It includes two weeks of paid sick leave or more to 90 days of paid family and medical leave, free virus testing for all those without insurance and food aid.
Does Trump desire a virus test?
Urged again to describe why he hasn't taken a coronavirus test following reports that he has been in the company of folks who've tested positive recently, Mr Trump said he previously no symptoms and there was no dependence on a test. But he added that he was likely to have one "fairly soon", anyway.
In Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau began a 14-day self-isolation period on Friday after his wife tested positive.
Brazil's President Jair Bolsanaro has tested negative, despite one of is own top aides falling sick recently. Both men had recently met US officials including President Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence.
President Trump's travel ban on 26 European countries, that was met with anger and confusion. this week, will go into effect on Friday at midnight EDT (04:00 GMT on Saturday).
Exactly what is a national emergency?
The 1988 Stafford Act provides president alone the opportunity to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) to co-ordinate a national response to "natural catastrophes" within the united states.
Donald Trump said "national emergency" were two very big words, however the declaration sounds more dramatic than it really is, says the BBC's Anthony Zurcher.
There are currently a lot more than 30 national emergencies in place. Mr Trump has declared several national emergencies in his presidency, including one this past year to redirect military funds to create a southern border wall to prevent illegal immigration.
He in addition has issued the order to deal with wildfires in California and flooding in the Midwest.
It marks the first make use of the order to fight a pandemic since President Barack Obama issued one to fight the swine flu virus.
President Bill Clinton issued a national emergency to pay for efforts to avoid the spread of West Nile virus in america Northeast.
