Read The Star’s live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic here. This story is no longer updating.

11:45 p.m.: WestJet says it is suspending all commercial operations for international and transborder flights for a 30-day period.

As of today, the Calgary-based airline says tickets for the period beginning March 23 will no longer be available for sale.

It says in a statement online that its final commercially scheduled flight will be Sunday night.

The company says it will then be operating rescue and repatriation flights in partnership with the Canadian government.

WestJet says it is in the process of lowering prices on remaining seats for Canadians trying to return home.

11:11 p.m.: Shoppers Drug Mart says all of their stores are dedicating their first hour of opening to customers who need assistance.

The company says that includes seniors and people living with disabilities.

It says it is also offering their 20 per cent seniors’ discount on regular-priced items during their first opening hour.

10:30 p.m.: Nordstrom will temporarily close all of its stores in Canada and the U.S. for two weeks starting tomorrow. The company said it will provide pay and benefits for its store employees during the closure.

9:34 p.m.: Canadians who need help returning home will be able to apply for an emergency loan of up to $5,000 from the federal government.

Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said Monday in a statement that Canada is “committed to providing all assistance possible to Canadians abroad affected by COVID-19 and to helping them return home safely.”

The government is recommending people return to Canada as soon as possible. It warns that people could face fewer travel options to get back to Canada and sudden spikes in prices.

The COVID-19 Emergency Loan Program for Canadians Abroad is meant to temporarily cover what the federal government describes as their “life-sustaining needs while they work toward their return.”

9:28 p.m.: The Cineplex, Landmark and Imagine cinema chains all announced their immediate closure nationwide on Monday evening, effectively putting an end to public moviegoing.

Cineplex said it’s closing until at least April 2; the other chains gave no timeline.

8:49 p.m.: Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Health Minister Christine Elliott say the province is recommending the closure provincewide of all sorts of gathering places, including libraries, daycares, churches and restaurants.

“Given the latest developments both internationally and here at home, including growing evidence of community spread, the province is taking further action to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Based on advice from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Williams, Ontario is responding to the evolving situation by moving forward with new measures to help contain the virus, including the recommended closure of all recreational programs and libraries, private schools, daycares, churches and other faith settings, as well as bars and restaurants, except those that may only offer takeout or delivery. These closures would be in line with the updated guidance to avoid large gatherings of over 50 people,” a news release Monday night stated.

The recommendation comes on the heels of Toronto’s medical officer of health Dr. Eileen de De Villa “strongly recommending” dine-in restaurants, bars, nightclubs and theatres close tonight and warns she may issue orders to close them if they do not comply.

8:27 p.m: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s call on U.K. manufacturers to build potentially life-saving ventilators is fuelling frustration among companies willing to help, but doubtful of the plan.

Johnson has asked firms like carmakers to ramp up production of the machines, as his government urgently tries to ready the country’s National Health Service for more cases of the coronavirus. On Sunday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the nation has about 5,000 ventilators and needs many times more.

“They will not be able to get as many as they want,” said Craig Thompson, head of products and marketing at Penlon Ltd, which makes anesthesia machines that perform some of the functions of intensive care ventilators.

“It’s out of the question that anybody who doesn’t normally make medical equipment will supply medical equipment in the next two months,” he said, citing challenges such as safety testing and regulatory approval.

8:25 p.m.: The Keg announced the temporary closure of all 107 Keg locations across North America effective as of the close of business, Tuesday, March 17 — except in Toronto, which has directed all dining room and bars close at midnight on Monday, March 16. Senior leadership says they anticipate the closure will be no less than two weeks.

7:40 p.m.: Eighteen new confirmed cases announced in Alberta late Monday brings Canada’s total to 425. The numbers by province: Ontario: 177 confirmed, 5 resolved. British Columbia: 103 confirmed (including 4 deaths) 5 resolved; Alberta: 74 confirmed; Quebec: 50 confirmed; Canadians quarantined at CFB Trenton: 8 confirmed; Manitoba: 7 confirmed, 1 presumptive; New Brunswick: 2 confirmed, 5 presumptive; Saskatchewan: 2 confirmed, 5 presumptive; Nova Scotia: 1 confirmed, 4 presumptive; Prince Edward Island: 1 confirmed; Newfoundland and Labrador: 1 presumptive.

7:06 p.m.: The UFC is postponing its next three fight cards in the wake of the latest restrictions in the U.S. due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The televised MMA shows were originally slated for March 21 in London, March 28 in Columbus, Ohio, and April 11 in Portland. The UFC initially planned to shift them to the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas behind closed doors but the Nevada State Athletic Commission voted to suspend all combat sports events in the state.

Elsewhere, NASCAR has suspended its season until May as part of the Centres for Disease Control’s recommendation to postpone gatherings for the next eight weeks. The series plans to return to the track at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia on May 9.

6:53 p.m.: U.S. airlines are asking the federal government for grants, loans and tax relief that could easily top $50 billion (U.S.) to help them recover from a sharp downturn in travel due to the new coronavirus.

Airlines for America, the trade group representing the carriers, disclosed its request for financial help on Monday, just as more airlines around the world were announcing ever-deeper cuts in service and, in some cases, layoffs.

President Donald Trump pledged to help the airlines, although he did not say what the assistance might look like.

6:16 p.m.: McDonald’s said it would close dining rooms at company-owned restaurants in the U.S. and asked franchisees to take the same step to confront the coronavirus pandemic.

The Chicago-based burger giant said its stores would continue to serve customers through takeout, drive-throughs and delivery. McDonald’s said the bulk of its franchisees would comply with the new operating plan.

6:05 p.m.: Popular Toronto grocery chain Pusateri’s announced that it will provide gloves for shoppers to wear while shopping, among other safety measures, as well as opening several stores at 7 a.m. each day to let those at a higher risk from the virus shop with fewer people around.

The chain said Monday that there will also be hand sanitizer stations throughout the store and there will be frequent sanitization of “high touch point areas.”

6:01 p.m.: At least six Transportation Security Administration officers, who provide security at U.S. airports, have tested positive for the new coronavirus and dozens were in self-quarantine Monday.

TSA said operations were running smoothly and it stood by its decision to not provide officers with respirators as their union requested last week. Officers screen 2 million passengers around the country on a typical day.

Joe Shuker, a vice-president for the union representing workers in a region including Philadelphia and Washington, said he was surprised the government hadn’t shut down air traffic. “Our guys can’t stay six feet away from anybody, we’re patting people down,” Shuker said. ‘We’re putting people at risk for no reason.”

5:43 p.m.: British authorities on Monday dramatically ramped up measures to combat the new coronavirus, urging all U.K. residents to avoid unnecessary contact with others and telling people in the most vulnerable groups to stay at home for three months.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said “you should avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues,” at a news conference alongside his chief medical and scientific advisers. Johnson said people with “the most serious health conditions” should be “shielded” from social contacts for 12 weeks. He mentioned people over 70, those with chronic illnesses and pregnant women as particularly at risk.

The U.K. strategy, less drastic than many European governments’, has been based on the presumption that most people will eventually get the virus. But Johnson said Monday the number of U.K. cases was starting to rise rapidly and “without drastic action” they could double every five or six days. As of Monday, Britain had 1,543 confirmed cases and 53 virus-related deaths.

Johnson also said the government would no longer give emergency-services support to large gatherings; all of London’s West End theatres said they would close in the wake of the government announcement, though he did not ban them outright. Schools will remain open.

Until Monday, Britons had been told merely to wash their hands frequently and to stay at home for a week if they have a fever or continuous cough.

5:14 p.m.: Air Canada is halving its seat capacity in the second quarter and withdrawing its earnings forecast for 2020 and 2021 amid a “severe drop in traffic” due to the novel coronavirus. The announcement sent company shares into a tailspin, with the stock plunging by more than 28 per cent or $7.14 to $18.23 — barely one-third of its price two months ago.

The country’s largest airline has now suspended or postponed 18 transatlantic routes as Canada announced Monday an entry ban on most non-residents, with U.S. citizens excepted.

Toronto-based Sunwing Airlines is cancelling all southbound flights through April 9 to focus on returning customers to Canada.

5:00 p.m.: Major League Baseball pushed back opening day until mid-May at the earliest on Monday after the federal government recommended restricting events of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks.

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred made the announcement following a conference call with executives of the 30 teams.

“The clubs remain committed to playing as many games as possible when the season begins,” the commissioner’s office said in a statement.

4:50 p.m.: Canada’s main stock index hit a 52-week low Monday amid heightened volatility caused by a steep drop in crude oil prices and investor angst over the spread of COVID-19.

The S&P/TSX composite index initially lost about 1,800 points and closed down 9.9 per cent or 1,355.93 points at 12,360.40.

The Canadian dollar traded for 71.61 cents US compared with an average of 71.94 cents US on Friday.

4:31 p.m.: The U.S. stock market plunged more than 12 per cent Monday for its worst day in more than three decades as voices from Wall Street to the White House said the coronavirus is likely dragging the economy into a recession.

The S&P 500 has plummeted nearly 30 per cent since setting a record less than a month ago, and it’s at its lowest point since the end of 2018. Losses were steep Monday, accelerating in the last half hour of trading after President Donald Trump said the economy may be headed for a recession and asked Americans to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people.

4:10 p.m.: Toronto medical officer of health Dr. Eileen de Villa says the city is seeing community transmission — COVID-19 spreading in community, not just from people returning from abroad or their close contacts. De Villa says they are still trying to discover source of infection for three cases. Four people with COVID-19 remain in hospital

4:05 p.m.: De Villa “strongly recommending” dine-in restaurants, bars, nightclubs and theatres close tonight and warns she may issue orders to close them if they do not comply under Section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act.

De Villa asking those establishments close “as soon as possible” and no later than midnight tonight. Takeout and delivery can continue, she said. This is not forced closure but strong words with warning. Asks everyone to “make every possible effort” to practide social distancing.

3:45 p.m.: Ontario’s chief medical officer of health is recommending that all bars and restaurants close. Dr. David Williams says establishments doing takeout and delivery would be an exception.

Ontario has already ordered all public schools stay closed for two weeks after March break and Williams is now recommending that all private schools and daycares also close, along with churches.

3:43 p.m.: The Trump administration urged the U.S. public to avoid gatherings larger than 10 people and cancel discretionary travel.

With job losses mounting and wide swaths of the economy shuddering to a halt, stocks nosedived more than 11 per cent on Wall Street at one point in the morning, in a sell-off so fast that it triggered

3:37 p.m.: Williams also urging Ontarians to limit group activities to no more than 50 people, work from home and only go out if necessary as Ontario gets 32 new cases overnight.

3:34 p.m.: Dr. Barbara Yaffe, associate chief medical officer of health, says officials “really cannot definitely rule out community transmission” of COVID-19 in Ontario.

3:30 p.m.: Universal Pictures, in a bold move to confront the coronavirus threat to the movie industry, is collapsing the theatrical window.

In an extraordinary step, the studio on Monday said it will make its movies available in the home on the same day as their global theatrical releases, beginning with DreamWorks Animation’s “Trolls World Tour,” opening April 10 in the U.S.

The company will also make movies that are currently in theatrical release available on-demand starting as early as Friday, starting with “The Invisible Man,” “The Hunt” and “Emma.”

3:20 p.m.: Saskatchewan has reported an additional presumptive case of COVID-19. The new case brings the total in the province to seven.

The Ministry of Health says two of the seven cases have been confirmed by the national laboratory.

3:15 p.m.: Nova Scotia is reporting one confirmed case of COVID-19 and four presumptive cases.

Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, says the confirmed case is the result of a positive test that came back on one of three presumptive cases announced Sunday.

Strang announced two new presumptive cases on Monday — a man and a woman from the Halifax Regional Municipality who are both in their 50s.

He says they were in close contact with individuals who had recently travelled outside the country.

Two other individuals in the household are now in self-isolation and are being tested while the affected individuals are in self-isolation and recovering at home.

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3 p.m.: Health officials and police are warning people about an email scam taking advantage of people worried about COVID-19 to steal money or sensitive information.

Winnipeg police sent a warning Monday about a scam where a person gets an email saying the recipient has been contaminated by the novel coronavirus.

The email also asks for credit card information in order to get a shipment of medication.

The Canadian Red Cross also sent out a warning over the weekend against clicking in any links in a text message claiming to be from the organization offering masks.

2:53 p.m.: Quebec is reporting several new COVID-19 cases and is now up to 50 across the province.

Premier François Legault revealed the latest numbers as he made a plea to Quebecers to donate blood to ensure stockpiles are not depleted.

There are 3,073 people under investigation for the disease in Quebec, and 3,079 have received a negative result.

Health Minister Danielle McCann says the province has enough tests and will be ratcheting up testing tomorrow with the opening of new centres allowing more than 6,000 tests per day, up from 1,600.

2:45 p.m.: Yukon is restricting gatherings to a limit of 50 people.

The territory’s chief medical officer Dr. Brendan Hanley says parents who can keep their children home from spring break daycamps, or daycare, should do so.

And people are being asked to work from home if they can.

Yukon does not have any confirmed cases of COVID-19, but Hanley says the territory is “very likely” to see a case soon.

2:41 p.m.: B.C. recorded three more deaths, all of them stemming from a long-term care home in North Vancouver where the first death in Canada was reported.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says 30 more people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in B.C., which now has 103 cases.

Henry says at least four of the latest cases are connected to a dental conference that was held in Vancouver on March 6 and 7, and that anyone from around the world who attended the event needs to self isolate.

2:40 p.m.: Canadian Blood Services is seeking to reassure donors that it’s safe to give blood, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Isra Levy of Canadian Blood Services says donations dropped about 20 per cent late last week, and that Canada is just a few days away from having a critical blood shortage.

Levy says it is still safe to donate, since only healthy people are allowed to come into clinics.

2:30 p.m.: Major League Baseball pushed back opening day until mid-May at the earliest on Monday because of the new coronavirus after the federal government recommended restricting events of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks.

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred made the announcement following a conference call with executives of the 30 teams.

“The clubs remain committed to playing as many games as possible when the season begins,” the commissioner’s office said in a statement

2:20 p.m.: B.C. reports three more deaths from COVID-19, all linked to the same care centre in North Vancouver, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to four. All were residents of Lynn Valley Care Centre, a long-term care centre.

2:18 p.m.: Actor Idris Elba announces that he’s tested positive for COVID-19. “I feel OK, I have no symptoms so far but have been isolated since I found out about my possible exposure to the virus,” he tweeted. “Stay home people and be pragmatic. I will keep you updated on how I’m doing. No panic.”

2 p.m.: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was asked why U.S. citizens would still be allowed into Canada when cases can be traced there. Trudeau says Canada is co-ordinating closely with U.S. “Level of integration is quite particular,” and they need more time to make sure they’re doing the right thing with regards to Americans.

1:54 p.m.: Trudeau says the reason why he’s changed his mind on closing the border to most non-citizens is because the situation is “rapidly evolving” and the move was made in consultation with health officials. Trade and cargo still allowed.

1:49 p.m.: Trudeau urges Canadians abroad to return home while it’s still possible. “Let me be clear. If you’re abroad, it’s time for you to come home. If you’ve just arrived, it’s time to self-isolate for 14 days . . . All Canadians, as much as possible, should stay home.”

1:45 p.m.: Trudeau says that starting Wednesday, international flights will only be allowed to land at four airports: Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal.

He says that doesn’t apply to trade and business flights, as well as those from the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean as well as Saint Pierre and Miquelon.

1:40 p.m.: Trudeau closes borders to people who aren’t citizens or permanent residents of Canada in response to coronavirus pandemic. American citizens are also exempt.

Trudeau says exceptions will also be carved out for diplomats and immediate family of citizens. He says airlines will also be required to refuse passage to people with symptoms.

12:35 p.m.: The Saskatchewan government is suspending all pre-kindergarten to Grade 12 classes indefinitely over concerns about COVID-19.

The government says the shutdown is to take effect Friday but is encouraging parents to keep their children at home immediately if they can.

Daycares located at schools will also close, but licensed daycare facilities outside of schools can remain open.

12:26 p.m.: Restaurant Brands International Inc. says it is asking Canadian Tim Hortons restaurant owners to provide takeout, drive-thru and delivery only in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The company says it is closing all dining room seating effective Tuesday. The closures will continue until further notice.

The change comes as governments across the country urge Canadians to engage in social distancing to slow the spread of the virus.

Restaurant Brands says if there are further instructions from public health officials it will take further steps.

12:15 p.m.: A research centre in Vancouver that seeks new ways of treating prostate cancer has been repurposed in order to shave significant time off the process of finding a cure for COVID-19.

The Vancouver Prostate Centre has developed a shortlist of the top 100 candidate protease inhibitors that could lead to a treatment for COVID-19 using an artificial intelligence process normally used for developing oncology drugs.

The centre says the next steps over the coming eight weeks is to purchase and screen those candidates in order to whittle them down to one or two best options.

The 100 candidates will also be shared with researchers worldwide looking for a treatment for the novel coronavirus.

12:11 p.m.: The Consulate General of India in Toronto announced in a press release that it would be discontinuing consular services on Tuesday until further notice.

Anyone seeking services such as power of attorney or a life certificate from the consulate is urged to do so via mail. Additionally, the consulate is only offering emergency visa requests, by email at visa.toronto@mea.gov.in.

12:07 p.m.: Nova Scotia is reporting two new presumptive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of presumptive positives in the province to five.

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Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health says the two new cases are in Halifax Regional Municipality and are related.

The patients include a male and female, both in their 50s, who were in close contact with individuals who had recently travelled outside the country

Two other individuals in the household are now in self-isolation and are being tested while the affected individuals are in self-isolation and recovering at home.

12 p.m.: Oliver and Bonacini Hospitality announces that they will be closing all operations across Canada, including restaurants, bars and event venues. Pick up and delivery options are still being “explored” the Instagram post reads. “Until then, stay healthy, stay home and let’s flatten the curve together during these incredibly challenging times,” CEO Andrew Oliver adds.

11:49 a.m.: Health authorities say Quebec now has 41 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The province updated its tally today, and it says 1,834 people remain under investigation.

Both new cases announced are in the Montreal area. Another 2,577 people’s tests have come back negative.

11:40 a.m.: The NFL will proceed with its draft but without public events next month in Las Vegas. It’s not yet clear, however, if the draft itself will be held in the city.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said Monday the draft will take place April 23-25 as scheduled, but under a modified format still being developed. The draft will be televised regardless of its venue or format.

11:39 a.m.: Ontario Premier Doug Ford expands on his comments about the Canadian border. “I’d be OK with closing the borders to visitors, not to trade and commerce,” he told reporters. “We have to keep the supply chain going.” Adds that he’s prepared to close schools longer than three weeks if chief medical officer recommends.

11:34 a.m.: The Trump administration is alleging that a foreign disinformation campaign is underway aimed at spreading fear in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic, three U.S. officials said Monday.

On Sunday, federal officials began confronting what they said was a deliberate effort by a foreign entity to sow fears of a nationwide quarantine amid the virus outbreak. Agencies took co-ordinated action Sunday evening to deny that any such plans were put in place, as they tried to calm a nation already on edge by disruptions to daily life caused by the virus.

The three U.S. officials did not name the foreign entity they believe to be responsible. They spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter.

“Text message rumours of a national #quarantine are FAKE,” tweeted the National Security Council Sunday night. “There is no national lockdown.” The NSC encouraged Americans to follow official government guidance.

11:28 a.m.: Ontario Finance Minister Rod Phillips says March 25 provincial budget will be reduced to a fiscal update due to COVID-19. “Circumstances have changed rapidly.” Full budget will come later.

11:25 a.m.: Premier Doug Ford says no need to panic buy. He has been on the phone with major retailers and says the supply chain is flowing smoothly. He’s asking people not to hoard. “There’s plenty of food and household essentials to go round.”

11:20 a.m.: Ford says in “unprecedented times” he is asking the federal government to tighten up the Canadian border to stop people from crossing, not to commerce. Says government is drafting legislation to protect workers from losing their jobs if asked to self-isolate. He says doctor’s notes for being sick from work will no longer be required, backtracking on a statement last week. He urges Ontarians not to go to an assessment centre unless you’re showing symptoms.

11:13 a.m.: The latest numbers on the Johns Hopkins website report the number of cases worldwide at 174,884 with 6,705 deaths. Among those, 77,657 have recovered from the illness. Italy (24,747), Iran (14,991), Spain (9,407) and South Korea (8,236) have the highest number of cases outside China (81,032).

11:02 a.m.: The Canada Border Services Agency announced new screening questions for travellers arriving Monday following a weekend of disarray at points of entry into the country, especially airports.

While the federal government wants people returning to Canada from abroad to stay in isolation for 14 days, travellers reported customs officials weren’t routinely providing the direction to new arrivals, prompting fear, anger and frustration.

Automated questionnaires administered by touchscreens at entry points will now ask anyone and everyone who is arriving from overseas whether they have coughs, difficulty breathing or are feeling feverish, the CBSA said on Twitter.

New arrivals will also be required to acknowledge that they’re being asked to self-isolate for two weeks to keep COVID-19 from spreading.

10:45 a.m.: The City of Hamilton has announced that two of their COVID-19 assessment centres are open starting today. One at the West End Clinic, and another at East End Clinic.

“These centres will assess patients and test for COVID-19, as appropriate. Patients will also receive direction regarding how to treat their symptoms and next steps in their care. Individuals should bring their Ontario health card and a list of current medications to the assessment centre.”

Automated questionnaires administered by touchscreens at entry points will now ask anyone and everyone who is arriving from overseas whether they have coughs, difficulty breathing or are feeling feverish, the CBSA said on Twitter

10:35 a.m.: Ontario announces 32 more cases of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 177. There have been 10,178 tests, with 8,464 negative, 1,537 under investigation, and five resolved (patient is no longer infectious based on two consecutive negative tests at least 24 hours apart).

The new cases are across the province, including in Hamilton, Ottawa and Sudbury, but the majority are in the Greater Toronto Area.

New patients reported today are all self-isolating, but other information — including their ages and how they became infected — is sparse.

10 a.m.: The White House put in place new measures Monday to protect President Donald Trump and his staff during the coronavirus outbreak, including taking the temperature of anyone who enters the complex, including visitors and members of the press corps.

The steps expanded on screenings the White House began on Saturday for anyone who gets close to Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence, who is leading the administration’s response to the virus.

9:45 a.m.: North American stock markets plunged at the start of trading as COVID-19 fears tightened their grip on investors.

The Toronto S&P/TSX composite index was down 1,569.17 points at 12,147.16 — a decline big enough to trigger market circuit breakers that forced a brief pause in trading.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 2,250.46 points at 20,935.16. The S&P 500 index was down 220.55 points at 2,490.47, while the Nasdaq composite was down 482.15 points at 7,392.73.

The Canadian dollar traded for 71.58 cents US compared with an average of 71.94 cents US on Friday.

The Toronto S&P/TSX composite index plunges more than 1,500 points at the start of trading.

9:30 a.m.: Ontario Premier Doug Ford is set to make an announcement at 11 a.m. related to the province’s COVID-19 response.

An advisory says the announcement will be related to protecting workers, and will involve the health minister, finance minister and labour minister.

9:16 a.m.: The provincial government is suspending all personal visits and volunteer activities at youth justice centres.

Lawyers’ visits will continue, though the government would prefer people use teleconferencing.

Health Minister Christine Elliott and Children, Community and Social Services Minister Todd Smith made the announcement to keep staff and youth safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Approved personal visitors will be able to continue to maintain contact with youth by phone,” the ministers said in a joint statement.

“Enhanced technology, such as video calling, where operationally available and operationally feasible, can be used to allow virtual visits with family.”

9 a.m.: The Canada Border Services Agency says it’s adding new screening questions for travellers arriving in Canada, asking whether they have symptoms of COVID-19.

The agency took heat all weekend for apparent disarray at entry points, especially airports.

The federal government wants people returning to Canada from abroad to stay in isolation for 14 days but travellers who knew that reported that customs officials weren’t routinely telling new arrivals that.

The border-services agency says automated questionnaires administered by touchscreens at entry points are now asking whether people have coughs, difficulty breathing or a feeling of feverishness.

And they’ll require arrivals to acknowledge that they’re being asked to self-isolate for two weeks to keep COVID-19 from spreading.

9 a.m.: The city of Calgary says it has declared a state of local emergency to support the province’s efforts to halt the spread of COVID-19 through Alberta.

A statement from the city says the declaration gives it the power to ensure no more than 250 people attend events or facilities in Calgary.

The city has also closed its library system, all recreation centres and partner-operated facilities including YMCAs, but grocery stores, airports, shopping centres, pharmacies and casinos are open.

Alberta reported 17 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the province on Sunday to 56.

8:30 a.m.: Mayor John Tory has launched a multi-pronged effort to help Toronto businesses and workers hurt by the COVID-19 crisis.

Closures of live entertainment theatres, tourist sites, daycares and other spaces where crowds gather, in line with provincial health directives, are expected to grow to include more businesses as local “social distancing” efforts to fight the deadly global pandemic ramp up.

The task force will quickly determine supports and stimulus required to help affected businesses and employees, Tory said, reaching out to different sectors, as well as the Ontario and federal governments, to identify actions to help them weather the pandemic storm.

8:20 a.m.: The Federal Court of Canada is cancelling all general sittings of the court until at least March 27.

Only urgent motions or requests will be heard as the court tries to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Hearings, special sittings and case conferences already scheduled for teleconference will proceed.

If a shorter hearing was scheduled in person, a joint request by all parties to move it to a teleconference can be made.

8:16 a.m. Ontario is adding 130 nurses and more to its Telehealth service in an effort to reduce long wait times for residents of the province calling in with questions about COVID-19. The nurses will be responding to people who have called in and are awaiting callbacks to conduct symptom assessments and provide referrals, Health Minister Christine Elliott said Monday.

Telehealth is giving the nurses a “training package” to get them up to speed quickly and is hiring more intake staff to answer phones more quickly.

“In order to be prepared to be nimble and effective in any scenario, Ontario is also exploring a partnership with organizations which have existing health care call centres to provide symptom assessment for COVID-19 to callers requesting a callback,” the Ministry of Health said in a statement.

Chief medical officer of health Dr. David Williams asked people who suspected they may have the virus to stay home until they receive advice from Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000.

“Unless you are experiencing severe symptoms or a medical emergency, the best place for you is to stay home until you receive advice, which will often be to stay home and self-monitor,” he said.

No one should go to one of the new COVID-19 assessment centres without calling Telehealth or their local public health unit and getting a referral if their symptoms warrant.

8:10 a.m.: Clothing retailer Aritzia Inc. is closing all of its stores until further notice as businesses across the country move to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

It says customers will still be able to continue shopping through the company’s website for the time being.

On Sunday, Lululemon announced that it will close all Lululemon stores in North America and Europe until March 27.

8 a.m. The U.S. futures market is pointed to another plunge on North American stock markets this morning. Fears about the economic impact of COVID-19 have gripped investors despite a move by the U.S. Federal Reserve to boost the economy. Stock markets in Asia and Europe were down sharply despite the Fed’s weekend cut to its interest rate. Businesses have been closing their doors in an attempt to fight the spread of the virus. The Fed chopped its key rate by a full percentage point — to a range between zero and 0.25 per cent. The central bank said the rate would stay there until the economy shows it can survive a near-shutdown of activity in the United States. Economists have warned that Canada is headed for a recession this year due to the impact of COVID-19 and a crash in oil prices.

7:35 a.m.: Alcoholics Anonymous has cancelled its annual Ontario Regional Conference in Toronto due to COVID-19 concerns. It was scheduled to run from Friday through Sunday at the Sheraton Centre Hotel. Other 12-step programs like Al Anon and Alateen were to participate in the conference as well.

7:20 a.m.: The Olympic flame handover ceremony for the Tokyo Games will take place without spectators in an effort to contain the coronavirus outbreak, the Greek Olympic committee said Monday.

The committee said the accreditation cards that had been issued for Thursday’s ceremony at the stadium in Athens where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896 would not be valid. The body’s headquarters will also remain closed from Monday until further notice.

The committee cancelled the remainder of the Olympic torch relay last week after crowds gathered in southern Greece to watch part of the torch relay in Sparta, where the torch was carried by actor Gerard Butler.

5 a.m.: The federal government is reducing the number of international travellers accepted into Canada. From now on, only international airports in Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto will take in people from outside Canada, according to a report published in La Presse. Travellers from the U.S. will still be allowed in.

4 a.m.: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will address the nation again Monday after a weekend that saw health officials strengthen their tone on COVID-19 as provinces took more drastic measures to stem the virus’s spread. News of Trudeau’s press conference, which is scheduled for 1 p.m., came hours after cabinet ministers left a meeting on Sunday promising big action.

Over the weekend, the number of confirmed cases in Canada climbed from 197 to 341.

Canada’s top public health official, Dr. Theresa Tam, warned Sunday that COVID-19 has become a serious health threat.

3:30 a.m.: China, where the virus was first detected in December, now accounts for less than half of the world’s 169,000 cases, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. China has also been surpassed in deaths.

China now has 80,860 confirmed cases. The health commission said that 67,749 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals. Fourteen more deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, raising the toll to 3,213.

A number of Asian cities have become increasingly worried about importing cases of the virus from abroad after making inroads in containing its spread at home.

Starting Monday, travellers arriving in Beijing from overseas will be quarantined for 14 days in designated facilities at their own expense. Previously, people without symptoms could self-quarantine at home.

Overnight: Ontario dentists have been told by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario to suspend all non-essential and elective dental services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Says they’ll revisit this recommendation the first week of April.

Overnight: Effective immediately, GoodLife and Fit4Less location across the country are being closed until further notice.

GoodLife says in a release that the action is being taken to help protect members and associates from the threat of COVID-19.

GoodLife says that while many of its associates will be temporarily laid off, it has committed to paying them for two weeks to help lessen the financial burden.

11:30 p.m.: The latest numbers on the Johns Hopkins website report the number of cases worldwide surpassed 169,000 with 6,513 deaths. Among those, 77,257 have recovered from the illness. Italy (24,747), Iran (13,938), South Korea (8,162) and Spain (7,844) have the highest number of cases outside China (81,020).

9:05 p.m. ET Sunday: Mandarin Restaurants president James Chiu announces that they will be suspending buffet and dine-in services at all 29 locations across Canada, effective Monday. Takeout and delivery service will continue.

“With close to 20,000 guests visiting Mandarin locations daily . . . we are closing our buffet and dine-in service in an abundance of caution,” a news release read.

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