US begins restricting citizens' movements to contain coronavirus

United States has began restricting citizens' movements in a major escalation of attempts to contain the deadly coronavirus pandemic, as President Donald Trump warned the crisis could last well into the summer. New Jersey state and San Francisco announced curfews and Trump asked Americans to restrict gatherings to groups of fewer than 10 as the US dramatically ramped up efforts to stop the spread of the fast-moving outbreak.

Trump acknowledged for the first time that the US economy may be heading into a recession because of the pandemic that has killed more than 6,500 people worldwide as Wall Street stocks had their worst day since 1987, plunging almost 13 percent.

As America followed European nations in shutting down schools, public buildings, cinemas, restaurants and bars, Trump suggested the crisis would last several months at least



in the United States. He added that postponing elections over the coronavirus crisis was unnecessary, even as Ohio's governor called for the state's presidential primary vote scheduled for today to be delayed.

Later, San Francisco passed a remain-in-place order requiring millions of residents to stay at home unless absolutely essential.

New York's schools, which educate 1.1 million students, were closed down until April 20.

Los Angeles, Illinois and Las Vegas have also closed restaurants and nightclubs for at least two weeks, while California's Governor Gavin Newsom asked people over the age of 65 to self-isolate.

In the US, 74 people have died and more than 4,200 have been infected, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.