NRL to suspend season after two rounds.

The NRL has confirmed it will be suspending their 2020 season after two rounds, in order to protect their players from coronavirus.

Originally, the NRL planned to continue their matches without an audience, however recent state-implemented lockdowns and quarantine periods would have prevented players from being able to compete.

So far, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia have shut their borders and people wishing to enter these states must self-isolate for 14 days.

Logistically, this would have affected the League’s three QLD-based teams – the Brisbane Broncos, North Queensland Cowboys and the Gold Coast Titans.

ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys and NRL CEO Todd Greenberg address the media. https://t.co/5h8FRYZB4L

— NRL (@NRL) March 23, 2020

Previously speaking to the media, Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys has said that a lack of games would be “catastrophic” for the NRL, with the League in danger of exhausting its cash reserves in three months.

“I can’t stress enough that our game has never faced a challenge like this,” he told media last week.

“It could have catastrophic effects on us moving forward. Our money will only last so long and once it’s extinguished we are in big trouble. It depends on the scenario we’re faced with but if it’s a total closure, we haven’t got long at all.”

The AFL is also currently on hold until May 31, however, there is currently no word as to when the 2020 NRL season will resume.

Woolworths to implement protective shields to protect workers against coronavirus.

Woolworths has rolled out protective shields across their stores, in an effort to protect their checkout staff.

The multi-million dollar measure is already being implemented in its NSW stores and will be carried out in its other 1000 supermarkets. A similar practice is already being used in France and Canada.

Speaking to the Herald Sun , Woolworths Supermarkets’ managing director, Claire Peters, said the chain was doing everything possible to continue the government’s social distancing guidelines of 1.5m.

“We know it’s not always easy to maintain social distancing at check-outs so we’ve started installing plexiglass screens as an additional safeguard for our team members and customers,” he said.

“As our team members continue providing for the community we will do everything necessary to uphold public health and safety in our stores.”

Australia won’t compete at the 2020 Olympics.

The Australian Olympic Committee has confirmed that sending a team to the 2020 Tokyo Games is impossible amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking to media on Monday, AOC CEO Matt Carroll confirmed that the Australian team will withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics.

The @AUSOlympicTeam is set to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics, as AOC CEO Matt Carroll makes a major announcement. More on this: https://t.co/SjcgoFGelj #Toyko2020 @7olympics #7NEWS https://t.co/7Qv9YAbAw6

— 7NEWS Sydney (@7NewsSydney) March 23, 2020

“We have athletes based overseas, training at central locations around Australia as teams and managing their own programs,” Carroll said in a statement.

“With travel and other restrictions, this becomes an untenable situation.”

Australia’s decision comes as Canada announced it would not send a team to this year’s Olympic Games, should it proceed as normal.

Australian Olympic athletes have been told to prepare for Tokyo to host the Olympics next year, amid discussions that the games could be postponed until mid-2021.

It’s believed a decision will be made by the International Olympic Committee in the next four weeks on whether the Games will be postponed.

Queensland borders to close.

Queensland’s borders will close from midnight on Wednesday in the hopes of preventing the spread of COVID-19.

The new change, which was announced by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on social media, means anyone entering the state, including those returning from interstate travel, will be required to isolate themselves for 14 days.

The final details of the closure, including how it will be regulated, are to be released on Tuesday.

There are currently more than 250 cases of COVID-19 in Queensland.

“We need to act now.” New Zealand enters near-complete societal lockdown to fight COVID-19.

New Zealand will move to a near-complete societal lockdown within 48 hours, says Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who aims to seize on a “window of opportunity” to contain COVID-19.

Military personnel will join with police in enforcing nationwide self-isolation under the unprecedented restrictions.

Schools and non-essential businesses will close as the government ramps up its public coronavirus advisory to the maximum level from Thursday.

“Now is the time to put our plans into action,” Ardern said. “We need to act now, or risk the virus taking hold as it has elsewhere.

“We currently have 102 cases, but so did Italy once.”

Jacinda Ardern speaks to media during a press conference at Parliament on March 23, 2020 in Wellington, New Zealand. Image: Getty.

The announcement comes as New Zealand confirmed a jump of 36 positive tests for the virus in the past 24 hours, including the first two cases of community transmission.

There have been no fatalities of COVID-19 in New Zealand.

By comparison, Australia has recorded at least 1600 cases.

Kiwis will be allowed outside to walk the dog, or exercise, or to visit supermarkets or health services. But outside of industries deemed "essential" - including health and emergency services workers, police, some public servants and media - citizens will be asked to stay home.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison warns Australians 2020 "will be the toughest year of our lives".

The Prime Minister has given an address to parliament saying that 2020 will be the toughest year of our lives but "Australia is up to the challenge".

"We must not allow [coronavirus] to change who we are as Australians," he told his colleagues this morning in a broadcasted statement.

"I know Australians are concerned at this difficult time. It's the fear of the unknown... and there is much that is unknown. But we must not let that fear overtake us. We must focus instead on what we can control. We know who we are as people. The legacy and inspiration that's been given to us from those before us has shown us through challenges and tests - our Great Depression generation, our Anzacs, those who won the peace of WWII - that is our legacy that we should draw on at this time."

The Prime Minister has addressed the country this morning. Image: Nine.

"We also know the compassion and respect we must show to one another," he added, reiterating that in the difficult months ahead "we must ensure no Australian goes through this alone".

"The tests, hardships and sacrifices that will be placed on all of us and our national character will break our hearts in the months ahead, but we must resolve to come together and pledge to each other across our nation that this coronavirus will not break our Australian spirit. Together and with the rest of the world, we face a once in a 100-year event.

"2020 will be the toughest year of our lives.

"It's bigger than premiers or chief ministers, it's bigger than all of us. I want to thank all of those who have come to this challenge with such united spirit."

The Prime Minister addressed those who have lost jobs, assuring that he and his government have important work to do to "cushion the blow".

Thousands across Australia are losing or have lost their jobs and lines at Centrelink are swelling every day.

As Morrison described, it's the "biggest economic shock we've had in generations".

"We've announced an economic package - a total sum of $189 billion in support... .about 10 percent of our economy," he said, adding, "there is more support coming".

"It's our job to work night and day to make sure we get to the other side and emerge stronger, safer and more united. Australians will be living with this virus, it's our advice, for at least the next six months. There's no 3-4 week shutdown that makes it go away. There's no short solution," he warned.

"No more going to the pub after work, or the gym after work, or brunch at a cafe on the weekend - these changes are vital to safe lives as the virus spreads - and it will spread. We'll likely need to impose even further restrictions on our lives," he said.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister asked Australians to work together, and do the right thing by the social distancing rules, asking those of faith to pray for the country.

"When the virus passes - and it will - we will be stronger on the other side. This is a test of our nation, of our spirit. There are some who think societies can't deal with these challenges - we can and we will do this together. May God bless us all."

Convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.

Convicted sex offender and disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, 68, is being isolated at Wende Correctional Facility in Western New York, according to a report by theDaily Mail.

Weinstein told prison staff he believed he had the virus after transferring to the state prison from Rikers Island, where a number of inmates have tested positive for the virus.

He tested positive and has been quarantined, the publication reported.

Image: Getty.

The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision confirmed on Sunday local time that two prisoners at Wende had tested posted for the coronavirus, but it was unable to confirm their identities.

A jury on February 24 found former movie producer Weinstein guilty of sexually assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi and raping former aspiring actor Jessica Mann.

Earlier this month he was sentenced to 23 years in prison after delivering a rambling statement in court, saying he is trying to be "a better person".

"I feel remorse for all of the men who are going through this fight," Weinstein told the court before he was sentenced.

Wende was meant to be a temporary home for Weinstein, before the state decided what facility he would be transferred to permanently.

At least 38 people have tested positive across New York's vast jail system, including correctional staff and at least 21 male inmates.

Australian schools remain open.

On Sunday evening, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the medical advice for schools has not changed, therefore children should go to school on Monday.

He said arrangements were being made for distance learning frameworks, but this couldn’t happen immediately.

“What we will be doing though is allowing parents in, to the end of this year’s school term, to be able to keep their children at home where they choose to. But for all of those parents who wish to send their children to school, for an education at the school, those schools will remain open. In addition, schools will seek to provide learning at home in a distance learning framework but you cannot be assured that that will come in place immediately,” he said.

In Victoria, the end of term one has been brought forward. Victorian students will have their last day of school on Monday, March 23, and begin their school holidays early.

NSW schools will remain open until the end of term, however NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has encouraged parents to keep their children home if possible, to contain the spread of COVID-19.

"For parents that have no option, for parents that are workers, school is safe for children to attend and schools will remain open," Berejiklian said on Monday.

She said it was practical to keep schools open so parents who work in heathcare and essential services were not forced to stay home with children.

All non-essential services to shut down at midday today.

Last night, Morrison ordered clubs, pubs, churches and cinemas to close in a bid to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

As of noon today, there will also be restrictions on hotels, gyms, indoor sporting venues, entertainment venues, casinos, restaurants and cafes - which will only be able to