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Coronavirus pandemic

The Parsonage Garden at Nuenen

Vincent van Gogh's painting The Parsonage Garden at Nuenen (pictured) is stolen from the Singer Laren museum in the Netherlands.
North Macedonia becomes a member of NATO.
The 2020 Summer Olympics are postponed for one year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

April 4, 2020 (Saturday)

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April 3, 2020 (Friday)

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Business and economy

Socio-economic impact of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Europe
  - Ford Motor Company extends the suspension of vehicle and engine production at most of its manufacturing sites in Europe to May 4 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Reuters)
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the Dominican Republic
  - The World Bank releases US$150 million to support the Dominican Republic's efforts to contain COVID-19. (Dominican Today)

Disasters and accidents

Cyclone Harold (2020)
- Sixty people are reported missing from a boat in the Solomon Islands. (FBC News)

Health and environment

2019–20 coronavirus pandemic
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Asia
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the Philippines
    - The Philippines records its single largest daily increase in casualties with 29 deaths, bringing the total deaths in the country to 136. (CNA)
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in North America
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the Dominican Republic
    - The Governor of the Duarte Province, Luis Núñez, tests positive for COVID-19 just after his wife dies from the virus. (Dominican Today)
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Europe
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United Kingdom
    - The Department of Health and Social Care reports 684 more deaths from COVID-19, the highest daily death toll in the country to date, bringing the country's death toll to 3,605 and 38,168 confirmed cases. (Sky News)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Switzerland, Impact of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic on prisons
    - Police surround the Champ-Dollon prison in Geneva, Switzerland, after dozens of prisoners refuse to return to their cells because of new coronavirus measures. (Reuters)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Spain
    - Spain's Ministry of Health reports 7,500 new cases and 932 more deaths from COVID-19, bringing the country's death toll to 10,935 and 117,710 confirmed cases. (The Independent)
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in South America
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the Falkland Islands
    - The United Kingdom's Falkland Islands reports their first confirmed case of COVID-19. The patient is reported to be in stable condition at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital in Stanley. (Reuters)

Law and crime

Following criticism by the government of the United States, the government of Sindh prevents the release of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh and three other men. Yesterday, the Sindh High Court overturned their convictions for the murder of Daniel Pearl. The Pakistani Foreign Minister says the "[release] order shall be challenged at a higher forum". (Outlook India)

April 2, 2020 (Thursday)

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Business and economy

The United States Food and Drug Administration asks companies to stop selling all forms of the heartburn drug Ranitidine (Zantac). The agency says some medications contain a nitrosamine impurity called N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a probable human carcinogen. (The Independent)

Health and environment

2019–20 coronavirus pandemic
- The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 reaches more than one million worldwide. (Sky News)
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Asia
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Lebanon
    - The Philippines ambassador to Lebanon, Bernardita Catalla, dies from COVID-19 in Beirut, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs. (The New Arab)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Taiwan
    - Taiwan donates 10 million masks to countries hardest hit by COVID-19. (ABC News)
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Oceania
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Fiji
    - Fiji announces a lockdown of the capital Suva, beginning tomorrow, as two more cases are confirmed. (RNZ)
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Europe
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Spain
    - Spain records its deadliest day with 950 deaths, exceeding 10,000, as employment falls by 834,000 jobs in 15 days. (El Periódico) (La Vanguardia)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in France
    - France reports 1,355 more deaths from COVID-19, the highest daily death toll in the country to date, bringing the country's death toll to 5,387, the new figures include deaths in retirement homes for the first time. (Reuters)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United Kingdom
    - The Department of Health and Social Care reports 4,244 new cases and 569 more deaths from COVID-19, the highest daily death toll in the country to date, bringing the United Kingdom's death toll to 2,921 and 33,718 confirmed cases. (The Guardian)
    - Scottish comedian and member of comedy double act Little and Large, Eddie Large, dies due to complications from COVID-19 at Southmead Hospital in Bristol. (BBC)
    - The National Health Service announces that two more Nightingale field hospitals will be built at Harrogate Convention Centre in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, and the University of the West of England in Bristol. (BBC)
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Africa
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Zambia
    - Zambia reports the country's first death from COVID-19 as confirmed cases rise to 39; the patient had underlying health conditions, according to Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya. (CGTN)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Malawi
    - In an address to the nation, President Peter Mutharika reports Malawi's first confirmed cases of COVID-19. (CGTN)
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in South America
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Ecuador
    - The Mayor of Guayaquil, Cynthia Viteri, herself infected with COVID-19, condemns the federal government's response to the pandemic as the virus rapidly spreads inside the city. A joint military and police task force has collected at least 150 bodies off the streets. The government's spokesman Jorge Wated apologizes in a message broadcast on state television. (France 24) (CBS News)
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United States
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Guam
    - United States Navy Captain Brett Crozier is dismissed as the commander of the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier after he publicly raised concerns about a COVID-19 outbreak on the ship. U.S. Navy Secretary Thomas Modly says the commander "exercised extremely poor judgement". At least 100 people aboard the vessel have been reportedly infected. (BBC)

Law and crime

American rapper 6ix9ine is released early from prison due to coronavirus concerns. (Complex)
A court in Pakistan overturns the convictions of four men for the murder of Daniel Pearl. The men have been jailed for 18 years. (CNN)

Politics and elections

Impact of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic on politics
- 2020 Democratic National Convention
  - The Democratic National Convention is postponed from July 13 to August 17 due to COVID-19 concerns. (Vox)
2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United States
- United States President Donald Trump invokes the Defense Production Act to clear up supply-chain issues encountered in the manufacturing of ventilator machines. (CNN)

April 1, 2020 (Wednesday)

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Armed conflicts and attacks

Libyan Civil War
- Turkish military intervention in the Second Libyan Civil War
  - A Turkish Naval Forces warship launches missiles at LNA positions near the city of Ajaylat in western Libya. (Middle East Monitor)
  - GNA forces say they shot down a Wing Loong drone used by the LNA over Ajaylat as clashes continue. (Libya Observer)

Business and economy

Whiting Petroleum Corporation declares bankruptcy. Whiting was once the largest oil producer in the Bakken shale region. (Reuters)
2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United States
- Hobby Lobby is expected to reopen in states with stay-at-home orders. (CBS News)

Disasters and accidents

2020 coronavirus pandemic in California
- Federal authorities charge 44-year-old Eduardo Moreno, a railroad engineer, with train-wrecking after he allegedly derailed a train near USNS Mercy to bring attention to the U.S. government's response to the pandemic. (NBC News)

Health and environment

2019–20 coronavirus pandemic
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Asia
  - 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic in mainland China
    - China reports 130 asymptomatic cases of COVID-19. This is its first time reporting asymptomatic cases. (Bloomberg)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Israel
    - Israeli Health Minister Yaakov Litzman tests positive for COVID-19 and will go into quarantine, as total number of cases in Israel rises to 6,092. (The Jerusalem Post)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Yemen, Impact of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic on prisons
    - Yemen's internationally recognised government releases more than 470 prisoners from detention facilities in areas under its control amid growing concerns the virus could spread in Yemen's overcrowded jails. The United Nations Human Rights Council has called for the release of all political prisoners. (The National)
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in North America
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Cuba
    - The government announces that all flights to and from the island nation are suspended, as of midnight on April 1. (WSVN)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United States
    - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Florida
      - Governor Ron DeSantis issues a stay-at-home order. (NBC News)
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Europe
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Italy
    - Italy extends its lockdown to April 13. (Reuters)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United Kingdom
    - The Department of Health and Social Care reports 563 more deaths from COVID-19, the highest daily death toll in the country to date, bringing the country's death toll to 2,352 and 29,474 cases. BBC)
    - Chief Minister Howard Quayle confirms the Isle of Man's first death from COVID-19, a patient with underlying health conditions at Noble’s Hospital. (BBC)
    - Former Prime Minister of Somalia Nur Hassan Hussein dies from COVID-19 in London. (Voice of America)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in France
    - France reports 509 more deaths from COVID-19, bringing the country's death toll to 4,032 and 56,989 cases, with 6,017 of those patients reported in a serious condition requiring life support. (Reuters)

International relations

Russia–United States relations, 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United States
- Russia is expected to send a plane with masks and medical supplies to the United States to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic. (Politico)
United States–Venezuela relations
- United States President Donald Trump announces that United States Navy ships will be deployed to Venezuela on an anti-drug mission. (ABC News)

Law and crime

2020 coronavirus pandemic in the Dominican Republic
- 19,517 people are arrested in the Dominican Republic for breaking curfew. (Dominican Today)

March 31, 2020 (Tuesday)

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Business and economy

Socio-economic impact of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic
- G20 finance ministers stated that they will present an action plan to address the debt vulnerabilities, as well as delivering financial aid to emerging economies. (Reuters)
Impact of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic on aviation
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United Arab Emirates
  - Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum says that Dubai will provide financial assistance to Emirates Airlines. (Financial Times)

Disasters and accidents

Eighteen firefighters and their guide are killed by a forest fire in Liangshan, Sichuan, China. (BBC)
2020 Central Idaho earthquake
- A 6.5 magnitude earthquake happens 72 km (45 mi) west of Challis, Idaho, United States. It is the strongest earthquake in the state since 1983. (USGS)

Health and environment

2019–20 coronavirus pandemic
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Oceania
  - The government of the Solomon Islands orders all schools closed to combat COVID-19. (RNZ)
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Asia
  - 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic in mainland China
    - China reports 48 imported cases of COVID-19. (AP News)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Myanmar
    - Myanmar reports the country's first death from COVID-19 as confirmed cases rise to 14. The patient was a 69-year-old man with cancer in Yangon. (The Bangkok Post)
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Europe
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Belgium
    - A 12-year-old girl dies from COVID-19 in Belgium, becoming Europe's youngest victim to date. (Reuters)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United Kingdom
    - The Department of Health and Social Care reports 393 more deaths from COVID-19, the highest daily death toll in the country to date, bringing the country's death toll to 1,789 and 25,150 cases. (The Independent)
    - A 13-year-old boy dies at the King's College Hospital, becoming the UK's youngest victim from the virus to date. (Sky News)
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in North America
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United States
    - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in New York
      - The total number of cases in New York rises to over 75,000. The state's death toll reaches 1,550. (New York Post)
      - Rep. Max Rose is expected to be deployed with the National Guard to New York as an effort to contain the coronavirus. (Politico)
    - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Guam
      - United States Navy Captain Brett Crozier requests urgent help from The Pentagon following an outbreak of COVID-19 aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier, which is currently docked in Guam. Crozier has recommended quarantining almost the entire crew of 4,000. (BBC)
    - The United States surpasses China in the number of deaths linked to COVID-19, as the death toll rises to 3,416, according to Johns Hopkins University. (The Denver Channel)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in El Salvador
    - El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele confirms the country's first death from COVID-19. (Reuters)
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Africa
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Burundi
    - Burundi reports the country's first cases of COVID-19. The patients are two Burundians, aged 56 and 42, who recently returned from the United Arab Emirates and neighbouring Rwanda. (Andolu Agency)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Sierra Leone
    - In a televised address, Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio confirms the country's first case of COVID-19, a 37-year-old man who had recently travelled back from France. (Reuters)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Senegal
    - Former President of French association football club Olympique de Marseille, Pape Diouf, dies from COVID-19 in Senegal, becoming the country's first fatality from the virus. (The Guardian)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in South Africa
    - Prominent scientist and HIV/AIDS researcher Gita Ramjee dies from COVID-19 in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. (BBC)

International relations

United States–Venezuela relations, Venezuelan presidential crisis
- In a policy shift, the United States proposes a "Democratic Transition Framework" which includes that both disputed Presidents, Nicolás Maduro and Juan Guaidó, step aside from the office. (Reuters)

Law and crime

2020 coronavirus pandemic in Asia
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Turkmenistan
  - Turkmenistan's government bans the usage of the word "coronavirus" in all public settings and also bans the use of face masks. The government maintains there are no cases in the country. (NPR)

Politics and elections

Impact of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic on politics
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United States
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Wisconsin
    - The Wisconsin primary is expected to go as planned for April 7 despite coronavirus concerns. (CNN)
Former Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam dies of a heart attack in Paris, France. (Reuters)

Sports

Impact of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic on sports
- 2019–20 Chinese Basketball Association season, 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic in mainland China
  - The Chinese Basketball Association delays the restart of its season due to the coronavirus pandemic. (ABC News)

March 30, 2020 (Monday)

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Armed conflicts and attacks

Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
- Coalition warplanes carry out an air raid on the Yemeni capital Sanaa, bombing the Presidential Palace compound, a military school and airbase adjacent to Sanaa International Airport. The Houthi-run Almasirah TV channel says 70 horses were killed in the raid on the school. (Middle East Monitor)
Somali Civil War, Somali Civil War (2009–present)
- Abdisalan Hassan, governor of the Nugal region, is killed in a suicide bombing. Al-Shabaab claims responsibility. (Al Jazeera)

Business and economy

Socio-economic impact of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic, Impact of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic on sports
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United States
  - USA Rugby files for chapter 11 bankruptcy citing "insurmountable financial constraints" amid the coronavirus pandemic. (The Guardian)
2019–20 coronavirus pandemic in mainland China, 2020 Hubei lockdowns
- Wuhan, the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, reopens its stores and shopping centers. (USA Today)

Health and environment

2019–20 coronavirus pandemic
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in North America
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Canada
    - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Ontario
      - Premier Doug Ford extends the province's state of emergency for another two weeks. (CTV News)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Panama
    - Panama's Ministry of Health reports a total of 989 cases of COVID-19 in the country, of which 24 people have died. (TVN)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United States
    - U.S. state and local government response to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic
      - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in New York City
        The USNS Comfort arrives in New York City to relieve the area's hospitals of non-coronavirus patients. (The Hill)
        
        The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York City, will be converted into a temporary 350-bed field hospital to treat overflow patients from other hospitals in New York. (Wall Street Journal)
    - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Virginia, 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Maryland
      - Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and Virginia Governor Ralph Northam issue stay-at-home orders. Virginia's stay-at-home order will remain in effect until June 10. (Washington Post)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Mexico
    - Mexico declares a national health emergency and extends the suspension of all non-essential activities until April 30. (Reuters)
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Asia
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Japan
    - Japanese comedian Ken Shimura dies from pneumonia several days after being diagnosed with COVID-19. (The Japan Times)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Israel
    - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and some of his cabinet members self-quarantine after an aide tests positive for COVID-19. (Anadolu Agency)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Syria
    - The government reports the country's first death from COVID-19. (BBC)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Malaysia
    - Malaysia begins a nationwide disinfection to help curb the spread of COVID-19. (Straits Times)
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Europe
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Spain
    - Fernando Simón, Director of the Center for Coordination of Health Alerts and Emergencies of the Spanish Ministry of Health, becomes the second member of the Technical Committee to test positive for COVID-19. (RTVE)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Denmark
    - Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen says that the country will lift lockdowns after Easter if COVID-19 cases and death numbers remain stable. (Reuters)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United Kingdom
    - The Department of Health and Social Care reports 180 more deaths from COVID-19, bringing the United Kingdom's death toll to 1,415. (Sky News)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in France
    - France reports 418 more deaths from COVID-19, the highest daily death toll in the country to date, bringing the country's death toll to 3,024 and 44,550 cases. (Metro)
    - Former President of the People's Republic of the Congo Joachim Yhombi-Opango dies from COVID-19 at a hospital in Neuilly-sur-Seine. He is the first state leader (former or current) to have died from COVID-19. (Le Figaro)
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Africa
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Botswana
    - Botswana reports their first confimed cases of COVID-19. Health Minister Lemogang Kwape says the three patients are currently in quarantine and had recently travelled to Britain and Thailand. (Reuters)
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Libya
    - The Government of National Accord (GNA) frees 466 prisoners from jails in Tripoli to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The GNA also announces an extended curfew from 2pm to 7am in the areas it controls. (Al Jazeera)

Law and crime

The Singer Laren museum says that the Vincent van Gogh painting The Parsonage Garden at Nuenen was stolen in a raid. (AP News)

Politics and elections

Impact of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic on politics; 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Hungary
- Parliament votes 137 to 53 in favor of passing legislation to create a state of emergency without a time limit, grant Prime Minister Viktor Orbán the ability to rule by decree, suspend the parliament with no elections, and establish prison sentences for spreading fake news and leaving quarantine. (DW)

March 29, 2020 (Sunday)

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Business and economy

Impact of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic on aviation
- 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic in Hubei, 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic in mainland China
  - China resumes domestic flights to the Hubei province. Wuhan is expected to resume flights on April 8. (Financial Express)
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Nepal
  - Nepal Airlines will allow rescue flights to take stranded tourists back to their countries, but only if embassies requested it. (Nepali Times)
2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United Arab Emirates, Transportation in Dubai
- The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority announces that the Dubai Tram and Dubai Metro will be suspended until April 5 as sterilization continues in Dubai. (Gulf News)
Socio-economic impact of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Michigan
  - The 2020 North American International Auto Show, originally scheduled from June 9–20 in Detroit, has been cancelled due to the designation of the TCF Center as a temporary hospital. (Click On Detroit)

Disasters and accidents

An IAI Westwind jet, chartered by the Philippine government for a medical evacuation flight to Haneda Airport in Japan, crashes upon takeoff at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. All eight people onboard are killed. (RT)

Health and environment

2019–20 coronavirus pandemic
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Oceania
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in New Zealand
    - New Zealand's Ministry of Health reports its first death from COVID-19, a woman in her 70s. (Newstalk ZB)
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Europe
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Andorra
    - Thirty-nine health workers from Cuba arrive in Andorra, as the country's confirmed cases and death toll per capita becomes one of the highest in the world. (Diari d'Andorra)
- 2020 coronavirus pandemic in North America
  - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United States
    - 2020 coronavirus pandemic in New York
      - New York Governor Andrew Cuomo extends the stay-at-home order for non-essential workers to April 15. (Business Insider)

International relations

North Korea–South Korea relations, Japan–North Korea relations, North Korea and weapons of mass destruction
- North Korea fires two short-range ballistic missiles into the ocean, the latest in an unprecedented flurry of launches. Both South Korea and Japan condemn the launching. (Reuters)

Politics and elections

2020 Malian parliamentary election
- After having been postponed several times, parliamentary elections are being held in war-torn Mali. The election is overshadowed by the recent kidnapping of the leading opposition politician Soumaïla Cissé and the first reported COVID-19 death in the country. (DW)

More March 2020 events...

Time: 01:18 UTC|Day: 4 April