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Roger Cook confirms community transmission in WA. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has imposed a travel ban on all non-residents. Confirmed COVID-19 cases in Australia has reached 514.

Two new facilities to support lending worth a combined $105 billion are key elements of the Reserve Bank and federal government’s plans to support the economy in response to COVID-19, while the RBA cut rates to 0.25 per cent and promised an unprecedented target on government bond yields.

Support for businesses to hold on to workers should be prioritised over cash handouts for households, according to Deutsche Bank, which forecasts Australia’s economy will fare better than most with a contraction of only 0.1 per cent in 2020.

A dedicated call centre has been established for Western Australian public healthcare workers to manage coronavirus screening and testing.

Qantas is suspending all international flights, will delay its $201 million interim payout, and is standing down two-thirds of its 30,000-member workforce until the end of May in the face of the escalating COVID-19 pandemic.

Nine Entertainment, BlueScope Steel and more companies have joined the flood of listed firms cancelling their earnings forecasts as coronavirus chaos spreads.

A growing number of hospitality venues are either closing or revising their operations, after the Prime Minister announced the ban of all non-essential gatherings of 100 plus people. The ban is effective immediately and will impact religious services.

Australia’s economy will contract 2 per cent in the March quarter, according to ANZ, as economists weigh up the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Australia has upgraded its international travel advice to the highest level, with all citizens being told not to travel overseas because of coronavirus. It comes as Virgin Australia suspended all international travel for more than two months.

UPDATED: Two John XXIII high-school students have returned negative coronavirus tests, while a third student in Year 12 is awaiting results, the school announced. It comes after one of the children's parents tested positive to COVID-19 on Tuesday.

The Australian Hotels Association WA has made a number of recommendations for the state’s hospitality sector to reduce the spreading of COVID-19, with Crown Resorts in Perth extending its social distancing measures to Perth.

Mark McGowan is resisting calls to close interstate borders as he confirmed three more coronavirus cases.

This year’s Margaret River Pro surfing competition has been cancelled, while Cricket Australia has suspended the remaining Sheffield Shield series and the AFL is due to make a decision tomorrow on whether Round 1 will proceed this week.

Qantas will slash international flights by 90 per cent until the end of May in a fresh round of coronavirus-related cuts equivalent to grounding 150 aircraft.

Concerns over COVID-19 have led to the cancellation or postponement of more events in the state, including Australia’s largest annual mining conference Diggers & Dealers, along with the Anzac Day services. The virus has also led to more businesses changing their working arrangements.

Business News has one aim, to provide Western Australians with vital intelligence.

A freeze on household bills, a slight rise of the payroll tax threshold and small businesses grants will form part of a $607 million state government stimulus package, while the Commonwealth and the Reserve Bank are considering further steps.

Chinese consul general Dong Zhihua is confident international trade won’t suffer long-term disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic, and is pitching for local businesses to come to a trade fair in November.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has pumped extra liquidity into the banking system, part of a package of measures aimed at ensuring business and households have access to credit as the coronavirus causes chaos in global financial markets.

Western Australian schools will introduce new precautionary measures, including cancelling assemblies and staggering recess and lunch breaks, to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Infrastructure group Downer EDI's possible sale of its mining business to Perenti Global has been suspended due to the market volatility caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Fans will be unable to attend the NBL grand final series, including tonight’s match between the Perth Wildcats and Sydney Kings, or AFL games after both sporting codes responded to Prime Minister Scott Morrison's announcement that mass gatherings of 500 plus people should not proceed.

The federal government will be advising against mass gatherings of more than 500 people from Monday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said today, in response to the growing coronavirus threat.

As the effects of the coronavirus pandemic worsen, businesses are making sure they are prepared for disruption, with many trialing work from home arrangements.

OPINION: Far from making teachers obsolete, personalised learning requires them to use their current skills while developing new ones.

The Australian Grand Prix has been cancelled as the prime minister faces calls to cancel mass gatherings to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Virgin Australia has cut more flights, reduced executives' fees, and will seek relief from government charges as it joins rivals in attempting to soften the impact of the COVID-19 spread.

The travel industry is reeling from a decision by the US government to ban all travel from Europe for a month, while the Australian government has decided against a similar move after consideration. Shares in ASX-listed travel companies were smashed today in response to the clamp down and as travel dries up globally.

Concerns over coronavirus have led to the cancellation of several sporting, cultural and business events but most organisations are planning to proceed with scheduled activities.

The Australian share market has suffered yet another day of carnage, plunging again after US President Donald Trump suspended travel from Europe for a month to limit the coronavirus pandemic.

OPINION: Clear, sensible thinking and strategising are essential, both on a personal level and in business, when responding to threats posed by the coronavirus.

The state government has urged Western Australian tourism operators to bring forward deals and promotions in support of the local industry, as it launches a ‘Do it in WA’ campaign that will use existing funding.