December 31: China reports the discovery of the coronavirus to the World Health Organization.
*Declared the coronavirus a public health emergency.
*Announced Chinese travel restrictions.
*Suspended entry into the United States for foreign nationals who pose a risk of transmitting the coronavirus.
*Announced a level 4 travel advisory to areas of Italy and South Korea.
*Barred all travel to Iran.
*Barred the entry of foreign citizens who visited Iran in the last 14 days.
The bill provides $7.76 billion to federal, state, & local agencies to combat the coronavirus and authorizes an additional $500 million in waivers for Medicare telehealth restrictions.
Announced travel restrictions on foreigners who had visited Europe in the last 14 days.
Directed the Small Business Administration to issue low-interest loans to affected small businesses and called on congress to increase this fund by $50 billion.
Directed the Treasury Department to defer tax payments for affected individuals & businesses, & provide $200 billion in “additional liquidity.”
Met with American bankers at the White House to discuss coronavirus.
*Public-private partnerships to open up drive-through testing collection sites.
*A pause on interest payments on federal student loans.
*An order to the Department of Energy to purchase oil for the strategic petroleum reserve.
*Granted Roche AG an emergency approval for automated coronavirus testing kits.
*Issued an emergency approval to Thermo Fisher for a coronavirus test within 24 hours of receiving the request.
Held a tele-conference with governors to discuss coronavirus preparedness and response.
Participated in a call with G7 leaders who committed to increasing coordination in response to the coronavirus and restoring global economic confidence.
Announced that the first potential vaccine for coronavirus has entered a phase one trial in a record amount of time.
Announced “15 days to slow the spread” coronavirus guidance.
CMS will expand telehealth benefits for Medicare beneficiaries.
Relevant Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act penalties will not be enforced.
The Army Corps of Engineers is on ”standby” to assist federal & state governments
*$10 billion through the economic stabilization fund to the Federal Reserve’s commercial paper funding facility.
*Deferred $300 billion in tax payments for 90 days without penalty, up to $1 million for individuals & $10 million for business.