As the coronavirus extends its reach around the globe, schools and universities are closing; lockdowns have become commonplace; non-essential businesses like cinemas, gyms, clubs, bars and restaurants are shut; and companies are asking employees to work from home wherever possible.
To help meet the costs of all this, governments around the world have pledged or are considering more than $1.5 trillion in fiscal support. That aid ranges from guarantees on bank loans to tax deferments and even to cash handouts.
Below is a country-by-country list of broad actions taken or planned by governments of G-20 nations, including EU members, to counter what has turned into the deadliest pandemic in more than a century.
Argentina
* Central bank may compel private banks to lend to companies.
* Domestic travel suspended for coming holiday weekend. Schools, borders closed through end of March. Government considering ordering everyone to stay at home for 10 days.
* More than 4 million retirees to get a one-time payment in April.
Australia
* Cut benchmark interest rate to 0.5%. Government expected to release a second stimulus package after an initial A$17.6 billion ($10.6 billion) to support the economy.
* All citizens warned to avoid overseas travel indefinitely.
* Non-essential gatherings of more than 100 people banned.
Austria
* Schools, restaurants, cafes, theaters and most shops closed; grocery stores and pharmacies remain open; gatherings of more than five people banned. Border controls applied and entry restricted from Italy and Switzerland; several Alpine ski resorts quarantined.
* Testing focused on those with symptoms who have had contact with infected people or have been to crisis regions.
* 4 billion-euro economic package and 2 billion euros of loan guarantees.
Belgium
* All stores except supermarkets and pharmacies shut; all citizens confined to their homes until April 5. Violators will face fines. Public gatherings banned.
* Testing only of critical cases.
* Government earmarked 1 billion euros in aid to those affected; to make temporary unemployment payments for workers; tax and social security payments deferred.
Brazil
* Government plans to spend about $30 billion, half of which will be used to help the poor and elderly.
* Lenders given more flexibility to use capital and measures announced to facilitate debt negotiations.
Canada
* Government set aside C$1 billion ($702 million) in funding and C$10 billion in new credit. It may buy as much as C$50 billion in home mortgages. Additional fiscal stimulus was to be announced Wednesday.
* Borders to most foreigners and citizens advised citizens to avoid non-essential travel.
* Central bank cut rates by full percentage point; loosened capital requirements to boost lending.
China
* Central bank pumped 550 billion yuan ($78 billion) of liquidity into the banking system by cutting reserve requirements. Taxes cut for virus-hit companies, and there are plans to spend more on infrastructure. Debt cap increased to help smaller companies raise funds overseas.
* Beijing quarantines all travelers from overseas for two weeks; Shanghai quarantines arrivals from 16 countries.
* Most public venues, including schools, remain closed.
Cyprus
*Borders closed for non-resident foreigners. Non-essential retail and leisure businesses closed. Supermarkets, take-aways and pharmacies open.
*Financial support package of 700 million euros, including special leave for employees and lower sales-tax rates.
Czech Republic
* No entry for non-residents and Czechs barred from leaving; non-essential services closed.
* 30 hospitals and labs charged with conducting tests.
* Emergency rate cut of half percentage point, extra liquidity for banks; deferred tax payments, interest-free loans for small businesses.
France
* Ban on unnecessary movement, fines for non-compliance. Non-essential services, schools, bars, restaurants, clubs, gyms closed. Grocery stores, pharmacies open.
* Testing and tracking only if doctors consider crucial.
* Emergency budget to include 45 billion euros of spending and 300 billion euros f loan guarantees.
Germany
* Most public and private venues such as bars, cinemas and museums closed. Non-essential services shut; supermarkets open, including on Sundays.
* All people with unexplained respiratory symptoms to be tested.
* Government to make as much as 550 billion euros available in lending for businesses from German state bank KfW.
Greece
* Non-essential services shut; no flights to and from Italy and Spain; borders with Albania and North Macedonia closed.
* Testing for those with symptoms.
* Tax and loan payments deferred; special paid leave for parents.
India
* Central bank boosts cash injection through 13.5 billion rupees ($181 million) of long-term repo operations and $2 billion for the foreign-exchange market.
* Most inbound travel visas suspended; arrivals prohibited from some countries.
* Residents asked to avoid non-essential travel; schools, gyms, museums and theaters closed.
Indonesia
* Central bank expected to cut its policy rate; bank bought billions of dollars of government bonds and intervened in currency markets to stabilize the rupiah.
* Government stimulus package increased to 33.22 trillion rupiah ($2.19 billion).
* Mosques urged worshippers to stay at home.
Italy
* Non-essential services, schools closed; unnecessary movement banned in a lockdown.
* Testing and tracking only for patients showing symptoms.
* 25 billion-euro package, including loan guarantees, takeover of Alitalia and funds for businesses and individuals. Short-selling banned for 90 days.
Ireland
* Pubs closed, many cafes and restaurants voluntarily closed.
* Widespread testing available.
* Government to spend an initial 3 billion euros on tackling the health crisis and economic consequences.
Japan
* Central bank raised the upper limit of its annual ETF purchase target to 12 trillion yen ($112 billion).
* Government urged residents to halt travel to most of Europe; inbound travelers from Europe need to self-quarantine.
* Some government officials signaled a possible delay of the Tokyo Olympics.
Latvia
* Ports, airports and borders closed to non-residents; schools closed; official events canceled and unofficial events capped at 50 people.
* Checks at airports, ports.
* Credit guarantees worth 1 billion euros, possible three-year tax relief, sick-day support.
Lithuania
* Nationwide two-week lockdown; border controls. Bars, restaurants, schools closed, people encouraged to work from home. Shopping limited to groceries and pharmacies.
* Testing for people returning from trips and those with pneumonia symptoms.
* 2.5 billion euros in economic aid, including liquidity instruments, tax loans and state guarantees. Central bank to ease liquidity and capital requirements.
Luxembourg
* Ban on unnecessary movement; schools, restaurants, cafes, other non-essential facilities closed. Police are performing checks and are ready to fine violators.
* Testing and tracking only if doctors consider crucial; first drive-through testing facility created.
* Leave for employees caring for children; aid for companies facing liquidity problems.
Mexico
* Set aside about $150 million in aid.
* Schools set to close next week.
Portugal
* Schools and clubs closed, access to malls limited; restaurant capacities reduced by one-third. Churches closed, masses broadcast; events with more than 100 people banned.
* Portugal and Spain suspended transport links until April 15. Some land crossings open only for goods. Non-resident cruise passengers barred; flights to Italy suspended; non-EU flights to be halted midnight Wednesday.
* Credit line for smaller companies and assistance for workers looking after children aged 12 or younger.
Romania
* State of emergency declared; schools and universities closed, tight controls at borders, flights to and from Italy suspended.
* Testing for all returning from virus-impacted countries.
* Central bank to provide liquidity, if needed. The government plans $2 billion in state guarantees for smaller companies.
Russia
* Ban on entry to most foreigners; schools closed.
* Free tests for people who’ve visited high-risk countries.
* $4 billion fund to assist businesses and individuals; tax payments deferred. Central bank sold 22 billion rubles in foreign currencies.
Saudi Arabia
* Land crossings closed and international flights halted; pilgrimages to Mecca banned. Non-essential services closed.
* Testing for those with symptoms. Self-quarantine for those who have come in contact with infected people.
* Package worth 50 billion riyals ($13.3 billion) in loans and loan guarantees to businesses.
South Africa
* National disaster declared; gatherings of more than 100 people banned; schools, 35 of 53 land crossings closed; access closed to travelers from high-risk countries.
* Testing available for those with symptoms.
* Government working on measures to minimize economic impact; central bank may cut interest rate by 50 basis points on Thursday.
Spain
* National emergency declared; unnecessary movement barred; schools, bars, restaurants, non-essential services closed; land borders closed, and flights to and from Italy suspended.
* Emergency helpline for people with symptoms; testing for people with serious symptoms.
* Stimulus package of 200 billion euros to provide loan guarantees to companies, especially smaller businesses, plus a tax moratorium; delayed mortgage payments for families; 400 million-euro aid package for tourism industry.
Slovenia
* Air travel and public transport suspended; medical checks at Italian border. Businesses closed, except for banks, gas stations, grocery stores and pharmacies.
* Testing decisions to be made by doctors.
* Government promised 1 billion euros to help businesses.
South Korea
* Central bank cut benchmark interest rate to record low. Government to accelerate special 11.7 trillion won ($9.4 billion) budget; cap on banks’ foreign-exchange forward positions eased by 25%.
* Testing widespread, covering more than 10,000 people a day; test results accelerated.
* Travel advisory alert raised for some European countries; school reopening delayed.
Sweden
* Non-essential trips abroad barred. High schools and universities closed; gatherings of more than 500 people banned.
* Priority tests for people who need hospital care, the elderly and health-care workers with symptoms.
* Riksbank support totaling $80 billion; from the government, a $31 billion economic package; key bank capital requirement cut, freeing up $90 billion for new lending.
Switzerland
* Restrictions on travel from high-risk countries; schools, restaurants, bars, entertainment and leisure venues closed; grocery stores, pharmacies and banks open; all public and private events banned.
* Conducting about 2,000 tests a day.
* Government has pledged 10 billion francs ($10.5 billion) in support, including funds to prevent layoffs, and emergency loan assistance especially for small- and medium-sized firms.
Turkey
* School, mosques, non-essential services shut; flights to and from 20 countries suspended; about 10,000 citizens returning from pilgrimage to Mecca quarantined.
* Central bank cut one-week repo rate by a percentage point, added liquidity into markets by cutting amount of foreign exchange lenders must park and postponing foreign-exchange debt repayments by exporters.
U.K.
* Public advised to avoid all non-essential travel overseas, as well as use of public transport, gatherings with friends and family; limiting interaction with others by people over 70.
* Testing to be increased and those with symptoms asked to self-isolate at home for seven days; if living with others, not leave the house for 14 days.
* Government promised help with mortgage payments, and support for airlines, shops and the hospitality industry, with 350 billion pounds ($424 billion) of government-backed loans, grants and tax cuts.
U.S.
* Government advises people not to congregate in groups of more than 10 and suggests states close schools; about 75% of schools closed nationwide.
* Congress debates $1.2 trillion in spending, including direct payments of $1,000 or more to Americans within two weeks.
* Twenty states ordered restaurants, bars or both closed to sit-down customers. New York City may order citizens to shelter-in-place after closing all bars, restaurants and theaters. Residents of the San Francisco Bay Area ordered to stay at home.
* Ohio canceled March 17 presidential primary election and closed schools.
