President of the United States, Donald Trump has declared a national emergency over Coronavirus.
In a press conference on Friday night, the President made the order which has been yearned for in the past by Senators from ravaged areas.
The order allows the federal government to tap up to $50bn in emergency relief funds to help state and local health officials.
The move also gives less strict measures on medical insurance regulations, and is expected to hasten the establishment of new hospitals and the search for new treatments.
There are 1,701 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the US, and 40 deaths have been recorded.
Preventive measures against the disease have been taken by several US states. This is to stem the inflation rate, including banning large gatherings, sporting events and closing schools.
The virus, which originated in China has taken an almost seismic shift to Europe after the head of the World Health Organization described the continent as the ’epicentre’ of the pandemic.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged countries to use aggressive measures, community mobilisation and social distancing to save lives.
His comments have come as several European countries reported significant rises in infections and deaths. Italy has recorded its highest daily toll yet – 250 over the past 24 hours, taking the total to 1,266, with 17,660 infections overall.
Trump has been criticized by Americans for failure of his administration to provide them with Coronavirus testing kits.
The POTUS has failed to undergo a test to be declared clear of the virus after meeting people who have since tested positive during the week.
The 1988 Stafford Act gives the president alone the ability to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to co-ordinate a national response to “natural catastrophes” within the US.
Recall Trump exercised the Order when he declared that a Southern Border wall be built to prevent Mexicans from entering into the US.
