-Lawmakers approved an $8.3 billion emergency spending package on Wednesday to fight the recent coronavirus outbreak, reported CQ. $6.5 billion will go to HHS, and $3.1 billion for the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund for stockpiling medical supplies, as well as $300 million to ensure affordability of vaccines and drugs.
-U.S. Navy’s 6th fleet enacted a 14-day quarantine on ships between port calls visiting European ports, reports military.com. Over 2,200 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Italy, with nearly 79 deaths related to the disease.
-The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has instructed federal agencies to incorporate telework as an option to stymie the spread of coronavirus. A Department of Homeland Security office has closed one of its federal offices in Washington state and has asked its employees to work remotely, Federal News Network reports.
Photo by AP /Patrick Ngugi