The shock announcement came just two days after the state government ordered people to stay at home and shut many businesses to combat what was considered a highly contagious outbreak of coronavirus.

Canada has mutual aid agreements with Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., Mexico and South Africa.

Firefighters in southern Australia were winning the battle on Tuesday to contain a sprawling wildfire raging on a 240-kilometre perimeter that has razed 38 homes and left two people in hospitals, officials said.