www.thepeninsula.qa Tuesday 31 March 2020 Volume 25 | Number 8213 7 Sha'aban - 1441 2 Riyals

SPORT | 02 PENMAG | 05 BUSINESS | 12 E-football star Al Classifieds Ezdan Holding Meghessib making and Services Group posts the most of section net profit of social distancing included QR309m

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Three more people Hazm Mebaireek Hospital to treat COVID-19 patients recover as 59 The hospital will new COVID-19 provide a modern and cases reported advanced environment that provides treatment THE PENINSULA — DOHA for COVID-19 patients, The Ministry of Public Health men and women of all (MoPH) has announced the nationalities. registration of 59 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, in addition to three more patients recovering from the QNA — DOHA disease in the country, yesterday. Hamad Medical Corporation Some of the new cases of (HMC) has announced the infection are related to designation of Hazm Mebaireek people who have recently General Hospital as a facility for returned to Qatar from treating coronavirus overseas, particularly from (COVID-19) patients as of Staff at the Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital engaged in preparations to receive COVID-19 patients. the UK, and others who had yesterday, with the aim of contact with people infected enabling HMC to provide high- quickly from the beginning and Hazm Mebaireek General Hos- He pointed out that Hazm number of beds in it to 471 beds with the virus, either from quality care for these patients worked to set standards through pital , where they will receive the Mebaireek General Hospital was (221 beds for intensive care and family members who live in in an integrated facility. decisions without any delay, and necessary treatment while they specifically chosen to treat 250 beds for inpatients), while the same house or from rel- Minister of Public Health this is exactly what we need to are under constant surveillance. patients (COVID-19) because the it will also provide a Covid-19 atives who live in different H E Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al address the rapidly spreading For his part, the Head of the hospital will provide a modern emergency department with a homes. All new cases have Kuwari has stated that this rapid COVID-19. Health System Committee for and advanced environment that capacity of 150 beds when been put into quarantine transformation of Hazm H E also expressed pride at Accident Control to confront provides treatment for Corona- needed in the future. where they are receiving the Mebaireek General Hospital into the efforts made by everyone COVID-19, Dr. Saad Al Kaabi, virus patients, men and women All daily services at Hazm necessary medical care. a facility for treating COVID-19 to equip Hazm Mebaireek said that this decision is part of of all nationalities. Mebaireek General Hospital The MoPH has also patients is an example of the General Hospital to act as a the pre-emptive plan that the Hazm Mebaireek General have been temporarily sus- announced that the three new proactive approach in the health facility to provide high-quality health care sector is running to Hospital will provide 147 beds, pended until further notice, cases of recovery brings the care sector in the face of this care to COVID-19 patients. ensure that any possible including 42 intensive care beds while the emergency total number of people to have epidemic. Patients with coronaviruses increase in the number of and 105 inpatient beds. department remains open as now recovered from COVID-19 H E Dr. Al Kuwari added that with moderate to severe patients who develop Corona- The hospital will also be usual to provide treatment for to 51 in Qatar. the Ministry started to move symptoms will be admitted to virus disease is managed. available to increase the emergency medical cases. In another development, MoPH has commissioned new laboratory techniques for testing COVID-19 with which Banks hike purchase limit Qatar Airways resumes scheduled it is possible to conduct a greater number of tests each for contactless cards day than before which has led belly-hold cargo operations to China to an increase in the number SACHIN KUMAR increased the Tap N Pay limit of cases that are being dis- THE PENINSULA to QR300 instead of QR100, THE PENINSULA — DOHA chain, and meeting the market’s demand for imports and covered each day — which is which means that you can pay strong demand for freight exports, including the urgent helping in the early detection Banks in Qatar have increased now for purchases up to QR300 Qatar Airways Cargo, one of the exports and imports. This outbound shipment of essential of infected cases and thus the purchase limit of without the need to enter your world’s leading air cargo includes the transportation of commodities, fresh produce, helping to reduce the spread contactless debit and credit PIN nor hand the card to the carriers, yesterday announced urgent medical relief aid that is food products, and large pro- of the virus. cards by 200 percent. Earlier, merchant on all Commercial that it would resume scheduled pivotal to the global fight against portion of medical supplies to As of yesterday, more customers were allowed to do Bank point of sales,” said Com- belly-hold cargo operations to the COVID-19 pandemic. other parts of the world that are than 20,000 people have purchases up to QR100, but mercial Bank in a tweet. China with the utilisation of Qatar Airways Group Chief currently facing the public been tested for COVID-19 in now this limit has been QNB also made similar wide-body and passenger- Executive, H E Akbar Al Baker, health crisis,” said H E Al Baker. Qatar, while 693 people increased to QR300. announcement on its twitter configurated aircraft effective said: “We are pleased to resume The belly-hold cargo flights receive treatment for the Commercial Bank and QNB account. “For your safety and from yesterday. The additional belly-hold cargo operations to will be operated on a turnaround disease. have already hiked this limit to speed up your payments you cargo capacity is being added China where the COVID-19 pan- basis assuming the routes’ pre- While, MoPH is continuing while other banks are also can now use your Tap & Pay to the carrier’s existing freighter demic has been significantly viously assigned flight numbers to undertake all necessary expected to follow suit. This card with increased limit up to service amid increased demand contained and industrial pro- and frequencies, without any checks for all citizens arriving initiative by banks will play an QR300 per transaction,” said for the shipment of immediate duction is restoring nationwide.” cabin crew members or pas- from abroad, as well as all important role in limiting the QNB in a tweet. goods in and out of the region. “In addition to our dedi- sengers on-board. Supple- individuals who have been in spread of COVID-19 as Many banks and other The decision to reinstate cated freighter service, the menting the already-robust contact with the affected cases. customers are not required to financial institutions have belly-hold service to six of its extra belly-hold availability cargo payload offered on Qatar The Ministry of Public enter the Personal Identifi- urged their customers to opt for passenger destinations in the leveraging the flexibility and Airways’ existing four freighter Health also requested that all cation Number (PIN) while cashless payment and these country is in line with airline’s reliability of our fleet will routes to China, the recom- members of society cooperate doing a transaction with these contact less cards are an initiative to continue supporting greatly enhance our cargo han- mencement of belly-hold service fully and adhere to all guide- cards. important option to go for worldwide connectivity, re- dling capacity in China to will add significant cargo lines and advice regarding “Commercial Bank has just cashless transactions. `P2 establishing the global supply support market’s soaring capacity to six cities.`P2 limiting the spread of the virus. Ashghal implements precautionary measures at project sites

THE PENINSULA — DOHA immediately present them to the measures to familiarise workers and direct supervisors and health and employees with the disease, its In the context of efforts taken by the safety officials to take the necessary symptoms and effects, while pro- Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ in measures. viding a list of “necessary and pro- limiting the spread of COVID-19, The Authority also instructed its hibited practices” to prevent its Ashghal’s Road Projects Department contractors to assign a unified contact spread among workers through illus- has worked with its contractors and number at the labourers’ residence to trated publications in several consultants to develop and implement report internally on any disease and languages. an emergency plan that includes take the necessary action to familiarise In addition to educating workers preventive measures to protect all workers and employees with this about the need to take care of the workers, employees and residents of number and report any suspected cleanliness of hands, the health of the the areas within the department cases to the Ministry of Public Health respiratory system and the emphasis projects. dedicated to cases of coronavirus. on etiquette to be followed when Eng. Saoud Al Tamimi, Road Al Tamimi also stated to facilitate sneezing or coughing. Ashghal has Projects Department Manager in monitoring and follow-up, the also sent voice instructions through Ashghal, said that the procedures department directed contractors to “WhatsApp” application to all medical applied in the projects department divide workers in all housing and res- personnel in the projects, to introduce currently include a medical exami- idence facilities into groups of up to the required and prohibited practices nation for all project workers to early 100 individuals, which helps in early to deal with the disease and the detect symptoms of the disease and detection of symptoms associated necessity for the medical staff to the application of a policy to prevent with COVID-19). educate those in sites or the workers visits to offices, sites and residential In addition to providing and man- housing for coronavirus disease. facilities. aging isolation units inside the facil- The Road Projects Department Moreover, Ashghal contractors in ities and ensuring that the isolated do has also worked with its contractors accordance with the authority not come into contact with workers to provide all the necessary tools to instructions, take necessary measures or other residents until they are trans- maintain personal hygiene in to monitor and follow up workers and ferred to the Communicable Disease workers’ housing, workplaces, health employees for any disease symptoms, Center. and care areas, and dining halls at and to measure the temperature for In the same context, the Road work sites, including hand washing each individual, and follow up on any Projects Department undertakes a facilities with all the cleaning and san- other indications of infection and number of necessary awareness itising supplies provided. `P2 02 HOME TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2020

Kahramaa’s smart OFFICIAL NEWS Amir holds telephone services record conversation with Indonesian President 18,000 transactions DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday THE PENINSULA — DOHA safe way to submit requests held via telephone a conversa- and complete transactions at tion with the President of the About 18,000 transactions any time and from any location Republic of Indonesia, H E Joko were made through the Smart in a way that ensures Widodo, during which His High- Services of Qatar General Elec- adherence to the instructions ness offered condolences to him tricity and Water Corporation to stay at home without the on the death of his mother, pray- (Kahramaa) in less than two need to visit the service ing to the Almighty Allah to have weeks, witnessing a centers. mercy on her soul and to grant remarkable increase in the Kahramaa witnessed a her paradise, and to inspire them number of users. qualitative shift in the level of with patience and solace. During Kahramaa received from services it provides to the cus- the call, they reviewed bilateral March 17 to 28, as much as tomers, in the framework of relations and means of supporting 17,820 requests through its the Foundation’s efforts Grocery delivery and developing them, in addition digital platforms including towards upgrading its services to discussing the efforts made by An employee of a grocery shop getting ready for a home delivery at Al Nasr area in Doha, yesterday. the two countries in combating 14,200 electronic payment and providing high-quality PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA transactions; 1,122 requests to services that meet the aspira- the novel coronavirus to limit and move from a residence; 386 tions of customers in light of prevent its spread. QNA requests to move to a resi- its transformation into a smart dence; 2,033 requests to issue institution. QA resumes Aman3 begins today at Shamal region a certificate; 32 requests to Kahramaa succeeded in Ashghal register as a Qatari eligible for completing the links and inte- scheduled THE PENINSULA — DOHA in Shamal region from 10am to exemption, said Kahramaa in gration of its systems with a belly-hold cargo 2pm today. “This drill comes implements a press release issued number of different entities in The Ministry of Interior (MoI) within the framework of the yesterday. the country following Qatar operations to China said yesterday that Aman3 — a joint coordination to ensure the precautionary The transactions were National Vision 2030 and FROM PAGE 1 joint exercise between Qatari readiness of all units and made through Kahramaa national development strat- Armed Forces, MoI and departments as specified for measures website and smart phone egies to ensure the ease of The cities include Beijing, Lekhwiya Force — will be held the exercise,” said the Ministry. application in addition to receiving information Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, FROM PAGE 1 requests to remove a meter for efficiently. Chongqing and Hangzhou, with the purpose of demolition, Kahramaa called its cus- an additional 600 tonnes of Smoking reduces ability to fight The department has also counter complaints, property tomers to follow the instruc- weekly capacity added, bringing instructed contractors to category update and new tions issued by the authorities the combined weekly capacity maintain sterilisation and owner registration concerned in the country to out of the country to more than bacterial and viral infections cleaning of all areas, The statistics during the prevent the spread of corona- 1,300 tonnes. THE PENINSULA — DOHA providing telephone-based including housing, eating period of study (March 17 to virus, one of the most After PRC State Council’s consultations and treatment. spaces and site offices, in 28) show a significant increase important is to stay at home, announcement on March 24, to All forms of smoking can He has explained that res- addition to workers’ leisure in the rate of turnout to benefit while submitting and com- boost the nation’s international reduce the respiratory system’s idents seeking support to quit facilities at work sites such from Kahramaa smart services pleting transactions and airfreight capabilities, stabilise ability to fight viral and smoking can call 4025 4981 or as the dining hall, toilets, compared to the same period requests electronically without supply chains and enhance bacterial infections, according 5080 0959 to book an buses, and transportation in February. the need to visit service cooperation with global airlines. to experts at Hamad Medical appointment. He said patients vehicles. In addition to The number of online reg- centers. Qatar Airways is the first Middle Corporation (HMC). will be called by one of the periodic cleaning of all sur- istration increased by 93 Kahramaa also called Eastern carrier to resume belly- Dr. Ahmad Al Mulla, Head Center’s doctors who will faces that are frequently percent, logging to electronic clients to register online hold operations to all of its des- of HMC’s Tobacco Control conduct an assessment to touched in work sites and accounts by about 300 percent through the Kahramaa website tinations in China. With the Center, has advised smokers determine the patient’s level accommodation facilities. and downloading Kahramaa and the smart phone appli- upgraded capacity, more vital to quit the harmful habit, on of nicotine dependence. From Moreover, Ashghal has application about 240 percent. cation to avail the services. The medical supplies and exports the official Facebook page of there the doctor will develop taken several measures to The huge increase in the customers can also commu- destined for the Middle East, HMC. a treatment plan and may pre- stop the virus from number of transactions reflects nicate with Kahramaa round- Europe and the Americas will be Dr. Al Mulla has also said scribe medication that can be spreading among workers in the customers’ confidence in the-clock through the 999 call flown by Qatar Airways’ efficient that the Tobacco Control collected from one of HMC’s project sites, including Kahramaa’s smart services and center and WhatsApp service network via a seamless stopover Center will continue to offer pharmacies using the auto- reducing the number of their response to its call to use on the number 1993-30330 or at the cargo carrier’s world-class support to those who are mated medication dispensing workers using the buses in online service as an easy and email [email protected]. Doha hub. wanting to quit smoking by system. half and sanitising it regu- larly, and leaving sufficient distances between them on the bus, in dining halls and Expatriate shares COVID-19 recovery experience while on work sites. In addition, Ashghal regularly ANISHA BIJUKUMAR and the government for giving India. But the physical dis- nationalities, Muneer says that checks the availability of THE PENINSULA such excellent facilities. I am comfort that he experienced though he felt physical dis- gloves, masks, and sanitising also thankful to the Qatar health was somewhat relieved by the comfort due to his illness, he supplies at work sites and Having an optimistic attitude services and medical profes- care that was provided to him never allowed himself to be offices. even under stress is tough, yet sionals for my speedy by the doctors and nurses. upset about it. “I had excellent As part of the precau- that’s exactly what helped Qatar recovery,” Muneer adds. After two days, his corona- caretakers and I believed in tionary measures taken by resident Abdul Muneer Manath- Muneer first experienced virus test came positive and he their ability to cure me. Also I the department, Eng. Al- anath (pictured) recover from extreme tiredness on March 13 was shifted to a specialised hos- was in constant touch with my Tamimi indicated that he coronavirus. That along with and visited the health centre pital in Industrial Area. family back home and con- directed the local road excellent healthcare facilities where they checked his tem- “Except for being alone, we vinced them that I would be project contractors to cancel provided to him enabled his perature. As he didn’t have any were not in need of anything. back healthy soon,” he adds. all activities that include speedy recovery. fever, he was given medicines After few days of treatment All his contacts, including direct interaction with the The 44-year-old driver is and asked to take rest. When another test was done which those living with him and his public, whether individually now in a large quarantine his condition worsened the next showed negative and I was relatives in the country whom or in groups, in addition to centre in Umm Salal Ali and day, an ambulance took him to shifted to a quarantine room he met a day before being hos- the cancellation of periodic says that all his needs have been prepared by doctors for specific emergency. The doctors with four others. Once more test pitalised are all placed under visits to homes, that is to taken care of by the authorities. patients,” says Muneer. informed him that his respi- was done and that also was quarantine but none of them ensure the safety of resi- He is housed in a room with all Arrangements are made for ratory organs and kidney have negative. Two of my roommates have shown any symptoms and dents in Qatar. Therefore, it necessary facilities including separate blankets, clothing, some infections for which they decided to quarantine them- he is thankful for the same. “It is advised to reduce / stop television and WiFi. bathing towels and everything started the treatment. selves at home and since we is a big relief that I didn’t pass direct interactions, physical “Every day morning, a else that a person might need. “Those days were terrible were living in bachelor housing, on my infection to any of my contact with residents and medical staff does a routine He added that irrespective of as I had trouble even while we were moved to special relatives or my friends,” says all workers at work sites, to checkup of each patient. We are nationality or profession, breathing and due to con- accommodation in Umm Salal Muneer. Muneer is unsure when replace that by using phone given delicious food according excellent medical care is given tinuous coughing spell, I felt my Ali.” he will be discharged and in the calls and e-mail to to our preference and as per the to all patients. “I am deeply entire body was under pain,” Under quarantine with meanwhile he plans to rest and communicate. dietary chart, if there is any, indebted to the Qatar leadership said the expat from Kerala, many others from different better his health. Banks hike Construction workers purchase limit for receive health safety kits contactless cards FROM PAGE 1 THE PENINSULA — DOHA distributed preventive kits, bro- chures in a number of lan- Bank officials say that Local companies and charity guages to the workers in con- advancement in technology organisations have stepped up struction sites within quick has made it very simple to efforts in coordination with the response initiative to curb the make digital payments. authorities concerned for coronavirus, Qatar Charity These contactless cards have protecting workers from tweeted yesterday. removed the need of COVID-19 infection by The charity said that the pressing the PIN at the retail providing them with preventive campaign received over- outlets. Contactless cards kits, personal hygiene materials whelming response from the allow customers to pay by and awareness pamphlets. community to support the state simply tapping the card on The Director of Labor efforts to protect citizens and the Point of Sale (PoS) Inspection Department at the expatriates from the infection. machines or ATMs. Ministry of Administrative The campaign is also receiving Contactless transactions Development, Labor and Social pretty good supports from the are as safe as traditional Affairs, Fahad Al Dosari, par- Ministry of Administrative card payment transactions. ticipated in a drive yesterday Development Labor and Social Each transaction uses state- Domestic workers during a training session organised by WIZA on the possible measures to prevent launched by Qatar Charity to Affairs, Ministry of Public of-the-art security to gen- the spread of COVID-19. protect construction workers Health and other agencies, said erate a random verification from coronavirus. Qatar Charity. code that cannot be coun- “We distributed personal The Qatar General Elec- terfeited. It also provides hygiene materials, healthy tricity and Water Corporation WIZA takes measures to fight COVID-19 more control, since the card safety kits and pamphlets to (Kahramaa) has disinfected its does not leave customer’s construction workers in their official facilities and other THE PENINSULA — DOHA the company that focused on measures represented in hand to be swiped by the languages educating them how buildings following the precau- awareness, practical preventive internal sterilisation and per- merchant. to prevent themselves and tionary and preventive The Qatar Manpower Solutions measures as well as site visits sonal hygiene in addition to Every time a customer others from the infection of measures to curb the spread of Co. (WIZA) organised practical inspections to domestic periodic medical check and performs a contactless coronavirus,” said Al Dosari in COVID-19. workshops, which come as part workers in work places. social distancing. transaction he gets informed a video footage posted on the The inspection operation of its measures to prevent and The awareness pro- WIZA has also cancelled the immediately via SMS alerts. Twitter account of Qatar was conducted to provide a limit the spread of COVID-19. grammes include daily briefings fingerprint system and acti- This way, he knows all the Charity. healthy and safe work envi- The training workshops and publications, and educa- vated the facial recognition time the transactions that Under a campaign ronment for its employees and were held in coordination with tional content targeting, both application, in addition to acti- were performed using cards. launched by Qatar Charity to customers Kahramaa is also the Qatar Red Crescent Society workers and clients. The vating the remote work mech- The ease of using these cards support state efforts to curb conducting an awareness cam- (QRCS). This step came within company is also implementing anism for a number of is prompting residents to go COVID-19, a team of volunteers paign through its social media. a number of measures taken by a series of preventive practical employees. for cashless transactions. TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2020 HOME 03 MoCI issues circular MIA offers online resources amid COVID-19 “Although MIA is library’s children’s collection on ratified contracts and teaches young children closed, you can colours through an illustrated THE PENINSULA — DOHA considered a global pandemic still enjoy lots of story. and a force majeure that An instructional video on Within the framework of the cannot be avoided or antici- activities with us. how to make an astrolabe is preventive and precautionary pated, which makes it dif- Stay tuned for new also among the latest videos measures implemented by ficult for some suppliers to uploaded on MIA’s social the State to limit the spread fulfil their obligations classes, storytelling media sites. MIA has a fasci- of COVID-19 and taking into towards consumers at the and inspiration every nating collection of astro- account the interests of present time, and in line with day,” reads a recent labes. which were once the suppliers and consumers, this circular, the Ministry of most used, sophisticated Ministry of Commerce and Commerce and Industry has post on MIA’s official medieval astronomical Industry (MoCI) has issued a called on service providers Facebook page. instrument. circular on ratified contracts to ratify new contracts that Another video on how to to hold concerts, festivals, outline other dates to fulfil create mosaic artwork based events and special gatherings. their obligations or to seek on one of the objects which RAYNALD C RIVERA The Ministry of Com- consensual agreements that will be on show at MIA’s THE PENINSULA merce and Industry issued a take into account the upcoming exhibition has also circular on holding concerts, interests of both parties with been posted on MIA’s social festivals, events and special regard to the down payments Through engaging storytelling media sites. The activity is gatherings that compels con- and financial installments and instructional videos aimed at developing chil- tractors and providers of made to suppliers in return uploaded on social media, the dren’s creativity, imagination these services to seek con- for assuming their obligations Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) and fine motor skills while sensual agreements with as agreed with consumers. promotes learning while it promoting collaborative work clients following the direc- The Ministry has urged all brings its collection closer to between parents and their A screenshot from the video of Adil Mohamed from MIA Library tives to ban concerts, fes- suppliers to adhere to the the public as it temporarily children. The mosaic grid, reading the story titled “Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns” which tivals, events and special provisions of the circular and closed its doors amid which is available in two gatherings. to embrace this initiative in COVID-19 outbreak. sizes, can be downloaded was uploaded on MIA’s social media sites yesterday. The circular falls in line line with their social respon- “Although MIA is closed, from the MIA website. with the Ministry’s efforts to sibility in support of the pre- you can still enjoy lots of The Museum of Islamic printable colouring, puzzle, The Museum of Islamic Art ensure stability in business ventive and precautionary activities with us. Stay tuned Art’s website has a dedicated and spot the differences has a strong online following transactions between sup- measures taken by the state for new classes, storytelling learning resources page worksheets to art activities reaching out to more than 2.2 pliers and consumers while to protect the health of all and inspiration every day,” where visitors can access for such as creating a ka’aba and million followers on taking into account the members of society. reads a recent post on MIA’s free a rich collection of fun a prayer rug. There are also Facebook, in addition to over interests of both parties and The Ministry of Com- official Facebook page. and educational activities for activities targeting specific lit- 117,000 Twitter followers and avoiding material damages merce and Industry will Yesterday, a video of Adil children, families and adults. eracy skills such as reading tens of thousands of that may be caused to any intensify its inspection cam- Mohamed from MIA Library Through these activities comprehension and writing a Instagram followers. party due to the preventive paigns to ensure the com- reading the story titled people can learn more about book review as well as math- More than 400 objects and precautionary measures pliance of concerned parties “Golden Domes and Silver MIA and its collections in a ematical and science skills. from MIA’s collection have implemented by the State to with their obligations as stip- Lanterns” was uploaded on fun and engaging way. Links to online learning been digitised and can be reduce the spread of ulated in the circular and to MIA’s Facebook, Twitter and The activities, which are resources in other museums viewed in its website and via COVID-19. crack down on any violations Instagram. The big book read inspired by MIA’s collection can also be found at MIA’s Google Arts and Culture Given that COVID-19 is in this regard. by Mohamed is part of MIA and exhibitions, range from learning resources webpage. online platform. MoCI warns Ministry considers situation of students for preparing questions against selling SIDI MOHAMED “The current circumstances out that parents should not educational institution to Institute to create a compe- goods without THE PENINSULA of the students will be taken make their children fear about prepare good lessons for stu- tition for all students to urge into account in terms of the their exams. They should also dents of level 12 and students them to produce films. clear information The Assistant Undersecretary timing of the tests and ques- follow lessons with their can benefit from it. “The goal is that the student for Educational Affairs at the tions. All secondary schools children, as this will make it She also noted that students utilise their time in doing good THE PENINSULA — DOHA Ministry of Education and were directed to provide the easier for students to study and are currently spending most of things. Education is not neces- Higher Education, Fawzia Al students with adequate perform well in the exam. We their time at home and they sarily through lessons, but The Ministry of Commerce and Khater, said the Ministry will support, give them review are in a special circumstance should take advantage of this through other enriching activ- Industry (MoCI) yesterday take into account the current questions, and prepare exper- that requires us to reassure stu- time. Therefore, the Ministry ities,” she said. warned retailers against situation of level-12 students imental tests for them,” Al dents. Assistant Undersecretary of Education and Higher Edu- Al khater has called on all selling goods without clearly while preparing questions and Khater said. has urged students to follow- cation is working with a students to take part in these outlining the components and setting time duration for their Speaking in a video circu- up video lessons, adding that number of institutions, competitions so that they learn product’s expiry date as it is a examinations. lated on twitter, she pointed the Ministry is working with an including the Doha Film to rely on themselves. violation of the Industrial Regulation Law. “The production and dis- Outpatient care at NCCCR shifted tribution of goods in local markets without clearly out- THE PENINSULA — DOHA take the first right, then the next lining the components and the right, then right turn again and product’s expiry date is a vio- Hamad Medical Corporation this will bring you to the area,” lation of the Industrial Regu- (HMC) has relocated the Outpa- it added. lation Law. The Ministry cau- tient Department at the Click here for directions to tions local factories against National Center for Cancer Care ACC https://goo.gl/maps/ violating the law,” said the and Research (NCCCR) to the njyRhPrWvMgKsqHNA Ministry in a tweet Ambulatory Care Center (ACC), While, HMC has imple- yesterday. within the Hamad Medical City. mented a number of changes The Ministry also warned HMC has assured that to the delivery of healthcare factories against producing patients will receive the same services across HMC hospitals, goods without obtaining its level of care by the same said thatas a result of the approval. clinical staff at NCCCR. evolving COVID-19 situation, “The production of some “Your care will be provided As part of the changes, the goods without obtaining the at ACC by the same medical and Heart Hospital’s Emergency approval of the Ministry rep- nursing team that you are used Department is no longer be resents a violation of the to seeing in NCCCR,” HMC said open to public access. However, Industrial Regulation Law. The on its official facebook page. the Heart Hospital will continue Ministry cautions local fac- “On arrival at the ACC, you to provide care to patients with tories against violating the will need to go to the Pre- emergency cardiac conditions, law,” said the Ministry in a Admission Clinic Area - turning but will not accept walk-in tweet. left from the entrance, you will patients. 'Give best support to teens during stay at home' FAZEENA SALEEM interrupt important things like THE PENINSULA eating balanced meals, getting enough sleep and spending Since the World Health Organi- quality time with the family,” she zation declared the COVID-19 said. outbreak a global pandemic, Dr Al Ansari insisted that many even those who have not keeping healthy habits and been infected by the virus, are maintaining regular routine is practicing social distancing and very important for supporting working or staying home. teens’ mental health during their The outbreak of COVID-19 stay at home. and the fear and anxiety about “Try to keep up with regular the disease can be overwhelming routines. As schools are closed, and cause strong emotions in create a schedule for learning adolescents, according to Dr. activities and relaxing or fun Alanoud Al Ansari (pictured), outbreak. Answer questions and activities. Take breaks, get plenty Division Chief of Adolescent share facts about COVID-19 in a of sleep, exercise, and eat well. Medicine at Sidra Medicine. way that they can understand. Cook meals, watch movies or Everyone reacts differently Reassure them that they are safe. documentaries and eat at least to stressful situations. How Let them know it is okay if they one meal together as a family. someone will respond to the out- feel upset. Share with them how And always check in on each break or the fact that they have you deal with your own stress so other. Be a role model,” she to stay at home depends on each that they can learn how to cope added. individual. from you,” she added. “Also when teens ask for time “Children and teens react, on Dr Al-Ansari, also said that on their own, parents should not what they see from adults around teens can experience anxiety take it personally. It is a natural them. When parents and car- when their daily routine is inter- part of growing up. ‘me-time’ is egivers deal with the COVID-19 rupted and sometimes they good for everyone,” she con- calmly and confidently, they can aren’t sure how to express tinued. Dr. Al Ansari also advised provide the best support for their themselves. parents to observe adolescents children. Parents can be more “While they are at home and who already have conditions like reassuring to others around in isolation, encourage teens to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder them, especially children, if they stay connected with friends and (OCD). “Observe teens if they continue to be calm and are family electronically. These are show any symptoms like lack of better prepared to answer their extraordinary times, and we sleep, considerable changes in children’s questions,” Dr Al need to be more patient with appetite or if they try to isolate Ansari told The Peninsula. them and make concessions themselves too much. In such “Take time to talk with your regarding screen time. While it cases, it is advisable to seek pro- child or teen about the COVID-19 helps them cope, this should not fessional help,” she added. 04 HOME TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2020 TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2020 HOME 05 06 HOME TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2020 Qatar Digital Library reveals forgotten battle that helped win World War II

THE PENINSULA — DOHA famous member, the English explorer and travel writer, Wilfred Thesiger, Locust plagues have been around from who worked as a MEALU locust time immemorial; the Holy Quran and research officer, trekked across the the Bible tell us they were one of the Empty Quarter in 1946 by camel with five plagues inflicted on ancient Egypt. a small Bedouin party to gather intel- They were thought to have been rele- ligence about locust breading grounds. gated to history, but this year they The journey was long and arduous, a reappeared, this time wreaking havoc triumph of man over nature. He later in the Horn of Africa. published an account of his mission in Billions of locusts have been Arabian Sands (1959), a celebrated causing turmoil in Kenya and Uganda classic of travel literature, and one of for several months, bringing devas- the greatest stories of man versus the tation to crops and livelihoods in what desert ever written. is believed to be the worst infestation As a result of the MEALU’s remarkable since 1942. Locusts also teem through efforts, there were no major outbreaks Schistocerca gregaria, the desert locust, taken from James Augustus St John’s the Gulf region annually between of locust swarms for the remainder of the account of his travels in Egypt and Nubia, published in 1845. LEFT: Correspondence, January and April, and there was war, and the vital supplies of food reports and other papers relating to efforts, undertaken by representatives of understandable concern when spo- remained unaffected, helping the Allies the Middle East Anti-Locust Unit (MEALU) in 1942. radic sightings were made in Qatar defeat the Axis powers in the Middle East. over the winter months. Thankfully, This incredible, but largely unknown, the Gulf region was unaffected. Middle East Anti-Locust Unit (MEALU) operations to find and exterminate the stretches of territory throughout the story is just one example of thousands But, as historical documents to eradicate the locusts. The documents locusts’ breading grounds in Arabia. Arabian Peninsula, covering 40 miles that await discovery on the QDL: www. available on the Qatar Digital Library on the QDL tells of the accomplish- These operations were hugely suc- a day, searching for and poisoning the qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/ (QDL) reveal, this was not the case in ments of MEALU during the war and cessful and made an important con- locusts’ countless breeding grounds. vdc_100000000193.0x0000d3. 1942, when World War II was into its after, including the considerable degree tribution towards winning the war in These vehicle detachments were com- Dr. Onley added that “The QDL is third year and Allied forces were of international cooperation that was the Middle East. It’s a fascinating story parable in organization to the Allies’ changing the way scholars and students fighting a losing battle against the Axis required to defeat these creatures in a of man versus nature.” famous Long Range Desert Patrol research the history of the Arabian powers in North Africa. battle the Allies could not afford to lose. MEALU staff numbered in the hun- Group that operated behind enemy Peninsula and the Gulf region. It has These records, from the British Dr. James Onley, Director of His- dreds, comprised of British Army per- lines in North Africa. They were sup- become their first port of call, enabling Library, tell how, early that year, the torical Research and Partnerships at sonnel and British and Arab civilians. ported by transport and spotter air- them to find in seconds what used to Gulf region experienced a locust plague Qatar National Library, explained how They wore traditional Arab headdress: craft from the Royal Air Force and US take them weeks, months, or even on such an immense scale that the “The Allies considered their anti-locust the officers wearing a white ghutrah Army Air Force, as well as by a vast years. It is making the past more acces- Allies feared a catastrophic food campaign in the Middle East to be with a gold ‘agal, the others wearing a intelligence network that gathered sible than ever, leading to a sharp shortage that could lose them the war second only in importance to their red-and-white shemagh and black reports of locust sightings. increase in the number of exciting new in the Middle East. campaign against the enemy. MEALU ‘agal. They were divided into vehicle But not all members of the MEALU historical studies on the Gulf––the In response, Britain established the organised a series of annual military detachments, which patrolled vast patrolled by vehicle. The unit’s most least-studied region in the Middle East.” Book gives context and cross discipline insight into thought of Muslim scholar

THE PENINSULA — DOHA For Siddiqui, inspiration for studying communities. On the basis of al- indeed, is one of Siddiqui’s al-Juwayni arose out of a more fundamental Juwayni’s arguments, Siddiqui greatest hopes for the outcomes In her new book, “Law and reconceptualizes how to think of her book. “I want scholars to Politics under the Abbasids: An curiosity about the place of Islamic law in about the Shari’a and notes that, start thinking about how epis- Intellectual Portrait of the practice and imagination of Muslims “his [al-Juwayni’s] conversation temology, law, and political al-Juwayni” (Cambridge 2019), today. What drew her to al-Juwayni was his about the death of Shari’a lets thought are intertwined,” she Sohaira Siddiqui Associate us think in a new way about the explained, noting that she hopes Professor at Qatar Foundation political treatise, “Ghiyath al-Umam,” in life of the sharia today.” readers apply lessons learned partner university Georgetown which he conceptualizes the absence of the Beyond the specific argu- about the intellectual project of University in Qatar, illuminates Calipha and the continuity of society. ments of the book, Siddiqui al-Juwayni to their own disci- the thought of the 11th century seeks to make contributions to pline. “I hope that from reading scholar, Abu Ma’ali al-Juwayni, the discipline of Islamic Studies this book scholars start to think whose work has not been suffi- more broadly. She argues that about ways in which they can Sohaira Siddiqui ciently been explored in numerous disciplines in Islamic absence of the Calipha and the scholars within Islamic Studies move beyond the text and time Western academia. intellectual thought together, continuity of society. His reflec- should move beyond their dis- period in which they work to In part, this gap is due to the including theology, political tions on the absence of the ciplinary silos in Islamic law, really think horizontally about “intimidatingly brilliant,” her prominence of his more famous thought, and law. Calipha comes at the end of a Islamic political thought, how these issues are emerging analysis “masterful,” “pro- student Imam al-Ghazali. In her For Siddiqui, inspiration for longer engagement with political Islamic theology, to see how and how they are found” and “astonishingly lucid” book, Professor Siddiqui navi- studying al-Juwayni arose out contingencies in which he dis- ideas within these fields are constructed.” and recommends it for teaching gates several of al-Juwayni’s of a more fundamental curiosity cusses both the ideal political interrelated. A recent interview with Sid- across a range of disciplines. texts to locate the key theo- about the place of Islamic law in ruler, and what communities She notes that classical diqui on the book is freely Siddiqui is also the author of logical, legal and practical ques- the practice and imagination of should do when an ideal leader Muslim scholars, much like al- available online. In the “Locating the Shari’a: Legal Flu- tions that animated his thought. Muslims today. What drew her is not found. Juwayni, wrote in multiple dis- interview, SherAli Tareen, Asso- idity in Theory, History and By engaging with multiple to al-Juwayni was his political In the absence of the ciplines, therefore their works ciate Professor of Religious Practice” (Brill, 2019), and works, she presents a cross-dis- treatise, “Ghiyath al-Umam,” in Calipha, al-Juwayni reimagines should be addressed in a multi- Studies at Franklin and Marshall numerous articles in top tier ciplinary analysis that weaves which he conceptualizes the what role the Shari’a plays in disciplinary manner. This, College, calls Siddiqui’s book academic journals. BMW M6 models from 2013 to 2017 recalled ACS International School Doha shares THE PENINSULA — DOHA that car dealers follow up on vehicle defects and repairs. The Ministry said that it will The Ministry of Commerce and Industry coordinate with the dealer to follow up on distance learning tips for parents (MoCI), in cooperation with Al Fardan Auto- the maintenance and repair works and will mobiles, dealer of BMW in Qatar, communicate with customers to ensure announced the recall of BMW M6 models that the necessary repairs are carried out. THE PENINSULA — DOHA from 2013 to 2017, due to loose high- The Ministry urged all customers to mounted third brake light. report any violations to its Consumer Pro- ACS International School Doha has The recall campaign comes within the tection and Anti-Commercial Fraud compiled its best practical advice framework of the Ministry’s continuous Department, which processes complaints, for parents who are adapting to efforts to protect consumers and ensure inquires and suggestions. their new role of both parent and educator, as Qatar-based schools continue to educate their students through distance learning. ACS’s tips aim to help families make the best of new and unfa- miliar learning environments, and equip parents for the more prac- tical aspects of learning from home. Robert Harrison, Education Strategy Director, ACS Interna- tional School Doha, said: “Distance learning presents us all with for- midable challenges, and we are all learning how to do things differ- Robert Harrison, Education Strategy Director, ACS International School Doha. ently. While no one is sure yet how long distance learning will con- tinue, we know that it won’t last Robert Harrison, Education Strategy Director, ACS forever, and it’s important that we International School Doha, said: “Distance learning offer the best support we can in presents us all with formidable challenges, and we are this time.” all learning how to do things differently. While no one ACS’s top distance learning tips for parents. is sure yet how long distance learning will continue, Help students ‘own’ their we know that it won’t last forever, and it’s important learning: No one expects parents that we offer the best support we can in this time.” to be full-time teachers or to be experts in every subject, the best thing to do is to provide support time? or What can I do to help? is likely that young people across and encouragement, and expect And at the end of the day you might Qatar will already be missing their your children to do their part. Try ask: How far did you get in your friends, classmates and teachers, not to help too much - becoming learning tasks today? What did you and where it is fantastic that you independent takes lots of practice discover? What was hard? and can help your child maintain and this is a good opportunity to What could we do to make contact with friends through put those skills to the test! tomorrow better? social media and other online Begin and end the day by Encourage physical activity: technologies, it is also very checking in: Establishing a routine When living and working at home, important to monitor their social is important and ensuring you we will all need to allocate time to media use and ensure they stay make a habit of checking in with let off steam. Physical activity is safe online. your child at the beginning and end vital to health, wellbeing, and Make the most of an unusual of each day will help keep them readiness for learning. During this and stressful situation: We are grounded, will allow them to time, take the opportunity to going through a time of major process instructions they’ve practice exercising ‘alone together’ upheaval to our normal routines received from their teachers, and with digital workouts and online and ways of life and there’s a great will help them to organise them- instructors. Plan hands-on, life- deal of anxiety in the world right selves and set priorities. In the ready activities that keep hands now. Children benefit when they morning, you might ask: What busy, feet moving, and minds get age-appropriate factual infor- classes/subjects do you have engaged! mation and ongoing reassurance today? How will you spend your Connect safely with friends: It from adults. TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2020 GULF / MIDDLE EAST 07

Kuwait reports Iran plans tougher restrictions as 11 new cases QNA — KUWAIT CITY

The Kuwaiti Ministry of coronavirus toll rises to 2,757 Health announced yesterday that 11 people tested positive for novel coronavirus “In the past 24 hours we had 117 new (COVID-19) in the past 24 deaths and 3,186 new confirmed cases of hours. This brings the country’s people infected with the coronavirus,” the tally of confirmed virus cases health ministry spokesman told state TV, up to 266, the ministry’s spokesman Dr. Abdullah Al calling on Iranians to stay at home. Sanad said in a daily news briefing. REUTERS — DUBAI Earlier in the day, Kuwaiti schools and the suspension of Minister of Health Sheikh Dr. all cultural, religious and sports Basel Al Sabah announced the Iran had 117 new coronavirus events. recovery of five additional deaths in the last 24 hours, “If necessary, we might people from the novel coro- bringing the total to 2,757, a impose tougher measures as navirus, brining total health ministry spokesman said our priority is the nation’s safety recovered cases in the country yesterday, prompting the and health,” said Iran’s first Vice to 72. Middle East’s worst hit country President, Eshaq Jahangiri, The spokesman; once to consider tougher curbs on according to state TV. again, urged citizens and res- movement. Iran last week warned of idents alike to follow the The total number of infec- a surge of cases as many Ira- guidelines and instructions of tions climbed to 41,495. nians ignored calls to avoid Kuwaiti health authorities and “In the past 24 hours we travelling for Persian New World Health Organization, had 117 new deaths and 3,186 Year holidays that started on primarily maintaining social new confirmed cases of people March 20. A view of the fairground of Iran Mall, Tehran’s largest shopping mall, after it was converted into a distancing and home quar- infected with the coronavirus,” To stem the spread of the hospital for COVID-19 patients, in Tehran yesterday. antine in order to curb the Kianush Jahanpur told state TV, virus in crowded jails, Iran’s spread of the virus. calling on Iranians to stay at judiciary on Sunday extended Dr. Basel Al-Sabah also home. furloughs for 100,000 political prisoners. “broke cameras and caused IRNA said similar riots had announced the recovery of five Iran has had an intercity prisoners. Iranian media, citing the other damage in two sections erupted in other prisons since additional people from the travel ban since Thursday and On March 17, Iran said it had governor of Fars province, of the prison where violent March 20. Families have called novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the government has extended freed about 85,000 people from Enayatollah Rahimi, reported criminals are kept”. for the release of all raising the country’s total the closure of universities and jail temporarily, including that prisoners at one prison The state news agency prisoners. recoveries to 72. The fresh recoveries include three Kuwaiti women Gazans mark and two female residents, the minister said, adding that nec- Land Day amid Deaths, cases rise in six Arab states essary lab tests and analyses ANATOLIA — ANKARA The new fatality brought provinces of Najaf and Wasit, confirmed in Saudi Arabia, had shown the recovery of the anti-coronavirus Jordan’s death toll from the bringing the overall death toll according to the ministry. five new infections with Health authorities in Jordan, virus to four and more than 250 to 43. Oman’s Health Ministry COVID-19. measures Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, infections have been confirmed. Iraqi health authorities have confirmed 12 cases, putting the The already treated Oman, and United Arab In Lebanon, the Health Ministry so far reported 555 coronavirus total at 179, including 29 patients will be admitted to a ANATOLIA — GAZA CITY Emirates (UAE) confirmed new said a patient in her 80s lost her cases and 143 recoveries. recovered. rehabilitation ward before dis- deaths from the novel corona- life to the disease, taking the In Saudi Arabia, the Health Two deaths were reported charging them from hospital Palestinians in the Gaza Strip virus yesterday. country’s death toll to 11. Ministry said the total number in the UAE, raising the death toll within a couple of days’ time, marked the 44th anniversary An 81-year-old woman died A ministry statement said of coronavirus cases has to five, according to the Health the minister added. of Land Day yesterday amid of the disease in northern eight new infections were reached 1,453 with 154 new Ministry. Kuwait took drastic precautionary measures to Jordan, Muhammad Al Ghazou, detected on Monday, taking the cases confirmed. The ministry Forty-one fresh cases were measures early on to contain curb the spread of the novel the director of King Abdullah total coronavirus cases in also said 22 people have confirmed as well, taking the the new pandemic, halting air coronavirus. University Hospital, said in a Lebanon to 446. recovered, rising the number of total to 611. Also, three people travel, imposing curfews, and “We call for ending the statement cited by the official In Iraq, the virus killed two recoveries to 49. recovered, bringing the number quarantining and testing thou- inter-Palestinian rift and sup- Petra news agency. people in the southern No deaths have been of recoveries to 61. sands of people. porting our national project,” Khaled Al Batsh, a leading member of Islamic Jihad group, told a press conference Turkey reports 37 new deaths held in Gaza City. He underlined the need “to ANATOLIA — ANKARA rally efforts to stem the spread of coronavirus”. As many as 37 more people died of the novel coronavirus in Turkey in During the event, partici- the past 24 hours, according to figures released by the country’s Health pants stood at distance from Ministry yesterday, bringing the death toll to 168. each other as a precautionary The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases surged to 10,827 measure to prevent the spread as 1,610 more people tested positive for the virus, according to the min- of the virus. istry. A total of 162 patients have recovered and were discharged from Waving Palestinian flag, hospitals since the beginning of the outbreak, according to the data, participants also held which said 725 patients were being treated under intensive care. banners calling for lifting Also, 11,535 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours and the number the years-long Israeli of total tests carried out so far stood at 76,981. blockade on the seaside Meanwhile, Turkish police charged four people, including the organ- territory. isers and a DJ, after a weekend coronavirus house party in Istanbul For his part, Maher where some guests dressed up as doctors, local officials said. Mezher, a member of the The party, thrown at a villa in the Buyukcekmece district on Sat- Popular Front for Liberation urday night, was shared live on social media but received criticism for of Palestine (PFLP) group, ignoring social distancing pleas. called for supplying the nec- Police watched the social media broadcast then initally detained essary medical equipment to 11 people, including the organisers and DJ. The surroundings of Ataturk Statue is seen nearly empty after authorities urged people to stay help in the fight against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on Turks to stay at home home as a part of COVID-19 precautions, in Ankara yesterday. coronavirus. and adapt themselves to "voluntary quarantine" conditions. Fearing virus spread, Gaza prepares for mass quarantines

AP — GAZA the threat is contained. how the quarantine facilities In the meantime, Hamas is should look like and offer in When Nima Amraa returned to racing to build two massive terms of facilities and services the Gaza Strip from neigh- quarantine facilities —hoping to and support,” said Dr. Gerald bouring Egypt earlier this month, prevent the disease from Rockenschaub, the World Health she was surprised to learn she spreading and overwhelming Organization’s director in the was being placed in a makeshift Gaza’s already shattered health Palestinian territories. “But this quarantine center set up by the system. is obviously easier said than ruling Hamas group. The construction was done in Gaza, where there is But her initial jitters turned ordered after photos surfaced substantial shortage in almost to fear when two fellow travelers from makeshift centers— mostly everything.” in another facility tested positive schools —showing people cele- Although movement in and for the coronavirus - the first brating birthday parties with vis- out of Gaza has been heavily cases to be confirmed in Gaza. iting relatives, food being restricted since 2007, it is not “Once there were cases of delivered by volunteers and cut off altogether. The first two the virus spreading, we started groups of people smoking water virus cases were men who had to feel afraid and disappointed,” pipes together. returned from a religious con- Amraa, a 30-year-old journalist, Amraa said it was immedi- ference in Pakistan, part of a said by phone from quarantine, ately clear that the school where wave of hundreds of returnees Palestinian workers manufacturing protective coverall suits and masks at a workshop in Gaza City, where she has spent a week and she was placed was not pre- who were placed into quar- amid coronavirus pandemic. a half sleeping in a room with pared to house so many people. antine. No one knows how five other women and sharing a “I was worried after seeing that much farther the virus has bathroom. we will sleep on mattresses on spread. Only 20% of the roughly assisting local health officials disorders appear to make Gaza’s wing to build two new quar- The virus found a way into the floor and we will be six in 1,700 people in quarantine have and has been working with population especially antine centers. Gaza, even though the Mediter- one room,” she explained. “We been tested. Gaza’s people live Israeli authorities, who have no vulnerable. Situated on the territory’s ranean enclave has been largely eat together and there is no mainly in densely populated direct contact with Hamas, to Hamas has sought to beef up northern and southern borders, cut off from the world by an isolation.” cities and refugee camps. The import desperately needed its quarantine efforts in recent they will be able to hold 1,000 Israeli-Egyptian blockade since She said she and her room- health care system is in equipment and supplies from days, opening 18 additional facil- people. The group expects them Hamas militants seized it 13 mates take precautions, such as shambles - a result of the international donors. ities in clinics and hotels and to be ready within a week. years ago. avoiding direct contact and blockade, three wars between Most people infected by the declaring them off-limits. It also The public seems to have Yet the terrifying possibility keeping their beds two meters Hamas and Israel and chronic virus experience only mild has banned weekly street been calmed by Health Ministry of an outbreak in one of the apart from each other. But that under-funding due to infighting symptoms, such as fever and markets and shut down wedding claims that all virus patients are world’s most crowded terri- might not be enough to keep the between Hamas and the rival cough, and recover within a few halls, cafes and mosques and held in quarantine centers. tories - 2 million people virus from spreading. Last week, Palestinian Authority in the weeks. But the virus can cause extended quarantine periods by Despite the shutdown orders, squeezed into an area twice the seven Hamas security guards West Bank. severe illness and death, partic- a week. people still walk the streets and size of Washington, D.C. -does who were in the facility housing Gaza has only 60 breathing ularly in older patients or those After seeing images of the congregate around small coffee not seem to have registered the first two cases became machines - and all but 15 are with underlying health makeshift facilities, Hamas’ kiosks and noodle shops. fully. Many in Gaza seem to infected themselves. already in use, according to the problems. High rates of obesity, leader in Gaza, Yehiyeh Sinwar, That could change if cases accept Hamas assurances that “We have been very clear on WHO. The agency has been smoking and stress-related ordered the group’s military begin to spread. 08 VIEWS TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2020

Established in 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected]

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI [email protected] EDITORIAL

Timely boost

QATAR has taken a series of timely and effective measures to limit possible economic damage that would emerge from the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. Upon the directives of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to support the economic and financial sector within the framework of the precautionary measures to As coronavirus cases explode in Iran, US sanctions combat the spread of the coronavirus, the Prime Min- ister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa hinder its access to drugs and medical equipment bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, directed to allocate guarantees to local banks at an amount of QR3bn. Qatar Central Bank said that the amount comes Iran, adopted by the Trump outbreak, including initially shipbuilding sectors, and within the support package for granting soft loans and administration after it unilat- refusing to quarantine affected expanding permitted exports. without commissions or fees for the affected companies erally withdrew from the 2015 areas or close religious shrines, The Trump adminis- to support salaries and rents through guarantees issued nuclear deal Iran had signed measures that likely allowed tration, like its predecessors, by Qatar Development Bank to banks operating in the with world powers. the deadly pathogen to spread. has technically maintained an State. The QCB in cooperation with QDB, will set Iranian medical workers On Thursday, the Interior Min- exemption from sanctions on standards and mechanisms for implementation. The and global public health istry announced new restric- the sale of humanitarian items allocation of guarantees to local banks affirms the wise ERIN CUNNINGHAM experts say it is not possible to tions on travel between prov- to Iran. The Treasury leadership’s keenness to support the economy. The THE WASHINGTON POST determine exactly how much inces and ordered all nones- Department recently measures will have positive effect on the stability of the US sanctions have impacted sential shops to close. approved a Swiss-sponsored economy, particularly the private and banking sectors. Sweeping US sanctions are Iran’s capacity to fight the “The reality is that the gov- mechanism allowing for the Two weeks back, the Supreme Committee for Crisis hampering Iranian efforts to virus - which has infected ernment refused to admit that trade of food, medicine and Management (to combat COVID-19), presided by H H import medicine and other more than 35,000 Iranians, it had a problem,” said Amir other supplies with Tehran, the Amir, had decided to provide a whopping QR75bn medical supplies to confront killed at least 2,500 and Afkhami, an associate pro- without triggering US sanc- stimulus package to the private sector. The Supreme one of the largest coronavirus spawned outbreaks in other fessor and global health expert tions. Secretary of State Mike Committee directed Qatar Development Bank to outbreaks in the world, health countries. But they say it is at George Washington Uni- Pompeo touted the move at a postpone the installments of all borrowers for a period workers and sanctions clear that the Iranian health versity. “There was a lack of March 20 news conference. of six months. The Committee also exempted the food experts say. care system is being deprived transparency and officials took “The whole world should industry from customs duties for a period of six months The broad US restrictions of equipment necessary to what were clearly inadequate know that humanitarian in a major relief to the food industry. Medical goods will on Iran’s banking system and save lives and prevent wider precautionary measures.” assistance to Iran is wide open. also be exempted from customs duties for a period of the embargo on its oil exports infection. This month, countries It’s not sanctioned,” he said. six months. have limited Tehran’s ability “There are a lot of shortages such as Britain, France, “We’re doing everything we can The Committee decided to exempt hospitality and to finance and purchase now. ... (Hospitals) do not have Germany and China, as well to facilitate both the humani- tourism sector, retail sector, commercial complexes essential items from abroad, enough diagnostic kits or good as the European Union, tarian assistance moving in and and logistics areas from electricity and water bills for a including drugs as well as the quality scanners, and there is donated cash and emergency to make sure the financial trans- period of six months. Even Qatar’s emerging logistics raw materials and equipment also a shortage of masks,” said aid to Iran, including lab actions connected to that can zones and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) were needed to manufacture medi- Nouradin Pirmoazen, a tho- equipment, protective suits, take place as well.” exempted from rents for a period of six months. All cines domestically. racic surgeon and former law- face masks and gloves. But In practice, however, the these measures work as a big support for private The Trump administration maker in Iran. Pirmoazen, who economic analysts warn that US restrictions - including companies. has also reduced the number now lives in Los Angeles, said emergency aid is not sus- penalties for conducting The QR75bn stimulus package, in addition to of licenses it grants to com- that he is in regular contact tainable during a pandemic, business with a range of injecting QR10bn into the stock market, will support panies for certain medical with former colleagues and especially as donor countries Iranian banks and companies, the financing needs of the private sector to continue its exports to Iran, according to students at the Masih begin to face their own crises. including the Central Bank of work efficiently and maximise its role in sustainable quarterly reports from the Daneshvari Hospital in Tehran, “In the medium-term, Iran - have discouraged development projects. It will also reduce the pressure Office of Foreign Assets which is part of Iran’s National relying on political channels Western counterparts from and financial burden on small and medium-sized com- Control, or OFAC, the Research Institute of Tubercu- to arrange aid is going to be trading with Tehran. panies. The measures will also help the small and enforcement agency of the US losis and Lung Diseases. cumbersome,” said Esfandyar To use the Swiss humani- medium enterprises and regain the confidence of busi- Treasury Department. The list “Medical staff who want a Batmanghelidj, founder and tarian channel, for example, nesses and investors on the Qatari economy. The incen- of items requiring special specific type of medicine or publisher of Bourse & Bazaar, companies must provide tives, benefits and support extended by the government authorization includes oxygen equipment are having diffi- a media company supporting extensive information to the will boost the growth of the economy. generators, full-face mask culty transferring money business diplomacy between Treasury Department every respirators and thermal outside of Iran due to the Europe and Iran. month about the Iranian ben- imaging equipment, all of sanctions,” he said, adding The United Nations Human eficiaries of the goods. The which are needed to treat that doctors and nurses at Rights Commissioner also called documents must include, patients and keep medical Masih Daneshvari have been this past week for the “urgent” among other things, the workers safe, doctors say. overwhelmed by the crisis. re-evaluation of sanctions Iranian companies’ business The tough measures are An employee of a major against countries grappling with relationships, financial details D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR part of a US “maximum pharmaceutical company in the global pandemic. In a and a written commitment statement, Michelle Bachelet from distributors that they EMAIL: [email protected] pressure campaign” against Iran who spoke on the con- dition of anonymity said that highlighted the impact of the will not allow the goods to be The broad US “the sanctions have definitely Iran sanctions “on access to sold or resold to sanctioned EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 restrictions on Iran’s made the import and pro- essential medicines and medical individuals or entities in Iran. FAX: +974 4455 7758 duction processes longer and equipment - including respi- European officials have banking system more expensive.” rators and protective equipment likened the reporting require- MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 and the embargo on “Some suppliers are afraid for health-care workers.” ments “to a ‘fishing expe- and not willing to work with There should be “prompt, dition’ for information about DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 its oil exports have us anymore,” she said. “The flexible authorization for the commercial relationships limited Tehran’s sanctions have reduced Iran’s essential medical equipment with European and Iranian LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 ability to finance capacity to control the and supplies,” she said. firms,” Batmanghelidj said. outbreak.” The United States reim- According to Mohsen BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 and purchase According to the World posed sanctions on Iran after Zarkesh, an OFAC sanctions essential items from Health Organization, the toll President Donald Trump attorney at the Price Benowitz SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 from the novel coronavirus in pulled out of the nuclear deal, law firm in Washington, the abroad, including Iran is likely five times higher citing concerns with the sanctions exemptions don’t ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 drugs as well as the than official figures show. agreement as well as Iran’s guarantee an unimpeded flow email: [email protected] Earlier this month, The Wash- ballistic missile development of humanitarian goods to Iran. raw materials and ington Post obtained and continued support for He said that the United States PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 equipment needed reporting data from a network proxy forces in the region. The has created “a legal and email: [email protected] of hospitals in Tehran, agreement had curbed Iran’s business environment equiv- to manufacture including Masih Daneshvari, atomic energy activities in alent to walking through a ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 medicines that suggested the epidemic exchange for widespread compliance mine field.” FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] domestically. was far more widespread sanctions relief, including Erin Cunningham is an than the government had opening the country up to Istanbul-based corre- CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 acknowledged. foreign investment, allowing spondent for The Washington email: [email protected] Iranian leaders have come sales of oil on the global Post, covering conflict and under fire for what critics say market, removing restrictions political turmoil across the SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 was a botched response to the on its banking, insurance and Middle East. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar The relaxation of the euro zone’s fiscal rules and support from the European Central Bank and the /Peninsula_Qatar European Stability Mechanism is critical to a strong regional response to the coronavirus pandemic. /ThePeninsulaNewspaper Poul Thomsen, IMF European Department Director +974 6698 6188 TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2020 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 09 Activists say IS prisoner riots break out again in Syria

The prison riots first broke out on Sunday night Kurdish authorities run more than the area that IS “members are still out The Rojava Information Center said when former Islamic State (IS) members held there two dozen detention facilities, scat- of control on one of the floors.” the prison in Hassakeh’s southern tered around northeastern Syria, Hassan said IS members are rioting neighborhood of Ghoeiran houses began knocking down doors and digging holes in walls holding about 10,000 IS fighters. on the ground floor while the first and some 1,000 low-level foreign IS between cells. It was one of the most serious uprisings Among the detainees are some 2,000 second floors are controlled by Kurdish members. It added that the upper levels by the prisoners since the IS defeat a year ago. foreigners, including about 800 fighters. of the prison hold mostly Syrian IS Europeans. North Press Agency, a media members. The Kurdish-led forces, backed by platform operating in the Kurdish- Bali said late Sunday that the rioters AP — BEIRUT the U.S-led coalition, declared a mil- administered areas, and the Britain- were in full control of the ground floor spokesman for the Kurdish-led Syrian itary victory against IS in March last based Syrian Observatory for Human of the prison and have smashed and Imprisoned Islamic State (IS) militants Democratic Forces, said the situation year, after seizing control of the last Rights, an opposition war monitor, said removed the prison’s internal doors. broke out into riots again yesterday at in the prison in Hassakeh was “fully sliver of land the militants had con- Monday that the local police force, The Kurdish authorities have asked a jail in northeastern Syria, hours after under control.” He said their anti-ter- trolled in southeast Syria. known as Asayesh, had detained four countries to repatriate their nationals, the Kurdish-led forces running the site rorism force “ended the riots and Adnan Hassan, a citizen journalist IS members who were able to flee the saying keeping thousands of detainees said it had restored order, activists said. secured the facility and all prisoners near the camp, told The Associated night before. in crammed facilities is putting a strain Gunfire could be heard in the area inside.” Press that gunfire could be heard inside The prison is believed to house on their forces. as ambulances rushed the wounded It was not immediately clear if the the prison adding that ambulances are foreign IS militants. It is not clear what “These incidents confirm that from inside the prison to hospitals and riots were triggered by concerns over evacuating the wounded from both nationalities were held there. Syrian Democratic Forces are able to clinics in the nearby city of Hassakeh, the spread of the new coronavirus. sides. He added that a huge SDF force A video posted by activists said to secure Daesh terrorists,” Gabriel said activists on the ground said. US-led Mustafa Bali, another spokesman arrived in the area before sunset and be taken during Sunday’s riots, showed using an Arabic acronym to refer to IS. forces flew overhead dropping light for the forces, said late Sunday that so cordoned the area around the prison. two inmates carrying a banner with He added that the incidents also show bombs illuminate the area for the far there is no connection between the The Rojava Information Center, an writing in Arabic that reads: “We call that the international community Kurdish forces while drones hovered riot and fears of the fast-spreading activist collective in the Kurdish-held upon the coalition and international should help the SDF to “fully secure” over the facility, they added. virus. So far there are no official reports areas, also reported gunfire and ambu- organizations that human rights be detention facilities and camps hosting The prison riots first broke out on of infection in Kurdish-administered lances entering the prison. It added that respected.” families of IS militants. Sunday night when former Islamic northeastern Syria or in any detention SDF General Commander Mazloum The U.S-led coalition said it was The families of IS militants and State members held there began facilities there. Abdi arrived at the scene. assisting the SDF with aerial surveil- supporters who came out of the last knocking down doors and digging Gabriel did not say earlier whether Earlier yesterday, a third lance as they quell the riot. The coa- territory controlled by the group are holes in walls between cells. It was one there were casualties in the operation spokesman for the forces, told the AP lition said in a tweet that the facility also holed in camps around the of the most serious uprisings by the to re-secure the prison adding that that IS militants were still rioting on holds low level IS members. The coa- Kurdish-controlled areas - the largest prisoners since the IS defeat a year ago. none of the prisoners were able to one of the floors of the prison. Mervan lition said its forces don’t staff any one housing nearly 70,000 women and Earlier yesterday, Kino Gabriel, a escape. Qamishlo said in a voice message from detention facilities in Syria. children, many of them foreigners. Police patrol Zimbabwe streets as coronavirus lockdown begins

AFP — HARARE police armed with batons were economic recession, the on patrol, ordering people back lockdown means even tougher Zimbabwe yesterday began to their homes. hardship. enforcing a three-week “We don’t want to see With unemployment rate lockdown in its fight against people here on the streets. We estimated at around 90 percent, coronavirus after the disease don’t want to see people who most Zimbabweans have left one person dead and have no business in town just informal jobs to eke out a living infected six others. loitering,” a policewoman said and few have substantial President Emmerson Mnan- through a loudhailer. “Everyone savings. gagwa declared a 21-day “total” to their homes.” “All these children you see lockdown, curtailing Her colleagues, in riot gear, here are my grandchildren,” movement, shutting most shops dispersed people standing in Mbare vegetable vendor Irene and suspending flights in and small groups at the Copacabana Ruwisi said, turning to point at out of the impoverished minibus terminus, which is four children standing close by. southern African country. usually abuzz with people “They need to be fed, but “This 21-day lockdown is including foreign currency there is nothing to eat and we not a punishment. It’s an oppor- dealers. have been barred from vending. tunity to save lives by acting In the township of Mbare, a How do they expect us to An aerial photo showing people queueing for liquified natural gas at a filing station in the Nkulumane responsibly,” he said. usually bustling terminus for survive?” said the grandmother township, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, yesterday. “This was not an easy long-distance buses was who appeared to be aged in her decision to make but it was the deserted, with only municipal 80s. Standing idly outside her right decision. Nothing is more street cleaners sweeping the house, she was yet to be con- said. Some in Harare were there are no buses,” Jawure said a leading supermarket chain, sacrosanct than the lives of the empty bus ranks. vinced that coronavirus is real, trying to leave the city for rural while standing with his wife and were subjected to temperature people of Zimbabwe.” A traditionally busy suspecting it to be a government villages. daughter beside a bulging checks before entering and Police mounted check- downtown area of Harare ploy. “Who brought that disease “We would rather spend the suitcase. those with high readings were points on routes leading to referred to as “The Third World” which they are lying about in 21 days at our rural home, In Zimbabwe’s second city denied entry. Harare’s central business dis- resembled a ghost town with order to get money to splurge where we don’t have to buy Bulawayo, located in the Kelvin Moyo, 28 an informal trict, stopping cars and turning few people on the streets. Most while we suffer? What’s the everything. I can’t afford to feed southwest, police on horseback trader from Bulawayo’s away pedestrians who had no shops had their shutters down. money they are getting being my family here when I am not and others on bicycles were dis- Entumbane township com- authorisation to be in the area. For many of the country’s used for? Where is it going? working,” said Most Jawure. persing people at plained about the short notice Elsewhere truckloads of 16 million people, who are They should give us the food “We have been waiting here marketplaces. given to prepare for the metropolitan and national already suffering a grim they were given to feed us,” she for more than two hours but Shoppers at a TM-PicknPay, lockdown.

Turkish President Libya frees over 450 launches National inmates due to virus fears Solidarity Campaign

AFP — TIPOLI ministry’s move as a “positive ANATOLIA — ANKARA first step”, but said “authorities Libya’s justice ministry should do more to mitigate the Turkey’s President yesterday announced that over 450 pris- risks of a major COVID-19 launched a National Solidarity oners were being freed in a bid outbreak”. Campaign to aid fight against to protect against the spread Libyan authorities “need the novel coronavirus, of coronavirus in the wake of to be prepared to limit the donating seven months of his the war-torn country’s first spread of the virus in over- own salary to the initiative. declared infections. crowded detention facilities “I am launching the cam- Judicial officials decided and shelters for displaced paign personally by donating to “free 466 detainees from cor- people,” HRW said in a my seven-month salary,” rectional facilities” in Tripoli, statement. Libya has been Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in according to a statement by the plagued by conflict since the his address to the nation. Tripoli-based Government of 2011 overthrow of former dic- Cabinet members in the National Accord’s justice min- tator Muammar Gaddafi. government and lawmakers istry. The detainees were in pre- Since April 2019, forces have donated 5.2m Turkish trial detention or had qualified loyal to eastern-based liras ($791,000) to the cam- A traffic gridlock is seen as people attempt to rush out of Abuja, following efforts of the authorities for conditional release, the strongman Khalifa Haftar have paign, he added. trying to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease in Abuja, Nigeria, yesterday. statement added. been fighting to seize the He also stressed that Authorities announced five capital in an offensive that has Turkey enjoys better medical new coronavirus cases in the killed hundreds and displaced facilities compared to other western city of Misrata on 150,000 people.“If the African leaders hold teleconference countries fighting the virus, Sunday, bringing the tally of COVID-19 pandemic spreads saying: “Turkey is rapidly infections confirmed in Libya in Libya, the country’s health ANATOLIA — KAMPALA house, discussions focused on to the establishment of an IGAD opening new hospitals while to eight. The country’s first case care system won’t be able to IGAD’s regional response emergency for the control and also strengthening the existing had been confirmed on cope with large numbers of An eight-nation African trade strategy to the pandemic, prevention of control of pan- ones.” Tuesday. Other measures patients,” said HRW's Hanan bloc yesterday met remotely establishment of an IGAD demics to which they called “We are determined to use “aimed at reducing the over- Salah. Both the UN-recognised to talk ways to tackle the coro- emergency fund, mobilizing upon the international com- all means to curb the spread population of prisons” will GNA and a rival eastern-based navirus pandemic, which to support from the international munity to render support to. of the virus”, he added. follow, including amnesty for government under the control date has infected over 755,00 community, and mobilizing “On the matter of mobi- elderly or ill prisoners and of Haftar have taken prevent- people worldwide. support from IGAD medical lizing support from the inter- Netanyahu under those who have served over ative measures against the They discussed it in a live tel- professionals in the diaspora. national community, the half their sentences, according spread of the virus, including econference of the special The statement said: “The leaders called upon interna- precautionary to the ministry statement. closing schools, some busi- summit of the Intergovernmental leaders expressed grave con- tional financial institutions, quarantine Human Rights Watch nesses, markets and even Authority on Development cerns on the pandemic, which bilateral and regional and inter- applauded the justice private clinics. (IGAD) heads of states and gov- has constituted an unprece- national partners especially the AFP — JERUSALEM ernments on the pandemic. dented global health crisis World Bank, International Mon- Morocco confirms 37 new COVID-19 Attendees included Dji- affecting the health and econ- etary Fund, African Devel- Israeli Prime Minister bouti President Ismail Omar omies of the world. opment Bank to accelerate debt Benjamin Netanyahu went into cases, bringing total to 516 Guelleh, Ethiopian Prime Min- “They collectively agreed relief processes and provide precautionary quarantine ister Abiy Ahmed Ali, Kenya’s to formulate a comprehensive access to financial assistance, yesterday after one of his staff QNA — RABAT President Uhuru Kenyatta, regional response strategy and concessionary loans and tested positive for coronavirus, Thirty-seven new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus Somali President Mohamed an accompanying implemen- essential support to the member as the veteran premier seeks (COVID-19) were reported in Morocco, bringing the total number Abdullahi Farmajo, Sudan’s tation plan to address the pan- states and secretariat.” a unity government to combat of confirmed cases in the country to 516, the Moroccan Ministry Prime Minister Abdallah demic in the region. The The meeting also hailed the pandemic. of Health said. The 37 new cases were confirmed after laboratory Hamdok, Uganda’s President members agreed to strengthen the efforts and initiative of Netanyahu’s office stressed tests for 1,920 persons, said the Ministry. It pointed out that the Yoweri Museveni, and South the IGAD response mechanism Sudan’s Hamdok, the IGAD the quarantine was strictly a number of cured persons stands at 13, while one more death was Sudan’s Vice-President Riek through increased utilization chair, for mobilizing support precaution as the veteran reported, bringing the total to 27. The Health Ministry urged citizens Machar. of regional disease surveillance from the international com- right-winger had not been in to respect the rules of hygiene and health safety as well as the According to a statement and early warning response munity to combat the pan- recent proximity to the unwell preventive measures taken by the Moroccan authorities. released by Uganda’s state system. “They further agreed demic in the IGAD region. member of staff. 10 ASIA TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2020 Japan ‘not planning emergency’, but entry bans loom

REUTERS — TOKYO 1,” Yoshihide Suga, the govern- However, a spike in ment’s top spokesman, told a cases in Tokyo, along Japan has no plan to declare a news conference. state of emergency from April, Suga also said an expected with the death of a its top government spokesman telephone call between Prime beloved comedian said yesterday, seeking to dispel Minister Shinzo Abe and Tedros mounting fears a recent spike in Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head yesterday, appeared coronavirus cases could lead to of the World Health Organi- to be driving home a first-ever lockdown of the zation (WHO), yesterday had capital, Tokyo. nothing to do with any decision the potential risk. A As the number of infections on whether to call a state of top doctor called on grows globally, however, Japan emergency. Japan Prime Minitser will raise its defences against Any lockdown in Japan imported cases by banning the would look different to man- Abe to act. entry of foreigners travelling datory measures imposed in from the United States, China, some parts of Europe and the South Korea and most of Europe, United States. By law, local Kumano, chief economist at Dai- the Asahi newspaper reported authorities are only permitted ichi Life Research Institute. yesterday. to issue requests for people to Sunday’s daily tally of 68 Non-Japanese citizens who stay at home, which are not new cases in the capital was a have been in any of those places legally binding. record. Bringing the tension in the previous two weeks will But analysts said such a home to many was the news that be barred, the newspaper said. lockdown would inflict huge comedian Ken Shimura, a The government may also ban damage on an economy already household name in Japan, had travel to and from some coun- on the cusp of recession due to become its first celebrity to die Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike (centre) speaks during a meeting on novel coronavirus at the Tokyo tries in Southeast Asia and the widening fallout from the of the virus. Metropolitan Government office, in Tokyo yesterday. Africa, it said, citing unidentified pandemic, which has derailed Meanwhile, Tokyo Governor government sources. Tokyo’s plans to stage Olympic Yuriko Koike yesterday called As much of the rest of the However, a spike in cases before declaring an emergency, A foreign ministry Games this summer, disrupted on residents to avoid outings in world has gone into strict lock- in Tokyo, along with the death it will be too late,” Satoshi spokesman said the government supply chains and cooled con- the evenings and at weekends downs to fight the coronavirus, of a beloved comedian yes- Kamayachi, an executive board had not made any decision on sumption as events are cancelled as the coronavirus crisis Japan has so far managed to terday, appeared to be driving member of the Japan Medical bans. and shops shut. deepened, but said it was up to avoid the kind of outbreaks that home the potential risk. A top Association, told a news con- “It’s not true that the gov- “I think the possibility of a Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to have ravaged parts of Europe doctor called on Abe to act now. ference, in comments carried ernment is planning on declaring lockdown of the Tokyo metro- declare a state of emergency to and the United States and “If we wait until an by broadcaster Nippon a state of emergency from April politan area is rising,” said Hideo tackle it. restrictions are only requests. explosive increase in infections Television. Indian police fire tear Virus cases rise steadily in gas at migrants South Korea defying virus lockdown REUTERS — SEOUL

South Korea reported 78 new REUTERS — NEW DELHI However, the workers refused coronavirus cases yesterday, to budge, and started pelting keeping the rate of infections Police in India fired tear gas to stones at police,” Surat deputy fairly steady, as President Moon disperse a stone-pelting crowd commissioner of police Vidhi Jae-in held an emergency of migrant workers defying a Chaudhari said. meeting with economic policy- three-week lockdown against She said the workers, most makers to discuss financial the coronavirus that has left of them employed in the shut- support for the public. hundreds of thousands of poor tered textile industry in Surat, The Korea Centers for without jobs and hungry, were driven indoors by tear gas Disease Control and Prevention authorities said yesterday. volleys and on yesterday 93 of (KCDC) said the national tally Prime Minister Narendra them were detained for violating stood at 9,661, while the death Modi ordered the country’s 1.3 lockdown orders. toll rose by 6 to 158. It added that billion people to remain indoors India has registered 1,071 195 more people had recovered until April 15, declaring such self- cases of the coronavirus, of from the virus for a total of isolation was the only hope to whom 29 have died, the health 5,228. The daily number of new stop the viral pandemic. ministry said yeserday. The infections in South Korea has People maintaining the recommended distance while waiting to receive free grocery items distributed But the vast shutdown has number of known cases is small been hovering around 100 or by police officials during a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure triggered a humanitarian crisis, compared with the United less for the past three weeks, but with hundreds of thousands of States, Italy and China, but against the novel coronavirus, in Amritsar, yesterday. authorities have tightened poor migrant labourers health officials say India is border checks as small out- employed in big cities such as weeks away from a huge surge it will be disinfected,” said “It’s an evolving situation showed. They were made to sit breaks continued to emerge and Delhi and Mumbai seeking to that could overwhelm its weak Rajendra Prasad Meena, a senior with daily new challenges on a street corner in the Bareilly the number of imported cases head to their homes in the coun- public health system. police officer overseeing the coming up, like having migratory district and doused with hose rose. At least 13 of the latest tryside on foot after losing their Yesterday, hundreds of quarantine operation. populations moving from one pipes, prompting anger on social cases were overseas travellers, jobs. people from the Nizamuddin Separately, officials in place to another. Like non- media. Nitish Kumar, the top KCDC data showed. Many have been walking for West area of New Delhi were Maharashtra state said all victims affected states adjoining affected government official in the dis- South Korea announced on days, some with families taken away to be quarantined of coronavirus would be cre- states,” said Dr SK Singh, trict, later said health workers Sunday that all overseas arrivals including small children, on in the latest sign that the virus mated irrespective of religion, an director of the National Centre had been ordered to disinfect will have to undergo two weeks deserted highways with little has begun to spread locally in order that could rile the state’s for Disease Control, which buses being used by the local of mandatory quarantine access to food or water. India. sizeable Muslim population, who investigates and recommends authorities but in their zeal they starting on April 1. On Sunday, about 500 Officials said attendees of a typically bury their dead. control measures for outbreaks had also turned their hoses onto South Korea will make workers clashed with police in training course at the Banglewali A health official said the of illness. migrant workers. emergency cash payments to all the western city of Surat Mosque had transmitted the large scale movement of people In the northern state of Uttar “I have asked for action to but the richest families and draw demanding they be allowed to virus to several other regions in into the countryside risked Pradesh, health workers dressed be taken against those respon- up a second supplementary go home to other parts of India India, including Kashmir where spreading the coronavirus in protection suits sprayed dis- sible for this,” he said in a tweet. budget next month in a bid to because they had no jobs left. a man connected with the event widely, compounding the chal- infectant on a group of migrant The federal government said ease the drawn-out economic “The police tried to convince died on March 26. lenge of containing the outbreak workers who were also trying yesterday that it had no plans to impact of the coronavirus out- them that it is not possible since “The (mosque) area has in the world’s second most pop- to make the journey home to extend the shutdown beyond the break, President Moon Jae-in buses or trains are not available... already been locked down and ulous country. their villages, local television three-week period. said yesterday. Indonesia to curb mobility as surge in virus deaths seen New Zealander killed in Papua REUTERS — JAKARTA 140,000 among over 1.5 million cases by May. rebel attack Indonesian President Joko “These are just conservative Widodo said yesterday he estimates,” Pandu Riono, one of AFP — JAYAPURA planned stricter rules on mobility the researchers, said. and social distancing as a study “But we have to be ready A New Zealander was shot dead presented to the government even in these circumstances.” and two Indonesians were seri- warned of a risk of more than Riono characterised measures ously wounded in an attack by 140,000 coronavirus deaths by currently taken by Indonesia, separatist rebels in Indonesia’s May without tougher action. from rapid testing and deploying restive Papua province, police Medical experts have said the regional labs to test samples, as said yesterday. world’s fourth most populous only approaching mild The shooting took place at country must impose tighter intervention. an office of US-based mining movement restrictions as known Health experts have said company Freeport. cases of the highly infectious res- Indonesia faces a surge in coro- Yesterday, rebels gunned piratory illness have gone from navirus cases after a slow gov- down New Zealander Graeme zero in early March to 1,414, with ernment response believed to Thomas Weal, 57, in an ambush 122 deaths. have masked the scale of the out- that also seriously wounded two Indonesia accounts for nearly break in a country with still very Indonesian colleagues at a half of the 250 deaths reported low levels of testing and with a Freeport office in Mimika from across Southeast Asia, but significant deficit in hospital beds, regency, police said. fewer than a fifth of some 8,400 medical staff and intensive-care Papua police spokesman cases that have been confirmed facilities. Ahmad Musthofa Kamal said the in the region. Nearly one third of Bappenas officials said the two Indonesians were shot in those cases are in Malaysia. model served as input for the their back, stomach and legs. People wearing protective face masks line up in front of a market amid the coronavirus disease Most infections in Indonesia government and to help them “Joint police and military outbreak, in Jakarta yesterday. have been concentrated in and allocate budgets. personnel are now chasing the around the capital Jakarta. The Finance Minister Sri Mulyani armed group,” Kamal said yes- city of 10 million people has effectively,” Widodo told a pines, Malaysia and Thailand. intervention: mild, moderate, and Indrawati said last week that terday. The attack comes after declared a state of emergency cabinet meeting, stressing that But he appears to have high. The latter would include $3.82bn of spending in the 2020 Indonesia sent thousands more which shut down schools and only the central government reconsidered this approach after very significant levels of testing budget could be redirected to troops to Papua as the conflict public entertainment, but so far could decide on regional public health experts presented and making physical distancing tackling the coronavirus. heats up between rebels and there has been no full public quarantines. a prediction model to Indonesia’s mandatory. Riono said that the priority government soldiers near the lockdown which the president President Joko Widodo has planning agency Bappenas on With mild intervention, now must be to suppress the giant gold and copper mine. has been reluctant to impose. encouraged social distancing but Friday underlining a need for which includes optional physical number of coronavirus cases. This month a policemen and “I’m (now) ordering large- questioned whether Indonesians stronger intervention to prevent distancing and limiting public “The message (in our model) is military officer were killed in scale social limits, physical dis- have the discipline for full lock- a rapid rise in cases and deaths. crowds, the researchers from the that we don’t want people dying, fighting near the mine that tancing needs to be done more downs, in contrast with Southeast The model said Indonesia University of Indonesia said the we don’t want our siblings dying, forced about 1,500 local resi- sternly, more disciplined, and Asian nations such as the Philip- could instigate three stages of virus death toll could soar to over our friends dying.” dents to flee the area. TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2020 ASIA 11 Drop in China’s new virus cases; none in Wuhan for sixth day WUHAN REUTERS — Sunday’s figure of 31 new cases, including one China reported a drop in new locally transmitted infection, was down from 45 coronavirus infections for a fourth day as drastic curbs on the previous day, the National Health Commission international travellers reined in said. While new infections have fallen sharply the number of imported cases, from February’s peak, authorities worry about while policymakers turned their efforts to healing the world’s a second wave triggered by returning Chinese, second-largest economy. many of them students. The city of Wuhan, at the centre of the outbreak, reported An elderly woman arrives in an ambulance to Wuhan Red Cross Hospital after being transferred from no new cases for a sixth day, as coming back to life.” Average daily arrivals at air- another hospital after recovering from new coronavirus, in Wuhan, China, yesterday. businesses reopened and resi- Sunday’s figure of 31 new ports this week are expected to dents set about reclaiming a more cases, including one locally trans- be about 4,000, down from normal life after a lockdown fo r mitted infection, was down from 25,000 last week, an official of a traveller from the central million people in the province apart for temperature checks at almost two months. 45 the previous day, the National the Civil Aviation Administration province of Hubei, who drove returned to work by Saturday, Wuhan International Plaza, while Smartly turned out staff Health Commission said. of China told a news conference back with a virus-free health with 2.8 million of them heading flashing “green” mobile tele- waited in masks and gloves to While new infections have in Beijing yesterday. code, national health authorities for other parts of China. phone codes attesting to a clean greet customers at entrances to fallen sharply from February’s The return to work has also said. Most of the departing migrant bill of health. the newly-reopened Wuhan peak, authorities worry about a prompted concern about Authorities in Zhejiang workers went to the southern To be cleared to resume International Plaza, home to bou- second wave triggered by potential domestic infections as province said asymptomatic provinces of Guangdong and work, Wuhan residents must take tiques of luxury brands such as returning Chinese, many of them travel curbs are rolled back, espe- patients with pneumonia would Fujian, the eastern provinces of nucleic acid tests twice. Cartier and Louis Vuitton. students. cially regarding carriers who face the same quarantine condi- Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and “Being able to be healthy and “The Wuhan International China cut international flights exhibit no, or very mild, tions as confirmed cases, northeast China. leave the house, and meet other Plaza is very representative (of massively from Sunday for an symptoms of the highly conta- including 14 days in isolation In Hubei’s capital of Wuhan, colleagues who are also healthy the city),” said Zhang Yu, 29. indefinite period, after it began gious virus. centres, the state news agency, more retail complexes and is a very happy thing,” said Wang “So its reopening really denying entry to almost all for- Northwestern Gansu Xinhua, reported. shopping streets reopened. Xueman, a cosmetics sales makes me feel this city is eigners a day earlier. province reported a new case of Hubei authorities say 4.6 Shoppers queued 1-1/2 metres representative. Pakistan PM orders opening of all highways for supply of goods Pakistan SC

INTERNEWS — ISLAMABAD said to be the worst-affected seg- practitioners, including doctors transport in the whole county country and ordered strict halts release ments of population during the and paramedical staff currently a couple of days ago, almost 80 action against those involved in Pakistani Prime Minister Imran countrywide lockdown enforced performing their duty in different percent of goods transport was hoarding, black marketing and of prisoners Khan has ordered removing all to prevent the spread of hospitals, and intensive care units still off the road due to certain charging exorbitant prices. hurdles in the way of transpor- COVID-19 —through a force of (ICUs) and quarantines had been restrictions made by provincial She said the prime minister ANATOIIA — KARACHI tation of goods and opening all young volunteers he was going established across the country for governments, including had held consultations with the national highways to ensure to formally form yesterday. coronavirus patients. blocking of national highways,” provinces and would announce Pakistan’s Supreme Court smooth and adequate supply of Khan issued the directives In case of death of any of the Special Assistant to the Prime a road map to ensure smooth yesterday halted the release of food items from farms/factories while presiding over a meeting medical practitioners during Minister (SAPM) on Information supply of essential items across hundreds of prisoners who to markets amid “panic buying” of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek- duty, he/she would be given Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said at the country. were supposed to be set free in due to deadly coronavirus i-Insaf’s (PTI) core committee at Shuhada [martyr] package, it was a post-meeting press Prime Minister Khan, she an attempt to stem the spread scare. the Prime Minister House. told. conference. said, was informed that there of coronavirus in the country’s He reiterated his com- The meeting was informed “The core committee was She said the prime minister was sufficient quantity of food overcrowded jails, local media mitment to providing ration at that the government had started apprised that although the was quite concerned over items in the country, including reported. the doorsteps of the poor and providing personal protection prime minister had ordered res- reports about shortage of food agriculture products like wheat, Several high courts, daily wage earners — who are equipment (PPE) to all medical toration of movement of goods items in many parts of the rice, pulses and grains. including the Islamabad High Court, last week, had ordered the release of over 500 under- trial prisoners and those Australia limits public already sentenced for their involvement in petty crimes, to reduce burden on the jails. movement to capitalise “Coronavirus is a serious issue but the decisions taken in haste and fear won’t work,” on slowing virus rates Chief Justice of Supreme Court Gulzar Ahmed remarked, REUTERS — SYDNEY Officials carried out according to local broadcaster new requirements Geo News. Australian officials will use fines The top court declared that and the threat of jail to enforce that Australians the high courts did not take the a new rule limiting public gath- returning home by complainants’ view into con- erings to two people, as the sideration while ordering the country’s coronavirus infection plane be immediately release of the prisoners. rate slowed but the death toll taken into monitored The two-member bench crept higher. quarantine in hotels also barred all the high courts, New South Wales and Vic- and the provincial govern- toria, the country’s two most or other facilities ments from passing any such populous states, were set to for 14 days, under order. It summoned the con- introduce the penalties from cerned government officials to midnight yesterday to enforce police supervision. hear their view on the matter, national rules set by the federal Australia’s borders and adjourned the hearing until government on Sunday. tomorrow. Australia is strengthening are closed to all but Pakistan yesterday limited contact rules for the reported two other deaths from returning citizens and A traveller (left) being escorted from an airport bus into an inner-city hotel in Melbourne, Australia, public as it seeks to capitalise on the virus, bringing the tally to yesterday. a slowdown in the growth of permanent residents. 18 in the country, an official new coronavirus cases. said. The new deaths were Officials said the rate of new state to ban people from alter- measures to pause loan repay- returning citizens and per- reported in the southern Sindh infections has halved in the past breaching the rules. In NSW, nating between their main home ments for six months, hoping to manent residents. — one of the worst hit prov- week under existing restrictions people could also face six and any second home. “hibernate” businesses until the In Western Australia state, inces — Dr Azra Pechuhu, the on movement to about 4,200 months’ jail. Australia’s state and “There will not be movement crisis ends. hundreds of people were due to provincial health minister, people nationally, while the federal leaders have formed an between your shack and your Prime Minister Scott Mor- be taken from the Vasco da confirmed. death toll rose to 17. emergency cabinet to hammer primary place of residence, rison announced a six-month Gama cruise ship to Rottnest There are 1,625 confirmed “It is only in exceptional cir- out the coronavirus response as allowing you to alternate and moratorium on landlords Island, a tourist destination near COVID-19 patients in the cumstances that you should many of the social containment sleep nights in both,” Tasmania evicting renters on Sunday and Perth, or hotels near the state country with 99 new cases over leave home,” New South Wales measures require state-level Premier Peter Gutwein said, urged businesses to hold off on capital of Perth for quarantine, the last 24 hours. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said enforcement. That has led to using local slang for holiday more job cuts. ship owner Cruise & Maritime According to official in Sydney. often contradictory messaging homes. Meanwhile, officials carried Voyages said. numbers, 593 cases have been “We will get through this. We for the public on issues such as The island state reported its out new requirements that Aus- The danger posed by cruise confirmed in the most pop- are in a position now which whether schools should remain first coronavirus death tralians returning home by plane ships has loomed large in Aus- ulous province of Punjab, 508 allows us to control the spread open. overnight. be immediately taken into mon- tralia after passengers who were in the Sindh province, 195 in as much as possible.” As well as imposing the two- Amid an extraordinary itored quarantine in hotels or allowed to disembark the Ruby Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 128 in New South Wales and Vic- person limit on public meetings, shutdown of businesses and other facilities for 14 days, under Princess liner in Sydney without the Gilgit-Baltistan region, 144 toria will fine people between the small island state of Tas- resulting staff layoffs, Australia’s police supervision. Australia’s any medical checks were later in Balochistan, and six in Paki- A$1,000 and A$1,600 for mania became the country’s first regulators and banks have taken borders are closed to all but diagnosed with COVID-19. stani-administered Kashmir. North Korea says Pompeo undercuts its interest in restarting talks REUTERS — SEOUL diplomatic and economic conviction, but have become Pyongyang’s weapons pro- between the two leaders despite “inappropriate” amid the coro- pressure over its nuclear and more zealous for our important grammes, with a last round of recent frictions. navirus pandemic. North Korea said yesterday that ballistic missile programmes. planned projects aimed to repay working-level talks in October “This makes us misjudge KCNA said the launch was US Secretary of State Mike That comment highlighted the US with actual horror and falling apart. who is the real chief executive aimed at examining the stra- Pompeo undermined its will- the United States cannot reverse unrest for the sufferings it has North Korea has not con- in the US,” the diplomat said. tegic and technical features of ingness to restart stalled denu- its hostile policy toward North inflicted upon our people,” the firmed any case of the corona- In an earlier dipatch on yes- the launchers, which has been clearisation talks, criticising his Korea “no matter how excellent official was quoted as saying. virus, but KCNA said Trump had terday, KCNA said Sunday’s test tested multiple times since last recent remarks on sanctions on and firm the relationship” their North Korean leader Kim sent a letter to Kim carrying a of super-large multiple rocket August overseen by leader Kim Pyongyang. two leaders have, state media Jong Un and US President “sincere aid plan” to help launchers had been a success. Jong Un, ahead of deployment. Pompeo had said after a tel- KCNA said, citing an unnamed Donald Trump have boasted of prevent an outbreak, only to be North Korea fired what KCNA did not mention econference with G7 foreign foreign ministry official respon- rapport they have built during followed up soon by Pompeo’s appeared to be two short-range Kim’s attendance at the latest ministers last week that all sible for the negotiations. three meetings and an exchange “slander” against the country. ballistic missiles off its east test, led by ruling party vice nations must remain united in “Hearing Pompeo’s reckless of multiple letters since 2018. Pyongyang has touted the coast on Sunday, the latest in a chairman Ri Pyong Chol and calling for North Korea to return remarks, we dropped the But little progress has been letter as a sign of “the special and flurry of launches that South conducted at the Academy of to negotiations and applying interest in dialogue with further made on dismantling very firm personal relations” Korea decried as National Defense Science. 12 EUROPE TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2020 Italy sees 812 more virus deaths; steep fall in new cases

REUTERS – ROME The number of new Not all of them had been cases rose by just tested for coronavirus before The death toll from an outbreak they died, it said, but it linked of coronavirus in Italy has risen 4,050, the lowest their deaths to the epidemic. by 812 in the last 24 hours, the since March 17, Lombardy, which is centred Civil Protection Agency said on Italy’s financial capital yesterday, reversing two days reaching a total of Milan, accounts for almost 60 of declines. 101,739. percent of the total deaths in Italy, the world’s hardest hit Italy and some 40 percent of country which accounts for cases. more than a third of all global end on Friday, look certain for Fontana said the unprece- fatalities, saw its total death at least two more weeks. dented curbs on movement, tally rise to 11,591 since the out- “We have to agree on this gatherings and business break emerged in northern with other regions, but I think activity were preventing an regions on February 21. More we are talking about (main- exponential rise in cases, and positively, the number of new taining the block) until at least needed to be kept in place. cases rose by just 4,050, the mid-April,” Attilio Fontana, “We’re on the right track, lowest amount since March 17, head of the worst-affected we’re maintaining a (chart) line reaching a total of 101,739. Lombardy region, told that’s not uphill, but it’s not However, the decline in new reporters. The governor of the downhill either,” he said. infections may be partly southern region of Puglia said The head of the national explained by a reduction in the on Saturday the restrictions health institute, Silvio Brusa- number of tests, which were the should stay until May. ferro, who is advising the gov- fewest for six days. Underscoring the dangers of ernment on how to handle the Italians have been under the disease, the national doctors’ crisis, also said that for restric- nationwide lockdown for three association announced the tions to be eased “the number Medical workers in protective suits push a patient on a stretcher in front of the Policlinico Tor Vergata, weeks and officials said the deaths of 11 more doctors yes- of new cases has to fall where patients suffering from coronavirus disease are hosted, in Rome, Italy, yesterday. restrictions, which were due to terday, bringing the total to 61. significantly.” Toll exceeds 3,000 in France; army ferries critical patients Britain names Ken McCallum REUTERS — STRASBOURG/PARIS deaths since March 1 climbed by care is a never-ending headache. to Switzerland, Germany and public health authority, told 16 percent to 3,024, while the We ask ourselves whether we Luxembourg. Transfers from reporters. France recorded its worst daily number of intensive care cases can move this patient to this unit Paris hospitals are expected in To ease the stress on the as MI5 chief coronavirus death toll yesterday, rose more than 10 percent to to take another patient. It’s an the coming days. system, officials want to send exceeding 3,000 for the first 5,107, rising after two days of incessant game.” Health officials believe that some patients to other countries REUTERS — LONDON time, and army helicopters falls. France has increased the the benefits of a national and to less stricken regions to transported critical patients Prime Minister Edouard number of beds in intensive care lockdown that has been in place make space in the worst hit Britain yesterday named Ken from the east to hospitals Philippe has warned the coun- units from 5,000 to about since March 17 will begin to be areas so that if the peak shifts, McCallum, a career spy who led overseas as the country battled try’s 67 million people that the 10,000 since the start of the felt by the end of the week. then the capital in particular the response to the attempted to free up space in life-support toughest weeks in the fight crisis and it is scrambling to They consider new daily could again take patients in two murder of Russian former units. against epidemic are still to reach 14,500. hospital admissions and the weeks’ time. double agent Sergei Skripal, as The Grand Est region the first come and doctors in the capital In the eastern city of Stras- number of those going into life- “The growth phase of the the new head of its MI5 domestic in France to be overwhelmed by said yesterday they were close bourg, paramedics in hazmat support as the key indicators to epidemic in the region will intelligence agency. a wave of infections that has to saturation point. suits transferred six patients see if the tide is turning and if probably last two weeks,” said McCallum, who has worked rapidly moved west to engulf the “Today in the pulmonology onto three Caiman NH90 med- the health system can cope. Pierre Delobel, head of the infec- in MI5 for 25 years, rose through greater Paris region, where hos- unit we are as full as full can be,” icalised helicopters before they “We are not in a drop at the tious and tropical diseases unit the ranks working across the pitals are desperately adding Jerome Pinot, a doctor at the were moved to hospitals in Bern moment. We hope that this at the University Hospital in agency’s main fronts from intensive care beds to cope with Georges Pompidou hospital in and Frankfurt. increase will be more modest in Toulouse, where the number of Northern Ireland to countering the influx. Paris, said. Eighty have so far been the coming days,” Jerome cases has jumped from 8 to 40 Islamist militants and ensuring The number of coronavirus “To find a place in intensive moved from the region Salomon, head of the French in a week. the safety of the 2012 London Olympics. Then, after former Russian double agent Skripal and his Spain tightens daughter Yulia were found poi- soned with a Soviet-developed nerve agent known as “Nov- ichok” in 2018, McCallum led the lockdown after more agency’s response to the attempted murder, MI5 said. “Our people — with our infections than China partners — strive to keep the country safe, and they always AP — MADRID Spaniards have already applied want to go the extra mile,” for unemployment subsidies McCallum said in a statement. Spain enforced even tighter stay- since the confinement measures “Having devoted my at-home rules yesterday for its began in mid-March. working life to that team effort, 47 million people, as the country Only workers in hospitals, it is a huge privilege now to be overtook China as the nation with pharmacies, the food supply asked to lead it,” he added. the third-highest number of chain and other essential indus- Britain blamed Russia for reported infections in the world, tries are required to work until the attack in which a British after the United States and Italy. the end of Easter, in mid-April. citizen died. Russia denied any But the new measures, which In a call for Spaniards to role, though Western powers confused many Spaniards, came “hibernate,” as described by a expelled dozens of Russian spies under attack from leaders who Cabinet member of Spain’s left- working under diplomatic say the government is hurting the wing coalition government, the cover. economy beyond repair, and rest were asked to scale back Medical staff from a hospital hold a banner reading “Thank you all” as neighbours applaud from their Skripal, a former officer in opposition parties who accuse it operations to weekend-level. balconies in support for healthcare workers, in Madrid, Spain, yesterday. Russian military intelligence of improvising in its response to But the new measures sur- (GRU), betrayed dozens of the outbreak. prised and confused many Span- During a minute of silence firmed death toll to 7,340. emergency centre’s spokes- Russian agents to British Already stretched beyond iards, who woke up yesterday not observed for the dead, bells tolled Crews of workers and sol- person after its director tested intelligence. breaking point in at least one knowing whether their jobs were across the Spanish capital’s diers were frantically building positive. Andrew Parker, who retires third of the country, hospitals are part of the exceptions to the gov- empty Puerta del Sol central more field hospitals in the capital Nearly 15 percent of all those at the end of April, has led MI5 seeing scores of medical workers ernment’s new emergency square. Speakers blasted US and surrounding towns. The infected in Spain, almost 13,000 since 2013. falling ill and requiring quar- decree that wasn’t fully published composer Samuel Barber’s region is among six of Spain’s 17 people, are among the country’s He stayed on longer than is antine, while the arrival of pro- until midnight on Sunday. Adagio for Strings. regions at their limit of ICU beds. 646,000 health care profes- usual to ensure a stable tran- tective gear is suffering delays. “Spaniards don’t deserve With a population thirty Three more, according to offi- sionals. This hampers hospitals’ sition during Britain’s exit from The government’s decision more lies, incompetence and times smaller than China’s 1. 4 cials, are close to it. efforts to help the tsunami of the European Union which took to impose a two-week halt internal fighting,” opposition billion, Spain’s official tally of Spanish health official Dr people gasping for breath. place on Jan. 31. effective from yeserday to all conservative Popular Party infections was for the first time Maria José Sierra said there’s no For most people, the corona- During Parker’s watch, MI5 non-essential economic activity. leader Pablo Casado said higher: more than 85,000, an 8 end to the stay-at-home restric- virus causes mild or moderate had to contend with a spate of came even as authorities claimed yesterday. percent rise from the previous tions yet in sight. symptoms, such as fever and deadly militant attacks in the that the previous two weeks of In hard-hit Madrid, which day but smaller than earlier “Reducing the pressure on cough. But for others, especially United Kingdom including the confinement were starting to pay has seen nearly half of the coun- increases that had rocketed up the ICUs will be important for older adults and people with 2017 Manchester suicide off with a slower pace of the pan- try’s deaths, flags flew at half- to 20 percent. The health min- considering de-escalation existing health problems, the bombing which killed 22 people, demic’s expansion. staff for an official mourning istry also reported 812 new measures,” said Sierra, who took virus can cause severe symptoms and attacks on Westminster and Hundreds of thousands of period that began yesterday. deaths, raising its overall con- over yesterday as the health like pneumonia and can be fatal. London Bridge the same year. UK’s Prince Harry and wife Meghan bid farewell to royal roles REUTERS — LONDON their branding or carry out modernity into the monarchy, official duties and have agreed and making them one of the Prince Harry and his American not to use the style of HRH - His world’s biggest celebrity wife Meghan posted their last or Her Royal Highness. couples. message as working members Harry, 35, the queen’s Their son Archie was born of Britain’s royal family grandson and sixth in line to the a year later, but by then rela- yestrday before officially throne, will remain a prince but tions with the media and with embarking on new careers relinquish his military Harry’s elder brother Prince without their “Royal Highness” appointments. William were becoming styles. “While you may not see us strained, and in January they Harry and Meghan shocked here, the work continues,” the announced plans to step back Queen Elizabeth and the other couple said in the last message from their royal roles. Windsors in January by to their more than 11 million It provoked a crisis, and in announcing plans step back followers on their sussexroyal a subsequent deal thrashed out from their royal roles. A later Instagram page. with the queen, her son and deal brokered by the 93-year- “We look forward to recon- heir Prince Charles and old monarch means they will necting with you soon. You’ve William, it was agreed the go their own way from April. been great! Until then, please couple would have to give up So from Wednesday, the take good care of yourselves, their royal jobs altogether. couple, the Duke and Duchess and of one another.” As a result, the couple will of Sussex, will be free to pursue Harry, and Meghan, a no longer use their sussexroyal new careers, earn their own former actress, married in a handle on Instagram nor money and spend most of their lavish ceremony in May 2018, update their SussexRoyal.com A file photo of Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife Meghan attending the Mountbatten Festival of time in North America. a wedding which was heralded website. The Sussex Royal Music at the Royal Albert Hall, in London. But they will no longer be at the time as infusing a blast Foundation, which they were able to use the word “royal” in of Hollywood glamour and setting up, will be wound up. TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2020 EUROPE 13

EU urges nations Moscow goes into to open borders to seasonal farm lockdown to curb workers spread of virus REUTERS — BRUSSELS EU countries should allow the AFP — MOSCOW Russia recorded 302 hundreds of thousands of new COVID-19 cases seasonal migrant workers who Moscow, with its more than 12 plant or harvest crops to cross million people, went into yesterday, taking the borders despite national lockdown yesterday while other national tally to 1,835 measures to contain the coro- parts of Russia moved to navirus, the European introduce similar steps to curb cases of coronavirus Commission said yesterday. the coronavirus outbreak. and nine deaths. Countries across the Russian President Vladimir 27-nation European Union Putin yesterday also urged res- have set up border controls to idents of Moscow to respect the consequences if national stem the spread of the virus, lockdown, saying it was a nec- measures are not enforced. but with the side effect of essary measure to slow the “It’s not lack of discipline delaying food and medical spread of the coronavirus. and common sense, it is supplies, as well as cross- “I ask you to take these criminal negligence,” he said of border workers. Russian law enforcement officers wearing protective masks stand guard in a street, after the city forced but absolutely necessary local authorities who neglect to The EU executive last week authorities announced a partial lockdown, in central Moscow, Russia, yesterday. measures... very seriously and close down entertainment urged EU countries to limit to completely responsibly,” Putin venues. 15 minutes the time it takes for said after regional authorities The enforcement of the measures after many Musco- to travel to jobs judged proposing tougher measures goods traffic to cross a border, in Moscow and the surrounding strict new rules, which Moscow vites failed to heed recommen- essential, and to go to local sooner. At a government reporting some success yes- region ordered a strict Mayor Sergei Sobyanin sud- dations to self-isolate and grocery stores and pharmacies meeting, Prime Minister Mikhail terday, although some quarantine. denly announced late Sunday, instead went to parks for bar- which need to enforce social Mishustin asked regional crossings into and out of The order from the Moscow coincided with the beginning of becues at the weekend. distancing. authorities to prepare for Hungary had jams of up to mayor came just a few hours a “non-working” week declared Yesterday, Red Square in Over the past 24 hours Moscow-style lockdowns, 4km (2.5 miles). before going into force early by Putin. the heart of Moscow was eerily Russia has recorded 302 new saying it was important to pre- The Commission said yes- yesterday, with several regions “The situation is certainly empty, while the streets of cases, taking the national tally empt a major outbreak. terday countries should quickly following suit. serious and everyone should Europe’s most populous city to 1,835 cases of coronavirus At least eight regions establish simple and fast pro- In a televised conference take this very seriously,” Putin’s were quiet even though traffic and nine deaths. including the Western exclave cedures to ensure smooth with his representatives in spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. could still be seen on the roads. But the real number of region of Kaliningrad have passage for essential workers Russian regions, Putin ordered Moscow, which has become Muscovites are now only infected people is believed to already imposed or were pre- with proportionate health them to inventory hospital beds the epicentre of the contagion allowed to leave their homes in be higher and critics have paring to impose strict screenings. and ventilators and threatened in Russia, announced the new cases of a medical emergency, rounded on authorities for not quarantines. Some 1.5 million people live in one EU country and work in another. Portugal arrests Essential workers, the EU Hungary PM gets sweeping powers in virus fight executive said, include three officials healthcare professionals, AFP — BUDAPEST bill is time limited by the par- police and transport workers. after Ukrainian liament’s powers of revoke, and In Luxembourg, for Hungary’s parliament endorsed by the pandemic itself which example, most people working killed at airport a bill yesterday giving nation- “hopefully ends one day”. in hospitals live in Belgium or alist Premier Viktor Orban He added that “72 per cent France. REUTERS — LISBON sweeping new powers he says of Hungarians support this The Commission also high- he needs to fight the new coro- measure”, referring to a recent lighted the issue of seasonal Portuguese police said navirus pandemic. poll about the provision on workers, particularly in farms, yesterday they had detained Critics at home and abroad spreading falsehoods. who it said should be catego- three immigration officers on have condemned the “anti- Last week, opposition MPs rised as essential and able to suspicion of killing a coronavirus defence law”, said however they do not trust travel. 40-year-old Ukrainian man saying it gives Orban unnec- Orban not to abuse unlimited It encouraged EU countries who attempted to enter essary and unlimited power in special powers and refused to to exchange information on Portugal illegally through a ruse to cement his leadership back the bill in the absence of their different needs. Lisbon’s airport earlier this rather than battle the virus. a time deadline on the decrees. France and Germany month. After declaring a state of A government minister, together take in around In a statement, Portugal’s emergency on March 11, the Gergely Gulyas, said it would 500,000 seasonal farm Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary arrives to attend the plenary criminal investigation police new bill will give Orban the come into force at midnight migrant workers each year session of the Parliament, in Budapest yesterday. agency, the PJ, said the alleged power to largely rule by decree yesterday if the house speaker and have been considering crime was committed at a indefinitely until the gov- and Hungarian President sign how to get fruit and vegetables temporary detention centre at ernment decides the pandemic the self-styled “illiberal” nation- “If they can’t help, then at it immediately. picked in changed times. Lisbon’s airport run by the crisis is over. alist has transformed Hungary’s least don’t stop the Hungarians Akos Hadhazy, an inde- French Agriculture Min- country’s immigration and The bill removes the current political, judicial and constitu- from defending (against the pendent MP, said Orban did not ister Didier Guillaume last border service SEF. requirement for MPs to approve tional landscape. virus),” he said on Friday. need any “extraordinary week issued a rallying cry to a PJ said the victim arrived any extension to time limits on The 56-year-old has fre- His justice minister, Judit empowerment” as his party “shadow army” of other on March 10 and was killed on the decrees. quently clashed with European Varga, told foreign reporters on already controls parliament and workers laid off by the crisis March 12 after he “allegedly It also introduces jail terms institutions, NGOs and rights Friday that parliament could had instead set up a “trap for to help. caused some disturbances” at of up to five years for anyone groups with Brussels suing revoke the decrees at any time, the opposition”. However, Europe’s leading the centre. The three SEF spreading “falsehoods” about Hungary for “breaching” EU and that the opposition were Pro-government media farming association has workers were believed to be the virus or the measures values — charges fiercely “fighting imaginary demons and accuse the opposition of expressed doubt that such responsible for his death, the against it, stoking new worries denied by Budapest. not dealing with reality”. encouraging the virus by people would be willing or statement said. for press freedom. Orban has given criticism of She also said decrees could rejecting the bill. able to fill the gap. SEF confirmed in a It was passed by 137 votes the coronavirus law short shrift, be sent to the constitutional Hungary has reported a On March 13, World Health statement that three of its to 53 by parliament’s lower accusing critics of alarmism and court for review. total of 447 cases with 15 deaths. Organization said Europe had officers had been detained on chamber, where Orban’s Fidesz appealing to “European nit- A government spokes- More than 13,300 tests have become the epicenter of the suspicion of murder, adding party has a two-thirds majority. pickers” to let Hungary defend person Zoltan Kovacs insisted been carried out, the gov- new coronavirus disease the director and deputy Since taking power in 2010, itself against COVID-19. on Twitter yesterday that the ernment said yesterday. (COVID-19). director of SEF’s Lisbon Border Directorate had suspended their duties with immediate effect as result of the incident. Virus toll in Belgium at 513 “SEF has been collabo- rating with the authorities as 11,899 cases detected involved in the investigation since the beginning and took AFP — BRUSSELS diminish thanks to the efforts the needed disciplinary we have all made over the last measures,” it said. Belgium’s death toll from the two weeks,” said Emmanuel Portugal’s internal affairs novel coronavirus passed the Andre, spokesman for govern- minister said the government 500 mark yesterday, with ment’s epidemic team. had ordered an inquiry into almost 12,000 cases detected “It is extremely important what happened. since the start of the epidemic. to keep up these efforts — just Police said the suspects Health authorities in the because the curve is softening would appear before a judge country of 11.4 million said 513 slightly today, it doesn’t mean to answer questions, but did COVID-19 deaths had been it won’t get worse if we let up not provide details on when recorded and 11,899 cases con- our efforts.” the appearance would take firmed by laboratory tests. On Friday, Belgium place. But officials said the rise in extended lockdown measures admissions to hospital and to by two weeks to April 18 to intensive care units had slowed slow the spread of the virus. Georgia declares slightly over the previous 24 Schools, restaurants and hours. most shops are closed, entry to curfew to halt Ukraine Parliament in session “We’re not at the peak, but supermarkets is restricted to at what we call the inflection allow room for social dis- Ukrainian lawmakers wearing protective face masks attending an extraordinary sitting of the Ukrainian pandemic spread point — that means the force tancing and people have been Parliament in Kiev, yesterday. of the epidemic is beginning to told to work from home. REUTERS — TBILISI

Georgia will impose a curfew from 9:00pm until 6:00am, EU mobilises support for Western Balkan countries close the metro system and ban gatherings of more than AFP — BRUSSELS battle with China and Russia, affected country in the region, Western Balkans countries Aleksandar Vucic blasted the three people from today in an who have made a great show while some 374 million in will now also be allowed to take “fairytale” of European soli- effort to prevent spread of The EU yesterday announced of their gestures of support to existing funding packages will part in an EU joint procurement darity and instead lavished coronavirus, Prime Minister nearly ¤40m to help Western countries struggling with the be reallocated to help cushion programme to buy protective praise on China. Giorgi Gakharia said Balkan countries deal with the COVID-19 crisis. the economic impact of the medical equipment such as face The Chinese are “the only yesterday. coronavirus, after Brussels In the Western Balkans, epidemic. masks for hospital workers. ones who can help us”, said the He told a briefing that came under fire for not doing ¤38m will go to governments “These are very difficult The move follows anger leader of Serbia, where state TV tightened quarantine rules enough for its neighbours. to cover the immediate times not only for the EU, but over the EU’s earlier decision gave extensive coverage to the would come into force across A further ¤140m was healthcare needs: four million for our partner countries as to restrict exports of protective arrival of Chinese aid and the country at 8am today. announced for the European each for Albania and North well. We are doing all we can gear to countries outside the equipment. Since then, EU offi- Traffic between cities and Union’s “eastern partner” coun- Macedonia, seven million for to mitigate the impact of the bloc. cials have raced to point out municipalities by public tries — Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, three coronavirus outbreak on Poorer Balkan countries, their already significant amount transport will be banned and Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and million for Montenegro and five human lives and livelihoods,” most of whom are in talks to of investment in healthcare in gatherings of more than three Ukraine. million for Kosovo. the EU’s enlargement commis- join the EU, are worried about Serbia — more than ¤450m in people will be allowed only in The moves come as the EU The biggest tranche — ¤15m sioner Oliver Varhelyi said in a being abandoned. aid and loans over the past 20 groceries and pharmacies. seeks to fight back in a publicity — will go to Serbia, the worst statement. Serbia’s President years. 14 AMERICAS TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2020 Colombian rebels call temporary ceasefire over pandemic The rebels said they AFP — BOGOTA up arms again, however. would unilaterally Peace negotiations began Colombia’s last recognized suspend military with the ELN the following year, leftist guerrilla group, the ELN, first in the Ecuadoran capital has announced a month-long action from April 1 to Quito, and later in Havana. ceasefire in response to the the end of the month But Duque, a conservative coronavirus pandemic, a who succeeded Juan Manuel statement released yesterday 'as a humanitarian Santos — who delivered the said. gesture'. FARC peace deal and opened The rebels said they would discussions with the ELN — unilaterally suspend military ended the talks after a January action from April 1 to the end of reserved the right to defend 2019 car bomb attack on a the month “as a humanitarian itself against attacks by gov- Bogota police academy that gesture". The statement was ernment forces. killed 21 recruits. disseminated by a group of He said it would also Duque has said he would Colombian senators who are respond similarly to drug traf- only reopen talks if the ELN seeking to establish a peace ficking groups with whom it releases all its hostages and process with the group. vies for control in various places ceases its “criminal activity.” The National Liberation around the country. Bogota has repeatedly accused Army, the group’s formal name, “We call on the government neighboring Venezuela’s leftist Firefighters, soldiers and workers from the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees noted a recent appeal by UN of (President Ivan) Duque to regime under Nicolas Maduro setting up a temporary hospital for coronavirus patients, in Cucuta, Colombia, on Saturday. Secretary-General Antonio order its troops to remain in of harboring the guerrillas and Guterres for a halt to conflicts barracks,” the statement said, condoning drug trafficking worldwide as nations grapple and urged him to reactivate enough. “We have just learned confirmed cases of the virus as centers. It is the last formal inside its border. Caracas denies with the pandemic, and said contacts with its representatives of the ELN’s decision to cease of Sunday night, including 10 guerrilla group left in the the accusations. that Colombian organizations in Havana to negotiate a fire for a month. I believe that deaths. country after the government In its statement, the ELN had made similar requests. bilateral truce. the country hopes for much The ELN, which is said to reached a peace agreement criticized the government’s Ivan Cepeda, a leftist The government’s High more than that. We face a huge operate in about 10 percent of with the larger Revolutionary handling of the health crisis and senator who was among those Commissioner for Peace, Miguel challenge, thousands of people the country, has some 2,300 Armed Forces of Colombia, or said the coronavirus had been who made public the rebel Ceballos, said the guerrillas’ can die,” Ceballos said in a radio combatants and an extensive FARC, in 2016. Some former artificially created and spread statement, said the ELN announcement did not go far interview. Colombia had 702 network of supporters in urban FARC rebels have since taken by the United States. Argentina extends quarantine until mid April Unwanted virus-stricken Brazil court bars cruise crew from REUTERS — BUENOS AIRES from to buy groceries or med- Easter. What do we aim to icines, has seen the South achieve? To keep the trans- ship heads to US coast coming ashore Argentina’s President Alberto American country’s streets vir- mission of the virus under Fernandez said on Sunday that tually emptied, while its major control,” he said in a televised AFP — PANAMA CITY Holland America Line Pres- REUTERS — SAO PAULO the country would extend a grains industry has faced some message. ident Orlando Ashford admitted mandatory nationwide quar- disruption. Fernández added that the Passengers on the coronavirus- they were still searching for a A Brazilian court has barred antine period until the middle The tough measure was ini- initial results of the compulsory stricken Zaandam cruise ship port after the mayor of Fort crew members from disem- of April in a bid to slow the tially until the end of March. It isolation since March 20 looked headed out into the Caribbean Lauderdale — the ship’s barking from the Costa spread of the coronavirus that will now be in place until the “good”. The country has bound for the US yesterday after intended destination — said the Fascinosa cruise ship anchored has killed over 30,000 people end of the Easter Holy Week, recorded 820 coronavirus cases transiting the Panama Canal, Florida city could not take the with no passengers at the port worldwide. Fernandez said, which would with 20 deaths, although the their destination uncertain after risk of accepting the passengers. of Santos after some of their The quarantine, which mean it would be lifted on April increase in cases has shown the company said it was still Ashford said in a video message mates developed coronavirus restricts non-essential workers 12. “We are going to extend the some signs of slowing in recent searching for a port that will the company was still trying to symptoms, city authorities said from leaving their homes apart quarantine until the end of days. allow them to disembark. “figure out” where to disembark yesterday. The Holland America Line passengers from the stricken All passengers on the ship, ship passed through the canal cruise liner. which has a capacity for 3,800 from the Pacific side overnight. The situation was “difficult passengers and crew, were It was followed a couple of and unprecedented,” he said. disembarked on March 17 at hours later by its sister ship, the Fort Lauderdale mayor Santos and only the crew Rotterdam, which the company Dean Trantalis later said remained in quarantined. had dispatched from San Diego allowing the Zaandam to dock Santos is Latin America’s to take on the healthiest of the in his city was “completely largest port and where most 1,800 passengers aboard the unacceptable” as no special of Brazil’s agriculture com- Zaandam. assurances had been given modities are exported. “It’s been an extraordinary about the passengers’ onward Last week, seven crew day” Ilya Maortta, deputy travel arrangements. members developed administrator of the Panama “No assurances have been symptoms consistent with Canal wrote on Twitter after the given that they will be escorted COVID-19 and were taken authority had reversed an from the ship to either a ashore and sent to local hos- earlier decision to block the treatment facility or placed in pitals, a spokesperson for the ship’s passage. The Zaandam quarantine. This is completely shipping company Costa Cro- had been stuck in the Pacific unacceptable,” Trantalis said on ciere said. Judge Alexandre Ocean since March 14 after Twitter. “We cannot add further Saliba ruled yesterday that dozens of those on board risk to our community,” Tran- only crew members who need reported flu-like symptoms — talis said. “There are many places medical assistance will be including four who subse- on the eastern seaboard where allowed to disembark. quently died — and several this ship could dock and be dealt The judge ordered the South American ports refused with in a much more controlled Santos Port Authority to coor- An aerial view of empty highways in Buenos Aires, Argentina, yesterday. to let it dock. environment,” he said. dinate with Brazil’s health sur- veillance agency Anvisa and Sao Paulo state and local Peru unveils health departments in the case Twitter removes Bolsonaro tweets questioning quarantine of more crew members region’s biggest needing to disembark to get AFP — SAO PAULO been taken down. Bolsonaro, who responds: On Saturday, Health Min- medical attention. stimulus plan Twitter explained in a “You’re not going to die!” ister Luiz Henrique Mandetta The cruise operator said its Two tweets by Brazilian Pres- statement that it had recently In another video, the Pres- highlighted the importance of ship was in “voluntary quar- BLOOMBERG — LIMA ident Jair Bolsonaro in which expanded its global rules on ident calls for a “return to nor- containment as a means of antine” before the ruling and he questioned quarantine managing content that contra- mality,” questioning quarantine fighting the coronavirus, which will remain so. Peru is moving to fend off measures aimed at containing dicted public health infor- measures imposed by gov- has already infected 3,904 “All necessary health economic catastrophe with a the novel coronavirus were mation from official sources ernors and some mayors across people in Brazil, leaving 114 measures are being taken and record fiscal stimulus and removed on Sunday, on the and could put people at greater the giant South American dead, according to the latest the company is diligently fol- plans for a contingency line of grounds that they violated the risk of transmitting COVID-19. country as an effective con- official figures. lowing guidelines from local up to $18bn from the Interna- social network’s rules. In one of the deleted videos, tainment measure against the “Some people want me to health authorities,” the tional Monetary Fund to The far-right leader had Bolsonaro tells a street vendor, virus. shut up, follow the protocols,” company said. It was unclear contain the fallout from the posted several videos in which “What I have been hearing from “If it continues like this, with said Bolsonaro. “How many when the quarantine would coronavirus pandemic. he flouted his government’s people is that they want to the amount of unemployment times does the doctor not follow end or how many persons The government is putting social distancing guidelines by work.” “What I have said from what we will have later is a very the protocol?” “Let’s face the remained onboard. Costa said together a package of eco- mixing with supporters on the the beginning is that ‘we are serious problem that will take virus with reality. It is life, we there is doctor on the ship who nomic measures totaling 90 streets of Brasilia and urging going to be careful, the over- years to be resolved,” he said of must all die one day.” In the is responsible for assessing the billion soles ($26bn), including them to keep the economy 65s stay at home,’” he said. the isolation measures. four videos posted on his crew’s health. The Santos Port health-care spending, tax going. “We just can’t stand still, “Brazil cannot stop or we’ll Twitter account, Bolsonaro is Authority said it is a priority to breaks and loan guarantees to Two of the posts were there is fear because if you don’t turn into Venezuela,” Bolsonaro seen surrounded by small protect the health and safety of revive an economy that’s removed and replaced with a die of the disease, you starve,” later told reporters outside his crowds as he walked about the the port’s workers, its users and ground to a virtual halt after notice explaining why they had the vendor is seen telling official residence. capital. the surrounding population. the government implemented some of Latin America’s toughest lockdown rules. The economic package Mexico President meets El equals to 12% of gross domestic product, more than any other Chapo’s mother during visit country in the region has announced to date, and could AP — MEXICO CITY the event, he went to the pas- be increased further, said senger side door of her vehicle Finance Minister Maria Mexico President Andrés and she extended her hand Antonieta Alva. Manuel López Obrador says it through the window. It includes short-term pains him to not be able to Asked about shaking her measures such as cash embrace supporters during his hand at the time the gov- handouts, and longer term tours due to the risks of the ernment is urging citizens to measures to “rebuild” some coronavirus, but he made a practice social distancing, López industries such as tourism that remarkable exception on a Obrador said it would have been face devastation as a result of weekend trip, shaking hands disrespectful not to. the pandemic, she told a TV with the elderly mother of “It’s very difficult humanly,” channel on Sunday. imprisoned drug kingpin he said. “I’m not a robot.” The arsenal also will Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán. He said she asked about a include up to 30 billion soles López Obrador was visiting letter she had sent him in Feb- in government-backed loans a highway project in the western ruary asking the government to to small and medium-sized state of Sinaloa on Sunday on a intervene in her request to be businesses. “The impact of Enforcing quarantine road that passes the town of allowed to travel to the United what’s happening is unprece- Badiraguato where María Con- States and visit her son in prison. Soldiers stand at a checkpoint in San Salvador during a quarantine, taking place across El Salvador, dented, so we need to suelo Loera Pérez lives. López López Obrador said she told as the government steadily undertakes stricter measures to prevent a possible spread of COVID-19, implement an unprecedented Obrador said yesterday he was him she didn’t want to die economic plan,” the finance on Sunday. told she had come to the event without seeing him. He said she minister said. and wanted to greet him. After is 92 years old. TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2020 AMERICAS 15 US extends social distancing guidelines to April 30 Virus cases in Canada at 6,671 The US President says good idea to pull back at a time with 66 deaths modeling projected when you really need to be pressing your foot on the pedal substantially more as opposed to on the brakes,” AGENCIES — TORONTO deaths if the nation Fauci said on CNN yesterday, describing how he and Dr. Canada's coronavirus cases did not incorporate Deborah Birx, the coronavirus has risen to 6,671 with 66 social distancing. task force coordinator, had con- deaths, country's chief public vinced Trump to reconsider. health officer said yesterday. “We showed him the data. Canada also announced AP — WASHINGTON He looked at the data. He got it yesterday it is effectively right away,” Fauci said. “It was nationalizing many private Siding with public health a pretty clear picture. Dr. payrolls by offering businesses experts’ dire projections, Pres- Debbie Birx and I went in to the large and small a 75% wage ident Donald Trump yesterday Oval Office and leaned over the subsidy for their employees defended his decision to extend desk and said, ‘Here are the amid the coronavirus restrictive social distancing data. Take a look.’ He just shook pandemic. guidelines through the end of his head and said, ‘I guess we Prime Minister Trudeau April, while bracing the nation got to do it.’” said businesses that have seen for a coronavirus death toll that Americans are now being a 30% decrease in revenue are could exceed 100,000 people. asked to prepare for at least eligible. “The worst that could another 30 days of severe eco- "For people to get through happen is you do it too early nomic and social disruption, this tough time and for the and all of a sudden it comes with schools and businesses economy to rebound, people back,” Trump said during a US President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the Rose Garden of the White House closed and public life upended. have to keep their job,” nearly hour-long call-in in Washington, DC, on Sunday. One in 3 Americans remain Trudeau said. interview with “Fox & Friends” under state or local government The Prime Minister said as members of his coronavirus orders to stay at home. the government will cover up task force fanned out across he hoped to do. controls in place on mobility 100,000-200,000 deaths and Trump also spoke with the to 75% of salary on the first other media outlets to warn the In the face of stark projec- and gatherings. millions of infections from the nation’s governors yesterday, 58,700 Canadian dollars virus’s spread was only just tions from his team and searing Trump’s impulse to reopen pandemic. as did other members of his (US$41,474) that is earned. beginning. images of overwhelmed hos- the country, driven by pleas That warning hardened a administration. Birx told the That means up to $847 The comments came a day pitals in his native New York from business leaders, met a recognition in Washington that governors that it’s “several Canadian (US$598) a week. after Trump made a dramatic City, Trump instead extended sober reality check from health the struggle against the coro- weeks away from the peak of Trudeau did not put a price course reversal and announced to April 30 the social distancing experts, including Dr Anthony navirus will not be resolved the curve for the United States.” tag on it or say how long it that he would not be moving to guidelines, which had been set Fauci, the government’s top quickly even as Trump Trump said that modeling would last but he called it a ease the guidelines and get the to expire yesterday. infectious disease expert, who expressed a longing for projected substantially more bridge to better times. economy back up and running Many states and local gov- on Sunday said the US could normalcy. deaths if the nation did not Trudeau previously by Easter, as he said last week ernments already have stiffer experience between “It would not have been a incorporate social distancing. announced the 75% wage subsidy for small businesses but announced yesterday the Tom Hanks, wife number of employees a Coronavirus cases in New York jump to 66,497 company has will not back in US after determine whether or not it REUTERS — NEW YORK gets support. He also said non- contracting virus profits and charities are also New York Governor Andrew Cuomo called eligible. AFP — LOS ANGELES yesterday for healthcare workers elsewhere The Canadian government to help the state’s overwhelmed hospitals reversed course after initially Hollywood megastar Tom battle the coronavirus and made a plea for only offering a 10% wage Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson bipartisanship and “partnership” with US subsidy earlier this month. The are back home in Los Angeles President Donald Trump. new offer is backdated to after two weeks in hospital Speaking at a makeshift hospital in March 15. and self-isolation in Australia Manhattan preparing to receive its first "These are measures that where they contracted the patients yesterday, Cuomo sought to divert will make a huge difference,” coronavirus. attention from any tension with Trump, Trudeau said. “Hey, Folks... We’re home with whom he has tussled in recent days Trudeau warned of severe now and, like the rest of over the distribution of ventilators in penalties if companies try America, we carry on with storage. abuse the subsidy program. sheltering in place and social “I am not engaging the President in pol- Meanwhile, Trudeau said distancing,” the multiple itics,” said Cuomo, who has emerged as a on Sunday that he would Oscar-winning actor tweeted leading national voice on the coronavirus remain in self-imposed iso- at the weekend. pandemic. “My only goal is to engage the lation even though his wife, “Many, many thanks to President in partnership.” New York is at who had contracted the coro- everyone in Australia who the epicenter of the crisis. Cuomo has called navirus, has recovered. The US Navy's hospital ship USNS Comfort passes Manhattan as it enters New York Harbor looked after us,” he added. his state the “canary in the coal mine,” pre- "I have to continue in iso- in New York City, yesterday. “Their care and guidance dicting the virus would overwhelm other lation in order to be sure that made possible our return to states in similar ways. we're following all the pro- the USA. And many thanks to Cuomo said 66,497 people had tested later. “Please come help us in New York doesn’t discriminate,” he said. tocols and the recommenda- all of you who reached out positive in New York, up about 7,000 from now,” Cuomo told a briefing at the tem- He said he agreed with Trump that tions by Health Canada," with well wishes. Rita and I so Sunday, and that 1,218 New Yorkers had porary hospital erected at the Jacob K. Javits dealing with the coronavirus was akin to a Trudeau said. appreciate it.” died from the virus, up from the previous Convention Center in Manhattan. “We need war, adding: “Then let’s act that way.” Since doctors did not know Hanks was on Australia’s day’s total of 965 deaths. relief.” The governor appealed for unity and Cuomo said that he took Trump’s comment exactly when Sophie Trudeau Gold Coast to film an Elvis He called on healthcare professionals bipartisan cooperation in the fight against that he would make a better Democratic became virus-free, the prime Presley biopic when he and from across the United States to come and the virus. candidate than Joe Biden as a compliment minister said he would observe Wilson, both 63, came down help New York’s hospitals cope with the “In this situation, there are no red states but reiterated that he had no plans to run another 14 full days of with the disease. crisis. He promised New York healthcare and there are no blue states and there are for president. “The president commented confinement. The pair were admitted to workers would return the favor to other no red casualties and there are no blue cas- on a poll that said people were pleased with Trudeau has been in self- hospital, where they were parts of the country that might need help ualties. It’s red, white and blue. This virus my leadership. I thank him for that.” isolation since March 12. treated before being released into self-isolation. Wilson took to Instagram on Sunday to celebrate being Amazon, Instacart workers demand safety Partisan divide returns in US a “Covid-19 survivor,” saying she was taking time to reflect AFP — NEW YORK after a worker tested positive for most vulnerable," Amazon said Congress on next virus steps on her good fortune and her the coronavirus. in a statement. continued good health after Amazon warehouse employees "There are positive cases "We have taken extreme REUTERS — WASHINGTON packages take effect first. suffering from cancer and and Instacart delivery shoppers working in these buildings measures to keep people safe." Pelosi, the top Democrat in kicking the disease five years joined protests yesterday to press infecting thousands," warehouse Meanwhile a group calling Fresh partisan divisions flared Congress, told CNN’s “State of ago. safety demands, highlighting the worker Christian Smalls wrote itself the Gig Workers Collective on Sunday on the next steps for the Union” program that the “I am celebrating the risks for workers on the front on Twitter. said it was maintaining its call for the US Congress in dealing with three bills already signed into beauty of this life, the blessings lines of supplying Americans Amazon said Smalls made Instacart's independent con- the coronavirus crisis, with the law were merely a “down God has given, and my con- largely sheltering at home due to "misleading" statements about tractors to strike despite new top House of Representatives payment.” “We have to do tinued good health, even now the COVID-19 pandemic. conditions and that he was sup- safety measures announced late Republican casting doubt on more,” Pelosi said, adding that as a COVID 19 survivor,” she An estimated 50 to 60 posed to be on quarantine. Sunday by the company. the need for more economic the existing bills do not provide wrote. “Please take a moment employees joined a walkout at "Like all businesses grappling "Workers aren't filling orders stimulus legislation while enough because “every single today to acknowledge the an Amazon worker warehouse with the ongoing coronavirus until our full demands are met," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi day, the need grows.” amazing creation your bodies in the New York borough of pandemic, we are working hard a spokesperson said. "This isn't signaled she plans to move “We have to pass another are and to thank it for doing Staten Island, demanding that the to keep employees safe while just about us, we want to also forward with it. bill that goes to meeting the so much.” facility be shut down and cleaned serving communities and the protect our customers." President Donald Trump on need more substantially than Friday signed into law a $2.2 we have. We have other issues trillion aid package — the that we have to deal with in the US Navy docks largest on record — to address bill in terms of personal pro- the economic downturn tective equipment and OSHA aircraft carrier inflicted by the coronavirus (Occupational Safety and pandemic after the Demo- Health Administration) rules BLOOMBERG — WASHINGTON cratic-led House and Repub- that protect workers,” Pelosi lican-led Senate put aside par- said. The Pentagon is struggling to tisan differences to pass it US Treasury Secretary stay ahead of the expanding nearly unanimously. Steve Mnuchin said on Sunday coronavirus pandemic as the It was the third legislative he expects the stimulus Navy is forced to sideline an package approved by law- package signed by Trump on aircraft carrier. makers to address the Friday will provide economic The USS Theodore Roo- mounting crisis. relief overall for about 10 sevelt, a 5,000-person aircraft Trump on Sunday left open weeks. Mnuchin said his main carrier meant to be patrolling the possibility that he would focus now is on carrying out its the Pacific and South China support a fourth relief bill, provisions to get money to Sea, is instead sitting dockside telling reporters he was pre- Americans as soon as in Guam indefinitely as the pared to do “whatever’s nec- possible. number of infected sailors essary” to save lives and bring “We also have the task force rises daily. Infections started back the economy. and the medical professionals cropping up after an early But House Minority Leader making recommendations to March port call in Vietnam, Kevin McCarthy was more cau- the President about when they which Pentagon leaders say tious in comments that aired think the economy will be re- had about 16 known virus earlier in the day. opened, and if for whatever cases at the time. Checks at US-Mexico border “I’m not sure we need a reason this takes longer than we Defense Secretary Mark fourth package,” McCarthy told think, we will go back to Con- Esper said he left key decisions Police personnel give leaflets with information about coronavirus disease to people entering Mexico the Fox News program “Sunday gress and get more support for about how to address the out- from the United States, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on Sunday. Morning Futures,” noting he the American economy,” break to local commanders. wants to see the first three Mnuchin said on CBS. 16 MORNING BREAK TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2020

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER TODAY

FAJR04.10 am SUNRISE 05.27 am o o Moderate temperature daytime with some clouds and slight 19 C 29 C dust at times. ZUHR 11.37 am ASR 03.07 pm Minimum Maximum HIGH TIDE 07:09– 22:29 LOW TIDE 03:57 – 15:00 MAGHRIB 05.52 pm ISHA 07.22 pm W ALRUWAIS: 19o↗23o W ALKHOR: 16o↗28o W DUKHAN: 16o↗26o W WAKRAH: 15o↗29o W MESAIEED 15o↗29o W ABUSAMRA 17o↗29o

Coronavirus lockdowns give Europe’s cities cleaner air REUTERS — BRUSSELS EPHA, said. “But because the disease is new, it still has to be Air pollution has decreased in demonstrated.” urban areas across Europe Air pollution can cause or during lockdowns to combat the exacerbate lung cancer, pul- coronavirus, new satellite monary disease and strokes. images showed on Monday, but China also recorded a drop campaigners warned city- in nitrogen dioxide pollution in dwellers were still more cities during February, when the vulnerable to the epidemic. government imposed draconian Cities including Brussels, lockdown measures to contain Paris, Madrid, Milan and the raging epidemic. Frankfurt showed a reduction In some regions of Poland, in average levels of noxious however, nitrogen dioxide nitrogen dioxide over March levels remained relatively high 5-25, compared with the same during the period despite its period last year, according to lockdown, perhaps due to the the Sentinel-5 satellite prevalence of coal-based images. A combination image shows NO2 emission readings for Milan, Italy, from March 5 to 25 last year versus the same period in 2020, based heating. That coincides with lock- on European Space Agency Sentinel-5 satellite data. Countries that went into downs in many European coun- lockdown later — such as tries which have curbed road non-profit European Public pollution, so the satellite pic- March 16 to 22. In Madrid, at risk from COVID-19, because Britain, which did so on March transport — the largest source Health Alliance (EPHA), show tures took a 20-day average and average nitrogen dioxide levels prolonged exposure to bad air 23 — look set for a pollution of nitrogen oxides — and slowed the changing density of nitrogen excluded readings where cloud decreased by 56 percent week- can weaken the immune reprieve in coming weeks, output at gas-emitting dioxide, which can cause res- cover reduced the quality of the on-week after the Spanish gov- system, making it harder to fight EPHA said. factories. piratory problems and cancer, data. ernment banned non-essential infection. Air pollution causes around The new images, released like heat maps. Data from the European travel on March 14. “That connection is very 400,000 premature deaths by the European Space Agency Daily weather events can Environment Agency (EEA) The EPHA said people living likely,” Zoltan Massay-Kosubek, each year in Europe, EEA data (ESA) and analysed by the influence atmospheric showed a similar trend over in polluted cities may be more policy manager for clean air at show. From sofas and kitchens, How to get into ‘working mode’ while at home top musicians hold IANS — NEW DELHI the office,” according to the “Reward yourself and give clearly decide when to do. “Work From Home Best Prac- yourself breaks - breaks are Instead of using the whole If you are struggling to get into tices” shared by Bain & critical to recharge batteries, apartment for work, use one concert fundraiser the working mode as you stay Company, one of the world’s they can be small (eg, five particular room and avoid at home due to the lockdown, leading strategy and man- minutes of checking social having meals in front of the REUTERS — LOS ANGELES millions of Americans entered some simple tips like main- agement consultancies. media) or longer (eg, full 45 workstation. a third week subjected to taining a routine and dressing Another key point to keep minutes lunch break),” it said. “If you have a partner also Billie Eilish sang on her sofa, orders to stay home. up in a way as if you were in in mind is that you should leave At the same time, it is working from home find clear Elton John played a keyboard Dr. Elvis Francois, a office may help you increase private life outside the room important not to engage in any rules for who can use the work- belonging to his children, and surgeon from Rochester, Min- productivity, suggests a new where you work. household tasks/chores while place at which time and where the Backstreet Boys sang in nesota, stole hearts on social report. If you want to check private on work time. calls can be made from without harmony from five locations as media with an emotional ren- “Maintain daily routines as messages, take a break and do To get the maximum out of ‘distracting’ each other,” the dozens of musicians put on a dition of “Imagine” performed when working regularly — get it in your private space. you time, structure your day company said, adding that fundraiser for the warriors in medical scrubs. up at the same time, take a Taking break, in fact, is along key tasks/objectives to getting the right infrastructure against a coronavirus. “Did this doctor just out shower, dress-up, get breakfast quite important to make your achieve and keep track of what and having good connectivity Those who performed from sing every artist that’s per- and than start working at the work from home effective, has to be done during the day are key to having fruitful their homes for the “IHeart formed?” one viewer, Ender same time you normally do at according to Bain & Company. (and week and month) and working hours at home. Living Room Concert for Wiggins, asked on Twitter. America” also included Mariah The concert, also broadcast Carey, Camila Cabello, Alicia on iHeart radio stations Keys, Shawn Mendes and Sam nationwide, urged listeners to Vincent van Gogh Smith. donate to charities Feeding The one-hour show, America, and First Responders painting stolen from broadcast on Fox television Children’s Foundation. without commercials, was the The amount raised was Dutch museum biggest joint effort in the pan- not immediately known, but demic to lift spirits, raise money more than $1m was donated AP — THE HAGUE for those in the frontlines, and in the first 10 minutes, remind Americans to wash courtesy of $500,000 from A painting by Dutch master Vincent van their hands and keep their household goods giant Gogh was stolen in an overnight smash- distance. Procter & Gamble and a and-grab raid on a museum that was closed “There’s doctors, nurses matching sum from Fox to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, and scientists on the frontlines. Television. police and the museum said yesterday. They’re living proof that most “My heart goes out to The Singer Laren museum east of superheroes don’t wear capes,” people who have lost loved Amsterdam said that “The Parsonage said John, who hosted the show ones and also those who are Garden at Nuenen in Spring 1884” by the from his kitchen. losing their jobs,” said Lady Dutch master was taken in the early hours “We hope this bit of enter- Gaga, clad in pink sweatpants of Monday. By early afternoon, all that could tainment can feed and fuel your and a hoodie. be seen from the outside of the museum souls.” Alicia Keys, singing “Rise was a large white panel covering a door in All the performances and Up,” Dave Grohl performing the building’s glass facade. A person holding a cellphone displaying “Spring Garden”, the work of art by Vincent van appearances by celebrities “My Hero,” and Billie Joe Museum General Director Evert van Os Gogh that was stolen, outside the Singer Laren Museum, in Laren, the Netherlands, yesterday. ranging from comedian Ellen Armstrong’s acoustic version said the institution that houses the collection DeGeneres to R&B artist Lizzo of “Boulevard of Broken of American couple William and Anna Singer that this has happened,” said Singer Laren especially in these difficult times.” and country singer Tim Dreams” spoke to the hard- is “angry, shocked, sad” at the theft. museum director Jan Rudolph de Lorm. The 10-by-22-inch oil on paper painting McGraw were filmed on ships of millions of those The value of the work, which was on “This beautiful and moving painting by shows a person standing in a garden sur- phones, home cameras or working or laid off as stores, loan from the Groninger Museum in the one of our greatest artists stolen — removed rounded by trees with a church tower in online platforms. restaurants, gyms and movie northern Dutch city of Groningen, was not from the community,” he added. “It is very the background. The songs were inter- theaters have shut down. immediately known. Van Gogh’s paintings, bad for the Groninger Museum, it is very It dates to a time when the artist had spersed with short personal “After we come out of this when they rarely come up for sale, fetch bad for the Singer, but it is terrible for us moved back to his family in a rural area of stories from nurses, doctors, horrible thing, I hope we are millions at auction. all because art exists to be seen and shared the Netherlands and painted the life he saw truckers, grocery staff, and nicer to each other, and fairer Police are investigating the theft. by us, the community, to enjoy to draw there, including his famous work “The other essential workers as to one another,” John said. “I’m shocked and unbelievably annoyed inspiration from and to draw comfort from, Potato Eaters,” in mostly somber tones. Country singer Joe Diffie dies of coronavirus complications

AP — NEW YORK Diffie’s mid-90s albums “Honky today,” singer John Rich said in a Tonk Attitude” and “Third Rock From statement. Country singer Joe Diffie (pictured), the Sun” went platinum. Eighteen of “No one sang our music better than who had a string of hits in the 1990s Diffie’s singles landed in the top 10 on he did, and to see his life and artistry with chart-topping ballads and singles the country charts, with five going No. cut short is beyond tragic. He was like “Home” and “Pickup Man,” has died 1. loved, cherished and respected by all after testing positive for COVID-19. He In his 2013 single “1994,” Jason of country music and beyond.” was 61. Aldean name-checked the ‘90s country Toby Keith extended his condo- Diffie on Friday announced that he mainstay. lences to Diffie’s family, saying in a had contracted the coronavirus, Diffie shared in a Grammy award statement, “A great traditional voice becoming the first country star to go for best country collaboration for the will live on cuz I’m putting his music public with such a diagnosis. Diffie’s song “Same Old Train,” with Merle on now. Here’s a beer to ya, Joe. Go get publicist Scott Adkins said the singer Haggard, Marty Stuart and others. His you thatr reward.” died on Sunday in Nashville, Ten- last solo album was 2010’s “The Blue- Deanna Carter said she was “shell nessee, due to complications from the grass Album: Homecoming.” shocked” by the news and had hoped virus. “Joe Diffie, one of our best singers to perform again with Diffie this year. Diffie, a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and my buddy, is gone,” Tanya Tucker “He was a powerhouse that stopped was a member of the Grand Ole Opry said in a statement. “We are the same people in their tracks, both on and off for more than 25 years. age, so it’s very scary. I will miss his stage,” she said in a statement. “Country music lost one of the good voice, his laughter, his songs.” Diffie is survived by his wife, Tara guys today,” Naomi Judd said in a “Joe was a real true honky tonk Terpening Diffie, and seven children statement. hero to every country artist alive from four marriages.