Wimbledon Cancelled for First Time Since WW II
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Olympic Flame on display near Fukushima nuclear power plant THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2020 PAGE 13 SC takes all necessary precautions to protect World Cup 2022 workers QNA criteria for suspected cases fulfilling The SC will work with its con- DOHA the requirement of MOPH for re- tractors to ensure workers that porting on a daily basis. This report- are currently on leave will be THE Supreme Committee for Deliv- To date we have no confirmed ing is taking place through unified able to report to duty once the ery & Legacy (SC) said on Wednes- cases on SC sites, but we are confidential software, the SystmOne airports reopen. day that it is taking all necessary pre- software, introduced by the SC in On 31 March 2020 the Ministry cautions for workers, in line with the monitoring all projects and will partnership with The Phoenix Part- of Administrative Development La- COVID-19 preventative measures act accordingly if any worker nership (TPP), which offers an inte- bor and Social Affairs (MoADLSA) and interim guidelines recommend- shows symptoms. The SC’s grated electronic records system for announced that workers in quaran- ed by the Ministry of Public Health clinics are reporting criteria for workers - a first of its kind in Qatar,” tine and isolation will be paid full (MoPH). suspected cases fulfilling the the SC said. salary without any deduction and The SC in a statement issued requirement of MOPH for The SC has a comprehensive it is mandatory for employers and said that the SC has utilised its exist- medical framework on all projects companies to follow the policies. ing network of medical clinics across reporting on a daily basis. and accommodations, including As much as QR3bn has been all sites and accommodations, and Supreme Committee dedicated nurses, doctors and clin- earmarked for the salaries of work- implemented awareness sessions ics. The SC’s Workers’ Welfare De- ers and rents of the employers which delivered on construction sites and partment has its own doctor who could be utilised through banks. accommodations to educate work- ers with chronic disease and those for consumption as well as those ing work sites and accommodation is responsible for coordinating the Under article 82 of the Qatari ers on the importance of prevention, above 55 years have been temporari- that should be prohibited (as these sites to determine which workers work of all healthcare professionals Labor Law, employees are entitled and taking workers’ temperatures ly demobilised from site due to them items make them more vulnerable are most at risk of contracting COV- connected to our projects. to sick leave with pay for each year twice daily, and the distribution of being more vulnerable to COVID-19. to COVID-19). The same has been ID-19. This assessment allows SC a “All COVID-19-related health- of service, unless within the first masks and sanitizers on SC projects. The SC is ensuring that they stay in circulated to all the caterers serving greater chance to control the virus care is provided free of charge three months of employment, and In case of shortage of masks, per- SC compliant accommodation and food on the SC sites. spreading to our workforce and Qa- by Hamad Medical Corporation provided the employee can provide sonal scarves used by workers were they continue to receive salaries. It developed a Task Specific In- tar’s wider population. (HMC). Treatment for any other a medical report issued by a compe- advised for use. It carried out inspections of ex- spection (TSI) checklist and con- The SC is screening workers medical condition is provided by tent physician approved by the em- The statement added that non- isting caterers’ kitchen facilities and ducted inspections across all the where applicable. All workers with HMC or provided by our contractors, ployer, it said. essential visitors to SC construction based on risk assessment, identi- SC construction site mess hall with upper respiratory tract symptoms as per the SC’s mandated Workers’ On the possibility of suspend- sites prohibited and isolation rooms fied caterers that either need to an objective to identify if all the re- are examined by our work site doc- Welfare Standards,” it stressed. As- ing work on SC projects if there is established on all SC sites and ac- upgrade their kitchen operations; quirements with respect to hygiene tors and nurses following the MoPH suming necessary flight restrictions a breakout of COVID-19 amongst commodations. Interim disinfection or be replaced with a caterer that is and sanitation are met. The SC is Visual Triage screening. Only sus- do not impact routes to the home SC worker, the SC said it will assess protocols have been implemented equipped with better facilities, so as currently evaluating the possibility pected cases are reported as per countries of workers, anyone can each situation on a case-by-case at site and accommodation medical to ensure in both cases that higher of relocating workers residing in a MoPH Reporting Guidelines. travel to their home countries in the basis and will take the necessary facilities. All healthcare profession- standards are in place to mitigate non-SC accommodation to a cen- “To date we have no confirmed case of an emergency, the SC said, measures to protect the health and als are following Ministry of Public against the COVID-19. tralized SC compliant and managed cases on SC sites, but we are moni- adding that any further changes to safety of all construction workers Health (MoPH) measures to control The SC consulted with in-house accommodation. toring all projects and will act ac- the State of Qatar’s evolving travel and direct staff, which may include COVID-19 outbreak. doctor to identify a list of food The SC carried out a risk assess- cordingly if any worker shows symp- policy will be strictly adhered to by temporary suspension of work as The SC pointed out that work- items that are both recommended ment across all SC projects includ- toms. The SC’s clinics are reporting the SC and its contractors. and when required. Federer ‘devastated’ AFP have been fortunate to go to LONDON Wimbledon every year since 1961 and I am certainly going FORMER champion Roger to miss it this year,” she said. Federer said he was “devas- “Right now, we need to tated” that Wimbledon has make sure we are taking good been cancelled for the first care of ourselves and our time since World War II be- loved ones. These are chal- cause of the coronavirus. lenging times for all of us and Wimbledon chiefs pulled now is the time for us to do the plug on the oldest what is right for our world and Grand Slam tournament on what works for our sport.” Wednesday in response to Two-time champion Pe- the continued chaos caused tra Kvitova summed up the by the pandemic. prevailing sentiment among Federer, who has won players as she said it would a record eight Wimbledon be hard to go a year without men’s singles titles, reacted visiting Wimbledon. with a single word, tweeting: “Definitely a tough one to “devastated.” take, with the announcement Serena Williams, a sev- of the cancellation of Wim- en-time Wimbledon wom- bledon this year,” she said. en’s singles champion, was “Not only is it a special also rocked by the news as tournament to me, but it’s the American tweeted: “I’m a tournament that has been Shooked (sic)”. part of history for so long Federer and Serena will that it will leave a big hole in be nearly 40 by the time of the calendar. Wimbledon cancelled the 2021 championships. “I will miss playing on Wimbledon was due to the beautiful grass and wear- run for two weeks from June ing my whites, BUT of course 29, with Novak Djokovic and we know it will be back bet- Simona Halep set to defend ter than ever next year. And their singles titles. maybe we will all appreciate for first time since WW II But All England Club it even more! Stay safe and chiefs were left with no stay inside.” choice but to cancel the Coco Gauff, the teenager AFP Open, was still due to take place rounding the COVID-19 pan- grass-court event - which who dazzled with her surprise LONDON as planned. demic, and is preparing for was first staged in 1877 - due run to the last 16 year, tweet- All England Club chairman all contingencies.” to the continued health crisis ed: “I’m gonna miss playing WIMBLEDON organisers on Ian Hewitt said the decision across the world. in Wimbledon this year. Stay Wednesday scrapped the old- to cancel Wimbledon had not Becker plea American legend Billie- safe everyone, love you guys.” est Grand Slam tennis tourna- been taken lightly. Three-time Wimbledon Jean King, a six-time singles Kevin Anderson, beaten ment for the first time since “It has weighed heavily on champion Boris Becker on champion at Wimbledon, by Djokovic in the 2018 fi- World War II as the coronavi- our minds that the staging of Tuesday pleaded for tourna- said the cancellation was the nal, tweeted: “I’ve always rus wreaks further havoc on the The Championships has only ment chiefs to wait longer be- right decision. had so many great memories global sporting calendar. been interrupted previously by fore making a decision. at Wimbledon. The cancellation of the only world wars,” he said. But former women’s world ‘It’s a tough one’ “The grass season will grasscourt major at London’s “But, following thorough number one Amelie Maures- “I fully understand and definitely be missed but the All England Club leaves the sea- and extensive consideration of mo, the 2006 women’s champi- support the decision of the most important thing right son in disarray, with no tennis all scenarios, we believe that it on, said the 2020 season would committee and it is vital we now for us to focus on is that set to be played until mid-July.