BUSINESS | Page 1 QATAR | Page 20 Ahlibank’s 1st quarter net profi t tops Greenhouses key to QR180mn production of fresh veggies: farm owners published in QATAR since 1978

MONDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11524 April 20, 2020 Sha’ban 27, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir issues laws Recovered patient donates plasma on protection of Qatar Charity’s industrial designs and railways

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Ramadan drive Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani issued yesterday Law No 10 of 2020 re- garding the protection of industrial designs. The law stipulates its imple- to benefi t 2.4mn mentation and is to be published in the Off icial Gazette. His Highness the Amir also issued Law No 11 of 2020 regarding railways. The law shall be in 31 countries implemented and enforced from the day following the date of its publica- tion in the Off icial Gazette. His Highness the Amir issued atar Charity (QC) has an- and remotely implemented volunteer- yesterday Decree No 37 of 2020 nounced the launch of its ing projects and awareness activities approving the accession of the QQR119mn Ramadan campaign, are also part of the Ramadan Cam- State of Qatar to the Protocol of expected to reach about 2.4mn people paign. 1988 relating to the International in Qatar and 30 other countries, under On this occasion, Mohamed Rashid Convention for the Safety of Life at the slogan “With Good Reassure”. al-Kaabi, assistant chief executive offi c- Sea, 1974 (SOLAS), the text of which Given the prevailing circumstanc- er of QC Communications Development is attached to this decree and shall es caused by the novel coronavirus Sector, praised the support received for have the force of law, according to (Covid-19) pandemic, QC will ensure the previous Ramadan campaigns and Article (68) of the Constitution. A recovered Covid-19 patient donates convalescent plasma at the Communicable Disease Center of Hamad Medical public safety and take precautionary urged support for the current campaign The decree shall be implemented Corporation (HMC) yesterday. measures during the campaign. so as to reach the 2,380,928 benefi ciaries and enforced from the date of its From this standpoint, Iftar meals in- inside and outside Qatar, at total cost of issuance, and is to be published in side and outside Qatar will be provided QR119,170,178. the Off icial Gazette. Google Cloud joins through the distribution of food bas- The Ramadan projects inside Qatar CRA’s ‘remote’ plan kets and specially designated vehicles. target 420,900 people, at a total cost 440 new Covid-19 cases reported Also, the Qatar e-Charity website of QR34,029,352, the offi cial explained. Europe, New York Google Cloud has joined the remote and application and other various dig- QC will also launch a link to assist working initiative that was launched ital tools will enable donors to pay their those in need and provide food baskets see progress he Ministry of Public Health are receiving necessary medical care. by the Communications Regulatory zakat and charity easily online. in co-operation with Al Meera Con- European nations hard hit by the (MoPH) yesterday announced The MoPH stated that the noticeable Authority (CRA) at end of March The Ramadan campaign comprise sumer Goods Company. Announce- coronavirus and the US epicentre Tthe registration of 440 con- increase in the number of confi rmed 2020, in co-operation with key three main seasonal projects: Iftar food ments in this regard is to be made on New York reported headway fi rmed new cases of coronavirus (Cov- new cases of infection is due to sev- players in Qatar’s Information and baskets and meals, the distribution of social media in order to inform the yesterday in their battle against id-19) in Qatar, and the recovery of eral reasons, including the fact that the Communications Technology (ICT) zakat al-Fitr, and Eid clothes. It will benefi ciaries from various sections of the deadly pandemic. Europe saw eight cases, taking the total number of spread of the virus has started to enter sector, it was announced yesterday. also include special assistance to com- the society. encouraging signs with Italy, Spain, those recovered to 518. into the peak stage, which is the high- The CRA initiative is taking a set of bat Covid-19 inside and outside Qatar. The Ramadan campaign will be im- France and Britain seeing drops According to a ministry statement, est wave that aff ects the country, and measures and providing off ers and The Ramadan campaign comes plemented through QC’s fi eld offi ces in daily death tolls and slowing on offi cial Qatar News Agency (QNA), may continue to increase for a period packages for technology services to within the framework of the directions and local partners, stated Faisal Rashid infection rates. And in the United most of the new cases are due to mi- before it starts to decline. help people in Qatar work remotely and vision of Qatar to support eff orts al-Fahaideh, assistant chief executive States — the country with the highest grant workers who had been identifi ed It is also due to the steady increase in from home easily and securely to confront the Covid-19 pandemic, for International Operations and Part- number of deaths and infections through tracing and were found to have the eff orts of the MoPH and its medi- during the precautionary measures and alleviate the suff ering of those af- nerships. — the governor of New York said mixed with infected cases. The lowest cal teams to track the transmission taken to limit the spread of Covid-19. fected, in co-ordination with the rele- It will distribute relief food aid in ar- the outbreak was “on the descent.” percentage of the new cases came from chains of the coronavirus and boost Google Cloud will support vant government and local authorities. eas of disasters and crises, which will Mounting evidence suggests that the citizens and residents who had con- the testing rates and well as inclusion businesses in Qatar to work remotely Information programmes produced be of help to the displaced and refu- lockdowns and social distancing are tracted the virus from family members. of groups of contacts with people who from home easily and securely by by Qatar Charity and broadcast in gees, and special aid to help alleviate slowing the spread of the virus that The newly infected cases have been were previously diagnosed with the off ering them access to a select co-operation with the Qatari media the suff ering of those aff ected by the first emerged in China last year. placed under complete isolation and they disease. To Page 4 number of free services. Page 3 through their social media accounts, Covid-19 pandemic, he added. Gulf Times 2 Monday, April 20, 2020 QATAR

Qatari humanitarian organisation pledges Sale of subsidised sheep $43mn to UNHCR Refugee Zakat Fund

By Joseph Varghese for citizens begins today Staff Reporter

atar based Thani Bin zMoCI announces joint national initiative to encourage local production and subsidise lamb meat Abdullah Bin Thani Al- QThani Humanitarian QNA tering, cutting and packaging, and ensuring they use them properly measurements, with the aim of Fund will contribute $43mn to Doha QR34 (for the porter), to be paid when handling the carcasses. identifying suspected cases, and the United Nations High Com- through separate coupons. The conditions also include activating the disinfection and missioner for Refugees (UNH- The MoCI stipulated that workers washing their hands cleaning mechanism for equip- CR) Refugee Zakat Fund in 2020 he Ministry of Commerce slaughtering should be carried regularly before, during and af- ment and machines at produc- to support 2.2mn people in eight and Industry (MoCI), in out in the slaughterhouses to ter handling the animals, check- tion sites and workers’ hous- countries, an offi cial said yester- Tco-operation with the ensure that the meat reaches the ing the customers’ temperature ing, in addition to activating day. Ministry of Municipality and target group of this initiative. when paying and receiving their the hands disinfection systems “We entered into an agree- Environment and Widam Food The meat shall be delivered in a orders, allocating specifi c hours across the company’s various ment with the UNHCR for the Company, yesterday announced manner that ensures compliance for the elderly to limit their con- facilities and sites starting with distribution of Zakat funds, ear- a joint national initiative to en- with the precautionary require- tact with others. the administration building, the lier this year, to support refu- courage local production and ments and preventive measures The workers should also dis- various production sites, and the gees and internally displaced subsidise lamb meat for citizens to limit the spread of the novel infect the fl oors and walls im- company’s slaughterhouses in persons,” explained Dr Aize during the holy month of Ram- coronavirus (Covid-19). mediately after slaughtering, all Doha and exterior areas. al-Qahtani, a representative of The Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani Humanitarian Fund’s Zakat adan this year. The MoCI affi rmed the con- as well as carry out disinfection Widam organises a daily train- Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani contribution has helped support 164,696 vulnerable families. The sale of lamb meat at the tinued intensifi cation of its in- operations on a daily basis at all ing and awareness programme Al-Thani Humanitarian Fund. newly subsidised prices will start spection campaigns on sales slaughterhouse facilities includ- about Covid-19, follows up on Al-Qahtani was speaking at Humanitarian Fund of over humanitarian assistance, and today and continue throughout outlets in order to ensure that ing waiting halls, doors, knobs daily reports to ensure the im- the launch of the UNHCR Is- $35mn. Zakat and Islamic philanthropy the holy month. live sheep and other foodstuff are and meat delivery cart windows. plementation of precautionary lamic Philanthropy Report at a The Thani Bin Abdullah Bin can have a signifi cant impact It has been agreed with Widam available in the markets, stress- The MoCI has called upon all measures and plans, and has also webinar. Thani Al-Thani Humanitarian in responding to these needs. I to provide about 30,000 heads ing that it will take all necessary the slaughterhouses to adhere temporarily closed its sales out- “Bangladesh, Yemen, Egypt, Fund was established in 2019 by want to take this opportunity to of local and imported sheep, to measures to combat commercial to the precautionary require- lets other than the main branch- Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Malay- Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah al- thank the Thani Bin Abdullah be sold at subsidised and dis- fraud, and prevent unhealthy ments and said that it will work es. This will reduce contact in- sia and Mauritania are eight Thani, for the provision of aid Bin Thani Al-Thani Humani- counted prices at the rate of two competition and monopolistic to intensify its inspection cam- side the waiting halls within the countries where assistance and to most vulnerable populations tarian Fund, and all individuals, sheep per citizen, provided that practices to protect the rights of paigns and prosecute violators framework of public safety and support will be provided for the around the world. foundations, fi nancial institu- the original identity card is pre- consumers. according to Law No (8) of 2008 in line with the decisions of the needy. Through this additional “Displaced communities are, tions and faith-based organi- sented at Widam slaughterhous- As part of its measures to curb regarding consumer protection. relevant authorities. contribution, 608,980 refugee without doubt, among the most zations who have enabled us to es in Wakra, Al Shamal, Al Khor, the spread of Covid-19, the MoCI Widam Food Company has The ministry urged all cus- and internally displaced Yem- vulnerable populations that re- reach over one million persons Al Mazroua and Al Sheehaniya. has obliged all slaughterhouses taken precautionary measures tomers to report complaints and enis; 143,000 Syrian refugee quire close and strategic atten- in need and have entrusted UN- As part of the initiative, the to follow a set of precautionary to reduce the spread of Covid-19 suggestions through: Call Cen- families in Lebanon; 84,000 tion from philanthropists want- HCR with their Zakat” said Kha- price is fi xed at QR1,000 for a lo- requirements such as providing by activating the home deliv- tre: 16001, e-mail: info@moci. Rohingya refugee and host com- ing to make a serious impact led Khalifa, senior adviser and cal sheep (weighing between 30 sanitisers at the main entranc- ery service. The company also gov.qa, Twitter: @ MOCIQA- munity members in Bangladesh; on the state of the globe,” said representative of the Gulf Co- and 35kg), and QR950 for a Syrian es, checking the temperature of conducts periodic checks for TAR, Instagram: MOCIQATAR, and 330,000 refugees in Chad Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah bin operation Council countries. sheep (35-40kg). There are ad- employees twice daily, providing all workers with advanced de- mobile app for Android and IOS: will be provided with vital aid. Thani al-Thani, founder of the The Thani Bin Abdullah Bin ditional costs of QR16 for slaugh- masks and gloves to workers and vices for remote temperature MOCIQATAR. Contributions provided through Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani Thani Al-Thani Humanitarian our fund are not limited to Zakat, Al-Thani Humanitarian Fund in Fund’s Zakat contribution has but also include Sadaqah dona- a statement. helped support 164,696 vulner- tions,” he said. “The Muslim world has a able families. The donation has UNHCR also launched the historic opportunity to further provided much-needed cash fi ndings of its 2020 Islamic Phi- demonstrate the signifi cant role assistance to fulfi l immediate Rain likely to continue for two more days in Qatar lanthropy Report, highlighting of Islamic social fi nance, and needs, as well as, the provision the impact of the Refugee Za- particularly Zakat, in humani- of food. This Zakat contribution t is expected that the chances The weather offi ce has also re- been forecast in off shore areas to- and rain, slight dust is also likely kat Fund on vulnerable refugees tarian assistance, through ex- provided basic necessary as- of rain will continue in the minded people of the need to avoid day along with windy conditions at times today. and internally displaced persons tending a helping hand to the sistance to more than 875,000 Icountry today and tomor- marine activities. Today’s detailed and high seas, according to the The temperature in Doha is across the globe. According to world’s displaced populations, people, including 41,501 refugee row, which may turn into thun- forecast says thundery rain is again weather report. The wind speed expected to range from 22C to the report in 2019, the Refugee while realising key Sustainable and internally displaced families derstorms in some areas and expected in some places along with may go up to 30 knots inshore and 28C today. Zakat Fund received $43mn, in- Development Goals,” he added. in Yemen, in addition to 106,313 will be accompanied by strong strong winds, the Qatar Met de- 35 knots off shore during thundery Parts of Qatar received some cluding the largest ever single “Today, and in view of the Rohingya families and 16,882 winds, the Qatar Met depart- partment has said. rain, with the sea level rising to rain yesterday, and thundery contribution made by Thani Bin current global health situation, host community families in ment tweeted yesterday. Thundershowers have also 10ft. Besides cloudy conditions conditions reported at times. Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani more refugees will require our Bangladesh. Gulf Times Monday, April 20, 2020 3 QATAR

Ooredoo carrier billing service now Google Cloud joins available for YouTube CRA’s ‘remote’ plan premium users oogle Cloud has joined The CRA initiative is meetings and facilitate the work the remote working ini- taking a set of measures remotely from home during this Gtiative that was launched and providing off ers and period. oredoo has announced ence, background play, video by the Communications Regu- packages for technology “We all co-operate to sup- that customers who downloads, and an ad-free latory Authority (CRA) at end services to help people port businesses in Qatar to fa- Ohold YouTube Premi- subscription to the YouTube of March 2020, in co-operation in Qatar work remotely cilitate their work remotely and um subscriptions can now add Music app. And now, with with key players in Qatar’s In- from home easily and ensure that they maintain their their monthly subscription the Ooredoo billing option, formation and Communications securely during the business continuity smoothly charge to their Ooredoo bill customers will fi nd it quick- Technology (ICT) sector, it was precautionary measures and without interruption and to or get it deducted from their er and easier to pay their announced yesterday. taken to limit the spread grow at the same pace. I thank all main credit balance. subscription fees. The CRA initiative is taking of Covid-19 of our partners for their eff orts Monthly YouTube Premium Sabah Rabiah al-Ku- a set of measures and providing and their cooperation during subscription charges can be wari, director, public rela- off ers and packages for technol- ferencing abilities for G Suite this period,” said Mohamed Ali added to a regular postpaid tions, Ooredoo Qatar, said: ogy services to help people in customers. al-Mannai, president of CRA. Ooredoo bill, and paid along “We’re delighted to off er Qatar work remotely from home G Suite is an integrated solution Businesses in Qatar can sub- with the bill when it becomes our customers this quick, easily and securely during the that includes Gmail, Calendar, and mit their requests for these due each month. For prepaid easy and effi cient way to precautionary measures taken to Chat. It also includes high-fi delity products and services by reach- customers, the subscription pay their YouTube Premium limit the spread of Covid-19. video conferencing with Google ing out Google Cloud Head of monthly charges will be de- subscriptions. Google Cloud will support Meet and telephony with Google CRA president Mohamed Ali al-Mannai. Partners in Middle East and ducted from their main credit “We know many of our businesses in Qatar to work re- Voice, as well as powerful ways to North Africa omarselman@ balance. Subscriptions will customers are very busy, and motely from home easily and collaborate in real time with Docs, hands-on labs on ‘Qwiklabs’, and tive, which supports the eff orts google.com or by contacting one renew automatically unless we’re committed to doing all securely by off ering them access Sheets, and Slides. interactive webinars for free for of our other partners to contrib- of Google’s premier partners; cancelled. we can to streamline everyday to a select number of free serv- In addition, Google is off ering 30 days; registration should be ute to limit the spread of Cov- their contact details are avail- YouTube Premium off ers a tasks, off er added value and ices, such as free access until its Google Cloud learning re- before April 30, 2020. id-19; information and commu- able on CRA’s website https:// host of advantages, including enhance their digital lives even September 30, 2020 to Google sources, such as their extensive “We are pleased that Google nications technology is the ideal www.cra.gov.qa/en/Consumer/ an ad-free viewing experi- further.” Meet’s advanced video con- catalogue of training courses, Cloud has joined CRA’s initia- solution to reduce face-to-face Work-from-Home. Qatar Airways QNRF announces winners helps Australians of research programme return home

By Joey Aguilar while making history Staff Reporter atar is playing a very atar National Research The research team Shafi q, Nada Mhaimeed, Mo- it opened my eyes to contempo- important role as a Fund (QNRF) has an- from Weill Cornell hamed Salameh, Zain Burney, rary problems that the industries Qglobal aviation hub, Qnounced the winners Medicine - Qatar explores and Krishnadev Pillai explored in Qatar and around the world both ensuring people can re- of its 12th annual Undergradu- the role of human gut the role of human gut microbiota are facing. It has motivated me turn home and by carrying ate Research Experience Pro- microbiota in autism in autism spectrum disorders and to keep working hard to serve critical medical supplies and gramme competition, which spectrum disorders and infl ammatory bowel diseases. my country and contribute to its food, Australian ambassador – for the fi rst time in its his- infl ammatory bowel Al-Ali said: “Our experi- research infrastructure.” Jonathan Muir has said. tory – was taken into the digital diseases ence in UREP was great. It in- A team from Qatar University Dana al-Ali “My team and I are sup- sphere following the outbreak of troduced us to various aspects was awarded third place. Mem- porting other embassies Covid-19. alternative online platforms. In of research – from hypothesis bers Abdulrahman Mahmoud, around the region in their ef- Australian ambassador Responding to the pandemic, a challenging time like this, we conception and IRB approval, Elshaikh Mohamed, Omrane forts to help Australians re- Jonathan Muir. as soon as remote working poli- are reminded of the indispensa- to dealing with unexpected dif- Abdallah, and Aiman Abducarim turn home by Qatar Airways,” cies took eff ect across the coun- ble role that researchers and sci- fi culties that arose during the were recognised for their project the envoy said in a statement. should do so while options are try, QNRF shifted the event on- entists play, as the whole world running of the project, as well that investigated the human “We are also continuing available. For those who have line to ensure that the 46 projects is counting on them to develop a as result analysis and the im- circulatory system simulation to support Australians liv- made their decision to stay – representing six universities vaccine or cure for Covid-19. portance of running an aware- for extracorporeal membrane ing in Qatar, as well as the in Qatar – please follow the in Qatar – were made available “Platforms like the UREP ness campaign. oxygenation therapy. many transiting Hamad In- direction of Qatari authori- to view through a virtual exhi- competition not only encourage “The second place was award- The QNRF competition was ternational Airport, with any ties and only obtain informa- bition. Out of these competing our students to pursue research- ed to AlReem al-Dosari, Soltan held in collaboration with Qatar urgent consular needs,” said tion from offi cial government projects, 14 were shortlisted and oriented careers, but also help Mohamed, and Buthaina al- Shell Research and Technology Muir, adding that he also tries sources,” Muir added. invited to pitch in front of an ex- them realise the impact that Abdulla from Texas A&M Uni- Centre (QSRTC). to fi nd time to help with the “This is an extraordinar- pert panel of judges in a webinar their research ideas hold. This versity at Qatar for their project Hussain al-Hijji, vice presi- kids’ home schooling. ily diffi cult time for the whole open to the public. year, as in previous years, we had on the eff ect of nanoparticles on dent, QSRTC, said: “UREP is a He stressed that the embassy world. All governments are Dr Abdul Sattar al-Taie, exec- an impressive pool of projects, alternative fuel sprays at high- founding pillar of QNRF. It is team remains available to the having to make diffi cult choic- utive director, QNRF – a mem- which demonstrates that the pressure conditions.” truly an exemplary programme 3,000 Australians living in Qa- es, very quickly, to protect both ber of Qatar Foundation – said: future research and scientifi c Al-Dosari said: “This research that has a track record of ex- tar. The envoy can be reached the health of their citizens and “This year, we took an innova- leadership of Qatar is in safe and programme has contributed cellent delivery and execution. through his Twitter handle @ residents, as well as to protect tive and agile approach to ensure capable hands.” to making me a well-rounded Not only does the programme AusAmbQatar and via the web- their economies,” he said. “We that the UREP competition con- This year, the fi rst place went graduate, and now I am able to introduce undergraduates to re- page qatar.embassy.gov.au.” are all in this together. My fam- tinues as scheduled, albeit the to the research team from Weill apply to high-ranked graduate search, but also prompts them to “My message has been con- ily, staff and I are grateful for the challenges posed by the Cov- Cornell Medicine - Qatar, whose schools with an impressive re- embark on a journey of life-long sistent – Australians who are eff orts of Qatari authorities to id-19 situation, by providing members Dana al-Ali, Ameena search studies record. Moreover, learning.” Ameena Shafiq considering returning home overcome this pandemic.” QU hosts webinar on Covid-19 QRCS launches phase-2 of anti-virus drive challenges and perspectives atar Red Crescent Soci- ety (QRCS), “inspired by Qits national responsibil- ity”, has launched the second atar University (QU) phase of its fundraising cam- organised a webinar paign to combat the coronavirus Qentitled “Covid-19: disease (Covid-19). Challenges and Perspectives” As the risks persist, QRCS has via WebEx, yesterday with the decided to expand its campaign participation of researchers and with a new target of QR30mn. experts from various disciplines. With these funds, QRCS will The opening session was de- be able to step up the response livered by Dr Talal al-Emadi, eff orts by securing the sup- press director at QU, about the plies needed for medical and topics and QU eff orts to face voluntary personnel, as well as the novel coronavirus. The pro- A view of the QU campus. helping the vulnerable groups gramme started with a general aff ected by the market closure, introduction about Emergency In addition, the social sec- professor of management, Col- the organisation has said in a The QRCS building. Ali bin Hassan al-Hammadi Research Grant 2020 by Dr Ab- tor was also considered in the lege of Business and Economics statement. delaziz Bouras, pre-award man- programme through a session - QU talked about “Economic Ali bin Hassan al-Hammadi, of the virus, those workers fi nd quarantined persons, health pro- Qatar Charity, Afi f Charity, Jas- ager in the Vice-President Offi ce entitled ‘Social behavioural re- and Business” and Dr Aboubakr secretary-general of QRCS, said: themselves with no money. They tective supplies (such as masks sim and Hamad Bin Jassim Char- for Research and Graduate Stud- search: Awareness of Citizens Ali, research associate professor, “Recently, there has been a dra- do not have enough savings to and sanitisers), personal pro- itable Foundation, Nasser Bin ies at QU, to highlight the grant and Residents of the Covid-19 Centre for Advanced Materials, matic increase in demand for live on during the closure. To tective equipment (PPE) for the Khaled Charitable Foundation, conditions and objectives. Pandemic’ presented by Dr Ab- QU talked about “Technology protective supplies in order to meet their basic needs, QRCS volunteers and staff working at ExxonMobil Qatar, Ooredoo, Al- The second session was about doulaye Diop, manager of re- and Materials Contribution.” enable the crisis management seeks to provide food for them. facilities or in districts at risk fardan Group, ALFA Telecom, clinical research during which search at Social and Economic They also highlighted the chal- personnel to do their job. The At the same time, its Humani- of infection; and meals for the Al-Adekhar Real Estate and Dr Suhail Doi, department head Survey Research Institute- QU. lenges and procedures to stop physicians and nurses working tarian Services Fund continues workers and other vulnerable Qatar Football Association. of Population Medicine, College Since the coronavirus is an in- the coronavirus outbreak. at quarantine facilities are fac- to off er seasonal and emergency groups aff ected by the stoppage In the statement, al-Hammadi of Medicine QU, addressed test- fectious disease which requires Prof Mariam al-Maadeed, vice ing a deadly challenge for the assistance to the needy families”. of work and home quarantine, invited all the rich in Qatar to do- ing strategy in Qatar. Dr Patrick precautionary and preventive president, Research and Gradu- sake of their medical ethics. For In partnership with the Min- the statement explains. nate for this noble campaign via Tang, division chief of Pathol- measures, Dr Hanan Abdul Ra- ate Studies, praised the eff orts of us, the nationals and residents of istry of Public Health (MoPH) Al-Hammadi thanked the the QRCS website (www.qrcs. ogy Sciences at Sidra Medicine, him, dean of College of Health the researchers and experts from Qatar, we have to gratefully give and its organs, QRCS is provid- Regulatory Authority for Chari- org.qa), hotlines (66666364- also addressed the diagnostic Sciences-QU talked about infec- QU and external participants. them protection against infec- ing health and psychological table Activities for providing fa- 66644822) or SMS as follows - testing challenges for Covid-19. tious diseases and the epidemi- She also highlighted the role of tion. They are an inherent part services for those at risk of in- cilitation and approvals to make Coronavirus control: send “CO” The basic molecular research ology and public health: eff ective such initiatives which help to fi nd of the human resources that the fection at quarantine facilities; the campaign a reality. He also to 92246 (QR1,000); Healthcare: was also included in the pro- public health measures. Dr Tamer solutions and limits the spread of country relies on in such diffi cult health education for workers at appreciated the support given by send “CH” to 92246 (QR1,000); gramme and presented by Dr Khattab, professor in electrical virus and also increases social times.” health centres and companies; many organisations and compa- Psychological support: send Fatiha Benslimane, research engineering, College of Engineer- awareness. She also encouraged He added, “There are many healthcare and personal sup- nies to QRCS’s work at the Me- “CP” to 92552 (QR250); Preven- associate at Biomedical Re- ing QU presented about E-Health. the researchers to collaborate and professions where people earn plies for inmates and workers at kaines quarantine facility, a four- tive health supplies: send “CE” to search Centre, QU, to highlight Acknowledging about coro- exchange experiences in order to their wages on a daily basis. As quarantine facilities (mattresses, complex location with a capacity 02246 (QR1,000); PPE: send “CT” the challenges, initiatives and navirus eff ects from a diff erent ensure the high quality and best workshops and small enterprises blankets, clothes, hygiene kits); of 7,000 workers. to 92092 (QR500); and Food meals: achievements of the centre. perspective, Dr Said Elbanna, use of time and eff ort. are closed to prevent the spread psychological support for the These contributors include send “CF” to 92402 (QR150). Gulf Times 4 Monday, April 20, 2020 QATAR UCL students create virtual Private schools told exhibition on motherhood to conduct admission

niversity College London them, their families and the medical have worked extremely well.” (UCL) Qatar Master’s (MA) community. Sidra Medicine’s Stakeholder En- Ustudents in the Museum The student exhibition project is gagement and Events manager Dr process online and Gallery Practice Programme, one of the core modules the MA stu- Eman Nasralla said: “Sidra Medi- have combined their eff orts, in col- dents undertake each year and gives cine is one of the few hospitals in the laboration with Sidra Medicine and students the opportunity to visually region that takes a multidisciplinary rivate schools have to conduct on- that they can reduce the duration of their Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar, to showcase their talent and skills. approach to supporting a woman’s line all procedures for enrolling school year or conclude it on condition of create a virtual exhibition that ex- In a statement, UCL Qatar di- prenatal and postnatal journey. We Pnew students, Mohamed Ahmed al- maintaining the scheduled learning hours plores becoming a mother and the rector Dr Sam Evans said: “To be hope the exhibition will be a source Bishri, adviser to the Minister of Educa- and not negatively aff ecting the overall journey of pregnancy. able to switch this project from of inspiration for women in Qatar tion and Higher Education, told Qatar TV educational process. The exhibition named ‘Umou- being a physical to a virtual exhi- to feel assured of the resources and yesterday. In case, the current circumstances con- mah’, which stands for “mother- bition is a major achievement and quality of care available to them in Steps such as receiving applications, tinue until next school year, the Ministry hood” in Arabic, features fi ve the- demonstrates great teamwork, the country.” interviews and registration can only be has many possible scenarios in prepara- matic units woven together through creativity, dedication, commit- MA student Radouane Arraoui, held online. The conditions of acceptance tion, and a decision will be taken at the ap- diff erent mediums such as video, ment, ingenuity and thorough who is part of the team that created remain unchanged. propriate time based on the statistics and poetry, interactive games, educa- understanding of UCL Qatar’s the virtual exhibition, said: “We A student should have a valid Qatar ID, reports of what already have been done or tional activities among others. academic mission,” have put a lot of eff ort into this ex- schools should not exceed their maximum achieved. UCL Qatar, a Qatar Foundation The aim of the virtual exhibi- UCL Qatar Museum Studies lec- hibition; with the current circum- capacity, and inform parents of acceptance Meanwhile, he stressed that the minis- partner university, launched the tion is to explore the topic of sup- turer and one of the exhibition di- stances, we are really excited that we or rejection within one week maximum, try has been quick to adapt to the current exhibition on its own website www. port for expectant mothers in Qatar, rectors Dr Catharina Hendrick said: can still virtually showcase our work besides other regular conditions. situation and successfully launched many umoumah.com with the purpose of empowering “The students have excelled and to the public.” Exams for the classes from one to 11 are remote online platforms from which more cancelled and students will be promot- than 138,799 students and teachers in the ed based on their online homework and country are benefi ting. PHCC issues home delivery service timeline assessment reports. The ministry has been able to respond For government schools, remote learn- to the inquiries and calls of the students The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has issued a timeline of Driver attempting stunt detained ing will be concluded on May 7 for classes and the public on related issues with 100% implementing the Medication Home Delivery Service. 1- 11, and that for class 12 will continue response rate. Besides, 19 YouTube chan- until the scheduled exams. nels were launched, with 79,000 sub- The school year will end on June 21 as scribers and more than 5,860,000 views, scheduled earlier. as the Ministry has posted 1,547 video Private schools were notifi ed offi cially lessons until April 16.

Commerce ministry advisory to public

Avoid buying and storing large quantities of vegetables that may spoil quickly. Allow others to purchase their needs, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) The General Directorate of Traff ic has tweeted that the person driving a has advised on vehicle, which was seen “drifting” on a road in the Al Sailiya area in a video, Twitter. has been arrested. The vehicle has been seized and relevant legal measures will be taken in the matter, it added. (Picture courtesy: Twitter page of the General Directorate of Traff ic)

MoI advisory on suspicious messages

he Ministry of Interior (MoI) has advised people not to respond Tto suspicious and anonymous messages that off er prizes or ask for personal or banking information. “To report cybercrimes, please contact the Economic and Cyber Crimes Depart- ment via Metrash2 or e-mail to cccc@ moi.gov.qa,” the MoI said in an advisory on Twitter yesterday.

440 new Covid-19 cases reported

From Page 1

All of this has contrib- uted to the early detection of many cases of infection and reduced the spread of the virus, it added. According to a tweet from the MoPH, with a to- tal of 2,399 people tested for Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, as many as 62,538 have been tested so far in Qatar. There are 5,448 posi- tive cases to date in Qatar and 4,922 active cases cur- rently undergoing treat- ment. The total number of Covid-19 deaths so far in Qatar is eight, according to the tweet. The MoPH requested all members of society to stay at home and fully comply with all health guidelines and preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection, including complying with the social and physical dis- tancing guidelines. The MoPH also urged the public regularly visit its website for the most up-to-date guidance on how to stay safe, QNA added. Gulf Times Monday, April 20, 2020 5 QATAR Qatar’s contributions have earned global respect, says Kazakh envoy

By Joey Aguilar Speaking to Gulf Times, Ka- The envoy highlighted Qatar’s said the ambassador. of resistance and medical care President Kassym-Jomart Staff Reporter zakhstan ambassador Askar transparency in reporting up- He noted that the Qatar gov- in fi ghting the outbreak, aimed Tokayev issued instructions to Shokybayev stressed that Qatar dates and facts related to Cov- ernment also provided food and at eradicating it totally,” he said, take prompt measures to ensure is among the fi rst countries in id-19, saying that such move is hygiene equipment for residents, adding that both countries are sustainable growth of the na- he Kazakhstan embassy in the world to donate fi nancial and welcomed by both citizens and besides setting price limits for prepared to support each other in tional economy, implement the Doha has lauded the Qatar medical aid to Italy, China, and residents. essentials and other items. such a crisis. planned structural reform plans, Tgovernment, not only for Palestine, among others, to help “The country’s proactive, Shokybayev also underscored In Kazakhstan, Shokybayev and meet the needs and require- its continuous eff orts to control combat Covid-19. open and innovative approach Qatar and Kazakhstan’s close ties said that his government has ments of citizens. the spread of the novel corona- He said that such signifi cant in monitoring new cases, along- in all spheres of co-operation, been instituting several measures Tokayev also provided human- virus (which causes the Covid-19 contributions have earned the side a straightforward awareness particularly in the fi ght against to prevent and control the spread itarian assistance to Kyrgyzstan Ambassador Shokybayev: respiratory disease), but also for respect of the people of these campaign on the precautionary Covid-19. of Covid-19 and save the lives of and Tajikistan, by sending fl our Qatar’s proactive, open and providing humanitarian support countries and the international and preventive measures, en- “So far both countries are those who were infected. worth $3mn each, the envoy innovative approach ... ensures to diff erent countries. community. sures the safety of the people,” keeping equally the same level He noted that Kazakhstan added. the safety of the people. KIMS Qatar Medical Centre launches telehealth services NGO on Italian IMS Qatar Medical Cen- tre (KQMC) has launched Ktelehealth services to pro- vide outpatient consultation of its expert doctors through an on- line audio/video platform. The service has been launched frontline urges in line with the precaution- ary measures against the novel coronavirus (which causes the Covid-19 respiratory disease) pandemic, as patients and clini- cians also need to maintain social distancing. The service is available from world solidarity 9am-9pm, Saturday to Thurs- day. orldwide solidarity countries with less developed, In addition to running this The consultation can be has to be ensured in more fragile healthcare systems. programme through a network availed in fi ve easy steps – Click Wthe fi ght against the “Not only do we need to en- of nearly 300 volunteers, it also on the link: www.kimsqatar. novel coronavirus, urged Emer- sure that we do whatever we can created a new project to support com/telehealth, insert your per- gency NGO president Rossella to contain this in our own coun- reception centres and shelters sonal details, choose the special- Miccio, one of the expert speak- tries, we also need to ensure taking care of migrants, refu- ity and consultant doctor, select/ ers in a special online edition of worldwide solidarity in order gees, unaccompanied minors, request a time slot, and make the Qatar Foundation’s Education to fi ght the virus together,” she and the homeless. payment; a link will be sent to City Speaker Series, held in col- said. “We cannot leave anyone “Respecting rules and guide- your e-mail address with con- laboration with the World Inno- behind. lines becomes diffi cult, posing a fi rmed time slot. vation Summit for Health. “The virus doesn’t discrimi- threat to the entire city’s health, Each appointment slot is for a Emergency NGO teams are nate, and neither can we. This particularly when it comes to duration of 15 minutes and fol- The service can be utilised More information on the serv- working on the frontline in is a time when people from dif- such vulnerable groups,” said lowed by the doctor forwarding over wide variety of devices, ice can be obtained by calling or northern Italy, helping commu- ferent walks of life must come Miccio. a medical prescription in your e- from smartphone to tablets and sending a WhatsApp message to nities hardest hit by Covid-19, together, whether they are sci- “You’re asked to stay at home, mail address. desktop. 5026 8844. the disease caused by the coro- entists, politicians, or NGOs, but what if you don’t have a navirus. to share their knowledge and home? You need to call a doctor Based in Lombardy, the epi- experience and build a new per- if you experience symptoms, but centre of the crisis in Italy, spective for us all. what if you don’t have a doctor? Latest statistics Emergency NGO was called into “Platforms like the Education “To help rectify this, we action to aid the country’s fi ght. City Speaker Series are welcome worked with the municipality on Covid-19 “The crisis was really a sur- and much-needed at a time like Miccio: Platforms like the in Milan to survey shelters and prise for Italy, and an initial this.” Education City Speaker Series reception centres that help ap- hotline underestimation led to a lot of Miccio explained that the are welcome and much-needed proximately 3,000 people. setbacks that continue to have economic consequences of the at a time like this. “And to keep up with the daily The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) a negative impact on the coun- outbreak have been particularly rise in cases, Emergency NGO has issued the latest statistics try’s healthcare system,” Miccio harmful to the most vulnerable early March to deliver necessi- also supported regional health- pertaining to the Covid-19 hotline, said. members of society. ties like food and medicine to care authorities to develop a 16000, as of April 18. She also expressed concerns To help combat this, Emer- the elderly and the at-risk pop- new healthcare facility in the over how the virus may aff ect gency NGO set up a system in ulation in the city of Milan. city of Bergamo,” she added.

Indian embassy issues advisory for nationals in need Ministry releases guidance for older adults The Indian embassy has issued an advisory on Twitter, saying that “if you are an Indian stranded he Ministry of Public Type 1 diabetics advised to take precautions due to compromised immunity in Qatar due to non-availability Health (MoPH) has pro- of flights, and need support with Tvided guidance for older The health authorities have provided • Have a balanced diet, consisting of specific medicines, please call the adults in view of the Covid-19 guidance for people living with type three meals and snacks as indicated Covid-19 helpline of the embassy outbreak. 1 diabetes in view of the Covid-19 by your healthcare professionals. or the ICBF (Indian Community The guidelines are available at outbreak. • Ensure you have taken all required Benevolent Forum) helpline”. https://mophinternetcdn.azu- The guidelines are available at https:// annual vaccinations such as flu and The 24/7 helpline for Covid-19 reedge.net/Style%20Library/ www.moph.gov.qa/Style%20Library/ pneumococcus. is available at 50122010 and MOPH/Videos/guideolden.pdf MOPH/Videos/guidediabetic1.pdf • Maintain regular physical activity, 77384933, for calls and WhatsApp even if you are staying at home. messages. The 24/7 ICBF „ Who is this guidance for? „ Who is this guidance for? „ What protective measures helpdesk number is 77867794. This guidance is for the older This guidance is for the people of Qatar should people living with type 1 Indians requiring food assistance adults in Qatar. living with type 1 diabetes and their diabetes take? have also been advised to call the „ What is coronavirus families. • Firstly, look after your health. ICBF helpline. disease (Covid-19)? „ Are people living with diabetes at • Follow the instructions of the Meanwhile, the embassy tweeted Covid-19 is a highly conta- higher risk? Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) by yesterday that the “Qatari gious disease with symptoms in- People with diabetes, as all those with practising social distancing, staying authorities have indicated that cluding fever, cough and short- chronic diseases, have less immunity at home, avoiding crowds and parks, stranded foreign nationals can ness of breath. than healthy people. and refraining from touching one another or surfaces. apply for extension of visas „How do people get When blood sugar level is high, the cells that fight in- • People with diabetes are prone to skin dehydration, until flights resume. This can infected? fection do not function to clear the infection, allowing so a hand cream prescribed by your physician can be be done either through the Coronavirus is transmitted, the infection to progress more quickly and severely. used at night to prevent dryness caused by consistent sponsors using the Metrash2 app like any other viruses that attack use of sanitiser. or through the website of the the respiratory system, from one Here are some of of the contents of the guidance: • Prepare a list of your medications and the dosages in Ministry of Interior”. infected person to another in „ How can people living with diabetes boost case of an emergency. the droplets when they sneeze, their immune system? • Get adequate refills for medications, suff icient for at cough or speak especially if at a • Maintain your blood sugar readings at the target least two weeks and supplies for monitoring blood Lexus, Toyota distance of less than 2m. range agreed with your healthcare professionals glucose at home. It can also be transmitted (generally fasting blood sugar of 80-130mg/dl and • Have a supply to test your blood sugar and ketones. models recalled through close contact with the post-prandial sugar <180mg/dl). • Have the contact information of your healthcare infected person or touching sur- Your sugar targets depend on several factors, provider at hand so that you do not need to leave the The Ministry of Commerce faces. including your age and duration of diabetes. Your house, if you become ill. and Industry, in co-operation „ Are older people at higher healthcare professional will tell you what your targets with Abdullah Abdulghani & risk? should be. For more information on Covid-19, call 16000 or visit Bros Co, has announced the Coronavirus disease is an • Remain well hydrated by drinking plenty of water. www.moph.gov.qa recall of Lexus RX350/450H infectious disease caused by a and RX350L/450, the Toyota newly-discovered coronavirus. Hilux, the Hilux TRD, and Corolla While most people infected avoiding crowds and parks, and stay in a separate room to the „ Is it important for older models of 2017-2019, due to with the Covid-19 virus will refraining from touching one rest of the family, and use a sep- people to continue taking the possibility of a fuel pump experience a mild to moderate another or surfaces. arate bathroom. regular medication? malfunction that may cause it to respiratory illness and recover • Personal hygiene is ex- • Keep your distance from • It is important for anyone stop functioning. without requiring special treat- tremely important at this time other people – maintain at least who has to take regular medi- The ministry confirmed the recall ment, older people are more of the virus outbreak. Wash a 2m distance between yourself cation to continue with this, if you feel fi ne and have always • Reduce sodium (salt) and fat campaign comes within the likely to develop serious ill- your hands regularly with soap and anyone around you. especially if you have chronic done this yourself. Don’t put (that leads to higher cholesterol) framework of its ongoing eff orts nesses. and water. If soap and water are • Avoid physical contact with conditions or other illnesses yourself or your family at risk if in your diet. to protect consumers and ensure If you are over 65 years of age, not available, clean your hands others – refrain from kissing, that require you to take regular you don’t have to. • Do not stop your medication that vehicle dealers follow up on especially if you have underly- with an alcohol-based solution shaking hands or hugging as a medication. „ What should older people unless directed to do so by your defects and repairs. ing medical problems like car- (60%) or a sanitiser. greeting. • If you need physical help in do if they get the virus? doctor. The ministry urges all customers diovascular disease, diabetes, • Avoid touching your eyes, • Maintain a clean environ- taking your medications, make If you are showing symptoms • Rest and postpone exercise. to report any violations to its chronic respiratory disease and nose and mouth (or ensure you ment – regularly clean and dis- sure whoever gives the medi- such as coughing, sneezing, fe- • Monitor temperature, when Consumer Protection and Anti- cancer, you can experience more wash your hands before and af- infect frequently touched sur- cation washed their hands well ver or shortness of breath, you needed use acetaminophen (pa- Commercial Fraud Department, severe symptoms and are more ter). faces. before and after completing the may need assessment by health- racetamol/Panadol) rather than which processes complaints, likely to need intensive hospital • Refrain from having visitors • Ensure that the household task. care professional. anti-infl ammatory (ibuprofen/ inquiries and suggestions care if you get the infection. – this means not having family staff follow good practices – if • Ensure you have enough Start self-quarantine, avoid Advil) through the following channels: „ What measure should older and friends visiting, including you employ household and/or medication doses so you don’t any contact with others, and call • Always follow healthcare Call Centre: 16001, e-mail: people follow to protect young children, as even if the private nursing staff , ensure that run out. If you need a repeat the national hotline at 16000. professional team recommenda- [email protected], Twitter: themselves? children are not sick, they could they adhere to the strict hygiene prescription you can call your Practice the “Sick day rules” tions. @ MOCIQATAR, Instagram: • Follow the instructions of be carriers of the virus. protocols of hand washing and family physician. Please allow for older people: For more information on Cov- MOCIQATAR, mobile app for the MoPH by practising physi- • Avoid sharing living areas ask them to keep a mask on when someone else to pick up the pre- • Check your blood pressure id-19, call 16000 or visit www. Android and IOS: MOCIQATAR. cal distancing, staying home, with family members – try to in your vicinity. scription and medication, even more often. moph.gov.qa Gulf Times 6 Monday, April 20, 2020 REGION/ARAB WORLD Rouhani says prisoner furloughs to be extended

AFP Tehran

ran will extend leave for pris- oners for one more month, IPresident Hassan Rouhani announced yesterday, after the country temporarily released 100,000 detainees to combat the Kuwaiti nationals, residing abroad, leave the Kuwait International airport in the capital upon their return as part of a repatriation plan spread of coronavirus. yesterday, and ahead of being taken to mandatory home quarantine. “Prisoners’ leave was sup- posed to continue until the end of Farvardin (April 19)...it will be extended until the end of Or- dibehesht (May 20),” Rouhani said during a televised meeting Kuwait Amir says co-operation of the government’s coronavirus taskforce, referring to two Ira- nian months. However, he said the judiciary essential to defeat pandemic would be the main authority on the matter. Judiciary spokesman Gholam- help in defeating the pandemic Sabah declared earlier yesterday 86 NEW VIRUS hossein Esmaili did not directly QNA CASES IN OMAN Kuwait and record as minimal damage that 25 patients have recovered confi rm Rouhani’s remarks but as possible. He reminded all the from Covid-19 bringing the total The Omani Ministry of further leniency was anticipat- people of Kuwait, whether the number of recoveries to 305. Health announced yesterday 86 ed. “By utilising the full extent of he Amir of the State of returnees or those currently in Meanwhile, the ministry said new positive cases of Covid-19 the leniency the law allows, we A handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency yesterday, Kuwait Sheikh Sabah the country, that the corona- yesterday that it has recorded in the Sultanate, bringing the expect a signifi cant number of shows President Hassan Rouhani chairing a cabinet session in the Tal-Ahmad al-Jaber al- virus pandemic had devastated 164 new Covid-19 infections total number of infections to prisoners on leave not to go back, capital Tehran. Sabah has stressed that since the world, recording infections in the country during the past 1,266 with six deaths, QNA re- and even for many of those cur- the emergence of the novel and deaths, indicating that the 24 hours, in addition to a sin- ported. rently detained to be released,” amnesty. The move aimed to virus in the past 24 hours, raising coronavirus (Covid-19) and state was doing its best to fend gle death case, putting the total According to the ministry, Esmaili was quoted as saying by “reduce the number of prisoners the offi cial toll to 5,118. even before its spread, Kuwait off the virus spread. number of cases at 1,915. among the 86 cases, 15 are Om- judiciary’s news agency Mizan in light of the sensitive situation The government has repeat- had harnessed its capabili- Kuwait’s measures had gar- Offi cial spokesperson of the anis and 71 being expats. The Online. in the country,” Esmaili said at edly urged Iranians to stay at ties and boosted its preventive nered admiration from the World Ministry of Health Dr Abdul- Omani Ministry of Health also A fi nal decision will be made the time, making no explicit ref- home to contain the spread of health measures to face the Health Organisation (WHO), a lah al-Sanad said in his briefi ng pointed out that 233 cases have on April 29, he added. erence to the coronavirus pan- the disease. It has shut schools pandemic, pointing out that matter that should push return- that the number of infections recovered, Oman News Agency Iran’s judiciary began pro- demic. and universities, postponed ma- these measures had garnered ees and the people to strictly in Kuwait rose to 1,915, in addi- (ONA) reported. In its state- gressively granting detainees The Islamic republic has been jor events and imposed a range international praise. follow the guidelines set by tion to a single death of an In- ment, the ministry called upon furlough in March, with 100,000 struggling to contain what is of other restrictions. On Satur- In a televised speech, re- the Kuwaiti health authorities dian resident taking the death all to strictly adhere to quaran- prisoners now on temporary the Middle East’s deadliest out- day, Iran allowed some shuttered ported by Kuwait News Agency to safeguard Kuwait from any tally to seven. He added that tine measures, social distancing leave. break of the novel coronavirus businesses in the capital Tehran (Kuna), the Amir said that co- harm, said the Amir. there are 38 cases at intensive instructions, healthy habits as It also announced last month since reporting its fi rst cases on to reopen, after approving simi- operation, solidarity, and com- Meanwhile, Kuwait Minister care units, including 20 critical well as staying at home and not that 10,000 prisoners would be February 19. Yesterday, Iran an- lar measures in other provinces mitment to all guidelines will of Health Sheikh Dr Basel al- cases and 18 stable. going out unless necessary. released in an Iranian New Year nounced 87 new deaths from the last week.

Reuters’ Bringing joy amid distress Revolutionary Guards licence increase Gulf patrols suspension Reuters line and any error in calculation Tehran on their part will receive a deci- revoked sive response.” ran’s Revolutionary Guards In its statement the Guards warned the United States navy denied the US DPA Iabout its military activities in military’s account of the Baghdad the Gulf yesterday, adding that incident and said the US had their navy had as a result in- acted unprofessionally creased patrols, which would also raq’s media regulator has secure the passage of Iranian ships The US military statement rescinded an earlier deci- and combat fuel smuggling. said the Iranian vessels ap- Ision to suspend Reuters’ The US military said on proached six US military ships licence for three months over a Wednesday that 11 Revolution- conducting integration opera- report on the number of coro- ary Guards naval vessels had tions with Army helicopters in navirus cases in the country, come close to its navy and Coast international waters. At one the news agency said yesterday. Guard ships, describing the point, the Iranian vessels came Reuters said it was informed moves “dangerous and provoca- within 10 yards of the US Coast by the Iraqi Communications tive”. The Guards’ statement Guard cutter Maui, the US mili- and Media Commission (CMC) Clowns perform to entertain Palestinian children amid concerns about the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), in Khan yesterday, which said Iran will tary said. In its statement the that the the suspension has Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, yesterday. give a decisive response to any Guards navy denied the US mili- been lifted. mistake by the United States in tary’s account of the incident The CMC told Reuters the the Gulf, provided the fi rst con- and said the US had acted un- move is aimed at allowing fi rmation of the incident. “We professionally. While such in- “transparent and impartial advise the Americans to follow cidents occurred occasionally a work by the media...in adher- international regulations and few years ago, they had stopped. ence to operating according maritime protocols in the Gulf But tensions between the two to the regulations of media Troops open fi re on Palestinian fi shermen and the Gulf of Oman and to re- states spiked this year after the broadcasting rules” set out by frain from any adventurism and US killed Qassem Soleimani, the the independent body. false and fake stories,” the state- head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, in “We appreciate the efforts QNA ers to the east of Khan Younis at least one boat, Palestinian estinian farmers as they were ment said. a drone strike in Iraq. Iran retali- made by the Iraqi authorities Gaza in two separate incidents, said News Agency (Wafa) reported. working in their farms. No in- “They should be assured that ated on Jan 8 with a rocket attack and the CMC to promptly re- local sources. Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers juries were reported.Attacks by the Revolutionary Guards navy on Iraq’s Ain al-Asad base, where solve the matter,” the agency Occupation naval boats stationed at military watchtow- occupation forces on Palestin- and the powerful armed forces of US forces were stationed. No US said in a statement. ccupation forces opened fi re on fi shermen de- ers along the Gaza perimeter ian fi shermen and farmers in the Islamic Republic of Iran sees troops were killed or faced im- A Reuters correspondent con- opened fi re at Palestin- spite sailing within the desig- fence to the east of Khan Younis, Gaza are almost a daily occur- the dangerous actions of for- mediate bodily injury, but more fi rmed to DPA that work has re- Oian fi shermen sailing nated fi shing zone off shore in in the southern Gaza Strip, rence, and are rarely prosecuted eigners in the region as a threat than 100 were later diagnosed sumed at its Baghdad offi ce. off the Gaza Strip and at farm- Gaza City, causing damage to opened random fi re toward Pal- by Israeli authorities. to national security and its red with traumatic brain injury. Turkey blocks Saudi and UAE news websites

Reuters The apparently reciprocal message saying that they were of the UK-based Independ- peared to be “retaliation Tensions between Turkey charges of instigating Khashog- Istanbul moves come four weeks after blocked under a law governing ent newspaper, which is oper- against Saudi Arabia”, he said. and Saudi Arabia escalated gi’s killing, as well as 18 men it Turkish prosecutors indicted Internet publications in Tur- ated by a Saudi company, was Saudi Arabia had blocked ac- sharply after Saudi agents killed said carried out the operation. 20 Saudis over the killing of key. one of the sites to be blocked cess to several Turkish media Khashoggi, a critic of Saudi Ara- Turkish President Tayyip Er- urkish authorities blocked journalist Jamal Kashoggi at A spokesman at Turkey’s yesterday, in a move that its websites a week earlier, in- bia’s Crown Prince Mohamed dogan said the killing was or- Saudi and United Arab the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Justice Ministry declined to editor said reflected political cluding state broadcaster TRT bin Salman, at the Saudi consu- dered at the “highest levels” of TEmirates news websites Internet users in Turkey try- comment on the actions and tensions. “We believe the ten- and the state-owned Anadolu late in Istanbul in October 2018. the Saudi government. Prince yesterday, days after the sites of ing to access the sites of Saudi Saudi Arabia’s government me- sions between Saudi Arabia and agency. Last month Istanbul prosecutors Mohamed has denied ordering Turkey’s state broadcaster and news agency SPA, the UAE’s dia office did not immediately Turkey reflected on us,” editor Residents in the United Arab indicted one of the prince’s close the killing but said he bore ulti- news agency were blocked in WAM news agency and more respond to a Reuters request for Nevzat Cicek told Reuters. Emirates said the Turkish web- aides and a former deputy head mate responsibility as the king- Saudi Arabia. than a dozen other sites saw a comment. The Turkish website Yesterday’s decision ap- sites were accessible yesterday. of Saudi general intelligence on dom’s de facto leader. Gulf Times Monday, April 20, 2020 7 AFRICA

44 militants Zimbabwe extends lockdown, found dead in Chad jail

AFP but mines can get back to work N’Djamena

Reuters group of 44 suspected Harare members of Boko Haram, Aarrested during a recent operation against the extremist imbabwe’s President Emmerson group, have been found dead in Mnangagwa yesterday extended their prison cell, apparently poi- Za lockdown to contain the spread soned, Chad’s chief prosecutor of the new coronavirus by two weeks, announced over the weekend. but will allow mining companies to get Speaking on national televi- back to work. sion on Saturday night, Yous- Mnangagwa said the lockdown souf Tom said the 44 prisoners would continue because the country had been found dead in their cell had not yet met conditions set down by on Thursday. the World Health Organization to lift An autopsy carried out on four the measures. of the dead prisoners revealed Three people have died from the traces of a lethal substance that virus out of the 25 confirmed infect- had caused heart attacks in some ed in the southern African country, of the victims and severe as- but health experts expect the fig- phyxiation in the others, he said. ures to rise once authorities ramp up The dead men were among a testing. group of 58 suspects captured “It has been a very hard decision that during a major army operation my government has had to take reluc- around Lake Chad launched by tantly,” Mnangagwa said in a live tel- President Idriss Deby Itno at the evision broadcast. end of March. Mnangagwa said the government “Following the fi ghting would allow mining companies, which around Lake Chad, 58 members generate the most foreign currency, to of Boko Haram had been taken resume full operations while manufac- prisoner and sent to Ndjamena turers would work at limited capacity. for the purposes of the investi- Mining companies operating in gation,” said Tom. Zimbabwe include local operations of “On Thursday morning, their Impala Platinum Holdings and Anglo jailers told us that 44 prison- American Platinum. ers had been found dead in their Zimbabwe began a 21-day lockdown cell,” Tom said, adding that he on March 30, which has confi ned most had attended the scene. people to their homes. “We have buried 40 bodies But in poor townships, people are and sent four bodies to the med- venturing out in search of staples like ical examiner for autopsy.” maize meal, leading to long queues at An investigation was ongo- the shops. ing to determine exactly how the The lockdown has left many citizens prisoners had died, he said. without an income and food at a time A security source, speaking the country is grappling with the worst on condition of anonymity told economic crisis in a decade, marked AFP that “the 58 prisoners were by shortages of foreign exchange, food People remove the remains of their vending stalls after they were destroyed by police in Harare yesterday. placed in a single cell and were and medicines. given nothing to eat or drink In the capital Harare, city council illegal market stalls used by informal by citizens in the country where living from informal markets. in the city and that informal traders for two days”. Mahamat Nour offi cials, with the help of police and traders in townships. more than 80% of the working pop- City authorities defended the move would be relocated to new and better Ahmed Ibedou, secretary gener- soldiers, were yesterday tearing down The move was strongly criticised ulation have no formal jobs and eke a saying it was necessary to restore order facilities. al of the Chadian Convention for the Protection of Human Rights (CTDDH), made similar accusa- tions. Prison offi cials had “locked Mali holds runoff vote despite virus, militancy the prisoners in a small cell and Lesotho’s army withdraws as refusing them food and water for three days because they were ac- AFP edly delayed, and the fi rst round on and observed social distancing calls mount for PM to resign cused of belonging to Boko Har- Bamako March 29 was disrupted by militant rules as she voted in the semi- am”, Ibedou told AFP. attacks and intimidation, includ- desert country, which has so far “It’s horrible what has hap- ing the kidnapping of opposition recorded 216 cases of the virus in- pened.” alians voted yesterday in leader Soumaila Cisse. cluding 13 deaths. By Pascalinah Kabi, AFP on Maseru to remember “the importance of The government denied the the fi nal round of legisla- “I voted. It is important de- Yesterday’s runoff in the West Maseru maintaining stability and the rule of law”. allegations. Mtive elections that aim to spite the economic situation. We African nation of 19mn people is “We urge a united approach that priori- “There was no ill-treatment,” revive public faith in the country’s need new MPs to consolidate our for 147 seats in the National As- tises the protection of citizens and the pro- Chad Justice Minister, Djimet embattled institutions despite a democracy,” Moussa Diakite, a sembly. esotho troops deployed by Prime Min- vision of essential services,” they said in a Arabi, told AFP by telephone. bloody militancy and a spreading 23-year-old student, told AFP. Turnout in the fi rst round aver- ister Thomas Thabane withdrew from signed statement. “Toxic substances were found virus pandemic. Another student, Hamchetou aged over 35% nationwide but was Lthe capital’s streets yesterday amid a In power since 2017, Thabane, 80, de- in their stomachs. Was it collec- The elections have been repeat- Toure, said she wore a face mask less than 13% in the capital Bamako. showdown with opponents demanding the ployed troops on Saturday a day after the tive suicide or something else? octogenerian leader resign. constitutional court overturned his decision We’re still looking for answers,” Thabane faces mounting calls to step to suspend parliament for three months. The he said, adding that the investi- down from rivals within his ruling party and premier has been under immense pressure gation was still ongoing. opposition groups over suspicions he had a to step down after police investigations sug- One of the prisoners was Disinfection drive hand in the murder of his estranged wife in gested his involvement in the murder of his transferred to hospital on Thurs- 2017. late wife, Lipolelo Thabane, three years ago. day, but he was “faring much An AFP journalist in the capital Maseru In March, Thabane imposed a three- better” and had rejoined “the reported that soldiers backed by armoured month suspension of parliament shortly af- other 13 prisoners still alive and vehicles had returned to barracks by yester- ter the national assembly passed a bill barring who are doing very well,” the day morning. him from calling fresh elections if he loses a minister said. Thabane had deployed them the day be- no-confi dence vote hanging over his head. Last week, the minister told fore to “restore order” while accusing un- He ordered the security forces and intelli- AFP the captured men had been named law enforcement agencies of under- gence service to probe his ruling All Basotho transferred to Ndjamena on mining democracy. Convention (ABC) party rivals, whom he ac- Tuesday evening and handed The army spokesman was not immedi- cused of plotting to topple his government. over to the court system for trial. ately available for comment. Although no case of coronavirus has yet The military operation against Diplomatic moves to calm the situation been reported in the mountain kingdom, Boko Haram killed more than a were meanwhile gathering pace. citizens were last week placed under con- thousand of the group’s militants A South African envoy has arrived in Le- fi nement to stem any spread of the disease. and cost the lives of 52 soldiers, a sotho, Thabane’s senior private secretary Thabane’s order took it a step further, de- Chadian army spokesman said. Thabo Thakalekoala told AFP yesterday. ploying the army against unnamed “rogue” The operation ran from March 31 He did not elaborate but many in Maseru national elements he said wanted to desta- to April 8. suspect President Cyril Ramaphosa had dis- bilise Lesotho. The force, considered one of patched the envoy to the tiny kingdom sur- Dropped by his own party, the Convention the best in the region, has fought rounded by South Africa in a bid to facilitate of all Basotho (ABC), Thabane has promised Boko Haram in the Lake Chad talks between Thabane and his opponents. to retire by the end of July because of his age region as part of the Joint Mul- A volunteer sprays disinfectants at the weekly Maasai market in downtown Nairobi. US, British and European Union (EU) am- but the ABC and the opposition demand his tinational Force with Nigeria, bassadors and commissioners, leaders called immediate departure. Cameroon and Niger. South African author looks back at his 2016 virus thriller

By Philippe Alfroy, AFP Upon release, the novel was southern Stellenbosch home. By the time Meyer touched Africa lay down under a mango worked. But nature paid no heed In Fever, that struggle blows up Johannesburg widely acclaimed as a post- “I’ve always loved post-apoc- down in Cape Town, the Fe- tree,” wrote Meyer. to theories, and nor did human into a full-fl edged war between apocalyptic masterpiece worthy alyptic fi ction, and read the genre ver storyline had started taking “The man’s resistance was low, fallibility.” survivors under the watch of a of Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, intensely in my 20s and 30s,” he shape in his head. because he was HIV-positive and As he has watched a corona- small group of humans that has outh African novelist Deon for which the American novel- explained. Over the next three years, the not being treated for it. There virus play out in the real world, engineered the virus. Meyer wished the deadly ist received the Pulitzer Prize in “As I became more and more ex-journalist gathered scientifi c was already one coronavirus in Meyer felt that most govern- Similar conspiration theories Svirus wrecking havoc in his 2007. aware of global warming, Ebola, information to feed into his sce- the man’s blood.” ments had based their responses are making the rounds of social 2016 thriller Fever had not turned Four years later, the parallels the Avian Infl uenza (H5N1) of nario. “In the mango tree there was a on “good scientifi c advice”. media today, claiming the pan- into an eerily accurate depiction between Meyer’s Fever and the 1996 and the H1N1 Swine Flu vi- “I needed to kill off 95% of bat, with a diff erent kind of co- “So far, so good,” he told AFP, al- demic was man-made. of the coronavirus pandemic rav- Covid-19 pandemic are chilling: rus of 2009 — 2010, I could not the world population, but leave rona virus in its blood,” he con- luding to US President Donald Trump Meyer hoped his novel would aging the world. a coronavirus transmitted from help but think that we live in a all infrastructure intact,” Meyer tinued. “One that could infect as one of the “few exceptions”. not provide fuel for “whacko “I fi nd no pleasure in it,” said animals to humans, spreading world where an apocalypse is a explained. “A virus seemed to be other people easily when inhaled, But the author also feared conspiracy theorists”. the crime fi ction author and like wildfi re across the globe. possibility.” the ideal choice.” and with the ability to make them the consequences of potential He found solace in the fact screenwriter. In a bizarrely premonitory sce- Those concerns became a Hours of consultations with extremely ill.” months under lockdown. that such people were unlikely to “I keep thinking of the sorrow nario, borders are shut and char- source of inspiration in 2012 dur- two virology experts led him to When the fi rst cases of corona- “How long will people be able to “read beyond a few whacko web- of all those thousands of people acters grow increasingly wary of ing a fl ight back from New York. the “best candidate” for the task: virus were detected in China last consider the greater good as more sites”. who have lost loved ones, lost the other as survival instincts “I bought a collection of short a coronavirus. December, Meyer admitted going important than the survival of As South Africa slipped into their jobs, and are living in fear.” kick in. stories, and read them on the “They...gave me full details on back through his notes in shock. them and their families,” he asked. its fourth week of lockdown and Fever tells the heart-wrench- “Fever was the culmination plane,” Meyer recalled. how it could happen,” said Meyer. “Even most of the developing Poorer nations, including coronavirus continued to spread, ing story of the survival of a fa- of so many diff erent emotions, “One of the stories...was post- The trio’s imaginary scenario countries had extensive plans for South Africa, have already been Meyer knew what his next project ther and son in a desolated South concerns and a lot of reading,” apocalyptic and got me thinking was fl eshed out into the novel’s such an incident,” reads another battling to keep citizens indoors would be. Africa after a virus wiped out said Meyer, 61, speaking to AFP about other possible directions pages. extract of Fever. — most of whom live off informal “A crime novel,” he said. “Set 95% of the world’s population. by phone, locked-down at his the author could have taken.” “A man somewhere in tropical “In theory, these should have work. during the lockdown”. Gulf Times 8 Monday, April 20, 2020 AMERICAS

Trump warns China could face consequences for pandemic

Reuters a time when experts say an un- repeatedly sparred in public over sentiment among some voters for was whether what happened one of its labs or perhaps escaped han — half the total — were not Washington precedented level of cooperation the virus. his 2020 re-election bid. with the coronavirus was “a mis- from such a facility. counted, but dismissed allega- is needed to deal with the coro- Trump initially lavished praise At the same time, however, take that got out of control, or Wandering off the topic of the tions of a cover-up. navirus crisis. on China and his counterpart Xi White House offi cials are mind- was it done deliberately?” coronavirus, Trump also used The United States has by far resident Donald Trump “If it was a mistake, a mistake Jinping for their response. ful of the potential backlash if “There’s a big diff erence be- the White House briefi ng to take the world’s largest number of warned China on Saturday is a mistake. But if they were But he and other senior of- tensions get too heated. tween those two,” he said. a swipe at presumed Democratic confi rmed coronavirus cases, Pthat it should face con- knowingly responsible, yeah, I fi cials have also referred to it as The United States is heav- Trump also raised questions presidential nominee Joe Biden with more than 720,000 infec- sequences if it was “knowingly mean, then sure there should be the “Chinese virus” and in recent ily reliant on China for personal about a Wuhan virology labora- and his long record on China as tions and over 37,000 deaths. responsible” for the coronavirus consequences,” Trump said. days have ramped up their rheto- protection equipment desperate- tory that Fox News this week re- a senator and former vice presi- Even Dr Deborah Birx, co- pandemic, as he ratcheted up He did not elaborate on what ric. ly needed by American medical ported had likely developed the dent. ordinator of the White House criticism of Beijing over its han- actions the United States might They have also angrily rejected workers, and Trump also wants coronavirus as part of China’s While stressing his own con- coronavirus task force who has dling of the outbreak. take. earlier attempts by some Chinese to keep a hard-won trade deal on eff ort to demonstrate its capacity frontational trade policies to- steered clear of political aspects “It could have been stopped Trump and senior aides have offi cials to blame the origin of the track. to identify and combat viruses. ward China, Trump, using his of Trump’s contentions brief- in China before it started and it accused China of a lack of trans- virus on the US military. Trump said that until recently Trump has said his govern- nickname “Sleepy Joe” for his ings, questioned China’s data. wasn’t, and the whole world is parency after the coronavirus Trump’s domestic critics say the US-China relationship had ment is seeking to determine rival, said if Biden wins the White Showing on a chart that Chi- suff ering because of it,” Trump broke out late last year in its city that while China performed been good, citing a multi-billion whether the virus emanated from House that China and other na’s death rate per 100,000 peo- told a daily White House brief- of Wuhan. badly at the outset and must still agricultural agreement aimed at a Chinese lab. countries “will take our country.” ple was far below major European ing. Last week, he suspended aid come clean on what happened, defusing a bitter trade war. As far back as February, the Trump also again cast doubt countries and the United States, It was the latest US volley in a to the World Health Organiza- he is now seeking to use Beijing to “But then all of a sudden you Chinese state-backed Wuhan on China’s death toll, which was she called China’s numbers “un- war of words between the world’s tion accusing it of being “China- help defl ect from the shortcom- hear about this,” he said. Institute of Virology dismissed revised up on Friday. realistic” and said it had a “moral two biggest economies, showing centric.” ings of his own response and take He said the Chinese were “em- rumors that the virus may have China said 1,300 people who obligation” to provide credible increased strains in relations at Washington and Beijing have advantage of growing anti-China barrassed” and the question now been artifi cially synthesised at died of the coronavirus in Wu- information.

Graduating early Relief deal on anvil for small businesses

Reuters ments and hospitals, as well as food assist- to hospitals and a $25bn federal programme Washington ance for the poor. “that can be used with the states with new Mnuchin said the current measure being technology to invest in testing.” negotiated did not contain new funding for About $50bn would be added to the Small S lawmakers are very close to an state and local governments. Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan agreement on approving extra mon- “The president has heard from governors fund, another programme to help small Uey to help small businesses hurt by and he’s prepared to discuss that in the next businesses, he said. the coronavirus pandemic and could seal a bill,” Mnuchin said. Earlier, Vice President Mike Pence and deal soon, congressional and Trump admin- Congress plans to take up another major Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the Democratic- istration offi cials said. coronavirus relief legislation after the small controlled House of Representatives, also “I think we’re very close to a deal today business fund is replenished. said a deal was very close. and I’m hopeful we can get that done,” US Governors of hard hit states such as New Neither addressed details of the emerg- Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said in York and New Jersey have said they need ing agreement, but Pelosi told ABC that she Spaced eight feet apart, United States Air Force Academy cadets celebrate their graduation as a team an interview with CNN. more federal funding for increased testing for wanted the additional funds in the package of F-16 Air Force Thunderbirds fly over the academy on Saturday in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schum- the presence of the coronavirus and to cope to help police and fi re departments, teach- senior cadets spent more than a month on lockdown in the Air Force Academy’s dorms due to the er also said he hoped an agreement with Re- with the pandemic’s eff ect on their budgets. ers, health care workers and hospitals. coronavirus pandemic, Saturday’s graduation, which was moved up by six weeks, marks the first time publicans could be sealed soon. If the federal government wants to reopen She said Democrats also wanted to make a military academy is graduating a class early WWII. Schumer cautioned, however, that both and stimulate the US economy, they need to sure the money is reaching “all of America’s sides had a few more issues to deal with. support states’ eff orts to fund their opera- small businesses.” An agreement would end a stalemate that tions, said Massachusetts Governor Charlie The SBA said last week that roughly has lasted more than a week over Republican Baker, a Republican. 1.6mn loans had been made already, but President Donald Trump’s request to add “If we’re going to be laying off tens of many small business owners have said they $250bn to a small-business loan program. thousands of people at the time where they missed out, particularly those that did not Congress established the program last want to reopen the economy, we’re going have an existing business customer rela- Who’s Who of pop culture unites month as part of a $2.3tn coronavirus eco- to be swimming against the current they’re tionship with participating lenders. nomic relief plan, but it has already run out trying to create,” Baker said on CBS. More than 25% of the total $350bn the US of money. Mnuchin said the deal would include government pledged to Main Street busi- for ‘One World’ special concert Democratic leaders had wanted more mon- another $300bn for the Paycheck Protec- nesses across America went to fewer than ey for small businesses but with additional tion Program, a forgivable loan program for 2% of the fi rms that got relief. safeguards to ensure that credit is reaching small businesses, after the initial tranche They include a number of publicly traded By Jill Serjeant, Reuters British soccer star David Beckham, is to give you the permission for businesses in underserved communities. of $350bn was exhausted on Thursday, less companies with thousands of employees New York former US fi rst ladies Michelle the moment to...Smile,” said Gaga, They also sought more coronavirus re- than two weeks after the scheme launched. and hundreds of millions of dollars in an- Obama and Laura Bush, Andrea kicking off the evening by launch- sponse funds for state and local govern- He said there would be $75bn allocated nual sales. Bocelli, Celine Dion, Billie Eilish, ing into a version of the ballad ady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Bill Gates and dozens of others. made famous by Nat King Cole. Paul McCartney, The Roll- “I’m so grateful for the health- Swift, on piano, gave an emo- Ling Stones, Beyonce and care workers, the medical workers, tional rendition of her ballad Oprah Winfrey on Saturday all the grocery store workers and Soon You’ll Get Better, which headlined a special broadcast delivery people, the postal work- was originally written during her Canada data trending in right direction: Trudeau of music, comedy and personal ers, all the other nonprofi ts that mother’s battle with cancer. stories celebrating those around are working so hard,” said Gaga, The Rolling Stones, fi lmed the world on the frontlines of the who helped organise the event. in four separate locations, sang Reuters coronavirus in Canada rose by just under programs to help dull the economic pain. coronavirus pandemic. “This is really a true love let- You Can’t Always Get What You Ottawa 12% to 1,506 in a day, offi cial public health All 338 Parliamentarians are due back The two-hour ‘One ter to all of you all over the world, Want, with Mick Jagger and agency data showed yesterday. in Ottawa today and the Conservatives are World:Together at Home’ event, and I hope a reminder of the Keith Richards playing acoustic The fi gure for those diagnosed with the opposing a Liberal plan to have a smaller broadcast across multiple tel- kindness that’s occurring right guitars. he number of people with the new coronavirus had climbed to 33,922. number of legislators meet just once a week. evision channels in the United now,” she added. Wonder played the late Bill coronavirus in Canada is trending in The respective fi gures on Saturday were This proposal requires unanimous agree- States and overseas, featured a The event, led by the World Wither’s classic Lean on Me, Tthe right direction but strict physical 1,346 deaths and 32,412 positive diagnoses. ment by all parties. Who’s Who of pop culture in the Health Organization (WHO) and while McCartney, recalling that distancing will need to stay in place for the As many countries have done during the “Right now the Conservatives are not biggest celebrity gathering so far the nonprofi t group Global Citi- his mother was a nurse and mid- time being, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pandemic, authorities across Canada or- taking a responsible approach,” Trudeau to mark the eff ects of the virus. zen, told the personal stories of wife, sang Lady Madonna. said yesterday. dered the closure of non-essential busi- said, adding it made no sense in a time of Contributions, all fi lmed in their teachers and healthcare, grocery, “You know the coronavirus The remarks by Trudeau were some of his nesses, throwing millions out of work, and social isolation to have every member of homes, also came from Elton John, delivery, postal and other workers. is trouble when a Beatle gets in- most upbeat since the crisis began in March. urged people to stay at home. In response, Parliament and their staff as well as security Jennifer Lopez, Stevie Wonder, “What I’d like tonight, if I can, volved,” quipped Jimmy Kimmel. The total number of people killed by the Ottawa has unveiled more than C$200bn in personnel gather together.

Hundreds protest against virus rules amid spreading resentment

AFP not government force,” said Jus- 718,000 confi rmed infections “When that gets transgressed, Washington tin Greiss, an activist with Young and 37,700 fatalities as of Satur- people start to say, ‘Wait a Americans for Liberty. day afternoon. minute, this is wrong.’” Added stay-at-home mother The vast majority of Ameri- Most Americans — by a two- undreds of people pro- Amira Abuzeid: “I’m not a doctor cans are under lockdown orders to-one margin — actually worry tested on Saturday in but I’m an intelligent person who restricting public movement and about virus restrictions being Hcities across America can do math and it looks like at keeping all but essential busi- lifted too soon, not too late, a re- against coronavirus-related the end of the day, these numbers nesses closed. cent Pew survey found. lockdowns — with encourage- are not that worrisome.” In Concord, demonstrators But demonstrators found en- ment from President Donald Few, if any, observed social carried signs with slogans like couragement Friday from the Trump — as resentment grows distancing recommendations. “The numbers lie” and “Reopen president, who in a series of against the crippling economic Demonstrators outside Mary- New Hampshire.” tweets called to “LIBERATE” cost of confi nement. land’s colonial-era statehouse in Their common demand was Michigan, Minnesota and Vir- An estimated 400 people gath- Annapolis stayed in their cars but that the stay-at-home order ginia — all states with Demo- ered under a cold rain in Concord, waved signs with messages like for the state of 1.3mn people be cratic governors — from stay-at- New Hampshire — many on foot “Poverty kills too.” called off before its scheduled home orders. while others remained in their Dolores, a hairdresser, told May 4 end date. Trump has repeatedly called cars — to send a message that AFP she is not eligible for unem- Others, amid a sea of American for the earliest possible return to extended quarantines were not ployment because she is a busi- fl ags, chanted the state’s Revo- normality as virus-related clos- necessary in a state with relatively ness owner, not an employee. lutionary War-era slogan, “Live ings have had a crushing impact few confi rmed cases of Covid-19. “I need to save my business. I Free or Die.” on American workers and busi- The crowd included several need to work to live. Otherwise I “People are very happy on nesses. armed men wearing military- will die,” she said. a voluntary basis to do what’s “I really think some of the gov- style uniforms, with their faces Protesters have drawn encour- necessary,” one demonstrator, ernors have gotten carried away,” covered. agement in certain Democratic- 63-year-old Skip Murphy, told Trump said at a White House In Texas, more than 250 people led states from tweets by Trump AFP by phone. news conference on Saturday, rallied outside the State Capitol — who has said he favors a quick He added, however, that “the appearing to back the protests. in Austin, including far-right return to normal — though pro- data does not support the egre- He welcomed the reopening Protesters demanding an end to the state’s extended stay-at-home order march outside the Capitol conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, tests have also taken place in gious lockdown we are having in of some businesses in Texas and building in Austin, Texas, on Saturday. founder of the Infowars site, who Republican-led states like New New Hampshire.” Vermont by today “while still rolled up in a tank-like truck. Hampshire and Texas. “All over the country, a lot of requiring appropriate social dis- igan capital of Lansing, which New Hampshire Governor Republican governors,” Murphy “It’s time to reopen Texas, it’s The United States has seen people are saying, ‘We will do our tancing precautions.” drew some 3,000 people. Chris Sununu is a Republican, he said. “It is a case of one size not time to let people work, it’s time more coronavirus cases and part, but at the same time, this is The largest protest against Murphy said he had voted for noted. fi tting all — the lockdown should for them to let voluntary interac- deaths than any other country supposed to be a free country,’” stay-at-home rules so far took Trump, but insisted his motives “This has nothing to do with cease where it does not make tion and good sense rule the day, in the world — with more than Murphy said. place on Wednesday in the Mich- were not partisan. Trump or the Democratic and sense.” Gulf Times Monday, April 20, 2020 9 ASIA Rescued from Himalaya trails, trekkers fi nd world in turmoil

AFP European, Russian and Chinese “Sometimes I panic and won- More than 1,700 people, includ- “Since then we are waiting for helped to organise the fl ights est because there were no res- Kathmandu foreigners stunned to discover der what is happening,” added ing Sys, were evacuated in buses our fl ight,” he said. with embassies and set up a taurants or shops open. The peo- the scale of the coronavirus pan- Latvian Aleksandra Terandjaka. and chartered fl ights to the capital, Sys and most of the other for- “Stranded in Nepal” account on ple from our hotel were feeding demic after being rescued from Spring is the high season in where around 1,000 remain. eigners are now stuck in the social media platforms for the us,” added Zemke. tranded in Kathmandu, their Himalayan treks. Nepal’s snow-capped peaks and “We were supposed to fl y Thamel tourist district, where a tourists to share their needs. The couple are unsure when running out of cash and “For now it is okay, but we trekking routes attract about from Jomsom to Pokhara, but few hotels have stayed open and “We never expected to come they will get home. Swith no way to get home, don’t know how long we have 150,000 people every year. all fl ights were cancelled. We some restaurants prepare free food. back to this. Things have re- “There are no other people Alexander Sys is one of hundreds to wait for our fl ight, there are The lockdown caused author- waited two days and then came More than 4,000 foreign- ally changed since we left,” from Latvia so no one is going to of tourists whose Nepal trek- problems for us to return home,” ities to block the isolated, high to Kathmandu on a bus,” he said. ers have already left in special said Terandjaka who has been send a plane just for us. And even king adventure abruptly ended said Sys, who was in the An- trails and trekkers were ushered His fl ight back home to Rus- fl ights for Australia, Europe and in Kathmandu with her fi ance if we get a fl ight to Europe all the in lockdown. napurna region when Nepal or- down to pick-up points and sia, scheduled for March 29, the United States. Karlis Zemke for three weeks. fl ights to our country are shut The Russian is among mainly dered a lockdown on March 24. airports. never took off . The Nepal Tourism Board has “The fi rst days were the hard- down,” said Zemke. Vietnam protests China’s expansion in disputed sea

Reuters/DPA city, according to China Global Guard vessel near the Paracels. Carl Thayer, Emeritus Pro- Hanoi Television Network. Vietnam’s Foreign Aff airs fessor at The University of New “The establishment of the Ministry demanded Beijing re- South Wales and a regional ex- so-called Sansha City and re- verse its decision to form two pert, said in a statement he be- ietnam protested yes- lated activities seriously vio- new districts of China’s Sansha lieves Beijing is attempting to terday at China saying lated Vietnam’s sovereignty,” City on disputed islands in the tighten its grip over the region. Volunteers spray disinfectant on a rickshaw along a road during a government-imposed shut-down as a Vit had established two Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry South China Sea, a government “The new districts will gov- preventive measure against the Covid-19 coronavirus, in Dhaka yesterday. administrative units on islands spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang statement said yesterday. ern the Paracels and Maccles- in the South China Sea, in Bei- said in a statement. On April 18, Sansha City, lo- fi eld Bank - an area claimed jing’s latest move to demon- “Vietnam demands that cated within China’s southern by Vietnam and Taiwan - as strate its assertiveness in the China respect Vietnam’s sov- Hainan province, announced well as the Spratly Islands and Bangladesh removes police disputed waters. ereignty and abolish its wrong- the establishment of Xisha dis- their adjacent waters, where China has recently been ful decisions,” Hang said in the trict on the Paracel Islands and there are multiple overlapping pushing its presence in the statement. Nansha district on the Spratly claims,” Thayer said. energy-rich waters while other A Chinese government sur- Islands, using the Chinese “Over the past six years offi cer over funeral gathering claimants are pre-occupied vey ship was seen earlier this names for the archipelagos. China has sought to expand its with tackling the new corona- week tagging an exploration “Vietnam has strongly af- control over the South China virus pandemic, prompting the vessel operated by Malaysia’s fi rmed many times that it has Sea by building artifi cial islands United States to call on China state oil company Petronas in suffi cient historical evidence and facilities that can be used IANS ail Upazila of Brahmanbaria people taking part in prayers in to stop its “bullying behaviour” the disputed waters, and re- and legal foundation to assert for military purposes.” Dhaka district. the country’s 300,000 mosques. there. mained off shore of Malaysia as its sovereignty over the Paracel Oil and gas exploration in Police had agreed with the The prime minister has called On Saturday it said it had es- of late yesterday. and Spratly Islands,” ministry the South China Sea is a highly family of Ansari, that only 50 on Bangladeshis to pray at home tablished an administrative dis- Earlier this month, Vietnam spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang fraught issue in both China and uthorities in Bangladesh people would attend the funeral when the Ramadan festival trict on the Paracel islands and lodged an offi cial protest with said in a statement, before de- Vietnam, which saw a series of have removed a police because of the risk of spreading starts this month. But a group another on the Spratly islands. China after the sinking of a Vi- manding China reverse its deci- violent disputes between 1974 Aoffi cer after tens of thou- the disease. of infl uential clerics has called The two districts are under etnamese fi shing boat it said had sion and refrain from carrying and 1988 over control of the sands of people defi ed the coun- Organisers said some 100,000 on Muslims to turn out in their the control of China’s Sansha been rammed by a China Coast out such acts in the future. Spratly and Paracel Islands. trywide lockdown to attend the attended the funeral. Aide to masses for daily prayers. funeral of a Muslim cleric, trig- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Last month at least 25,000 gering fears of rapid spread of the Shah Ali Farhad, also said more people attended a Muslim prayer coronavirus pandemic. than 100,000 were present. meeting in a fi eld in the southern The police headquarters in The cleric had passed away at city of Raipur to chant “healing a statement on Saturday night his home on Friday night. verses” to rid the country of the Indonesia cited offi cer in-charge of Sarail Bangladesh imposed a nation- deadly virus. police station in Brahmanbaria, wide lockdown on March 26 as The gathering was so large Shahadat Hossain’s failure to coronavirus spread across the that the authorities did not reports 327 take proper steps to prevent the country of 168mn people. bother to stop it, according to gathering as the reason behind The health department said media reports. the decision to remove him, the number of cases had risen Before his removal, the offi cer new virus reports bdnews24. by more than 300 on Saturday in-charge said that many people On Saturday, thousands to about 2,200, while nine more from as far as Dhaka came to join of people, without masks deaths in one day took the toll the funeral prayers. cases and in clear violations of to 84. “We never thought there social distancing, partici- Authorities have conducted would be this many people. Reuters/DPA pated in the funeral prayers few tests and experts say the There was nothing we could do Jakarta of Maulana Zubayer Ahmad number of cases is higher than once the crowd began streaming Ansari, held at a madrasa in offi cially recognised. in,” he was quoted as saying by Bertola village under Sor- New rules ban more than fi ve bdnews24. ndonesia reported 327 new coronavirus cases yesterday, Itaking the total number of PM announces food support for 50mn lockdown-hit people infections to 6,575. Health Ministry offi cial Ach- Bangladesh has announced it will Some 25mn people have already Its garment manufacturing mad Yurianto also reported 47 provide food support for 50mn been allowed to purchase sector has been badly hurt by new deaths, taking the total low-income people aff ected by subsidised food under the the pandemic and workers have to 582. the global coronavirus pandemic nationwide programme. gone unpaid. The fi gures come a day after that has killed at least 84 people Money, she said, will be diverted Food supply for the vulnerable the chairman of the Indonesian An Indonesian soldier from the Raider 112 infantry battalion puts a face mask on a man during a distribution in the South Asian country. from comparatively less groups has already began, said Doctors Association said that amid concerns of the Covid-19 coronavirus in Darul Imarah, Aceh province, yesterday. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina important development projects Hasina. the country’s actual death toll made the announcement on to meet expenses for the well- Earlier, Hasina announced could be nearly twice the offi cial sion was still occurring and been found in all 34 prov- from Wednesday, while three Saturday in a brief parliamentary being of the country of more than sector-wise bailout packages numbers. urged citizens to keep adhering inces, Indonesia has not other cities in the provinces of session that was convened amid 160mn people, 10% of whom are worth about $11.37bn, equivalent In response, Yurianto told to social and physical distancing imposed a nationwide lock- Central Java, Riau and South a nationwide lockdown to stem considered extremely poor. to 3.3% of the country’s GDP, to reporters in an online briefi ng measures. down, but the Health Min- Sulawesi also plan to impose the spread of the virus. Millions of daily wage labourers cushion the economic shock yesterday to “avoid the added The fi gures come following istry can grant permission measures this week. The government will also bring have been in dire need of food stemming out of the pandemic. psychological burden of untrue certain lockdown measures im- for regional governments The Health Ministry yester- an additional 5mn households since Bangladesh imposed a “We have taken short, medium news”. posed in Jakarta and its satellite to impose large-scale social day issued two new approvals into a scheme to provide nationwide closure of non- and long-term plans to deal Yurianto said the new re- cities, where most of the cases restrictions. for Tarakan in North Kaliman- subsidised grains from the public essential off ices, schools and with the impact,” Hasina told ported cases indicated that have been recorded. West Sumatra plans to im- tan and Banjarmasin in South distribution system, she said. transport. parliament. (DPA) human-to-human transmis- Despite infections having pose province-wide restrictions Kalimantan. 9 killed in Indonesia Thai grocery trucks get new life from virus shutdown mining accident Reuters have nearly driven them out of “Over the years, customers Pathum Thani business. have gradually changed their be- AFP district spokesman Firdaus Now the coronavirus outbreak haviour because they have more Jakarta Firman said. has given some of the back-of- choices, more access to products Three people keeping watch ries of “Food, here comes a-truck shops a new lease of life. than before,” she said. reported the accident to local the food,” echoed through “Although I’m scared of the “But once Covid-19 hit, the ine people were killed by offi cials when the group failed Ca Bangkok neighbour- virus, I still have to come out and trucks are doing better because a landslide at an illegal to emerge from the mine. hood as Wannapa Yarnsarn’s sell, otherwise customers won’t more people are staying home, Ngold mine in Sumat- The victims were local farm- truck arrived with everything have anything to eat,” said Wan- and they’re buying more per ra, an Indonesian offi cial said ers digging the gold without from mangoes and dried chillies napa, as she weighed and bagged household.” yesterday. proper equipment or protective to fresh meat for sale. produce for her customers. Thailand yesterday reported The accident happened on gear. People emerged from homes Wannapa said business had 32 new coronavirus cases, bring- Saturday in South Solok in The location and the rainy where they have been sheltering been good since the coronavirus ing its total to 2,765. No new West Sumatra province when weather also hampered rescue ef- in an eff ort to stop the spread of virus emerged in January with fatalities were reported. Thai- a group of 12 people were dig- forts. the coronavirus, choosing their an average daily profi t of 2,200 land has had 47 deaths from the ging for gold at an abandoned “All victims are accounted shopping from display racks baht ($67) compared with about coronavirus. mine. for and there’s no more miss- packed with bags of produce on 1,800 baht ($55) before. The government is trying to The area has several aban- ing,” Firman said, adding that the back of the truck. Panalee Phatraprasit, the di- limit social gatherings and is A grocery truck loaded with fresh produce is seen along a street on doned mines from the police and the local disaster For generations such mobile rector of a wholesale market that urging people to stay at home. the outskirts of Bangkok yesterday. colonial era. agency are investigating. shops were common in Thai serves hundreds of trucks plying Shopping malls have been or- “Eight men and one woman Illegal and unlicensed mines neighbourhoods but new shop- their trade in Bangkok, also said dered to close except for restau- “There are too many people at “We don’t want to go out any- went in to dig and were buried are prevalent across mineral- ping malls with their big super- the virus outbreak was good for rant deliveries and supermar- the supermarkets,” said Thep- way because we all know that the by a landslide. We evacuated rich Indonesia and the scene of markets and convenience stores a business that had long been in kets, and a six-hour curfew is in parak Bankajee, 43, an industrial food truck will be here,” added their bodies early this morning,” frequent accidents. with microwave-ready meals decline. force at night. worker now staying at home. Bankajee. Gulf Times 10 Monday, April 20, 2020 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA South Korea fl attens the curve, relaxes some social distancing rules

Reuters churches will face fewer restric- social distancing’ from May 6,” The language has now been a single digit daily rise. The in- note of caution about overly op- Korea had Asia’s largest number Seoul tions, while sports matches such Chung said. softened, allowing facilities to crease takes its total cases to timistic predictions. “We are of infections outside China. It as the popular Korea Baseball Health authorities have said restart operations as long as they 10,661. Of the new cases, fi ve continuously on the alert to has since been overtaken by other Organization (KBO) League can this would allow a reopening of comply with disinfection guide- were imported from overseas, the ensure we haven’t missed any countries. outh Korea extended its resume without an audience. the economy, while maintaining lines. Korea Centers for Disease Con- new infections, or whether the “The government will prepare social distancing policy “It is safest to maintain the in- guidelines on disinfection and “The government will evalu- trol and Prevention (KCDC) said. epidemic could be spread by for new daily lives and the new Sfor another 16 days yester- tensive social distancing, but it preventing the spread of the virus ate the degree of risk every two The death toll rose to 234. asymptomatic or mildly infect- world order ‘post-Covid’ with day but off ered some relief for isn’t easy realistically. We need in people’s daily lives. weeks and readjust the level of South Korea has largely man- ed patients,” KCDC chief Jeong the unifi ed power of the citizens,” churches and sporting fi xtures, to fi nd a middle ground,” Prime South Korea in March issued social distancing when neces- aged to bring the outbreak under Eun-kyeong told a briefi ng. Moon said. as it reported just eight new Minister Chung Sye-kyun told a an administrative order that sary,” Health Minister Park Ne- control and has recently been re- President Moon Jae-in yester- US President Trump spoke to coronavirus infections, the low- televised meeting of government strongly recommended religious, ung-hoo told reporters. porting daily new cases hovering day said South Korea’s progress Moon on Saturday and expressed est in two months. offi cials. “If we can maintain a indoor sports and entertainment The latest fi gure on new in- around 20. gave hope that the Covid-19 is appreciation for South Korea’s The slightly relaxed guide- stable management at the cur- facilities such as nightclubs sus- fections was the fi rst time since Health authorities called the “surmountable” in other parts of help in procuring Covid-19 tests lines mean high-risk venues like rent level, we will shift to ‘routine pend operations. Feb 18 that South Korea reported trend good news, but issued a the world. Earlier this year, South for the United States. Cook Islands China’s new virus cases fall, declared ‘Covid-19 all eyes on border province free zone’ Reuters district is seen as high-risk, Beijing according to a social media post by the State Council, or Cabi- DPA net. On April 15, the Chinese Canberra hina yesterday reported capital reported three local 16 new coronavirus cas- cases, all of which were linked Ces but no deaths while to an imported infection. he Cook Islands in the authorities remained on guard Areas that are considered of Pacifi c region has de- against a major resurgence and medium-risk in China include Tclared itself a “Cov- monitored the spread of cases two districts in Harbin, the city id-19 free zone,” one of the in Heilongjiang province. of Suifenhe in Heilongjiang, fi rst nations in the world to The National Health Com- two districts in the south- do so, after all the outstand- mission yesterday also issued a ern city of Guangzhou and ing tests carried out there re- notice asking for improvement Jiaozhou city in eastern Shan- turned negative. in testing capacity and quality dong province. With no recorded cases of nationwide. Separately, authorities re- coronavirus previously and Nine of the new cases were ported 44 new asymptomatic all outstanding tests return- imported infections, data from cases of coronavirus, includ- ing as negative, Prime Min- commission showed. Authori- ing three which were imported. ister Henry Puna declared ties reported that total con- Such cases, where patients test the Cook Islands “a Covid-19 firmed cases across mainland positive but show no clinical free zone,” a statement from China had risen to 82,735 with symptoms such as a cough or his offi ce said. 4,632 deaths as of April 18. fever, are excluded from Chi- Almost 900 swab tests The northeastern province na’s tally of confirmed cases. have been taken since last of Heilongjiang has seen a rise In urging better testing, the month. The Cook Islands is in infected travellers arriving National Health Commission a New Zealand-affi liated, from Russia in recent weeks, said all large general hospitals self-governing island coun- and is now battling to contain a need to set up laboratories that try in the South Pacifi c, some flare-up in local cases. meet certain requirements and 3,200km from Wellington, Heilongjiang has reported can conduct coronavirus test- and has 15 islands and 17,000 39 new local cases in the past ing independently. People wearing facemasks amid concerns over the coronavirus walk outside a shopping mall in Beijing. people. 10 days, or more than 50% of Since March, an average The country had imposed all new 73 locally transmitted 54,000 tests have been con- restrictions in the last week cases reported in the mainland ducted a day in Hubei province of March after New Zealand during the same period. Most and that rose to 89,000 tests on Director of Wuhan lab denies virus link started reporting dozens of were related to one imported April 17, Liu Dongru, a Hubei coronavirus cases, cancel- case in the provincial capital, health commission official, ling all church gatherings Harbin. Yesterday, 18 officials told a news conference yes- and asking people to stay at in Harbin, including a vice terday. In Beijing, the number AFP But the existence of the facil- the World Health Organisation in lets are “deliberately trying to homes. mayor, were punished. of institutions able to conduct Beijing ity has fuelled conspiracy theo- early January. mislead people”. Reports in the The government also an- To help contain the outbreak, nucleic acid testing has risen to ries that the germ spread from But this week the United Washington Post and Fox News nounced lifting some re- the Heilongjiang government 50 from 17 in early February, a the Wuhan Institute of Virol- States has brought the rumours have both quoted anonymous strictions, including travel is cautioning against family municipal health commission he director of a maximum- ogy, specifi cally its P4 labora- into the mainstream, with Sec- sources who voiced concern that between the main island of gatherings, cross infections at official said yesterday. security laboratory in Chi- tory which is equipped to handle retary of State Mike Pompeo say- the virus may have come – acci- Rarotonga, where capital hospitals, and slow reporting in In areas under great pres- Tna’s coronavirus ground- dangerous viruses. In an inter- ing US offi cials are doing a “full dentally – from the facility. Avarua is located, and outer epidemic investigations, it said sure, especially at land borders, zero city of Wuhan has rejected view with state media published investigation” into how the virus Yuan said the reports were islands. The government said on the provincial government’s local governments should help claims that it could be the source Saturday Yuan Zhiming, direc- “got out into the world”. When “entirely based on speculation” churches across the country website. county-level medical institu- of the outbreak, calling it “im- tor of the laboratory, said that asked if the research suggested without “evidence or knowl- was to open from Saturday, “The biggest political task at tions obtain nucleic acid test- possible”. “there’s no way this virus came the virus could have come from edge”. Authorities in Wuhan while schools will re-open present is to stop the rebound ing capability, the commission Beijing has come under increas- from us”. the institute, Yuan said: “I know initially tried to cover up the from today. and spread of the epidemic,” said. ing pressure over transparency in None of his staff had been in- it’s impossible.” “As people who outbreak and there have been The students and church- Wang Yongkang, vice governor Testing should be conducted its handling of the pandemic, with fected, he told the English-lan- carry out viral studies we clearly questions about the offi cial tally goers will have to continue of Heilongjiang, was quoted by qualified medical institu- the US probing whether the virus guage state broadcaster CGTN, know what kind of research is of infections with the govern- to practice physical distanc- as saying. Elsewhere in main- tions and independent medi- actually originated in a virology adding the “whole institute is going on at the institute and how ment repeatedly changing its ing. Otherwise, more than 10 land China, all areas in central cal laboratories, it said, adding institute with a high-security bi- carrying out research in diff er- the institute manages viruses counting criteria at the peak of people are still not allowed to Hubei province including Wu- that training for medical staff osafety laboratory. ent areas related to the corona- and samples,” he said. the outbreak. This week authori- meet. The country remains han, the epicentre of the out- should be stepped up and test- Chinese scientists have said virus”. The institute had already He said that because the P4 ties in the city admitted mis- in Code Yellow, which means break in China, are now con- ing operations standardised to the virus likely jumped from an dismissed the theory in Febru- laboratory is in Wuhan “people takes in counting its death toll the government is on “alert” sidered low risk. reduce problems with the ac- animal to humans in a market ary, saying it had shared infor- can’t help but make associa- and abruptly raised the fi gure by for possible delayed wide- However, a Beijing central curacy of testing. that sold wildlife. mation about the pathogen with tions”, but that some media out- 50%. spread disease transmission.

Living in a lockdown Australia demands international probe into origins of coronavirus

Reuters There have been 71 deaths in Australia. offi cials in Geneva, we think was Melbourne a response which didn’t help the The rate of increase in new cases has world,” Hunt told a briefi ng. “We been below 1% for seven consecutive have done well because we made ustralia yesterday added to our own decisions as a country.” growing pressure on China days – much lower than in many other Australia went against the ad- Aover its handling of the countries vice of the WHO on Feb 1 and novel coronavirus, questioning banned people arriving from its transparency and demanding health system, reporting 53 new we are able to engage openly.” China. It later closed its borders an international investigation into cases yesterday. They took its total Australia’s call for an investiga- and imposed strict curbs on pub- the origins of the virus and how it to 6,586, according to the health tion comes as US President Don- lic movements. Hunt said Aus- spread. ministry data. ald Trump has been stepping up tralia was winning in its campaign The coronavirus is believed to There have been 71 deaths in his criticism of China. Trump and against the coronavirus but had have emerged in a market sell- Australia. The rate of increase in his senior aides have also accused not yet won. “We have to focus ing wildlife in the central Chinese new cases has been below 1% for China of a lack of transparency on containment and capacity,” he city of Wuhan late last year. It has seven consecutive days – much after the coronavirus broke out. said. Neighbouring New Zealand, A soap bubble passes before a visitor wearing a face mask at Inokashira Park in Tokyo. Japanese spread around the world infect- lower than in many other coun- On Saturday, Trump said China which adopted one the world’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expanded a state of emergency due to the coronavirus to cover the ing some 2.3mn people and killing tries. Payne’s call for an enquiry should face consequences if it was harshest lockdowns even before whole country to stem the growing spread of the disease. nearly 160,000 of them, according into the outbreak comes at time “knowingly responsible” for the reporting a fi rst death, has been to Reuters calculations. of tense ties between her country pandemic. China dismisses such even more successful in suppress- Australia’s foreign minister, and its most important trading criticism saying it has been open ing coronavirus. Marise Payne, said her concern partner. about the outbreak and in warning There were four new confi rmed Virus restrictions put brakes on Vanuatu cyclone relief about China’s transparency was at Relations have deteriorated the world about it. cases in New Zealand yesterday, a “a very high point”. “The issues amid Australian accusations of Last week, Trump suspended bringing the total of infections to Vanuatu’s rigid coronavirus newly homeless families were still closed its borders. Aid agencies around the coronavirus are is- Chinese meddling in domestic aid to the World Health Organisa- 1,098. Eleven people have died. lockdown is hindering critical sleeping in the open. said around a third of the sues for independent review, and aff airs and concern about what tion accusing it of being “China- “I know it hasn’t been easy, but it relief eff orts to rebuild the island Australia, New Zealand and China country’s 300,000 people were in I think that it is important that we Australia sees as China’s grow- centric”. The Geneva-based agen- has been working,” Prime Minister country after it was pummelled have rushed in emergency aid but need of emergency shelter. do that,” Payne told ABC televi- ing, and undue, infl uence in the cy rejected that but Australian Jacinda Ardern said at a televised by Tropical Cyclone Harold, aid distribution has been hampered But humanitarian workers were sion. “In fact, Australia will abso- Pacifi c region. “My trust in China Health Minister Greg Hunt also briefi ng. She said her government agencies said. Nearly two weeks by strict quarantine requirements struggling to get supplies to those lutely insist on that.” Australia has is predicated in the long-term,” criticised it, saying some of its re- will meet on Monday to decide after the deadly monster storm after Vanuatu – one of the few most in need, said Jacqueline De managed to get its epidemic under Payne said. “My concern is around sponse to the coronavirus was not whether to ease social distancing barrelled through the South remaining countries without Gaillande, the Red Cross secretary control before it strained its public transparency and ensuring that helpful. “What we saw from some restrictions. Pacific, local media reported that confirmed Covid-19 infections – general in Vanuatu. Gulf Times Monday, April 20, 2020 11

BRITAIN 4,000 residents may have died from virus: care homes Guardian News and Media was likely to be more than 7,300. also found a doubling of deaths linked to the coronavirus, three tensive research to safeguard the crisis is playing out in other set- Care England claims there have London Data collected by the NCF, related to Covid-19 (2,500) in times more than in the previous people they care for.” tings, which are there to protect been 7,500 more deaths in care which represents not-for-profi t residential and nursing homes in week and double the number in She added: “So long as groups those who are most vulnerable home from all causes in the adult social care providers, sug- the space of one week. the whole of the previous month. such as residents in care services to the impact of the virus. If we past fortnight than would be group representing care gests 4,040 people may have died Only 217 such care-home Vic Rayner, the NCF’s execu- are omitted from the realtime truly believe that every life has expected at this time of year. home providers has esti- from Covid-19 in residential and deaths have been offi cially re- tive director, said: “By highlight- national reporting on the impact value, there can be no meaning- The daily number of UK-wide Amated that about 4,000 nursing homes up to April 13 but corded in England and Wales up ing the scale of the tragedy, we of the coronavirus pandemic, the ful discussions about exit strat- coronavirus deaths, announced residents have died during the are yet to be included in offi cial to April 3. are giving the government an op- government will surely be unable egies without considering these each day by the government, coronavirus pandemic and has fi gures. The NCF collected data from portunity to respond with equal to properly plan for how to pro- individuals.” only includes people who died called on the government to build The fi gures will further fuel care homes that looked after eff ort. It must act immediately tect its people or exit this crisis. The offi cial fi gure of 217 has in hospital. a “ring of steel” to safeguard “the concerns that the recorded death more than 30,000 people in total. and build a ‘ring of steel’ around Our current national debate on been questioned as two of the Virus-related deaths in care most vulnerable among us”. toll does not give a true picture That number represents almost care homes. They need the right how to mitigate and exit this cri- UK’s largest care home provid- homes and elsewhere are meas- The National Care Forum said of the number of fatalities, and 7.5% of people living in such ac- PPE (personal protective equip- sis is virtually entirely centred ers, HC-One and MHA, said they ured separately, and fi gures that once the deaths of residents according to the NCF, highlight commodation in the UK. ment), medical monitoring de- on the management of the peak collectively know of 442 corona- for England and Wales are an- who had been moved to hospital “signifi cant fl aws in the current It said that in the week from vices, rapid and comprehensive within hospitals. virus-related deaths. nounced every Tuesday by the were factored in, the true fi gure national reporting”. The NCF April 7-13, there were 299 deaths testing, proper funding and in- “We are overlooking how this Separately, analysis from Offi ce for National Statistics.

Govt urged to suspend NHS charges, Gove defends checks on migrants Johnson after

Guardian News and Media London

Ps have urged the gov- criticism over ernment to suspend MNHS charges and im- migration checks during the coronavirus crisis, and have warned that undocumented mi- grants are dying at home because they are afraid to seek medical virus response care. A letter to the Health Secre- AFP meetings in January and February. Williamson also defended his tary, Matt Hancock, signed by London “None of us expect the impos- boss, saying he “has absolutely 60 MPs warns that the govern- sible, but there are serious ques- been leading our eff ort” to fi ght ment’s eff orts to respond to the tions about why the prime minis- the virus. pandemic are being undermined he government yesterday ter skipped Cobra meetings,” the Meanwhile, the government’s by the legacy of its hostile envi- insisted that Prime Minister opposition Labour Party’s shadow target of carrying out 100,000 ronment policies. TBoris Johnson was “on top health minister Jonathan Ash- Covid-19 tests each day by the end The letter cites the case of of things” as he recovers from the worth told Sky News. of the month has come under crit- a Filipino man, known only as coronavirus facing criticism of his “It suggests early on he was icism from senior scientists, who Elvis, who died on April 8 while early handling of the crisis. missing in action.” say it will be impossible to reach. self-isolating at home with Cov- The Conservative leader spent Gove claimed there were inac- Experts told the Guardian that a id-19 symptoms. three days in intensive care after curacies in the Sunday Times re- “macho” focus on headline-grab- He did not seek care “fearing contracting the virus, and has been port, which was based largely on bing fi gures had been pursued at that he would be charged thou- off work since March 27, but was unnamed civil service sources, and the expense of rigorous science. sands of pounds for his treat- released from hospital last Sunday that the government would issue a Gove, yesterday said the gov- ment, or that he would face after a week-long stay. rebuttal. ernment was confi dent that the immigration enforcement if he Britain’s offi cial death toll from “The idea that the prime min- goal of 100,000 tests daily by the tried to access care”, the letter the virus now stands at 16,060 af- ister ‘skipped’ meetings, I think, end of April would be met. said. ter 596 more deaths were reported is grotesque, there are meetings However, scepticism is build- It added that the man’s wife yesterday, and the country has across government, some chaired ing. On Saturday, only 21,626 tests also has the virus but is not seek- been under lockdown since March by the health secretary, some were carried out. ing help for the same reasons. 23, with the government extend- chaired by other ministers,” he Paul Hunter, a professor of Elvis’s death came days af- ing it until at least the end of the said. medicine at the University of East ter that of another man, known month. “The prime minister took all Anglia, said he viewed the target only as Rey, according to human Education Minister Gavin Wil- the major decisions. Nobody can as impossible. “I cannot see that rights group Rapar. liamson yesterday said “I can’t say that the prime minister wasn’t being achieved,” he said. “It was The Kanlungan Filipino Con- give you a date” as to when schools throwing heart and soul into the always designed to be a headline sortium, which supports vulner- would reopen. virus.” grabber rather than anything else.” able migrants from the Philip- Recent fi gures suggest the out- pines, has said there are many break in Britain was “starting to undocumented workers in the plateau”, said Jenny Harries, dep- Delivery of vital PPE delayed UK in a similar situation. uty chief medical offi cer for Eng- “They have lost their jobs due land, but warned it was “not fair to A delivery of protective first reported by Sky News. “It’s to the lockdown and are ineli- say we are past the peak”. equipment for health workers not quite ready yet,” the off icial gible for government support,” Senior minister Michael Gove that was due yesterday from said, adding that they were said Susan Cueva, from the earlier sought to defend Johnson Turkey has been delayed, a “working to get this delivered as government off icial said, as soon as possible”. With hospitals consortium. “They often live in after the prime minister was ac- medics on the frontline of under strain, health workers crowded conditions with other cused of being “missing in action” the coronavirus outbreak have criticised the government’s undocumented workers and they in the early stages of the outbreak. increasingly report shortages of advice that PPE worn while are too scared to go to a doctor or Johnson “is absolutely on top of gear. Ministers had on Saturday treating patients infected with hospital.” things” and issuing instructions, highlighted an 84-tonne coronavirus could be re-used, Calls to stop NHS data-sharing Gove told Sky News.”The prime consignment that was due to as supplies run low across the arrive from Turkey containing country. Helena McKeown, chair with the Home Offi ce and sus- minister is recovering well, he is in personal protective equipment of the British Medical Association pend healthcare charges for over- cheerful spirits.” (PPE), including 400,000 which represents doctors, told seas visitors have been backed by His comments came after a protective gowns. A foreign off ice Sky News the delay would be the British Medical Association, Sunday Times newspaper report spokesperson cited “clearance “devastating” news for health the Royal College of Physicians Education Secretary Gavin Williamson speaks during a remote press conference to update the nation on said Johnson had missed fi ve of the and paperwork” for the delay, professionals. and Doctors of the World. the Covid-19 pandemic, inside 10 Downing Street in central London yesterday. government’s emergency response Pebble sculptures Teen dies after being Police apologise hit by motorbike

Guardian News and Media “Kent police received notifi - London cation of the funeral the evening for threatening man before it was due to take place and was therefore unable to Guardian News and Media something like that, then fine, metre distance, spitting at me 17-year-old man has died speak to those attending to en- London I’ll lock you up. We’ll do that, while he was shouting,” the Lan- after he was hit by a mo- courage them to adhere to social shall we?” cashire Telegraph quoted the man Atorcycle at a funeral at- distancing measures. The man said again that he had as claiming on social media. tended by 150 people in defi ance “As a contingency, offi cers ancashire police have done nothing wrong, prompting Chief constable Andy Rhodes of coronavirus physical distanc- maintained a visible presence apologised after an offi cer the offi cer to threaten to fabricate of Lancashire police said the of- ing rules. during the day and looked to Lwas fi lmed threatening to evidence. “We’ll make some- fi cer had behaved in an unac- Aaron Smith, who had three strike a balance between allow- “make something up” in order to thing up, public order, squaring ceptable fashion and recognised children, suff ered fatal head in- ing those who attended the op- “lock up” a young man. up to a police offi cer. Shall I do that threatening to make off enc- juries in the incident near Sit- portunity to grieve, while pro- After the incident in Accring- that? Who are they going to be- es up damaged public confi dence tingbourne, Kent. tecting the wider community ton, the man reportedly com- lieve, me or you?” in the police. Police offi cers did not inter- from any potential health con- plained that the offi cer had not The man gestured towards his “The footage shows language vene to stop the funeral taking cerns.” respected physical distancing friend who was fi lming the inci- and behaviour from one offi cer place despite being informed Friends of Smith paid tribute guidelines when he approached dent, and the offi cer said: “You which were completely unac- about it the previous evening. to the teenager online, with one him and loudly demanded he can fi lm all you want.” ceptable and for this I apologise Local media reported that two describing him as “so young and surrender his car keys on Friday Another offi cer then told the without reservation,” he said. men had been arrested after what talented” and a GoFundMe page afternoon. man: “Show some respect.” The “We recognise the impact that police described as “disruptive to raise money for his family say- “You’re harassing me … I’ve outcome of the incident was un- this behaviour will have had, both and antisocial riding” at the fu- ing he was “taken too soon”. done nothing wrong,” the man clear. on the young man concerned, neral, which witnesses said was Chief inspector Neil Loudon was fi lmed saying, to which the Police said the offi cers were en and on the hard earned trust and attended by numerous motorcy- said: “Kent police was aff orded offi cer replied: “Do you want route to search an address under confi dence of the wider public, clists. The two arrested men were very little notice about this large me to show you the defi nition of a warrant when they stopped to particularly the comments about aged 24 and 32 and were arrested gathering and as such a decision harassment? Give us your details speak to the group of men, who making off ences up. It only takes on suspicion of dangerous driv- was made to allow the funeral and then we’ll let you go. Give me had apparently just bought a one incident like this to undo the ing and driving without a licence. to go ahead during what was no the keys. Give me the keys and sit quad bike. hard work of so many.” A spokesman for Kent police doubt a diffi cult time for those in the car and shut up.” “He started to hail abuse at Rhodes said the man had re- said: “Approximately 150 people who had lost a loved one. Offi c- He was then given the keys me, threatening me and saying ceived a personal apology and attended a funeral in Sheppey ers’ priority was to maintain a by the man, who took a step to he will make something up to that the incident had been re- Way, Sittingbourne, resulting in presence while off ering protec- the side, prompting the officer lock me away. His words were, ferred to the force’s professional People look at pebble sculptures on Whitley Bay beach, concerns about social distanc- tion to the wider community to warn: “If you want to step to ‘who they going to believe, me or standards department for inves- Britain, yesterday. ing during the current Covid-19 around any health concerns they me and puff your chest out or you?’, while not keeping his two tigation. pandemic. may have had.” Gulf Times 12 Monday, April 20, 2020 EUROPE Italian mob seeks to profi t from coronavirus crisis, prosecutors say

Reuters fi a in its traditional strongholds Scaramella heads the San noticed suspicious activity in said. “The Camorra knows this is poor, including food coupons for lives with a 24-hour police escort Rome of southern Italy, offi cials and Giuseppe Moscato Foundation, a Naples, including Camorra clans the right time to invest.” those who cannot aff ord to shop. because of his investigations of charitable groups say that the group in Naples that fi ghts loan distributing free food to families Naples charity worker Antonio Offi cials believe the coronavi- the ‘Ndrangheta clans in south- pandemic has created new op- sharking, in part by guaranteeing left short on cash by the national Lucidi said his charity “L’Altra rus has badly disrupted the mob ern Calabria, said the mob was taly’s mafi a clans are taking portunities for organised crime bank loans to people normally lockdown. Napoli” (The Other Naples) has economy, in part because the more than willing to help small advantage of the coronavirus to regain people’s loyalties. considered credit risks. “We have evidence,” De Raho raised more than €150,000 to shutdown has made it hard for businesses stay afl oat now or Ipandemic to buy favour with “We know that ‘families of He told Reuters that the sharks told Reuters, declining to give deliver food to needy families so criminals to move around. start up again later. poor families facing fi nancial friends’, all of them loan sharks, start by off ering loans at rates details because investigations are they won’t have to accept it from “The collapse of drug dealing “Mobsters can buy these prop- ruin, prosecutors and offi cials are making themselves avail- that compete with banks and ongoing. the mob during the lockdown. is causing serious damage,” said erties (if loans are not repaid) and say, and are off ering loans and able to give money to the peo- later entrap borrowers by driving Past experience suggests the “When hunger becomes a real Michele Emiliano, the governor use them for money laundering,” food in what is seen as an age-old ple in diffi culty,” said Amedeo them up to 300%. mob could seek repayment for issue, it’s hard to resist tempta- of the southern Puglia region and he told Reuters. “Mobsters want recruitment tactic. Scaramella, using a euphemism Federico Cafi ero De Raho, such largesse in the future by ask- tion,” he told Reuters. a former magistrate. less guarantees on loans, because After decades of campaigning by which clans of the Camorra Italy’s national anti-mafi a pros- ing recipients to take on activities Italy’s government has prom- Nicola Gratteri, one of Italy’s for them the main guarantee is to curb the infl uence of the ma- criminal syndicate are known. ecutor, said that his agents had such as transporting drugs, he ised €400mn of welfare for the best-known prosecutors who the life of the victim.” Pandemic is under Spain’s PM under fi re for control, says Putin

Reuters plan to extend lockdown Moscow DPA/AFP/Reuters termath of the virus’ impact. Madrid An editorial in daily newspa- resident Vladimir Putin per El Mundo said that Spain was said that Russian authori- the last country in the world to Pties had the coronavirus he Spanish government emerge from lockdown and that crisis under full control and that was the subject of criti- Sanchez had “avoided confi rm- everything would work out with Tcism yesterday for plans to ing any details” about how it God’s help, even as the country extend the nationwide lockdown would be conducted. registered yesterday a record by about two weeks, even as the Over the past 24 hours, there daily rise in cases of the new vi- rate of new infections continued have been some 4,000 new in- rus. to drop. fections, bringing the total to Russia reported 6,060 new Prime Minister Pedro nearly 196,000. cases in the previous 24 hours, Sanchez’s request to prolong the The infection growth rate has bringing its nationwide tally to stay-at-home order to May 9 fallen to around 2.4%, from highs 42,853, though the offi cial death must still be signed off by parlia- of 20%. toll of 361 remains relatively low ment, but approval is considered For fi ve weeks Spain’s almost compared with other countries all but certain as the opposition 47mn citizens have been allowed with a similar number of cases. has expressed support. to leave their homes in only a few In a video message to congrat- The leftist-coalition govern- exceptional cases: mainly to go to ulate Christians on the Orthodox ment received widespread back- work, the doctor, or the grocery Easter, Putin said that the reli- ing for the previous two exten- store. gious festival would strengthen sions of a state of emergency fi rst Unlike in other countries, out- Russians’ hope and faith because imposed on March 14, including door walks and sports are strictly the resurrection of Christ was a from the main opposition con- prohibited. powerful symbol of rebirth and a servative party People’s Party Spain, the third-worst aff ected reminder that life goes on. (PP). country in the world, after the US The Russian leader, who “From the beginning we have and Italy, registered a sharp drop looked relaxed as he sat in front said that (Sanchez) would have in its daily death toll from the of a fi replace at his out of town our support to save lives, but not novel coronavirus yesterday with Moscow residence, said his to ruin Spain or to hide his mis- 410 new fatalities – the lowest in country had all the necessary takes,” PP’s leader Pablo Casado almost a month. Stuff ed toys hang between buildings in Ronda, southern Spain. Under the pandemic lockdown measures, children must stay at home. resources to do what was needed said in an interview with La Ra- “It’s a number that gives for people’s health and the econ- zon newspaper published yester- us hope,” said health ministry Such a drop is often followed “Data confi rms the breaking of Close to a million tests had conference centre to treat up to omy. day. emergencies co-ordinator Fern- by a rise at the start of the week. the curve, even with an increased been conducted as of April 13. 1,500 people with coronavirus “All levels of power are work- The interview was conducted ando Simon. “It’s the fi rst time Nevertheless, he said that the number of tests,” said health The latest fi gures have given was closed on Friday. ing in an organised, responsible before Sanchez’s announcement we are under 500 dead since the number of deaths, hospital and minister Salvador Illa, referring some relief to the country’s over- The Spanish authorities be- and timely way,” said Putin, who on Saturday that he would seek daily tolls began to climb.” intensive care admissions were to the evolution of the death toll. whelmed health system. lieve the country reached the was fl anked by painted Easter another extension. The total number of fatalities on a downward trend “which “It is still a diffi cult stage, but we In Madrid, regional president peak of the pandemic on April eggs, a traditional Orthodox Ku- Sanchez is scheduled to meet in Spain has reached 20,453, the clearly indicates that the trans- are going in the right direction.” Isabel Diaz Ayuso announced 2 when they had counted 950 lich sweet bread, and a big pot Casado today as the prime min- health ministry said. mission of the disease has sub- Spain is conducting around that a makeshift morgue set up deaths in 24 hours. of tea. “The situation is under ister aims to launch what he has But Simon admitted the daily stantially decreased”. 40,000 coronavirus tests dai- at an ice rink would close on But they are not ready to rec- full control. All of our society is called “agreements for recon- fall could be explained by the Health workers account for ly, one of the highest numbers Wednesday. ommend a lifting of the nation- united in front of the common struction”, a wide-ranging na- lower registration of fatalities 15.6% of those infected, Simon among European countries, Illa And one unit of a fi eld hospital wide lockdown, one of the tight- threat.” tionwide pact to address the af- over the weekend. said. said. that was set up inside Madrid’s est in Europe. Authorities and clerics have urged Christians to stay at home during the Orthodox Easter weekend, though a senior cleric urged police on Saturday to be Recovery from coronavirus must be just and equitable, says Pope lenient on those who still try to make it to church. Coronavirus infections in Reuters time to heal injustice around the world shrines for the end of the pandemic, said Russia began rising sharply in Rome because it undermined the health of the the recovery should not sacrifi ce “those April after Moscow reported entire human family. left behind on the altar of progress”, par- far fewer infections than many “Now, while we are looking forward to a ticularly the poor. western European countries in ope Francis has called for an all-em- slow and arduous recovery from the pan- More than 23,000 people have died the outbreak’s early stages. bracing vision of the world after the demic, there is a danger that we will forget from the novel coronavirus in Italy and the Some Russian doctors ques- PCovid-19 crisis, saying that moving those who are left behind,” Francis said in Vatican has mirrored the nearly six-week- tioned the veracity of those early on without global solidarity or excluding his homily in the church of Santo Spirito in old lockdown in the country, forcing the statistics given what they said sectors of society from the recovery would Sassia, chosen because it is also known as pope to hold all his Masses and general was the low quality and scale of result in “an even worse virus”. the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy. audiences without the public. testing, although Russian au- The Pope left the Vatican for the fi rst “The risk is that we may then be struck In his homily, Francis said the pandemic thorities say they have carried time in more than a month yesterday to by an even worse virus, that of selfi sh in- “reminds us that there are no diff erences out 1.94mn tests as of yesterday, say Mass in an almost empty church a few diff erence. A virus spread by the thought or borders between those who suff er”. a feat they say puts them in the blocks away to mark Divine Mercy Sunday. that ‘life is better if it is better for me, and In his noon message immediately af- top three countries for testing. In his homily at the Mass, as well as in that everything will be fi ne if it is fi ne for ter the Mass, he called for “just sharing Russia’s coronavirus epicentre his traditional Sunday message after- me’,” he said. among nations and their institutions in is in Moscow, the capital, where wards, Francis said the recovery could not Francis, who last ventured into a de- order to confront the current crisis in a Bishop Josef Bart and a nun clean a street before Pope Francis’s arrival to lead a 24,324 cases had been recorded leave anyone behind and that now was the serted Rome on March 15 to pray at two manner marked by solidarity”. Mass and the Regina Coeli prayer in Rome’s Santo Spirito church. and 176 people had died. Germany marks 75th anniversary Death sparks unrest at major migrant camp of the liberation of Nazi camps AFP many camp residents have likely tear gas to disperse the protest- been reported in island camps so Athens been left homeless. ers. far, but two camps on the main- “Authorities are still assess- At least three vehicles outside land have registered cases. AFP manship of the International Smaller ceremonies were ing the damages but a few hun- the camp were also gutted. As with all of Greece’s island Berlin Holocaust Remembrance Alli- also held on Thursday at Sach- fi re ripped through one of dred people are likely aff ected A police source in Athens camps, Vial is massively over- ance last month, and Maas said it senhausen and nearby Raven- Greece’s largest migrant because their shelters have said two Afghans and an Iraqi crowded with more than 5,000 would use the year at the helm to sbrueck. Acamps leaving wide- burned down. We have donated had been arrested in relation to people living in space intended erman Foreign Minister “fi ght against those who deny or At Bergen-Belsen in Lower spread damage and many peo- tents to the authorities which the unrest, which erupted after for around 1,000. Heiko Maas has pledged distort the history of the Holo- Saxony, memorial centre em- ple homeless after the death of can quickly be put into use and a 47-year-old asylum-seeker Some 100,000 asylum- Gto fi ght Holocaust denial caust”. ployees laid fl owers at the “Wall an Iraqi woman sparked unrest, we will assist in replacing the from Iraq died in the camp on seekers are currently stranded as a trio of former Nazi concen- “When remembrance is vili- of Inscriptions”, while Germans offi cials said yesterday. warehouse tents,” he told AFP. Saturday. in Greece after other European tration camps mark the 75th an- fi ed as a ‘cult of guilt’, and vic- across the country observed a The blaze that broke out late Anissa, a 22-year-old asy- “We managed to restore or- states closed their borders in niversary of their liberation in tims reframed as perpetrators, minute’s silence to mark the lib- on Saturday at Vial camp on lum-seeker from Somalia who der at around 1 am ... there were 2016. the shadow of the coronavirus be this in Germany or abroad, we eration anniversary last Wednes- Chios island destroyed the fa- declined to give her last name many people who took part in Overall, more than 36,000 pandemic. Germans cannot remain silent,” day. cilities of the European Union out of concern for her safety, the incidents,” another police people are sheltering in the Memorial ceremonies have he said. More than 50,000 people died asylum service, a camp canteen, said the fi re “burned two big source on Chios said. camps on islands near Turkey had to be cancelled or dramati- Sachsenhausen, located just at the Bergen-Belsen camp. warehouse tents, and many tents and each tent has more The Iraqi woman who died that were originally built for cally scaled back for the camps at north of Berlin, is one of several Among them was the diarist housing containers, migration than 20 homes” inside. had been taken with a fever to a 6,100. Sachsenhausen, Ravensbrueck, former camps which were liber- Anne Frank, whose accounts of ministry secretary Manos Logo- Aziza Husseini, a 30-year-old hospital earlier this week. The migration ministry has and Bergen-Belsen. ated by Allied forces 75 years ago the Holocaust have become a thetis told AFP. mother of two from Afghani- At the time, a test for coro- said it will begin moving hun- “More than 20,000 people this week. symbol of the suff ering infl icted “A large part of the camp’s stan, said a group of camp resi- navirus had returned negative, dreds of elderly and ailing asy- lost their lives in Sachsenhausen The Sachsenhausen memo- by the Nazis during the Second administrative services was dents “attacked the food ware- state news agency ANA reported lum-seekers out of the island concentration camp. If we held rial centre, which had planned World War. destroyed,” said Logothetis, houses, set fi re to the info point, on Saturday. camps to protect them from the a minute of silence for each of a number of events from Friday Commemorative events origi- adding that no injuries were re- took the food refrigerators into Migrant camps in Greece have coronavirus. them, there would be silence for to Tuesday but has closed along nally planned for the weekend ported. the camp and set them on fi re”. been under quarantine in recent A scheme to gradually relo- two weeks,” Maas said in a video with others, moved commemo- have been postponed to April The UN refugee agency’s “We are not safe at all, we are weeks, with authorities trying cate 1,600 unaccompanied mi- statement. “But the fi ght against rations online with a series of 2021, and some of the planned spokesman in Athens, Boris very scared ... we can’t sleep at to keep residents apart from lo- nors from war-torn countries forgetting may not be silent.” video clips including Maas’s speeches were also delivered on- Cheshirkov, said the damage night,” she said. cals. to other European nations also Germany assumed the chair- statement. line. is still being evaluated but that Both women said police fi red No coronavirus cases have began this week. Gulf Times Monday, April 20, 2020 13 INDIA

Himachal cherry growers anxious about lockdown impact

IANS due to shortage of packaging “Right now, we are keeping our allow them to rot,” he said. This season the traders He also sought a minimum vation and grow over 20 varieties Shimla material and curbs on inter-state fi ngers crossed,” Manta said. The coronavirus pandemic had couldn’t do so also because the support price of Rs50 per kg for on over 500 hectares. transportation. Bhagat Singh, head of the kept local carton traders largely corrugated producing units are cherries. Trade representatives said the “The cherry crop this time is Halyana Co-operative Society, locked in their homes for over a shut since March 24. “The government should make state’s imported cherry varieties, t’s cherry season in Himachal set to be above normal. But the a Kotgarh-based society with month, causing shortage of boxes Rakesh Singha, a legislator from arrangements for transportation like deuro nera, stella, merchant Pradesh. main hurdle, we foresee, is to membership of 500 stone-fruit in the market. Theog, last week met Chief Min- of the procured cherries to the and celsius, which have a longer I The Shimla district that shift the crop from the orchard to growers, expressed apprehen- Local traders depend on the ister Jai Ram Thakur and urged markets. Or the government can shelf life, are always in great de- alone accounts for over 90% of the Azadpur mandi in Delhi, the sions on its marketing. corrugated box units outside the him to procure the entire cherry make jams and jellies at its plants mand. the state’s cherry output is set to marketing hub of the region,” Dev The farmers were facing huge state. produce directly from growers to from stone-fruits, like plums, The hub of cherry cultivation reap a bountiful crop. Manta, a grower from Kotkhai in shortage of corrugated packing It’s not easy for them to get protect them from losses amid the cherries and peaches,” Singha is Narkanda, Kotgarh, Baagi, Ma- The State Horticulture De- the Shimla district, told IANS by boxes, he said. boxes without government inter- coronavirus pandemic. said. tiana, Kumarsain and Thanedhar partment is expecting 452 tonnes phone. “Since the cherries can’t be vention. “We have apprised the chief The higher reaches of Shimla, in the Shimla district. of crop this year, slightly less According to him, cherry trees transported from orchards with- Every year a month ahead of minister about shortage of pack- Kullu, Mandi, Chamba and Kin- The cultivation of cherries than last year’s all-time high of in the region have healthy fruits out packing them in boxes, we the stone-fruit harvesting, which aging boxes and problems of naur, at 6,000-8,000ft alti- has emerged as an alternative in 550 tonnes. and they will start ripening by need them immediately. Other- is months ahead of harvesting of transporting cherry to markets tudes above sea level are ideal for the apple-growing areas of the Farmers are, however, scepti- the end of April or the fi rst week wise, it will not be a fruitful ex- apple, the state’s main fruit crop, due to the lockdown,” Singha, stone-fruit cultivation. state and is fetching fairly high cal about supply to its main mar- of May, depending on the alti- ercise to harvest cherries, despite they would place orders with the himself a prominent fruit grower, Nearly 20,000 marginal farm- prices compared with other ket, which is north Indian plains, tude of the orchard. shortage of labourers, and then manufacturing units. told IANS. ers are involved in cherry culti- fruits. DGCA tells airlines not to take bookings

Agencies lines for a full refund if the book- New Delhi ings were done during the fi rst phase of lockdown for travel up to May 3. ndia’s aviation regulator has However, the government has told airlines not to take book- not taken any decision till now Iings as the government has on whether full refund should be not yet decided when to recom- given to passengers who booked mence fl ights after a lockdown their tickets before the lockdown scheduled to end on May 3. for travel during the March 25- The Directorate General of May 3 period. Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued the The fi rst phase of the lock- notifi cation after some Indian down was from March 25 to April airlines started taking bookings 14 which was extended until May for May 4 onwards. 3. IndiGo, the country’s larg- All domestic and international est airline, and Vistara, owned commercial passenger fl ights by Singapore Airlines and Tata have been suspended for the Group, had said earlier they lockdown period. would begin operations in a However, cargo and special phased manner from May 4. fl ights permitted by the DGCA Prime Minister Narendra Modi can fl y during this period. extended the lockdown across Information and Broadcasting Off icers of the Special Combat Force wing of Kolkata police patrol a street to enforce the lockdown in Kolkata yesterday. India to May 3, from April 14, as Minister Prakash Javadekar said the number of coronavirus cases yesterday the government had spiked, but permitted some sec- so far not taken any decision on tors to partially open up after starting train or airline services today. for passengers, adding any dis- “All airlines are hereby di- cussion on the issue was futile. rected to refrain from booking Asked if the government was tickets...they shall be given suf- looking at any timeline to start Restrictions to be eased fi cient notice and time for re- passenger transport services starting operations,” the DGCA like trains or airlines, he told the notice said. Press Trust of India news agency: Air India has stopped taking “It has to start one day but which bookings on all fl ights, said its is that one day you don’t know at offi cials, a day after Civil Avia- this moment. Discussion about it tion Minister Hardeep Singh is futile because we are examin- in some areas from today Puri “advised” airlines to open ing the situation every day and bookings only after the govern- drawing new lessons.” Agencies “For places where selective This includes 10 new districts, nomic wheels again. We are giv- Wayanad where also normal ac- ment takes a decision on resum- Still, the government has an- New Delhi relaxations are granted, admin- including Bihar’s Gaya and Saran, ing selective permissions from tivities will be allowed. ing passenger fl ights. nounced a roadmap to restart istrators must ensure that strict Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly, Punjab’s tomorrow, especially in orange In both these zones, shops, The minister’s comment came some industrial activity after compliance of existing lockdown Fatehgarh and Rupnagar, Hary- zones and green zones,” he said, hotels and offi ces will open, but on Saturday night, hours after today in locations that are not ndia will ease a lockdown en- measures is done and prepara- ana’s Bhiwani, Hisar and Fate- referring to areas with lower lev- with no crowding. Participation the national carrier stated that coronavirus hotspots to try to forced to combat the spread tory actions related to social dis- habad and Assam’s Kachar and els of infection. in marriages and funerals will not it has opened bookings on select revive the economy. Iof the coronavirus in non- tancing are being followed in of- Lakhimpur. Kerala also said the 14 districts be more than 20 people. domestic fl ights from May 4 and In a related development, containment areas from today, fi ces, workplaces, factories and In Mumbai, Maharashtra Chief in the state will be divided into In Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam on select international fl ights budget airline GoAir has asked an offi cial said yesterday. establishments,” Agarwal said. Minister Uddhav Thackeray four zones for implementing the and Kollam districts - classifi ed from June 1. as many as 90% of its 5,500 em- “From 20th April onward, re- Within the containment said the state will allow a lim- lockdown. under Orange A zone - the re- However, Air India offi cials ployees to go on indefi nite leave strictions will be eased in non- zones, no activities will be per- ited number of sectors to resume “Relaxation will have to be strictions will be in force. said yesterday: “We have stopped without pay as the fl ight restric- containment areas, but contain- mitted within a strict perimeter business today. strictly followed by maintain- Kasargode, Kannur, Malap- all forward bookings now. Any tions dry up cash fl ow, Bloomb- ment areas in hotspots districts control except for essential serv- Maharashtra has the big- ing social distancing. All the na- puram and Kozhikode in the Red passenger who has booked tick- erg News reported yesterday. will not be given any relaxation,” ices, he added. gest share of India’s caseload tional guidelines will have to be category will continue with the ets on a fl ight, which has been The airline will keep paying Lav Agarwal, joint secretary in As this is a rolling criterion, of 15,713 infections, including followed. At no circumstances lockdown. cancelled, would be getting a a small number of employees the Ministry of Health and Fam- if cases are reported from some a large number now ripping will socialising and going out But Delhi’s Chief Minister credit voucher for future travel.” on payroll to restart operations ily Welfare, said at press briefi ng. other places, then these places through its densely-packed be allowed,” state police chief Arvind Kejriwal said there would But several passengers have when the government allows Hotspots are the areas with can also become part of the red slums. Loknath Behra said. be no easing of rules in the capi- complained on social media that fl ights, the report said, citing large Covid-19 outbreaks or zone and containment zone. Thackeray told a news confer- Idukki and Kottayam dis- tal, which accounts for over a the airlines are not giving re- people with knowledge of the clusters with a signifi cant spread. For the containment zones, ence that some activity would be tricts - classified as Green Zone third of cases. funds for fl ights cancelled due to matter. Within hotspots, local admin- they should strictly implement permitted in the least-aff ected - will witness routine life sub- “Currently, lockdown is nec- the lockdown and instead were GoAir is checking with the istration demarcates contain- lockdown measures so they can parts of the state while observing ject to the central government’s essary. No relaxations should be issuing credit vouchers for fu- government if the airline can ment zones and buff er zones gradually return to normalcy. a strict lockdown in the red zones directives. given in the hotspots in the city,” ture travel. continue sale of tickets for travel to control the spread of disease Agarwal said there have been that have the maximum number The Orange B zone includes he told a press conference, add- On April 16, the aviation min- after the lockdown ends on May caused by the highly infectious no new cases in 54 districts in 23 of cases. Alappuzha, Thiruvanan- ing he would review the situation istry said passengers can ask air- 3, the report added. coronavirus. states in the last 14 days. “We need to start the eco- thapuram, Palakkad, Trissur and later in the month. Police order ‘cave-dwelling’ Delhi launches mobile foreigners into quarantine Covid-19 testing facility

IANS will not only save time but also Agencies moved to the cave after they ran A top British diplomat said New Delhi the people who are collecting the Rishikesh out of money,” Kathait said. yesterday the United Kingdom samples,” the offi cial added. “However, they had saved will fl y out 4,000 more Britons by The person who collects the some money to buy food and 17 charter fl ights from six cities, ith testing consid- sample will be in the enclosure, ix foreign tourists who tried other supplies.” including Bengaluru, from today ered one of the key so will not have to wear scarce to sit out the coronavirus The Nepali man had been until April 27. Welements in the fi ght protective gear, the offi cial said. Spandemic in a cave have helping the group buy essential “About 4,000 more Britons against the coronavirus pan- “The vehicle is fi tted with an in- been sent to quarantine at an items, Kathait added. will fl y out of six Indian cities to demic, Delhi’s central district verter-run fan to cool them in the ashram near a town made famous About 700 foreign tourists re- London during this week, as they yesterday launched Covid-19 heat. An ice box is kept inside the by the Beatles after running out main in Rishikesh, according to the were stranded since the lock- Testing on Wheels. enclosure to keep the samples in- of money, police said yesterday. state’s tourism department, and down was enforced on March 25, The district, with seven con- tact. The mobile van will not only The four men and two women the government has launched the with international fl ights sus- tainment zones, will have the spread awareness through creative - from France, the United States, website “Stranded in India” to help pended,” acting high commis- mobile van which can collect two graffi ti on the outer wall but also Ukraine, Turkey and Nepal - travellers from abroad. sioner Jan Thompson said. samples at a time. through a speaker attached, which had been living in the cave near The town was made famous The fi rst fl ight from Bengaluru “The fabricated vehicle will be will do the announcement and Rishikesh in Uttarakhand state by the Fab Four, who came to will take off today, followed by able to cater to the narrow lanes, spread awareness.” since March 24, police inspector Rishikesh in 1968 looking for another on April 23, which will larger and dense areas of the Dis- The battle against Covid-19 Rajendra Singh Kathait said. refuge from Beatlemania, for fl y the Britons stranded in Kar- trict Central,” an offi cial said. is on in Delhi with a number of They have now been moved to spiritual enlightenment and to nataka via Ahmedabad in Gu- This, the offi cial added, will measures being taken in terms of Swarg Ashram, where they will immerse themselves in Indian jarat. increase the number of samples providing relief to the people. be quarantined for 14 days - al- culture. The fl ights will leave Ahmeda- collected in the district in a day. Meanwhile, the national capital though none have shown coro- Numerous governments, in- bad on April 20, 22, 24 and 26; “The mobile van can take both has acquired 42,000 rapid anti- navirus symptoms. cluding Germany, the US and Amritsar on April 21, 23, 25 and nasopharyngeal and oropharyn- body test kits, which will be used “Before the lockdown began, Britain, have chartered fl ights to 27; New Delhi on April 21, 23, 25 Canadian nationals wearing facemasks queue up to check in before geal swabs, seal them tight in in various containment zones they were living in a hotel in the take their nationals home from and 27; Goa on April 20, 22 and 24 boarding a special flight for New Delhi to eventually reach Canada at Sri double packing and transfer the across the city, Delhi Health Min- Muni Ki Reti region but they India. and Mumbai on April 26. Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar yesterday. sample to the testing facility. It ister Satyendar Jain said. Gulf Times 14 Monday, April 20, 2020 INDIA

DECISION MILITANCY CONTROVERSY REACTION JUDICIARY Hospital withdraws Killings of CRPF troopers Congress flays Kerala CM Police under attack for Govt urged to strictly order sacking doctor will be avenged: chief on ex-judge’s appointment destroying tuna fish implement rent order

A Delhi hospital yesterday withdrew an order The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) said Senior Congress legislator P T Thomas yesterday Tamil Nadu fishermen are shocked and baff led after A lawyer has urged the Supreme Court to ask sacking a doctor. The Hindu Rao Hospital of the yesterday the killing of three of its troopers in attacked Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan the Kerala confiscated and buried costly export- the central government to “strictly” implement North Delhi Municipal Corporation on April 15 Kashmir by militants will be avenged. CRPF chief over the appointment of retired judge P Ubaid oriented tuna fish resulting in huge losses. “For the its own order to stop landlords from demanding said the “doctor in the orthopaedics department Rajesh Yadav said “CRPF has been enforcing a as chairman of the Kerala Real Estate Appellate past two weeks, the Kerala police after allowing rent from workers and migrant labourers for a is terminated with immediate eff ect for bringing lockdown while our boys are also busy fighting Tribunal. Ubaid in 2017 had exonerated Vijayan trucks carrying the tuna and other fish into its month amid the nationwide lockdown. “Due to disrepute to the institution.” In another order militancy. I went to the site of the incident along in the SNC Lavalin case, relating to an agreement territory confiscated the consignment and buried the lockdown, the entire economy and activities issued on Saturday, the hospital said “it has with IGP Kashmir yesterday. Very soon revenge inked 20 years ago with Canadian company it,” M Ilango, chairperson of the National Fisherfolk have come to a standstill. As a result, the labour been decided to withdraw the off ice order.” will be taken.” He was speaking to media on the SNC-Lavalin when Vijayan was the state power Forum told IANS. He said this has resulted in huge class and students are unable to pay rents of Piyush Pushkar Singh had alleged the hospital sidelines of the wreath laying ceremony. He said minister. Thomas said the appointment was in losses to the Tamil Nadu fishermen. “Fishermen their accommodation, due to which they are terminated him after he distributed face shields there was no compromise on fighting militancy “total violation” of what CPI-M general secretary from Kanyakumari, Tuticorin and other places being asked to vacate their rented premises,” procured through an NGO among the resident while the security forces engage in enforcing the Sitaram Yechury said soon after former Supreme in Tamil Nadu go into deep sea for fishing and Pawan Prakash Pathak said in his petition. He doctors. “But the medical superintendent told lockdown. “These are our responsibilities and Court chief justice Ranjan Gogoi was nominated catch tuna fish,” Ilango said. According to him the also sought a quick response on the “eviction me to return them. I even tried getting them we know how to discharge them professionally,” to the Rajya Sabha. “In Kerala, what’s happening tuna caught in the Bay of Bengal has good export reported by tenants”. He alluded to a notification back but the other doctors refused to return he said. Three CRPF troopers were killed on now is that in the name of fighting Covid-19, demand. “The Kerala police have two options – not issued by the Ministry of Home Aff airs on March them, and now this has caused me the job,” Saturday and two others injured when militants appointments and contracts are being made at a allow fish from Tamil Nadu or if they allow and leave 29 which stopped landlords from collecting rent Singh said after receiving the April 15 order. attacked a CRPF vehicle in Sopore area. breakneck speed,” Thomas said. the issue between the buyer and the seller,” he said. for one month. Workers stuck in pandemic camps long to go home

AFP ninja-style black overalls and a back to the Sikh temple where he New Delhi bandana. worked. “Keep straight or I will hit Police and other security forc- hard,” barked the man while roll- es set up the emergency shelters ens of thousands of ing a baton in his hands, as neat after the Supreme Court ordered stranded labourers have rows of dishevelled labourers the government take action to Men wearing protective masks ride scooters past a coronavirus-themed globe installed alongside a road to create awareness about staying at Tbeen herded into camps nervously performed star jumps. deal with the migrant labourers home in Hyderabad yesterday. and shelters across India like the Migrants in Mumbai and other and homeless. Yamuna sports complex in Delhi cities have staged demonstra- Lalit Goyal, a police offi cial in where their suff ering has been tions demanding to go home. charge of the Yamuna shelter, said forgotten amid the world’s big- That was also the desperate wish his staff were trying to fi nd a way gest coronavirus lockdown. of many in the Delhi stadium. to release those who live nearby. Once used for the 2010 Com- One woman sat with a sick He said it was “challenging” UP sets up panel to provide monwealth Games, the air is infant in her lap as she gestured looking after the migrants but now rank with urine in the sta- wildly at passing police and said insisted most were “happy” be- dium halls that house 900 men she wanted to be with her hus- cause they were fed. and women rounded up after the band at another shelter. He also justifi ed the manda- government ordered everyone Mukesh Yadav, a handcart tory daily exercise. jobs to migrant labourers off the streets on March 24. puller, said he was picked up by “They are so used to hard India’s estimated 45mn mi- police as he started a trip to the manual labour that if we don’t grant workers, existing on a pal- eastern state of Bihar to be with make them do some rigorous ex- IANS will be done through the ODOP have gone to work there but af- ment and other government to try and precarious daily wage, his ailing father. ercise they are unable to sleep at Lucknow scheme. ter lockdown there is no work help them,” she added. have not been a priority in the He was not allowed to return night,” he said. According to a government and they are cramped in rooms Congress leader Jitin Prasada rush to halt the spread of Cov- to his wife and three children in Yamini Aiyar, who heads the spokesman, the chief minister without any provision. They are on Saturday sent a letter to Adi- id-19. Old Delhi. Delhi-based Centre for Policy ttar Pradesh Chief Min- told offi cials yesterday said that afraid and wanted to go home tyanath urging him to bring back Millions of migrants lost their “I am worried that their ra- Research, said the problems of ister Yogi Adityanath has doorstep delivery of nutritious and live with their families. The migrants who are stuck in diff er- jobs overnight in big cities like tions will run out soon. Who will migrant labourers rarely fi gure in Uset up a committee to food for children, girls, preg- government should fi nd a way to ent states and others who have Delhi and Mumbai. look after them?” he said. policy debates or India’s collec- design ways to provide employ- nant women and young moth- resolve their problems.” lost their jobs. Many walked hundreds of kil- Ramesh Lal, an HIV-positive tive consciousness. ment at the local level to over ers should be ensured during the She said “it is our duty and the “Since there is no source of ometres to reach their home vil- patient with prescriptions and “They are always treated as 500,000 migrant workers who lockdown period. government’s responsibility, and livelihood and at the time of lages and at least 12 died on the other documents to prove it, said nowhere people. Even now they have come from other states. He underlined the need for where ever they are the govern- distress everybody wants to be way, according to media reports. he was scooped up when he went just want to go back home,” Ai- The committee will suggest increasing testing of coronavi- ment should take care of them.” with the family to get support The downbeat, fearful faces out to get a blood test. yar told AFP. ways to provide employment un- rus suspects and keeping shelter Gandhi congratulated the from loved ones, they must be of Yamuna residents highlight Veer Singh, a 23-year-old “It is absolutely wrong to deny der the ‘One district, One prod- homes ready for them. Uttar Pradesh government for brought back,” he said. how unhappy they are with their with no family, fought back tears people their basic right to go uct’ (ODOP) scheme and also ar- Adityanath said all those com- bringing students from Kota, but zThe Uttar Pradesh govern- treatment. as he told of his desire to get back home.” range for loans through banks. ing from outside the state should “these labourers are also yours, ment has decided to give sugar to And the government has said The committee headed by the be quarantined for a specifi c pe- their families are in distress, ‘willing cane farmers’ in lieu of the lockdown will go on until at Man threatens to infect with ‘corona-infected’ blood Agriculture Production Com- riod in order to check spreading fearful and worried,they don’t their balance cane price of sea- least May 3. missioner (APC), includes sev- of the virus. have ration.” son 2019-20. Picked up on the streets or at A man triggered panic at a Delhi said the fire brigade got a call eral senior offi cers. Meanwhile Congress leader “I would request you to open a According to an offi cial state- bus stations, they now sleep on hospital yesterday, claiming he around 3.45pm about the man The chief minister minister Priyanka Gandhi has appealed control room of 1,000 people so ment issued by the offi ce of the thin mats in the halls, are banned was infected with coronavirus who was threatening to infect has also asked the committee to to the Uttar Pradesh government that they can tell their problems cane commissioner, the decision from leaving the complex, and and would infect anyone who anyone who tried to approach organise ‘Rozgar Mela’ (employ- to take responsibility of the mi- so that other governments could has been taken on the demand of life in the stifl ing heat is strictly dared to approach. The drama him with his blood by inflicting ment fairs) after the lockdown is grant labourers stuck in various help them,” she said. sugarcane farmers. regimented. unfolded at the Safdarjung cuts on his hand. The confusion lifted. cities in the country. “We have to resolve their Each farmer can take one quin- Three meals a day are pre- Hospital in the afternoon, with went on for around two-and-a- Adityanath said that women’s In her video message Gandhi problems and a plan should be tal (2 bags of 50kg each) sugar from pared in open kitchens, with fl ies the man somehow reaching half hours before the man was self-help groups will also be in- said, “I am talking about migrant worked out so that they could sugar mill, after dropping his/her hovering around. the third-floor balcony of Ward brought down safe by the fire volved in this exercise to create labourers stuck in Rajasthan, come to their home districts. sugarcane while going back home And each day hundreds of men Number 29, Delhi Fire Service brigade and handed over to the maximum employment. Delhi, Surat, Mumbai and other You cannot leave them like following social distance norms, are forced into physical exercise director Atul Garg told IANS. Garg police. The marketing of the products places. The problem is that they this. I appeal to the UP govern- in lieu of their balance cane dues. led by an instructor dressed in 45-day-old baby dies Kerala CM slams Congress of Covid-19 in Delhi over Sprinklr data ‘scam’ IANS The doctor also said six New Delhi healthcare workers who have IANS the name of Vijayan’s daughter Law Minister A K Balan ac- tested positive include two doc- Thiruvananthapuram who owns an IT fi rm in Ben- cused the opposition of trying tors, three nurses and one lab galuru. to destroy the image of Vijay- 45-day-old baby died technician. Yesterday, CPM politburo an. of the highly infectious “Around 30 staff members erala Chief Minister Pi- member S Ramachandran Pillai “The CM’s stock rose hugely Anovel coronavirus at a from the paediatric depart- narayi Vijayan yesterday came to Vijayan’s defence. in the way he handled the Cov- New Delhi hospital, doctors said ment have been quarantined but Kslammed the opposi- “During extraordinary times, id-19 situation. Now they are yesterday. none of them has tested posi- tion for raking up the Sprinklr extraordinary decisions will have out to tarnish his image as elec- The infant who died on Sat- tive as of now. However, they are data ‘scam’ when the state was to be taken. Right now we are tions are round the corner. The urday morning at Lady Harding still under observation. A team passing through difficult times facing and fi ghting a pandemic. IT department is competent to Hospital is the youngest casualty of healthcare workers from the due to the coronavirus pan- The need of the hour is to wait as handle this. It’s not a must that in the country. adult department has also been demic. we have to fi ght Covid-19. Kerala all fi les need to be vetted by the Additionally, six healthcare quarantined as it was looking af- Reacting to the Congress has now become the cynosure of law department and there is workers have tested positive for ter a patient who had died earlier. party’s onslaught, Vijayan said, the world on how it tackled it. So no need for the cabinet to clear the virus and more than 30 have But the exposure in the paediatric “The opposition has been after let’s wait, we will discuss all is- this,” said Balan. been quarantined. department was bigger. Contact the government since we have sues at an appropriate time,” said But former chief secretary A hospital source told IANS tracing in healthcare workers is been getting applause for the Pillai. Jiji Thompson termed this as that the infant was kept in a underway. The paediatric ward is way we handled Covid-19. Now The Left Democratic Front strange. Covid-19 dedicated ward. being sanitised,” the doctor said. they want to show us in poor (LDF) convener and senior CPM “The general norm according The baby was not born there About the procedure to be light. The people know eve- leader A Vijayaraghavan also to business rules of the govern- but was taken there in a critical followed for case management rything. I will not go after this slammed the opposition for ment is, fi rst a fi le has to origi- condition. of Covid-19 among infants, the controversy and I will continue spreading canards. nate from the IT department, “We have made a separate doctor said: my work.” “The opposition is playing then it has to be sent to the vari- facility for newborns which is “There is not much clarity on The data scam is linked to the cheap politics at a time when ous departments like health, lo- for the babies born in the hos- the infant care during Covid be- transfer of Covid-19 informa- the state and people are pass- cal self government, revenue and pital. This baby was beyond the cause not much has been seen in tion to a US-based PR and mar- ing through tough times and the fi nance. Then it has to be put neonatal period,” said a doctor, our country, so there is less data keting fi rm Sprinklr. government is doing everything before the cabinet with a cabinet adding “this makes a total of two on that. Every country is han- The issue was raised by the to ease their stress. This is not note fi le. I am surprised noth- A worker carries a sack containing medical aid and other essential infants in our hospital who have dling this pandemic situation Congress, and the party’s legis- acceptable,” said Vijayaragha- ing of this sort happened in this necessities to be sent by train to other states at a railway station in tested positive for Covid-19. But according to their own system lator P T Thomas later dragged van. case,” said Thompson. New Delhi yesterday. now this baby has expired.” and situation. Gulf Times Monday, April 20, 2020 15

LATIN AMERICA Mexico ordered to guarantee virus healthcare to migrants than 40 advocacy groups and discriminate against people’s health emergency on March 30, “It was really because of peo- vulnerability to the virus. Almost six thousand people Thomson Reuters Foundation charities fi led a legal challenge nationality or country of origin. ordering non-essential busi- ple’s desperation at the fear of Anyone deemed particularly applied for asylum in January Mexico City claiming the country’s govern- It aff ects all of us,” said Ximena nesses to close and asking the contagion,” said Suarez. susceptible such as the elderly this year. A spokeswoman for the ment agencies were failing to Suarez, an attorney with Sin population to stay at home. The ruling by the Mexico City must be released, it said. country’s interior ministry did judge ordered the Mexican protect migrants and asylum Fronteras, one of the advocacy But those protective measures judge ordered authorities to The Mexican refugee agency, not immediately respond to a re- government to extend its seekers from the pandemic. groups in the case. did not extend to migrants, rights identify detainees with symp- COMAR, announced in March quest for comment. Acoronavirus protections Mexico has registered 6,297 “We’re quite happy...that mi- groups said, creating fear due to toms of Covid-19 to avoid conta- that it would temporarily halt the In a statement earlier this to migrants, ruling that health- cases of the coronavirus and 486 grants seeking international pro- the pandemic. Late last month, gion and to ensure migrants have processing of asylum requests. week, the ministry said all local care be guaranteed to detainees deaths. The number of coronavi- tection will at least have some- tensions over the virus’ spread access to information on protec- Some 70 thousand migrants and federal authorities “must and temporary residence permits rus cases is expected to hit a peak one keeping an eye on them,” she exploded into a riot inside a de- tive measures. applied for asylum in Mexico guarantee universal access to given to those especially vulner- by May 10 in the populous capital told the Thomson Reuters Foun- tention centre in southern Mexi- The ruling also asked the gov- last year, more than double the medical care to all people regard- able to the disease. of Mexico City and surround- dation. co, leaving a Guatemalan migrant ernment to report the number of number of applicants in 2018, less of...nationality or legal situ- The ruling came after more ing areas. “(The virus) doesn’t The government declared a dead and 14 others hospitalised. migrants in detention and their according to data from COMAR. ation in the country.” Mexico cartels, El Chapo’s daughter hand out aid packages

Reuters 701st richest person in the world. Mexico City Forbes estimated his net worth at $1bn at the time. “We are working and contrib- daughter of famed drug uting. A great pleasure to visit lord Joaquin “El Chapo” your homes and give you these AGuzman and several Chapo handouts,” said a post on Mexican cartels have been doling the company’s Facebook page out aid packages to help cash- showing Alejandrina, wearing strapped residents ride out the a black facemask with Chapo’s coronavirus pandemic. face, handing out parcels. In one video posted on Fa- “El Chapo” was extradited to cebook, Guzman’s daughter, the US in 2017 and found guilty Alejandrina, can be seen stuff- in a US court last year on a host ing toilet paper and food into of drug traffi cking charges. a cardboard box bearing slick Several Mexican cartels have logos and a designer stencil- given away branded food boxes in style image of her father, the recent days, often ensuring their former Sinaloa cartel chief who gunmen are photographed with is now in a maximum security the aid recipients. US prison. In one video shared on so- The oil, sugar, rice and other cial media, dozens of people items in the boxes, which the can be seen tussling for pack- video narrator calls “Chapo’s ages stamped with the logo of provisions”, were distributed the Jalisco New Generation car- in Mexico’s second largest city, tel (CJNG). A printed logo on the Guadalajara, in western Jalisco boxes states: “From your friends, state. CJNG, Covid-19 contingency Alejandrina’s handout was support”. Guatemalan migrants who arrived in the country on US deportation flights wear protective masks at a temporary shelter, as the spread of the coronavirus disease continues linked to her company, which le- Hooded men in military fa- in Guatemala City, Guatemala, yesterday. gally markets clothing and alco- tigues can be seen tossing the hol associated with her father’s parcels into a crowd of residents. image under the “El Chapo 701” Across the country in the brand. eastern state of Tamaulipas, the However, active members of Gulf Cartel also distributed aid cartels have also been courting parcels, according to images on publicity, with images and video social media and the Mxpolitico on social media showing gang website. Deported Guatemalans fear members providing succour to Reuters has not been able to local residents. verify the authenticity of all the Famed for brutality, including videos, though analysts say they beheadings and dissolving vic- appear to be genuine. tims in vats of sulphuric acid, the The Gulf Cartel packages con- cartels also have a history of try- tained rice, beans, oil and tinned infection at quarantine centre ing to win over hearts and minds food, and were emblazoned with of impoverished communities the group’s name and a message Reuters Centers for Disease Control and day temporarily suspended after spread of the virus, rooms are Family members also said they where they operate. stating: “in support of Victoria Guatemala City Prevention. reports of the mass infection. packed with about 20 beds and are concerned disease might Mexico’s economy has been City”. Giammattei suggested more “We don’t want to be here, we bunk beds, separated by about spread at the complex and said battered by the coronavirus out- The packets also referred to on the fl ight had tested positive prefer to quarantine at home,” one metre. they had not received informa- break and many are struggling to “Senor 46, Vaquero”, an appar- ore than 230 deported as well. said a man named Daniel at the “They check our temperature tion about how long their loved make ends meet as the country ent reference to the cartel’s local Guatemalans being held The infected deportees are in- sports centre, who did not pro- at midnight, at four in the morn- ones would be held. heads into its harshest recession chief. Min mass quarantine at terned in a hospital in Guatemala vide his last name and who ar- ing, then again at noon and in the Several declined to be inter- in living memory. Falko Ernst, an analyst with a sports centre in the Central City. rived on Tuesday from Browns- afternoon, and again at night,” viewed over fears that once their A Reuters witness visited the International Crisis Group American nation’s capital are However, at least 234 Guate- ville, Texas, along with 108 other said Daniel, adding he had not names become public they will an “El Chapo 701” warehouse, think tank focussed on con- fearful they may have been ex- malan deportees are now quar- Guatemalans. “We feel at risk been tested for the coronavirus. face discrimination or even vio- which was stacked with boxes to fl ict resolution, said the cartels’ posed to the coronavirus after antined in the Ramiro de Leon here,” he said. A Reuters witness saw about 10 lent attacks. be distributed around Guadala- propaganda often aimed to dis- compatriots fl own home from Carpio sports complex a few Guarded by police, relatives people leave the shelter on Friday Deportees have faced tight- jara. tract from the havoc wreaked by the US tested positive. blocks from the Guatemala City of the quarantined returnees are after they obtained permission to ened entry restrictions, put in Some workers wore medical- their gunmen. President Alejandro Giam- airport, according to the nation’s leaving clothing and personal return home. place by mayors of diff erent de- style facemasks bearing the El “They’re trying to leverage the mattei said on Friday a dozen migration institute, including hygiene products in bags that “We panicked here,” said one partments, with some mayors Chapo image. perceived absence of the state for randomly selected people from some from the fl ight that arrived migration agents check before of them as he left. “We were even prohibiting their entry. The “El Chapo 701” brand their own good and to become a deportation fl ight on Monday on Monday. handing over. scared because we’ve heard that Other mayors have threat- gets its name from a Forbes list- deeper entrenched in local com- tested positive for the corona- Flights deporting Guatema- Despite recommendations the people here don’t like us, that ened to expel families from their ing in 2009 that ranked him the munities,” Ernst said. virus when examined by the US lans from the US were on Thurs- for social distancing to curb the they think we’re sick.” hometowns. Brazil govt moves Colombian businesses to protect tribes

Reuters descendants of runaway slaves face sharp drop in sales that live in remote areas. Brasilia The government will distribute Reuters and 8.5% have had contracts “Businesses need credit to 1mn protective masks and gloves Bogota temporarily suspended. maintain their operations be- he Brazilian government plus 6,000 test kits to indigenous Around 17% of businesses fore they decide to close,” has banned non-indige- tribes and provide 300,000 food have temporarily shut, while Confecamaras president Julian Tnous people from entering baskets so they do not have to leave early 95% of Colombian 12.8% have requested credit to Dominguez said in a statement. tribal lands to stop the spread of their lands to obtain food, she told businesses surveyed by keep operating and some 9% of If current conditions pre- coronavirus in their villages and a news conference. Nthe chamber of com- businesses have closed down. vail and measures to contain will distribute masks, gloves, test “The government has sus- merce guild have seen sales drop Just 4.8% of businesses have the coronavirus are prolonged kits and food to their communi- pended the entrance of people more than 50% amid quarantine adopted no measures. indefi nitely, 84.2% of the com- ties, offi cials said. into indigenous lands,” Alves measures to contain the spread Additionally, 94.2% of entre- panies surveyed estimate they The epidemic has raised fears said, agreeing to a primary de- of the coronavirus, the guild re- preneurs said sales have fallen could survive using their own re- that Brazil’s 850,000 indigenous mand from tribal leaders in order vealed. more than 50% since the quaran- sources for between one and two people risk being decimated to prevent contagion. Companies’ chief concerns for tine took eff ect. months. by the virus because they have Some tribes in northern Brazil the coming months include fall- The government of President Some 11.4% could continue no defences against diseases have set up barriers to stop out- ing sales, paying their employ- Ivan Duque declared a manda- to operate for between three and brought from outside and many siders. ees, unemployment, an increase tory quarantine in March, which four months, while the remain- live in communal houses where Justice Minister Sergio Moro, in coronavirus cases, non-pay- is set to last until April 27, to der could last from fi ve months social distancing is not possible. to whom the indigenous aff airs ment by clients, availability of control the spread of the coro- to a year. So far, health authorities re- agency Funai reports, said local raw materials and an increase in navirus, which has infected more The International Monetary ported three deaths of indigenous law enforcement would be used taxes, according to the question- than 2,800 people in Colombia Fund estimates Colombia’s people, including a 15-year-old to help set up barriers to protect naire. and left at least 112 dead. economy will contract 2.4% youth from the vast reservation and isolate traditional commu- In the survey by the Confeder- While 94% of business owners this year, well under the 5.2% where 25,000 Yanomami live on nities. ation of Chambers of Commerce think the lockdown is necessary contraction estimated for Latin the border with Venezuela. In all three cases of indigenous (Confecamaras), some 12.4% of to contain the crisis, they said it America as a whole. The minister of Women, Fam- deaths, contagion came from the 9,070 respondents — includ- is important for the government The region has been hit by a ily and Human Rights, Damares outside the tribal villages, Moro ing businesses of diff erent sizes to prioritise decisions on taxes — global collapse in prices for key Alves, said the government will said, adding that the Federal — have also made workforce cuts. whether to defer or extend pay- commodities amid widespread Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro prepares to speak after joining his spend 4.7bn reais through June Police under his command are Furthermore, 11.7% sent work- ments — fi nancing, and meas- travel restrictions and quaran- supporters who were taking part in a motorcade to protest against to protect traditional commu- acting to stop illegal miners and ers on early vacations, 10.9% of ures to reduce costs of labour and tines meant to contain corona- quarantine and social distancing measures to combat the new nities from novel coronavirus, other invaders entering indig- workers are working from home operations. virus. coronavirus outbreak in Brasilia yesterday. which also includes gypsies and enous reservations. Gulf Times 16 Monday, April 20, 2020 PAKISTAN Capital authorities Govt agrees to most mull sealing two virus epicentres

Internews Suspected patients have been Islamabad asked to self-isolate, he said. of clerics’ demands Test results of the relatives of confi rmed patients and other Internews Cases registered against cleric of Islamabad’s Lal Masjid sary, with no handshakes or hugs slamabad’s Chattha Bakhta- suspected patients are awaited. Islamabad to be allowed, and worshippers war and Lohi Bher areas are Shafqaat said the decision to Another case has been registered against Maulana few ulema were approached to negotiate with the Lal will refrain from touching their Iemerging as the new Cov- seal the area will be made in two Abdul Aziz of Lal Masjid for violating the ban on Friday Masjid cleric and convince him to follow the govern- faces. id-19 epicentres in the capital, to three days because it will be resident Dr Arif Alvi has congregations imposed as a part of measures to check ment order. Similarly, people will be en- after a number of cases were re- based on the results of the re- announced that neither the spread of the coronavirus. He said that a committee of ulema, which had earlier couraged to off er aitekaf at home, ported in these areas. ports. Pthe state machinery nor This is the third case as two cases have been regis- mediated between the administration and the cleric and there will not be any sehri The coronavirus causes the He added that six localities in clerics would stop citizens from tered against him in the past weeks, said the police. some weeks ago after he got control of the mosque, and iftar in mosques to avoid Covid-19 respiratory disease. Taramri are still sealed, as the going to the mosque, as almost For three consecutive weeks, he has violated the was again assisting the administration to get the overcrowding. The administration is consid- coronavirus is spreading among all demands of clerics related to restriction on Friday congregations. restriction implemented. The mosque administration ering sealing both areas and has residents. the holding of Friday, tarawih One of his companions was also booked for displaying On April 3, a case was registered at the Aabpara police will co-operate with local police sought advice from health au- The virus is also continuing and daily congregational prayers arms, which is also banned in the capital. station against Maulana Aziz and six other people on and administration in this regard. thorities in this regard, capital to spread in Bhara Kahu even were accepted, with the condi- However, no one has so far been arrested in connec- charges of PPC 505 (b) (with intent to cause or which is According to the last point of administration offi cials said. though the area has been un- tion that social distancing and tion with the three cases. likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public or to any sec- the plan, the “government could The total number of Covid-19 sealed, Shafqaat said, adding other precautionary measures A police off icer said that the new case was registered tion of the public whereby any person may be induced review and change any part of its cases in Islamabad has increased that the situation there is not as are maintained. under Sections 270 (malignant act likely to spread to commit an off ence against the state or against the policy on mosques during Ra- from 154 to 163 in the last 24 serious as it is in Lohi Bher, Tara- To avoid overcrowding at infection of disease dangerous to life) and 188 (disobe- public tranquility) and 188 (disobedience to order duly madan if it felt these measures hours, they said. mri and Chattha Bakhtawar. mosques, it was decided that dience to order duly promulgated by public servant) promulgated by public servant). were not being followed or the Cases were reported from Offi cials in the administration people would be encouraged to of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), along with the arms On April 17, the second case under same sections of rise in cases was exponential”. Chattha Bakhtawar, Lohi Bher, said a house in G-6/1 was sealed observe aitekaf at home, while ordinance. the PPC was registered against them. Earlier, Minister Qadri said Taramri, Bhara Kahu, and G-6/1. after two people there tested sehri and iftar would not be ar- The maulana and his companions were asked to stop Off icials of the capital administration and police said that all traditions related to Deputy Commissioner Mo- positive for Covid-19. ranged at mosques. people from violating the restriction but they ignored, that restriction on the Friday congregations was mosques and imambargahs hamed Hamza Shafqaat said that The other residents of the The decisions were taken at a the off icer said, adding that as many as 300 people largely observed in the city. would be followed during Ram- 18 cases were reported in the past house have been screened and national-level conference, which gathered in the mosque. Large gatherings (more than 150 people) were ob- adan as per the demand of cler- 48 hours. tested, and their reports are was attended by clerics belong- In reply to a question, the off icer said that any move to served at 15% of the mosques. ics. The majority of these were in awaited. ing to various sects as well as arrest Maulana Aziz or his companions would lead to a Likewise, gatherings of between 100 and 150 were “The prime minister has ad- Lohi Bher, followed by Taramri They have been isolated at by the chief secretaries of the law and order situation. seen in 20% mosques, while that of between 50 and vised all the provincial govern- and Bhara Kahu. home and a notice has been af- four provinces, Azad Jammu and An off icer of the capital administration added that a 100 seen in 35% of the mosques. ments and the district admin- Some cases have also been re- fi xed at the house to keep the Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, istrations to refrain from any ported in other parts of the city. community informed and pro- through video link. action that may lower the stature Four of nine new cases were tected, they said. The conference was called at mosques towards philanthropy, taining precautionary measures vised to refrain from talking and of ulema, or use of force as it cre- reported in Chattha Bakhtawar, There are currently 362 peo- Aiwan-e-Sadr to build consen- a cleric who attended the confer- is the responsibility of each indi- discussions in mosques. ates a bad image of the country,” Shafqaat said, adding that the ple in the capital’s 16 quarantine sus and devise a plan for con- ence said. vidual and that as self-discipline Mosques that have compounds he said. area is emerging as another dis- centres, of whom 34 have tested gregational prayers and tarawih The minister assured the cler- is “part of our faith”, it should not will hold prayers in the open air Sources in the religious min- ease epicentre in the capital and positive. during Ramadan, amid tensions ics that the government had no be forced upon the masses. rather than inside the building. istry said another demand of the sealing it to prevent the spread of There are 23 patients at the between the government and plan to scale down religious in- “When the government and The elderly and sick peo- religious leaders was the with- the coronavirus to other areas is Hillview Hotel, fi ve at the OGD- clerics over the ban on public stitutions and that their con- scholars agree with consensus ple will not come to mosques; drawal of cases fi led against the under consideration. CL hostel in I-9, three at Hotel gatherings to contain spread of cerns would be addressed. on something, such as preven- tarawih preparations will be clerics for not following the pre- He said the situation in Lohi Margalla, two at Hotel Pak Con- the coronavirus. At a press conference after the tive measures for congregational made only in mosque premises cautionary measures (see related Bher is also alarming since tinental, and one at Hotel Bal- The ulema and the state agreed meeting, President Alvi said: prayers during Ramadan, it be- and not on roads, while peo- report). around 18 cases have been re- lagio. upon a 20-point action plan at “Nobody wants to lock down comes imperative for people to ple will be encouraged to off er “This request was forwarded ported there. Restaurants in the capital have the conference. the mosques, not a single per- follow them. tarawih at home. to Interior Minister Brigadier Both areas are under the ob- been allowed to off er takeaway The clerics accepted to imple- son or any provincial govern- “These decisions have been Mosque fl oors will be washed (retired) Ijaz Shah, and he has servation of health departments, and delivery services without ment the precautionary meas- ment talked about lockdown of made after unanimous consen- with chlorine disinfectant. The agreed to work over it positively,” including the District Health Of- time restrictions for 24 hours, ures in mosques to stop the local mosques or not holding tarawih sus between government and prayer mats will also be disin- the sources added. fi ce, and the confi rmed patients offi cials said, while all shops in- transmission of coronavirus, but prayers, therefore it is inessential religious scholars, and not fol- fected with chlorine mixture. The meeting with ulema was and their families are isolated in cluded in the April 15 order may declined to take any responsibil- debate.” lowing them will be equivalent to Congregational rows will be also attended by Special As- their homes. stay open until 8pm. ity related to the enforcement of He announced that dona- sinning,” Alvi declared. formed by maintaining a distance sistant to the Prime Minister on measures. tions, including alms, “khairaat, According to the 20-point of six feet between each worship- Health Dr Zafar Mirza. The two main concerns that sadqaat and zakat”, is the right of unanimous declaration, all car- per. Meanwhile, Jamiat Ulema- the ulema shared with Minister mosques and seminaries. pets in mosques and imambar- The mosque committees will e-Islam – Fazlur (JUI-F) chief 50,000 testing for Religious Aff airs Pir Noorul Alvi said: “I appeal to the peo- gahs will be removed and people ensure that preventative steps Maulana Fazlur Rehman has de- Haq Qadri were on the closure ple not to reduce their funding to will be encouraged to bring their are followed. clared on a television show that of mosques and a major shift these Islamic institutions in Ra- own prayer mats. Ablution should be performed he would be saying his prayers of donations, including zakat, madan.” Social distancing will be ob- at home, and wearing of masks and tarawih at home during Ra- kits imported by from religious seminaries and The president said that main- served, and people will be ad- inside mosques would be neces- madan. Premier urges philanthropists Ramadan preparation Sindh govt arrive to extend support to the poor Internews The Sindh government had Karachi last week claimed that the test- Prime Minister Imran Khan has ing kits for coronavirus it had said that Pakistan will only be would only last for less than two victorious in the war against consignment of 50,000 weeks. the coronavirus pandemic if it testing kits – suffi cient It feared that the imports of succeeded in controlling poverty. Afor testing suspected such items could be further de- Briefing media in Islamabad, he Covid-19 patients for the next layed due to suspension of cargo said the number of coronavirus 15 days – has arrived through the fl ights. cases is lower than the feared fl ight of a private courier serv- In the situation, the Sindh estimates of around 50,000 up to ice after Sindh got “no response government believed, only Is- the 25th of this month. from Islamabad” on its request lamabad could help by allowing He warned, however, that the to allow cargo fl ight operations to cargo fl ight operations to bring government is expecting a tough bring imported items from China the imported consignments from time between the 15th to 25th of and the United Kingdom, offi - China and the UK. next month in this regard. cials and industry sources said. The situation emerged when The prime minister said that They said the kits imported Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra the pressure could be delayed by the Sindh government would Pechuho revealed that the prov- even further if people took help boost its daily testing ca- ince had been left with only precautionary measures. pacity, which currently touches 6,000 coronavirus testing kits, He urged the rich to extend their the 2,000 mark. which were likely to last for 12 support to the poor countrymen They said the fresh consign- days. in this crucial time. ment was disbursed fast among A senior offi cial at the Sindh Khan also urged the opinion health facilities conducting tests health department said that the makers, including artists, ulema of suspected coronavirus pa- number of testing facilities in and news anchors, to guide the tients. Karachi and other parts of Sindh people as the current lockdown “We want to enhance our ca- would likely be increased as a measures are meant for their own pacity to 5,000 [tests] per day few health facilities had recently protection. by the end of this month,” Chief added value to their system to The prime minister said that Minister’s Adviser Barrister prepare for the new challenges. following consultations between Murtaza Wahab said. “We have “In Karachi, the Jinnah Post- President Dr Arif Alvi and enhanced our capacity within a graduate Medical Centre (JPMC) ulema (see lead story), some month and touched a little over is likely to off er testing services guidelines had been agreed upon 2,000 lately.” for suspected coronavirus pa- for tarawih prayers during the He said an international couri- tients very soon. Similarly, hos- upcoming Ramadan. er and cargo company was hired pitals in a district or two will also Khan again warned that by the Sindh government and it start the same service in the next government will take strict had brought some 50,000 test- few weeks,” said the offi cial. action against those involved ing kits. Currently, the suspected Cov- in hoarding, smuggling, and A labourer carries boxes of dates at a market in Rawalpindi for the upcoming Ramadan. “We have now secured a 15- id-19 patients in Karachi are be- corruption across the country. day testing operation. Arrange- ing tested at the Civil Hospital ments are being made for more Karachi, the Ojha campus of the consignments.” Dow University of Health Sci- In a meeting chaired by Prime ences (DUHS), the Indus Hospi- Minister Imran Khan, he said, it tal, the Sindh Institute of Urol- was decided that Sindh would ogy and Transplantation, the Sindh governor to reach out to disgruntled PTI lawmaker try to reach 5,000 tests per day PNS Shifa, and the Dr Ziauddin by the end of the current month Hospital. and the provincial administra- Facilities in Jamshoro and Internews House said that the prime min- Haroon had defeated the Haroon told the prime minis- to withdraw resignation and tion was very much hopeful to Gambat are also conducting Islamabad ister has directed the governor Muttahida Qaumi Movement – ter that he believes that he had speak his conscience in the Na- meet the target. tests. to convince Haroon to withdraw Pakistan (MQM-P)’s candidate lost the prime minister’s con- tional Assembly. his resignation and assure him Amir Wali Uddin Chishti and fi dence, adding that while he “I’ve great respect for you, rime Minister Imran Khan that his grievances would be ad- Jammat-e-Islami (JI)’s Dr Meraj is not a burden on the national Najeeb Haroon, but as per rules, has directed Sindh Gover- dressed. Ul Huda Siddiqui, who secured exchequer, he does not feel jus- resignation should be addressed University to provide education to Pnor Imran Ismail to reach In his tweet earlier, Haroon, 45,575 and 22,364 votes respec- tifi ed in continuing with his po- to National Assembly Speaker. Afghan refugees in Baluchistan camps out to a disgruntled Pakistan Te- who is also a PTI founding tively. sition. “No other person, not even hreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker member, wrote: “I tender my In a letter attached alongside The PTI leader reaffi rmed his leader of the house/party lead- The Allama Iqbal Open University has prepared an educational plan to from Karachi who has resigned. resignation with a heavy heart.” his tweet, Haroon said that it faith in Prime Minister Khan, er, can send resignation to the provide education to Afghan refugees in the camps in Baluchistan. Najeeb Haroon, who was “It has been 20 months and (I had been 20 months since tak- but said that he had been re- Speaker on behalf of any mem- In a statement yesterday, the university said that 150 refugees from elected from NA-256, had re- have) not been able to improve ing oath as a member of the Na- fl ecting on his position for the ber.” Baluchistan have so far been registered for admission in spring fall signed from his seat, citing the either my constituency or my tional Assembly (MNA), but he past eight months. “Would be better if you re- 2020. lack of funds for uplift projects hometown Karachi(;) in good had been unable to contribute Reacting to the development, main in the National Assembly It said that the university will establish two regional off ices in Kalat and for his constituency. conscience (I) cannot justify be- towards the betterment of his Sindh Education Minister Saeed and speak your conscience,” Ziarat, while a study centre has already been established in a remote Sources from Sindh Governor ing in this position,” he wrote. constituency. Ghani urged the PTI lawmaker Ghani said. area of Kharan. Gulf Times Monday, April 20, 2020 17 PHILIPPINES

Security forces Senators urge govt to utilise advanced increase virus testing technology

By Javier J Ismael co-ordination between the Manila Times national government, led by for quarantine the DoH and local govern- ments. enators Juan Edgardo Poe said massive testing was By Darwin Pesco time, the standard method is “Sonny” Angara and critical in identifying people Manila Times manual contact tracing, which SMary Grace Poe in sepa- who might be spreading the involves calling close contacts rate statements have urged the virus unknowingly because one by one, according to Eleazar. government to hasten mass and they have no or only mild he police and military use Geo-temporal analysis of the random testing, particularly at symptoms. advanced technologies in movement patterns of infected the community level, in order to Poe said massive testing Tthe implementation of the persons and their close contacts contain the spread of the coro- could be a cost-effective pub- enhanced community quaran- allows the JTF to formulate con- navirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) lic health intervention. tine (ECQ), Philippine National tainment strategies. more eff ectively. Poe cited data from the Police (PNP) LtGen. Guillermo A self-contained and inte- Angara said, “We need mas- state-run think tank Philip- Eleazar has said. grated control vehicle is set up sive and random testing. With pine Institute for Develop- According to Eleazar, com- as the mobile command centre massive and random testing, ment Studies (PIDS), which mander of the Joint Task Force (MCC) of the JTF “to support its you can spot the silent carriers warned that failure to curb the (JTF) Covid Shield, the technol- implementation of focused con- and then the individuals con- disease could require 500,000 ogies are scalable for a selective tainment strategies.” cerned and their communities more ICU beds, 300,000 me- or a total ECQ implementation. The PNP Highway Patrol will be able to respond appro- chanical ventilators and a mil- One technology is called Safe Group (HPG) uses the MCC bus priately to stop the spread of the lion hospital beds for patients. Paths, a privacy-centred “rapid to monitor and synchronise na- virus.” The DoH has given the go- and unique” contact tracing app tionwide containment opera- For testing of asymptomatic signal to allow the testing cen- that utilises global position- tions at dedicated control points cases, he said the particular fo- tre to operate starting April 21. ing system (GPS) and Bluetooth (DCPs). The bus features the cus should be on crowded areas, Poe said the financial aid proximity technologies, Elea- Collaboration and Operations such as markets and jails, where to cities and municipalities, zar said. When the app is in- Management System to support conditions were conducive to equivalent to one month of troduced for downloading, the multiagency security and pub- the spreading. their Internal Revenue Allot- tech tracks the GPS position of lic-safety co-ordination. The Bureau of Jail Manage- ment, may be tapped to pro- a user’s smartphone every fi ve JTF Covid Shield teams are de- ment and Penology (BJMP) an- A rapid swab test for the coronavirus disease 2019 is administered to a man at the Sta. Ana Hospital cure test kits as part of their minutes for 28 days. When an ployed with 500 units of highly nounced that nine Quezon City in Manila. Covid-19 response efforts. app user contracts the coronavi- secured Samsung smartphones, jail detainees and nine of its Valenzuela City appears to rus disease 2019 (Covid-19), he installed with a mission essential own personnel tested positive be ahead of the curve when it or she submits his or her loca- app suite called Android Tactical for Covid-19. comes to testing. Authorities tion tracking to the Department Awareness Kit (ATAK). Angara’s statement said, “We there have partnered with The of Health (DoH). After redaction Another app the JTF uses all know that our jails are over- Medical City and Detoxicare or removal of personal informa- is ZelloWork, which turns the crowded. In fact, the data shows Molecular Diagnostics Labo- tion, the GPS logs of the infected smartphone into a secure digital that the congestion rate of the ratory Inc. that will conduct user are uploaded to the DoH da- PTT or press-to-talk application BJMP jails is at 534%. Under mass testing for Covid-19. tabase, said Eleazar, who assured that is utilised in unison with a such conditions, once a detain- With swab tests being sub- the public of privacy as no other body camera. ee is infected, containing the mitted daily to its partners, data is extracted from smart- The body camera transmits spread of the virus will be very Valenzuela expects to have all phones. Other users of Safe streaming video feeds to the diffi cult.” its 537 suspect and probable Paths receive colour-coded sta- DCPs, ATAK smartphones and “Apart from our jails, we cases tested by this weekend, tus alerts whenever they come MCC bus while JTF teams com- should also pay close attention Mayor Rex Gatchalian said. in contact with an infected user, municate via the secure PTT to the other high-risk envi- The Medical City provides bared Eleazar. channel, Eleazar explained. ronments such as the nursing the city with 25 tests daily, and A green circle means no close Inside the MCC bus are sev- homes for the elderly and the Detoxicare adds 90 tests per contact, and a yellow one means eral sophisticated drones that dorms of migrant workers. day, totalling to a capacity of close contact with a Covid-pos- stream videos to authorised With massive and random 115 tests taken and processed itive user, requiring self-quar- smartphones. Drones blast an testing, we will be able to con- everyday. antine or testing for Covid-19 “unnerving alarm” similar to the tain the virus and get our lives Detoxicare, a company “if they have symptoms,” Elea- siren in the movie The Purge. Af- back to normal faster,” he add- based in Mandaluyong City, zar elaborated. At checkpoints, ter the alarm, a warning in Fili- ed. has expressed its interest to travellers show the colour status pino admonishes people to stay For her part, Poe said, “We partner with Valenzuela as it on their smartphones in order to at home. cannot eff ectively fi ght the has PCR machines that have pass through. Mobile JTF teams Furthermore, a Mobile Gov- Covid-19 pandemic without been accredited by the Health also perform random checks on ernment (MGOV) system pro- massive testing to fi nd out who department. pedestrians. vides online virtual identifi ca- has the disease. Testing has to “It is the fi rst stand-alone Safer PH Innovations Inc a tion for vulnerability mapping happen on an enormous scale Residents wearing face mask queue up for an oropharyngeal swab during a mass testing for the molecular diagnostics labora- software design and develop- and for the Automated Nation- to curb the spread of the virus, Covid-19 coronavirus at a park in Quezon City, suburban Manila. tory in the Philippines. It off ers ment company, is set to intro- wide Tracking of Infected per- keep deaths low and allow the cost eff ective test to comple- duce a way to track, process and sons, Close contact Observation, economy to recover.” Poe made the call as the na- test kits and close to a million Getting to the ideal scale ment proper management of inform thousands who come in Vulnerable persons Identifi ca- She added that testing should tional government announced polymerase chain reaction of tests would demand a huge diseases,” the company said on close contact with infected us- tion and Decontamination (An- be free. it would buy at least 2mn rapid (PCR) test kits. ramp up in capacity and closer its Facebook page. ers on a daily basis. In the mean- ti-Covid) initiative. Govt agencies earn praise More troops to be deployed to enforce lockdown

DPA over subsidy scheme Manila

By Javier J Ismael small businesses were forced The wage subsidy will ben- ore troops will be de- Manila Times to stop operations while many efit 3.4mn workers, whose ployed in the Philippine others were only able to op- MSME employers will be Mcapital and other places erate with skeletal forces as a identified by the Bureau of In- with a high number of corona- enator Christopher Law- result of the enhanced com- ternal Revenue and the Social virus infections to enforce lock- rence “Bong” Go com- munity quarantine (ECQ). This Security System (SSS). down orders, a minister said Smended concerned gov- prompted the government to DoF pointed out that the yesterday. ernment agencies over the undertake measures, includ- beneficiaries belong to the Defence Secretary Delfi n implementation of a small ing the wage-subsidy pro- low- to medium-middle class. Lorenzana said the number of business wage subsidy (SBWS) gramme, to help small busi- Presently, an online system people out in the streets in met- programme for small busi- nesses weather the impact of on SSS website that allows ropolitan Manila and other ar- nesses in an eff ort to support the health emergency. business owners to submit the eas where the number of Covid-19 the middle class and cushion The Department of Fi- names of their employees eli- cases are high was worrisome as the economy against the nega- nance (DoF) is preparing the gible for the subsidy is being authorities prepare to decide if the tive eff ects of the coronavirus guidelines that will deter- pilot-tested and could go live lockdown should be lifted on April disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis. mine which firms will be cat- within the week. 30. “These last 11 days of April are In a statement, the sena- egorised as a “small business” To avoid duplication and crucial,” he said.”We should see a tor said he was thankful to fi - and will be eligible for the to ensure that more Filipinos tapering off or downward trend (in nance agencies for listening to wage subsidy. The wage sub- benefit from various govern- the number of cases) to warrant appeals that micro, small and sidy will be between P5,000 ment programmes, Senator partial lifting or continue with the medium enterprises (MSMEs) to P8,000 per eligible worker Go said the beneficiaries of lockdown if the trend continues to need help. He added helping of the affected businesses im- the subsidy programme must go up.” them benefi ts the middle class pacted by the ECQ in Luzon be different from the 18mn “That’s why I have directed A traff ic enforcer wearing a face mask fills out a citation ticket as its intended recipient, a motorcycle rider, and the general economy, espe- and other parts of the coun- poor families being assisted the military chief to deploy more waits at a checkpoint on Zapote-Alabang Road in Las Pinas City. cially after the current medical try. by the Department of Social troops in Metro Manila and emergency. The subsidy, which will cost Welfare and Development and other places with high Covid-19 The Department of Health re- more fatalities, making the death public continues to disregard re- During a televised meeting P51bn, will be given for up to not overlap with the workers incidence to augment the police ported 172 new confi rmed cases toll 409. On Thursday, Philip- strictions, following reports that presided by President Rodrigo two months, unless the quar- already being assisted by the to strictly implement social dis- of Covid-19 in the Philippines pine President Rodrigo Duterte some communities have held Duterte on April 13, concerned antine is lifted earlier, the DoF Department of Labour and tancing and the enhanced com- yesterday, bringing the country’s warned he would impose a lock- boxing matches, cockfi ghts and agencies reported that some added. Employment. munity quarantine,” he added. total to 6,259. It also recorded 12 down similar to martial law if the bingo games.

Militant bomb-maker killed in southern Philippines

Philippine troops killed a the Abu Sayyaf terror group and Palace vows stern action against rebels militant bomb-maker on Saturday was involved in the bombing of evening as the military stepped a Catholic church in Jolo in July up its off ensive against the terror- 2019, killing 20 and injuring more By Al Jacinto 11 soldiers died and 14 more resulting in a fi refi ght, which fallen,” he added. It was the sec- choose no date and occasion,” ist group that killed 11 soldiers in a than 100 others, Vinluan said. The Manila Times wounded in the fi ghting that left 11 soldiers killed and 14 ond deadly fi ghting since April Roque said. recent clash, armed forces off icials grandson of a top leader of the erupted in Danag village in Pa- wounded,” said Palace spokes- 16, when three soldiers were “They strike even during said, DPA reported. Abu Sayyaf was also involved in a tikul town on Friday afternoon. man Harry Roque Jr. also wounded. this time of great pandemic. The bomb-maker, identified firefight on Friday in Patikul town, he government con- “We condemn, in the strong- “The Offi ce of the President The fi ghting occurred amid But let this serve as a warn- as Vikram, was intercepted by which left 11 soldiers dead and 14 demned the brutal kill- est possible terms, the latest expresses its sincerest condo- the coronavirus disease 2019 ing to all — our authorities soldiers in the town of Talipao on wounded. “Our pursuit opera- Tings of soldiers who incident in Patikul, Sulu where lences to the bereaved families (Covid-19) pandemic and while remain ready and prepared to Jolo island. tions are continuing and we have clashed with the pro-Islamic members of the Abu Sayyaf left behind by our brave soldiers soldiers were assisting in the crush the enemies of the gov- Major General Corleto Vinluan, re-assessed our strategy against State (IS) group Abu Sayyaf in Group believed to be under who fought hard and paid the government humanitarian and ernment and quell any armed an anti-terrorism task force com- the Abu Sayyaf,” said Lieuten- the southern province of Sulu in ASG leader Radullan Sahiron ultimate sacrifi ce to secure our health eff orts to control the attack amid the existing state mander, said yesterday. ant General Cirilito Sobejana, a the autonomous region. and Hatib Hadjan Sawadjaan community. spread of the deadly virus. of calamity and public health Vikram was a bomb-maker for regional military commander. The military confi rmed attacked government troops We honour and pray for the “The enemies of the State emergency.” Gulf Times 18 Monday, April 20, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Silver lining for hole in ozone layer over the Arctic It is a matter of concern that ozone levels above the Arctic reached a record low for March, as reported by Nasa researchers. Arctic ozone levels are typically high during March and April. An analysis of satellite observations shows that ozone levels reached their lowest point on March 12 at 205 Dobson units. While such low levels are rare, they are not unprecedented. Similar low ozone levels occurred in the upper atmosphere, or stratosphere, in 1997 and 2011. In comparison, the lowest March ozone value observed in the Arctic is usually around 240 Dobson units. While holes in the ozone layer are re- ported every year in the Antarctic, where temperatures are Coping with the pandemic much colder, no sizeable holes in the ozone layer have been recorded in the Arctic since 2011. Even researchers with the Copernicus Programme, the European Union’s Earth observation programme, who fi rst caught the hole say they aren’t sure why it’s so large. “The ozone has been, in this layer, almost completely depleted,” The power of culture and religion said Vincent-Henri Peuch, director of the Copernicus At- mosphere Monitoring Service. “This year’s low Arctic ozone beliefs, assumptions and values that identities, which do not necessarily events like the current coronavirus happens about once per decade,” said Paul Newman, chief shape how we see the world and our place include, most of the time or at least in pandemic. scientist for Earth Sciences at Nasa’s Goddard Space Flight in it, give meaning to our experience, and some cultures, religious beliefs. People think of their moral beliefs Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. are passed between individuals, groups It is an identity marker. as objectively true facts about the Ozone is a highly reactive molecule comprised of three and generations. Following the social media those world, which transforms to subjective oxygen atoms that occurs naturally in small amounts. Borrowing the terminology developed days, one can conclude there is a preferences. (Brock Bastian et Al 2019) The stratospheric ozone layer, roughly 7 to 25 miles above by Piere Bourdieu,they transfer into growing evidence that something is Put diff erently, people want to convince Earth’s surface, “Habitus”. Epistemologically the creative stirring in the souls of millions presently themselves that they are in control of is a sunscreen, practice of culture in daily life infl uences overwhelmed with uncertainty caused by things. “If we hadn’t absorbing harm- how people perceive themselves, one the coronavirus. “The number of people This bias allows people to go about ful ultraviolet another and their place in the natural searching for the word ‘prayer’ on Google their daily lives without experiencing stopped putting world. ‘skyrocketed’ last month, doubling with anxiety. On the other side, some radiation that can every 80,000 new registered cases of damage plants and Religion, for Geertz in return, is other people have what we can call chlorofl uorocarbons “a system of symbols which acts to the disease, according to a University of an “unrealistic optimism bias”. It’s a animals and af- establish powerful, pervasive and long- Copenhagen study. tendency among people to underplay fecting people by into the atmosphere, By Darim al-Basam lasting moods and motivations in men/ A Pew Research Centre’s poll found threats and to see themselves, supported causing cataracts, women by formulating conceptions of a that 55% of Americans have prayed for an by the cultural religious identity, as being the Arctic depletion skin cancer and general order of existence and clothing end to the pandemic. more impervious than the average person. suppressed im- hen constructing a the conceptions with such an aura of Around 15% of those who ‘seldom or (Peter Sandman 2003). In the same realm, would have been mune systems. problematic for the study factuality that the moods and motivation never pray’ and 24% of those who do not some people also feel in the current The March Arc- of culture and religion in seem uniquely realistic.” belong to any religion have prayed about pandemic crisis anticipatory grief. much worse” tic ozone deple- Wsituations of crisis, like As to the interrelatedness of culture and the virus.” (The Spectator 11 April 2020) It transfers to what is labelled as tion was caused the current coronavirus outbreak, more religion, he emphasises: The importance All cultures and religions are showing “cognitive dissonance”: the feeling by a combination of factors that arose due to unusually appropriate questions might be helpful: of religion lies in its capacity to serve for reactions. diff erent people get about what the How we can identify the implications the individual or for a group, as a source Muslims around the world, have future holds when there is uncertainty, weak upper atmospheric “wave” events from Decem- of the interconnection of religion, and of general, yet distinctive, conceptions been fi lmed in the current situation of especially when it centres on death like ber through March. These waves drive movements of air culture for the process of coping with the of the world, the self and the relations home confi nement praying together and the possible impact of the coronavirus. through the upper atmosphere akin to weather systems current pandemic? To this question must between them. reciting “dua’a” from their balconies, There is a storm coming. that we experience in the lower atmosphere, but much be added: In which direction? How that Religion, thus, possesses an orientating instead of attending mosques services, There’s something bad out there. bigger in scale. gets transferred into patterns of adjusted function, providing society with criteria hoping the virus will be defeated soon. With a virus, this kind of grief is so In a typical year, these waves travel upward from the mid- attitudes and behaviours to cope with to fi nd its place (identity) within the Budhists and Hindus in Asian countries confusing for some people. latitude lower atmosphere to disrupt the circumpolar winds the emerging threat? In answering such world. are resorting to practise their teachings Their primitive mind knows something that swirl around the Arctic. When they disrupt the polar questions cultural sociology becomes the Relying on the conceptualisations which tell them that interconnectedness bad is happening, but they cannot see it. winds, they do two things. First, they bring with them ozone suitable frame of reference in our analysis above, I think that examining the nexus can transform disappointment with crises This can break their sense of safety. from other parts of the stratosphere, replenishing the reser- and interpretations. relation between culture and religion and moment into motivation to face the fear. The only way to balance the psyche voir over the Arctic. The mixing has a second eff ect, which is My arguments supporting the the power bestowed by both is important Likewise Christian, Jews and other is to culturally identifi ed with religion to warm the Arctic air. relevance of culture and religion in this in the analysis of coping with the current religions are doing the same. (interview with David Kessler, Harvard critical cross section of history that coronavirus outbreak. Sociologically, at play here are the Business Review. March 23, 2020 ) The warmer temperatures then make conditions unfavour- humanity is forced to go through, is built Why important? because such elements already I mentioned above: But one has to qualify: First the able for the formation of polar stratospheric clouds. These around two main points: (a) Religious relationship bears upon what peoples assigned meaning of behaviour; and severity of anticipatory grief in times clouds enable the release of chlorine for ozone-depleting cultural identity: how religion serves in from diff erent cultures bring to the obtaining culture-religious identity as of crisis diff ers from one culture to reactions. Ozone depleting chlorine and bromine come from situation of crises as “cultural identity comprehension of the pandemic setting utility. another, Second, there are individual chlorofl uorocarbons and halons, the chemically active forms marker”, and (b) the moral vitalism of and how it infl uences the meanings that This cultural religious identity needed diff erences: not everyone feels of chlorine and bromine derived from man-made com- religion: how religious values emerge and they impart to it, and how they perceive to cope with the pandemic provides anticipatory grief to the same degree in pounds that are now banned by the Montreal Protocol. The culturally serve in situations of crisis? risk. people with a feeling of certainty, order coping with the pandemic. mixing shuts down this chlorine and bromine driven ozone It will, however, be important to fi rst of More often, culture and religion bear on and meaning — a general feeling of People who are with a higher need for depletion. all fi nd out how culture and religion are whether people adaptive behaviour will belonging. stereotype and certainty in their lives In December 2019 and January through March of 2020, the related? How they are defi ned? After that, be, and what types of coping styles and The virus as evil and a source of threat usually avoid uncertainty and feel the stratospheric wave events were weak and did not disrupt the the two arguments will be set and then moral and social supports they have. is necessary to legitimise the self as eff ects of cognitive dissonance more than the implications for values and attitudes Here I want to diff erentiate between sheltered, pure and correct. those who have a lesser need for such polar winds. The winds thus acted like a barrier, preventing towards the pandemic will be analysed. religion as belief and religion as identity Cultural religious identity is, thus, consistency. ozone from other parts of the atmosphere from replenishing I should state it clearly from the very marker. constructed. Cognitive Dissonance theory suggests the low ozone levels over the Arctic. outset that in my discussion on the Religion as belief refers to a religious Cultural groups, in certain events or that it is two-ways road: if individuals act In addition, the stratosphere remained cold, leading to relatedness of culture to religion in the interest in doctrines and propositions in a elements in history resort to revive their in ways that contradict their beliefs, then the formation of polar stratospheric clouds which allowed current pandemic outbreak, I do not refer spiritual way. cultural religious identity. they typically will change their beliefs to chemical reactions to release reactive forms of chlorine and to cultural materialism. Religion as a refuge from the harm of The current pandemic is one of those align with their actions (or vice-a-versa). cause ozone depletion. “We don’t know what caused the My approach instead is much more the virus is an element of “behaviour elements in history. (John Grohol 2018) wave dynamics to be weak this year,” Newman said. “But we concerned with an understanding of immune system” which means that it More to the point, pathogen prevalence The Cultural Divide: Individualism vs do know that if we hadn’t stopped putting chlorofl uorocar- culture in terms of socio-cultural systems becomes as a source of shielding identity fosters what psychologists call the rise of Collectivism In terms of international bons into the atmosphere because of the Montreal Protocol, and adaptive behaviour. against uncertainty and as a personal “Moral Vitalism”. This seems to be in part comparative cultures and religions, the the Arctic depletion this year would have been much worse.” In this regard, the reciprocal interaction choice. psychological and in part cultural. most articulated global cultural divide The silver lining is that the hole in the ozone layer is expect- and feedbacks between the two must This is why we saw a strong movement People often posit the existence of that sociologists commonly construct be recognised: while religion’s milieu is of “back to the sacred” among people supernatural ‘forces’ or ‘spirits’ to explain to account for observed cultural ed soon to start healing by itself. culture and determined by its sphere, during this life threatening pandemic. events that do not have a clear biological diff erences and similarities in ways and religion, in turn, infl uences culture. People want to identify themselves or psychological explanation: a tendency patterns in coping with the pandemic are What is culture? Cliff ord Geertz with religion and seek cultural-religious that is especially acute for threatening individualism vs collectivism. To Advertise (well known to my generation of Arab Individualistic and collectivistic sociologists and his remarkable work cultural perspectives provide a useful [email protected] in Morocco) defi nes culture in his book framework for understanding cultural Display The Interpretation of Cultures (1973) as representations of health and illness. follows: Cross-cultural studies in illness 44466621 44418811 “Culture denotes a historically representations point to clear diff erences transmitted pattern of meanings in how beliefs about causes and Classified embodied in symbols, a system of consequences of diff erent diseases are 44466609 44418811 inherited conceptions expressed in formed and responded to. symbolic forms by means of which men In individualistic, Eurocentric Subscription communicate, perpetuate, and develop cultures, the dominant model of the self their knowledge about and attitudes according to many sociologists and social [email protected] toward life.” psychologists is an “independent self Studying culture intends a search for “characterised by self-defi ning attributes meaning, about how we think the world which serve to fulfi l personal autonomy © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved “works”: the language, knowledge, Worshippers off er Friday prayers on a street outside a closed mosque in Islamabad. and self-expression. To Page 19 Gulf Times Monday, April 20, 2020 19 COMMENT Observing Ramadan during Covid-19

also recognise that Ramadan is a gift because it helps the poor people and zIncreasing Forms of Obedience from Allah to His servants. Therefore, fulfi lls their needs. This happens when to Allah we have to feel happy and rejoiced a person thinks compassionately about People vary in observing forms of with its advent, particularly in light of another person, which drives the obedience to Allah according to their the fact that this is the month when former to support the latter. Prophet willingness, skills and talents. Some the gates of Paradise open and those Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) people tend to worship God by catering of Hell close. Ramadan also has a said: “Indeed charity extinguishes the to the needs of vulnerable people or night that is better than one thousand Lord’s anger and it protects against the giving alms to the poor. Therefore, it months. evil death.” (Narrated by at-Timidhi is up to everybody to choose his way to zBehaviour Modifi cation and and others) get closer to Allah. Balanced Relationships zBeware of Losing Time Ramadan has come to strengthen Ramadan provides an opportunity Social media platforms are no longer our determination and resolve for embracing change and striking a just sites on the Internet. They have and to free us from weaknesses balance between meeting individual turned into a part of our social life that and vulnerability. Therefore, it requirements, contributing to wastes our time and contributes to losing provides us with an opportunity to the fulfi lment of the collective the most beautiful moments of our life. modify our behaviour and purify Dr Mohamed ElGammal responsibilities, and observing Although these platforms bring families, ourselves after some people become Doha the rights of Allah and the fellow friends and strangers together, it is accustomed to ineffectiveness and community members. It also instills not easy to dispense with their usage. low achievement. morals and virtues, such as altruism, Therefore, it is important to reconsider Finally, we pray to Allah to relieve us he Covid-19 pandemic has tolerance and forgiveness in the the principles of our interaction with all from this pandemic, alleviate all our paralysed the entire world. fasting person. Therefore, imbalanced social media during Ramadan. worries and cure all our illnesses. This novel coronavirus relationships should be rectifi ed as We also warn against watching Tdoes not diff erentiate whoever gives precedence to a single HBKU CIS photoshoot useless TV programmes, movies and z Dr Mohamed ElGammal is between developed, developing or aspect at the expense of another will charades. It is important not to waste Associate Professor at the College of poor countries who have proved inevitably lose the desired balance. I observe fast and break it; perform (Surah Al Imran, verse 79). a lot of time watching TV during Islamic Studies, Hamad Bin Khalifa powerless and disabled in its wake. This poses a high risk because it creates prayers and sleep at night and take zGiving Alms Ramadan because indulgence even University The negative eff ect of the virus has imbalance when little attention is paid wives. So whoever turns away from Giving alms amidst the coronavirus in watching useful programmes may This article is submitted on become particularly evident on the to one’s family, job or skills. my traditions does not belong to me”. pandemic is more obligatory than result in losing the spiritualties of the behalf of the author by the HBKU common rituals of Muslims, halting Anas (May Allah be pleased with (Narrated by Al Bukhari) giving it at all other times. It is a reason holy month. Of course, a person can Communications Directorate. The congregational and daily communal him) reported: Three men came to the z Strengthening Family Bonds for relieving distress, ending troubles watch recorded episodes of any of views expressed are the author’s own prayers at mosques. houses of the wives of the Prophet In the rush of our competitive world, and enjoying the mercies of Allah. Ramadan programmes after the end of and do not necessarily refl ect the As Ramadan approaches, Covid-19 to inquire about His worship. When a person may forget himself and his Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon the month. University’s offi cial stance. is still spreading. The virus will they were informed about it, they family members. However, self- Him) said: “Whoever knowingly fi lls most likely prevent congregational considered their worship insignifi cant quarantine may provide opportunities his stomach while his neighbour is religious rituals such as Tarawih and said: “Where are we in comparison to strengthen family bonds and adopt hungry is not a true believer.” If this About Hamad Bin Khalifa University prayers and sermons in mosques, with the Prophet while Allah has the etiquette and morals of Islam. applies when a person is able to go out as well as communal Iftar parties, forgiven his past and future sins”. One It can also encourage community and earn his living, then giving alms is Innovating Today, Shaping Tomorrow particularly in light of social distancing of them said: “As for me, I shall off er members to perform their rituals and more important at times of crises and measures. Many governments have prayers all night long.” Another said: prayers, as well as reciting the holy destitution during the quarantine. Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), pacity through an enriching academic also closed ministries, organisations, “I shall observe fasting continuously Qur’an. Quarantine also gives us a By Alms, I do not mean the a member of Qatar Foundation for experience, innovative ecosystem, universities and schools and opted and shall not break it”. Another said: chance achieve delayed tasks and prescribed rate of Zakat only because Education, Science, and Community and unique partnerships. HBKU deliv- for working from home. This may “I shall abstain from women and shall drives us to be more righteous. This people usually pay their Zakat during Development (QF), was founded in ers multidisciplinary undergraduate nevertheless turn into a source of relief never marry”. undoubtedly requires a sincere love Ramadan. I do not also mean Zakat 2010 as a research-intensive university and graduate programs through its for fasting Muslims, as it will help save The Prophet (Peace be upon Him) to Allah, constant remembrance of al-Fitr (Fast-breaking alms) that that acts as a catalyst for transforma- colleges, and provides opportunities commuting time and avoid exposure to came to them and said, “Are you Him and continuous refl ection on His should be obligatorily paid by every tive change in Qatar and the region for research and scholarship through the virus. the people who said such and such glory. Allah the Almighty said in the Muslim but rather supererogatory while having a global impact. Located its institutes and centers. For more Under these circumstances, we things? By Allah, I fear Allah more than holy Qur’an “But be wise, learned, and alms that enhance social solidarity in Education City, HBKU is committed information about HBKU, visit www. are required to feel satisfi ed and not you do, and I am most obedient and forbearing because you are teaching and compassion. This kind of alms to building and cultivating human ca- hbku.edu.qa. horrifi ed by the pandemic. We should dutiful among you to Him, but still the Qur’an, and you are studying it.’’ becomes obligatory in times of need Tips for digital parenting during Three-day forecast

TODAY Maximum Temperature : 280c Covid-19 from Vodafone AmanTECH Minimum Temperature : 220c TUESDAY Maximum Temperature : 280c he outbreak of the can benefi t from the internet safely. settings need to be combined with Minimum Temperature : 230c coronavirus (Covid-19) Among these safety tips are practical supervision, sensible limits and WEDNESDAY pandemic has dramatically ways for parents to use the software working with children to guide them Maximum Temperature : 290c Tchanged our communication and settings on smartphones and safely in the digital world. Minimum Temperature : 240c habits and we are all coping better devices to help children stay safe Parents can introduce a fun way Fisherman's forecast with self-isolation thanks to the online by restricting their access to learn about online safety through advantages of technology. With to certain apps, content and social the ‘AmanTECH Online Safety WARNING schools shut, children have much networks. Challenge’, an augmented reality game Inshore : Thundery rain ex- pected at some places more time to spend online as well, if Vodafone AmanTECH shares some for tablets and smartphones that can associated with strong not doing schoolwork, then playing important tips for activating these teach youngsters to create a strong wind games, chatting to their friends and settings: password, prevent cyberbullying, Offshore : Expected thundery rain associated with stong fi nding ways to stay entertained while z Control the ‘location settings’ identify fake messages and protect wind and high sea. stuck at home. which could tell other users where the their personal information on the WEATHER If controlled properly, the extra most popular tools used by remote phone, and the person using it, are at internet, and also how to safely share Inshore : Partly cloudy with a chance of scattered screen time can create no end of teams have been identifi ed as high- that specifi c moment, as well as when photos and information on social rain may be thundery opportunities for younger users risk due to low data privacy protection and where a photograph was taken. media. Suitable for children aged 7-13 at places and slight to expand their world and their policy and low control over shared z Monitor access to real-time years old, the AmanTECH app can be dust at times WIND knowledge. They gain more digital fi les. video-calling services like IMO and downloaded from the Apple store and Inshore : Northeasterly-North- literacy and at the same time, have a For parents, having to manage TikTok. Although there are many Google Play store. westerly 07-17/30 KT host of amazing resources at hand that their children’s technology needs positive uses, some children and During these unprecedented times, Offshore : Northwesterly-North- are educational as much as they are and online safety around the teenagers suff er cyberbullying through Vodafone Qatar is making greater easterly 10-20/35 KT entertaining. clock while balancing remote the applications, and information or online safety awareness a promise, Many schools are welcoming working responsibilities can feel pictures shared privately might be sent by helping parents and children to Visibility : 4-8/3 KM newer digital innovations that can overwhelming. on to other people. practice responsible digital behaviour. help teachers augment standard Through its digital safety z Set up profi les for diff erent users They can count on the help of Around the region tools such as Microsoft Teams programme, AmanTECH (which which are appropriate for their age and Vodafone Qatar – a partner who Weather and Google Classroom with new stands for “Safe Technology” in maturity. understands today’s communication Weather tomorrow technologies to meet education Arabic), Vodafone Qatar is making a z Prevent children and young environment better than anyone. So today Max/min Max/min M Sunny needs during Covid-19. But as set of user-friendly online resources people from spending money online rather than a disruption to routines, Baghdad M Sunny 34/19 36/21 Cloudy digital technology rapidly evolves, available to help parents become active to purchase apps, music or games social distancing and spending more Kuwait City M Cloudy 32/24 30/22 S T Storms and with it the proliferation of smart partners in their children’s digital life. without permission. time in the home together can be an Manama Cloudy 28/24 27/23 P Cloudy handsets and devices, so do the risks AmanTECH’s safety checklists and z Restrict access to social networks opportunity for parents to be more Muscat M Sunny 33/28 33/27 P Cloudy that children face online, in the form ‘how to’ guides, including a Digital and control whether and how photos engaged with their children online. Tehran M Sunny 23/14 24/13 of cyberbullying, theft of personal Parenting Guide, and digital safety and videos can be shared. For more resources and technology information, phishing and online tips are freely accessible, so that their It is important to remember that tips, digital parents can visit www. predators. Recently, even some of the young users, full of natural curiosity, these parental controls and privacy vodafone.qa/AmanTECH.

Coping with the pandemic

From Page 18 immutable self, or soul, can be found. people is entirely diff erent: maintaining In fact, collectivistic religions and For Hinduism, family and their health is linked with their desire to be doctrines recognise interconnectedness People are seen as agentic and thus interconnectedness, (Karma), is a autonomous individuals. between everything. responsible for their own decisions and combination of cosmic and moral cause They believe that the self, rather than The pandemic is a moment for the Around the world actions. and eff ect that can cross lifetimes and the community, must do all the healing. Budhists for example, to see this more Weather Weather Moreover, in cultures shaped by life lessons learned for spiritual growth. The coronavirus was a stark reminder clearly. today Max/min tomorrow Max/min individualism, individuals favour These cultural and religious beliefs in that the community, rather than the self, With every action someone takes for Athens M Cloudy 22/14 P Cloudy 21/11 promotion over prevention, focusing the views of the self and the embedded may be the fi rst line of protection. self-care, such as washing one’s hands, Beirut P Cloudy 23/18 M Cloudy 23/19 on the positive outcomes they hope interdependent relationships to To be in grief, as we saw with they are also helping to protect others. Bangkok Sunny 36/28 Sunny 37/29 to approach rather than the negative community have implications for how collectivists culture, is for the person to The dualistic thinking of separateness Berlin Sunny 17/05 Sunny 18/06 outcomes they hope to avoid. health and illness are experienced and know his interconnectedness. between self and other, self and society, Cairo Sunny 31/17 P Cloudy 34/23 Relationships are seen as freely acted upon. That is what I can call “engaged breaks down when viewed from the Cape Town Rain 17/12 P Cloudy 18/12 chosen and easy to enter and exit. (Ayse All this can lead us to conclude that collectivism”. Having a healthy body perspective of interconnection. Colombo S T Storms 31/26 S T Storms 31/26 Uskul 2010) in collectivistic cultures, people are can be characterised as a resource that Their survival depends on one Dhaka S T Storms 34/24 T Storms 31/23 By contrast, in collectivistic cultures, seen as relational or communal and facilitates fi tting into the social order another, and when they feel a sense Hong Kong P Cloudy 24/21 P Cloudy 24/21 such as many East Asian cultures, and to their decisions and actions as heavily within a collectivistic frame. (Ayse of responsibility toward everyone, Istanbul M Cloudy 17/09 Cloudy 13/08 a certain extent in Muslim’s culture, the infl uenced by social, mutual obligations Uskul 2010) they understand the concept of Jakarta S T Storms 33/26 S T Storms 32/25 dominant model is an interdependent and the fulfi lment of in-group Such cultural divide was clear during interconnection as a wise truth. (Brooke Karachi Sunny 33/25 M Sunny 34/27 self embedded within the social context expectations. the last four months. Schedneck, the Conversation, April 2020). London Sunny 16/09 P Cloudy 17/09 and defi ned by social relations and In such cultures, people in coping with We saw how the diff erences between When emotions around fear Manila P Cloudy 36/26 P Cloudy 37/27 memberships in groups. a disease, they favour prevention over those two cultural religious world or anxiety become too strong, Moscow P Cloudy 09/01 P Cloudy 10/02 In Islam’s teaching, altruism is one promotion in their motivational strategies, vision’s were obvious in coping with the collectivisms say one should recall New Delhi S T Storms 33/22 M Sunny 34/22 of the imperatives and it is important focusing on the negative outcomes. They pandemic, and clearly among leaders examples of compassion, kindness and New York Cloudy 14/07 Rain 16/02 to think not just for the self but for the hope to avoid rather than the positive from both sides. empathy. Paris P Cloudy 22/12 P Cloudy 22/11 “gama’a” or community. outcomes they wish to approach. We noticed, for example, that East The pattern of fearful and despairing Sao Paulo P Cloudy 25/14 P Cloudy 27/14 Resolve and steadfastness in the face Relationships are seen as less Asian leaders wear masks while holding thoughts can be stopped by bringing Seoul S Showers 15/04 Cloudy 11/04 of crisis will be rewarded. voluntary and more diffi cult to leave. their governmental meeting to show oneself back to the feeling of caring for Singapore M Sunny 33/27 S T Storms 33/27 The central Buddhist teaching of non- (Oyserman et Al.2020) engaged collectivism. others. Sydney Cloudy 22/13 M Sunny 23/14 self (anatman) asserts that in the their On the other side of the divide, in None of that was obvious in western Compassion is important even as Tokyo Rain 13/09 Cloudy 19/09 imperatives no independently existent, individualistic cultures, the desire of individualistic cultures. people maintain social distance. Gulf Times 20 Monday, April 20, 2020 QATAR Industrial Area quarantine facilities win praise from community leaders

By Shafeeq Alingal Staff Reporter

atar’s eff orts to ensure the welfare and rights Qof workers in the Indus- trial Area have won apprecia- tion from the leaders of various expatriate communities. They praised the ministries and voluntary organisations concerned after a visit on Sat- urday to the area where work- ers are quarantined due to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis. “Things are going quite well The project’s completed works involve the construction of 11km of roads. and adequate measures have The delegation members interacting with off icials during the visit. been put in place to ensure the welfare of workers,” said Riyaz mittee said that all activities Ahmed Bakali, who represent- are carried out under a proper ed the Pakistani community system that is well-managed during the visit to the area. and closely monitored. Doha Industrial Quarantine “In fact, we were clueless Area commander Lt Col Ah- about the situations there. The mad al-Ghanim and the Min- authorities are taking much ef- Ashghal links istry of Interior’s (MoI) Public forts to keep the area clean,” he Relations Department director said, adding that everything is Brig Gen Abdullah Khalifa al- properly planned. Muftah led the delegation. The activities in the Indus- V C Mashood, general con- trial Area speak volumes about venor of Kerala Pravasi Co-or- the commitment of the Qatar dination Committee, thanked government towards expatriate infrastructure the MoI for organising the workers. “We found Qatari of- visit and said the delegation fi cials and volunteers actively was quite impressed by be- engaged in welfare activities. ing helped to understand the Driven by commitment to- ground reality. “Proper meas- wards the workers, they ac- The delegation members visiting an under-construction facility in ures have been taken to make tively discharged their duties. the Industrial Area. PICTURES: Shameer Rasheed everyone safe. And the visit This echoes the commitment with workers’ helped the outer world get an of Qatar towards its expatriate home. “The workers are helped sations terming their services idea about how things are going community,” he added. by the government to meet the in the area appreciable. “Eve- on at the area under lockdown,” The delegation, according to basic needs easily as groceries rything is carried out in a pro- he said. Padam Giri of Non Residents and pharmacies are function- fessional manner. Hospitals He pointed out that much at- Nepalese Association (NRNA), ing. And life is quite normal,” are opened and mobile medi- tention is paid towards the area found money exchanges are he said. cal units deployed. The correct referring to the eff orts to set up functioning in the area under Henry Dimaano, one of the proceedings are followed by complex hospitals there. A P Perera of lockdown in order to help the Philippine community leaders, offi cials and organisations,” he Sri Lanka Co-ordinating Com- aff ected workers send money praised the voluntary organi- added. he Public Works Authority Roads Projects department, de- (Ashghal) has announced scribed it as part of the Author- Tthe completion of the roads ity’s eff orts to serve the workers and infrastructure works for the accommodation facilities and 31,000-person capacity Inte- to ensure a safe, healthy living grated Workers Complex (IWAC) environment in their communi- MADLSA hotline serves workers, employers in West Umm Slal (Bu Garn). ties. Ashghal also announced open- “A road network has been con- ing of the roads in the area to traf- structed at the West of Umm Slal, Engineer Hamad al-Badr total of 11,419 phone calls were received through the Min- fi c. The project, according to a around the workers accommoda- istry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social statement, serves the needs of the tion in order to facilitate traffi c quarantine facility for around A Aff airs’ (MADLSA) Labour Sector hotline between March workers’ accommodation and the access to these facilities and to 4,000 workers. “Ashghal also ex- 15 and April 18, it was announced yesterday. Also, 2,269 text mes- logistic city in the area and con- provide it with a drainage net- pedited the commissioning of the sages were received from workers in the same period, the MADL- nects them with the existing road work,” he said. drainage network in order to dis- SA said in a tweet. network. “Ashghal accelerated the work charge the sewage fl ows from this Of the total 11,419 phone calls, 9,526 calls came from workers While announcing the open- in conjunction with the alloca- area to the existing plant in Doha while employers made 1,893 calls, an accompanying infograph- ing, engineer Hamad al-Badr, tion of one of the accommodation North, which is about 10km from ic showed. The ministry also stressed that complaints fi led by project engineer at Ashghal’s facilities to serve as a temporary the project area,” he said. workers were received through text messages, the Amerni appli- Once completed, the station cation and e-mails. will cater for the current and fu- A bulk — or 2,269 — of the complaints were received through ture needs of the particular area. text messages, followed by 654 through the Amerni application Construction works for the sta- with and 481 through e-mails, the infographic reveals. tion are scheduled for completion So far, 2,143 of the 2,269 complaints received through text in the third quarter of 2020. messages have been resolved while 126 are in progress, accord- It’s worth noting that the ing to the MADLSA. Similarly, 409 of the 654 complaints re- project’s completed works in- ceived through the Amerni app have been resolved and 245 are volve the construction of 11km of in progress. Also, 367 of the 481 complaints received through e- roads, a 12-km sewerage network, mails have been resolved until now while 114 are in progress. a 5.9km electricity network, a In all, 2,919 of the 3,404 complaints received through these 4.3km surface water drainage three modes have been resolved and 485 are in progress, the in- network and a 4km Treated Sew- fographic shows. The ministry had launched the hotline, 92727, age Effl uent network. last month to receive workers’ complaints. The steps to submit a The scope of works included labour complaint are as follows: providing street lighting with the 1. Send an SMS to 92727 installation of 324 lighting poles, 2. Type 5, then your ID number or visa number, and send the road markings and road signage. SMS. In addition, two bus parking areas The service is available 24 hours and in several languages. will be upgraded for labour trans- Meanwhile, the ministry yesterday tweeted that to report portation with a total capacity of violations regarding worker’s accommodation conditions, one 550 buses. should call the hotline, 40280660. Greenhouses key to year-round production of fresh vegetables, say farm owners

number of local farm owners have stressed A that using greenhouses has helped them further en- hance their production of fresh vegetables all year round, more so because it is not practical to continue with open-fi eld farm- ing throughout the year. Speaking to local Arabic daily Arrayah, they said there is a need for more support from the enti- ties concerned to covert around 1,400 seasonal farms around the country into farms that produce all year round. Such support should include the subsidised supply of water and electricity and providing farmers with so- phisticated technology in keep- ing with the local environment. They stressed that hav- ing farms that produce all year round has become indispensa- ble in the quest for achieving food security in the country. Greenhouse farming needs further support such as adequate cooling systems, increasing the space of farms and the supply of a qualified and experienced workforce. This is in addition to having a good supply of animal fodder adopt a plan to quickly shift to- said there is an urgent need to electricity and seeds, but the high cost of the required tools ing to greenhouse farming is plan to designate certain farms to maintain a growing number wards greenhouse farming in or- adopt the greenhouse farm- shift towards full greenhouse and equipment, especially in the becoming a pressing need in or- to be specialised in produc- of livestock heads so as to meet der to have a comprehensive food ing approach in the country to farming needs further support preparation stages until the ac- der to locally produce different ing certain types of vegetables, the needs of the local market, security system in the country.” be able to address major global such as adequate cooling sys- tual production starts. Accord- types of fresh vegetables and such a farm dedicated to toma- the daily states. He pointed out that such crises and any possible shortage tems, increasing the space of ingly, he sought further support fruits, as well as livestock fod- toes, another to cucumbers and Mubarak Rashid al-Neami, farms should be able to produce or stoppage of the food product farms and the supply of a quali- from the government in this der, as the open field method so on. This way, he felt, a steady a farm owner, said: “The rapid vegetables, fruits, fish and dairy supply chain. He added that the fied and experienced workforce. area. may be adequate for just four supply of these fresh products spread of the novel coronavi- products to supply the needs authorities subsidise and sup- He noted that the main im- Hamad al-Libdah stressed months of farming in the coun- would be available for local rus (Covid-19) around the world of the local market and export port producing farms through pediment for more expansion that the Covid-19 pandemic has try. He suggested that the enti- consumers while ensuring high should make us here, in Qatar, any surplus. Nasser al-Kuwari various means, such as water, in greenhouse farming is the convinced farmers that shift- ties concerned should adopt a quality and reasonable prices.