www.thepeninsula.qa Friday 20 March 2020 Volume 25 | Number 8202 25 Rajab - 1441 2 Riyals

SPORT | 13 BUSINESS | 16

Moving Tokyo Qatar Chamber holds Games possible, too meeting with private soon to decide on healthcare providers cancellation: Coe to boost cooperation

FREE Wi-Fi device! Ooredoo FREE installation! Full fun! ONE *Terms & Conditions Apply Most COVID-19 cases in Qatar Health Minister visits COVID-19 Surveillance Unit stable, six patients recover as eight more detected Most quarantined cases are in stable health condition, except six in intensive care. Six new cases of COVID-19 have been cured, bringing the total to 10. The Supreme Committee decided to allocate hotlines to receive proposals, complaints. People should not circulate rumours and should take news from official sources. Two main patterns for spread of COVID-19 in Qatar — societal infections in which transmission was between expatriates and among citizens returning from other countries.

QNA — DOHA are in intensive care, wishing is the approach it intends to con- them a speedy recovery. tinue, stressing the necessity not Under the chairmanship of She revealed that six new to circulate false rumours and Prime Minister and Minister of cases of COVID-19 have been news, and to take news from its Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin cured, (two Qataris and four official sources, including the H E Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health, yesterday visited the COVID-19 Surveillance Unit. Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani expatriates), bringing the total accounts of the Government The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) said in its official Twitter account that the Minister met with the team at and in the presence of Ministers of cured people to 10 so far. Communication Office and the the Surveillance Unit which is responsible for tracking down people at risk of contracting COVID-19 in Qatar. and heads of relevant bodies, H E Al Khater announced Ministry of Public Health on social Based at MoPH premises, the Unit has been continuously monitoring the epidemiological situation since the the Supreme Committee for that the Supreme Committee for networking platforms. outbreak of COVID-19 in China. The Unit is working to proactively identify people in Qatar who may have been Crisis Management held its Crisis Management decided to She reviewed the patterns of in contact with confirmed cases of COVID-19. meeting to follow up the work allocate hotlines to receive pro- virus spread to date in Qatar, of the various bodies to contain posals and complaints, and the explaining that the COVID-19 virus the coronavirus COVID-19 and hotlines will be announced soon. is a new phenomenon in the manage the crisis in a way that Her Excellency clarified that world, so health authorities around guarantees the health and since the beginning of the crisis, the world and those in Qatar are WHO lauds Qatar’s efforts on COVID-19 safety of society and the contin- the State of Qatar has pursued the constantly seeking to determine THE PENINSULA — DOHA #coronavirus & efforts to 60 days after the genetic uation of a decent life for all principle of transparency and the the characteristics of this epidemic implement a comprehensive sequence of COVID-19 was who live in the State of Qatar. sharing of all information, which and how to limit its spread. `P2 World Health Organisation approach to suppress and shared by China, the first In a press conference yes- (WHO) has lauded Qatar’s control #COVID19,” wrote Dr vaccine trial has begun, Dr Ghe- terday, Spokesperson of the efforts to implement a compre- Ghebreyesus. breyesus said on Wednesday, Supreme Committee for Crisis hensive approach to control Qatar has been in the fore- calling it “an incredible Management, H E Lolwah bint COVID 19. front along with H E Dr Hanan achievement” and urging the Rashid bin Mohammed Al Khater, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghe- Mohamed Al Kuwari, MoPH world to maintain “the same announced the registration of breyesus, Director General of officials and other officials to spirit of solidarity” that has eight new COVID-19 cases, most WHO said in a tweet yesterday contain the spread of the new helped fight Ebola. of them are expatriate workers that he had a “Good Call” with coronavirus in the country. “To suppress and control and two Qatari citizens returning Minister of Public Health, H E Separately in updating jour- epidemics, countries must from the Italian Republic and the Dr Hanan Mohammed Al nalists at the regular press isolate, test, treat and trace”, United Kingdom. Kuwari. briefing in Geneva, Dr Ghe- said Dr Ghebreyesus, oth- She said that all cases are “Good call with Hanan breyesus said that more than erwise “transmission chains subject to quarantine, adding Mohammed Al Kuwari, @ 200,000 cases of Coronavirus can continue at a low level, that most of the cases, in Spokesperson of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management, MOPHQatar. I congratulated have been reported and over then resurge once physical general, are in a stable health H E Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed Al Khater, and Dr. Jameela her for H H the Amir of Qatar’s 8,000 deaths in the world. distancing measures are condition, except six cases, who Al Ajmi, from MoPH during the press conference, yesterday. leadership to contain He also revealed that Just lifted.” Consumer complexes, shops sign pledge Katara launches contests via social media to keep customers safe from coronavirus THE PENINSULA — DOHA of $10,000. The fourth category is ded- THE PENINSULA- DOHA MoCI to limit the spread of the The Cultural Village Foun- icated to Arabic calligraphy coronavirus (COVID-19), and dation (Katara) yesterday writing of the sentence “Ask The Ministry of Commerce and pursuant to Article 13 of the announced it is organising a forgiveness from ALLAH”, and Industry (MoCI) has obliged Consumer Protection Law No. variety of competitions open to comes with a prize of $5,000. sales outlets in the country to 8 of 2008, which requires sup- local and international partic- There is also a competition take a set of precautionary pliers to adhere to the health ipants across its social media for Qatari school students of 5 health requirements for the and safety requirements. platforms. to 15 years old called “The most safety of citizens and residents. MoCI called on all sales “Katara will present on its beautiful recitation” as the par- MoCI said in a statement yes- outlets to comply fully with various platforms on social ticipant will have to send an terday that all consumer com- these requirements, stressing media many competitions, audio recording clip. For this plexes and sales outlets signed a that it will intensify its inspection varying in their contents, these contest, the winner will receive pledge to adhere to the precau- campaigns to ensure compliance contests are directed to all QR6,000, the second placer tionary requirements by taking with the requirements. Any vio- members of society which will get QR4,000 and the third employees’ temperature twice lations to the laws and minis- include several categories and placer will win QR3,000, while daily, providing sterilisers at the terial decisions will be referred nationalities,” Dr. Khalid bin the fourth to the 10th positions main entrances, gathering places to the competent authorities for Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General will each receive QR1,500. and toilets, and sanitising shopping appropriate measures in order Manager of Katara, said in a The deadline for sub- carts before they are used by to protect the rights of con- statement. mission of entries for the com- shoppers, as well as sanitising sur- sumers, it said. Dr. Al Sulaiti said the com- petitions is April 20 via e-mail faces continuously such as refrig- The Ministry urged the petitions vary between literary to [email protected]. erators’ doors and doorknobs. public to report any violations and artistic cultural competi- Katara has also launched a The Ministry noted that through the phone number of tions and Katara has allocated competition on Instagram, in these requirements come the call center 16001 or e-mail: cash prizes for all the winners. which an image of a painting within the framework of the infomoci.gov.qa or through its One of the competitions is will be posted and participants precautionary and preventive accounts approved on social “The Istighfar Award” which is will have to identify the artist measures announced by the networking sites. open to international and local who created the painting. Three participants and includes winners will be selected in a several categories. raffle draw to be held every The first category is short three days. QU departments hold over 500 virtual learning classes story writing on the topic seeking Katara is also preparing via forgiveness (Istighfar) to be Al-Dad YouTube channel to THE PENINSULA — DOHA schools and universities for all stu- have been held and more than The interaction between us and written using 3,000 to 5,000 launch a series of programs, dents in Qatar, to limit the spread 1,500 hours are spent on the professor is not as strong as we words, and in which a cash prize competitions, entertainment and Qatar University’s different of COVID-19 and to ensure the virtual learning system through have in classroom but if we have of $20,000 is at stake. educational materials such as department students have safety of students in all public and ‘BlackBoard’ portal. any questions our professor The second category is lessons on spelling and Arabic started to adjust with new private educational institutions. Juman Badran, Student of allows us to ask them and discuss short play writing on the same grammar instruction, as well as Virtual Learning system and Due to remarkable com- Mass Communication the difficulties we are facing.” theme seeking forgiveness information and anecdotes find the system safety insuring mitment of QU’s management Department at QU said: “The dis- Students praised the hard (Istighfar) to be written using about the Arabic language and during the rapid spread of coro- students have started to enjoy tance learning system that was work and efficient decision 1,500 to 3,000 words, and with stories for children in addition navirus (COVID-19) in Qatar. E-Learning system which implemented a short time turns making of University’s man- a prize of $15,000. to 60 poems praising the Prophet Earlier, the Government ensures their privacy. Lectures out to be successful because of agement. QU has strived to The third category is poetry Mohamed (peace be upon him), Communications had Office are being held regularly and are the fast adaptation. The pro- provide best facilities to all the writing on the theme seeking chosen among the many poems announced, the suspension of easily accessible for all students. fessors have been very cooper- colleges and students with forgiveness (Istighfar), written which won the Katara Prize for classes in public and private Till now more than 500 classes ative during the current situation. special needs. in 10 lines and carrying a prize Prophet’s Poet. `P3 02 HOME FRIDAY 20 MARCH 2020

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER TODAY

FAJR04.22 am SUNRISE 05.38 am o o Misty at some places at first becomes partly cloudy to 21 C 26 C cloudy at times with a chance of scattered rain maybe ZUHR 11.41 am ASR 03.08 pm thundery at places by evening. Minimum Maximum HIGH TIDE 02:45– 14:40 LOW TIDE 10:34 – 20:39 MAGHRIB 05.47 pm ISHA 07.17 pm W ALRUWAIS: 19o↗27o W ALKHOR: 21o↗27o W DUKHAN: 18o↗29o W WAKRAH: 20o↗28o W MESAIEED 20o↗28o W ABUSAMRA 19o↗33o Qatar Chamber panel addresses supplies flow to Industrial Area

The meeting reviewed all developments county to stop the spread of the concerning the environmental procedures virus. Al Obaidli noted that the sector towards the process of food circulation private sector has enough expe- in the light of the partial closure of the rience in dealing with and over- coming crises and facilitating industrial zone for 14 days. the movement of goods to con- sumers, pointing out that the siege experience has con- THE PENINSULA — DOHA The meeting reviewed all tributed to fostering this developments concerning the experience. Qatar Chamber’s (QC) Food environmental procedures For his part, Dr. Saif Al Security and Environment sector towards the process of Hajari said that the Envi- Committee discussed on food circulation in the light of ronment Committee, which is Officials at the meeting of Food Security and Environment Committee of Qatar Chamber. Wednesday mechanisms of the the partial closure of the indus- a subsidiary of Food Security flow of supplies to the Indus- trial zone for 14 days. and Environment Committee, trial Area which was recently It also touched on the market and putting forward it They also reviewed ways of well as efforts exerted by the is prepared to receive all closed in light of efforts exerted mechanisms to facilitate the to the concerned authorities. enhancing confidence on the Ministry of Public Health, which inquiries and proposals for to curb Coronavirus. flow of supplies from ports to Attendees of the meeting national products especially included sterilizing trucks and prompt actions and solution. The meeting was presided the closed zone, and then from stressed the importance of poultry, dairy, vegetables, fruit checking drivers passing He also said that the com- over by Dr Saif bin Ali Al Hajari the industrial area of the outlets raising awareness among and fish, was well as measures through the industrial area. mittee addresses all issues in the presence of QC Board to guarantee the interests of workers in food sector about adopted to ensure the safety of He stressed the interest of related to streamlining proce- Member and Chairperson of the merchants and consumers. means of combating Corona these products. the private sector in ensuring dures for investors and busi- Committee Mohamed bin The meeting also discussed virus, calling employers and On his part, Chairperson of the flow of supplies, services nessmen, stressing that con- Ahmed Al Obaidli. preparing a proposal of private companies to inform their the Committee Mohamed Al and food and agricultural cerned bodies showed great Many representatives of sector companies about the employees on instructions Obaidli praised the precau- products to the local market, cooperation and coordination food companies were also measures that guarantee the issued by the Ministry of Public tionary measures of the state to and following on the preventive on dealing with the present. availability of food in the Health. curb the spread of Covid-19 as procedures applied by the committee. Healthcare practitioners’ campaign Live COVID-19 portal urges people to ‘stay home, save lives’ for Qatar launched THE PENINSULA — DOHA THE PENINSULA — DOHA others. As the number of COVID-19 coro- A live COVID-19 portal for Qatar has been launched by A101, a A group of healthcare leaders in Qatar, navirus continue to grow, one of the creative tech company. including Dr. Yousef Al Maslamani, best courses of action is self-isolation “In light of the recent Coronavirus outbreak, A101 wants to Medical Director at Hamad General to slow the spread of the virus. help inform the local community and play its part in these hard Hospital, joined the global , 'Stay home, As a preventative measure most times. We have created a live map and statistics portal for Qatar, save lives' campaign encouraging the people have decided to practice social and we welcome everyone to use this map to inform themselves public to help to curb the spread of the distancing as well. To limit the contact and the public of the current evolving situation,” the company COVID- 19 by limiting their social inter- with people who may be infected with said in a statement yesterday. actions. COVID-19, many have opted to work The live coronavirus map, which can be accessed via The social media campaign by Min- from home and avoid public spaces COVID-19 Qatar Portal, showcases vital information revolving istry of Public Health has published a entirely by self-isolating. around COVID-19 such as: confirmed, recovered, deaths, and series of photographs of healthcare And this is something that nurses people tested in Qatar; COVID-19 cases timeline for Qatar (daily); practitioners and others at the forefront and doctors have recommended and confirmed, recovered, and deaths worldwide. of the COVID -19 fight in the country. people to do through the #StayHome In addition, it also includes an interactive map and MOPH The photos, posted on social media campaign, and hope citizens are fol- Twitter feed. featured healthcare practitioners lowing their calls for help. To ensure that the information is extremely reliable, correct holding a sheet of paper that read mes- and trusted, A101 said that the information is gathered courtesy sages urging the public to stay at home. > Dr Yousef Al Maslamani, Medical of the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in Qatar, and John “We are at work for you. Please stay Director at Hamad General Hospital, Hopkins sourced from World Health Organization (WHO).) home for us,” the posters reads in dif- joined the global , 'Stay home, save ferent languages English, Arabic and lives' campaign, yesterday. Most COVID-19 cases in Qatar stable, six patients recover as eight more detected FROM PAGE 1 that they pass the initial medical affected and that there is a stra- bonds of interdependence that Executive Director of Infection as protecting children from the She said: “From what we examination. They are also tegic stock of basic materials, have appeared in the Qatari Prevention and Control at transmission of the virus and found in the State of Qatar, required to sign a formal com- as all relevant policies have society. Hamad Medical Corporation, training them on the method of there are two main patterns so mitment to comply with the been developed to deal with During the press con- explained that isolation at home home isolation. far for the spread of COVID-19, procedures approved by the such crises since 2017. ference, HE Spokesperson of is for a person who has been in Also, she pointed out that which are: The first chain of relevant international institu- HE Al Khater said that there the Supreme Committee for contact with a person infected the person in the house iso- transmission was between tions and the Ministry of Public is ongoing work to establish Crisis Management Lolwah bint with the virus but he doesn’t lation must stay away from the arrivals, and it is called societal Health, she explained. more factories for some basic Rashid bin Mohammed Al have symptoms of infection, so elderly and people with chronic infections, and it turned out that Her Excellency added that materials that the State may Khater said that what has been he has to isolate himself for 14 diseases, keep a distance its focus was in the area that in the case of not respecting this need in the coming period. noticed is that many people, days. between him and all family was closed from Street 1 to 32 quarantine, the legal proce- Her Excellency praised in especially those who returned She explained that home members, and stay in the iso- in the industrial area. dures will be implemented, this regard the role of many from abroad, prefer to stay in isolation or quarantine is lation room for 14 days. The second chain of trans- indicating that many countries private companies, including hotels that have been desig- very important and con- In her response to a mission, which exists between have implemented this policy, contracting companies and nated for quarantine, as some sidered one of the most question regarding whether Qataris and is not considered and the first option remains to individuals, who gave the most people who have the option to important precautionary home isolation means dis- to be societal infections in most quarantine in the facilities des- wonderful examples of soli- stay in home isolation or quar- measures to contain the pensing quarantine in facilities of them, but rather by the ignated for that.Her Excellency darity in this crisis, where some antine in hotels prefer to stay coronavirus, which is spread designated by the state for this, returning citizens from some reaffirmed that the personal of them took the initiative to in hotels, which reflects a state by mixing with people with Dr. Jameela Al Ajmi explained countries, especially European responsibility of individuals and volunteer, adding that some of community awareness. the disease, and exposure to that house isolation is to stay ones and have been subjected their implementation of the companies, including con- In her response to a droplets from the infected at home and isolate the same to the quarantine. necessary preventive measures tracting companies, provided question in this regard, she person during sneezing or person from the rest of the Her Excellency explained are the primary factor in con- their services and facilities free added that some family coughing, so it is necessary family, while quarantine is the that this does not mean that the taining the virus and limiting its of charge, and some private members do not want to mix to maintain a distance of at persons stay in the health mentioned forms of trans- spread in this crucial period. companies not covered by the with their family members, least a meter between facility in an isolated room, mission will not change, but this Her Excellency advised not Amiri decision also exempted which is a good thing, people, which can only be indicating that the responsi- is what has been monitored so to leave the house except for renters from rental fees. explaining that its preferable implemented by home iso- bility is the same whether the far, and it requires, especially necessity and to limit gath- In this context, Her Excel- that if the person comes from lation or quarantine, adding person is at home or quar- among those coming from erings, especially since the lency announced that the Min- one of the infected countries to that the person is responsible antine in terms of applying abroad, a lot of responsibility Cabinet approved the imple- istry of Commerce and Industry be isolated in the facilities des- to protect himself and his preventive measures against and precaution to preserve mentation of work remotely for will open the door to receiving ignated by the state as a pre- family. the virus, as the persons stay themselves in the first place and 80 percent of employees in the requests from companies that cautionary measure, especially Al Ajmi pointed out that the at the home is in a separate to preserve their family public sector. HE Al Khater wish to provide services under if the house is not equipped for home isolation revolves around room as well as in the members as well, whether this called on everyone not to tol- the voluntary activities of the the isolation process. several steps, the most hospital. individual is grandfather or erate this epidemic, to protect state and society under these Her Excellency confirmed important of which is to isolate She added that the dif- grandmother, a father or themselves and others, and to circumstances and. She also that there are several facilities the person himself in his place, ference between home isolation mother, brother or sister, or one maintain an appropriate dis- pointed out that the Ministry and hotels available that indi- where it is preferable to have a and quarantine in facilities allo- of the sons. tance when dealing with others. of Public Health in cooper- viduals can choose for quar- private room, that has good cated by the state is that the Her Excellency affirmed In this context, Her Excel- ation with several institutions antine. Also, HE Al Khater indi- ventilation and a private person in the hospital quar- that the coming period is a lency praised the commitment such as the Qatar Red Crescent cated that the announced hot- bathroom while avoiding antine is under comprehensive critical stage for breaking these of many families to these pro- Society and Qatar Charity and lines will be available for any mixing with visitors and family medical care, especially if transitional chains, and requires cedures and sending positive others will open the door to individual, who needs psycho- members. She explained that in health condition does not allow everyone’s solidarity and messages to their surroundings volunteering for individuals logical support, any advice, or the event of symptoms of him to stay at home, so it’s self-monitoring. that they have already started aged between 20 and 45 years other matters, adding that the infection with the coronavirus, better to quarantine in the hos- Her Excellency revealed implementing them. for medical or logistical door for volunteering will be the isolated person should pital. She pointed out that most that the Ministry of Public Her Excellency explained support, each according to his opened and that through vol- contact the Ministry of Public people who enter quarantine Health approved the policy of that officials revised during the experience, according to the unteers there will be more psy- Health to seek advice, with an need intensive care similar to home quarantine as a second meeting of the Supreme Com- conditions determined by the chological support for all emphasis on applying other those who have immunodefi- option for families coming from mittee for Crisis Management Ministry of Public Health. families. preventive measures such as ciency or the elderly, who have abroad who prefer that for the latest economic and com- Her Excellency stressed The representative of the washing hands with soap and chronic diseases or the clinical special circumstances, provided mercial developments, and it during the press conference, Ministry of Public Health at the water for 20 seconds, with condition is very severe and that they don’t show any was found that the supply that the State of Qatar will press conference Dr. Jameela family members keen to clean requires the presence of symptoms of the disease, and chains of goods were not overcome this crisis, noting the Alkhowaiter Al Ajmi, who is also the household surfaces, as well doctors. FRIDAY 20 MARCH 2020 HOME 03 QF Doha Debates holds session on gender equality THE PENINSULA — DOHA With the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak leading Gender equality has been to social gatherings being scaled back, the placed in the spotlight by Qatar debate at Northwestern University in Qatar – Foundation’s Doha Debates, as experts argued for and against held to coincide with International Women’s quotas in an event at Education Day – was held without an in-person audience. City that showed how corona- virus precautions are no barrier Instead, students and other viewers from Brazil to global dialogue. and Turkey to Japan used social media to With the worldwide contribute, comment, and question speakers. COVID-19 outbreak leading to social gatherings being scaled back, the debate at North- disrupted, and a complex issue said quotas could be a strong western University in Qatar – like gender inequality cannot short-term solution, but the real held to coincide with Interna- be solved by looking through a goal must be to create a society tional Women’s Day – was held limited lens. where they are not needed. “If without an in-person audience. Illustrating the need for we don’t like gender quotas, as Instead, students and other intersectionality, Abdel-Fattah many of us do not, we have to Experts argue for and against gender quotas as ‘virtual’ event keeps global dialogue flowing amid viewers from Brazil and Turkey said that of the 19,000 uni- be active in building a world coronavirus outbreak to Japan used social media to versity professors in the UK, where they are unnecessary,” contribute, comment, and around 4,000 are white she said, adding that quotas are quotas, claiming they are against them. agreeing that not all discrep- question speakers. women — and just 25 are black likely to cause tension if people demeaning to women and Dr Govinda Clayton, the ancies in society are due to dis- Moderator Ghida Fakhry women. “Gender inequality think colleagues are “a tick on gender equality must happen debate’s connector, crimination, said there are opened the show by explaining clearly impacts on women, but a diversity checklist.” organically, and saying there is encouraged the speakers to better ways to achieve diversity that experts estimate it will be some more than others,” she Gender equality must not be no evidence that they work. find some agreement among and equality than through another century before the said, urging listeners to relegated only to boardrooms In less prosperous non- their positions, explaining that quotas, and that change must gender gap is closed, and that envision new and revolu- and academia, Akanbi said, democratic societies, she said, one point of consensus was happen organically for it to be this raises the question of tionary forms of leadership “because otherwise we care quotas “are doing actual harm” that nobody thought gender effective. whether gender quotas would and teaching. more about power than we do because they pull talented women quotas are “a panacea that But Abdel-Fattah claimed accelerate change, or if they “White women enjoy racial equality”. And she stressed her “out of mainstream society, would resolve the deeper ine- that although the beginnings of would be ineffective or even privilege even as they fight case that while quotas may where they are desperately qualities we have.” a quota system might be seen demeaning. sexism, and by defining women sometimes work, a more holistic needed, into the government,” This led to Akanbi saying as tokenistic, the onus should Randa Abdel-Fattah, a nov- as a single axis of oppression, we approach that includes a radical where she claimed they are that quotas might be beneficial shift to why there is overrepre- elist, lawyer and human rights further entrench ourselves in reorganization of society and a forced to be silent, creating a in areas such as national gov- sentation rather than underrep- advocate from Australia, called racism. We need gender quotas serious rethinking of traditional veneer of equality. She cited the ernments, but there is a need to resentation, saying: “This isn’t for gender quotas that also to pursue a radical redistribution gender roles is needed. example of Rwanda, contending think about the reasons for about evil men versus good accounted for intersectionality of this power dynamic.” American writer and that the fact more than 60 social imbalances that might women; it’s about structures – arguing that both gender and Ayishat Akanbi, a cultural scholar Christina Hoff Sommers percent of the parliament is made not be due to discrimination. that need to be challenged and racial inequalities must be commentator, artist and stylist, strongly opposed gender up of women actually works However, Hoff Sommers, while overturned.”

Katara launches contests beIN Sports to telecast greatest via social media FROM PAGE 1 tournaments, best leagues For book lovers, “Mishwar Wa Riwaya” application THE PENINSULA — DOHA speed and skills, becoming only Qatar and Japan – where Qatar (Katara Publishing House) the second teenager, after Pelé, won their first ever AFC Asian offers 29 audio narrations that This week, beIN Sports will to score in a World Cup Final. Cup trophy. they can enjoy listening to. broadcast a thrilling thematic Speaking to beIN Sports, During the rest of the week, “We exploit this phase as sporting schedule of the best French and Arsenal legend beIN Sports HD1 will have ded- all events and activities in historic competitions and Arsene Wenger said: “I was one icated LaLiga (Tuesday), Serie A Katara are interrupted and to programs across its channels in of the first to say that Kylian (Wednesday), Bundesliga be transferred via the Internet, 24 countries in the Middle East Mbappe has the potential to (Thursday) and FIFA Club World to entertain you and offer you and North Africa (MENA). reach the same levels as Brazil Cup ( March 27) shows and pleasant moments while being Whilst live sport has tem- legend Pele. Why? Because I look matches exclusive with Arabic safe at home,” stressed Dr. Al porarily stopped across the at the numbers and when he commentary for all its fans across Sulaiti. He pointed out that world following the COVID-19 started at Monaco, this guy had MENA – including the 2019 FIFA Katara has the mission towards outbreak, beIN Sports has contributed to over 30 goals aged Club World Cup final between the community in raising delved into its deep archives to 17-and-a-half years.” Liverpool and Flamengo, which awareness and education, keep viewers and fans at home The 2018 FIFA World Cup was played in Doha’s Khalifa especially during these times entertained and on the edge of also saw some of the best International Stadium. when everyone needs to be their seats. Starting on matches and goals in the tour- Launching beIN Sports’ innovative and creative. An official during an inspection campaign in a food outlet. tomorrow, beIN Sports HD1 will nament’s history, with Wenger sporting schedule, Head of showcase 2018 FIFA World Cup believing that “Pavard’s goal Sports for beIN MENA, Jonathan QOC opens volunteering matches: re-living exciting fix- against Argentina in the 2018 Whitehead, said: “During these for its staff to cmbat Inspection campaigns on food tures from Russia which led FIFA World Cup is one of the difficult times, beIN is here for coronavirus France to lift their second FIFA best goals.” All of the matches you. Our first priority is DOHA outlets begin in Al Daayen World Cup trophy and Croatia and goals will be widely dis- ensuring our customers con- QNA — reach their first ever final. cussed on social media across tinue to get the very best services THE PENINSULA — DOHA The football viewing MENA this weekend, and we can provide, so we have The Qatar Olympic Committee journey will start with an viewers can join in the conver- delved into our deep archives so (QOC) has announced the The Health Monitoring Section at Al Daayen Municipality has exclusive program featuring sation by using the hashtag that you can relive the action opening of volunteering for its launched inspection and awareness campaigns on food outlets beIN legends including Arsene #beINHistory. On Sunday, beIN from your favourite matches and employees to combat corona- to ensure the compliance of health rules. Wenger, Marcel Desailly, Andy Sports HD1 will have a full ded- tournaments. Over the next few virus (Covid-19). The initiative Under ongoing campaign, the inspectors of Health Monitoring Gray, Dwight Yorke, Hafid Dar- icated 2016 UEFA Euro day with weeks, you will have the chance comes under the directions of Section inspected 28 eateries, three fish shops, three meat shops, radji, Ayman Jadah, and Ales- matches and special programs to watch some of your most HE QOC President Sheikh Joaan 10 supermarkets and grocery shops, five fruits and vegetables sandro Altobelli, who will talk featuring star names from the memorable sporting moments bin Hamad Al-Thani. The QOC shops. The inspectors also visited 22 shops and four bakeries about their favourite FIFA world of football and beIN talent. 2018 FIFA World Cup, AFC Asian has offered to support the operating in Lusail, said the Ministry of Municipality and Envi- World Cup memories and goals. Monday will see beIN Sports Cup 2019, and the best from the Ministry of Public Health ronment in a press release. The 2018 FIFA World Cup HD1 broadcast the unforget- European football leagues. We (MOPH) by providing the The campaigns also aim to educate the workers and food han- saw Kylian Mbappe emerge on table AFC Asian Cup 2019 cam- want you to stay safe and stay expertise and resources of its dlers at food outlets about the importance of complying to health the world stage and capture the paign, with historic matches connected and inspired on beIN team to volunteer in limiting the rules for the safety of food items. imagination of fans with his including the final between over the next few weeks.” spread of the novel coronavirus. Mondrian Doha launches Safari Hypermarket to delivery services THE PENINSULA — DOHA offer such as Hot Wings, Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches, Hot remain open 24 hours Mondrian Doha, managed by Dogs, Sweet Potatoes Fries and the leading international life- Oreo Mint Cheesecake Dessert. style hospitality group, sbe, Wael Maatouk, General announced the launch of “Taste Manager at Mondrian Doha, stated: To Go”, an initiative that allows “Our top priority at Mondrian Doha the people of Qatar to continue is always the safety and wellbeing enjoying Mondrian’s incredible of our guests and employees. In culinary experience from the order to bring our incredible comfort of their homes. culinary experiences to our cus- Offering the convenience of tomers at their home, our team take-away and delivery, Mon- worked hard to enable delivery drian Doha has started deliv- services as quickly as possible.” ering some of its most popular He added: “We want to dishes from its restaurants ensure that customers can con- Hudson Tavern and Morimoto. tinue to enjoy our top-quality The first eponymous culinary offering delivered Morimoto in the Middle East is directly to their door, allowing the creation of acclaimed Jap- them to dine in from the comfort anese Chef Masaharu Morimoto, of their home. Our delivery who brings his signature seamless service strives to be the very best integration of Western and Jap- in Doha. To order, our customers anese ingredients. From Sushi, to simply need to give us a call.” Sashimi, Maki and Skewers, Customers can choose to — DOHA THE PENINSULA was taken in order to ensure the Ministry’s announcement Twenty-four hours of guests can continue to indulge in call the hotel to order and get 20% that in the present situation of for preventive and precau- service will be available at the best of Morimoto conven- off plus free delivery, or simply use Safari, Qatar’s leading hyper- COVID – 19, the people in tionary measures. Safari Hypermarket at Safari iently from their home. the Talabat delivery service to market chain, from now on Qatar have access to daily nec- Sanitizers are kept at Mall, Abu hamour, Safari Hudson Tavern is a burger place their order. Customers can will stay open for 24 hours, essary goods at their own various places across the stores Hypermarket on Salwa Road, bar offering craft burgers using directly contract Mondrian on said Safari Management in a convenience. and other measures have been Safari Shopping Complex, stellar ingredients. Hudson 4045 5999, or message the hotel press release issued yesterday. All the arrangements have implemented by Safari for cus- Umm Salal Mohammed and Tavern is more than just a on WhatsApp through 5050 7888, Safari said that the decision been made in keeping mind tomer’s safety. Safari Hypermarket, Al Khor. burger spot, with a variety of to request the full menu and mouth-watering options on place their order. 04 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA FRIDAY 20 MARCH 2020 Iran to grant amnesty to 10,000 more prisoners AP — TEHRAN State TV quoted symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially Iran’s top leader will pardon judiciary spokesman older adults and people with 10,000 more prisoners in an Gholamhossein existing health problems, it can apparent effort to combat the cause more severe illness, coronavirus, state TV reported Esmaili as saying including pneumonia. The vast yesterday. that 10,000 majority of people recover from As part of steps to curb the the new virus. spread of the new virus that has prisoners would be To encourage people to stay killed more than 1,100 people granted amnesty at home in Iran, Health Ministry in Iran, the country has already under a decree by spokesman Kianoush released 85,000 prisoners on Jahanpour wrote on social temporary leave. Supreme Leader media that the virus infects 50 Separately, the United Arab Ayatollah Ali Iranians on average every Emirates added to its list of single hour and that “one dies people barred from entering all Khamenei on the every 10 minutes.” residents who are currently occasion of Nowruz. “Make smart decisions abroad. The decision impacts about travel, visits and people whose homes, children, meetings,” he wrote on Twitter, bank accounts and livelihoods as highways remained crowded Members of firefighters wear protective face masks, amid fear of coronavirus disease, as they disinfect are in the country, but who those for drivers and domestic with people traveling to see the streets, ahead of Nowruz, yesterday. were travelling or outside the workers, until “further notice.” family ahead of the Iranian country. . The Middle East has some New Year today. The UAE, which is home to 20,000 cases of the virus, with State TV quoted judiciary Dubai and Abu Dhabi, has 113 most in Iran or originating from spokesman Gholamhossein COVID-19 toll rises to 1,284 in Iran confirmed cases of the virus. It Iran. Esmaili as saying that 10,000 announced it was suspending For most people, the virus prisoners — among them an AFP — TEHRAN “the number of infections has Nowruz”, the Persian New Year all new labour permits, including causes only mild or moderate unknown number of inmates decreased because people have holiday, he said. whose cases are political and Iranian authorities yesterday followed our guidelines”, Raisi The Nowruz celebrations, related to activism or speech — announced 149 new deaths said, renewing the call for Ira- which last from Friday until US prisoner released on medical furlough would be granted amnesty from the novel coronavirus, nians to stay home. April 3, often see Iranians travel BLOOMBERG — WASHINGTON under a decree by Supreme raising the toll to 1,284 in a Tehran province had the to visit family. Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei country that is one of the worst highest number of new cases, For several weeks, Iranian Iran has released Michael White, an American citizen and Navy on the occasion of Nowruz. hit by the pandemic. with 137 reported, followed by authorities, who have so far veteran imprisoned there since 2018, on medical furlough, Among those temporarily While yesterday’s death the central province of Isfahan, refused to impose confinement partly answering a call from the US to free prisoners as a good- freed was Nazanin Zaghari- toll surpassed that of the pre- with 108 and Gilan in the north or quarantine measures, have will gesture as coronavirus ravages the Islamic Republic. Ratcliffe, an Iranian-British vious day’s —147 were with 73. asked the population to refrain White was released to the Swiss Embassy in Tehran on dual national long held on reported on Wednesday — the Health ministry spokesman from travelling and to take the condition that he not leave the country, Secretary of State internationally criticized number of new cases has Kianoush Jahanpour tweeted virus “seriously”. Michael Pompeo said in a statement yesterday. A spokesman charges. Zaghari-Ratcliffe, fallen, according to figures that at the current rate, “50 new Several provinces have for White’s family, Jonathan Franks, confirmed the release on who works for the charitable provided by Deputy Health cases of infection are detected ordered the closure of hotels. Twitter and said that White has a fever and a cough, both Thomson Reuters Foun- Minister Alireza Raisi. every hour and one death In a rare move, Iran potential symptoms of the coronavirus. dation, was arrested in 2016 A total of 18,407 people recorded every 10 minutes”. announced on Monday the “The United States will continue to work for Michael’s full on charges of trying to topple have contracted the disease in “Considering this infor- shuttering of four important release as well as the release of all wrongfully detained Amer- the government while Iran, with 1,046 new cases con- mation, make a conscious Shiite holy sites in an effort to icans in Iran,” Pompeo said. traveling with her toddler firmed in the last 24 hours. decision concerning travel, days stem the spread of the daughter. “In 11 provinces” out of 31, out and family visits during epidemic. Two Turkish Turkish shops close after Erdogan vows support for economy soldiers martyred REUTERS — ISTANBUL shopping malls in Turkey which dropped 4.7 percent and Vakko was awaiting instructions from measures to support the in Idlib province have annual turnover of $160 fell 3.5 percent after the authorities. “None of our economy, but called on people Turkish clothing retailers said billion and directly employ announcements. employees will lose their work to limit their movements. yesterday they were shutting 530,000 people, according to “Our first and foremost pri- and (the situation of) our “None of our citizens must AFP — ANKARA stores and shopping centres the AYD shopping centres’ ority is the health and safety of tenants will be eased as nec- leave their homes or get into were set to close due to the association. our employees and our con- essary,” it said. contact with anyone, unless Two Turkish soldiers were spread of the coronavirus, after On Wednesday President sumers globally,” Mavi said as Luxury goods chain Vakko absolutely necessary, until the killed in the rebel-held north- Ankara promised economic Tayyip Erdogan called on it announced the closure of said it was temporarily halting threat disappears,” Erdogan western Syrian province of support and advised Turks to people to minimise social stores in Turkey, Germany and production activities as well as said. Idlib, officials said yesterday, stay home for three weeks contact until the virus threat Canada, adding that its online shutting stores. Other retailers Among specific measures, the country’s first reported unless necessary. recedes, but he did not tell them stores would remain open. who announced store closures Erdogan said Turkey’s tourism casualties since a ceasefire Turkey announced a second to stay away from work as he After the latest steps, the lira included Boyner, Ipekyol and accommodation tax was being began earlier this month. death and said cases of the announced a 100bn lira was nearly 0.5 percent weaker Marks & Spencer stores in suspended until November to A ceasefire was agreed in highly contagious respiratory ($15.40bn) economic support against the dollar, hitting its Turkey, operated by Fiba Retail. support the key tourism sector, Idlib — the last Syrian outpost illness had nearly doubled to package. weakest level since September After meeting ministers and which accounts for some 12% out of the control of President 191, as it ramps up steps to rein Retailers including Mavi 2018, and bringing its losses this business leaders, Erdogan said of the economy. Debt repay- Bashar Al Assad’s forces — in the virus, closing cafes, Giyim and Vakko Tekstil, listed year to some 9 percent. on Wednesday Turkey would ments of companies affected by between rebel-backer Turkey banning mass prayers and on the Istanbul stock exchange, The AYD said its board rec- postpone debt payments and the coronavirus will be post- and regime-ally Russia which halting flights to 20 countries. said they were closing their ommended malls shut in line reduce the tax burden on some poned for a minimum of three entered into force on March 6. There are some 435 retail stores. Mavi shares with Erdogan’s comments and sectors in a package of months. It has largely held. But Turkey’s ruling party deputy chairman, Mahir Unal, said on Twitter yesterday that a soldier Israel isolates 4 Palestinian was killed in a “heinous attack” in the Idlib town of Muhambal. prisoners amid virus fears The governor’s office of the central Turkish province of ANATOLIA — RAMALLAH caught the virus in Megiddo Sivas tweeted that a 25-year- Prison, which was transmitted old soldier from the area was The Israeli Prison Service said to inmates by a prisoner who also killed in the Syrian region. yesterday it had isolated four was interrogated by an Israeli The governorate provided Palestinian inmates after they investigator at the Petah Tikva no details on how the soldier were suspected of coming into Investigation Center. was killed or exactly where. contact with a “person” having “The prisoners face the risk The Britain-based Syrian coronavirus. of infection from the jailers and Observatory for Human Rights The service affirmed that investigators who pose a threat said Tuesday that four regime none of them was infected with to their lives,” the NGO added. fighters and a rebel were killed the new coronavirus. Palestinian Prime Minister in clashes in southern Idlib. The Palestinian Prisoner Mohammad Shtayyeh on Sat- Ankara hopes the ceasefire Society earlier said that four urday asked the Israeli author- will stem a months-long gov- Palestinian prisoners con- ities to immediately release the ernment assault on the jihadist- tracted the virus in an Israeli Palestinian prisoners lan- dominated region, which is prison. guishing in the Israeli jails. home to some three million In a press release, the non- Shtayyeh asserted that the people. Nearly a million in Idlib governmental organization said release should include child were forced to flee towards the the Israel Prison Service prisoners and those suffering Turkish border during a informed that the prisoners from chronic diseases. regime-led offensive underway Snowfall in Ankara since December, which killed A municipal worker clearing snow at a park in Ankara, Turkey, yesterday. around 500 civilians. Proposed UN resolution would support Sudan’s peace efforts Africa sees ‘extremely rapid evolution’ of pandemic: UN AP— UNITED NATIONS by the military and civilian pro- testers following the ouster of AP — JOHANNESBURG She said she did not believe sharply restricting travel. close immediately. A proposed UN Security Council the country’s longtime auto- that large numbers of infected Yesterday, Senegal closed Authorities have raised con- resolution would replace the cratic ruler Omar Al Bashir. More African countries closed people are going undetected in its airspace. Angola and Cam- cerns about crowded drinking joint UN-African Union peace- The proposed resolution their borders yesterday as the Africa. However, she did eroon shut air, land and sea spots in the country with the keeping force in Sudan’s restive would establish “a political, coronavirus’ local spread acknowledge a challenge in the borders. Rwanda blocked all most cases in sub-Saharan Darfur region with a UN political peace support and peace- threatened to turn the continent shortage of testing kits. Forty- commercial flights for a month. Africa. and peace-building mission building mission,” to be known of 1.3 billion people into an three countries have testing The island nation of Mauritius In Uganda, President whose primary aim would be to as the United Nations Political alarming new front for the capability, up from two when closed its border after Yoweri Museveni has barred support Sudan’s fragile tran- and Peace-building Integrated pandemic. the outbreak began. announcing its first case. attendance at bars and clubs, sition to democracy including Mission in Sudan or UNPPIMS, “About 10 days ago we had The WHO regional chief Some people in other coun- calling limiting “merry-making” in drafting a new constitution starting May 1 for an initial about five countries” with the also expressed concern about tries clamored for their govern- a new front in virus and preparing for elections. period of one year. virus, WHO’s Africa chief Dr. travel restrictions and their ments to block flights, too. prevention. The draft resolution would It would authorize the Matshidiso Moeti told reporters. impact on the ability to deliver South Africa — where the Meanwhile, a day after the basically eliminate the main deployment of up to 2,500 Now 34 of Africa’s 54 countries needed resources. The WHO is number of cases jumped to 150 US Embassy in Ethiopia issued mission of the UN-AU force international police and one have cases, with the total close considering humanitarian cor- from 116 — said all places that a security alert about reports of known as UNAMID - the pro- battalion for a quick reaction to 650. It’s an “extremely rapid ridors, Moeti said. sell alcohol for drinking on site attacks on foreigners accused tection of civilians in Darfur. force - usually between 500 evolution,” she said. In fact, the But many African nations must close from 6pm to 9am of having the virus, that coun- That responsibility would be and 800 troops - to protect UN first sub-Saharan Africa case were taking their cue from And they must accommodate try’s health minister appealed handed over to the transitional personnel, facilities and was announced February 28. China and other countries by less than 50 people at a time or for calm. government formed last August humanitarian workers. FRIDAY 20 MARCH 2020 ISLAM 05 Islamic ablution: A lesson in hygiene ROSE S ASLAN

s outbreaks of the coronavirus spread throughout the world, Apeople are reminded over and again to limit physical contact, wash hands and avoid touching their face. The recent Netflix docuseries “Pan- demic: How to Prevent an Outbreak” illustrates how the Islamic ritual washing, known as “wudu,” may help spread a good hygiene message. The series focuses on Syra Madad, a Muslim public health specialist in a New York hospital, who takes a break to say her prayers at the Islamic Center of New York University. Before entering the prayer room, Madad stops to perform wudu, and washes her mouth and face as well as her feet. Islamic law requires Muslims to rit- ually purify their body before praying. As a scholar of Islamic studies who researches ritual practices among Muslims, I have found that these prac- tices contain both spiritual and physical benefits.

Ritual purity The Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) left detailed guidance for Muslims on how to live their lives, including how to pray, fast and stay ritually pure. This guidance is available in collections called the Hadith. According to Islamic law, there are minor and major impurities. Minor impurities involve urinating, defecating and sleeping, among other practices. Aligning with public health A person of Muslim faith is supposed Wudu or ablution is to be performed, as was done by the Prophet guidelines to perform a ritual washing of their In view of the coronavirus risk, bodies before praying to get rid of these Muhammad (PBUH), in a specific order before praying, which takes Muslim leaders around the world, minor impurities. place five times a day. Before each prayer, Muslims are expected including in the US have aligned their Wudu is to be performed, as was religious opinions with public health done by the Prophet Muhammad to wash themselves in a certain order — first hands, then mouth, experts. (PBUH), in a specific order before Muslim institutions have begun to praying, which takes place five times nose, face, hair and ears, and finally their ankles and feet. While recommend that people make sure to a day. Before each prayer, Muslims are wash their hands for 20 seconds with expected to wash themselves in a washing with water is required when it is available, if a person has soap before doing wudu. Emphasizing certain order—first hands, then mouth, limited access to water, then a Muslim is permitted to symbolically that wudu alone cannot prevent the nose, face, hair and ears, and finally virus from spreading, other Islamic their ankles and feet. “cleanse” their hands and face with sand or other natural materials. institutions recommend that mosques While washing with water is supply extra soap and hand sanitizer required when it is available, if a near the washing area. person has limited access to water, Pardoning and Forgiving.” called “ghusl.” A person needs to wash Similarly, another Islamic studies They have issued rulings to cancel then a Muslim is permitted to sym- A hadith from the Prophet (PBUH) their entire body, from head to toe, scholar, Marion Katz, explains in her Friday prayers, urged Muslims to wash bolically “cleanse” their hands and also describes the Earth as a purifying including their hair. 2002 book “Body of Text” that the their hands with soap regularly, refrain face with sand or other natural agent if there is a scarcity of water for importance of wudu lies in its symbolic from touching their face and practice materials. washing. Spiritual actions cleansing. It does not always cleanse social distancing. A Quranic verse says: “And if you Major impurity is defined in Islamic Preparing for prayer by washing the parts of the body that are “physi- At this time, Islamic practices that are ill or on a journey or one of you texts as occurring after sexual activity one’s body using water can be a deeply cally involved in the pollution act.” emphasize purity of body could help comes from the place of relieving or when a woman completes her men- spiritual act for Muslims. Islamic studies Ritual purity is different from reiterate the importance of hygienic himself or you have contacted women strual cycle. A Muslim woman should scholar Paul Powers argues it isn’t hygienic practices, although Islam also practices along with the use of soap or and find no water, then seek clean not pray during her menstrual cycle. To “empty ritualism,” but an embodied emphasizes good hygiene. Muslims take hand sanitizer, to reduce one’s vulner- earth and wipe over your faces and purify oneself after such an impurity, a practice that helps the individual center care to wash often, including using ability to the virus. your hands with it. Indeed, God is ever Muslim is required to take a shower, on an inner religiosity. water after going to the bathroom. www.theconversation.com

“And those who, before them, had settled in the homeland, and had accepted faith. They love those who emigrated Duas for protection against Illness and harm to them and find no hesitation in their hearts in helping them. They give them priority over themselves, even if they he World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared themselves are needy. Whoever is protected from his natural TCoronavirus (COVID-19) a greed—it is they who are successful.” (Quran 59:9) global pandemic. As Muslims, it is important to remind ourselves that everything occurs by the will and divine wisdom of Allah Almighty. When faced with An example for leaders and trials and adversities, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon the public during a crisis him) prayed to Allah through con- stant invocations with the language thman ibn Affan (RA, may Allah This is an example for of love and servant-hood. be pleased with him) was a leaders, businesses and We can find many prophetic tra- Unotable companion of Prophet ditions that not only teach us what Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), as people when they confront to pray but also guidelines on how well as the third head of state of the new an emergency. You do to pray. Some of the prayers are done Muslim nation in the seventh century. routinely, in the morning and in the He was a wealthy trader and well known not increase the prices. afternoon, to emphasize the signif- for his generosity. The concern and com- You do not hoard items. icance and benefits that entail such passion he had for all people is an discipline. example for leaders today even a You do not price gouge. In dealing with Coronavirus Dua for protection against thousand years later! You give preference to the (COVID-19), we are advised to every kind of harm Dua for protection from every Uthman (RA) lived in Madinah, which strengthen our faith in these difficult Bismillahil-lazi la yadhurru evil that brings harm is located in the Arabian Peninsula. This needs of the weak and times and to increase our prayers ma’asmihi syai’un fil ardhi wa la fis- A’uzu bikalimatillahit-tammaati is a very dry part of the world where disadvantaged. and supplications to Allah (swt), on sama’i wa huwas-sami’ul aleem min syarri ma kholak there is very limited rainfall. One year top of taking preventive measures In the Name of Allah with Whose I seek protection in the perfect the area was threatened with a severe to help contain this situation. Name there is protection against words of Allah from every evil that drought and the people of Madinah than he gives away.” Allah (SWT) has promised to every kind of harm in the earth or in has been created started running out of food. So Uthman (RA) donated his entire respond our call upon Him. heaven, and He is All-Hearing and (Sahih Muslim) During this time people learned that caravan for the welfare of the people. Your Lord has proclaimed, “Call All-Knowing a trade caravan of 1,000 camels When he found out that the weak and upon Me, I will respond to you” (Sunan Abu Daud) Dua for protection from belonging to Uthman (RA) was on its way ailing were unable to collect the goods (Quran 40:60) diseases to Madinah. Each camel was laden with because of huge crowds at the pro- First, let’s make dua for those Dua to seek forgiveness and for Allahumma inni a’uzubika minal food and items much needed by the vision centers, he joined the distri- who are sick. In a hadith, Rasulullah well-being baros, wal junuun wal juzzam, wa people of Madinah. bution effort to make sure that eve- (PBUH)said: Allahumma inni as’alukal-’afwa min sayyi’il-asqam Knowing that the caravan belonged ryone was able to receive food and “Whoever among you suffers wal ‘afiyah fid-dunya wal-akhirah O Allah, I seek refuge in You from to Uthman (RA), people knew his gen- other items of sustenance in a fairway. some sickness, or his brother O Allah, I seek Your forgiveness leprosy, madness, elephantiasis, and erous reputation and were confident that This is an example for leaders, busi- suffers some sickness, let him say: and my well-being in this world and evil diseases he would offer a good deal for the food nesses and people when they confront ‘Our Lord Allah Who is in heaven, the Hereafter (Sunan Abi Daud) and other items his caravan was carrying an emergency. You do not increase the hallowed be Your name, Your will (Sunan Ibn Majah) These supplications are for sale. prices. You do not hoard items. You do is done in heaven and on earth; as encouraged to be read daily, partic- The merchants of Madinah went to not price gouge. You give preference to Your mercy is in heaven, bestow it Dua for total protection ularly in the morning and in the Uthman (RA) and started to offer him the needs of the weak and upon the earth. Forgive us of our Allahummah-fazni min baini afternoon. generous offers to buy his goods. Uthman disadvantaged. sins. You are the Lord of the good. yadaiya, wa min khalfi, wa ‘an As part of expressing our (RA) received all of the merchants gra- This is what the Quranic verse says, Send down some Your mercy and yameeni, wa ‘an syimali wa min servant-hood to Allah (SWT), we are ciously but rejected their offers. “I am “And those who, before them, had settled healing upon this pain,’ and he will fauqi, wa a’uzu bi’azomatika an also obliged to put in the right effort afraid I cannot do business with you,” in the homeland, and had accepted faith. be healed.” (Hadith by Imam Abu ughtala min tahti to our prayer. Hence, we should he said, “for I have already received a They love those who emigrated to them Daud) O Allah protect me from my front, actively take the proper steps to better offer.” and find no hesitation in their hearts in In light of recent events, here are behind me, from my right and my left, prevent such harmful diseases from The merchants were perplexed about helping them. They give them priority some Supplications (Dua) from the and from above me, and I seek refuge spreading further. Indeed, Allah who was giving a better offer. Uthman over themselves, even if they themselves beautiful prophetic tradition to seek in Your Magnificence from being taken (SWT) answers the prayers of those told them. “You see I have received a are needy. Whoever is protected from well-being and protection from unaware from beneath me who are truly sincere in seeking His better offer from God, for God has said his natural greed—it is they who are suc- diseases. (Sunan Ibn Majah) refuge. (Adapted from Muslim.sg) that anyone who gives away wealth and cessful.” (Quran 59:9) helps those in need will get back far more www.islamcity.org 06 ASIA FRIDAY 20 MARCH 2020 India bans incoming flights; imposes one-day Sunday curfew for 1.3 billion people AGENCIES — NEW DELHI Prime Minister “If you feel you won’t be affected or infected, you are India banned incoming interna- Narendra Modi wrong,” Modi said. tional flights yesterday, called on Indians in a “You will be endangering restricted public gatherings and nationwide address your family and the community blocked roads to seal Kashmir and I request every citizen to after it reported its first corona- yesterday to observe stay home for the next few virus infection. a ‘Janata (civil) weeks.” Meanwhile, the central gov- The 69-year-old called on ernment announced a one-day curfew’ on Sunday Indians to thank medical per- curfew for the 1.3-billion from 7am to 9pm as sonnel and other emergency population. providers by clapping for five Prime Minister Narendra he warned that the minutes at 5pm on Sunday, and Modi called on Indians in a deadly virus could for employers not cut nationwide address yesterday employees’ pay. to observe a “Janata (civil) spread further. India, the world’s second curfew” on Sunday from 7am to most populous country after Women wearing face masks as a preventive measure against the coronavirus use their mobile phones 9pm as he warned that the increasingly anxious and there China, said it would ban all inter- outside a Metro station, in New Delhi, yesterday. deadly virus could spread has been a rush on food stores national commercial passenger further. and essential supplies. flights from landing from Sunday police closed the road,” said desert state of Rajasthan invoked Online retailers say they are “No-one should leave their Modi warned the public not for a week. Mohammed Ayub, from the colonial-era laws that prevent struggling to keep up with homes, roam around the streets to be complacent, pointing out The country has already sus- nearby town of Budgam. the unlawful assembly of four demand as consumers stockpile or in their neighbourhoods... This that there had been an pended visas for the vast “I am waiting here for the or more people - powers more supplies. self-imposed curfew attempt “explosion” in the number of majority of foreigners seeking last two hours. I can’t even go often used to quell riots. “We are seeing unprece- will be a strong symbol to show cases worldwide. to enter. home now as the road is blocked Similar restrictions were dented order volumes in all cities self-restraint in the interest of “We are a developing Srinagar’s senior superin- due to a traffic jam.” Kashmir introduced in Noida, a satellite in India,” said Hari Menon, chief the country,” he said. country and we cannot say that tendent of police, Haseeb has been relatively unaffected city of New Delhi. executive of online grocery The one-day effort will help it won’t impact India,” he said. Mughal, said that road blockades by the virus, reporting its first The financial hub of Mumbai retailer BigBasket. “prepare us for future chal- Most people, except those in across the valley had been case on Wednesday. expanded its partial shutdown Since emerging late last year lenges,” he added. essential services, will have to imposed to prevent the spread In India, several areas intro- of offices to government in the Chinese city of Wuhan, the The government says there stay home for several weeks, he of the virus. duced curbs on gatherings as buildings yesteday, with at least flu-like coronavirus has infected have been 173 infections and added, without giving a “I had to take my mother to coronavirus cases rose to 166. half the staff ordered to work more than 218,000 people and four deaths but the public is timeframe. hospital in Srinagar but the Late on Wednesday, the from home. killed nearly 9,000. S Korea reports Nirbhaya case convicts to be executed today rebound in new AFP — NEW DELHI her “daughter’s soul will finally home from the cinema in the rest in peace”. evening with a friend when they virus cases Four men convicted of the 2012 The convicts had filed boarded a bus, thinking it would gang-rape and murder of a New numerous petitions seeking take them home. REUTERS — SEOUL Delhi student will be executed delays to the executions. The five men and one today, the victim’s lawyer said One challenged the juvenile knocked the friend South Korea posted a jump in after a court dismissed a final rejection of his mercy plea by unconscious and dragged Singh new coronavirus cases on last-minute petition to delay the the president, the last remedy to the back of the bus and raped Thursday, reversing days of hangings. available to death-row convicts and tortured her with a metal slowing infections after a new The brutal attack on Jyoti in India. The Supreme Court rod. The physiotherapy student outbreak emerged in a nursing Singh aboard a city bus sparked said it found no reason to and the friend were then home in the hardest-hit city of nationwide demonstrations and interfere with the president’s dumped on the road. Singh died Daegu. shone a spotlight on the decision and rejected his 13 days later in a Singapore hos- The Korea Centers for alarming rates of sexual vio- petition. pital from massive internal Disease Control and Pre- lence in India. Yesterday’s ruling came injuries. vention reported 152 new A trial court in Delhi, which amid widespread support for The suspected ringleader cases, taking the national tally had already postponed the the executions. was found dead in his prison to 8,565. AP Singh (centre), advocate of Akshay Thakur, one of the four hangings three times, yesterday The media has also been full cell in a suspected suicide, while The country had recorded men convicted in the Nirbhaya case, speaks to media along with dismissed another plea to delay of grisly details about the the 17-year-old juvenile spent fewer than 100 new infections Thakur’s wife, Punita Devi (right), in New Delhi, yesterday. the executions scheduled for hangings, including that the three years in a detention for four days in a row until 5.30am today. nooses will be smeared with centre. Wednesday. “The court rejected their The hangings will take place Kushwaha told reporters. banana and clarified butter to Almost 400 people are on Among the new cases, 97 petition and said they have today at the scheduled time,” Singh’s mother Asha Devi soften them. death row in India, but no one are from Daegu, southeast of exhausted all their legal rights. Singh’s lawyer Seema welcomed the ruling and said Singh, 23, was returning has been executed since 2015. Seoul, where the KCDC said at least 74 patients at a nursing home have tested positive for the virus this week. Malaysia seeks Rohingya The KCDC did not specify now many of the new cases were linked to the nursing for coronavirus checks home directly. The fresh outbreak has prompted Daegu officials to after mosque outbreak launch extensive checks on all other nursing homes involving REUTERS — KUALA LUMPUR the Philippines. more than 33,000 people. Malaysia has 900 corona- “The rise in new infections Malaysian authorities are trying virus cases in all, the highest in could be ascribed to the to track down an estimated Southeast Asia. nursing home where the out- 2,000 Rohingya who attended Malaysian authorities have break occurred and our a religious gathering that led to been tracking down the par- across-the-board survey on a spike in coronavirus cases ticipants but say they have similar facilities”, Daegu Mayor across Southeast Asia, a been unable to find about Kwon Young-jin told a security source and two other 4,000 of them. briefing, without elaborating people familiar with the matter Lilianne Fan, chair of the on the numbers. said. Asia Pacific Refugee Rights The head of a refugee rights Network’s Rohingya Working group said her checks sug- Group, said authorities Asean summit in gested that “several hundred” including the police, the UN Rohingya attended the gath- refugee agency and NGOs were Vietnam postponed ering late last month at a working to identify those who mosque on the outskirts of attended the event or who have until end of June Kuala Lumpur. been exposed to people who People stand on designated area to ensure social distancing inside an elevator at a shopping mall REUTERS — HANOI More than 100,000 attended. in Surabaya, Indonesia, yesterday . Rohingya live in Malaysia after Although the refugee com- fleeing Myanmar, but they are munity has been largely coop- A summit of Southeast Asian considered illegal immigrants. erating, some were reluctant and other international leaders Their status would likely to go for tests, fearing arrest, Indonesia calls for stepped up scheduled in Vietnam early make them reluctant to identify she said, adding that many next month has been post- themselves to get tested for the more Burmese Muslim ref- poned until end-June due to coronavirus even if they ugees, another ethnic group worries about coronavirus, showed symptoms, other from Myanmar like the virus testing as deaths climb Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign sources in the Rohingya com- Rohingya, attended the event. REUTERS — JAKARTA testing kits and the number of helped to stem its outbreak, has Affairs said yesterday. munity said. “One important and urgent test centres are increased and been carrying out an average of Vietnamese Prime Minister Malaysia’s search for the step that should be taken is for Faced by a rising death toll from we get more hospitals involved,” more tests every two hours than Nguyen Xuan Phuc has Rohingya highlights the chal- the government to publicly coronavirus and a big jump in President Joko Widodo said. Indonesia has done in total. It informed leaders of other lenge for governments trying come out to state that all infections, Indonesia’s president The presidential palace said has carried out over 290,000 Southeast Asian countries to track the virus among com- undocumented migrants and yesterday called for testing to be both he and his wife had tested tests. about the postponement, the munities living without official refugees need not fear arrest stepped up immediately in the negative for COVID-19. A health ministry official ministry said. papers and wary of and detention, and that all pos- world’s fourth most populous Indonesia has faced crit- said nearly all of the dead in The 36th summit of the authorities. itive cases will be given free country. icism from medical workers for Indonesia had other medical 10-member Association of The religious gathering was medical treatment and not be Less than three weeks since a slow start to testing that might consitions, such as diabetes, high Southeast Asian Nations attended by some 16,000 subject to arrest at hospitals,” the country of more than 260 have more quickly revealed the blood pressure or chronic heart (Asean) had been scheduled to people. As well as the Rohingya Fan said. million announced its first case scale of the problem in an archi- problems. The youngest’s age take place on April 6-9 in and other refugees and undoc- Police declined to comment of the virus, its death toll had pelago that spans an area was given was 37. Vietnam, the group’s chair this umented migrants, about 1,500 and directed queries to the reached 25 — higher than in any greater than the continental In a measure to curb the year. Muslims from across Asia Malaysian National Security other Southeast Asian country. United States. spread of the virus, the capital The postponement attended. Council under the prime min- The number of infections in Indonesia had carried out Jakarta will suspend all religious decision came after Vietnam More than 670 coronavirus ister’s office. It could not be Indonesia jumped by 82 to 309, only 1,592 tests as of yesterday gatherings such as Muslim announced on March 17 that it cases in Southeast Asia have reached for comment. which together with daily rises — only a few hundred more than Friday prayers and church would introduce mandatory been linked to the gathering, The government had asked of 110 in Malaysia and 60 in Cambodia despite having over services for two weeks, the gov- quarantine for all visitors from including 576 in Malaysia, 61 in the police criminal investi- Thailand sent the number of 16 times as many people and ernor said. the United States, Europe and Brunei, 22 in Cambodia, five in gation division to look for the reported infections across being far wealthier. Indonesia is the world’s Asean countries and suspend Singapore, seven in Thailand, missing participants, the Southeast Asia to nearly 2,200. South Korea, which has most populous Muslim-majority the issue of new visas for all and one each in Vietnam and security source said. “I ask that the number of been praised for testing that has country. foreign nationals. FRIDAY 20 MARCH 2020 ASIA 07 No new domestic virus case in China for first time AFP — BEIJING The stark reversal comes as nations across the world have shut down in a desperate effort to China yesterday marked a major milestone in its battle against the contain the pandemic, with more people now coronavirus pandemic as it infected and having died abroad than in China. recorded zero domestic infec- tions for the first time since the There were no new cases in Wuhan — the outbreak emerged, but a spike in central city where the virus first emerged in imported cases threatened its progress. December — for the first time since authorities The stark reversal comes as started publishing figures in January, according nations across the world have to the National Health Commission. shut down in a desperate effort to contain the pandemic, with more people now infected and commission. There have been elsewhere. This also excludes having died abroad than in China. nearly 81,000 infections in China Wuhan. Life has slowly started There were no new cases in but only 7,263 people remain sick to return to normal in the rest of Wuhan — the central city where with the COVID-19 disease. the country, with people back at the virus first emerged in The global number has shot work, factories up and running, December — for the first time past 200,000, with more than and schools in some regions since authorities started pub- 8,700 deaths. resuming or preparing to go back lishing figures in January, On March 10, President Xi to class. Passengers wearing face masks arrive at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, in Shanghai yesterday. according to the National Health Jinping visited Wuhan for the first But there is concern about a Commission. time since the outbreak began second wave of infections due to Thousands of passenger The National Health Com- year. The first case emerged in Wuhan and its 11 million and declared that the spread of an influx of cases from abroad, flights have already been can- mission said there were 34 more Wuhan on December 1, according people were placed under strict the disease was “basically with an average of 20,000 people celled globally as carriers slash cases brought in from abroad, the to Chinese researchers, but it was quarantine on January 23, with curbed”. flying into China every day. routes in the face of sweeping biggest daily increase in two not until January 9 the country more than 40 million other The same day, Hubei officials Beijing and other regions travel restrictions and plunging weeks, with 189 in total now. confirmed a “new type of people in the rest of Hubei allowed people to travel within now require most international demand. “We should never allow the coronavirus”. province entering lockdown in the province for the first time arrivals to go into 14-day quar- The Civil Aviation Adminis- hard-won and continuous pos- Between January 5 and 17, the following days. since January, excluding Wuhan. antine in designated hotels. tration also said some interna- itive trend to be reversed,” Xi said China reported no new cases of The rest of China also enacted On Wednesday, Hubei China’s civil aviation ministry tional flights to Beijing would be at a Communist Party leadership the virus, even as Japan and tough measures to limit public authorities announced they were said yesterday it would limit pas- directed to other cities where meeting on Wednesday. Thailand declared their first gatherings. There were eight partially opening its borders to senger numbers on inbound passengers would go through The disease is believed to infections — a period that coin- more deaths in China — all in allow healthy people from low- international flights, and said air- medical screening and customs have jumped from an animal to cided with annual political Hubei — raising the nationwide risk areas to leave the province lines must have their schedules before re-embarking on their humans at a market that illegally meetings in Wuhan and Hubei total to 3,245, according to the if they have jobs or residences pre-approved by the ministry. original flight to the capital. sold wild game in Wuhan late last province. Isolation wards US pauses Afghanistan troops movement over virus fears established at AP — WASHINGTON deployments extended so mis- About 1,500 service members, limiting access to critical per- cause more severe illness, sions can continue. civilians and contractors who sonnel and bases. including pneumonia. 35 hospitals The US military says it is pausing The announcement comes as have gone to Afghanistan from So far, 21 US and coalition The majority of people the movement of any new troops the US is reducing its troops various countries in the past personnel exhibiting flu-like recover from the new virus. across Pakistan into Afghanistan and is quaran- presence in Afghanistan as part week are living in screening facil- symptoms are in isolation and According to the WHO, people tining 1,500 troops and civilians of the peace deal signed last ities. Miller said most are either receiving medical care. with mild illness recover in about INTERNEWS — ISLAMABAD who recently arrived in order to month between the Taliban and new deployments or people For most people, the corona- two weeks, while those with protect them from the corona- the United States. returning from leave and they are virus causes only mild or mod- more severe illness may take Special Assistant to the Paki- virus, the top commander in the In a tweet, Army Gen. Scott being quarantined “out of an erate symptoms, such as fever three to six weeks to recover. In stani Prime Minister on Social country said yesterday. Miller said the military has started abundance of caution, not and cough. For some, especially Afghanistan, 22 people have been Protection and Poverty Alle- Troops who are already in new screening procedures for because they are sick.” He added older adults and people with diagnosed and no deaths have viation Dr Sania Nishtar has the country may have their personnel arriving in the country. that the US-led coalition is also existing health problems, it can been reported. said fully equipped isolation wards have been established at 35 hospitals across the country to combat the coro- Australia, New Zealand navirus. Speaking in a special pro- gramme in Islamabad yes- seal borders to fight virus terday, she said research is in AFP — SYDNEY Australia and New Zealand progress to find out the had already announced a slew vaccine of the coronavirus. Australia and New Zealand of restrictions to tackle the pan- However, basic medicines moved to seal off their borders demic, but have so far stopped are being used for its treatment yesterday, announcing unprec- short of closing schools or insti- at the moment. edented bans on entry for non- tuting wider-ranging She said if anyone suspects residents in the hope of lockdowns. symptoms, including dry stemming the rise of COVID-19 Policymakers hope the bans cough, difficulty in breathing infections. will slow the rate of infection and fever then he or she must The announcement came as enough to avoid more dra- contact the hospital. Australia’s biggest airline conian measures that would The Special Assistant Qantas said it would halt all cripple the two economies and stressed the need to maintain international flights for at least transform life for months to cleanliness and wash hands to two months and suspend two- come. Australia currently has win the battle against corona- thirds of staff in response to the 709 confirmed cases of coro- virus. She said one should not pandemic, while the country’s navirus, with the total doubling panic and rather follow the central bank cut interest rates roughly every three days. New precautionary measures to People wearing face masks walk on a street in Sydney, Australia, yesterday. to record lows. Zealand has 28 cases. deal with the virus. Australian Prime Minister Morrison said around 80 Dr Nishtar said that during Scott Morrison said the ban on percent of Australia’s corona- tourist, or temporary visa never seen before,” Qantas chief governments with controversial the recent visit of President Dr anyone who is not a citizen or virus cases came from holder such as students or tem- executive Alan Joyce said, and costly decisions about Arif Alvi to China, the country permanent resident coming to “someone who has contracted porary workers, from coming adding that the airline would which carriers to bail out. assured to provide 300,000 Australia will be in place from the virus overseas or someone to and entering into New suspend 20,000 of its 30,000 The Transport Workers’ face masks and 10,000 pro- Friday evening. who has had direct contact with Zealand.” - staff during the shutdown. Union said Qantas was making tective suits as well as financial A similar measure was someone who has returned Earlier Qantas said all of its The move also affected staff foot the bill for the crisis. assistance to fight the disease. announced by his New Zealand from overseas”. international flights would be Qantas’ budget offshoot, Jetstar. “This plan is designed to The Special Assistant said counterpart Jacinda Ardern, A recent opinion poll suspended by late March for at A number of foreign airlines wipe the slate clean on all Pakistani students are fully who acknowledged: “I rec- showed 69 percent of Aus- least two months. also service Australian routes. worker entitlements, including safe in China. ognise how extraordinary this tralians back closing the border. “The efforts to contain the Airlines worldwide face an long-service leave and accrued She said Pakistan enjoys is. In no time in New Zealand’s Ardern said the measures spread of coronavirus have led unprecedented existential benefits,” union secretary longstanding relations with history has a power like this would also ban visa holders. to a huge drop in travel demand, threat as the coronavirus shuts Michael Kaine said in a China based on mutual trust been used.” “Today’s decision stops any the likes of which we have down global travel, leaving statement. and respect. North Korea imposes ‘intensified’ measures Thailand to tighten entry ANATOLIA — PYONGYANG Fully closing its border with South Korea, rules for all nationalities North Korea announced REUTERS — BANGKOK classified as “disease infected yeserday that it has imposed the country has also zones” which include China, “intensified” measures to stem restricted cross-border Thailand will introduce new South Korea, Hong Kong, the spread of novel coronavirus. measures requiring all travellers Macau, Italy and Iran. Pyongyang has so far movement with China. to the country to present “We are blocking infection claimed that the virus — medical certificates and health from coming into the country declared as global pandemic by have data on North Korea. insurance before gaining entry that is why people need medical World Health organisation — The Seoul-based Yonhap in an effort to curb the spread certificate and health insurance has not affected the country, news agency said authorities in of the coronavirus, Prime to enter Thailand,” Prime Min- though this has not yet been by Pyongyang banned people from Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha ister Prayuth said. an independent source. using public transportation said yesterday. “This will now include all The state-run daily Rodong without wearing masks. Thailand reported 60 new countries to minimise infection Sinmun reported that factories Fully closing its border with coronavirus cases, the biggest so we can control it,” he said. and workplaces throughout the South Korea, the country also daily jump in the number of It is unclear when the new country were “more zealous restricted cross-border cases so far to take its total measure will take effect and and practical in their hygienic movement with China. infections to 272, a health how it will be enforced at Researchers analyse the ingredients of a new disinfectant product and anti-epidemic work to North Koreans using public official said yesterday. various border points. at a factory in Pyongyang, North Korea, yesterday. thoroughly prevent COVID-19 transportation are obliged to Travellers to Thailand have The introduction of the new while conducting the pro- wear masks and sanitise their to now show authorities a measure comes as dozens of duction and economic been ruled out. The official nor touch any floating things in hands before boarding trains, health certificate, issued no civil society organisations in activities.” Central News Agency reported the sea, while a strong measure subways, buses and taxis, more than 72 hours before trav- Thailand demand the gov- However, several reports that “emergency anti-epidemic” was taken to destroy such Yonhap said. elling, confirming that they have ernment close the border and claim that hundreds have been offices in coastal areas were things by fire under the hygiene The regime also directed been tested and are free from restrict people’s movement to quarantined to prevent any “further tightening” measures and anti-epidemic regulations,” people to have their tempera- the virus. They must also limit infection. infection spread in the country on maritime entry into the it said. tures checked before using present an insurance policy Thailand has recorded a which shares most of its country to “prevent the inflow Neither Johns Hopkins Uni- public transportation for long- showing minimum coverage for large jump in the number of northern border with China of COVID-19.” versity (JHU) nor University of distance travel, and “if they coronavirus of not less than infections this week which the where COVID-19 first emerged. “In this regard, health edu- Washington HGIS lab — two top show suspected symptoms, they $100,000. This measure was health authority has divided into Deaths due to coronavirus in the cation has been given to citizens global data managers on the should be barred from previously a requirement for new imported cases and those North Korean military have not so that they can neither pick up spread of COVID-19 spread — boarding,” Yonhap reported. countries the Thai government with connection to earlier cases. 08 VIEWS FRIDAY 20 MARCH 2020

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CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI [email protected]

A screen shows US President Donald Trump on his daily White House coronavirus briefing as traders work on the floor of the New York EDITORIAL Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York.

Sports world takes a break Wartime mood grips world leaders, THE sports world is facing a major lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic. Dozens of sports events and debt fears melt away around the world have been cancelled in the last two months with a string of related announcements made -- instead of standing pat and will be sharp but short. While over the last few days. One of the key announcements watching a cascade of second- Goldman Sachs and Morgan on Tuesday centered around the hosting of the 2020 round effects that could send a Stanley both declared on Tuesday Euro Championship which was to be hosted across 12 recession spiraling toward that a global recession is now countries from June 12 to July 12. European football depression. underway, their base cases are for governing body UEFA three days ago postponed its “In a wartime situation you a revival in the second half of the showpiece event to 2021. Normally a single host country always borrow like mad,” said Ed year. would stage the event but the 2020 edition of Euro BEN HOLLAND, ENDA CURRAN Yardeni, president and chief Analysis by Jamie Thompson Championship was scheduled across a dozen coun- BLOOMBERG investment strategist of Yardeni of Oxford Economics found that tries with the final slated to be held at the iconic Research Inc. He coined the term over the past 200 years, short Wembley Stadium. Governments are finally getting “bond vigilantes” in the 1980s to recessions have usually been fol- UEFA wasted little time in deciding to postpone the the message that they’ll have to describe investors who worried lowed by a strong recovery. While championship to next year, thus allowing some more run exponentially bigger budget about debt levels and held some- there are risks, he expects global time to clubs in Europe to resume action and wrap the deficits to keep economies afloat thing like a veto over government growth will grind to a halt in the regular season if it stretches to June or even July. With as the coronavirus brings the budgets. second quarter before rebounding football leagues across the world suspended because world to a sudden halt. The coronavirus has turned to a rapid 5% pace within a year. of the virus, which first surfaced in China in December Capitals from Berlin to Wash- much of Wall Street into a dif- The bigger the cushion under a last year, the postponement of Euro 2020 must be a ington are shaking off fiscal ferent kind of vigilante -- clam- collapsing economy, the less relief to the countries that host the money-making club Capitals from restraint and vowing to fight the oring for the government to spend damage to repair afterward. matches every season. A couple of hours after UEFA Berlin to virus’s economic fallout with a more, not less. Olivier Blanchard, the former announced its decision to postpone the Euro 2020, blitz of spending. The tally of The market capacity to lend chief economist at the Interna- Copa America organisers CONMEBOL said the 12-team Washington pledges is approaching $2 trillion may not be limitless. On Tuesday tional Monetary Fund, said on will now be held in 2021.The June 12-July 12 tour- are shaking off worldwide and rising daily, and as the scale of U.S. measures was Twitter that it’s “no time to be nament - in which Asian champions Qatar and Australia much of it will have to be financed announced, the yield on the squeamish” about public debt, are two of the invited teams - will be held in Argentina fiscal restraint with public debt. 10-year Treasury surged by the backing it up with a list of US def- and Columbia next year. Other key footballs events to and vowing to President Donald Trump most in a day since 1982. Strate- icits during World War II that be suspended include UEFA Champions League, AFC endorsed checks to every US gists from Deutsche Bank said in a peaked above one-quarter of eco- Champions League and Copa Libertadores. Almost all fight the virus’s household in a stimulus plan that report Monday that the fiscal nomic output in 1943. national football leagues - including QNB Stars League economic settled at $1.2 trillion. Australia will stimulus will “lead to a permanent Blanchard’s line was echoed in in Qatar - are also suspended at the moment. also provide handouts, and Japan scar on government balance the UK, where Robert Chote, head “This has hit us hard though we were really excited fallout with may too. Having already dropped sheets that were already of the independent budget about staging it,” Colombia’s Sports Minister Ernesto a blitz of her commitment to a balanced stretched.” watchdog, said it “is no abdication Lucena said while announcing the postponement of spending. budget, German Chancellor Angela But private investors likely of budget responsibility to be 2020 Copa America. “It’s an extraordinary measure due Merkel even said she was willing won’t have to supply all the addi- spending what you need to spend to an unexpected situation, and therefore responds to to discuss pooling the euro-area’s tional funds. Central banks like the to deal with this in the best way -- the fundamental need to avoid an exponential evolution borrowing capacity. Federal Reserve are poised to step in some ways it’s like a wartime of the virus,” added South American football governing For many, the question is what up their purchases of government situation.” body CONMEBOL. took them so long. The virus’s debt. Policymakers have to do much Also last week, Pakistan Cricket Board suspended spread from China looks set to tip “The way we got through more than put a dollar number to its hugely popular T20 series Pakistan Super League the world into its first recession World War II, the government the response. They also have to while The world’s richest league Indian Premier League since 2009 and central banks are borrowed a lot of money and the come up with effective ways to get (IPL) has also been pushed to April. Formula One, running low on ammunition. And Federal Reserve agreed to peg the cash where it’s needed. Across Tennis, Golf, Rugby and Basketball authorities also even after a jump in the past 24 interest rates at extremely low the world, governments are postponed top events in a gesture to show “health hours, market borrowing costs levels,” said Yardeni. “In effect, attempting measures from debt comes before competition”. across the world are near historic that is what we are seeing now.” and tax holidays to direct cash Nobody would have predicted this three months lows -- making a massive stimulus The wave of government bor- handouts. The early focus has been ago but for everyone’s safety, it is time to take a break. cheaper. rowing may amount to something on smaller business and house- Another argument for the like a bridging loan for the holds. But corporate giants like splurge is that it’s cheaper to act economy, because many analysts Boeing Co., which sought a gov- now to keep households, small -- based on previous shocks -- ernment bailout this week, may businesses and industries solvent think that a virus-driven downturn need support too.

D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR Africa has a head start in managing coronavirus EMAIL: [email protected] NANJALA NYABOLA healthcare professional. What affairs minister, Peter Dutton, gouging on hand sanitizer. AL JAZEERA follows is a political analysis of a meanwhile, is under quar- More broadly, countries like EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 public health situation, because antine in hospital after con- Kenya have demonstrated a FAX: +974 4455 7758 On March 11, the World Health the decisions that underpin how tracting the virus. With out- stark double standard in Organization (WHO) declared states will respond to the crisis breaks of diseases like cholera dealing with visitors from MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 COVID-19, the disease caused are fundamentally political. or tuberculosis, there is often a Europe as they have with vis- by a coronavirus that is new to What resources get diverted subliminal connection to itors from China. Yet the vast DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 human beings, a pandemic. A and where, what messages get poverty, perhaps because these majority of more than 200 day later, Kenya confirmed its crafted or disseminated, which diseases are overtly connected cases reported in Africa so far LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 first case, alongside other countries get banned and which to access to facilities like clean have come from European African countries like Sudan, do not - these are all political water and uncrowded housing, countries. There are certainly BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 Ghana, Gabon and Guinea. decisions undertaken by policy- which poor people in poor practical reasons for this hesi- More than anything, the decla- makers. Thus for African countries simply do not have. tation. Tourism is Kenya's SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 ration is a call to multilateral nations, it is crucial to distil the But the coronavirus that causes biggest export for example, and action that shocks individual political lessons of the outbreak COVID-19 is affecting people visitors from Italy specifically ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 states into moving resources from elsewhere in order to from all classes, and in fact, and Europe more broadly com- email: [email protected] towards the management of the avoid repeating mistakes and to wealthier people are more vul- prise a large part of that market. new disease. It says: "This is build from the knowledge. nerable because so far the If this travel pattern is broken, PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 unusual, and we need to work The first and most disease has been closely con- Kenya's economy will certainly email: [email protected] together to get it under control." important lesson that nected to travel and airports. buckle. I, too, was initially The myth of Africa evading COVID-19 has reminded the Everyone is vulnerable to this reluctant to support a flight ban ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 COVID-19 has been dispelled, world of is that diseases do not disease and whatever because I believed that with 60 FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] and as the region braces for the respect class or borders. By measures are proposed must countries affected at the time, it imminent storm, it is important March 13, Canadian Prime Min- not focus on one segment of would be bolting the stable CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 to stop and take stock of the ister Justin Trudeau was in self- the society at the expense of the door after the horse had email: [email protected] lessons from other countries. isolation, as a cautionary other - making soap and clean escaped. Plus the thousands of I should declare at this point measure after his wife caught water widely available is just as jobs that the sector creates SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 that I am not a doctor nor am I a the virus. The Australian home important as restricting price would be significantly affected. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar Unfortunately, the situation is not developing in the best way at the moment, and we deviate from the /Peninsula_Qatar macroeconomic forecasts that we made for the /ThePeninsulaNewspaper current year. Of course, this will affect the budget.

+974 6698 6188 Anton Siluanov, Russian Finance Minister FRIDAY 20 MARCH 2020 EUROPE 09

France likely to Italy overtakes China extend lockdown with 427 new deaths; as many flout restrictions global toll over 9,000 PARIS AFP —

AFP/AP — ROME Italy has registered France’s two-week lockdown to try to stem the coronavirus Italy passed a grim milestone 3,405 fatalities from is likely to be extended, offi- yesterday when it overtook the virus so far, cials said yesterday, as the China as the country with most interior minister blasted reported deaths from the new whereas China's toll “idiots” who are flouting the coronavirus sweeping the stands at 3,245. home confinement rules. planet. President Emmanuel Italy announced another Macron ordered French resi- 427 fatalities yesterday, taking January, meaning the number dents to stay at home from its total to 3,405, according to of infections and deaths in the Tuesday except for essential an AFP tally. rest of the world have surpassed excursions such as going to the China, where the outbreak those in China. doctor, walking the dog, or first emerged in December last But there were fears that going for a solitary run, and year, has officially reported Asia faces a second wave of banned any gatherings. 3,245 deaths. cases imported from abroad, People can go to work only A general view of a street in Sorrento as Italy remains under a nationwide lockdown in a government Globally, the death toll from with 34 new cases reported in if homeworking is not decree that orders Italians to stay at home, in Sorrento yesterday. the virus — whose main China, the highest figure for two possible. symptoms are a dry cough and weeks. As the toll surged in his But news reports have fever — has risen to over 9,000. country, Italian Prime Minister Italy has the world’s the national lockdown quarantine.” shown groups of people Countries have tightened Giuseppe Conte said the second-oldest population, and seriously. Aside from the elderly and strolling in parks and the one- border controls and unleashed national lockdown, which has the vast majority of its dead - On a visit to the northern the sick, most people have mild metre (three feet) safe inter- nearly a trillion dollars to prop been copied around Europe, 87% — were over 70. city of Milan, the head of a or moderate symptoms, like a personal distance has been up the teetering world would be prolonged to April 3, Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit, a Chinese Red Cross delegation fever or cough, and most frequently ignored. economy, only to see the once- shattering hopes of a quick end virologist at Germany's helping advise Italy said he was recover in a matter of weeks. Interior Minister Chris- in-a-century pandemic seem- to the crisis. Bernhard Nocht Institute for shocked to see so many people Italy is imposing 206-euro tophe Castaner accused people ingly spiral further out of “We will not be able to Tropical Medicine, said Italy's walking around, using public ($222) fines for anyone found of underestimating the risk, control. return immediately to life as it high death rate could be transportation and eating out wandering the streets without telling Europe 1 radio: “There China listed no new was before,” he said. explained in part by the almost and partying in hotels. a valid excuse such as grocery are people who think they are domestic infections for the first Health authorities have total breakdown of the health Sun Shuopeng said Wuhan shopping or getting to and from modern-day heroes by time since the outbreak first cited a variety of reasons for system in some areas. saw infections peak only after work. Police in Rome read breaking the rules while they erupted in the central city of Italy’s high toll, key among "That's what happens when a month of a strictly enforced periodic instructions out of are in fact idiots.” Some offi- Wuhan in December, before them its large population of the health system collapses,” he lockdown. megaphones for everyone to cials have called for even spreading worldwide. elderly people, who are partic- said. "Right now we need to stop “stay home and maintain dis- stricter limits and Paris police It appeared to have ularly susceptible to serious Yesterday, a visiting Chinese all economic activity and we tance” from each other. are mulling closing riverside staunched the virus with strict complications from the virus, Red Cross team criticized need to stop the mobility of Some stores now also order walkways. measures including a complete though severe cases have also Italians' failure to properly people,” he said. "All people shoppers to put on disposable Macron yesterday urged quarantine of Wuhan since been seen in younger patients. quarantine themselves and take should be staying at home in plastic gloves. companies and workers to continue their activities “in compliance with the health UK apologises safety rules”. Genevieve Virus death toll in Spain soars nearly 30% to 767 Chene, who heads France’s for Windrush public health agency, said two AFP — MADRID and Italy. Regional authorities in health ministry’s emergencies to four weeks of confinement scandal after The number of confirmed Madrid yesterday transformed coordinator. are needed for the outbreak to Spain yesterday announced that cases of COVID-19 is expected a hotel into a hospital for Spain has since Saturday be adequately contained. deaths from the novel corona- to rise significantly in the patients with mild cases of been on a nearly total lockdown “It is likely that it is indeed official report virus had jumped by nearly 30 coming days as testing for the coronavirus to try to keep the to try to curb the spread of the necessary to extend (the con- AFP — LONDON percent over the past 24 hours virus becomes more readily health system from being over- disease, with people allowed tainment measures) in order to 767. available in the country of whelmed by the pandemic. outside only to go to work, buy for the braking to be suffi- The British government apol- The number of people who around 46 million people. Nationwide there were 939 food and medicine, seek cient,” Chene said. ogised yesterday for its have contracted the disease has Madrid remains the worst- people with the virus in medical care or look after an The timing will depend treatment of Britons of meanwhile grown by around hit area, accounting for 6,777 intensive care units. elderly person. largely on how closely people Caribbean origin who were 25 percent to 17,147, according cases, or 40 percent of the total As elsewhere in the world, Police said 48 people had conform with the confinement wrongly detained or deported to health ministry figures, infections in Spain, while the elderly people account for the been arrested across the measures, she said, adding that for being illegal immigrants, bringing Spain’s tally near that number of deaths in the capital bulk of the infections. Roughly country over the past 24 hours France’s peak was likely to be after the publication of a of Iran, the world’s third most rose to 498 -- around two- 33 percent are over the age of for breaking the rules restricting around the middle or end of devastating official report. affected country after China thirds of the national total. 65, said Fernando Simon, the the freedom of movement. May. The inquiry found that suc- cessive governments trying to show they were tough on illegal immigration displayed UK puts 20,000 military a “complete disregard” for the “Windrush” generation who personnel on standby as virus moved to Britain legally in the 1950s and 1960s. shuts down swathes of London Their status was regu- larised in 1971 but few were given any official documen- REUTERS — LONDON casts itself as a pillar of Western tation, nor were records kept. stability, Johnson on As a result, hundreds and The United Kingdom put Wednesday said the gov- potentially thousands were 20,000 military personnel on ernment was ruling nothing out caught up in successive immi- standby, closed dozens of when asked whether he would gration clampdowns, with 164 underground train stations bring in measures to lock down people who arrived in Britain across London and Queen Eliz- London. before 1973 either detained or abeth left the city for Windsor Johnson has asked the gov- deported since 2002. Castle as the coronavirus crisis ernment to come up with plans The inquiry found the shut down whole swathes of for a so-called lockdown which Home Office interior ministry the economy. would see businesses closed, had shown “an institutional Against a background of transport services reduced, ignorance and thoughtlessness panic buying in supermarkets gatherings limited and more towards the issue of race and and the biggest fall in sterling stringent controls imposed on the history” of those involved. for decades, the British gov- the city. Trucks stuck in a traffic jam on the A4 highway, some 40km from Germany’s border with Poland near It said the scandal, which ernment moved to quash Queen Elizabeth yesterday Bautzen, eastern Germany, yesterday. broke in 2018 and prompted rumours that travel in and out left the capital for her ancient the resignation of the then of London would be restricted. castle at Windsor. The monarch home secretary, was “for- Germany calls up reservists in pandemic fight “There is zero prospect of has also agreed to postpone the seeable and avoidable”. any restriction being placed on planned state visit by Japanese Officials also failed to AFP — BERLIN contact details, the minister by the disease control agency travelling in or out of London,” Emperor Naruhito in June. properly consider the unin- said. Some 2,300 reservists Robert Koch Institute using Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s London’s transport tended consequences of their Germany is calling up tens of responded to the weekend information from regional spokesman told reporters. authority said it would close up policies — and when the thousands of reservists to help mobilisation call, including authorities of cases tested for He said police were respon- to 40 underground train sta- scandal broke, they were slow in the country’s battle against more than 900 who can be the virus. sible for maintaining law and tions until further notice and to react. the coronavirus pandemic, deployed to health services, But depending on an indi- order and there were no plans reduce other services including In response, current Home Defence Minister Annegret said Kramp-Karrenbauer. vidual state’s policies, many to use the military for this buses and trains. The line Secretary Priti Patel said she Kramp-Karrenbauer said The minister said soldiers other possible infections may purpose, though the gov- between Waterloo station and was “shocked” by the “terrible yesterday. can step in when the capacity not be reflected in the numbers ernment put military reservists the City of London financial injustices” involved. The army began mobilising of civil forces is exhausted. because the patients have not on formal notification. district would be closed. “There is nothing that I can its first batches of reserve “We can and will deliver been tested as they show only But dozens of underground “People should not be trav- say today which will undo the troops over the weekend, said what is needed from us,” she mild symptoms or have not train stations across the capital elling, by any means, unless pain, the suffering and the the minister, adding that it will said. The German government been in contact with a known were due to be closed and an they really, really have to,” misery inflicted on the Win- next standby “other reservist is accelerating efforts to ramp case. industry source said super- London Mayor Sadiq Khan said. drush generation,” she said in troops in through very targeted up capacity to treat patients, as Health Minister Jens Spahn markets were expecting police Britain has so far reported a statement to parliament. calls, and through a general official data show the number said regulations will be eased support amid the fears that 104 deaths from coronavirus “What I can do, is say that call”. of infections soaring past for employees in medical London was facing a virtual and 2,626 confirmed cases, but on behalf of this and suc- Europe’s biggest economy 10,000. services to help in hospitals, to shutdown. UK scientific advisers say more cessive governments — I am has a pool of 75,000 reservists The numbers, which also take the pressure off qualified After ordering the closure than 50,000 people might have truly sorry for the actions that for whom the army has updated include 20 deaths, are compiled nurses and doctors. of schools across a country that already been infected. spanned decades. “I am sorry that people’s trust has been betrayed. “And we will continue to EU chief to be tested after Michel Barnier diagnosed with virus do everything possible to ensure that the Home Office AP — BRUSSELS and is in good spirits, while the through this together.” following Barnier’s positive Even before Barnier’s tweet, protects, supports and listens EU’s executive arm said nego- Barnier’s announcement result. Barnier and the EU chief the second round of post-Brexit to every single part of the Michel Barnier, the European tiations with British officials can prompted a series of good last met two weeks ago. So far trade negotiations that was due community it serves.” The Union’s chief negotiator for the continue. wishes messages, including she has not shown any to take place in London this government has already set up bloc’s future relationship with “I am following all the nec- from European Commission symptom of illness. week had already been can- a compensation scheme worth Britain after Brexit, has been essary instructions, as is my President Ursula von der Leyen Michel’s press service said celed because of the corona- around £200m. More than infected with the new corona- team,” Barnier said from his and EU Council President he is well, too, but will “tel- virus outbreak. 11,700 people have also been virus. home, where he has been con- Charles Michel. ework at home for another two British Prime Minister Boris granted a form of documen- The 69-year-old Barnier fined. “For all those affected European Commission days” as a matter of precaution Johnson’s spokesman, James tation that confirms their right said in a Twitter video message already, and for all those cur- spokesman Eric Mamer said after meeting with Barnier 12 Slack, said “we send Michel to remain in Britain, Patel said. yesterday that he is doing well rently in isolation, we will get von der Leyen will be tested days ago. Barnier our best wishes.” 10 EUROPE / AMERICAS FRIDAY 20 MARCH 2020

Russia clarifies Trump’s adviser to cause of first attend Victory Day virus-linked death parade in Moscow AFP — MOSCOW Russia reported its first death REUTERS — MOSCOW The COVID-19 outbreak connected to the coronavirus has raised questions pandemic yesterday, initially US National Security Advisor saying an elderly woman died Robert O’Brien will travel to over whether the May of pneumonia before changing Moscow to attend Russia’s 9 parade will take the cause of death to a blood World War Two Victory Day clot. celebrations in May, US Ambas- place, but the Kremlin The Moscow health sador John Sullivan said has said preparations department said the 79-year- yesterday. old, who had tested positive for President Vladimir Putin are going ahead as COVID-19, died in a Moscow presides over an annual parade normal. hospital. on May 9 to commemorate the Svetlana Krasnova, head Soviet Union’s World War Two doctor at Moscow's hospital No. victory over Nazi Germany and Robert O’Brien will lead the US 2 for infectious diseases, said in uses the occasion to show off delegation at the event instead, a statement that the woman had Municipal workers use disinfectant while cleaning a street to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country’s military Ambassador Sullivan said in a been admitted with "a host of Lviv, Ukraine, yesterday. hardware. statement circulated by the chronic diseases", including Relations between Russia embassy yesterday. type 2 diabetes and heart and the United States are at “This high-level delegation problems. died of a blood clot. versity did not confirm this. Previously only arrivals post-Cold War lows, strained underscores the commitment Officials said she had been A subsequent official tally Moscow officials on from a list of countries partic- by everything from Russia’s of the United States to honor treated in an intensive care unit of the number of official coro- Wednesday urged elderly res- ularly hit were told to follow detention on spying charges of the joint sacrifice of the allies, and that people she had contact navirus cases in Russia included idents to stay away from two-week-long self-isolation a former US Marine to US alle- and the people of the United with had been isolated. 199 confirmed infections but no crowded places like cafes and procedures. gations that Moscow meddled States and the Soviet Union The statement said she died deaths. shopping centres. President Vladimir Putin in its 2016 election. who gave so much to ensure a from pneumonia and Moscow It was not clear whether the The national health this week said the coronavirus Russia invited US President safer world for all,” it said. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on woman's death would even- watchdog tightened restrictions situation was "generally under Donald Trump to attend the The spread of the new Twitter: "Unfortunately, we tually be counted as a result of for all travellers from abroad in control" and the government May 9 event, but he declined. coronavirus has raised ques- have the first loss from the the virus. a new decree published yes- has promised to step up testing. US officials said he had wanted tions over whether the May 9 coronavirus infection." Reports identified the terday, requiring "all indi- Prime Minister Mikhail to go, but faced pressure from parade will take place, but the But health officials later put woman as a professor at Mos- viduals arriving to Russia" to be Mishustin yesterday called on his advisers not to. Kremlin has said preparations out another statement saying cow's Gubkin State Oil and Gas isolated, either at home or people to "cut down on contacts National Security Advisor are going ahead as normal. an autopsy confirmed she had University, though the uni- elsewhere. as much as possible".

Belgrade halts all Portugal declares 15-day state of emergency nationwide commercial AFP — LISBON “This is not an interruption movement and the right to go demic, he added. and imposed restrictions on the of democracy. It is democracy on strike. It also allows the gov- The state of emergency can number of people who can visit flights to curb Portugal has declared a trying to prevent an irrepa- ernment to force people into be renewed once the initial restaurants and limited visitors nationwide 15-day state of rable interruption in people’s quarantine. 15-day period is over and the to retirement homes. spread of virus emergency to fight the spread lives.” The government will unveil premier said it could last several Earlier on Wednesday the of coronavirus, which will make It is the first time that a state what concrete measures it will months. government ordered the central REUTERS — BELGRADE it easier for the government to of emergency has been declared adopt under the state of emer- Portugal has so far reported city of Ovar, which is home to reduce people’s movements. in the country of around 10 gency on Thursday following its 448 confirmed cases of coro- around 55,000 people, to be put Serbia barred all commercial “This is an exceptional million people since it returned weekly cabinet meeting. navirus and two deaths, but the on lockdown after about 30 flights to and from its main decision for an exceptional to democracy in the 1970s fol- Socialist Prime Minister government has warned that people tested positive for coro- airport in the capital Belgrade period,” conservative President lowing decades of rightist Antonio Costa said the decree the number of infections in the navirus there. yesterday, for the first time Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said dictatorship. — which was approved by par- country is expected to keep Governments on every con- since 1999, after the author- during a televised address in The decree declaring a state liament — would not be used to climbing “at least” until the end tinent have implemented ities imposed a state of emer- which he explained his reasons of emergency allows the gov- impose a “mandatory curfew”. of April. measures to contain the disease, gency to curb the spread of for adopting the measure which ernment to suspend some con- The measures that are The country has already which has infected more than coronavirus. came into effect on Wednesday stitutional rights and freedoms, adopted will “reinforce the fight limited gatherings to no more 200,000 people and killed over The Nikola Tesla airport, at midnight. such as the freedom of and prevention” of this pan- than 100 people, shut schools 8,000 since it first emerged. operated by France’s Vinci, remains open only for human- itarian flights and planes with special permits. Serbia has Hungary to deploy military already barred flights to and from the airport in the at 140 state companies southern city of Nis. “As of March 19, all com- REUTERS — BUDAPEST but said they included busi- mercial passenger... flights to nesses operating in energy, tel- and from the Nikola Tesla Hungary will deploy special ecommunications, transport Airport will be temporarily military task forces to monitor and healthcare sectors. barred... the border crossing the operations of 140 state “Many more” companies at the airport will be tempo- companies providing critical across Hungary could fall under rarily closed,” the statement services during the coronavirus the remit of the newly-created said. pandemic, Defence Minister units, he said. Inbound planes that had Tibor Benko said late on A government spokesman already taken off when the ban Wednesday. also declined to name any of was announced would be The newly created task the companies, saying the allowed to land, but pas- forces, consisting of several sol- information was classified. sengers must undergo man- diers, police officers and dis- However, a spokesman for datory self-isolation, the gov- aster unit workers, will provide energy group MOL, in which ernment said. regular briefings on the com- the state owns an over 25% Serbia currently has 97 panies to the defence ministry, stake, said it was among those confirmed cases of corona- Benko told public television. involved. virus infection, an increase of Hungarian police officers gesture to motorists at the Hungarian-Austrian border, which has been has Prime Minister Viktor The military and police eight on the previous day, out been closed over COVID-19 outbreak, near Nickelsdorf, Austria, on Wednesday. Orban’s government declared have already helped MOL of 486 people tested. There a state of national crisis last overcome certain operational have been no fatalities so far. week due to the spread of the issues, spokesman Domokos The last time flights to and Austrian province of Tyrol on lockdown virus. According to official Szollar said. from the airport in Belgrade figures, 73 people have con- These have included were barred was in 1999, REUTERS — VIENNA put under quarantine in recent of general interest or to get to tracted the coronavirus in guarding a transit corridor and during the NATO bombing days as they are seen as work, Tyrol governor Guenther Hungary. One person has died, petrol stations as thousands of campaign aimed at ending a Austria’s province of Tyrol, a hotspots for the spread of the Platter said. two have recovered, and 124 Romanian and Bulgarian crackdown of Serbia’s security popular tourist region with a virus in Austria. Only people who live in people are under quarantine. workers were travelling forces against ethnic Albanians population of 750,000, The western province has Tyrol, work in the critical infra- “One of the tasks of these through Hungary, and ensuring in Kosovo. imposed a lockdown from reported 474 out of Austria’s structure or supply goods are task forces among others is to the return of some MOL trucks On Wednesday, Serbia’s yesterday until April 5 to curb 1646 cases. allowed to enter the province, ensure the operation and safety stuck in Italy. “We expect real- military deployed at borders the spread of coronavirus, the People are only allowed to he added. of these Hungarian companies, time and prompt coordination in line with the state of emer- local government said. leave their villages or towns The movement of goods is these critically important Hun- support from the government gency declared on Sunday. Several ski resorts including when it is necessary to cover permitted under certain garian companies,” Benko said. and that is what we need in Serbia has already ordered Ischgl and St Anton have been basic needs, to provide services conditions. He did not name the firms these times,” Szollar said. the elderly to stay indoors. Brazil Senate president, two ministers infected as COVID-19 cases rise to 428

REUTERS — RIO DE JANEIRO/ he initially labeled a “fantasy.” Wednesday, his son Eduardo, a rush to become the US SAO PAULO The virus’ spread represents a federal lawmaker who also spokesman in Brazil, or risk an major threat for the far-right travelled to meet Trump, ugly fall.” The coronavirus outbreak populist, who was already sparked a diplomatic dust-up With criticism mounting, the hammered Brazil on struggling to resuscitate the with China, Brazil’s top trade President held an afternoon Wednesday, crushing local country’s weak economy. partner. news conference with ministers markets, infecting more On Wednesday night, Brazil In a tweet, he likened — all wearing masks — to members of the country’s erupted to the sound of banging China’s role in the coronavirus announce emergency measures political elite and prompting pots and pans and shouts of outbreak to that of the USSR to contain the virus and buttress loud protests against President “Bolsonaro out!” with house- during the Chernobyl nuclear the economy, including Jair Bolsonaro, whose son bound protesters expressing disaster, alleging a cover-up. assistance for poorer families waded into a diplomatic spat their anger toward the Pres- “It’s China’s fault and freedom and support for a struggling avi- with China. ident. The protests took place is the answer,” he tweeted. ation industry. Bolsonaro’s national in major Brazilian cities and His comments, which CLOSING Bolsonaro said security adviser, the mines and even included projections of echoed those of Trump, sparked Brazil was considering closing energy minister and the head “Bolsonaro out!” onto the sides an angry response from the all its land borders, following a of the Senate all tested positive of buildings, according to social Chinese embassy, which said he decree closing its border to for the virus on Wednesday, as media videos. had contracted a “mental virus” Venezuelans, citing contagion the death toll rose to four dead Bolsonaro says he has twice Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro wears a protective face mask while in the United States. risks and strains on the public with 428 people infected. tested negative for the corona- during a press conference on COVID-19, in Brasilia, on Wednesday. “Sadly, you are a person health system. Bolsonaro has come under virus, but 14 people in his without any international vision The 15-day ban on Vene- mounting criticism for his lax entourage to Florida 10 days fallout from the trip, in which Trump, haunts him. or common sense,” it tweeted zuelans entering Brazil could be handling of the outbreak, which ago have tested positive. The he met US President Donald In a fresh headache late on at him. “We suggest you don’t extended, it added. FRIDAY 20 MARCH 2020 AMERICAS / CLASSIFIEDS 11 US coronavirus cases cross 10,000 with over 150 dead AFP — WASHINGTON coming days because of US President says his increased levels of testing after The US is fast-tracking antima- initial delays. administration is fast- larial drugs for use as a FDA Commissioner Stephen tracking antimalarial treatment against the new coro- Hahn said that, while the anti- navirus, President Donald malarials have not yet been for- drugs for use in Trump said yesterday. mally approved, access was treatment of the new The announcement follows being expanded so that author- coronavirus disease. encouraging research into chlo- ities could gather more data. roquine and hydroxychloro- This is known as “compas- quine in France and China, but sionate use.” “If there is an to treat malaria since the 1940s. many in the wider scientific experimental drug that is poten- Hydroxychloroquine shares a community have cautioned tially available, a doctor could similar mechanism of action but more work is needed to prove ask for that drug to be used in is less toxic. they really work for COVID-19. a patient. We have criteria for French drug maker Sanofi “We’re going to be able to that and very speedy approval on Wednesday said it stood make that drug available almost for that,” said Hahn. ready to offer the French gov- immediately, and that’s where “As an example, many ernment millions of doses of the (Food and Drug Adminis- Americans have read studies hydroxychloroquine, sold under US President Donald Trump points to a reporter to ask a question during the coronavirus response tration) has been so great,” and heard media reports about its brand name Plaquenil, in daily briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, yesterday. Trump told reporters, referring this drug chloroquine, which is light of a “promising” study to both antimalarials. an anti-malarial drug. carried out by Didier Raoult of “They’ve gone through the “It’s already approved, as the IHU Mediterranee Infection Infectious Diseases on March 9 scientists Franck Touret and treatment,” they wrote. approval process — it’s been the President said, for the in Marseille. on the two compounds that also Xavierde Lamballerie urged “The only modest effect of approved. They took it down treatment of malaria as well as Raoult reported this week found encouraging results, caution, noting that chloroquine chloroquine in the therapy of from many, many months to an arthritis condition. that after treating 24 patients albeit in a lab setting. had been proposed several human virus infection was immediate. So we’re going to be “That’s a drug that the Pres- for six days with Plaquenil, the Several clinical trials are times for the treatment of acute found for chronic hepatitis C.” able to make that drug available ident directed us to take a closer virus had disappeared in all but also underway in China, where viral diseases in humans They also said that “the by prescription.” look at, as to whether an a quarter of them. The research authorities have said the drug without success. margin between the therapeutic The US has recorded 10,755 expanded use approach to that has not yet been peer reviewed produced encouraging results, “Its use in the treatment of and toxic dose is narrow and cases of new coronavirus could be done to actually see if and published. but the data has not yet been HIV-infected patients has been chloroquine poisoning has been infection, 154 of them fatal. But that benefits patients.” Chloro- It followed a recent study by made public. considered inconclusive and the associated with cardiovascular authorities expect the number quine is a synthetic form of a Chinese team that was pub- Writing in the journal Anti- drug has not been included in disorders that can be to increase steeply in the quinine, which has been used lished in the journal Clinical viral Research, French the panel recommended for HIV life-threatening.” US warns citizens US-Canada border closes tonight to non-essential trips Trump signs against overseas AP — TORONTO longest between two nations, $100bn virus travel over virus has been relatively open. AGENCIES — WASHINGTON The Canadian government said Freeland said crossings can relief package yesterday that the Canada-US continue in border communities The Trump administration has border will be closed to all non- such as Campobello, New AFP — WASHINGTON upgraded its already dire essential travel in both direc- Brunswick. “Trade, which is warning to Americans against tions on Friday night. essential, will continue,” US President Donald Trump all international travel as the Prime Minister Justin Freeland said. on Wednesday signed a coronavirus outbreak spreads. Trudeau also said it will take “Don’t make discretionary $100bn emergency aid The State Department yes- “weeks to months” for social- trips and that is what border package that ensures sick terday issued a new alert distancing measures in his officials will be enforcing.” leave to Americans workers urging Americans not to travel country to be lifted amid the Trudeau said his gov- who fall ill from the new coro- abroad under any circum- pandemic. ernment is following the advice navirus, with more federal stances and to return home if Both the US and Canada of health experts and won’t lift assistance in the pipeline. they are already abroad unless have been in talks in recent restrictions on public activities The bipartisan House- they plan to remain overseas. days to negotiate a mutual halt and movements in Canada until passed measure easily cleared “The Department of State to tourism and family visits but it is safe to do so. the Senate by a vote of 90 to Vehicles line up to enter Canada after it was announced that the advises U.S. citizens to avoid leaving the flow of trade intact. Trudeau made his com- eight earlier Wednesday. border would close to 'non-essential traffic' to combat the spread all international travel due to Canada relies on the US for ments in front of his residence Hours later Trump said in a of novel coronavirus disease at the US-Canada border crossing at the global impact of COVID- 75% of its exports and about 18% where he is self-isolating after statement that he signed the 19,” it said in the new advice. of American exports go to the Thousand Islands Bridge in Lansdowne, Canada, yesterday. his wife tested positive for the legislation into law, providing “In countries where com- Canada. virus. a rare example of Congres- mercial departure options Essential cross-border to be tourists or for recreational drivers are critical as they Canadian Foreign Minister sional Democrats, Republicans remain available, US citizens workers like health-care pro- purposes,” Deputy Prime Min- supply grocery stores and François-Philippe Champagne and the presidency working who live in the United States fessionals, airline crews and ister Chrystia Freeland said. medical goods in both direc- is also self isolating at home and together quickly during his should arrange for immediate truck drivers will be permitted “If you have an important tions. Much of Canada’s food is being tested for the virus after administration. return to the United States, to cross. essential reasons to cross the supply comes from or via the experiencing flu-like symptoms It provides for free coro- unless they are prepared to “People should not be border you can continue to do US. after traveling. He said he navirus testing for those who remain abroad for an indef- traveling between Canada and that.” The flow of travelers on the expects the results of his test need it, sick pay and paid inite period. US citizens who the US and the US and Canada Freeland emphasized truck northern border, the world’s very shortly family leave, and bolsters live abroad should avoid all unemployment insurance for international travel.” Until the millions of Americans. upgrade, the department’s The legislation aims to advice to US citizens was to Tulsi Gabbard ends Democratic strengthen protections in the “reconsider” all international face of a global health crisis. travel under what is known as Senate Majority Leader a “level three” alert. presidential bid, endorses Biden Mitch McConnell, speaking The global “level four” moments after the vote, called warning was unprecedented REUTERS — WASHINGTON the former vice-president to take on Repub- it “a very important” step. as such alerts are generally lican President Donald Trump in Novem- The so-called Phase Two reserved for specific countries US Representative Tulsi Gabbard (pictured), ber’s general election. bill is the second emergency embroiled in conflict, natural an Iraq War veteran who campaigned to On Twitter, Biden thanked Gabbard for congressional aid package disasters or where Americans end “forever wars”, dropped her long-shot her service to the country as a veteran and related to coronavirus, fol- face specific risks. bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential a congresswoman. “I’m grateful to have her lowing an initial $8.3bn However, the upgrade will nomination yesterday and endorsed front- support and look forward to working with measure passed early this likely have little practical runner Joe Biden in a video posted to her to restore honor and decency to the month. effect because it is not man- Twitter. White House,” he wrote. Wednesday’s vote took datory and there are now “Although I may not agree with the vice Despite remaining mired far behind — an advantage for Biden widely seen as place under extraordinary cir- limited transportation options president on every issue, I know that he Biden and Sanders, Gabbard had stayed in virtually unassailable. cumstances, with roll calls for international travel. The has a good heart, and he’s motivated by his the race even as better-known rivals A major in the Hawaii National Guard extended to 30 minutes to only way to ban Americans love for our country and the American dropped out. In all nine state contests over who was deployed in Iraq from 2004 to allow senators to comply with from going abroad would be people,” said Gabbard, 38. She has served the last two weeks, she finished behind 2005, Gabbard is a fierce opponent of what US health precautions, to invalidate the use of US as a congresswoman from Hawaii since other contenders who had already aban- she calls “forever wars.” Despite her liberal including keeping a safe dis- passports for such travel, a bar 2013 and is the first Hindu elected to doned their campaigns but still appeared views on most other issues, she has won tance from each other. that is currently in place only Congress. on ballots. praise from some Trump supporters and “Be aware of the social for North Korea. The endorsement was something of a Gabbard earned her only two delegates conservative media outlets, where she fre- distancing... as we come over In addition, the main surprise given Gabbard’s past support for by finishing second in American Samoa, quently appears as a commentator. to the chamber and as we impact of State Department Biden’s main rival, US Senator Bernie where she was born. Biden has won at least She has consistently opposed US inter- depart,” McConnell told col- travel alerts is to cause Sanders of Vermont. But she noted that 971 delegates of the 1,991 needed to clinch vention in Syria, going so far as to meet leagues, urging against con- insurance companies to recent state nominating contests had made the nomination in July, while Sanders has secretly with Syrian President Bashar al- gregating on the Senate increase premiums or cancel it clear that Democratic voters had chosen collected 737, according to Edison Research Assad in January 2017. floor. travel policies for group and individual tours, many of which had been scrapped even before the alert was raised to Mexico reports first level three earlier this week. The department has coronavirus death already advised Americans AFP — MEXICO CITY that many US embassies and consulates abroad are oper- Mexico has reported its first coronavirus ating with reduced staff and death — a 41-year-old man who died on hours due to the COVID-19 Wednesday in Mexico City, the health outbreak and that services for ministry said. Americans in need of The man, who suffered from diabetes, assistance are limited. first began showing symptoms of the While the US has barred virus on March 9, the ministry said on its flights from China and most Twitter account. European nations, and closed Local press reports said he had not the border with Canada to previously visited any countries that have non-essential travel, Amer- had outbreaks of the virus. icans have continued to fly -- The man’s wife, however, told Tel- although in limited numbers evisa, the Mexican television network, — to other nations that have that her husband had attended a concert outbreaks. by the Swedish rock group Ghost on Thousands of US citizens March 3 at the Palace of Sports in Mexico have found themselves stuck City, with a companion. overseas and unable to get She said Mexican health authorities home. had not been monitoring his case. 12 CLASSIFIEDS FRIDAY 20 MARCH 2020

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FRIDAY 20 MARCH 2020 Moving Tokyo Games possible, too soon to decide on cancellation: Coe REUTERS – LONDON have to four months out,” Coe epicentre of the flu-like virus house, that’s a massive chal- The virus has infected London 2012 as chairman of the told BBC Sport. that originated in China late last lenge,” Coe told The Times in an nearly 219,000 people globally organising committee, said the World Athletics Chief Sebastian “If you had to ease that date, year and restrictions on earlier interview. and caused more than 8,900 problem faced by the Tokyo Coe said yesterday that moving you’d have to ease it. It’s pos- movement in several nations “Our sport has aalwayslways been deaths so far, sparking Games was bigger than the the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to sible, anything is possible,” he have hit the training plans of about fairness andd a llevelevel concernsconcerns overover thethe mass boycottb of the 1980 September or October due to added when asked if the Games athletes ahead of Games. playing field so we shshouldn’touldn’t vviabilityiability of the MoscowMoscow Olympics. the coronavirus outbreak was could be moved to September IOC President Thomas Bach feel ashamed to sett thatthat as Games.Games. “I livedliv through Moscow a possibility but it was too soon or October. said they heard athletes’ con- our ambition. The rrealityeality is Coe,Coe, the andand thatthat was a crisis... This has to take a decision on whether “Events are changing by the cerns on health and preparation that may not be possiblessible in drividrivingng foforcerce probablyprobab exercised more to cancel the Games. hour but it is not a decision that but Coe said ensuring a level every case but we wwantant to do bbehindehind tthehe thinkingthinking time and expended While most of world sport has to be made at the moment. playing field for athletes during what we can to drilll ddownown on success ooff moremore efforteff for federations than has come to a standstill due to We’re trying to manage the sit- preparations may not be pos- that. anythinganything I can remember,” Coe the pandemic, the International uation with the information we sible but it is a challenge World “Some are not able to traintrain added. Olympic Committee (IOC) has have but there is not a great deal Athletics will strive to properly, some are nnotot ableable “We’re“We doing everything remained committed to staging of information. overcome. to access public trackscks wewe possiblypo can to get our the Tokyo Games as planned “The temperature in the “Recent evidence suggests or indoor facilitieses sport and our athletes into from July 24-Auguist 9 despite room with the IOC is, nobody is China seems to be pulling out of and we’re working too thethe best possible shape growing dissent. saying we’re going to the Games this but if you’re living in Europe, try and help themm throughth a challenging “Let’s not make a precip- come what may.” you’re an Italian distance runner find thesee World Athletics Chief time and get to an itous decision when we don’t Europe has become the new and you’re confined to your facilities.” Sebastian Coe Olympic Games.” Formula 1 Tokyo organisers receive Olympic postpones three more flame in scaled-down ceremony races REUTERS – ATHENS spectators in Athens’ Panathenaic Tokyo 2020 organisers received stadium, site of the first modern AFP – PARIS the Olympic flame in a scaled- Games in 1896, the torch was down handover ceremony in the received by Tokyo Games repre- The Dutch, Spanish and Greek capital yesterday, amid the sentative Naoko Imoto. Monaco Formula One Grand coronavirus spread that has cast It will arrive in Japan on Prix races were yesterday doubt on the global, multi-billion Friday and kick off a domestic postponed due to the global dollar event. relay on March 26, with the spread of coronavirus, officials In a brief ceremony closed to Games set to take place from July announced. 24-August 9. The triple postponements The scale of the spreading follow the cancellation of the coronavirus, which has infected Greek actress Xanthi Georgiou lighting the Olympic torch during season-opening Australian more than 200,000 people and the ceremony. Grand Prix last week, and the killed more than 8,700 across the postponement of the Chinese, world, has forced the cancellation Bahrain and Vietnam Grand of numerous sporting events, Prix races. raising concerns about whether The Dutch GP, due to the Olympics will be able to open return to the calendar for the as planned. first time since 1985, was set The International Olympic to be held at Zandvoort on May Committee (IOC) and the Jap- 1-3, with the Spanish race fol- anese government, however, lowing a week later, and the have insisted the Games will go Monaco Grand Prix on May ahead. 21-24. Greece’s Olympic Committee chief Spyros Capralos handed over the lit torch to the Japanese former Olympic swimmer Imoto Greek Sports Minister and HOC President, Spyros Capralos, hands Sports in front of empty stands inside the Olympic torch over to Naoko. the vast 50,000-capacity events still horseshoe-shaped marble hanging stadium. stadium as the country has over the world.” The plane will happening The flame was then trans- imposed strict measures to land at JASDF Matsushima Air ferred into a small receptacle to contain the spread of the virus. Base in Miyagi Prefecture on despite Former Japanese swimmer Imoto Naoko holding the Olympic travel to Japan aboard a special Tokyo Games chief Yoshiro Friday before the start of a torch during the Olympic flame handover ceremony for the aircraft named “Tokyo 2020 Go.” Mori said in a video message he domestic relay from Fukushima pandemic 2020 Tokyo Summer Games, held behind closed doors at the Only a few dozen officials were hoped the flame’s arrival would Prefecture, site of the 2011 earth- Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, Greece, yesterday. allowed into the central Athens help “shake off the dark clouds quake and tsunami. REUTERS

Sports events around the world that have not been suspended, postponed WHO SAID WHAT or cancelled due to the coronavirus English football extends shutdown pandemic:

AFP – LONDON OLYMPICS The Olympics from July 24-August 9 in Tokyo have not been postponed Frankly, I can't see The shutdown of English football was extended until at or suspended. how we could end it least April 30 yesterday after The Tokyo 2020 Games torch lighting at the end of June, the Premier League and English ceremony in ancient Olympia was held with the France games Football League (EFL) held without spectators. The Olympic flame and the Champions crisis meetings. handover ceremony in Athens yesterday was also held without spectators. League: French Football “We’ve collectively agreed that the professional game in Federation President England will be further post- FOOTBALL Noel Le Graet says the poned until no earlier than Australia’s top flight A-League soccer Ligue 1 season should Thursday 30 April,” said a joint competition has banned spectators not end before July 15 statement by the English for the rest of the 2019/20 season so that all competitions Football Association, Premier and faces a temporary hiatus due to quarantine restrictions that have in Europe can be League, EFL, players and man- agers’ bodies. affected two teams. completed. UEFA’s decision to postpone Euro 2020 for 12 months earlier RUGBY UNION I haven't spoken to Guy this week could allow games to South Africa’s July tests against Forget (French Open be completed over the summer Scotland and Georgia remain as scheduled but will be reviewed in April. Tournament Chief) but if strict restrictions on travelling and mass gatherings to halt the A woman walks past a banner stating I'm happy to play the spread of COVID-19 are lifted 'Premier League Champions 2019/2020' RUGBY LEAGUE tournament whenever in time. in Liverpool, Britain, on Wednesday. Australia’s National Rugby League, it is scheduled: Ash The leagues still hope to the world’s richest competition in the Barty says she would finish the season once play can 13-man rugby code and most popular grasp at any chance be restarted rather than many players’ contracts and option could see the end of the Once we get over this crisis we spectator sport in the country’s eastern states, is continuing for the time being she gets to defend accepting the current standings loan deals expire. 2019/20 and beginning of the can look at sport and getting the as final or declaring the cam- However, the English 2020/21 come together with Premier League and Football at closed stadiums. her title. paign null and void. authorities are putting no limit no time for an off-season Leagues back in action.” “We’re united in our com- of when the 2019/20 season break. The sudden shutdown, FOOTBALL (Australian rules) mitment to finding ways of must be finished by. “Players may need to get though, could have long-lasting The top flight Australian Football League We're really hoping resuming the 2019-20 football “The FA’s Rules and Regu- their summer break in now consequences for many lower launched its season as scheduled in that all forms of sport season and ensuring all lations state that ‘the season before we finish what was the league clubs worrying if they Melbourne on March 19 but without can be played again in domestic and European club shall terminate not later than 19/20 season and roll it right will even be able to survive the fans in attendance and after organisers a few weeks' or a few league and cup matches are the 1 June’ and ‘each compe- into the 20/21 season without a next couple of months with no slashed the season to 17 rounds from 22. months' time: Cricket played as soon as it is safe and tition shall, within the limit laid break,” Brighton striker Glenn income from gate receipts. SNOOKER Australia Chief Kevin possible to do so,” added the down by The FA, determine the Murray said. A £50m ($58m) short-term statement. length of its own playing “Everyone loves sport, eve- relief package was announced The World Championships in Sheffield Roberts Even if play can commence season’. ryone loves watching football by the EFL to help stricken clubs from April 18-May 4 is going ahead in early May, that could mean “However, The FA’s Board but I really think the right on Wednesday. as of now. matches stretching beyond the has agreed for this limit to be decision was made in bringing However, there has so far June 30 goal UEFA agreed on extended indefinitely for the it to a halt. been no bailout from the HORSE RACING for finishing the season on 2019/20 season in relation to “At this moment in time it’s Premier League to ensure those Australian races are continuing in key Tuesday. Professional Football.” - Off- pretty irrelevant, people’s further down the pyramid markets but without fans. The end of June is when season break scrapped? - One health is first and foremost. survive. 14 SPORT FRIDAY 20 MARCH 2020 Cricket Australia aiming to hold T20 World Cup as scheduled

AFP — SYDNEY much normal circumstances come October and November Cricket Australia is aiming to when the men’s T20 World Cup hold the men’s Twenty20 is to be played. World Cup as scheduled this “And at this stage we’re year despite the escalating planning on November 15, to coronavirus pandemic, but have a full house at the MCG admitted the situation is fluid. (for the final) to inspire the The tournament is due to world through men’s cricket as James Anderson get underway in October at the women’s cricketers did seven venues across the here just last week,” he added. country with the West Indies Australia swept to their fifth Anderson fears defending their title. women’s T20 World Cup title Despite the rest of this on March 8, crushing India by year’s Australian cricket season 85 runs in front of more than virus could wreck being cancelled this week due 86,000 fans at the Melbourne to spiralling virus fears, plans Cricket Ground. English season for the World Cup remain Since then, a host of sports unchanged. in Australia have cancelled or AFP — LONDON “We’re really hoping that all suspended their activities with forms of sport can be played the government banning England fast bowler James Anderson again in a few weeks’ or a few outdoor gatherings of more fears the global coronavirus pandemic months’ time,” CA chief Kevin than 500 people and indoor could see the domestic and international Roberts said. groups of more than 100. season abandoned completely. “None of us are experts in Australia has reported more The England and Wales Cricket this situation obviously, so our than 500 confirmed cases of Board are due to meet with the 18 first- hope is that we’re back in very coronavirus, with the increase class counties yesterday, possibly by tel- in infections accelerating daily. econference, in a bid to see whether the There have been six deaths and A youth (left) wearing a facemask as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus existing structure for the 2020 summer airline Qantas yesterday plays cricket with his friends at a park in New Delhi on Wednesday. can be maintained. announced it would halt all It follows Wednesday’s decision by international flights later this the ECB to recommend the suspension None of us are month. All tests from Pakistan Super League clear: PCB of the recreational game. In addition to the World Cup, The County Championship is meant experts in this Australia is due to host India and to start on April 12 but a delay looks situation obviously, Afghanistan for Test series this AGENCIES — ISLAMABAD have rejoined their families back till the end of the increasingly likely given other sports so our hope is year with Roberts telling cricket. without any health and tournament, tested neg- have called a halt following British gov- com.au he hoped to announce The Pakistan Cricket Board safety doubts or concerns,” ative for COVID-19," ernment advice to avoid mass that we’re back in the 2020-2021 season schedule says all 128 COVID-19 tests PCB chief executive Wasim The PCB postponed the gatherings. very much normal next month as planned. carried on players, offi- Khan said yesterday. PSL on Tuesday hours Last week saw England postpone circumstances But he said emergency cials, broadcasters and "It was absolutely before the semi-finals in their tour of Sri Lanka. They are next planning for COVID-19 was the team owners associated critical for the integrity and the wake of coronavirus meant to play the West Indies in a three- come October and higher priority. with the Pakistan Super credibility of the HBL pandemic and carried out Test home series, starting on June 4. November when the “We’re moving now from League have come back Pakistan Super League and tests on all those associated “Cricket and sport is not the be all management of the onset of negative. the Pakistan Cricket Board with the twenty20 league and end all but it is my livelihood, it’s all men’s T20 World Cup coronavirus as a critical “The PCB is pleased that all players, support in Pakistan. I know,” Anderson told the BBC’s is to be played: CA incident, to how do we guar- with the outcome of the personnel, broadcasters The PCB had con- Tailenders podcast. chief Kevin Roberts antee the continuity of our results and happy that all and match officials, those ducted the tests on March “The season is unlikely to start. It’s business and our organisation these players and officials who had decided to stay 17. still a little bit hazy as to what’s going to beyond that,” he said. happen. There’s a chance we might not even bowl a ball this summer.” The Lancashire paceman, England’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker, added: “I feel a little bit anxious. Just the Tendulkar compares coronavirus battle to Test cricket not knowing is giving me a bit of anxiety.” AFP — NEW DELHI “Test cricket rewards you for considerable influence in Indian Anderson made the last of his 151 respecting what you don’t society. Test appearances against South Africa A man wearing a Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar understand. It makes you value He said all countries must in Cape Town in January before a broken facemask as a preventive has offered an unusual take on the virtue of patience,” he wrote. work together against the virus. rib saw him miss the last two matches measure against the the coronavirus fight by “When you don’t understand “To use a cricketing met- of the series. COVID-19 coronavirus comparing it to Test cricket, the pitch conditions or the aphor; while individual bril- The 37-year-old was not selected walks past a mural of urging patience and teamwork, bowler, defence becomes the liance can help a team in shorter for the Sri Lanka series in the hope he former Indian cricketer and warning “we have to defend best form of attack. Patience is formats of the game, in Test would be fully fit for the start of the Sachin Tendulkar in well”. what we require now, if we have cricket it is all about partner- home season. Mumbai, yesterday. “While the world battles the to defend well.” ships and teamwork,” he said. Anderson said personal issues Covid-19 pandemic, this is India has reported only three “Test cricket is about staging caused by the global COVID-19 impact probably the time for of us to virus deaths and 169 cases but comebacks. There is always a were a consideration as well. draw lessons from the grand old the country is increasingly second innings, if you’ve missed “Also trying to keep a young family format of the game,” Tendulkar fearful of the spread of the the first one.” healthy,” he said. wrote in a commentary for The disease that has killed nearly “Different countries are at “I am trying to stay calm, follow the Times of India newspaper. 9,000 people around the world. different stages of their fight guidelines. The world record-holding Like many countries, it has against coronavirus,” he added. “My wife’s mum and dad live in batsman said the virus was imposed draconian travel “All nations should consider Spain so they are in lockdown. They are “beyond our collective compre- restrictions. themselves part of one team.” in the age group where there are con- hension” but could be beaten Tendulkar, 46, retired in “We shall take this battle cerns. The anxiety is building up in our with tactics used in cricket’s 2013 after scoring 15,921 runs session by session, and even- house because of not knowing what will five-day format. from 200 Tests, and has tually emerge victorious.” happen in the next few months.” English Football F1 considering delay to 2021 rules League agrees to REUTERS — LONDON Formula One could push back $57m relief package a major rules revamp to 2022 yesterday with bosses and teams discussing by telephone AP — LONDON It is unlikely the leagues the impact of the spreading will resume in early April, coronavirus on this season and The English Football League as initially planned, and next. put forward a short-term relief the EFL has moved to Ferrari principal Mattia package worth £50m ($57m) help clubs struggling with Binotto told the www.formula1. to assist cash-strapped clubs in the ramifications of that com website that his Italian the divisions below the Premier team, who started a three-week Staff pack up equipment after the Formula One Australian Grand Prix was suspension. League during the coronavirus factory shutdown yesterday cancelled in Melbourne last week. outbreak. after Formula One cancelled the Soccer in England was “The primary objective, in August break, was willing to do brought to a halt last week in order to protect competition what was necessary. an attempt to slow the spread integrity, is to deliver a suc- “We will have a conference of the virus. cessful conclusion to the call with all the other teams, F1 It is unlikely the leagues 2019-20 season, subject to the and (governing body) FIA to governance. The change, one income from the sport’s overall talking about is two-day will resume in early April, as overriding priority around discuss the situation and the of the biggest in the sport’s revenues. weekends, and therefore if we initially planned, and the EFL health and well-being,” the EFL impact it has not only on this recent history and years in the Multiple sources said that have a triple header (three races has moved to help clubs strug- said. season but also on the next making, is aimed at levelling the postponing the 2021 regula- on successive Sundays) with gling with the ramifications of The Premier League is one,” he said. playing field and improving the tions by a year was on the two-day weekends, that could that suspension. holding a meeting on Thursday “We must carefully evaluate racing. agenda, along with race be an option. “While there is no one to discuss its future plans. every aspect and see if it is not Teams face significant rescheduling. “I think what we need from single solution, measures are to In Scotland, players and really the case to think about financial pressures, however, Formula One’s commercial the teams this year is flexibility, be put in place to immediately staff at top-flight club Hearts possibly postponing the intro- as they devote resources to managing director Ross Brawn I think they’ve got to give some assist with cash flow via a 50 have been asked to take a 50% duction of the new 2021 tech- designing radically different told Sky Sports F1 television scope to do these things... we’ve million pound short-term relief wage cut amid financial fears nical rules. cars for 2021 while also devel- recently that weekends could got to make sure we’ve got a package,” the EFL said in a during the outbreak. “In any case, Ferrari is ready oping the 2020 ones. be condensed in a restructured season that gives a good eco- statement after a board meeting. Hearts owner Ann Budge to take responsibility for a Privately-run outfits, such calendar. nomic opportunity for the Clubs below the Premier League said the club was taking cost- choice that must be made in the as former champions Williams “I think by freeing up the teams.” rely heavily on match day cutting steps in order to prevent ultimate interest of this sport, who finished last in 2019, are August break, we give ourselves Formula One is hoping to revenue to stay afloat. redundancies. it is certainly not the time for already operating on tight several weekends where we start racing again at the end of The EFL board is continually Budge said those who feel selfishness and tactics.” budgets that risk shrinking can have a race. And I think we May, subject to review, but what reviewing the impact of the pan- “unable or unwilling to accept The sport is due to introduce further following the cancel- can build a pretty decent cal- was billed as a record 22-race demic through a dedicated task this revision to their contracts” major technical and sporting lation and postponement of endar for the rest of the year,” season has already lost the Aus- force, and underlined that fin- will be offered the option of changes next year, along with races. said the Briton. tralian opener with three other ishing the season is key. contract termination. a cost cap and restructured Teams get much of their “One thing we have been rounds postponed so far. FRIDAY 20 MARCH 2020 BUSINESS 15

Bank of England Airline industry crisis deepens as slashes main interest rate coronavirus pain spreads to 0.1% AP - LONDON REUTERS - BERLIN/SYDNEY

The Bank of England (BoE) The crisis for airlines deepened slashed its main interest rate yesterday as Lufthansa warned to 0.1 percent, the lowest level the industry might not survive since its founding in 1694, and without state aid if the corona- reactivated a bond-buying virus pandemic lasts a long stimulus programme in time, and Qantas Airways told response to the economic most of its 30,000 staff to take shock of the coronavirus leave. pandemic. The United Nation’s Interna- The bank’s nine-member tional Civil Aviation Organi- Monetary Policy Committee zation called on governments said yesterday that the moves to ensure cargo operations are “We had planned this year to were designed “to meet the not disrupted to maintain the receive a new plane every 10 needs of UK businesses and availability of critical medicine days - now we don’t need any,” households in dealing with the and equipment such as venti- he told reporters. associated economic lators and masks that will help He predicted the industry disruption.” fight the virus. would emerge into “a different The interest rate cut comes “The spread of the coronavirus world” after the crisis, saying just about a week after the has placed the entire global the need for airline partnerships central bank cut its rate from economy and our company as would only become more 0.75 percent to 0.25 percent at A file picture of Delta Air Lines jets at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The carriers, well in an unprecedented state pressing. another emergency meeting. as a result of COVID-19 outbreak has announced to park more than 600 jets, cut corporate pay by of emergency,” Lufthansa CEO Global airlines group IATA has Perhaps more important as much as a half, and scale back flying by more than 70 percent until demand begins to recover. Carsten Spohr (pictured) said forecast the industry will need than the rate cut, the bank said in a statement. “At present, no up to $200bn of state support, it was relaunching its monetary one can foresee the piling pressure on governments than 600 jets, cut corporate pay the flying public can continue India’s SpiceJet said yesterday stimulus program that it had consequences.” facing demands from all by as much as a half, and scale to rely on our industry after the it was suspending the majority first used during the global His comments echo other quarters and a rapid worsening back flying by more than 70 crisis ends.” of its international operations financial crisis a little more than industry executives who have in public finances as economies percent until demand begins to In Australia, Qantas said it from March 21 to April 30, a decade ago. called for state support now that slump. recover. would cut all international while rival IndiGo asked staff The Monetary Policy Com- passenger operations are col- Shares in US airlines fell American Airlines Group Inc flights and two-thirds of its to take a pay cut of up to 20 mittee, now under new Gov- lapsing at an unprecedented sharply on Wednesday after in a memo to staff rebuffed 30,000 workers would need percent. ernor Andrew Bailey, unani- rate as governments curb travel Washington proposed a rescue criticism it had rewarded its to take paid or unpaid leave. Taiwan’s Transport ministry mously decided to increase its drastically and demand slumps. package of $50bn in loans, but shareholders with too many The Australian government is said it was inviting its airlines purchase of mainly government Germany’s Lufthansa, which no grants as the industry had dividends and stock buybacks banning the arrival of non-cit- to submit capital requirements bonds but also corporate bonds, has parked 700 of its 763 air- requested, to help address the in better times, leaving it with izens and non-residents and financial plans with the by £200bn ($230bn) to £645bn. craft, said it did not need state financial impact from crisis. less cash to manage the crisis. starting today (Friday). view to giving them assistance, The move effectively support yet as it slashes costs, The Trump administration’s “Unfortunately, this is no Several governments have such as rolling over loans and pumps new money into the but painted a bleak picture for lending proposal would require ordinary rainy day,” said Nate started to act. providing operating funds. economy to help it cope with the industry and its suppliers. airlines to maintain a certain Gatten, American’s senior vice- Government sources in India New Zealand outlined the first the huge disruption of the Spohr said his company was in amount of service and limit president global government told Reuters that the gov- tranche of a NZ$600m ($344 coronavirus outbreak, which talks with planemakers Airbus increases in executive pay until affairs. “These are extraor- ernment was planning a rescue m) aviation relief package, as has seen the government and Boeing about whether to the loans are repaid. dinary circumstances, and package of up to $1.6bn to aid it announced plans to shut its impose a series of increasingly take delivery of aircraft it had Delta Air Lines said on additional support is necessary carriers battered by borders to non-citizens and stringent restrictions on eco- ordered, and on payments. Wednesday it would park more to protect jobs and ensure that coronavirus. non-residents. nomic activity. US unemployment claims jump Dollar surges; ECB stimulus to two-and-a-half year high boosts bonds but not stocks REUTERS - WASHINGTON hundreds of billions of dollars in asset purchases and to REUTERS - WASHINGTON/ President Donald Trump’s 2017 wiped out. The number of Americans filing backstop foreign authorities LONDON inauguration. Earlier, MSCI’s broadest for unemployment benefits with the offer of cheap dollar The dollar has gained as index of Asia-Pacific shares surged to a 2-1/2-year high last financing. The Trump adminis- The dollar surged yesterday as investors rushed to secure outside Japan slumped by 4 week as companies in the tration is pushing for a $1 trillion extraordinary steps by central liquidity, pushing the British percent. Korea and Taiwan led services sector laid off workers stimulus package. banks across the world to stem pound down 0.9 percent to its the losses as the index plunged because of the coronavirus Economists say the a coronavirus-induced lowest since 1985 and rising 1.3 to a four-year low, with circuit pandemic that has fractured upcoming economic downturn financial rout saw mixed percent against major cur- breakers triggered in Seoul, economic activity. is most likely to assume a success, boosting bonds but rencies to its highest since Jakarta and Manila. Initial claims for state unem- U-shape. JPMorgan on failing to halt losses in stocks. March 2017. Expected price swings for ployment benefits jumped Wednesday estimated that The Federal Reserve opened Bond markets stabilized some of the world’s biggest cur- 70,000 to a seasonally adjusted first- quarter gross domestic the taps for central banks in somewhat after the European rencies rocketed to multi-year 281,000 for the week ended product would contract at a 4 nine countries to access dollars Central Bank pledged late on highs as the demand for dollars March 14, the highest level since with state and local govern- percent annualised rate fol- in hopes of preventing the epi- Wednesday to buy €750bn forced traders to dump cur- September 2017, the Labor ments escalating “social dis- lowed by an even steeper 14 demic from causing a global ($820bn) in sovereign debt rencies across the board. Department said yesterday. Data tancing” policies, closing percent decline in the second economic rout. through 2020. For the British pound for the prior week was schools, bars, restaurants and quarter. It forecast the economy The Fed said the swaps, in That brought the ECB’s versus the dollar, expected vol- unrevised. theaters in an attempt to contain contracting 1.8 percent this year which the US central bank planned purchases for this year atility gauges leapt to 24.4 Economists polled by the virus. and the unemployment rate accepts other currencies as col- to €1.1 trillion, with the new percent, their highest level Reuters had forecast claims The death toll in the United rising to 5.3 percent. lateral in exchange for dollars, purchases alone worth 6 since before the 2016 Brexit would increase to 220,000 in States from the COVID-19 illness “The fact that the unem- will be in place for at least the percent of the euro zone’s GDP. vote. the latest week. The Labor caused by the coronavirus has ployment rate ends the year next six months. Government bond yields in Italy “One unresolved and really Department attributed the jump topped 100 and more than 9,000 substantially higher than the The swaps will allow the and across the euro zone critical issue is what’s going on in claims to COVID-19, the res- people are infected, according to current level should make clear central banks of Australia, dropped after the ECB’s emer- in volatility,” said Andrew piratory illness caused by the a Reuters tally. Nearly 9,000 why it would not be accurate Brazil, South Korea, Mexico, gency measures, though Sheets, chief cross-asset strat- coronavirus. people have died across the globe to describe this as a V-shaped Singapore, Sweden, Denmark, European stocks fell back into egist at Morgan Stanley. “I think “A number of states specif- and almost 219,000 have con- recovery,” said JPMorgan econ- Norway and New Zealand to negative territory after that volatility needs to stabilise ically cited COVID-19 related tracted the disease. omist Michael Feroli (pictured). tap up to a combined total of arresting their rout in early before the broader market can layoffs, while many states Health experts, however, say “Even with a strong third- $450bn to help ensure the trading. heal.” reported increased layoffs in the figures are much higher given quarter (growth) that strength world’s dollar-dependent “The announcement (the MSCI’s world equity index, service-related industries that testing is not readily available is not nearly enough to undo the financial system function. ECB) has made has gone some which tracks shares in 49 coun- broadly and in the accommo- in many countries, including the expected damage to the labour US stocks continued their way to comforting markets that tries, shed 0.72 percent. dation and food services indus- United States. The virus has market.” slide yesterday, with the S&P borrowing costs in those econ- Italy, which has seen its tries specifically, as well as in the crippled the transportation, The Labor Department said 500 opening down 1.87 percent omies won’t be allowed to borrowing costs jump in recent transportation and warehousing leisure and hospitality industries, only claims for Pennsylvania by 9:52 a.m. ET, but turned spiral higher,” said Mike Bell, days, led the drop in yields after industry, whether COVID-19 as well as the manufacturing were estimated last week. The higher after about an hour of global market strategist at J.P. the ECB move. was identified directly or not,” sector. Economists are antici- four-week moving average of trading. A market meltdown Morgan Asset Management. Its two-year bond yields it said. pating a surge in job cuts and are initial claims, considered a has pushed Wall Street’s three Europe’s broad Euro slumped by than 100 basis Jobless claims are the most predicting recession by the better measure of labour main indexes down about 30 STOXX 600 fell 0.9 percent points to 0.41 percent, heading timely labour market indicator. second quarter. market trends as it irons out percent from their record after gaining more than 1 for their biggest one-day fall The coronavirus outbreak has The Federal Reserve aggres- week-to-week volatility, closing highs last month and at percent in early trading. since 1996. Italy’s 10-year bond forced millions of Americans to sively cut interest rates to near increased 16,500 to 232,250 last one point erased the Dow Indexes in Frankfurt, Paris and yields slid as much as 90 bps to hunker down in their homes, zero on Sunday, and pledged week. industrials’ gains since US London’s FTSE all saw advances 1.40 percent. Mnuchin: Family of 4 could get $3,000 under virus relief plan

AP - WASHINGTON receive $3,000, Mnuchin told Fox Details on Trump’s economic output of vital medical supplies be “tiered based on income Business Network. The goal is to rescue plan are still being worked and erect temporary field hos- level and family size.” The two The first federal cheques to get that money out in three out - and it’s sure to grow beyond pitals under the Defense Pro- payments would be identical, families could be $3,000 for a weeks, he said. $1 trillion, lawmakers said - but duction Act. with the second wave starting family of four under the White “That’s a lot of money for its centerpiece is to dedicate “There is not a day to lose,” by May 18. House proposal to unleash $1 hard-working Americans,” $500bn to start issuing direct House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Trump has already signed trillion to shore up households Mnuchin said. payments to Americans, starting said in a statement yesterday. into law a $100bn-plus bill to and the US economy amid the He said such families would early next month. “We must put more testing, boost testing for the coronavirus coronavirus outbreak. receive another $3,000 six weeks The Treasury Department more protective equipment and and guarantee paid sick leave Treasury Secretary Steven later if the national emergency proposed two $250bn cash infu- more ventilators into the hands for millions of workers hit by it. Mnuchin (pictured) said yes- still exists. Officials have previ- sions to individuals: A first set of of our frontline workers The Senate plans to remain terday that the “cheques in the ously said the money is expected cheques issued starting April 6, immediately.” in session until the third coro- mail” would be direct deposited to be allocated by income level, with a second wave in Taken together, the admin- navirus bill passes, with into people’s accounts under the to exclude the super-wealthy. mid-May. istration plan promises half of weekend sessions possible. The plan the Trump administration Congress is rushing to The emerging package would the $1 trillion to families and pressure is enormous on law- has proposed to Congress. compile the sweeping economic also funnel cash to businesses to individuals, with the other half makers to act fast and not allow The payments would be rescue package, the biggest help keep workers on payroll as It also is expected to include used to prop up businesses and gamesmanship to get in the way $1,000 per adult and $500 per undertaking since the 2008 widespread sectors of the $21 sweeping health provisions. Pres- keep employees on payroll. of results. child so that a family of two recession and financial crisis, in trillion US economy all but shut ident Donald Trump has invoked Direct payments would go Economists say the country parents and two children would a matter of days. down. war-time authority to ramp up to US citizens only, and would is probably already in recession. BUSINESS

FRIDAY 20 MARCH 2020

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Qatar Chamber France faces labour shortage in retail, logistics holds meeting with sectors as coronavirus fears grip key staff BLOOMBERG - PARIS private healthcare France is facing a shortage of staff in the retail and logistics sectors, as employees wary of contracting the coronavirus providers to boost steer clear of their workplaces. While the nation has largely cooperation been on lockdown since Monday, staff in industries that THE PENINSULA - DOHA require a physical human presence are expected to con- Qatar Chamber Board tinue working. Finance Minister Member Ibtihaj Al Ahmadani Bruno Le Maire said after a (pictured) held a meeting cabinet meeting on Wednesday yesterday with a team repre- there were no immediate senting National Risks and shortages but warned of “ten- Resilience Program (Somod). sions” in retail and logistics. The meeting aimed to “If packaging makers stop identify mechanisms for the work we can’t pack food sup- work of the program and plies, and if there are no trucks FROM LEFT: French Economy and Finance Minister, Bruno Le Maire; French Government’s spokesperson, discuss the support that the we can’t deliver them,” Patrick Sibeth Ndiaye, and French Minister of Public Action and Accounts, Gerald Darmanin, give a press private sector can provide to Martin, deputy head of Medef, conference after a cabinet meeting in Paris on Wednesday, held to draft a law to confirm delay of the government sector. France’s biggest business fed- second round of municipal elections as a strict lockdown came into in effect in France to stop the On her part, Al Ahmadani eration, said on Europe 1 radio spread of COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus. praised the efforts exerted by Thursday. “The economy is a the program’s team in raising chain, and if a link breaks eve- agricultural workers every year, operating while respecting blue teams, and asked the awareness of nationals rything goes down,” he added. two thirds of whom come from health regulations, according to employees to bring their own and residents about the She praised the “We need everyone at work Romania and a third from his office. lunches to avoid contact at the current crisis and urging them efforts exerted under the best sanitary Poland. “People have to eat, French canteen. to participate in the imple- by the program conditions.” “We are in a paradoxical sit- families need to go to grocery “We aren’t fighting man- mentation of directives issued As restrictions on uation,” Luigi Merlo, the pres- stores, food supplies need to get agement here, we’re all fighting by the wise leadership. She in raising the movement are tightened across ident of Italian logistics feder- delivered,” Le Maire said. the virus,” Dominique Delbouis, stressed the private sector awareness of Europe, staff shortages could ation Federlogistica, said in a French union leaders have an official at Force Ouvriere, the healthcare’s preparedness to spread to the rest of the telephone interview accused employers of failing to main Airbus union, said in a tel- provide routine medical care nationals and continent. Wednesday. “Maritime com- provide staff with enough pro- ephone interview Wednesday. as well as medical capabilities residents about German Agriculture Min- merce from Asia is about to tective equipment, such as Le Maire urged companies and therapeutic the current crisis ister Julia Kloeckner said restart but if workers at ports gloves and masks, and highlight and employees to “return to possibilities. Tuesday that the nation’s don’t have personal medical a lack of enhanced health normal economic life in the next Mohamed Al Kaábi, and urging them to borders are open for the annual protections like masks, foreign measures, such as additional few hours, which will of course Director of the program, participate in the influx of farm workers, though ship captains are afraid of cleaning. slow down but will fuel assured the importance of implementation many are hesitating to come for contagion.” Staff at Airbus SE are essential activities.” He referred boosting coordination and fear of “landing in containers French workers can invoke reluctant to return to assembly to cashiers, shelf stackers, cooperation between both of directives on the way home.” a “right to withdraw” when they lines in Toulouse, but the air- bakers, telecommunications sides, noting that the program issued by the wise With the April planting believe their health is at risk but craft maker wants them back workers and trash collectors. me can provide coordination season imminent, their help is Le Maire said that there must Monday after closing plants in He praised Carrefour SA for support between the public leadership. “urgently” needed, said Joachim be “a grave and imminent France and Spain for four days protecting cashiers at its super- and private sectors if needed. Rukwied, president of Ger- danger.” President Emmanuel to clean workstations and sep- markets with a plexiglas bubble. many’s farming lobby. Germany Macron on Thursday called for arate workers. The company “If Carrefour is able to do it, all draws about 300,000 seasonal key sectors to continue also created alternating red and of them should,” he said. German manufacturing expectations Vodafone offers free double record fastest ever plunge speed to support customers

REUTERS - BERLIN 70 years of industry surveys.” manufacturers and suppliers, THE PENINSULA - DOHA Vodafone come following the Germany’s three main eco- including Volkswagen and BMW, Company’s announcement The coronavirus outbreak nomic institutes all published have announced factory closures Vodafone Qatar has announced earlier this week that with people caused the steepest drop in revised forecasts predicting that due to the rapid spread of the further steps to support its cus- practicing social distancing and German manufacturers’ expec- Europe’s largest economy would coronavirus and supply chain tomers amidst the COVID-19 staying more at home, it was tations in the 70-year history of shrink this year, with outlooks problems. outbreak. All Vodafone Qatar offering free door-to-door surveys, data showed yesterday, that ranged from a mild con- The preliminary Ifo figures customers who are self-isolating delivery of all its products and as the three main economic traction to an historic crash are based on roughly 90 percent at home, remotely working and services by simply making a institutes predicted anything wiping out 9 percent of GDP. of the usual number of learning online, will benefit from request through www.vodafone. from mild recession to a gener- In what it described as an responses. The institute will a cultural shift for Germany, free double speeds, double data qa/delivery. ational crash. optimistic scenario, Ifo predicted publish the final figures on which advocated fiscal prudence and more to help them stay Vodafone Qatar has also “The German economy is the German economy would March 25. The survey was con- in Europe during the eurozone connected. been encouraging all their cus- speeding into recession,” said shrink by at least 1.5 percent this ducted from March 2-18. debt crisis that followed the Prepaid Vodafone customers tomers, for their safety and the Clemens Fuest (pictured), Pres- year. A second scenario would Both Ifo and DIW called on 2008-2009 recession. that use the ‘My Vodafone App’ safety of others, to use the Com- ident of the Ifo institute, which see a contraction of 6 percent. the government to counter the Government sources told and website for Flex and data pany’s digital channels accessible published preliminary results of Another institute, the IfW, impact of the coronavirus crisis Reuters yesterday that Germany recharges will get as much as 24/7, including its website and its monthly survey for March. said gross domestic product with a big fiscal splurge, adding was planning a €40bn ($43.27bn double the benefit. My Vodafone App, for all pay- A fall in Ifo’s overall business would shrink between 4.5 that Berlin should consider package) to help small busi- Postpaid All Vodafone ments, recharges and support, climate index to 87.7 from 96.0 percent and 9 percent. measures to also help small busi- nesses and the self-employed Postpaid Flex and Unlimited 300 instead of doing so in-person at in February, the biggest drop A third, DIW, predicted a nesses and the self-employed. threatened with bankruptcy by 5G plan customers can opt-in to retail stores. since 1991, brought the index to smaller fall of just 0.1 percent, Chancellor Angela Merkel the coronavirus crisis. get up to double data spread over “This is a challenging and its lowest level since the 2009 but said this was based on an has promised to do “whatever it Ministers had not yet signed two months. unprecedented time but we’re recession, Fuest said. optimistic V-shaped scenario in takes” to counter the epidemic’s off on the rescue package which GigaHome Vodafone in it together. We want to ensure Of the plunge in manufac- which a sharp drop would be fol- economic impact and the gov- could yet exceed the €40bn GigaHome-Fibre customers can all our customers’ connectivity turing business morale, he said: lowed by a quick rebound, and ernment has promised an initial mark, one of the sources said, now enjoy double the data speed needs are met to support their “Never in the history of a the recession could be much half a trillion euros in liquidity adding that the government at home with all GigaHome fibre changed circumstances, espe- reunified Germany has it fallen more severe if uncertainty guarantees for affected would pay operating costs of broadband plans. Mobile Wi-Fi cially as schools and more busi- so far. The drop in expectations persists. businesses. struggling businesses such as Customers on the go using the nesses require students to take is the single most precipitous in Many German car Such measures would mark rents and leasing fees. new Vodafone Mobile Wi-Fi 275 classes online and employees to plan will also benefit from work remotely,” said Diego double data at full speed. Camberos, Chief Operating Brent, WTI crude rebound after three-day sell off These latest offers from Officer, Vodafone Qatar. REUTERS - NEW YORK global demand. U.S. crude and global by 11:51 am EDT (1551 GMT), The outbreak has put benchmark Brent, both of which having plunged to $24.52 on US oil prices rose 20 percent pressure on the market as have lost half their value in less Wednesday, its lowest since yesterday, recouping some schools and businesses have than two weeks, got some 2003. losses from a sell-off that drove shuttered, suppressing eco- respite on Thursday as investors West Texas Intermediate prices to near 20-year lows, but nomic activity around the globe. across financial markets (WTI) crude gained $3.85, or 19 analysts saw the rebound as a At the same time, the price war assessed the impact of massive percent, to $24.22 after brief reprieve, anticipating between Saudi Arabia and central bank stimulus measures. dropping nearly 25 percent to more weakness as the corona- Russia is flooding markets Brent crude was up $2.00, an 18-year low in the previous virus outbreak takes its toll on worldwide with cheap oil. or 9 percent, at $26.88 a barrel session.