INDEX QATAR 4-7, 20 COMMENT 14 BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 6 ARAB WORLD 7 BUSINESS 1-6 Al-Kuwari presides INTERNATIONAL 8-12 SPORTS 1-6 over virtual QMMF rolls out digital meeting to discuss DOW JONES QE NYMEX private sector license cards 26,288.00 9,252.07 37.34 challenges due to +35. +38.97 -0.07 for QORC +0.13% +0.42% -0.19% Covid-19 crisis Latest Figures racers published in QATAR since 1978 FRIDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11570 June 5, 2020 Shawwal 13, 1441 AH GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals In brief Covid-19 an unprecedented challenge, says Amir Qatar reports 39,468 Covid-19 recoveries Qatar yesterday reported 1,581 confirmed new cases of Covid-19, Amir pledges $20mn with 1,926 new recoveries in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of recovered people in Qatar to 39,468. Over the last 24 hours the Ministry of Public Health also recorded 14 new cases being for vaccine alliance admitted to intensive care due to the virus, bringing the total number QNA “In the absence of an eff ective vac- reduce its impact, and protect the citi- of cases in intensive care to 239. Doha cine or cure, some countries and soci- zens and residents on its soil,” he said. Page 6 eties have found themselves faced with The Amir said Qatar has provided the choice between two options both of medical assistance to more than 20 is Highness the Amir Sheikh which are bitter to swallow: either to countries around the world in terms AstraZeneca aims at Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani seek prevention by lockdowns that may of supplies of medical equipment and 2bn doses of new vaccine Hyesterday announced Qatar’s cripple the economy, or put the lives of construction of fi eld hospitals, in ad- Britain’s AstraZeneca will be pledge of $20mn in support of the Glo- people at risk by opting not to sacrifi ce dition to providing $140mn worth of able to deliver 2bn doses of its bal Alliance for Vaccines and Immuni- the economy. fi nancial contribution for multilateral potential coronavirus vaccine sation (GAVI). “Some countries have chosen com- healthcare institutions working to de- this year and next, double the Speaking during a video conference promising solutions by combining velop vaccines and ensuring the effi - previous numbers, thanks to of the Global Vaccine Summit 2020 continuing to coexist with the pan- ciency of healthcare, especially in the deals with the Serum Institute of held in London, the Amir also called demic and fi ghting it at the same time,” least developed countries. India and two Bill Gates-backed upon the international community to the Amir said. “In this context, we call upon the in- global health organisations. The work jointly to ensure fairness in pro- “This crisis has shown that there is ternational community to work jointly company said yesterday it had viding necessary medicines and medi- no alternative to international co-op- to ensure fairness in providing neces- agreed terms with the Indian cal equipment to all countries. eration and exchange of experiences, sary medicines and medical equipment company to supply 1bn doses for The Amir further reiterated Qatar’s which necessitate the redoubling of the to all countries,” he said. low and middle-income countries. support to the World Health Organisa- joint eff orts to eliminate Covid-19 with The Amir thanked British Prime tion (WHO) for its co-ordinating eff orts eff ective vaccines and cures, and prep- Minister Boris Johnson for hosting the to combat the coronavirus pandemic and arations for confronting new epidemics video conference, which was attended Dutch to cull thousands of to promote global readiness to confront in the long run. by heads of states and governments, mink aft er farm infections infectious diseases in the future. “The State of Qatar has spared no representatives of countries, heads Dutch health officials have “The Covid-19 pandemic consti- eff ort to enhance the rapid response to of international and regional organi- ordered the slaughter of around tutes an unprecedented challenge and counter the serious repercussions of sations and directors of many global 10,000 mink to start today threat to all humanity at all levels,” the the crisis, and has promptly taken all companies supporting the programmes on farms where coronavirus Amir said. preventive procedures and measures to of GAVI. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani outbreaks have been reported, possibly infecting at least two employees. The cleanup of the mink farms in southern Netherlands, the epicentre of the country’s outbreak, is aimed at ‘Qatar has fl attened the curve, preventing further contamination, Kuwait PM hopeful two senior Dutch ministers said. Sweden to ease domestic reduced virus impact by 75%’ travel curbs from June 13 of end to Gulf rift Sweden’s government announced hree months into the Covid-19 early detection, early administration yesterday that it would further outbreak, Qatar has succeeded of treatment, excellent care, suffi cient QNA diff erent parties together with a view ease recommendations on Tin fl attening the curve and re- acute and ICU beds and redirecting of Kuwait to achieving any future agreement. domestic travel, allowing people ducing the impact of the virus by 75% resources,” Dr al-Khal said. “I am sure that all Gulf states see “without any symptoms” of thanks to the preventive eff orts and He said the infection rate has stabi- the GCC march important for them, Covid-19 to travel freely in the measures as well as the awareness and lised among the expatriate workforce uwait is continuing its eff orts to for the region and the world. This is country as of June 13. “This does co-operation of the community. and reached its peak, and is expected end the Gulf rift, Kuwaiti Prime what we should build on and use it as not mean that the danger is over,” This was highlighted by Dr Abdul- to drop. However, expatriate and Qa- KMinister Sheikh Sabah Khalid a common ground for moving ahead Prime Minister Stefan Lofven told latif al-Khal, chair of the National tari families have to be more careful al-Hamad al-Sabah said yesterday, in- to bridge the gap,” the prime minister a press conference, underlining Strategic Group on Covid-19 and head as 90% of them have not been in- dicating hopes are brighter than before said. the need to heed public health of the Infectious Diseases Division at fected. They have to be extra careful, in the interest of all states of the Gulf “Regrettably, we are now in the advice. Hamad Medical Corporation, during a Dr Abdullatif al-Khal especially the elderly and those with Co-operation Council. fourth year of the Gulf disagreement,” televised interview yesterday. chronic diseases. Speaking at a meeting with editors of he said, adding, “but attempts are still Latest data on new cases and hos- number of deaths but Qatar continues Meanwhile, everybody is vulner- Kuwaiti newspapers, the prime minis- continuing and hopes are bigger than Iran reports record daily pital admissions show a levelling- to have one of the lowest Covid-19 able and can get infected, as the virus ter said Kuwaiti Amir Sheikh Sabah al- before. We used to move one step ahead spike in new infections off , and the coming week or two will death rates in the world thanks to the is still active and the preventive and Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah continues to and return two steps backward. But The number of coronavirus confi rm if this will continue to be the measures put in place: eff ective pre- precautionary measures have to be seek to mend the rift and fi nd the basis now if we move forward a step, it is fol- infections recorded in Iran trend, he said. ventive measures to protect the elder- taken seriously and followed strictly, for continuing the GCC march. lowed by another step,” in the interest over a 24-hour period reached “We are seeing an increase in the ly and those with chronic conditions, he noted. To Page 7 Kuwait is always striving to brings of all states of the GCC. a record high after the Health Ministry announced 3,574 new cases yesterday. This is the most since Iran’s outbreak began at Education City World Cup the end of February, ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur Stadium completed said in remarks reported by Qatar Airways continues to state television. Masks to be compulsory on public transport in UK grow despite blockade: CEO Masks will be compulsory on public transport in England from next atar Airways “continues to ing our nation’s fl ag proudly around week to prevent the spread of the succeed demonstrating the the world. Our robust business plan- coronavirus, Transport Minister Qairline’s strength and resil- ning, swift actions in the face of the Grant Shapps said yesterday. “As ience” despite the “illegal blockade” crisis, customer-focused solutions of 15th June, face coverings will be imposed by neighbouring countries and dedicated staff have enabled us to mandatory on public transport,” on June 5, 2017. continue succeeding in the face of two he said at a daily briefing on the “The State of Qatar can be proud unprecedented aviation events.” government’s response to the that it is home to not only the ‘Best “Despite the many attempts by the coronavirus outbreak. Airline in the World’ but also the cur- blockading countries to blemish our rent largest passenger airline, the excellent reputation, I am proud to say largest cargo airline and the ‘Third that my country and the airline have QATAR - FOCUSED Best Airport’ in the world,” Qatar Air- managed to persevere and grow over ON FUTURE ways said yesterday.