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QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune TUESDAY MARCH 17, 2020 RAJAB 22, 1441 VOL.13 NO. 4896 QR 2

Fajr: 4:26 am Dhuhr: 11:42 am Asr: 3:08 pm Maghrib: 5:44 pm Isha: 7:14 pm

Business 9 Sports 12 Doha Bank gets ‘Don’t sacrifice lives’: pArtLy CLouDy hIgh : 27°C approval to raise doubts grow in Japan LoW : 21°C capital up to $1 bn over Tokyo Olympics

PM inspects HIA measures Shura Council hails Amir’s directives to beat the virus to combat COVID-19 spread QNA achieve this goal. HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa Doha The Shura Council said the bin Abdulaziz al Thani, the Amir’s directives reflected the chairman of the Committee, THE Shura Council has wishes of citizens and put eve- and all agencies operating praised the directives of the ryone in front of their respon- within its framework, in par- Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin sibilities. ticular the Ministry of Public Hamad al Thani to contain Health. the spread of the coronavirus It also praised the citizens (COVID-19). and residents for their under- The Amir, presiding over standing of the measures tak- the meeting of the Supreme en and their cooperation with Committee for Crisis Manage- the competent authorities in ment to combat COVID-19 implementing them. on Sunday, ordered a set of The Shura Council ex- measures to provide neces- pressed its confidence in the sary services to citizens and ability of Qatar, the directives residents to help them lead a of the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim normal life. bin Hamad al Thani, and the Chairing Shura Council’s awareness and efforts of the meeting on Monday, Speaker people of Qatar and residents HE Ahmed bin Abdullah bin to eradicate this epidemic as Zaid al Mahmoud stressed Shura Council Speaker HE soon as possible and address that the council has been fol- Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid its effects. lowing the developments al Mahmoud. At the end, the Shura related to the coronavirus, Council presented a number supports the directives of the The council commended of proposals and recommen- Amir to control this epidemic the efforts of the Supreme dations to the government in and prevent its spread in the Committee for Crisis Manage- order to contribute to sup- country as well as cooperates ment chaired by Prime Min- porting its measures and ef- fully with the government to ister and Minister of Interior forts to combat this disease.

Ready for start Qatar bans entry of distance QNA The PM reviewed the precautionary procedures, thermal screening systems education from Doha measures and preparations made by put in place at the airport, and Hamad of all foreigners the competent authorities in the state Medical Corporation clinic to limit the Sunday: Official PRIME Minister and Minister of Inte- to combat the spread of the coronavirus spread of the epidemic. TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK rior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin (COVID-19). The PM was accompanied by senior ll preparations have been Doha Abdulaziz al Thani on Monday paid an The PM also inspected the security officials of the Ministry of Public Health, acompleted for the start of inspection visit to Hamad International workflow and the electronic gates at Ministry of Interior, Qatar Airways and the distance education pro- FOREIGNERS have been de- Airport (HIA). the Passports Department, the health other related sectors. PAGE 2 cess starting from Sunday, a nied entry to Qatar for the top Ministry of education and next 14 days in the wake of higher education has said. the coronavirus (COVID-19) Ibrahim bin Saleh al scare, Qatar Airways said on Nuaimi, Undersecretary of Monday. The decision comes the Ministry of education and into force with immediate ef- 38 more test positive for higher education, said, “all fect. Man held for illegally technical requirements for “Entry to Qatar will only be this process in terms of the allowed for Qatari nationals, coronavirus: MoPH readiness of programmes, who will be required to enter tar Airways’ global network selling medical items The Ministry of Public health (MoPh) on Monday announced videos, teachers, films and quarantine for a period of 14 will continue its operation for registration of 38 new confirmed cases of coronavirus 2019 YouTube channels for all days,” Qatar Airways said in a transit passengers as normal. (CoVID-19) in Qatar. In a statement, the MoPh said most of the stages have been com- statement. Cargo operations remain un- new registered cases are related to migrant workers who were pleted. Coordination is being “Passport holders of oth- affected.” under quarantine. also there are three cases of Qataris who made with telecommunica- er nations will no longer be Qatar on Sunday an- returned from foreign countries such as the UK, Spain and Swit- tions companies in the coun- granted entry for a period of nounced a series of major an- zerland. “The new cases have been put in complete sanitised try to facilitate access to the 14 days, after which the re- nouncements aimed at curb- isolation. They are in good health and receiving the necessary internet and the promotion of strictions will be reviewed,” it ing the spread of coronavirus medical care,” the statement said. The competent authorities at electronic devices.” added. in the country, including stop- the MoPh have been conducting necessary checks for everyone “Passengers with onward ping all incoming flights and who has been in contact with confirmed cases.(TNN) Continued on page 2  connections through HIA will shutting all public transport be accepted for travel and Qa- services in the country.

Medical items seized from an Asian man on display. 232 workers’ accommodations sanitised TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK items the accused was sell- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK transmission of the disease. munity leaders to advise mem- Doha ing are in huge demand in the Doha The inspection will be car- bers to make use of the informa- country due to the coronavirus ried out by MADLSA, in as- tion being updated regularly on A man has been arrested for epidemic, which has infected TEAMS from the Ministry of sociation with the Ministry of the MoPH website (www.moph. allegedly selling medical sup- 439 individuals in Qatar so far. Administrative Labour and Public Health (MoPH) and the gov.qa). They should also use plies for double the price after The man, who is from an Social Affairs (MADLSA) have Ministry of Interior (MoI). the coronavirus hotline 16000. buying them in large quanti- Asian country, has confessed sanitised a total of 232 accom- In a recent meeting, of- The officials said people ties from various pharmacies to buying these medical sup- modation facilities of workers ficials highlighted the impor- should use the ministry’s on- in the country. plies from various pharma- as part of efforts to contain tance of avoiding large gather- line platforms to bring forward The Criminal Investigation cies and reselling them, taking the spread of the coronavirus ings and crowding at worship their complaints such as issues Department has seized 800 advantage of the high demand (COVID-19) in the country. areas. to do with end of term benefits, gloves, 7,900 masks and 1,502 for these items, the Ministry of Apart from the sanitisation They also called on the em- besides any other issues. pieces of medical clothing as Interior said in a statement. campaign, the MADLSA teams ployees to organise activities According to officials, peo- well as antibiotics, thermome- The accused was referred would inspect housing facilities to keep their employees within ple should use MADLSA’s ters and cash up to QR200,000 to the relevant authorities for to ensure appropriate meas- their work premises. Amerni App for any complaints MADLSA teams would inspect housing facilities to ensure appropriate from the man. Most of the further legal action. ures are in place to prevent the The officials urged the com- of transfer of sponsorship. measures are in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus. 02 Tuuesday, March 17, 2020

Contact US: Qatar Tribune I EDITORIAL I Phone: 40002222 I ADMINISTRATION & MARKETING I Phone: 40002155, 40002122, Fax: 40002235 P.O. Box: 23493, Doha.

QU College of PM INSPECTS HIA PROCEDURES TO COMBAT COVID-19 Health Sciences raises awareness of coronavirus

QNA search efforts in this field. Doha The dean mentioned that the College of Health Sci- A scientific symposium organ- ences nominated 26 female ised by the College of Health graduates of the Department Sciences at Qatar University of Public Health as volun- (QU) highlighted the new cor- teers in the Health Protection onavirus (COVID-19) and the and CD Control Department ways to prevent it, in the pres- and the Health Promotion ence of students, faculty and Department in the Ministry health sector partners in the of Public Health (MoPH). country. She explained that the vol- Dean of the College of unteers participated in many Health Sciences Dr Hanan tasks related to responding to prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al thani paid an inspection visit to Hamad International Airport on Monday, during which he Abdulrahim said the sympo- the epidemic in two phases, reviewed the precautionary measures and preparations made by the competent authorities in the state to combat the outbreak of the coronavirus (CoVID-19). the pM also sium, entitled ‘Coronavirus: the first involved in assessing inspected the security workflow and the e-gates at the passports Department, the health procedures, the thermal screening systems applied at the airport, and Hamad Medical Answers to Your Questions’ health needs and practices Corporation clinic to limit the spread of the epidemic. His Excellency was accompanied by a number of senior officials of the Ministry of public Health, the Ministry of Interior, and held in cooperation with and developing awareness Qatar Airways and other related sectors. (QNA) the Biomedical Research plans in public places, while Center and Health Cluster at the second phase included QU, focused on the important procedures related to moni- precautionary measures at toring and data collection. the level of individuals, fami- The dean also pointed out lies and institutions in society that the graduates of the de- and the role of each of them partment contributed to pre- Sidra postpones appointments as in containing the spread of paring educational materials the virus from a scientific, for workers at the call centre- medical and Islamic perspec- of the MoPHand formulating tive. health education messages in part of measures to curb Covid-19 She pointed out that the response to the needs of the lo- speakers at the symposium cal community. She expressed touched on the possible avail- the pride of QU in the contri- However, the appointments for the IVF and dialysis clinics will still be open at Sidra Medicine ability of preventive vacci- butions of all faculty members nations for the virus and re- in this national effort. QNA Doha

SIDRA Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation for Edu- Buy, renew and file insurance cation, Science and Commu- claims online: QIC to customers nity Development, has taken a number of measures to post- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK sured’s WhatsApp 5000 0742 pone pre-determined medical Doha or dial 8000 742 for further appointments as of Tuesday, assistance,” said a statement March 17 (today), as part of the IN line with the precautions from the company. preventive and precautionary to counter the spread of COV- While ensuring the con- measures taken by the State ID-19, QIC Insured, the retail tinuity of its business opera- of Qatar to check the spread of arm of QIC, the leading in- tions, QIC Insured has taken the coronavirus (COVID-19) surer in the MENA region, has necessary steps to safeguard and ensure the safety of all. encouraged customers to visit the health and well-being of its Except for IVF and dialy- pointments for children ser- women who have a specific ap- case. to visit or accompany female its website or download the customers, employees and the sis clinics, Sidra Medicine will vices to later dates. pointment in women’s servic- With regard to inpatient patients and two adults will be QIC mobile app to purchase community at large, the state- postpone all prefixed appoint- As for women’s services, es prior to the appointment to visitors and patient compan- allowed to visit or accompany personal insurances. ment added. ments and elective surgery ap- Sidra Medicine will contact discuss the care plan for each ions, one adult will be allowed child patients. Customers can log onto Commenting on the meas- qic-insured.com, which of- ures taken, Ahmed al Jarboey, fers a wide range of insurance senior vice-president MENA products and services, namely, Retail & Motor at QIC Insured, car insurance, home contents stated, “QIC Insured is closely insurances, PAB insurances, monitoring the situation and ‘No tests for grades 1 to 11 Business Insurance, etc. and is taking necessary steps to purchase the desired insur- support the measures pre- ance from the comfort of their scribed by the Ministry of Pub- at the end of academic year’ homes, at any time. lic Health (MoPH) in limiting “QIC Insured’s online the spread of the COVID-19. Continued from page 1  understanding of the subject. added. platform is equally equipped At the same time, we will con- For first to eleventh grades, Regarding the secondary to manage all queries related tinue to ensure that custom- He highlighted the impor- tests will not be held at the end school certificate exams for to claims management, right ers enjoy the same level of tant role of parents in the dis- of the academic year, which is the 12th grade, Dr Nuaimi said from filing to tracking a claim. convenience of purchasing or tance education programmes the end of the second semester 12,000 students will appear In the event of a claim, cus- renewing our insurance prod- and plans such as following up of this academic year, he said. for the tests as was the practice tomers can also send the nec- ucts and services without any with their children, their assess- Instead, students will be every year through ad hoc com- essary documents to QIC In- hassle.” ments and the extent of their evaluated daily and weekly, he mittees in all schools. Mega sporting events can change face of a nation: QF professor

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK “When you bid for these tially, with the number of for- “I was brought here to be Doha things, you have a bid book eigners in Sochi increasing by the head of research for the and a big part of the bid book is 90 percent. Qatar Olympic and Sports Mu- FROM football and golf to ten- the legacy. These mega-events, And, according to the tour- seum in 2009, and at that time, nis and equestrianism, Qatar when you describe them in nament’s organisers, the event Qatar was not more than a place is continuing to showcase its scholarship, are called legacy went on to boost the Russian close to Dubai,” said Dr Luis sporting prowess to the world as events,” he said. “Whether it’s economy by hundreds of bil- Henrique Rolim of Qatar Olym- it prepares for the FIFA World London 2012, Russia 2014, Bra- lions of rubles, with there being pic and Sports Museum. Cup Qatar 2022and encourag- zil 2016 – whatever the event – a possibility that it would con- Speaking at a recent confer- ing people to make the nation what has changed socially and tinue to positively impact the ence titled Digital Transforma- stronger and more resilient by what has changed economi- country’s economy for a further tion of Sport Media, which was embracing sport as a pathway cally? five years. hosted by NU-Q, DrRolim said: to a healthier life. “Here, we can see clearly Since the 2006 Asian “Sports had a huge impact in Craig L LaMay, acting dean that the physical landscape has, Craig LaMay (pictured) Games, Qatar has continued to changing that. So, the idea that and professor at Northwestern and will continue, to change. ceived, both domestically and [when it staged the Olympics], impress the wider world with its sports helped put Qatar on the University in Qatar (NU-Q), a But there’s an ambition for this public diplomacy and so on.” internationally,and, according for example.” ability to host world-class sport- map is real, totally real.” Qatar Foundation (QF) partner to changethe culture too, and While sport certainly has the to Dean LaMay, “not always for Alternatively, in 2018, Rus- ing events. With the country However, what about be- university, spoke about the ef- Qatar’s National Sport Day is ability to make tangible changes the better”. sia successfully hosted the FIFA playing host to a multitude of yond the tournament? The ef- fects of the major sporting com- part of that – the idea that you to a nation, such as the creation “We can go down the list World Cup, shining a light on international, regional and lo- fects remain to be seen, and, as petitions that Qatar is hosting, can encourage the community of a public holiday where the of famous examples of sports what was previously not viewed cal sporting competitions on an Dean LaMay said: “Ultimately, I ahead of the country’s hosting to live more active, healthier community is encouraged to be not changing a country’s image by many as a tourist destina- annual basis, these effects are see 2022 as the apex, but by no of the Middle East’s first World lives. So clearly there are con- active, it also has the power to for the better,” he said. “China tion. During the event, visitors already been both seen and felt means the end of what comes Cup, on the nation. sequences, for public health, for affect the way a country is per- had a rough experience in 2008 to the country rose exponen- in Qatar and beyond. after.” Nation Tuesday, March 17, 2020 03 MME facilitates selling, transportation of fish from ports The measures taken by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment are aimed to ensure easy delivery of fish to wholesalers and fish shops

QNA Doha

THE Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME), rep- resented by the Fish Wealth Department, in cooperation with the municipalities of Al Wakra, Al Khor, Al Thakhira, Al Shamal and Doha, has be- gun supervising the proce- dures for selling and trans- porting fish from various ports from 6am to 9pm daily. The ministry said the meas- ures aim to ensure easy delivery of fish to wholesalers and fish shops, in addition to direct sell- ing to the public after the Min- istry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) announced its decision spread of Covid-19. Khor and Al Ruwais to sell fish to fish shops, after the an- to suspend the auction in Umm The MME has decided to al- directly to wholesalers. nouncement of suspension Salal Fish Market as a precau- locate the fish markets in each The ministry has also al- of auction in Umm Salal Fish The Ministry of Municipality and Environment has decided to allocate the fish markets in each of the ports tionary measure to prevent the of the ports of Al Wakra, Al lowed the sale of fish directly Market by the MoCI. of Al Wakra, Al Khor and Al Ruwais to sell fish directly to wholesalers.

Ooredoo provides QATAR EMBASSY DELIVERS MEDICAL AID TO IRANIAN MINISTRY free bandwidth upgrade for Qatar educational bodies TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK dents will be able to collabo- Doha rate with one another using mobile devices and research- OOREDOO, the region’s ers can remotely access lead- leading enabler of digital ing journals.” business innovation, will This announcement is in increase the bandwidth al- line with Ooredoo’s digital lowance for free for all of transformation partnership Qatar’s school and university with the Ministry of Educa- customers for the rest of the tion and Higher Education. 2020 term to foster e-learn- Ooredoo is connecting ing during the outbreak of teachers, students, parents COVID-19 coronavirus, the and educational leaders to telecom company has an- unlock unique learning op- nounced. portunities and enhance stu- Starting from Monday, dent performance. all of Ooredoo’s educational Kuwari added, “While customers can receive free schools and universities may bandwidth upgrade un- be physically closed, con- til June 2020. As a result, nected education opens up educators, students and re- a wide range of opportuni- searchers can find continued ties to continue learning as access to e-learning without usual using the power of In implementation of the directives of the Amir His Highness Sheikh tamim bin Hamad al thani, the Embassy of Qatar in Iran has delivered urgent medical aid provided by Qatar any disruption. connectivity. Our ultra-fast Fund for Development (QFFD) to combat the new Coronavirus (CoVID-19) to the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education. This first batch of aid, about six tonnes of medical Educational customers Ooredoo Supernet provides equipment and supplies, comes as part of the efforts of Qatar to support all international efforts to combat the epidemic that threatens the entire international community. (QNa) will need to contact their the foundation for connected account managers or 800 learning that can continue to 8000 to request for the free foster new levels of learning bandwidth upgrade. experiences even after the Sabah Rabiah al Kuwari, COVID-19 coronavirus.” PR director at Ooredoo, said: Business customers can “In line with our commit- leverage the Ooredoo Ad- MoQ waives three months rent for tenants ment to enriching people’s vantage, making Ooredoo digital lives in this time of ‘Best for Business’, thanks TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK nancial consequences at this need, we are increasing for to its breadth and depth of Doha stage. free the bandwidth allow- talent, best fixed and mobile “We value our partner- ance for all of our educa- networks, broadest portfolio THE Mall of Qatar (MoQ) ship and we are confident tional customers. As a result, of ICT services and solutions, has waived off three months that through our united ef- educators will be able to offer and trusted partner for 60 rental for all its tenants from forts, we can undertake chal- more online courses, stu- years. March until May 2020. lenges together, prevent fur- The decision comes in ther outbreaks and reach our the backdrop of the current common goal of setting Mall health situation and the pre- of Qatar as the leading mall cautionary measures taken in Qatar and the region.” by the authorities to limit any All mall tenants are ex- potential spread of coronavi- empted from their rental ob- rus and to provide maximum ligations for the months of support to businesses during March, April and May 2020, this challenging period. allowing them to reduce their Khaled Sam Hosn, CEO of monthly costs. Mall of Qatar, said: “Taking Mall of Qatar, the na- into consideration the cur- tion’s mall, reaffirms its com- rent situation and as part of mitment towards Qatar, citi- our social responsibility, we zens and all residents, and want to showcase our com- continues to take preventa- mitment to investors, tenants tive measures to secure a safe and partners to tackle the fi- environment for customers. Traffic diversion on some streets Five-hour closure on access road in West Bay area from tomorrow to Gharrafat Al Rayyan Street TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Doha TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Doha THE Public Works Authority (Ash- ghal) will implement a temporary THE Public Works Authority (Ash- traffic diversion on Al Gondole, ghal) will temporarily close for five Al Samriya, Al Adaid and Al Betra hours the access to Gharrafat Al Streets in West Bay area, where traf- Rayyan Street from and to Ghar- fic will be diverted to opposite lanes, rafat Al Rayyan Interchange from which will be converted from two 4am to 9am on Friday, March 20, lanes in each direction to one lane in to facilitate the gantries installation each direction. as part of Khalifa Avenue Project. To be implemented in coordina- The closure will be implement- tion with the General Directorate of ed in coordination with the General Traffic, the traffic change will take Directorate of Traffic. place on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 Road users heading towards or for a period of five months, as part coming from Gharrafat Al Rayyan of the first phase of the upgrading through Gharrafat Al Rayyan Inter- works on some streets in West Bay change will have to use Bani Hajer Area project. Interchange, Al Shahama Street The Public Works Authority ‘Ash- and local roads to reach their des- will instal road signs to guide mo- by the existing speed limit and fol- ghal’ will instal road signs to guide tinations. torists of the closure. Ashghal is low the road signs to ensure their motorists about the traffic change. The Public Works Authority requesting all road users to abide safety. 04 Tuesday, March 17, 2020 Nation QFFD covers surgeries cost for 3,020 at St John’s Eye Hospital in Gaza Strip The assistance comes in the light of worsening humanitarian conditions faced by Gaza Strip residents and the urgent need for health sector funding

QNA gaza

ST John’s Eye Hospital in the Gaza Strip conducted 3,020 eye operations and medical procedures for ophthalmic pa- tients in the Strip with the help of a $2 million grant from the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) to the hospital. The two-year grant started in May 2019 with the aim of contributing to the treatment of patients coming to St John’s Eye Hospital for surgical ser- vices. The grant, which is su- pervised by the Qatari Com- mittee for the Reconstruction of Gaza, comes in light of the the urgent need to support the Ambassador HE Mohammed pital. The fund provided a which was named after the Fa- Ambassador Emadi said to patients who cannot cover deteriorating humanitarian health sector. al Emadi said, “This is the grant of $2 million earlier to ther Amir HH Sheikh Hamad the latest grant aims to en- the costs of medical check-up conditions experienced by the Chairman of the Gaza second grant offered by the build and equip a building for bin Khalifa al Thani and was able St John’s Hospital to and treatment, especially eye residents of Gaza Strip and Reconstruction Committee QFFD to St John’s Eye Hos- the hospital’s branch in Gaza, opened in 2016.” continue provision of services surgeries.

Ministry recalls Grievances and Complaints Triumph Speed Committee receives Twin, Indian QNL works to tackle trafficking of books, Springfield and 341 cases in two years Chieftain motorbikes archives & manuscripts in MENA region QNA Doha TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Doha Doha THE Grievances and Complaints Commit- tee of the Ministry of Administrative Devel- THE Ministry of Commerce STEPHANE Ipert, conservation opment, Labour and Social Affairs (MADL- and Industry (MoCI), in co- and preservation manager at Qa- SA) has received 341 complaints since its operation with Alfardan Mo- tar National Library (QNL) and establishment in 2018 until the end of 2019. torcycles, dealer of Triumph director of the IFLA Regional Pres- The Grievances and Complaints Com- in Qatar, has announced the ervation and Conservation (PAC) mittee specialises in examining grievances recall of Triumph Speed Twin Centre for Arab Countries and and complaints submitted by employees Model of 2019 due to front the Middle East, recently spoke at that are subject to the Civil Human Re- and rear gear change link- the World Customs Organization sources Law issued by Law No 15 of 2016, age ball joints possibility to (WCO) in Brussels, Belgium, where in accordance with the Prime Minister’s de- loosen. he presented the activities of the cision No 17 of 2018. The ministry, in coopera- IFLA PAC Centre in fighting the In a statement, the committee said 83 tion with Protech Powered trafficking of manuscripts, books grievances were filed in 2018, about which Sports, dealer of Indian mo- and archives in the Middle East and decisions were issued and those concerned torbikes in Qatar, has also North Africa (MENA) region. were notified, while 258 grievances were recalled Indian Springfield Ipert’s presentation, given dur- received in 2019. Decisions and notifica- and Chieftain Model of 2019 ing the annual WCO Enforcement tions were issued regarding 239 of them, due to a possible defect in Committee meeting, highlighted while 15 grievances are sill under examina- the circuit breaker (fuse) the specific actions foreseen for tion and data collection from the respond- that may cause the engine the period 2020-2021, which the ent agencies. to stop suddenly. The recalls IFLA PAC Centre at the library will The committee said the most prominent come within the framework undertake. These include an inter- complaints it received during the past two of the ministry’s continuous national seminar, which will take years focused on job entitlements related to efforts to protect consumers place in the coming months at the the duration of the service, adjustment of and ensure that dealers fol- library, and collaboration with the Stephane Ipert, conservation and preservation manager at Qatar National Library, gave a presentation at the World Customs the employment status and others related low up on vehicle defects and WCO on a course for customs em- organization Enforcement Committee in Brussels, Belgium recently. to salary, allowances and promotions, ter- repairs. ployees in Doha. mination of service and severance allow- The ministry is urging Additional activities, which mented by a series of awareness fact that heritage artifacts are es- projects.” ance payment. all customers to report any will be performed in cooperation initiatives for the general public as pecially at risk during conflict and The library has been the IFLA Regarding the procedures for filing a violation to its Consumer with IFLA and other international well as ‘red lists’ of stolen manu- are vulnerable to illicit looting and PAC Centre for the region since grievance, the committee allowed employ- Protection and Anti-Com- and regional associations and in- scripts and books. trafficking.” 2015, and these activities are in line ees to submit a grievance request either mercial Fraud Department, ternational organisations include: Ipert said: “The trafficking of At the conclusion of the WCO with its driving role as a guardian of through the website of the Ministry of Ad- which processes complaints, developing activities to help cus- manuscripts is a highly sensitive Enforcement Committee meeting, the region’s heritage. The library, ministrative Development, Labour and So- inquiries and suggestions toms employees distinguish various issue, as these high-value objects MariyaPolner, programme lead on as the IFLA Regional PAC Centre, cial Affairs or by visiting government ser- through Call center: 16001, types of documentary heritage, and are often small and can be hidden cultural heritage at the WCO, said: works closely with institutions in vice complexes. email: [email protected], tracking the auction sales of items and travel easily. This is particu- “Cooperation with all international the MENA region to equip experts According to the committee, the deci- Twitter: @MOCIQATAR, In- which may have been stolen from larly challenging for the IFLA PAC and regional actors is very impor- with the skills needed to conserve sions would be binding and the concerned stagram: MOCIQATAR and Arab countries in conflict, such as Centre in Qatar, given that four of tant in the fight against cultural and preserve the rich cultural herit- parties are to be notified of the issued de- mobile app for android and Yemen, Syria and Libya. the 19 Arab countries we cover are heritage trafficking. In fact, it is a age of Qatar and the region for gen- cisions from the committee within 10 days IOS: MOCIQATAR. These activities will be comple- currently in conflict. It is a known key aspect of the success of such erations to come. from the date of their issuance. Imar Group honours long-serving staff on 25th anniversary

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Speaking on the occasion, Doha Hanna Shammas, founder and CEO of Imar Group, said: IMAR Group, a specialised “Today, we gather to celebrate group in construction and con- a very significant milestone for tracting, recently honoured 55 all of us associated with Imar veteran employees from all Group of Companies. These departments who have been glorious 25 years wouldn’t significantly contributing to- have been possible without a wards building the company’s very significant contribution prominent portfolio and pos- made by each of you present sess an influential track record here. of workmanship over the past “I take immense pride in two decades. congratulating those valued The event was hosted employees with whom I have alongside the gala dinner or- worked for more than two dec- ganised by Imar Group on the ades from Lebanon to Qatar occasion of 25th anniversary and Kuwait on a distinguished of launching its operations business saga that was never and to honour the veterans easy but has been character- who have successfully com- ised by unique bonds and re- pleted 10, 15, 20 and 25 years lationships on both personal with the company and have set and professional fronts.” an inspirational workmanship He added, “Over the past benchmark for others to fol- 25 years, we have been able to resources that it builds, de- were able to start from a small ing position we occupy today low. establish new standards and velops and maintains over the commercial company with big in a sector that is considered Thanks to its exceptional set benchmarks in the con- years. Our employees are our dreams to reach where we are one of the most important sec- and acclaimed record in all the struction and contracting sec- true wealth and today we are today. Everyone present here tors for the growth of the re- completed projects over the tor, which enabled us to take witnessing a well-deserved today has actively contrib- gion’s economy.” past 25 years, Imar Group has the lead in all the markets we honour for those who have uted in achieving our vision Founded in 1995, Imar made its mark in the construc- have operated and which have completed long years of ser- through their dedication to Group promptly established tion and contracting sector at helped the group expand its vice with us.” work, their professionalism its reputation for excellence the regional level, paving the operations regionally. For his side, Mustafa Qas- and their total commitment in the construction industry, way for more successes, which “I have always firmly be- sar, general manager of Imar towards delivering their best. specialising in architectural to this day, has resulted in 20 lieved that the real added Group, said: “Thanks to a dis- “We believed in their skills, interior fit out before expand- companies operating under value of any company lies in tinguished team that never talents and encouraged their ing to Qatar in year 2000. In the group’s umbrella. the experiences of its human wavered to deliver the best, we ideas, which led us to the lead- 2015, Imar started Asia Tuesday, March 17, 2020 05

India closes Taj Mahal to visitors over Australia supermarkets start ‘elderly coronavirus fears hour’ to counter panic-buying Japanese man sentenced INDIa will close the iconic Taj Mahal to visitors from Tuesday as aN australian supermarket chain will start opening its doors exclu- to death for 2016 murder News part of measures to try and combat the coronavirus pandemic, the sively to customers over 60-years-old for one hour a day as part of tourism ministry said on Monday. an effort to ease the burden of panic-buying on the most vulner- in brief “all ticketed monuments and all other museums have been di- able. “Woolworths Supermarkets will be opening exclusively for the of 19 at care home rected to be closed until March 31,” Tourism Minister Prahlad Patel elderly and those with a disability to shop from 7am to 8am,” the AFP police after the assault, carry- tweeted late Monday. Most schools and entertainment facilities, in- company said in a statement Monday. The measure is expected to YoKohaMa, JaPaN ing bloodied knives. cluding cinemas, have already been closed across India, which has come into effect on Tuesday and run for the rest of the week, when It later emerged he had reported 114 positive cases and two deaths from the virus. (AFP) the policy will be reviewed and potentially extended. (AFP) A Japanese man was sen- left his job at the home just tenced to death on Monday months earlier and been for- for the stabbing murder of cibly hospitalised after telling 19 disabled people at a care colleagues he intended to kill home, in one of the country’s people at the centre. worst mass killings. But he was discharged af- Satoshi Uematsu never ter just 12 days when a doctor Phillipines, Malaysia impose disputed his involvement in decided he was not a threat. the grisly rampage but his He had also written a letter lawyers entered a plea of not outlining plans to attack the guilty, arguing the 30-year- home, claiming “disabled strict checks to contain virus old was suffering a “mental people only create unhappi- disorder” linked to his use of ness”. marijuana. Among the few victims The court ruled that the to be identified publicly was Mass public transport as well as work in public and private offices have been suspended in Manila former employee of the fa- a 19-year-old woman, Miho, cility deserved no leniency whose mother said Uematsu AFP over the 2016 attack, which “didn’t need a future”. MaNILa/KUaLa LUMPUr shocked the country. “I hate you so much. I “The lives of 19 people want to rip you apart. Even PHILIPPINE President Rodri- were taken away. This is pro- the most extreme penalty is go Duterte on Monday ordered foundly grave,” chief judge nearly 60 million residents in Kiyoshi Aonuma told the the country’s largest island to court. stay at home for a month as Uematsu planned the part of a wider lockdown in a murders and had “an ex- bid to contain the spread of the treme intention to kill”, he new coronavirus. added. Responding to a surge in Prosecutors had sought coronavirus cases in nearby the death penalty – which in Malaysia, the prime minister Japan is carried out by hang- has also enacted what amounts ing – and argued that the de- to a lockdown by imposing fendant was capable of taking travel restrictions, directing responsibility for the violence A file photo shows murder sus- that most businesses except at the Tsukui Yamayuri-en pect Satoshi Uematsu (left) as for shops be closed, and ban- centre, just outside Tokyo. he returns to the Tsukui police ning foreigners. Uematsu was impas- station in Sagamihara. (afP) In the Philippines, an sive as the verdict was an- “enhanced community quar- nounced, looking straight light for you. I will never for- antine” now covers the main ahead at the judge as he was give you,” the mother said be- island of Luzon - home to the sentenced. fore the verdict, according to capital of metro Manila and He wore a black suit with public broadcaster NHK. more than half of the country’s his hair in a long ponytail “Please bring back my population. down to his waist, and was most precious daughter... Mass public transport as flanked by six uniformed You’re still alive. It’s not fair. well as work in public and court officers wearing surgi- It’s wrong.” private offices have been sus- A soldier checks the temperature of a car passenger at a checkpoint before entering Manila on Monday, as part of measures to reduce the cal masks. “I demand capital pun- pended except for establish- spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. (afP) Uematsu, who faced six ishment,” she added. ments providing basic goods charges including murder, Takashi Ono, whose son and services. came first high government coronavirus on Monday even- city-state’s total to 243. weeks starting from midday on reportedly said before the was severely injured in the “Everyone will stay at official to test positive for the ing, taking the country’s total The growing restrictions in Monday. trial that he would not ap- attack, told reporters he was home, leaving their houses infection on Monday, urging to 553, 338 of which have been the Philippines and Malaysia It means authorized of- peal any verdict, though he “relieved”. only to buy food, medicines the public to “listen to the gov- traced to an Islamic ceremony followed the declaration of a ficers in Victoria can quaran- argued he did not deserve the “The judge gave the sen- and other basic (goods) neces- ernment’s warning and do not held in Kuala Lumpur’s out- state of emergency in the state tine places and people, detain death penalty. tence the victims’ families sary for survival in the coming go out of your homes.” skirts in late February that of Victoria and the Austral- them, restrict movement and He has reportedly said he hoped for,” he said. days,” Duterte said in a tel- Meanwhile, in an address was attended by an estimated ian Capital Territory (ACT) on prevent entry to premises to wanted to eradicate all disa- However, some ques- evised address. to the nation late on Monday, 15-16,000 people and which Monday, amid signs that South protect the public. Australia bled people in the horrifying tioned the need for the death “Don’t be scared about this. Malaysian Prime Minister spawned cases among wor- Korea and China were making has 368 confirmed cases of attack that also left 26 people sentence, a policy that faces You can go out to buy food.” Muhyiddin Yassin said that shippers from Brunei, Cambo- strong progress in their battle Covid-19, with five deaths, in- wounded. little major opposition in People who need to trav- from Wednesday until the end dia and Singapore. against new infections. cluding the two reported over- He turned himself in to Japan. el outside the Philippines were of the month, all businesses Earlier, Religious Affairs Victoria, the country’s sec- night. given 72 hours to leave Luzon, should be closed except for Minister Zulkifli Mohamad ond-most populated state with Australia and China have while incoming passengers are supermarkets, public markets, al Bakri said that activities in Melbourne as its capital, and started quarantining all inter- allowed to enter as long as they grocery stores and conveni- mosques, including Friday the territory surrounding the national arrivals for two weeks do not come from countries ence stores. prayers, will remain suspend- country’s capital Canberra an- in designated facilities, in an with Covid-19 infections. All Malaysians will not be per- ed for 10 days. nounced the measure after effort to curb imported coro- Indonesian president takes test travellers will be subjected to mitted to travel abroad over Neighbouring Singapore two more elderly people died navirus infections. quarantine upon arrival. the two-week period, and for- recorded its biggest single- overnight of Covid-19, the res- China’s downward trend of after minister contracts virus There are 142 confirmed eigners will not be allowed to day increase in coronavirus piratory disease caused by the new infections continued, with Covid-19 cases in the Philip- enter. cases on Monday, with the 17 virus. 16 new coronavirus infections DPA such a measure. pines, including 12 deaths. Muslim-majority Malay- new diagnoses announced by The state of emergency in and 14 new deaths reported JaKarTa “The most important Senator Miguel Zubiri be- sia reported 125 new cases of Health Ministry pushing the Victoria will last at least four over the past day. thing is social distanc- INDONESIAN President ing and avoiding large Joko Widodo said he and crowds,” he said. The num- members of his cabinet had ber of confirmed coronavi- taken coronavirus tests after rus cases in Indonesia rose Nearly 70,000 Afghans return home after fleeing Iran his transportation minister to 134 on Monday after 17 was hospitalized with Cov- more people tested positive AFP ing earlier suspended air and (returnees) some questions and ease, dozens of people fled the while results were pending for id-19. the disease, Health Ministry heraT, afghaNISTaN ground links over fears of the test their temperature”, Nadim isolation section of a Herat hos- the rest. The government an- spokesman Achmad Yurianto virus spreading from Iran, one told AFP, adding: “This is not pital on Monday. “They were getting impa- nounced over the weekend said. NEARLY 70,000 Afghans have of the world’s worst-hit coun- enough.” They escaped “with the help tient because after more than that Budi Karya Sumadi had The death toll re- returned from virus-hit Iran tries. Afghanistan has 21 con- of their relatives, after beat- five days their test results still tested positive for the virus. mained at five, he said. in the past 20 days, an official More health workers and firmed infections so far, most of ing up the doctors and break- hadn’t come,” Mohammadi Asked about his test re- On Saturday, Jakar- said on Monday, overwhelming better testing facilities were them in Herat. ing windows,” health ministry told AFP. sults, Joko said: “Just ask ta Governor Anies Bas- health workers at border cross- needed to cope with the increas- But the official number spokesman Wahidullah Mayar Many Afghans who had the people who administer wedan announced the two- ings and raising fears of a major ing number of returnees and likely understates the scale of said, adding the police had gone to Iran to look for work it.” week closures of schools and outbreak in the impoverished avoid a health disaster, warned the problem due to inadequate been of “no help”. are returning home as the con- Officials have not dis- public parks and urged em- country. Jawed Nadim, head of the refu- testing measures and shoddy Ebrahim Mohammadi, di- tagion cripples Iran’s economy. closed the results. ployees to work from home They were allowed back gees repatriation department in health infrastructure in the rector of the Herat ambulance Afghanistan’s spring har- The president said his after a spike of cases in the in after Kabul reopened land the western province of Herat, war-ravaged country. service, said 37 people had ab- vest is also drawing workers government had not consid- capital. Several other cities crossings for Afghans wanting which borders Iran. In a sign of authorities sconded. Two had tested posi- home, said the International ered locking down the coun- and provinces have taken to return home – despite hav- Health workers “only ask struggling to contain the dis- tive for the COVID-19 illness Organization for Migration. try despite public calls for similar measures. Bollywood shuts down as India’s Mumbai is hit by coronavirus

DPA ness centres, public places while congregation of people, severe- NeW DeLhI cancelling public events and re- Lockdown! ly impacting business. ligious processions till March Mumbai, the financial and FILM and television shootings 31. State authorities placed commercial centre of India, are being cancelled, popular Federations and unions Mumbai, Pune and four Asia’s third largest economy, temples and malls have shut in the Bollywood film indus- other cities in a semi- contributes over 37 percent to down and firms asked employ- try said all film and television lockdown mode, shutting the country’s total direct tax ees to work from home in Mum- shooting will come to a halt down schools, colleges, revenues. bai as the region emerged as the from Thursday till the end of the swimming pools, gym and Mumbai police has im- part of the country most badly month as part of efforts to check fitness centres, public posed prohibitory orders ban- hit by the coronavirus. the spread of the virus. places while cancelling ning large gatherings and Maharashtra state, of which Mumbai is home to the Bol- public events and religious group tours, in other measures Mumbai is capital, has seen a lywood, one of the largest film processions till March 31. to control coronavirus cases. sudden spurt of cases, account- industries in the world, which India, with a 1.3 billion ing for 37 of the 114 coronavirus employs over 230,000 people. population, has so far fared cases across India. Of these, The release of several Bol- daily reported. better than other countries in Mumbai and the nearby Pune lywood films has also been Global giants Unilever and Asia and Europe as well as US, city reported 24 cases, health postponed indefinitely even as Apple have also asked thou- with only two deaths due to officials said. film award ceremonies were People walk past an awareness board displaying preventive measures against the COVID-19 coronavirus at sands of their employees to coronavirus. State authorities placed suspended, coming as a big set- a bus stop in Mumbai on Monday. (afP) begin working from home, the Several regional govern- Mumbai, Pune and four other back for India’s entertainment Times of India newspaper re- ments including Delhi have cities in a semi-lockdown mode, industry. popular and richest shrines, Several multinational com- with at least 30 to 50 per cent ported. banned large gatherings and shutting down schools, colleges, The Siddhivinayak Temple also closed entry for devotees on panies have been testing work staff working from home at a Several top malls in Mum- have started shutting down swimming pools, gym and fit- in Mumbai, among India’s most Monday owing to the outbreak. from home option by rotation, given time, the Mint business bai downed shutters to avoid crowded public spaces. 06 Tuesday, March 17, 2020

ESTABLISHED SEPTEMBER 3, 2006 Opinion haMad bin SuhaiM al Thani CHAIRMAN adEl ali bin ali MANAGING DIRECTOR dr haSSan MohaMMEd al anSari EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Oil-price War Will Not Impact Trump Says He’s Learned US Energy Industry

Saudi-Russian oil- price war will impact US energy majors in From The Coronavirus. short run but Texan giants are capable of meeting the challenges

F oil is a tough business, it’s also one crude oil, causing such consternation in which Texans have proved resilient among OPEC members that the Sau- Let’s Hope So in a way that oligarchs across the globe dis attempted to drive down prices in Ialways seem to discount at their peril. the past to take back market share from That’s our broad thinking as Sau- Texas producers. The cartel succeeded in President Trump sought to brush aside the coronavirus problem initially but di Arabia and Russia engage in an oil pushing many producers to improve their price war that is driving prices through operations enough to compete at lower oil later when the virus began infecting people, he refused to own responsibility the floor. Some may think that a price prices. And Texas oil production volumes collapse will hammer American oil and ultimately increased. DOYLE MCMANUS gas producers, and it’s true that in the Can Texas do it again? Well, count TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE short run there will likely be businesses us among those who believe the creativ- in Texas and elsewhere in the United ity advantage in the long term rests with N a crisis, Americans expect leaders to States that will take it on the chin. Some the free markets and the private compa- tell the truth about the problem, pre- will be dazed but continue to stand, while nies that continually overhaul our energy sent a clear strategy to overcome it, and others will collapse alongside the price of industry, allow women into their senior Itell citizens how they can help. a barrel of oil. ranks, and allow free speech to flourish. We’ve seen plenty of that kind of lead- All of this will happen, of course, be- The Saudis also have their own pain ership over the last few weeks as corona- cause as the coronavirus continued to threshold. The government uses oil rev- virus became a pandemic. spread and undermine the global econ- enue to provide fuel subsidies and other We saw it from governors of both par- omy and petroleum demand along with benefits to citizens; lower oil revenue will ties — Jay Inslee of Washington, Andrew it, the OPEC alliance between the Saudis make it tougher to pay for those benefits. Cuomo of New York, Mike DeWine of and the Russians broke down. Russia de- Most analysts expect a lot of pain for Ohio — who closed schools and banned cided to stop propping up oil prices and the Texas oil industry in the short term. large gatherings, including sports events fiddling with production, so the Saudis Companies with large debt loads are more and Broadway plays. decided to go one step further and ramp vulnerable in a pinch, and it’s noteworthy We saw it from business leaders who up oil production even as Houston energy that majors, such as Exxon Mobil Corp., closed retail outlets and asked employees analysts at IHS Markit warned that oil are cutting back production. Will low oil to work from home. demand would decline by the largest vol- prices last long enough to put smaller, in- We even saw it from the National Bas- ume in history. The combination of more debted producers out of business? Long ketball Association. oil with less demand was a surefire way to enough to prompt significant layoffs? One place we didn’t see much lead- see prices collapse. Long enough to do permanent damage ership was the White House. For weeks, And that’s what happened. West Texas to infrastructure upkeep, to institutional President Donald Trump downplayed Intermediate crude prices began the year knowledge? Will the low prices last long the epidemic, promised it would end on But even as we root for the president On Friday, Trump said he didn’t know in the $60-per-barrel range and have now enough to hurt efforts to make renewable its own, and claimed tests were avail- to succeed, we should also hope he learns anything about the office’s elimination. dropped by half, to around $30 per bar- energy competitive with oil and gas? able to anyone who wanted one. (They some larger lessons: Asked whether he bore any responsibili- rel. Bank analysts see little reason for This will likely be a painful year, but weren’t, and still aren’t.) — Presidents don’t get a free pass if ty, his answer was: “It’s a nasty question.” prices to recover in the next few months. what emerges could very well be an en- It seemed discordant that so many they fail to notice impending threats. — Whether the president likes it or For drivers heading out to spring ergy industry better positioned to take on other leaders were grappling with the Trump has said several times that not, the buck still stops with him. break, this might be an unexpected bonus the Saudis and Russians. In the mean- virus as a growing crisis, only to hear nobody knew a coronavirus could reach For weeks, Trump’s main message in terms of savings at the pump. But for time, we hope the president is paying at- the president insist as late as Thursday: our shores. “It’s an unforeseen problem about coronavirus was that the problem those in the oil industry, this is bleak news tention. More than a few voters in West “We’re in great shape…. It’ll go very (that) came out of nowhere,” he said. was already under control — thanks, he that might mean layoffs in the near term. Texas will understand that the Saudis and quickly.” Except it wasn’t. said, to his decision to stop travel from Texas in the past few years has be- Russians would love to undercut their So it was a welcome change last week Every year, the director of national China. come a major producer and exporter of livelihood in the midst of a price war. when the president finally offered a strat- intelligence delivers a briefing on threats When it became clear that his mes- egy for making widespread virus testing to national security. A warning about sages weren’t true, he blamed others. available, weeks after public health pro- pandemics, including coronaviruses, has He complained that the CDC had done fessionals began demanding it. been part of that every year Trump has “nothing meaningful … to fix the testing The details were still blurry. His only been in office. problem.” specific promise was that a Google-de- — If you want the federal government For that problem, “I don’t take re- signed website would go up “very quick- to be effective in a crisis, you need to give sponsibility at all,” he said Friday. “We ly.” Even that turned out to be only a beta it the tools to act. were given rules, regulations and specifi- version aimed at the San Francisco Bay You’d think a Republican president cations from a different time.” Area. from the business world would know But he didn’t explain why he and his Over time, Trump said, more tests will that bureaucracies can be inefficient and aides did nothing to fix the problem. be available, thanks to the Swiss pharma- slow-moving. Blame doesn’t belong exclusively to ceutical giant Roche. Thank heaven for That’s why the Obama administration Trump. Other parts of his administration Swiss ingenuity! (Also for the scientists set up a White House office on health se- failed too. in the Bay Area, Germany and China who curity in 2016 — to eliminate red tape and But after more than three years in of- worked on the project.) force feuding agencies to cooperate. fice, it’s his government now. Let’s hope those plans work better But in 2018, Trump’s then-national The real estate mogul who pledged to than the initial testing programme of security advisor, John Bolton, abol- make the federal government work more the federal Centers for Disease Control ished the office. When the coronavirus like a business hasn’t kept that promise and Prevention, which turned into an appeared in China last year, there was or even really tried. embarrassing — and potentially deadly no White House health czar to coordi- “We’ve learned a lot,” Trump said — failure. nate a response. Friday. If he wants to convince any- And let’s hope Trump’s promise on “It would be nice if the office was still one, he needs to move beyond empty Friday comes true: “We will turn a corner there,” Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National bluster and tell us what, if anything, on this virus … in a number of weeks.” Institutes of Health said last week. he’s really learned. (Tribune News Service) Suddenly, A Very Serious Nation After Coronavirus The virus has put the nations and societies at test. How a society reacts will provide an insight into the character of a nation

JOHN M. CRISP else, including Woody Allen, pales in com- On the evening of Trump’s declara- TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE parison. If we needed more convincing, it tion of a national emergency, I relaxed in a came as commentators were just beginning lawn chair on my driveway with the help of HAD planned to write about Woody Al- their analysis of the president’s speech: The an adult beverage. A neighbour wandered len. Hachette Book Group had agreed National Basketball Association postponed over in the gathering dusk. I warned her to publish the renowned filmmaker’s its season, and Tom Hanks and this wife to keep her distance, and she took it with memoir but changed its mind after doz- both tested positive for the coronavirus. good humour. ens of employees walked out in a protest And the nation suddenly began to re- She expressed concern for her army Ibased on the allegation that Allen molested spond seriously, as well. School districts physician husband, who cannot work his 7-year-old stepdaughter in 1992. and universities were closed. Events large from home. In a few minutes another This seemed interesting and important and small were postponed or cancelled. neighbour strolled over, and then anoth- because it involves fundamental issues People stopped shaking hands and began er. A couple stopped their dog-walk long such as freedom of expression and the ba- to buy up hand sanitizer. enough to join in. Some had been to the sic assumption of innocence that lies at the Of course, all this could be an overre- local grocery store and reported that the heart of our justice system. action. The virus may fizzle, and by fall we aisles were jammed and the shelves were It seemed important until last Wednes- could be back to playing football as usual. empty. But it appears that among us we day, that is, when our nation experienced By October the most popular Halloween have plenty of toilet paper, and I sensed a a rapid psychological shift in its attitude costume could be the coronavirus. willingness to share. toward the coronavirus. President Donald On the other hand, in our good for- I suspect that similar scenes are occur- Trump made a nine-minute speech to the tune, we may have lost touch with just how Her immediate family escaped infection, ily treatable today. They had just finished ring across the nation, six or seven neigh- nation admitting at last the seriousness of wrong the world can go. It’s easy to forget but she remembers her parents going to a world war. In a few years they would ex- bours, standing five or six feet apart, no the pandemic and announcing stunningly that most of human history has been char- the assistance of other relatives and mem- perience the Great Depression and another shaking hands, no touching. drastic measures in response: All travel acterised more by hunger, disease, priva- bers of their small east Texas community. world war. But also no panic. And I sensed a calm and trade with Europe would end by Fri- tion, suffering and war than by our com- But I don’t think my mother’s gen- This familiarity with catastrophe and resignation and resolve to face whatever day at midnight. As it turned out, the presi- parative comfort. eration was particularly impressed by the near-catastrophe may have engendered a comes. Since Trump’s election, our country dent’s statements were inaccurate, and the My mother was born in 1912 and thus Spanish flu. They were already used to healthy stoicism in that generation, as well has been trying to figure out exactly who next day his aides had to correct them. was old enough to have vague childhood members of their community dying prema- as a realistic understanding of what it has we are. How we react to the coronavirus But the point was clear: Suddenly, the memories of the Spanish flu pandemic of turely from typhoid, diphtheria, polio, yel- meant to be a human being for most of our will provide significant insight into that pandemic became very serious; everything 1918, which killed up to 50 million people. low fever and other infections that are eas- history. We could learn from them. question.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. Gulf / Middle East / Africa Tuesday, March 17, 2020 07 African nations taking tough Coronavirus kills senior measures as virus spreads DPA home after travelling to Bel- JohaNNeSBUrg gium, Sweden and Denmark. Meanwhile Somali Minis- cleric as Iran toll hits 853 SEVERAL African nations on ter of Aviation Mohamed Salad Monday implemented drastic Omaar announced on national measures in the hope of slowing television that international AFP ministry, the rising trend is due down the spread of the corona- flights would be halted from TehraN to the increasing number of virus, while case numbers on Wednesday until further notice tests being carried out. the continent slowly but stead- after the country confirmed its THE novel coronavirus killed a It says many patients start- ily increased. first case of the coronavirus. top Iranian cleric on Monday, ed showing symptoms days af- By late Monday, Tanzania The West African nation of the Islamic republic said as it re- ter they were infected. and Somalia confirmed their Liberia recorded its first case ported yet another record high Official tolls, which are first cases, bringing the total on Monday too. The patient is single-day death toll in one of given every 24 hours, have usu- number of African countries af- the director general of the na- the world’s worst-hit countries. ally lagged behind reports by lo- fected to at least 25. tion’s Environmental Protec- The latest 129 deaths cal media and have sometimes South African Health Minis- tion Agency, who returned on brought the overall toll to 853 been contradicted by provincial ter Zweli Mkhize said the coun- Friday from a business trip to fatalities among nearly 15,000 authorities. try was dealing with an “explo- Switzerland, Information Min- infections since February 19, President Hassan Rouhani sive” increase in cases, a day ister Lenn Eugene Nagbe said. when the government an- on Monday reiterated his call after the government closed air Also, Ghana closed all nounced Iran’s first cases of the for people to refrain from trav- travel to high-risk countries. schools and universities and COVID-19 disease. elling. South Africa has reported banned public gatherings, in- “Our plea is that everyone Speaking in a videoconfer- a total of 62 cases so far. Most cluding services in mosques take this virus seriously and ence with Iran’s anti-coronavi- patients have been infected and churches, after it confirmed in no way attempt to travel to rus headquarters in Tehran, he with the virus when travelling its sixth coronavirus case. any province,” health ministry expressed hopes that the out- overseas, but two cases of local The Indian Ocean holi- spokesman Kianoush Jahan- break would soon be brought transmission were now also un- day paradise Seychelles closed pour said. under control. der investigation, Mkhize said. schools for at least two weeks The disease has now killed “God willing, this year-end Addressing a press confer- on Mahe after four confirmed at least 12 Iranian politicians will go down in history... as days ence in the city of Dar es Salaam cases on its shores. Cameroon and officials, both sitting and A file photo shows Iranian pilgrims visiting the Shiite Muslim shrine of Imam Reza in the holy city of Mash- of victory over this dangerous on Monday, Tanzanian Health confirmed two additional former, and infected 13 more had. The tomb has been closed to pilgrims until further notice. (afP) virus,” he said. Minister Ummy Mwalimu said cases of the virus on Monday, who have either been quaran- But the head of a Tehran their first patient was a 46-year- bringing the total number of tined or are being treated. to contain the rapid spread of hospital said he was doubtful old woman who had returned infected persons to five. The latest was Ayatollah Iran closes four key religious sites COVID-19 after it emerged in the virus could be contained Hashem Bathayi Golpayegani, the holy Shiite city of Qom last without more measures. a member of the Assembly of IraN closed four key Shiite pilgrimage sites across the Islamic month. “We are told by the people Experts -- an 88-strong body republic Monday in line with measures to stop the new coronavirus, Since then, it has shut that you want us to stay home, of clerics that appoints and state media said, sparking protests at one of them. State television schools, postponed events and but how can we when (govern- Gabon bans tourists from seeing monitors the country’s supreme said that “upon the orders of the anti-coronavirus headquarters and discouraged travel ahead of ment) organisations are not leader. the health minister, the holy shrines of” Imam reza in Mashhad, Nowrouz, the country’s New closed?” said Alireza Zali of the gorillas over coronavirus fears The ayatollah, who was 78, fatima Masumeh in Qom and Shah abdol-azim in Tehran were shut Year holidays. Shahid Beheshti medical uni- died two days after testing posi- until further notice. Iran has cancelled the main versity. AFP 1995 wiped out more than 90 tive for the disease and being IrNa news agency said the closure of fatima Masumeh trig- weekly Friday prayers, closed “We should not be confus- LIBreVILLe percent of the gorillas. hospitalised, state news agency gered angry protests in Qom, the epicentre of the outbreak in Iran parliament and postponed the ing people,” he was quoted as “We have decided to close IRNA reported. that has killed more than 850 people. Some of the demonstrators second round of legislative elec- saying by ISNA news agency, GABON, a forest-covered haven tourist activities for viewing The novel coronavirus also chanted “religious slogans” and damaged the entrance door, it tions. The judiciary has also sent adding that many vulnerable for gorillas and chimpanzees, the great apes in our parks to claimed the life of prominent added. Qom’s Jamkaran mosque also said in a separate statement 83,000 inmates on temporary groups such as pregnant wom- will stop allowing tourists to avoid any risk of transmis- economist and political activist it would close its doors, according to IrNa. leave from jails, apparently over en and those with autoimmune see its great apes fearing that sions between humans and Fariborz Rais-Dana on Mon- The mosque said the closure was aimed at “cutting the spread concerns of the virus spreading diseases were not given leave humans could give the novel the animals,” said Christian day. of this highly contagious disease” and done at the request of the in the prison system. from work. coronavirus to the animals, the Tchemambela of the country’s A prolific writer with a PhD anti-coronavirus headquarters, the agency added. (AFP) But Iran has yet to impose a The health ministry’s lat- country’s forest agency said on National Agency for National from the London School of Eco- lockdown, and the official num- est figures showed that Tehran Monday. Parks. “The respiratory viruses nomics, he had spent time in ber of deaths and infections has province had the highest num- The Central African nation that affect humans are easily prison after being convicted of The health ministry also 24 hours, raising the total to continued to grow exponen- ber of new infections with 200 has one only confirmed COV- transmitted to great apes be- spreading propaganda against reported 1,053 confirmed new 14,991. tially. cases, about 50 fewer than the ID-19 case so far, but fears lin- cause the two species are so the system. cases of infection in the past Iran has been scrambling According to the health day before. ger after an Ebola epidemic in closely related,” he told AFP. More Middle Eastern states limit travel amid rising COVID-19 cases FREE BIKE

DPA RECALL aMMaN

SEVERAL countries in the Middle East imposed further precaution- ary measures on Monday to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus as new positive cases were registered. Egypt said it will suspend all flights to and from the country start- ing on Thursday. The precautionary measure, which will be in place until March 31, aims at preventing an outbreak of the virus in the country, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli said. The cabinet will also issue a deci- A picture released by the Jordanian Royal Palace, shows Jordanian King Abdullah sion to reduce the number of employ- II (centre) holding a meeting with officials on health issues amid a global rise in ees in government offices. Egypt’s the coronavirus pandemic, in the capital Amman on Monday. (afP) Health Ministry had reported 126 cases and two Covid-19 deaths. Crisis and Disasters Management into effect on Tuesday, government Across the Middle East, precau- Authority. The UAE has reported at spokesman Amjad al-Adaileh said all tions against the spread of the coro- total of 98 infections. Jordanians coming back from abroad navirus are forcing people to put Algeria, where 54 cases have been will be put into “obligatory quaran- daily life on hold, with countries re- reported, said it will “temporarily” tine” for 14 days in special facilities stricting travel, closing educational halt flights to and from Europe start- and hotels the kingdom has prepared. institutions and shutting down large ing on Thursday, without specifying In Bahrain, authorities an- parts of society. for how long. nounced on Monday the first death The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Jordan said on Monday it had in the country due to the coronavirus, suspended prayers in mosques and registered 18 cases in total, after it marking the first fatality in the Gulf other places of worship in the Gulf only had one case up to Saturday. Cooperation Council (GCC) coun- country for four weeks starting Mon- The new cases include six French na- tries. The Ministry of Health said the day evening. tionals, a British tourist and an Iraqi 65-year-old Bahraini woman was suf- The UAE decision comes as part woman. One Jordanian left the quar- fering from chronic health problems. of precautionary measures to deal antine hospital after receiving treat- She had arrived from Iran last month, with the virus, according to a state- ment for two weeks. tested positive and was put in quaran- ment by the National Emergency and As a decision to halt all flights goes tine directly. Triumph Speed Twin

Manufacturing Lebanese ignore nationwide shutdown Year 2019 DPA and bakeries, were shut down until day,” one vendor said. The front and rear gear change linkage ball joints may loosen BeIrUT March 29. Lebanon has reported Lebanon is experiencing its worst DEFECT three deaths and 99 confirmed cases economic crisis since the civil war of SUN lovers, joggers and tea vendors of the coronavirus. 1975-1990 and has been engulfed by were to be seen on Beirut’s coastal “I am having a corona holiday protest since October, prompting main road on Monday, in defiance of and enjoying the sun at The Cor- banks to impose restrictions on Leb- Contact the dealer for the free required repair PROCESS the government’s imposition of a na- niche,” another man, who was jog- anese pound and dollar withdrawals. tionwide shutdown and demand that ging, said. Some Lebanese took to social people remain at home. In some of Beirut’s neighbour- media to make fun of the country’s “I am sunbathing, it is good for hoods it was business was as usual, politicians to keep themselves enter- Alfardan Motorcycles the virus to go away,” said one man with people walking the streets and tained amid the shutdown, although CONTACT Phone: 44208666 wearing a swimming suit at the sea- some vendors even sitting in front of some ministers and lawmakers have side Manara area, known as The their shops, smoking water pipes. announced that they will donate their Corniche. Lebanon, along with most other March salaries to fight the outbreak. On Sunday, Lebanon announced countries in the region, has banned A policeman said the Lebanese For any consumer protection issues please contact us on the hotline 16001 a national health emergency and gen- cafes and restaurants from serving still underestimate the coronavirus eral mobilization in an effort to con- water pipes amid the virus outbreak. outbreak. tain the new coronavirus outbreak. “We have an economic crisis in “Maybe they would stay home if All public and private institu- the country and they want us to close fines were imposed,” the policeman tions, except hospitals, pharmacies until March 29. We need a paid holi- said. 08 Tuesday, March 17, 2020 Europe / Americas Canada announces border closure Italy reports 349 new virus deaths, EU’s von der Leyen proposes 30-day entry to most foreigners taking total to over 2,000 restrictions on non-essential travel News PrIMe Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that Canada ITaLY on Monday reported 349 new deaths from the novel coro- eUroPeaN Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed is closing its borders to most foreign travellers, except americans, in navirus, taking its total since last month to 2,158, the most after an initial 30-day restriction on all non-essential travel into the euro- in brief order to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. “all Canadians, China. The number of official CoVID-19 fatalities has more than pean Union during a conference call with g7 leaders, in an effort to as much as possible, should also stay home,” he told a news confer- doubled since Thursday, when Italy’s toll topped 1,000 for the first limit the spread of coronavirus. The measure is being proposed to all ence outside his residence where he and his family are self-isolating time. Italy now has 27,980 infections, compared to 15,113 four eU leaders as well as european countries that are inside the bloc’s after his wife Sophie tested positive for the CoVID-19 virus. (AFP) days ago. It has reported more than 700 deaths in two days. (AFP) Schengen border-free zone. Britain is also encouraged to align. (DPA)

France’s Macron says EU entry ban Test ‘every suspected will apply from midday Tuesday DPA Serbia delays elections because ParIS of coronavirus outbreak FRENCH President Emmanuel case’ of COVID-19: WHO Macron says a ban on all entries SerBIaN election authorities on Monday delayed parliamentary, to the European Union and the provincial and local elections scheduled for april 26 due to the AFP Schengen area will come into coronavirus. The republican election Commission (rIK) said it geNeVa force with effect from midday decided to “stop all electoral activities ... temporarily suspend- (1100 GMT) on Tuesday. ing the elections process during the state of emergency trig- THE World Health Organiza- Macron says that the deci- gered by the coronavirus outbreak.” Preparations for the elec- tion called Monday for coun- sion was taken this morning tions will be resumed after the state of emergency is revoked, tries to test every suspected case “to protect us and contain the rIK chairman Vladimir Dimitrijevic said. of COVID-19, as the rest of the spread of the virus, but also to Serbia declared a state of emergency on Sunday in a bid to world registered more cases and preserve our health systems.” prevent the rapid spreading of the epidemic and passed a series deaths in the pandemic than European Commission Presi- of measures, such as closing its borders, closing schools and China. dent Ursula von der Leyen limiting public gatherings. (DPA) “You cannot fight a fire had earlier suggested that the blindfolded,” WHO chief Tedros measure could be adopted at Adhanom Ghebreyesus told an emergency EU summit to have to stay at home except for the health-care workers who reporters in a virtual press con- be held at 5 pm on Tuesday by essential reasons, mirroring say: If you want to aid us, you ference from the UN agency’s videoconference. measures against the new coro- must stay at home and avoid headquarters in Geneva. “From tomorrow midday navirus taken in neighbouring contact,” Macron adds. “In the past week, we have the frontiers to enter the Euro- Italy. The president criticized seen a rapid escalation of cases pean Union and the Schengen The measure will come into people who crowded into mar- of COVID-19,” he said, as the area will be closed,” Macron force from midday Tuesday for kets and parks on Sunday af- global death toll in the pandem- says. at least 15 days, and “every in- ter bars and restaurants were ic soared past 7,000. “In practical terms, all fraction of these rules will be closed, saying: “Not only are More cases and deaths have travel between non-European punished,” Macron you failing to protect yourself, now been reported in the rest of countries and the European warns in a televised address and recent developments have the world than in China, where Union will be suspended for 30 to the nation. shown no one is safe, not even the new coronavirus first sur- days.” “I say to you with great so- the young, but you are failing to faced in December, he added. Macron says citizens will lemnity this evening, listen to protect others.” Tedros did not provide the latest numbers, but according to an AFP tally Monday based on official sources, more than 175,500 cases have been record- World Health organization (WHo) Director-General tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is surrounded by journal- US begins human trial of coronavirus vaccine ed worldwide. ists at the end of a daily press briefing on COVID-19, at the WHO heardquaters in Geneva recently.(afP) The worst affected coun- AFP tries in terms of fatalities are stressing the need to break the More cases and deaths that those over 60 are at high- WaShINgToN mainland China, with more chains of transmission. have now been reported in est risk, young people, including than 3,200 deaths, Italy with “To do that, you must test children, have died.” THE first human trial to evalu- more than 2,000 deaths, over and isolate,” he said, stressing the rest of the world than in He called on “every country ate a candidate vaccine against 853 in Iran and over 300 in that “we cannot stop this pan- China, where the new and every individual to do eve- coronavirus disease 2019 has Spain. demic if we don’t know who is coronavirus first surfaced rything they can to stop trans- begun in Seattle, US health of- The WHO chief warned that infected.” in December. mission.” ficials said on Monday. as cases are soaring “we have The WHO, he said, was urg- “We are all in this together,” “The open-label trial will not seen an urgent enough es- ing countries to “Test, test, test. he said, asking people to show enroll 45 healthy adult volun- mRNA-1273 and was devel- achieving that goal.” calation in testing, isolation and Test every suspected case.” urged those countries to pri- more solidarity and refrain teers ages 18 to 55 years over oped by NIH scientists and Coronaviruses are spheri- contact tracing, which is the He hailed the surging pro- oritise older patients and those “from hoarding essential items, approximately 6 weeks,” the US collaborators at biotechnology cal and have spikes protruding backbone of the response.” duction in tests to meet the with underlying health condi- including medicines.” National Institutes of Health company Moderna, which is from their surface, giving them He hailed dramatic meas- global demand, and noted that tions, while others could be “Hoarding can create short- (NIH) said in a statement. based in Cambridge, Massa- a crown-like appearance. The ures put in place by a range of the WHO itself had shipped isolated at home. ages of medicines and other es- “The first participant re- chusetts. spike binds to human cells, al- governments, including the nearly 1.5 million tests to 120 Tedros also noted that peo- sential products, which can ex- ceived the investigational vac- Funding was also provided lowing the virus to gain entry. closing of schools and shops, countries, to help those most ple infected with COVID-19 acerbate suffering,” he said. cine today.” by the Oslo-based Coalition for The Moderna candidate pointing out that “social dis- in need. could still infect others after Tedros described the pan- But the candidate would Epidemic Preparedness Inno- vaccine carries the genetic in- tancing measures can help to “WHO advises that all con- they stop feeling sick, stressing demic as “the defining global still need to progress through vations (CEPI). formation of this spike in a reduce transmission and enable firmed cases, even mild cases, that isolation “measures should health crisis of our time.” various more stages, known as “Finding a safe and effec- substance called “messenger health systems to cope.” should be isolated in health fa- continue for at least two weeks “The days, weeks and phases, to prove it works and tive vaccine to prevent infec- RNA.” Efforts to get people to wash cilities, to prevent transmission after symptoms disappear.” months ahead will be a test of is safe. tion with SARS-CoV-2 is an Injecting human tissue their hands and sneeze into an and provide adequate care,” He urged people not to dis- our resolve, a test of our trust US officials have estimated urgent public health priority,” with the spike’s messenger elbow were also important tools Tedros said. miss the pandemic as something in science, and a test of soli- it may take another year to said Anthony Fauci, head of RNA makes it grow inside the to reduce transmission, he said. He acknowledged though that only affected the elderly. darity,” he said. 18 months before it becomes infectious diseases at the NIH. body, thereby eliciting an im- “But on their own, they are that many countries have al- “This is a serious disease,” “Crises like this tend to available – if everything goes “This Phase 1 study, mune response without having not enough to extinguish this ready exceeded their capac- he said, adding that “although bring out the best and worst in to plan. launched in record speed, is actually infected a person with pandemic,” Tedros warned, ity to care for mild cases, and the evidence we have suggests humanity.” The vaccine is called an important first step toward the full-blown virus. Spain to close land borders as cases increase Britain’s Johnson rejects calls to close schools AFP MaDrID Closure DPA LoNDoN SPAIN moved to close its land The closure, which will af- borders as the number of in- fect all cross-border traf- BRITISH Prime Minister Boris fections inched ever closer to fic with france, Portugal, Johnson rejected calls to close 10,000 despite a nationwide andorra and gibraltar, schools or reintroduce mass lockdown that officials said was to remain in place testing for the coronavirus on would likely extend beyond a Monday, but he urged the pub- fortnight. until the end of an alert lic to halt non-essential social The move came after that began on Saturday contact and travel. Spain imposed a string of un- for an initial period of two Johnson told reporters that prime Minister Boris Johnson precedented restrictions, or- weeks. the government needs to take gives a press conference on the dering its 46 million popula- “drastic action” as Britain ap- ongoing CoVID-19 situation in tion to stay home, shuttering pears to be “approaching the London on Monday. (afP) everything except food shops, Luis Abalos warned that the fast growth part” of its outbreak chemists and petrol stations. state of alert, which was ini- of Covid-19, the potentially fatal of schools and banning large But by 2:30 pm (1330 tially put in place for a two- disease caused by the coronavi- events. GMT) on Monday, the week period, would almost rus. But he said the govern- health ministry had counted certainly be extended in a The government is issuing ment will introduce measures 9,191 cases and 309 deaths, the Villamuriel renault factory in Villamuriel, palencia, after its closure in light of the novel coronavirus, move which would need the “strong advice” to entertain- to protect people over 70 years prompting the government CoVID-19, outbreak on Monday. (afP) approval of parliament. ment venues to suspend events old and others in vulnerable to announce the closure of its “It’s clear that we will need but is not ordering the closure groups, by asking them to sus- land borders. Merkel announces sweeping curbs to Marlaska said. to extend this situation... I of schools and pubs, he said. pend social contact. Interior Minister Fer- The virus has spread like think it’s clear that 15 days “We think at the moment, “In a few days time, by this nando Grande-Marlaska said keep Germans home in virus fight wildfire across Spain, making won’t be enough to win the on balance, it’s much better to coming weekend, it will be nec- the closure would come into it the second worst-hit coun- battle,” he told RNE, Spain’s keep schools open,” Johnson essary to go further and to en- effect at midnight, with only gerMaN leaders on Monday urged citizens to stay home, as the try in Europe after Italy. public radio. said, adding that the policy was sure that those with the most Spanish citizens, residents or government announced unprecedented nationwide measures to Despite Monday’s figures, Supply problems caused “under review.” serious health conditions are accredited diplomatic person- radically scale back public life in order to slow the spread of the the increase was lower than by the crisis have forced Re- Pressure has mounted on largely shielded from social nel allowed in, and any cases coronavirus. Chancellor angela Merkel called on germans to cancel the weekend numbers when nault, Seat and Nissan to Johnson to close schools and contact for around 12 weeks,” of force majeure. any holidays at home and abroad, while president frank-Walter 2,000 infections were detect- suspend all activity in Spain, change his policy for curbing Johnson said. The closure, which will Steinmeier told people to “stay at home”. ed between Saturday and Sun- Europe’s second car manufac- the spread of coronavirus, as Britain confirmed another affect all cross-border traffic The government banned gatherings in churches, mosques and syn- day and the number of deaths turer after Germany. some experts said his plans 171 Covid-19 infections on Mon- with France, Portugal, An- agogues and ordered non-essential shops as well as playgrounds rose by around 100. And PSA, which owns the could increase the number of day, taking its total to 1,543, in- dorra and Gibraltar, was to shut. at a press conference in Berlin, Merkel said that under the Of the total number, Ma- Peugeot and Citroen brands, deaths. cluding 55 deaths. Government remain in place until the end new measures, “there shouldn’t be any holiday trips undertaken drid remains the worst-affect- also said it was halting pro- Lawyers in Northern Ire- medical experts have said they of an alert that began on Sat- inside the country or outside it”. ed region, with 4,165 cases. duction in Spain and across land filed a complaint from the believe thousands more people urday for an initial period of “There have never been measures like this in our country before. In the worst-case scenario, the rest of Europe. mother of a child with health are infected. two weeks. They are far-reaching, but at the moment they are necessary.” infections were likely to “con- The lockdown also forced problems, who wants the terri- British actor Idris Elba said For the moment, no such Meanwhile, Steinmeier called on germans to “work together to tinue rising for at least an- the cancellation of regional tory to follow Ireland and other in a video that test results on restrictions will be imposed ensure the virus spreads as slowly as possible”. “So wherever pos- other 10 days,” said Fernando elections in the northern EU nations in closing schools. Monday showed he was infect- on air traffic, but such a meas- sible: stay at home! avoid close contact... and have understanding Simon, the health ministry’s regions of Galicia and the Johnson has declined to ed with the virus, urging people ure could be put in place “if for all restrictive measures,” he said in a statement. (AFP) emergencies coordinator. Basque Country, local offi- follow World Health Organiza- to heed the government’s call to the circumstances demand it”, Transport Minister Jose cials said. tion advice on testing, closure increase social distancing. Huawei Y7p: A pocket-friendly smartphone with premium features PAGE 11

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020

DOW20,585.21 QE 8,431.48 SENSEX 31,390.07 GOLD 1,500.30 Stocks, oil plunge as US Fed virus -2,600.41 pTS +120.61 pTS −2,713.41 pTS -1.08% move fails to ease fears PAGE 10 prICE pErCENTAGE prICE pErCENTAGE 12.86 BRENT 29.90 -11.67% WTI 28.83 -9.14% SILVER -11.34%

Qatar Central Bank lowers Doha Bank gets approval to interest rates

QNA Doha raise capital up to $1 billion THE Qatar Central Bank (QCB) announced on Monday that it reduced its deposit rate (QCB- a new Euro DR) by 50 bps to 1.00%, lend- Medium Term note ing rate (QCBLR) by 100bps to Retaining the profit of 2019 2.50%, and the QCB repurchase programme will be will strengthen the Bank’s rate (Repo) by 50 bps to 1.00%. set up and capped In a press release issued on shareholders’ equity which Monday, the QCB said that the at $1 billion, says will have a positive impact decision to reduce its deposit on increasing the capital rate, lending rate and the repur- CEo Seetharaman adequacy ratio. chase rate is based on the evolv- ing domestic and international SATYENDRA PATHAK Doha Bank Chairman Fahad macroeconomic developments. Doha bin Mohammed bin Jabor al The QCB’s decision comes Thani in line with the US Federal Re- DOHA Bank on Monday got serve’s decision announced on shareholders approval to issue Sunday to cut interest rate by Additional Tier 1 and Tier II shareholders’ equity as carry- a quarter-point for the second Capital Instruments amount- ing forward the profit will en- time in less than two weeks, in ing up to $1 billion either di- hance earnings per share from another emergency step to help rectly or through a Special the net profit in the coming support the US economy in ad- Purpose Vehicle (SPV) as per years as the profit retention dressing the repercussions of the terms of the issue. would have a positive impact the coronavirus outbreak. The The bank got approval Doha Bank board members addressing the extraordinary general assembly meeting held in Doha on Monday. on increasing the bank’s in- US Federal Reserve said in a to this effect during its ex- vestment capacity without statement that it would cut its traordinary general assem- The issuances can be in local board to determine all terms shows that the net profit at the to carry forward the net profit increasing the number of target interest rate to a range of bly meeting held in Doha on or major foreign currencies.” and conditions and take all end of the year amounted to after deductions to the follow- shares,” he said. 0 to 0.25% Monday. He said the bank will use necessary actions to execute QR 754 million compared to ing year, “Retaining the profit of The US Federal Reserve Talking to Qatar Tribune the facility as and when re- these issuances after obtain- QR 830 million in 2018 due to “Retaining the profit of 2019 is considered self-fi- had already cut interest rates by on the sidelines of the ordi- quired depending upon the ing relevant approvals from significant provisions taken in 2019 will strengthen the nancing and it will strengthen half a percentage point after an nary general assembly and current economic situation. Qatar Central Bank and other Qatar and overseas branches Bank’s shareholders’ equity the bank’s investment abil- emergency meeting on March the extraordinary general as- The Tier II issuance will competent authorities. and to meet the requirements which will have a positive im- ity which will have a positive 3. That had been the first rate sembly meeting, Doha Bank not exceed $500 million or its Earlier addressing the of IFRS9 and Qatar Central pact on increasing the capital impact on maximizing share- cut outside of a regularly sched- Group R Seetharaman said equivalent, Seetharaman said shareholders during the meet- Bank to strengthen the finan- adequacy ratio and would en- holders’ wealth that will result uled policy meeting since the that a new Euro Medium Term adding the maturity of the ings, Doha Bank Chairman cial position of the bank,” he hance the bank’s capacity and in increasing in the market financial crisis in 2008. Note (EMTN) programme will Additional Tier 1 instrument Fahad bin Mohammed bin Ja- said. its ability to grow its invest- value of the share,” he said. Most countries with cur- be set up and capped at $1 bil- shall be perpetual and that of bor al Thani said, “The bank Based on these results, he ments and credit portfolios in The AGM also approved rencies pegged to the US dollar lion. Tier II will be limited to 10 achieved an increase of QR said, the bank in consultation different business areas and by uncontested election the hike and lower interest rates He said, “The issuance can years. 12 billion in total assets which and coordination with Qatar that will increase the income nomination of new candidates with the Fed. The Qatari riyal be through a public issue or The shareholders author- stood by the end of the year at Central Bank and external of the bank in the coming to the membership of the has been pegged to the US dol- a private placement, in local ised the board of directors QR 108.2 billion.” auditor decided to present a years,” he said. board of directors for the next lar since 1980. and or international markets. and those authorised by the “The income statement recommendation to the AGM “It will support the bank’s three. QIC Insured calls on customers to buy, renew, file claims online QC exploring ways to ensure TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK While ensuring the con- availability of food products Doha tinuity of its business opera- tions, QIC Insured has taken TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK played by government in ing crisis throughout its ex- THE QIC Insured, the retail necessary steps to safeguard Doha dealing with the current cri- perience during the siege, he arm of leading insurer in the the health and well-being of its sis and measures adopted to added. MENA region QIC, has called customers, employees and the QATAR Chamber (QC) is ex- curb the outbreak of corona- The QC board member on its customers to visit its community at large, the state- ploring all options to ensure virus (COVID-19) also stressed that the com- website or download QIC mo- ment said. the smooth and continuous Obaidli lauded the na- mittee is in open meeting, bile App to purchase personal Commenting on the meas- availability of food products tion’s efforts and precaution- especially since there is insurances. ures taken Ahmed al Jarboey, in the market whether from ary measures to beat the vi- continuous and permanent The decision is in line with Senior Vice President, MENA local source or from abroad. rus, noting that these actions meetings with producers and precautions advised by Qatar to Ahmed al Jarboey, Senior Vice Retail & Motor at QIC Insured This was the highlight of demonstrate the solidarity suppliers of foodstuffs. counter the spread of COVID-19. president, MENA retail & Motor said, “QIC Insured is closely a meeting convened by QC’s and fruitful cooperation of all “The committee is ready “Customers can simply log at QIC Insured monitoring the situation and is Food Security and Environ- bodies. to receive all inquiries and onto qic-insured.com, which taking necessary steps to sup- ment Committee with chairs He also paid tribute to QC Board Member Mohamed bin proposals from investors and offers a wide range of insurance online platform is equally port the measures prescribed of its subsidiaries in the pres- the economic and financial Ahmed al obaidli suppliers of food products in products and services, such as equipped to manage all queries by the Ministry of Public ence of representatives of incentives issued for enhanc- order to find prompt solu- car insurance, home contents related to claims management, Health (MoPH) in limiting the governmental bodies. ing the national economy. Obaidli pointed out that tions,” he said. insurances, PAB insurances, right from filing to tracking a spread of the COVID-19. At the The meeting was presid- “The agricultural sector the private sector is fully pre- Obaidly said the private Business Insurance, etc. and claim. In the event of a claim, same time, we will continue to ed over by QC Board Mem- has played a key role in miti- pared to strongly contribute sector showed efficiency dur- purchase the desired insur- customers can also send the ensure that customers enjoy ber Mohamed bin Ahmed al gating the ongoing crisis by to the economic diversifica- ing the crisis. All commodi- ance from the comfort of their necessary documents to QIC the same level of convenience Obaidli. providing commodities and tion and help in facing the ties and products are avail- homes, at any time,” a state- Insured’s WhatsApp 5000 of purchasing or renewing our The attendees of the services in the local market,” current crisis. It has obtained able without any shortage or ment from QIC Insured said. 0742 or simply dial 8000 742 insurance products and servic- meeting praised the role he noted. a significant expertise in fac- corruption, he added. “In fact, QIC Insured’s for further assistance.” es without any hassle.” G7 vows collective action after banks’ ‘bazooka’ fails to ignite AFP ertson, global chief economist help to encourage bank lend- Despite the central banks’ na -- ground zero of the pan- LoNDoN at Renaissance Capital in Lon- ing. efforts to inject some calm, demic -- shrank 13.5 percent, don. The New York Federal Re- markets in Asia, Europe and the first contraction in three G7 leaders on Monday pledged “But they might also need serve went further Monday the United States resumed decades. collective action after emer- to focus on keeping financial with a transfusion of another their dizzying declines on Shares in airlines crashed gency injections of money by markets functioning at this $500 billion in virtually inter- Monday. after carriers in Europe and their central bankers failed turbulent time,” he told AFP. est-free liquidity. “There’s an understand- the United States announced to arrest the pandemic panic Dusting off their playbook But unlike the bank- ing in markets that a reces- dramatic cuts to their flight gripping global markets. from the 2008 financial crisis, ing shock of 2008, which sion is almost guaranteed. capacity and pleaded for state The G7 pledge was light on the US Federal Reserve, Eu- was readily quantifiable, the Authorities throwing money bailouts. detail, however, and deepen- ropean Central Bank, Bank of COVID-19 virus remains an at it helps but cannot stop it,” Analysts looked to vide- ing slumps on stock indices Japan and others announced invisible enemy and the world said Jasper Lawler, head of oconferences of the G7 and exposed the limits of official measures to try to keep cash economy could get much research at traders LCG. a separate one of EU finance promises after central banks pumping through the global worse as national lockdowns “Central banks led by the ministers to announce joint unveiled their plans Sunday. economy. take hold. US shot off a bazooka of lower stimulus plans, again evoking “The G7 is right to recog- In addition to joining “A significant downturn interest rates and quantita- action after the 2008 crisis. nise that the economic priority the other central banks in is looming over the coming tive easing but it has missed The Group of Seven lead- is to support those businesses enhancing global liquidity months, the only question is (the) target. Markets are back ers including US President which are now effectively swaps, the Fed slashed its key how deep it becomes,” com- into freefall,” he noted. Donald Trump vowed to co- bankrupt around the world interest rate to virtually zero, mented Neil Shearing, group Traders were also spooked ordinate and “do whatever it -- from airlines to restaurants and announced massive asset chief economist at Capital as industrial production for takes, using all policy tools” to and hotels,” said Charlie Rob- purchases along with more Economics. January and February in Chi- safeguard growth. 10 Tuesday, March 17, 2020 Economy & Business German emissions fall Stocks, oil plunge as US Fed 6.3% in 2019 as coal use reduced virus move fails to ease fears DPA BerLIN ● brent plunges over 10% to a 4-year low ● Sydney’s stock market led losses in asia-Pacific, tumbling 9.7% in its worst daily drop on record GREENHOUSE gas emissions in Germany fell by 6.3 percent AFP tion in around 30 years. has anything left in the tank in 2019 compared to the pre- LoNDoN Meanwhile, manufactur- should the spread of the virus vious year as Europe’s larg- ing activity in New York state not be contained”, said Kerry est economy burned less coal, STOCK markets and oil prices fell to its lowest level since Craig at JP Morgan Asset Environment Minister Svenja went into freefall Monday as 2009, according to the New Management. Schulze said on Monday. interest rate cuts and fresh York Federal Reserve Bank’s “Our view is that the drag Compared to 1990, the re- stimulus measures by central monthly industry survey. on the services sector from duction in emissions was 35.7 banks failed to lift confidence, Equity markets continue to social distancing policies and percent, according to prelimi- with analysts warning that be whipsawed by the disease, shock from the fall of the oil nary data from the Federal En- the Federal Reserve may have which has now infected almost price on the energy sector will vironment Agency. reached the limits of its power 170,000 people and killed be enough to tip the US into However, the trend was to fend off recession as the more than 6,000 with several recession, but not necessarily not observed in terms of heat- coronavirus spreads. countries going into lockDown a long one.” ing, due to a relatively cool Brent North Sea oil as Europe becomes the new - Key figures around 1330 year and cheap energy prices. plunged more than ten per- epicentre of the outbreak. GMT -London - FTSE 100: Meanwhile, car ownership cent to a four-year low, as a Down 7.9 percent at 4,941.48 also went up by 1.6 percent, price war between major pro- Asia meltDown points meaning that fuel consump- ducers Saudi Arabia and Rus- Sydney’s stock market led Frankfurt - DAX 30: Down tion also increased. sia added to sliding crude de- losses in Asia-Pacific, tumbling 9.5 percent at 8,351.31 In tonnes, greenhouse mand caused by the virus. 9.7 percent in its worst daily Paris - CAC 40: Down 10.7 gas emissions went down by The euro surged one per- drop on record, while Manila percent at 3,677.95 54 million to 850 million last cent against the dollar after shed nearly eight percent and Milan - FTSE MIB: Down year. It was the second biggest the Fed on Sunday slashed Bangkok and Mumbai dropped 10.9 percent at 14,211.80 reduction since 1990, after borrowing costs to almost zero more than five percent. EURO STOXX 50: UP 9.9 the fall seen in 2009 amid the -- its second emergency cut in Hong Kong, Singapore, percent at 2,328.92 global finance crisis. less than two weeks. Taipei and Jakarta all lost New York - Dow: Down 9.7 “This gives us courage for The US central bank also View of an empty restaurant is seen in the Brooklyn Borough of New york City on Monday. (AFp) more than four percent. Wel- percent at 20,935.16 the great tasks that lie ahead,” unveiled a massive asset- lington and Seoul were more Tokyo - Nikkei 225: Down Schulze said. buying programme, similar to according to its boss Jerome after slashing capacity, with than three percent off. 2.5 percent at 17,002.04 Germany is working to re- measures put into place dur- Powell. TUI Down by nearly a third Shanghai tumbled 3.4 per- (close) duce its greenhouse gas emis- ing the global financial crisis But traders were left unim- and British Airways-parent cent after the release of the in- Hong Kong - Hang Seng: sions by 55 percent by 2030 more than a decade ago. pressed, with the virus show- IAG crashing 28 percent. dustrial production data, which Down 4.0 percent at 23,063.57 compared to 1990 levels. The Bank of Japan joined ing no sign of letting up, while The car sector also slid as came a week after news that (close) The decline in 2019 is in on Monday, saying it would the head of the World Health Asia slides carmakers Fiat Chrysler and Chinese exports had collapsed. Shanghai - Composite: bringing Germany “much ramp up its bond-buying pro- Organization chief Tedros Ad- Peugeot-Citroen said they Tokyo ended 2.5 percent Down 3.4 percent at 2,789.25 closer” than expected to the gramme. hanom Ghebreyesus said it hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei were halting production. lower, after a rally sparked by (close) goal of a 40 percent reduction New Zealand’s central was impossible to tell when it and Jakarta all lost more than “While these (central the Bank of Japan’s support Dollar/ yen: Down at by 2020, Schulze said. The bank also slashed rates to re- would peak globally. four percent. Wellington and bank) moves may go some way measures announcement fiz- 105.40 yen from 108.02 yen at coronavirus epidemic, which cord lows in an attempt to With G7 leaders set to hold Seoul were more than three to easing any potential block- zled. 2130 GMT on Friday is hampering the economy cushion the economic blow, crisis videoconference talks percent off. ages in the plumbing of the The broad retreat followed Euro/ dollar: Up at $1.1119 and air travel, will likely push while the People’s Bank of later on Monday, IMF chief financial markets, they won’t a tumultuous week that saw from $1.1098 down emissions even more. China has injected vast sums Kristalina Georgieva called adequately compensate for the some stock markets suffer Pound/ dollar: Down at “We will experience a re- into financial markets to ease Monday for global govern- ing bell, with the Dow drop- upcoming economic shocks their worst days in decades $1.2240 from $1.2273 duction in emissions due to the liquidity worries. ments to work together to ping nearly 10 percent. that are about to come our and in some cases their worst Euro/pound: UP at 90.92 coronavirus,” said the presi- In joint action coordinated provide massive spending as In afternoon trading in Eu- way,” said CMC Markets ana- ever. pence from 90.18 pence dent of the German Environ- with the European Central in the 2008 financial crisis to rope, Paris 10.7 percent, Milan lyst Michael Hewson. And experts said there was Brent North Sea crude: ment Agency, Dirk Messner. Bank, Bank of England, Bank help the economy withstand 10.9 percent, Madrid 11.3 per- The scale of the crisis was a concern that the Fed might Down 10.9 percent at $30.15 But he also warned that of Japan, Bank of Canada and the damage from the corona- cent, Frankfurt 9.5 percent laid bare by data showing Chi- be running on empty with re- per barrel these are not structural effects the Swiss National Bank, the virus pandemic. and London 7.9 percent. nese industrial production for gards to further action. West Texas Intermediate: that will solve the problem in Fed moved to counteract glob- Trading was halted on Airlines and tourism January and February shrank Sunday’s move “raises the Down 8.6 percent at $28.99 the long run. al “dollar funding pressures” Wall Street just after the open- groups were the biggest fallers 13.5 percent, the first contrac- question of whether the Fed per barrel

NY manufacturing index down 34 pts, lowest since 2009: Fed Gulf bourses tumble as oil extend losses AFP economy against the fallouts AFP ness conditions declined 22 DUBaI of the coronavirus. WaShINgToN points to 1.2, also the lowest Boursa Kuwait continued level since 2009, the New STOCK markets in the ener- to bleed with the Premier In- AS the coronavirus pandemic York Fed survey showed. gy-rich Gulf states tumbled dex sliding 5.0 percent and spread to the US, manufac- The survey of about 200 Monday as oil prices extend- the All-Shares Index drop- turing activity in New York manufacturing executives ed losses amid unprecedented ping 3.9 percent. state fell to its lowest level was conducted from March measures against the corona- Following in the footsteps since 2009, according to the 2-10, just when closures of virus, as Bahrain became the of the US Fed, Kuwait Central New York Federal Reserve businesses, major sports first Arab Gulf country to re- Bank cut its main discount Bank’s monthly industry sur- leagues and entertainment cord a death from the disease. rate by 100 basis points to 1.5 vey. were rippling through the US Oil prices, the main source percent, its lowest ever. And the outlook for the economy, and before the gov- of Gulf revenues, skidded to The Saudi Tadawul mar- months ahead also collapsed ernment had made taken any their worst level since early ket, the region’s biggest, to a level not seen since the action to provide emergency 2016 amid a price war between dropped 5.21 percent despite last recession, according to spending to cushion the blow. Russia and Saudi Arabia, the a $13.3 billion stimulus an- the Empire State manufac- It is one of many regional second and third world pro- nounced by the kingdom to turing survey. business surveys, but the first ducers. support the economy. A Kuwaiti trader checks stock prices at Boursa Kuwait in Kuwait City recently. (afP) The manufacturing index to show a massive hit from The slide was led by the Meanwhile, the king- plunged 34 points to -21.5 in the COVID-19 outbreak. UAE bourses of Abu Dhabi dom’s energy giant Aramco lion stimulus that includes Bahrain on Monday be- Oil prices extended losses March, the biggest point drop While the Empire survey and Dubai which dived by dropped 3.14 percent a day $2.7 billion to support the came the first GCC member on Monday with US bench- and lowest level since the showed shipments slowing 7.8 percent and 6.2 percent, after it reported a net profit stock market. state to report a death due to mark West Texas Interme- year after the global financial only slightly, the new or- respectively, both trading at loss of 20.6 percent in 2019. The six-nation Gulf Co- coronavirus. diate (WTI) briefly dipping crisis erupted, according to ders index plunged 31 points multi-year lows. Bahrain bourse dropped operation Council have taken The 65-year-old woman below $30 a barrel, or 5.5 the statement. to -9.3. The two bourses ignored 1.4 percent and Muscat mar- unprecedented measures had pre-existing medical con- percent, in morning Asian In addition, “Firms no And while employment further financial support an- ket ended 1.8 percent down. to combat the coronavirus ditions, the health ministry trade before regaining its longer expect general busi- fell modestly, the average nounced Monday by some Qatar Stock Exchange pandemic, including halting said on Twitter. footing. ness conditions to be better work week dropped to -10.6 countries on top of a $27.2 bucked the trend for the sec- flights, closing borders, re- Nearly 1,000 cases of the The Brent global bench- over the next six months.” from -1.0, meaning employ- billion stimulus unveiled the ond day after the gas-rich stricting travel and shutting virus have been recorded so mark was down 3.28 percent The index for future busi- ees are not working as much. previous day to support the emirate announced a $23 bil- all entertainment facilities. far across the six-nation GCC. at $32.74 a barrel.

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QUOTATIONS REQUIRED FOR QUOTATIONS INVITED FOR THE Required For A Medical Complex CLEANING SERVICES PURCHASE OF WINDOW AC Quotations are invited for the Cleaning Services at Pakistan Quotations are invited for the purchase of - Doctors10 Split with Air all Conditioners. specialties Kindly send your International School on daily basis except Friday. - Nursessealed quotations latest by 20-03-2020 on the Interested Parties/Companies are requested to collect the terms following address and conditions from Sunday to Thursday (07am to 01 pm) from TransferablePrincipal PakistanRP is a must International School Doha, Admin Office Pakistan International School. Kindly send your P.O Box # 1930.For details contact:-Admin sealed quotations latest by 22-03-2020 on the following address Office,Contact: Pakistan International School, Doha WhatsApp: 33811174 Principal Office Pakistan International School PO Box 1930 Doha Qatar. For Qatar.44683343/33 and 44683250 OR Visit Further details please call 44683343-Ext-33 Or Visit www.pisqdoha.com Email:website: [email protected] www.pisqdoha.com Economy & Business Tuesday, March 17, 2020 11 QBA hails Qatar’s bundle of measures to combat COVID-19 TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK QBA said, “The move reflects The QR75 billion finan- period of six months, in addi- through the economic growth Doha a wise decision by the Amir The Qba said the bundle cial and economic incentives tion to reducing the burdens rates, and on all other eco- towards the people and eve- of economic incentives announced by the committee and operating expenses on nomic indicators, including THE board members of the ryone who lives in Qatar, and will be reflected on the to support the private sector companies operating in the the current account and bal- Qatari Businessmen Associa- touches strikingly with the ac- business environment in will help cover the financing hospitality, retail, tourism, ance of payments, and infla- tion (QBA) headed by Chair- curacy and sensitivity of the Qatar, through the eco- needs of the private sector to commercial complexes, logis- tion rates. man Sheikh Faisal bin Qas- difficult stage that our country nomic growth rates, and continue its work efficiently tical areas and sales outlets Sheikh Faisal said the sim al Thani, has hailed the and the rest of the world is go- and maximize its role in the by granting exemptions from world is currently experienc- directions of the Amir HH ing through as a result of the on all other economic sustainable development electricity and water fees for ing a crisis due to the rapid Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al spread of Corona pandemic, indicators, including the projects. a period of six months, spread of the Corona virus Thani to the Supreme Com- and its serious repercussions current account and bal- It will also reduce the The QBA also hailed the and the major economic mittee for Crises Manage- on the business environment ance of payments, and pressure and financial bur- QR10 billion investment an- consequences of its spread ment, to take the necessary and the global economy in inflation rates den on small and medium- nounced by the committee to globally, putting the world in measures and decisions to general.” sized companies, which in re- support the stock market. front of a great challenge, and avoid the human and eco- QBA board members turn will also benefit from the The QBA said the bun- a real test of the human race, nomic impacts of the new Co- also added that the impor- would give the business envi- and reduce the size of the instructions of Qatar Central dle of economic incentives in his ability to confront and rona disease (Covid-19). tant economic decisions an- ronment and the private sec- economic impact expected Bank for local banks to post- will be reflected on the busi- cohesion, and surpass the ef- In a statement on Sunday, nounced by the committee tor in Qatar a huge support, due to the spread of virus. pone loan installments for a ness environment in Qatar, fects of the epidemic storm.

Doha Bank extends Huawei Y7p: A pocket-friendly liquidity support to SMEs over Covid- 19 smartphone with premium features RAHUL PREETH accentuate the object in focus, TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Doha letting the shooter derive the Doha Boosting SMEs pleasure of a professional pho- HUAWEI has brought out tographer. CONSIDERING the present Doha Bank has been very a fair share of solid smart- The hole-punch module situation due to Covid- 19, supportive of SMes and are phones in the Y series to stake upfront is an 8 megapixel Doha Bank has extended helping them to be ready its claim in the mid-range bat- selfie shooter. What struck me support to borrowers under for the times ahead by way tlefield. The latest among them the most was the sharpness of small and medium enter- of providing financing with is the Y7p, a strong contender the images it produced despite prises (SMEs) segment by the help of innovative in the sub-QR700 range that being a selfie camera. It is postponement, upon re- products and services for comes with a triple camera set pretty useful for social media quest up to 90 days, of their their commercial activities up, a large screen and a power- postings. The front camera’s installments under term ful battery. subject-background separa- loan and payments under Out of the box, the device tion for the portrait mode also LTR/ STPF facilities falling Apart from lending is pleasing to look at. But it looks decent. For video, the due up to June 30, the bank products which takes care isn’t just eye-candy. Huawei Y7p can shoot up to 1080 p at announced in a statement off entire working capital has carefully packed a lot of 30 FPS. on Monday. finance, capex financing, features into this device, tick- The bank will not charge Doha Bank SME also offers ing all the right boxes when it Software penal interest and fee for the specialised services like cash comes to performance, cam- The Y7p runs an EMUI same, the statement added. management, payroll prod- eras and battery life. 9.1 based on Android 9 Pie Doha Bank is a pioneer ucts, trade services, custom- processor. The Y7p does not in appreciating the impor- ized forex solutions, insur- Design have the Google Mobile Ser- tance of the very critical role ance solutions, etc. The Y7p comes in two col- vices (GMS) installed. Instead, being played by SMEs in Doha Bank is also play- ours — midnight black and the phone comes with Hua- the development of Qatar’s ing an important role in aurora blue. The curved-edge wei Mobile Service. It offers a economy. Doha Bank was supporting and promoting design on the rear has a pre- host of services including Ap- the first to launch ‘Tatweer’, SMEs through Qatar Devel- mium, metallic-gloss finish pGallery, which is the Huawei a dedicated SME unit in opment Bank’s (QDB)’s in- and gives off a pseudo 3D ef- equivalent of the Google Play- 2008. direct lending programme, fect (2.5 D effect) wherever the store. But as there is no GMS, Doha Bank has been called ‘Al-Dhameen’, which light hits. apps like Facebook, YouTube very supportive of SMEs encourages commercial Upon first glance and and Gmail aren’t pre-installed and are helping them to be banks in Qatar to lend fi- touch, the Y7p seems to be in the device. ready for the times ahead by nancial support to SMEs made of glass but actually it is the y7p comes in two colours — midnight black and aurora blue. Under the hood, the Y7p way of providing financing by the way of guaranteeing done with polycarbonate ma- carries a Kirin 710F chipset with the help of innovative 75% -85% of the principal terial and the phone feels solid superbly fast and accurately. makes it ideal for gaming, popping colours and enough paired with 4 gigabites of products and services for outstanding to new and ex- and easy to hold. The left side sports a dual- browsing and watching vid- brightness to work under di- RAM. their commercial activities. isting entities. Upfront, the display has sim card tray with a dedicated eos. Thankfully, it comes with rect sunlight. For biometrics, the Y7p slim bezels all over apart from micro SD slot, while the right 4,000 mAh battery, which has a rear-mounted finger- the chin, where it is thicker side houses the volume rocker lasted an entire day and a ma- Cameras print scanner and a face un- than the rest. The device fea- and the power button, which jor portion of the night in the The rear triple camera lock. Both work pretty well. tures a punch-hole setup for responds with a satisfying hands of phone-addict like me. set-up features a 48MP main The Y7p’s 4000 mAp bat- its selfie camera, which looks click. The placements of the All in all, it’s an excellent shooter with AI functionality, tery lasts for more than 22 GIS postpones its 2019 good without being too intru- buttons are just right and they device for multimedia – the an 8MP ultra-wide lens and a hours of video playback. With sive on the screen. don’t wobble when handled clear, loud and down-firing 2MP depth sensor for better the default 10v charger and a general assembly meeting At the rear, the Y7p has its boorishly. speaker pairs well with the portrait shots. Other features micro-USB cable, it took me triple camera set up, neatly Up top, the phone has a screen. include a night mode and about 2 hours to charge the TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK The move was taken as a laid out on the top-left corner secondary microphone, with The Y7p sports a 6.39 inch slow-mo support. battery from almost 0% to full. Doha safety precaution to minimise in a vertical, slightly-protrud- the primary microphone, a mi- delicate “Punch FullView” dis- The images produced The Y7p is a rather good the risk of corona virus (COV- ing bump, but that doesn’t cro USB port and a headphone play and the screen has a reso- by the rear camera are sim- phone that sits right between GULF International Services ID-19) spread. take away too much from the jack at the bottom. lution of 720 x 1560 pixels at ply stunning and would give the entry-level and mid-range (GIS) has postponed its 2019 GIS said details of the phone’s aesthetics. a pixel density of 269 ppi. Col- phones several notches above segment. For its price tag of ordinary general assembly meeting will be announced Just below the cameras but Display our production is quite satisfy- in price range a run for their QR649, it is a device for those meeting, which was sched- only after coordination with towards the centre is the fin- The large display has nar- ing and the details are sharp money. Portraits produce that seeking flagship features uled to be held in Doha on the relevant regulatory au- gerprint scanner. The location row bezels with a 90 percent enough for daily use. The coveted bokeh effect by slight- without burning a hole in the Monday. thorities. is perfect and the sensor works screen-to-body ratio that display looks great with nice, ing blurring the background to pocket. Global banks take crisis measures as virus death toll surges AFP Globally, there have been like this,” he told AFP, as he in Cyprus, said she was scram- WaShINgToN more than 6,500 confirmed restocked the store’s empty bling to get home, fearful of deaths from the virus. The shelves. further restrictions on move- THE US Federal Reserve and weekend saw a tipping point In New York and Los An- ment. other central banks unveiled with a majority of the fatalities geles, bars and restaurants “I think if I stayed here and emergency measures to prop now outside of China. have been closed, while sev- if it was a lockdown, I think I up the coronavirus-battered With the virus infect- eral casinos in Las Vegas have would be really upset, the fact global economy, as the three ing nearly every sector of the shuttered. that I could not go home and worst-hit European countries global economy, concerns are In the Netherlands, can- see my family,” she told AFP. recorded their deadliest days growing the world will be cata- nabis smokers aiming to keep There were continuing of the pandemic. pulted into a damaging reces- calm and carry on queued up signs of improvement in Chi- The virus has upended so- sion, leading to stock markets outside Dutch “coffee shops” na, with only four new cases ciety around the planet, with enduring horror losses and on Sunday after the govern- recorded in Wuhan -- where governments imposing re- wild swings. ment ordered their closure. the virus was first detected in strictions rarely seen outside The Fed attempted to stem “For maybe for the next December -- although import- wartime, including the closing the panic with drastic meas- two months, we’re not able ed cases rose. of borders, home quarantine ures announced before Asian to get some weed so it should And there have been orders and the scrapping of markets opened on Monday, be nice to at least have some heartwarming scenes around public events. slashing its key interest rate to in the house,” said Jonathan the world as people attempt to After the COVID-19 pan- virtually zero. A passenger uses a face mask as a precautionary measure against the spread of the new coronavirus, outside a “coffee shop” in The lift spirits. demic began in China late last “What’s happened with the CoVID-19, at El Dorado international airport in Bogota on Monday. (afP) Hague. In Switzerland, where year, Europe in recent weeks Fed is phenomenal news,” US - ‘Really upset’ -There was cases nearly doubled to 2,200 emerged as the biggest flash- President Donald Trump said move downwards and Asia- AxiCorp’s Stephen Innes. Despite Trump’s insist- pandemonium at several air- on Sunday, Geneva residents point and the death toll on Sunday at a regular briefing of Pacific stocks tumbling again. China provided more evi- ence there is enough food to ports as travellers scrambled applauded, whistled and rang the continent surged over the his coronavirus task force. “I Australia’s main share dence of COVID-19’s dire eco- last through the pandemic, to get home with countries bells from their balconies weekend. can tell you, I’m very happy.” index fell 9.7 percent on nomic impact, announcing panic-buying has been seen increasingly slamming shut and windows to thank health Italy on Sunday an- The Bank of Japan on Monday, its largest-ever per- factory output had contracted around the world as people their borders to prevent the workers on the frontline. nounced 368 deaths over the Monday also announced centage drop, with investors for the first time in nearly 30 stock up on essentials fearing virus spreading. Images of Italians sing- previous 24 hours, the worst emergency economic stimu- fearing that governments had years. a lengthy period of enforced In the US, passengers ing from their balconies have single-day toll for any country lus measures for the world’s few other tools to fire up the Normal life is at a stand- quarantine. complained of massive queues also gone viral and the choir of of the crisis and far exceeding third-biggest economy, adding global economy. still in much of western Eu- Larry Grossman, manager as staff battled with new entry Stockholm’s Katarina church the deadliest day in China re- to similar efforts from Euro- “The biggest concern has rope, with France ordering at a Manhattan supermarket, rules and stipulations on med- decided to livestream their corded in February. pean central banks. to be that the big G7 central all non-essential businesses said he had never seen any- ical screening, leading some performances online. Spain and France regis- But investors remained in banks have exhausted their closed and Spain banning thing like it in 40 years. to worry they were exposing “People need something to tered 183 and 29 new deaths panic mode, with the futures policy tool kit, especially the people from leaving home ex- “I have been through Hur- themselves to the virus in the cling on to, I think, and some- respectively on Sunday, also markets on the Dow Jones In- biggest and most influential cept to go to work, get medical ricane Sandy... through 9/ 11, crowds. thing to listen to,” said choris- their worst one-day tolls. dex predicting another sharp one of them all, the Fed,” said care or buy food. I have never seen shopping Joanna, a British student ter Birgitta. South Africa calls off all cricket over virus spread PAGE 14

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020

‘Don’t sacrifice lives’: doubts grow in Japan over Tokyo Olympics AFP est, even if Japan overcomes ‘Look at the panic’ celled, test events scaled back ToKYo this crisis, we wouldn’t receive Masao Sugawara, a 90-year- and the Olympic torch arrival visitors from the world. I think old pensioner, told AFP: “Per- and relay altered. DOUBTS are growing in Japan we’d better not hold it.” sonally, I think it would be saf- Plans have been scrapped about the Tokyo Olympics, with “We cannot sacrifice peo- er to postpone the Olympics for to involve hundreds of chil- growing opposition to holding ple’s lives for it,” added Miura, a year, just as President Trump dren in the torch’s arrival cer- them as scheduled and some who said the Games should be said. Look at the panic.” emony, while an exhibition urging officials not to risk lives postponed – if not cancelled “Of course it would be disap- and three events to display the by pressing ahead during the outright. pointing, though,” he admitted. flame have also been axed. coronavirus emergency. Public opinion in Japan Manfred Otto, 45, a half- Cancelling the Olympics Officials like Japanese appears to be moving against Japanese, half-German law- would be a heartbreaking Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the Games. A poll for public yer, said he was “worried” decision for Tokyo residents International Olympic Com- broadcaster NHK taken March about the Games and stressed: who rushed to buy tickets, mittee chief Thomas Bach have 6-9 suggested 45 percent were “We really need to be careful.” and authorities whose prep- repeatedly insisted prepara- opposed to going ahead as “If the outbreak does not arations have won wide- tions should continue to light planned, with 40 percent in get controlled by June or July, spread praise – with the ma- the Olympic flame on July 24. favour. I think we should postpone it,” jority of venues ready well But with events from the And a new poll of more said Otto. ahead of schedule. Premier League to NBA bas- than 1,000 people released The betting odds are in- Hisaya Suzuki, 47, said he ketball scrapped, and Japa- Monday by Japan’s Kyodo creasingly shifting towards had tickets to see baseball, Ja- nese sport also at a standstill, news agency showed 69.9 per- the opening ceremony not pan’s most popular sport. even US President Donald cent of respondents believe taking place on July 24. Book- “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime Trump has suggested putting Tokyo will not be able to hold maker Paddy Power is offer- opportunity, so I really the Olympics on hold. the Games as scheduled. ing 4-1 against the Games wanted to take my son,” he Japan has seen relatively Tokyo governor Yuriko opening on time. said, but added: “If there few cases, with 814 testing Koike has said it is “unthink- pedestrians wearing face masks walk past a board showing the number of days to the tokyo 2020 olym- This comes as the virus – will be negative consequenc- positive and 24 dead. But able” to cancel the Olympics pic Games in yokohama on Monday. Doubts are growing in Japan about the tokyo olympics, with growing which has killed 6,400 people es, it may be wiser to pause some people on the streets but the decision rests with the opposition to holding them as scheduled and some urging officials not to risk lives by pressing ahead worldwide – shreds the inter- it (the Games).” of Tokyo voiced concern for IOC, which is planning emer- during the coronavirus emergency. (afP) national sporting calendar, with Sugawara said the magni- the fans that would pour in gency talks with international almost no elite sporting action tude of the coronavirus trumped from abroad. sports federations on Tuesday, ganisation recommendations lation of qualifying events was “flexibility” regarding qualifica- taking place last weekend. sporting considerations. Koki Miura, a 27-year-old according to an IOC source. regarding a possible post- posing “serious problems”. tions for the Tokyo, and encour- Preparations for the “I am 90 years old. Except employee at an internet com- Bach has stressed the IOC ponement. But he has also At the beginning of March, aged “all athletes to continue to Games have already been af- for wartime, I have never felt pany, told AFP: “To be hon- will follow World Health Or- acknowledged that the cancel- Bach said the IOC would show prepare” for the Games. fected, with qualifiers can- so worried.”

Gloomy outlook Olympic boxing qualifiers go ahead for sport amid despite virus fears

pandemic The Olympic boxing qualifiers for Europe are going ahead in London despite a near halt in sport elsewhere in the world due to the coronavirus pandemic.

AFP behind closed doors “due to the country has recorded LoNDoN the changing situation with 1,372 confirmed cases. coronavirus and concerns for Organisers of the box- lockdown OLYMPIC boxing qualifiers public, athlete and volunteer ing qualifiers said before the for fighters from Europe were welfare”. event started that measures taking place in London on Shortly before that deci- had been put in place to pro- Monday behind closed doors sion, the head of European tect competitors. despite mounting concerns boxing told the BBC he was “All of the teams have over coronavirus and enor- “very concerned” that the been told to adopt regular mous disruption across the event was taking place. handwashing,” they said in a world of sport. European Boxing Con- statement. The Boxing Road to To- federation (EUBC) presi- “If any of their group kyo event in London started dent Franco Falcinelli said begins to exhibit cold or flu View of the empty stands before the Mexican Clausura tournament football match between America against Cruz Azul at Azteca Stadium, in on Saturday in front of pay- he feared the risk of a boxer symptoms they are advised Mexico City on March 15, 2020. The match was played without public as a preventive measure in the face of the global pandemic. (afP) ing spectators at the Copper getting the virus was “very to self-isolate, stay indoors, Box Arena and is due to run high”. avoid contact with other peo- Public mood has also apparently been shifting from disappointment that sport has until March 24. “In my opinion it’s very ple and contact the LOC’s It features around 350 strange that England – and (local organising commit- been sacrificed, to support for measures aimed at staying healthy and saving lives male and female boxers from the competition – is open at tee’s) chief medical officer.” dozens of nations and is the this hard time,” he said. Additional measures include AFP were seen fleeing back home this thing more seriously and lems we are having now other first opportunity for boxers Falcinelli also said he was routine temperature testing ParIS from Europe, where they had I hope everyone else is going nations will have shortly,” said from Europe to qualify for concerned that the athletes as part of daily medicals. initially exiled themselves to to do so because we can do it Mancini, the former Manches- Tokyo 2020. could struggle to return home Japanese Prime Minister SILENT stadiums and empty escape the illness. together. Take care and stay ter City and Inter Milan boss. The IOC Boxing Task because of flight restrictions. Shinzo Abe on Saturday said venues made for a gloomy The public mood has also safe,” the 27-year-old French- Europe’s top football com- Force, in a statement on Sun- Britain’s death toll from the country would host the weekend for sports fans but the apparently been shifting from man said Sunday. petitions have already suspend- day, said the rest of the event, COVID-19 rose on Sunday Tokyo Olympics, due to start fear on Monday was it could disappointment that sport has ed their seasons and Liverpool’s from Monday, would take to 35. Official figures showed on July 24, as planned. only get worse amid the widen- been sacrificed, to support for Save lives first stab at winning the Premier ing coronavirus pandemic. measures aimed at staying Many European governments League after a 30-year-wait With governments opting healthy and saving lives. are taking no chances about passed them by on Monday. for increasingly stringent bans They could have picked up on the size and number of public the trophy at Goodison Park Quick read gatherings, most major sports There are those who believe football’s Euro 2020, if Manchester City had lost to events across the world have Burnley on Saturday – but the Bundesliga suspended until April 2 DFL ‘counts on’ Euro been suspended or scrapped. scheduled to take place in 12 countries across Europe feat remains hypothetical as 2020 postponement What happens next may from June 12 to July 12, should also be postponed. neither match was allowed to FRANKFURT AM MAIN: The 36 clubs in germany’s two become clearer on Tuesday take place. top divisions have accepted the proposal by the german FRANKFURT AM MAIN: The german foot- when UEFA officials meet Meanwhile there were signs football League (DfL) to put the competitions on hold ball League (DfL) believe this summer’s to discuss whether football’s A social media backlash the spread of the virus and of a change of tone in Japan until april 2 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the DfL’s euro 2020 will be postponed due to the showpiece European cham- hit organisers for allowing the there are those who believe about the Tokyo Olympics, with chief executive said on Monday. coronavirus pandemic, the body’s chief ex- pionships, the year’s biggest showpiece Cheltenham Festi- football’s Euro 2020, sched- opposition growing to holding The Bundesliga and second-tier sides agreed on the ecutive Christian Seifert said on Monday. sporting event along with the val to go ahead last week with uled to take place in 12 coun- the Games as scheduled. move during a general meeting in frankfurt and will Tournament organisers Uefa will hold a Tokyo Olympics, should go more than 250,000 specta- tries across the continent from Until now the Interna- come together again in april to make another decision. videoconference with representatives from ahead. tors attending, one of the few June 12 to July 12, should also tional Olympic Committee “It doesn’t mean we will restart the competition after all 55 member associations as well as UEFA have already recent events escaping spec- be postponed. and Japanese officials have this date,” chief executive Christian Seifert said. from clubs and players bodies on Tuesday. scrapped the coming week’s tator bans. All horse racing in The head of the Italian foot- indicated preparations for the “our biggest enemy is the coronavirus, but our second It will then hold an executive committee mouthwatering round of Britain has now been moved ball federation, Gabriele Gravi- event set to be held between biggest enemy is the state of uncertainty. for now, meeting at 1400 (1300 gMT) at their Champions League and Eu- behind closed doors. na, has expresed that view and July 24 and August 9 should no-one can say in good faith when football will restart. Swiss headquarters. “I firmly count on the rope League ties. Any hope The shift in mood was illus- Italy coach Roberto Mancini continue as planned. It’s too early to be able say the season won’t come to fact the tournament will be postponed,” that the Euro 2020 would trated too by the apology from says he is open to the proposal. Public opinion may be an end,” he said. If the health situation allows it the Seifert said. “I assume that after tomor- be spared an increasingly Rudy Gobert, the Utah Jazz cen- “Let’s wait to see what wavering, however. A poll on DfL would prefer to hold matches behind closed doors row the national leagues will have more Europe-wide virus lockdown tre and the first NBA player to UEFA decides, but I adapt to Monday showed 69.9 percent to keep hold of the income from television rights which flexibility. “The probability that we have a was hard to sustain as the test positive for the coronavirus. everything, right now the pri- of the Japanese population be- the professional outfits heavily depend on. Money from perfect euros this summer is measured death toll and the number of He was guilty of making ority is to save lives,” he said. lieved the Games would not be broadcasting deals help employ 56,000 people across by a number close to zero.” The euros are COVID-19 cases spiralled and light of the virus when the Italy are set to host the held as scheduled. the Bundesliga teams with thousands more indirectly scheduled to take place in a dozen cities the continent became the new subject came up at a press opening match in Rome on Koki Miura, a 27-year-old impacted. “a point will arrive, without fans, without TV across the continent between June 12 epicentre of the disease. conference a week ago -- two June 12, but for the moment employee at an internet com- rights, and without the sponsorship income, the clubs’ and July 12. earlier on Monday, the DfL The fact was hammered days before he tested positive all sport has been suspended pany, told AFP they should be futures will be threatened,” he said. “We are currently announced germany’s top two divisions home when Chinese football- and the entire NBA season with the nation’s 60 million delayed or cancelled. “We can- fighting for these thousands of jobs, not so we can pay had been postponed until at least april 2 ers from Wuhan, where the vi- was suspended. inhabitants in lockdown. not sacrifice people’s lives for the salaries of the players,” he added. (AFP) with nine rounds to play. (AFP) rus first emerged late last year, “I wish I would’ve taken “The fact is that the prob- it,” said Miura. Sports Tuesday, March 17, 2020 13 After fleeing abroad, Chinese football teams rush home again to avoid virus

AFP since late January but left at the that the situation “has flipped”. ruptions and strict quarantine ShaNghaI weekend because of the wors- “We are more in danger rules when coming home. ening situation in Europe, now (here). It now appears... better Wuhan Zall were stranded MOST Chinese Super League the focal point of the pandemic. to leave,” he said. in Frankfurt, Germany on Sun- (CSL) clubs fled abroad when Wuhan will reportedly Fabio Cannavaro’s CSL day, according to Chinese me- the deadly coronavirus hit the continue their chaotic pre-sea- champions Guangzhou Ever- dia, and their current location country but they are now rush- son preparations in Shenzhen. grande, who were in Dubai, was not immediately available. ing back again as it takes hold Wuhan itself is still in lock- and runners-up Beijing Guoan The Beijing News reported elsewhere. down, despite virus numbers are among the clubs that have that Li Tie’s national team The national side is still in China reducing. recently returned to China. were curtailing their stint in training in Dubai – where The CSL season was sup- Guangzhou R&F, coached Dubai and had planned to fly many CSL teams also went posed to begin on February by former Arsenal and Barce- back to the Chinese capital in recent weeks – but they 22 but was indefinitely post- lona star Giovanni van Bron- from Dubai. too are now making hasty ar- poned. It could start behind ckhorst, on Monday became However, their return is rangements to get home as closed doors in May, accord- the latest club to say they were also becoming complicated, soon as possible. ing to reports. cutting short their Dubai train- as Beijing authorities are now Wuhan Zall, from the city at Leo Baptistao, Wuhan’s ing camp. However, getting sending all international ar- the epicentre of the outbreak, Brazilian attacker, told Chinese back to China is not straight- rivals in the capital to quar- had been training in Spain media before departing Spain Chinese fans held a message of support for Wuhan during a women’s olympic football qualifier in Sydney. (afP) forward because of flight dis- antine facilities. Coronavirus spells uncertainty for footballers & clubs Aston Villa won the EFL’s Championship last season and were AFP promoted to the premier League. (afP) LoNDoN

DRASTIC measures to help Football League chief curb the spread of the corona- virus have plunged football into crisis, with leagues across Eu- calls for ‘cool heads’ rope suspended and uncertain- ty over when play will resume. to deal with chaos A UEFA meeting on Tues- day bringing together Eu- AFP have been reports the current rope’s 55 member associations LoNDoN top two in the Championship is widely expected to delay – Leeds and West Bromwich Euro 2020, which was due to ENGLISH Football League Albion – would be promoted start in June. (EFL) chairman Rick Parry has to the Premier League. That could free up some called for “cool heads” as he That could trigger bitter le- space in the calendar for na- wrestles with the dilemma of gal action if clubs are unhappy tional leagues and European how to finish the season with they did not get the chance club competitions to be com- the coronavirus wreaking havoc. to complete potential pro- pleted in the summer months. The second-tier Champion- motion-winning campaigns The approach favoured by ship, League One and League themselves. officials, players and pundits Two last week suspended play All the speculation has led is to finish the league seasons until April 3 at the earliest in to an alarmist atmosphere whenever it is safe to do so. response to the pandemic. around the English game but, “For the European leagues Clubs are awaiting guid- with the EFL board set to it is most essential that do- ance on how to proceed, with meet for a further update on mestic competitions can be concerns spiralling over the Wednesday, former Liverpool completed this season, to limit potential financial damage to chief executive Parry urged the negative impact for the en- smaller teams if the season is teams to stay calm. tire football ecosystem,” said not able to finish. “These are indeed chal- the European Leagues, which There is also the issue of lenging times for the league, represents more than 950 promotion and relegation to its clubs and the game as a clubs from 29 countries. resolve if games cannot be whole,” Parry said. La Liga president Javier completed. “However, now is the time Tebas said on Sunday he was A potential cancellation of for cool heads and calm reflec- “convinced” the Spanish do- Euro 2020 would open a win- tion rather than speculation as mestic league season would be Chelsea’s Willian (left) and olivier Giroud (right) are among those out of contract at the end of June. (afP) dow in the summer to wrap up we look to steer our competi- played to a finish despite a state the domestic season. tions and clubs through this of emergency in the country. oud, Willian and Pedro Rod- have been proposed should pliers?” Gianluca Vialli. If that is not possible, there period of uncertainty.” However, there are extra com- riguez and Jan Vertonghen of this scenario come to pass but Even before the virus Stevenage are one of the plications with extending the Tottenham. clubs may not even get to June caused chaos across the globe, clubs to have entered into an season beyond its traditional However, it is further with enough money to pay the finances of many Football agreement with Zanetton and end point in May for every down the leagues where the players and staff. League clubs were perilous. Vialli’s Tifosy platform. layer of the football pyramid. impact could be more drastic. “The main issue for those Bury went bust in August The League Two side, Cycling’s Tour of Romandy Football League clubs, clubs is cash flow,” said foot- after 125 years in the Football rooted to the foot of the table, Out of contract? many of whom will struggle ball finance expert Kieran League and only a last-minute face relegation even if the sea- Player contracts and loan deals to survive a couple of months Maguire. takeover prevented Bolton son recommences, and chair- joins cancelled list are a major stumbling block without gate receipts, have far “Many clubs are surviving from going the same way. man Phil Wallace admitted on should the season be post- greater numbers of players out on a match-to-match basis “We could definitely see Monday they could be forced AFP poned into July or beyond as of contract. and are reliant on the loyal few casualties here,” said former to the brink by an extended LaUSaNNe many expire in May and June. In extreme cases, some thousand turning up. banker Fausto Zanetton, who lay-off. Among the big names in would even struggle to field a “Even if matches are post- runs a crowdfunding platform “We have no idea how the THE Tour of Romandy, a key the Premier League whose team with players still under poned we have a three-week for clubs to acquire invest- club can survive whilst paying race in the cycling calendar, deals expire at the end of June contract come July. gap for certain so how will ment with former Italy inter- players and staff with no in- has been cancelled due to the are Chelsea trio Olivier Gir- Short-term extensions clubs pay wages and their sup- national and Chelsea manager come,” said Wallace. coronavirus pandemic, cycling authorities said on Monday. Run over a week in late April and early May, the race takes in the Swiss Alps and is seen as a Slovenia’s primoz roglic won the NFL to go key warm up to the Giro d’Italia tour of romandy before going on Juve defender Rugani ‘doing well’ ahead with and Tour de France. to be crowned Vuelta champion Organisers said the Swiss in 2019. draft, cancels cantons where the race passes through ‘are considered risk Then came the cancella- after being diagnosed for virus Las Vegas zones by the World Health tion of Italy’s coast-to-coast Organisation’. Tirreno-Adriatico, with the AFP has killed more than 1,800 events Last season’s hotly-con- nation’s key one-day Milan- MILaN people in the Mediterranean tested Tour was won by rising San Remo race also being country. AFP star Primoz Roglic, who then called off for only the fourth JUVENTUS defender Daniele “There was a huge media LoS aNgeLeS came close to winning the Giro time in over a century. Rugani, the first Italian top- explosion right away. A lot and went on to take the Vuelta In a stubborn exception of flight footballer diagnosed with of people wrote to me and I THE NFL will hold its annual a Espana. the trend of postponements the coronavirus, said on Monday thank them,” said Rugani, who draft next month as scheduled The 2018 Tour de France Paris-Nice ‘race to the sun’ went he was “doing well” and hoped is currently self-isolating in but the coronavirus outbreak winner Geraint Thomas ran ahead as scheduled last week, his case “served to sensitise a room at the team’s J-Hotel, has forced cancellation of pub- Roglic close but came third. albeit with a swathe of teams everyone” to the illness. beside the Italian champions’ lic events due to take place Cycling has been hit hard pulling out and authorities then “I’m fine, I reassure every- training centre. around the three-day spectacle by the coronavirus with the trimming off the final day. one. I’ve always been quite well, “I hope it served to raise in Las Vegas, the league said in cancellation of the UAE Tour Last Friday the Giro I haven’t had any serious symp- awareness, especially those a statement on Monday. late last month as two Italian d’Italia – scheduled for May toms. I consider myself lucky,” who had not understood the NFL commissioner Roger mechanics tested positive pro- 9-31 – was postponed after Rugani told Juventus TV. seriousness of this problem. Goodell said the league would viding a taste of things to come. Hungary announced it would The 25-year-old Ital- “I’m going to get over it, televise the April 23-25 draft There was a sense of not host the opening three ian international was diag- we’re going to get by and I as per usual but there would shock when the caravan of stages in and around Budapest nosed last Wednesday with hope we’ll all come out even be no events for the public in riders, support staff and me- as planned. the Turin club saying he was stronger. Las Vegas. dia were put under quaran- With around 100 days to asymptomatic. “The quarantine is tough, “This decision reflects our tine, where some, including go before the start there are Since then a total of 11 Se- even more so because you are foremost priority – the health Colombian sprinter Fernan- still hopes the Tour de France rie A players have being diag- Juventus defender Daniele rugani in action against Genoa in alone, so I can’t wait to em- and safety of all fans and do Gaviria, remain. will start on June 27. nosed with the illness which october 2019. brace all my loved ones.” citizens,” said Goodell. 14 Tuesday, March 17, 2020 Sports FIVB World and Olympics Rankings pakistan, Ireland put off international fixtures over virus South Africa call off cricket actvitites as well AFP coaching staff and fans. KaraChI “We were looking forward to hosting Ire- land in Bulawayo next month, but with the BANGLADESH’S upcoming cricket tour of world in the throes of a public health emergen- Pakistan was postponed on Monday as the cy on a scale not witnessed in over a century, coronavirus pandemic plays havoc with sports postponing the tour was the only reasonable events across the globe. decision,” said Zimbabwe Cricket managing di- Bangladesh were due to play a one-day in- rector Givemore Makoni. ternational on April 1 followed by a Test, as Pa- He said the aim was to reschedule the tour kistan slowly re-emerges as a host for interna- at a later date. tional cricket after a decade of isolation. Warren Deutrom, chief executive of Cricket “The Pakistan and Bangladesh cricket Ireland, said the body had taken the advice of boards have decided to postpone the upcoming the Irish and British governments and it was one-day International and Test in Karachi for the “only reasonable decision” in the circum- a later date,” said the Pakistan Cricket Board stances. (PCB) in a statement. The PCB has also indefinitely postponed the 6 Surrey players self-isolate domestic Pakistan Cup tournament, which was Six Surrey players are self-isolating as a scheduled to start on March 25. precautionary measure over coronavirus fears, The announcement comes days after Paki- the English county cricket club announced on stan began holding the remaining matches of Monday. its domestic cricket league in empty stadiums A club statement said that while not all six to prevent the transmission of the virus. had reported symptoms, close proximity meant Pakistan has recorded fewer than 100 con- they had all been instructed to stay at home this firmed cases of the novel coronavirus, and no week. deaths. The club did not name the six players. Officials have tested fewer than 1,000 po- tential cases in the country of about 215 million Cricket South Africa suspend actvities people, where healthcare is frequently inad- Cricket South Africa announced on Monday equate. that all cricket activities had been called off for Qatar’s Cherif Younousse (left) and Ahmed Tijan during the Katara Beach Volleyball Cup. According to reports from Dublin, Ireland’s the next 60 days following the declaration of a tour of Zimbabwe has also been put off due to state of disaster in the country because of the the global coronavirus outbreak, cricket chiefs coronavirus situation. announced on Monday. The announcement came less than four The two sides were due to play three Twen- weeks before the scheduled end of the season. ty20 internationals and three one-day interna- Two of the country’s main domestic com- Younousse, Tijan tionals next month petitions remained incomplete. The franchise A joint statement from Cricket Ireland and one-day cup had reached the semi-final stage, Zimbabwe Cricket said a safety-first approach while two rounds remained in the four-day continue to hold was required to protect the health of players, franchise competition. ‘Wish I would’ve taken this thing 13th ranking more seriously,’ says Gobert AFP golf tournament and Boston TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK FIVB RANKINGS The 3-Star Coolangatta for LoS aNgeLeS Marathon. Doha men and women, which was Gobert showed how he latest FiVb World rankings (as on March 16, 2020, olympic rankings (based on 12 best performances to start in Gold Coast from UTAH Jazz center Rudy Gob- didn’t take the coronavirus QATAR’S Cherif Younousse based on best eight results in FiVb recognised from September 1, 2018 to June 14, 2020) Tuesday, has been put off. ert, the first NBA player to test threat seriously last Monday events during last 365 days) 1. Mol A./Sørum, C. NOR 13 10,440 and Ahmed Tijan are still rank Team Country Played Pts 2. Krasilnikov/Stoyanovskiy RUS 15 9,040 Three 4-Star events in Can- positive for the coronavirus, at a news conference set up holding the 13th spot after the 1.Mol & Sorum Norway 11 7,840 3. Fijalek/Bryl POL 14 7,480 cun (Mexico), Yangzhou and says he is feeling better every in a room because reporters international volleyball feder- 2.Krasilnikov & Stoyanovskiy Russia 11 6,400 4. Alison/Álvaro Filho BRA 13 7,400 Siming have been postponed, day but wishes he had taken it were banned from NBA locker ation (FIVB) released both the 3.Cerutti & Filho Brazil 13 5,640 5. Evandro/Bruno Schmidt BRA 14 7,320 the 4-Star Singapore has more seriously. rooms due to the danger of 4.Goncalves & Schmidt Brazil 13 5,480 6. Thole J./Wickler GER 12 7,040 world and Olympic rankings 5.Bryl & Fijalek Poland 13 5,400 7. Brouwer/Meeuwsen NED 16 7,000 been cancelled. It means that The 27-year-old French- catching the virus. list on Monday. 6.Thole & Wickler Germany 11 5,320 8. Crabb Ta./Gibb USA 13 6,680 all events on the FIVB Beach man updated his condition As he departed, Gobert Seeded eighth, Younousse 7.Brouwer & Meeuwsen N’lands 12 5,240 9. Semenov/Leshukov RUS 13 6,660 World Tour are in doubt till on Sunday in a video re- Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert made a point of touching all and Tijan finished 17th and 8.Taylor Crabb & Gibb US 11 5,120 the Four-Star Itapema, which leased by the NBA on social reporters’ recorders and a mi- 9. Lupo & Nicolai Italy 9 4,960 10. Herrera/Gavira ESP 15 6,480 collected 320 points in the 10.Loyola & Wanderley Brazil 15 4,760 11. Crabb Tr./Bourne USA 14 6,360 is scheduled in Brazil from media in which he urged “I’ve been feeling a little crophone he used -- unaware just-concluded Four-Star Ka- 11.Gavira & Herrera Spain 13 4,640 George/Andre BRA 15 6,280 May 6 to 10. people to take precautions better every single day thanks he would test positive for coro- tara Beach Volleyball Cup Dalhausser & Lucena US 10 4,640 12. Nicolai/Lupo ITA 12 6,280 Norwegians Anders Mol not to spread the virus. to the health care people of navirus two days later. when they lost to fourth-seed- 13.Samba & Tijan Qatar 12 4,600 13. Cherif/ahmed QaT 16 6,200 and Christian Sorum, who “It’s all about protecting Utah and Oklahoma City and Utah teammate Donovan 14.Bourne & Trevor Crabb US 12 4,520 14. Perusic/Schweiner CZE 15 6,040 ed Italians Daniele Lupo and 15.Perusic & Schweiner Cze 12 4,480 15. Plavins/Tocs LAT 15 6,000 have are leading both the yourself and the people around all the great people around,” Mitchell tested positive for Paolo Nicolai in straight sets rankings lists and are fol- you,” Gobert said. “I wish I Gobert said. coronavirus last Thursday. in the first knock-out. lowed by world champions Vi- would’ve taken this thing more NBA commissioner Adam In the video, Gobert Lupo and Nicolai went on While Lupo and Nico- nals in Rome in June, the top acheslav Krasilnikov and Oleg seriously and I hope everyone Silver announced minutes af- urged people do such basics to win the bronze medal with a lai have already qualified for 15 pairs on the world rank- Stoyanovskiy from Russia. else is going to do so because ter Gobert’s positive test that as wash their hands well and 21-19, 21-17 victory over sixth the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, ings will gain an automatic Brazil have two pairs we can do it together. the league was putting the sea- refrain from touching their seeds Evandro Goncalves and champions Bryl and Fijalek entry into the Tokyo Olym- among the top five on the “Take care and stay safe.” son on indefinite hiatus. face and thanked those who Bruno Oscar Schmidt from Bra- are third on the Summer pics. However, due to the Olympic rankings Cerutti and Gobert tested positive for Over the next two days have supported him since his zil. Michal Bryl and Grzegorz Games rankings. Evandro coronavirus pandemic, the Alvaro Filha are in the fourth coronavirus just before the every major American sports positive test. Fijalek, the seventh seeds from and Schmidt, who won the FIVB has postponed or can- spot behind Bryl and Fijalek. scheduled tip-off between organisation followed and “Thank you to all the peo- Poland, wore down Mexican Rio Games title four years ago celled as many as 15 events, Their compatriots Evandro Utah and Oklahoma City on the virus shutdown also ple who have been supportive qualifiers Josue Gaxiola and with Alison Cerutti, are fifth. in consultations with respec- and Schmidt are occupying Wednesday and the game was forced postponement of for all the positive energy,” Jose Rubio 16-21, 21-19, 15-11. After the World Tour Fi- tive organisers. the fifth place. postponed. such events as the Masters Gobert said. “It means a lot.”

CDC recommendation suggests Doubts cast over Kentucky Derby lengthy sports shut-down

AFP National next month, that had really AFP major US pro sports league to LoS aNgeLeS caught his attention. LoS aNgeLeS suspend its season in the face of “Whenever they cancel the Mas- the coronavirus pandemic after LEADING trainer Bob Baffert said that ters, that’s like the Derby,” he said. THE NBA and other major Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert May’s 146th Kentucky Derby could “I’ve never seen anything like this, it’s sports leagues in the United tested positive for COVID-19 be postponed as racing went behind kind of scary. Hopefully they can get States could be idle for longer on Wednesday. closed doors at California’s Santa Anita everything under control.” than intially anticipated under Three NBA players are now track for the first time since it opened new recommendations from known to have tested positive. in 1934 because of the coronavirus Options under review the Centers for Disease Control The NHL and Major pandemic. In a statement posted on its web- (CDC) to combat the coronavi- League Soccer have also sus- Officials at Churchill Downs re- site, Churchill Downs indicated it was rus pandemic. pended competition, while vealed Saturday that they were consid- considering its options for the Ken- The CDC recommended Major League Baseball can- ering the “timing” of the showpiece and tucky Derby. Sunday that sporting events celled Spring Training games Baffert -- who has saddled five winners “We recognise that the impact of and other “large events and and pushed back the scheduled in the “Run for the Roses” -- said that this iconic event extends well beyond mass gatherings” be cancelled March 26 start of its season “at the first leg of US racing’s Triple Crown the historic racetrack of Churchill or postponed for the next eight least two weeks.” could be pushed back from May 2 to Downs,” the statement said. weeks. The PGA Tour and LPGA later in the year. “The Kentucky Derby is a cherished “Large events and mass Tour have cancelled tourna- “Churchill Downs is saying they’re and important time for the City of Lou- gatherings can contribute to ments into April, and the Mas- not going to run the Derby without the isville and the Commonwealth of Ken- the spread of COVID-19 in the ters, first men’s major of 2020 people there, so I’m hearing may be tucky. United States via travelers who will not take place at Augusta June or in September,” Baffert said af- Leading trainer Bob Baffert with Justify prior to the 150th running of the Belmont “We are mindfully aware of our attend these events and in- National April 9-12. ter saddling Charlatan to a big win in Stakes at Belmont park in Elmont, New york in 2018. Baffert said that May’s 146th fans who travel from great distances to troduce the virus to new com- Tennis, motor racing, fig- an allowance race at a deserted Santa Kentucky Derby could be postponed as racing went behind closed doors at California’s join us as well as our valued employ- munities,” the agency said in a ure skating and boxing are also Anita. Santa Anita track for the first time since it opened in 1934 because of the coronavirus ees whose most intense preparations statement. among the sports that have Only accredited media, owners, pandemic. (afP) to host a world-class event begin now. “Examples of large events been affected in North America. trainers, jockeys, grooms and a limited “For these reasons, we have been and mass gatherings include The NBA suspension was number of track employees were al- coronavirus pandemic, with the NBA, pre-season games. working carefully and diligently with conferences, festivals, parades, open-ended, with commission- lowed in. NHL and MLS suspending play and The US PGA Tour season has also relevant health experts and authorities concerts, sporting events, wed- er Adam Silver saying Thursday Major professional sport in the Major League Baseball pushing back been suspended but Baffert said it was to ensure we make the most responsi- dings, and other types of as- that the league had determined United States has been brought to the scheduled start of their season by the postponement of the season’s first ble decision regarding the timing of the semblies.” it would be “most likely at least almost a complete standstill by the “at least two weeks” while suspending golf major, the US Masters at Augusta 146th Kentucky Derby this year. The NBA became the first 30 days.” Tuesday, March 17, 2020 15 FEATURES Six movies about pandemics to watch (or avoid) if you’re stuck at home

JAMES LILEKS TrIBUNe NeWS SerVICe How the makers of Contagion F people have to self- quarantine, they’ll prob- saw an outbreak like ably spend a lot of time watching TV to make the coronavirus coming hours pass. We thought youI might like a list of movies about SOUMYA KARLAMANGLA fact that modernity didn’t know what a hideous germs and desperate races TrIBUNe NeWS SerVICe real pandemic looked like,” he said. to find a cure. So they set out to create one. We’ve excluded zombie mov- here’S a moment early in the Contagion tracks the arrival of a ies, because zombies are ridiculous. movie Contagion when health of- fictional virus called MeV-1 that sends Granted, zombie movies do a good Tficials lay out what’s known about officials from the CDC and the World job of depicting rapid infection and the film’s villain, a novel virus that is health organization scrambling to stop collapse, but anyone who’s had the sweeping the globe and leaving dead the outbreak and quell growing fear flu knows the last thing you feel like bodies in its path. and distrust among the public. By the doing is running around and biting for many watching in 2020, the end of the film, chaos reigns and the people. scene hits a little too close to home. disease’s death toll has reached at In front of a whiteboard in a drab least 26 million. THE SATAN BUG (1965) government office, a health investi- The fictional virus originates from The bug: Extra-strength botu- gator with the Centers for Disease a bat — and then jumps to a pig and lism. Control and Prevention, played by Kate then a person — which reflects the The plot: Someone steals a bio- Winslet, reviews the basics: The virus fact that 75% of new diseases in peo- logical weapon that could wipe out all appears to spread through coughing ple come from animals, according to life on Earth in a few months. This and sneezing. The particles released the CDC. These diseases include hIV, must be stopped. can also land on surfaces such as ebola, SarS and now, CoVID-19. Scary part: The premise. doorknobs and elevator buttons, which In the film, knocking down trees in Contagion then transmit the virus when people hong Kong displaces the bat and trig- THE OMEGA MAN (1971) touch their faces, she says. gers the emergence of the virus, which The bug: Something cooked up (PhoTograPhS: IMDB.CoM) To stop the spread of the patho- shows how deforestation and the by the Commies makes you clutch gen, Winslet explains, officials need to destruction of animal habitats makes your throat and fall over on the spot. determine its contagiousness, whether such leaps more likely. The virus’ rapid The plot: It’s almost a zom- people without symptoms can infect spread, in just hours from hong Kong bie movie, and when it was remade others and who exactly is susceptible. to Chicago to Minneapolis, reveals the in 2000 as I Am Legend with Will “So far that appears to be every- way increasing global travel can quickly Smith, it was a zombie movie. Based one with hands, a mouth and a nose,” turn diseases into pandemics, some- on a novel by Richard Matheson, it’s quips a local health official. times becoming impossible to contain. set in the aftermath of a biological Nine years after its release, Con- “It was not going to be pure weapon attack on the United States. tagion has become the movie du jour entertainment — it was actually going Everyone died except for Charlton as the world grapples with a very real to have some public health messag- Heston, some hippies and a few mu- disease: CoVID-19, which has infected ing,” said Dr. Ian Lipkin, a Columbia tated losers who form an anti-tech- more than 100,000 people in dozens University epidemiology professor who nology cult. of countries. served as the movie’s main scientific Because it was made in the early In late January, the 2011 thriller, consultant. “The idea was to make ‘70s, it’s depressing. which also stars Matt Damon and people aware of the fact that emerging Spoiler alert: Heston gives his gwyneth Paltrow, rocketed into iTunes’ diseases will continue to emerge and all to save the world, then dies in a The Satan Bug Outbreak top 10 movie rentals chart and reemerge.” Lipkin, who has identified fountain in a posture cribbed directly became among the most popular films hundreds of new diseases through- from Renaissance crucifixion paint- on amazon Prime and google Play. out his career, shared with Burns his ings. It’s a bit “on the nose,” as they Though other pandemic movies, includ- experiences from 2003 on the front- say, but because Heston had already ing Outbreak and 12 Monkeys, have lines of the SarS outbreak in Beijing. played Moses, it wasn’t much of a also enjoyed renewed favor in recent elliott gould’s character in the movie, a stretch. months, none seems to resonate with UC San francisco scientist named Ian Scary part: Lots of creepy mo- viewers as much as Contagion. Sussman, is a nod to Lipkin. ments. The onset of the disease is That’s likely because the movie’s Lipkin invited Winslet and actress brisk but harrowing. The empty screenwriter, Scott z Burns, conducted Jennifer ehle, who plays the researcher world is eerie, the plague survivors months of in-depth research into developing a vaccine for the virus, implacable. the science of pandemics. he then to his lab at Columbia to help them recruited several well-established epi- prepare for their roles. he developed THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN (1971) demiologists to develop a realistic plot, a 3D model of the virus that rotates The bug: A microscopic speck of edit the script and train the actors who on screen. he helped Burns during silicon-based green goop that kills in- would portray health officials, doctors post-production to ensure the whoosh- stantly by making all your blood clot. and scientists. ing and whirring sounds of the fictional The plot: Based on Michael “When I started talking to experts, labs were accurate. Crichton’s first techno-thriller, it they all said, ‘It’s not a matter of if In one scene, Winslet explains the concerns a satellite that crashes in a there will be another pandemic, it’s a concept of an r-naught — which refers tiny New Mexico town. Of course, the Flu matter of when,’” Burns said. “There’s to how many people each sick person locals open it up, and minutes later nothing uncanny to me about doing re- is likely to infect, essentially a measure everyone’s buzzard feed. search.” amid a growing public health of contagiousness. The scene brought The team assembled to fight in- crisis, the movie’s near-documentary a wonky epidemiology term to the cludes the calm, logical scientist; the precision has also become a source of general public, much to the delight of young, handsome doctor angry at alarm for some. public health professors and biology “the system:” the curmudgeon who’s Some fans believe the film’s teachers who now play the movie for too old for this, and the sarcastic, fictional destruction and high death their classes each year. disillusioned but brilliant researcher toll are signs of what it is to come and Watching that scene, Brilliant said, with a dangerous secret. These all are suggest that officials are hiding infor- “I thought I’d died and gone to heaven.” cliches, of course _ but they weren’t mation from the public. In the vacuum Burns said that while filming cliches in 1971. In fact, it almost plays created by how little is known about the movie, Damon joked that they like a documentary. The Omega Man The Andromeda Strain this new virus, fear and misinformation needed to amp up its fear factor Scary part: Directed by Robert have flourished. and add some zombies for it to be Wise (yes, the same guy who made The movie, prescient as it is, a real hollywood thriller. But Burns The Sound of Music), the entire L.L. Bean catalogs. Dr. The Andromeda Strain. things like “epidemics” and “germs” predicted that, too.Burns said Conta- said it had become clear to him and movie thrums with dread and spiky, Dustin Hoffman has to Just as American explained slowly, with pictures. gion was inspired by his father, who director Steven Soderbergh that the twitchy fear, in part thanks to the use work with his ex-wife, Movie Surfing pandemic movies usu- It’s slow-burning, disconnect- often worried about the possibility of film was even scarier because it was of Gil Mille’s eerie electronic score. Dr. Rene Russo, to ally end up blaming ed, abrupt and full of dialogue that avian flu becoming a human pandemic. plausible, “as opposed to creating a The discovery of the bug remains one stop evil Gen. Donald the government, so throws around medical jargon with Not wanting to make a conventional monster that gives the audience this of the great unnerving moments of Sutherland from using does this. And just like no expectation that we’ll know what disaster movie, Burns turned to Dr. kind of distance from the story.” sci-fi _ you’re terrified not so much the germ as a weapon. American movies, this anyone is talking about. It sketches Larry Brilliant, an epidemiologist who Which brings us to 2020, when by the green Jell-O (the props were It’s more of an one blames the Yanks, too. societal collapse with deft, brisk mo- spearheaded the successful global there is seemingly little distance be- cliches, too), but what it does. The action movie than a Scary part: The mean ments. In short, it just ... keeps ... get- eradication of smallpox. tween Contagion and real life. Paltrow, worst moment might be a test on the plague-thriller, although at the time soldiers are going to shoot the little ting ... worse. at the time, around 2009, the who (spoiler alert) gets killed off in the effect of the germ on a lab monkey. it seemed impressively high-tech. girl who’s escaping the quarantine. Scary part: They close down the public seemed to react strangely to first 10 minutes of the film, recently The viewer had no doubt that they’d Now you look at the super-secret labs Mondale Elementary School! the swine flu epidemic, Brilliant said. posted an Instagram selfie from an just seen a creature die. Right there. and wonder why the beakers of Ebola CONTAGION (2011) People acted almost disappointed that airplane wearing a mask. On the screen, with pitiless clinical have aluminum foil for stoppers, and The bug: The MEV-1, which COLD STORAGE (?) it was not as severe as health officials “I’ve already been in this movie,” observation. No germ movie has ever why the security system at an infec- could have been called the lickety- This movie, which is listed as had warned, he said. she wrote. “Stay safe. Don’t shake felt as real as that moment. tious disease lab requires everyone to split death bug. being “in production” _ a term that “We all started talking about the hands. Wash hands frequently.” (P.S. The monkey didn’t really die.) touch a fingerprint reader for access. The plot: With many paral- covers everything from “filming will Scary part: It’s no fun to see lels to the coronavirus scare, this start soon” to “a producer is think- OUTBREAK (1995) Kevin Spacey bleed out of every ori- is the movie people are renting, its ing about reading it” _ is based on The bug: It’s called Motaba, but fice and convulse. newfound popularity spread _ how the book of the same name by David it’s your basic Ebola. apt _ by word-of-mouth. Directed Koepp, best known as the screen- The plot: “Viral hemorrhagic fe- FLU (2013) by Steven Soderbergh, it lacks the writer of Jurassic Park. It’s about a ver” was all the rage in the mid-’90s, The bug: Take a guess. Hollywood polish of Outbreak, the fabulously lethal fungus that makes thanks to a book called “The Hot The plot: It’s a South Korean melodrama of Flu and the Cold-War people climb trees and explode. Zone,” an account of Ebola that terri- movie about a lethal airborne virus paranoia of The Omega Man. But it Where did it come from? A piece fied readers in 1994. In this fictional in a large suburb within sneezing dis- has shout-outs to Minneapolis _ the of the Skylab space station that fell version, some idiot smuggles an Afri- tance of Seoul. From the earnest up- infected guy on the bus is at Lake into a small town in the desert. can monkey into America, producing right emergency-response guy to the and Lyndale! _ but the Minnesota Sounds a lot like Andromeda, eh? an outbreak in a picturesque town spunky gal scientist to the adorable Department of Health comes off as a As the saying goes, everything old is whose population is drawn from child in peril, it’s almost as cliched as bunch of suet-faced idiots who need flu again. 16 Tuesday, March 17, 2020 The Last Word Qatar Foundation waives rents for six months guard people’s health and The measure is designed to help external SME wellbeing. retail tenants weather the impact of CoVid-19 “These businesses are a Unprecedented times and valued element of the Qa- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK health is QF’s top priority. challenges such as those the tar Foundation community, Doha Recognising that these world is currently facing call and of Qatar’s economy steps will have a financial for resilience, togetherness as a whole. Through waiv- QATAR Foundation (QF) impact on its external SME and decisive action ing rental payments for the has waived rental payments retail tenants, QF has now next six months, we are for its external SME retail acted swiftly to ensure that Machaille Hassan al Naimi, demonstrating that we are tenants for six months, to these businesses will not president of Community determined to help them support them in overcoming be required to pay any rent Development, QF weather this extremely dif- the challenges created by from this month until the ficult time, and to contribute the worldwide coronavirus end of August 2020. to the economic resilience of outbreak. “Unprecedented times the economic development our nation – because Qatar Measures taken by the and challenges such as those of Qatar, and this commit- Foundation will always be, organisation to safeguard the world is currently facing ment is being further evi- and always do, what Qatar the wellbeing of its staff, fac- call for resilience, together- denced by the actions we requires.” ulty, students and the wider ness and decisive action,” have now taken to help our In addition to the rental community have included said Machaille Hassan al external SME retail ten- waiver, QF is also looking at closing public facilities and Naimi, president of Commu- ants who would otherwise solutions to support its other programmes at Education nity Development, QF. be adversely affected by commercial partners that City, and cancelling events, “QF has always been the necessary measures we have been adversely affected reflecting the fact that public committed to supporting have implemented to safe- by the COVID-19 situation. ‘Coronavirus creates a responsibility for global media’ QC urges citizens and Do you think the media is being you see on social media. Be very mation. This prevents people from reasons. First, when there are pandem- residents to volunteer responsible in its reporting of the clear about whether the news being able to synthesiae and process ics or the potential for them, there is a worldwide coronavirus outbreak? you are reading has some all this information, and what tends tendency to be incredibly reactionary. I would say the global media is being sort of pedigree: is it linked to stick in people’s heads is the They capture people’s imagination in a to check coronavirus absolutely irresponsible. They haven’t to a well-known news site? more dramatic or sensational cov- way other issues don’t. Germs cannot struck a very good balance between not Is it quoting, for example, erage. Too much exposure to news discriminate; this is a disease that can TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK trivialising issue and over-sensationalis- a health official from a pub- is more likely to promote a sense spread anywhere and affect anyone. Doha ing it. Everywhere you look, there seems lic ministry? That is always a of panic, and I think it’s actually The absence of anything else sub- to be this polarity of opinions: it’s either good barometer to follow. healthy to isolate yourself stantial in the current news cycle is also QATAR Charity (QC) has called on citizens and resi- that coronavirus isn’t so bad and it’s just from this infodemic. perpetuating this. It is a global issue, not dents to volunteer to prevent the spread of coronavirus like flu versus the constant coverage of How much has a parochial issue affecting one country, (COVID-19), as part of the State of Qatar’s efforts to coronavirus-related issues, constant coronavirus cov- Is coronavirus be- so it will be reflected in country’s media. contain the disease. reports and numbers about how many erage been in- ing politicised? And it captures the imagination. People The volunteer must be a Qatari citizen or resident new cases there are and where they are. fluenced by our The issue I have with click on it because they find it fascinat- of Qatar and at least 18 years old, QC said in a press I think this just inflames tensions about clickbait cul- polarised politics ing and viscerally scary. And it’s been statement, add- the issue. ture? across the world, es- weaponised, which is contributing to ing that the ap- I was asked to write a piece recent- I absolutely pecially across north- this large media storm around the issue. plicant must be ly, and the whole underpinning of this think the search ern Europe, is that cor- medically fit to piece was that people are interested for virality and onavirus is being used Is fake news an issue in coronavi- carry out volun- in stories. They drive a lot of clicks for the business as a political tool, and a rus coverage? teering activi- advertising revenue, so media corpora- model of relying way to beat political op- I think there needs to be more responsi- ties. Registration tions that rely on advertising business on advertising has driven ponents. I think this can bility in news coverage, but I also think for volunteering models basically make money from and underpinned a lot of actually be problematic, that we now have an increasing num- can be done at clicks. And coronavirus gets a lot of the news content we see especially when you ber of people able to publish their own https://www. clicks. Coronavirus, as well as being a about coronavirus. I was have a partisan news stories and news. We are seeing people, qcharity.org/en/ virus, is actually going viral, so I think asked to write an ar- structure where who are non-official news organisations, qa/volunteer. there is a big problem there. ticle about coronavi- newspapers are promoting rumours about coronavirus QC, in coop- rus and was explicitly dr Marc owen Jones relying on scoring that are not helping the situation at all. I eration with the Is it necessary to report the num- told a lot of people are from QF member hamad political points. think this is a massive issue, with news Ministry of Inte- ber of coronavirus cases on such a sharing and clicking bin Khalifa university organisations having a responsibility to rior (MoI), will regular basis, or does this actually on these articles. Not Does media cov- try to cut through it, and I don’t think distribute pro- heighten risk? only does that mean speaks about why erage of corona- they’re taking that responsibility prop- tective items to individuals at the Doha Corniche and in It’s important to be transparent about it’s profitable, but it worldwide news coverage virus influence erly. We also live in a post-truth world other areas of the country with the aim of contributing any public health issue. The problem also means the news people’s behav- where people are more inclined to be- to preventing the spread of coronavirus in line with the is that, often, the reporting of deaths organisation wants of CoVid-19 risks adding iours? lieve conspiracy theories. country’s plan to engage all institutions and organisa- happens as breaking news in big, gar- to produce more of to public panic What we are seeing tions in controlling the virus. ish headlines and is top of the news these articles within a is there is clearly an So, what should the role of the QC is also cooperating with the Ministry of Public bill every day; that has certainly been short space of time in impact of relent- media be? Health and the Ministry of Administrative Develop- the case in recent weeks and months. order to maximise advertising revenues. less coverage of coronavirus on people’s They should perhaps have an updated ment, Labour and Social Affairs in implementing an It’s not so much the reporting of fig- So, not only are they getting money, behaviours, and that it is not construc- set of best practices and recommenda- awareness campaign for workers on the preventive and ures that is the issue; it’s the constant they are incentivising news organisa- tive. If the media is making people tions, endorsed by the World Health precautionary measures against COVID-19. reporting of new deaths every day in a tions to produce more content about panic, that is not healthy. But there is Organization and public health of- The campaign includes distribution of awareness way that occupies headlines. coronavirus because it improves ratings a broader problem here that is not just ficials, in a standing location on their brochures and video clips in Urdu, Hindi, Filipino, Sri I think this exaggerates the dangers and drives up advertising revenue. about the news; it’s about how people web page. This can be done in an un- Lankan, Nepalese and English languages, in addition and the impact of coronavirus in peo- What we are actually seeing is a perceive themselves within a society. If derstated way and a way that suggests to providing masks and sanitizer to workers to protect ple’s heads. There are countless other political economy of advertising-based I panic-buy 20 bags of toilet paper or all this is about reporting and not sensa- them from coronavirus. illnesses or conditions or social issues news, and that is actually one of the rea- the hand sanitiser in a shop, I am de- tionalising. The campaign provides detailed instructions on that result in more deaths, but these are sons there is a panic around coronavi- priving other people of something that The media has a responsibility to washing the hands with soap and water, covering the not reported every day. rus. One of the important definitions of may help them. Individualism is a big do this because, at the moment, the nose and mouth with a clean tissue when coughing a pandemic is that it causes panic in hu- problem, and I don’t believe there has role they’re playing is to promote and sneezing and throwing the used tissue in the trash How do we determine what is a mans – it’s not purely a biological term. been enough in the media about trying panic. Constant breaking news and immediately, and avoiding touching nose, eyes and reliable source of news? to prevent this kind of panic. red ticker tape on many news websites mouth. It is not always easy. I don’t like to say Are we receiving too much infor- is not helping, and neither is the way The instructions also include avoiding contact with you should rely on established news mation about coronavirus? Why is coronavirus dominating coronavirus dominates headlines. The persons who have symptoms of respiratory illness like media, but in times like this I do think ‘Infodemic’ is a very important term. the news agenda? constant repetition of stories about coughing or sneezing, and avoiding non-essential trav- it’s important to stick with something We are getting a lot of information from Coronavirus has occupied news cover- deaths and new cases in bold front- el, especially to countries where the virus is spreading. reputable. Don’t just retweet something a plurality of sources – too much infor- age more than other issues for several page headlines is a problem. Al-Watan and Qatar Tribune building undergoes sterilisation process ‘bactakleen’ company uses natural materials for the procedure

As a precautionary measure against the spread of coronavirus, Al-Watan and Qatar tribune offices on Monday underwent a comprehensive sterilisation process, in cooperation with ‘bactakleen’ company. ‘bactakleen’ is known for following the high- est quality standards and for using natural materials that do not harm people in the buildings being sterilised, while eliminating germs and bacteria. The sterilisation process, carried out according to the latest and most efficient methods, is able to protect the building and its facilities for about two months, according to ‘bactakleen’. (TNN)