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FRIDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11514 April 10, 2020 Sha’ban 17, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

PM visits isolation complex, medical factories

QNA Doha

E Prime Minister and Minister of In- terior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin HAbdulaziz al-Thani yesterday visited a medical isolation complex and hospital in Umm Salal and several factories manufactur- ing medical products in the small and medium industries zone in the Industrial Area. The isolation complex and hospital have been set up by the state as part of measures to combat the novel coronavirus (Covid-19). HE the Prime Minister was briefed on the medical capabilities and facilities of the com- plex and the hospital prepared for the isolation for those infected with the coronavirus. The 12,500-bed facility is equipped with all The Prime Minister visited the Industrial The Prime Minister also inspected the labo- the necessary amenities, safety, and health re- Area factories to see the progress in the pro- ratories, warehouses, and the workfl ow of the quirements. duction of medical products to meet the local factories that seek to fulfi l the need for medi- HE the Prime Minister also inspected places market needs. cal supplies in the local market and to export to for entertainment and meals. He visited the Qatar Pharma Pharmaceuti- brotherly and friendly countries. He met with the staff of the complex, includ- cal Industries, Qatar Al-Hayat Pharmaceuti- He praised the eff orts of the factories, their ing doctors, nurses and volunteers, and thanked cal Industries and Al-Maha Medical Supplies, managements and workers, and lauded the role them for their eff orts to combat the epidemic, where he was briefed about the strategic plans played by the private sector particularly the and urged them to provide all possible medical including production capacities of medicines, medical fi eld, in response to the national ex- HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani visits the and humanitarian services to help the infected. sanitisers and masks. ecutive plan to counter Covid-19). isolation complex in Umm Salal (above) and one of the medical factories in the Industrial Area. In brief New app soon to Amir holds phone Closed portion of talk with Abbas help fi ght Covid-19 His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday held a telephone E the Spokesperson of the conversation with Palestine Industrial Area to Supreme Committee for Cri- President Mahmoud Abbas Hsis Management Lolwah bint during which they discussed Rashid bin Mohamed AlKhater has an- bilateral relations and ways of nounced that a new smartphone app, strengthening and developing to be launched soon, will help enhance them. During the call, they preventive measures and limit the reviewed the developments related be opened in stages spread of Covid-19 in Qatar. to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) Named Ehteraz, which means pre- epidemic and ways to prevent and caution, the app is the result of joint limit its spread. zDomestic workers to be enabled to send money home through banks eff orts of the State’s agencies headed by the Ministry of Transport and Com- measures and curb the spread of the ures against the novel coronavirus munications (MoTC) and Ministry of virus, the app will also display the lat- NHRC launches QNA Doha (Covid-19) outbreak. Public Health (MoPH), the offi cial Qa- est developments and offi cial statistics Covid-19 hotline HE AlKhater emphasised that health tar News Agency (QNA) reported. related to Covid-19, according to an in- The National Human Rights and medical eff orts are continuing in Addressing a press conference yes- fographic tweeted by HE AlKhater. Committee (NHRC) yesterday etails of the plan for the gradual the closed portion of the Industrial terday, she urged everyone to use the The app will also receive awareness launched a hotline (8002222) to opening of the closed portion of Area, in terms of the number of exami- application to help contain the spread and precautionary instructions issued ensure the provision of integrated Dthe Industrial Area will be an- nations, sterilisation and disinfection of Covid-19. by the offi cial authorities. and continuous services, as part nounced in the coming days, HE the eff orts, and the care of the residents at HE AlKhater tweeted that the app, Explaining how the app works, an- of precautionary and preventive Spokesperson for the Supreme Com- all levels. which is Android and iOS compatible, other infographic says the profi le of measures to limit the spread of mittee for Crisis Management Lolwah “This closure experience is not the has been developed following weeks of each user is linked to QR Code by au- Coronavirus (Covid-19). The hotline bint Rashid bin Mohamed AlKhater only of its kind in the world, and despite collaborative work between the MoTC tomatically extracting the user’s health covers five languages – Arabic, said yesterday. its diffi culty for all of us, it is a neces- and MoPH. The app uses a GPS feature information from offi cial entities. This English, Urdu, Tagalog and Swahili “Work has already begun on the plan. sary option in light of this crisis. The and Bluetooth to perform various serv- will be done based on the following languages. Page 2 The reopening will be in a manner that authorities are trying in various ways to ices. categorisation: guarantees the safety of its residents mitigate its consequences, whether on “Helps you and medical teams bet- z Red – for people who have tested and society as a whole, as well as the HE the Spokesperson for the Supreme the residents of the area or employers,” ter identify Covid-19 transmission positive for Covid-19 Iran eases curbs, but return of supply chains to normal,” she Committee for Crisis Management she said. chains and accelerates medical help,” z Yellow – for individuals who have businesses still shut told a press conference. Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohamed HE AlKhater announced that in the she added. been placed in quarantine facilities Despite an easing of strict A part of the Industrial Area was AlKhater speaks at a press conference context of the continuous eff orts to Besides helping enhance preventive To Page 3 measures to contain the spread of closed as part of the preventive meas- yesterday. mitigate the consequences of the pre- the novel coronavirus in Iran, many cautionary measures to prevent the businesses and sectors remain spread of Covid-19 in Qatar, it has been 166 new cases in Qatar, 28 more recover closed, state news agency Irna Weekend exemptions explained decided to provide all the necessary reported yesterday. Manufacturing facilities for domestic workers to open The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) The new cases have been put in businesses and companies in Only the following activities are the decision of the Ministry of Public bank accounts, including exempt- yesterday announced 166 new quarantine and are receiving the the service sector are allowed to allowed in Qatar on Fridays and Satur- Health); contracting companies oper- ing them from the minimum amount confirmed cases of coronavirus necessary medical care, the state- reopen. But shops, malls, covered days, until further notice: ating in the state’s projects; compa- requirement, and facilitating making (Covid-19) in Qatar, and 28 more cases ment said. markets, restaurants, cinemas, Food and supply outlets (hypermar- nies operating in the hotel sector; and bank transfers to their countries and of recovery, taking the total number of According to a tweet from the MoPH, theatres, hairdressers and beauty ket, supermarket, and groceries); logistic services companies, freight families. recovered patients to 206. 1,326 people were tested in the last salons have not yet been told they vegetable sales outlets; restaurants companies, companies operating She stressed the importance of soli- Some new cases are related to travel- 24 hours, taking the total number of can reopen, the agency reported. (delivery only); bakeries; pharmacies; in ports and airports, and customs darity among all members of society to lers who came to Qatar and others people tested so far to 43,144. off ices of telecommunications compa- services. HE the Spokesperson for overcome this stage. related to contacts, including citizens There are 2,376 positive cases in the nies (located in hypermarkets); home the Supreme Committee for Crisis She pointed to the observance of the and residents. Some other new cases country and 2,164 active cases are Social distancing is maintenance companies (electricity, Management Lolwah bint Rashid bin World Health Day two days ago and were reported among expatriate currently undergoing treatment. Six paying off : Cuomo plumbing, and electronics); petrol sta- Mohamed AlKhater said action will be thanked the entire health sector, in- workers, MoPH said in a statement, people have died of Covid-19 in Qatar, Coronavirus hospitalisations in tions; factories; clinics (committed to taken against violators. cluding offi cials, doctors, nurses, ad- released through Qatar News Agency. according to the tweet. New York remained almost stable ministrators, and all others. To Page 3 thanks to social distancing eff orts, but deaths reached another peak, Governor Andrew Cuomo said yesterday. The state recorded 799 more deaths, breaking its one- day record death toll for the third Citizens and expatriates fi ghting a common enemy together straight day, which Cuomo called “shocking and painful.” But also delivering some encouraging news, zNepal ambassador thanks nomic powers of the Middle East, it has, the coronavirus disease (Covid-19). on many international issues over Cuomo pointed to a slowing rate Qatar for taking good care along with the rest of the world, faced an In this context, the Nepali expa- the past decades. of hospitalisations as a sign that unprecedented disruption. triates too have become a part of the In this diffi cult time, the Nepali peo- “we’re flattening the curve.” Page 5 of his compatriots In the face of the new challenge multinational social alliance fi ghting ple and the government of Nepal are brought about by the virus, the people tenaciously to protect the Qatari so- with Qatar in its fi ght against the on- NIH begins trial to test By Dr Narad Nath Bharadwaj of Qatar are putting up a fi erce fi ght un- ciety from being overwhelmed by the slaught of the coronavirus. Ambassador of Nepal to Qatar der the wise and able leadership of His coronavirus, while trying everything As a small Himalayan nation, con- HCQ for treating Covid-19 Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin possible to help the mega-development strained by many geopolitical factors The National Institutes of Health Hamad al-Thani. projects keep going. including poverty and repeated natural (NIH) in the US said yesterday atar, like many other countries of Under the leadership of His High- This spirit of solidarity is the re- calamities, Nepal is also struggling to it was testing anti-malaria drug the world, has been caught in the ness the Amir, the State of Qatar has sult of a long-standing friendship protect itself from the contagion of the hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for Qglobal war against the novel coro- been successfully uniting its people, nurtured by more than 40 years of coronavirus and struggling to achieve treating Covid-19, days after several navirus, which is spreading like wild fi re winning allies and forming a strong diplomatic relations existing so modernisation and prosperity under US doctors said they were using presenting an existential threat to man- bond among the hundreds of thou- happily between Nepal and Qatar the able leadership of its Prime Minis- the drug on infected patients. Dr Narad Nath Bharadwaj kind. As one of the fastest growing eco- sands of expatriates in the fi ght against which have shared common views ter K P Sharma Oli. To Page 3 Gulf Times 2 Friday, April 10, 2020 QATAR

FM gets call Food security strategy from Swedish counterpart

QNA Doha

helps Qatar face crises E the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Hof Foreign Aff airs Sheikh zStrategic reserve is focused on products that are not produced in Qatar and those that can be stored for long periods Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al- Thani received a telephone call QNA products, dates, red and white HE the Minister of Commerce Under these contracts, there from 20% in 2017 to 2% in March years. yesterday from the Minister of Doha meat, eggs and fi sh. and Industry Ali bin Ahmed al- will be an increase in the strate- this year, dates grew from 84% He said that the industry has Foreign Aff airs of Sweden Ann The strategic reserve, mean- Kuwari said during the recent gic reserve of products such as to 86%, dairy products reached 80 factories, which represents Linde. while, is focused on products Extraordinary Meeting of Min- wheat, rice, cooking oils, sugar, self-suffi ciency, as did poultry. 9% of the total number of man- During the phone call, the two ood security is an issue that are not produced in Qatar isters of Commerce in the Gulf frozen red meat, milk with long Red meat rose from 13% to 18, ufacturing factories in the coun- sides reviewed bilateral relations that’s at the forefront of and those that can be stored for Co-operation Council (GCC) duration dates, and powdered and eggs doubled from 14% to try. and eff orts to curb the spread FQatar’s priorities on the long periods such as wheat, sug- States that Qatar has worked, milk. 28% as of last March. The Ministry of Commerce of the novel coronavirus (Cov- developmental level, due to the ar, rice and cooking oil. even before the outbreak of the Production from fi sheries in and Industry stressed last year id-19), in addition to matters of essential role it plays in econom- The country’s national strat- pandemic, to take all measures Qatar has strengthened the country equates to 76% of that they have placed many common interest. ic independence of the state and egy for food security 2019-2023 to ensure the regular fl ow of its co-operation with the local market’s needs. plans that will help the country food security is also important to came with the aim of co-ordi- food and medicines as well as all various international In terms of bolstering the deal with any fluctuations in realise the 2030 Qatar National nating eff orts between diff erent medical supplies through many entities concerned with contribution of the private sec- the market related to any dis- Vision. authorities to get the optimal use of its trading partners around the development of the tor in food security, he said that ruption to global supply chains Phone call from The Committee charged with out of the country’s natural and the world. global trade systems for ministry off ered many strate- or a decline in local and global following up on the implemen- water resources, and to insulate The Minister of Commerce agricultural products gic agricultural projects to the production levels due to natu- Maltese FM tation of food security objec- the country’s food needs from along with the Minister of Mu- private sector, the most impor- ral disasters or any other dis- tives in the public and private shocks. nicipality and Environment Director of Food Security at tant of which were fi sh farming ruptions. sectors focuses on issues such as The strategy proved its suc- signed on March 26 a number the Ministry of Municipality projects with fl oating cages at Qatar has strengthened its co- E the Deputy Prime local production, import plans, cess in dealing with diff erent of deals that would increase the and Environment, Masoud Jar- sea and vegetable production operation with various interna- Minister and Minister and diversifi cation of imports crises and emergencies such as country’s strategic reserve of allah al-Marri told Qatar News projects using Greenhouse tech- tional entities concerned with Hof Foreign Aff airs Sheikh sources. the unjust blockade and the out- food products. Agency (QNA) that the biggest nology, shrimp farming projects, the development of the global Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al- It is also concerned with break of the coronavirus (Cov- The initiative came in line achievements in the fi eld were organic fertiliser production trade systems for agricultural Thani received yesterday a tel- building up a strategic reserve of id-19) worldwide, as local mar- with the food security strategy increasing local production, projects, and camel milk pro- products. ephone call from the Minister of products. kets continued to see a sustained of the country, and the eff orts of which helped the country take duction projects. Examples of such organisa- European and Foreign Aff airs of The country’s strategy is fo- fl ow of goods of all kinds. the ministry of commerce and huge steps towards suffi ciency Meanwhile, Assistant Un- tions include the Food and Ag- Malta Evarist Bartolo. cused on the expansion of local The country is ranked top industry to enhance partnership in products such as agricultural dersecretary for Manufacturing riculture Organisation (FAO), During the phone call, the two production of agricultural and among its Arab peers in the Glo- between the public and private products and fi sh. Aff airs at the Ministry of Com- the Organisation for Economic sides reviewed bilateral relations food products that Qatar has a bal Food Security Index for the sectors in order to establish Qa- He discussed Qatar’s local merce and Industry Mohamed Co-operation and Development and eff orts to curb the spread comparative advantage in. year 2019. tar as one of the most prominent production over the past three Hassan al-Mali told QNA that (OECD), the G20, and the World of the novel coronavirus (Cov- Some of these products in- It is also ranked 13th overall in countries in the region in those years and said that self-suffi - the food products industry was Trade Organisation among oth- id-19), besides matters of com- clude fresh vegetables, dairy the index. regards. ciency in vegetables increased the top priority of the last three ers. mon interest.

Health ministry advisory NHRC hotline to ensure continuous services

QNA guages, as well as the Filipino enables access to more effi cient He explained that the serv- Doha and Swahili languages. and eff ective job performance, ice will be available through the The Head of the Public Rela- in addition to easy access to cus- centre based on international tions Unit of NHRC, Abdullah tomers, as well as an opportunity standards for call centres and he National Human Ali al-Mahmoud, said that the for the public to interact with the customer services. Rights Committee committee is always keen to pro- NHRC. The unifi ed call centre number T(NHRC) launched yester- vide its integrated services and It also allows executives to (8002222) will raise the level of day its hotline (8002222) to en- fi nd solutions to communities in better access tools that enhance services provided to the citizens sure the provision of integrated light of the current challenges, decision-making. and residents and provide them and continuous services, as part pointing out that the call cen- Al-Mahmoud indicated that with a unifi ed source to answer of precautionary and preventive tre (8002222) is responsible for the call centre (8002222) is the all inquiries related to the work measures to limit the spread of receiving all types of calls in the offi cial and unifi ed hotline that of NHRC. coronavirus (Covid-19). fi ve available languages, by the supports online services 24 He noted that this hotline The hotline covers fi ve lan- committee’s specialised work hours a day. Companies, citi- service would also reinforce the guages that serve a large seg- team. zens, residents, and visitors can prevailing trends to reduce the ment of the country’s communi- He stressed that the service call at any time to inquire about spread of the coronavirus in ties, Arabic, English, and Urdu, will remain even after the end all legal and advisory informa- terms of social distancing and which in turn covers the Indian, of the coronavirus pandemic, tion or fi le a complaint, he add- remote work without aff ecting Nepalese and Sri Lankan lan- explaining that this initiative ed. the workforce.

Motorist sent to Public Prosecution Temporary traffic shift for stunt driving The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced a The Traff ic Department has temporary shifting of 2km referred a motorist to the Public eastbound traff ic on Hamad Prosecution after a video showed Port Road towards Umm Al him perform a type of stunt Houl Interchange onto the driving known as ‘sidewall skiing’ parallel service road today at a roundabout in Al Sailiya. and tomorrow (Friday and The information, along with the Saturday) from 8am to 5pm. video, was posted on Twitter by The shifting, implemented in the Traff ic Department yesterday. co-ordination with the General In the video, a black SUV is seen Directorate of Traff ic, is to being driven while balancing enable gantry installation. on only two wheels at the Ashghal will install road signs roundabout. The motorist has advising motorists of the been referred to the Public closure and requested all to The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has issued an advisory on mental health and well-being during Prosecution and ordered to follow them and abide by the the Covid-19 outbreak. “To speak to a mental health professional, call the new helpline on 16000 from compensate for the damage he speed limit to ensure safety. 7am to 10pm daily,” the MoPH tweeted. caused to the road, the Traff ic Department tweeted. Addressing a pandemic from ethical and religious perspectives

istorical events such as regarding the performance of out while you are there. There is Ethics,” explaining that “the way of medical capacity. Any health- infectious disease or a pandemic, the numerous deadly religious rituals and congre- also a great deal of Islamic lit- we deal with coronavirus is no care system has limited capacity and this is due to the huge dam- Hplagues and pandemics gational prayers, the closure of erature on plagues that we can longer an individual choice.” and is not necessarily equipped age that it causes to communi- may have relevance to today’s mosques, and moral debates to benefi t from in our new context.” “In case of emergency, there to receive a very large number ties”, Dr al-Khatib said. world amid the global novel determine the optimal behav- “Such pandemics and crises are two major principles: the of patients at the same time,” he Speaking about how some coronavirus (Covid-19) out- iour in such a situation, whether raise questions about the right fi rst is maximising the collec- said. people misunderstand the dif- break, according to Dr Mutaz al- for the individual, the commu- approach to addressing these tive benefi ts for society, and the “This is why the situation in ference between “God’s destiny” Khatib, assistant professor at the nity, or the state. There is also a situations – not only in terms second is avoiding infl ecting and some countries is tragic, and it and the importance of taking Centre for Islamic Legislation need to provide an ethical jus- of medicine, but also from the reciprocating harm, in accord- is not the result of the failure of precautions against such a pan- and Ethics at Hamad Bin Khalifa tifi cation for a certain action or point of view of Islamic eth- ance with the Prophetic Hadith: their healthcare system, but due demic, Dr al-Khatib said: “Ac- University (HBKU). policy, as well as the political and ics and bioethics in relation to ‘There should be neither harm- to exhausting a capacity that is cording to the Prophetic Hadith, “This pandemic raises diff er- economic consequences that infectious diseases – and gov- ing (Ìarar) nor reciprocating intended for normal conditions, ‘there is no disease that Allah, ent concerns, including whether this may raise,” he said. erning, guiding, and assessing harm (ÌirÉr)’,” he said. not epidemics. This explains has created, except that he also it we look at it as torture, and Dr al-Khatib explains that human actions and behaviours, “Any action or decision that why governments are imple- has created its treatment’”. whether faith can protect us dealing with such conditions such as prioritising treatment an individual makes will have menting restrictions on freedom “Both preventive and curative from getting the infection,” said relates to several principles such when there are scarce resources, an impact on everyone, because of movement, locking down measures fall under the broad Dr al-Khatib, also a professor of as preserving lives, the public and whether measures such as Dr Mutaz al-Khatib this virus spreads through social cities, and encouraging people category of treatment, because Ethics at the College of Islamic interest, and balancing them in travel restrictions, the closure of interaction, and statistics have to maintain a social distance. there is always a relationship be- Studies at HBKU, a member of times of confl ict and moral re- airports and mosques. and social consumption and storage of shown that for each confi rmed Adhering to these measures is tween cause and eff ect, and the Qatar Foundation (QF). sponsibility towards oneself and isolation and quarantine meas- goods, their willingness to vol- case, there may be 5 to 10 cases a moral responsibility for every concept of causation is funda- Over the centuries, humanity others. ures are ethically justifi ed,” Dr unteer and support healthcare that are not yet confi rmed. This one of us,” Dr al-Khatib added. mental in the Islamic teachings,” has witnessed these outbreaks, He pointed out that there are al-Khatib said. providers, or their adherence to means that the person may be a He also highlighted the moral he said. with perhaps the most infamous prophetic directives related to “And if they are justifi ed, how government instructions?” he carrier of the infection while not and ethical responsibility of Dr al-Khatib said another being the Plague of Emmaus, the plague, saying: “There have do we ensure that people are re- added. showing any symptoms, so the states to protect public health, strand of misinformation amid which took place during around been many occasions in Islamic ceiving their basic needs in this Dr al-Khatib was among the numbers double,” Dr al-Khatib saying: “Preserving the soul is Covid-19 is that places of wor- the 7th Century, and the Great history that off er guidance about case? How do we prevent the participants in a recent interac- noted. fundamental in Islamic Law.” ship can never witness a spread Plague – also known as the Black pandemics, relating to the Pro- stigmatisation of people infect- tive webinar organised by the “Another important issue is “There are articles stipu- of a pandemic. “This goes Death – which spread across phetic Hadith that says not to ed by a virus? What are the vir- World Innovation Summit for that following the guidelines de- lated under the Penal Code that against what epidemiology and Europe during around the 14th enter a land where there is an tues that individuals should hold Health, QF’s global health ini- signed to limit the spread of the impose penalties and fi nes on reality proves, and will eventu- Century. outbreak of plague, and not to in the case of epidemics, wheth- tiative, titled “Coronavirus: The virus will help the health system whoever, purposefully or acci- ally create a disturbance of pub- “It also leads to discussions leave a place if the plague breaks er in their movements, their Interplay of Medical and Islamic of any country to avoid a crisis dentally, causes the spread of an lic order”. Gulf Times Friday, April 10, 2020 3 QATAR/REGION/ARAB WORLD

Exam dates announced ‘90% of Covid-19 cases in Qatar are mild’ for 12th grade 3,000-bed quarantine students s many as 90% of the Covid-19 cases fection, but other causes, as both individu- hospital set up within in Qatar are mild and the rate of recov- als were old and had chronic diseases. The The Ministry of Education Aery is also increasing, HE the Spokes- death of the other four patients can be di- and Higher Education has person for the Supreme Committee for Crisis rectly attributed to Covid-19, she clarified. announced that the tests 72 hours by Ashghal Management Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mo- A total of 86% percent of the infected peo- for the second semester of hamed AlKhater told a press conference yes- ple are male. Among those recovered, 77% are school students (day and terday. male. adult education) for the 12th he Public Works Authority Projects Department, said the fi eld “Only 2% of Covid-19 cases are serious, About 37% of the recovered patients are be- grade (high school diploma) (Ashghal) has set up a 3,000- quarantine hospital has a recrea- with 37 cases in intensive care while about 20 tween 25 and 34 years. HE AlKhater reviewed for the 2019/2020 academic Tbed medical quarantine hos- tional facility that can accommodate left intensive care,” she explained. the precautionary measures implemented at year will begin on June 1 and pital within 72 hours, and remaining 600 people and off er diverse sports The Covid-19 cases discovered in those the ports since February, including the reduc- end on June 13. works are under way to complete to activities along with iPads. under quarantine in Qatar continue to be tion of the number of workers, prevention of This came in a circular have an 8,000-bed quarantine hos- A dining room has also been set up much higher and constitute 72% of the total. sailors from going to the berth, prevention of issued by the Ministry to pital soon. to serve 900 people, taking into con- However, infections outside the quarantine sailors’ change at the state’s ports, in addition the directors and principals Ashghal Buildings Projects De- sideration factors such as safe social has risen to 26% this week compared to 16% to health examination of employees coming of public and private high partment offi cial Fatima al-Meer distancing in terms of seating. “We last week. The information about 2% of cases HE Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohamed AlKhater from abroad, sterilising the port facilities, schools, in which it clarified said this has been done at the request would like to extend our thanks to the are to be updated when available. at the press conference yesterday. distributing masks and sterilisers, and tem- the schedule of these tests. of the Ministry of Public Health and private sector, local contractors and In her press conference on April 1, HE porarily stopping work until further notice, The Ministry pointed out in co-ordination with the Ministry of suppliers for their eff ective co-oper- AlKhater had attributed the increase in the was also a lack of commitment of individu- except for the fl our mill. that the exam of the elective Municipality and Environment. ation and contribution, off ering their number of Covid-19 cases, particularly to the als to the precautionary measures, the top She said in the fi rst quarter of 2020, the subject (Business Adminis- Upon completion, the Medical services to accomplish this great discovery of transitional chains in some areas offi cial urged everyone to adhere to all the number of ships exceeded 800, containers tration, Arts, German, French, Quarantine Complex in Umm Slal project in record time,” he noted. between expatriates and the return of many procedures for their safety and that of their surpassed 335,000, cars and equipment ex- Japanese, and Information will be able to accommodate 12,500 Ashghal’s Twitter page also has a infected travellers to Qatar. families as well. ceeded 20,000, and construction and build- Technology) will be held on beds, she said on Twitter. Thafi r timeline video showing the develop- She explained yesterday that the increase Concerning the six recorded deaths, HE ing materials were in excess of 81,000 tonnes, June 13. al-Ahbabi, also from the Buildings ment of the facility. in the number of cases within the commu- AlKhater pointed out that the main cause which means the performance and the pace nity was due to more testing. Citing there of death for two cases was not Covid-19 in- are very good. Page 16 Closed portion of Industrial Area to be opened in stages Health Ministry intensifi es From Page 1 who instead of making media The Supreme Committee for measures aimed at limiting the appearances, stayed alongside Crisis Management reviewed spread of Covid-19, including HE AlKhater thanked HE the her colleagues, day and night, the latest decisions and ac- the decision to stop commer- Minister of Public Health Dr to protect members of the so- tions taken by Qatar within the cial activities in stores and of- inspection of food vendors Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari, ciety. framework of procedures and fices on Fridays and Saturdays.

QNA The MoPH’s Food Safety adhere to the health require- Doha Department has put in ments of cleaning and disinfec- place a thorough action tion of workers’ accommodation plan focusing on facilities on a daily basis, and that their he Ministry of Public where violations of quality mode of transport abides by the Health (MoPH) has inten- control in food handling rules on the number of workers Tsifi ed inspections at food were reported, and also in each vehicle. The workers are establishments, especially con- preparing new inspection also required wear masks while QDB ‘hackathon’ sumer societies, and food and forms for societies and food on the move, and their tempera- drinking water factories, as part factories ture checked before entering the of measures to curb the spread of factory. They also need to adhere the coronavirus (Covid-19). The ing them. She said the offi cials to the daily cleaning programme campaign is being carried out in also ensure that food establish- inside the factory and review co-operation with the Ministry ments and hypermarkets check all potential hazard points and of Municipality and Environ- the temperature and the general methods of maintaining manu- to tackle corona ment and the Ministry of Com- health of the staff before they facturing safety. merce and industry. begin work, and do not let in any The department also checks The MoPH’s Food Safety De- worker showing symptoms such whether food safety educa- partment has put in place a as coughing or sneezing. tion and training programmes thorough action plan focusing They also make sure the doors for the workers in the factories on facilities where violations of of refrigerators and all common are prepared and implemented, quality control in food handling surfaces are sanitised with dis- and cleaning and disinfection seeks innovators were reported, and also prepar- infectants that comply with the of products are done before dis- ing new inspection forms for so- specifi cations of the Ministry. patching food shipments to the QNA various fi elds, can submit their re- grammes and incubation services will be to fi nd the best possible so- cieties and food factories. They also ensure that an al- market as well as cleaning food Doha quests to participate in the hacka- that will help the implementation lutions to deal with the eff ects of The department’s director cohol-based hand sanitiser is packages with appropriate dis- thon initiative starting Thursday of the ideas. QDB CEO Abdulaziz the epidemic and reduce its reper- Wasan Abdullah al-Baker said provided to shoppers at the en- infectants. The department has and until Tuesday through the on- bin Nasser al-Khalifa said that cussions at all levels. the MoPH’s offi cials inspect trances of the hypermarket and distributed several circulars to atar Development Bank line portal www.hackcovid19.qa hackathon HACK-COVID-19 to The national initiative, to be held about 60 consumer societies a shopping carts are sanitised. consumer societies, restaurants, (QDB) launched an online The hackathon initiative in- develop innovative solutions to from April 16 to 19, is held in part- week to ensure they meet the The supervision of personal productive farms, food factories, Qportal to register partici- cludes four challenges which are, tackle the corona epidemic is a nership between Qatar Develop- health requirements in general hygiene and health of all work- water and food delivery compa- pants in an initiative to develop en- ‘challenge one; protect the elderly unique national initiative that re- ment Bank and a number of enti- and the precautionary measures ers at the hypermarkets by those nies, with directives on health trepreneurial ideas to contribute to & at-risk members of our com- fl ects the volume of co-operation ties and institutions in the country, that have been declared to reduce responsible has been intensi- and safety procedures. reducing the repercussions of the munity from Covid-19 exposure, between diff erent state entities in which are the Ministry of Public the risk of an outbreak of infec- fi ed, with cashiers requiring to The Ministry also carries out coronavirus (Covid-19) epidemic. challenge two; ensure the safety & working to provide an opportunity Health, the Ministry of Com- tion in particular. clean hands. The Ministry has cultural activities related to pre- This initiative will be accom- effi ciency of our healthcare pro- for innovators of pioneering ideas merce and Industry, the Ministry This includes a commitment also intensifi ed the inspection paring and distributing aware- plished through the launch of the fessionals amid the Covid-19 out- that will fi nd practical solutions to of Transport and Communica- by all workers at food establish- of factories classifi ed as high- ness posters for the public and “hackathon,” which is an online break, challenge three; strengthen reduce the impact of the epidemic tions, Ooredoo, Aspetar Hospital, ments to wear masks and gloves, risk food establishments such as workers with tips and recom- platform that will open for four our supply chain to facilitate the on a number of sectors. University of Qatar, Hamad Bin and to disinfect all packagings dairy units, and meat and poul- mendations related to personal days, to allow innovators to devel- availability of medical supplies Al-Khalifa added that this initi- Khalifa University, Virginia Com- upon receiving and before stor- try products to make sure they hygiene and health behaviour. op their entrepreneurial ideas that & essentials, off setting Covid-19 ative is a testament to the constant monwealth University in Qatar, will help in dealing with the various limitations and challenge four; eagerness of Qatar Development Carnegie Mellon University in Qa- problems and challenges posed by maintain the productivity & well- Bank and its partners to embrace tar, North Atlantic College in Qatar, the spread of the novel coronavirus being of our workforce during the and support the owners of these HEC Paris Business University in epidemic. Covid-19 pandemic’. ideas at all times. Qatar, Qatar Business Incubation Qatar Development Bank said The fi ve winning ideas will re- Al-Khalifa expressed thanks to Center, Qatar Sport Accelerator, Lebanon extends coronavirus that all those interested in en- ceive fi nancing and support of all parties that co-operated with Digital Incubation Center, Qatar trepreneurial ideas, can help in QR250,000 each, to develop and the bank in launching this pioneer- Science & Technology Park, Nama addressing the repercussions of implement their ideas, as well as ing national initiative, expressing Center, Qatar Scientifi c Club and the spread of the coronavirus in several services, advisory pro- his confi dence that its outcomes TASMU Innovation Lab. lockdown by two more weeks

Reuters food or medicine, and most try was already deep in fi nancial Beirut businesses have closed. The crisis. “Prime Minister Hassan only airport is also shut, except Diab asserted that we are near for a few fl ights returning expa- the end of the fourth week of New app to help combat Covid-19 ebanon’s government triates stranded abroad. the (shutdown) and we must has extended its almost An overnight curfew largely commit to the measures more,” Lmonth-long coronavi- bans people from going outside Information Minister Manal From Page 1 109. HE AlKhater said all this who have had contact with the in the event a person recovers rus shutdown by another two between 7pm and 5am, with se- Abdel Samad said after a cabi- information is connected to a infected, as long as the applica- from the virus, the application weeks until April 26 to combat curity forces enforcing curbs. net session. „ Grey – suspected cases, in- database and if a case of corona- tion is used. returns to Grey and a particular the spread of the disease, the As of yesterday, the coun- Lebanon’s higher defence dividuals who exhibit symptoms, virus infection is discovered, the After identifying these peo- period is specifi ed for checking information minister said yes- try had 582 cases of the illness, council, which includes the or who have been in contact with application enables the compe- ple, they will receive messages again to make sure of the full re- terday. with 19 deaths, according to the president and top security of- Covid-19-positive cases but tent authorities to track the areas through the app that they may covery. Since Lebanon declared a government’s website on the fi cials, called earlier yesterday have not been tested where this person was present in have had contact with an infect- The colour of the application state of medical emergency last virus. for an extension of the lock- „ Green – healthy individuals – from the time of downloading ed person and will have priority will then turn Green. month, people are allowed to For Lebanon, the outbreak down and a tougher crackdown who do not exhibit any symp- the app until the moment of in- in testing, she explained. It was also underscored that leave their homes only to buy came at a time when the coun- on violations. toms, or who have tested nega- fection. Further, she stressed the im- the application maintains the tive In the process, the authorities portance of downloading and privacy of everyone and only the For enquiries, one can call the can also ascertain all the people, activating the application for the health authorities can see the de- Government Contact Centre at or a large percentage of people benefi t of everyone, noting that tails of each person, QNA added. Heights of home workout

Citizens and expatriates fi ghting a common enemy

From Page 1 In this time of crisis, the created an impressive infra- challenge to stop the cross border Nepali people in Qatar have the structure for testing, isolating fl ow of people in times of such a At present, there are about obligation to co-operate with the and treating Covid-19 patients crisis. 350,000 Neplali people working eff orts of the Qatari government without discrimination. The Despite this, Nepal has been in various sectors of construction to maintain order, prevent the equanimity with which the gov- successful in containing the in Qatar contributing their brain spread of the disease and provide ernment has treated its citizens spread of the disease to wider and brawn for the modernisation health services to the needy peo- and the expatriates has won ap- community. and development of this country. ple. preciation world-wide. The Nepal and Qatar are thousands Nepal is grateful to Qatar for Covid-19 is a very infectious Nepali government, too, is aware of miles apart but they are bound providing employment to a large disease. It is not only invisible, of this and is confi dent that the together by their common goal of number of its nationals, protect- it attacks people keeping them Nepali expatriates will be taken development and a shared dream ing them and giving them access asymptomatic for a long time care of and protected by the State of prosperity for their people. to world-class healthcare. while remaining highly conta- of Qatar. Now the new challenge of the Various high-level Qatari gious. Like the rest of the world, Ne- coronavirus has brought them leaders have repeatedly spoken The Nepali people therefore, pal is also fi ghting the menace of closer. highly of the contribution of the should be highly aware of the Covid-19 despite having a very The fi ght against the virus is Nepali people in the develop- nature of the disease and strict- fragile healthcare system. Its going to be long and painful, but ment endeavour of Qatar, and ly comply with the preventive geopolitical location also makes we can be assured that, together, this has instilled a high sense of measures, like washing hands, it highly vulnerable to wide- the people of Qatar and the ex- Hadeel Alami, a Jordanian judo practitioner, trains with a wooden ladder at home during the responsibility among the Nepali maintaining social distance and spread infection of the virus. It patriate communities, Nepali curfew imposed by the government amid concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus in expatriates to be disciplined, using masks while going out. has a 1,400km-long open border people included, will eventually Amman, Jordan, yesterday. diligent and law-abiding people. The Qatari government has with India and it is always a great come out victorious. Gulf Times 4 Friday, April 10, 2020 AFRICA

SECURITY CRACKDOWN LOAD SHEDDING NEW CASE PUBLIC SAFETY Chad says 1,000 militants DR Congo president aide Nigeria grants amnesty to Botswana president, MPs Zambia TV channel licence killed in latest off ensive held in anti-graft drive 2,600 amid virus fears in self-quarantine again nixed for refusing virus ads

The Chadian army said yesterday it had wound Vital Kamerhe, a key ally to President Felix Nigeria will grant amnesty to around 2,600 Botswanan President Mokgweetsi Masisi and all of Zambia’s broadcasting body yesterday up an off ensive against Boko Haram militants in Tshisekedi in the Democratic Republic of Congo, prisoners to ease congestion in the country’s jails as the country’s MPs are to go into self-quarantine after revoked the license of a private TV channel the Lake Chad border region in which 52 troops was placed in custody at Kinshasa’s central authorities battle to halt the coronavirus pandemic, a nurse assigned to do screening of the legislators after it refused to air public messages about and 1,000 militants were killed. Army spokesman prison on Wednesday night as part of a wide- off icials said yesterday. The interior ministry tested positive for Covid-19, the government said coronavirus, claiming it was still due payment Colonel Azem Bermendoa Agouna told AFP that ranging corruption probe, a judicial source said. said the release included inmates aged over 60, yesterday. Health Minister Lemogang Kwape said by the government for past services. Prime the operation, launched last month, ended on Kamerhe, who became Tshisekedi’s chief of staff those suff ering from serious health conditions some legislators at a special session on Wednesday Television, a popular pro-opposition channel, Wednesday after the Nigeria-based militants were after a long spell as speaker of parliament, was and convicts nearing the end of their sentences. had interacted with a health worker who later tested told authorities last month that it would not forced out of the country. “A thousand terrorists taken to Makala prison shortly after 7.30pm “This amnesty will not apply to inmates sentenced positive for the novel coronavirus. “Everyone who air information about Covid-19 unless it was have been killed, 50 motorised canoes have (1830 GMT). The 61-year-old was detained for violent extreme off ences such as terrorism, was here has to undergo mandatory quarantine paid for government-commissioned campaign been destroyed,” he said, referring to a large boat under “a provisional arrest warrant” after being kidnapping, armed banditry, rape, human traff icking, from here,” the director of health services, Malaki messages during elections in 2015 and 2016. also called a pirogue. Niger, Nigeria, Chad and questioned for more than six hours by the culpable homicide and so on,” the ministry said in Tshipiyagae, announced. On March 21, Masisi The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Cameroon bordering Lake Chad in 2015 set up public prosecutor in an inquiry into suspected a statement. The amnesty has been in the pipeline was forced into self-isolation following a trip to cancelled its licence with “immediate eff ect” a formation called the Multinational Joint Task mismanagement of public funds, the judicial since 2018 but the justice ministry said it was fast- neighbouring Namibia to attend the inauguration of yesterday, citing “the interest of public safety, Force, also including Benin, to fight Boko Haram. source said. tracked because of the coronavirus crisis. President Hage Geingob. security, peace and welfare”.

Too close for comfort

A South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Africa ‘elbowed soldier tries to enforce social distancing as a group of homeless people gather in Innesfree Park in Johannesburg out’ in quest for where food rations were to be distributed. Charities came together to provide food for the needy during the tools to fi ght country’s lockdown period due to the ongoing Covid-19 coronavirus Covid-19: AU emergency.

AFP/DPA unreported cases because hospitals French television last week, Camille Addis Ababa “would be fl ooded with people”. Locht from France’s National Insti- But he acknowledged that, like in tute of Health and Medical Research other regions, Africa’s numbers were and Jean-Paul Mira from the Cochin Uganda lockdown kills mothers in labour frican Union offi cials said yes- not “perfect” and said testing limita- Hospital in Paris suggested Africa as a terday the continent is strug- tions would make community trans- location for vaccine tests, saying that Agling to compete with rich mission of the coronavirus harder to people there do not have masks, treat- By Elias Biryabarema, Reuters “Very ridiculous,” Dr Muhereza “Sometimes she would stop, bend countries for testing kits and other detect and control. ments or resuscitation. Kampala Mukuzi, general secretary of the and put her hand on her thigh to sup- equipment necessary to curb the “Unfortunately this virus is ahead of The doctors’ comments caused Uganda Medical Association, said in port her body, just to rest a bit,” Na- spread of the coronavirus. us. Let’s admit that we are at war but an uproar and were condemned by reference to the ban. gawa said. “We need aid for testing equipment,” the enemy is ahead of us in terms of the French embassy in South Africa, covia Nakawooya’s unborn child With public ambulances scarce, A doctor who examined Nakawooya Kwesi Quartey, the deputy chair of scientifi c discovery,” he said. among others. died inside her as she struggled Ugandans typically reach hospital in at the BMC Medical Centre said she the African Union Commission, told a The AU has so far distributed some Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Sto reach a hospital on foot. She private vehicles, but now need special appeared to be suff ering a premature press conference. The head of the Af- 70,000 testing kits to member states Organization’s regional director for died hours later — one of at least seven permits to drive from resident district separation of the placenta from the rica Centres for Disease Control and and plans to start shipping 100,000 Africa, called the scientists’ remarks women in labour to become casualties commissioners. uterus. “Walking a long distance in Prevention, Dr John Nkengasong, also more next week, Nkengasong said. “unfortunate.” of Uganda’s coronavirus lockdown, a There is no central number to call that condition was very dangerous,” lamented the continent’s limited test- Chinese billionaire Jack Ma last “We encourage countries to engage rights group said. and only one or two offi cials can au- Dr Denis Tumwesigye told Reuters. ing capacity and said other essential month donated 20,000 testing kits to in vaccine trials that respect interna- Fearful that the viral pandemic thorise a journey in each of Uganda’s Nakawooya died at the medical tools were similarly lacking. each African country, a move that Nk- tional standards in terms of ethics, in could overwhelm already overbur- 134 districts. centre the next morning. “We are also being elbowed out in the engasong said had given the AU some terms of respect for the rights of peo- dened hospitals, authorities have Many commissioners have not Primah Kwagala, head of the Wom- space of personal protective equipment “breathing space”. ple,” she told journalists on Thursday. banned private transport without shared their numbers or do not an- en’s Pro Bono legal initiative in Ugan- and commodities to support the entire The 55-member AU is “negotiating “We encourage actually African special authorisation. swer, citizens have complained in lo- da, cited six other reports of women spectrum of the response, ranging from as hard as we can” for more testing kits countries to get involved in trials, not But in a poor country with few am- cal media. who died in labour because they could prevention of transmission, prevention and is trying to route all requests from only for vaccines, but also for discover- bulances, the travel ban can be deadly Nakawooya’s family had no idea not reach a hospital. of deaths and prevention of harm,” Nk- the continent through its headquarters ing therapeutics,” she added. for some. who to call as the 39-year-old mother In Wakiso, police drove a woman engasong said. “That has to stop.” in Addis Ababa, Nkengasong said. Africa has “very capable” scientists A human rights group in the East of four writhed in pain on April 3. in labour to hospital after she bled As of yesterday there were around “The opportunity for Africa to fi ght that have conducted trials for life- African country says seven women in Her husband, Francis Kibenge, heavily all night, but she died anyway, 11,400 confi rmed cases of Covid-19 and win this battle is still open,” he said. saving drugs and vaccines, for instance labour and two babies have died be- begged drivers to take her to a hospital Kwagala said. — a rise of more than 4,000 from just “We have about 11,000 cases, we know to fi ght Ebola outbreaks in West Africa cause they were forced to walk to hos- a mile and a half away. In Alebtong district, two babies a week ago, Nkengasong said, voicing what to do, we just lack the means.” and Congo, said Nkengasong, director pital to give birth. “No one was willing,” the brick- died in childbirth, although their concern about the “rapid increase”. Meanhile, a controversial sugges- of the Africa Centres for Disease Con- The Ministry of Health said it was maker told Reuters at their modest mothers survived, she said. The total number of deaths as of yes- tion made by French doctors to test a trol and Prevention. investigating the reports and could house in a suburb west of the capital In neighbouring Kenya, the family terday was 572, he said. coronavirus vaccine in Africa smacks “The concept of doing a vaccine, a not comment yet. Kampala. of a motorbike taxi driver say police But testing has been limited in many of colonialism and will not be pursued, trial is not wrong,” he said at a press The government ban on private Fresh concrete was drying on Na- beat him to death when he violated a African countries, raising concerns Quartey said yesterday. briefi ng. “It is the manner that people transport in place since March 30 in- kawooya’s grave outside. Her in- coronavirus curfew on March 27 to that cases are going undetected. “We condemn in no uncertain terms portray us, as if they can just come in cludes people suff ering medical emer- fant rested next to her under a small take a woman in labour to hospital. Nkengasong expressed confi dence any attempt to come and try this vac- and do stuff that we are against.” gencies. mound of red soil. Grace Nagawa, the Police did not respond to requests that the numbers being reported paint- cine on Africa and we reject it totally. “Africans don’t need to be lectured But public health offi cials say bar- couple’s 19-year-old daughter, curled for comment this week. ed a fairly accurate picture of the pan- The times of the colonialists are past on how to do vaccine trials and when to ring vehicles from the road is making into a fetal position and wept as she Uganda had recorded 53 cases of demic on the continent, saying it would gone,” Quartey said. do it because we have the skill sets, the it hard for patients and personnel to described her mother’s 90-minute coronavirus infections, and no deaths, be diffi cult to hide a large number of During a programme that aired on capabilities to do it.” reach medical facilities. struggle to reach help. as of yesterday afternoon.

With tourists gone, Africa’s conservationists brace for the worst

By Omar Mohamed and Joe Birds could help protect endangered African rhino month at Virunga, the park took Bavier, Reuters in around $280,000 from tourism. Reuters/Johannesburg Small, red-beaked birds that like iMfolozi Park were “far better at That revenue stream is now gone. to perch on rhinos could help sensing and avoiding humans” Aircraft used for monitor- protect the endangered African if they carried the birds, which ing are grounded and the park he orphaned baby ele- animals from poachers, call out when they detect is facing the increased burden phants ambled in for their according to a study by someone approaching. of supporting not only its 1,500 Tmorning feed at Kenya’s Australian and US scientists. Even when the scientists were staff and their families but also Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT), After tracking wild black able to get near a rhino, “those impoverished surrounding com- but the hundreds of visitors who rhinos for over two years, with oxpeckers detected the munities. would normally be waiting to they concluded that red- approaching human in 100% Price infl ation linked to the watch them were absent. So were billed oxpeckers “may act as of our trials and at an average pandemic is driving food costs their dollars. a first line of defence against distance of 61m — nearly four up, and de Merode worries that As airports and borders poachers by behaving like times further than when rhinos this could fuel poaching, par- closed last month to stop the sentinels, sounding an alarm were alone,” the statement said. ticularly if local armed groups spread of the novel coronavi- to potential danger,” according Black rhinos are critically see it as a lucrative business op- rus, Africa’s wildlife tourism to a statement marking the endangered, with only 5,630 portunity. sector evaporated, along with publication yesterday of their animals remaining across “The level of poaching now revenues many conservation findings in the journal Current Africa in 2018, according to is low. But that could quickly projects rely on to protect some Biology . the International Union for change for a lot of reasons,” he of the continent’s most endan- “Black rhinos...are as blind as a Conservation of Nature. said. gered animals. bat. If the conditions are right, Reintroducing the oxpeckers It’s a concern shared by Maxi “This is going to have huge a hunter could walk within — whose numbers have also Pia Louis, who heads an asso- economic ramifi cations — not 5m of one, as long as they are dwindled — would have the ciation that helps coordinate only months ahead, perhaps downwind,” said Roan Plotz, “great benefit” of helping Namibia’s community-based years,” said Kirsty Smith, SWT’s a behavioural ecologist at rhinos evade detection, even natural resource management donor relations manager. “It’s Victoria University in Australia if the scientists are not certain programmes. uncertain territory, and we are who co-authored the paper. that it would “significantly They too raise the bulk of their worried.” But the rhinos observed in reduce hunting impacts,” Plotz revenues from wildlife tourism. Across Africa, wildlife re- South Africa’s Hluhluwe- said. “There is just zero tourism in serves, conservancies and A keeper feeds an orphaned baby elephant at the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage near Nairobi. those areas now. Zero,” she said. parks are halting infrastructure Community-run conserv- projects and cutting salaries as from tourism last year, money donations and the 500-Kenyan- business this year. “That’s “We will operate on the bare- director Emmanuel de Merode ancies earned over Namibian they struggle through a crisis that supports a sprawling hos- shilling ($4.71) fee that up to 500 about $3mn, for us. That’s be- bones,” Vigne said. said. $60mn (US$3.29mn) from hunt- that is hitting tourist destina- pitality industry as well as con- visitors pay daily to enter the el- ing optimistic,” its managing In eastern Democratic Repub- The park is home to around ing and lodge operations in 2018. tions particularly hard. servation and anti-poaching ef- ephant orphanage in the capital, director, Richard Vigne, told lic of Congo, Virunga National a third of the world’s surviving Another Namibian $65mn Some 70mn tourists visited forts. Nairobi. Reuters. “This is income that’s Park has struggled in the face of mountain gorillas. went directly to households, Africa last year, according to the The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust But the orphanage closed its directly for conservation ef- rebel groups and, for the past two But the areas they inhabit were mainly from salaries earned by United Nations World Tourism runs 13 anti-poaching teams and doors to visitors on March 15, af- forts.” years, an Ebola epidemic to build sealed off in late February — to the roughly 600 local game war- Organization, many of them en- fi ve mobile veterinary teams, ter the country recorded its fi rst To cope, Ol Pejeta — a sanctu- a tourism business that now ac- rangers as well as to visitors — in dens. ticed by the prospect of a safari, carrying out aerial surveillance case of Covid-19. ary for the critically endangered counts for 40% of its revenues. an eff ort to protect the animals “If they don’t get their salaries, game drive or high-dollar hunt- and ground patrols to protect el- Ol Pejeta, another Kenyan black rhino — is slashing staff “Tourism, in spite of all the from Covid-19, which they may we fear poaching will return,” ing adventure. ephants and rhinos. conservancy, expects to lose wages, reducing fuel usage and setbacks, has actually been a be able to contract. Louis said, “because they (com- Kenya alone earned $1.6bn Those activities rely on online around 70% of its anticipated parking vehicles. great success for Virunga,” park That month, an off -season munities) will be poor.” Gulf Times Friday, April 10, 2020 5 AMERICAS Sailor from stricken aircraft carrier taken to ICU

Reuters pleaded for help stemming a coro- of Staff , told reporters at the Pen- Modly’s resignation occurred Modly’s trip to ridicule commander cost taxpayers $243,000: offi cials Washington navirus outbreak onboard. tagon that the military needs to only after mounting pressure from In a statement, the Navy said the plan for the possibility of more Congress and a backlash from the Former acting US Navy secretary Thomas Modly’s week, favoured more dramatic steps to safeguard sailor was in a 14-day isolation pe- coronavirus infections on the level crew, and followed Trump’s own controversial trip to Guam over the weekend where his sailors from the spread of the coronavirus in a sailor from the aircraft car- riod when admitted to the US Na- of the Theodore Roosevelt. suggestion on Monday that he he ridiculed the commander of a coronavirus- four-page letter that leaked to the public last week. rier Theodore Roosevelt was val Hospital Guam yesterday. “I think it is not a good idea to might get involved in the crisis – stricken US aircraft carrier cost taxpayers at least When Modly fired him over the leak, his crew hailed Aadmitted to the intensive A US offi cial, speaking on con- think that the (Theodore Roo- saying that the Navy captain whom $243,000, off icials said on Wednesday. Crozier as a hero and gave him a rousing send-off care unit (ICU) in Guam after test- dition of anonymity, said that the sevelt) is a one-of-a-kind issue ... Modly fi red was also a good man. Modly resigned on Tuesday after mounting criti- captured on video, apparently upsetting Modly ing positive for the coronavirus last sailor was found unresponsive and to think that it will never happen Captain Brett Crozier, who cism for firing and ridiculing Captain Brett Crozier and leading the Navy’s top civilian to fly to Guam month, the US Navy said yesterday, received cardiopulmonary resusci- again, is not a good way to plan,” Modly relieved of command last of the Theodore Roosevelt who pleaded for help to to castigate the captain in a speech to the crew on as the number of coronavirus cases tation (CPR). Hyten said. week, urged more dramatic steps contain a coronavirus outbreak onboard. Monday. on the ship jumped to over 400. The sailor is in critical condition. The general added that there to safeguard his sailors aboard the Two US off icials, speaking on the condition of ano- Modly questioned Crozier’s character, saying at one The case comes after Thomas The number of positive cases on had been a small number of cases Theodore Roosevelt in a four-page nymity, said that Modly flew for about 35 hours on point he was either “stupid” or “naive”. Modly resigned as acting Navy the nuclear-powered ship is now aboard another aircraft carrier as letter that leaked to the public last a C-37B, the military version of a Gulfstream jet. After audio of his speech leaked, including exple- secretary on Tuesday, following 416, up from the 286 positive cases well, the nuclear-powered Nimitz. week. The off icials said that based on the flying time, the tives, Modly initially stood by his remarks. a mounting backlash for his fi r- the Navy reported on Wednesday. Sailors assigned to four carriers Crozier is later believed to have cost was $243,151.65. But he later apologised at US Defence Secretary ing and ridiculing the commander Air Force General John Hyten, have now tested positive for the tested positive for the coronavirus Crozier, whom Modly relieved of command last Mark Esper’s request. of the Theodore Roosevelt, who vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs coronavirus, the offi cial said. himself. Lawmakers row over billions in new virus relief The US Senate adjourned yesterday without an agreement on new $250bn aid relief Amid positive signs, US meant to help small businesses and employees during the coronavirus pandemic. Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senate majority leader, proposed the package yesterday, which would boost loans to small businesses. urged to stay the course The loans would be forgiven if businesses use the money to Reuters that people continue to stay hairdresser while her husband, keep employees on their payroll Washington/New York home. a drivers’ education instructor, and pay for core expenses. “We’ve got to continue to re- also is out of work. “We need more funding and we double our eff orts at the mitiga- Neither has been approved for need it fast,” McConnell said from mericans must perse- tion of physical separation in or- unemployment benefi ts. the Senate. vere with social distanc- der to keep those numbers down “We are struggling mentally He sought to pass the aid through Aing now that their eff orts and hopefully even get them and fi nancially but if further re- unanimous consent – without a are showing signs of slowing the lower than what you’ve heard strictions slow this thing down full vote – an attempt that was spread of coronavirus, US medi- recently,” Fauci, director of the and help save lives, then I’m blocked by Democrats. cal and state offi cials said yester- National Institute of Allergy and all for it,” Ockerse told Reuters Democratic Senator Ben Cardin day, as New York posted another Infectious Diseases, said on CBS through Twitter messages. said the unanimous consent spike in deaths while hospitalisa- This Morning. Keith Howard, 60, said he has request was not negotiated tions ebbed. Stay-at-home orders that been relying on the local food with Democrats. “It’s a good In a sign that the disease’s have closed non-essential work- bank and waiting for his unem- programme, we strongly curve was fl attening in New York, places in 42 states have drasti- ployment benefi ts to arrive since support it. It’s bipartisan. But this the epicentre of the US outbreak, cally slowed the once-humming he was laid off last month from unanimous consent request was New York Governor Andrew US economy and thrown millions his job as a cleaner at Chatham not negotiated.” Cuomo said new hospitalisations of people out of work. University in Pittsburgh. The programme, known as fell to a fresh low of 200. With several state unemploy- “The only thing I can do is the Paycheque Protection However, at the same time, the ment insurance offi ces deluged go about it one day at a time,” Programme, already received state recorded a record-high 799 in recent weeks, 6.6mn workers Howard told Reuters by phone. $350bn under the massive $2.2tn deaths on Wednesday, for a total applied for jobless benefi ts in the Members of US President aid package passed last month. of 7,067. week ended April 4, the US La- Dr Fauci listens as Trump addresses the daily coronavirus task force briefing at the White House. Donald Trump’s economic team However, lawmakers on both “We are fl attening the curve by bour Department said yesterday. have been bullish on re-opening sides say that the initial funding, what we’re doing and we’re fl at- That followed 6.9mn jobless a downturn in that, and it looks deaths attributed to Covid-19. said while the situation may not of the economy, however. which only kicked into action last tening the curve so far,” Cuomo applications the week before, the more like the 60,000 than the More than 432,000 US resi- be as bad as originally feared, Asked on CNBC yesterday week, was insuff icient for the high said, referring to the shape of a most since the Great Recession of 100,000-200,000,” Fauci said on dents had tested positive for the widespread transmission of the whether he believed the US demand. graph showing the number of 2008. the NBC’s Today programme. virus as of yesterday, according virus persisted and will continue economy could be reopened as The measure would also new cases. “You can’t relax. The In all, some 16.8mn American A University of Washington to Johns Hopkins University. to do so in the city for weeks to soon as next month, Treasury need the approval of the fl attening of the curve last night workers have applied for jobless model often cited by US and state Veteran doctors and nurses come. Secretary Steven Mnuchin said: Democratic-controlled House of happened because of what we did benefi ts in the past three weeks. offi cials projects that Covid-19, have voiced astonishment at the “I think it’s going to be a long “I do. As soon as Trump “feels Representatives. yesterday.” Fauci, appearing on several the respiratory ailment caused speed with which some corona- tough April, I’ve said for a long comfortable with the medical is- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Several offi cials have hailed morning television programmes, by coronavirus, will claim 60,415 virus patients were deteriorating time, get ready for a long tough sues.” called McConnell’s move a “stunt the apparent success of mitiga- affi rmed that recent models American lives by August 4, and dying. May,” de Blasio said. The federal government is do- on the floor of the Senate” during tion eff orts as refl ected in death showing fewer deaths than pre- with the peak coming on Easter Patients “look fi ne, feel fi ne, Small businesses and workers, ing everything necessary to en- her weekly conference call. projections that have been scaled viously projected were evidence Sunday this weekend, when it then you turn around and they’re particularly in the service indus- sure “that American companies Data released yesterday shows down to 60,000 from more than that social distancing and other projects that 2,212 will die. unresponsive”, said Diana Torres, tries, have been bearing the brunt and American workers can be 6.6mn new unemployment 100,000. eff orts at keeping people apart US deaths due to coronavirus a nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital of the lockdown measures. open for business and that they claims were filed in the first week Still, Dr Anthony Fauci, the were slowing the spread of the topped 15,700 yesterday, accord- in New York City, the centre of Outside Grand Rapids, Michi- have the liquidity that they need of April, for a historic three-week nation’s top US infectious dis- virus. ing to a Reuters tally. the nation’s worst outbreak. gan, 22-year-old Jocelyn Ock- to operate their business in the total of 16.8mn unemployment ease expert, said it is important “So I believe we’re going to see Only Italy has reported more New York Mayor Bill de Blasio erse, recently lost her job as a interim”, he added. claims. Canada expects death toll to soar Federal judge rejects bid by Trump family Canada won’t let medical “But no, we do not expect this donations sway policies to have any impact” on future decisions, he said. “This will not Reuters Defendants included Reuters/AFP aff ect our decision on other is- New York Trump’s adult children Donald Ottawa/Montreal sues in the years to come.” Jr, Eric and Ivanka, and an af- Trudeau was asked if dona- fi liate of the Trump Organisa- tions to Canada by Huawei could federal judge in Man- tion. anada’s coronavirus death infl uence his government’s poli- hattan rejected an eff ort In the October 2018 com- toll is set to soar from the cies toward the Chinese telecoms Aby US President Donald plaint, the Trumps were ac- Ccurrent 461 to as high as giant, which is at the centre of a Trump and his adult children cused of misleading victims 22,000 by the end of the pan- protracted diplomatic crisis be- to send a lawsuit accusing into becoming salespeople for demic, health offi cials said yes- tween Ottawa and Beijing. them of exploiting their family ACN, a multi-level marketing terday, while the economy lost a At a time when the world faces name to promote a marketing company that charged $499 record 1mn jobs last month. a shortage of masks, Huawei gave scam into arbitration. for a chance to sell video- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Canada more than 1mn, 30,000 In a Wednesday night deci- phones and other goods. added to the sombre tone by say- face shields and 50,000 pairs of sion concerning the American According to the plaintiff s, ing that the country would not gloves, according to the Globe Communications Network, US the Trump family conned return to normal until a vaccine and Mail daily. District Judge Lorna Schofi eld them into thinking that Donald had been developed, which could A Huawei spokesperson in accused the Trumps of acting Trump, who had yet to become be as long as 18 months. Quebec did not confi rm those unfairly by seeking arbitra- president, believed their in- Health offi cials said the two fi gures in a statement to AFP. tion after fi rst obtaining “the vestments would pay off . most likely scenarios showed be- “Numerous companies made benefi ts of litigating in federal They said the real goal was tween 11,000 and 22,000 people similar eff orts and we were lucky court”, including the dismissal for the Trumps to enrich would die. to be in a position, technologi- of a racketeering claim. themselves, including through The total number of positive cally and fi nancially, to help the “This conduct is both sub- the receipt of millions of dol- diagnoses of Covid-19, the res- Canadian population,” the state- stantively prejudicial towards lars in secret payments from piratory illness caused by the ment said. “Our goal was to help plaintiff s and seeks to use the 2005 to 2015. novel coronavirus, ranged from Trudeau: Normality as it was before will not come back full on until we get a vaccine for this and ... that the Canadian population and not [Federal Arbitration Act] as a The Trumps have called the 934,000 to 1.9mn. could be a very long way off . to gain publicity.” vehicle to manipulate the rules lawsuit politically-motivated, The offi cials said they expect- In January, a Canadian court of procedure to defendants’ and said Donald’s Trump’s en- ed between 500 and 700 people of the outbreak could end by July More than 5mn Canadians ures to help businesses totalling began deliberating on whether benefi t and plaintiff s’ harm,” dorsement of ACN was merely in Canada to die from the coro- or August. have applied for all forms of fed- around C$110bn ($78.3bn) in di- to proceed with the extradition Schofi eld wrote. his opinion. navirus by April 16. But he emphasised that there eral emergency unemployment rect spending, or 5% of gross do- to the United States of Huawei’s There have been 19,774 posi- would be subsequent smaller help since March 15, government mestic product. chief fi nancial offi cer, Meng tive diagnoses so far. secondary waves. data showed, suggesting the real Canada’s independent parlia- Wanzhou, accused of bank fraud Clinton scandal whistleblower dies Chief public health offi cer Local governments across jobless rate is closer to 25%. mentary budget offi cer predicted by Washington. Theresa Tam said it was crucial Canada have ordered non-es- Trudeau told reporters that the the budget defi cit would balloon Meng, the daughter of Hua- Linda Tripp, the former US civil servant whose secretly taped that people continued to obey sential businesses shut to com- country was “at a fork in the road to C$184.2bn in the 2020-2021 wei’s founder, was arrested in telephone conversations with a former White House intern instructions to stay at home as bat the spread of the coronavirus, between the best and the worse fi scal year from C$27.4bn in the 2018 during a stopover in Van- documented the sex scandal that led to then-president Bill Clinton’s much as possible. throwing millions out of work. possible outcomes”, predicting 2019-2020 fi scal year. couver at the request of the Unit- 1998 impeachment, died on Wednesday at age 70. “While some of the numbers Canada lost a record-breaking that once the fi rst wave was over, Meanwhile, Trudeau has ed States, setting off an unprec- Her death was confirmed to the Washington Post by her son, released today may seem stark, 1mn jobs in March while the un- the economy could partially be warned that donations of medi- edented dispute between Canada Ryan Tripp, and to the New York Post by her son-in-law, Thomas Canada’s modelling demon- employment rate soared to 7.8%, reopened. cal equipment by foreign com- and China. Foley, who said Tripp’s unspecified illness was unrelated to the strates that the country still has Statistics Canada said, adding “Normality as it was before panies like Huawei in the fi ght Canada must decide in the coronavirus. an opportunity to control the ep- that the fi gures did not refl ect the will not come back full on until against the virus will have no coming months whether it will The Daily Mail in Britain cited a longtime close friend, Diane idemic,” she told a briefi ng. “We real toll. we get a vaccine for this and ... infl uence on government policy. authorise Huawei to deploy a 5G Spreadbury, as saying that Tripp succumbed to a brief battle with cannot prevent every death but “Sticker shock for sure. This that could be a very long way off ,” “We will be receiving dona- network in its territory, which pancreatic cancer. we must prevent all the deaths was about as bad as it could be,” he added, saying it could take 18 tions of equipment from various Washington opposes, warning Tripp became forever linked with the sex scandal that nearly that we can.” said Derek Holt, vice-president months. companies and we’re happy that that it would pose risks of es- brought down Clinton’s presidency by way of her whistleblower Howard Njoo, Tam’s deputy, of capital markets economics at The Liberal government has so people are off ering that,” he said pionage and sabotage of western role in exposing the extramarital aff air he had with Tripp’s said if all went well, the fi rst wave Scotiabank. far announced a range of meas- on Tuesday. networks. acquaintance, Monica Lewinsky, a former White House intern. Gulf Times 6 Friday, April 10, 2020 ASIA

Detained Rohingya freed in Myanmar as virus fears mount Bangladesh Rohingya camps under lockdown Cases against scores of But in recent months hundreds and sent back to Rakhine, a Rohingya Muslims detained have been caught and detained Rohingya activist told AFP. after fleeing Myanmar’s in prisons – charged with “In total about 250 Rohingya AFP in the camps but one infec- ment restrictions on aid workers groups and activists have ex- restive Rakhine state have breaching immigration laws, are likely to be sent back on Cox’s Bazar tion has been recorded nearby. had also been imposed, cutting pressed concerns that the camps been dropped, as fears grow off ences which carry up to two Saturday,” he said, asking not to And with the offi cial number manpower by 80%. have become hotspots for mis- of a potential coronavirus years in jail. On Wednesday a be named for security reasons. of cases doubling to more than “Only emergency food sup- information about the Covid-19 outbreak in the country’s court suddenly dropped cases It is unclear where the Rohingya angladesh has imposed 200 nationwide in the last fi ve ply and medical services can pandemic because of an Internet overcrowded prisons. A military against two of the largest will be taken in Rakhine and a “complete lockdown” days, including 20 deaths, of- continue work in the camps by ban imposed last September. crackdown in 2017 forced groups of arrested Rohingya, authorities have not yet given Bin Cox’s Bazar district – fi cials ordered a lockdown of maintaining extreme caution,” he Tens of thousands of Rohingya some 750,000 Rohingya to totalling 128 people. the reason for their sudden home to over a million Rohingya the district from late Wednes- told AFP. woke up in the middle of the escape to Bangladesh, where “Charges against both adults liberation. refugees from neighbouring day. The area “will be put under Anyone with a recent his- night last month to recite the call they languish in sprawling and children are withdrawn Next week is Myanmar’s Myanmar – to halt the spread of complete lockdown – no entry, tory of travel abroad would also to prayer, after rumours spread refugee cities. Those who and they are to be released,” New Year, however, when coronavirus, offi cials said yester- no exit – until the situation im- be prevented from entering the that the act could stop the spread remain in Rakhine live under judge Khin Myat Myat Htun told the president often grants day. proves,” the directive said. Police camps until they completed a of the virus. tight restrictions with little Pathein court in Ayeyarwady amnesties to prisoners. With Experts have warned that the and soldiers set up roadblocks quarantine, he added. Amnesty International has access to healthcare and Region. An AFP reporter coronavirus fears gripping the disease could spread quickly on the main roads of the district, More than 740,000 Rohingya warned that basic accurate in- education, unable to move confirmed four buses carrying country, calls have amplified for through the cramped, sewage- home to 3.4mn people including fl ed a brutal 2017 military crack- formation about the disease was freely in conditions Amnesty the Rohingya and bound for low-risk inmates to be released soaked alleys where the per- the Rohingya refugees, and were down across the border in Myan- failing to reach many refugees in International has branded Yangon left Pathein prison early from what Human Rights secuted Muslim minority are conducting patrols inside and mar and resettled in the squalid the camps. “apartheid”. For years many yesterday morning. Watch describes as Myanmar’s housed in canvas and bamboo around the camps on Thursday. refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar, The refugee commissioner have taken to boats and buses Scores more are set to be “horribly overcrowded and shacks. Refugee commissioner Mah- where around 200,000 refu- said his offi ce had asked Dhaka to to escape. released by other courts unsanitary” jails. No cases have been confi rmed bub Alam Talukder said move- gees were already living. Rights remove the Internet restrictions. Singapore migrant workers live in fear as virus hits dorms

AFP workers in lockdown and cleaning Singapore services have been increased. A task force involving government offi cials, police and the armed igrant workers in Sin- forces has also been set up to gapore are living in fear provide support to foreign work- Mfollowing a surge of ers and dormitory operators. The coronavirus infections in their manpower ministry said it will dormitories where they say “continue to keep a close eye on cramped and unhygienic condi- the dormitory conditions and will tions make social distancing im- intervene proactively to ensure possible. standards”. The city-state, which is bat- But Amnesty International tling a worsening outbreak, this warned quarantining workers in week quarantined four large dor- close proximity could be a “recipe mitory complexes housing tens of for disaster”. “Migrant work- thousands of mostly South Asian ers living in crowded quarters, workers, where more than 200 without opportunities to self- cases have so far been detected. A foreign worker stands outside a cooking area of the workers’ isolate and protect themselves, Infections have also been record- dormitory in Singapore. are at particular risk of exposure ed in a handful of other facilities. to the virus,” said Rachel Chhoa- One worker from Bangladesh, worried,” he added. At least one “Defi nitely we all are worried,” Howard, Amnesty’s Singapore who lives in a dorm where there dorm had overfl owing toilets and he told AFP, also speaking anony- researcher. are several known infections but rooms infested with cockroach- mously. “Since last few days, we Alex Au, vice president of has not yet been locked down, es, the Straits Times newspaper already got news that there are migrant rights group Transient told AFP social distancing to halt reported, casting a harsh spot- so many people aff ected without Workers Count Too, called on the the spread of the virus was not light on what critics claim is the any symptoms.” There are about government to temporarily house possible. treatment of foreign labourers in 280,000 migrant construction some workers in other locations “One small room with 12 peo- wealthy Singapore. workers in Singapore who mostly such as army barracks. Foreign workers, wearing face masks as a preventive measure against the spread of the novel ple living together... how can The huge dormitories mostly live in self-contained dorms, with “We fear that if the density of coronavirus, looks out from a fence of the workers’ dormitory in Singapore yesterday. we make social distance?” the house construction workers who shops and other facilities on-site. the dorms are not lowered... if the labourer said in English, on the typically earn about $400 to $500 They are often located in less de- men are not thinned out, infec- introduced tough new curbs. The eign labourers, who have played workers like a fi rst world country condition of anonymity. He said a month building the city-state’s sirable parts of the city, meaning tions in many of the dorms will health ministry on Wednesday a key role in the city-state’s dra- should, and not in the disgrace- hygiene standards were poor and glittering skyscrapers and shop- they mix little with Singaporeans. rise,” he said. Singapore has re- reported 142 new cases — Singa- matic transformation from a ful way in which they are treated workers were forced to use a com- ping malls. After reports emerged of un- ported more than 1,600 virus cas- pore’s biggest daily increase since gritty port into an ultra-modern now”. munal cooking area and bath- A Bangladeshi man in one of sanitary conditions at one of the es including six deaths, relatively the outbreak began. fi nancial hub. The post was fl ooded with room. the quarantined dormitories said quarantined dorms, the manpow- low by global standards, and has The infections at the dorms Writing on Facebook, veteran supportive comments, including “We know the virus character, workers were increasingly con- er ministry said it was working to won praise for its handling of the and the poor conditions have Singapore diplomat Tommy Koh one that asked: “Is this how we how this is spread — so if this liv- cerned about the growing number improve the situation. outbreak. But infections are rising sparked soul-searching in Singa- said it should be a “wake-up call treat the very people who have ing condition continue I am very of asymptomatic cases. Caterers are providing meals to sharply and authorities this week pore about the treatment of for- to treat our indispensable foreign built our city, our home?”

Cambodia restricts travel outside capital due to virus

The Cambodian government Transportation of goods Cambodia cancelled one of its Indonesia reports jump in Covid-19 deaths yesterday issued a one-week nationwide will not be restricted, most widely celebrated public ban on civilian travel in and out VOD reported, citing the order holidays, Khmer New Year, of Phnom Penh, and between from Prime Minister Hun Sen. which was set for next week, Reuters all districts outside the capital, In addition, travel by civil to limit the spread of Covid-19, Jakarta in an eff ort to limit the spread servants with identification; the potentially fatal respiratory of Covid-19, local media permitted factory workers; disease caused by the novel reported. The travel restriction military, emergency and coronavirus that originated in ndonesia reported its big- order, which will not apply to sanitation vehicles; and a group China late last year. gest daily jump in coro- movement inside the capital of no more than four people During the annual festival, Inavirus deaths yesterday, city, is in eff ect from midnight going to a hospital or health millions typically travel to their bringing the total confirmed Thursday to April 16, local news centre will not be restricted. The home provinces to visit family number to 280 in the world’s outlet VOD reported. travel ban comes two days after and friends. fourth most populous country, the highest death toll in Asia outside China where the virus first emerged. Indonesia confirmed 40 Philippines infections top 4,000 more deaths and its death toll accounts for nearly half of the more than 590 across South- east Asia. More than 16,500 cases have been reported across the re- gion. Indonesian health min- istry official Achmad Yurianto said the country had registered 337 new infections, also a new daily high, taking the total to 3,293. Health experts say Indone- sia faces a surge in cases after An Indonesian police off icer wearing a superhero costume on the street disinfects motorists’ vehicles in a slow government response Pasuruan, East Java. masked the scale of the out- break in Southeast Asia’s big- out tougher curbs on move- Widodo has said the govern- tial businesses beyond April 14. gest country. ment and gathering. Indonesia ment would give aid to poorer The country has so far recorded Indonesia has brought in has stepped up the number of families, particularly in Ja- 4,228 infections — the highest “large-scale social restric- tests to 16,511 as of Wednesday, karta, to persuade them to stay in Southeast Asia — with 67 tions”, but President Joko but for a country with more put but has rejected calls for an deaths. But government offi- Widodo has resisted bringing than 260mn people it has one outright ban on the “mudik”, as cials have said the restrictions in the type of tough lockdowns the lowest testing rates in the the holiday is known. are showing results. “We have imposed by neighbours and world. Malaysia reported 109 new done well,” Ministry of Health only moved to allow areas like Neighbouring Malaysia, with infections yesterday, the sec- Director General Noor Hisham The Philippines reported 21 new deaths and 206 additional cases of the coronavirus, the health Jakarta, where there has been a only 32mn people, has con- ond-lowest daily increase since Abdullah told a news confer- ministry said yesterday. Total deaths have reached 203 and cases have risen to 4,076 while spike in cases, more powers to ducted 69,675 tests. There are a partial lockdown was imposed ence. 28 more patients have recovered to take that total to 124, the ministry said in a bulletin. In the tackle the crisis. also growing fears that the out- on March 18. “We have a small window of picture, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (left), Health Secretary Enrique Duque (right), Researchers at the University break could spread across the The data comes a day ahead opportunity. If we do it right and Carlito Galvez, chief implementer of the National Action Plan against Covid-19, listen over of Indonesia have predicted archipelago during the annual of possible ministerial discus- we may be able to avert the a meeting with members of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases there could be 140,000 deaths exodus to home villages for the sions on whether to extend the surge that we have seen in other (IATF-EID) in Malacanang Palace in Manila. and 1.5mn cases by May with- Ramadan holiday. curbs on travel and non-essen- countries.” Gulf Times Friday, April 10, 2020 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Pacifi c’s Tropical Cyclone Harold destroys tourist resorts in Tonga

AFP to seek shelter from destructive barrelling southeast to directly Category Four as it lashed Fiji on erWatch.co.nz head forecaster response eff orts at the present Marise Payne said an air force Nuku’alofa, Tonga winds and massive sea surges. By hit Vanuatu as a Category Five, Wednesday but hopes the storm Philip Duncan said there were no time, this will be an internally plane carrying essential supplies early Thursday it had again be- obliterating entire towns in the was dissipating were dashed as certainties. “It’s almost unheard run operation,” Vanuatu’s Na- such as tents and water containers come a scale-topping Category northern provinces. it regathered momentum head- of to see a cyclone tracking south tional Disaster Management Of- was on its way to Vanuatu, while resurgent Tropical Cy- Five superstorm — surprising There have been no reports of ing towards Tonga. “It’s been a away from the equator, weak- fi ce said. Fiji has 15 virus cases assistance had also been off ered clone Harold fl attened meteorologists after signs earlier deaths in Vanuatu, Fiji or Tonga, tricky one to predict,” meteorolo- ening, then suddenly returning and Prime Minister Frank Baini- to other impacted nations. Atourist resorts in Tonga in the week that its intensity was with emergency workers saying gist Bill Singh from New Zealand’s back to Cat 5 so far south,” he marama said the virus and cy- “We are acutely conscious yesterday, extending a week- dropping. residents in the hardest hit areas Metservice told AFP. “We knew said. The Covid-19 pandemic clone meant “our economy and that this comes on top of the im- long trail of destruction across Packing winds of up to 260km took shelter early. “It appears that the track it was going to take but has complicated disaster relief our people have been dealt two pact and diffi culties created by four South Pacifi c island nations per hour, it cut power in parts of many buildings and crops have initially everyone thought it was eff orts, with Vanuatu reluctant to body blows to start the year”. Covid-19 for those countries,” that has claimed more than two the country and police said at been destroyed and some people just going to be Cat 3 or 4, but as open its international borders as “This storm must not compro- she said. Vanuatu said any sup- dozen lives. least three tourist resorts north in the most aff ected areas have it progressed over open warm wa- it seeks to remain one of the few mise our coronavirus contain- plies that came into the country The cyclone gathered pace as of the capital Nuku’alofa had lost everything,” Red Cross Van- ters it deepened.” countries without any confi rmed ment eff orts, lest we risk damage would be handled with protective it bore down on the tiny island been reduced to rubble. The uatu secretary general Jacqueline The storm is expected to head virus cases. far more painful than the after- equipment and the air crews de- kingdom, which declared a state cyclone killed 27 people in the de Gaillande said. Harold weak- away from Tonga onto the open “No foreign personnel are math of any cyclone,” he said. livering them would be isolated of emergency, warning residents Solomons late last week before ened slightly to a still-formidable ocean late yesterday but Weath- being brought to Vanuatu for Australian Foreign Minister in transit areas. Japan grapples with spike in virus cases

Reuters Tokyo

he total number of Japa- nese novel coronavirus Tinfections hit more than 5,300 yesterday, NHK public broadcaster said, showing no signs of slowing despite a state of emergency being imposed this week on Tokyo and six other ar- eas. People wearing face masks commute by subway in Tokyo yesterday. Tokyo’s nightlife districts of Shibuya, Akasaka and Ginza ar- highest daily jump. “I am asking rations,” he said. Chief Cabinet overseas tourists and private eas were much quieter than usual for your co-operation to pro- Secretary Yoshihide Suga said in consumption,” he said. overnight as the state of emer- tect your life, protect your fam- an afternoon press briefi ng that “For the time being, we won’t gency took eff ect, but cities have ily, protect your colleagues and there was no need now to add hesitate to take additional mon- not shut down and many workers society” she said. While Tokyo Aichi and other areas to the na- etary easing steps if needed, are still commuting to offi ces by and the central government have tional list. with a close eye on developments day. been discussing what kind of Even with less stringent re- regarding the coronavirus out- The central bank warned that businesses they will ask to close, strictions compared with other break.” the coronavirus pandemic had Koike is considering making her countries, analysts polled by The BOJ cut its assessment created an “extremely high” level own decision if they fail to reach Reuters expect Japan to slip into a on all of Japan’s nine regions for of uncertainty for the world’s an agreement, Kyodo news agen- deep recession this year. the fi rst time in 11 years, saying third-largest economy, with re- cy reported. While aggressive central bank their economies were weakening gional economies facing their Hideaki Omura, governor actions across the globe have or under strong downward pres- worst conditions since the global The promenade of Yokohama has few pedestrians. of Aichi prefecture, which in- eased fi nancial market tensions sure. fi nancial crisis a decade ago. cludes the city of Nagoya and somewhat, corporate funding “The situation is quite severe. Japanese authorities are hop- authority to urge people to stay Japan, where a cruise ship off - The number of infections rose hosts Toyota Motor Corp, said strains were worsening, Bank of Business sentiment is souring. ing to contain the outbreak home and businesses to close. In shore was once the biggest source by 384 yesterday to 5,356, while he would declare a state of emer- Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuro- Firms dealing with inbound tour- without imposing a mandatory contrast to lockdowns in some of infections outside China, the death toll edged up by 1 to gency today even if the central da told a quarterly meeting of re- ism and consumption are seeing lockdown that could deal a ma- countries enforced by fi nes and had early success in limiting the 106, according to NHK. government did not add it to the gional branch managers. sharp declines in sales,” Yasuhiro jor blow to an economy already arrests for non-compliance, Ja- coronavirus. But authorities have During a daily live YouTube national list. “The spread of the coronavirus Yamada, the BoJ’s Osaka branch struggling to cope. pan is relying more on peer pres- become more alarmed in recent broadcast, Tokyo Governor “If we watch what’s happened is having a severe impact on Ja- manager overseeing the Kinki The state of emergency gives sure and a tradition of respect for weeks by a surge in local trans- Yuriko Koike said the capital in the last week it doesn’t look pan’s economy through declines western Japan region, told a news local governors stronger legal authority. mission. had 181 new cases yesterday, the good and so we’re making prepa- in exports, output, demand from conference. China seeks to contain ‘silent Australian police take ‘black box’ off cruise ship in homicide probe

carriers’ of new coronavirus Reuters Sydney

Reuters On China’s Twitter-like Wei- Covid-19 but continued to test for 14 days, and will be counted Beijing bo, “Are asymptomatic people positive for the coronavirus. “We as confi rmed cases if they start ustralian police said yes- really asymptomatic?” was one currently don’t dare to let them to show symptoms. People who terday they have taken of the most-discussed topics out but we may feel that this have had close contact with them Athe “black box” of a hina took new measures yesterday, highlighting a media measure might be wrong in the must also be quarantined for two cruise ship which disembarked to try to prevent asympto- interview with Liu Youning, a future,” he said, adding that such weeks. hundreds of passengers in- Cmatic “silent carriers” of professor of respiratory medi- patients showed “weak” toxicity. The Beijing government yes- fected with the coronavirus in the new coronavirus from caus- cine at the People’s Liberation “This virus could be dead al- terday announced new guidance Sydney, as part of a homicide ing a second wave of infections, Army General Hospital. Liu said ready, and has just left behind for bars in the capital, mandat- investigation into the country’s as the country reported another asymptomatic carriers posed lit- some of its debris in the cells,” ing that tables be set at least 1m deadliest infection source. modest rise in confi rmed cases. tle risk, but that people should Zhang said. “We are protecting (3.3ft) apart and vigorous disin- The investigation got under- While new cases have declined continue to avoid crowded areas, everyone by overdoing protec- fecting eff orts. way as the Australian authori- from their peak since China im- maintain social distancing, wear tive measures and treatment,” he However, in an easing measure, ties said the rate of new coro- posed strict travel restrictions, masks and wash hands. said, adding the longest the hos- the commercial centre of Shang- navirus infections hit its lowest authorities have called for con- Zhang Dingyu, president of pital has kept the patients so far hai said it would begin reopening number in three weeks and be- tinued vigilance amid fears of a Jinyintan Hospital in the cen- is for about 60 days. some schools from April 27. gan arranging more fl ights to fresh resurgence of infections as tral city of Wuhan, the original China reported 56 new asymp- Of the 61 new confi rmed cas- bring home citizens stranded A NSW Police vehicle is seen during the Strike Force Bast raid of the economy cranks back to life epicentre of the outbreak that tomatic cases on Wednesday, es arriving from overseas, 40 abroad. the Ruby Princess cruise ship at Port Kembla, New South Wales. and more people move around. began this week allowing people bringing the total number of such were in China’s northeast Hei- The Ruby Princess cruise Mainland China reported 63 to leave after a more-than two- cases to 657 since data for such longjiang province, which shares ship, owned by Carnival Corp , corded 96 new coronavirus in- to stop people travelling or so- new infections on Wednesday, up month lockdown, said he was not infections were published daily a border with Russia. All were has become a fl ashpoint of pub- fections, its fi rst daily increase cialising over Easter. Police said from 62 a day earlier, the Nation- worried about a big second wave from April 1. among returning Chinese na- lic anger in Australia after au- of fewer than 100 cases in three they will step up their presence al Health Commission said. Of of infections given the contain- The State Council, or Cabinet, tionals, state news agency Xin- thorities granted the ship per- weeks, Health Minister Greg and use helicopters to target those, 61 were travellers arriving ment measures in place. published new rules to manage hua said. mission to disembark its 2,700 Hunt told reporters in Can- anyone who attempts to travel. from overseas, bringing the total “We think in the future there asymptomatic coronavirus car- The Heilongjiang city of passengers last month without berra. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister number of confi rmed cases in could be some sporadic cases and riers late on Wednesday. Suifenhe is building a makeshift health checks. Hundreds of the “The curve continues to fl at- Minister Marise Payne said she China to 81,865. even some local outbreaks, like Under the regulations, medi- hospital to manage the rise in passengers later tested positive ten, we are consolidating the had arranged with Qantas Air- China is also increasingly fo- how at a company you might see cal institutions must report de- imported cases, the Global Times for the coronavirus and 15 have gains,” Hunt said in a televised ways Ltd to run special fl ights cused on managing asympto- 30 or 20 contagion cases that be- tection of asymptomatic cases reported yesterday, as all of the died, out of Australia’s roughly news conference. “While we to repatriate Australians stuck matic virus carriers. It only be- come an outbreak. But the pos- within two hours of their discov- city’s isolation hotels were full. 6,000 confi rmed cases and 51 have been cautious over the abroad. gan announcing fi gures for such sibility of a big outbreak, there ery. Local governments must Suifenhe has closed its borders to deaths. last two weeks as we have seen The fl ights would carry cases on April 1, reporting 657 isn’t really such a possibility,” he then identify all known close all arrivals and implemented re- Investigators boarded the the early data, what we’re see- people in Peru, Argentina and new asymptomatic cases so far told reporters. contacts of the case within 24 strictions on the movement of its ship at an industrial port south ing now is a genuine consolida- South Africa home in the next this month, of which 57 have de- Zhang also said 14 patients in hours. Asymptomatic patients citizens on Wednesday, similar to of Sydney, interviewed the cap- tion.” week, with fl ights also being veloped symptoms. the hospital had recovered from will be quarantined collectively measures seen in Wuhan. tain and took electronic logs Prime Minister Scott Mor- planned from India and the as evidence, New South Wales rison in his Easter address im- Philippines. While Australia state Police Commissioner plored people to stay home and has slowed the growth in new New Zealand orders quarantine for returning citizens in coronavirus battle Mick Fuller said. “They spoke to cancel trips during what is a coronavirus cases, it remains the captain of the ship, who was traditional vacation period. anxious about the economic toll New Zealand will begin moving Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern two days before the lockdown Australia, has fewer infections extremely helpful,” Fuller said Morrison earlier met with of the virus. citizens to compulsory quarantine said, adding that 14 days spent in is set to end. The lockdown has than many countries and the pace in a televised news conference state and territory leaders in Desperate to avoid a pro- from today as they return a government-approved facility reduced domestic transmissions, of infections in both nations has yesterday. “Ships have a black one of the bi-weekly meet- longed economic contrac- from overseas, stepping up its would be a prerequisite for all authorities said, with a steady slowed dramatically in the past box very similar to that of in- ings of a special Cabinet set up tion, Australia’s parliament on eff orts to slow the spread of the foreign travellers. fall this week in the daily rise in week. ternational planes, and that and to deal with the coronavirus Wednesday approved spending coronavirus halfway through a “Even one person slipping infections. Despite some signs of a plateau other evidence has been seized outbreak. The Cabinet will not $130bn ($81bn) over the next six four-week nationwide lockdown. through the cracks and bringing The tally of infections rose by 29 in infections, the government for further investigation.” meet now until Thursday, Mor- months to subsidise the wages The shutdown began in late the virus in can see an explosion to stand at 1,239 yesterday, for the said it had no plans to relax the About 1,000 crew of vari- rison said. of about 6mn people, or a quar- March in the Pacific nation of in cases, as we have observed lowest daily rise since March 21, a curbs over the Easter weekend ous nationalities remain on Australia has for weeks re- ter of the population. Austral- about 5mn, and a state of national with some of our bigger clusters,” sign the epidemic could be on the and warned of hefty fines for non- board the ship. Globally, more stricted the movements of ia’s central bank yesterday said emergency was declared to she told a media briefing in retreat since the lockdown began essential travel then. Police will than 1.5mn people have tested people, requiring them to stay the country’s banks are well stifle local transmissions of the Wellington yesterday. 15 days ago. step up activity around holiday positive to the coronavirus, home except for essential work placed to weather the coronavi- respiratory disease. Ardern added that her cabinet Overnight, 35 people were spots during the Easter holidays, which has caused about 87,000 or to exercise and buy food, and rus-driven economic downturn “No one goes home, everyone would decide whether to extend declared to have recovered. authorities said, with some deaths. police have said they will use and any potential run to with- goes into a managed facility,” the nationwide curbs on April 20, New Zealand, like neighbouring roadblocks planned. In the past day, Australia re- the threat of on-the-spot fi nes draw cash by some locals. Gulf Times 8 Friday, April 10, 2020 BRITAIN/IRELAND Govt under fi re for suggesting coronavirus ‘great leveller’

Thomson Reuters Foundation sion news anchor said it was a sion. “This is a myth that needs fi ce minister Michael Gove told a on Twitter said Raab’s language researcher Martin Heneghan. hoods of cities — from Chicago London myth put around by members of debunking.” press conference last month. implied that those who have died Maitlis said it was lower paid to Barcelona — take a far bigger the government. The government said it had no But health experts say it is from the virus — more than 7,000 workers, from nurses to manual hit from the virus than nearby “The disease is not a great lev- comment on the controversy. poor people and essential front- in Britain by the latest count — did workers, and people who live in areas that are home to wealthier he government came eller, the consequences of which Conservative Prime Minister line workers who bear the brunt not fi ght hard enough. tower blocks and cramped con- residents. under fi re on social me- everyone rich and poor suff ers Boris Johnson is in hospital with as they are more likely to come “Saying you survive this hor- ditions who were more like to “Covid-19 is not the great Tdia yesterday, accused the same,” Emily Maitlis said on Covid-19, joining a roll call of into contact with the disease rible virus because you are a catch the disease. leveller, people who are lower of promoting the idea that the Wednesday night’s prestigious ministers, royals and celebrities and less likely to get help. fi ghter is an insult to every sin- Millions of people in Britain income are disproportionately coronavirus was a “great level- Newsnight show. who have caught the virus. Key members of Johnson’s gle person who has died,” said have lost jobs and income as a impacted,” said opposition La- ler” hitting rich and poor alike. “You do not survive the illness “The fact that both the prime team such as Dominic Raab, who Twitter user Neville Robert nationwide lockdown forces bour party politician Rebecca Debate over the idea – re- through fortitude and strength minister and the health secre- is standing in for Johnson while Gregory. many non-essential businesses Moynihan. jected by most health experts – of character, whatever the prime tary have contracted the virus he recovers, have voiced confi - “Being a ‘fi ghter’ does not to close their doors, with the low “Lockdown is a matter of that the virus impacts all people minister’s colleagues will tell is a reminder that the virus does dence in his recovery as the prime matter one bit on whether you paid worst hit. housing, income, work and equally arose after a BBC televi- us,” Maitlis said on BBC televi- not discriminate,” Cabinet Of- minister is a “fi ghter”. But many survive or not,” said university Maps show poor neighbour- health privilege.” NHS staff ‘gagged from speaking about coronavirus’

Guardian News and Media shocked to receive a response London saying simply no media. The team did not say what ac- tion they might take to enforce ealthcare professionals the ban, he said, but the tone was are being silenced and threatening. Hthreatened with disci- The nurse added: “As health- plinary action for speaking out care workers I think we feel gen- about their work during the coro- erally quite secure – there’s al- navirus outbreak, the Guardian ways work for nurses. But in my revealed. correspondence with the com- Many NHS staff are increas- munications department I felt ingly concerned that their ability quite powerless all of a sudden. It to share stories about their work makes me so sad.” is being restricted by a clamp- Ironically, he added, corona- down on speaking out publicly. virus has in fact led to the role of It follows reports of doctors nurses being highlighted in a way and nurses being gagged by hos- they could never have otherwise pitals and other NHS bodies from dreamed of, including being fea- speaking out about widespread tured on the front cover of glossy shortages of personal protective magazines. equipment (PPE). Not all NHS trusts in England Tactics have included threat- have imposed a blanket ban on ening e-mails, the possibility of staff speaking out and some are disciplinary action, and some encouraging professionals who Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab arrives for a COBRA meeting at 10 Downing Street in central London yesterday. people even being sent home wish to talk about their work. from work. A range of staff recently ex- While there could be some plained their behind-the-scene logic to hospitals wanting to stop roles to the Guardian, but most scaremongering when com- of those speaking out tend to be munications departments are doctors, often in secure positions overloaded with work at a busy where they are less likely to be time, many staff feel they are be- challenged or threatened. ing blocked from highlighting Kate Jarman, director of cor- Lockdown extension looms their work during the pandemic. porate aff airs at Milton Keynes Workers who have spoken to the University hospital NHS founda- Guardian say they fear being dis- tion trust, believes staff should be ciplined. supported to talk about what life Several professionals said they is like in their roles. “There’s al- worried about losing their jobs. ways a balance to be struck in how as PM’s health ‘improves’ Examples include an e-mail staff get messages across,” she signed by the chief executive of said. “People should be mindful AFP things are getting better for him.” However, ministers have made it come”. She also told a press con- The 55-year-old Conserva- one NHS trust forbidding all staff of patient confi dentiality and the London Johnson is the most high-pro- clear no announcement on the sta- ference there was “no prospect” tive leader was transferred to from talking to the media, and core messages of public informa- fi le world leader to suff er from tus of the lockdown — rolled out of the measures being lifted in the intensive care on Monday as his incidents where staff suspect e- tion and safety but from what I’ve the coronavirus and his transfer for an initial three weeks — would coming days. Meanwhile, minis- condition was deemed to be de- mails and social media accounts seen, they are doing that.” rime Minister Boris John- to intensive care on Monday was be made until that period has end- ters warned the public to follow teriorating. are being monitored. The Guardian is aware of sev- son’s health “continues to unprecedented for a prime minis- ed on Monday, at the earliest. social distancing rules ahead of the He has received messages of Requests by staff to commu- eral cases where staff have been Pimprove” on his fourth day ter during a national emergency in “You shouldn’t expect a deci- Easter weekend when high tem- support from around the world, nications departments to permit silenced. in Covid-19 intensive care, his modern times. sion today on restrictions,” Dow- peratures are forecast. with US President Donald Trump them to talk to the press have They include: spokesman said yesterday, while While much of the focus in Brit- den said, stressing the actual “We’ll have to stay at home and sending best wishes to his “very been turned down, leaving staff O A health professional who the government prepared to ex- ain has been on Johnson’s health, review would happen next week. the reason why we’re having to good friend”. anxious and fearful for their jobs was left anxious for their job after tend a nationwide lockdown. there is also concern over the Asked if the government might stay at home is in order to protect Russian leader Vladimir Putin during the worst global public their communications depart- “The prime minister had a good numbers of people infected with give police extra powers during the NHS and save lives,” added said Johnson’s “energy, optimism health crisis of this century. ment found out they had spoken night and continues to improve the virus. Senior ministers were the lockdown, the Downing Street Dowden. and sense of humour” would see One nurse who wanted to high- to a journalist about their work. in intensive care at St Thomas’ to discuss extending strict social spokesman said: “For now our fo- Johnson arrived in hospital late him through. light the vital role of his profes- O Staff at one trust who faced Hospital. He’s in good spirits,” the distancing measures rolled out on cus is on ensuring that the steps Sunday following concerns he still The government has been criti- sion received an e-mail (later re- disciplinary action for speaking spokesman added. March 23, during a daily coronavi- that we already have in place are had a cough and high temperature cised for a slow response to the called) from his trust to all staff , out. He said Johnson was not work- rus response meeting. properly enforced”. 10 days after being diagnosed with pandemic, initially refusing to fol- which banned public communi- O A blanket e-mail signed by ing and had received “standard Foreign Secretary Dominic In Scotland, First Minister coronavirus. low other European countries in cations. one trust’s chief executive was oxygen treatment”. Raab, who is standing in for John- Nicola Sturgeon yesterday said He had spent the previous nine requiring people to stay home as When he contacted the com- sent, warning staff not to speak to Earlier, Culture Secretary Oliver son, will lead the “war cabinet”, as that its lockdown was likely to days in self-isolation in a fl at above the virus spread rapidly across the munications department, he was media under any circumstances. Dowden told BBC News. “I think he has done since Monday. continue “for some weeks to his Downing Street offi ce. globe. Housing market at Manchester police break up 660 parties near standstill: RICS DPA guidelines,” said chief constable London Ian Hopkins. “We must do this to protect Reuters to a near standstill of the housing ity’ in the economy will take ourselves, our families, our com- London market,” RICS said. time and households will remain olice in Manchester yes- munities and the NHS (National The picture from RICS match- cautious for a while,” RICS chief terday urged the public to Health Service) by preventing es that in other economic sur- economist Simon Rubinsohn Pobserve a near-lockdown the spread of this highly conta- ritain’s housing market has veys, which point to a sharper said. to prevent the spread of the gious infection,” Hopkins said. been thrown into the deep near-term downturn than in RICS’s headline house price novel coronavirus, after break- “I would encourage everyone Bfreeze by measures to slow the 2008-09 fi nancial crisis, balance remained in positive ing up 660 parties in just four to enjoy themselves at home with the spread of the coronavirus, prompting some economists to territory for March, before the days. their loved ones but please don’t and is unlikely to have recovered predict the largest fall in output lockdown took full eff ect, at +11, Greater Manchester Police socialise beyond the immediate a year from now, according to the since the 1920s. down from +29 in February and a said they were concerned that people that you live with.” Royal Institution of Chartered Sales expectations for the next forecast in a Reuters poll of econ- more people might ignore the Other police chiefs have ex- Surveyors. three months are now the weak- omists of +14. lockdown during the four-day pressed concern and reportedly While people in the middle of est of any time since RICS started But for three months ahead, Easter holiday weekend, when urged the government to give buying a house can still move, surveying its members on this in the index — which measures the fi ne weather is forecast. them greater powers to enforce property viewings have been 1998, and price expectations for diff erence between the percent- The force said it recorded a the lockdown. halted and estate agents’ offi ces the coming months are the low- ages of surveyors expecting a “sharp increase” to 1,132 re- Nick Adderley, chief consta- have closed to the public as part est since the fi nancial crisis. price rise and a price fall — sank ported breaches of the lockdown ble of Northamptonshire Police of wide-ranging measures to re- Even looking a year ahead, to minus 82. from Saturday to Tuesday. in central England, said his force duce Covid-19 infections. surveyors are signifi cantly more Looking 12 months ahead, the The breaches included 494 was preparing to strengthen its House prices and activity had likely to expect sales and prices index was still at minus 38. house parties and 166 street par- enforcement of the lockdown. been picking up since the start of to be lower than higher, due to “For those who can aff ord to ties, as well as dozens of sports “Sadly, there are a small mi- 2020, helped by reduced Brexit concerns that home-buyers will move they may lack confi dence Irish Police (Garda) stop and check vehicles at the border crossing at events and other gatherings in nority of people in this county and political uncertainty, but be worried about their jobs even in the market, adding to the slow Carrkcarnon, County Louth, Ireland, yesterday under new powers to parks. who continue to fl out the re- this trend has gone sharply into after the initial disruption from down. A stamp duty (property curb non-essential travel during the coronavirus crisis. All vehicles “We understand the desire strictions despite how hard we reverse. the virus has passed. purchase tax) holiday could be leaving Northern Ireland and entering Ireland were diverted off the people will have to spend time have tried to engage with them, “As agents close their doors “The legacy of Covid-19 could one of the ways to reactivate the motorway and checked to determine if the journey was an essential with family and friends over the and, considering what is at stake due to the lockdown, the spread be such that any return to what housing market quickly as a short journey, as new police powers came into force in Ireland to combat Easter period, however, it is vital here, this is hugely disappoint- of the virus across the UK has led might be described as ‘normal- term measure,” RICS said. the spread of Covid-19. that we follow the government ing,” Adderley said. Gulf Times Friday, April 10, 2020 9 EUROPE

Spain PM says virus ‘blaze’ EU could fall due to split coming under over pandemic: Italy PM control Reuters pected to cause in Europe this risk was growing that the fi nance ter Peter Altmaier said. Brussels year. ministers would just patch up di- Other elements of the package “It’s a big challenge to the ex- visions for the sake of announc- being discussed are more guaran- AFP istence of Europe,” Italy’s Prime ing a deal, but would leave the tees for the European Investment Madrid he European Union faces Minister Giuseppe Conte told the key unresolved issues to national Bank to back up companies and a an existential threat if it BBC. “If Europe fails to come up leaders. scheme to help subsidise wages Tcannot come together to with a monetary and fi nancial “There is a lot of pressure for across the bloc so that companies he daily death toll from combat the coronavirus crisis, policy adequate for the biggest an agreement today,” said the can cut work hours, not jobs. the coronavirus fell to 683 Italy warned yesterday as the di- challenge since World War II, diplomat. “Germany and France But a separate plan to fi nance Tin Spain yesterday, after vided bloc sought to salvage talks not only Italians but European are pushing for it. But it’s not the recovery, after the epidemic, rising for two days, with Prime on a rescue package to aid bat- citizens will be deeply disap- easy ... we may be heading for a raises more questions. Minister Pedro Sanchez urg- tered economies. pointed.” formal agreement that doesn’t France and the southerners ing people to keep up the fi ght A deal has so far proved elu- For weeks, the EU has strug- really solve much in practice.” wants the money – possibly up against the spread of the Cov- sive amid fraught discussions gled to show a united front in the The package under discussion to 3% of the European Union’s id-19 respiratory disease caused between the more fi scally con- face of the pandemic, with the 27 would bring the EU’s total fi s- GDP, or more than €400bn – to by the virus. servative north and the indebted member states squabbling over cal response to the epidemic to be borrowed jointly on the mar- The country, one of the worst south, which has been hit hard by economic rescue plans, medical €3.2tn, the biggest in the world. ket by all EU states. hit by the pandemic, has now the pandemic and is pushing for supplies and border curbs. But it includes contentious This is a red line for Germany, recorded 15,238 coronavirus unprecedented measures like is- France and Germany are push- elements that expose deep divi- the Netherlands, Finland and deaths. suing joint EU debt. ing for a compromise to break the sions among countries on shar- Conte: It’s a big challenge to the existence of Europe. Austria which strongly oppose The offi cial daily toll was Sixteen hours of talks between deadlock, but budget hawk Aus- ing the fi nancial burden of crises, joint debt issuance, even in such down from 757 on Wednesday. EU fi nance ministers on a half-a- tria said that, while it was willing bringing back bitter disputes and bility Mechanism (ESM). “It’s important that we take an emergency as the coronavirus However, there has been trillion-euro package collapsed to make concessions, the con- mistrust from the sovereign debt Italy, and most other coun- this decision today on the pandemic. growing speculation that the on Wednesday. tentious “euro bonds” remained crisis of 2010-2012. tries, is ready to accept very light €500bn that is in discussion – The ministers might end up death toll may have grossly un- They resumed at 1500 GMT a no-go for Vienna. Another problem is agreeing conditions, but the Netherlands that’s an incredibly large sum of side-stepping the problem by derestimated. yesterday to push for a deal to “That is out of the question for conditions under which euro- wants stricter rules, including money that we could use to help just mentioning the need for a Authorities in the Madrid re- help governments, companies us,” said Finance Minister Gernot zone governments could access country-specifi c economic cri- a lot of people, especially in the recovery fund and asking the 27 gion acknowledged on Wednes- and individuals through a deep Bluemel. cheap credit from the eurozone teria, which is politically unac- hardest hit countries, Spain and national leaders of the bloc to de- day that the number of deaths in recession the pandemic is ex- A senior EU diplomat said the bailout fund, the European Sta- ceptable for Rome. Italy,” German Economy Minis- cide on how to fi nance it. retirement homes could be fi ve times as high as that announced by health offi cials, who have not included almost 3,500 deaths of people who had not been tested Italy for the virus. The number of daily new cases Astronauts dock at space station also dropped slightly yesterday, loses bringing the total to 152,446. More than 50,000 have recov- AFP themselves completing physi- ered. Almaty cal exercises as part of a com- 100th Spanish authorities have in- petition aimed at both youth dicated that the peak of the and adults. pandemic has been reached but three-man crew docked The initiative that Roscos- doctor asked citizens to continue to successfully at the In- mos is backing aims “to support strictly respect confi nement Aternational Space Sta- people in a situation of isola- regulations. tion (ISS) yesterday, leaving be- tion, instil a healthy lifestyle DPA/AFP “The fi re started by the pan- hind a planet overwhelmed by and thoughts through regular Rome demic is starting to come under the coronavirus pandemic. sports, without going out in control,” Prime Minister Pedro Russian space agency Ros- public places”, Ryazanskiy said Sanchez told parliament yester- cosmos said the Soyuz MS-16 in a video promoting the “Cos- taly recorded the 100th death day. “Our priority now is not to capsule “docked successfully” mos Training” challenge. yesterday among doctors turn back, especially not to re- in a statement on its website. The launch of Ivanishin, Ifrom Covid-19, the respira- turn to our starting point, not to Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner and Cassidy marks the tory illness caused by the new lower our guard.” Vagner of Roscosmos and the fi rst time a manned mission coronavirus, and prepared for a Spain has been subject to a US National Aeronautics and has used a Soyuz-2.1a booster further extension of lockdown strict lockdown since March 14 Space Administration (Nasa)’s to reach orbit, after Roscosmos measures. which has been reinforced in the Chris Cassidy reached the stopped using the Soyuz-FG Doctors’ association Fnomceo past two weeks by the cessation ISS at 1413 GMT, just over six rocket last year. said a 62-year-old woman who of all non-essential activities hours after blasting off from the The newer boosters have was a family doctor in the Venice until the Easter weekend. Baikonur Cosmodrome, where been used in unmanned province was the 100th victim. The lower house of parliament coronavirus pandemic caused launches since 2004. It later announced fi ve more was expected later to extend the changes to pre-launch proto- The upgraded rocket relies deaths, bringing the total to 105. confi nement to April 25. col. on a digital fl ight control sys- Italy has been overwhelmed The government has not ruled Usually the departing crew tem rather than the analogue by the deadliest coronavirus epi- out further extensions, while faces questions from a large equipment used in prior Soyuz demic in the world, and medical stressing that the measures press pack before being waved models. staff in and outside hospitals are should be eased gradually. off by family and friends. Russia and Baikonur have known to have braved it without “Within two weeks. I’m con- Neither was possible this enjoyed a near decade-long adequate protection like gloves vinced I will have to extend the time round because of travel monopoly on manned missions and masks. state of the alert again because restrictions imposed over the to the ISS since Nasa wound up On Saturday, Carlo Palermo, the pandemic will not be over,” coronavirus, although the its Space Shuttle programme in head of the Anaao Assomed Sanchez warned. crew did respond to e-mailed 2011. doctors’ trade union, spoke of Debate in the parliament saw questions from journalists in a This Roscosmos handout picture shows the Soyuz MS-16 spacecraft carrying the members of the But that may change as ear- around 120 Covid-19 deaths the opposition attack the gov- Wednesday press conference. International Space Station (ISS) expedition 63 blasting off from the launch pad at the Russian-leased ly as next month when Elon among medical staff – 80 doc- ernment over its handling of the Cassidy, 50, admitted the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Musk’s SpaceX could be ready tors and 40 nurses, paramedics crisis. crew had been aff ected by their to launch a two-man crew to and care workers. “Spain is the country that has families not being unable to be hunkered down in Russia’s Star (13,700 cubic feet) – larger than In a piece for the New York the orbital lab, Nasa said in The toll includes retired doc- the most people dead per million in Baikonur, Russia’s space hub City training centre outside a six-bedroom house according Times last month, Nasa’s Scott March. tors the government began call- of population,” Popular Party in neighbouring Kazakhstan, Moscow, eschewing traditional to Nasa. Kelly said his biggest miss dur- Nasa said that the tech en- ing in a month ago to help fi ght leader Pablo Casado said. for their blastoff to the ISS. pre-launch rituals and visits to Those dimensions will sound ing almost a year in space was trepreneur’s company and the pandemic. “Are you not going to ask for “But we understand that the the capital. enviable to many residents of nature – “the colour green, the the space agency are target- “Each victim has left a deep forgiveness?” he asked Sanchez. whole world is also impacted by The next crew to return to Earth, more than half of whom smell of fresh dirt, and the feel ing “mid-to-late May” for a scar on the skin and on the heart The confi nement measures the same crisis,” he said. Earth from the ISS will be fl y- are on various forms of lock- of warm sun on my face”. test launch that will transport of each Italian doctor,” Fnomceo have led to the cancellation of Astronauts routinely go ing to their home countries on down as governments respond During his time aboard the Nasa astronauts Bob Behnken president Filippo Anelli said in a all Easter processions in this into quarantine ahead of space April 17 via Baikonur, rather to the coronavirus, which caus- ISS he “binge-watched Game of and Doug Hurley to the ISS in statement. Catholic country of nearly 47mn missions and give a fi nal press than Karaganda in central Ka- es the Covid-19 respiratory dis- Thrones – twice” and enjoyed SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule. “The organisational short- people. conference at Baikonur from zakhstan as usual, as part of ease, with drastic measures. frequent movie nights with The International Space comings and omissions are dif- However, police said yester- behind a glass wall to protect new travel measures related to In recent weeks, astronauts crewmates, he wrote. Station – a rare example of fi cult to understand and even day that nine people had been them from infection. the pandemic. and cosmonauts on the space Two-time cosmonaut Sergey co-operation between Russia more diffi cult to justify in light of arrested after fi lming themselves That process began even ear- The ISS typically carries up station and on Earth have been Ryazanskiy has become the face and the West – has been orbit- these tragic numbers,” he added. on a fake procession at Merida in lier than usual last month as to six people at a time and has sharing tips on coping with of a 10-week challenge that will ing Earth at about 28,000kph “We can longer allow our doc- the southwest. the trio and their reserve crew a liveable space of 388cu m self-isolation. see participants post videos of (17,000mph) since 1998. tors, our health workers, to be sent to fi ght without any protec- tion against the virus,” Filippo Winds kill thousands of migrating Bear takes cubs for stroll Anelli said on the association’s birds in disaster over Greece website. “It is an unfair fi ght.” by normally busy lake Rome’s ISS public health in- High winds over Greece have left dead thousands of Chernobyl fi res persist for 6th day stitute estimates that 10% of swallows and swifts migrating from Africa to Europe, A bear and her three cubs took advantage those infected with the novel bird watchers said yesterday. of the coronavirus lockdown in Greece by coronavirus in Italy work in The birds have been found in the streets of Athens, DPA ating a small community within Service has said the radiation strolling along the normally busy shore of healthcare. on apartment balconies in the capital, in the north, on Kyiv the exclusion zone. levels have appeared to be within Lake Kastoria in the country’s northwest. Meanwhile, the Civil Protec- Aegean islands and around a lake close to the seaport The environmental activist the acceptable norm. The animals were spotted by the authorities tion Agency reported an uptick of Nauplia in the Peloponnese. organisation Greenpeace warned A senior environmental of- at the tourist hotspot on Wednesday in the daily tally of Covid-19 “It’s a major disaster,” Maria Ganoti of the wildlife krainian fi refi ghters en- after analysing satellite data that fi cial, Egor Firsov, said at the evening, Greek news agency ANA reported. deaths to 610, from 542 on protection group Anima told AFP. “Over the last three tered their sixth day yes- the situation was “getting worse weekend that radiation in the The walkway is normally very popular Wednesday. days because of high winds in the north and over the Uterday of battling blazes quickly”. area was detected at 16 times with the inhabitants of Kastoria, a city of The overall number of fatali- Aegean Sea, thousands of small birds have been found within the predominantly un- “A large fi re on the border of higher than normal background some 47,000 people located in a valley ties from the epidemic reached dead or gravely injured.” inhabited Chernobyl exclusion the exclusion zone reached about levels. surrounded by mountains. 18,279. The Greek ornithologist association said “the night zone amid concerns over radia- 18,000 hectares,” Greenpeace A 27-year-old resident of a But for humans, access to the lakeshore has There were 4,204 new in- of April 5-6 was disastrous for migrating birds due tion that has remained in the area told DPA. settlement near the exclusion been restricted since the end of March due fections, bringing the total to to strong winds, low temperatures and rain in some since the nuclear disaster more A smaller fi re that appeared zone is under investigation on to the coronavirus pandemic. 143,626, with a daily increase of regions”. than three decades ago. in a group of pine trees near suspicion of having started at “Overnight confinement combined with 3%. “Southerly winds pushed flocks of birds from north More than 300 fi refi ghters the Chernobyl power plant has least one of the local fi res. the lack of food created the conditions for It was this week’s highest per- Africa into air currents from the north of the Aegean aided by several fi refi ghting air- grown to 2,600 hectares, Green- The man, who could face up the animal to take its young to an area of centage change, but lower than sea and particularly the islands. craft were working to contain the peace said. to fi ve years in prison, is believed nature within the city, by the lake,” Nikos previously recorded values. “To escape, exhausted birds, mainly swallows and blazes, which in recent days have Authorities have attributed to have been burning grass and Panayotopoulos, head of Kastoria’s rapid The number of people de- swifts, which catch flying insects for food, headed for been exacerbated by high winds. blazes in the Chernobyl zone and rubbish, and was unable to con- intervention force, told ANA. clared recovered from the dis- the Greek mainland,” the association said in a state- The authorities have more elsewhere in Ukraine in recent tain the fi re because of windy He recommended that residents no longer ease jumped by 1,979 to 28,470, ment. than doubled the number of fi re- weeks to relatively dry condi- weather, according to a police walk with their pets along the north of the and patients under intensive It urged people “to take care in the street where fi ghting personnel in the area tions after a winter that lacked statement. lake, where the bear and its cubs appeared. care fell for a sixth straight day, exhausted birds often land after covering thousands since Monday. suffi cient precipitation and snow The 1986 reactor meltdown Near Kastoria is a Natura 2000 area – a by 88 to 3,605. of kilometres (miles)”. The government has not dis- cover. and explosion at the Cherno- network of natural sites in the EU – as well Italy has been under a lock- Greece, in southeast Europe, is on the flight path for closed the extent of the blazes for Environmental experts fear byl nuclear power plant, about as the Arcturos refuge which since 1992 has down since March 10, and cur- hundreds of thousands of birds which migrate north in the past two days. the fi res could stir up radioactive 100km north of Kyiv, is consid- protected and cared for bears and wolves rent restrictions are valid until spring and south in autumn. Local media reported yester- ash in the ground. ered the worst nuclear disaster in from the Balkans as well as predators from April 13, but the government is day that authorities were evacu- Ukraine’s State Emergency history. Austria and Georgia. expected to prolong them. Gulf Times 10 Friday, April 10, 2020 INDIA Gujarat tops virus mortality rate table, Kerala lowest

IANS Till April 8, Maharashtra re- the death fi gure to only 2 - or a terms of the high number of in- an equal number of fi ve deaths 0.78%, the second lowest in the In another remarkable devel- Mumbai corded 74 deaths and 1,135 co- mortality rate of 0.57%. fectees. – has notched a lower mortality country after Kerala. opment, the entire northeastern rona patients, giving a mortality Next in the high mortality list With 738 cases, Tamil Nadu rate at 2.76%. Other states that have done states have recorded 32 cases rate of 6.34%, the third high- is Madhya Pradesh with 229 cas- has reined in the deaths to just Bihar and Odisha stand quite well on this front are Haryana, — Assam 28, and one each in n the ongoing corona pan- est in India, as per the fi gures es and 13 deaths and the fourth eight, at a mortality rate of close to each other. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal demic, Prime Minister released by the state Medical highest mortality rate of 5.68%. 1.08% and Delhi with 669 cases While Bihar has 38 cases and Uttar Pradesh. Pradesh and Tripura — with zero INarendra Modi’s home-state Education & Drugs Department Himachal Pradesh with just and nine deaths notched a mor- one death with a mortality rate Haryana has 147 cases but deaths to date. Gujarat has earned the dubi- (MEDD). 18 positive cases and one death tality rate of 1.34%. of 2.63%, Odisha has 42 cases three deaths or a mortality rate Among other states, Utta- ous distinction of notching the Gujarat with 179 patients, has notched a mortality rate of 5.55% The union territory of Jammu with one death and a mortality of 2.04%, Telangana recorded rakhand with 33 cases, Chan- highest mortality rate while recorded 16 deaths with a mor- followed by West Bengal with & Kashmir has fared reason- rate of 2.38%. 427 cases but seven deaths and a digarh with 18, union territory Kerala down south has the low- tality rate of 8.94%, while Pun- 103 cases and fi ve deaths with a ably well with 158 cases and four Similarly, Rajasthan is com- mortality rate of 1.63%, Andhra of Ladakh with 14, Andabar & est, though Maharashtra leads jab ranks second with 101 cases mortality rate of 4.85%. deaths, achieving a mortality parable to Kerala on the lowest Pradesh has 348 cases and four Nicobar Islands with 11, Chhat- both in terms of the maximum and eight deaths giving a mor- The other big surprises in the rate of 2.53%. rungs. deaths with a mortality rate of tisgarh with 10, Goa with seven, deaths due to Covid-19 and pos- tality rate of 7.92%. study are Tamil Nadu and Del- Karnataka, with 181 cases – Despite 381 cases and three 1.14 %, while Uttar Pradesh had Puducherry with 5, Jharkhand itive cases, according to offi cial Surprisingly, Kerala – with hi, both major corona hotspot considerably higher number deaths, the desert state has 361 cases and four deaths, giving with four cases will need to data released here yesterday. 345 cases – managed to arrest states after Maharashtra in compared to West Bengal, but notched a mortality rate of a mortality rate of 1.10%. watch out. Court order for free virus testing ‘may hinder fi ght’

Reuters welfare, refl ecting a jump of 460 New Delhi cases over Wednesday. The numbers are small com- pared to the US, Italy and Spain decision by the Supreme and one of the reasons is that the Court of India to make country is testing a narrow range Atesting for coronavirus of the population, doctors say. free places an unfair fi nancial These include people who burden on medical fi rms and have travelled overseas, people in could see a reduction in testing, contact with them and are show- already among the world’s low- ing symptoms, health workers est, said business leaders and with symptoms, hospitalised pa- health experts. tients with respiratory problems The concern is that private and those who came in contact medical fi rms, like many busi- with a confi rmed patient. nesses in India are struggling On Wednesday, 13,143 sam- fi nancially, and could go under ples were tested nationwide, the if they tested for free without fi - government-run Indian Council Police personnel stand guard at the sealed entry-exit of sector-2B, Vasundhara, Ghaziabad, following the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to seal hotspots in 15 coronavirus-hit nancial assistance. of Medical Research said, well districts yesterday. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, ex- behind the 20,000 people South ecutive chairperson of Biocon Korea has been testing each day Ltd, one of India’s biggest bio- from its far smaller population. tech fi rms, said private institu- To beef up the infrastructure tions could not be expected to for screening, the government operate on credit. “Humanitar- approved 56 laboratories for ian in intent but impractical to testing in addition to 136 govern- implement — I fear testing will ment-run labs and set a price cap plummet,” Shaw said on Twitter of Rs4,500 for every test. Lockdown helped avert yesterday about the court judge- The plan is to scale up to ment. 20,000 tests in the next few days “These are small businesses, and eventually to 100,000 a day they’re providing testing at cost in the worse-case scenario. and not profi teering. How will But the court decision they pay their employees?” threatens to derail the plan to bigger disaster, says govt The top court, responding to widen testing, said Shamika a public interest petition, said Ravi, a former member of the Reuters rate, foreign ministry addi- fi rst positive case surfaced on Odisha yesterday announced protective equipment (PPE), iso- on Wednesday private medical prime minister’s Economic New Delhi tional secretary Vikas Swarup January 30 while Italy started 25 it would remain shut until the lation beds, ICU beds, ventilators institutions should be playing Advisory Council and a health said, even though it has exacted days after its fi rst case. end of April, regardless of the and other essential equipment,” a philanthropic role at a time of specialist. a heavy toll on the economy and Swarup said the outbreak was federal government’s decision. a government statement quoted national crisis and it would not “We are going to have fewer he government yesterday on the hundreds of millions of concentrated in about 75 of the “The state cabinet which met Modi as saying. allow a situation where the poor and fewer testing, and that is a claimed initial success in poor. country’s more than 600 dis- yesterday decided that saving the According to the government, could not aff ord a test for the very big problem right now be- Tits fi ght against the coro- By the middle of April, the tricts, which would help the lives of our people is the top most the country has about one doctor virus that is quickly spreading cause that is our single focus, navirus epidemic, saying it would caseload would have touched government manage the crisis priority at this juncture. Accord- per 1,500 citizens. through the country. to increase the testing capacity have been hit with 820,000 cases 820,000, he said, citing an in- better. ingly we have decided to extend The World Health Organisa- It said the issue of reimburs- across the country.” by next week had it not imposed a ternal assessment by the govern- Modi is due to take a decision the lockdown till April 30,” Odi- tion recommends one doctor per ing these laboratories for run- The health sector like others nationwide lockdown. ment’s Indian Council of Medi- in the next two days over wheth- sha Chief Minister Naveen Pat- 1,000. ning the hundreds of thousands parts of the economy is strug- The number of people infected cal Research, far more than the er to extend the lockdown that is naik said. In rural areas, where two- of tests for novel coronavirus gling and in no position to off er a with the virus stood at 5,865 in- country’s underfunded public due to end on Tuesday. The federal government also thirds of Indians live and rely al- that the world’s second most free ride, she said. cluding 169 dead, far smaller health system could handle. Millions of people have lost said it had formally approved an most solely on government hos- populous country urgently needs “There is a liquidity crunch in than other countries such as the “We would have gone the Ital- their jobs, largely those who work allocation of $1.97bn as part of pitals, the ratio is one doctor to would be considered later on. every business today, including US, Italy and Spain. ian way, had we not done the on daily wages and have fl ed to its Covid-19 emergency response more than 10,000 people. India has 5,734 cases of coro- diagnostics. People just don’t Prime Minister Narendra lockdown,” Swarup told report- their homes in the countryside. and health system preparedness India also has 2.3 intensive navirus and 166 deaths from have the liquidity to be able to Modi’s decision to order 1.3bn ers. Several states have called for package. care beds per 100,000 people. Covid-19, the respiratory disease undertake large, new exercises Indians indoors for three weeks The country, he said began an extension saying they would “This will allow for rapidly By contrast, China has 3.6 and caused by the virus, according to without any assurance,” she in the world’s biggest lockdown screening people coming from not be able to deal with a surge of ramping up the number of co- the US has nearly 35 per 100,000 the ministry of health and family said. has helped slow the infection overseas a fortnight before the cases. rona testing facilities, personal people. Three Mumbai hospitals Trump thanks Modi for shut amid virus scare

Reuters people have so far tested positive, decision to supply drug making it the worst-hit region in Mumbai the country. IANS tional trade by the US. India will also be supplying India has so far recorded 5,865 New Delhi/Washington At a White House press brief- these essential drugs to some na- t least three private hospi- cases of coronavirus, including ing on Monday President Trump, tions which have been particular- tals in Mumbai have shut 169 deaths. in response to a question whether ly badly aff ected by the pandemic, Atheir doors to new patients Similar scenes played out over S President Donald Trump he was worried about “retaliation a ministry of external aff airs on concerns of health workers the weekend at two other top pri- yesterday profusely to the US ban on export of medi- statement said. getting exposed to the coronavi- vate facilities in south Mumbai Upraised and thanked Prime cal goods” from India, had said, The US as of now has the high- rus, offi cials said yesterday. — Wockhardt Hospital and Jaslok Minister Narendra Modi for his “I would be surprised if he (Modi) est number of the novel coronavi- Around 70 medical staff were Hospital that together have 700 decision to supply hydroxychlo- would, you know, because India rus cases in the world, with over isolated at south Mumbai’s Bhatia beds and have not been taking any roquine (HCQ), the anti-malaria does very well with the US... 418,000 cases of infections and Hospital and were awaiting their new patients after some nurses drug used for Covid-19 disease, I spoke to him Sunday morn- over 14,200 deaths. test results for Covid-19, the dis- were exposed to the disease. to some of the most aff ected na- ing, called him, and I said, we’d Relatively, India has managed ease caused by the coronavirus, a Several healthcare profession- tions. appreciate you allowing our sup- to contain the pandemic with 178 spokeswoman said. als at Wockhardt had tested posi- In his morning tweet, President ply (of HCQ) to come out. If he deaths and over 5,900 cases of in- Staff became exposed to a pa- tive, the hospital has said, adding Trump said, “Extraordinary times doesn’t allow it to come out, that fections. tient complaining of stomach that they were “unknowingly” require even closer co-operation would be ok. But of course, there The directorate general of for- pain whom they treated with rou- exposed to the virus through a between friends. Thank you In- may be retaliation. Why wouldn’t eign trade has notifi ed lifting re- tine protective gear until he tested patient who was initially asymp- dia and the Indian people for the there be?” strictions on 14 drugs. positive for the disease days later, tomatic. decision on HCQ. Will not be for- Trump’s response to the re- Paracetamol and HCQ, have according to Maharashtra state’s Jaslok said that possible expo- gotten! Thank you Prime Minister porter’s question was construed been kept in a licensed category United Nurses Association. sure to a patient forced it to test Narendra Modi for your strong by some sections of Indian media and their demand status is to be The 200-bed Bhatia hospital nearly 1,000 of its staff who later leadership in helping not just In- as a threat even as the government continuously monitored. had “specifi cally identifi ed all the tested negative. dia, but humanity, in this fi ght!” denied that it had taken the deci- HCQ is being used to treat Cov- staff that may have come direct- The hospital was still not open President Trump’s admiration sion under any pressure. id-19 patients and as prophylactic ly or indirectly in contact with for out-patient or patient admis- for Modi and gratitude towards In view of the humanitarian by the frontline healthcare work- the positive patients”, it said in a sion. India, put to rest several specu- aspects of the pandemic, India on ers deployed in the fi ght against statement. The Brihanmumbai Municipal lative media reports that claimed Tuesday decided to licence para- the coronavirus pandemic. It was not immediately clear Corpororation, which is in charge that the Indian government had cetamol and HCQ in appropriate The Modi government had im- how many patients were inside of declaring hospitals “contain- taken the decision to lift the ban quantities to neighbouring coun- posed a ban on the export of the Firefighters spray disinfectant on the facade of a residential building the hospital. ment zones” in the area, did not on the export of HCQ under the tries who are dependent on Indian drug since the coronavirus out- during a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive Mumbai has become India’s respond to a request for com- “threat of retaliation” in interna- capabilities. break hit India. measure against coronavirus, in New Delhi yesterday. coronavirus hotspot where 775 ment. Gulf Times Friday, April 10, 2020 11 LATIN AMERICA

HEIST RELIEF HELPING HAND NUMBER CRUNCH Armed bandits raid gold Nicaragua excludes political UN delivers virus aid to Mexico could have up to mine, flees in light plane prisoners from mass release cash-strapped Venezuela 26,500 virus cases

An armed group stormed a gold mine in northern Political prisoners were excluded from almost 2,000 A plane carrying 90 tons of UN health, water Mexico might have 26,500 people infected with Mexico and stole bars of gold and silver alloy inmates released early by Nicaragua because of the and sanitation aid arrived in Venezuela on the coronavirus, a senior health off icial said on before fleeing in a light aircraft, mine operator coronavirus pandemic, activists said. The Interior Wednesday to help the cash-strapped country Wednesday, citing government models. Mexico Minas de Oro Nacional said. Minas de Oro Ministry said 1,700 people held in prisons across the fight the coronavirus pandemic. The shipment has reported 3,181 confirmed cases of the virus, Nacional said in a statement late on Wednesday country were let out and placed under house arrest includes 28,000 Personal Protective Equipment but many who are infected likely did not have that the robbery at the Mulatos mine in Sonora supervised by the International Committee of the kits for health workers, oxygen concentrators, symptoms or were not diagnosed, said Deputy state occurred when a group of five “heavily Red Cross. “In this way we fulfil our commitment to paediatric beds, water quality control products Health Minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell. “From what armed” people assaulted security staff who promote family union, especially to also promote and hygiene kits, the UN said. “This is the first you can see, the epidemic is eight times bigger,” were transferring bars of the precious metals the social reintegration of people who have made United Nations humanitarian shipment in he said. The estimate of 26,500 cases is based onto a plane. Within 10 minutes, the robbers mistakes in society,” Vice President Rosario Murillo support of the Venezuela Covid-19 outbreak,” on a model called “Sentinel Surveillance,” which loaded the goods onto a separate plane that said on Wednesday. But none of 70 detainees that said Peter Grohmann, the UN’s humanitarian uses the number of cases in 375 health districts landed alongside. The aircraft took off towards a rights organisations say have been detained for co-ordinator for Venezuela. Venezuela, suff ering to extrapolate for the rest of the country. Mexico Workers convert the gym of a steel company mountain range. Minas de Oro Nacional did not opposing the leftist government of President Daniel from a crippling economic crisis, has 167 reported 396 new confirmed cases on Wednesday, into a field hospital for Covid-19 patients, in detail the amount or value of the stolen bars. Ortega were released. confirmed cases of coronavirus and nine deaths. while the number of deaths rose to 174. Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Safety at arm’s length Brazil ‘requesting’ local industry to build ventilators

By Anthony Boadle, Reuters Police off icers dance, encouraging people to follow them from their balconies and windows, as they Brasilia visit the neighbourhood to cheer people up, during the lockdown in Bogota. Colombia extended Lockdowns, attacked by mandatory preventive isolation due to Covid-19 until at least April 27. razil’s health minister said on Wednesday that the Bcountry’s attempts to pur- Bolsonaro, begin to slip chase thousands of ventilators from China to fi ght the corona- Lockdowns in Brazil’s largest cities to slow the harder,” Patricia Ellen, state secretary for economic virus epidemic fell through and coronavirus outbreak are beginning to slip, development told Reuters. “We are concerned.” Produce-rich Argentina’s the government is now looking to according to new data this week seen and On Wednesday, 49% of Sao Paulo residents were Brazilian companies to build the analysed by Reuters, with more people leaving considered to be in “social isolation,” compared to devices. their homes as President Jair Bolsonaro continues a weekday-peak of 56% on March 30, according to “Practically all our purchases to criticise the measures. a government analysis of cellular data collected of equipment in China are not State governments in Rio de Janeiro and Sao from phone operators. exports ravaged by virus being confi rmed,” Minister Luiz Paulo have expressed growing concern as their The all-time peaks were on Sundays, when 59% Henrique Mandetta said at a social isolation orders lose eff ectiveness, even as remained in isolation. By Nina Negron, AFP ple went there and dropped the The mandatory lockdown of news conference. the outbreak spreads to nearly 16,000 confirmed Sao Paulo Governor Doria told reporters yesterday Buenos Aires prices (because) they stopped the population in Argentina will An attempt to buy 15,000 ven- coronavirus cases and 800 deaths. that the state was targeting a 70% rate of imports for a few days.” last until at least April 13. tilators in China failed and Brazil Cellular phone data, public transportation figures compliance, which he said science showed was Argentine exports in Febru- Fragola hopes to be able was making a new bid, he said, and interviews with taxi drivers in Rio and Sao necessary for it to be properly eff ective. he United Nations has ary were down 35% against the to send out the backlog from but the outcome is uncertain Paulo point to rising traff ic and footfall in Brazil’s In the city of Sao Paulo, the number of passengers warned of an impending same month in 2019, the state March within two weeks if the in the intense competition for two largest cities. using public buses increased by 28% on Monday Tfood shortage due to the statistics institute said. lockdown is lifted. medical supplies in the global Mayors and governors trying to keep Brazilians compared to the same day a week earlier, coronavirus pandemic as ma- The Argentine Chamber of For Daniel Vainstein, a honey pandemic. indoors have struggled against Bolsonaro’s according to off icial figures. jor exporters such as Argentina Commerce said that for “food exporter from Entre Rios prov- Last week, Mandetta referred repeated attacks on the social distancing This week in Rio, the metro reported the highest fi nd it increasingly diffi cult to exporters the initial impact ince that borders Uruguay to the to being outbid for Chinese sup- measures, which he described as “poison” that weekday passenger numbers for a Monday and sell their produce. of Covid-19 was seen in the east, the lack of personnel at every plies and on Tuesday he noted could kill more through economic hardship than Tuesday since the lockdown there began on March 23. Argentina is a land of plenty, commercial relationship with stage of the distribution network “diffi culties” in guaranteeing the virus itself. Trains and buses also saw an increase in ridership. producing cereals, vegetables, China, mainly in the meat and has been the major diffi culty. purchases. In Sao Paulo state, Brazil’s most populous and Luciano Ventura de Jesus, a 58-year-old taxi driver meat and fruit, all products that oilseed sectors. “There are problems with in- In one positive sign for Bra- home to Latin America’s largest city, anonymous in Sao Paulo, said he has seen a jump in demand will always be in demand some- “This was seen not only in ternal freight due to less people zil’s supply crunch, a private cellular data gathered by the local government from passengers since last week. where. smaller quantities of exports working. Public agencies are company said it managed to buy and passed to Reuters on Wednesday showed He is now doing seven or eight trips per day, up And yet its export industry but also lower prices.” delaying documentation due 40 tonnes of masks and test kits the number of people considered to be in “social from just two or three last week. has been badly aff ected by the European markets also halted to a lack of personnel. In the from China, with the shipment isolation” reached its lowest point this week since On a normal day, before lockdown, he said he was worldwide lockdown provoked purchases, meaning farm pro- Parana customs, of the 16 peo- arriving by cargo plane in Brasilia the lockdown began on March 24. doing 12 to 15 trips. by the virus, which the UN says duce was either being held in ple that usually work, there are on Wednesday. “Social isolation fell significantly in the past two “People are becoming a bit more relaxed (about could lead to global export re- processing plants with nowhere now six or seven,” Vainstein told The purchase of 6mn masks to three days and that makes our challenge the lockdown),” he said. strictions. to go, or sometimes being sent AFP, referring to the Entre Rios and other protective equipment In 2019, Argentina was the out but not necessarily reaching state capital. worth 160mn reais ($30mn) was largest exporter in the world of its fi nal destination. Another problem is sourcing undertaken by pharmaceutical Rio de Janeiro reported the try’s largest reservation for in- coronavirus patients and should soy fl our and soy bean oil, and “There was chaos in the supplies such as honey jars. and hospital equipment com- fi rst deaths from coronavirus in digenous tribes and said the be used in the initial stages of third for corn. world and that was felt in the As the frequency of vessels pany Nutriex, based in Goiania, the city’s hillside slums, called government plans to build a fi eld Covid-19. It’s also a major exporter of sales,” said Victores. carrying goods up the Rio de la 220km east of Brasilia. favelas, alarming authorities hospital for tribes that are vul- Due to the absence of scientifi c meat and vegetables. Horacio Fragola runs Farm Plata have fallen, the costs of The fi rm plans to donate part who fear rapid contagion in these nerable to contagion. evidence on its eff ectiveness and But those exports started to Products, a company that ex- their services have risen. of the order to medical institu- crowded communities that have “We are extremely concerned safety, Brazil’s health authorities slump in January when the new ports special grains from peas, “There’s a lack of space in the tions. limited access to medical care about the indigenous communi- limit its use to seriously ill pa- coronavirus began spreading in chickpeas, sunfl ower seeds, (shipping) containers and in the Health authorities began to and often lack running water for ties,” Mandetta said. tients who are in hospital. China, a major trade partner. pisingallo corn and beans. boats. Less availability increas- sound the alarm this week over hygiene. Anthropologists and health Mandetta said Brazil has hired Raul Victores, who runs a His business, which exports es the costs,” said Vainstein. supply shortages as hospitals Two of the six deaths occurred experts warn that the epidemic local unlisted medical equipment livestock farm in Buenos Aires 4,000 tons a month to 80 coun- Argentines themselves are in faced growing numbers of pa- in Rocinha, one of the largest could have a devastating impact maker Magnamed to make 6,000 province, was one of those af- tries, has suff ered since Ar- no danger of running out of food, tients with Covid-19, the respi- slums in South America. on Brazil’s 850,000 indigenous ventilators in 90 days. fected. gentina went into lockdown on but exporters fear that their busi- ratory disease caused by the new The virus has spread to 10 of people whose lifestyle in tribal Pulp and paper companies Su- At the start of the year “there March 20. nesses may go under if they can- coronavirus. Rio’s favelas, potentially aff ect- villages rules out social distanc- zano SA and Klabin SA, plane- was a lot of meat travelling (to Sales for March fell by 50%. not trade with overseas partners. Confi rmed cases of coronavirus ing 2mn people, the mayor’s of- ing. maker Embraer SA, information China) when they said they “We’ve had a lot of sales we “Here there’s no lack of food infection in the country soared to fi ce said. President Jair Bolsonaro said technology provider Positivo weren’t happy with the prices,” haven’t been able to get out,” but it would be suicide for the 15,927 on Wednesday, with the Mandetta reported the fi rst in an address to the nation that Tecnologia SA and automaker Victores told AFP. Fragola told AFP. “Those from Argentine economy to stop ex- death toll rising by 133 in just 24 case of coronavirus among the the anti-malaria drug hydroxy- Fiat Chrysler have also off ered to “The meat processing peo- March have to wait until April.” porting,” said Victores. hours to 800, the ministry said. Yanomami people on the coun- chloroquine was saving lives of help build ventilators, he said. Pandemic gives shot in the arm to Cuba’s medical missions

By Carlos Batista and Moises lution of the 1950s mean free some of its overseas territories in 8,000 Cuban health workers last Avila, AFP healthcare and education have order to fi ll the gaps in hard-hit year, accused Havana of using Havana long been considered societal local health care systems. the program to plant intelligence pillars of the socialist island. “The coronavirus has provided agents in the country. “At the end of the Cold War, Cuba with a new opportunity to “#Cuba off ers its international uban doctors are back in Cuba developed this capacity export medical services,” said medical missions to those affl ict- global demand as over- and therefore it’s logical that it Jorge Duany, head of the Cuban ed with #Covid-19 only to make Cwhelmed national health- became a very important tool in Research Institute at Florida In- up the money it lost when coun- care services tap their crisis ex- its foreign policy,” Lopez-Levy ternational University. tries stopped participating in the perience as they battle with the told AFP. Cuba earned $6.3bn from its abusive program,” the US State coronavirus pandemic. Italy, with more than 17,000 medical programme in 2018. Department said on Twitter two Communist-run Havana has Covid-19 deaths, is one of 14 But since then, revenues have weeks ago. long used its “white coat diplo- nations that so far have called taken a hit, with Latin America Host countries seeking Cuba’s macy” as an arm of its foreign on Cuba to help out their belea- swinging back to the right, and help over the pandemic “should policy but has fallen foul of a guered healthcare systems. Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador and El scrutinise agreements and end changing political landscape Havana sent its Henry Reeve Salvador all cutting contracts labour abuses,” it warned. in right-leaning Latin America humanitarian brigade, named with Havana and sending the Still, the programme survives. and the Trump White House in after an American combatant medical brigades home. As of last month, Havana still Washington. in Cuba’s war of independence, Cuba, which has suff ered al- had 28,729 healthworkers posted But with the coronavirus pan- that specialises in natural disas- most six decades of crippling US in 59 countries. demic sweeping the world, Cu- ters and epidemics. sanctions, blames Washington “Under the US policy of maxi- ba’s doctors are seen as a key re- Their arrival was greeted with for campaigning to discredit an mum economic pressure on source for overwhelmed national applause as they fi led into an initiative that has sent more than Cuba, the rejection of the medi- healthcare systems. Italian airport. 400,000 health workers to 164 cal programme could be inter- “We have been talking about Havana sent a 39-strong team countries. preted as another strategy to de- the possibility of a pandemic of medics to Andorra after the The US accuses the Cuban prive the Cuban government of since the beginning of the cen- principality reported that scores of government of exploiting the material resources,” said Duany. tury, and Cuba has its army of its own doctors were quarantined. medics programme for cash, say- Cuba maintains its doctors pro- white coats prepared,” said Ar- Cuba has also sent teams to ing 75% of their salary is with- gramme “from a purely humanitar- turo Lopez-Levy, a Cuban pro- Venezuela, Nicaragua, Grenada, held by Havana in a modern-day ian motivation,” Havana political fessor at Holy Names University Suriname, Jamaica and Belize. form of “slavery”. analyst Carlos Alzugaray said. in California. And France has now author- And US ally Brazil President “The diplomatic and econom- The ideals of the Cuban revo- ised Cuban doctors to work in Jair Bolsonaro, who kicked out ic benefi ts are a plus.” A police off icer organises a line of people to buy food in downtown Havana. Gulf Times 12 Friday, April 10, 2020 PAKISTAN

Experts want Easing of curbs only after Sindh lockdown input from provinces: PM extended

„ Complete lockdown for two days announced in coronavirus quarantine centre at region in the north of Pakistan, She said that special arrange- the end of this month. Internews Gilgit-Baltistan Quetta’s Bolan Medical College the government announced ments have been put in place at According to an announce- Karachi „ Disbursement of cash assistance under Ehsaas Emergency Hospital. complete lockdown from 11am to the disbursement points to avoid ment by the ministry of interior, Cash programme starts He was accompanied by Bal- 3pm for yesterday and today. the spread of the pandemic. the decision was taken in view „ Foreigners’ visas extended till April 30 uchistan Chief Minister Jam Adviser to Chief Minister on Under Ehsaas Emergency Cash of the coronavirus pandemic he three-week province- Kamal, National Assembly Dep- Information, Shams Mir, told Programme, a sum of Rs12,000 and as part of the government’s wide lockdown may not Internews out of the coronavirus pandemic. uty Speaker Qasim Khan Suri journalists in Gilgit said that no- will be given to each deserving measures to mitigate its spread Tbe eased off after April 14 Quetta/Islamabad The coronavirus causes the and member of the Baluchistan body will be allowed to come out families facing fi nancial prob- through “any interaction with as Chinese experts, owners and Covid-19 respiratory disease. Assembly Yar Mohamed Rind, from the home during the lock- lems due to the pandemic. the public at large”. chief executive offi cers of private The prime minister said that who is the president of the Balu- down. The government has allocated The exemption will be applica- hospitals, and leading doctors rime Minister Imran Khan the National Command and chistan chapter of Khan’s ruling He warned of strict action Rs144bn for this purpose. ble for all visas that have expired have urged the provincial gov- has said that the decision Control Centre is minutely ob- Pakistan Tekreek-e-Insaf (PTI). against violators. Nishtar said that 17,000 pay- since March 15 and are due to ex- ernment to extend the restric- Pon easing the countrywide serving the coronavirus situation The Baluchistan chief secre- Yesterday the disbursement ment points are being established pire before April 30. tions to stop the spread of coro- lockdown will be taken after across the country. tary briefed the prime minister of cash assistance to deserving across the country, with special “All such visas shall be deemed navirus in Sindh. seeking input from all the prov- Khan expressed fear that hos- about the isolation ward and families under the Ehsaas Emer- protective measures to facilitate to be valid till April 30, 2020,” the The provincial government inces on 14th of this month. pitals will face immense pres- quarantine centre. gency Cash programme started. payment of cash assistance. ministry said. had imposed a lockdown on Speaking with members of sure because of a likely surge in Khan also chaired a meeting in In a tweet yesterday, Special She said the people can call the The ministry has informed the March 23 for two weeks and then Baluchistan’s provincial cabinet Covid-19 cases by the end of this Quetta to review the coronavirus Assistant to the Prime Minister toll-free number 0800-26477 Foreign Offi ce, the Federal Inves- further extended the restrictions and parliaments in Quetta yes- month. situation in the province, where on Poverty Alleviation and So- for any query. tigation Agency (FIA)’s Immigra- till April 14, in line with a deci- terday afternoon, he said that He urged the nation to demon- he was briefed about the steps cial Safety, Dr Sania Nishtar, said The federal government of Pa- tion Department, and the Direc- sion made at the national level. federal and provincial govern- strate unity to mitigate adverse taken to contain the spread of the that in the fi rst phase, disburse- kistan has meanwhile extended torate-General of Immigration The suggestion to further ex- ments are working in cohesion impacts of the pandemic. virus. ments are being made to Kafalat the visa validity of foreign na- and Passports (IMPASS) about tend the lockdown fi rst came to cope with the situation arising Earlier, the premier visited Meanwhile, in Gilgit-Baltistan benefi ciaries. tionals residing in Pakistan until the decision. from experts from China during their meeting with Sindh Health 300 Pakistan Minister Dr Azra Pechuho. Then in the evening, the chief students stuck Life under lockdown executives of leading hospi- in Bangladesh tals and prominent doctors met Sindh Chief Minister Syed Mu- For more than 300 Pakistani rad Ali Shah and expressed the students studying in Bangladesh fear that the coronavirus could under the South Asian spread if the lockdown is not ex- Association for Regional Co- tended. operation (Saarc) scholarship Sharing their experience with programme, life these days regard to the coronavirus pan- seems to be a never-ending demic, the Chinese experts are nightmare. of the view that at least an eight- “Earlier, I was residing in a hostel week lockdown was crucial to in Rajshahi and after my fellow halt the spread of Covid-19, the students from India, Bhutan, disease caused by the coronavi- Nepal and Sri Lanka were rus. evacuated by their respective According to a health depart- countries, I was shifted to a hostel ment statement, while appre- in Dhaka,” said medical student ciating the steps taken by the Rija Hameed. provincial government, they said Most male and female students that social distancing is the key said limited access to food to stop the spread of the virus amid a lockdown in the country and that the authorities should coupled with Bangladesh’s fragile ensure the lockdown for a longer healthcare system was making period. them nervous. “For eff ective results, it’s cru- “For days on end, we have been cial to extend the lockdown. In subsisting either on bread and many areas of China, the lock- jam or just biscuits,” said Rija. down continued for two months, Bangladesh has reported 218 which proved fruitful,” said the confirmed coronavirus cases, A labourer makes bread Chinese experts. with 20 deaths, so far, and there for customers in Karachi. “The Chinese experts reiter- are fears that it could spread ated their support to the Sindh rapidly throughout the densely- Right: Residents exercise government in terms of exper- populated country, whose in a Rawalpindi park. tise, medical equipment and weak healthcare systems risk sharing experience in its fi ght quickly becoming overwhelmed, against global pandemic,” said according to foreign media. the statement. Informed sources said that During the meeting with the the Prime Minister’s Public private hospital chief executives Aff airs and Grievances Wing and doctors, the chief minister has forwarded to the foreign said that he wanted their sup- secretary an application of the port, co-operation and guidance father of a Pakistani student to fi ght coronavirus. who is stranded in Bangladesh, The participants of the meet- seeking early action in order ing asked Chief Minister Shah to evacuate them as soon as not to ease the lockdown after possible. April 14, as that may allow the virus to spread. China, Pakistan They are of the view that a large proportion of the city’s militaries hold population comprised of slum video conference dwellers living in small houses with large families and travelling The armies of Pakistan and China in public buses. held a video conference to share They said that if such kind their experience in the prevention of crowding is allowed, people and control of pneumonia caused would get infected in buses and by coronavirus. on the streets, and would take According to Chinese ministry the virus back to their home and of defence, around 20 health get their family members and lo- off icials and experts of the two A woman has her thumb scanned for verification before collecting financial calities infected. militaries attended the video assistance at a district administration counter in Peshawar, under the Shah said he would consult conference between Rawalpindi, government’s Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme for families in need. Men play Ludo, a strategy board game, along a Lahore street. with his cabinet and other stake- Beijing, and Wuhan. holders on the issue. During the video conference, the Chinese off icials shared the overall situation and experience of the Chinese army’s epidemic prevention and control work, coronavirus detection technology methods and diagnosis, and Pakistan shoots down drone over LoC treatment plans. The two sides also focused on the exchange of emergency India and Pakistan locked Relations (ISPR) read. tack that killed 40 Indian para- Pakistan expresses concern over lack of medical supplies in Indian Kashmir command co-ordination, in border fighting amid An Indian army spokesman militaries in Kashmir. epidemic prevention and control, coronavirus crisis has said that the drone “is not Pakistan launched its own raid Pakistan has expressed deep concerns over the lack of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. monitoring and detection, clinical ours”. the next day and later shot down of medical supplies and assistance in Indian-adminis- Farooqui said six international human rights organisa- treatment and other related AFP/DPA/Reuters/Internews According to military sources, an Indian fi ghter jet and cap- tered Kashmir to deal with coronavirus challenge. tions have demanded the release of all those arrested issues. Islamabad the Indian military uses quad- tured its pilot, taking the arch- In her opening statement at the weekly news briefing, in Indian-administered Kashmir, underscoring that copters for aerial photography of rivals to the brink of war. Foreign Off ice spokesperson Aisha Farooqui pointed measures to combat coronavirus must respect hu- Refugee Afghan Pakistani posts along the LoC as The sky-high animosity be- out that 170 coronavirus cases have been reported man rights of every individual. akistan’s army said yester- part of its intelligence-gathering tween the two countries deesca- in the territory, along with the deaths of five people The spokesperson strongly condemned the latest doctor praised day that it had shot down operations and target selection lated after Pakistan returned the from the Covid-19 respiratory disease caused by the Indian action to change the demographic structure Pa small Indian surveillance before carrying out cross-LoC downed pilot to India. coronavirus. of the Indian-administered, saying this is in violation In the battle against the drone in Kashmir, as tensions shelling. Tensions also recently spiked She said voices from within India and around the of international laws and the UN Security Council coronavirus pandemic, which has rose over continued cross-bor- Last year on March 16, the Pa- when New Delhi revoked the world continue to condemn the inhuman oppression resolutions. cost thousands of precious lives der shelling in the disputed ter- kistan Army shot down a “spy- partial autonomy of Indian- across the globe, doctors and ritory. ing quadcopter” in the Rakh- administered Kashmir in August medical staff have emerged as According to a statement from chikri sector along the LoC. last year. cross-border fi ghting of at least sponded befi ttingly to Indian by the two militaries. the true fearless warriors saving the army media wing, the Indian The incident came as Pakistan Kashmir has been divided be- two years. Army’s unprovoked fi ring,” said On Monday, the Indian Army lives. quadcopter – about the same and India accuse each other of tween India and Pakistan since Indian Army data reviewed by ISPR director-general Major- said in a statement it killed fi ve Afghan refugee Dr Saleema size as a commercially avail- violating ceasefi re terms at the independence in 1947, and has Reuters shows 411 ceasefi re vio- General Babar Iftikhar. Pakistan-backed militants at the Rehman is one such frontline able hobby drone – had crossed LoC, with sporadic shelling re- been the spark of two wars and lations by Pakistan’s military in He said Pakistan’s military LoC during a fi refi ght in heavy warrior in the Covid-19 disease 600m (650 yards) over the de ported from both sides. numerous fl are-ups between the March, the highest number in a had recorded 705 ceasefi re vio- snow, with fi ve of its special battle, providing her services at facto border known as the Line Relations between the nucle- two foes. single month since at least 2018. lations by the Indian Army since forces soldiers also killed. Pakistan’s Holy Family Hospital in of Control (LoC). ar-armed neighbours nosedived Offi cial data has shown that That compares with 267 vio- the beginning of the year. Pakistan denies giving mate- Rawalpindi. “This blatant act was aggres- in February last year, with In- even as both nuclear-armed ri- lations in March last year re- The Indian Army data showed rial support to militants in Kash- The United Nations High sively responded to by Pakistan dia launching an air strike in- vals battle surging coronavirus corded by the Indian Army. 1,197 Pakistani violations during mir but says it provides moral Commissioner for Refugees Army troops shooting down In- side Pakistan after accusing its outbreaks, Indian and Pakistani “(The) Pakistan Army never the same period. and diplomatic backing for the (UNHCR) paid tribute to the dian quadcopter,” the statement neighbour of harbouring a group troops in disputed Kashmir are initiates ceasefi re violations Reuters is not in a position to self-determination of Kashmiri refugee doctor. from the Inter-Services Public that staged a suicide bomb at- engaged in their most frequent along LoC, but it has always re- independently verify the claims people. Gulf Times Friday, April 10, 2020 13 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH A unique generation ot many centuries ago, victory) which you like. Among you are went to Al-Quds last night and came (Ibn Ishaq, cited in A H A Nadwi’s Muslims were the stewards some that desire the world and some back before morning?” He answered, Islam and the World). of the world. They that desire the Hereafter. Then did “Yes, for I have believed him for things A concise description of this love was Nliberated men from the He divert you from your foes in order which are far beyond this, I have believed presented by one of their enemies: “I bonds of ignorance and the darkness to test you. But He forgave you: For him for the heavenly news (ie Revelation) have been in courts of Caesar, Khusrau of unbelief into the light of Islam. Allah is Full of Grace for the believers.” he brings down morning or evening.” and Negus. I can swear that I have not This historical achievement was the [3:152]. (Reported by Al-Bayhaqi and mentioned seen any king held in greater respect by mark of a unique generation, that in Ibn Kathir’s Tafseer). his subjects than Muhammad is by his of Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu 3. Believing that they Believing in the trustworthiness of Companions. By God, when he gives an ‘alaihi wa sallam, and his companions. the Sahabah is indeed an integral part order, they all rush to carry it out, when The Prophet himself pointed to the were the best of the Muslim of our belief. More importantly, loving he performs the wudu, they nearly come companions as the best of all Muslim Ummah them, emulating them and embracing to blows in the scramble for the water he generations. (Bukhari, Muslim and he best generation, according their methodology is our only way to has used for it; when he speaks, a hush Tirmidhi). Hence, believing that the to the Qur’an and the Sunnah, properly understand this Deen and apply overtakes them. So excessively do they companions’ generation is superior is that of the lifetime of the its dictates in a manner that is acceptable revere him that they dare not raise their to any other is a tenet of faith, and TProphet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa and pleasing to Allah. eyes in his presence to obtain a full view following their example is the way to sallam. The following Hadith narrated of him.” (Zaad-ul-Ma’ad, vol III p 125) success in this life and in the hereafter. by Abdullah ibn Massoud and collected Why Were the Sahabah the If seeking and winning the pleasure by Bukhari is a powerful testimony 4. Their unsurpassed of Allah is the ultimate goal of every from Allah’s Messenger that fi rmly Best of this Ummah? Muslim, then these are the men and establishes this tenet: “The best of my e have already discussed sacrifi ces for this Deen women to imitate. Allah praises their Ummah (ie, followers) are those living some of the qualities he Sahabah’s devotion Faith (2:137), their knowledge (47:16), in my generation, then those who will that made those great and sincerity to Allah was and their compassion towards each other follow them, and those who will follow Wcompanions better than indeed unsurpassed. They (48:29), repeatedly testifying in His the latter.” the rest of the Muslim Ummah. We Tsacrifi ced all their property, Glorious Book that “He was well pleased have mentioned their unconditional their homes, their families and with them.” (48:18; 98:8) 4. Believing that some of commitment to Islam and their even their lives with an unshaken Affi rmations of their strong and noble methodology in dealing with the determination. Khubaib, radhiallahu character even came from some of their them were better than others commands of Allah and His Messenger, ‘anhu, when mounted on a scaff old enemies. During one encounter, a Roman s Muslims, we love the sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. We shall by his persecutors, was asked, ‘Don’t offi cer described them in these historic companions of the Prophet explore in this brief expose some of you wish now that Muhammad were words: “They are horsemen by day and and do not reject any of them. the devotional, spiritual, ethical and in your place?” He cried out, “I would ascetics by night. They pay for what they ANor do we love some more emotional aspects of their life that not like to be released on the condition eat in territories under their occupation. than others. Yet, we do believe that contributed to their strong, refi ned that he may be given even a pinprick.” They are fi rst to salute when they arrive some of the companions were better and unique personalities. The qualities (Ibn Kathir, vol IV, p 63). Similar at a place and are valiant fi ghters who than others. Allah Most High says: exposed below, and those mentioned stories of this unmatched sacrifi ce are just wipe out the enemy.” (Reported “Not equal among you are those who earlier present a comprehensive answer faithfully recorded in books of hadith by Ibn Kathir and mentioned in A H A spent (freely) and fought before the to our opening question: why were the and history. During the long years of Nadwi’s Islam and the World). Victory (ie, the Conquest of Makkah) Sahabah the best of our Ummah? persecution and confl icts as well as Studying the lives of the Sahabah (with those who did so later). Those in times of victory and peace, they and exploring their virtues helps us are higher in rank than those who 1. Their full familiarity with demonstrated such sacrifi ce for the understand this Deen in its correct spent (freely) and fought afterwards. sake of Islam. Who better to testify context. By following the methodology But to all has Allah promised a goodly the Jahiliyah’s evil of this sacrifi ce than Allah Himself? with which they approached and (reward). And Allah is well acquainted ost of the Sahabah grew He the Most High says: “Among the implemented this Deen, we will have with all that you do.” [57:10]. up amidst the pagan believers are men who have been true planted our feet on the straight path. We also hold that Abu Bakr, practices of Jahiliyah, to their covenant with Allah, of them, radhiallahu ‘anhu, was the most Min pre-Islamic Arabia. some have died and some (still) wait, Our Beliefs Regarding the preferable person of the Muslim Ummah, They were well acquainted with the but they have never changed (their after the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa evils and vices of their surrounding, determination) in the least.” [33.23] Sahabah sallam, and that he deserved to succeed well aware of its weaknesses. When ahabah or companions are the the Prophet as the leader of the Muslims the light of Islam entered Makkah, it 5. Their strong unity and individuals who have met the over the rest of the Sahabah. Then after further exposed the backwardness following criteria: him come, in this respect, Umar ibn and barbarous abominations of pagan natural compassion S * He/she has met the Prophet, Khattab, Uthman ibn Aff an and Ali ibn Arabia before their eyes. When they istory will always sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, whether the Abi Talib. These are the four rightly fi nally embraced Islam, all of what the bear witness to the meeting was a one-time encounter, like guided caliphs. This belief, contradicted pagan society stood for, all of what unprecedented bonds of for Dhimam ibn Tha’labah, a relatively by many deviant groups, does not spring it had to off er became repugnant to Hbrotherhood that united short companionship such as Uthman from a mere guess, but rather rests on them and despicable to their hearts. the Sahabah. Allah described them ibn Abil Aas, or a life long championship many strong, authentic ahadith of the Consequently, they rushed to rid beautifully as: “Strong against like Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, Umar ibn Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. themselves of the yoke of the pagan unbelievers, compassionate amongst al-Khattab, Uthman and Ali (radhiallah Abdullah Ibn Umar said: “At the time society and embraced this long- themselves.” [48:29]. More remarkable ‘anhum). of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa awaited liberator, Islam. No doubt, the is the full brotherhood established z He/she met him while awake and sallam, we used to compare the people as old, somber years of Jahiliyah helped between the Muhajireen, those who fully aware, not in a dream, through a to who were the best. Consequently, we them appreciate and fi rmly uphold forsook their homes and property vision, or any unrealistic experience. used to regard Abu Bakr as the best of all, Islam. and migrated to Madinah, and their Meeting here does not necessarily mean then Umar ibn al-Khattab, then Uthman It was indeed an important element of helpers, the Ansar, the men and seeing. For Ibn Ummu Makthoom, a ibn Aff an – may Allah be pleased with their life that had a tremendous eff ect in women of Madinah who not only blind man from Quraysh, could not have all of them. The Prophet, would then moulding their Islamic character. This welcomed, fed them and shared their seen the Prophet. Yet, he was indeed a hear this (statement) and would not is what made Umar ibn Khattab say: property with them, but went so far as great companion and the Mua’dhinn disapprove of it.” (Bukhari and Ahmad) “I am afraid, he who has been brought to give them preference over their own (caller to Salah) of the Prophet, The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa up in Islam and has no knowledge of selves. One should remember, however, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. sallam, also said: “Abu Bakr (will be) Paganism, will disintegrate Islam itself.” that their full brotherhood and mutual z He/she was a Muslim when he/she in Paradise, and Umar in Paradise, and (from A H Nadwi’s Islam and the World) sacrifi ce was the result – after Allah’s met the Prophet, or believed in him later Uthman in Paradise, and Ali in Paradise, blessing – of their strong faith on the on during his lifetime. and Talhah (Ibn Ubaydullah) in Paradise, 2. Their gratefulness to one hand, and the oneness of their z He/she met the Prophet after he and az-Zubayr (ibn al-Awwam) in methodology on the other. In other started receiving the revelation. For Paradise, and Abdurrahman ibn Awf Allah for His favours upon words, had they had diff erent beliefs, there were people who met Muhammad, in Paradise, and Saad ibn Abi Waqqas them diff erent ways, they would not have sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, before the in Paradise, and Sa’id ibn Zaid in he Sahabah were fully united. This is an important aspect revelation and, foreseeing that he would Paradise, and Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah conscious of Allah’s favours of the Sahabah’s life to ponder over, be sent as Messenger, believed in him. in Paradise.” (Authentic reported by upon them. After all, it is He especially for those who are calling Yet, Muslim scholars, especially those At-Tirmidhi, Ahmad and others). We Twho brought them from the today in vain for unity among the of Hadith, do not consider them as therefore recognise the six companions Uhud, it would not amount to as much it is what’s best for us. Let’s however, darkness of Jahiliyah into the light Muslims whose hearts are almost void Sahabah. This was the case of Jarjis ibn mentioned after Ali as the best people as one mudd (about 2/3 of a kilo) of one try to seek some of Allah’s wisdom of Islam. Thus, they were always in of faith or whose ways are at variance. Abdulqays known as Bahirah the priest. after the four caliphs. of them (spent in charity) nor even half behind this instruction. The Sahabah search of ways to thank Him. They also After these six companions come in a mudd.” (Muslim). We, who love them, were in a better position to understand knew – through the teaching of their 6. Their staunch rebellion 1. Believing that all the order of preference those who attended should therefore hate those who despise and interpret the diff erent aspects of master – that thanks are not mere, the Battle of Badr, then those who them or talk of them disrespectfully. Islamic law because they knew Islam light statements, rather, they had to against any kind of Sahabah are trustworthy fought in Uhud, followed by those who The opinion of Muslim scholars better than anyone else. They witnessed translate their words into actions. innovation e believe that all gave the pledge of allegiance to the regarding this matter is voiced by Sufyan the revelation coming down, knew the To be grateful and thankful is to be he Sahabah never embraced the Sahabah were Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, ibn Uyuynah: “Whoever utters a single circumstances in which the verses were an obedient servant of Allah. This an innovation, nor would Udool. Though it may at the Hudaybiyah gathering, called Ar- (bad) word about the companions of revealed and, most importantly, learned would partially explain the common they tolerate any addition Wroughly be translated Ridwan Pledge of allegiance. Allah’s Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa their Deen from the Prophet, sallallaahu questions they posed to the Prophet, Tto or omission from the as trustworthy, the adjective Udool One may argue that there are some sallam, he is a follower of evil desire (ie a ‘alaihi wa sallam, himself. Hence, if we sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, as to Deen. For them, every innovation, carries a much deeper meaning. ahadith that contradict this tenet, such deviant).” (reported by Abu Muhammad want to emulate the Sahabah, as Allah which deeds were most preferred whether pertaining to faith or to Scholars defi ne someone as being Adl as the hadith narrated by Adu Dawood al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Khalif al-Barbahari commanded, we should not only follow in Islam. Sufyan Ibn Abdullah said: practices of worship, “small” or if he is upright regarding his religion and At-Tirmidhi in which the Prophet, in his Sharh as-Sunnah) their practices, but also follow the way “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, tell “big”, was considered grave and and his daily conduct, and is of a sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said to the One should note, however, that they understood those practices. me something about Islam which I dangerous and thus needed to be strong, fi rm and refi ned character. As Sahabah: “Days will come wherein the sincere and academic criticism of one This methodology consists of can ask of no one but you.” He said, rejected immediately. Their motto and a result, he not only avoids the major rewards of a (single) good-doer will whose intention is to show right from principles they used in order to ‘Say I believe in Allah, and thereafter inspiration was the hadith, “Whoever sins but also any small sins that might equal the rewards of fi fty (people).” The wrong is not only acceptable but also understand the commands of Allah and be upright.’” (Muslim). Hence, the introduces into this aff air of ours tarnish his credibility. Therefore, Sahabah asked, “(people) from them compulsory. However, only those that of His Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Sahabah’s thoughts were always (ie, Islam) something which we have to believe that all the Sahabah were (ie, the contemporaries of the good- scholars rooted in knowledge and sallam. One of these principles is called occupied, fi rst and foremost, with the not commanded, it is to be rejected.” trustworthy (Udool), is to hold them doer) or from us?” He replied, “From righteous motivation should tackle this Tasleem (unequivocal acceptance). The best and most sincere way to draw (Bukhari and Muslim). When a man free of evil vices. The mistakes that you, indeed.” Scholars have said, the critical task. Sahabah used to take the Qur’an and nearer to Allah. They were constantly sneezed in the presence of Ibn Umar, were committed by some of them – expression “the rewards of a good-doer the Sunnah for guidance and would not checking the motives behind their radhiallahu ‘anhuma, and said, Praise on some occasions – emanated from will equal the rewards of fi fty (from 6. Adhering to their let anything else take precedence over sayings and deeds as well as the be to Allah and peace be upon the their human, fallible nature, and not amongst you)” does not actually mean them. As long as Allah or His Messenger correctness of their actions. This not Messenger (ie, adding the salutation from an evil, ill-intentioned soul. As a “better than you”. methodology is a religious had delivered a verdict on a given matter, only refi ned their character, but raised to the Prophet),” Ibn Umar – though fundamental consequence of this noble duty the companions would take it with their consciousness of Allah – their known for his profound love to the character, the Sahabah were extremely 5. We do not dwell on their llah has praised the Sahabah, no reservation, even if they could not Taqwah – to a higher level, making it Prophet, rebuked the man and told loyal and faithful to their Deen. Hence, as well as those who follow perceive the logic or the wisdom behind hard, and in the case of high ranking him: “The Prophet has only taught us they could not lie about Allah or His diff erences in their footsteps and make it. Thus, they did not use their “intellect” Sahabah, impossible for future to say Alhamdulillah’ (with no added Messenger and as such, all reports and s we said earlier, the Sahabah Athe embracing of their to accept or reject the verdict. For them, generations to match. salutation).” (At-Tirmidhi). Ibn Umar testimonies that can traced to them are were not infallible. They methodology, understanding and whatever Allah dictates is logical, sound, spelled out the stance of the Sahabah considered to be fully authentic and would have diff erences, practices a way to earn His pleasure. wise, and suitable. The following story of 3. Their unconditional love towards innovations when he said: Abu Bakr is a dazzling illustration of this unconditionally reliable. Asome of which were more He says: “The vanguard (of Islam), the for Allah and His Messenger “Every innovation is a misguidance serious than others, especially after fi rst of those who forsook (their homes) principle. even if people regard it to be something 2. They were trustworthy, the Prophet’s death. However, we and of those who gave them aid, and When the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi he companions’ love good.” (Ad-Daarimee). believe that whatever options they (also) those who follow them in (all) wa sallam, was transported from the for their Lord and His These were some of the noble, but not infallible had, or whatever arguments they good deeds, well-pleased is Allah with Masjid al-Haram (Sacred Mosque) Messenger, sallallaahu matchless qualities of the companions elieving that the Sahabah were held to, stemmed from their best them.” [9:100]. in Makkah to al-Masjid al-Aqsaa T‘alaihi wa sallam, surpassed of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa trustworthy and free from any judgment and was sincerely motivated. On the other hand, He promises (the Farthest Mosque) in Al-Quds all loyalty and love of family, tribe, sallam. Because of their love for Allah, His intentional lies and deception We therefore refrain from dwelling those who deviate from the Sahabah’s (Jerusalem) in a night, he went out the and self. During the Battle of Uhud, Prophet and this Deen, the light of Islam Btowards Islam does not by on these diff erences and ask Allah methodology and way a punishment next morning telling people about his as the news spread that the Prophet, now shines all over the face of this earth. any means make them infallible. Allah to forgive them and reward them and an evil ending. He says: “If anyone night journey. Consequently, some of sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, was Through them we fi nd the best examples has granted infallibility only to His for their endeavours. We should not contends with the Messenger even after those who believed in him previously injured, a woman whose brother, of courage, honour and commitment. It Prophets and His Angels. However, criticise or revile them, because Allah’s guidance has been plainly conveyed to became apostates. They later went father and husband had been killed is only by placing our footsteps in theirs, whenever they wronged themselves, Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa him, and follows a path other than that to Abu Bakr and said to him, “What in the battle that very day forgot her that we can execute the duties that Allah they were quick to repent to Allah. The sallam, left behind a serious warning of the believers, We shall leave him in the is happening to your friend? He is sorrow and rushed to the battlefield has placed on us. No one can doubt their following verse illustrates this fact: for those who would venture onto this path he has chosen, and land him in Hell, claiming that he was taken on a journey shouting, “How is the Prophet?” excellence and superiority over the rest of “Allah did indeed fulfi l His promise to slippery road. what an evil refuge!” [4:115]. to al-Masjid al-Aqsaa last night.” Abu People assured her that by the grace the Ummah? We know that we can never you when you, with His permission, Abu Hurairah narrated: Allah’s As believers in the unseen and the Bakr inquired: “Did he really say that?” of Allah he was safe, but she refused be the best, but we should never stop were about to annihilate your enemy, Messenger said: “Do not revile any of my ultimate wisdom of Allah, we know They answered, “yes”; upon which he to be comforted until she had actually trying not to be the worst. We ask Allah to until you fl inched and fell to disputing companions. By Him in Whose hand is that when He instructs us to follow faithfully testifi ed, “If he actually said seen him. She was taken to him. grant us their understanding and make it after the order, and disobeyed it, my life, if one of you were to spend (in the Sahabah’s belief, practices and that, then he has spoken the truth.” They When she saw him, she said, “No easy for us to emulate them in all respects. after He brought you in sight (of the charity) a pile of gold as big as Mount understanding of the Deen, it is because asked, (amazed), “You believe that he calamity is a calamity if you are safe.” (This article was written by Habib Buslah) Gulf Times 14 Friday, April 10, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Sanders, Biden now need each other to reach their goals As US Senator Bernie Sanders dropped out of the presidential race on Wednesday, he leaves behind a Democratic Party reshaped by his two White House bids. No candidate this year, or in modern campaigns past, has hammered the issue of America’s wealth inequality as vociferously and eff ectively as Sanders. He has attacked the barriers to healthcare, education and housing, raising the pitch of the debate to an unprecedented level. The challenge now for the party’s presumptive Qatar-Italy ties: A shining example nominee, former vice-president Joe Biden, will be to embrace Sanders’ issues – and his followers – while hewing a more politically and fi nancially pragmatic of friendship in times of adversity approach that’s palatable for most Americans. The anxiety and insecurity of poverty that Sanders sought to address have been laid bare by the coronavirus shutdown QNA humanitarian duty towards friends, level, especially in times of crisis and masks, strict social distancing in places of much of America’s economy. In the weeks and months Doha stressing its solidarity and standing ordeals. They send numerous messages of living and work, and establishing a with them during times of prosperity that Qatar is keen to harness its hospital-specifi c anti-Covid-19 system ahead, as the country plunges deeper into recession, more and distress. capabilities and potentials in order to that remains in place after the crisis to people will struggle to pay their bills and access healthcare. ribulations and crises show In the context of Qatar’s contribution build security and stability and spread prevent a possible return of the virus. The presidential campaign, now solely between Biden the authenticity of states and to combating the pandemic, which peace and reassurance among people Qatar and Italy share political nations, test the credibility of poses a common threat to the whole wherever they are in the world without and economic visions, and common and President Donald Trump, will be like no other. Ttheir slogans, and show the world, His Highness the Amir Sheikh discrimination. These initiatives also interests in all fi elds. The Qatari-Italian Trump’s mercurial behaviour was already certain to strength and solidity of their external Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani gave underline the belief of Qatar that the relations were further cemented by the make the race unpredictable. The pandemic and the relations, regionally and internationally. directives, to send urgent medical brotherly and friendly countries and exchange of the opening of embassies In this context, and upon the directives assistance to Iran. He directed urgent peoples will not be left alone in their in the capitals of the two countries in nation’s economic implosion will make it triply so. of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim fi nancial assistance to the State of battle against this pandemic, and that 1992. Since then it has witnessed a Biden will bring the bin Hamad al-Thani, Qatar has and Palestine, in support of its people, and defeating the virus outside the borders rapid and solid development in all fi elds, empathy that Trump continues to off er many humanitarian a contribution from Qatar to the global has the same priority and importance especially in economy and trade. The What Sanders initiatives and gestures during the fi erce eff orts to combat the outbreak of the as at home, out of its convictions that relations have turned into a strategic lacks. But, to succeed, global confrontation with the novel Covid-19, in addition to providing international solidarity is the most partnership, thanks to the patronage does next will Biden must build a big coronavirus (Covid-19). urgent assistance, including medicines, successful and fastest way to win the and willingness of the leaderships of tent – and for that he In implementation of these medical supplies, foodstuff s, and fuel battle against coronavirus pandemic, the two countries to upgrade them in help determine needs Sanders and his directives, and within the framework of for generators to operate the hospitals and that situation may become more various sectors. the strategy drawn up by His Highness in Gaza Strip. Prior to that, Qatar sent diffi cult and painful in the absence of The Qatari-Italian relations have the fate of Biden’s followers. Conversely, for Qatar to strengthen its relations with 8 aircraft carrying 300 tonnes of urgent this solidarity. been strengthened and developed in for Sanders to succeed brothers and friends, two Qatar Amiri medical supplies to friends in China, The Italian government considers recent years through offi cial mutual presidential in his goals, now that he Air Force aircraft carrying two fi eld at a time when international airlines the battle against the coronavirus as visits by leaders and senior offi cials hospitals landed in Italy on Wednesday, banned fl ights to Chinese airports. the most serious crisis it faces since of the two countries, and with the quest has left the big stage, he in support of the eff orts of Italian In addition to sending medical the Second World War. In order to successful participation of Qatar in needs Biden. friends to confront and contain the shipments and aid, Qatar has evacuated prevent the situation from worsening the Expo Milan 2015. The agreements He has no alternative. On the issues Sanders cares Covid-19 pandemic. stranded persons, besides United even further, the Italian authorities and memoranda of understanding The total area of the fi rst hospital is Nations staff , from the Covid-19 hit asked about 60mn citizens to stay at signed between Qatar and Italy play about, the nation has regressed under Trump, as the 5,200sq m, while the other hospital’s areas, confi rming its leadership in home and implemented unprecedented an important role by strengthening president has sought to undermine rather than improve area is 4,000sq m. Both hospitals humanitarian initiatives. measures to stop the spread of the virus, and consolidating bilateral relations in upon President Barack Obama’s healthcare plan; together can accommodate 1,000 Moreover, Qatar Airways Cargo has after expanding quarantine measures to various fi elds. The economic relations increased the economic divide with tax cuts for the beds equipped with modern medical increased the volume of its services cover all Italian territories. have witnessed a great development equipment and technology, to treat around the world on cargo and The Italian authorities take a cautious after the offi cial opening of the Adriatic wealthy that drove the country deeper into debt while the the Covid-19 patients. More aid was passenger planes – to transport goods approach on the continuing decline LNG terminal in the Italian coastal economy was strong; and undermined national attempts scheduled to land yesterday aboard only without any passengers on board, in the numbers of deaths and injuries city of Rovigo in October 2009, which to address climate change. four military cargo aircraft, and a fi fth as part of its endeavours to contribute to caused by the epidemic in its hospitals, receives 8bn cubic metres of Qatari LNG plane will land in Italy today, loaded the continuity of the global trade sector, and they are not in a rush to move to the every year, equivalent to 10% of Italy’s While Sanders’ purist progressive campaign was with medical tools and equipment, in and to transport essential supplies second stage of the health emergency, needs. unfettered by the reality of the nation’s political map, co-operation between the Qatar Fund wherever needed during these diffi cult which includes the possible gradual The two countries have military co- Biden seems to recognise that the key to Electoral College for Development and the Qatari Armed times. easing of restrictions on the movement operation that includes the purchase of Forces. Qatar Airways Cargo has shipped of citizens. Italian naval units and helicopters. Italy victory will lie in centrist swing states like Wisconsin, Qatar is extending a helping hand to more than 50,000 tonnes of medical Many health offi cials and agencies is the eighth trade partner of Qatar and Michigan, Pennsylvania and Florida. Biden doesn’t have Italy with which it maintains high-level supplies and essential goods to areas there have stressed the importance the seventh largest supplier to Qatar. the luxury, nor does he have the political inclination, to strategic relations, despite the unjust aff ected by the coronavirus around of maintaining and adhering to all The volume of trade exchange blockade. Qatar is fully confi dent that the world. The total weight of goods measures of social distancing, and between the two countries has exceeded indulge in the same uncompromising approach. Italy will overcome this pandemic. shipped by Qatar Airways Cargo during warned that any negligence could mean one billion euros. Italian companies The question will be whether Sanders can accept that. Despite its preoccupation with the the month of March 2020 is equal to the resumption of a new outbreak of have an important role in supporting Whether he embraces Biden – only fi guratively in these internal situation and protecting Qatar the capacity of 500 cargo Boeing 777 the pandemic. Italian Health Minister the country’s development plans times of physical distancing – as he failed to do with Hillary from the pandemic and its various aircraft. Roberto Speranza presented earlier and projects, and Italy is a distinct repercussions, the country, under The successive Qatari humanitarian this week a strategic plan to gradually destination for Qatari investments that Clinton four years ago. Whether he acknowledges the the leadership of His Highness the initiatives refl ect the positive role get out of the global pandemic crisis entered various sectors and economic political reality that, while Biden might not be the senator’s Amir, has not forgotten its role and that Doha plays at the international recommending by wearing protective activities. perfect candidate, he at least cares about the same issues. What Sanders does next, in the days and weeks and months to come, will help determine the fate of Biden’s presidential quest. While Sanders was never able to expand his base and increase turnout of young voters as he promised, he nonetheless has a large and loyal following. He must now marshal them behind Biden as he failed to do for Clinton. To succeed in his goals, Sanders must convince his followers, from their perspective, to not let the perfect become the enemy of the good. – Tribune News Service

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© 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Aid materials being unloaded from Qatar Amiri Air Force aircraft in Italy on Wednesday. Gulf Times Friday, April 10, 2020 15 COMMENT India’s women seaweed divers swim against the tide of climate change

By Anuradha Nagaraj field research unit of the Central Now 60-year-old Mariamma harvesting — seaweed. Ramanathapuram, India Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Masanam, her fi ngers gnarled after In additional to wild harvesting, the Institute in Ramanathapuram years of harvests, can see conditions women now grow seaweed on bamboo district. shifting. rafts, as part of an eff ort promoted by n a blue plastic barrel, Meenakshi “Women who harvest seaweed have “We feel the changes. The waters are the Tamil Nadu government. Mookupori packed her belongings defi nitely been impacted, with their rougher and we have to spend longer But set-up costs are signifi cant and for a fi ve-day stay on an island in incomes coming down by at least hours underwater to fi ll our bags. We harvests unpredictable, the women Ithe Indian Ocean, off the Coro- 20%,” he said. are also travelling farther from the say. mandal coast of south India. Mookupori grew up watching her coast then we did earlier,” she told the Still, “there are more than 600 Besides her clothes, toothbrush and mother leave home before dawn, board Thomson Reuters Foundation. women who have shifted to cultivating soap, she included her diving gear — a a boat and go to work harvesting in the Ramanathapuram district wildlife seaweed and that has helped the worn-out pair of black socks, a locally Gulf of Mannar. warden AS Marimuthu has also seen ecosystem tremendously,” said made pair of goggles, cheap plastic The shallow bay with a 365km the changes, and said he was looking Eswaran. slippers, cloth gloves, a round metallic coastline is known for its coral reefs for ways to collaborate with the Growing seaweed also has helped plate with straps — and pain killers. and is home to endangered species women. the women get a harvest in summer Mookupori, 56, is one of nearly such as dugongs, a marine mammal “They have never been a big problem months when wild harvesting is harder 2,000 women in Tamil Nadu state related to the manatee. for us but we hope they will play a as higher temperatures and disease who dive to collect seaweed used in In 1986, the region was declared bigger role in managing the marine outbreaks cut seaweed growth, he said. making agar, a gelatinous substance a national biodiversity park under reserve with us.” Mookupori and Raniamma, however, that becomes a thickener in food and India’s Wildlife Protection Act and Under a United Nations consider themselves likely to be the medicines. collecting natural resource there was Development Programme initiative, last generation of seaweed harvesters “I started accompanying my mother prohibited. for instance, eco-development along this cost. and grandmother to sea when I was A Tamil Nadu government report committees have been set-up in All of the six women on the boat eight or 10,” she said, as she helped noted at the time that the major fi shing villages, with women educated with Mookupori are over 50, with load cans of drinking water onto the environmental threat to the gulf region A seaweed harvester off the coast of Ramanathapuram, India. on conservation and given training deeply tanned skin, greying hair and boat. was quarrying of coral for production for alternative careers to reduce their wrinkled faces. “Those days, the seaweed collection of calcium carbide and lime. However, with few other options 75 Indian rupees (about $1). Once the dependence on the sea. The women talk about the harsh was huge. We would bring back bags But creation of the marine park to earn a living, the gulf’s seaweed seaweed is dried and cleaned, it is sold For now, to deal with the changing conditions of the sea, the rising full. Now the quantity has reduced. meant restrictions on accessing the collectors have continued to illegally by traders for Rs400 ($5) per fi ve kilos conditions and protect their seaweed tides and the great physical strength The number of days we harvest the bay’s 21 uninhabited islands to fi sh — ply their trade. to domestic industry buyers. beds, the women have cut the numbers required to hold one’s breath and go seaweed has also reduced. The sea has or to collect seaweed — for 125 local Raniamma, 50, one of the harvesters “We only take what we need from of days they harvest and discarded the down to the depths. changed and we also had to.” villages. who works with Mookupori, said she the sea, which is seaweed,” Raniamma metal scrapers they once used, now But with every passing year, yields Rising sea levels, hotter “It was like they were declared always keeps an eye out for anti- said. gathering the seaweed with their hands are falling and fi nes for wild harvesting temperatures and stronger currents thieves in their own backyard,” said poaching offi cials when she and other “The anti-poaching offi cers don’t instead. increasing, they said, making their along this coast — considered one Venugopal, the programme head for seaweed harvesters sail to the islands understand. We live off the sea and we To counter charges of over- work an unattractive job option for of the best for commercial seaweed the non-profi t International Collective for a harvest. are also its guardians. harvesting, they ply their trade only their children. cultivation — are some of the changes in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF) Being caught there can carry a fi ne. What we see down there is precious about 12 days a month and ensure they “Our children would never do this,” Mookupori is seeing. Trust. “But if we don’t camp on the island, and we know it,” she said. rotate between islands. Mookupori said. Scientists say they are caused by “The national park excluded them we are unable to collect enough The women of Bharathinagar in None of them harvest between April “In fact, sometimes we take them to climate change. from that space, making it challenging seaweed to sell,” she said, rolling up Ramanathapuram district, who have and June, the main breeding season the islands just for a picnic and show “With the rise in sea temperature for the women to earn a livelihood, her sari and slipping into leggings and waded into the waters of India’s for fi sh. them a little of what we do. and salinity, seaweed growth has instead of giving them rights to the sea socks held up by rubber bands. southeast coast for decades, possess But their biggest push to protect the But when we stop diving, there will declined in the last decade,” said K and including them in the conservation For each fi ve kilograms of wet a wealth of knowledge about the gulf ecosystem and their livelihoods has be no one else.” – Thomson Reuters Eswaran, a scientist who heads the programme.” seaweed she collects, Raniamma earns waters. been to begin cultivating — as well as Foundation

The private sector steps up Three-day forecast TODAY company emergency permission to by expanding deliveries of food, crunch. Already, some central banks Maximum Temperature : 380c By Dambisa Moyo Minimum Temperature : 270c New York sell its test to labs in the United States household items, and other – including the US Federal Reserve, will enable a signifi cant improvement incidentals. Thanks to fast decision- the European Central Bank, and the SATURDAY in the country’s lagging capacity for making and operational fl exibility by Bank of England – have implemented Maximum Temperature : 360c f the 2008 global fi nancial crisis testing. Google’s health subsidiary suppliers and producers, the fl ow of aggressive interest-rate cuts, and Minimum Temperature : 250c laid bare the worst of capitalism, Verily, for its part, reportedly needed goods has continued largely pledged fi nancial support to enable SUNDAY the private sector’s response to redirected 1,700 engineers to develop a uninterrupted in many places. banks to off er low-cost loans and Maximum Temperature : 330c Ithe Covid-19 pandemic is already web-based Covid-19 screening test. To keep up with surging demand, repayment holidays to businesses and Minimum Temperature : 240c showcasing the very best. Meanwhile, some health insurers – many such companies have even individuals aff ected by Covid-19. Fisherman's forecast Covid-19 cases have now surpassed particularly in the US, where private started hiring. Amazon, for example, All of this is essential to buttress the one million worldwide, with the death companies account for the majority has pledged to create 100,000 new economy, and it would be much harder toll above 70,000 and rising. The full of health coverage – have adjusted jobs that pay more than minimum to achieve if the private sector was not WARNING Inshore : Nil extent of the global economic impact their terms to enable people to get the wage. Such eff orts are particularly contributing to the fi ght against the remains unknown. What we do know medical care they need. Blue Cross valuable at a time when forced pandemic. Likewise, recovering from Offshore : Expected strong wind is that the world urgently requires and Blue Shield’s Federal Employee shutdowns are contributing to what is almost certain to be a deep and high sea WEATHER a herculean response from both Program, which covers millions spiking unemployment. In the US, recession, and rebuilding the global Inshore : Hot daytime with scat- governments and the private sector to of government workers and their a record 6.6mn workers fi led for economy, will also require private- tered clouds and slight avert a devastating recession. families, is waiving co-payments for unemployment benefi ts in one week in sector commitment, as will addressing dust at times, mild by night Since the 2008 crisis, corporations treatment and testing, which can run March. The week before, 3.3mn fi led other global imperatives, including WIND have faced harsh criticism and even into the thousands of dollars. claims – nearly ten times the previous poverty reduction, broadening access Inshore : Southeasterly-South- accusations of maximising profi ts Many more industries, such as record of 695,000, set in 1982. to quality education, and combating westerly 08-18/28 KT without due consideration of society’s automobile producers, are also Private-sector interventions free up climate change. Offshore : Southeasterly-Easterly broader needs. Today, however, we see contributing. They have redeployed public resources for activities that are Meeting all of these challenges 10-20/25 KT corporations stepping up in response their resources from revenue- fi rmly within the state’s purview, such demands the kind of innovation at to the global health crisis. While some generating activities to the production as ensuring the continued provision of which the private sector excels. If Visibility : 4-8 KM companies will need government of vital equipment, such as protective education, health care, infrastructure, private fi rms maintain the foresight, Offshore : 6-8 FT assistance to survive, given the gear for frontline health workers and other basic public goods. adaptability, and compassion that severity of the crisis, others can ease (including surgical masks, face shields, Moreover, governments must pursue many have shown in recent weeks, the overall burden on government by and gowns) and ventilators. aggressive fi scal measures, including they will emerge from this crisis Around the region becoming part of the solution. Similarly, the US retailer Walmart bailouts for the most aff ected sectors having established their true value to Weather For starters, leading pharmaceutical has agreed to convert some of its stores’ (such as airlines and the cruise-ship the economies and communities they Weather tomorrow companies have redirected resources parking lots into Covid-19 testing sites. industry) and direct support for serve. – Project Syndicate today Max/min Max/min M Sunny toward the development of Covid-19 And hotels in Germany, the United workers and small businesses. In the Baghdad Sunny 28/14 27/13 Sunny diagnostics, therapeutics, and, one Kingdom, and the US have repurposed US, $2tn will now be channeled toward z Dambisa Moyo, an international Kuwait City Sunny 32/23 32/21 M Cloudy hopes, a vaccine. The Swiss health- themselves into makeshift hospitals to such measures – the single largest economist, is the author of four New Manama Cloudy 36/26 34/23 P Cloudy care giant Roche, for example, created help cope with the surge in patients. fi scal package in the country’s history. York Times bestselling books, including Muscat M Sunny 36/27 35/26 Showers the fi rst commercially approved Private companies have also Government also will be Edge of Chaos: Why Democracy Is Tehran Rain 14/10 16/08 Covid-19 test. The US Food and Drug facilitated adherence to social- instrumental in injecting liquidity Failing to Deliver Economic Growth – Administration’s decision to give the distancing and quarantine rules, into the economy to avoid a credit and How to Fix It.

Live issues Robots may become heroes in war on coronavirus Around the world Weather Weather AFP Zhao said of the humanoid robot. suspected to be infected with the virus rooms, according to director of media today Max/min tomorrow Max/min San Francisco “The smart fi eld hospital was in its isolation wards. relations Melinda Hart. Athens Sunny 22/11 Sunny 23/11 completely run by robots.” Doctors and nurses can control Xenex’s LightStrike robots have Beirut Rain 18/14 Showers 18/14 A small medical team remotely the robot by using a computer from been used in more than 500 healthcare Bangkok P Cloudy 35/28 P Cloudy 34/28 ong maligned as job-stealers controlled the fi eld hospital robots. outside the room, and can hold facilities, Hart said. “We are getting Berlin P Cloudy 16/02 P Cloudy 17/06 and aspiring overlords, Patients wore wristbands that conversations with the patient via the requests from around the world,” Cairo M Sunny 23/13 Sunny 24/13 robots are being increasingly gathered blood pressure and other screen and camera. Hart said. “In addition to hospitals, Cape Town M Sunny 20/14 S Showers 18/15 Lrelied on as fast, effi cient, vital data. The robot reduces the number of we’re being contacted by urgent care Colombo M Sunny 31/26 I T Storms 31/26 contagion-proof champions in the war The smart clinic only handled “touch points” with patients who centres, hotels, government agencies Dhaka M Sunny 37/25 M Sunny 37/24 against the deadly coronavirus. patients for a few days, but it are isolated, thereby reducing risk and pharmaceutical companies” to Hong Kong M Sunny 21/18 P Cloudy 22/15 One team of robots temporarily foreshadowed a future in which robots for healthcare workers, the hospital’s disinfect rooms. Istanbul Sunny 17/07 M Sunny 17/07 cared for patients in a makeshift tend to patients with contagious health innovation director Alexander Shark Robotics in France began Jakarta T Storm 32/25 S T Storms 33/25 hospital in Wuhan, the Chinese city diseases while healthcare workers Yip told local news channel CNA. testing a decontamination unit about Karachi Sunny 34/23 M Sunny 37/24 where the Covid-19 outbreak began. manage from safe distances. Robotic machines can also be sent a month ago and has already started London M Sunny 24/11 P Cloudy 24/11 Meals were served, temperatures Patients in hospitals in Thailand, to scan for the presence of the virus, getting orders, according to co- Manila S T Storms 33/26 S T Storms 33/26 taken and communications handled by Israel and elsewhere meet with robots such as when the Diamond Princess founder Cyril Kabbara. Moscow P Cloudy 08/-2 M Cloudy 07/-2 machines, one of them named “Cloud for consultations done by doctors via cruise ship cabins were checked for The coronavirus pandemic has New Delhi P Cloudy 35/21 Sunny 37/22 Ginger” by its maker CloudMinds, videoconference. safety weeks after infected passengers caused robotics innovation to New York Cloudy 11/03 Sunny 14/06 which has operations in Beijing and Some consultation robots even tend were evacuated, according to the US accelerate, according to Lesley Paris M Sunny 26/12 M Sunny 26/12 California. to the classic checkup task of listening Centers for Disease Control. Rohrbaugh, the director of research Sao Paulo M Sunny 24/14 P Cloudy 24/16 “It provided useful information, to patients’ lungs as they breathe. Additionally, hospitals are turning to for the US Consumer Technology Seoul P Cloudy 16/03 P Cloudy 17/03 conversational engagement, Alexandra Hospital in Singapore robots to tirelessly rid room, halls and Association. “We are in a time of Singapore P Cloudy 33/27 S T Storms 33/27 entertainment with dancing, and will use a robot called BeamPro to door handles of viruses and bacteria. need for some of this technology, so Sydney Rain 19/14 Cloudy 24/11 even led patients through stretching deliver medicine and meals to patients US fi rm Xenex has seen a surge in it seems like benefi ts outweigh costs,” Tokyo Cloudy 16/08 Clear 16/08 exercises,” CloudMinds president Karl diagnosed with Covid-19 or those demand for its robots that disinfect Rohrbaugh said. Gulf Times 16 Friday, April 10, 2020 QATAR PM visits isolation complex, medical factories Fuwairit Beach sees the fi rst nesting of endangered turtle

he Ministry of Municipal- Tity and En- vironment (MME), represented by the Environmental Pro- tection, Reserves and HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Wildlife Department, Abdulaziz al-Thani visits the isolation complex in Umm Salal (above) and has announced the one of the medical factories (left) in the Industrial Area. fi rst nesting of the endangered hawks- bill turtle at Fuwairit Beach. The nesting and the laying of 81 eggs were recorded on Tuesday, according to an MME statement. The nesting season for endangered tur- tles is monitored by 6,694 subjected to Qatar University, the MME, and Qatar Pe- troleum. The MME has been carrying out vari- ous activities at the beaches of Ras Laff an, Lehwaylah, Al Ma- The first nesting of the endangered hawksbill turtles at hotel quarantine rounah, Fuwairit, Al Fuwairit Beach. Ghariyah and Al Ma- z 3,488 people have left Praise for media nicate and reassure embassies in the paring a basic information document feer, besides Haloul, hotel quarantine countries in which they stay, and that for employers, production of aware- Sharaawah, Umm z28 hotels used for HE Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohamed in the event they need any service or ness fi lms in diff erent languages, con- Tees and Rukn islands quarantine purposes AlKhater has praised the aware- facilitation to return to Qatar, this is stant co-operation with the Ministry for turtle protection. z3,775 reports related to ness eff orts of a number of media available to all of them. of Public Health through continuous As per the pro- quarantine violations from institutions, including Qatar Media She also spoke about food security checks and the allocation of facilities ceedings, nests that March 31 until April 4 Corporation, as it has published in Qatar and said that the experience as well as their expansion and capac- are monitored will z378 violations detected about 645 awareness videos in dif- of Qatar in 2017 has benefi ted the ity enhancement to receive patients. be transferred to the since March in campaigns ferent languages and is broadcasting country a lot. HE AlKhater pointed out that the protected nests’ area by ministries daily TV programmes related to the She pointed out that Qatar is government contact centre, which at Fuwairit Beach. z2017 experience helping coronavirus crisis. ranked fi rst in the Arab world con- includes three diff erent government The MME annually Qatar in fi eld of food cerning food security and 13th in the sites and a fourth site will be added, closes Fuwairit beach security world, stressing that supplies and currently comprises about 300 em- to the public for a cer- tions are continuing in full swing, in- strategic food stocks exist and there is ployees working in the diff erent cen- tain period to facili- cluding campaigns carried out by the a relentless endeavour to enhance this tres to receive call. They provide 70 tate the nesting of the total of 6,694 people have been Ministry of Commerce and Industry strategic stock, whether by importing active electronic services in nine dif- endangered hawksbill subjected to hotel quarantine until and Ministry of Municipality and En- goods or through achieving self-suf- ferent languages round the clock with turtles. Anow, with 3,488 individuals leav- vironment that have resulted in the fi ciency in some sectors. a link to 34 government entities, not- Studies show that ing such quarantine, HE the Spokesper- detection of some 378 violations from With regard to the eff orts of all those ing that the number of calls exceeded Fuwairait is the most son for the Supreme Committee for Cri- March until now. Other initiatives in- living in Qatar, including expatriates, 340,000 with an average response common nesting area sis Management Lolwah bint Rashid bin clude fi xing the prices for selling ster- she said a campaign was launched by speed of about 11 seconds, and an av- in Qatar for hawksbill Mohamed AlKhater has said. ilisers, disinfectants and other goods, the Ministry of Administrative Devel- erage satisfaction with the service of turtles. She added that 28 hotels had been in addition to conducting inspection opment, Labour and Social Aff airs on about 90%. This may be due allocated for this purpose, the offi cial campaigns at factories to ensure their April 5 to educate employers as well as She also reviewed fi gures related to the nature of the Qatar News Agency reported. compliance with the relevant condi- expatriate workers on various proce- to e-government and the percentage place, as digging is Addressing a press conference yes- tions and establishing a hotline to re- dures in diff erent languages. of e-connectivity, as it increased to easy and the area is terday, HE AlKhater said there were ceive complaints. HE AlKhater drew attention to 83% between government agencies. also quiet — away Eggs from the first recorded nesting of the endangered 3,775 reports related to quarantine vi- With regard to nationals abroad, some of the steps taken in this frame- In the past period, more than 1,600 from buildings and hawksbill turtles have been shifted to a protected area olations from March 31 until April 4, including Qatari citizens, children, work, including continuous commu- cyberattacks were addressed in the camping sites. at Fuwairit Beach. while several calls were also received wives and husbands of Qataris, HE nication with labour representatives fi eld of cybersecurity. Also, about 34 on 999 with regard to violations of AlKhater called on them to contact of diff erent communities and diff er- terabytes of data were received on the ban on gatherings. All the reports the embassies in the countries where ent embassies in Qatar, as well as the government portals and various elec- and calls were dealt with, she added. they are located at the numbers an- adoption of a policy to protect work- tronic entities, and the communica- HE AlKhater stressed that the ef- nounced on the dedicated website. ers and reduce the spread of the coro- tion rate between diff erent entities forts of ministries and other institu- She stressed the need to commu- navirus. These are in addition to pre- increased by 20% as well.

VCUarts Qatar launches online art therapy course

irginia Commonwealth University School of practice, and will incorporate an experiential com- the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), a Qatar ponent with group discussions. VFoundation partner university, is launching The course instructor is VCUarts Qatar alumna an online course called “Foundation in Art Therapy.” Sara Powell, the founder of Atic, a psychological The course, the only one of its kind in the region, and counselling centre. is designed to appeal to anyone who is considering She has an MA specialising in Art Psychotherapy Art Therapy as a career. It will off er participants from LaSalle College of the Arts, Singapore. an opportunity to learn about the essence of Art Powell is a registered member of the professional Therapy and its implementation with diff erent cli- association for Creative Arts therapists in Australia, ent groups and populations. The online course will New Zealand and Asia. She has over nine years of take place from April 12 to April 22. clinical experience and has provided art therapy to The tutors, who are experienced local and interna- children, adolescents, adults, families, and has fa- tional art psychotherapists, will be presenting clini- cilitated a variety of groups. A marker indicated the first nesting site of the endangered hawksbill turtles at cal work from their own Art Therapy practices. “Foundation in Art Therapy” is a British Associa- Fuwairit Beach. VCUarts Qatar mulls an online Art Therapy course. The course will be a combination of theory and tion of Art Therapy accredited course. QF Equine Center inks MoU with University of Montreal

atar Foundation’s (QF) Equine Veterinary Medi- Qcal Center (EVMC) has signed a Memorandum of Un- derstanding (MoU) with the Fac- ulty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Montreal, Canada, that will enhance equine vet- erinary learning experiences and develop the veterinary student externship programme at EVMC. The aim of the agreement is to establish a partnership between EVMC and University of Mon- treal, which will see students from the university’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FMV) spend time at EVMC, taking part in clinical externships and re- search stays in the fi eld of equine veterinary medicine. In addition, the EVMC will welcome three University of Montreal students per year. Dr Florent David, surgery and sports medicine specialist at EVMC, explaining therapeutic options to prevent Dr Melissa Fenn, internal medicine specialist at EVMC, performing an ultrasound on a sick foal and explaining The students will be enrolled post-operative complications. the pathological changes observed to students. in the fi nal year of their under- graduate degree in veterinary Theoret, dean of the Faculty of to partner with the Equine Veter- quality research and exploring Awan stated that the MoU laborations to promote educa- oratory and a research and edu- medicine programme. Veterinary Medicine of the Uni- inary Medical Center. We thank innovative avenues in the fi eld was an example of EVMC imple- tion and knowledge transfer, cation department. They will have full access to versity of Montreal, signed the EVMC for opening its doors and of education are considered fun- menting the vision of QF. and make research opportunities The centre, staff ed by board- EVMC’s state-of-the-art facili- agreement. expertise to our students, allow- damental at EVMC, and this ap- “In line with QF’s eff orts to more widely accessible.” certifi ed veterinarians and re- ties, including the use of labora- Commenting on the collabora- ing them to develop their vet- proach is driven by the strategic promote educational activities, EVMC, located within Al searchers, applies advanced tory equipment. tion, Dr Theoret said: “The Fac- erinary skills in an international direction provided to us by Qatar the agreement forms part of Shaqab’s world-class equine veterinary techniques and proce- Saad Khalid Awan, acting di- ulty of Veterinary Medicine of the context.” Foundation – our parent organi- EVMC’s commitment to pursu- facilities, comprises an equine dures in the treatment of equine rector, EVMC, and Dr Christine University de Montreal is pleased Awan said: “Conducting high- sation.” ing local and international col- referral hospital, diagnostics lab- patients.