BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Uncertainty as Hamilton eyes Investment and fi nancing Schumacher’s diversifi cation strengthens record QIIB, says Sheikh Khalid published in QATAR since 1978 TUESDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11483 March 10, 2020 Rajab 15, 1441 AH GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Qatar is a leader in risk, crisis management; no need for panic O Hypermarkets say they have adequate stocks MoCI to ensure there is no shortage By Peter Alagos The Ministry of Commerce and sanitisers. In addition, the ministry Business Reporter Industry (MoCI) has stressed that said it conducts regular inspection it is working to guarantee the campaigns to control prices and continued flow of goods, services ban monopolistic practices. Besides, ypermarkets are urging the and food supplies in the local market Qatar has a strategic storage of food public to stay calm and to avoid to meet all the requirements of the and consumer products suff icient Hpanic-buying as they have country’s inhabitants. In a series of enough for the needs of its residents. enough stocks to meet the local demand tweets yesterday, the MoCI said it has “We advise that it is important and the government is determined to been working in co-operation and to choose the suitable timing for prevent the virus from spreading. co-ordination with various entities shopping and avoid crowds. It’s The government has already taken concerned in the country to meet the advisable to buy only the needed eff ective measures, which are being re- needs of the local market, especially items as there is no need to buy large viewed and updated everyday to ensure of protective masks, gloves and quantities for storing them.” Page 2 the safety of the residents. Qatar has also proved its ability to meet greater challenges and emerged as of the suspension of classes from March fi ces in countries not aff ected by the a leader in risk and crisis management, 10,” Shanavas told Gulf Times yesterday. coronavirus, so we are also working particularly after the unjust blockade He emphasised that LuLu has enough with them to source out other goods that was imposed on the country by its stocks to provide for up to two months’ and supplies. LuLu will cater to the neighbours. need of “almost all essential items.” needs of the market at any point in LuLu regional manager Shanavas P “We have suffi cient stock for es- time,” Shanavas stressed. M said his company’s management had sential items like rice, oils, and pulses, He also urged residents to refrain from anticipated the current scenario “two among others,” Shanavas said, adding panicking, saying that its hypermarkets weeks back”. that LuLu is working with suppliers have back-up stocks and that LuLu “But the rush amongst customers to- from Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, and oth- “will not hold out any stocks” and will day may have stemmed from the deci- er African countries to further shore up not hike prices of items. “Whatever is sion to temporarily suspend fl ights to 14 its stocks. available, we will sell for the same price,” countries, as well as the announcement Residents shopping for necessities at a Doha store yesterday. “LuLu also has our international of- Shanavas pointed out. To Page 6 In brief Three more Covid-19 cases found; All schools, universities Amir congratulates to remain closed from Afghan president virus spread limited in Qatar His Highness the Amir Sheikh By Joseph Varghese today until further notice Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Staff Reporter Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and QNA The ministry has launched a dedi- HE the Prime Minister and Minister he Ministry of Public Health Doha cated, round-the-clock call centre to of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa (MoPH) announced three more answer all inquiries related to corona- bin Abdulaziz al-Thani sent cables Tcoronovirus (Covid-19) cases virus. The toll-free hotline number is of congratulations to Mohamed in Qatar yesterday, taking the total ll schools and universities in 16000. Ashraf Ghani on his inauguration as number to 18 but assured that the virus Qatar will remain closed from MoI warns against President of Afghanistan. Page 2 spread was very limited in the country. Atoday until further notice, the spreading rumours “We have identifi ed three more cases Government Communications Offi ce who had contacts with the three cases (GCO) announced yesterday. The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has Deputy Amir chairs 3rd that were tested positive on Sunday. Off icials announcing yesterday measures to contain the spread of Covid-19. In a statement, the GCO said the sus- warned the public against spreading, meeting of QU board All of them have been admitted at the PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed pension is within the eff orts and meas- publishing or circulating rumours. “In- His Highness the Deputy Amir Communicable Diseases Center under ures taken by Qatar to limit the spread volvement in spreading or circulating Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al- complete quarantine, and everyone cases announced on Sunday, proves the round the clock to answer any queries of the new coronavirus (Covid-19) and rumours is a serious off ence and may Thani, the Chairman of the Board who shared the residence with them effi ciency of the healthcare system in from the public. Qatar is following to ensure the safety of students in all expose you to legal accountability,” the of Trustees of Qatar University have been isolated,” Sheikh Dr Mo- the country. the example of developed countries in public and private educational institu- ministry said in a post on social media (QU), presided over the third hamed bin Hamad al-Thani, director of “This is proof of the effective- dealing with the coronavirus by de- tions. yesterday. meeting of the Board of Trustees Public Health Department, MoPH, told ness of public health measures in tecting the cases and isolating people if Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public The competent authorities will sum- for the academic year 2019-2020, a press conference. the country as the Ministry of Public there are confi rmed infections.We also Health has urged all residents to avoid mon those who publish and circulate which was held at the Amiri Diwan Dr Hamad Eid al-Rumaihi, direc- Health started immediately imple- provide treatment for them and there gatherings in public places and to avoid rumours and all legal measures will be yesterday. The board reviewed the tor, Department of Health Protec- menting early detection and contain- are specialised medical teams working all but essential travel at this time. “Ap- taken against them, the MoI stressed. topics on its agenda and took the tion and Prevention of Transitional ment measures of persons who were around the clock,” he said. ply measures to prevent infection as rec- “Be keen to get information from appropriate decisions thereon. Diseases, MoPH and Dr Abdullatif in contact with the positive three Sheikh Dr Mohamed stressed that ommended by the ministry on its website original sources to stay away from ru- al-Khal, head of Infectious Diseases cases. They traced all the contact the heightened surveillance system and its accounts on social media.” mours and anonymous stories.” Division, Hamad Medical Corpora- persons from Sunday’s cases at their for detecting the virus in the commu- Decree on release of tion were also present. residences and work place, screened nity helps in reducing the spread of Taliban prisoners today “We have screened about 300 peo- and put them on quarantine. The lab- Covid-19 in the country. “The spread Virus-hit ship allowed to dock Afghan President Ashraf Ghani ple who were in contact with the three oratory results were positive for only of the virus is still limited in the com- pledged yesterday to issue a decree confi rmed cases announced earlier and three of them,” he highlighted. munity. About 3,500 tests have been on the release of Taliban prisoners the latest tests detected three more Dr al-Khal also maintained that the conducted since the emergence of the today. The president also said that cases. The Central Market and a hyper- investigation and tracing are still go- disease and the total number of cases on the same day the negotiating market where the infected people are ing on and all the three admitted in infected with the virus is only 18. Qa- team will be finalised. The release of working have been closed temporarily isolation, are in good health. “Other tar’s primary healthcare, secondary up to 5,000 Taliban prisoners from and sterilised,” he explained. patients diagnosed positive over the and tertiary care and ministries are the government’s custody is part Dr al-Khal highlighted that there past few days are also in good health,” working together. We are taking sev- of the US-Taliban peace agreement were no deaths related to Covid-19 in he said. eral measures now for precautions,” that is intended to open the way Qatar. “There are rumours on several According to Dr al-Rumaihi, the he highlighted. for intra-Afghan negotiations, for platforms about Covid-19 deaths in ministry has been actively involved in The official appealed to the em- which Ghani’s administration must the country. These are absolutely false. locating all the suspected cases right bassies, community leaders and the announce a negotiating team. Do not believe any such rumours and from the early days and in providing general public to co-operate with “This negotiating team has been people must contact the ministry hot- all the necessary support for the local the efforts of the ministry so that the finalised after consultations with line for any information.