Month: March 2020
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 25, 2020
Singapore firms have begun resuming operations in China as COVID-19 outbreak eases: Chee Hong Tat
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SINGAPORE: The COVID-19 outbreak in China is “stabilising with a progressive return to normalcy”, said Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Chee Hong Tat on Wednesday (Mar 25). Many companies across China have gradually resumed their operations, while data from mid-March showed that around 80 per cent of Chinese workers have returned to
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 25, 2020
Indians scramble for supplies as three-week coronavirus lockdown begins
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NEW DELHI/BENGALURU: Indians crowded grocery stores and chemists on Wednesday (Mar 25) in a struggle for essential items after Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered a total lockdown for three weeks to fight a coronavirus pandemic, one of the toughest such measures worldwide. India’s tally of 536 cases and 10 deaths is dwarfed by China, Italy
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 25, 2020
US Congress, negotiators reach deal on US$2 trillion COVID-19 aid package
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WASHINGTON: US senators and Trump administration officials have reached an agreement on a massive economic stimulus bill to alleviate the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak, White House official Eric Ueland said early on Wednesday (Mar 25). “We have a deal,” Ueland told reporters after days of negotiations on the package, expected to be worth US$2
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 25, 2020
Indonesia’s health system on the brink as coronavirus surge looms
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JAKARTA: Indonesia has a significant deficit in hospital beds, medical staff and intensive care facilities as health experts warn that it is primed to become a new epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic, according to data reviewed by Reuters. Health experts say Indonesia faces a surge in coronavirus cases after a slow government response masked the
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 25, 2020
COVID-19: Singapore, Malaysia discuss protocols for transferring symptomatic travellers
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SINGAPORE: Singapore and Malaysia discussed entry screening measures and protocols for transferring symptomatic passengers detected at their respective checkpoints in a virtual meeting on Tuesday (Mar 24). The second Singapore-Malaysia Joint Working Group meeting, which was held via video-conference, saw both sides giving an update on the COVID-19 situation in their respective countries. Advertisement Advertisement
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 25, 2020
Stop the clock: Japan awakes to reality of Tokyo Games postponement
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TOKYO: Japan awoke on Wednesday (Mar 25) to the deflating reality that the Olympics they had hoped to host in Tokyo this summer were now probably 16 months away after the coronavirus crisis forced organisers into an unprecedented postponement. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Japanese government finally succumbed to intense pressure from athletes and
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 25, 2020
Industry races to meet demand for ventilators
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PARIS: Manufacturers are on a mission to produce desperately needed medical ventilators for the coronavirus pandemic, even if it means converting assembly lines now making auto parts. Along with a shortage of masks and gloves, the spread of COVID-19 to almost every corner of the globe has highlighted a great need for specialised machines that help
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 25, 2020
Australian charged over ‘prank’ coronavirus cough on police
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SYDNEY: An Australian man has been charged over a “prank” in which he coughed on a police officer on purpose while pretending he was infected with the new coronavirus as a friend filmed the incident, authorities said. The man, aged 21, went into a police station at Coffs Harbour, a coastal city about 525km north of
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 25, 2020
One third of humanity under COVID-19 lockdown
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NEW DELHI: India’s billion-plus population went into a three-week lockdown on Wednesday (Mar 25), with a third of the world now under orders to stay indoors, as the coronavirus pandemic forced Japan to postpone the Olympics until next year. Financial markets soared after a catastrophic month as the US Congress looked set to pass a
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 25, 2020
Some MRT stations on East-West, North-South lines to close early for renewal works
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SINGAPORE: Some stations along the East-West and North-South lines will close early between April and June for maintenance and renewal works, said SMRT on Wednesday (Mar 25). In April, four MRT stations on the East-West Line from Bedok to Paya Lebar will close earlier at about 11pm on Apr 3, Apr 4, Apr 17, Apr 18, Apr 24 and
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 25, 2020
Singapore, 6 other countries committed to maintaining open supply chains: Joint statement
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SINGAPORE: Singapore and six other countries on Wednesday (Mar 25) issued a joint ministerial statement highlighting their commitment to maintaining open supply chains amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The joint statement, which was issued by ministers from Singapore, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Myanmar and New Zealand, recognised the “mutual interest” between countries in ensuring trade
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 25, 2020
Police officer gets jail for taking cash from wallets that were returned at police station
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SINGAPORE: A police officer who was entrusted to collect lost-and-found wallets at a police station filched the cash inside and used it for his own expenses instead. For one count of criminal breach of trust by a servant, 24-year-old Isaac Lim Jun Cheng was jailed for three months on Wednesday (Mar 25). Advertisement Advertisement The
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 25, 2020
COVID-19 temporary measures: Gatherings outside of school and work limited to 10 people, entertainment venues to close
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SINGAPORE: Gatherings outside school and work will be limited to a maximum of 10 people from Thursday at 11.59pm to Apr 30 this year, the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force said on Tuesday (Mar 24). The task force said that the duration of the stricter measures may be extended if the situation here does not improve.
Commentary: Parents, working from home need not be a hair-splitting experience
Commentary Commentary While the desire for parents working from home may be to stick to routine working hours, some flexibility may be essential, says Ruchi Sinha. A woman working from home. (Photo: Pixabay) 25 Mar 2020 12:37PM(Updated: 25 Mar 2020 12:40PM) Bookmark ADELAIDE: It’s hard enough juggling a job with parenthood when you’ve got young