Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
US to suspend all travel from Europe for 30 days to fight COVID-19 outbreak
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WASHINGTON: The US will suspend all travel from Europe to the country for 30 days in an effort to curb the COVID-19 outbreak, said President Donald Trump on Wednesday night (Mar 11). The travel restriction will not apply to the United Kingdom, he said in a televised address. Advertisement Advertisement “To keep new cases from entering
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
PM Lee to provide update on COVID-19, to be broadcast at 8pm
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SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will be giving an update on the COVID-19 situation on Thursday (Mar 12) and it will be broadcast at 8pm, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement published on Mr Lee’s Facebook page. Mr Lee will be speaking in English, Malay and Chinese, the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
COVID-19 outbreak a ‘pandemic’, says WHO chief
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GENEVA: The World Health Organization described the new coronavirus as a pandemic for the first time on Wednesday (Mar 11), adding that Italy and Iran were now on the frontline of the disease and other countries would soon join them. “We are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity and by the
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
COVID-19: Catholic masses to remain suspended, says Archbishop of Singapore
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SINGAPORE: The Catholic Church in Singapore will continue to suspend mass in light of the rising number of COVID-19 infections, it announced on Thursday (Mar 12). “We are not helping the situation if we resume Masses at this time, simply because of the sheer numbers of Catholics packing in each service, and their fluidity in
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
Concerns over Indonesia’s apparent lack of coordination in releasing information on first COVID-19 death
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JAKARTA: The circumstances surrounding the confirmation of Indonesia’s first death linked to COVID-19 on Wednesday (Mar 11) has revealed what may be a lack of coordination among various agencies handling the outbreak. When the death of a 53-year-old COVID-19 patient was announced by the central government in a press conference, it was only told to the reporters that
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
Malaysia ex-PM Najib’s trial halted over COVID-19 scare
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KUALA LUMPUR: Disgraced Malaysian ex-leader Najib Razak’s corruption trial was halted Thursday (Mar 12) after his defence team were reportedly ordered to self-quarantine over fears about the coronavirus. Najib and his cronies are accused of looting billions of dollars from sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB)and using it to finance a global spending spree. Advertisement
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
Three teenagers arrested in relation to shopping mall spitting video
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SINGAPORE: Three teenagers were arrested for their suspected involvement in a case of public nuisance, the police said on Thursday (Mar 12). The two males and one female, aged 17 to 19, were wanted in relation to an online video of spitting at a shopping mall after the footage “caused alarm and annoyance”. Advertisement Advertisement The police
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
17 years after SARS, this quarantine order agent is back on the frontline
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SINGAPORE: When he was deployed by Certis during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003, Sergeant (Auxiliary Police Force) Gogulakanan Govindasamy was a 26-year-old bachelor who wanted to make a difference. Seventeen years later, he is a married man with three children, but his desire to help out in a crisis has not waned. Advertisement Advertisement “Now
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
COVID-19: Malaysian religious affairs minister says no need to suspend Friday prayers
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PUTRAJAYA: The COVID-19 situation in Malaysia is under control and there is no requirement for Friday prayers to be suspended, said religious affairs minister Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri on Thursday (Mar 12). He said that Friday prayers, which are obligatory for all Muslim males, should proceed with some adjustments, such as shortening the sermon. Advertisement Advertisement
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
Latin America steps up measures against coronavirus spread
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URUGUAY: Latin American countries stepped up measures to slow the advance of COVID-19 on Wednesday (Mar 11), announcing a slew of restrictions on travelers from the worst-affected countries and shutting down major sports events. Argentina, Colombia and Peru announced that travelers from China, Italy, Spain and France would be isolated on arrival. Advertisement Advertisement Argentina was the
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
MOH identifying 95 Singaporeans at mass religious event in Malaysia after COVID-19 cases confirmed: Masagos
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SINGAPORE: Singapore’s health ministry is working to identify 95 Singaporeans who attended a three-day religious event on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur last month, after Brunei reported that its first case of COVID-19 had attended the same event. The Jhor Qudamak Malaysia 2020 event took place between Feb 28 and Mar 1 at the Seri
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
Olympics: Tokyo 2020 announces opening event despite mounting COVID-19 concerns
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TOKYO: Tokyo 2020 organisers said on Thursday (Mar 12) that Japan’s softball game against Australia on Jul 22 would be the first event on the schedule, the announcement coming as concerns mount about the potential impact on the Games from the COVID-19 outbreak. The game will begin at 9am local time at the Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium with
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
Philippines’ President Duterte to undergo ‘precautionary’ COVID-19 test
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MANILA: Philippines’ President Rodrigo Duterte will be tested for COVID-19, his spokesman said Thursday (Mar 12), as two key government buildings were being disinfected over an exposure scare. The Philippines has seen a jump this week in cases, including people who recently attended events with Senate lawmakers and government officials, potentially exposing them. Advertisement Advertisement
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
China’s Hubei to lift production curbs, ease travel restrictions for some regions
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BEIJING: China’s Hubei province, epicentre of a coronavirus outbreak that emerged in its capital late last year, will allow industrial production to resume in some parts of the province and ease travel restrictions in those regions accordingly. Hubei’s health commission said in a statement on Thursday (Mar 12) that the new measures will apply to the
