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March
Japan, Olympics Chief Agree to Postpone Tokyo Games over COVID-19
Written by Ani Hasanah
Japan's prime minister and the head of the International Olympic Committee agreed to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Games by a year.
The extraordinary move, unprecedented in peacetime, was made as the world battles the COVID-19 pandemic.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made the statement Tuesday after holding a teleconference with the Chairman of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, that this delay was needed to focus the world's attention in combating Covid-19.
"First of all, once again I confirmed with IOC's President Bach that there will be no cancellation on the Olympics or Paralympics. Furthermore as the host of Tokyo Olympics taking into consideration on current situation for the atheltes and the athletes of the world for them to be able to complete in the best environment and also for the games to be one which is safe and worry free with no spectators. I asked if it would be possible in postponing the game for approximately a year. I got an answered from president Bach that he agreed 100 percent. We agreed that we will hold the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic by the Summer 2021. We agreed to stay in close contact so that we would be able to hold the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic in it's complete form so it will be a sign that humanity has overcome the new coronavirus,"said Shinzo Abe.
The IOC has come under increasing pressure in recent days to postpone the Games, scheduled to start on Jul 24, with 1.7 billion people across the planet in lockdown to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. An IOC member, Dick Pound said this step was taken to prevent the spread of the virus to athletes.
"Our responsibility is it to everybody was the weight and make sure that there was no likelihood that the games could proceed in July this year and then take the the decision in operation with the Japanese authorities that okay the public health issues override the even something as important as the Olympic we do it will come back in the Year. Hope that the viruses under better control and we can have the Olympics as an affirmation of the idea that it doesn't matter how many times you get knocked down what's really important thing is how many times you get up and carry on? So that's what we're hoping to do and I think that will be a good message if we can do it," Dick said
Tokyo was spending some US$12.6 billion to host the Games, according to its latest budget, and experts believe a postponement could cost it about US$6 billion in the short-term before recouping it when they eventually go ahead. (CNA)
March
A teenager is in a critical condition after a roof collapsed, local media say. The spire of the city's cathedral also snapped off.
After Sunday's tremor, Zagreb's mayor urged people to return to their homes given fears about the coronavirus.
The 5.3-magnitude quake is the largest to affect the city in 140 years.
Aside from the teenager, another sixteen people were injured.
Panicked residents ran out into the streets when it struck around 06:00 local time and were initially told to stay out by authorities.
"Keep your distance. Don't gather together. We are facing two serious crises, the earthquake and the epidemic," Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said.
However Mayor Milan Bandic later said they should return home. "Eighty per cent of Zagreb residents live in structures that have reinforced concrete structures," he said.
Several buildings were damaged, including the parliament. It will be out of action until further notice. Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic described the damage as "quite extensive".
The BBC's Guy Delauney in the region says the earthquake acted as a cue for some residents to head for their holiday homes on the coast.
But by early afternoon police had closed motorway toll booths and set up control points to prevent people entering coastal districts because of fears of spreading coronavirus, our correspondent reports.
Croatia has more than 200 Covid-19 infections.
People in southern Austria and Slovenia also felt the tremor. (BBC)
March
New Zealand Announces Move to Enter Lockdown over Next 48 Hours
Written by Ani Hasanah
New Zealand said on Monday (Mar 23) it will move to its highest alert level imposing self-isolation, with all-non-essential services, schools and offices to be shut over the next 48 hours as the number of coronavirus cases more than double.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said these decisions will place the most significant restriction on New Zealanders' movements in modern history, but it was needed to save lives and slow the virus.
"We are all now preparing to go into self-isolation as a nation," Ardern said in a news conference. She added that without these measures tens of thousands of New Zealanders could die.
The number of coronavirus cases in New Zealand shot up to 102, more than double since Friday, as the country reported 36 new infections. New Zealand has had no deaths.
Ardern said the cabinet agreed that effective immediately, the country of 5 million people would move into alert level 3 nationwide, and after 48 hours it will be at the highest level 4. New Zealand has already closed its borders to foreigners.
Ardern said all bars, restaurants, cafes, gyms, cinemas, pools, museums, libraries, playgrounds and any other place where the public congregate must close their face-to-face function.
She said supermarkets, doctors, pharmacies, service stations, access to essential banking services will all be available throughout New Zealand at every alert level.
"If you do not have immediate needs, do not go to the supermarket. It will be there for you today, tomorrow, and the day after that," she added.
The move comes after neighbouring Australia, which has thousands of COVID-19 cases, started lockdown measures on Monday, but has stopped short of self-isolation. (CNA)
March
Nearly 1 in 3 Americans to Stay Home as More States Declare Coronavirus Lockdowns
Written by Ani Hasanah/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-jerseyeveningpost-mna.s3.amazonaws.com/public/T6JMUV4BLJENJGG7BK3KHCKBMU.jpg)
Nearly one in three Americans was under orders on Sunday (Mar 22) to stay home to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic as Ohio, Louisiana and Delaware became the latest states to enact broad restrictions, along with the city of Philadelphia.
The three states join New York, California, Illinois, Connecticut and New Jersey, home to 101 million Americans combined, as cases nationwide topped 33,000, with more than 415 dead, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally.
"Every piece of evidence that I can lay my hands on indicates that we're at an absolutely crucial time in this war and what we do now will make all the difference in the world," said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. "What we do now will slow this invader. It will slow this invader so our healthcare system ... will have time to treat casualties."
In the US Senate, partisan disagreement blocked a massive coronavirus response bill from advancing, with Democrats saying the Republican measure focused too heavily on helping corporations. But Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer said he believed differences could be overcome in the next 24 hours.
Ohio has 351 cases and three deaths, while Louisiana has 837 cases and 20 deaths, several in a senior-care facility. Louisiana has the third-highest number of cases per capita and saw a 10-fold increase in cases in the past week, Governor John Bel Edwards said.
Ohio's order will go into effect at midnight EDT on Monday and stay in effect until Apr 6. Louisiana's order goes into effect at 5pm CDT on Monday and lasts through Apr 12. Delaware's order starts at 8am EDT on Tuesday.
Dallas County in Texas, home to more than 2.5 million people, and Philadelphia, with 1.6 million residents, told non-essential businesses on Sunday to close and residents to stay home.
In Kentucky, non-essential businesses must close by 8pm EDT on Monday but authorities stopped short of ordering residents to stay home.
Republican US Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky on Sunday became the first member of the Senate to announce he had tested positive for the coronavirus. At least two members of the House of Representatives previously said they tested positive.
Around the globe, billions are adapting to a new reality, with countries such as Italy, Spain and France on lockdown and several South American nations taking similar measures to try to stay ahead of the contagion, as global cases exceeded 325,000 and deaths topped 14,000.
The mayor of New York City, the epicentre of the nation's coronavirus epidemic, on Sunday described the outbreak as the biggest domestic crisis since the Great Depression and called for the US military to mobilise to help keep the healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed.
"If we don't get more ventilators in the next 10 days, people will die who don't have to die," said Mayor Bill de Blasio, as the nation's most populous city saw COVID-19 cases top 9,600 and deaths climb to 63.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo urged the federal government to take over the acquisition of medical supplies so states do not have to compete with each other for desperately needed resources. (CNA)
March
Greece imposes lockdown after coronavirus infections jump
Written by Wenny ZuliantiGreece announced a lockdown on Sunday, restricting movement from Monday morning with only a few exceptions, to combat the spread of coronavirus.
"It is maybe the last step, one that must be taken promptly and not in vain," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a televised address. "We have to protect the common good, our health."
Greece confirmed 94 new cases on Sunday, its largest single-day jump, taking its total to 624, with 15 deaths, up two.
Citing Italy, which reported almost 800 new deaths on Saturday, Mitsotakis said it was his duty to prevent such a tragedy hitting Greece.
"We must not get to the point where we will have to choose who lives and who dies," he said.
Only those going to or returning from work, shopping for food or medicines or visiting a doctor will be allowed onto the streets from Monday.
Starting on March 10, Greece acted fast to gradually close schools, gyms, cinemas, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, retail shops, shopping malls, museums and archaeological sites including the Acropolis, ahead of other governments in Europe.
Public gatherings were restricted to 10 people and authorities subsequently ordered hotels across Greece to close until April 30, stepping up measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 respiratory disease.
Greeks have for the most part heeded the government's call to stay home and practice social distancing. But some opted to flee to the islands or head to their countryside homes, defying official warnings of contagion risks.
This prompted the government to ban such trips on ferries and allow them only for island residents.
Restrict the ‘frivolous few’
Mitsotakis said he would not allow a frivolous few to undermine the safety of most.
"Staying at home is essentially the most profound demonstration of our collective duty," he said.
Effective from Monday, people venturing out of their homes to head to or return form work will have to carry a completed form detailing their residence, work address and working hours or otherwise face a 150 euro fine if stopped by the police.
All other allowed reasons to be on the streets - to visit a pharmacy, doctor, bank, food store or supermarket as well as to walk a pet and for physical exercise - will require a completed form or notifying the civil protection ministry via text messaging and mentioning the reason one has to be outside.
"We do not circulate outside for no reason. We stay at home," crisis management minister Nikos Hardalias told reporters.
March
Thailand virus cases rocket to 600 as crisis fears grow
Written by Wenny ZuliantiThailand's confirmed coronavirus cases rose by a third to nearly 600, the kingdom announced Sunday, as fears of a full-blown crisis take hold in a country largely spared until now.
Thailand's health ministry announced the spike was mainly in the capital, but warned residents of Bangkok not to leave and risk spreading the virus around the country.
"We would like you to stay home. Do not travel upcountry," said health ministry official Taweesin Visanuyothin.
Southeast Asia has so far been spared the worst of the pandemic that has swept the world, confining nearly one billion to their homes and killing more than 13,000.
But that could be about to change.
With a boxing stadium and night club among the likely transmission sites, Bangkok has now imposed tough restrictions.
Virtually all public spaces have been shuttered, from shopping malls and beauty parlors to golf courses and swimming pools.
Residents packed out supermarkets over the weekend to stockpile food, fearing a full lockdown.
Transport links are also slowly being severed.
A frontier crossing point near northern city Chiang Rai saw thousands of Thai and Myanmar citizens rushing to get home before land border closures came into effect.
Bangkok Airways and Thai AirAsia have cancelled all international flights while Thai Lion Air has grounded its fleet entirely.
Yet elsewhere in the tropical tourist destination, life continued unabated with beaches in Pattaya and Phuket thronged with sun-seekers.
One doctor at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn hospital warned tougher measures were needed -- even calling for three weeks of martial law to force people to self-isolate.
The nation is "on the verge of a crisis" and heading for the Italian model, a doctor told AFP, adding hospitals are already straining under the pressure.
Meanwhile Vietnam on Saturday imposed a blanket ban on all foreigners entering the country, even though the number of confirmed cases still hovers below 100.
In under-developed Myanmar and Laos, there is increasing skepticism about claims of zero cases as fears grow for the their decrepit healthcare systems and fragile economies.
March
Postponing Olympics may become Inevitable: Japan PM Abe
Written by Ani Hasanah
Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe (wikipedia)
Postponing the 2020 Olympics "may become inevitable" if the new coronavirus outbreak makes it impossible to hold the Games safely, Japan's prime minister said on Monday (Mar 23).
Shinzo Abe told parliament that Japan was still committed to a "complete" Games, but added: "If that becomes difficult, in light of considering athletes first, it may become inevitable that we make a decision to postpone."
The comments were his first acknowledging the possibility that the Games may not open as scheduled on Jul 24 as the coronavirus continues to spread across the world. Overnight, the International Olympic Committee also shifted its tone on the Games, saying it would step up planning for different scenarios, including postponement.
"Cancellation is not an option," Abe said, echoing comments from IOC chief Thomas Bach, who ruled out scrapping the Games, saying it "would not solve any problem and would help nobody". The IOC is responsible for making any final decision on the Games, and has come under increasing pressure from athletes and sports associations worldwide as the coronavirus crisis grows.
The death toll from the coronavirus - which has upended lives and closed businesses and schools across the planet - surged to more than 14,300 Sunday, according to an AFP tally. (CNA)
March
Coronavirus: Canada Refuses to Send Athletes to Tokyo Olympics unless Games Postponed
Written by Ani Hasanah
Canada won’t be at this summer’s Tokyo Olympics unless the Games are postponed by a year.
The Canadian Olympic Committee sent out a statement Sunday evening saying it’s refusing to send a team to Tokyo unless the Games, which are scheduled to start on July 24, are pushed back by 12 months.
The COC’s statement comes amid a chorus of criticism aimed at the International Olympic Committee’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
IOC president Thomas Bach said earlier Sunday that they’d set a deadline of four weeks to determine the fate of the Games, and that the global organization is considering options including postponement.
Cancelling the Games entirely, Bach said, is not being considered. It was the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began that the IOC had admitted that it would consider other options. (Global News)
March
President Donald Trump will cancel an in-person meeting of G7 leaders at Camp David in June because of the coronavirus and will hold a video-conference instead, the White House said on Thursday. The decision comes as nations around the world seal their borders and ban travel to stop the virus’ spread. Trump held a video-conference with the leaders of the world’s major industrialized countries earlier this week and plans to repeat that in April, May and June, when the physical meeting at the presidential retreat in Maryland was scheduled to take place. White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow, who also serves as Trump’s G7 “sherpa,” has informed his counterparts about the move. The White House also informed the other G7 members that in order to continue close coordination, the President will convene the Leaders’ via video teleconference in April and May just as he did this week. The G7 is made up of the United States, Italy, Japan, Canada, France, Germany, Britain as well as the European Union//Reuters
March
Olympic flame arrives at Japan ahead of Tokyo 2020 Games
Written by nuke
The Olympic flame arrives in Japan on Friday (Mar 20), with what should have been a joyous celebration dramatically downscaled, as doubts grow over whether the Tokyo Games can go ahead during the coronavirus pandemic. Organisers have already taken the "heartbreaking" decision to pare back events surrounding the torch relay, as the world battles the virus that has killed more than 9,000 people and threatens to spark a global recession. The flame arrives on a special charter flight into Matsushima Air Base in the Japanese province of Miyagi, deliberately chosen as part of the "Recovery Olympics" to showcase the region's revival after the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown. The flame will be picked up in a special charter plane. But some 200 local children that were due to welcome the flame will be kept away as part of measures designed to halt the spread of the virus, which has infected 900 people in Japan. The relay begins on Mar 26, starting from the J-Village sports complex in Fukushima that was commandeered as a base by workers scrambling to contain the fall-out from the nuclear meltdown//CNA
