Japan PM Abe says, for now, barely avoiding declaring virus emergency situation
Japan is at a precarious stage now that the government is just barely able to avoid declaring an emergency over the coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Saturday, highlighting the severity of the situation.
China’s Wuhan, where the coronavirus emerged, begins to lift its lockdown
The Chinese city of Wuhan, where the coronavirus outbreak first emerged, began lifting a two-month lockdown on Saturday by restarting some metro services and reopening borders, allowing some semblance of normality to return and families to reunite.
Philippines reports 14 new coronavirus deaths, 272 infections
The Philippine health ministry on Saturday reported 14 new coronavirus deaths and 272 additional cases, marking the country’s single largest daily increase in fatalities and infections.
Japan’s Abe warns coronavirus outbreak could worsen if people don’t take proper measures
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday requested people to refrain from non-essential meetings and said coronavirus infections could escalate if people let down their guard and don’t take proper containment measures.
Malaysia reports 159 new coronavirus cases; 2,320 in total
Malaysia reported 159 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, taking the total to 2,320, the highest in Southeast Asia.
Ireland may ease coronavirus restrictions on April 12: health minister
Ireland hopes to be in a position in two weeks to tweak or remove some of the highly restrictive measures introduced on Friday if it can slow down the rate of admission to intensive care units, Health Minister Simon Harris said.
Poland to allow postal votes for elderly, those in quarantine
Poland’s parliament passed a law early on Saturday allowing postal voting for senior citizens and those in quarantine or self-isolating as the government looks to press ahead with May presidential elections which opposition parties want postponed.
Germany will not ease shutdown until at least April 20: paper
Germany will not ease measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus before at least April 20, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s chief of staff told a German newspaper.
Number of coronavirus cases in Germany rises to 48,582: RKI
The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Germany has risen to 48,582 and 325 people have died of the disease, statistics from the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases showed on Saturday.
Australia tightens social distancing rules to fight coronavirus
Australia stepped up enforcement of social distancing rules on Saturday to contain community transmission of the novel coronavirus, implementing fines, closing beaches and threatening stricter measures if people defy pleas to stay at home.
