Blockaded Gaza looks wryly on as world isolates itself
A sly dig at the international community, this is just one among a torrent of social media posts that has emerged from the blockaded Gaza Strip in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Panic buying forces British supermarkets to impose limits
Panic buying by British shoppers escalated on Wednesday with shelves stripped bare by alarmed customers hoarding for the coronavirus isolation, prompting Tesco and Sainsbury’s to restrict purchases.
French health minister: could hope for slowdown in coronavirus infections in 8-12 days
France could hope to start seeing a slowdown of coronavirus infections in about eight to 12 days following the government’s decision to lock down the country, health minister Olivier Veran said on Wednesday.
Japan testing for coronavirus at fraction of capacity
Japan is only using a sixth of its capacity to test for the coronavirus even as it is increasing its ability to do so, government data shows, adding to concern it is understating its outbreak and not doing enough to contain it.
South Korea to boost dollar supply to ease economic pressures
South Korea said on Wednesday it would inject more dollars into its banking system to ensure businesses have enough funding, amid concerns about the deepening global economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Pakistan urges calm as coronavirus cases surge, Sri Lanka stops flights
Pakistan’s prime minister called for calm after its tally of coronavirus cases rose to 256 while Sri Lanka sealed itself off and declared a partial curfew on Wednesday as South Asian countries tried to stem the epidemic.
Taiwan to ban entry for many foreigners in coronavirus fight
Taiwan will ban entry for many foreigners as part of coronavirus prevention measures, excluding resident permit holders, diplomats and migrant workers, the government said on Wednesday, as it battles a rise in imported cases.
Australia declares emergency, warns coronavirus crisis could last six months
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday declared a “human biosecurity emergency” and said the country’s citizens should abandon all overseas travel because of the coronavirus epidemic that he warned could last at least six months.
‘Greater than a tsunami’: Malaysia warns of coronavirus spread if curbs ignored
Malaysia warned of a fresh wave of coronavirus infections if people did not follow two-week movement restrictions that started on Wednesday after cases in the country spiked to the highest in Southeast Asia.
China says coronavirus pandemic exposed global health system’s shortcomings
China’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday that the coronavirus pandemic that has infected more than 160,000 people globally has exposed shortcomings in the global health system.
