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(Eagle News) — The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) clarified on Thursday, March 12, that its earlier announcement of the coronavirus disease spread as a “pandemic” does not mean that countries should give up, and stressed that the COVID-19 is a “controllable pandemic.” WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that countries should instead “double down” and work on measures to control and contain the virus with the “political commitment” needed to […]
VATICAN CITY (AFP) — The Vatican on Thursday took the unprecedented step of closing all Catholic churches across Rome to stem the spread of a coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 1,000 people across Italy. The papal vicar for Rome said the churches would reopen when a broader Italian government crackdown on public gatherings expires on April 3. “The faithful are consequently exempt from their obligation to fulfill the festive precept,” a statement […]
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP)– Britain on Thursday said up to 10,000 people in the UK could be infected with the novel coronavirus, as it announced new measures to slow the spread of the outbreak. Government chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance said there were 590 confirmed cases but it was “much more likely we’ve got somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 people infected”. Britain was on a trajectory of cases “about four weeks” behind Italy and […]
(Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte advised the Filipino public not to panic amid the coronavirus disease scare as the Code Red alert sublevel 2 is declared in the country on Thursday night, March 12, allowing community quarantine in affected parts of the country. “Sa mga kababayan ko, ‘Do not panic. Huwag kayong masyadong ma-stress na parang hindi mo na magawa ang gusto mong gawin. Puede pa rin pero may mga restrictions tayo, dahil nga […]
(Eagle News)–Travel to and from Metro Manila is suspended starting March 15 to April 14 as a precaution against the novel coronavirus. President Rodrigo Duterte made the announcement on Thursday, March 12, as he revealed the country was on code red sublevel 2, “the highest as prescibed by the (World Health Organization).” “The purpose, to protect and defend you from COVID-19. The purpose of government is to see to it that things are in order,” […]
(Eagle News)–All of President Rodrigo Duterte’s foreign travels are suspended. The Presidential Security Group made the announcement on Thursday, March 12. The PSG said this was upon recommendation by the Department of Health. The PSG did not say how long the suspension would last. The PSG’s announcement came after the PSG announced it would implement a “no-touch” policy on the President as a precaution against the novel coronavirus. But the President has since then continued […]
DUBLIN, Ireland (AFP) — Ireland on Thursday announced the closure of all schools and colleges, and recommended the cancellation of mass gatherings as part of measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said “schools, colleges and childcare facilities will close from tomorrow (Friday)”, as would state-run cultural institutions. Indoor events of more than 100 people and those outdoor involving over 500 “should be cancelled”, Varadkar said in a statement […]
UPIS to hold online classes, too (Eagle News)–The University of the Philippines Diliman and the UP Integrated School will temporarily shift to online classes starting Monday, March 16, as a precaution against the novel coronavirus. UP Diliman made the announcement in a Facebook post on Thursday, March 12. UPD said all UP units will also transition to a minimal workforce starting that day. “This has been decided on after the meeting by the Office of […]
MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Spain’s equality minister has tested positive for coronavirus and has been quarantined with her partner, deputy prime minister and Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias, a government statement said Thursday. “The minister (Irene Montero) is in a good condition and second deputy prime minister Pablo Iglesias is also in quarantine due to the situation,” the statement said. “This morning, all members of the government will undergo testing,” it added, indicating the results […]
(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte underwent testing for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) along with his former aide, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, at the Bahay Pagbabago in the Malacanang grounds at around 5 p.m., Thursday, March 12, 2020. They were tested by health personnel from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) led by Director Celia Carlos. Go, earlier explained in a statement, that they decided to take the test even though they do no […]
(Eagle News)–Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta has suspended all court hearings from March 13 to 18. The SC said the suspension covers hearings in first, second and collegiate courts. The High Court said the decision was made “in furtherance of AC 26-2020 earlier issued today, upon the recommendation of the Office of the Court Administrator, based on its monitoring of the situation and consultation from executive judges, presiding judges and court personnel, including officials of the […]
Further economic cooperation also discussed (Eagle News)–President Rodrigo Duterte met with China’s Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, the Palace said on Thursday, March 12. A Palace news release said during the meeting on Wednesday in Malacañang, the President “extended the Philippines’ solidarity with China and the international community in addressing the global public health emergency.” The release said the President also “conveyed his wishes for the swift recovery of those who were injured” in […]
