jerusalempost--2020-03-10--Police to step up enforcement, ensure people stay in quarantine

נגיף קורונה: רה"מ נתניהו ביקר במוקד הארצי של מד"א בקריית אונו ב-27 בפברואר. באותו הזמן שהה שם עובד מד"א שהתגלה שחלה בקורונה. מלשכת ראש הממשלה נמסר שנתניהו לא בבידוד. גורמים במד"א ובמשרד ראש הממשלה טוענים שרה"מ היה במרחק של יותר משני מטרים מאותו חולה@hadasgrinberg #חדשותהערב pic.twitter.com/Gm2zquYQkv — כאן חדשות (@kann_news) March 10, 2020
A total of 77 Israelis have been infected with the novel coronavirus, the Health Ministry said on Wednesday, confirming a second case of "unknown origin" and increasing fears of widespread local transmission.The vast majority of individuals who tested positive (63) have been hospitalized, with one in a serious condition, another seven were en route to being hospitalized, three were being treated at home and three had already recovered and were released.Police and the Health Ministry said Tuesday that they have set up dedicated task forces composed of police officers and inspectors to prevent the spread of the virus . The teams will ensure that all people in isolation comply with the ministry’s guidelines, a statement explained.Police will have access to data about the comings and goings of civilians in and out of the country through the Interior Ministry to help them track travelers and check up on them. “We appeal to the public and seek to heed the instructions of the Health Ministry on this issue, as ignoring them disrupts the national effort to combat the virus outbreak and its spread in Israel,” the Police said. “We urge the public to act with restraint and responsibility.”The Police emphasized that so far, “the vast majority of those in isolation obey orders and exercise civil responsibility.”The Health Ministry further expanded its restrictions on the public as well on Thursday, forbidding community events of more than 2,000 people. Previously, the ministry allowed up to 5,000 people to gather.“This number is expected to be updated as the situation develops,” the ministry said in a statement.Moreover, the Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services Ministry joined efforts to stop the spread of the potentially lethal coronavirus, and will now not allow family members and acquaintances to enter government nursing homes; only essential visitors will be allowed. Family visits can only take place outside the facilities.In addition, all the out-of-home frameworks under the ministry’s supervision were instructed to prepare isolation complexes for individuals who live alone and might become in need of assistance. The ministry also froze the hiring of workers from abroad for welfare settings.“The Health Ministry recommends that the elderly population, especially those elderly with preexisting conditions or weakened immune systems, reduce contact with others as much as possible,” a ministry statement said.“You want to go visit grandma or grandpa and you don’t feel well or you just came back from abroad? Don’t go. You are putting them in danger,” director general of the Health Ministry Moshe Bar Siman Tov said in an interview with Channel 12.He said that the ministry expects the number of people infected to continue to rise. At press time, the number of infected Israelis stands at 64; ministry experts are conjecturing the number will hit 100 by the weekend.As of Tuesday night, the ministry disseminated information about most of the new patients by press time, No. 51 through 65, who contracted the potentially lethal virus by various means.Patient No. 51, from Israel’s southern region, is the first patient to have returned to the country from Azerbaijan. He landed home on February 27.Patient No. 52 is in his 80s from Ma’aleh Adumim. He was in contact with patient No. 28, a 60-year-old man from Jerusalem, who was in contact with a coronavirus patient from France who was in the city last week.Patients No. 53 and 58 are both from central Israel. No. 53 is in his 40s and returned to Israel from Munich on February 27. No. 58 recently traveled to Austria. The man returned to Israel on March 7 and immediately entered quarantine. The Health Ministry described him as in good health.Patients No. 54 and 55 are in their mid-30s. They returned to Israel from Germany on March 6 and have been in isolation since.Patient No. 56 is a 66-year-old individual from Jerusalem who was in close contact with a known patient, and patient No. 57 is an individual in his 30s who also came in contact with someone who has the virus.Patient No. 59 is a 60-year-old man from the southern region. He returned from Spain on March 2.Patient No. 60 is a 29-year-old male from Jerusalem who was on a flight back to Israel on March 5 that made stops throughout Europe.Patient No. 61 is also in his 60s. He is from central Israel and traveled back to Israel from Zurich on March 4.Patient No. 62 is a 68-year-old from northern Israel who traveled to Spain for vacation, returning February 29. The IDF confirmed he is a career solider.Patient No. 63 is in his 40s. He returned to Israel from Austria on March 6 and has been in quarantine since.Patient No. 64 is 29 and recently returned to Israel from Madrid. He has been in isolation ever since.Patient No. 65 is in his 30s from central Israel and returned to the country from France on March 7.Patient No. 66 is 9-years-old from Tel Aviv who returned to Israel from Madrid on March 2.Patient No. 67 is a man in his 60's from Gush Etzion who contracted the virus from a known patient in the US, and returned to Israel from New York on March 2.Patients No. 68-69 are both from southern Israel who returned to the country from France on March 8.Patient No. 70 is a man in his 40's from the Jordan Valley who returned to Israel from Austria via Germany on March 7.THE NEWLY diagnosed patients were announced less than a day after the government released a set of new restrictions on the country, including that all people entering Israel from abroad will be required to spend 14 days in home isolation.“After a day of complex discussions, we have made a decision: Whoever arrives in Israel from abroad will enter quarantine for 14 days,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement Monday. “This is a difficult decision, but it is essential to maintaining public health, which takes precedence over everything.”He said that the decision will be in effect for two weeks and then will be re-evaluated.On Tuesday, the prime minister also sent out a message to the public, this time about supplies.“Regarding supplies, most supplies to the State of Israel come by sea – products, raw materials, all these things, including food. Almost all food comes by sea so there is no reason to storm the supermarkets,” the prime minister said. “There is more than enough food, and there will be more than enough food. Regarding supplies by air, we are taking all steps and measures at our disposal to ensure that here, too, there will be an orderly supply by air to Israel.”So far, Israel knows the epidemiology of all of the people diagnosed except one, patient No. 29, who works for Magen David Adom. On Monday, days after he was diagnosed with coronavirus, his wife and two children were announced to have contracted it, too.The family is from the small settlement of Einav, where the wife works as a preschool teacher. As a result, more than 100 people, including 33 toddlers, were instructed on Tuesday to go into quarantine.There are two people that the country is already expecting to land this week and to enter quarantine after spending more than a month in isolation in a military hospital outside of Tokyo. They were the first Israelis to be diagnosed with coronavirus while aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship – Oded and Rochela Ofarim from Kibbutz Givat Hashlosha.A spokesperson for the couple said that they have been confirmed to be healthy by Japan’s medical officials and will soon leave the Asian country. However, as noted, in accordance with Health Ministry guidelines, the couple will still have to enter home-isolation for 14 days upon arrival back in Israel.Two other Israelis had also been treated at the military hospital, but were released earlier this month.AS THE virus continues to spread around the world – according to the latest numbers at press time there are 116,000 people who have been diagnosed with coronavirus – Knesset leaders are calling on factions to come together to tackle the crisis.“Israel is experiencing a health crisis that cannot be appropriately managed without parliamentary oversight,” said MK Avi Nissenkorn on Tuesday, noting that the Blue and White Party that he represents is working to establish a parliamentary committee to deal with coronavirus as soon as the plenary convenes this coming Monday.“This worsening crisis requires all Knesset members to put politics aside and to work together for the health of Israeli citizens and the protection of our economy,” Nissenkorn said. “I call upon all faction heads to support this initiative.”On the same day, Prof. Avishai Ellis, secretary of the Internal Medicine Association, echoed Nissenkorn’s sentiments in a letter that he penned to Netanyahu and Blue and White head Benny Gantz, asking them to “put aside political disputes at a time like this and work together to establish a Knesset Health Committee next week!”The Knesset plenary is scheduled to come together next Monday, March 16, for its swearing in ceremony. Due to the spread of the coronavirus, media has been uninvited to the event. In addition, families and other supporters were asked not to attend due to the threat of infection.


jerusalempost--2020-03-10--Liberman meets with Blue and White cockpit

Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman met on Tuesday evening with the entire Blue and White cockpit of Benny Gantz , @ @ @ @ @ and Gabi Ashkenazi .
They reported progress toward forming a government and avoiding a fourth @ @ @ @ @ back from the meeting to his Yisrael Beytenu faction on Wednesday .

Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman met on Tuesday evening with the entire Blue and White cockpit of Benny Gantz, Yair Lapid, Moshe Yaalon and Gabi Ashkenazi.
They reported progress toward forming a government and avoiding a fourth election. Liberman will report back from the meeting to his Yisrael Beytenu faction on Wednesday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-10--Health Ministry reduces gatherings to 2,000 people amid coronavirus fear

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jerusalempost--2020-03-10--Fifth AIPAC attendee tested postive for coronavirus

A Montreal area MP, Anthony Housefather, announced he entered self-isolation after attending AIPAC's conference, CTV News reported.In fact, he said he was informed that someone from Toronto, who also attended the conference, tested positive for the coronavirus. “Toronto Public Health has to do tracing of that individual and so we were advised to stay at home await their recommendation. Out of an abundance of caution, I am self-isolating at home awaiting further instruction from Toronto Public Health officials," he added.That man would be the fifth coronavirus case identified from AIPAC.Furthermore, Toronto’s Beth Sholom Synagogue announced it will be entirely closed March 9 and 10 after one of its lay leaders who attended the AIPAC conference was tested positive for the coronavirus, Haaretz reported.


jerusalempost--2020-03-10--Jordan bars entry from West Bank, Israel, Iraq, Egypt due to coronavirus

Jordan on Tuesday closed border crossings with Israel and the West Bank and its seaports to shipping from Egypt as @ @ @ @ @ traffic from Iraq to protect the kingdom from coronavirus , the health minister said .
@ @ @ @ @ travel to Lebanon and Syria and from Monday will bar entry to travellers from France @ @ @ @ @ Saad Jaber told a news conference .
Jordan announced earlier this month that a man @ @ @ @ @ flight from Italy had tested positive for coronavirus , the first case confirmed in the @ @ @ @ @ not announced any new cases .

Jordan on Tuesday closed border crossings with Israel and the West Bank and its seaports to shipping from Egypt as well as barred overland passenger traffic from Iraq to protect the kingdom from coronavirus, the health minister said.
The government has also banned travel to Lebanon and Syria and from Monday will bar entry to travellers from France, Germany and Spain, Saad Jaber told a news conference.
Jordan announced earlier this month that a man who had arrived on a flight from Italy had tested positive for coronavirus, the first case confirmed in the country. Jordanian authorities have not announced any new cases.


jerusalempost--2020-03-10--Coronavirus: sixth person dies in UK

Coronavirus: sixth person dies in UK

The death toll in the United Kingdom from the coronavirus outbreak has risen to six, British health officials said on Tuesday.The latest death comes as the health ministry said the number of people who had tested positive for the virus had risen to 373 from 319.The patient, who died on Monday evening, was being treated at Watford General Hospital, north of London, and had tested positive for COVID-19.He was in his early 80s and had underlying health conditions, health officials said."It appears the virus was acquired in the UK and full contact tracing has begun," Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, said in a statement.


jerusalempost--2020-03-10--Vatican closes St. Peter's Square, Basilica to tourists due to coronavirus

St. Peter's Square and St. Peter's Basilica have been closed to tourists and guided groups because of coronavirus but individual members of the faithful can enter the basilica to pray, the Vatican said on Tuesday.A statement said the Vatican would also be closing its post office in the square, which draws many tourists, as well as its bookstore and photo service. A cafeteria inside the Vatican for employees would also close. All measures will remain in effect until April. 3.


jerusalempost--2020-03-10--Three new coronavirus cases diagnosed in Bethlehem

Three new coronavirus cases had been diagnosed in Bethlehem, bringing the total of Palestinian patients to 29, with 28 in Bethlehem and one more in Tul Karem.


jerusalempost--2020-03-10--Iran should release all prisoners amid coronavirus: UN

The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran said on Tuesday that he had asked the country to release all prisoners temporarily, saying that it is "unfortunate and disturbing" to have political prisoners detained amid the coronavirus outbreak."A number of dual and foreign nationals are at real risk if they have not...got it (coronavirus) they are really fearful of the conditions," Javaid Rehman told journalists in Geneva."This is also my worrying concern and therefore I have recommended to the state of the Islamic Republic of Iran to release all prisoners on temporary release...," he said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-10--Morocco reports first coronavirus death

Morocco reports first coronavirus death

Morocco's health ministry confirmed on Tuesday the country's first death from coronavirus in Casablanca, as its overall number of new infections rose to three.The dead patient, who entered Morocco from Italy's Bologna, is an 89-year-old Moroccan woman suffering from respiratory and heart diseases, the ministry said in a statement.Morocco canceled all trips to and from Italy and banned fans from attending football matches, canceled events involving foreign travelers and gatherings of more than 1,000 people as precautionary measures to avert an outbreak of the virus.


jerusalempost--2020-03-10--Ben-Gurion Airport train station to close from Wednesday

The train station servicing Ben-Gurion airport will be closed to general passengers from Wednesday .
Only people who work at @ @ @ @ @ of air-crews will be allowed to use it , upon showing their permits .
Those @ @ @ @ @ on a domestic flight will also be able to use the train , providing they @ @ @ @

The train station servicing Ben-Gurion airport will be closed to general passengers from Wednesday. Only people who work at the airport or are members of air-crews will be allowed to use it, upon showing their permits.
Those who land at the airport on a domestic flight will also be able to use the train, providing they show their airline tickets


jerusalempost--2020-03-10--Harvard to move to virtual classes amid coronavirus outbreak

The university 's goal is to complete the transition by March 23 , it added in the statement posted on @ @ @ @ @ are transitioning over the course of the next few days to non-essential gatherings of no @ @ @ @ @ '' the university said

Harvard University asked its students on Tuesday not to return to campus after Spring Break and said it would begin moving to virtual instruction for graduate and undergraduate classes amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The university's goal is to complete the transition by March 23, it added in the statement posted on its website.
"We are transitioning over the course of the next few days to non-essential gatherings of no more than 25 people," the university said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-10--Attempted stabbing at Jerusalem police station

Police are reporting an attempted stabbing at the Shalem police station.The suspect pulled out a knife with intent to wound the border police stationed at the Shalem police station. The police managed to grab the knife from the suspect's hand before he was able to harm anyone. There were no casualties.This is a developing story.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--WTA cancels events in Mexico, Colombia due to coronavirus

The 125K series hardcourt tournament in Guadalajara was scheduled for next week while the claycourt event in Bogota , which @ @ @ @ @ international category , was set to start on April 6 .

The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) said on Thursday that upcoming events in Mexico and Colombia will not be held because of international border closures and travel restrictions due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The 125K series hardcourt tournament in Guadalajara was scheduled for next week while the claycourt event in Bogota, which falls in the WTA's international category, was set to start on April 6.
"We are disappointed these events cannot be held, but health and safety will always come first," the WTA said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--Terrorists shoot and hit a vehicle in West Bank

The shooter apparently fired 12 bullets at the car .
No injuries were reported .
Upon being hit the bullets @ @ @ @ @ towards the settlement , where the driver notified IDF forces in the area .

The shooter apparently fired 12 bullets at the car. No injuries were reported. Upon being hit by the bullets, the car continued onward towards the settlement, where the driver notified IDF forces in the area.
Terrorist shot at and hit a passenger vehicle in the West Bank early Friday morning, occuring at an intersection near the settlement of Binyamin.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--Arsenal manager Arteta tests positive for coronavirus

The club 's Hale End training center has been temporarily closed .

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has tested positive for the coronavirus, the Premier League club said on Thursday, with the first-team squad set to self-isolate as a result.
The club's Hale End training center has been temporarily closed.
"Arsenal personnel who had recent close contact with Mikel will now self-isolate in line with Government health guidelines. We expect this to be a significant number of people from Colney, including the full first-team squad and coaching staff," Arsenal said in a statement.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--US carrying out retaliatory strikes after deadly Iran attack

The officials , speaking on condition of anonymity , did not provide details on the targets being struck or name @ @ @ @ @ But the Pentagon earlier on Thursday squarely blamed Iran-backed militia for Wednesday 's attack , @ @ @ @ @ .
One of the officials said the U.S. response would be proportional to that Wednesday @ @ @

The United States is carrying out retaliatory strikes in Iraq in response to a rocket attack on Wednesday that killed two U.S. troops and a British service member at a base north of Baghdad, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Thursday.
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, did not provide details on the targets being struck or name the groups being targeted. But the Pentagon earlier on Thursday squarely blamed Iran-backed militia for Wednesday's attack, which also wounded 14 people.
One of the officials said the U.S. response would be proportional to that Wednesday rocket attack.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--Iranian leader's top advisor diagnosed with coronavirus

DUBAI - A top adviser to Iran's utmost authority Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been infected with the new coronavirus, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Thursday."Ali Akbar Velayati, who also is the head of Tehran's Masih Daneshvari hospital, had contacts with many coronavirus patients in past few weeks. He has been infected and is under quarantine now," Tasnim reported.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls for emergency unity government

The first conversation between Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz started off on the wrong foot late Thursday @ @ @ @ @ said an emergency unity government was needed to deal with the coronavirus crisis .
A @ @ @ @ @ said Gantz offered to have his party 's negotiating team meet with the Likud 's @ @ @ @ @ respond .
The Likud 's statement said Netanyahu offered to meet with Gantz personally , @ @ @ @ @ .
The also disagreed about what parties should be in such a government .
Gantz @ @ @ @ @ will be in the next Knesset that will be sworn in on Monday .
Netanyahu @ @ @ @ @ of Arab parties .
`` Terror supporters can not be part of the government , @ @ @ @ @ in an emergency , '' Netanyahu told Gantz , according to the Likud .

The first conversation between Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz started off on the wrong foot late Thursday night, hours after Netanyahu said an emergency unity government was needed to deal with the coronavirus crisis.
A statement by Blue and White said Gantz offered to have his party's negotiating team meet with the Likud's immediately but Netanyahu did not respond. The Likud's statement said Netanyahu offered to meet with Gantz personally, but he did not respond.
The also disagreed about what parties should be in such a government. Gantz said all eight parties that will be in the next Knesset that will be sworn in on Monday. Netanyahu ruled out the Joint List of Arab parties.
"Terror supporters cannot be part of the government, not in normal times or in an emergency," Netanyahu told Gantz, according to the Likud.
An emergency unity government is needed to deal with the coronavirus crisis, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday.At a press conference in Jerusalem, he called for “putting politics aside” and “focusing only on the health and the lives of the citizens of Israel.”Such a government could save thousands of lives and therefore must be formed immediately, Netanyahu said. After the press conference, he invited Blue and White leader Benny Gantz to meet with him as early as Thursday night.Gantz accepted Netanyahu’s request to speak about a unity government. But he conditioned it on all eight factions in the Knesset joining a wide coalition, including the Joint List of Arab parties. The Joint List is expected to reject the offer to join the government under Netanyahu.President Reuven Rivlin offered to facilitate meetings of Netanyahu and Gantz. He volunteered to help them bring about a consensus as soon as possible.Earlier Thursday, Yamina chairman Naftali Bennett, Shas head Arye Deri and Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman called for a national unity government.“Unite now, fight later,” Bennett said at a Tel Aviv press conference. He proposed passing a bill to freeze the current political situation for six months.Liberman suggested a government of only Likud and Blue and White to deal with the coronavirus crisis in an interview with Russian-language Channel 9 on Thursday.Other factions should support the government from outside the coalition at first and take no posts, he said.Likud and Blue and White will have 69 seats in the new Knesset that will be sworn in on Monday.Deri called upon Netanyahu and Gantz to overcome their differences and form a “national emergency government” under Netanyahu.Deri and Bennett will make that recommendation to Rivlin on Sunday when representatives of the eight parties in the new Knesset meet with him. But Liberman’s recommendation remained unclear.“There is no other way of dealing with this challenge other than a large emergency government with a wide national consensus, and we must do that because there unfortunately is no other government,” Deri told Army Radio. “Otherwise, it is going to another election, which would be crazy in our situation.”Netanyahu frequently seeks the political advice of Deri, who is one of the most experienced politicians in Israel. The Shas leader was the first politician Netanyahu met with after the March 2 election.Deri criticized Gantz for continuing to seek a minority government, for seeking to unseat Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein and for Blue and White’s bill that would make it illegal for an indicted MK to form a government and serve as prime minister.This is not the time to play games, he said.Labor leader Amir Peretz refused to answer questions on Thursday about a unity government led by Netanyahu. He avoided the questions by instead ruling out backing a right-wing government.“I am continuing to invest all my efforts to form a government of change and hope led by Benny Gantz,” Peretz said. “I said before the election that I would support a minority government backed by the Joint List, and I have no intention of supporting a narrow, right-wing government headed by Netanyahu.”Gesher leader Orly Levy-Abecassis did not attend Thursday’s Labor-Gesher-Meretz faction meeting, though she was invited. Sources in Labor-Meretz said they were sure she had made a deal to serve in a government under Netanyahu.Levy-Abecassis requested her own meeting with Rivlin on Sunday. His office said he would consider the request.Earlier, in a meeting of Labor’s executive committee, eight of 15 committee members called on Peretz not to recommend any candidate to Rivlin and leave all options open, including negotiating with Likud. But Peretz rejected the committee’s recommendation.The four parties that make up the Joint List will convene their institutions over the weekend to determine whether they will all recommend to Rivlin that Gantz form the government. The Hadash Party of Joint List leader Ayman Odeh was set to meet Thursday night, while other parties will meet on Saturday.In what could be a setback for Gantz, MK Said al-Harumi said without a commitment to end demolitions of illegally built homes, his United Arab List Party, which is part of the Joint List, cannot recommend Gantz to Rivlin.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--Brazil communications secretary, who met Trump, has coronavirus

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's communications secretary, Fabio Wajngarten, has been diagnosed with coronavirus following a second confirmatory test, the presidency's communications office said on Thursday.Wajngarten accompanied Bolsonaro on a recent trip to the US and posted a photograph on Instagram standing next to Donald Trump. In the statement, Brazil said it had already notified US authorities of the positive test.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--First person dies from coronavirus in Norway, PM says

OSLO - Norway on Thursday recorded its first death from the coronavirus , Prime Minister Erna Solberg told broadcaster NRK @ @ @ @ @ case of the virus was confirmed on Feb. 26 , the total number of infected @ @ @ @ @ as of Wednesday .

OSLO - Norway on Thursday recorded its first death from the coronavirus, Prime Minister Erna Solberg told broadcaster NRK.
Since Norway's first case of the virus was confirmed on Feb. 26, the total number of infected people had risen to 621 as of Wednesday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--FALSE ALARM: Red Alert in Gaza Border Community Reim

Air siren was sounded on Thursday evening at the Gaza Border community of Reim, however this has been reported to be a false alarm.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--Bennett’s press conference cancelled when photographers walk out

A press conference held by Defense Minister Naftali Bennett on Thursday was cancelled when cameramen were angered due to the intense security check-ups they were subjected to and walked away.Media professionals allege that the measures are extreme and seem motivated by the desire to humiliate them and not to ensure the safety of any of the top officials present at such events.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--India reports first death from coronavirus

NEW DELHI - A 76-year-old man became the first person in India to die from coronavirus , a state health @ @ @ @ @

NEW DELHI - A 76-year-old man became the first person in India to die from coronavirus, a state health minister said on Thursday.
B Sriramulu, the health minister of Karnataka state, said in a tweet that authorities were currently carrying out contact tracing, isolation and other measures related to the case


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--Roughly 5,000 tour guides lose their jobs due to coronavirus

As of Thursday, the Israel Incoming Tour Operators Association [IITOA] reported it is totally shut down. Roughly 800 of its workers have been fired or sent on unpaid leave. Another third is expected to be fired next week. In addition, 4,000 tour guides are currently not working due to the new health measures taken to protect the nation from coronavirus.CEO of IITOA Yosi Patel called on the administration to declare emergency regulations and offer the association aid to ensure it will be able to sustain incoming tourism to the country when the outbreak is over.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--Air France says will keep flying to U.S. despite travel curbs

PARIS - Air France said on Thursday it will keep flying to the United States despite sweeping restrictions on travel @ @ @ @ @ earlier by U.S. President Donald Trump .
The airline said in a statement that it @ @ @ @ @ new U.S. entry restrictions , which the airline said will go into force as of @ @ @ @ @ 14 to 28 March included , Air France plans to continue operations to Atlanta , @ @ @ @ @ Angeles , New York JFK , San Francisco and Washington .
It added that it @ @ @ @ @ authorities on the possibility of continuing services to Miami , Boston and Houston .

PARIS - Air France said on Thursday it will keep flying to the United States despite sweeping restrictions on travel from Europe announced a day earlier by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The airline said in a statement that it had taken note of the new U.S. entry restrictions, which the airline said will go into force as of March 14.
From March 14 to 28 March included, Air France plans to continue operations to Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York JFK, San Francisco and Washington. It added that it is awaiting clarification from U.S. authorities on the possibility of continuing services to Miami, Boston and Houston.
The airline said it is working with partners KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic on how to continue services to the United States for its customers beyond March 28.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--Canadian President Trudeau self-quarantines after wife shows flu symptoms

OTTAWA - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie have isolated themselves after she experienced flu-like symptoms and was tested for the coronavirus, on official statement said on Thursday."The doctor's advice to the Prime Minister is to continue daily activities while self-monitoring, given he is exhibiting no symptoms himself. However, out of an abundance of caution, the Prime Minister is opting to self-isolate and work from home until receiving Sophie's results," it said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--Six-month-old baby diagnosed with coronavirus in Israel

A six-month-old Israeli baby has been diagnosed with coronavirus, according to Israel's Channel 13.This is a developing story.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--Philippines puts capital on lockdown due to coronavirus fears

Duterte approved a resolution allowing a raft of measures including bans on mass gatherings , a month of school closures and community quarantining , and threatened to jail local officials who defied government orders .
The firebrand leader , who underwent a test himself on Thursday due to possible exposure , said the measures would include banning foreigners traveling from countries with domestic transmissions from entering the Philippines .
It follows confirmation on Saturday of the Philippines ' first domestic transmission of the virus , and a subsequent rise in cases daily to 52 , among those five deaths , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We do not want to use that ( term ) .
But it is a lockdown , '' Duterte said in a televised announcement .
`` There is no struggle of power here .
It is a matter of defending and protecting you from COVID-19 . ''
The curbs on travel and scope for mass quarantining would be among the strictest domestic coronavirus restrictions outside China and Italy , which have combined more than 90,000 confirmed cases .
Duterte last week attended the same event as an official who later tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result on Saturday .
Six cabinet ministers , 16 lawmakers , six Manila mayors and the central bank governor were undergoing self-quarantine as a precaution .
Despite having relatively few confirmed infections , health authorities are keen to halt the spread of the virus , having last year dealt with major outbreaks of dengue and measles , and the first cases of polio in two decades .
The biggest concern is Manila , an urban sprawl of 16 cities fused together , known for its overcrowded slums , limited open spaces and horrendous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 13 million , but the real number is believed to be far greater due to unchecked migration and millions of informal settlers .
The resolution advises quarantining urban communities where there are confirmed cases in two separate households , and extending that to municipalities and cities where there are outbreaks in different districts .
Duterte said it was possible the measures `` could create public disturbances or disorder , '' but hoped people would see sense .

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday announced strict immigration curbs and a halt on domestic land, sea and air travel to and from Manila, in what he called a "lockdown" of the capital to arrest the spread of coronavirus.
Duterte approved a resolution allowing a raft of measures including bans on mass gatherings, a month of school closures and community quarantining, and threatened to jail local officials who defied government orders.
The firebrand leader, who underwent a test himself on Thursday due to possible exposure, said the measures would include banning foreigners traveling from countries with domestic transmissions from entering the Philippines.
It follows confirmation on Saturday of the Philippines' first domestic transmission of the virus, and a subsequent rise in cases daily to 52, among those five deaths, resulting in the Manila lockdown.
"We do not want to use that (term). But it is a lockdown," Duterte said in a televised announcement.
"There is no struggle of power here. It is a matter of defending and protecting you from COVID-19."
The curbs on travel and scope for mass quarantining would be among the strictest domestic coronavirus restrictions outside China and Italy, which have combined more than 90,000 confirmed cases.
Duterte last week attended the same event as an official who later tested positive for the coronavirus, and would know his result on Saturday. Six cabinet ministers, 16 lawmakers, six Manila mayors and the central bank governor were undergoing self-quarantine as a precaution.
Despite having relatively few confirmed infections, health authorities are keen to halt the spread of the virus, having last year dealt with major outbreaks of dengue and measles, and the first cases of polio in two decades.
The biggest concern is Manila, an urban sprawl of 16 cities fused together, known for its overcrowded slums, limited open spaces and horrendous traffic congestion.
Its population is officially nearly 13 million, but the real number is believed to be far greater due to unchecked migration and millions of informal settlers.
The resolution advises quarantining urban communities where there are confirmed cases in two separate households, and extending that to municipalities and cities where there are outbreaks in different districts.
Duterte said it was possible the measures "could create public disturbances or disorder," but hoped people would see sense.
"It is a serious one, it is true," he said. "Do not kill yourself with worry because government is doing everything possible to make it at least controllable."


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--Netherlands bans gathering of over 100 people due to coronavirus

Prime Minister Mark Rutte said people who could work at home should do so and companies should rotate staff to @ @ @ @ @ infections .

The Netherlands on Thursday banned events of more than 100 people in response to the coronavirus epidemic and told people with respiratory symptoms to stay home.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte said people who could work at home should do so and companies should rotate staff to reduce a further spread of infections.
The government also said schools would remain open. The measures will remain in place at least until March 31.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--UK records 590 coronavirus cases, 10 deaths

British cases of coronavirus rose 29% to 590 over the past 24 hours and the death toll rose to 10, health authorities said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--Azerbaijan confirms country's first coronavirus death

An Azeri woman who was quarantined after returning from Iran has died from coronavirus, Azerbaijan's first death from the virus, the country's emergency crisis center said on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--Lithuania, Algeria shut schools, universities due to coronavirus

Algeria has confirmed 24 cases of coronavirus , mostly among members of a single family in the city of Blida @ @ @ @ @ .
The government has already ordered a range of measures to prevent the spread of @ @ @ @ @ on spectators at football games and the suspension of all cultural , social and political @ @ @ @ @ not clarified , however , whether the ban extends to weekly mass protests that have @ @ @ @ @ a year , thrusting its long-established political class into crisis .
As well as political @ @ @ @ @ threaten hydrocarbon producer Algeria as it wrestles with the coronavirus .
A crash in global @ @ @ @ @ of declining energy revenues that have drained half of Algeria 's state currency reserves .

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has ordered schools and universities to close until April 5 to slow the spread of the coronavirus, state media reported on Thursday, after the country's first registered death from the disease.
Algeria has confirmed 24 cases of coronavirus, mostly among members of a single family in the city of Blida, south of the capital.
The government has already ordered a range of measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus, including a ban on spectators at football games and the suspension of all cultural, social and political gatherings.
The authorities have not clarified, however, whether the ban extends to weekly mass protests that have convulsed Algeria for more than a year, thrusting its long-established political class into crisis.
As well as political turmoil, economic troubles also threaten hydrocarbon producer Algeria as it wrestles with the coronavirus. A crash in global oil prices has compounded years of declining energy revenues that have drained half of Algeria's state currency reserves.
In addition, Lithuania also ordered that all schools and universities in the country be closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. However, this closure will only be for two weeks.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--Oil falls more than 5% after Trump surprises with travel ban

Oil prices fell more than 5% on Thursday after US President Donald Trump unexpectedly announced restrictions on travel from Europe, in an attempt to halt the spread of coronavirus after the World Health Organization described the outbreak as a pandemic.The slump in oil is being compounded by the threat of a flood of cheap supply after Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said they would raise output in a standoff with Russia.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--Education Ministry recommending closing schools through Passover

The Education Ministry is recommending closing schools through Passover, according to the Hebrew website Ynet. The recommendation comes in the aftermath of protests by the Teachers Union that keeping schools open puts students, faculty and their families at risk.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--Azerbaijan to extend coronavirus hit-Iran border-closure for 2 more weeks

Azerbaijan announced that it will extend their border-closure with Iran for another two weeks due to the deadly coronavirus outbreak.This is a developing story.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--Netherlands coronavirus cases rise to 614, a 22% increase

The bulk of the infections , 273 , are in the southern province of Noord-Brabant , the Dutch National Institute @ @ @ @ @ ) said in a statement .

The number of new coronavirus infections in the Netherlands rose 22% to 614 on Thursday, health officials said.
The bulk of the infections, 273, are in the southern province of Noord-Brabant, the Dutch National Institute for Public Health (RIVM) said in a statement.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--Finland calls for public meetings to be canceled due to coronavirus

Finland recommends canceling public meetings of more than 500 people until the end of May due to the coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Thursday.The announcement came after the Nordic country's confirmed coronavirus cases jumped by 50 in a day to a total of 109, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare said, and after the Finnish Foreign Ministry recommended citizens avoid traveling anywhere in the world now.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--Poland to announce state of epidemic threat due to coronavirus

Poland plans to announce a state of epidemic threat, health minister Lukasz Szumowski said on Thursday."Yesterday, the WHO announced a pandemic. Today we will release a decision by the Health Minister regarding the introduction of a state of epidemic threat," Szumowski told a press conference.This will allow the government to close chosen places of work or institutions and direct medical workers to places of need, he added.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--Russian-European mission to Mars postponed until 2022 over coronavirus

MOSCOW - Russia's space agency Roscosmos and the European Space Agency have decided to postpone the launch of a joint research mission to Mars until autumn 2022 because of the situation around coronavirus in Europe, Roscosmos said on Thursday.."..The parties had to recognize that the final phase of ExoMars activities are compromised by the general aggravation of the epidemiological situation in European countries," the Russian agency said in a statement.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--Ireland to shut schools, universities until March 29 over coronavirus

DUBLIN - Ireland will shut schools, universities and childcare facilities until March 29 and restrict all indoor and outdoor mass gathering in response to the spread of the coronavirus, acting Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Thursday.Ireland confirmed its first death of a patient diagnosed with the coronavirus on Wednesday as the number of confirmed cases of the virus rose to 43 from 34 a day earlier.There are also 18 cases in Northern Ireland, the British region which shares an open border with the Irish republic."From 6 pm today, the following measures are being put in place and they will stay in place until March 29: schools, colleges and childcare facilities will close from tomorrow, where possible teaching will be done online or remotely," Varadkar said in statement."Our advice is that all indoor mass gatherings of more than 100 people and outdoor mass gatherings of more than 5,000 people should be canceled. You need to continue to go to work if you can, but where possible you should work from home."Varadkar encouraged people to limit social interactions and for offices to stagger break times and hold meetings remotely to limit contact. While restaurants can stay open, they should look at how to operate social distancing, he added.Public transport will continue to operate and shops will remain open with plans in place to ensure supply chains will not be interrupted, he said.The announcement came after Dublin's Mater Hospital, one of the capital's main hospitals, postponed all outpatient appointments and elective surgeries until further notice on Thursday, saying the arrangements were necessary in order to deal with the impact of the virus.It said in a statement that staff across every part of the hospital "are working around the clock" to deal with the virus."We've a duty as a society to protect ourselves, our parents and grandparents, our family and friends, our co-workers and neighbors," Varadkar said in the statement which was broadcast on national television from Washington, where he is due to meet President Donald Trump on Thursday."In the period ahead, the government will deploy all the resources we can muster. They are extensive but not unlimited. This is going to involve big changes in the way we live our lives and I know I'm asking people to make enormous sacrifices. Acting together as a nation, we can save many lives."


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--Sheba Medical Center doctor diagnosed with coronavirus

A doctor from Sheba Medical Center who returned to Israel from France on March 2 and worked on that day was diagnosed with coronavirus on Thursday. He is in moderate condition and all patients treated by him will be notified, Ynet reported.People who have come in contact with the doctor have been sent into preventative isolation.The number of Israelis who have been diagnosed with coronavirus rose to 100 on Thursday, according to the Ministry of Health.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--Iran death toll from coronavirus reaches 429 - health official

The coronavirus death toll in Iran reached 429, Reuters reported, citing a health official.The official also confirmed that there had been 1,075 new cases of the disease in the country in the past 24 hours.This is a developing story.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--Four new coronavirus cases are siblings, in close contact with known patient

Four new cases in Israel of the novel COVID-19 (coronavirus) were discovered on Friday, all of them being siblings between the ages of six and 18 and having been in close contact with a known coronavirus patient.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--US approves coronavirus test amid efforts to increase screening capacity

The US Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) issued emergency authorisation for a faster coronavirus test made by Swiss diagnostics maker Roche , a move aimed at boosting screening capacity to help contain the growing epidemic .
The new tests provide results in 3.5 hours and can produce up to 4,128 results daily , the Basel-based company said on Friday , a boost to tests the company has offered until now .
The FDA 's Emergency Use Authorisation clears the tests to be deployed in the United States and markets accepting the CE mark showing they conform to European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flawed kits distributed by the federal government in February , which gave some false results .
That set the country back in containing an outbreak that has infected more than 122,000 people worldwide and more than 1,660 in the United States .
Roche said it is `` going to the limits of our production capacity '' to deliver as many of the faster tests as possible .
`` The virus is infecting people in an exponential way .
We knew we had to go to the high through-put systems , '' Roche Diagnostics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` This will help isolate patients who are infected , so you can keep the others healthy . ''
The tests are for two diagnostics systems : Roche 's cobas 6800 , which can process 1,440 samples per day , and its faster cobas 8800 that can do more than 4,100 .
Worldwide , there are 695 cobas 6800 systems installed and 132 of the 8800s , with `` more than 100 '' in the United States , Roche said .
Schinecker said Roche is in talks with the US Centers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over deploying more systems where they are most needed , including Washington state , where 31 of the nation 's 41 deaths have occurred .
The University of Washington School of Medicine has boosted capacity to 1,000 tests daily , but its labs have also faced supply chain issues , including too few people available to pick up specimens and take them to labs , officials there have said .

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued emergency authorisation for a faster coronavirus test made by Swiss diagnostics maker Roche, a move aimed at boosting screening capacity to help contain the growing epidemic.
The new tests provide results in 3.5 hours and can produce up to 4,128 results daily, the Basel-based company said on Friday, a boost to tests the company has offered until now.
The FDA's Emergency Use Authorisation clears the tests to be deployed in the United States and markets accepting the CE mark showing they conform to European standards.
US testing was hampered by flawed kits distributed by the federal government in February, which gave some false results. That set the country back in containing an outbreak that has infected more than 122,000 people worldwide and more than 1,660 in the United States.
Roche said it is "going to the limits of our production capacity" to deliver as many of the faster tests as possible.
"The virus is infecting people in an exponential way. We knew we had to go to the high through-put systems," Roche Diagnostics head Thomas Schinecker said in an interview. "This will help isolate patients who are infected, so you can keep the others healthy."
TWO SYSTEMS
The tests are for two diagnostics systems: Roche's cobas 6800, which can process 1,440 samples per day, and its faster cobas 8800 that can do more than 4,100. Worldwide, there are 695 cobas 6800 systems installed and 132 of the 8800s, with "more than 100" in the United States, Roche said.
Schinecker said Roche is in talks with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDS) over deploying more systems where they are most needed, including Washington state, where 31 of the nation's 41 deaths have occurred.
The University of Washington School of Medicine has boosted capacity to 1,000 tests daily, but its labs have also faced supply chain issues, including too few people available to pick up specimens and take them to labs, officials there have said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--Kenya confirms first coronavirus case

Kenya confirms first coronavirus case

The patient , who was diagnosed on the night of March 12 , had travelled back to Kenya from the @ @ @ @ @ Kagwe told a news conference .

The patient, who was diagnosed on the night of March 12, had travelled back to Kenya from the United States via London, Kagwe told a news conference.
Kenya has confirmed its first case of the new coronavirus, Minister of Health Mutahi Kagwe said on Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--Australia's home affairs minister tests positive for coronavirus

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Australia's home affairs minister Peter Dutton said he tested positive for coronavirus on Friday."This morning I woke up with a temperature and sore throat. I immediately contacted the Queensland Department of Health and was subsequently tested for COVID-19. I was advised by Queensland Health this afternoon that the test had returned positive," he said in a statement issued by his office."I feel fine and will provide an update in due course."Australia has recorded 156 infections and three deaths from the flu-like disease but authorities expect this to increase rapidly in the coming weeks with the arrival of the southern hemisphere winter.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--Orly Levy-Abekasis will not recommend Netanyahu, Gantz to lead gov't

Gesher Party leader Orly Levy-Abekasis will not be recommending neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor Blue and White leader Benny Gantz to form the government when she is asked as much by President Reuven Rivlin, she announced on Friday morning on her Facebook page.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--Turkey confirms second coronavirus patient

Koca wrote on Twitter that the second patient , whose test results came on Thursday evening , was from the @ @ @ @ @ first patient diagnosed on Wednesday .

Koca wrote on Twitter that the second patient, whose test results came on Thursday evening, was from the circle of people close the first patient diagnosed on Wednesday.
A second patient has been diagnosed with coronavirus in Turkey, the country's Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Friday after Ankara announced a series of measures to curb the spread of the virus.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--Singapore to bar recent visitors to Italy, Spain, Germany, France

The southeast Asian travel hub , which also advised against non-essential travel to the four countries , will immediately halt @ @ @ @ @ it added .

Singapore will deny from Monday entry or transit to visitors who have been in Italy, France, Spain or Germany in the last 14 days, as part of measures to control the fast-spreading coronavirus, the health ministry said on Friday.
The southeast Asian travel hub, which also advised against non-essential travel to the four countries, will immediately halt docking by cruise ships, it added.
Singapore has a similar ban in place for travelers from Iran, South Korea and China, where the virus first surfaced late last year.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--Mainland China reports 8 new confirmed cases of coronavirus

That brings the total accumulated number of confirmed cases in mainland China so far to 80,813 .
The death toll @ @ @ @ @ China had reached 3,176 as of the end of Thursday , up by seven from @ @ @ @

Mainland China had eight new confirmed cases of coronavirus infections on Thursday, the country's National Health Commission said on Friday, down from 15 cases a day earlier.
That brings the total accumulated number of confirmed cases in mainland China so far to 80,813.
The death toll from the outbreak in mainland China had reached 3,176 as of the end of Thursday, up by seven from the previous day.
In the central province of Hubei, the epicenter of the outbreak, there were six new deaths, with the provincial capital of Wuhan accounting for all of the fatalities.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--Coronavirus-hit Princess Cruises to suspend operations

The suspension upends an industry already struggling with cancellations following the outbreak , and comes after Finland 's Viking Line temporarily paused operations of its river ships and ocean liners around the world .
`` Never ... in the 20 years I have served in this company , have we been tested in ways we have been tested over the past 40 days , '' Jan Swartz , president of Princess Cruises , said https : //bit.ly/2TIdFyT on the operator 's official YouTube channel , addressing the decision to suspend operations .
`` This is perhaps the most difficult decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parent Carnival Corp , which have already lost over half their value since the start of the year , tumbled a further 18 % .
Rivals Royal Caribbean Corp and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings were also down .
Chad Wolf , acting head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security , commended the two cruise lines ' decisions and called on others in a statement to do the same `` until appropriate safety measures are put in place . ''
The crisis at Princess Cruises deepened last week after one of its ships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entry to San Francisco Bay en route back from Hawaii as authorities learned some passengers and crew had developed flu-like symptoms .
An initial round of testing found that 21 people , mostly crew , had been infected .
At least one couple who took the cruise has sued the company , seeking over $ 1 million in damages for emotional trauma .
Passengers from an earlier cruise to Mexico aboard the same ship had also tested positive for coronavirus .

Princess Cruises, the operator of two ocean liners that were quarantined after they became hotbeds for coronavirus infections, said on Thursday it would suspend the voyages of all its 18 ships for two months.
The suspension upends an industry already struggling with cancellations following the outbreak, and comes after Finland's Viking Line temporarily paused operations of its river ships and ocean liners around the world.
"Never ... in the 20 years I have served in this company, have we been tested in ways we have been tested over the past 40 days," Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises, said https://bit.ly/2TIdFyT on the operator's official YouTube channel, addressing the decision to suspend operations.
"This is perhaps the most difficult decision in our history."
Shares of parent Carnival Corp, which have already lost over half their value since the start of the year, tumbled a further 18%. Rivals Royal Caribbean Corp and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings were also down.
Chad Wolf, acting head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, commended the two cruise lines' decisions and called on others in a statement to do the same "until appropriate safety measures are put in place."
The crisis at Princess Cruises deepened last week after one of its ships, The Grand Princess, was denied entry to San Francisco Bay en route back from Hawaii as authorities learned some passengers and crew had developed flu-like symptoms.
An initial round of testing found that 21 people, mostly crew, had been infected. At least one couple who took the cruise has sued the company, seeking over $1 million in damages for emotional trauma.
Passengers from an earlier cruise to Mexico aboard the same ship had also tested positive for coronavirus.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--South Korea reports 110 new coronavirus cases, total 7,979

South Korea reported 110 new coronavirus cases on Friday, taking the country's total infections to 7,979, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said.The latest numbers are in line with a downward trend in new cases, slightly down from the 114 recorded on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--Saudi Arabia detects 17 cases of coronavirus, brings total to 62

Saudi Arabia detected 17 new cases of coronavirus, 11 of whom were Egyptians, state news agency (SPA) said on Friday.This brings the total of cases detected in the kingdom to 62, SPA added.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--American Airlines says pilot tests positive for Covid-19

American Airlines Group Inc said on Thursday a pilot based out of Dallas-Fort Worth tested positive for Covid-19."American's Chief Medical Officer and leaders from our pilots' office have been in touch with the pilot," the company said in a statement.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--Air strike hits airport under construction in Iraqi city of Kerbala

An airport building got hit , the official said , sending pictures showing the alleged damage .
The United States @ @ @ @ @ a series of precision air strikes on Thursday against an Iran-backed militia in Iraq it @ @ @ @ @ attack on Wednesday that killed two American troops and a 26-year-old British soldier .

An airport building got hit, the official said, sending pictures showing the alleged damage.
The United States earlier said it had waged a series of precision air strikes on Thursday against an Iran-backed militia in Iraq it blamed for a major rocket attack on Wednesday that killed two American troops and a 26-year-old British soldier.
An air strike hit an Iraqi airport under construction in the holy Shi'ite city of Kerbala, an airport official said on Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--Terrorists shoot and hit a vehicle in West Bank

The shooter apparently fired 12 bullets at the car .
No injuries were reported .
Upon being hit by the @ @ @ @ @ onward towards the settlement , where the driver notified IDF forces in the area .

The shooter apparently fired 12 bullets at the car. No injuries were reported. Upon being hit by the bullets, the car continued onward towards the settlement, where the driver notified IDF forces in the area.
Terrorist shot at and hit a passenger vehicle in the West Bank early Friday morning, occuring at an intersection near the settlement of Binyamin.


jerusalempost--2020-03-12--Ghana and Gabon confirm first cases of coronavirus

In a statement , Gabon 's government said its case was a 27-year-old Gabonese man who had returned from France @ @ @ @

Gabon and Ghana confirmed their first cases of coronavirus on Thursday, becoming the ninth and tenth countries in sub-Saharan Africa to register positive cases.
In a statement, Gabon's government said its case was a 27-year-old Gabonese man who had returned from France on March 8.
Ghana's health ministry said its two cases had returned recently from Norway and Turkey.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--Eswatini in Southern Africa reports first coronavirus case

A 33-year-old woman , who returned from the United States at the end of February and then travelled to Lesotho @ @ @ @ @ , is currently in isolation , Health Minister Lizzie Nkosi said .

A 33-year-old woman, who returned from the United States at the end of February and then travelled to Lesotho before returning home to eSwatini, is currently in isolation, Health Minister Lizzie Nkosi said.
Eswatini, a small, land-locked Southern African country, reported its first confirmed case of coronavirus, the minister of health said in a statement on Saturday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--UK plans to ban mass gatherings next week to curb Covid-19

The British government is planning to introduce emergency laws next week to ban mass gatherings in an attempt to curb @ @ @ @ @ News reported late Friday , citing a Whitehall source .
The British government is planning @ @ @ @ @ week to ban mass gatherings in an attempt to curb the coronavirus outbreak , Sky @ @ @ @ @ citing a Whitehall source .
`` We have drafted emergency legislation to give the government @ @ @ @ @ deal with coronavirus , including powers to stop mass gatherings and compensate organizations , '' @ @ @ @ @ as saying .

The British government is planning to introduce emergency laws next week to ban mass gatherings in an attempt to curb the coronavirus outbreak, Sky News reported late Friday, citing a Whitehall source.
"We have drafted emergency legislation to give the government the powers it needs to deal with coronavirus, including powers to stop mass gatherings and compensate organizations," Sky News quoted the source as saying.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--Nazareth, two men open fire on hotel guard

Two masked men pulled up in front of the Paul hotel in Nazareth on Friday evening and opened fire at @ @ @ @ @ slightly injured , police reported .
Two masked men pulled up in front of the @ @ @ @ @ Friday evening and opened fire at the night guard who was slightly injured , police @ @ @ @ @ taken to the local hospital and police is investigating the incident .
It is suspected @ @ @ @ @ of a feud between two local families .

Two masked men pulled up in front of the Paul hotel in Nazareth on Friday evening and opened fire at the night guard who was slightly injured, police reported.
The guard was taken to the local hospital and police is investigating the incident. It is suspected the crime is the result of a feud between two local families.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--Washington state's death toll from coronavirus jumps to 37

Washington , the hardest hit state in the outbreak of COVID-19 , has confirmed 538 cases , Inslee said at @ @ @ @ @ the statehouse in Olympia .
The U.S. coronavirus death toll reached 46 on Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ , said he had issued new executive orders closing all public and private K-12 schools @ @ @ @ @ April 24 and extending a ban on gatherings of 250 people or more statewide .
@ @ @ @ @ these decisions lightly , I 'm doing this for the health of all Washingtonians , @ @ @ @ @ The bulk of the deaths from coronavirus in Washington state centered on a long-term care @ @ @ @ @ of Kirkland .
President Donald Trump declared a national emergency over the fast-spreading virus on @ @ @ @ @ aid to combat a disease that has infected over 138,000 people worldwide and left more @ @ @ @

Washington, the hardest hit state in the outbreak of COVID-19, has confirmed 538 cases, Inslee said at an afternoon press conference at the statehouse in Olympia.
The U.S. coronavirus death toll reached 46 on Friday.
Inslee, a 69-year-old Democrat, said he had issued new executive orders closing all public and private K-12 schools from Tuesday through at least April 24 and extending a ban on gatherings of 250 people or more statewide.
"I don't take these decisions lightly, I'm doing this for the health of all Washingtonians," the governor said.
The bulk of the deaths from coronavirus in Washington state centered on a long-term care facility in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland.
President Donald Trump declared a national emergency over the fast-spreading virus on Friday, allowing more federal aid to combat a disease that has infected over 138,000 people worldwide and left more than 5,000 dead.
The death toll in Washington state from coronavirus has surged by six to a total of 37, Governor Jay Inslee said on Friday as he issued new executive orders intended to reduce the spread of the respiratory illness.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--Meir Medical Center admits four coronavirus patients

Saba reported on Friday night it had accepted four patients , all men who returned to the country from a @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .

Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba reported on Friday night it had accepted four patients, all men who returned to the country from a skiing holiday with the novel coronavirus.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--Bill Gates steps down from Microsoft board

Microsoft Corp co-founder Bill Gates has stepped down from the company 's board to dedicate more time to his philanthropic @ @ @ @ @ education and tackling climate change , the company said on Friday .

Microsoft Corp co-founder Bill Gates has stepped down from the company's board to dedicate more time to his philanthropic priorities including global health, education and tackling climate change, the company said on Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--Denmark shuts its borders for one month to curb spread of coronavirus

COPENHAGEN - Denmark announced on Friday it would shut its borders to most foreign visitors for a month from Saturday, in a move unprecedented in peacetime as part of efforts to halt the spread of coronavirus.The restrictions will come into force at 12 pm (1100 GMT) on Saturday and continue until at least April 13, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told a news conference."All tourists, all travel, all vacations, and all foreigners who cannot demonstrate a credible reason to enter Denmark will be denied entrance at the Danish border," Frederiksen said.Danish citizens and foreigners working in Denmark will still be free to enter and leave the country. The transport of goods, including foods, medicine and industry supplies, will also not be affected, she said.The country of 5.7 million people has reported 801 confirmed cases of coronavirus so far and no deaths.Large swathes of Denmark have been in lockdown since Thursday after the government shut all schools and universities and sent home all public sector workers with non-critical jobs in an effort to curb the spread of the disease.The government has notified neighbouring countries Germany, Norway and Sweden as well as the European Commission, Frederiksen said, adding that authorities would need a few days to fully establish the border controls.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--Poland to close borders to foreigners from Sunday

WARSAW - Poland will ban foreigners from entering the country from Sunday and impose a 14-day quarantine on its citizens returning home in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Friday."The state will not abandon (its citizens). However, in the current situation we cannot allow ourselves to keep borders open to foreigners," Morawiecki told a news conference.Morawiecki also said shopping malls would be forced to close some shops, and restaurants, bars and casinos would be shuttered. Public gatherings would be allowed only if no more than 50 people were present.Poland -- central Europe's biggest country -- has confirmed 68 cases of coronavirus so far with one death.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--Louisiana postpones presidential primaries over coronavirus

WASHINGTON - The state of Louisiana has decided to postpone its Democratic and Republican presidential primaries in an effort to @ @ @ @ @ , CNBC reported , citing a spokesman for Louisiana 's secretary of state .
The @ @ @ @ @ scheduled to hold nominating contests on April 4 , will push them back to June @ @ @ @ @ CNBC reported .
Reuters was not immediately able to confirm the postponement .

WASHINGTON - The state of Louisiana has decided to postpone its Democratic and Republican presidential primaries in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus, CNBC reported, citing a spokesman for Louisiana's secretary of state.
The state, which had been scheduled to hold nominating contests on April 4, will push them back to June 20 and July 25, CNBC reported.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--Gaza: Two suspects arrested with improvised ammunition

Terror attack thwarted at the Gaza border: IDF soldiers arrested two suspects who crossed the southern Gaza fence into Israel.The suspects were arrested holding two improvised grenades and two knives. They were taken in for questioning by security forces.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--Jerusalem man tests positive for coronavirus, 127th case in Israel

The Health Ministry shared the epidemiology of many of the sick patients Friday morning , including four new cases - siblings between the ages of six and 18 - who had been in `` close contact with a known coronavirus patient . ''
These four , numbered patients 119-122 , have gone to their respective schools and preschools before being put into isolation , those being the `` Orot '' school in the town of Or Yehuda , and the `` Tzivoni '' and `` Dekel '' kinder-garden , as well as the `` Ulpana Tzfira '' .A 30-year-old man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus on Friday after being in contact with a known patient.The country rolled out new restrictions on the public to help stop the spread of the virus , which has topped 125,000 cases worldwide .
Many countries have declared a state of emergency.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , together with the Health Ministry and Education Ministry , on Thursday shut down schools and universities until at least after the Passover holiday .
Preschools and special education and at-risk-youth centers are still open , though teachers are protesting that they want them closed to @ @ @ @

The Health Ministry shared the epidemiology of many of the sick patients Friday morning, including four new cases - siblings between the ages of six and 18 - who had been in "close contact with a known coronavirus patient." These four, numbered patients 119-122, have gone to their respective schools and preschools before being put into isolation, those being the Orot school in the town of Or Yehuda, and the Tzivoni and Dekel kindergarden, as well as the Ulpana Tzfira.A 30-year-old man from Jerusalem was diagnosed positive for the coronavirus on Friday after being in contact with a known patient.The country rolled out new restrictions on the public to help stop the spread of the virus, which has topped 125,000 cases worldwide. Many countries have declared a state of emergency.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, together with the Health and Education ministries, shut down schools and universities on Thursday until at least after the Passover holiday. Preschools, special education and at-risk-youth centers are still open, though teachers are protesting that they want them closed to ensure their safety.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--Iran: Two members of Jewish community die of coronavirus

Two members of the Jewish community in Iran died after contracting coronavirus, a source within the Jewish community told Haredi (Ultra-Orthodox) newspaper "Yated Neaman", Walla reported on Friday.These are the first two deaths in Iran's Jewish community that were officially reported since the virus first broke out in the Islamic Republic.According to the source, "it remains unclear whether it will be possible to bring [the two] to a proper Jewish burial."


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--Turkey says agreed with Russia on details of Idlib ceasefire - Anadolu

Turkish and Russian officials have agreed on the details of a ceasefire in northwest Syria's Idlib region and joint patrols along the key M4 highway will begin on Sunday, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar was cited as saying on Friday.State-owned Anadolu news agency quoted him as saying there were signs that migration in the region had stopped and returns had begun. He said Turkey and Russia will establish joint coordination centers to monitor implementation of the agreement after the conclusion of talks with Russian officials in Ankara.


jerusalempost--2020-03-13--Sunday's cabinet meeting to be held via video call

The Secretary of State, by instruction of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, announced on Friday afternoon that the weekly cabinet meeting, which usually takes place on Sunday mornings, will be held via video call due to the outbreak of the novel COVID-19 (coronavirus).The meeting will discuss the pandemic, with the members of Knesset attending by coming to one of seven centers set up throughout Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.


jerusalempost--2020-03-14--Greece reports two more coronavirus deaths, suspends all flights to Italy

The deceased were two men , aged 67 and 90 , both with serious underlying health problems , the Health @ @ @ @ @ 190 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Greece by late Friday .
Greece has shut schools @ @ @ @ @ shopping malls and has already suspended all flights to and from northern Italy until March @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus .
On Saturday , it said the suspension would be extended to all @ @ @ @ @ .
It did not clarify when the new measure would take effect .

The deceased were two men, aged 67 and 90, both with serious underlying health problems, the Health Ministry said. There were 190 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Greece by late Friday.
Greece has shut schools, bars, cafes and shopping malls and has already suspended all flights to and from northern Italy until March 23 to combat the spread of coronavirus.
On Saturday, it said the suspension would be extended to all flights to and from Italy. It did not clarify when the new measure would take effect.
ATHENS - Greece said on Saturday it would suspend all flights that were still operating to and from Italy, after reporting two more fatalities from a coronavirus infection, raising the total number of deaths in the country to three.


jerusalempost--2020-03-14--Iran coronavirus death toll rises by nearly one hundred to 611

Iran , one of the countries most affected by the pandemic outside China , reported on Friday a death toll @ @ @ @ @ of 11,364 infections .

Iran, one of the countries most affected by the pandemic outside China, reported on Friday a death toll of 514 and a total of 11,364 infections.
DUBAI - The death toll from coronavirus infections in Iran rose on Saturday to 611, state TV said, citing a health ministry official who put the total number of those diagnosed with the disease at 12,729.


jerusalempost--2020-03-14--Canadian woman and Italian man kidnapped in Burkina Faso released

Edith Blais and Italian Luca Tacchetto went missing while traveling through Burkina Faso , a country where jihadist groups with @ @ @ @ @ Islamic State are active and have kidnapped Westerners in the past .
It is not @ @ @ @ @ Blais and Tacchetto 's kidnapping or if any ransom was paid .
UN mission spokesman @ @ @ @ @ the two were received by peacekeepers on Friday evening and would be handed over to @ @ @ @ @ .
He shared a photo of Blais and Tacchetto wearing U.N. human rights t-shirts and @ @ @ @ @ in the photo and appear to be healthy .
Another Canadian , Kirk Woodman , @ @ @ @ @ from a mining site where he was working in Burkina Faso and found dead later @ @ @ @ @ State claimed to have kidnapped and killed him , but security sources told Reuters they @ @ @ @ @ a botched attempt by a criminal gang to sell him on to another group .

Edith Blais and Italian Luca Tacchetto went missing while traveling through Burkina Faso, a country where jihadist groups with links to al Qaeda and Islamic State are active and have kidnapped Westerners in the past.
It is not known who was responsible for Blais and Tacchetto's kidnapping or if any ransom was paid.
UN mission spokesman Olivier Salgado told Reuters that the two were received by peacekeepers on Friday evening and would be handed over to Malian authorities later on Saturday.
He shared a photo of Blais and Tacchetto wearing U.N. human rights t-shirts and sweatpants. Both are grinning in the photo and appear to be healthy.
Another Canadian, Kirk Woodman, was kidnapped in January 2019 from a mining site where he was working in Burkina Faso and found dead later the same week.
Islamic State claimed to have kidnapped and killed him, but security sources told Reuters they believed he actually died during a botched attempt by a criminal gang to sell him on to another group.
BAMAKO - A Canadian woman and Italian man kidnapped in Burkina Faso in December 2018 have been released to the United Nations' peacekeeping mission in neighboring Mali and appear to be in good health, a mission spokesman said on Saturday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-14--Abu Dhabi to temporarily shut Louvre Abu Dhabi museum, Ferrari World

The announcement was made in tweets by the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office .
Abu Dhabi is the capital and @ @ @ @ @ Arab Emirates federation .

The latest announcement was made in tweets by the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office. Abu Dhabi is the capital and largest emirate in the United Arab Emirates federation.
Gulf Arab states have stepped up measures to contain the outbreak, with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait taking the most drastic decisions by canceling all international flights.
Saudi Arabia has suspended all international flights for two weeks, starting Sunday, while Kuwait did not specify a period for the lockdown which started Saturday.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a group of six oil-rich Arab monarchies which also gathers Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, has reported nearly 850 coronavirus infections, mostly people who had traveled to Iran or who were contaminated by them.
No death has been reported in the GCC, unlike Iran, where the death toll from the virus rose by nearly one hundred on Saturday to 611, out of a total of 12,729 infections.
Oman, which has the lowest number of infection in the region at 20, announced on Saturday a one-month closure of schools and educational institutions, a precaution taken by other GCC states.
Qatar confirmed on Saturday 17 new infections, bringing the total number of people diagnosed with the disease to 337, the highest in the GCC, followed by Bahrain, 211, and Kuwait, 104.
Gulf health authorities have intensified pleas to the population to avoid gatherings, carrying out campaigns to sanitize public places.
"I urge you by God to stay at home," said Kuwaiti Health Minister Basel Al-Sabah on state TV.
DUBAI - Abu Dhabi announced on Saturday it was shutting major tourism and cultural venues, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum and the Ferrari World theme park, from March 15-31, as Arab states in the Gulf stepped up measures against coronavirus.


jerusalempost--2020-03-14--Rwanda confirms first case of coronavirus

He had no symptoms on arrival but presented himself to a health facility on March 13 , the ministry said @ @ @ @ @ African nation to report the presence of coronavirus .
`` He is currently under treatment @ @ @ @ @ from other patients , '' the ministry said .
`` The tracing of all contacts @ @ @ @ @ management . ''
RwandAir , Rwanda 's national airline , announced it was suspending all @ @ @ @ @ 30 and would refund customers .
Africa had until now largely been spared the rapid @ @ @ @ @ has infected at least 127,000 people and killed 4,700 worldwide .
Other African nations to @ @ @ @ @ virus include Morocco , Tunisia , Egypt , Algeria , Senegal , Togo , Cameroon @ @ @ @ @ Republic of Congo , South Africa , Nigeria , Ivory Coast , Gabon , Ghana @ @ @ @ @ Kenya and Ethiopia .

He had no symptoms on arrival but presented himself to a health facility on March 13, the ministry said. Rwanda is the 19th African nation to report the presence of coronavirus.
"He is currently under treatment in stable condition, isolated from other patients," the ministry said. "The tracing of all contacts has been conducted for further management."
RwandAir, Rwanda's national airline, announced it was suspending all flights to India until April 30 and would refund customers.
Africa had until now largely been spared the rapid spread of COVID-19, which has infected at least 127,000 people and killed 4,700 worldwide.
Other African nations to have reported cases of the virus include Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Senegal, Togo, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Sudan, Kenya and Ethiopia.
KIGALI - Rwanda has confirmed its first case of coronavirus, an Indian citizen who arrived in the East African nation from Mumbai on March 8, the Health Ministry said on Saturday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-14--Poland cannot rule out delaying presidential election

`` The election is in two months .
We will see .
The coming days will be key and as @ @ @ @ @ we will be observing this and taking further decisions .
There is not such a @ @ @ @ @ does not mean that it is ruled out , '' Szefernaker told private radio RMF @ @ @ @ @ 84 cases of coronavirus , including two deaths .
The government announced on Friday it @ @ @ @ @ and the central bank governor called for a rate cut to fight the impact of @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Today no-one is thinking about the election , everyone is thinking how to @ @ @ @ @ Szefernaker added .

"The election is in two months. We will see. The coming days will be key and as this disease develops in Poland we will be observing this and taking further decisions. There is not such a decision today, but it does not mean that it is ruled out," Szefernaker told private radio RMF FM.
Poland has reported 84 cases of coronavirus, including two deaths.
The government announced on Friday it would close borders to foreigners and the central bank governor called for a rate cut to fight the impact of the illness on the economy.
"Today no-one is thinking about the election, everyone is thinking how to stop this epidemic," Szefernaker added.
WARSAW - Poland cannot rule out postponing a presidential election set for May because of the coronavirus pandemic, although no such decisions have been taken up to date, Deputy Internal Affairs Minister Pawel Szefernaker said on Saturday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-14--UK to ban mass gatherings from next week to curb coronavirus

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has so far resisted pressure to take some of the stringent measures adopted by other European countries to slow the spread of the virus .
`` Ministers are working with the chief scientific adviser and chief medical officer on our plan to stop various types of public events , including mass gatherings , beginning next week , '' a government source said on Saturday .
Legislation would be published next week to give the government powers to deal with the outbreak , including to stop mass gatherings and compensate organizations , the source said .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in terms of limiting public gatherings .
On Friday , England 's soccer Premier League suspended all matches until April 4 and other events such as the London Marathon were postponed by their organizers .
Queen Elizabeth , 93 , canceled some public engagements for next week due to the coronavirus outbreak , Buckingham Palace said on Friday .
Johnson postponed for a year local and mayoral elections in England that had been due to take place in May .
As of Friday , Britain had 798 cases of the illness , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States might include the United Kingdom in the coronavirus travel ban that it has imposed on other European countries .
British media said the new ban on mass gatherings could affect events such as the Glastonbury music festival , the Wimbledon tennis championships and the Grand National horse race .
Scotland 's devolved government said on Thursday all large gatherings above 500 people should be canceled to help emergency services to focus on the coronavirus outbreak .

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has so far resisted pressure to take some of the stringent measures adopted by other European countries to slow the spread of the virus.
"Ministers are working with the chief scientific adviser and chief medical officer on our plan to stop various types of public events, including mass gatherings, beginning next week," a government source said on Saturday.
Legislation would be published next week to give the government powers to deal with the outbreak, including to stop mass gatherings and compensate organizations, the source said.
Some organizations have stepped ahead of the government in terms of limiting public gatherings. On Friday, England's soccer Premier League suspended all matches until April 4 and other events such as the London Marathon were postponed by their organizers.
Queen Elizabeth, 93, canceled some public engagements for next week due to the coronavirus outbreak, Buckingham Palace said on Friday.
Johnson postponed for a year local and mayoral elections in England that had been due to take place in May.
As of Friday, Britain had 798 cases of the illness, and 11 people had died.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States might include the United Kingdom in the coronavirus travel ban that it has imposed on other European countries.
British media said the new ban on mass gatherings could affect events such as the Glastonbury music festival, the Wimbledon tennis championships and the Grand National horse race.
Scotland's devolved government said on Thursday all large gatherings above 500 people should be canceled to help emergency services to focus on the coronavirus outbreak.
LONDON - The British government will ban mass gatherings from next week in an attempt to curb the coronavirus outbreak, an escalation of its crisis plan that critics had said was too relaxed.


jerusalempost--2020-03-14--Soroka Medical Center coronavirus lab open on Saturday

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The Health Ministry has allocated more equipment and personnel to Soroka Medical Center's coronavirus lab, allowing it to expand to a seven-day a week schedule sooner than planned, Channel 12 reported. The hospital reported on Friday that it would only begin extending its services next week, but on Saturday it was reported that the lab would be open.


jerusalempost--2020-03-14--Apple to close retail stores outside Greater China until March 27

`` We will be closing all of our retail stores outside of Greater China until March 27 , '' Apple @ @ @ @ @ a letter posted on the company 's website .
`` In all of our offices @ @ @ @ @ flexible work arrangements worldwide outside of Greater China , '' he added .
`` That @ @ @ @ @ remotely if their job allows . ''

"We will be closing all of our retail stores outside of Greater China until March 27," Apple CEO Tim Cook wrote in a letter posted on the company's website.
"In all of our offices, we are moving to flexible work arrangements worldwide outside of Greater China," he added. "That means team members should work remotely if their job allows."
Apple Inc said late on Friday it will close all its retail stores outside Greater China until March 27, to minimize risk of coronavirus transmission.


jerusalempost--2020-03-14--Indonesian capital closes schools for two weeks due to coronavirus

Baswedan said out of 69 confirmed coronavirus cases nationwide , an unspecified number of people were detected in many places @ @ @ @ @ of 10 million people .
The number of people under surveillance in the city had @ @ @ @ @ of March 12 , compared to 129 at the beginning of the month , while @ @ @ @ @ of having COVID-19 had surged to 261 from 39 in the same period .

Baswedan said out of 69 confirmed coronavirus cases nationwide, an unspecified number of people were detected in many places across Jakarta, a city of 10 million people.
The number of people under surveillance in the city had jumped to 586 people as of March 12, compared to 129 at the beginning of the month, while the number of patients suspected of having COVID-19 had surged to 261 from 39 in the same period.
JAKARTA - Indonesia's capital city will close all schools and ordered remote teaching for at least two weeks starting next week to curb the spread of the coronavirus, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan told a broadcasted news conference on Saturday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-14--Toronto Raptors: No positive tests for COVID-19

With Toronto having played most recently at Utah on Monday , before Jazz players Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell tested positive for the coronavirus , the Raptors had their traveling party undergo COVID-19 tests .
The team announced Friday , `` All of the members of the travel party who were tested on Wednesday in Toronto have received their results , and they are all currently negative .
Results for one additional person are pending .
`` These results will not affect our protocols , however .
Those asked to self-isolate by Toronto Public Health will continue to do so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and good hand hygiene , and -- most importantly -- carefully monitor our health .
`` We continue to be in close contact with public health authorities and infectious disease experts , and are very grateful for their guidance .
As always , we appreciate the support of our fans , families , and friends . ''
The Raptors beat the Jazz 101-92 for their fourth consecutive win behind 27 points and 13 rebounds from Serge Ibaka plus 27 points , 11 rebounds and eight assists from Pascal Siakam .
In that game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Utah big man to six points and four rebounds .
Ibaka was one of the Raptors who tested negative for COVID-19 , The Athletic 's Shams Charania reported Friday night .
Toronto , the defending NBA champion , sits in second place in the Eastern Conference with a 46-18 record , 6 1/2 games behind the Milwaukee Bucks .
The NBA suspended its season indefinitely Wednesday night after Gobert 's positive COVID-19 test was confirmed .

With Toronto having played most recently at Utah on Monday, before Jazz players Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell tested positive for the coronavirus, the Raptors had their traveling party undergo COVID-19 tests.
The team announced Friday, "All of the members of the travel party who were tested on Wednesday in Toronto have received their results, and they are all currently negative. Results for one additional person are pending.
"These results will not affect our protocols, however. Those asked to self-isolate by Toronto Public Health will continue to do so. We will all practice social distancing and good hand hygiene, and -- most importantly -- carefully monitor our health.
"We continue to be in close contact with public health authorities and infectious disease experts, and are very grateful for their guidance. As always, we appreciate the support of our fans, families, and friends."
The Raptors beat the Jazz 101-92 for their fourth consecutive win behind 27 points and 13 rebounds from Serge Ibaka plus 27 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists from Pascal Siakam.
In that game, Ibaka guarded Gobert and limited the Utah big man to six points and four rebounds. Ibaka was one of the Raptors who tested negative for COVID-19, The Athletic's Shams Charania reported Friday night.
Toronto, the defending NBA champion, sits in second place in the Eastern Conference with a 46-18 record, 6 1/2 games behind the Milwaukee Bucks.
The NBA suspended its season indefinitely Wednesday night after Gobert's positive COVID-19 test was confirmed.
The Toronto Raptors received good news Friday on the health front.


jerusalempost--2020-03-14--Disney to release 'Frozen 2' on streaming platform three months early

Walt Disney Co said on Friday it would make the sequel to hit animated movie Frozen available on its streaming @ @ @ @ @ of schedule in the United States , as media companies respond to the coronavirus outbreak @

Walt Disney Co said on Friday it would make the sequel to hit animated movie Frozen available on its streaming platform Disney+ three months ahead of schedule in the United States, as media companies respond to the coronavirus outbreak.
The company said Frozen 2 would be available in the country starting Sunday, "surprising families with some fun and joy during this challenging period."
Cinemas have closed in some countries to try to prevent the spread of the virus, while the two largest US theater chains have halved their seating capacity.


jerusalempost--2020-03-14--Trump encountered second person who later tested positive for coronavirus

WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump encountered a second individual last weekend who later tested positive for coronavirus , but @ @ @ @ @ testing for the virus or quarantining , the White House physician said on Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ a group that included Brazil 's communications secretary , Fabio Wajngarten , who Brazilian officials @ @ @ @ @ positive for coronavirus .
White House physician Dr Sean P. Conley said another guest at @ @ @ @ @ the president briefly came in contact with started to show symptoms of COVID-19 three days @ @ @ @ @ confirmed with the virus .
The encounter was `` low risk '' and there was @ @ @ @ @ to `` home quarantine , '' Conley said in a statement late on Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ to the first individual was extremely limited ( photograph , handshake ) and though he @ @ @ @ @ proximity to the second case , all interactions occurred before any symptom onset , '' @ @ @

WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump encountered a second individual last weekend who later tested positive for coronavirus, but the president did not require testing for the virus or quarantining, the White House physician said on Friday.
Trump last weekend dined with a group that included Brazil's communications secretary, Fabio Wajngarten, who Brazilian officials say has now been tested positive for coronavirus.
White House physician Dr Sean P. Conley said another guest at the dinner at Mar-a-Lago whom the president briefly came in contact with started to show symptoms of COVID-19 three days later and has since been confirmed with the virus.
The encounter was "low risk" and there was no need for the president to "home quarantine," Conley said in a statement late on Friday.
"The President's exposure to the first individual was extremely limited (photograph, handshake) and though he spent more time in closer proximity to the second case, all interactions occurred before any symptom onset," he said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-14--Colombia to turn away visitors who have stayed in Asia, Europe

Colombia will close its borders with Venezuela and stop visitors who have been in Europe or Asia from entering the @ @ @ @ @ said late on Friday , as it looks to contain the spread of coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ with Venezuela and stop visitors who have been in Europe or Asia from entering the @ @ @ @ @ said late on Friday , as it looks to contain the spread of coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ its border with Venezuela from five o'clock Saturday morning .
Furthermore , arrivals to the @ @ @ @ @ not residents or nationals and have stayed in Europe or Asia during the last two @ @ @ @ @ to enter from Monday , he said .

Colombia will close its borders with Venezuela and stop visitors who have been in Europe or Asia from entering the country, President Ivan Duque said late on Friday, as it looks to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Duque said Colombia will close its border with Venezuela from five o'clock Saturday morning. Furthermore, arrivals to the South American country who are not residents or nationals and have stayed in Europe or Asia during the last two weeks will not be allowed to enter from Monday, he said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-14--New Zealand: 'Anyone entering country must self-isolate'

People from small South Pacific island countries , which currently have no reported cases , will be exempted , Ardern @ @ @ @ @ .
New Zealand has a large South Pacific islander population .
All cruise ships will @ @ @ @ @ come to New Zealand until June 30 , she said .
Ardern said these were @ @ @ @ @ measures to tackle a global pandemic .
New Zealand has six confirmed cases and has @ @ @ @ @

People from small South Pacific island countries, which currently have no reported cases, will be exempted, Ardern said in a news conference. New Zealand has a large South Pacific islander population.
All cruise ships will also be told not to come to New Zealand until June 30, she said.
Ardern said these were "far-reaching and unprecedented" measures to tackle a global pandemic. New Zealand has six confirmed cases and has not recorded any deaths.
WELLINGTON - New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Saturday that everyone entering the country from midnight Sunday must self isolate for 14 days in an effort to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.


jerusalempost--2020-03-14--Saudi Arabia to suspend international flights starting on Sunday

Saudi Arabia will suspend all international flights starting on Sunday for two weeks , meaning that unless the decision is @ @ @ @ @ March 29 , Reuters reported .
Saudi Arabia will suspend all international flights starting on @ @ @ @ @ meaning that unless the decision is prolonged flights will resume on March 29 , Reuters @ @ @ @ @ the growing coronavirus pandemic as the Saudi kingdom wishes to reduce the rate in which @ @ @ @ @ person to person .

Saudi Arabia will suspend all international flights starting on Sunday for two weeks, meaning that unless the decision is prolonged flights will resume on March 29, Reuters reported.
The decision follows the growing coronavirus pandemic as the Saudi kingdom wishes to reduce the rate in which the virus can spread from person to person.