jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Malaysia reports 123 new coronavirus cases, total at 1,306

The health ministry said 34 of the new cases were linked to a religious gathering held late last month .

Malaysia reported 123 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, taking the total to 1,306 cases, with 10 deaths.
The health ministry said 34 of the new cases were linked to a religious gathering held late last month.
Malaysia has the highest number of cases in Southeast Asia.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Justice Minister extends limited courts activity to fight coronavirus

Acting Justice Minister Amir Ohana , in coordination with the courts , extended the state of emergency governing courts actions @ @ @ @ @ .
Those aspects of the courts , such as the High Court of Justice and @ @ @ @ @ , which were still operating will continue to operate .
In a press release , @ @ @ @ @ the media is claiming the courts had been shut down , they actually do function @ @ @ @ @ if they are on holiday .
Due to the new Health Ministry regulations , people @ @ @ @ @ in groups larger than 10 people .
The court session of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu @ @ @ @ @ of trust was postponed from March to May , due to that decision.Due to the @ @ @ @ @ people are not meant to gather in groups larger than 10 people .

Acting Justice Minister Amir Ohana, in coordination with the courts, extended the state of emergency governing courts actions from Sunday until April 16. Those aspects of the courts, such as the High Court of Justice and emergency hearings in lower courts, which were still operating will continue to operate.
In a press release, the minister said that while the media is claiming the courts had been shut down, they actually do function on a limited scale as if they are on holiday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Attorney-General: Coronavirus is no reason for Knesset not to meet

Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit submitted his opinion to the Supreme Court on Sunday and stated that recent Health Ministry regulations to @ @ @ @ @ do not dictate that the Knesset should not meet .
Known as the Order to @ @ @ @ @ Public , the instructions were used by Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein as a reason to @ @ @ @ @ it has 120 members when in session .
The instructions limit the number of people @ @ @ @ @ single space to 10 people .
In his opinion , the A-G said that it @ @ @ @ @ an epidemic that the Knesset will meet and offer oversight on what the current administration @ @ @

Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit submitted his opinion to the Supreme Court on Sunday and stated that recent Health Ministry regulations to prevent the spread of coronavirus do not dictate that the Knesset should not meet.
Known as the Order to ensure the Health of the Public, the instructions were used by Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein as a reason to shut down the Knesset as it has 120 members when in session. The instructions limit the number of people able to gather in a single space to 10 people.
In his opinion, the A-G said that it is essential that during such an epidemic that the Knesset will meet and offer oversight on what the current administration is doing.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Indonesia confirms 64 new coronavirus cases, 10 new deaths

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Indonesia reported 64 new coronavirus cases and 10 new deaths, a health ministry official told reporters on Sunday, bringing the total number to 514 and 48 respectively.Nine coronavirus patients have recovered, health ministry spokesman, Achmad Yurianto said, bringing the total number of recoveries to 29.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Romania confirms first coronavirus death

The deceased was a 67-year-old man who had been suffering from terminal cancer .
He was confirmed to be infected @ @ @ @ @ and was being treated in a hospital in the southern Romanian city of Craiova .

The Romanian government confirmed on Sunday the first death in the country due to coronavirus.
The deceased was a 67-year-old man who had been suffering from terminal cancer. He was confirmed to be infected with coronavirus on March 18 and was being treated in a hospital in the southern Romanian city of Craiova.
Romania, which has recorded 367 cases of coronavirus to date, declared a state of emergency on March 16.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Czech Republic coronavirus cases rise to 1,047, no deaths

The country of 10.7 million people had 158 new cases on Saturday , the ministry said .

The number of coronavirus cases in the Czech Republic had risen to 1,047 as of Sunday morning, Health Ministry data showed.
The country of 10.7 million people had 158 new cases on Saturday, the ministry said.
Six people have recovered and there have been no deaths. Health workers had tested 15,584 people as of Saturday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Indian railways cancels all passenger trains till March 31

Indian Railways has canceled all passenger train services until March 31 due to the coronavirus outbreak, ANI reported on Sunday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Turkish Airlines says 85% of its planes idle due to coronavirus outbreak

Turkish Airlines' board chairman said on Sunday that 85% of the carrier's passenger planes were not being used at the moment, after Turkey banned flights from more than 60 countries due to the coronavirus outbreak.Passengers older than 65 years were banned from flying with Turkish Airlines, after Ankara imposed a curfew on Saturday for its senior citizens, Board Chairman Ilker Ayci said in an interview broadcast live on CNN Turk TV.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Afghanistan reports 10 new coronavirus cases

Health minister Ferzoddin Feroz said 97 samples were tested in last 24 hours , 10 of them were positive .
@ @ @ @ @ cases rose to 34 on Sunday , he said adding two lawmakers were among the @ @ @ @ @ been sent for test .

Afghanistan on Sunday reported 10 new cases of coronavirus as authorities restricted movement of civilians in the war-torn country, officials said.
Health minister Ferzoddin Feroz said 97 samples were tested in last 24 hours, 10 of them were positive.
The total number of positive cases rose to 34 on Sunday, he said adding two lawmakers were among the suspects and their samples have been sent for test.
"There is fear of a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country, especially in Kabul with around 6 million people," he said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--IDF reports 16 COVID-19 patients among ranks

The IDF released information on coronavirus patients 15 and 16 on social media on Sunday and both are men currently @ @ @ @ @ The IDF reported on Sunday that there are currently 16 soldiers suffering from the novel @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus patients 15 and 16 on social media on Sunday and both are men currently @ @ @ @ @ Patient 15 is a 19-year-old soldier who was in touch with a confirmed patient .
@ @ @ @ @ soldier .
The families of both soldiers were informed and the army is currently tracking @ @ @ @ @ come in contact with the two men .
One man died from coronavirus over the @ @ @ @ @ s only COVID-19 fatality so far .

The IDF released information on coronavirus patients 15 and 16 on social media on Sunday and both are men currently serving in the army. The IDF reported on Sunday that there are currently 16 soldiers suffering from the novel coronavirus.The IDF released information on coronavirus patients 15 and 16 on social media on Sunday and both are men currently serving in the army.
The families of both soldiers were informed and the army is currently tracking all those who might have come in contact with the two men. Patient 15 is a 19-year-old soldier who was in touch with a confirmed patient. Patient 16 is a 22-year-old soldier.The families of both soldiers were informed and the army is currently tracking all those who might have come in contact with the two men.
One man died from coronavirus over the weekend, becoming Israel’s only COVID-19 fatality so far.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Deputy Minister of Finance enters coronavirus home quarantine

He was in the presence of a person who contracted the virus and so placed himself under the quarantine under @ @ @ @ @ .
Cohen will be able to leave quarantine on March 28 .

He was in the presence of a person who contracted the virus and so placed himself under the quarantine under the Health Ministry's instructions. Cohen will be able to leave quarantine on March 28.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Magnitude 6.0 earthquake strikes north of Zagreb - GFZ

An earthquake of magnitude 6.0 struck north of Zagreb, Croatia, the GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) said on Sunday.The quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers, GFZ said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Japan advises citizens to defer non-urgent travel to US

In a message on its web site , the ministry cited a national emergency declared by U.S. President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ U.S. travel restrictions to curb transmission of the virus as the reasons for the tighter @ @

Japan's foreign ministry said it had advised citizens to avoid non-essential and non-urgent travel to the United States because of the spreading coronavirus outbreak.
In a message on its web site, the ministry cited a national emergency declared by U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this month and the U.S. travel restrictions to curb transmission of the virus as the reasons for the tighter warning.
New York state, Illinois and Connecticut on Friday followed California in directing tens of millions of people to stay at home in the most sweeping U.S. social-distancing measures yet imposed in the escalating campaign to curb transmission of the coronavirus.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--UAE energy ministry activates remote work system for all services

The energy and industry ministry of the United Arab Emirates activated on Sunday a remote work system for all its services, as part of efforts to contain the new coronavirus outbreak, according to a post on twitter, addressed to its customers.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Colombia health ministry confirms first coronavirus death

The deceased was a 58-year-old man who worked as a taxi driver in the coastal city of Cartagena , the @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .

The deceased was a 58-year-old man who worked as a taxi driver in the coastal city of Cartagena, the country's health ministry said in a statement.
Colombia's health ministry on Saturday confirmed the country's first death attributed to the coronavirus, as the disease continues to spread worldwide.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Philippines reports 73 new coronavirus cases, 6 more deaths

It also announced six more deaths related to coronavirus , bringing total fatalities to 25 .
Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire @ @ @ @ @ increase in the number of confirmed cases could be `` artificial '' as the government @ @ @ @ @ on a backlog of tests .

It also announced six more deaths related to coronavirus, bringing total fatalities to 25.
Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire told DZBB radio that the increase in the number of confirmed cases could be "artificial" as the government is only now catching up on a backlog of tests.
The Philippines reported 73 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 380, the health ministry said on Sunday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--China reports 46 new coronavirus cases, all but one imported

The new cases recorded on Saturday compared with 41 reported the previous day .
China has now recorded 81,054 coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak , and 3,261 deaths , including six on Saturday .

The new cases recorded on Saturday compared with 41 reported the previous day.
China has now recorded 81,054 coronavirus cases since the start of the outbreak, and 3,261 deaths, including six on Saturday.
China on Sunday reported 46 new cases of coronavirus, the fourth straight day of an increase, with all but one of those cases imported from overseas, according to the country's National Health Commission.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--65 Chabad hassidim from US hospitalized in Israel with coronavirus

All the travelers who were confirmed to have the virus will be transferred to the Shmuel HaRofeh Medical Center .
@ @ @ @ @ the hotel for now which will serve as a place for handling special cases and @ @ @ @ @ are infected .
Eight of the travelers are still being tested for the coronavirus and @ @ @ @ @ be made once the results are in .

Some 65 Chabad hassidim who were in quarantine at the Dan Jerusalem Hotel were told on Sunday they are infected with the novel coronavirus.
They were part of a group of 114 Chabad hassidim, mostly yeshiva students, who arrived from the US last week.
All of those infected will be transferred to Shmuel Harofeh Geriatric Hospital in Be’er Ya’acov. Forty-one of them will remain in the hotel, which will host special cases but not those who are infected.
Eight of the hassidim are still being tested for the coronavirus.
The Health Ministry is trying to locate the 200 people aboard the flight who were exposed to the virus and place them in quarantine.
The Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, where the students were learning, was the site of a large coronavirus outbreak.
They told Israeli media outlets they had been asked before their flight to sign an affidavit that they were not experiencing signs of illness and to the best of their knowledge had not come into contact with someone sick with coronavirus.
Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters in Crown Heights closed last week for the first time ever.
The exact number of cases of coronavirus in Crown Heights has not been reported. According to The New York Times, more than 100 people have tested positive in two other heavily ultra-Orthodox New York City neighborhoods, Borough Park and Williamsburg.
Last week, the defense establishment turned Tel Aviv’s Dan Panorama and Jerusalem’s Dan hotels into quarantine facilities
Preparations have been made by Home Front Command, Magen David Adom and the police to fully isolate the facilities. A specially constructed sterile area has been set up at the entrances to the hotels, and both hotel security and the police will guard the sites to make sure no sick individuals leave.
Two more coronavirus hotels will open soon in Haifa and in the South, OC Home Front Command Maj.-Gen. Tamir Yadai said. With at least 500 rooms, each hotel can hold 500 to 1,000 patients. All medical care will be provided by the Health Ministry. (JTA)
Anna Ahronheim and Maayan Jaffe-Hoffman contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Harvey Weinstein tests positive for coronavirus - report

Weinstein is now in quarantine at the the Wende Correctional Facility in western New York .

Weinstein is now in quarantine at the the Wende Correctional Facility in western New York.
Former Hollywood mogul and convicted sex offender Harvey Weinstein, 68, has tested positive for coronavirus while in prison, according to a report released by the Daily Beast.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Three more IDF soldiers test positive for coronavirus

The IDF reported that three more soldiers have been found to be infected with the coronavirus .
Patient number 502 @ @ @ @ @ her mandatory service , 21 , from central Israel .
She is in light condition @ @ @ @ @ is a soldier in the IDF , 20 , from central Israel , in light @ @ @ @ @ 855 is a 27-year-old IDF officer from central Israel , in light condition .
A @ @ @ @ @ been diagnosed so far with the virus .

The IDF reported that three more soldiers have been found to be infected with the coronavirus.
Patient number 502 is a IDF soldier past her mandatory service, 21, from central Israel. She is in light condition.
Patient No. 993 is a soldier in the IDF, 20, from central Israel, in light condition.
Patient No. 855 is a 27-year-old IDF officer from central Israel, in light condition.
A total of 19 soldiers have been diagnosed so far with the virus.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Czech Republic has first coronavirus death, 95-year-old man

Prymula said on national television that the patient had been suffering from a series of other conditions .

A 95-year-old Czech man infected with the new coronavirus died on Sunday, the country's first victim of the pandemic, the chief of the Czech crisis committee said.
Prymula said on national television that the patient had been suffering from a series of other conditions.
By Sunday, the Czech Republic had reported 1,120 cases of coronavirus infection.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Israel passes 1,000 coronavirus patients: 1,071

Some 1,234 Israelis have been infected with the novel coronavirus as of Monday morning, with the spike in the number of diagnoses likely tied to a sharp increase in the number of coronavirus tests being conducted – some 5,268 in the last 24 hours.According to Health Minister Ya’acov Litzman, already this week Israel will be carrying out an average of 3,000 tests per day and 5,000 by next week – and that number is expected to be 10,000 per day in two weeks.Through the weekend, Magen David Adom had tested a total of about 18,000 people.Of the 1,234 people diagnosed with coronavirus, 1,142 had mild cases, 24 moderate cases and 24 serious ones - an increase of four people in serious condition from press time Sunday. One person , an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor, died over the weekend. So far 37 people have recovered.On Sunday, Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center reported that a baby in its neonatal intensive care unit had contracted the virus and is in serious condition.The hospital explained that the baby had been tested after a hospital staff member who was serving in the prenatal ward contracted the virus from an infected person outside the hospital. Several staff members and the parents of the baby are now in isolation.In addition, the IDF reported on Sunday that there are currently 16 soldiers suffering from the novel coronavirus, and MK Yitzhak Cohen, who serves as deputy finance minister, entered home quarantine on Sunday, his office reported. He was in the presence of a person who contracted the virus and so placed himself under quarantine following the Health Ministry's instructions.As the number of people in quarantine continues to rise and new and stronger restrictions are put in place by the government, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an economic consultation with Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, Economy and Industry Minister Eli Cohen, National Security Council head Meir Ben-Shabbat, Bank of Israel Governor Amir Yaron, National Economic Council head Prof. Avi Simhon, Prime Minister's Office director-general Ronen Peretz, and Finance Ministry director-general Shai Babad. Other key officials also participated.At the conclusion of the meeting, Netanyahu instructed the economic team to present within 48 hours a revised strategic plan for managing the economy. The plan, he said, will include an updated, extensive and significant relief package, including assistance for the self-employed, wage earners, businesses and households.According to the Israeli Employment Service, around 100,000 people registered for unemployment in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of unemployed applicants to 551,830 people. The unemployment rate has increased fourfold to 16.5%. Before the outbreak of the coronavirus, the unemployment rate was about 4%.The economic downturn is a result of a series of emergency orders that the country has put in place to help stop the spread of the virus, which has killed nearly 15,000 people around the world.Now, Litzman said he is considering extending daylight savings time to help keep people off the streets late at night."We are considering extending daylight saving time," Litzman told Channel 12, adding that Interior Minister Arye Deri is already working to implement this move, which would have to take place by Thursday, when clocks are scheduled to change.At the same time, acting police chief Moti Cohen said the police are ready if the country should decide to implement a general closure.The plan would involve dividing the country into quadrants, each headed by a captain and team of police and soldiers, who would monitor borders, movement and enforce quarantine.Cohen made clear that the decision to implement a full closure is not yet on the table, but the police wanted to be prepared.Israel Police released a statement on Sunday afternoon detailing their efforts to assist the Health Ministry in curbing the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.As of Sunday afternoon, 126 criminal cases related to quarantine violations have been opened. In addition, the Investigations and Intelligence Division has been working to monitor and track distributors and producers of fake and fraudulent news over the past few days, with 19 investigations having been opened to date on various cases of citizens spreading false information.In recent days, the police have also started to hand out fines for violations of the recent orders, with a special focus on those violating quarantine or gathering in large groups.So far, 42 fines have been issued.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Temple Mount will be closed for Muslim, Jewish worshippers

In another attempt to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the Waqf announced the closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on the Temple Mount for Muslim worshippers starting on Sunday night.Police will also be blocking any attempt by Jewish worshippers to pray at the Temple Mount.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Angela Merkel in quarantine - report

Angela Merkel in quarantine - report

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was reported to be placed under quarantine on Sunday evening after her doctor, who gave her vaccines, tested positive for the novel coronavirus.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Brazil's Bolsonaro plays down coronavirus risk as cases top 1,000

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro has denied the country's healthcare system will collapse next month, contradicting his own health minister as the number of confirmed cases in the country rose above 1,000.In an interview with CNN Brasil on Saturday night, Bolsonaro also expressed his frustration with several states' measures to essentially shut down commerce and restrict people's movement, saying they have gone too far and are damaging the economy."I think Mandetta was exaggerating," Bolsonaro told CNN Brasil, referring to health minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta, who said on Thursday that Brazil's fragile healthcare system will collapse under the weight of coronavirus by the end of April.Bolsonaro said "collapse" was the wrong choice of words."What we're doing is lengthening the infection curve. I don't believe in a collapse," he said.The latest health ministry figures released late Saturday show that the death toll from coronavirus in Brazil has risen to at least 18, and the number of confirmed cases now stands at 1,128, up from 904 the day before.Bolsonaro tweeted on Sunday that the government is distributing around 10 million coronavirus tests, half of which have been dispatched this month.Sao Paulo state, Brazil's richest and most populous, on Saturday said a statewide quarantine order would take effect on Tuesday and last through April 7, shutting down all but non-essential businesses and services.Retailer Via Varejo said its 1,000-plus stores of white goods chains Casa Bahia and Ponte Frio are closing indefinitely, meaning thousands of brick-and-mortar shops of Brazil's most recognizable chains now have their shutters up.A Datafolha poll in Sunday's Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper showed that an overwhelming majority of Brazilians support many of these drastic measures to beat the spread of coronavirus, although opinion is much more divided on business shutting down.Some 82% said they agree with the suspension of church services, a decision Bolsonaro, who was elected into office with massive support from evangelical Christians due to his conservative social agenda, has heavily criticized.Evangelical churches were shut or deserted on Sunday in some of Brazil's major cities, with many switching to broadcasting services online or via their radio and television channels.The massive doors of the Temple of Solomon, a 10,000-seat place of worship belonging to the Universal Church in Sao Paulo, were closed during what is usually one of their busiest times.Security guards patrolled outside telling visitors that services at the church were suspended for two weeks. Reuters visited five of Sao Paulo's biggest evangelical churches - all were closed.Ailton Pinheiro, a member of the administrative team at the Assembly of God church in Brasilia, said pastor Hadman Daniel is giving sermons two or three times a week via his Facebook page and that the church will remain closed as long as it is told."Everybody realizes the situation. Everyone has accepted it calmly," he said in the church's deserted car park.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Germany bans meetings of more than two people in public

Germany tightened curbs on social interaction on Sunday, including a ban on public meetings of more than two people, to slow the spread of the coronavirus."The great aim is to gain time in the fight against the virus," Chancellor Angela Merkel told a press briefing.For at least the next two weeks, people will not be allowed to form groups of more than two in public unless they live together in the same household or the gathering is work-related, she added.As part of a bundle of stricter rules, restaurants can only offer takeaway services and hairdressers and beauty, massage and tattoo parlors must close.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Italy coronavirus deaths rise by 651 in a day, total death toll at 5,476

The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy has risen by 651 to 5,476, officials said on Sunday, an increase of 13.5% but down on Saturday's figure when some 793 people died.The total number of cases in Italy rose to 59,138 from a previous 53,578, an increase of 10.4%, the Civil Protection Agency said -- the lowest rise in percentage terms since the contagion came to light on Feb. 21.Of those originally infected nationwide, 7,024 had fully recovered on Sunday compared to 6,072 the day before. There were 3,009 people in intensive care against a previous 2,857.The hardest-hit northern region of Lombardy remained in a critical situation, with 3,456 deaths and 27,206 cases against a previously given 3,095 and 25,515 respectively.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Litzman: Health Ministry considering postponing daylight savings

During an interview with Channel 12 news, Health Minister Yaakov Litzman said that the Health Ministry is currently considering postponing daylight savings time in order to curb the spread of coronavirus.His reasoning for the proposal was that if the sun fell earlier, people would spend less time outside their homes.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Mozambique confirms first coronavirus case

Mozambique has confirmed its first case of the new coronavirus - a 75-year-old man who had recently returned from Britain, health minister Armindo Tiago said on Sunday.The man returned to the country mid-March, Tiago told journalists.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--2-month-old premature baby tests positive for coronavirus

A premature baby , a patient , and an employee at Shaare Zedek hospital in Jerusalem were reported as having @ @ @ @ @ in a press release sent out by the hospital on Sunday .
As the patient @ @ @ @ @ have the virus , she was placed in a room with family members and two @ @ @ @ @ who now in quarantine .
The parents of the baby and other workers are also @ @ @ @ @ who was reported to have the virus was working in the prenatal ward and might @ @ @ @ @ there.The parents of the baby and other workers are also in quarantine .

A premature baby, a patient, and an employee at Shaare Zedek hospital in Jerusalem were reported as having the novel coronavirus on Sunday in a press release sent out by the hospital on Sunday.
As the patient was first thought to not have the virus, she was placed in a room with family members and two staff workers, all of who now in quarantine.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Algeria coronavirus cases rises by 62 to 201

Algeria has reported 62 new coronavirus cases, bringing to 201 the total number of people infected with the virus, the health ministry said on Sunday.It said a total of 110 cases were recorded in the Blida area, south of the capital.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--30 Israeli Navy soldiers evacuated from Germany on IAF plane

The delegation consists of 16 crew members on a `` Ram '' transport aircraft .
The fighters have been in @ @ @ @ @ the sailing crews of the Sa'ar 6 class corvettes expected to arrive in Israel later @ @ @ @ @ soldiers will go into isolation upon their arrival as directed by the Ministry of Health @ @ @ @ @ the project will be continuing their work at a shipyard in Germany to train ships @ @

The delegation consists of 16 crew members on a "Ram" transport aircraft. The fighters have been in Germany lately as part of the sailing crews of the Sa'ar 6 class corvettes expected to arrive in Israel later in the year.
The soldiers will go into isolation upon their arrival as directed by the Ministry of Health. Permanent officers serving in the project will be continuing their work at a shipyard in Germany to train ships and crews
As a result of the spread of coronavirus and the preventative measure taken by Germany which included the closure of hotels, some 30 Israeli Navy combat soldiers were returned to Israeli territory on Sunday through a dedicated Air Force mission.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Canada coronavirus death toll jumps almost 50% to 19 in less than a day

The Canadian death toll from the coronavirus outbreak jumped almost 50% percent to 19 in less than a day, according to official figures released by the federal government on Sunday.Ottawa said late on Saturday that 13 people had died from the respiratory illness caused by the virus, but by 9 a.m. ET (1300 GMT) on Sunday that number had grown to 19. The number of confirmed cases rose to 1,302 from 1,099, with a further 69 people listed as probably suffering from the highly contagious virus.Canada has already closed its borders to all but essential travel, announced a C$27 billion aid package for the most affected by the health crisis and is urging people to practice self-isolation.Health Minister Patty Hajdu said on Saturday that "Canadians need to understand this isn't about two weeks of social distancing. This is about months of social distancing."Nova Scotia on Sunday became the latest of Canada's 10 provinces to declare a state of emergency, closing its borders to non-residents and threatening to arrest those who did not practice self-distancing.Premier Stephen McNeil told a news conference that despite warnings to avoid meeting in large groups, people were flocking to provincial parks and other common areas."We are dealing with a deadly virus and this behavior is unacceptable," he said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Health Ministry cancels nurse licensing exams due to coronavirus

As health workers around Israel stuggle to deal with a lack of staff , with 900 nurses currently in quarantinem @ @ @ @ @ canceled the upcoming nurse licensing exam scheduled for April 6 , due to new regulations @ @ @ @

As health workers around Israel stuggle to deal with a lack of staff, with 900 nurses currently in quarantinem the Health Ministry on Sunday canceled the upcoming nurse licensing exam scheduled for April 6, due to new regulations regarding public gatherings.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--US airlines to get $50 billion coronavirus loan package

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US airlines will get about one-quarter of the $200 billion collateralized loan package being worked out with Congress – or $50 billion – to help firms deal with the economic impact of the coronavirus epidemic, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said.Navarro told Fox News the legislative package would also help the Federal Reserve to use the Exchange Stabilization Fund to provide needed liquidity and "turn on the spigot so that we get whatever we need in the economy."


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Eden Alene will represent Israel in the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest

Following the announcement of the cancellation of the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest amid fears of spreading coronavirus , the Kan @ @ @ @ @ Alene on Sunday that she would instead represent Israel in Eurovision 2021 .

Following the announcement of the cancellation of the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest amid fears of spreading coronavirus, Israel's public broadcaster KAN told Eden Alene on Sunday during the Culture Agent program that she would instead represent Israel at Eurovision 2021.
כאן מחליטים: עדן אלנה תייצג אותנו באירוויזיון 2021! לפני דקות אחדות התבשרה עדן אלנה בשידור חי כי תייצג את ישראל באירוויזיון שייערך בשנה הבאה, בתכנית "סוכן תרבות" - המהדורה היומית. סומכים עלייך@EdenElene pic.twitter.com/JuP6yiXII7 — כאן (@kann) March 22, 2020
Alene, a 19-year-old Ethiopian Israeli, was selected to represent Israel at the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam, Netherlands, after winning Hakokhav Haba (The Next Star). She was the first Ethiopian Israeli to be chosen to represent the Jewish state in the competition, and was slated to sing “Feker Libi” by Doron Medalie and Idan Raichel at the show.The contest was slated to begin on May 16, just nine days after Alene's 20th birthday.However, due to the coronavirus, the European Broadcasting Union was forced to cancel the show.“It’s in the DNA of the Eurovision Song Contest to bring delegations, artists and fans together in one place and provide an equal platform for all artists to compete together on the same stage and the same opportunity to shine,” the EBU said in a statement at the time. “We are all heartbroken that the Eurovision Song Contest will not be able to be staged in May but feel confident that the whole Eurovision family, across the world, will continue to provide love and support for each other at this difficult time.”Upon hearing the news that she will be representing Israel in 2021, Alene's jaw visibly drops before she hides her face in her hands in a display of emotion. She thanked KAN before remarking "We're going to win!"She concluded her message by, after asking permission, shouting loudly with enthusiasm as others cheers, quickly stating together with the host of Culture Agent that there aren't more than 10 people present, as mandated by the Health Ministry's guidelines that were recently signed into law.In a statement, Michal Abra Samuel – CEO of the NGO Fidel, which works to help integrate Ethiopian immigrants into Israeli society on an educational and social level – praised KAN for the decision."In the past few days, we've approached KAN CEO Eldad Koblenz [about the matter] and we see that in light of our many requests, KAN has made the right, proper and just decision."Alene's win instilled hope in the hearts of many people and teenagers, who see her as a role model," she continued. "Oh behalf of us, the Ethiopian community and many others, we are pleased that you upheld Eden Alene's right to represent the State of Israel in the next Eurovision Song Contest in 2021. Eden is an asset to Israeli society and of added value to members of the Ethiopian community. She won this year's competition with great respect and after an arduous and difficult campaign, so such a step is worthy and fair."On Saturday, it was reported that Eurovision's organizers were considering alternatives to the canceled Eurovision, though specifying that it would be a program rather than a competition.According to a Reuters report, countries would be free to send the same participants selected for the 2020 Eurovision, but would be required to select new songs.In addition to Israel, the EBU announced on Monday that 10 other countries have already announced their participants in the 2021 Eurovision, using the representatives initially selected for the 2020 iteration. These countries are Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Spain, the Netherlands, Greece, Bulgaria, Belgium, Croatia, Georgia and Switzerland.Hannah Brown contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Netanyahu to economic team: 'Submit a new plan within 48 hours'

At the hearing , the Prime Minister directed that the economic team submit an economic plan within 48 hours , @ @ @ @ @ package of broad and significant relief efforts , including assistance to independent contractors , employees @ @ @ @ @ In attendance were Finance and Economy Ministers , the head of the NSC , the @ @ @ @ @ 's Office and the Treasury Office , the head of the National Council of Economics @ @ @ @ @ from the aid package will be submitted for Knesset approval .

At the hearing, the Prime Minister directed that the economic team submit an economic plan within 48 hours, as well as another updated package of broad and significant relief efforts, including assistance to independent contractors, employees, businesses and households.
In attendance were Finance and Economy Ministers, the head of the NSC, the CEOs of the Prime Minister's Office and the Treasury Office, the head of the National Council of Economics and others.
In attendance were Finance and Economy Ministers, the head of the NSC, the CEOs of the Prime Minister's Office and the Treasury Office, the head of the National Council of Economics and others.
Certain programs from the aid package will be submitted for Knesset approval.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a consultation with his economic team on Sunday afternoon to assess the market situation amid the coronavirus crisis.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Justice Minister halts collections due to coronavirus

Justice Minister Amir Ohana halted foreclosures , wage garnishes , bank account freezing and the like on Sunday due to @ @ @ @ @ happening because of the novel coronavirus .
This means that people can not be evacuated @ @ @ @ @ have their cars confiscated , if they fail to make their payments .
The exceptions @ @ @ @ @ who are not paying child support and people who were fined for violating the Health @ @ @ @ @ remain in quarantine .
In these two cases foreclosure will be carried out .

Justice Minister Amir Ohana halted foreclosures, wage garnishes, bank account freezing and the like on Sunday due to the financial crisis that is happening because of the novel coronavirus.
This means that people cannot be evacuated from their homes, or have their cars confiscated, if they fail to make their payments.
The exceptions to this decision are people who are not paying child support and people who were fined for violating the Health Ministry’s instructions to remain in quarantine. In these two cases foreclosure will be carried out.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Premature baby diagnosed as having coronavirus in Shaare Zedek


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Iraq extends curfew in Baghdad to contain coronavirus

It said it had also decided to extend a ban on all inbound and outbound flights from the country 's @ @ @ @ @ Under the curfew imposed on March 17 no persons can travel into or out of @ @

Iraq's government has extended a curfew on travel in and out of Baghdad until March 28 as part of strict measures to prevent the coronavirus from spreading, it said in a statement on Sunday.
It said it had also decided to extend a ban on all inbound and outbound flights from the country's airports until March 28.
Under the curfew imposed on March 17 no persons can travel into or out of Baghdad.
At least 230 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed so far in Iraq, the Health Ministry said on Sunday, and 20 people have died.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Coronavirus: President's House security personnel enter isolation

A number of security guards who protect the President's Residence have entered isolation after coming in contact with a coronavirus patient.The guards were not in close contact with the president and he is not entering isolation.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Palestinian PM orders those in West Bank to self-isolate for 14 days

Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, has ordered all Palestinians living in the West Bank to observe 14 days of a self-isolation as part of a territorial wide quarantine attempting to curb the spread of the coronavirus.The order, announced by Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh on television, goes into force at 10 p.m. (2000GMT). Medical personnel, pharmacists, grocers and bakers would be exempt, he said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Kosovo authorities reports first death from coronavirus

`` Patient already had chronic illness , cardio and pulmonary , '' the statement said .

An 82-year old man who died in hospital in Kosovo on Sunday is the country's first victim of the coronavirus, the Kosovo Public Health Institute said in a statement.
"Patient already had chronic illness, cardio and pulmonary," the statement said.
Kosovo, a country of 2 million people, has registered 31 cases of people infected with coronavirus.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--Iran's death toll from coronavirus climbs to 1,812 with 127 new deaths

Iran's death toll from the new coronavirus has increased to 1,812, with 127 new deaths in the past 24 hours, a health ministry spokesman told state TV on Monday, adding that the country's total number of infected people has reached 23,049.Kianush Jahanpur said that in the past 24 hours, some 1,411 Iranians had been infected with the virus across the Islamic Republic, which has the worst outbreak in the Middle East.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--Malaysia coronavirus cases up by 212 in biggest daily jump

About 970 of the total cases are linked to a religious gathering last month near the Malaysian capital , Kuala @ @ @ @ @ said .

Malaysia reported 212 new coronavirus cases on Monday, the biggest daily jump in the Southeast Asian country and bringing the total to 1,518.
About 970 of the total cases are linked to a religious gathering last month near the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, the health ministry said.
The death toll from the coronavirus infection rose to 14, the ministry said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--Kremlin says coronavirus aid to Italy is not a ploy to get EU sanctions lifted

The Russian army on Sunday began flying medical help to Italy after receiving an order from President Vladimir Putin , @ @ @ @ @ labeled `` From Russia with Love . ''
When asked if Russia expected Italy to @ @ @ @ @ to get EU sanctions imposed on Russia over Ukraine lifted , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov @ @ @ @ @ .

The Kremlin said on Monday that medical assistance Russia was providing to Italy to help it battle the new coronavirus was not part of an attempt to get Rome help lift EU sanctions on Moscow.
The Russian army on Sunday began flying medical help to Italy after receiving an order from President Vladimir Putin, a goodwill gesture that Moscow labeled "From Russia with Love."
When asked if Russia expected Italy to return the favor by trying to get EU sanctions imposed on Russia over Ukraine lifted, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the notion as absurd.
"We're not talking about any conditions or calculations or hopes here," Peskov said. "Italy is really in need of much more wide scale help and what Russia does is manageable," he said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--Indonesia coronavirus cases rise by 65 to 579

Indonesia reported 65 new positive cases of coronavirus disease on Monday, bringing the total number of cases in Southeast Asia's largest economy to 579, Health Ministry official Achmad Yurianto told reporters.The number of people killed by the virus rose by one on Monday to 49, he said, while 30 patients have recovered from the disease.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--Britain now has access to 12,000 ventilators

Britain now has access to 12,000 ventilators after it bought more from existing providers and its manufacturers are stepping up further production, Health Minister Matt Hancock said on Monday."We've made serious progress on that, there's now over 12,000 that we've managed to get to," he told BBC Radio. "We started with 5,000 so we've been buying ventilators and we've also been engaged with companies who are going to turn their production over to ventilators."


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--62,000 more people applied for unemployment benefits

Some 85 % of all new claimants are employees placed on unpaid leave , the Israeli Employment Service said in an update at 5 p.m. , resulting primarily from the coronavirus pandemic .
The number of new claimants was rising at a pace of 5,000 per hour , with almost half from the Tel Aviv and central Israel regions .
After the Employment Service website crashed due to the high level of traffic , the government body said it had expanded its server capacity to handle increased demand .
Manual registration is also possible in Employment Service bureaus .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requiring no specific experience ( 17,300 ) , followed by teaching and education ( 14,500 ) , sales ( 11,700 ) and hospitality ( 7,600 ) .
“ We are continuing to improve and expand our technological capabilities , and the website of the Employment Service is now accepting tens of thousands of users successfully , ” said Employment Service director-general Rami Garor .
“ We are aware of the enormous difficulties faced by job-seekers and employers , and we will do everything possible to create solutions for the public during the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us during the near future.
” Facing soaring demand , the Employment Service emphasized that all those who register for benefits by March 26 will be recognized as though they had registered by March 15 .
As financial concerns mount for many citizens during the current crisis , a survey published on Wednesday by Israeli customer experience start-up Lightico highlighted the need for an increased range of digital solutions .
Nearly half ( 49 % ) of consumers said they were less likely to take a loan from a bank if it required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 56 % said they were concerned about their ability to pay back loans in the coming months – including mortgage and car payments .
More than six-in-10 ( 63 % ) consumers said they were more inclined to try a new digital application or website than before the coronavirus crisis .

A total of 54,000 newly out of work Israelis applied to receive unemployment benefits on Wednesday alone, bringing the total of new claimants since the beginning of March to approximately 234,200.
Some 85% of all new claimants are employees placed on unpaid leave, the Israeli Employment Service said in an update at 5 p.m., resulting primarily from the coronavirus pandemic. The number of new claimants was rising at a pace of 5,000 per hour, with almost half from the Tel Aviv and central Israel regions.
After the Employment Service website crashed due to the high level of traffic, the government body said it had expanded its server capacity to handle increased demand. Manual registration is also possible in Employment Service bureaus.
The highest number of claimants came from roles requiring no specific experience (17,300), followed by teaching and education (14,500), sales (11,700) and hospitality (7,600).
“We are continuing to improve and expand our technological capabilities, and the website of the Employment Service is now accepting tens of thousands of users successfully,” said Employment Service director-general Rami Garor.
“We are aware of the enormous difficulties faced by job-seekers and employers, and we will do everything possible to create solutions for the public during the coronavirus crisis, which is expected to accompany us during the near future.”
Facing soaring demand, the Employment Service emphasized that all those who register for benefits by March 26 will be recognized as though they had registered by March 15.
As financial concerns mount for many citizens during the current crisis, a survey published on Wednesday by Israeli customer experience start-up Lightico highlighted the need for an increased range of digital solutions.
Nearly half (49%) of consumers said they were less likely to take a loan from a bank if it required going to a physical branch, while 56% said they were concerned about their ability to pay back loans in the coming months – including mortgage and car payments.
More than six-in-10 (63%) consumers said they were more inclined to try a new digital application or website than before the coronavirus crisis.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--Germany reports 22,672 coronavirus cases, 86 deaths

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany has risen to 22,672 and 86 people have died from the disease, a tally by public health agency Robert Koch Institute (RKI) showed on Monday.That compares with 18,610 cases and 55 deaths on Sunday, when RKI warned that the actual number was likely higher as not all local health authorities had submitted their figures over the weekend.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--Tough measures to be brought in, and for longer, if Britons ignore advice

`` Well , we 're perfectly prepared to do that if we need to because the objective here is really @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the virus , '' Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News .

Britain's health minister said stricter restrictions on Britons' movements would be brought in if people did not observe advice to avoid social interaction, warning that such measures would also have to stay in place for longer.
"Well, we're perfectly prepared to do that if we need to because the objective here is really clear which is to stop the spread of the virus," Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News.
"Of course we will enforce and bring in further strong measures if we need to. The prime minister was talking yesterday about making these decisions very soon and it's something we have under constant review."


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--Montenegro reports its first death from coronavirus infection

`` The man was transported to the Clinical Center of Montenegro ... and unfortunately died shortly afterwards , '' Jevto @ @ @ @ @ .

A 65-year old man from the Montenegrin town of Herceg Novi who died in hospital in the capital Podgorica on Sunday is the Adriatic country's first victim of the coronavirus, the director of the Clinical Center of Montenegro.
"The man was transported to the Clinical Center of Montenegro ... and unfortunately died shortly afterwards," Jevto Erakovic said late on Sunday.
The patient suffered from a chronic lung disease before he contracted the coronavirus. Montenegro, a tiny Balkan republic of only 620,000, has registered 22 cases of coronavirus infection.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--Qatar announces $150 mil. aid to Gaza to support UN, coronavirus efforts

Qatar announced $150 million in aid to the Gaza Strip over a period of six months, to support United Nations humanitarian programmes in the Palestinian territory and efforts to contain the new coronavirus outbreak, the state-run Qatari Committee to Rebuild Gaza said Monday on Twitter.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--IDF considers not demolishing West Bank houses due to coronvairus

IDF might postpone demolition of terrorist homes in the West Bank amid the coronavirus outbreak to avoid confrontations with Palestinians, Army Radio reported on Monday morning.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--US Secretary of State Pompeo arrives in Afghanistan

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in Afghanistan on Monday on a previously unannounced visit to help salvage a historic deal between Washington and the Taliban, struck at the end of February but marred by political feuds and violence.Pompeo landed in Kabul to meet with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his political rival Abdullah Abdullah who also claims he is president.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--Netanyahu to enter discussion on restricting traffic movement

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will enter discussions Monday morning on the possibility of imposing stricter restrictions on civilian traffic.Health Minister Ya'acov Litzman, Defense Minister Naftali Bennett, Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, Public Security Minister Gilad Arden, Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz and the Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit are expected to take part in the discussions.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--Taiwan reports 26 new cases of coronavirus, total now 195

Taiwan's government announced 26 new cases of coronavirus on Monday, bringing the total number to 195.All but one of the new cases was imported, in people with travel histories to the United States, Spain, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland and Britain, the government said in a statement.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--Tokyo considering 2020 Games postponement among many scenarios

Tokyo 2020 Olympics chief Yoshiro Mori said on Monday that organizers would consider postponement as one of many scenarios that they aim to have ready in four weeks, but that the Games would not be canceled.Mori told a news conference a team of people from among the International Olympic Committee and Tokyo organizers would discuss how to proceed with the Games.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--Cambodia reports two new coronavirus cases, bringing total to 86

`` We have not yet found evidence of community outbreaks , but there is a possibility , '' Cambodia 's @ @ @ @ @ in a Facebook post on Monday .

"We have not yet found evidence of community outbreaks, but there is a possibility," Cambodia's Communicable Disease Control department said in a Facebook post on Monday.
Cambodia reported two new coronavirus cases on Monday, bringing the total to 86, health authorities said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--Trump says US to make a decision on coronavirus outbreak after 15-day plan

`` We can not let the cure be worse than the problem itself , '' he said in a tweet @ @ @ @ @ on March 16 aimed at slowing the spread of the disease over the following 15 @ @

"We cannot let the cure be worse than the problem itself," he said in a tweet.
Trump issued new guidelines on March 16 aimed at slowing the spread of the disease over the following 15 days.
President Donald Trump on Sunday said the United States will make a decision at the end of a 15-day period on "which way we want to go," to curb the spread of the coronavirus.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--New Zealand announces move to enter lockdown over next 48 hours

The move means bars , cafes , restaurants and cinemas will be shut .
Supermarkets and pharmacies will remain open @ @ @ @ @ that the country was well supplied .
All schools will be closed from Tuesday , @ @ @ @ @ Zealand is now preparing to go into self isolation , '' Ardern told a news @ @

The move means bars, cafes, restaurants and cinemas will be shut. Supermarkets and pharmacies will remain open, Ardern said, adding that the country was well supplied.
All schools will be closed from Tuesday, she said.
"New Zealand is now preparing to go into self isolation," Ardern told a news conference.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday the country will move into its highest alert level, with all-non-essential services, schools and offices to be shut over the next 48 hours.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--China sees drop in new coronavirus cases; all new cases imported

China had 39 new confirmed cases on Sunday , the National Health Commission said , down from 46 a day earlier .
All of them involved travelers arriving from abroad , many of whom are Chinese students returning home .
The city of Beijing expanded measures to contain imported infections , diverting all international flights arriving from Monday to other airports in other cities , including Shanghai and as far west as Xian , where passengers will undergo virus screening .
Beijing reported 10 new imported cases , the National Health Commission said on Monday , down from 13 a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city hit an all-time high of 21 on March 18 .
Shanghai and Guangzhou have also said all arriving international passengers will undergo tests to screen for the coronavirus , expanding a program that previously only applied to those coming from heavily-affected countries .
Shanghai reported 10 new cases on Sunday , down from a record 14 a day earlier .
Guangdong province saw seven new imported infections , Fujian had four and Jiangsu had two .
Hebei , Zhejiang , Jiangxi , Shandong and Sichuan each saw just one case , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 314 so far .
Mainland China saw no new locally transmitted infections .
In Wuhan , capital of central Hubei province , authorities have eased tough lockdown measures as the epicenter of the outbreak in China saw no new infection for the fifth day .
Downtown Wuhan remains the only high-risk area in the province , with other cities and counties in Hubei are now classifed as low-risk .
Wuhan went into a virtual lockdown on Jan. 23 to contain the spread of the virus to the rest of China .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enter the city if they are certified healthy and have no fever .
Hubei residents who are in Wuhan can apply to leave the city , but they have to go through a test for the virus and if are certified healthy .
There is still no indication that Wuhan residents can leave the city for non-essential reasons .
As of Sunday , the total accumulated number of confirmed cases in mainland China stood at 81,093 .
The death toll from the outbreak in mainland China reached 3,270 , up by nine from @ @ @ @

China had 39 new confirmed cases on Sunday, the National Health Commission said, down from 46 a day earlier. All of them involved travelers arriving from abroad, many of whom are Chinese students returning home.
The city of Beijing expanded measures to contain imported infections, diverting all international flights arriving from Monday to other airports in other cities, including Shanghai and as far west as Xian, where passengers will undergo virus screening.
Beijing reported 10 new imported cases, the National Health Commission said on Monday, down from 13 a day earlier. Infections from abroad in the city hit an all-time high of 21 on March 18.
Shanghai and Guangzhou have also said all arriving international passengers will undergo tests to screen for the coronavirus, expanding a program that previously only applied to those coming from heavily-affected countries.
Shanghai reported 10 new cases on Sunday, down from a record 14 a day earlier.
Guangdong province saw seven new imported infections, Fujian had four and Jiangsu had two. Hebei, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Shandong and Sichuan each saw just one case, bringing the total imported cases in China to 314 so far.
Mainland China saw no new locally transmitted infections.
In Wuhan, capital of central Hubei province, authorities have eased tough lockdown measures as the epicenter of the outbreak in China saw no new infection for the fifth day.
Downtown Wuhan remains the only high-risk area in the province, with other cities and counties in Hubei are now classifed as low-risk.
Wuhan went into a virtual lockdown on Jan. 23 to contain the spread of the virus to the rest of China.
According to authorities on Sunday, people can enter the city if they are certified healthy and have no fever.
Hubei residents who are in Wuhan can apply to leave the city, but they have to go through a test for the virus and if are certified healthy.
There is still no indication that Wuhan residents can leave the city for non-essential reasons.
As of Sunday, the total accumulated number of confirmed cases in mainland China stood at 81,093.
The death toll from the outbreak in mainland China reached 3,270, up by nine from the previous day.
Mainland China saw a drop in its daily tally of new coronavirus cases, reversing four straight days of gains, as the capital Beijing ramped up measures to contain the number of infections arriving from abroad.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--New Zealand reports 36 new coronavirus cases, total crosses 100

Of the new cases , two are related to community transmission , Ministry of Health 's Director-General of Health Dr @ @ @ @ @ news conference .

Of the new cases, two are related to community transmission, Ministry of Health's Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said in a news conference. Of the new cases, two are related to community transmission, Ministry of Health's Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said in a news conference.
The number of coronavirus cases in New Zealand crossed the 100 mark on Monday as the country reported 36 new infections.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--UAE suspends all passenger and transit flights to and from the country

WAM added the decision will take effect after 48 hours and will last for two weeks , subject to review @ @ @

WAM added the decision will take effect after 48 hours and will last for two weeks, subject to review and evaluation.
UAE suspended all passenger and transit flights to and from the country for two weeks over coronavirus fears - state news agency WAM said on Sunday citing National Emergency and Crisis and the Civil Aviation Authority.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Saudi King Salman imposes curfew to curb coronavirus spread

The decision will take effect from Monday evening March 23 .

The decision will take effect from Monday evening March 23.
Saudi King Salman ordered a curfew to curb the spread of the coronavirus, from 7 pm to 6 am for 21 days , state media said on Sunday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-22--Right-wing bloc MKs to boycott Knesset committee forming discussions

`` In light of the one-sided behavior of the Blue and White Party and their friends , all 58 members @ @ @ @ @ to boycott the discussion [ Monday ] at the Knesset plenary , '' said Zohar @ @ @ @ @ years that the State of Israel has existed and in all 22 Knessets that have @ @ @ @ @ there has never been a situation in which the formation of the Regulations Committee and @ @ @ @ @ to a vote at the plenary without an agreement , sadly and to the shame @ @ @ @ @ dam has been breached , even this rule has been broken amid their stampede after @ @ @ @ @ acts from morning to morning for all citizens of Israel in the complicated fight against @ @ @ @ @ citizens of Israel . ''
`` This dictatorial approach that they are carrying out under @ @ @ @ @ and Avi Nisenkron pains us , there is no doubt that this approach will lead @ @ @ @ @ a hard democratic failure , '' added Zohar .

"In light of the one-sided behavior of the Blue and White Party and their friends, all 58 members of the right-wing bloc decided to boycott the discussion [Monday] at the Knesset plenary," said Zohar. "Throughout all the years that the State of Israel has existed and in all 22 Knessets that have been formed in it, there has never been a situation in which the formation of the Regulations Committee and other committees have been brought to a vote at the plenary without an agreement, sadly and to the shame of Blue and White this dam has been breached, even this rule has been broken amid their stampede after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who acts from morning to morning for all citizens of Israel in the complicated fight against the coronavirus which endangers all citizens of Israel."
"This dictatorial approach that they are carrying out under the leadership of Yair Lapid and Avi Nisenkron pains us, there is no doubt that this approach will lead them in the future to a hard democratic failure," added Zohar.
The right-wing bloc will boycott discussions at the Knesset on Monday that are meant to form committees to handle the coronavirus outbreak, announced MK Miki Zohar, chairman of the Likud faction, on Sunday, according to Maariv.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--US clinical trials of possible coronavirus treatments to start on Tuesday

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Monday said a clinical trial for possible treatment of the deadly coronavirus will begin @ @ @ @ @ reiterating his belief that a combination of anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine and the antibiotic azithromycin could @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Clinical trials in New York will begin on existing drugs that may prove @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump said .
`` We have 10,000 units going and it will be distributed @ @ @

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Monday said a clinical trial for possible treatment of the deadly coronavirus will begin in New York soon, reiterating his belief that a combination of anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine and the antibiotic azithromycin could beat back the global pandemic.
"Clinical trials in New York will begin on existing drugs that may prove effective against the virus," Trump said. "We have 10,000 units going and it will be distributed tomorrow."


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--'Enough is enough': Trudeau tells Canadians to stay home

A clearly unhappy Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday said people defying advice to isolate themselves to fight a coronavirus outbreak should `` go home and stay home '' or face sanctions .
Shortly after he spoke , the premier of Ontario - the most populous of Canada 's 10 provinces - announced a two-week shutdown of non-essential businesses starting late on Tuesday .
The number of people diagnosed with the illness caused by the new coronavirus jumped to more than 2,000 from 1,430 on Sunday , and the death toll rose to 24 from 20 , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp .
Although Ottawa and the provinces have urged Canadians to stay at home , and in some cases put limits on gatherings , Trudeau said too many people were disregarding the advice .
`` We 've all seen the pictures online of people who seem to think they are invincible .
Well , you 're not , '' Trudeau said .
`` Enough is enough .
Go home and stay home ... we 're going to make sure this happens , whether by educating people more on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's needed , '' he told reporters .
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said it was unacceptable that people returning from winter breaks in Florida and elsewhere were not going into self-isolation for 14 days as required .
Ford spoke after announcing that only food stores , pharmacies and other essential shops could remain open .
`` This was a very , very tough decision ... We must get ahead of this virus to beat this virus , '' he told reporters .
The Pacific province of British Columbia announced a C $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while Alberta is canceling a planned increase to property taxes and allowing businesses to defer payments until September .
Federal and provincial officials said on Sunday that people ignoring advice to self-isolate or avoid large groups could be fined or arrested .
Trudeau was to speak to the premiers on Monday to coordinate the messaging on self-isolation .
All the provinces have imposed some sort of state of emergency .
Legislators are to return to Ottawa on Tuesday to pass a package of stimulus measures and tax relief worth a total of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking recently retired meat inspectors to return to work as it tries to ease staffing shortages and ensure the food system remains intact , officials said .

A clearly unhappy Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday said people defying advice to isolate themselves to fight a coronavirus outbreak should "go home and stay home" or face sanctions.
Shortly after he spoke, the premier of Ontario - the most populous of Canada's 10 provinces - announced a two-week shutdown of non-essential businesses starting late on Tuesday.
The number of people diagnosed with the illness caused by the new coronavirus jumped to more than 2,000 from 1,430 on Sunday, and the death toll rose to 24 from 20, according to a tally of announcements from officials compiled by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.
Although Ottawa and the provinces have urged Canadians to stay at home, and in some cases put limits on gatherings, Trudeau said too many people were disregarding the advice.
"We've all seen the pictures online of people who seem to think they are invincible. Well, you're not," Trudeau said.
"Enough is enough. Go home and stay home ... we're going to make sure this happens, whether by educating people more on the risks or by enforcing the rules if that's needed," he told reporters.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said it was unacceptable that people returning from winter breaks in Florida and elsewhere were not going into self-isolation for 14 days as required.
Ford spoke after announcing that only food stores, pharmacies and other essential shops could remain open.
"This was a very, very tough decision ... We must get ahead of this virus to beat this virus," he told reporters.
The Pacific province of British Columbia announced a C$5 billion plan to support the economy, while Alberta is canceling a planned increase to property taxes and allowing businesses to defer payments until September.
Federal and provincial officials said on Sunday that people ignoring advice to self-isolate or avoid large groups could be fined or arrested.
Trudeau was to speak to the premiers on Monday to coordinate the messaging on self-isolation. All the provinces have imposed some sort of state of emergency.
Legislators are to return to Ottawa on Tuesday to pass a package of stimulus measures and tax relief worth a total of C$82 billion.
Canada is asking recently retired meat inspectors to return to work as it tries to ease staffing shortages and ensure the food system remains intact, officials said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--New Mexico governor issues statewide stay-at-home order

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday issued a statewide stay-at-home order asking residents to remain in their houses @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
New Mexico joined at least 12 other states that have issued similar @ @ @ @ @ percent of the US population to stay at home .

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday issued a statewide stay-at-home order asking residents to remain in their houses to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
New Mexico joined at least 12 other states that have issued similar orders, urging around 40 percent of the US population to stay at home.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--High Court to Edelstein: Hold vote on your office by Wednesday

The justices said they decided to issue a ruling after Edelstein refused to commit to any other set date and @ @ @ @ @ vote based on the ongoing political negotiations to form a government .
The High Court @ @ @ @ @ it would take if Edelstein attempted to ignore the ruling .
The High Court decision @ @ @ @ @ , less than an hour after Edelstein 's 9:13 p.m. response to the High Court @ @ @ @ @ one of the its most dramatic decisions in recent history , five Supreme Court justices @ @ @ @ @ allow Blue and White Party , led by Benny Gantz , to hold a vote @ @ @ @ @ The decision came after Edelstein refused to convene the Knesset following last Monday 's swearing-in @ @ @ @ @

Former justice minister Ayelet Shaked expressed confidence on Tuesday that Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein would honor the Supreme Court's request to allow a vote to replace him by Wednesday's deadline.
The decision came after Edelstein refused to convene the Knesset following last Monday's swearing-in of the new parliament. Five justices told Edelstein (Likud) late Monday night that he must hold a vote for the Blue and White party to potentially replace him no later than Wednesday. Edelstein responded that if it intervened to essentially force him out of office, it would permanently damage the court and the judicial establishment as politicized in the eyes of much of the Israeli public.The decision came after Edelstein refused to convene the Knesset following last Monday's swearing-in of the new parliament.
Shaked (Yamina) said Edelstein was right to complain about the court's behavior and to try to postpone the vote to enable coalition talks to proceed.
"A week in the Knesset is very little time," she told Army Radio. "Stalling is legitimate in the political game. The Supreme Court did not have to intervene."
In the same interview, MK Nir Barakat, said that although, "the High Court's decision must be respected, it was a mistake that the High Court ever addressed the issue." MK Gideon Sa'ar told Kan News, "The high court cannot come in place of the knesset. Unfortunately the court is leading us to anarchy." In the same interview, MK Nir Barakat, said that although, "the High Court's decision must be respected, it was a mistake that the High Court ever addressed the issue."MK Gideon Sa'ar told Kan News, "The high court cannot come in place of the knesset. Unfortunately the court is leading us to anarchy."Blue and White MK Ofer Shelah, who will head a special Knesset committee on the coronavirus, said he was sure Edelstein would permit the vote to elect a new Knesset speaker on Wednesday. He said his Blue and White colleague, Meir Cohen, was a worthy replacement.
"I don't want to even entertain the thought that the Knesset speaker will not respect the decision of the High Court," Shelah told Army Radio.
The justices said they decided to issue a ruling after Edelstein refused to commit to any other set date and said he would delay the vote based on the ongoing political negotiations to form a government. The High Court did not say what actions it would take if Edelstein attempted to ignore the ruling. The High Court decision was issued at 10:06 p.m., less than an hour after Edelstein's 9:13 p.m. response to the High Court regarding the issue.
The Likud responded that the Kneset speaker always comes from the party of the prime minister. The Likud said mockingly that if it wants to replace Edelstein, he should form a government and appoint Joint List MK Heba Yazbak. Blue and White responded that Edelstein would be remembered as Netanyahu's partner in destroying democracy.The Likud responded that the Kneset speaker always comes from the party of the prime minister. The Likud said mockingly that if it wants to replace Edelstein, he should form a government and appoint Joint List MK Heba Yazbak.
Earlier Monday, the High Court had tried to pressure Edelstein into committing to allowing the vote by Wednesday, giving him only until 5:00 p.m. Tuesday to declare his intentions.Edelstein obtained an extension until 9:00 p.m. to make his position known.Edelstein listed off the weeks that often passed between the swearing in of a new Knesset and the vote on a new speaker as opposed to effectively a one-week deadline that Blue and White, and potentially the court were suggesting.The Knesset speaker tried to embrace Knesset Legal Adviser Eyal Yinon to show he had legal support even if Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit has vehemently attacked Edelstein's position of delaying a vote to replace him as dangerous to democracy.Yinon for his own part has expressed disagreement with Edelstein's decision to delay the vote, but has provided enough ambiguity in his position to suggest the idea that giving Edelstein some short extension to try to get the political parties involved to reach a compromise is legally defendable.On Tuesday afternoon, Edelstein's Likud colleagues, Justice Minister Amir Ohana and Tourism Minister Yariv Levin said Edelstein should reject the court's request to allow a vote by Wednesday. Levin issued a sharp attack on the court, accusing chief justice Esther Hayut of a coup in the Knesset and inviting her to convene the plenum."The High Court has officially taken control over the Knesset and made the Knesset speaker into a rubber stamp," Levin said. "The Knesset is now run by the judges. This does not happen in any other democracy."Transportation Minister Bezalel Smotrich accused the court of "trampling an elected democratic institution and trying to bury the Knesset's agenda." His Yamina colleague, former justice minister Ayelet Shaked said "those who asked the Supreme Court to be the nursery school teacher of the Knesset are killing our democracy."Blue and White responded that the ministers should respect the decisions of both the court and the voters."Democracy is democracy, and not only when it is comfortable for Netanyahu," Blue and White said.Blue and White leader Benny Gantz called on Netanyahu to condemn the Likud ministers who spoke against respecting the Supreme Court. He vowed to hold a vote soon on replacing Edelstein."The cynical attempt to condition coalition talks on harming our democracy won't work," Gantz said.Blue and White officials said the statements of the Likud ministers made it harder to cooperate on a unity government.Likud MK Gideon Sa'ar and Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said that Edelstein should respect the high court's decision.At a hearing late Sunday, the High Court appeared to side with the Blue and White party's petition to force Edelstein to make the new Knesset start functioning.All five justices, President Esther Hayut, Vice President Hanan Melcer, Uzi Vogelman, Neal Hendel and Yitzhak Amit expressed vehement discomfort with the idea that he was rejecting the will of a 61 MK majority, with Hendel asking if there was any precedent for this.Both Blue and White and the Movement for the Quality of Government’s, who filed the petitions to the High Court, asked the court to compel Edelstein to enable voting to form Knesset committees and to choose a new speaker.Edelstein on Sunday had expressed confidence that the courts would not intervene with the work of the Knesset. He said he intended to form the committees on Monday and only delayed it until then, because he was giving a chance to coalition talks.Edelstein said electing a new speaker would prevent a unity government's formation and Likud and its satellite parties warned that coaliton talks would stop if Edelstein was ousted.However, justice after justice endorsed the view of the petitioners at the Sunday hearing, which squared with the view of Mandelblit’s office, that Edelstein had exceeded his powers and an ironclad rule that a majority is decisive. A lawyer representing Mandelblit said that Edelstein’s move to delay the vote to oust him was a danger to democracy.It was unclear if the High Court would rule later Monday night, Tuesday or shortly after.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--French PM: coronavirus lockdown could last weeks

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Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said a virtual lockdown in France imposed to slow the spread of the coronavirus could last several more weeks and that his government was tightening restrictions even further.He said citizens from Tuesday would only be able to exercise alone or with their children once a day, for no more than an hour, and within 1 kilometre of their home. Open-air markets should close, he added."A lot of citizens want normalcy to return, but it's not happening soon," Philippe told TF1 news. "We feel the lockdown measures that we have taken, and which we will toughen yet again... could last several weeks."Philippe refused to rule out localised curfews but said the decision for those lay with local authorities. Several are already in place, including in Nice on the Mediterranean coast.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--Joint List to lead committees on Labor, Social Welfare and eradication of violence

In early March , the Joint List received 15 seats in the Knesset following the 2020 Israeli election .

In early March, the Joint List received 15 seats in the Knesset following the 2020 Israeli election.
The Joint List will take the lead of the labor, social welfare and the eradication of violence committees, according to a report released by Maariv.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--Edelstein responds to High Court ruling: "I will not agree to ultimatums"

Edelstein 's response comes amid a heated battle for the coveted position of Knesset Speaker , which retains certain responsibilities @ @ @ @ @ committees .

Edelstein's response comes amid a heated battle for the coveted position of Knesset Speaker, which retains certain responsibilities on the formation of Knesset committees.
Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein (Likud) responded to the High Court ruling on his case Monday evening, saying "The court's intervention into parliamentary proceedings is incorrect. I intend to put [forward] [a vote for the position] of Knesset Speaker and Knesset's agenda as soon as possible, as the circumstances warrant, from the next few days to no later than the date when the Knesset convenes for the establishment of the government. With all due respect, I will not be able to agree to the ultimatum."


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--Knesset regulating committee approves split of Gesher from Labor-Meretz

Levy-Abekasis , together with Labor and Meretz , ran on a joint ticket for the 2020 Israeli elections in early @ @ @ @ @ following reports and rumors that Levy-Abekasis is considering defecting from the center-left bloc and joining @ @ @ @

Levy-Abekasis, together with Labor and Meretz, ran on a joint ticket for the 2020 Israeli elections in early March. Speculation has arisen following reports and rumors that Levy-Abekasis is considering defecting from the center-left bloc and joining a Likud-led government.
The Knesset regulating committee on Monday approved the split of MK Orly Levy-Abekasis' Gesher party from the Labor-Meretz alliance, according to a report released by Walla News.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--Education Minister: "We are preparing for a long period, including summer"

Peretz added that the extension of the school may carry forward throughout the summer , or students may also return @ @ @ @ @ typical start day for students in Israel .

Peretz added that the extension of the school may carry forward throughout the summer, or students may also return on September 1, the typical start day for students in Israel.
Education Minister Rafi Peretz announced Monday, in light of the ongoing coronavirus epidemic, that the school year for all students in kindergarten, elementary and high school may be extended beyond its usual date, according to Mako News.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--Netanyahu to severely tighten sanctions to combat coronavirus

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to dramatically increase restrictions on movement and has drafted an order to allow no travel except for work, food, medicine and other essentials to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus , according to the Prime Minister’s Office.The restrictions, which were announced on Monday, will last for seven days from the time of approval by the government. Individuals found flouting the new restrictions, expected to be approved by ministers during a late-night conference call, will be subject to a fine.Existing guidelines will not change with regards to traveling to and from work, and the ability to buy food, medicine or other essential products will not be limited even after the decision is approved.The decision came after Netanyahu convened a seven-hour meeting on Monday to discuss the possibility of imposing stricter restrictions on the public as the number of coronavirus cases in Israel climbed to 1,442.A second possible death caused by the coronavirus is currently being investigated, Israeli media reported, following the death of a man in his 60s on Monday at Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov Hospital) in Tel Aviv.As the latest round of restrictions rolled out, the government also vowed to introduce a massive aid program for self-employed individuals and small businesses. The plan is scheduled to be ready on Tuesday. Moreover, Netanyahu said he would implement a task force to examine how the country can further increase coronavirus testing.Of those diagnosed with coronavirus, 1,331 are mild cases, 40 moderate cases and 29 serious ones – the highest number of seriously ill patients in Israel to date. One man, an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor, died over the weekend. So far, 41 people have recovered.The Health Ministry reported that 346 individuals are currently hospitalized, and 126 people are recovering at the Defense Ministry’s three “coronavirus hotels.”The government intends to further tighten restrictions on the public, Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan told Kol Yisrael on Monday.“We will gradually move toward imposing a lockdown,” he said. “Hundreds of thousands of additional people will be required not to go to work.”Israel will ultimately be divided into quadrants, and police and the IDF will work together to monitor those areas and ensure that the closure is maintained, Erdan said.“My worry is about what will happen in another week or two,” he said, referring to a likely increase in coronavirus patients. “I already said two weeks ago that my position is that we should issue a full two-week closure with much more extensive enforcement.”Police investigations have been opened against 135 individuals who violated their quarantine and 21 who published fake news about the virus, the Israel Police reported Monday. The police closed 32 businesses for not abiding by regulations, dispersed 74 gatherings that had more than 10 people and handed out 74 fines.Last week, Netanyahu implemented further restrictions, forbidding people from leaving their homes unless “absolutely necessary.” Visiting parks, beaches, pools, libraries and museums is prohibited, as are all social interactions. Essential services have remained open, including supermarkets, pharmacies and most medical services. While citizens are encouraged to work from home, employees who work in critical industries or small offices are able to do so.Reflecting health fears among the elderly population, the Association of Nursing Homes and Assisted Living in Israel called on Netanyahu and government ministers to implement coronavirus tests for all residents of homes where an outbreak is suspected.The association also demanded greater protective equipment for nursing-home staff, warning that limiting the use of equipment to locations where a case is confirmed is likely to be “too late to prevent an outbreak of the virus.”Despite a request by Health Minister Ya’acov Litzman on Sunday that daylight savings time be postponed a month to prevent Israelis from staying out later, the National Security Council decided that implementation of the summer clock cannot be postponed and will begin on Friday at 2 a.m. as scheduled.The decision was made based on advice from the Israel Digital Authority that the date of transition between the winter and summer clocks is structurally defined in the operating systems of servers, computers, communications equipment and cellphones. To change the system would take longer than the time available, the authority said.As of Monday at 5 p.m., the Israeli Employment Service said 584,688 new applications for unemployment benefits had been submitted since the beginning of March, including almost 22,500 on Monday. The total unemployment rate currently stands at 17.6%, with 91% of new applications submitted by workers placed on unpaid leave.Histadrut trade federation chairman Arnon Ben-David sent a scathing letter to Netanyahu, urging him to immediately release funds to assist the survival of struggling businesses.“Compared to the rest of the world, the State of Israel managed to be several steps ahead when it comes to health issues but is lagging far behind in its management of the financial crisis,” he said.Ben-David called for immediate assistance for all companies experiencing a 50% drop in turnover.Otherwise, “we will witness an economic domino effect that will continue to the door of every family in the country,” he said.The resources that the state is refraining from giving to businesses will later need to be invested in funding unemployment benefits and rehabilitating an economy in recession, Ben-David said.To support economic activity and ease credit conditions, the Bank of Israel said it would launch a government-bond purchasing program on the secondary market totaling NIS 50 billion.The “economic conditions in the Israeli economy have worsened significantly” as a result of measures taken to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the central bank said. The bond purchases are intended to enable the bank to influence bond yields in the market and lower the costs of long-term credit for firms and households.Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus tests has continued to climb, as promised by the Health Ministry. Over the past 24 hours, more than 3,200 tests were conducted. So far, four new drive-through testing centers have been established by Magen David Adom in conjunction with the Health Ministry, and at least two more are expected to open.On Monday, members of the Arab Joint List met with MDA representatives at its Tel Aviv complex and discussed the need to open a testing facility in Arab population centers. Concerns have been raised among Israeli Arabs that they are not being tested enough.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--Gantz: Netanyahu tried to paralyze the Knesset

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tried to paralyze the Knesset "in an unprecedented act," Blue and White leader Benny Gantz told a near-empty Knesset on Monday evening.Gantz started his speech by calling for unity, and called on Netanyahu to condemn Likud ministers who spoke against respecting the Supreme Court."The cynical attempt to condition coalition talks on harming our democracy won't work," Gantz continued. He vowed to have a vote on replacing Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein who has led the Knesset into a state of paralysis after he refused to allow commitees to be convened that would allow him to be replaced in his position.The High Court of Justice asked Edelstein on Monday morning if he would allow a vote to potentially replace him to go forward by Wednesday.Gantz also made an error during his speech when he mistakenly announced that he will "defeat democracy," before quickly correcting himself to say, "defeat coronavirus."


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--Wizz Air: coronavirus could make flying 'untenable or impossible'

Wizz Air warned on Monday that grounding of its entire fleet remained a "distinct possibility" as global travel restrictions could make international flying for commercial purposes "untenable or impossible".The Hungary-based low-cost carrier said it cut its capacity by 30% in March and grounded 85% of its fleet this week, and has also implemented more cost-cutting measures to stem the impact from lower travel demand due to the coronavirus pandemic.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--Tunisia orders army into streets to enforce coronavirus lockdown

Tunisia's President Kais Saied on Monday ordered the army to deploy in the streets to force people to respect a lockdown imposed to halt the spread of coronavirus, the office of the presidency said in a statement sent to Reuters.Tunisia has 89 confirmed cases of the virus. It imposed a curfew last week and a general lockdown from Sunday that keeps people in their homes except to buy necessities.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--East Libya imposes full curfew over coronavirus

East Libya will impose a full curfew for 10 days from Wednesday in an attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus, though medicine can be delivered by telephone if necessary, the military said on Monday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--Histradrut chairman calls for immediate funds for struggling businesses

Histradrut trade federation chairman Arnon Ben-David sent a scathing letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday , urging him @ @ @ @ @ assist the survival of struggling businesses .
`` Compared to the rest of the world @ @ @ @ @ managed to be several step aheads when it comes to health issues , but is @ @ @ @ @ management of the financial crisis , '' said Ben-David , calling for immediate assistance for @ @ @ @ @ % drop in turnover .
Otherwise , Ben-David said , `` we will witness an @ @ @ @ @ continue to the door of every family in the country . ''
The resources that @ @ @ @ @ giving to businesses today , he added , will later need to be invested in @ @ @ @ @ an economy in recession .

Histradrut trade federation chairman Arnon Ben-David sent a scathing letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, urging him to immediately release funds to assist the survival of struggling businesses.
"Compared to the rest of the world, the State of Israel managed to be several step aheads when it comes to health issues, but is lagging far behind in its management of the financial crisis," said Ben-David, calling for immediate assistance for all companies experiencing a 50% drop in turnover.
Otherwise, Ben-David said, "we will witness an economic domino effect that will continue to the door of every family in the country." The resources that the state is refraining from giving to businesses today, he added, will later need to be invested in funding unemployment benefits and rehabilitating an economy in recession.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--Sheba worker positive for coronavirus after volunteering with children

A worker from Sheba Medical Center has tested positive for the coronavirus a week after she volunteered with children in a daycare set up for hospital staff, Ynet reports.The daycare was set up in an effort to support hospital staff who couldn't stay home with their children after the government announced the the mass closure of schools, however after the Sheba worker volunteered at the center, 50 children went into quarantine. None of the children have presented with symptoms.


jerusalempost--2020-03-23--UK in talks with Amazon over delivering coronavirus tests

The newspaper said businesses with established delivery networks could be used to deliver tests to medical workers , and to @ @ @ @ @ later stage .

Britain has approached Amazon and other companies about using their services to step up the delivery of coronavirus tests to frontline health workers, the Financial Times reported on Monday.
The newspaper said businesses with established delivery networks could be used to deliver tests to medical workers, and to the general public at a later stage.
The government has said it is trying to step up the delivery of tests to health workers so they know when they can and cannot work.


jerusalempost--2020-03-24--Hotovely becomes 8th quarantined MK

Hotovely becomes 8th quarantined MK

Diaspora Affairs Minister Tzipi Hotovely became the latest MK to enter home quarantine on Tuesday , bringing up the number @ @ @ @ @ in contact with a deputy director-general in her ministry who was later diagnosed with the @ @ @ @ @ to be quarantined until April 1 .
Hotovely is the sixth MK from Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ in quarantine , joining ministers Tzachi Hanegbi ( Likud ) , Arye Deri ( Shas @ @ @ @ @ Yamina ) and Shas MKs Itzik Cohen and Moshe Abutbul .
The only quarantined MKs @ @ @ @ @ Alon Shuster and Ran Ben-Barak .
Hotovely is the sixth MK from Prime Minister Benjamin @ @ @ @ @ quarantine , joining ministers Tzachi Hanegbi ( Likud ) , Arye Deri ( Shas ) @ @ @ @ @ ) and Shas MKs Itzik Cohen and Moshe Abutbul.The only quarantined MKs from the left-center @ @ @ @ @ Ran Ben-Barak .

Diaspora Affairs Minister Tzipi Hotovely became the latest MK to enter home quarantine on Tuesday, bringing up the number to eight.
Hotovely came in contact with a deputy director-general in her ministry who was later diagnosed with the virus. She will need to be quarantined until April 1.


jerusalempost--2020-03-24--Australia limits numbers at weddings, funerals to curb coronavirus spread

`` This will be a significant sacrifice , I know , '' Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters in Canberra @ @ @ @ @ state and territory leaders .
Morrison said businesses involved in beauty therapy , tattoo parlors @ @ @ @ @ allied health services could no longer operate .
Real estate open houses and auctions were @ @ @ @ @ .
Weddings could go ahead only with five people present , including the celebrant , @ @ @ @ @ 10 people at most and outdoor social gatherings should also be limited to 10 , @ @ @

Australia banned people from eating in shopping center food courts and limited the number of people at weddings, funerals and social gatherings in a tightening of measures to curb the spread of coronavirus.
"This will be a significant sacrifice, I know," Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters in Canberra after an emergency meeting of state and territory leaders.
Morrison said businesses involved in beauty therapy, tattoo parlors, physio therapists and other allied health services could no longer operate. Real estate open houses and auctions were also banned, he said.
Weddings could go ahead only with five people present, including the celebrant, while funerals could proceed with 10 people at most and outdoor social gatherings should also be limited to 10, Morrison added.


jerusalempost--2020-03-24--Spain reports 6,600 new coronavirus cases overnight, over 500 dead

The number of new coronavirus cases in Spain jumped on Tuesday to 39,673 from 33,089 cases registered on Monday, the health ministry reported on Tuesday.The number of fatalities rose to 2,696 overnight from 2,182, the ministry said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-24--Crowds again greet Olympic flame despite virus concerns

The flame arrived from Greece last week for a six-day tour meant to showcase the recovery of the areas worst @ @ @ @ @ earthquake and tsunami before Thursday 's torch relay , now scaled back because of virus @ @ @ @ @ crowds not to gather on the Flame of Recovery tour went unheeded for a fifth @ @ @ @ @ 2020 organizers saying more than 1,000 people turned out to watch the lighting of a @ @ @ @ @ flame .
`` I do n't think there 's tension here , so I was @ @ @ @ @ , '' one of them , 64-year-old Ritsuko Takano , told Reuters .

More than 1,000 people gathered on Tuesday to see the Olympic flame in Japan's northern city of Fukushima, defying calls from Games organizers looking to rein in a coronavirus pandemic that has fueled doubts whether this year's event will go ahead.
The flame arrived from Greece last week for a six-day tour meant to showcase the recovery of the areas worst affected in the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami before Thursday's torch relay, now scaled back because of virus concerns.
The calls for crowds not to gather on the Flame of Recovery tour went unheeded for a fifth straight day, with Tokyo 2020 organizers saying more than 1,000 people turned out to watch the lighting of a special cauldron from the Olympic flame.
"I don't think there's tension here, so I wasn't worried about coming today," one of them, 64-year-old Ritsuko Takano, told Reuters.