Japan shuts all schools as eighth person dies
JAPAN is set to close all schools until late March in an attempt to control the spread of Covid-19. Prime minister Shinzo Abe’s (pictured above) surprise request ‘to avoid risk of possible large-scale infections’ came as the virus claimed its eighth victim yesterday. The nation now has over 910 cases. The move will affect 12.8million pupils in 34,800 schools. Japan is due to host the Olympics in Tokyo at the end of July.
Saudis ban foreigners from heading to Mecca
SAUDI ARABIA has barred entry to foreign pilgrims, as well as blocking tourists from countries with confirmed coronavirus cases. The decision comes ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and after 220 cases of Covid-19 have been recorded in the Middle East. In Iran, the most-affected country, the outbreak appears to be centred in the holy Shia city of Qom.
Indonesia is spared ‘because of prayers’
INDONESIA has claimed it has no coronavirus cases ‘because of our prayers’ — despite being surrounded by affected nations. Indonesian health minister Terawan Putranto said all 134 suspected cases in the country had so far tested negative. Harvard University says there should ‘almost certainly’ be sufferers among the 260million population.
Jong-un ‘orders killing of first virus patient’
NORTH KOREA has warned its citizens that Covid-19 poses a threat to ‘national survival’, amid reports the country’s first infected person has been shot dead. The execution was said to have been ordered by Kim Jong-un, although the country has not admitted to any cases. It comes after a trade official who had visited China was reportedly killed for leaving quarantine.
