South Africans returned from Wuhan
Polokwane (South Africa): South Africa repatriated dozens of its citizens from China on Saturday over the coronavirus, the health ministry said, the first such move by a sub-Saharan country.
The 146 South Africans were working and studying in Wuhan city, which was placed under lockdown for around two months after the novel virus was first detected in December.
preparing to fight virus: Swiss army Geneva:Switzerland’s armed forces said Saturday that the army is prepared to deploy to help in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, which has infected more tha 1,000 people in the country.
The army will as of Monday deploy one of its four hospital battalions, army chief Thomas Sussli said in a tweet.
NZ tells overseas arrivals to self-isolate
Wellington: International visitors to New Zealand must self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival to help slow the spread of the new coronavirus, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Saturday.
Ardern said the “unprecedented and far-reaching” measure would come into effect from midnight Sunday and affect all inbound travellers except those from Pacific island nations.
Playgrounds and parks shut in Italy
Rome: Already cooped up most of the day in their homes under Italy’s nationwide lockdown to fight the coronavirus, millions of Italians woke up on Saturday to find themselves deprived of one of the few simple pleasures left: a walk in the park.
Czechs close shops, pubs to stem spread
Prague: The Czech government closed most shops, restaurants and pubs on Saturday in a bid to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.