Coronavirus Updates
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Saudi Arabia increases VAT from 5% to 15% as pandemic hits hard on economy
Saudi Arabia is tripling its value added tax (VAT) as part of austerity measures to support its coronavirus-hit economy. The government in Riyadh also said it will suspend its cost of living allowanc…
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Govt extends ban on social gathering as covid-19 cases remain on the rise
Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo has extended the ban on public gatherings until the end of the month as the country’s coronavirus cases continue to rise. Schools will remain closed while religious …
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SOUTH AFRICA: Opposition blasts Govt for ban on alcohol and cigarette
South Africa’s official opposition has lashed out at the continued ban on alcohol and cigarettes during the country’s lockdown as “petty, arbitrary and unworkable.” Democratic Alliance leader John St…
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We have tested 160,501 people so far – President
As at Sunday, 10th May, 160,501 tests have been conducted since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Ghana. This was made known by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo when he addressed the nation on Sunday.…
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We have been proactive with coronavirus tests – Akufo-Addo
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said but for his government’s “proactive” manner of handling tracing, testing and treating COVID-19 patients, Ghana would have, so far, been able to detect o…
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UK to launch ‘Covid-19 Alert System’
The PM reiterates the government’s five tests for ending lockdown; protecting the NHS, seeing a sustained fall in death rates, a fall in the rate of infection, sorting out “challenges” – such as proc…
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UK: Schools to reopen from 1st June ‘at earliest’ – PM
The PM says he believes the first stage of “going further” will be to the phased reopening of shops and to get primary pupils back into schools. He says school returns will be done in stages, beginni…
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UK’s 14-day quarantine will not apply to French arrivals
Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron have issued a joint statement saying quarantine measures would not apply between France and the UK “at this stage”. The UK prime minister said in hi…
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BELGIUM: Govt authorizes houses to receive not more than 4 guests
Belgium is allowing every household to invite up to four guests to their home from Sunday, as part of the country’s strategy to ease coronavirus restrictions. Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès announced t…
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Russia records 11,012 new cases in 24hrs as numbers hit 209,688
Russia has recorded 11,012 new cases of the coronavirus in the past 24 hours, bringing its total number of infections to 209,688. A further 88 coronavirus-related deaths were reported in the country …