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ICC-WHO Joint Statement: An unprecedented private sector call to action to tackle COVID-19
In a coordinated effort to combat the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have agreed to work closely to ensure the latest and most reliable information and tailored guidance reaches the global business community.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health and societal emergency that requires effective immediate action by governments, individuals and businesses. All businesses have a key role to play in minimising the likelihood of transmission and impact on society. Early, bold and effective action will reduce short- term risks to employees and long-term costs to businesses and the economy.

To aid this collective effort, ICC will regularly send updated advice to its network of over 45 million businesses so that businesses everywhere can take informed and effective action to protect their workers, customers and local communities and contribute to the production and distribution of essential supplies.

ICC will also contribute to enhancing information flows on the coronavirus outbreak by surveying its global private sector network to map the global business response. This will both encourage businesses to adopt appropriate precautionary approaches and generate new data and insights to support national and international government efforts.

As an immediate priority, businesses should be developing or updating, readying or implementing business continuity plans. Business continuity plans should aim to reduce transmission, including by: promoting understanding of the disease, its symptoms and appropriate behavior among employees; setting up a reporting system for any cases and contacts; preparing essentials; limiting travel and physical connectivity; and planning for measures such as teleworking when necessary.

Calls to Action
- ICC strongly endorses WHO’s call on national governments everywhere to adopt a whole-of- government and whole-of-society approach in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Reducing the further spread of COVID-19 and mitigating its impact should be a top priority for Heads of State and Government. Political action should be coordinated with actors in the private sector and civil society to maximize reach of messaging and effectiveness.
- Governments should commit to making available all necessary resources to combat COVID-19 with the minimum of delay and to ensure that cross-border medical and other essential goods supply chains are able to function effectively and efficiently
- ICC and the WHO encourage national chambers of commerce to work closely with UN country teams, including WHO country offices where they exist, and to designate mutual focal points to coordinate this collaboration.
- ICC encourages its members to support their country’s national response efforts and to contribute to the global response efforts coordinated by the WHO through www.covid19responsefund.org.
As the pandemic evolves, ICC Secretary General John W.H Denton AO and WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will continue to coordinate their efforts.

Essential information on the COVID-19 pandemic can be found on the WHO’s dedicated site.

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https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/16-03-2020-icc-who-joint-statement-an-unprecedented-private-sector-call-to-action-to-tackle-covid-19

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March 17, 2020
Water and Climate Change
World Water Day 2020 is about water and climate change – and how the two are inextricably linked. This year’s campaign shows how our use of water will help reduce floods, droughts, scarcity and pollution, and will help fight climate change itself. By adapting to the water effects of climate change, we will protect health and save lives. And, by using water more efficiently, we will reduce greenhouse gases. Our key messages are clear:
- We cannot afford to wait. Climate policy makers must put water at the heart of action plans.
- Climate change effects water supplies and human health.
- Health systems need to prepare for more water-related disease associated with climate change.
- Water can help fight climate change and protect health. There are sustainable, affordable and scalable water and sanitation solutions.
- Everyone has a role to play. In our daily lives, there are surprisingly easy steps we can all take to address climate change, and protect health.
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https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/17-03-2020-water-and-climate-change

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March 17, 2020
Nationwide movement restriction measures to begin on Wednesday (Updated)

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has declared that Malaysia will be placed under a nationwide movement restriction order from Wednesday (March 18) to March 31, 2020, due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

The order, the first in the country’s history, was announced by the prime minister in a live broadcast over national television tonight.

A total of 315 new positive cases of Covid-19 have been reported over the past two days, bringing the total in Malaysia to 553 cases.

Of this total, 511 have been hospitalised while 42 people have recovered.

Muhyiddin said the nationwide movement restriction order means that all business premises have to be shut down, except for outlets such as supermarkets and grocery stores selling daily essentials.

He said all government and private premises would be closed, except for essential services such as utilities, telecommunications, transport, banking, health, pharmacies, ports, airports, cleaning and food supplies.

He said the movement restriction also means all Malaysians will be banned from travelling abroad, and that no tourists or foreigners will be allowed to enter the country. Those who have just arrived from abroad must undergo self-quarantine for 14 days.

All public and private schools, including kindergartens, nurseries, residential school and other educational institutions are also to close. All private and public higher institutions of learning will also close.

Closure of all government and private premises except essential services such as water and electricity, telecommunication, postal service, transport, fuel, gas, lubrication, broadcasting, banking, health, pharmacy, fire-fighting, ports, airports, prisons, security and defence, sanitary services, provision and food supply.

The order also calls on a ban on all mass gatherings, including religious, sports, social and cultural activities.

The Prime Minister said the measures were taken to protect the rakyat from the spread of the virus but advised Malaysian to not panic and stay calm.

Muhyiddin added that the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs will ensure that the supply of groceries and health care essentials will be readily available.

He also said that the government will address the situation daily and provided a hotline number – 0388882010- that will answer any queries from the public.

In an immediate response, former health minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad told theSun that the order was the right action made in the right time.

“I am okay with it because it is in line with what I was advocating, I did not implement this earlier because at that time it wasn’t warranted and it wasn’t the right thing to do then,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdullah said that the provision of Section 11 (5) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 is read together with Section 24(a) of the same act.

Haniff said this would make any breach to the restriction order a criminal offence.

“The offense under section 11(5) carries a maximum sentence of two years imprisonment. Whereas the second offence under section 24(b) warrants a maximum imprisonment sentence of five years.”

He also urged government officials to give a clear guideline on the extent of which a member of public can be out before it is considered an offense.

“This is to ensure proper and dutiful compliance on the part of public and to allow strict enforcement by the authorities.” he told theSun.

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/nationwide-movement-restriction-measures-to-begin-on-wednesday-updated-IC2136749

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March 16, 2020
New Cabinet portfolio requires time to study: Muhyiddin

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today any Cabinet member holding a new portfolio would require time to study the ministry and manage it well.

Commenting on women’s groups concerns with the Women and Family Ministry’s new appointments, Muhyiddin said he had briefed the newly-minted minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun about what to do to manage the ministry because she was new at the ministry.

“But it’s not that she is totally lack of experience. The new portfolio requires everyone to take more time to study,“ he said, adding that he had also told Rina to work closely with her deputy Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff.

According to media reports, women’s rights groups had expressed their concerns over the appointment of Rina and Siti Zailah as the new minister and deputy minister mainly because their track records allegedly do not inspire confidence.

“What is important is not what her personal view is. What is important is what the government thinks about it and that she or whoever is in the ministry needs to understand,“ Muhyiddin said at a news conference after chairing the Economic Action Council (EAC) meeting here.

“Bear with us; we will manage it,“ he added. – Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/new-cabinet-portfolio-requires-time-to-study-muhyiddin-XC2136505

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March 16, 2020
Why is the UK approach to coronavirus so different to other countries?

The UK’s stance, to try to manage the spread of immunity among people while protecting those most at risk, appears at odds with the World Health Organization’s call for urgent action

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https://www.newscientist.com/article/2237385-why-is-the-uk-approach-to-coronavirus-so-different-to-other-countries/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home

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March 16, 2020
Air France says to cut capacity between 70 and 90% over next two months

Air France said Monday it will slash flight capacity by 70-90 percent over the next two months due to the coronavirus outbreak, joining a host of other airlines taking similar action.

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https://techxplore.com/news/2020-03-air-france-capacity-months.html

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March 16, 2020
Govt to convene special Covid-19 meeting tomorrow to discuss further measures

JOHOR BARU: The government will convene a special Covid-19 meeting tomorrow to discuss further measures needed to contain infections, following the spike in cases to a total of 428 recorded until noon today, since the beginning of infections in the country.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba (pix) said apart from Health Ministry representatives, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and representatives of the Defence Ministry are also expected to attend.

“We (Malaysia) have now entered the ‘late containment’ phase”, he said, in view of the 428 cases recorded so far.

He told reporters this after observing the situation at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar here today. Also present was Johor Health Director Dr Aman Rabu and state Health and Environment Committee chairman R. Vidyananthan.

Adham said initial investigations indicated that most of the latest cases were linked to the ‘tabligh’ rally cluster – the rally had taken place at Masjid Jamek Sri Petaling in Kuala Lumpur, from Feb 27 to March 1.

He said a total of 190 new cases of the coronavirus had been reported until noon today, bringing the total number of cases to 428.

Adham added that the Health Ministry would invoke section 15 (1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 to track down and enforce health screening on rally participants who have refused to come forward to health authorities for testing.

“The ministry calls on those who were at the Sri Petaling mosque to contact the nearest District Health Office for further action,“ he said.

The minister added that from Jan 5 until today, a total of 6.8 million people comprising foreigners and Malaysians had undergone health screening at all entry points in Johor, and so far, no positive Covid-19 cases had been detected through the screening.

He also stressed that premises with individuals who have been confirmed to have been infected with Covid-19, should be closed by operators without waiting for instructions from the ministry. — Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/govt-to-convene-special-covid-19-meeting-tomorrow-to-discuss-further-measures-XI2129022

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March 15, 2020
Covid-19: Management of Manjung mosques, surau urged to conduct disinfection

LUMUT: The Perak Health Department has urged the management of mosques and ‘surau’ in the Manjung district to carry out disinfection activities following the classification of two individuals from the area as Covid-19 Patients-Under-Investigation (PUI).

“They are only suspected cases but preventive action must be taken,” department director Datuk Dr Ding Lay Ming said in a statement issued today.

Ding was commenting in response to WhatsApp messages circulating since yesterday that the two cases in Manjung were said to be participants of the ‘tabligh’ (religious outreach) rally held on Feb 28 at the Sri Petaling Mosque in Kuala Lumpur.

Meanwhile in KUALA TERENGGANU, all mosques and surau in the state have been encouraged to take the initiative to conduct disinfection activities to curb the spread of the virus.

Terengganu Religious Affairs Department (JHEAT) commissioner Mat Azmi Arshad said although the state had yet to record any cases, implementing preventive measures was very important.

“Besides that, it is hoped that the management of all mosques and surau are more observant of the congregation, advising those who are not healthy to go for a health check-up immediately,” he told Bernama when contacted today.

On the closure of a ‘madrasah’ (religious school) in Kuala Terengganu allegedly due to Covid-19, he said members of the public need not panic as the authorities had taken appropriate action. — Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/covid-19-management-of-manjung-mosques-surau-urged-to-conduct-disinfection-IJ2128875

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March 15, 2020
Police arrest Bangladeshi who ignored warnings against offering bribe

KUALA LUMPUR: A Bangladeshi man was arrested for attempting to bribe a police personnel with RM5,000, as an inducement to free his friend who is in police custody for having smuggled cigarettes.

Hulu Selangor district police chief Supt Arsad Kamaruddin said the 32-year-old suspect, was detained at the Hulu Selangor district police headquarters (IPD) at 10.24 pm yesterday.

He said the suspect had turned up to discuss his friend’s detention before trying to bribe the police on duty by taking out some money.

The policeman then warned the suspect that he could be arrested for his action, but the warning went unheeded.

“The complainant (police personnel) warned him again on the offence of giving a bribe and then seized the RM5,000 cash before arresting the suspect,” he told Bernama today.

Arsad said the case was being investigated under Section 21(b) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act (MACC) 2009. — Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/police-arrest-bangladeshi-who-ignored-warnings-against-offering-bribe-CC2127334

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March 14, 2020
Mid-term review of the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition

It is almost five years now since the Nutrition Decade was declared. It is time to reflect back on its achievements so far. FAO and WHO are convening an open and inclusive dialogue with stakeholders for the mid-term review of the Nutrition Decade.

This review follows the ECOSOC Resolution 1989/84 regarding international decades, which provides that an appropriate inter-governmental body should appraise the implementation of a decade’s programme of work at the mid-point and at the end of the decade.

The objectives of the Mid-term Review of the Nutrition Decade are to assess and evaluate the achievements in individual policy areas of the ICN2 Framework for Action, as reflected in the actions areas of the Work Programme of the Decade, over the time period from 2016 to 2020. The Mid-term Review aims to identify focus areas for priority action and promising opportunities in each of the six action areas for future progress from 2021 to 2025. This assessment will guide the revision of the ‘living part’ of the Work Programme of the Nutrition Decade as appropriate.

The process will include a series of consultations and dialogues with member states, civil society organizations, private sector, UN partner agencies and others, as well as an open online consultation. Finally, a global event is envisioned to be organized to underscore the achievements of the first half of the Nutrition Decade and set the stage for the priorities during the second half. More information is provided in the concept note.

The joint FAO/WHO Nutrition Decade Secretariat has developed the Mid-term Review Foresight paper, which will serve as the background paper for the consultation process. Reflecting on the broader development in nutrition globally, this paper develops a vision on actions to be taken in the different areas of the Work Programme of the Nutrition Decade, considering specific advances and opportunities in individual policy areas.

Background documents for the consultation process of the Mid-term Review of the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition 2016-2025 can be downloaded here. We will add the other 5 languages when they are available, and meanwhile, publish some in English only.

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https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/12-03-2020-mid-term-review-of-the-un-decade-of-action-on-nutrition

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March 13, 2020