Wear face mask

SARAWAK has formed an integrated standard operating procedure monitoring team led by the police to control the spread of Covid-19 cases in Sibu district. The team, which started the task on March 3, will monitor the situation three times a week. It comprises the police, the army, Road Transport Department, Public Works Department (JKR), Domestic Trade and Consumers Affairs Ministry, Immigration Department, Sibu Municipal Council, Agriculture Department, Rela, Unity Department and the Marine Department. Sibu crime prevention and community safety division head DSP Ariffin Bahar said the operation was to ensure the public and business community strictly adhered to the SOP during the conditional movement control order until March 15. “The team members will go around to ensure people use the MySejahtera app to register their particulars, scan their body temperature and wear face mask before entering any shop. “Business premises should have a registry book for customers to note ... » Learn More about Coordinated effort to ensure all sectors in Sibu division adhere to SOP

This photo illustration shows people wearing face masks, watch a televised conversation between Meghan Markle and US host Oprah Winfrey, in Arlington, Virginia March 7, 2021. Britain’s royal family on Sunday braced for further revelations from Prince Harry and his American wife, Meghan, as a week of transatlantic claim and counter-claim reaches a climax with the broadcast of their interview with Oprah Winfrey. Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP NEW YORK — British royal Prince Harry and his American wife Meghan were wed in secret three days before the official ceremony, she revealed in an interview with Oprah Winfrey broadcast Sunday in the United States. “(T)hree days before our wedding, we got married,” she said, revealing that they swapped vows in private before Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welsby ahead of the televised spectacle on May 19 2018 at Britain’s Windsor Castle. “No one knows that. But we called the archbishop, and we just said, ‘Look, this thing, this spectacle is ... » Learn More about Meghan says she and Harry wed ‘3 days before’ official ceremony

Private educational institutions have been allowed to reopen from Dec 29 while the 2020-2021 academic year for public schools will resume on Jan 11, according to a notice from the Education, Youth and Sport Ministry. All schools are required to continue implementing safety measures. In a statement, minister Hang Chuon Naron said the decision applied to all private schools which had previously been permitted to open during the first and second phases of reopening earlier this year. “Private educational establishments that received permission from the ministry must continue to carry out the standard procedures for reopening in the context of Covid-19. “Students must be socially and physically distanced. When necessary, they must wear face masks on the campuses, ” he said. Public schools will follow the same guidelines when reopening. Students could be required to wear masks in the event of a new outbreak. In his Dec 29 address to the nation announcing the official conclusion ... » Learn More about Private educational institutions reopen

No one knows exactly how or why Thailand has been spared from the global covid-19 coronavirus pandemic but its now gone 7 weeks without a local infection of the virus. Weather its the social distancing embedded in Thai culture — the habit of greeting others with a Wai, a prayer-like motion, rather than a full embrace — that has prevented the runaway transmission of the coronavirus in the Kingdon. Did Thailand’s early adoption of face masks, combined with a robust health care system, blunt the virus’s impact? Was it the outdoor lifestyle of many Thais, or their relatively low rates of pre-existing conditions? Is there a genetic component in which the immune systems of Thais and others in the Mekong River region are more resistant to the coronavirus? Or is it some alchemy of all these factors that has insulated this country of 70 million people? One thing is certain. Despite an influx of foreign visitors early in the year from countries badly hit by the coronavirus, Thailand has ... » Learn More about Thailand’s Doing Things Rights When it Comes to Containing Covid-19

Recording a 40-percent increase in daily Covid-19 active cases, the local government of Muntinlupa intensifies its contact tracing efforts through the implementation of the StaySafe.PH app. Muntinlupa City StaySafe.PH Task Force, through the Business Permits and Licensing Office, has conducted inspections in various malls and other establishments to ensure full compliance with the contact tracing initiatives. Muntinlupa passed City Ordinance No. 2020-181 mandating the installation and use of Staysafe.PH system as an automated contact tracing through the use of QR Codes in all commercial establishments, workplaces, churches, and government offices in the city. As of Feb. 26, BPLO Muntinlupa has issued warning notices to at least 69 non-compliant establishments. City Health Officer Dr. Teresa Tuliao said the intensified cooperation of city residents and business establishments in using StaySafe.PH as the local contact tracing system will help the government’s Covid-19 response ... » Learn More about Muntinlupa intensifies StaySafe app contact tracing as Covid-19 cases rise

“Sir/Ma’am, I’m deaf. I cannot read your lips because you’re wearing a mask. I’m here to withdraw my money. Please write down what I need to do. Thank you.” Widi Utami, 28, handed this handwritten note to a security guard when she arrived at a bank in Semarang, Central Java, on June 4. While she can usually read lips, with all the security guards and tellers covering their mouth with masks, she relies on notes. The security guard, Kurniawan, promptly nodded and wrote below the note, “How much do you want to withdraw?” Kurniawan accompanied Widi to the teller and stayed with her until she had finished taking her money, making sure she could communicate properly with the teller using handwritten notes. Widi shared her story on her twitter account @MustikaUngu expressing gratitude to Kurniawan for being so helpful. Her post went viral, with other deaf people sharing accounts of their experiences accessing public services during the “new normal”. Tuli Pergi ke Bank di Tengah ... » Learn More about People with disabilities demand access to information, basic rights during pandemic

More than 700 individuals take refuge at the Alcala Gymnasium in Cagayan. MANILA, Philippines — The spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in evacuation centers after a series of typhoons whipped the country is a looming concern, the Department of Health said Monday. “That’s a possibility. Hindi natin yan ikakaila (We won;t deny it),” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an online media forum when asked if the department is expecting a surge in COVID-19 cases. “Nasa isang lugar na magkakasama ang mga tao especially talagang mayroong crowding tapos hindi sila magco-comply sa minimum standards like wearing of mask, nandyan ‘yung posibilidad,” she added. (They are crowded in one place and may not comply with minimum health standards like wearing a face mask, so there is that possibility.) Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / EDWIN BACASMAS) She said DOH has deployed safety officers in evacuation centers to ... » Learn More about DOH to evacuees: Beware of COVID-19 infection

In partnership with the Philippine Blood Center, SM Foundation Inc. recently conducted a bloodletting program at SM City San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. Employees from SM and the mall’s affiliates, tenants and shoppers participated in the blood donation in the hope of saving lives through the donation drive. Romalyn Ordoñez, an SM employee and a regular participant of the program, said her family once experienced the need for a blood donor. “I saw its importance, and I know I have something to give. So, why not donate if I am fully aware that I am qualified?” she added. “Besides, I want to encourage others to do the same. I believe there are a lot of people who can donate. Maybe they’re just not aware of its significance yet,” Ordonez added. Another is Joseph Guela, a customer and a first-time donor, who recognized the importance of bloodletting when his grandmother once needed it, but he was unable to donate. “Now that I am able to donate, I am encouraging everyone to be healthy and ... » Learn More about SM, blood center lead donation drive

A staff member of the Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok on Witthayu Road, wearing a face shield over a face mask and a pair of gloves, waits for Department of Health officials to begin an inspection early this month to assess whether the hotel can be an alternative Covid-19 quarantine facility. (Photo: Arnun Chonmahatrakool) The Public Health Ministry is to ask the government to consider reducing the length of mandatory quarantine for incoming travellers from 14 days to 7-10 days, from next month. The plan was announced on Monday by Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, in his capacity as chairman of the National Committee on Communicable Diseases. Mr Anutin said the ministry would ask the government to cut the length of mandatory quarantine in order to help stimulate tourism and give the economy a boost. "We are prepared to open the country to help drive economic growth," he said after the committee met on Monday. "If we can administer vaccines to 70% of all ... » Learn More about Ministry proposes shorter quarantine from next month

SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go urged Filipinos on Monday to double down on prevention measures following a spike in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in Metro Manila. “Huwag tayo magkumpyansa habang nandirito pa rin ang Covid-19. Ang inyong kooperasyon at pagsunod sa mga patakaran ay makapagliligtas ng buhay ng mga kapwa nating Pilipino (Do not be complacent while Covid-19 is still around. Your cooperation and following the guidelines will save the lives of your fellow Filipinos),” Go, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, said. “Konting tiis na lang po dahil ginagawa ng gobyerno ang lahat para tuloy-tuloy na ang pagbabakuna sa mga Pilipino. Ang ating maayos na vaccine rollout ang tanging susi at solusyon upang tuluyang malampasan ang pandemyang hinaharap natin (A little more patience because the government is doing everything to ensure uninterrupted vaccination. Proper vaccine rollout is the key to overcoming the pandemic),” he added. Despite the arrival ... » Learn More about Go warns vs complacency as Covid cases surges