Coronavirus: What every country is doing (A-I)

Hello. Welcome to Inside The Newsroom. We’re in unprecedented times. The coronavirus pandemic has swept through most of the planet, with total cases at more than 167,000 and deaths at 6,449, as of Monday morning. It’s quickly becoming one of the worst pandemics in history. But even with weeks of warning signs, governments around the world continue to be too lax and do too little. Here in the UK, the government have opted for a “herd immunity” strategy, happy for up to 80 percent of the 66 million population to contract the disease to build immunity while thousands of vulnerable people die in the process. Elsewhere in Europe, Spain has joined Italy in a full lockdown. But what about the rest of the world? For the record, the official numbers of cases and deaths are likely to be far higher due to the lack of tests available and carried out. With that said, let’s take a look at what each country with a confirmed case is doing to stop COVID-19. Due to Substack’s email length limits, I’ve had to divide into two emails. Look out for another email with countries between J and Z. And apologies for the opening seconds of the podcast, lol, I’m tired. And share this post by hitting the below button 👇

Afghanistan: 16 cases, 0 deaths 🇦🇫

Afghanistan announced the closure of all educational institutions Saturday and the extension of the country’s winter holidays for another month until April 21. The country has already cancelled all sports events after it reported its first case in late February. If the numbers are anywhere near correct, Afghanistan has done an excellent job in stemming the outbreak.

Albania: 42 cases, 1 death 🇦🇱

Albania is rightly treating the coronavirus as an enemy of war. It banned the use of private cars this past weekend, and has already closed all garment factories, call centers, bars and restaurants. The country’s central bank also announced that holiday loan repayments can be postponed for three months.

Algeria: 48 cases, 4 deaths 🇩🇿

The Algerian government shut down schools and universities and has limited travel to and from Europe. But that hasn’t stopped the mass protests that have been ongoing for the past year. Remarkably, I’m on the government’s side: please postpone the protests.

Andorra: 1 case, 0 deaths 🇦🇩

All ski resorts have closed as Andorra tries to keep its figures rock bottom.

Antigua and Barbuda: 1 case, 0 deaths 🇦🇬

Prime minister Gaston Browne announced a 30-day ban on all fetes, parties and similar social events. However, the red carpet premier of Wendy, parts of which were shot in Antigua, will still go ahead.

Argentina: 45 cases, 2 deaths 🇦🇷

Argentina has banned entry of non-residents who have traveled to a country highly affected by coronavirus in the last 14 days.

Armenia: 26 cases 0 deaths 🇦🇲

All schools, universities and kindergartens have been closed until at least March 23. All campaign rallies ahead of next month’s constitutional referendum have also been suspended.

Aruba: 2 cases, 0 deaths 🇦🇼

Aruba has been largely unaffected but has now confirmed its first two cases. Travelers from Europe will be banned from entering the Caribbean island until at least March 31, with the exception of Aruban nationals.

Australia: 297 cases, 3 deaths 🇦🇺

Due to its proximity to Wuhan, Australia was one of the first countries to deal with the outbreak. *If* the numbers are near correct, its government has done a good job of limiting the spread, so far. People arriving to the country must self-isolate for 14 days or face hefty fines. If only prime minister Scott Morrison was as tough on climate change…

Austria: 860 cases, 1 death 🇦🇹

Sebastian Kurz introduced border checks with Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and banned flight connections with France, Spain and Switzerland. Kurz has also shut his country’s border with Italy, China, Iran and South Korea, the hardest hit countries so far.

Azerbaijan: 23 cases, 1 death 🇦🇿

Little has been announced from a government riddled with corruption and fraud. What we do know is that Azerbaijan and Turkey have suspended all road and air transportation between the two countries.

Bahrain: 214 cases, 0 deaths 🇧🇭

Bahrain could be a country in dire trouble because of its closeness to Iran and continues to accept evacuees from its neighbour. So far there have been no deaths reported in Bahrain, and the country cancelled Friday prayers and has pardoned hundreds of prisoners to contain the spread.

Bangladesh: 5 cases, 0 deaths 🇧🇩

Flights to all European countries except the UK (laughable) have been suspended. Outbreak remains low as of Sunday.

Belarus: 27 cases, 0 deaths 🇧🇾

Belarus recorded its first case two weeks ago, so has done well to limit the number of cases to just 27.

Belgium: 886 cases, 4 deaths 🇧🇪

Another of the European countries at the centre of the outbreak, Belgium has declared a national emergency and closed all schools, bars and restaurants, and cancelled all sporting and recreational events. Shops can stay open during the week, but must close on weekends, except for pharmacies and grocery stores.

Bhutan: 1 case, 0 deaths 🇧🇹

More than a week after the country’s first case was detected, the government announced a travel ban to all tourists, which has helped the spread remain next to zero.

Bolivia: 10 cases, 0 deaths 🇧🇴

Scarce hospital resources resulted in a patient with the virus to be turned away from hospital. Meanwhile, all campaigning for upcoming presidential elections have been suspended.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: 24 cases, 0 deaths 🇧🇦

Little to report in terms of government measures as number of cases remains low relative to geographic location.

Brazil: 162 cases, 0 deaths 🇧🇷

Brazil is a country destined for disaster as president Jair Bolsonaro has predictably waged a war on the media as overreacting to the pandemic. One doctor warned that the number of cases is set to skyrocket to as many as 45,000 in a matter of months, while Bolsonaro says he tested negative amid reports he tested positive. He also met with Donald Trump on Saturday. Good luck, Brazil.

Brunei: 50 cases, 0 deaths 🇧🇳

Little is being done in Brunei as news cases continue to be confirmed linked to religious gatherings. Around 640 people have been ordered to undergo quarantine.

Bulgaria: 51 cases, 2 deaths 🇧🇬

Schools, universities and kindergartens will remain closed until March 29, as well as visits to gyms, cinemas, bars, restaurants and shops except for supermarkets and pharmacies. Travel has been restricted to 14 countries as the number of cases is expected to rise sharply in the coming days and weeks.

Burkina Faso: 3 cases, 0 deaths 🇧🇫

Number of cases remain low in many African countries, but next few days will determine whether cases will skyrocket.

Cambodia: 7 cases, 0 deaths 🇰🇭

Cambodia has banned entry of visitors from Italy, Germany, Spain, France and the U.S., while also banning all entry by water transport.

Cameroon: 2 cases, 0 deaths 🇨🇲

Like many African countries, the cases in Cameroon remains low. However messages to the people to keep washing their hands don’t go far enough, and my guess is that the cases will soon explode.

Canada: 252 cases, 1 death 🇨🇦

Canada is one of a handful of countries whose leaders have been affected. Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, wife of prime minister Justin, tested positive on Thursday. While Justin remains symptom free, he has shut down parliament and advised against all foreign travel.

Cayman Islands: 1 case, 1 death 🇰🇾

Cayman reported its first death over the weekend, a patient who had been traveling on a cruise ship that’s been responsible for cases in other countries including Puerto Rico.

Chile: 74 cases, 0 deaths 🇨🇱

Large public events with more than 500 people have been banned as 1,300 people aboard two cruise ships have been quarantined. Protests over high cost of living and inequality will unfortunately have to wait.

China: 81,003 cases, 3,203 deaths 🇨🇳

The centre of what’s heading to be the world’s worst pandemic since the Spanish Flu in 1918 has fortunately begun to report a plateau of cases and deaths. The latest count saw China confirm just 26 new cases and 10 new deaths, a welcome sign from the thousands of cases and deaths reported at the country’s peak in February. Much of the country, including Wuhan, remain under lockdown, but it’s unknown whether cases will jump again once the lockdown ends.

Colombia: 34 cases, 0 deaths 🇨🇴

The border with Venezuela has been closed as fear begins to take hold of South America, one of the last continents to see confirmed cases. Non-nationals will be barred from entering the country if they’ve been in Europe or Asia over the past two weeks.

Costa Rica: 27 cases, 0 deaths 🇨🇷

While the number of cases remain low, president Carlos Alvarado announced several measures to try and limit the economic damage that’s inevitably about to hit almost every corner of the economy, especially the country’s reliant tourism industry. The measures include:

* Insurance and Social Security: Alvarado will meet Monday with the Social Security System (Caja) to establish guidelines alleviating payments into insurance and social security.

* Loans and credit: The government has prepared a proposal that would allow people and businesses with loans to defer payments without additional interest or penalties.

* Taxes: The president’s economic team will present a law project that would allow businesses to temporarily defer taxes without paying additional interest or penalties.

* INS products: The National Insurance Institute will announce next week at least three new products, including one tailored to the tourism sector.

* Price regulations: Costa Rica will regulate the price of certain sanitary products to prevent price gouging.

Cote d'Ivoire: 1 case, 0 deaths 🇨🇮

The sole person believe to have contracted the disease is in a stable condition in hospital.

Croatia: 49 cases, 0 deaths 🇭🇷

Schools and universities were closed over the weekend for an initial two-week period. But they’ll still be open for parents to leave their kids while they work. Counterintuitive much?

Cuba: 4 cases, 0 deaths 🇨🇺

Cuba is keeping its borders open to visitors from all countries, including those who have declared a state of emergency. Very smart geniuses.

Curacao: 1 case, 0 deaths 🇨🇼

Travel restrictions are in place for visitors from Europe. All other passengers will need to pass through immigration counters.

Cyprus: 26 cases, 0 deaths 🇨🇾

As of Sunday, Cyprus closed its borders to everyone except Cypriot citizens, legal residents, European nationals working in Cyprus, diplomats and students.

Czech Republic: 253 cases, 0 deaths 🇨🇿

Nationwide quarantine was expected to be announced at the time of writing (Sunday afternoon). Borders have been closed.

Democratic Republic of Congo: 2 cases, 0 deaths 🇨🇩

Few cases have been reported, but the DRC is another African country that’s widely reported to be severely unprepared for an outbreak. To be fair, you can say the same about most countries and continents.

Denmark: 875 cases, 2 deaths 🇩🇰

All borders have been closed after the first death was reported over the weekend.

Dominican Republic: 11 cases, 0 deaths 🇩🇴

The government claims to have the virus under control. Hard to believe when only 37 tests have been carried out for a population of more than 10 million. I expect the cases to significantly increase.

Ecuador: 28 cases, 2 deaths 🇪🇨

All borders closed after first deaths reported. Ecuadorean citizens and foreigners with Ecuadorean residency will have until the end of Monday to return.

Egypt: 110 cases, 2 deaths 🇪🇬

Schools and universities will be closed for two weeks from today, while the country struggles to grapple with the outcomes from contaminated cruises along the Nile.

Equatorial Guinea: 1 case, 0 deaths 🇬🇶

Not much reported, but first case reported over the weekend.

Estonia: 171 cases, 0 deaths 🇪🇪

Number of cases likely to be more than official total as people can only be tested once they begin to suffer from symptoms. Good plan.

eSwatini: 1 case, 0 deaths 🇸🇿

Not much reported, first case reported over the weekend.

Ethiopia: 1 case, 0 deaths 🇪🇹

Same as above as first case was reported this weekend.

Finland: 244 cases, 0 deaths 🇫🇮

Schools and universities have been shut in some areas as the country is in the delay stage as opposed to containing the spread.

France: 4,513 cases, 91 deaths 🇫🇷

One of the hardest hit countries to date, as all non-essential public spaces have been closed. However, that doesn’t cover grocery stores, banks, public transport and… tobacconists? If you’re looking for a government that’s completely failed its people, it is France, who still held local elections on Sunday.

French Guyana: 5 cases, 1 deaths 🇬🇫

A woman who had traveled back from New York has died in the country’s first death.

Gabon: 1 case, 0 deaths 🇬🇦

Schools are closed for two weeks and tourist visas have been suspended for hardest hit countries, namely the European Union, China, South Korea and the United States.

Georgia: 33 cases, 0 deaths 🇬🇪

Little reported on government measures.

Germany: 5,795, 11 deaths 🇩🇪

Borders with France, Switzerland and Austria to be largely shut today, but goods will continue to flow between the countries. Commuters will also be allowed to cross.

Ghana: 6 cases, 0 deaths 🇬🇭

Government announced that $100 million will be allocated to stopping the spread, and international travel by public officials will be suspended.

Greece: 331 cases, 4 deaths 🇬🇷

Fortunately I got out of Greece just in time, as the country is now a hot bed for cases. Because of its huge tourism industry, cases are expected to balloon into the thousands in the coming days. All schools, bars, cafes and shopping malls have been closed, and all flights to and from Italy have been banned.

Guadeloupe: 5 cases, 0 deaths 🇬🇵

Not much has been reported on suspensions or closures, but we know that a hunt for people connected to the five confirmed cases is underway. Good luck.

Guatemala: 1 case, 0 deaths 🇬🇹

Flights from the U.S. and Canada will be banned today, and anyone who’s arrived in the past few days will be quarantined. No cruise ships will be allowed to dock, but public events and school classes would go ahead for the time being.

Guinea: 1 case, 0 deaths 🇬🇳

Couldn’t find anything on government measures other than the announcement that the country’s elections will go ahead on Sunday. Unbelievable.

Guyana: 4 case, 0 deaths 🇬🇾

Lax measures include and contact tracing of possible patients, and meetings between public health officials and staff members of the country’s health facilities infection-control measures are in place. Too little, too late.

Honduras: 3 cases, 0 deaths 🇭🇳

Schools closed for two weeks. Not much else reported.

Hungary: 32 cases, 1 death 🇭🇺

Never one to a miss a beat, Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orban blamed foreigners and migration for the spread of coronavirus in Hungary. Orban didn’t hesitate to pounce on the nine Iranians who have the disease in Hungary, banning them from entering the country again for three years upon their recovery.

Iceland: 171 cases, 5 deaths 🇮🇸

The 171 confirmed cases is expected to skyrocket, thanks to a voluntary test that suggested one percent of the population have the virus. Schools have been closed and public gatherings have been restricted to less than 100 people.

India: 113 cases, 2 deaths 🇮🇳

If there’s a country to watch, it’s India. A country of more than 1.4 billion people, expect the number of cases and deaths to soar. To try and limit that number, the following measures have been taken:

* All visas, barring a select few categories, have been suspended for a month

* Visa-free travel afforded to overseas citizens of the country has been suspended until April 15 and even those allowed in could be subject to 14 days of quarantine

* Schools, colleges and movie theatres in the capital, Delhi, have been shut until March 31st

* The IPL, featuring nearly 60 foreign players and scheduled to begin on March 29th, has been postponed to April 15

* Two one-day cricket matches between India and South Africa will be played behind closed doors

Indonesia: 117 cases, 5 deaths 🇮🇩

Contact tracing has started. Too little too late.

Iran: 13,938 cases, 724 deaths 🇮🇷

Trenches are being dug for mass graves. The 724 figure above is likely to be way, way out, and deaths are likely to already be well into the thousands. I’m scared to find out what the eventual figure turns out to be.

Iraq: 116 cases, 10 deaths 🇮🇶

Iraq has done its utmost to stop the spread from bordering Iran. Karbala, a southern city in southern Iraq has declared a three-day curfew in order to disinfect the entire province. Authorities in Saladin province imposed a lockdown. And last week, Baghdad shut down schools and universities for 10 days and banned travel to virus-hit states.

Ireland: 129 cases, 2 deaths 🇮🇪

Authorities in Ireland have assured people that the country has enough stock of prescriptions and medicines so not to panic buy. And Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said planning restrictions would be relaxed to allow supplies to be delivered to shops outside of authorised hours.

Israel: 251 cases, 0 deaths 🇮🇱

Israel is using anti-terrorism tracking technology to identify new cases of the virus. I don’t have enough space to explain how this works, so click here to read more on that.

Italy: 24,747, 1,809 deaths 🇮🇹

The worst-hit country outside of China, Italy has been on lockdown since Tuesday. The 60 million people now has to follow the following":

* Stay at home and don’t socialize

* All shops except grocery stores and pharmacies must stay closed

* Italians who want to travel must get police permission

* People accompanying others to the hospital emergency room can no longer wait with them

* Healthcare workers have to cancel their vacations

* Reduced jail visits

* Mortgage repayments have been suspended

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