Taiwan
More White House officials tested positive for the coronavirus than the total number of cases in Taiwan this week. So far more than 12 people in President Donald Trump’s orbit have confirmed cases of COVID-19. Taiwan, home to 23 million people has only had eight new cases in a week. The country has been lauded for its handling of the pandemic and joins a list of over a dozen countries reporting less than 10 new cases in the last week. Some have had none. (Washington Post)
England
The UK imposed a maximum guest limit of 15 for weddings to combat rising cases of the coronavirus. One couple got around restrictions by staging a”drive-in” wedding for 250 guests. Attendees watched Vinal Patel and Roma Popat tie the knot in Chelmsford, Essex, just outside of London, from their cars on big screens outside the venue. After saying their vows the couple jumped in a golf buggy in order to wave at friends and family. (BBC)
Argentina
While its government was praised for imposing a lockdown early on in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, Argentina now has the world’s highest rate of positive tests, with nearly six out of 10 infected. Doctors attribute the rise in cases to low-levels of testing and lax restrictions. The company now has over 809,000 cases according to Oxford-linked tracker Our World In Data, with an average of 12,500 new daily infections. The Argentine government loosened restrictions in order to help boost a flagging economy. (Reuters)
Singapore
The government of Singapore has announced a “Baby Bonus Cash Gift,” giving eligible parents up to $10,000 in benefits to curb financial uncertainty due to coronavirus. There will also be additional support for parents of newborns as well as rebates on utility bills for eligible households. (Straits Times)
Turkey
Photographs of cruise ships entering a Turkish ship breaking yard to be dismantled for scrap metal have made the rounds on social media — a visible reminder of the cost paid by the tourism industry during the coronavirus pandemic. The Aliaga, in the port city of Izmir, is known as the ship “graveyard.” (Cruise Law News)
