Pandemic World: Fiji welcomes the billionaires

How the world is coping with coronavirus this week:

Fiji

After months of strict lockdowns and closed borders to combat the coronavirus pandemic, Fiji’s prime minister has announced his country will open its doors again—to billionaires. Voreqe Bainimarama said Fiji wanted to attract “VIPs” to help restore its paralyzed economy which is dependent on tourism. “Say you’re a billionaire looking to fly your own jet, rent your own island, and invest millions of dollars in Fiji in the process—if you’ve taken all the necessary health precautions and borne all associated costs, you may have a new home to escape the pandemic in paradise,” Bainimarama wrote in a tweet. (Cook Islands News)

Iran

Masks will become mandatory in certain places in Iran starting July 5th, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said. In addition, the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed concern on Monday about the rising number of deaths, saying government officials should wear masks to set an example for Iranian youth. On Monday Iran recorded its highest number of deaths within a 24-hour period. So far more than 10,000 people have died there from COVID-19. (Tehran Times)

South Africa

Anti-vaxxer protesters in South Africa burned their face masks to protest against Africa’s first COVID-19 vaccine trial leaving experts worrying about the level of resistance and misinformation around testing on the continent. Seth Berkley, the CEO of the GAVI vaccine alliance, told an African Union vaccine conference that anti-vaccine sentiment in Africa was the “worst I’ve ever seen.” (ABC)

Poland

Most of the miners working for Poland’s biggest coal producer infected with COVID-19 have recovered. Polish mines have struggled with the spread of the pandemic, and state-run mining company PGG has reported 1,886 cases to date. Back in early June the government halted output at 10 PGG mines to thwart the spread of the virus. Operations are set to resume on July 3rd. (Reuters)

Global

More than 186 journalists have died from COVID-19 in four months in 35 countries, according to the Press Emblem Campaign in Geneva. Peru was the country with the highest number of victims (37), followed by Brazil with 16, and Mexico with 14. By region, Latin America remains the most affected, with at least 93 journalists killed by the virus, ahead of 34 victims in Asia, Europe 26, Africa 19 and North America 14. But according to the campaign, the figures are likely to be higher as some who died may not have been tested. (Anadolu Agency)