Iceland
Iceland has raised the number of people allowed to gather together from 10 to 20, and has reopened gyms and ski resorts after showing the lowest incidence rate of coronavirus infections among all countries reported on by the European Centre for Disease Control. Its total number of active cases have stood at around 150 for some weeks and the country’s chief epidemiologist said it was time to relax domestic restrictions. These include the performing arts: Up to 50 people may rehearse and perform together for up to 100 adults and 100 children watching. Funerals are allowed up to 100 guests. Masks are still mandatory in shops and on public transport. (Iceland Review)
Singapore
So far there have been zero cases of COVID-10 at Singapore’s three major universities, National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University, which many attribute to a triumvirate of technology to enforce social distancing, obedience and tough penalties for anyone contravening rules implemented to stem the tide of the coronavirus. At National University of Singapore, the country’s flagship college, the strategy has been to contain, decongest and trace contacts. (Study International)
Bolivia
Bolivia’s regional elections may be postponed for 60 days due to a surge in coronavirus infections in the country. Andronico Rodriguez, president of the Bolivian Senate, confirmed that the date will be reassessed. Bolivians were due to vote for the governors of the nine departments and mayors of the 337 municipalities on March 7. But rates of COVID-19 are increasing, with 1,641 new infections daily. (Prensa Latina)
Turkey
Turkey aims to launch a mass vaccination rollout against the coronavirus by the end of the week. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also announced a gradual easing of restrictions, imposed in the autumn to stem the rising tide of infections. Three million doses of China’s SinoVac Biotech vaccine arrived in the country at the end of December but Erdoğan said Turkey ultimately aims to develop its own vaccine. A sharp rise in cases in the autumn of 2020 led authorities to imposing new restrictions it had lifted in the summer. (Daily Sabah)
Philippines
In a comment piece for Nikkei Asia, Richard Heydarian, an Asia-based academic, columnist and author of a book on Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte, doesn’t mince words. He writes that the president has “foolishly shunned Western pharmaceutical companies until the last minute, naively over-relying on vaccines from the likes of China and Russia.” Heydarian says Duterte has been “asleep at the wheel” and his inaction has effectively extended the public health crisis that has ravaged the country’s economy. (Nikkei)
