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namib times SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6852 FRIDAY 13 MARCH 2020 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net
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Namibia remains Coronavirus-free
Arrested for selling Mandrax
Namibia remains Coronavirus-free, health minister Kalumbi Shangula said at a press conference on Wednesday. Worldwide, however the pandemic is spreading, leaving in its wake approximately 5 000 people killed and some 127 000 people infected in 104 countries. [At the time of going to press yesterday at 16:00 that was the official status of Namibia in relation to the global Coronavirus outbreak]. Although Namibia has not registered any cases to date, it has thrown travel arrangements abroad for many a Namibian in limbo. Namibian businesses reliant on Chinese products have been affected. Exports from China dropped so severely during February that container ships have cancelled their schedules and many container ships were sailing virtually empty. At the same time, stocks listed on global stock exchanges all but crashed, as investors were selling off and migrating their funds to hedge commodities like gold and hedge-currencies like the United States Dollar. As the United States Dollar strengthens, emerging market currencies like the South African Rand suffers tremendously and that has become a major headache for Namibian businesses relying imports. Although China has now announced it has the Coronavirus outbreak under control, the remainder of the world remains deeply affected. Countries close their borders to contain the virus outbreaks and travel bans is expected to hit hard. The cruise liner industry worldwide is seeing passenger bookings plummeting and the global airline industry is taking hard knocks as routes are cancelled and passenger bookings either drop or are re-booked to later dates in anticipation the situation would get under control. Some good news is that approximately 68 000 people have so far recovered from Covid-19, but many nations warn the worst is still to come. The 2019–20 coronavirus outbreak is officially known as “SARS-CoV2”, but to prevent misinformation and panic, it is referred to as Covid-19. The disease was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province in China. COVID – 19 is characterized by fever of more than 38 degree Celsius, cough and difficulty in breathing. The complications may include pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. There is currently no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment, but research is ongoing. Efforts are aimed at managing symptoms and supportive therapy. Recommended preventative measures include handwashing, maintaining distance from other people (particularly those who are sick) and monitoring and selfisolation for fourteen days for people who suspect they are infected. This outbreak has now affected 104 countries all over the World and as of late yesterday, the confirmed cases of Coronavirus stood at 127 000 cases globally and close to 5 000 deaths. In Africa, Countries such as Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, South Africa, Cameroon and Togo have all confirmed cases of coronavirus. Most cases were from travellers from abroad, especially China. Only Algeria, Egypt and Cameroon have confirmed Coronavirus cases of people who have not travelled recently.
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On Wednesday afternoon at around 14:15, the vet Dr Freddy von Ludwiger's Toyota Prado was stolen at his home in Swakopmund's Otavi Street. Thanks to swift action by the Swakopmund Neighbourhood Watch, the vehicle was retrieved in Vineta. Continues on page 2
20 March not a public holiday Friday, 20 March 2020 is not a public holiday. Namibia will be celebrating independence on Saturday, 21 March and on Monday it is back to work for all. Namibia has a total of thirteen public holidays, two of which are on the same day each year on 10 December (Human Rights Day and Women’s Day). In the event of any of these public holidays coinciding with a week day, then that week day is a public holiday. When the public holiday coincides with a Sunday, then the Monday is a public holiday. In the event of a public holiday falling on a Saturday, then neither the Friday or the Monday is a public holiday.
20 March is a holiday for all schools.......... The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture announced this week that 20 March this year will be a public holiday for all schools. It is also an out-weekend for pupils accommodated in hostels. In addition to this, the Ministry also announced Thursday 9 April 2020 as the last school day for Term 1; Monday 11 May 2020 as the first school day for Term 2 and Monday 31 August 2020 as the first school day for Term 3.
Rössing wage dispute drags on
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Locker vom Hocker
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Inland Versus Coast 2020
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