Mr Johnson announced that he had developed mild symptoms over the past 24 hours, including a temperature and cough, adding that he is self-isolating in Downing Street, working from home. The PM stressed that he will continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus.
The National Oil Corporation stated that it has sent approximately 700 thousand tonnes of fuels since the start of January adding that has spent over 300 million US dollars since the start of the blockade to purchase and transport fuels into Eastern Libya. This includes approximately 20 legitimate shipments of fuel imports just for the Eastern region.
As far as oil prodution is concerned, NOC stated that the current levels of production are 96,702 barrels a day, as of Wednesday March 25, 2020. Forced restriction of production has resulted in financial losses exceeding 3,653,496,124 USD since January 17, 2020. These are funds that could have been spent on medical supplies and equipment to help all Libyans deal with COVID 19.
NOC noted that it is taking action to protect staff and the public from the COVID-19 virus. Many staff are now working remotely, and all NOC venues are following new safety procedures that comply to guidance from the Libya National Center for Disease Control. “Health and Safety teams in all NOC subsidiaries are now fully trained to deal with the situation.” NOC stated.
Mahmoud Jibril, chairman the National Alliance Forces is the first Libyan official tested positive for COVID-19.
In a statement, the National Alliance Forces stated that this health situation is stable and that he is recovering.
Top OECD official says economies will be ready for vigorous restart only with immediate, large-scale, coordinated actions.
Today, the head of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) warned that coronavirus set in motion a major economic crisis that will burden societies for years to come.
Quoting Anadolu Agency, Angel Gurri stressed that the pandemic has led to third and most serious economic, financial, and social shock the 21st century has seen.
Stating that more than one-third of OECD households are financially insecure, Gurri said they would fall into poverty if they have to forgo three months of their income.
He added that spreading trade restrictions will worsen the situation.
“More broadly, they increase the risk of a more severe outbreak, as well as of a deeper and longer-lasting recession,” Gurri said.
He urged governments to mount urgent and large-scale responses, to be taken at the sub-national, national, and international levels.
“The OECD calls for a sizeable, credible, internationally coordinated four-pronged effort to provide the necessary resources to deal with the immediate public health emergency, to buffer the economic shock and develop a path towards recovery,” he said.
Touching on weaknesses in healthcare systems exposed by coronavirus, Gurri said: “Beyond the immediate health policy response, the world needs decisive and ambitious actions to mitigate the economic downturn and protect the most vulnerable.”
The National Centre for Disease Control indicated that four suspected Coronavirus cases tested negative after being referred to the laboratory on Wednesday.
The Libyan National Center for Disease Control clarified that the four cases were: one at Al-Saraya Hospital in Alkhumus city; one on board a fuel tanker, and two at Al-Hadba Hospital in Tripoli.
Today, the Libya’s National Centre for Disease Control claimed that 26 samples for relatives of the first Coronavirus case in Libya tested negative for COVID-19.
It should be reminded that, on Wednesday, the centre sent to quarantine the relatives of Libya’s first confirmed Coronavirus case; a 73-year-old man who came back to Libya from Saudi Arabia, via Tunisia, on March 05.
In cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Anti-Illegal Immigration Agency carried out a sterilization and cleaning campaign, today, targeting Tripoli’s landing site as well as Al-Hamidiya landing site.
Gold prices jumped to a two-week high on Thursday, after a record surge in U.S. jobless claims dented the dollar and boosted expectations of further stimulus to cushion the global economic toll from the coronavirus pandemic.
Spot gold rose 0.7% to $1,624.46 per ounce as of 15:52 GMT.
As far as Platinum is concerned, it slipped 0.3% to $735.95, while silver was flat at $14.43.
Today, G20 leaders said they were committed to presenting a united front against the coronavirus pandemic, restoring confidence, preserving financial stability and reviving growth, calling it their “absolute priority” to tackle its health, social and economic impacts.
Moreover, the G20 stated they were committed to resolving disruptions to global supply chains and asked finance ministers and central bank governors to coordinate regularly together and with international organisations in order to develop an action plan in response to the pandemic.
Anyone claiming to have coronavirus who deliberately coughs at emergency workers faces being jailed for two years, Britain’s Director of Public Prosecutions claimed today.
This came as there had been reports in recent days of people coughing in the faces of police, other emergency workers and shop staff. Those responsible could face charges of common assault.
“Emergency workers are more essential than ever as society comes together to tackle the coronavirus pandemic,” Britain’s Director of Public Prosecutions said in a statement.