Stories for March 2020

Friday, March 27th 2020 - 09:01 UTC
Nothing to celebrate on the 25th anniversary of the EU open border Schengen agreement

The European Union marked the 25th anniversary of its open-border Schengen agreement on Thursday with all its land borders shut or subject to heavy checks imposed in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Friday, March 27th 2020 - 09:00 UTC
Pandemic: Falklands government financial support for employers and employees

The Falkland Islands government, FIG, announced this week an initial range of measures aimed at supporting employers and ensuring employees and self-employed continue to receive pay if they have to self-isolate due to Coronavirus.
Friday, March 27th 2020 - 08:59 UTC
Falklands suspends schools, nurseries and play-parks until 4 May

The Falkland Islands government, FIG, is stepping up its response measures to COVID- 19 after it was confirmed that the King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH) is currently treating a critically ill child. Chief Executive Barry Rowland said that although it has not been confirmed, it is suspected that the child has contracted Coronavirus. Under the new phase of the response, schools, nurseries, and play-parks will close as of Friday 27 March and will not re-open until at least the start of the new term on 4 May.
Friday, March 27th 2020 - 08:52 UTC
Xi calls Trump to improve bilateral ties; offers to help combat coronavirus

Chinese President Xi Jinping told US President Donald Trump during a phone call on Friday that he hopes the United States will take substantive action to improve bilateral ties, China's foreign ministry said.
Friday, March 27th 2020 - 08:51 UTC
Britain has ordered 10.000 ventilators from vacuum cleaner company Dyson

Britain has placed an emergency order of 10,000 ventilators designed at breakneck speed by bag-less vacuum cleaner company Dyson, the first fruits of an industry-wide call to arms to prepare for the looming peak of the coronavirus outbreak.
Friday, March 27th 2020 - 08:51 UTC
British charity and scientists training dogs to help detect Covid 19

A British charity has teamed up with scientists to see whether dogs could help detect COVID-19 through their keen sense of smell, they said on Friday. Medical Detection Dogs will work with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and Durham University in northeast England to determine whether canines could help diagnoses.
Friday, March 27th 2020 - 08:21 UTC
Norway's sovereign fund has lost US$ 124 billion because of the pandemic markets collapse

Norway's sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest, has lost 1.33 trillion Norwegian crowns (US$124 billion) so far this year as stock markets have plunged due to the coronavirus pandemic, it said on Thursday.
Friday, March 27th 2020 - 08:06 UTC
Falklands eases recruitment process for temporary employment

The Falkland Islands government, FIG, announced this week that in order to help ease pressure on local businesses Executive Council had approved measures to ease the recruitment process for temporary employment.
Thursday, March 26th 2020 - 18:53 UTC
IATA: Airlines need $US200 billion in liquidity to face “apocalypse”

As passenger demand evaporated around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned airlines are fighting for survival. The airline association stated that airlines need $US200 billion in liquidity support as they face “apocalypse now.”
Thursday, March 26th 2020 - 18:16 UTC
Falkland Islands: New stage in Government COVID-19 response

The King Edward Memorial Hospital is currently dealing with a critically ill child, who is suspected to have COVID-19. Until this is confirmed by test, this remains a matter of clinical judgment. As a result of this, the Falkland Islands Government is moving its response to the next stage, in accordance with our Infectious Disease Plan and other preparations. Our thoughts go out to the child, the child’s family and friends.