Thailand prolongs travel ban; Indian infections rise

Bangkok－Thailand has extended a ban on international passenger flights again for another month until June 30 in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. The government has yet to decide whether to extend the emergency decree, which expires on May 31.

India's confirmed coronavirus cases have surpassed 90,000, reaching 90,927, on Saturday, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government was due to announce a decision on whether to extend the 54-day-old lockdown.

The lockdown, announced on March 25, was again extended for the second time on May 1 until May 17. The fourth phase is scheduled to begin from Monday.

In the Middle East, the Iraqi Minister of Health, Hassan al-Tamimi, on Saturday praised China's role in supporting Iraq in fighting against the spread of the virus, and said that cooperation between the two countries "is continuing."

As of Saturday, the total number of infections in Iraq was 3,260.

Palestine on Saturday said that it will renew the lockdown throughout the West Bank during the upcoming Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the ongoing Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye said the government would consider easing the lockdown measures after the holiday depending on the situation.

Egypt on Saturday received a new batch of 35 tons of medical aid from China to help its fight against the pandemic as the country's tally of confirmed cases rose to 11,719 with 612 deaths.

Hany Selim, Egyptian assistant foreign minister for Asian affairs, said Egypt "highly appreciates the Chinese gifts", which "embody the strength of ties that connect the two countries".

Medical aid

In Algeria, Chinese medical experts provided guidance on the prevention of COVID-19 for Chinese and Algerian workers at a project of a Chinese company in Algiers on Saturday.

During their 15-day stay in Algeria, the experts will carry out extensive and in-depth exchanges with their Algerian counterparts on the prevention and control measures for COVID-19, clinical treatment techniques and laboratory testing.

They will also carry out prevention and control training for the Chinese medical team in Algeria, and provide prevention guidance for the Chinese and Chinese companies in the country.

In Latin America, Brazil's cases rose on Saturday past those of Spain and Italy, making Brazil's outbreak the fourth largest in the world.

Brazil's Health Ministry registered 14,919 new confirmed cases on Friday, taking the total to 233,142, behind the United States, Russia and the United Kingdom.

Xinhua - Agencies