North Korea insists it has yet to see any cases of the coronavirus - a claim that analysts doubt. - AFP
SEOUL (AFP): Behind its self-imposed coronavirus barricade, North Korea is more isolated than ever and authorities are reinforcing loyalty to the regime in the face of desperate times, analysts say.
The impoverished country which is under multiple sets of international sanctions over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes has long struggled to feed itself, suffering chronic food shortages.
The North was the first country to impose a strict lockdown when it sealed its border in January last year to stop the virus spreading from neighbouring China, where it first emerged before sweeping the world.
Rest of World News: North Korea insists it has yet to see any cases of the virus a claim that analysts doubt but it has paid a huge economic price for the blockade,
Pandemic taskforce simplifies list of 4th priority group for COVID-19 vaccination
May 28, 2021 | 7:14 pm
PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS
The inter-agency taskforce handling the coronavirus response has adopted a resolution simplifying the list of workers who will be prioritized in the government’s coronavirus vaccination program, said the presidential palace.
Presidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr., made the announcement during a televised news briefing as the country is set to begin the inoculation of those in the fourth priority group, or A4, next month.
Mr. Roque said the taskforce divided the fourth priority group into three subgroups: private workers required to physically report to work; employees in the government; and, informal sector workers “who may be required to work outside their residences and those working in private households.”
On the 34th World No Tobacco Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) China Office and the Planning and Information Department of the National Health Commission (NHC) jointly held a press conference to release the China Report on the Health Hazards of Smoking 2020, introduce China’s WNTD 2021 campaign, and launch the “China Cessation Platform” mini program.