Dhaka, June 22, 2025 — Bangladesh recorded its highest single-day death toll from COVID-19 this year, with five fatalities reported in the past 24 hours, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
(more…)Tag: COVID-19
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Pakistan Confirms Four Cases of Omicron Variant
Islamabad, January 8, 2024 – The Ministry of Health in Pakistan has confirmed at least four cases of the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus COVID-19.
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Pakistan Issues Advisory Amid Fast Spread of Omicron
Islamabad, January 3, 2024 – As the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus continues to spread rapidly across the globe, Pakistan has issued a comprehensive advisory to address the emerging challenges posed by the newly identified JN.1 sub-variant.
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Pakistan Detects 76 New COVID Cases During Last Week
Islamabad, August 29, 2023 – Health officials in Pakistan have reported the detection of 76 new cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) during the last week.
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China removes PCR test for inbound travelers
On April 25, 2023, Chinese Foreign Ministry announced to remove the mandatory polymerase chain reaction PCR tests before boarding flights.
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Toyota Motors suspends production at Tsutsumi plant
JAPAN: Toyota Motors Corporation on Monday announced to suspend production at Tsutsumi Plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan after detection of Covid-19 cases.
The company apologized for the anxiety and concern that this news may cause to people in the surrounding regions. The virus is an issue that has the potential to affect all Toyota locations and company is still working to further enhance communication and health checks with staff at all locations.
READ MORE: COVID-19 cases reported at Toyota work sites
Toyota is actively implementing measures to prevent the further spread of the virus and remain committed to provide timely updates as the situation requires.
Announced on August 8, 2022
Location, Worksite
Tsutsumi Plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Type of worker
Line workers (two males in their 30’s, a male in his 40’s.)
Affect to production operation
Suspended operations on production line #1 at Tsutsumi plant for the second shift on August 8.
Date tested positive
August 5 and 6, 2022
Last date at work
August 5, 2022
Date work site was disinfected
August 5, 2022
Others
Due to difficulties in ensuring the safety and security of our employees and in having the necessary personnel for operation, we have decided to suspend operation.
Announced on July 27, 2022
Location, Worksite
Takaoka Plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Type of worker
Line workers (three males 20’s, a male 30’s, three males 40’s, a female 30’s.)
Affect to production operation
READ MORE: Global car manufacturers agree to introduce electric mini-commercial vans
Suspended operations on production line #1 at Takaoka plant for the second shift on July 27.
Date tested positive
July 24, 25, and 26, 2022
Last date at work
July 23 and 25, 2022
Date work site was disinfected
July 25 and 26, 2022
Others
Due to difficulties in ensuring the safety and security of our employees and in having the necessary personnel for operation, we have decided to suspend operation following the decision announced on July 26.
Announced on July 26, 2022
Location, Worksite
Takaoka Plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Type of worker
Line workers (two males 20’s, a male 30’s, two males 40’s.)
Affect to production operation
Suspended operations on production line #1 at Takaoka plant for the second shift on July 26.
Date tested positive
July 24 and 25, 2022
Last date at work
July 23, 2022
Date work site was disinfected
July 25 and 26, 2022
Announced on January 20, 2022
Location, Worksite
Tsutsumi Plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Type of worker
Line workers (4 males each in their 20’s, 30’s, 40’s and 50’s.)
Affect to production operation
Suspended operations on production line #1 at Tsutsumi plant for the second shift on January 20.
Date tested positive
January 17, 18, and 19, 2022
Last date at work
January 17, 2022
Date work site was disinfected
January 17, 18, and 19, 2022
Announced on January 19, 2022
Location, Worksite
Tsutsumi Plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Type of worker
Line workers (ten males in 20’s, one male in 30’s, and three males in 40’s.)
Affect to production operation
Decided to suspend operations on production line #2 at Tsutsumi plant for the first shift from January 19 to 22.
Date tested positive
January 18 and 19, 2022
Last date at work
January 18 and 19, 2022
Date work site was disinfected
January 18 and 19, 2022
Location, Worksite
Tsutsumi Plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Type of worker
Line workers (eight males in 20’s and 40’s.)
Affect to production operation
Production line #2 at Tsutsumi plant halted operation for the first shift on January 19.
Date tested positive
January 18, 2022
Last date at work
January 18, 2022
Date work site was disinfected
January 18, 2022
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COVID-19 cases reported at Toyota work sites
Takaoka Plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan: Toyota Motors Corporation on Tuesday announced COVID-19 cases reported at its work sites.
In a statement the company said that this news may cause to people in the surrounding regions.
The virus is an issue that has the potential to affect all Toyota locations and we are continuously working to further enhance our communication and health checks with staff at all locations.
“Toyota is actively implementing measures to prevent the further spread of the virus and remain committed to provide timely updates as the situation requires,” the company added.
The company shared the following information:
Announced on July 26, 2022
Location, Worksite
Takaoka Plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Type of worker
Line workers (a male in his 20’s, two males in their 30’s, a male in his 40’s, a female in her 30’s.)
Affect to production operation
Suspended operations on production line #1 at Takaoka plant for the second shift on July 26.
Date tested positive
July 24 and 25, 2022
Last date at work
July 23, 2022
Date work site was disinfected
July 25 and 26, 2022
Announced on January 20, 2022
Location, Worksite
Tsutsumi Plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Type of worker
Line workers (4 males each in their 20’s, 30’s, 40’s and 50’s.)
Affect to production operation
Suspended operations on production line #1 at Tsutsumi plant for the second shift on January 20.
Date tested positive
January 17, 18, and 19, 2022
Last date at work
January 17, 2022
Date work site was disinfected
January 17, 18, and 19, 2022
Announced on January 19, 2022
Location, Worksite
Tsutsumi Plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Type of worker
Line workers (ten males in 20’s, one male in 30’s, and three males in 40’s.)
Affect to production operation
Decided to suspend operations on production line #2 at Tsutsumi plant for the first shift from January 19 to 22.
Date tested positive
January 18 and 19, 2022
Last date at work
January 18 and 19, 2022
Date work site was disinfected
January 18 and 19, 2022
Location, Worksite
Tsutsumi Plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Type of worker
Line workers (eight males in 20’s and 40’s.)
Affect to production operation
Production line #2 at Tsutsumi plant halted operation for the first shift on January 19.
Date tested positive
January 18, 2022
Last date at work
January 18, 2022
Date work site was disinfected
January 18, 2022
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SBP lifts quarantine requirement for banknotes
KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Wednesday lifted the requirement of quarantine on banknotes, which was imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus pandemic.
The central bank through past letters, advised banks to disinfect, seal and quarantine cash collected from its counters for fourteen (14) days or process such banknotes through Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) certified machines in lieu of the fourteen (14) days quarantine.
READ MORE: SBP allows circulation of quarantined infected banknotes
The banks were given credit for all such cash collected from hospitals and clinics and kept under quarantine on behalf of SBP.
Keeping in view the current situation, whereby all COVID-related restrictions have been lifted at the national level by the NCOC, the instructions issued to banks vide the above-mentioned Circulars are hereby rescinded and revoked.
READ MORE: SBP softens quarantine for banknotes processed through certified machines
The banks are however encouraged to continue taking necessary measures for disinfecting the cash and keeping a neat and healthy working environment for their cash processing staff.
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SBP continues banking relaxations amid rising COVID cases
KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Friday extended the banking relaxation till June 30, 2022 due to rise in cases of coronavirus – COVID-19.
Through BPRD Circular Letter 19 of 2021, various relaxations were provided to the regulated entities for easing of the challenges faced by them and their account holders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the SBP said.
Considering the on-going impact of COVID-19 pandemic, the central bank decided to further extend the validity of following regulatory relaxations till June 30, 2022.
i. Banks/ MFBs may utilize NADRA Verisys in place of biometric verification, where the same is not possible or appropriate due to risk of COVID-19 spread, while complying with controls and measures stipulated in BPRD Circular Letter 9 of 2020, ACMFD Circular Letter 3 of 2020 and BPRD Circular Letter 19 of 2021.
ii. Banks/ MFBs shall continue with enhanced transaction limit of Rs. 500,000 per month and maximum account balance of Rs. 500,000 for non-biometrically verified merchant accounts.
iii. Authorized Financial Institutions (AFIs) shall not downgrade non-biometrically verified Branchless Banking (BB) legacy Level-1 accounts to Level-0.
However, unless instructed otherwise, the above mentioned relaxations will automatically stand withdrawn upon expiry of the extended timeline of June 30, 2022.
Thereafter, banks/ MFBs shall follow the applicable regulatory instructions in the related areas. Meanwhile, banks/ MFBs are advised to take appropriate measures and steps to ensure smooth transition to normal operations without COVID-19 related regulatory forbearance.
Moreover, AFIs may continue to provide Person-to-Person (P2P) transfers through BB channel as stipulated under Branchless Banking Regulations for Financial Institutions (Para 4.4) till June 30, 2022. However, the same shall be ceased immediately upon expiry of the extended timeline. AFIs are advised to take necessary measures, such as creating customer awareness, making adjustments in their business model and infrastructure accordingly.
Notwithstanding the above, banks/ DFIs/ MFBs shall immediately revert back to the applicable instructions on the following:
i. Blocking accounts without valid Identity Documents after serving one month prior notice as stipulated in the AML/ CFT / CPF Regulations (Regulation-2, Para 23).
ii. Marking accounts as dormant/ in-operative as defined in the AML/ CFT/ CPF Regulations (Definition 25).
iii. Conducting biometric verification for all cash in or cash out transactions in BB Level-0 accounts as stipulated in Branchless Banking Regulations for Financial Institutions (Para 4.3).
iv. Conducting staff visits to newly acquired agents as stipulated in the Framework for Branchless Banking Agent Acquisition and Management (Para 9.10 (c) (1)). For the agents acquired during the COVID-19 period, for whom visits have not yet been conducted, AFIs shall perform the same by March 31, 2022, positively.
The revised instructions shall be applicable with effect from January 01, 2022.
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Pakistan bans foreign travelers on new Covid variant
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has banned foreign travel from six South African countries and Hong Kong due to the emergence of a new coronavirus variant namely ‘Omicron’.
Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar in his Tweet said: “Based on the emergence of the new Covid variant, notification has been issued restrict travel from 6 South African countries and Hong Kong.”
The minister who is also Chairman of the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) said the emergence of new variant makes it even more urgent to vaccinate all eligible citizens 12 years and older.