The proliferation of fake news about the COVID-19 pandemic has been labelled a dangerous “infodemic”. Fake news spreads faster and more easily today through the internet, social media and instant messaging. These messages may contain useless, incorrect or even harmful information and advice, which can hamper the public health response and add to social disorder and division. Confusingly some fake …

Restrictions on everyday life in Germany have again been tightened significantly as the federal government announced a new set of nationwide measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus disease. The chancellor and the prime ministers of the 16 federal states agreed on the new package of measures at a conference call on Sunday and it includes new regulations on …

Germany’s state and federal leaders are yet to decide on whether to impose a nationwide coronavirus lockdown. Bavaria has introduced drastic measures of its own, but other states have also edged closer to curfews. Several German states are imposing drastic lockdown measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus outbreak. The federal government has still stopped short declaring a state …

This easy-to-use messaging service has the potential to reach 2 billion people and enables WHO to get information directly into the hands of the people that need it GENEVA, Switzerland, March 21, 2020/ — Today, WHO is launching a messaging service with partners WhatsApp and Facebook to keep people safe from coronavirus. This easy-to-use messaging service has the potential to …

Due to travel restrictions as a result of the global outbreak of the new coronavirus COVID-19, Brussels Airlines has suspended its flights. According to a press statement by the airline’s CEO, Dieter Vranckx, the Belgian carrier will suspend its operations from 21 March until 19 April. “All passengers with a ticket booked before or on 31 March (with flights until …

The Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation today announced the publication and distribution of a handbook detailing learnings and best practices from the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, for treating Covid-19 patients. Written by doctors and nurses who were on the front line of the pandemic, the 28-chapter handbook is a comprehensive knowledge-sharing resource for other hospitals …

The Embassy of Nigeria in Berlin has announced the indefinite suspension of its consular services due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis. A statement, titled URGENT PUBLIC NOTICE, published on the website of the embassy reads, “This is to inform the general public that in consideration of the potential health hazard that the novel coronavirus may pose to the staff of …

As the coronavirus pandemic spreads across the world, causing mass disruptions to daily life – rattling markets, suspending travel plans, cancelling sports and music events, the disease is instigating a reappraisal of life as we know it. Our contributing editor and medical doctor at the Berlin Charité hospital, Michael Nnaji, writes on important lessons to be drawn from the crisis. …

To prevent a widespread infection of their populations, African countries are increasingly imposing travel restrictions to keep out people from countries that have a high number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases. Nigeria is the latest country to take the drastic step of imposing entry bans as part drastic measures to stop the spread of the virus in the country. “The Federal …

The African Network of Germany (TANG), a network of more than 700 African associations and individual members in Germany, has started a campaign to provide information about the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) to Africans living in the country. Dr Sylvie Nantcha, chairman of TANG, said the organisation launched the awareness and sensitisation campaign as its contribution to national efforts to contain …