Tsagaan Sar state ceremony and wrestling tournament canceled
On Thursday, after the prime minister’s direction to consider canceling traditional government ceremony to celebrate Tsagaan Sar and the accompanying national wrestling tournament in light of the coronavirus outbreak in China, the National Special Commission has canceled Tsagaan Sar’s national wrestling tournament, in addition to all official ceremonies and festivals mandated by government during Tsagaan Sar.
This is the first time in recent history that a celebratory national wrestling tournament has been canceled due to social issues.
The Mongolian government has been taking drastic measures to prevent potential spread of the new coronavirus, which broke out in Wuhan, China in December.
Currently, all public gatherings are banned, and entertainment venues are operating in a limited capacity. Entertainment and cultural venues such as the Wrestling Palace, Sports Palace and the Buyant Ukhaa Sports Palace are closed until March 2, 2020.
CORONAVIRUS PREVENTION UPDATE
As of Thursday, over 7,783 people were infected with coronavirus globally -7,678 in mainland China, 14 in Thailand, 11 in Japan, 10 in Hong Kong and Singapore, eight in Taiwan, seven in Australia, seven in Macau, seven in Malaysia, five in the US, five in France, four in South Korea, four in Germany, four in United Arab Emirates, three in Canada, two in Vietnam, and one in Cambodia, Finland, Nepal and Sri Lanka each.
To date, 133 people have recovered from coronavirus while the death toll has reached 170, according to Chinese media reports.
Mongolia is on high alert to prevent coronavirus although no confirmed case has been registered. The government has shut down schools, kindergartens and universities, and banned all public events until March 2.
13 QUARANTINED
Head of the Office of Public Administration of the Ministry of Health B.Tsogtbaatar reported that 13 people who showed potential coronavirus symptoms after arriving in Ulaanbaatar from China were quarantined in the National Center for Infectious Diseases. Their health is being monitored and test results are expected to be out within 72 hours.
Some 14 residents of Arkhangai, Khovd, Khentii and children of Deren Sport Club were examined upon entry to Ulaanbaatar and test results came out negative for coronavirus. Now, a total of 18 people are pending test results.
KHENTII TEENAGER’S DEATH NOT CAUSED BY CORONAVIRUS, REPORT OFFICIALS
The National Center for Infectious Diseases confirmed that the recent death of 14-year-old girl in Khentii was caused by influenza A virus subtype H3N2.
The girl came to hospital on Monday morning and died at 4:50 p.m. that day due to high fever.
The center also said a 46-year-old woman and two students who were quarantined after arriving from Hong Kong with suspicious symptoms did not have coronavirus.
400 ARRIVE BY TRAIN FROM CHINA
On January 28, 400 Mongolian citizens crossed the border of Mongolia from China with the support of the Mongolian Consul in Erenhot, China and other related organizations.
Everyone who crossed the border underwent medical examination, officials assured.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Roads and Transportation and the General Office of Border Protection are working to bring back Mongolian nationals from China in light of the new virus outbreak.
As part of Parliament’s decision on January 26, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a request to bring back 32 Mongolian nationals residing in Wuhan, China to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China on Tuesday. The government of China said it will permit evacuation after medical examination and necessary precautionary measures.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that it has prepared a plane for the Mongolian nationals in Wuhan.
Over 10 countries, including the US, French, Japan, and South Korea, have requested evacuation of their citizens from Wuhan.
ONLINE AND TV CLASSES TO LAUNCH
On January 29, Minister of Education, Culture, Science and Sports Yo.Baatarbileg made a statement regarding the decision of Cabinet and the State Emergency Commission to close all schools and kindergartens and cancel all public gatherings until March 2, 2020.
The minister said that the 2020 summer vacation will start as scheduled and its start date will not be postponed.
Kindergartens and schools
-2020 summer vacation will start as scheduled and its start date will not be postponed.
-Spring break will be shortened to a week.
-During the third and fourth semester, schools will operate on Saturdays and teachers will receive overtime pay. Kindergartens will not operate on Saturdays.
-TV classes will be aired for students through 18 television channels nationwide. Some 170 teachers are preparing 402 sessions. Two to four lessons will be aired each day, each lasting 10-20 minutes will be tough.
-During the temporary closure of schools until March 2, organizing seminars, contests, Olympiads or competition for students are banned.
-Teachers of public schools and kindergartens will receive full-time pay and benefits. Fixed costs except mid-day meal costs of schools and kindergartens will be covered by the state.
Universities
-During the temporary closure of schools through March 2, online lessons will be made available to all students.
-All lessons and internships are canceled
-Heads of universities have to advise local and foreign students, new recruits, and foreign teachers to not come to the dormitory until March 1 and ensure the safety of students living in dormitories.
Sport
-Sports and sporting activities, competitions and training are all prohibited. During the quarantine, over 10 sport activities and state championships were canceled.
-Preparation for the national team will continue normally, and athletes will participate in international competitions as scheduled. All sport activities and competitions were canceled in China
Culture and art
-All cultural and art events and performances in the city and provinces are canceled. Disinfection of theaters, museums and libraries will be conducted.
-Operations and rehearsals of theaters will resume normally.
CORONAVIRUS VACCINE IN TRIAL STAGE
Hong Kong scientists have already developed a coronavirus vaccine but the lab that produced it says the vaccine won't be ready for human use for at least a year. Expert on infectious diseases and professor at Hong Kong University Yuen Kwok-Yung reported to South China Morning Post that his team was working on the vaccine.
“We have already produced the vaccine, but it will take a long time to test on animals,” Kwok-Yung said. The vaccine is yet to be deemed fit for human use, which can be proved only after conducting clinical trials.
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM VIRUS!
Mongolia is taking various actions to prevent the spread of coronavirus and shut down schools, kindergartens and universities, and banned public activities.
The Health Ministry issued warnings and started taking precautionary measures along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Specialized Inspection Agency, and the General Authority for Border Protection.
The Wuhan coronavirus continues to spread throughout Asia and the rest of the world.
The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. People infected with this virus should receive support to help relieve symptoms. For severe cases, treatment should include care to support vital organ functions.
WHO recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
-Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcoholbased hand sanitizer.
-Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
-Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
-Stay at home when you are sick. -Cover your cough or sneeze with a