Seychelles confirms two coronavirus cases: health commissioner

VICTORIA (Reuters) – The Seychelles confirmed two coronavirus cases on Saturday, the health ministry said in a statement.

Two citizens of the Indian Ocean archipelago who arrived from Italy tested positive on the island of Perseverance, the ministry of health said.

(This story corrects nationality of patients to Seychellois)

Coronavirus fallout: Cruise industry takes a battering

Share prices in cruise ship industry hit but US President Trump has promised to provide assistance.

Stocks for the cruise industry have fallen after the Diamond Princess and Grand Princess ships suffered coronavirus outbreaks, infecting hundreds of passengers around the world.

In the US state of Florida, where several large cruise companies are based, the elderly and those with existing health conditions are being told not to board.

Al Jazeera’s Andy Gallacher reports from Miami, Florida.

Georgia Will Postpone March 24 Democratic Primary Due to Virus

Election officials in Georgia will postpone the Democratic primary scheduled for March 24 until May 19 due to coronavirus pandemic, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported, citing election officials.

“Events are moving rapidly and my highest priority is protecting the health of our poll workers, their families, and the community at large,” Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger told the newspaper on Saturday.

Early voting in the southern state started this month. Georgia follows Louisiana in taking action in the face of the highly-contagious Covid-19 virus.

Georgia To Postpone Primaries Over Coronavirus

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia election officials are postponing the state’s March 24 presidential primaries until May because of fears over the coronavirus.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said in a statement that in-person early voting, which began statewide March 2, will be halted and the election will be moved to May 19, when Georgia’s other 2020 primary elections are being held.

The action followed Republican Gov. Brian Kemp’s signature of an emergency declaration that unlocked sweeping powers to fight COVID-19. In a speech Saturday, the governor renewed a call for places of worship, schools and others to consider canceling large gatherings as cases in the state rise.

As of Saturday, the virus had infected more than 150,000 people worldwide and killed over 5,600. Georgia is reporting 66 confirmed cases, with most concentrated around metro Atlanta. One death in the state has been caused by the virus.

Election officials said in addition to the safety of the public, one of the biggest considerations was the risk the virus posed to poll workers, who are often older.

On Friday, Louisiana became the first state to push back its presidential primaries.

Big3 Basketball Causes A Stir With Racially Charged Ad Against Madison Square Garden Head James Dolan

The Big3 basketball league has taken aim at James Dolan, the executive chairman and CEO of The Madison Square Garden Company and exec chair of MSG Networks, better known as the man who owns the New York Knicks.

The Big3, owned by Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, issued a racially charged attack ad on Dolan, who has been under fire for ugly confrontations with director Spike Lee and former New York Knicks player Charles Oakley.

Under the Oakley and Lee quotations was a message:  “Players are not property. The fans are our guests.’’

Oakley sued Dolan and MSG for defamation, battery, false imprisonment and violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act after a confrontation at the Garden. He was banned from the Garden for a year and the lawsuit was dismissed

Lee, a longtime New York Knicks superfan, was in a confrontation over which entrance to his courtside seats he would use. Lee insisted on using the employees entrance, while the Garden security instead directed him to the media entrance.

Big3 Basketball Causes A Stir With Racially Charged Ad Against Madison Square Garden Head James Dolan.

Estonia to bar foreign travelers from March 17

TALLINN (Reuters) – Estonia will stop foreign traveler from entering the country from March 17, in an attempt to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the country’s government said in a statement on Sunday.

Estonians and foreigners whose family member lives in Estonia will be able to enter the country, and everyone will be allowed to exit after the deadline, it said.

Estonia has confirmed 115 cases of coronavirus, with no deaths.

Congo Republic confirms first coronavirus case: government

DAKAR (Reuters) – Congo Republic on Saturday confirmed its first case of the coronavirus, a 50-year-old man who had traveled to the country on March 1 from Paris, the government said.

The patient is in stable condition and his wife and daughter have been isolated, the government said in a statement.

Spanish PM's wife has tested positive for coronavirus: PM's offfice

MADRID (REUTERS) – Begona Gomez, the wife of Spanish Prime minister Pedro Sanchez, has tested positive for coronavirus, the prime minister’s office said on Sunday (March 15), adding that both were doing fine.

This story is developing.

U.K. Issues Advisory Against All But Essential Travel to Spain

The U.K. has advised its citizens against all but essential travel to Spain amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, according to a statement from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Airports remain open, and flights continue to operate at reduced volumes, the statement said, urging British citizens to contact airlines for updated information.

The latest advisory comes after Spain declared a state of emergency on March 14, restricting movement in the country.