InfoAnda - 'Draconian' powers seen to contain swine flu

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

S.Korea buys over $1 bln to curb won's rise -traders | 7 April 2010
Phish announce summer tour dates | 9 January 2009
Tech distributors look forward to late 2009 bounce | Technology | | 28 July 2009

Google image search gets a 'swirl' | 18 November 2009

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : 'Draconian' powers seen to contain swine flu

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Search Search: 'Draconian' powers seen to contain swine flu AFP - Sunday, May 3 MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) - - Regional governments can invoke "draconian" powers if the swine flu virus reaches a worst-case scenario, from monitoring people in their own homes to seizing control of entire economies. ADVERTISEMENT The SARS and bird flu scares of recent years have led many countries to develop pandemic action plans which involve sweeping powers aimed at containing the spread of disease among their populations. Some have already been introduced as the World Health Organisation (WHO) steps up warnings of an imminent A(H1N1) flu virus pandemic. In Hong Kong the first confirmed case of swine flu in Asia was recorded Friday after a Mexican man who arrived via Shanghai tested positive. Authorities moved quickly to quarantine for seven days more than 300 guests and staff at the Metropark Hotel, where the patient had briefly stayed. "Since this is the first case in Hong Kong we must be very careful as the chance of controlling and containing this infection is limited, we will try to be more draconian in our policy," said Health Secretary York Chow. China has made similar moves in tracking down passengers who were on the same flight to Shanghai as the Mexican national, drawing criticism from Mexico that it has taken "unjustified" precautions. Before discovering the first case, Hong Kong had signalled its preparedness to close down all schools and converted a holiday camp into a quarantine centre where possible sufferers will be sent in a bid to contain any mass outbreak. Meanwhile Australia has also approved the isolation of suspected sufferers against their will. The new powers have not yet been used and Health Minister Nicola Roxon stressed that they were only precautionary, but they still remain an option if needed. "We want to make sure that all the powers are there, that we are ready to act if this takes a dramatic turn for the worse," she said this week. Australia's pandemic action plan, a draft of which is publicly available on the Internet, reveals the government potentially has recourse to even more extreme measures should the threat escalate. The plan, which was updated in April, allows for "extraordinary measures" including the power to manage the supply of goods and services, giving it effective control over the economy. Roxon was unable to detail what punitive measures could be taken against people who disobey government directives but the plan talks of maintaining public trust "through visible and effective security and law enforcement". In Singapore, changes made to the Infectious Diseases Act during the 2003 SARS outbreak allow officials to order suspected sufferers to stay at home or face a potential jail term. Health authorities can install an electronic camera in the home of someone under quarantine and order them at random intervals to show their presence. Failure to comply can attract a six month prison sentence for a first offence, rising to 12 months for a second. Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng said Singapore did not see the flu crisis as a police enforcement issue. "No, we will not put out our police forces just to go and deal with the issue ... we have plans for the scenarios that we face but at the same time, we must also deal with issues calmly, (there's) no point panicking," she said. Two common goals of the powers available to governments are isolating those believed to have the virus and preventing the congregation of large crowds which could help it to spread. Japan has ordered hospitals to set up "fever rooms" and said it will ask schools to close, groups to cancel non-essential gatherings, and companies to cut back operations, reserving the right to make the measures compulsory if a major outbreak occurs. The Australian government's term for such preventative action is "social distancing" and the pandemic action plan concedes it would have a major impact how people go about their lives. "(It) could include considered closure of places where people gather, such as child care facilities, schools, community centres, cinemas and nightclubs; cancellation of major sporting events such as football matches; and changing public transport arrangements," the plans said. However, Roxon conceded that preventing the swine flu virus reaching Australia may prove impossible, no matter what powers the government invoked. "Developments overseas indicate that this flu is indeed moving fast and we are conscious that, whatever steps we take, it may not be possible to stop this disease coming into Australia," Roxon told reporters. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article 0 users recommend Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: Asia Pacific Malaysia's 'McCurry' cheers win over McDonald'sAFP - 2 hours 1 minute ago Judge: Mumbai attacks suspect to be tried as adultAP - 2 hours 14 minutes ago Pakistan: Islamic appellate court formedAP - 2 hours 26 minutes ago Sri Lanka rebels ask British, French to seek truceAFP - 2 hours 31 minutes ago Asia reports no new swine flu casesAP - 2 hours 57 minutes ago Enlarge Photo 'Draconian' powers seen to contain swine flu Most Popular – Asia Pacific Viewed Chrysler begins court bid for quick bankruptcy exit Citigroup may need $10 bln more: report Kenyan women to sex-starve men -- for politics Swine flu spreads economic shivers Google fields low-tech wildfire prevention: goats View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Sunday, 3 May 2009
Two U.S. soldiers killed in northern Iraq | International |
Israel picks U.S. immigrant for new Washington envoy | International |
African Union panel on Darfur will meet ICC: Mbeki | International |
French forces grab 3 Somali pirates in Seychelles | International |
Gates on US troop numbers in Afghanistan
Anatomy of an `inside' ambush in Iraq
Gunman in Iraqi army uniform kills 2 US soldiers
Pakistan sets up Islamic court for restive region | International |
Millionaire magnate lures poor in Panama election | International |
Around 30 militants said killed in Afghan attacks
GM could follow Chrysler into bankruptcy: analysts
Gunmen kill Albanian opposition MP ahead of polls | International |
US, Canada, Mexico call for flu not to hit trade
Iran hangs woman convicted of murder as a minor
Fiat boss expected to discuss Opel bid with Germany
CORRECTED: Afghan presidential hopeful promises Talib | International |
Israeli airstrike against Gaza tunnels kills 2
Iran to review jail sentence of U.S.-born reporter
Amy Winehouse hospitalised after fainting
CORRECTED
Iran shells Kurdish rebel positions in north Iraq
BLM to get $300 million for stimulus projects
Buffett offers bleak outlook for U.S. newspapers | Technology |
Clinton returns to Oklahoma bombing site for tour
Boston Globe gets brief reprieve from closure
Spokeswoman: Jack Kemp, one-time VP nominee, dies
Airman in Alaska sentenced for forced miscarriage
At least 3 dead in Russia gas blast
Obamas take a walk, holding hands in the evening
Unpopular Sarkozy recasts his national role
Tweaked about fake tweets, Idaho gov joins Twitter
More than half L'Aquila quake homes 'habitable': Berlusconi
Venezuela's Chavez courts Iran as US shows concern
Chechen president denies link to exile's murder: report
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,284
Mo. woman convicted of murder commits suicide
Malaysia's 'McCurry' cheers win over McDonald's
Judge: Mumbai attacks suspect to be tried as adult
Pakistan: Islamic appellate court formed
Sri Lanka rebels ask British, French to seek truce
Asia reports no new swine flu cases
'Draconian' powers seen to contain swine flu
Pacquiao knocks out Hatton for historic triumph
Global Weather-Celsius
60 years after WWII, Okinawa still rife with bombs
Asia must retool to boost domestic demand: ADB
Pakistan sets up Islamic court for restive region
Japan offers 38.4 bln dlrs to Asian pool: minister
Swine flu could worsen global recession: analysts
Comedian Robert Schimmel arrested in assault case
Review: Welser-Moest gives magic to Wagner
WWOZ gives New Orleans Jazz Fest to the world
Girl's father does not want Madonna to adopt her
Irish recession strains marriages: church
`Wolverine' has box-office bite with $35M debut
Nepal Maoists sack army chief | International |
Egypt pig farmers clash with police over slaughter
U.S. urges calm after three die in south Yemen clashes | International |
Israel considers pullout from Lebanon border village
Berlusconi's wife wants to file for divorce: press | International |
Israel's Lieberman off to Europe amid tensions
Iraqi forces arrest U.S.-allied militia leader | International |
Father rejects Madonna's adoption bid: report
Pakistan's Imran Khan barred from Karachi | International |
Afghan music school emerges from ruins
Six climbers killed in Austria Alps avalanche | International |
Obama set for 'intense' Pakistan, Afghan summit
Zimbabwe orders school fee cuts as economy struggles | International |
Ethanol test for Obama on climate change, science
Israel considers pullout from Lebanon border village | International |
Medvedev brings new style to the Kremlin | International |
NATO games in Georgia draw fire from Russia | International |
Cautious optimism on flu but US 'not out of woods'
Ethanol test for Obama on climate change, science
THE INFLUENCE GAME: Lobbyists prosper in downturn
Iran: US journalist's case will get fair review
SC search for missing NY teen turns up no clues
Canadian party taps Ignatieff as leader
Times Co., Boston Globe unions resume negotiations
Cause not yet known in 28-injury tour bus wreck
2 win Alaska betting game, guess river ice breakup
Afghan rights chief fears vote fraud against women
Key party quits Nepal's coalition government
Taliban behead two Pakistani officials in Swat
Pakistan creates Islamic court
Sydney police rescue alleged burglar from rooftop
Mexico sees swine flug coming under control
HBO's Alzheimer's series aims to push for cure | Entertainment |
Philippine rebels attack plantation, 9 wounded
Rights chief warns of Afghan vote fraud
Nepal's prime minister fires army chief
Brazil films shown in NY examine slums, hunger | Entertainment |
ASEAN, China, Japan, SKorea finalise crisis pact
Asia urged to rethink growth policies amid crisis
'Best job' contenders arrive on Aussie island
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01