- Most limitations on coronavirus in stores and restaurants will be lifted in Thailand.
- In Japan, the number of people in critical condition has risen to 2,000, a record high.
- New Zealand’s pandemic restrictions are being extended before being eased.
- The World Health Organization expects to export 100 million doses of Sinovac and Sinopharm, both manufactured in China.
An article in Nikkei Asia brings the live and latest corona updates across the globe.
Thailand to ease Lockdown
The majority of coronavirus restrictions in businesses and restaurants will be eased in Thailand. As the country suffers its biggest coronavirus outbreak and struggles to ramp up vaccinations, with barely 1 in 10 people immunized so far, the Covid-19 task team warned that easing restrictions and altering virus containment measures were vital to safely recover the economy.
Oct.1 Fireworks to be canceled
Hong Kong’s annual Oct. 1 fireworks display to commemorate China’s National Day has been canceled for the third year in a row. The Covid-19 crisis was highlighted by authorities, even though the city has had almost no local transmission in recent weeks. Last year’s show was likewise canceled due to pandemic, while the year before, it was dropped due to anti-government demonstrations.
Japan to report a surge
Covid-19 patients in serious condition in Japan increased to 2,000, up from 1,974, setting a new high for the fifteenth day in a row. As the government seeks to curb the delta variant rise, which has put a further burden on the nation’s hospitals, Japan declared eight more prefectures under a state of emergency this week, including Hokkaido and Aichi.
The 4-crucial days
New Zealand extends pandemic restrictions for another four days before easing them, though businesses and schools will remain closed, and Auckland will remain under Lockdown. Except for a few cases in February, the country has been essentially virus-free. However, after an outbreak of the Delta form last week, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern issued a statewide lockdown order.
Vaccination progress
The overall number of Covid-19 Cases in India is 32.6 million. The country’s 7.95 million people have been vaccinated, increasing the total number of doses delivered to over 612 million. 50 percent of the 944 million adults eligible for vaccination have received one dosage, while 15% have received two.
England’s red list
The government of England has announced that Thailand and Montenegro would be added to its “red list” of countries where passengers must quarantine in a hotel upon their return. Canada, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and the Azores will be added to England’s “green list” of countries where passengers do not need to be quarantined when they return.
As part of its coronavirus immunization program, the World Health Organization expects to export 100 million doses of Chinese-made Sinovac and Sinopharm Covid-19 shots by the end of next month, with the majority going to African and Asian countries. The additional COVAX enhancements are intended to help the program provide 2 billion doses this year.
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Source: Nikkei Asia
