Germany, France Take Action; Melania Talks Covid: Virus Update
(Bloomberg) — Germany will extend a program designed to stop millions of workers losing their
(Bloomberg) — Germany will extend a program designed to stop millions of workers losing their jobs, while France is preparing to announce a 100 billion-euro ($118 billion) stimulus plan next week.
U.S. first lady Melania Trump capped the second night of the Republican convention with a speech that focused on the ravages from the coronavirus.
Japan’s virus czar said the country faces a second wave of Covid-19 cases larger than the first. South Korea ordered striking doctors back to work as several countries in Asia tightened restrictions on travelers from South Korea.
Global Tracker: Cases top 23.9 million; deaths pass 819,600Pandemic halts Vietnam’s three-decade economic boomSome countries don’t want to wait for superpowers’ vaccinesBack to school could be dangerous for someUnderstanding the virus and its unanswered questionsVaccine Tracker: Where we are in the race for protection?
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Germany Pumps $12 Billion More Into Job-Saving Subsidies (3:09 p.m. HK)
Germany allocated about 10 billion euros ($11.8 billion) more to help Europe’s biggest economy recover from the coronavirus crisis by extending until the end of 2021 a program that has stopped millions of people from losing their jobs. Subsidies known in German as “Kurzarbeit,” originally intended for 12 months, pay the bulk of paychecks and allow companies to hold on to workers during an economic shock.
Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said the money for the extension will come out of next year’s federal budget, adding to the 1.2 trillion euros Germany has made available to prop up the economy during the pandemic.
Hungary Sees Biggest Rise in Infections Since May (3:08 p.m. HK)
Hungary reported 73 new coronavirus infections Wednesday, the biggest daily increase since May 2, bringing the total so far to 5,288. The country’s death toll remained at 614, with 64 people currently in hospital, according to official figures.
The government has confirmed it will open schools next week despite the resurgence, though it will probably tighten travel restrictions from Sept. 1.
French Government to Present Stimulus Plan Sept. 3: PM (2:51 p.m. HK)
The French government will detail its 100 billion euro stimulus plan Sept. 3, Prime Minister Jean Castex told France Inter radio Wednesday.
Castex said the government wanted to reassure the public about how the health situation is being managed before it unveiled the stimulus, initially planned for early this week. Castex said the new package marks “continuity” with emergency measures already in place.
Myanmar Reports Record Daily Infections (2:48 p.m. HK)
Myanmar reported 70 new coronavirus infections Wednesday, its highest one-day tally, according to the Ministry of Health and Sports.
“We have noticed the rate of infections in Rakhine State has risen quickly and expect to see many more cases in the coming two weeks,” said Khin Khin Gyi, director of emerging infectious disease at the Health Ministry.
Iceland Proposes Record Fiscal Stimulus Plan (2:32 p.m. HK)
Iceland’s Finance Ministry submitted a revised fiscal plan to parliament, proposing a budget deficit of as much as 14.5% of gross domestic product this year to support the government response to the pandemic.
“Never before in Iceland’s history has fiscal stimulus been used as forcefully to counterbalance an economic cycle,” the ministry said. The plan envisages a deficit of as much as 13% in 2021 and 10.5% in 2022.
Taiwan Raises South Korea Virus Risk Level (2:28 p.m. HK)
Travelers from South Korea will need to undergo a 14-day quarantine when entering Taiwan, after the country was dropped from a list of areas that posed a low to medium virus risk due to a recent surge in cases, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control said in a statement on its website.
The updated list of low-to-mid risk countries now has Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. Taiwan currently classifies 15 countries and regions as low-risk, including New Zealand, Macau and Thailand.
Melania Trump Focuses on Virus in Convention Speech (2:21 p.m. HK)
U.S. first lady Melania Trump capped the second night of the Republican convention with a speech that focused on the ravages from the coronavirus. She acknowledged the deaths of more than 178,000 Americans and called for national unity in response.
“I know many people are anxious and some feel helpless, I want you to know you’re not alone,” she said. President Donald Trump “will not rest until he has done all he can to take care of everyone impacted by this terrible pandemic.”
Germany to Extend Suspension of Insolvency Rule: Paper (1:46 p.m. HK)
German coalition parties are close to agreeing on a compromise that would allow overly indebted companies to hold off from filing for insolvency until the end of the year, the Boersen Zeitung reported.
The extension wouldn’t apply to companies suffering cash shortages, which would have to file for insolvency from October, the newspaper said, citing unidentified industry sources. The proposal still needs cabinet approval. Insolvency rules have been suspended since March as part of government measures against the pandemic.
Dutch Govt to Repay Less Salary in Aid Plan: Telegraaf (1:07 p.m. HK)
The Dutch government aims to focus only on the most affected companies in a third state-wage support program, which will reimburse less salary, De Telegraaf newspaper reported Wednesday, citing people it doesn’t identify.
Under the second state aid program, which covers June-September, companies that expect to lose at least 20% of sales can ask for reimbursement of as much as 90% of staff wage costs. The Cabinet wants to raise the lost sales cap, possibly to 30%, which would lower the maximum reimbursement to 70% or 80%, the paper said. Two government ministers are scheduled to meet representatives of trade unions and employers Wednesday to discuss the third aid package.
China Criticizes Australia’s Push for Covid-19 Inquiry (12:44 p.m. HK)
China feels unfairly “singled out” by Australia’s push for an inquiry into the origins of Covid-19, with a diplomat suggesting Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s government was helping the U.S. attack Beijing.
Speaking Wednesday to reporters in Canberra, China’s deputy head of mission to Australia, Wang Xining, noted Covid-19 was first identified in China but scientists must still report their findings on its origin. He provided no clear answers when asked if Beijing’s trade sanctions on beef and barley exports were retaliation over Morrison’s calls for the investigation.
Jakarta to Open Cinemas Under Strict Virus Protocols (11:32 a.m. HK)
Jakarta plans to ease social-distancing measures further by reopening cinemas soon, despite a rising number of virus cases in Indonesia’s capital, Governor Anies Baswedan said Wednesday.
Cinema operators must adhere to strict protocols, such as requiring face masks and only allowing customers between 12 and 60 years old. Total infections in the city of more than 10 million people jumped to nearly 35,000 as of Tuesday as Indonesia grapples with the second-worst outbreak in Southeast Asia.
Singapore Tightens Restrictions for S. Korea Travelers (11:25 a.m. HK)
Singapore will tighten border measures for travelers arriving from South Korea after a resurgence of virus cases there.
Those who have traveled to or transited in South Korea within the past two weeks will be required to serve a 14-day quarantine at government-run facilities when they enter Singapore, the Health Ministry said in a statement. Travelers will need to take a Covid-19 test before the end of their quarantine.
Fluidigm Test Gets FDA Emergency Use Authorization (11:21 a.m. HK)
Fluidigm received Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a saliva-based test to detect nucleic acid from Covid-19, the company said in a statement.
Each Advanta Dx SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Assay system can run 6,000 tests a day, the South San Francisco-based company said.
Hong Kong to Accept Online Registration for Mass Testing (11:15 a.m. HK)
All Hong Kong ID card holders, including permanent and non-permanent residents, can register online for the government’s city-wide voluntary coronavirus testing program Aug. 29, according to the government’s website.
Medical staff will take nasal and throat swabs at community testing centers in all 18 districts. Participants will be notified of negative results by SMS, while the Health Department will call those who test positive to arrange for isolation and treatment.
Canada to Announce Funds for School Reopening: Report (10:39 a.m. HK)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to announce a C$2 billion ($1.5 billion) package Wednesday to safely reopen schools, the Globe and Mail reported, citing unidentified federal officials.
The funds would be in addition to the C$19b Safe Restart Agreement package, which is aimed at helping provinces mitigate the pandemic’s impact on their economies and health-care systems.
South Korea Dismisses Rumors of Tighter Restrictions (10:32 a.m. HK)
A South Korean official said the government is discussing what would need to happen to raise anti-virus measures to the strictest level, but dismissed rumors that such a policy would be announced today.
Yoon Tae-ho, a senior health ministry official, said in a briefing that the government will monitor the situation this week before deciding whether to strengthen social-distancing measures to Level 3, from Level 2 currently. Official issuance of the highest-level regulations is not currently under discussion, Yoon said.
Japan Could Strengthen Social-Distancing Rules (9:30 a.m. HK)
Japan is considering how to make social-distancing rules more binding as it confronts a second wave of coronavirus cases larger than the one that prompted a state of emergency in April-May, Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said.
Any emergency declaration in the future could be targeted to specific areas or industries, said Nishimura, who heads the country’s virus response.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will unveil new measures against coronavirus as soon as this week, the Sankei newspaper reported without attribution.
Biotech Firm Brii Said to Weigh Hong Kong IPO (9:10 a.m. HK)
Brii Biosciences, which focuses on treatments for diseases such as Covid-19 and HIV, is considering an initial public offering in Hong Kong as soon as the first quarter of next year, according to people familiar with the matter.
The biotech firm is working with investment banks on the potential listing, which could raise about $200 million to $400 million, the people said. In March, Brii announced a partnership with Tsinghua University and a hospital in Shenzhen to develop antibodies against Covid-19.
Hawaii’s Oahu Returns to Stay-at-Home Order: AP (8:58 a.m. HK)
Hawaii’s most populous island is returning to a stay-at-home order while officials conduct 70,000 Covid-19 tests in the next two weeks. The federal government will help officials test 5,000 people in Oahu every day for two weeks, the Associated Press reported.
Gyms and dine-in restaurants will be closed during that time but religious services may continue in Oahu, which has seen a surge in daily positive cases.
New Zealand Sees First Drop in Income Amid Pandemic (8:56 a.m. HK)
Median weekly incomes in New Zealand fell 7.6% in the second quarter compared to a year earlier, Statistics NZ said Wednesday, the first decline since the data series began in 1988.
The fall reflects people being away from their jobs without pay due to the pandemic and more people receiving government transfers, while more self-employed earners were seen in lower-income brackets, the agency said.
KFC Not ‘Finger Lickin’ Good’ Right Now: AP (8:37 a.m. HK)
Kentucky Fried Chicken is temporarily suspending its long-time tagline that its food is “Finger Lickin’ Good,” deeming it “the most inappropriate slogan for 2020” amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Associated Press reported.
Safety measures call for people to avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands to reduce exposure to the virus.
Argentina Cases Rise by Record For Second Day (7:43 a.m. HK)
Argentina reported 8,771 new confirmed Covid-19 cases for a national total of 359,638, according to the government, the second straight record daily tally. The government reported 162 deaths, for a total of 7,563.
South Korea Orders Striking Doctors Back to Work (7:20 a.m. HK)
South Korea issued return-to-work orders to trainee and fellow doctors in the Seoul area who launched a three-day strike Wednesday to protest a government plan to increase the number of doctors and establish a public medical school.
Health Minister Park Neung-hoo called the collective action during the pandemic “deeply regrettable.” The government will take measures including canceling the licenses of doctors who reject the order.
The strike comes as South Korea grapples with a fresh outbreak in Seoul and neighboring areas in recent weeks. The country reported 320 new cases Wednesday morning, bringing the total to 18,265.
U.K. Backs Plan for Vaccine Against Many Coronaviruses (7:15 a.m. HK)
Scientists from the University of Cambridge won funding from the U.K. government to start trials for a DNA-based vaccine that aims to protect against multiple coronaviruses.
The government has invested 1.9 million pounds ($2.5 million) to develop the shot, with the researchers planning to begin phase I trials in the autumn, the university said in a statement Wednesday. The team aims to use genetic sequences of other known coronaviruses to create one vaccine that goes beyond Covid-19 to fight related diseases such as Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS.
Mask Rules Tightened for English Schools (6:27 a.m. HK)
English children over the ages of 11 will now be required to wear face masks in schools in high-risk areas, the U.K. government’s latest U-turn on coronavirus policy.
From Sept. 1, staff and pupils in secondary schools in areas under possible local lockdowns must wear masks when moving around the building and in communal areas, but not in classrooms. In less risky areas, face masks will not be obligatory but schools will have the discretion to make it a requirement.
Germany Extends Job-Preserving Aid Program (6 a.m. HK)
Germany extended a program that has kept millions of people from losing their jobs to help Europe’s biggest economy recover from the coronavirus crisis. Chancellor Angela Merkel’s coalition agreed Tuesday to provide the job-preserving subsidies, originally intended for 12 months, until the end of 2021.
Germany has used the compensation program to prevent mass layoffs before, helping the country weather the financial crisis in 2008 and 2009. There were about 5.6 million people receiving the benefits in July, compared with 7 million people in May, according to the Munich-based Ifo Institute for Economic Research.
U.S. Cases Rise 0.6% (4 p.m. NY Tue)
Coronavirus cases in the U.S. increased 0.6% compared with the same time Monday, to 5.76 million, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University and Bloomberg News. The increase was lower than the average daily gain of 0.8% over the past week. Deaths rose by 0.4% to 177,773.
Florida reported 605,502 cases, up 0.4% from a day earlier, compared with an average increase of 0.7% in the previous seven days. Deaths reached 10,580, an increase of 183, or 1.2%.Arizona reported 859 new cases, a 0.4% increase to 199,273 that surpassed the prior seven-day average of 0.3%. Deaths rose by 21 to 4,792.Hawaii experienced a 2.6% increase in the number of cases from the same time yesterday, bringing the total to 6,769, according to the data from Johns Hopkins and Bloomberg News.California reported 4,480 new cases, well below the 14-day average of 7,049, and 105 new deaths, less than the daily average of 128 over the past two weeks.. The average rate of positive tests over the past 14 days fell to 6.3% from 6.5%. Hospitalizations dropped 1% from the prior day to 4,424 patients, the fewest since June.Covid-19 hospitalizations in Texas dropped below 5,000 for the first time in two months, to 4,907. Another 181 people died from the virus, bringing total deaths to 11,576. The state reported 6,346 new cases, for a total of 586,730 since the outbreak began.
Houston Aims for Distancing as Hurricane Nears (2:30 p.m. NY Tue)
Houston’s safety plans for Hurricane Laura include measures to protect residents from the coronavirus.
A storm shelter has been established at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston that will house displaced residents and also serve as a distribution center for moving some people to other facilities, Mayor Sylvester Turner.
The plan is to use city buses to transport some residents to outlying facilities operated by the Red Cross and others so that social-distancing standards can be maintained, the mayor added. Some virus testing sites will be closed while the storm passes.
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