Resurging Covid Huge Threat to Euro Zone Economy | The resurgence in coronavirus cases is the biggest threat to the recovering euro zone economy, according to a Reuters poll of economists, who say growth and inflation are more likely to create negative surprises over the coming year than positive ones. Around 30 million people have been infected by the virus globally, and more than 900,000 have died, triggering some of the deepest recessions on record and breaking up supply chains around the world.
Aus Looks Set to Ease Border Limits | The Australian government is expected to announce today an increase in the number of citizens able to return home, while one state said it would partially reopen its borders given a general downward coronavirus infection trend. Prime Minister Scott Morrison is seeking to raise the cap on the number of people allowed into Australia each week by 2,000 from next Friday, after a National Cabinet meeting later in the day where states will be asked to boost quarantine capacity.
The Indian government has said that around 60% of the active Cases are concentrated in only 5 most affected States. There are 13 States and UTs that even today have less than 5000 Active Cases.
#IndiaFightsCorona
Around 60% of the Active Cases are concentrated in only 5 most affected States.
There are 13 States and UTs that even today have less than 5000 Active Cases. pic.twitter.com/K0ZwC5yQGS
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA)September 18, 2020
Israel to Enforce Second Lockdown | Outside Europe, Israel is set to be the first developed country to enforce a second nationwide shutdown, to begin on Friday afternoon. Its government called for hundreds of its citizens who are blocked on the Ukraine-Belarus border to return home. Around 2,000 Hasidic Jew pilgrims, mainly from the US, Israel and France, are massed at the border which has been closed by Ukraine for most of this month to prevent the spread of the virus.
Half of Proposed Vaccine Stock Booked:Study | A study released by Oxfam found that rich nations have already bought up over half the promised Covid-19 vaccine stocks. “Access to a life-saving vaccine shouldn’t depend on where you live or how much money you have,” said Robert Silverman of Oxfam America. Drugs companies are racing to produce an effective jab to counter a virus that has now killed more than 940,000 people around the world and infected almost 30 million. The five leading vaccine candidates currently in late-stage trials will be able to supply 5.9 billion doses.
UK Issues New Rules, to Limit Socialising | British PM Boris Johnson has issued a warning that pubs may have to close earlier to help avoid a “second hump” of coronavirus cases. Residents of northeast England, including the cities of Newcastle and Sunderland, will no longer be allowed to meet people outside their own homes. The government has imposed rules across England this week limiting socialising to groups of six or fewer. Britain has been Europe’s worst-hit country with nearly 42,000 deaths.
Prohibitory orders restricting the movement of people have been extended in Mumbai till September 30 in view of rising coronavirus cases. The restrictions under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure are in place since lockdown began.
Maharashtra: Mumbai Police check vehicles of commuters in Dadar area after DCP Operations issued an order under Section 144 CrPC that will be applicable in Mumbai city up to 30th September. pic.twitter.com/SBnWclTgCF
— ANI (@ANI)September 17, 2020
Europe Sees Fresh Spike, Curbs in place Again | More than 943,000 people have died since the virus emergence late last year, said an AFP tally. Europe accounts for 4.7 million of the total cases. European governments are battling to contain the fresh spike while wanting to avoiding inflicting fresh damage on their economies. French authorities are preparing tighter restrictions in several cities to curtail a surge in Covid-19 cases that has seen nearly 10,000 new cases per day reported over the past week.
Covid Cases Climb to 30 Million | Coronavirus infections topped 30 million around the globe as the World Health Organization warned of “alarming rates of transmission” across Europe and cautioned against shortening quarantine periods. The WHO’s regional director for Europe Hans Kluge said a September surge “should serve as a wake-up call for all of us” after Europe set a new record last week, with some 54,000 cases recorded in 24 hours.
Source: News18