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Coronavirus live news: China builds quarantine centre for 4,000 people; Germany may extend lockdown again Coronavirus live news: China builds quarantine centre for 4,000 people; Germany may extend lockdown again
(32 minutes later)
China builds Covid-19 quarantine centre for Shijiazhuang; Germany mulling compulsory medical masks on public transport; California passes 3m casesChina builds Covid-19 quarantine centre for Shijiazhuang; Germany mulling compulsory medical masks on public transport; California passes 3m cases
Thai prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has warned that his government would prosecute anyone who shares false information about coronavirus vaccines in social or mass media.
The government already has the power to impose punishments under a state of emergency that was declared last March to deal with the pandemic. Prayuth’s warning was an apparent reaction to charges that his government has done too little to acquire adequate supplies of vaccines, the Associated Press reports.
Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, former leader of the banned Future Forward Party who has already been disqualified as an MP amid criticism of the state, last night accused the government of acting too slowly to inoculate the country’s population (see 11:59am) and criticised the country’s coronavirus vaccine strategy as being too reliant on a company owned by the Thai king.
“Do not blame me for threatening legal action,” Prayuth said. “I need to keep people’s confidence and trust in government.”
Health officials at a news conference today defended the effort to procure vaccines.Supakit Sirilak, director general of the Medical Science Department, said the health ministry has been working to obtain vaccine supplies since last February, but has taken time to evaluate which are appropriate.
A first batch of 200,000 doses of Sinovac vaccine from China is scheduled to arrive next month. After that, 26 million doses of a vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, a British-Swedish pharmaceutical company, to be manufactured in Thailand will start being distributed in May.
Thailand has suffered less than most countries its size from the pandemic, but a second wave of infections began in December. It has had 12,594 cases and 70 deaths.
A candidate Covid vaccine known as EpiVacCorona, Russia’s second to be registered, proved “100% effective” in early-stage Phase I and II trials, Russian consumer health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor has told local media.
“The effectiveness of the vaccine is made up of its immunological effectiveness and preventative effectiveness,” the TASS news agency reported, citing Rospotrebnadzor. “According to results of the first and second phases of clinical trials, the immunological effectiveness of the EpiVacCorona vaccine is 100%.”
Russia began testing EpiVacCorona, which is being developed by Siberia’s Vector Institute, in November. Earlier that month, Moscow said its other approved vaccine, Sputnik V, was 92% effective at protecting people from Covid based on interim results, Reuters reports.
Russia has said it can inoculate 60% of its population against Covid this year, but although the Sputnik V vaccine has been readily available in Moscow, the rollout across the country has been slow. Russian president Vladimir Putin has ordered mass vaccinations to start this week.
EpiVacCorona will be used in mass vaccinations from March, deputy prime minister Tatiana Golikova told the Interfax news agency.
Russia, a country of 144 million people, has reported 3,612,800 coronavirus cases, the world’s fourth-highest total. Its death toll from the virus stands at 66,623.
Sweden, whose unorthodox pandemic strategy has placed it in the global spotlight, registered 268 new Covid-linked deaths since Friday, taking the total to 10,591, health agency statistics showed on Tuesday.
The country of 10 million inhabitants also registered 9,779 new coronavirus cases, a significant fall compared to 17,395 cases during the corresponding period last week.
The deaths registered have occurred over several days and weeks with many from the Christmas period being registered with a significant delay.
Sweden’s death rate per capita is several times higher than that of its Nordic neighbours’ but lower than in several European countries that opted for lockdowns, Reuters reports.
Denmark may extend its current lockdown measures beyond early February despite a fall in Covid infections because a more contagious variant first identified in the UK is still spreading, prime minister Mette Frederiksen has said.
Last week, Denmark extended its lockdown for three more weeks in a bid to curtail the spread of the new, more contagious variant, which authorities expect to be the dominant one by mid-February.
“The infection [rate] is decreasing, but the threat is clear. If we don’t contain the pressure, we may risk an exponential increase in infections,” Frederiksen told parliament.
Some restrictions may need to be extended, possibly as early as Tuesday, she added, without elaborating.
Under current lockdown measures, restaurants, bars and non-essential shops are closed and public gatherings are limited to five people. A two-metre distancing rule is in force in public areas, including shops.
Denmark’s reproduction rate, which indicates how many people one person infected with Covid on average transmits the virus to, has fallen to 0.6 from about 1.0 a month ago, health minister Magnus Heunicke said in a tweet yesterday, with hospitalisations falling.
The reproduction number specific to the new variant is estimated to be around 1.16, meaning those infections are rising, the State Serum Institute said.
Tackling the existential risk posed by the climate crisis will be made harder by the growing gap between rich and poor triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic, the World Economic Forum has said.
The body that organises the annual gathering of the global elite in the Swiss town of Davos said warning signs of the threat posed by infectious disease had been ignored for the past 15 years, with disastrous results.
Despite the loss of almost 2 million lives to Covid-19, the WEF’s global risks report found that environmental issues were considered to pose the biggest danger in the coming years, both in terms of impact and likelihood.
Klaus Schwab, the executive chairman of the WEF, said: “In 2020, the risk of a global pandemic became reality. As governments, businesses and societies survey the damage inflicted over the last year, strengthening strategic foresight is now more important than ever.”
Schwab added: “Growing societal fragmentation – manifested through persistent and emerging risks to human health, rising unemployment, widening digital divides, and youth disillusionment – can have severe consequences in an era of compounded economic, environmental, geopolitical and technological risks.”
The WEF report said the Covid-19 pandemic had widened longstanding health, economic and digital disparities, making it harder to secure the international cooperation needed to combat challenges such as environmental degradation.
Clark thanks Tedros Adhanom, WHO secretary general, for “enabling” her independent panel’s work to produce an impartial review of the international health response to Covid after appointing her and Sirleaf.
She calls on states to act more decisively to stem the pandemic and to reset preparedness and response systems to ensure that this can’t happen again.
Nurses across the world are burnt out and considering quitting when the main impact of the pandemic is over, Clark says, despite the world needing another estimated 6 million nurses by 2030.
“An exodus now exacerbates those pressures, and that’s just one of so many spill over impacts of the pandemic,” she adds.
“Our panel strongly recommends that all countries immediately and consistently adopt and implement those public health measures that will reduce the spread and impact of Covid-19. We must do all we can to stop the pandemic now.”
An independent panel reviewing the global handling of the pandemic, led by former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark and former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, is to brief the media on their second progress report.An independent panel reviewing the global handling of the pandemic, led by former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark and former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, is to brief the media on their second progress report.
Yesterday, they said that Chinese officials could have applied public health measures more forcefully in January 2020 to curb the initial Covid-19 outbreak, and criticised the World Health Organization for not declaring an international emergency until 30 January (see 11:49pm).Yesterday, they said that Chinese officials could have applied public health measures more forcefully in January 2020 to curb the initial Covid-19 outbreak, and criticised the World Health Organization for not declaring an international emergency until 30 January (see 11:49pm).
“What is clear to the panel is that public health measures could have been applied more forcefully by local and national health authorities in China in January,” the report said, referring to the initial outbreak of the disease in the central city of Wuhan, in Hubei province.“What is clear to the panel is that public health measures could have been applied more forcefully by local and national health authorities in China in January,” the report said, referring to the initial outbreak of the disease in the central city of Wuhan, in Hubei province.
As evidence emerged of human-to-human transmission, “in far too many countries, this signal was ignored”, it added.As evidence emerged of human-to-human transmission, “in far too many countries, this signal was ignored”, it added.
You can follow the briefing here, and we’ll bring you the key information as it comes.You can follow the briefing here, and we’ll bring you the key information as it comes.
India, one of the world’s biggest drugmakers, will start exports of Covid vaccines as early as Wednesday, government sources told Reuters, paving the way for other countries to secure supplies of the easy-to-store Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.India, one of the world’s biggest drugmakers, will start exports of Covid vaccines as early as Wednesday, government sources told Reuters, paving the way for other countries to secure supplies of the easy-to-store Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.
The first batch of exports will be shipped to the tiny nation of Bhutan, said the officials, who asked not to be named as no formal announcement has yet been made in India.The first batch of exports will be shipped to the tiny nation of Bhutan, said the officials, who asked not to be named as no formal announcement has yet been made in India.
Two million doses of the Covishield vaccine, developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and manufactured by Serum Institute of India (SII), will also be despatched to Bangladesh on Thursday, officials said.Two million doses of the Covishield vaccine, developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and manufactured by Serum Institute of India (SII), will also be despatched to Bangladesh on Thursday, officials said.
Bangladesh’s foreign ministry confirmed the plan, saying a special flight from India carrying the first consignment will land in Dhaka on Thursday. “Bangladesh will receive 2 million doses of Oxford-Astrazenca Covid-19 vaccines from India as a gift on 21 January,” it said in a statement.Bangladesh’s foreign ministry confirmed the plan, saying a special flight from India carrying the first consignment will land in Dhaka on Thursday. “Bangladesh will receive 2 million doses of Oxford-Astrazenca Covid-19 vaccines from India as a gift on 21 January,” it said in a statement.
India has received requests from dozens of nations, including urgent appeals from Brazil, to begin exports of the vaccine from the SII centre in the western city of Pune.India has received requests from dozens of nations, including urgent appeals from Brazil, to begin exports of the vaccine from the SII centre in the western city of Pune.
Prime minister Narendra Modi’s government, however, wanted to roll out the vaccination drive at home before launching exports, one of the sources said.Prime minister Narendra Modi’s government, however, wanted to roll out the vaccination drive at home before launching exports, one of the sources said.
India began giving shots of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, as well as another developed by Bharat Biotech – which faces controversy today (see 11:37am) – to health workers on Saturday.India began giving shots of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, as well as another developed by Bharat Biotech – which faces controversy today (see 11:37am) – to health workers on Saturday.
Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar and the Maldives have all made requests for early delivery of vaccines.Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar and the Maldives have all made requests for early delivery of vaccines.
Tanzania’s president John Magufuli urged farmers in the country to increase food production as he predicted global shortages later this year due to pandemic lockdowns, especially in some of the largest food-producing states.Tanzania’s president John Magufuli urged farmers in the country to increase food production as he predicted global shortages later this year due to pandemic lockdowns, especially in some of the largest food-producing states.
“This year there is a possibility of a severe famine in the world because many people are in lockdown because of corona, but this should not discourage us because even if they are imprisoned they still need to eat. We will grow crops that we will sell to them,” he said.“This year there is a possibility of a severe famine in the world because many people are in lockdown because of corona, but this should not discourage us because even if they are imprisoned they still need to eat. We will grow crops that we will sell to them,” he said.
Magufuli’s idiosyncratic handling of Covid in Tanzania, which like many other African countries is not known to have been significantly impacted, put him into the spotlight last year as he declared victory over the virus and downplayed fears.Magufuli’s idiosyncratic handling of Covid in Tanzania, which like many other African countries is not known to have been significantly impacted, put him into the spotlight last year as he declared victory over the virus and downplayed fears.
Japan’s southernmost region, Okinawa, has declared a state of emergency due to the pandemic, as the country grapples with a surge in infections six months before it is set to host the summer Olympics.Japan’s southernmost region, Okinawa, has declared a state of emergency due to the pandemic, as the country grapples with a surge in infections six months before it is set to host the summer Olympics.
Okinawa governor Denny Tamaki said emergency measures include asking restaurants and bars to close by 8pm and residents to also refrain from non-urgent outings after that time – until 7 February.Okinawa governor Denny Tamaki said emergency measures include asking restaurants and bars to close by 8pm and residents to also refrain from non-urgent outings after that time – until 7 February.
The national government had already issued a state of emergency for Tokyo and other areas but the southern island, which hosts the bulk of US military forces in Japan, went ahead and declared an emergency of its own after a spike in cases.The national government had already issued a state of emergency for Tokyo and other areas but the southern island, which hosts the bulk of US military forces in Japan, went ahead and declared an emergency of its own after a spike in cases.
The prefecture confirmed 113 cases on Tuesday, its third-highest daily tally on record, public broadcaster NHK reported.The prefecture confirmed 113 cases on Tuesday, its third-highest daily tally on record, public broadcaster NHK reported.
Shizuoka prefecture, home to Mount Fuji, has also declared “an emergency alert” of its own after it found cases of a more contagious coronavirus variant, Kyodo News reported.Shizuoka prefecture, home to Mount Fuji, has also declared “an emergency alert” of its own after it found cases of a more contagious coronavirus variant, Kyodo News reported.
It comes as medical experts warned that hospitals in Covid-hit regions of Japan are on the brink of collapse as the country battles a third wave of infections that has caused record numbers of people to fall seriously ill (see 11:15am).It comes as medical experts warned that hospitals in Covid-hit regions of Japan are on the brink of collapse as the country battles a third wave of infections that has caused record numbers of people to fall seriously ill (see 11:15am).
Thailand’s government has defended its coronavirus vaccine strategy against criticism that it is too reliant on a company owned by the country’s King.Thailand’s government has defended its coronavirus vaccine strategy against criticism that it is too reliant on a company owned by the country’s King.
The attack by opposition politician Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit came as Thailand battles its biggest rise in infections and after months of youth-led protests that brought a rare challenge to the monarchy.The attack by opposition politician Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit came as Thailand battles its biggest rise in infections and after months of youth-led protests that brought a rare challenge to the monarchy.
Criticising the royal family is illegal. The outspoken Juangroongruangkit has already been disqualified as an MP and had his party banned amid claims that the judiciary is pro-government.Criticising the royal family is illegal. The outspoken Juangroongruangkit has already been disqualified as an MP and had his party banned amid claims that the judiciary is pro-government.
“These baseless and inaccurate accusations shouldn*t be linked to the work of the institution we revere and love,” said Nakorn Premsri, director of the National Vaccine Institute, referring to the monarchy.“These baseless and inaccurate accusations shouldn*t be linked to the work of the institution we revere and love,” said Nakorn Premsri, director of the National Vaccine Institute, referring to the monarchy.
He said that royally owned Siam Bioscience had been the most obvious choice of many companies considered for technology transfer from pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca to make 200m vaccine doses each year for Thailand and other nations, Reuters reports.He said that royally owned Siam Bioscience had been the most obvious choice of many companies considered for technology transfer from pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca to make 200m vaccine doses each year for Thailand and other nations, Reuters reports.
Siam Bioscience is wholly owned by a subsidiary of the Crown Property Bureau, which manages tens of billions of dollars in investments under king Maha Vajiralongkorn’s personal control.Siam Bioscience is wholly owned by a subsidiary of the Crown Property Bureau, which manages tens of billions of dollars in investments under king Maha Vajiralongkorn’s personal control.
Thanathorn made his comments on Facebook Live on Monday at an event titled “Royal Vaccine: Who Benefits and Who Doesn’t?”Thanathorn made his comments on Facebook Live on Monday at an event titled “Royal Vaccine: Who Benefits and Who Doesn’t?”
He made no accusations of impropriety against AstraZeneca but said Siam Bioscience lacked vaccine-making experience and the government was relying on it too heavily.He made no accusations of impropriety against AstraZeneca but said Siam Bioscience lacked vaccine-making experience and the government was relying on it too heavily.
Siam Bioscience’s managing director, Songpon Deechongkit, declined to comment on the criticism. “We want to focus on our responsibility to produce the vaccine in time, with quality, with the appropriate amount,” Songpon told Reuters.Asked about Thanathorn’s criticism, prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha told reporters: “It*s all distorted and not factual at all. I will order prosecution for anything false that gets published, whether in media or social media.”Siam Bioscience’s managing director, Songpon Deechongkit, declined to comment on the criticism. “We want to focus on our responsibility to produce the vaccine in time, with quality, with the appropriate amount,” Songpon told Reuters.Asked about Thanathorn’s criticism, prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha told reporters: “It*s all distorted and not factual at all. I will order prosecution for anything false that gets published, whether in media or social media.”
Thailand has suffered less than most countries its size from the pandemic, but a second wave of infections began in December. It has had 12,594 cases and 70 deaths.Thailand has suffered less than most countries its size from the pandemic, but a second wave of infections began in December. It has had 12,594 cases and 70 deaths.
Spain will sell 30,000 doses of the BioNTech/Pfizer coronavirus vaccine to microstate Andorra, as part of its plan to redistribute excess vaccines, the country’s health ministry has announced.Spain will sell 30,000 doses of the BioNTech/Pfizer coronavirus vaccine to microstate Andorra, as part of its plan to redistribute excess vaccines, the country’s health ministry has announced.
With fewer than 80,000 inhabitants, Andorra, a small country wedged between France and Spain, has reported 9,145 infections and 92 deaths since the Covid-19 pandemic started, official data shows.With fewer than 80,000 inhabitants, Andorra, a small country wedged between France and Spain, has reported 9,145 infections and 92 deaths since the Covid-19 pandemic started, official data shows.
As part of EU purchase agreements, Spain will receive 140m of doses of the different vaccines that were developed, enough to immunise more people than its population of 47 million, Reuters reports.As part of EU purchase agreements, Spain will receive 140m of doses of the different vaccines that were developed, enough to immunise more people than its population of 47 million, Reuters reports.
Some EU countries were made responsible for getting medicines to the states of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City, which depend on bigger neighbours for access.Some EU countries were made responsible for getting medicines to the states of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City, which depend on bigger neighbours for access.
“This is an exercise in responsibility and solidarity, as small countries are unable to sign contracts with pharmaceutical companies,” Spain’s health minister Salvador Illa tweeted.“This is an exercise in responsibility and solidarity, as small countries are unable to sign contracts with pharmaceutical companies,” Spain’s health minister Salvador Illa tweeted.
Spanish authorities said they will sell the vaccines at the same price they paid. The price has not been disclosed.Spanish authorities said they will sell the vaccines at the same price they paid. The price has not been disclosed.
Bharat Biotech, the Indian company that has developed a coronavirus vaccine being rolled out across the south Asian country, has warned people with weak immunity and other medical conditions including allergies, fever or a bleeding disorder to consult a doctor before getting the shot – and if possible avoid the vaccine.
The company said those receiving vaccinations should disclose their medical condition, medicines they are taking and any history of allergies. It said severe allergic reactions among vaccine recipients may include difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, rapid heartbeat, body rashes, dizziness and weakness.
The vaccine ran into controversy after the Indian government allowed its use without concrete data showing its effectiveness in preventing Covid, the Associated Press reports. Tens of thousands of people have been given the shot in the past three days after India started inoculating health care workers last weekend in what is likely the world’s largest coronavirus vaccination campaign.
India vaccinated 148,266 people on Monday, taking its total to 381,305, the health ministry said. Indian authorities hope to give vaccines to 300 million people. The recipients are to include 30 million doctors, nurses and other front-line workers, to be followed by 270 million people who either are over 50 or have illnesses that make them vulnerable to the virus. The AstraZeneca vaccine is also being used.
Almost a quarter of Lesotho’s population will require food aid between January and March as a result of Covid-19 restrictions, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned.
More than 580,000 people out of a population of 2.2 million are estimated to be food insecure, despite predictions of normal to above average rains this year and the potential for above average cereal production.
The FAO said Covid-19 had reduced household incomes, harming people’s ability to buy fertiliser or to hire workers, which was “likely to limit the potential increases in yields”.
The situation in Lesotho has been exacerbated by extended lockdowns in neighbouring South Africa to curb the spread of the virus, which the agency said would prolong high levels of unemployment and loss of income.
The number of people requiring food assistance this year is about 35% higher than the number between October 2019 and March 2020, said the FAO.
Hospitals in Covid-hit regions of Japan are on the brink of collapse, medical experts have warned, as the country battles a third wave of infections that has caused record numbers of people to fall seriously ill.
Japan reported more than 4,900 coronavirus infections on Monday, with serious cases rising to a record high of 973, local media reported.
Although Japan has avoided the huge caseloads and death tolls seen in some other countries, infections have doubled over the past six weeks to about 338,000, according to the public broadcaster NHK, with 4,623 deaths.
The increase, coupled with the discovery of the first recorded community transmissions of a fast-spreading strain of Covid-19 initially identified in Britain, is adding to pressure on the prime minister, Yoshihide Suga, to move quickly to protect stretched medical services.
Good morning, good afternoon and good evening everyone. I’m taking over the blog from Amelia Hill now.
You can contact me on Twitter or via email on mattha.busby.freelance@guardian.co.uk with any thoughts and tips.
And that’s goodbye from me. My colleague Mattha Busby will take you through the latest coronavirus news for the next few hours.
Daily case counts of Covid have nearly tripled in Dubai in the past month but in the face of a growing economic crisis, the city won’t lock down, Reuters is reporting.
“Dubai’s economy is a house of cards,” said Matthew Page, a non-resident scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “Its competitive advantage is being a place where rules don’t apply.”
While most countries banned tourists from the UK over fears of the fast-spreading virus variant found there, Dubai – home to some 240,000 British expats – kept its doors open: Emirates flew five daily flights to London’s Heathrow airport during the Christmas holidays and within days, the new virus strain had arrived in the emirates.
“People have had enough of this pandemic already,” said Iris Sabellano from Dubai’s Al Arabi Travel Agency. “With vaccines coming out, they feel it’s not the end of the world, they’re not going to die.”
But there are signs that the stampede is slowing. Israeli tourists have vanished due to new quarantine rules. Britain slammed shut its travel corridor with Dubai last week.
The UAE does not make public information about disease clusters or hospitalisations but the country has reported more than 256,000 cases and 751 deaths. Analysts speculate the UAE’s unique demographics – 90% expatriate, comprising mostly healthy, young labourers – have prevented well-staffed hospitals from becoming overwhelmed and kept the death rate low, at 0.3%.
But that hasn’t assuaged Abu Dhabi, Dubai’s more conservative neighbour and the country’s capital. Without explanation, Abu Dhabi has kept its border with Dubai shut, despite promises to reopen by Christmas. Anyone crossing into Abu Dhabi must present a negative coronavirus test.
Europe has been inoculating its people since December – but African health authorities say it could still be months, until they get their first vaccines, Reuters is reporting.
African states have accused richer regions of cornering most of the supplies. The head of the World Health Organization – Ethiopia’s Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus – said last week the world was on the brink of “catastrophic moral failure” when it came to sharing out shots.
Daily tallies of confirmed cases hit record levels across Africa this month, and the second wave is infecting twice as many people per day as the height of last year’s first, according to the African Union’s Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Nigeria has reported 110,387 confirmed cases, and 1,435 deaths, though African officials have warned that low testing could mask more cases.
Privately, some doctors say they worry that when vaccines arrive in Nigeria, they will go first to the rich and powerful. Dr Ndaeyo Iwot, acting executive secretary of primary health care in Abuja, said the government would track doses to clamp down on any corruption. “It will go through the system,” he said.
The quarantine controversy over tennis’s Australian Open has raised questions about whether large-scale international sporting events can take place in the middle of a pandemic and could offer a preview of the difficulties facing this summer’s Tokyo Olympics, CNN is reporting.
Players arriving in the Australian state of Victoria have been placed into a 14-day quarantine ahead with most allotted five hours each day to go out and train in strict bio-secure bubbles. But 72 players have been unable to leave their hotel rooms and cannot practice after passengers on their flights tested positive for Covid-19.
Some players have expressed anger and frustration at being kept cooped up ahead of the first grand slam of the tennis season. They include record eight-time Australian Open men’s singles winner Novak Djokovic, who put forward a list of proposals that would loosen the restrictions on the quarantining stars, including moving players to houses with courts, better food, and reducing the number of days in isolation.
In response, Victoria State Premier Daniel Andrews said: “People area free to provide lists of demands, but the answer is no.”
North Korea’s trade with China plunged more than 80% last year, Chinese customs data has shown, as the isolated country’s strict coronavirus lockdown encumbers an economy already burdened by international sanctions.
China is North Korea’s top ally and accounts for some 90% of its trade volumes. Two-way trade plummeted nearly 80.7% to $539m last year from 2019, Chinese customs data released on Monday showed, according to Reuters.
North Korea’s exports to China totalled $48m, down about 77.7%, while its imports fell 80.9% to $491m.
No reason for the lower trade was given but the new data underscored the extent that North Korea has become isolated since it sealed its border last January to ward off the coronavirus that had been detected in neighbouring China just a few weeks earlier.
North Korea has not confirmed any cases of Covid-19 but all points of entry have been closed, public transport and inter-state movement rigidly restricted and gatherings of more than five people banned, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said recently.
Rwanda has reintroduced tough lockdown measures in its capital, Kigali, after a surge in coronavirus cases.
The government has also banned movement into and out of the city, except for essential services and for tourists, it said, citing a jump in the number of cases found in a given sample of tests, known as the positivity rate.
“All employees, public and private, shall work from home, except for those providing essential services,” the government said in a statement.
Rwanda, which has 11,259 cases of the disease caused by the coronavirus and 146 deaths, said the number of tests returning positive results for Covid-19 has tripled to 7.7% from 2.6% at the start of this month.
African nations are grappling with a second wave of coronavirus, infections rising to at least 3.3 million and 79,500 deaths so far, a Reuters tally showed.
Of every 100 infections reported around the world, about five are from African nations, up from 3.4 in October, the data showed.
Businesses in Kigali will shut down, the government said, except for those dealing with essential services like food, medicine and fuel. “Citizens are urged to significantly reduce social interactions and limit movements,” it said.