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Coronavirus live news: Australian minister likens vaccines race to Hunger Games; Indonesia says ‘no vaccine, no entry’ Coronavirus live news: Australian minister likens vaccines race to Hunger Games; Indonesia says ‘no vaccine, no entry’
(32 minutes later)
New South Wales health minister makes frank assessment of sluggish rollout; from 6 July foreigners and nationals entering Indonesia must be vaccinatedNew South Wales health minister makes frank assessment of sluggish rollout; from 6 July foreigners and nationals entering Indonesia must be vaccinated
A very quick snap from Reuters here that Ukraine has approved the Covid vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson. Ukraine has already approved several vaccines, including AstraZeneca and Pfizer.
The Russian figures are in for the day and the daily caseload remains at its heightened level. Reuters report that there were 24,353 new Covid cases on Monday, including 6,557 in Moscow. The government coronavirus task force said 654 people had died of coronavirus-linked causes in the past 24 hours.
If you missed it yesterday, US president Joe Biden, speaking at a White House party marking the Fourth of July, urged Americans to get vaccinated to stave off a rise in cases of the coronavirus Delta variant, describing it as the patriotic thing to do.If you missed it yesterday, US president Joe Biden, speaking at a White House party marking the Fourth of July, urged Americans to get vaccinated to stave off a rise in cases of the coronavirus Delta variant, describing it as the patriotic thing to do.
“Think back to where this nation was a year ago,” the president said in a speech on the theme of “Independence Day and independence from Covid-19”.“Think back to where this nation was a year ago,” the president said in a speech on the theme of “Independence Day and independence from Covid-19”.
The Biden administration has, nevertheless, missed its aim of having 70% of adult Americans with at least one shot by the holiday weekendThe Biden administration has, nevertheless, missed its aim of having 70% of adult Americans with at least one shot by the holiday weekend
Andrew Sparrow has launched his UK live blog for the day with this opening:Andrew Sparrow has launched his UK live blog for the day with this opening:
Andrew will be covering UK Covid lines there, I’ll continue to focus on international coronavirus news here:Andrew will be covering UK Covid lines there, I’ll continue to focus on international coronavirus news here:
In the UK, the opposition Labour party is on-board with lifting Covid restrictions in England as soon as possible. In her media appearances, shadow housing secretary Lucy Powell said that lockdown restrictions needed to be lifted in “an irreversible, measured way” that is led by scientific advice.In the UK, the opposition Labour party is on-board with lifting Covid restrictions in England as soon as possible. In her media appearances, shadow housing secretary Lucy Powell said that lockdown restrictions needed to be lifted in “an irreversible, measured way” that is led by scientific advice.
“Like everybody else in the country, we want those restrictions to come to an end as soon as possible,” the Labour MP told Sky News.“Like everybody else in the country, we want those restrictions to come to an end as soon as possible,” the Labour MP told Sky News.
“But what we want to see is that we’re doing that in an irreversible, measured way, in a way that’s well communicated, that’s well understood, that has scientific advice and expert advice at the forefront.“But what we want to see is that we’re doing that in an irreversible, measured way, in a way that’s well communicated, that’s well understood, that has scientific advice and expert advice at the forefront.
PA media also quote her saying: “That it isn’t just another case, I’m afraid, of ministerial stop-start and saying this is ‘freedom day’, and then at the last minute pulling things back or changing that.”PA media also quote her saying: “That it isn’t just another case, I’m afraid, of ministerial stop-start and saying this is ‘freedom day’, and then at the last minute pulling things back or changing that.”
Social care minister Helen Whately is doing the UK media round this morning, and one question she has faced has been what happens to the rules around care home visiting if England lifts all legal restrictions on 19 July. She said that care home visiting is unlikely to “completely go back to normal”.Social care minister Helen Whately is doing the UK media round this morning, and one question she has faced has been what happens to the rules around care home visiting if England lifts all legal restrictions on 19 July. She said that care home visiting is unlikely to “completely go back to normal”.
“We will be taking some more steps as part of Step 4 of the road map,” she told Sky News earlier .“We will be taking some more steps as part of Step 4 of the road map,” she told Sky News earlier .
PA quote her as saying “I don’t think visiting will completely go back to normal. There will still have to be some precautions. It’s step by step, getting things as close to normal as we can, while still protecting people who are at greater risk from Covid.”PA quote her as saying “I don’t think visiting will completely go back to normal. There will still have to be some precautions. It’s step by step, getting things as close to normal as we can, while still protecting people who are at greater risk from Covid.”
She also said to Times Radio: “I’m also really aware that there will be circumstances, I’m expecting to continue in health and social care clearly, where people will need to continue to wear PPE, which includes masks.”She also said to Times Radio: “I’m also really aware that there will be circumstances, I’m expecting to continue in health and social care clearly, where people will need to continue to wear PPE, which includes masks.”
There’s a huge amount of opinions flying around this morning about the potential for England lifting all restrictions in two weeks time, based on the idea that the number of vaccinations will have reached a very high level. Which has raised this question from FT chief feature writer Henry Mance:There’s a huge amount of opinions flying around this morning about the potential for England lifting all restrictions in two weeks time, based on the idea that the number of vaccinations will have reached a very high level. Which has raised this question from FT chief feature writer Henry Mance:
The race to obtain Covid-19 vaccine supplies has been likened to the Hunger Games as Australia’s rollout continues to lag behind similar nations, with only 7.2% of the population fully vaccinated.The race to obtain Covid-19 vaccine supplies has been likened to the Hunger Games as Australia’s rollout continues to lag behind similar nations, with only 7.2% of the population fully vaccinated.
As New South Wales confirmed 35 new coronavirus cases on Monday, the state’s health minister offered a frank assessment of the sluggish dynamics of the national rollout. “Until we get enough vaccine and enough GPs actually at the frontline able to provide that vaccine into arms, we will continue to have effectively the Hunger Games going on here in NSW,” Brad Hazzard said.As New South Wales confirmed 35 new coronavirus cases on Monday, the state’s health minister offered a frank assessment of the sluggish dynamics of the national rollout. “Until we get enough vaccine and enough GPs actually at the frontline able to provide that vaccine into arms, we will continue to have effectively the Hunger Games going on here in NSW,” Brad Hazzard said.
The Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, also expressed frustration as she confirmed four new locally acquired cases of the virus, telling reporters on Monday that Queensland would only be getting about 65,000 doses of Pfizer a week, with the bulk of the supply not due until October.The Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, also expressed frustration as she confirmed four new locally acquired cases of the virus, telling reporters on Monday that Queensland would only be getting about 65,000 doses of Pfizer a week, with the bulk of the supply not due until October.
Palaszczuk sheeted home the blame to the Morrison government and urged Queenslanders to be patient. “We’re waiting on the commonwealth supply so we can make sure that you get your dosage,” she said.Palaszczuk sheeted home the blame to the Morrison government and urged Queenslanders to be patient. “We’re waiting on the commonwealth supply so we can make sure that you get your dosage,” she said.
The federal health minister, Greg Hunt – who once declared Australia was at “the front of the queue” when it came to Covid-19 vaccination supplies – acknowledged the environment was difficult.The federal health minister, Greg Hunt – who once declared Australia was at “the front of the queue” when it came to Covid-19 vaccination supplies – acknowledged the environment was difficult.
“Look, in relation to vaccines, it is the most competitive global environment imaginable,” Hunt told reporters in Melbourne.“Look, in relation to vaccines, it is the most competitive global environment imaginable,” Hunt told reporters in Melbourne.
But the federal minister said last week was the biggest week of the Australian vaccination rollout, with 8.25m jabs administered. He said the government continued to “work very constructively with all the states and territories” and the daily inoculation statistics indicated the programme was continuing to ramp up.But the federal minister said last week was the biggest week of the Australian vaccination rollout, with 8.25m jabs administered. He said the government continued to “work very constructively with all the states and territories” and the daily inoculation statistics indicated the programme was continuing to ramp up.
Read more of our Australian politic editor Katharine Murphy’s report here: Australia’s race to secure Covid vaccine supply likened to Hunger Games as rollout crawlsRead more of our Australian politic editor Katharine Murphy’s report here: Australia’s race to secure Covid vaccine supply likened to Hunger Games as rollout crawls
To mask or not to mask looks like it is going to be one of the looming debates of the summer in England. The signals coming out of government today are very much in favour of avoiding using masks except in limited circumstances. Social care minister Helen Whately has just told the BBC that she is keen to stop wearing masks “as much”.To mask or not to mask looks like it is going to be one of the looming debates of the summer in England. The signals coming out of government today are very much in favour of avoiding using masks except in limited circumstances. Social care minister Helen Whately has just told the BBC that she is keen to stop wearing masks “as much”.
As a reminder, yesterday, Dr Chaand Nagpaul, British Medical Association council chairman took a very different view, saying:As a reminder, yesterday, Dr Chaand Nagpaul, British Medical Association council chairman took a very different view, saying:
A report from AFP here on the situation in China where the city of Ruili, home to more than 210,000 people, has been locked down again after the discovery of cases imported from Myanmar.A report from AFP here on the situation in China where the city of Ruili, home to more than 210,000 people, has been locked down again after the discovery of cases imported from Myanmar.
Ruili is a major crossing point from Muse in neighbouring Myanmar, which has seen escalating unrest since the 1 February military coup, raising fears that people will try to flood across the border into China to escape the violence. One of the three infected patients was a Myanmar national, according to health authorities in China’s Yunnan province.Ruili is a major crossing point from Muse in neighbouring Myanmar, which has seen escalating unrest since the 1 February military coup, raising fears that people will try to flood across the border into China to escape the violence. One of the three infected patients was a Myanmar national, according to health authorities in China’s Yunnan province.
Ruili will test all residents for the virus within two days and all “non-essential travel” will be banned until further notice, the local government said Monday.Ruili will test all residents for the virus within two days and all “non-essential travel” will be banned until further notice, the local government said Monday.
Only one member of each household can leave to buy daily necessities with permission during the testing period.Only one member of each household can leave to buy daily necessities with permission during the testing period.
Anyone who wants to leave the city must produce a negative virus test conducted within the past 72 hours, the local government said.Anyone who wants to leave the city must produce a negative virus test conducted within the past 72 hours, the local government said.
Thailand reported 6,166 new Covid infections on Monday, and 50 new fatalities, as the country struggles to contain its most severe outbreak since the start of the pandemicThailand’s daily cases have been steadily rising since early April, when its cumulative caseload was less than 30,000. It now stands at almost 290,000.Thailand reported 6,166 new Covid infections on Monday, and 50 new fatalities, as the country struggles to contain its most severe outbreak since the start of the pandemicThailand’s daily cases have been steadily rising since early April, when its cumulative caseload was less than 30,000. It now stands at almost 290,000.
The rise in cases has placed intense pressure on hospitals, especially in Bangkok, where the outbreak is concentrated. Currently, 2,199 people are being treated in intensive care units.The authorities have begun asking asymptomatic patients to isolate at home to free up beds for people who need treatment. Previously, anyone who tested positive was required to stay in isolation facilities, to avoid spreading the disease to others in their household.The rise in cases has placed intense pressure on hospitals, especially in Bangkok, where the outbreak is concentrated. Currently, 2,199 people are being treated in intensive care units.The authorities have begun asking asymptomatic patients to isolate at home to free up beds for people who need treatment. Previously, anyone who tested positive was required to stay in isolation facilities, to avoid spreading the disease to others in their household.
There is growing anger over the government’s handling of the pandemic this year, including its failure to quickly secure vaccines. The country’s mass vaccination campaign kicked off in June, but many in Bangkok have had their appointments delayed.Thailand is relying primarily on the AstraZeneca doses made locally by a royal-owned company, but production has been delayed. The company, Siam BioScience, was supposed to provide 10m doses a month, however this has since been revised down to between 5-6m doses.There is growing anger over the government’s handling of the pandemic this year, including its failure to quickly secure vaccines. The country’s mass vaccination campaign kicked off in June, but many in Bangkok have had their appointments delayed.Thailand is relying primarily on the AstraZeneca doses made locally by a royal-owned company, but production has been delayed. The company, Siam BioScience, was supposed to provide 10m doses a month, however this has since been revised down to between 5-6m doses.
Prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said last month that Thailand would aim to reopen in mid-October, in the hope of reviving the country’s devastated tourism sector. However, health experts have questioned whether this is feasible, given the country’s sluggish vaccination campaigns and worsening outbreak.About 10.5% of the population has received one dose, while 4% are fully vaccinated.Prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said last month that Thailand would aim to reopen in mid-October, in the hope of reviving the country’s devastated tourism sector. However, health experts have questioned whether this is feasible, given the country’s sluggish vaccination campaigns and worsening outbreak.About 10.5% of the population has received one dose, while 4% are fully vaccinated.
In the UK, Prof Stephen Powis, national medical director of NHS England, said people should continue to follow hygienic practices even after coronavirus restrictions had been lifted and use “common sense”.In the UK, Prof Stephen Powis, national medical director of NHS England, said people should continue to follow hygienic practices even after coronavirus restrictions had been lifted and use “common sense”.
Asked if he would still voluntarily wear a mask, PA Media reports he told BBC Breakfast: “I’ll be following the guidance as I have throughout.Asked if he would still voluntarily wear a mask, PA Media reports he told BBC Breakfast: “I’ll be following the guidance as I have throughout.
“There may be occasions in the next few months in a crowded environment where I might choose to wear a mask and I’m sure others will make similar choices. I think people have got very aware of infection control and good hygiene over the last 16 months.“There may be occasions in the next few months in a crowded environment where I might choose to wear a mask and I’m sure others will make similar choices. I think people have got very aware of infection control and good hygiene over the last 16 months.
“Some of the habits we’ve developed – washing hands more frequently, not going to work or not going to see people if you are feeling unwell – those are habits that it would be really great to continue because it will keep Covid under control, but also other infections as well.”“Some of the habits we’ve developed – washing hands more frequently, not going to work or not going to see people if you are feeling unwell – those are habits that it would be really great to continue because it will keep Covid under control, but also other infections as well.”
He added: “Many people will use common sense and if they want to be cautious, particularly over the next few weeks as infection rates are still high, then wearing a mask would be very appropriate.”He added: “Many people will use common sense and if they want to be cautious, particularly over the next few weeks as infection rates are still high, then wearing a mask would be very appropriate.”
The complexity of New York’s economic recovery from Covid will take years to unpick. Before the pandemic Americans spent 5% of their working time at home. By spring 2020 the figure was 60%. It’s a seismic shift that has hit office-laden Manhattan particularly hard. The Partnership for New York City predicts that only 62% of office workers will return, mostly three days a week, by September.The complexity of New York’s economic recovery from Covid will take years to unpick. Before the pandemic Americans spent 5% of their working time at home. By spring 2020 the figure was 60%. It’s a seismic shift that has hit office-laden Manhattan particularly hard. The Partnership for New York City predicts that only 62% of office workers will return, mostly three days a week, by September.
Banks, which have mostly ordered a full return to the office, are facing pushback from workers, who point to higher levels of happiness and productivity from working at home. But it is also a way to return production overheads to the labor force. The conflict will take time to resolve and could trigger a crisis in commercial property values if the workers win.Banks, which have mostly ordered a full return to the office, are facing pushback from workers, who point to higher levels of happiness and productivity from working at home. But it is also a way to return production overheads to the labor force. The conflict will take time to resolve and could trigger a crisis in commercial property values if the workers win.
Tourism, which contributes $60bn to the city’s economy annually, remains anemic. The hit to the city’s leisure and hospitality sector, which peaked at 300,000 jobs in December 2019, is severe. A statewide report issued on Friday found that New York had lost 2m jobs during the pandemic and unemployment in May stood at 8.2%, far above the pre-pandemic level and well above the national average of 5.9%.Tourism, which contributes $60bn to the city’s economy annually, remains anemic. The hit to the city’s leisure and hospitality sector, which peaked at 300,000 jobs in December 2019, is severe. A statewide report issued on Friday found that New York had lost 2m jobs during the pandemic and unemployment in May stood at 8.2%, far above the pre-pandemic level and well above the national average of 5.9%.
But others have prospered. The report found personal income in New York had risen 12.8%, hitting $1.6tn in the first quarter of 2021, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and seeing a more than 50% increase from the final quarter of 2020.But others have prospered. The report found personal income in New York had risen 12.8%, hitting $1.6tn in the first quarter of 2021, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and seeing a more than 50% increase from the final quarter of 2020.
At the same time, the movement of people in the city has been profoundly altered. As public transport use dropped, road traffic surged. The New York City area now officially has the worst traffic in the country, according to survey for Texas A&M’s Transportation Institute.At the same time, the movement of people in the city has been profoundly altered. As public transport use dropped, road traffic surged. The New York City area now officially has the worst traffic in the country, according to survey for Texas A&M’s Transportation Institute.
Read more of Edward Helmore’s report from New York here: New York’s patchwork recovery masks vast inequities laid bare by CovidRead more of Edward Helmore’s report from New York here: New York’s patchwork recovery masks vast inequities laid bare by Covid
Luxembourg’s prime minister Xavier Bettel remains in hospital having been admitted yesterday following a positive Covid-19 test at the end of June, according to local media reports.Luxembourg’s prime minister Xavier Bettel remains in hospital having been admitted yesterday following a positive Covid-19 test at the end of June, according to local media reports.
Reuters has sent a snap this morning reiterating that he was undergoing additional tests and would continue to remain under observation for 24 hours as a precaution.Reuters has sent a snap this morning reiterating that he was undergoing additional tests and would continue to remain under observation for 24 hours as a precaution.
Bettel took part in a two-day EU summit in Brussels at the end of June, where participants included Emmanuel Macron, Angela Merkel, Mario Draghi and other European leaders.Bettel took part in a two-day EU summit in Brussels at the end of June, where participants included Emmanuel Macron, Angela Merkel, Mario Draghi and other European leaders.
Reuters state that Luxembourg’s state ministry could not immediately be reached for further comment this morning.Reuters state that Luxembourg’s state ministry could not immediately be reached for further comment this morning.
By the way, worth a reminder that Boris Johnson might be the prime minister of the UK, but that his move today will only apply to England. Politico’s London playbook had a quick round-up of the state of play elsewhere in the UK:By the way, worth a reminder that Boris Johnson might be the prime minister of the UK, but that his move today will only apply to England. Politico’s London playbook had a quick round-up of the state of play elsewhere in the UK:
Of course, you’ll note that this is all framed very differently when you write “where some freedoms are still curbed” as opposed to “where some pandemic precautions are still in place.”Of course, you’ll note that this is all framed very differently when you write “where some freedoms are still curbed” as opposed to “where some pandemic precautions are still in place.”
Here’s the key quote from social care minister Helen Whatley from her Sky News appearance this morning. She said:Here’s the key quote from social care minister Helen Whatley from her Sky News appearance this morning. She said: