Covid-19 Pandemic: Updates and live news for December 20, 2020

Photographer: Micah Green / Bloomberg

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There are now over 16 million Britons forced to stay home like The complete blockade took effect on Sunday in London and the south-east of England, as part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s effort to contain a new strain of coronavirus “out of control”.

U.S. Congress negotiators are close to a compromise deal that could pave the way for a final deal on a $ 900 billion plan to help the world’s largest economy withstand the pandemic crisis, the Democratic leader said. Senate, Chuck Schumer.

Thai authorities have closed a coastal province near Bangkok following a record increase in new cases, while Sydney extended restrictions to stop a growing outbreak. South Africa Mediclinic International Plc said it is fighting capacity constraints in its hospitals. New infections in South Korea reached a record high, while the United States added 196,292 cases on Saturday.

Key developments:

France not sure when restaurants will reopen (17:51 pm HK)

The French government cannot say whether sectors of the economy that are closed, such as restaurants, will be able to reopen in January or whether it will be able to carry out its planned pension reforms next year, Labor Minister Elisabeth Borne said on Sunday. “The priority for now is to overcome the health, social and economic crisis,” she told Radio Europa 1. “I don’t know what the economic and social situation will be like in the spring, so I have to be careful about the timing.”

The government is still planning to resume talks on unemployment benefits in January, but has to deal with uncertainty, she said. France will continue to support companies affected by current and possible lock-in measures in order to keep as many jobs as possible and to increase consumer and business confidence.

UK Hancock says level 4 restrictions could remain “for Monday” (5:45 pm HK)

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the new coronavirus restrictions that went into effect last night for millions of people in England will likely remain until the vaccine is widely distributed as the new coronavirus strain is ” out of control ”.

Speaking on Sky News on Sunday, the health secretary said it was more important than ever for people in level 4 areas to behave as if they could have the virus and that it was “more important now than ever” for people to follow the rules and reduce social contact “because this is seriously deadly.” Hancock said a new vote would take place in parliament in January on the new level 4 restrictions.

Indonesia reports the highest daily number of virus deaths (5:28 pm HK)

Indonesia reported the highest number of deaths in Covid-19 in one day, with 221 on Sunday, the third record this month. The country leads Southeast Asia, with the most coronavirus cases at 664,930. The government has cut end-of-year holidays and banned public holidays to help reduce the spread. Jakarta, the country’s antivirus hotspot, has also set shutdowns for restaurants, malls and theaters until January 8.

UK to expand coronavirus vaccinations over Christmas (16:30 HK)

The UK National Health Service will continue with coronavirus vaccinations over the Christmas period as it tries to increase the number of vaccinations across the country, the Sunday Times reported.

More than 100,000 Pfizer vaccines will be given nationwide, including Christmas Eve, Christmas and Boxing Day, to reduce the spread of the mutant coronavirus strain, the newspaper reported, citing NHS sources.

Passenger flights of Dutch government bars in the UK (3:36 pm HK)

In view of the new strain of coronavirus spreading in the UK, the ban on flights carrying passengers from the UK to the Netherlands began at 6 am local time, according to a statement from the Dutch government. The restrictions will remain in force until January 1 “at the latest”. Sampling of a case in the Netherlands in early December revealed the same variant of the virus observed in the United Kingdom and this case is being investigated further, statement said.

Expert warns that partial blockade is needed in Hong Kong (15:15 HK)

David Hui, an expert on respiratory disease at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said the city may need stricter measures if it remains unable to control infections, Radio Television Hong Kong reported. The steps may include some kind of partial closure, such as forcing people to stay home for a few hours a day and designating one person for each household to go to the grocery store, he told RTHK.

South African Medical Hospitals on capacity (15:02 HK)

As the country faces another wave of coronavirus infections, patients seeking care in Mediclinic hospitals exceed the previous number during the first peak, said Gerrit de Villiers, the group’s general manager, in a statement. Demand in many intensive care and high-care units has reached capacity, the company said. There were 10,939 new cases of the virus and another 254 deaths in South Africa on Saturday, according to the Department of Health.

South Africa is tightening the licensing and regulation of facial masks following a study that found that some masks distributed to health workers were ineffective, the local Sunday Times reported. The South African health regulator says the special investigation unit is examining six charges against companies supplying non-compliant masks, according to the newspaper.

US lawmakers reach compromise over key aid hurdle (1:40 pm HK)

Resolving disputes over the future of the Federal Reserve’s authorized emergency lending programs in the latest round of incentives for the US economy is likely to speed up ongoing aid legislation. The negotiators were “very close,” Schumer told reporters late Saturday. “If things continue this way and nothing is stopped, we will be able to vote tomorrow.”

Congress plans to combine virus-related measures with $ 1.4 trillion in government spending for fiscal year 2021. The agreement is expected to include small business funding, incentive payments for most people, additional unemployment benefits, support for vaccine distribution, and resources for childcare education and housing.

Qatar to receive vaccine on Monday (12:15 pm HK)