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

Photographer: Micah Green / Bloomberg

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There are now more than 16 million Britons forced to stay at home as a the full closure went into effect on Sunday in London and the south-east of England, part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s effort to contain a new strain of the “out of control” coronavirus.

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 weather the pandemic’s downturn , said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.

Thai authorities closed a coastal province near Bangkok after a record increase in new cases, while Sydney restrictions were extended to curb a growing outbreak. From South Africa Mediclinic International Plc said it is struggling with capacity limitations at its hospitals. New infections in South Korea reached a record, while the United States added 196,292 cases on Saturday.

Main developments:

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

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

The government still plans to resume talks on unemployment benefits in January, but has to deal with uncertainty, he said. France will continue to support companies affected by current and possible future closure measures to preserve as many jobs as possible and increase consumer and business confidence.

Hancock from the UK says level 4 restrictions are likely to remain for months (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 are likely to remain until the vaccine is widely distributed as the new coronavirus strain is “out of control.”

Speaking to 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 than ever” for people to adhere to the rules and reduce social contact “because this is deadly serious”. Hancock said there will be a new vote in January in parliament on the new level 4 restrictions.

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

Indonesia recorded its highest death toll for Covid-19 in one day with 221 on Sunday, the third record this month. The country leads Southeast Asia with the most cases of coronavirus in 664,930. The government has cut back on year-end holidays and banned public celebrations to help curb outreach. Jakarta, the country’s virus, has also set curfews for restaurants, shopping malls and theaters until January 8th.

UK to spread coronavirus vaccines throughout Christmas (16:30 HK)

The UK National Health Service will move forward with coronavirus vaccines over the Christmas period as it seeks to increase the number of inoculations across the country, the Sunday Times reported.

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

Dutch Government Bar Passenger Flights from the United Kingdom (15:36 HK)

In light of the new strain of coronavirus that has spread to the UK, the ban on flights carrying passengers from the UK to the Netherlands began at 6am local time, according to a statement from the Dutch government. Restrictions will remain in effect until January 1 “at the latest.” Sampling of a case in the Netherlands in early December revealed the same variant of virus observed in the UK and this case is being investigated later. statement.

Experts warn of the need for a partial blockade 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. Steps may include some type of partial shutdown, such as requiring people to stay home several hours a day and appointing one person per household to go out to buy groceries, RTHK said.

Mediclinic hospitals in South Africa with capacity (15:02 HK)

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

South Africa is stepping up licensing and regulation of facial masks after a study found some masks distributed to health workers were ineffective, local newspaper Sunday Times reported. The South African health regulator says the Special Investigation Unit is investigating six charges against companies supplying non-compliant masks, according to the newspaper.

US lawmakers reach compromise on key relief obstacle (1:40 pm HK)

Resolving the dispute over the future of the Federal Reserve’s emergency loan programs authorized in the latest round of stimulus for the U.S. economy is likely to accelerate ongoing relief legislation. Negotiators were “very close,” Schumer told reporters Saturday afternoon. “If things continue on this path and nothing stands in the way, 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 deal is expected to include funding for small businesses, incentive payments for majority of people, supplementary unemployment benefits, support for the distribution of vaccines and resources for education, child care and housing.

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