U.K. to End Covid Curbs; Trudeau Extends Emergency: Virus Update
Track the global Covid-19 pandemic and vaccination efforts here.
(Bloomberg) -- U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that England will scrap Covid-19 rules, including the requirement to self-isolate after a positive test, while his government authorized another vaccine booster shot for the most vulnerable people. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau extended a state of emergency sparked by protesters against vaccine mandates.
A trial in Australia, Indonesia and Mongolia will test the efficacy of reduced booster shots in an attempt to increase global access to Covid-19 vaccines.
The first double-vaccinated visitors arrived in newly reopened Australia, which is hoping for a recovery in tourism. New Zealand’s prime minister will start to ease restrictions after the current omicron outbreak has peaked.
Key Developments:
- Virus Tracker: Cases pass 425 million; deaths approach 5.9 million
- Vaccine Tracker: More than 10.6 billion doses administered
- Senior JPMorgan banker becomes latest to leave Hong Kong
- Hong Kong seniors who refused vaccines are ‘ticking time bomb’
- What we know about omicron and subvariant BA.2: QuickTake
Covid to Push Hong Kong Further in Red (4:15 p.m. NY)
Hong Kong’s government is expected on Wednesday to unveil a budget that’s headed further into the red as the surging virus threatens to engulf the economy.
To cushion the economy, Financial Secretary Paul Chan is expected to keep the fiscal taps open, driving the government’s budget to its fourth deficit in a row in the coming fiscal year, the longest period of shortfalls in almost a decade.
Trial to Test Reduced Booster Shots (4:00 p.m. NY)
A trial in Australia, Indonesia and Mongolia will evaluate the impact of giving people reduced Covid-19 booster shots -- as opposed to full doses -- as part of an effort to increase access to vaccines.
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations will provide as much as $8.7 million to support the fractional-dose study, led by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Australia, according to a statement. As many as 3,300 adults will receive either a full or reduced dose of the Pfizer Inc.-BioNTech SE, Moderna Inc. or AstraZeneca Plc booster.
Trudeau Extends State of Emergency (1:00 p.m NY)
Trudeau said his government will retain emergency powers for at least a few more days because of ongoing threats, even after police cleared all blockades across the country.
Trudeau said at a press conference that it’s still too early to lift measures banning public assembly in downtown Ottawa and at border crossings, because of concern demonstrators opposing vaccine mandates are prepared to continue protests.
The emergency legislation is expected to be approved by lawmakers later Monday with the backing of Trudeau’s governing Liberal Party and the left-leaning New Democratic Party. Trudeau hinted he would call elections if he lost the vote.
Johnson Scraps Curbs, Ends Free Tests (11:42 a.m. NY)
Johnson confirmed coronavirus rules will end in England as he became the first major Western leader to scrap government restrictions relating to the pandemic.
From Thursday, people who have the virus will no longer be legally required to self-isolate, though they will still be advised to stay at home, Johnson said in the House of Commons on Monday. From April 1, the universal and free availability of coronavirus testing will end, he said.
Johnson’s announcement of a “Living with Covid” plan comes against a backdrop of declining daily infections, hospitalizations and deaths relating to the disease, though critics say he is moving too fast.
U.K. Offers Extra Booster to Most Vulnerable (10 a.m. NY)
Britain’s most vulnerable people will be offered another Covid-19 booster shot this spring to bolster their protection as the country prepares to abandon all pandemic restrictions.
The shot will be offered to adults age 75 and older, care-home residents, and those over 12 who are immuno-suppressed and at much higher risk of severe Covid, U.K. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said. The booster is advised for around six months after a previous dose and is seen as a bridge before another -- potentially broader -- booster campaign this fall.
Worst-Hit EU Country to Lift Curbs (8:57 a.m. NY)
Bulgaria, the EU country with the highest Covid death rate per 100,000 people, will gradually lift restrictions from Feb. 24 for access to public events and group activities as hospitalizations decline, the country’s chief health inspector said. Requirement of proof of vaccination or past Covid illness will be lifted for customers visiting bars and clubs.
The Balkan country has the bloc’s lowest vaccination rate, at just 29%, driven by institutional distrust and doubts about the safety of the shots. While hospitalizations are decreasing, weekly death numbers are still rising.
France Steps Back from J&J Vaccine (8:50 a.m. NY)
France’s health authority recommends holding off on using Johnson & Johnson’s one-shot Covid-19 vaccine, except for individuals who are allergic to mRNA vaccines. The recommendation followed a study showing a potentially heightened risk of myocardial infarction during the two weeks following administration of the J&J vaccine.
Europe, U.K. Rebound From Omicron (5:03 p.m. HK)
Growth in Germany and France, Europe’s two biggest economies, picked up sharply in February as the region moved past the peak of the latest wave of coronavirus infections.
Across the euro area there was an unexpectedly strong rebound in economic activity, according to surveys by IHS Markit. In the U.K., the travel, leisure and entertainment industries roared back to life more quickly than expected.
While Europe has endured some of the worst Covid-19 infection rates, looser curbs in recent weeks boosted consumer demand.
NZ Sees Omicron Peak in Up to Six Weeks (12:43 p.m. HK)
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she will start to ease Covid-19 restrictions after the current omicron outbreak has peaked, including the removal of some vaccine mandates animating protesters occupying parliament’s grounds.
The government expects the current omicron wave to peak in three to six weeks, Ardern told a news conference in Wellington. “At that point, if we follow the pattern of other countries, we’ll likely see a rapid decline, followed by cases stabilizing at a lower level,” she said. “That is the point when we can start to do things differently.”
Separately, Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced targeted payments for businesses struggling with lower revenue during the omicron outbreak.
Australia Looks to Tourism as Borders Open (8:54 a.m. HK)
British banker Roger Smyth was among the first passengers to arrive in Australia as it reopened to double-vaccinated visitors after almost two years of strict travel bans.
Australia’s tourism sector employed about 5% of the nation’s workforce and contributed 3% to the economy prior to the pandemic.
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With assistance from Bloomberg
