In order to stop the spread of this new strain, several European countries such as Germany, Italy, France, Belgium or the Netherlands imposed travel bans, causing a collapse of the highways near the Eurotunnel at the end of 2020.
Mass vaccination campaigns began in December. Since then, more than 25 million people from over 42 different countries have been vaccinated against COVID-19. However, global COVID-19 cases surpassed 88.8 million, and the death toll is over 1.9 million people. In the Americas, there are more than 39 million cases, over 28 million in Europe, more than 12 million cases in South-East Asia, and over 2.1 million in Africa. The worst hit countries are the US, India and Brazil, followed by Russia, the UK and France.
Mass vaccination campaigns began in December. Since then, more than 25 million people from over 42 different countries have been vaccinated against COVID-19. However, global COVID-19 cases surpassed 88.8 million, and the death toll is over 1.9 million people. In the Americas, there are more than 39 million cases, over 28 million in Europe, more than 12 million cases in South-East Asia, and over 2.1 million in Africa. The worst hit countries are the US, India and Brazil, followed by Russia, the UK and France.
WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a report on its 2020 response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The report includes an interactive timeline that accounts for day-by-day actions of the WHO. Some of the key achievements are: 1) over 289 million of personal protection equipment, diagnostic and medical supplies shipped around the world; 2) more than 14,000 patients enrolled in the Solidarity Trial for COVID-19 treatments, in nearly 500 hospitals in more than 30 countries; 3) 190 economies signed up to COVAX for fair and equitable access to vaccines; 4) over 1.3 billion people reached with crucial health information through the WHO website; and more than 500 COVID-19 related documents published, including over 125 guidance documents to 10 research protocols. In addition to this, WHO hosted 38 Member State information sessions, during which a total of 79 countries shared their experiences with COVID-19. The media have also been a key audience and partner, sharing the latest developments on COVID-19 during over 130 briefings for journalists.
The global initiative to ensure rapid and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for all countries, COVAX, announced additional deals to ensure access to COVD-19 vaccine candidates. COVAX currently has agreements in place to secure nearly two billion doses and further doses are expected to be secured through donors’ contributions. All COVAX’s 190 participating and eligible economies will be able to access doses to protect vulnerable groups in the first half of 2021. At least 1.3 billion donor-funded doses will be made available to 92 economies eligible for the Gavi COVAX AMC, targeting up to 20% population coverage by the end of the year. These mass vaccination efforts are expected to end the acute phase of the pandemic globally by the end of 2021.
On December 21, WHO Director-General's Dr. Tedros Adhanom announced that there have been reports of new variants of the COVID-19 virus in South Africa and the UK. This new variant is transmitted more easily but there is no evidence so far that it is more likely to cause severe disease or mortality. WHO is working with scientists to understand how these genetic changes affect how the virus behaves.
Dr. Adhanom has remarked that vaccines give real hope of bringing the pandemic under control in the next 12 months. 42 countries have started vaccinating their high-risk populations against COVID-19. However, these countries are high-income and middle-income countries, and vaccination plans also need to reach low-income countries.
The global initiative to ensure rapid and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for all countries, COVAX, announced additional deals to ensure access to COVD-19 vaccine candidates. COVAX currently has agreements in place to secure nearly two billion doses and further doses are expected to be secured through donors’ contributions. All COVAX’s 190 participating and eligible economies will be able to access doses to protect vulnerable groups in the first half of 2021. At least 1.3 billion donor-funded doses will be made available to 92 economies eligible for the Gavi COVAX AMC, targeting up to 20% population coverage by the end of the year. These mass vaccination efforts are expected to end the acute phase of the pandemic globally by the end of 2021.
On December 21, WHO Director-General's Dr. Tedros Adhanom announced that there have been reports of new variants of the COVID-19 virus in South Africa and the UK. This new variant is transmitted more easily but there is no evidence so far that it is more likely to cause severe disease or mortality. WHO is working with scientists to understand how these genetic changes affect how the virus behaves.
Dr. Adhanom has remarked that vaccines give real hope of bringing the pandemic under control in the next 12 months. 42 countries have started vaccinating their high-risk populations against COVID-19. However, these countries are high-income and middle-income countries, and vaccination plans also need to reach low-income countries.
IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) issued its Annual Report 2020, which remarks the efforts made by national governments to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic, with nearly $12 trillion in fiscal actions and about $7.5 trillion in monetary actions. IMF member countries also contributed to the Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust and Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust, which allowed the IMF to commit over $100 billion to help countries in need since the beginning of the pandemic.
WTO
The World Trade Organization (WTO) issued the information note “Developing and delivering COVID-19 vaccines around the world”, which explores the role of trade policy in the rapid roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines. The paper is divided into three sections: 1) Section A provides background information on immunization and the urgent search for vaccines against COVID-19; 2) Section B overviews the development and delivery of vaccines, from the vaccine development to international distribution, border clearance and domestic distribution; and 3) Section C identifies key decisions with trade impact which need to be made along the vaccine value chain. This section also includes a checklist of trade issues to consider along with the COVID-19 vaccine value chain, as well as a world map of clinical trials and partnerships on COVID-19 treatments.
According to a WTO report on world trade volume in the third quarter of 2020, merchandise trade increased by 11.6% compared to the previous quarter. However, the trade volume of the previous quarter fell by 12.7%. Despite the rebound, the volume of trade between July and September was still 5.6% lower than in the same period last year. More industrialized regions saw stronger recoveries in their merchandise exports. The highest export growth, compared with the previous quarter, was recorded in North America (20.1%), Europe (19.3%) and Asia (10.1%). However, if compared to the previous year, exports in the third quarter were still down in North America (‑9.0%), Europe (-5.4%), South and Central America (-3.4%) and other regions (‑11.4%). The only exception was Asia, with over 0.4% increase. Regarding import volumes, North America and Europe imports rose by 16.6% and 15% respectively, compared to the previous quarter, 2.1% rise in Asia, and additional 0.7% decline in South and Central America. If compared to the same period of 2019, imports fell in North America (‑4.7%), South and Central America (-19.4%), Europe (-6.4%), Asia (-4.7%) and other regions (‑14.7%).
According to a WTO report on world trade volume in the third quarter of 2020, merchandise trade increased by 11.6% compared to the previous quarter. However, the trade volume of the previous quarter fell by 12.7%. Despite the rebound, the volume of trade between July and September was still 5.6% lower than in the same period last year. More industrialized regions saw stronger recoveries in their merchandise exports. The highest export growth, compared with the previous quarter, was recorded in North America (20.1%), Europe (19.3%) and Asia (10.1%). However, if compared to the previous year, exports in the third quarter were still down in North America (‑9.0%), Europe (-5.4%), South and Central America (-3.4%) and other regions (‑11.4%). The only exception was Asia, with over 0.4% increase. Regarding import volumes, North America and Europe imports rose by 16.6% and 15% respectively, compared to the previous quarter, 2.1% rise in Asia, and additional 0.7% decline in South and Central America. If compared to the same period of 2019, imports fell in North America (‑4.7%), South and Central America (-19.4%), Europe (-6.4%), Asia (-4.7%) and other regions (‑14.7%).
Australia
Australia and New Zealand agreed in principle to a quarantine free travel bubble between certain cities in the two countries by the beginning of 2021. This agreement comes nearly after a year of New Zealand’s border closure to protect its population from the pandemic. However, this measure is only applicable if there are no significant changes in circumstances.
New South Wales imposed a lockdown on December 18, in Sydney’s northern area, with over 250,000 residents, after a cluster of new infections had been found. Australian states and territories warned their residents to leave New South Wales and return as soon as possible if they wanted to avoid mandatory quarantine. In order to contain the spread, New South Wales opened new testing sites. In addition to this, cases of the new COVID-19 strain were found in Australia, the firsts in the Asia-Pacific region.
New South Wales imposed a lockdown on December 18, in Sydney’s northern area, with over 250,000 residents, after a cluster of new infections had been found. Australian states and territories warned their residents to leave New South Wales and return as soon as possible if they wanted to avoid mandatory quarantine. In order to contain the spread, New South Wales opened new testing sites. In addition to this, cases of the new COVID-19 strain were found in Australia, the firsts in the Asia-Pacific region.
Brazil
According to a recent report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Brazil was pulling out of a long recession when the pandemic started, and COVID-19 brought an even deeper recession in the country. According to the OECD, Brazil will require additional ambitious reforms to boost jobs, productivity and trade, as well as to strengthen public finances and improve social protection.
The latest OECD Economic Survey of Brazil highlights Brazil’s response to the pandemic, which spared the country from more severe economic impact. However, the report states that the pandemic will still significantly affect well-being and prosperity. The Survey estimates the COVID-19 crisis will cause GDP to shrink by 5% in 2020, a 2.6% increase in 2021, and 2.2% in 2022. Reforms are needed in order to help firms to grow and compete internationally and to address rising poverty and inequality in the country.
Brazil plans to start COVID-19 vaccinations in January, with a total of 354 million doses secured for 2021. The public health situation in the country is negative, as of January 5, with 56,648 additional cases and 1,171 new COVID-19 deaths.
The latest OECD Economic Survey of Brazil highlights Brazil’s response to the pandemic, which spared the country from more severe economic impact. However, the report states that the pandemic will still significantly affect well-being and prosperity. The Survey estimates the COVID-19 crisis will cause GDP to shrink by 5% in 2020, a 2.6% increase in 2021, and 2.2% in 2022. Reforms are needed in order to help firms to grow and compete internationally and to address rising poverty and inequality in the country.
Brazil plans to start COVID-19 vaccinations in January, with a total of 354 million doses secured for 2021. The public health situation in the country is negative, as of January 5, with 56,648 additional cases and 1,171 new COVID-19 deaths.
China
There has been a recent spike of new COVID-19 cases in Hebei, a region near Beijing. In order to curb down the number of new infections, the region implemented some of the strictest restrictions since March 2020. Among the restrictions, Hebei’s capital city of Shijiazhuang has stopped passengers from going to its train station, suspended long-distance buses, and blocked major highways in the province. Therefore, people are not allowed to go out of the city, in order to contain the spread of the virus.
It is expected that China’s economy may expand by 9% in 2021, despite China’s GDP fell by 6.8% during the first quarter of 2020. At this moment, China leads the global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, especially because of the improvement of the public health situation, and thanks to the stimulus measures.
Regarding consumption, China reported around 5% increased retail sales in November, if compared to the same period of 2019. This was the fourth successive month of expansion. Retail sales are a key indicator of consumption trends. In addition to this, industrial production and manufacturing also increased if compared to the previous year.
It is expected that China’s economy may expand by 9% in 2021, despite China’s GDP fell by 6.8% during the first quarter of 2020. At this moment, China leads the global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, especially because of the improvement of the public health situation, and thanks to the stimulus measures.
Regarding consumption, China reported around 5% increased retail sales in November, if compared to the same period of 2019. This was the fourth successive month of expansion. Retail sales are a key indicator of consumption trends. In addition to this, industrial production and manufacturing also increased if compared to the previous year.
EU
On December 21, the European Commission authorized its first safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19, developed by BioNTech and Pfizer. The authorization followed positive scientific recommendations, and it is endorsed by EU Member States. The first doses were delivered on December 26, and the first vaccinations started on December 27-29. By September 2021, the EU is expected to have distributed full 200 million doses. The European Commission also published some Questions and Answers regarding the COVID-19 vaccination in the EU.
On January 6, the European Commission approved Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, the second vaccination which is green lighted in the EU, after the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. This approval grants additional 160 million doses of vaccines.
By late December 2020, countries began mass vaccinations. However, the EU has been criticized for slow vaccine rollout, questioned about if there are enough purchased vaccines to immunize the majority of EU citizens.
The Council of the EU and the European Parliament agreed provisionally on the EU4Health program for 2021-2027 with a budget of €5.1 billion. This program is aimed to support national policies and promote coordination, particularly by: 1) supporting health promotion and disease prevention, 2) contributing to the protection of people in the EU from serious cross-border threats to health, 3) increasing the use of digital tools and services in the health area, also by the establishment of a European Health Data Space, 4) increasing cross-border cooperation, (i.e. by European Reference Networks), and 5) supporting global commitments and health initiatives by international organizations, in particular the WHO.
On December 15, the European Council called for strengthening resilience and countering hybrid threats, including disinformation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Council notes that new technologies and crises, such as the ongoing pandemic, offer opportunities for hostile actors to expand their interference activities. These pose an additional challenge for Member States and EU institutions, besides the crisis itself. In addition to this, the Council acknowledges that the pandemic makes the EU and its member states more vulnerable to hybrid threats. Such threats include the increased spread of disinformation and manipulative interference. A comprehensive approach involving effective cooperation and coordination in a multidisciplinary way and involving multiple stakeholders is needed to address such threats.
On December 17, the European Council adopted the regulation laying down the EU’s multiannual financial framework for 2021-2027, which provides for a long-term budget of €1,074.3 billion, including the integration of the European Development Fund. This fund, together with the Next Generation EU recovery instrument of €750 billion, is expected to allow the EU to provide an unprecedented €1.8 trillion of funding over the coming years to support recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the EU's long-term priorities across different policy areas.
In addition to this, the Council approved conclusions on making the recovery from COVID-19 circular and green. The conclusions highlight the role of circular economy in the recovery and link it to digitalization.
On December 18, the Council also approved conclusions on the lessons learned from the pandemic, covering four areas: 1) improving EU crisis management and preparedness by strengthening the EU health security framework, 2) ensuring the supply of medicinal products, 3) improving access to and sharing of health data, and 4) strengthening the EU’s role in global health.
On January 6, the European Commission approved Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, the second vaccination which is green lighted in the EU, after the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. This approval grants additional 160 million doses of vaccines.
By late December 2020, countries began mass vaccinations. However, the EU has been criticized for slow vaccine rollout, questioned about if there are enough purchased vaccines to immunize the majority of EU citizens.
The Council of the EU and the European Parliament agreed provisionally on the EU4Health program for 2021-2027 with a budget of €5.1 billion. This program is aimed to support national policies and promote coordination, particularly by: 1) supporting health promotion and disease prevention, 2) contributing to the protection of people in the EU from serious cross-border threats to health, 3) increasing the use of digital tools and services in the health area, also by the establishment of a European Health Data Space, 4) increasing cross-border cooperation, (i.e. by European Reference Networks), and 5) supporting global commitments and health initiatives by international organizations, in particular the WHO.
On December 15, the European Council called for strengthening resilience and countering hybrid threats, including disinformation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Council notes that new technologies and crises, such as the ongoing pandemic, offer opportunities for hostile actors to expand their interference activities. These pose an additional challenge for Member States and EU institutions, besides the crisis itself. In addition to this, the Council acknowledges that the pandemic makes the EU and its member states more vulnerable to hybrid threats. Such threats include the increased spread of disinformation and manipulative interference. A comprehensive approach involving effective cooperation and coordination in a multidisciplinary way and involving multiple stakeholders is needed to address such threats.
On December 17, the European Council adopted the regulation laying down the EU’s multiannual financial framework for 2021-2027, which provides for a long-term budget of €1,074.3 billion, including the integration of the European Development Fund. This fund, together with the Next Generation EU recovery instrument of €750 billion, is expected to allow the EU to provide an unprecedented €1.8 trillion of funding over the coming years to support recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the EU's long-term priorities across different policy areas.
In addition to this, the Council approved conclusions on making the recovery from COVID-19 circular and green. The conclusions highlight the role of circular economy in the recovery and link it to digitalization.
On December 18, the Council also approved conclusions on the lessons learned from the pandemic, covering four areas: 1) improving EU crisis management and preparedness by strengthening the EU health security framework, 2) ensuring the supply of medicinal products, 3) improving access to and sharing of health data, and 4) strengthening the EU’s role in global health.
Belgium
From December 20, Belgium suspended flights and train arrivals from the UK, after a new strain of COVID-19 was found in Britain.
France
France began mass COVID-19 vaccinations by the end of 2020. The country decided to accelerate the process, especially among the population most at risk. France is under strict social and economic restrictions due to the infection rate, and 15 departments imposed curfews at 6 pm. A few days afterwards, due to the increasing number of new infections, 8 additional departments extended the curfew to start from 6 pm.
Germany
Germany’s death toll was set to double in December, compared to the previous month. In addition to this, the number of new infections is also increasing in the country, that together with the death toll, indicates that the peak of the second wave has not been reached yet. In order to curb down the number of new infections, Germany implemented new restrictions, including the closure of non-essential businesses, as well as limitations on group gatherings. These restrictions were expected to end by January 10, 2021. However, as the public health situation was not improved, on January 5, the lockdowns were extended by three weeks until January 31. As in many other countries, mass vaccinations in Germany began by late December. However, in order to sufficiently immunize the population, several months of vaccination campaign are necessary.
Italy
Italy is under a state of emergency until the end of January and the government is considering its extension until July 31. The country is still under nationwide restrictions, but agreed to relax curbs on weekdays. Ministers agreed on January 4 to return to the old, three-tier system, which allows for different measures to be applied to different regions.
The Netherlands
Despite the first COVID-19 vaccine was approved in the EU at the end of December, the Netherlands began the vaccination program nearly two weeks after most EU nations. The Netherlands is currently on a strict five-week lockdown imposed in order to curb down the number of new infections. In recent days, infection rates have decreased, but the country’s public health institute said, on January 5, that the lockdown has not yet clearly curbed down infection rates.
Spain
Since the beginning of January, the public health situation in Spain is getting worse. However, this data is believed to be underreported due to a slowdown in testing due to recent holidays, but it is supported by other indicators, such as hospital admissions, which show a clear increase. Mass vaccinations in Spain began by late December. However, as in other EU countries, there are disappointments due to a slow rollout of COVID-19 inoculations. The objective is to have 15 to 20 million citizens vaccinated by May-June.
United Kingdom
On December 20, the UK closed all non-essential shops and imposed stricter rules amid a new variant behind a huge surge of infections. However, as the number of new cases continued to rise, the UK and most of Scotland ordered strict lockdown measures from January 6, 2021. UK’s stay-at-home rules are due to be reviewed on February 15; Scotland's will be reviewed by the end of January. People are only permitted to stay out of home for a few reasons, such as work that cannot be done at home, food shopping, essential medical needs and exercise. Restaurants can continue to offer food delivery and takeaway. In order to help the most damaged sectors, the government announced a one-off grant of up to £9,000 to retail, hospitality and leisure businesses, with an estimated cost of £4bn. The vaccination campaign around the country continues, as the UK rolled out the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, amid a surge of new cases.
In order to contain the new strain of COVID-19, several countries banned flights and other means of transport from the UK on December 21. France shut its borders to UK haulers which caused a block across the Eurochannel and collapsed surrounding roads. When the border reopened, thousands of truckers kept queuing on highways for several days.
London declared a “major incident” on January 8, because hospitals in the city were almost overwhelmed, mostly to cope with the new COVID-19 strain. On the same day, the UK reported the highest daily death toll since the pandemic began.
India
India approved two COVID-19 vaccines, after performing a practice drill of the logistics of the mass vaccination program on January 2. The Drugs Control Authority approved the urgent-use authorization for the Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine, as well as the locally developed COVAXIN produced by Bharat Biotech. Despite the decrease in the daily infections rate since September, on December 19, India became the second country to reach 10 million COVID-19 cases.
According to a recent USDA GAIN report, the weekly food retail update indicates grocery sales in Hyderabad have returned to pre-COVID-19 levels. Stores are able to source locally produced food. However, due to supply chain disruptions and higher costs, the amount of imported products is still limited, and sometimes results in a shortage of these products. In Chennai, grocery sales have also returned to pre-COVID-19 levels. The delivery of imported products is also limited, but there are enough stocks to meet the demand. According to the report, Indian consumers are increasingly demanding “immunity boosting” foods such as fresh fruits, nuts and spices.
Japan
On January 7, Japan declared the state of emergency in Tokyo until February 7, because of higher infection rates in the region. Residents are advised to stay at home, especially at night. However, compared to the latest state of emergency restrictions imposed in April, schools, gyms, theaters and cinemas, among others, are allowed to open –following certain rules. Restaurants also remain open, but less hours than usual.
South Korea
By the end of 2020, Korea saw a spike in COVID-19 cases. In order to curb down the number of new infections, people’s gatherings were limited to four, both indoors and outdoors. Customers of most businesses, including cafés and restaurants, are required to list their names in order to track possible COVID-19 infected people.
United States
The US Congress reach a deal on $900 billion COVID-19 relief package. This package includes $600 in direct payments to most US citizens and would establish $300 per week in temporary supplemental jobless benefits. In addition, this relief package is expected to provide hundreds of billions of dollars of additional aid to small businesses and provide $25 billion for rental assistance.
On January 4, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the continuation of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program, with the fifth round of over $1.5 billion food purchases. Up to date, over 3.3 billion meals were distributed to families across the nation. This program is part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which was developed in response to the pandemic. Using authority provided by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the USDA partnered with national, regional and local distributors, which were significantly impacted by the closure of restaurants, hotels and other food service businesses, to purchase and distribute agricultural products to US citizens in need.
On December 28, the US president signed the COVID-19 relief bill with a $2.3 trillion pandemic aid and spending package, restoring unemployment benefits and providing direct aid to families.
On December 18, the US authorized its second COVID-19 vaccine, developed by Moderna, and nearly 6 million doses are ready to be distributed across the country. By December 24, 1 million people in the US were vaccinated. It is expected that 100 million people will be immunized by the end of the first quarter of 2021, and another 100 million by halfway of the year.
The information above is a review of actions the INC has compiled from government sources, international organizations and press media. This news article is not intended to be exhaustive and it does not reflect the opinions of the INC. While the publishers believe that all information contained in this publication was correct at the time of publishing, they can accept no liability for any inaccuracies that may appear or loss suffered directly or indirectly by any reader as a result of any advertisement, editorial, photographs or other materials published in this news article.
On January 4, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the continuation of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program, with the fifth round of over $1.5 billion food purchases. Up to date, over 3.3 billion meals were distributed to families across the nation. This program is part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which was developed in response to the pandemic. Using authority provided by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the USDA partnered with national, regional and local distributors, which were significantly impacted by the closure of restaurants, hotels and other food service businesses, to purchase and distribute agricultural products to US citizens in need.
On December 28, the US president signed the COVID-19 relief bill with a $2.3 trillion pandemic aid and spending package, restoring unemployment benefits and providing direct aid to families.
On December 18, the US authorized its second COVID-19 vaccine, developed by Moderna, and nearly 6 million doses are ready to be distributed across the country. By December 24, 1 million people in the US were vaccinated. It is expected that 100 million people will be immunized by the end of the first quarter of 2021, and another 100 million by halfway of the year.
The information above is a review of actions the INC has compiled from government sources, international organizations and press media. This news article is not intended to be exhaustive and it does not reflect the opinions of the INC. While the publishers believe that all information contained in this publication was correct at the time of publishing, they can accept no liability for any inaccuracies that may appear or loss suffered directly or indirectly by any reader as a result of any advertisement, editorial, photographs or other materials published in this news article.
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