Hong Kong’s increase was done unintentionally, the agency said on Tuesday (Sept 28).
The city’s status has returned to Level 1, indicating a low risk, on the CDC’s website, a spokesman said. The level is the lowest of the agency's four-tiered travel health notice system.
Singapore remains at a Level 3 after its risk rating was raised this week by the CDC amid the largest outbreak the South-east Asian city-state has experienced since the pandemic began. Anyone who has not been vaccinated should avoid non-essential trips to Singapore given its “high level” of Covid-19, according to the agency.
“All travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading Covid variants,” the agency said when it increased its travel advice for Singapore by one notch to Level 3. The CDC’s highest travel health notice is Level 4.
The CDC’s decision to boost Hong Kong to Level 2 was immediately perplexing. The rating is given to locations with a “moderate level” of coronavirus. It includes a recommendation that non-essential travel to the area be avoided by anyone who is unvaccinated and has a higher risk of severe illness from Covid-19.
But while Singapore has reported almost daily caseloads of more than 1,000 since mid-September, Hong Kong has seen fewer than 10 cases almost every day since late August. There has not been a locally transmitted infection in Hong Kong since mid-August, data shows, and it has yet to experience an outbreak of the Delta variant.
The United States, by contrast, is in the midst of another Covid-19 resurgence as its vaccination rollout stalls. The country added almost 117,966 cases on Monday, and saw more than 2,000 deaths from the virus. The primary criteria for determining CDC travel health notices for destinations as large as Hong Kong and Singapore are the number of recent cases and the trajectory of new cases, according to the CDC’s website.
The threshold for Level 2, for example, is 50-99 new cases over the past 28 days, for every 100,000 local residents. The Level 3 threshold is 100-500, the website said.
Testing data is also assessed, according to the CDC, but there’s room for less-explicit factors to play a role, too. “Additional information such as hospitalizations and imported case counts may be considered when inconsistencies or other concerns are reported,” the CDC site said.
Mr Suga's successor will be chosen on Wednesday by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in an internal party election with four candidates vying for the post. A tight race is expected between vaccination minister Taro Kono and former foreign minister Fumio Kishida.
The Diet will convene next Monday to confirm the new PM, which will be a formality since the LDP's coalition has a majority in both houses of Parliament.
There were 1,723 cases nationwide on Tuesday - down from the peak of 25,868 infections on Aug 20. Tokyo, which is about three times larger than Singapore in size and population, had just 248 cases, down from a high of 5,773 on Aug 13.
Singapore's Covid-19 battle has rarely made headlines in Japan until recently, with domestic media citing the ongoing Delta-linked surge as a cautionary tale against letting the guard down even as vaccinations take off.
Mr Suga, likewise, on Tuesday urged vigilance given that the looming winter months may trigger a sixth wave with indoor heating causing poorer ventilation and as millions are expected to criss-cross the country for homecoming visits.
His year-long tenure as Prime Minister has been marred by plenty of criticism over seemingly never-ending Covid-19 curbs - Friday will only be the 29th day this year that Tokyo is not under an emergency or quasi-emergency - and his inability to communicate with the public.
But he leaves behind a country that is a lot more confident in coping with future waves of Covid-19.
"I know that there were many people who were critical about me, but we can say that these treatments and vaccines are effective, and we do truly see a light at the end of the tunnel," Mr Suga told a news conference on Tuesday.
"From now on we must assume that we will live with the virus, and make our society more resilient so as to balance daily activities and anti-virus measures."
Among other things, Mr Suga stressed that a framework is now in place to ensure that hospital beds can be secured more quickly in case of future Covid-19 waves.
He noted how up to 130,000 people have had to recuperate at home in the fifth wave, while he had taken flak for a controversial policy to hospitalise only the sickest Covid-19 patients. Many, however, died at home after their condition worsened.
Further, despite being slow off the blocks in its vaccination programme, Japan has not only already fully immunised 58 per cent of its population but is on track to double-dose all those who are keen by November.
Mr Suga said that the country has already secured 200 million doses of vaccines for booster shots - which will be more than necessary for its entire population - and will progressively start administering them by year-end.
Meanwhile, Japan has been beefing up its arsenal of Covid-19 treatments with a fifth drug, sotrovimab by Britain's GlaxoSmithKline and the US' Vir Biotechnology, approved on Monday.
On the same day, pharmacies were also allowed to begin sales of self-test antigen rapid test kits that Mr Suga hoped would quell worries of infection.
"The fight will now enter a new phase. Vaccine roll-out is accelerating. The risk of infection was high but we were able to contain this, while neutralising antibody treatments have helped to reduce the number of severe cases," Mr Suga said.
All this has given rise to an optimism that might finally be warranted among a public that has been quick to pass judgment on Mr Suga's missteps, and slow to give him credit for the successful Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.
Much of Japan has been under a Covid-19 emergency for the most part of the year. Dr Shigeru Omi, who leads the government panel of experts, said that among other things, the "shock factor" of constant bad news including the soaring Covid-19 infection figures could have led to people exercising more awareness, resulting in the steep plunge in cases.
Tokyo had just 248 cases, down from a high of 5,773 on Aug 13, 2021. PHOTO: AFP
What will change from Friday?
Japan's Covid-19 state of emergency or the looser quasi-emergency that is ongoing in 27 prefectures will end as scheduled on Thursday. But Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said restrictions will only be "gradually eased" to prevent a rebound of a sixth Covid-19 wave, with measures subject to another review next month.
Eating out
Food and beverage establishments under emergency areas were requested to observe an all-day alcohol ban and an 8pm curfew on dine-in service. Many ignored these restrictions despite the risk of a fine of up to 300,000 yen (S$3,655).
From Friday, restaurants and bars whose Covid-19 countermeasures have been certified by prefecture authorities may serve alcohol until 8pm and open for dine-in service until 9pm.
Event size
From Friday, event capacity will be capped to either half the size of a venue or 10,000 people, whichever is lower. This has been eased from the maximum 5,000 people under the state of emergency. Events that do not involve loud cheering may proceed at full capacity.
Quarantine measures
Leisure travel is still barred, but from Friday, vaccinated residents or other visa holders will have their quarantine cut from 14 days to 10 days. Japan recognises only its approved vaccines, currently Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca.
LONDON: British drivers expressed frustration on Tuesday (Sep 28) as they hunted for hours or sat snarled in queues to fill their tanks after gas stations in major cities ran dry due to a trucker shortage that has prompted the government to put the army on standby.
Queues of drivers snaked back from those petrol stations that were still serving in major cities, though dozens of forecourts were closed with signs saying they had no petrol or diesel, Reuters reporters said.
A post-Brexit shortage of lorry drivers, exacerbated by a halt to truck-driving-licence testing during COVID-19 lockdowns, has sown chaos through supply chains, raising the spectre of shortages and price rises in the run up to Christmas.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said a limited number of military tanker drivers had been put on a state of readiness to be deployed to deliver fuel if necessary.
"I can't believe it - it's crazy," said David Scade, a 33-year-old delivery driver who drove for hours searching for fuel in London.
"They keep saying there is no shortage but I suppose everyone is panicking now," said Scade who was filling up at a Shell gas station in London.
Fights broke out at some English petrol stations as drivers jostled for fuel. Medics said health workers should be given priority to fill their cars to keep the health service working.
An air of chaos has gripped the world's fifth largest economy in recent weeks as the shortage of truckers strained supply chains and a spike in European wholesale natural gas prices tipped energy companies into bankruptcy.
Retailers, truckers and logistics companies have warned that prices for everything from energy to Christmas gifts will have to rise.
CHRISTMAS SUPPLY?
British ministers, fuel companies and petrol stations say there are sufficient supplies of fuel but that the lack of truckers combined with panic buying has drained the system.
Such is the gravity of the situation that the British Medical Association has called for health workers to get priority access to fuel to ensure the health service can operate.
The demand for fuel has meant that 50 per cent to 90 per cent of pumps were dry in some areas of Britain, according the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), which represents independent fuel retailers who account for 65 per cent of all the 8,380 UK forecourts.
The government on Sunday announced a plan to issue temporary visas for 5,000 foreign truck drivers. But some Polish hauliers said that offer was laughable and that few would be likely to take it up.
Hauliers, petrol stations and retailers say there are no quick fixes as the shortfall of truck drivers - estimated at about 100,000 - was so acute, and because transporting fuel demands additional training and licensing.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) urged the government to broaden the size and scope of the scheme to attract the truckers needed to keep Christmas supplies on track.
"To avoid disappointment for millions of households during the festive season we urge the government to rapidly extend this programme, both in size and scope, to HGV drivers in all sectors of the retail industry," Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the BRC, said.
"It will take many months before there are enough new British drivers to cover the shortfall," Opie said.
PARIS: Europe needs to stop being naive when it comes to defending its interests and build its own military capacity, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday (Sep 28) after Greece sealed a deal for French frigates worth about €3 billion (US$3.51 billion).
France was plunged into an unprecedented diplomatic crisis with the United States, Australia and Britain earlier this month over a trilateral nuclear security deal which sank a multi-billion dollar French-designed submarine contract with Canberra.
That has caused much soul searching in Paris over its traditional alliances. Speaking for the first time on the issue, Macron on Tuesday seized the opportunity to urge for more European autonomy as Washington increasingly reorientates its interests towards China and the Indo-Pacific.
"The Europeans must stop being naive. When we are under pressure from powers, which at times harden (their stance) , we need to react and show that we have the power and capacity to defend ourselves. Not escalating things, but protecting ourselves," Macron told a news conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
"This isn't an alternative to the United States alliance. It's not a substitution, but to take responsibility of the European pillar within NATO and draw the conclusions that we are asked to take care of our own protection."
Under Tuesday's agreement Athens agreed to buy three frigates with an option to buy a fourth for about €3 billion, a Greek government source told Reuters.
The accord, part of a broader strategic military and defence cooperation pact, comes after Athens had already ordered around 24 Dassault-made Rafale fighter jets this year, making it the first European Union country to buy the fighter jet.
"This will tie us for decades," Mitsotakis said. "This opens the door to the Europe of tomorrow that is strong and autonomous, capable of defending its interests."
When asked whether this deal risked raising tensions in the eastern Mediterranean, Macron said the accord did not target a country specifically, but Greece, as the outer border of the European Union needed to be protected.
"I don't get the feeling that in the summer of 2020 it was Greece that was bellicose in the eastern Mediterranean," Macron said, alluding to Turkish actions in the region.
"As Europeans it is our duty to show solidarity with members states. It is legitimate that we commit to equipping it so it can ensure its territorial integrity is respected and that we commit to cooperating to protect it in case of intrusions, attacks or aggressions," he said.
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Monday (Sep 27) tabled the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) in parliament, with a pledge for Malaysia to “become a carbon neutral country by 2050 at the earliest” listed alongside other measures to accelerate green growth.
In his parliamentary speech, he said although Malaysia only contributes 0.7 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, the government would continue to fulfil its commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emission intensity of GDP by 45 per cent by 2030.
This would be based on the emission intensity of GDP in 2005, in line with the Paris Agreement in 2015. Greenhouse gas intensity is the ratio of a country’s emission to the economic value it generates.
“Today I am giving my commitment that Malaysia will become a carbon neutral country by 2050 at the earliest,” Mr Ismail Sabri said on Monday.
"Other details for carbon reduction measures will be announced after the strategic long-term review of the low-carbon development strategies has been finalised by the end of 2022,” he added.
Carbon neutrality means that any carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere is balanced by an equivalent amount being removed from it.
On paper, Malaysia’s carbon neutrality pledge appears to be the most ambitious in Southeast Asia.
Indonesia has pledged to achieve net zero emissions by 2060, while Thailand said that it is targeting to achieve carbon neutrality by 2065 to 2070.
Meanwhile, Singapore has announced that it would halve its 2030 peak greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and to achieve net zero emissions "as soon as viable" in the second half of the century.
In tandem with Malaysia’s 2050 carbon neutrality aim, various policies to accelerate green growth would be put in place. Here are the key announcements:
NO NEW COAL POWER PLANTS
The prime minister pledged that the government would no longer build new coal-fired power plants.
He added that a comprehensive National Energy Policy would soon be introduced to provide a long-term strategic direction to support the aspirations of a carbon neutral nation.
"Cleaner electricity generation will be implemented through the operation of several gas power plants in Peninsular Malaysia to replace coal-fired power plants,” he said.
A law related to energy efficiency and conservation would be introduced to regulate energy consumption by high-intensity consumers in the industrial and commercial sectors, Mr Ismail Sabri said.
Renewable energy generation from solar, biomass and biogas is targeted to increase to 31 per cent of the total installed capacity in the country by 2025, he said.
Additionally, a total of 120 cities are expected to achieve sustainable city status by 2025.
CARBON PRICING
Mr Ismail Sabri said that economic instruments such as carbon pricing and carbon tax would be implemented. He did not go into the details.
Earlier this month, Environment Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man was quoted as saying by Bernama that a Domestic Emissions Trading Scheme (DETS) was being developed by the Environment and Water Ministry.
He said that the development of the trading scheme would be carried out jointly with the Finance Ministry, Bursa Malaysia and other stakeholders.
The minister said the government planned to implement DETS in phases and a single business platform would be developed.
State government authorities and the private sector could leverage DETS to execute carbon credit transactions at the domestic level. In comparison, trading in the international market would entail a high cost of transaction and more stringent technical requirements, he said, according to the Bernama report.
Emissions trading, as set out in Article 17 of the Kyoto Protocol, allows countries that have emission units to spare - emissions permitted to them but not utilised - to sell this excess capacity to countries that are over their targets.
Among other carbon pricing approaches, a tax may also be levied on greenhouse gas emissions in order to encourage polluters to reduce the combustion of fossil fuels.
In the case of Singapore for instance, it has imposed a carbon tax rate of S$5 per tonne of greenhouse gas emissions from 2019 to 2023. This is set to be increased in the future.
WASHINGTON (BLOOMBERG) - The United States on Monday (Sept 27) said trips to Singapore and Hong Kong have become more dangerous because of the coronavirus, raising its travel health advice for the Asian financial hubs by one level.
The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said anyone who has not been vaccinated should avoid non-essential trips to Singapore, citing a "high level" of Covid-19.
"All travellers may be at risk for getting and spreading Covid-19 variants," the CDC said, increasing its travel advice for Singapore by one notch to level 3.
Other countries currently at level 3 include Australia, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines.
The CDC also raised its advice to Hong Kong one rung to level 2, citing a "moderate level" of coronavirus. The CDC said unvaccinated travellers with a higher risk of severe illness from Covid-19 should avoid non-essential travel to Hong Kong. The CDC's highest travel health notice is level 4.
The city has seen fewer than 10 cases a day since late August, and there has not been a locally transmitted infection in Hong Kong since mid-August, data show. The hub has also yet to experience an outbreak of the Delta variant.
The US, by contrast, is in the midst of another Covid-19 resurgence, as its vaccination roll-out stalls. The country added over 180,000 new cases on Friday, and saw more than 2,700 deaths from the virus.
