Hong Kong authorises COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 12 and above - CNA

HONG KONG: Hong Kong will open its COVID-19 vaccination programme to children aged 12 and above for the first time, the government said on Thursday (Jun 3), as it pursues a broader campaign across the city to incentivise its 7.5 million residents to get vaccinated.

Children of that age group will be able to get Germany's BioNTech vaccine, but residents still have to be older than 18 to receive China's Sinovac shot.

The Chinese special administrative region started its vaccination programme in February but only around 14 per cent of the population have been fully vaccinated.

In a statement published on Thursday, the city's Health Secretary Sophia Chan said the benefits of reducing the age of vaccination with the BioNTech vaccine outweighed the risks. It comes as other countries have also moved to vaccinate younger residents.

"It can not only protect young people from the new coronavirus infection, it also helps them to return to normal campus and daily life as soon as possible," said Chan.

The city has largely controlled the virus with around 11,800 infections and 210 deaths, with the majority of residents choosing to delay vaccinations. It widened the scheme to include those aged over 16 years old in April.

The government has over the past week piled pressure on businesses and financial institutions to encourage vaccinations and urged them to grant employees a day off for each jab.

READ: COVID-19: Hong Kong sports club tells staff members to get vaccinated or no bonus

READ: Hong Kong regulators tells banks, asset managers to get staff vaccinated

Full page advertisements in major newspapers on Wednesday instructed citizens to get vaccinated "ASAP" and highlighted vaccination leave, dining offers and other rewards.

Hong Kong's financial regulators told banks, brokers and asset managers to identify staff in key roles who would receive a COVID-19 vaccine, while a private sports club told staff to get vaccinated or be denied future bonuses, promotions and pay rises according to an internal staff memo.

The government has also relaxed some coronavirus rules, such as shortened quarantine time for vaccinated residents, as worries over adverse reactions and a lack of confidence in the Chinese-made Sinovac vaccine has hit vaccine demand.

Residents are allowed to choose between the Sinovac or BioNTech vaccine, but there remains a surplus of unused vaccines for both, the government said.

To avoid wastage, Hong Kong may donate vaccines or cancel future batches, moves which could hinder future orders, authorities said on May 25.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and its developments

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2021-06-03 09:27:58Z
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Taiwan reports 583 domestic COVID-19 cases as health ministry gets spending boost to fight virus - CNA

TAIPEI: Taiwan reported 583 domestic COVID-19 infections on Thursday (Jun 3), including 219 cases added to recent days' totals as it reflected delays in reporting positive tests.

The figure was an increase from the 549 cases reported on Wednesday.

Taiwan's health minister said it was still too early to talk about needing to raise the alert level and go into a full lockdown, but the spike in COVID-19 infections on the island gave him no reason for optimism.

Taiwan has been a model for how to control the pandemic, but its increase in domestic infections has alarmed the government, which has limited gatherings and closed entertainment venues.

Health Minister Chen Shih-chung, speaking at his daily news briefing, said he was concerned at a rise in younger people getting infected, who may not be taking curbs as seriously and meeting when they should not be.

"There's no cause for optimism," he said of the trend in infections.

READ: As COVID-19 cases edge up, Taiwan unveils mass vaccination plan

However, he said it was still "too early" to talk about going into Taiwan's highest alert level, which would be an effective lockdown - something the government has not had to do since the pandemic began.

Next weekend marks the traditional Dragon Boat Festival, when people often travel to see family members in other parts of Taiwan. Chen said people should not be travelling if there was no urgent need.

"I hope that everyone do not go back to their hometowns if they do not need to," he said.

SPENDING BOOST

The rise in new cases came as Taiwan's health ministry is set to receive an extra NT$79.2 billion (US$2.87 billion) in spending to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, including buying vaccines.

This was announced by the government on Thursday as it detailed a stimulus package approved this week.

Taiwan's parliament approved on Monday an extra NT$420 billion in spending to help the economy deal with the virus' impact, as the island curbs business activity to counter a spike in domestic infections.

READ: Taiwan targets COVID-19 vaccination for 60% of population by October

The new money is in addition to previous stimulus spending worth NT$420 billion, and the funding will run until Jun 30 next year.

Taiwan's Cabinet said the money for the health ministry would go towards buying and testing vaccines and medicines, and to help improve monitoring and testing for the virus.

Taiwan has millions of vaccines on order, but has so far only vaccinated about 3 per cent of its 23.5 million people, mostly with just the first shot.

"This wave of the pandemic came quickly and urgently, affecting many families and industries," Premier Su Tseng-chang told a news conference.

READ: Foxconn and founder Gou apply to buy BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for Taiwan

The economy ministry will get NT$58.4 billion in extra money to help companies with salaries and loan financing, while other departments will get cash to help children studying at home, hotels and other affected companies and people.

The central bank is also running a separate NT$400 billion programme to provide preferential loans to small- and medium-sized businesses.

Taiwan's government has repeatedly sought to allay fears that the current outbreak of domestic infections will affect the export-dependent economy, a major global supplier of semiconductors.

Taiwan's stock market has largely shaken off concerns about the coronavirus impact after initially swooning.

Infections have been heavily concentrated in Taipei and its nearby cities, and although the numbers have not exploded they are also not falling dramatically.

Taiwan has reported more than 9,000 infections since the pandemic began, including 149 deaths.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and its developments

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2021-06-03 07:32:25Z
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Malaysian schoolgirl slams teacher's rape joke in viral TikTok video - South China Morning Post

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2021-06-03 07:16:11Z
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Taiwan reports 583 domestic COVID-19 cases as health ministry gets spending boost to fight virus - CNA

TAIPEI: Taiwan reported 583 domestic COVID-19 infections on Thursday (Jun 3), including 219 cases added to recent days' totals as it reflected delays in reporting positive tests.

The figure was an increase from the 549 cases reported on Wednesday.

The rise in new cases came as Taiwan's health ministry is set to receive an extra NT$79.2 billion (US$2.87 billion) in spending to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, including buying vaccines.

This was announced by the government on Thursday as it detailed a stimulus package approved this week.

Taiwan's parliament approved on Monday an extra NT$420 billion in spending to help the economy deal with the virus' impact, as the island curbs business activity to counter a spike in domestic infections.

READ: As COVID-19 cases edge up, Taiwan unveils mass vaccination plan

The new money is in addition to previous stimulus spending worth NT$420 billion, and the funding will run until Jun 30 next year.

Taiwan's Cabinet said the money for the health ministry would go towards buying and testing vaccines and medicines, and to help improve monitoring and testing for the virus.

Taiwan has millions of vaccines on order, but has so far only vaccinated about 3 per cent of its 23.5 million people, mostly with just the first shot.

"This wave of the pandemic came quickly and urgently, affecting many families and industries," Premier Su Tseng-chang told a news conference.

READ: Foxconn and founder Gou apply to buy BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for Taiwan

The economy ministry will get NT$58.4 billion in extra money to help companies with salaries and loan financing, while other departments will get cash to help children studying at home, hotels and other affected companies and people.

The central bank is also running a separate NT$400 billion programme to provide preferential loans to small- and medium-sized businesses.

Taiwan's government has repeatedly sought to allay fears that the current outbreak of domestic infections will affect the export-dependent economy, a major global supplier of semiconductors.

Taiwan's stock market has largely shaken off concerns about the coronavirus impact after initially swooning.

Infections have been heavily concentrated in Taipei and its nearby cities, and although the numbers have not exploded they are also not falling dramatically.

Taiwan has reported more than 9,000 infections since the pandemic began, including 149 deaths.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and its developments

Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram

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2021-06-03 06:54:19Z
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Biden says he is 'looking' at Russia retaliation over cyberattack - CNA

WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday (Jun 2) he is "looking" at possible retaliation after the White House linked Russia to a cyberattack against global meat processing giant JBS.

Asked by a reporter if he would take action against President Vladimir Putin, whom he will meet for a summit in Geneva later this month, Biden said: "We're looking closely at that issue."

The ransomware attack on a US subsidiary of Brazilian-owned JBS has again prompted accusations that Russia is at least harbouring cybercriminals.

Similar suspicions were raised after ransomware hackers forced the temporary shutdown of the huge Colonial fuel pipeline in the eastern United States last month.

Asked if Putin is testing him ahead of their summit, Biden said "no".

READ: Hacks force Biden into more aggressive stance on Russia

However, the White House says Biden will bring up US concerns during the summit on Jun 16, as well as at earlier summits with allies in the G7 group, the European Union and NATO.

"We expect this to be an issue of discussion throughout the president's trip," Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters.

"Harbouring criminal entities that are intending to do harm, that are doing harm to the critical infrastructure in the United States, is not acceptable," she said.

"We're not going to stand by that. We will raise that and we're not going to take options off the table."

The White House has not blamed the Kremlin directly, only suggesting that criminal groups are operating from inside Russia. However, Psaki said "responsible states do not harbor" cybercriminals.

"President Biden certainly thinks that President Putin and the Russian government has a role to play in stopping and preventing these attacks. Hence, it will be a topic of discussion when they meet," she said.

For its part, Russia said Wednesday it would be open to any US request for help in investigating the cyberattack.

JBS is a sprawling meat supplier with operations in the United States, Australia, Canada, Europe, Mexico, New Zealand and Britain.

The company said the vast majority of its beef, pork, poultry and prepared foods plants would be operational Wednesday.

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2021-06-02 21:56:37Z
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What next for Chinese vaccines after first WHO approvals? - South China Morning Post

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1. What next for Chinese vaccines after first WHO approvals?  South China Morning Post
2. MOH allows special access to Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine through private healthcare sector  The Straits Times
3. Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine to be allowed in Singapore under special access route after WHO approval  CNA
4. Why Modi must swallow his pride and accept Chinese vaccines  South China Morning Post
5. Some to get special access to Sinovac vaccine in S'pore | ST NEWS NIGHT  The Straits Times
6. View Full coverage on Google News

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2021-06-02 14:19:25Z
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Operations under way to minimise environmental impact of sinking ship off Sri Lanka: MPA - CNA

SINGAPORE: The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said on Wednesday (Jun 2) that operations are under way to minimise the environmental impact of a Singapore-registered container ship at risk of sinking off Sri Lanka.

The X-Press Pearl had caught fire on May 20 in the waters of Sri Lanka after departing from the Indian port of Hazira, burning for 13 days before the blaze was extinguished on Tuesday.

READ: Crippled ship at risk of sinking off Sri Lanka

READ: Sri Lanka facing marine disaster from burning ship: Environment official

"As the flag state, the MPA has been in constant communication with the Sri Lankan authorities, ship operator, and classification society on efforts to stabilise the ship, put out the fire, and put in place measures to reduce the extent of environmental impact," it said.

Sri Lankan navy members pull a sack of debris washed off to a beach from the X-Press Pearl container ship on May 28, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/Dinuka Liyanawatte)

MPA said that it had earlier offered to provide assistance to Sri Lankan authorities, and has directed the ship operator to cooperate fully with the them. 

It has also instructed the ship operator to adhere to measures to minimise the environmental impact, and to continue to deploy resources to clean up the sea as much as possible. 

According to MPA, the ship operator is working with the salvors to continue with the salvage operations.

"MPA further understands that the Sri Lankan authorities are investigating the cause of the incident," said the authority, adding that it has also commenced its own investigation.

Navy personnel remove debris washed ashore from the Singapore-registered container ship X-Press Pearl. (Photo: AFP/Ishara S. KODIKARA)

Based on an update from the ship operator on Wednesday, while the fire on board has been put out, the ship's condition has deteriorated, said MPA.

"MPA understands that the ship’s stern is now submerged, and the ship may be at risk of sinking," it said.

MPA also stated that its records indicate the X-Press Pearl, registered as a Singapore flag in February, had been delivered from the shipyard in the same month with the full set of applicable class and statutory certificates.

READ: Plastics from burning ship cover Sri Lanka beach

READ: Sri Lanka questions crew of burning cargo ship crew after marine disaster

The incident is Sri Lanka's worst marine ecological disaster, with huge volumes of microplastic granules from the X-Press Pearl's containers having already inundated beaches, forcing a fishing ban and a major clean-up involving thousands of troops.

Authorities now fear an even greater disaster should the ship's 297 tonnes of heavy fuel oil and 51 tonnes of marine fuel oil leak into the Indian Ocean.

Officials believe the blaze destroyed most of the 1,486 containers on board.

Eighty-one containers were carrying chemicals, including 25 tonnes of nitric acid which had been leaking since May 11, nine days before the fire broke out.

The 25-strong crew was evacuated last week. One was admitted to hospital with minor injuries.

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2021-06-02 14:29:41Z
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