Taiwan chip packager King Yuan to halt output after COVID-19 cases at factory - CNA

TAIPEI: Major Taiwanese chip packager King Yuan Electronics said on Friday (Jun 4) it will halt production on the island for two days after several employees contracted COVID-19, the first time the pandemic has hit the global chip hub, as case numbers climb.

The rare uptick in infections in tech heavyweight Taiwan, which has been a model for how to control the pandemic, has triggered worries that a further outbreak could exacerbate a chip supply crunch that has hit global industries from auto to electronics.

Hsinchu-based King Yuan, one of the island's major chip packaging and testing firms, counts global tech giants including Intel and Samsung Electronics among its biggest clients.

READ: Taiwan's COVID-19 vaccine stocks more than doubled by Japan donation

Starting Friday evening, King Yuan will halt production at factories across Taiwan for 48 hours for disinfection, the company said in a stock exchange filing.

King Yuan said it expected the halt to hit 4 per cent to 6 per cent of its output in June and will impact up to 6 per cent of its revenue this month, adding it saw no significant impact to its business this year.

Sixty-seven employees mostly from the Philippines and working at a King Yuan factory in the northern city of Miaoli tested positive, Taiwan's health ministry said, adding it was planning to test more than 7,000 people there.

READ: Taiwan boosts COVID-19 testing for tech industry

To stop outbreaks from spreading into other tech companies, Taiwan's government has set up an emergency response team in Miaoli as well as rapid test stations in the major science park in Hsinchu.

Taiwan reported 472 new domestic COVID-19 cases on Friday, including 133 cases added to the totals for recent days as it continues to readjust its infection numbers following delays in reporting positive tests.

That was down from the 583 domestic infections reported on Thursday.

Taiwan has now reported 10,446 cases since the pandemic began, including 187 deaths.

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2021-06-04 07:52:30Z
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Taiwan's COVID-19 vaccine stocks more than doubled by Japan donation - CNA

TOKYO: Japan delivered to Taiwan 1.24 million doses of AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine on Friday (Jun 4) for free, in a gesture that will more than double the amount of shots the island has received to date.

Taiwan is battling a spike in domestic infections and has vaccinated only about 3 per cent of its population. Japan has agreed to procure more than 300 million doses of coronavirus vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca, more than enough to cover its entire population.

"At the time of the great east Japan earthquake 10 years ago, people in Taiwan sent us a lot of donations promptly. I believe that is etched vividly in the minds of Japanese people," Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said, announcing the vaccine donation.

"Such an important partnership and friendship with Taiwan is reflected in this offer."

The vaccines landed at Taipei's main international airport early afternoon. Taiwan Health Minister Chen Shih-chung said he was "extremely thankful" the shots had arrived at a tense moment in the island's fight against the pandemic, as he reported another 472 new infections.

"I believe it will be very helpful in overall pandemic prevention," he added.

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

The donation is a triumph for Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, who has faced public anger about the slow arrival of vaccines and small protests by the main opposition party, the Kuomintang, outside her offices.

In a live online broadcast from her office, Tsai called on people to understand that it was not only Taiwan facing challenges getting vaccines now, with global supplies tight.

"Taiwan's international situation is very difficult. Even before vaccines are loaded onto the aircraft, there may be variables."

China, which claims the island as its own territory, has offered vaccines, but Taiwan has repeatedly expressed concern about their safety and accused China of trying to block Taiwan's vaccine purchases internationally.

READ: China, Taiwan spar again over COVID-19 vaccines, accuse each other of politicking

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters in Beijing that despite China's goodwill offer of shots, Taiwan had "lied that the mainland obstructed the provision of vaccines" to the island.

"The Taiwan authorities for their own selfish political gains have engaged in political manipulation on vaccine issues," he added.

Though Taiwan's share has not been announced, the island will also get shots under a White House plan for the United States to share 25 million surplus COVID-19 vaccine doses with the world.

Taiwan has received only about 860,000 doses so far, mainly AstraZeneca shots, but also a smaller number from Moderna. It has ordered more than 20 million doses from AstraZeneca and Moderna and is also developing its own vaccines.

READ: Germany says it has been helping on Taiwan's BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine deal

In an emailed statement to Reuters, Johnson & Johnson said that it had been in "confidential discussions" with Taiwan about providing its COVID-19 vaccine to the island since last year, but gave no details.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires a single dose, rather than the two-shot regimen of most other COVID-19 vaccines.

Japan approved AstraZeneca's vaccine last month and has contracted to buy 120 million doses. But there are no immediate plans to use the shots, amid lingering concerns raised internationally over blood clots. 

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

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2021-06-04 06:52:06Z
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Singapore to bar short-term visitors from Guangdong as COVID-19 cases spike in Chinese province - CNA

SINGAPORE: Singapore will tighten border control measures for travellers from Guangdong amid an increase in COVID-19 cases in the Chinese province, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Friday (Jun 4). 

From 11.59pm on Saturday, short-term travellers holding an Air Travel Pass with travel history to Guangdong within the last 21 days will not be allowed to enter Singapore.

Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders who have been in Guangdong will have to take a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test upon arrival at Changi Airport. 

They will also serve a seven-day stay-home notice at their place of residence and take another PCR test before the end of their isolation period. 

All other travellers from China do not have to serve a stay-home notice. They are required to take a PCR test upon arrival, and if the result is negative, they will be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore, said MOH.

READ: Returning Singaporeans, PRs will need to test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours before departure

READ: More than 18,200 people visited Singapore through unilateral border openings; 70% from China

The Air Travel Pass, announced on Aug 21 last year, allows short-term and leisure travellers to enter Singapore without any restriction on their itineraries.

The pass is open to short-term visitors travelling from Australia (excluding Victoria state), Brunei, mainland China (excluding Guangdong) and New Zealand. Applications from Vietnam and Taiwan were suspended after a spike in COVID-19 cases in the two places. 

Guangdong, China's manufacturing and export hub and biggest province by economic output, is the epicentre of the latest COVID-19 outbreak in China, which started in late May. 

The province has reported more than 50 local infections in the latest wave. Neighbourhoods have been locked down and anyone leaving the province has to show a negative virus test taken within the past 72 hours.

"As the global situation evolves, we will continue to adjust our border measures to manage the risk of importation and transmission to the community," said MOH. 

Travellers should check the SafeTravel website for updates to border measures before entering Singapore, the ministry added. 

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

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2021-06-04 05:49:37Z
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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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