COVID Update: Latest COVID news from our key markets

COVID-19 UPDATE

19th August 2020

You are receiving the COVID-19 Recovery Update as you have subscribed to the STAG mailing list. This update is produced for Australian seafood exporters, containing important updates and informal translations of news from Asian and foreign media. Any information provided as part of this service is general in nature. Before acting on any information provided, you should consider its appropriateness to your circumstances and business objectives.

COVID updates from key markets

Below are a series of media articles on the latest COVID-19 situations in our key markets as reported to the STAG.

Note: If foreign articles are opened in Chrome, they can be automatically translated

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COVID is not spread from packaging says NZ

1. New Zealand authorities have ruled out a link between Auckland's growing coronavirus cluster and a Melbourne cold storage facility, as the country's infections rose by 13 more community cases on Tuesday.

https://www.smh.com.au/world/oceania/patently-wrong-ardern-fires-back-at-trump-as-mystery-auckland-case-found-among-new-infections-20200818-p55mrf.html

China

1. Shenzhen carries out large-scale disinfection on imported frozen foods as COVID-19 concerns grow.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1198046.shtml

2. Macau will keep monitoring Guangzhou’s movements and will ensure no local cases (141 days to date with no local cases)

http://www.chinanews.com/ga/2020/08-17/9267483.shtml

3. Zhuhai-Macao joint guarantees the smooth opening of the new passenger inspection area at Hengqin Port.

http://www.chinanews.com/sh/shipin/cns/2020/08-17/news865585.shtml

4. China's Ministry of Commerce has launched an anti-dumping investigation into Australian wine in the latest trade strike by Beijing against a lucrative export industry amid a deteriorating relationship.

https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/world/china-targets-australian-wine-in-escalation-of-trade-dispute/ar-BB184O3C?ocid=msedgdhp

Hong Kong

1. The restriction of dine-in services has been extended until the 25th of August with only two people per table and social distancing. Delivery still remains open for dinner hours.

http://www.chinanews.com/ga/2020/08-17/9267397.shtml

2. Hong Kong medical experts say that the extension of restrictions on gatherings will help control community transmission as it is working to prevent community spread.

http://www.chinanews.com/ga/2020/08-17/9267395.shtml

3. Hong Kong government offers free COVID tests for all citizens.

https://m.weibo.cn/detail/4538936846189378

Korea

1. Seoul and its surrounding regions are under a second COVID outbreak wave, which is proving to be more serious than the outbreak reported in February. Confirmed cases are increasing by 100 per day as a result of community spread. The impacted area represents about half the population of Korea.

http://www.chinanews.com/gj/2020/08-17/9266995.shtml

2. The Korean Public Health Department has released that Stage 3 lockdown may come into place if the current outbreak cannot be controlled in the next two weeks. This would mean no gatherings of over 10 people, places deemed to be "high and medium" risk would be closed and schools would switch back to online learning. Currently, Seoul is in Stage 2 lockdown.

http://www.chinanews.com/gj/2020/08-17/9267102.shtml

3. The US military in South Korea raises the level of epidemic prevention response in Seoul.

http://www.chinanews.com/gj/2020/08-17/9266904.shtml

Japan

1. Japan’s cases keep increasing, especially in Tokyo.

http://www.chinanews.com/gj/2020/08-17/9267355.shtml

2. Japan is still in recession. The Q2 GDP has decreased 7.8% which is the lowest experienced since after WW2. Individual consumption of goods has decreased by 8.2% and exports are seriously impacted.

http://www.chinanews.com/cj/2020/08-17/9267054.shtml

3. To assist with economic recovery, the Japanese government has released a travel allowance to support the tourism industry.

http://www.chinanews.com/gn/2020/08-14/9264718.shtml

4. Japan lawmakers seek extra parliamentary session after GDP collapse

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/08/17/business/lawmakers-parliamentary-session-gdp/?utm_source=piano&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=72&pnespid=Y8w2g1_lf2cAALAixfsN3dtRbE1Qrw1E72Lg

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STAG COVID-19 UPDATES are a resource for Australian seafood exporters.The Seafood Trade Advisory Group receives funds from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation. The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation plans, invests in and manages fisheries research and development throughout Australia. It is a statutory authority within the portfolio of the federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, jointly funded by the Australian Government and the fishing industry.