Bringing nearly 340 Vietnamese citizens back home from India
On May 19 and 20, 2020, Vietnamese authorities, Vietnamese representative agencies in India and Vietnam Airlines coordinated with Indian authorities to safely bring back nearly 340 Vietnamese citizens. All passengers were quarantined and medically examined according to regulations when the plane landed at Can Tho International Airport.
This morning, May 20, the Ministry of Health announced that no new cases of Covid-19 had been recorded in the past 24 hours. The total number of patients remained at 324, 164 had recovered, and no new cases had been recorded in the community for the past 34 days.
Vietnam tests second batch of Covid-19 vaccine
According to Mr. Do Tuan Dat, Director of Vaccine and Biological Products Company No. 1, Ministry of Health, in a few days the Covid-19 vaccine research team will conduct the second round of experimental injections. In this round, 30 mice will be injected with the aim of finding the most effective vaccine dose.
Previously, on April 26, 50 mice were injected with this vaccine to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of producing immune antibodies. Up to now, the safety has been confirmed, the research team has taken blood samples of injected mice to evaluate the effectiveness of producing antibodies at the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology.
Nearly 5 million Covid-19 infections worldwide
According to data from worldometers.info, as of the morning of May 20, the world recorded a total of 4,986,332 cases of Covid-19 infection, including 324,910 deaths and 1,958,496 recoveries.
The US is still the country with the most infections in the world with more than 1.5 million cases, more than 93,000 deaths and more than 361,000 recoveries.
COVID-19 cases in India surpass 100,000
As of the morning of May 20, India recorded more than 106,000 Covid-19 patients, of which more than 3,300 people have died.
India's caseload has doubled to cross 100,000 in less than two weeks as the country continues to ease restrictions in the fourth phase of its lockdown. Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said India has successfully controlled the peak of Covid-19 by promptly imposing a nationwide lockdown and other public health measures.
Maharashtra continues to be the worst-affected state with more than 35,000 positive cases and 1,249 deaths. The capital Delhi has also recorded more than 10,000 Covid-19 patients.
Jakarta extends social distancing
The government of the capital Jakarta (Indonesia) has decided to extend social distancing measures until June 4 to prevent the Covid-19 epidemic. According to Jakarta Mayor Anies Baswedan, the reason for the decision is because during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, many people leave their homes at sunset and in the evening. He also said that this could be the final stage of social distancing measures if people strictly comply.
The number of Covid-19 deaths in Indonesia is the highest in Southeast Asia
Israel develops disinfectant that disrupts SARS-CoV-2 infection mechanism
Israeli researchers have developed a smart and long-lasting disinfectant against the SARS-CoV-2 virus that can disrupt the infection mechanism of this virus.
Specifically, the research team has developed specific polymer compounds against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, changing the structure, function of the virus as well as the transmission mechanism, then attacking the external structure of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and destroying it.
According to Technion, the new technology offers long-lasting effectiveness, unlike current disinfectants. The cost of producing this new disinfectant is expected to be low because it uses cheap, readily available raw materials.
Number of infections in Egypt continues to increase to a record level
The Egyptian Ministry of Health announced on May 19 that it had detected 720 new cases of coronavirus, marking a record daily increase since the first case was detected in mid-February, bringing the total number of Covid-19 cases in the North African country to 13,484.
On the same day, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly issued a decree requiring Egyptians to wear face masks in public places and government offices from May 30. Those who violate this regulation will be subject to a fine of up to 4,000 Egyptian pounds (about 255 USD).
In addition, Egypt will continue to suspend international flights until further notice.
New York State Capital Reopens
On May 19, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the capital of New York state, Albany, will officially reopen its activities from May 20 after meeting the 7 standards he set.
As of May 20, people in Albany can gather in groups of up to 10 people during holidays, especially Memorial Day in late May.
Governor Cuomo also affirmed that as soon as the US produces a Covid-19 vaccine, all people will be able to use it, and the vaccine is not something only for the rich.
Ecuador closes many embassies
On May 19, the Ecuadorian government announced that it would close a number of embassies and consulates and reduce the number of diplomatic staff in a number of countries, and would eliminate a number of state-owned companies, in the context that the country is falling into a serious economic crisis due to the impact of the pandemic.
Speaking on national television and radio, Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno said he would reduce the number of diplomatic staff, including recalling ambassadors to several countries and international organizations such as Iran, Nicaragua, Malaysia, the Parliament of the Andean Community, as well as closing consulates in the Mexican cities of Tapachula and Valencia, Venezuela. Previously, President Moreno's government also closed diplomatic missions in Algeria, Nigeria, Belarus, Ethiopia and Angola.
Along with that, President Moreno also decided to cut down the state apparatus by eliminating 7 state-owned companies in the fields of railways, telecommunications and postal services.
Ecuador has recorded nearly 34,000 cases of Covid-19, including 2,800 deaths.
France requires citizens returning home to voluntarily quarantine
On May 19, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian announced that French citizens and residents returning to France from outside the European Union (EU) will have to voluntarily quarantine for two weeks.
This regulation will not apply to non-EU nationals as the Union currently remains closed to external borders.
According to Foreign Minister Le Drian, the above regulation takes effect from May 20 and is based on personal responsibility. Those returning to France can choose to self-isolate at home or elsewhere.
He also said that France's main airport, Charles-de-Gaulle, has installed thermal cameras to detect passengers with high body temperatures such as fever, one of the symptoms of Covid-19.
Spain lifts suspension of flights from Italy
On May 19, the Spanish government lifted the suspension, issued two months ago, on flights and sea passenger transport, except cruise ships, from Italy to the country.
However, a 14-day mandatory quarantine decree issued by Madrid last week remains in effect for all foreigners arriving in Spain, including Italian passengers, while Spain continues to ban all cruise ships from docking at its ports.
Germany and V4 countries will soon remove border controls
On May 19, the leaders of Germany and the four Visegrad countries (also known as the V4 Group, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland) agreed to gradually remove border controls as soon as the Covid-19 epidemic situation allows. The statement was made after the end of the online prime ministerial conference on the same day between the V4 Group and Germany.
Speaking to reporters after the conference, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis emphasized that it would be ideal if the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany and Hungary all opened their borders on June 15. According to Mr. Babis, Poland is not ready to open its borders at this time.
On the same day, the foreign ministers of Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Austria held an online conference. Accordingly, Slovakia plans to relax border controls with Austria and the Czech Republic in mid-June, after both neighbors said they are ready to reopen their borders from June 15.
