Violence and atrocities : vaccine

Monday, October 17, 2022

Taiwan opens its doors to tourists after easing COVID-19 border curbs

Businesses related to tourism in Taiwan, are happy. The country has eased some of the world’s most stringent COVID-19 border curbs. As a result, there is a boost in sales. Travelers are trickling into Taoyuan International Airport soon after Taiwan scrapped its quarantine and isolation rules. However, visitors have to wear their masks. They must also provide proof of vaccination, take rapid COVID-19 tests and monitor their health for seven days. There were travelers at the airport for the first time in more than two years. The reopening announcement came two weeks ago. Since then, the travel scenario saw a rise in bookings and airlines added flights to accommodate the increase in demand. An official of a travel agency said tour bookings have increased by 20 percent. Many of the agencies had to rough it out over the past two years with sharp drops in revenue. They had to reduce on staff members. Tourism, businesses cheer as Taiwan reopens borders for international travel. Packages to popular destinations like Japan and South Korea are selling out fast. This is in spite of rising prices due to increased airfares and costs.

Incidentally, in 2019, about 17 million Taiwanese travelled overseas but the number dropped by 98 percent last year. The tourism industry accounts for about 4 to 5 percent of the island’s gross domestic product (GDP) before the pandemic. Apart from tourism, other businesses like hotels and restaurants are eager to see the return of tourists. Some of the retailers were working extra hours to stock up on products ahead of the reopening to meet an expected increase in demand. According to health authorities, the decision to reopen the borders came only after Taiwan confirmed that more than 70 percent of its population have taken their booster shots. They also have an adequate supply of vaccines, rapid test kits and medication for patients.

Monday, September 26, 2022

Freight train services resume between North Korea and China after a brief suspension due to pandemic

An outbreak of COVID-19 in the Chinese city of Dandong led to suspension of freight train services between China and North Korea. The services have resumed after a lapse of five months. A news agency of South Korea revealed this. The new agency says the frequency of these trains would be once or twice every day. Incidentally, China is the main economic lifeline of the North and accounts for a major share of its trade. However, cross-border commerce suffered due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. It seems according to Chinese customs data, trade between the two countries dropped nearly 90 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels. Aid workers and analysts cautioned that the isolation of North Korea has affected its already fragile economy leading to shortage of food and corresponding malnutrition. North Korea, China resume freight train services: reports. Alastair Morgan was the ambassador of the United Kingdom ambassador to North Korea between 2005 and 2008. He says the significance of resumption of freight train service would depend on whether this service indicated a fresh start of regular operations. He told a section of the media that this could be a one-off shipment of essential medical supplies or food.

Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, had declared victory over coronavirus. That was after the authorities had reported about 4.8 million “fever cases.” This was consequent to an extensive outbreak in May. Kim had acknowledged that North Koreans were facing hardships because of the pandemic. He even likened it to the 1950-1953 Korean War. Incidentally, the hermit kingdom has reported just 74 COVID-19 deaths overall. Experts doubt the figures in view of the lack of vaccine coverage and its dilapidated healthcare system.