US airline to fire 593 employees who refuse to get vaccinated; Laos sets up new field hospital

Covid-19 vaccination at a market in India. Photo: Reuters

To adapt to the new situation, many countries have affirmed that through vaccination, they aim to restore a new normal state in economic and social life.

In Canada, Ontario is developing a plan to vaccinate children aged 5-11 against Covid-19 as soon as vaccination for children is approved. Toronto Mayor John Tory said the vaccination will help keep children safe. Meanwhile, Ottawa's public health agency is promoting vaccination for 77,000 children aged 5-11.

The Japanese government decided to completely lift the state of emergency and key epidemic prevention measures on September 30. This is the first time since April 4 that all 47 localities in Japan have no longer maintained strict anti-Covid-19 measures and are gradually moving to a new normal. Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide said that the fight against Covid-19 in Japan has entered a new phase of safely adapting to the epidemic while proactively preparing to respond to the next wave of infections. However, he advised people to continue to raise their vigilance and thoroughly implement basic epidemic prevention measures such as hand washing, wearing masks, and not gathering in large groups even when the state of emergency is lifted. Japan also continues to accelerate the vaccination rate, with the goal of completing the second injection for all registered people by the end of October.

Laos has set up a field hospital in the capital Vientiane to deal with more complicated infections, and purchased 50 more ambulances to distribute to 11 provinces to improve the transport of Covid-19 patients. Vientiane authorities have announced additional subjects allowed to enter and exit the city during the lockdown period, including vehicles transporting patients and vehicles transporting essential goods.

Nearly two-thirds of US business leaders support the Biden administration's Covid-19 vaccination mandate for private companies, according to a survey by the Conference Board's Committee for Economic Development (CED). The US government previously announced it would require businesses with more than 100 employees to vaccinate or test employees regularly. Meanwhile, US airline United Airlines said it would fire 593 employees who refused to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged the World Trade Organization (WTO) to suspend intellectual property rights for Covid-19 vaccines to help close the huge inequality and vaccination gap around the world. Less than 3% of adults are fully vaccinated in most low-income countries, compared to nearly 60% in high-income countries, the South African president said.