COVID-19 Business update is a daily update from Ghana

17 April 2020; COVID-19 Business Updates, 19th day of partial lockdown, Ghana’s Coronavirus cases at 641…

Ghana’s coronavirus cases are 641, 83 recovered, 8 deaths, 71% no travel history, 29% with travel history (Ghana Health Service)
Global cases reach 2.2 million, 148,000 deaths and 558,000 recoveries (worldometers.info/coronavirus)
US cases reach 680,000, 34,600 deaths and 57,800 recovered. This is the highest word data, followed by Italy; 169,000 cases and 22,000 deaths and Spain 185,000 cases and 19,000 deaths respectively
The government of Ghana’s fiscal deficit is projected to reach 9.5% of GDP by the end of this year. That is according to a revised forecast by the International Monetary Fund.Director-General of the Ghana Standard Authority, Professor Alex Dodoo, says eight candidate vaccines for treating COVID-19 are being evaluated for its safety and will be ready before the end of 2020. According to him, two out of the eight vaccines have already begun human trails in different laboratories around the world.
The Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA) has called on the government to appeal to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) and shipping lines to give unconditional waivers on demurrage and rent charges during the lockdown period.(CLICK ON STORY TO READ MORE)
The NBSSI has commenced modalities for the disbursement of GHS600 million soft-loan scheme provided by the government to cushion small scale businesses against the impact of COVID-19 outbreak
A pastor and two church workers have been sent to the Ho Central Prison to serve a four-year jail term each for flouting the ban on social gathering. The pastor was said to have held church service at Tongor-Abui in the South Dayi district last Sunday for more than 50 people in clear breach of the ban on religious gathering contrary to Regulation 1 sub-section 1 of EI 65 and section 6 of Act 1012.
China revises their death toll by 50%. An extra 1,290 has been added to it but China denies a cover up.
Senegal, an important air hub in West Africa, has extended a suspension on all flights to and from its soil until May 31 as part of measures to contain coronavirus, Their cases currently stand as 300
Tanzania has reported four new cases of Covid-19, raising the national tally to 53. Three Covid-19 patients have died, while eleven others have recovered, according to the health ministry. The Prime Minister Mr Majaliwa added that President John Magufuli had also directed that some Tsh500 million ($215,367), that was supposed to be used for the 56th Union Day celebrations, be diverted to the fight against coronavirus.
Africa could become the next epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.
The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres told a virtual conference on Africa hosted by the World Bank and IMFthat the continent needed more than $200 billion to respond to the pandemic and mitigate its economic impact. He has suggested that the IMF should allocate new Special Drawing Rights (SDRs). An SDR allocation is akin to a central bank “printing” new money, a strategy the US opposes.
A 99-year old WWII veteran, Captain Tom Moore has raised GB£17 million (UD$21.2 million) for NHS charity in the UK, by completing 100 laps on his compound. He decided to raise GB£1,000 by doing 100 lapses before his 100^th birthday which falls at the end of April. To his amazement donations hit over GB£15,000 when he completed the walk. He is still walking as long as donations keep coming.
Pakistan has defied a lockdown order to congregate for Friday prayers at some mosques. Pakistan has seen at least 7,008 coronavirus cases so far, with at least 134 deaths, according to the government’s data. At least 1,757 patients have recovered.
Iran’s government has hinted that businesses in Iran’s capital will begin reopening on Saturday. This is in spite of a warning for a 2^nd wave of attacks of the COVID-19 virus.
As restaurants shut down and lay off staff, Ghost restaurants are hiring. According to CNBC, a ghost restaurant C3 is set to hire 1000 employees in April. Ghost kitchens allow restaurants to prepare food solely for delivery.
European stocks traded higher on Friday after a report that a drug developed by Gilead Sciences was showing effectiveness in treating the coronavirus.
COVID-19 BUSINESS UPDATES

15 April 2020; COVID-19 Business Updates, 17th day of partial lockdown, Ghana’s Coronavirus cases at 636…

17^thday of partial lockdown in Ghana, Ghana’s cases 636, 17 recovered, 8 deaths (Ghana Health Service)
Global cases now 2 million, 127,500 deaths, 492,000 recovered (https://www.worldometers.info/). This translates to world death rate of 6.4 percent and reducing while recovery rate is 24.6 percent. USA tops list with 615,000 COVID-19 cases, 26,000 deaths, 38,800 recoveries
The Government of Ghana has provided extra spectrum to two of the telecommunication giants in the country, Vodafone and MTN Ghana to enable them to meet the data needs of the internet users in the country.
The Government of Ghana spends GHS2 million (US$350,000) daily on feeding the vulnerable
Per President Akuffo Addo’s announcement of absorbing 50% of 3-month water bills of Ghanaians, the government is expected to cough up GHS300 million. The period in question is April, May and June.
Nigeria has recorded its biggest one-day rise in Coronavirus cases after confirming 30 new cases on Tuesday. The country has so far confirmed a total of 373 cases including 11 deaths.
Following the chaos associated with the sharing of food to the vulnerable, the Information Minister has advised that the local government and Gender Ministries have come out with a guideline to guide the distribution of the food. It is expected that the vulnerable abide by the guidelines to avoid the spread of the virus; adding, if that is not done, government can decide to stop distributing the food.
The Ghana Mission to the United Nations and Consulate-General of Ghana in New York have indicated that “a number of Ghanaians” have passed away from the novel Coronavirus in the states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised Ghana’s economic growth rate for this year from 7.5% of Gross Domestic Product to 1.5%.
Five persons could face jail after they were arrested by the police for flouting the COVID-19 lockdown directive. The 5 suspects arrested were playing draught in a popular neighborhood at Krofrom in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital.
In the US, for example, twice as many men have been dying from the virus as women. Similarly, 69% of all coronavirus deaths across Western Europe have been male. Similar patterns have been seen in China and elsewhere. (full article: https://www.bbc.com)
‘Disinfodermic’ putting lives at risk: According to WHO, unreliable and false information is spreading around the world to such an extent, that some commentators are now referring to the new avalanche of misinformation that’s accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic as a ‘disinfodemic’. (FULL ARTICLE: READ HOW THIS IS PUTTING LIVES AT RISK)
US President Donald Trump has accused WHO for failing in its basic duty in its response to the COVID-19 outbreak. As a result he is going to halt funding to the World Health Organization (WHO). He accused WHO of mismanaging and covering up the spread of the virus after it broke out in China, and said it must be held accountable.
Children up to the age of 11 are returning to nurseries and schools across Denmark, as the government becomes the first in Europe to relax coronavirus restrictions on education.
France expects the G-20 to give African Nations a moratorium on debts due to the COVID-19. However, pro-African voices have called for total cancellation.
IMF to provide US$11 billion to 32 African states in the fight for COVID-19
The International Energy Agency (IEA) said Wednesday that it expects the coronavirus crisis to erase almost a decade of oil demand growth in 2020
China is trying to exploit the global crisis triggered by the novel coronavirus outbreak by wresting control of companies such as Imagination Technologies and changing the way the internet works, a senior British lawmaker said on Wednesday.
US airlines to get billions in aid, It will help in the over US$300 billion estimated losses for the airline industry
COVID-19 BUSINESS UPDATES

14 April 2020; COVID-19 Business Updates, Ghana’s cases at 566, 58 staff at Begoro Government Hospital quarantined, China records new Coronavirus cases

Ghana’s cases 566, 4 recovered, 8 deaths. Global cases 1.9 million, 120,875 deaths, 459,147 recoveries
The highest age bracket infections are the 35-44. Males have often been more affected than females except the under 15 and over 60
Fifty–eight (58) staff of the Begoro Government Hospital in the Eastern Region have been quarantined for having contact with a patient who tested positive for Coronavirus.
The Executive Board of the IMF has approved Ghana’s US$1 billion credit facility under the Rapid Credit Facility (RCF) to help augment fiscal and balance of payment needs created by the Coronavirus pandemic (READ MORE)
Government has directed Cabinet to commence work on coming out with a broader and more comprehensive stimulus package to invigorate economy negatively impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.
In respect of the ongoing xenophobic developments against Africans in China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has urged all Ghanaian nationals living in China, especially Guangdong Province to remain calm and stay in touch with Ghana’s Mission in Beijing and the Consulate – General in Guangzhou.
The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has announced its collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in rolling out a Business Tracker, which is an online survey targeting businesses with the aim of assessing the socio-economic impact of Coronavirus in Ghana.
The police and military were giving no chance for stray or stubborn revellers who may want to defy the presidential lockdown and social distancing orders to have fun at some beaches in Accra.
As fears of a global recession and shortage of food and other essential goods grow, the Ghana Maritime Authority says there is no noticeable reduction in cargo vessel traffic to the country yet.
China has reported the highest number of new coronavirus cases (108) in nearly six weeks.
The death rate in Italy, Spain and France – three of the countries worst-affected by the coronavirus – appears to be slowing.
New York state’s death toll tops 10,000, total deaths in US topping the world at just above 25,000
Russia records its highest daily jump in coronavirus cases with 2,558 new infections.
Globally, more than 118,000 people have died while more than 446,000 have recovered, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
Turkey to free thousands of prisoners due to coronavirus pandemic. Some 45,000 to be freed until end of May, but politicians, journalists, critics jailed after 2016 coup not included.
Some 1.92 million people around the world have now been confirmed to have the new coronavirus, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. More than 119,500 have died, while nearly 450,000 have recovered.
Taiwan reported no new cases of the coronavirus for the first time in more than a month, in the latest sign that the island’s early and effective prevention methods have paid off.
Heathrow Airport, traditionally the busiest in Europe, forecast that passenger demand would plunge by over 90 percent in April. March saw 52 percent plunge as the coronavirus stops people from travelling
World Health Organization officials said not all people who recover from the coronavirus have the antibodies to fight a second infection. This raises concerns that patients don’t develop immunity after surviving COVID-19.
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13 April 2020: COVID-19 BUSINESS UPDATES: Ghana’s detected Coronavirus cases at 566, Day 15 of partial lockdown, Lockdowns extended

13 April 2020: COVID-19 BUSINESS UPDATES: Ghana’s detected Coronavirus cases now at 566, Day 15 of partial lockdown, Lockdown extended
Ghana’s cases now at 566 (Ghana Health Service)
Public gatherings extended further for two weeks, partial lockdown extended for one more week
Following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus and a rising number of cases in Ghana, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has revealed that 66.6 percent of confirmed COVID-19 cases between March and April have had no history of travel while 33.4 percent, have had some travel history.
The Accra Regional Police Command yesterday arrested 29 persons in a mosque at Nyamekye Darkuman in Accra for breaching the social distancing protocol. According to the Command’s spokeswoman, Efia Tenge, the suspects said they had assembled for an Islamic marriage activity but were overwhelmed by the number of persons who turned up.
African Development Bank throws a challenge for ideas to fight COVID-19
With over half a thousand recorded cases, Ghana tops the list of West African countries with the highest COVID-19 status. The country’s health service on Sunday confirmed 158 new cases that were detected over the weekend. The country has so far recorded eight deaths from the 566 cases with only four recoveries, according to officials.
China has begun battling a resurgence of the coronavirus. China’s northeastern border with Russia has become a frontline in the fight against a resurgence of the coronavirus epidemic as new daily cases rose to the highest in nearly six weeks – with more than 90% involving people coming from abroad.
Spain has started to ease tough coronavirus lockdown restrictions that have kept people confined to their homes for more than a month and put a brake on economic activity.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will follow medical advice on when he should return to work, his spokesman said on Monday, declining to speculate on how long his full recovery from the coronavirus might take.
Seventy medical practitioners and supporting staff have been trained in risk communication and public health education on COVID-19. It was organised by Vodafone Ghana Foundation in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service (GHS).
The justice minister of Somalia’s autonomous Hirshabelle state, Khalif Mumin Tohow, has died after contracting the Novel Coronavirus, the second recorded death in the country.
Sources have told DGN Online that some 15 Indians have contracted coronavirus in the Eastern Region. According to our sources, the Indians are being kept at a camp in the region.
These countries that have not yet reported any case of coronavirus; Comoros, Kiribati, Lesotho, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, North Korea, Palau, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Tajikistan, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
COVID-19 BUSINESS UPDATES