After increasing pressure on retailers facing staff shortages and shelf vacancies, it was announced on Thursday night that it outlined a plan to conduct daily COVID-19 tests for workers in key food industries, which would effectively allow those who test negative Of people continue to work, even if they have been notified that they have used their mobile phones to self-quarantine due to contact with someone infected with the virus

This move and the limited relaxation of self-isolation rules in other key sectors and important public services (including basic transportation, emergency services, and the energy industry) have brought growing concerns within the government about the impact of the so-called “plague.” In many key sectors of the British economy.

Hundreds of thousands, including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, had to self-isolate for 10 days after being informed by the National Health Service’s testing and tracking app that they had close contact with people who tested positive for the virus.

Extended test

As more and more workers, including important delivery drivers, have to self-isolate, resulting in empty supermarket shelves and panic buying by anxious consumers, concerns about food supply have prompted the government to change its practices.

The government said it has identified priority locations, including the largest supermarket distribution center, and will start testing this week. The plan will be expanded to as many as 500 sites next week.

“While we manage this virus and make every effort to break the chain of transmission, routine contact testing of workers in this important sector will help minimize the interference caused by the increase in cases in the coming weeks, while ensuring that workers Not in danger,” said Health Minister Sajid Javid (Sajid Javid), who also self-isolated after testing positive for the virus last weekend.

The government’s new policy has been welcomed by retailers, but many people said that the government must be prepared to take further action if necessary, and may announce in advance its plan to change the self-isolation rules on August 16.

On that day, the government stated that it would exempt individuals who have been fully vaccinated from self-isolation requirements. This change occurred nearly a month after England cancelled most of the new crown virus laws and regulations. Other countries in the UK—Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland—are more cautious in lifting restrictions.

In addition to measures to protect the food supply, the government also issued guidelines on Thursday night, stipulating limited exemptions for 16 other key workers, who would have a “significant adverse effect” or endanger national security if they were unable to work. However, the guide has proved difficult to understand.

According to the new guidelines, employees who provide fully vaccinated services deemed to be critical services will be able to continue working and avoid self-isolation if they are included in the official updated list.

-From the Associated Press, last updated at 7 am EST

What happened in tokyo

Tokyo reported 1,359 cases of COVID-19 on Friday as part of a wave of infections in the capital at the opening of the Olympics. Tokyo reported 1,979 cases on Thursday, the highest level since January.

Update ahead of schedule The opening ceremony of the Games. In order to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection, most of the ceremony was held without spectators, but some officials, guests and the media will attend.

-From Reuters, Associated Press and CBC News, last updated at 7:05 AM EST

What is happening around the world

According to Johns Hopkins University’s case tracking tool, as of early Friday morning, more than 192.5 million COVID-19 cases have been reported worldwide. The reported global death toll exceeds 4.1 million.

inside America, Pfizer and German partner BioNTech said on Friday that the U.S. government has purchased 200 million additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine and can choose to purchase an updated version of the vaccine against new variants of the virus. The announcement brings the total dose supplied to the United States to 500 million doses. According to government data on Thursday, approximately 208 million doses have been delivered.

Pfizer signed an agreement with the US government last year to purchase 100 million doses of vaccine at a price of nearly 2 billion U.S. dollars, with the option to purchase another 500 million doses. The two companies said that most of the new doses will be available before the end of the year, and the remaining 90 million doses will be delivered before April 30 next year.

The director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday that the average number of new cases in the United States over seven days has increased by 53% from the previous week. The delta variants originally found in India accounted for more than 80% of new cases nationwide.

Pfizer said earlier this month that the two companies plan to seek authorization from U.S. and European regulatory agencies to increase the dose of their COVID-19 vaccine.

The World Health Organization said on Thursday that the new COVID-19 cases are in Africa“Propelled by the sharp decline in South Africa, South Africa accounts for most of the reported cases on the African continent.”

However, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, warned that more needs to be done-and as soon as possible.

“Don’t have illusions, the third wave of Africa is definitely not over,” Morty said in a statement. “Many countries are still at the highest risk, and the third wave in Africa is faster and higher than ever before.”

inside Asia Pacific Since the start of the pandemic last year, Pakistan has passed the grim milestone of 1 million COVID-19 cases. Pakistan reported another 11 deaths and 1,425 new infections on Friday, bringing the number of infections in the country to 1,000,034. The country has confirmed 22,939 deaths.

At the same time, the Taiwanese government said on Friday that Taiwan will relax restrictions on COVID-19 next week because the rapid decline in the number of cases has given the authorities confidence to further reduce the coronavirus alert level.

exist EuropeThis week, Professor Jean-Francois Delfraissy stated that the fourth wave of infections should hit French hospitals in the second half of August. Delfraissy is the head of the scientific committee and is responsible for advising the government on COVID-19 response measures.

inside middle East, Israel announced this week that it plans to only allow people deemed immune to COVID-19 or who have recently tested negative to enter some public places, such as restaurants, gyms, and synagogues.

-From the Associated Press, CBC News and Reuters, the last update time is 8:15 am EST