In remote Pacific islands, businesses look local to survive COVID
3 years, 1 month ago

In remote Pacific islands, businesses look local to survive COVID

Al Jazeera  

Pacific island nations saw their economies shrink an estimated 5.8 percent in 2020 amid a collapse in tourism. “All the business come back when the borders are open.” Businesses in Vanuatu, like those in other remote Pacific island nations that heavily rely on visitors, will be dealing with adversity for some time yet. Vanuatu and fellow Pacific Island nations Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands are lagging in the race to vaccinate. In December 2020, the Lowy Institute predicted that unless Pacific island countries received a $3.5bn surge in development assistance over the next few years, the region would face a “lost decade”.

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History of this topic

Pacific Island nations hope to lure China's tourists with a promise of 'purity' as travellers return to the skies
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Pacific Island nations hope to lure China's tourists with a promise of 'purity' as travellers return to the skies

ABC  

At his hotel in Palau, Pai Lee has long hosted tourists on their way to the country's jellyfish lake and white sand beaches. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs website warns citizens of an increased number of security incidents in Palau, saying "cases involving the personal safety of Chinese tourists and tourism disputes have occurred from time to time". "Misrepresenting China's …

COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to fall globally, WHO reports
2 years, 9 months ago

COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to fall globally, WHO reports

LA Times  

The number of new coronavirus cases reported globally dropped by 16% last week, marking a monthlong decline in infections, according to figures from the World Health Organization. In its weekly report on the pandemic, issued late Tuesday, the United Nations health agency also said that COVID-19 deaths fell by 10%, continuing a drop in fatalities first seen last week. The …

COVID endangers fragile health systems in Pacific nations: Report
2 years, 10 months ago

COVID endangers fragile health systems in Pacific nations: Report

Al Jazeera  

Palau and Fiji have reported high vaccination rates allowing it to contain the virus but countries like the Solomon Islands are seeing a surge in cases. A record surge in COVID-19 cases is threatening to overwhelm hospitals and fragile health systems in the Pacific, from the Solomon Islands to Palau, according to the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent …

Pacific nations face tough road ahead with COVID-19 vaccinations, Lowy Institute finds
3 years, 1 month ago

Pacific nations face tough road ahead with COVID-19 vaccinations, Lowy Institute finds

ABC  

New research suggests that some Melanesian nations may take years to achieve even basic COVID-19 vaccination coverage, hampering their economic recovery and raising the risk of new variants emerging close to Australia's shores. Key points: The Lowy Institute predicts only a third of Papua New Guinea's adult population will be fully vaccinated by April 2026 Social media has driven vaccine …

French Polynesia hit hard by COVID, straining ties with Paris
3 years, 3 months ago

French Polynesia hit hard by COVID, straining ties with Paris

ABC  

France's worst coronavirus outbreak is unfolding 12 time zones away from Paris, devastating Tahiti and other idyllic islands of French Polynesia. Key points: French Polynesia relies upon the central government for healthcare The French government promised this week to send 100 more healthcare workers to help after weeks of pleading by Polynesian officials Of the 463 virus-related deaths reported there …

Virus pummels French Polynesia, straining ties with Paris
3 years, 3 months ago

Virus pummels French Polynesia, straining ties with Paris

Associated Press  

PAPEETE, Tahiti — France’s worst coronavirus outbreak is unfolding 12 time zones away from Paris, devastating Tahiti and other idyllic islands of French Polynesia. French Polynesia, whose 118 islands stretch across an area as large as Europe, has broad autonomy from Paris but relies on the central government for health care. We have said it before: we cannot get by …

Virus outbreak in Fiji batters economy, tests health system
3 years, 5 months ago

Virus outbreak in Fiji batters economy, tests health system

Associated Press  

SUVA, Fiji — A growing coronavirus outbreak in Fiji is stretching the health system and devastating the economy. Fiji’s government has delivered nearly 40,000 packages of food rations to people who have been isolating at home or are in targeted lockdown areas. Australia and New Zealand have sent vaccines, money and medical teams to help Fiji’s overburdened health system. James …

Cases linked to Delta strain explode in Fiji, as government struggles to control outbreak
3 years, 6 months ago

Cases linked to Delta strain explode in Fiji, as government struggles to control outbreak

ABC  

Young mother Vaseva Radinivanuakula was shocked when her entire village in Fiji was put under lockdown. Key points: Fiji recorded a daily record of 83 cases on Sunday The outbreak is linked to the highly infectious Delta strain The government is being urged to introduce a lockdown on businesses Authorities said that a funeral held last Thursday in her tiny …

Pacific Islands may not finish rolling out COVID vaccines until 2025
3 years, 11 months ago

Pacific Islands may not finish rolling out COVID vaccines until 2025

ABC  

Solomon Islands has avoided the worst of the COVID-19 crisis, but new research shows it could take it and other Pacific countries years to vaccinate the majority of their populations. Key points: A delay in a mass rollout will likely also delay the reopening of international borders, experts say That could have economic consequences, especially for tourism dependent countries like …

As more Pacific countries record COVID-19 cases, some governments are rethinking their coronavirus strategy
4 years, 1 month ago

As more Pacific countries record COVID-19 cases, some governments are rethinking their coronavirus strategy

ABC  

Vanuatu has joined just a handful of Pacific countries with active COVID-19 cases. Key points: Vanuatu doesn't have enough test kits and is prioritising people from medium- and high-risk areas Vanuatu doesn't have enough test kits and is prioritising people from medium- and high-risk areas Cases in Tahiti surged a month after it opened its borders to international tourists in …

Pacific isles, secretive states among last virus-free places
4 years, 1 month ago

Pacific isles, secretive states among last virus-free places

Associated Press  

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — From Argentina to Zimbabwe, from the Vatican to the White House, the coronavirus has spread relentlessly. “None of the businesses have escaped.” Indeed, many of the South Pacific islands rely on tourism as a major source of revenue and have seen unemployment spike and their economies struggle since the pandemic began. Michelle Rogan-Finnemore, the executive secretary …

Papua New Guinea orders lockdown after first virus death
4 years, 4 months ago

Papua New Guinea orders lockdown after first virus death

Deccan Chronicle  

Port Moresby: Papua New Guinea's prime minister on Monday ordered a swift lockdown of the capital and warned the number of coronavirus cases will likely explode in coming days, as the country recorded its first confirmed COVID-19 death. "The reality is, that based on reputable modelling, the number of cases in Papua New Guinea is much higher than that which …

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