Major International companies halt operations, trade affected
Coronavirus that has been causing loss of life every day in China has now nearly 6000 confirmed cases. The rise in spread of the infection and the death toll that stands to 132, demands the question ‘whether they have found any vaccines?’
Earlier today (29.1.2020), reports surfaced on the web that researchers based in Hong Kong have developed a vaccine. A professor from Hong Kong University Yuen Kwok Yung, who is reported as an expert on infectious diseases said to South China Morning Post that his team was working on a vaccine to stop coronavirus however the time in which it will be ready for human use has not been mentioned by him.
The vaccine has not touched clinical trials stage and it would take months to test it on animals, and a year minimum to conduct trials on humans. US based coffee company Starbucks closed more than 2000 outlets that are in China to protect its people from getting affected, and also to help the govt to control the spreading.
Facebook has asked its employees to avoid unessential travel to China and work from home. The same has been said by Chinese Tech Giants Alibaba and Tencent to their employees, advising them to carry work from home for a week after Feb 2.International home appliances and technology giant LG has restricted their employees to travel to China. TikTok’s parent company Bytedance has informed employees who left China to celebrate the holidays with families to remain there for the next 14 days. Volkswagen has asked employees to work from home between Feb 3 and Feb 17. Walt Disney has closed its theme parks, McDonald’s has closed it shops in 5 cities that includes Wuhan. Some of the KFC and Pizza Hut shops in Wuhan have been closed.International Airlines Qantas Airways, Air Seoul, Air Asia, Air France have suspended flights to China and are offering free refunds.
The Economic Times reported that 8 people who arrived in Coimbatore from China have shown zero symptoms of Coronavirus however they have been advised against mingling with public for the next 28 days.The ET also reported that a woman and her son who returned from Wuhan, China were admitted for possible exposure to Coronavirus. The people returning from China to Indian Cities (Delhi, Goa, Punjab, Rajasthan) are being observed and kept under medical care.