Can international tourism ever recover? July 8, 2020 | City Talk We look at what might reignite demand for overseas travel and whether the downturn could profoundly change some countries’ economies. Travel restrictions are slowly being lifted, but most people are more likely to be jumping into their cars to go on holiday than onto an aircraft. So, can international tourism ever recover? And might the [...]
Asian stocks falter as coronavirus cases surge July 8, 2020 Asian stocks dithered on Wednesday as an increase in new coronavirus cases in some parts of the world cast doubts over the economic recovery while oil prices eased on oversupply fears. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan were a tad lower after hitting a 4-1/2 month high just on Tuesday. Chinese shares flickered [...]
Majority of people testing positive for coronavirus reported no symptoms July 7, 2020 The majority of people testing positive for coronavirus did not report having symptoms at the time of their test, according to new data. It suggests a potentially large number of asymptomatic cases, where people spread Covid-19 without realising they are carrying it. Only a third of individuals testing positive reported evidence of coronavirus symptoms at [...]
UK coronavirus death toll passes 55,000, tally of official data shows July 7, 2020 The UK’s coronavirus death toll has hit 55,398, according to a tally of official data collated by Reuters. The number of deaths is more than 10,000 higher than reported by the government, and comprises fatalities where the virus is mentioned on death certificates and in suspected cases. The UK government’s official death toll is 44,236, [...]
WFH: Is it the death knell for offices? July 7, 2020 | City Talk Some real estate investors believe the successful working from home experiment during this crisis will lead to a long-term decline in demand for offices. We think this is premature. One of the more mundane aspects of the coronavirus has been the sudden evacuation of offices and mass adoption of home working. In the US it [...]
UK banks ‘draw up code of conduct’ for coronavirus business loan defaults July 6, 2020 UK banks are reportedly drawing up a code of conduct for pursuing businesses that default on government-backed coronavirus interruption loans, amid concerns that a high proportion of the loans will never be repaid. Industry body UK Finance and the state-owned British Business Bank (BBB) have begun talks with commercial lenders in the hope of setting [...]
Asian markets jump as Chinese blue chips hit five-year high July 6, 2020 Asian markets climbed to four-month highs on Monday as investors bet on a revival in Chinese activity to sustain global growth, even as coronavirus cases continued to surge in the US. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan climbed 1.5 per cent to its highest since February, while Chinese blue chip stocks surged 4.7 [...]
End of quarantine: Where can you go on holiday this summer? July 3, 2020 The government has revealed the full list of countries holidaymakers from England will be able to travel to without needing to quarantine on return from 10 July. In total, 59 countries are included on the list, along with the 14 British Overseas territories, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. As expected, the [...]
Super Saturday: Pubs to open as London braces for boozing Brits July 3, 2020 Pubs and restaurants up and down the country are preparing to open tomorrow – dubbed Super Saturday – for the first time since lockdown began, as Brits readjust to life under social distancing. Bars and eateries will be allowed to open their doors for the first time using measures such as table service and visitor [...]
Super Saturday: The pubs, bars and restaurants reopening in the City July 3, 2020 It’s been eerily quiet in the City over the past few months, but things are starting to come back to life. Following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement last week that England is set to emerge from its “national hibernation,” some of the City’s pubs, restaurants and bars will open their doors for the first time [...]