Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong Before Imposing Lockdown Gave 4 Days Prior Notice
Public health experts say Singapore’s approach in communicating to the public is providing a model for others to reduce panic, rumors, and conspiracy theories.
Stimulus Package By Singapore:
1)The first stimulus package was included in the 2020 state budget in February
It focused on providing short-term support for businesses impacted by the Covid-19 outbreak in addition to targeting technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship as lead areas of growth
2) The second stimulus package was issued on March 26, 2020
The Singaporean government launched its second stimulus package to counter the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic
The budget aims to support local businesses through the deferment of taxes, tax rebates, and loan schemes, as well as supporting low-income workers and self-employed persons through new training programs and cash handouts
3) The third stimulus package issued on April 6, 2020
The third package offers wage subsidies, rebates on foreign worker levies, in addition to increased financial incentives for Singaporeans
Present Scenario of COVID-19 in Singapore
As per reports on 8th May, Singapore consists of 21,707 positive cases with 20 deaths and 1712 have recovered
*Canadian PM Justin Trudeau
Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s daily media briefings on the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic has helped him enjoy a resurgence in popularity
As per Angus Reid Institute, Trudeau’s handling of the Covid-19 crisis lifts his approval to the highest level since 2017
His performance is endorsed by 54% of Canadians, according to the new survey
1) Relief Measures By Canada
Canada's aid for small businesses hit by coronavirus :
The measures include a number of government-backed loan options for small businesses, and a three-month 75% wage subsidy for all qualifying firms, regardless of size, as well as higher credit lines and payment deferrals from lenders
Small businesses are defined as having fewer than 100 employees and account for 97.9% of all Canadian firms
2) Support for workers and businesses through Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan:
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan will provide up to $27 billion in direct support to Canadian workers and businesses
$55 billion to meet the liquidity needs of Canadian businesses and households through tax deferrals to help stabilize the economy
Combined, this $82 billion in support represents more than 3 percent of Canada’s GDP
Present Scenario of Canada:
The total number of novel coronavirus cases in Canada approached 65,000 on Thursday, with more than 170 new deaths
*US President Donald Trump
USA is the most severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic
US President Donald Trump is being widely criticized by the media for his poor decision and miss management of Coronavirus Pandemic
US President Donald Trump downplayed the likely consequences of the coronavirus, presenting it as a minor nuisance and exaggerating the federal government’s response,
Even as Alex Azar, the Secretary of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency and travel restrictions to and from China on January 31
Donald Trump row with China, India, and WHO:
US Prez Donald Trump termed the 'COVID-19' as Chinese Virus as it is originated from China
Many sighted this as a racist remark and Trump was criticized globally
On export of hydroxychloroquine, Donald Trump threatened its own ally India of 'retaliation'
Trump suspended its funding to the World Health Organisation (WHO) over controversy with China on Coronavirus
Coronavirus Relief Package by the USA:
US House approved $500 billion coronavirus bill in the relief package
Trump's $19 billion relief package for farmers:
The aid plan includes $16 billion in direct payments to farmers to boost their incomes, along with $3 billion in government purchases of meat, dairy products and other foods
Present Scenario of USA
Till May 8, USA consisted of 1,29 million Coronavirus Cases with 76,942 death and 217,251 recovered
India's PM Narendra Modi
PM Modi's sudden and total lockdown raised many eyebrows in India
Criticism mounted over the lack of planning ahead of the coronavirus shutdown, which was introduced with less than four hours' notice
PM Modi asked for his country's forgiveness after imposing a sweeping lockdown that he said had hurt millions of poor people
Coronavirus Relief Package by Modi Govt
In April, India released Rs 27,281 crore to beneficiaries in cash and social security transfers in the first 10 days of April to help the poor survive the world’s biggest lockdown against the Covid-19 pandemic
The central government also released cooking gas cylinders and free grains by April 13 announced under the relief package
Rs 1,500 in three equal installments to the Jan Dhan accounts of 20.40 crore women.
Rs 1,000 in two equal installments to 2.8 crore senior citizens, widows and disabled
Cash handouts to farmers under the PM-KISAN scheme were to be front-loaded
About 80 crores poor will get 5 kg wheat or rice and 1 kg of preferred pulses free every month from April to June
Higher MNREGA Wages: Daily wages under the scheme increased to Rs 202 a day from Rs 182, however, the lockdown has brought work to a standstill, leaving these workers with no wages
Present Scenario of India
Till May 8, India consisted of 56,516 Coronavirus cases with 1895 deaths and 16,867 recovered