6 August 2020
This Week’s COVID-19 Snapshot
The weekly snapshot provides expert insight on the outbreak and its widespread impact. In this edition, we highlight how businesses in Vietnam face the risk of further disruption due to rise in COVID-19 outbreak, frustration over Netanyahu’s response to renewed cases and more.
6 August 2020 – Vietnam
Predictions:
- New COVID-19 outbreak will increase business disruption, but broader economic impact will be limited
- Government’s swift response to outbreak, including widespread testing and quarantine measures, will limit further spread of virus
- Vietnam will retain strong international reputation, supporting its efforts to attract foreign investment in coming years
5 August 2020 – Israel-Palestine
Predictions:
- Anti-government protests will escalate further in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in coming weeks, but will largely remain peaceful
- Netanyahu’s poor response to renewed rise in COVID-19 infections and ongoing efforts to prioritise his political position will fuel public anger
- Effective policing will limit risk of violence, despite efforts of right-wing counter-protestors to stoke clashes and undermine demonstrations
5 August 2020 – Syria
Predictions:
- Government will be reluctant to institute strict lockdown to address COVID-19 threat ensuring outbreak will accelerate in coming weeks
- Anti-government protests possible in coming weeks but will be small-scale and limited to peripheral areas under Damascus’ control
- Assad will consider renewed assault on Idlib if discontent rises, but Russian-Turkish cooperation remains likely to contain hostilities for now
