27 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 the public health fears in Algeria as small-scale protests resume, the impact of the healthcare workers strike in South Africa, Russian’s vaccine announcement and more.
26 August 2020 – Algeria
Predictions:
- Small-scale rallies point to resumption of Friday protests but ongoing public health fears and COVID-19 restrictions will reduce risk of widespread unrest
- Government will ease some lockdown measures in coming months to facilitate participation in planned constitutional referendum due on 1 November
- Concerns over loss of tariff revenues and increase in anti-French sentiment will likely delay next month’s planned adoption of EU free trade agreement
25 August 2020 – Indonesia
Predictions:
- Continued diversion of funds to COVID-19 response will delay efforts to establish new capital, with major construction work unlikely to begin until 2023
- High daily case numbers in capital will likely force Jakarta governor to extend current restrictions beyond 27 August
- Government will prioritise securing access to COVID-19 vaccine, but recently signed procurement deals will have no short-term impact on outbreak
21 August 2020 – South Africa
Predictions:
- Threatened health workers’ strike underlines anger at government over PPE scandals but union members will seek to limit potential disruption
- Threatened protests will likely be sporadic and limited in scope, and will not provoke wider industrial action by other unions
- Risk of more disruptive public sector protests will rise towards end of year as result of wage disputes and ongoing economic challenges
21 August 2020 – Russia
Predictions:
- Sputnik V vaccine will boost Russia’s international influence despite lack of evidence for medical efficacy
- Reliance on vaccine roll-out next year suggests containment measures unlikely, meaning Russia’s COVID-19 outbreak will remain widespread in interim
- Developing countries will seek to cooperate with Russia due to fear they will not receive priority access to vaccines developed by Western countries
