Will COVID19 affect the stainless steel industry again?

According to the latest news, some countries, including Vietnam and the Philippines, may have to block their countries again due to the increasing number of COVID19 epidemic.

The Vietnamese government calls on citizens to isolate themselves at home and restrict activities in public places and restrict activities in religious places.

It is reported that since the first confirmed case of COVID19 was announced in Hanoi, two confirmed cases have appeared in Vietnam again. At the same time, Philippine President Duterte admitted that the country’s epidemic is very serious, and the medical staff and health implementation are almost overwhelmed. Duterte said that all medical staff are doing their best to fight the epidemic.

The Philippines has recently seen a surge in COVID19 cases. The Philippine government announced on the 2nd that the capital, Manila and many surrounding provinces, will implement stricter “community quarantine” measures than the current one for two weeks from the 4th.

It is understood that the Philippine blockade will be extended to August 18.

This blockade is the second blockade order issued by the Philippine government since the epidemic. On March 7, Philippine President Duterte declared the Philippines a state of health emergency, and the blockade gradually expanded. The Philippines is currently China’s largest nickel mine exporter. Chinese nickel mines are also affected by the suspension of shipments. Since March 18, several major mining areas in the Philippines have gradually closed.

The ban on shipments has been delayed from the original April 18 to the end of April. Zambales 5 near the capital It was gradually released in the middle of the month.

Affected by this, China’s total imports of Philippine nickel ore from January to May fell by 32.8% year-on-year to 5.5074 million tons, and normal exports gradually resumed in June.

The current scope of the blockade covers only the capital Manila and the four surrounding provinces, excluding the main mining areas, and the epidemic prevention work in the mining areas has not been relaxed. Therefore, the possibility of a large-scale blockade of the mining areas in the early stage is very low.

Posted by KAYSUNS, the stainless steel pipe fittings supplier