Europe
EU-wide guidance on requiring masks for air travel will be lifted from next week, as the pandemic eases in Europe.
Two years into the pandemic, health officials are questioning the merits of repeated, mass testing when it comes to containing infections, particularly considering the billions it costs.
As of Sunday, visitors to Italy no longer have to fill out the EU passenger locator form, and Greece’s civil aviation authority announced that it was lifting all Covid-19 rules for international and domestic flights.
The focus will no longer be on mass reporting of all coronavirus cases, but rather on obtaining reliable and representative estimates.
Anders Tegnell’s name was synonymous with the country’s softer approach to the coronavirus pandemic and its refusal to impose strict curbs like other European nations.
New party revelations threaten another difficult week for Boris Johnson, who was recently fined for breaking lockdown restrictions by attending his own birthday gathering in June 2020.
Police have been investigating alcohol-fuelled parties at No 10 Downing Street at a time when such gatherings were banned under strict Covid-19 rules
The monarch spoke of serious fatigue in a video call with health workers and patients at a London hospital.
Elsewhere, Germany seals a deal for over 60s to be vaccinated from October; antibody treatment loses US authorisation because it’s unlikely to work against BA.2.
It was not immediately clear what kind of impact the around 90 shots of vaccines, which were from different brands, had on the man’s health.
In Spain, those who become infected with coronavirus and develop only mild symptoms of the disease or none at all can continue to lead a normal life.
There are growing concerns in Italy that a Russian military and medical team sent to help the country early in the Covid-19 pandemic had another purpose.
Some have blamed governments for relaxing restrictions too quickly, but epidemiologists also pointed the finger at the Omicron BA. 2 subvariant.
Infection rates in Germany and Austria have reached new highs, while cases in the Netherlands have doubled since pandemic curbs were lifted last month.
Britain’s government said all remaining measures for travelers, including passenger locator forms and the requirement that unvaccinated people be tested for Covid-19 before and after their arrivals, will end Friday.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex said the fully vaccinated were recommended to continue wearing face masks as France relaxes its Covid-19 restrictions.
These apps have become essential for many people to safely carry on outside their homes, while observing social-distancing rules.
The number of new coronavirus cases around the world fell 21 per cent in the last week, while reported deaths fell 8 per cent.
Those with Covid-19 will no longer have to self-isolate, PM Boris Johnson says, and free PCR tests will be available only to older people and the immune-compromised.
News that Britain’s Queen Elizabeth had tested positive for Covid-19 drew shock, concern and messages of goodwill from across the country.