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Coronavirus live: 10,000 domestic fans to be allowed in Tokyo Olympics venues; US delays easing of land border restrictions Coronavirus live: 10,000 domestic fans allowed in Tokyo Olympics venues; US keeps Mexico and Canada borders closed
(32 minutes later)
Tokyo 2020 organisers will allow 10,000 domestic fans in venues; New Zealand approves Pfizer vaccine for 12-15 year olds; US borders with Canada and Mexico to remain closed to non-essential travel until 21 July Tokyo 2020 organisers unveil plans for fans in venues; US borders with Canada and Mexico to remain closed to non-essential travel until 21 July
Thailand’s health minister said Japan’s government would donate some AstraZeneca vaccines, as the Southeast Asian country seeks to shore-up supplies after some early delays in its vaccinations.
According to Reuters, an agreement would be signed on Thursday with the vaccines to be delivered around July. The statement did not specify a quantity.
Here’s some more on that Olympics decision, with the key points of what has been agreed:
The current competition schedule remains unchanged.
In the event that a state of emergency or other priority measures aimed at preventing infection are implemented at any time after 12 July 2021, restrictions on the number of spectators at the Games, including non-spectator competitions, will be based on the content of the state of emergency or other relevant measures in force at that time.
In the event of any rapid change in infection status and in the capacity of the medical care system, a five party meeting will be held promptly to consider further measures.
The Japanese parties have formulated guidelines for spectators aimed at ensuring safe and secure environments. These stipulate that masks should be worn in venues at all times; speaking in a loud voice or shouting will be prohibited; congestion should be avoided by means of appropriate announcements; and visitors should leave venues in a staggered manner. Spectators will be requested to travel directly to venues and return home directly
The statement also says that “The equivalent policies governing the Paralympic Games will be decided by 16 July 2021, a week before the opening of the Olympic Games.”
Olympic organizers have announced that they will allow domestic spectators at this summer’s Tokyo Games. However attendance is capped at 10,000 people or 50 percent of a venue’s capacity, whichever is smaller.Olympic organizers have announced that they will allow domestic spectators at this summer’s Tokyo Games. However attendance is capped at 10,000 people or 50 percent of a venue’s capacity, whichever is smaller.
There is a warning though that this could change if the pandemic situation in Japan worsens before the Games start on 23 July.There is a warning though that this could change if the pandemic situation in Japan worsens before the Games start on 23 July.
Organizers say they have sold tickets for an average of 42 percent of venue capacity, but that will be distributed unevenly among the venues. It is unclear how access will now be allocated.Organizers say they have sold tickets for an average of 42 percent of venue capacity, but that will be distributed unevenly among the venues. It is unclear how access will now be allocated.
The Euro 2020 tournament had a similar issue, with ticket-holders for matches in limited capacity venues facing a second ticket ballot for access.The Euro 2020 tournament had a similar issue, with ticket-holders for matches in limited capacity venues facing a second ticket ballot for access.
Shortages of Pfizer vaccines are expected to slow Australia’s rollout through June and July, as states and territories call on the commonwealth to sign up more GPs to dispense doses when supplies increase in August.Shortages of Pfizer vaccines are expected to slow Australia’s rollout through June and July, as states and territories call on the commonwealth to sign up more GPs to dispense doses when supplies increase in August.
National cabinet met on Monday to discuss Australia’s vaccine rollout in the wake of updated health advice that AstraZeneca is not the preferred vaccine for those aged 50 and over due to the risk of rare blood clots.National cabinet met on Monday to discuss Australia’s vaccine rollout in the wake of updated health advice that AstraZeneca is not the preferred vaccine for those aged 50 and over due to the risk of rare blood clots.
At the meeting, the head of the rollout, lieutenant general John Frewen, gave states and territories projections of the maximum and minimum number of vaccines they will be allocated. The aged care minister Richard Colbeck is expected to table the figures at the Senate’s Covid-19 inquiry on Monday evening.At the meeting, the head of the rollout, lieutenant general John Frewen, gave states and territories projections of the maximum and minimum number of vaccines they will be allocated. The aged care minister Richard Colbeck is expected to table the figures at the Senate’s Covid-19 inquiry on Monday evening.
Read more of Paul Karp’s report: Australia’s vaccine rollout ‘constrained’ by Pfizer supply shortages until AugustRead more of Paul Karp’s report: Australia’s vaccine rollout ‘constrained’ by Pfizer supply shortages until August
An Israeli health official has urged more 12- to 15-year-olds to be vaccinated against Covid, citing new outbreaks that he attributed to the more infectious Delta variant.An Israeli health official has urged more 12- to 15-year-olds to be vaccinated against Covid, citing new outbreaks that he attributed to the more infectious Delta variant.
Reuters report the health ministry will probably issue a recommendation that 12- to 15-year-olds get vaccinated, having previously left the matter up to the parents’ preference, said Nachman Ash, the national pandemic response coordinator.Reuters report the health ministry will probably issue a recommendation that 12- to 15-year-olds get vaccinated, having previously left the matter up to the parents’ preference, said Nachman Ash, the national pandemic response coordinator.
“I think that would certainly be correct at this stage, when we see an outbreak of the Delta variant in the country,” he told a Tel Aviv radio station. “We should not wait for higher numbers. We have seen there were quite a few children infected over the last week.”“I think that would certainly be correct at this stage, when we see an outbreak of the Delta variant in the country,” he told a Tel Aviv radio station. “We should not wait for higher numbers. We have seen there were quite a few children infected over the last week.”
Andrew Sparrow has launched our UK Covid and politics live blog for the day. I’ll be continuing here with global coronavirus news.Andrew Sparrow has launched our UK Covid and politics live blog for the day. I’ll be continuing here with global coronavirus news.
Reuters bring the latest numbers from Russia: 17,378 new Covid cases were reported for Monday, and the government coronavirus task force said 440 people had died of coronavirus-linked causes in the previous 24 hoursReuters bring the latest numbers from Russia: 17,378 new Covid cases were reported for Monday, and the government coronavirus task force said 440 people had died of coronavirus-linked causes in the previous 24 hours
Chris Hopson, the chief executive of NHS Providers, has told Times Radio that hospital admissions are “slowly rising” but are nothing like the rates seen during previous waves. PA Media reports him saying:Chris Hopson, the chief executive of NHS Providers, has told Times Radio that hospital admissions are “slowly rising” but are nothing like the rates seen during previous waves. PA Media reports him saying:
Hong Kong has announced a dramatic shortening of hotel quarantine to seven days for arrivals, planned for the end of the month. Chief executive Carrie Lam said it was time to “appropriately reopen” borders to places which were similar in situation to Hong Kong.Hong Kong has announced a dramatic shortening of hotel quarantine to seven days for arrivals, planned for the end of the month. Chief executive Carrie Lam said it was time to “appropriately reopen” borders to places which were similar in situation to Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has one of the longest quarantine periods in the world, of 21 days. Lam said the shortened quarantine requirements would be given to people who are fully vaccinated, who receive a negative test on departure and have a positive antibody test on arrival.Hong Kong has one of the longest quarantine periods in the world, of 21 days. Lam said the shortened quarantine requirements would be given to people who are fully vaccinated, who receive a negative test on departure and have a positive antibody test on arrival.
She expected the new measures would be in place at the end of this month for Hong Kong residents leaving Hong Kong and then returning. This group can also obtain an antibody test before departure which would be valid for three months. The next stage – for international travellers, would hopefully begin a month after that, Lam said.She expected the new measures would be in place at the end of this month for Hong Kong residents leaving Hong Kong and then returning. This group can also obtain an antibody test before departure which would be valid for three months. The next stage – for international travellers, would hopefully begin a month after that, Lam said.
From Thursday, there will also be a new round of social distancing measures, reducing mask wearing in some situations for fully vaccinated people, and increasing capacity in venues if more people are vaccinated. Lam said the new measures “would still not please everyone” with some thinking they were still stringent.From Thursday, there will also be a new round of social distancing measures, reducing mask wearing in some situations for fully vaccinated people, and increasing capacity in venues if more people are vaccinated. Lam said the new measures “would still not please everyone” with some thinking they were still stringent.
Four months since the start of Hong Kong’s vaccination programme, fewer than 30% of people were vaccinated. This was not satisfactory, Lam said.Four months since the start of Hong Kong’s vaccination programme, fewer than 30% of people were vaccinated. This was not satisfactory, Lam said.
UK health secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed the government is working on a booster jab programme and should have clinical data in the next few weeks.UK health secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed the government is working on a booster jab programme and should have clinical data in the next few weeks.
He told BBC Breakfast that second jabs offer very strong protection “but there is more protection still that we think that you can get from a booster jab and we’re currently trialling which combinations of jabs are the most effective”.He told BBC Breakfast that second jabs offer very strong protection “but there is more protection still that we think that you can get from a booster jab and we’re currently trialling which combinations of jabs are the most effective”.
“When we know the results of that, then we will set out the full plans for the booster programme over the autumn,” PA Media reports him saying.“When we know the results of that, then we will set out the full plans for the booster programme over the autumn,” PA Media reports him saying.
“We’ve got to make sure we get the logistics right; for instance, GPs have been so heavily involved in this vaccination effort, but GPs have also got to do their day job, so that’s something we’re working hard on now, and, in the next few weeks, when we get the clinical data through on what’s the most effective combinations to have … then we’ll set out all the details of the booster programme for the autumn.”“We’ve got to make sure we get the logistics right; for instance, GPs have been so heavily involved in this vaccination effort, but GPs have also got to do their day job, so that’s something we’re working hard on now, and, in the next few weeks, when we get the clinical data through on what’s the most effective combinations to have … then we’ll set out all the details of the booster programme for the autumn.”
There’s a quick quote here dropped on the wires from the International Olympic Committee president, Thomas Bach. He has told reporters, ahead of going into a meeting to discuss whether spectators will be allowed at the Tokyo Olympics, that well above 80% of the athletes and officials residing in the Olympic village will be vaccinated by the time the Games start on 23 July.There’s a quick quote here dropped on the wires from the International Olympic Committee president, Thomas Bach. He has told reporters, ahead of going into a meeting to discuss whether spectators will be allowed at the Tokyo Olympics, that well above 80% of the athletes and officials residing in the Olympic village will be vaccinated by the time the Games start on 23 July.
Professor Anthony Harnden, deputy chairman of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, has been quizzed on the BBC this morning about what plans are being made for a booster shot regime in the UK. PA report these comments from him:Professor Anthony Harnden, deputy chairman of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, has been quizzed on the BBC this morning about what plans are being made for a booster shot regime in the UK. PA report these comments from him:
The number of Zimbabweans in extreme poverty has reached 7.9 million as the pandemic has delivered another economic shock to the country.The number of Zimbabweans in extreme poverty has reached 7.9 million as the pandemic has delivered another economic shock to the country.
According to the World Bank’s economic and social update report, almost half of Zimbabwe’s population fell into extreme poverty between 2011 and last year, with children bearing the brunt of the misery.According to the World Bank’s economic and social update report, almost half of Zimbabwe’s population fell into extreme poverty between 2011 and last year, with children bearing the brunt of the misery.
“The number of extreme poor is expected to remain at 7.9 million in 2021 amid continued elevated prices, and a slow recovery of jobs and wages in the formal and informal sectors,” according to the report.“The number of extreme poor is expected to remain at 7.9 million in 2021 amid continued elevated prices, and a slow recovery of jobs and wages in the formal and informal sectors,” according to the report.
The pandemic added 1.3 million Zimbabweans to the numbers of extreme poor as jobs and income were lost in urban areas. As Zimbabweans struggled with successive lockdowns, 1.4 million people went without staple foods.The pandemic added 1.3 million Zimbabweans to the numbers of extreme poor as jobs and income were lost in urban areas. As Zimbabweans struggled with successive lockdowns, 1.4 million people went without staple foods.
Read more of Nyasha Chingono’s report from Harare: Half of Zimbabweans fell into extreme poverty during CovidRead more of Nyasha Chingono’s report from Harare: Half of Zimbabweans fell into extreme poverty during Covid
There’s been a bit of to and fro in the UK over the last couple of days over the Scottish Government’s decision to implement a ban on people entering the nation from certain parts of England. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham had called for compensation for those affected.There’s been a bit of to and fro in the UK over the last couple of days over the Scottish Government’s decision to implement a ban on people entering the nation from certain parts of England. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham had called for compensation for those affected.
Deputy First Minister for Scotland John Swinney has been on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme this morning, and PA quote him saying:Deputy First Minister for Scotland John Swinney has been on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme this morning, and PA quote him saying:
Changes in India’s vaccination programme come into effect today, with every adult now eligible for a free vaccine paid for by the federal government. This ends a complex system of buying and distributing vaccines that overburdened states and created inequities in who got the shots.Changes in India’s vaccination programme come into effect today, with every adult now eligible for a free vaccine paid for by the federal government. This ends a complex system of buying and distributing vaccines that overburdened states and created inequities in who got the shots.
The lagging vaccination drive, marred by delays and shortages, prompted the revised strategy.The lagging vaccination drive, marred by delays and shortages, prompted the revised strategy.
Previously, states and the private sector had to procure jabs themselves and provide them to younger adults. Now, the federal government will procure 75% of all vaccines directly from manufacturers and provide them to the states for free. The remaining 25% will be purchased by the private sector.Previously, states and the private sector had to procure jabs themselves and provide them to younger adults. Now, the federal government will procure 75% of all vaccines directly from manufacturers and provide them to the states for free. The remaining 25% will be purchased by the private sector.
Associated Press report that more cities and states are easing restrictions. Starting today, parks, restaurants and bars can open in New Delhi with some restrictions on capacity and timings. The southern state of Telangana has lifted its lockdown, while neighboring Karnataka state eased restrictions in 16 more districts.Associated Press report that more cities and states are easing restrictions. Starting today, parks, restaurants and bars can open in New Delhi with some restrictions on capacity and timings. The southern state of Telangana has lifted its lockdown, while neighboring Karnataka state eased restrictions in 16 more districts.
In Australia, the premier of New South Wales, Gladys Berejiklian, has said Sydney’s mask mandate will likely be extended beyond Wednesday, after it recorded two new local cases of Covid-19.In Australia, the premier of New South Wales, Gladys Berejiklian, has said Sydney’s mask mandate will likely be extended beyond Wednesday, after it recorded two new local cases of Covid-19.
The two new cases were recorded after 8pm on Sunday, meaning they will be recorded in Tuesday’s numbers. Two separate cases were also reported which had already been announced on Sunday.The two new cases were recorded after 8pm on Sunday, meaning they will be recorded in Tuesday’s numbers. Two separate cases were also reported which had already been announced on Sunday.
“Whilst this isn’t a bad outcome, our level of concern is still there,” the NSW premier said.“Whilst this isn’t a bad outcome, our level of concern is still there,” the NSW premier said.
She said people in Sydney and surrounding areas would likely need to continue wearing masks after Wednesday.She said people in Sydney and surrounding areas would likely need to continue wearing masks after Wednesday.
“Given the situation we are in and given we don’t want to see further restrictions imposed more broadly across our city and our state, in all likelihood, the existing settings we have in place will continue beyond the five days,” Berejiklian said.“Given the situation we are in and given we don’t want to see further restrictions imposed more broadly across our city and our state, in all likelihood, the existing settings we have in place will continue beyond the five days,” Berejiklian said.
Asked if she expected more restrictions would be needed, NSW’s chief health officer, Kerry Chant said authorities were “just watching every new case that comes in” and monitoring for unlinked cases and new exposure venues.Asked if she expected more restrictions would be needed, NSW’s chief health officer, Kerry Chant said authorities were “just watching every new case that comes in” and monitoring for unlinked cases and new exposure venues.
Read more of Luke Henriques-Gomes’ report here: Sydney’s mask mandate ‘likely’ to be extended as NSW records two new Covid casesRead more of Luke Henriques-Gomes’ report here: Sydney’s mask mandate ‘likely’ to be extended as NSW records two new Covid cases