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Coronavirus live: expanded crowd size for Euro 2020 matches at Wembley ‘recipe for disaster’, say MEPs Coronavirus live: expanded crowd size for Euro 2020 matches at Wembley ‘recipe for disaster’, say MEPs
(32 minutes later)
Uefa and the British government urged to reconsider decision to allow 60,000 fans at Euro semis and final; WHO: 10-week decline in Covid cases in Europe has come to an endUefa and the British government urged to reconsider decision to allow 60,000 fans at Euro semis and final; WHO: 10-week decline in Covid cases in Europe has come to an end
Kazakhstan has ordered mandatory vaccinations for a wide range of workers who came into contact with others after cases of the Delta variant were discovered in the central Asian country.
AFP reports that in a decree released by the government, the ex-Soviet nation ordered workers in sectors ranging from the service industry to banking to entertainment to be inoculated or be restricted from working face-to-face with others.
The government said that the workers must receive their first vaccine dose by 15 July and the second by 15 August.
Only those who have been infected with Covid-19 in the previous three months or can prove they have medical conditions that do not allow them to receive a jab are excluded, the decree said. Unvaccinated workers must be tested for the coronavirus every week, it added.
The measure came after a recommendation last week by Kazakhstan’s coronavirus commission to make PCR tests mandatory for unvaccinated service sector staff and employees of major industrial enterprises.
Some two million people in the country of around 19 million people are fully vaccinated, the health ministry said, with Russia’s Sputnik V, China’s Sinopharm and Kazakhstan’s own vaccine, known as QazVac, among the jabs available.
Kazakhstan has recorded 425,573 cases of the coronavirus with 4,375 deaths from the disease, according to official figures.
The Covid vaccine sharing initiative Covax has urged governments to consider equally all people inoculated with WHO-approved products to avoid creating a two-tiered travel and trade regime.
It spoke out after an EU-wide Covid certificate for easier travel took effect that recognises four vaccines but not others, notably the Covishield version of AstraZeneca’s jab which is widely used in Africa, AFP reports.
The European Medicines Agency has only authorised vaccines produced by Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.
But the European Medicines Agency estimates that differences in how Covishield is manufactured in India prevent it from qualifying for an EU seal of approval.
That means that EU countries along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland will not grant the same travel access to those who have received the Covishield jab, notably people who live in Africa.
Covax, which was set up to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines, particularly to low-income countries, said that discriminated against them.
“Any measure that only allows people protected by a subset of WHO-approved vaccines to benefit from the re-opening of travel into and with that region would effectively create a two-tier system,” a statement said.
That would widen “the global vaccine divide” and exacerbate “inequities we have already seen in the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines,” it added.
Covax has struggled to get donation-funded doses to poorer countries, and it argued that a rejection of Covishield would make it harder to convince people to become inoculated.
The African Union this week criticised as “inequitable” the decision not to include Covishield on the list of approved vaccines for a digital certificate for travellers in the bloc.
US pharmacy chain Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc said it expects to administer fewer Covid-19 vaccines in the fourth quarter after inoculations peaked in the previous quarter.US pharmacy chain Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc said it expects to administer fewer Covid-19 vaccines in the fourth quarter after inoculations peaked in the previous quarter.
Reuters reported that the fall in jabs had sent its shares down nearly 7%, since it had been relying on gains from administering Covid-19 vaccines to tide over losses from low prescription volumes and a weak flu season that had slowed over-the-counter sales of health and wellness products.Overall, 25 million shots have been given to Americans through Walgreens, representing 7.6% of all US vaccinations.Reuters reported that the fall in jabs had sent its shares down nearly 7%, since it had been relying on gains from administering Covid-19 vaccines to tide over losses from low prescription volumes and a weak flu season that had slowed over-the-counter sales of health and wellness products.Overall, 25 million shots have been given to Americans through Walgreens, representing 7.6% of all US vaccinations.
Italy has warned any fans from England not to use loopholes in Covid travel restrictions to sneak into the quarter-finals Euro 2020 clash between England and Ukraine in Rome on Saturday, even if they have a ticket.Italy has introduced a five-day quarantine for travellers who have visited Britain in the previous two weeks, to curb the spread of the highly contagious Delta coronavirus variant. Short-stay business travellers and visitors in transit are exempt, but Reuters reported that the Italian embassy has warned that this “will not translate into permission to enter the stadium”.Italy has warned any fans from England not to use loopholes in Covid travel restrictions to sneak into the quarter-finals Euro 2020 clash between England and Ukraine in Rome on Saturday, even if they have a ticket.Italy has introduced a five-day quarantine for travellers who have visited Britain in the previous two weeks, to curb the spread of the highly contagious Delta coronavirus variant. Short-stay business travellers and visitors in transit are exempt, but Reuters reported that the Italian embassy has warned that this “will not translate into permission to enter the stadium”.
The English Football Association said on Wednesday that it “will not be selling any tickets via the England Supporters Travel Club for this fixture” due to the travel restrictions.The English Football Association said on Wednesday that it “will not be selling any tickets via the England Supporters Travel Club for this fixture” due to the travel restrictions.
The ban has proven a boon for Britons who live in Italy, who have found it easy to get tickets to the hotly anticipated match.The ban has proven a boon for Britons who live in Italy, who have found it easy to get tickets to the hotly anticipated match.
Italy reported 21 coronavirus-related deaths on Thursday against 24 the day before, while the daily tally of new infections rose to 882 from 776, Reuters reports.Italy reported 21 coronavirus-related deaths on Thursday against 24 the day before, while the daily tally of new infections rose to 882 from 776, Reuters reports.
The daily data release from the Italian health authorities showed that patients in hospital with Covid-19 - not including those in intensive care - stood at 1,532 on Thursday, down from 1,593 a day earlier.The daily data release from the Italian health authorities showed that patients in hospital with Covid-19 - not including those in intensive care - stood at 1,532 on Thursday, down from 1,593 a day earlier.
Italy has the second-highest Covid-19 death toll in Europe after Britain, standing at 127,587 deaths. The country has reported 4.26 million cases to date.Italy has the second-highest Covid-19 death toll in Europe after Britain, standing at 127,587 deaths. The country has reported 4.26 million cases to date.
Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro is facing mounting pressure to resign following incendiary reports on allegedly corrupt deals to acquire Covid-19 vaccines and his mishandling of the pandemic response, Tom Phillips reports.Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro is facing mounting pressure to resign following incendiary reports on allegedly corrupt deals to acquire Covid-19 vaccines and his mishandling of the pandemic response, Tom Phillips reports.
Tens of thousands of protesters are expected to return to the streets on Saturday to demand Bolsonaro’s removal from office – the third such mass demonstration in just over a month. On Wednesday a curious coalition of left- and rightwing opponents submitted a fresh petition for Bolsonaro’s impeachment after the Brazilian media published incendiary claims about supposedly dodgy dealings to acquire coronavirus vaccines.Tens of thousands of protesters are expected to return to the streets on Saturday to demand Bolsonaro’s removal from office – the third such mass demonstration in just over a month. On Wednesday a curious coalition of left- and rightwing opponents submitted a fresh petition for Bolsonaro’s impeachment after the Brazilian media published incendiary claims about supposedly dodgy dealings to acquire coronavirus vaccines.
Rachel Hall here taking over from Mattha Busby - please do send over any tips, thoughts or ideas to rachel.hall@theguardian.com.Rachel Hall here taking over from Mattha Busby - please do send over any tips, thoughts or ideas to rachel.hall@theguardian.com.
The New York Times reports on some turbulence amid the launch today of the EU’s travel certificate, which allows Europeans with proof of vaccination, a negative Covid-19 test or recovery from the virus to travel to other member states.The New York Times reports on some turbulence amid the launch today of the EU’s travel certificate, which allows Europeans with proof of vaccination, a negative Covid-19 test or recovery from the virus to travel to other member states.
But Germany and Austria have not given airlines access to the verification devices they would need to scan the relevant QR codes, citing privacy concerns, while Ireland has yet to set up a verification system for the digital certificates following recent cyberattacks.But Germany and Austria have not given airlines access to the verification devices they would need to scan the relevant QR codes, citing privacy concerns, while Ireland has yet to set up a verification system for the digital certificates following recent cyberattacks.
Echoing concerns within the travel industry, the European Commission has also noted that in the 27 EU member states there are more than 10 verification processes, the NYT said.Echoing concerns within the travel industry, the European Commission has also noted that in the 27 EU member states there are more than 10 verification processes, the NYT said.
“The digital Covid-19 certificate is an important tool that ideally will give people confidence in the easing of travel restrictions,” Thomas Reynaert, the managing director of Airlines for Europe, told the paper. “But this can only work for travellers if member states implement it in a harmonised way.”“The digital Covid-19 certificate is an important tool that ideally will give people confidence in the easing of travel restrictions,” Thomas Reynaert, the managing director of Airlines for Europe, told the paper. “But this can only work for travellers if member states implement it in a harmonised way.”
Authorities and health experts in Spain have called for prudence and responsibility amid a surge in cases among young people who are still waiting to be vaccinated after more than 1,000 Covid cases across the country were traced back to an end-of-year school trip to Mallorca.Authorities and health experts in Spain have called for prudence and responsibility amid a surge in cases among young people who are still waiting to be vaccinated after more than 1,000 Covid cases across the country were traced back to an end-of-year school trip to Mallorca.
Although more than a third of Spain’s 47 million people have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, case numbers have been rising over recent days – most notably among younger people still waiting to get their shots.Although more than a third of Spain’s 47 million people have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, case numbers have been rising over recent days – most notably among younger people still waiting to get their shots.
The EU’s travel certificate launched today, allowing Europeans with proof of vaccination, a negative Covid-19 test or recovery from the virus to travel to other member states.The EU’s travel certificate launched today, allowing Europeans with proof of vaccination, a negative Covid-19 test or recovery from the virus to travel to other member states.
The app-based “digital green certificate” gives travellers a QR code to allow them to avoid requiring to quarantine in other member states. The certificate was agreed by EU governments and MEPs in May and introduced after pressure from southern economies reliant on tourism and wanting the bloc to open as soon as possible.The app-based “digital green certificate” gives travellers a QR code to allow them to avoid requiring to quarantine in other member states. The certificate was agreed by EU governments and MEPs in May and introduced after pressure from southern economies reliant on tourism and wanting the bloc to open as soon as possible.
“The European digital certificate is a symbol of an open and safe Europe that is opening cautiously putting the protection of the health of our citizens first,” said the EU Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, according to the FT.“The European digital certificate is a symbol of an open and safe Europe that is opening cautiously putting the protection of the health of our citizens first,” said the EU Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, according to the FT.
Citizens from outside the EU can enter the bloc if they have been fully vaccinated with a jab recognised by the European Medicines Agency. But the African Union has criticised as “inequitable” the decision not to include Covishield, the Indian-made vaccine used by the global Covax programme, on a list of approved vaccines for a digital certificate for travellers in the bloc.Citizens from outside the EU can enter the bloc if they have been fully vaccinated with a jab recognised by the European Medicines Agency. But the African Union has criticised as “inequitable” the decision not to include Covishield, the Indian-made vaccine used by the global Covax programme, on a list of approved vaccines for a digital certificate for travellers in the bloc.
The German interior minister, Horst Seehofer, has described as “absolutely irresponsible” Uefa’s decision to hold the Euro 2020 semifinals and finals in the UK, due to the prevalence of the Delta variant.The German interior minister, Horst Seehofer, has described as “absolutely irresponsible” Uefa’s decision to hold the Euro 2020 semifinals and finals in the UK, due to the prevalence of the Delta variant.
“I suspect that once again it’s all about commercial [interests],” Horst Seehofer told reporters in Berlin, according to the FT. “But commercial interests should not override the need to protect people from infections.”“I suspect that once again it’s all about commercial [interests],” Horst Seehofer told reporters in Berlin, according to the FT. “But commercial interests should not override the need to protect people from infections.”
The position taken by Uefa, European football’s governing body, was “absolutely irresponsible, because we are in a pandemic and precisely in countries like Great Britain we’re seeing a sharp increase in infections”, he added.The position taken by Uefa, European football’s governing body, was “absolutely irresponsible, because we are in a pandemic and precisely in countries like Great Britain we’re seeing a sharp increase in infections”, he added.
“[In such a situation], it is imperative to avoid contact and adhere to hygiene regulations if we are to stop infections [spreading].”“[In such a situation], it is imperative to avoid contact and adhere to hygiene regulations if we are to stop infections [spreading].”
For the Euro 2020 matches held in Munich, he said authorities had enforced strict rules and only allowed 14,000 fans into a stadium that has a capacity of 80,000, the FT reports.For the Euro 2020 matches held in Munich, he said authorities had enforced strict rules and only allowed 14,000 fans into a stadium that has a capacity of 80,000, the FT reports.
Italy’s justice minister, Marta Cartabia, has ordered a report into conditions in the country’s prisons after the release of video footage showing guards brutally beating inmates at a jail near Naples who had demanded better coronavirus protections.Italy’s justice minister, Marta Cartabia, has ordered a report into conditions in the country’s prisons after the release of video footage showing guards brutally beating inmates at a jail near Naples who had demanded better coronavirus protections.
The African Union’s head of vaccine procurement has said “not a single” Covid jab has so far left the EU for Africa, hitting out at the bloc for hoarding supply.
Strive Masiyiwa criticised the global effort meant to distribute vaccines to less developed countries, accusing Covax of withholding crucial information including that key donors had not met funding pledges – with “not one dose, not one vial, [having] left a European factory for Africa.”
He stressed that Africa has purchased 400 million vaccine doses and can buy more, but according to the AP he challenged donors: “Pay up your money ... We will no longer measure pledges, we will measure vaccines arriving at our airports.”
The entrepreneur and tech billionaire said Covax had promised to deliver 700 million vaccine doses to Africa by December. But at mid-year, Africa has received just 65 million doses overall. Less than 50 million doses via Covax have arrived.
“It became pretty clear by December that the hope that we would all as a global community buy vaccines together through Covax was not being adhered to, particularly by the rich and powerful nations,” he said.
He added that Covax’s decision to procure vaccines primarily from just one facility, the Serum Institute of India, was risky, Quartz reports. Covax aimed to provide 20% of Africa’s vaccine needs, with African nations stepping up for the rest, he said. But “it really doesn’t matter how much money your country has, they couldn’t buy vaccines ... I never saw presidents try so hard, calling chief executives.”
The vaccines have been hard to source as countries such as the US with manufacturing capabilities imposed controls on export sales in the interest of vaccinating their own citizens first, the AP reports.
Criticising the EU, he said: “When we go to talk to their manufacturers, they tell us they’re completely maxed out meeting the needs of Europe, we’re referred to India.” But the EU now imposes public health restrictions on people vaccinated with Covishield, the Indian-produced version of the EU-accepted AstraZeneca vaccine.
“So how do we get to the situation where they give money to Covax, who go to India to purchase vaccines, and then they tell us those vaccines are not valid?”
Some countries engage in so-called vaccine diplomacy and those bilateral donations are welcome, Masiyiwa said, but they’re not enough to “move the needle.”
Spokespeople for Covax did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the AP on matters raised. But it warned in a statement against turning away people “protected by a subset of WHO-approved vaccines,” saying it would “effectively create a two-tier system, further widening the global vaccine divide.”
The European Commission is being urged to reject a coronavirus recovery plan for Hungary over concerns about fraud, corruption and the country’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights.
A cross-party group of left and liberal MEPs have written to the commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, demanding she send the Hungarian government back to the drawing board over its spending plans for a €7.2bn (£6.19bn) coronavirus recovery grant.
Hungary has requested €7.2bn in grants under the scheme, which it is thought would be the largest single transfer of EU funds since it joined the union in 2004.
The policing of the Sarah Everard vigil in London and “kill the bill” demonstrations in Bristol breached fundamental rights to protest and involved unnecessary and disproportionate use of force, a parliamentary inquiry has found.
Multiple failings were committed by the Metropolitan police service (MPS) and Avon and Somerset constabulary (A&SC), including wrongly applying the lockdown regulations and failing to understand their legal duty to facilitate peaceful protest, the all-party parliamentary group on democracy and the constitution (APPGDC) found.
CureVac is to pursue European approval for its coronavirus vaccine candidate, despite disappointing overall efficacy results.
It announced preliminary data on 16 June from a 40,000-person trial, which showed that its two-dose vaccine was just 47% effective at preventing disease. But it argues that final analysis of its late-stage trial shows 53% protection against mild disease, 77% protection against severe disease and full protection against hospitalisation and death, the Financial Times reported.
The company said that the higher efficacy against severe disease meant it still had a pathway for approval from the European Medicines Agency.
“In this final analysis, CVnCoV demonstrates a strong public health value in fully protecting study participants in the age group of 18 to 60 against hospitalisation and death and 77% against moderate and severe disease – an efficacy profile, which we believe will be an important contribution to help manage the Covid-19 pandemic and the dynamic variant spread,” Franz-Werner Haas, chief executive, said.
The FT said that CureVac has argued that performance of its mRNA vaccine, which it is producing with the pharmaceutical giant Bayer, was lower because it dealt with 15 different virus variants.
Greece will start vaccinating teenagers once it gets the go-ahead from experts, a government spokesperson has said, after Athens earlier this week offered those aged 18-25 cash and phone data in exchange for getting a shot.
Some 44% of Greeks aged over 18 have been vaccinated and the country has been easing restrictions as infections fall. But with concerns about the spread of the more contagious Delta variant rising, the government has introduced extra incentives to boost vaccination rates in the build-up to the holidays, Reuters reports.
A member of the country’s vaccinations committee said they were considering advising the government to target youngsters aged 15 to 17.
Tourists with a negative Covid test or a vaccination certificate can travel to the country without the need to quarantine.
Industry officials have said that the average occupancy rate at hotels across the country is 35% to 45% but bookings have frozen, and how the summer holiday season progresses will depend much on whether Britain will decide to allow its citizens to come without the need to isolate on their return.
The decision to allow 60,000 fans to attend the Euro 2020 semi-finals and finals at Wembley is “a recipe for disaster”, a committee of MEPs has said, urging a rethink because of the surging number of coronavirus cases in the UK.
The European parliament’s committee on public health wants Uefa and the British government to reconsider their decision to allow Wembley to host the matches at 75% of its 90,000 capacity.
Allowing so many fans to watch the three matches, scheduled for 6, 7 and 11 July, is “a health hazard and a clear unnecessary risk” states a letter from the European parliament’s committee on environment and public health, citing the 10-fold increase in UK coronavirus cases since early May.
The UK recorded 26,068 new coronavirus cases on 30 June, the highest total since January. But deaths are going up at a much slower rate, from a very low level.
The letter calls on the European parliament president, David Sassoli, to urge his fellow EU leaders to take the matter up with Uefa and the UK government.
Citing recent forecasts that show the more transmissible Delta variant is likely to account for 90% of all coronavirus cases in Europe by the end of August, the MEPs say Uefa should reconsider its decision to hold the matches at Wembley, or “at the least that Uefa and the UK authorities reassess health safety measures and the crowd capacity decision”. The MEPs do not propose an alternative number of spectators.
They write:
Israel, a world leader in coronavirus vaccinations, has reported its highest daily infection rate in three months as it scrambles to contain the spread of the new Delta variant – though there has been no increase in deaths.
AP has the story:
Australia has weathered the pandemic far better than many nations — recording just a single coronavirus death since last October — but its success means many Australians are not in a rush to get vaccinated and that could delay the country’s return to normalcy, reports the Associated Press.
Edward Snowden, the whistleblower who revealed the NSA’s mass surveillance programme, writes that “the greatest conspiracies are open and notorious” but they are normalised throughout society.
Turkey is today making people aged over 50, and healthcare workers, eligible for third doses of a Covid vaccine, its health minister announced yesterday.
Dr Fahrettin Koca tweeted: “Our citizens aged 50 and over who have been vaccinated for two doses, as well as our healthcare professionals, will be able to make an appointment with the vaccine they want and the 3rd dose vaccine starting tomorrow.”
Researchers said earlier this week that there was no evidence that booster shots are necessary, especially given shortages in some countries, though an Oxford University study found that a third dose increases antibody and T-cell immune responses.
According to the Daily Sabah, Koca told a virtual press conference, following a meeting with the country’s coronavirus scientific advisory board, that: