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| Covid live news: Alberta facing ‘crisis of the unvaccinated’; China has vaccinated 1bn people — as it happened | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Warnings Alberta facing collapse of healthcare system; Figures for people aged 16 to 24 in UK take in those who have been infected or vaccinated; more than 70% of China’s population now fully vaccinated | Warnings Alberta facing collapse of healthcare system; Figures for people aged 16 to 24 in UK take in those who have been infected or vaccinated; more than 70% of China’s population now fully vaccinated |
| The UK government is planning to slash the number of “red list” countries by up to half as part of plans to simplify England’s rules for international travel, with sources claiming it would incentivise vaccination. The traffic light system will be overhauled, with the amber tier removed so there is a clearer distinction between “go” and “no go” destinations. Those who have been double-jabbed are likely to be able to escape quarantine – or the need for costly PCR testing – upon arrival, while unvaccinated passengers will still face those hurdles. Here is our story. | |
| France suspended 3,000 health workers without pay for refusing the Covid vaccine. The health minister, Olivier Véran, said the staff had been notified in writing before the government-imposed deadline to have at least one dose. | |
| Alberta’s premier announced sweeping new restrictions to combat the spread of the coronavirus, admitting the Canadian province was gripped by a “crisis of the unvaccinated”. Alberta currently has the worst coronavirus outbreak in Canada. | |
| Care homes in England may be forced to close and thousands of staff risk losing their jobs if they decline to receive their first Covid-19 vaccine by the end of Thursday, ministers have been warned. | |
| Data shows that almost 664,000 people, or one in 500 people, living in the US have died from the virus since the pandemic began, following a surge of cases and hospitalisations, particularly in southern states, caused by a combination of the Delta variant and low vaccination rates. | |
| Trinidad and Tobago’s health minister, Terrence Deyalsingh, dismissed claims by the rapper Nicki Minaj that a cousin’s friend had become impotent after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine, saying that health officials in the Caribbean country had found no evidence that any patient had reported such side-effects. | |
| The European Union’s chief executive warned that Covid vaccinations must be accelerated to avoid “a pandemic of the unvaccinated”. Speaking in Strasbourg, Ursula von der Leyen said in her state of the union address: “Let’s do everything possible [so] that this does not turn into a pandemic of the unvaccinated.” | |
| Experts in Israel cited recent data to back the prime minister Naftali Bennett’s claims that the country’s programme of booster jabs has proved effective in reducing severe cases of Covid even as new infections hover near a record high. | |
| The Italian government approved a decree making it obligatory for all public and private sector workers either to show proof of vaccination, a negative test or recent recovery from infection, a government source said on Thursday. | |
| A panel of health experts advising the Hong Kong government recommended children aged 12-17 should get only one dose of BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine after reports of heart inflammation side effects. | |
| Covid restrictions to the UK will return if the virus gets “out of control” again this year, the health secretary said, with a dangerous new variant or the NHS at risk of being overwhelmed identified as the moment “plan B” could be triggered. | |
| Vaccinations are estimated to have directly averted about 230,800 hospital admissions in England, according to new figures. | |
| All diplomats attending the UN general assembly in New York next week will have to provide proof of vaccination, the city government has confirmed, prompting an angry response from Russia. | |
| The director general of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, condemned the lack of distribution of Covid vaccines to African countries and called for stronger medical manufacturing capacity across the continent. | |
| Bahamians headed to the polls on Thursday to elect a new government as the islands continued to reel from an ongoing surge in Covid cases and slump in the tourism-dependent economy due to the pandemic, Reuters reports. | Bahamians headed to the polls on Thursday to elect a new government as the islands continued to reel from an ongoing surge in Covid cases and slump in the tourism-dependent economy due to the pandemic, Reuters reports. |
| The prime minister Hubert Minnis of the Free National Movement (FNM) is hoping to become the first premier in 24 years to win a second five-year term. But his party was neck-and neck with the opposition Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) in polls ahead of the snap election. | The prime minister Hubert Minnis of the Free National Movement (FNM) is hoping to become the first premier in 24 years to win a second five-year term. But his party was neck-and neck with the opposition Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) in polls ahead of the snap election. |
| The PLP has focused its campaign on what it says is the government’s mishandling of the coronavirus outbreak and the economy which has seen unemployment surge to an estimated 20% and the fiscal deficit balloon during the pandemic. | The PLP has focused its campaign on what it says is the government’s mishandling of the coronavirus outbreak and the economy which has seen unemployment surge to an estimated 20% and the fiscal deficit balloon during the pandemic. |
| Some 119 new Covid cases were confirmed on Wednesday, taking the active number to 1,679 in the nation of just 400,000 people, while the positivity rate has hovered around 25% for the past six weeks. | Some 119 new Covid cases were confirmed on Wednesday, taking the active number to 1,679 in the nation of just 400,000 people, while the positivity rate has hovered around 25% for the past six weeks. |
| Julian Rolle, chairman of the Public Hospitals Authority, told Bahamian media it had become difficult to staff healthcare facilities properly given about 5-10% of staff was quarantined due to exposure to the virus. | Julian Rolle, chairman of the Public Hospitals Authority, told Bahamian media it had become difficult to staff healthcare facilities properly given about 5-10% of staff was quarantined due to exposure to the virus. |
| “We can continue to wander aimlessly under the visionless, inept, scandalized Free National Movement, or we can usher in greater transparency, equality and prosperity with the PLP,” PLP leader Philip Davis told voters during his eve-of-election campaign rally. | “We can continue to wander aimlessly under the visionless, inept, scandalized Free National Movement, or we can usher in greater transparency, equality and prosperity with the PLP,” PLP leader Philip Davis told voters during his eve-of-election campaign rally. |
| Minnis has countered that the PLP cannot be trusted with reviving one of the most prosperous economies in the Atlantic-Caribbean region where tourism accounts for around 50% of output and 60% of employment. | Minnis has countered that the PLP cannot be trusted with reviving one of the most prosperous economies in the Atlantic-Caribbean region where tourism accounts for around 50% of output and 60% of employment. |
| Under his watch, the Bahamas received a record 1.8 million visitors in 2019 and the tourism minister Dionisio D’Aguilar says he is targeting 1 million air arrivals for 2021. | Under his watch, the Bahamas received a record 1.8 million visitors in 2019 and the tourism minister Dionisio D’Aguilar says he is targeting 1 million air arrivals for 2021. |
| “The PLP is a threat to the economic progress that has begun,” Minnis said on Wednesday at his party’s last rally. “They would stop many of the projects that we started.” | “The PLP is a threat to the economic progress that has begun,” Minnis said on Wednesday at his party’s last rally. “They would stop many of the projects that we started.” |
| Whichever party wins will face some formidable challenges in office due to Covid and its continuing health and economic impact. | Whichever party wins will face some formidable challenges in office due to Covid and its continuing health and economic impact. |
| The scattered archipelago stretching from just off eastern Florida to near Cuba is also still rebuilding after being pummelled in 2019 by Hurricane Dorian, one of the strongest Caribbean hurricanes on record, which killed several hundred people in the Bahamas and left tens of thousands homeless. | The scattered archipelago stretching from just off eastern Florida to near Cuba is also still rebuilding after being pummelled in 2019 by Hurricane Dorian, one of the strongest Caribbean hurricanes on record, which killed several hundred people in the Bahamas and left tens of thousands homeless. |
| National debt stood at $10.356 billion at end-June 2021, according to the Bahamian Ministry of Finance, which forecasts a $951 million fiscal deficit for 2021-2022. | National debt stood at $10.356 billion at end-June 2021, according to the Bahamian Ministry of Finance, which forecasts a $951 million fiscal deficit for 2021-2022. |
| Gowon Bowe, chief executive of Fidelity Bank [Bahamas], a publicly-traded bank, told Reuters: “The reality is that we don’t have much wiggle room left. There won’t be a honeymoon for a new administration. It’s going to be right about the business because there’s a lot we have to right.” | Gowon Bowe, chief executive of Fidelity Bank [Bahamas], a publicly-traded bank, told Reuters: “The reality is that we don’t have much wiggle room left. There won’t be a honeymoon for a new administration. It’s going to be right about the business because there’s a lot we have to right.” |
| Brazil’s federal government wants to halt Covid vaccinations for most of the country’s adolescents, citing adverse events and a death under investigation after some 3.5 million teens have already been immunised, but several state governments vowed to press on. | Brazil’s federal government wants to halt Covid vaccinations for most of the country’s adolescents, citing adverse events and a death under investigation after some 3.5 million teens have already been immunised, but several state governments vowed to press on. |
| Reuters reports that at a news conference, the health minister Marcelo Queiroga criticised states and cities for jumping the gun by vaccinating 12- to 17-year-olds without health issues that put them at risk of severe Covid, which he said was only supposed to start on Wednesday. | Reuters reports that at a news conference, the health minister Marcelo Queiroga criticised states and cities for jumping the gun by vaccinating 12- to 17-year-olds without health issues that put them at risk of severe Covid, which he said was only supposed to start on Wednesday. |
| São Paulo state, the country’s most populous, said it has already vaccinated nearly 2.5 million people under 18 years old. The governor João Doria said on social media that São Paulo would not stop vaccinating adolescents. | São Paulo state, the country’s most populous, said it has already vaccinated nearly 2.5 million people under 18 years old. The governor João Doria said on social media that São Paulo would not stop vaccinating adolescents. |
| Queiroga said healthy adolescents who have already taken one shot should not take a second - effectively seeking to halt nationwide immunisations for teenagers. | Queiroga said healthy adolescents who have already taken one shot should not take a second - effectively seeking to halt nationwide immunisations for teenagers. |
| “When I talked about an excess of vaccine doses, it is to say that we have enough vaccines that states are giving them to people who shouldn’t be getting it yet,” he said. | “When I talked about an excess of vaccine doses, it is to say that we have enough vaccines that states are giving them to people who shouldn’t be getting it yet,” he said. |
| Queiroga did not specify a reason for requesting a halt, but said there were 1,545 adverse events registered, with 93% of them in people who received shots other than the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine - the only one approved for minors in Brazil. | Queiroga did not specify a reason for requesting a halt, but said there were 1,545 adverse events registered, with 93% of them in people who received shots other than the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine - the only one approved for minors in Brazil. |
| He also said there had been one death registered, in the city of São Bernardo do Campo just outside the São Paulo state capital. But a link between the death and the vaccine - in this case Pfizer’s - has not been confirmed. | He also said there had been one death registered, in the city of São Bernardo do Campo just outside the São Paulo state capital. But a link between the death and the vaccine - in this case Pfizer’s - has not been confirmed. |
| Queiroga said evidence about the efficacy of vaccines for healthy teenagers was not yet certain, although clinical trial data has shown them to be effective in preventing illness in teens. | Queiroga said evidence about the efficacy of vaccines for healthy teenagers was not yet certain, although clinical trial data has shown them to be effective in preventing illness in teens. |
| The United States, Israel and some European countries have rolled out vaccinations to children. On Monday, England decided that all 12- to 15-year-olds will be offered a shot after senior medical advisers said kids would benefit from reduced disruption to their education. | The United States, Israel and some European countries have rolled out vaccinations to children. On Monday, England decided that all 12- to 15-year-olds will be offered a shot after senior medical advisers said kids would benefit from reduced disruption to their education. |
| It remains to be seen if Queiroga’s comments will carry much weight. According to Carlos Lula, the president of the association of state health secretaries, the majority of states do not plan to halt vaccinations for this age group. | It remains to be seen if Queiroga’s comments will carry much weight. According to Carlos Lula, the president of the association of state health secretaries, the majority of states do not plan to halt vaccinations for this age group. |
| The US government will begin shipping 2.58 million more doses of Covid vaccine to the Philippines on Thursday through the Covax global distribution program, a White House official said. | The US government will begin shipping 2.58 million more doses of Covid vaccine to the Philippines on Thursday through the Covax global distribution program, a White House official said. |
| The latest shipments of vaccines made by Pfizer/BioNTech bring the total number of vaccines sent to the Philippines to just over 9 million, the official added. | The latest shipments of vaccines made by Pfizer/BioNTech bring the total number of vaccines sent to the Philippines to just over 9 million, the official added. |
| Government ministers are to slash the number of “red list” countries by up to half as part of plans to simplify England’s rules for international travel, with sources claiming it would incentivise vaccination, Aubrey Allegretti reports. | Government ministers are to slash the number of “red list” countries by up to half as part of plans to simplify England’s rules for international travel, with sources claiming it would incentivise vaccination, Aubrey Allegretti reports. |
| The traffic light system will be overhauled, with the amber tier removed so there is a clearer distinction between “go” and “no go” destinations. | The traffic light system will be overhauled, with the amber tier removed so there is a clearer distinction between “go” and “no go” destinations. |
| Those who have been double-jabbed are likely to be able to escape quarantine – or the need for costly PCR testing – upon arrival, while unvaccinated passengers will still face those hurdles. | Those who have been double-jabbed are likely to be able to escape quarantine – or the need for costly PCR testing – upon arrival, while unvaccinated passengers will still face those hurdles. |
| “It will be made much simpler, particularly for those who are double-vaxxed,” a government source said. | “It will be made much simpler, particularly for those who are double-vaxxed,” a government source said. |
| It is understood the new red list is likely to be focused on countries where there is a significant concern about Covid variants. | It is understood the new red list is likely to be focused on countries where there is a significant concern about Covid variants. |
| Government insiders said the ultimate aim was to simplify the rules, after Labour called for the amber list to be scrapped in order to clarify guidance on which destinations are relatively safe and which are not. | Government insiders said the ultimate aim was to simplify the rules, after Labour called for the amber list to be scrapped in order to clarify guidance on which destinations are relatively safe and which are not. |
| However, they also admitted it would have the effect of providing a greater incentive to the 10% of those eligible to be vaccinated who have not yet had their first jab, given the extra money people will have to fork out for a PCR test instead of a cheaper lateral flow one, as well as avoiding the hassle of having to self-isolate. | However, they also admitted it would have the effect of providing a greater incentive to the 10% of those eligible to be vaccinated who have not yet had their first jab, given the extra money people will have to fork out for a PCR test instead of a cheaper lateral flow one, as well as avoiding the hassle of having to self-isolate. |
| For those returning from red-list countries, quarantine hotels are expected to remain in place. However, the number of destinations on the red list is expected to be reduced significantly, with a senior government source indicating it could be as much as half. | For those returning from red-list countries, quarantine hotels are expected to remain in place. However, the number of destinations on the red list is expected to be reduced significantly, with a senior government source indicating it could be as much as half. |
| Ministers will gather on Friday morning to sign off the plans and an announcement is expected later that afternoon. | Ministers will gather on Friday morning to sign off the plans and an announcement is expected later that afternoon. |
| Here is the full story: | Here is the full story: |
| The US Food and Drug Administration said on Thursday it has revised its emergency use authorisation for Eli Lilly’s Covid antibody cocktail to cover its use after exposure to the virus in patients who are at high risk for progressing to severe disease. | The US Food and Drug Administration said on Thursday it has revised its emergency use authorisation for Eli Lilly’s Covid antibody cocktail to cover its use after exposure to the virus in patients who are at high risk for progressing to severe disease. |
| The cocktail, bamlanivimab and etesevimab, is authorised for use in people 12 years and above with mild-to-moderate infection who are at high risk of progressing to severe Covid. | The cocktail, bamlanivimab and etesevimab, is authorised for use in people 12 years and above with mild-to-moderate infection who are at high risk of progressing to severe Covid. |
| Good evening from London. I’m Lucy Campbell, I’ll be bringing you all the latest global developments on the coronavirus pandemic for the next few hours. Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome. | Good evening from London. I’m Lucy Campbell, I’ll be bringing you all the latest global developments on the coronavirus pandemic for the next few hours. Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome. |
| Email: lucy.campbell@theguardian.comTwitter: @lucy_campbell_ | Email: lucy.campbell@theguardian.comTwitter: @lucy_campbell_ |
| Here’s a roundup of the key developments: | Here’s a roundup of the key developments: |
| France has suspended 3,000 health workers without pay for refusing the Covid vaccine. The health minister, Olivier Véran, said the staff had been notified in writing before the government-imposed deadline to have at least one dose. | France has suspended 3,000 health workers without pay for refusing the Covid vaccine. The health minister, Olivier Véran, said the staff had been notified in writing before the government-imposed deadline to have at least one dose. |
| Alberta’s premier has announced sweeping new restrictions to combat the spread of the coronavirus, admitting the Canadian province was gripped by a “crisis of the unvaccinated”. Alberta currently has the worst coronavirus outbreak in Canada. | Alberta’s premier has announced sweeping new restrictions to combat the spread of the coronavirus, admitting the Canadian province was gripped by a “crisis of the unvaccinated”. Alberta currently has the worst coronavirus outbreak in Canada. |
| Care homes in England may be forced to close and thousands of staff risk losing their jobs if they decline to receive their first Covid-19 vaccine by the end of Thursday, ministers have been warned. | Care homes in England may be forced to close and thousands of staff risk losing their jobs if they decline to receive their first Covid-19 vaccine by the end of Thursday, ministers have been warned. |
| Data shows that almost 664,000 people, or one in 500 people, living in the US have died from the virus since the pandemic began, following a surge of cases and hospitalisations, particularly in southern states, caused by a combination of the Delta variant and low vaccination rates. | Data shows that almost 664,000 people, or one in 500 people, living in the US have died from the virus since the pandemic began, following a surge of cases and hospitalisations, particularly in southern states, caused by a combination of the Delta variant and low vaccination rates. |
| Trinidad and Tobago’s health minister, Terrence Deyalsingh, has dismissed claims by the rapper Nicki Minaj that a cousin’s friend had become impotent after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine, saying that health officials in the Caribbean country had found no evidence that any patient had reported such side-effects. | Trinidad and Tobago’s health minister, Terrence Deyalsingh, has dismissed claims by the rapper Nicki Minaj that a cousin’s friend had become impotent after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine, saying that health officials in the Caribbean country had found no evidence that any patient had reported such side-effects. |
| Travellers returning to England from Turkey will not have to quarantine as the government is set to remove dozens of countries from the so-called Covid red list for travel, the Times newspaper said on Thursday. | Travellers returning to England from Turkey will not have to quarantine as the government is set to remove dozens of countries from the so-called Covid red list for travel, the Times newspaper said on Thursday. |
| The European Union’s chief executive has warned that Covid vaccinations must be accelerated to avoid “a pandemic of the unvaccinated”. Speaking in Strasbourg, Ursula von der Leyen said in her state of the union address: “Let’s do everything possible [so] that this does not turn into a pandemic of the unvaccinated.” | The European Union’s chief executive has warned that Covid vaccinations must be accelerated to avoid “a pandemic of the unvaccinated”. Speaking in Strasbourg, Ursula von der Leyen said in her state of the union address: “Let’s do everything possible [so] that this does not turn into a pandemic of the unvaccinated.” |
| Experts in Israel have cited recent data to back Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s claims that the country’s programme of booster jabs has proved effective in reducing severe cases of Covid even as new infections hover near a record high. | Experts in Israel have cited recent data to back Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s claims that the country’s programme of booster jabs has proved effective in reducing severe cases of Covid even as new infections hover near a record high. |
| The Italian government has approved a decree making it obligatory for all public and private sector workers either to show proof of vaccination, a negative test or recent recovery from infection, a government source said on Thursday. | The Italian government has approved a decree making it obligatory for all public and private sector workers either to show proof of vaccination, a negative test or recent recovery from infection, a government source said on Thursday. |
| A panel of health experts advising the Hong Kong government has recommended children aged 12-17 should get only one dose of BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine after reports of heart inflammation side effects. | A panel of health experts advising the Hong Kong government has recommended children aged 12-17 should get only one dose of BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine after reports of heart inflammation side effects. |
| Covid restrictions to the UK will return if the virus gets “out of control” again this year, the health secretary has said, with a dangerous new variant or the NHS at risk of being overwhelmed identified as the moment “plan B” could be triggered. | Covid restrictions to the UK will return if the virus gets “out of control” again this year, the health secretary has said, with a dangerous new variant or the NHS at risk of being overwhelmed identified as the moment “plan B” could be triggered. |
| Vaccinations are estimated to have directly averted about 230,800 hospital admissions in England, according to new figures. | Vaccinations are estimated to have directly averted about 230,800 hospital admissions in England, according to new figures. |
| All diplomats attending the UN general assembly in New York next week will have to provide proof of vaccination, the city government has confirmed, prompting an angry response from Russia. | All diplomats attending the UN general assembly in New York next week will have to provide proof of vaccination, the city government has confirmed, prompting an angry response from Russia. |
| The director general of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has condemned the lack of distribution of Covid vaccines to African countries and called for stronger medical manufacturing capacity across the continent. | The director general of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has condemned the lack of distribution of Covid vaccines to African countries and called for stronger medical manufacturing capacity across the continent. |
| That’s it from me today. Thanks so much for joining me today. I’m handing over to my colleague Lucy now so do stick around! | That’s it from me today. Thanks so much for joining me today. I’m handing over to my colleague Lucy now so do stick around! |
| Tunisia and Libya are to reopen their shared border on Friday, the presidency in Tunis said, two months after they were closed as the country’s coronavirus caseload soared. | Tunisia and Libya are to reopen their shared border on Friday, the presidency in Tunis said, two months after they were closed as the country’s coronavirus caseload soared. |
| “The president of (Tunisia) issued orders to reopen border crossings with the state of Libya from Friday” at 7am local time, the office of President Kais Saied said in a statement. | “The president of (Tunisia) issued orders to reopen border crossings with the state of Libya from Friday” at 7am local time, the office of President Kais Saied said in a statement. |
| A statement from the Libyan government said the reopening of the borders had been agreed during recent talks between the leaders of both countries, AFP reports. | A statement from the Libyan government said the reopening of the borders had been agreed during recent talks between the leaders of both countries, AFP reports. |
| A ministerial committee was then set up and recommended the frontiers open again after reviewing health and security issues, it added. | A ministerial committee was then set up and recommended the frontiers open again after reviewing health and security issues, it added. |
| Libya closed its land borders and suspended flights between the two countries on 8 July due to an explosion of Covid-19 cases in Tunisia, which responded by closing its own crossings. | Libya closed its land borders and suspended flights between the two countries on 8 July due to an explosion of Covid-19 cases in Tunisia, which responded by closing its own crossings. |
| But with the caseload rapidly dropping, officials on both sides agreed to reopen the frontier, with measures in place to limit the possibility of contaminations. | But with the caseload rapidly dropping, officials on both sides agreed to reopen the frontier, with measures in place to limit the possibility of contaminations. |
| Tunis and Tripoli agreed on a health protocol “subject to revision in light of developments in the health situation in the two countries”, the Tunisian statement read. | Tunis and Tripoli agreed on a health protocol “subject to revision in light of developments in the health situation in the two countries”, the Tunisian statement read. |
| The reopening would be reviewed in case of any “violation”, it added. | The reopening would be reviewed in case of any “violation”, it added. |
| Tunisia’s Covid caseload, which in August was the world’s worst according to official data, has since significantly improved. | Tunisia’s Covid caseload, which in August was the world’s worst according to official data, has since significantly improved. |
| According to the latest figures available, on Tuesday the country of 11.7 million recorded 1,142 new cases and nine coronavirus-caused deaths. | According to the latest figures available, on Tuesday the country of 11.7 million recorded 1,142 new cases and nine coronavirus-caused deaths. |
| Travellers returning to England from Turkey will not have to quarantine as the government is set to remove dozens of countries from the so-called Covid red list for travel, the Times newspaper said on Thursday. | Travellers returning to England from Turkey will not have to quarantine as the government is set to remove dozens of countries from the so-called Covid red list for travel, the Times newspaper said on Thursday. |
| Ministers will also announce on Friday that they will scrap the amber classification to simplify the traffic light system for international travel, instead dividing countries into either green list or red list, the newspaper said. | Ministers will also announce on Friday that they will scrap the amber classification to simplify the traffic light system for international travel, instead dividing countries into either green list or red list, the newspaper said. |
| The red list – countries from which arrivals must quarantine in a hotel – will be more than halved, meaning the vast majority of countries will be opened up for double-jabbed British tourists to visit freely, according to the Times. | The red list – countries from which arrivals must quarantine in a hotel – will be more than halved, meaning the vast majority of countries will be opened up for double-jabbed British tourists to visit freely, according to the Times. |
| The paper said a requirement for fully vaccinated travellers coming to Britain to take a PCR test would be scrapped, along with a need for passengers to take a lateral flow test up to 72 hours before their arrival, Reuters reports. | The paper said a requirement for fully vaccinated travellers coming to Britain to take a PCR test would be scrapped, along with a need for passengers to take a lateral flow test up to 72 hours before their arrival, Reuters reports. |
| The transport ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. | The transport ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. |
| Airlines and airports have long argued a change to the rules was needed, saying it was stopping the travel industry from being able to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. | Airlines and airports have long argued a change to the rules was needed, saying it was stopping the travel industry from being able to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. |