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Coronavirus news live: Kyiv cremations double amid rise in Covid deaths, New Zealand vaccine mandate kicks in for front-line workers Coronavirus news live: Kyiv cremations double amid rise in Covid deaths, New Zealand vaccine mandate kicks in for front-line workers
(32 minutes later)
Cremations in Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv have doubled compared to summer months; vaccine mandates are taking effect in New Zealand amid another record in daily Covid casesCremations in Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv have doubled compared to summer months; vaccine mandates are taking effect in New Zealand amid another record in daily Covid cases
Hello, it is Martin Belam here in London taking over from Samantha Lock. Damian Hinds, minister of state for security in the UK has been on Sky News already this morning, and he was asked, among other things, about whether the government was planning to make it so that only people who have had a booster jab would continue to qualify for a Covid passport to travel abroad, per reports in the media. He didn’t really have an answer for that beyond broadly praising the vaccination programme, saying:
Growing numbers of people catching coronavirus are experiencing an unpleasant distortion of smells. Scientists are still unsure what causes this often distressing condition, known as parosmia, where previously enjoyable aromas trigger feelings of disgust. In our Science Weekly podcast this week Madeleine Finlay talks to science correspondent Linda Geddes about her own parosmia, and chemist Dr Jane Parker discusses research into why the smell of coffee seems to be a trigger for so many people.
As Germany battles its worst infection rate since the pandemic began, some states are considering putting in place so-called 2G rules, which effectively exclude people who choose not to be vaccinated from many areas of public life.
Berlin adopted the new rules on Monday, 15 November.
Under the new rules, only people who are fully vaccinated or who have recovered from Covid-19 in the past six months are permitted to eat inside restaurants or go to clubs or bars. Only children and those who have medical reasons for not being vaccinated are exempt from the new rule.
“In light of the rising number of Coronavirus infections and looming shortages in intensive care units, the Senate has decided to significantly expand the so-called 2G rule,” the city government said.
Only vaccinated and recovered persons will be allowed to enter places such as restaurants, cinemas, theatres, museums, galleries or concert venues. The rule also applies to gymnasiums and swimming pools, leisure facilities such as saunas and thermal baths, and amusement venues such as arcades. Unvaccinated people are also no longer allowed into enclosed areas inside amusement parks, zoos and botanical gardens. The 2G rule also applies to hairdressers, beauty salons, gyms and dance studios.
Brandenburg, Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria are expected to follow suit.
2G rules are already in force in some districts where Covid hospitalisations are particularly high. Similar proposals are being discussed for adoption on a national level and, if approved, would come into effect later this month.
The centre-left Social Democrats, Greens and pro-business FDP said on Monday they would add harsher measures to their draft law under consideration by the Bundestag (lower house of parliament) to deal with the outbreak.
On Thursday, the German parliament is due to vote on a new legal framework for coronavirus restrictions drawn up by the parties that are expected to form the country’s next coalition government.
Welcome back to our live Covid coverage.Welcome back to our live Covid coverage.
I’m Samantha Lock and I’ll be taking you through all the latest developments from across the world.I’m Samantha Lock and I’ll be taking you through all the latest developments from across the world.
Here’s a rundown of everything you might have missed.Here’s a rundown of everything you might have missed.
A Kyiv crematorium has doubled its cremations compared with the summer months as virus deaths soar in the Ukraine capital, a spokesman told AFP.A Kyiv crematorium has doubled its cremations compared with the summer months as virus deaths soar in the Ukraine capital, a spokesman told AFP.
The news comes as Ukrainians will soon be offered a cash incentive to get double-vaccinated against Covid-19 in a bid to boost the country’s low inoculation rate. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the news on Monday in the nation where fewer than a third of the population has been fully vaccinated.The news comes as Ukrainians will soon be offered a cash incentive to get double-vaccinated against Covid-19 in a bid to boost the country’s low inoculation rate. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the news on Monday in the nation where fewer than a third of the population has been fully vaccinated.
Vaccine mandates are taking effect in New Zealand as the nation sets another daily record for community Covid-19 infections and a new death. From Tuesday, new mandates kick in for many government workers in health, education, disability and the prison system who now must be vaccinated to do front-line jobs.Vaccine mandates are taking effect in New Zealand as the nation sets another daily record for community Covid-19 infections and a new death. From Tuesday, new mandates kick in for many government workers in health, education, disability and the prison system who now must be vaccinated to do front-line jobs.
Europe:Europe:
Police in Austria have begun carrying out routine checks on commuters to ensure compliance with a nationwide “lockdown for the unvaccinated”, as the Alpine country tries to get on top of one of the most rapidly rising infection rates in Europe.Police in Austria have begun carrying out routine checks on commuters to ensure compliance with a nationwide “lockdown for the unvaccinated”, as the Alpine country tries to get on top of one of the most rapidly rising infection rates in Europe.
Germany’s prospective coalition government is pondering lockdown restrictions for the unvaccinated, as infections in the country continue to rise. Measures could include requiring the unvaccinated to show proof of a negative test before travelling by bus or train.Germany’s prospective coalition government is pondering lockdown restrictions for the unvaccinated, as infections in the country continue to rise. Measures could include requiring the unvaccinated to show proof of a negative test before travelling by bus or train.
Belgium’s government is bringing forward a meeting to decide on tighter measures to control the spread of Covid-19 amid a rapid increase in infections and hospital admissions.Belgium’s government is bringing forward a meeting to decide on tighter measures to control the spread of Covid-19 amid a rapid increase in infections and hospital admissions.
Britain’s booster vaccine rollout is to be extended to people aged between 40 and 49, officials said, in a bid to boost waning immunity in the population ahead of the colder winter months.Britain’s booster vaccine rollout is to be extended to people aged between 40 and 49, officials said, in a bid to boost waning immunity in the population ahead of the colder winter months.
UK prime minister Boris Johnson warned people against complacency, saying that a new wave of Covid has “steadily swept through central Europe” and is now affecting the nation’s closest neighbours.UK prime minister Boris Johnson warned people against complacency, saying that a new wave of Covid has “steadily swept through central Europe” and is now affecting the nation’s closest neighbours.
Employers in Latvia are allowed to dismiss employees who refuse to get vaccinated against Covid-19 from Monday.Employers in Latvia are allowed to dismiss employees who refuse to get vaccinated against Covid-19 from Monday.
The pressure on Dutch hospitals mounts from a surge in Covid-19 patients as cases break records. The worst has yet to come, the head of the country’s hospital association said on Monday. The number of Covid-19 patients in Dutch hospitals increased to about 2,000 on Monday, including almost 400 in intensive care, reaching the highest level since May.The pressure on Dutch hospitals mounts from a surge in Covid-19 patients as cases break records. The worst has yet to come, the head of the country’s hospital association said on Monday. The number of Covid-19 patients in Dutch hospitals increased to about 2,000 on Monday, including almost 400 in intensive care, reaching the highest level since May.
Americas:Americas:
US president Joe Biden’s vaccine requirements are prompting more Americans to get Covid shots, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.US president Joe Biden’s vaccine requirements are prompting more Americans to get Covid shots, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised against travel to the Czech Republic, Hungary and Iceland because of a rising number of Covid-19 cases in those countries.The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised against travel to the Czech Republic, Hungary and Iceland because of a rising number of Covid-19 cases in those countries.
Peru, the country with the world’s highest Covid-19 mortality rate, is to require adults to show proof of vaccination to enter indoor spaces from next month.Peru, the country with the world’s highest Covid-19 mortality rate, is to require adults to show proof of vaccination to enter indoor spaces from next month.
Asia:Asia:
India opens again to foreign tourists from countries with reciprocal agreements after a 20-month ban due to the pandemic.India opens again to foreign tourists from countries with reciprocal agreements after a 20-month ban due to the pandemic.
Thousands of children in the Philippines are allowed to return to classrooms for the first time since the start of the pandemic.Thousands of children in the Philippines are allowed to return to classrooms for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
Cambodia announces that fully vaccinated foreign travellers can visit the kingdom without quarantine.Cambodia announces that fully vaccinated foreign travellers can visit the kingdom without quarantine.
China is battling the spread of its biggest Covid-19 outbreak caused by the Delta variant as case numbers in the north-eastern city of Dalian outpace anywhere else in the country. The Dalian outbreak has prompted China to confine nearly 1,500 university students to their dormitories and hotels in the city.China is battling the spread of its biggest Covid-19 outbreak caused by the Delta variant as case numbers in the north-eastern city of Dalian outpace anywhere else in the country. The Dalian outbreak has prompted China to confine nearly 1,500 university students to their dormitories and hotels in the city.
China’s president Xi has agreed to upgrade the “fast track lane” for US business figures to come to the country, Chinese state media reports.China’s president Xi has agreed to upgrade the “fast track lane” for US business figures to come to the country, Chinese state media reports.
Oceania:Oceania:
Australia’s Indigenous vaccination rates continue to lag across every jurisdiction amid heightened fears over an outbreak in the Northern Territory. Nationally, just under 58% of Indigenous people aged 16 and older are double-dosed, while about 69% are partially vaccinated, much lower than Australia’s overall double-dose rate of 83%.Australia’s Indigenous vaccination rates continue to lag across every jurisdiction amid heightened fears over an outbreak in the Northern Territory. Nationally, just under 58% of Indigenous people aged 16 and older are double-dosed, while about 69% are partially vaccinated, much lower than Australia’s overall double-dose rate of 83%.
Africa/Middle East:Africa/Middle East:
Israel gave the green light Sunday to start vaccinating children aged between five and 11 against Covid-19 using Pfizer/BioNTech jabs.Israel gave the green light Sunday to start vaccinating children aged between five and 11 against Covid-19 using Pfizer/BioNTech jabs.