New Delhi: The novel coronavirus pandemic continues to devastate countries across the world — the latest count being over 10 crore cases and more than 22 lakh deaths.
Churchgoers in UAE were driven to tears as they attended mass for the first time in 10 months. Meanwhile, Germany is looking East for Covid vaccines, and Japan’s emergency has been extended.
ThePrint brings you the most important global stories on the coronavirus pandemic and why they matter.
Emotional homecoming for UAE churchgoers
Almost a year after churches were shut in March, Christians in the UAE became emotional as they attended mass together in church almost after 10 months, reports Khaleej Times
On Thursday, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oud Maitha was given permission to allow holy mass within the premises of the church. The church has reopened at 30 per cent of its capacity and one has to register in advance in order to attend the mass. The church will hold mass twice, daily, but will remain shut otherwise.
All parishioners have to adhere to strict Covid rules which include temperature checks, different entry and exit points and sitting on predetermined seats. Churchgoers also have to wear masks and gloves at all times and there is no distribution of holy communion during mass.
The United Arab Emirates has reported 3,06,339 coronavirus cases and 859 deaths so far.
Pakistan govt actively monitored internet during Covid
Pakistan’s internet penetration has reached 42.2 per cent with 92 million users and it seems the government has intensified its scrutiny on internet activity, reports Dawn.
A report by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority noted that in 2019-20, the regulator blocked 27,986 items online, 8,161 over ‘hate speech’, 6,910 over ‘glory of Islam’, 5,237 over ‘decency and morality’ and 5,053 over ‘defence of Pakistan’. The PTA also said that the blocking of content was an ongoing effort, requiring “collective firewalling efforts”.
In 2020, the PTA also approached social media sites such as YouTube, TikTok, Bigo (a live streaming platform) and PubG to block what it saw as obscene, obnoxious, immoral or hateful content.
Technology played a crucial role in Pakistan’s response to the pandemic. Last year in March, the country also employed cell phone tracking to trace Covid-19 patients.
Pakistan has reported 5,47,648 coronavirus cases and 11,746 deaths so far.
EU vaccine curbs could delay Japan’s inoculation drive
Japan has extended its state of emergency as curbs by the European Union on vaccine export are causing a delay in its inoculation drive, reports Reuters.
Japan is set to begin its inoculation drive this month, which is anyway behind many countries. Japan’s dependence on foreign vaccines and the need to carry out domestic tests are also leading to the delay. But further postponement in inoculating its citizens casts a doubt over the timely and safe organisation of the Tokyo Olympics scheduled in July.
Support for Yoshihide Suga’s government is dwindling as the government has largely failed to control the pandemic. Some of his ministers have also admitted to flouting emergency rules, and one of them has also resigned.
Japan has reported 3,89,518 cases of coronavirus and 5,722 deaths so far.
Hong Kong warns residents refusing to get tested
Hong Kong officials have warned they are prepared to seek court approval for breaking into those flats where the inmates are refusing to get tested, reports South China Morning Post.
The home ministry recently reported that many people in restricted areas were refusing to answer enforcement visits.
Hong Kong Tuesday said Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation empowers health authorities to evict or deport those failing to comply with screening orders in restricted areas, as well as to break into homes with court approval.
The warning came after Chief Executive Carrie Lam herself decried people’s non-compliance to testing in restricted areas.
Hong Kong has reported 10,487 coronavirus cases and 182 deaths so far.
Germany considering Russian, Chinese vaccines
Desperate to accelerate its inoculation drive, and after an ugly wrangling match between AstraZeneca and the European Union, Germany is now considering Russian and Chinese vaccines, reports The Guardian.
German legal experts at the European Union have heavily criticised AstraZeneca’s contract with the EU, for being vague and incomplete.
‘If a vaccine can be considered safe and effective, regardless of what country it has been produced in, then it could help,” Germany’s Health Minister Jen Spahn was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, BioNTech, Pfizer and AstraZeneca have promised to increase their supplies to the EU.
Germany has reported 22,32,316 coronavirus cases and 58,396 deaths so far.
What else we are reading
South Africa lifts alcohol ban as Covid rules ease: BBC
Melburnians flee the city as Covid hits students and workers: Sydney Morning Herald
Also read: UK’s centenarian lockdown hero Captain Tom in hospital & other global Covid news