New Delhi: The Covid-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the world. The latest count is more than 16,37,21,890 cases and 33,93,413 deaths.
Over 80 per cent of people in Japan have opposed hosting the Olympics in their country amid the latest Covid spike, and Saudi Arabia has lifted quarantine requirement for vaccinated foreign travellers.
ThePrint brings you some stories from around the world on the pandemic to keep you updated.
Over 80% Japanese oppose hosting Olympics amid Covid spike
Over 80 per cent of people in Japan oppose hosting the Olympics in their country this year, according to a poll published Monday by Asahi Shimbun newspaper, reports The Guardian. It received 1,527 replies from 3,191 telephone calls.
The latest survey comes three days after Japan expanded a Covid-19 state of emergency Friday, as a fourth wave of infections continues to pressure the country’s healthcare system.
According to the survey, 43 per cent of respondents want the sporting event cancelled and 40 per cent want it postponed.
The Tokyo Olympics are slated to be held from 23 July to 8 August 2021. In a similar survey by the paper a month ago, 35 per cent backed cancellation while 34 per cent wanted a further delay.
Only 14 per cent now support holding the Games this summer, down from 28 per cent last month, said the poll.
Japan has recorded 6,77,988 cases and 11,463 deaths.
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US CDC director defends mask recommendation
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr Rochelle Walensky defended the agency’s recommendation to people who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 that they can go out without a mask, reports CNBC.
“If they are vaccinated and they are not wearing a mask, they are safe. If they are not vaccinated and they are not wearing a mask, they are not safe,” Walensky said during an interview to NBC TV channel Sunday.
The CDC’s announcement last Thursday had come as a surprise to many American epidemiologists.
The recommendation has also led to some confusion because it does not lift local mask mandates, and states, municipalities and businesses can make the choice to follow it or not.
“This was not permission to shed masks for everybody everywhere,” Walensky said, adding that the recommendation was science-driven.
The US has recorded 3,37,15,951 cases and 6,00,147 deaths.
Saudi Arabia lifts quarantine requirement for vaccinated foreign travellers
Saudi Arabia announced Sunday that foreign visitors travelling by air will no longer need to quarantine if they have been vaccinated against Covid-19, reports Khaleej Times.
The civil aviation authority said the revised requirements will come into force from 20 May onwards. Currently, all travellers coming into the kingdom need to quarantine for 7-14 days depending on the countries where they are coming from, and provide negative PCR tests.
Visitors from 20 other countries — including the US, India, Britain, Germany, France and the UAE — remain banned from entering the kingdom.
The Ministry of Interior has also announced that Saudi citizens are still banned from travelling to 13 countries through direct or indirect flights without prior permission from the authorities due to Covid-19 risks. The countries include Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Iran, Turkey, Armenia, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Belarus, and India.
Saudi Arabia has reported 433,094 cases and 7,162 deaths.
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Taiwan imposes toughest restrictions amid new spike
Taiwan’s government has imposed its toughest restrictions since the start of the pandemic amid a spike in Covid-19 cases, reports BBC. The island of 23 million people reported 207 new infections Sunday after being left unscathed by the pandemic.
The government said masks must be now worn outdoors and authorities are shutting down cinemas and entertainment venues until 28 May. Gatherings have been limited to five people indoors and 10 outdoors.
President Tsai Ing-wen Sunday urged the public not to practise self-health monitoring, maintain social distance and avoid panic-buying basic necessities.
The COVID-19 alert has been raised to level 3 in Taipei & New Taipei. Please carefully read the information in the link below, share it with those you know, & remember to follow these guidelines to ensure that you & those around you stay safe & healthy.
— 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) May 16, 2021
Taiwan has recorded 1,682 cases and 12 deaths.
What else are we reading:
Brazil city offers COVID shots to all 18-60 as part of test: Associated Press
Grieving for freedom: Why many of us feel trapped inside Australia: The Age
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