New Delhi: The novel coronavirus pandemic continues to devastate countries across the world — the latest count being over 17.8 crore cases and more than 38 lakh deaths.
While Japan eases restrictions ahead of the Olympics, Africa tightens them as cases increase amidst oxygen and vaccines shortages. New York announces an end of all restrictions with fireworks display and Germany allows non EU travellers in as well.
Japan eases Covid restrictions a month before Olympics
The Japanese government Thursday decided to lift Tokyo’s Covid-19 emergency restrictions just a month before the Olympics are scheduled to be held.
The emergency restrictions in Tokyo began in late April and limited the functioning of bars and restaurants and curtailed the sale of alcohol.
In place of the emergency restrictions, the government will implement “quasi-emergency” measures, reported Channel News Asia. These restrictions will stay in place till 11 July.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said, “The number of infections nationwide has been declining since mid-May and the situation in terms of hospital beds is steadily improving.”
For the first time, international fans will not be allowed to attend the Olympics, due to Covid-19.
Japan had reported over 7.79 lakh cases and more than 14,000 deaths due to the virus.
WHO official urges faster Covid vaccines for Africa as cases increase
Health officials in Africa have called for an urgent supply of vaccines to the continent. Among the worst hit countries in Africa are South Africa, Tunisia, Zambia, Uganda and Namibia, reports The Guardian.
South Africa has imposed more restrictions in light of rising cases.
The Guardian further reported that less than one in 100 people in Africa have received a vaccine.
World Health Organization’s regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti said, “Africa needs millions more doses here and now…Africa is in the midst of a full blown third wave … We’ve seen in India and elsewhere how quickly Covid-19 can rebound and overwhelm health systems.”
In Uganda, private and public medical facilities have reported a shortage of oxygen along with vaccines — hospitals are no longer able to admit patients to intensive care.
Africa has reported over 51 lakh cases and 1.36 lakhs due to the virus. The highest number of cases and deaths have taken place in South Africa.
Germany to allow vaccinated travellers from outside EU, 25 June onwards
In Germany, travellers from outside the European Union who have been completely vaccinated will be allowed to enter from 25 June onwards — unless the country is designated as a ‘virus variant area’, reports Reuters.
In a statement, the interior ministry of Germany said, “Visiting trips and tourism thus become possible again for vaccinated people.”
Individuals must have got their final dose of a vaccine 14 days prior to travel, asserted the interior ministry. Sixty per cent of the population has been vaccinated in Germany reports Deutsche Welle. However, there has been an increase in the number of Delta variant cases.
Germany had reported over 37.2 lakh Covid cases and more than 90,000 deaths due to the virus.
After more than 400 days, New York opens up
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the end of all Covid restrictions Wednesday as New York hit its 70 per cent vaccinations goal.
In an address Cuomo said, “Today is Day 472. Today is Tuesday.” And effective immediately, state-mandated Covid restrictions stand eliminated.
Cuomo also called this an opportunity to “return to life as we know it”.
This was celebrated across social media, with one video in particular of the Statue of Liberty and fireworks on the Hudson River going viral.
To honour essential workers, 10 designated locations were selected for fireworks. Cuomo also added that New York had the lowest Covid positivity rate in the United States.
The US Open tennis tournament which takes place at the end of August announced that it will allow 100 per cent spectator capacity throughout its entire two weeks.
Attendance on ?
We will operate at 100% capacity for the 2021 US Open in August! pic.twitter.com/f1dcVMDJ3d
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) June 17, 2021
What else are we reading:
In Sprint to Reopening, Sports Hits Pandemic Obstacles, New York Times
China Steps Into Covid-19 Vaccine Void in Asia’s Developing Nations, Wall Street Journal