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822 new infections in Tokyo
The Japanese capital Tokyo reports a new high of 822 new infections. According to authorities, the health system is under such strain that the alert level for medical capacity has been raised to the highest of four levels. All available resources have been exhausted, a physician representative said. The number of Covid 19 patients must decrease, he said.
Bulgaria extends restrictions
Bulgaria is extending a series of restrictions until the end of January. Secondary schools, shopping centers, restaurants and gyms will remain closed until the end of January, the government announced. After the New Year vacations, only elementary school and kindergartens are to resume operations.
Museums, galleries and cinemas will be allowed to reopen in January at 30 percent of their capacity.Originally, the opening for other areas was planned for December 21.
The country of seven million people has one of the highest Covid 19 mortality rates in the EU due to its poorly equipped healthcare system.
Thailand eases regulations for tourists
Thailand is easing regulations for tourists from 56 countries in a bid to revive the hard-hit industry. However, inbound tourists are still required to stay in quarantine at a hotel for 14 days.
Tourists from countries such as Australia, France and the U.S. now do not need a visa, but they need a certificate stating that they were not infected with the coronavirus 72 hours before their trip, according to a spokesman for Thailand’s Covid 19 task force. In addition, travelers would have to prove they had a place in a quarantine hotel. During the two weeks they spend there, three Corona tests would be taken. It is possible that the quarantine period could then be shortened in the future.
Poland on lockdown from Dec. 28
To protect against further spread of the Corona pandemic, the government has decided to close hotels, shopping centers and ski slopes after the Christmas holidays. Hotels that were previously allowed to accommodate business travelers in Poland will also have to temporarily cease operations.
On New Year’s Eve, there will be a curfew from 7 p.m. to six a.m., and anyone entering the country by public transport will have to spend ten days in quarantine.
Wales reports 11,000 new infections
Due to IT maintenance, an estimated 11,000 new infections in the week between Dec. 9 and Dec. 15 were initially not included in the official figures, the health service in Cardiff said. So far, 11,911 new Corona cases had been reported for the week.
Authorities stressed that the maintenance work had not affected the communications chain. All those affected had been contacted promptly as usual, they said. However, the figures mean there are a tenth more Corona cases overall in the British part of the country than known – about 103,000 people have tested positive so far. Wales has a population of about 3.14 million. “The figures show how serious the situation in Wales has become,” said government leader Mark Drakeford.
The regional government had ordered a new shutdown Wednesday for an initial three weeks because of sharply rising case numbers. All non-essential businesses and facilities are to close from Christmas Eve, and from Dec. 28 there will be stricter restrictions on travel and personal contact. The region also limited the number of households allowed to meet over the Christmas holidays to two.
— hp, source: derstandard.at. picture: pixabay.com
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