Month: December 2020

Canada exceeds threshold of 500,000 infections

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The number of coronavirus infections in Canada has exceeded the threshold of half a million. As reported by broadcaster CBC, citing information from authorities, 500,242 cases of infection had been recorded in the country of 38 million people by yesterday. The virus spread has accelerated sharply recently: The threshold of 400,000 infections had been exceeded only two weeks ago. The number of deaths is now more than 14,000. On Monday, vaccinations with the coronavirus vaccine of the Mainz-based company Biontech and its US partner Pfizer started in Canada – on…

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Silent Christmas: What’s allowed at Christmas religious services this year

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Singing along is not allowed, plus reserved seats are needed for services in the churches.It goes this with a number of restricions – also in churches: one has to wear mask, observe without distance. In contrast to the Easter Vigil celebrations (first lockdown), however, the Christmas masses (just before the third lockdown) may take place with visitors, albeit restricted and with many conditions due to the risk of contagion. The dioceses of the Catholic churches as well as the Protestant parishes are making efforts to offer Christmas services that conform…

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Chancellor Kurz promotes testing before Christmas celebrations

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Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) has once again called for people to be tested for the coronavirus before any family celebrations shortly before Christmas. “I myself will do this as a matter of course,” Kurz told APA today. This, he said, could prevent infecting family members. “Everyone can make a big contribution to protecting themselves and others by being careful, especially in private,” Kurz affirmed. Only one household is allowed to meet another household, he said. “My big request is: stick to it!” appealed Kurz. While up to ten people (including…

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Approval for Pfizer/Biontech vaccine in Switzerland – Death toll in Italy down slightly

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Switzerland has granted approval to the coronavirus vaccine developed by German company Biontech and its U.S. partner Pfizer. This is the world’s first approval in an ordinary procedure rather than an emergency approval, the regulatory agency Swissmedic announced today. The vaccine had been under review since mid-October with dossiers submitted on an ongoing basis, it said. “The data available to date showed comparable, high efficacy in all age groups studied and met safety requirements,” the agency said. The most common documented side effects were comparable to those of influenza vaccination,…

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Tougher measures in Great Britain

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According to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, initial findings indicate that the new variant of the coronavirus discovered in Great Britain is significantly more contagious than the known form. But there is no evidence that vaccines are less effective, Johnson told reporters and journalists in London today. Because of the coronavirus mutation, however, the government tightened restrictions on London significantly from tomorrow. “If the virus changes its method of attack, we will have to change our method of defense,” Johnson said. The previously three-phase coronavirus alert system has now been expanded…

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Border controls strengthened until January 10

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Due to the Corona Entry Ordinance, the Austrian Armed Forces have been increasing their forces at the state border in Lower Austria, Carinthia and Tyrol since Saturday until probably January 10. In the remaining provinces, troops will be redeployed, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense said Saturday morning in a statement. The army is stepping up controls at border crossings with the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia and Italy, together with the police. On the German A3 freeway near Passau, traffic jams have been forming since nightfall on Saturday…

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THE CURRENT FIGURES: Again, 2,296 new infections and 82 deaths

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Once again, more than 2,000 new cases were registered within 24 hours. So far, there have been 337,209 positive test results in Austria. As of today (December 19, 2020, 09:30), 5,209 people across Austria have died as a result of Corona virus and 300,611 have recovered. Currently, 2,964 people are undergoing hospital treatment due to the Corona virus, and 489 of the ill are in intensive care units. New infections since the last report are divided among the provinces of Austria as follows:Burgenland: 30Carinthia: 157Lower Austria: 416Upper Austria: 407Salzburg: 160…

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Good to know: An overview of the rules during the third lockdown and beyond

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Retail will be closed again from December 26 until January 18, and restaurants and hotels will remain closed. And the lockdown will last even longer – until January 24 – for all those who do not participate in the second round of mass testing in mid-January. The ski resorts and lifts in Tyrol, on the other hand, will be allowed to open from December 24. An overview: ? DURATION:The third lockdown starts on St. Stephen’s Day on December 26, and ends on January 17, but only for those who undergo…

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Free COVID 19 tests in all federal states

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For those who don’t want to miss out on celebrating Christmas together with relatives, there is an opportunity to get tested in all federal states. The test lanes are open from Monday at the latest – some with, some without registration. All people who live or work in Vienna can come to the Austria Center and get tested for free. The appointment for this is available either online or by phone via the health phone 1450. An appointment is necessary because they expect an increased rush before and during the…

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