In the fight against the Corona variant Omicron, the EU is backing accelerated booster vaccinations. “Offering vaccinations to all and providing booster doses is crucial and urgent,” stated in the joint conclusions on the Corona pandemic adopted by European leaders at their Brussels summit. Brussels also plans to limit the validity of vaccination certificates for travel within the EU to nine months. As a result, a general vaccination requirement in the EU is not yet on the horizon. Both Austria and Germany have initiated such a measure, and in Germany…
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Austria: Traffic light commission warns of Omicron crisis
The Corona Commission issued a warning of a new crisis from the Omicron Variant after its meeting on Thursday. In all likelihood, this will lead to a wave of infections “that may have significant economic and social adverse effects,” the body said in a release. For now, the situation is somewhat relaxed. Burgenland and Vienna have even left the high-risk area. High risk from Omicron in AustriaThe systemic risk posed by Omicron is assessed as “very high.” The commission points out that, due to the fourth wave of the epidemic,…
Read MoreAustrian Chancellor Nehammer: Vaccines adapted to Omicron to be available in spring
During the current EU summit in Brussels, Chancellor Karl Nehammer spoke about the present Covid situation. He said the main issues at stake are vaccination and preparations to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant. EU vaccine procurement is “on a very, very good track,” he said. “Hundreds of millions” of vaccine doses have been ordered, the chancellor added. In addition, guidance has been received from manufacturers that vaccines adapted to the Omicron variant should be available in the spring, Nehammer said. Preparations are underway, and as soon as the…
Read MoreNext opening steps in five states after lockdown
Together with the next door in the Advent calendar, the opening of the economy for vaccinated and convalescents after the fourth lockdown goes into the next round today. Upper Austria unlocks everything! In Lower Austria, Carinthia, Styria and Salzburg, the doors of restaurants and hotels open. Only in Vienna hotels and restaurants remain closed until Monday (20 December). Vorarlberg, Tyrol and Burgenland had already opened on Monday the whole economy except the night gastronomy. However, the lockdown for unvaccinated people remains in place throughout Austria. Also the gastronomy must lock…
Read MoreFEAR OF OMICRON: Many countries tighten travel rules
In light of the omicron variant, an increasing number of countries are tightening entry regulations. France restricts entry from Great Britain, Israel’s borders remain closed to tourists. Meanwhile, the EU states were only able to reach a minimal compromise at their summit in Brussels – new requirements for travelers are not ruled out. Britain is struggling with two CoV variants at the moment: The number of delta cases remains high, that of omicron cases is growing rapidly. On Thursday, almost 90,000 new infections were reported within 24 hours, a new…
Read MoreDenmark with record: 10,000 new cases in one day
Almost 10,000 new CoV cases were registered in Denmark yesterday – more than ever before in a single day. About 3,000 of the cases are omicron variants of the virus, according to the National Serum Institute. In total, about 9,000 Omicron infections have been detected in the country of nearly six million people since the end of November. Superspreader events in nightlife in particular have led to the virus spreading rapidly, the institute said. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced via Facebook new measures to slow the spread of the virus.…
Read MoreOmicron: Starting Sunday, travellers to Greece must present negative PCR test
In the future, travelers to Greece will be required to present a negative current PCR test upon entry, regardless of vaccination status. Originally, the government had intended this measure only for travelers from the United Kingdom and Denmark to prevent the spread of the corona variant Omicron. Now, however, the testing requirement has been extended to all entrants – it also applies to Austria. This was announced by the Ministry of Health. The measure will come into force at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021. In Greece, there are…
Read MoreWHO Europe urges caution at Christmas
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) European office is appealing for caution during the Christmas holidays in light of the pandemic situation. “If you plan to see friends and family, keep groups small and, if possible, take a test beforehand,” it said in a statement Thursday. Even those who are fully vaccinated should avoid crowded and confined places and wear a mask, it said. “We are dealing with two highly transmissible variants that have the potential to overwhelm our already overburdened health systems,” WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Henri Kluge…
Read MoreNovavax inactivated vaccine: approval expected before Christmas
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced today, Thursday, that it will publish the outcome of its deliberations on Novavax’s vaccine on Monday. This means the vaccine could be approved before Christmas. Many who are not now vaccinated have been waiting months for Novavax’s inactivated vaccine. The main difference between it and the mRNA vaccines, which some have questioned, is that inactivated spike proteins are injected. In contrast, with mRNA vaccines, the spike protein is first formed by the body’s own cells – according to the blueprint that is injected. The…
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