Category: General Interest

While commuters must be registered in the future and need a negative test result, there is basically no entry for citizens from the United Kingdom anymore. This applies as long as Great Britain is classified as a risk country. Commuters will have to register and undergo a corona test in the future. This is according to the new entry regulations issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs on Wednesday afternoon. For other entrants, essentially everything will remain the same, except that they will need a negative test when they enter…

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There is a 75% chance that someone will hit the pot. Two million Austrians – that’s how many have placed Lotto tips for the evening’s draw – are hoping for the main prize of 10 million euros at 6:48 p.m. today. It is virtually a historic draw: If a single person cracks the six-fold jackpot, it will be the second-highest lottery win of all time. The absolute highest payout was 50 percent more: 15 million euros: The rush for the tickets is enormous; for weeks, Austrian Lotteries has been registering…

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EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has shown herself open to a possible approval of the Russian Corona vaccine in the European Union, according to parliamentary sources. If Russian as well as Chinese manufacturers showed transparency and disclosed “all data” on their vaccines, they could possibly receive approvals, von der Leyen was quoted as saying by EU parliamentarians on Tuesday. The Commission chief had spoken to MEPs about the Corona situation. She is currently under heavy criticism for delays in the delivery of vaccine doses to EU countries. German…

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Health Minister Rudolf Anschober spoke to “Ö1-Morgenjournal” about the new relaxations and who now checks at the hairdresser. The government agreed on Monday on soft opening steps from February 8. Schools, trade and body-related service providers may open under strict security requirements. Here’s the rundown on all the new rules. “It is urgent that the population gets a perspective and that we get by reasonably well in the next few weeks until Easter,” Health Minister Rudolf Anschober explained the opening steps in the “Ö1-Morgenjournal”. According to AGES, 29.8 percent of…

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The entry regulation will be further tightened. For the first time, commuters will also be required to test and register: Once a week, a negative CoV test with corresponding proof must be carried out. In addition, registration as part of the “Pre Travel Clearance” will be mandatory, Interior Minister Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) announced today. Furthermore, the fines for violating the mask and distance obligation will be significantly increased. Instead of the previous 25 and 50 euros, an organ mandate will cost 90 euros for violations of the MNS obligation or…

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Researchers apparently found a new combination of two mutation variants in a virus in some samples. One consequence could be implications for vaccination protection.As recently discovered mutations of SARS-CoV-2 continue to spread, British scientists are warning of a new mutation. They are testing samples of the coronavirus for mutations on behalf of the British government. Now researchers have apparently found a combination of two variants in one virus. The BBC reports that some samples showed an altered genetic profile of the virus. The altered spike protein E484K, found in the…

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Expert panel recommendation: but with logistical problems with mRNA vaccines, there is nothing to prevent use of Astra-Zeneca vaccine in people 65 plus.The 18 members of the National Immunization Panel at the Department of Health and Human Services unanimously recommend use of the Astra-Zeneca vaccine in the 18- to 64-year-old age group. “There are sufficient good safety and effectiveness data for this age group to recommend the vaccine as having good efficacy against symptomatic infection and severe morbidity (hospitalization, intensification, death) for 18- to 64-year-olds,” according to the preamble to…

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MANILA, Philippines—the Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced that they will be lifting the travel restrictions on the 36 countries with reported cases of the new Covid-19 variants starting Feb 1, following a directive from the Inter-Agency Task Force Against Emerging and infectious Diseases (IATF). However, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente clarified that other travel restrictions remain in place. “We are still limiting the entry of foreign nationals to the country, following the IATF,” said Morente. “Generally speaking, tourists are still not allowed to enter the country,” he added. Current restrictions only…

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As of Monday, the government will consult with experts, state governors and opposition leaders on the way forward in the fight against the pandemic. After six weeks of lockdown, there could be the first opening steps starting Feb. 8: in retail, in service providers close to the body and in schools – which are expected to return to face-to-face classes in shifts. However, the lockdown will not end, given the still-high infection numbers. “The mutations are putting the brakes on a complete relaxation,” Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) said in a…

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