Johnson receives ‘partygate’ police questionnaire

In the UK, Boris Johnson has received his questionnaire from police investigating allegations of lockdown-breaching parties in No 10, Downing Street has said.

A No 10 spokesperson said: “We can confirm the prime minister has received a questionnaire from the Metropolitan police. He will respond as required.”

Johnson’s political future is at stake over allegations that he attended parties while the UK was under strict Covid curbs.

Here is a brief round-up of today’s top Covid news stories:

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The acute phase of the pandemic could end this year, if around 70% of the world gets vaccinated, the World Health Organization chief has said.

The US Food and Drug Administration said it was postponing the advisory committee meeting to discuss request for authorisation of Pfizer/BioNTech Covid vaccine for children 6 months through 4 years of age.

In the UK, Boris Johnson has received his questionnaire from police investigating allegations of lockdown-breaching parties in No 10, Downing Street has said.

Belgium announced further easing of Covid restrictions to allow nightclubs to reopen and drop the requirement for primary school pupils to wear masks, as Omicron cases fell from an end-of-January peak.

Iceland will ease some Covid restrictions at the weekend, including limits on crowd numbers and restaurant opening hours, before lifting all measures at the end of the month, two weeks ahead of schedule.

Spain announced it would loosen its border requirements, with children over 12 from non-EU countries no longer needing to be fully vaccinated.

Brazil recorded 166,009 new coronavirus cases and 1,135 Covid deaths in the last 24 hours, its Health Ministry said on Friday.

Canada’s Ontario province declared a state of emergency and the premier, Doug Ford, threatened fines and jail terms as authorities came under increasing pressure from the US to end anti-vaccine mandate protests that have drastically cut trade between the two nations.

South Africa’s efforts to produce vaccines are key to helping the African continent become more self-sufficient in inoculations to combat Covid-19 and many other diseases, the chief of the World Health Organization said on Friday.

The UK recorded a further 58,899 Covid cases and 193 deaths within 28 days of a positive test, according to the government’s coronavirus dashboard.

France will no longer require people to wear masks indoors in public places where entry is subject to the Covid vaccine pass from 28 February, the health ministry said in a statement, citing an “improvement in the health situation”.

The UK’s vaccines watchdog is set to announce new recommendations for vaccinating younger children next week, after a long and complex evaluation.

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That’s it from me, Tom Ambrose, and indeed the global Covid live blog for today.

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You can keep up-to-date with all the latest Covid news here. Goodbye for now.

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This report is from AFP.

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The acute phase of the pandemic could end this year, if around 70% of the world gets vaccinated, the World Health Organization chief has said.

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“Our expectation is that the acute phase of this pandemic will end this year, of course with one condition, the 70% vaccination [target is achieved] by mid this year around June, July,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, told reporters in South Africa.

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“If that is to be done, the acute phase can really end, and that is what we are expecting. It’s in our hands. It’s not a matter of chance. It’s a matter of choice.”

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He was speaking during a visit to Afrigen Biologics and Vaccines, which has produced the first mRNA Covid vaccine made in Africa using Moderna’s sequence.

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“We expect this vaccine to be more suited to the contexts in which it will be used, with fewer storage constraints and at a lower price,” said the WHO boss.

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The vaccine will be ready for clinical trials in November, with approval expected in 2024.

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Afrigen is leading the pilot project, backed by the WHO and the Covax initiative.

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Set up in July, the tech transfer hub will train other countries and hand out production licences to poor nations left out in the race for the life-saving shots.

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Tedros said WHO was “committed to supporting the development of local manufacturing in Africa and around the world, to increase regional health security”.

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Just over 11% of Africans are vaccinated, the lowest rate in the world. Last week the WHO’s Africa office said the continent must boost its vaccination rate “six times” to reach the 70% target.

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Here is a quick recap of some of the main developments from today so far:

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Belgium announced further easing of Covid restrictions to allow nightclubs to reopen and drop the requirement for primary school pupils to wear masks, as Omicron cases fell from an end-of-January peak. “The successive waves have not been easy for us,” the prime minister, Alexander De Croo, told a news conference, referring to back-to-back Omicron and Delta variant surges. “But we have got through them and we have got through them together.” From next Friday, nightclubs will be allowed to reopen, bars will be able to extend their hours beyond the current limit of midnight and end curbs on the number of customers per table and concerts will be possible with a standing audience. Indoor access will still be largely based on a Covid pass, showing vaccination or a recent test or recovery from infection. Limits, from 70% to full capacity, will be based on the activity and the degree of ventilation. Non-essential workers will also no longer need to work from home for at least four days a week and consumers will be able to go shopping in groups of more than two.

Iceland will ease some Covid restrictions at the weekend, including limits on crowd numbers and restaurant opening hours, before lifting all measures at the end of the month, two weeks ahead of schedule. From midnight on Saturday, the limit on the number of people allowed to gather in public will increase from 50 to 200, and sports centres and ski resorts will be allowed to operate at full capacity, the government announced on Friday. Bars, restaurants and discos will be allowed to stay open until 1am. Then, from 25 February, the remainder of pandemic restrictions will be lifted, including the limit on crowd numbers and the obligation to wear a mask, as long as no new virus variant emerges and the number of cases does not overwhelm the country’s healthcare system, the government said.

Canada is reviewing its pandemic-related border restrictions and will probably announce changes next week, as the worst of an Omicron-driven wave appears to have passed, the health minister said. “With the worst of Omicron now behind us, our government is actively reviewing the measures in place at our borders and we should be able to communicate changes on this next week,” Jean-Yves Duclos told reporters. CBC earlier reported that the federal government was close to removing mandatory Covid-19 PCR testing for fully vaccinated Canadians who travel outside Canada. Canada requires all travellers entering the country to provide proof of a negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours of arrival. It also requires all non-essential foreign travellers to be fully-vaccinated.

Spain announced it would loosen its border requirements, with children over 12 from non-EU countries no longer needing to be fully vaccinated. The Spanish government announced it was relaxing its travel rules from Monday, which will be a boost for British holidaymakers planning to head abroad in February half-term. Children aged 12 to 17 will now be able to visit by showing a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival in Spain, as an alternative to presenting a Covid certificate with proof of having been fully vaccinated. All other UK travellers, excluding children under 12, will still need to present a Covid certificate showing proof of being fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to arrival in Spain. If more than 270 days have passed since the last dose was administered, proof of a booster jab is also required. Prior to travelling to Spain, all passengers must also present a QR code which is obtained from filling in the Health Control Form (FCS in Spanish) available via Spain Travel Health (SpTH). Story here.

Canada’s Ontario province declared a state of emergency and the premier, Doug Ford, threatened fines and jail terms as authorities came under increasing pressure from the US to end anti-vaccine mandate protests that have drastically cut trade between the two nations. The “Freedom Convoy” by Canadian truckers opposing a vaccinate-or-quarantine mandate for cross-border drivers, mirrored by the US government, began with the occupation of the Canadian capital, Ottawa. The truckers then blocked the Ambassador Bridge earlier this week, and shut down two other smaller border crossings. The closure of the bridge, North America’s busiest international land border crossing and a key supply route for Detroit’s carmakers, has halted some auto output and left officials scrambling to limit economic damage. “I will convene cabinet to use legal authorities to urgently enact orders that will make crystal clear it is illegal and punishable to block and impede the movement of goods, people and service along critical infrastructure,” Ford said in a press briefing on Friday. Ford also pledged new legal action against protesters, including fines and potential jail time for non-compliance with the government’s orders. More here.

The UK recorded a further 58,899 Covid cases and 193 deaths within 28 days of a positive test, according to the government’s coronavirus dashboard. Separately, the estimated range of England’s Covid reproduction “R” number is between 0.8 and 1.0, similar to its range the previous week, the UK Health Security Agency said, with the daily reduction in cases also around the same level.

France will no longer require people to wear masks indoors in public places where entry is subject to the Covid vaccine pass from 28 February, the health ministry said in a statement, citing an “improvement in the health situation”. Masks will remain mandatory in public transport and in indoor places not subject to the vaccine pass. The rules apply to public spaces like bars and restaurants, sports and leisure activities which now require proof of vaccination to enter. The new rule is in line with a health council recommendation and follows a slowdown of the Covid-19 infection rate. France had already dropped its requirement for people to wear a mask outdoors on 2 February. The change in the rules on Friday also reduces from three to one the number of tests people must take if they come into contact with a confirmed case of Covid.

The UK’s vaccines watchdog is set to announce new recommendations for vaccinating younger children next week, after a long and complex evaluation. The Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI) made its decision last week, and a formal announcement was due on Friday afternoon but has been delayed. Thus far, only clinically vulnerable children in the five to 11 age group have been offered vaccinations, a decision made in December.

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Iceland will ease some Covid restrictions at the weekend – including limits on crowd numbers and restaurant opening hours – and lift all measures at the end of the month, two weeks ahead of schedule, AFP reports.

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From midnight on Saturday the limit on the number of people allowed to gather in public will increase from 50 to 200, and sports centres and ski resorts will be allowed to operate at full capacity, the government announced on Friday. Bars, restaurants and discos will be allowed to stay open until 1am.

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From 25 February, the remainder of pandemic restrictions will be lifted, including a limit on crowd numbers and the obligation to wear a mask, as long as no new virus variant emerges and the number of cases does not overwhelm the country’s healthcare system, the government said.

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Canada is reviewing its pandemic-related border restrictions and will probably announce changes next week, as the worst of an Omicron-driven wave appears to have passed, the health minister said on Friday.

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“With the worst of Omicron now behind us, our government is actively reviewing the measures in place at our borders and we should be able to communicate changes on this next week,” Jean-Yves Duclos told reporters.

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CBC earlier reported that the federal government was close to removing mandatory Covid-19 PCR testing for fully vaccinated Canadians who travel outside Canada.

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Canada requires all travellers entering the country to provide proof of a negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours of arrival. It also requires all non-essential foreign travellers to be fully vaccinated.

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Belgium has announced further easing of Covid restrictions to allow nightclubs to reopen and drop the requirement for primary school pupils to wear masks, as Omicron cases fell from an end-of-January peak, Reuters reports.

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“The successive waves have not been easy for us,” the prime minister, Alexander De Croo, told a news conference on Friday, referring to back-to-back Omicron and Delta variant surges. “But we have got through them and we have got through them together.”

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Covid infections have fallen from a record 75,000 on 24 January to an average of around 23,000 in the week to 7 February. Hospital admissions have also declined and the numbers of patients in intensive care was far lower than during previous waves.

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From next Friday, nightclubs will be allowed to reopen, bars will be able to extend their hours beyond the current limit of midnight and end curbs on the number of customers per table and concerts will be possible with a standing audience.

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Indoor access will still be largely based on a Covid pass, showing vaccination or a recent test or recovery from infection. Limits, from 70% to full capacity, will be based on the activity and the degree of ventilation.

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Non-essential workers will also no longer need to work from home for at least four days a week and consumers will be able to go shopping in groups of more than two.

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The easing of measures follows those already announced in Belgium’s neighbours. France has set in motion a gradual easing through February.

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The Dutch government said on Thursday it aims to drop most coronavirus restrictions by the end of the month, but with Covid passes for access to many public places.

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This report is from Reuters.

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Canada’s Ontario province declared a state of emergency on Friday and premier Doug Ford threatened fines and jail terms as authorities came under increasing pressure from the United States to end anti-vaccine mandate protests that has drastically cut trade between the two nations.

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The “Freedom Convoy” by Canadian truckers opposing a vaccinate-or-quarantine mandate for cross-border drivers, mirrored by the US government, began with the occupation of the Canadian capital, Ottawa. The truckers then blocked the Ambassador Bridge earlier this week, and shut down two other smaller border crossings.

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The closure of the bridge, North America’s busiest international land border crossing and a key supply route for Detroit’s carmakers, has halted some auto output and left officials scrambling to limit economic damage.

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“I will convene cabinet to use legal authorities to urgently enact orders that will make crystal clear it is illegal and punishable to block and impede the movement of goods, people and service along critical infrastructure,” Ford said in a press briefing on Friday.

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Ford also pledged new legal action against protesters, including fines and potential jail time for non-compliance with the government’s orders.

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Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer on Friday said she has been pushing the Canadian government to get the protest under control and that the bridge blockade was hurting her state. “The Canadian government has to do whatever it takes to safely and swiftly resolve this,” Whitmer told CNN.

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Canadian autoparts maker Magna International on Friday said the shutting of the Ambassador Bridge has started to have some initial impact in some areas of the company’s operations, as it became the latest company to swept up in the truckers protest. The company’s stock fell 4.4%.

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The Biden administration on Thursday urged Canada to use federal powers to ease the disruption.

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The Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said he was working with municipal leaders to end the blockade. Public safety minister Marco Mendicino said federal police forces would be deployed to Windsor, near the bridge, and to Ottawa.

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Mendicino is scheduled to speak with US Homeland Security secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Friday, his office confirmed.

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Police in Windsor, Ontario, which borders Detroit, said they had received additional resources from outside jurisdictions to “support a peaceful resolution to the current demonstration at and near the Ambassador Bridge.”

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In Ottawa, the epicentre of the protests, police were waiting on Thursday for a request for provincial and federal reinforcements to be completed. They have made 25 arrests so far. City police chief Peter Sloly expects the reinforcements to arrive in the next 48 hours ahead of a potential rise in protesters in the city over the weekend.

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“This is an entirely sophisticated level of demonstrators. They have the capability to run strong organisation here provincially and nationally, and we’re seeing that play out in real time,” Sloly told reporters.

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Canada sends 75% of its exports to the United States and the bridge usually handles 8,000 trucks a day, representing a quarter of all cross-border trade, or about C$500 million ($392.56 million) per day.

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About C$100 million worth of auto parts cross the border each day, with many shipments timed to arrive just as manufacturers need them.

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General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co, Chrysler parent Stellantis and Toyota Motor Corp have been impacted by the blockades.
While officials at the federal, provincial and municipal levels have held regular meetings, they have had limited impact on the ground.

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Windsor mayor Drew Dilkens has sought an injunction from the Ontario superior court to have the protesters at the bridge removed, adding that he was striving to resolve the issue peacefully and ensure that nobody gets hurt.

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As many pandemic-weary western countries near the two-year mark on coronavirus restrictions, copycat protests have spread to Australia, New Zealand and France, although the wave of infections caused by the Omicron variant has begun to subside in some places.

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The UK has recorded a further 58,899 Covid cases and 193 deaths within 28 days of a positive test, according to the government’s coronavirus dashboard.

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That compares to 66,638 infections and 206 fatalities reported in the 24 hours prior.

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France will no longer require people to wear masks indoors in public places where entry is subject to the Covid vaccine pass from 28 February, the health ministry said in a statement on Friday, citing an “improvement in the health situation”.

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Masks will remain mandatory in public transport and in indoor places not subject to the vaccine pass. The rules apply to public spaces like bars and restaurants, sports and leisure activities which now require proof of vaccination to enter.

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The new rule is in line with a health council recommendation and follows a slowdown of the Covid-19 infection rate.

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“In a context where pressure from the epidemic is falling strongly, the vaccine pass allows us to remove the mask-wearing requirement as we have done in previous waves,” the health minister Olivier Véran told AFP.

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France had already dropped its requirement for people to wear a mask outdoors on 2 February.

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The change in the rules on Friday also reduces from three to one the number of tests people must take if they come into contact with a confirmed case of Covid.

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With an election approaching in April and growing discontent among parts of the public about infection control restrictions, President Emmanuel Macron’s government has promised to ease measures within weeks if cases continue to fall.

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The UK’s vaccines watchdog is set to announce new recommendations for vaccinating younger children later on Friday, after a long and complex evaluation.

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The Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI) made its decision last week, and a formal announcement is due on Friday afternoon.

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Thus far, only clinically vulnerable children in the five to 11 age group have been offered vaccinations, a decision made in December.

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It is not known whether the JCVI has recommended this cohort be expanded, and if so how widely. Decisions over vaccinating younger children are complex, not least because very few of them become seriously ill with Covid. Many primary-age children have also had the virus recently, with the emergence of the Omicron variant.

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The JCVI’s remit allows it only to consider the net benefits to those receiving a vaccine, not wider factors such as reducing transmission. In September it said it could not recommend Covid vaccinations for 12- to 15-year-olds, instead suggesting ministers seek wider advice.

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The JCVI is entirely independent and makes only recommendations. It is up to health ministers in each of the four UK nations to decide if they will accept them, and so far in Covid they always have.

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Here’s a round-up of Friday’s top Covid stories globally so far.

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The World Health Organization’s chief scientist, Soumya Swaminathan, said on Friday that the world had not yet reached the Covid pandemic’s end – and warned there would be more variants of concern.

Russia vaulted its 24-hour Covid record again on Friday, sailing over 200,000 daily cases for the first time to bookmark three weeks of almost daily record-breaking.

The French president, Emmanuel Macron, refused a Kremlin request that he take a Russian Covid-19 test when he arrived to see Vladimir Putin this week, and was therefore kept at a distance from the Russian leader.

The UK ended testing travel restrictions for vaccinated arrivals on Friday, peeling back curbs as the government ploughs on with its “living with the virus” strategy. Meanwhile, GDP grew by 7.5% in 2021, the strongest pace of growth since 1940.

Spain also announced it would loosen border requirements, with children over 12 from non-EU countries no longer needing to be fully vaccinated.

In the UK, HM Revenue & Customs has been accused by an influential group of MPs of “ignorance and inaction” on recouping £6bn of fraudulent Covid-19 support payments, drawing an angry backlash from the tax authority.

China will fully support Hong Kong with its “dynamic zero” coronavirus strategy, its office overseeing matters in the city said, as the territory is expected to hit a new record for daily infections on Friday.

Malaysia reported more than 20,000 new Covid infections in a day on Friday, for the first time since September.

Germany’s highest court on Friday rejected petitions to temporarily block a vaccine mandate for healthcare staff – paving the way for compulsory jabs in hospitals and care homes from 15 March.

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That’s all from me, Jem Bartholomew, for today. I’ll be back Sunday. Drop me a message via email or on Twitter with tips for then. Over to my colleague Lucy Campbell – bye for now.

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The UK ended testing travel restrictions for vaccinated arrivals on Friday, peeling back curbs as the government ploughs on with its “living with the virus” strategy.

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Robert Courts, the aviation minister, said the UK government was “taking the trouble out of travel” – meaning vaccinated people no longer need to take a rapid Covid test after arrival.

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“This has been a long road but due to the success of the vaccination programme, I am really glad to be able to bring you this news this morning that we are taking the trouble out of travel,” Courts told LBC.

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Meanwhile, unvaccinated people no longer need to isolate but will still be required to get tested.

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The aviation industry welcomed the change, with the Aer Lingus CEO, Lynne Embleton, telling the Guardian that the former rules added “unnecessary complexity and cost,” and BA’s CEO, Sean Doyle, telling PA he hoped other countries follow suit.

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Planning a half term trip abroad? ✈️
Good news! From 4am on 11 Feb, eligible fully vaccinated passengers won’t need to take any tests after arriving in England.
Only a Passenger Locator Form will be required.
Don't forget to check entry requirements for your destination! 👇
— FCDO Travel Advice (@FCDOtravelGovUK) January 24, 2022

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GMT”,”blockLastUpdated”:1644584726000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”13.05 GMT”,”blockFirstPublished”:1644576008000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”10.40 GMT”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”10.40″,”title”:”UK scraps testing requirements for vaccinated arrivals”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Fri 11 Feb 2022 23.33 GMT”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published on Fri 11 Feb 2022 05.31 GMT”},{“id”:”620637108f08cb1176ac97e8″,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”

Spain has announced it will loosen its border requirements, with children over 12 from non-EU countries no longer needing to be fully vaccinated.

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Instead, they will need a negative Covid test.

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The changes will come into effect on Monday.

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The World Health Organization’s chief scientist, Soumya Swaminathan, said on Friday that the world had not yet reached the Covid pandemic’s end – and warned there would be more variants.

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“We have seen the virus evolve, mutate … so we know there will be more variants, more variants of concern, so we are not at the end of the pandemic,” Swaminathan told reporters in South Africa.

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She said 11,000 to 12,000 people were still dying globally every day from Covid, mostly unvaccinated people.

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Swaminathan restated the case for scaling up vaccine manufacturing – and delivering shots equitably – as vaccine inequality continues to plague the world.

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While many western countries have ploughed on with booster campaigns, many countries in the developing world are yet to double-jab populations. For instance, only one in four African healthcare workers is protected.

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Swaminathan’s comments follow the former UK prime minister Gordon Brown’s statements on Wednesday, saying vaccine inequality was a “monumental international policy failure” and warning “history will not be kind” to western leaders for hoarding jabs.

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n
“A small number of countries have monopolised the purchase and therefore control the supply of the vast majority of vaccines,” Brown said. “That means that some of these countries have been hoarding the vaccines, stockpiling them at least, and then they get to a position where they are running out and they are past the use-by date [and must destroy them].”
n

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GMT”,”blockLastUpdated”:1644584820000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”13.07 GMT”,”blockFirstPublished”:1644570951000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”09.15 GMT”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”09.15″,”title”:”WHO chief scientist: World not at pandemic’s end, new concerning variants likely”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Fri 11 Feb 2022 23.33 GMT”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published on Fri 11 Feb 2022 05.31 GMT”},{“id”:”62061d938f08b0eb1f62d6ef”,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”

Russia vaulted its 24-hour Covid record again on Friday, sailing over 200,000 daily cases for the first time to bookmark three weeks of almost daily record-breaking.

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The health ministry detected 203,949 new positive tests, a 110% jump on the 97,284 new infections on Friday two weeks ago – which was itself a record-breaking figure.

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Deaths climbed by 722 in the past 24 hours, rising 9% on the 661 deaths on Friday two weeks ago.

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Reuters estimates Russia under-reports its Covid death toll. The figure is above 708,000, Reuters says, not the 338,000 authorities claim, making it the world’s second highest toll behind only the US. (Russia has the ninth highest population.)

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Meanwhile, Russian troops continue to build-up on Ukraine’s borders, US secretary of state Antony Blinken said on Friday, with president Joe Biden warning “things could go crazy quickly”.

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GMT”,”blockLastUpdated”:1644569858000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”08.57 GMT”,”blockFirstPublished”:1644569858000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”08.57 GMT”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”08.57″,”title”:”Russia vaults daily Covid record again – sailing over 200,000 for first time”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Fri 11 Feb 2022 23.33 GMT”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published on Fri 11 Feb 2022 05.31 GMT”},{“id”:”620605808f08b0eb1f62d5f3″,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”

In the UK, HM Revenue & Customs has been accused by an influential group of MPs of “ignorance and inaction” on recouping £6bn of fraudulent Covid-19 support payments, drawing an angry backlash from the tax authority.

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The public accounts committee (PAC), which monitors state spending, issued a litany of criticisms of HMRC, warning that money surrendered to fraudsters would ultimately add to the cost of living crisis engulfing Britain.

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In a series of criticisms described as “damning” by shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves, the PAC said:

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HMRC has effectively “written off” £4bn of Covid-related fraud.

Plans to recover fraudulent payments are “unambitious”.

This risks “rewarding the unscrupulous”.

Customer service at the tax authority has “collapsed”.

HMRC is not doing enough to crack down on tax avoidance.

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Read on below:

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Emmanuel Macron refused a Kremlin request that he take a Russian Covid-19 test when he arrived to see Vladimir Putin this week, and was therefore kept at a distance from the Russian leader, two sources in Macron’s entourage told Reuters.

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Observers were struck by images of Macron and Putin sitting at opposite ends of 4-metre-long (13ft) table to discuss the Ukraine crisis on Monday, with some diplomats and others suggesting Putin might have wanted to send a diplomatic message.

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But the two sources, who have knowledge of the French president’s health protocol, told Reuters that Macron had been given a choice: either he accepted a PCR test done by the Russian authorities and was allowed to get close to Putin, or he refused and had to abide by more stringent social distancing.

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“We knew very well that meant no handshake and that long table. But we could not accept that they get their hands on the president’s DNA,” one of the sources told Reuters, referring to security concerns if the French leader was tested by Russian doctors.

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Read the full story here:

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More on the protests on parliament’s grounds in Wellington, New Zealand, where Stuff reports that the sprinklers have been turned on and will remain on all night, on the orders of Speaker Trevor Mallard.

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The news website points out that heavy rain is also forecast overnight and quotes Mallard as saying:

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n
No one who is here is here legally, and if they’re getting wet from below as well as above, they’re likely to be a little bit less comfortable and more likely to go home. Some people have suggested we add the vaccine in the water, but I don’t think it works that way.”
n

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Hello and welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic with me, Helen Livingstone.

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More people have arrived outside New Zealand’s parliament, as protesters calling for an end to a vaccine mandate and Covid-19 restrictions refused to end their demonstrations despite arrests by the police. It’s been four days since protesters, inspired by truckers’ demonstrations in Canada, occupied the parliament lawns in the capital Wellington.

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China will fully support Hong Kong with its “dynamic zero” coronavirus strategy, its office overseeing matters in the city said, as the territory is expected to hit a new record for daily infections on Friday. The global financial hub will report at least 1,325 new coronavirus cases on Friday, broadcaster TVB reported, a new record.

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Prince Charles met the Queen two days before testing positive for Covid for the second time. A palace source said the monarch was not displaying any symptoms, but declined to say whether or not she had tested negative.

Elsewhere in the UK, Boris Johnson was condemned by former Conservatiove prime minister Sir John Major as a lawbreaker whose disregard for honesty and ministerial standards risks undermining the UK’s long-term democratic future, on another politically bruising day for the prime minister.

Brussels authorities have banned a pan-European “freedom convoy” of motorists protesting Covid restrictions from entering the Belgian capital, the regional government said in a statement. Reuters reports the convoy was expected to arrive at the home of European Union institutions and NATO on Monday. Authorities in Paris had earlier banned the convoy.

Spain dropped the mandatory use of face masks outdoors. Although they will remain compulsory at large open-air gatherings where social distancing is not possible, they will no longer be required in school playgrounds.

New Zealand has hit a new record daily of community Covid cases, with 446 announced on Friday. That is an increase of 140 cases from the previous record, which was set the previous day. Cases are expected to climb steadily now that Omicron is spreading within New Zealand.

Novavax says its Covid vaccine has proved safe and effective in a study of 12- to 17-year-olds. Armed with the new data, Novavax plans to soon seek expanded use of its shots down to age 12. Later this year, it plans to begin testing in younger children.

The Dutch government has said it aims to drop most of its coronavirus restrictions by the end of the month, as record levels of infections in recent weeks have only had a limited effect on hospital numbers.

The UK recorded another 66,638 Covid infections and a further 206 deaths within 28 days of a positive test, according to the latest data on the government’s coronavirus dashboard.

Covid passes are to be scrapped and the need to wear face coverings in certain venues removed later this month as coronavirus cases continue to fall, the Welsh government has announced. The changes will be confirmed on Friday during the first three-week review of Wales’s alert level zero measures.

The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has been isolating since Saturday after contracting Covid, has tested negative, the state-owned Anadolu news agency cited his doctor as saying.

The Costa Rican president, Carlos Alvarado, tested positive for Covid-19, his office said. “He is doing well and will be in isolation at his home,” it added.

Africa is transitioning out of the pandemic phase of its Covid outbreak and moving towards a situation where it will be managing the virus long term, the World Health Organization’s regional head for Africa said. Dr Matshidiso Moeti also said the number of Covid infections in Africa could be seven times higher than official data suggested, and deaths from the virus two to three times higher.

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Summary

Here is a brief round-up of today’s top Covid news stories:

The acute phase of the pandemic could end this year, if around 70% of the world gets vaccinated, the World Health Organization chief has said.
The US Food and Drug Administration said it was postponing the advisory committee meeting to discuss request for authorisation of Pfizer/BioNTech Covid vaccine for children 6 months through 4 years of age.
In the UK, Boris Johnson has received his questionnaire from police investigating allegations of lockdown-breaching parties in No 10, Downing Street has said.
Belgium announced further easing of Covid restrictions to allow nightclubs to reopen and drop the requirement for primary school pupils to wear masks, as Omicron cases fell from an end-of-January peak.
Iceland will ease some Covid restrictions at the weekend, including limits on crowd numbers and restaurant opening hours, before lifting all measures at the end of the month, two weeks ahead of schedule.
Spain announced it would loosen its border requirements, with children over 12 from non-EU countries no longer needing to be fully vaccinated.
Brazil recorded 166,009 new coronavirus cases and 1,135 Covid deaths in the last 24 hours, its Health Ministry said on Friday.
Canada’s Ontario province declared a state of emergency and the premier, Doug Ford, threatened fines and jail terms as authorities came under increasing pressure from the US to end anti-vaccine mandate protests that have drastically cut trade between the two nations.
South Africa’s efforts to produce vaccines are key to helping the African continent become more self-sufficient in inoculations to combat Covid-19 and many other diseases, the chief of the World Health Organization said on Friday.
The UK recorded a further 58,899 Covid cases and 193 deaths within 28 days of a positive test, according to the government’s coronavirus dashboard.
France will no longer require people to wear masks indoors in public places where entry is subject to the Covid vaccine pass from 28 February, the health ministry said in a statement, citing an “improvement in the health situation”.
The UK’s vaccines watchdog is set to announce new recommendations for vaccinating younger children next week, after a long and complex evaluation.

That’s it from me, Tom Ambrose, and indeed the global Covid live blog for today.

You can keep up-to-date with all the latest Covid news here. Goodbye for now.

In the US, California would mandate that all businesses require their employees and independent contractors to receive the Covid vaccine under legislation announced on Friday by Democratic state lawmakers.

Employees or contractors who qualify for medical or religious exemptions would have to be regularly tested under a planned amendment to the bill.

New employees would have to get at least one dose by the time they start work and the second dose within 45 days of being on the job.

Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks introduced her bill months after delaying an original proposal last fall. The previous version would have allowed workers to submit to weekly testing as an alternative to getting vaccinated, but that is not an option in her new proposal.

Vaccines mandates are highly controversial and there have been many rallies at the state Capitol in Sacramento opposing such requirements.

Vikram Dodd

For those wondering, being sent a questionnaire means that police have reason to believe someone was at an event that may have breached the Covid restrictions.

Announcing the criminal inquiry last month the Met commissioner Cressida Dick said police would investigate the “most serious and flagrant” breaches, where there was evidence the rules were broken.

Earlier this week the Met explained its approach and the role the questionnaire would play in its investigation.

In a statement the Met said:”This document, which asks for an account and explanation of the recipient’s participation in an event, has formal legal status and must be answered truthfully. Recipients are informed that responses are required within seven days. In most cases contact is being made via email.”

“It should be noted that being contacted does not mean a fixed penalty notice will necessarily be issued to that person. Nevertheless, if following an investigation, officers believe it is appropriate because the Covid regulations have been breached without a reasonable excuse, a fixed penalty notice will normally be issued.”

If police decide laws have been broken, then they will send the paperwork to the criminal records office, who will formally issue the fixed penalty notice.

A spokesperson for the Met police on Friday declined to confirm the news that the PM had received the questionnaire nor whether those receiving them were being treated as potential suspects or witnesses.

More from the UK on the news that Boris Johnson has received a legal questionnaire from police investigating allegations of lockdown-breaching parties in Downing Street.

The Met say the questionnaires ask for an “account and explanation of the recipient’s participation in an event” and have “formal legal status and must be answered truthfully”.

The move means Johnson will have to provide a credible reason as to why he was at events during coronavirus restrictions or face a fine for breaking coronavirus laws, PA Media reported.

Officers working on Operation Hillman are sending the questionnaires to more than 50 individuals across Downing Street and widergovernment as they investigate 12 events.

The prime minister is alleged to have been at up to six of them, including the “bring your own booze” party in the No 10 garden in May 2020 during the first lockdown.

Johnson allegedly attended another organised by his wife Carrie Johnson in the official Downing Street residence in November that year, during which Abba songs were reportedly heard on the night of former chief adviser Dominic Cummings’ departure.

In the UK, Boris Johnson has received his questionnaire from police investigating allegations of lockdown-breaching parties in No 10, Downing Street has said.

A No 10 spokesperson said: “We can confirm the prime minister has received a questionnaire from the Metropolitan police. He will respond as required.”

Johnson’s political future is at stake over allegations that he attended parties while the UK was under strict Covid curbs.

Brazil recorded 166,009 new coronavirus cases and 1,135 Covid deaths in the last 24 hours, its Health Ministry said on Friday.

Brazil has registered 27,285,509 cases since the pandemic began, while the official death toll has risen to 637,152, according to ministry data.

France will ease some restrictions on foreign travellers from Saturday to reflect the improving pandemic situation.

Travellers with a European vaccination certificate will no longer be required to take a Covid test before departing for France, the prime minister’s office said in a statement.

Non-vaccinated travellers must still show proof of a negative test to enter the country but travellers coming from countries where the circulation of coronavirus is moderate, the so-called “green countries”, will no longer have to undertake a test and self-isolate upon arrival, it said.

EU Digital Covid vaccination Certificate logo seen displayed in front of an image of a coronavirus. Photograph: Filip Radwański/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock

Rowena Mason

In the UK, the Treasury is pushing for most free Covid testing to end as soon as next month to save billions despite warnings from public health experts and scientists.

Several sources told the Guardian that Rishi Sunak’s department wants to end most PCR testing for people with Covid symptoms, possibly by the end of March. The exception would be those in hospitals, high-risk settings and for the 1.3m extremely vulnerable people who are eligible for antivirals if they contract Covid.

Under the plans, everyone else with symptoms would be either given some free lateral flow tests or no testing at all. A third option would be restricting the offer of lateral flows to symptomatic people over 50 and the clinically vulnerable. The advice for people without symptoms to take routine lateral flow tests is expected to be scrapped entirely.

In Europe, PCR tests can cost more than £30 each while some in the US are double that price. Rapid tests cost £5 to £10 in many countries.

It is understood the Treasury has been pushing for the lowest cost options of ending as much testing as possible amid concerns about the huge price tag for mass community testing, which has run into many billions throughout the pandemic.

Hello. I’m Tom Ambrose and I’ll be bringing you the latest Covid news from around the world over the next four hours.

We start with the news that messenger service Telegram, which has proved popular with far-right groups and people opposed to Covid-related restrictions, has blocked 64 of its channels in Germany, Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported on Friday, without giving a source for the information.

The move came after Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office sent shutdown requests to the messenger service, the paper said.

Telegram has been blamed in Germany for fuelling an increasingly virulent subculture of anti-vaccine conspiracy theorists who exchange news about supposed dangers and arrange protests that have spilled over into violence.

The newspaper said the channels affected included that of Attila Hildmann, a vegan celebrity chef who spreads conspiracy theories about coronavirus to more than 100,000 followers on the messaging service.

‘Acute phase’ of Covid pandemic could end by midyear if 70% of world gets vaccinated, says WHO chief