Coronavirus - 1st December 2021

Summary for Wednesday, 1st December

• NHS England is to issue detailed guidance to hospitals, pharmacists and GPs about expanding the Covid booster vaccine rollout
  
• The government plans to offer all eligible adults in England a booster by the end of January in response to the new Omicron variant
  
• NI has also announced extra vaccination clinics, while Scotland and Wales have said their booster programmes will be ramped up
  
• A total of 22 cases of Omicron have been confirmed in the UK so far - 13 in England and nine cases in Scotland linked to a single event
  
• Health Secretary Sajid Javid is urging people to be "sensible" around Christmas parties and consider taking rapid tests
  
• Europe continues to battle rising Covid cases as travel bans take effect to slow the spread of Omicron
  

Welcome to our live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.

Here are the main headlines so far today:

• NHS England is to issue detailed guidance to hospitals, pharmacists and GPs about the major expansion of the Covid booster vaccine programme
  
• The impact of the Omicron variant on the UK is "highly uncertain" but may require a "very stringent response", government advisers have said
  
• Northern Ireland has also announced extra vaccination clinics to meet demand. Scotland and Wales have said their booster programmes will be ramped up, but are yet to lay out the full details
  
• Australian police have arrested three people who broke out of a Covid quarantine compound in the middle of the night
  
• Stricter coronavirus testing is set to be required for all travellers to the US amid Omicron variant concerns, the Washington Post reports.
  
• All eligible adults in the UK should be offered a Covid booster jab by the end of January, British prime minister Boris Johnson announced.
  
• The Omicron variant was present in Europe at least 10 days ago, according to health authorities in the Netherlands.
  
• Austria extends lockdown to 20 days after lawmakers voted to extend a nationwide lockdown by 10 days on Tuesday, bringing the total lockdown ending on 11 December to 20 days.
  
• Germany’s constitutional court has ruled that sweeping restrictions to stem Covid infections such as curfews, school closures and contact restrictions were lawful, in a decision that could pave the way for further curbs.
  
• Greece has said it will fine people over the age of 60 who have not received a first Covid-19 shot €100 per month from 16 January.
  
• All travellers entering Ireland will now have to show negative Covid tests.
  
• An expert committee voted to recommend the US Food and Drug Administration authorise Merck’s Covid pill for high-risk adults, the first of a new class of antiviral drug that could tackle Omicron and other variants.The drug, molnupiravir, is likely to be approved for older and more vulnerable people at greater risk of severe illness.
  
• Brazil reports first Omicron cases in Latin America after detecting two cases of the Omicron Covid strain on Tuesday, the country’s health regulator, Anvisa, said.
  
• Slovenia has halted use of Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine after experts confirmed a death in September was related to an extremely rare blood-clotting condition.
  
• Poland records highest Covid deaths since April with 526 deaths in the past 24 hours.
  
• Israel’s health minister says boosters may protect against Omicron.
  
• The US Food & Drug Administration says it is evaluating the effectiveness of authorised Covid vaccines against the Omicron variant and expects to have more information in the next few weeks.
  
• Japan confirmed its first case of the Omicron variant. A Namibian diplomat in his 30s is thought to have tested positive for the variant.
  

WHO advises vulnerable, unvaccinated and over 60s, against travel

The World Health Organization has issued a new travel warning to those thinking about heading abroad this holiday season.
Covid-vulnerable people, including the over-60s, should postpone plans to travel, the WHO said in a statement on Tuesday as more than 50 countries rush to implement travel measures aimed at delaying the spread of the new Omicron variant.
“Persons who are unwell, or who have not been fully vaccinated or do not have proof of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and are at increased risk of developing severe disease and dying, including people 60 years of age or older or those with comorbidities that present increased risk of severe COVID-19 (e.g. heart disease, cancer and diabetes) should be advised to postpone travel to areas with community transmission,” the WHO advised.

US set to toughen testing requirement for all travellers

The US will require stricter coronavirus testing is set to be required for all travellers, including returning Americans, entering the country amid Omicron variant concerns.
The Biden administration is expected to take steps in the coming days to toughen testing requirements for international travellers to the US, including both vaccinated and unvaccinated people, the Associated Press reports.
The move is part of an enhanced winter Covid strategy Biden plans to announce on Thursday, the publication added.
US officials will require everyone entering the country to be tested one day before boarding flights, regardless of their vaccination status or country of departure. Administration officials are also considering a requirement that all travellers get retested within three to five days of arrival. Currently those who are fully vaccinated may present a test taken within three days of boarding.
Authorities are reportedly debating a controversial proposal to require all travellers, including US citizens, to self-quarantine for seven days, even if their test results are negative.
“CDC is evaluating how to make international travel as safe as possible, including pre-departure testing closer to the time of flight and considerations around additional post-arrival testing and self-quarantines,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr Rochelle Walensky said on Tuesday.

South Korea has reported a new daily record of 5,123 new Covid cases for Tuesday, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said today.
On Monday, the government shelved plans to further relax Covid-19 curbs due to the strain on its healthcare system from rising hospitalisations and deaths as well as the threat posed by the new variant.
The country is currently battling to contain a sharp rise in patients with severe Covid symptoms.

Singapore introduces tougher testing for all arrivals

Singapore has announced it will require mandatory PCR testing for all travellers and additional antigen rapid tests for travellers on vaccinated travel lanes.
“To step up detection and containment of the Omicron variant until more information is available, we will enhance our testing protocols for travellers arriving in Singapore after 2 December 2021, 2359 hours (Singapore time). These enhanced measures will apply for four weeks in the first instance, and will be reviewed and extended if necessary,” the ministry of health said in a statement.
All travellers entering or transiting through Singapore, after 2 December, must undergo a pre-departure test within 2 days of their departure for Singapore and obtain a negative result. All travellers entering Singapore must undergo a Covid-19 PCR test on-arrival.
Those with confirmed cases or suspected cases of Covid-19 will no longer be able to undergo home recovery and will need to undergo quarantine at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases.

Effective from today, vaccination will be required for travel within and out of Canada
A valid Covid-19 molecular test will no longer be accepted as an alternative to vaccination unless travellers are eligible for one of the limited exemptions, such as a medical inability to be vaccinated.
As of 15 January, certain groups of travellers, who are currently exempt from entry requirements, will only be allowed to enter the country if they are fully vaccinated with one of the vaccines approved for entry into Canada.
These groups include individuals travelling to reunite with family (unvaccinated children under 18 years of age will retain exemption if travelling to reunite with an immediate or extended family member who is a Canadian, permanent resident, or person registered under the Indian Act); international students who are 18 years old and older; professional and amateur athletes; individuals with a valid work permit, including temporary foreign workers (outside of those in agriculture and food processing); and essential service providers, including truck drivers.
After 15 January, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated foreign nationals will only be allowed to enter Canada if they meet the criteria for limited exceptions, the government of Canada said in a statement.

Hong Kong will ban non-residents from entering the city from Japan, Portugal and Sweden from Friday due to concerns over the Omicron variant.
Non-Hong Kong residents who have been in the three countries in the past 21 days will not be allowed to enter the global financial hub. Residents can only board flights if fully vaccinated and will have to undergo 21-days of quarantine in a hotel at their own cost.

NT police arrest three people who escaped from Howard Springs Covid quarantine facility
Three people who escaped an Australian Covid quarantine facility have been arrested.
Our reporter Cait Kelly from Melbourne, Australia, has the story.
Northern Territory Police arrested the trio who escaped from Darwin’s Howard Springs Covid-19 facility on Wednesday morning.
All three tested negative for Covid and have been taken into custody.
Earlier, police said the trio allegedly jumped the fence at the Centre for National Resilience just before 4.40am.
“Police and staff at the Centre for National Resilience are currently confirming the absconder’s identities prior to releasing further information,” police said.
Read the full story here.

Germany is reporting a daily rise of 67,186 Covid cases and 446 deaths, according to data from the Robert Koch Institute of public health.
The figures bring the nationwide tally to 5,903,999 confirmed coronavirus cases and 101,790 deaths.

Japan is set to expand its travel ban on foreigners entering the nation even further, preventing those with resident status from ten African nations including South Africa from entering the country “for the time being.”
The new rules will apply to foreign residents from South Africa, Eswatini, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho, Angola, Botswana and Zimbabwe. The border closing will be in effect for at least a month.
“From the view of prevention, we won’t just restrict new entry by foreigners but also returning foreigners with resident status, unless there are special extenuating circumstances,” chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a news conference.
“We will maintain a sense of urgency and keep track of the situation in various countries to be able to respond quickly and flexibly.”
On Monday, Japan closed its borders to all newly entering foreigners in light of the emergence of the Omicron variant. On Tuesday, Japan’s first Omicron case was discovered.

A northern Chinese city bordering Russia has halted rail imports including coal and timber on Wednesday over fears of a fresh cluster of Covid-19 infections.
Health authorities reported 91 new cases in or close to Manzhouli - a city of 231,000 in Inner Mongolia that handles more than 65% of China-Russia trade - after seeing dozens in recent days, forcing leaders to impose localised lockdowns and travel restrictions.
All of the 91 local symptomatic cases were reported in the region and marks the highest daily count since 2 November, data from the National Health Commission showed. It is also a significant jump from 21 cases a day earlier.
The aim is to “strengthen prevention and control” of the outbreak at ports and “effectively block the spread of overseas epidemics through imported goods”, the notice added.

The Philippines is mulling over whether commercial establishments and employers should be required to wear face shields on top of currently mandated face masks.
Acting Presidential Spokesperson, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, made the remark after President Rodrigo Duterte said he recognised face shields would provide an additional layer of protection against Covid-19.
“Right now, the question is will there be any changes? I don’t know. Let’s wait. (There’s) Omicron, we will have to see where it goes. We will have to monitor developments. But right now, (the) status quo is voluntary,” acting presidential spokesperson, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nogralessaid, in an interview.
The mandatory face shield policy remains in areas under alert level 5 and in areas that are closed, crowded, and where close contact (3Cs) is likely to occur, such as hospitals and other medical facilities, the Philippine News Agency reports.
“Based on our latest IATF resolutions, employers and establishments may require face shields for the protection of customers, or their clientele, or their employees,” acting presidential spokesperson, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nogralessaid, in an interview.

Singapore is close to vaccinating all eligible people against Covid-19, ministry of health data shows.
The city-state’s vaccination rate has risen to 96% of the eligible population with 86% of the total population having received two jabs and 87% of the total population having received at least one jab.
Authorities are now racing to administer booster shots amid concerns over the Omicron variant.
Singapore has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world.

Malaysia is set to temporarily ban entry of travellers from countries that have reported the Omicron variant, the health ministry has said.
The announcement was made during a press conference about 1pm local time.
The country will also delay plans to set up so-called Vaccinated Travel Lanes with those countries, health minister Khairy Jamaluddin told reporters.
We will have more on this development shortly.

Nigeria has confirmed its first cases of the Omicron variant among travellers from South Africa
“Through case and genomic surveillance at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control through its National Reference Laboratory, Nigeria confirmed its first case of the Omicron variant, also known as the B.1.1.529 lineage,” the health body said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Samples obtained for the stipulated day two test for all travellers to Nigeria were positive for this variant in three persons with history of travel to South Africa.”
Nigeria recorded 105 new cases of the coronavirus on Tuesday.

Summary so far today...

• The WHO advises vulnerable, unvaccinated and over 60s, against travel in a new travel warning.
  
• South Korea reported a new daily record of 5,123 new Covid cases for Tuesday, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said.
  
• Germany reported a daily rise of 67,186 Covid cases and 446 deaths, according to data from the Robert Koch Institute of public health.
  
• All eligible adults in the UK should be offered a Covid booster jab by the end of January, British prime minister Boris Johnson said.
  
• Austria has extended its lockdown to 20 days after lawmakers voted to extend a nationwide lockdown by 10 days on Tuesday.
  
• Greece is set to fine people over the age of 60 who have not received a first Covid-19 shot €100 per month from 16 January.
  
• Slovenia has halted use of Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine after experts confirmed a death was related to an extremely rare blood-clotting condition.
  
• An expert committee voted to recommend the US Food and Drug Administration authorise Merck’s molnupiravir Covid pill for high-risk adults, the first of a new class of antiviral drug that could tackle Omicron and other variants.
  
• The Philippines is mulling over whether commercial establishments and employers should be required to wear face shields on top of currently mandated face masks.
  
• A northern Chinese city bordering Russia has halted rail imports on Wednesday over fears of a fresh cluster of Covid-19 infections as the nation records a jump in daily Covid cases.
  

Latest new travel curbs:

• The US is set to toughen testing requirement for all international travellers, including returning Americans and both vaccinated and unvaccinated people, entering the country. US officials will reportedly require everyone entering the country to be tested one day before boarding flights, regardless of their vaccination status or country of departure. The Biden administration is expected to make an official announcement on Thursday.
  
• Singapore also introduces tougher testing for all arrivals and will require mandatory PCR testing for all travellers and additional antigen rapid tests for travellers on vaccinated travel lanes.
  
• Hong Kong adds non-residents from Japan, Portugal and Sweden to the list of travellers unable to enter the city due to concerns over the Omicron variant.
  
• Canada’s mandatory vaccination for travel within and out of the country took effect from 30 November.
  
• Japan is set to expand its travel ban on foreigners entering the nation even further, preventing those with resident status from ten African nations including South Africa.
  
• Malaysia is set to temporarily ban entry of travellers from countries that have reported the Omicron variant, the health ministry has said.
  

New Omicron cases:

• Brazil reported its first Omicron case in Latin America.
  
• Japan also confirmed its first case of the Omicron variant, believed to be a Namibian diplomat in his 30s.
  
• Nigeria has confirmed its first cases of the Omicron variant among travellers from South Africa.
  

Second positive case found in Japan

Japan has found a second person who has tested positive with the Covid-19 Omicron variant, broadcaster FNN reported on Wednesday.
The first case of the variant was discovered in a person arriving from Namibia on Tuesday.

Pedestrians wearing protective face masks crowd a street at the Omotesando fashion district in Tokyo, Japan, on 30 November. Photograph: Franck Robichon/EPA

There is a little more detail here on the news of a travel ban in Malaysia.
Reuters reports that the travel ban applies to eight African countries, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi, but could be extended to other nations where the variant has been detected, such as Britain and the Netherlands, health minister Khairy Jamaluddin has said.
Malaysia will also delay plans to set up so-called Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTL) with the affected countries, and reimpose quarantine requirements for Malaysian citizens and long-term residents returning from those nations, regardless of their vaccination status.
“These are just temporary measures until we find out more about the Omicron variant,” Khairy said. “The moment we believe it is safe, we will lift these measures.”

Fiji reopens borders to international travel for first time since March 2020

In contrast to most of the updates today about countries throwing up further barriers to international travel, Fiji has reopened its border to international travellers for the first time in nearly two years. The Pacific Island country is seeking to revive its dominant tourism industry.
With about 90% of all Fijian adults fully vaccinated, the Pacific Island reopened its border to tourists from a small number of countries – much to the relief of tourism operators.
“To see the Fiji Airways plane full up and for us to welcome those tourists today was so amazing. It was a great, great feeling and I’m glad to have been there personally,” James Sowane, director of the Fiji tourism company, Tewaka, told Reuters.
Tourists arriving will have to stay three nights in an approved resort and undergo rapid testing. They can move around designated areas, including bars and restaurants within the hotels, while they can embark on some day trips and activities.

Traditional dancers in grass skirts welcome holidaymakers in Nadi as Fiji opens its borders. Photograph: Leon Lord/AFP/Getty Images

Fiji shut its border to all foreign nationals in March 2020 to curb the spread of Covid-19 in a bid to stop its limited medical facilities being overrun.
Fiji prime minister Frank Bainimarama hailed the return of tourists. “Today, we are proud and most importantly prepared to welcome the first tourists to fly to Fiji in almost two years. Our message to every fully vaccinated, Covid-tested traveller who arrives to our shores is simple: Welcome Home,” Bainimarama said in a post on Facebook.

Germany warned over intensive care capacity as Covid deaths at highest level since February
The Robert Koch Institute, Germany’s state infectious disease agency, reported 67,186 new cases on Wednesday, up 302 from a week ago, and 446 deaths. That deaths figure is the country’s highest daily figure since 18 February.
Gernot Marx, the president of the DIVI association for intensive care medicine, warned that the country could still have 6,000 people in intensive care by Christmas regardless of what measures are now decided by politicians.
That compares with a previous high of 5,745 coronavirus patients in intensive care on 3 January. Germany also has fewer beds available now due to a shortage of nursing staff.
“The situation is really becoming increasingly tight,” Marx told ZDF television, calling for the government to consider a temporary lockdown. “We need to save the clinics from collapse.”
Associated Press report that four people in southern Germany have tested positive for the Omicron Covid-19 variant even though they were fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, the public health office in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg said.

Uzbekistan suspends flights from 3 December
Uzbekistan has said it would suspend flights with Hong Kong, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, Tanzania and South Africa from 3 December to curb the spread of Omicron. The Central Asian nation’s health ministry said residents of those nations and people who have recently visited them would be unable to enter Uzbekistan, while those arriving from Egypt, Israel, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Czech Republic would be quarantined for 10 days.

Norway identifies first two Omicron cases

Rachel Hall - The Guardian
Norway has identified its first two cases of the new Omicron coronavirus variant, according to the west coast municipality of Oeygarden and the health ministry.
Reuters reports:
The two people who were infected had been on a trip to South Africa. Both of them were currently recovering from the infection, Oeygarden mayor Tom Georg Indrevik said in a statement.
The municipality of close to 40,000 people had recently seen a rise in infections of other variants of Covid-19, and would now further tighten its local restrictions to control the outbreak, it said.

Coronavirus headlines so far this busy Wednesday ...

• Nigeria had confirmed its first cases of the Omicron variant, including one from a sample back in October. “Retrospective sequencing of the previously confirmed cases among travelers to Nigeria also identified the omicron variant among the sample collected in October 2021,” Nigeria CDC director general Dr Ifedayo Adetifa said.
  
• Germany’s state infectious disease agency reported 67,186 new cases on Wednesday, up 302 from a week ago, and 446 deaths. That is the country’s highest daily deaths figure since 18 February.
  
• Gernot Marx, the president of the DIVI association for intensive care medicine, warned that Germany could still have 6,000 people in intensive care by Christmas regardless of what measures are now decided by politicians.
  
• The European Union-wide rollout of Pfizer and BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine version for five- to 11-year-old children will begin 13 December, one week earlier than previously planned, Germany’s health ministry said.
  
• The World Health Organization (WHO) has said those not fully vaccinated who are vulnerable to Covid-19, including over-60s, should delay travel to areas with community transmission, as more countries imposed curbs to combat the spread of the new Omicron variant.
  
• WHO has also agreed to launch negotiations on an international treaty to prevent and control future pandemics. A progress report will be presented at the regular World Health Assembly annual gathering in 2023.
  
• Saudi Arabia has reported its first Omicron case, as has Brazil. They are the first recorded cases in the Middle East and in Latin America respectively.
  
• Prof Andrew Hayward, from University College London and a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) in the UK, said there was a need to keep an eye on Omicron growth as “small numbers can turn to big numbers quite quickly”.
  
• Amid accusations that Prime Minister Boris Johnson broke Covid rules over Christmas parties last year, the UK’s health secretary Sajid Javid has said people should take a lateral flow test before going to Christmas parties this year, but said “People should continue to behave in the way they were planning to behave over Christmas. I don’t think there’s any need to change those plans.”
  
• The US is set to toughen testing requirement for all international travellers, including returning Americans and both vaccinated and unvaccinated people
  
• Some US Republican states are expanding unemployment benefits for employees who have been fired or quit over vaccine mandates, a move critics say in effect pays people for not getting vaccinated.
  
• Slovenia has halted use of Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine after experts confirmed a death was related to an extremely rare blood-clotting condition.
  
• In contrast to travel restrictions being raised elsewhere, Fiji has reopened its border to international travellers for the first time in nearly two years. The Pacific Island country is seeking to revive its dominant tourism industry. Malaysia and Uzbekistan are among countries to add new travel restrictions over Omicron today. France has decided to extend until at least Saturday its suspension of flights from southern African countries.
  

WHO says unvaccinated vulnerable should not travel

The World Health Organization has said people who are unwell or vulnerable should delay travel if they are not fully vaccinated.
In its latest travel advisory, the UN agency includes in that category people over 60, and those with conditions like heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
This is in line with the WHO's previous advice for travel during the pandemic, and comes amid concern about the new Omicron variant.
The WHO also restated its position that blanket travel bans will not prevent the spread of the variant.
More on this here.

Brits must now be fully jabbed to enter Spain

Some important news now for winter sun-seekers - Brits travelling to Spain for non-essential reasons such as tourism will require a certificate of vaccination as of today.
Previously, British travellers could provide a negative PCR test.
The change - which affects travellers aged 12 or over - is driven by concerns over the new Omicron strain.
There have been two confirmed cases of the variant in Spain, with several more suspected cases.

Is it safe to hit the office Christmas party?

Michelle Roberts - Health editor, BBC News online


We've been hearing a fair bit about Christmas parties this morning as the health secretary says there is no need to stop festivities but that people should take "sensible" precautions, such as taking a rapid test.But some companies already have cold feet and have decided not to book anything formal. Others have cancelled plans.Many people are now vaccinated, but is there a way to reduce risk?Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Shouting and singing can produce 20-times the mass of aerosol
  
• to spray on to unsuspecting colleagues than speaking at a normal level of loudness.
  
• People get physically closer to strangers after drinking alcohol, US researchers have shown
  
• . This might help Covid spread between previously unconnected social groups
  
• Drinking outside the pub - in your big coat rather than beer jacket at this time of year in the UK - is much less risky than socialising at the bar
  

Swiss plan new restrictions

The Swiss government is planning new Covid restrictions, including requiring vaccine certificates for all gatherings of 10 or more people.
Other measures could include mandatory masks in all indoor public spaces, reducing negative test validity to 24 hours, and possible work from home orders for the unvaccinated, the government says following an emergency meeting.
The aim is to get through the winter without lockdowns, but ICU units are filling up, with more than 100 hospitalisations each day over the past week.
The number of new cases has increased by 86,000 since 15 November, with the daily number of infections similar to peak levels during October and November 2020.
Two cases of Omicron have been confirmed in Switzerland.

Zimbabwe reimposes curfew over Omicron fears and rising cases

Zimbabwe has reimposed a curfew and mandatory quarantines for all travellers amid rising Covid cases and to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant.
The government has cited growing public complacency that they believe will only worsen as the festive season approaches.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa reimposed a curfew from 21:00 to 06:00 local time. All businesses will be required to close at 19:00.
All international travellers will be required to be tested on arrival and to quarantine at a state-designated facility, all at their own cost.
The restrictions are a blow to the tourism industry, which had anticipated a normal festive season.
The measures will be reviewed in a fortnight.
Zimbabwe has recorded more than 130,000 Covid cases and about 4,700 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Portugal introduces new measures

New travel restrictions have come into effect in Portugal as part of an attempt to combat infections from the new Covid variant, Omicron.
Proof of a negative Covid test is now required for anyone over the age of 12 arriving at the country's airports, whether or not they have been vaccinated.
Masks will once again be mandatory in indoor spaces, and proof of vaccination, recovery from a previous infection or a negative test are needed for entry to hotels, restaurants, gyms and most public events.
Portugal has already reported more than a dozen cases of the new Omicron variant but still has a lower Covid infection rate than much of Europe.
Spain is also now requiring passengers aged over 12 to show proof of double-vaccination on arrival.

Omicron case found in Ireland
The Republic of Ireland has recorded its first case of the Omicron variant.
The National Public Health Emergency Team says the case is linked to travel from a country in southern Africa.

Confusion over Covid rules and lax enforcement of mask-wearing on two KLM flights between South Africa and Europe may have turned them into “super spreader events” that accelerated the distribution of the Omicron variant around the world,
according to the New York Times.
In a piece trending on their site, Rome bureau chief Jason Horowitz writes that once passengers on flight KL592 and another plane arrived in Amsterdam following the detection of the Omicron variant, they endured “hours spent breathing stale air as their planes sat on the tarmac, then fighting exhaustion in crammed waiting rooms, awaiting swab results in close quarters with fellow travellers who would turn out to be infected with the new and possibly more dangerous variant”.
Possibly owing to the airport’s indecision about how to handle the arrivals, more than 60 people on that and another KLM flight from South Africa tested positive for the virus, of which 14 had Omicron. All those who tested negative were permitted to enter the Netherlands, or take connecting flights around the world.
The piece quotes an Italian virologist, Fabrizio Pregliasco, who argues that all those passengers should have been quarantined, isolated or closely monitored for 10 days. He said: “If this variant is very contagious, this flight is an explosive bomb.”

Reuters is reporting a World Health Organization press conference.
There will be a full update shortly, but some initial lines are already emerging:

• 24 countries have reported detecting Omicron variants so far. Most cases are mild.
  
• Countries already have a lot of tools at their disposal to curb its spread, including mask wearing, hand washing and social distancing. They should be aware that travel restrictions have consequences
  
• Countries should increase disease surveillance to detect Omicron early
  
• There is no need to develop a new vaccine, minor adjustments to existing formulas will suffice. There is no evidence so far that there is less vaccine efficacy for Omicron.
  
• Some mutations indicate a risk of faster transmission
  
• There’s no reason to believe the Omicron variant has a longer incubation period than others
  

More to follow.

Omicron case found in Ireland
The Republic of Ireland has recorded its first case of the Omicron variant.
The National Public Health Emergency Team says the case is linked to travel from a country in southern Africa.

All arrivals into Ireland, including those from the Common Travel Area with Britain, will require a negative Covid-19 test to enter the country, effective from Friday.
Irish Post
The move was decided by ministers on Tuesday in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.
Travellers, regardless of vaccination status, will need to show results from a lateral flow test taken up to 48 hours before arrival, or a PCR test taken up to 72 hours before arrival.
Furthermore, legislation allowing for the re-introduction of mandatory hotel quarantine for those who do not provide a certified negative test will be discussed on Thursday.
Hotel quarantine was a requirement for some travellers entering Ireland, but it stopped being operational on 25 September.
The Department of Transport is also in talks with airline and ferry companies to ensure checks of negative tests take place before people board flights and boats to the country.
The cabinet also agreed that both children and adults should minimise their social contacts in the weeks ahead to stop the spread of the virus, with children over nine years of age now being advices to wear face coverings on public transport and school buses.

Children nine and over must wear masks as Omicron reaches Ireland

Children aged nine and above will have to wear face masks in schools in the Republic of Ireland from today.
It comes as the first case of the Omicron variant has been identified in the country, which we reported a little while ago.
Unmasked students and staff will be refused entry if a medical certificate is not provided to prove exemption, the country's education department says.
The requirement to wear masks previously applied to children aged 13 and up.
Schools have been told they can be flexible in the first few days.
Read the full story here.

Pre-departure travel tests would be valuable - Sage scientists

Pre-departure Covid testing for travellers returning to the UK would be "valuable", the government's Sage advisory committee says.
It also says the government's policy of asking travellers to take a test two days after they arrive would "identify significantly fewer cases" than doing extra tests on days five or eight.
The advice is in the minutes of a meeting held on Monday seen by the BBC.
The latest rules mean every traveller entering the UK must take a PCR test within 48 hours of arrival, and self-isolate while awaiting the result.

• What are the travel rules now?
  

Labour has called for the reintroduction of pre-departure tests and the Scottish and Welsh governments have argued for tests on day eight.
Read the full story here.

Vietnam will suspend flights to and from seven African countries over concerns about the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant.
Reuters reports.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has approved the suspension, Lao Dong Newspaper reported, without saying when the move will come into effect.
The health ministry on Sunday asked relevant authorities to suspend all flights to and from these countries, including South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Lesotho and Mozambique.

S African president lashes out over African countries imposing travel bans

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has lashed out at African countries that have followed western countries in restricting travel to and from southern African states.
He said it was unfortunate, and that he would have preferred if they did not react like their former colonisers over the discovery of the new coronavirus variant Omicron.
“I am concerned and of course out of respect to them, I mean they have their reasons," he told journalists ahead of a visit to West Africa.
"But we would like to have a discussion with them in a way where we would prefer that they do not react like our former colonisers, who are very quick to close Africa down."
Rwanda, The Seychelles, Mauritius, Egypt and Angola are some of the African countries that closed their borders soon after the discovery of the new variant.

 

Travellers to France must now present negative Covid test

France has announced that everyone arriving from outside the EU will need to present a negative Covid test which is less than 48 hours old, even if they are fully vaccinated.
Unvaccinated people arriving from within the EU will need to present a test that is less than 24 hours old. The government is considering extending this to all travellers from within the EU.
It’s also announced that flights from southern Africa can resume from Saturday, under very heavy restrictions – including tests and policed quarantine for all passengers.

Denmark records highest Covid cases of pandemic

Denmark has reported a record number of new daily Covid infections.
Data from the country's Serum Institute shows 5,120 new cases - 2.6% of the number of people tested over 24 hours.
There are already five confirmed cases of the new Omicron variant.
However, hospitalisations and deaths remain well below a peak a year ago, which the health authorities say is down to the effectiveness of vaccines.

Time to think about mandatory vaccinations - von der Leyen

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said she thinks it's time for EU member states to consider mandatory vaccinations.
She said such measures were required due to the emergence of the Omicron variant.
"On the one hand we have the virus and the variants, on the other hand we have vaccination and boosters and I want the second part to win," she told reporters in Brussels.
"Not each and everyone can be vaccinated," she acknowledged, but said "the vast majority could".
"Therefore, I think, it is understandable and appropriate to lead this discussion now [on] how we can encourage and potentially think about mandatory vaccination within the European Union," she added.
"This needs discussion. This needs a common approach, but it is a discussion that I think has to be led."

Switzerland reports Omicron case in fully jabbed teenager

Imogen Foulkes - BBC News, Geneva
Switzerland has confirmed a case of the Omicron variant in a 19-year-old who is fully vaccinated and has no recent history of travel.
The third case of the new variant was discovered during routine testing at his high school, he is reported to have very mild symptoms.
A total of 100 contacts are quarantining – classmates, and members of a school choir of which he is a member.
Swiss authorities say they are so far unable to establish where he may have been infected.
Meanwhile new infections soared to 10,466 in the past 24 hours, reaching the peak of Switzerland’s deadly second wave this time last year.
Zurich’s hospitals now report every bed is taken. Switzerland’s other cities are under similar pressure, with most ICU departments more than 80% occupied.

Northern Ireland to follow other UK nations on self-isolation

Laura Foster - BBC Health correspondent
Northern Ireland has confirmed it will follow the same self-isolation rules as the other nations when it comes to the omicron variant.
Anyone who is identified as having a suspected case of omicron must isolate for 10 days.
All close contacts of this person must also isolate for the same time period regardless of their vaccination status or age.
You can read more here on the rules in Northern Ireland.

Nigeria enforces vaccinations for civil servants

Chris Ewokor - BBC News, Abuja
Nigeria has started enforcing mandatory Covid vaccinations for all civil servants.
The move comes amid fears of the new Omicron variant.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control says three cases of the variant have been confirmed in the country.
Crowds of people were locked out of their offices at the gate of the Federal secretariat in the capital Abuja as they were asked to present proof of their vaccinations or PCR test results.
Meanwhile a vaccination stand has been set up close to the secretariat main gate for those who are willing to get vaccinated.

Portugal’s government has said it will not hesitate to increase restrictions during the festive Christmas period if they are needed to control a recent surge in Covid-19 cases
Reuters reports.
Prime minister Antonio Costa told reporters: “We all wish that these measures are not necessary, but if they become necessary, we will take these measures.
“We must always be vigilant to take new measures, if necessary. That’s how we’ve been living for the past two years and we’ve managed to prevail, although it’s been hard for everyone.”
Despite having one of the world’s highest vaccination rates, a recent uptick of infections and the emergence of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus has prompted the government to reimpose some restrictions since Wednesday.

Update on the situation in Spain
Sam Jones - Madrid correspondent, The Guardian
In Spain, where 89.3% of people over 12 are double-jabbed, questions are being asked over the benefits of vaccine passports, which are in use or due to be introduced in eight of Spain’s 17-self-governing regions. Experts on the interterritorial council of the national health service say that while they may help persuade people to get vaccinated, their knock-on effects may be less wide-reaching.
Reports in El País and elDiario.es quoted the experts as saying Spain’s high vaccination rate may limit their contribution to fighting the pandemic:
“In neighbouring countries where they’re being used, cases are rising at an important rate, even if it’s true that vaccine coverage is far lower than in Spain. It’s possible that the effects in Spain, where coverage is higher, could be lower. It would also be hard to measure the effectiveness of this measure.”
Members of the council also point out that being vaccinated is not the same as being immune, and suggest the use of the passes may lend people a false sense of security – especially if preventative measures are not observed inside enclosed spaces such as bars and restaurants.
However, the experts believe the use of Covid passports is more justified for people visiting hospitals and care homes, and for those working with people in vulnerable categories.
On Tuesday, the Spanish government recommended limits on the number of people at festive gatherings given “the uncertainty associated with the Omicron variant”.

Reuters is reporting a World Health Organization press conference.
There will be a full update shortly, but some initial lines are already emerging:

• 24 countries have detected Omicron variants so far. Most cases are mild.
  
• Countries already have a lot of tools at their disposal to curb its spread, including mask-wearing, hand-washing and social distancing. They should be aware that travel restrictions have consequences.
  
• Countries should increase disease surveillance to detect Omicron early.
  
• There is no need to develop a new vaccine, minor adjustments to existing formulas will suffice. There is no evidence so far that there is less vaccine efficacy for Omicron.
  
• Some mutations indicate a risk of faster transmission.
  
• There’s no reason to believe the Omicron variant has a longer incubation period than others.
  

More to follow.

Several countries have confirmed further Covid cases of note:

• A 29 year-old traveller arriving from Ethiopia into Sao Paulo in Brazil is the country’s third known Omicron case.
  
• Organisers halted a music festival for young people on the South African coast on Wednesday after 36 people tested positive for Covid-19 at the site, however it was not known whether these were infected with Omicron.
  
• A fully vaccinated couple in South Korea tested positive for the variant after arriving last week from Nigeria, followed by two of their family members and a friend.
  

Co-founder of Christian TV network that railed against vaccines dies of Covid-19
Marcus Lamb, the co-founder of the leading US Christian TV network Daystar who railed against Covid-19 vaccines, has died of Covid-19 aged 64, Oliver Milman reports.
Lamb, who was the chief executive of the conservative network that reaches an estimated 2 billion viewers worldwide, died on Tuesday, weeks after contracting the coronavirus.
Under his leadership, Daystar aired repeated baseless anti-vaccine conspiracy theories and claims that vaccines were being used to take freedoms away from Christians. In July 2020, the network spent an hour of air time complaining about “censorship” around the pandemic and also gave an hour’s slot to Robert F Kennedy Jr, who has spread misinformation about the Covid vaccine.
Covid vaccines have been repeatedly found to be safe and effective at preventing severe illness from the virus. Evangelical Christians have been getting the vaccines at lower rates than the general US population, however, and several prominent Christian broadcasters have died of the virus in recent months.
Read more here.

US airlines ordered to hand over names of all passengers coming from southern Africa

Reuters has just reported that it has had exclusive sight of a US Center for Disease Control order for all airlines to turn over the names of any passengers who have been in the eight southern African countries subject to travel restrictions.

Greece’s prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has defended a controversial decision to impose a €100 (£85) monthly fine on citizens aged 60 and over who refuse to be vaccinated.
Helena Smith - The Guardian
In an address to the Greek parliament ahead of a vote on legislation applying the penalty as of 16 January, the centre-right leader described the move as “absolutely constitutional.”
“Compulsory vaccination already has the approval of the Council of State,” he told MPS referring to the nation’s highest administrative court.
Greece is the first EU member to target a specific age group with Mitsotakis acknowledging that the decision had personally “tormented” him as a “profoundly liberal politician” who struggled with the concept of obligation.
But the data, he said, had proved implacable in terms of deaths and the pressure on the nation’s health system.
“Nine out of ten Greeks who die are over 60 years,” he told MPs, noting over half a million had resisted vaccination. “More than eight out of ten have not been inoculated.”
The spectre of the fine, in addition to compulsory rapid tests twice a week, appears to have had a dramatic effect.
In the first 24 hours since the drastic step was announced some 17,500 people in the demographic had registered for a first shot compared to an average inoculation rate among the 60 + of 2,600 a day, according to government statistics.

 

Nine more cases of Omicron variant confirmed in England

A further nine cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus have been identified in England, in addition to the previous 13 confirmed cases, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 22, it says.
Those who have tested positive and their contacts are all isolating and work is under way to identify any links to travel to southern Africa, a statement says.
The UKHSA has now identified cases in the East Midlands, East of England, London, South East and North West. Targeted testing is being carried out at locations where the positive cases were likely to be infectious, it says.
A further case has also been identified in Scotland, bringing the total to 10, says the UKHSA.

Where are the Omicron cases in England?

As we've just heard the number of confirmed cases of the Omicron variant in England has risen to 22. Here's which local authority areas they've been found in:
One case
Bexley, Brentwood, Buckinghamshire, Haringey, Lancaster, Liverpool, Newham, North Norfolk, Nottingham, South Cambridgeshire, Sutton, Three Rivers, Wandsworth
Two cases
Barnet, Camden, Lewisham
Three cases
Westminster

• How can I tell if I have Omicron?
  

Anyone with Covid symptoms should isolate and get a PCR - UKHSA

The chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency says "it is very likely" more Omicron cases will be confirmed over the coming days.
Dr Jenny Harries says a rise in the new variant is something we "are seeing in other countries globally and as we increase case detection through focused contact tracing".
"That’s why it’s critical that anyone with Covid-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately," she says.
“We are continuing our efforts to understand the effect of this variant on transmissibility, severe disease, mortality, antibody response and vaccine efficacy.
“Vaccination is critical to help us bolster our defences against this new variant – please get your first, second, third or booster jab without delay."

• How worrying is the Omicron variant?
  

WHO press conference on Omicron

Rachel Hall - The Guardian
The press conference has just ended, and there’s a lot to take in. Here’s a handy summary to keep you up to date:

• The WHO expects that data on the transmissibility of Omicron to emerge in the coming days
  
• There’s promising early evidence that Omicron doesn’t cause severe illness in many people and that it does not reduce vaccine efficacy
  
• Travel bans and lockdowns should be implemented with caution, since they have major economic and social consequences and aren’t necessarily the most effective restrictions
  
• The best way to tackle Omicron is to continue with measures targeted at tackling Delta, including mask wearing, social distancing and hand washing
  
• Boosters are unlikely to be helpful for most people and countries should instead focus on vaccinating the unvaccinated, both nationally and internationally
  
• The timeline for how and where the Omicron variant emerged is likely to change as countries step up sequencing of cases logged in November
  

Heathrow reopens dedicated red list terminal

Katy Austin - Transport correspondent, BBC


Heathrow Airport has now reopened Terminal 4 as a dedicated arrivals facility for red list countries.
The aim is to keep travellers arriving in the UK from red list countries separate from other arrivals.
Ten southern African countries were red-listed last week, because of fears about the Omicron variant.

• What are the UK's travel rules now?
  

Confirming that Terminal 4 had reopened for red list arrivals, Heathrow's Chief Operating Officer, Emma Gilthorpe described the introduction of restrictions for international travel as "a further significant blow for British exporters and those wanting to visit friends and relatives."
"Keeping the changes under constant review and a government commitment to the removal of red list countries, as soon as it is safe to do so, will help," she added.

York council urges people to wear face masks outside

In England, masks must now be worn inside shops and on public transport but people in York are being asked to wear them outdoors in busy areas.
City of York Council leader Keith Aspden has issued the plea ahead of the busy Christmas shopping season in a bid to slow the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid.
Aspden says the authority has already told its staff infection control measures will be in place until the end of January.
That includes working at home where possible, wearing face coverings in council buildings and residents' homes, taking lateral flow tests twice a week, and washing hands regularly.
"Beyond our own staff, we are encouraging residents and visitors to York to wear face coverings in crowded outdoor areas as the Christmas shopping season gets underway," he tells the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

US and Canada unveil new travel rules

US authorities plan to issue new rules for international travellers to curb the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant.
The new measures will mean that incoming passengers must test within 24 hours of their departure.
In the US, vaccinated air travellers are required to present a negative test result within three days of their departure, and most foreign citizens must be vaccinated to enter the country. Unvaccinated travellers are required to receive a negative Covid-19 test within one day of their arrival.
In a statement to media, a spokesperson for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it is “working to modify the current global testing order for travel as we learn more about the Omicron variant”.
They said this would strengthen "already robust protocols in place".
More details about US plans are expected to be announced by President Joe Biden tomorrow.
Officials are reportedly also mulling over whether to require additional tests between three and five days after arrival, Reuters has reported.
In neighbouring Canada, the government on Tuesday announced all incoming passengers – except those from the US – will now need to be tested upon landing, in addition to an already in-place test requirement.
Vaccinated passengers will be required to isolate until they test negative, while unvaccinated travellers will be required to isolate for 14 days and test twice.
The new rules are expected to come into effect later this week.

'We could miss our son's wedding over travel rules'

A British couple living in Spain say new rules to slow the spread of Omicron could make them miss their son's wedding in the Cotswolds.
Every traveller entering the UK now needs to take a PCR test within 48 hours of arrival, and isolate until they get the result.
Julie and Shaun Taylor, who live in Alicante, took PCR tests as soon at they arrived at Gatwick on Tuesday, but they are worried they won't get the results by Thursday.
Two PCR tests cost them £140, and they had spent £70 on lateral flow tests before the rules changed which can no longer be refunded.
"If I'm not there, my son's going to be heartbroken - he's not going to get married again and he's been planning it for two years," Julie tells the BBC.

Dortmund cancel ticket sales for Bayern clash as Covid cases rise

Borussia Dortmund have cancelled the sale of tickets for Saturday's match against Bayern Munich due to rising Covid cases.
Germany is struggling to contain a fourth wave of the pandemic, reporting the highest number of Covid-related deaths since mid-February.
"Because of the current Covid-19 situation in Germany, Borussia Dortmund are cancelling the advance ticket sale for the top of the table Bundesliga clash against Bayern Munich on Saturday," Dortmund said in a statement.
"Those who have purchased tickets will get their money back. All of the 67,000 tickets that were available... had already sold out a few days ago.
"However, the state government is currently expected to reduce game capacities within the next few days due to the pandemic."
The premier of the eastern state of Saxony has said that Germany will decide on Thursday if all Bundesliga matches should once again be played behind closed doors.

 

UK records another 48,374 cases and 171 deaths

Another 48,374 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, the latest official figures show.
A further 171 people died within 28 days of a positive test.
Meanwhile, 392,589 people had their booster - an increase of more than 70,000 on the previous day.
Some 88.7% of the population over 12 have had a first dose, 80.7% have had their second, and 32.4% have had their booster.

What are England's mask rules now?

The headline change to mask wearing rules in England is that people have to wear them in shops and on public transport.
The new rules also apply to staff and customers in:

• Hairdressers, tattoo studios and nail bars
  
• Post offices and banks
  
• Estate agents
  
• Vet surgeries
  
• Takeaways
  
• Pharmacies
  
• Auction houses
  
• Taxis
  
• Driving lessons and tests
  

Secondary school pupils are also being "strongly advised" to wear masks in communal areas, as are staff and visitors at all schools and childcare settings. You can read up on the current rules here.

New restrictions for non-EU arrivals in France

France is stepping up its Covid-19 booster vaccination campaign and tightening entry rules for arrivals from outside the European Union in response to the spread of the Omicron variant.
Reuters reports:
Gabriel Attal also said flights from countries in southern Africa, where the variant was first detected last week, would remain suspended until Friday. From Saturday they would resume, but only for travellers returning to their main residences, he said.
The government hopes eight million people in France will have received a third vaccine injection by the end of Wednesday, and 10 million by the end of this week.
There are about 1,100 vaccination centers in operation and the government plans to open 300 more in coming weeks, he added.
Meanwhile, all non-EU arrivals in mainland France, where the Omicron variant has yet to be detected, will henceforth have to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test regardless of their vaccination status, Attal added.

Trapped in travel limbo, visa holders consider giving up Australia to see family
Christopher Knaus - The Guardian
Temporary visa holders in Australia will be cut off from their families this Christmas despite the planned easing of border restrictions, causing further agony and uncertainty, writes Christopher Knaus.
Restrictions are set to ease for some temporary visa holders in time for Christmas, including those on international skilled, student, humanitarian, working holiday and provisional family visas to allow them to leave and re-enter Australia without exemptions from 15 December. But for holders of other types of temporary visas there is still no end in sight.
Read more.

Airline passengers arriving to Denmark from Doha or Dubai must take a mandatory Covid-19 test,
a move aimed at delaying the spread of the new Omicron variant, Reuters reports.

South Africa’s daily reported cases of coronavirus doubled to 8,561 on Wednesday from the previous day, according to the country’s National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD).
The rate of positivity, which means the number of positive results out of total tests, shot up to 16.5% on Wednesday from 10.2% a day before, NICD said. However the number of deaths and hospitalisations did not change much.

US expected to require stricter testing protocols for international travelers
Gloria Oladipo - The Guardian
The Biden administration intends to toughen testing requirements for international travellers coming to the US, including both vaccinated and unvaccinated people, Gloria Oladipo writes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced in a statement on Tuesday that officials are working on a plan that would require international travellers to be tested for Covid-19 within a day before their flight to the US. Currently, fully vaccinated travelers can test for Covid-19 up to three days before their trip.
Read more.

First US case of Omicron Covid variant identified in California
Joanna Walters - The Guardian
The first confirmed case of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 in the United States has been identified in California.
The identification by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) comes as scientists continue to study the risks posed by the new variant of the virus.
The Biden administration moved late last month to restrict travel from southern Africa, where the variant was first identified, and had been widespread. Clusters of cases have also been identified in about two dozen other nations.
The CDC is moving to tighten US testing rules for travelers from overseas, including requiring a test for all travelers within a day of boarding a flight to the US regardless of vaccination status. It was also considering mandating post-arrival testing.
Officials said those measures would only “buy time” for the country to learn more about the new variant and to take appropriate precautions, but that given its transmissibility its arrival in the US was inevitable.
The dominant variant in the US is still the Delta strain, which emerged and spread across the country over summer.
Read more.

Dr Anthony Fauci told reporters that the person was a traveler who returned from South Africa on 22 November and tested positive on 29 November. Fauci said the person was vaccinated but had not received a booster shot and was experiencing “mild symptoms.”
The Biden administration moved late last month to restrict travel from Southern Africa where the variant was first identified and had been widespread. Clusters of cases have also been identified in about two dozen other nations.
“We knew that it was just a matter of time before the first case of omicron would be detected in the United States,” Fauci said.

A round up of the day's coronavirus news

Here's a recap of what's happened in the UK and around the world:

• A further nine cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus have been identified in England bringing the total to 22. Scotland found another case taking it to 10. Meanwhile the Republic of Ireland reported its first case.
  
• The World Health Organization (WHO) says it expects to have more information on how easily this new variant spreads within days
  
• Health Secretary Sajid Javid says he does not think people need to change plans for Christmas parties but should be "a bit cautious"
  
• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said she thinks it's time for EU member states to consider mandatory vaccinations
  
• The Swiss government is planning new Covid restrictions, including requiring vaccine certificates for all gatherings of 10 or more people
  
• France says everyone arriving from outside the EU will need to present a negative Covid test which is less than 48 hours old, even if they are fully vaccinated
  
• Australian police have arrested three people who broke out of a Covid quarantine compound in the middle of the night
  
• The question over whether Downing Street broke coronavirus rules by holding Christmas parties last year rumbles on. The PM denies any rules were broken but a source tells the BBC dozens of people gathered on 18 December for food, drink and party games
  
• A major World Health Organization press conference urged countries to prioritise getting the unvaccinated vaccinated, both nationally and globally, rather than boosters. Officials said data on the transmissibility of Omicron is expected “within days”, and urged caution in implementing extreme measures such as travel bans and lockdowns while the picture remains uncertain.
  
• The UN condemned the travel bans implemented in response to Omicron as “unfair, punitive and ineffective”
  
• The US, Norway, Ghana and South Korea identified their first Omicron cases
  
• President of the European Commision, Ursula von der Leyen, said the EU should consider making vaccines mandatory after Greece introduced a fine for those over 60 who refuse to get jabbed
  
• France and the US increased travel restrictions, while Vietnam said it would suspend flights from several southern African countries.
  
• Botswana, one of the first countries to detect Omicron, said nearly all the cases identified so far were mild.
  
• The first confirmed case of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 in the United States has been identified in California.