Announcements of restrictions are mounting around the world, as many countries face a new wave of Covid-19. Italy has introduced new restrictions for the unvaccinated, while New York imposes vaccination on all employees in the private sector. Although we still do not know how dangerous it is, the Omicron variant, spotted in a growing number of countries, continues to worry health authorities.
The pandemic has killed at least 5,253,726 people worldwide since the World Health Organization’s office in China reported the onset of the disease at the end of December 2019, according to a report established by Agence France -Press (AFP) from official sources Monday, December 6.
The United States is the most bereaved country with 788,364 dead, ahead of Brazil (615,636), India (473,537), Mexico (295,203) and Russia (282,462). The WHO estimates, taking into account the excess mortality directly and indirectly linked to Covid-19, that the toll of the pandemic in the world could be two to three times higher.
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Italy: new restrictions for the unvaccinated
Unvaccinated people in Italy can no longer go to the movies, the theater, concerts or major sporting events, under new restrictions that came into effect on Monday.
The peninsula, like its European neighbors, is facing a rebound in coronavirus contaminations and has adopted this new package of measures to try to stop it. The only exception to this rule: people who have recently recovered from Covid-19, who also have access to “Sanitary super-pass” granted to the vaccinated. The simple health pass, accessible with a negative test, is however sufficient to go to his workplace, eat on the terrace or have a coffee standing at the bar.
This basic health pass, previously required for taking the plane or long-distance trains, will also now be required for local transport (bus, metro and regional trains). Checks began Monday morning at stations across the country and a record 1.3 million health passes were uploaded on Sunday for this turn of the screw.
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Measures to increase immunization coverage in Western countries
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday that all employees in the private sector will be subject to a coronavirus vaccine requirement effective December 27. The councilor went further than President Joe Biden, who is considering a vaccination obligation, which was to come into force on January 4 but is currently suspended by a court decision, for employees of companies with more than 100 people.
Mr. de Blasio clarified that all “Private sector employers in New York would be affected by the vaccination obligation as of December 27”, or some 184,000 businesses and businesses. Moreover, from the same date, the “New Yorkers aged 12 and over will have to show proof that they have received two doses of the vaccine”, according to the mayor, who will leave his post on December 31 to be replaced by Eric Adams, elected on November 2.
Other countries are also taking steps to expand their immunization coverage. Greece has decided to open vaccination to all children aged 5 to 11 from December 15. The explosion of cases had forced the pardoned authorities to announce last week that the vaccine would now be compulsory for people over the age of 60.
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New restrictions for travel against African countries
The UK’s decision to place Nigeria on its red list of countries whose travelers are banned from entering its territory to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant is strongly criticized by Abuja. “This decision is unfair, unfair, punitive, indefensible and discriminatory. Neither is it motivated by science or even common sense ”Nigerian Information Minister Lai Mohammed told reporters.
The British government has added Africa’s most populous country to the list, which currently counts ten African countries, after last week’s news that the Omicron variant had been found in Nigeria. To date, the UK has detected some 160 cases of the Omicron variant on its soil. Authorities say the vast majority of them have obvious links to recent trips to South Africa and Nigeria.
“We sincerely hope that the British government will reconsider the decision to put Nigeria on the Red List and immediately cancel it”, added the minister. He also said developed countries would do better to ensure that developing countries like Nigeria have access to vaccines rather than imposing travel restrictions. On Monday, South African Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and Senegalese Macky Sall also denounced the attitude of rich countries against South Africa after the discovery of the Omicron variant.
Canada has banned travelers from Egypt, Nigeria and Malawi for fear of the spread of the new variant. Omicron’s presence is now confirmed in around 40 countries around the world, the latest to have detected it being Russia and Argentina.
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