Coronavirus digest: New Zealand delays reopening

Wellington, Dec 21: New Zealand on Tuesdaypostponed the reopening of its borders until the end of February over concerns about the spread of the omicron variant.

The country had planned to ease its international border restrictions from January, with all foreign tourists being allowed into the country by April. Non-quarantine travel for New Zealand citizens in Australia, which was supposed to open from January 16, will be pushed back till the end of February.

"There's no doubt this is disappointing and will upset many holiday plans, but it's important to set these changes out clearly today so they can have time to consider those plans," said COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins at a press conference.

Here are the latest major developments on coronavirus from around the world:

Oceania

Meanwhile in Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has urged states to avoid further lockdowns due to the omicron variant. While cases have gone up, hospitalizations in the country have remained relatively low.

"We have got to get past the heavy hand of government and we have got to treat Australians like adults. We're not going back to lockdowns. We're going forward to live with this virus with common sense and responsibility," said Morrison.

Americas

The omicron variant has now become dominant in the United States, accounting for about 73% cases. An unvaccinated man in Texas became the first casualty in the country to die of the variant.

Health authorities are worried about the quick spread of the variant, and are concerned numbers might soar during the holiday season.

President Joe Biden is set to urge citizens to get vaccinated, in a speech scheduled for Tuesday. He came in contact with a staff member who tested positive for COVID later. The White House said Biden had tested negative twice since then, and will get tested again on Wednesday.

Europe

The number of COVID cases increased in Germany by 23,428, with 462 more deaths, said the Robert Koch Institute.

In the southern city of Mannheim, 13 police officers were injured in southern Germany on Monday night as protesters reacted angrily to authorities attempting to end an unauthorized march against restrictions.

One officer was hospitalized after protesters, who had gathered without the necessary approval from the relevant authorities, resisted efforts by police to end their demonstration.

Despite the current fall in patients in intensive care units in Germany, health authorities are bracing for an uptick in cases as they expect the omicron variant to dominate in January.

Global

The World Health Organization's director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called upon nations to redouble their efforts in ending the pandemic. He said countries should rein in holiday season celebrations because large gatherings would allow a greater spread of the omicron variant.

"We have to focus now on ending this pandemic," he said, adding that it was better to "celebrate later than to celebrate now and grieve later." He told reporters that 2022 must be the year we end the pandemic.

Source: DW