Category: COVID-19 restrictions

New Zealand Convoy Protesters Gather Near Parliament Against COVID-19 Restrictions

Hundreds of New Zealand protesters have gathered near the Parliament building in the country’s capital Wellington, demanding an end to COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates. Arriving in convoy from around the country, cars, trucks, camper vans, and other vehicles jammed the capital’s streets for hours as they got out to meet and speak on Parliament’s…


Majority of Canadians Want All COVID-19 Restrictions to End: New Poll

A majority of Canadians say it’s time to end all COVID-19 restrictions and allow people to manage their own level of risk, a new Angus Reid poll shows. Published on Jan. 31, the survey shows that 54 percent of Canadians are in favour of ending the pandemic restrictions—an increase of 15 percentage points from a…


Quebec to Reopen Restaurant Dining Rooms on Jan. 31, Allow Small Private Gatherings

Quebec will start to lift some COVID-19 restrictions on Jan. 31, reopening restaurant dining rooms, as some restaurant and bar owners are mulling over reopening their businesses in defiance of the public health measures. Gyms, bars, and entertainment venues in the province have been closed since December 2021, as have restaurant dining rooms. Private gatherings…


‘Worst Is Behind Us’: Ford Announces Plan to Relax Ontario’s COVID-19 Restrictions

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced plans to phase out COVID-19 restrictions in the province starting Jan. 31, citing a lower test positivity rate and stabilizing health-care workforce. While the pandemic will still pose challenges to the health system, these challenges are now manageable for hospitals, the premier said during a press conference on Jan. 20…


Southwest Airlines Sued for Ejecting Woman Who Removed Mask to Drink Water

A 68-year-old woman has sued Southwest Airlines Co., claiming that the airline ejected her from a flight for removing her mask to drink water. The lawsuit concerns an incident which occurred in January 2021 on a Southwest flight due to depart from Reagan National Airport in Virginia to Palm Beach International Airport in Florida. Plaintiff…


‘Only Three Doses Protects You From COVID-19’, Urges Victorian Premier

The Victorian government has urged eligible Victorians to get their booster shots as the state introduces new pandemic restrictions and vaccine mandates on Jan. 10 Night clubs, pubs and bars are set to close from Jan. 12 at 11.59 p.m. onwards, although dancefloors at wedding venues will stay open. The Andrews government also strongly recommended…


Aussie State to Re-Impose Restrictions and Vaccine Mandates As Omicron Numbers Rise

The New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet has introduced new COVID-19 restrictions, and vaccine mandates as the state’s Omicron COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise. “We’re dealing with a highly transmissible variant, but fortunately, it appears to be a much less severe form of COVID-19, and our high vaccination rates are clearly helping to keep…


Quebec to Reinstate Nightly Curfew on New Year’s Eve

The Quebec government is resurrecting the nightly curfew starting on Dec. 31, lasting from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day. Quebec Premier Francois Legault said in a Thursday press conference that the curfew is in place for an indefinite period of time. “It’s an extreme action to take,” Legault said, “because the situation…


Millions in Canada’s Quebec Face Nightly Curfew on New Year’s Eve

The Quebec government is resurrecting the nightly curfew starting on Dec. 31. The curfew will begin at 10 p.m. and end 5 a.m. the next day, and remain in place for an indefinite period of time. “It’s an extreme action to take because the situation is extreme,” said Premier Francois Legault at a press conference…


Australian Travel Industry Launching Protests Against ‘Spider Web’ of COVID-19 Restrictions

Australian travel agents are planning a series of protests next month over continuing restrictions imposed on the tourism industry, which has been devastated over the course of the pandemic. Belle Goldie, owner of iTravel Penrith in the west of Sydney, told 2GB radio on Dec. 24 that since the announcement of the rallies, she has received…