Category: Omicron variant

Holiday Travelers Undeterred By Omicron, Gas Prices

Millions of year-end holiday travelers are expected to take to the road, the railways, and the skies next week despite widespread fears over the Omicron variant. AAA estimates more than 109 million people will travel during the final days of December into early January—nearly 28 million more than in 2020—and just under 10 million fewer…


Zahawi: Ex-Teachers Should Apply From Monday to Help With COVID Staff Shortages

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi has called on ex-teachers to sign up from Monday to help with COVID-19 staff shortages in the new year. Former teachers who are available to return to the classroom should apply on the Get Into Teaching website, he said. They should ideally start the process before Christmas Eve to be ready…


New COVID-19 Restrictions Come Into Force in Ireland

New COVID-19 restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the Omicron variant have come into force in Ireland. The measures, agreed by the cabinet on Friday, were introduced at midnight on Sunday and will last until Jan. 30. All restaurants and bars, excluding takeaways and delivery services, must now close at 8 p.m., and there…


UK Government Slammed for Economic Impact of ‘Stop-Start’ COVID-19 Curbs

The British government is facing renewed criticism of its “stop-start” approach to COVID-19 restrictions, as the health secretary refused to rule out adopting further measures before Christmas. Senior Conservative MP and former minister Tobias Ellwood said on Sunday that the government’s “off the bus, on the bus” approach to tackling COVID-19 has done damage to…


UK Government Slammed for Economic Effect of ‘Stop-Start’ COVID-19 Curbs

The UK government is facing renewed criticism of its “stop-start” approach to COVID-19 restrictions, as the country’s health secretary refused to rule out adopting further measures before Christmas. Senior Conservative MP and former minister Tobias Ellwood said on Dec. 19 that the government’s “off the bus, on the bus” approach to tackling COVID-19 has done…


BC Forbids Unvaccinated From Hosting, Going to Private Gatherings

British Columbia is forbidding residents who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine from hosting anyone in their homes or attending gatherings in other people’s homes. “If you are unvaccinated or have members of your family who are unvaccinated, we cannot have personal gatherings in those settings right now,” provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said…


BC Forbids Unvaccinated From Hosting or Attending Private Gatherings During the Holidays

British Columbia is forbidding residents who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine from hosting anyone in their homes or attending gatherings in other people’s homes over the holiday season. “If you are unvaccinated or have members of your family who are unvaccinated, we cannot have personal gatherings in those settings right now,” provincial health officer…


Ontario Tightens COVID-19 Restrictions, Social Gathering Limits

The Ontario government is ramping up social gathering and other COVID-19 restrictions in face of the new Omicron variant. “Like many jurisdictions around the world, Ontario is facing a serious threat from the rapidly spreading Omicron variant. The situation continues to evolve rapidly and the modeling that was released yesterday is clear: unless action is taken quickly…


Quebec Orders Shops, Bars, Restaurants, Churches to Operate at 50 per Cent Capacity

MONTREAL—COVID-19 vaccination is no longer enough to prevent Quebec’s health system from becoming overwhelmed, and Quebecers must reduce their contacts by half, Premier François Legault said Thursday. Hours after new modelling indicated the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus could push hospitals to reach dedicated COVID-19 capacity within weeks, Legault announced a series of added…


Quebec Orders Shops, Bars, Restaurants, Churches to Operate at 50 Percent Capacity

MONTREAL—COVID-19 vaccination is no longer enough to prevent Quebec’s health system from becoming overwhelmed, and Quebecers must reduce their contacts by half, Premier François Legault said Thursday. Hours after new modelling indicated the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus could push hospitals to reach dedicated COVID-19 capacity within weeks, Legault announced a series of added…