Malta reports its first two cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, prompting the health ministry to ban all standing events except for weddings and funerals beginning on December 17 and restrict entry to the hospitality sector and sporting events to only those with a valid vaccine certificate. A 1 a.m. curfew will also be imposed for all businesses beginning on January 17. 2021-12-23
Ukraine closes schools and public venues in Kyiv and will only permit the schools to reopen if teachers are vaccinated in other "red zone" areas after the country reported a record for the second consecutive day of 29,785 new cases and 614 deaths from COVID-19. 2021-10-22
Harbin bans visits to retirement homes, closes spas, cinemas and mahjong salons, reduces the capacity of tourist attractions by half, and suspends religious activities in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in poorly ventilated spaces after one community transmitted case was reported. 2021-09-21
The Andorran government lifts the obligation to wear masks outdoors, at work meetings and with people who are immunized. 2021-06-16
Russia authorizes the use of a single-shot "Sputnik Light" vaccine, which it says has an efficacy rate of 79.4%. 2021-05-6
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand2021-01-28
Kuwait announces the suspension of direct commercial passenger flights to and from the United Kingdom beginning January 6 at 4:00 a.m. in order to reduce the spread of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2. 2021-01-3
Victoria eases restrictions, allowing larger private and public gatherings, relaxing patron quotas for businesses (including allowing nightclubs to reopen for the first time since the pandemic began), and relaxing mask-wearing rules. The state has not reported a COVID-19 case in 37 days. 2020-12-7
President Donald Trump gives a prime-time statement about the coronavirus during which he announces a 30-day ban on travel from European countries with the exception of the United Kingdom. 2020-03-11