Austrian chancellor Alexander Schallenberg announces a full nationwide lockdown for the entire population starting on 22 November, amid a surge in new COVID-19 cases that has overwhelmed hospitals. Schallenberg also announces that COVID-19 vaccinations will become mandatory as of 1 February 2022. 2021-11-19
Data from the Health Ministry show that COVID-19 vaccines are 99.2% effective against serious illness, reduce mortality by 95.8% and decrease the chance of hospitalization by 98.9%. 2021-02-20
Germany reports a record 1,244 deaths in the past 24 hours, according to data from the Robert Koch Institute, bringing the nationwide death toll to 43,881. 2021-01-14
The government announces that Hong Kong will close some entertainment venues such as bars, nightclubs and bathhouses from November 26 to December 2. In addition, a maximum of ten tables will be allowed in restaurants, with four people per table. These measures come as Hong Kong reports 80 new cases in the past 24 hours, the highest single-day total since August. 2020-11-24
U.S. Representatives Cheri Bustos of Illinois and Tim Walberg of Michigan announce they have tested positive for COVID-19. Additionally, Representative Mark Pocan of Wisconsin said publicly he was isolating after a possible exposure to the virus. 2020-11-16
Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Health Minister Hugo de Jonge announce new restrictions, such as restarting a partial lockdown. The new measures include closing bars and restaurants, banning alcohol sales after 8:00 p.m. local time, restricting retail opening hours, and banning gatherings of more than 30 people across the country. This measure also includes making wearing cloth masks mandatory for people at least 13 years old in indoor spaces. The government says the measures will take effect tomorrow and last for at least four weeks, with a review of their impact after two weeks. 2020-10-13
Hundreds of GCE Advanced Level students protest outside the Department for Education headquarters in London demanding for a reassessment of their final-year performance by the Ofqual, which has used an algorithm to assess students' performances in lieu of the exams that were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Critics claim the Ofqual's algorithm to be "flawed" as the grades issued differ significantly from those predicted by teachers. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson had issued a statement clarifying that students may use their teacher's predicted grades or results from any trial exam, although the Ofqual issued a separate statement favouring teacher evaluations over trial exams. Students are requesting for an intervention from Prime Minister Boris Johnson. 2020-08-16
The European Union approves the use of the drug remdesivir to treat severe cases of COVID-19. 2020-07-3
Despite a week-long lockdown, Easter Island (Rapa Nui) reports its first case of coronavirus. 2020-03-24
Cyprus closes four of its checkpoints along the border with Northern Cyprus for the first time since 2003 due to coronavirus concerns. The checkpoints are expected to be reopened within a week. 2020-02-28