COVID-19 Updates
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‘Sunshine Saturday’: UK travel firms gear up for busiest bookings day in years
Bumper time for early bookings predicted as industry holds out for post-Covid return of foreign trips UK travel firms are preparing for the busiest day of holiday bookings in years,…
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Anxious lunar new year period in China as millions travel while Covid spreads
After almost three years of restrictions, many will return home to be with family, sparking concerns of a surge in infections Dora Wang* longs to see her family over lunar…
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Hong Kong’s Covid-19 curbs were among the world’s toughest. What were their long-term effects on the city?
Travel bans and curbs on public gatherings were just some of the measures that were introduced to stop spread of virus. Read the original article at South China Morning Post
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China’s zero-Covid policy, botched reopening will puzzle historians for years to come
It remains to be seen whether and how quickly the scarring done to parts of China’s economy can be reversed by its eventual reopening. Read the original article at South…
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China shouldn’t blame countries for imposing Covid-19 tests to keep their citizens safe
Could Beijing be the one being ‘political’ as it lashes out at countries imposing Covid-19 test on Chinese visitors, calling the measures ‘discriminatory’ and amounting to ‘political manipulation’. Read the…
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Hong Kong business bodies start to plan mainland China trips as border authorities brace for Sunday reopening
Chamber of commerce chief predicts ‘sharp rebound’ in economy in 2023 after border reopening announced. Read the original article at South China Morning Post
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UK barber jailed after sending Islamic State thousand of pounds from Covid grants
Tarek Namouz, 43, sentenced to 12 years in prison after being found guilty of funding terrorism A barber has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after sending thousands of…
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Nearly £1bn of fraudulent Covid grants made to UK firms ‘unlikely to be recovered’
Business department says in annual report that a total of £985m likely to be lost to ‘fraud and error’ Taxpayers are facing a loss of almost £1bn in fraudulent or…
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Covid temporarily reduced Australia’s average life expectancy and lifted death rates to historic highs
Centre for Population report shows 129,000 people died between January and August 2022, 17% higher than average for the period Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates…
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With Covid cases soaring and the NHS in trouble, here’s how to end the culture war on face masks | Stephen Reicher
Covering up when poorly isn’t an edict from an out-of-touch elite – it’s something we can do for each other Whether or not you are prepared to call it a…