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Travel News

Hong Kong is finally reopening to tourists - but there’s a catch

Testing, quarantine and the threat of flight chaos are likely to stop tourists rushing to back to Hong Kong for now.

Health news

EU says up to 80% of population has now been infected by COVID

While the number of infections and deaths from COVID is dropping, EU member states are being urged to step up vaccinations, particularly for children.

Experiences

Watch: Rio Carnival parade makes an emotional return in Brazil

Locals were delighted to welcome carnival floats back to Rio de Janeiro and São Paolo.

Travel News

Do you count as vaccinated in these top European holiday destinations?

Minor differences in what counts as vaccinated can lead to major problems when you arrive at the border.

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Beijing residents queue for tests

Beijing on Tuesday launched mass coronavirus testing for nearly all its 21 million residents, as fears grew that the Chinese capital may be placed under a strict lockdown like Shanghai.

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35th International Kite Festival kicks off in Berck, France

After two years of absence because of Covid, the sky of Berck-sur-Mer, on the Opal Coast, once again has kites and visitors for the 35th edition of the International Kite Festival.

Spain

Spain lifts some facemask rules, Cyprus to ease COVID measures

Masks will still be mandatory for visitors and staff in Spanish medical centres and nursing homes, as well as on public transport.

China

Shanghai allows 4 million out of homes as virus rules ease

China’s case numbers in its latest infection surge are relatively low, but the ruling party is enforcing a “zero-COVID” strategy that has shut down major cities to isolate every case.

Travel News

Hong Kong's quarantine hotels are creating mountains of plastic waste

A zero-COVID policy means everything from remotes to pillows and food has to be wrapped in plastic.

Health news

Mental health a factor in risk of breakthrough COVID infection - study

Vaccinated patients over the age of 65 with a history of certain mental health conditions were found to be at higher risk of breakthrough infection

China

Frustration in Shanghai over COVID-19 lockdown policy

As Shanghai and other cities shut down to fight coronavirus outbreaks, China faces sinking economic growth.

Health news

No more swabs? US approves its first COVID breath test

The InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer is 91.2 per cent accurate at identifying positive samples and 99.3 per cent accurate with negative samples, according to the FDA.

Destinations

Will a digital nomad visa boost tourism in South Africa?

The country is set to introduce a digital nomad visa, but is it prepared for an influx of tourists?

Health news

Valneva’s inactivated COVID vaccine gets first approval in UK

Valneva’s COVID-19 vaccine uses traditional technology that may appeal to people reluctant to take mRNA shots.

Health news

Too early to consider 4th COVID vaccine dose, say EU medical bodies

While most people won't be considered for a fourth dose of COVID mRNA vaccine, those over 80 will be encouraged to get a second booster.

Greece

Two dead after fire on hospital's COVID ward in Thessaloniki

The blaze broke out at the Papanikolaou hospital on Wednesday morning.

Green News

Wind power must gather speed to meet climate goals, report finds

A huge ramp-up in low carbon technology, such as renewable power, is needed if goals set under the 2015 Paris climate agreement are to be met

Germany

Man in Germany gets 90 COVID-19 shots to sell forged passes

The man from the eastern Germany city of Magdeburg, whose name was not released in line with German privacy rules, is said to have received up to 90 shots against COVID-19 at vaccination centers in the eastern state of Saxony for months until criminal police caught him earlier this month.

United Kingdom

UK hits record COVID-19 levels with nearly 5 million infected

The latest surge is driven by the more transmissible omicron variant BA.2, which is the dominant variant across the UK.

Health news

A personal account of how COVID hit a family with a disabled child

Former Euronews anchor Isabelle Kumar shares a personal account of how her family navigated the pandemic with their son who has epilepsy and autism.