United Kingdom UK MPs approve probe into Boris Johnson's alleged 'partygate' lies If the inquiry by a committee of MPs finds that Johnson lied to parliament over illegal parties during Covid lockdowns, pressure will intensify for him to resign. 21/04/2022
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. 20/04/2022
United Kingdom Opposition calls UK PM's response to Partygate scandal 'a joke' Kier Starmer labelled Boris Johnson's response to the Partygate scandal "an insult to the public" after the UK PM renewed his apology in Parliament. 19/04/2022
United Kingdom UK PM Boris Johnson fined over Downing Street lockdown parties The British prime minister and finance minister Rishi Sunak were given six fines between them for breaking the government's own COVID regulations. 12/04/2022
no comment Shanghai experiences its second day of lockdown China's largest city on Tuesday entered the second day of the lockdown's first phase. 29/03/2022
no comment China's Jilin province tightens control to prevent virus spread Health authorities reported 4,770 new infections across the country, the bulk in Jilin province, as the nation's "zero-COVID" strategy is confronted by an Omicron wave. 22/03/2022
no comment Shanghai seals off street as city battles worst virus outbreak in two years An entire street is sealed off and many roads are empty in Shanghai as China wrestles to control the biggest virus outbreak and threat to the nation's zero-tolerance Covid strategy in two years 14/03/2022
Netherlands Dutch government to drop most COVID-19 restrictions as infections fall Mask wearing and working from home will no longer be required. 15/02/2022
United Kingdom Pressure mounts on Boris Johnson to publish delayed 'partygate' report The PM has pledged to publish in full an official report into his team's activities which allegedly broke lockdown rules... while the delays have prompted many a joke on social media. 27/01/2022
See Why is Boris Johnson such an easy target for political cartoonists? Following allegations of Boris Johnson's parties at Downing Street being in breach of coronavirus restrictions, it is a busy time of year for political cartoonists. 27/01/2022
United Kingdom Police to investigate lockdown parties at the heart of UK government The parties in Downing Street, which have caused outrage and sparked calls for Boris Johnson to resign, are already being investigated by a senior civil servant. 25/01/2022
United Kingdom Lockdown birthday party claim increases pressure on Boris Johnson The new allegation that a short birthday bash was held for the prime minister is the latest in a string of accusations of Downing Street gatherings that are being investigated. 25/01/2022
New Zealand New Zealand says it won't use lockdowns when Omicron spreads “This stage of the pandemic is different to what we have dealt with before. Omicron is more transmissible," Ardern said. “That is going to make it harder to keep it out, but it will also make it more challenging to control once it arrives. But just like before, when COVID changes, we change.” 20/01/2022
United Kingdom 'In the name of God, go': Tory MP tells Johnson amid parties scandal At Prime Minister's Questions, one Conservative MP defected to Labour as another called on Boris Johnson to step down. 19/01/2022
Biztech news Online child sexual abuse rose to record levels in 2021, says watchdog Child safety experts say younger children have been relying more and more on the internet during the pandemic and this is leaving them more vulnerable to online sexual exploitation. 14/01/2022
United Kingdom Johnson's office apologises to Queen for party before Philip funeral Downing Street says the government acknowledges a lockdown-breaching party the night before the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral has caused "significant public anger". 14/01/2022
United Kingdom UK PM told to resign after admitting he attended party during lockdown Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer accused Boris Johnson of "lying through his teeth" and called on him to "do the decent thing, and resign". 12/01/2022
United Kingdom Outrage over claims Boris Johnson's office held party during lockdown The UK prime minister faces fury over claims that Downing Street staff were invited to a 'bring your own booze' garden party, when social mixing was banned. 11/01/2022
Travel News Should your company give you more time off in the pandemic? With few of us able to go on holiday during the pandemic, should workplaces offer more annual leave to make up for it? 23/12/2021
Travel News Austria: Travel restrictions ease for top European skiing destination As national lockdown comes to an end, Austria is reopening for most international travellers. 13/12/2021
Austria Austria ends COVID-19 lockdown measures for vaccinated Austria ended its COVID-19 lockdown, but only for people who are vaccinated against or recovered from the virus. 12/12/2021
Travel News Austrian hotel selling drive-thru chocolate as fourth lockdown bites With the tourism sector shut again, one luxury hotel in Vienna is taking to the streets to sell its world famous Sacher Torte cake. 25/11/2021
Slovakia COVID-19: Slovakia becomes second European country to go into lockdown As the country battles with the world's fastest-growing surge of COVID-19 cases, the government of Slovakia opts for a two-week lockdown. 24/11/2021
Czech Republic Czechs protest restrictions on unvaccinated as cases soar Protesters marched through the Czech capital of Prague on Monday to decry the government’s restrictions on unvaccinated people as new infections soared. 22/11/2021
Health COVID boosters: Are you now only fully vaccinated if you have 3 doses? Amid a new surge of COVID cases, countries are scrambling to issue vaccine boosters. Are two doses enough to be counted as "fully vaccinated"? 21/11/2021
Netherlands Police fire on rioters after anti-COVID-19 protest descends into chaos Police said they fired warning shots during protests against new COVID-19 restrictions in the Netherlands. 19/11/2021
