Summary
We are now closing today’s live blog. Here is a round-up of developments:
- The Queen has cancelled her planned engagements for Tuesday as she is still experiencing mild cold-like symptoms from Covid-19, Buckingham Palace has said. On Sunday the Palace confirmed the monarch, 95, had tested positive for coronavirus and was planning to continue carrying out “light duties” at Windsor Castle.
- The UK has reported 205 daily Covid-19 deaths within 28 days of a positive test compared with 15 deaths on Monday. A further 41,130 new cases were reported compared with 38,409 cases the previous day.
- Scotland’s system of mandatory vaccine passports for nightclubs and sports venues is to end next week, Nicola Sturgeon has announced. On 21 March, assuming there was no new surge in infections, the regulations requiring face masks on public transport and in shops will also end, to be replaced by guidance recommending them.
- All 7.4 million Hong Kong residents must undergo three rounds of compulsory coronavirus testing in March, the chief executive, Carrie Lam, said.
- Ministers in Ireland have approved plans to remove almost all Covid-related restrictions, including the wearing of face masks, on Monday. The use of masks will only be required in healthcare settings.
- Northern Ireland’s health minister has warned he will not be rushed into making decisions around Covid tests.
- The Spanish government has approved an agreement with unions and business groups to extend its furlough scheme for workers affected by the coronavirus pandemic until the end of March.
- Brazil has reported 816 daily Covid deaths and 105,776 new cases.
- Italy has reported 322 coronavirus-related deaths up from 201. There were a further 60,029 daily Covid-19 cases against 24,408 the day before, the health ministry said.
- People infected with the Omicron coronavirus variant are nearly 75% less likely to develop serious illness or die than those who contract the Delta variant, real-world data released by South Korea’s health authorities showed.
- The UK government’s Covid dashboard will no longer be updated at weekends, the UK Health Security Agency has confirmed. As of this week, the dashboard will be updated from Monday to Friday, while daily cases and deaths by report date published on Mondays will include figures from the weekend.
- People attempting to order free lateral flow tests in England are struggling to do so as the system has been overwhelmed with the scramble for free tests while they are still available.
- Canada’s parliament backed the decision of Justin Trudeau, the prime minister, to invoke rarely-used emergency powers to end pandemic-related protests that have blocked streets in the capital, Ottawa, for more than three weeks.
- New Covid cases fell 21 per cent around the world in the past week, the World Health Organization reported.
- Uganda plans to fine people who refuse to be vaccinated against Covid and imprison those who fail to pay, under a new public health law which lawmakers are scrutinising, its parliament has said.
Scotland Yard said there will be no further action following an assessment of allegations made about the UK’s Covid-19 vaccine programme, PA Media reports.
The Metropolitan Police said a number of documents were submitted at a west London police station on 20 December in support of claims alleging people in the UK Parliament and other organisations had suppressed information about the severity of health implications for those taking the vaccine.
Police said it was suggested by the complainants that offences including gross negligent manslaughter and misconduct in a public office may have taken place.
Following an assessment of all the available evidence, the Met said:
it is clear that no criminal offences are apparent.
The force said it will not be launching a criminal investigation and no further action will be taken in relation to the allegations.
Deputy assistant commissioner Jane Connors said:
The vaccines in use against Covid-19 have been approved by all the relevant national and international regulatory bodies.
They underwent multiple trials and were subject to stringent approval processes. They are in use in more than 100 countries.
We have found no evidence to support any claims that information about adverse health implications is being suppressed or withheld from the public in the manner that was alleged.
