Europe

Merkel supports tougher COVID lockdown in Germany

Editorial Bureau April 7, 2021

BERLIN (GERMANY) – Chancellor Angela Merkel was seen backing demands for a short, tough lockdown in Germany to control the spread of the coronavirus as infection rates continued to be high, a German government spokeswoman said on Wednesday. Germany is struggling to tackle a third wave of

Europe

Merkel likely to agree for cautious easing of COVID lockdown

Editorial Bureau March 3, 2021

BERLIN (GERMANY) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel was expected on Wednesday to agree a gradual relaxation of coronavirus curbs with regional leaders, but the rules can be tightened again if infections jump, according to draft plans seen. Pressure is growing on the government to set out clear plans to restore normal activities after months of […]

UK

UK home-working reaches highest point since June on COVID lockdown

Editorial Bureau February 4, 2021

LONDON (UK) – The proportion of British workers working completely from home rose to 36% in the week to January 31, its highest since June when the country had its first coronavirus lockdown and up from 34% the week before, official figures showed. The Office for National Statistics said on Thursday that spending on debit […]

USA

COVID lockdowns likely to be renewed in Southern California as ICUs continue to be filled

Editorial Bureau December 29, 2020

LOS ANGELES (US) -The United States touched 19 million COVID cases on Monday as hospital intensive care units opened to overflowing patients in much of California. California Governor Gavin Newsom said mandatory constraints on social gatherings and business activities would almost certainly be renewed for at least three more weeks in Southern California –

Business

UK’s Primark reports 430 million stg hit from sales amid lockdowns

Editorial Bureau December 4, 2020

LONDON (UK) – Associated British Foods said on Friday the estimated hit to sales at its Primark fashion chain from closures due to COVID-19 in stores this autumn is about 430 million pounds ($579 million), up from a previous forecast of 375 million pounds. The group said it still expects Primark’s full year 2020-21 sales […]

UK

Johnson brings out new measures to replace COVID lockdown

Editorial Bureau November 23, 2020

LONDON (UK) – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out new measures on Monday to replace a national lockdown to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic in England on Dec. 2, strengthening a tiered regional approach to reflect differences in infection rates. “We’re not going to replace national measures with a free for all … We’re going […]

Europe

COVID-19 wave makes a second coming, warn Dutch authorities

Editorial Bureau November 10, 2020

AMSTERDAM (NETHERLANDS) – Dutch authorities warned on Tuesday that social distancing measures must remain in place despite a sharp fall in coronavirus cases, as hospitals remain under pressure due to heavy numbers of COVID-19 patients. The National Institute for Health on Tuesday reported 43,621 cases in the week through Nov. 10, a decline of more […]

Middle East

Jordan records 62 COVID deaths

Editorial Bureau November 4, 2020

AMMAN (JORDAN) – Jordan reported 62 new deaths from COVID-19 on Wednesday, the highest daily death toll since the pandemic surfaced in the Middle Eastern kingdom nearly eight months ago. The health ministry also reported 4,658 new confirmed coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours – from 4,833 on Tuesday and a record 5,877 on […]

UK

Sunak talks about the economic and social impact of lockdowns

Editorial Bureau October 5, 2020

LONDON (UK) – British finance minister Rishi Sunak in an interview with The Sun newspaper warned that a further lockdown would weaken both the economy and society. He added that lockdowns have a very strong economic and social impact. Sunak said, according to the newspaper, “Having a difficult economy has an impact on both our […]

UK

Two British scientific advisers warn it’s too soon to lift lockdown

Jim Stein May 30, 2020

LONDON (UK) – Two scientific advisers to the British government have warned that COVID-19 is still spreading too fast in the country to lift the lockdown, with one describing it as a political decision. England’s lockdown will ease slightly on Monday, with groups of up to six people allowed to meet outside and primary schools […]