Coronavirus: Morning update
Here are five things you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic this Monday morning. We ll have another update for you this evening.
1. Vaccination of over 70s begins in England
Almost four million people have had their first Covid-19 jab in the UK - and that number should accelerate this week when people aged 70 and over, and the clinically extremely vulnerable of any age, begin receiving the vaccine in England. The over 70s and clinically vulnerable were fourth in the UK s priority list, after care home residents and carers, the over 80s and health care workers, and the over 75s. Prime Minister Boris Johnson called it a significant milestone . However, the news doesn t mean vaccination of the first three groups is complete - and the government said the top two groups should still be prioritised. Meanwhile, 10 new mass vaccination centres will open in England, including at Blackburn Cathedral in Lancashire, and Taunton racecourse in Somerset.
Australia is unlikely to fully open its borders in 2021 even if most of its population gets vaccinated this year as planned, says a senior health official.The comments dampen hopes raised by airlines that travel to and from the country could resume as early as July.Department of Health Secretary Brendan Murphy made the prediction after being asked about the coronavirus'
Covid-19: Over-70s vaccination begins in England, and UK travel corridors close
Published
1. Vaccination of over 70s begins in England
Almost four million people have had their first Covid-19 jab in the UK - and that number should accelerate this week when people aged 70 and over, and the clinically extremely vulnerable of any age, begin receiving the vaccine in England. The over 70s and clinically vulnerable were fourth in the UK s priority list, after care home residents and carers, the over 80s and health care workers, and the over 75s. Prime Minister Boris Johnson called it a significant milestone . However, the news doesn t mean vaccination of the first three groups is complete - and the government said the top two groups should still be prioritised. Meanwhile, 10 new mass vaccination centres will open in England, including at Blackburn Cathedral in Lancashire, and Taunton racecourse in Somerset.
Australia unlikely to fully reopen border in 2021
BBC
18th January, 2021 06:43:26
Australia is unlikely to fully open its borders in 2021 even if most of its population gets vaccinated this year as planned, says a senior health official.
The comments dampen hopes raised by airlines that travel to and from the country could resume as early as July.
Department of Health Secretary Brendan Murphy made the prediction after being asked about the coronavirus escalation in other nations.
Dr Murphy spearheaded Australia s early action to close its borders last March. I think that we ll go most of this year with still substantial border restrictions, he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Monday.