Coronavirus live: UK records 41,648 new cases and 35 Covid-linked deaths; French protest convoy reaches Brussels – as it happened

Here’s a recap of all the international Covid developments:

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• Brazil has registered 473 new Covid-19 deaths and 58,540 new cases, the health ministry said.

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• Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau invokes emergency measures to tackle the ongoing protests.

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• Plans to delay Covid jabs for UK children aged five to 11 have been criticised.

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• Boris Johnson is expected to deny wrongdoing over No 10 lockdown parties.

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• All remaining Covid-19 legal restrictions are to be lifted in Northern Ireland from 15 February and replaced with guidance.

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• UK ministers press ahead with plan to wind down Covid testing.

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• Israelis mount their own Covid-19 ‘Freedom Convoy’.

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• Italy has reported a rise in daily Covid-19 related deaths with 281 registered, the health ministry said. This compares with 191, the previous day. A further 28,630 Covid-19 daily related cases were recorded.

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• Kuwait’s cabinet has lifted many Covid-19 restrictions including a ban on foreign travel

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• About 500 cars and campervans have arrived in Brussels, mainly from France, in a convoy to protest against Covid-19 restrictions. The vehicles were barred from the city. Police directed them to a parking place on the outskirts of Brussels, from where protesters continued on foot to a square in the city centre and the area housing European Union institutions.

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• The UK recorded 41,648 new Covid cases on Monday, government figures showed, and a further 35 deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test. That is compared with 41,270 infections and 52 fatalities in the 24 hours prior

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• More than 60 charities, campaigners and non-governmental organisations have accused Moderna of attempting to derail World Health Organization (WHO) plans to manufacture more Covid-19 vaccines in Africa. In an open letter, they urged Moderna to “act in the interests of people, not profits” by withdrawing patents and patent applications in South Africa.

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• The Duchess of Cornwall, 74, is self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus. The announcement by Clarence House comes after it announced on Thursday that Prince Charles, 73, had tested positive for the virus.

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• Covid restrictions in Germany are set to end as case numbers have dropped slightly, according to a draft official plan seen by Agence France-Presse. The plan is expected to be approved by the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and the heads of the federal states on Wednesday.

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• Hong Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam, has said an “onslaught” of Covid-19 infections has dealt a heavy blow and overwhelmed capacity to deal with the virus. Daily infections have multiplied by a factor of 13 over the past two weeks, from about 100 cases at the start of February to a record 2,071 on 14 February.

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• The busiest US-Canada border crossing has reopened after protests against Covid restrictions closed it for almost a week. The Sunday night reopening of the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan came as Canadian officials held back from a crackdown on a larger protest in the capital, Ottawa.

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• A court in Bologna has temporarily stripped the parental rights of a couple after they refused blood from Covid-vaccinated donors for their son in need of an urgent blood transfusion before undergoing delicate heart surgery. The couple had reportedly requested non-vaccinated blood for “religious reasons”.

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• Families bereaved by Covid in the UK want Boris Johnson to relinquish control over which issues will be investigated in the pandemic public inquiry, alleging he is compromised by allegations of lockdown-breaking at Downing Street.

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• New Zealand’s prime minister has said protesters who oppose coronavirus mandates were using “intimidation and harassment”, as authorities appeared to take a harsher stance toward the convoy of demonstrators that has disrupted the capital of Wellington for nearly a week.

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• Taiwan aims to ease its strict Covid quarantine policy from next month as it needs to gradually resume normal life and reopen to the world, the government said on Monday.

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• South Korea will begin giving out fourth doses of Covid vaccines this month and supply millions of additional home test kits to ease shortages amid a surge in Omicron infections, authorities confirmed on Monday.

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As trailed earlier, (see stories at 18.26 and 19.38) Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said the government had invoked special measures allowing him to tackle protests that have shut some border crossings and paralysed downtown Ottawa.

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According to Reuters Trudeau told a news conference:

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The blockades are harming our economy and endangering public safety. We cannot and will not allow illegal and dangerous activities to continue.

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Nicola Davis and Rowena Mason write:

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Plans to offer Covid vaccinations to all children aged five to 11 have been delayed by the government because the jabs have not been deemed urgent.

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The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) decided more than a week ago to expand the Covid vaccination programme to all those aged five to 11 and handed its advice to ministers.

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However, the government has not publicly declared whether it will go ahead with the offer and is still “reviewing” the evidence for another week, which is a break with its previous moves to accept JCVI advice straight away.

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The decision is now expected to be announced on 21 February, when a long-term strategy for “living with Covid” is to be outlined by Boris Johnson. It is understood any vaccination programme for this age group would not start until Easter at the earliest.

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JCVI members told the Guardian they were in the dark as to reasons for the delay. But the hold-up appears, at least in part, to be down to the JCVI advice that the jabs are non-urgent.

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Read the full story here.

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Boris Johnson is expected to deny wrongdoing to the police by arguing that his presence at Downing Street gatherings in lockdown was part of his working day, though No 10 said his official response to the Met would remain private.

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The prime minister has until Friday to answer a questionnaire sent by the Met police which may lead them to issue a fixed penalty notice or conclude there is no case to answer.

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He is expected to reject the allegation that he broke any laws prohibiting gatherings, but No 10 said it would not make his defence public. His official spokesperson said: “We will respond as required. As you know, I think the Met made clear that that was in seven days, so we will comply with that requirement.”

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Read the full story here.

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Rowena Mason and Aubrey Allegretti have an exclusive story on Covid testing.

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They write:

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Ministers are pressing ahead with plans to start winding down Covid testing and payments for isolation from next week to save more than £10bn, despite health chiefs warning this could hamper crucial research into antiviral treatments.

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No 10, the Treasury and the health department will decide this week on a “living with Covid strategy” due to be unveiled on Monday, which will involve phasing out free Covid testing and all but ending the tracing system.

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Whitehall sources say the Treasury is driving efforts to reduce costs from an estimated annual £15bn, with an opening suggestion of cutting the budget by more than 90%, to £1.3bn. It is unclear whether the changes will be England-only or apply UK-wide.

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Read the full report here.

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All remaining Covid-19 legal restrictions in Northern Ireland are to be lifted and replaced by guidance from 15 February, health minister Robin Swann said.

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However, Swann urged the public to remain vigilant despite the move.

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He said:

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Today’s announcement follows consideration of legal advice from the Attorney General and consultation with all ministerial colleagues. It moves our response against Covid into a new phase.

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With the reduced threat from the Omicron variant, we can move away from an emergency and legalistic framework to a new approach where making safer choices is embedded in our daily lives.

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That means all of us continuing to do our best to cut down risks of infection and transmission.

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It means looking after each other by following the public health guidance. It must always be remembered that taking unnecessary risks with Covid may affect people who are particularly vulnerable to the virus.

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So please do not jump the gun and start behaving as if the pandemic is over. That is not the case.

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As things stand in Northern Ireland, people are still required to wear face coverings in public places and Covid certificates are needed for nightclubs.

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Hundreds of vehicles drove along the main highway from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on Monday to converge on parliament in protest against Covid-19 curbs in a convoy inspired by demonstrations in Canada.

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Reuters reports that other protesters assembled as the so-called “Freedom Convoy” passed by, with banners and Israeli and Canadian flags flying from the vehicles.

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One sign read: “Freedom doesn’t look like this” showing a picture of a girl in a mask.

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Outside parliament, protesters sounded horns and beat drums, and called for pandemic restrictions to be lifted.

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Protester Jonathan Deporto, 39, said: “We are all gathered here for freedom. Because for two years already, all this world is going mad because of all the mandates and all the things that don’t let us live as free as we are born.”

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In recent weeks, Israel has eased Covid-19 restrictions including the requirement to show proof of vaccination at restaurants, cinemas, gyms.

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However, masks are still mandatory in public indoor spaces, including schools, shops and medical institutions.

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Last month the “Freedom Convoy” protests started in the Canadian capital Ottawa led by truckers opposing a vaccinate-or-quarantine mandate for cross-border drivers.

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Similar protests took place in France over the weekend.

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That’s all from me, Léonie Chao-Fong, on the global coronavirus blog for today. I’ll be covering the Ukraine blog for the next couple of hours, please do join me there. Here’s a quick recap of all the international Covid developments:

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n
• About 500 cars and campervans have arrived in Brussels, mainly from France, in a convoy to protest against Covid-19 restrictions. The vehicles were barred from the city. Police directed them to a parking place on the outskirts of Brussels, from where protesters continued on foot to a square in the city centre and the area housing European Union institutions.

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• The UK recorded 41,648 new Covid cases on Monday, government figures showed, and a further 35 deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test. That is compared with 41,270 infections and 52 fatalities in the 24 hours prior.

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• More than 60 charities, campaigners and non-governmental organisations have accused Moderna of attempting to derail World Health Organization (WHO) plans to manufacture more Covid-19 vaccines in Africa. In an open letter, they urged Moderna to “act in the interests of people, not profits” by withdrawing patents and patent applications in South Africa.

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• The Duchess of Cornwall, 74, is self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus. The announcement by Clarence House follows that made on Thursday disclosing Prince Charles, 73, had tested positive for the virus.

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• Covid restrictions in Germany are set to end as case numbers have dropped slightly, according to a draft official plan seen by Agence France-Presse. The plan is expected to be approved by the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and the heads of the federal states on Wednesday.

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• Hong Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam, has said an “onslaught” of Covid-19 infections has dealt a heavy blow and overwhelmed capacity to deal with the virus. Daily infections have multiplied by a factor of 13 over the past two weeks, from about 100 cases at the start of February to a record 2,071 on 14 February

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• The busiest US-Canada border crossing has reopened after protests against Covid restrictions closed it for almost a week. The Sunday night reopening of the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan came as Canadian officials held back from a crackdown on a larger protest in the capital, Ottawa.A court in Bologna has temporarily stripped the parental rights of a couple after they refused blood from Covid-vaccinated donors for their son in need of an urgent blood transfusion before undergoing delicate heart surgery. The couple had reportedly requested non-vaccinated blood for “religious reasons”.

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• Families bereaved by Covid in the UK want Boris Johnson to relinquish control over which issues will be investigated in the pandemic public inquiry, alleging he is compromised by allegations of lockdown-breaking at Downing Street.

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• New Zealand’s prime minister has said protesters who oppose coronavirus mandates were using “intimidation and harassment”, as authorities appeared to take a harsher stance toward the convoy of demonstrators that has disrupted the capital of Wellington for nearly a week.

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• Taiwan aims to ease its strict Covid quarantine policy from next month as it needs to gradually resume normal life and reopen to the world, the government said on Monday.

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• South Korea will begin giving out fourth doses of Covid vaccines this month and supply millions of additional home test kits to ease shortages amid a surge in Omicron infections, authorities confirmed on Monday.

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The UK recorded 41,648 new Covid cases on Monday, government figures showed, and a further 35 deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test. That is compared to 41,270 infections and 52 fatalities in the 24 hours prior.

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Cases over the last seven days are down 30% on the previous week, with weekly deaths down 27.2% compared to the previous seven days.

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About 500 cars and campervans have arrived in Brussels, mainly from France, in a convoy to protest against Covid-19 restrictions.

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The vehicles were barred from the city. Police directed them to a parking place on the outskirts of Brussels, from where protesters continued on foot to a square in the city centre and the area housing European Union institutions.

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Reuters reporters saw around 150-200 protesters in the city centre and a similar number in the European quarter.

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LIVE: European Freedom Convoy 2022 arrives in Brussels https://t.co/HNy4qzsu2A

— Reuters (@Reuters) February 14, 2022

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Brussels mayor Philippe Close said.told Belgian LN24 television the protest, inspired by “Freedom Convoy” demonstrators who have gridlocked the Canadian capital with trucks, had no permit from the Brussels authorities, no leader and had made no demands.

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Philippe, a French protester from the city of Valenciennes who had earlier protested in Paris, told reporters pandemic restrictions were only part of his problems.

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“I came particularly for our children’s future. I don’t see how my children can live in the world as it is now. Freedom is swept aside, there’s more and more poverty. Even when you work, when the 15th of the month comes round, you haven’t got enough to live on,” he said.

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He said he was also protesting against the rise in energy prices and the cost of living.

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A protest convoy breached police defences and drove into central Paris on Saturday, snarling traffic around the Arc de Triomphe and on the Champs Elysees.

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Here’s a quick roundup of what’s been happening so far:

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• The Duchess of Cornwall, 74, is self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus. The announcement by Clarence House follows that made on Thursday disclosing Prince Charles, 73, had tested positive for the virus.

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• Covid restrictions in Germany are set to end as case numbers have dropped slightly, according to a draft official plan seen by Agence France-Presse. The plan is expected to be approved by the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and the heads of the federal states on Wednesday.

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• Hong Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam, has said an “onslaught” of Covid-19 infections has dealt a heavy blow and overwhelmed capacity to deal with the virus. Daily infections have multiplied by a factor of 13 over the past two weeks, from about 100 cases at the start of February to a record 2,071 on 14 February

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• The busiest US-Canada border crossing has reopened after protests against Covid restrictions closed it for almost a week. The Sunday night reopening of the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan came as Canadian officials held back from a crackdown on a larger protest in the capital, Ottawa.

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• A court in Bologna has temporarily stripped the parental rights of a couple after they refused blood from Covid-vaccinated donors for their son in need of an urgent blood transfusion before undergoing delicate heart surgery. The couple had reportedly requested non-vaccinated blood for “religious reasons”.

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• Hundreds of vehicles taking part in France’s so-called freedom convoy were heading for Brussels. The protest against Covid restrictions and high energy prices shifted its focus to the symbolic heart of the EU after police prevented most of the estimated 3,000 vehicles from entering Paris at the weekend.

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• Families bereaved by Covid in the UK want Boris Johnson to relinquish control over which issues will be investigated in the pandemic public inquiry, alleging he is compromised by allegations of lockdown-breaking at Downing Street.

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• New Zealand’s prime minister has said protesters who oppose coronavirus mandates were using “intimidation and harassment”, as authorities appeared to take a harsher stance toward the convoy of demonstrators that has disrupted the capital of Wellington for nearly a week.

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• Taiwan aims to ease its strict Covid quarantine policy from next month as it needs to gradually resume normal life and reopen to the world, the government said on Monday.

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• South Korea will begin giving out fourth doses of Covid vaccines this month and supply millions of additional home test kits to ease shortages amid a surge in Omicron infections, authorities confirmed on Monday.

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Clarence House has confirmed that Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall has tested positive for Covid-19 and is self-isolating.

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A Clarence House spokesperson said: “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall has tested positive for Covid-19 and is self-isolating. We continue to follow government guidelines.”

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Camilla, 74, is triple vaccinated, sources said. She carried out a string of engagements last Thursday – the day the Prince of Wales tested positive for Covid-19 for a second time.

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Here is a brief round-up of today’s top Covid news stories:

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• South Korea will begin giving out fourth doses of Covid vaccines this month and supply millions of additional home test kits to ease shortages amid a surge in Omicron infections, authorities confirmed on Monday.

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• The busiest US-Canada border crossing has reopened after protests against Covid restrictions closed it for almost a week. The Sunday night reopening of the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan came as Canadian officials held back from a crackdown on a larger protest in the capital, Ottawa.

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• Anti-vaxxers in France are buying fake vaccine passes online to get around the country’s Covid restrictions. These are often promoted on mainstream social media platforms, research has revealed. Many buying the forgeries, which can be used across the European Union (EU), are being redirected from websites such as Instagram and Facebook to the Telegram encrypted messenger where they can be bought discreetly, according to a study by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD).

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• In the UK, families bereaved by Covid want Boris Johnson to relinquish control over which issues will be investigated in the pandemic public inquiry, alleging he is compromised by allegations of lockdown-breaking at Downing Street.

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• Coronavirus case numbers have dropped slightly in Germany, as the government’s Covid expert panel called for a gradual easing of restrictions in Europe’s biggest economy.

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• Moderna is reportedly in late stage talks with the UK government about investing in research and manufacturing and collaborating with the NHS on clinical trials, the Financial Times reports.

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• New Zealand’s prime minister has said protesters who oppose coronavirus mandates were using “intimidation and harassment”, as authorities appeared to take a harsher stance toward the convoy of demonstrators that has disrupted the capital of Wellington for nearly a week.

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• Sweden’s health agency recommended on Monday that people aged 80 or above should receive a second booster shot of Covid vaccine, the fourth jab in total, to ward off waning immunity amid the rampant spread of the Omicron variant.

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• Hundreds of cars, campervans and trucks are on their way to a protest against Covid regulations in Brussels today where Belgian officials have already banned a demonstration following a weekend attempt in Paris.

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• Hong Kong will extend the suspension of face-to-face classes by two weeks until 7 March, local broadcaster RTHK said on Monday.

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• Taiwan aims to ease its strict Covid quarantine policy from next month as it needs to gradually resume normal life and reopen to the world, the government said on Monday.

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• Japan’s government said on Monday it has agreed to buy an additional 10m doses of Covid vaccine from Pfizer to be delivered in March.

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That’s it from me, Tom Ambrose, for today. My colleague Léonie Chao-Fong will be along shortly to continue bringing you all the latest coronavirus headlines throughout the rest of the day.

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South Korea will begin giving out fourth doses of Covid vaccines this month and supply millions of additional home test kits to ease shortages amid a surge in Omicron infections, authorities confirmed on Monday.

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The surge has pushed daily cases to records, but widespread vaccination, with first booster shots received by more than 57% of the population of 52 million, has helped limit deaths and serious infections, Reuters reported.

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High-risk groups will be the first to get the fourth dose, in effect a second booster shot, health minister Kwon Deok-cheol told a Covid response meeting.

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“We’re planning to provide fourth shots to those who live in nursing homes and care facilities and others with declined immunisation, in light of a recent increase of infections among people aged 60 or older,” he said.

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At least 44.22 million people, or 86.2% of the population, are considered fully vaccinated. Sunday’s 54,619 new cases took the tally of infections to 1,405,246, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The country’s death toll rose by 21 to 7,102.

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Hundreds of cars, campervans and trucks are on their way to a protest against Covid regulations in Brussels today where Belgian officials have already banned a demonstration following a weekend attempt in Paris.

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Around 1,300 vehicles from across France had arrived near the French border town of Lille by late Sunday, according to police and as reported by Agence France-Presse.

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Some protesters brandished French flags and chanted “We won’t give up” and “Freedom, freedom.”

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Ninety-seven people were arrested at the weekend in Paris where thousands of demonstrators defied a ban on attempting to blockade the French capital. The demonstrators took aim at the “vaccine pass” required to enter restaurants, cafes and many other public venues across the country.

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Vans seen in the Heyzel ‘ parking lot on 13 February in Grimbergen, Belgium, ahead of a demonstration in Brussels for 14 February.”,”caption”:”Hundreds of cars, campervans and trucks are on their way to a protest against Covid regulations in Brussels. Vans seen in the Heyzel ‘ parking lot on 13 February in Grimbergen, Belgium, ahead of a demonstration in Brussels for 14 February.”,”credit”:”Photograph: Thierry Monasse/Getty 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Belgian authorities have banned all demonstrations in the capital with “motorised vehicles” and said they had taken measures to prevent the blocking of the Brussels region.

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Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo advised the demonstrators to abandon their plans to come to Brussels.

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n

I say to those who come from abroad: look at the rules in Belgium. We never had rules that were too hard and we don’t have so many anymore. So complain at home.”

n

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Checks are planned at the border and vehicles coming to the capital despite the ban will be diverted, Belgian authorities warned.

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Brussels airport also advised travellers to take precautions on Monday and come by train for fear of blocking access routes.

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The self-proclaimed “freedom convoy” is one of several worldwide inspired by a truckers’ standoff with authorities in Canada over vaccine mandates.

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Moderna Inc is reportedly in late stage talks with the UK government about investing in research and manufacturing and collaborating with the NHS on clinical trials, the Financial Times reports.

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The US biotech company is close to agreeing a significant investment and, if concluded, the deal would be a “key element” of the UK’s post-Brexit strategy to become a global hub for the life sciences, according to a person familiar with the matter, the publication added.

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UK health secretary Sajid Javid met with Stéphane Bancel, Moderna’s chief executive, for talks in Boston late last week.

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“The UK is ideally placed to become a life sciences superpower, and collaboration with world leading companies is crucial to this,” Javid tweeted on Friday, alongside a photo of him and Bancel.

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Moderna is considering sites in London, Oxford and Cambridge, to put it in prime position to collaborate on research into new vaccines and therapeutics with top scientists, one of the people told the publication.

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Fantastic to meet with the team at @Moderna_tx, including Stéphane Bancel, in Boston.

The UK is ideally placed to become a life sciences superpower, and collaboration with world leading companies is crucial to this.

🇬🇧🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/hVRQayqaxJ

— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) February 10, 2022

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Summary

Here’s a recap of all the international Covid developments:

• Brazil has registered 473 new Covid-19 deaths and 58,540 new cases, the health ministry said.
• Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau invokes emergency measures to tackle the ongoing protests.
• Plans to delay Covid jabs for UK children aged five to 11 have been criticised.
• Boris Johnson is expected to deny wrongdoing over No 10 lockdown parties.
• All remaining Covid-19 legal restrictions are to be lifted in Northern Ireland from 15 February and replaced with guidance.
• UK ministers press ahead with plan to wind down Covid testing.
• Israelis mount their own Covid-19 ‘Freedom Convoy’.
• Italy has reported a rise in daily Covid-19 related deaths with 281 registered, the health ministry said. This compares with 191, the previous day. A further 28,630 Covid-19 daily related cases were recorded.
• Kuwait’s cabinet has lifted many Covid-19 restrictions including a ban on foreign travel
• About 500 cars and campervans have arrived in Brussels, mainly from France, in a convoy to protest against Covid-19 restrictions. The vehicles were barred from the city. Police directed them to a parking place on the outskirts of Brussels, from where protesters continued on foot to a square in the city centre and the area housing European Union institutions.
• The UK recorded 41,648 new Covid cases on Monday, government figures showed, and a further 35 deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test. That is compared with 41,270 infections and 52 fatalities in the 24 hours prior
• More than 60 charities, campaigners and non-governmental organisations have accused Moderna of attempting to derail World Health Organization (WHO) plans to manufacture more Covid-19 vaccines in Africa. In an open letter, they urged Moderna to “act in the interests of people, not profits” by withdrawing patents and patent applications in South Africa.
• The Duchess of Cornwall, 74, is self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus. The announcement by Clarence House comes after it announced on Thursday that Prince Charles, 73, had tested positive for the virus.
• Covid restrictions in Germany are set to end as case numbers have dropped slightly, according to a draft official plan seen by Agence France-Presse. The plan is expected to be approved by the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and the heads of the federal states on Wednesday.
• Hong Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam, has said an “onslaught” of Covid-19 infections has dealt a heavy blow and overwhelmed capacity to deal with the virus. Daily infections have multiplied by a factor of 13 over the past two weeks, from about 100 cases at the start of February to a record 2,071 on 14 February.
• The busiest US-Canada border crossing has reopened after protests against Covid restrictions closed it for almost a week. The Sunday night reopening of the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan came as Canadian officials held back from a crackdown on a larger protest in the capital, Ottawa.
• A court in Bologna has temporarily stripped the parental rights of a couple after they refused blood from Covid-vaccinated donors for their son in need of an urgent blood transfusion before undergoing delicate heart surgery. The couple had reportedly requested non-vaccinated blood for “religious reasons”.
• Families bereaved by Covid in the UK want Boris Johnson to relinquish control over which issues will be investigated in the pandemic public inquiry, alleging he is compromised by allegations of lockdown-breaking at Downing Street.
• New Zealand’s prime minister has said protesters who oppose coronavirus mandates were using “intimidation and harassment”, as authorities appeared to take a harsher stance toward the convoy of demonstrators that has disrupted the capital of Wellington for nearly a week.
• Taiwan aims to ease its strict Covid quarantine policy from next month as it needs to gradually resume normal life and reopen to the world, the government said on Monday.
• South Korea will begin giving out fourth doses of Covid vaccines this month and supply millions of additional home test kits to ease shortages amid a surge in Omicron infections, authorities confirmed on Monday.

Here is some more information on the Emergencies Act invoked by Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau to tackle the “Freedom Convoy” protests.

The Emergencies Act was passed in 1988 and gives the government added powers for 30 days in times of national crisis.

Under the Act, the government could:

• bar travel to or from specific areas
• order the evacuation of people and personal property from certain areas
• direct individuals and companies to provide essential services

There is no indication Trudeau would seek military intervention.

On Friday he said: “We are a long way from having to call in the military.”

Reuters reports that Trudeau will activate the emergency measures which include cutting off the financing.

The Canadian Parliament would have to approve the use of the emergency measures within seven days. It also has the power to revoke them.

Some more reaction to the news that Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau is to invoke emergency measures (see stories at 18.26, 19.38 and 21.52) to tackle the “Freedom Convoy” protests.

Reuters reports that Jack Lindsay, department chair for applied disaster and emergency studies at Brandon University in Manitoba said:

It seems that they’re mostly going to focus on orders and regulations relating to finance… and that’s a fairly effective tool.

They can certainly do things quicker, which is certainly the intention of these orders and regulations under the Emergencies Act…

I imagine this will start a week full of political discourse over whether the government overstepped or not.

Lori Williams, Politics professor at Mount Royal University, Calgary, warned invoking the act “could create more problems” adding:

That’s why this has to be done with the cooperation of premiers and if they don’t want help, then the federal government needs to hang back. It has to be very targeted, very strategic and very restrained, because these are enormous powers that are being implemented.

Meanwhile, Ontario premier Doug Ford said he would support the federal government and “any proposals they have to bring law and order back to our province”.

He added it was vital “to make sure we stabilise our businesses and trade around the world as the world is watching us right now, wondering if it’s a stable environment to open up businesses and expand businesses”.

He said:

These occupiers, they’re doing the total opposite what they say they’re there to do. They’re hurting hundreds of thousands of families, millions of jobs across the province.

Brazil has registered 473 new Covid-19 deaths and 58,540 new cases, the health ministry said.

Trudeau invokes emergency measures to tackle the ongoing protests

As trailed earlier, (see stories at 18.26 and 19.38) Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said the government had invoked special measures allowing him to tackle protests that have shut some border crossings and paralysed downtown Ottawa.

According to Reuters Trudeau told a news conference:

The blockades are harming our economy and endangering public safety. We cannot and will not allow illegal and dangerous activities to continue.

US biotech company Novavax Inc said it has received interim authorisation from the Singapore Health Sciences Authority for its Covid-19 vaccine in adults, reports Reuters.

Plans to delay Covid jabs for UK children aged five to 11 criticised

Nicola Davis and Rowena Mason write:

Plans to offer Covid vaccinations to all children aged five to 11 have been delayed by the government because the jabs have not been deemed urgent.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) decided more than a week ago to expand the Covid vaccination programme to all those aged five to 11 and handed its advice to ministers.

However, the government has not publicly declared whether it will go ahead with the offer and is still “reviewing” the evidence for another week, which is a break with its previous moves to accept JCVI advice straight away.

The decision is now expected to be announced on 21 February, when a long-term strategy for “living with Covid” is to be outlined by Boris Johnson. It is understood any vaccination programme for this age group would not start until Easter at the earliest.

JCVI members told the Guardian they were in the dark as to reasons for the delay. But the hold-up appears, at least in part, to be down to the JCVI advice that the jabs are non-urgent.

Read the full story here.

Following the earlier story (see 18.27), Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau is facing pushback on reports that he is to invoke rarely used emergency measures to tackle the ongoing so-called “Freedom Convoy”.

The premiers of Alberta, Quebed, Manitoba and Saskatchewan said they oppose Trudeau’s plan to invoke Canada’s Emergencies Act to deal with protests that have shut down some border crossings and paralysed the capital, Ottawa.

Jason Kenney, the premier of Alberta, told a news conference:

We would prefer that the Emergencies Act not be invoked, but if it is we would very much prefer that it not be applied to Alberta.

Quebec premier Francois Legault said that imposing the act risks “putting oil on the fire” and said:

I think we don’t need it. I think that at this moment it would not help the social climate.

Manitoba premier Heather Stefanson warned of “unintended negative consequences” of invoking the act, adding that its use would not be “constructive” in Manitoba. She said:

While the situation is very different in Ontario, this ultimate federal legislation should only be considered on a measured and proportional basis, in locations where it is truly needed.

Saskatchewan premier Scott Moe said that while the illegal blockades “must end”, police “already have sufficient tools to enforce the law and clear the blockades”.

Boris Johnson expected to deny wrongdoing over No 10 parties

Rowena Mason

Boris Johnson is expected to deny wrongdoing to the police by arguing that his presence at Downing Street gatherings in lockdown was part of his working day, though No 10 said his official response to the Met would remain private.

The prime minister has until Friday to answer a questionnaire sent by the Met police which may lead them to issue a fixed penalty notice or conclude there is no case to answer.

He is expected to reject the allegation that he broke any laws prohibiting gatherings, but No 10 said it would not make his defence public. His official spokesperson said: “We will respond as required. As you know, I think the Met made clear that that was in seven days, so we will comply with that requirement.”

Read the full story here.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised against travel to six countries and territories including South Korea, Azerbaijan and Belarus because of Covid-19 cases.

The CDC also added Comoros, French Polynesia, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon to its risk list of “Level Four: Very High”, reports Reuters.

More reaction to the news that all remaining legal Covid restrictions in Northern Ireland are to be lifted and replaced by guidance from February 15 (see story at 18.33).

PA Media reports that in a video message posted on Twitter, Sinn Fein’s leader in Stormont Michelle O’Neill said:

I am really pleased to say that we are moving into a new phase in this pandemic where we can all look forward to a brighter and a more hopeful future.

I think we all know that this day has been a long time in coming, so tonight from me can I just say thank you.

Thank you for the effort and sacrifices that you have made. Thank you for looking after each other because that has shone through the whole way through the pandemic.

Paying tribute to frontline workers, she said:

We are finally seeing the light at the end of what has been an extremely long tunnel and this is certainly a very good day.”

Brighter days are ahead as all COVID regulations will be lifted from tomorrow

Thank you for your efforts and the sacrifices that you made

Thank you for looking after each other

And thank you to our healthcare and frontline workers

This day belongs to each and everyone of you pic.twitter.com/wqM3fENtKv

— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) February 14, 2022

n”,”url”:”https://twitter.com/moneillsf/status/1493303640681025542?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet”,”id”:”1493303640681025542″,”hasMedia”:false,”role”:”inline”,”isThirdPartyTracking”:false,”source”:”Twitter”,”elementId”:”32fc3ec2-b113-4626-be7b-d05ceb20136f”}}”>

Brighter days are ahead as all COVID regulations will be lifted from tomorrow

Thank you for your efforts and the sacrifices that you made

Thank you for looking after each other

And thank you to our healthcare and frontline workers

This day belongs to each and everyone of you pic.twitter.com/wqM3fENtKv

— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) February 14, 2022

Nichola Mallon, Infrastructure Minister in the Executive, called it a “major milestone”, adding:

This decision should never have been placed in jeopardy by the DUP which has prioritised political stunts over the needs of the people we all represent.”

Meanwhile, two more people who had previously tested positive for Covid-19 have died in Northern Ireland, the Department of Health said.

Another 2,465 confirmed cases of the virus have also been notified in the last 24-hour reporting period.

On Monday there were 437 Covid-19 in-patients, with 13 in intensive care.

The EU has stood by its refusal to lift patent protections on Covid-19 vaccines, just days ahead of a summit with African Union countries who see the issue as a priority.

Agence France-Presse reports that since October 2020, India and South Africa have led calls at the World Trade Organization (WTO) for the temporary removal of intellectual property protections for vaccines, treatments and diagnostics in the fight against Covid-19.

Supporters of the lifting of patent protections argue this would boost production globally and help address the glaring inequity in access between rich and poor nations.

The members of the African Union have pushed to include the demand in the conclusions of the joint EU-AU summit that starts on Thursday in Brussels.

In the AU proposal seen by Agence France-Presse it states:

The African Union… urges the European Union to engage constructively towards the conclusion of a targeted and time-limited waiver.

But several wealthy countries hosting large pharmaceutical companies have opposed the move, saying patents are not the main roadblocks to scaling up production and are crucial to innovation.

Franck Riester, the trade minister from France, which currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency said:

We think that intellectual property should never be a brake [to vaccine production].

At the same time, we do not want to call into question a system of intellectual property that allows for innovation and that has made it possible, in particular, to have vaccines very quickly in the case of Covid-19.

UK ministers press ahead with plan to wind down Covid testing

Rowena Mason and Aubrey Allegretti have an exclusive story on Covid testing.

They write:

Ministers are pressing ahead with plans to start winding down Covid testing and payments for isolation from next week to save more than £10bn, despite health chiefs warning this could hamper crucial research into antiviral treatments.

No 10, the Treasury and the health department will decide this week on a “living with Covid strategy” due to be unveiled on Monday, which will involve phasing out free Covid testing and all but ending the tracing system.

Whitehall sources say the Treasury is driving efforts to reduce costs from an estimated annual £15bn, with an opening suggestion of cutting the budget by more than 90%, to £1.3bn. It is unclear whether the changes will be England-only or apply UK-wide.

Read the full report here.

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau plans to invoke rarely used emergency measures to tackle ongoing so-called “Freedom Convoy” protests that have shut border crossings, and blocked the capital for more than two weeks, reports Reuters.

Separately, the prime minister’s office said Trudeau would speak to reporters at 4.30pm ET (9.30pm GMT) without specifying why.

One of the sources, who spoke to Reuters, said the aim of using the emergency powers was to provide federal police support to local and provincial forces, and not to use the military.

Remaining Covid-19 legal restrictions to be lifted in Northern Ireland

All remaining Covid-19 legal restrictions in Northern Ireland are to be lifted and replaced by guidance from 15 February, health minister Robin Swann said.

However, Swann urged the public to remain vigilant despite the move.

He said:

Today’s announcement follows consideration of legal advice from the Attorney General and consultation with all ministerial colleagues. It moves our response against Covid into a new phase.

With the reduced threat from the Omicron variant, we can move away from an emergency and legalistic framework to a new approach where making safer choices is embedded in our daily lives.

That means all of us continuing to do our best to cut down risks of infection and transmission.

It means looking after each other by following the public health guidance. It must always be remembered that taking unnecessary risks with Covid may affect people who are particularly vulnerable to the virus.

So please do not jump the gun and start behaving as if the pandemic is over. That is not the case.

As things stand in Northern Ireland, people are still required to wear face coverings in public places and Covid certificates are needed for nightclubs.

Tom Ambrose writes of the historic English pub that seemed destined for closure because of the pandemic but may now be in with a last-minute reprieve.

With its beer garden overlooking the ruins of the Roman city of Verulamium, the historic Ye Olde Fighting Cocks pub in St Albans has been pushed to the brink by Covid.

Two years of on-off lockdown closures, as well as the wider challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, have taken its toll on the pub which once held a Guinness World Record for the oldest pub in England.

It was announced earlier this month that the pub, which has foundations dating back to the year 793 and hosted Oliver Cromwell for dinner in the 1600s, had served its last pint.

But now its landlord, Christo Tofalli, believes the Ye Olde Fighting Cocks could be given a reprieve, urging regulars and its global fanbase to “watch this space”.

You can read the full report here

Israelis mount their own Covid-19 ‘Freedom Convoy’

Hundreds of vehicles drove along the main highway from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on Monday to converge on parliament in protest against Covid-19 curbs in a convoy inspired by demonstrations in Canada.

Reuters reports that other protesters assembled as the so-called “Freedom Convoy” passed by, with banners and Israeli and Canadian flags flying from the vehicles.

One sign read: “Freedom doesn’t look like this” showing a picture of a girl in a mask.

Outside parliament, protesters sounded horns and beat drums, and called for pandemic restrictions to be lifted.

Protester Jonathan Deporto, 39, said: “We are all gathered here for freedom. Because for two years already, all this world is going mad because of all the mandates and all the things that don’t let us live as free as we are born.”

In recent weeks, Israel has eased Covid-19 restrictions including the requirement to show proof of vaccination at restaurants, cinemas, gyms.

However, masks are still mandatory in public indoor spaces, including schools, shops and medical institutions.

Last month the “Freedom Convoy” protests started in the Canadian capital Ottawa led by truckers opposing a vaccinate-or-quarantine mandate for cross-border drivers.

Similar protests took place in France over the weekend.

Richard Partington

People with children and renters are more likely to have seen their spending on utility bills increase while working from home during the coronavirus pandemic, official figures suggest.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that almost half of people who worked from home had spent less than they would have normally, with reduced costs for travel and food offset by an increase in spending on gas, electricity and internet access.

However, it said the change in spending patterns was more pronounced for some people in the survey of more than 3,000 adults in Great Britain undertaken by government statisticians last month.