About: coronavirus restrictions
China’s economy skids as lockdowns hit factories, retailers
China's retail and factory activity fell sharply in April as wide COVID-19 lockdowns confined workers and consumers to their homes and severely disrupted supply chains, casting a long shadow over the outlook for the world's second-largest economy.
US, EU to boost coordination on semiconductor supply, Russia
The United States and the European Union plan to announce on Monday (16 May) a joint effort aimed at identifying semiconductor supply disruptions as well as countering Russian disinformation, officials said.
China’s soaring COVID case load raises concerns about costs of containment
China posted a steep jump in daily COVID-19 infections on Tuesday, with new cases more than doubling from a day earlier to hit a two-year high, raising concerns about the rising economic costs of the country's tough containment measures.
Paris, Brussels ban Canada-style Covid ‘freedom convoys’
Paris police said Thursday (10 February) they would ban so-called "freedom convoys" inspired by a truckers' protest against coronavirus restrictions that has paralysed the Canadian capital Ottawa.
Waving Canadian flags, French ‘freedom convoy’ heads to Brussels
Protesters set out from southern France in what they call a "freedom convoy" that will converge on Paris and Brussels to demand an end to COVID-19 restrictions, inspired by demonstrators who have blocked a Canadian border crossing.
Report into PM Johnson lockdown party allegations expected anytime soon
An internal inquiry into allegations of lockdown parties at Boris Johnson’s Downing Street office could be published as soon as Wednesday (26 January), delivering findings that might determine the prime minister’s future after police also launched an investigation. Johnson is fighting for...
UK PM Johnson drops COVID-19 restrictions
People in England will no longer be required to wear face masks anywhere or work from home from next week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, adding that scientists believed a wave of the Omicron coronavirus variant had peaked nationally.
UK PM Johnson faces ‘pork pie’ plot to trigger leadership challenge
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was fighting to shore up his premiership on Wednesday (19 January) amid a revolt by his own lawmakers who are angry over a series of lockdown parties in Downing Street.
‘Wine time Fridays’ leave British PM with new hangover
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson witnessed weekly drinking sessions by his staff throughout the pandemic, according to a report Saturday (15 January) that stoked fresh calls from his own party for the embattled leader to quit.
Belgrade to receive Djokovic as a hero after deportation from Australia
Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic flew out of Australia on Sunday (16 January) after a court upheld the government's decision to cancel his visa, capping days of drama over the country's COVID-19 entry rules and his unvaccinated status.
UK PM Johnson’s staff partied as queen mourned death of husband
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's authority took yet another hit on Friday (14 January) after revelations that his staff had partied in Downing Street as Queen Elizabeth mourned her husband, at a time when mixing indoors was banned.
Australia cancels tennis star Djokovic’s visa citing health risk
Australia cancelled Novak Djokovic's visa for a second time on Friday, saying the world tennis number one who has not been vaccinated for COVID-19 may pose a health risk, effectively ending his bid for a record 21st Grand Slam title.
UK PM Johnson apologises for attending lockdown party
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson offered his "heartfelt apologies" on Wednesday (12 January) for attending a "bring your own booze" gathering at his official residence during the country's first coronavirus lockdown as opponents said he must resign.
Dutch police disperse anti-lockdown protesters in Amsterdam
Riot police with batons and shields broke up a crowd of several thousand who had gathered in Amsterdam on Sunday (2 January) to protest against COVID-19 lockdown measures and vaccinations.
France suspends transit ban for Britons living in EU
France said Thursday (30 December) that it will suspend a new rule that prevents Britons from transiting through the country to reach homes elsewhere in the EU, a move that caught thousands of travellers off guard.
Health experts say Italy faces paralysis under quarantine rules
Health experts urged the Italian government on Monday (27 December) to relax COVID-19 quarantine rules, saying that the country otherwise risked paralysis as the highly infectious Omicron variant spreads.
UK PM Johnson suffers by-election disaster
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday (17 December) suffered a crushing by-election defeat in a constituency never previously lost by his Conservative Party, a result which raises serious questions about his leadership.
Conservative revolt over COVID curbs deals stinging blow to UK PM Johnson
Almost 100 Conservative lawmakers voted on Tuesday (14 December) against new coronavirus restrictions, dealing a major blow to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's authority and raising questions about his leadership.
Under fire, UK PM apologises for staff joking about Christmas lockdown party
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologised on Wednesday (8 December) after a video surfaced showing his staff laughing and joking about a party in Downing Street during a Christmas COVID-19 lockdown last year when such festivities were banned.
UK’s Johnson under pressure over lockdown party video
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced intense pressure Wednesday (8 December) after a video emerged of his senior aides joking about holding a Christmas party at Downing Street last year when social gatherings were banned under Covid-19 rules.
Top WHO, US scientists say Omicron no worse than other virus variants
The Omicron variant appears to be no worse than other coronavirus strains, top scientists from the WHO and the United States told AFP, while cautioning that more research is needed to judge its severity.
Clashes erupt at Brussels protest against COVID rules
Belgian police fired water cannon and used tear gas Sunday (4 December) to disperse protesters opposed to compulsory health measures against the coronavirus pandemic.
More than 40,000 march in Vienna against coronavirus lockdown
More than 40,000 people marched through Vienna on Saturday (4 December) to protest against a lockdown and plans to make vaccinations compulsory to curb the coronavirus pandemic.