COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia Prime Minister Igor Matovič tests positive for COVID-19. (The Slovak Spectator)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa South Africa surpasses 900,000 total cases of COVID-19. (TimesLive) 501.V2 Variant Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announces the discovery of a severe variant of SARS-CoV-2, named 501.V2, which contributed to the second wave of COVID-19 in the country. (Independent Online)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, COVID-19 vaccine Health Minister Salvador Illa announces that the nationwide vaccination campaign will begin on December 27. (RTVE)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden Prime Minister Stefan Löfven announces new measures to reduce the second wave of the pandemic. All non-essential public services will close until January 24, alcohol sales will be banned after 8:00 p.m. local time, and the number of people at restaurants will be limited to four per table. It also recommended to use face masks on public transport at certain times. (The Local Sweden)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines The Philippines reports 2,122 new cases, the highest daily total in more than a month, bringing the nationwide total to 456,562 cases. (ABS-CBN News)
Germany reports a record 33,777 new cases in the past 24 hours, according to data from the Robert Koch Institute, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,439,938. (Bild)
Health Minister Salvador Illa announces that the nationwide vaccination campaign will begin on December 27. (RTVE)
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announces the discovery of a severe variant of SARS-CoV-2, named 501.V2, which contributed to the second wave of COVID-19 in the country. (Independent Online)
Interior Minister Davor Božinović announces that Croatia will impose a ban on travel outside one's county between December 23 and January 8. (Croatia Week)
Islamic Defenders Front, Islam in Indonesia Supporters of the controversial Indonesian Islamic cleric Muhammad Rizieq Shihab clash with police during a demonstration in Jakarta, demanding immediate release of Shihab from police detention. Shihab was arrested last weekend for violations of health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic after large gatherings occurred to celebrate his return to the country from self-exile in Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
LGBT rights in Switzerland Switzerland legalizes same-sex marriage and for people to change their gender on official documents, pending an expected referendum challenging the law. (Reuters)
Mexico City and the State of Mexico move back to the "red traffic light". All non-essential activity will be suspended until January 10 due to an "alarming" increase in both infections and hospital occupancies. (Milenio)
Minnesota Senator Jerry Relph dies from COVID-19 complications. (AP)
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announces a second nationwide "red zone" lockdown from December 24–27, December 31–January 3, and January 5–6. On those days, people will only be allowed to travel for work, health or emergency reasons. An "orange zone", where shops are allowed to open, will be in effect from December 28–30 and on January 4. However, all bars and restaurants will remain closed during the holiday season. (Reuters)
Prime Minister Igor Matovič tests positive for COVID-19. (The Slovak Spectator)
Prime Minister Stefan Löfven announces new measures to reduce the second wave of the pandemic. All non-essential public services will close until January 24, alcohol sales will be banned after 8:00 p.m. local time, and the number of people at restaurants will be limited to four per table. It also recommended to use face masks on public transport at certain times. (The Local Sweden)
South Africa surpasses 900,000 total cases of COVID-19. (TimesLive)
Starting from December 21, Panama will reimpose nationwide restrictions by require men and women to carry out holiday shopping on different days. On Christmas and New Year's Day there will be total lockdown for all genders. (The Straits Times)
Supporters of the controversial Indonesian Islamic cleric Muhammad Rizieq Shihab clash with police during a demonstration in Jakarta, demanding immediate release of Shihab from police detention. Shihab was arrested last weekend for violations of health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic after large gatherings occurred to celebrate his return to the country from self-exile in Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
Switzerland legalizes same-sex marriage and for people to change their gender on official documents, pending an expected referendum challenging the law. (Reuters)
The British Antarctic Survey confirms that Iceberg A-68, one of the largest ever recorded icebergs with a surface area of 5,800 square kilometres, has broken in two in the South Atlantic as it approaches South Georgia island. The new smaller iceberg has been named A68D. (The Guardian)
The Philippines reports 2,122 new cases, the highest daily total in more than a month, bringing the nationwide total to 456,562 cases. (ABS-CBN News)
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Malaysia surpasses 90,000. (The Malaysian Insight)
2020 United States federal government data breach President Donald Trump speaks for the first time about the breach, saying it is "well in control". He also suggests China is to blame, contradicting earlier U.S. government claims that put forward Russia as a suspect. (NBC News)
President Donald Trump speaks for the first time about the breach, saying it is "well in control". He also suggests China is to blame, contradicting earlier U.S. government claims that put forward Russia as a suspect. (NBC News)
2020 Central African general election The leaders of three of the main armed groups of the Central African Republic announce a coalition for next week's general election, a move that could further increase tensions ahead of the election, where the opposition fears massive voter fraud. The armed groups named themselves the Coalition of Patriots for Change and invited other armed groups to join, while urging them to protect the integrity of civilians. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia The Northern Beaches Council local government area of Sydney goes into a partial lockdown until Wednesday. (ABC Australia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports The 2020 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is cancelled for the first time in the race's 76-year history after the Tasmanian Government imposed a 14-day quarantine requirement on all travellers from Greater Sydney due to the COVID-19 outbreak in the Northern Beaches. (The Sydney Morning Herald)
The 2020 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is cancelled for the first time in the race's 76-year history after the Tasmanian Government imposed a 14-day quarantine requirement on all travellers from Greater Sydney due to the COVID-19 outbreak in the Northern Beaches. (The Sydney Morning Herald)
The leaders of three of the main armed groups of the Central African Republic announce a coalition for next week's general election, a move that could further increase tensions ahead of the election, where the opposition fears massive voter fraud. The armed groups named themselves the Coalition of Patriots for Change and invited other armed groups to join, while urging them to protect the integrity of civilians. (Al Jazeera)
The Northern Beaches Council local government area of Sydney goes into a partial lockdown until Wednesday. (ABC Australia)
A fire inside an intensive care unit for COVID-19 patients at a private hospital in Gaziantep, Turkey, kills nine people. (Reuters)
Bali requires anyone entering and leaving the province to have a negative PCR swab test for air travel, and a negative rapid antigen test for land and sea travel. However, children aged 12 years and under are exempted from these requirements. (The Bali Times)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces the introduction of "Tier 4" restrictions in London and South East England beginning at midnight. Households in those areas are to be banned from mixing over the festive season, while in the rest of the country, mixing of households will only be allowed on Christmas Day. (ITV)
Colombia reports a record 13,990 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 1,496,062. (Xinhua)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa The total number of cases in Africa exceeds 2.5 million. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada Canada surpasses 500,000 cases of COVID-19. (Toronto Star)
COVID-19 pandemic in China COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China China is expected to begin administering vaccines to healthcare, transport, and border control workers. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia Colombia reports a record 13,990 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 1,496,062. (Xinhua)
COVID-19 pandemic in England British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces the introduction of "Tier 4" restrictions in London and South East England beginning at midnight. Households in those areas are to be banned from mixing over the festive season, while in the rest of the country, mixing of households will only be allowed on Christmas Day. (ITV)
COVID-19 pandemic in India India surpasses ten million total cases of COVID-19, becoming the second country after the United States to reach that number. (The Times of India) (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Jakarta reports a record of 1,899 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours. (VOI) Bali requires anyone entering and leaving the province to have a negative PCR swab test for air travel, and a negative rapid antigen test for land and sea travel. However, children aged 12 years and under are exempted from these requirements. (The Bali Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Israel COVID-19 vaccination in Israel Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu became the first person in Israel to receive the vaccine made by Pfizer and BioNTech and getting the shot on live television. (The Times of Israel)
COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China China is expected to begin administering vaccines to healthcare, transport, and border control workers. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal Portugal surpasses 6,000 total deaths of COVID-19. (Euro Weekly News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia surpasses 50,000 total deaths from COVID-19. (Al-Arabiya)
COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces a travel ban to the rest of the United Kingdom and imposes the toughest level of restrictions across Scotland for three weeks beginning on Boxing Day. In addition, household mixing will now only be allowed on Christmas Day. (The Independent)
COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland COVID-19 vaccination in Switzerland Swissmedic approves the authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for use in Switzerland. (Swissmedic)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand reports 548 new cases, the biggest one-day increase in cases since the beginning of the pandemic, primarily due to an outbreak linked to the country's largest seafood market in Samut Sakhon Province as well as increased testing of migrant workers. (South China Morning Post) Due to the outbreak in a seafood market, Samut Sakhon Province enters a lockdown with a curfew from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. local time which will remain in effect until January 3. (The Bangkok Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey Turkey surpasses two million cases of COVID-19. (The Azeri Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Wales, Variant of Concern 202012/01 First Minister Mark Drakeford announces that after urgent talks with ministers over the discovery of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, the planned lockdown will now begin at midnight instead of on December 28. (BBC News)
COVID-19 vaccination in Israel Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu became the first person in Israel to receive the vaccine made by Pfizer and BioNTech and getting the shot on live television. (The Times of Israel)
COVID-19 vaccination in Switzerland Swissmedic approves the authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for use in Switzerland. (Swissmedic)
Due to the outbreak in a seafood market, Samut Sakhon Province enters a lockdown with a curfew from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. local time which will remain in effect until January 3. (The Bangkok Post)
First Minister Mark Drakeford announces that after urgent talks with ministers over the discovery of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, the planned lockdown will now begin at midnight instead of on December 28. (BBC News)
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces a travel ban to the rest of the United Kingdom and imposes the toughest level of restrictions across Scotland for three weeks beginning on Boxing Day. In addition, household mixing will now only be allowed on Christmas Day. (The Independent)
Gaziantep hospital fire A fire inside an intensive care unit for COVID-19 patients at a private hospital in Gaziantep, Turkey, kills nine people. (Reuters)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu became the first person in Israel to receive the vaccine made by Pfizer and BioNTech and getting the shot on live television. (The Times of Israel)
Jakarta reports a record of 1,899 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours. (VOI)
Portugal surpasses 6,000 total deaths of COVID-19. (Euro Weekly News)
Swissmedic approves the authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for use in Switzerland. (Swissmedic)
Thailand reports 548 new cases, the biggest one-day increase in cases since the beginning of the pandemic, primarily due to an outbreak linked to the country's largest seafood market in Samut Sakhon Province as well as increased testing of migrant workers. (South China Morning Post)
The total number of cases in Africa exceeds 2.5 million. (Reuters)
The United Kingdom surpasses two million cases of COVID-19. (The Evening Standard)
Turkey surpasses two million cases of COVID-19. (The Azeri Times)
A car bombing in Kabul targeting Khan Mohammad Wardak, a lawmaker, kills nine people and wounds more than 20 others. Wardak is among the injured. Attacks also occur in Logar, Nangarhar, Helmand, and Badakhshan, with an unknown number of civilians and security forces killed. No group claims responsibility for these attacks. (Reuters)
War in Afghanistan; December 2020 Afghanistan targeted killings A car bombing in Kabul targeting Khan Mohammad Wardak, a lawmaker, kills nine people and wounds more than 20 others. Wardak is among the injured. Attacks also occur in Logar, Nangarhar, Helmand, and Badakhshan, with an unknown number of civilians and security forces killed. No group claims responsibility for these attacks. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bulgaria The government announces the suspension of all flights between Bulgaria and the United Kingdom from tomorrow until January 31. Anyone who already arrived from the UK is required to quarantine for 10 days. (Sofia Globe)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Nunavut Nunavut reports its first two deaths from COVID-19 complications. (Toronto Star) Variant of Concern 202012/01 The federal government restricts travel to and from the United Kingdom for 72 hours from tomorrow due to emergence to a new variant of SARS-CoV-2. The restrictions do not apply to cargo flights or stops where passengers do not disembark. (CTV News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands, Variant of Concern 202012/01 The government orders a ban on passenger flights from the United Kingdom from 6:00 a.m. today until at least January 1 due to the spread of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the UK, with a case of the variant already having been reported in the Netherlands. (The Independent)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan announces that the government will impose a 48-hour ban on flights to and from the United Kingdom from tomorrow following emergence of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, while ferries will be limited to freight travel. (RTE)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom reports a record 35,928 new cases in the past 24 hours. The government data also shows that 90% of local authorities in England have reported an increase in cases during the past week. (The Daily Telegraph)
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan announces that the government will impose a 48-hour ban on flights to and from the United Kingdom from tomorrow following emergence of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, while ferries will be limited to freight travel. (RTE)
The federal government restricts travel to and from the United Kingdom for 72 hours from tomorrow due to emergence to a new variant of SARS-CoV-2. The restrictions do not apply to cargo flights or stops where passengers do not disembark. (CTV News)
The government announces the suspension of all flights between Bulgaria and the United Kingdom from tomorrow until January 31. Anyone who already arrived from the UK is required to quarantine for 10 days. (Sofia Globe)
