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)
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)
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)
2020 H5N8 outbreak Over 8,000 ducks are expected to be culled after a third case of H5N8 avian influenza was confirmed at a farm in Norfolk, UK. (Eastern Daily Press)
2020 Pacific typhoon season Tropical Storm Krovanh (Vicky) makes landfall in the Philippines, resulting in the deaths of at least eight people and forcing the evacuation of nearly 10,000 others. (AFP via New Straits Times)
Amazon announces that they will close the Robbinsville Township facility, also known as the PNE5, after several workers tested positive for COVID-19. (CNBC)
Belgium bans entry for incoming rail and air passengers from the United Kingdom for at least 24 hours, beginning at midnight. Virologist Marc Van Ranst said yesterday that a variant of SARS-COV-2 from the United Kingdom had been found in four cases from a sample of 2,000 analyses in his laboratory. (VRT)
COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Belgium bans entry for incoming rail and air passengers from the United Kingdom for at least 24 hours, beginning at midnight. Virologist Marc Van Ranst said yesterday that a variant of SARS-COV-2 from the United Kingdom had been found in four cases from a sample of 2,000 analyses in his laboratory. (VRT)
COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark, Cluster 5 Denmark will exhume four millions of minks to prevention pollution contamination. This work will begin in May 2021, when the risk of coronavirus contamination from the dead animals has been eliminated. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in El Salvador El Salvador bans travelers who have been in the United Kingdom or South Africa in the last 30 days or whose flights included a layover in those countries. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Greece, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Greece introduces a seven-day quarantine for people arriving from the United Kingdom beginning tomorrow at 6:00 a.m. local time due to the discovery of a new variant of SARS-COV-2 in the country. (Greek Travel Pages)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Indonesia reports a record 221 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 19,880. (detikHealth)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iran, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Iran suspends flights to and from the United Kingdom for two weeks due to the emergence of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 that was discovered in the UK. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Israel, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Israel bans entry of travelers from Denmark, South Africa, and the United Kingdom due to the discovery of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the latter country. Israeli citizens arriving from those countries will be required to quarantine at state-run quarantine hotels for up to 14 days. (The Jerusalem Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey Amazon announces that they will close the Robbinsville Township facility, also known as the PNE5, after several workers tested positive for COVID-19. (CNBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in North America, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ice hockey The National Hockey League announces its truncated 2020–21 season will begin on January 13 and run for 56 games per team, ending on May 8. (WEYI-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Nunavut Nunavut reports its first two deaths from COVID-19 complications. (Toronto Star)
COVID-19 pandemic in Qatar, COVID-19 vaccine The Ministry of Public Health approves the authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for emergency use in Qatar. (Gulf Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Saudi Arabia suspends all international passenger flights for one week as well as all entry through land and sea ports in response to a new variant of the SARS-COV-2 that was discovered in the United Kingdom. (Arab News)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea South Korea reports a record 1,097 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 49,665 cases. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey Amazon announces that they will close the Robbinsville Township facility, also known as the PNE5, after several workers tested positive for COVID-19. (CNBC) COVID-19 vaccination in the United States The United States begins shipping the COVID-19 vaccine made by Moderna. (Wall Street Journal)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Turkey temporarily suspend flights from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark, and South Africa due to concerns over a new variant of SARS-CoV-2. (Daily Sabah)
Denmark will exhume four millions of minks to prevention pollution contamination. This work will begin in May 2021, when the risk of coronavirus contamination from the dead animals has been eliminated. (DW)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announces that Congress has reached a deal on a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package that includes a new round of direct payments and help for families, businesses and unemployed Americans. (The New York Times)
El Salvador bans travelers who have been in the United Kingdom or South Africa in the last 30 days or whose flights included a layover in those countries. (Reuters)
Greece introduces a seven-day quarantine for people arriving from the United Kingdom beginning tomorrow at 6:00 a.m. local time due to the discovery of a new variant of SARS-COV-2 in the country. (Greek Travel Pages)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports COVID-19 pandemic in North America, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ice hockey The National Hockey League announces its truncated 2020–21 season will begin on January 13 and run for 56 games per team, ending on May 8. (WEYI-TV)
Indonesia reports a record 221 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 19,880. (detikHealth)
Iran suspends flights to and from the United Kingdom for two weeks due to the emergence of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 that was discovered in the UK. (Reuters)
Israel bans entry of travelers from Denmark, South Africa, and the United Kingdom due to the discovery of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the latter country. Israeli citizens arriving from those countries will be required to quarantine at state-run quarantine hotels for up to 14 days. (The Jerusalem Post)
Nunavut reports its first two deaths from COVID-19 complications. (Toronto Star)
Over 8,000 ducks are expected to be culled after a third case of H5N8 avian influenza was confirmed at a farm in Norfolk, UK. (Eastern Daily Press)
Saudi Arabia suspends all international passenger flights for one week as well as all entry through land and sea ports in response to a new variant of the SARS-COV-2 that was discovered in the United Kingdom. (Arab News)
South Korea reports a record 1,097 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 49,665 cases. (CNA)
The Ministry of Public Health approves the authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for emergency use in Qatar. (Gulf Times)
The National Hockey League announces its truncated 2020–21 season will begin on January 13 and run for 56 games per team, ending on May 8. (WEYI-TV)
Tropical Storm Krovanh (Vicky) makes landfall in the Philippines, resulting in the deaths of at least eight people and forcing the evacuation of nearly 10,000 others. (AFP via New Straits Times)
Turkey temporarily suspend flights from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark, and South Africa due to concerns over a new variant of SARS-CoV-2. (Daily Sabah)
Central African Republic Civil War Rwanda deploys what it calls a "protection force" to the Central African Republic after its peacekeepers were attacked by advancing rebel forces on the capital Bangui. The Rwandan and Central African Republic governments accuse former President François Bozizé of backing the rebels and plotting a coup, which he denies. Russia also sends troops and heavy weaponry to support the government. (BBC News)
Rwanda deploys what it calls a "protection force" to the Central African Republic after its peacekeepers were attacked by advancing rebel forces on the capital Bangui. The Rwandan and Central African Republic governments accuse former President François Bozizé of backing the rebels and plotting a coup, which he denies. Russia also sends troops and heavy weaponry to support the government. (BBC News)
The Constitutional Court of Kosovo nullifies the parliamentary vote that elected Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti in June, after discovering that one of the members who voted was ineligible due to a prison sentence. The ruling mandates that Acting President Vjosa Osmani must call a new election to be held no longer than 40 days from the announcement. (RFE/RL)
COVID-19 pandemic in Delaware President-elect Joe Biden and incoming First Lady Dr. Jill Biden receive their first shot of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine on live television to reassure Americans of the safety of vaccines. Meanwhile, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and incoming Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff announce that they will receive their vaccines next week. (CNN)
War in Afghanistan December 2020 Afghanistan attacks Rahmatullah Nikzad, head of the journalists’ union in Ghazni, dies after being shot three times in the chest by unknown assailants. Nikazd is the fifth journalist to have been killed in Afghanistan in the last two months, and the seventh this year. (Voice of America)
2020 Belarusian protests Former Miss Belarus winner Volha Khizhynkova is released from prison after 42 days for protesting against President Alexander Lukashenko. (Zee News)
2020 United States anti-lockdown protests About 300 demonstrators attempt to storm the Oregon State Capitol during a special legislative session closed to the public, but they are warded off by the Oregon State Police. The group, which called for reopening Oregon in the wake of COVID-19 mitigation measures, included members of groups such as Proud Boys and Patriot Prayer. (The Daily Beast) (Statesman Journal)
About 300 demonstrators attempt to storm the Oregon State Capitol during a special legislative session closed to the public, but they are warded off by the Oregon State Police. The group, which called for reopening Oregon in the wake of COVID-19 mitigation measures, included members of groups such as Proud Boys and Patriot Prayer. (The Daily Beast) (Statesman Journal)
COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark, Cluster 5 The Parliament passes a law that bans mink breeding until 2022. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Maharashtra, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Maharashtra will impose a curfew in Mumbai and other major cities from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. IST beginning tomorrow until January 5 in order to prevent the spread of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 that was discovered in the United Kingdom. The state government also imposes a 14-day quarantine for anyone travelling from Europe and the Middle East. (Livemint)
COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco Morocco's government announces that they will impose a nationwide curfew from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. local time and will require all cafes, shops, supermarkets, and restaurants to close at 8:00 p.m. beginning December 23. In Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir, and Tangier, all restaurants will be closed for three weeks. (Morocco World News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Norway, Variant of Concern 202012/01 The government bans direct flights to and from the United Kingdom due to the emergence of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2. (NRK)
COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal, COVID-19 pandemic in Spain The Spanish government announce the suspension of all flights from Spain to the United Kingdom beginning tomorrow, with the exception of flights for Spanish citizens residents of Spain. This comes a day after a similar suspension was announced by Portugal. (El Pais in English)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea South Korea reports a record 24 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 698. In addition, the country surpasses 50,000 cases of COVID-19. (Yonhap News Agency) The Seoul Metropolitan Government and local governments in Gyeonggi Province and Incheon announce that they will ban gatherings of more than four people in the Seoul Capital Area from December 23 to January 3 in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (The Korea Times) (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden, Variant of Concern 202012/01 The government announces a ban on travel into Sweden from the United Kingdom and Denmark for one month due to the new variant of SARS-CoV-2. (Yahoo! News)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, CARES Act The United States House of Representatives passes a $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill with a vote of 359-53. (Business Insider) The United States Senate passes the $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill with a 92–6 vote. The bill will head to President Donald Trump for his signature. (The Washington Post) (The Guardian)
Former Miss Belarus winner Volha Khizhynkova is released from prison after 42 days for protesting against President Alexander Lukashenko. (Zee News)
Maharashtra will impose a curfew in Mumbai and other major cities from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. IST beginning tomorrow until January 5 in order to prevent the spread of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 that was discovered in the United Kingdom. The state government also imposes a 14-day quarantine for anyone travelling from Europe and the Middle East. (Livemint)
Morocco's government announces that they will impose a nationwide curfew from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. local time and will require all cafes, shops, supermarkets, and restaurants to close at 8:00 p.m. beginning December 23. In Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir, and Tangier, all restaurants will be closed for three weeks. (Morocco World News)
Sudan–United States relations The United States Congress formally reinstates Sudan's sovereign immunity. Sudan had paid the U.S. a $335 million settlement to victims of al-Qaeda attacks. The U.S. will partially pay off Sudanese bilateral debt, and its debt to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), while making another US$700 million available until September 2022 for assistance to the country. (Reuters)
The government announces a ban on travel into Sweden from the United Kingdom and Denmark for one month due to the new variant of SARS-CoV-2. (Yahoo! News)
The government bans direct flights to and from the United Kingdom due to the emergence of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2. (NRK)
The government will temporarily suspend all flights from India to the United Kingdom due to the emergence of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2. The suspension will begin tomorrow at 11:59 p.m. IST and will last until December 31. (Hindustan Times)
The Kīlauea volcano on Hawaii erupts, prompting the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency to urge residents to stay indoors. The eruption followed a series of small earthquakes. A previous eruption in May 2018 destroyed hundreds of homes. (CNN)
The Parliament passes a law that bans mink breeding until 2022. (Reuters)
The Seoul Metropolitan Government and local governments in Gyeonggi Province and Incheon announce that they will ban gatherings of more than four people in the Seoul Capital Area from December 23 to January 3 in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (The Korea Times) (Al Jazeera)
The Spanish government announce the suspension of all flights from Spain to the United Kingdom beginning tomorrow, with the exception of flights for Spanish citizens residents of Spain. This comes a day after a similar suspension was announced by Portugal. (El Pais in English)
The United States Congress formally reinstates Sudan's sovereign immunity. Sudan had paid the U.S. a $335 million settlement to victims of al-Qaeda attacks. The U.S. will partially pay off Sudanese bilateral debt, and its debt to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), while making another US$700 million available until September 2022 for assistance to the country. (Reuters)
Belarus is expected to begin production of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine during the first quarter of 2021 after it became the first foreign country to register the vaccine. (Meduza)
Colombia announces that it will receive 1.7 million doses of the Tozinameran vaccine. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Antarctica The first cases of COVID-19 in Antarctica are reported. 36 people test positive for the virus after spending a week at the Base General Bernardo O'Higgins, in the Chilean Antarctic Territory. (Infobae)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, Variant of Concern 202012/01 New South Wales detects two cases of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in travellers returning from the United Kingdom. (The Australian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Belarus, COVID-19 vaccine Belarus is expected to begin production of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine during the first quarter of 2021 after it became the first foreign country to register the vaccine. (Meduza)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario Premier Doug Ford announces a province-wide lockdown across Ontario from December 26 until January 9 in Northern Ontario and January 23 in Southern Ontario in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the province. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia, COVID-19 vaccine Colombia announces that it will receive 1.7 million doses of the Tozinameran vaccine. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt Egypt reports 664 new cases in the past 24 hours, the highest single-day total in a months, bringing the nationwide total to 125,555 cases. (Egypt Independent)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong, Variant of Concern 202012/01, travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Health Secretary Sophia Chan announces that Hong Kong will ban all flights to and from the United Kingdom beginning tomorrow due to the new variant of SARS-CoV-2. (South China Morning Post)
