Argentinian Health Minister Carla Vizzotti tests positive for COVID-19. (El Día)
COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina Argentinian Health Minister Carla Vizzotti tests positive for COVID-19. (El Día)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong Hong Kong begins administering vaccines to the general public with the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin issues a new regulation that authorizes a mutual assistance vaccine programme so that private companies can buy state-approved vaccines in order to vaccinate their staff. (Tempo.co)
COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina Argentinian Health Minister Carla Vizzotti tests positive for COVID-19. (El Día) COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brasília enters a 24-hour lockdown for all non-essential services due to an increase in COVID-19 cases that has pushed the city's intensive care units to near full capacity with more than 80% of beds already occupied. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea South Korea begins a mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine, with the first doses administered to residents at about 200 nursing homes across the country. (Nikkei Asia)
Hong Kong begins administering vaccines to the general public with the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine. (CNA)
Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin issues a new regulation that authorizes a mutual assistance vaccine programme so that private companies can buy state-approved vaccines in order to vaccinate their staff. (Tempo.co)
South Korea begins a mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine, with the first doses administered to residents at about 200 nursing homes across the country. (Nikkei Asia)
2021 Armenian coup d'état attempt, 2020−2021 Armenian protests President Armen Sarksyan refuses an order from Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to dismiss the military's Chief of the General Staff Onik Gasparyan, saying parts of the decree were in violation of the constitution. More than 15,000 protest in the capital Yerevan calling for Pashinyan to resign. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy The government tightens restrictions in five regions in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. For the first time since January, Basilicata and Molise are moved into a lockdown, while Lombardy, Piedmont, and Marche are moved to stricter orange zones. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines The government extends the General Community Quarantine in Metro Manila, Davao City, and eight other areas until the end of March due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (ABS-CBN News)
President Armen Sarksyan refuses an order from Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to dismiss the military's Chief of the General Staff Onik Gasparyan, saying parts of the decree were in violation of the constitution. More than 15,000 protest in the capital Yerevan calling for Pashinyan to resign. (ABC News)
The government extends the General Community Quarantine in Metro Manila, Davao City, and eight other areas until the end of March due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (ABS-CBN News)
The government tightens restrictions in five regions in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. For the first time since January, Basilicata and Molise are moved into a lockdown, while Lombardy, Piedmont, and Marche are moved to stricter orange zones. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford announces that Wales will ease their COVID-19 restrictions to allow households with an infant below the age of one to form a bubble with one other household. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford announces that Wales will ease their COVID-19 restrictions to allow households with an infant below the age of one to form a bubble with one other household. (BBC News)
First Minister Mark Drakeford announces that Wales will ease their COVID-19 restrictions to allow households with an infant below the age of one to form a bubble with one other household. (BBC News)
Chadian security forces raid the home of opposition leader Yaya Dillo Djérou in N'Djamena, killing five of his relatives, including his mother and son. A government statement says the raid was an operation to arrest Dillo. Two other people are also killed and five others are wounded in the ensuing fight. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa announces that South Africa's alert level will be lowered to level one effective midnight following a decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases. (Timeslive) South Africa signs an agreement with Johnson & Johnson to secure 11 million doses of their vaccine. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine. Government ministers and health workers are among the first to receive doses of the vaccine. (Bloomberg)
President Cyril Ramaphosa announces that South Africa's alert level will be lowered to level one effective midnight following a decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases. (Timeslive)
Thailand begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine. Government ministers and health workers are among the first to receive doses of the vaccine. (Bloomberg)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orbán receives the first dose of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine. (AFP via Barron's)
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán receives the first dose of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine. (AFP via Barron's)
2021 Armenian coup d'état attempt, 2020−2021 Armenian protests Protesters storm a government building in Yerevan, Armenia, to demand Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's resignation. (Al Jazeera)
Barçagate Former president of FC Barcelona Josep Maria Bartomeu is arrested while Mossos d'Esquadra search the FC Barcelona offices. Three other senior staff members are also arrested. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Finland Finland declares a state of emergency amidst an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. Prime Minister Sanna Marin says that the emergency controls will allow the government to close schools and restaurants and limit movement between regions. (Euro Weekly News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, and their spouses receive their first doses of the vaccine from the COVAX initiative as Ghana begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19. (BBC Pidgin)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 vaccination in the United States It is reported that former U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump have received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the White House prior to their departure on January 20. (The Washington Post) COVID-19 pandemic in Florida, 501.V2 variant Florida reports its first case of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa. (Clickorlando.com)
COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa announces a slight easing of the lockdown in Zimbabwe amidst a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases. Intercity travel is resumed, and small and large businesses have been allowed to reopen. (EWN)
Finland declares a state of emergency amidst an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. Prime Minister Sanna Marin says that the emergency controls will allow the government to close schools and restaurants and limit movement between regions. (Euro Weekly News)
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is sentenced to three years in jail for corruption, after being found guilty of trying to offer a job to a magistrate in return for information about a criminal inquiry into his political party. (BBC News)
Former president of FC Barcelona Josep Maria Bartomeu is arrested while Mossos d'Esquadra search the FC Barcelona offices. Three other senior staff members are also arrested. (The Guardian)
Nicolas Sarkozy corruption trial Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is sentenced to three years in jail for corruption, after being found guilty of trying to offer a job to a magistrate in return for information about a criminal inquiry into his political party. (BBC News)
President Emmerson Mnangagwa announces a slight easing of the lockdown in Zimbabwe amidst a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases. Intercity travel is resumed, and small and large businesses have been allowed to reopen. (EWN)
Protesters storm a government building in Yerevan, Armenia, to demand Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's resignation. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 vaccination in India Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives his first dose of the Bharat Biotech Covaxin vaccine. (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ivory Coast Ivory Coast begins its mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine delivered by the COVAX initiative. Health workers, teachers, and members of the armed forces are the first to receive the vaccine. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Syria Syria begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19. Medical health workers are the first to receive the vaccine. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic The Czech Republic begins a stricter nationwide lockdown announced by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš last week with more police officers and soldiers deployed to enforce the restrictions. (U.S. News and World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines, COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines The Philippines begins its vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine donated by China, with the first doses administered to healthcare workers in Metro Manila. (Bloomberg)
COVID-19 vaccination in India Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives his first dose of the Bharat Biotech Covaxin vaccine. (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines, COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines The Philippines begins its vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine donated by China, with the first doses administered to healthcare workers in Metro Manila. (Bloomberg)
Ivory Coast begins its mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine delivered by the COVAX initiative. Health workers, teachers, and members of the armed forces are the first to receive the vaccine. (AP)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives his first dose of the Bharat Biotech Covaxin vaccine. (Hindustan Times)
Syria begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19. Medical health workers are the first to receive the vaccine. (Reuters)
The Czech Republic begins a stricter nationwide lockdown announced by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš last week with more police officers and soldiers deployed to enforce the restrictions. (U.S. News and World Report)
The Philippines begins its vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine donated by China, with the first doses administered to healthcare workers in Metro Manila. (Bloomberg)
2020–2021 Belarusian protests Tut.By journalist Katsiaryna Barysevich is sentenced to a half-year in prison for reporting personal data on the death of Raman Bandarenka during protests against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia, COVID-19 pandemic in Bosnia and Herzegovina President Aleksandar Vučić delivers 10,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine to the Bosniak and Croat-dominated federation entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Balkan Insight)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyi receives his first dose of Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (ABC News)
President Aleksandar Vučić delivers 10,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine to the Bosniak and Croat-dominated federation entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Balkan Insight)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyi receives his first dose of Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (ABC News)
Tut.By journalist Katsiaryna Barysevich is sentenced to a half-year in prison for reporting personal data on the death of Raman Bandarenka during protests against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. (AP)
Anti-Irish sentiment The Equality and Human Rights Commission says that it has investigated Britannia Hotels-owned holiday park operator Pontins after a whistleblower revealed Pontins had a blacklist of common Irish surnames to prevent Roma and Irish travelers from booking at its parks. Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the discrimination is "completely unacceptable". (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iraq Iraq receives 50,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccines donated by China as the country officially begins its vaccination campaign. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, Lineage B.1.1.7 Prime Minister Mario Draghi signs a decree that orders the closure of all schools in the worst-hit regions due to the spread of the Lineage B.1.1.7 variant. The decree will be in effective from March 6 until April 6. (Eurozone)
COVID-19 pandemic in Moldova, COVID-19 vaccine Moldova begins their vaccination campaign, with first-line medical staff being administered first. (Xinhua News Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia, impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Hajj Saudi Minister of Health Tawfig Al-Rabiah announces that all pilgrims must be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to do the Hajj to Mecca. (Arab News)
Iraq receives 50,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccines donated by China as the country officially begins its vaccination campaign. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Moldova begins their vaccination campaign, with first-line medical staff being administered first. (Xinhua News Agency)
Prime Minister Mario Draghi signs a decree that orders the closure of all schools in the worst-hit regions due to the spread of the Lineage B.1.1.7 variant. The decree will be in effective from March 6 until April 6. (Eurozone)
Saudi Minister of Health Tawfig Al-Rabiah announces that all pilgrims must be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to do the Hajj to Mecca. (Arab News)
The Equality and Human Rights Commission says that it has investigated Britannia Hotels-owned holiday park operator Pontins after a whistleblower revealed Pontins had a blacklist of common Irish surnames to prevent Roma and Irish travelers from booking at its parks. Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the discrimination is "completely unacceptable". (BBC News)
2021 Australian Parliament rape scandals Attorney-General, House Leader, and Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter comes forward as the minister accused of raping a woman in 1988, who has since committed suicide, in an anonymous letter sent to Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week. Porter denies the allegations and announces that he will be taking a mental health leave. (ABC Australia)
2021 United Kingdom budget Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak delivers the 2021 Spring budget to the House of Commons, announcing the government's tax and spending plans for the year ahead, as well as further COVID-19 support measures, including extending the furlough until the end of September and increasing the minimum wage beginning in April. (BBC News)
Attorney-General, House Leader, and Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter comes forward as the minister accused of raping a woman in 1988, who has since committed suicide, in an anonymous letter sent to Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week. Porter denies the allegations and announces that he will be taking a mental health leave. (ABC Australia)
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak delivers the 2021 Spring budget to the House of Commons, announcing the government's tax and spending plans for the year ahead, as well as further COVID-19 support measures, including extending the furlough until the end of September and increasing the minimum wage beginning in April. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Andorra The government announces that they will receive 3,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from France. (Diari d'Andorra)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 vaccination in India President Ram Nath Kovind receives his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Hindustan Times) COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan Taiwan receives their first shipment of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (Focus Taiwan) COVID-19 pandemic in Uzbekistan Uzbekistan surpasses 80,000 cases of COVID-19. (AKIPress)
COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 vaccination in India President Ram Nath Kovind receives his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain The Government of Catalonia announces that 79,000 vaccinated persons were mistakenly recorded as COVID-19 cases. (El Periódico)
COVID-19 vaccination in India President Ram Nath Kovind receives his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Hindustan Times)
German intelligence agency Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution formally places far-right oppositional party Alternative for Germany under surveillance, accusing it of aiming to subvert the constitution. It is the first time that a major political party has been placed under surveillance since the end of World War II. (The New York Times)
