All articles tagged with #covid 19 restrictions
Walt Disney World in Florida is lifting COVID-era restrictions by no longer requiring park reservations for most guests and allowing park hopping without a 2 p.m. wait. The highly requested Disney Dining Plan is also returning, offering two prepaid meal plan options for guests. These changes will take effect on January 9, providing visitors with more flexibility for their trips.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has requested more information on the surge of respiratory illnesses and pneumonia clusters in children in China, but health authorities have not detected any unusual or novel pathogens, leading experts to believe there is no need for international alarm. The increase in respiratory illnesses is likely linked to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and the circulation of known pathogens such as mycoplasma pneumoniae. While mycoplasma pneumoniae has spiked in other countries as well, experts are not overly concerned, as the cases are treatable and most people recover without antibiotics. Similar increases in respiratory diseases have been observed in other countries after easing pandemic measures.
China's health ministry has called for an increase in the number of fever clinics as the country experiences a surge in respiratory illnesses during its first full winter since easing COVID-19 restrictions. The World Health Organization (WHO) has requested more information from China after clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children were reported. The spike in respiratory illnesses is attributed to the simultaneous circulation of various pathogens, particularly influenza. The State Council has warned of the risk of a COVID-19 rebound and urged strengthened reporting on infectious diseases. Hospitals in northern areas are reporting high cases among children and long waiting times.
China's health ministry has called for an increase in the number of fever clinics as the country experiences a surge in respiratory illnesses during its first full winter since easing COVID-19 restrictions. The World Health Organization (WHO) has requested more information from China after clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children were reported. The WHO and China have faced questions about transparency in reporting during the early stages of the pandemic. The spike in respiratory illnesses is attributed to the simultaneous circulation of various pathogens, particularly influenza. Efforts are being made to extend service hours, strengthen drug supplies, and enhance epidemic prevention and control in crowded places. Cases among children are particularly high in northern areas, leading to long waits in hospitals. The State Council has warned of the peak of influenza this winter and spring, along with the risk of a COVID-19 rebound.
California Governor Gavin Newsom admits that criticism of the state's strict Covid-19 restrictions is valid and reflects on how he would have approached the pandemic differently with the knowledge he has now. He acknowledges the need for humility and states that the decisions made were collective. Newsom faces criticism for being too accommodating to the film industry and not loosening restrictions when other states did. He mentions differences in virus spread indoors versus outdoors and alludes to handling masking and vaccine distribution differently. Newsom also laments the partisan nature of the pandemic response and emphasizes the resilience of the state.
California Governor Gavin Newsom admitted that criticism of the state's strict Covid-19 restrictions was valid and stated that he would have approached the pandemic differently with the knowledge he has now. Newsom acknowledged the need for reflection and humility, recognizing that there were things that could have been done differently, such as prioritizing vaccine distribution and adjusting policies on masking and indoor/outdoor activities. He also addressed the partisan nature of the pandemic response and expressed concern about the impact of viewing health decisions through a partisan lens.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized efforts to implement COVID-19 restrictions and masking, while the state's Surgeon General, Joseph Ladapo, warned against getting the latest COVID-19 vaccine. DeSantis vowed to fight against government control over COVID-19 precautions, stating that Florida will not close schools or mandate mask-wearing. Ladapo's previous warnings against COVID-19 vaccines have drawn criticism from federal health agencies. DeSantis urged people in other jurisdictions to push back against COVID-19 restrictions and stand up for their rights.
North Korea has announced that it is allowing its citizens abroad to return home, indicating a potential easing of its strict COVID-19 restrictions. The returning citizens will undergo a week-long medical observation in quarantine wards. This marks the first time North Koreans have been informed about the reopening of the country's borders for its citizens. The move comes as North Korea aims to revive its economy, which has been severely impacted by the pandemic and border closures.
North Korea has resumed limited commercial flights to China and Russia, marking its first return to civilian aviation since January 2020. Air Koryo, North Korea's state-operated airline, is operating three flights a week from Pyongyang to Beijing, bringing back North Korean nationals who were stranded in China during the pandemic. Some of the passengers are believed to be high-status individuals associated with Kim Jong Un's regime. Another commercial flight arrived in Vladivostok, Russia, with no official flight schedule announced for Air Koryo's routes to Russian airports. North Korean air travel infrastructure is primarily restricted to the nation's elites and its few allies.
Ottawa County commissioners in Michigan are considering allowing vaccine waivers for children, with a resolution set to be voted on. The move comes as part of a push against COVID-19 restrictions by some commissioners who want parents to have the right to make medical decisions for their kids. However, health officials are concerned about the low vaccination rates in the state, particularly among children aged one to three years old. They emphasize the importance of vaccinations in preventing communicable diseases and cite a measles outbreak in Ohio last year as an example. The state of Michigan currently has vaccination laws for school entry, but exemptions can be obtained.
New Zealand has removed all remaining COVID-19 restrictions, signaling the end of its government's pandemic response. Initially praised for eliminating the virus through strict lockdowns and border controls, the nation's zero-tolerance approach became unsustainable with the emergence of more infectious variants. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins acknowledged the sacrifices made by New Zealanders and the lives saved, but also noted the fractures in unity. Health Minister Ayesha Verrall highlighted low case numbers and hospitalizations, indicating a more stable healthcare system. The announcement comes ahead of a general election, with opposition leader David Seymour criticizing the government's handling of the pandemic.
New Zealand has removed all remaining COVID-19 restrictions, including the requirement to wear masks in healthcare facilities and the isolation period for infected individuals. Initially praised for its successful elimination strategy, the nation's zero-tolerance approach became unsustainable as more infectious variants emerged. Reflecting on the government's response, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins acknowledged the sacrifices made by New Zealanders and the lives saved. With low case numbers and hospitalizations, the country's health system has experienced less disruption, allowing for an increase in completed operations. The announcement comes ahead of a general election, with opposition leader David Seymour criticizing the government's handling of the pandemic.
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has resigned from the British Parliament, effective immediately, as the House of Commons privileges committee concludes an investigation into whether he knowingly misled Parliament. Johnson was under investigation for misleading Parliament during an inquiry into whether he violated Covid-19 restrictions during his tenure as prime minister, which ended in September 2022. His resignation will trigger a special election to replace him, and he is free to run for Parliament again.
Cases of rare brain abscesses in children under 18 years old spiked in the US as COVID-19 restrictions eased, according to two studies published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The infections, which can be life-threatening, occur when bacteria, viruses, or fungi enter the brain and an encapsulated area forms around the germs and pus. The wave of cases is another example of wonky disease patterns in the wake of responses to the COVID-19 crisis, with the onset of the pandemic leading to below-baseline levels of pediatric brain abscesses between May 2020 to May 2021, followed by a surge in cases above the baseline between August 2021 to March 2023.
The Biden administration will temporarily send 1,500 additional troops to help secure the US-Mexico border in preparation for a possible rise in illegal immigration when COVID-19 border restrictions lift later this month. The 90-day deployment of active-duty troops will supplement the work of the US Border Patrol but not carry out law enforcement duties. The force will be in addition to an ongoing deployment of about 2,500 National Guard troops. The so-called Title 42 restrictions, set to end on May 11, allow US authorities to rapidly expel non-Mexican migrants to Mexico without the chance to seek asylum.