WEATHER ALERT

COVID-19: Latest News

Germany to scrap mask mandate in long-distance transport

The Associated Press 2 minute read Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

BERLIN (AP) — Germany will soon drop a mask mandate on long-distance trains and buses, one of the country's last remaining COVID-19 restrictions, the health minister said Friday.

The mandate will be dropped on Feb. 2, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach announced in Berlin.

Other European countries already have scrapped mask mandates in public transport, and Lauterbach faced increasing pressure to follow suit in recent weeks. Masks remain mandatory in doctors’ practices, while masks and negative tests are still required to enter hospitals and nursing homes.

Rules for local transportation are a matter for Germany’s 16 state governments, and an increasing number have dropped or are dropping their mask mandates. Some also have scrapped rules requiring infected people to isolate at home.

Advertisement

Advertise With Us

Weather

WEATHER ALERT Dec. 24, 12 AM: -11°c Windy Dec. 24, 6 AM: -7°c Windy

Winnipeg MB

-7°C, Cloudy with wind

Full Forecast

Church plea bargain nets $30K fine for breaking pandemic gathering orders

Dean Pritchard 4 minute read Preview

Church plea bargain nets $30K fine for breaking pandemic gathering orders

Dean Pritchard 4 minute read Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

A Manitoba church that repeatedly flouted provincially imposed gathering limits at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic has been fined $30,000.

Read
Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES

Church of God Restoration pastor Tobias Tissen speaks from a truck as RCMP officers and Manitoba Justice officials blocked the entrance to The City of God Church in Sarto, just south of Steinbach, to enforce Manitoba Health COVID-19 orders Sunday, November 29, 2020. Reporter: Abas

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES
                                Church of God Restoration pastor Tobias Tissen speaks from a truck as RCMP officers and Manitoba Justice officials blocked the entrance to The City of God Church in Sarto, just south of Steinbach, to enforce Manitoba Health COVID-19 orders Sunday, November 29, 2020. Reporter: Abas

Boosters promoted as subvariant Kraken rears head

Katie May 3 minute read Preview

Boosters promoted as subvariant Kraken rears head

Katie May 3 minute read Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

In the face of the most contagious COVID-19 subvariant yet, Manitobans need to get up-to-date on booster shots and wear masks to protect young children from respiratory viruses, the president of Doctors Manitoba says.

Read
Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES/Lars Hagberg

Approximately 18 per cent of eligible Manitobans have received a bivalent COVID-19 booster since the shots rolled out in September.

THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES/Lars Hagberg
                                Approximately 18 per cent of eligible Manitobans have received a bivalent COVID-19 booster since the shots rolled out in September.

Alberta premier backs off on promise to seek pardons for COVID-19 health violators

Dean Bennett, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Alberta premier backs off on promise to seek pardons for COVID-19 health violators

Dean Bennett, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

EDMONTON - Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, less than three months after promising to seek pardons for COVID-19 health violators, says she will now let justice take its course while also announcing she is regularly contacting Crown prosecutors about these cases.

“The way our system of justice works is we do have an independent justice department and independent Crown prosecutors,” Smith told reporters Thursday when asked why she has not followed through on the pardon commitment.

“As we continue to see some of these cases go through — some of them get dropped, some of them fail — (prosecutors) have to consistently recalibrate, but I do want to make sure they have an independent process for assessing that.

“But I ask them on a regular basis, as new cases come out, is it in the public interest to pursue and is there a reasonable likelihood of conviction?”

Read
Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith gives an Alberta government update in Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who promised less than three months ago to seek pardons for COVID-19 health violators, now says she will let justice take its course. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith gives an Alberta government update in Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who promised less than three months ago to seek pardons for COVID-19 health violators, now says she will let justice take its course. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

EU court: Tourists may get refunds over COVID measures

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

EU court: Tourists may get refunds over COVID measures

The Associated Press 2 minute read Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

BERLIN (AP) — Travelers whose package tours were ruined by the imposition of restrictions to combat the COVID-19 pandemic may be entitled to at least a partial refund, the European Union's highest court said Thursday.

The European Court of Justice weighed in after being asked for its opinion by a court in Germany.

The Munich court is considering the case of two people who bought a two-week package vacation for the Spanish island of Gran Canaria starting on March 13, 2020, just as the pandemic hit Europe. They are seeking a 70% reduction in the price because of restrictions that were imposed there two days later and their early return.

When the restrictions were imposed on March 15, beaches were closed, a curfew put in place and the plaintiffs were allowed to leave their hotel room only to eat, the EU court said. On March 18, they were told to be ready to leave at any moment, and two days after that they had to return to Germany.

Read
Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

FILE - Travelers wait in line outside the terminal building to check in and board flights at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, Netherlands, on June 21, 2022. Travelers whose package tours were ruined by the imposition of restrictions to combat the COVID-19 pandemic may be entitled to at least a partial refund, the European Union's highest court said Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

FILE - Travelers wait in line outside the terminal building to check in and board flights at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, Netherlands, on June 21, 2022. Travelers whose package tours were ruined by the imposition of restrictions to combat the COVID-19 pandemic may be entitled to at least a partial refund, the European Union's highest court said Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

Mississippi reports 14th death of a child due to COVID-19

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Mississippi reports 14th death of a child due to COVID-19

The Associated Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A 14th Mississippi child has died from COVID-19, the state's department of health said Wednesday.

The infant under the age of one was the most recent child to die in Mississippi. The child was the first person under 18 to die from COVID-19 in the state in 2023. According to state department of health data, eight children between the ages of 11 and 17 have died since the first cases of the virus were identified in 2020, making that age range the most prone to pediatric deaths in the state so far.

Dr. Paul Byers, the state epidemiologist, said the death should serve as a reminder for residents to get vaccinated and to make sure that they are up to date on booster shots to protect against the virus.

“Vaccination not only protects you, but it also protects those around you who may not be eligible for vaccination or who may be at higher risk for complications due to age or underlying health problems,” Byers said in a news release. “It is important to stay up to date and receive the most recent bivalent booster when eligible in order to provide the best protection against infection, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.”

Read
Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

FILE - State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers, right, listens to Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, left, at a news briefing, Aug. 24, 2021, in Jackson, Miss. The state's Department of Health said Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, that the 14th Mississippi child has died from COVID-19. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

FILE - State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers, right, listens to Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, left, at a news briefing, Aug. 24, 2021, in Jackson, Miss. The state's Department of Health said Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, that the 14th Mississippi child has died from COVID-19. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

Provinces look to cleanse storerooms of expired hand sanitizer sent by Ottawa

Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Provinces look to cleanse storerooms of expired hand sanitizer sent by Ottawa

Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

Provinces are awash with expired hand sanitizer that Ottawa sent during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The federal government spent $376 million on more than 21 million litres of hand sanitizer, which the Public Health Agency of Canada distributed throughout the pandemic. More than eight million litresweredistributed to provinces and territories, the agency said in an email Wednesday.

But now, most provinces have excess expired sanitizer and getting rid of it through disposal or repurposing comes with a hefty cost.

Saskatchewan is expecting to spend more than $100,000 to get rid of more than 350,000 litres of hand sanitizer that’s sitting in a Regina warehouse. Manitoba spent more than $462,000 to repurpose its nearly 734,000 litres and British Columbia spent more than $645,000.

Read
Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

Hand sanitizer, face masks and wipes are available at the entrance of a Service Canada office Tuesday July 7, 2020 in Gatineau, Quebec. Provinces are awash with expired hand sanitizer that Ottawa sent them during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Hand sanitizer, face masks and wipes are available at the entrance of a Service Canada office Tuesday July 7, 2020 in Gatineau, Quebec. Provinces are awash with expired hand sanitizer that Ottawa sent them during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Cyprus to require COVID-19 tests for all arrivals from China

The Associated Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — The government of Cyprus said Wednesday it will require all passengers arriving from China to produce evidence of a negative coronavirus test as the Asian country grapples with a nationwide COVID-19 outbreak.

The Health Ministry said it was heeding the advice of the European Union’s executive arm in requiring passengers to submit results from a PCR test taken 48 hours before their departure date.

The ministry also recommended the use of a protective face mask on all flights to and from Cyprus as well as any areas where people gather in large numbers.

The Cypriot government said the measures would take effect beginning Sunday, Jan. 15.

China preparing to expand airline service to United States

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

China preparing to expand airline service to United States

The Associated Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

BEIJING (AP) — The Chinese air travel regulator is preparing to allow airlines to fly more routes between China and the United States following the lifting of anti-virus travel restrictions, state TV reported Wednesday.

U.S. and Chinese airlines are among some 40 carriers that have submitted applications covering some 700 flights per week involving 34 countries, China Central Television reported on its website. It gave no timeline for when normal flights might resume.

China suspended most airline flights and other travel into and out of the country following the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020.

Most restrictions on movement have been dropped. On Sunday, the first passengers were allowed to fly into China without being quarantined after arrival.

Read
Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

FILE - A passenger checks her phone as an Air China passenger jet taxi past at the Beijing Capital International airport in Beijing, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. The Chinese air travel regulator is preparing to allow airlines to fly more routes between China and the United States following the lifting of anti-virus travel restrictions, state TV reported Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

FILE - A passenger checks her phone as an Air China passenger jet taxi past at the Beijing Capital International airport in Beijing, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. The Chinese air travel regulator is preparing to allow airlines to fly more routes between China and the United States following the lifting of anti-virus travel restrictions, state TV reported Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

One teacher for 35 students: parents give school failing grade

Maggie Macintosh 5 minute read Preview

One teacher for 35 students: parents give school failing grade

Maggie Macintosh 5 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

ONE Winnipeg elementary teacher’s class list of Grade 4, 5 and 6 students has grown to 35, the result of which is an overcrowded room in stark contrast to the settings public health officials touted early on in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read
Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

Tyler Rogers, the father of a grade four student, is one of several parents frustrated and concerned about overcrowding at Luxton School. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press)

Tyler Rogers, the father of a grade four student, is one of several parents frustrated and concerned about overcrowding at Luxton School. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press)

Japan, South Korea protest China visa stoppage in COVID spat

Mari Yamaguchi And Kim Tong-hyung, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Japan, South Korea protest China visa stoppage in COVID spat

Mari Yamaguchi And Kim Tong-hyung, The Associated Press 6 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

TOKYO (AP) — Japan and South Korea defended their public health restrictions on travelers from China on Wednesday, a day after China stopped issuing new visas in both countries in apparent retaliation.

South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin said he finds it “significantly regrettable” that China stopped issuing short-term visas to South Koreans and called for China to align its pandemic steps with “scientific and objective facts.”

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno criticized China for “one-sidedly” restricting visa issuances to Japanese nationals “because of a reason that is not related to COVID-19 measures.”

China’s Foreign Ministry threatened countermeasures last week against countries that had announced new virus testing requirements for travelers from China following a surge in COVID-19 infections there. It remained unclear whether China would expand the visa suspensions to others that have imposed stricter virus testing on passengers from China.

Read
Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

A worker wearing a face mask rides an escalator at a shopping and office complex in Beijing, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. Japan and South Korea on Wednesday defended their border restrictions on travelers from China, with Tokyo criticizing China's move to suspend issuing new visas in both countries as a step unrelated to virus measures. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

A worker wearing a face mask rides an escalator at a shopping and office complex in Beijing, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. Japan and South Korea on Wednesday defended their border restrictions on travelers from China, with Tokyo criticizing China's move to suspend issuing new visas in both countries as a step unrelated to virus measures. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Federal COVID aid OK’d to pay for roads, natural disasters

David A. Lieb, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Federal COVID aid OK’d to pay for roads, natural disasters

David A. Lieb, The Associated Press 4 minute read Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — State and local governments will soon gain new flexibility to spend billions of federal coronavirus relief dollars on things not directly related to the pandemic, including new roads and bridges and aid to people affected by wildfires, floods and other natural disasters.

The broadened spending authority for the previously approved pandemic aid was one of many of provisions wrapped into a recently enacted $1.7 trillion spending bill for the federal government's 2023 budget year. It comes after city, county and state officials lobbied for more than a year for greater flexibility in how they can use a $350 billion pool of aid approved by President Joe Biden and the Democratic-led Congress in March 2021.

The American Rescue Plan act included federal aid for all levels of government — from states and territories down to tiny towns and villages — that was intended to help cover the costs of responding to COVID-19, shore up government finances and invest in longer-term projects to strengthen communities.

Though the program had considerable flexibility as originally implemented by the U.S. Treasury Department, some uses for the money remained limited. The newly expanded spending options are expected to take effect by late February, after the Treasury releases updated guidance.

Read
Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023

FILE - Traffic is seen near the entrance to the Holland Tunnel in Jersey City, N.J., April 27, 2017. State and local governments will soon gain new flexibility to spend billions of federal coronavirus relief dollars on things not directly related to the pandemic, including new roads and bridges and aid to people affected by wildfires, floods and other natural disasters. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

FILE - Traffic is seen near the entrance to the Holland Tunnel in Jersey City, N.J., April 27, 2017. State and local governments will soon gain new flexibility to spend billions of federal coronavirus relief dollars on things not directly related to the pandemic, including new roads and bridges and aid to people affected by wildfires, floods and other natural disasters. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

WHO Europe: no immediate COVID-19 threat from China

The Associated Press 3 minute read Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — The director of the World Health Organization’s Europe office said Tuesday that the agency sees “no immediate threat" for the European region from a COVID-19 outbreak in China, but more information is needed.

China is battling a nationwide outbreak of the coronavirus after abruptly easing restrictions.

Hans Kluge said that, based on the information WHO had received from china, there was no threat, but more detailed and regular information was required from China to monitor the evolving situation.

“We cannot be complacent,” he added.

China halts visas for Japan, South Korea in COVID-19 spat

Ken Moritsugu, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

China halts visas for Japan, South Korea in COVID-19 spat

Ken Moritsugu, The Associated Press 6 minute read Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese embassies stopped issuing new visas for South Koreans and Japanese on Tuesday in apparent retaliation for COVID-19 measures recently imposed by those countries on travelers from China.

It wasn’t clear whether China would expand the visa suspensions to other countries that have imposed virus testing on passengers from China following its COVID-19 surge.

The embassies in Tokyo and Seoul announced the suspensions in brief online notices.

The Seoul notice, posted on the embassy's WeChat social media account, said the ban would continue until South Korea lifts its “discriminatory entry measures” against China. The announcement covered tourist, business and some other visas.

Read
Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023

Travelers wearing face masks wait for their luggage in the international arrivals area at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. The first international travelers are arriving in China without the mandatory quarantine that had been imposed at the start of the pandemic three years ago after restrictions were lifted beginning on Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Travelers wearing face masks wait for their luggage in the international arrivals area at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. The first international travelers are arriving in China without the mandatory quarantine that had been imposed at the start of the pandemic three years ago after restrictions were lifted beginning on Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

China economy recovering but hampered by virus outbreaks

Joe Mcdonald, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

China economy recovering but hampered by virus outbreaks

Joe Mcdonald, The Associated Press 6 minute read Monday, Jan. 9, 2023

BEIJING (AP) — Wang Jian is anxious to get back to work teaching basketball to children now that China has lifted anti-COVID-19 restrictions. But his gym in the eastern city of Shenyang has been closed for a month because all its coaches are infected.

The most optimistic forecasts say China's business and consumer activity might revive as early as the first quarter of this year. But before that happens, entrepreneurs and families face a painful squeeze from a surge in virus cases that has left employers without enough healthy workers and kept wary customers away from shopping malls, restaurants, hair salons and gyms.

“I hope the situation will turn around in March or April with no more COVID shocks,” said Wang, 33, who went without a paycheck for four months when the gym closed during virus outbreaks. “If parents worry about possible reinfection, they simply won’t send their children for training.”

The abrupt decision by President Xi Jinping's government to end controls that shut down factories and kept millions of people at home will move up the timeline for economic recovery, but might disrupt activity this year as businesses scramble to adapt, forecasters say.

Read
Monday, Jan. 9, 2023

A man and a child wearing face masks walk by shuttered stores on Jan. 3, 2023, which would be selling souvenirs in Qianmen, a popular tourist spot in Beijing. China’s business and consumer activity might revive as early as the first quarter of this year, but before that happens, entrepreneurs and families face a painful squeeze from a surge in cases that has left employers without enough healthy workers and kept wary customers away from shopping malls, restaurants, hair salons and gyms. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

A man and a child wearing face masks walk by shuttered stores on Jan. 3, 2023, which would be selling souvenirs in Qianmen, a popular tourist spot in Beijing. China’s business and consumer activity might revive as early as the first quarter of this year, but before that happens, entrepreneurs and families face a painful squeeze from a surge in cases that has left employers without enough healthy workers and kept wary customers away from shopping malls, restaurants, hair salons and gyms. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

School ventilation upgrades years from finish line

Maggie Macintosh 4 minute read Preview

School ventilation upgrades years from finish line

Maggie Macintosh 4 minute read Monday, Jan. 9, 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic will all but certainly be over by the time highly-anticipated ventilation assessments and upgrades to limit infectious disease transmission in Manitoba public schools are complete.

Read
Monday, Jan. 9, 2023

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

HEPA filter units in portable classrooms at Sisler High School in Winnipeg.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
                                HEPA filter units in portable classrooms at Sisler High School in Winnipeg.

LOAD MORE