Chang'e-6 to return with soil samples from moon's far side; the mission expected to last 53 days
asia2 hours ago
Britain’s government has confirmed that it plans to introduce vaccine passports for nightclubs and large-scale gatherings from next month.
Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said on Sunday that officials are looking to begin the certification measures from the end of September, when the whole over-18 population would have been offered two Covid-19 vaccine doses.
Zahawi told Sky News that this was the “right thing to do” to ensure the economy remains open. Lawmakers and businesses, however, have criticised the measure as divisive and say they could embroil nightclubs in discrimination cases.
“The best thing to do is to work with the industry to make sure that they can open safely and sustainably in the long term, and the best way to do that is to check vaccine status,” he said.
The plans mean that people who want to enter nightclubs and other large-scale events will be required to show proof they have had two doses of a coronavirus vaccine.
Nadhim Zahawi said a decision had not yet been taken on whether healthy children aged 12- to 15-years-old should be vaccinated against Covid-19, following reports that a rollout could begin in the coming days.
Britain’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on Friday declined to recommend vaccinations for children in that group, taking a precautionary approach due to a rare risk of heart inflammation, but adding the issue was finely balanced. The government is consulting medical advisers to seek advice on wider considerations, such as the impact on schools, and may still give the go-ahead to broad vaccination of the age group.
Some newspapers reported confidence among ministers that the chief medical officers would swiftly back shots for healthy 12- to 15-year-olds, but Zahawi said the government would not prejudge the decision.
“No decision will be made until we hear back from the chief medical officers,” Zahawi told the BBC.
British officials have emphasised that 12- to 15-year-olds who are vulnerable to Covid-19 are already eligible for vaccination, as well as all people over 16.
The four nations of the United Kingdom, which have recorded 133,000 Covid deaths, control their own health policy, although all have followed JCVI advice on vaccine rollout thus far.
Zahawi confirmed that proof of vaccination would be required in England for some large events from the end of this month once all adults have been offered two shots.
He also said that the government was still finalising plans for a vaccine booster programme following interim advice from the JCVI that one might be needed for the vulnerable and elderly. “It is very likely that we will begin boosting those groups, as... I hope the interim then becomes final advice, by the middle of this month,” he said.
Britain recorded 37,011 new daily Covid-19 cases on Sunday, similar to the previous day’s total of 37,578, government statistics showed.
There were 68 deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test reported, down from Saturday’s figure of 120.
Chang'e-6 to return with soil samples from moon's far side; the mission expected to last 53 days
asia2 hours ago
The breed, prized for profitability and an ability to adapt to climate change, garners celebrity status in the Central Asian country
asia2 hours ago
Thousands of schools have suspended classes due to the heat, affecting more than 3.6 million students, education ministry data shows
asia2 hours ago
Despite the growing market share of domestic automakers, Teslas remain among the best-selling EVs in the Asian country
auto2 hours ago
The entire plan will see cow-breeding and poultry projects come up near the massive wheat farm and the dairy farm will form the third phase
uae2 hours ago
Modi, 73, remains resoundingly popular after a decade in office, and he is widely expected to win a third term
asia2 hours ago
With over seven years of experience in branding and social media, and three years in motion graphics and editing, Arkan's expertise spans a wide range of creative domains
kt network3 hours ago
Names of leading brands in various sectors revealed in a new report by Brand Finance
uae3 hours ago