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TOP HEADLINES
• Germany has extended its partial lockdown until at least December 20, while Chancellor Angela Merkel admits restrictive measures will be in place until at least the end of December and possibly longer. Merkel did, however, confirm Germans will be allowed to congregate in groups of up to 10 people during Christmas celebrations.
• Global cases have surpassed 60 million, according to data from the JohnsHopkins Institute.
• Arnaud Fontanet, an epidemiologist advising theFrench government, has said the country can return to normal by fall 2021 if more than 80 percent of the population can be vaccinated.
• Spain's PrimeMinisterPedro Sanchez is considering whether to limit gatherings over Christmas to six people in order to slow the spread of the virus.
• Hungary has no plans to implement further restrictions toslow the spread of the virus ,according to Prime Minister Viktor Orban's chief of staff, Gergely Gulyas.
• London and Liverpool are among the regions that have been placed in Tier 2 restrictions as part of the UK government's new three-tier initiative to slow the spread of the virus. The new measures will be implemented from December 2.
• Poland'sgovernmenthas outlined an aid package worth up to $10.56 billion for businesses as thecountry's Prime MinisterMateusz Morawieckivows to do"everything" to save jobs.
• **Up to 26 percent of people in Sweden do not plan to take a COVID-19 vaccine, **with 87 percent of those opposed saying it was due to fears over the unknown side effects, according to a survey conducted by theNovus polling institute.
• The World Health Organization has urged all adults to do a minimum of 150minutes ofvigorousphysicalexercise a week,especially for wellbeing and mental health, amid the pandemic.
• Russia's new casesrose by 25,487 in the past 24 hours, pushing the nationwide tally over 2.18 million – thefifth highest in the world.
• Ukraine has registered 15,331 new cases in the past 24 hours , the highestdailynumber since the start of thepandemic.
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THE UNLIKELY SOCIAL MEDIA STAR FACING UP TO SOCIETY'S STIGMAS
ACROSS EUROPE
Andrew Wilson in the UK
The health minister, Matt Hancock, has announced the restrictions for all the English regions that come into play on December 2 when lockdown ends.
London is one of the UK cities placed in Tier 2 along with the majority of England, while Manchester and much of the country's northeast, northwest and the Midlands region have been handed the harshest restrictions in Tier 3. There are only a handful of areas in Tier 1, including Cornwall.
Pubs, restaurants and hotels will be closed in Tier 3 regions and meeting people indoors remains banned. While in Tier 2, hospitality businesses may open if they can provide table service only and up to 2,000 people can attend outdoor sporting events for the first time in months.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will hold a press conference on the new measures later on Thursday, after coming ending 14 days of self-isolation. It's said he's been running on a treadmill and doing press-ups to keep fit.
The first revision point after the new measures is likely to be December 16.
Trent Murray in Frankfurt
Germany is having its partial lockdown extended for an additional three weeks as the country struggles to contain the second wave of COVID-19. Germany introduced a "circuit-breaker" shutdown on November 2, which was initially meant to last for four weeks.
But after a marathon meeting between the Chancellor and her 16 state premiers yesterday, it's been decided it will be extended until at least December 20.
It means bars, cafes and restaurants will have to remain closed, except for takeaway service. Theaters, cinemas and gyms are to stay shut entirely, and social-distancing rules are being expanded inside retail stores.
However, the rules on private gatherings will be relaxed over the Christmas period. Currently, only two households can meet, with a maximum of five people together at a time. This limit will increase to 10, to allow families to see each other for celebrations.
Germany has extended its partial lockdown for an additional three weeks as the country struggles to contain the second wave of COVID-19. /AP
Ross Cullen in Paris
France's Prime Minister Jean Castex will hold a news conference this morning to explain in detail the measures announced by the president.
On Tuesday, Emmanuel Macron outlined a three-stage strategy for France to be able to exit this latest lockdown gradually and cautiously. The health secretary will join the PM as the number of hospitalized patients drops below the 30,000 mark and the country starts to see an easing of the pressure in intensive care unit.
The finance minister will also be at the news conference to further outline the support packages available for businesses that continue to be closed, such as bars, cafes and restaurants, which are going to have to remain shut until at least January 20.
The culture secretary will line up alongside her cabinet colleagues as museums, theaters and cinemas are set to be able to reopen from December 15.
Linda Kennedy in Budapest
Another million favipiravir tablets have arrived in Hungary from China. The tablets, originally an antiviral drug used to treat flu, are controversial, with some reports suggesting they can relieve symptoms of COVID-19 and other reports finding no evidence. The arrival brings the total number of favipiravir tablets imported to 4.8 million, 2.8 million of which are from China and 2 million are from Japan.
After food shopping time zones were announced earlier this week for over-65s, Hungary has now decided that, from today, post offices are to give special treatment within allocated times to seniors. For one hour in the morning, immediately after post offices open, those aged over 65 will receive priority in any queues.
Toni Waterman in Brussels
Belgium has hit another grim milestone. More than 16,000 people in the country have now died from the coronavirus since the start of the pandemic less than a year ago.
Strict lockdown measures have managed to bring down the number of average daily infections to just over 3,000.
On Friday, the government will meet to discuss easing measures for the holiday season.
Calls are growing louder for the reopening of shops in the weeks leading up to Christmas, often one of the most profitable times of year for businesses. The government is also expected to decide on how many people will be allowed at holiday gatherings.
The World Health Organization has urged all adults to do a minimum of 150 minutes of vigorous physical exercise a week. /AP
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