Germany follows France in banning British tourists and business travellers over Omicron concerns.
Scientific advisers have warned that England's hospital admissions could reach 3,000 a day without further restrictions.
Although the number of new confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany is lower than in the UK, with 50,968 new cases reported on Friday, the number of deaths following a positive Covid test is rising. Germany reported 437 deaths on Friday. German health minister Karl Lauterbach said he expected the Omicron variant to unleash a "massive fifth wave" of the pandemic.On Saturday, Prof Lauterbach said that the "more we can push back... the better".
France is also worried about the spread of Omicron in the UK and authorities there banned UK tourists from travelling between the two countries on Saturday. Under its new rules, UK citizens now need a "compelling reason" to enter France, with trips for tourism or business banned.A rush of passengers travelling to France on Friday to beat the country's ban on UK tourists led to a knock-on effect on freight traffic, resulting in long queues of lorries.There were lengthy tailbacks on the M20 motorway in Kent heading to Dover and at the entrance to the Channel Tunnel on Saturday.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Covid-19: Nisra records increase in Covid-related deathsThe agency's Covid deaths total, based on mentions of the virus on death certificates, is 3,937.
Read more »
Covid: Civil servant quits party probe and footballers urged to get Covid jabFive things you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic this Saturday morning.
Read more »
No evidence that Covid omicron variant is less severe than delta, UK study saysThe study estimates that the risk of reinfection with the omicron variant is 5.4 times greater than that of the delta variant.
Read more »
Head of UK COVID-19 lockdown parties probe drops out over own eventBritain's top civil servant Simon Case has stepped down from leading an investigation into alleged parties last year in government offices in breach of COVID-19 lockdowns after an event was held in his own office.
Read more »
Cyprus beefs up COVID-19 screening for all travelers from UKCyprus has toughened COVID-19 screening for all travelers from the U.K. over age 12, including requiring them to quarantine until results are in from a lab test performed at the airport.
Read more »
More than 100 Marines discharged for refusing Covid vaccine as troops across services face disciplineThe Marine Corps said it has discharged more than 100 Marines so far for refusing the Covid-19 vaccine, and the Army said it has reprimanded more than 2,700 soldiers and will begin discharge proceedings in January.
Read more »