Evening roundupTuesday's key coronavirus developments in Luxembourg and abroad

Starting with Luxembourg:

• The latest figures from the Ministry of Health show that 227 new cases of coronavirus were discovered yesterday, while three more people have died.

• [block type="summary”]In a press conference, Minister of EducationClaude Meischprovided further detail on how the new government measures will affect schools and childcare when they come into effect at the end of the week.

  • POST Luxembourg announced that due to the suspension of scheduled flights between Luxembourg and the United Kingdom as well as the disruption of road and rail links, the company is no longer able to deliver mail and parcels to the UK.
  • Deputy PM and Minister for Mobility François Bauschtold RTL Radio that ‘the EU has failed to impose uniform rules during the pandemic’.
  • The Covid crisis has shown that there is a lack of specialised medical staff in the Grand Duchy. The results of a new survey by the Association of Luxembourg Medical Students give further cause for concern.
  • While a petition proposed to hold a minute of silence on 31 December to honour the victims of the coronavirus, the government has indicated that it would like to hold a tribute on Luxembourgish National Day instead.
  • The reservation system installed this summer at the Upper Sûre Lake due to Covid-19 will be maintained, with beach spots costing “several euros”, according to Esch-sur-Sûre mayor Marco Schank.

  And around the world:

  • Germany extended a ban on arrivals from Britain, Northern Ireland and South Africa until January 6 after a new more infectious coronavirus strain appeared in the countries.

  • British PM Boris Johnson and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen discussed Brexit and the coronavirus crisis in a previously undisclosed call on Monday evening, an EU source said. Thousands of lorries remained stuck in Kent as of late Tuesday, after France closed its borders to accompanied freight arriving from the UK due to the rapid spread of a new coronavirus strain.
  • The co-founder of BioNTech said it was “highly likely” that its vaccine against the coronavirus works against the mutated strain detected in Britain, but it could also adapt the vaccine if necessary in six weeks.
  • The chat came as the EUscrambled to tackle holiday season chaos as the new virus strain spreads.
  • Taiwan reported its first local coronavirus transmission, blaming a foreign pilot for ending 253 days of being virus-free
  • US lawmakers approved a $900 billion relief package for the world’s biggest economy that will provide a long-sought boost for millions of Americans and businesses battered by the coronavirus pandemic.
  • Also in the US, top scientist Anthony Fauci received his Covid-19 vaccine publicly in a ‘symbol to the rest of the country that I feel extreme confidence in the safety and the efficacy of this vaccine.’
  • Pope Francis will deliver his Christmas Day message indoors due to coronavirus restrictions, the Vatican said, as two cardinals close to the pontiff tested positive for Covid-19.

  • [block type="summary”]And finally... The world is readying for a downbeat festive season with Christmas plans in tatters and New Year celebrations without crowds or fireworks - all scuppered by new virus curbs. Here’s an overview of how Covid-19 is putting a kibosh on the festivities across Europe.