Evening roundupWednesday's key coronavirus developments in Luxembourg and abroad

Starting with Luxembourg

• The latest figures from the Ministry of Health show that 229 new cases of coronavirus were discovered yesterday from 8,487 tests. There were two new deaths. 5,249 people have been vaccinated to date.

• [block type="summary”]For the next two weeks, Luxembourg, as every other EU member, is subject to a temporary reduction in deliveries from Biontech/Pfizer.

  • The prime minister stressed the importance of open borders, especially in regard to cross-border workers and other essential travels, and has thus been in discussions on this very matter with German and and Belgian counterparts.
  • In the last week 400 staff members have been vaccinated against Covid-19 at the CHL. This corresponds to about 10% of the hospital staff.
  • Last week, the National Health Laboratory (LNS) detected six new cases of the UK variant that is currently worrying numerous political leaders. This brings the total to 12 cases on Luxembourg soil.
  • Meanwhile, opposition parties have expressed their concern for the government’s “lack of predictability” with regards to its coronavirus policies.
  • As of Thursday, Swiss authorities no longer consider Luxembourg a risk area. This means that residents of Luxembourg no longer need to undergo a 10-day quarantine when arriving in Switzerland.
  • Luxembourg City has decided to waive rents for businesses of which the City is the landlord.
  • Luxair has published a new set of spring and summer destinations in a bid to attract more passengers.
  • In positive news, residents and staff at the Servior “Geenzebléi” care home in Wiltz have gone viral on social media after uploading a video of their enthusiastic efforts to participate in the global dance challenge craze.

  And around the world

  • US President Joe Biden has said he will set a mask mandate on federal properties to stem the spread of Covid-19; restore protections of valuable nature reserves removed by Trump; and seek freezes on evictions and protection for millions behind on their mortgages due to the coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile the country’s death toll has passed 400,000, with only 100,000 deaths in the past month alone.
  • A partial lockdown was imposed on the Chinese capital Wednesday, with 1.6 million residents banned from leaving Beijing, after a handful of cases were detected.
  • The Dutch government imposed a nighttime curfew from 8.30pm until 4.30am and banned flights from the UK, Latin America and South Africa.
  • According to French magazine Le Point, restaurants in France will remain closed until Easter. Bars and cafes may not open until June. These dates are yet to be confirmed by authorities.
  • The UK coronavirus strain has been detected in at least 60 countries, the World Health Organization said Wednesday, 10 more than a week ago.
  • Mexican authorities are investigating the theft of several coronavirus vaccines from a public hospital, the army said Tuesday, underscoring the challenges of distributing the shots across the crime-plagued country.
  • Foreigners caught not wearing face masks on the Indonesian resort island of Bali are being subject to an unusual punishment: push-ups.
  • Japan aims to start vaccinating the general public against the coronavirus in May -- just two months before the postponed Olympics -- following targeted jabs for the most vulnerable, reports said Wednesday.
  • Two more Australian Open players have tested positive for the coronavirus, authorities revealed Wednesday, taking to the number of cases linked to the tennis tournament to 10. It is the latest blow to preparations for the year’s first Grand Slam in Melbourne -- which has already be delayed by three weeks due to the pandemic.
  • Netflix added some 8.5 million paid subscribers in the quarter to reach 203 million, topping 200 million despite recent price hikes, its quarterly earning update showed.