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 New Zealand marks downward trend in new COVID-19 cases
New Zealand reported a further fall in locally acquired COVID-19
cases on Wednesday, as the largely coronavirus-free nation looks to
eradicate an outbreak of the highly infectious Delta variant.
Officials earlier this week said schools, offices and businesses can
reopen outside Auckland from Wednesday after near-zero cases in the
rest of the country, but there will be a cap on gatherings and masks
will remain mandatory in public venues.
Biden to outline plan to curb coronavirus Delta variant
President Joe Biden on Thursday will present a six-pronged strategy
intended to fight the spread of the Delta variant and increase U.S.
COVID-19 vaccinations, the White House said on Tuesday.
A White House official familiar with the plan said it would touch on
mandates, testing, and schools. The official added the private
sector could do more on the issue and that Biden would take on
vaccine hesitancy as well.
Vaccinations accelerate in Australia
Three-quarters of people over the age of 16 in Australia's New South
Wales (NSW) have now had at least their first vaccination dose, the
state reported on Wednesday, along with the first rise in new
infections in three days.
As it prepares to emerge from lockdowns in its two biggest cities,
the government is considering the use of vaccination certificates
for international travel from October, the Sydney Morning Herald
said in a report without citing a source. Australians are banned
from leaving the country unless they have exemptions, while
returning travellers must undergo a two-week hotel quarantine at
their own expense.
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 U.S. CDC warns against, and
eases, travel ratings
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday warned against
travel to Sri Lanka, Jamaica and Brunei because
of the rising number of COVID-19 cases, raising
its travel advisory for these countries to
"Level 4: Very High". The CDC
also eased its ratings for the Netherlands, Malta, Guinea-Bissau and
United Arab Emirates from "Level 4: Very High" to "Level 3: High,"
urging unvaccinated Americans to avoid travel there. It also raised
Australia from "Leve1 1: Low" to "Level 2: Moderate."
Mask war marks first weeks of school in Florida
Parents in Florida and across the United States have clashed with
school and health officials in what has become a politicized tussle
over COVID precautions.
Two small districts in Florida that did not require masks have had
to shut down because of soaring COVID cases. Staff shortages
stemming from illness or quarantine have led to overcrowding on
buses and larger class sizes, making social distancing harder,
Florida Education Association President Andrew Spar said.
(Compiled by Karishma Singh; Editing by Ramakrishnan M.)
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