Amid rising concerns over covid-19 infections, many European countries have tightened their virus restrictions. After several countries in Europe registered record number of covid-9 infections, some countries have taken steps targeting the unvaccinated while others recently lifted and anti-covid restrictions.

UK scraps COVID tests for travellers, France introduces new vaccine pass

New rules aimed at moving South Koreans toward "living with COVID-19" came into effect on Monday, with the easing of a range of curbs and the introduction of vaccine passports at high-risk venues such as gyms, saunas and bars.

The switch of focus comes as more than 75 per cent&nbsp;&nbsp;of the country's population has been fully vaccinated. The first phase of the revised rules is due to last for a month, with plans to scrap all restrictions by February.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/antidepressant-drug-fluvoxamine-can-help-reduce-covid-hospit">Antidepressant drug Fluvoxamine can help reduce Covid hospitalisations by 30%: Study</a>

"The return path to everyday life, to which we're taking the first step today, is a path we've never been on," Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol told an infra-agency COVID-19 meeting.

He asked people to keep wearing masks, regularly ventilate rooms and get a test if symptoms emerge, noting that there are still concerns about a potential resurgence of new cases due to risk factors such as unvaccinated people, future declines in immunity among the vaccinated, and year-end gatherings.

While never under lockdown, South Korea has been battling a fourth wave of infections since July, when the government imposed tighter gathering and social distancing restrictions.

Among a raft of changes, operating hour curfews on restaurants and cafes were lifted, and outdoor sports events will be allowed to host spectators at 50 per cent&nbsp;of capacity.

Up to 100 people can attend musicals or concerts regardless of vaccination status, while gyms will no longer have to limit treadmill speeds or ban playing music with high beats per minute during group exercises.

However, visits to high-risk venues such as bars and night clubs, indoor gyms, saunas and karaoke bars will require proof of vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test result from within 48 hours.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eus-green-pass-hacked-adolf-hitlers-covid-certificate-doing-rounds-online-report-424736">EU’s 'Green Pass' hacked? Adolf Hitler’s Covid certificate doing rounds online: Report</a>

Health ministry spokesman Son Young-rae said the number of new cases could double or triple in coming weeks. The medical system was designed to cover up to 5,000 new cases a day, but if the numbers rose to near 10,000, the government would halt the easing process and take emergency measures, Son said.

South Korea reported 1,686 new COVID-19 cases as of Sunday, for a total of 366,386, with 2,858 deaths overall.

New rules aimed at moving South Koreans toward "living with COVID-19" came into effect on Monday, with the easing of a range of curbs and the introduction of vaccine passports at high-risk venues such as gyms, saunas and bars.

New rules aimed at moving South Koreans toward "living with COVID-19" came into effect on Monday, with the easing of a range of curbs and the introduction of vaccine passports at high-risk venues such as gyms, saunas and bars. The switch of focus comes as more than 75 per cent of the country's population has been fully vaccinated. The first phase of the revised rules is due to last for a month, with plans to scrap all restrictions by February. Also Read | Antidepressant drug Fluvoxamine can help reduce Covid hospitalisations by 30%: Study "The return path to everyday life, to which we're taking the first step today, is a path we've never been on," Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol told an infra-agency COVID-19 meeting. He asked people to keep wearing masks, regularly ventilate rooms and get a test if symptoms emerge, noting that there are still concerns about a potential resurgence of new cases due to risk factors such as unvaccinated people, future declines in immunity among the vaccinated, and year-end gatherings. While never under lockdown, South Korea has been battling a fourth wave of infections since July, when the government imposed tighter gathering and social distancing restrictions. Among a raft of changes, operating hour curfews on restaurants and cafes were lifted, and outdoor sports events will be allowed to host spectators at 50 per cent of capacity. Up to 100 people can attend musicals or concerts regardless of vaccination status, while gyms will no longer have to limit treadmill speeds or ban playing music with high beats per minute during group exercises. However, visits to high-risk venues such as bars and night clubs, indoor gyms, saunas and karaoke bars will require proof of vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test result from within 48 hours. Also Read | EU’s 'Green Pass' hacked? Adolf Hitler’s Covid certificate doing rounds online: Report Health ministry spokesman Son Young-rae said the number of new cases could double or triple in coming weeks. The medical system was designed to cover up to 5,000 new cases a day, but if the numbers rose to near 10,000, the government would halt the easing process and take emergency measures, Son said. South Korea reported 1,686 new COVID-19 cases as of Sunday, for a total of 366,386, with 2,858 deaths overall.

South Korea eases curbs, imposes vaccine passports in 'living with COVID-19' campaign

After announcing restrictions for unvaccinated people, Canada is set to create a digital vaccine passport for citizens wanting to travel abroad.

Government officials revealed on Wednesday that a digital vaccine passport will be made available within the next few months.

This <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccine</a> passport will be "a key step forward in ensuring Canadians will have the documents they need once it is safe to travel again,"&nbsp;according to Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-canada-extends-travel-ban-on-direct-flights-from-india-404532">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-canada-extends-travel-ban-on-direct-flights-from-india-404532/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Canada has been urging locals to get vaccinated against the deadly coronavirus as soon as possible. Recently, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had suggested compulsory vaccines for all government employees.

"We need to get vaccinated to get through this pandemic, particularly with all the real concerns around the Delta variant we are facing that is striking hardest, obviously, in under-vaccinated and non-vaccinated people," Trudeau said.

He also added that getting vaccinated is "no longer a matter of individual choice" and people should consider "community and our children who haven’t had the opportunity to be vaccinated".

Quebec had also discussed the idea of 'vaccine passports' after which all non-essential public spaces such as gyms, restaurants, clubs etc will be available only to those who have been fully vaccinated.

Till the end of July, nearly 81 per cent of the eligible population had received the first dose of the vaccine and 68 per cent have been fully vaccinated.

After announcing restrictions for unvaccinated people, Canada is set to create a digital vaccine passport for citizens wanting to travel abroad. Government officials revealed on Wednesday that a digital vaccine passport will be made available within the next few months.

After announcing restrictions for unvaccinated people, Canada is set to create a digital vaccine passport for citizens wanting to travel abroad. Government officials revealed on Wednesday that a digital vaccine passport will be made available within the next few months. This vaccine passport will be "a key step forward in ensuring Canadians will have the documents they need once it is safe to travel again," according to Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino. WATCH | Canada has been urging locals to get vaccinated against the deadly coronavirus as soon as possible. Recently, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had suggested compulsory vaccines for all government employees. "We need to get vaccinated to get through this pandemic, particularly with all the real concerns around the Delta variant we are facing that is striking hardest, obviously, in under-vaccinated and non-vaccinated people," Trudeau said. He also added that getting vaccinated is "no longer a matter of individual choice" and people should consider "community and our children who haven’t had the opportunity to be vaccinated". Quebec had also discussed the idea of 'vaccine passports' after which all non-essential public spaces such as gyms, restaurants, clubs etc will be available only to those who have been fully vaccinated. Till the end of July, nearly 81 per cent of the eligible population had received the first dose of the vaccine and 68 per cent have been fully vaccinated.

International travel update: Canada set to launch digital vaccine passports soon

Even though <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccine</a> passports have not been hugely popular with the locals of the UK, the government feels it is a permanent fixture of international travel in post-pandemic times.

As of now, the UK asks all travellers to show proof of being fully vaccinated against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> if they want to enter the country without having to quarantine. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps feels this is a permanent fix for international travels in the recent future.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dance-together-uk-tempts-people-to-get-vaccinated-if-they-want-to-go-clubbing-403489">UK tempts people to get vaccinated if they want to go clubbing</a>

"I do see this becoming a permanent, for the foreseeable future, fixture of international travel," Shapps told local media house ITV News. "I've chaired meetings with my transport equivalents [in other countries], when I speak to them it's quite clear that double vaccination will be a requirement, we're already seeing it in virtually every country in the world."

For now, the condition will apply to all travellers wanting to enter the country, unless they are medically exempt.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-to-offer-covid-vaccine-to-16-and-17-year-olds-403491">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-to-offer-covid-vaccine-to-16-and-17-year-olds-403491/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The UK government has been urging locals to get vaccinated against coronavirus as soon as possible to avoid another surge of the pandemic, due to the rise in cases of the Delta variant.

"If you haven't got your vaccination yet, please get it, unless you're medically exempt, you will need it in order to be able to travel in the future," Shapps said.

Even though vaccine passports have not been hugely popular with the locals of the UK, the government feels it is a permanent fixture of international travel in post-pandemic times.

Even though vaccine passports have not been hugely popular with the locals of the UK, the government feels it is a permanent fixture of international travel in post-pandemic times. As of now, the UK asks all travellers to show proof of being fully vaccinated against coronavirus if they want to enter the country without having to quarantine. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps feels this is a permanent fix for international travels in the recent future. Also read | UK tempts people to get vaccinated if they want to go clubbing "I do see this becoming a permanent, for the foreseeable future, fixture of international travel," Shapps told local media house ITV News. "I've chaired meetings with my transport equivalents [in other countries], when I speak to them it's quite clear that double vaccination will be a requirement, we're already seeing it in virtually every country in the world." For now, the condition will apply to all travellers wanting to enter the country, unless they are medically exempt. WATCH | The UK government has been urging locals to get vaccinated against coronavirus as soon as possible to avoid another surge of the pandemic, due to the rise in cases of the Delta variant. "If you haven't got your vaccination yet, please get it, unless you're medically exempt, you will need it in order to be able to travel in the future," Shapps said.

Vaccine passports 'permanent fixture' for travel in near future, UK minister claims

Lawmakers from France's upper and lower houses of parliament were on Sunday seeking to agree a deal to allow the adoption of legislation making vaccine passports vital for French daily life in the battle against Covid-19.

The talks between members of the National Assembly and Senate come a day after France was again shaken by nationwide protests against the rules that saw over 160,000 rally and dozens arrested.

President Emmanuel Macron last week ordered that the health pass — proof of full vaccination or a negative test — would be required for the French to visit venues such as a cinema or nightclub and ultimately bars and restaurants.

The announcement was a move by Macron to make vaccinations the top weapon against Covid-19 as new variants emerge, essentially requiring people to become vaccinated if they want to continue daily routines.

But it has encountered fierce opposition from some who believe the vaccine passports erode civil liberties, while the ruling party has faced a tough task pushing the legislation through parliament.

While pro-Macron MPs control the lower house National Assembly the upper house Senate is dominated by the opposition right.

The Senate approved the legislation overnight by 199 votes to 123 but added numerous amendments that the government fears risk limiting the impact of the rules.

The two sides were Sunday afternoon holding talks at a parliamentary commission to find a compromise, with the government hoping an agreement can be found for its definitive adoption later Sunday.

In an extra step requested by Prime Minister Jean Castex, the legislation then needs to be approved by France's highest administrative authority, the Constitutional Council, before becoming law.

'Irresponsibility and egoism'

Some 161,000 people, including 11,000 in Paris had protested on Saturday against the health pass, with demonstrators brandishing slogans including "freedom is being trampled on".

Seventy one people were arrested, including 24 in Paris, and 29 members of the security forces were injured, the ministry of the interior said.

On a visit to France's Pacific territory of French Polynesia, Macron scoffed at how slogans of freedom were being brandished at the protests.

"Everyone is free to express themselves calmly with respect for the other," he said. "But freedom where I owe nothing to someone else does not exist".

He said that under such logic, relatives could be infected by someone who is not vaccinated "when there is the chance to have something that protects", or the person could themselves end up in hospital.

"I don't call this freedom, I call this irresponsibility and egoism," he said.

By maximising the number of vaccinations, the government wants to minimise the impact of the virus' fourth wave. Some 40 million people should have received at least one jab by Monday.

Against a background of rising cases fuelled by the Delta variant, the French Mediterranean department of Alpes-Maritimes that includes the resorts of Cannes and Nice said it was reimposing an obligation to wear facemasks outside and was banning alcohol consumption in public spaces like beaches.

As well as making vaccinations obligatory for healthworkers and carers, the new legislation would make a health pass compulsory from August for travel in planes and inter-city trains and also just to visit a cafe or restaurant.

After Macron's announcement, the health pass is already compulsory for cinemas, museums and any venue gathering more than 50 people.

The Senate wants the legislation to take more note of civil liberties by exempting shopping centres, cafe terraces and minors from the rules.

France recorded almost 23,000 new Covid cases on Saturday, twice as many as last week, as the Delta variant causes infections to surge.

But in figures the government credits to the success of the vaccination rollout, there are 878 people in intensive care with Covid, compared with a peak of almost 6,000 at the end of April.

Lawmakers from France's upper and lower houses of parliament were on Sunday seeking to agree a deal to allow the adoption of legislation making vaccine passports vital for French daily life in the battle against Covid-19.

Lawmakers from France's upper and lower houses of parliament were on Sunday seeking to agree a deal to allow the adoption of legislation making vaccine passports vital for French daily life in the battle against Covid-19. The talks between members of the National Assembly and Senate come a day after France was again shaken by nationwide protests against the rules that saw over 160,000 rally and dozens arrested. President Emmanuel Macron last week ordered that the health pass — proof of full vaccination or a negative test — would be required for the French to visit venues such as a cinema or nightclub and ultimately bars and restaurants. The announcement was a move by Macron to make vaccinations the top weapon against Covid-19 as new variants emerge, essentially requiring people to become vaccinated if they want to continue daily routines. But it has encountered fierce opposition from some who believe the vaccine passports erode civil liberties, while the ruling party has faced a tough task pushing the legislation through parliament. While pro-Macron MPs control the lower house National Assembly the upper house Senate is dominated by the opposition right. The Senate approved the legislation overnight by 199 votes to 123 but added numerous amendments that the government fears risk limiting the impact of the rules. The two sides were Sunday afternoon holding talks at a parliamentary commission to find a compromise, with the government hoping an agreement can be found for its definitive adoption later Sunday. In an extra step requested by Prime Minister Jean Castex, the legislation then needs to be approved by France's highest administrative authority, the Constitutional Council, before becoming law. 'Irresponsibility and egoism' Some 161,000 people, including 11,000 in Paris had protested on Saturday against the health pass, with demonstrators brandishing slogans including "freedom is being trampled on". Seventy one people were arrested, including 24 in Paris, and 29 members of the security forces were injured, the ministry of the interior said. On a visit to France's Pacific territory of French Polynesia, Macron scoffed at how slogans of freedom were being brandished at the protests. "Everyone is free to express themselves calmly with respect for the other," he said. "But freedom where I owe nothing to someone else does not exist". He said that under such logic, relatives could be infected by someone who is not vaccinated "when there is the chance to have something that protects", or the person could themselves end up in hospital. "I don't call this freedom, I call this irresponsibility and egoism," he said. By maximising the number of vaccinations, the government wants to minimise the impact of the virus' fourth wave. Some 40 million people should have received at least one jab by Monday. Against a background of rising cases fuelled by the Delta variant, the French Mediterranean department of Alpes-Maritimes that includes the resorts of Cannes and Nice said it was reimposing an obligation to wear facemasks outside and was banning alcohol consumption in public spaces like beaches. As well as making vaccinations obligatory for healthworkers and carers, the new legislation would make a health pass compulsory from August for travel in planes and inter-city trains and also just to visit a cafe or restaurant. After Macron's announcement, the health pass is already compulsory for cinemas, museums and any venue gathering more than 50 people. The Senate wants the legislation to take more note of civil liberties by exempting shopping centres, cafe terraces and minors from the rules. France recorded almost 23,000 new Covid cases on Saturday, twice as many as last week, as the Delta variant causes infections to surge. But in figures the government credits to the success of the vaccination rollout, there are 878 people in intensive care with Covid, compared with a peak of almost 6,000 at the end of April.

French lawmakers seek deal on vaccine passports after protests

A group of UK church leaders have come together to urge the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, not to adopt the policy of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccine</a> passports.

More than 1,250 clergies from different Christian groups signed an open letter to Johnson claiming the "introduction of vaccine passports would constitute an unethical form of coercion and violation of the principle of informed consent."

The signatories believe that vaccines should not be the deciding factor of whether or not someone will be allowed to enter a venue or participate in an activity.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/what-is-a-vaccine-passport-all-you-need-to-know-369934">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/what-is-a-vaccine-passport-all-you-need-to-know-369934/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"If the vaccines are highly effective in preventing significant disease, as seems to be the evidence from trial results to date, then those who have been vaccinated have already received protection; there is no benefit to them of other people being vaccinated," the letter reads.

They also believe that the introduction of vaccine passports will be a violation of the principle of informed consent. The leaders feel this can create a "two-tier society" which can lead to an 'underclass' of people being excluded from various areas of public life.

"There is also a legitimate fear that this scheme would be the thin end of the wedge leading to a permanent state of affairs in which COVID vaccine status could be expanded to encompass other forms of medical treatment and perhaps even other criteria beyond that," the letter reads. "This scheme has the potential to bring about the end of liberal democracy as we know it and to create a surveillance state in which the government uses technology to control certain aspects of citizens' lives."

More importantly, the leaders have emphasised that as Christian leaders they cannot close their doors on somebody if they do not have a vaccine passport or certificate. "For the Church of Jesus Christ to shut out those deemed by the state to be social undesirables would be anathema to us and a denial of the truth of the Gospel," they believe.

A group of UK church leaders have come together to urge the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, not to adopt the policy of vaccine passports. More than 1,250 clergies from different Christian groups signed an open letter to Johnson claiming the "introduction of vaccine passports would constitute an unethical form of coercion and violation of the principle of informed consent.

A group of UK church leaders have come together to urge the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, not to adopt the policy of vaccine passports. More than 1,250 clergies from different Christian groups signed an open letter to Johnson claiming the "introduction of vaccine passports would constitute an unethical form of coercion and violation of the principle of informed consent." The signatories believe that vaccines should not be the deciding factor of whether or not someone will be allowed to enter a venue or participate in an activity. Watch | "If the vaccines are highly effective in preventing significant disease, as seems to be the evidence from trial results to date, then those who have been vaccinated have already received protection; there is no benefit to them of other people being vaccinated," the letter reads. They also believe that the introduction of vaccine passports will be a violation of the principle of informed consent. The leaders feel this can create a "two-tier society" which can lead to an 'underclass' of people being excluded from various areas of public life. "There is also a legitimate fear that this scheme would be the thin end of the wedge leading to a permanent state of affairs in which COVID vaccine status could be expanded to encompass other forms of medical treatment and perhaps even other criteria beyond that," the letter reads. "This scheme has the potential to bring about the end of liberal democracy as we know it and to create a surveillance state in which the government uses technology to control certain aspects of citizens' lives." More importantly, the leaders have emphasised that as Christian leaders they cannot close their doors on somebody if they do not have a vaccine passport or certificate. "For the Church of Jesus Christ to shut out those deemed by the state to be social undesirables would be anathema to us and a denial of the truth of the Gospel," they believe.

Breach of privacy: UK church leaders protest against vaccine passport

The United Kingdoms finance minister Rishi Sunak said the idea of giving people vaccine passports or certificates to allow them to enter venues or events might be a way to help the country and its economy recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

World Business Watch: UK FM Rishi Sunak says vaccine passports might help the economy

European Union leaders will agree to work on certificates of vaccination for EU citizens who have had an anti-COVID shot, with southern EU countries that depend heavily on tourism desperate to rescue this summer’s holiday season.

EU leaders mull vaccine passports to resurrect tourism

vaccine-passports

Vaccine Passports, News on Vaccine Passports, stories on Vaccine Passports, articles on Vaccine Passports, Vaccine Passports stories at Wion, Vaccine Passports news, Vaccine Passports latest news