Your Evening Briefing: West Rolls Back Covid Rules as Asia Surges
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Most Covid-19 restrictions are being lifted in England. Above, customers dine at a restaurant in London.
Photographer: Luke MacGregor/Bloomberg
Confirmed Covid-19 cases just topped 400 million worldwide, though the actual number is likely much higher. Still, western nations are easing restrictions as the omicron surge ebbs in Europe and America. New York lifted a mask mandate for businesses while federal officials say they are updating national guidance. The U.K. is removing its last precautions—even the need to self-isolate after a positive test. In Canada, where some truckers are demanding changes to vaccine mandates, officials are loosening rules. But in Asia, the omicron surge is far from over. Despite a Covid-zero approach, cases in Hong Kong are climbing fast. Here’s the latest on the pandemic.
Bloomberg is tracking the coronavirus pandemic and the progress of global vaccination efforts.