[ad_1]
European Union countries will start inoculating people against the new coronavirus from December 27, the head of the EU commission said on Thursday, assuming the EU regulator approves a vaccine.
“On December 27, 28 and 29 vaccination will start across the EU,” wrote Ursula von der Leyen on Twitter. Previously, it had called for a coordinated start of vaccines on the same day in all 27 EU countries.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said a panel of experts will meet on Monday to evaluate the vaccine made by US company Pfizer and German partner BioNTech.
Deliveries will begin on December 26 from vaccine production sites in Belgium and Germany, but the Commission said it would be up to each of the 27 EU states to organize and coordinate their own vaccination programs.
Italy’s Health Ministry said it hopes to start vaccinating on December 27.
Preliminary talks between the EU and the US firm Novavax have ended with an agreement to secure up to 200 million doses of its Covid-19 vaccine.
“The envisaged contract provides for the possibility for member states to purchase 100 million doses with the option to buy another 100 million doses,” said an EU spokesman.
At midnight tonight, Ireland’s Covid-19 restrictions will be relaxed before the Christmas period.
The changes, coming even as public health officials warn of a “worrisome” rise in the number of cases, will mean a series of changes for families across the country.
They are designed to give people some license to travel to other counties to see loved ones or relatives.
And they must last until January 6, although Micheal Martin has already warned that the restrictions could be reimposed before that date if the situation continues to worsen.
At this time, however, the plan is that starting Friday, we can all travel to other counties, among other changes, for the holiday period.
Here’s everything you need to know about what’s going to change starting at midnight tonight.
Visitors to your home
Until now, home visits were not allowed, except those within their bubble of support. But as of today we will be able to receive two other households in our home.
However, heads of government and public health urge people to be sensible when it comes to this rule.
Travel outside of your county
This is the biggest change that will go into effect today. Under the modified Tier Three we’ve been to in December, inter-county travel has not been allowed, and people are encouraged to stay home whenever possible.
Now, however, people will get on trains and cars and head home before Christmas.
Places of worship
There will be no change when it comes to restrictions on places of worship, with a maximum of 50 people allowed to gather for religious ceremonies.
This year’s Christmas Mass will be unlike any other.
Museums, galleries and cinemas
They all opened on December 1 when the restrictions were first eased, and will be open during Christmas, unless there is some kind of reintroduction of restrictions.
For now, however, its cultural hotspots are open for business.
Restaurants
After opening on December 4, restaurants will continue to serve through Christmas, with many reporting an increase in demand as people go out once more.
Book in advance, it is our advice.
Gastronomic pubs
Self-catering pubs have been serving customers, with social distancing and table service, among other security measures, for most of the month.
This will continue throughout the Christmas period.
Retail
To the relief of merchants across the country, nonessential retail was allowed to resume on December 1 and stores may remain open through Christmas.
Wet pubs
Much to the chagrin of winegrowers, the “wet” pubs (the ones that don’t serve food) will remain closed even if the restrictions are eased tomorrow.
They have been forced to remain closed throughout December, even when their cousins, who serve food, reopened their doors.
[ad_2]