Italy classifies as low-risk zone and drops masks

Jun 28 2021

Starting June 28th, the whole of Italy became a mask-free zone as the country classifies as a COVID-19 low-risk zone. The first European country to be hit by the pandemic back in 2020, this huge milestone towards normality means that facemarks will no longer be mandatory in outdoor areas. Italy welcomed the news as heatwaves hit Europe.

All of Italy’s 20 regions are classified as ‘white’, signifying low risk, under the country’s colour coded classification. Infections, hospitalisations and deaths are plummeting in Italy week by week, with the country also being able to welcome tourists from Britain, the European Union, USA and Japan. Of course, quarantine requirements are removed for those who are fully vaccinated or provide proof of negative PCR tests.

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Photo Source: Times of India

The enormous bonfire which welcomes summer in Norway

Jun 28 2021

June 21st is the summer solstice and the longest day of the year, marking the start of the sunny and hot summer season. Traditions around solstices have been present since time immemorial. Norwegians welcome the season with a massive celebration called Slinningsbalet, which involves a breathtaking and fiery view.

Celebrated in Alesund, a town sitting on the west coast of the country, a huge bonfire is lit every year on the 24th of June. Since this time of the year marks the time when the sun retreats into darkness, the midsummer fires are believed to reflect the sinking flame of the sun.

Slinningsbalet forms part of the midsummer (sankthans) celebrations. They are held in honour of the birth of John the Baptist, the preacher who preceded Jesus and lived in the desert on locusts and wild honey. There are however connections with older pagan cultures before the spread of Christianity.

The celebration takes place by building a huge bonfire, taking around 30 to 40 people several days to build a huge tower of wooden crates. Back in 2010, the tower was a record setting 132.71 feet tall. The tower is set on fire, with the wooden crates falling into the water, having been set up on a small piece of land.

What is bizarre is the method of lighting – someone sparks a fire which lights a fuse placed in a barrel on top of the tower. The people then climb down as the tower starts to burn. Families and friends gather outside to watch as the crumbling tower ushers in a new seasonal turn.

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6 COVID-19 cases registered with 0 recoveries

Jun 28 2021

Malta has registered 6 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours from 1,316 swab tests, while 0 patients have recovered. No deaths were registered in the past 24 hours. This information was announced by the official Facebook page of Malta’s Ministry for Health.

As of Monday 28th June 2021, 654,649 vaccine doses were administered of which 356,209 were 1st doses. 311,453 people are currently fully vaccinated.

To date, Malta has registered 30,612 COVID-19 cases in total, of which: 30,158 have recovered, 420 died and 34 are still active.

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Photo Source: Charmaine Gauci FB

Rise in Delta variant cases forces tougher restrictions globally

Jun 28 2021

The World Health Organisation (WHO) cautioned that, despite registering the lowest number of cases worldwide since February, the delta variant of COVID-19 is now present in 92 countries and driving a deadly new wave in countries from Russia to Indonesia. Moscow has recoded the highest daily death toll of any Russian city due to the delta variant. The mutated virus also forced tougher restrictions on countries across the Asia-Pacific region.

Concern is also fuelled into holiday travel in Europe, despite the vaccination efforts bringing infection numbers down in many wealthy countries. Experts still warn that the fast-spreading strain means the pandemic is far from over. Moscow registered a record 144 deaths on Sunday in 24 hours due to COVID-19. The only solution, as stated by Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin, is large-scale vaccination.

In most European countries, infections, hospitalisations and even deaths fell to lower levels which were only seen last summer. Governments eased restrictions over the weekend. Spain and Netherlands ended mandatory outdoor mask-wearing. Belgium also eased measures, allowing tables of eight in and as guests homes, whilst Switzerland lifted most remaining restrictions.

There are currently 179.17 million total cases globally, with 403,837 daily cases. 3.85 million deaths have been registered globally so far, with 8,612 in the last 24 hours. There have been 2.92 billion total vaccinations globally as the rollout continues with varying efforts and rollout successes depending on which country one looks at.

In Australia, restaurants, bars and cafes were shut in Sydney as more than 5 million people began a two-week lockdown to contain the outbreak of over 110 cases detected. Israel has reposed a mask requirement in enclosed public spaces after a surge was noted.

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Photo Source: Anna Shvets