The UK has been a success story when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccination drive. Most adults in the kingdom have already received at least one jab of the vaccines currently available. Buoyed by the success that has seen a significant reduction in the number of new infections and death rate, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is planning to open the economy.
UK COVID Passport System
As part of the re-opening drive, the government will urge everyone in England to take a coronavirus vaccine at least twice a week. The government is making free test kits available through local pharmacies, community centers, and home delivery services as part of a new COVID passports system.
The government believes rapid testing of the whole system will help bring the pandemic under control highly needed to ease some of the restrictions that have crippled the economy. Rapid testing will also help supplement some of the public’s efforts to stop the spread of the deadly virus.
India Lockdown
Even as the UK inches closer to bringing the COVID-19 pandemic under control, India’s richest state Maharashtra is once again plunging deeper into the pandemic crisis. The state has seen a rapid rise in infections that now account for more than half of the country’s daily cases.
Local authorities have already unveiled new stringent COVID-19 restrictions. As part of the new measures, all malls, cinemas, bars, restaurants, and worship centers will remain closed. Authorities have also imposed a complete lockdown on weekends. The government is also planning to impose an 8 pm to 7 am curfew allowing only essential services to operate.
Bulgaria Election Stalemate
Amid the disparities in COVID-19 response in the UK and India, Bulgaria’s stalemate in an ongoing election threatens to end Prime Minister Boyko Borissov’s reigns. The Prime Minister is finding it difficult to hold on to power amid a surge of votes for anti-establishment and anti-corruption parties.
After a decade in Bulgarian politics, Borissov no longer has assured coalition partners. An establishment party led by TV host and singer has already scooped substantial seats with a 17-17.5% of the total vote. Two other protest parties are also forecast to enter parliament.
