Steps are accelerating around the world to enter a phase of coexistence with the coronavirus, as several countries have already lifted precautionary measures, while others are moving towards eliminating all restrictions imposed by the pandemic over more than two years. The COVID-19 pandemic has officially claimed the lives of more than 5,879,826 people globally since the end of December 2019, with over 421 million confirmed cases.
**Australia Reopens Its Borders**
On Monday, Australia is reopening its borders to all vaccinated tourists, after nearly two years of imposing one of the strictest travel restrictions in the world to curb the spread of COVID-19. The country closed its borders in March 2020, attempting to use its isolation to protect itself from the pandemic. During these two years, Australians were banned from leaving, and only a few visitors were granted exceptions to enter.
**Police Regain Control of Downtown Ottawa**
Canadian police regained almost complete control of downtown Ottawa on Sunday after the area was paralyzed for 24 days due to protests by truck drivers opposing the government's COVID-19 containment policies. Authorities reported on Sunday afternoon that they had arrested 190 demonstrators and removed about 50 vehicles that had been honking for weeks in the city known for its tranquility.
**Queen Elizabeth II Infected**
In the UK, Buckingham Palace announced that Queen Elizabeth II, aged 95, tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, indicating that she is experiencing "mild" symptoms similar to a cold. The Queen, who celebrated her 70th anniversary on the throne this month, met her son, Prince Charles, on February 8, two days before he tested positive for the virus. The palace typically keeps the Queen's health status private, but it had previously announced that she received all doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Under the "coexistence with COVID" plan, the government aims next week to end the legal obligations requiring those infected with COVID-19 to self-isolate. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to address Parliament in this regard as of today, Monday. According to the government, local authorities will be asked to manage any new outbreak under the legal powers granted to them, and it is expected that the free testing campaign will be ended after the mandatory mask-wearing in public places was rescinded.
**Conclusion of the Beijing Olympics**
The Winter Olympics in Beijing concluded at the national stadium after 16 days of sporting successes amid a health bubble, with the next Winter Games set to take place in Italy between the cities of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo in 2026. Despite a diplomatic boycott and pandemic threats, China successfully organized the Olympics under "difficult conditions" and sometimes a lack of enthusiasm. Athletes, organizers, and journalists were kept away from the general population and subjected to daily COVID-19 tests.
**Israel Reopens Borders to Unvaccinated Individuals**
Israel will reopen its borders to unvaccinated individuals starting from early March, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced on Sunday, for the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak began. All foreign visitors will be allowed to enter Israel, provided they undergo a COVID-19 test before departure and another upon arrival. Israeli citizens will only be tested upon arrival.
**Lifting Restrictions in France Mid-March**
In France, Health Minister Olivier Véran confirmed on Sunday that the COVID-19 wave associated with the Omicron variant "is receding," but the next planned lifting of restrictions remains set for "mid-March" due to "too high a number" of patients in hospitals. The country recorded an average of 86,000 cases over seven days, a decrease of 76% from the peak reached on January 25. There are still 28,600 COVID patients being treated in hospitals, including 2,900 in intensive care.
**Hong Kong "In Combat Mode"**
The city is facing its worst pandemic wave since the beginning of the pandemic, with thousands of cases recorded daily, while a senior official announced that it is "in combat mode." Teams from mainland China are assisting Hong Kong in building two temporary facilities dedicated to quarantine to accommodate thousands of COVID-19 patients.
It is noted that the United States has the highest recorded number of deaths (935,057), followed by Brazil (643,880) and India (511,903). The World Health Organization estimates that the total number of deaths may be two to three times higher, considering the excess deaths caused directly and indirectly by COVID-19.
