Several countries around the world have moved towards easing restrictions and precautionary measures related to COVID-19 in recent days, amidst reports and warnings that the Omicron variant is strongly affecting children, possibly due to the majority remaining unvaccinated, according to scientists. The COVID-19 pandemic has officially claimed the lives of more than 5.731 million people globally since the end of December 2019, while the World Health Organization estimates that the total number of deaths could be two to three times higher, considering both direct and indirect excess deaths due to COVID-19. The World Health Organization has raised hopes for Europe of a "long period of calm" that could follow a "lasting peace" in its battle against COVID-19, as more countries lift nearly all restrictions that had been imposed to combat the pandemic.
**Opening Borders in Australia and Easing Restrictions in Portugal**
In Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the country will reopen its borders to fully vaccinated tourists on February 21, after having imposed some of the strictest travel restrictions in the world. Australia closed its borders in March 2020 in response to the virus, and for most of the time since then, Australians were forbidden from leaving, with only a few exceptions granted for visitors. Portugal is easing restrictions today, allowing entrants with a European health certificate not to provide a negative COVID-19 test for entry, according to a decision published on Sunday. Travelers holding a "digital COVID certificate issued in the EU" or any "recognized vaccination certificate" will be exempt from showing a negative test upon arrival. Similar to other European countries, Portugal had required travelers over the age of 12, including those vaccinated, to present negative tests for entry since early December.
**Cinema and Theater in France**
In France, the number of attendees at cinemas and theater performances has decreased by about 25% at the beginning of this year compared to the same period before the health crisis, according to French Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot. However, the minister predicted a "beautiful festive season," affirming that she will continue "to assist everyone who needs it." Russia preceded Portugal in easing restrictions starting from yesterday, despite recording the highest daily number of infections with the disease as the Omicron variant spreads across the country.
**Protests and Sit-ins in Canada**
In Canada, the mayor of Ottawa declared a state of emergency on Sunday in the capital city, which has been paralyzed for over a week due to protests by opponents of health restrictions, asserting that the situation has become "out of control." The protests, which began in Ottawa on Saturday, January 29, have extended to other major Canadian cities over the weekend, with dozens of trucks and demonstrators paralyzing movement in downtown Ottawa. This protest initiative, which started with truck drivers in the West of the country, has turned into a sit-in in central Ottawa, where protesters and dozens of trucks have occupied streets in front of Parliament and the Prime Minister's residence, Justin Trudeau. Some have begun to set up temporary shelters, vowing not to leave until the restrictions are lifted.
**Vaccines in Japan and Lockdown in China**
In Japan, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated on Monday that he wants to expand the booster vaccination program for COVID-19 in the country to one million doses per day by the end of the month, equivalent to the current pace. Infections in Japan exceeded 100,000 for the first time on Saturday. The authorities have enforced measures to combat infections in most areas in an attempt to limit the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. In China, a lockdown has been imposed on the city of Baise, which has a population of 3.5 million in southern China, following reported COVID-19 cases, as the country organizes the Winter Olympic Games. The city council stated that, starting from Sunday evening, residents are no longer allowed to leave the area. Those living in so-called "danger zones" (where cases have been detected) are forbidden from leaving their homes. The city reported 44 confirmed locally transmitted COVID cases on Sunday, along with several "imported" cases, with authorities conducting tests on residents following the reporting of infections.
**Omicron Strikes Children Hard**
The Omicron variant is affecting children more severely compared to other variants, leading to increased hospitalizations among children in the United States compared to previous situations. The scientific website "Nature" states that children may be more susceptible to the disease because many are unvaccinated, and schools have remained open during this wave of infections compared to past waves. Scientists are trying to understand why Omicron has led to a disproportionately higher number of hospitalizations among children, especially in the United States. Michael Aboud, a specialist in women and children's health at King's College in London, noted that the severity of the disease in children does not differ from that of other variants; that is, Omicron does not cause more severe symptoms, despite the rising number of children being hospitalized, particularly those under one year old. According to the site, children have required less medical intervention, such as ventilators and supplemental oxygen. One possible explanation for the increased infections among children is that the high transmissibility of the variant is coupled with a lack of cumulative immunity from vaccination or prior infection, making children more susceptible to Omicron compared to vaccinated adults. Most countries have not yet authorized COVID-19 vaccination for children under the age of five, and some have not yet provided vaccines for children under twelve. Even in the United States, where vaccination has been approved for children aged 5 to 11, less than one-third of children in that age group have been vaccinated.
