Today in Tabs news

  Paris:  The French government will order companies to impose at least three work-from-home days for employees whenever possible in a bid to stem a fifth wave of Covid infections, Prime Minister Jean Castex said Monday. The new measure, which will be in place for at least three weeks, is one of several announced after a crisis cabinet meeting on the new Omicron variant, which is again threatening to overwhelm hospitals. The meeting came after France reported Saturday over 100,000 daily Covid cases, a record since the pandemic erupted nearly two years ago, with many experts warning the number would rapidly increase over the coming weeks. Castex also said the country's "health pass" for access to restaurants, cinemas and more will now only be available to fully vaccinated people -- a recent negative Covid test for the unvaccinated will no longer be valid. He also said that standing would be prohibited in cafes and bars, where only table seating will be permitted, for three...

  Berlin:  The WHO warned Tuesday that the Omicron coronavirus variant could lead to overwhelmed healthcare systems even though early studies suggest it leads to milder disease, as China and Germany brought back tough restrictions to stamp out new infection surges. China put hundreds of thousands more people under lockdown, while infections hit new highs in multiple US states and European countries. Covid-19 surges have wreaked havoc around the world, with many nations trying to strike a balance between economically punishing restrictions and controlling the spread of the virus. The United States has halved the isolation period for asymptomatic cases to try and blunt the disruption, while France has ordered firms to have employees work from home at least three days a week. Contact restrictions were in place in Germany for the second year in a row heading into the New Year, as Europe's biggest economy shuttered nightclubs and forced sports competitions behind closed doors. Desp...