Portugal puts an end to the compulsory wearing of a mask indoors, Boris Johnson at the mercy of Parliament as part of "
partygate
", the German Minister of Finance tested positive...
Le Figaro
takes stock this Thursday, April 21 on the latest information related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Portugal ends mandatory indoor mask wearing
Portugal in turn decided on Thursday to end the obligation to wear a mask indoors, a health measure which will however continue to apply in public transport, hospitals or retirement homes, but not in the middle. school.
“
Given the positive evolution of the epidemiological situation in Portugal, the government has decided to review certain restrictions still in force
”, announced the executive of the socialist Antonio Costa in a press release issued after the weekly council of ministers. .
The compulsory wearing of the mask will now be limited “
to places which are characterized by a special vulnerability of the people who frequent them (…) and to premises of intensive use
”, indicated the government.
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Our map of open countries and restrictions for French tourists
The US government is appealing the cancellation of the wearing of mandatory masks in transport
The US government announced on Wednesday that it is appealing the court decision that lifted the mandatory wearing of masks on public transport in the United States at the start of the week.
The Justice Department said it wanted to wait for the opinion of the country's main federal health agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), before making a decision.
The CDC finally asked him on Wednesday to appeal, considering that wearing a mandatory mask in transport remained "
necessary for public health
" against Covid-19.
"
In light of the CDC's assessment (...), the Department of Justice has launched an appeal process
," said US Department spokesman Anthony Coley.
This appeal comes two days after a federal judge considered that the health authorities exceeded their prerogatives by requiring the wearing of a mask in transport, for example in planes, trains or even buses.
” SEE ALSO – Covid-19: we must not “
let our guard down
”, warns the WHO
“
Partygate
”: Boris Johnson at the mercy of a parliamentary investigation
Stuck in the “partygate” crisis, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson risks a new investigation on Thursday, this time from Parliament, into the parties in Downing Street during confinement, after a vote which has the value of a test of trust.
In this new episode of this affair which has seen revelations, calls for resignation and public apologies, MPs must say whether an investigation should be opened to determine whether Boris Johnson knowingly misled Parliament by assuring that no restrictions had been raped, before receiving a fine.
Over the hours, the scenario has evolved and despite the large majority he enjoys, Boris Johnson no longer seems immune to the launch of this procedure, which may ultimately push him to resign.
Whatever its outcome, this vote expected in the evening will above all give an idea of the level of support of his troops, very reluctant to show their loyalty despite the anger of voters.
Sign of nervousness in Westminster, the government gave up a maneuver to postpone the vote as well as any voting instructions, a few minutes before the opening of the debate.
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German finance minister tested positive for Covid
German Finance Minister Christian Lindner tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday in Washington where he was attending the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, a ministry official said.
Christian Lindner attended a meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bankers, as well as a G7 meeting before receiving his positive test, the official said.
Germany currently chairs the G7.
Read alsoCovid-19: do you still need to get vaccinated?
Brazil: the Rio carnival finally back, after two years of Covid
Feathers, sequins and samba are finally back in Rio de Janeiro!
After two long years, the parades of the most famous carnival in the world will take place, Friday and Saturday evening, to reconnect with the party after the mourning of the pandemic.
The mayor of Rio, Eduardo Paes, symbolically handed over a huge key to the "
wonderful city
" to "
King Momo
", a jovial character in an electric blue suit, in the middle of a shower of confetti.
“
I proudly announce that the greatest show on Earth is back!
The carnival is here!
said the mayor, wearing a Panama hat, during the ritual ceremony.
»SEE ALSO – Covid-19: Rio Carnival is finally back
The sambadrome will vibrate again, two whole nights, to the rhythm of percussion, with thousands of dancers in shimmering costumes and sumptuous floats as high as multi-storey buildings.
The party was canceled in 2021, when the Covid-19 was still killing several hundred people a day in Brazil.
This year, the parades have been postponed for two months due to the increase in contamination due to the Omicron variant.