Russia sees record deaths, Australia to ease curbs

Amid surging infections, Russia yesterday reported a high for coronavirus deaths for a fourth day running as Australia said it will begin to reopen its borders next month.

A government tally reported 887 fatalities over the past 24 hours. Over the same period there were 24,522 new cases -- the highest total since late July. The new figure brings the country's total deaths from Covid-19 to 208,142 -- the highest in Europe.

As of Friday, just 29 percent of the population had been fully vaccinated, according to the Gogov website, which tallies Covid data from the regions.

Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said vaccinated Australians would be able to return home and travel overseas "within weeks" as 80 percent vaccination targets are met.

On March 20 last year Australia introduced some of the world's toughest border restrictions in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

In Sri Lanka, officials yesterday lifted a near six-week lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus but maintained a night curfew and a ban on public gatherings and parties.

Meanwhile, UK nationals visiting India this month will have to undergo mandatory quarantine even if they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 in retaliation for UK curbs on Indian citizens, a senior government source in New Delhi said yesterday.

The new rules, which take effect from Monday, follow the UK decision to require Indians vaccinated with AstraZeneca's Covishield to quarantine.

On Thursday, the World Health Organization lamented poor vaccination rate in Africa, where just two percent of the population, or less, have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus.