russia and try to find a solution. there have been concerns from france and the us about a continued build up of russian troops. they have accused russia of having 110,000 troops on the border. in response, president biden said he has offered 3000 american troops, the first of which arrived in poland yesterday. one of the key points is they are concerned about the fact that president putin has moved strategic drills that were meant to happen in autumn, they have been moved towards february and march. diplomatic efforts continue here. russia continuing to insist it has no plans to launch an invasion. australia is reopening its border to vaccinated tourists and other visa holders for the first time in almost two years. the prime minister scott morrison said he looked forward to welcoming those double jabbed from 21st february. australia has had some of the world s strictest border
the rest of health care. it has knock on effects there on the other people in the population. so, let s talk about where we go from here. and let s, before we get to those parts of the world where, as you say, i% or so of the population has thus far been vaccinated, let s talk about the completion of the task in the rich world, countries like the uk, where, as you say, 70%+ of people have been double jabbed. it s proving much harder to reach the final third or less than a third of adults who have yet to be vaccinated. there s a discussion about whether you nudge them towards vaccination or whether you give them a hearty shove by basically saying, you can t take part in many aspects of normal life unless you have been double jabbed. how do you feel it is best to handle getting over the problem of reaching those most hesitant and reluctant to be jabbed ?
shortages could once again lead to some children being taught at home. sanchia berg reports. in scotland, pupils have been wearing masks as they learn with the windows open for the last few months. the picture is similar now in northern ireland and wales. if next week, english secondary students will follow suit as the government tries to reduce the spread of covid in schools. around half of children over 12 have been double jabbed, not enough to keep the virus out. the face coverings is very much a short term measure, simply to the 26th of january when it will be reviewed because we recognise it is not something many children will want to wear. it recognises the priority of ensuring face to face education is made available, that s our number one priority. some are worried that this could affect children s learning, which has been so disrupted for the last two years. thank goodness, there s very low
in each of the last four days. the uk only has figures from england and wales there were 137 thousand 583 new infections recorded, in the latest 24 hour period again much lower than over the past week. the uk government is bracing itself for as many as one in four of public sector employees being off work because of covid. it has responded to the rise in infections by re introducing masks and face coverings in secondary schools in england bringing it in line with the rest of the uk. with the details, here s sanchia berg. in scotland, pupils have been wearing masks as they learn with the windows open for the last few months. the picture is similar now in northern ireland and wales. next week, english secondary students will follow suit as the government tries to reduce the spread of covid in schools. around half of children over 12 have been double jabbed, not enough to keep the virus out.