so, in addition to encouraging people to getting vaccinated, we have a number of restrictions that will apply from the 23rd of december. home working for anyone who can and that means that now that many people are and that means that now that many are packing up for the christmas holidays, prepare to work from home for a period of time. that s to reduce the risk of cross contamination on the way to and from work or at work. and in practice, that means there ll be no night club partying on new year s eve. and it s notjust europe. new zealand has delayed its plans to gradually reopen its borders until the end of february. its border has been closed to international travellers since march last year. here s its covid 19 response minister. all evidence so far points to omicron being the most transmissible variant yet. the public health advice suggests that soon every case coming in through our border, into our managed isolation facilities will be the omicron variant. our immediatejob right
is better than a life cancelled. it is better than a life cancelled. it is better than a life cancelled. it is better to cancel now and celebrate later and to celebrate now and grieve later. many countries are imposing travel curbs. the us is now advising against travel to more than 80 countries, including almost all of europe. while in europe, france, cyprus and austria have tightened travel restrictions. there are other restrictions too. denmark has closed theatres, concert halls, amusement parks and museums. in portugal and germany new year s eve parties will be restricted to ten people. also in portugal, tests will be mandatory to enter hotels and weddings. netherlands has gone the furthest, its two days into a strict lockdown. all non essential stores, bars and restaurants are closed until the 14th of january. next sweden and this announcement from the prime minister.
look, it will certainly provide some crucial breathing space for our pubs, cafes, restaurants, leisure as we head into these crucial winter months. i think, is that enough? no, that really depends on what happens from here. i think we have seen some direct grants, that was the mechanism that was used in previous lockdowns, and i think it s a recognition by government that what we have seen in recent days has felt like a lockdown by stealth for so many businesses out there, but i think if we do see more restrictions, we are going to need to see more support, but i think it has given some important breathing space and support to cash flow for some of the hardest hit businesses, but i don t think its job done yet. the philippines was hit by a typhoon last week, and rescuers are still reaching people who were cut off. these are the latest images. and as rescuers reach affected