Headline Roundup • May 21st, 2021
US States, World Gradually Ease COVID-19 Restrictions
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Vaccines are gaining steam, public health restrictions are being eased and life is slowly beginning to return to normal in many U.S. states and throughout the world. Over 38% of Americans had been fully vaccinated as of Friday; the daily rate of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. has trended downward consistently since last month, and is at its lowest point since July 2020. New York state lifted its mask requirement this week, and California will do so on June 15. As of Friday, governments in 21 states still require face coverings in most public settings.
The relaxing of restrictions has made headlines throughout the spectrum. Some left-rated voices are questioning whether the push for normalcy is premature in some cases, and focusing on continued precautions in situations that may remain unsafe for COVID-related reasons. Many right-rated voices, while supportive of reopening businesses and easing mask mandates, remain critical of purportedly oppressive public health measures throughout the pandemic.
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Washington Examiner
California will drop most pandemic restrictions on June 15.
Social distancing rules will end, and businesses will be able to open at full capacity. In addition, those who are fully vaccinated will no longer have to wear masks or be discouraged from traveling.
“Something very important happens on June 15 in California,” California Health Director Mark Ghaly said Friday. “We are now at a point, given our metrics that we’ve been watching, that California is at a place where we can begin to talk about moving beyond the blueprint.” The...
New York Daily News
The city that never sleeps is ready for a great awakening.
After enduring more than 13 months of a global pandemic that ravaged the Big Apple, New York is taking a major step toward a return to normal with mask mandates and restrictions on businesses being lifted.
Gov. Cuomo offered a celebratory pat on the back Wednesday, marking the “milestone” as a majority of the state’s COVID capacity limits are officially eased and vaccinated New Yorkers are allowed to ditch their face coverings in most circumstances.
“New York is coming...
Reuters
As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout gains momentum, many countries are planning a gradual return to normal, opening borders and letting people back into restaurants, shops and sports venues after more than a year of on-off lockdowns.
Here are some of their plans, in alphabetical order:
AUSTRALIA
Australia, which plans to allow international travel from mid-2022, lifted a ban on its citizens returning from India on May 14.
BELGIUM
Belgium plans to ease nearly all lockdown measures from June 9 provided the momentum of its vaccination campaign continues and the number...
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