EU Backtracks on Brexit Border Checks Amid Vaccine Spat
The EU has U-turned on its plan to impose border checks between Ireland and Northern Ireland as part of the Brexit deal. The move was meant to curb Covid vaccine shipments entering the UK but sparked fierce backlash.
The European Commission swiftly assured that the Northern Ireland Protocol would remain “unaffected.” Boris Johnson had warned of “grave concerns” during a phone call with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who described their talks as “constructive.”
France Slams Borders Shut to Non-EU Visitors
In a bid to dodge a fresh Covid lockdown, France will ban non-essential travel from outside the EU starting Sunday. Prime Minister Jean Castex revealed the tough new border crackdown amid a recent spike in cases.
The lockdown dodge means only “compelling reasons” will allow entry to France from non-EU countries.
UK Funeral Directors Face Fines Over Covid Rule Breaches
Funeral directors across the UK are braced to ask grieving families to cover fines if services break coronavirus rules. The National Association of Funeral Directors slammed the situation as “utterly ridiculous” for those working on the frontline.
Covid restrictions limit funeral attendance in all four UK nations, but enforcement varies. One funeral in Hertfordshire was hit with a massive £10,000 fine after nearly 150 mourners showed up this month.
