Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announces the increase of the COVID-19 risk level from level 4 to 5, indicating "widespread infection in society", as well as "a risk that treatment capacity at hospitals will be exceeded". In addition, public and private gatherings will be limited to five people. The rules will be in effect until January 17.
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January 5, 2021 (Tuesday)
3.5 minutes to read
Health and environment
Chancellor Angela Merkel and leaders of 16 states agree to extend the country's lockdown until January 31.
Italy's Council of Ministers approves a decree that prohibits travel between the country's regions except for health or work reasons, with people in "red zone" areas only allowed to move once per day. They also extend most lockdown restrictions until January 15. The country will be in a "yellow zone" on January 7 and 8, with eased restrictions and allowing restaurants, bars, shops and malls to open, while on January 9 and 10 the country will be in an "orange zone", with malls closed and restaurants and bars open for takeaway and delivery only.
The Northern Ireland Executive issues a stay-at-home order in Northern Ireland, which is currently in the second week of a six-week lockdown, legally enforceable from January 8, in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The United Kingdom reports a record 60,916 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2,774,479.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin announces that a nationwide mass vaccination program against COVID-19 will begin on January 13. President Joko Widodo will become the first person in the country to receive a vaccine.
Iran reports its first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in an Iranian who travelled from the United Kingdom and later tested positive for COVID-19.
Japan reports a record 4,915 new cases in the past 24 hours. In addition, a record 76 deaths are also reported in the past 24 hours.
Oman reports their first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a resident who travelled from the United Kingdom and tested positive while in quarantine.
South Korea surpasses 1,000 deaths from COVID-19.
Georgia reports their first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in an 18-year-old male with no travel history, and who is currently in isolation at home.
The U.S. surpasses 21 million cases of COVID-19, just four days after surpassing 20 million cases.
International relations
Saudi Arabia reopens its border with Qatar, ending the three-year diplomatic crisis. The resolution was brokered by Kuwait and the United States. ()
Kosovo's parliament unanimously approves deploying the Kosovo Security Force on international peacekeeping missions, following a formal request by the United States Central Command.
Law and crime
Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old boy accused of shooting three people (including two killed) during a protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, will plead not guilty.
Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley announces that no charges will be made against Rusten Sheskey, the Kenosha police officer accused of shooting Jacob Blake.
Washington, D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser activates the District of Columbia National Guard due to an organized protest of pro-Trump supporters.
Iran requests that Interpol issue a red notice for the arrest of U.S. President Donald Trump and 47 other U.S. officials for their role in the assassination of Qasem Soleimani in January 2020. A similar request was previously rejected by Interpol.
A court in Vietnam sentences three freelance journalists to between 11 and 15 years in prison for anti-state propaganda, criticising the government and "infringing the interests of the Communist Party", among other convictions.
Cleta Mitchell resigns from her law firm after participating in President Trump's phone call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
Politics and elections
Voters in Georgia head to the polls to cast their votes to determine who will control the United States Senate. Republican Senator David Perdue will face Democrat Jon Ossoff, and incumbent Republican Kelly Loeffler will face Democrat Raphael Warnock.
Sports
Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith wins the Heisman Trophy, making him the first receiver to do so since Desmond Howard in 1991.
Team USA defeats Team Canada 2–0 in the Gold Medal Game to win the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, while Team Finland defeats Team Russia 4–1 in the Bronze Medal Game. Team USA's Trevor Zegras is named MVP of the tournament.
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