Taiwan is one of the latest countries to tighten entry rules for people who have visited mainland China where the communist regime has removed cross-border traveling restrictions despite a COVID-19 outbreak sweeping across the country. Effective on Jan. 1, all travelers coming from mainland China, including returning Taiwanese nationals or non-Chinese foreign nationals, have been required…

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the British public trusted the government, and the government trusted the science. Now, emerging research is bringing the logic and ongoing impacts of lockdowns, school closures, mask-wearing, PCR tests, and other non-pharmaceutical interventions into question. As the promoted narrative begins to crumble, and the Overton window finally begins to move, a…

The latest annual reports from three major pathology firms—that provided large-scale PCR testing during the pandemic—reveal bumper profits from the COVID-19 years. Global pathology provider, Sonic Healthcare reeled in a record $1.46 billion (US$950 million) net profit—an 11 percent increase on the previous year—while its revenue was also up seven percent to $9.3 billion. The…

A Chinese mother accused a hospital in China’s northern province of Hebei of causing the death of her 36-day-old infant because the hospital allegedly delayed medical treatment due to its mandatory PCR testing for COVID. On June 13, a netizen with the username “Am IU’s Mommy” posted a complaint on her Chinese social media account,…

The Australian Federal Police has launched an investigation into rapid antigen test (RAT) price gouging and has warned that individuals and businesses selling COVID-19 tests for more than 20 percent of the original retail purchase rate will face five years’ imprisonment or a $66,000 fine. AFP Assistant Commissioner Crime Command Nigel Ryan said there would be…

The Victorian state government has made it mandatory to report positive rapid antigen test (RAT) results to the Department of Health through phone or online from Jan. 7. People who receive a positive RAT must report it, immediately isolate for seven days, and notify their contacts. “It’s important to remember that turning up positive on…

From Jan. 11, those who test positive for COVID-19 in England with a lateral flow test (LFD) should not validate the result with a PCR test unless they develop symptoms, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Wednesday. It’s expected to ease the pressure on the UK’s PCR testing capacity and shorten the self-isolation period…

A series of COVID-19 testing laboratories will progressively reopen from Jan. 4 after temporarily shutting down on Jan. 3 due to overwhelming demand in the Australian state of New South Wales. This comes after officials changed the definition of “close contacts” of confirmed cases and Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Dec. 30 outlined the government’s new…

Queensland has decided to scrap PCR testing for travellers prior to entering the state, switching to the more convenient rapid antigen tests (RAT). In a social media post on Wednesday morning, state Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said, “From Jan. 1, travellers into Queensland from interstate hotspots can use a negative rapid antigen test to satisfy border…

The Queensland government has done away with the requirement for travellers entering the state to receive a PCR test on the fifth day of their visit. In a press conference on Tuesday, the state’s Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said that based on data received in the past 24 hours the chief health officer has advised…