World Coronavirus Dispatch: Covid-zero nations risk being stuck in limbo

The world's vaccine divide is powerful and painful, top Japanese expert warns of risks in holding Olympics, and other pandemic-related news across the globe

‘Covid-Zero’ countries are stuck in ‘Covid limbo’

Countries like Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, which have used strict border controls to keep Covid pandemic at bay successfully for more than a year, are struggling to reopen and are running the risk of being stuck in this cycle of shutting borders frequently. Slow vaccination drives are worsening the situation for them. Experts say the current model is not sustainable unless there are mass vaccinations at breakneck speed. Governments need to prepare their societies for some level of transmission, they say. "Betting on Covid zero was a gamble that paid off for many