Novel coronavirus

Why your neighborhood bar or cafe might ask to see your vaccine card

By Matt O'Brien, Associated Press

Ready to go out on the town before summer ends? In parts of the U.S., you might have to carry around your COVID-19 vaccine card or a digital copy to get into restaurants, bars, nightclubs and music festivals.

Nursing home overhaul bill would boost staffing, oversight

By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Associated Press

Nursing homes and long-term care facilities house a tiny proportion of the U.S. population but they're estimated to account for about 3 in 10 coronavirus deaths.

Experts say New Zealand should keep virus elimination plan

By Nick Perry, Associated Press

Only 26 people in New Zealand have died from the coronavirus since the pandemic began, after the nation of 5 million managed to completely stamp it out its spread.

Judge blocks Florida law that prevents cruise lines from requiring proof of vaccination

By Associated Press

A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Florida law that prevents cruise lines from requiring passengers to prove they're vaccinated against COVID-19. The judge says it appears unconstitutional and won't likely hold up in court.

Canada reopens its border for vaccinated U.S. visitors

By Lisa Baumann, Wilson Ring, Associated Press

Canada has lifted its prohibition on Americans crossing the border to shop, vacation or visit, but the United States is keeping similar restrictions in place for Canadians.

Pentagon to require COVID vaccine for all troops by Sept. 15

By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press

That deadline could be pushed up if the vaccine receives final FDA approval or infection rates continue to rise.

France's virus pass is now required in restaurants, trains

By Sylvie Corbet, Associated Press

France took a big step into a post-pandemic future by requiring people to show a QR code proving they have a special virus pass before they can enjoy restaurants and cafes or travel across the country.

Fake COVID-19 vaccination cards worry college officials

By Roselyn Romero, Associated Press

A growing number of colleges and universities are requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for students to attend in-person classes.

Pause on student loan payments extended through January

By Collin Binkley, Associated Press

The Biden administration has announced that federal student loan payments will remain suspended through January 2022, extending a pause that was scheduled to expire next month.

Students ask Supreme Court to block college vaccine mandate

By Jessica Gresko, Associated Press

It's the first time the high court has been asked to weigh in on a vaccine mandate and comes as some corporations, states and cities are also weighing vaccine requirements for workers or even to dine indoors.