On Thursday evening, French Prime Minister Jean Castex stated that the government will lift certain COVID-19-related limitations in February. Castex stated during a news conference that the Omicron version "is clearly not merely a flu." He emphasised the need of vaccination once more, stating that a fully vaccinated individual is 4.5 times less likely to become ill than a non-vaccinated person, and has a 25-fold reduced probability of having severe infections. Castex said that the vaccination pass, which will replace the present health pass, will go into effect on January 24, subject to the Constitutional Council's decision on Friday. The vaccination pass allows persons to enter public places without having to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. The vaccine pass will not be required for entry to nursing homes and hospitals. The Prime Minister said that children between the ages of 12 and 15 can submit a health pass rather than a vaccination permit. He also reminded people that, beginning of Feb. 15, anyone who hasn't had the booster injection four months after the second dosage would not be considered to have completed their vaccination cycle. Sudan's sovereign council agrees to form a government headed by a civilian Odisha Govt set to host BWF Odisha Open 2022 The United Nations gives USD 32 million in cash support to Afghanistan