COVID-19: What you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic on 6 January

COVID-19: What you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic on 6 January

This daily round-up brings you a selection of the latest news and updates on the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, as well as tips and tools to help you stay informed and protected.

Top stories: Germany extends and toughens lockdown; BBC planning mass education programming; new restrictions in Hebei, China.





1. How COVID-19 is affecting the globe

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have now passed 86.4 million globally, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. The number of confirmed deaths stands at more than 1.86 million.

Indonesia is set to impose increased COVID-19 restrictions in parts of the islands of Java and Bali. The measures include changes to opening hours for malls and limiting capacity at restaurants and places of worship.

South Korea is planning to roll out mass testing for 52 prisons in the country, after a large COVID-19 outbreak. The country is also considering extending flight suspensions from the UK.

Chinese authorities have imposed travel restrictions and banned gatherings in the capital city of Hebei province, which surrounds Beijing, in an effort to prevent another coronavirus wave.

Australia is planning to bring forward the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines by two weeks to early March. The government wants to complete the inoculation