German leaders have ordered tough new restrictions for people not vaccinated against COVID-19, as Germany and many other European nations experience their worst surge of the pandemic. Germany’s new rules bar unvaccinated people who haven’t had a previous infection from public life: from restaurants, theaters, stores and many other venues. Outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel said officials may make vaccinations mandatory by February.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases in South Africa have nearly tripled in just three days amid a fourth surge linked to the Omicron coronavirus variant. On Thursday, South African scientists warned people with a previous coronavirus infection appear to have little immunity to Omicron and are highly susceptible to reinfection.