Berlin, December 4 (RHC) -- 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.  Earlier, South African scientists warned people with a previous coronavirus infection appear to have little immunity to Omicron and are highly susceptible to reinfection.