TOP HEADLINES

- Portugal is to ease restrictions over the Christmas period to allow people to visit family and friends but measures will be reinforced in time for New Year's Eve, the government said. 

- Sports fans returned to England's Premier League football games for the first time in over seven months on Saturday while up to 2,000 supporters will attend England's final Autumn Nations Cup rugby match at Twickenham on Sunday.

- The World Health Organization's Mike Ryan has reiterated that "vaccines do not equal zero COVID," while urging people to continue to follow social distancing restrictions. 

- Russia has reported 29,039 new cases in the past 24 hours, its worst daily total since the start of the pandemic, bringing the cumulative total over 2.46 million. 

- The UK is expecting to receive up to 4 million doses of the approved Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine by the end of December, according to the deputy CEO of NHS Providers, Saffron Cowdrey. 

- A new circus company in Prague is offering a drive-thru performance which includes a visit from angels, devils and Santa Claus to celebrate Saint Nicholas Day.

- UK health secretary Matt Hancock has admitted that the introduction of a vaccine "will bring forward the moment when we can get rid of these blasted restrictions, but until then we have got to follow them."

- Germany has recorded a further 17,767 new cases in the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide tally over 1.171 million, while deaths rose by 255 to 18,772. France's daily infections rose by 12,923 in the past 24 hours, while another 214 people have died, compared to 284 on Friday. 

- Britain's opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer is self-isolating after a member of his office tested positive for the virus, the party confirmed. 

- England's cricket tour of South Africa is in doubt after two unnamed members of the squad tested positive for the virus. 

ACROSS EUROPE

Portugal

Portugal is to ease its restrictions over the Christmas period to allow people to visit friends and family. 

Prime Minister Antonio Costa confirmed the ban on domestic travel will be lifted between December 23 and December 26, but urged people to avoid spending long periods of time in large festive gatherings without wearing a face mask. 

There is no limit on how many people can gather and the night-time curfew will be pushed back from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

However, New Year's Eve street parties will be banned and outdoor gatherings limited to six people. People will still be allowed to meet at each other's houses, but the 2 a.m. curfew will remain in place. 

Spain

Spain's capital Madrid has closed its borders till December 14 in a bid to slow the spread of the virus. 

Normally the festive period would see thousands of people entering and exiting the country's capital for Christmas shopping or for a short holiday – but not this year. 

Madrid's police have set up checkpoints on roads going into and out of the city, checking all traffic and stopping anyone whose trip isn't deemed essential. 

Meanwhile an animal shelter in the Teledo Province of central Spain, which has become a home for more than 9,000 animals, is calling for government support to get through the pandemic. 

"Although there are so many animals, there is no government support," said Residencia Canina Dog Horse City founder Angel Felez. "The government does not collaborate. And no politician has any intention either to do it."

UK

Health secretary Matt Hancock has underlined that the introduction of a vaccine will fast-track the easing of restrictions.

"There's no doubt that having the vaccine early... will bring forward the moment when we can get rid of these blasted restrictions, but until then we have got to follow them. Help is on its way," he said. 

Hancock also admitted he "can't wait to get back to living by mutual respect and personal responsibility, not laws set in Parliament."

The UK is expecting to receive up to 4 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine by the end of December, the deputy CEO of NHS providers, Saffron Cowdrey said.

Sports fans have returned to Premier League football stadiums for the first time in over seven months this weekend. Clubs in tier 1 could allow up to 4,000 supporters in, while sides in tier 2 could welcome up to 2,000. 

Up to 2,000 supporters will also be able to attend England's final Autumn Nations Cup rugby match against France at Twickenham on Sunday.

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