Portal:Current events/2020 October 18
October 18, 2020 (Sunday)
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania
- COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns
- Victorian premier Daniel Andrews announces an easing of lockdown restrictions across Victoria, particularly Melbourne, after more than 100 days of the city's lockdown, effective at 11:59 pm AEST. According to new rules, five kilometre travel restrictions have been extended to 25 kilometres, with the city's two-hour time limits on gathering and exercising outside scrapped. Further restrictions are to be eased in the city on November 1, allowing retail and hospitality sectors to reopen. (9 News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand
- New Zealand reports first community case since September 25. This comes after a man who worked in Ports of Auckland and Taranaki tested positive for COVID-19. (Newshub)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns
- COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania
International relations
- Sanctions against Iran
- A United Nations Security Council arms embargo on Iran formally expires. The embargo had been in place since 2007 and was due to expire as part of the terms agreed in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says, "Today's normalization of Iran's defense cooperation with the world is a win for the cause of multilateralism and peace and security in our region". (Reuters)