Only weddings, & parties to remain restricted as government admits failure of vaccination to prevent spread of Omicron COVID variant • Full Story

CDC shortens recommended isolation and quarantine period for people who test positive for Covid-19 from 10 days to 5, if asymptomatic • Full Story

New York City employers will have to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for their workers under new rules announced Monday by Mayor Bill de Blasio. The vaccine mandate for private businesses will take effect Dec. 27 and is aimed at preventing a spike in COVID-19 infections during the holiday season and the colder months, the Democratic mayor said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” • Full Story

Agudath Israel’s Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, in his capacity as Chairman of the Committee of New York City Religious and Independent School Officials, representing private schools (Catholic, Jewish, Muslim and others) all across New York City, sent a sharply worded letter to NYC Health Commissioner Dave Chokshi over the just-announced mandate requiring private school employees to be vaccinated against Covid-19 • Full Story, Letter

Rabbi Berel Lazar, Russia’s Chief  Rabbi and Senior Shliach, called on the country’s Jews to get vaccinated with the ‘Sputnik-V’ vaccine, given free of charge in Russia. The Russian vaccine drew much skepticism at first due to its extremely rushed released following limited clinical trials. However, following further extensive research, Rabbi Lazar wrote that “we have talked to many doctors and everyone says that the vaccine is completely safe and those who have not yet been vaccinated should hurry up” • Full Story