Elsewhere, there were clashes between police and demonstrators in several European countries over the weekend following the reintroduction of Covid restrictions.

A new wave of Covid infection has swept the continent in recent weeks, forcing some countries back into a state of lockdown. Austria, on Monday, became the first to reimpose a full national lockdown.

Elsewhere, health secretary Sajid Javid has said booster jabs are the best way to keep the UK out of lockdown this Christmas, and there are reports boosters could soon be rolled out to the entire UK adult population.

Here are the key national press headlines travel woke up to on Monday (22 November).

Clashes over Covid restrictions in Europe

Riot police were called into action in several European countries over the weekend after thousands took to the streets of Belgium and the Netherlands to protest new Covid restrictions. Police in Brussels used water cannon and tear gas to restore order, while several people were hurt in clashes in the Netherlands. There were also demonstrations in Austria, Italy, Croatia, Denmark and Switzerland. It comes after Europe became the epicentre of a new wave of Covid infection, with cases rising rapidly across much of central Europe. Several countries have reimposed lockdowns already. (The Telegraph)

Austria returns to state of Covid lockdown

Austria has reimposed a full national lockdown. From midnight on Sunday into Monday, citizens have been told to work from home, while all non-essential shops have closed. It comes after Austria a week ago imposed lockdown measures on the country’s unvaccinated population. The country has also become the first to make Covid vaccination a legal requirement, a step set to take effect in February next year. It is Austria’s fourth full national lockdown, and is due to run until 12 December, although the rules will be assessed every 10 days. (BBC News)

Australia to ease some border measures

Australia will reopen to foreign visa holder from the start of December, prime minister Scott Morrison has said. The move will allow vaccinated students, business visa holders and refugees to arrive. Government data suggests the easing could apply to around 235,000 people. It is the latest step in efforts to de-escalate Australia’s Covid border measures, with the country’s border having been largely shut since May 2020. Several Australian states have hinted at lifted restrictions on foreign arrivals by the end of the year, or early next year. Qantas has already restarted some UK flights, and expects to scale up frequencies in the lead-up to Christmas. (Reuters)

Booster jabs ’best way to save Christmas’

Health secretary Sajid Javid has hailed the effect of the UK’s vaccination drive, and said the ongoing booster campaign meant people could "look forward to Christmas together". Javid said the UK’s "Plan A" has proved the right course of action, adding the country had the "right measure" in place to curb new Covid infections. The health sec, though, said the government wouldn’t hesitate to up restrictions if necessary. Javid said almost 15 million booster jabs had now been delivered, and called on people to come forward to get their shots – first, second or third. (Daily Express)

Booster jabs for all adults?

Speaking to the BBC on Sunday (21 November), Javid also hinted the UK’s Covid booster campaign could be rolled out to all adults. Currently, the age threshold for third Covid jabs is 40 and above. But Javid said "if it made sense to go further", the government would. He also said the UK’sJoint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, the body that sets the recommendations, was already considering a wider booster roll-out. Citing government sources, The Guardian reported new recommendations for younger adults could arrive "within weeks" and follows research by the UK’s Health Security Agency highlighting the extra protection afforded by booster jabs. (The Guardian)

£9m Covid business support black hole in Northern Ireland

Almost £9 million in Covid-19 business support was wrongly paid in Northern Ireland, a public spending watchdog has estimated. The country’s auditor general estimates out of a total of £246 million, £8.73 million was made to those ineligible, with around £4.5 million in overpayments. Some £2 million has now been classed "doubtful debt", meaning it is unlikely to be repaid. (BBC News)

Scotland-Northern Ireland bridge plans shelved

Plans to build a bridge or a tunnel between Scotland and Northern Ireland have been axed due to the cost and engineering challenges involved. The Telegraph reported sources close to Sir Peter Hendy, the former Network Rail chair charged with investigating the viability of a link, as saying his review would rule out a fixed link – which has been championed by Boris Johnson. The BBC added on Monday it understood the government would agree with the recommendation. (The Telegraph / BBC News)