Coronavirus vaccines Fresh Sputnik batch lifts Argentina's vaccine count to four million doses Yesterdat 22:24 Government has now managed to acquire four million doses of various coronavirus vaccines, lower than its initial target set last year.
Global pandemic Colombia becomes first country in Americas to receive Covax shots Yesterdat 22:14 Colombia becomes the first country in the Americas to receive a delivery of coronavirus vaccines through the global Covax scheme that aims to ensure poorer countries are not left behind in the global immunisation drive.
Bloomberg MercadoLibre to invest record US$1.8 billion in Brazil Yesterdat 22:01 Latin American e-commerce powerhouse MercadoLibre Inc. is more than doubling its Brazilian investment this year, planning to deploy in 2021 the same amount it spent in the past four years combined.
HUMAN RIGHTS Ex-Peru president Fujimori faces trial over 'forced sterilizations' Yesterdat 21:55 An estimated 270,000 Peruvians were subjected to surgery to have their fallopian tubes tied as part of a family planning program instigated during Alberto Fujimori's final four years in power.
Global pandemic Uruguay starts vaccination campaign, last in South America Yesterdat 18:05 Uruguay, the last country in South America to receive delivery of coronavirus vaccines, started its inoculation campaign Monday with a focus on teachers, soldiers, police and firefighters.
state of the nation address Fernández reiterates call for judicial reform in speech to Congress Yesterdat 17:15 President Alberto Fernández reiterates his call for broad judicial reform and warns IMF he won't accept a "recessive adjustment" as he delivers speech opening new congressional sessions.
Death of Diego Maradona Maradona's daughters give testimony to probe into footballer's death Yesterdat 16:42 Maradona's daughters, Gianinna and Jana, have contributed fresh witness testimonies to the involuntary manslaughter probe into their father's death.
BLOOMBERG Vaca Muerta: Shale driller Vista emerges as a leading producer Yesterdat 14:29 Vista Oil & Gas has become one of the largest oil producers in the shale-rich Vaca Muerta basin, and is aiming for further growth in 2021.
Coronavirus vaccine New shipment: 517,500 doses of Sputnik V arrive in Argentina Yesterdat 14:08 New shipment of Sputnik V vaccine arrives in Buenos Aires, the government confirmed in a statement.
Global Pandemic EU to propose vaccine 'digital green pass' for safe movement Yesterdat 12:37 This month, the European Commission will propose rules for an EU "Digital Green Pass" showing proof of Covid-19 vaccination and test results.
Dino discovery Titanosaur found in Patagonia may be oldest yet, says study Yesterdat 11:10 A colossal dinosaur dug up in the south of the country could be the oldest titanosaur ever found, scientists said Sunday.
VIP VACCINE SCANDAL Thousands take to streets to protest 'VIP vaccinations' scandal 28-02-2021 08:59 Anti-government demonstrators rally in cities across the country in protest at the 'VIP vaccines' scandal; President Fernández condemns small group of protesters who attach mock body bags to the gates of the Casa Rosada.
Coronavirus pandemic 90-year-old becomes one millionth to be vaccinated in Argentina 28-02-2021 08:17 Elsa Nélida Alonso becomes the 1,000,000th person to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in Argentina, receiving her jab at the Hospital de Cuenca Alta Néstor Kirchner SAMIC in Cañuelas from nurse María de los Ángeles Martínez.
GENDER VIOLENCE Venezuelans protest femicide after three women murdered in a week 28-02-2021 07:41 Hundreds of Venezuelans protested Saturday following the murders of three young women last week, in a rally against femicide in the troubled nation.
VIP VACCINATIONS Latin America’s vaccine scandal claims third health minister 28-02-2021 07:09 Ecuador health minister resigned Friday, becoming the third top Latin American health official forced out in two weeks as outrage grows over the ability of the region’s richest and most powerful to obtain vaccinations before the rest of the population.
Argentine pontiff Pope Francis expects to spend his final days in Rome, says new book 28-02-2021 07:01 Asked how he sees his final days, 84-year-old Argentine pontiff tells Nelson Castro: "I will be pope, either active or emeritus, and in Rome. I will not return to Argentina."
EDITORIAL Message in a syringe 27-02-2021 08:59 With President Alberto Fernández set to open the ordinary sessions of Congress with a state-of-the-nation address, the usual buzz of anticipation is conspicuous by its absence.
WEEKLY ROUND-UP What we learn this week: February 20-27 27-02-2021 08:53 Our pick of the stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.
CITY GOVERNMENT Prosecutor to probe City Hall over ‘privatisation’ of vaccine campaign 27-02-2021 08:46 Prosecutor Stornelli seeks probe against City Mayor Horacio Rodríguez Larreta and Health Minister Fernán Quirós. Opposition dismisses claims, says City Hall is “transparent.”
AND THAT REMINDS ME... The craft of graft 27-02-2021 08:42 The paradox of corruption is that it is such an ingrained everyday phenomenon at many levels that it explodes into big news relatively infrequently. by Michael Soltys
AS I SEE IT Kirchnerites find the race card tempting 27-02-2021 08:36 For the Kirchnerites, “identity politics” has many attractions. by James Neilson
CORRUPTION & THE COURTS Lázaro Báez gets 12 years, but no immediate return to jail 27-02-2021 08:28 Iconic Kirchnerite businessman sentenced to more than a decade behind bars for money-laundering an estimated US$55 million between 2010 and 2013.
MERCOSUR BLOC Brazil again pushes for loosening of Mercosur trade deal rules 27-02-2021 08:21 Bolsonaro set to visit Buenos Aires for trade bloc’s next summit; Brazilian foreign minister accuses ‘interest groups’ using the environment as ‘pretext’ to block ratification of EU-Mercosur deal.
THE WAY WE WORK City Hall keen to attract digital nomads to Buenos Aires 27-02-2021 08:13 The coronavirus pandemic has sparked a rise in so-called ‘digital nomads’ across the world – and the City Government has unveiled a new initiative to tempt them to Buenos Aires. by Emma Ridden
REMEMBERING MARIO BUNGE Difficult but necessary 27-02-2021 08:06 To write about Mario Bunge today, one year after his death on February 24, 2020, at the age of 100, is for me on the one hand difficult, but on the other necessary.
FUTBOL PARA TODOS Echoes of the past as football returns to TV Pública 27-02-2021 07:58 Last night Argentinos and Vélez locked horns in the first domestic match screened on the TV Pública for almost four years, a throwback to the ‘Fútbol para Todos’ era which appeared to have gone forever. by Dan Edwards
SEARCH FOR A DIGITAL MANIFESTO News in the age of the Internet 27-02-2021 07:51 At stake is the health of our information ecosystem, and therefore the robustness of democracy. This is the time for everyone with a vested interest in a strong field of journalistic production to act. by Agustino Fontevecchia
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC ‘Held to ransom’: Pfizer demands governments gamble with state assets to secure vaccine deal 27-02-2021 07:41 US pharma giant accused of “bullying” Latin American governments in Covid vaccine negotiations, even asking Argentina and Brazil to put up sovereign assets as guarantees against any future legal costs. by MADLEN DAVIES, IVÁN RUIZ, JILL LANGOIS & ROSA FURNEAUX, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism
THE WEEK There's no jab against ego tripping 27-02-2021 07:29 Cutting corners, contacting cronies for dodgy favours and jumping lines is almost a national sport in Argentina. by Martín Gambarotta
MEET THE (NEW) MINISTER Carla Vizzotti takes up reins of Health Ministry 27-02-2021 07:21 Former health access secretary, 48, is a vaccine specialist best known for being the public face of the government’s daily coronavirus briefings.
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC Health Minister Vizzotti into isolation after testing positive for coronavirus 27-02-2021 07:12 The diagnosis could complicate things severely for the government, given the newly appointed minister’s role and how many other officials she has been in contact with of late.
VIP VACCINE SCANDAL Government struggles to contain ‘VIP vaccine’ scandal 27-02-2021 07:06 Opposition leaders pile on pressure over “vaccinations of privilege,” accusing ruling Peronist coalition of seeking to “vaccinate a Kirchnerite oligarchy.”
IMF DEBT RESTRUCTURING Government considers using new IMF reserves for loan payment 26-02-2021 16:58 Argentina is considering using new reserves to be issued by the International Monetary Fund to make a payment due to the lender in September, according to a person with direct knowledge.
Coronavirus vaccines Laboratory agrees deal to produce Sputnik V vaccine in Argentina 26-02-2021 14:08 Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine to be produced and manufactured in Argentina by local firm Laboratorios Richmond.
AIRSTRIKES IN SYRIA Biden launches first military action, striking Syria militias 26-02-2021 13:22 US carried out airstrikes in eastern Syria on sites connected to Iranian-backed groups believed to be involved in recent attacks in Iraq, first overt use of military force under President Joe Biden.
FOOTBALL Marseille await Sampaoli in hope of turning around troubled season 26-02-2021 13:13 Sampaoli, fiery 60-year-old Argentine who coached his country at the 2018 World Cup and this week announced his departure from Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro, set to take charge of French side.
MINING China's appetite for copper provides Chile with opportunity 26-02-2021 13:08 With the price of copper reaching a 10-year high thanks in no small part to China's insatiable appetite, Chile faces a "unique" opportunity, according to experts.
Coronavirus pandemic Shipment of 900,000 Sinopharm vaccine doses arrives in Argentina 26-02-2021 01:35 Cabinet Chief Santiago Cafiero, Health Minister Carla Vizzotti, Foreign Minister Felipe Solá and China's Ambassador to Argentina Zou Xiaol were on runway to witness vaccine flight’s arrival.
Bloomberg Central Bank extends rules for companies to restructure dollar debt 26-02-2021 01:31 BRCA extends deadline for companies to restructure debt in dollars until December 31.
IMF DEBT TALKS IMF: Argentine team expected to hold loan talks in mid-March 25-02-2021 18:22 Economy Minister Martín Guzmán will visit Washington in mid-March, confirms IMF spokesperson Gerry Rice.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS INDEC estimates economy contracted 10% in 2020 25-02-2021 17:35 Bureau’s Monthly Estimator of Economic Activity (EMAE), published Wednesday, revealed the economy fell by 2.2% in December.
Global Pandemic Ticket to ride: Vaccine passports divide world 25-02-2021 15:27 Vaccine passports: the new normal or drivers of inequality? While some countries and private sector entities believe they could be a ticket to return to pre-pandemic activities, others claim they could be divisive and discriminatory.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS Argentina’s economy recovery slowed to a crawl in December 24-02-2021 17:52 Economic growth month-over-month slowed to a crawl of 0.9% growth in December, down from 1.4% in November.
K-Money trail Lázaro Báez sentenced to 12 years in jail for money-laundering 24-02-2021 17:49 Businessman Lázaro Báez, at the centre of a corruption probe involving ex-presidents Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and Néstor Kirchner, was sentenced to 12 years in jail Wednesday on money-laundering charges
CRISIS IN VENEZUELA Venezuela expels EU ambassador over fresh sanctions 24-02-2021 16:38 Venezuela on Wednesday expelled the European Union's ambassador to Caracas in response to new sanctions, giving the Portuguese envoy 72 hours to leave the country and raising the bloc's renewed ire.
Coronavirus Pandemic Government rolls out five-stage plan to vaccinate teachers 24-02-2021 16:36 Government announces that it will vaccinate teachers with the one million Sinopharm doses that are due to arrive from China on Friday. First round of vaccines will be given to over 450,000 teachers working in pre-school, special needs and primary schools.
'BOMBA ARGENTINA' Report: 'Argentine Firecracker' Fanne Foxe dead at 84 24-02-2021 16:35 Fanne Foxe, an exotic dancer known as the "Argentine Firecracker" who was at the centre of one of the US capital's most notorious sex scandals, has died aged 84.
TRANS RIGHTS Brazil trans twins undergo gender confirmation surgery together 24-02-2021 11:14 Growing up as identical twins, Mayla and Sofia always did everything together, and their decision to undergo sex reassignment surgery is no exception. Now, they have made the transition they long dreamed of together, in what their doctor calls a first.
Bloomberg World Bank: Women on average have just 76% of men’s legal rights worldwide 24-02-2021 09:00 World Bank warns coronavirus pandemic is reinforcing gender inequality in many countries, with women on average having roughly three-quarters of the legal rights of men.
HUMAN RIGHTS Germany convicts Syrian in landmark torture trial 24-02-2021 08:52 German court convicts former Syrian intelligence service agent for complicity in crimes against humanity, in the first court case worldwide over state-sponsored torture by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government.
Guayaquil At least 62 inmates dead in Ecuador prison riots 23-02-2021 21:52 At least 62 inmates died Tuesday and several were injured in riots blamed on gang rivalry at three jails in Ecuador's overcrowded prison system, authorities said.
International football Australia, Qatar pull out of 2021 Copa América 23-02-2021 21:01 Australia and Qatar have pulled out of the 2021 Copa América starting in June, South American football's governing body CONMEBOL confirms.
Alberto in Mexico Fernández, López Obrador demand fairer access to Covid-19 vaccines 23-02-2021 16:49 Alberto Fernández and Andrés Manuel López Obrador call for fairer distribution of Covid-19 vaccines in Latin America and across the world, with both in agreement that rich nations are monopolising jabs.
Global pandemic Waiving IP rights will not boost vaccine production, says pharma group 23-02-2021 15:00 Exempting Covid-19 vaccines from intellectual property rights will not speed up production or distribution of the jabs, a pharmaceutical industry association argued Tuesday.
'VIP vaccination' scandal President fights back as 'VIP vaccine' scandal grows 23-02-2021 14:09 Peronist leader says that while he rejects the “irregular” vaccinations, it had already cost the resignation of his health minister Ginés González García and did not amount to a crime.
DEATH OF DIEGO MARADONA Prosecutors convene medical board to rule on Maradona's death 23-02-2021 13:17 Prosecutors to convene a medical board on March 8 to decide whether or not Diego Armando Maradona received proper medical treatment before his death.
Global pandemic Vaccine delays threaten economies hardest hit by pandemic 23-02-2021 12:24 Latin America and the Caribbean, the region where the coronavirus caused the worst economic destruction and more than a quarter of the world’s deaths, is now falling victim to a slow inoculation campaign.
VIP VACCINE SCANDAL Government releases list of vaccine recipients as scandal grows 22-02-2021 23:38 Pressure grows on Alberto Fernández administration over ‘VIP vaccination’ scandal. Casa Rosada releases a list of Peronist leaders, officials and their family members who received Sputnik jab.
COVID-19 VACCINES Vizzotti: 1 million doses of Sinopharm vaccine due ‘in next few days’ 22-02-2021 21:39 Argentina hopes to receive one million doses of China’s Sinopharm vaccine against Covid-19 "in the next few days," Health Minister Carla Vizzotti said Monday.
BRAZILIAN FIRM Oil giant Petrobras sheds US$19 billion in value over two days 22-02-2021 20:45 A sell-off in Brazil’s state-controlled oil firm Petrobras picked up on Monday after a group of analysts downgraded the stock within 24 hours, following Jair Bolsonaro's decision to replace the company’s chief executive officer.
VIP VACCINE SCANDAL Survey: 61% distrust government’s Covid-19 vaccination plan 22-02-2021 17:15 Following the controversial "VIP Vaccination" scandal that surfaced at the tail-end of last week, a new Management & Fit survey finds that six out of ten people lack confidence in government's vaccine plan.
ALBERTO IN MEXICO President arrives in Mexico for talks on business, vaccines 22-02-2021 14:05 Alberto Fernández landed in Mexico City today for an official visit geared towards “strengthening commercial ties” between two countries. President set to meet Mexican counterpart Andrés Manuel López Obrador, billionaire businessman Carlos Slim and visit an AstraZeneca vaccine laboratory.
Global pandemic All over by summer? UK eyes return to normal by end of June 22-02-2021 13:50 British PM Boris Johnson outlines a "gradual and cautious" approach to lifting curbs in England, starting with the return of students to schools from March 8, and non-essential retail from April 12.
VIP VACCINE SCANDAL Fernández slams 'unforgivable' vaccine line-jump scandal 22-02-2021 13:09 President Alberto Fernández, delivering his first comments on the so-called 'VIP vaccination' scandal, said Sunday that the actions of his health minister had been "unforgivable."
FOOTBALL – PREMIER LEAGUE Bielsa says Leeds should wait before extending his contract 22-02-2021 13:01 Marcelo Bielsa says it would be better for Leeds United to wait until the end of the season before deciding whether to extend his contract.
Ecuador election 2021 Arauz, Lasso advance to Ecuador presidential run-off 22-02-2021 12:30 Leftist economist Andrés Arauz will face conservative Guillermo Lasso in the upcoming second round of Ecuador's presidential election, officials confirmed Sunday. Third-place finisher, indigenous leader Yaku Pérez, vows to appeal.
VIP VACCINE SCANDAL Vizzotti sworn in as health minister amid 'VIP vaccine' scandal 21-02-2021 08:40 Carla Vizzotti sworn in as Argentina's new health minister, following the resignation of her predecessor Ginés González García.
BLOOMBERG – ANALYSIS Bolsonaro calls for more changes after general goes to Petrobras 21-02-2021 08:25 Brazil leader says that more changes are underway after naming a former general to head Petrobras. Experts say Bolsonaro has chosen "economic populism."
BRAZIL UNDER BOLSONARO Bolsonaro appoints Army reserve general to head Petrobras 21-02-2021 08:12 Brazil's far-right president appoints Army reserve general Joaquim Silva e Luna to lead state-owned energy giant Petrobras, after criticising several successive increases in the price of fuel.
THE WEEK What we learned this week: February 13 to 20 20-02-2021 08:27 The stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.
DEBT RESTRUCTURING Bondholders: ‘Argentina desperately needs agreement with the IMF’ 20-02-2021 08:18 Private bondholders group, who previously agreed to restructuring, accuse government of dragging its feet in talks with IMF to “continue its unsustainable policies even longer."
HUMAN RIGHTS ESMA IV trial: Eight new convictions for crimes against humanity 20-02-2021 08:13 Sentences handed down to eight individuals in ESMA IV trial for crimes against humanity, including illegal deprivation of liberty, torture, homicide and sexual assault. by James Grainger
OBITUARY:CARLOS SAÚL MENEM (1930-2021) Carlos Menem: Peronist, president, playboy 20-02-2021 08:07 Late former governor, senator and president – who led the nation for a decade between 1989 and 1999, the longest period of a democratic leader in modern-day Argentina – dies aged 90 at a hospital in Buenos Aires. by Michael Soltys
CARLOS MENEM (1930-2021) The first post-modern president 20-02-2021 07:56 Menem was the emblem of Argentina’s eternal aspiration to be a First World cosmopolitan society. by Gustavo González
CARLOS MENEM (1930-2021) Choose your own Menem 20-02-2021 07:46 As from Menem, public officials who got rich on the job began to be the rule rather than the exception. by Javier Calvo
AND THAT REMINDS ME... Charlie was my darling 20-02-2021 07:40 A selection of purely personal memories and perceptions of Carlos Menem, including some that differ from conventional wisdom. by Michael Soltys
AS I SEE IT A most unlikely reformer 20-02-2021 07:31 Carlos Menem may have been the king of kitsch, but he was also something else. by James Neilson
ARGENTINE FOOTBALL Emotions run high on opening weekend of season 20-02-2021 07:24 Ricardo Zielinski was one of 10 new coaches on display on the opening weekend, and each fared mixed fortunes. by Dan Edwards
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL Covid-ravaged Argentina slump to defeat in SheBelieves Cup 20-02-2021 07:19 Albiceleste women’s side loses 4-1 to Brazil in opener. Preparations for the game were rocked just hours before kick off after four players tested positive for Covid-19.
POLITICAL ECONOMY The anchor: Guzmán’s second mistake? 20-02-2021 07:12 The Fernández administration has doubled down on an economic strategy that appears aimed at winning this year’s midterm elections. Whether or not Economy Minister Martín Guzmán agrees with the plan is debatable. by Agustino Fontevecchia
THE WEEK IN ARGENTINA Menem moments 20-02-2021 07:02 Carlos Menem dominated Argentine politics for a decade. And his death, for a moment, meant he was all over the news once more. by Martín Gambarotta
EDITORIAL Menem: A man of his times – and ours 20-02-2021 06:08 Despite his passing, Carlos Menem’s spirit remains very much around, in both the current government and the country as a whole.
SHALE Argentina’s shale ambitions hang in the balance 20-02-2021 05:59 YPFF needs to find more than US$1 billion to spur drilling at Vaca Muerta. At stake is not only the company’s growth strategy, but the future of the shale play itself.
GLOBAL PANDEMIC Wealthy nations up Covax funding amid ‘vaccine hoarding’ claims 20-02-2021 05:54 G7 commits 7.5 billion euros to Covax scheme, just two days after UN warned of global vaccine equities.
COVID-19 VACCINES Vaccination campaign begins to reach Argentina’s elderly 20-02-2021 05:38 Vaccines start to be given to citizens aged over 70, as government's mass inoculation scheme aganst novel coronavirus enters new phase.
VIP VACCINE SCANDAL VIP vaccine scandal: President asks health minister to resign 19-02-2021 20:56 President Alberto Fernández asks Health Minister Ginés González García to resign post amid claims government supporters exploited contacts to jump vaccination queue.
COVID-19 VACCINES BioNTech-Pfizer say vaccine can stand warmer temperatures 19-02-2021 14:32 Tests on BioNTech-Pfizer shot have shown that the vaccine can stand warmer temperatures than initially thought, potentially simplifying the jab's cold-chain logistics.
APPS & WORK UK top court shakes up gig economy with ruling against Uber 19-02-2021 14:19 UK's Supreme Court rules Uber drivers are entitled to breaks, holiday pay and minimum wage, in what has been described as "another nail in the coffin" for the gig economy.
EUROPEAN POLITICS Strains test Spain's leftist coalition government 19-02-2021 13:53 Tensions once again surface between Socialists and Podemos, sparked by protests against the arrest of famous rapper Pablo Hasel for controversial tweets.
Poverty and taxation Wealth tax: inequality solution for Latin America? 19-02-2021 12:52 The income chasm between the rich and poor in Latin America has led to efforts to tax the wealthy – though the reception has been uneven across various countries.
BLOOMBERG Banco Galicia CEO: Inflation will keep battering banking returns 19-02-2021 12:42 Argentine banks took a beating last year, and the nation’s biggest lender says the industry is at risk of a repeat performance.
COURTS CFK asks Supreme Court not to transfer illegal espionage case 19-02-2021 12:29 Vice-president's lawyer asks theSupreme Court to keep the illegal espionage case against the preceding Mauricio Macri administration in Lomas de Zamora, instead of the Federal Capital’s Comodoro Py courthouse.
ENVIRONMENT Scientists reveal impact of climate change on Antarctic phytoplankton 18-02-2021 23:52 Argentine scientists reveal that rising temperatures and diminished salinity have altered phytoplankton in the Antarctic.
NUCLEAR DEAL US says it’s willing to meet with Iran to restore nuclear deal 18-02-2021 23:34 Joe Biden's administration offers to attend talks with Iran led by European allies, reverses two largely symbolic steps against Tehran imposed by Donald Trump.
LIFE ON MARS? Touchdown: NASA's Perseverance rover ready to search for life on Mars 18-02-2021 23:22 After seven months in space, NASA's Perseverance rover lands on Mars, ready to embark on its mission to search for signs of past life.
COVID-19 VACCINES Buenos Aires Province begins vaccinating those aged 70+ 18-02-2021 13:58 Provincial government begins to give first shots of Sputnik V vaccine to citizens aged over 70, using schools and other sites as temporary vaccination centres.
Global Pandemic Venezuela to begin Covid immunisation programme with Sputnik V 18-02-2021 12:44 President Nicolás Maduro announces healthcare workers, legislators, members of the Armed Forces and authorities will start to receive Covid-19 vaccines, with mass immunisation campaign is planned for April.
Covid-19 vaccine Shipment of 580,000 vaccine doses arrives from India 17-02-2021 15:26 A shipment of 580,000 Covid-19 vaccines from India's Serum Institute arrives in Argentina to bolster government's immunisation campaign.
BACK TO SCHOOL Schools in Argentina finally re-open doors to students 17-02-2021 14:54 Schoolchildren from five of Argentina's 24 regional districts returned to classrooms on Wednesday for the first time in almost a year, as the country began a gradual restart of face-to-face classes.
Global pandemic Israel's 'green badge' plan to open services to vaccinated stirs concern 17-02-2021 14:36 Israel unveils "green badge" plan to re-open services to those fully inoculated, stirring controversy about unequal access for those who opt out of the jabs.