COVID-19: What you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic on 14 December

1. How COVID-19 is affecting the globe

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have now passed 72.2 million globally, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. The number of confirmed deaths stands at more than 1.61 million.

Lithuania has told citizens to stay at home for 3 weeks in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Most shops in Germany will close on Wednesday, as tougher restrictions are reintroduced. “There is an urgent need to take action,” Chancellor Angela Merkel said.

The Dutch government is also set to decide on tougher restrictions today, as its COVID-19 infection rate rises.

Eswatini Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini, who tested positive for COVID-19 four weeks ago, has died in hospital in neighbouring South Africa. He was 52.

The first batches of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine have arrived in Canada.

Italy's death toll has become Europe's worst, after overtaking Britain over the weekend. The country has now reported 64,520 deaths compared to Britain's 64,267, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

The United States has given emergency approval to the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, joining Britain and Canada in granting sign-off.

2. South Korea closes schools

South Korea has ordered schools in Seoul and surrounding areas to close from tomorrow. The closures come as the country attempts to slow the spread of its worst COVID-19 outbreak. It reported a record daily increase in new cases - 1,030 - on Sunday.

Classes will move online until at least the end of December, in what's seen as another step towards the introduction of Phase 3 social distancing rules, a move that would essentially lock down South Korea.

“The government will not hesitate to make the decision to upgrade to Phase 3 if it is considered necessary as it takes into account the opinions of related ministries, local governments, and experts,” Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun told a meeting of health officials according to a transcript from his office.

3. New Zealand agrees to Australia 'travel bubble'

New Zealand has agreed to allow quarantine-free travel with Australia in the first quarter of next year. The move is still pending confirmation by Australia - and no significant change in circumstances in either country.

“It is our intention to name a date... in the New Year once remaining details are locked down,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told a news conference.

New Zealand's borders have been closed to foreigners for nearly a year. Many Australian regions have allowed New Zealanders in without the need to quarantine since October - but until now the move had not been reciprocated.

It comes a week after New Zealand agreed a reciprocal, quarantine-free travel bubble with the Cook Islands.