This article documents the chronology of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in November 2021, which originated in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Some developments may become known or fully understood only in retrospect. Reporting on this pandemic began in December 2019.
Reactions and measures in the United Nations
16 November
Pfizer has signed a deal with the United Nations–backed Medicines Patent Pool allowing Paxlovid to be manufactured and sold under license in 95 developing countries with "the goal of facilitating greater access to the global population." However, the deal excludes several countries with major COVID-19 outbreaks including Brazil, China, Russia, Argentina, and Thailand.
Reactions and measures in Africa
23 November
South Africa releases a genomic assay showing a record number of mutations -32- on the protein spike of variant B.1.1.52, stoking world-wide alarm given the massive rise in the number of cases in the region and its being on track to overtake the Delta Variant. First discovered from a sample taken in Botswana November 11, the report triggers an emergency WHO meeting on November 26.
26 November
The United Kingdom, European Union, and United States have imposed travel restrictions on eight southern African countries including South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Malawi in order to contain the spread of the B.1.1.52 (Omicron) Variant. South African Minister of Health Joe Phaahla has objected to the travel restrictions on South Africa, defending South Africa's handling of the pandemic and describing travel bans as against the "norms and standards" of the World Health Organization.
27 November
New Zealand has imposed travel restrictions on South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Seychelles, Malawi and Mozambique in response to the Omicron variant. Entry is restricted to citizens, who will have to undergo managed isolation and quarantine.
Reactions and measures in the Americas
Reactions and measures in the Eastern Mediterranean
10 November
The Israeli Government has approved the use of COVID-19 vaccines for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years.
Reactions and measures in Europe
9 November
The United Kingdom has added the Chinese CoronaVac and the Sinopharm BIBP vaccine and Indian Covaxin to its approved list of Covid-19 vaccines for inbound travel from 22 November.
15 November
Austria has ordered a nationwide lockdown for unvaccinated people in response to record infection rates and growing pressure on hospitals. Unvaccinated people will only be allowed to leave home for a limited number of reasons including working or buying food.
26 November
The first European case of the B.1.1.529 variant is discovered in an unvaccinated female tourist in Belgium who had no direct link with South Africa, but who rather had traveled from Egypt to Turkey. The United Kingdom temporarily blocks direct flights from six Southern African countries. The European Commission has announces that it would be imposing temporary travel restrictions on Southern African countries.
Reactions and measures in South, East and Southeast Asia
1 November
Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob launched a National Vaccine Development Roadmap (PPVN) and Malaysian Genome and Vaccine Institute (MGVI) to stimulate vaccine production in Malaysia. These projects include producing two types of COVID-19 vaccines using inactivated virus and mRNA technologies and a therapeutic cancer vaccine for the treatment of head and neck cancer.
8 November
The Malaysian and Singaporean Governments established a quarantine free-travel lane for fully vaccinated travellers between Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Changi International Airport, which comes into effect on 29 November. In addition, Sweden and Finland will be included in Singapore's quarantine free travel lanes programme from 29 November.
9 November
The Singaporean Government has announced that it will no longer pay the COVID-19 medical bills of people "unvaccinated by choice," citing the strain they have placed on intensive care and healthcare resources.
15 November
The Singaporean Government has announced plans to introduce "vaccine travel lanes" (VTL) with Indonesia and India from 29 November 2021. Singapore also plans to expand the VTL scheme to Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates from 6 December 2021.