HEADS UP: On Alert Against UK Virus Variant (Jan. 4)

Here's a Heads Up from reportr on news that you need to know today, the first working day of 2021.

• Starting today, authorities will check all positive RT-PCR tests from countries that have confirmed cases of the new COVID-19 variant that was first reported in the UK. As of Jan. 2, there have been no such cases in the Philippines.
• International arrivals from 21 countries with the new variant are temporarily banned, including the U.S. and the UK. Check out the full list here.
• Here's everything you need to know about the price, efficacy and potential side effects of COVID-19 vaccines that are either in use or under advaanced testing.
• Here's everything you need to know about the cheapest and easiest to transport of all available vaccines, the one from AstraZeneca and Oxford University.
• EXPLAINER: A virus variant is different from a virus strain, handy knowledge during the pandemic.
• EXPLAINER: Why in 2021, vaccines will be a political issue as much as they are a health issue
• EXPLAINER: For babies conceived and born during the lockdown, what does 2021 have in store?
• If you're planning a test drive on the newly-opened Skyway Stage 3 while it's still free, here are the available entry and exit ramps, according to the DPWH.
• According to a Pulse Asia poll, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte is the top choice for president if elections were held during the survey period late last year.
• EXPLAINER: Sara Duterte her father's alpha, how far can her power go?
• Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, who was the top choice for vice president in the same survey, said he would rather focus on his work as mayor and the fight against COVID-19 than think about the 2022 elections.
• Here's amateur footage of a commuter bus that was set on fire on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City yesterday.

Here's an update on COVID-19 cases as of 4 p.m. of Jan. 3: