OVERVIEW: U.S.vaccinations and overseas developments

UK health minister resigns after breaching coronavirus rules; Massachusetts releases vaccine lotto details: Latest COVID-19 updates Many businesses across the U.S. are reluctant to demand proof of vaccination from customers, facing pushback from the general public and politicians. Edward Segarra USA TODAY

Proof of vaccination requirements could be the key to allowing hard-hit businesses across the U.S. to fully reopen. However, many businesses have been reluctant to demand proof of vaccination from customers, as the public and politicians in many places have made it clear they don't care for the idea.

In fact, far more states have banned proof-of-vaccination policies than have created smartphone-based programs for people to digitally display their vaccination status.

Hawaii is the only state enforcing some version of a vaccine passport, requiring travelers to upload a photo or PDF of their Hawaii vaccination document or pass a pre-arrival COVID-19 test to avoid having to quarantine for 10 days.

By contrast, at least 18 Republican-led states prohibit the creation of so-called vaccine passports or ban public entities from requiring proof of vaccination. Several of those — including Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Montana, North Dakota and Texas — also bar most businesses from denying service to those who aren't vaccinated.

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► AMC Theatres is continuing its return to business as usual. AMC Stubs A-List, the movie theater chain's membership program, is set to be reactivated July 1 after being suspended in March 2020.

► The bakery-café chain Panera Bread is the latest business to roll out a COVID-19 vaccine freebie. From July 2-4, the chain is giving away free bagels to vaccinated customers at participating locations nationwide — without proof of vaccination.

► Even though 40% of Americans said they preferred to work from home full time last month, major companies across the country are encouraging or demanding that their staff return to the office by Labor Day.

► Russia has reported its highest daily COVID-19 death toll of the year – 619 people – as the country grapples with a sharp spike in infections that has brought new restrictions in some regions. 

► Finland is experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases that has been traced to soccer fans returning from neighboring Russia, following European Championship matches in St. Petersburg. 

 -- U.K. Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who has led the country’s response to the coronavirus, resigned Saturday, a day after apologizing for breaching social distancing rules with an aide with whom he was allegedly having an affair.

Hancock had been under growing pressure since the tabloid Sun newspaper published images showing him and senior aide Gina Coladangelo kissing in an office at the Department of Health. The Sun said the closed circuit television images were taken May 6 – 11, days before lockdown rules were eased to allow hugs and other physical contact with people outside one’s own household. ...

ALSO SEE: Britain on course to lift COVID restrictions on July 19, P.M. Johnson says