The increased number of UK COVID-19 cases [1] has updated national lockdown measures and created new laws to protect the well-being of the population [2]. Nonetheless, it creates a dangerous legal precedent when the government uses COVID-19 as an excuse for furthering its powers.

Alexander Lukashenko, whose legitimacy has been recently questioned by world leaders, has retained his decades-long position as the leader of Belarus [1], allegedly winning 80% of the votes [2]. On the night after the election, internet access was blocked [3]; people flowed into the streets in disagreement, which resulted in brutal clashes with the police [4].