Mandatory masks, closed restaurants and even a curfew – European countries are trying to overcome the coronavirus epidemic
As the BBC notes, European countries and Britain are applying different sets of restrictive measures to combat the pandemic, depending on the number of infected people and the speed of spread of the infection.
Britain: strict quarantine without an end date
Since January 5, Britain has been under a strict national quarantine, similar to the first one introduced at the end of March. This is the third national lockdown in Britain, and this time, unlike in November, all schools are closed again.
Employers are required, where possible, to switch employees to remote work. Leaving home is allowed only in cases of extreme necessity, for buying groceries or visiting a doctor, as well as for exercising near home.
The end date of the quarantine remains open – the government will decide in mid-February whether to extend it or begin easing restrictive measures.
In December, due to the lightning-fast increase in new Covid-19 cases associated with the emergence of a new, highly contagious strain of coronavirus, British authorities first tightened measures in individual regions, but soon extended them to the entire country in the form of a national lockdown.
At the end of December, because of the “British” strain, dozens of countries imposed a ban on flights from Britain. On January 18, due to other highly contagious strains, Britain canceled free entry from most countries of the world – all arrivals must self-isolate for 10 days.
France: tightening of curfew
In France, a curfew has been in effect since December. Initially, it restricted movement from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., and since January 16, all citizens must be home by 6:00 p.m., and shops and offices must close.
Schools are open, and regular mass testing has been introduced there. Passengers arriving in France must have a certificate of a negative test result taken within 72 hours before the trip. Then they must self-isolate for seven days, after which they must take another test and get a negative result.
Restaurants, bars, cinemas and ski resorts remain closed.
Germany: new restrictions expected
Since December 16, Germany has been under full quarantine. Only essential goods stores are open. Schools are closed, as are restaurants and most service sector businesses. Meeting outside is allowed only with one person not living with you.
In the near future, the government may announce a tightening of existing measures after Chancellor Angela Merkel discusses them with the heads of 19 states. This includes, among other things, a partial shutdown of the public transport system and the introduction of a curfew.
Greece: kindergartens and schools reopen
Since November, Greece has been under a national quarantine, including a curfew between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., as well as a ban on the operation of most shops and schools.
These measures helped cope with the surge in new cases, and in January, kindergartens and primary schools were allowed to reopen. Authorities are now considering lifting restrictions on the operation of shops and other sectors of the economy.
Italy: high school students return to desks
In Italy, a curfew from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. is still in effect. Until February 15, travel between 20 regions of the country is not allowed. Masks are mandatory in all public places – both indoors and outdoors.
In three regions of the country – Lombardy, Campania and Tuscany – the strictest restrictions are in place. There, everything except essential goods stores is closed.
At the same time, high school students were allowed to return to in-person classes – they were divided into groups so that classrooms were only partially filled. High school students had been on home schooling since October.
Spain: curfew in effect
In the fall, Spanish authorities declared a state of emergency in the country for six months – until May 2021. This status gives regions the ability to impose a curfew and partial lockdown, as well as close regional borders.
The country has a night curfew, and during the day most residents can leave home for essential shopping and medicine, for work, or to people they provide care for.
Masks are mandatory for everyone, including children over 6, indoors and on public transport. In many regions, they must also be worn outdoors.
Belgium: quarantine continues
The lockdown in Belgium has been extended until at least January 22. Only one guest (and it must be the same person) can come to your home, and outdoors you can gather in groups of no more than 4 people. Masks are mandatory everywhere.
Portugal: new quarantine begins
On mainland Portugal, a lockdown was introduced on January 15. Before that, similar restrictions were in effect in the country only during the first wave of coronavirus and were lifted in early May.
Employers there must switch employees to remote work, most shops and service sector businesses are closed, cafes and restaurants operate only for takeaway. Schools remain open. The lockdown is expected to last at least a month.
Netherlands: schools closed, travel abroad banned
Most shops, cinemas, hairdressers, gyms and schools are closed. The government advises against booking trips abroad until at least March 31.
Denmark: quarantine extended
In December, the country introduced a quarantine that was extended until February 7. Of service sector enterprises, only supermarkets and pharmacies are open. Schools and universities are closed, most people work from home. In public places, groups of up to five people can gather, and masks are mandatory indoors.
Ireland: highest level restrictions
At the end of December, Ireland again entered a national quarantine – after a short-term easing of travel restrictions during the Christmas period. Now residents must stay at home and only go out for work, education, medical appointments, or other essential reasons. Outdoor exercise is allowed within a 5 km radius of home.
Only nannies and caregivers may visit another person's home. Weddings can have up to six attendees, funerals up to ten. Most shops and other service sector businesses are closed; restaurants and cafes operate for takeaway only.
Sweden: new government powers
For a long time, Sweden opposed quarantine measures to combat the pandemic. But on January 10, a new emergency law came into force, giving authorities the power to introduce coronavirus restrictions in the country for the first time. Previously, only official recommendations from the Ministry of Health existed, which residents could follow voluntarily.
The new law allows authorities to limit the number of visitors in shops, offices, cultural venues, and other public places. Violators face fines – including business owners who fail to ensure safety measures for customers.
At the end of December, the prime minister recommended wearing masks on public transport during peak hours and, if possible, working from home, and also introduced restrictions on visits to bars and restaurants (groups of no more than 4 people) and announced the closure of high schools for a month.