Police continue to monitor compliance with restrictive measures in European countries
As reported by RFI, the authorities of the Czech Republic were among the first in the European Union to introduce a strict quarantine and close the border. Now Prague is the first to lift restrictions, including on leaving the country. On April 20, beauty salons opened in the Czech Republic, but only for pets. People will be able to go to the hairdresser no earlier than May 11, when terraces of cafes and restaurants are also promised to open.
Austria was also among the first European countries to impose a quarantine and one of the first to begin lifting it – many non-food stores opened as early as mid-April. On the first weekend of May, hairdressers and outdoor sports facilities began operating, and the ban on movement within the country was lifted. On Monday, schoolchildren will take their final exams. All mass gatherings are limited to groups of up to 10 people. Wearing masks has become mandatory on public transport and in stores. Restaurants will only open by mid-May.
One of the European countries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, Italy, began easing quarantine on April 27. Industrial enterprises and the construction sector resumed production. From May 4, residents will again be allowed to visit their loved ones and gather in small groups. Parks will open, but visitors must maintain distance. Bars and restaurants will only be able to operate in takeaway mode. They are promised to open in their usual format by June 1. Large shopping centers, museums, libraries, and religious institutions will remain closed until May 18. All trips outside the city of residence will still be limited to urgent necessity. Schools will be closed until September.
In Spain, quarantine easing began on April 26. Families with children were allowed one-hour walks and individual sports. From May 4, small non-food stores and hairdressers will open, accepting customers strictly by appointment. Bars and restaurants will be able to open in takeaway mode.
Even greater easing will be made for some small Balearic and Canary Islands, where from May 4 most stores, museums, and restaurant terraces will open. Movement within the country will still be limited to the province of residence. Wearing protective masks will become mandatory on public transport.
In Germany, most small stores opened as early as April 20. Starting May 4, hairdressers, religious institutions, and museums will open. In some federal states, schools will gradually begin to open. Gyms, cultural institutions, bars, and restaurants will remain closed, except for takeaway service. All mass events are banned until August 31.
In Belgium, from Monday, May 4, some public institutions will begin operating. Most retail establishments will only open on May 11. From May 18, schools should resume, with the maximum number of students limited to 10 per class. Restaurants and bars will begin opening no earlier than June 8. Protective masks on public transport will also become mandatory.
Social distancing and wearing masks
remain the main means
of countering the coronavirus
Portugal will resume operations on May 4 for bookstores and car dealerships, as well as other stores with an area of no more than 200 square meters. Public institutions, as well as beauty salons and hairdressers, will begin accepting visitors by appointment. Visitors will be required to wear protective masks. Individual sports will also be allowed. Schools, museums, restaurants, and cafes will remain closed until May 18, and theaters and cinemas until June 1.
In Greece, authorities announced that from Monday, about 10% of clothing stores, household appliance stores, beauty salons, and bookstores will open. Other retail establishments will open from May 11, except for large shopping centers, which will remain closed until June 1.
In Hungary, quarantine will begin to be lifted on May 4 everywhere except Budapest. From Monday, terraces of cafes and restaurants, beaches, and thermal complexes will open.
The government of Poland announced the opening from Monday, May 4, of shopping centers, hotels, some museums, libraries, and cultural centers. From May 6, at the discretion of municipalities, nurseries and kindergartens may open.
Croatia will also open some stores, museums, and libraries from Monday. Hairdressers will be able to work. From May 2, religious services are allowed in the country. Bars, cafes, and restaurants will remain closed until May 11. The ban on all gatherings of more than 10 people also remains.
The authorities of Slovenia plan to open terraces of cafes and restaurants, as well as museums and hairdressers, on May 4. Masks will become mandatory on public transport and in stores.
The state of health emergency in effect in France since March 24 will be extended for another two months. This was announced on Saturday, May 2, by French Health Minister Olivier Véran following a cabinet meeting. The bill must be approved by parliament within a week. The bill also outlines measures for the country's exit from the strict quarantine, which should end on May 11. In particular, it provides for mandatory isolation for French citizens and foreigners arriving from abroad. For those who test positive for coronavirus within the country, there will be no mandatory isolation. The authorities "rely on the conscientiousness of citizens," the health minister explained.
The French Minister of the Interior also reminded that from May 11, wearing protective masks becomes mandatory on public transport and recommended in shopping centers and stores. After that date, restrictions on leaving home will be lifted, but a ban on traveling more than 100 km from one's place of residence is introduced. Exceptions may be made for work-related travel or urgent family circumstances.