One variant, several answers. While Europe is facing a resumption of the Covid-19 epidemic, due in particular to the appearance of the Omicron variant, which the WHO judges “worrying”, our neighbors are implementing very different policies to break the chains of contamination and avoid overloading their hospitals.
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Franceinfo offers you an overview of new health measures in Europe.
Reconfinement in the Netherlands
For the time being, this is the most restrictive measure in Europe. The Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, announced, Saturday, December 18, a national confinement from December 19 to January 14. Either four weeks of imposed closure por all non-essential stores, restaurants, bars, cinemas, museums and theaters. Schools, which were closed a week in advance, will keep doors closed until January 9.
The Omicron variant is of particular concern to the Dutch government. “This forces us to reduce our contacts as quickly as possible, and as much as possible”, explained Mark Rutte during his speech. If leaving the home are not regulated, it is still forbidden to receive more than two people at home. A rule that will only be relaxed for the Christmas weekend and the New Year period, when the number of guests will be up to four people.
In Portugal, caution and vaccination of children
Leading country in Europe in terms of vaccination,With 88.9% of its population of 10.3 million vaccinated, Portugal strictly controls travelers entering its territory, even if they come from countries of the European Union. Since December 1, you must present a negative PCR test of less than 72 hours or negative antigen of less than 48 hours to travel to Portugal. A measure accompanied by a passenger tracking form in order to trace the chains of contamination. As the French Embassy in Portugal reminds us on its website, the isolation of people identified as contact cases can go “up to 14 days or more in certain situations”.
Portugal also extended its vaccination campaign to children aged 5 to 11 on Saturday, using the Pfizer pediatric vaccine. An opening justified by a strong progression of the epidemic among this age group, explained the Portuguese Prime Minister, Antonio Costa. The stated objective by the government is to limit the progression of the Omicron variant as much as possible, which should still represent 80% of new contaminations by the end of the year according to the country’s health authorities.
To reduce contact after the gatherings planned for the end-of-year celebrations, the socialist executive also decided to extend the school holidays and to make telework compulsory during the first week of January.
In Switzerland, teleworking is compulsory and restrictions for the holidays
The Swiss Federal Council has announced that teleworking will again be compulsory in the country from December 20. “We are trying to prevent an explosion of cases and the situation from going off the rails. The alternative, the closures, is what we do not want.”, explained to RTS the Federal Councilor in charge of Health, Alain Berset. Additional measures have also been taken in certain cantons.
From December 20, access to the interior of restaurants, cultural establishments and sports and leisure facilities as well as to indoor events will be reserved for people fully vaccinated or cured of Covid-19. A turn of the screw long demanded by health experts, in order to counter the fifth epidemic wave which is already being felt in the country. Private meetings are now limited to 30 people indoors or 50 people outdoors, including children. But if one of the guests (over 16) is neither vaccinated nor cured, this limit drops to 10 people.
In Italy, Greece and Germany, increased screening of travelers
Vaccination alone is no longer sufficient to travel to certain countries in Europe. Since December 16, Italy has been asking for a negative Covid test for all travelers, regardless of their vaccination course. As for the unvaccinated, they must observe a mandatory five-day quarantine. As of Sunday, the same goes for entering Greece. A rule that should remain in force at least “for the holidays” end of the year, explained Mina Gaga, the Greek Deputy Minister of Health, as RFI underlines on its site.
On the side of Germany, a quarantine is now imposed on unvaccinated travelers from certain countries classified “at high risk”. Since Sunday, France has been part of this red list, alongside Denmark, Norway, Lebanon and Andorra. The German authorities specify that it is a self-quarantine that must last at least 5 days, and only a negative PCR test can put an end to it. Failure to comply with this obligation is punishable by a fine of up to 25,000 euros.
In Ireland, fires go out at 8 p.m. for many establishments
From Monday it will no longer be possible to go to the cinema, the theater, pubs or restaurants after 8 p.m. in Ireland. A drastic measure justified again by the progression of the Omicron variant, described by the Irish Prime Minister, Micheál Martin, like a “serious threat” and which already accounts for a third of new contaminations in Ireland.
Gatherings will now be restricted. Weddings are limited to 100 people, indoor events should not exceed 50% of their capacity, up to 1,000 people. The same rule applies to outdoor events, with a reception limit raised to 5,000 people maximum.
In Denmark, cultural and social spaces closed for a month
The curtains will remain drawn for a long time in Denmark, which is witnessing a historic surge in the number of Covid-19 cases, largely attributed to the Omicron variant. During the week of December 13 to 18, the average number of new infections was 8,666 daily cases, a figure twice that of the last epidemic wave, according to the OurWorldInData site.
Faced with this explosion in the number of cases, the Danish government ordered the closure of cinemas, theaters and concert halls from Sunday, for a period of one month. Museums, swimming pools, zoos and theme parks are also affected by this decision. Restaurants and bars remain open for the moment, but are ordered to limit their capacity and must close at 11 p.m.