A surge in infections from Covid-19 is overwhelming Europe, which runs for cover and decides, state by state and with few exceptions, to increase health security measures and reintroduce restrictions on social life. The new squeeze, however, is largely aimed at the unvaccinated.
Here is what non-immunized people can or cannot do in different European countries.
Timeline – Vaccinations – Infections
In Austria in lockdown
Until yesterday the Austrian government had in mind to keep only the unvaccinated in lockdown: no access to public places without proof of their immunization, only go out to go to work, go shopping or medical examinations. But the situation in the country’s hospitals is so bad that the chancellor Alexander Schallenberg has decided to extend the blockade to all citizens from next Monday. The generalized lockdown will last 20 days and from 13 December will continue only for the unvaccinated. The percentage of vaccinated in Austria is 66%, one of the lowest rates in Western Europe, while the number of infections is among the highest in the continent.
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More checks to enter France
With over 20,000 cases per day recorded in the last 24 hours, France has tightened entry conditions for unvaccinated people arriving from 16 EU countries, including Germany, Belgium, Ireland, Holland, Austria and Greece. Travelers over 12 years of age and unable to demonstrate compliance with the double vaccination will have to submit the result of a negative molecular or antigenic swab made less than 24 hours prior to departure. Road transport workers, frontier workers and more generally those who travel for less than 24 hours within a radius of 30 kilometers from their place of residence are exempt.
Macron pushes on vaccines: third mandatory dose to keep the green pass for over 65s
by our correspondent Anais Ginori
President Emmanuel Macron explained that the ockdown for the unvaccinated in France “is not necessary” because “the countries that border the unvaccinated are those that have not established the health certificate”.
No green pass in Spagna
Spain is one of the countries with the highest vaccination rate: over 80% of citizens have received at least one dose and 79% have completed the vaccination cycle. The government has announced the start of the campaign for the third. The Spanish regional courts have always ruled against the obligation of the green psass, which does not exist here. Those who enter Spain must undergo the usual health checks and must fill out a health form that will produce a Qr code that the traveler must always carry with him. The measures change every week.
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Greece, no vax restrictions: cinemas, pubs and museums
From the beginning of next week, those who are not vaccinated will face further restrictions to contain the spread of the virus. This was announced by the Greek premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis in his appeal to the nation broadcast live on television last night. Non-vaccinated people will be prohibited from entering indoor spaces such as cinemas, museums and gyms. According to Mitsotakis, all of this is needed to ensure that Greece has “a better Christmas this year than last year”. “Today, over 7 million Greeks have chosen the vaccine, or three for every four adults,” he said. However, Mitsotakis noted that there are nearly 600,000 over 60s in Greece who remain without vaccine protection and also announced that vaccination certificates for this age group will expire after seven months.
Belgium closes the nightclubs
The country is one of the most affected by the new wave: in the last week there was a peak of 39% of infections and in these hours the government is discussing to tighten the measures. In addition to an increase in smart working, from Saturday mask for those who are in indoor places such as cafes and restaurants. The rule will apply to those who are at least 10 years old. On the other hand, clubs may have to test their customers to allow them to dance without a mask.
The Delta plus variant hits the UK
There is also a peak of cases in the United Kingdom, where since July 17 there is practically no restriction or obligation to wear masks indoors. Two days ago the cases went up for the seventh consecutive day. The AY.4.2 strain, Delta Plus, represents almost 12% of new Covid infections and is expanding more and more. It is more transmissible but less symptomatic.
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In the UK, the vaccination passport is not currently mandatory for access to any public event or venue. Only in limited cases in Wales e Scotland.
Germany approved 3G (vaccinated, cured, tested). “Total lockdown” risk
Germany has enacted new rules for unvaccinated by introducing anti-Covid restrictions. The new rules, which will have to be translated into law, provide for a series of restrictions that will be triggered on the basis of the incidence of hospitalizations. “The situation is very serious, it is time to act,” Merkel said. The summit’s decisions will now have to be translated into law, both at the federal and local levels. yesterday the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament, approved a different legislative package which provides, among other things, access to workplaces and public transport on the basis of ‘3G’ (vaccinated, healed and tested), but excludes closure of schools and shops. “We are in a phase where we shouldn’t rule out anything.” The German health minister said so Jens Spahn, answering a question about why Germany does not immediately go into lockdown, in light of the drama of the pandemic situation.
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by Tonia Mastrobuoni
Netherlands: partial curfew
First country in Europe to restore a partial and three-week curfew for everyone. For those planning a trip to the Netherlands, this may not be the right time: early closures of bars and restaurants at 8pm and other non-essential goods shops at 6pm. Sporting events must be held indoors and cinemas and theaters will remain open.
Curfew in Ireland
The government has established that from November 18, all pubs, restaurants and nightclubs will have to close by 11.30pm. The restrictions are currently valid for 4 weeks. Green Pass is also mandatory to access cinemas and theaters.
Mandatory Green Pass in Denmark and Norway
To enter closed places, a double vaccination is mandatory in both countries: pubs, bars, restaurants and discos. Masks are also mandatory. Among the measures aimed at pushing the Danish no vax to get immunized, who are infected at an average rate six times higher than the vaccinated, according to the latest ISS data, the most severe is to deny them free treatment.
Iceland, premises closed at 10pm
The country has tightened anti-Covid measures at least until 8 December. The cap of attendees at events and meetings has dropped from 500 to 50, unless everyone present exhibits a negative test. Restaurants and pubs will close at 10pm.
Vaccine obligation for locals in Slovakia
The government has announced a lockdown for the unvaccinated. Under the new squeeze, effective Monday for three weeks, only people vaccinated or who have had Covid in the last six months will be able to enter restaurants, shopping centers, shops with non-essential goods, sports activities and public events.
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Czech Republic, no locals for unvaccinated
A worrying situation also in the Czech Republic, where a new record of cases was recorded yesterday. It was decided to exclude unvaccinated people from restaurants, clubs and public events from Monday. The tests will no longer be sufficient, it will be necessary to prove that they are vaccinated or cured.
Poland says no to restrictions
The number of infected people is growing rapidly, which exceeded 24 thousand cases, 31% more than the previous day. The number of victims is also on the rise with 463 deaths recorded in 24 hours. Despite the recommendations of experts and doctors, the government refuses to introduce restrictions, including the use of the Green pass in public places. “The rulers no longer hide the fact that they do not want to compromise themselves in front of their constituents, who also include the no vax”, he said for example. Robert Flisiak, president of the national association of epidemiologists, interviewed by Gazeta Wyborcza. According to statistics, only 53% of Poles are protected with the double dose of the vaccine.
Hungary, from tomorrow, masks are mandatory
It is mandatory to wear masks indoors to face the resumption of coronavirus infections. Three weeks ago, the obligation to wear a mask on public transport was reintroduced, starting from November 1st.
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