Winter infections are soaring across Europe amid the spread of Covid variant Omicron as countries desperately bid to slow transmission with the introduction of further restrictions.
Denmark became the first EU country to lift its Covid restrictions three months ago, but the emergence of the new variant has seen Europe revert back to tougher rules as cases and hospitalisations are on the rise again.
The UK lifted its own lockdown restrictions earlier on July 19, but Health Secretary Sajid Javid today warned there are ‘no guarantees’ Christmas Day will go ahead without a lockdown as Boris Johnson desperately fends off alarming warnings from scientists.
He admitted ‘everything is under review’ after SAGE delivered a grim assessment that the number of infections could reach two million by the end of the month without tougher restrictions – floating a ‘circuit breaker’ ban on households mixing and closure of non-essential shops.
It came as France barred UK holidaymakers from entering the country without a ‘compelling reason’ this week, while Germany added Britain to its list of high-risk countries.
Meanwhile, protestors clashed with police in the Brussels earlier this month amid demonstrations against the tightening of restrictions across the continent.
Winter infections are soaring across Europe amid the spread of Covid variant Omicron as countries desperately bid to slow transmission with the introduction of further restrictions
Demonstrators voice opposition to the new vaccine pass and mandatory vaccine plans in France as European countries introduce tougher measures
A protestor takes part in a demonstration against the Belgian government’s restrictions earlier this month
Omicron is rapidly spreading across Europe already, though, and restrictions are being rolled out across the continent in a desperate bid to save Christmas.
The measures, set out below, taken by each country have differed, with Covid passes deemed particularly divisive. The certificates have become mandatory across some parts of Europe, while proposals to do the same elsewhere have been met with vociferous public opposition.
BELGIUM: 9,998 Covid-19 cases – Restrictions include working from home and a limit on the number of people at tables in bars and restaurants
Belgium made working from home compulsory on 26 November and imposed a six-person limit on people per-table in bars and restaurants.
Private parties were banned, and bars, nightclubs and restaurants where social distancing cannot be accommodated were shut completely.
Protestors throw urban property during a demonstration against Covid-19 vaccination in Brussels on Sunday night
It comes as Omicron is believed to now account for one in 10 of all new cases in the country.
Belgium, though, has seen cases drop off from a high of 1,601 per million on November 30 to just over 1,000 per million on Wednesday.
On Sunday, Belgian police intervened to disperse stone-throwing youths Sunday after the latest protest march in Brussels against anti-coronavirus measures.
The crowd that marched from the Gare du Nord railway to a park in the city’s European quarter was smaller than in two previous protests – around 3,500 people, according to the police.
But a smaller number of mainly young, black-clad and hooded protesters clashed with riot officers protecting the route to EU headquarters, where officials were meeting African leaders.
Belgium is recording around 10,000 new Covid cases per day as the Omicron variant spreads in Europe, and authorities have again begun to tighten public health rules.
Protestors throw objects during a demonstration against Covid-19 vaccination in Brussels on Sunday night
A demonstrator throws a rock at police officers during clashes at a Covid protest in Brussels on Sunday night
Police detain a demonstrator after clashes erupted at Covid-19 ‘Mandatory vaccination’ protest in Brussels, Belgium on Sunday
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo’s government will meet on Wednesday to decide on any new measures, and the neighbouring Netherlands has already ordered a Christmas lockdown.
Belgium has run a relatively successful vaccine campaign and has begun issuing booster shots, but a vocal minority is wary of compulsory jabs and certificates or opposes lockdown measures.
The stone- and bottle-throwers were dispersed back into the Jubilee Park by charges by riot police, and plain clothes officers made several arrests, an AFP journalist saw.
IRELAND: 7,333 Covid-19 cases – Curfew imposed for hospitality venues
The Irish cabinet has agreed that hospitality venues, cinemas and theatres should have a closing time of 8pm from Monday (December 20) to deal with the threat from Omicron.
The measure will stay in place until January 30 and will be kept under constant review.
In a televised address on Friday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said more than a third of new cases were attributed to the new variant.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin pictured receiving his AstraZeneca jab in Cork City Hall. The Irish cabinet has agreed that hospitality venues, cinemas and theatres should have a closing time of 8pm
Further restrictions announced included the number of spectators allowed to attend sporting events being capped at 50 per cent up to a maximum of 5,000 people.
All indoor events can operate at 1,000 or 50 per cent capacity and must be fully seated, while weddings will have a cut-off time of midnight and an attendance cap of 100 from Monday.
Restrictions are already in place for bars and restaurants, which must not accept bookings for more than six people and must only offer table service.
Ireland recorded 7,333 confirmed cases of Covid on Sunday, while 410 patients were hospitalised and 107 were being treated in ICU wards.
FRANCE: 58,536 Covid-19 cases – Imposed travel restrictions
France has barred UK holidaymakers from entering the country without a ‘compelling reason’.
Only around 300 cases of Omicron have been recorded in France to date, but President Emmanuel Macron highlighted Britain’s much higher infection rate as justification for bringing in the new travel rules.
The number of Covid cases has passed 60,000 a day with more than 15,000 patients in hospital – rising by around 1,000 daily.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex shows his health pass as he arrives to visit the ‘Nouvel Hopital Civil’, in Strasbourg, eastern France on December 10
French President Emmanuel Macron pictured during a European Union summit at the European Council Building at the EU headquarters in Brussels on Friday
Overall testing in the country is also relatively low, with around 11.77 tests carried out per 1,000 people, compared to 18.03 in the UK and 38.77 in Austria.
France is reluctant to impose another lockdown and Prime Minister Jean Castex said he hopes a series of new measures aimed at curbing the spread of Omicron will persuade more people to receive their jab.
They included shortening the gap between the second and third dose of the vaccine, and requiring a full vaccination to enter restaurants and long-distance public transport.
All official New Years Eve celebrations and firework displays have been cancelled.
GERMANY: 29,348 Covid-19 cases – imposed restrictions against unvaccinated
Germany has tightened restrictions on travel from the UK.
From 11pm UK time on Sunday, there will be a ban on carriage from the UK to Germany, with the exception of Germany nationals.
Everyone entering Germany from Britain, regardless of vaccination status, will also need a negative PCR test and is required to quarantine for 14 days.
The restrictions could last until at least January 3.
Germany has tightened restrictions on travel from the UK. From 11pm UK time on Sunday, there will be a ban on carriage from the UK to Germany, with the exception of Germany nationals. Pictured: Medical staff assist a patient infected with Covid-19 at an intensive care unit at a hospital in Bochum, western Germany, on December 16
Starting Sunday, Germany also considers France and Denmark ‘high risk areas,’ meaning those who are not vaccinated or recovered from the virus must quarantine for 10 days after entering the country. Dozens of countries, including nearly all of Germany’s direct neighbours, have now been added to this category.
Germany also has reimposed its own health restrictions earlier this month following high case numbers due to Omicron, voting overwhelmingly in favour of barring unvaccinated individuals from restaurants and non-essential commerce.
The country remains short of millions of doses, despite aims to speed up its booster campaign.
On Sunday, Germany recorded 29,348 cases – a decline from the average of 50,000 cases per day reported last week.
SPAIN: 33,359 Covid-19 cases – Introduced restrictions for unvaccinated to enter bars and restaurants
Despite protests, several regions of Spain have introduced stricter measures for the unvaccinated over the festive period.
It included the use of Covid certificate to enter bars, restaurants and other public places.
Around 80 per cent of the population is jabbed, but the rise of Omicron has triggered another vaccination drive.
On Friday, the infection rate over the preceding 14 days, was 511 cases per 100,000, up from Thursday’s 473. There were 33,359 new infections and 41 deaths, according to Health Ministry data.
Like most of Europe, Spain is also looking to administer more booster shots in the run up to Christmas and have just approved them for the over 40s.
Roughly 80% of Spain’s population of 47 million has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and some 10 million have received booster shots.
On Thursday Spain approved booster vaccines for people aged over 40.
Spain has recorded 5.46 million cases and 88,708 deaths since the pandemic began.
PORTUGAL: 4,300 Covid-19 cases – Introduced restrictions to access restaurants, cinemas and hotels
Portugal declared a ‘state of calamity’ in which it reintroduced tighter restrictions from December 1.
This included a digital certificate proving vaccination or recovery from Covid being required to access restaurants, cinemas and hotels.
Face masks must also be worn in all enclosed spaces and outdoors where social distancing cannot be maintained.
Mask-clad parents and children are seen in the inoculation area of the Feira Internacional de Lisboa in Portugal on Saturday
In terms of travel, Brits require proof of a negative test result, no matter their vaccination status.
Portugal said on Friday it estimated infections with the fast-spreading coronavirus variant Omicron were doubling every two days and could account for 80% of all new cases by the end of December.
An average of 4,300 cases are being reported daily, though hospitalisations remain low.
POLAND: 19,153 Covid-19 cases – Restrictions including nightclubs
Poland recorded its highest number of Covid deaths since April on Wednesday amid a continuing high daily rate of new coronavirus infections.
On the same day, it confirmed restrictions closing nightclubs. However, they will reopen on December 31 and January 1 to allow for New Year’s celebrations to take place.
All shops and services remain open as usual, but with limited capacity, and face masks are mandatory inside.
Bochnia Hospital Paramedics wear PPE as they attend to a call to help a critical COVID-19 unvaccinated patient on December 8, 2021 in Bochnia, Poland
Gyms, fitness clubs and indoor games facilities have a limit of one person per 15 square metres.
Teachers, medics and security forces, including police and the military, are required to be fully vaccinated by March 1.
Poland has averaged 19,100 cases per day over the last week, but only reported its first Omicron case on Thursday.
DENMARK: 8,666 Covid-cases – Closed public venues and a full lockdown is being considered
Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced the closure of public venues including cinema, theatres and concert halls on Friday after the country recorded 11,000 daily confirmed cases for the first time during the pandemic. The country recorded 8,666 cases on Sunday.
While a full lockdown is not being considered, she said ‘it’s necessary to have new restrictions that limit activity in the community and reduce transmissions’.
Earlier this week, the country’s school children were sent home for Christmas a week ahead of schedule.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen speaks during a press conference in the Prime Minister’s Office in Copenhagen on Friday
A pop-up Covid-19 vaccination center is pictured on September 11, 2021 in Faelledparken in Copenhagen, Denmark
And now the Government is proposing to close cinemas, theme parks and zoos to break the chain of transmission.
Denmark has averaged 8,600 new cases over the last week, but figures are rising across the country amid the spread of Omicron.
NETHERLANDS: 14,616 cases – Restrictions include the closure of shops, bars and restaurants
From Sunday, all non-essential stores, bars and restaurants will be closed until January 14.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte confirmed the restrictions in a press conference on Saturday evening, where he said schools and universities are also to shut until January 9.
Shops, bars and restaurants were already under a 5pm to 5am curfew introduced at the end of November.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte speaks during a press conference announcing further Covid measures earlier this week. From Sunday, all non-essential stores, bars and restaurants will be closed until January 14.
In what is surely to prove a major disappointment, the lockdown terms also rein in private holiday celebrations. Residents only will be permitted two visitors except for Christmas and New Year’s, when four will be allowed, according to caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
‘The Netherlands is going into lockdown again from tomorrow,’ he said on Saturday, adding that the move was ‘unavoidable because of the fifth wave caused by the omicron variant that is bearing down on us.’
Riots broke out in Rotterdam when the restrictions were first announced last month, with police opening fire on anti-lockdown protests against the restrictions.
Although Covid cases dropped in the Netherlands after it imposed restrictions last month, only 1.5million people have received a booster jab after it became one of the last countries in Europe to launch its drive.
It follows the Dutch National Institute for Public Health (RIVM) reporting 14,616 new infections across the last 24 hours.
NORWAY: 4734 Covid-19 cases – Imposed restrictions banning sale of alcohol in licensed premises
Norway announced stricter Covid measures on December 12 after setting record highs for both infections and hospitalisations.
The restrictions included a ban on the serving of alcohol in all licensed premises, while social distancing measures were also reintroduced.
The new measures are set to last four weeks.
Norway announced stricter Covid measures on December 12 after setting record highs for both infections and hospitalisations. Pictured: A school student receives a vaccine at Holtet high school in Oslo
Prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre acknowledged it felt like a lockdown, but said it was necessary to prevent the healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed.
It comes as daily cases soared from almost 500 in early October to more than 4,000 on December 12, with a peak of more than 6,000 on December 6, according to official figures.
SWITZERLAND: 9,941 Covid-19 cases – Unvaccinated unable to go to restaurants, cultural venues or other indoor events
Christmas shoppers walk under Christmas illuminations inu Zurich, Switzerland, amid the spread of the coronavirus
From Monday, Switzerland will introduce restrictions on public life for those who are not vaccinated.
Only people who have received a jab or have recovered from Covid will be able to access restaurants, cultural venues or other indoor events.
The rules, introduced on Friday, also stated that everyone must provide a negative test in areas where masks cannot be worn. Only people who have been vaccinated or had a booster jab within the last four months, or are aged under 16, are exempt from this testing requirement.
Switzerland recorded 9,941 new infections on Friday with 1,627 patients in hospital, 294 of whom are in intensive care – raising concerns the healthcare system may be overwhelmed.
ITALY: 7,576 Covid-19 cases – Restrictions imposed with the Covid Super Green Pass required to access public facilities
Omicron is spreading quickly across Italy, according to its national health institute.
Many public activities are off limits to anyone without a ‘Covid Super Green Pass’, a certificate showing proof of vaccination or recovery from the virus within the last six months.
Italy also requires unvaccinated EU citizens to quarantine for five days upon arrival.
A boy receives a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at the Fiera Hub on the opening day of vaccinations for children aged 5-11 years old in Milan, Italy on December 16, 2021
The Government will hold a meeting next week in which it may impose obligations for vaccinated people to show a negative test to access crowded places, including restaurants and sports events.
It is understood around 84 Omicron cases have been identified thus far. A total of 7,576 cases were reported on Saturday – the country’s highest since March.
CYPRUS: 608 Covid-19 cases – Covid certificate required to enter venues and some sports facilities
Cyprus joined France, Germany and Austria in tightening travel restrictions on Saturday.
Covid screening is required for all travellers aged over 12 from the UK, requiring them to quarantine until the test results are conclusive.
Those who test negative will be given five rapid test kits that they must use during their stays.
People aged six and above require a Covid certificate to enter venues including shopping malls, catering establishments and some sports facilities.
The country’s health minister said the UK’s ‘drastic increase’ in cases was the reason for the new measures, which apply to travellers regardless of whether they’ve been vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19.
The island recorded 608 cases on Saturday, below the peak of 1,009 cases per week reported in July 2021.
AUSTRIA: 3,120 Covid-19 cases – Curfew imposed for restaurants and masks required on public transport
In contrary to the rest of Europe, Austria lifted Covid restrictions for the vaccinated last week amid infection rates easing.
It came three weeks after reimposing strict rules after a rise in cases.
An 11pm curfew remains in place for restaurants and masks are still required on public transport, inside stores and at public places.
Austria’s Chancellor Karl Nehammer speaks to the press as he arrives for an European Union Summit at the European Council building in Brussels on Thursday
Chancellor Karl Nehammer referred to the move as ‘opening with a seatbelt’ in which each of the country’s nine regions had the ability to loosen or tighten its own rules.
Unvaccinated people, though, are still be subject to lockdown restrictions and should remain at home for all but a handful of specific reasons, such as buying groceries, going to the doctor or exercising.
RUSSIA: 28,189 Covid-19 cases – Covid passes required to access indoor venues
QR codes may be required to access venues such as museums, theatres, stadiums, shopping centres or restaurants.
The codes are typically issued to those either vaccinated with a Russian vaccine, recently recovered from COVID-19 or with a recent negative PCR test.
Russian authorities, though, backed away from plans to introduce further restrictions for unvaccinated people earlier this week following public outrage.
The country recorded 28,189 Covid cases on Saturday as the number of infections gradually decline.
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