European countries are struggling with the next wave of coronavirus. Countermeasures include new orders to wear masks, more frequent requirements for covid passports and non-recognition of tests. The changes concern tourism, schools, trade and gastronomy.
In Italy, strict rules on the use of covid pass, issued on the basis of vaccination against COVID-19, recovery or test for the last 48 hours, which is now also needed in public transport. For use in the subway, buses, trams and suburban railways without the so-called Green Pass can be fined up to 400 euros.
Checks are constantly carried out at stations and stops. From October, the pass, which was reduced from 12 to 9 months, is required for all jobs, and it must be carried on the ski slopes. In addition, the so-called Super Green Pass, which can only be obtained by recovered and vaccinated people. Only holders of this extended pass have access to cinemas, theaters, concert halls, indoor dining areas and stadiums.
Coronavirus in Germany. Principle 2G
New national restrictions on people not vaccinated against coronavirus were agreed in Germany last Thursday. According to the agreement between the federal government and the state governments, the 2G principle must be applied in cultural, entertainment and commercial facilities.
This means that cinemas, theaters, restaurants and shops will only be available to vaccinated and cured people (2G). If desired, you can additionally recommend the current test (2G-plus). Shops with everyday goods (such as supermarkets and pharmacies) are excluded from this rule. Now unvaccinated people can only meet two people from the same family, and this also applies to private meetings. During the event, the maximum number of participants is 50 inside and 200 outside. In both cases, the 2G rule and masks apply. Clubs and discos in the so-called coronavirus hotspots with more than 350 patients per 100,000 will be closed for a week.
In Portugal, from December 1 to March 20, 2022 is a state of natural disaster. People who arrive in this country by air must present a negative test for coronavirus or a medical certificate confirming the presence of infection in the last six months. An EU certificate confirming vaccination is not recognized. It is only observed at the land border, but only for travelers arriving from EU regions with low levels of infection. This document is required from people who are part of the interior of the restaurant, and people who gather for major cultural and sporting events must pass the current test from December 1. From January 2 to 9, there is a national quarantine for students and office workers who do not come into contact with entrants.
In France, the government closes discos for four weeks from Friday, and from Monday introduces stricter sanitation in schools, where wearing masks is mandatory for teachers and children from 6 years old not only in class but also in school. sports. Sanitary passports are required for travel in public places and in long-distance public transport. Wearing masks must be indoors and outdoors, with a large number of people, including at Christmas fairs. The Prime Minister announced the tightening of control over sanitary passports, which expire on January 15, if they are not vaccinated with a booster dose.
Czech Republic and Slovakia: coronavirus emergency
A state of emergency has been in effect in the Czech Republic since November 26, but it is not accompanied by travel restrictions or travel bans. Drinking alcohol in public places is prohibited, restaurants, bars and clubs must be closed until 22.00. Masks not lower than FFP2 are required in all enclosed spaces. Restaurants, bars and some service facilities require covid certificates confirming vaccination or illness. Negative test results no longer indicate epidemic safety. Once a week, tests are conducted in schools and workplaces. As a result, employees may be transferred to another job or sent on unpaid leave.
The state of emergency and the related travel ban, which was to last in Slovakia until December 10, will remain. From Friday, public transport will require covid certificates, including tests, and churches and temples that are currently closed, as well as convenience stores, will be open to vaccinated and healed people. Some schools will switch to online learning from Monday. Restaurants and service facilities will remain closed and will be open to those vaccinated and recovering on December 17. Hotels and lifts will be open from December 25, only for the vaccinated and recovering.
Coronavirus in Scandinavia. Norway with the strictest restrictions
Among the Scandinavian countries, the most severe restrictions were imposed by Norway, where the number of COVID-19 cases rose to the highest level of the pandemic. From Thursday in this country it is forbidden to serve alcohol in pubs after midnight, it is recommended to take home up to 10 guests (on holidays in exceptional cases may be 20), as well as wear masks in crowded places. In addition, the rule of distance of one meter was restored. Norwegian municipalities also have the right to require covid certificates on site.
In Denmark, where the daily number of infections has reached a record high of more than 6,000, a certificate confirming vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test is required in public places. It is recommended to cover your nose and mouth on public transport.
In Sweden, which has twice the population of Norway and Denmark, the daily number of COVID-19 cases is lower, from 2 to 2,500, but the number of infections is steadily increasing. Authorities have already introduced a requirement to show vaccination certificates in cinemas and at sporting events indoors if there are more than 100 people at the meeting. A similar principle has been announced for restaurants. Among the Swedes, it was recommended to return to remote work and cover their faces in public transport.
The new restrictions have been in place in the Netherlands for two weeks now, as a result of a record rate of coronavirus infection. There is a rule of social distance of 1.5 meters, and masks must be worn in all public places. Shops, restaurants, museums, service companies and gyms must be closed 17.00 Sanitary passes are usually used, which is necessary, among other things, to visit a museum, go to a restaurant or gym.
Covid passports, masks, tests
As part of the fight against the pandemic in Lithuania, medical masks or filters must be worn in public places for a month, and from December 1, masks are mandatory for all students. Since September, the country has a covid passport, which is obtained on the basis of the vaccine, a negative test result or after receiving immunity after illness and without it it is impossible to enter bars and restaurants, most shops, participating receive inpatient education at universities and work in security health, education and social protection. To speed up the vaccination process, tests are paid for a week. To get a covid passport now based on a negative test result, each person has to spend about 70-100 euros per month.
In Ukraine, the so-called adaptive quarantine, which makes the degree of anti-epidemic restrictions depending on the situation in the region. The red zone with the most severe restrictions, shopping malls, restaurants, gyms, cinemas, etc. can not accept customers if all employees and visitors are not vaccinated, do not have a negative test result or do not have a certificate of recovery. Wearing masks indoors and on public transport throughout the country is mandatory.
In Bulgaria, the number of new infections fell below 100,000 for the first time since October, allowing students to return to full-time education. Since October, covid passports have been valid in public places. Masks are mandatory in public places and on public transport.
Restrictions in England and Spain
In England, you have to cover your face in shops and on public transport. Staff, visitors and students or students aged 7 and over in public places of universities and schools must wear face masks. A ten-day quarantine is mandatory for anyone who has been in contact with someone who may have been infected with the omicron coronavirus variant.
Due to the escalation of coronavirus infection in November, several autonomous communities in Spain tightened sanitary regulations. From 1 December, people arriving in the Canary Islands must have a vaccine passport or a document confirming a negative COVID-19 test or a medical certificate confirming the presence of the disease.
Regions that have restricted access to restaurants and entertainment under certain conditions include Aragon, Catalonia, Galicia, Navarre, the Balearic Islands and Valencia. There, customers need medical documents confirming the absence of coronavirus.