European countries intensify their measures against COVID-19 for Christmas
- There are not a few European countries that have tightened Christmas measures related to the COVID-19 epidemic, as we can read on the BBC. Then we look at the measures that the various countries have taken for this extraordinary Christmas. Data indicating the number of infections per 100,000 inhabitants in the last fourteen days have been provided by the European Pest Prevention and Control Centre on 14 December.
Netherlands 546.7 contagion per 100,000 population in 14 days
The lockdown has been carried out for five weeks, closing shops, hairdressers, cinemas and gyms that have been deemed unnecessary. Classes have also been closed on Wednesday. The Government has asked citizens, if not essential, not to travel abroad until mid-March. On specific holiday days, up to three guests per household will be accessible. This is the hardest measure this country has taken since the outbreak of the pandemic.
In Germany, 341.1 was infected in 14 days per 100,000 population
The Government has issued a lockdown order between 16 December and 10 January. As of Wednesday, schools and shops that are considered not to be an essential service remain closed. Restaurants, bars and entertainment centers have been closed since last November, so they can only offer take-home food. At Christmas, a maximum of five people may be picked up per household, two homes each. Travel is prohibited as long as it is not essential. Anyone entering a risk zone and entering that country must spend a quarantine of days, unless the fifth day is negative.
Italy records 428.3 contagion per 100,000 population in the last 14 days
Every day 500 people die from COVID-19 and the government says they are studying measures for Christmas. At the moment it has been said that it is not appropriate to invite anyone else to each house. On the BBC they say that one of the options is to confine the citizens between 24 December and 1 January.
The United Kingdom records 348.2 infections per 100,000 population in the past 14 days
The government has just lifted the lockdown it set a month ago, but it maintains many borders. Three levels have been identified: In level 3 is most of the territory, in the highest alert, for example, cities such as London or Manchester and here the meetings are prohibited in closed places and closed hospitality. In the 1st category, the lightest, meetings of up to six people are allowed and restaurants must close at 23:00. The measures will be reviewed on Wednesday and the way forward for Christmas will be laid down. The Government has already called on citizens to develop and maintain small bubbles between 23 and 27 December. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have set their own rules.
Austria 472.5 contagion per 100,000 population in the last 14 days
The maximum number of persons to be grouped in each household shall be six. Between 24 and 26 December and 31 December, the measure will be made more flexible by allowing up to ten people to come together, regardless of the number of homes in which citizens live. The curfew will be in effect between 20:00 and 06:00 hours, and can only be evicted for reasons of substance. Exclusive home transport service with restaurants and bars closed until 6 January. The hotels are also closed. Cinema and closed theatres. Gyms as well. Citizens who arrive in Austria from countries with more than 100 infections per 100,000 inhabitants must carry out a quarantine of days, with the possibility of interrupting the PCR test carried out on the fifth day.
Denmark registers 523.7 cases per 100,000 population over the past 14 days
Between 25 December and 3 January the whole country will be closed except for grocery stores and pharmacies selling food. On 21 December, some shops will begin to close. Closures of schools, bars, restaurants, sports clubs and cultural centres in the country have spread throughout the country on Wednesday.
