Paris (AFP)
New confinements, curfews, limitations in the private sphere: restrictions are increasing in Europe to deal with the second wave of the new coronavirus pandemic.
- Confinement -
First territories in Europe to reconfigure their populations: Ireland from October 21 at midnight for six weeks - schools will however remain open -, and Wales from the 23 for two weeks - primary school children and some secondary classes will however remain in school.
In northern Greece, confinement is re-established in the Kozani region (150,000 inhabitants) until October 29, but schools remain open.
No confinement but calls to stay at home as much as possible in Germany and the Czech Republic.
- Curfews -
In France, nearly 20 million inhabitants in the Paris region and in eight metropolises must respect a curfew from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. since October 17, for four weeks initially, except for imperative travel (work, health ...).
Curfew in Belgium between midnight and 5 a.m., for four weeks since Monday evening, and in Slovenia from Tuesday, between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
In Italy, two regions are also preparing for the curfew: Lombardy (north) will institute it from Thursday and for three weeks, from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., and Campania, the region of Naples, from Friday at 11:00 p.m. - the duration of the measure has not been specified for the moment.
- Travel restrictions -
In Spain, around sixty municipalities are partially cordoned off: residents can only enter and exit for essential reasons.
In Madrid and eight surrounding municipalities, these sanitary cords have been in effect since October 2 and at least until 23.
In Slovenia, travel between the 12 regions of the country is prohibited.
- Restricted gatherings -
After the ban on private gatherings of more than six people from different homes in England since mid-September, any home invitation is now prohibited in London and in several cities in the North.
Ditto in Scotland.
In the Netherlands, since mid-October it is not possible to invite more than three people into one's home, nor to see outside more than four people from a different household.
Private meetings are limited to six people in many parts of Spain, as well as in Slovakia, Slovenia and Austria.
In Germany, in some areas, these meetings are limited to 10 people from a maximum of two households until the end of October.
Since Monday, spontaneous gatherings of more than 15 people have also been prohibited in public spaces in Switzerland.
Poland imposes a limit of 10 in a "red zone" covering about half of the country.
In Greece, gatherings in cafes and restaurants are limited to six people, and even four in Athens.
Limit of six per table also in Italy or France.
Denmark has been advising since mid-September to create a "social bubble", with "maybe five or 10 people to hang out".
- Bars and restaurants -
Belgium closed restaurants and cafes on October 19 for at least a month, in Northern Ireland they are closed until mid-November.
In Spain, closure in Catalonia (north-east) since October 15 for at least two weeks, reduction of hours and reception capacities in Madrid and eight surrounding municipalities.
These establishments are also closed in the Czech Republic and the Netherlands, where coffee shops (cannabis outlet) can, however, remain open until 8 p.m.
In England, doors closed at 10 p.m.
Restaurants in Italy are allowed midnight but bars must close at 6:00 p.m. if they cannot serve their customers at the table.
Bars and restaurants close at 9 p.m. in Poland, at 11 p.m. in Hungary, at midnight in Croatia.
In Germany, they must close at 11:00 p.m.
Curtain down at 10 p.m. in Denmark, at least until October 30.
In Switzerland, the canton of Friborg imposes a tracking system with QR Code, especially in bars and nightclubs.
- Restrictions in schools -
In Slovenia, only elementary school pupils are allowed to attend classes, with older children having to take online lessons.
In the Czech Republic, all teaching is done remotely, until November 2.
Distance education in Moscow for 6th to 12th grade students, as well as in Warsaw and other major cities in Poland.
- Field hospitals -
In the north of England, in Manchester, Sunderland and Harrogate, three field hospitals set up in the spring will be reactivated.
In the Czech Republic, the army is due to build a 500-bed field hospital on the outskirts of Prague in ten days.
The great national stadium in Warsaw will be partially transformed into a temporary hospital from the end of the week.
- Travel -
The UK imposes a 14-day quarantine on arrivals from many countries.
In Latvia it is 10 days upon arrival from almost all countries except Estonia and Norway.
Austria requires a negative test certificate from travelers coming from heavily affected countries including Spain, the United States, and certain French regions.
Hungary keeps its borders closed until November 1.
- Telecommuting -
In Italy, civil servants have to work 75% by teleworking, a measure strongly recommended for private companies.
In Belgium, teleworking became the rule on October 19, for functions that lend themselves to it.
It remains encouraged in many other countries.
burs-kd-paj / mw / mba
© 2020 AFP