Faced with the Omicron variant, each country has its own strategy. France has opted for the strengthening of barrier gestures, with the return of the wearing of masks outside in many departments, a return of gauges during major events as well as a strong incentive for teleworking. In return, and like the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland, the duration of isolation of infected but fully vaccinated people was reduced from 10 to 7 days, in order to avoid disorganization. of the society. Because Omicron is hitting hard, with more than 160,000 cases detected each day on average. 271,686 cases this Tuesday. How do other countries work? Tour of Europe measures taken to combat Omicron.
- UK “lets virus live”
On Saturday, the British Minister of Health, Sajid Javid, warned that new restrictions would only intervene “as a last resort” in England despite a surge of Omicron cases, saying that it was necessary to learn to “live with” the coronavirus.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson also warned on Monday that the pressure on the public health service and hospitals would be “considerable over the next two weeks, and possibly more.” Without taking new measures, in addition to the current ones. Namely, increased recourse to teleworking, as well as, as in France, the wearing of a mask that has become more systematic.
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- Switzerland: limited private meetings and vaccination pass
For two weeks, Switzerland has no longer allowed unvaccinated people to enter restaurants, cultural establishments and sports facilities. Private meetings are limited to 10 people in the event that they include unvaccinated or cured people. In order not to close discos and bars, a negative test is required for all at the entrance of these establishments. With the notable exception of people who have completed their vaccination schedule there are less than four months, or recoveries (same duration). This is the “2G” or “3G” rule, also applied in Austria (see below) as well as in Germany.
- Germany and Austria: the world in 2G
Germany does not act the same everywhere. But concretely, since the end of December, the most affected territories have restricted access to their cultural and sporting establishments, or even to restaurants only to those who have been vaccinated or cured (2G). Sometimes, and in particular for closed places, a test is requested in addition (2G +). Others apply a more flexible system called “3G”, equivalent to the French health pass: it is possible to access a place if one is vaccinated, cured or tested. A “3G +” requires a mandatory PCR test.
The 2G system has also been in effect in Austria since the deconfinement of December 12. Only those vaccinated or cured during the last six months can access restaurants, shops or sports halls. As in some German places, wearing the FFP2 mask has become compulsory.
- White week in Portugal
Despite its excellent vaccine coverage, Portugal is also facing a sharp rise in Covid-19 infections, to nearly 20,000 recorded daily. A “week of contention” was therefore proclaimed, relates The cross, from January 2 to 9. Currently, all schools are closed, as well as bars and nightclubs. Teleworking is made compulsory. While the health pass reappears in restaurants.
- Spain: gauges, masks, and more depending on the region
Like France, the mask on the outside is making a comeback in Spain. Gauges are also applied in football stadiums. The rest of the measures depend heavily on the regions, which can act independently in terms of health. In Catalonia, a curfew is currently in effect from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m., with a limit on meetings to 10 people, relays Le Figaro.
- Italy is also preparing to launch its vaccination pass
The measure was voted at the very end of the year. The vaccination pass will come into force in several closed places (sports halls, transport, hotels, etc.) as well as outdoors, in particular on restaurant terraces. The unvaccinated, even tested, will no longer be able to access it. The mask has also become common once more outdoors. Wearing the FFP2 mask has been compulsory in transport since December 25. Its price was capped at 75 cents.
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- Netherlands: containment still in force
Health restrictions are strict in the Netherlands. A new confinement was imposed on the population there a week before Christmas in the face of a new wave of Covid-19 and the spread of the Omicron variant. All non-essential shops, restaurants, bars, cinemas, museums and theaters are closed until January 14 and schools until at least January 9. Outside, only gatherings of two people are allowed, with exceptions such as funerals. But no restriction on movement has been decided.
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