Christmas markets are canceled. What should I do? Each European country is responding to the coronavirus pandemic in its own way, depending on the level of infection and the severity of the situation. However, most are reinstating and even tightening previously lifted restrictions, while allowing some relaxation during the Christmas and New Year period. The World Health Organization is urging all European residents, even within their own families, not to neglect wearing masks during Christmas celebrations. Meanwhile, the United States is awaiting approval of a new vaccine that promises 94% protection against the coronavirus. This and other news about the development of the situation with Covid-19 in the world – in our daily overview.
In Germany, only stores selling essential goods are open. Germany has announced a strict lockdown to deal with a sharp rise in infections. These policies will be in effect until January 10th, but you will be able to invite up to 4 close family members for Christmas. On Wednesday, Germany recorded a peak in coronavirus mortality – 952 cases, although officials say this number may include data from several days. The number of new infections was 27,728, which is also a very high indicator. Coronavirus in the world: lockdowns in Europe during Christmas, approval awaited for the vaccine Moderna. Under the new rules, only shops selling essential goods such as food and banks will remain open. Restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues have been closed since November, and additional lockdowns have been imposed in some regions. Hairdressers and kiosks that sell traditional mulled wine and other alcoholic beverages are closed. Companies are encouraging employees to work from home if possible.
A spike in mortality has been recorded in Germany. Although the number of infections among young people is declining, the number of older people, who typically have a harder time coping with the coronavirus, is increasing. At the same time, there are fewer and fewer places available in intensive care units. In announcing the new measures, German Chancellor Angela Merkel stressed that the “soft lockdown” that began in November had failed to bring the situation under control. The last figures are particularly alarming when one considers how effectively (compared to other European countries) Germany dealt with the situation at the beginning of the pandemic. The Merkel government continues to put pressure on the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to speed up the approval process for the German-developed Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which has already been approved in the United Kingdom and the United States.
The Louvre and other cultural sites in Paris are closed. France has replaced the second national lockdown with a curfew from 20:00 to 06:00. During this time, people are not allowed to leave their homes without official permission. However, they no longer need a permit to go out during the day. An exception will be made on the eve of Christmas, but the curfew will remain in effect on New Year’s Day. Bars and restaurants will be closed until at least January 20.
London: Not everyone is happy with the new lockdown rules. Since Wednesday, London and its surrounding areas have been placed on the highest risk category with the strictest lockdown rules. Pubs and restaurants are closed, but you can buy food to go. “All entertainment and amusement facilities under one roof will be closed, but supermarkets will continue to operate.”
In Dublin, the restrictions have been relaxed slightly. Starting December 18, restrictions on travel between historic counties will be lifted so people can spend Christmas with their loved ones. Representatives from up to three households can now meet indoors. In early December, restaurants, cafes, pubs and hotels reopened after being closed for 6 weeks. Shops, hair salons, museums and libraries have also opened, and religious services are permitted.
In Belgium, the curfew will be shortened from midnight to 5 a.m. on New Year’s Eve (photo of Bruges). We explain quickly, simply, and clearly what happened, why it matters, and what happens next. Episodes End of story: Podcast Advertising. Only one person, the so-called “close contact”, can visit the Belgians. If you live alone, someone else can come (but only one person, and never together with the “close contact”). On December 24 and 25, this rule can be violated, and a lonely person can have both “close contact” and another person coming over. However, the four-person rule remains in effect for meetings outside the home. On New Year’s Eve, fireworks are prohibited, but the curfew is shortened from midnight to 5 a.m. On December 1, all stores in the country opened, but people are strongly advised to shop alone and spend no more than half an hour in the store. Bars, cafes, restaurants and personal service businesses, such as hair salons, will remain closed, but takeout food will be available until 10 p.m. And, of course, the wearing of masks remains mandatory everywhere.
In Lisbon, restaurants are allowed to work until 1 a.m. on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. In Portugal, the state of emergency will remain in effect until December 23, but will be reviewed on December 18. More than 80% of the population (living in high-risk areas) will be required to work from home, and the curfew from 23:00 to 05:00 will remain in effect for them, but this rule will be slightly relaxed during Christmas. Travel between regions will be allowed from December 23 to 26. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, there is a curfew from 02:00 to 05:00, and restaurants are allowed to operate until 1:00 am.
In Prague, it is not allowed to gather in groups of more than 6 people at home or on the street. As of December 18, hotels and indoor sports facilities that reopened at the beginning of winter will be closed again. “Businesses will remain open, but it is not allowed to gather in groups of more than 6 people either at home or on the street (previously, up to 10 people could gather at home and up to 50 on the street)”. A nationwide curfew will be imposed from 23:00 to 05:00, and schoolchildren will be released early for the Christmas holidays.
Partial closures have been announced in Denmark. Beginning December 9, several major cities in the country and dozens of other locations are under partial lockdown. The sale of alcohol after 10 p.m. is prohibited until January 3. No more than 10 people can gather indoors at the same time, and this rule applies during the Christmas season. The authorities strongly insist on maintaining social distance. Other restrictions, such as the closing of bars, restaurants and nightclubs in Copenhagen and the surrounding area at 10 p.m., will remain in place until January 3.
Curfew will be in effect in Athens and on Christmas Day. The lockdown in Greece will continue until January 7, and in order to leave one’s home, it is necessary to inform the authorities of the reason for leaving and to obtain written permission. A nationwide curfew is in effect from 22:00 to 05:00. Shops, kindergartens and schools will be closed. Almost all of these measures, including the curfew, will remain in effect on Christmas Day. At the same time, bookstores and hairdressers are allowed to operate until Christmas. As of December 18, the mandatory quarantine period for all arrivals to Greece will be reduced from 10 days to 3 days, but they will still be required to provide proof of a negative coronavirus test.
The World Health Organization urges all residents of Europe not to neglect to wear masks, even within the family circle, during Christmas celebrations. As noted in the WHO statement that Europe faces a new wave of infections in early 2021, gatherings of friends and relatives over Christmas and New Year’s present a significant risk of coronavirus infection. Doctors are urging people to remember to use personal protective equipment and take precautions. The WHO recommends that people gather outdoors if possible. However, if congregating is unavoidable, it is recommended that people wear masks and keep their distance. “You may feel uncomfortable wearing a mask and keeping your distance from friends and family, but it can provide safety and protect the health of your loved ones,” the WHO statement said. “People in high-risk groups or older friends and relatives may not find the strength to ask you to keep your distance, but try to put yourself in their shoes and do it yourself, without reminders.” WHO officials are also urging people to avoid overcrowded public transport and are calling on countries with open ski resorts to take measures to avoid crowds.
In the near future, the second coronavirus vaccine may be approved for use in the United States. Experts have found Moderna’s drug to be 94% safe and effective. In the United States, where according to Johns Hopkins University more than 300,000 people have died from COVID-19, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was introduced one day earlier. If the new vaccine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration, distribution could begin within 24 hours. Moderna was founded in 2010, but none of its products have received FDA approval. News of its successful vaccine development this year sent the company’s stock price up nearly 800%. The advantage of the new vaccine is that it can be transported in ordinary refrigerators at a temperature of -20C, while the Pfizer vaccine requires -75C, which poses certain difficulties. Like Pfizer’s vaccine, Moderna’s vaccine will require a second dose after 28 days. If approved, the Moderna vaccine will be manufactured at the company’s facility in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Pfizer drug is manufactured in several countries, including Germany and Belgium. The availability of the new vaccine in combination with Pfizer’s vaccine will allow millions of people to be immunized in the coming months. The United States has already agreed to purchase 200 million doses from the company, Canada has ordered 56 million and the United Kingdom – 7 million. The European Union, Japan, South Korea and Switzerland also plan to buy the vaccine.