Riot has broken out as COVID-19 winter infections are soaring across Europe.
Gatekeepers News reports European countries are desperately making moves to slow the transmission of the Omicron variant with the introduction of further restrictions as the winter infections are soaring across the continent.
Three months ago, Denmark became the first EU country to lift its COVID restrictions, but the emergence of the new variant has seen Europe revert to tougher rules as cases and hospitalisations are on the rise again.
On July 19, the UK lifted its lockdown restrictions but Health Secretary Sajid Javid on Sunday warned there are ‘no guarantees’ Christmas Day will go ahead without a lockdown as Prime Minister Boris Johnson desperately fends off alarming warnings from scientists.
Javid admitted that “everything is under review” after SAGE delivered a grim assessment that the number of infections could reach two million by the end of the month without tougher restrictions – floating a ‘circuit breaker’ ban on households mixing and closure of non-essential shops.
This comes after France barred UK holidaymakers from entering the country without a ‘compelling reason’ this week, while Germany added Britain to its list of high-risk countries.
Meanwhile, earlier this month, protestors clashed with police in Brussels amid demonstrations against the tightening of restrictions across the continent.
However, the Omicron variant is rapidly spreading across Europe already. Efforts to save Christmas are being made across the continent as restrictions are being rolled.
The measures, set out by different countries differ, with COVID passes deemed particularly divisive. The certificates have become mandatory across some parts of Europe, while proposals to do the same elsewhere have been met with vociferous public opposition.
In Belgium, restrictions include compulsory work from home since November 26 and a six-person limit on people per-table in bars and restaurants. Meanwhile, private parties were barred and bars, nightclubs, and restaurants where social distancing cannot be accommodated were shut completely.
Although Belgium has seen cases drop off from a high of 1,601 per million on November 30 to just over 1,000 per million on Wednesday, on Sunday, Belgian police had to intervene to disperse stone-throwing youths after the latest protest march in Brussels against anti-coronavirus measures.
Meanwhile, Belgium is recording around 10,000 new COVID cases per day as the Omicron variant spreads in Europe, and authorities have again begun to tighten public health rules.
In France, travel restrictions have been imposed.
France has barred UK holidaymakers from entering the country without a ‘compelling reason’.
Although the country only recorded around 300 cases of Omicron to date, President Emmanuel Macron highlighted Britain’s much higher infection rate as justification for bringing in the new travel rules.
Meanwhile, the number of COVID cases has passed 60,000 a day with more than 15,000 patients in hospital – rising by around 1,000 daily.
However, France is reluctant to impose another lockdown and Prime Minister Jean Castex said he hopes a series of new measures aimed at curbing the spread of Omicron will persuade more people to receive their jab.
An individual requires a full vaccination to enter restaurants and long-distance public transport and all official New Years’ Eve celebrations and firework displays have been cancelled.
In Germany: restrictions have been imposed against unvaccinated. Germany has also tightened restrictions on travel from the UK.
The German government noted that from 11 pm UK time on Sunday, there will be a ban on the carriage from the UK to Germany, except for German nationals.
Also, everyone entering Germany from Britain, regardless of vaccination status, will need a negative PCR test and is required to quarantine for 14 days, adding that the restrictions could last until at least January 3.
In Spain: restrictions have been introduced to stop unvaccinated persons from entering bars and restaurants
Despite protests, several regions of Spain have introduced stricter measures for the unvaccinated over the festive period, including the use of COVID certificates to enter bars, restaurants, and other public places.
In Portugal: restrictions have been introduced to access restaurants, cinemas, and hotels
Portugal reintroduced tighter security on December 1 after declaring a ‘state of calamity’. This included a digital certificate proving vaccination or recovery from COVID being required to access restaurants, cinemas, and hotels. Citizens and residents have been mandated to use face masks in all enclosed spaces and outdoors where social distancing cannot be maintained.
In Poland: 19,153 Covid-19 cases – Restrictions including nightclubs
Poland recorded its highest number of Covid deaths since April on Wednesday amid a continuing high daily rate of new coronavirus infections.
On the same day, it confirmed restrictions closing nightclubs. However, they will reopen on December 31 and January 1 to allow for New Year’s celebrations to take place.
All shops and services remain open as usual, but with limited capacity, and face masks are mandatory inside.
In Italy: Restrictions imposed with the COVID Super Green Pass required to access public facilities
According to its national health institute, the Omicron is spreading quickly across Italy.
Anyone without a ‘COVID Super Green Pass’, a certificate showing proof of vaccination or recovery from the virus within the last six months has been restricted from many public activities. All unvaccinated EU citizens have been mandated to quarantine for five days upon arrival.
