The streets of Paris were deserted after the entry into force of the afternoon hour – EU

Boutiques in the center of the French capital closed early and shoppers rushed home to meet the new afternoon hours at 8:00 p.m., which took effect last night as a measure against a possible spike in COVID cases. -19, Reuters reported. .

“I completely lost track of time and didn’t realize it was so late,” said a local in the Paris Opera district just before the night started. “I’m going home.”
In the usually busy commercial area, the windows were dark and the few people on the streets were in a rush to get to the subway.
Yesterday brought new freedoms for the French, because it was the end of the order to sit at home. According to her, people could only go out for a limited period of time, as well as for urgent travel, shopping or sports.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: France introduces the night class

But this measure was replaced by an evening hour. It is valid from 20:00 to 06:00. In this time zone, people can leave only to go to work or for official business or medical reasons. Anyone who violates the afternoon schedule is subject to a fine of 135 euros.

Authorities have warned that they will strictly enforce the new rules. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanen joined a police patrol in Evelyn’s apartment west of Paris last night to verify that people are following orders. “The government has decided to be particularly strict with illegal celebrations,” the minister said.
After the peak of the second wave of infection last month in France, its level has dropped dramatically. However, scientists warn of the danger of a third wave if people let their guard down during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Today new quarantine restrictions go into effect in Germany. For now, they will be in force until January 10, but it is possible that their term will be extended if the epidemic situation does not improve significantly. The decision on the strict closure was made on December 13 at a meeting of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has always been in favor of tightening measures to combat the coronavirus, with the prime ministers of the federal states, according to TASS.
Mass voluntary testing for the coronavirus begins today in the Czech Republic. It will be done with the so-called rapid antigen tests.

“Massive, voluntary and free tests are being initiated for the population of the Czech Republic with antigenic tests for the coronavirus,” Deputy Minister of Health and Health Inspector of the Czech Republic, Jarmila Razova, told reporters. “The tests were originally scheduled to begin on Friday, December 18, but the government has accelerated that process.”
In the Czech Republic, 170 points have been opened where express tests will be carried out. In addition, tests can be performed in the offices of therapists who have decided to voluntarily join the process and have registered with the Ministry of Health for this.

The World Health Organization announced a record number of infected in the world during the last week: 4.3 million. The number of deaths has increased during the same time by more than 70,000, the WHO said.
In Canada, the province of Quebec ordered the closure of non-food stores due to COVID-19, Reuters reported. The measure takes effect on December 25 and will be in effect until January 11.
Costa Rica and Panama approved the use of the COVID-19 vaccine by Pfizer and Biontech.

Thus, they joined the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Bahrain, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Singapore, which also approved or granted an extraordinary authorization for the use of the drug.
More than a quarter (27 percent) of Americans do not intend to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, according to a study by the nonprofit Kaiser’s Family Foundation, cited by TASS. In Britain, more people are against easing anti-epidemic measures by Christmas than in favor, Reuters reported, citing a poll. According to a poll by the Kantar polling agency, 50% of respondents are against or strongly against planned easing, and 40% support it.