Coronavirus: How Europeans are preparing for Christmas and New Year


The Rue Saint-Honor is decorated with lights to celebrate Christmas and New Year on November 22, 2020 in Paris

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Image CitationFrance will lift the travel ban on Christmas

For months now, coronavirus has imposed restrictions on where millions of Europeans can travel and who they can see when they get there.

So with Christmas fast approaching, governments are making tough decisions about whether to relax restrictions in a timely manner for the holiday season.

Here is a break from what has been announced so far.

Italy: Warning against the holidays

Many Italians head to the ski resort during Christmas and New Year, but Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has warned against this traditional break. “We can’t afford that,” he said.

That means popular ski resorts and dolomites in the Alps will lose billions of euros in festival revenue.

Mr Conte is seeking a European consensus, closing ski resorts and taking other measures.

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Image citationSki resorts are making brackets to lose revenue during the festive period

“I think it’s a European problem,” Mr Conte told La7 Television. “If Italy decides to close all its ski lifts without any support from France, Ria Austria and other countries, Italian tourists will risk going abroad and bringing in. [virus] Back home. ” Of France Ski resorts will also be closed and the leader of these Bavaria is a German state Supports temporary closure, but Aust Strian Tourism officials believe that once the ban is eased on December 7 and they reject the Italian plan, they can grant safe leave. Swiss Resorts are already open.

Italy is currently witnessing the highest number of deaths since the end of March and the Prime Minister has asked Italians to expect a more peaceful Christmas “without gatherings, hugs and kisses on Christmas Eve”.

Many Italian territories are under partial lockdown and travel between them is prohibited. The measures will last until December 3, but reports suggest the emergency decree may see a relaxation in the rules after this date.

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The exact details of the decree are still being discussed by ministers. The favorite Italian Christmas market is banned though.

But that’s not all bad news: Mr. Conte has assured the children

Bubbo Nutley (Father Christmas) will definitely visit as he is exempt from global travel restrictions. Fau.

France: Travel bans on Christmas travel

After weeks of national lockouts, sanctions on President Emanuel Macron are set to begin easing on November 28. But most of the lockdown measures will remain in place until before the December 15 festive break.

Shops, theaters and cinemas will reopen on time for Christmas and people will be able to visit their families during the festive period. “We will travel between regions, without authorization.” Mr. Maron said in a TV address.

It is worth noting that France is under its second national lockdown since the end of October. But on December 15, this will be replaced by a nationwide curfew from 21:00 to 07:00. However, curfew will not be imposed on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

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Image citationDespite the lockdown, the general decor has lit up Paris and other cities

Restaurants and schools will not reopen until at least January 20, and these daily cases are based on a drop of 5,000. Bars, cafes and nightclubs are closed indefinitely.

Religious services will be available from November 28 with a limit of 30 people.

The decision to close France’s hugely popular ski resorts has come as a major disappointment, with local mayors complaining of working for months. Mr MacCrone said he would reopen in January “under favorable conditions” but resisted pressure from the Italian prime minister for a European agreement.

Germany: A hat at social gatherings

The draft guidelines, agreed by leaders of Germany’s 16 states, are aimed at limiting social gatherings over Christmas and are scheduled to be formally formalized after a video conference with Angela Merkel on Wednesday.

From December 1, two homes and a maximum of five people can be found. Children under the age of 14 are not included in this limit.

But there may be a temporary relaxation of the rule to meet up to 10 people between 23 December and 1 January. The limit of two houses can also be increased.

The plan calls for discussions with religious communities on “measures to reduce contacts in religious services.”

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Image citationMost of Germany’s major Christmas markets have been canceled

Germany’s “lockdown light” will continue until December 20. Bars, restaurants and entertainment venues are closed but schools and shops are open. This is expected to be extended over the festive period.

Most of the big Christmas markets have already been canceled, but some locals are outlining plans to move forward on a smaller scale.

For the new year, fireworks displays have been canceled while letting them go on the street is likely to be frustrating.

Spain: Terrace parties and limited gatherings

Reports say the Spanish government is planning a “separate” festival period with a six-person approval limit in the parties.

He is ready to recommend that social gatherings be held on restaurant terraces or other outdoor venues in parts up to Christmas.

Spanish families traditionally celebrate the Feast of the Three Kings with an evening parade on January 5 and the government will recommend that the celebration not take place.

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The plan also recommends ventilation of indoor spaces and maintaining social distance where necessary. But more precisely, Health Minister Salvador Ila has said that “nothing has been stoned.”

“We need to find a consensus on this [Christmas restrictions]. We will announce the action when it is decided, ”he said.

The Catalonian government hopes to allow a gathering of up to 10 people for Christmas. “We will make our own decisions,” said a spokesman for the region.

In Madrid, officials are asking the government to allow a program of mass testing in pharmacies until Christmas to allow people to meet safely during the festive period.

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