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Photographed by Kentaro Iwasaki, an entertainment district where the number of people disappeared due to trade restrictions again on the 8th in Bangkok
Variants of the new coronavirus confirmed in the UK have spread to 50 countries and regions, including Japan, and “medical collapse” is becoming a reality in Europe. Each country has introduced exit restrictions similar to last spring. Expand compensation and impose strict penalties. However, the appearance of variants, which are indicated as highly infectious, makes it difficult to contain re-expansion.
The UK has been in a situation that can be called an “infection explosion” since mid-December last year due to the rapid expansion of variants. According to the British media, around two thirds of new infections are variants. The number of infected people on the 9th was about 60,000, and the cumulative death toll exceeded 80,000 for the first time in Europe, falling “out of control” (Mayor of London, Khan). “Triage” has also begun to prioritize treatment.
Prime Minister Johnson called for “more cooperation” and the English region became the third block (closure). It has been pointed out that one of the reasons why the spread of infection continues despite the prohibition to go out is that citizens do not comply with the regulations.
The British government provides subsidies of up to £ 9000 (approximately 1.27 million yen) to retailers, customer service and entertainment companies that are forced to take a license. On the other hand, violators will be severely punished, companies will receive a fine of between 1,000 and 10,000 pounds and individuals between 200 and 6,400 pounds.
France has the second highest number of infected people (around 2.9 million from 12) in Europe after the UK. At the meeting, Prime Minister Castex lamented: “He is far from returning to normal life.” The reopening of restaurants has been postponed and the number of areas where the prohibition to go out at night has been extended from 6:00 p.m. has been increased.
Violators of the night-out ban have been fined by the government 135 euros (about 17,000 yen), but more than 1,000 young people took part in the New Year’s party near the west of Rennes. The deterrent effect of fines is also questionable.
Germany has extended the scheduled lockdown until the 10th until the end of the month. The restaurant will remain open for take out and home delivery only. The compensation will vary depending on the circumstances of the affected business operator, but will subsidize fixed costs such as rent up to 500,000 euros (about 63.5 million yen) per month. However, some companies have said that profits are late.
◆ Catastrophic coup
In the United States, which is the most serious country in the world with around 22.6 million infected people and more than 370,000 deaths, each state and local government will take its own measures against the infection. As the status of the infection changes from moment to moment, regulations on business activities and school closings are frequently reviewed.
Eastern New York, which became a source of earthquakes in the United States in the first wave last spring, expanded again in winter. In densely populated New York City, it decided to ban restaurant operations again on the 14th of last month and impose a fine of up to $ 10,000 on stores they violate.
However, there are many small businesses in the food and beverage industry, and it is said that “the ban on business again will be a devastating blow” (American newspaper New York Times), and there is deep concern about bankruptcy and rapid increase in unemployment.
Most of the most infected western states in the United States have severe restrictions on interaction with residents of other households. If a closed business operator violates the law, the business license will be revoked.
◆ Blockage you want to avoid
Even in Thailand, where the spread of the infection has been suppressed by strict border measures, clusters (groups of infected people) have occurred in the seafood market, where there are many foreign workers, and the spread of infection in the city has spread immediately. Entertainment facilities have been closed, restaurants have been restricted, and schools have been closed.
Watch out for the “demon statue” in the Bangkok International Airport terminal with a mask = taken by Kentaro Iwasaki
Thai Prime Minister Playut, who is dependent on external demand, has a strong desire to “avoid the blockade again.” A government official said: “It was time to survive the first wave. I don’t know if it will last.”
(London / Yuya Fujisawa, Berlin / Akira Kondo, Paris / Yuki Tani, New York / Takahiro Sugito, Bangkok / Kentaro Iwasaki)
