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For several months, Spaniards have had a curfew, in Greece children have once again been sent home from school and in France they have to justify why they leave home.
A new wave of infections is now spreading across Europe. And at a time when people often travel back and forth in connection with Easter.
Therefore, many countries have introduced a series of measures to prevent people from traveling.
One of the countries that stands out is Denmark. Although in Norway we have introduced stricter measures throughout the country, infection rates in Denmark remain stable. The country now expects a gradual reopening in April.
FRAMES: This year not many are attracted to Nice either. France is introducing stricter measures for areas with high infection pressure, affecting a total of 21 million French people. Photo: Daniel Cole / AP / NTB
More tests
The fact that the Danes do not need to introduce stricter measures in relation to Easter, says Professor Ørjan Olsvik from the University of Tromsø, may be because they have more control over the wild infection than we do. The reason is that they perform more tests in percentage terms than Norway.
– So it may be that they come to the conclusion that the measures they have now are good enough, he says.
BEST IN CLASS: Medical microbiology professor Ørjan Olsvik at the University of Tromsø believes Norway has been among the best in its class in tackling the pandemic. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB
Throughout week 11, 189,737 people were tested in Norway, according to the National Institute of Public Health.
For example, on Wednesday this week, Denmark tested 312,141 people, according to the Statens Serums Institutt.
Therefore, Denmark tastes more than twice as much in one day as Norway does in a week.
Measurements in some European countries
Germany: The current measures have been extended until April 6. The five-day closure scheduled for Easter was canceled after criticism.
The Netherlands: Entry ban between 21.00 and 04.30 until the end of March. Unnecessary shops, bars and restaurants are closed. Prohibition of meeting with more than two people. Sports for teens and adults up to age 27 are allowed outdoors.
Belgium: The closure has been extended until April 1. All unnecessary travel is prohibited. A maximum of one person can visit at a time, and only the same person is allowed to visit. A maximum of four people can meet outdoors. Schools and shops are open.
France: Curfew between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. New one-month closure in Paris and other areas, affecting a total of 21 million people. Those who come from areas with high infection pressure must complete a document explaining why they are leaving their home.
Italy: In half the country, shops, restaurants and schools will close again until after Easter. People are asked to stay home, unless they have to go to work or other necessary errands. On Easter Eve, Easter 1st and Easter 2nd, the whole country will be closed.
Hellas: Curfew from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. from Monday to Friday, from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The schools are closed. In areas with high infection pressure, unnecessary shops and salons are closed. People can only buy food in stores if they are within 2 km within a radius of their home, but do not go further.
Spain: Curfew from … to …, which will last until the beginning of May. Other than that, Spaniards are only allowed to go to work, school, buy food and medicine, or take care of the elderly or children.
Portugal: The state of emergency, which began in January, will last until March 31. Last week some shops, kindergartens and elementary schools were opened. In April, the museum and older students are scheduled to go to school.
Sweden: It does not introduce any new strict measures. Among the measures that have been introduced are, among others, bar stops between 20.00-11.00 and closed sports facilities, but not for children. People are encouraged to have few close contacts.
Denmark: No new intakes have been introduced before Easter. If the situation allows, malls may open and outdoor seating may be allowed starting April 21. Cafes, restaurants, theaters and cinemas must be closed until May 6.
Britain: It does not introduce new measures before Easter, the British have lived under very strict measures for a long time. On March 29, the reopening begins, where six people can meet outdoors, the stay-at-home rule is removed, and outdoor activities are opened. Not before April 12, stores can reopen.
Kilder: BBC, krisinformation.se, coronavirus.dk.
No cabin
The UK also does not introduce stricter measures before Easter. In April, the plan is to start with the reopening.
The British have gone further on vaccination in Europe, but Olsvik points to Easter traditions as reasons why they appear to be abandoning austerity measures.
– They do not go to the cabin and go skiing since we are going to Norway. Mobility in England is not as good at Easter as it is in us, he says.
The new national rules in Norway went into effect on Thursday. Unlike last year, there will be no cabin ban. However, there are still significant restrictions on what is allowed and recommended.
LEADERSHIP: More than 40 percent of all Britons have received their first dose of vaccine. The UK ranks second in the world in the proportion of people vaccinated. Photo: Glyn Kirk / AFP / NTB
However, the countries that have introduced austerity measures are France and Italy. In addition, Spain and Germany continue with the already strict measures.
The reason is to reduce the activity of the population, says Olsvik. He says that the fear of spreading the infection is great in countries where it is common to travel at Easter.
– They are countries that usually use Easter to travel. It’s spring, and traditionally Easter is a highly mobile time of year because many people move out to sea in, for example, France, Olsvik says.
Turn on the alarm
Sweden also does not introduce stricter measures, but the authorities’ strategy has been largely based on the will of the people, something for which older people have had to pay.
CLEAR MESSAGE: UK authorities have had clear announcements on the measures in London this winter. On March 29 they will facilitate the first measures. Photograph: Hollie Adams / AFP / NTB
The infection in Sweden is on an upward curve, and Aftonbladet hospital managers raised the alarm on Thursday that more young people are entering the hospital, a trend that is also seen in Norway.
– In principle, we are in a new pandemic with a new virus, says Fredrik Sund, business manager of the Uppsala University Hospital, to the newspaper.
Best in class
Olsvik believes Norway is among the countries in Europe that have survived the pandemic the best so far.
– If we look at mortality, not many countries have done better than us. When it comes to economics, there are probably countries that have lost less than us, but may not have had as much money as we have. But you can earn money again, death is not reversible, says Olsvik.
He believes that the Norwegian strategy of implementing measures where there is a lot of infection is correct.
– We see how fast it spreads with the South African variant, for example. It’s a completely different virus that needs tougher measures than we’ve had before, says Olsvik.
