[ad_1]
Much of Europe already fears a third wave of the new coronavirus pandemic due to the arrival of Christmas and the New Year. These dates will be decisive for a series of new cases in January and February. While European countries close trade and anticipate school holidays, Portugal, for example, plans to ease restrictions on Christmas and New Year celebrations. Germany, which had already enacted six weeks of restrictions, made the decision to tighten up even more.
Even countries with fewer cases fear that Christmas and New Years will be the trigger for an increase in the number of new cases. After Germany, France, Holland, Italy and the United Kingdom announced tougher measures.
Restaurants, pubs and bars will close again in the UK after the government decreed the alert level of ‘level 3’ – very high – in some areas of south-east England such as Essex or Kent.
The UK peaked in the second wave in mid-November and showed a decline in the new case curve in early December, but values have risen again in recent days.
In France the last hours confined by the Government are counted, which ends this Tuesday. Even so, quite restrictive measures remain, such as a curfew, museums, cinemas and theaters closed. The country has not been able to reduce the worrying figures and the numbers of cases per 100,000 inhabitants remain above expectations. The mandatory curfew at 8 pm will be suspended on Christmas Eve, but will be in effect on New Years.
Angela Merkel announced this weekend new more restrictive measures for Germany that will keep them until 10 from January. Public life will almost end. The bars and restaurants will be closed for six weeks except for those offering take away service. Stores will also be closed, except for pharmacies and grocery stores. Christmas school holidays also started earlier.
the The Netherlands decreed the closure of all non-essential establishments before January 19 due to the increase in new infections, currently at 10,000 per day. Schools will close, and professions requiring contact must also be suspended. A curfew will not be imposed, but citizens have already been asked to leave as little as possible. Churches and other types of religious sites will remain open and sports competitions will remain open.
Italy also prepares the arrival of Christmas with a curfew. The country has seen the curve of new cases fall in recent weeks, but thousands of Italians have taken to the streets in recent days to make purchases, which worries the Government and the authorities. On the table there is a new closure from December 24 to January 2, with the closure of shops, bars and restaurants and a curfew. The decision is expected to be known next week.
On the other hand, Portugal has already announced a relief of measures on the eve of Christmas and New Year. Circulation between municipalities will be fully allowed at Christmas and prohibited between 00:00 on December 31 and 05:00 on January 4. Circulation on public roads will be allowed during Christmas and New Years, but with some restrictions regarding schedules. The restaurants will remain in operation and the nights of 24, 25 and 31 may remain open until 1 am.
[ad_2]
