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More areas of England could be subject to Level 4 restrictions from Boxing Day, while a massive coronavirus testing program would be launched to ease congestion on the France-UK border.
Reports suggested that ministers would meet on Wednesday to decide whether more of the country would be subjected to the strictest restrictions amid fears about the spread of a new mutant strain of coronavirus.
It came as France lifted its travel ban and allowed travel from the UK to resume, but said those seeking to travel must test negative for the coronavirus.
The Daily Telegraph reported that local leaders and health officials in Birmingham met Tuesday night to discuss the possibility of the Midlands city moving to level 4, while areas at lower levels could move to level 3.
Genomic researchers have discovered that the new variant, said to be 70% more infectious than previous strains, has already spread across the UK, with cases identified in Wales and Scotland.
Health chiefs in Cumbria have said the new variant is in the county and could be behind a sharp increase in the number of new cases, while Lancashire’s director of public health said there was a “high probability” that the new variant was in the county.
France It reopened nonessential stores this month, allowing holiday shopping to begin. But an increase in new infections since then means that while travel is allowed starting December 15, a nationwide curfew will begin from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., lifting for December 24, but not on Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve. Bars and restaurants won’t reopen until January and private gatherings are limited to six adults.
GermanyThe “closing light”, with bars and restaurants closed since November, has not proven to be effective and the country has closed more, closing all essential bar shops (such as supermarkets and pharmacies), as well as hair and beauty salons. until at least 10 January. A maximum of five people from two households can meet, except on December 24, 25 and 26, when up to four close relatives from other households can be invited.
AustriaThe strict lockdown has ended and the country is carrying out a massive program of 10 million tests over the next fortnight with the goal of allowing more families to reunite during the holiday period. Christmas markets have been canceled.
ItalyThe prime minister has said that stricter restrictions will be needed during the holiday period, but these have yet to be announced. Interregional travel is already banned from December 20 to January 6, except for work, health or emergency reasons, and Italians cannot leave their home cities on Christmas Day, Saint Stephen or New Year’s Day . Midnight Mass on December 24 was brought forward so that worshipers can get home before curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. across the country.
Spain He has called for people to be held responsible, but will allow movement between regions “for family reasons” between December 23 and January 6. Regional curfews, which run from 10 p.m. to midnight, will be delayed until 1.30 a.m. on December 24 and 31, when the meeting limit will be raised from six to ten, a measure that will also apply on the day of Christmas and New Years.
the Netherlands has imposed a tough Christmas lockdown, closing non-essential shops and businesses, gyms, museums, cinemas and theaters for five weeks until January 19. Bars and restaurants have been closed since mid-October. Schools are shifting to online learning and people are being advised to stay home. Households can invite up to two people a day, except from December 24 to 26, when the maximum limit is raised to three, excluding children under 13.
Belgium It has said that households can be in close contact with just one other person during the Christmas period, although people who live alone will be able to meet two others. Fireworks will be banned on New Years Eve to limit gatherings.
Poland will allow people to spend Christmas with only their immediate family, with no more than five guests to be invited to each home until at least December 27, and travel outside of people’s home cities will be prohibited.
Brittany is relaxing restrictions on the “Christmas bubble” holidays that allow up to three households to mingle between Dec. 23-27. Scientists, government advisers and medical experts have called for an urgent rethink, suggesting the move could result in a disastrous third wave in the New Year.
Jon henley Correspondent in Europe
Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer has written to the prime minister to tell him that his party would back any government move to tighten restrictions if that is what scientists recommend.
Sinn Féin has said that an island-wide travel exclusion should be introduced in Ireland to stop the spread of the new variant there.
Meanwhile, NHS and military test and trace personnel are expected to be deployed for the mass testing program in Kent, where more than 2,800 heavy vehicles were stuck Tuesday afternoon.
France said a negative test result less than 72 hours before travel would be required for those entering the country from the UK.
Transportation Secretary Grant Shapps said rapid lateral flow tests, which can give results in about 30 minutes, will be used in the testing program, while French authorities will carry out similar tests on carriers entering the UK.
Full details of the testing program have not yet been released, but Shapps warned it could take until Christmas to ease congestion near ports.
He said: “We have managed to get all that evidence to Kent, enough for all the vehicles that will want to return before Christmas, so that will not be a problem. Obviously, there is a physical problem running the test and getting the results. A negative test allows you to get out.
“But all of that requires commissioning and that cannot happen in an instant, so it will take two or three days to clear things up.”
He urged carriers not to travel to Kent until further notice.
Coronavirus cases in the UK
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) warned that UK supply chains would be affected despite the massive testing program that is being introduced. An RHA spokesperson said: “Even if the border is opened, a short delay in the process will mean big delays in the supply chain.”
Elizabeth de Jong, policy director at the Logistics UK business group, said it was “vital” that testing procedures be “put in place quickly to ensure drivers can be processed and get home safely at Christmas” . She added: “The buildup of traffic in the region will take time to clear, so carriers should wait for more news before traveling to Kent.”
The protocol agreed with the French government will be reviewed on December 31, but could be in force until January 6, the Department of Transport (DfT) said.
Among those who can take trips are French and EU, British or third party residents who normally live in France or the EU, as well as some other groups.
The Transport Secretary also announced the temporary relaxation of driver hours for carriers to help them cross UK borders safely over the next several weeks.
The Netherlands have lifted their travel restrictions for UK passengers, provided they return a negative result within 72 hours of departure.
Scotland’s Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon said perishable products like shellfish should be prioritized if shippers start moving cargo through the Canal again on Wednesday.
She tweeted: “We are still awaiting the details of the deal, but if cargo starts to move tomorrow, as we should expect it to, the plan to prioritize perishable goods like seafood should be activated immediately.”
