The Netherlands is not the only country to take stricter corona measures this weekend. The virus is on the rise all over Europe. It is striking that each country takes its own specific local measures.
The Spanish see that the virus is mainly flaring up in the region around Madrid. One third of the national number of deaths and infections comes from there. In the hospitals, 1 in 5 beds is now occupied by someone who has corona. The local government has therefore decided to drastically restrict the freedom of movement in 37 different zones (26 in the city of Madrid, the rest around it) from tomorrow. People are only allowed in and out for work, school or informal care. The parks were originally supposed to reopen, but now remain closed. And people can still meet, but with no more than 6 at a time. The area has 850,000 inhabitants.
Stay in Dublin!
Another European hotspot is the Irish capital Dublin. All restaurants and cafes there closed this weekend. Food and drinks may only be served on a terrace. No one is allowed to receive friends or family in the house (but outside). The number of guests at weddings and funerals has been reduced from 50 to 25. People are also urged not to leave County Dublin to prevent infections in the rest of the country.
The UK government is considering tougher measures, which may come into effect next week. More than 4,000 infections are now occurring daily, and if nothing happens, that number is expected to double every 8 days. The intention is that the schools and offices remain open, but that public life is curtailed. This means that part of the leisure sector has to be closed and that the opening times of pubs and restaurants will be adjusted. Much stricter measures are being taken locally. For example, residents of the cities of Newcastle and Sunderland are no longer allowed to meet outside of the home.
Migrants to hotels
In Denmark, all catering establishments must close at 10 p.m. from this weekend. The maximum number of people allowed to be together in a room goes from 100 to 50. This applies until at least October 4. The catering industry is also being restricted in the Czech Republic. Since last Friday, restaurants and cafes have to be closed between midnight and 6 a.m. Pupils and teachers will also have to wear mouth masks during class and in the hallways of the school in the coming period.
The Greeks are not allowed to be together with more than 9 people from tomorrow. Going to concerts and cinema is prohibited, and only 20 guests are allowed on official occasions such as a baptism, wedding or funeral. Vulnerable groups infected with the virus, such as migrants, are transferred to hotels and treated there. The government has also decided that 40 percent of people will have to work from home in the near future. And for people over 65, they can only go out for 14 days until October 4, and have to stay at home the rest of the time.
No more alcohol
In Belgium, a meeting will be held tomorrow about new measures. It is striking that in Brussels, where 6.4 percent of the tests are positive, stricter rules are still not imposed. The World Health Organization uses 5 percent as a critical point. In Portugal, the brakes have been put on harder. The Portuguese are still allowed to meet, but with a maximum of 10 people. In cafés and restaurants, a maximum of 4 people per group applies. Shops are not allowed to open until 10 a.m. and must close their doors between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., depending on what the local government decides. Petrol stations are also no longer allowed to sell alcohol after 8 p.m. It is no longer allowed in public places anyway. Remarkable: within a radius of 300 meters from a school, people with no more than 4 people are allowed to come together.
The French have tightened up the rules, especially at the local level. Mouth masks are mandatory in parts of Paris, Lyon and Marseille, and additional restrictions have been introduced on the beaches and in the care homes of Bordeaux and (again) Marseille. Throughout the country, groups cannot exceed 10 people. Schools may close their doors if the situation warrants it. And students 11 and older and the teachers must wear a mask. Everyone older than 11 also has a mouth mask obligation in closed public areas.
