Covid Omicron: European nations reinstate restrictions
European leaders are reinstating coronavirus restrictions as
the new Omicron variant continues to spread across the continent.
Germany and Portugal are among nations announcing
post-Christmas curbs and greater social distancing measures.
Omicron is already the dominant strain in many European
countries.
Spain has reported its highest number of daily cases since
the start of the pandemic and France has warned daily cases there could soon
pass 100,000.
French Health Minister Olivier Véran said the increase in
daily infections in the country, currently at about 70,000, would be driven by
the Omicron variant, which he said was likely to become the dominant variant by
early January.
The surge in cases across Europe will push health systems
towards the brink of collapse, the World Health Organization's top official in
the continent has warned.
Hans Kluge said, "another storm" was coming and
governments should brace for significant increases in cases.
France began vaccinating children between the ages of five
and 11 on Wednesday but said that boosters were not currently being offered to
12 to 15-year-olds.
Germany announced that from 28 December limits would return
that restrict private gatherings to 10 people and nightclubs would close.
Football matches from that date will also be played behind closed doors.
"Coronavirus doesn't take a Christmas break," Germany's
Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Tuesday.
"We cannot - and must not - close our eyes to this next
wave, which is beginning to loom over us," he added.
Meanwhile, Portugal ordered bars and nightclubs to shut from
26 December, and made working from home obligatory from that date until 9
January. Outdoor gatherings will be limited to 10 people.
Bars and restaurants in Finland will have to close at 22:00
on 24 December, as the Nordic nation sees infections at a record level. For
three weeks from 28 December, restaurants will have to close at 18:00 with
limited seating. Travellers coming from the EU's border-free Schengen zone will
have to show a negative Covid test.
In the UK, Health Secretary Sajid Javid has announced that
people infected with Covid in England will be able to end quarantine after
seven days instead of 10 if they test negative on days six and seven.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier ruled out any new
restrictions for England before Christmas, but Scotland, Wales, and Northern
Ireland have all announced curbs on social mixing.
In Sweden, bars, cafes, and restaurants will only be able to serve seated guests from Wednesday, and people are being asked to work from home if possible.
Health Minister Lena Hallengren said she expected Omicron
cases to rise and warned the "the burden on the health care system is
increasing".
The Netherlands has already brought in tighter restrictions,
announcing a strict lockdown on Monday, but BBC Europe correspondent Nick Beake
says other European leaders want to delay tighter controls until after the
festive period if possible.
On Tuesday, Spain reported a record 49,823 new daily
infections - the previous record was 44,357, which was reported in January.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is meeting regional leaders to discuss
implementing new restrictions.
Europe has already seen more than 89 million cases and 1.5
million Covid-related deaths, according to the latest EU figures.
Omicron was first identified in southern Africa last month
but has now spread around the globe. Data from around the world suggests
Omicron may be more infectious, but there is no evidence yet that it causes
more serious illness.
It has been detected in at least 38 of the 53 countries in
the WHO's European region - which includes Russia and Turkey - and is dominant
in several, the organization says.
"We can see another storm coming. Within weeks, Omicron
will dominate in more countries of the region, pushing already stretched health
systems further to the brink," said Dr Kluge, quoted by Reuters.
"The sheer volume of new Covid-19 infections could lead
to more hospitalisations and widespread disruption to health systems and other
critical services.
"Governments and authorities need to prepare our
response systems for a significant surge."
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