By: V4 Agency
Due to the rollout of vaccinations, the number of new infections is in decline in Europe, but many countries have decided to uphold certain restrictions because of the spread of the Delta variant.
In France, restrictions have been lifted gradually since 9 June, in four phases. The first phase started on 9 June, whereas the fourth began on 30 June. The restriction on the number of people in public places (shops, sports halls, swimming pools, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, museums) has been cancelled, mask-wearing is no longer necessary outdoors, only indoors and on public transport vehicles.
Health authorities were expected to lift the curfew on 30 June, a date that was brought forward to 20 June due to a marked improvement in pandemic-related statistics. From that date going forward, events attracting over a thousand people were given the green light but, in case of indoor events, participants must present a so-called pass sanitaire. Concerts and festivals can also go ahead, with outdoor events running at 100% capacity, and indoor events at 75. Outdoor sports competitions for amateurs also got the green light, although the number pf participants cannot exceed 2,500, and pass sanitaires are still required over 1,000 people.
The easing of restrictions, however, does not apply to all areas in France, and the Delta variant is spreading quickly. The health minister is concerned that failure to vaccinate enough people to reach herd immunity could trigger another wave at the end of July. His concern is not entirely unfounded, because daily infection numbers have been on the rise for five days, with the Delta variant being responsible for some 20 percent of new cases. A further concern is that people’s willingness to get vaccinated is falling. According to Le Figaro, the proportion of those signing up to take the first jab dropped from 75 to 25 per cent in just one month.
In a statement to France Inter, government spokesman Gabriel Attal stressed that the cabinet was seriously contemplating the compulsory inoculation of healthcare workers, and called it worrying that the virus had regained ground in less than a week.
In a recent tweet Health Minister Olivier Veran said he thought France could avoid another wave by speeding up its vaccination drive. He said the number of infections grew in the past five days due to the much more contagious Indian variant, and he did not rule out the possibility of a fourth wave at the end of July, if the epidemic isn’t curbed.
The Dutch government is planning to reopen the country in five steps over the course of three months. The first phase began on 28 April, when shops and outdoor seating areas at restaurants and cafés were allowed to reopen, and the curfew was lifted. The second step took place on 19 May, when gyms and music schools were allowed to reopen, along with amusement parks, open air museums and outdoor theatres. The third phase began on 5 June with the reopening of restaurants, cafés and cultural institutions. People could receive 4 instead of 2 visitors in their homes, and gatherings of up to 4 people were permitted. The government took the fourth step on 26 June, phasing out most of the existing measures, but some basic rules remain.
The Dutch government will decide in mid-August about how and when the final step of the reopening should take place. This will involve lifting the 1.5 metre social distancing rule and other basic regulations. As yet, authorities have yet to determine a date for this step.
On 28 June, Italy’s health minister classified the entire country as a white zone, the lowest risk category in Italy’s colour-coded system. To be moved into a white zone, a region must register fewer than 50 infections per 100 thousand inhabitants for three consecutive weeks.
In the white zones there is no night curfew, but mask-wearing – both out doors and indoors – is mandatory and social distancing rules remain in place. However, the move means that restaurants, bars, cinemas, theatres and sports facilities can reopen. Despite low infection rates, it is not allowed to organise events involving large gatherings either indoors or outdoors, and nightclubs must remain closed.
The United Kingdom, boasting one of the fastest vaccination drives on the continent, also began to reopen. The rules last changed on 21 June but, due to the accelerating spread of the Delta variant, the next phase of easing restrictions has been delayed by three weeks. Under the new regulations introduced on 21 June, wearing a mask in closed spaces remains compulsory and in line with social contact rules, up to 6 people or 2 households can meet inside private homes or in indoor structures.
No more than thirty people can gather in gardens of private homes. Only a limited number of large events can be organised as pilot events. Attendees will need to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative test. Regarding physical activity and sport, people are allowed to do sports but can only exercise in a group of up to 30 people when outdoors.
Thanks to vaccines procured from the East, 29 June marked the first day after ten months that the coronavirus claimed no lives in Hungary. As on 2 July the country reached a key milestone of having 5.5 million inoculated people, further restrictions were eased. People no longer have to wear a mask in closed spaces and immunity certificates will not be required for the use of catering establishments, accommodation services, leisure facilities and for cultural events and performances with pre-booked seats.
Restrictions imposed on shops have also been lifted. Shops are no longer required to maintain their restrictions on the number of customers and social distancing rules. One hundred people will be allowed to attend private and family events, up from 50, and the upper cap in case of weddings will also go up from 200 to 400 people. Existing restrictions will not be relaxed for sporting, music and dance events, as well as for indoor events or events held outdoors for more than 500 people. This means that limits on attendance and entry with an immunity certificate will remain in effect. Those aged under 18 can only attend these events with a valid immunity card, or under the supervision of a vaccinated person.
