France announced new COVID-19 precautions to stop an increase in infections. This comes as a result of growing concern about the spread of Omicron variant, which is highly transmissible.
For those who are able to work from home, it will become mandatory to do so for at least three days per semaine starting January 3. Public gatherings will be restricted to indoor events for 2,000 and outdoor events for 5,000, Jean Castex, the French Prime Minister, said on Monday.
Public transport, including long-distance routes, will prohibit the consumption of food and drinks. This includes cinemas, theatres, and sports venues. All food and drinks in bars and restaurants must be consumed seated and not standing.
Castex stated that the new rules will be in effect for at least three more weeks. However, there will not be a curfew on New Year’s Eve. Schools will reopen as scheduled in January.
These moves were made after France recorded more than 100,000 COVID-19 infection in one day on Saturday, the first such occasion since the outbreak of the pandemic.
According to the Paris’ regional health service, more than one-third of Parisians have been diagnosed with the disease in the last week. Omicron was the most common cause of new infections, according to government experts. It is expected that Omicron will be the dominant strain in France within the next few days.
Castex said that hospitals’ intensive care units are not overburdened as more than 90% of France’s adult population has been fully vaccinated. However, he cautioned that there was a race against time to accelerate booster vaccinations that were crucial to halting the spread of the new strain.
He said, “It feels like a movie without an ending. But a year ago, we started our vaccination campaign. Now we are among the best vaccinated people in the world.” This was after a cabinet meeting.
European governments act
Other European countries have also taken new measures to combat Omicron’s spread. These measures are being implemented by several countries around the continent. Omicron is a coronavirus that has been shown to be more severe and less infectious than the previous versions.
The Netherlands has already closed all non-essential shops, restaurants and bars and extended school holidays in what amounts to a new lockdown.
New measures were implemented in Belgium on Monday and Saturday. Large groups cannot shop and cinemas and concert halls are closed during the festive season.
After Monday’s record 9,300 infections, Greece announced additional measures. This is the highest number of new infections in one day.
High-protection or double face masks will be required at supermarkets and public transports starting January 3. Entertainment venues will close at midnight and football stadiums’ capacity will be reduced to 10%.
Other parts of Europe, however, have decided against imposing new restrictions.
Poland is a country of 38 million people where the daily death rate now regularly tops 500. Nightclubs that are currently closed will be allowed to reopen on the New Year’s Eve. The government will not allow them to do so because it does not want to comply with the wishes of many of its citizens who oppose mandatory vaccinations and virus curbs.
Despite the fact that infections have been exceedingly high in recent days, the United Kingdom government has so far ruled out any additional measures in England.
Even though the death toll from COVID-19 is Europe’s highest, Russia will ring-in 2022 without any restrictions. During the 10 day holiday period, many precautions will be lifted starting at New Year’s Eve.
European governments act
Other European countries have also taken new measures to combat Omicron’s spread. These countries include the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Omicron is a coronavirus that has been shown to be more severe than the previous versions.
The Netherlands has already closed all non-essential shops, restaurants, and bars and extended school holidays in what amounts to a new lockdown.
New measures were implemented in Belgium on Monday and Saturday. Large groups cannot shop and cinemas and concert halls are closed during the festive season.
After Monday’s record 9,300 infections, Greece announced additional measures. This is the highest number of infections in one day.
High-protection or double face masks will be required at supermarkets and public transports starting January 3. Entertainment venues will close at midnight and football stadiums’ capacity will be reduced to 10%.
Other parts of Europe, however, have decided against imposing new restrictions.
Poland is a country of 38 million people where the daily death rate now regularly tops 500. Nightclubs that are currently closed will be allowed to reopen on the New Year’s Eve. The government will not allow them to do so because it does not want to comply with the wishes of many of its citizens who oppose mandatory vaccinations and virus curbs.
The United Kingdom has so far ruled out any new measures for England in this year’s budget despite the fact that infections have been exceedingly high in recent days, with some cases reaching 100,000.
Even though the death toll from COVID-19 is Europe’s highest, Russia will ring-in 2022 without any restrictions. During the 10 day holiday period, many precautions will be lifted starting at New Year’s Eve.
