Europe reimposes restrictions as Omicron sweeps continent
Travellers stand in front of an information board at BER Airport in Berlin, Germany on Saturday. Germany’s incoming Transport Minister is advising people against travelling over Christmas as the country tries to stem the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
BELGIUM,SWITZERLAND: Nations across Europe are moving to reimpose tougher measures to stem a new wave of COVID-19 infections spurred by the highly transmissible Omicron variant, triggering calls for protests from Paris to Barcelona.
As case numbers escalated, alarmed ministers in France, and Austria tightened travel restrictions. Paris cancelled its New Year’s Eve fireworks. Denmark closed theatres, concert halls, amusement parks and museums.
Ireland imposed an 8 p.m. curfew on pubs and bars and limited attendance at indoor and outdoor events.
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin captured the sense of the continent in an address to the nation, saying the new restrictions were needed to protect lives and livelihoods from the resurgent virus.
Dutch Government ministers are meeting Saturday to discuss advice from a panel of experts who are recommending a toughening of the partial lockdown that is already in place.
In the U.K., where confirmed daily infection soared to records this week, the Government has already reimposed a requirement for masks to be worn indoors and ordered people to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative coronavirus test when going to night clubs and large events. In France, the Government announced that it will start giving the vaccine to children in the 5 to 11 age group beginning Wednesday. Prime Minister Jean Castex said Friday that with the Omicron variant spreading like “lightning” the government proposed requiring proof of vaccination for those entering restaurants, cafes and other public establishments. Protests were also scheduled to take place in Turin, Italy.
Meanwhile, the Omicron variant of coronavirus has been reported in 89 countries and the number of cases is doubling in 1.5 to 3 days in areas with community transmission, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday.
Omicron is spreading rapidly in countries with high levels of population immunity, but it is unclear if this is due to the variant’s ability to evade immunity, its inherent increased transmissibility or a combination of both, the WHO said in an update.
“There are still limited data on the clinical severity of Omicron,” the WHO said. “More data are needed to understand the severity profile and how severity is impacted by vaccination and pre-existing immunity.” Meanwhile, Paris on Saturday said it was cancelling its traditional New Year fireworks to rein in the spread of the Omicron virus.
“With regard to the acceleration of the pandemic, and the risks related to the end-of-year festivities, authorities should impose significant restrictions,” France’s scientific panel said.
And Paris municipal authorities announced “with regret that we will have to cancel all the festivities planned on the Champs Elysees on December 31. “The fireworks will not take place, nor unfortunately will there be any DJ sets,” the mayor’s office said.
- THE HINDU, THE BANGKOK POST
source https://www.dailynews.lk/2021/12/20/world/267846/europe-reimposes-restrictions-omicron-sweeps-continent
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