Germany
For everyone whose hairstyle has gotten out of shape over the past few weeks, there is good news: As of Monday, hairdressers across Germany have been able to reopen. While for many Germans other things should enjoy higher priority than a haircut, a new haircut – in the words of Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder – has to do with “hygiene, but also with dignity in these difficult times”.
Of course, strict hygiene rules must be adhered to when visiting the hairdresser. Some federal states allow certain services in beauty salons. In order to make the beginning of spring even more tangible, in most federal states even the hardware stores are allowed to reopen, in others only the garden centers.
This Wednesday, the 16 prime ministers will meet again with Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss how to proceed. Recently, there has been growing criticism that the government does not have a clear strategy for a gradual exit from the lockdown.
Finland
After Finland got through the Corona crisis relatively lightly for a long time, the situation has recently deteriorated significantly. The government declared a state of emergency on Monday after the number of infections caused by virus variants rose rapidly. This means that the government can now close restaurants, bars, shops and public spaces. School closings are also expected.
After a sharp increase in the number of infections, the Finnish government has declared a state of emergency
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Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is also going through particularly difficult times. After Prime Minister Andrej Babis acknowledged mistakes in dealing with the pandemic, his government has now imposed the toughest measures on the country since the outbreak of the disease.
According to official figures, 14,457 people were infected on Thursday last week – almost 20 percent more than a week earlier. In terms of population, this is one of the highest values in the world. The goal is now to reduce this value to 1000 infections per day.
Since Monday, the Czechs are no longer allowed to leave the district in which they live, except to drive to work or to look after relatives. In cities there is now a mask requirement – both on the street and at work. Companies need to test their employees on a regular basis. The government has extended the quarantine period from ten to 14 days. In addition, kindergartens and special schools are now also closed.
In order to relieve the health system, the government is considering moving patients with severe COVID-19 courses to hospitals in Germany and Poland. Saxony, Bavaria and Thuringia want to help the Czech Republic with a corona vaccine. From this week, the delivery of a total of 15,000 vaccine doses to the neighboring country is planned, confirmed Saxony’s Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer.
The government in Prague has tightened the restrictions and considered moving the sick abroad
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Denmark
After anti-lockdown protests in Copenhagen over the weekend, Denmark is preparing for easing: shops under 5000 square meters will be allowed to open. Groups of up to 25 people can meet in the fresh air. Schools are also to be reopened in parts of the country, but students will have to undergo a corona test twice a week.
The other measures against it were extended until April 5th. In addition to many educational institutions, this also includes the closure of bars and restaurants.
The number of new infections has fallen significantly in recent weeks, but the authorities are apparently worried about the spread of the virus mutations.
After protests against the lockdown in Denmark, the government lifted a few restrictions
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Netherlands
From March 1st, the secondary schools and universities will reopen – at least part-time. Two days later, retailers should also be allowed to open their doors again. However, customers have to make appointments: only two customers are allowed on each floor at the same time in six shifts per hour.
Service providers with customer contact such as hairdressers, beauticians, masseurs and driving schools can start one day earlier. Public facilities such as theaters, museums and zoos will remain closed.
The Dutch are still only allowed to receive one person at home. Only two people are allowed to meet outside instead of the previous four. People up to the age of 27 are allowed to exercise in the fresh air. Competitions remain prohibited.
In the Netherlands, people violently protested the restrictions
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United Kingdom
Much scolded for its initially confusing course, the United Kingdom has advanced to become Europe’s vaccination champion. Now Boris Johnson’s government has presented a four-step plan to ease the restrictions. The goal: there shouldn’t be any more by June 21st. The first phase is scheduled to begin on March 8th.
However, the different parts of the country are progressing at different speeds. For example, Scotland and Wales want to gradually open schools, while in England classes are to continue in all schools from March 8th. Residents of the home will then be able to receive visitors again – but only one person at a time if they can show a negative antigen test and are wearing protective equipment. Meetings between people from different households will then be allowed again – but only in pairs.
Austria
Shops in Austria have been allowed to reopen for three weeks. Although the number of daily infections has risen again recently, the government is examining further easing options. Due to the comparatively low number of new corona infections, there will be easing in the westernmost state of Vorarlberg from March 15, announced Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz after talks with experts, governors and the opposition parties. This applies to sport, culture and gastronomy. Nationwide outdoor catering should be possible again from March 27th. “We start outdoors before we can venture into further indoor opening steps,” explained Kurz.
The easing should continue so-called access tests play a central role. Every week, around a quarter of the Austrian population is currently being tested, according to Vienna. In addition, it is hoped that the number of people vaccinated will increase significantly in the course of March and April. In April, the hotel industry should also reopen, if possible, said Kurz. But it remains that the further steps depend on the development of the new infections.
From this Monday, people over the age of 14 are entitled to five free self-tests, which they can pick up at the pharmacy.
(The post was added on March 2nd [uh/ack])
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After protests against the lockdown in Denmark, the government lifted a few restrictions
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Netherlands
From March 1st, the secondary schools and universities will reopen – at least part-time. Two days later, retailers should also be allowed to open their doors again. However, customers have to make appointments: only two customers are allowed on each floor at the same time in six shifts per hour.
Service providers with customer contact such as hairdressers, beauticians, masseurs and driving schools can start one day earlier. Public facilities such as theaters, museums and zoos will remain closed.
The Dutch are still only allowed to receive one person at home. Only two people are allowed to meet outside instead of the previous four. People up to the age of 27 are allowed to exercise in the fresh air. Competitions remain prohibited.
In the Netherlands, people violently protested the restrictions
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United Kingdom
Much scolded for its initially confusing course, the United Kingdom has advanced to become Europe’s vaccination champion. Now Boris Johnson’s government has presented a four-step plan to ease the restrictions. The goal: there shouldn’t be any more by June 21st. The first phase is scheduled to begin on March 8th.
However, the different parts of the country are progressing at different speeds. For example, Scotland and Wales want to gradually open schools, while in England classes are to continue in all schools from March 8th. Residents of the home will then be able to receive visitors again – but only one person at a time if they can show a negative antigen test and are wearing protective equipment. Meetings between people from different households will then be allowed again – but only in pairs.
Austria
Shops in Austria have been allowed to reopen for three weeks. Although the number of daily infections has risen again recently, the government is examining further easing options. Due to the comparatively low number of new corona infections, there will be easing in the westernmost state of Vorarlberg from March 15, announced Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz after talks with experts, governors and the opposition parties. This applies to sport, culture and gastronomy. Nationwide outdoor catering should be possible again from March 27th. “We start outdoors before we can venture into further indoor opening steps,” explained Kurz.
The easing should continue so-called access tests play a central role. Every week, around a quarter of the Austrian population is currently being tested, according to Vienna. In addition, it is hoped that the number of people vaccinated will increase significantly in the course of March and April. In April, the hotel industry should also reopen, if possible, said Kurz. But it remains that the further steps depend on the development of the new infections.
From this Monday, people over the age of 14 are entitled to five free self-tests, which they can pick up at the pharmacy.
(The post was added on March 2nd [uh/ack])
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