European countries have begun to take stricter measures to prevent a new wave of Covid infections caused by the highly spread Omicron variant. Netherlands Lead the trend by implementing blockades across the country.
Dutch caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte said at a hastily arranged press conference on Saturday night that from Sunday, all non-essential shops, bars and restaurants in the Netherlands will be closed until January 14. He said that schools and universities will be closed until January 9.
It will certainly be disappointing that the blockade provisions also restrict private holiday celebrations. Rutte said that except during Christmas and New Year, residents only allow two visitors to enter, and four visitors will be allowed by then.
“The Netherlands will be in lockdown again starting tomorrow,” he said, adding that this move “is inevitable because the fifth wave of shocks caused by the Omicron variant is affecting us.”
It is not just the Netherlands seeking to slow the spread of Omicron.France, Cyprus and Austria Tighten travel restrictions. Paris cancelled the New Year’s Eve fireworks show. Denmark closed theaters, concert halls, amusement parks and museums. Ireland imposes an 8 p.m. curfew on bars and bars and restricts participation in indoor and outdoor activities.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan highlighted official concerns about climbing cases and their possible overwhelming healthcare system Major events announced on SaturdayThis allows the local councils in the British capital to coordinate their work more closely with emergency services.
Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin captured the feelings of the European continent when he addressed the country. He said that new restrictions are needed to protect lives and livelihoods from the return of the virus.
“None of this is easy,” Martin said Friday night. “We are all exhausted by Covid and the restrictions it needs. The twists, disappointments and frustrations have dealt a heavy blow to everyone. But this is the reality we are dealing with.”
The World Health Organization reported on Saturday that The Omicron variant of the coronavirus has been detected in 89 countriesAnd Covid cases involving this variant double every 1.5 to 3 days where the community spreads, not just infections acquired abroad.
The WHO pointed out that the main questions about Omicron are still unanswered, including how effective the existing Covid vaccine is against it, and whether the variant will cause serious illness in many infected people.
The United Nations health agency stated that, however, Omicron’s “huge growth advantage” over the Delta variant means that it is likely to soon surpass Delta and become the main form of the virus in countries where the new variant spreads locally.
In the Netherlands, early Saturday, shoppers worried about the worst flocked to the business districts of Dutch cities, believing that this might be their last chance to buy Christmas gifts.
The City of Rotterdam said on Twitter that the port city was “the city center is too busy” and told people: “Don’t come to this city.” Amsterdam also warned that the city’s main shopping street is busy and urged people to comply with the coronavirus. Virus regulations.
“I can hear the sighs of the whole Netherlands,” Rutte said in his blockade statement.
“All of this is just a week before Christmas. Another Christmas is completely different from what we want. For all companies and cultural institutions that rely on the holiday, this is another bad news.”
In the UK, the number of daily confirmed cases soared to a record number this week. The government renewed the requirement to wear masks indoors and asked people to show proof of vaccination or the recent coronavirus test negative when going to nightclubs and large-scale events.But the The action caused anger.
On Saturday, critics of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s latest coronavirus restrictions flooded Oxford Street, a popular shopping district in London. Protesters who did not wear masks blew their whistle, shouting “Freedom!” and told passers-by to remove their masks.
