European
leaders are reinstating coronavirus restrictions as the Omicron variant
continues to spread across the continent.
Germany and
Portugal are among nations announcing post-Christmas curbs and greater social
distancing measures.
Omicron is
already the dominant version in many European countries.
Spain has
reported its highest number of daily cases since the start of the pandemic and
France has warned daily cases there could soon pass 100,000.
French
Health Minister Olivier Véran said the increase in daily infections in the
country, currently at about 70,000, would be driven by the Omicron variant,
which he said was likely to become the dominant variant by early January many
business listings.
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The surge in
cases across Europe will push health systems towards the brink of collapse, the
World Health Organization's top official in the continent has warned.
Hans Kluge
said, "Another storm" was coming and governments should brace for
significant increases in cases.
France began
vaccinating children between the ages of five and 11 on Wednesday but said that
boosters were not currently being offered to 12 to 15-year-olds.
Germany announced
that from 28 December limits would return that restrict private gatherings to
10 people and nightclubs would close. Football matches from that date will also
be played behind closed doors.
"Coronavirus
doesn't take a Christmas break," Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on
Tuesday.
"We
cannot - and must not - close our eyes to this next wave, which is beginning to
loom over us," he added.
Meanwhile, Portugal ordered
bars and nightclubs to shut from 26 December, and made working from home
obligatory from that date until 9 January. Outdoor gatherings will be limited
to 10 people.
Bars and
restaurants in Finland will have to close at 22:00 on 24 December, as
the Nordic nation sees infections at a record level. For three weeks from 28 December,
restaurants will have to close at 18:00 with limited seating. Travelers coming
from the EU's border-free Schengen zone will have to show a negative Covid test
business listings.
·
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map: Where are cases the highest?
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can I tell I have Omicron?
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vaccines work against Omicron?
In the UK,
Health Secretary Sajid Javid has announced that people infected with Covid
in England will be able to end quarantine after seven days
instead of 10 if they test negative on days six and seven.
Prime
Minister Boris Johnson earlier ruled out any new restrictions for England
before Christmas, but Scotland, Wales, and Northern
Ireland have all announced curbs on social mixing.
In Sweden,
bars, cafes, and restaurants will only be able to serve seated guests from
Wednesday, and people are being asked to work from home if possible.
Health
Minister Lena Hallengren said she expected Omicron cases to rise and warned
that "the burden on the health care system is increasing".
The
Netherlands has already brought in tighter restrictions, announcing a
strict lockdown on Monday, but BBC Europe correspondent Nick Beake says other
European leaders want to delay tighter controls until after the festive period
if possible.
On
Tuesday, Spain reported a record of 49,823 new daily infections - the
previous record was 44,357, which was reported in January. Prime Minister Pedro
Sánchez is meeting regional leaders to discuss implementing new restrictions free business listings.
Europe has
already seen more than 89 million cases and 1.5 million Covid-related deaths,
according to the latest EU figures.
Omicron was
first identified in southern Africa last month but has now spread around the
globe. Data from around the world suggests Omicron may be more infectious, but
there is no evidence yet that it causes more serious illness.
It has been
detected in at least 38 of the 53 countries in the WHO's European region -
which includes Russia and Turkey - and is dominant in
several, the organization says.
"We can
see another storm coming. Within weeks, Omicron will dominate in more countries
of the region, pushing already stretched health systems further to the
brink," said Dr Kluge, quoted by Reuters.
"The
sheer volume of new Covid-19 infections could lead to more hospitalizations and
widespread disruption to health systems and other critical services.
"Governments
and authorities need to prepare our response systems for a significant surge.
Dr Tedros
Adhanom Ghebreyesus: "An event canceled is better than a life
canceled"
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