Europe's major cities face Christmas lockdown as cases surge
20 December, 2020
Millions of folks in Europe’s most significant cities will observe London by celebrating Christmas under tough lockdown restrictions.
Europe happens to be battling a winter surge and is among the most first region on the globe to pass 500,000 deaths from Covid-19 because the pandemic broke out this past year.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a fresh "stay in the home" order for London and southeast England -- an area including around a third of the UK’s population.
The move follows alarm at the speed of which the virus was spreading and a fresh strain that Johnson said was "up to 70 percent more transmissible".
"It is with a very heavy heart I must let you know we can not continue with Christmas as planned," Mr Johnson told the nation in a televised briefing.
London’s hospital are feeling the strain in recent weeks. The UK’s Department of Health reported there are 2,726 patients being treated for Covid in London hospitals, with 211 fatalities previously week.
Meanwhile, residents in Berlin are also facing a month-long lockdown after a record 30,000 new infections were reported on Thursday.
The brand new restrictions, including closures of schools and non-essential shops until at least January 10, demonstrate the seriousness of the problem in Europe's major economy.
The measures have forced the closure of the city’s famous Christmas markets selling food and mulled wine.
Parisians are under a nationwide curfew between 20:00 and 06:00, which will be lifted for Christmas Eve however, not on New Year's Eve.
However, bars, restaurants, theatres and cinemas will stay shut during this period.
Cities in Italy will endure draconian restrictions until January 6 that includes limits on persons leaving their homes more than once a day, closing non-essential shops, bars and restaurants and curbs on regional travel.
Beneath the new rules, non-essential shops will be shuttered between Dec. 24-27, Dec. 31- Jan. 3 and Jan. 5-6.
Italy reported 553 coronavirus-related deaths on Saturday the health ministry said, while the daily tally of new infections decreased to 16,308 from 17,992.
Amsterdam is in a five-week lockdown after the cases in holland jumped by practically 13,000 in 24 hours, hitting a fresh record for the second day in a row.
Restrictions will ease slightly for the three days of Christmas, but a fireworks ban has been set up for New Year’s.
In Vienna, restaurants and hotels will stay shut and schools won’t reopen as usual after the Christmas holidays. The measures take effect on Dec. 26 and can lift on Jan. 18.
“The forecast for the first quarter is quite, very dark,” Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said. “The growth of infections could turn exponential again anytime.”
In Sweden, all accredited bars and restaurants must stop serving alcohol by 22:00 and near by 22:30 until the end of February.
Swedes have been advised to meet a maximum of eight people and gather outdoors if possible and steer clear of travelling by train or bus.
Source: www.thenationalnews.com