European countries – not Malta – re-impose restrictions as omicron sweeps across continent
Saturday, December 18, 2021, 4:01 p.m.
Last update: about two hours ago
Nations across Europe are pushing for tougher measures to stop a new wave of COVID-19 infections caused by the highly transmissible omicron variant, sparking calls for protests from Paris to Barcelona.
As the numbers of cases escalated, alarmed ministers in France, and Austria tightened travel restrictions. Paris has canceled its New Year’s Eve fireworks. Denmark has closed theaters, concert halls, amusement parks and museums. Ireland has imposed a curfew at 8pm on pubs and bars and limited attendance at indoor and outdoor events.
Malta has not added any restrictions, despite the fact that the number of daily cases recorded on Saturday is the fifth highest since the outbreak of the pandemic – and so far there have been no cases of omcorn, at least not one that has become publicly known.
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin captured the sense of the continent in an address to the nation, saying new restrictions were needed to protect lives and living from the resurgent virus.
“None of this is easy,” Martin said Friday night. “We are all exhausted with COVID and the restrictions it requires. Turns, disappointments and frustrations carry a heavy burden on everyone. But that is the reality we are dealing with. “
Other nations may go further. Dutch government ministers were meeting on Saturday to discuss advice from a panel of experts recommending strengthening the partial lock-in that is already in place and leading to a recent reduction in infections.
Dutch Health Minister Hugo de Jonge did not say what measures the government could impose as it went to the meeting. “There are very serious concerns,” he told reporters in The Hague. “So we are meeting on Saturday to see what to do.”
Some stores opened earlier than usual on Saturday and shoppers entered the downtown shopping areas, fearing it might be their last chance to shop before Christmas.
The municipality of Rotterdam said it was “too busy in the center” of the port city and told people: “Don’t go to the city.” Amsterdam also warned that the city’s main shopping street was busy and urged people to abide by the coronavirus rules.
In the UK, where the confirmed daily infection has risen to record levels this week, the government has already re-imposed a requirement for masks to be worn indoors and ordered people to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative test of coronavirus when going to night clubs and big events. Now scientists are warning that the government needs to go further to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed.
Minutes leaked by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies have suggested a ban on indoor mixing and hospitality, the BBC reported.
Britain and other nations are also accelerating the pace of booster shots after early data showed that two doses of vaccine were less effective against the omicron variant. Shopping malls, cathedrals and football pitches in Britain have been converted into mass vaccination centers.
During a visit on Saturday to a pop-up mass vaccination clinic at the stadium of Chelsea’s London football team, Mayor Sadiq Khan said that the management of public services could be disturbed by the rapidly spreading variant.
“The big issue we have is the number of Londoners who have this virus and this is leading to major issues related to staff absences and the ability of our public services to work at their best. levels, “he told the BBC. “I am incredibly worried about the absences of staff in the (National Health Service), in the fire brigade, in the police service, in our councils around London.”
Omicron is now the dominant variant of coronavirus in London and efforts have been stepping up to reach people who have not yet been vaccinated or strengthened.
“I want to make a direct appeal to the more than one million Londoners who have yet to submit to any COVID-19 vaccine – it’s never too late to take your first or second dose,” he said. “It helps protect you, your loved ones and our NHS.”
In France, the government has announced that it will start vaccinating children in the 5 to 11 age group on Wednesday. Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Friday that with the omicron variant spreading like “lightning” the government proposed to require proof of vaccination for those entering restaurants, cafes and other public establishments. The measure is still pending approval by Parliament.
Demonstrations are scheduled for Saturday in Paris to show opposition to the passage of the new vaccine and continued government restrictions. Protests are also scheduled to take place in Turin, Italy.