Does Portugal have the least restrictive measures in Europe after Sweden? Not exactly (compare what goes on in 32 countries) – Observer
The bars, clubs and independents are operating without limitations on timetables, but only in open spaces and if all customers and employees are recognized digitally. The sale of alcohol is prohibited between midnight and six in the morning.
Competitions and sports training can only be held without spectators or if they all hand in a digital certificate and wear a mask.
It is forbidden to hold all public events and closed meetings where more than 50 people are included, unless everyone has obtained a digital certificate and the meeting has been authorized by local authorities. But they must finish before midnight and all participants must wear a mask.
Weddings must end at two in the morning.
In principle, all passengers arriving from European Union countries or from the Schegen space can enter the country with a vaccination, recovery or testing certificate. Anyone who does not stop the holder of any of these documents must take a test on arrival and then isolate themselves for 10 days. The rules are tighter for countries considered “red” because they have an aggravated epidemiological situation.
Restriction Index: 40.74
Teleworking remains recommended. Only those who are vaccinated or with a recovery certificate can go to work at the site.
Masks are mandatory in all public spaces, including public transport. These are circular at 80% of their full capacity (85% in less populated regions).
To enter the restaurants it is necessary to have a vaccination or recovery certificate – non-vaccinated people can only be served on the terrace. Furthermore, the maximum number of people at the table is ten. The same certificate is required to enter theaters, cinemas and other cultural spaces. Also in gyms, non-vaccinated people cannot enter and, there, other restrictions apply, such as limiting groups of up to 20 people and changing rooms with only 25% capacity.
Latvians are included in their private meetings with 10 people indoors and 20 in outdoor meetings. The events are framed, but only for those who present a certificate. This requirement also exists for entering any store – a single exception are basic services such as supermarkets, pharmacies or post offices.
In churches and other places of worship, the rules are strict. Only people from the same household can be seated together and never more than two, leaving another two places away for the other faithful. The seats must also be arranged alternately. Not to mention that non-vaccinated people cannot attend religious services: they can only enter churches when there are no religious services.
At the moment, because of the Ómicron variant, travelers from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini and Malawi are not allowed to enter the country. Those who come from countries considered to be at low risk must only present a vaccination certificate or a negative test. Those who come from high-risk countries must present a vaccination certificate and negative test and must undergo quarantine. The same applies to the non-vaccinated, with the difference that, if previous positive, they have to pay the hotel bill for the isolation period, in a facility approved by the Latvian government.
Restriction Index: 43.52
In Malta, the mask is mandatory in all public spaces. And the rules are strict for entering restaurants, bars, gyms, cinemas or other places from January 17th: only enter those who have been vaccinated or with a certificate of recovery.
At this time, only events with seating positions are deleted – and sporting events, for example, cannot have an audience. The only exceptions are ceremonies such as weddings and funerals.
Regarding family and friends gatherings, only six people can meet in public, unless they are from the same household. At home, you can find people from four different households.
Because of the Ómicron variant, travelers from South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Swatini and Zimbabwe are currently prohibited from entering the country. Otherwise, the restrictions only apply to those originating from countries considered to be high-risk: in addition to a negative test, they must comply with 14 days of mandatory quarantine. The only exception is for those who were vaccinated 14 days prior to travel.
Restriction Index: 44.44
Teleworking in Switzerland is now mandatory. And in exceptional cases, employers are allowed to demand a certificate of vaccination, recovery or negative test from their workers. The same is necessary for students in higher education.
Masks are mandatory in all open enclosed spaces.
Restaurants and bars must require a certificate of vaccination or recovery (2G) – that is, the unvaccinated cannot enter. Those who want can also require customers to test themselves at the entrance. In these cases, however, the use of a mask inside is not mandatory. Discos are required to apply this last measure and must still obtain the contact details of all customers in case an outbreak is registered.
Cultural spaces such as theaters and cinemas, as well as gyms, are also forced to bar non-vaccinated people from entering. In addition, they are required to test customers upon entry when they engage in activities in which the use of a mask cannot be guaranteed. The rules are the same for any event.
Switzerland also imposes rules for private meetings: a maximum limit of 30 people in closed spaces if they are all vaccinated, which drops to ten if someone has not been vaccinated. No outside, the limit is 50 people.
Churches and other spaces of worship are one of the few public spaces where non-vaccinated people can enter. Despite this, there is a limit of 50 people and everyone’s contacts are collected.
All travelers arriving in Switzerland must have a negative test. In the case of non-vaccinated individuals, they must take a second test between the 4th and 7th day after arrival in the country.
Restriction Index: 46.3
Since January 3 this year, telework has been indicated for 40% of workers in each company or organization (within this percentage, employees or those in prophylactic isolation are already included).
The use of a mask is mandatory in all public places, whether indoors or outdoors.
To ride public transport, where the use of a mask is mandatory, you must either have a Covid-19 vaccination certificate with at least one dose taken for more than 3 weeks, or a recovery certificate passed for less than 6 months; or laboratory or rapid antigen test done within the previous 72 hours. Non-residents of the country can take public transport with the European Union Digital Certificate or with the “Cyprus Flight Card”, issued by the authorities on arrival in Cyprus by air;
To enter clubs, bars, restaurants, theatres, cinemas, gyms, weddings and stadiums, it is necessary to present a Safe Pass, equivalent to the EU digital certificate, which is used in Portugal. Furthermore, in order to access any of these venues or events, it is also mandatory, as of December 30, 2021, to undergo a negative Covid-19 test, carried out within the previous 24 hours. The only ones exempt are citizens with a booster dose of the vaccine;
Stadiums and other sports venues can only operate at 50% capacity and the use of a mask is mandatory; in gyms there can only be one person per 10 square meters.
Anyone arriving in Cyprus from countries considered to be safe, “green”, does not have to submit a PCR test done 72 hours before departure. This requirement is reserved for travelers from “orange” or “red” countries. The latter have to do and pay for another PCR test on arrival (15 euros at Larnaca airport and 19 euros at Paphos airport) and then wait 3 hours for the result.
Restriction Index: 46.3
Telecommuting remains mandatory until January 14th.
Schools are currently closed but will reopen on January 10th.
The use of masks in public spaces is still mandatory and the consumption of alcohol on public roads is prohibited.
To enter restaurants, gyms and cultural events, it is necessary to present a certificate of vaccination, recovery or negative test.
The clubs, however, remain closed until at least the 14th of January – and thereafter you must demand a negative test from customers to allow entry.
The stores now have to maintain a capacity of one person for every 5 square meters.
At the moment, flights from South Africa, Botswana, Swatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe are suspended. In the case of passengers who have been in these countries in the last 15 days – as well as in Mozambique – there is a requirement to make a 14-day quarantine, which can be interrupted if there is a negative test at the end of the third day. Any passenger coming from another country must have a negative test on arrival, regardless of their vaccination status.
Restriction Index: 46.3
Mask use in Luxembourg is mandatory only on public transport, but it applies to everyone, including those who are vaccinated.
To enter restaurants and bars, it is necessary to be vaccinated or have a recovery certificate and also take a quick test at entry (unless someone who was vaccinated with a 3rd dose) – the so-called 2G + system. These places have to close at 11 pm, including clubs.