European countries are reinstating coronavirus restrictions as the new omicron variant spreads across the continent.
Germany and Portugal announced new restrictions to be imposed after Christmas, as well as greater measures of social distancing.
Ómicron is already the variant dominant in many European countries.
Has been detected in at least 38 of the 53 countries of the WHO European region, which includes Russia and Turkey, and is already the dominant variant in several, according to the organization.
Spain reported on Tuesday its highest number of daily cases since the start of the pandemic – 49. 830 new daily infections; the previous record was 44. 357, in January- and France warned that daily cases there could soon exceed 100. 000.
French Health Minister Olivier Véran said that the increase in daily infections in the country – currently around 70. 000 – would be driven by omicron, which is likely to become the dominant variant in early January.
The increase in cases in Europe will push healthcare systems to the brink of collapse , warned the highest official of the World Health Organization on the continent, Hans Kluge, who warned that “another storm” was coming.
“The large volume of new covid infections – 19 could lead to more hospitalizations and a generalized disruption of health systems and other critical services, ”he said.
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“Governments and authorities must prepare our response systems for a significant increase (in cases).”
The Netherlands was the one that imposed the strictest restrictions so far, and on Saturday it decreed a lockdown that will last, in principle, until mid-January.
But other European leaders want, according to BBC Europe correspondent Nick Beake, to delay the stricter measures until after the holiday period, if possible.
Measurements
Germany announced that as of 28 December would return the limits that restricted private meetings to 10 people and would close nightclubs.
Football matches since that date They will also be played behind closed doors.
“The coronavirus does not take a break for Christmas,” said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday.
“No we can, and we must not, close our eyes to this next wave, which is beginning to approach ”, he added.
While Therefore, Portugal ordered the closure of bars and nightclubs as of 26 December, and working from home is It will be mandatory from that date to January 9. Outdoor gatherings will be limited to 000 people.
The bars and restaurants of Finland will have to close at 22: 00 hours of 24 from December, as the Nordic nation records a record level of infections.
And for three weeks from 28 December, restaurants must close at 18: 00 with limited capacity.
In Sweden , bars, cafes and restaurants will only be able to serve seated customers as of Wednesday, and workers are asked to do it from e 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.”
In UK , Prime Minister Boris Johnson scrapped any new restrictions for England before Christmas, but Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have announced restrictions on social gatherings.
British Health Secretary Sajid Javid , has announced that people infected with covid in England will be able to end the quarantine after seven days instead of 000 if they test negative on days six and seven.
Europe has already registered more than 89 million cases and 1.5 million deaths related to covid, according to the latest EU figures.
The omicron variant was first identified in South Africa last month, but has now spread around the world.
- Ómicron: where does this variant come from and why know its origin is it important?
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Early data suggest that the variant may be more infectious, but there is no evidence yet that it causes more serious disease.
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