The omicron variant is “spreading at lightning speed” in Europe and will likely become the dominant strain in France early next year, French Prime Minister Jean Castex warned on Friday when announcing new restrictions for UK travelers.
The UK has so far been the worst affected nation in the region, with nearly 15, 000 confirmed cases of the omicron variant on Friday.
But officials health organizations across the continent are preparing for a new wave of infections.
This Saturday, the Netherlands became the nation with the most measures strict against omicron so far by decreeing a lockdown that will last, in principle, until mid-January.
Other countries such as Germany and Ireland announced new restrictions this Friday to try to control the situation.
Europe has registered more than 89 million cases and 1.5 million deaths related to covid – 19, according to the latest figures released by the European Union (EU).
Karl Lauterbach, Germany’s Health Minister, told a group of journalists on Friday that his country “ must prepare for a challenge ” that you have not seen yet.
Your health agency designated France, Norway and Denmark as “high risk” nations due to increased infections in those countries. Germany itself reported more than 42, 000 cases on Saturday, compared to 50, 10 new infections registered on Friday.
In Ireland , where a third of new cases are due to the new variant , President Micheál Martin assured that they expected “to see infections at a rate much higher than anything we have seen to date.”
warnings came after the UK reported a record number of covid infections – 19 for the third consecutive day, more than 93, 000, largely due to the omicron variant.
Near the 10% of new cases are by omicron
For its part, France closed its borders to people coming from the United Kingdom for business or For tourism, news that generated huge queues at the terminals of the port of Dover, in England, and on the Eurostar train service when people tried to enter France before the ban took effect.
The French are not the only ones who have tightened their controls. Earlier this week, they announced that EU visitors will be required to submit a covid test – 15 refusal upon arrival, even those who have been vaccinated.
Hours before the new rules went into effect, Castex reported that the travel restrictions were part of a series of measures being taken to stem the tide of infections .
These include narrowing the gap between the second and third doses of the vaccine and requiring a full vaccination to enter restaurants and long-distance public transportation.
In addition, all official end-of-year celebrations and fireworks were canceled.
Castex added that the government would announce new measures next year to address the persistent doubt about those who refuse to be vaccinated.
“It is not acceptable that the refusal of a few millions of French people to be vaccinated put the life of an entire country at risk ”, he pointed out.
This Saturday, the French Minister of Health, Olivier Véran, said that it is believed that between 7 and 10% of the new confirmed infections in the country are due to the omicron variant.
Netherlands
Meanwhile, the Netherlands decreed this Saturday a confinement during Christmas.
Schools, bars, restaurants, non-essential businesses and other public spaces will close from this Sunday until the middle January.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the restrictions were “unavoidable.”
It is expected that by January omicron can become the dominant mutation in this country.
From the end of November, The Netherlands had ordered the closure of bars, restaurants and most shops between 5: 00 pm and 5: 00 am.
The country registered more than 15, 400 infections on Friday, less than the previous days, but much more than at any other time during the pandemic.
Since the Dutch health system is busy with the influx of covid patients – 19, routine visits and all operations except urgent ones have been postponed .
Ireland
The hospitality industry in Ireland has said it will suffer from the new rules that go into effect on Monday and they stipulate that pubs, restores Before, theaters and cinemas must close every day at 8: 00 pm .
The move has also been criticized by some politicians in Ireland’s ruling coalition, who said the new rules would encourage more meetings in homes.
Likewise, sports facilities must operate at 50% of capacity or have an attendance limit of 5, 000 persons.
Wedding celebrations will only be allowed until midnight, with a maximum of 100 guests.
In Ireland there is already a limit of four households who are allowed to socialize together within a home.
Irish Deputy Prime Minister Leo Varadkar reported that the government has financial aid would be announced on Monday in order to support companies affected by the new rules.
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