Omicron surge in Europe imposes tight restrictions
Europe again faces an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, prompting governments across the continent to impose tight restrictions and partial lockdowns.
While some countries targeted the unvaccinated, other governments launched programs to vaccinate minors .
For the third day in a row, the UK on Friday, December 17, achieved a record of 93,045 COVID-19 cases driven by the more transmissible Omicron variant.
In England, the chief medical officer urged people to avoid gatherings in the festive period.
People cannot get into nightclubs and sports stadiums without certificates that prove that they have been fully vaccinated or have had a recent negative test. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also take the same measures.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a massive increase in booster vaccinations for all adults by December after he warned that the country faced a surge of infections from the Omicron variant.
Denmark recorded a considerable surge in COVID-19 infections driven by the highly transmissible Omicron variant so that it will close theatres, cinemas, concert halls, amusement parks, museums and art galleries.
Restaurants and shops will allow a specific number of people to get in them, and restaurants will have to close by 23:00.
The government asked people to work from home, limited the number of the audience in the concerts, and committed people with face masks.
To reduce the number of COVID-19 cases in England, the government announced an 8 pm curfew in pubs and restaurants from Sunday, December 19. In addition, it limited the capacity of the whole indoor events.
“Omicron was going to cause a huge increase in infections with more than a third of the country’s new cases due to the new variant,” said Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
People will follow the new measures until at least one and a half months from now.
The country already tightened December 7 by limiting the available hours in nightclubs and social distancing in pubs, restaurants and hotels.
Indoor and sports venues impose masks and limit the capacity to 50%. Moreover, a vaccine certificate or a new negative COVID test is already required to enter leisure venues.
