Curfews, confinement, open restaurants … In Europe, variable geometry restrictions

In France, if small businesses or even hairdressers still have the right to practice, this is not the case for restaurants, bars or even sports halls. What about elsewhere in Europe? In total, like France, 13 countries have imposed a curfew, namely Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovenia , Italy and Spain.

On the other hand, for the last two cited, the restrictive measures are less important than in France. Indeed, Italy, which also has the door to its non-essential shops open, shopping arcades are also accessible to the public, as well as tourist places such as the famous Milan Cathedral. “In my opinion, it’s fundamental, people need to come. I had seen it on video, but it’s not the same thing”, rejoices at the microphone of TF1 an Italian tourist having visited it.

In Italy, as in six other European countries, namely Spain, Norway, Sweden and Finland, restaurants are also open. In Spain, despite the temperatures, the terraces are taken by storm while the discos are also open, until 10pm only. In Austria, the authorities recently decided to make the wearing of the FFP2 mask compulsory in shops and transport, while schools have reopened with a strict health protocol.

As indicated in this article, Sweden, which has advocated almost total freedom for its inhabitants since the start of the Covid-19 epidemic, has adopted new restrictive measures after the spread of the virus has accelerated in its territory. A PCR test is thus required from each person arriving on Swedish soil, while cinemas and theaters have had to close their doors. In public transport, wearing a mask is recommended.

In Belgium, the authorities made the choice on February 5 to extend the restrictive measures, namely the closure of bars and restaurants, the establishment of a curfew but also the ban on non-essential travel to Belgium. . In Poland, since Friday, ski resorts, cinemas, theaters and swimming pools have reopened their doors, even though, officially, the country is still confined.

On the other hand, some countries like Germany, Portugal or Great Britain, containment is much stricter. In Germany, while bars, restaurants, cultural and sporting leisure venues have been closed since November 2, the country has tightened its measures with the closure of schools and non-essential businesses such as hairdressers. This confinement has been extended until March 7.