COVID-19 surge: how Europe tightens quarantine

Author

Natalia Myronova

Europe is tightening quarantines in order to prevent an outbreak in the new coronavirus strains spread: Brazilian, British, and South African.

While there is no intention to end quarantine in Europe, has collected data about what has been tightened due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Tightening quarantine in Spain

In Spain, a curfew was imposed from 23:00 to 6:00 until May 23, 2021. Local governments can change curfew time and close regional boundaries for tourism.

Along with this, a vaccination campaign is underway in Spain. Priority is given to residents of nursing homes and their workers, primary health care workers.

However, the Chief of the Defence Staff of Spain, Miguel Angel Villarroya and military officials under his command received coronavirus vaccines out of turn. He stated that he did not take advantage of his privileged position in receiving the medication, El Mundo reports. According to El Pais, Villarroya gave the order to vaccinate himself and other military personnel, despite the fact that they are not included in the priority group.

Tightening quarantine in Britain

Britain has introduced a ten-day quarantine for all travelers who arrive in the country, according to the Daily Mail.

From 4:00 am on January 23, 2021, everyone who arrives in the country will have to test negative for coronavirus and self-isolate for ten days.

Previously, the Ministry of Transport banned citizens of Portugal, Brazil and more than 10 other countries from entering the United Kingdom due to the Brazilian coronavirus strain.

According to Sky News, 75% of Britons over 80 have received their first coronavirus vaccine.

Tightening quarantine in Germany

According to AFP, вquarantine has been extended in Germany until February 14, 2021. This was done to prevent the excessive spread of new coronavirus strains.

At the same time, in Germany it will be necessary to use FFP2 masks and respirators in transport and shops. The authorities urged employers to transfer employees to remote work whenever possible. Where this cannot be done, the number of people in the same room should be reduced and the requirement for wearing masks should be increased.

According to Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, if the coronavirus situation worsens, Germany can close its borders again. Merkel added that by the end of the summer of 2021, with sufficient doses of vaccine, every German citizen should be vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Tightening quarantine in France

The French authorities are ready to introduce another lockdown due to the spread of the British coronavirus strain. The quarantine will be announced on January 27, 2021. It is planned that the new restrictions will be up to 3 weeks.

From January 16, 2021, a curfew is in effect in France. All restaurants and cafes, theaters, cinemas, and museums are closed in the country. Everyone who arrives in the country from countries outside the European Union must do a coronavirus test before departure and upon arrival, and then spend a week in mandatory quarantine.

Along with this, in France, at least 135 cases of side effects were identified after vaccination with Pfizer and BioNTech medication.

Context. Since January 25, 2021, Ukraine has returned the restrictions of the "orange" quarantine zone. According to Minister of Health Maksym Stepanov, Ukraine will not have to resort to spring lockdown. After the two-week winter lockdown, it is sufficient to resort to a relatively mild quarantine.