This Wednesday, France lifted a number of restrictions linked to the Covid-19 pandemic. Telecommuting is no longer required in business. Gauges in establishments open to the public have been removed. The wearing of the mask is no longer imposed outside. A second salvo of removed measures must accompany these lifting of restrictions. From January 16, nightclubs will be able to reopen just as it will again be possible to eat standing in bars, restaurants or transport.
This relaxation policy is taking place while the number of contamination remains high. On average, 322,256 cases have been recorded over the past seven days. They were 366,179 a week ago. The government therefore deemed the threat due to the Omicron variant limited since 3,751 were in intensive care on Tuesday, far from the 4,974 patients in intensive care in March 2021, the last peak of entries into critical condition. Despite the ubiquity of the Omicron variant, several European neighbors have adopted the same policy as France. Overview of these countries that have chosen to lift their restrictions.
- In Denmark, a life without restrictions
Notice to lovers of evenings that end in the early morning. Nightclubs reopened in Denmark on Tuesday. At the same time, the gauges disappeared. Contact cases are no longer forced to isolate themselves. Bars and restaurants operate without a gauge and the health pass is no longer in effect. The only remaining restrictions are on unvaccinated travelers arriving from a country outside the Schengen area. Wearing a mask and the health pass are still recommended for hospital visits. The decision taken by the government was the subject of a broad consensus within the Danish political class.
- Italy lifts restrictions… for travelers
Until then forced into quarantine, travelers from European Union countries must now be satisfied with the presentation of proof of vaccination, recent recovery or negative test. The easing came into effect on Tuesday. Nevertheless, the vaccination pass is always required at the entrance to transport, hotels, restaurant terraces, fairs and congresses, but also in swimming pools and gyms. The decision to make access to certain activities conditional on wearing a health pass was taken in early December in the face of the rebound in the epidemic and the Omicron wave.
- A restricted Spain, a Catalonia without a pass
If Spain has not drawn a line under its health measures, it is jostled by Catalonia. Since Friday, the region, whose hospitals are not overworked despite a large Omicron wave, has chosen to break with the health pass to enter bars, restaurants and sports halls. She didn’t stop there as she removed most of her restrictions. The ten person limit for private meetings has been abolished. Restaurant occupancy gauges have been removed.
- In England, back to the world before
England was already among the countries with some of the lightest restrictions in place. Since Thursday January 27, the country led by Boris Johnson has abandoned almost all of its coercive measures. The obligation to wear a mask indoors in public places and that of presenting a vaccination passport for events with a large audience are repealed. London Mayor Sadiq Khan, opposed to the British government’s decision, has chosen to maintain the wearing of masks on public transport. For the rest of the country, users find the leisure to walk around without cords around the ears.
- The Netherlands relaxes the rules (slightly)
The country led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte is among the toughest on Covid restrictions. A “containment” had set up just before Christmas. It was lifted on Wednesday January 26. In reduced configurations, cafes, bars and restaurants can serve until 10 p.m. Wearing a mask remains compulsory when customers are not seated and the sanitary pass remains in operation. While cinemas, theaters and museums have been able to follow in the footsteps of restaurants and cafes by reopening their doors, nightclubs remain closed. Events that bring fewer than 1,250 people indoors are permitted again.