BreakingTop StoryWorld News

European countries face Christmas lockdown as coronavirus cases surge

552

 

Europeans will follow London by celebrating Christmas under tough lockdown restrictions as cases of coronavirus spread in alarming speed across the continent.

London’s hospital are feeling the strain in recent weeks. The UK’s Department of Health reported there are 2,726 patients being treated for Covid in London hospitals, with 211 fatalities in the past week.

In Vienna, restaurants and hotels will remain shut and schools won’t reopen as usual after the Christmas holidays. The measures take effect on Dec. 26 and will lift on Jan. 18.

“The forecast for the first quarter is very, very dark,” Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said. “The growth of infections could turn exponential again at any time.”

In Sweden, all licensed bars and restaurants must stop serving alcohol by 22:00 and close by 22:30 until the end of February.

Swedes have been advised to meet a maximum of eight people and to gather outdoors if possible and avoid travelling by train or bus.

Meanwhile, residents in Berlin are also facing a month-long lockdown after a record 30,000 new infections were reported on Thursday.

The new restrictions, including closures of schools and non-essential shops until at least January 10, demonstrate the seriousness of the situation in Europe’s largest economy.

The measures have forced the closure of the city’s famous Christmas markets selling food and mulled wine.

Parisians are under a nationwide curfew between 20:00 and 06:00, which will be lifted for Christmas Eve but not on New Year’s Eve.

However, bars, restaurants, theatres and cinemas will remain shut during this period.

Cities in Italy will endure draconian restrictions until January 6 that includes limits on people leaving their homes more than once a day, closing non-essential shops, bars and restaurants and curbs on regional travel.

Under the new rules, non-essential shops will be shuttered between Dec. 24-27, Dec. 31- Jan. 3 and Jan. 5-6.

Italy reported 553 coronavirus-related deaths on Saturday the health ministry said, while the daily tally of new infections decreased to 16,308 from 17,992.

Amsterdam is in a five-week lockdown after the cases in the Netherlands jumped by nearly 13,000 in 24 hours, hitting a new record for the second day in a row.

Restrictions will ease slightly for the three days of Christmas, but a fireworks ban has been put in place for New Year’s.

 

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Bold Blueprint for a New Nigeria: Anyaoku, Patriots Push for Restructuring, Referendum, and Independent Presidential candidates

6 Vital Highlights from the National Summit CommuniquéNational Summit Communiqué (July 2025)...

Despite Akpabio’s Appeal, Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan Vows to Return to Senate July 22

A confrontation is imminent in the Senate as suspended Sen.Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has...

Just In: Anambra PDP Guber Candidate Jude Ezenwafor Shot in Assassination Attempt

Mr. Jude Ezenwafor, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the...

USA Announces New Immigration Fees for Asylum, Work Permits,TPS

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced new non-waivable...

41-Year-Old UNIMED Registrar Murdered in Ondo Six Months After Appointment

The Registrar of the Ondo State-owned University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Mr....

Iraq Drone Attacks and EU Sanctions Spark Oil Price Surge Amid Weekly Loss

Oil prices edged higher on Friday, despite heading for a small weekly...

Tinubu Eulogizes Buhari: A Righteous Leader who Served with Honour

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday convened a special session of the expanded...

Landlord-mastermind of kidnap, murder of two Ondo varsity students in police net

Heartbreaking details have emerged about the tragic deaths of Friday Abah, 25,...

US Senate Approves $9bln Spending Cut Package

The US Senate on Thursday approved a package of spending cuts proposed...

Just in: Another ex-Super Eagles Player Dies

Just two weeks after the passing of legendary Nigerian goalkeeper Peter Rufai,...

Breaking: Ex-VP Atiku Quits PDP

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the...

UK Inflation Rate Rises to 3.6% in June

The United Kingdom’s consumer price index (CPI) has increased to 3.6 percent...

Court orders final forfeiture of N335m, hospital, five filling stations, others to FG

The Federal Government has secured a significant victory as a Federal High...

Money laundering charge: Court frees ex-Ekiti Gov. Fayose

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has discharged and acquitted former...

Breaking: Buhari’s Body Interred in Daura Home

The interment of former President Muhammadu Buhari took place at his Daura...

Burial Update: Prayers for Buhari Completed, Heading to Final Resting Place

The funeral prayers for former President Muhammadu Buhari concluded on Monday at...

Nation Mourns: Buhari’s Remains Arrive in Nigeria for Burial Amid National Outpouring

The body of former President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived in Nigeria from...

Just in: Buhari’s Body Flown Out of London to Nigeria for State Burial

The remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday morning departed London,...

Awujale’s Burial: Osinbajo, Abiodun, Sanwo-Olu, Dangote, Osoba, Others Bid Farewell

The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who passed away on...

Tinubu Declares July 15 Public Holiday in Honour of Buhari

President Bola Tinubu has declared Tuesday, July 15, public holiday to honour...