Europe remains closed
Vaccination campaigns, proceeding at a slower or faster pace, are underway across Europe, but reopening remains a question in most member states. It appears that people in many countries will once again need to postpone trips, gatherings and celebrations planned for April and the Easter holiday.
Reopening in the summer is questionable, but it may be possible in the autumn
Since January 16, 2021, a nationwide curfew has been in place in France, allowing people to stay in the streets after 6 pm only with a valid permit or certificate.
Since 31 January, people from non-EU countries have only been allowed to enter France for non-delayable, essential purposes, requiring every traveller – regardless of whether they come from another EU member state – to present a negative PCR test at the border. The restrictions also affect trade, as stores and shops that are not selling food products and whose floor area exceeds 20,000 sqm have had to stay closed since 1 Fenruary. Catering units, entertainment venues and cultural establishments have also been shut down.
As to the reopening, authorities have not disclosed any concrete information yet.
In order to acccelerate the inoculations and bring forward the general reopening, French PM Jean Castex announced that, starting from 15 March, people can also have themselves vaccinated in the pharmacies. General practitioners were quick to slam the government s plan, arguing that as it leaves less vaccines at their disposal, it will not speed up the country s mass vaccination campaign.
According to information published on the French government s website, the first priority group includes the elderly and the caregivers in the healthcare system. Figures from 15 March show that approximately 5 million 300 thousand people have received a first dose and 2 million 250 people have already had a second jab.
The government aims to have two thirds of the adult population – some 30 million people – vaccinated by the summer, but barely 11 million vaccine doses are currently available. The national vaccination rate is 3.37 per cent, with Corsica boasting the highest number of administered doses (4.9%) and the Ile-de-France region lagging far behind the national average with its 2.6 per cent.
In Belgium, the government estimates that 70 per cent of the population aged over 18 will need to be inoculated before life can return to normal. This vaccination rate is expected
to be reached in September.
Concerning the pace of vaccination, the country is not doing too well, with 6.93 per cent of the population – approx. roughly 800 thousand people – having received a first jab so far. Figures for administering a second dose are much worse, as only 3.45 per cent of the population have received a second jab.
In the case of those whose official residence is in Belgium, all non-essential foreign trips are forbidden. All essential travel abroad must be supported by a sworn declaration, and the same rule applies to foreigners wishing to enter Belgium.
Just like in France, catering establishments are also closed in Belgium and can only provide takeaway services limited in time up to 10 pm. However, after 8 pm, restaurants are only allowed to deliver non-alcoholic beverages along with food orders. Entertainment venues, theatres and cinemas are closed. Libraries, outdoor playgrounds, museums, and animal parks are open, but maskwearing is mandatory over the age of 13 if the prescribed physical distance cannot be maintained.
Similar to Belgium, the Dutch government has set the vaccination of 70 per cent of the population as the target, but they did not mention specific dates, saying the rate of vaccination depends on several factors. The three main factors are the available vaccine quantities, the suitability of the stockpiled vaccines for all ages, and people s willingness to have themselves inoculated.
The Netherlands rolled out its mass vaccination campaign on 15 February, first inoculating those in the 18-60 age bracket who have some underlying, high-risk medical condition and those aged 60-64 who live at home. They were followed by health workers and, from 13 March, people aged 75 to 80 who live at home and are mobile. The vaccination plan proceeds with those aged 65 and older who are not mobile, followed by patients aged 18-60 with other medical conditions, and people aged 70-75, who happen to live in their homes and are mobile.
As to foreign trips, Dutch citizens are not banned from travelling abroad, although they are specifically advised
not to travel abroad until 15 April, unless it s an urgent trip.
The same recommendation also applies to foreign nationals, who are advised not to enter the Netherlands unless it is absolutely necessary.
The current lockdown measures will remain in force until 30 March, and there is a curfew between 9 pm and 4:30 am. Shops selling non-essential goods, nightclubs, bars and restaurants, zoos, amusement parks and indoor sports facilities are closed and people are advised to avoid using public transport, if and where possible.
Countries are using Eastern vaccines but reopening is still uncertain
Hungary introduced strict measures between 8-22 March. Non-essential stores are closed and some services are suspended. Schools are also closed and the country has switched to online education.
At a press briefing on 18 March, the prime minister s office chief said the government belives this is not the time to relax the restrictions, but PM Viktor Orban will provide additional details on the government s concrete plans for the coming weeks during his regular Friday morning interview with Hungary s public radio.
The coronavirus pandemic has thrust Slovakia s four-party ruling coalition to the brink of a crisis, with some politicians demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Igor Matovic. Although the V4 state has conducted several nationwide tests, it was unable to avert the disaster. The appearance of the British mutant variant in January pushed the country s healthcare system into a crisis and forced Slovakia to seek EU assistance.
At the epidemic committee s meeting on Tuesday, acting Health Minister Eduard Heger said the national epidemic situation is improving at a moderate pace, so there is no need for a full lockdown. However, he warned that
this did not mean that the measures currently in force would be relaxed.
Starting from next week, however, the number of districts marked with black (meaning an area with a severe epidemic situation) are expected to decrease.
Germany is planning to reopen on the basis of regional data. However, a growing number of people are demanding the easing of the current restrictions. Although restrictions are being gradually phased out, the epidemic is not without surprises.
The relaxation of restrictions depends on the number of infections per 100 thousand of the population in one week.
In the best-case scenario, retail stores can gradually receive more and more customers by early April, and sports venues, museums, zoos and parks can reopen in regions where the number of newly registered cases remains below 50 for a week. Theatres and cinemas can only reopen later, paving the way for concerts as well as the repoening of the outdoor sections and terraces of catering establishments.
Easing the restrictions in the UK
Nearly 25 million people in the UK have received one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, but only 1.6 million have had a second jab and developed immunity. The government aims to inoculate 32 million people with a first dose by mid-April in the first priority group including, among others, people aged over 50, frontline health and social care workers, and those with underlying health conditions. The remaining population, approximately 21 million people, can expect to get a first dose by the end of July in the second phase of the vaccination campaign.
Lockdown restrictions have begun to be eased across the UK. In England, schools and colleges have reopened, and university students can attend practical courses; two people from different households can meet outside for recreation; care home residents can have one nominated visitor, who must be tested.
From 29 March, England expects to phase out further restrictions. People will be allowed to meet outside, either with one other household or within the „rule of six”. The stay at home rule will end, but the government will urge people to stay local as much as possible.
The next stage of reopening is expected from mid-April, but there are no set dates. All shops will be allowed to open, including hairdresser salons and beauty parlors. Restaurants and pubs will be allowed to serve customers seated outdoors. Weddings attended by up to 15 guests can go ahed and gyms can also reopen.
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