The Covid-19 pandemic has certainly impacted the entire world, but while the virus doesn’t discriminate, there seems to be a trend emerging. Many parts of Asia Pacific – like Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia – seem to have things more or less under control, but when it comes to Europe and the USA, things have gotten way out of hand. Their second wave numbers in Europe have engulfed those of the first wave; in the USA, it’s been less of a wave, and more of a tsunami.
UPDATE: There’s a surge of cases in Estonia and Norway, but the countries are not yet going into a full lockdown – people are advised to social distance and stay at home.
England is now under a second lockdown and Lithuania will enter a full lockdown this weekend, while Poland will shut schools and shops. Here’s a look at the situation as of early November 2020:
Second national lockdowns
FRANCE
30 October till at least 1 December. People can only leave home to buy essential stuff, seek medical help, and exercise for one hour a day. All non-essential shops, restaurants, and bars are shut.
SPAIN
25 October till early May 2021. Spain declared a state of emergency, with a curfew set between 23:00 and 06:00; they can only go out for medical stuff, caring for elderly/children, and work.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Until 20 November 2020. People can only leave homes for work, essential family visits, exercising, buying food/medicine or seeking medical help. Services, schools and most shops are closed.
GREECE
From 7 November for 3 weeks. Greece will re-enter a lockdown for three weeks. Greeks can only leave their homes with authorisation.
BELGIUM
From 2 November to mid-December. All non-essential shops and businesses will be closed. All bars, cafés, and restaurants closed but they can offer takeaway until 22:00. Curfews are set in Wallonia, Brussels, and Flanders.
Partial & regional lockdowns
PORTUGAL
From 4 November (to be assessed every 2 weeks). Lockdown in 121 municipalities with a high infection rate (70% of the country’s population); people are only allowed to leave their homes for work, school or other essential tasks. No movement between Portugal’s municipalities. University parties banned.
NETHERLANDS
From 13 October until at least 13 November. Bars, restaurants, and coffee shops can only serve takeaways. No alcohol in public after 20:00. Schools, gyms, swimming pools and saunas are open.
IRELAND
22 October for 6 weeks. Ireland is on their highest level of coronavirus restrictions. People are encouraged to stay home; people can meet outdoors with one other household (ie for exercise), but within 5km from home.
GERMANY
From 2 November to 30 November. Closures of cinemas, theatres, gyms, pools and saunas, as well as restaurants and bars, except for takeaway. Restricted social contact; schools, shops, and hairdressers open.
ITALY
From 4 November. The country will be divided into red, orange and green zones. All bars, restaurants and most shops in red zones are closed. People are strongly advised not to leave their immediate areas unless for work, study or health reasons.
Social restrictions
DENMARK
From September till 2 January. Restricted gatherings to 10 people. Sale of alcohol and closure of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs in Copenhagen to be by 22:00.
SWEDEN
Until 17 or 19 November. Stricter guidelines have been introduced in eight regions, including Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmo. These include avoiding public transport and non-essential shopping and activities. The measures are voluntary, and not enforced.
Despite having the most cases in the world with a fierce rise in cases in the past months, the USA isn’t imposing any lockdown or major restriction.
