From the lockdown for the unvaccinated to the reinforced green pass, Europe, the global epicenter of the pandemic, accelerates on restrictions so as not to be definitively overwhelmed by the winter of the virus. Measures aimed above all at those who insist on refusing immunization, while in Brussels an update of the rules on movements within the EU is being studied in the light of third doses. Here are the country-by-country regulations.
* AUSTRIA
. It is the first state in Europe to introduce compulsory vaccination for all, starting from February 1st. Vienna was also the first in Europe to impose a lockdown for no vax, which from Monday will be extended to everyone for at least 10 days. Foreign tourists are required to have a green pass, but rapid swabs are not valid.
* GERMANY.
Having become the great sick man of Europe, with contagions at record levels (on the threshold of 60 thousand), he has announced stricter rules based on the situation in the various Lander. The last squeeze in Bavaria, where the Christmas markets have been canceled and there will be a lockdown in the areas most at risk (those with an incidence of over a thousand cases per 100 thousand inhabitants), while the green pass can only be obtained with the formula del 2G ('geimpft' and 'genesen', i.e. immunized and cured): a de facto lockdown for no vax, according to the authorities. For mass sporting and cultural events, the 2G plus is foreseen, that is the buffer for everyone. For tourists arriving from countries at risk there is a 10-day quarantine, reduced to 5 with a negative buffer.
* FRANCE.
With cases doubled compared to a week ago (over 20,000), Paris is evaluating new restrictions. Meanwhile, the green certificate remains, which is not required in the workplace, while for tourists the timing of the mandatory tampons depends on the risk level of the countries of origin.
* GREAT BRITAIN.
London has staked everything on mass immunization with the booster, avoiding reintroducing restrictive measures even after the peaks of infections of the past few weeks. And it is still not mandatory to use a mask even indoors.
* SPAIN.
It is one of the countries least affected by the new wave, despite the absence of a green pass obligation, thanks to a record vaccination rate, with almost total coverage among the over 70. In addition to the European green certificate, tourists must present a government health surveillance form.
* GREECE.
From Monday comes a squeeze on no vax. Those who are not immunized already could not go to the restaurant, now they will no longer be allowed access to other "closed places", including cinemas, theaters, museums and gyms. To avoid new "avoidable deaths", Athens has also decided to reduce the duration of the green pass to 7 months for the over 60s as an incentive to rush the third dose.
* SLOVAKIA.
The executive has announced a lockdown for no vaxes on the Austrian model - also applied by the neighboring Czech Republic - and imposes a quarantine on unvaccinated tourists like Germany.