Although much has changed since December 2020 when it comes to the corona plague - especially in light of the unprecedented vaccination campaign - the outbreak of the Omicron strain has changed the picture in one fell swoop.
In view of the fear of many gatherings in the next two weeks, in which Christmas and the New Year will be celebrated around the world at many events, it has been decided in some European countries not to take a risk and take preventive measures immediately.
In the Netherlands, it was decided today (Saturday) on a "rigid" closure, which will last at least until January 14.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte convened a press conference and said sadly: "The Netherlands is entering a closure again. This is inevitable, because the fifth wave is moving in our direction with the Omicron variant."
This coming Christmas all shops, restaurants, educational institutions and other public places will be forced to close their gates, except for essential businesses.
Queue to the Rotterdam store, Photo: AFP
In England, in recent days, adhesion records have been broken compared to previous waves, which has forced the return of some restrictions such as wearing masks (which were removed in one go in the summer, as part of "Day off") and green notes.
But even these restrictions do not seem to provide the goods.
The British media reported that the professional bodies in Boris Johnson's government had been instructed to formulate concrete plans for a two-week closure in England, with the aim of "interrupting the chain of infection".
However, at this stage it is only a contingency plan in case the situation gets out of control, and if a closure is decided - it will only be after Christmas.
The British government's scientific advisers predict that there will be at least 200,000 verified by the end of December, in the most optimistic scenario (the most pessimistic scenario speaks of two million infected and 6,000 dead per day).
Yesterday it was reported that the daily rate of infection in the strain stands at more than 10,000 cases per day in the kingdom (not just in England), and that the total number of infections in the country in the variant is approaching 25,000.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has declared a "significant event", the legal implication of which is to raise the level of readiness and activity of hospitals and emergency services.
The Omicron in England // Photo: Reuters
There is currently a semi-closure situation for several weeks, with severe restrictions on business hours.
In the country, more than 15,000 cases of the virus were reported on Friday - a figure that, although reflecting a downward trend, is still above the highs of previous waves.
In Paris it was decided to cancel the fireworks show that was expected to be the culmination of the celebrations of the civil New Year in about 10 days, and in Denmark it was decided to close theaters, concert halls, museums and playgrounds.
In Ireland a night curfew was decided upon in pubs and bars, alongside restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings at various events.
People wearing masks at a mall in Manhattan, Photo: AFP
Similar to the situation a year ago, the US is also gradually becoming a major focus of Omicron infection. 38 countries have already identified the dangerous variant.
In New York City, which was the focus of severe infection in the early stages of the epidemic, there is once again a significant wave of significant sickness: about 4,000 daily infections, with a daily infection rate doubling in three days.
If that is not enough, some countries have not yet emerged from the delta wave, and hospitals are not coping.
Among the states are Wisconsin and Nebraska.
Corona Vaccine in Miami, Photo: AFP
To date, the World Health Organization has updated that the omicron has already been identified in 89 countries, and that the daily number of cases doubles every three days in some places, and possibly even in a day and a half.
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