Rules overview: relax or lockdown?

This is how fundamentally different Europe treats Omikron

Created: 2022-01-27 09:03

By: Stefan Sessler, Matthias Bieber, Christian Deutschländer

Lots of 2G Plus tips.

But how are things currently in our neighboring countries with the Corona rules?

© picture alliance/dpa |

Marcus Brandt

A look at the current corona strategies in seven selected European countries shows how differently Omikron is being approached there.

Munich – “Stay the course!” was the motto of the federal-state summit earlier this week.

Chancellor Scholz and the country heads - with the exception of Markus Söder - only made minimal changes to the corona rules in Germany.

But how do other countries actually encounter the omicron wall?

An overview.

Corona rules in Great Britain: "Masks down!" Says Boris Johnson

The number of infections in Great Britain has recently fallen by half – but is still impressive.

Yesterday the incidence was 954.2.

In view of the positive trend (and the political headwind from all directions), Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently announced comprehensive easing of the already generous rules in England.

The other parts of the country proceed similarly.

From Thursday (January 27) the mask requirement will no longer apply, and working from home is no longer officially recommended.

At the end of March, the quarantine obligation is even to be lifted for those who have tested positive.

Johnson's reasoning: You don't force them to isolate themselves "if they have the flu".

From mid-February, vaccinated persons will no longer be required to take a test upon entry.

What are the neighbors doing?

Lockdown soon over!

These are the Corona rules in Austria

While compulsory vaccination will come into force in a few days, the Austrian government will lift the lockdown for unvaccinated people next Monday.

Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) announced the measure yesterday and referred to a panel of experts who, despite the continued high number of infections, no longer feared that intensive care capacities would be overloaded.

Restrictions continue to apply to unvaccinated people in large parts of public life where the 2G rule is in place.

On Wednesday (January 26), the Ministry of Health in Austria reported more than 34,000 new corona cases.

Extrapolated to Germany, that would result in more than 300,000 patients.

The current seven-day incidence is 2026. The experts expect an increase to over 40,000 in the next two weeks. As soon as the peak of the fifth wave has been overcome, easing should be considered, said Nehammer.

The curfew in the gastro at 10 p.m. is particularly controversial.

Skiers are standing in front of an information board asking for FFP2 masks and 2G proof in the Altenmarkt-Zauchensee ski area.

© picture alliance/dpa/APA |

Barbara Gindle

Netherlands: The tough Corona course ends - the lockdown did nothing

The Netherlands was the only western European country to try a hard lockdown again this Omicron winter.

This attempt failed, the seven-day incidence is rising and rising, it is currently 2034 – although due to the number of cases, not all infections are included in the statistics in good time.

Since the number of intensive care patients is falling at the same time and the discussion about the lockdown has become increasingly heated, the new government of Prime Minister Mark Rutte is relaxing the measures - even if his own health minister is warning.

The lockdown ended eleven days ago, and there were further easing yesterday.

Gastronomy and cultural institutions with 3G are allowed to open again until 10 p.m.

The stadiums can again be filled to a third with spectators outdoors.

Students under the age of 18 will no longer have to be quarantined after contact with an infected person, provided they have no complaints.

Corona rules in Switzerland: stricter line holds

Dispute about the Corona rules? Then a referendum. The Swiss have defused the noise somewhat with direct democracy. At the end of November there was a 62 percent majority for the Covid 19 law. The Swiss government, which was made up of four parties - initially very hesitant and slowed down by some cantons - steered towards rather strict rules. 2G and mandatory masks for culture, leisure, sports, gastronomy, even 2G-Plus for bars, swimming pools and brass bands.

The framework is valid until the end of March, for the freedom-loving Swiss that is a lot and long.

Calls for easing are gradually becoming louder again, especially from the economy.

Tenor: The number of cases may be exorbitant - 43,000 per day - but the intensive care units are emptying somewhat, currently 76.4 percent utilized.

The vaccination rate is low at 68 percent.

No compulsory vaccination.

Omicron has just caught Denmark: The map shows the daily corona cases per million inhabitants.

© Merkur graphic

Italy's corona measures: the omicron wave is flattening out

Italy appears to have just passed the peak of the omicron wave.

At the beginning of January, the authorities recorded over 200,000 infections a day in some cases, and the numbers are now declining again.

Despite the still high incidences, shops and restaurants are open to those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered.

In the country there is a corona vaccination requirement for over 50-year-olds and certain professions.

The vaccination rate is around 90 percent.

The so-called “Green Passport” has been in force in Italy nationwide since the summer, in which vaccinations, recovery and tests are recorded.

Only with this pass is it possible to visit sports events, concerts or theaters, for example.

"The next step should be that even fewer restrictions apply to those who have been vaccinated three times," said Deputy Minister of Health Pierpaolo Sileri of the "Welt".

Denmark: No fear of Covid - no more restrictions

Denmark's Health Minister Magnus Heunicke wants to remove the classification of Covid-19 as a threat to society from February 1st - despite the extremely high number of cases.

If parliament agrees, de facto all corona restrictions such as the health pass requirement, the requirement to wear a mask and reduced opening hours for bars would be lifted.

Denmark would thus be the first EU country to decide to end all corona restrictions in the Omicron wave.

On Tuesday (January 25), Denmark registered around 46,000 new infections within 24 hours.

However, the hospitals in the country of 5.8 million people are not overburdened.

Heunicke justified his project with the high vaccination rate in Denmark.

3.5 million people and thus more than 60 percent of the population in Denmark have already received a booster vaccination.

Corona restrictions in Ireland: The storm is over - it is being relaxed

Ireland opts out.

The country will lift most of the strict restrictions it put in place last month on Saturday.

The seven-day incidence of 764 is just below the German incidence of 941. The health situation has improved significantly, said Prime Minister Micheal Martin recently.

"We survived the Omicron Storm."

From Saturday morning (29 January, 6am) proof of vaccination or recovery will no longer be required to visit pubs, restaurants and nightclubs.

Pubs, bars and restaurants no longer have to close in the early evening, and the distance rules are also lifted.

The number of visitors to indoor and outdoor events will no longer be restricted, private meetings at home are now possible again without restrictions. From Monday (January 31), employees can also gradually return to their regular workplace.

Only the mask requirement in public transport and in shops should continue to apply in Ireland until at least the end of February.