- Large swathes of
Europe are now under some form of new lockdown or restriction, as the continent battles a resurgence of COVID-19. - As of Wednesday, at least 5 million out of Europe's 7.4 million inhabitants have been put under some form of new measure, imposed since mid-October.
France ,Germany , and Belgium are under the strictest measures: a full national lockdown. The UK, which is currently under a three-tiered system of restrictions, goes into a national lockdown on Thursday.- Cases and deaths are rising in most European countries, and multiple countries have reported new records of daily new infections.
At least two-thirds of Europe's entire population are currently under some form of new lockdown or restriction, as the continent battles a resurgence of COVID-19 cases.
Since mid-October, all of the continent's largest states have reintroduced many measures first imposed in the spring.
As of Wednesday, at least 5 million out of Europe's 7.4 million inhabitants have been put under some form of new measure imposed in recent weeks.
Cases and deaths are rising in most European countries, and a number have reported record numbers of daily new infections.
Here's what is happening in each country:
- France began a lockdown on Monday that is set to last until December 1 at the earliest. Social gatherings are banned, restaurants and bars must close, and citizens can only leave home for essential work or medical care.
- Germany began a new lockdown on Monday that will run until November 30. Restaurants and bars can only operate as takeaways. Theaters, gyms, pools, and cinemas will close. A maximum ten people from two households can meet.
- Belgium entered a lockdown on Monday that will run until December 13. All nonessential shops and businesses, cinemas, theaters, gyms, swimming pools, and Christmas markets are closed. Gatherings in public are limited to four people.
- The UK imposed a three-tiered system of local COVID-19 restrictions in mid-October, and will enter a lockdown on Thursday that is set to run until December 2 at the earliest. Pubs, restaurants, and nonessential shops will close and people can only meet one person from another household outdoors.
- The Czech Republic on October 30 extended to November 20 a national lockdown that was set to run from October 26 to November 3. Nonessential shops and businesses are closed, and people are banned from visiting badly-hit areas.
- Italy declined to imposed a full lockdown, but on Monday announced limits on travel between badly-hit areas and a nighttime curfew. On October 26, gyms, cinemas, and theatres were told to shut until at least November 24. Restaurants and bars must close from 6 p.m.
- Greece on Tuesday began a monthlong semi-lockdown. Bars, restaurants, gyms, cinemas, and museums in the worst-hit areas must close. There is a 12 a.m. to 5 a.m curfew across the country.
- Hungary on Wednesday imposed a nighttime curfew and shut entertainment sites, in a measure that would last as long as 90 days, Reuters reported.
- Spain on October 25 imposed a curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.. It is also compulsory to wear a mask on public transport and in many indoor spaces.
- Sweden famously did not introduce a lockdown during its first wave of cases, but from October 29 until November 19, the cities of Stockholm, Västra Götaland, and Östergötland told residents to stop attending or throwing parties, and avoid shops, museums, and public transport. Similar measures were imposed on Uppsala and Skane earlier in October.
- Ukraine on Tuesday extended and deepened its lockdown until December 31, 2020. Restaurants and bars must now close by 10 p.m. Crowds have been banned from sports events.
- Poland on October 15 introduced a traffic-light system to rate areas by danger. Those in the red zone must close services like gyms and swimming pools. The government said Tuesday that it would announce new measures on Wednesday or Thursday.
- Portugal on Wednesday began a partial lockdown in 121 badly-hit municipalities, which are home to about 70% of the country's population. Leaving home is only permitted for those going to work or school. The measures will be reassessed every fortnight, authorities said.
- The Netherlands on Wednesday extended its partial lockdown until mid-December. Museums, cinema, amusement parks, and zoos must now close, joining already-shuttered cafes, bars, and restaurant.
- The Republic of Ireland on October 22 said it was imposing the harshest measures of its emergency response until December 1 at the earliest. Bars and restaurants can only operate as takeaways and social gatherings are banned.
In the early months of the pandemic, so many countries around the world had imposed some form of COVID-19 restrictions that more people were under lockdown than were alive during World War II.