The main European countries increase restrictions on mobility before the Easter holidays, with new local confinements and sanctions for non-essential travel, while infections spread on the continent due to new variants of the coronavirus.
Germany
In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday reversed the decision of the “stoppage” of public life and economic activity at Easter and assured that the decision, although she had good intentions, was exclusively her mistake.
“This mistake is only mine,” he said, and asked the citizens for “forgiveness” for having contributed to the uncertainty in the pandemic. In addition, it is studying banning travel abroad to contain the virus.
All travelers arriving in the country are required to undergo a PCR test , regardless of their place of origin, when before this measure was limited to those considered “risk areas”. Those returning from risk areas have to undergo a ten-day quarantine that can be replaced by a negative test.
Italy
In Italy it is forbidden to travel between regions at least until March 27. Since last March 15 and until April 6, all regions with a weekly incidence of more than 250 infections per 100,000 inhabitants are in a confinement in which it is forbidden to leave home, except for work, health reasons or of necessity, or to do sports in the vicinity of the home. The Italian Government has decreed a lockdown of the entire country for the Holy Week holidays at the national level (April 3, 4 and 5).
France
For its part, in France, the latest restrictions that came into force on March 20 have established a soft confinement for at least a month in 16 departments, including those in the Paris region, where almost a third of the population lives.
The inhabitants of these departments cannot leave a radius of 10 kilometers around their home (to walk) or 30 kilometers (to make purchases), unless they have a valid justification, especially work, family or health. Those who do not comply with the rules of confinement, are exposed to a fine of 135 euros that goes up to 3,750 in case of repeat offenses.
UK
In the UK, internal mobility is limited to certain activities such as travel for work, caring for the sick and emergencies. Citizens must restrict their movements to their “local area” in all other circumstances. Traveling abroad is also allowed only under special circumstances. Trying to leave the country for tourism, or for any other reason not classified as essential, will be punished with fines of 5,800 euros from Monday.
To enter the country, a PCR or a negative antigen test carried out in the three days prior to the trip is necessary. Once on British soil, a ten-day quarantine and two other PCRs with a negative result are mandatory.
