Several  European countries enter new lockdown

GBNEWS24 DESK//

Several European nations are entering new lockdown to combat new waves of coronavirus infections.

Meanwhile, the WHO on Friday repeated its recommendation to continue to administer shots of AstraZeneca’s vaccine.

The agency’s expert committee said the AstraZeneca vaccine has “tremendous potential to prevent infections and reduce deaths” and said “it is not certain” the blood clot cases have been caused by the vaccine.

France: New lockdown in Paris and other areas

Paris is entering a new month-long lockdown, together with several other regions in the north and the south.

A total of around 21 million people in 16 areas of France will be affected.

Non-essential businesses have to close, but schools and hairdressers will remain open.

People will be allowed to exercise outdoors within 10km (6 miles) of their home but are not allowed to travel to other parts of the country unless they have a valid reason.

As in previous lockdowns, those in the affected areas will have to fill out a form to explain why they have left their homes.

France has a nationwide curfew between 19:00 and 06:00.

Italy: A total shutdown over Easter

Shops, restaurants and schools are once again closed in more than half of Italy, including in Rome and Milan.

People are required to stay at home except for work, health or other essential reasons.

Germany: Some easing of restrictions

Germany has started lifting some restrictions in place since mid-December.

In most states, shops and museums, hairdressers, beauty salons, massage and tattoo studios have been allowed to reopen, but the exact rules on visitor numbers depend on the local infection rate.

On 20 March, the city of Hamburg will return to a full lockdown, after a spike in cases.

People can no longer wear home-made cloth masks or scarves as face coverings in shops and on public transport. Clinical masks, such as single-use surgical masks or filtering face-piece respirators (known as FFP2 masks), are now required.

Greece: Different restrictions according to infection levels

Schools across Greece are once again closed, for two weeks from 16 March.

In areas with high infection rates – the “red zones”, which include Athens – non-essential shops hairdressers and beauty salons are also closed.

People can shop for essential goods within a 2km radius of their home, but cannot travel outside of their area.

A curfew from 21:00 to 05:00 is in place during the week and from 19:00 to 05:00 at the weekend.

The Czech Republic: Tighter lockdown

One of the hardest hit countries in the EU,the Czech Republic has now tightened its lockdown.

For three days over Easter (3-5 April), there will be a total shutdown across the whole country.

Several European countries enter new lockdown

Several  European countries enter new lockdown