Local curfews, alcohol bans and full-scale lockdowns.
Several countries are introducing stricter restrictions as the fight against the pandemic continues – facing an expected virus hangover.
The coronavirus has killed at least 1.8 million people since it was first detected in China in December 2019.
And after the gatherings over the Christmas and New Year holidays, there are fears of a sharp increase in the spread of the infection in several parts of the world in the coming weeks.
In France, the national curfew is being extended by two hours in areas where the situation is worst. This applies mainly in the western parts of the country where residents must now stay at home from six in the evening, instead of eight.
The question is how much compliance will be, after almost a year of various forms of restrictions on freedoms.
Hundreds of people were fined by police this weekend for violating corona restrictions when they attended a large rave party in northwestern France.
”"We know what risks we took," a 20-year-old participant told the AFP news agency.
”We had to party – after a year when everything was at a standstill.”
In Spain, the police also intervened on Saturday against a large gathering on the outskirts of Barcelona, where around 300 people had been partying for almost two days.
"We're listening to music, we have every right to do so!" one of the participants shouted, according to El País, as riot police marched into the abandoned warehouse where the party was being held.
In the UK, several top footballers were among those caught breaking London's strict lockdown over the Christmas holiday. Tottenham players Erik Lamela, Giovani Lo Celso and Sergio Reguilón were all caught red-handed by their club, who did not let them play in the match against Leeds on Saturday.
At the same time, concerns have has been raised for increased spread when schools reopen on Monday. But Prime Minister Boris Johnson is urging parents not to keep children at home, except in areas where full lockdown is in place.
”"In my opinion, there is no doubt that schools are safe, and that education is a priority," he tells the BBC.
In the British enclave of Gibraltar, a two-week lockdown came into effect over the weekend after a new wave of infections, AFP reports.
Greece is also extending its lockdown until January 10, after temporary easing over the Christmas and New Year holidays. In Bangkok, bars and nightclubs have been closed and alcohol sales have been banned in restaurants. In addition, the Thai capital's public schools are closing for two weeks.
In South Korea's capital Seoul and the surrounding area, the rules that include a ban on gatherings of more than four people are being extended. The restrictions are planned to be expanded to the entire country.
The increased spread of infection Around the world, many countries are ramping up their vaccination programs. In Russia, over 800,000 people have now received shots of the domestically developed Sputnik V vaccine, according to Health Minister Mikhail Murashko.
The Kremlin has so far resisted imposing strict national restrictions in a country that was already struggling with a limping economy before the pandemic.
After some delays in the distribution of vaccines in Europe, the European Commission is promising measures to make things easier for vaccine manufacturers.
”"The situation will improve step by step," said Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides, according to AFP.
Source: TT
