About: lockdown
Germany considers more COVID-19 curbs, compulsory vaccines as cases soar
German Health Minister Jens Spahn called on Tuesday (23 November) for further restrictions as Germany's rate of coronavirus infections hit a record high and more politicians backed compulsory vaccinations.
COVID-19 hit mental health of French students hard – report
France's students have reported an increase in anxiety and depressive disorders, as well as suicidal thoughts during the COVID-19 pandemic, a study by France's national health and medical research institute (INSERM) and the University of Bordeaux published on Tuesday (9 November) has found. EURACTIV France reports.
France to buff up COVID-app to ensure gradual reopening ‘as secure as possible’
French citizens will be able to use the "TousAntiCovid" app from 9 June, the day sports halls and the interior of bars and restaurants are to reopen, to report their presence in establishments open to the public - and to be contacted if they have come across a person infected with COVID-19.
EU has world’s safest roads, recorded fewest traffic-related deaths in 2020
In 2020, 4,000 fewer people died in the EU as a result of road accidents compared to the year before, according to the European Commission, making the bloc the safest region compared to the rest of the world and the global average of road traffic deaths. EURACTIV France reports.
Pints, shopping and haircuts: English shops and pub gardens reopen as lockdown eases
People queued up outside retailers across England to release their pent-up shopping fever and some grabbed a midnight pint or even an early haircut as England’s shops, pubs, gyms and hairdressers reopened after three months of lockdown.
Restaurants face ‘wave of bankruptcies’ after lockdowns
The food services sector has been hit hard by the Coronavirus pandemic, but governments are struggling to find ways to reopen safely.
Spain ready to implement tougher measures as ‘Christmas clock’ is ticking
With the virus not going away ahead of the Christmas season, the Spanish government is ready to implement tougher measures, Spain’s socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez told parliament on Wednesday, EFE reports.
Global emissions fell by 7% in 2020 due to COVID lockdowns, says UN report
Reduced travel, industrial activity and electricity generation during COVID-19 has meant global emissions fell by up to 7% in 2020, but the impact of COVID-19 will be negligible without a green recovery, according to the United Nations.
Oil hits highest since March, but still drastically down from last year
The oil price has reached its highest point since it plummeted in March due to COVID-19 lockdowns, as market confidence grows in coronavirus vaccines.
COVID-19: Europe’s youth call on politicians to stop looking for scapegoats
Europe’s youth have called on EU leaders to stop putting the blame on them for the second wave of the pandemic.
Austria to enter ‘partial’ November lockdown
Austria's government will impose a second "partial lockdown" for November, forcing restaurants to close but allowing the retail and services sector to remain open. A night curfew from 8pm will also be implemented. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Merkel institutes ‘lockdown light’ until the end of November
Until the end of November, Germany will be in lockdown, albeit a milder one than in spring. Restaurants, bars, entertainment and sports facilities will have to close. Stores, schools and daycare centers will remain open. Only people from two households will be allowed to meet in public. EURACTIV Germany reports.
French cross-border commuters eager to see improved EU border management plan
EU ministers adopted today (13 October) a recommendation on a coordinated approach to the restrictions of free movement in response to the COVID-19 crisis, a hot topic for France's border residents who have suffered from their closure during the lockdown. EURACTIV France reports.
Spain won’t declare another national state of alarm, allows regions to lockdown if necessary
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez ruled out declaring another national state of alarm over the coronavirus following his first cabinet meeting after the summer vacation. Regional governments have the power to impose local measures if necessary, he said. EURACTIV's partner EFE reports.
Europe can contain virus without second lockdown, says WHO
It is possible to keep the coronavirus pandemic in check in Europe while also keeping the economy running and an education system in operation, the WHO said on Thursday (20 August).
EU countries still struggle to approve border reopening ‘safe list’
EU member states are still struggling to approve a list of “safe countries” from where travellers could visit Europe in July, with the issue now being put to a vote, diplomats said on Monday (29 June). EU envoys on Friday...
Spain lifts lockdown after 98 days to enter a ‘new normality’
Spain’s state of alarm, the emergency mechanism propping up the nationwide lockdown enforced to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, expired at midnight on Saturday (20 June), three months and one week after it first came into effect.
COVID-19 lockdown: The EU leaders who didn’t lead by example
In the UK and in many countries in Central and Eastern Europe leaders have shown lack of respect for the lockdown measures – the EURACTIV network looked into how some prime ministers and presidents have conducted themselves through the pandemic so far.
Illegal football match sparks anxiety in French virus hotspot
An illegal football match played in France's eastern city of Strasbourg sparked fears on Tuesday the game could lead to a resurgence of the coronavirus virus in one of the worst-affected areas in the country.
Commission proposes gradual lifting of borders, in bid to save Europe’s summer
The European Commission on Wednesday (13 May) set out plans for a phased restart of travel this summer, proposing a gradual lifting of borders in an attempt to kick start a tourism sector hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Belgium to relax social distancing rules, open shops from next week
While stores can open as planned next week Monday, restrictions on social life will only be slowly relaxed, Belgium's National Security Council (CNS) said, giving green light to the second phase of deconfinement measures, known as 1B, on Tuesday (6 May).
Italians go back to work amid uncertainty over virus restrictions
Over 4 million Italians are going back to work on Monday (4 May) amid continued uncertainty over which activities are allowed and which ones are forbidden in the so-called 'phase two' of Italy's fight against the pandemic.
Coronavirus board game to teach and entertain Italian kids
One board says: "You do the shopping for your neighbours: throw the dice again”. Another orders: “You go out without a face mask: go back to the previous square”. Those are some of the rules of a new, educational cum fun, ‘coronavirus board game’ designed for kids in Italy.