© AFP / Tolga Akmen
A woman wears a mask as she walks past Christmas-themed window displays in London. November 23, 2020.
As the Covid-19 pandemic rages on, European countries are taking different steps to 'save' Christmas and New Year holidays amid lockdowns and social distancing rules.
Britain: 'exclusive bubbles'
The leaders of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have agreed to allow people from up to three households to meet and celebrate together during a five-day Christmas period between December 23 and 27. But when doing so, families must form "exclusive bubbles," meaning they cannot invite new members into their circle, and cannot visit pubs or restaurants together. They will only be allowed to gather at home, at church, or outdoors.
The extended guidelines for England provide further leeway during the festive days, like allowing meeting people who are not members of exclusive bubbles outside of one's home, as long as everyone respects other restrictions mandated in certain areas.
The UK government has warned that there "cannot be a 'normal' Christmas" this season, so everyone should stay "mindful" of the risks of large gatherings.
Germany: 'mini-amnesty' for Christmas
German authorities reportedly plan to reduce permitted private gatherings to five people starting from December 1.
At the same time, according to a draft proposal cited by the German media, the heads of the country's 16 states have agreed on a so-called "mini-amnesty" over the Christmas period. People would be allowed to meet in groups of up to 10 from two households between December 23 and January 1. Any number of children under the age of 14 could join the gatherings.
"Naturally, it should be that at a Christmas party you can celebrate with your grandparents, your grandchildren," Berlin Mayor Michael Muller told the media.
While some restrictions would be relaxed, hotels, restaurants and gyms will remain closed. People will be discouraged from setting off fireworks in public places during New Year's celebrations, but there will not be an outright ban on their use.
France: shopping on Sundays
Lockdown in France is set to end on December 15, after which it will be replaced by a nationwide curfew from 9pm to 7am, except between December 24 and 31. "We will be able to travel without authorization, including between regions, and spend Christmas with our families," President Emmanuel Macron said, warning that this Christmas season will "not be like the others."
According to
Le Figaro newspaper, Macron agreed to review the current rule which says no more than 30 people are allowed to attend mass together, after receiving complaints from the country's bishops.
On Wednesday, Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire said he was "in favor" of opening shops every Sunday until Christmas Eve. Cafes, bars, and restaurants, however, will stay closed until January. The curfew, and then the shutdown of dining establishments, sparked protests from business owners who argued that the lockdown will deliver a fatal blow to the industry.
Spain: the 'six M rules' and no parades
In a draft by Spain's Health Ministry seen by the Spanish media, officials have proposed to limit parties to six people over the Christmas and New Year holidays. At the same time, the ministry suggested extending the curfew to 1am to allow for celebration on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
Officials have urged everyone to follow the so-called '6M' rules, which require people to wear masks for as long as possible, wash hands often, maintain physical distance and good ventilation indoors, minimize the number of contacts, and stay home if they have Covid-19 symptoms or have tested positive.
There were also recommendations to replace the annual Epiphany parades on January 6 with "static" events that could be broadcast on television.
Comment: In the UK it would seem some are bent on leaving restrictions fully in place, regardless of the holidays.
From RT:
Brits warned of dreaded THIRD WAVE of Covid as ex-cabinet secretary insists relaxing restrictions over Christmas is UNSCIENTIFIC
25 Nov, 2020 09:57
The move to relax Covid-19 restrictions for five days around Christmas is not guided by science, a former international trade secretary has warned after a SAGE scientist threatened a third wave of infection would devastate the UK.
Veteran MP Dr. Liam Fox told Sky News on Wednesday that he was not convinced by the government's decision to suspend tough Covid-19 restrictions for the Christmas period.
"We'll have to look at the numbers closer to Christmas and I think to change behaviour because of Christmas wouldn't be a science-based approach."
Fox, a doctor by training, said any new measures must be introduced with consistency. He added that if households can meet in a home, there must be some scope to allow households to meet in the spaced environment of a pub or a restaurant, especially when the hospitality industry has been hit so badly by the coronavirus.
On Tuesday, the leaders of the four governments of the UK released a joint statement confirming they had collectively agreed to relax restrictions for five days over the Christmas period, allowing up to three households to meet indoors and form an exclusive "Christmas bubble."
The statement said that for the festive period, December 23 to 27, all parts of the UK would loosen travel restrictions and allow households to mix at home, in places of worship and outdoor spaces.
Similar criticism of the move has been forthcoming, with SAGE scientist Professor Andrew Hayward telling BBC Newsnight on Tuesday: "It is likely to lead to a third wave of infection, with hospitals being overrun, and more unnecessary deaths."
All parts of the UK are currently subjected to Covid-19 restrictions, most notably in England, where citizens must wait one more week for a month-long lockdown to end.
Published data show infections to be falling, with only 11,299 new cases registered on Tuesday, down from 20,051 one week ago.
Considering the fact that the lockdown restrictions themselves are completely unscientific, it seems like an odd criticism to say relaxing the restrictions is 'unscientific'. The entire farce is a complete fabrication out of fantasy land. Why try to impose science on it now?
Meanwhile in France, Macron is playing good cop. Also
from RT:
Macron says France passed peak of 'second wave,' vows to ease coronavirus lockdown for Christmas
25 Nov, 2020 00:55
President Emmanuel Macron has delivered a reassuring address to the nation, saying that an easing of France's Covid-19 lockdown will begin so that people can spend the Christmas holiday with their families.
"The peak of the second wave has passed," Macron said on Tuesday night, but added that it was still necessary "to continue our effort" to stem the spread of the disease.
The president announced a three-step plan for lifting the coronavirus lockdown in the country, which will kick in on the weekend with the reopening of shops, with the run-up to Christmas a crucial period for retailers. People will also be allowed to exercise outside for three hours per day, but a permit will still be required to leave the house for other reasons.
The lifting of France's nationwide lockdown is expected on December 15, so long as the number of new daily cases remains below 5,000. Cinemas and theatres will also be able to open their doors to spectators.
However, a curfew is to remain in place and will only be relaxed for Christmas - from December 24 to December 31. During this period, residents will be able to travel freely to spend the holidays with their families, though public gatherings will still be banned. The curfew will be lifted for good only when the outbreak stabilizes, while restaurants, bars and cafes will stay shut at least until January 20, according to the plan. The same goes for gyms and swimming pools.
"We must do everything to avoid a third wave, do everything to avoid a third lockdown," Macron urged.
The president also announced that vaccinations for the coronavirus, which has so far infected 2.1 million and killed more than 49,000 in France, will begin in late December or early January. The jab won't be compulsory, however, and the most vulnerable groups are set to get the shots first. A wider distribution of vaccines is expected sometime in the spring.
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