As case numbers escalated, alarmed ministers in France, and Austria tightened travel restrictions
\n LONDON
\nNations across Europe are moving to reimpose tougher measures to stem a new wave of COVID-19 infections spurred by the highly transmissible omicron variant, triggering calls for protests from Paris to Barcelona.
\nAs case numbers escalated, alarmed ministers in France, and Austria tightened travel restrictions. Paris canceled its New Year\u2019s Eve fireworks. Denmark closed theaters, concert halls, amusement parks and museums. Ireland imposed an 8 p.m. curfew on pubs and bars and limited attendance at indoor and outdoor events.
\nIrish Prime Minister Miche\u00e1l Martin captured the sense of the continent in an address to the nation, saying the new restrictions were needed to protect lives and livelihoods from the resurgent virus. \u201cNone of this is easy,\u201d Martin said Friday night. \u201cWe are all exhausted with COVID and the restrictions it requires. The twists and turns, the disappointments and the frustrations take a heavy toll on everyone. But it is the reality that we are dealing with.\u201d
\nOther nations may go further still. Dutch government ministers were meeting Saturday to discuss advice from a panel of experts who are recommending a toughening of the partial lockdown that is already in place and has led to a recent decline in infections.
\nDutch Health Minister Hugo de Jonge didn\u2019t say what measures the government might impose as he headed into the meeting. \u201cThere are very serious concerns,\u201d he told reporters in The Hague.\u201d That\u2019s why we\u2019re meeting on Saturday to see what we need to do.\u201d
\nSome stores opened earlier than usual Saturday and shoppers flocked into city center shopping areas, fearing it could be their last chance to shop before Christmas.
\nRotterdam municipality tweeted that it was \u201ctoo busy in the center\u201d of the port city and told people: \u201cDon\u2019t come to the city.\u201d Amsterdam also warned that the city\u2019s main shopping street was busy and urged people to stick to coronavirus rules.
\nIn the UK, where confirmed daily infection soared to records this week, the government has already reimposed a requirement for masks to be worn indoors and ordered people to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative coronavirus test when going to night clubs and large events. Now scientists are warning that the government needs to go further to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed.
\nLeaked minutes from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies suggested a ban on indoor mixing and hospitality, the BBC reported.
\nBritain and other nations are also accelerating the pace of booster shots after early data showed that two doses of vaccine were less effective against the omicron variant. Shopping centers, cathedrals and soccer stadiums in Britain have been converted into mass vaccination centers.
\nDuring a visit to a mass vaccination pop-up clinic at London soccer team Chelsea\u2019s stadium on Saturday, Mayor Sadiq Khan said the running of public services could be impeded by the rapidly spreading variant.
\n\u201cThe big issue we have is the number of Londoners who have this virus and that\u2019s leading to big issues in relation to staff absences and the ability of our public services to run at the optimum levels,\u201d he told the BBC. \u201cI\u2019m incredibly worried about staff absences in the (National Health Service), in the fire brigade, in the police service, in our councils across London.\u201d
\nomicron is now the dominant coronavirus variant in London and efforts were being stepped up to reach people who haven\u2019t yet been vaccinated or boosted.
\n\u201cI want to make a direct appeal to the more than 1 million Londoners who are yet to come forward for any COVID-19 vaccinations \u2014 it\u2019s never too late to get your first or second dose,\u201d he said. \u201cIt will help to protect you, your loved ones and our NHS.\u201d
\nIn France, the government announced that it will start giving the vaccine to children in the 5 to 11 age group beginning Wednesday. Prime Minister Jean Castex said Friday that with the omicron variant spreading like \u201clightning\u201d the government proposed requiring proof of vaccination for those entering restaurants, cafes and other public establishments. The measure is pending approval by Parliament.
\nDemonstrations are planned Saturday in Paris to voice opposition to the new vaccine pass and ongoing government restrictions. Protests are also scheduled to take place in Turin, Italy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As case numbers escalated, alarmed ministers in France, and Austria tightened travel restrictions LONDON Nations across Europe are moving to reimpose tougher measures to stem a new wave of COVID-19 infections spurred by the highly transmissible omicron variant, triggering calls for protests from Paris to Barcelona. As case numbers escalated, alarmed ministers in France, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-233709","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n