Easing of COVID measures in Europe outside the UK

[nw1]

Switzerland are also thinking of dropping most of their rules in the next couple of weeks in a "turbo" de-restriction process.

When are the core EU countries going to get the hint? (Especially when you consider that the non EU ones of us, Switzerland and Norway could be some of the most free on the continent).

To be Norwegian right now. You have little or nothing in the way of restrictions, and you have freedom of movement to and from the EU.

Sweden removing all restrictions in law from next week https://bnonews.com/index.php/2022/02/sweden-to-drop-all-covid-19-restrictions/

I think that, contentiously, it is time for the UK to follow Sweden's example (and Ireland's, by the sounds of it) in dropping the self-isolation requirement and replacing it with general "avoid going into work, and visiting non-essential venues [pubs etc] if you feel ill and/or have a positive test" advice.

On balance, I believe this is now doing more harm than good to society due to essential public services not being provided fully due to enforced absenteeism.

 

[island]

Ireland's NPHET (functional equivalent of SAGE) has recommended the immediate removal of mask requirements across the country. The Cabinet is expected to rubber-stamp this tomorrow.

 

[Watershed]

It's good (if surprising) to see more and more European countries removing restrictions, particularly mask mandates which didn't even go last summer in many cases.

There is an ever widening gulf between the likes of Italy, which had mandatory outdoor masks just last week, and the Scandinavian countries, Ireland, Switzerland etc. which are moving fast on removing restrictions.

 

[Cdd89]

Because such countries have not had the same politicisation over covid measures, I expect they may rapidly be better than the U.K. in terms of things like mask wearing.

Certainly in the Netherlands, companies weren’t telling you to “be respectful” and wear a face covering; and usage (where not mandatory) was about 0%.

 

[Mag_seven]

Ireland's NPHET (functional equivalent of SAGE) has recommended the immediate removal of mask requirements across the country. The Cabinet is expected to rubber-stamp this tomorrow.

Sturgeon and Drakeford take note!

 

[danm14]

Because such countries have not had the same politicisation over covid measures, I expect they may rapidly be better than the U.K. in terms of things like mask wearing

I would be massively surprised - delighted, but surprised - if mask wearing in Ireland drops below UK (well, England/NI) levels any time soon.

They have been massively politicised, albeit in a different way - you are seen as a "covidiot granny-killing anti-vaxxer selfish *******" or similar by at least 95% of the population if you so much as question the necessity of wearing them in any situation whatsoever. Oh, and if your disability prevents you from wearing one, you should just stay at home forever for the greater good.

 

[yorkie]

Ireland's NPHET (functional equivalent of SAGE) has recommended the immediate removal of mask requirements across the country. The Cabinet is expected to rubber-stamp this tomorrow.

Great news! I am visiting Ireland next month; I had heard it was due to be scrapped before then (otherwise I'd not have booked) but it's great to hear it's been brought forward.

 

[berneyarms]

Ireland's NPHET (functional equivalent of SAGE) has recommended the immediate removal of mask requirements across the country. The Cabinet is expected to rubber-stamp this tomorrow.

Cabinet meeting is next Tuesday.

 

[island]

Ireland's NPHET (functional equivalent of SAGE) has recommended the immediate removal of mask requirements across the country. The Cabinet is expected to rubber-stamp this tomorrow.

NPHET has also voted to disband itself. Media leaks suggest the mask mandate will go on the 28th.

 

[Fragezeichnen]

Certainly in the Netherlands, companies weren’t telling you to “be respectful” and wear a face covering; and usage (where not mandatory) was about 0%.

Many on this forum call for decisions about public health to be left to individuals and not imposed from above, and to a certain extent that is what happenned in the UK. Compared to other countries in a similar situation, the UK locked down later and came out earlier. As I heard Jacob Rees-Mogg in an interview last week claim, they brought in lockdowns so late that by the time it came in people and organisations were already imposing lockdowns on themselves and their stakeholders.
So it's only logical that the same happens when lifting restrictions, and that it will take longer for for society to adapt as opposed to other countries where they just accept what the government tells them to do - I don't think you can have it both ways.

 

[Yew]

Many on this forum call for decisions about public health to be left to individuals and not imposed from above, and to a certain extent that is what happenned in the UK. Compared to other countries in a similar situation, the UK locked down later and came out earlier. As I heard Jacob Rees-Mogg in an interview last week claim, they brought in lockdowns so late that by the time it came in people and organisations were already imposing lockdowns on themselves and their stakeholders.
So it's only logical that the same happens when lifting restrictions, and that it will take longer for for society to adapt as opposed to other countries where they just accept what the government tells them to do - I don't think you can have it both ways.

I don’t understand how you can describe mandatory lockdowns as things being “left to individuals”…

 

[Fragezeichnen]

As I said, only to certain extent was the behaviour driven by individuals and organisations and not by government mandates. But still, a greater extent than most other european countries.

 

[Richard Scott]

Appears Romania dropping restrictions too including masks, if I've read it correctly.

 

[Yew]

Do we have any idea what the situation is in Poland?

 

[takno]

Do we have any idea what the situation is in Poland?

From talking to my Polish team, most restrictions are still in place. Quarantine is being largely observed but less obsessively enforced. Facemasks use is starting to slip again, but they are required pretty much everywhere indoors, with a certificate required for exemption, so it's best to keep doing it unless you fancy having an argument with an authority figure in Polish.

 

[102 fan]

From talking to my Polish team, most restrictions are still in place. Quarantine is being largely observed but less obsessively enforced. Facemasks use is starting to slip again, but they are required pretty much everywhere indoors, with a certificate required for exemption, so it's best to keep doing it unless you fancy having an argument with an authority figure in Polish.

Do the 1.7 million Ukrainian refugees have to abide by these rules?

 

[takno]

Do the 1.7 million Ukrainian refugees have to abide by these rules?

They have legal force, so yes, but presumably even the most jobsworth policeman would hesitate before issuing a ticket for a minor infraction to somebody who is literally fleeing a war

 

[102 fan]

They have legal force, so yes, but presumably even the most jobsworth policeman would hesitate before issuing a ticket for a minor infraction to somebody who is literally fleeing a war

So surely it's time to drop them completely then?

 

[takno]

So surely it's time to drop them completely then?

I'm not sure what refugees have to do with anything, but I'm all for dumping restrictions.

 

[route101]

Heading to France next weekend? Anyone been recently, whats the mask situation?

 

[island]

Heading to France next weekend? Anyone been recently, whats the mask situation?

Masks required on public transport and health and care settings. Enforcement is limited.

 

[Watershed]

Masks required on public transport and health and care settings. Enforcement is limited.

How about compliance?

 

[Citybreak1]

Austria has brought masks back 2 weeks after ditching them. That’s the problem these rules can come back anytime.

 

[Watershed]

Austria has brought masks back 2 weeks after ditching them. That’s the problem these rules can come back anytime.

Very unfortunate. Seems they're still tying restrictions to case rates, which is just bonkers.

 

[philosopher]

Very unfortunate. Seems they're still tying restrictions to case rates, which is just bonkers.

I am visiting Vienna at the start of the summer so I do really hope they have removed them by then. Austria however has consistency been one of the more restriction keen countries through this, so I am not too hopeful.

 

[Huntergreed]

I’m going through Vienna at the start of next month and this is disappointing, particularly as the mandate is for FFP2 masks

 

[route101]

Off to France this Friday by ferry, all I need is a sworn declaration and vaccine proof, is that correct. Does the declaration have to be printed or can I show it is PDF?

 

[zero]

In Croatia, vaccination certificates were scanned at passport control.

Masks are required indoors and roughly 80% of people are wearing them in shops and hotels, though 80% of this 80% don't properly cover their nose or mouth. 99% of people wear masks on public transport.

All staff at hotels/stations/supermarkets and most shops etc wear masks properly, but they don't challenge the 20% of customers who don't wear them nor do they say anything to the people who leave their nose exposed.

 

[island]

Off to France this Friday by ferry, all I need is a sworn declaration and vaccine proof, is that correct. Does the declaration have to be printed or can I show it is PDF?

It is meant to be printed and signed in ink, but they are never checked.

 

[Mag_seven]

It is meant to be printed and signed in ink, but they are never checked.

Yep I can confirm mine was not checked at the French customs point in St Pancras International the other week.