Europe faces Christmas lockdowns after Covid ‘red alert’ – what it means for UK

Europe is at risk of another Christmas lockdown, as leaders scramble to try and thwart rising Covid cases and deaths.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the continent is at the epicentre of the pandemic.

A statement by the body’s regional director for Europe earlier this month said the current situation was “alarming”.

And, in the last few weeks, it appears as if the continent’s plight has got worse – forcing some politicians to act.

Austria will go back into a full lockdown from Monday, with Germany believed to be on the brink of following suit.

Do you have a story? Email [email protected].

It will become the first country in western Europe to reintroduce measures.

This means non-essential shops are set to close and Austrians have been ordered to work from home.

People will also be legally required to be double jabbed by February 1, Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said on Friday.

The restrictions will be in force until December, but will be reassessed after 10 days, authorities said.

So, what is the current situation across Europe?

Austria

Austria’s daily new confirmed cases of Covid, per million people, is 1,400.

Sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date with all the essential information and changes at www.mirror.co.uk/email .

In total, it has administered 12.53 million vaccines does, according to Our World in Data.

As mentioned, this has prompted the country’s leaders to act – and go back into lockdown.

Announcing the measures, the Austrian Chancellor said: “We have not succeeded in convincing enough people to get vaccinated.

“It hurts that such measures still have to be taken.”

Belgium

Belgium’s daily new confirmed cases of Covid, per million people, is 1,180.

In total, it has administered 17.01 million vaccines does, according to Our World in Data.

The country this week toughened its Covid measures – making home-working mandatory four days a week.

This is said to have caused a backlash among employers and jobs groups.

Mask-wearing measures have also been ramped to combat a rapid rise in cases.

Children as young as 10 – it was previously 12 – now have to wear a face covering in many situations.

Netherlands

The Netherlands’ daily new confirmed cases of Covid, per million people, is 1,050.

In total, it has administered 24.38 million vaccines does, according to Our World in Data.

The country returned to a partial lockdown last week – sparking protests.

The government ordered restaurants and shops to close early and barred spectators from major sporting events.

Supermarkets and non-essential retailers have also been told to close earlier, and social distancing measures will be re-imposed.

And the government recommended that no more than four visitors be received at home, effective immediately.

The move was met angrily by protesters, with police force to use water cannons to beat back crowds.

UK

The UK’s daily new confirmed cases of Covid, per million people, is 580.

In total, it has administered 110.65 million vaccines does, according to Our World in Data.

The nation is still in “Plan A” of its Covid response – with no sign yet that the government will move to “Plan B”.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said this week that he saw no need at the moment to move to the sterner set or rules.

This includes mask mandates, vaccine passes and work from home orders.

But Mr Johnson admitted that he was cautious of rising coronavirus cases in parts of Europe.

He said: “We don’t see anything in the data at the moment to suggest that we need to go to Plan B.

“We’re sticking with Plan A.

“But what we certainly have got to recognise is there is a storm of infection out there in parts of Europe.”

Germany

Germany’s daily new confirmed cases of Covid, per million people, is 535.

In total, it has administered 116.2 million vaccines does, according to Our World in Data.

Authorities in the country have sounded the alarm bells and said it could follow in Austria’s footsteps.

Health minister Jens Spahn, responding to Austria’s announcement, said his country is gripped in a “national emergency”.

He said: “We are now in a situation – even if this produces a news alert – where we can’t rule anything out.

“We are in a national emergency.”

At present, restrictions for unvaccinated people are to introduced in areas where hospital admissions exceed a set threshold.

Under the rules, the unvaccinated will be excluded from certain venues, like sporting events, cultural shows and restaurants.

Chancellor Angela Merkel said this week: “The current pandemic situation in Germany is dramatic.

“The fourth wave is hitting our country with full force.”

France

France’s daily new confirmed cases of Covid, per million people, is 200.

In total, it has administered 101.99 million vaccines does, according to Our World in Data.

Despite high vaccination rates, France is still seeing a spike in infections.

“We have not finished with the pandemic,” President Emmanuel Macron said last week.

A health pass became a key requirement across France in late July.

People need to show proof of vaccination, a negative test or recent recovery from Covid to enter most museums and cinemas.

It is also needed to travel by train and plane.

The country has seen a wave of street protests since the measures were introduced.