Austria says it will provide a fourth Covid booster dosage to healthcare workers in Europe, which is trying to prevent Europe being subject to further restrictions from the Omicron wave.
In updated guidance, the National Vaccination Board of the country announced its decision late Thursday. However, it stated that there wasn’t enough scientific data to suggest fourth shots should be administered more broadly.
The board stated that a fourth vaccine could be given in areas at high risk (e.g., health care workers exposed to the sun) or in areas considered systemically important starting six months following the last one.
Austria said Wednesday that it would tighten Covid restrictions from December 27, to stop the Omicron variant spreading.
British vacationers to Austria from the UK will have to be in quarantine starting on Christmas Day unless they’ve received at least three jabs. This includes two boosters and two doses.
Austrian officials announced in November a fourth-level lockdown. They also stated that all Austrians would be required to get immunizations. It was the first European Union country to implement this policy.
The country anticipates another spike in COVID-19 infection after the three-week lockdown. Numerous Omicron cases are confirmed.
According to the updated guidelines by The National Vaccination Board, fourth COVID-19 shots can now be given ‘off-label” to patients in critical healthcare areas and groups after a consultation with a physician.
“There are no proof that additional vaccines can protect against infections. But, serious diseases can still be prevented.
Meanwhile, Italy said Thursday it would follow Spain and Greece in making mask wearing mandatory outdoors again as it in tightening restrictions in an effort to curb a sharp rise in COVID-19 infections.
Austria announced that it would provide a fourth Covid booster dosage to its health workers in Europe, trying to prevent further restrictions from the Omicron wave. Pictured: The mask-wearing shop worker at Vienna’s shop window on Wednesday, 22/12/2021
It was the New Year’s Eve festivities that were the focus of the rules change in Italy.
People who are not vaccinated against the flu will no longer be allowed into museums, entertainment parks, gambling halls, and bingo parlors.
Their dining options are now completely closed. They can’t be served standing in restaurants.
Czech Republic has announced on Thursday that foreign visitors to the country, beginning December 27, will need to submit to a negative PCR Coronavirus Test (unless they have received a booster vaccine).
According to the ministry, this measure is meant to limit the spread Omicron coronavirus variants during the New Year celebrations.
This central European country is still recovering from the Delta strain of the virus and has just had a few Omicron cases.
Prague was a favorite destination for New Year’s celebrations, with people drinking in bars and on the streets. However, this year, a state emergency that shut down pubs at 10 pm will end.
Except for audiences in theatres and other cultural venues, 50 persons will be permitted to attend events that take place after December 29. The number of people seated at a table must be limited to four.
Spain made it mandatory to use a face mask outside again in a package that contained Omicron. Belgium, however, banned the purchase of multiple items.
In recent days, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, and Germany have all imposed lockdowns, partial, or complete, or taken other measures to socially disengage.
Germany’s Health Minister said he hadn’t ruled out full lockdown of all businesses that are not essential.
France has already seen a rise in the number of cases. Although UK tourists are banned from France, the government today vows not to place any new restrictions or rely on its booster program.
Ireland reported Friday its highest daily number of COVID-19 patients since 2005. However, the proportion of those who required critical care dropped further due to a fast rollout of booster vaccinations.
People use instruments to perform the Czech Christmas Mass, performed by Jakub Jan Ryba (Czech composer), December 23rd, 2021, Prague, Czech Republic.
The anti-coronavirus COVID-19 Biontech/Pfizer vaccine is given to a child at the General University Hospital, Prague (Czech Republic), December 21st, 2021
According to the health department, 11,182 people were found positive. This was more than the 8,248 cases reported by the government on January 8. In mid-January 2,020 COVID-19 victims were admitted to hospital. Only 221 of these patients required critical care.
Today, 393 patients with coronavirus are in hospitals. Of these, 89 were in intensive. After an increase in admissions through November and October, the government tightened restrictions.
Last week, ministers took further steps to reduce Omicron’s spread and to protect hospitals in the area from another surge.
According to Thursday’s estimates by the health department, almost three quarters (75%)) of new daily cases are caused by this fast-spreading strain.
The authorities in the most heavily vaccinated European country have significantly increased their booster campaigns and now cover just under half of adults. This is after vaccinations were administered at a record speed in consecutive days this week.
Ireland had 5,890 COVID-19-related deaths in 5 million people, 55 of which occurred within the week.
Dublin’s Health Service Executive has warned Christmas shoppers that Ireland may be seeing 20,000 Covid-19 cases per day as the Omicron variant becomes available. Picture date: Thursday December 23, 2021
On Thursday, December 23, 2021, people lined up in front of a pharmacy to take COVID-19 blood tests. This was right in front Milan’s Duomo Gothic cathedral.
Italy’s latest measures are similar to those in most other European countries. This comes as many Italians prepare for the Christmas holiday weekend.
While the government hasn’t set any guidelines for private parties, they have made New Year’s Eve a priority by banning outdoor gatherings and closing all discotheques through January.
Starting Friday, these new regulations are being gradually applied.
Roberto Speranza from Italy, the Health Minister said that it is crucial that he present several measures to address the rising number of cases in Italy due to the arrival in large numbers of the omicron-type.
On Thursday, long lines formed at Milan testing stations as those concerned about possible cases sought to test alongside others who are still being tested each 48 hours for access to workplaces.
Veneto was also affected by PCR swabs testing. Some sites posted notices stating that they were out of appointments in the next 60 days.
Italy has recorded almost 44,600 new infections in the past 24 hours. This is its highest number ever and it also saw 168 deaths. One-third of new coronavirus cases are due to the omicron strain.
Silvio Brusaferro is the head of Italy’s National Health Institute. He stated that Omicron will be dominant next week, with “slow, but consistent growth”.
Italy was the first country to offer a health card to allow workers to enter their workplaces. But, they now accept a negative screening every 48 hours.
Public indoor and public transport have maintained their mask mandates. The FFP2 protection masks can now be used on public transport as well as cinemas, theatres, and stadiums.
Austria’s new measures will be repaid by its neighbour Switzerland, which hasn’t yet introduced any stringent measures. Verbier, Gstaad and Muerren are looking to attract those who have already cancelled their Austria holidays.
Switzerland already reports that Brits are visiting Swiss ski resorts more than ever before. There is also strict entry requirements in other countries, which could explain why.
In Switzerland, the rules for restaurants that are affected by coronavirus are much looser, which makes the country a more appealing holiday destination.
As part of an Omicron coronavirus package, Spain will require that you wear a mask outside again. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Wednesday.
Spain was spared from the filthy epidemic that forced several European nations to tighten regulations in autumn. With almost 80 percent of its citizens vaccinated, and an expanding booster program, Spain was well on the way to avoiding the spread of infection.
Omicron’s arrival on Wednesday has caused numbers to rocket, with an estimated 60,000 new infections. But, despite the fact that hospital admissions have increased, intensive-care patients and those in hospitals remain relatively low relative to COVID-19 wave previous waves.
Sanchez has been criticized by opposition parties and experts for not having imposed restrictions on movement in response to Omicron spread. However, he has rejected these criticisms.
Sanchez stated that “This is not March 2020” or “Christmas 2020”, citing Sanchez’s high Spanish vaccination rate in comparison to earlier pandemic years when there were no vaccines.
Spain had already made indoor mask wearing mandatory. Many Spaniards prefer to wear their face covered outdoors, even though the law no longer requires it.
At an extraordinary cabinet meeting, mandatory outdoor mask-wearing will be approved. This law will take effect on Christmas Eve.
Sanchez however stated there are exceptions. For example, when relatives live in the open area with someone they don’t know.
The government stated that Sanchez’s administration plans to relax rules regarding the types of home-testing kits pharmacists are allowed to sell. It also intends to earmark 292 millions euros for the strengthening of the primary-care sector.
Spain’s regional governments are accountable for their health systems. They have the ability to restrict indoor space and work hours. However, most of them have not made binding recommendations to citizens.
Stark differences in politics between regions make it difficult to reach a wider agreement about concrete restrictions. This means that local strategies for reducing infection are often very different.
The decree-law is not subject to a vote or debate in Parliament before it can take effect.
The president also offered to send the military to assist in the region’s vaccination efforts and to provide medical beds for them if necessary.
Out of a reported shortage in Covid-19 test supplies, pharmacies will sell temporary Covid-19 testing for professionals. In addition, the medical team will be strengthened with former staff members and specialist who obtained their qualifications from outside the European Union.
Infected persons who have not been fully vaccinated need not quarantine. This is a precaution that was apparently intended to prevent shortages of medical personnel.
On Tuesday, Spain officially registered almost 50,000 coronavirus cases. This is a significant increase from January last year, when the country’s health system was under extreme strain due to a sudden surge.
Spain has reported nearly 700 new cases per 100,000 residents in Spain over the past 14 days. This is more than twice as many cases that were reported before Christmas. In Spain, Omicron has increased from just 5% to 47% in a week.
Yet, many are still able to avoid the most severe effects of the virus by getting vaccinated. There were approximately 30,000 Covid-19-infected patients in Spain last January, but now there are less than 8,000.
Sanchez informed the Spanish Parliament that 90% of the population targeted for vaccination is over 12 years old.
He assured lawmakers that families would be able celebrate Christmas. Spain is the winner.
Belgium decided Wednesday that it would tighten the restrictions to prepare for the surging Omicron variant. But, they shirked from full lockdown like neighbouring Netherlands.
They have decided to shut down cinemas, concert halls, theatres, and concert halls as well as ban indoor activities. The stadiums and indoor arenas for sports enthusiasts will also be shut down.
The restrictions on shopping will mean that visitors are forced to spread their efforts and enter shops in groups of two or more adults.
On Sunday, the measures take effect.
To stop the spread of coronavirus, people wear face masks in central Madrid (Spain) on Wednesday 22nd December 2021. The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will convene a Special Cabinet Meeting Thursday in order to approve a Decree-law making it compulsory to wear face masks outside, amid an unprecedented rise of COVID-19 infections
Parisian shoppers wearing masks for COVID-19 protection walk through the Christmas Market at Tuilerie garden on Monday, December 20, 2021
Pictured: Christmas lights are seen in Madrid as shoppers walk past wearing face masks to protect themselves from Covid-19 on December 22nd, 2021
Socially disenfranchised students from the Free University take exams at the RAI in Amsterdam, on December 23rd, 2021. Despite the lockdown, they were permitted to take the exams with tables distributed to reduce the spread of the virus.
Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Canada stated that there was cause for concern. Omicron is a threat to our country. Its high transmissibility is what he said. The extent of its effects on the body is not yet known.
Marc Van Ranst, virologist said that it was a difficult package. Restrained conditions will allow restaurants and bars to stay open past 11 p.m.
Many Belgian epidemiologists, virologists and epidemiologists predict a fifth Covid Wave within days. The fourth wave will fade quickly.
Over the course of the pandemic, 28,000 Covid-related deaths have been recorded in this country with 11.5 million inhabitants, which is situated between France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
Over the past week authorities recorded an average daily number of 8300 infections, down by a third from the week prior.
That was only the Delta chapter. According to 8 genetic sequencing labs, Omicron is responsible for more than 27% of all cases.
Omicron will likely become the dominant strain in a matter of days as it has been done before in the UK, Denmark, and the US.
According to staff at a Belgian hospital, they have already reached breaking point.
Martial Moonen (head of the infectious disease service at Liege’s public hospital) stated that doctors and nurses have reached an extreme exhaustion.
According to him, his ward was currently housing 70 Covid patients. 14 of them are intensively care.
An intensive care patient with severe Covid can stay in the bed up to four days, which is considerably longer than the 3-day average for all other conditions.
The calculation for the specialist at 50 is quite brutal. ‘While you treat 15 Covid patients and keep them in intensive care for one month, 100 to 150 people can access that care.
He stated that temporary reinforcements no longer exist to provide support for nursing staff members who are ill or injured.
He stated that those working still have exhaustion.
Moonen claimed that the “vast majority” of patients admitted to hospital are not vaccinated.
The German health minister stated on Thursday that there will be a spike in coronavirus infections around the New Year. People may need to get a fourth shot of vaccines in order to protect themselves against Covid-19.
Karl Lauterbach, the Health Minister said that Germany had not yet experienced a large and rapid surge in new infections due to the Omicron variant.
Lauterbach explained that “that will change around New Year’s Eve and the first week in January.”
Germans are being urged by the government to avoid holiday contact and get immunized, even with booster shots.
According to official figures, 70.7 percent have been given a complete course of vaccinations and 35 percent have had boosters.
Germany witnessed protests over planned vaccine mandate and pandemic restrictions in recent weeks.
The police said that about 5,000 people gathered late Wednesday in Munich, some of whom attacked officers. Eleven people were detained.
A Galicia woman, dressed in a face mask, walks along the streets of A Coruna on 23 December 2021. Spain made outdoor face-masks mandatory due to a rise in Covid-19 cases, and the shortage of test results.
After a surge in Covid-19-related cases, people waited in line to get a Covid-19 vaccination at the Barcelona vaccine center on 23 December 2021.
A demonstration by Corona opponents was stopped by police officers in Munich on Wednesday 22nd December 2021.
According to Prime Minister Mario Draghi, the Italian government has begun to prepare new steps for fighting a spike in COVID-19-related infections. It might also make compulsory vaccinations mandatory for certain workers.
As Omicron’s highly infectious variant continues to be a concern, top officials plan to meet Thursday to discuss increasing COVID-19 limits.
Draghi stated that one of the options for addressing the issue was to return to outdoor mandatory mask wear and use more Ffp2 protection in enclosed spaces. Draghi also suggested that vaccine mandates could be reconsidered.
“They’ve been extended to certain categories already, and we will consider expanding it to other types.” “I don’t know when we’ll talk about it, but if contagions data continues to worsen, it will be the topic of discussion within a short time,” Draghi explained.
The government is making vaccinations compulsory for all health care professionals, teachers, police officers, and military personnel in an attempt to reduce COVID-19 infection.