For gastronomy, sport, culture
These neighboring countries are relaxing their corona rules
2/16/2022, 7:38 am
In Germany’s neighborhood, several countries are lifting numerous corona measures. In Switzerland, for example, access restrictions for restaurants are to be abolished, and the Netherlands will soon be waiving the obligation to wear masks. Austria also wants to relax more quickly.
In view of the falling corona numbers, other European countries are relaxing their corona restrictions. So raises about the Switzerland protective measures to a large extent. Access restrictions for unvaccinated people in restaurants, leisure and cultural facilities or at events are to be lifted this week, as the government in Bern has already announced. And today, Wednesday, she will finally decide whether all other measures will also be ended. However, it is possible that the mask requirement will remain in place on buses and trains, for example.
Also the Netherlands lift most corona measures. From Friday, football stadiums, theaters, cinemas and restaurants will be allowed to receive almost unlimited visitors again – and they will be open again until 1 a.m. instead of 10 p.m. as before. “The country will be reopened,” said Health Minister Ernst Kuipers recently. In view of the declining number of infections, there is reason for optimism. But he also called for caution.
The last step will probably follow in the Netherlands on February 25th: Then the mask requirement will be abolished and also the Corona pass, it said. With the pass, visitors to restaurants, culture and sport still have to prove that they have been tested, vaccinated or recovered. For major indoor events such as festivals, testing will be mandatory in the future. The mask requirement should only apply in local public transport and on airplanes. The background to this is that in recent weeks the pressure from citizens and companies on the government to lift the measures has increased. Experts now consider this to be justifiable.
Also Austria wants to increase the pace of the corona easing. The government and prime minister will discuss this on Wednesday. So far, further opening steps are planned for February 19th. Then – except in Vienna – the 3G rule should apply again in gastronomy instead of the 2G rule.
Last but not least, the tourism industry and some country heads are pushing for further easing. At the moment, for example, the rule still applies when entering the country that only vaccinated and recovered people with an additional negative test are allowed to enter the country. With a seven-day incidence of 2500 per 100,000 inhabitants, Austria has a significantly higher value than Germany. However, the situation in the clinics is currently stable.
A little further away from the German borders apply in Finland since Monday there have been significantly fewer corona measures than before. Restaurants and pubs are now allowed to sell alcohol until 11 p.m. and remain open until midnight. As reported by radio station Yle, a ban on singing and dancing has also been lifted – this means that many Finns can go back to the karaoke bars they love. Restrictions on culture, sport and events are also eliminated.
The Finnish government announced the easing a good two weeks ago. Denmark, Sweden and most recently Norway have already lifted practically all applicable corona restrictions.