Many European countries have eased COVID-19 restrictions on everyday life, making tourism possible again this autumn. Here is a brief recap of what rules apply in the EU.
Germany
Germany is experiencing a “massive” pandemic of the unvaccinated, the health minister Jens Spahn has said, calling for tougher action to combat a resurgence in Covid cases.
“We are currently experiencing mainly a pandemic of the unvaccinated and it is massive,” Spahn told reporters. “In some regions in Germany intensive care beds are running out again.”
Germany, Europe’s most populous country with some 83 million people, has been grappling with a fourth wave of infections in recent weeks that has seen the seven-day incidence rate hit highs not seen since May.
The country added 20,398 cases over the past 24 hours, the Robert Koch health institute further said, while another 194 people died.
Italy
Italy has imposed new COVID-19 measures making it obligatory for all workers to display a COVID-19 health pass.
The new decree will start to be effective from October 15.
Health Minister Roberto Speranza declared the move in a news conference.
“The Green Pass is an instrument of freedom, that will help us make workplaces safer,” he said.
“The second reason is to reinforce our vaccine campaign.”
Bulgaria
The daily number of Covid-19 cases in Bulgaria hit another high on Wednesday amid a surge in infections.
The country’s tally of coronavirus infections has risen by 6,813 in the past 24 hours.
The number is considered a new record high daily tally since the start of the pandemic, official data showed on Wednesday.
The virus has killed 124 people in the past 24 hours, according to the figures, bringing the total death toll to 23,440.
Russia
The Russian capital, Moscow, shut down non-essential services for 11 days to fight the surge in COVID-19 infections.
The decision is the strictest lockdown measures in the country since June 2020.
Hospitals have been confronting a rising wave of coronavirus cases that has sent one-day pandemic deaths to record highs.
Australia
However, Australia’s border has reopened for the first time in 20 months, sparking emotional reunions to Sydney Airport.
The New South Wales (NSW) state government affirmed that all tourists and foreign travellers could freely enter.
Sydney only emerged from a 107-day lockdown two weeks ago.
But it is charging ahead with reopening to the rest of the world. NSW authorities say their state – which is the most populous in Australia – is leading the way for the nation.