Like COVID-19 vaccination efforts are gaining momentum, many US states are slowing down or abandoning restrictions. But that is not the case in many other countries around the world. In fact, some have much stricter rules than anything already enforced in the United States
From 6 pm curfews, to “no talking” rules, to men and women who can only go out on alternate days, restrictions on coronavirus worldwide are constantly evolving – some in unusual ways.
France – Curfew and movement restrictions
France was one of the most affected countries in Europe, with more than 4 million cases and more than 91,000 deaths on March 19.
The Paris area is under a new blockade to fight a wave of cases. Residents can go out for exercise, but only 10 km (6 miles) from their homes. People are not allowed to travel to other parts of the country without proof of a valid reason, such as death in the family or business that cannot be done remotely.
Cafes, restaurants, museums, theaters and ski resorts have been closed across France since October 30, with no plans to reopen. A nationwide curfew keeps people at home from 6 pm to 6 am every night since mid-January.
But there is help for companies that have been forced to close. They can receive up to $ 12,000 per month or compensation equal to 20% of their 2019 earnings.
VALERY HACHE / AFP via Getty Images
Masks are mandatory on public transport and, in addition, the French National Academy of Medicine urges people to be quiet – no talking, no phone calls – reduce the spread of germs in public transport and whenever social distance is not possible. The authorities specified that this “is not an obligation”, but a “recommendation”.
During France’s first blockade in March 2020, the rules were even stricter. People had to download and fill out a form whenever they needed to leave the house. The police checked the forms to make sure the person had a legitimate reason to be outside and issued fines of up to $ 150 for violations. At that time, people could only exercise within a 2 km (about 1.2 mile) radius of their homes and recreational cycling was prohibited.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – tracking bracelets
Since September 2020, the majority of passengers arriving in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, have been required to wear a tracking bracelet during the mandatory 10-day home quarantine. All travelers must also undergo thermal screening and COVID-19 testing at the airport.
“Self-isolation must be done at home and you must wear a medically approved bracelet during that period. The bracelet will be provided by the authorities at Abu Dhabi Airport after immigration is released,” Etihad Airways said in the guidelines posted on its website. .
Minors under 18, over 60, with chronic illness or with diplomatic passports are exempt from wearing a bracelet.
Singapore – Hotel tracking and quarantine devices
Early in the pandemic, Singapore began demanding that people carry a special digital device or use an app to help authorities track any contact with coronavirus cases. Entry to shopping malls and public places is mandatory.
Authorities initially said that data from the contact tracking system was encrypted, stored locally and used only if individuals tested positive for COVID-19. But last month, officials said the data was used in a criminal investigation, raising questions about privacy and surveillance.
In addition, travelers entering Singapore from most countries are required to serve a 14-day quarantine in a government-designated facility – at the expense of the traveler.
The quarantine is strictly monitored by the government and the facilities are randomly distributed. One woman said she spent the entire quarantine at a 5-star hotel, while others reported their experiences holed up in rooms without windows and full of cockroaches.
Last month, a Singapore court sentenced a Briton to two weeks in prison after he sneaked out of his hotel room to find his bride during the quarantine. He was also fined $ 752.56 for leaving his room three times, according to Reuters.
Similar quarantine requirements are also in place for most visitors who travel to Kuwait, Hong Kong and Australia.
Mexico – Repression of junk food
Several states in Mexico took steps to ban the sale and marketing of junk food and sugary drinks to minors in September, due to concerns about health problems such as diabetes and obesity were putting people at greater risk of getting the coronavirus. The law applies to school stores and vending machines.
Many supermarkets, especially those in Mexico City, have instituted rules that allow only one family member at a time to enter their stores to reduce crowding and potential exposure to the virus.
More than 190,000 Mexicans died of COVID-19, the third highest number of deaths reported in the world. On Thursday, Mexico announced is restricting non-essential travel to land ports of entry.
Spain – Rules for gathering, smoking, talking
With one of the highest numbers of cases and deaths in Europe, Spain has imposed one of the most rigid blocks on the continent. The country was reopened to visitors during the summer, but has since entered a state of emergency that is expected to last until May.
Restrictions vary widely by region, but meetings of more than six people are prohibited across Spain and a national night curfew from 10 pm or 11 pm to 6 am, depending on the region, is currently in effect.
Spain closed nightclubs and also banned smoking in public outdoor spaces, where people are unable to maintain a social distance of at least six feet. The Spanish health ministry said it fears that smokers may transfer the virus to others in droplets exhaled with smoke.
The regional government of Catalonia in November asked all public transport passengers to refrain from speaking, eating and drinking to prevent the spread of the virus, according to local media.
Emilio Morenatti / AP
The regional government of Galicia, in northwest Spain, has announced that it has approved fines, ranging from about $ 1,100 to $ 71,000, for people who refuse to get vaccinated against COVID-19, if their refusal is considered “a risk very serious or impairs the health of the population. “But the law faces legal challenges and may not go into effect.
Germany – Special masks required
Germany has registered the highest number of new COVID-19 infections since January and is extending its current blockade until March 28. He is opening some restrictions to allow non-essential stores and other businesses to reopen only in areas with relatively low infection rates.
In many places, a maximum of five people from a maximum of two families can gather in one home, but children under the age of 14 are not included in this count. Most stores have been closed since December across the country and restaurants, bars, sports and entertainment have been closed since November. Hotels can accommodate business travelers only.
Germany requires people to wear surgical masks or high filtration N95 or FFP-2 masks instead of simple facial tissue covers in stores, at the workplace and on public transport in hopes of controlling strains of viruses that spread more quickly.
Panama – Male and female alternate days
At the beginning of the pandemic, Panama announced one of the most aggressive measures in Latin America: local residents could only go out on alternate days according to their gender, as stated in their national identity cards.
Women could only leave the house to buy what they needed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while men could go out on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Everyone had to stay home on Sundays. Even on designated days, both men and women had only two hours to shop.
This measure was eliminated in February.
South Africa – Prohibition on selling alcoholic beverages and cigarettes
South Africa was home to one of the most rigid roadblocks in the world. At the beginning of the pandemic, South Africa introduced a total ban on the sale of alcohol, which lasted until June 1. The ban was resumed in July, but reversed for the second time a month later. A third ban was implemented in December, which has now been lifted.
“Reckless behavior due to alcohol intoxication has contributed to increased transmission. Alcohol-related accidents and violence are putting pressure on the hospital’s emergency units,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a national speech in July.
South Africa has also imposed an unprecedented ban on the sale of cigarettes, to help prevent breathing problems associated with COVID-19. The ban lasted more than three months.
In March 2020, South Africa sealed its borders, preventing international visitors from entering the country and leaving many South Africans stranded abroad. The travel ban was lifted in October, but after a “massive increase” in COVID-19 cases caused by a highly contagious variant discovered there last year, Ramaphosa announced in January that 20 land borders would be closed by February 15.