The arrival of winter and an increase in the incidence of Covid-19 in some European countries have caused an increase in the number of infections and restrictions against the virus. The Netherlands has returned to its conclusion, Germany has set daily infection records and even Portugal has reported more cases.
The Netherlands announced, in a voice of Prime Minister Mark Rutte, a return to partial isolation. Theaters, cinemas and schools remain open, but opening hours in cafes, restaurants and supermarkets have been reduced. Events such as concerts or football matches are canceled.
Following the announcement of a return to prison, the Netherlands became the first country in Western Europe to return to quarantine. The increase in cases of infection, about 10 thousand cases of infection per day, despite the low mortality rate, forced the government to tighten restrictive measures to combat the pandemic.
The scenario in the Netherlands is very similar to the situation in Germany, where the incidence of the virus has also increased. Infection rates per 100,000 inhabitants are hitting daily records, hospitals are working to their limit due to a strong increase in Covid-19 cases, and only 67% of the population is vaccinated.
Experts guarantee that these numbers are neither encouraging nor sufficient to keep the virus under control, and even Chancellor Angela Merkel warned that Germany will have to face “very difficult weeks.” However, so far, despite rumors, the country has not officially announced its return to prison.
In Portugal, severe winter cold is still not felt as much as in other European countries. Perhaps for this reason, the country remains among the European countries with the lowest number of new deaths per million inhabitants.
According to the DGS, about 88.89% of the population is vaccinated, and the pandemic in Portugal is currently “of moderate intensity” but with “an upward trend across the country.”
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