Paris: As many European nations are struggling with the new Omicron coronavirus variant, some countries have decided to reintroduce travel restrictions and other containment measures since it was first detected in South Africa last month.
“With regard to the acceleration of the pandemic, and the risks related to the end-of-year festivities, authorities should impose significant restrictions,” France’s scientific panel said.
And Paris municipal authorities announced “with regret that we will have to cancel all the festivities planned on the Champs Elysees on December 31.Â
“The fireworks will not take place, nor unfortunately will there be any DJ sets,” the mayor’s office told AFP.
On Friday, Germany designated France and Denmark as high-risk zones and said it would impose quarantine on unvaccinated travellers from its two neighbours, beginning from Sunday (Dec. 19).
In Ireland, bars and restaurants will have to close from 8:00 pm from Sunday until January 30, prime minister Micheal Martin announced.
Denmark, which this week had the highest per capita new Covid infection rate, said it would close cinemas, theatres and concert halls and restrict restaurant opening hours.
And Switzerland is also stepping up anti-Covid measures from Monday as the country battles an intense fifth wave of the virus.
