Germany is again bearing the brunt of Covid-19 as the fourth wave has severely hit the country. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that her country is seeing a surge in daily infections.
Owing to this, the Covid infections reached the mark of 52,826 on Wednesday. Following this, European governments have taken measures to contain the coronavirus.
Belgium has already taken strict measures to prevent the spread of the deadly virus and it attempts to avoid a lockdown. According to Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, all the alarm signals are quickly going red in Europe.
From the age of 10, instead of 12, children in Belgium will have to wear masks. From Saturday, working from home will be required for four days a week.
Covid Safe Tickets, which are passes that can be used in multiple locations, will be required at the cinema, theatre, and museum. By April 2022, a third booster will be given to all Belgians.
European countries such as Austria, Sweden, Czech, and Slovakia are imposing lockdowns and issuing vaccination passes to citizens.
Vaccination rates vary greatly throughout Europe. Slovak vaccination uptake is among the lowest in the European Union, at 44%, whereas the Czech Republic’s rate is 58%, Austria’s 65%, and Germany’s 68%.
German and Austrian authorities have reported queues at vaccination clinics, although vaccination take-up rates in Western Europe are among the lowest.
Austria has a staggering 971.5 cases per 100,000 people, far higher than Germany’s 319.5. Some Austrian officials are also calling for tighter restrictions on those who have not been vaccinated, including a possible night-time curfew.
The death toll in Germany is far lower than that of the United Kingdom, with 294 fatalities recorded in 24 hours and Mrs Merkel calling for an emergency with intensive care beds filling up in hospitals. On Wednesday, the UK released another 201 deaths following detection of Covid antibodies, bringing the total to 38,263 infections.
Mrs Merkel urged for a quicker booster drive, stating, “It’s never too late to get your child vaccinated.”
Most services, including bars, cafés, hair salons, and gyms, are now restricted to vaccinated people only in many German regions.
The political situation is made more difficult because the next German government, which will be formed after Merkel’s exit, will include Social Democrats, Greens, and pro-business liberals who are expected to present the planned Covid measures to parliament on Thursday.