It's not just the France which is toughening its stance and imposing a curfew in eight major cities. This weekend, other countries followed suit. Visit Belgium imposes a four-week curfew this Monday 19th. However, the curfew is less restrictive than in France, starting at midnight and ending at 5am.
Visit Italythe Prime Minister has decided to restrict to a maximum of six people groups in restaurants and bars. Table service is compulsory after 6pm. mayors can also declare a curfew with public spaces closing at 9pm. Festivals but also conferences and conventions are deleted.
La Switzerland now requires the wearing a mask in all enclosed public spaces. Gatherings of more than 15 people are also banned. Until now, only the wearing of masks was compulsory on public transport, and this varied from canton to canton. The rule now applies to the whole of the Federation.
British complexity
Finally in EnglandThe Johnson government has introduced a system of three alert thresholds. Tier 1 limits the number of people in a group to six, and bars, pubs and restaurants must close at 10pm. All meetings with people with whom you do not live in a confined space - whether private or public in Threshold 2. The towns of London, Birmingham, Chesterfield, Leeds, Manchester and York among others.
Le Threshold 3 imposes very strict confinement. Pubs and bars that do not serve "substantial" meals must close, and alcohol may only be consumed with a meal. Gatherings are forbidden except in an open space (a park, for example). The government is advising people not to travel outside the Threshold 3 zone, which applies to Liverpool and Lancashire. Manchester and Newcastle could soon fall within this threshold.
Visit Northern IrelandRestaurants and bars close at 10.30pm, while hairdressers and beauty salons have already closed. Gatherings of more than ten people are prohibited. L'Scotland ordered the closure of restaurants in 18 districts (including Edinburgh and Glasgow). The local authorities are asking residents to avoid travel and public transport if possible.
Le Wales has decided to re-confine its entire population for 15 days. The measure comes into force on 23 October.
Finally, the Republic of Ireland will switch to a near-total containment regime this Wednesday, with all non-essential shops closed and restaurants authorised to sell takeaways only. This very strict regime is expected to last until the first week of December.
(Updated on 20/10/20 at 10:00)
