Europe in strict confinement, the UK in isolation

Since 15 Decembercontainment measures are being rolled out across the European Union.Europe. While the France has decided torelax some of the rules governing its confinementHowever, its European neighbours are moving in the opposite direction. Above all, the discovery of a new strain of covid-19 at United Kingdom has resulted in the suspension of air services from continental Europe to the country. " Given the new health risk, and pending its assessment, all passenger traffic from the UK to France will be suspended from midnight this evening for 48 hours, for all means of transport" said the Prime Minister Jean Castex Sunday.

Elsewhere on the continent, the trend is towards stricter measures: here's a look at our European neighbours.

Germany

The authorities stepped up preventive measures on 16 December. For example, the German population is now only allowed to go out for essential purposes, such as essential purchases, medical check-ups or visits to the doctor.

The borders with France remain openThis will allow visitors to travel to Germany without a pre-test. On condition, however, that they do not stay for more than 24 hours.

For travellers with a negative PCR test who wish to stay in Germany, a five-day quarantine is mandatory. It should be noted that many Länder have ordered the closure of hotel establishments.

Austria

Austria only authorises nationals with a negative PCR test carried out less than 72 hours previously if they come from a country with more than 100 cases of covid per 100,000 inhabitants. This applies, for example, to France which had an incidence rate of 123.1 on 18 December. Travellers must be quarantined and undergo a second PCR test within 48 hours.. If the test is negative, the quarantine is lifted. If not, it is extended for 10 days.

Hotels are now only open to travellers on business trips. business reason until further notice. A Curfew is also in force from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.. From 26 December, a reinforced containment system will be put in place, with shops closed and exits restricted until 23 January.

Benelux

Visit Belgiumnew measures are in force until 15 January. They restrict commercial activities in the country: cafés and restaurants remain closed, while non-essential shops are open under strict conditions (customers must do their shopping alone within 30 minutes). hotels and guest rooms.

The government of Wallonia Region and the Brussels have introduced a Curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.. At Flandersthis Curfew in force from midnight to 5 a.m..

Travellers entering Belgium must complete an electronic Passenger Locator Form within 48 hours of arrival. Cross-border commuters are exempt if they stay for less than 48 hours.

At the beginning of 2021, a new PLF system will be introduced, distinguishing between business and private travel. The business travellers with an employer's certificate will no longer have to be quarantined if their PLF shows no risk behaviour. All other travellers must continue to observe the quarantine.

Le Luxembourg has the least restrictive measures of any EU country. No negative test is required. However, the country has tightened its travel restrictions. A Curfew is in force between 11pm and 6am. However, it will be reduced to 9pm from 26 December to 10 January. Non-essential shops will not be able to open during this period.

At Netherlandsthe government has decided to introduce a very strict confinementthe 15 December to 19 January. Non-essential businesses have closed their doors and residents are being asked not to book travel until March.

A 10-day quarantine is mandatory for travellers arriving from red or orange zones (such as France). However, certain essential trips to the Netherlands are permitted.

Spain

If there is no quarantined on entry to the country, any traveller wishing to travel to Spain by air must complete a personal and non-transferable Health Control Form (FCS).

Once this form has been completed and signed, the passengers receive a QR code associated with their journey which they must keep on their mobile phone or print out in order to pass the airport health check. Travellers must produce a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old to enter Spain.

Throughout the country, a curfew is in force between 8pm and 6am. Places open to the public are closed until 7 January.

From 23 December to 6 January, all regions are limiting travel between regions except for essential reasons.

Italy

Visit Italyit is forbidden to travel between regions until 6 January.  Many regions are once again under confinement.

After easing restrictions at the end of November, the government has decided to tighten certain measures in response to the pandemic. Restaurants and bars are closing at 6pm, and shopping centres are now closed at weekends.

With the epidemic continuing unabated, even stricter measures are being applied from 21 December to 6 January. All non-essential shops will have to close, and residents will only be allowed to go out once a day.

Foreign travellers arriving in Italy must present the negative result of a molecular (PCR) or antigenic test less than 48 hours old. Travellers who are unable to present this document must undergo a quarantine in Italy. However, for the period from 21 December to 6 January, the travellers from France coming to Italy between 21 December and 6 January will be subject to a 14-day on-site check, even with a negative test.

Portugal

Travellers from countries in the Schengen area benefit from a liberal regime to Portugal. Travellers are not required to undergo a COVID-19 test, nor are they obliged to observe a four-week period.

However, they must download a form location required by the health authorities. Stricter semi-containment measures have been applied since November.

Switzerland

Switzerland has tightened its rules, which were still relatively flexible compared with other countries. At federal level, the government has decided to close the restaurants and bars, with shops remaining open at reduced capacity. During the museums, libraries, non-essential shops and markets must remain closed at weekends.

However, because of its federal structure, some cantons apply stricter measures. In the ValaisMuseums and cinemas are also closed.

For French nationals wishing to travel to Switzerland, a 10-day quarantine remains mandatory except for cross-border commuters working in the country.