Like COVID-19 vaccination efforts increase, many U.S. states shrink or removal of restrictions. But this is not the case in many other countries in the world. In fact, some have much stricter rules than anything else that has ever been imposed in the United States
From six in the afternoon, to the rules of “not talking,” until men and women are allowed out only on alternate days, coronavirus restrictions around the world are constantly evolving, some in unusual ways.
France: curfew and movement restrictions
France has been one of the hardest hit countries in Europe, with more than 4 million cases and more than 91,000 dead on 19 March.
The Paris area is under a new closure to combat an increase in cases. Residents can go out to exercise, but only within 10 km (6 miles) of their home. People are not allowed to travel to other parts of the country without proof of valid reasons, such as a family death or a business that cannot be done remotely.
Cafes, restaurants, museums, theaters and ski resorts have been closed throughout France since October 30, with no set date for their reopening. A curfew across the country has kept people at home from 6pm to 6am every night since mid-January.
But there is help for companies that have been forced to close. They can receive up to $ 12,000 a month or compensation equal to 20% of their income as of 2019.
VALERY HACHE / AFP via Getty Images
Masks are required on public transport and, in addition, the French National Academy of Medicine has urged people to keep quiet – without talking, without phone calls – reduce the spread of germs in public transport and whenever social distancing is not possible. Officials specified that this “is not an obligation,” but a “recommendation.”
During the first closure of France in March 2020, the rules were even stricter. People had to download and fill out a form every time they needed to leave home. Police would review the forms to make sure the person had a legitimate reason to be out and imposed fines of up to $ 150 for violations. At that time, people could only exercise within a radius of 2 km (approximately 1.2 miles) from their home and recreational cycling was prohibited.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: tracking bracelets
As of September 2020, most passengers arriving in Abu Dhabi, UAE, must wear a tracking bracelet during the mandatory 10-day quarantine at home. All passengers must also undergo thermal testing and COVID-19 testing at the airport.
“Personal isolation must be done at home and you will be asked to wear a medically approved wristband for the entire duration. The wristband will be provided by Abu Dhabi airport authorities after you have eliminated immigration,” said Etihad Airways in the guidelines posted on its website.
Children under the age of 18, over the age of 60, who suffer from a chronic illness or have a diplomatic passport are exempt from having to wear the bracelet.
Singapore: hotel tracking and quarantine devices
In the early days of the pandemic, Singapore began requiring people to carry a special digital device or use an app to help authorities track down any contact with coronavirus cases. It is mandatory to enter shopping malls and public places.
Authorities initially said the data from the contact tracking system was encrypted, stored locally and only used if people tested positive for COVID-19. But last month, officials said the data had been used in a criminal investigation, raising questions about privacy and surveillance.
In addition, travelers entering Singapore from most countries must do a 14-day quarantine at a government-designated facility, at the traveler’s expense.
The government strictly controls quarantine and facilities are randomly assigned. One woman said she spent the entire quarantine in a 5-star hotel, while others recounted her experience in rooms with no windows and full of cockroaches.
Last month, a Singapore court sentenced a Briton to two weeks in prison after he left his hotel room to meet his promise during his quarantine. He also received a $ 752.56 fine for leaving his room three times, according to Reuters.
There are similar quarantine requirements for most visitors traveling to Kuwait, Hong Kong and Australia.
Mexico – Repression of junk food
Some states in Mexico took steps to ban the sale and marketing of junk food and sugary drinks to minors in September, due to concerns about health conditions such as diabetes and diabetes. obesity they were putting people at risk of coronavirus. The law applies to school shops and vending machines.
Many grocery stores, especially those in Mexico City, have established rules that allow only one family member at a time in their stores to reduce overcrowding and potential exposure to the virus.
More than 190,000 Mexicans have died due to COVID-19, the third number of deaths recorded in the world. Thursday, Mexico announced restricts non-essential travel to land ports of entry.
Spain: rules about meeting, smoking, talking
Spain, with the highest number of cases and deaths in Europe, imposed one of the strictest closures on the continent. The country reopened its visitors during the summer, but has since entered a state of emergency that should be executed by May.
Restrictions vary widely by region, but meetings of more than six people are banned throughout Spain and there is currently a national night curfew from 10pm to 11pm at 6am, depending on the region.
Spain closed nightclubs and also banned smoking in outdoor public spaces where people cannot maintain the social distance of at least six meters. The Spanish health ministry said it was concerned that smokers could transfer the virus to other people in drops exhaled with smoke.
The regional government of Catalonia called in November for all public transport drivers to refrain from talking, eating and drinking to prevent the virus from spreading further, according to local media.
Emilio Morenatti / AP
The regional government of Galicia, in northwestern Spain, announced that it has approved fines, ranging from $ 1,100 to $ 71,000, for people who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19, if it is considered that its refusal entails “a very serious risk or harm to the health of the population.” But the law faces legal challenges and may not come into force.
Germany: Special masks are needed
Germany has recorded the highest number of new COVID-19 infections since January and extends its current blockade until March 28. It is easing some restrictions to allow unnecessary stores and other businesses to reopen only in areas with relatively low infection rates.
In many places, a maximum of five people from no more than two households are allowed to gather in a household, but children under the age of 14 are not included in this count. Most shops have been closed since December nationwide and restaurants, bars, sports and entertainment venues have been closed since November. Hotels can only accommodate business travelers.
Germany requires people to wear surgical masks or top filtration N95 or FFP-2 masks instead of simple fabric facial covers in stores, the workplace, and on public transportation in hopes of controlling the virus strains that spread the fastest.
Panama: alternate male and female days
At the start of the pandemic, Panama announced one of the most aggressive measures in Latin America: locals could only go out on alternate days according to their sex, as indicated on their national ID cards.
Women could only leave home to buy basic necessities on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while men could go there on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Everyone had to stay home on Sundays. Even on the designated days, both men and women only had two hours to buy their purchases.
This measure was abolished in February.
South Africa: ban on the sale of liquor and cigarettes
South Africa hosted one of the tightest enclosures in the world. At the start of the pandemic, South Africa introduced a total ban on the sale of alcohol, which lasted until 1 June. The ban was revoked in July, but was reversed a second time a month later. A third ban was imposed in December, which has already been lifted.
“Reckless behavior due to alcohol intoxication has helped increase transmission. Alcohol-related accidents and violence are putting pressure on our hospital emergency units,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a speech throughout the country in July.
South Africa also imposed an unprecedented ban on cigarette sales, to help prevent respiratory problems associated with COVID-19. The ban lasted more than three months.
March 2020, South Africa sealed its borders, preventing the entry of international visitors into the country and leaving many South Africans stranded abroad. The travel ban was lifted in October, but following a “massive increase” in COVID-19 cases driven by a highly contagious variant discovered there last year, Ramaphosa announced in January that 20 land borders would be closed by February 15th.