Europe is rushing to stop the spread of COVID-19 as the global death toll passes 7,000 – more than one-third of which have been reported on the continent.

After a video conference with G7 leaders on 16 March, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced proposals to close Europe's borders to all non-essential travel for 30 days. She said leaders would be asked to implement the measures on Tuesday 17 March. 

These measures come days after the World Health Organization (WHO) said Europe was the new epicenter of the pandemic, and on the same day that it criticized some nations for not doing enough to detect and contain the coronavirus.

So what are the measures already being taken by some countries across Europe for borders, travel, schools and businesses? 

 

Germany

Borders: Germany closed its borders with Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg and Denmark to all but essential travel from Monday 16 March.

Travel: Holiday travel for German nationals is banned. Non-Germans who are not resident without a valid reason will be refused entry into the country at the borders.

Schools: Schools and nurseries across the country are closed from Monday 16 March until after the Easter holidays on 20 April.

Businesses: Non-essential businesses and shops have been shut down, and large gatherings, including religious ones, are banned nationwide. Supermarkets, pharmacies, petrol stations, banks, post offices, delivery services, dry cleaners and hairdressers will be among the businesses that will remain open.

 

Hungary

Borders: Hungary closes its borders for all passenger transport, allowing entry only to Hungarian citizens.

Travel: Hungarian nationals have been told to avoid travel to infected areas.

Schools: Universities shut down from 11 March. Primary and secondary schools shut down from 16 March and move to online teaching.

Businesses: All events and gatherings have been banned, and sporting events to be held behind closed doors if they have not been canceled. Pubs, movie theaters and other cultural facilities have been shut down. Restaurants, cafes and shops will be allowed to remain open until 3pm, but this does not apply to grocery stores, pharmacies, petrol stations and drug stores.

 

Spain

Borders: Spain closed its land borders from 16 March, allowing only Spanish citizens, residents and others with special circumstances to enter the country. Goods will be allowed in. Air borders are still open without restrictions, but some Spain-bound flights have been ordered to turn back.

Travel: Spain has been under partial lockdown since Saturday 14 March, residents are allowed to leave their homes only to go to work, buy food or visit a pharmacy or hospital. While air travel is as yet unaffected, Spanish citizens have been told to avoid all but essential travel. Troops have been deployed in 14 cities across the country to help police the lockdown, telling people to go home unless they have a good reason to be outside. 

Schools: Schools and universities across Spain are closed.

Businesses: Bars, restaurants, and shops selling anything but food and other staples must shut down. All leisure and sports activities also have to close, including cinemas, theaters, swimming pools and football grounds. Supermarkets, petrol stations and hairdressers remain open.

 

The UK

Borders: UK borders remain open.

Travel: British nationals have been told to avoid non-essential travel and work from home where possible, but air travel from the UK remains unrestricted.  

Schools: Schools and universities remain open.

Businesses: Businesses have not been ordered to close, but residents were told on Monday 16 March to avoid pubs, clubs, restaurants, cinemas and theaters. People were told to limit social contact, especially those over 70 years old, those with chronic diseases and pregnant women.

 

France

Borders: France, complying with the EU's proposal to close Europe's borders, said the country's borders would be closed from Tuesday 17 March for 30 days, with only French citizens being allowed to return home.

Travel: President Emmanuel Macron ramped up restrictions, announcing a 15-day lockdown coming into effect at midday on 17 March, saying: "We are at war."  French citizens are only allowed to leave their homes to go to work, seek medical care or to buy groceries. The strict measures include citizens being ordered to carry a form justifying their reasons for leaving their homes, or risk being fined up to 135 euros ($150). More than 100,000 police officers were deployed nationwide to enforce the unprecedented restrictions.

Schools: Schools and universities across the country were closed from 16 March until further notice.

Businesses: Non-essential businesses including cafes, restaurants, cinemas and clubs have been closed across the country. Chemists, grocery stores, banks, tobacco shops and petrol stations remain open.

 

 

Poland

Borders: Poland implemented a ban on foreigners entering the country from 15 March and imposed a 14-day quarantine on its citizens returning home. Those with a residence permit in Poland are being allowed to enter. International inbound flights and trains were also suspended, except for flights bringing Poles home and freight transport.

Travel: International air and rail services for citizens have been suspended as residents have been urged to stay at home. Public gatherings of more than 50 people are not allowed, and church authorities have limited attendance of religious services. 

Schools: Schools across the country have been closed from 13 March

Businesses: Shopping centers, restaurants, bars and casinos have been shuttered, while grocery shops, drug stores and other essential service outlets remain open.

 

Switzerland

Borders: Switzerland announced on Monday 16 March it would tighten its border controls with Germany, France and Austria, having already fortified restrictions at the southern border with hard-hit Italy.

Travel: The Swiss government on 16 March declared a state of emergency lasting until 19 April. Switzerland mobilized up to 8,000 members of the military on 16 March and banned all public and private events. Swiss health officials urged citizens to respect the government's emergency measures, warning that hospitals could collapse if the virus continues to spread rapidly. The Swiss city of Geneva, home to many international institutions including the UN and the WHO, banned non-work gatherings of more than five people both indoors or outdoors.

Schools: Schools across the country have been closed since 16 March.

Businesses: All shops, restaurants, bars, and entertainment and leisure facilities have been shut down, with the exception of grocery stores, petrol stations, hotels, banks, post offices, pharmacies and health facilities.