Masks are compulsory on public transport in France and there is a fine of $158 for non compliance./AFP
Countries across Europe have implemented various measures in an attempt to prevent a second wave of COVID-19. Here is a breakdown of all the latest rules as of 0900 GMT on Thursday 24 September.
UK
Following a rise in infections, UK prime minister Boris Johnson announced new lockdown measures across England on Tuesday. Having originally been encouraged to return to offices, people are now being advised to work from home if possible. People are also banned from meeting in groups of more than six, indoors and outdoors – with weddings are now restricted to just 15 people and funerals capped at 30.
Face masks must be worn on public transport and in supermarkets, shops and all indoor spaces, while shop staff must also wear masks at all times. Fines for not wearing a mask have also risen to $254 for a first time offence. Pubs, restaurants and bars must close by 22:00 and will operate with table service only. All travelers returning to the UK from abroad must observe a 14-day quarantine period except from countries where there is an established travel corridor.
France
People are being advised to work from home and avoid offices. On public transport, face masks must be worn at all times by passengers and staff and there is an on-the-spot $158 fine for non-compliance. In shops, masks are compulsory for all customers and staff, while in bars and restaurants masks must be worn by staff and by customers when they move around, for example going to the toilet. Different cities have different closing times, while some, like Marseille, Bordeaux, Lyon and Nice, do not allow gatherings of more than 10 people. At weddings and funerals everyone must wear a face mask and stay a meter away from other attendees. Outdoors, there is a limit of 10 for gatherings in some cities.
There are no restrictions on entry back into France from other EU member nations plus 19 other countries (including Australia, Canada, Switzerland and the UK). Travelers returning from a country not in the EU or on the list of 19 other states must have a specific reason for traveling to France and will be subject to a two-week quarantine period if they show symptoms of COVID-19 on arrival or cannot present a negative PCR test, carried out less than 72 hours before departure.
Spain
The government is advising people to work from home, although for some low-paid people that is proving impossible. Face masks must be worn at all times on public transport and in shops, which also require people to wear gloves when handling food. In bars and restaurants, staff must wear masks at all times. Customers are exempt when eating and drinking but must wear one when they move around or go to the toilet.
Wedding venues can only operate at 60 percent capacity. For funerals, 50 people are allowed to attend outdoors and 25 indoors. Social gatherings of more than 10 people are also banned but there is no current limit on indoor meetings, although more than 10 would be frowned upon. Spain allows all EU citizens to arrive without having to go into quarantine. Anyone coming into Spain must complete a special online health form: once they send it off, they will receive an email with a QR code that will allow access at the arrival airport in Spain.
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Germany
Employees are continuing to work from home. It's compulsory for people to shield their mouth and nose with a cloth covering (scarves are acceptable) on public transport, in grocery stores and other shops. Failure to do so can result in fines starting at $54 in nearly all of Germany's 16 states – Saxony-Anhalt is the exception. Masks also must be worn at train stations and airports. Bars, pubs and shisha bars reopened on 2 June: people must be seated at tables or at the bar (standing is not allowed), and seating must be designed in a way that maintains the 1.5-meter distance between different groups. There are no limitations on opening hours.
People must keep a minimum of 1.5 meters (roughly five feet) away from those outside their household when out in public; when sitting in parks or other green spaces, they must maintain a five-meter distance. There is no longer any limit on the number of people who can meet from different households, indoors or outdoors. Germans are discouraged from undertaking unnecessary trips to all countries, except those who are low-risk. From 1 October, Germany will offer specific travel advice for travel to and from individual countries based on their infection rates.
In Germany, chancellor Angela Merkel made masks compulsory shortly after the start of the pandemic, which has helped the country to minimize deaths. /AFP
Italy
Smart working agreements (working from home) are being encouraged between employers and employees. Face masks must be worn from 18:00 to 06:00 local time in all public and outdoor spaces across Italy where social distancing isn't possible. Masks must also be worn in areas such as squares, open spaces, streets and promenades where spontaneous gatherings are likely to form.
Restaurants, pubs, bars, shops, hairdressers, salons and beaches are open, as are libraries. All must have measures in place to enforce social distancing. However, authorities ordered closures of all dance halls and nightclubs, including outdoor ones, from 17 August. Funerals are permitted to take place with limited attendance, while churches can celebrate mass, weddings and baptisms. Unrestricted travel from within the EU remains permitted. Travel from elsewhere, including from the U.S., remains possible for essential reasons only and arrivals will still face a 14-day quarantine on arrival. Fines for breaking COVID-19 rules are issued on an individual basis.
Greece
There is no specific advice regarding working at home or in offices. Face masks are obligatory on public transport and in public indoor spaces, including medical facilities, lifts, staircases and any enclosed venue providing goods or services – including supermarkets, grocery stores, bakeries, cafes, banks, government and utility providers' offices, retail shops, barber shops, hairdressers and beauty parlours and places of worship.
Shops, bars and restaurants have reopened but social distancing measures apply plus restrictions in the number of customers per square meter. A maximum of 50 people can gather for public and social events, except those to which special rules apply, such as restaurants, theaters and cinemas. A maximum of 100 guests are allowed to attend weddings, baptisms and funerals, while observing all existing health rules. People are advised not to make unnecessary international journeys and may be asked to take a COVID-19 test upon returning if they have visited a high-risk country.
Face masks must be worn from 18:00 to 06:00 local time in all public spaces across Italy, where social distancing isn't possible. /AFP
Hungary
There are no guidelines regarding employees returning to work. Face masks must be worn at all times by passengers and staff on public transport, while they're also compulsory in all shops and public areas, such as shopping malls. Bars and restaurants currently have an 23:00 curfew and staff must wear masks at all times. A $160 fine will be issued for failing to wear a mask in areas where they are mandatory.
Weddings and funerals are permitted for fewer than 500 guests, while the same number applies to all public gatherings and social distancing must be observed. Citizens and residents returning from outside the country face a compulsory 10-day quarantine period unless they produce two negative PCR test results at a cost of $63. There is a total ban on entry for foreign citizens except those from Poland, Czechia and Slovakia. There is an array of exemptions including for business trips, weddings, sports, cultural or religious events as well as for students.
Sweden
People have been encouraged to continue working from home. The Swedish Public Health Agency has implemented basic advice to maintain physical distance from other people, both while traveling and at the destination. Public transport is in operation, but frequency and capacity is limited and flights in and out of the country have been drastically cut back. Face masks are not required in public areas such as shops, bars or restaurants, but gatherings of more than 50 people have been banned, as have visits to elderly care homes.
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