Which countries have partially or entirely eased their restrictions?
Many European countries have partially or entirely repealed their Covid restrictions. Iceland and Norway chose to return to normal life between the end of February and mid-March thanks to their massive vaccination campaign, despite criticism. In Iceland, after a new peak of nearly 3,000 cases per day in early March, the number of contaminations dropped to 177 cases on average per day. The same applies to Norway, where there was a new surge from the end of January to mid-February, with nearly 20,000 daily cases). Last week, barely 1,050 positive cases on average last week were recorded. Denmark and the Netherlands are following the trend. Therefore, the easing of restrictions doesn't seem so risk-free after all. The United Kingdom and France still have a high number of Covid cases.
UK
On April 1, the UK implemented its "Living with Covid" plan. Covid tests are no longer free of charge. Since the end of January, restrictions such as the compulsory wearing of masks outdoors and in public places, entry conditions for vaccinated and non-vaccinated people, etc., have been eased. Like the rest of the population, Boris Johnson also seems to be in a hurry to get back to normal. Could he be trying to delete the Downing Street scandal from the minds of people? But on April 1st, the United Kingdom broke a new record, with more than 100,000 daily cases. According to experts, the sub-variant of Omicron, BA.2, would account for this. Currently, figures have dropped to around 60,000 cases per day). In the WHO's opinion, the UK has lifted its restrictions "too abruptly". Still, the government kept its stand. On Friday last, it even decided on lowering its viral surveillance system. But the WHO warns of the presence of other variants.
France
In France, restrictions were eased on March 14. But since the vaccination pass and wearing of a compulsory mask in public places (except in transport, hospitals and nursing homes) are no longer mandatory, contamination figures have skyrocketed. On Friday, no less than 148,798 new cases were recorded. According to a YouGov poll conducted for the Huffington Post, 58% of French people agree that the restrictions were lifted too soon. In addition, even though hospitals are not saturated as they used to be, more cases of burnout have been reported among the staff. Last week, more than 130,000 cases on average were recorded daily.
Progressive easing of restrictions
The United States, Italy, Japan, etc., are some countries that opted for a progressive easing of restrictions. The Italian Council of Ministers validated the "return to normal" strategy with the end of the health pass requirement from April 1, despite the high contamination rate (more than 60,000 cases per day). The wearing of masks in public places remains compulsory. Other countries, such as Japan, are more cautious.
Japan has a record of 50,000 cases on average per day, but this is an improvement compared to the approximately 100,000 daily cases recorded in early February. Japan has started easing some of its restrictions, particularly regarding education, as school closures have significantly impacted students' physical and mental health. The recommended closures have been reduced from one week to 5 days in the event of several Covid cases. There's good news for international students as well. Since March, Japan has been welcoming around 5,000 of them daily. However, entry conditions remain very strict. While working holidayers are allowed into Japan since March 1, they must be sponsored by a business or school. However, most employers are pretty reluctant in bearing the cost. For students, the cost of enrolment in language schools rose to an average of 6000 euros per year. Japan made it clear that only holders of the "Uketsuke zumisho" (Certificate for Complexion of Registration to the ERFS system; the sponsorship certificate) will be allowed into the territory. Besides, candidates who are aged above 30 won't be considered. According to experts, this is unfair treatment of international students. Meanwhile, tourists are not allowed into the country.
Easing restrictions: An attempt to save tourism?
Other countries, such as Morocco, Australia and Thailand, are gradually reopening their borders for vaccinated tourists. After reopening its air borders, Morocco resumed its maritime links with Spain on April 7. This was a crucial decision for Morocco to revive the tourism sector. Regarding everyday life in Morocco, the curfew and the limitation of movement are no longer in force, but the wearing of a mask remains compulsory. Faced with similar challenges, Thailand is planning on easing all restrictions on vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers by June. Currently, Thailand has a record of over 20,000 Covid cases per day, on average.
Conclusion
Has the mask been dropped too soon? Scientists and doctors have mixed feelings about this issue as the situations vary widely from country to country. In the United States, the people, in general, deal with it despite protests. Lately, a drop in the number of contaminations (less than 30,000 daily cases today) has been observed. In Austria, vaccination against Covid is no longer compulsory since March 9, thanks to a drop in the contamination figures (from more than 30,000 at the beginning of March to around 15,000 currently). Faced with a new Covid peak in March, Hong Kong is considering allowing flights from certain countries. Meanwhile, France and Israel are proposing a 2nd booster dose for people aged over 60. China is the only country maintaining its "zero Covid" strategy despite the new surge in early April. Factory and office closures, repeated lockdowns, tests, etc., seem to have become part of the population's everyday life.
