Countries across Europe have substantially curbed public life so as to prevent the COVID-19 outbreak spread.
These measures are necessary to slow down the spread of Corona-virus.
In Italy, Schools, colleges and other non-essential enterprises are closed, with supermarkets, banks, pharmacies and post offices allowed to remain open. Travel within Italy has been banned, except for safety or urgent purposes. Under certain circumstances, people in Italy are only allowed to leave the house, including: solitary exercise near home, go shopping at grocery stores or go to the doctor. At home, they will print a certificate specifying their reason for leaving the building, which will be reviewed by police.
In Spain, Non-essential shops and schools, as well as hotels and tourist accommodations were ordered to shut down. Spain and its European neighbors also closed their external borders. People are limited to going to the pharmacy and grocery shopping just to leave their homes. Exercise outdoors is also prohibited, except for taking a dog on a walk. Hundreds of thousands of police and military personnel are putting the lockdown into effect. All non-essential workers will have to stay home entirely for two weeks until April 11, when Spain will review whether the lockdown should be extended.
In France, the French government has announced a strict nationwide lockdown banning all public gatherings and telling residents to stay indoors except for grocery shopping and other essential tasks. The open-air markets were ordered to shut down, along with closing all non-essential shops. People are also required to fill out a form stating their reason to leave the house. Outdoor exercise is permitted only once a day and must be done alone, without exceeding one hour. Families are allowed to go walking but they have to stay within 1 kilometer of their homes. Walking the dog is allowed, though owners now have to write down the time they have left to make sure it is within the hour-limit.
In Germany, more than two people are banned from public gatherings, except for families and those living together. Restaurants were told to close unless they offer food supply and pick-up services. Hair salons and tattoo parlors joined the list of non-essential shops that were ordered to shut down. Exercising alone outside is still permitted, although with a distance between others of at least 1.5 metres. However, the states of Bavaria and Saarland have locked their residents down and told them to stay at home. Schools throughout the country were told to shut down until the end of Easter holiday
In United Kingdom, The British government has ordered a lockdown restricting people to travel outside the home solely for grocery shopping, medical needs and traveling to work if it is not an option to work from home. Social gatherings and crowd-filled meetings were banned. One form of solitary exercise, like running or riding a bicycle, is allowed. Police will enforce the lockdown measures but when they go outside, people are not required to bring papers with them to justify their reason for leaving the house.
In Austria, with the exception of certain situations, its citizens are prohibited from entering public spaces, including pharmacy, grocery store and ATM trips. All sports fields have been shut down but people are still allowed to go on runs or take outdoor walks with the people who live in their apartment or house as well. Groups with more than five persons are not allowed in public. Restaurants, bars, and cafes were ordered shut down. For those looking for food or groceries only supermarkets and food delivery services are available. The borders with neighboring Italy and Switzerland were shut down, with a significant cut in train and air travel.
In Netherlands, there is an intelligent lockdown, which means that bars, restaurants, museums, schools and universities will remain closed for three weeks longer than they had planned. In the Netherlands public meetings and large-scale events are prohibited
In Belgium, individuals are only allowed to leave home to visit the doctor, buy food or help others in need. The police patrol the streets. Those who ignore restrictions and assemble in public spaces like parks will be fined. However, walks and brief exercise outside are permitted.
In Portugal, For infected people compulsory quarantine is necessary, while high-risk residents are advised to stay at home and only venture outside in "exceptional circumstances." Employees are encouraged to work from home, if possible. Banks, supermarkets, and grocery stores would remain open, although restaurants were advised to shut down and turn to delivery or take away. The country's borders with Spain are largely closed, with nine crossings available for product traffic and cross-country travelers operating. Entertainment events or other operation that involves large numbers of citizens, like Portugal's football league, have been called off or banned.
In Hungary, the latest law also imposes stringent sanctions on anyone violating lockdowns. Individuals accused of distributing false information about the COVID-19 pandemic face up to five years in prison and those who breach curfew or quarantine face up to eight years in prison.
In Poland, borders are closed and most foreign nationals were barred from entering the country. It also shut down restaurants, bars and other businesses deemed non-essential. Tightened lockout measures prohibit people from leaving their homes other than doing important things, including: grocery shopping, walking the dog, going to work and caring for the elderly. There's even a ban on more than two people's public meetings-except for families. The Polish Government has limited the number of citizens permitted to participate in religious services. There are no more than five individuals permitted to attend funerals or other services. There are also limits on how many people are permitted to board buses and trams in general.
In Ukraine, a sweeping ban on passenger travel has also been implemented by the government that prevents foreign nationals from arriving on planes, trains and buses. Rail traffic has also been restricted within the country, although limited flights are still permitted.
Lockdown initiatives, as well as major incidents, have closed schools, colleges, bars and restaurants. The Government declared a national state of emergency.
In Czech Republic, a month-long state of emergency declared that the borders had been closed to foreign nationals and that all people in the country were put under quarantine. All persons were required to stay at home under the quarantine measures except to perform essential duties — which do not include personal exercise. People were allowed to leave their homes, except for families, but not in groups larger than two persons. Anyone leaving their home in the Czech Republic shall be required to cover their mouths with a medical mask, self- mask or scarf. Those who breach the requirement for the mask face fines.
In Serbia, The government has implemented one of Europe's most stringent lockdown measures. For most citizens, a 12-hour police-enforced curfew is in place, whereas residents over 65 face a 24-hour curfew, except on Sundays. For passenger traffic, all borders are closed including all commercial flights. Public transport was suspended across the country, and all public parks were closed.
In Russia, Moscow has issued a quarantine for its residents across the city. The self-isolation order applies to all residents, with limited exceptions for those who have to seek medical attention, shop for food or go to work. Russia's second-largest St. Petersburg city has followed suit, as have a number of other regions. Russia's parliament has approved tough new laws to enforce local lockdown rules — with up to seven-year penalties for violating quarantine rules and causing others to die. Football matches having been suspended in Russia.
