ROME -- Although coronavirus infection rates in some parts of the European Union (EU) are dropping from recent highs, health and political leaders in the EU countries continued to urge caution as the new, highly-mutated Omicron variant slowly spreads.
Last week witnessed mixed results in terms of coronavirus trends in Europe. Weekly infection rates were declining in Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the Czech Republic as of Tuesday, while the figures were on the rise in France, Italy, and Spain. But while results varied from country to country within the EU, the message from leaders was consistent.
"We still need to pay more attention and to be prudent," Italian President Sergio Mattarella said Tuesday. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told his compatriots to unite behind the urgent need to increase vaccination rates, while health leaders in France told the country's residents to brace for a new wave of the virus fueled by the spread of the Omicron variant.
Belgium, Austria, the Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Poland, and Germany, among other EU countries, have all worked out new restrictions in recent weeks, strengthening rules on health passes or limiting large gatherings.
Italy on Tuesday prolonged a state of emergency until March 31, 2022. Belgium is launching a new "My Corona Risk" information site that will estimate the risks of contracting the virus in various situations and the likelihood of severe illness.
In the Netherlands, curfew rules have been extended until after the New Year holiday, and the country has also tightened health pass rules. In Poland, access to cultural institutions including museums, cinemas, and theaters have been more restricted. In Greece, law enforcement officials have begun fining the unvaccinated aged over 60 and in Slovakia, the government decided to pay cash bonuses to the most vulnerable citizens -- those over the age of 60 -- who get a coronavirus booster vaccine.