What lockdown rules are in place across Europe?

Measures to deal with coronavirus outbreaks are in place across Europe. Many involve the reintroduction of restrictions which had been eased after initial lockdowns ...

FRANCE: NIGHT-TIME CURFEW

On October 22, a 9pm to 6am curfew banning all but essential trips out in Paris and eight other cities was extended to 38 further administrative departments. It now affects two-thirds of the French population. Schools remain open with travel between regions allowed during the day. Only six people are allowed to gather in public places. The measures will be in place for six weeks. Face coverings are compulsory in enclosed public spaces throughout France, while specific areas have introduced additional rules. In Paris and surrounding areas, as well as hundreds of other municipalities across France, face coverings must be worn outdoors by anyone aged 11 and over. Masks must also be worn in most workplaces.

ITALY: SWEEPING NEW MEASURES

The Italian government announced new restrictions from October 26 which will be in place for a month. All bars and restaurants across the country have to close by 6pm, although they can provide takeaways later. Gyms, swimming polls, theatres and cinemas have to close. Museums can remain open. Gatherings for weddings, baptisms and funerals are banned. Schools and workplaces are not closing - but many secondary schools will switch to distance learning. People are strongly advised not to leave their immediate areas unless for work, study or health reasons. Masks already have to be worn everywhere across Italy, indoors and outdoors, except in private homes.

SPAIN: NEW STATE OF EMERGENCY

On October 25 Spain began its nationwide curfew, after the government declared a new state of emergency. People in all regions, with the exception of Canary Islands, will have to stay at home between 11pm and 6am. The only permitted journeys are going to work, buying medicine or caring for elderly or young. Public and private gatherings are limited to six people who do not live together. The measures were initially put in force for 15 days but Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he would ask parliament to extend them for six months. Spain’s regional leaders can modify the start and end times of the curfew in their territory by an hour. They can also close regional borders to travel. The nationwide measures follow a number of regional measures introduced earlier in October.

BELGIUM: CURFEW AND CLOSURES OF SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS

New measures, from October 26, include a 10pm curfew and the closure of all shops by 8pm. People are being asked to wear masks again at all times in all locations outside home and work (if social distancing is possible). Gyms, pools and other cultural and leisure facilities are closed. A week earlier, all bars and restaurants across the country were ordered to close for four weeks and a ban on selling alcohol after 8pm was imposed. Restaurants can open for takeaways until 10pm. The government has promised a package of support for all affected businesses. Households can invite up to four guests, always the same ones, changing every two weeks, and working from home is mandatory, where possible. Christmas markets, winter villages, second-hand markets and public events such as festivals are not allowed. Football fans, as well as other sport spectators, are no longer allowed to attend fixtures.

PORTUGAL: LOCAL LOCKDOWN AND OTHER NATIONAL RESTRICTIONS

Portugal has imposed a local lockdown on three northern districts, affecting about 150,000 people and banned people across country from all non-essential domestic travel, between October 31 and

November 2. Parliament agreed to make masks compulsory in outdoor spaces, for everyone aged over nine. Earlier measures include the closure of commercial establishments by 11pm and a ban on selling alcohol in shops, service and petrol stations after 8pm. Drinking alcohol is banned in public places unless it is part of a meal service. Gatherings are limited to a maximum of five people. University parties are banned but up to 50 people are allowed at weddings and baptisms.

GERMANY: NEW LOCAL MEASURES

Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged people to stay at home as Covid cases continue to surge. From October 20, the district of Berchtesgadener Land at the Bavarian-Austrian border, will impose a circuit-breaker - or temporary lockdown - for two weeks. Schools, nurseries and restaurants will be closed and people will have to stay at home unless they have a compelling reason to leave.

NETHERLANDS: A PARTIAL FOUR-WEEK LOCKDOWN

From October 14, all bars, restaurants and coffee shops have only been able to serve takeaways. The sale of alcohol in shops and restaurants is banned after 8pm, and you are not allowed to drink alcohol in public after that time. All shops, apart from supermarkets, must close by 8pm across the country. People are advised to stay at home and work from home as much as possible. A maximum of three people can visit your home per day, and only four can meet outside, but both rules exclude children under 13. Events like open-air concerts and funfairs are banned. The measures will stay in place for at least four weeks. Previous measures, such as wearing masks on public transport, in shops and other indoor places, will also continue to apply. Schools, gyms, swimming pools and saunas will stay open, and children under the age of 18 can continue playing amateur sports.

CZECH REPUBLIC: A NEW NATIONAL LOCKDOWN

The Czech Republic is the first country in Europe to announce a new national lockdown similar to the one imposed in the spring. Services, schools and shops, with exception of those selling essential supplies, will be closed until November 3. People will not be able to leave their home unless they are going to work, making essential family visits, exercising, buying food or medicine or seeking medical help.

DENMARK: NEW MEASURES TO RESTRICT SOCIAL ACTIVITY

Denmark was one of the first countries in Europe to reopen schools in April. However, in late August the number of cases began rising sharply. The government responded by introducing a series of new measures in September and October. From October 26, until January 2, alcohol sales after 10pm are banned. The number of people allowed to attend gatherings has been cut from 50 to 10. And masks will become compulsory in all indoor public places on October 29.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: NEW PARTIAL NATIONAL LOCKDOWN

Ireland return to the highest level of coronavirus restrictions on October 22. Restrictions are expected to last for six weeks but will be reviewed after four.

People are being asked to stay at home. Those who can work from home must do so. No social or family gatherings are allowed in homes or gardens but people can meet outdoors with one other household, for example to exercise, but within 5km (about three miles) from home. Many non-essential shops and hairdressers will close and bars and restaurants will only be able to provide a takeaway service. Weddings and funerals will be limited to 25 and 10 people respectively. However, schools and creches will remain open and elite sport and construction will continue.

GREECE: CURFEW IN ATHENS

From October 25, a 12.30pm to 5am curfew applies to Athens and the surrounding areas as well as other parts of Greece that have seen a spike in cases. Other measures include wearing of masks both outdoors and in public indoor areas. People wearing protective face masks enter the ancient amphitheatre of Epidaurus.

SWEDEN: LOCKDOWN MEASURES NOT IMPOSED

There was no lockdown in Sweden but, in line with government advice, most people respected voluntary social distancing and started working from home where possible. The number of new infections is now rising again but not as sharply as in some other parts of Europe. On October 26, new stricter local guidelines were introduced in Uppsala, a university town north of Stockholm, where the number of cases has increased since students returned. They include advice to avoid public transport and in-person contact with other households, until November 3. The week before, the government introduced restrictions on nightclubs but, at the same time, lifted its special recommendation, in place since April, for the over-70s to shield themselves. Authorities have not ruled out future restrictions - but for now, shops, bars, restaurant, gyms and other businesses remain open.