Boris Johnson quizzed on lockdown patience by Beth Rigby
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Countries and territories around the world have implemented enforced lockdowns of varying degrees throughout the duration of the coronavirus pandemic. The World Health Organization recommends curfews and lockdowns be short-term so as to assess how to reorganise, rebalance resources and protect health services. Express.co.uk has compiled a full list of all the countries in lockdown.
The coronavirus pandemic has now infected more than 88 million people around the world.
In total, 2.7 million people around the globe have died as a result of the devastating virus.
The USA has reported the highest number of cases, followed by India, Brazil, Russia and then the UK.
A new variant of the novel coronavirus has been found in the UK, South Africa, Denmark and the Netherlands prompting a sharp increase in the rate of infections in these countries.
Many of these countries have opted to toughen restrictions in a bid to protect lives and health services.
Which countries are in lockdown?
The following European countries are currently in lockdown:
- The UK – England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
- Ireland
- Ukraine
- France
- Germany
- Poland
- Italy.
The UK
Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed a third national lockdown in England on January 4.
The lockdown was implemented in response to the new Covid-19 variant and now people are being urged to stay at home as much as possible.
Lockdown measures are also still in effect in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The English lockdown began on January 4 and easing will begin on March 8.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a lockdown in Scotland hours ahead of Mr Johnson.
The lockdown in Scotland is due to remain in effect throughout January, February and March.
In Northern Ireland, the lockdown became legally enforceable today and is expected to last until April 1.
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Ireland and Ukraine
Ireland will continue to face lockdown measures until April 5.
The Taoiseach Michael Martin said: “With a week to go to the fifth of April we will announce what we’re planning to do in April and we have already said that we’re going to look at construction, outdoor activity and quality of life issues for people.
“We understand how difficult this is for many, many families, for many people, for many businesses, but I think we’re all agreed now that we must proceed cautiously.
“There is no point opening up and having to close again and we want to do this in a sensible way.”
Ukraine’s capital Kyiv also faced new restrictions on Saturday with most shops shutting and people urged to work from home.
The lockdown began on March 20 and is expected to continue through to April 9.
The move was made in response to the rising rates of Covid infections and hospitalisations after 1,070 new infections were reported on March 19.
France and Germany
Nearly a third of France’s population is under lockdown.
Paris alongside 15 other areas in the country were placed under lockdown from midnight on Friday, March 19.
Prime Minister Jean Castex said lockdown measures will not be as strict as before, with people permitted to exercise outside.
Mr Castex said a “third wave” of infections in the country was looking increasingly likely.
German authorities have said the “third wave” has begun in the country.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel had previously warned the country could be caught in a third wave of infections if restrictive public health measures were lifted too quickly.
Germany extended lockdown measures earlier this month until March 28, with some easing permitted including the reopening of non-essential shops and other businesses in areas with relatively low infection rates.
Poland and Italy
Poland has now been put under lockdown too.
In Poland, non-essential shops, hotels, cultural and sporting facilities are now closed for three weeks.
The country has the highest new daily rates of Covid cases since November.
A large proportion (75 percent) of Italy has entered a new lockdown in a bid to fight rising rates of coronavirus.
A more contagious variant first identified in Britain, combined with a slow vaccine rollout, led to a 15 percent increase in cases in Italy last week, a worrisome picture for the government-run by Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
Speaking on Friday, Mr Draghi said: “I am aware that today’s measures will have an impact on children’s education, on the economy but also on the psychological state of us all.
“But they are necessary to avoid a worsening that will make inevitable even more stringent measures.”
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