As Britain shivers in snaking queues for booster, Boris Johnson has insisted the country will not face new restrictions before Christmas. as the new Omicron variant of Covid rages across the country.
However, the Prime Minister has now ruled out stricter rules before New Year as he stressed the situation remains "finely balanced".
Rules forcing people with Covid to self-isolate, if they are fully vaccinated, have also been cut to just one week from today.
Those who received negative lateral flow results on day six and day seven of their self-isolation period, and are vaccinated, will no longer have to self-isolate for the full 10 days.
It could be good news for the thousands of Brits who tested positive recently, with up to 280,000 people now able to spend Christmas with others if testing negative.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said its analysis suggested a seven-day isolation period alongside two negative lateral flow test results had nearly the same protective effect as a 10-day isolation period without testing.
However, the situation across Europe is very different to here in the UK, with the continent’s Covid Christmas selection box of measures is a varied mix, greeted with protests and hostility in some nations.
So what are our neighbours doing to tackle the not so festive gift of Omicron as it sweeps ferociously across Europe, which the UK government might be wise to consider - or not?
Ireland
The government had already said planned gatherings should be kept to a maximum of three other households - four in total - this Christmas.
Earlier this month nightclubs were shut. Until January 30, hospitality venues must now close by 8pm, and venues will run at reduced capacity - 50% of capacity, or 1,000 people (whichever is lower), for indoor venues, and outdoor events should be limited to 50% or 5,000 people (whichever is lower).
Weddings can go ahead but with a cap of 100 guests.
The new measures, approved by cabinet on Friday, are accompanied by guidance for self isolation. Close contacts of a positive COVID-19 case, if they have received a booster more than one week ago, must restrict their movement for five days and take three antigen tests. Those unboosted must restrict their movement for 10 days.
The Netherlands
The country this weekend announced a strict lockdown. Non-essential shops, bars, gyms hairdressers and other public venues are closed until at least mid-January.
Only two guests over 13 per household will be allowed - four from 24-26 December and on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Schools will be closed until at least January 9.
Funerals, weekly markets selling groceries and professional sports matches with no spectators are the only events permitted.
Norway
Within two weeks the country had presented four rounds of restrictions, most recently, on December 12, a ban on serving alcohol in pubs and restaurants, gym closures, and and stricter rules in schools, as well as mandatory work from home for those who can.
A maximum of 10 people can gather in a home, but if social distancing is maintained up to 20 people are allowed for Christmas and New Years’ celebrations.
Masks are mandatory in most venues where you can’t keep a distance of at least one metre.
Italy
Government set to meet on December 23 to discuss tightening restrictions. It’s reported this could include extending mandatory vaccinations - last week these were enforced for teachers, police and the military, alongside doctors, nurses and healthcare workers.
Also under discussion could be obligatory Covid tests for those going to parties or venues, and more obligatory mask wearing (already prescribed in cities like Milan and Rome, in crowded areas.)
Those unvaccinated are excluded from indoor restaurants, theatres and museums. Police can ask people in bars and restaurants to show them “super” green health passes certifying that they are either vaccinated or have recently recovered from the virus.
People must also have a health pass to access local public transportation and to stay in hotels.
In Milan, health passes are checked before people are allowed on to the subway or buses.
South Korea
Although Delta remains the dominant variant, the numbers are surging and Omicron cases have reached 234, and so hefty restrictions are in place. There is a ban on private gatherings of over five people, plus a 9pm curfew for restaurants and cafes.
Proof of vaccination is needed to enter restaurants and other businesses.
Australia
Currently has one of the world’s lowest rates of new cases, following tough restrictions all winter for Aussies.
Omicron is feared though, and some testing centres in Melbourne have been forced to shut due to high numbers while elsewhere others have seen long queues. There will be an emergency cabinet meeting on Friday
Germany
A lockdown is currently being ruled out before Christmas, but citizens have been urged to remain at home in small groups and not to travel across the country.
Restrictions here brought in early this month have largely been targeted at the unvaccinated, stopping them from entering theatres, cinemas, and restaurants.
Many Christmas markets were cancelled. Protesters have clashed with police over plans for mandatory jabs.
Most travellers from Britain have now been banned and German nationals arriving from the UK must have a negative test and quarantine for two weeks.
France
Nightclubs were closed earlier this month for four weeks, and social distancing and mask restrictions tightened for schoolchildren.
People have been urged to ease up on social engagements and encouraged to work at home.
All official New Years Eve celebrations and firework displays have been cancelled.
Borders were closed on Friday for people travelling from the UK.
A new restriction means over 65s lose validity of their health passes, introduced this summer, if they don’t have a booster jab.
The passes allow only the vaccinated, or those who can demonstrate a recent recovery or negative test, into restaurants, cafes, cinemas and museums, and to travel on inter-city trains.
This will be expanded across age groups, so the only option other than having a booster will be to have a negative test valid for 24 hours.
The distance between second and third jabs has been shortened.
Austria
The country imposed a three-week national lockdown last month triggering protests, but this has seen a fall in Covid cases.
There are also plans in place to to ban Brits from the country over soaring rates of Omicron, it has been reported.
Last week restrictions were largely lifted for vaccinated people, although regions vary.
But those un-jabbed are still only allowed to leave the home to go to work, buy essentials and exercise, and meet only one person from another household, although the government has agreed temporarily to relax this, allowing them to join gatherings of up to 10 people from 24th to 26th December and on New Year’s Eve.
Major ski-resorts began reopening restaurants and cafes on Friday but apres ski bars and nightclubs remain closed until at least January 9th.
Protests have continued against mandatory vaccinations which are set for adults over 14 from February, barring health reasons, and orders in the coming months which could fine and further restrict the un-jabbed.
Spain
The government has so far ruled out bringing in official Christmas restrictions, but a number of regions have enforced restrictions on the unvaccinated over Christmas, including the use of Covid certificates to enter bars, restaurants and other public places.
Eighty per cent of the population is jabbed, and boosters have now been approved for over-40s.
Covid vaccination of children aged five to 11 have also started.
The government’s recommended smaller social gatherings however, and the government has asked hospitality to limit tables to ten. Those who visit others at home are recommended to take an antigen test beforehand.
USA
Omicron is now dominant and President Joe Biden has urged everyone to get booster jabs as the country braces for a “tidal wave” of the variant.
Half a billion test kits will be sent to homes across the US for free, but no restrictions have been placed on socialising or travel. Americans have been reassured they can mix at Christmas.
New federal testing sites are to be opened, the first in New York this week.
Several large events have been cancelled,with three NFL matches delayed.
The Pentagon is readying 1,000 troops to assist struggling hospitals.
South Africa
With the highest number of cases in Africa, hospitalisations from omicron remain low, so there are few official restrictions.
It is mandatory to wear face coverings in public and indoor gatherings have been limited to 750. Outdoor gatherings are set at a max of 2,000.
