These European nations entered 2021 with recent lockdowns, restrictions

After Covid-19 restrictions have been partially relaxed in the course of the vacation season in Europe, a number of nations throughout the continent have kicked off the brand new 12 months by tightening well being and security measures as soon as once more as instances proceed to surge and a brand new, more-contagious UK pressure of the  coronavirus stokes concern worldwide. 
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While the UK imposed one in all its hardest lockdowns but earlier this week, nations like Germany, Austria and Italy, too, have determined to increase lockdowns and restrictions until the top of the month. 
Meanwhile, mass vaccination drives are presently underway throughout the continent, however have been stymied by a complete host of issues. In Italy and Greece, healthcare professionals have complained of a scarcity of needles; whereas in Spain, there aren’t sufficient nurses and educated professionals to manage the vaccine, the New York Times reported. 
Here are the European nations which have imposed recent lockdowns and restrictions in 2021
UK PM Boris Johnson imposes strict nationwide lockdown 
A person takes {a photograph} on Westminster Bridge because the solar units in London, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on January 4 imposed a brand new stay-at-home lockdown till at the very least mid-February to fight the sudden surge in coronavirus instances in England, which has been exacerbated by a extremely transmissible new coronavirus variant. 
“It’s clear that we need to do more together to bring this new variant under control while our vaccines are rolled out,” he mentioned at a press convention. “In England, we must therefore go into a national lockdown which is tough enough to contain this variant. That means the government is once again instructing you to stay at home.”
With this, Johnson reimposed a number of of the restrictions that have been first launched within the nation final spring. He suggested folks to depart their houses solely to buy necessities, for every day train, and for medical causes. Schools and faculties throughout England closed their doorways as soon as once more and A-levels, AS ranges and GCSE examinations have been cancelled. 
Germany extends coronavirus lockdown till Jan 31
On January 5, German Chancellor Angela Merkel introduced she had agreed to increase the nation’s ongoing lockdown by three weeks till January 31, tightening curbs on social contacts and additional limiting folks’s motion within the worst-affected areas of the nation.
“We must reach a point where we can once again follow the chains of infection,” Merkel mentioned throughout a videoconference with 16 state governors, AP reported. “Otherwise, we will just go keep going back into a lockdown after a short relaxation.”
Italy extends strict lockdown and bans regional journey
City cops patrol on the foot of the Spanish Steps, in Rome, Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020. (Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse by way of AP)
The Italian authorities has determined to increase coronavirus restrictions imposed in the course of the Christmas vacation because the nation battles a surge in coronavirus instances. Italy’s Council of Ministers additionally accredited a decree-law that bans all journey throughout the nation until it’s for well being or work causes, CNN reported. 
People residing in “red zones” — areas reporting a very excessive variety of Covid-19 instances — will solely be permitted to maneuver as soon as a day to a different single non-public residence inside their very own municipality. The authorities has additionally imposed a restriction on the dimensions of teams — solely two adults are allowed to fulfill at a time. 
Dine-in providers at bars and eating places have been stalled, and excessive faculties will stay closed till January 11. Earlier, college students have been slated to return to lecture rooms on January 6. 
Greece imposes transient however strict lockdown 
Faced with a crippling second wave of coronavirus instances, Greece determined to impose a short however powerful lockdown between January 3 and January 11. During this era, an evening curfew will begin at 9 pm, which is an hour sooner than earlier than. 
According to authorities spokesman Stelios Petsas, the measures have been aimed toward serving to faculties reopen on January 11. Hair salons, guide shops and several other different outlets — that had been allowed to reopen within the days main as much as Christmas — will now have to shut as soon as once more. 

Poland within the midst of three-week nationwide lockdown post-Christmas
Soon after the Christmas holidays, Poland entered a strict three-week nationwide lockdown, shutting down practically all shops, resorts and ski resorts throughout the nation. The determination was taken to restrict mass gatherings in the course of the two-week college holidays that begin on January 4. 
Public gatherings have been restricted to 5 folks, the Guardian reported. 
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Spain imposes strict regional restrictions as instances rise
While Spain has averted one other nationwide lockdown, the Spanish authorities has imposed strict curbs in areas like Catalonia, that are badly affected by the pandemic. From January 7, persons are not allowed to depart their very own municipalities, gyms and procuring centres have been ordered to shut and important outlets will stay open solely in the course of the weekend, the Guardian reported. 
Bars and eating places are permitted to open for breakfast and lunch however could solely supply their clients takeaway throughout meal time.