As India battles COVID-19, restrictions are in place across 28 states and eight union territories in India. Almost 98 per cent of India’s population is under some form of a lockdown. Some are through weeks, some during the weekend, and with some under extended night curfews and restrictions on public events, mass gatherings and movements. Around the world, some countries are still battling the COVID crisis while others are easing restrictions. Here is a roundup:
Brazil
Certain significant restrictions – including nightly curfews and nonessential business closures – have been extended in several of Brazil’s states due to high levels of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations. A ban on entry for nonresident travellers who have been in South Africa or the UK within14 days prior to arrival remains in effect. Citizens and legal residents of Brazil who have travelled through those two countries within the past 14 days will be permitted to repatriate.
Nepal
In Nepal, the District Covid Crisis Management Centre has recommended extending the lockdown in Kathmandu Valley by two more weeks following a meeting of the mayors of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts. Seventy out of 77 of Nepal’s districts have been placed under some form of lockdown to contain the second wave of the pandemic that is sweeping across the country.
Philippines
The Philippines government, too, has ordered a lockdown in and around Manila as the capital struggles to cope with a surge in infections. The Philippines reported 9,838 coronavirus cases on Friday, the biggest daily jump since the pandemic began. Confirmed coronavirus infections in the Philippines soared past 1 million Monday, with deaths now at more than 17,000, the second-highest in Southeast Asia.
Kenya
Kenya has reimposed Covid-19 restrictions after its positivity rate jumped to 22%, a 20% increase since January. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has lifted the COVID-19 lockdown he imposed last month. Curbs on travel in the capital Nairobi and four surrounding counties would be lifted, schools will be allowed to reopen following an Education Ministry calendar. Religious services will resume with some restrictions. Political gatherings would still be banned.
Spain
Exhilarated Spaniards chanting “freedom” danced in the streets as a COVID-19 curfew ended in most of the country at the weekend.
Greece
Greece has reopened public beaches. Nursery, elementary and middle schools have also opened.
Ireland
Ireland meanwhile lifted domestic travel restrictions and began a phased reopening of non-essential retail.
Germany
Germany will ease restrictions on people who have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from the coronavirus disease. Germany is lifting curfews and quarantine rules as well as the obligation to provide a negative test result to visit a hairdresser, zoo or to go shopping.
Cyprus
Cyprus is easing restrictions and ending a third partial lockdown, with a new coronavirus “safety pass” system to be rolled out to allow people to move freely.