US and Europe, which implemented With Corona, see a surge in cases... Resumption of quarantine measures continues

Austria Imposes Curfew on Unvaccinated
Germany, with Over 50,000 Cases, Also Considers Curfew

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As the winter season approaches, when the activity of the COVID-19 virus intensifies, health authorities are on high alert due to the worsening spread of COVID-19, mainly in the United States and Europe. In the U.S., daily confirmed cases have risen back to the 80,000 range, and in Europe, daily cases in major countries such as Germany have surged to the 50,000 range. Some countries have resorted to drastic measures such as reinstating lockdowns, while struggling to devise plans to accelerate booster shot administration. If the winter surge worsens, there are concerns that the globally pursued "With COVID-19" (gradual return to normal life) policies may be reversed, leading to the reimplementation of previous lockdown measures.

According to data compiled by The New York Times (NYT) on the 15th (local time), the average daily new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. over the past week reached 80,885, an 11% increase compared to two weeks ago. The daily number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. had remained in the 70,000 range since the 19th of last month but has risen back to the 80,000 range within just a month. NYT reported that as the U.S. enters winter, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast regions where COVID-19 activity intensifies, the number of new cases is rapidly increasing.

The situation in Europe is even more severe. According to Bloomberg News, Europe accounted for over half of the world's new cases last week, with about 2 million confirmed cases. According to the COVID-19 tracking site Worldometer, Germany recorded a daily new case count of 50,377 on the 11th, setting a new record high. France, Belgium, and Austria, which had daily cases in the 2,000 to 3,000 range last month, have surpassed 10,000 daily cases, and the Netherlands has exceeded 15,000 daily cases.

On the 15th (local time), British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (first on the left) visited a COVID-19 vaccination center in East London, UK, and observed a citizen receiving a booster shot. The UK government announced on the same day that the eligibility for booster shots would be expanded from those aged 50 and over to those aged 40 and over, and that second doses would also be administered to adolescents aged 16 to 17. London, UK = AFP · Yonhap News

In particular, some countries such as Austria have resorted to drastic measures by reinstating previous lockdowns. According to the Associated Press (AP), the Austrian government announced that starting today, a curfew will be imposed nationwide on approximately 2 million unvaccinated people. Under this measure, unvaccinated individuals are prohibited from going out except for purchasing essential goods and medical activities. Austria, with a total population of about 9 million, recorded a record high of 13,152 daily cases on the 13th.

Other European countries are also gradually reinstating lockdown measures. According to the BBC, the German government is reportedly considering a curfew for unvaccinated individuals similar to Austria's, and the federal and state governments are expected to discuss and announce new lockdown measures within this week.

France and Belgium have reinstated border restrictions requiring all entrants to present proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result. Separately, France also announced that starting today, mask-wearing will again be mandatory in all schools.

The U.S. and U.K. governments are not currently considering changes to their "With COVID-19" policies but are expanding booster shot eligibility. According to CNN, New York City health authorities announced that starting today, all adults wishing to receive a booster shot are encouraged to do so. The U.K. government also announced that it is expanding booster shot eligibility from those aged 50 and over to include those aged 40 and over.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.