France, for example, ends the obligation to wear masks in gymnastics classes after the winter holidays, which end between February 20 and March 6, depending on the region. In addition, children from different classes are allowed to meet again at school.
In the future, only one self-test will be required for contact cases in schools, not three within five days as was previously the case. There is also no need for the parents to explain the test result in writing. “The situation in schools is better than expected,” Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said on Friday. On January 25th there was a peak with 167,000 cases in schools in one day. On Thursday there were only 12,500 cases.
In France, the nationwide seven-day incidence fell from just under 4,000 to 2,200 in just one week. In Paris, the incidence is now below 1,300. A 37 percent drop in infections was recorded within a week.
The masks also fell in Italy – outdoors: since Friday they have only been worn in crowds. The obligation to wear mouth and nose protection indoors is scheduled to expire on March 31.
Go to the disco with 2G ID
Nightclubs have also been allowed to reopen in Italy since Friday after being closed again in December. Night owls must present proof of vaccination or recovery (2G). The green pass is required for access to most public facilities – from cafes, restaurants to the post office. “The pandemic is in the final phase, the situation is under control again. The curve of infections is going down massively,” said Tourism Minister Massimo Garavaglia.
At the beginning of January, more than 220,000 corona infections were registered in Italy every day. Since then, the number has more than halved. In addition, more than 91 percent of those over the age of twelve have been vaccinated at least once.
EU health ministers warn
However, the EU health ministers, who met this week in the French city of Grenoble, put the brakes on the euphoria: “It is too early to view the pandemic as an endemic,” said French Health Minister Olivier Veran on Thursday evening.
The European Union’s Health Commissioner, Stella Kyriakides, also stressed that the pandemic was not over yet. She showed that there were “many twists and turns”. “We look to the future with optimism, but remain realistic and have to be prepared to face variants,” said Kyriakides. At the same time, she referred to the continued importance of corona vaccinations.
Source: Nachrichten
