Many European countries are experiencing yet another surge in COVID-19 cases, leading to a return of lockdowns and other restrictions. Unvaccinated people are the primary target of the new restrictions, which are the minority of the population. According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, 75 percent of adults in the European Union (UN) and 65 percent of the total population have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
This surge in cases has been primarily fueled by slowing vaccination rates, misinformation and loosened restrictions such as ending face mask mandates and travel bans. In the second week of this month, around 2 million new cases were reported in Europe, the highest number reported in the region since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020. That same week, 27,000 deaths were reported as well.
Even though Europe was one of the first regions in the world to roll out vaccination efforts, conspiracies and misinformation have severely curtailed vaccination rates. Bulgaria has the lowest vaccination rate in the EU at 19 percent while having the highest death rate. The country also has the highest skepticism in vaccines as well as the lowest levels of trust in democracy, health care and the government. Conspiracy theories about vaccines are widely circulated on fake news websites and traditional media outlets.
Overall, Eastern Europe has lower vaccination rates than Western Europe. Eastern European countries are also facing worse outbreaks.
Different countries are taking different measures to respond to the growing number of new cases. For example, Germany is grappling with record-setting numbers of new infections but has not put any vaccine mandates into place for the time being. As of Monday, Nov. 15 in Berlin only those who have been vaccinated can dine in restaurants or visit bars. A three-week partial lockdown is taking place in the Netherlands, and restaurants and shops are closing early.
Austria has taken more extreme measures in an effort to decrease rising COVID-19 cases. To enter public venues such as hotels and restaurants or events with 25 or more people, one must show proof of vaccination. The current vaccination rate is around 65 percent, which is one of the lowest in Western Europe, and this is coupled with one of the highest seven-day infection rates. As of Monday, Nov. 15, around 2 million unvaccinated people will be subject to a 10-day lockdown. They will only be allowed to leave their homes for necessary reasons such as buying food or going to work.
Hundreds of people protested in Vienna, arguing that the lockdown encroaches on their freedom. Police will spot check the vaccination statuses of individuals in public spaces and issue 500 euro, or $572 USD, fines to those breaking the lockdown order.
At the end of October, Russia shut down restaurants, schools and shops in a partial lockdown. The country’s current vaccination rate is around 40 percent.
Unlike other EU members, Italy has a strict vaccine mandate; public and private workers must be vaccinated or undergo testing every 48 hours. This is unsurprising considering Italy was one of the worst affected by COVID-19 when the pandemic started. The country now has the third lowest infection rate and fourth highest vaccination rate in the EU.
The lockdowns in EU member countries are a country-by-country decision. Even though lockdowns may seem like drastic measures nearly two years into the pandemic, they may be one of the few ways to decrease infection rates if vaccination rates continue to slow.
