Amsterdam bans creation of new hotels
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
After the fourth wave of the pandemic has started to die down, authorities have decided to turn the general lockdown into a lockdown for the unvaccinated
With the fourth wave of the pandemic dying down, Austria is getting ready to ease the general lockdown restrictions, with new measures coming into effect on 12 December. The current social distancing measures were adopted on 22 November, just after the peak in Covid cases at 15,800 in a single day. After the measures were introduced, infection rates started a sharp decline and currently sit at around 4,000 cases.
The fourth wave of the pandemic hit Austria pretty hard and current infection rates are nothing to scoff at. A complete reopening of the economy would quite possibly reignite the spread of the disease. Thus, authorities are taking the cautious approach and turning the general lockdown into a lockdown for the unvaccinated.
People who have not taken the shot are allowed to leave their living area only for essential reasons, like groceries, work and training. Furthermore, the unvaccinated can go out for religious practices, any medical and veterinary visits, mental relaxation in the outdoors, to vote or to participate in demonstrations. Also, everyone has the right to travel inside Austria and abroad.
Children under the age of 12 are exempt from the restrictions for the unvaccinated, while teens that have not had the jab have the right to go to school with the so-called ninja pass (PCR test).
Everyone must wear an FFP2 mask on public transport at all times, as well as in closed spaces, like stores. Retail establishments, as well as services that are close to the body (hair salons, massages, etc.), are restricted to people who have not taken the vaccine.
For the vaccinated and recovered, the government has instituted an 11 PM curfew for restaurants. As a general rule of thumb, restaurants can only allow vaccinated and recovered people in, both indoors and outdoors. They also have to do contact tracing and everyone is obligated to wear a mask at all times, except when sitting at a table.
The same goes for Christmas markets, with the adage that there is a limit of 300 people that can be within a Christmas market area.
The vaccinated and recovered can also hold gatherings of up to 2,000 people if they have assigned seats. An important note is that a meeting of over 250 people requires the authorities’ permission. For cultural events, held with assigned seats outdoors, that number goes up to 4,000.
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
The previous mayor was forced out of office following a no-confidence vote in the city council
Modern traffic lights do more than regulate the flow of vehicles at crossroads, they also collect enormous amounts of data
The facility will replace the need to have water supplied by tankers from Valencia
Modern traffic lights do more than regulate the flow of vehicles at crossroads, they also collect enormous amounts of data
The German Aerospace Center in Cologne is looking for volunteers for its next bed rest study
Muksubussi is nature-friendly, too, so they provide 2-in-1 benefit
The facility will replace the need to have water supplied by tankers from Valencia
The intervention has affected the mountainous districts of the Catalan capital
Even an Eternal City had to start from somewhere
On this day 200 years ago, the great poet lost his life in the Balkan country where he had gone to fight for its liberty
Muksubussi is nature-friendly, too, so they provide 2-in-1 benefit
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team