People abroad - tell us what’s happening in your country

[Velvetpeel]

Everything feels such a mess in England with ease of lockdown ‘plan’
Is this what it’s like in other countries? Are your rules non sensical and confusing too?
Tell us what you are ‘allowed’ to do and what life is like.

[Hannah2199]

I would like to know this too. It seems like we are hearing next to nothing about other countries from our own media. Is that because we are the worst hit country? Do they not want us to know how bad it is compared to everywhere else? Or is it just all our news correspondents flew home and are now in UK??

[NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite]

The PM stated we are in line with Italy, Spain and another european country in not opening schools until September. Here's a link where the BBC compare lifting of the restrictions between countries:
www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/explainers-52575313

[Nixee2231]

It's sad to say that UK does seem to be one of the most afflicted countries. I'm in the Netherlands and things are looking very optimistic here. Kids are back in school, shops and restaurants are open, gyms/space etc will be open soon. The numbers have been very low for a while both for deaths and new ICU cases. Every few weeks they relax the rules a bit more depending on how things are going.

We never had an actual lockdown but had a ton of rules instead. For example shops weren't enforced to be closed but they were only allowed to open if they created a plan which supported the government measures (especially people keeping 1.5m distance). People didn't have to stay at home but any groups above 3 standing together (who weren't a household) got huge fines. Lots of parks/beaches etc were closed. Restaurants and hairdressers/nail salons etc were closed. Kids were allowed out to play and do sports etc. Even though there was no official lockdown the streets were completely deserted for a long while. But people still got to visit family and get fresh air so most people I know were content to wait it out.

In the beginning I was very pro-lockdown and freaked out that we weren't getting one. But I have to say I have been very impressed with the way the government has handled things. Basically they were very clear that if people dont behave themselves, they would get a lockdown.

[StartupRepair]

In Australia schools are back. Universities still online. Lots of people still working from home. No international travel allowed. Sport starting up a bit with restrictions. Borders closed between some states. Only a handful of new cases each day and a total of 103 deaths nationwide. I'm not a fan of the government but they did a good job.

[birthdaybelle]

Marking place

[goldfinchfan]

So are other countrys also behind on treatments for people with other serious Health problems like cancer?
Or do other places manage to keep gong. with COvid and hearts disease and cancer?
I am sad that people are not getting urgent treatments

[LiesHumansTellThemselves]

We were always able to get emergency treatment here in NSW (Australia), I know elective treatments were shelved for a bit but I don't think the important stuff was ever shut down.

There is now push to get people back screening and treating as a lot of people stayed away by choice.

[SeaToSki]

I'm in Massachusetts in the US.

Here each State sets its own rules, so they all vary. But it does make sense as Washington DC is in a very different situation to North Dakota

We have a 4 step plan and we are on step 2. The Governor is being quite clear that the rules for each step are a work in progress and can and will be adjusted as they get tried out. Eg Hair stylists were meant to wear gloves, but loads of people got cut as the scissors were slipping, so they adjusted the rules to no gloves but washing hands between each customer and if you stepped away from the customer.

The biggest problem imho is that all the businesses are following the rules and having to bear the extra cost of paying for disinfectant and masks etc, but at home everyone has pretty much gone back to party mode. Then there were the protests, not ideal timing, and I think we will now get increasing infection rates again and when it get above a certain level, the Governor will reverse the stages and the businesses will be back in trouble with no income again. I really wish people would social distance and use masks in their social lives.

[youareminebestfavourite]

I'm in NZ. We have just moved down to Level 1 in our alert system, which means we have no restrictions other than the borders being closed.
No active cases and it's been 19 days without a new case.
Everything is open and there is no requirement for social distancing. Economy has taken a massive hit but the general feeling is that we can deal with a recession- at least we're not sick.

[QuickGetTheEggplants]

Western Australia almost everything is back. State borders are closed, gatherings up to 100 people (more if there are separate areas in a venue and you get approval), and gyms aren't 24 hour because they have to be staffed. I'm not sure if elective surgery is up to 100 percent capacity yet but it's on it's way. And I think universities are online if possible. That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

Otherwise schools are running as normal, many work places are choosing to remain work from home but they don't have to. Parks, zoos, contact sports, pubs restaurants and shops are back, with minor modifications.

In this state we've gone more than 6 weeks without community transmission (as in unknown contact). We're just finishing a two week screening of asymptomatic key workers and so far haven't found any cases there.

[AdaHopper]

I'm in Belgium. The bbc link above is not correct for Belgium. Their info is outdated. My dd(6) is back at school full-time in a bubble with her class of 24 kids.
Cafe's and restaurants are open. Most people are working again. We are in the 'everything is allowed except' phase. We were hit hard, though our reported numers are much higher as we count every death that seems covid related, even if untrested. Half of our deaths were tested. I think the UK has been hit much harder than we have.

[Namenic]

East Asian country. Good test and trace, v few deaths overall. Number of cases in hundreds but falling - probably due to good testing. Schools have gone back (in a phased way) - require masks or face shields for younger children. Did have a big outbreak early on but they recovered and contained the effects, changing their strategy. Govt financial support. Good, cautious, holistic approach.

[Aintgointogoa]

Long time lurker here and this is my first post. Be gentle dear MN’ers if I make text book errors. I live in a South American country, have been in lockdown / quarantine since March 17 (I am high risk) International travel suspended until end of August, earliest. Interdepartmental travel was suspended mid March but being reviewed this wknd. Some parts of the city now re-opening, with strict bio controls (also depends on your ID number which day you go to stores/depots etc) Masks are compulsory. Cases seem to be dropping overall - fatalities so far at 1400 (population 50 million) but infection rates do go up locally as people love to party (or rumba as it’s called here), there is a special rumba police patrol ! I am in a city with excellent health facilities but this is not the case for remote areas / indigenous populations esp Amazon so I don’t think we are getting the full picture. Am aghast at how the UK government has (mis) handled the crisis and am so worried about all my family there - incl ‘DS’. Considering what a generally boisterous and tactile community this is normally, I am surprised at how everyone has adapted overall. Home delivery rules, I barely need to leave the house ! But I really miss the constant soundtrack of music, singing, dancing at the drop of a hat....the city has been gutted. Stay safe.

[Aebj]

@QuickGetTheEggplants I’m in WA also. I think Mark McGowen has done really well. Thinks seem to be get back to normal and I’m happy the state boarder is still closed . I just wish that now we can travel around WA that it would be cheaper. They want us to shop and travel within our state but it’s so bloody expensive!!! I’m also kind of happy it’s raining today!!!!

[QuickGetTheEggplants]

@aebj I agree. I loved all the themed press conferences at different locations and Roger Cook's thanking a different group of health care reporters each day.

And I wish flights would come down in price. I would love to go to Exmouth and Coral Bay. But I guess WA has always been expensive. Probably why we're happy with the closed borders, we're used to being isolated from the world

[Humphriescushion]

I dont keep up to date with schools here in France sorry, some are back small groups, other french based mumsnetters will have more information. Besides that though life is largely back to normal, shopsopen ( most since 11th may so some time ago) restaurants open, parks open in most if not all areas. Masks on transport ( obligatory) and in most shops. Can met up with people, play sport. Lots of working from home still if possible.

[GirlCalledJames]

The PM is lying. Schools are open in Spain.
The relaxed lockdown here is a lot like the strictest rules the UK ever had, which is why deaths have been 0–5 daily for some time now.

[sofato5miles]

Middle East here. Children under 12 and people over 60 not allowed in malls, ie shops. All pools shut (40 degrees at the moment so that is grim) but hotels with a beach can operate.

Our city is closed to people coming in and out. The international border shut, you can fly out but only citizens can get back in. There are people stuck overseas but you have to apply for a permit and they are given at a v small rate. Max 20 people on a plane.

Restaurants beginning to open. But curfew is 10pm - 6am. It was 8pm last week.

Huge testing programs and deaths are low.

Will probably have online schooling till jan BUT they can change any rule in 24 hours and have done so. Strictly enforcing it.

Masks etc are easy to live with but not being able to leave the country and get back is proving a real headache as kids are literally housebound.

[FattyIDingAsThinny]

Sofa - what country is that then? Emirates?

[LongPauseNoReply]

I’m on the French Swiss border, schools in Canton Geneva are back, everything on both sides of the border is open including the gym, shopping centers, cinema etc. Schools in France are mostly back. The French border with Italy is open and you can travel freely. People in France are mostly wearing masks but hardly anyone is in Switzerland. It feels back to normal here!

[Selmaselma]

In Switzerland schools fully reopened this week after a month of reduced schooling in small groups. Many people are back at work (but also many still working from home). We should see the effects of these recent changes on the number of new infections later this week or next week. For the moment things seem to be mostly back to normal. Hospitals being behind on treatments seems to be a problem specific to the UK.

[Watchagotcha]

French city.

In theory schools are open, but the strict sanitary rules mean they can only take a small minority of students at any one time. E.g DS 12yrs is usually in school 4.5 days a week... he’s currently doing 1.5 days in a classroom (not normal lessons, it’s supervised set work) plus a couple of hours of sport in the playground. His class of 30 is reduced to two groups of 10 in separate rooms.

My younger DS has not gone back to primary. Lots haven’t, simply because they can’t fit them in. A friend put her daughter (same class) back: she’s had a different schedule every week, never more than a Couple of half days and once nothing at all. It all depends on the size of the classrooms, the ability to distance, and the priority level of kids wanting to go back.

So yes, in theory, schools are back - but in practice it’s nothing like school. Work is still sent home for them - it’s nothing like online teaching, just a list of things to do as best they can.

Hopefully the protocol sanitaire will be softened soon, and schools will get closer to normal, if not before the holidays then at least for September.

Everything else seems quite normal - pubs and bars are open (and busy), parks, shops, etc. The main restrictions Still in place seem to be international travel, gyms and group sports indoors, Cinemas etc and big events like concerts, conferences etc. Masks aren’t obligatory except on public transport, and some shops that insist. Older and vulnerable people are still being told to stay shielded. WFH is still encouraged where at all possible.

[EnidFromGuernsey]

Here in Guernsey we're 41 days past our last active case. All schools are open. Life is pretty much open except for travelling in to the islands requires a 2 week isolation period with a maximum £10,000 fine if you don't and one person has already been fined sending out a strong warning. People can go to the pub as long as there is a seat for them i.e. not standing at the bar. We still have social distancing but with the caveat that it's ok to break the 2m rule as it's realised it's not always possible so to be sensible.

[JustaScratch]

I'm in Spain. Schools are not opening until September but then the term here finishes in mid June and summer schools and camps WILL be open, with restrictions.

The easing of lockdown restrictions here is phased and different regions progress at different times depending on their rates of infection. The main differences are limits on hours that kids can be outside, limits on group sizes, travel and what kinds of businesses can open up.

We are now in phase 3 in our region, which means many shops are reopening, time limits for children to be out have been lifted, people can meet in groups of up to 15 and you can now travel within your region and go for country walks. Restaurants and bars can open their outdoor seating areas.

Masks are compulsory on public transport and in public spaces, but the local councils deliver free masks to each home on a regular basis.

It was very strict here at first and children under 14 were essentially not allowed out for two months. It's a huge relief that it is started to ease.

The view of the UK's handling of this is not good and every time I speak to a non-English person I get asked, "What on earth is going on in the UK? It sounds a total mess!"

[ArfArfBarf]

I’m in NRW in Germany, primary schools have been slowly opening up over the last few weeks - should be back to normal with class bubbles (and the older children wearing masks outside the classroom) from next week. Secondary is partially open and universities still all online.

I don’t think medical or dental care ever stopped.

You have to wear a mask on public transport or in shops and keep your distance but most things are open. I think groups of 10 can meet and restaurants and bars are open but have to follow some guidelines (I’m not sure what though).