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.

[VenusOfWillendorf]

Switzerland - we are back to being able to do pretty much everything we used to be able to, but there are 'protection concepts' for everything.
So - schools are open (since May 11th) - but social distancing between the teachers and children (but not between children under 12). You can meet up to 30 people informally (parties, BBQs) or 300 for events (concerts, theater, sports events etc).

Pubs and restaurants open - but with spacing between tables. Clubs and discos open - but need to close by 12 (as most don't open till about then, they have mostly not bothered, so far). Cinemas and theaters are open - but max 300 people, and spacing between seats. Gyms, leisure centers and outdoor pools open - again with more limited capacity and spacing.
Sex workers are up and running again - with face mask but can be removed for oral sex - this is according to the newspaper, I have no idea how this is supposed to work in reality!!

Masks are optional and I'd say under 10% of people are wearing them. That is still being discussed by the government.
I'm still working from home, but can go back to the office now if I want to (I'm perfectly happy to wfh for the moment and the one way stairwells, and desk disinfecting etc at work all sounds a bit stressful)

The numbers are low and going down (average is about 18 cases and 2 deaths per day over the last week). Track and trace is due to be rolled out (still being tested), and covid tests are available (and recommended) to anyone who has any symptoms.
Work are offering us an antibody test at the medical center free of charge.

Next big test will the reopening of all borders with the EU (and UK) on June 15th. No quarantine is required, and is not being discussed that I've heard.

[Humphriescushion]

I did a gym class this morning. It was in a large sport complex so large rooms and plenty of space since i am not sure if smaller gyms are open. ( france) i should have booked but didnt and no problem but numbers in the class are limited. Have to wipe down mats, spaces marked for distance, and a one way system!

[TrueNorthStrongAndFree]

Here in Canada our local rec Centre is running fitness classes outside - but all swimming pools and council run gyms are shut. Some private gyms are open with social distancing and increased cleaning.
The council has closed some roads to make us easier for people to get out on bikes while still observing social distancing. Our national and provincial parks were closed for a while, but are now reopened for hiking. So some fitness options but not as many as usual!

[chipperfish]

Denmark here, and feeling like a lot of life is getting back to normal again.

No deaths for 3 days and very low numbers of new cases each day, no sign of a second wave, but some small localised outbreaks. Testing and contact tracing all over the country. Social distancing is still in place, but relaxing a bit, can meet in groups of up to 50.

Nursery and primary schools have been back for about 6-7 weeks now, secondary for about 2-3 with new distancing rules. Adult classes and uni in some places are open again
As of Monday we started phase 3 of reopening - in phase 2 they reopened libraries and outdoor sports clubs and now we are getting back to indoor sports and swimming. Sports clubs are restarting with limited numbers and cleaning. My gym is open again so no excuses, and the tape is off the playgrounds!

Lots of things reopening but with limited numbers and pre booking.
Allowed to travel but only to certain countries (Germany, Norway, Iceland and Greenland and Faroe isles) Anything else requires 2 weeks quarantine on reentering DK, and holidaying and camping here are allowed. There are some schemes afoot to release money to most people that has been saved up but not paid out due to changes in holiday pay rules here - its a bit complicated and I need to read more on it but essentially it may result in many working people having an extra payout over the summer from the holiday money system. The public sector has gone back to work in some areas, (though not across the whole country) and hospitals are doing routine and elective work.

I am planning to take the DCs to the beach over the weekend and also go fruit picking with them, both in the local area. Not thrilling pursuits but after lockdown it is lovely to be able to get out and do more. I wonder if we all appreciate it a bit more now

[DoHyeKim]

I'm from Korea and everything here is pretty much normal (though less people). Schools are open but I didn't send my daughter as she has underlying conditions (she's only 5 anyway so no tests etc). The only thing that hasn't opened yet is the animal cafes :( The ones in Seoul have but we live in Sokcho so the ones here have not opened yet-DD really loves the raccoon and cat cafes so she's a bit upset we couldn't go

[howdidwegetheremary]

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.

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.

So which is it then?

[Selmaselma]

The school holidays have already started in Spain. The summer camps are open.

Before some children have been returning to partially reopened schools since late May, but attendance has been on a voluntary basis and dependent on the situation in each of Spain’s 17 autonomous regions.

Here you can find information for the situation in different countries: www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/10/back-to-school-what-lessons-can-uk-learn-from-rest-of-europe

[TorchesTorches]

Netherlands here, not much to add to a poster higher up also in NL, except to add that masks are mandatory on public transport and 1.5 m distancing is still required. Kids are back full time at school, but there are still some changes, for example the end of year school musical is being split into 4 performances, not 2) and is at a bigger venue to accommodate distancing.

Also the Dutch PM didn't visit his dying mother in her care home, to abide by the rules (she has now sadly died, not of coronavirus though). Generally, I think he has handled it fantastically. He has a press conference about every 3 weeks and gives clear, practical information.