Schengen area braces for second wave of COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic continues to impact travel to, from, and within the Schengen area as a second wave of infections bears down on the continent, prompting national lockdowns and increased mobility restrictions for residents and travelers alike. 

Certain Schengen countries are more affected by the second Covid-19 wave than others. Many of these countries have introduced measures to reduce the spread of the infection-these include everything from restrictions on indoor dining, to nightly curfews, to complete nationwide lockdowns. These restrictions collectively impact millions of people living and travelling within Europe and the Schengen area. The following is an overview of the major Schengen countries most affected by the second wave of the coronavirus.  

France

France entered its second lockdown of 2020 on October 30^th. It is expected to last until December 1^st.

• France’s curfew is in effect for more than half of the country’s 96 départements, with most residents prevented from leaving their homes at night (from 9pm-6am). This means that the majority of people in France are banned from going outside between those hours (travelers for work or health purposes are excluded from the curfew). 
• People in France are only allowed to leave their respective homes to perform essential tasks and chores, including receiving medical treatment, shopping for food, journeying to either work or school and exercising (for 1hr per day). 
• All non-essential shops are closed with the exception of food markets and pharmacies; restaurants are open for takeout and public transportation is running amid enforced social distancing. 
• Cloth masks must be worn in public indoor spaces and while on busses and trains (in France’s largest cities, including Paris, Marseilles, and Lyon, masks are required outdoors as well as indoors). 
• While schools are still open, universities will remain online-only. 
• While hotels remain open, public hotel dining options remain closed. 
• Social gatherings of people from different households are banned. 
• Anyone leaving his or her home must carry a form describing their reason for venturing outside. Those who lack a form, are traveling for non-essential reasons, or are found to be non-compliant with other restrictions may be subject to a fine of €135.
• Please note, Schengen citizens who enter France may be subject to quarantine upon arrival. 

Know-How to Apply for France Schengen Visa?

Germany 

Germany entered its second lockdown of 2020 on November 2^nd. It is expected to last until December 1^st.

• Unlike France, Germany’s lockdown is partial. This means that there is no regional or national curfew, and while certain businesses will remain closed (such as bars, gyms, theaters, and beauty salons), other non-essential shops may continue to operate, albeit with increased restrictions on the number of people able to enter at the same time. 
• Schools will remain open at all levels, including university. 
• Restaurants are open for takeout only and public transportation is running amid enforced social distancing. 
• While hotels remain open, overnight stays are banned for tourists and everyone not travelling for essential purposes. 
• Masks must be worn in public indoor spaces and while on busses and trains (while taxis are operating, passengers must sit in the backseat). 
• Social gatherings are limited to groups of 10 and under, to those from no more than two separate households. 
• Anyone found to be non-compliant with these and other restrictions may be subject to a fine of up to €25,000.
• Please note, Schengen citizens who enter certain German regions from certain places abroad may be subject to a minimum 14-day quarantine upon arrival. 

Know-How to Apply for Germany Schengen Visa?

Italy 

One of the world’s first and hardest-hit countries affected by the first wave of Covid-19, Italy imposed its second nation-wide curfew and partial lockdown of 2020 on November 3^rs. It is expected to last until December 3^rd. 

• Italy’s nationwide curfew prohibits most residents from all 20 regions from leaving their homes at night (from 10 pm-5 pm). This means that the majority of people in Italy are banned from going outside between those hours (travelers for work or health purposes are excluded from the curfew). 
• In addition to the national curfew, lockdowns will remain into effect in certain Italian regions. These lockdowns will vary in intensity and duration depending on whether the region is classified as a moderate, medium, or high-risk zone. 
• In the high risk areas, or “red zones,” which include Italy’s northern regions, certain non-essential shops, such as clothing stores and beauty salons (but not hair salons) are closed; restaurants are open for takeout and public transportation is running at 50% capacity amid enforced social distancing and the national curfew. 
• Schools at the lower levels remain open across the country, although the majority of high school students are learning remotely. 
• Masks must be worn in public indoor as well as outdoor spaces, and while on busses and trains. 
• Additionally, those leaving the homes must carry a form describing their reason for venturing outside.
• Anyone found to be non-compliant with these and other restrictions may be subject to a fine of up to €1,000.
• Please note that travel to and from and within Italy’s red zone districts is restricted, with non-essential travel banned both to and from red zones, with red-zone and orange-zone residents prevented even from leaving their respective municipalities. 
• Please note, Schengen citizens who enter Italy must register online prior to entering the country. Depending on their departing destination, persons coming from abroad may be subject to a minimum 14-day quarantine upon arrival. 

Know-How to Apply for Italy Schengen Visa?

Spain 

Another country severely affected by the first wave of Covid-19, Spain announced its second state of emergency of 2020 on October 25^th. The nation-wide curfew is expected to last until December 3^rd. 

• Having so far avoided imposing a second national lockdown, Spain has nevertheless been forced to institute a nationwide curfew, which prohibits most residents from all 17 regions from leaving their homes at night (from 12am-6pm, although specific times vary by region). This means that the majority of people in Spain are banned from going outside between these hours (travelers for work, health, or education purposes are excluded from the curfew). 
• While restaurants, bars, and other non-essential business remain open throughout the country, indoor and outdoor occupancy has been reduced to 50% and 75% capacity, respectively.  
• Social gatherings are limited to groups of 6; large public gatherings, including religious services, are allowed, albeit at reduced capacities.  
• Schools remain open throughout the country.
• Masks must be worn in public indoor as well as outdoor spaces, and while on busses and trains (as of today, the Spanish public transportation services remain regular and uninterrupted). 
• Anyone found to be non-compliant with these and other restrictions may be subject to a fine ranging from €60 to €60,000.
• In addition to the national curfew, further restrictions on inter-regional travel remain in effect in certain Spanish regions.
• Please note that travel to and from and within certain Spanish districts is restricted, with non-essential travel banned both to and from red zones, with red-zone and orange-zone residents prevented even from leaving their respective municipalities. 

Know-How to Apply for a Spain Schengen Visa?

Quick overview of 5 more hard-hit Schengen countries:

1. Austria – National lockdown imposed on November 3^rd to November 30^th. In addition to a nightly curfew, restaurants and bars remain closed except for takeaway, and public attractions like parks, gyms, and ski resorts are closed. While non-essential shops remain open, they face limits on the number of customers allowed inside. 
2. Belgium – Restrictive measures imposed on November 3^rd to December 13^th include regional night curfews, nation-wide mask requirements and enforced social distancing, and the closure of most non-essential business, including restaurants unable to provide take-away options. Despite imposing entry restrictions, Belgium has yet to limit travel within the country.   
3. Czech Republic – The Schengen country with the highest rate of infection. State of Emergency and nation-wide lockdown declared on October 3^rd, to last until November 20^th.  Reduced social gatherings, nationwide indoor mask requirements, enforced social distancing, and closures to public facilities, such as gyms and pools. 
4. Greece – National lockdown imposed on November 7^th until December 1^st. In addition to a national nightly curfew, Greece has imposed some of the most intense requirements of any Schengen state, including restrictions on movement of residents outside of the home, as well as restrictions on inter-regional travel within Greece. Additionally, all travelers entering Greece must present a negative Covid-19 test. Further restrictions include the wearing of masks both indoors and outdoors, the closure of many non-essential shops and non-take away restaurants. 
5. The Netherlands – Partial lockdown imposed until November 18^th.  Facing a surge in cases, the Netherlands continues to enforce social distancing and mask-wearing in public. Certain non-essential public places, such as parks, remain closed. Restaurants and bars remain open for takeaway; retail stores remain open until 8pm with reduced occupancy.