Covid-19
The latest news and practical advice about Covid-19 across Europe.
Pair behind Covid vaccine discovery win Nobel Prize
Katalin Karikó of Hungary and Drew Weissman of the United States won the Nobel Medicine Prize on Monday for work on messenger RNA (mRNA) technology that paved the way for Covid-19 vaccines.
Three cases of new Covid variant detected in Denmark
Denmark’s infectious disease control agency State Serum Institute (SSI) says it is keeping tabs on BA.2.86, a new subvariant of the Covid-19 variant Omicron, which has been detected in several countries including Denmark.
Covid-19 still causing 1,000 deaths a week in Europe, WHO warns
The World Health Organization's European office warned on Tuesday the risk of Covid-19 has not gone away, saying it was still responsible for nearly 1,000 deaths a week in the region. And the real figure may be much higher.
Covid face mask rule on flights in Europe set to be eased
The mandatory EU-wide mask requirement for air travel is set to be dropped from Monday, May 16th, but airlines may still require passengers to wear masks on some or all flights
Travel between Switzerland and the UK: What am I allowed in my suitcase?
This is the first Christmas since Brexit officially came into force. While Switzerland is not in the EU, it does make a difference to travellers heading to or from the UK. Here's what you need to know about the new rules and what you can - and cannot - pack.
UPDATE: What travellers from Europe to UK need to know about new Covid test rules
With the worsening Covid-19 situation across Europe and the spread of the new Omicron variant, the UK has announced yet more new testing rules for arrivals. Here's what you need to know about the new requirement for pre-departure tests.
REVEALED: Why Covid rates in some Swiss cantons are ‘five times’ higher
Infection rates in several smaller, German-speaking cantons are five times higher than those in Ticino. Why?
Omicron variant poses 'high to very high' risk to Europe: EU health agency
The new Covid variant, dubbed Omicron and originally detected in South Africa, poses a "high to very high" risk to Europe, the EU health agency warned on Friday.
Germany’s new coalition government 'thwarted Merkel plan for two-week lockdown'
Germany’s new government thwarted a plan by outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel to put in place a two-week Austria-style national lockdown, German tabloid Bild reported on Wednesday.
UPDATE: European countries 'must act urgently' amid worsening Covid outlook
The EU health agency on Wednesday appealed to member states to "urgently" introduce measures to counter surging Covid-19 cases, a day after the WHO Europe warned that 700,000 more may die on the continent this winter.
Will travel to and from Switzerland be possible this Christmas?
With Austria and some German states imposing restrictions to fight surging infections, will the resurgence of the virus impact holiday travel to and from Switzerland?
Mandatory jabs and restrictions: How Europe is responding to the new wave of Covid
From nationwide lockdowns to barring the unvaccinated from bars and restaurants and increased travel restrictions, countries around Europe are choosing different strategies to fight a new wave of Covid.
How Swiss brothels are encouraging vaccinations
Like many other sectors of the nation’s economy, Switzerland’s sex industry is also doing its part in promoting people to get the jab.
Countries across Europe impose curbs to slow new Covid-19 wave
Several European countries are reimposing restrictions in a bid to dampen down a worrying rise in Covid-19 cases. Governments are also taking more measures to encourage more people to get vaccinated against the virus.
Wristbands, fences and 3G: How will Christmas markets look this year in Austria?
Christmas markets across Austria are set to go ahead this year, although exactly how things will look has been a bit up in the air. Here’s what you need to know.
Europe could see 500,000 more Covid deaths by early 2022, WHO warns
The rising number of cases of Covid-19 in Europe is of "grave concern" and the region could see another half a million deaths by early next year, the World Health Organization warned on Thursday.
Denmark to end Covid-19 colour system in 'normalisation' of travel rules
A plan to lift most restrictions on travel in and out of Denmark will begin to take effect later this week, including the end of the foreign ministry’s traffic light guideline system for travel abroad.
Sweden's new Covid rules for travel from the UK
People who can show a UK-issued proof of Covid-19 vaccination are able to enter Sweden for the first time in months, after the government announced changes to its entry ban.
KEY POINTS: How Sweden's Covid-19 rules have changed
UPDATED: Sweden lifted nearly all of its pandemic restrictions on September 29th, including both laws and recommendations. Here's a rundown of what the changes mean for you.
Sweden gives green light to vaccinated tourists from some countries
The Swedish government has taken the next step in slowly opening up for vaccinated travellers from outside the EU.
OPINION: Sweden's Covid travel ban is getting more and more absurd
It's time for Sweden to take back control of its borders, and let vaccinated people in, writes The Local's publisher James Savage.
Greece, Corsica and Crete removed from Germany's high-risk list
Germany's Robert Koch Institute is set to scrub popular holiday destinations of Greece, Corsica and Crete from its high-risk list on Sunday, as most regions of France also become 'risk free'.
Swedish regions roll out booster shots of Covid-19 vaccine
The first regions in Sweden have begun administering third doses of the Covid-19 vaccine to some risk groups.