Covid-19 freedom: how the world is reopening, dropping lockdowns after vaccination success

Nightclubs are reopening, face mask rules are out, and overseas travel is back in some countries with high vaccination rates.

The world is opening up again.

Despite ongoing infections from the Covid-19 Delta variant, more countries are ditching restrictions, allowing crowds to gather, businesses to open, and even green-lighting overseas holidays.

The key to these changes has been high vaccination rates, with countries like Israel, with 56 per cent of its adult population fully vaccinated against Covid-19, and the United Kingdom, with more than 51 per cent, experiencing significantly lower hospitalisations and deaths from the virus.

ENGLAND

From July 19, dubbed “Freedom Day,” major Covid-19 legal requirements in England will be scrapped, with national authorities encouraging individuals and businesses to make “common sense” decisions for their own health. The following rules will apply:

England soccer fans celebrate their side's victory after the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Semi-final match between England and Denmark at Wembley Stadium. Picture: Justin Tallis – Pool/Getty Images

– No social distancing

– No face masks

– No directions to work from home

– Nightclubs will reopen

– Full capacity allowed in cinemas and theatres, and at festivals and sports events

– Queues allowed in pubs and restaurants

– Unlimited numbers on home visitors

– Vaccinated UK citizens will no longer need to quarantine after travel from any country on its “amber list,” including Germany, Greenland, Fiji, Indonesia and Iran. They must undergo Covid tests three days before their return and two days after their travel, however. UK travellers from “green list” countries, including Australia, can already avoid quarantine.

– Travel to the UK from countries on the “red list,” including India and Egypt, is only permitted by UK citizens and they must quarantine in a government-approved hotel for 10 days.

ISRAEL

An early adopter of Covid vaccinations, Israel dropped its restrictions before the rest of the world but is now reinstating some limits to deal with a rise in Delta variant infections. More than 56 per cent of its adult population is fully vaccinated.

An Israeli girl receives a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine from the Magen David Adom during a campaign by the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality to encourage the vaccination of teenagers. Picture: JACK GUEZ / AFP

– Face masks now required indoors and on public transport

– No limits on private gatherings

– Festivals, parades, theatres, cinemas are able to operate without crowd limits

– Vaccinated or tested Israelis can travel to other countries except those nations deemed at the “highest risk” of Covid-19, of which there are currently six.

– Citizens who have been vaccinated or who have recovered from the disease inside Israel do not have to quarantine on their return to the country, unless they’ve arrived from a country listed among those of “highest risk”.

ITALY

All of Italy’s regions now fall under its “white zone” restrictions, unlocked by fewer than 50 coronavirus cases in 100,000 residents over three weeks. More than a third of its population is fully vaccinated.

Italian fans react as they watch the Euro 2020 Final match between Italy and England, played at Wembley stadium, on giant screens at Piazza del Popolo fan zone on July 11, 2021 in Rome. Picture: Antonio Masiello/Getty Images

– Face masks required indoors and outdoors when 1m social distancing isn’t possible

– No more midnight to 5am curfew

– Theme parks, casinos, swimming pools, day spas and betting places have reopened, and restaurants can serve customers indoors and outdoors

– Nightclubs are open but dancing is not permitted

– Private parties can be held among vaccinated people or with those who have had a negative Covid test within 48 hours

– Domestic travel is allowed within Italy for citizens with a “green pass” that proves they have been vaccinated, recovered or tested negative to Covid-19 within the past 48 hours.

– International travel to Italy is permitted for visitors from the US and Canada with an equivalent “green pass,” and from citizens of European Union nations and Israel who test negative. Britons must quarantine for five days.

UNITED STATES

Most American Covid-19 restrictions are set by states, with national requirements covering federal property and enterprises. All but two US states are now considered to be ‘reopened,’ with travel and mask-free gatherings the norm again, and 48 per cent of its population is fully vaccinated.

US President Joe Biden walks to board air force One prior to departure from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, July 7, 2021, as he travels to promote his economic plans in Illinois. Like many in the US, he is no longer wearing a face mask. Picture: SAUL LOEB / AFP

– Nine states, including California and New York, require masks to be worn indoors by unvaccinated people

– Everyone must wear face masks indoors in Hawaii and Puerto Rico

– 48 states have now ‘reopened,’ with retail, entertainment and religious venues operating

– Domestic travel is allowed within the US, with masks required on planes, buses, trains and other public transport

– Unvaccinated domestic travellers are required to get tested before and after travel, or self-quarantine for 10 days if they go without a test.

– International travel from the US is permitted, with returning vaccinated travellers asked to get a test three to five days after returning and unvaccinated travellers asked to get a test and isolate for seven days.

– The US has currently suspended travel for citizens from China, Iran, parts of Europe, the UK, Brazil, Ireland, South Africa and India.

SINGAPORE

The country aims to have more than two thirds of its population vaccinated by National Day on August 9, and half of the population vaccinated by late July. Restrictions will be significantly relaxed after the country reaches these milestones.

People use the escalator leading to the SMRT subway train station in Chinatown district in Singapore on July 7, 2021. Picture: Roslan RAHMAN / AFP

– Face masks are required indoors and outdoors

– Shops, bars, and restaurants are open, and groups of five people can dine together

– Gyms can host mask-free exercise in groups of five people

– Working from home remains the norm

– Up to 250 people can attend events, including wedding receptions, if organisers conduct pre-event testing

– Tourists are allowed from Brunei, China, New Zealand, Taiwan and Vietnam after securing an Air Travel Pass but must test negative on arrival

FRANCE

With more than 35 per cent of its population fully vaccinated, France is starting to open up more public venues and lower more of its Covid-19 restrictions.

A model walks the runway during the Zuhair Murad Couture Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2021/2022 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on July 07, 2021 in Paris, France. Picture: Thierry Chesnot/Getty Images

– Bars, cafes, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, museums, and religious venues have reopened at full capacity

– Face masks are required where people cannot socially distance such as markets, sporting events, and on public transport

– Nightclubs reopened for 75 per cent capacity last weekend but a “health pass” is required, proving a person has been fully vaccinated, recovered or tested for Covid-19 within 48 hours

– A “health pass” is also required to attend a gathering of more than 1000 people

– Students over the age of six must wear a mask at school

– Domestic travel is allowed

– International travel is allowed, with vaccinated travellers to “green countries” including Australia and the US can travel without health measures. Unvaccinated travellers must provide a negative Covid test taken less than 72 hours before departure. Arrivals from “orange” and “red” countries, including Brazil and India, are subject to further restrictions, and may be required to provide “pressing grounds” for travel.