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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/24/how-strict-are-the-uks-distancing-rules-compared-with-other-countries
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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| How strict are the UK's distancing rules compared with other countries? | How strict are the UK's distancing rules compared with other countries? |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| New coronavirus distancing measures still not as stringent as some others around the world | New coronavirus distancing measures still not as stringent as some others around the world |
| Boris Johnson’s announcement of strict new distancing measures laid out restrictions increasingly familiar around the globe since China initiated its tough lockdown in Wuhan city and Hubei province in January. | Boris Johnson’s announcement of strict new distancing measures laid out restrictions increasingly familiar around the globe since China initiated its tough lockdown in Wuhan city and Hubei province in January. |
| More vague in detail than those of some countries, the UK measures unveiled were a lot less stringent than in many other European countries, with penalties appearing to be at the softer end of a spectrum compared with those nations threatening huge fines or imprisonment for violators. | More vague in detail than those of some countries, the UK measures unveiled were a lot less stringent than in many other European countries, with penalties appearing to be at the softer end of a spectrum compared with those nations threatening huge fines or imprisonment for violators. |
| Here’s how some other countries’ lockdown rules compare: | Here’s how some other countries’ lockdown rules compare: |
| France | France |
| Restrictions: France’s general “confinement” – introduced a week ago – has been clarified in recent days, with penalties increased as it became clear that not everyone was abiding by the rules. Self-certification is required to leave home – with name, date, reason and now also a precise time. Exceptions include essential work, essential shopping, health appointments, pressing family reasons and brief sporting activities near home (defined as once a day, a maximum 1km from residence, and for a maximum of one hour). Cycling for sport is not allowed. | Restrictions: France’s general “confinement” – introduced a week ago – has been clarified in recent days, with penalties increased as it became clear that not everyone was abiding by the rules. Self-certification is required to leave home – with name, date, reason and now also a precise time. Exceptions include essential work, essential shopping, health appointments, pressing family reasons and brief sporting activities near home (defined as once a day, a maximum 1km from residence, and for a maximum of one hour). Cycling for sport is not allowed. |
| Penalties: Fines began at €38 but were upped to €135. Repeat offenders face fines of €1,500 or perhaps even more. | Penalties: Fines began at €38 but were upped to €135. Repeat offenders face fines of €1,500 or perhaps even more. |
| Jordan | Jordan |
| Restrictions: Any movement outside of home is now banned in Jordan unless authorised by the prime minister’s office, including gas-delivery workers, bakers, pharmacists and bus drivers. General members of the public are not allowed out of the house other than to collect supplies such as gas, bread and medicine when they arrive. People facing emergencies are advised to call the civil defence forces who will come and escort them to a hospital. | Restrictions: Any movement outside of home is now banned in Jordan unless authorised by the prime minister’s office, including gas-delivery workers, bakers, pharmacists and bus drivers. General members of the public are not allowed out of the house other than to collect supplies such as gas, bread and medicine when they arrive. People facing emergencies are advised to call the civil defence forces who will come and escort them to a hospital. |
| Penalties: Infringement is punishable by a maximum one-year prison sentence. At least 800 people have been arrested so far and are being held in quarantine at facilities including a government school and a military training academy. | Penalties: Infringement is punishable by a maximum one-year prison sentence. At least 800 people have been arrested so far and are being held in quarantine at facilities including a government school and a military training academy. |
| India | India |
| Restrictions: A curfew that had been imposed in most states with only essential services allowed was superseded on Tuesday, with a nationwide 21-day lockdown for the country’s 1.3 billion people. The government had already suspended passenger trains, interstate buses and metro services across the country until 31 March. Generally exempt from the initial order were essential services such as grocery stores, hospitals, pharmacies, petrol stations, telecoms and postal services and restaurants that deliver food. | Restrictions: A curfew that had been imposed in most states with only essential services allowed was superseded on Tuesday, with a nationwide 21-day lockdown for the country’s 1.3 billion people. The government had already suspended passenger trains, interstate buses and metro services across the country until 31 March. Generally exempt from the initial order were essential services such as grocery stores, hospitals, pharmacies, petrol stations, telecoms and postal services and restaurants that deliver food. |
| Penalties: India has tough penalties on its statute books under the provisions of the 123-year-old Epidemic Diseases Act, including for deliberately transmitting a disease dangerous to life, which can lead to a sentence of two years, and up to six months and a fine for disobeying official orders. | Penalties: India has tough penalties on its statute books under the provisions of the 123-year-old Epidemic Diseases Act, including for deliberately transmitting a disease dangerous to life, which can lead to a sentence of two years, and up to six months and a fine for disobeying official orders. |
| Italy | Italy |
| Restrictions: The Italian government brought in further restrictions on Sunday, banning any travel inside the country and closing all non-essential businesses to stem the spread of coronavirus, in addition to lockdown measures already announced. Italians are banned from moving across municipalities other than for “non-deferrable and proven business or health reasons or other urgent matters”. Citizens must complete a self-declaration form with the only valid reasons being for work, health-related issues or to go to the supermarket. | Restrictions: The Italian government brought in further restrictions on Sunday, banning any travel inside the country and closing all non-essential businesses to stem the spread of coronavirus, in addition to lockdown measures already announced. Italians are banned from moving across municipalities other than for “non-deferrable and proven business or health reasons or other urgent matters”. Citizens must complete a self-declaration form with the only valid reasons being for work, health-related issues or to go to the supermarket. |
| Penalties: As of Monday, 92,367 citizens had been charged with flouting the rules. The current fine for violating the regulations is €206, but the government approved fines of up to €3,000 on Tuesday. Police could be given powers to seize vehicles from those who have violated the restrictions. Police also have permission to use drones as controls are upped across the country, and the army is patrolling the streets in some places. People can face up to three months in jail for breaking the quarantine rules. | |
| Spain | Spain |
| Restrictions: Since Spain’s lockdown was announced on 14 March, residents have been allowed to make only essential journeys away from home, defined as buying food and medicine, seeing a doctor, visiting elderly relative and emergencies or to travel to work, with some people in non-essential industries such as construction still working. Going out for exercise is not allowed except to walk the dog, but only around the block. Parents are not allowed to take children out unless they have to shop and cannot leave children alone at home. The original lockdown was for 15 days but has been extended to 11 April. | Restrictions: Since Spain’s lockdown was announced on 14 March, residents have been allowed to make only essential journeys away from home, defined as buying food and medicine, seeing a doctor, visiting elderly relative and emergencies or to travel to work, with some people in non-essential industries such as construction still working. Going out for exercise is not allowed except to walk the dog, but only around the block. Parents are not allowed to take children out unless they have to shop and cannot leave children alone at home. The original lockdown was for 15 days but has been extended to 11 April. |
| Penalties: Some of the toughest in Europe. Offenders face fines of €601-30,000, rising to €600,000 for repeat offenders, and sentences of three to 18 months in jail. So far, about 30,000 fines have been imposed. | Penalties: Some of the toughest in Europe. Offenders face fines of €601-30,000, rising to €600,000 for repeat offenders, and sentences of three to 18 months in jail. So far, about 30,000 fines have been imposed. |
| Egypt | Egypt |
| Restrictions: The region’s most populous country announced a two-week curfew for its more than 100 million people to slow the spread of the coronavirus at the beginning of this week, with the measure taking effect on Wednesday. Road traffic will be banned between 7pm and 6am each day, with only bakeries, supermarkets, pharmacies and hospitals allowed to remain open. | Restrictions: The region’s most populous country announced a two-week curfew for its more than 100 million people to slow the spread of the coronavirus at the beginning of this week, with the measure taking effect on Wednesday. Road traffic will be banned between 7pm and 6am each day, with only bakeries, supermarkets, pharmacies and hospitals allowed to remain open. |
| Penalties: Infringements will attract fines of up to 4,000 Egyptian pounds (£217), with a risk of imprisonment. | Penalties: Infringements will attract fines of up to 4,000 Egyptian pounds (£217), with a risk of imprisonment. |