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The European countries that have gone back into lockdown

Pedestrians wearing PPE (personal protective equipment), of a face mask or covering as a precautionary measure against spreading COVID-19, in Dublin on October 19, 2020, amid reports that further lockdown restrictions could be imposed to help mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus. - Ireland will crank up coronavirus restrictions, prime minister Micheal Martin said last week, announcing a raft of new curbs along the border with the British province of Northern Ireland. (Photo by PAUL FAITH / AFP) (Photo by PAUL FAITH/AFP via Getty Images)
Pedestrians wearing personal protective equipment in Dublin on Monday. (Getty)

Ireland has become the latest European country to reimpose strict lockdown measures after a large rise in coronavirus cases. Here are what countries around Europe are doing:

Ireland

The country shut all non-essential retail on Monday, limited restaurants and pubs to take away service and told people not to travel more than five kilometres from their home.

Ireland imposed one of Europe's longest lockdowns during the first surge in cases and has tightened restrictions over the last number of weeks as infections climbed again across the continent.

Several other European countries have introduced tough new measures to try and combat a second wave in recent days.

A Dutch police officer wears a nose and face mask as the municipality of Rotterdam  enforces the mandatory wearing of mask in large parts of the city to curb the spread of the coronavirus on August 23, 2020. (Photo by Sander KONING / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT (Photo by SANDER KONING/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)
A Dutch police officer wears a face mask. (Getty)

Netherlands

The Netherlands has imposed a four-week lockdown from 14 October onwards in response to rising cases.

All bars, restaurants and coffee shops have closed and only been able to serve takeaways while the sale of alcohol in shops and restaurants is banned after 8pm.

People have been told to stay at home as much as possible and a maximum of three people can visit your home per day.

Only four people can meet outside, but both rules exclude children under 13.

Belgium

The health situation in Belgium is worse than in March during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with cases of infection reaching new highs and the number of people in hospital doubling each week, officials said on Monday.

"The situation is serious. It is worse than on March 18 when the lockdown was decided," prime minister Alexander De Croo told Belgian television RTL-Info.

To slow the second wave of coronavirus the government has ordered bars and restaurants across the country to close for four weeks.

Most employees must work from home and a night-time curfew will start from midnight on Monday.

Watch: Europe struggles to cope with rising cases

Northern Ireland

Last week first minister Arlene Foster announced that the Northern Irish government would also be introducing a set of “circuit breaker” restrictions.

The four-week shutdown will see the country close all bars and restaurants (except for takeaways), put a stop to indoor amateur sports, and shut close-contact services such as hairdressing.

There will also be further restrictions on households socialising both indoors and outdoors.

CARDIFF, WALES - OCTOBER 19: First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford speaks during a press conference after the Welsh cabinet announced that Wales will go into national lockdown from Friday until 9 November, at the Welsh Government building in Cathays Park on October 19, 2020 in Cardiff, Wales. Cases of Covid-19 continue to rise in Wales even in areas that are already subject to restrictions. (Photo by Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)
First minister Mark Drakeford announced a 'firebreak' lockdown across Wales on Monday. (Getty)

Wales

Welsh first minister Mark Drakeford announced on Monday that the country would enter a two-week “firebreak” lockdown from Friday.

Schools, shops, pubs and hotels will close and citizens will be told to stay at home under the reimposed social distancing measures.

Drakeford said it had been a "difficult decision" for the Welsh government cabinet.

He said: "We met again this morning and have reached the difficult decision to introduce a two-week fire-break, starting at 6pm on Friday.

"It will include the half-term holiday and cover two weeks, ending on Monday, 9 November.

"The firebreak is the shortest we can make it, but that means it will have to be sharp and deep to have the maximum impact on the virus.

Israel

Although the Near Eastern country is not geographically in Europe, it is counted in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) European region as well as other European federations.

The country went back into a full lockdown in September to try to contain a coronavirus outbreak that has steadily worsened for months.

The lockdown will last for three weeks and will require the closure of many businesses and set strict limits on movement and public gatherings.

Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that even stricter measures may still be needed to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed.

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