Every Zoom call over the past year has started out the same way: with these awkward yet somehow obligatory questions. They are always along the lines of “how are things where you are?” or “what’s the situation like in [country]?” These questions are awful because if you do not ask them, then you are insensitive. If you do ask them, you risk opening up a can of worms, and it’s hard to conduct business meetings if things start off negatively.
We took the liberty of looking up the data in several countries, so you don’t have to. For this article, we focussed on countries that are participating in the EURO 2020 football tournament.
Spain
Infection Rate:
Spain is reporting 3,406 new infections on average each day, 9% of the peak (26 January).
Vaccination Rate:
As of 21 June, 50.14% of the population has received the first dose of the vaccine, and 31.5% of the population has received the second dose.
Restrictions:
Spain has gained significant international attention lately because it announced in May that it would be welcoming vaccinated tourists from any location (with a few exceptions). Recently, the EU has recommended that the entire bloc follow suit. In Spain, wearing a mask outdoors is no longer obligatory, and nightlife—an industry that has been forced to shutter in Spain due to COVID—has been allowed to reopen slowly.
Hungary
Infection Rate:
Hungary is reporting 83 new infections reported on average each day, 1% of the peak (26 March).
Vaccination Rate:
As of 21 June, 56.12% of the population has received the first dose of the vaccine, and 47.8% of the population has received the second dose.
Restrictions:
Hungary is on this list because it has been remarkable during the group stages of the EURO. When teams played in Hungary, they played in front of fully packed stadiums. Because Hungary is one of Europe’s leaders as far as vaccination rate, they are relatively open compared to the rest of Europe. Importantly, only vaccinated people can appreciate a restriction-free lifestyle (gyms, indoor seating at restaurants, and stadiums are all privileges of vaccinated people).
France
Infection Rate:
COVID-19 infections are decreasing in France, with 2,349 new infections reported on average each day, 4% of the peak (7 November).
Vaccination Rate:
As of 21 June, 48.10% of the population has received the first dose of the vaccine, and 27.90% of the population has received the second dose.
Restrictions:
As of 17 June, the French government removed the requirement to wear masks outdoors. However, masks must still be worn in most workplaces, in shops, on public transport, and in outdoor spaces where large groups are gathered (like football stadiums).
The United Kingdom
Infection Rate:
COVID-19 infections are increasing in the United Kingdom, with 10,140 new infections reported on average each day, 17% of the peak (5 January).
Vaccination Rate:
As of 21 June, 63.6% of the population has received the first dose of the vaccine, and 46.4% of the population has received the second dose.
Restrictions:
Notably, the country has faced a relatively strict lockdown for the past few months, but it was all going to be worth it with “Freedom Day” scheduled for 21 June. Because of the rise of the highly transmissible Delta variant, UK leaders postponed that day until 19 July. Despite the relatively high infection rate in relation to their peak, the UK will go forward as the hosts of the EURO 2020 semi-final and final matches.
The UK’s citizens still have stringent quarantine requirements if they choose to travel to all but a very short list of countries, known as the “green list”.