Countries in the European Union recorded over 450,000 excess deaths between March and November 2020, compared to the same period in the past four years, according to data released on Tuesday.
The data “gives a general measure of the mortality impact of the COVID-19 pandemic because it includes all deaths independently of their causes” statistics agency Eurostat said.
“The data covered in this analysis include all deaths that have occurred from January to November 2020,” it said.
First wave
Eurostat used monthly data from all EU countries, except Ireland which didn’t provide data, to compare excess mortality in 2020 to a baseline of the average number of deaths recorded in the same period between 2016 to 2019.
“During the early rise of COVID-19, the excess mortality in the EU reached its first peak in April 2020, with an increase of 25% compared with the average of the same month over 2016 – 2019,” the agency said.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe — country by country
Finland
The Finnish government put in place stricter regulations beginning on January 27 for those entering the country. All travelers will have to take a coronavirus test at the border. Finland is restricting entry from all Schengen countries — where people are allowed to travel without border control — permitting only essential travel for work for services like health care and emergency services.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe — country by country
Sweden
Travelers from most EU countries, and people travelling from non-EU countries who are exempted from the EU’s entry ban, will have to show a negative COVID-19 test no older than 48 hours on arrival, or be turned away. The new rules came into force on February 6. There is a ban on entry to Sweden from the UK, Denmark and Norway, apart from Swedish citizens and people who live or work in Sweden.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe — country by country
Denmark
Non-essential tourist travel to Denmark is currently being warned against due to high infection levels. Only people with a valid reason and a negative coronavirus test, no more than 24 hours old, will be allowed into the country. Denmark’s lockdown has been extended until February 28. Restaurants, cafés and pubs, as well as cultural and leisure facilities, remain closed.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe — country by country
Switzerland
Switzerland’s border with its neighbors, Schengen zone countries and most of Europe are open. Arrivals from some nations and regions that are classified “high risk” due to their infection rate are required to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival. Flights from the UK and South Africa have been suspended. Since January 18, stores have had to close, with the exception of suppliers of everyday goods.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe — country by country
Luxembourg
Travelers from EU and Schengen Area countries can enter Luxembourg without the need to present a negative COVID-19 test unless they arrive by air; since January 29 a negative test must be shown at boarding. Non-essential travel from most third countries is banned until March 31. Non-essential shops are open, but bars and restaurants are closed in Luxembourg and there is a curfew from 11 p.m.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe — country by country
Czech Republic
Because the coronavirus is spreading rapidly in the Czech Republic, the government has overridden parliament and extended by 14 days the state of emergency that was to end on February 14. The Czech government on February 12 already sealed off three border areas. Border controls are in place. Anyone living there is not allowed to leave their district and no one is allowed to enter.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe — country by country
Norway
Norway has closed its border to all but essential travel in a bid to halt the further spread of coronavirus variants. Unlike previous versions of the entry rules, there are very few exceptions, aside from Norwegian residents returning only “socially critical personnel” are exempt. The border closure comes into force on January 29 for two weeks, at which time the situation will be reviewed.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe — country by country
Poland
As of January 1, travellers from non-EU countries can only enter Poland for essential travel. The borders are open to travelers from the majority of EU. All arrivals to Poland must self-isolate for 10 days with some exceptions related to work or residency in Poland. The country now also allows travelers with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate to enter without the need to quarantine.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe — country by country
Turkey
All travelers aged 6 years and above will be required to show a negative PCR test result before they can enter Turkey and may be subject to health screening when they arrive. Turkey has currently banned flights from the UK due to the new COVID-19 variant. Shopping centers, markets, restaurants and hairdressers are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. throughout the week.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe — country by country
Croatia
New measures temporarily restricting border crossing were introduced on November 30. However, some exemptions have been made. Croatia is following a traffic light system for travel restrictions and anybody coming from an EU country on the ‘green list’ can enter the country without any restrictions. That’s providing they show no symptoms and haven’t been in close proximity to an infected person.
Author: Susan Bonney-Cox
In April, when the first wave of the pandemic was at its peak, Spain saw close to 80% increase in the average deaths whereas Belgium saw deaths sitting at almost 74% above the average.
November peak
“Between May and July, a lower level of excess mortality was registered, while yet another surge in mortality started in August – September with the next wave of the pandemic,” Eurostat said.
“The excess mortality in the EU was 8% above the average in September, +17% in October and +40% in November, with the indicator rising in all EU Member States.”
The November peak was particularly deadly for Poland, Slovenia, and Bulgaria, with each of them recording an increase of 90 percent.
Belgium also saw a nearly 60% increase, while both Italy and Austria neared a 50% increase.
Eurostat, however, stressed that while the substantial increase coincided with the pandemic, “the indicator does not discriminate among the causes of death and does not catch differences across sex and age classes.”
DPA contributed to this report.
