Chamber of Deputies gives green light for hard lockdown

Despite heavy criticism from the opposition, the government managed to pass the bill for tougher Covid restrictions to be implemented over the next two weeks in Luxembourg.

"Our neighbours reacted in late October and we are now in an emergency", said CSV MP Claude Wiseler. Like some of his colleagues, he stressed that the government should have "reacted sooner".

The new restrictions will come into force on Boxing Day. There will be a number of significant changes for residents.

The curfew will be moved from 11pm to 9pm,drinking alcohol will be forbidden in public places, sports and leisure activities will be further restricted, and non-essential businesses and sports facilities will be closed, limiting social interactions.

The measures should help "break the second wave", as some MPs said Thursday afternoon during the unanimous vote for the draft bill 7739 allowing some students' parents to obtain extraordinary leave.

This will apply to parents of vulnerable children, provided they have a medical certificate, parents of children under 13 who cannot attend school or childcare, and parents of children born after 1 December 2016. These age restrictions do not apply to children with disabilities.

This will put Luxembourg in a new lockdown phase which will last at least until 10 January. Restaurants and bars will remain closed until 15 January.

All these measures (fines, gatherings, leisure activities) can be read in detail on the Chamber of Deputies website (in French).