Lockdown status: In September all restrictions and general guidelines were revoked since the majority of the population is vaccinated. However, with the Omicron variant spreading and general cases rising, vaccine passes are now required at major indoor events from December onwards. The government and Public Health Agency also stated that the previous regulations might be taken into effect soon if they deem it necessary to slow down the spread.

Travel advice: There is currently a ban on entry for unnecessary trips to Sweden from most countries outside the EU/EEA. The Public Health Agency also recommends those who have traveled outside of the Nordic region take a PCR test when returning to Sweden. In order to travel into Sweden, foreign nationals traveling from an EU/EEA country need to have an EU Covid certificate, a negative Covid-19 test no more than 72 hours old, or a certificate of recovery.

Working regulations: There are currently no work regulations or recommendations in place in Sweden, although the government and Public Health Agency announced they might start recommending people to work from home in the near future if cases rise. Some companies have held on to their decision of remote work until the end of 2021.

Press status: The press is very keen to meet, so why not take someone out for lunch and build a personal relationship with editors. Otherwise, connect via social media and reach out by email.

Retail status: Retail sales are almost back to a pre-pandemic stage with all physical stores open and back to regular opening hours.

Lockdown status: The Norwegian government lifted almost all restrictions in late September. However, during the last weeks of November, the health ministry has become concerned with increasing infection rates and the spread of the Omicron variant. Therefore, new restrictions were presented on November 29th: for people infected with the Omicron variant, a 7-day isolation day is required. For close contacts, a 10-day quarantine is required, with the possibility to end on the 7th day with a negative PCR test. It is mandatory for all close contacts to get a PCR test.

Travel advice: People that are fully vaccinated or have been infected with COVID-19 do not need to test or isolate upon arrival. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs removed advice against unnecessary travel outside the EU from October 1st. The country will apply stronger travel restrictions if necessary. Everyone (even the fully vaccinated) is obligated to take a quick test upon crossing the Norwegian border. Numerous large test stations have been installed at the country’s airport for that purpose.

Working regulations: There are no restrictions about working from home. You are advised to stay at home and get tested if you experience COVID-19 symptoms.

Press status: The press can be reached via email or phone.

Retail status: Stores are open on a national level.

Lockdown status: All public facilities, such as museums and bars, are still open but only accessible with a “Pass Sanitaire” (COVID-19 pass). Booster shots are now being offered to the population. From now on, PCR tests that are older than 24 hours will no longer be considered valid for the Pass Sanitaire.

Travel advice: Travellers can move freely in and out of the country, as long as they have a valid COVID-19 pass and are respectful of the rules that apply to the color codes of the countries. There are now new color codes due to the variant Omnicron.

Working regulations: Working from home is no longer recommended. However, most French workplaces have now made the Pass Sanitaire mandatory to access work.

Press status: The press can be reached through email or phone.

Retail status: All retail stores are open.

Fashion week: The fashion week in March and February is still scheduled to take place physically, but the COVID-19 pass is still expected to be mandatory. A more precise schedule will be released soon.

Lockdown status: The green pass will no longer allow access to “non-essential” services including leisure and cultural venues unless you are vaccinated against or recovered from COVID-19. Italian green passes issued based on a negative test result will still be valid for entry to workplaces as well as for “essential services”. Under the new “super green pass” rules, businesses will be able to remain open even if a region is declared a ‘yellow’ or ‘orange’ zone under Italy’s four-tiered system of restrictions.

Travel advice: In order to avoid quarantine, travelers can produce evidence of a completed vaccine cycle, recovery from the illness, or a negative test taken within the past 72 hours. A green pass is needed for domestic flights, train travel between regions as well as sea travel. Passengers coming from a country outside of the EU need to present both a negative PCR test and a certificate of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19.

Working regulations: Italians are going back to the office. In most cases, it is advised to work 2-3 days at the office and the rest at home. All workers are required to provide a green pass.

Press status: You can contact the press via email or phone.

Retail status: All stores are open.

Lockdown status: Germany’s situation changes as the incidence number increases. The states with the most infections such as Thüringen, Sachsen, Bavaria, and Baden-Würtemberg have closed bars, restaurants, and cinemas. A nationwide lockdown cannot be excluded anymore. Masks have to be worn all over the country (medical / FFP2).

Travel advice: In general, travel is allowed and they are no restrictions if you are vaccinated. Recently all travel from South Africa has been restricted due to the new omikron variant. For all other regions, a COVID-19 test is not necessary if proof of vaccination is valid. When entering Germany remember to fill out the digital registration, this is very important and will be checked when crossing the border.

Working regulations: The home office has become a vital part of companies work culture, but most employers have now welcomed their employees back to the office. However, with COVID hitting hard this winter again, employees are encouraged again to work the majority of their working hours from home.

Press status: It is best to contact the press via email.

Retail status: Physical retail stores are open and can only be entered when wearing a face mask (FFP2). The number of people allowed in a store could differ from state to state.

Lockdown status: Besides the “basic rules” such as taking safe distances, washing hands, and the COVID-19 pass (coronatoegangsbewijs) that is required when accessing bars, restaurants, events, and cultural facilities, there are more restrictions now. You need to wear your mask in all public places again. All the non-essential places (restaurants, bars, shops, and cultural facilities) need to be closed at 17.00. Essential places (supermarkets and pharmacies) are staying open until 20.00. Moreover, everyone needs to work from home, unless your work requires you to be physically present. Furthermore, you are only allowed to have a maximum of four visitors at your home. On the 14th of December, the government will decide if more restrictions are needed for the following three weeks.

Travel advice: Travellers are allowed to travel in and out of the country, different rules may apply according to the countries travelers travel from.

Working regulations: Everyone needs to work from home unless you can only do your work physically.

Press Status: It is best to contact the press via email.

Retail Status: All stores and malls are still open but until 17.00.

Lockdown status: In Belgium, masks are still required in all indoor spaces and you still need to show the COVID-19 pass in order to be able to access certain events, restaurants, and cafes. Since 26/11, there are some new restrictions. All nonessential places are only allowed to be open from 05.00 in the morning until 23.00 in the evening. Starting the 15th of December, the Belgian government will decide if more restrictions are needed.

Travel advice: Travelling in and out of Belgium is still allowed. Different requirements apply according to the color code map. Travelers still have to fill in a Passenger Locator form prior to entering Belgium.

Working regulations: Everyone needs to work from home unless the work requires to be physically present, Belgians are allowed to come to the office one day a week.

Press Status: It is best to contact the press via email.

Retail Status: All stores and malls are still open with limited capacity.

Fashion week: Antwerp fashion week is still scheduled on the 6th and 7th of February 2022.

Lockdown status: The UK’s nationwide lockdown is lifted. However, it is now mandatory to wear face masks whilst inside public spaces such as in shops or on public transport.

Travel advice: If you are fully vaccinated and arriving in the UK from a green or amber country, you do have to quarantine until you get your PCR test result on your second day of visiting.

Working regulations: Generally, most of the lifestyle industry is working from the office as normal.

Press status: It’s best to contact the press via email or phone.

Retail status: All retail, high street shops, and malls, are open and it is mandatory again to wear face masks throughout the UK or you may be fined.

Fashion Week: London Fashion Week took place in September, it was mostly physical with some digital events too. If you haven’t done so already, you can sign up to gain access to LFW’s press portal here.

Lockdown status: The US has lifted restrictions across the country and new cases have been declining since last month. Due to the new Omicron variant, the US is expected to take measures to stop the spread, however, it is too soon to say what actions are needed, including possible mandates or lockdowns, says infectious disease official Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Travel advice: The US lifted travel restrictions for vaccinated international travelers from the U.K. and EU on November 8th. Unvaccinated inbound travelers, including U.S. citizens, have to show proof of a negative Covid test within one day of departure. Due to the Omicron variant, President Biden is restricting air travel from South Africa and seven other southern African countries starting Monday, November 29th.

Working regulations: Businesses are open across the country and people in the lifestyle industry are back in the office.

Press status: Retail sales are expected to rise 1.5%, up from September’s 0.7% gain, aided by rising gasoline prices and early holiday shopping, according to economists polled by Dow Jones.

Retail status: U.S. shoppers spent slightly less online during Black Friday this year, with many venturing back to physical stores despite coronavirus fears, tight supplies, and retailers’ efforts to encourage earlier holiday purchases.

“Back in March 2020, when Denmark had its first lockdown, many of my clients rescheduled campaigns and some cancelled – I got a really huge campaign cancelled for the rest of the year. At that point I was a bit nervous and had thoughts about how I was going to make everything work if the lockdown remained. Luckily it all changed pretty fast – so I actually ended up having many campaigns for the rest of 2020. A positive view on the pandemic and the lockdowns that we have been through, is that it has been very nice to get a small break from all the things I am usually attending. Instead I have had the time to immerse in my work, create even better content and I have had a lot more time to be creative – which has brought me peace. With that said I do of course look forward to getting out to meetings, press days, events and fashion weeks again.” 

– Karoline Dall, Fashion Influencer.

“In a world where we have looked more at functionality than aesthetics, there is still room for beautiful things. We will consume less and much more vintage or second hand.

Replacement consumption exists, of course, but selected, beautiful, strange objects still fit in our rational homes.” 

– Stefan Nilsson trend expert. (source)

“With the lockdown here in Germany the Lifestyle and Communications industry is currently very tense. New, innovative, and disruptive formats within media need to be explored to get consumers and new audiences to pay attention. Now more than ever it is important for brands to think outside of the box within the industry.”

-Benjamin Schiffer PR manager in assistance at BAM BERLIN

“The tighter lockdown measures in the Netherlands didn’t go down without a fight as riots broke out all across the country when a new curfew was imposed. Stores were looted and retailers – that have been shut throughout the lockdown – took preventive measures to protect what they could. Meanwhile, everyone is asked to continue working from home and not to travel – not even by public transport unless absolutely necessary.”

– Wided Bouchrika – Benelux Lifestyle Researcher

“We got creative with quarantine shoots and styling vlogs during the first wave. After that, we started doing shoots again, but we need to stay flexible: one day you can book a make-up artist, the next the model needs to do her own make-up, part of the team can’t make it to Belgium or has to sit through quarantine. So calling the corona-hotline has become a big part of the job – which stayed pretty much the same, though without the fashion weeks, trips, events, and in-person interviews. I spend most of my time at home and on video calls.”

– Catherine Kosters, Writer & Fashion Editor at Flair.